Wikivoyage enwikivoyage https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page MediaWiki 1.39.0-wmf.25 first-letter Media Special Talk User User talk Wikivoyage Wikivoyage talk File File talk MediaWiki MediaWiki talk Template Template talk Help Help talk Category Category talk TimedText TimedText talk Module Module talk Gadget Gadget talk Gadget definition Gadget definition talk 0 37 4506819 4412530 2022-08-23T11:55:36Z Ground Zero 1423298 Times and dates per [[WV:tdf]], wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Aalborg banner Architectural detail.jpg}} '''[http://www.visitaalborg.com Aalborg]''' is the largest city in [[North Jutland]], [[Denmark]]. Its population, as of 2016, is 134,672, making it the fourth largest city in [[Denmark]]. [[File:Aalborg Havnefront 2.jpg|300px|thumbnail|Aalborg waterfront by night]] == Understand == Aalborg is the capital and largest city in the region of North Jutland. A university town and a regional centre for education. It has a long history as an industrial and port town with an international airport that also serves [[Copenhagen]]. Aalborg is an old town with many preserved buildings and important prehistoric relics, but also thriving cultural life with several institutions of national importance. The Tourist Information of Aalborg has its headquarters in Nordkraft, a culture centre at the harbourfront. ===Orientation=== The city of Nørresundby is just across Limfjord, to the north of it. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{go | name=Aalborg Airport | alt={{IATA|AAL}} Aalborg Lufthavn | url=https://www.aal.dk | email= | address=Ny Lufthavnsvej 100 | lat= | long= | directions=5½ km northwest of the city | phone=+45 98171144 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q478620 | lastedit=2020-12-13 | content=Aalborg is the third largest airport in Denmark. [http://norwegian.com/ '''Norwegian'''] and [http://flysas.com '''SAS'''] have flights from [[Copenhagen Airport]] to Aalborg, while Norwegian also offers international direct flights from European cities. Ryanair also has flights from the UK as well. There are direct trains to the city centre and onwards to [[Aarhus]], [[Odense]] and Copenhagen about once per hour. Additionally, local buses stop at the airport, however they are fairly infrequent on weekends and evenings and service stops rather early, at around 23:00. Taxis are available but they are expensive.}} ===By bus=== Aalborg Busterminal on John F Kennedy Plads (the John F Kennedy square, phone: 98 12 87 13) right by the station is a large regional hub for long distance, regional and local buses. Express buses ([http://www.xbus.dk/ ''XBus'']) leaves several times per day towards Aarhus (via Hadsund), Løgstør, Holstebro, Viborg (via Silkeborg) and Esbjerg. In addition regional buses (locally known as rutebil) connects to nearly every city of some size in North Eastern Jutland. ''[http://www.abildskou.dk/go.asp?LangRef=4 Abilskou]'' route 888 to [[Copenhagen]] takes 5 hours, kr 250 (kr 430 return). * {{go | name=Bus station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Fredensgade 45 | lat=57.04242 | long=9.91905 | directions=close to the train station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-13 | content= }} ===By train=== Aalborg is on the [[Copenhagen]], [[Roskilde]], [[Odense]], [[Aarhus]] Line. 4½ hours/DKK 402 to Copenhagen. * {{go | name=Aalborg station | alt= | url= | email= |wdid=Q2204904 | address=Banegårdspladsen 1 | lat=57.04292 | long=9.91689 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-13 | content=The main train station. }} * {{go | name=Aalborg Vestby| alt= | url= | email= | address=Kastetvej | lat=57.05302 | long=9.90849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-13 | content=Smaller platform where some trains do an interim stop. }} ===By ferry=== There are ferries from [[Norway]] and [[Sweden]] coming to North Jutland ([[Hirtshals]] or [[Frederikshavn]]). From there you can take bus or train to Aalborg. ===By car=== From Frederikshavn: Use the E45 southbound to Aalborg.<br /> From Hirtshals: Use the E39 southbound to Aalborg.<br /> From Aarhus: Use the E45 northbound to Aalborg. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|57.044163|9.916059|zoom=12|height=|width=|layer=|staticmap=|align=|name=}} In the centre it easy to walk by foot. To go further, there is a good public bus system (kr 22 for 1½ hr if you pay cash), run by the [https://www.nordjyllandstrafikselskab.dk/English/Bus-&-train Nordjyllands Trafikselskab company], which tickets can be bought [https://www.ntbillet.dk/ online]. The buses don't go at night, and taxis are very expensive. The best way is still to get around by bicycle, you can rent one close to tourist information office or at several other locations using the city-bike system. There is also a city bike scheme where you may borrow a bicycle after giving a kr 20 deposit. For longer stays, a better option is buying one. Police has auctions once per month, you can ask about them in the police station. ==See== * {{see | name=Aalborg Akvavit | alt= | url=http://www.aalborgakvavit.dk/ | email= | address= | lat=57.053999 | long=9.910703 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Distillery. There used to be a museum but it was closed in 2016. }} * {{see | name=Aalborghus Castle | alt=Aalborghus Slot | url=http://www.visitaalborg.com/ln-int/aalborghus-castle-gdk1035010 | email= | address=Slotspladsen 1 | lat=57.0494 | long=9.92417 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Aalborghus | image=Schloss Aalborghus.JPG | wikidata=Q1165691 | content=A half-timbered castle built by King Christian III in 1539 - 1555 initially as a fortification. Soon it became the seat of the king's provincial governors in Northern Jutland, and then started to be used by the State County for taxes. All that remains today of the original castle is the east wing, the rest was constructed centuries later. There is no public access to the buildings but the courtyard is open for everybody free of charge. Besides, it's possible to visit the castle’s dungeon (May - Oct: M-F 08:00-15:00) and underground casemates (daily 08:00 - 21:00). }} * {{see | name=Aalborg Tower | alt=Aalborgtårnet | url= http://aalborgtaarnet.dk| email=|image=Ålborgtårn.jpg | address=Søndre Skovvej 12 | lat=57.041618 | long=9.904929 | directions= | phone=+45 98 77 05 11 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= 11:00 - 17:00| price=Adult 40 kr, children (3-11 years) 30 kr | wikipedia=Aalborgtårnet | content= 54.9-metre-tall observation tower built of lattice steel in 1933. The tower is built on a hill, providing a total height of 105 metres above sea level. The tower has a restaurant on the top. | wikidata=Q300861}} * {{see | name=Aalborg Townhall | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gammel Torv 2 | lat=57.048265 | long=9.920728 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Old City Hall (Aalborg) | image=Old City Hall (Aalborg).jpg | wikidata=Q7083685 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=Built in 1759 and served as city hall until 1912. Now is only used for wedding ceremonies and representative purposes. }} * {{see | name=Aalborg Zoo | alt= | url=http://aalborgzoo.dk/UserFiles/engelsk_hjemmeside.pdf | email= | address=Mølleparkvej 63 | lat=57.037047 | long=9.897919 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Aalborg Zoo | content=Cosy zoo with many "classic" zoo animals such as giraffes, elephants and big cats. The biggest enclosure is the savanna, where several African animals are free-ranging. There is also a big playground and a nice restaurant. | wikidata=Q3253024}} [[Image:Budolfi_Aalborg_dk.jpg|thumb|Budolfi church]] * {{see | name=Budolfi Church | alt= | url=http://www.aalborgdomkirke.dk/UserFiles/file/ENG_12s_A5_Budolfi_4f_300609_LOW.pdf | email= | address= | lat=57.047778 | long=9.919444 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Budolfi Church | content=The Lutheran cathedral in Aalborg. | wikidata=Q601654 }} [[Image:Elbjorn.jpg|thumb|Elbjørn]] [[Image:JensBangHouse.jpg|thumb|Jens Bangs house (1623-1624)]] * {{see | name=Jens Bangs Stenhus | alt= | url= | email= | address=Østerågade 9 | lat=57.048463 | long=9.921019 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jens Bang's House | content=Beautiful renaissance house, built in 1624 by the merchant Jens Bang. | wikidata=Q12319228}} * {{see | name=Jørgen Olufsens House | alt= | url= | email= | address=Østerågade 25 | lat=57.049686 | long=9.921991 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jørgen Olufsen's House | content=Well-preserved renaissance house from 1616 by the merchant Jørgen Olufsen. | wikidata=Q12320848}} * {{see | name=Lindholm Hoeje | alt= | url=http://nordmus.dk/lindholm-gb | email= | address=Vendilavej 11, Lindholm Høje, Nørresundby | lat=57.078236 | long=9.909973 | directions= | phone=+45 9931 7440 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-16:00, during Apr-Oct closes 1 hour later | price=Adult 75 kr, students 60 kr, children below 18 years free | wikipedia=Lindholm Høje | image=Lindholm-Hoje.web.jpg | wikidata=Q796045 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=Ancient Viking graveyard. There is an adjacent Lindholm Hoeje museum. }} * {{see | name=Royal Taxhouse | alt= | url= | email= | address=Strandvejen 1 | lat=57.050444 | long=9.922164 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Built in 1902 representing national romantic architecture. In 2005, it was brought back to its original style. Next to the house is a musical fountain, during summer at 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 and 21:00 Händel's Water Music accompanise the splashing water. }} ===Museums=== * {{see | name=KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art Aalborg | alt= | url=http://kunsten.dk/ | email= | address=Kong Christians Allé 50 | lat=57.042639 | long=9.905694 | directions= | phone=+45 99 82 41 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-17:00, W 10:00-21:00 | price=Adult 95 kr, student 50 kr, children up to 18 years free | wikipedia=KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art Aalborg | image=KUNSTEN Aalborg 2006.jpg | wikidata=Q1802939 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content= }} * {{see | name=Defence and Garrison Museum | alt= | url=http://www.forsvarsmuseum.dk/start | email= | address=Skydebanevej 22 | lat=57.056017 | long=9.882923 | directions= | phone=+45 9812 8821 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00 - 16:00. November to March: as per arrangement for group visits (minimum 10 persons) | price=50 kr, children 25 kr | wikipedia=Defence and Garrison Museum | image=Aircraft in the hangar at Aalborg Defence and Garrison Museum.jpg | wikidata=Q300858 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content= }} * {{see | name=Springeren - Maritime Experience Centre | alt=Søfarts- og Marinemuseum | url=http://en.springeren-maritimt.dk | email= | address=Vestre Fjordvej 81 | lat=57.058889 | long=9.893889 | directions= | phone=+45 98 11 78 03 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-16:00, closes later during summer | price=Adults 80 kr, children 6-14 years 40 kr. Free entrance for students each Monday | wikipedia=Aalborg Søfarts- og Marinemuseum | image=2006 08 22 135929 Springeren 2 ubt.jpeg | wikidata=Q3357833 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=A marine museum located on the wharf where you can play with modelships in the pool, visit submarine 'Springeren' and learn about the ships at the exhibition. }} * {{see | name=Gråbrødrekloster Museum | alt= | url=http://www.nordmus.dk/grabrodrekloster-museet-gb | email= | address=Algade 19 | lat=57.0472 | long=9.9215 | directions= | phone=+45 9931 7400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu - Sa 10:00 - 16:00 | price=40 per lift load (max. 250 kg), Admission by self-service via the lift tower by the department store "Salling", Algade | wikipedia=Gråbrødrekloster Museum | wikidata=Q15222206 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=Underground museum 3 m below Algade street. It depicts the history of the Franciscan monastery as well as the market place, the unknown churches and the city houses. }} * {{see | name=Historical Museum | alt= | url=http://www.nordmus.dk/aalborg-historiske-museum-english | email= | address=Algade 48 | lat=57.0481 | long=9.91803 | directions= | phone=+45 9931 7400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu - Sa 10:00 – 17:00 | price=Adults 40 kr, students 30 kr, children free | wikipedia=Aalborg Historical Museum | image=Museumsbygning Aalborg Historiske Museum 01.jpg | wikidata=Q3357439 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=Exhibition is rather small and of limited value. }} <!--* {{see | name=Atelier Olsson | url=http://www.atelier-olsson.dk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }}--> === Aalborg habourfront === The harbourfront has been renewed and is now centre for culture and education. The entire area offers an inspiring city walk in itself. * {{see | name=Utzon Centre | alt= | url=http://www.utzoncenter.dk/en | email=info@utzoncenter.org | address=Slotspladsen 4 | lat=57.049472 | long=9.926418 | directions= | phone=+45 7690 5000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-17:00 | price=Adult 80 kr, students 40 kr, children under 18 years free | wikipedia=Utzon Center | image=Utzon Center Aalborg.jpg | wikidata=Q1434077 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=A cultural centre exhibiting art, architecture and design. Focuses on Jørgen Utzon's own work and other work somehow related to him. Also has a restaurant. }} === Nature sites === * {{see | name=Kildeparken | alt= | url=http://www.visitaalborg.com/ln-int/kildeparken-gdk596185 | email= | address=Gammel Kærvej | lat=57.042300 | long=9.914025 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kildeparken | image=LindealleKildeparkenForaar2009.JPG | wikidata=Q12321796 | content= }} * {{see | name=Lille Vildmose | alt= | url=http://lillevildmose.dk/en/ | email= | address= | lat=56.8875 | long=10.220556 | directions=Take bus #56 (Aalborg – Mou) or bus#58/458 (Hobro – Hadsund via Als and Øster Hurup), then walk last 1.5 km to the visitor centre | phone=+45 99 31 75 50 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lille Vildmose | image=Lille Vildmose - udsigt1.JPG | wikidata=Q1825179 | content=The largest raised bog in Western Europe, good wildlife exhibition center with small cafe and restaurant and excellent bird watching. }} * {{see | name=Egholm | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=57.063889 | long=9.843056 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Egholm | image=Limfjorden zs 1 ubt.JPG | wikidata=Q1297770 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=Small island in the fjord which can be reached by a short ferry ride. }} == Do == * '''Bicycle:''' rent a bicycle and go along the fjord. * '''Football:''' [https://aabsport.dk/ Aalborg BK] play soccer in Superliga, Denmark's top tier. Their home ground is Portland Park (capacity 13,800) 1 km west of city centre. * {{do | name=Casino Aalborg | alt= | url=http://www.casinoaalborg.dk/ | email=casino@casino-aalborg.dk | address=Ved Stranden 16 | lat=57.050996 | long=9.919609 | directions= | phone=+45 9810 1550 | tollfree= | fax=+45 9933 7099 | hours=Su–Th 20:00-03:00, F Sa from 20:00 | price=kr 50 | lastedit=2017-07-25 | content=Offer American Roulette, Black Jack, Poker and slot machines. Nice experience, but the atmosphere here is not as chic and international as you might expect. }} * {{do | name=Ice-skating | alt= | url= | email= | address=C.W. Obels Square | lat=57.049081 | long=9.919746 | directions=behind the Student House | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=24/7, but only in the winter | price=Free if you own your own skates, otherwise renting them is kr 50 | content= }} * {{do | name=Open Swimming Pool | alt=Friluftsbad | url= | email= | address=Skydebanevej 14 | lat=57.056502 | long=9.886777 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content= }} * {{do | name=Nordkraft | alt= | url=http://nordkraft.dk/forside.aspx | email= | address=Kjellerups Torv | lat=57.0464 | long=9.93291 | directions=At the habourfront next to Musikkens Hus and the Utzon Center | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nordkraft (Aalborg) | image=Nordkraft.jpg | wikidata=Q11991850 | lastedit=2017-11-09 | content=Nordkraft is a culture center with several cultural institutions including Skråen (a venue for jazz and rock concerts), Teater Nordkraft, the Biffen Art Cinema, the Kunsthal Nord art gallery and Dreamhouse (an innovative creation facility). It was established in 2009 in a former power plant. Nordkraft is home to }} :* {{do | name=Teater Nordkraft | alt= | url=http://www.teaternordkraft.dk/ | email= | address=Teglgårds Plads 1 | lat= | long= | directions=in Nordkraft | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-02-02 | content=A theatre in Nordkraft culture center. [http://www.granhoj.dk/ Granhøj Dans] is a celebrated international dance company that is part of Teater Nordkraft. Granhøj Dans relocated to Aalborg in late 2016 from [[Aarhus]]. }} * {{do | name=Musikkens Hus | alt= | url=https://www.musikkenshus.dk | email= | address=Musikkens Plads 1 | lat=57.0475 | long=9.93306 | directions=At the harbourfront next to Nordkraft and the Utzon Center | phone=+45 60203000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Musikkens Hus | image=Musikkens Hus - front.JPG | wikidata=Q12327958 | lastedit=2017-02-02 | content=The concert halls and school of music. Fantastic architecture. }} * {{do | name=Aalborg Karnival | alt= | url=http://www.aalborgkarneval.dk/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Aalborg Carnival | content=The biggest carnival in Northern Europe. If you want to have fun with Danish people this is a great opportunity. | wikidata=Q1734117}} ==Buy== Cheapest supermarkets are Netto, Fakta, Aldi, Lidl and Rema 1000. Working hours are 08:00-22:00 all week. Aldi is open 08:00-21:00 all days, with the exception of Christmas and New Years Day and Eve. * {{buy | name=Algade and Bispensgade | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Main shopping streets. Most shops close M-F 18:00, and Sa 14:00. Shops are closed Sundays unless it is a special Sunday (usually first of the month). }} * {{buy | name=Medinaen | url= | email= | address=Reberbansgade, Urbansgade, Holbergsgade and Jens Bangs Gade | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Shopping area with a number of unique small shops. }} * {{buy | name=Salling | url= | email= | address=Algade | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Department store. }} * {{buy | name=Wet Market | url= | email= | address=Aagade | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa W mornings | price= | content= }} ==Eat== === Budget === * {{listing | type=eat | name=Fontænen | alt= | url= | email= | address=Prinsensgade 42 | lat=57.0463551 | long=9.9147032 | directions= | phone=+45 98 16 17 02 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=has the cheapest hot dogs in town, low budget fast food, what you need after a night out. }} * {{eat | name=1000fryd | alt= | url=http://www.1000fryd.dk | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=an alternative bar, vegan dinner on Tuesdays for kr 20. You have to sign up before. }} *'''Emiki Pizza''': small pizza place & friendly staff. Veggie pizza with Coke for kr 45. * '''[http://www.cafefriends.dk/ Friends]''': nice location toward the street junction & have the option to stay out.I eat salmon salad with mixed fruit cocktail juice for kr 90, but make sure to have krones since they are not accepting euro. === Mid-range === * {{listing | type=eat | name=San Giovanni | alt= | url=http://www.sangiovanni.dk/landingsside/ | email= | address=Vesterbro 46 | lat=57.0476967 | long=9.9154537 | directions= | phone=+45 98 11 37 55 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Good Italian restaurant }} There are many other good places to eat. Many such along Jomfru Ane Gade where you can both eat and drink well at an affordable price. ==Drink== [[Image:JomfruAne_dk.jpg|thumb|250px|Jomfru Ane street: The longest bar street in Scandinavia.]] * {{Marker|type=drink|lat=57.0502788|long=9.9188283|name=Jomfru Ane Gade|alt=Jomfru Ane street|url=http://www.visitaalborg.com/ln-int/jomfru-ane-gade-gdk596155}} is a short street with 30 restaurants/bars. Drinks are cheap and the bars are open late. You will see signs advertising 20 kr drinks and 20:00-00:00 happy hour. * {{drink | name=The Wharf | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=57.051507 | long=9.916342 | directions= | phone=+45 98117010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Borgergade 16, has the best beer in town (same owner as '''Charlies''' in [[Copenhagen]]). }} * {{drink | name=The Irish House | alt= | url=http://theirishhouse.dk/ | email= | address= | lat=57.049674 | long=9.921969 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Østerågade 25, tel: 98141817. }} * {{drink | name=London Pub | alt= | url= | email= | address=Boulevarden 7 | lat=57.046775 | long=9.920034 | directions= | phone=+45 98117770 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=1000fryd | alt= | url=http://www.1000fryd.dk/ | email= | address=Kattesundet 10 | lat=57.050188 | long=9.917392 | directions= | phone=+45 98132221 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Aalborg's only bar run by activists. 1000fryd has been around since 1984 when Aalborg's alternative scene bought the place. Now the place is known for their ecological beer, underground music scene and do-it-yourself attitude towards life. 1000fryd has two reoccurring festivals, namely their Punk/HC festival and their Queer festival. }} * '''Student house''' [http://www.studenterhuset.dk] right across the Budolfi church hosts international evenings on Wednesdays, as well as various concerts on Fridays. Very informal. *{{drink | name=Behag din smag | alt= | url=http://www.behagdinsmag.dk | email= | address=Maren Turis Gade 5 | lat=57.049765 | long=9.920934 | directions= | phone=+45 8734 0486 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:30-16:30 | price= | content=Coffee, tea and chocolate. If you enjoy good coffee, then this is the spot. One of the owners was the Danish Barista champion of 2007. }} *{{drink | name=Søgaards Bryghus | alt= | url=http://soegaardsbryghus.dk | email= | address=C. W. Obels Plads 1 | lat=57.048882 | long=9.920049 | directions= | phone=+45 98 16 11 14 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Brew pub, very modern ambiance, with the mash tuns in full view. Offers many styles of beer, including stouts, porters, IPA, and lagers. }} Aalborg is also the home of '''De Danske Spritfabrikker''' which produces a great number of distilled beverages. Their most famous product is the '''Aalborg Taffel Akvavit''', colloquially known as a "Rød Aalborg" (Red Aalborg). ==Sleep== === Budget === * {{sleep | name=Danhostel Aalborg | alt= | url=http://hostel-aalborg.com | email= | address=Skydebanevej 50 | lat=57.053940 | long=9.872992 | directions= | phone=+45 6011 6044 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Single 470 kr, double 580 kr | lastedit=2017-11-13 | content=A hostel outside the centre of Aalborg which contains some huts on an island and is close to the ferry to Egholm. It has dating furniture, small rooms, not clean kitchen and overall scores very low rating on the Internet. }} * {{sleep | name=Eyvind Andreasen B&B | alt= | url=http://www.bedandbreakfasteuropa.com/?host=19716 | email=rje@mail1.stofanet.dk | address=Kronprinsens alle 34 | lat=57.057595 | long=9.933008 | directions= | phone=+45 98172562 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=kr 270, kr 325 (double) | content=Friendly place just north of the bridge. Has three rooms sharing bathroom, kitchen, separate entrance. TV, beer and wine available in the kitchen at very reasonable prices. }} === Mid-range === * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Comwell Hvide Hus Hotel | alt= | url=https://comwell.com/en/hoteller/comwell-hotel-aalborg | email=hotel.aalborg@comwell.dk | address=Vesterbro 2 | lat=57.0421526 | long=9.9117198 | directions=close to Kildeparken | phone=+45 98 13 84 00 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=The hotel is located on a beautiful and central location, within walking distance of most attractions. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Gestus | alt=Hotel Chagall | url=http://millinghotels.dk/hoteller/hotel-gestus/?lang=en | email= gestus@millinghotels.dk | address=Vesterbro 36 | lat=57.046977 | long=9.914844 | directions= | phone=+45 9812 6933 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small and homey hotel in the heart of Aalborg. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Helnan Phønix Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.helnan.dk/en/phoenix/ | email=phoenix@scandinavianhotels.dk | address=Vesterbro 77 | lat=57.0483306 | long=9.9154238 | directions= | phone=+45 98 12 00 11 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Classic historic hotel in the middle of Aalborg. }} * {{sleep | name=First Hotel Aalborg | alt=Slotshotellet | url= | email= | address=Rendsbruggade 5 | lat=57.048467 | long=9.927912 | directions= | phone=+45 98 10 14 00 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=View of Limfjorden, close to Aalborg’s pedestrianised boutique shopping, and 3 minutes walk from the new outdoor harbour pool. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=KOMPAS Hotel Aalborg | alt= | url=https://kompashotel.dk/en/home-page/ | email=info@kompashotel.dk | address=Østerbro 27 | lat=57.0465894 | long=9.9347673 | directions= | phone=+45 98 12 19 00 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The cozy hotel at Østerbro. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Scandic Aalborg City | alt= | url=https://www.scandichotels.com/hotels/denmark/aalborg/scandic-aalborg-city | email=aalborgcity@scandichotels.com | address=Europa Plads 1 | lat=57.0440636 | long=9.9129937 | directions= | phone=+45 70 12 51 51 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=-modern and comfortable rooms in the heart of Aalborg. }} === Splurge === * {{sleep | name=Scheelsminde Hotel & Gastronomi | alt= | url=http://www.scheelsminde.dk/ | email=scheelsminde@scheelsminde.dk | address=Scheelsmindevej 35 | lat=57.019758 | long=9.904922 | directions= | phone=+45 98 18 32 33 | tollfree= | fax=+45 98 18 33 34 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A nice 4-star hotel-restaurant catering to business people. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Limfjord Hotel, Aalborg | alt= | url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-aalborg-limfjord | email=reservations.limfjord@radissonsas.com | address=Ved Stranden 14-16 | lat=57.050883 | long=9.920001 | directions= | phone=+45 98 16 43 33 | tollfree= | fax=+45 98 16 17 47 | checkin= | checkout= | price=kr 1200 - 2000 per night | content=Big 4-star hotel with a view towards the Limfjord. }} ==Connect== ===Internet=== * '''[https://www.aalborgbibliotekerne.dk/ Det nordjyske Landsbibliotek]''' (library), Rendsburggade 2, section ''Nørregadehjørnet'' in "Team Natur". ==Cope== === Languages === Almost every Dane speaks English. Most people will respond in English to any question you may have. Many Danes also speak some German, Spanish or French, due to having studied them in school. Most Danes understand the other Scandinavian languages, Swedish and Norwegian. Information on public transport and in government offices is often printed in English. For the most common phrases in Danish, see the [[Danish phrasebook]] article. === Currency === The currency is Danish kroner (crowns). Visa and MasterCard are normally accepted in any restaurant, taxi or store. ATMs accept all major credit and debit cards and are available in English language. ==Go next== There are lots of beautiful nature around, easily accessible only by car. * {{Listing|name=Rubjerg Knude|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=57.44906|long=9.77542|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|wikidata=|lastedit=2020-08-08|content=impressing sand dunes and a lighthouse in the sand}} * Bulbjerg * Fur island * Mors * [[Skagen]] * [[Frederikshavn]] * [[Hirtshals]] For beach, you can take a bus to [[Blokhus]] (around 40 km) or Hals (around 30 km) and walk some 3 km north, or take a less frequent bus that passes Hou, to, e.g., Bisnap strand. * Fårup Sommerland. This amusement park can be reached by bus from Aalborg Rutebilstation. The amusement park has many rides and a water park. {{routebox-2 | image1=Tabliczka E45.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Frederikshavn]] | minorl1=Sæby | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Aarhus]] | minorr1=[[Hobro]] | image2=Tabliczka E39.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Hirtshals]] | minorl2=[[Hjørring]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=END | minorr2= }} {{IsPartOf|North Jutland}} {{geo|57.05|9.93}} {{usablecity}} l48ftdsmendcrpd9np3bnhg3o6yoe3u 0 161 4506231 4491872 2022-08-22T13:18:20Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Updated listing for Summer Isles Hotel - info still current wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. ==See== * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * Boat trips run to {{marker|name=[[The Summer Isles]]| lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }}, a mile offshore, from {{marker|name=Bardentarbet Pier| lat=58.02961 | long=-5.37552}} by Polglass. Trips also run from Ullapool. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} *The '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiestores.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.025824 | long=-5.353002 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-07 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=http://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu | lat=58.05423 | long=-5.40977 | directions=on coast north of Achiltibuie | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:30, 18:00-20:00 | price=Mains from £14 | lastedit=2019-01-31 | content=Seafood restaurant. Bar is open 12:30-23:00 or longer. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=http://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address= | lat=57.99719 | long=-5.31442 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=(former SYHA) has dorms, a pod and private doubles. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url=http://www.achiltibuie.net/castlehill | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2019-07-31 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Greenhill | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiecottages.wordpress.com | email= | address=114 Achiltibuie | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7917 178326 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£800-£950 / week | lastedit=2019-07-31 | content=Extended crofters house in its own grounds with views over the Summer Isles. Sleeps 2-6 people and available to rent Sat-Sat for self-catering. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} jbneauglxr64nvj3uyahjm2b5ba3yd6 4506236 4506231 2022-08-22T13:27:52Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Updated listing for Acheninver Hostel - practical info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. ==See== * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * Boat trips run to {{marker|name=[[The Summer Isles]]| lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }}, a mile offshore, from {{marker|name=Bardentarbet Pier| lat=58.02961 | long=-5.37552}} by Polglass. Trips also run from Ullapool. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} *The '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiestores.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.025824 | long=-5.353002 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-07 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=http://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu | lat=58.05423 | long=-5.40977 | directions=on coast north of Achiltibuie | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:30, 18:00-20:00 | price=Mains from £14 | lastedit=2019-01-31 | content=Seafood restaurant. Bar is open 12:30-23:00 or longer. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url=http://www.achiltibuie.net/castlehill | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2019-07-31 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Greenhill | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiecottages.wordpress.com | email= | address=114 Achiltibuie | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7917 178326 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£800-£950 / week | lastedit=2019-07-31 | content=Extended crofters house in its own grounds with views over the Summer Isles. Sleeps 2-6 people and available to rent Sat-Sat for self-catering. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} qudgp8a1mg2t9xrte878mibpymi7gz6 4506241 4506236 2022-08-22T13:31:41Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Updated listing for Castlehill - practical info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. ==See== * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * Boat trips run to {{marker|name=[[The Summer Isles]]| lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }}, a mile offshore, from {{marker|name=Bardentarbet Pier| lat=58.02961 | long=-5.37552}} by Polglass. Trips also run from Ullapool. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} *The '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiestores.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.025824 | long=-5.353002 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-07 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=http://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu | lat=58.05423 | long=-5.40977 | directions=on coast north of Achiltibuie | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:30, 18:00-20:00 | price=Mains from £14 | lastedit=2019-01-31 | content=Seafood restaurant. Bar is open 12:30-23:00 or longer. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Greenhill | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiecottages.wordpress.com | email= | address=114 Achiltibuie | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7917 178326 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£800-£950 / week | lastedit=2019-07-31 | content=Extended crofters house in its own grounds with views over the Summer Isles. Sleeps 2-6 people and available to rent Sat-Sat for self-catering. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} 64a1whfkr4m83a6pohpbsj1mh70pwzo 4506248 4506241 2022-08-22T13:33:22Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Deleted listing for Greenhill - disappeared wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. ==See== * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * Boat trips run to {{marker|name=[[The Summer Isles]]| lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }}, a mile offshore, from {{marker|name=Bardentarbet Pier| lat=58.02961 | long=-5.37552}} by Polglass. Trips also run from Ullapool. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} *The '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiestores.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.025824 | long=-5.353002 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-07 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=http://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu | lat=58.05423 | long=-5.40977 | directions=on coast north of Achiltibuie | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:30, 18:00-20:00 | price=Mains from £14 | lastedit=2019-01-31 | content=Seafood restaurant. Bar is open 12:30-23:00 or longer. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} lxjz26ikhnxut8tnxzt6tfymd5b2tlh 4506252 4506248 2022-08-22T13:38:48Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Tanera Mor wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} *The '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiestores.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.025824 | long=-5.353002 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-07 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=http://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu | lat=58.05423 | long=-5.40977 | directions=on coast north of Achiltibuie | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:30, 18:00-20:00 | price=Mains from £14 | lastedit=2019-01-31 | content=Seafood restaurant. Bar is open 12:30-23:00 or longer. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} a6zet6yjjqov863m1ihlrug6y9yfe9i 4506255 4506252 2022-08-22T13:47:28Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Port a Bhaigh wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} *The '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiestores.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.025824 | long=-5.353002 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-07 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=http://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu | lat=58.05423 | long=-5.40977 | directions=on coast north of Achiltibuie | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:30, 18:00-20:00 | price=Mains from £14 | lastedit=2019-01-31 | content=Seafood restaurant. Bar is open 12:30-23:00 or longer. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} aiqicgk55xsvcxi54g7xtypvi56rgxc 4506256 4506255 2022-08-22T13:52:51Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Eat */ Updated listing for Am Fuaran - practical info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} *The '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=http://achiltibuiestores.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.025824 | long=-5.353002 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-07 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} n7v78l9bki0arprfshv8c2wuga1v53a 4506258 4506256 2022-08-22T13:58:05Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Buy */ village stores wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Garden | alt= | url=http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.021414 | long=-5.346263 | directions=on the road south towards Polglass | phone=+44 1854 622202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=Garden Centre for soil- and hydroponic-based semi-tropical plants and others; the centre runs "off-grid". From the 1980s to 2011 this was the "Hydroponicum" visitor attraction, but that's long been closed and demolished. }} * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} 7pa5pimwlpl8axhplx88xoxz61gg1fp 4506259 4506258 2022-08-22T14:03:08Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Buy */ garden centre no garden wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * '''[https://www.thehydroponicum.com/ Achiltibuie Garden]''' opposite Summer Isles Hotel is just a garden centre speciaising in hydroponics, there's no garden to view. * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat=58.014750 | long=-5.339162 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-01-05 | content=Coffee, cakes, and lunch fare. }} * Summer Isles Hotel (see "sleep") has a good restaurant, only open in summer. * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} b75u2z7utym6xl73f2rwvmsno60r9db 4506260 4506259 2022-08-22T14:06:59Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Eat */ cafe still closed wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. ==Get in== Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie; then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 mins. See '''[[Ullapool]]''' for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * '''[https://www.thehydroponicum.com/ Achiltibuie Garden]''' opposite Summer Isles Hotel is just a garden centre speciaising in hydroponics, there's no garden to view. * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. == Eat == * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat= | long= | directions=400 yards south of Summer Isles Hotel | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=This remains closed. }} * '''Summer Isles Hotel''' (see "sleep") has a good restaurant. * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} ioo84996rmwtvgcgx7b1mkkgtte0q9u 4506261 4506260 2022-08-22T14:15:33Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Get in */ larger map wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. == Get in == {{mapframe | 58.050 | -5.360 | height=600 | width=650 | zoom=12 }} Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie, then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 minutes. See [[Ullapool]] for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * '''[https://www.thehydroponicum.com/ Achiltibuie Garden]''' opposite Summer Isles Hotel is just a garden centre speciaising in hydroponics, there's no garden to view. * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. == Eat == * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat= | long= | directions=400 yards south of Summer Isles Hotel | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=This remains closed. }} * '''Summer Isles Hotel''' (see "sleep") has a good restaurant. * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} l7ktpx41e7zkoypn8jjmzeoavnh1p52 4506262 4506261 2022-08-22T14:16:05Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Get around */ map higher wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. == Get in == {{mapframe | 58.050 | -5.360 | height=600 | width=650 | zoom=12 }} Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie, then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 minutes. See [[Ullapool]] for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. == Get around == You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * '''[https://www.thehydroponicum.com/ Achiltibuie Garden]''' opposite Summer Isles Hotel is just a garden centre speciaising in hydroponics, there's no garden to view. * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. == Eat == * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat= | long= | directions=400 yards south of Summer Isles Hotel | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=This remains closed. }} * '''Summer Isles Hotel''' (see "sleep") has a good restaurant. * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} 3vjt5328aea7r60avmfeltjcqr3bae7 4506264 4506262 2022-08-22T14:29:47Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Brochs of Coigach wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. == Get in == {{mapframe | 58.050 | -5.360 | height=600 | width=650 | zoom=12 }} Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie, then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 minutes. See [[Ullapool]] for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. == Get around == You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * '''[https://www.thehydroponicum.com/ Achiltibuie Garden]''' opposite Summer Isles Hotel is just a garden centre speciaising in hydroponics, there's no garden to view. * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. == Eat == * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat= | long= | directions=400 yards south of Summer Isles Hotel | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=This remains closed. }} * '''Summer Isles Hotel''' (see "sleep") has a good restaurant. * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat=58.0359 | long=-5.3959 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Brochs of Coigach | alt= | url=https://www.thebrochs.co.uk/ | email= | address=Sunnyside Croft, Achiltibuie IV26 2YW | lat=58.0353 | long=-5.3989 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622368 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From £1000 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Stylish self-catering apartments built into the hillside, with sheep grazing on the roof. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} so61iu0rzvaqsvayb77rb3t8o12gee1 4506270 4506264 2022-08-22T14:45:53Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ unmark Castlehill, it's next to Brochs wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. == Get in == {{mapframe | 58.050 | -5.360 | height=600 | width=650 | zoom=12 }} Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie, then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 minutes. See [[Ullapool]] for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. == Get around == You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{marker | name=Inverpolly Nature Reserve | type=see | lat=58.0558 | long=-5.20309 | wikipedia=Inverpolly | wikidata=Q6060316}} is the area centred around Loch Sionasgaig and Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It's part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]] and contains the Moine Thrust, which puzzled 19th C geologists because much older rocks lay over relatively younger. It's a product of plate tectonics, which had shifted the older rocks 40 miles west. * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * '''[https://www.thehydroponicum.com/ Achiltibuie Garden]''' opposite Summer Isles Hotel is just a garden centre speciaising in hydroponics, there's no garden to view. * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. == Eat == * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat= | long= | directions=400 yards south of Summer Isles Hotel | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=This remains closed. }} * '''Summer Isles Hotel''' (see "sleep") has a good restaurant. * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Brochs of Coigach | alt= | url=https://www.thebrochs.co.uk/ | email= | address=Sunnyside Croft, Achiltibuie IV26 2YW | lat=58.0353 | long=-5.3989 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622368 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From £1000 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Stylish self-catering apartments built into the hillside, with sheep grazing on the roof. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat= | long= | directions=100 yards east of Brochs | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} sck554r7rrp2y113pdm6pwy1184c5ww 4506273 4506270 2022-08-22T15:03:40Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Inverpolly is now Knockan Crag wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Achiltibuie Wikivoyage banner.png}} '''Achiltibuie''' is a community straggling along the west coast of [[Ross and Cromarty]], north of Ullapool in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. As well as Achiltibuie itself, the name (which in Gaelic means "field of the yellow-haired boy") applies to all the coast between Achduart and Reiff, taking in the hamlets of Polglass, Polbain and Altandhu. == Get in == {{mapframe | 58.050 | -5.360 | height=600 | width=650 | zoom=12 }} Follow A835 north from Ullapool or south from Ledmore (the junction with A837) to the turn-off at Drumrunie, then take the narrow single-track lane west. There's no through road along the coast from Ullapool, though the historic "postman's path" came this way via Ardmair and you can hike the ten miles. You can also drive south from Lochinver along a twisty, hilly, narrow but scenic and well-tarmacked lane. KSM Bus 811 runs from Ullapool to Achiltibuie, twice M-F and once on Saturday, taking 80 minutes. See [[Ullapool]] for buses to Inverness and ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. == Get around == You'll need a car or bike, or be a hard-core hiker. == See == * {{see | name=Knockan Crag | alt= | url=https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/knockan-crag-national-nature-reserve | email= | address= | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 | directions=13 miles north of Ullapool on A835 | phone=+44 1463 701600 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=24 hours | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=This is the best place to see and understand the Moine Thrust, which shoved older rock over 50 km northwest above younger rock. The Visitor Centre has displays and short walking trails. }} * {{marker | name=Tanera Mòr | type=see | lat=58.017 | long=-5.402 }} a mile offshore is the largest of the [[Summer Isles]]. Boat trips sail from Bardentarbet Pier at the north end of the bay. ==Do== [[File:Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie - geograph.org.uk - 586582.jpg|thumb|Shoreline near the ruined broch at Polglass, Achiltibuie]] * {{do | name=Stac Pollaidh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.044 | long=-5.208811 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stac Pollaidh | image=Stac Pollaidh.jpg | wikidata=Q3396239 | content=If you're fit, go up and along its delightful ridge or go around if only moderately fit }} [[File:Ben Mor Coigach.jpg|thumb|The long ridge of Ben Mor Coigach]] * {{marker | name=Ben Mor Coigach | type=do | lat=57.986061 | long=-5.225619 | wikipedia=Ben Mor Coigach | wikidata=Q3398035}} is the Table Mountain of this area, a six-mile ridge of Torridonian sandstone weathered into striking shapes. The summit is 743 m / 2438 feet, very prominent as it rears up from sea level. The simplest approach is to drive to the road's end at Culnacraig and ascend from the southwest. It can also be climbed from the car park at Bleughasary from the southeast. Trying to traverse the ridge, to ascend one way and descend the other, is much harder than it looks, with bogs, fast streams and scrambles; allow at least four hours. * {{do | name=Achnahaird | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.0652 | long=-5.3781 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Achnahaird | wikidata=Q2435543 | lastedit=2019-01-30 | content=is a lonely village and beach along the lane between Achiltibuie and Stac Pollaidh. }} * '''Rock climbing:''' Rieff has sandstone sea-cliffs suitable for all levels of ability. A rock-climbing festival was held here in Oct 2018, with introductory and competitive climbs; it's not been announced whether this will be repeated. == Buy == * {{buy | name=Achiltibuie Stores | alt= | url=https://achiltibuiestores.co.uk/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.0258 | long=-5.3530 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622496 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Friendly well-stocked stores. }} * '''[https://www.thehydroponicum.com/ Achiltibuie Garden]''' opposite Summer Isles Hotel is just a garden centre speciaising in hydroponics, there's no garden to view. * '''Summer Isles Smokehouse''' at Altandhu is famous for its smoked venison, lamb, beef, eel, haddock, sea trout and five varieties of smoked salmon. == Eat == * {{eat | name=Piping School Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Village Hall | lat= | long= | directions=400 yards south of Summer Isles Hotel | phone=+44 1854 622777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=This remains closed. }} * '''Summer Isles Hotel''' (see "sleep") has a good restaurant. * {{eat | name=Am Fuaran | alt= | url=https://www.amfuaran.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat= | long= | directions=by Port a Bhaigh campsite | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | hours=Food daily 12:30-14:00, 18:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Seafood restaurant, the bar is open 12:30-23:00 or later. "Fuaran" means a well or watering hole. }} * Catch your own mackerel off Badantarbet Pier and cook it fresh on a barbeque. ==Drink== * Am Fuaran and the Summer Isles Hotel are the only bars. == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Summer Isles Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.summerisleshotel.com/ | email= | address=Achiltibuie IV26 2YG | lat=58.01832 | long=-5.34309 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622282 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Hotel & restaurant open April-Oct, the bar is occasionally open through winter. Ten rooms and bar are dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Acheninver Hostel | alt= | url=https://acheninverhostel.com/ | email= | address=Coigach IV26 2YL | lat=57.9972 | long=-5.3144 | directions= | phone=+44 7783 305776 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Pod £90 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Open Feb-Nov, this has heated pods, sleep two, with shower, but the loos are outside down a muddy track. You park 300 yards away and lug your stuff down the path. 2 nights minimum stay, no dogs, no kitchen or other shared facilities in 2022. }} * {{sleep | name=Brochs of Coigach | alt= | url=https://www.thebrochs.co.uk/ | email= | address=Sunnyside Croft, Achiltibuie IV26 2YW | lat=58.0353 | long=-5.3989 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622368 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From £1000 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Stylish self-catering apartments built into the hillside, with sheep grazing on the roof. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlehill | alt= | url= | email= | address=Polbain | lat= | long= | directions=100 yards east of Brochs | phone=+44 1854 622228 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£500-£750 / week | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Modernised croft house, sleeps six, with panoramic views over the Summer Isles to the Torridon hills. }} * {{sleep | name=Port a Bhaigh Campsite | alt= | url=https://portabhaigh.co.uk/ | email= | address=Altandhu IV26 2YR | lat=58.0531 | long=-5.4110 | directions= | phone=+44 1854 622339 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=2 person tent £25, hook-up £31 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Well-equipped campsite in the next bay up from Achiltibuie, open year-round. }} == Connect == As of July 2022, Achiltbuie has no mobile signal from any carrier, nor has its approach road. The Post Office is the contact point for information and booking for the Summer Isles boat. +44 1854 622200 == Go next == * Take a boat across to the [[Summer Isles]], where you can rent a cottage. * To go north, if the weather's decent take the twisty back lane to [[Lochinver]]. * Otherwise it's back to the main road for routes south towards [[Ullapool]] and [[Inverness]] or north to [[Kinlochbervie]] and [[Durness]]. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary, with Achiltibuie as a side-trip. {{geo|58.01968|-5.34199}} {{IsPartOf|Ross and Cromarty}} {{usablecity}} p1ovxu65ogp3619l1sjjxfn8qqn6h8m 0 278 4506336 4505637 2022-08-22T17:26:35Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Do */ I don't see why this park should be so highlighted above everything else in Africa. Continent articles should deal in generalities, not go into detail about specific attractions. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dust Cloud Etosha National Park banner.jpg|caption=Etosha National Park, Namibia}} '''Africa''' is the wellspring of the human race. The second largest continent in the world in both area and population, it offers the visitor a unique blend of natural wonders, renowned prehistoric sites, numerous and often sprawling remains of several of the world's greatest ancient civilisations, vibrant cultures, remote villages and modern cities. Africa has shorelines on the Indian Ocean to the southeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Red Sea to the northeast, the Gulf of Aden slightly further south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. This huge continent is more than 8,000&nbsp;km (5,000&nbsp;mi) across north-south and 7,500&nbsp;km (4,800&nbsp;mi) east-west with some islands even further out and contains many vastly different peoples, religions, and cultures. Africa has more than 50 sovereign countries&mdash;the most of any continent. [[File:Giraffes in Masai Mara.jpg|thumb|400px|Giraffes in [[Maasai Mara National Park]] in [[Kenya]]]] Africa's [[Nile|Nile River]] is claimed by some to be the longest river in the world (other geographers argue that the Amazon is longer); the Nile runs 6,650&nbsp;km (over 4,100 mi) from [[Burundi]] to [[Egypt]]. The Congo River in the [[DR Congo]] is the second largest in terms of discharge, and the deepest with a depth of over 230&nbsp;m (750&nbsp;ft) in some spots. [[Mount Kilimanjaro]] in [[Tanzania]] is the world's tallest free-standing mountain at 5,890&nbsp;m (19,340&nbsp;ft). Lake Assal in [[Djibouti]] is the second-lowest point on Earth, the saltiest lake outside [[Antarctica]], and one of the hottest places on Earth. While the first activity most people associate with Africa is [[safaris]], there are endless possibilities for adventure. For example, you can purchase crafts in markets, venture into the [[Sahara]] with a Tuareg caravan, visit traditional villages, hike through the jungle to watch gorillas, climb mountains with rugged landscapes and icy peaks, snorkel in the numerous marine parks while feeding fish, relax on tropical islands in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, snack on exotic treats, paddle down a river in a dugout ''pirogue'' or travel across savanna on a colonial-era railway. Africa's cultural diversity cannot be overstated — most countries are internally diverse and there are huge differences between the Muslim countries in the north with their Arab- and Berber-influenced cultures and the sub-Saharan nations, including the rainbow nation of South Africa that has strong European influences in addition to Bantu and other African traditions. It is also the continent with the largest genetic diversity among the population by far: There is far more genetic diversity among Africans than there is between Africans and inhabitants of any other continent. Despite what lacking media coverage might have led you to believe, Africa is not one country but over 50 countries, making it impossible to make generalisations about "all of Africa". Also, partly due to the nature of colonial borders, most African countries are anything but homogeneous (for example, [[South Africa]] has 11 official languages), and culture, cuisine, language or even the dominant religion may change dramatically within a few hundred kilometres without ever crossing a border. Despite rapidly growing economies in many places, there are still many pockets of poverty in both the [[Maghreb]] and sub-Saharan Africa. While poverty, corruption, and ethnic and religious violence exist in some parts of the continent, large parts of Africa have made impressive progress, with many cities that have growing middle classes and deal with problems such as traffic jams and crowded public transport, rather than the war or famine you might have heard about in some 1980s documentary or development aid commercial. ==Regions== Most people outside the continent divide Africa into two regions: the Arabic-speaking North Africa, and everywhere else as Sub-Saharan Africa. However, Africa is a very diverse continent, and this division represents a somewhat shallow understanding. {{Worldimagemap/Africaimagemap}} {{Regionlist | region1name=[[North Africa]] | region1color=#d1e79b | region1items=[[Algeria]], [[Egypt]], [[Libya]], [[Morocco]], [[Tunisia]], [[Western Sahara]] | region1description=The Arab and Berber nations that rim the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the northwestern Atlantic coast of Africa with many ancient sites, being part of various civilisations including Ancient Egypt, the Greeks, the Punic empire and the Roman empire. | region2name=[[Sahel]] | region2color=#a4ad7d | region2items=[[Chad]], [[Mali]], [[Mauritania]], [[Niger]], [[Sudan]] | region2description=The desert and savannah nations that span the Sahel and southern half of the Sahara Desert. There are many ancient sites from pyramids to mosques as well as a nomadic way of life in some regions. | region3name=[[West Africa]] | region3color=#5ea470 | region3items=[[Benin]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Cape Verde]], [[Cote d'Ivoire]], [[Gambia]], [[Ghana]], [[Guinea]], [[Guinea-Bissau]], [[Liberia]], [[Nigeria]], [[Senegal]], [[Sierra Leone]], [[Togo]] | region3description=The tropical Atlantic coastal nations. Most of these countries have a Christian south that was more directly affected by European colonisation and a Muslim north that was more influenced by the colonizing Arabs. A rapidly bustling and developing area. | region4name=[[Central Africa]] | region4color=#A78379 | region4items=[[Angola]], [[Cameroon]], [[Central African Republic]], [[Republic of the Congo]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Equatorial Guinea]], [[Gabon]], [[São Tomé and Príncipe]], [[South Sudan]] | region4description=The heart of Africa, with high mountains in the east and the world's second largest jungle — the Congo rainforest. | region5name=[[East Africa]] | region5color=#db6d69 | region5items=[[Burundi]], [[Djibouti]], [[Eritrea]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Kenya]], [[Rwanda]], [[Somaliland]], [[Somalia]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]] | region5description=The region that was the wellspring of most early hominids, comprising nations that border the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, plus a few neighbouring landlocked nations. Known for some of its monasteries, natural springs, wildlife, as well as bazaars. | region6name=[[East African Islands]] | region6color=#ff0080 | region6items=[[Comoros]], [[Madagascar]], [[Mauritius]], [[Mayotte]], [[Réunion]], [[Seychelles]] | region6description=The islands in the Indian Ocean have a heritage from Austronesian, Indian and Muslim seafarers, as well as the Cape Route between Europe and Asia. | region7name=[[Southern Africa]] | region7color=#e2d774 | region7items=[[Botswana]], [[Eswatini]], [[Lesotho]], [[Malawi]], [[Mozambique]], [[Namibia]], [[South Africa]], [[Zambia]], [[Zimbabwe]] | region7description=Likely the birthplace of modern ''Homo sapiens'' as well as the part of Sub-Saharan Africa where European influence is most visible today. Noted for an incredible diversity of plant life, as well as the Namib Desert, one of the driest places on Earth other than the Atacama or Antarctica. }} ==Cities== [[File:South Africa-Johannesburg-Skyline02.jpg|thumb|300px|Johannesburg]] <!-- THIS LIST IS LIMITED TO 9 CITIES. ANY CHANGES MUST BE DISCUSSED ON THE TALK PAGE FIRST. CHANGES WITHOUT DISCUSSION/APPROVAL WILL BE REVERTED. SEE THE DISCUSSION AT en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:Africa#Cities and Other Destinations --> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Accra]]|wikidata=Q3761}} &mdash; Ghana's capital <!--And something which I cannot glean from our article on the place but should be mentioned here--> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Addis Ababa]]|wikidata=Q3624}} &mdash; Ethiopia's capital is one of Africa's "global cities" as a seat of the African Union and of many non-government organisations. Chinese investment built the AU headquarters and a new light rail line. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Cairo]]|wikidata=Q85}} &mdash; Egypt's bustling capital is the most populous city in North Africa and a gateway to the heritage of Ancient Egypt. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Cape Town]]|wikidata=Q5465}} &mdash; the ''Mother City'' of South Africa with Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and numerous other attractions. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Dakar]]|wikidata=Q3718}} &mdash; the capital of Senegal and the westernmost city in Africa. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Johannesburg]]|wikidata=Q34647}} &mdash; South Africa's largest city and perhaps the continent's key financial and economic centre. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luanda]]|wikidata=Q3897}} &mdash; Angola's capital and largest city, which has been through a huge renaissance in the past decade. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Marrakech]]|wikidata=Q101625}} &mdash; a blend of the ancient and modern in Morocco. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Nairobi]]|wikidata=Q3870}} &mdash; the capital of Kenya, the largest city in East and Central Africa, and home to the only UN agency headquarters outside of Europe and the U.S. <!-- THIS LIST IS LIMITED TO 9 CITIES. ANY CHANGES MUST BE DISCUSSED ON THE TALK PAGE FIRST. CHANGES WITHOUT DISCUSSION/APPROVAL WILL BE REVERTED. SEE THE DISCUSSION AT en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:Africa#Cities and Other Destinations --> ==Other destinations== [[File:VicFalls Flip666.jpg|thumb|Victoria Falls]] <!-- THIS LIST IS LIMITED TO 9 DESTINATIONS. ANY CHANGES MUST BE DISCUSSED ON THE TALK PAGE FIRST. CHANGES WITHOUT DISCUSSION/APPROVAL WILL BE REVERTED. SEE THE DISCUSSION AT [[Talk:Africa#Cities and Other Destinations]] --> * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Axum]] (Aksum)|wikidata=Q5832}} &mdash; the ancient capital of Ethiopia, famous for the ruins of various palaces and its stelae * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Dogon Country]]|lat=14.3500|long=-3.6167|wikidata=Q215583}} &mdash; a region of south-central Mali renowned for its secluded villages embedded on cliffs and a very distinct culture * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kruger National Park]]|wikidata=Q24451}} &mdash; surely among the best-known national parks in Africa * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Leptis Magna]]|wikidata=Q191504}} &mdash; intended by the [[Roman Empire]] as a model city, its ruins are still impressive * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mount Kilimanjaro]]|wikidata=Q7296}} &mdash; the highest mountain on the continent and one of the most striking sights of Tanzania * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Serengeti National Park]]|wikidata=Q11812902}} &mdash; together with [[Maasai Mara National Reserve]] across the border in Kenya, this is Tanzania's best known national park and one of the most famous on the continent * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Valley of the Kings]]|wikidata=Q133423}} &mdash; burial place of several dozen Ancient Egyptian pharaohs and the site of King Tut's tomb * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Victoria Falls]]|wikidata=Q43278}} &mdash; These waterfalls between Zimbabwe and Zambia are among the most impressive in the world * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Volcanoes National Park]]|wikidata=Q932736}} &mdash; full of impressive tropical rain forest and volcanic scenery, trekking, and is perhaps the best place in the world to see the rare mountain gorillas. <!-- THIS LIST IS LIMITED TO 9 DESTINATIONS. ANY CHANGES MUST BE DISCUSSED ON THE TALK PAGE FIRST. CHANGES WITHOUT DISCUSSION/APPROVAL WILL BE REVERTED. SEE THE DISCUSSION AT [[Talk:Africa#Cities and Other Destinations]] --> {{seealso|African national parks}} ==Understand== ===History=== [[File:All Gizah Pyramids.jpg|thumb|The pyramids at [[Cairo/Giza|Giza]]: The only one of the seven ancient wonders of the world still left standing and perhaps ''the'' symbol of [[Ancient Egypt]]]] Non-Africans often think of Sub-Saharan Africa as being comprised only of hunter-gatherer societies prior to European colonialism. However, these views often have their roots in racist pseudoscientific theories used by Europeans to justify slavery and later, colonialism from the 16th to early 20th centuries. While hunter-gatherer societies were indeed widespread in much of the continent, many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa were in fact home to great cities and civilisations dating back to the medieval era. ====From the dawn of humanity to the first empires==== Early precursors to human beings, most notably ''Australopithecus afarensis'' (named for the Afar region in [[Ethiopia]]), the species "Lucy" belonged to, lived and walked on two feet as early as 3 million years ago. Remains of later species such as ''Homo habilis'' and ''Homo erectus'' (the first hominid to leave Africa, as far as we know) were found in other parts of East Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania and around the Great Lakes. ''Homo sapiens'' (modern humans), most likely originated either in Southern Africa or in East Africa somewhere in what is now Ethiopia or Kenya. The oldest homo sapiens remains to date are about 195,000 years old and were found in Ethiopia but there are also hints that ''Homo sapiens'' may have been present earlier in Southern Africa. Some of the remains of early hominids as well as their tools are on display in various museums in Ethiopia, Namibia and other countries. The [[Cradle of Humankind]] is a site in South Africa with plenty of early human fossils. North Africa has a recorded history dating back to about 3300 BCE with numerous buildings, ruins, writings, arts, and crafts which have left traces for us to marvel at. The ancient '''[[Ancient Egypt|Pharaonic civilisation]]''' based in Egypt was the most enduring and among the most impressive ancient civilisations. Egypt was one of the earliest cultures to build monumental buildings, form a hierarchical state and wage large-scale warfare with standing armies, and was one of the stablest empires in recorded history, frequently surviving and absorbing foreign invaders, immigrants and usurpers and turning them (culturally) Egyptian. South of the Pharaonic civilisation and sometimes in their sphere of influence was the [[Nubia]]n culture, which had a long history of mutual influence with its northern neighbours and even came to rule over Egypt for a short time. Their most famous remnants are the pyramids of [[Meroe]], Sudan. Another early centre of settled civilisation and later an early centre of Christianity outside the Roman Empire was Ethiopia, where the [[Aksum|Aksumite]] Empire reigned between the fourth century BCE and the 7th century CE and served as an important trading partner of both Indian and Mediterranean powers. Today, the legacy of ancient African civilisations lives on; many of their monuments, temples and cities are well-preserved and have become popular tourist attractions, and museums host their artifacts. Modern Jews believe themselves to be descendants of slaves from ancient Egypt and Ethiopians of all religions believe they are the descendants of the union of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon (Sheba thought by most to refer to what is now the nation of [[Yemen]], but the queen is believed by many to have also ruled Ethiopia). Yet outside of North Africa, Sudan and Ethiopia, very little is known about African history prior to 1000 CE, as most people were hunter-gatherers (similar to some cultures still found today on the continent), with no writing systems nor lasting structures, arts or crafts, aside from some [[cave]] paintings. ====Classical antiquity==== {{seealso|Ancient Greece|Roman Empire}} The Phoenicians, based in what's now [[Lebanon]] and part of the coasts of [[Syria]] and [[Israel]], colonised North Africa, and established the city of [[Carthage]] (now a suburb of [[Tunis]]). Eventually, the Carthaginian Republic became a separate one, and a rival of the Romans as the dominant power in the Mediterranean. The Romans destroyed Carthage in the Third Punic War in 146 BCE, burning it to the ground. [[File:Leptis Magna Theatre.jpg|thumb|Roman remains like this theater in [[Leptis Magna]], Libya can still be found in much of North Africa]] In the period after 360 BCE, '''Europeans invaded''' the continent. Macedonian ruler Alexander the Great conquered what were then the Egyptian parts of the Persian Empire in 326 BCE, founded a [[Alexandria|city named after him]] and had himself declared pharaoh. Egypt would come under the rule of one of his generals after Alexander's death and under the Ptolemaic dynasty, Alexandria became one of the leading centres of Jewish, Greek and Egyptian philosophy and culture. It was here that a library holding "the wisdom of the ancient world" stood and it was here that the Jewish holy books were translated into Koine Greek. Starting with the Punic wars, the Romans entered the African picture as a major player, and they founded cities such as [[Leptis Magna]], before the partially Hellenised Egypt also became Roman in 31 BCE. Northern Africa and later [[Nubia]] and Ethiopia were also among the earliest centres of Christianity with the first Christians in the area already by the first century CE, even before Christianity would spread to other parts of the Roman Empire. A famous letter exchange of Plinius the Younger (then governor in Carthage) and Emperor Trajan is among the best known sources of documentation on the treatment of Christians in the 2nd century CE. Few documents from this time remain, but evidence suggests that heterodox forms of Christianity such as Gnosticism, which were not in line with the officially sanctioned version practiced in Constantinople, were popular in Northern Africa, and Egypt seems to have been a centre of precursors of Christian monasteries and of apocryphal gospels (i.e. religious texts not included in the "official" Bible). Gnostic Christianity, which was very prevalent in Egypt starting in the 2nd century CE, was largely crushed there by the 5th century, but left behind important papyri such as the Gnostic Gospels, which were discovered in [[Nag Hammadi]], [[Upper Egypt]] in 1945 and have been translated into many languages. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church also recognises several apocryphal gospels, which were not included in the canon by European churches, as being part of the canon to this day. ====Muslim conquest==== The '''Muslim invasion''' and the beginning of the '''Arab Slave Trade''' in the 7th century CE changed the cultural landscape of Northern and much of Eastern and Western Africa. The newly formed [[Islam#The_Caliphates|Arab caliphate]] conquered North Africa and the Horn of Africa within a few decades. Due to the shrewd policy of nominal toleration combined with taxation for Christians and Jews, the Muslim conquerors were able to pacify and religiously assimilate the conquered areas remarkably fast. Some scholars have suggested that the aforementioned heterodoxy in much of the African provinces of the Roman Empire helped in the easy conquest by the Islamic conquerors who were more tolerant (or at least indifferent) towards forms of Christianity not in line with Constantinople. In the west, Berbers intermarried with the Arab invaders to become the Moorish population that later invaded the Iberian Peninsula. When Damascus was invaded in the early eighth century, the Islamic religious and political centre of the Mediterranean shifted to [[Kairouan]] in Tunisia. Their progress was limited only by the dense forests of West and Central Africa and to coastal areas in the East. The last region to come under Muslim influence was that of [[Nubia]] (modern-day northern Sudan) in the 14th century. While some of the Christian and Jewish heritage is still visible in Northern Africa, actual followers of those religions have become few and far between and Islam is culturally very dominant from Egypt to Morocco and south to Sudan and the northern parts of Nigeria. While Christianity is shrinking due to conversion and emigration from its erstwhile centres in Egypt and elsewhere, Judaism virtually disappeared in the decades following the establishment of Israel when most Jews left or were forced out. That being said, Jewish communities continue to survive in Tunisia and Morocco, albeit with much smaller populations than before the establishment of Israel. The 7th-9th centuries were a period of significant change to the history of sub-Saharan Africa. In the west, there was a rise of large and powerful inland kingdoms, such as the '''Ghana''' (in Mali & Mauritania, no relation to modern Ghana, capital in [[Koumbi Saleh]]), '''Dahomey''' (which lasted until French capture in 1894, now Benin, capital in [[Abomey]]), '''Za/Gao''' (in Mali and Niger), '''Kanem''' (in Chad), and '''Bornu''' (in Nigeria). As many of these kingdoms converted to Islam (usually the conversion of a king included the conversion of his subordinates, at least nominally), trans-Saharan trade grew as salt and gold were transported to Libya and Egypt in large caravans&mdash;a trade made possible by the introduction of camels from Arabia in the 10th century that would support much of the area from northern Nigeria west to Mali and Mauritania until the 19th century. The introduction of Islam also brought writing to many African civilisations for the first time, with some of their cities eventually growing into major centres of Islamic scholarship. During the 13th-16th centuries, many of these early kingdoms were replaced with new empires, chief among them the '''Mali''' (in Mali, Guinea, and Senegal), '''Kongo''' (in Angola, Gabon, Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo, capital in [[M'banza-Kongo]]), and later '''Songhay''' (in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, capital [[Gao]]), '''Ashanti''' (in Ghana, capital in [[Kumasi]]) and a plethora of small, single-ethnicity kingdoms and city-states sprouted. Many of Mali's popular tourist destinations, including [[Timbuktu]], [[Djenne]], and [[Gao]], rose to prominence during this period as they became hubs of trade and Islamic scholarship. Mansa Musa, one of the kings of Mali, is often said to have been the richest person in history. The Hausa people in northern Nigeria began organising in walled city states, of which remnants remain in [[Kano]], and would eventually consolidate into the '''Sokoto Caliphate''' (1804-1903), with its capital in modern-day [[Sokoto]]. Coastal, forested West Africa remained largely unorganised, with the exceptions of a few Yoruba city-states of [[Benin City|Benin]], [[Ife]] and [[Oyo]], along with small Dahomey and Igbo empires all in modern-day Benin and Nigeria. Meanwhile, Islamic influence and prosperity from '''Indian Ocean trade''' rose in East Africa as ships from Arabia, Persia, India, and as far as Southeast Asia dropped anchor in major ports from Somalia down to Mozambique, bringing spices and in return for slaves and ivory. This area, known as the '''Swahili Coast''', would become home to many city-states such as [[Kilwa Kisiwani]], [[Mombasa]] and [[Zanzibar]]. Between the 7th and 19th centuries, over 18 million people were taken from the region as part of the Arab slave trade&mdash;roughly twice as many as the Atlantic slave trade would take to the Americas. Today, that influence remains in the culture and gastronomy of many places, most notably on the Indian Ocean islands such as Zanzibar, Comoros, the Seychelles, and Mauritius, and descendents of these slaves would go on to form the Siddi community in [[India]], who continue to preserve many African traditions despite now speaking Indian rather than African languages. [[File:Great Zimbabwe Closeup.jpg|thumb|Ruins at [[Great Zimbabwe]]]] Southern Africa remained largely undeveloped, with primarily nomadic hunter-gatherers such as the San people, but it did contain some small kingdoms. The '''Kingdom of Zimbabwe''' (namesake of today's state) was one of the most notable, constructing the greatest stone structures in pre-colonial sub-Saharan Africa at their capital [[Great Zimbabwe]]. The Kingdom of Mapungubwe in modern eastern South Africa also left smaller stone ruins. Both profited from the trade in gold and ivory with Arab and Asian merchants. Despite the spread of Islam, Ethiopia would continue to hold fast as a bastion of Christianity. Among the most impressive examples of Christian architecture dating to this period are the 13th-century rock-cut churches of [[Lalibela]]. ====European exploration and early colonialism==== Perhaps the most pernicious prejudice about Africa is that it is "poor". But just a bit of logical thinking shows just how mistaken this assumption is. Why would countless Europeans, Arabs and others have come here, braved tropical disease and hostile locals (who very much did not want to part with their possessions or be ruled by some pith-helmeted buffoon, thank you very much) if Africa had been ''poor''? No, it was and is precisely Africa's wealth - in gold, in spices, in mineral resources, in oil and also the labor of its people - that made and makes it attractive for would-be colonisers. That said wealth has subsequently been siphoned off to the pockets of small elites and colonisers may cause many Africans to be poor, but it does not make Africa poor per se. While a few Genoese, Castilian, and French explorers managed to reach parts of West Africa in the Middle Ages, '''European exploration''' of the continent began in earnest when Prince Henry "the Navigator" set out to acquire African territory for [[Portugal]] in the mid-15th century. The '''Portuguese''' reached Cape Verde in 1445, and by 1480, had charted the course to and began trade with the entire Guinea coast (modern Guinea-Bissau to Nigeria). In 1482, Diogo Cão reached the mouth of the Congo River, in 1488 Bartolomeu Dias reached the Cape of Good Hope, and in 1498 Vasco da Gama sailed up the eastern coast, where in Kenya his expedition set up a trading post at [[Malindi]] before finding a guide to take them to India. This voyage established the [[Cape Route]] around Africa. The Portuguese set up numerous forts along the African coast and established a highly profitable trade. They initially held good relations with locals, and remained the dominant European power around coastal Africa until the 17th century while Spain, France, and Britain began exploring the Americas. [[File:Cc slave castle.jpg|thumb|Slaving castle in [[Cape Coast]], [[Ghana]]]] The lucrative trade and large amounts of gold obtained by the Portuguese lured other nations to the continent. As the demands for labor in the Americas grew, Portuguese sailors began taking shiploads of slaves to the Americas, beginning the '''[[Atlantic slave trade]]'''. In the early 17th century, the '''Dutch''' fought the Portuguese to win control of most of their West and Central African ports, some of which (for example, [[Luanda]]) would be retaken later, and established a couple dozen forts of their own, notably at Goree Island in [[Dakar]] and at the Cape of Good Hope&mdash;a port they hoped to use for trade routes to East Asia and which has become modern-day [[Cape Town]]. In 1642, the French built their first fort on Madagascar (which they claimed in 1667) and in 1663, the British built their first fort on the continent in the [[Gambia]]. Swedish merchants established a fort on [[Cape Coast]], which was later overpowered by the Danish nearby at modern Accra. ====19th-century imperialism==== In the 19th century, European attention shifted from establishing coastal ports for trade to fighting one another to colonise the continent and explore its uncharted interior. With slavery abolished by Britain and their strong efforts to thwart slavery around the world, Europe began to look for other sources of wealth on the continent. The most successful European colony, the Dutch '''Cape Colony''', was seized by the British in 1795. Napoleonic France conquered Egypt in 1798, notably discovering the Rosetta Stone, only to be forced out by the British and then the Ottoman Turks. France invaded a significant amount of coastal West Africa and the Barbary states in Algeria, cutting rampant piracy in the region. Accounts of brave adventurers travelling inland to find places such as Mount Kilimanjaro and rumoured "inland sea" (the Great Lakes) and city of gold on the Nile sparked a wave of exploration in the mid-century primarily by Jesuit and other Catholic missionaries in the Southern, Eastern and Great Lakes regions of Africa. Chief among explorers was the British national hero '''David Livingstone''', who as a poor missionary with few porters explored much of Southern and Eastern Africa, flowed down the Congo River from its sources, and sought the source of the Nile. In West and Central Africa, French, Belgian and Spanish explorers ventured into the Sahara to find the legendary Timbuktu and Malian gold mines and the Congo in search of the Pygmies and hairy, large peoples (gorillas) of Greek legend. [[File:Colonial Africa 1914 map.png|thumb|Colonial division of Africa, 1914]] As accounts of Africa's interior reached Europe, nations and merchants began to view the continent as a major source of commerce and wealth, similar to their Asian exploits, while the philanthropic and missionary class saw a great opportunity to "Christianise" and "civilise" the "savage" people of Africa. With social Darwinism introduced, many countries saw Africa as a great opportunity to establish colonial empires and establish their pre-eminence among other European nations — chiefly Germany, to catch up with other European nations, and France, to regain glories lost in North America and under Napoleon. Britain and Portugal joined this '''Scramble for Africa''' when they saw their interests threatened. In 1885, the '''Berlin Conference''' brought together European colonial powers to carve up the continent into defined colonial territories with many straight lines and no input from any African kingdom or settlement. Following the Berlin meeting, Italy was designated as a 'protector' over Ethiopia. In 1898, Italy waged an all-out war to colonise Ethiopia and they were defeated at the battle of '''[[Adwa]]'''. This was possible because all Ethiopians came together under emperor Menelik II to stand together, more important however was that Ethiopia was armed with European weapons and thus the disparity of arms was not as decisively in the European favor as elsewhere. This marks the first time Africans defeated European invaders, and made Ethiopia the only African country that was never colonised by a foreign power (Liberia, the other country that survived the Scramble for Africa, was a U.S. territory). At the same time, disaster was befalling the people of the Congo, a land awarded at the Berlin Conference as the private property of King Leopold II of [[Belgium]], who proceeded to enslave the people and subject them to mass killings and mutilations when unmeetable production targets for rubber were not achieved. Millions of people were killed in a genocide which extended into the 20th century, ending only in 1908 when worldwide criticism forced the king to relinquish his private ownership over the land and it was turned into a Belgian colony under the control of their parliament. Joseph Conrad wrote the novel ''Heart of Darkness'' from his experience as a witness to some of these crimes, which were also condemned in the satirical pamphlet ''King Leopold's Soliloquy'' by Mark Twain and another pamphlet, ''The Crime of the Congo'', by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Colonialism would be devastating to many of Africa's civilisations, with the most notable casualties arguably being Benin City and Kumasi, both of which were great pre-colonial cities that were razed to the ground by the invading British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many cultural artifacts from both cities, as well as other civilisations, were looted in the ensuing wars, and these are now mostly on display in various museums in the Western world, such as the British Museum, Louvre and Metropolitan Museum of Art. Debates as to the return of at least parts of the plundered cultural heritage began in the 1970s before fizzling out without concrete results and have started up again in the 2010s and 2020s. At the turn of the 20th century, Britain began a series of deadly '''South African Wars''' from their Cape Colony into surrounding African and Boer (white descendants of the Dutch) lands in modern South Africa, which brought '''Cecil Rhodes''' to fame for his vision to unite Africa under British rule from Cairo to Cape Town. There was one [[World War I]] battle in German East Africa (Tanzania) which the British lost, although post-war, German possessions were divided among France, Belgium and the UK with South Africa ''de facto'' taking over what is now [[Namibia]] until 1990. The Union of South Africa was granted independence from the UK in 1930 and the Afrikaner minority voted to become a Republic in 1960 (see [[20th century South Africa]]). In the prelude to '''[[World War II in Africa]]''' fascist Italy invaded Ethiopia but was driven out in 1941. The Axis also tried to capture North Africa, but were evicted by the Allies. It was the social changes stemming from the war, in which tens of thousands of Africans fought for their colonial power, and the Atlantic Charter which led to the spread of nationalistic movements after the war. ====Decolonisation and the legacy of the colonisers==== [[File:Africa independence dates.svg|thumb|Dates of independence across Africa.]] The '''decolonisation''' of Africa began with Libyan independence from Italy in 1951. Colonial powers employed varying means of control over their colonies, some granting natives representation in the government and cultivating a select few civil servants while others maintained a firm grip with an all-European government. In some countries, nationalist movements were quashed and their leaders killed or jailed, while others were able to peacefully achieve independence. In the 1950s, Guinea, Ghana and North African nations gained independence non-violently. In Algeria, France violently fought independence movements until 1963. With the establishment and new constitution of France's Fifth Republic in 1958, French West Africa and French Equatorial Africa ceased to exist, and after a brief "community" with France, the countries of these regions gained independence in 1960. By 1970, all but a handful of African nations were independent. The Portuguese bitterly fought to maintain their African possessions until 1975; all but one gained independence through war. Zimbabwe was the last major colony to gain independence from a non-African colonial overlord, in 1980, following a 14-year period of rule by a white minority government not recognised by Britain, the former colonial power. In 1990, semi-autonomous Namibia gained independence from South Africa and in 1993, Eritrea separated from Ethiopia following a protracted war — a peace deal was only achieved in 2018. South Africa remained under firm control by its white minority, oppressing its black, Asian and mixed-raced populations under a system called '''apartheid''' until 1994. Morocco maintains control over Western Sahara despite an established independence movement, and this remains a point of contention between Morocco and Algeria. The conflict flared up again in 2020. Following years of civil war, South Sudan became independent from Sudan after a referendum was held in 2011. Europeans divided Africa with complete disregard for the cultures and ethnic groups in Africa, often dividing a people between two or more countries and forcing peoples with a history of fighting or differing religions into one country. Additionally, a lack of training in civil service before and even after independence left most countries with dysfunctional governments. Leaders tended to reward their own ethnic groups with jobs and money, and in many cases oppressed other ethnic groups. This has been a cause of much strife post-independence across much of sub-Saharan Africa and has led to dozens of prolonged '''civil wars''' (notably in Sudan, Angola, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo), genocides (notably the Rwandan Genocide), countless coups, and countless inept, corrupt leaders. During the cold war some leaders played the big power blocs against each other while others stayed in power mostly because they were backed by either side. Especially after the cold war ended, some countries such as Somalia descended into protracted internal fighting and are considered failed states as nobody really has any power over the state as a whole and local rackets and militias are unable to provide more than the most basic government functions (with the exception, in that case, of the former British colony of [[Somaliland]]). The discovery of valuable natural resources such as oil, uranium, diamonds, and coltan (columbite–tantalite, an ore from which the rare earth metals niobium and tantalum, in very high demand for technological products such as cell phones, are extracted) is one of the reasons separatist movements have sprung up, motivated in part by the greed of warlords and in part by the neglect of resource-rich areas that want a share in the profits, like the oil-rich exclave of [[Cabinda]], Angola and the [[South South Nigeria|Niger Delta]] in Nigeria. Fortunately, there are numerous examples in Africa where past conflict has made way for functional and stable governments, offering some hope for the future of Africa. The bleak picture often painted of Africa as a whole could not be further from the truth in many places and thanks to tourism, more stable and accountable governance and rapidly growing economies, some African countries are now looking towards a bright future of which the first signs are already visible. ===Climate=== As the second largest continent, there is a wide range of climates to be found. However, since the continent is nearly centred on the equator, much of the continent is quite warm/temperate with very few, small areas on the continent experiencing any temperatures that can be considered "cold". In the temperate regions (parts of northern Morocco & the Mediterranean coast as well as South Africa), temperatures generally range from the 10s C to the mid-30s°C (40s-90s°F) year round. Closer to the equator and on islands like Cape Verde or Mauritius, temperatures may only vary less than 20 degrees Celsius (15-35°C/60-95°F) throughout the year. In the deserts and arid regions like the Sahel and Horn of Africa, temperatures routinely hit 40°C or higher (and even 50°C or higher in the heart of the Sahara) but because sand does not retain heat like moist soil does, those same places can easily fall down to 15°C at night. There are a few bastions of cooler weather, however. Higher elevations, such as the [[Atlas Mountains]] in Morocco & Algeria or the mountains in Lesotho, are quite cold and snowy during winter and Mount Kilimanjaro, almost on the equator, is cold year-round (cold enough to support glaciers!). Peaks on islands such as [[Reunion]], the [[Canary Islands]], [[Cameroon]] and other countries are cool enough to necessitate a jacket much of the year. A far more important factor to consider when travelling to Africa is when the '''rain/monsoon season''' occurs. Timing varies a bit even in neighbouring countries, so check the page of the country you are visiting for more info. In West Africa the season starts in March around Cameroon, but not until June in Senegal or the Sahel and ends around September. While rain may not be a huge factor when travelling to southern or East Africa, it is very problematic in West Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean. In West Africa, rains will often flood and make many roads and railways impassable and, due to poor drainage, can literally result in rivers of water flowing down streets and sewage lines overflowing. In the Sahel, it can result in flash floods in low-lying areas. In fact it is said that drowning is the most common cause of death in the desert, as flash floods can surprise people walking in wadis (dry riverbeds). The largest weather-related dangers for travellers to Africa other than flooding are '''lightning''' and '''tropical cyclones'''. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has more lightning strikes each year than any other country on earth, especially in the eastern part of the country near [[Goma]]. Lightning risk is highest from western Kenya/Tanzania and Ethiopia west to Senegal and south to Angola, Zambia and the Northern parts of South Africa. Tropical cyclones affect the islands of the Indian Ocean, with the season running from 15 November-30 April (15 May in the Seychelles & Mauritius). Tropical cyclones also infrequently affect the horn of Africa near Djibouti & Somalia, but when they do, the arid land results in major flooding. Tropical cyclones often form off the coast of western West Africa (Guinea/Senegal) during the early part of the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June–August) and will rarely impact [[Cape Verde]], for which these particular storms are called "Cape Verde-type hurricanes". ===Politics=== After Africa's messy divorce from its European colonial powers, many African countries became mired in political power struggles and civil war. Since the 1980s, however, the nations of this continent have drawn closer and many conflicts on the continent have seen neighbouring countries intervene positively rather than intervention/invasion by European and Western powers. Most African countries are developing democracies—struggling with corruption, but moving towards democratic values, like free and fair elections, freedom of speech, and involvement in government by several strata of society. Nevertheless, there are a few countries which still retain authoritarian governments, dictatorships, and kleptocracies. Prior to peace agreements ending civil war in each, Angola and Mozambique were Communist one-party states and remain under the control of these parties, which have shifted from Marxist-Leninist to far-left/socialist ideology and retain Communist symbols in their flags, coats of arms, national anthems, and other national symbols. Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea remain among the most authoritarian countries on Earth, with severe repression of opposition. Several national governments have a weak hold of their territory, such as Somalia, both Congos, the Central African Republic, Chad, Libya and Mali. In addition to national governments, some "tribes" continue to retain kings/chiefs recognised by the national government as well as local people and are sometimes even given limited autonomy/authority over "tribal" lands. The problem of "tribalism" that plagues many African countries is somewhat of a misnomer, as many of these "tribes" are ethnically and linguistically more diverse and different from each other than most European ethnicities, and often they were forced to live in one state due to the arbitrary nature of colonial borders. Still in some African countries ethnic and personal loyalties were more important than party ties or ideologies and the marginalised ethnicities often strived to overturn these regimes, only to replace them with one dominated by their ethnicity. <!--this is remarkably similar to the Sunni-Shia divide in Muslim countries or the troubles in Northern Ireland--> Today, more than at any time in the continent's history, the nations of the continent are cooperating on important issues and increasingly relying on themselves to stop conflict and broker peace, rather than allowing the UN and Western powers to do so. The [http://www.au.int/en/ '''African Union'''] ('''AU''') is the continent's answer to the United Nations and promotes unity and the resolution of conflicts. It was established in 2002, with its administrative seat in [[Addis Ababa]], [[Ethiopia]], and represents all African nations and territory, and various European possessions in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The AU has been able to achieve some accomplishments in promoting human rights, development, economic integration, harmonising business/customs/immigration rules, and intervening to stop conflicts (notably in [[Somalia]]) and unconstitutional power plays in member states. However, much work remains to be done and corruption remains rampant, numerous countries suffer from political/ethnic strife, and quality measures in development, education, health, and human rights remain low. ====European influence and development aid==== European colonial powers remained active in many nations post-independence; France retains close diplomatic ties with many of its former colonies, and many of the others, such as the United Kingdom, Portugal and Belgium, have large African immigrant communities originating from their respective former colonies. The U.S., largely unburdened by the "former colonial power" stigma, has long been active in promoting conflict resolution, human rights, and providing development aid and emergency assistance. While development aid rarely exceeds 1% of the donor countries' budgets, some African countries are or have in the past been dependent on aid money and credits from countries and international institutions such as the World Bank. While there has been a change in focus from large-scale projects such as dams and highways to more local initiatives such as rural electrification or public transport for individual cities, the topic remains controversial and some African voices have even called for an end to development aid altogether. Another problem with the World Bank credits is that new (democratic) governments often have to pay back old credits that their (authoritarian, kleptocratic) predecessor have taken out and wasted or outright embezzled, thus forcing their political agenda to conform to the wishes of the World Bank in large part instead of their own people. The question whether some or all of those "onerous loans" should or could be forgiven is another contentious issue between the (mostly European and North American) creditor nations and the African debtors. Another source of money for many people as well as countries is so-called "remittances" — that is, money that emigrants from African countries send back to their friends and relatives in their former home countries. While this has sometimes helped grow local economies and bring direly needed investment, the extreme dependence of some areas on this source of revenue has created a great deal of economic problems. As a traveller you will probably notice that Western Union and similar services are available almost ubiquitously, as they are frequently used for the purpose of receiving remittances. ====Chinese influence==== China has notably been a major player on the continent since 2000 and Western diplomats are now trying to play catch-up and fight for influence with China. The Chinese demand for natural resources is great and the Chinese have accosted many African governments without the stigma of being a rich, Western nation or caring much about the values (human rights, political freedom, etc.) of the governments they deal with. Another selling point for them is the large number of state-run companies they have and the integration between the Chinese government and the state-owned companies they use to mine and build roads and infrastructure compared to the relationship between Western governments and private businesses. China has largely sought mineral rights by building infrastructure and seeking lucrative concessions for their state-owned companies as up-front "payment" for resources to be later extracted. The most auspicious gift from the Chinese is likely the new US$200 million headquarters complex for the African Union, built and financed by China and opened in 2012. There is also an increasing number of African students choosing to study at Chinese universities, and several scholarships offered by the Chinese government for that purpose. Whether the Chinese involvement proves beneficial or is just another form of neo-colonialism remains to be seen, and is a controversial topic both inside the countries China is involved in and outside of them. ===Religion=== [[File:Windhoek Christ Church.jpg|thumb|262x262px|Christuskirche (Christ's Church) in [[Windhoek]], [[Namibia]], built in colonial style.]] [[Religion and spirituality]] are important all across Africa. The most prolific religions are [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]], with a sizeable number of irreligious/atheist Africans and adherents of traditional religions. The exact percentages of religious adherents vary widely among respected sources, with roughly 40-45% Christian, 40-50% Muslim, 10-15% indigenous beliefs and 5-10% irreligious. Christianity is spread across a large region, encompassing nearly all of Southern, Central and Eastern Africa, and has a long history in Africa. Egypt is closely associated with early Christian Church history. Ethiopia was among the first nations to adopt Christianity as their official religion (in 330&nbsp;C.E.) Most Christians are Protestant or Roman Catholic and mix it with indigenous beliefs, except for the Orthodox populations of Egypt, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Christian missionaries and the desire to "civilise" tribal Africans through conversion was a major drive of European colonisation. {{ramadandates}} Islam is the largest religion on the continent by number of adherents (according to most sources) but, bolstered by the large Muslim populations of Egypt and Nigeria, covers a smaller geographic footprint. All North African countries are overwhelmingly Muslim with only Egypt having a sizeable Christian minority, but irreligion is growing, especially among urban youth. Nearly all of West and Sahelian Africa is also majority Muslim, except for Cape Verde, Liberia, Ghana, Benin and Togo. Nigeria, Chad and Cote d'Ivoire are all about equally split between Muslim populations in the north and Christians in the south. Islam was first brought to the continent in the centuries after its birth, spreading across northern Africa and later being spread down the Indian Ocean coast by merchants and seafarers to the coasts of Kenya, Tanzania and the Comoros. The Swahili language is strongly influenced by Arabic. Most Muslims are Sunni, with a large population of moderate Sufis in West Africa and Sudan, who often blend Sunni Islam with traditional beliefs. An attempt has been made to promote more conservative forms of Islam since the 1990s, through Muslim NGOs and Saudi Arabian assistance, although this coincides with a fear of radicalisation and the emergence of al Qaeda and other Islamist groups in parts of North Africa and the Sahel (particularly Mali, Niger and Algeria). In certain Muslim regions, adherence to religious law is expected such as no alcohol consumption (but khat is fine, ''where legal'') and the covering of women's limbs, and extreme offence is taken when these rules are broken or, worse, Islam or its prophets are insulted. Traditional African religions are practiced by many Africans either exclusively or as syncretic elements woven into their practice of Christianity or Islam. There is no single uniting aspect to these religions beyond the fact that they all rely on oral tradition and animism. In some cases, the belief isn't in particular deities, but rather "magic". Among common, but certainly not universal, elements of indigenous African religions are: * Recognition of one god or dual gods and respect for natural elements as supernatural beings * Respect of the cyclical nature of life (agriculture, rain/drought, wax/wane of the moon)—the "circle of life"; * Communication with ancestors is practised or integral to communication with god and other deities; * Medicine men and traditional healers are consulted for a broad range of topics, such as physical, psychological, spiritual, moral, and legal matters. They may also facilitate communication with ancestral spirits and/or use magic & sorcery — hence the term "witch doctors". [[File:Shona witch doctor (Zimbabwe).jpg|thumb|A Shona witch doctor in [[Zimbabwe]]]] Magic plays a role in many traditional African beliefs. Magic refers to the interaction between the natural & supernatural worlds, the seen & the unseen. Magicians, witches, shamans and sorcerers are believed to have special skills to manipulate communication/relations between the two worlds, either for better or for worse. Unfortunately, it is a somewhat common occurrence (especially in rural Central & West Africa) for people to claim that others are using magic for improper reasons and are witches. Accusations of being a witch or using magic/witchcraft often lead to ostracism of individuals — women are thrown out of homes, children are abandoned by parents, are subjected to violent/painful exorcisms, and are frequently murdered. In some places, witches are believed to be the source of terminal illnesses such as cancer and AIDS. The Vodun religion practised in [[Togo]] and [[Benin]] (a precursor to Haitian Voudou and related religions among the African Diaspora in the Americas) believes that all creation is divine and thus carries the power of the divine. This explains how certain plants have the ability to heal and why mundane "fetishes", such as statues or dried plants/animals, hold healing & rejuvenating powers. Hinduism is practised by the large ethnic Indian populations in former British colonies of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, the Seychelles and Mauritius, where many Indians were indentured servants under British masters. [[Mauritius]] is the only African country, and for that matter, the only country outside [[South Asia]], where a majority of the population practices Hinduism (52%). [[Judaism]] has a long, if not well known, history on the continent. The Beta Israel of Ethiopia are legally-recognised Jews and believed to be descendants of one of the Ten Lost Tribes (the Tribe of Dan). There is also a large Jewish community in South Africa, mostly descended from immigrants from [[Lithuania]] in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many Jewish communities existed throughout North Africa, some from the early Diaspora while others fled persecution in Iberia in the 7th and 15th centuries. Those communities are now almost entirely gone, having emigrated to North America, Israel and France to escape persecution or being outright forced out after the founding of the state of Israel, though vestiges of these communities do still survive in [[Morocco]] and [[Tunisia]]. ===Read=== * Achebe, Chinua. ''Things Fall Apart''. The classic work of modern African literature. Though set in pre-colonial [[Nigeria]], Achebe's magnum opus is in some sense the story of European colonisation of Africa as a whole. It was groundbreaking when published for telling an African story from the perspective of Africans, rather than Europeans. At the time, it was standard to portray African cultures as primitive and simple; Achebe broke this assumption by depicting the richness and complexity of an African society. * Battuta, Ibn. ''The Travels of Ibn Battuta.'' The travel diaries of the legendary explorer Ibn Battuta, considered one of the greatest travellers in history. In 1325, he set out on the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage to Mecca from his native Morocco, age 21, and over the next three decades passed through more than 40 modern countries travelling over three times the distance than near-contemporary Marco Polo. His 1325-1332 trip visited [[North Africa]], [[Somalia]], and the Swahili Coast ([[Kenya]], [[Zanzibar]] and [[Tanzania]]). A journey between 1349-1354 visited [[Timbuktu]], passing through modern [[Morocco]], [[Mauritania]], [[Mali]], [[Niger]] and [[Algeria]]. A few modern translations exist, including the 1829 translation by Samuel Lee (''The Travels of Ibn Battuta.'' Cosimo Classics, 2009. {{ISBN|978-1605206219}}) and a 2003 one by Tim Mackintosh-Smith (''The Travels of Ibn Battuta.'' Macmillan UK, 2003. {{ISBN| 978-0330418799}}), who also re-traced Battuta's footsteps in the early 21st century and published a few other books about his journeys. Battuta's pilgrimage to Mecca, travelling across medieval North Africa & the Middle East was the basis for the 2009 IMAX film ([http://www.journeytomeccagiantscreen.com/ ''Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta''], [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235836/ IMDb]). Berkeley University has a good [http://orias.berkeley.edu/resources-teachers/travels-ibn-battuta online account] of his travels. * Dowden, Richard. ''Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles.'' PublicAffairs, 2010. {{ISBN|978-1586488161}} This book attempts to examine the continent of Africa and explain why Africa is the way it is. This book has numerous case examples highlighting the issues/struggles faced by the continent & its people today. 592 pages. * Kapuscinski, Ryszard. ''The Shadow of the Sun.'' Vintage, 2002. {{ISBN|978-0679779070}} Memoirs of African journalist Ryszard Kapuscinski, who arrived in 1957 to see the first states gain independence and offers insight on the tumultuous years of the late 20th century on the continent. * Meredith, Martin. ''The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence.'' PublicAffairs, 2005. {{ISBN|978-1-58648-398-2}} One of the best and most comprehensive books available to cover the tumultuous recent history of Africa, from the events leading to independence to the 21st century. 752 pages. * Naipaul, V. S.. ''The Masque of Africa: Glimpses of African Belief.'' Picador, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-330-47205-0}} Examines the complex interactions of traditional religions, Western religions, and other beliefs in modern African society in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Gabon, and South Africa. * Reader, John. ''Africa: A Biography of the Continent.'' Vintage Books, 1997. {{ISBN|0-679-73869-X}} Covers the history of the continent from early man to the first decades of independence, including ancient societies and peoples, early exploration by Westerners, colonisation, and independence. 801 pages. ==Get in== ===By plane=== [[File:Harare International Airport.jpg|thumb|The [[Harare]] International Airport]] {{Main|Flying to Africa}} The continent has perhaps the least extensive air route network of all the world's inhabited continents. When flying to major destinations like [[Johannesburg]], [[Nairobi]], or [[Accra]], there's a good amount of choice and airfare costs about average when compared to routes of similar length around the world. Airfares tend to be cheaper when booked from a European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Brussels]] and [[Lisbon]]. [[Egypt]] also has plentiful, cheap connections with the Middle East & Europe. However, less popular destinations like Brazzaville or Niamey may only be served by a few flights per week operated by major airlines and the cost of airfares can be expensive. Some African airlines (such as Air Namibia) only service their neighbouring countries, with one or two (or no) flights to Europe. Africa's major airlines—South African Airways, Kenya Airways, & Ethiopian Airlines—all offer a decent level of service to the continent's capitals and other major cities and fly to many major cities around the world. Few other African airlines operate inter-continental flights and many have poor or questionable safety records and offer poor levels of service. Many flights to Africa are available from/through Europe and the Middle East. Keep in mind that many airlines are part of alliances and code share agreements and you will likely fly on more than one airline. See your destination's article for more specific information on flights. Bear in mind that many African countries only offer a few international flights each day, or in some cases, each week. While it isn't hard to reach South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria or Egypt, getting to Malawi or Togo can be quite a challenge. ====From Europe==== There are more flights to Africa from Europe than from any other continent. Popular holiday destinations such as [[Egypt]], [[Tunisia]], [[Morocco]], [[Cape Verde]], [[Kenya]] & [[South Africa]] are well-served from Europe's major cities, even with discount and charter airlines. Royal Air Maroc, Air Algérie, Kenya Airways Jet4you & EgyptAir have a good selection of European destinations and Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, South African Airways & Arik Air serve a couple of major cities (London, Paris, etc.). The cheapest flights to African cities are often through the African country's former colonial power. Cities with large immigrant populations such as London, Marseille, and Paris have a good number of flights to Africa. Turkish Airlines flies to 39 destinations in 30 African countries as of 2014. ====From Asia and the Middle East==== Nearly all North African countries along with Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia have extensive connections with the Middle East. And similarly, countries with large Muslim populations are likely to have a connection to Jedda/Mecca either year-round or seasonal (e.g. during hajj). Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways have greatly expanded their services to Africa, and offer connections to many major African cities at competitive rates than European airlines. ====From the Americas==== Multiple destinations are served non-stop or directly from the [[United States]], including Johannesburg, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Accra, & Dakar. Limited service is available from [[Brazil]] (to Angola & Canary Islands), [[Canada]] (to Algeria), [[Cuba]] (to Angola), and [[Venezuela]] (to the Canary Islands). South African Airlines, Delta, United, & Ethiopian Airlines are the main operators between the US and Africa. Delta's Johannesburg to Atlanta flight is the second-longest flight in the world by both distance (13,582&nbsp;km) and scheduled time (16&nbsp;hr 40&nbsp;min). ====From Australia==== There are only a handful of direct flights connecting [[Johannesburg]] to [[Perth]] and [[Sydney]]. Additionally there is a connection between [[Mauritius]] and Perth. ===By road or ferry=== The only land connection to another continent is the 163&nbsp;km-wide Isthmus of Suez, which is found in Egypt (although the Sinai peninsula is sometimes considered a part of Africa for geopolitical reasons). Thus the only way to drive into Africa is to drive through Egypt. Most people driving from the Middle East to Africa travel through Jordan and take a short car ferry to Egypt to avoid transiting Israel, since Egypt's two African neighbours (Sudan and Libya) [[visa trouble|deny entry for persons with Israeli stamps]] or Egyptian/Jordanian stamps indicating travel to Israel. Despite there being just one, narrow land crossing into the continent, there are other ways to bring vehicles into Africa by short car ferries. The short crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco is crossed by several ferries daily and relatively inexpensive. Other car ferries include: * [[Italy]]-[[Tunisia]] ferries are operated by a [http://www.directferries.co.uk/tunisia.htm couple of different companies]. However, you must pass through Algeria to Mauritania/Niger -or- Libya to Egypt, both very expensive and difficult to enter with a car. * [[Spain]]/[[France]] to [[Algeria]] car ferries are run by Algerie Ferries. Their website is [http://www.algerieferries.dz/ in French only]. * Yemen-Djibouti ferries may be running weekly or more frequently (information about this crossing is little and conflicting) to avoid Egypt (because of the extremely high import taxes) or Sudan (as the Ethiopian-Sudan border is prone to banditry). It is also possible to cross by dhow in motorcycles or small/light vehicles. * [[Port Sudan]], Sudan to [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] car ferries are run daily and are a great way to avoid the ''very'' high tariffs to enter Egypt, although visas for SA are difficult to obtain. * Ferries link [[Morocco]] with [[Spain]] and [[Gibraltar]]. In addition, there are also connections between mainland Spain and its African possessions [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]], from which you can drive across the border to Morocco. Several overland trucks make journeys which cross between Europe or the Middle East and Africa, these companies are listed below under "[[#By overland truck|Get around/By overland truck]]". ===By boat=== [[File:Mahe 13.jpg|thumb|260x260px|Some places, like [[Mahé]] in the [[Seychelles]], can only be reached by boat or plane.]] Many Mediterranean cruises stop in North African countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Some ocean liners will stop in the Canary or Cape Verde Islands on trans-Atlantic crossings or in South Africa, Madagascar, Mombasa, Zanzibar, the Seychelles, or Mauritius on round-the-world trips. Elsewhere in Africa, cruises are limited to luxury or 'boutique' cruise lines often aboard small vessels and quite expensive or "[[Freighter travel|freighter cruises]]" which do not offer much to "passengers" but may spend a few days in a handful of ports. [http://www.grimaldi-freightercruises.com Grimaldi Freighter Cruises] has weekly departures to West Africa making the round-trip from Amsterdam in 38 days. The Seychelles, Reunion and Mauritius are popular destinations for yachts and private vessels, but piracy around the Horn of Africa has kept a lot of the European vessels away. ==Get around== ===Visas=== The general rule that visas are more difficult to obtain for countries that have more authoritarian governments and are less "classical" tourist destinations is true for Africa as well, although there are exceptions. Also with few exceptions it is easier to get into most countries if you are from a "first world" country. Visa requirements and costs for African countries differ depending on your nationality/citizenship and by country. Many countries in southern and eastern Africa have visa-free or visas available at the airport or border crossing for EU, American, Canadian, and a few other nationalities with a minimal amount of paperwork and wait. On the other hand, some countries have burdensome requirements that often differ among their embassies and border crossings. Most countries in West Africa require visas for travellers from outside the region. In some cases these visas can be arranged at airports or (less commonly) at borders, but this is often not an option. West African embassies are not widespread outside of the region (generally limited to former colonial metropoles), and visa services are sometimes not available in some neighbouring countries. Sometimes visas are issued rapidly, sometimes it's a lengthy and costly process. Check before starting a trip across the region, as regulations and practices often change. There are four customs unions in effect in Africa: * Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini) * West Africa (Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote D'Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Niger, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) * Central Africa (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Gabon) * East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi) {{cautionbox|Most African states demand that international travellers show [[yellow fever]] vaccination certificates upon arrival.}} ===Accessibility=== <!-- with children, for handicapped.--> ===By plane=== There are a number of reliable airlines that ply the African Continent. Chief among them are: * '''South African Airways (SAA)''' ([[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]), [http://www.flysaa.com], has daily flights to most major Southern, Eastern, & Central African political and economic hubs. If you're flying from the Northern Hemisphere to somewhere north of [[South Africa]], don't forget to check how much backtracking you'll have to do, and if it's worth it. The flight from Washington, D.C. does stop in [[Senegal]], but if you get off there, SAA has no connections to anywhere else. * '''Kenya Airways''' (Nairobi, Kenya), [http://www.kenya-airways.com], connects more African cities than any other airline on the continent. It is partly owned by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, offers good service and frequent flights to all countries within the East African region and many other major African and international destinations. * '''Ethiopian Airlines''' (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), [http://www.ethiopianairlines.com] carries more passengers than any other African airline and offers a direct service from many European cities & Washington to its hub [[Addis Ababa]]. From there it has a very good coverage to many cities in Africa. The flight from/to Washington refuels in Rome. Its mileage can be used on Lufthansa services and Lufthansa miles can also be used on Ethiopian. There are also many airlines which are noteworthy in particular regions, such as TAAG Angola Airlines (South/Central Africa), Arik Air (Nigeria), Afriqiyah Airways (Central/West Africa, but their hub is in Tripoli), Royal Air Maroc (West/Central/North Africa, but its hub is in Morocco), Air Mali (West Africa), Air Burkina (West Africa), Air Austral (Indian Ocean), Air Mauritius (Indian Ocean), Tunis Air (North Africa), and Jetlink (East Africa). Many other African carriers offer flights to more remote locations. {{cautionbox|'''Consider airline safety when flying in Africa'''. Although South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways all meet EU and FAA safety standards, the same isn't true for all airlines, especially smaller domestic carriers in countries where political stability may be lacking, tenuous or only recently reintroduced. Check with the [http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air-ban_en EU Commission on Air Safety] for a list of airlines that do not meet their safety standards.}} ===By car=== If you want to drive your own car around Africa see also [[Carnet de Passage]] For sightseeing trips, it may be less expensive to hire a taxi than to rent a car, but be sure to negotiate taxi fares beforehand. Travel on rural roads can be slow and difficult in the dry season and disrupted by floods in the rainy season. If you plan on travelling in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa, avoid the rainy months of May through October above the equator and the rainy months of November through April below the equator. Some roads may be flooded or washed out during these months. Travel by car outside large towns can be dangerous. Major roads are generally well maintained but there are few divided highways in Africa. In addition, rural auto accidents are fairly common because of high speed limits and the presence of wildlife in these areas. Night driving, especially in rural areas, is not recommended, and visitors are encouraged to hire reputable tour operators for safaris or other game viewing expeditions. ===By bus=== Bus service is extensive in Africa and in almost all countries it is the main means of transportation for locals and tourists alike. Styles of busses and minibusses vary across the continent, refer to country pages for more info. ===By thumb=== Locals [[tips for hitchhiking|hike rides]] in vehicles with strangers throughout Africa, often paying a fee to the driver in return for the favour or service. The distinction between a private vehicle and a taxi is blurred and in many countries, informal taxi business flourish, by picking people up from the side of the road who want a lift. In some areas, such as Johannesburg, specific hand signals are used by hitchhikers to indicate where they wish to go and it is common for vehicles to carry several people at the same time a particular area. Foreigners may expose themselves to considerable personal risk by travelling in this way, and it is important to understand the political and social climate of each region before doing so. ===By overland truck=== Some people with limited amounts of time or who would prefer not to make their own arrangements opt for the "overlander" experience. Many operators run tours in large trucks that are comfortable and equipped with facilities for around 8-30 persons. They're generally run on a pretty tight schedule and cover a lot of distance, such as "Nairobi to Johannesburg in six weeks". These tours are run throughout the whole continent but East and Southern Africa are by far the most popular destinations. Accommodation is mostly camping with tents provided. Most meals are arranged and many are prepared by those on the trip (cooking duties rotated throughout the trip), and free time (like everything else) is scheduled. However, there is plenty of time to participate in the adventure activities that certain areas of Africa are famous for such as [[Victoria Falls]], [[Swakopmund]], Zanzibar, and [[Serengeti National Park]]. Some people really enjoy these tours, especially when they do not have enough time to organise all travel arrangements themselves. Others loathe the very thought of travelling in a group and think that they keep you way out of touch with the "real" Africa. Whatever the case, they're a very different way to travel through Africa. The people that go on these tours tend to be young at heart and slightly adventurous; these tours are not luxury trips. ===By train=== [[File:Punch_Rhodes_Colossus.png|thumb|Caricature of Cecil Rhodes, the colonialist behind the never-built Cape to Cairo Railway.]] [[File:Tazara crossing bridge.jpg|thumb|A train in Zambia]] Most railway lines in Africa were built by the colonial powers, often with great human cost, with the main purpose of extracting wealth from the interior to coastal cities for export. After the fall of colonialism, many lines haven't been extended or maintained. passenger railways in Africa are therefore sparse with the majority being short, slow and within one country. However, during the 2010s, Chinese and European investment have rehabilitated several lines and also built new standard gauge railway lines in several countries. The [[North Africa|North African]] states of [[Algeria]], [[Egypt]], [[Morocco]] and [[Tunisia]] all have rail networks of adequate quality, some of them even comparing favorably to a few European or East Asian countries, with connections to most major cities. In 2018, [[Morocco]] opened Africa's first true [[high speed rail]] line between [[Tangier]] and [[Rabat]]. Due to political tensions (and in part the sparse population in border areas) there are however no international train services between these countries. For travellers to and from [[Egypt]] the old [[Wadi Halfa]] to [[Khartoum]], in [[Sudan]], train is useful as it connects with the ferry across Lake Nasser to the Egyptian rail terminus in [[Aswan]]. A unique experience, but not very useful as a means of transportation, is to ride the longest train in the world in [[Mauritania]], either in the caboose or atop open iron ore carriages. Libya has no railways and plans to change that were derailed by the political troubles that have shaken this country since the 2010s. [[South Africa]] has a long history with passenger rail, there are overnight trains from most major cities several times per week. Additionally [[Gauteng]] province is served by the fast ''Gautrain'', connecting the major cities of [[Johannesburg]] and [[Pretoria]] with [[O.R. Tambo International Airport]]. There are no proper international trains to South Africa but several lines terminate at border cities, making it quite easy to travel from neighbouring countries such as [[Mozambique]] and [[Zimbabwe]]. Most other countries in [[Southern Africa]] have some form of passenger services, but quality and frequency vary greatly. Finally, for those with money to splurge, there are luxury trains like the [http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ '''Blue Train'''] and [https://www.rovos.com/ '''Rovos Rail'''] which offer luxurious old world charm. [[East Africa]] has had declining services for a long time but due to recent investment several new lines have opened between major cities. Both [[Ethiopia]] and [[Kenya]] now boast brand new trains connecting major cities. The classic ''TAZARA'' line, connecting [[Dar es Salaam]] with [[Kapiri Mposhi]] in [[Zambia]] still holds up, passing through several national parks. [[Central Africa|Central African]] countries have fared worse with little to no investment, and railways to show for it. [[Angola]] has rehabilitated its railway lines but services remain spotty. Very limited and erratic services are available in other countries. A few services remain in [[West Africa]] with [[Ouagadougou]], [[Burkina Faso]] to [[Abidjan]], [[Cote d'Ivoire]] being the most usable for tourists. [[Nigeria]] is however investing heavily in rail and several new intercity trains have sprung up. [[Senegal]] has also built a new commuter rail line, linking the capital [[Dakar]] with several nearby suburban towns. ===By boat=== [[File:Pirogue 010.jpg|thumb|Pirogue on the Niger River in Mali]] Where there is water, there are usually boat services to some extent. In the DRC, boats are the primary means of transportation due to the extensive network of rivers and lack/quality of roads and railways. Some noteworthy river journeys in Africa are: Along the '''Niger River''' small, wooden ''pirogues'' varying in design from a 2-person canoe to wide, ~10 person boats with a canopy and toilet. Travelling by pirogue is slow, but the Sahelian scenery and people you meet on the boat and during stops make this a memorable African experience. Due to cataracts, pirogues on the Niger only operate in Mali & Niger Along the '''Congo River''' large, old and often overcrowded ferries connect cities along the river in the [[Republic of the Congo]], [[DR Congo]], & [[Central African Republic]]. Small boats from villages come out and moor themselves to these ferries to sell food and merchandise and the boat is a bustling marketplace of hundreds of people much of the time. Conditions aboard these ferries are poor and bearable only by the most seasoned of travellers. Talk to the captain to see if you can use one of the handful of rooms to sleep. ==Talk== [[File:Swakopmund-Bäckerei & Konditorei (2).jpg|thumb|A typical storefront in [[Swakopmund]], Namibia written in the former colonial German language. ]] There is no dominant language in Africa, but if you are travelling in West or Central Africa, [[French phrasebook|French]] and English will be the most useful across these nations and regions. [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]] is the dominant language in North Africa, although French is also widely spoken in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. English is also useful in many countries, and dominant in much of Southern Africa. [[Swahili phrasebook|Swahili]] is the most useful language in East Africa. In Ethiopia, most people speak [[Amharic phrasebook|Amharic]], which is indigenous to Ethiopia. Even if you know a blanket language like French, it is always a good idea to bring phrasebooks for the native languages. In [[Senegal]], for example, despite being part of Francophone Africa, visitors are likely to find [[Wolof phrasebook|Wolof]] very useful and sometimes necessary when dealing with residents. It also helps if you have a basic understanding of the language used by a country's former colonist (e.g. German is useful to know if you are going to Namibia, since there is a large German-speaking white population). The more you wish to interact with locals or go out of the cities, the more important it will be for you to have resources to communicate in the local African languages. Africa's linguistic diversity is exemplified by South Africa, which has eleven official languages, some of which have the most complex inventory of sounds in any human language, with over a hundred different sounds to distinguish meaning. English in comparison has less than half that number. ==See== ===Flora and fauna=== [[File:Giraffe koure niger 2006.jpg|thumb|A giraffe in Niger]] Many visitors are attracted by the [[African flora and fauna]] and several countries benefit from [[safaris|safari]] tourism to [[African national parks]]. ===Natural wonders=== [[File:Nyiragongo Lava Lake.jpg|thumb|Mt. Nyiragongo's lava lake, viewed from the rim.]] Africa is home to many famous natural wonders, from the Nile River, the world's longest river, to [[Victoria Falls]]. The continent is home to two of the world's four volcanoes with permanent lava lakes&mdash;the dramatic [[Virunga National Park|Mount Nyiragongo]] which rises hundreds of metres above [[Goma]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|DR Congo]] and Erta Ale in [[Ethiopia]]'s stark Danakil Depression (the others are [[Ross Sea|Mt. Erebus]] in [[Antarctica]] & [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park|Kilauea]] in [[Hawaii]]). Both volcanoes can be climbed by the adventurous tourist to stand at the rim gazing in awe at the bubbling lava below, an especially incredible sight at night! Mount Cameroon and its glorious stretch of lava also creates a beautiful site with a variety of flora and fauna. ===Landscapes=== Roughly centred on the Equator, Africa is known for landscapes typical for warm parts of the world. [[Northern Africa]] is dominated by the immense [[Sahara]] desert wedged between the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Apart from the coastal rim and the banks of the Nile, this is a dry and remote part of the continent. The most notable (and likely easiest accessible) mountain range here is the Atlas mountains range in [[Morocco]]. The highest peak is [[Jbel Toubkal]], the highest mountain in Africa not located in the east of the continent. South of the Sahara, vegetation gradually increases the further south one travels. From southern [[Sahel]] onwards, the terrain is rather flat with savanna and steppe. This is however not the case at these latitudes in the eastern part of Africa; this is the northern end of Africa's "backbone" of several mountain chains stretching down all the way from [[Ethiopia]] to South Africa like an extension of the Nile. Eastern Central Africa is also where you can find the largest lakes, including Lake Victoria. Named after the 19th century British queen Victoria, this is the world's second largest fresh water lake by surface area and the source of one of the two forks of the Nile. Southwest of the lake, a little more than halfway to the Indian Ocean, lies Africa's highest mountain, [[Kilimanjaro]]. [[File:DjiboutiLacAssal2.jpg|thumb|The view of [[Djibouti|Lake Assal]] from a nearby mountain, with a camel caravan in the foreground. Lake Assal and the surrounding areas are an excellent example of moonscapes.]] Bisected by the Equator, unsurprisingly the heart of Africa is dominated by rainforest. The Congo rainforest is the second largest in the world, remote and mostly uninhabited, and going here is often more of an expedition than a tourist trip. The Eastern Central part is also the best place to go on the continent if you are interested in [[volcanoes]]. Further south, the landscape becomes more and more dry again, especially in the western half. [[Namibia]] in particular is known for its deserts and canyons. The landscape is different in the east with scenic mountains and waterfalls including the mighty [[Victoria Falls]], yes, it too was named after the queen. On the highland plateau in this corner of Africa is [[Lesotho]], the only country in the world that is entirely located higher than 1400 m above the sea level. The southernmost part of the continent — in other words [[South Africa]] — is reminiscent of the northernmost rim with Mediterranean climate and subtropical vegetation. There are also several island nations or territories located in the oceans outside mainland Africa. They are as a rule mountainous with mountain chains often consisting of volcanoes. Surrounded by sea, they as a rule have cooler temperatures than inland locations at the same latitudes. ===Historical civilisations=== While the continent's diverse and unique wildlife is often all that is mentioned in regards to African travel, as home to the oldest civilisations on the planet, Africa has equally impressive cultures and history. The most famous civilisation on the continent, and arguably in the world, is that of [[ancient Egypt]]. From the southern city of [[Abu Simbel]] to [[Luxor]] and all the way north to Alexandria and Cairo, including the Pyramids of [[Giza]], the only surviving one of the original [[Seven Wonders of the World]] and the most iconic symbols of this ancient kingdom. Sites from the '''[[Nubia]]n Kingdom''' that had close ties with Egypt can be found in Sudan, such as Gebel Barkal and many other pyramids in [[Meroe]]. There are also remains of the former city-state of [[Carthage]] that can be found in modern-day Tunisia. [[Ethiopia]] offers many ruins from the ancient '''Axumite Kingdom''' where the Queen of Sheba ruled. The obelisks and Dungur ruins in [[Axum]] were built prior to the kingdom's conversion to Christianity. As one of the world's oldest Christian nations, it is also home to many of the world's greatest and oldest Christian religious monuments, such as the Ezana Stone and the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, where the Ark of the Covenant is said to be stored. Other famous Christian structures built later by the kingdom's successor, the '''Abyssinian Empire''', especially during the 12th and 13th centuries, can also be found in [[Lalibela]]. In West Africa, structures from the ancient '''Mali Empire''' can be found in [[Timbuktu]] and [[Djenne]]. Although there are Islamic influences, the architectural styles of the Malian Kingdom's mosques are still quite unique and recognizably African. The cliff dwellings in Mali's [[Dogon Country]], built by the Dogon people, are also impressive ancient structures in [[Mali]]. Remnants of the '''Ghana Empire''' can be found in parts of Mauritania and Mali, including the archaeological sites at [[Koumbi Saleh]], [[Oualata]] and [[Aoudaghost]]. Often overshadowed by Africa's other monuments, '''Sungbo's Eredo''' in [[Ijebu Ode]], [[Nigeria]], built by the Yoruba people, is actually the largest pre-colonial structure remaining on the continent. Today it towers over the city, covered in vegetation. The royal palaces of the '''Dahomey Kingdom''' still stand in their former capital of [[Abomey]], and ruins of the '''Kingdom of Kongo''' can still be found in their former capital of [[M'banza-Kongo]]. While they were largely destroyed by the British during the Scramble for Africa, [[Benin City]] and [[Kumasi]] still contain a few relics of the '''Kingdom of Benin''' and '''Ashanti Empire''' respectively. In [[Sokoto]], Nigeria, remnants of the '''Sokoto Caliphate''' can still be found in the local museums, as well as the sultan's palace, and the city continues to serve as one of Africa's main centres of Islamic scholarship. Ruins from the ancient '''Swahili culture''' can be found in the coastal areas of East Africa, particularly in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]]. The Swahili structures combines elements of African architecture with Islamic architecture, which was quite prominent around the 14th century. Some of the most famous Swahili structures include the '''Gedi Ruins''' and '''Pillar Tombs''' around [[Malindi]], and [[Kilwa Kisiwani]]. [[Mombasa]] and Zanzibar's [[Stone Town]] feature Swahili structures spanning hundreds of years from its early days to the 18th century. In Southern Africa, the ruins of [[Great Zimbabwe]] have fascinated visitors ever since Europeans discovered them. No European had believed that the inhabitants of black Africa were capable of creating any great monuments on their own until the ruins of this ancient culture were discovered. Many cities, such as [[Leptis Magna]], [[Timgad]], and [[Dougga]] feature Roman ruins as impressive as those in Europe itself. Many other European structures can be found throughout the continent, dating back to the earliest days of imperialism. One of the most unique European-influenced styles is the '''Cape Dutch''' style found in [[South Africa]], which traces its origins to the first white settlers in sub-Saharan Africa in the 17th century. Although clearly influenced by [[Netherlands|Dutch]] architectural conventions, it has also diverged significantly from European architecture to adapt to African conditions, making it a unique style in its own right. Uniquely among white communities in Africa, the descendants of these Dutch settlers, now known as the Afrikaners, have developed their own ethnic identity, and by and large consider themselves to be Africans rather than Europeans. ===Music=== [[Music]] has been called "Africa's common language", and is part of everyday life in most African nations. Music in Africa is divided into six musical regions each of which have their own unique styles. The musical regions are Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Central Africa, and lastly Sene-Gambia. Southern African styles include Chimurenga (mostly dominant in [[Zimbabwe]]) and Mbaqanga which has come to be widely known as South African jazz (mostly dominant in [[Botswana]] and [[South Africa]]), Sene-Gambia African styles include, Griot (played across [[Mali]], [[Guinea]], [[Gambia]] and [[Senegal]]). Central African styles include Soukous which takes pieces of Latin rumba, American jazz, a bit of rock and incorporates it into a style very unique to the Congo (very dominant in the [[Republic of the Congo|Congo regions]]). East African styles include the very energetic Benga which is dominant in East African countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. West African styles include Juju and Highlife, Juju is a style of Nigerian popular music derived from traditional Yoruba Percussion while Highlife originates from Ghana but is also played in Nigeria. Northern African styles include Magrib and Rai both of which bear strong Islamic and Arabic stamps thanks to the Medieval Islamic expansions. This kind of music is very popular in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Western popular music and many musical genres from the Americas (including ragtime, country music, [[jazz]], the blues, [[rock'n'roll]], reggae, calypso, salsa and samba) exhibit strong influences from traditional African music, while these genres in turn have exerted a strong influence on modern African pop music. [[South Africa]] is also known for its jazz musicians who participated in their own unique genre, among the most famous of Hugh Masekela whom was as trumpet player. Most African countries have their own unique indigenous music styles of which a few are popular in other African countries. Botswana has styles which are a must-see for any traveller going there; it is also one of the few countries whose styles are popular in other African countries. Their unique styles include Setapa, Dikoma, Hosana, Chiperu and Tsutsube. All these styles have their own designated dance styles, which go along with the music as it is performed hence why they are popular in other Southern African countries and among tourists. ==Do== ===Safaris=== {{seealso|Safaris}} [[File:Equus quagga ngorongoro.jpg|thumb|300px|Viewing zebras in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area|Ngorongoro Crater]], [[Tanzania]].]] Safari – an overland travel to view the stunning [[African flora and fauna|African wildlife]] – is arguably the greatest tourist attraction in Africa. Most countries, except in the north, have at least one [[African national parks|national park]] with organised safaris. A safari can take on a range of forms, from a simple one-day minibus ride, to week-long stays at a lodge. Commonly it is a 4x4 ride across the savanna in search of the "Big five": elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, & buffalo. Such safaris are offered primarily in [[Southern Africa|Southern]] and [[East Africa]]. Many parks have strict regulations both on visitor activities and behavior, along with entry & camping fees. Among the most well-known parks are [[South Africa]]'s [[Kruger National Park]], [[Tanzania]]'s [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area|Ngorongoro Crater]], [[Etosha National Park]] in [[Namibia]], the [[Okavango Delta]] region of [[Botswana]], and the Tsavo [[Tsavo East National Park|East]]/[[Tsavo West National Park|West]] National Parks, and [[Nairobi National Park]]. [[File:NA-etosha-wasserloch.jpg|thumb|Many different animals can be found in [[Etosha National Park]], [[Namibia]].]] The three basic safari styles are driving safari, walking safaris, and mobile safari. Some regions also offer safaris on boats/canoes, horses, elephants, or hot air balloon or light aircraft. The '''driving safari''' is by far the most popular form of safari and is best for most first-timers as it is easier, often cheaper, and generally allows you to see more wildlife. A driving safari can be a one-day affair, but it often includes a couple nights spent [[camping]] or in lodges. Low-price driving safaris are often made in minibuses without a guaranteed window seat. Luxury safaris will likely include drives in a 4x4 vehicle in small groups and stays at fine lodges with swimming pools and spas. A '''walking safari''' consists of hiking, either for a few hours or several days, with fewer opportunities to see many animals, but allows hikers to get closer to some animals and have experiences like stumbling upon the bones of a recent lion kill. For '''mobile safaris''', a camp is set up each night of your safari; it might also contain a portable lunch camp. At a ''fly-in safari'', the visitor is flown directly (or very close) to a lodge, instead of hours of overland transit. [[File:Western Serengeti 2012 06 02 4042 (7557756124).jpg|thumb|300px|Interior of a more luxurious tented camp.]] For the most basic trips, travellers should have a minimum budget of US$70/day, while some of the most visited parks may cost US$100–150/day. Luxury trips can easily run over US$1000/day. If a price offer seems too good to be true, it often is, and there is probably a good reason why. This can be the result of hidden fees, large errors/omissions/lies when calculating a price, an unlicensed operator, abusive labor practices, poor equipment, length of the trip, and extras that you may not have thought of or which this operator plans to charge a steep fee. Thoroughly check what each tour operator provides in their cost, and make sure to get a written agreement before payment and departure. Self-drive safaris are possible in some parks, but highly discouraged for beginners. [[File:Safari-jam-in-Maasai-Mara.JPG|thumb|400px|The downside to visiting large parks. One vehicle spots a lion in the shade (hidden), reports their location on the radio, and within minutes, a dozen other vehicles arrive on scene for the sight.]] ===Climbing=== Africa does not have tall, jagged mountain ranges comparable to the Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, or Alps and there are very few mountains requiring technical gear. The Atlas Mountains across Morocco, Algeria, & Tunisia; the Drakensberg in South Africa & Lesotho; the Semian Mountains in Ethiopia; and the Rwenzori Mountains between Uganda & the DR Congo are the only considerable mountain ranges on the continent, all with numerous peaks which can be easily climbed. Additionally, there are some tall volcanoes along the Great Rift Valley, on the Indian Ocean islands, & in Cameroon. Some of the continent's most climbed or unique mountains are: * [[Jbel Toubkal]] (4165&nbsp;m) near [[Marrakech]], Morocco is the tallest peak in the Atlas Mountains and can be climbed without technical gear in summer. * [[Mount Cameroon]] (4040 m) near [[Douala]], Cameroon, is the tallest peak (actually a volcano) in Cameroon and is famous for the 1986 Lake Nyos disaster, when the lake released a huge volume carbon dioxide gas, suffocating thousands. Fast-paced hikes to the top and back are possible in a day. * [[Mount Kilimanjaro]] (5895&nbsp;m) in Tanzania near the Kenya border is the continent's highest peak, the world's tallest free-standing mountain, and perhaps the most climbed mountain on the continent, owing to its accessibility and the lack of need of technical gear. The range of scenery one passes from base to peak makes it a destination almost all climbers have on their wishlist. * [[Mount Kenya]] (5199&nbsp;m) is Kenya's tallest mountain and also popular climb with many non-technical walking and climbing routes through lush scenery and is less than 200&nbsp;km from Nairobi. The surrounding national park is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. * [[Table Mountain National Park]] (1086&nbsp;m) which dominates the city of [[Cape Town]] has hundreds or routes to the plateau, ranging from easy walks to technical rock climbs. In November 2011, Table Mountain was named one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. * [[Virunga National Park|Mount Nyiragongo]] (3470&nbsp;m) in the DRC on the Rwanda border is one of just 3-4 volcanoes in the world with a lava lake in its crater. A climb takes ~8&nbsp;hours and involves camping on a ledge at the top&mdash;a safe 700&nbsp;m above the lake&mdash;for the night (of course, the steaming, bubbling lava is more spectacular at night). Abseiling and [[rock climbing]] can be done in many parts of Africa, with many opportunities in South Africa. ===Trekking and hiking=== Most of Africa's mountain ranges and highlands are suitable for trekking. The '''[[Drakensberg]]''' in South Africa & Lesotho, the '''[[Garden Route]]''' in South Africa, '''Ethiopian Highlands''', and Mali's Dogon Country are the most popular trekking destinations in Africa and most guidebooks to these countries describe the most popular routes. In the dense jungles of the [[Central African Republic]] & DRC treks, almost always organised, to pygmy settlements are available. Established trekking routes exist in the forests of Guinea's [[Fouta Djallon]] highlands and in [[Cameroon]]. The Aïr Massif in Niger is popular for hiking around its sand scraped rock formations and oases, usually short distances from your camel or vehicle transport. Hiking can also be done in many forests with established paths. In Uganda, Rwanda, & the adjacent DR Congo, hiking to see the endangered mountain gorilla is a major tourism draw, although permits are US$500 to spend hours hiking through tropical forests to spend 1&nbsp;hour in close proximity to the gorillas. ===Sport fishing=== ===Diving=== There are a good number of great [[scuba diving]] sites across Africa. The '''Red Sea''' off Egypt offers clear, tranquil waters. Diving in the '''Indian Ocean''' is common off all islands and on the continent from Kenya south. [[Diving in South Africa]] is most famous for "shark dives", where divers are lowered in cages to watch sharks feed on bait, although other diving opportunities exist. Few locations inland are popular with divers; '''Lake Malawi'''&mdash;which is clear, deep and filled with unique species&mdash;is the only lake with a significant number of dive operators. [[File:Zanzibar Sunset.jpg|thumb|239x239px|Relax on a beach in [[Zanzibar]].]] ===Relax on a beach=== Africa has a very long coastal line with thousands of beautiful beaches as it is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, both the Suez Canal and the Red Sea along the Sinai Peninsula to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. ===Sports=== Soccer is the most widespread and popular sport with games between countries usually drawing tens of thousands of patriotic, cheering fans filling basic stadiums, as many world class African players return from Europe to play for their respective national teams. Watching a football match in Africa is a must; try to dress in the colours of the home team and join the cheering celebration with your neighbours! The biennial '''Africa Cup of Nations''' is the continent's premier championship. The most recent AFCON was held in [[Cameroon]] in 2022,the tournament was originally scheduled to be played between 9 january and 6 february 2021 but was delayed due to the covid-19 pandemic,the tournament's date were moved to January 2022 whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes. Upcoming Cups will be hosted by [[Côte d'Ivoire]] (2023). South Africa played host to the first African [[Wikivoyage:Past_events/World Cup 2010|FIFA World Cup]] in 2010. [[Rugby football|Rugby]] is played by several former British colonies in Southern & Eastern Africa. South Africa's ''Springboks'' are among the best teams in the world. And while they were traditionally associated with the white and specifically the ''Afrikaner'' part of the population they have now significant following among all ethnic groups after Nelson Mandela famously wore a Springbok jersey during the 1995 world cup that was held in and won by South Africa. [[Cricket]] is also played, especially in former British colonies, with South Africa being considered one of the elite teams in world cricket, and [[Zimbabwe]] also considered a respectable team. ==Buy== ===Money=== [[File:CFA Franc map.svg|thumb|250px|CFA franc usage: West African (green), Central African (red)]] The three easiest currencies to exchange within Africa are the euro, US dollar, & UK pound sterling. In some countries with a large tourism sector Australian & Canadian dollars and Japanese yen ''may'' be exchanged at large banks and some currency exchanges, but you will receive a poor exchange rate as these currencies are uncommon and more troublesome for the banks in turn to exchange. The continent is roughly split between regions where the US dollar is easiest to exchange and use and others where the euro is. In Southern African countries the South African rand enjoys a regionally dominant position (see below) and may be easier to exchange than other currencies. Generally speaking you will experience poor exchange rates outside of most of these countries, and even currency movement restrictions. Due to concerns about counterfeiting, money changers, banks, and most likely even merchants will not accept US dollar banknotes that are worn or more than ten years old. As strange as that sounds, it seems to be a rule among anyone dealing much in dollars and you will find it difficult or even impossible to dispose of worn or older dollar banknotes. The same does not seem to hold true for euro banknotes, but may do so for other non-African currencies.<!--a new series of € banknotes has been introduced since this was probably written. Will old series banknotes run into trouble?--> With few exceptions (most notably the South African rand), African currencies are generally not accepted by banks or money changers outside their native territory, or at least not at a decent exchange rate. The currencies of some smaller countries are non-exchangeable and become worthless abroad, with some countries prohibiting export of their currencies and confiscating and even fining people leaving the country with currency (most notably the Angolan kwanza). There are three currency unions in Africa: * Common Currency Area (using South African rand): [[South Africa]], [[Eswatini]] (Swaziland), [[Lesotho]], & [[Namibia]]. * West African CFA franc (XOF): [[Benin]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Cote d'Ivoire]], [[Guinea-Bissau]], [[Mali]], [[Niger]], [[Senegal]], & [[Togo]]. * Central African CFA franc (XAF): [[Cameroon]], [[Central African Republic]], [[Chad]], [[Republic of the Congo]], [[Equatorial Guinea]], & [[Gabon]] Some countries that are part of a currency union still mint their own currency as well (such as Namibia's dollar), meaning that both forms of currency are legal tender. Despite sharing the same name and same exchange rate (655.957 CFA francs = €1), the two "CFA franc" currencies are issued by different banks and are '''not''' interchangeable. A 1000 CFA franc banknote from Gabon will not be accepted by a merchant in Benin, and vice versa. Indeed, even with banks and money changers it will likely be easier (and you'll receive a better exchange rate) to exchange euro banknotes or even US dollars. Given the fixed exchange, if visiting any of these countries, the euro will receive a more favorable exchange rate. The Mauritanian ouguiya & Malagasy ariary are the only two non-decimal currencies in use in the world, divided into 1/5th fractions known as khoums & iraimbilanja, respectively. ====US dollar==== The U.S. dollar has been the ''de facto'' currency of [[Zimbabwe]] since the collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar and allowance of foreign currency as tender in January 2009. Dollar coins are usually not accepted in Zimbabwe and you may have problems getting change for small purchases. The Djiboutian franc (178.8=US$1) and Eritrean nakfa (16.5=$1) are pegged to the dollar. The U.S. dollar is the easiest currency to exchange (and may receive a better exchange rate compared to the euro) in Southern Africa and East Africa, as well as the [[DR Congo]], [[Nigeria]], & [[Liberia]]. Many tour operators, tourist attractions, and hotels in these regions set their prices in dollars, some even going as far as to offer poor exchange rates for or even refuse local currency. Also, many countries in these regions set their visa prices in dollars and will only accept dollars (or perhaps pound sterling). ====Euro==== The euro is the official currency of France's Mayotte & Reunion territories, Spain's Canary Islands and Portugal's Madeira and Porto Santo. The West & Central African CFA francs are pegged to the euro at 655.975 (formerly, 100 to the French franc). The Moroccan dirham is pegged (with a fluctuation band) to the euro at roughly 10 dirhams to one euro. The Cape Verdean escudo is pegged at 110.265 to one euro and the Comoran franc is pegged at 491.9678 to one euro. The [[Sao Tome and Principe]] dobra was fixed at 24500 to one euro in 2010 to guarantee stability&mdash;it was worth just 12000 per euro in 2004. The euro is the easiest currency to exchange and receives the best exchange rate in countries whose currencies are fixed to the euro, with strong European ties, and/or where the majority of tourists are European. This generally corresponds with North Africa, the [[Sahel]], West Africa, & Central Africa with the exceptions of Egypt, Sudan, & Ghana, neither the euro nor dollar is better, and Nigeria, the DRC, & Liberia. Due to the relatively recent creation of the euro and long-standing status of the dollar, beware that there are some regions of Africa where people either have never heard of the euro or will see it as worthless.<!--is that still true some two decades after the Euro was first introduced?--> ====South African rand==== The South African rand is an official currency and widely circulated in [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[Eswatini]] (Swaziland), & [[Namibia]]. Although the latter three issue their own currencies, they are pegged 1:1 with the rand and are not legal tender in the other countries as is the SA rand. The rand has also been accepted in [[Zimbabwe]] since the Zimbabwean dollar's demise, but not as widely as the U.S. dollar. It is also readily exchanged (and sometimes accepted for payment) in [[Botswana]], [[Mozambique]] and most of the tourist spots in [[Botswana]] and [[Zambia]]. Namibia mints a ''local currency'' which is also legal tender alongside the SA rand in Namibia, so always note the form of currency used on goods for sale. ===Cashless forms of payment=== Due to the nigh-ubiquity of cellphone ownership and the sometimes highly volatile currencies (and shortage of "hard currency" banknotes or their value being much too great for everyday transactions) various mobile phone based payment systems have been pioneered in Africa. Depending on your itinerary, it can be very advisable to make yourself familiar with those systems and have them installed to your phone. ===Markets=== Many African countries and tribes are known for their '''handicraft'''. High-quality sculptures, utensils and [[textiles]] can be found for a fraction of the price of a similar item made in a high-income country. North Africa is known for [[carpets]]. ===Prohibited items=== Trade in ivory is prohibited by nearly all countries in the world, with hefty penalties and even jail time for offenders. Many animal products (some commonly found in fetish markets) are also banned by western countries, such as tortoise shells, tusks of any animal, or any part of or item made with an endangered species. Some African countries keen on conservation will prosecute all violators to the fullest extent of the law...so be careful when purchasing animal products unless you want to spend years in an African prison. Keep in mind that even if an item may be exported from an African country it may be illegal to import into a Western country; the EU and US have strict laws on importing animal products in the name of conservation. See also [[animal ethics]]. Some [[medications]] which may be purchased without a prescription in Western countries or parts of Africa may contain ingredients considered illegal narcotics or controlled substances in some countries. In particular, diphenhydramine is a "controlled substance" in [[Zambia]] and several Americans have been fined and jailed on drug-trafficking charges for possessing the over-the-counter allergy medicine Benadryl (elsewhere called Dimedrol) and the pain reliever Advil PM whose main active ingredient is diphenhydramine. Drug trafficking is as common an offense as in most Western countries. The list of which substances are considered prohibited or restricted drugs varies from country to country. ''Khat'' which is readily grown and consumed in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, is an illicit drug in most other African countries. Organised drug trafficking is a major problem in Guinea and Guinea-Bissau en route from South America to Europe. As with most countries, check local laws concerning antiquities before trying to leave the country with anything that appears to be over 100 years old. Always make sure that any diamonds or other jewels you are buying can satisfy 2 conditionsː # The number of, weight, and/or total value of the jewels you purchase can be legally imported back to your home country. # No jewels or diamonds are '''Conflict Jewels''', which means that they are mined and/or sold by terrorist groups, rebel groups, or are mined in non-sustainable ways. ==Eat== Food varies wildly and you can find Arab-influenced cuisine ([[North African cuisine|in the North]]) as well as European-derived (in South Africa and Namibia) or local food originating from times before colonisation. While you won't find five-star restaurants in every city or indeed every country, if you keep an open mind, you are in for some truly amazing and once-in-a-lifetime culinary experiences, once you venture out of standard tourist fare. ==Drink== As could be expected from a continent as huge and diverse as Africa, there are a large variety of drinking options. While [[South Africa]] has come to be known as a wine-growing region of international acclaim, drinking anything alcoholic in the Muslim-majority countries or the predominately Muslim areas of countries such as [[Nigeria]] may be unwise or even illegal. There are also a variety of non-alcoholic drinks that either originated from Africa or have been perfected here, such as rooibos tea in South Africa or coffee in Ethiopia. ==Sleep== While business districts and resort cities have high-end hotels, accommodation can be very basic off the beaten path. While camping in a national park can be an exciting experience, be aware of dangerous animals, and of crime. ==Stay safe== [[File:Risks-in-Africa December-25-2012.svg|400px|thumb|Safety map of Africa as of 2012]] While much of Africa is safe for travel and many tourist attractions on the continent are far from conflict, there are still a few regions in which conflict and/or sociopolitical tensions exist. Political unrest, religious extremism and piracy are also concerns in some areas with a recent rise in militant Salafist groupings. Jihadist groups are mostly concentrated in the Horn of Africa, parts of North Africa and the Sahel region, as well as their adjacent areas. '''[[Somalia]]''', where warlords have fought for control since the collapse of the central government in 1993, and the '''[[Central African Republic]]''', where general lawlessness and rebels exist throughout most of the country, should only be visited by experienced travellers who are ''very'' competent regarding the dangers that exist. Otherwise, these areas should be considered no-go regions. Exceptions are [[Somaliland]] which is ''de facto'' independent and relatively safe and the CAR's isolated [[Dzanga Sangha National Reserve]]. The '''[[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]''' is home to the second largest jungle after the Amazon and most of the country is impassable by land. The eastern and northeastern regions are home to rebels and general lawlessness and have been home to the bloodiest conflict since World War II. Safer regions are the west (incl. [[Kinshasa]]), south (near Zambia border, incl. [[Lubumbashi]]), and a few spots practically ''on'' the border, such as [[Goma]], [[Bukavu]], & [[Virunga National Park]]. The '''Central Sahara''' is host to numerous problems, notably that a growing presence (or at least impact) of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in much of Saharan [[Algeria]], northern [[Mali]] (north of Timbuktu, east of Gao, and near the Nigerian border), and far eastern [[Mauritania]] has resulted in several kidnappings (incl. one Briton beheaded, kidnapped near the Mali-Niger border) and a couple of suicide bombings in [[Nouakchott]]. Since the end of a civil war in Mali in 2012, Northern Mali (including Timbuktu, Gao, & the Mauritania & Niger borders) is highly dangerous on account of the presence of Tuareg & Islamist rebels. A Tuareg uprising has left much of the area around [[Agadez]], [[Niger]]—once a popular tourist destination—off-limits and unsafe. Several borders in the Sahara are closed or very unsafe as a result of banditry: Libya-Sudan (closed), Libya-Chad (closed), Chad-Sudan (unsafe due to [[Darfur]] conflict), Chad-Niger (banditry), Libya-Niger (banditry), Mali-Algeria (no road crossings, AQIM), Algeria-Mauritania (AQIM), Mali-Niger (AQIM/rebels), Mali-Mauritania (AQIM/rebels), & Algeria-Morocco (closed). Portions of [[Cote d'Ivoire]], [[Sierra Leone]], [[Liberia]], and [[Chad]] are home to rebels and it is important to obtain up-to-date information on which parts of these countries are safe to visit (see warnings on those pages). Northern [[Nigeria]] is home to Islamic extremists who have carried out several attacks against non-Muslims, mostly targeting other Nigerians, but there is still a significant risk to Westerners. The region around the Niger River delta has been home to rebels for decades. Similarly, in Sudan, only the western Darfur regions and south-central "boundary" between the conflicting North-South are dangerous. Many countries in Africa are ''unsafe'' for '''gay travellers''', with high levels of homophobia widespread in the general population. Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, with South Africa and Botswana being notable exceptions and in some cases carries imprisonment or even the death penalty. [[Nigeria]] and [[Uganda]] have taken it a step further by making it a criminal offence to know that someone is homosexual and not report it to the police. ===Crime=== Crime in major African cities varies significantly by country and it is usually unwise to travel around at night alone. While much of it involves scamming, mugging or petty theft, violent crimes are generally less common. Check the "stay safe" areas of the individual countries you are going to. ===Wildlife=== In most parts of Africa dangerous wildlife should be of only very minor, if any, concern at all. In some parts of East Africa and South Africa large abundances of potentially [[dangerous animals]] can be found, but the majority of the time any traveller would most likely be perfectly safe in a vehicle with their tour guide. Nonetheless, attacks and deaths do occur (rarely with foreigners, but commonly with locals) and it is best to be well-informed. Nile crocodiles can be extremely dangerous and swimming is not an option in most low-lying portions of East Africa. Lions and leopards can be dangerous, but you are unlikely to encounter them on foot unless you are being extremely foolish. Large herbivores such as elephants and rhinos can also be very dangerous if aggravated, even while in a vehicle, Hippopotamuses are the animal most likely to attack or kill a human unprovoked and should be avoided without an experienced guide. Venomous snakes exist and are plentiful, but are very shy and you are unlikely to even see one let alone be bitten by one. When it comes to [[pests]], most insects in the country are no more dangerous than what you would find in any other country, and the spiders are mostly harmless to humans. Despite all of this, easily the most dangerous non-human animal in the entire African continent is the mosquito, which infects a very large number of Africans with malaria every year, and tsetse flies that cause sleeping sickness are also a major problem in some areas. (Check individual country and region pages and WHO reports to see whether the places you plan to travel to are affected by these diseases.) ==Stay healthy== {{seealso|Tropical diseases|Pests|Travel in developing countries}} Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of HIV and AIDS infection on Earth. A 2005 UN Report says over 25 million Africans are infected, over 7% of adults on the continent. Be extremely cautious about any sexual activity in Africa. The rates of HIV infection among sex workers are phenomenally high. Bushmeat from gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and mandrills should be avoided. Due to their similarity to humans, a number of diseases (including yet-undiscovered or poorly studied ones) can be spread by consuming their flesh, especially if it is not sufficiently heated. HIV is undoubtedly the most famous disease transmitted from other primates, but others include Ebola, anthrax and yellow fever. As '''[[tap water]]''' is not always up to hygienic standards, bottled water (be careful to take a look at the seal before opening the bottle as some people simply refill bottles with tap water) is an option if you want to decrease the risk of traveller's diarrhoea, especially on shorter stays. Remember to always drink enough, especially in hot climates, and avoid drinking too much alcohol when you don't know your surroundings and/or have just recently arrived. Various infectious diseases, including mosquito-borne diseases, are a problem in parts of Africa. Vaccines, medication, and other precautions may be recommended to avoid infection. A nonexhaustive list that travellers should think about: [[dengue]], [[malaria]], measles, polio, [[rabies]], [[yellow fever]]. Measles and polio vaccines are routine in many countries, but you should make sure yours are up to date. ==Connect== ===Telephone=== ''See also: [[Telephone service]] and [[List of country calling codes]].'' Country calling codes for Africa are generally 3-digit numbers beginning with 2—in the form +2XX. Examples are +234 for [[Nigeria]], +233 for [[Ghana]], +263 for [[Zimbabwe]],+254 for [[Kenya]], and +262 for [[Reunion]]. Exceptions are [[Egypt]] and [[South Africa]], with the 2-digit country calling codes +20 and +27, respectively. A full list of country calling codes can be found [[List of country calling codes|here]]. Traditional landline telephone services are sketchy. South Africa and the North African countries are the only regions of the continent to have decent quality. It is largely owing to this that mobile phones have proliferated across the continent. Don't be surprised when you are in a seemingly remote corner of the continent and among a poor tribe, when a man whips out a mobile phone to show you pictures of family or ask you to find your Facebook profile for him to send a friend request. In many places, you will receive offers from traders to use their mobile phone for a fee, much as you would be solicited to purchase a wood carving or mat. Texting is more commonly used than calling. If you decide to purchase a mobile phone locally, beware counterfeit phones. Smartphones are likely to be cheaply-made versions of phones a couple years behind those found in Western markets (that's not to say the latest Galaxy S model or iPhone can't be found). Should you choose to bring a phone from home, your best bet would be to bring a GSM phone (the most common network type worldwide). A GSM phone will have a removable chip, called a SIM card. The SIM card in your phone can be replaced with a SIM card for a local network, enabling you to access local mobile phone networks. Minutes can then be purchased for use and added to your phone. It's not terribly difficult to find a dealer selling scratch cards to replenish minutes/texts/data for your phone; simply scratch to reveal a PIN number and enter into your phone (per the instructions). The cost of purchasing a SIM card and minutes is far less than charges for roaming with a mobile phone network from a Western country. Continent-wide, faster data networks (3G & 4G) are being installed at a fast pace. However, outside major cities, data service is often at very slow 2G speeds (comparable to dial-up internet or worse). Many telecom companies limit use of 4G/3G networks to post-paid customers. ===Internet access=== [[File:Cybercafe in kigali.jpg|thumb|250px|Cybercafe in [[Kigali]], [[Rwanda]].]] Computers are out of the reach of most Africans. Therefore, computer shops (cyber cafés) are common throughout the continent, except perhaps the most isolated corners of the most inaccessible countries ([[Chad]], CAR, [[Somalia]]). Many computers are full of viruses and malware. With a little bit of computer savviness, you can load a flash drive or burn a CD with an anti-virus program and possibly an alternative web browser (Firefox, Opera, Chrome) to use on public computers at cyber cafés. Wi-fi internet access is becoming increasingly common. Most upscale hotels along with some mid-range hotels (mainly in more developed countries) will offer wi-fi internet access for guests. Some may charge a fee for this. Using your personal laptop, tablet, or smartphone on a wi-fi connection is preferable to internet cafés for accessing banking, email, social networking, and other sensitive accounts. The fastest internet services can be found in North Africa, parts of West Africa such as [[Ghana]], [[Nigeria]] and around East Africa ([[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]]), where an impressive roll-out of fiber-optic networks and fast, new undersea cables to the Middle East has made [[Kenya]] an up-and-coming hotspot for tech companies and international businesses requiring fast connections. [[South Africa]] has the most developed and fastest internet connections on the continent. In contrast, some less-developed countries and regions continue to rely on slow satellite connections, with speeds comparable to or even worse than dial-up connections once common in Western countries. [[Ghana]] is also emerging as one of the more consistent internet service providers in Africa with the use of dongles especially being common. Wifi hotspots are also available in hotels, pubs and university campuses. '''Internet censorship''' is an issue in various countries on the continent, often implemented or ramped up for political reasons. This often consists of blocked social media and other communication tools; less commonly, governments may shut off the internet altogether surrounding elections or other contentious events. ===Post=== [[Postal service|Postal networks]] are generally slow, if not unreliable altogether. Boxes and parcels sent to destinations outside the continent may take weeks or even months to arrive at their destination. FedEx, UPS, & DHL maintain a good network of offices in major cities throughout the continent and the ease of shipping, speed, and better reliability are worth the higher shipping charges. Post restante is available in some countries (check with the national postal service first) and allow mail to be sent to a post office, where it is kept for the receiver. No address is written on the piece—just receiver's name, city/country, postal code, and "Poste Restante". Make sure the sender spells your (the receiver's) name correctly and clearly. The receiver shows up at the post office, presents identification (such as a passport), and pays a small fee. Since some post offices are rather disorganised, so make sure to have the clerk check under your first name and for any possible spelling errors (describe the piece to them, ask to be shown items with a similar name, look under Q instead of O). {{outlinecontinent}} {{geo|8.1|21.6|zoom=4}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{related|African_flora_and_fauna}} {{related|Discount_airlines_in_Africa}} 0m89a8r5w68svln6wzk39i64kz09jhj 0 279 4506525 4496521 2022-08-23T03:14:57Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Blue wildebeest */ Added the eland. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have spiraling horns. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. Both sexes also have spiraling horns. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} 28434et57ufuva1g4xqmktwk9vemme9 4506526 4506525 2022-08-23T03:15:42Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Eland */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have spiraling horns. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. Both sexes also have spiraling horns. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} q9adg97sv657m7z21br45bcy37wucpq 4506527 4506526 2022-08-23T03:16:03Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Eland */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have spiraling horns. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. Both sexes also have spiraling horns. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} dkj8kbsrc5at3ed5rtidsitck35c2qs 4506536 4506527 2022-08-23T03:49:28Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Weeping boer-bean */ Added a section on the welwitschia. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have spiraling horns. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. Both sexes also have spiraling horns. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. ===Welwitschia=== [[Image:Welwitschia mirabilis(2).jpg|thumb|240px|The "Big Welwitschia", the largest known member of its species]] One of the world's most unique plants, ''Welwitschia mirabilis'', depending on the authority, is the only living member of its family, or even its order. To put this into perspective, the order Artiodactyla, which includes antelope, bison, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, goat-antelopes, hippos, pigs, and whales (not a complete list), has over 20 families and nearly 350 existing species. Welwitschia are endemic to the the northern third of the Namib Desert along the coast of southern Angola and northern Namibia. After germination, two leaves develop at the edge of a woody crown. While the crown grows to no more than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height (as in the example pictured at right), the leaves split over time and can spread over a circumference as great as 8 m (26 ft). The species has separate male and female plants, with insects as the pollinators. Welwitschia are thought to be among the longest-lived plants, with some possibly being more than 2,000 years old. While not immediately threatened, it is vulnerable to overgrazing, disease, and damage from off-road vehicles. Populations in Angola are better protected because land mines laid during that country's past civil war have kept collectors away. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} qey40j34xxl8xbjfm1p1xsphqmigvtn 4506537 4506536 2022-08-23T03:50:17Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Welwitschia */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have spiraling horns. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. Both sexes also have spiraling horns. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. ===Welwitschia=== [[Image:Welwitschia mirabilis(2).jpg|thumb|240px|The "Big Welwitschia", the largest known member of its species]] One of the world's most unique plants, ''Welwitschia mirabilis'' is (depending on the authority) the only living member of either its family or its order. To put this into perspective, the order Artiodactyla, which includes antelope, bison, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, goat-antelopes, hippos, pigs, and whales (not a complete list), has over 20 families and nearly 350 existing species. Welwitschia are endemic to the the northern third of the Namib Desert along the coast of southern Angola and northern Namibia. After germination, two leaves develop at the edge of a woody crown. While the crown grows to no more than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height (as in the example pictured at right), the leaves split over time and can spread over a circumference as great as 8 m (26 ft). The species has separate male and female plants, with insects as the pollinators. Welwitschia are thought to be among the longest-lived plants, with some possibly being more than 2,000 years old. While not immediately threatened, it is vulnerable to overgrazing, disease, and damage from off-road vehicles. Populations in Angola are better protected because land mines laid during that country's past civil war have kept collectors away. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} 53k0fvgk31zok5yhxge3lw7iubmuxz1 4506538 4506537 2022-08-23T03:51:02Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Welwitschia */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have spiraling horns. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. Both sexes also have spiraling horns. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. ===Welwitschia=== [[Image:Welwitschia mirabilis(2).jpg|thumb|240px|The "Big Welwitschia", the largest known member of its species]] One of the world's most unique plants, ''Welwitschia mirabilis'' is (depending on the authority) the only living member of either its family or its order. To put this into perspective, the order Artiodactyla, which includes antelope, bison, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, goat-antelopes, hippos, pigs, and whales (not a complete list), has over 20 families and nearly 350 existing species. Welwitschia are endemic to the the northern third of the Namib Desert along the coast of southern Angola and northern Namibia. After germination, two leaves develop at the edge of a woody crown. While the crown grows to no more than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height (as in the example pictured at right), the outside edges of the leaves split over time and can spread over a circumference as great as 8 m (26 ft). The species has separate male and female plants, with insects as the pollinators. Welwitschia are thought to be among the longest-lived plants, with some possibly being more than 2,000 years old. While not immediately threatened, it is vulnerable to overgrazing, disease, and damage from off-road vehicles. Populations in Angola are better protected because land mines laid during that country's past civil war have kept collectors away. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} gcr2u6ykteo7qlez0pwkpmxogq3t4lu 4506539 4506538 2022-08-23T03:51:35Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Welwitschia */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have spiraling horns. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. Both sexes also have spiraling horns. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. ===Welwitschia=== [[Image:Welwitschia mirabilis(2).jpg|thumb|240px|The "Big Welwitschia", the largest known member of its species]] One of the world's most unique plants, ''Welwitschia mirabilis'' is (depending on the authority) the only living member of either its family or its order. To put this into perspective, the order Artiodactyla, which includes antelope, bison, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, goat-antelopes, hippos, pigs, and whales (not a complete list), has over 20 families and nearly 350 existing species. Welwitschia are endemic to the the northern half of the Namib Desert along the coast of southern Angola and northern Namibia. After germination, two leaves develop at the edge of a woody crown. While the crown grows to no more than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height (as in the example pictured at right), the outside edges of the leaves split over time and can spread over a circumference as great as 8 m (26 ft). The species has separate male and female plants, with insects as the pollinators. Welwitschia are thought to be among the longest-lived plants, with some possibly being more than 2,000 years old. While not immediately threatened, it is vulnerable to overgrazing, disease, and damage from off-road vehicles. Populations in Angola are better protected because land mines laid during that country's past civil war have kept collectors away. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} mbn5wgw2kd1hvkvtn5gyglpofnw8kji 4506540 4506539 2022-08-23T03:56:49Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Eland */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have fairly straight horns that spiral around the axis. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. The horns in both sexes are similar in shape to those of common eland. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. ===Welwitschia=== [[Image:Welwitschia mirabilis(2).jpg|thumb|240px|The "Big Welwitschia", the largest known member of its species]] One of the world's most unique plants, ''Welwitschia mirabilis'' is (depending on the authority) the only living member of either its family or its order. To put this into perspective, the order Artiodactyla, which includes antelope, bison, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, goat-antelopes, hippos, pigs, and whales (not a complete list), has over 20 families and nearly 350 existing species. Welwitschia are endemic to the the northern half of the Namib Desert along the coast of southern Angola and northern Namibia. After germination, two leaves develop at the edge of a woody crown. While the crown grows to no more than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height (as in the example pictured at right), the outside edges of the leaves split over time and can spread over a circumference as great as 8 m (26 ft). The species has separate male and female plants, with insects as the pollinators. Welwitschia are thought to be among the longest-lived plants, with some possibly being more than 2,000 years old. While not immediately threatened, it is vulnerable to overgrazing, disease, and damage from off-road vehicles. Populations in Angola are better protected because land mines laid during that country's past civil war have kept collectors away. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} ne4vpekp45j2577w7v7rf5vvzfoxx38 4506541 4506540 2022-08-23T03:57:13Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Eland */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Safari Kenya banner.jpg|caption=African buffalo in Kenya}} {{hatnote|See [[Safaris]] for practical advice on outdoor life in Africa.}} '''African flora and fauna''' is a highlight of trips to [[Africa]], especially on visits to the [[African national parks|continent's national parks]]. Going on a [[Safaris|safari]] is a common way to see it. Most of Africa is part of the '''Afrotropical realm''', together with the southern Arabian peninsula and a small part of Iran. [[North Africa]] is part of the '''Palearctic realm''', and contains [[Eurasian wildlife]]. The wildlife of the island country of [[Madagascar]] differs a lot from the mainland. [[File:Ecozone Afrotropic.svg|300px|thumb|The Afrotropical realm, marked in blue]] Many safari visitors are keen on seeing the '''Big Five''' — buffalo, [[elephants|elephant]], leopard, lion and rhino — but there is a lot more out there if you know where to look. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | '''Major wildlife regions'''<br>[[North American wildlife|North America]] • [[Central and South American wildlife|Central & South America]] • [[African wildlife|Africa]] • [[Eurasian wildlife|Eurasia]] • [[Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|South & Southeast Asia]] • [[Australasian wildlife|Australasia]] • [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean|Southern Ocean]] |} ==Mammals== ===Primates=== Africa is home to an extremely wide variety of primates, including all the extant great apes except the orangutan. Modern humans are also believed by most scientists to trace their origins to Africa. ====Baboon==== [[Image:ChacmaBaboon Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Chacma baboon]] ''Papio ursinus'', also known as the '''common baboon''', lives in social groups guided by a dominant male. Newborn baboons are black and are carried around by their mothers. Later, they ride on the back of their mother and after three to four months they change color to the adult brown-grey. ====Gorilla==== Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern (''Gorilla beringei'') and western (''Gorilla gorilla''). Both are endangered, and both are only found (in the wild) in poor African countries. The most practical way of seeing gorillas in the wild is through organized tours in [[Rwanda]] or [[Uganda]]. To see western gorillas, the [[Republic of the Congo]] appears to be the best option. Outside of these organized tours/treks, not only do you have to get very lucky to see a gorilla, but you may have to deal with dangers both natural and human. See the following [http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/10-of-the-best-places-to-see-gorillas overview] of tour options. Gorillas can be found in zoos throughout the world. ====Vervet monkey==== [[Image:Vervet_monkey_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Vervet monkey]] ''Cercopithecus aethiops'' is a social monkey that lives close to rivers and feeds on leaves, fruits and insects. Family groups are up to 20 members strong. Newborn vervet monkeys are dependent on their mothers for three months, and from then on they become youngsters. ===Carnivores=== Meat-eating mammals are the kings of the bush. ====Cheetah==== [[Image:Cheetah 2003.JPG|thumb|240px|Cheetah]] Cheetahs (''Acinonyx jubatus'') are the fastest hunters in Africa, but you are quite lucky if you can see them very close because they tend to be hidden in the high grass. You don't see them in the dense thickets of South Africa whereas the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania allows for better viewing. Cheetahs usually travel alone or in small groups consisting of the mother and her offspring. They hunt in the cool hours of the day. Cheetahs reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h in a short and explosive burst, and tackle their prey in a single attack. The preferred prey is Impala, but birds are on the lunch menu as well. ====Leopard==== ''Panthera pardus'' are famously elusive hunters that stalk their prey at night. For most visitors, the only chance of spotting one is on night drives, and Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]] (which allows night driving) is claimed by some to have the highest density of leopards in all of Africa. ====Lion==== [[Image:Lion Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Lioness walking at dusk]] ''Panthera leo'' are common in the wider part of Africa and can be best seen in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and to a lesser extent in South Africa, nevertheless you have to be lucky to see them very close. Lions hunt early in the morning or in the night and during the day they allow themselves to be lazy. To see them in action you have to get up before the crack of dawn or you see them only resting after a big dinner. Their menu consists mainly of bigger mammals and zebras seem to be the favourite if available. Males often do not contribute to the hunting but they demand the "lion's" share and female youngsters have to wait until it is their turn. Lion cubs are dependent on their mothers for up to two years, and they start to hunt when they are about 11 months old. Lions are social cats, living in prides of 3-30 lions consisting of 1-4 males and several females. ====Spotted hyena==== [[Image:Hyena_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|dozy hyena]] ''Crocuta crocuta'' has a bad reputation for no good reason. They are good at hunting and are not dependent on the leftovers from lions. They live in packs of 3-4 animals and can form larger groups as well. The leader of the pack is a female and they hunt often during the night but can be spotted during the daytime as well. They prey on insects, mammals such as zebras and wildebeest and sometimes they bring down a giraffe, or fight off lions from their catch. They tend to explore bins in national parks. Cubs are dependent on their mum's milk for 9-12 months and start to look after themselves within 15 months. ====African wild dog==== [[Image:South_Africa-Johannesburg-Lion_Park02.jpg|thumb|240px|African Wild Dogs]] ''Lycaon pictus'' live in packs of 10-15 members. Wild dog sightings are always a big event, so watch out for them because they are considered to be the rarest predator in Africa. Wild dogs are mainly active during the day and they hunt in the early hours or late afternoon. They prey on small mammals, Impalas, Springbok and occasionally buffaloes as well. The packs have hierarchical structures where only the dominant female has pups and the rest help to care for them. The pups are born in a den and they stay there for up to three weeks before they explore their environment. After five weeks the pups start to eat regurgitated meat. After 8-10 weeks they leave the den forever and follow the pack until they are about a year old. At that point, young females will leave their birth packs for new ones, while males will remain in their birth pack for life. Unlike other members of the dog family, African wild dogs either do not have the copulatory tie during mating, or have a very short one. ====Black Backed Jackal==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Black_backed_jackal.jpg|thumb|240px|Black Backed Jackal]] ''Canis mesomelas'' can be found throughout [[Southern Africa]]. ====Caracal==== [[Image:Africa-Caracal01.jpg|thumb|240px|Caracal at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Felis Caracal'' ===Antelopes=== Antelopes are among the most common animals seen on safari, but there are numerous species that, to the untrained eye, can be difficult to distinguish. ====Bontebok==== [[Image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|240px|A Bontebok in the [[Bontebok National Park]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus pygargus'' are mainly found in the [[Western Cape]] of [[South Africa]]. They have white, light and dark brownish markings and are easily recognised. They live in herds. However, males leave the herd at a certain age and form in small groups of their own. ====Blesbuck==== [[Image:Africa-Blesbuck01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blesbuck at the Lion Park in [[Johannesburg]]]] ''Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi'', closely related to the Bontebok, Blesbuck are mainly found on the highveld region of [[South Africa]]. ====Blue Duiker==== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Duiker01.jpg|thumb|240px|Blue Duiker]] ''Cephalophus monticola'' is a small (''under 40cm shoulder height'') antelope found in forested areas throughout [[Southern Africa | Southern]] and [[Central Africa]] ====Blue wildebeest==== [[Image:RSA_Blue_Wildebeest.jpg|thumb|240px|Two Blue Wildebeest in high grass.]] Blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus'') are large antelopes that form small groups and are seasonal breeders. Offspring arrive from November to February, and are born within the herd. Calves may be defended fiercely against any attacker. ====Eland==== Two species of antelope are known as "eland". They are the world's two largest species of antelope. The '''common eland''' (''Taurotragus oryx'') can be found in open and semi-open areas throughout East and Southern Africa, though not dense forests. Males average around 1.6 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and over 500 kg (1,100 lb), though can be nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Females are roughly 25–35% smaller than males. Both sexes have fairly straight horns that spiral around the axis of growth. They are not considered endangered, and have a relatively calm disposition; some have been successfully domesticated. The '''giant eland''' (''Taurotragus derbianus'') is the largest antelope; while it overlaps greatly in size with the common eland, it averages about 5–10% larger. Like its cousin, it lives mostly in open and semi-open areas, but can also live in dense forests. The horns in both sexes are similar in shape to those of common eland. The giant eland is harder to observe than the common eland, being more alert and wary. Two subspecies exist—the western giant eland (''T. d. derbianus''), living mainly in West Africa (particularly Senegal and Mali), and the eastern giant eland (''T. d. gigas''), living in Central Africa between Cameroon and South Sudan. The species is considered vulnerable but not yet endangered. ====Impala==== [[Image:Impala Pair Drinking.JPG|thumb|240px|Male and female impala drinking at a waterhole]] ''Aepyceros melampus'' live in big herds and newborn lambs join the herd after 1-2 days. They are excellent sprinters and can outrun many predators. Males have impressive horns which are mainly used for fights over females rather than as a defence weapon. The impala can be distinguished from other antelopes by its distinctive backside, marked with white and black stripes that resemble the McDonald's logo. Impala are hunted by lions and leopards, although in reality they are hard to catch, because the whole herd will jump and run around, totally confusing the hunting animal. ====Kudu==== [[Image:Kudo_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Kudu during the hot daytime]] ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'' is a big antelope and is very common in the [[Kruger National Park]]. Calves are born outside of the herd and are kept in a secret location for 1-2 weeks before they join the herd. They are loved in the national park, but farmers hate them because a 2-m-high fence does not stop them from entering farm premises and eating the crops. ====Puku==== [[File:Kobus vardonii (male portrait).jpg|thumb|240px|Male Puku near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia]] ''Kobus vardonii'' are common in [[Zambia]], but not common elsewhere. Usually found in small herds of about half a dozen, puku have large lyre-shaped horns, reddish-brown fur and lack the backside markings of impala and waterbucks. ====Red Hartebeest==== [[Image:Africa-Red_Hartebeest01.jpg|thumb|240px|Red Hartebeest in the [[Krugersdorp]] Game Reserve]] ''Alcelphus buselaphus'' can be found in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]] ====Springbok==== [[image:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Springbok]] ''Antidorcas marsupialis'' Often mistaken for impalas, because they look like a small impala. However their colour is different and they prefer living in the wide open fields of the arid regions of southern and southwestern Africa. They are very difficult to spot, especially in high grass. ====Thomson's gazelle==== [[image:2009-thom-gazelle.jpg|thumb|240px|Male Thomson's gazelle]] ''Eudorcas thomsonii'' Essentially East Africa's equivalent of the springbok; the two are quite similar in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Probably the best-known of the gazelle species. ====Waterbuck==== [[Image:Waterbuck Male.JPG|thumb|240px|Male waterbuck with 'toilet seat' ring]] ''Kobus ellipsiprymnus'' is a medium-size antelope with grey-brown fur and distinctive backside markings. There are two types: one has white ring often likened to sitting on a just-painted toilet seat, while the other has a solid white circle. ===Other mammals=== ====Aardvark==== [[File:Porc formiguer.JPG|thumb|240px|Aardvark]] The Aardvark (''Orycteropus afer, sometimes also called antbear or anteater'') is a medium-sized mammal. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for ''earth pig'' ("aarde" earth, "varken" pig), because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs. ====Bat-Eared Fox==== [[File:Bat eared fox Kenya crop.jpg|thumb|240px|Bat-Eared Fox]] The Bat-eared Fox is named after its huge ears. Bat-eared Foxes have tawny fur, their ears, legs and parts of the face are black. They are 55 cm in length (head and body), their ears are 13 cm long. It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The teeth of the Bat-eared Fox are much smaller than teeth of other dog species. This is an adaptation to their insectivorous diet. 80% of the diet consists of insects. Bat-eared Foxes visit termite hills, follow locust swarms or stay close to herds of zebras or antelopes in order to feed on the insects landing on their excrements. In addition to insects Bat-eared Foxes eat rodents, birds and eggs, and sometimes fruits. Bat-eared Foxes are nocturnal animals that live in small groups consisting of a couple and their young. The pairs live in dens and raise the pups (two to five) together. ====Buffalo==== [[Image:Buffalo Herd.JPG|thumb|240px|Herd of buffalo]] ''Syncerus caffer'' are fierce beasts; males may reach up to 700 kg in weight. They live in herds and have a strong social bond. They can form groups of up to several thousand members when the environment permits and groups are organized by dominant males and females. Predators are actively attacked to defend calves, injured or old members. Mothers give birth to 40-kg calves which are capable of walking shortly after birth. Calves are weaned after seven months, but stay close with their mum for 12 months. Their preferred habitat is savannah with thicket or open savannah, with protective properties. ====Dwarf mongoose==== [[Image:Ichneumon_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Playful Dwarf mongoose nearby a camp site]] ''Helogale parvule'' live in social groups with one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the group assisting with raising the offspring. The mongoose is active during daytime . They run quickly into their tunnels when they are frightened but they return quickly and are amusing to watch. They are often found close to streams, rivers, ponds, as well as along open camp sites surrounded by high grass and thicket. The mongoose lives on insects, small birds and eggs. ====Elephant==== [[Image:Elephant Walking.JPG|thumb|240px|Elephant walking]] Most authorities now recognize two separate species of African elephant—''Loxodonta africana'', the '''African bush elephant''', and ''Loxodonta cyclotis'', the '''African forest elephant'''. The bush elephant is the largest land mammal in the world; the forest elephant is the third-largest (with the related Asian elephant falling in between). Almost all elephant viewing in Africa is of bush elephants, whose typical habitat is far more open and accessible than the forest elephant's home range in the Congo Basin. ''Loxodonta africana'' are among the most common sightings in the Kruger National Park and you will be able to see them very close up. Amboseli in Kenya is famous for the biggest tusker in the world. For some it may be too close &mdash; it is definitely not for a fainthearted visitor. Bush elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. A male can weigh up to 6,000 kg and a female up to 3,500 kg. They live in large family groups led by the most experienced females. Males are only tolerated until a certain age when they have to leave the family and often form bachelor groups. Males join the female group when they are in musth but only the strongest bulls are tolerated. Bush elephants can often be seen around rivers when they have a bath and a good sip of water. They must drink up to 160 litres of water and eat several hundred kilograms of plants per day to survive. Elephants are active at both day and night time. They are peaceful creatures and only become aggressive when they are wounded or when they feel driven to protect their young. ====Giraffe==== [[Image:Giraffe Walking Square.JPG|thumb|240px|Thornicroft's giraffe]] ''Giraffa camelopardalis'' are the tallest mammals on earth. Males reach a height of up to 5.2 metres and females 4.7 metres. Giraffes have a maximum mass of 1400 kg. In addition to the common giraffe, a subspecies known as '''Thornicraft's giraffe''', with white legs and faces, inhabits Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park]]. Giraffes give birth after 450 days of pregnancy to a single calf of up to 100 kg and the calf can instantly stand on four legs and walks soon after. Giraffes live in loose family groups and newborn calves join the group after one week. Young giraffes grow fast and reach one meter in height within six months. Family groups can range in from 4 to up to 30 members, but the structure is loose and fluctuations are common. Giraffes are browsers and can reach leaves that are not accessible by any other ground-based mammal. To maintain such an enormous size as a herbivore, giraffes eat for up to 20 hours a day and rest only during the hottest hours of the day. ====Hippopotamus==== [[Image:Hippo Baby.JPG|thumb|240px|Juvenile and adult hippo]] ''Hippopotamus amphibius'' tolerate direct sunlight poorly, so during the day they are often spotted lurking in the river, little more than their nostrils visible. They come out to graze during the night. Hippo calves have a birth mass of around 30 kg and are dependent on their mothers for 5 months. After that, they start to graze. Hippos are said to account for more deaths than any other African mammal: keep well clear of these unpredictable beasts, and ensure that they have a clear path to retreat to water. ====Honey Badger==== [[Image:Africa-Honey Badger01.jpg|thumb|240px|Honey Badger at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Sanctuary]] ''Mellivora capensis'' does not actually eat honey, but will raid bee hives for the larvae. These are tough little creatures that can even survive poisonous snake bites. ====Meerkat==== [[Image:Africa-Meerkat01.jpg|thumb|240px|Meerkat]] ''Suricata suricatta'' is a tiny mammal and part of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a "mob" or "gang". Meerkat is a loan word from [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]]. The name came from Dutch but by misidentification. In [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] meerkat (''as Meerkatze in [[German phrasebook|German]]'') means guenon, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus which possibly derives from Sanskrit markata (monkey). The traders of the Dutch East India Company were likely familiar with such animals, but the Dutch settlers attached the name to the wrong animal at the Cape. In Dutch the name for the suricate is stokstêrtje ("little stick-tail"). According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen. They are fascinating to watch and you could easily do so for hours. These little rascals are also the stars of the highly acclaimed Animal Planet[http://animal.discovery.com/] program ''Meerkat Manor''. ====Pangolin==== [[File:Manis tricuspis San Diego Zoo 03.2012.jpg|thumb|240px|Tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the San Diego Zoo]] ''Pangolins'' have large scales on their skin and their name is derived from the Malay word pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The physical appearance of pangolins is marked by large, hardened, plate-like scales. The scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins but harden as the animal matures, are made of keratin, the same material of which human fingernails are made. It can curl up into a ball when threatened, with its overlapping scales acting as armour. The scales are razor-sharp, and provide extra defense for this reason. The front claws are so long that they are unsuited for walking, and so the animal walks in a hunched-over manner on its hind legs, balanced by its large tail. The pangolin can also emit a noxious smelling acid from glands near the anus, similar to the spray of a skunk. Pangolins have short legs, with sharp claws which they use for burrowing. ====Rhinoceros==== [[Image:2_white_rhinos_small_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Rhino mother with Calf]] Africa has two species of rhino—''Ceratotherium simum'', the '''white rhino''', and ''Diceros bicornis'', the '''black rhino'''. They are among the rarest of all large African mammals. The most common subspecies is the southern white rhino, with an estimated wild population of over 20,000. The northern white, on the other hand, is all but extinct, with no known wild specimens and only two, both female, known in captivity (the last known male died in 2018). The black rhino has three surviving subspecies, with a combined wild population approaching 5,000. Hunted to near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s, herds have been reintroduced into select parks around the continent and are now slowly growing again. There is no difference in colour between the "Whites" and the "Blacks". The White Rhino differs from the Black Rhinoceros because of the shape of its mouth – it is wide, for cropping large swaths of grass. According to one theory, the term "White" actually comes from the Afrikaans word "weit", meaning 'wide'. Calves can stand immediately after birth, but they are very slow at walking. After one month they can follow their mother grazing and stay close to their mother for up to three years. ====Warthog==== [[Image:Warthogs Eating.JPG|thumb|240px|Warthogs grazing]] ''Phacochoerus aethiopicus'' are medium sized mammals with a mixed diet. Warthog babies are born at the beginning of the rainy season (December-January) and live for the first 6-7 weeks in their burrow and then start to follow their mothers. Note their interesting habit of bending their front legs to graze! ====Zebra==== [[Image:Zebra Side.JPG|thumb|240px|Crawshay's zebra]] Africa features three species of zebra. The '''plains zebra''' (''Equus quagga'') is common in national parks throughout eastern and southern Africa and easily recognized due to its striking white and black stripes. It is divided into seven subspecies, of which six still exist (the quagga, ''E. q. quagga'', was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century). '''Burchell's zebra''' is one of the more common subspecies, with gray "shadow" stripes, while the rarer '''Crawshay's zebra''' (found in Zambia's [[South Luangwa National Park|South Luangwa]]) lack these. The '''mountain zebra''' (''E. zebra''), a separate endangered species, is found in the dry and hilly regions of southern Africa, notably the [[Mountain Zebra National Park]]. The third and physically largest species, '''Grévy's zebra''' (''E. grevyi''), found only in small parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, is even more endangered than the mountain zebra and is strongly protected in both countries. Some national parks in Kenya and Tanzania support groups of thousands of zebras. The mare leaves the herd to give birth to the foal and rejoins after birth. ==Reptiles== ===Crocodile=== [[Image:Crocodile Basking.JPG|thumb|240px|Crocodile basking in the sunshine]] ''Crocodylus niloticus'', the '''Nile crocodile''', live along rivers and are very successful hunters and eat whatever they can. They control their body temperature by lying in the sun to warm up in winter or to cool down in water in the hot summer. <br clear="all"> ===Leopard tortoise=== [[Image:Leopard_tortoise_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Leopard tortoise]] ''Geochelone pardalis'' can be best spotted on tarred roads (they are virtually invisible in the high grass from a car). They like to drink water from tarred roads. <br clear="all"> ==Birds== ===African Black Oystercatcher=== [[File:African Black Oystercatcher RWD1.jpg|thumb|240px|The African Black oystercatcher]] ''Haematopus moquini'' can be found along the [[South Africa]]n and [[Namibia]]n coastline. <br clear="all"> ===Blue Crane=== [[Image:Southern_Africa-Blue_Crane.jpg|thumb|240px|The Blue Crane]] ''Anthropooedes paradisea'' is the national bird of [[South Africa]] and also the symbol of the Zulu Royal House. Found almost exclusively in [[South Africa]] (''less than 100 still remain in [[Namibia]]''), these birds are under threat with populations declining rapidly and less than 30,000 remaining in the wild. <br clear="all"> ===Cape Sugarbird=== [[File:Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|The sugarbird is fynbos-endemic]] ''Promerops cafer'' can be found in the [[Western Cape]]. <br clear="all"> ===Carmine-chested bee-eater=== [[Image:Coracias caudatus (Crop).jpg|thumb|240px|Carmine-chested bee-eater]] ''Merops nubicoides'' is a bird that preys on insects such as bees and grasshoppers, easily recognized by its striking red chest and even more striking blue wings (only clearly visible in flight). It breeds in Zimbabwe and Transvaal, but can occasionally be seen in flocks of hundreds &mdash; a stunning sight. <br clear="all"> ===Crowned Plover=== [[Image:Unknown_bird_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus]] ''Vanellus coronatus'' <br clear="all"> ===Darter=== [[File:African darter in Chobe National Park 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|240x240px|Darter]] ''Anhinga rufa'' can be spotted close to dams, when drying their feathers from a previous dive. <br clear="all"> ===Fish eagle=== [[Image:AfricanFishEagle.JPG|thumb|240px|Fish eagle looking for prey]] ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' is a fish hunter and can be spotted along the Sabie river in South Africa. <br clear="all"> ===Ground hornbill=== [[Image:Southern Ground Hornbill KNP.jpg|thumb|240px|Group of four southern ground hornbills]] Both living species of '''ground hornbill'''&mdash;not to be confused with just "hornbill"&mdash; make their homes in Africa. These ground-dwelling birds grow up to about a metre in height and weigh about 2-6 kg when fully grown. The '''southern ground hornbill''' is slightly larger than the '''Abyssinian ground hornbill''', and has a less distinctive horn. Their ranges don't overlap much, so you can typically tell them apart based on location. Their plumage is generally black, with either red (males) or blue (females) colour on their throats. Both species are endangered and there are citizen-science tracking projects for enthusiastic travellers to help report about them. <br clear="all"> ===Helmeted guineafowl=== [[File:Helmeted Guineafowl RWD.jpg|thumb|240px|Helmeted guineafowl]] ''Numida meleagris'' can be spotted often in small groups along roads when they are picking insects or seeds. <br clear="all"> ===Hornbill=== [[File:Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill 2019-07-25.jpg|thumb|Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill in Etosha]] 24 species of '''hornbill''' are native to Africa. Hornbills are characterised by their long, frequently brightly-coloured, bills which curve down. These monogomous birds typically feed on fruit and small animals, with varying ranges &ndash; some prefer dense forests, whilst most prefer open woodlands and savanna or even semi-desert. Most species of hornbill in Africa are medium sized birds, typically around 40-80 cm in length. <br clear="all"> ===Ostrich=== [[File:Ostrich Ngorongoro 04.jpg|thumb|240px|Male ostrich in [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]].]] The two existing species of ostrich—the '''common ostrich''' (''Struthio camelus'') and '''Somali ostrich''' (''S. molybdophanes'')—are the biggest birds on earth. They can grow up to two metres. They eat grass, berries and seeds and normally live in family groups. Males are coloured white and black, while females are of a brownish colour. The two species are distinguished mainly by the color of their neck and thighs—pink for the common ostrich, and greyish-blue for the Somali ostrich. They also differ in their habitat preferences; the Somali ostrich tends to feed by browsing in more thickly vegetated areas, while the common ostrich mainly grazes on open savanna. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing up to 1.4 kg/3.1 lb, but interestingly are the smallest of all bird eggs relative to the size of the adult. <br clear="all"> ===Redbilled oxpecker=== [[Image:Springbock_with_threadworm_eating_bird_on_its_back_Kruger_National_Park.JPG|thumb|240px|Impala with bird on its back (Redbilled oxpecker)]] ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' give relief to grazing animals by removing ticks from the skin of Kudu, Impala and Steenbok. <br clear="all"> ===Spottedbacked weaver=== [[Image:Spottedbacked_weaver_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Spottedbacked weaver]] This is a very colourful yellow bird with characteristic hanging nests. Breeding colonies can often be seen along rivers and birds often visit camps for some scraps of food. <br clear="all"> ===Saddlebilled stork=== [[Image:Saddlebilled_stork_in_the_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Saddlebilled stork]] ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'' is easy to spot because of its colourful appearance and its size. It spends winter in the [[Kruger National Park|KNP]]. <br clear="all"> ===Secretary bird=== [[File:Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) 2.jpg|thumb|240px|Secretary bird in Masai Mara, Kenya.]] <br clear="all"> ==Marine Life== ===Penguins=== [[Image:South_Africa-Boulders_Beach-Penguins01.jpg|thumb|240px|African penguins (''Spheniscus demersus'')]] Penguins are common around the Southern African coast, especially in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A breeding colony can be found a stone's throw away from [[Cape Town]] at [[Boulders|Boulder Beach]] <br clear="all"> ===Whales=== [[File:Southern right whale.jpg|thumb|A breaching Southern Right whale]] A good place for [[whale watching]] is in [[Cape Peninsula]] and [[Overberg]], [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Seals=== [[File:Arctocephalus pusillus (Cape fur seals).jpg|thumb|240px|A colony of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia]] Seals can be found in many parts of [[Africa]] and often make themselves at home on the beach. <br clear="all"> ==Plants== ===Umbrella thorn=== ''Acacia tortillis'' is one of the best known trees from Africa. As its name suggests it is full of thorns and only specialist herbivores can eat its leaves without suffering from the thorn defence (see also Giraffe). <br clear="all"> ===Paperbark Thorn=== [[Image:Africa-Acacia_sieberiana_01.jpg|thumb|240px|Paperbark Thorn]] ''Acacia sieberiana'' is common throughout [[Southern Africa]] and is often the tree used to give photographs that ''[[Africa]]n'' feeling since the ''umbrealla'' it forms is generally very well defined. <br clear="all"> ===King Protea=== [[Image:South_Africa-King_Protea01.jpg|thumb|240px|King Protea]] ''Protea cynaroides'' The National flower of [[South Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Aloe=== [[Image:South_Africa-Aloe01.jpg|thumb|240px|Aloe field]] Aloe is common throughout [[Southern Africa]]. <br clear="all"> ===Weeping boer-bean=== [[Image:Weeping_boer-bean_KNP.JPG|thumb|240px|Weeping boer bean]] ''Schotia brachypetala'' is a tree that prefers wet ground and is commonly found on river banks and flowers only after years of good rainfall. Beautiful red flowers appear in September to October. ===Welwitschia=== [[Image:Welwitschia mirabilis(2).jpg|thumb|240px|The "Big Welwitschia", the largest known member of its species]] One of the world's most unique plants, ''Welwitschia mirabilis'' is (depending on the authority) the only living member of either its family or its order. To put this into perspective, the order Artiodactyla, which includes antelope, bison, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, goat-antelopes, hippos, pigs, and whales (not a complete list), has over 20 families and nearly 350 existing species. Welwitschia are endemic to the the northern half of the Namib Desert along the coast of southern Angola and northern Namibia. After germination, two leaves develop at the edge of a woody crown. While the crown grows to no more than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height (as in the example pictured at right), the outside edges of the leaves split over time and can spread over a circumference as great as 8 m (26 ft). The species has separate male and female plants, with insects as the pollinators. Welwitschia are thought to be among the longest-lived plants, with some possibly being more than 2,000 years old. While not immediately threatened, it is vulnerable to overgrazing, disease, and damage from off-road vehicles. Populations in Angola are better protected because land mines laid during that country's past civil war have kept collectors away. <br clear="all"> {{related|Africa}} {{related|African_National_Parks}} {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions‎|Africa}} == See also == * [[Zoos]] {{usabletopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Fauna of Africa|rel=y}} n81qrla180j5ho4rxcbu9w5oabk6j3p 0 416 4506377 4462693 2022-08-22T18:47:59Z Ground Zero 1423298 Improve lead paragraph. Format. Copyedit wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ajaccio banner.jpg}} [[File:Ajaccio Bon Sta.jpg|thumb|Marble statue of Napoléon Bonaparte in Ajaccio]] '''Ajaccio''' ([[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]: ''Aiacciu'') is the capital of the [[France|French]] Mediterranean island of [[Corsica]], home to 71,000 people (2019). It is a sun-kissed tourist town with frequent visits by cruise ships. It has a boardwalk along its attractive coastline, but its sky-high prices may detract occasionally from its wonderful weather. ==Understand== Although the coastline of Ajaccio and its natural harbor was almost certainly visited many times in antiquity, the development of a proper city did not happen until the late 1400s when the Genoese built a citadel that still stands to this day and serves as a military installation for the French army. After most of Corsica was conquered by the French in the 1700s, Ajaccio remained a Genoese territory until the late 1760s. Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleone di Buonaparte) was born in Ajaccio in 1769 just after the city became the capital of Corsica. Although from mostly Italian-Corsican heritage, Napoleon rose through the ranks of the French military to become the leader of France and subsequently Emperor. For a time he also ruled most of Europe. Ajaccio was one of the last cities to become French in Europe, but it was the first French city to be liberated in 1943 following the fall of the Third Republic in 1940. ===Tourist office=== * {{listing | name=Tourist office | alt= | url=http://www.ajaccio-tourisme.com | email= | address=3 bd Roi Jérôme | lat= 41.919287625 | long= 8.73803090852 | directions= | phone=+33 4 95 51 53 03 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | alt={{IATA|AJA}} | url=http://www.2a.cci.fr/Aeroport-Napoleon-Bonaparte-Ajaccio.html | email= | address= | lat=41.923889 | long=8.8025 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | image=Aéroport Ajaccio Corse.jpg | wikidata=Q583453 | content='''[http://www.aircorsica.com/ Air Corsica]''', an Air France subsidiary, is the main airline serving Corsica and AJA. Most of Air Corsica/Air France flights depart from [[Paris-Orly]], Nice and Marseilles airports throughout the year. Many more French cities are served during the summer season (April–October). Flights can be surprisingly expensive, and often, taking the ferry makes more economic sense, especially when you figure in the cost of taking a car on the ferry versus renting a car once in Corsica. EasyJet and Volotea offer direct flights to the city from Paris, other French and European cities. In addition, companies such as Airlinair, Jetairfly, Norwegian and Transavia operate flights from French and European cities during the summer season (April-October). }} Ajaccio International Airport is 20 minutes by bus of public transport from city center. Muvitarra Bus 8 serves the airport and one-way fare is {{EUR|4.50}}. A cheaper way to go to the city is Bus 12 last stop Capitello (summer 2012) which is 250 m from the airport (continue straight from the airport bus stop of number 8 as if the bus was going straight between the rent-a-car garages, and not turning left to pass between the rent-a-car offices and parking) which runs to the Gare d'Ajaccio (train station), and costs {{EUR|1.10}}, however it is not advertised by Tourist Information at all. ===By ferry=== There are direct ferry routes to Ajaccio from [[Marseille]], [[Nice]], [[Toulon]], and [[Ciutadella]]. Companies operating ferry boats are [https://www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/ Corsica Ferries], [http://www.lameridionale.com/ La Meridionale]. Summer seasons are generally busy, and thus it is advisable to book in advance. ===By train=== A single railway line connects Ajaccio with [[Bastia]] (3½ hours and around {{EUR|22}}) on the island's east coast via [[Corte]]. The main railway station, {{listing | type=go | name=Gare d'Ajaccio | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.927468 | long=8.738994 | directions=about {{m|500}} north from the city centre. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Gare d'Ajaccio | image=Ajaccio station 2012.JPG | wikidata=Q1772418 | content= }} ===By bus=== There are frequent [http://www.corsicabus.org/busAjaccio/index.html bus routes] to various destinations in Corsica. Most leave from the bus station directly adjacent to the main cruise ship and ferry terminal at Quai L'Herminier. Many city bus lines stop in front of the bus station, and it is easily walkable from the main train station. == Get around == {{mapframe | 41.925 | 8.740 | height=500 | width=600 | zoom=14 }} ==See== [[File:Ajaccio cathedrale interieur.jpg|thumb|Interior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta d'Ajaccio]] *{{see | name=Napoleon's house | alt=Maison Bonaparte | url=http://www.musee-maisonbonaparte.fr/ | email= | address= | lat=41.9179 | long=8.7383 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Maison Bonaparte | image=Ajaccio MN1JPG.jpg | wikidata=Q3124818 | content=House where Napoleon was born. Now a museum. }} *{{see | name=Cathedral | alt= | url=http://www.ajaccio.fr/Monuments-et-architectures_a11.html | email= | address= | lat=41.917495 | long=8.737961 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ajaccio Cathedral | image=Ajaccio cathedrale facade.jpg | wikidata=Q2437680 | content=Church of Ste. Marie. }} *{{see | name= Church of St Erasme | lat= 41.9164582967 | long= 8.73852905628 | content= }} *{{see | name=Citadel | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.9165074495 | long=8.74051749327 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-10 | content=The Citadel was founded in 1492. Its current Genoese appearance dates to some time after 1559. You can only admire the exterior, as it remains a military base out-of-bounds to the public. }} *{{see | name= Harbour station | lat= 41.9213017912 | long= 8.73949909415 | content= }} * {{see | name=Musee Fesch | alt= | url=http://www.musee-fesch.com/ | email= | address=50 rue du Cardinal Fesch | lat=41.921667 | long=8.738333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price={{EUR|10}} | wikipedia=Musée Fesch | image=Ajaccio-Palais Fesch.jpg | wikidata=Q2483597 | lastedit=2017-10-10 | content=14th- to 19th-century Italian art collection amassed by Napoleon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch. Includes works by Titian, Raphael & Botticelli. }} * {{see | name=Filitosa | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.747222 | long=8.871389 | directions=20 km south of Ajaccio off highway T40 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct 09:00 to sunset | price={{EUR|7}}, children under 8 free | wikipedia=Filitosa | image=Fortificații la Filitosa.JPG | wikidata=Q1025950 | lastedit=2017-10-15 | content=Prehistoric (mostly Bronze Age) settlement with standing stones and small museum. Easiest visited from Ajaccio, but also an easy day-trip from Bonifacio or Porto Vecchio. Other notable standing stones in the area are at Palaggiu and Stanfari. }} ==Do== * '''Football:''' [https://ac-ajaccio.corsica/ AC Ajaccio] were promoted in 2022 so they now play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier in France. Their home ground Stade François Coty (capacity 10,400) is 2 km east of town centre. ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Le 20123 | alt= | url=http://www.20123.fr/ | email= | address=2 rue du Roi de Rome | lat=41.91797 | long=8.73736 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open every evening. Closed Mondays in winter | price=Four-course set menu, {{EUR|33}} | lastedit=2017-11-06 | content=Simple dishes cooked in a traditional "grandmother style". }} * {{eat | name=Mani | alt= | url=http://www.mani.fr | email= | address=7 rue du Roi de Rome | lat=41.91785 | long=8.73810 | directions= | phone=+33 4 95 50 10 42 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-06 | content=Sophisticated bistrot serving Corsican food with modern panache. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Bella Vista | url= | email= | address=20 Bd Lantivy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +33 4 95 21 07 97 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Good views of the gulf. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Le Dauphin | alt= | url=http://www.ledauphinhotel.com/ | email= | address=11, Boulevard Sampiero F | lat=41.92451 | long=8.73886 | directions= | phone=+33 495 21 12 94 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=40 comfortable rooms. }} ==Cope== ===Consulates=== * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | url= | email= | address=6 Quai Napoleon | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 49-521-9137 | tollfree= | fax=+33 49-521-9137 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Portugal}} {{listing | name=Portugal | url= | email= | address=8 Place du Général de Gaulle, Residence Diamant 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 49-550-3734 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 09:00-14:00, Sa Su closed | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland | alt= | url= | email= | address=38, cours Lucien Bonaparte | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 49-521-2843 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-05-13 | content= }} == Connect == As of June 2022, Ajaccio has 5G from all French carriers. == Go next == Either head south towards [[Porto Vecchio]] or [[Bonifacio]], or inland via [[Corte]] to points north. {{geo|41.9267|8.7369}} {{usablecity}} {{IsPartOf|Corsica}} 2201x87gdelvg9a6c3j4xfzqaigmtai 0 452 4506402 4433199 2022-08-22T19:51:09Z Codas 1229868 /* Sleep */ Deleted listing for Akkotel - don't exist wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Acre banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} :''For the Akko in [[Gombe State]], Nigeria, see [[Akko (Gombe)]]'' '''[http://www.akko.org.il/ Akko]''' ([[Hebrew phrasebook|Hebrew]]: עכו), also known historically to Arabs as عكّا ('Akka) and Westerners as '''Acre''', lies on the northern edge of the Bay of Acre in northern [[Israel]] and receives many Baha'i pilgrims. On its present site, Akko possesses a long history of various cultures: Israelites, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders and Arabs. Akko is a holy city in the Bahá'í Faith and has been recognised as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] as a site of extraordinary significance to the world's cultural heritage. ==Get in== Getting to Akko is very simple, as it is on the Mediterranean Coast directly to the north of Haifa and on the main Israeli railway track. ===By train=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Acre railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.928148 | long=35.082822 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪39 from Tel Aviv, ₪15.50 from Haifa | wikipedia=Acre railway station | image=Acre Railway Station.JPG | wikidata=Q2916443 | content=[https://www.rail.co.il/en Israel Railways] trains run to Akko every 30 minutes or less during the day, and hourly all night. Some trains go only until Haifa, while others travel southbound to [[Tel Aviv]] and even many to [[Ben Gurion Airport]]. }} ===By bus=== {{marker| name=Nateev Express | type=around | lat=32.92729 | long=35.07946}} has a slow (especially at rush hour) connection to Akko for ₪11.7 from Haifa and from Carmiel. Take lines 271/361/500 from [[Haifa]] (Merkazit Hamifratz - the eastern bus station in Haifa Bay), 361 from [[Safed]], and 500 from [[Galilee Panhandle|Kiryat Shmona]]. There are also some less frequent routes you can take, so whenever an intercity bus comes, ask if it goes where you need. Note, buses from Haifa to Akko start outside of Haifa at the Merkazit Hamifratz (Bay Central) bus station. To get there, you have to take a local bus for ₪5.90. Considering this, it is mostly always better to take the train directly. Between Akko and [[Nazareth]] take bus 353, going about every hour but ending early in the afternoon. Bus 343 also travels this route, but it's extremely slow, visiting each of the small villages along the way. If bus 353 is not available, take a bus/train to Haifa and then another bus to Nazareth. ===By taxi=== * A "service taxi" (Hebrew: מונית שרות; ''moNEET sheROOT'') is an interurban van carrying 10 passengers. These travel frequently from the Hadar neighborhood of [[Haifa]] to Akko. They cost about the same as the bus. Look for a Hebrew-only sign saying "Akko Nahariya" or "Akko Karmiel" in the front windshield of the service taxi. If you don't know Hebrew, go to Herzl Street in Haifa, point an index finger at a 45 degree angle with the ground (the Israeli hitchhiking signal) when a service taxi drives by, and ask where it's going. They pick up and offload passengers at bus stops. Unlike public transportation (bus and train) which cease service during the '''Jewish Sabbath''', this line runs up to midnight on Fridays and during the day on Saturday. * Private taxis are available but are very costly. This is an option if you're traveling in a group of up to 4 passengers and/or have a lot of luggage. ===By boat=== A foot-passenger [http://www.akko.org.il/en/Ferry-from-Akko-to-Haifa-/ ferry] plies between [[Haifa]] and Akko on four days a week. It sails M Tu W from Akko at 10:00 and 15:00, returning from Haifa at 11:00 and 16:00. Saturday it sails from Akko at 09:30, 12:30 and 16:30, returning at 11:00, 13:30 and 17:30. This means a day trip is possible in either direction. It's only a small boat so sailings are cancelled in bad weather. The departure point from Akko is the new terminal within the Old Port. Fares are ₪30 one way and ₪55 round trip. Online booking is only possible [http://www.malkatakko.co.il/ in Hebrew], otherwise call 04-9913890 or just go to the terminal ticket office. Akko has a marina but is not a port of entry into Israel. Vessels from abroad must first head for Haifa port where there are 24 hour facilities for immigration and customs clearance. ==Get around== {{mapframe|32.9300|35.0811|zoom=14}} {{Mapmask |32.9194,35.0658 |32.9191,35.0662 |32.9190,35.0663 |32.9190,35.0665 |32.9191,35.0666 |32.9192,35.0667 |32.9191,35.0670 |32.9191,35.0676 |32.9192,35.0678 |32.9193,35.0678 |32.9193,35.0679 |32.9193,35.0679 |32.9193,35.0681 |32.9192,35.0683 |32.9190,35.0682 |32.9189,35.0684 |32.9189,35.0685 |32.9191,35.0685 |32.9191,35.0686 |32.9191,35.0686 |32.9192,35.0689 |32.9190,35.0689 |32.9190,35.0687 |32.9190,35.0687 |32.9190,35.0688 |32.9188,35.0690 |32.9187,35.0701 |32.9187,35.0705 |32.9191,35.0709 |32.9193,35.0709 |32.9193,35.0707 |32.9191,35.0704 |32.9190,35.0705 |32.9189,35.0703 |32.9189,35.0702 |32.9195,35.0703 |32.9195,35.0703 |32.9189,35.0701 |32.9190,35.0698 |32.9194,35.0699 |32.9194,35.0698 |32.9190,35.0697 |32.9190,35.0694 |32.9193,35.0695 |32.9193,35.0694 |32.9190,35.0694 |32.9190,35.0693 |32.9191,35.0692 |32.9192,35.0691 |32.9196,35.0692 |32.9199,35.0696 |32.9196,35.0697 |32.9196,35.0698 |32.9199,35.0697 |32.9200,35.0702 |32.9198,35.0702 |32.9198,35.0703 |32.9200,35.0703 |32.9200,35.0703 |32.9201,35.0702 |32.9203,35.0702 |32.9206,35.0704 |32.9206,35.0706 |32.9210,35.0710 |32.9213,35.0715 |32.9216,35.0719 |32.9215,35.0731 |32.9214,35.0731 |32.9213,35.0735 |32.9214,35.0736 |32.9212,35.0743 |32.9199,35.0770 |32.9200,35.0771 |32.9200,35.0775 |32.9186,35.0787 |32.9176,35.0793 |32.9156,35.0801 |32.9136,35.0806 |32.9084,35.0808 |32.9029,35.0805 |32.8984,35.0798 |32.8880,35.0770 |32.8868,35.0880 |32.8865,35.0924 |32.8884,35.0955 |32.8929,35.0948 |32.8969,35.0937 |32.9005,35.0920 |32.9031,35.0909 |32.9052,35.0908 |32.9086,35.0938 |32.9111,35.0962 |32.9188,35.0980 |32.9181,35.1001 |32.9177,35.1062 |32.9178,35.1111 |32.9207,35.1114 |32.9217,35.1092 |32.9238,35.1093 |32.9245,35.1107 |32.9336,35.1113 |32.9336,35.1076 |32.9343,35.1037 |32.9373,35.0967 |32.9399,35.0968 |32.9423,35.0962 |32.9457,35.0949 |32.9480,35.0937 |32.9483,35.0926 |32.9484,35.0886 |32.9443,35.0870 |32.9445,35.0851 |32.9460,35.0734 |32.9450,35.0734 |32.9446,35.0735 |32.9444,35.0734 |32.9441,35.0732 |32.9436,35.0730 |32.9428,35.0733 |32.9419,35.0734 |32.9408,35.0730 |32.9406,35.0728 |32.9405,35.0729 |32.9403,35.0728 |32.9399,35.0728 |32.9395,35.0724 |32.9392,35.0724 |32.9389,35.0726 |32.9385,35.0725 |32.9384,35.0723 |32.9374,35.0724 |32.9371,35.0723 |32.9360,35.0724 |32.9360,35.0723 |32.9357,35.0724 |32.9352,35.0723 |32.9350,35.0721 |32.9350,35.0719 |32.9347,35.0719 |32.9346,35.0720 |32.9342,35.0721 |32.9333,35.0718 |32.9330,35.0715 |32.9330,35.0713 |32.9323,35.0709 |32.9322,35.0707 |32.9322,35.0708 |32.9318,35.0705 |32.9317,35.0707 |32.9314,35.0706 |32.9312,35.0704 |32.9312,35.0701 |32.9308,35.0699 |32.9304,35.0699 |32.9302,35.0697 |32.9300,35.0697 |32.9299,35.0696 |32.9295,35.0695 |32.9292,35.0692 |32.9289,35.0692 |32.9288,35.0693 |32.9286,35.0690 |32.9281,35.0689 |32.9281,35.0690 |32.9274,35.0690 |32.9271,35.0688 |32.9267,35.0687 |32.9264,35.0685 |32.9260,35.0685 |32.9260,35.0683 |32.9254,35.0683 |32.9249,35.0680 |32.9250,35.0679 |32.9250,35.0677 |32.9249,35.0676 |32.9247,35.0676 |32.9246,35.0678 |32.9243,35.0676 |32.9243,35.0675 |32.9242,35.0675 |32.9242,35.0676 |32.9226,35.0671 |32.9226,35.0670 |32.9225,35.0669 |32.9225,35.0670 |32.9209,35.0665 |32.9209,35.0661 |32.9205,35.0656 |32.9204,35.0656 |32.9203,35.0654 |32.9201,35.0654 |32.9200,35.0654 |32.9200,35.0653 |32.9199,35.0653 |32.9198,35.0655 |32.9198,35.0654 |32.9195,35.0656 |32.9194,35.0657 |32.9194,35.0658}} The Old City is very small, and easily walked across. It is also within walking distance of the train and bus stations. For the Bahai holy site, though, you will likely want to take a taxi or bus (271 as it continues north of Akko toward Nahariah). ==See== ===Historic sites=== Many historic sites require an entrance fee. There is a combined (adult) ticket for all sights (mostly Citadel, Knights Hall and Templar Tunnel) for ₪62 including the Turkish bath and ₪40 without it available. Students, disabled people or children pay between 20-40% less. * {{see | name=The city wall | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.919181 | long=35.066706 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12407333 | content=The wall is picturesque and fun to walk along, especially the part bordering the sea. In 1750, Daher El-Omar, the ruler of Acre, utilized the remnants of the Crusader walls as a foundation for his walls. Two gates were set in the wall, the "land gate" in the eastern wall, and the "sea gate" in the southern wall. In 1912 the Acre lighthouse was built on the south-western corner of the walls. }} * {{see | name=Hall of the Crusader Knights | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.923678 | long=35.069461 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪37 | wikidata=Q7002911 | content=Under the citadel and prison of Acre, archaeological excavations revealed a complex of halls, which was built and used by the Hospitallers Knights. This complex was a part of the Hospitallers' citadel, which was combined in the northern wall of Acre. The complex includes six semi-joined halls, one large hall, a dungeon, a dining room and remains of an ancient Gothic church. Medieval European remains include the Church of Saint George and adjacent houses at the Genovese Square . There were also residential quarters and marketplaces run by merchants from Pisa and Amalfi in Crusader and medieval Acre. }} * {{see | name=Tunnel of the Templars | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.91996 | long=35.06673 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪15 | wikidata=Q12248757 | content=An underground tunnel carved in stone by the Templar Crusaders to connect their fortress on the west side of Akko to the port on the east side. Discovered in 1994, it has been restored and you can walk through it. The location shown on the map here is the western entrance. }} * {{see | name=The Pisan Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.91914 | long=35.06803 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=16-7600-000 עכו-חלק שהיה בחומה.JPG | wikidata=Q56378959 | content=No longer active, you can see the remains of a port here. The adjacent area was populated by Pisans during the Crusader area. The remains are not too exciting, but you'll see them as part of a walk along the city wall. }} * {{see | name=Khan el Umdan | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.919925 | long=35.069047 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Khan al-Umdan | image=Akko BW 13.JPG | wikidata=Q2916032 | content=Old Akko has several large khans (an inn enclosing a courtyard, used by caravans for accommodation) which once served the camel caravans bringing in grain from the hinterland. The grandest is the Khan al-Umdan. Its name means 'Inn of the Pillars', and it was built by Al-Jazzar in 1785. The pillars that give the khan its name were looted from the Caesarea ruins. It is a two-story structure and the ground floor would have housed the animals, while their merchant owners would have slept upstairs. }} * {{see | name=Hammam al-Basha | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.922871 | long=35.069324 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪25 | wikidata=Q2944403 | content=Built in 1795 by Jezzar Pasha, Acre's hammam has a series of hot rooms and a hexagonal steam room with a marble fountain. It was used by the Irgun as a bridge to break into the citadel's prison. The bathhouse kept functioning until 1950. Now it is a museum with a humorous retelling of Akko's history and the bathhouse experience. }} * {{see | name=Tel Akko | alt=Napoleon's Hill | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.921111 | long=35.088333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12412094 | content=Site of the ancient city of Akko, until the Hellenistic period. Later on, Napoleon used the hill as a lookout point while besieging Akko. Now, there are walking trails around the hill, and it has a nice view in all directions. }} ===Holy sites=== * {{see | name=The Shrine of Baha'u'llah | alt= | url=http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/akko/ | email= | address= | lat=32.943333 | long=35.092222 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh | image=Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.jpg | wikidata=Q187499 | content=The holiest place for the Baha'is; they face towards here for their daily prayers and are buried with their feet pointing here. The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh is composed of a central room that has a small garden at its centre, which has trees growing in it and there are layers of carpets around the walls. In the right hand corner of the central room there is a small room where Bahá'u'lláh's remains are laid to rest. }} * {{see | name=Ramchal synagogue | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.92131 | long=35.06890 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11836530 | content=A synagogue used by the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, a 1700s kabbalist) }} * {{see | name=Or Torah | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.924438 | long=35.076808 | directions= | phone=+972 50-682-2781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Or Torah Synagogue | image=Tunisian synagogue.JPG | wikidata=Q2742978 | content=A Tunisian synagogue, a meticulously handcrafted spectacle of stained glass and tile mosaic entirely unique to Akko. }} * {{see | name=Great Mosque of al-Jezzar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.922706 | long=35.070314 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=El-Jazzar Mosque | image=Akko Mosque.jpg | wikidata=Q2855200 | content=Built in 1781, it is one of the largest mosques in Israel. Jezzar Pasha and his successor Suleiman Pasha are buried in a small graveyard adjacent to the mosque. In a shrine on the second level of the mosque, a single hair from the prophet Mohammed's beard is kept and shown on special ceremonial occasions. }} ===Other sites=== * {{see | name=Akko port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.9194 | long=35.0697 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2985605 | content=Interesting to walk around here for a few minutes, see the boats, and maybe take one. }} * {{see | name=The market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.92118 | long=35.06930 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=An urban market, best known as place to buy fish. The market spreads along Marco Polo, Binyamin Metudela, and Fakhr-al-Din streets. }} * {{see | name=Oukashi Art Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.9231 | long=35.07 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Okashi.jpg | wikidata=Q2742971 | content=Around the corner from the Hamman al-Pasha is a gallery devoted to the works of Avshalom Okashi (1916-80), an influential Israeli painter and a resident of Akko for the last half of his life. }} * {{see | name=Akko botanical garden | alt= | url=http://www.akko.muni.il/?CategoryID=1345 | email= | address= | lat=32.94241 | long=35.08424 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su-Th 15:00-21:00, F 14:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-20:00, closed when raining | price= | lastedit=2018-04-09 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Akko Walls & Church.jpg|thumb|Akko walls and church]] * Take a boat ride around the walls of the old city. * Relax on the beach north of the old city. ==Buy== ==Eat== You can find delicious hummus throughout Akko, and baklava in the old bazaar. One of the best hummus you can eat in Israel is at "Hummus Sa'id" in the Old City, but don't be too late - as soon as the hummus is finished the restaurant closes, usually at about 13:00-14:00. Akko is famous for its fish restaurants serving regional (Middle Eastern and Mediterranean) side dishes. Some of the best are located in the port area, Donyana and Abu Khristo are popular for those seeking a great meal in a great location overlooking the sea. Farther north is a local branch of the renowned Arab restaurant El-Babur, spacious and elegant (for its moderate prices) with an up-close view of the sea. The restaurants along the beach area are very good, even though some of them may be expensive. In Salah ad Din Street there is a small bakery with classic Arab sweet pastries featuring honey and nuts. If you are looking for an upscale menu, just north of the lighthouse on the coast promenade (Hahagana Street) is Uri-Buri, named for its chef and rated one of Israel's Top Ten seafood restaurants. Next to it with a similar menu is Beit Maha that is also a great coffee bar. A little far away from the crowds of the Old City is the locals favorite Gallery Simaan restaurant, located on Ben Ami street (no. 63). ==Drink== ==Sleep== Decent and at the same time inexpensive accommodation options are sparse in Akko. * {{sleep | name=Akko Gate Hostel | alt=Walid's Gate Hostel | url=http://www.akkogate.com | email= | address= | lat=32.922225 | long=35.072404 | directions= | phone=+972 4-991-0410 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Dorm bed from ₪76 | content=Dodgy hostel and owner indeed, but the experience is worthwhile, and very affordable. Backpackers roughing it up will enjoy a roof over their heads for such a low price. Accommodation is provided in a large dorm room with bunk and normal beds. The owner will not give you the price quoted on his website and will pretend the price of US$20 (as of Jan 2017) is actually not written there. Instead he will try to make you believe the higher price on Booking is the valid one. Make sure to agree on a price beforehand or just leave this place again. }} * {{sleep | name=The Acco Guest House of Zippi | alt= | url=http://www.hostelsclub.com/hostel-en-15045.html | email= | address=10 Bilu St | lat=32.923630 | long=35.093981 | directions= | phone=+972 4-991-5220 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=In Bilu street, is a warm, family-owned, budget hostel, situated in a walking distance from the Old City of Akko. Suitable for a short vacation or for a long stay for independent travelers, backpackers and families traveling in Akko, Safed and the Galilee. }} * {{sleep | name=Palm Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.916285 | long=35.081009 | directions= on the beach close to the town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=11:00 | content= Situated on the coastal stretch of Israel. The Palm Beach is a unique combination of 127 modern rooms and suites with a health and sports club, a spa and superb conference facilities. The panoramic views of Haifa Bay and Akko are spectacular. Akko station is about 1 km from the hotel. }} ==Go next== * [[Haifa]] &ndash; The second-holiest city in the Bahai faith, including its great garden down the northern slope of the city. * [[Nazareth]] &ndash; The largest Arab city in Israel and best known as the boyhood home of Jesus of Nazareth. * [[Tiberias]] &ndash; A large Israeli town in the east and great starting point for the [[Sea of Galilee region|Sea of Galilee]] and [[Golan Heights]]. * [[Nahariyya]] &ndash; A beach town founded in 1934 by German Jews fleeing Nazi oppression. {{routebox | image1=ISR-HW-4.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Nahariyya]] | minorl1= | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Haifa]] | minorr1= | link1= | image2=IsraelTrainLogoSymbolOnly.svg|Alt=by Train | imagesize2=30 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Nahariyya]] | minorl2= | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Haifa]], [[Tel Aviv]], [[Ben Gurion International Airport]] | minorr2= | link2= }} {{outlinecity}} {{isPartOf|Western Galilee}} {{geo|32.926|35.084}} mewuszcvguttt2lav1p18mv709l8rl3 4506403 4506402 2022-08-22T19:52:03Z Codas 1229868 Undo revision 4506402 by [[Special:Contributions/Codas|Codas]] ([[User talk:Codas|talk]]) mistake wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Acre banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} :''For the Akko in [[Gombe State]], Nigeria, see [[Akko (Gombe)]]'' '''[http://www.akko.org.il/ Akko]''' ([[Hebrew phrasebook|Hebrew]]: עכו), also known historically to Arabs as عكّا ('Akka) and Westerners as '''Acre''', lies on the northern edge of the Bay of Acre in northern [[Israel]] and receives many Baha'i pilgrims. On its present site, Akko possesses a long history of various cultures: Israelites, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders and Arabs. Akko is a holy city in the Bahá'í Faith and has been recognised as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] as a site of extraordinary significance to the world's cultural heritage. ==Get in== Getting to Akko is very simple, as it is on the Mediterranean Coast directly to the north of Haifa and on the main Israeli railway track. ===By train=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Acre railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.928148 | long=35.082822 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪39 from Tel Aviv, ₪15.50 from Haifa | wikipedia=Acre railway station | image=Acre Railway Station.JPG | wikidata=Q2916443 | content=[https://www.rail.co.il/en Israel Railways] trains run to Akko every 30 minutes or less during the day, and hourly all night. Some trains go only until Haifa, while others travel southbound to [[Tel Aviv]] and even many to [[Ben Gurion Airport]]. }} ===By bus=== {{marker| name=Nateev Express | type=around | lat=32.92729 | long=35.07946}} has a slow (especially at rush hour) connection to Akko for ₪11.7 from Haifa and from Carmiel. Take lines 271/361/500 from [[Haifa]] (Merkazit Hamifratz - the eastern bus station in Haifa Bay), 361 from [[Safed]], and 500 from [[Galilee Panhandle|Kiryat Shmona]]. There are also some less frequent routes you can take, so whenever an intercity bus comes, ask if it goes where you need. Note, buses from Haifa to Akko start outside of Haifa at the Merkazit Hamifratz (Bay Central) bus station. To get there, you have to take a local bus for ₪5.90. Considering this, it is mostly always better to take the train directly. Between Akko and [[Nazareth]] take bus 353, going about every hour but ending early in the afternoon. Bus 343 also travels this route, but it's extremely slow, visiting each of the small villages along the way. If bus 353 is not available, take a bus/train to Haifa and then another bus to Nazareth. ===By taxi=== * A "service taxi" (Hebrew: מונית שרות; ''moNEET sheROOT'') is an interurban van carrying 10 passengers. These travel frequently from the Hadar neighborhood of [[Haifa]] to Akko. They cost about the same as the bus. Look for a Hebrew-only sign saying "Akko Nahariya" or "Akko Karmiel" in the front windshield of the service taxi. If you don't know Hebrew, go to Herzl Street in Haifa, point an index finger at a 45 degree angle with the ground (the Israeli hitchhiking signal) when a service taxi drives by, and ask where it's going. They pick up and offload passengers at bus stops. Unlike public transportation (bus and train) which cease service during the '''Jewish Sabbath''', this line runs up to midnight on Fridays and during the day on Saturday. * Private taxis are available but are very costly. This is an option if you're traveling in a group of up to 4 passengers and/or have a lot of luggage. ===By boat=== A foot-passenger [http://www.akko.org.il/en/Ferry-from-Akko-to-Haifa-/ ferry] plies between [[Haifa]] and Akko on four days a week. It sails M Tu W from Akko at 10:00 and 15:00, returning from Haifa at 11:00 and 16:00. Saturday it sails from Akko at 09:30, 12:30 and 16:30, returning at 11:00, 13:30 and 17:30. This means a day trip is possible in either direction. It's only a small boat so sailings are cancelled in bad weather. The departure point from Akko is the new terminal within the Old Port. Fares are ₪30 one way and ₪55 round trip. Online booking is only possible [http://www.malkatakko.co.il/ in Hebrew], otherwise call 04-9913890 or just go to the terminal ticket office. Akko has a marina but is not a port of entry into Israel. Vessels from abroad must first head for Haifa port where there are 24 hour facilities for immigration and customs clearance. ==Get around== {{mapframe|32.9300|35.0811|zoom=14}} {{Mapmask |32.9194,35.0658 |32.9191,35.0662 |32.9190,35.0663 |32.9190,35.0665 |32.9191,35.0666 |32.9192,35.0667 |32.9191,35.0670 |32.9191,35.0676 |32.9192,35.0678 |32.9193,35.0678 |32.9193,35.0679 |32.9193,35.0679 |32.9193,35.0681 |32.9192,35.0683 |32.9190,35.0682 |32.9189,35.0684 |32.9189,35.0685 |32.9191,35.0685 |32.9191,35.0686 |32.9191,35.0686 |32.9192,35.0689 |32.9190,35.0689 |32.9190,35.0687 |32.9190,35.0687 |32.9190,35.0688 |32.9188,35.0690 |32.9187,35.0701 |32.9187,35.0705 |32.9191,35.0709 |32.9193,35.0709 |32.9193,35.0707 |32.9191,35.0704 |32.9190,35.0705 |32.9189,35.0703 |32.9189,35.0702 |32.9195,35.0703 |32.9195,35.0703 |32.9189,35.0701 |32.9190,35.0698 |32.9194,35.0699 |32.9194,35.0698 |32.9190,35.0697 |32.9190,35.0694 |32.9193,35.0695 |32.9193,35.0694 |32.9190,35.0694 |32.9190,35.0693 |32.9191,35.0692 |32.9192,35.0691 |32.9196,35.0692 |32.9199,35.0696 |32.9196,35.0697 |32.9196,35.0698 |32.9199,35.0697 |32.9200,35.0702 |32.9198,35.0702 |32.9198,35.0703 |32.9200,35.0703 |32.9200,35.0703 |32.9201,35.0702 |32.9203,35.0702 |32.9206,35.0704 |32.9206,35.0706 |32.9210,35.0710 |32.9213,35.0715 |32.9216,35.0719 |32.9215,35.0731 |32.9214,35.0731 |32.9213,35.0735 |32.9214,35.0736 |32.9212,35.0743 |32.9199,35.0770 |32.9200,35.0771 |32.9200,35.0775 |32.9186,35.0787 |32.9176,35.0793 |32.9156,35.0801 |32.9136,35.0806 |32.9084,35.0808 |32.9029,35.0805 |32.8984,35.0798 |32.8880,35.0770 |32.8868,35.0880 |32.8865,35.0924 |32.8884,35.0955 |32.8929,35.0948 |32.8969,35.0937 |32.9005,35.0920 |32.9031,35.0909 |32.9052,35.0908 |32.9086,35.0938 |32.9111,35.0962 |32.9188,35.0980 |32.9181,35.1001 |32.9177,35.1062 |32.9178,35.1111 |32.9207,35.1114 |32.9217,35.1092 |32.9238,35.1093 |32.9245,35.1107 |32.9336,35.1113 |32.9336,35.1076 |32.9343,35.1037 |32.9373,35.0967 |32.9399,35.0968 |32.9423,35.0962 |32.9457,35.0949 |32.9480,35.0937 |32.9483,35.0926 |32.9484,35.0886 |32.9443,35.0870 |32.9445,35.0851 |32.9460,35.0734 |32.9450,35.0734 |32.9446,35.0735 |32.9444,35.0734 |32.9441,35.0732 |32.9436,35.0730 |32.9428,35.0733 |32.9419,35.0734 |32.9408,35.0730 |32.9406,35.0728 |32.9405,35.0729 |32.9403,35.0728 |32.9399,35.0728 |32.9395,35.0724 |32.9392,35.0724 |32.9389,35.0726 |32.9385,35.0725 |32.9384,35.0723 |32.9374,35.0724 |32.9371,35.0723 |32.9360,35.0724 |32.9360,35.0723 |32.9357,35.0724 |32.9352,35.0723 |32.9350,35.0721 |32.9350,35.0719 |32.9347,35.0719 |32.9346,35.0720 |32.9342,35.0721 |32.9333,35.0718 |32.9330,35.0715 |32.9330,35.0713 |32.9323,35.0709 |32.9322,35.0707 |32.9322,35.0708 |32.9318,35.0705 |32.9317,35.0707 |32.9314,35.0706 |32.9312,35.0704 |32.9312,35.0701 |32.9308,35.0699 |32.9304,35.0699 |32.9302,35.0697 |32.9300,35.0697 |32.9299,35.0696 |32.9295,35.0695 |32.9292,35.0692 |32.9289,35.0692 |32.9288,35.0693 |32.9286,35.0690 |32.9281,35.0689 |32.9281,35.0690 |32.9274,35.0690 |32.9271,35.0688 |32.9267,35.0687 |32.9264,35.0685 |32.9260,35.0685 |32.9260,35.0683 |32.9254,35.0683 |32.9249,35.0680 |32.9250,35.0679 |32.9250,35.0677 |32.9249,35.0676 |32.9247,35.0676 |32.9246,35.0678 |32.9243,35.0676 |32.9243,35.0675 |32.9242,35.0675 |32.9242,35.0676 |32.9226,35.0671 |32.9226,35.0670 |32.9225,35.0669 |32.9225,35.0670 |32.9209,35.0665 |32.9209,35.0661 |32.9205,35.0656 |32.9204,35.0656 |32.9203,35.0654 |32.9201,35.0654 |32.9200,35.0654 |32.9200,35.0653 |32.9199,35.0653 |32.9198,35.0655 |32.9198,35.0654 |32.9195,35.0656 |32.9194,35.0657 |32.9194,35.0658}} The Old City is very small, and easily walked across. It is also within walking distance of the train and bus stations. For the Bahai holy site, though, you will likely want to take a taxi or bus (271 as it continues north of Akko toward Nahariah). ==See== ===Historic sites=== Many historic sites require an entrance fee. There is a combined (adult) ticket for all sights (mostly Citadel, Knights Hall and Templar Tunnel) for ₪62 including the Turkish bath and ₪40 without it available. Students, disabled people or children pay between 20-40% less. * {{see | name=The city wall | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.919181 | long=35.066706 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12407333 | content=The wall is picturesque and fun to walk along, especially the part bordering the sea. In 1750, Daher El-Omar, the ruler of Acre, utilized the remnants of the Crusader walls as a foundation for his walls. Two gates were set in the wall, the "land gate" in the eastern wall, and the "sea gate" in the southern wall. In 1912 the Acre lighthouse was built on the south-western corner of the walls. }} * {{see | name=Hall of the Crusader Knights | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.923678 | long=35.069461 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪37 | wikidata=Q7002911 | content=Under the citadel and prison of Acre, archaeological excavations revealed a complex of halls, which was built and used by the Hospitallers Knights. This complex was a part of the Hospitallers' citadel, which was combined in the northern wall of Acre. The complex includes six semi-joined halls, one large hall, a dungeon, a dining room and remains of an ancient Gothic church. Medieval European remains include the Church of Saint George and adjacent houses at the Genovese Square . There were also residential quarters and marketplaces run by merchants from Pisa and Amalfi in Crusader and medieval Acre. }} * {{see | name=Tunnel of the Templars | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.91996 | long=35.06673 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪15 | wikidata=Q12248757 | content=An underground tunnel carved in stone by the Templar Crusaders to connect their fortress on the west side of Akko to the port on the east side. Discovered in 1994, it has been restored and you can walk through it. The location shown on the map here is the western entrance. }} * {{see | name=The Pisan Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.91914 | long=35.06803 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=16-7600-000 עכו-חלק שהיה בחומה.JPG | wikidata=Q56378959 | content=No longer active, you can see the remains of a port here. The adjacent area was populated by Pisans during the Crusader area. The remains are not too exciting, but you'll see them as part of a walk along the city wall. }} * {{see | name=Khan el Umdan | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.919925 | long=35.069047 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Khan al-Umdan | image=Akko BW 13.JPG | wikidata=Q2916032 | content=Old Akko has several large khans (an inn enclosing a courtyard, used by caravans for accommodation) which once served the camel caravans bringing in grain from the hinterland. The grandest is the Khan al-Umdan. Its name means 'Inn of the Pillars', and it was built by Al-Jazzar in 1785. The pillars that give the khan its name were looted from the Caesarea ruins. It is a two-story structure and the ground floor would have housed the animals, while their merchant owners would have slept upstairs. }} * {{see | name=Hammam al-Basha | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.922871 | long=35.069324 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪25 | wikidata=Q2944403 | content=Built in 1795 by Jezzar Pasha, Acre's hammam has a series of hot rooms and a hexagonal steam room with a marble fountain. It was used by the Irgun as a bridge to break into the citadel's prison. The bathhouse kept functioning until 1950. Now it is a museum with a humorous retelling of Akko's history and the bathhouse experience. }} * {{see | name=Tel Akko | alt=Napoleon's Hill | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.921111 | long=35.088333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12412094 | content=Site of the ancient city of Akko, until the Hellenistic period. Later on, Napoleon used the hill as a lookout point while besieging Akko. Now, there are walking trails around the hill, and it has a nice view in all directions. }} ===Holy sites=== * {{see | name=The Shrine of Baha'u'llah | alt= | url=http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/akko/ | email= | address= | lat=32.943333 | long=35.092222 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh | image=Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.jpg | wikidata=Q187499 | content=The holiest place for the Baha'is; they face towards here for their daily prayers and are buried with their feet pointing here. The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh is composed of a central room that has a small garden at its centre, which has trees growing in it and there are layers of carpets around the walls. In the right hand corner of the central room there is a small room where Bahá'u'lláh's remains are laid to rest. }} * {{see | name=Ramchal synagogue | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.92131 | long=35.06890 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11836530 | content=A synagogue used by the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, a 1700s kabbalist) }} * {{see | name=Or Torah | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.924438 | long=35.076808 | directions= | phone=+972 50-682-2781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Or Torah Synagogue | image=Tunisian synagogue.JPG | wikidata=Q2742978 | content=A Tunisian synagogue, a meticulously handcrafted spectacle of stained glass and tile mosaic entirely unique to Akko. }} * {{see | name=Great Mosque of al-Jezzar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.922706 | long=35.070314 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=El-Jazzar Mosque | image=Akko Mosque.jpg | wikidata=Q2855200 | content=Built in 1781, it is one of the largest mosques in Israel. Jezzar Pasha and his successor Suleiman Pasha are buried in a small graveyard adjacent to the mosque. In a shrine on the second level of the mosque, a single hair from the prophet Mohammed's beard is kept and shown on special ceremonial occasions. }} ===Other sites=== * {{see | name=Akko port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.9194 | long=35.0697 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2985605 | content=Interesting to walk around here for a few minutes, see the boats, and maybe take one. }} * {{see | name=The market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.92118 | long=35.06930 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=An urban market, best known as place to buy fish. The market spreads along Marco Polo, Binyamin Metudela, and Fakhr-al-Din streets. }} * {{see | name=Oukashi Art Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.9231 | long=35.07 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Okashi.jpg | wikidata=Q2742971 | content=Around the corner from the Hamman al-Pasha is a gallery devoted to the works of Avshalom Okashi (1916-80), an influential Israeli painter and a resident of Akko for the last half of his life. }} * {{see | name=Akko botanical garden | alt= | url=http://www.akko.muni.il/?CategoryID=1345 | email= | address= | lat=32.94241 | long=35.08424 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su-Th 15:00-21:00, F 14:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-20:00, closed when raining | price= | lastedit=2018-04-09 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Akko Walls & Church.jpg|thumb|Akko walls and church]] * Take a boat ride around the walls of the old city. * Relax on the beach north of the old city. ==Buy== ==Eat== You can find delicious hummus throughout Akko, and baklava in the old bazaar. One of the best hummus you can eat in Israel is at "Hummus Sa'id" in the Old City, but don't be too late - as soon as the hummus is finished the restaurant closes, usually at about 13:00-14:00. Akko is famous for its fish restaurants serving regional (Middle Eastern and Mediterranean) side dishes. Some of the best are located in the port area, Donyana and Abu Khristo are popular for those seeking a great meal in a great location overlooking the sea. Farther north is a local branch of the renowned Arab restaurant El-Babur, spacious and elegant (for its moderate prices) with an up-close view of the sea. The restaurants along the beach area are very good, even though some of them may be expensive. In Salah ad Din Street there is a small bakery with classic Arab sweet pastries featuring honey and nuts. If you are looking for an upscale menu, just north of the lighthouse on the coast promenade (Hahagana Street) is Uri-Buri, named for its chef and rated one of Israel's Top Ten seafood restaurants. Next to it with a similar menu is Beit Maha that is also a great coffee bar. A little far away from the crowds of the Old City is the locals favorite Gallery Simaan restaurant, located on Ben Ami street (no. 63). ==Drink== ==Sleep== Decent and at the same time inexpensive accommodation options are sparse in Akko. * {{sleep | name=Akko Gate Hostel | alt=Walid's Gate Hostel | url=http://www.akkogate.com | email= | address= | lat=32.922225 | long=35.072404 | directions= | phone=+972 4-991-0410 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Dorm bed from ₪76 | content=Dodgy hostel and owner indeed, but the experience is worthwhile, and very affordable. Backpackers roughing it up will enjoy a roof over their heads for such a low price. Accommodation is provided in a large dorm room with bunk and normal beds. The owner will not give you the price quoted on his website and will pretend the price of US$20 (as of Jan 2017) is actually not written there. Instead he will try to make you believe the higher price on Booking is the valid one. Make sure to agree on a price beforehand or just leave this place again. }} * {{sleep | name=The Acco Guest House of Zippi | alt= | url=http://www.hostelsclub.com/hostel-en-15045.html | email= | address=10 Bilu St | lat=32.923630 | long=35.093981 | directions= | phone=+972 4-991-5220 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=In Bilu street, is a warm, family-owned, budget hostel, situated in a walking distance from the Old City of Akko. Suitable for a short vacation or for a long stay for independent travelers, backpackers and families traveling in Akko, Safed and the Galilee. }} * {{sleep | name=Akkotel | url=http://www.akkotel.com | email= | address=Salahudin St. | lat=32.9221 | long=35.07278 | directions=Enter Old City on Weizman, continue to the left on Salah ad Din | phone=+972 4-9877100 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪600 per night | checkin=15:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=A refurbished boutique hotel along the eastern wall of the old city. Uniquely designed rooms with high ceilings and hand made furniture, and eager-to-please innkeepers make it a great upscale option in Akko. }} * {{sleep | name=Palm Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.916285 | long=35.081009 | directions= on the beach close to the town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=11:00 | content= Situated on the coastal stretch of Israel. The Palm Beach is a unique combination of 127 modern rooms and suites with a health and sports club, a spa and superb conference facilities. The panoramic views of Haifa Bay and Akko are spectacular. Akko station is about 1 km from the hotel. }} ==Go next== * [[Haifa]] &ndash; The second-holiest city in the Bahai faith, including its great garden down the northern slope of the city. * [[Nazareth]] &ndash; The largest Arab city in Israel and best known as the boyhood home of Jesus of Nazareth. * [[Tiberias]] &ndash; A large Israeli town in the east and great starting point for the [[Sea of Galilee region|Sea of Galilee]] and [[Golan Heights]]. * [[Nahariyya]] &ndash; A beach town founded in 1934 by German Jews fleeing Nazi oppression. {{routebox | image1=ISR-HW-4.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Nahariyya]] | minorl1= | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Haifa]] | minorr1= | link1= | image2=IsraelTrainLogoSymbolOnly.svg|Alt=by Train | imagesize2=30 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Nahariyya]] | minorl2= | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Haifa]], [[Tel Aviv]], [[Ben Gurion International Airport]] | minorr2= | link2= }} {{outlinecity}} {{isPartOf|Western Galilee}} {{geo|32.926|35.084}} mjsegdpfgb2tr1erku2e2kvtaji1xsa 4506404 4506403 2022-08-22T19:52:23Z Codas 1229868 /* Sleep */ Deleted listing for The Acco Guest House of Zippi - don't exist wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Acre banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} :''For the Akko in [[Gombe State]], Nigeria, see [[Akko (Gombe)]]'' '''[http://www.akko.org.il/ Akko]''' ([[Hebrew phrasebook|Hebrew]]: עכו), also known historically to Arabs as عكّا ('Akka) and Westerners as '''Acre''', lies on the northern edge of the Bay of Acre in northern [[Israel]] and receives many Baha'i pilgrims. On its present site, Akko possesses a long history of various cultures: Israelites, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders and Arabs. Akko is a holy city in the Bahá'í Faith and has been recognised as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] as a site of extraordinary significance to the world's cultural heritage. ==Get in== Getting to Akko is very simple, as it is on the Mediterranean Coast directly to the north of Haifa and on the main Israeli railway track. ===By train=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Acre railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.928148 | long=35.082822 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪39 from Tel Aviv, ₪15.50 from Haifa | wikipedia=Acre railway station | image=Acre Railway Station.JPG | wikidata=Q2916443 | content=[https://www.rail.co.il/en Israel Railways] trains run to Akko every 30 minutes or less during the day, and hourly all night. Some trains go only until Haifa, while others travel southbound to [[Tel Aviv]] and even many to [[Ben Gurion Airport]]. }} ===By bus=== {{marker| name=Nateev Express | type=around | lat=32.92729 | long=35.07946}} has a slow (especially at rush hour) connection to Akko for ₪11.7 from Haifa and from Carmiel. Take lines 271/361/500 from [[Haifa]] (Merkazit Hamifratz - the eastern bus station in Haifa Bay), 361 from [[Safed]], and 500 from [[Galilee Panhandle|Kiryat Shmona]]. There are also some less frequent routes you can take, so whenever an intercity bus comes, ask if it goes where you need. Note, buses from Haifa to Akko start outside of Haifa at the Merkazit Hamifratz (Bay Central) bus station. To get there, you have to take a local bus for ₪5.90. Considering this, it is mostly always better to take the train directly. Between Akko and [[Nazareth]] take bus 353, going about every hour but ending early in the afternoon. Bus 343 also travels this route, but it's extremely slow, visiting each of the small villages along the way. If bus 353 is not available, take a bus/train to Haifa and then another bus to Nazareth. ===By taxi=== * A "service taxi" (Hebrew: מונית שרות; ''moNEET sheROOT'') is an interurban van carrying 10 passengers. These travel frequently from the Hadar neighborhood of [[Haifa]] to Akko. They cost about the same as the bus. Look for a Hebrew-only sign saying "Akko Nahariya" or "Akko Karmiel" in the front windshield of the service taxi. If you don't know Hebrew, go to Herzl Street in Haifa, point an index finger at a 45 degree angle with the ground (the Israeli hitchhiking signal) when a service taxi drives by, and ask where it's going. They pick up and offload passengers at bus stops. Unlike public transportation (bus and train) which cease service during the '''Jewish Sabbath''', this line runs up to midnight on Fridays and during the day on Saturday. * Private taxis are available but are very costly. This is an option if you're traveling in a group of up to 4 passengers and/or have a lot of luggage. ===By boat=== A foot-passenger [http://www.akko.org.il/en/Ferry-from-Akko-to-Haifa-/ ferry] plies between [[Haifa]] and Akko on four days a week. It sails M Tu W from Akko at 10:00 and 15:00, returning from Haifa at 11:00 and 16:00. Saturday it sails from Akko at 09:30, 12:30 and 16:30, returning at 11:00, 13:30 and 17:30. This means a day trip is possible in either direction. It's only a small boat so sailings are cancelled in bad weather. The departure point from Akko is the new terminal within the Old Port. Fares are ₪30 one way and ₪55 round trip. Online booking is only possible [http://www.malkatakko.co.il/ in Hebrew], otherwise call 04-9913890 or just go to the terminal ticket office. Akko has a marina but is not a port of entry into Israel. Vessels from abroad must first head for Haifa port where there are 24 hour facilities for immigration and customs clearance. ==Get around== {{mapframe|32.9300|35.0811|zoom=14}} {{Mapmask |32.9194,35.0658 |32.9191,35.0662 |32.9190,35.0663 |32.9190,35.0665 |32.9191,35.0666 |32.9192,35.0667 |32.9191,35.0670 |32.9191,35.0676 |32.9192,35.0678 |32.9193,35.0678 |32.9193,35.0679 |32.9193,35.0679 |32.9193,35.0681 |32.9192,35.0683 |32.9190,35.0682 |32.9189,35.0684 |32.9189,35.0685 |32.9191,35.0685 |32.9191,35.0686 |32.9191,35.0686 |32.9192,35.0689 |32.9190,35.0689 |32.9190,35.0687 |32.9190,35.0687 |32.9190,35.0688 |32.9188,35.0690 |32.9187,35.0701 |32.9187,35.0705 |32.9191,35.0709 |32.9193,35.0709 |32.9193,35.0707 |32.9191,35.0704 |32.9190,35.0705 |32.9189,35.0703 |32.9189,35.0702 |32.9195,35.0703 |32.9195,35.0703 |32.9189,35.0701 |32.9190,35.0698 |32.9194,35.0699 |32.9194,35.0698 |32.9190,35.0697 |32.9190,35.0694 |32.9193,35.0695 |32.9193,35.0694 |32.9190,35.0694 |32.9190,35.0693 |32.9191,35.0692 |32.9192,35.0691 |32.9196,35.0692 |32.9199,35.0696 |32.9196,35.0697 |32.9196,35.0698 |32.9199,35.0697 |32.9200,35.0702 |32.9198,35.0702 |32.9198,35.0703 |32.9200,35.0703 |32.9200,35.0703 |32.9201,35.0702 |32.9203,35.0702 |32.9206,35.0704 |32.9206,35.0706 |32.9210,35.0710 |32.9213,35.0715 |32.9216,35.0719 |32.9215,35.0731 |32.9214,35.0731 |32.9213,35.0735 |32.9214,35.0736 |32.9212,35.0743 |32.9199,35.0770 |32.9200,35.0771 |32.9200,35.0775 |32.9186,35.0787 |32.9176,35.0793 |32.9156,35.0801 |32.9136,35.0806 |32.9084,35.0808 |32.9029,35.0805 |32.8984,35.0798 |32.8880,35.0770 |32.8868,35.0880 |32.8865,35.0924 |32.8884,35.0955 |32.8929,35.0948 |32.8969,35.0937 |32.9005,35.0920 |32.9031,35.0909 |32.9052,35.0908 |32.9086,35.0938 |32.9111,35.0962 |32.9188,35.0980 |32.9181,35.1001 |32.9177,35.1062 |32.9178,35.1111 |32.9207,35.1114 |32.9217,35.1092 |32.9238,35.1093 |32.9245,35.1107 |32.9336,35.1113 |32.9336,35.1076 |32.9343,35.1037 |32.9373,35.0967 |32.9399,35.0968 |32.9423,35.0962 |32.9457,35.0949 |32.9480,35.0937 |32.9483,35.0926 |32.9484,35.0886 |32.9443,35.0870 |32.9445,35.0851 |32.9460,35.0734 |32.9450,35.0734 |32.9446,35.0735 |32.9444,35.0734 |32.9441,35.0732 |32.9436,35.0730 |32.9428,35.0733 |32.9419,35.0734 |32.9408,35.0730 |32.9406,35.0728 |32.9405,35.0729 |32.9403,35.0728 |32.9399,35.0728 |32.9395,35.0724 |32.9392,35.0724 |32.9389,35.0726 |32.9385,35.0725 |32.9384,35.0723 |32.9374,35.0724 |32.9371,35.0723 |32.9360,35.0724 |32.9360,35.0723 |32.9357,35.0724 |32.9352,35.0723 |32.9350,35.0721 |32.9350,35.0719 |32.9347,35.0719 |32.9346,35.0720 |32.9342,35.0721 |32.9333,35.0718 |32.9330,35.0715 |32.9330,35.0713 |32.9323,35.0709 |32.9322,35.0707 |32.9322,35.0708 |32.9318,35.0705 |32.9317,35.0707 |32.9314,35.0706 |32.9312,35.0704 |32.9312,35.0701 |32.9308,35.0699 |32.9304,35.0699 |32.9302,35.0697 |32.9300,35.0697 |32.9299,35.0696 |32.9295,35.0695 |32.9292,35.0692 |32.9289,35.0692 |32.9288,35.0693 |32.9286,35.0690 |32.9281,35.0689 |32.9281,35.0690 |32.9274,35.0690 |32.9271,35.0688 |32.9267,35.0687 |32.9264,35.0685 |32.9260,35.0685 |32.9260,35.0683 |32.9254,35.0683 |32.9249,35.0680 |32.9250,35.0679 |32.9250,35.0677 |32.9249,35.0676 |32.9247,35.0676 |32.9246,35.0678 |32.9243,35.0676 |32.9243,35.0675 |32.9242,35.0675 |32.9242,35.0676 |32.9226,35.0671 |32.9226,35.0670 |32.9225,35.0669 |32.9225,35.0670 |32.9209,35.0665 |32.9209,35.0661 |32.9205,35.0656 |32.9204,35.0656 |32.9203,35.0654 |32.9201,35.0654 |32.9200,35.0654 |32.9200,35.0653 |32.9199,35.0653 |32.9198,35.0655 |32.9198,35.0654 |32.9195,35.0656 |32.9194,35.0657 |32.9194,35.0658}} The Old City is very small, and easily walked across. It is also within walking distance of the train and bus stations. For the Bahai holy site, though, you will likely want to take a taxi or bus (271 as it continues north of Akko toward Nahariah). ==See== ===Historic sites=== Many historic sites require an entrance fee. There is a combined (adult) ticket for all sights (mostly Citadel, Knights Hall and Templar Tunnel) for ₪62 including the Turkish bath and ₪40 without it available. Students, disabled people or children pay between 20-40% less. * {{see | name=The city wall | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.919181 | long=35.066706 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12407333 | content=The wall is picturesque and fun to walk along, especially the part bordering the sea. In 1750, Daher El-Omar, the ruler of Acre, utilized the remnants of the Crusader walls as a foundation for his walls. Two gates were set in the wall, the "land gate" in the eastern wall, and the "sea gate" in the southern wall. In 1912 the Acre lighthouse was built on the south-western corner of the walls. }} * {{see | name=Hall of the Crusader Knights | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.923678 | long=35.069461 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪37 | wikidata=Q7002911 | content=Under the citadel and prison of Acre, archaeological excavations revealed a complex of halls, which was built and used by the Hospitallers Knights. This complex was a part of the Hospitallers' citadel, which was combined in the northern wall of Acre. The complex includes six semi-joined halls, one large hall, a dungeon, a dining room and remains of an ancient Gothic church. Medieval European remains include the Church of Saint George and adjacent houses at the Genovese Square . There were also residential quarters and marketplaces run by merchants from Pisa and Amalfi in Crusader and medieval Acre. }} * {{see | name=Tunnel of the Templars | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.91996 | long=35.06673 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪15 | wikidata=Q12248757 | content=An underground tunnel carved in stone by the Templar Crusaders to connect their fortress on the west side of Akko to the port on the east side. Discovered in 1994, it has been restored and you can walk through it. The location shown on the map here is the western entrance. }} * {{see | name=The Pisan Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.91914 | long=35.06803 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=16-7600-000 עכו-חלק שהיה בחומה.JPG | wikidata=Q56378959 | content=No longer active, you can see the remains of a port here. The adjacent area was populated by Pisans during the Crusader area. The remains are not too exciting, but you'll see them as part of a walk along the city wall. }} * {{see | name=Khan el Umdan | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.919925 | long=35.069047 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Khan al-Umdan | image=Akko BW 13.JPG | wikidata=Q2916032 | content=Old Akko has several large khans (an inn enclosing a courtyard, used by caravans for accommodation) which once served the camel caravans bringing in grain from the hinterland. The grandest is the Khan al-Umdan. Its name means 'Inn of the Pillars', and it was built by Al-Jazzar in 1785. The pillars that give the khan its name were looted from the Caesarea ruins. It is a two-story structure and the ground floor would have housed the animals, while their merchant owners would have slept upstairs. }} * {{see | name=Hammam al-Basha | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.922871 | long=35.069324 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪25 | wikidata=Q2944403 | content=Built in 1795 by Jezzar Pasha, Acre's hammam has a series of hot rooms and a hexagonal steam room with a marble fountain. It was used by the Irgun as a bridge to break into the citadel's prison. The bathhouse kept functioning until 1950. Now it is a museum with a humorous retelling of Akko's history and the bathhouse experience. }} * {{see | name=Tel Akko | alt=Napoleon's Hill | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.921111 | long=35.088333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12412094 | content=Site of the ancient city of Akko, until the Hellenistic period. Later on, Napoleon used the hill as a lookout point while besieging Akko. Now, there are walking trails around the hill, and it has a nice view in all directions. }} ===Holy sites=== * {{see | name=The Shrine of Baha'u'llah | alt= | url=http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/akko/ | email= | address= | lat=32.943333 | long=35.092222 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh | image=Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.jpg | wikidata=Q187499 | content=The holiest place for the Baha'is; they face towards here for their daily prayers and are buried with their feet pointing here. The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh is composed of a central room that has a small garden at its centre, which has trees growing in it and there are layers of carpets around the walls. In the right hand corner of the central room there is a small room where Bahá'u'lláh's remains are laid to rest. }} * {{see | name=Ramchal synagogue | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.92131 | long=35.06890 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11836530 | content=A synagogue used by the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, a 1700s kabbalist) }} * {{see | name=Or Torah | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.924438 | long=35.076808 | directions= | phone=+972 50-682-2781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Or Torah Synagogue | image=Tunisian synagogue.JPG | wikidata=Q2742978 | content=A Tunisian synagogue, a meticulously handcrafted spectacle of stained glass and tile mosaic entirely unique to Akko. }} * {{see | name=Great Mosque of al-Jezzar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.922706 | long=35.070314 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=El-Jazzar Mosque | image=Akko Mosque.jpg | wikidata=Q2855200 | content=Built in 1781, it is one of the largest mosques in Israel. Jezzar Pasha and his successor Suleiman Pasha are buried in a small graveyard adjacent to the mosque. In a shrine on the second level of the mosque, a single hair from the prophet Mohammed's beard is kept and shown on special ceremonial occasions. }} ===Other sites=== * {{see | name=Akko port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.9194 | long=35.0697 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2985605 | content=Interesting to walk around here for a few minutes, see the boats, and maybe take one. }} * {{see | name=The market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.92118 | long=35.06930 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=An urban market, best known as place to buy fish. The market spreads along Marco Polo, Binyamin Metudela, and Fakhr-al-Din streets. }} * {{see | name=Oukashi Art Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.9231 | long=35.07 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Okashi.jpg | wikidata=Q2742971 | content=Around the corner from the Hamman al-Pasha is a gallery devoted to the works of Avshalom Okashi (1916-80), an influential Israeli painter and a resident of Akko for the last half of his life. }} * {{see | name=Akko botanical garden | alt= | url=http://www.akko.muni.il/?CategoryID=1345 | email= | address= | lat=32.94241 | long=35.08424 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su-Th 15:00-21:00, F 14:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-20:00, closed when raining | price= | lastedit=2018-04-09 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Akko Walls & Church.jpg|thumb|Akko walls and church]] * Take a boat ride around the walls of the old city. * Relax on the beach north of the old city. ==Buy== ==Eat== You can find delicious hummus throughout Akko, and baklava in the old bazaar. One of the best hummus you can eat in Israel is at "Hummus Sa'id" in the Old City, but don't be too late - as soon as the hummus is finished the restaurant closes, usually at about 13:00-14:00. Akko is famous for its fish restaurants serving regional (Middle Eastern and Mediterranean) side dishes. Some of the best are located in the port area, Donyana and Abu Khristo are popular for those seeking a great meal in a great location overlooking the sea. Farther north is a local branch of the renowned Arab restaurant El-Babur, spacious and elegant (for its moderate prices) with an up-close view of the sea. The restaurants along the beach area are very good, even though some of them may be expensive. In Salah ad Din Street there is a small bakery with classic Arab sweet pastries featuring honey and nuts. If you are looking for an upscale menu, just north of the lighthouse on the coast promenade (Hahagana Street) is Uri-Buri, named for its chef and rated one of Israel's Top Ten seafood restaurants. Next to it with a similar menu is Beit Maha that is also a great coffee bar. A little far away from the crowds of the Old City is the locals favorite Gallery Simaan restaurant, located on Ben Ami street (no. 63). ==Drink== ==Sleep== Decent and at the same time inexpensive accommodation options are sparse in Akko. * {{sleep | name=Akko Gate Hostel | alt=Walid's Gate Hostel | url=http://www.akkogate.com | email= | address= | lat=32.922225 | long=35.072404 | directions= | phone=+972 4-991-0410 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Dorm bed from ₪76 | content=Dodgy hostel and owner indeed, but the experience is worthwhile, and very affordable. Backpackers roughing it up will enjoy a roof over their heads for such a low price. Accommodation is provided in a large dorm room with bunk and normal beds. The owner will not give you the price quoted on his website and will pretend the price of US$20 (as of Jan 2017) is actually not written there. Instead he will try to make you believe the higher price on Booking is the valid one. Make sure to agree on a price beforehand or just leave this place again. }} * {{sleep | name=Akkotel | url=http://www.akkotel.com | email= | address=Salahudin St. | lat=32.9221 | long=35.07278 | directions=Enter Old City on Weizman, continue to the left on Salah ad Din | phone=+972 4-9877100 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₪600 per night | checkin=15:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=A refurbished boutique hotel along the eastern wall of the old city. Uniquely designed rooms with high ceilings and hand made furniture, and eager-to-please innkeepers make it a great upscale option in Akko. }} * {{sleep | name=Palm Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.916285 | long=35.081009 | directions= on the beach close to the town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=11:00 | content= Situated on the coastal stretch of Israel. The Palm Beach is a unique combination of 127 modern rooms and suites with a health and sports club, a spa and superb conference facilities. The panoramic views of Haifa Bay and Akko are spectacular. Akko station is about 1 km from the hotel. }} ==Go next== * [[Haifa]] &ndash; The second-holiest city in the Bahai faith, including its great garden down the northern slope of the city. * [[Nazareth]] &ndash; The largest Arab city in Israel and best known as the boyhood home of Jesus of Nazareth. * [[Tiberias]] &ndash; A large Israeli town in the east and great starting point for the [[Sea of Galilee region|Sea of Galilee]] and [[Golan Heights]]. * [[Nahariyya]] &ndash; A beach town founded in 1934 by German Jews fleeing Nazi oppression. {{routebox | image1=ISR-HW-4.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Nahariyya]] | minorl1= | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Haifa]] | minorr1= | link1= | image2=IsraelTrainLogoSymbolOnly.svg|Alt=by Train | imagesize2=30 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Nahariyya]] | minorl2= | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Haifa]], [[Tel Aviv]], [[Ben Gurion International Airport]] | minorr2= | link2= }} {{outlinecity}} {{isPartOf|Western Galilee}} {{geo|32.926|35.084}} 0bxpw9dzrc2m52s8xt7f9m1qwwvr475 0 1075 4506448 4504787 2022-08-22T23:16:53Z DragonsBeathUP2 2274905 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Anadyr banner Ice road across Anadyrsky Liman.jpg}} [[File:Anadyr harbour3.jpg|thumb|300px|Anadyr viewed from the harbour.]] '''[http://www.anadyr.org/ Anadyr]''' ([[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]: Ана́дырь ''uh-NAH-dyhr'') is the capital city of [[Chukotka]] and the easternmost major town in [[Russia]]. ==Understand== The city's recent history is related to the name of the governor Abramovich, now deposed, and whose renovations have touched upon all aspects of city's life. Due to the colors of the houses the city bears the name of 'summer city'. The Fort was built in the middle of the 17th century by Russian explorer Semyon Dezhnev. The village of Novo-Mariinsk was founded by Grinevetsky at the mouth of the Kazachka river in 1889. Later it became the city of Anadyr. ==Get in== ===By plane=== There are regular flights from [[Moscow]] by UTAir, from [[Khabarovsk]] and [[Vladivostok]] by Vladavia and from [[Magadan]] by Yakutia. The flight to Moscow leaves daily, but the other ones are served once or twice a month. There is a Bering Air charter flight from [[Nome (Alaska)|Nome]], [[Alaska]]. There are also flights to [[Bilibino]], [[Pevek]] and [[Provideniya]]. Foreigners need at least an invitation paper from the tour agency. The airport's location is on the faraway coast from the city, so get ready for a long outdoor trip by bus and boat! The first leg takes 40 minutes by bus and the second leg is on board of a cutter, which departs every two hours. ===Overland=== It is reported that there is a road and ZIMNIK (Russian expression for road passable only during the winter when the rivers are frozen) connecting [[Omsukchan]] (settlement located by Kolyma river and reachable through [[Kolyma Highway|Kolyma highway]]). From Omsukchan is an ice road to Omolon and Bilibino, and from there head for Anadyr by the gravel road, however the road to Omolon and Bilibino is muddy in the summer. Please note that taking this way to get in Anadyr is strongly unrecommended as conditions of this path are even worse than those of the [[Kolyma Highway|Kolyma highway]] the route only contains 4 bridges, any other river crossing is by ford. If you just want to get to Anadyr the cheapest way, go there by plane and don't even think about getting in overland, but if you seek for a serious adventure this could be what you are looking for. If you decide taking this path, you should prepare well, since you will be dealing with one of the most unfriendly environments in the world. There is a serious chance of death by many factors such as bears, large uncivilized area, no hospitals, lack of food and fuel etc. It is also reported that there is no actual road for the last 100 km before you reach Anadyr, so you will have to navigate yourself by GPS and prepare your vehicle for a deep snow ride. ==Get around== {{mapframe|64.7352|177.5165|zoom=14}} It's a small city, but there are major and minor roads. There are no bridges across the river to the towns on the other side, but there is an ice road in the winter. ==See== To view Anadyr's landmarks will take couple of days, but to learn about it will need much longer. Enjoy Chukchi national dance to compare it with [[Kamchatka]]'s. * {{see | name=Holy Trinity Cathedral | alt=Троицкий собор | url= | email= | address= | lat=64.735623 | long=177.521532 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Built in 2005, this is one of the largest wooden Orthodox churches in the world. A fine example of the resurgence of religion in Russia. }} * {{see | name=Cathedral of Divine Transfiguration | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Chukotka Museum | alt= | url=http://www.chukotka-museum.ru | email= | address=ul. Lenina, 23 | lat=64.736403 | long=177.520427 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Monument to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=64.736383 | long=177.522470 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=First workers of Chukotka memorial | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=64.738729 | long=177.512981 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== [[Outdoor life]]. Winter is time for [[dog-sledding]]. Summer is good for [[hiking]] to mountains, [[fishing]] and rafting. Visiting remote villages of Chukchi and Eskimo peoples. ==Buy== [[File:Anadyr market.jpg|thumb|300px|Anadyr market]] Bone carvings. and animal furs. ==Eat== * {{eat|name=Antares|alt=|url=|email=|address=А, Ulitsa Otke, 22|lat=64.735000|long=177.512325|directions=Downtown area, towards the northern end of town|phone=+7 924 666-13-13|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-06-22|content=}} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Anadyr Hotel | alt=Гостиница Анадырь | url= | email= | address=ul. Otke 14 | lat=64.73381 | long=177.51719 | directions= | phone=+7 42722 -28130 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Yard | alt=Гостевой Двор | url= | email= | address=ul. Otke 24 | lat=64.73419 | long=177.51223 | directions= | phone=+7 42722 -28281 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From 800-1500 per night | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Chukotka | alt=Отель Чукотка | url= | email= | address=ul. Rultytegina 2b | lat=64.73500 | long=177.51637 | directions= | phone=+742722 -22661 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From {{RUB|5000}} per night | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Magadan]]''' is a medium-sized Russian city to the southeast. * [[Nome (Alaska)|'''Nome''']] is across the Bering Sea. {{IsPartOf|Chukotka}} {{geo|64.733333|177.5}} {{usablecity}} 01hu93lifrrgpcb9oo93nrrueg5sal6 0 1491 4506197 4479664 2022-08-22T12:25:36Z Yvwv 100394 /* Unusual buildings */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Rhine in Cologne banner.jpg|caption=Cologne, Germany}} '''Architecture''' is concerned with the design and construction of buildings. The architecture of a place is often a tourist attraction in its own right. Many buildings are quite beautiful to look at and the view from a tall building or from a cleverly-positioned window can be a beauty to behold. Architecture overlaps considerably with other fields including urban planning, civil engineering, decorative arts, interior design and landscape design. [[File:Stonehenge from north, August 2010, cropped.jpg|thumb|300px|Stonehenge]] Some of the finest examples of architecture are almost fractally interesting &mdash; there is something worth a look whatever scale you choose. From a meter away, the impressive thing about the [[Taj Mahal]] is the fine stone inlay work on many surfaces. At a few meters, the elegant shapes of various things draw the eye. Moving further back, one sees the building as a whole and the extensive gardens. To fully understand the Taj, one would need to look at the history of the [[Mughal Empire]] and the traditions of [[Islamic art]]. Someone looking at a [[Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright|Frank Lloyd Wright]] house might consider anything from what it would be like to cook in that kitchen to how the place fits into its neighbourhood. Many examples of fine architecture are on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. ==Understand== {{quote|We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.|author=Winston Churchill}} Historic buildings often tell their own story and provide a place with a heritage that asks the visitor to find out more. While architecture used to be limited by the styles and tastes of the area it was built in and even more the locally available material, the widespread adoption of concrete, glass and steel as well as an international exchange of architectural ideas have led to a new "global" style that is loved and hated in almost equal measure. ===Urban planning=== Large-scale urban planning has existed since ancient times; the [[Roman Empire]] and [[Imperial China]] practised it extensively and [[Ancient Egypt]] had pre-planned settlements built to strict specs. [[Priene]] in [[Ancient Greece]] has been called the first orthogonal-grid planned city, about 350 BCE, though [[Mohenjo-daro]] in what is now Pakistan had a grid, and the world's first municipal sewer system, about 2600 BCE. However, most settlements grew organically with little or no planning apparent to the modern observer (see [[old towns]]); cities in [[Medieval Europe]] were usually dominated by [[fortifications]] or religious buildings. This in turn led to road networks that had to follow (usually round) city walls and further considerations for the river that flowed to most cities. Still, there were some "zoning" regulations, as smelly and flammable industries such as tanners and metal smelters had to stay outside the city walls and downwind from the city, and the executioner and other "unclean" jobs likewise having to live outside the city walls. Many colonial settlements have a rectangular grid emerging from a central plaza and a main street. There are examples all over the Americas, and in other colonies such as [[Macau]] or almost any [[Philippine]] town. Often the central plaza will have a historic church or in the more important cities, a cathedral. In many places, planned colonial development took place next to an existing older city; [[New Delhi]] outside the ancient city of Delhi, the International Settlement in Shanghai next to the [[Shanghai/Old_City|old Chinese city]], and so on. Many capital cities were built specifically to play that role and were carefully planned, often by famous architects: * [[Washington, D.C.]], designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant in the 1790s. L'Enfant was a French military engineer who had worked with George Washington during the [[American Revolution]]. * [[Canberra]] was built starting in 1913 to serve as [[Australia]]'s capital. The husband-wife team of American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin won an international design contest to become the planners. They moved to Australia to help supervise construction. * [[Chandigarh]] was built after India achieved independence in 1947, and serves as the capital of two states, [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]]. [[Le Corbusier]] is generally credited for the design, though several other architects played important roles. * [[Brasília]] was built from scratch, starting in 1956, to serve as the capital of [[Brazil]]; Lúcio Costa was the master planner. * [[Islamabad]] was built from scratch to be the capital of [[Pakistan]], succeeding [[Rawalpindi]] in that role in 1967. * [[Abuja]] was purpose-built to be the capital of [[Nigeria]], taking over that role from its largest city [[Lagos]] in 1991. * [[Naypyidaw]] was built from scratch to be the capital of [[Myanmar]], succeeding the former capital [[Yangon]] in that role in 2005. * Nusantara in [[East Kalimantan]] is being built from scratch to succeed [[Jakarta]] as the capital of [[Indonesia]]. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2024. In the 19th century, [[steam power]] brought industrialization and railroads, which required large-scale city plans. In the 20th century, public transportation and the automobile allowed for suburban planning. Many suburbs or satellite towns are entirely or partly planned communities. Examples include: * [[Milton Keynes]], north of London * [[Kanata]]. Ottawa is surrounded by a Green Belt where almost no development is allowed. This was the first and most successful new town just outside that belt. Some planned areas are enclaves within larger and perhaps more chaotic cities. For example, in [[Metro Manila]] a rather large swath of land in a good location became available when an American air base was shut down. It became [[Bonifacio Global City]] which has a lot of upmarket residential, office and commercial development. Today it is the country's main hub for hi-tech; there are many call centers and several large international tech companies have their main Philippine office there. [[Image:Shanghai - Pudong - Lujiazui.jpg|thumb|Central Pudong]] Then there are things like the transformation of [[Pudong]] in Shanghai. Undeveloped, suburban, mostly residential and industrial but partly agricultural in 1990, within a decade it became a major business and finance hub with many new buildings. Today it has more skyscrapers than New York City including four over 400&nbsp;m (1320&nbsp;ft, a quarter mile). [https://www.bricoleurbanism.org/beautiful-urban-moments/lujiazui-and-the-pudong-miracle-20-years-of-transformation/ This site] has stunning photos showing the contrast, and an interesting critique of the urban design. Other Chinese [[special economic zones]] have also undergone rapid development, much of it planned. In 1978, [[Shenzhen]] (next to [[Hong Kong]]) and [[Zhuhai]] (next to [[Macau]]) were groups of fishing villages, with a population of a few hundred thousand each; in a few years, both were bustling modern cities. In 2021, Shenzhen's population is about 12.5 million and Zhuhai is approaching two million; both are still growing. Other countries also have rapid development in areas where their governments promote it. The fate of virtually all cities laid out according to some "master plan" is that they eventually deviate from that plan. Either because the city grows beyond the "end of the map" of that original plan (in the case of medieval European cities - growing beyond the erstwhile city walls) or, more controversially, because the plan and the needs of residents clash. Especially in the case of 19th and 20th century ideologically driven planned cities, it soon became apparent that they might look nice on a map or serve the ideas of the planners (or their bosses) but were terrible at being cities for everyday people to live in. So the master plan and the needs of the people (or sometimes geographical factors) are in conflict and often give rise to more or less workable "compromises" between the two. ==Buildings by purpose== ===Religious buildings=== {{Seealso|Religion and spirituality}} Cathedrals, temples and other places of worship have, until modern times, been among the most notable and longest lasting forms of architecture, usually dominating their city or village. Some buildings have been centers of worship for two or more religions. [[File:Hagia Sophia Mars 2013.jpg|thumb|300px|Hagia Sophia]] * '''Hagia Sophia''' was built as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Constantinople in 537&nbsp;CE, during the late stages of the [[Roman Empire]], and it served as an Orthodox church for centuries. Crusaders turned it into a Roman Catholic church, but that lasted only 1204-1261. When the [[Ottoman Empire]] took over in the 1450s, the city became [[Istanbul]], and the church was converted to a mosque. It was a museum for nearly a century from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's takeover until Erdoğan's 2020 decision to make it a mosque again. Some frescoes that date back to its time as a church were uncovered during restoration works during its time as a museum, and can be seen today; these are usually covered up with curtains during prayer times. * The '''Great Umayyad Mosque of [[Damascus]]''', the first monumental mosque in history, started out as a local deity's shrine rebuilt as a Roman temple of Jupiter, which became a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist housing his relics (to this day, they're still there, inside a gilded marble shrine). Its overhaul into the Umayyad monument, from 706 to 715 AD, is reported to have employed 200 skilled Byzantine decoration craftsmen, architects, stonemasons and mosaicists, sent by emperor Justinian II at the personal request of Umayyad caliph al-Walid. * The '''Mosque–Cathedral of [[Córdoba (Spain)|Córdoba]]''' was built as a mosque under the rule of the [[Islamic Golden Age|Umayyad Caliphate]] in A.D. 786. Following the ''Reconquista'' by the Kingdom of Castille, the mosque was converted into a Roman Catholic cathedral by the victorious Catholic monarch in 1236, and its minaret was converted to a bell tower. Nevertheless, many architectural elements dating back to its time as a mosque survive, including the former ''mihrab'', the niche in the wall that indicates the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. ====Christian buildings==== : ''See also [[Christianity]], [[Gothic architecture]], [[Longobard sites]], [[Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region]]'' [[File:Gothic-Reims-Cathedral-001.jpg|thumb|300px|Reims Cathedral]] Perhaps the most well known architectural styles for churches are "Gothic" and the subsequent Renaissance style. Many Gothic cathedrals took generations or even centuries to build. The Cologne Cathedral for instance was started in the Middle Ages and not finished until the 19th century and today work to conserve and restore dilapidated parts is again ongoing. *'''Basilique de Saint-Denis''' [[Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)|north of Paris]] *'''Cathedrals of [[Reims]] and [[Chartres]]''' Prior to the Gothic style the Romanesque style was prevalent in much of Europe. This style is distinguished by its thick walls and heavy round arches that sharply contrast with the more filigrane pointy arches of the Gothic style. While "Gothic" was invented as a slur by opponents of the style, a revival occurred in the nineteenth century and even many US cities now have Gothic houses of worship. In areas where stone of an appropriate quality was hard or impossible to come by a unique "Brick Gothic" style developed that is especially prevalent in Northern Germany and other areas of the former [[Hanseatic League]]. One of the most notable ensembles of buildings of that style is found in [[Lübeck]]. Many areas that were colonized by European powers, especially the Catholic powers, also have fine cathedrals. One of [[Macau]]'s best-known sights is the ruins of a cathedral, the [[Philippines]] has several, and there are examples all over [[Latin America]]. ====Islamic buildings==== [[File:Taj Mahal, Agra, India.jpg|thumb|300px|Taj Mahal]] : ''See also [[Islam]]'' *'''Masjid al-Haram''' in [[Mecca]], the place all Muslims face toward during prayer and the main destination for the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage *'''Dome of the Rock/Masjid Al Sakhrah''' in [[Jerusalem]] * The ancient [[Silk Road]] ran through mainly Muslim territory and there are fine mosques all along it. * The many mosques built in the [[Indian subcontinent]] under the [[Mughal Empire]] * The Mughal masterpiece, the [[Taj Mahal]], which is both a tomb and a mosque ====Buildings of South Asian religions==== [[File:Angkor_Wat_W-Seite.jpg|thumb|300px|Angkor Wat]] {{seealso|Buddhism|Hinduism|Sacred sites of the Indian sub-continent}} *'''[[Angkor Archaeological Park|Angkor Wat]]''', originally a temple of the Hindu god Vishnu *'''[[Borobudur]]''', a Buddhist stupa and temple complex in [[Central Java]], [[Indonesia]] dating from the 8th century, one of world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on Earth. *[[Bodh Gaya]], Bihar State, [[India]] - the site where Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment. *The Great Stupa of '''Bodhnath''', [[Kathmandu]] - the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal. ====Buildings of other religions==== * The many pagan temples of [[Ancient Greece]] and the [[Roman Empire]] * Manichaeism started around 250 CE in Persia and at its peak around 500 was quite widespread, but it was gone by around 1400. The only surviving temple is in [[Jinjiang#See|jinjiang]], a suburb of [[Quanzhou]]. Quanzhou was one of the great ports of the [[Maritime Silk Road]] and has many other [[Quanzhou#Religious_structures|religious structures]]. * The [[Maya civilization|Maya]] and other civilisations in [[Central America]] such as the Aztecs built many temples * [[Machu Picchu]] and other sites in [[Peru]] have Incan temples <!--any interesting synagogues?--> ===Civic buildings=== [[File:Big_Ben_%2B_Parlamento_(1880081856).jpg|thumb|300px|Parliament, [[London]]]] There are a large number of buildings for civic or governmental purposes. These include: * '''Seats of government''' in the case of (former) "merchant Republics" like the members of the [[Hanseatic League]] even (former) seats of municipal government can be impressive as they were designed to show off wealth * [[Legislative buildings]] * Buildings for the legal system, including courthouses and prisons; see [[history of justice]] * In general anything representing a country or city can be designed to make an architectural statement; sometimes a (building near a) [[border crossing]] will be more opulent and impressive than strictly necessary for its utilitarian purposes; court buildings will often be adorned with statues of Iustitia, the Roman goddess/representation of justice and may be intended as "palaces of justice" * [[Fortifications]] and other [[military tourism|military buildings]] * [[Grand houses]], [[castles]] and other leaders' residences; see also [[monarchies]] * [[Museums|Museum buildings]] can be interesting artifacts in their own right * [[Official residences]] of the heads of state ===Industrial buildings=== {{seealso|Industrial tourism}} While specialized manufacturing has been going on since the dawn of mankind, it was the Industrial Revolution from the 18th century that made industrial buildings dominate their surroundings. While industrial buildings tend to be shaped by their function, some of them are marvels of architecture. ===Transport infrastructure=== [[File:Metro moscow.jpg|thumb|The Metro in [[Moscow]]]] Railway stations of the 19th century have been likened to cathedrals and some historians argue that the rising bourgeoisie built them as architectural statements for the ages similar to how medieval cities built cathedrals. There is a dearth of architecturally remarkable stations during the 20th century, but the 21st century has seen a number of impressive representative buildings for new or improved transportation services. * '''Transportation centers''' such as railway stations and airports; in some cases even something as seemingly commonplace as a [[public transport]] station has been designed as an architectural statement. See also [[travel for rail enthusiasts]] and [[urban rail adventures]]. ** Many newer '''airport terminal buildings''' are designed by celebrity architects to be aesthetically pleasing, and are often worth making the trip to have a look even if you are not flying. Some notable examples include Terminal 4 of [[Madrid-Barajas Airport]], Terminal 3 of [[Beijing Capital International Airport]], and both terminal buildings of [[Incheon International Airport]]. * Urban rail systems often have stations designed in various eras according to the style then ''en vogue''. The [[Paris]] Metro is particularly noteworthy for its station design, but the Berlin U-Bahn, with "house architect" Alfred Grenander (who was actually Swedish and died in 1931), has a few impressive stations as well, and after a period of budget dictating design choices, is again taking aesthetic considerations into account for the new stations of U5. [[Washington DC]] Metro is widely considered the most beautiful example of Brutalism, and even people who otherwise despise that style acknowledge its aesthetic value there. [[Moscow]], [[London]], and [[Stockholm]] also have stations with significant architectural merit both above and below ground. ===Memorials=== Around the world, commemorative structures are amongst the most notable tourist attractions. They can be well-known feats of [[visual arts]]. They usually reflect the values of the patron and the artist no less than the commemorated person or event. Many were erected as propaganda pieces, to consolidate a ruler's cult of personality or a government's worldview, religion or ideology. Some of them become controversial over time. For example: * Tombs ** The burial mounds of some prehistoric groups; see [[archaeology]] ** Egyptian pyramids, and later Egyptian tombs in the Valley of the Kings ** Chinese tombs, including the first Qin Emperor's tomb with the [[Terracotta Warriors]] ** The '''Taj Mahal''' in [[Agra]], tomb of an Emperor's wife * Many capital cities around the world have a War Memorial or a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ==Periods and styles== Many architectural periods are constructed by posterity, and some architects and buildings can be difficult to periodize. Many architectural styles have experienced ''revivalism'', becoming widespread during some decades, long after its heyday. ===Ancient buildings=== {{Seealso|Archaeological sites|Seven Wonders of the Ancient World}} [[File:Pont_du_gard_v1_082005.JPG|thumb|300px|Pont du Gard]] *'''[[Stonehenge]]''' *'''[[Pyramids]]''' in many places, most notably the great Egyptian pyramids at [[Cairo/Giza|Giza]] *The [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] temples of '''Karnak''', '''Luxor''' (in the [[Luxor|eponymous city]]) and '''[[Abu Simbel]]''' *The '''Parthenon''' in [[Athens/Acropolis|Athens]] *The '''[[Great Wall of China]]''' * Remnants of the [[Roman Empire]] throughout Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Architectural feats of the Roman Empire remain impressive for their longevity if nothing else. Many feats of civil engineering were only reached again in the industrial revolution surpassed in the 19th century or even later. The Romans used concrete and built bridges and dug tunnels that stood the test of time. Later generations even mistook those accomplishments for superhuman feats, as seen in names like "Devil's Wall" for the Limes Sarmatiae in [[Budapest]]. Some of the most notable sites are: :: The '''Pantheon''' in [[Rome/Old Rome|Rome]] - best preserved Roman temple anywhere, oldest important building in the world with its original roof intact - a dome with a revolutionary design for its time (which remains the record holder for the biggest unreinforced concrete dome in the world), probably designed by emperor Hadrian; widely claimed as THE ultimate architectural masterpiece of all time. :: The Pont Du Gard aqueduct near [[Nîmes]] :: Theaters at [[Orange (France)|Orange]] and [[Taormina]] :: Amphitheaters at [[Verona]], [[Pula]] and [[El Jem]] ===Styles since ancient times=== [[File:Boston_Avenue_Church_-_Fassade_1.jpg|thumb|Art Deco church in [[Tulsa]], Oklahoma]] * [[Islam#See|Islamic architecture]]; see also [[Islamic Golden Age]] * [[Gothic architecture]] of [[Medieval Europe]] * [[Renaissance architecture]] * [[Baroque architecture]] * [[Rococo architecture]] * [[Mughal_Empire#Mughal_architecture|Mughal architecture]] * [[Neoclassical architecture]] * [[Art Deco architecture]] * [[Modernist architecture]], a broad architectural movement launched in the early 20th century ** [[De Stijl]] (the style), a primarily Dutch minimalist movement ** [[Functionalist architecture in Finland‎]] ** [[Bauhaus]], a form-follows-function architectural school developed in Weimar Germany; due to exiles emigrating to the U.S, it later came to heavily influence the "international style" * [[Stalinist architecture]], based on Neoclassical architecture, with some influences from Art Deco and Bauhaus, popular in the [[Soviet Union]] and the rest of the Eastern Bloc up till the 1950s With the rise of the automobile, [[novelty architecture]] has been used as a means of roadside promotion. Examples would include restaurants shaped like oversized oranges or motels in which each room is a railway caboose or a concrete wigwam. In Latin America, Spanish architecture (which itself was considerably influenced by Arab styles during the Muslim rule over parts of Iberia) was adapted to local conditions and combined with native ideas to create the "colonial" style still evident in cities like [[Granada (Nicaragua)|Granada]] and [[León (Nicaragua)|León]], both in [[Nicaragua]]. Some styles like Art Deco attract tourists to visit. The town of [[Napier]], [[New Zealand]], is largely built in the Art Deco style after the town was rebuilt in the 1930s following an earthquake. The local historical society has capitalised on this and runs frequent walking tours around the buildings. ===Vernacular buildings=== Vernacular architecture includes homes and workplaces for common people. They tend to use local designs and materials. While these buildings had lower status than institutional buildings, they are today valuable artifacts which give an idea about pre-modern society. ==Well-known architects== There have been many famous architects over the centuries. We list some here in chronological order by date of birth. ===Imhotep=== [[File:Saqqara pyramid.jpg|thumb|The Step Pyramid]] The chancellor to the Egyptian Pharaoh Djoser (4th Dynasty, about 2600 BC) was probably the architect of Djoser's step pyramid at [[Saqqara]], as well as a physician and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis. Very little is known of Imhotep as a historical figure, but in the 3,000 years following his death, he was gradually glorified and deified. Imhotep's historicity is confirmed by two contemporary inscriptions made during his lifetime on the base or pedestal of one of Djoser's statues (Cairo JE 49889) and also by a graffito on the enclosure wall surrounding Sekhemkhet's unfinished step pyramid, which suggests that Imhotep outlived Djoser by a few years and went on to serve in the construction of Pharaoh Sekhemkhet's pyramid, which was abandoned due to this ruler's brief reign. ===Vitruvius=== Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (c. 80–70 BC – after c. 15 BC) was a Roman author, architect, civil and military engineer, known for his multi-volume work entitled ''De Architectura''. By his own description, he served as an artilleryman, probably as a senior officer of artillery, specialized in the construction of artillery war machines for sieges. His discussion of perfect proportion in architecture and the human body led to the famous Renaissance drawing by Leonardo da Vinci "The Vitruvian Man". He invented the idea that all buildings should have three attributes: ''firmitas, utilitas et venustas'', meaning: sheltering strength, utilitarian comfort, and aesthetic beauty. His principles were enshrined by the Romans, and "reborn" many centuries later, in the [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]]. ===Filippo Brunelleschi=== [[File:Florence Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Florence Cathedral]] A founding father of Renaissance architecture, he was an Italian architect and designer (1377 – 1446), now recognised to be the first modern engineer, planner, and sole construction supervisor, and most famous as the designer of the dome of the [[Florence]] Cathedral, a groundbreaking feat of engineering not accomplished since antiquity. He invented a new hoisting machine for raising the masonry needed for the dome, inspired by Roman machines used in the first century AD to build large structures such as the Pantheon and the Baths of Diocletian, described in Vitruvius' ''De Architectura''. Brunelleschi is also generally credited as the first person to describe a precise system of linear perspective. This revolutionised painting and opened the way for the naturalistic styles of Renaissance art. ===Mimar Sinan=== [[File:Selimiye_Mosque.JPG|thumb|Selimiye Mosque in Edirne]] "Sinan the Architect" (circa 1489 – 1588) was born the son of a stonemason, received a technical education and became a military engineer. He rose rapidly through the ranks, became first an officer and after that a Janissary commander. In his military career, he refined his architectural and engineering skills, becoming expert at constructing fortifications of all kinds, as well as military infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges and aqueducts. At about the age of fifty, he was appointed as chief royal architect for the [[Ottoman Empire]], applying the technical skills he had acquired in the army to the "creation of fine religious buildings" and civic structures of all kinds, remaining in this post for almost fifty years. Sinan is said to have constructed or supervised 476 buildings (196 of which still survive), according to the official list of his works, the most famous and masterly built of which are, first and foremost the Selimiye mosque in [[Edirne]], followed by the Imperial mosques and bathhouses in [[Istanbul]], [[Damascus]] and [[Sofia]]. He lies in a tomb of his own design, in the cemetery just outside the walls of the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Süleymaniye Mosque]], across a street named Mimar Sinan Caddesi, in his honour. ===Christopher Wren=== [[File:St_Pauls_aerial_(cropped).jpg|thumb|Saint Paul's]] Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) was a renaissance man, active in several fields of science and a Fellow of the Royal Society, but he is remembered mainly for his architecture. After the great fire devastated London in 1666, he and associates in his office were the main architects for the rebuilding. Among other things, they designed 52 churches in the [[London/City_of_London|City of London]] alone. His best-known building is Saint Paul's cathedral in the center of that area; its crypt contains his grave. There are many other Wren buildings, mainly in other parts of [[London]] but a few elsewhere in England and at least one in the US. The College of William and Mary in Virginia has a [[Williamsburg#See|Wren Building]]; Thomas Jefferson was a student there. ===Alfred Waterhouse=== [[File:Natural History Museum, London.jpg|thumb|right|The main entrance and flanking towers, Natural History Museum.]] Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) designed the Natural History Museum in London and several Grade II listed buildings in Manchester and Liverpool. One interesting aspect of his designs was his use of dual-purpose structures that both served required functions and acted as decorative visual elements. In the Natural History Museum, for example,the octagonal top storey of the towers contained the water tanks, and the four pinnacles surrounding the octagonal tower tops were the air intakes and exhaust vents for the museum's ventilation and heating system. ===Antoni Gaudí=== Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a [[Catalonia|Catalan]] architect who was the most famous exponent of the ''Modernisme'' architectural style that was in vogue in Catalonia during his lifetime. Many of his buildings in [[Barcelona]] have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the most famous examples being ''La Sagrada Família'' and ''Park Güell''. ===Frank Lloyd Wright=== {{seealso|Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright}} Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), during his career spanning more than 70 years, designed more than 1,000 buildings, about half of which were built. In 2019, eight of these buildings were listed as a [[world heritage site]] named '''The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright''' by UNESCO. Wright was one of the leading lights of the "prairie school" of American architects. Two others were the Griffins who designed the Australian capital, [[Canberra]]. <br clear="right" /> ===Le Corbusier=== [[File:Chandigarh High Court.jpg|thumb|300px|Chandigarh High Court]] The Swiss-French architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris (1887-1965) was better known under his artist name, Le Corbusier. Regarded as one of the fathers of modern architecture and urban planning, his buildings can today be seen in Europe, the Americas and Asia. His architecture and his views regarding how people should use his buildings remain controversial to this day and if you see his creations, you might get an idea why. Some works of this architect are the planned city of [[Chandigarh]], the Villa Savoye in Poissy outside Paris where he expressed his "five points of new architecture", the Immeuble Clarté in Geneva, the Centrosoyuz Building in Moscow, the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts in [[Cambridge (Massachusetts)]], four "Unité d'habitation" apartment buildings around Europe which later served as inspiration for Brutalist architecture and many "villas" in France and Switzerland including his own cabin on the French Riviera where he spent the last years of his life. In 2016, 17 of his creations were listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]] named "[[The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement]]". <br clear="right" /> ===Paul Williams=== [https://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/about/paul-revere-williams-architect/ Paul Revere Williams] (1894-1980) was an architect based in [[Los Angeles]] who designed over 2000 buildings in his career, including homes for Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, and Lon Chaney. He was black and had to overcome considerable prejudice to succeed. ===Oscar Niemeyer=== [[File:Museu Nacional, Brasilia 05 2007.jpg|thumb|300px|National Museum with the Cathedral on background, Brasília]] [[Brazil|Brazilian]] architect Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho (1907 – 2012) is considered one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture. Strongly influenced by Le Corbusier, Niemeyer is best known for his design of civic buildings for [[Brasília]], Brazil's planned capital city from 1960 on, and of [[Belo Horizonte]]'s Pampulha Architectural Complex, now a [[world heritage site]]. His collaboration with other architects on the United Nations Headquarters in [[New York City]] is widely praised as well. His exploration of the aesthetic possibilities of reinforced concrete was highly influential in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Both lauded and criticized for being a "sculptor of monuments", Niemeyer is held as a great artist, and one of the greatest architects of his generation, by his supporters, and accused of a highly criticizable architecture, functionally and budget-wise, by his detractors. <br clear="right" /> ===I.M. Pei=== [[File:Louvre_01.jpg|thumb|300px|Pyramid at the Louvre]] I.M. Pei (1917-2019) spent his early years in [[China]], but moved to the [[USA]] for university and lived there most of his life. He designed buildings in many places and was very much a modern architect, heavily influenced by the European Bahaus school. Pei designed a number of important public buildings including [[Dallas]] city hall, the National Center for Atmospheric Research in [[Boulder]], and the Kennedy Library and the John Hancock Tower in [[Boston]]. He has also done commercial buildings, notably the Bank of China tower in [[Hong Kong]]. Museums were a specialty; perhaps his best-known work is the controversial glass pyramid outside the Louvre in [[Paris]]. Other projects included the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in [[Washington, DC]], an extension of the German Historical Museum in [[Berlin]]. the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in [[Cleveland]], the Museum of Islamic Art in [[Doha#See|Doha]] and the [[Koka#Miho_Museum|Miho Museum]] near [[Kyoto]]. He came out of retirement in his 80s to design a museum for the Chinese city of [[Suzhou#Museums|Suzhou]] where his family were from. <br clear="right" /> ===Frank Gehry=== [[File:Air_space_exhibits_01.jpg|thumb|300px|California Science Center]] The Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry (1929-) is known for his Deconstructivist creations which include: * Guggenheim Museum in [[Bilbao]] * Dancing House in [[Prague]] * Art Gallery of Ontario in [[Toronto]] * MIT Ray and Maria Stata Center in [[Cambridge (Massachusetts)]] * Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown [[Los Angeles]] * the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies on the University of [[Cincinnati]] campus * New World Center in [[Miami Beach]] * Weisman Art Museum in [[Minneapolis]] * the California Science Center in Los Angeles. ===Meinhard von Gerkhan=== (Born 1935 in [[Riga]]) probably one of the best known contemporary German architects, his designs include the Berlin Tegel airport, the Tempodrom in Berlin, expansions to the Stuttgart and Hamburg airports, as well as the new Berlin ''Hauptbahnhof'' main rail station. However, von Gerkhan has sued Deutsche Bahn over differences between the way the main station looks now and his original design. Similarly, Tegel could probably be both more impressive and more efficient had Gerkan's original double hexagon design been built, instead of the single hexagon and numerous uninspired additions that now characterize the airport. The architecture company von Gerkhan founded, gmp<!--sic!--> (short for "Gerkhan Marg & Partner"), is still active globally and is particularly renowned for their sports stadium designs. ===Norman Foster=== Norman Foster (born 1935 in [[Stockport]]) is an English architect, one of the leading exponents of British modernist architecture. Prominent buildings designed by him include the HSBC Building and Terminal 1 of [[Hong Kong International Airport]] in [[Hong Kong]], and 30 St Mary Axe, nicknamed "the Gherkin", in [[London]]. ===Santiago Calatrava=== [[File:Ponte_della_Costituzione.JPG|thumb|300px|"Calatrava Bridge" over Venice's Grand Canal]] [[Valencia|Valencian]] architect, structural engineer, sculptor and painter Santiago Calatrava Valls (born 28 July 1951), early in his career, was largely dedicated to designing bridges and railway stations with a "neofuturistic" approach. He is most famous for the [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Communications Tower on the [[Barcelona/Sants-Montjuïc|Montjuïc]] hill, built for the 1992 Olympiad, and several avant-garde bridges: the Chords Bridge in [[Jerusalem]], the Alamillo Bridge in [[Seville]], the Ponte della Costituzione (more popularly the Calatrava bridge) over [[Venice]]'s Grand Canal, the Kronprinzenbrücke over the Spree river in [[Berlin]], the Campo Volantin Footbridge over Nervion river in [[Bilbao]] and several others. He is often criticized like other "starchitects" of his generation for the eye-watering cost of his creations with critics arguing that a less ambitious design made by a less famous architect would do the job just as well. <br clear="right" /> ==Record-holding structures== Building the tallest building in the world is every architect's dream (or perhaps nightmare) project, as it will eventually be topped by an even taller structure. See the [[Chicago skyline guide]] for information on the many tall buildings in [[Chicago]], the birthplace of the skyscraper. ===Tallest buildings=== The following buildings, all over 350 meters, were each at one time the tallest building in the world. # '''Burj Khalifa''', [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Downtown Dubai]], [[Dubai]], UAE (built 2010) 160 storeys {{m|828}} # '''Taipei 101''', [[Taipei/East District|Xinyi District]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan (built 2004) 101 storeys {{m|509}} # '''Petronas Towers''', [[Kuala Lumpur/Golden Triangle|Golden Triangle]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (built 1998) 88 storeys {{m|452}} # '''Sears Tower''', [[Chicago/Loop|the Loop]], [[Chicago]], [[USA]] (built 1974) 110 storeys {{m|442}} # '''Empire State Building''', [[Manhattan/Gramercy Flatiron|Midtown]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City|New York]], [[USA]] (built 1931) 102 storeys {{m|381}} This is the current (as of 2021) list of the ten tallest buildings in the world. The rankings depend on how exactly you define "tallest" and "building", so different sources give slightly different lists, but everyone agrees that the Burj Khalifa is the tallest by far. # '''Burj Khalifa''', [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Downtown Dubai]], [[Dubai]], UAE (built 2010) 160 storeys 828 m # '''Shanghai Tower''', [[Shanghai/Pudong|Pudong]], [[Shanghai]], China (built 2015) 128 storeys 632 m # '''Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower''', [[Mecca]], Saudi Arabia (built 2012) 120 storeys 601 m # '''Ping An Finance Centre''', [[Shenzhen/Center|Futian]], [[Shenzhen]], China (built 2017) 118 storeys 599 m # '''Lotte World Tower''', [[Seoul/Songpa|Songpa]], [[Seoul]], South Korea (built 2016) 123 storeys 554.5 m # '''One World Trade Center''', [[Manhattan/Financial District|Financial District]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]], United States (built 2014) 104 storeys 541.3 m # (tied) '''Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre''', [[Guangzhou/Tianhe|Tianhe District]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2016) 111 storeys 530 m # (tied) '''Tianjin CTF Finance Centre''', [[Tianjin]], China (under construction) 98 storeys 530 m # '''China Zun''', [[Beijing/Chaoyang|Chaoyang District]], [[Beijing]], China (under construction) 108 storeys 528 m # '''Taipei 101''', [[Taipei/East District|Xinyi District]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan (built 2004) 101 storeys 509 m The [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Marina]] area of [[Dubai]] had seven of the world's ten tallest residential buildings as of 2010. The number eight is considered lucky in much of East Asia and hence this number is often deliberately chosen for things like number of floors. ===Tallest towers=== [[File:Toronto_-_ON_-_Toronto_Harbourfront7.jpg|thumb|Toronto skyline with CN Tower]] These towers, all over 300 meters (about 1000 feet), were each at one time the tallest tower in the world. # '''Tokyo Skytree''', [[Tokyo/Sumida|Sumida]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 2012) 634 m # '''Canton Tower''', [[Guangzhou/Haizhu|Haizhu]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2010) 604 m # '''CN Tower''', [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts|Downtown Toronto]], Canada (built 1976) 553 m # '''Ostankino Tower''', [[Moscow/Outskirts|outskirts]] of [[Moscow]], Russia (built 1967) 540 m # '''Tokyo Tower''', [[Tokyo/Minato|Minato]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 1958) 333 meters # '''Eiffel Tower''', [[Paris/7th arrondissement|7th arrondissement]], [[Paris]], France (built 1889) 300 m when built, 324 m with TV antenna. This is the current (2018) list of the ten tallest towers in the world. # '''Tokyo Skytree''', [[Tokyo/Sumida|Sumida]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 2012) 634 m # '''Canton Tower''', [[Guangzhou/Haizhu|Haizhu]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2010) 604 m # '''CN Tower''', [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts|Downtown Toronto]], Canada (built 1976) 553 m # '''Ostankino Tower''', [[Moscow/Outskirts|outskirts]] of [[Moscow]], Russia (built 1967) 540 m # '''Oriental Pearl Tower''', [[Shanghai/Pudong|Pudong]], [[Shanghai]], China (built 1995) 468 m # '''Milad Tower''', [[Tehran]], Iran (built 2007) 435 m # '''KL Tower''', [[Kuala Lumpur/Golden Triangle|Golden Triangle]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (built 1994) 421 m # '''Tianjin Radio and Television Tower''', [[Tianjin]], China (built 1991) 415 m # '''Central Radio and TV Tower''', [[Beijing/Haidian|Haidian District]], [[Beijing]], China (built 1992) 405 m # '''Zhongyuan Tower''', [[Zhengzhou]], China (built 2011) 388 m '''Sky Tower''' in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]] (built 1997) at 328 m is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. In the USA and Poland there are some guyed radio masts that are taller than some of the items on this list. After the Burj Khalifa, the tallest construction built so far is the Warsaw radio mast near [[Gabin]]. === Other records === {{see also|Developmental records}} Of course, height is not the only way in which a building might be remarkable. Other records include: [[File:Hajj terminal.jpg|thumb|300px|Hajj terminal, Jeddah]] * '''Edificio Copan''' in [[São Paulo]] is "only" 38 stories, but it has 1160 apartments and is considered the world's largest residential building by floor area * Largest buildings by roof area: the two [[Hajj]] terminals at [[Jeddah]] airport, which each handle dozens of large aircraft carrying Muslim pilgrims. * Longest structure on Earth: the [[Great Wall of China]] is several thousand km. It is arguably not really all one structure, different parts having been built by different dynasties centuries apart, but even those parts are enormous. * Depending on how you define "structure" the great Dingo-fence that crosses Australia is even larger than the great wall of China Several industrial buildings are huge due to the nature of the work done there. Examples include: *The former Cargolifter hall in [[Brandenburg]], which has the biggest single span roof in the world and was designed to hold a Zeppelin that never was and now houses a tropical themed water amusement park *The ''Meyer Werft'' in Papenburg, [[Lower Saxony]] where cruise ships are built ([http://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/besucher/besichtigung_der_werft/besichtigung_der_werft.jsp tour possible]). It is by far the biggest dry dock and one of the biggest buildings in the world. *The Boeing factory in [[Everett (Washington)]], [[Washington state]] - the biggest man made structure by interior volume ==Unusual buildings== [[File:Gaobei_village_-_seen_from_S319_-_Chengqi_Lou_-_DSCF3176.JPG|thumb|300px|Fortified housing, Hakka tolou]] Some buildings are unique.... * The '''Leaning Tower of [[Pisa]]''' is often considered unusual, though a pagoda in [[Suzhou#Other_attractions|Suzhou]] has been called the "leaning tower of China" and there are other less famous leaning towers in various countries, including several elsewhere in Italy. * [[Prora]] on the Baltic Sea has a hotel for 20,000 workers on holiday, created by the Nazi regime in Germany, never used for its intended purpose, never completed, later used as barracks by the GDR, and now housing a museum as well as accommodation while being mostly empty * The [[Hakka Tulou]] of southern China are mostly-earth easily-defended buildings, home to entire clans of a few hundred people * The ''diaolou'' (castles) of [[Kaiping]] are fanciful houses built by overseas Chinese, mostly in the early 20th century <br clear="right" /> ==See also== * [[Ghost towns]] * [[Urbex]] {{PartOfTopic|Cultural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} nradcjvtpp9t0tl580q2q5f6o8e4k85 4506201 4506197 2022-08-22T12:34:55Z Yvwv 100394 /* Memorials */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Rhine in Cologne banner.jpg|caption=Cologne, Germany}} '''Architecture''' is concerned with the design and construction of buildings. The architecture of a place is often a tourist attraction in its own right. Many buildings are quite beautiful to look at and the view from a tall building or from a cleverly-positioned window can be a beauty to behold. Architecture overlaps considerably with other fields including urban planning, civil engineering, decorative arts, interior design and landscape design. [[File:Stonehenge from north, August 2010, cropped.jpg|thumb|300px|Stonehenge]] Some of the finest examples of architecture are almost fractally interesting &mdash; there is something worth a look whatever scale you choose. From a meter away, the impressive thing about the [[Taj Mahal]] is the fine stone inlay work on many surfaces. At a few meters, the elegant shapes of various things draw the eye. Moving further back, one sees the building as a whole and the extensive gardens. To fully understand the Taj, one would need to look at the history of the [[Mughal Empire]] and the traditions of [[Islamic art]]. Someone looking at a [[Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright|Frank Lloyd Wright]] house might consider anything from what it would be like to cook in that kitchen to how the place fits into its neighbourhood. Many examples of fine architecture are on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. ==Understand== {{quote|We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.|author=Winston Churchill}} Historic buildings often tell their own story and provide a place with a heritage that asks the visitor to find out more. While architecture used to be limited by the styles and tastes of the area it was built in and even more the locally available material, the widespread adoption of concrete, glass and steel as well as an international exchange of architectural ideas have led to a new "global" style that is loved and hated in almost equal measure. ===Urban planning=== Large-scale urban planning has existed since ancient times; the [[Roman Empire]] and [[Imperial China]] practised it extensively and [[Ancient Egypt]] had pre-planned settlements built to strict specs. [[Priene]] in [[Ancient Greece]] has been called the first orthogonal-grid planned city, about 350 BCE, though [[Mohenjo-daro]] in what is now Pakistan had a grid, and the world's first municipal sewer system, about 2600 BCE. However, most settlements grew organically with little or no planning apparent to the modern observer (see [[old towns]]); cities in [[Medieval Europe]] were usually dominated by [[fortifications]] or religious buildings. This in turn led to road networks that had to follow (usually round) city walls and further considerations for the river that flowed to most cities. Still, there were some "zoning" regulations, as smelly and flammable industries such as tanners and metal smelters had to stay outside the city walls and downwind from the city, and the executioner and other "unclean" jobs likewise having to live outside the city walls. Many colonial settlements have a rectangular grid emerging from a central plaza and a main street. There are examples all over the Americas, and in other colonies such as [[Macau]] or almost any [[Philippine]] town. Often the central plaza will have a historic church or in the more important cities, a cathedral. In many places, planned colonial development took place next to an existing older city; [[New Delhi]] outside the ancient city of Delhi, the International Settlement in Shanghai next to the [[Shanghai/Old_City|old Chinese city]], and so on. Many capital cities were built specifically to play that role and were carefully planned, often by famous architects: * [[Washington, D.C.]], designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant in the 1790s. L'Enfant was a French military engineer who had worked with George Washington during the [[American Revolution]]. * [[Canberra]] was built starting in 1913 to serve as [[Australia]]'s capital. The husband-wife team of American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin won an international design contest to become the planners. They moved to Australia to help supervise construction. * [[Chandigarh]] was built after India achieved independence in 1947, and serves as the capital of two states, [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]]. [[Le Corbusier]] is generally credited for the design, though several other architects played important roles. * [[Brasília]] was built from scratch, starting in 1956, to serve as the capital of [[Brazil]]; Lúcio Costa was the master planner. * [[Islamabad]] was built from scratch to be the capital of [[Pakistan]], succeeding [[Rawalpindi]] in that role in 1967. * [[Abuja]] was purpose-built to be the capital of [[Nigeria]], taking over that role from its largest city [[Lagos]] in 1991. * [[Naypyidaw]] was built from scratch to be the capital of [[Myanmar]], succeeding the former capital [[Yangon]] in that role in 2005. * Nusantara in [[East Kalimantan]] is being built from scratch to succeed [[Jakarta]] as the capital of [[Indonesia]]. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2024. In the 19th century, [[steam power]] brought industrialization and railroads, which required large-scale city plans. In the 20th century, public transportation and the automobile allowed for suburban planning. Many suburbs or satellite towns are entirely or partly planned communities. Examples include: * [[Milton Keynes]], north of London * [[Kanata]]. Ottawa is surrounded by a Green Belt where almost no development is allowed. This was the first and most successful new town just outside that belt. Some planned areas are enclaves within larger and perhaps more chaotic cities. For example, in [[Metro Manila]] a rather large swath of land in a good location became available when an American air base was shut down. It became [[Bonifacio Global City]] which has a lot of upmarket residential, office and commercial development. Today it is the country's main hub for hi-tech; there are many call centers and several large international tech companies have their main Philippine office there. [[Image:Shanghai - Pudong - Lujiazui.jpg|thumb|Central Pudong]] Then there are things like the transformation of [[Pudong]] in Shanghai. Undeveloped, suburban, mostly residential and industrial but partly agricultural in 1990, within a decade it became a major business and finance hub with many new buildings. Today it has more skyscrapers than New York City including four over 400&nbsp;m (1320&nbsp;ft, a quarter mile). [https://www.bricoleurbanism.org/beautiful-urban-moments/lujiazui-and-the-pudong-miracle-20-years-of-transformation/ This site] has stunning photos showing the contrast, and an interesting critique of the urban design. Other Chinese [[special economic zones]] have also undergone rapid development, much of it planned. In 1978, [[Shenzhen]] (next to [[Hong Kong]]) and [[Zhuhai]] (next to [[Macau]]) were groups of fishing villages, with a population of a few hundred thousand each; in a few years, both were bustling modern cities. In 2021, Shenzhen's population is about 12.5 million and Zhuhai is approaching two million; both are still growing. Other countries also have rapid development in areas where their governments promote it. The fate of virtually all cities laid out according to some "master plan" is that they eventually deviate from that plan. Either because the city grows beyond the "end of the map" of that original plan (in the case of medieval European cities - growing beyond the erstwhile city walls) or, more controversially, because the plan and the needs of residents clash. Especially in the case of 19th and 20th century ideologically driven planned cities, it soon became apparent that they might look nice on a map or serve the ideas of the planners (or their bosses) but were terrible at being cities for everyday people to live in. So the master plan and the needs of the people (or sometimes geographical factors) are in conflict and often give rise to more or less workable "compromises" between the two. ==Buildings by purpose== ===Religious buildings=== {{Seealso|Religion and spirituality}} Cathedrals, temples and other places of worship have, until modern times, been among the most notable and longest lasting forms of architecture, usually dominating their city or village. Some buildings have been centers of worship for two or more religions. [[File:Hagia Sophia Mars 2013.jpg|thumb|300px|Hagia Sophia]] * '''Hagia Sophia''' was built as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Constantinople in 537&nbsp;CE, during the late stages of the [[Roman Empire]], and it served as an Orthodox church for centuries. Crusaders turned it into a Roman Catholic church, but that lasted only 1204-1261. When the [[Ottoman Empire]] took over in the 1450s, the city became [[Istanbul]], and the church was converted to a mosque. It was a museum for nearly a century from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's takeover until Erdoğan's 2020 decision to make it a mosque again. Some frescoes that date back to its time as a church were uncovered during restoration works during its time as a museum, and can be seen today; these are usually covered up with curtains during prayer times. * The '''Great Umayyad Mosque of [[Damascus]]''', the first monumental mosque in history, started out as a local deity's shrine rebuilt as a Roman temple of Jupiter, which became a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist housing his relics (to this day, they're still there, inside a gilded marble shrine). Its overhaul into the Umayyad monument, from 706 to 715 AD, is reported to have employed 200 skilled Byzantine decoration craftsmen, architects, stonemasons and mosaicists, sent by emperor Justinian II at the personal request of Umayyad caliph al-Walid. * The '''Mosque–Cathedral of [[Córdoba (Spain)|Córdoba]]''' was built as a mosque under the rule of the [[Islamic Golden Age|Umayyad Caliphate]] in A.D. 786. Following the ''Reconquista'' by the Kingdom of Castille, the mosque was converted into a Roman Catholic cathedral by the victorious Catholic monarch in 1236, and its minaret was converted to a bell tower. Nevertheless, many architectural elements dating back to its time as a mosque survive, including the former ''mihrab'', the niche in the wall that indicates the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. ====Christian buildings==== : ''See also [[Christianity]], [[Gothic architecture]], [[Longobard sites]], [[Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region]]'' [[File:Gothic-Reims-Cathedral-001.jpg|thumb|300px|Reims Cathedral]] Perhaps the most well known architectural styles for churches are "Gothic" and the subsequent Renaissance style. Many Gothic cathedrals took generations or even centuries to build. The Cologne Cathedral for instance was started in the Middle Ages and not finished until the 19th century and today work to conserve and restore dilapidated parts is again ongoing. *'''Basilique de Saint-Denis''' [[Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)|north of Paris]] *'''Cathedrals of [[Reims]] and [[Chartres]]''' Prior to the Gothic style the Romanesque style was prevalent in much of Europe. This style is distinguished by its thick walls and heavy round arches that sharply contrast with the more filigrane pointy arches of the Gothic style. While "Gothic" was invented as a slur by opponents of the style, a revival occurred in the nineteenth century and even many US cities now have Gothic houses of worship. In areas where stone of an appropriate quality was hard or impossible to come by a unique "Brick Gothic" style developed that is especially prevalent in Northern Germany and other areas of the former [[Hanseatic League]]. One of the most notable ensembles of buildings of that style is found in [[Lübeck]]. Many areas that were colonized by European powers, especially the Catholic powers, also have fine cathedrals. One of [[Macau]]'s best-known sights is the ruins of a cathedral, the [[Philippines]] has several, and there are examples all over [[Latin America]]. ====Islamic buildings==== [[File:Taj Mahal, Agra, India.jpg|thumb|300px|Taj Mahal]] : ''See also [[Islam]]'' *'''Masjid al-Haram''' in [[Mecca]], the place all Muslims face toward during prayer and the main destination for the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage *'''Dome of the Rock/Masjid Al Sakhrah''' in [[Jerusalem]] * The ancient [[Silk Road]] ran through mainly Muslim territory and there are fine mosques all along it. * The many mosques built in the [[Indian subcontinent]] under the [[Mughal Empire]] * The Mughal masterpiece, the [[Taj Mahal]], which is both a tomb and a mosque ====Buildings of South Asian religions==== [[File:Angkor_Wat_W-Seite.jpg|thumb|300px|Angkor Wat]] {{seealso|Buddhism|Hinduism|Sacred sites of the Indian sub-continent}} *'''[[Angkor Archaeological Park|Angkor Wat]]''', originally a temple of the Hindu god Vishnu *'''[[Borobudur]]''', a Buddhist stupa and temple complex in [[Central Java]], [[Indonesia]] dating from the 8th century, one of world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on Earth. *[[Bodh Gaya]], Bihar State, [[India]] - the site where Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment. *The Great Stupa of '''Bodhnath''', [[Kathmandu]] - the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal. ====Buildings of other religions==== * The many pagan temples of [[Ancient Greece]] and the [[Roman Empire]] * Manichaeism started around 250 CE in Persia and at its peak around 500 was quite widespread, but it was gone by around 1400. The only surviving temple is in [[Jinjiang#See|jinjiang]], a suburb of [[Quanzhou]]. Quanzhou was one of the great ports of the [[Maritime Silk Road]] and has many other [[Quanzhou#Religious_structures|religious structures]]. * The [[Maya civilization|Maya]] and other civilisations in [[Central America]] such as the Aztecs built many temples * [[Machu Picchu]] and other sites in [[Peru]] have Incan temples <!--any interesting synagogues?--> ===Civic buildings=== [[File:Big_Ben_%2B_Parlamento_(1880081856).jpg|thumb|300px|Parliament, [[London]]]] There are a large number of buildings for civic or governmental purposes. These include: * '''Seats of government''' in the case of (former) "merchant Republics" like the members of the [[Hanseatic League]] even (former) seats of municipal government can be impressive as they were designed to show off wealth * [[Legislative buildings]] * Buildings for the legal system, including courthouses and prisons; see [[history of justice]] * In general anything representing a country or city can be designed to make an architectural statement; sometimes a (building near a) [[border crossing]] will be more opulent and impressive than strictly necessary for its utilitarian purposes; court buildings will often be adorned with statues of Iustitia, the Roman goddess/representation of justice and may be intended as "palaces of justice" * [[Fortifications]] and other [[military tourism|military buildings]] * [[Grand houses]], [[castles]] and other leaders' residences; see also [[monarchies]] * [[Museums|Museum buildings]] can be interesting artifacts in their own right * [[Official residences]] of the heads of state ===Industrial buildings=== {{seealso|Industrial tourism}} While specialized manufacturing has been going on since the dawn of mankind, it was the Industrial Revolution from the 18th century that made industrial buildings dominate their surroundings. While industrial buildings tend to be shaped by their function, some of them are marvels of architecture. ===Transport infrastructure=== [[File:Metro moscow.jpg|thumb|The Metro in [[Moscow]]]] Railway stations of the 19th century have been likened to cathedrals and some historians argue that the rising bourgeoisie built them as architectural statements for the ages similar to how medieval cities built cathedrals. There is a dearth of architecturally remarkable stations during the 20th century, but the 21st century has seen a number of impressive representative buildings for new or improved transportation services. * '''Transportation centers''' such as railway stations and airports; in some cases even something as seemingly commonplace as a [[public transport]] station has been designed as an architectural statement. See also [[travel for rail enthusiasts]] and [[urban rail adventures]]. ** Many newer '''airport terminal buildings''' are designed by celebrity architects to be aesthetically pleasing, and are often worth making the trip to have a look even if you are not flying. Some notable examples include Terminal 4 of [[Madrid-Barajas Airport]], Terminal 3 of [[Beijing Capital International Airport]], and both terminal buildings of [[Incheon International Airport]]. * Urban rail systems often have stations designed in various eras according to the style then ''en vogue''. The [[Paris]] Metro is particularly noteworthy for its station design, but the Berlin U-Bahn, with "house architect" Alfred Grenander (who was actually Swedish and died in 1931), has a few impressive stations as well, and after a period of budget dictating design choices, is again taking aesthetic considerations into account for the new stations of U5. [[Washington DC]] Metro is widely considered the most beautiful example of Brutalism, and even people who otherwise despise that style acknowledge its aesthetic value there. [[Moscow]], [[London]], and [[Stockholm]] also have stations with significant architectural merit both above and below ground. ===Memorials=== Around the world, commemorative structures are amongst the most notable tourist attractions. They can be well-known feats of [[visual arts]]. Monuments usually reflect the values of the patron and the artist no less than the commemorated person or event. Many were erected as propaganda pieces, to consolidate a ruler's cult of personality or a government's worldview, religion or ideology. Some of them become controversial over time, and a few have been moved or dismantled when posterity sees them as too provocative. For example: * Tombs ** The burial mounds of some prehistoric groups; see [[archaeology]] ** Egyptian pyramids, and later Egyptian tombs in the Valley of the Kings ** Chinese tombs, including the first Qin Emperor's tomb with the [[Terracotta Warriors]] ** The '''Taj Mahal''' in [[Agra]], tomb of an Emperor's wife * Military monuments; see [[military tourism]] ** Many capital cities around the world have a War Memorial or a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ** [[Spomeniks]] of Yugoslavia ==Periods and styles== Many architectural periods are constructed by posterity, and some architects and buildings can be difficult to periodize. Many architectural styles have experienced ''revivalism'', becoming widespread during some decades, long after its heyday. ===Ancient buildings=== {{Seealso|Archaeological sites|Seven Wonders of the Ancient World}} [[File:Pont_du_gard_v1_082005.JPG|thumb|300px|Pont du Gard]] *'''[[Stonehenge]]''' *'''[[Pyramids]]''' in many places, most notably the great Egyptian pyramids at [[Cairo/Giza|Giza]] *The [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] temples of '''Karnak''', '''Luxor''' (in the [[Luxor|eponymous city]]) and '''[[Abu Simbel]]''' *The '''Parthenon''' in [[Athens/Acropolis|Athens]] *The '''[[Great Wall of China]]''' * Remnants of the [[Roman Empire]] throughout Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Architectural feats of the Roman Empire remain impressive for their longevity if nothing else. Many feats of civil engineering were only reached again in the industrial revolution surpassed in the 19th century or even later. The Romans used concrete and built bridges and dug tunnels that stood the test of time. Later generations even mistook those accomplishments for superhuman feats, as seen in names like "Devil's Wall" for the Limes Sarmatiae in [[Budapest]]. Some of the most notable sites are: :: The '''Pantheon''' in [[Rome/Old Rome|Rome]] - best preserved Roman temple anywhere, oldest important building in the world with its original roof intact - a dome with a revolutionary design for its time (which remains the record holder for the biggest unreinforced concrete dome in the world), probably designed by emperor Hadrian; widely claimed as THE ultimate architectural masterpiece of all time. :: The Pont Du Gard aqueduct near [[Nîmes]] :: Theaters at [[Orange (France)|Orange]] and [[Taormina]] :: Amphitheaters at [[Verona]], [[Pula]] and [[El Jem]] ===Styles since ancient times=== [[File:Boston_Avenue_Church_-_Fassade_1.jpg|thumb|Art Deco church in [[Tulsa]], Oklahoma]] * [[Islam#See|Islamic architecture]]; see also [[Islamic Golden Age]] * [[Gothic architecture]] of [[Medieval Europe]] * [[Renaissance architecture]] * [[Baroque architecture]] * [[Rococo architecture]] * [[Mughal_Empire#Mughal_architecture|Mughal architecture]] * [[Neoclassical architecture]] * [[Art Deco architecture]] * [[Modernist architecture]], a broad architectural movement launched in the early 20th century ** [[De Stijl]] (the style), a primarily Dutch minimalist movement ** [[Functionalist architecture in Finland‎]] ** [[Bauhaus]], a form-follows-function architectural school developed in Weimar Germany; due to exiles emigrating to the U.S, it later came to heavily influence the "international style" * [[Stalinist architecture]], based on Neoclassical architecture, with some influences from Art Deco and Bauhaus, popular in the [[Soviet Union]] and the rest of the Eastern Bloc up till the 1950s With the rise of the automobile, [[novelty architecture]] has been used as a means of roadside promotion. Examples would include restaurants shaped like oversized oranges or motels in which each room is a railway caboose or a concrete wigwam. In Latin America, Spanish architecture (which itself was considerably influenced by Arab styles during the Muslim rule over parts of Iberia) was adapted to local conditions and combined with native ideas to create the "colonial" style still evident in cities like [[Granada (Nicaragua)|Granada]] and [[León (Nicaragua)|León]], both in [[Nicaragua]]. Some styles like Art Deco attract tourists to visit. The town of [[Napier]], [[New Zealand]], is largely built in the Art Deco style after the town was rebuilt in the 1930s following an earthquake. The local historical society has capitalised on this and runs frequent walking tours around the buildings. ===Vernacular buildings=== Vernacular architecture includes homes and workplaces for common people. They tend to use local designs and materials. While these buildings had lower status than institutional buildings, they are today valuable artifacts which give an idea about pre-modern society. ==Well-known architects== There have been many famous architects over the centuries. We list some here in chronological order by date of birth. ===Imhotep=== [[File:Saqqara pyramid.jpg|thumb|The Step Pyramid]] The chancellor to the Egyptian Pharaoh Djoser (4th Dynasty, about 2600 BC) was probably the architect of Djoser's step pyramid at [[Saqqara]], as well as a physician and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis. Very little is known of Imhotep as a historical figure, but in the 3,000 years following his death, he was gradually glorified and deified. Imhotep's historicity is confirmed by two contemporary inscriptions made during his lifetime on the base or pedestal of one of Djoser's statues (Cairo JE 49889) and also by a graffito on the enclosure wall surrounding Sekhemkhet's unfinished step pyramid, which suggests that Imhotep outlived Djoser by a few years and went on to serve in the construction of Pharaoh Sekhemkhet's pyramid, which was abandoned due to this ruler's brief reign. ===Vitruvius=== Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (c. 80–70 BC – after c. 15 BC) was a Roman author, architect, civil and military engineer, known for his multi-volume work entitled ''De Architectura''. By his own description, he served as an artilleryman, probably as a senior officer of artillery, specialized in the construction of artillery war machines for sieges. His discussion of perfect proportion in architecture and the human body led to the famous Renaissance drawing by Leonardo da Vinci "The Vitruvian Man". He invented the idea that all buildings should have three attributes: ''firmitas, utilitas et venustas'', meaning: sheltering strength, utilitarian comfort, and aesthetic beauty. His principles were enshrined by the Romans, and "reborn" many centuries later, in the [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]]. ===Filippo Brunelleschi=== [[File:Florence Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Florence Cathedral]] A founding father of Renaissance architecture, he was an Italian architect and designer (1377 – 1446), now recognised to be the first modern engineer, planner, and sole construction supervisor, and most famous as the designer of the dome of the [[Florence]] Cathedral, a groundbreaking feat of engineering not accomplished since antiquity. He invented a new hoisting machine for raising the masonry needed for the dome, inspired by Roman machines used in the first century AD to build large structures such as the Pantheon and the Baths of Diocletian, described in Vitruvius' ''De Architectura''. Brunelleschi is also generally credited as the first person to describe a precise system of linear perspective. This revolutionised painting and opened the way for the naturalistic styles of Renaissance art. ===Mimar Sinan=== [[File:Selimiye_Mosque.JPG|thumb|Selimiye Mosque in Edirne]] "Sinan the Architect" (circa 1489 – 1588) was born the son of a stonemason, received a technical education and became a military engineer. He rose rapidly through the ranks, became first an officer and after that a Janissary commander. In his military career, he refined his architectural and engineering skills, becoming expert at constructing fortifications of all kinds, as well as military infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges and aqueducts. At about the age of fifty, he was appointed as chief royal architect for the [[Ottoman Empire]], applying the technical skills he had acquired in the army to the "creation of fine religious buildings" and civic structures of all kinds, remaining in this post for almost fifty years. Sinan is said to have constructed or supervised 476 buildings (196 of which still survive), according to the official list of his works, the most famous and masterly built of which are, first and foremost the Selimiye mosque in [[Edirne]], followed by the Imperial mosques and bathhouses in [[Istanbul]], [[Damascus]] and [[Sofia]]. He lies in a tomb of his own design, in the cemetery just outside the walls of the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Süleymaniye Mosque]], across a street named Mimar Sinan Caddesi, in his honour. ===Christopher Wren=== [[File:St_Pauls_aerial_(cropped).jpg|thumb|Saint Paul's]] Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) was a renaissance man, active in several fields of science and a Fellow of the Royal Society, but he is remembered mainly for his architecture. After the great fire devastated London in 1666, he and associates in his office were the main architects for the rebuilding. Among other things, they designed 52 churches in the [[London/City_of_London|City of London]] alone. His best-known building is Saint Paul's cathedral in the center of that area; its crypt contains his grave. There are many other Wren buildings, mainly in other parts of [[London]] but a few elsewhere in England and at least one in the US. The College of William and Mary in Virginia has a [[Williamsburg#See|Wren Building]]; Thomas Jefferson was a student there. ===Alfred Waterhouse=== [[File:Natural History Museum, London.jpg|thumb|right|The main entrance and flanking towers, Natural History Museum.]] Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) designed the Natural History Museum in London and several Grade II listed buildings in Manchester and Liverpool. One interesting aspect of his designs was his use of dual-purpose structures that both served required functions and acted as decorative visual elements. In the Natural History Museum, for example,the octagonal top storey of the towers contained the water tanks, and the four pinnacles surrounding the octagonal tower tops were the air intakes and exhaust vents for the museum's ventilation and heating system. ===Antoni Gaudí=== Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a [[Catalonia|Catalan]] architect who was the most famous exponent of the ''Modernisme'' architectural style that was in vogue in Catalonia during his lifetime. Many of his buildings in [[Barcelona]] have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the most famous examples being ''La Sagrada Família'' and ''Park Güell''. ===Frank Lloyd Wright=== {{seealso|Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright}} Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), during his career spanning more than 70 years, designed more than 1,000 buildings, about half of which were built. In 2019, eight of these buildings were listed as a [[world heritage site]] named '''The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright''' by UNESCO. Wright was one of the leading lights of the "prairie school" of American architects. Two others were the Griffins who designed the Australian capital, [[Canberra]]. <br clear="right" /> ===Le Corbusier=== [[File:Chandigarh High Court.jpg|thumb|300px|Chandigarh High Court]] The Swiss-French architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris (1887-1965) was better known under his artist name, Le Corbusier. Regarded as one of the fathers of modern architecture and urban planning, his buildings can today be seen in Europe, the Americas and Asia. His architecture and his views regarding how people should use his buildings remain controversial to this day and if you see his creations, you might get an idea why. Some works of this architect are the planned city of [[Chandigarh]], the Villa Savoye in Poissy outside Paris where he expressed his "five points of new architecture", the Immeuble Clarté in Geneva, the Centrosoyuz Building in Moscow, the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts in [[Cambridge (Massachusetts)]], four "Unité d'habitation" apartment buildings around Europe which later served as inspiration for Brutalist architecture and many "villas" in France and Switzerland including his own cabin on the French Riviera where he spent the last years of his life. In 2016, 17 of his creations were listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]] named "[[The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement]]". <br clear="right" /> ===Paul Williams=== [https://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/about/paul-revere-williams-architect/ Paul Revere Williams] (1894-1980) was an architect based in [[Los Angeles]] who designed over 2000 buildings in his career, including homes for Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, and Lon Chaney. He was black and had to overcome considerable prejudice to succeed. ===Oscar Niemeyer=== [[File:Museu Nacional, Brasilia 05 2007.jpg|thumb|300px|National Museum with the Cathedral on background, Brasília]] [[Brazil|Brazilian]] architect Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho (1907 – 2012) is considered one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture. Strongly influenced by Le Corbusier, Niemeyer is best known for his design of civic buildings for [[Brasília]], Brazil's planned capital city from 1960 on, and of [[Belo Horizonte]]'s Pampulha Architectural Complex, now a [[world heritage site]]. His collaboration with other architects on the United Nations Headquarters in [[New York City]] is widely praised as well. His exploration of the aesthetic possibilities of reinforced concrete was highly influential in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Both lauded and criticized for being a "sculptor of monuments", Niemeyer is held as a great artist, and one of the greatest architects of his generation, by his supporters, and accused of a highly criticizable architecture, functionally and budget-wise, by his detractors. <br clear="right" /> ===I.M. Pei=== [[File:Louvre_01.jpg|thumb|300px|Pyramid at the Louvre]] I.M. Pei (1917-2019) spent his early years in [[China]], but moved to the [[USA]] for university and lived there most of his life. He designed buildings in many places and was very much a modern architect, heavily influenced by the European Bahaus school. Pei designed a number of important public buildings including [[Dallas]] city hall, the National Center for Atmospheric Research in [[Boulder]], and the Kennedy Library and the John Hancock Tower in [[Boston]]. He has also done commercial buildings, notably the Bank of China tower in [[Hong Kong]]. Museums were a specialty; perhaps his best-known work is the controversial glass pyramid outside the Louvre in [[Paris]]. Other projects included the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in [[Washington, DC]], an extension of the German Historical Museum in [[Berlin]]. the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in [[Cleveland]], the Museum of Islamic Art in [[Doha#See|Doha]] and the [[Koka#Miho_Museum|Miho Museum]] near [[Kyoto]]. He came out of retirement in his 80s to design a museum for the Chinese city of [[Suzhou#Museums|Suzhou]] where his family were from. <br clear="right" /> ===Frank Gehry=== [[File:Air_space_exhibits_01.jpg|thumb|300px|California Science Center]] The Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry (1929-) is known for his Deconstructivist creations which include: * Guggenheim Museum in [[Bilbao]] * Dancing House in [[Prague]] * Art Gallery of Ontario in [[Toronto]] * MIT Ray and Maria Stata Center in [[Cambridge (Massachusetts)]] * Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown [[Los Angeles]] * the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies on the University of [[Cincinnati]] campus * New World Center in [[Miami Beach]] * Weisman Art Museum in [[Minneapolis]] * the California Science Center in Los Angeles. ===Meinhard von Gerkhan=== (Born 1935 in [[Riga]]) probably one of the best known contemporary German architects, his designs include the Berlin Tegel airport, the Tempodrom in Berlin, expansions to the Stuttgart and Hamburg airports, as well as the new Berlin ''Hauptbahnhof'' main rail station. However, von Gerkhan has sued Deutsche Bahn over differences between the way the main station looks now and his original design. Similarly, Tegel could probably be both more impressive and more efficient had Gerkan's original double hexagon design been built, instead of the single hexagon and numerous uninspired additions that now characterize the airport. The architecture company von Gerkhan founded, gmp<!--sic!--> (short for "Gerkhan Marg & Partner"), is still active globally and is particularly renowned for their sports stadium designs. ===Norman Foster=== Norman Foster (born 1935 in [[Stockport]]) is an English architect, one of the leading exponents of British modernist architecture. Prominent buildings designed by him include the HSBC Building and Terminal 1 of [[Hong Kong International Airport]] in [[Hong Kong]], and 30 St Mary Axe, nicknamed "the Gherkin", in [[London]]. ===Santiago Calatrava=== [[File:Ponte_della_Costituzione.JPG|thumb|300px|"Calatrava Bridge" over Venice's Grand Canal]] [[Valencia|Valencian]] architect, structural engineer, sculptor and painter Santiago Calatrava Valls (born 28 July 1951), early in his career, was largely dedicated to designing bridges and railway stations with a "neofuturistic" approach. He is most famous for the [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Communications Tower on the [[Barcelona/Sants-Montjuïc|Montjuïc]] hill, built for the 1992 Olympiad, and several avant-garde bridges: the Chords Bridge in [[Jerusalem]], the Alamillo Bridge in [[Seville]], the Ponte della Costituzione (more popularly the Calatrava bridge) over [[Venice]]'s Grand Canal, the Kronprinzenbrücke over the Spree river in [[Berlin]], the Campo Volantin Footbridge over Nervion river in [[Bilbao]] and several others. He is often criticized like other "starchitects" of his generation for the eye-watering cost of his creations with critics arguing that a less ambitious design made by a less famous architect would do the job just as well. <br clear="right" /> ==Record-holding structures== Building the tallest building in the world is every architect's dream (or perhaps nightmare) project, as it will eventually be topped by an even taller structure. See the [[Chicago skyline guide]] for information on the many tall buildings in [[Chicago]], the birthplace of the skyscraper. ===Tallest buildings=== The following buildings, all over 350 meters, were each at one time the tallest building in the world. # '''Burj Khalifa''', [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Downtown Dubai]], [[Dubai]], UAE (built 2010) 160 storeys {{m|828}} # '''Taipei 101''', [[Taipei/East District|Xinyi District]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan (built 2004) 101 storeys {{m|509}} # '''Petronas Towers''', [[Kuala Lumpur/Golden Triangle|Golden Triangle]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (built 1998) 88 storeys {{m|452}} # '''Sears Tower''', [[Chicago/Loop|the Loop]], [[Chicago]], [[USA]] (built 1974) 110 storeys {{m|442}} # '''Empire State Building''', [[Manhattan/Gramercy Flatiron|Midtown]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City|New York]], [[USA]] (built 1931) 102 storeys {{m|381}} This is the current (as of 2021) list of the ten tallest buildings in the world. The rankings depend on how exactly you define "tallest" and "building", so different sources give slightly different lists, but everyone agrees that the Burj Khalifa is the tallest by far. # '''Burj Khalifa''', [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Downtown Dubai]], [[Dubai]], UAE (built 2010) 160 storeys 828 m # '''Shanghai Tower''', [[Shanghai/Pudong|Pudong]], [[Shanghai]], China (built 2015) 128 storeys 632 m # '''Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower''', [[Mecca]], Saudi Arabia (built 2012) 120 storeys 601 m # '''Ping An Finance Centre''', [[Shenzhen/Center|Futian]], [[Shenzhen]], China (built 2017) 118 storeys 599 m # '''Lotte World Tower''', [[Seoul/Songpa|Songpa]], [[Seoul]], South Korea (built 2016) 123 storeys 554.5 m # '''One World Trade Center''', [[Manhattan/Financial District|Financial District]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]], United States (built 2014) 104 storeys 541.3 m # (tied) '''Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre''', [[Guangzhou/Tianhe|Tianhe District]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2016) 111 storeys 530 m # (tied) '''Tianjin CTF Finance Centre''', [[Tianjin]], China (under construction) 98 storeys 530 m # '''China Zun''', [[Beijing/Chaoyang|Chaoyang District]], [[Beijing]], China (under construction) 108 storeys 528 m # '''Taipei 101''', [[Taipei/East District|Xinyi District]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan (built 2004) 101 storeys 509 m The [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Marina]] area of [[Dubai]] had seven of the world's ten tallest residential buildings as of 2010. The number eight is considered lucky in much of East Asia and hence this number is often deliberately chosen for things like number of floors. ===Tallest towers=== [[File:Toronto_-_ON_-_Toronto_Harbourfront7.jpg|thumb|Toronto skyline with CN Tower]] These towers, all over 300 meters (about 1000 feet), were each at one time the tallest tower in the world. # '''Tokyo Skytree''', [[Tokyo/Sumida|Sumida]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 2012) 634 m # '''Canton Tower''', [[Guangzhou/Haizhu|Haizhu]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2010) 604 m # '''CN Tower''', [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts|Downtown Toronto]], Canada (built 1976) 553 m # '''Ostankino Tower''', [[Moscow/Outskirts|outskirts]] of [[Moscow]], Russia (built 1967) 540 m # '''Tokyo Tower''', [[Tokyo/Minato|Minato]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 1958) 333 meters # '''Eiffel Tower''', [[Paris/7th arrondissement|7th arrondissement]], [[Paris]], France (built 1889) 300 m when built, 324 m with TV antenna. This is the current (2018) list of the ten tallest towers in the world. # '''Tokyo Skytree''', [[Tokyo/Sumida|Sumida]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 2012) 634 m # '''Canton Tower''', [[Guangzhou/Haizhu|Haizhu]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2010) 604 m # '''CN Tower''', [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts|Downtown Toronto]], Canada (built 1976) 553 m # '''Ostankino Tower''', [[Moscow/Outskirts|outskirts]] of [[Moscow]], Russia (built 1967) 540 m # '''Oriental Pearl Tower''', [[Shanghai/Pudong|Pudong]], [[Shanghai]], China (built 1995) 468 m # '''Milad Tower''', [[Tehran]], Iran (built 2007) 435 m # '''KL Tower''', [[Kuala Lumpur/Golden Triangle|Golden Triangle]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (built 1994) 421 m # '''Tianjin Radio and Television Tower''', [[Tianjin]], China (built 1991) 415 m # '''Central Radio and TV Tower''', [[Beijing/Haidian|Haidian District]], [[Beijing]], China (built 1992) 405 m # '''Zhongyuan Tower''', [[Zhengzhou]], China (built 2011) 388 m '''Sky Tower''' in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]] (built 1997) at 328 m is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. In the USA and Poland there are some guyed radio masts that are taller than some of the items on this list. After the Burj Khalifa, the tallest construction built so far is the Warsaw radio mast near [[Gabin]]. === Other records === {{see also|Developmental records}} Of course, height is not the only way in which a building might be remarkable. Other records include: [[File:Hajj terminal.jpg|thumb|300px|Hajj terminal, Jeddah]] * '''Edificio Copan''' in [[São Paulo]] is "only" 38 stories, but it has 1160 apartments and is considered the world's largest residential building by floor area * Largest buildings by roof area: the two [[Hajj]] terminals at [[Jeddah]] airport, which each handle dozens of large aircraft carrying Muslim pilgrims. * Longest structure on Earth: the [[Great Wall of China]] is several thousand km. It is arguably not really all one structure, different parts having been built by different dynasties centuries apart, but even those parts are enormous. * Depending on how you define "structure" the great Dingo-fence that crosses Australia is even larger than the great wall of China Several industrial buildings are huge due to the nature of the work done there. Examples include: *The former Cargolifter hall in [[Brandenburg]], which has the biggest single span roof in the world and was designed to hold a Zeppelin that never was and now houses a tropical themed water amusement park *The ''Meyer Werft'' in Papenburg, [[Lower Saxony]] where cruise ships are built ([http://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/besucher/besichtigung_der_werft/besichtigung_der_werft.jsp tour possible]). It is by far the biggest dry dock and one of the biggest buildings in the world. *The Boeing factory in [[Everett (Washington)]], [[Washington state]] - the biggest man made structure by interior volume ==Unusual buildings== [[File:Gaobei_village_-_seen_from_S319_-_Chengqi_Lou_-_DSCF3176.JPG|thumb|300px|Fortified housing, Hakka tolou]] Some buildings are unique.... * The '''Leaning Tower of [[Pisa]]''' is often considered unusual, though a pagoda in [[Suzhou#Other_attractions|Suzhou]] has been called the "leaning tower of China" and there are other less famous leaning towers in various countries, including several elsewhere in Italy. * [[Prora]] on the Baltic Sea has a hotel for 20,000 workers on holiday, created by the Nazi regime in Germany, never used for its intended purpose, never completed, later used as barracks by the GDR, and now housing a museum as well as accommodation while being mostly empty * The [[Hakka Tulou]] of southern China are mostly-earth easily-defended buildings, home to entire clans of a few hundred people * The ''diaolou'' (castles) of [[Kaiping]] are fanciful houses built by overseas Chinese, mostly in the early 20th century <br clear="right" /> ==See also== * [[Ghost towns]] * [[Urbex]] {{PartOfTopic|Cultural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} pjzl8xbs3u6dqj6mgp9eb9jermfwrxx 4506506 4506201 2022-08-23T03:01:41Z Pashley 1822 /* Buildings of South Asian religions */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Rhine in Cologne banner.jpg|caption=Cologne, Germany}} '''Architecture''' is concerned with the design and construction of buildings. The architecture of a place is often a tourist attraction in its own right. Many buildings are quite beautiful to look at and the view from a tall building or from a cleverly-positioned window can be a beauty to behold. Architecture overlaps considerably with other fields including urban planning, civil engineering, decorative arts, interior design and landscape design. [[File:Stonehenge from north, August 2010, cropped.jpg|thumb|300px|Stonehenge]] Some of the finest examples of architecture are almost fractally interesting &mdash; there is something worth a look whatever scale you choose. From a meter away, the impressive thing about the [[Taj Mahal]] is the fine stone inlay work on many surfaces. At a few meters, the elegant shapes of various things draw the eye. Moving further back, one sees the building as a whole and the extensive gardens. To fully understand the Taj, one would need to look at the history of the [[Mughal Empire]] and the traditions of [[Islamic art]]. Someone looking at a [[Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright|Frank Lloyd Wright]] house might consider anything from what it would be like to cook in that kitchen to how the place fits into its neighbourhood. Many examples of fine architecture are on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. ==Understand== {{quote|We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.|author=Winston Churchill}} Historic buildings often tell their own story and provide a place with a heritage that asks the visitor to find out more. While architecture used to be limited by the styles and tastes of the area it was built in and even more the locally available material, the widespread adoption of concrete, glass and steel as well as an international exchange of architectural ideas have led to a new "global" style that is loved and hated in almost equal measure. ===Urban planning=== Large-scale urban planning has existed since ancient times; the [[Roman Empire]] and [[Imperial China]] practised it extensively and [[Ancient Egypt]] had pre-planned settlements built to strict specs. [[Priene]] in [[Ancient Greece]] has been called the first orthogonal-grid planned city, about 350 BCE, though [[Mohenjo-daro]] in what is now Pakistan had a grid, and the world's first municipal sewer system, about 2600 BCE. However, most settlements grew organically with little or no planning apparent to the modern observer (see [[old towns]]); cities in [[Medieval Europe]] were usually dominated by [[fortifications]] or religious buildings. This in turn led to road networks that had to follow (usually round) city walls and further considerations for the river that flowed to most cities. Still, there were some "zoning" regulations, as smelly and flammable industries such as tanners and metal smelters had to stay outside the city walls and downwind from the city, and the executioner and other "unclean" jobs likewise having to live outside the city walls. Many colonial settlements have a rectangular grid emerging from a central plaza and a main street. There are examples all over the Americas, and in other colonies such as [[Macau]] or almost any [[Philippine]] town. Often the central plaza will have a historic church or in the more important cities, a cathedral. In many places, planned colonial development took place next to an existing older city; [[New Delhi]] outside the ancient city of Delhi, the International Settlement in Shanghai next to the [[Shanghai/Old_City|old Chinese city]], and so on. Many capital cities were built specifically to play that role and were carefully planned, often by famous architects: * [[Washington, D.C.]], designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant in the 1790s. L'Enfant was a French military engineer who had worked with George Washington during the [[American Revolution]]. * [[Canberra]] was built starting in 1913 to serve as [[Australia]]'s capital. The husband-wife team of American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin won an international design contest to become the planners. They moved to Australia to help supervise construction. * [[Chandigarh]] was built after India achieved independence in 1947, and serves as the capital of two states, [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]]. [[Le Corbusier]] is generally credited for the design, though several other architects played important roles. * [[Brasília]] was built from scratch, starting in 1956, to serve as the capital of [[Brazil]]; Lúcio Costa was the master planner. * [[Islamabad]] was built from scratch to be the capital of [[Pakistan]], succeeding [[Rawalpindi]] in that role in 1967. * [[Abuja]] was purpose-built to be the capital of [[Nigeria]], taking over that role from its largest city [[Lagos]] in 1991. * [[Naypyidaw]] was built from scratch to be the capital of [[Myanmar]], succeeding the former capital [[Yangon]] in that role in 2005. * Nusantara in [[East Kalimantan]] is being built from scratch to succeed [[Jakarta]] as the capital of [[Indonesia]]. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2024. In the 19th century, [[steam power]] brought industrialization and railroads, which required large-scale city plans. In the 20th century, public transportation and the automobile allowed for suburban planning. Many suburbs or satellite towns are entirely or partly planned communities. Examples include: * [[Milton Keynes]], north of London * [[Kanata]]. Ottawa is surrounded by a Green Belt where almost no development is allowed. This was the first and most successful new town just outside that belt. Some planned areas are enclaves within larger and perhaps more chaotic cities. For example, in [[Metro Manila]] a rather large swath of land in a good location became available when an American air base was shut down. It became [[Bonifacio Global City]] which has a lot of upmarket residential, office and commercial development. Today it is the country's main hub for hi-tech; there are many call centers and several large international tech companies have their main Philippine office there. [[Image:Shanghai - Pudong - Lujiazui.jpg|thumb|Central Pudong]] Then there are things like the transformation of [[Pudong]] in Shanghai. Undeveloped, suburban, mostly residential and industrial but partly agricultural in 1990, within a decade it became a major business and finance hub with many new buildings. Today it has more skyscrapers than New York City including four over 400&nbsp;m (1320&nbsp;ft, a quarter mile). [https://www.bricoleurbanism.org/beautiful-urban-moments/lujiazui-and-the-pudong-miracle-20-years-of-transformation/ This site] has stunning photos showing the contrast, and an interesting critique of the urban design. Other Chinese [[special economic zones]] have also undergone rapid development, much of it planned. In 1978, [[Shenzhen]] (next to [[Hong Kong]]) and [[Zhuhai]] (next to [[Macau]]) were groups of fishing villages, with a population of a few hundred thousand each; in a few years, both were bustling modern cities. In 2021, Shenzhen's population is about 12.5 million and Zhuhai is approaching two million; both are still growing. Other countries also have rapid development in areas where their governments promote it. The fate of virtually all cities laid out according to some "master plan" is that they eventually deviate from that plan. Either because the city grows beyond the "end of the map" of that original plan (in the case of medieval European cities - growing beyond the erstwhile city walls) or, more controversially, because the plan and the needs of residents clash. Especially in the case of 19th and 20th century ideologically driven planned cities, it soon became apparent that they might look nice on a map or serve the ideas of the planners (or their bosses) but were terrible at being cities for everyday people to live in. So the master plan and the needs of the people (or sometimes geographical factors) are in conflict and often give rise to more or less workable "compromises" between the two. ==Buildings by purpose== ===Religious buildings=== {{Seealso|Religion and spirituality}} Cathedrals, temples and other places of worship have, until modern times, been among the most notable and longest lasting forms of architecture, usually dominating their city or village. Some buildings have been centers of worship for two or more religions. [[File:Hagia Sophia Mars 2013.jpg|thumb|300px|Hagia Sophia]] * '''Hagia Sophia''' was built as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Constantinople in 537&nbsp;CE, during the late stages of the [[Roman Empire]], and it served as an Orthodox church for centuries. Crusaders turned it into a Roman Catholic church, but that lasted only 1204-1261. When the [[Ottoman Empire]] took over in the 1450s, the city became [[Istanbul]], and the church was converted to a mosque. It was a museum for nearly a century from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's takeover until Erdoğan's 2020 decision to make it a mosque again. Some frescoes that date back to its time as a church were uncovered during restoration works during its time as a museum, and can be seen today; these are usually covered up with curtains during prayer times. * The '''Great Umayyad Mosque of [[Damascus]]''', the first monumental mosque in history, started out as a local deity's shrine rebuilt as a Roman temple of Jupiter, which became a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist housing his relics (to this day, they're still there, inside a gilded marble shrine). Its overhaul into the Umayyad monument, from 706 to 715 AD, is reported to have employed 200 skilled Byzantine decoration craftsmen, architects, stonemasons and mosaicists, sent by emperor Justinian II at the personal request of Umayyad caliph al-Walid. * The '''Mosque–Cathedral of [[Córdoba (Spain)|Córdoba]]''' was built as a mosque under the rule of the [[Islamic Golden Age|Umayyad Caliphate]] in A.D. 786. Following the ''Reconquista'' by the Kingdom of Castille, the mosque was converted into a Roman Catholic cathedral by the victorious Catholic monarch in 1236, and its minaret was converted to a bell tower. Nevertheless, many architectural elements dating back to its time as a mosque survive, including the former ''mihrab'', the niche in the wall that indicates the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. ====Christian buildings==== : ''See also [[Christianity]], [[Gothic architecture]], [[Longobard sites]], [[Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region]]'' [[File:Gothic-Reims-Cathedral-001.jpg|thumb|300px|Reims Cathedral]] Perhaps the most well known architectural styles for churches are "Gothic" and the subsequent Renaissance style. Many Gothic cathedrals took generations or even centuries to build. The Cologne Cathedral for instance was started in the Middle Ages and not finished until the 19th century and today work to conserve and restore dilapidated parts is again ongoing. *'''Basilique de Saint-Denis''' [[Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)|north of Paris]] *'''Cathedrals of [[Reims]] and [[Chartres]]''' Prior to the Gothic style the Romanesque style was prevalent in much of Europe. This style is distinguished by its thick walls and heavy round arches that sharply contrast with the more filigrane pointy arches of the Gothic style. While "Gothic" was invented as a slur by opponents of the style, a revival occurred in the nineteenth century and even many US cities now have Gothic houses of worship. In areas where stone of an appropriate quality was hard or impossible to come by a unique "Brick Gothic" style developed that is especially prevalent in Northern Germany and other areas of the former [[Hanseatic League]]. One of the most notable ensembles of buildings of that style is found in [[Lübeck]]. Many areas that were colonized by European powers, especially the Catholic powers, also have fine cathedrals. One of [[Macau]]'s best-known sights is the ruins of a cathedral, the [[Philippines]] has several, and there are examples all over [[Latin America]]. ====Islamic buildings==== [[File:Taj Mahal, Agra, India.jpg|thumb|300px|Taj Mahal]] : ''See also [[Islam]]'' *'''Masjid al-Haram''' in [[Mecca]], the place all Muslims face toward during prayer and the main destination for the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage *'''Dome of the Rock/Masjid Al Sakhrah''' in [[Jerusalem]] * The ancient [[Silk Road]] ran through mainly Muslim territory and there are fine mosques all along it. * The many mosques built in the [[Indian subcontinent]] under the [[Mughal Empire]] * The Mughal masterpiece, the [[Taj Mahal]], which is both a tomb and a mosque ====Buildings of South Asian religions==== [[File:Angkor_Wat_W-Seite.jpg|thumb|300px|Angkor Wat]] {{seealso|Buddhism|Hinduism|Sacred sites of the Indian sub-continent}} *'''[[Angkor Archaeological Park|Angkor Wat]]''', originally a temple of the Hindu god Vishnu *'''[[Borobudur]]''', a Buddhist stupa and temple complex in [[Central Java]], [[Indonesia]] dating from the 8th century, one of world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on Earth. *[[Bodh Gaya]], Bihar State, [[India]] - the site where Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment. It has monasteries for several Buddhist sects, including some from as far as Korea and Japan. *The Great Stupa of '''Bodhnath''', [[Kathmandu]] - the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal. ====Buildings of other religions==== * The many pagan temples of [[Ancient Greece]] and the [[Roman Empire]] * Manichaeism started around 250 CE in Persia and at its peak around 500 was quite widespread, but it was gone by around 1400. The only surviving temple is in [[Jinjiang#See|jinjiang]], a suburb of [[Quanzhou]]. Quanzhou was one of the great ports of the [[Maritime Silk Road]] and has many other [[Quanzhou#Religious_structures|religious structures]]. * The [[Maya civilization|Maya]] and other civilisations in [[Central America]] such as the Aztecs built many temples * [[Machu Picchu]] and other sites in [[Peru]] have Incan temples <!--any interesting synagogues?--> ===Civic buildings=== [[File:Big_Ben_%2B_Parlamento_(1880081856).jpg|thumb|300px|Parliament, [[London]]]] There are a large number of buildings for civic or governmental purposes. These include: * '''Seats of government''' in the case of (former) "merchant Republics" like the members of the [[Hanseatic League]] even (former) seats of municipal government can be impressive as they were designed to show off wealth * [[Legislative buildings]] * Buildings for the legal system, including courthouses and prisons; see [[history of justice]] * In general anything representing a country or city can be designed to make an architectural statement; sometimes a (building near a) [[border crossing]] will be more opulent and impressive than strictly necessary for its utilitarian purposes; court buildings will often be adorned with statues of Iustitia, the Roman goddess/representation of justice and may be intended as "palaces of justice" * [[Fortifications]] and other [[military tourism|military buildings]] * [[Grand houses]], [[castles]] and other leaders' residences; see also [[monarchies]] * [[Museums|Museum buildings]] can be interesting artifacts in their own right * [[Official residences]] of the heads of state ===Industrial buildings=== {{seealso|Industrial tourism}} While specialized manufacturing has been going on since the dawn of mankind, it was the Industrial Revolution from the 18th century that made industrial buildings dominate their surroundings. While industrial buildings tend to be shaped by their function, some of them are marvels of architecture. ===Transport infrastructure=== [[File:Metro moscow.jpg|thumb|The Metro in [[Moscow]]]] Railway stations of the 19th century have been likened to cathedrals and some historians argue that the rising bourgeoisie built them as architectural statements for the ages similar to how medieval cities built cathedrals. There is a dearth of architecturally remarkable stations during the 20th century, but the 21st century has seen a number of impressive representative buildings for new or improved transportation services. * '''Transportation centers''' such as railway stations and airports; in some cases even something as seemingly commonplace as a [[public transport]] station has been designed as an architectural statement. See also [[travel for rail enthusiasts]] and [[urban rail adventures]]. ** Many newer '''airport terminal buildings''' are designed by celebrity architects to be aesthetically pleasing, and are often worth making the trip to have a look even if you are not flying. Some notable examples include Terminal 4 of [[Madrid-Barajas Airport]], Terminal 3 of [[Beijing Capital International Airport]], and both terminal buildings of [[Incheon International Airport]]. * Urban rail systems often have stations designed in various eras according to the style then ''en vogue''. The [[Paris]] Metro is particularly noteworthy for its station design, but the Berlin U-Bahn, with "house architect" Alfred Grenander (who was actually Swedish and died in 1931), has a few impressive stations as well, and after a period of budget dictating design choices, is again taking aesthetic considerations into account for the new stations of U5. [[Washington DC]] Metro is widely considered the most beautiful example of Brutalism, and even people who otherwise despise that style acknowledge its aesthetic value there. [[Moscow]], [[London]], and [[Stockholm]] also have stations with significant architectural merit both above and below ground. ===Memorials=== Around the world, commemorative structures are amongst the most notable tourist attractions. They can be well-known feats of [[visual arts]]. Monuments usually reflect the values of the patron and the artist no less than the commemorated person or event. Many were erected as propaganda pieces, to consolidate a ruler's cult of personality or a government's worldview, religion or ideology. Some of them become controversial over time, and a few have been moved or dismantled when posterity sees them as too provocative. For example: * Tombs ** The burial mounds of some prehistoric groups; see [[archaeology]] ** Egyptian pyramids, and later Egyptian tombs in the Valley of the Kings ** Chinese tombs, including the first Qin Emperor's tomb with the [[Terracotta Warriors]] ** The '''Taj Mahal''' in [[Agra]], tomb of an Emperor's wife * Military monuments; see [[military tourism]] ** Many capital cities around the world have a War Memorial or a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ** [[Spomeniks]] of Yugoslavia ==Periods and styles== Many architectural periods are constructed by posterity, and some architects and buildings can be difficult to periodize. Many architectural styles have experienced ''revivalism'', becoming widespread during some decades, long after its heyday. ===Ancient buildings=== {{Seealso|Archaeological sites|Seven Wonders of the Ancient World}} [[File:Pont_du_gard_v1_082005.JPG|thumb|300px|Pont du Gard]] *'''[[Stonehenge]]''' *'''[[Pyramids]]''' in many places, most notably the great Egyptian pyramids at [[Cairo/Giza|Giza]] *The [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] temples of '''Karnak''', '''Luxor''' (in the [[Luxor|eponymous city]]) and '''[[Abu Simbel]]''' *The '''Parthenon''' in [[Athens/Acropolis|Athens]] *The '''[[Great Wall of China]]''' * Remnants of the [[Roman Empire]] throughout Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Architectural feats of the Roman Empire remain impressive for their longevity if nothing else. Many feats of civil engineering were only reached again in the industrial revolution surpassed in the 19th century or even later. The Romans used concrete and built bridges and dug tunnels that stood the test of time. Later generations even mistook those accomplishments for superhuman feats, as seen in names like "Devil's Wall" for the Limes Sarmatiae in [[Budapest]]. Some of the most notable sites are: :: The '''Pantheon''' in [[Rome/Old Rome|Rome]] - best preserved Roman temple anywhere, oldest important building in the world with its original roof intact - a dome with a revolutionary design for its time (which remains the record holder for the biggest unreinforced concrete dome in the world), probably designed by emperor Hadrian; widely claimed as THE ultimate architectural masterpiece of all time. :: The Pont Du Gard aqueduct near [[Nîmes]] :: Theaters at [[Orange (France)|Orange]] and [[Taormina]] :: Amphitheaters at [[Verona]], [[Pula]] and [[El Jem]] ===Styles since ancient times=== [[File:Boston_Avenue_Church_-_Fassade_1.jpg|thumb|Art Deco church in [[Tulsa]], Oklahoma]] * [[Islam#See|Islamic architecture]]; see also [[Islamic Golden Age]] * [[Gothic architecture]] of [[Medieval Europe]] * [[Renaissance architecture]] * [[Baroque architecture]] * [[Rococo architecture]] * [[Mughal_Empire#Mughal_architecture|Mughal architecture]] * [[Neoclassical architecture]] * [[Art Deco architecture]] * [[Modernist architecture]], a broad architectural movement launched in the early 20th century ** [[De Stijl]] (the style), a primarily Dutch minimalist movement ** [[Functionalist architecture in Finland‎]] ** [[Bauhaus]], a form-follows-function architectural school developed in Weimar Germany; due to exiles emigrating to the U.S, it later came to heavily influence the "international style" * [[Stalinist architecture]], based on Neoclassical architecture, with some influences from Art Deco and Bauhaus, popular in the [[Soviet Union]] and the rest of the Eastern Bloc up till the 1950s With the rise of the automobile, [[novelty architecture]] has been used as a means of roadside promotion. Examples would include restaurants shaped like oversized oranges or motels in which each room is a railway caboose or a concrete wigwam. In Latin America, Spanish architecture (which itself was considerably influenced by Arab styles during the Muslim rule over parts of Iberia) was adapted to local conditions and combined with native ideas to create the "colonial" style still evident in cities like [[Granada (Nicaragua)|Granada]] and [[León (Nicaragua)|León]], both in [[Nicaragua]]. Some styles like Art Deco attract tourists to visit. The town of [[Napier]], [[New Zealand]], is largely built in the Art Deco style after the town was rebuilt in the 1930s following an earthquake. The local historical society has capitalised on this and runs frequent walking tours around the buildings. ===Vernacular buildings=== Vernacular architecture includes homes and workplaces for common people. They tend to use local designs and materials. While these buildings had lower status than institutional buildings, they are today valuable artifacts which give an idea about pre-modern society. ==Well-known architects== There have been many famous architects over the centuries. We list some here in chronological order by date of birth. ===Imhotep=== [[File:Saqqara pyramid.jpg|thumb|The Step Pyramid]] The chancellor to the Egyptian Pharaoh Djoser (4th Dynasty, about 2600 BC) was probably the architect of Djoser's step pyramid at [[Saqqara]], as well as a physician and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis. Very little is known of Imhotep as a historical figure, but in the 3,000 years following his death, he was gradually glorified and deified. Imhotep's historicity is confirmed by two contemporary inscriptions made during his lifetime on the base or pedestal of one of Djoser's statues (Cairo JE 49889) and also by a graffito on the enclosure wall surrounding Sekhemkhet's unfinished step pyramid, which suggests that Imhotep outlived Djoser by a few years and went on to serve in the construction of Pharaoh Sekhemkhet's pyramid, which was abandoned due to this ruler's brief reign. ===Vitruvius=== Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (c. 80–70 BC – after c. 15 BC) was a Roman author, architect, civil and military engineer, known for his multi-volume work entitled ''De Architectura''. By his own description, he served as an artilleryman, probably as a senior officer of artillery, specialized in the construction of artillery war machines for sieges. His discussion of perfect proportion in architecture and the human body led to the famous Renaissance drawing by Leonardo da Vinci "The Vitruvian Man". He invented the idea that all buildings should have three attributes: ''firmitas, utilitas et venustas'', meaning: sheltering strength, utilitarian comfort, and aesthetic beauty. His principles were enshrined by the Romans, and "reborn" many centuries later, in the [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]]. ===Filippo Brunelleschi=== [[File:Florence Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Florence Cathedral]] A founding father of Renaissance architecture, he was an Italian architect and designer (1377 – 1446), now recognised to be the first modern engineer, planner, and sole construction supervisor, and most famous as the designer of the dome of the [[Florence]] Cathedral, a groundbreaking feat of engineering not accomplished since antiquity. He invented a new hoisting machine for raising the masonry needed for the dome, inspired by Roman machines used in the first century AD to build large structures such as the Pantheon and the Baths of Diocletian, described in Vitruvius' ''De Architectura''. Brunelleschi is also generally credited as the first person to describe a precise system of linear perspective. This revolutionised painting and opened the way for the naturalistic styles of Renaissance art. ===Mimar Sinan=== [[File:Selimiye_Mosque.JPG|thumb|Selimiye Mosque in Edirne]] "Sinan the Architect" (circa 1489 – 1588) was born the son of a stonemason, received a technical education and became a military engineer. He rose rapidly through the ranks, became first an officer and after that a Janissary commander. In his military career, he refined his architectural and engineering skills, becoming expert at constructing fortifications of all kinds, as well as military infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges and aqueducts. At about the age of fifty, he was appointed as chief royal architect for the [[Ottoman Empire]], applying the technical skills he had acquired in the army to the "creation of fine religious buildings" and civic structures of all kinds, remaining in this post for almost fifty years. Sinan is said to have constructed or supervised 476 buildings (196 of which still survive), according to the official list of his works, the most famous and masterly built of which are, first and foremost the Selimiye mosque in [[Edirne]], followed by the Imperial mosques and bathhouses in [[Istanbul]], [[Damascus]] and [[Sofia]]. He lies in a tomb of his own design, in the cemetery just outside the walls of the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Süleymaniye Mosque]], across a street named Mimar Sinan Caddesi, in his honour. ===Christopher Wren=== [[File:St_Pauls_aerial_(cropped).jpg|thumb|Saint Paul's]] Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) was a renaissance man, active in several fields of science and a Fellow of the Royal Society, but he is remembered mainly for his architecture. After the great fire devastated London in 1666, he and associates in his office were the main architects for the rebuilding. Among other things, they designed 52 churches in the [[London/City_of_London|City of London]] alone. His best-known building is Saint Paul's cathedral in the center of that area; its crypt contains his grave. There are many other Wren buildings, mainly in other parts of [[London]] but a few elsewhere in England and at least one in the US. The College of William and Mary in Virginia has a [[Williamsburg#See|Wren Building]]; Thomas Jefferson was a student there. ===Alfred Waterhouse=== [[File:Natural History Museum, London.jpg|thumb|right|The main entrance and flanking towers, Natural History Museum.]] Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) designed the Natural History Museum in London and several Grade II listed buildings in Manchester and Liverpool. One interesting aspect of his designs was his use of dual-purpose structures that both served required functions and acted as decorative visual elements. In the Natural History Museum, for example,the octagonal top storey of the towers contained the water tanks, and the four pinnacles surrounding the octagonal tower tops were the air intakes and exhaust vents for the museum's ventilation and heating system. ===Antoni Gaudí=== Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a [[Catalonia|Catalan]] architect who was the most famous exponent of the ''Modernisme'' architectural style that was in vogue in Catalonia during his lifetime. Many of his buildings in [[Barcelona]] have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the most famous examples being ''La Sagrada Família'' and ''Park Güell''. ===Frank Lloyd Wright=== {{seealso|Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright}} Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), during his career spanning more than 70 years, designed more than 1,000 buildings, about half of which were built. In 2019, eight of these buildings were listed as a [[world heritage site]] named '''The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright''' by UNESCO. Wright was one of the leading lights of the "prairie school" of American architects. Two others were the Griffins who designed the Australian capital, [[Canberra]]. <br clear="right" /> ===Le Corbusier=== [[File:Chandigarh High Court.jpg|thumb|300px|Chandigarh High Court]] The Swiss-French architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris (1887-1965) was better known under his artist name, Le Corbusier. Regarded as one of the fathers of modern architecture and urban planning, his buildings can today be seen in Europe, the Americas and Asia. His architecture and his views regarding how people should use his buildings remain controversial to this day and if you see his creations, you might get an idea why. Some works of this architect are the planned city of [[Chandigarh]], the Villa Savoye in Poissy outside Paris where he expressed his "five points of new architecture", the Immeuble Clarté in Geneva, the Centrosoyuz Building in Moscow, the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts in [[Cambridge (Massachusetts)]], four "Unité d'habitation" apartment buildings around Europe which later served as inspiration for Brutalist architecture and many "villas" in France and Switzerland including his own cabin on the French Riviera where he spent the last years of his life. In 2016, 17 of his creations were listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]] named "[[The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement]]". <br clear="right" /> ===Paul Williams=== [https://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/about/paul-revere-williams-architect/ Paul Revere Williams] (1894-1980) was an architect based in [[Los Angeles]] who designed over 2000 buildings in his career, including homes for Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, and Lon Chaney. He was black and had to overcome considerable prejudice to succeed. ===Oscar Niemeyer=== [[File:Museu Nacional, Brasilia 05 2007.jpg|thumb|300px|National Museum with the Cathedral on background, Brasília]] [[Brazil|Brazilian]] architect Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho (1907 – 2012) is considered one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture. Strongly influenced by Le Corbusier, Niemeyer is best known for his design of civic buildings for [[Brasília]], Brazil's planned capital city from 1960 on, and of [[Belo Horizonte]]'s Pampulha Architectural Complex, now a [[world heritage site]]. His collaboration with other architects on the United Nations Headquarters in [[New York City]] is widely praised as well. His exploration of the aesthetic possibilities of reinforced concrete was highly influential in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Both lauded and criticized for being a "sculptor of monuments", Niemeyer is held as a great artist, and one of the greatest architects of his generation, by his supporters, and accused of a highly criticizable architecture, functionally and budget-wise, by his detractors. <br clear="right" /> ===I.M. Pei=== [[File:Louvre_01.jpg|thumb|300px|Pyramid at the Louvre]] I.M. Pei (1917-2019) spent his early years in [[China]], but moved to the [[USA]] for university and lived there most of his life. He designed buildings in many places and was very much a modern architect, heavily influenced by the European Bahaus school. Pei designed a number of important public buildings including [[Dallas]] city hall, the National Center for Atmospheric Research in [[Boulder]], and the Kennedy Library and the John Hancock Tower in [[Boston]]. He has also done commercial buildings, notably the Bank of China tower in [[Hong Kong]]. Museums were a specialty; perhaps his best-known work is the controversial glass pyramid outside the Louvre in [[Paris]]. Other projects included the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in [[Washington, DC]], an extension of the German Historical Museum in [[Berlin]]. the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in [[Cleveland]], the Museum of Islamic Art in [[Doha#See|Doha]] and the [[Koka#Miho_Museum|Miho Museum]] near [[Kyoto]]. He came out of retirement in his 80s to design a museum for the Chinese city of [[Suzhou#Museums|Suzhou]] where his family were from. <br clear="right" /> ===Frank Gehry=== [[File:Air_space_exhibits_01.jpg|thumb|300px|California Science Center]] The Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry (1929-) is known for his Deconstructivist creations which include: * Guggenheim Museum in [[Bilbao]] * Dancing House in [[Prague]] * Art Gallery of Ontario in [[Toronto]] * MIT Ray and Maria Stata Center in [[Cambridge (Massachusetts)]] * Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown [[Los Angeles]] * the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies on the University of [[Cincinnati]] campus * New World Center in [[Miami Beach]] * Weisman Art Museum in [[Minneapolis]] * the California Science Center in Los Angeles. ===Meinhard von Gerkhan=== (Born 1935 in [[Riga]]) probably one of the best known contemporary German architects, his designs include the Berlin Tegel airport, the Tempodrom in Berlin, expansions to the Stuttgart and Hamburg airports, as well as the new Berlin ''Hauptbahnhof'' main rail station. However, von Gerkhan has sued Deutsche Bahn over differences between the way the main station looks now and his original design. Similarly, Tegel could probably be both more impressive and more efficient had Gerkan's original double hexagon design been built, instead of the single hexagon and numerous uninspired additions that now characterize the airport. The architecture company von Gerkhan founded, gmp<!--sic!--> (short for "Gerkhan Marg & Partner"), is still active globally and is particularly renowned for their sports stadium designs. ===Norman Foster=== Norman Foster (born 1935 in [[Stockport]]) is an English architect, one of the leading exponents of British modernist architecture. Prominent buildings designed by him include the HSBC Building and Terminal 1 of [[Hong Kong International Airport]] in [[Hong Kong]], and 30 St Mary Axe, nicknamed "the Gherkin", in [[London]]. ===Santiago Calatrava=== [[File:Ponte_della_Costituzione.JPG|thumb|300px|"Calatrava Bridge" over Venice's Grand Canal]] [[Valencia|Valencian]] architect, structural engineer, sculptor and painter Santiago Calatrava Valls (born 28 July 1951), early in his career, was largely dedicated to designing bridges and railway stations with a "neofuturistic" approach. He is most famous for the [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Communications Tower on the [[Barcelona/Sants-Montjuïc|Montjuïc]] hill, built for the 1992 Olympiad, and several avant-garde bridges: the Chords Bridge in [[Jerusalem]], the Alamillo Bridge in [[Seville]], the Ponte della Costituzione (more popularly the Calatrava bridge) over [[Venice]]'s Grand Canal, the Kronprinzenbrücke over the Spree river in [[Berlin]], the Campo Volantin Footbridge over Nervion river in [[Bilbao]] and several others. He is often criticized like other "starchitects" of his generation for the eye-watering cost of his creations with critics arguing that a less ambitious design made by a less famous architect would do the job just as well. <br clear="right" /> ==Record-holding structures== Building the tallest building in the world is every architect's dream (or perhaps nightmare) project, as it will eventually be topped by an even taller structure. See the [[Chicago skyline guide]] for information on the many tall buildings in [[Chicago]], the birthplace of the skyscraper. ===Tallest buildings=== The following buildings, all over 350 meters, were each at one time the tallest building in the world. # '''Burj Khalifa''', [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Downtown Dubai]], [[Dubai]], UAE (built 2010) 160 storeys {{m|828}} # '''Taipei 101''', [[Taipei/East District|Xinyi District]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan (built 2004) 101 storeys {{m|509}} # '''Petronas Towers''', [[Kuala Lumpur/Golden Triangle|Golden Triangle]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (built 1998) 88 storeys {{m|452}} # '''Sears Tower''', [[Chicago/Loop|the Loop]], [[Chicago]], [[USA]] (built 1974) 110 storeys {{m|442}} # '''Empire State Building''', [[Manhattan/Gramercy Flatiron|Midtown]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City|New York]], [[USA]] (built 1931) 102 storeys {{m|381}} This is the current (as of 2021) list of the ten tallest buildings in the world. The rankings depend on how exactly you define "tallest" and "building", so different sources give slightly different lists, but everyone agrees that the Burj Khalifa is the tallest by far. # '''Burj Khalifa''', [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Downtown Dubai]], [[Dubai]], UAE (built 2010) 160 storeys 828 m # '''Shanghai Tower''', [[Shanghai/Pudong|Pudong]], [[Shanghai]], China (built 2015) 128 storeys 632 m # '''Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower''', [[Mecca]], Saudi Arabia (built 2012) 120 storeys 601 m # '''Ping An Finance Centre''', [[Shenzhen/Center|Futian]], [[Shenzhen]], China (built 2017) 118 storeys 599 m # '''Lotte World Tower''', [[Seoul/Songpa|Songpa]], [[Seoul]], South Korea (built 2016) 123 storeys 554.5 m # '''One World Trade Center''', [[Manhattan/Financial District|Financial District]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]], United States (built 2014) 104 storeys 541.3 m # (tied) '''Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre''', [[Guangzhou/Tianhe|Tianhe District]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2016) 111 storeys 530 m # (tied) '''Tianjin CTF Finance Centre''', [[Tianjin]], China (under construction) 98 storeys 530 m # '''China Zun''', [[Beijing/Chaoyang|Chaoyang District]], [[Beijing]], China (under construction) 108 storeys 528 m # '''Taipei 101''', [[Taipei/East District|Xinyi District]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan (built 2004) 101 storeys 509 m The [[Dubai/Jumeirah|Marina]] area of [[Dubai]] had seven of the world's ten tallest residential buildings as of 2010. The number eight is considered lucky in much of East Asia and hence this number is often deliberately chosen for things like number of floors. ===Tallest towers=== [[File:Toronto_-_ON_-_Toronto_Harbourfront7.jpg|thumb|Toronto skyline with CN Tower]] These towers, all over 300 meters (about 1000 feet), were each at one time the tallest tower in the world. # '''Tokyo Skytree''', [[Tokyo/Sumida|Sumida]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 2012) 634 m # '''Canton Tower''', [[Guangzhou/Haizhu|Haizhu]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2010) 604 m # '''CN Tower''', [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts|Downtown Toronto]], Canada (built 1976) 553 m # '''Ostankino Tower''', [[Moscow/Outskirts|outskirts]] of [[Moscow]], Russia (built 1967) 540 m # '''Tokyo Tower''', [[Tokyo/Minato|Minato]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 1958) 333 meters # '''Eiffel Tower''', [[Paris/7th arrondissement|7th arrondissement]], [[Paris]], France (built 1889) 300 m when built, 324 m with TV antenna. This is the current (2018) list of the ten tallest towers in the world. # '''Tokyo Skytree''', [[Tokyo/Sumida|Sumida]], [[Tokyo]], Japan (built 2012) 634 m # '''Canton Tower''', [[Guangzhou/Haizhu|Haizhu]], [[Guangzhou]], China (built 2010) 604 m # '''CN Tower''', [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts|Downtown Toronto]], Canada (built 1976) 553 m # '''Ostankino Tower''', [[Moscow/Outskirts|outskirts]] of [[Moscow]], Russia (built 1967) 540 m # '''Oriental Pearl Tower''', [[Shanghai/Pudong|Pudong]], [[Shanghai]], China (built 1995) 468 m # '''Milad Tower''', [[Tehran]], Iran (built 2007) 435 m # '''KL Tower''', [[Kuala Lumpur/Golden Triangle|Golden Triangle]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (built 1994) 421 m # '''Tianjin Radio and Television Tower''', [[Tianjin]], China (built 1991) 415 m # '''Central Radio and TV Tower''', [[Beijing/Haidian|Haidian District]], [[Beijing]], China (built 1992) 405 m # '''Zhongyuan Tower''', [[Zhengzhou]], China (built 2011) 388 m '''Sky Tower''' in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]] (built 1997) at 328 m is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. In the USA and Poland there are some guyed radio masts that are taller than some of the items on this list. After the Burj Khalifa, the tallest construction built so far is the Warsaw radio mast near [[Gabin]]. === Other records === {{see also|Developmental records}} Of course, height is not the only way in which a building might be remarkable. Other records include: [[File:Hajj terminal.jpg|thumb|300px|Hajj terminal, Jeddah]] * '''Edificio Copan''' in [[São Paulo]] is "only" 38 stories, but it has 1160 apartments and is considered the world's largest residential building by floor area * Largest buildings by roof area: the two [[Hajj]] terminals at [[Jeddah]] airport, which each handle dozens of large aircraft carrying Muslim pilgrims. * Longest structure on Earth: the [[Great Wall of China]] is several thousand km. It is arguably not really all one structure, different parts having been built by different dynasties centuries apart, but even those parts are enormous. * Depending on how you define "structure" the great Dingo-fence that crosses Australia is even larger than the great wall of China Several industrial buildings are huge due to the nature of the work done there. Examples include: *The former Cargolifter hall in [[Brandenburg]], which has the biggest single span roof in the world and was designed to hold a Zeppelin that never was and now houses a tropical themed water amusement park *The ''Meyer Werft'' in Papenburg, [[Lower Saxony]] where cruise ships are built ([http://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/besucher/besichtigung_der_werft/besichtigung_der_werft.jsp tour possible]). It is by far the biggest dry dock and one of the biggest buildings in the world. *The Boeing factory in [[Everett (Washington)]], [[Washington state]] - the biggest man made structure by interior volume ==Unusual buildings== [[File:Gaobei_village_-_seen_from_S319_-_Chengqi_Lou_-_DSCF3176.JPG|thumb|300px|Fortified housing, Hakka tolou]] Some buildings are unique.... * The '''Leaning Tower of [[Pisa]]''' is often considered unusual, though a pagoda in [[Suzhou#Other_attractions|Suzhou]] has been called the "leaning tower of China" and there are other less famous leaning towers in various countries, including several elsewhere in Italy. * [[Prora]] on the Baltic Sea has a hotel for 20,000 workers on holiday, created by the Nazi regime in Germany, never used for its intended purpose, never completed, later used as barracks by the GDR, and now housing a museum as well as accommodation while being mostly empty * The [[Hakka Tulou]] of southern China are mostly-earth easily-defended buildings, home to entire clans of a few hundred people * The ''diaolou'' (castles) of [[Kaiping]] are fanciful houses built by overseas Chinese, mostly in the early 20th century <br clear="right" /> ==See also== * [[Ghost towns]] * [[Urbex]] {{PartOfTopic|Cultural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} d0tegjyiyz4t76139uxofzynizhgufr 0 1562 4506417 4496266 2022-08-22T20:32:13Z 75.198.204.36 wikitext text/x-wiki 4506427 4506417 2022-08-22T21:31:36Z SHB2000 2248002 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/75.198.204.36|75.198.204.36]] ([[User talk:75.198.204.36|talk]]) to last version by [[User:WereSpielChequers|WereSpielChequers]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Arkhangelsk Oblast''' is a region in [[northwestern Russia]], which borders [[Karelia]] to the west, the White Sea to the north, [[Nenetsia]] to the northeast, [[Komi Republic]] to the east, [[Kirov Oblast]] to the southeast, and [[Vologda Oblast]] to the south. ==Regions== [[File:Arch oblast.png|thumb|350px|Map of Arkhangelsk Oblast]] Mainland Arkhangelsk Oblast can be divided into 3 parts from north to south: * ''Northern part'' - the White Sea coast and Northern Dvina's delta. Home to biggest cities ([[Arkhangelsk]] and [[Severodvinsk]]), but less populated in rural areas outside the delta. * ''Middle part'' - the less populated part, with worst roads, a gap between North and South. Plesetsk Cosmodrome is located there. * ''Southern part'' - agricultural and more populated part with an array of old towns, as [[Kargopol]], [[Velsk]], [[Solvychegodsk]], and [[Kotlas]]. Also the [[Franz Josef Land]] far north in the Arctic Sea and [[Novaya Zemlya]], halfway there, are part of the Oblast. ==Cities== {{mapframe|height=500}} {{mapshape}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Arkhangelsk]]|wikidata=Q1851}} &mdash; the region's capital, chief sea port of medieval Russia, which houses Europe's largest museum of wooden architecture (Malye Korely). Claims to be the cultural capital of Russian North. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Belushya Guba]]|wikidata=Q26324}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Severodvinsk]]|wikidata=Q190499}} &mdash; the second-largest city in the Oblast, 35&nbsp;km from Arkhangelsk, at the White Sea coast. Home to the military Russian Northern Fleet and a principal submarine base and construction site. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kargopol]]|wikidata=Q145261}} &mdash; a 1000-year-old town in the south-west of the region, near [[Kenozersky National Park]], notorious for sasquatch/bigfoot sightings * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kholmogory]]|wikidata=Q681521}} &mdash; Lomonosov's birthplace, a historic village with a museum and few abandoned churches. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kotlas]]|wikidata=Q155455}} &mdash; an important rail junction in the region's southeast, transit point to [[Veliky Ustyug]]. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mirny]]|wikidata=Q105465}} &mdash; a military town, forbidden for tourists, home to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Onega]]|wikidata=Q176592}} &mdash; a small, old port and a base for tours heading out to [[Kiy Island]]. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Solvychegodsk]]|wikidata=Q196388}} &mdash; a historic town on the Vychegda River with an impressive Blagoveshchensky Cathedral and Vvedensky Monastery * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mezen]]|wikidata=Q158775}} &mdash;a small subpolar town in the northern part of the Oblast. [[File:Solovetsky Monastery.jpg|thumb|300px|Solovetsky Monastery on the White Sea]] ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Solovetsky Islands]]|wikidata=Q205711}} &mdash; home to a hauntingly beautiful monastery which has served as a Russian fortress in numerous wars for the past 500 years as well as one of the first Soviet gulags; a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. * {{marker|name=[[Kenozersky National Park]]|wikidata=Q738716}} &mdash; at the border with [[Karelia]], near [[Kargopol]]. * {{marker|name=[[Vodlozero National Park]]|wikidata=Q965058}} &mdash; also at the border with [[Karelia]], but more remote from roads. * {{marker|name=[[Pinega]]|wikidata=Q986674}} &mdash; a beautiful river, a small town, and the only Oblast's national reserve, famous for its caves. ''Golubinsky Proval'' &mdash; the biggest cave at Pinega, open for tourists, best to visit in winter. * {{marker|name=[[Kiy Island]]|wikidata=Q2621492}} &mdash; an uninhabited island in the White Sea that is a popular tourist destination for its disbanded Kiysky Monastery * {{marker|name=[[Permogorye]]|wikidata=Q3641678}} (also Bolshaya) &mdash; a Northern Dvina's riverside village on the road from [[Arkhangelsk]] to [[Kotlas]], famous for a beautiful wooden church and local handicraft. * {{marker|name=[[Franz Josef Land]]|wikidata=Q185018}} &mdash; is an archipelago in the Arctic far north. There are only a few marks of civilization in the whole archipelago, and most of the islands are covered by ice and snow. * {{marker|name=[[Krasnaya Gorka]]|wikidata=Q4237941}} ("Red Hill") &mdash; the highest point of Arkhangelsk oblast near Pinega with beautiful Krasnogorskiy Bogoroditskiy monastery ruins. The only alpine skiing place in the Oblast. * {{marker|name=[[Novaya Zemlya]]|wikidata=Q80413}} &mdash; is a group of islands were a couple thousand people live; it is a mountainous island group with a history of nuclear testing. * '''Narrow-gauge railroads''' &mdash; lost in taiga, they are partly abandoned, and partly operated by timber producers. Often constructed by prisoners, started to operate in Stalin's Gulag times. Going deeper into taiga, it's possible to find abandoned gulag locations and even small unpopulated towns. * {{marker|name=[[Yemetsk]]|wikidata=Q971878}} &mdash; village with a beautiful lakefront ''Antonievo-Siysky monastery'' nearby ==Understand== [[File:Wooden bird of happiness.jpg|thumb|300px| Wooden bird of happiness in Pomorye]] Locally called Pomorye, Arkhangelsk Oblast is a very large region (about the same size as [[France]]) in the Russian north. Sparsely populated (1.5 million for all this area), it is filled with taiga, beautiful lakes, wide rivers, and vast swamps. The nature is kin to [[Finland]], especially its subpolar part. Most famous destinations are [[Arkhangelsk]] (regional capital) and the [[Solovetsky Islands]], where a beautiful northern monastery/citadel served as a brutal gulag prison during the Soviet years. There are other less-visited, but very picturesque towns in the Oblast ([[Kargopol]], [[Solvychegodsk]]), but the main reason to visit the region is to discover its severe beautiful nature mixed with wooden rural architecture. There are 2 national parks and 1 natural reserve, which are truly worth to be seen in Arkhangelsk Oblast'. ==Talk== Russian is spoken everywhere. Outside of Arkhangelsk city center it's hard to find English-speakers. See the [[Russian phrasebook]]. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Flights arrive at Arkhangelsk airport from [[Moscow]], [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Riga]], and [[Tromso]]. The airport is served by Aeroflot, Utair, Nordavia, Rossiya air companies, and also by low-costs, as Avianova and Air Baltic. ===By train=== The overnight train ride from [[Moscow]] takes 21&nbsp;hour, from [[Saint Petersburg]] a full 25&nbsp;hours. [[File:M8road.JPG|thumb|300 px|The M8 road from Moscow to Arkhangelsk]] ===By bus=== There are no regular interregional bus services to Arkhangelsk Oblast. ===By car=== It's the most interesting way to enter and explore the region. M8 road connects Arkhangelsk with Moscow and Saint Petersburg through [[Vologda]]. It is paved at all distance, but some parts are in poor condition. There are about 700&nbsp;km from Moscow to the region's border, and more than 500&nbsp;km after it to the north to reach [[Arkhangelsk]]. Another way to Archangelsk Oblast is through [[Veliky Ustyug]] ([[Vologda Oblast]]). The road is not so good as M8, but still available for all types of cars, allowing to see picturesque villages beaded at river Northern Dvina's high bank. The road from [[Karelia]] via [[Kenozersky National Park]] is unpaved at regional border, and hardly passable by non 4x4 cars, unless it is winter. ===By boat=== There are no regular ship service to the region, yet [[Arkhangelsk]] is a seaport, so it's possible to reach it by a commercial ship. ==Get around== ===By plane=== The main [http://www.arhaero.ru Arkhangelsk airport] serves a regional flight to [[Solovetsky Islands]] (2 per week in winter, 4 per week in summer), while the other airport Vaskovo has local regional flights to remote locations inside the Oblast. ===By train=== It's possible to reach by train from [[Arkhangelsk]] such destinations as [[Severodvinsk]], [[Onega]], [[Plesetsk]], [[Nyandoma]] (transit point to [[Kargopol]]), [[Velsk]], [[Kotlas]], and [[Karpogory]] (at Pinega river). The quality of trains is poor comparing to European standards or to interregional Russian trains. ===By bus=== Regular buses departure from Arkhangelsk to [[Veliky Ustyug]], [[Kholmogory]], [[Severodvinsk]], [[Kargopol]], [[Velsk]], [[Yemetsk]] (transit point to [[Antonievo-Siysky Monastery]]), [[Kotlas]], and [[Pinega]]. ===By car=== There are no international car rentals in Arkhangelsk, but it's possible to rent a car via local agencies. ===By taxi=== Taxi can be a good alternative for short distance rides, like from Arkhangelsk to Severodvinsk (35&nbsp;km), or where other transport is not developed (e.g. from [[Nyandoma]] station to [[Kargopol]]). Most destinations inside the Oblast are quite distant, so expect very expensive taxis. ===By boat=== Navigation period lasts from mid-May to mid-October. There is regular commuter ship service from Arkhangelsk to neighboring locations (mainly to isolated island villages in Northern Dvina's delta). There are many points it Oblast, which are accessible only by riverboats. ===By thumb=== Hitch-hiking is very possible in the region with general safety precautions. But most drivers will hardly understand English. ==See== * {{see | name=Malye Karely | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=64.454 | long=40.9383 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q597318 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=Large and locally famous wooden architecture museum, 24&nbsp;km from [[Arkhangelsk]]. }} ==Do== * - hiking * - skidoo rides (in winter) * - alpine and plain skiing (in winter) * - fishing ==Eat== * Kulebyaka - a local pie with fish. * Kozuly - local sweets. ==Drink== ==Stay safe== Northern Russians are kind and hospitable, but a foreign tourist looking significantly richer than locals can provoke someone for a robbery. Use general safety precautions and keep low profile while surfing the region with no Russian guide. Avoid wooden part of Arkhangelsk at the left bank of Northern Dvina and keep out of unattended dark places in cities at night. ==Go next== [[Arkhangelsk]] is the main transit point for those who go to [[Nenetsia]] (regular flights to [[Naryan-Mar]] and [[Amderma]]). Travelers heading to [[Komi Republic]] and [[Salekhard]] by rail are passing through [[Kotlas]]. In the late summer, it may be possible to get on a ship heading east along the north coast of Russia towards [[Nenetsia]] and [[Yamalia]]. {{outlineregion}} {{geo|63.5000|43.0000|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Northwestern_Russia}} oyncxy6ry9qda8132tu77ig7p3trwl6 0 1597 4506489 4450255 2022-08-23T02:25:12Z Ground Zero 1423298 Update, copyedit wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=Armutlu}} '''Armutlu''' is a beach resort in the [[Southern Marmara]] Region of Turkey. It's the main town on the olive and cypress-clad Armutlu Peninsula, with a population of 5160 in 2012, and is best known for its hot springs. == Understand == [[File:İhlas Armutlu Tatil Köyü Genel Cephe.jpg | thumb | 300px | İhlas Armutlu Beach Resort ]] Armutlu means "the place of pears". There are a dozen villages of that name in Turkey alone, with another dozen scattered across the former Ottoman lands, and none of them are notable for their pear production. Armutlu in Marmara Region, the present example, is a seaside town on the south coast of Armutlu Peninsula, looking over the Gulf of Gemlik with the mountains of Mysia rising beyond. Armutlu is within easy reach of Istanbul and has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with purple sprays of bougainvillea, and a breeze to offset the summer heat. Winters are mild and rainy, and spring arrives in April, with white irises in bloom. Most visitors arrive in İskele, the harbour area. One km north up the hill is the old town centre, signposted as Merkez but generally referred to as Köy - "village". The road west leads through a straggle of second homes on Tavşantepe - "rabbit hill" - then reaches the gates of İhlas. This is a resort village - the name means "fidelity" but it looks more like a Soviet-era spa for Stakhanovites. Much of it is condos and similar long leases, but they have accommodation for passing visitors. == Get in == {{mapframe | name=Armutlu | 40.520 | 28.825 | height=500 | width=650 | zoom=14 }} === By boat === '''[http://www.ido.com.tr/en İDO]''' ferries sail daily from Istanbul. They start from Kadıköy then pick up at Yenikapı - this is just south of Sultanahmet and likely to be the most convenient for international travellers. They take just under two hours to Armutlu (adult single 161 TL, or as little as 121 TL for advance booking, Aug 2022) then continue to [[Mudanya#Get in | Güzelyalı]] for buses to [[Bursa]]. However most sailings from Istanbul are direct to Mudanya or Güzelyalı and don't call at Armutlu. BUDO ferries don't sail here. {{marker | name=Armutlu ferry pier | type=go | lat=40.5088 | long=28.8380 }} is in the main port, 2 km south of town centre. In season, ferries also may pick-up and drop-off at İhlas beach resort (''Tatil Köyü'') 5 km west at the tip of the peninsula. === By bus === Most routes involve a change at [[Gemlik]], which is on O-5 connecting Istanbul, Ankara and Bursa. (For example Metro Turizm buses run hourly from Istanbul Samindira, east edge of the city, taking 90 min to Gemlik.) Five buses a day run up the peninsula from Gemlik, taking 30 min to Armutlu then another 15 min to İhlas. [http://armodies.com.tr/ Armodies Turizm] buses run direct five times a day from [[Bursa]], taking about an hour to Armutlu and continuing to İhlas. Buses from [[Yalova]] putter through the north peninsula villages and olive groves, taking three hours to Armutlu and continuing to İhlas. Armutlu "bus station" is just a scrummage of minibuses in town centre. === By car === From Istanbul or Ankara take O-5 south over the bridge from Gebze, stay on it to the D575 interchange for Gemlik, then pick up the coast road Cumhuriyet Cd. A slow route follows the coast from Yalova, interminable ribbon-development in its easten section then scenic and hairpinning further west. == Get around == Minibuses run between the harbour, the village, west to İhlas, and occasionally up to the hot spring source to the north. Some are run by the town council (''Belediye''), others are privately operated. The roads within the town are all well paved, although often narrow and lacking road markings. The road between İhlas and the village is ratty and has no sidewalk. == See and do == [[File:Bozburun Lighthouse, Armutlu.jpg | thumb | 300px | Bozburun lighthouse ]] * '''Armutlu town''' is modern ticky-tacky breezeblock. You might find a few old Ottoman houses in the back lanes, but what the earth tremors have spared, the developers have swooped on. * '''Thermal springs''' bubble out of the hillside at 60 °C. They're similar to the [[Yalova]] springs, laden with sulphate, carbonate or chloride of calcium and sodium, to 2 grams per litre. Not much metal content, but don't drink this scalding brine. (It's also radioactive, 1.04 millimicrocuries/litre). The main source (''kaplıca'') is 4 km north of town but there are dozens of spa hotels along the beach strip. Grand therapeutic claims are made for the waters but as a general rule, any nostrum claimed to alleviate three dozen medical conditions benefits precisely none, especially if it has a ponderous official certificate. Just relax and bask in their warmth. * '''The beach''' is a narrow strip of shingle near town. A long sandy stretch begins 2 km west, with a smaller beach near the tip of the peninsula. Water quality is acceptable as there's not much urban run-off. * '''[https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/yalova/ilprojeleri/yesl-mav-turzm-seyr-yolu Green-Blue Road]''' (''Yeşil-Mavi Yol'') is a switchback road along the spine of the forested peninsula. It's paved and suitable for 2WD, but signposting is erratic. Eastbound from Armutlu, follow it through Mecidiye, Hayriye, Selimiye and Delmece. Here a side road descends through Karlık to the coast at Esenköy. The main route continues to the Great and Small Bottomless Lakes (''Büyük Dipsiz Göl'' and ''Küçük Dipsiz Göl'', both being craters). Descend via Teşvikiye forest, where a trail leads to Erikli waterfalls, then rejoin the north coast highway at Çınarcık. See [[Yalova]] for more on the east section of this route. * '''Cape Bozburun''' is the breezy tip of the peninsula just beyond the beach resort, with a stubby lighthouse. * '''İmralı''' is the island seen in the distance west of the Cape. It was inhabited by Ottoman Greeks before the population exchange between Turkey and Greece. It is now a prison island, inaccessible to the general public. * '''Esenköy''' is a beach resort on the north coast, where you might break a journey towards Yalova. == Buy == * Migros supermarket is near the ferry pier, open daily 09:00-21:00. * Olive oil is produced locally. Specialty olive oil shops are signed ''zeytinci.'' == Eat and drink == * İskele (harbour area) has Çetinkaya Canlı Balık, Urfa Sofrası, Ciğerci Bilo, Acıktım Kebap Lahmacun, Üçyol Lokantasi and Yes My Pizza. * Merkez (town centre) has Antepli Şefin Yeri, [https://esgelbalikcilik.business.site/ Eşgel Balıkçılık], and Şehir Pide * The beach strip has Kirmizli Beyaz Pide Kebap Salonu, Ybs Kebapevi and Doğan Pide. == Sleep == [[File:Delmece Plateau Nature Park.jpg | thumb | 300px | Delmece on the Green-Blue Road ]] * {{sleep | name=İskele Park Termal | alt= | url=http://www.iskeletermal.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Cd 125/1 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 226 679 1044 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=B&B double 550 TL | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2022-03-24 | content=4-star going on 2, but close to the ferry pier. }} * {{sleep | name=Model Motel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Yılandar 13 | lat=40.5064 | long=28.8514 | directions= | phone=+90 226 531 0466 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2022-03-24 | content=Clean comfy beach hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Miray Termal Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.miraytermalotel.com/ | email= | address=Kurtuluş Cd 112 | lat=40.5131 | long=28.8208 | directions= | phone=+90 532 608 4345 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2022-03-24 | content=Spa hotel in the thermal area, cleanliness erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=İhlas Armutlu Beach Resort | alt=İhlas Armutlu Tatil Köyü | url=https://www.ihlasarmutlu.com/ | email= | address=Zafer Cd, İhlas | lat=40.5194 | long=28.7851 | directions= | phone=+90 226 531 1000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2022-03-24 | content=Beach resort hotel open year-round. }} * '''[http://www.erdillithermalhotel.com/ Erdilli Thermal Hotel]''' is near the main spring source 4 km north of town, on a loop of the old highway off Kaplıca Cd. In 2022 it remains closed. == Connect == As of March 2022, Armutlu and its approach roads have 4G from Turkcell, but only a patchy signal from the other carriers. 5G has not yet rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == * [[Gemlik]] is an industrial suburb of Bursa and transport hub. Along the way you might explore the old hillside villages of Fıstıklı and Kapaklı, and the small seaside resorts of Narlı and Kumla. * [[Mudanya]] is a ferrry port with a few Ottoman buildings, and Tirilye has an 8th-century Byzantine church. * [[Bursa]] is a bustling modern place, but as the first city of the Ottoman dynasty it's studded with historic sites. * Esenköy and Çınarcık are resorts on the peninsula north coast, heading towards Yalova. * [[Yalova]] the provincial capital is a port and transport hub. It has hot springs similar to Armutlu. {{routebox | image3=77-50-TUR.png | imagesize3=40 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Yalova]] | minorl3=Çınarcık | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[Gemlik]] | minorr3=Becomes [[File:16-03-TUR.png|35px]] }} {{geo|40.519444|28.828056}} {{IsPartOf|Southern Marmara}} {{usablecity}} 6chmxvqf4wfxgr3so2h763j5t3q93eh 0 1712 4506395 4365723 2022-08-22T19:24:07Z Dale Arnett 737490 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ashland KY WV banner.jpg|caption=Ashland Coal and Iron Railroad Store|pgname=Ashland}} '''Ashland''' is a city in Boyd County in the [[Kentucky Appalachians]] near the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers. It was founded as Poage's Landing in 1786, incorporated as Ashland in 1854, and has witnessed the likenesses of such personalities as Billy Ray Cyrus and the Judds (country singers Naomi and her older daughter Wynonna, who performed as The Judds before Wynonna launched her own solo career, and younger daughter Ashley, who became a prominent actress). ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Tristate Airport''' ({{IATA|HTS}}) is across the Big Sandy river in [[West Virginia]]. It offers several connections to Ashland and the surrounding Tri-State Area. ===By car=== *From Interstate 64 there are two exits. === By train=== Ashland is served by '''[http://www.amtrak.com Amtrak]''' and its the thrice-weekly [https://www.amtrak.com/cardinal-train ''Cardinal''] train service between [[New York City|New York]] and [[Chicago]], via [[Cincinnati]] and [[Indianapolis]]. Westbound trains arrive around 10PM while eastbound ones arrive early morning about 6:30AM, delays are however quite common. {{marker|type=go|name=Ashland Transportation Center|url=https://www.amtrak.com/stations/aky|lat=38.480941|long=-82.639711}} is located in downtown at 99 15th St. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} ==See== * {{see | name=The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center | alt= | url=http://www.highlandsmuseum.com/ | email= | address=1620 Winchester Ave | lat=38.478149 | long=-82.639129 | directions= | phone=+1 606-329-8888 | tollfree= | hours=W-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-6PM | price= | lastedit=2018-03-06 | content=This is like half regional history museum/half kids discovery place. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Paramount Arts Center | alt= | url=http://www.paramountartscenter.com/ | email= | address=1300 Winchester Ave | lat=38.47995 | long=-82.64288 | directions= | phone=+1 606 324-0007 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=Various cultural programs and nationally renowned artists/concerts. }} * {{do | name=Central Park | alt= | url=http://www.ashlandky.gov/departments/parks_and_recreation/index.php | email= | address= | lat=38.4733 | long=-82.6378 | directions= | phone=+1 606 385-3295 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 7AM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=A beloved municipal park with pond and foliage and pioneer cabin, but watch out for hypodermic needles. }} * {{do | name=Port of Ashland | alt=Riverfront Park | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.48200 | long=-82.63934 | directions= | phone=+1 606 327-2046 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=A place to view the languid Ohio River and boat traffic, with statuary. }} *[http://www.summermotion.com/ Summer Motion] is a two-week festival culminating on July 4th. Events include concerts, air show, and a carnival. *Greenbo State Park *Carter Caves State Park ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=The Frame Up Gallery | alt= | url= | email= | address=1436 Winchester Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 606 571-3258 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Cafe inside a picture frame shop. }} * {{eat | name=Fat Patty's Ashland | alt= | url=https://fatpattysonline.com/ | email= | address=1442 Winchester Ave | lat=38.47916 | long=-82.64108 | directions= | phone =+1 606-325-7287 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *'''Crisp's Dairy Treat''', US 60 W, Summit, +1 606 928-8193 * {{eat | name=Jim's Hotdogs & Spaghetti | alt=in the arcade | url= | email= | address=1536 Winchester Ave, Ste #18 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone =+1 606 615-4888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=LaFinca Mexican Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=1201 Greenup Ave | lat=38.482026 | long=-82.642911 | directions= | phone=+1 606 324-2134 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-06 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Moe's Southwest Grill | alt= | url= | email= | address=115 6th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone =+1 606 329-0833 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== The city of Ashland is "wet", meaning that full retail alcohol sales are allowed. Boyd County is dry, but allows alcohol sales by the drink in larger restaurants (seating at least 100). The same applies in the nearby city of Russell, which is in Boyd County's otherwise dry neighbor of Greenup County. Nearby areas in Ohio and West Virginia are wet. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Delta Hotels by Marriott Ashland Downtown | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/htsda-delta-hotels-ashland-downtown/ | email= | address=1441 Winchester Ave | lat=38.47958 | long=-82.64076 | directions= | phone=+1 606 327-1100 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=It's really plush compared to its surroundings, and you'll probably feel like a king. }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Cardinal icon.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Cincinnati]] | minorl1=[[Maysville]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Charleston (West Virginia)|Charleston]] | minorr1=[[Huntington (West Virginia)|Huntington]] | image2=US 23.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Columbus]] | minorl2=[[Portsmouth (Ohio)|Portsmouth]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Kingsport]] | minorr2=[[Catlettsburg]] | image3=US 60.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Lexington (Kentucky)|Lexington]] | minorl3=[[Carter Caves State Resort Park]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Charleston (West Virginia)|Charleston]] | minorr3=[[Catlettsburg]] }} {{geo|38.47833|-82.63806}} {{IsPartOf|Kentucky Appalachians}} {{outlinecity}} 6orvdwziba2pdi7mr0p5j9yvrurx7ce 4506396 4506395 2022-08-22T19:24:28Z Dale Arnett 737490 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ashland KY WV banner.jpg|caption=Ashland Coal and Iron Railroad Store|pgname=Ashland}} '''Ashland''' is a city in Boyd County in the [[Kentucky Appalachians]] near the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers. It was founded as Poage's Landing in 1786, incorporated as Ashland in 1854, and has witnessed the likenesses of such personalities as Billy Ray Cyrus and the Judds (country singers Naomi and her older daughter Wynonna, who performed as The Judds before Wynonna launched a solo career, and younger daughter Ashley, who became a prominent actress). ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Tristate Airport''' ({{IATA|HTS}}) is across the Big Sandy river in [[West Virginia]]. It offers several connections to Ashland and the surrounding Tri-State Area. ===By car=== *From Interstate 64 there are two exits. === By train=== Ashland is served by '''[http://www.amtrak.com Amtrak]''' and its the thrice-weekly [https://www.amtrak.com/cardinal-train ''Cardinal''] train service between [[New York City|New York]] and [[Chicago]], via [[Cincinnati]] and [[Indianapolis]]. Westbound trains arrive around 10PM while eastbound ones arrive early morning about 6:30AM, delays are however quite common. {{marker|type=go|name=Ashland Transportation Center|url=https://www.amtrak.com/stations/aky|lat=38.480941|long=-82.639711}} is located in downtown at 99 15th St. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} ==See== * {{see | name=The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center | alt= | url=http://www.highlandsmuseum.com/ | email= | address=1620 Winchester Ave | lat=38.478149 | long=-82.639129 | directions= | phone=+1 606-329-8888 | tollfree= | hours=W-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-6PM | price= | lastedit=2018-03-06 | content=This is like half regional history museum/half kids discovery place. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Paramount Arts Center | alt= | url=http://www.paramountartscenter.com/ | email= | address=1300 Winchester Ave | lat=38.47995 | long=-82.64288 | directions= | phone=+1 606 324-0007 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=Various cultural programs and nationally renowned artists/concerts. }} * {{do | name=Central Park | alt= | url=http://www.ashlandky.gov/departments/parks_and_recreation/index.php | email= | address= | lat=38.4733 | long=-82.6378 | directions= | phone=+1 606 385-3295 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 7AM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=A beloved municipal park with pond and foliage and pioneer cabin, but watch out for hypodermic needles. }} * {{do | name=Port of Ashland | alt=Riverfront Park | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.48200 | long=-82.63934 | directions= | phone=+1 606 327-2046 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=A place to view the languid Ohio River and boat traffic, with statuary. }} *[http://www.summermotion.com/ Summer Motion] is a two-week festival culminating on July 4th. Events include concerts, air show, and a carnival. *Greenbo State Park *Carter Caves State Park ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=The Frame Up Gallery | alt= | url= | email= | address=1436 Winchester Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 606 571-3258 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Cafe inside a picture frame shop. }} * {{eat | name=Fat Patty's Ashland | alt= | url=https://fatpattysonline.com/ | email= | address=1442 Winchester Ave | lat=38.47916 | long=-82.64108 | directions= | phone =+1 606-325-7287 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *'''Crisp's Dairy Treat''', US 60 W, Summit, +1 606 928-8193 * {{eat | name=Jim's Hotdogs & Spaghetti | alt=in the arcade | url= | email= | address=1536 Winchester Ave, Ste #18 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone =+1 606 615-4888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=LaFinca Mexican Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=1201 Greenup Ave | lat=38.482026 | long=-82.642911 | directions= | phone=+1 606 324-2134 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-06 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Moe's Southwest Grill | alt= | url= | email= | address=115 6th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone =+1 606 329-0833 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== The city of Ashland is "wet", meaning that full retail alcohol sales are allowed. Boyd County is dry, but allows alcohol sales by the drink in larger restaurants (seating at least 100). The same applies in the nearby city of Russell, which is in Boyd County's otherwise dry neighbor of Greenup County. Nearby areas in Ohio and West Virginia are wet. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Delta Hotels by Marriott Ashland Downtown | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/htsda-delta-hotels-ashland-downtown/ | email= | address=1441 Winchester Ave | lat=38.47958 | long=-82.64076 | directions= | phone=+1 606 327-1100 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=It's really plush compared to its surroundings, and you'll probably feel like a king. }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Cardinal icon.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Cincinnati]] | minorl1=[[Maysville]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Charleston (West Virginia)|Charleston]] | minorr1=[[Huntington (West Virginia)|Huntington]] | image2=US 23.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Columbus]] | minorl2=[[Portsmouth (Ohio)|Portsmouth]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Kingsport]] | minorr2=[[Catlettsburg]] | image3=US 60.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Lexington (Kentucky)|Lexington]] | minorl3=[[Carter Caves State Resort Park]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Charleston (West Virginia)|Charleston]] | minorr3=[[Catlettsburg]] }} {{geo|38.47833|-82.63806}} {{IsPartOf|Kentucky Appalachians}} {{outlinecity}} 23q9cby73smw0drs1njk2v8p8rwyk4h 0 1752 4506729 4502034 2022-08-23T10:08:35Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Cities */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} [[File:Assam in India (disputed hatched).svg|thumb|Assam on map of the Republic of India]] '''Assam''' (Assamese: অসম) is a land of blue hills, green valleys and a red river — the majestic and sacred Brahmaputra. It is known for its famous tea, its silk and its biodiversity, and is also rich in archeological heritage. Assam is in the [[North-Eastern India|north eastern region]] of India, just below the eastern Himalayan foothills, and is home to more than 31 million people (2011). It is surrounded by the states of [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Nagaland]], [[Manipur]], [[Mizoram]], [[Tripura]] and [[Meghalaya]], which together with Assam are known collectively as the ''seven sisters'', and by the nations of [[Bhutan]] and [[Bangladesh]]. The borders of [[China]] and [[Myanmar]] are within the range of 80 to 100&nbsp;km. In spite of its merits as a place to visit, Assam is decidedly off the beaten track for tourists. ==Regions== {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t3}}|title=[[Upper Assam]]|wikidata=Q24039029,Q42473,Q42479,Q42517,Q42611,Q42743,Q28110729,Q42768,Q42756,Q28110722,Q42765}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t2}}|title=[[Central Hills and Barak Valley]]|wikidata=Q42542,Q42505,Q42209,Q42774,Q24699407,Q42558,Q42737,Q42686}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t1}}|title=[[Lower Assam]]|wikidata=Q2360266,Q41249,Q42197,Q2574898,Q42485,Q42522,Q42779,Q2464674,Q42618,Q24907599,Q2247441,Q101088203,Q321998,Q42461}} {{Regionlist | regionmap=Assam Wikivoyage map.png | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Lower Assam]] | region1color={{stdColor|t1}} | region1description=The historic and the largest city [[Guwahati]], wildlife habitats such as [[Manas National Park]], Pobitora, and Chakrasila; traditional silk industry at Soalkuchi, bronze and bell metal industry at Sarthebari, archaeological sites such as Ambari (Guwahati), Madan Kamdev, Suryapahar, and Hajo; cultural life at the villages of general Assamese and of Bodo, Rabha, Hajong, and Garo ethnocultural groups, rafting at several rivers, the religious places such as Hajo. | region2name=[[Central Assam and Barak Valley]] | region2color={{stdColor|t2}} | region2description=The historic Maibong, scenic Haflong, fabled Jatinga (known for the bird suicide myth), the Bengali-speaking Barak Valley, hot water spring at Umrangshu, cultural life at the villages of Karbi, Dimasa and Tiwa ethnocultural groups, etc. | region3name=[[Upper Assam]] | region3color={{stdColor|t3}} | region3description=[[Kaziranga National Park]], the historical old capital city of Rongpur ([[Sibsagar]]), the ancient capital city and royal burial mounds at Charaideo the first capital of the Ahom rulers, [[Majuli]] - claimed to be the largest river island in the world, a centre of Vaishnav monasteries and typical villages and cultural life of the Mishing ethnocultural group, several other wildlife sanctuaries and habitats including the Joydihing rainforest and Dibru-Saikhowa with its population of feral horses (Brahmaputra's) close to [[Dibrugarh]], cultural life of ethnocultural groups such as Taiphakes, Taikhamtis, Singphos, Morans and of general Assamese population, [[Digboi]] - first Asian petroleum refinery with oil museum and the heritage wells, the WWII famous [[Stillwell Road]] and the natural and cultural environment along it, archaeological site of Deopahar near Numaligarh refinery. }} ==Cities== [[File:Night view of Dibrugarh.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Dibrugarh]]]] [[File:Sarania-hills-brahmaputra.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Guwahati]]]] Major cities are: *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Guwahati]] | lat=26.1833 |long=91.7333 | image=Kamakhya_Guwahati.JPG |wikidata=Q199605}} &mdash; Capital and largest city in Assam, city of temples, history and archaeological sites *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Bongaigaon]] | lat=26.48 |long=90.56 | image=Skyline_of_Bongaigaon_City.jpg |wikidata=Q3429538}} &mdash; commercial and industrial hub, home to many monuments of Assamese culture * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Bordua]] | lat=26.4107|long=92.5516}} &mdash; the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sarkardev draws visitors who come to learn Sattriya dance and do research on Vaishnavism * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Borgang]] | lat=26.803056 |long=93.554444 | image= |wikidata=Q4945011}} &mdash; experience the rich folklore and culture of rural Assam in a picturesque landscape *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Dibrugarh]] | lat=27.48 |long=95.0 | image=Radha Krishna Temple, Dibrugarh.jpg |wikidata=Q1266637}} &mdash; home to several parks, gardens and temples *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Golaghat]] | lat=26.5143225 |long=93.9308518 | image=Circuit_House_Compound,_Golaghat.png |wikidata=Q1708160}} &mdash; an old urban centre for Assam, but nevertheless home to wildlife sanctuaries and a UNESCO-listed national park, beautiful views amid ancient ruins, and sacred Hindu and Christian sites from the 17th and 19th centuries *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jorhat]] | lat=26.75 |long=94.217 | image=Majuli Island.jpg |wikidata=Q1937201}} &mdash; considered by some to be the cultural center of Assam and the last capital of the mighty Ahom kingdom. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Nagaon]] | lat=26.34637 |long=92.68404 | image= |wikidata=Q11938328}} &mdash; *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Rangia]] | lat=26.47 |long=91.63 | image= |wikidata=Q2475022}} &mdash; Major railway town and a part of Kamrupi cultural region. *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Silchar]] | lat=24.81666 |long=92.8 | image= |wikidata=Q944769}} &mdash; Bhuban Hills, tea gardens and the former capital of the Old Cachari Kingdom (Khaspur). * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Tezpur]] | lat=26.6245 |long=92.7910 | image=Agnigarh Hill, Tezpur.JPG |wikidata=Q1021162}} &mdash; Ancient town and also said to be the cultural capital of Assam, with many historical ruins with the Himalayas as a backdrop. *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Tinsukia]] | lat=27.5000 |long=95.3667 | image=Tinkunia_pukhri.jpg |wikidata=Q2249428}} &mdash; famous for its endless stretches of tea gardens. <!-- * [[Charaideo]] - the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Assam with hundreds of burial mounds called Moidams for kings and nobles. * [[Dhansiri]] Valley archaeological region * [[Guwahati]] archaeological region - Guwahati is an ancient city; there are several archaeological sites with temples, tanks, ramparts, etc. The Assam State Museum located close to historic Dighali Pukhuri (a large tank) is worth visiting. * [[Hajo]] archaeological region - the ancient city of Apunarbhaba; there are remains of several ancient temples and other structures. * [[Kapili]] Valley archaeological region * Madan Kamdev - a 10th-century ancient city close to Guwahati; A large site of architectural, and sculptural remains with numerous objects. Excavations are still going on. * [[Maibong]] * Surya Pahar [[Goalpara]] archaeological region * [[Tezpur]] archaeological region include Da Parbatia ruins and the Bamuni hills --> ==Other destinations== [[File:Rhino at Kaziranga.jpg|thumb|200px|A one-horned rhino at [[Kaziranga National Park]]]] Assam has several attractive destinations; majority of these are national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries, areas with archaeological interests and areas with unique cultural heritage. Moreover, as a whole, the region is covered by beautiful natural landscapes. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=Dibru-Saikhowa National Park | wikidata=Q1209353}} &mdash; A wonderful habitat of numerous birds; there are feral horses on the islands of the Brahmaputra close to the park. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=[[Kaziranga National Park]] | wikidata=Q192764}} &mdash; A World Heritage Site of UNESCO, it is the largest habitat for one-horned rhinoceros and several other unique flora and fauna. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=[[Manas National Park]] | lat=26.74599 |long=91.02032 | image= }} &mdash; In the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, where the river Manah flows with picturesque turns and clean water and sandy beaches. Although Manas is primarily a tiger reserve, it possesses numerous other valuable flora and fauna; the park is situated roughly 150&nbsp;km west of Guwahati. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=[[Nameri National Park]] | lat=26.93249 |long=92.87766 | image= }} &mdash; One of the most scenic national park of Assam, Nameri comes as a delight for the nature loving and bird watching traveler. The bird-life is particularly superb. Also, chances of spotting a Tiger is very high. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=Orang National Park | lat=26.62766 | long=92.49504 | image=Indian_Rhinoceros.jpg }} (Mini Kaziranga National Park) &mdash; marshes, streams and grasslands provide a habitat for the Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant, wild buffalo and tiger. It provides a home for many migratory species of birds and reptiles ==Understand== [[File:Golden Langur.jpg|thumb|right|180px|A Golden Langur; endangered and are found in Chakrasila Sanctuary in Goalpara district]] [[File:Bhatou Phul.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Orchids are abundantly found in Assam; a variety - Bhatou Phul or Vanda coerulea, the 'Blue Vanda]] ===History=== The state of Assam is in a transitional region between [[South Asia]] and [[South-East Asia]]. Prior to Indian independence in 1947, Assam had been a part of British India since the British annexed the Kingdom of Assam and its tributary states in 1826 following the Treaty of Yandaboo. Assam used to be a larger state. [[Sylhet Division]], formerly part of Assam, was allotted to [[Pakistan]] in the 1947 United Nations India Partition and subsequently became part of [[Bangladesh]] after the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, while [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Nagaland]], [[Mizoram]] and [[Meghalaya]] were carved out of Assam during the 1960s and 70s. With an area of 78,438 km², Assam in its current configuration is almost equivalent to the size of [[Ireland]] or [[Austria]]. History of urban development goes back to almost two thousand years in the region. Existence of ancient urban areas such as Pragjyotishapura (Guwahati), Hatapesvara (Tezpur), and Durjaya, and medieval towns such as Charaideu, Garhgaon, Rongpur, Jorhat, Khaspur, and Guwahati, are well recorded. [[Guwahati]] with its more than two thousand years of history is the largest urban centre and a million plus city in Assam. The city has experienced multifold growth during past three decades to grow as the primate city in the region; the city's population was approximately 0.9 million (considering Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) area) during the census of 2001. Assam was known as the Kingdom of Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa during the first millennium AD and was broken into smaller states during the beginning of the second millennium; however, later, for almost 600 years starting in the 13th century, the region was again transformed into a united sovereign country as the Kingdom of Assam under the later dynasties such as the [[Ahom Kingdom|Ahoms]] and Koches. Assam has been a world leader in production of tea for more than past one hundred years and produces around 25 percent of the world's tea. Traditionally it is also a producer of high-quality silk, locally called ''paat'' bred on mulberry leaves, and the only place in the world where all four major silk types are cultivated, the others being the golden silk ''Muga'' unique to Assam, the Ahimsa silk Eri bred on castor leaves, and ''tassar''. ===A paradise for nature lovers=== Assam and surrounding regions have to be a paradise for the nature lovers and researchers. The region's unique natural settings, hydro-geomorphic environment and biodiversity have no parallel in [[Asia]]. Within an eighty to hundred kilometres of journey by land, one can travel from a flat flood plain with tropical rainforests and wet paddy fields to mountainous regions of Alpine-Himalayan climatic conditions at very high altitude. Geomorphic studies conclude that the Brahmaputra, the life-line of Assam is a paleo-river; older than the Himalayas. The river with steep gorges and rapids in Arunachal Pradesh entering Assam, becomes a braided river (at times 16&nbsp;km wide) and with tributaries, creates a flood plain (Brahmaputra Valley: 80–100&nbsp;km wide, 1000&nbsp;km long). The hills of Karbi Anglong, North Cachar and those in and close to Guwahati (also Khasi-Garo Hills) now eroded and dissected are originally parts of the South Indian Plateau system. In the south, the Barak originating in the Barail Range (Assam-Nagaland border), flows through the Cachar district with a 40–50&nbsp;km wide valley and confluences with the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. Assam is one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world and consists of tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, riverine grasslands, bamboo orchards and numerous wetland ecosystems; Many are now protected as national parks and reserved forests. The Kaziranga, home of the rare Rhinoceros, and Manas are two [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]] in Assam. Pabitora has the highest density of rhinos. The reserve forests of Joypur, Upper Dihing and Dirak are a stretch of pristine rainforests. The region is the last refuge for numerous other endangered species such as Golden Langur or Honali Bandor (Trachypithecus geei), White-winged Wood Duck or Deohanh (Cairina scutulata), Bengal Florican or Ulumora, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Pygmy Hog or Nolgahori, Greater Adjutant or Hargila, Hispid Hare or Khagorikota, Slow Loris or Lajuki Bandor, Swamp Francolin or Koira and so on. Some other endangered species with significant population in Assam are Tiger, Elephant, Hoolock Gibbon, Jerdon's Babbler and so on. Assam is also known for orchids the more well known being the foxtail or kopou and blue vanda or bhatou. ===Climate=== With the "Tropical Monsoon Rainforest Climate", Assam is temperate (Summer max. at 35-38 and winter min. at 6-8 degrees Celsius) and experiences heavy rainfall and high humidity. However, temperature is much lesser in the hilly areas of Central Assam. The climate is characterised by heavy monsoon downpours reducing summer temperature and foggy nights and mornings in winter. Thunderstorms known as Bordoicila are frequent during the afternoons. Spring (March–April) and Autumn (September–October) are usually pleasant with moderate rainfall and temperature. ===Cultural heritage=== Assam is also a region, which can be termed as a crucible of cultures. It is a true meeting place of South Asian and South East Asian cultures, where the principal language Assamese (Oxomeeya) exhibits hybridity between Indo-Iranian, Tibeto-Burman and Tai-Kadai group of languages. Apart from the hybrid Assamese population, there are several distinct ethno-cultural groups such as Bodo, Karbi, Mishing, Dimasa, Tiwa, Rabha, Hasong, Taiphake, Taikhamti, Taiaiton, Singphow, Bru, Garo, etc. with distinct languages, dialects, food habits, architecture and settlement pattern, textile design, dance, music, musical instruments, belief, etc. [[File:Assam MK Lion.JPG|thumb|right|180px|A ferocious lion excavated in Madan Kamdev close to Baihata Cariali in Assam representing the powerful Kamarupa-Palas (c. 9th-10th century A.D.)]] [[File:Rangghar Assam.JPG|thumb|right|180px|Rong Ghor, a pavilion built by the king Pramatta Singha (also Sunenpha; 1744–1751) in Ahom capital Rongpur, now Sibsagar; the Rang Ghar is one of the earliest pavilions of outdoor stadia in Asia]] ===State of tourism=== It is important to understand that in the past 60 years, the Government of India's restrictions on the foreigners in the region such as the Restricted Area Permit System (RAP - finally abolished in Assam and neighbouring Meghalaya in the 1990s), acted as major hindrances for the foreign tourists and foreign interest groups to legally enter in to Assam and gradually pushed Assam in to isolation from the world. Assam today is a terra incognita to the new generations in the developed world; while the old generation British, other Europeans, Americans and Japanese still remember 'Assam' whatever may be the cause varying from colonial administration, to tea and oil industry or to WWII. For past 60 years, tourism promotion and development was a neglected subject. During the same time period, few Assamese have left Assam for other places; Assamese have been happy inside Assam, inside their native places and inside their houses, which has seen a sea-change with thousands of students and skilled labourers coming from different cities in India. Therefore, as a not well-known place, Assam has long way to go to establish herself as a foremost tourist destination. However, Assam possesses everything that is required for developing herself as a leader of travel and tourism in the world and most importantly Assamese are one of the most hospitable people. ==Talk== '''[[Assamese phrasebook|Assamese]]''' is the principal language and the lingua franca in the region. Assamese and Bodo are the local official languages in Assam while [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]] is used as the same in the [[Barak Valley]]. There are several other local languages such as [[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]], Mishing, Karbi, Dimasa, Garo, Hmar, Bru, Taiphake, Taikhamti, etc. used by the specific ethno-cultural groups in different pockets. However, most educated people speak English and [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]] with local accents. Bengali is also spoken in many parts of Assam, especially Guwahati and Silchar, where there are large Bengali communities. Moreover, there are many speakers of other Indian languages and dialects such as Punjabi, Marwari, Bhojpuri, and Gujarati, particularly in the urban centres. Usually, all official signs and documents are written in both Assamese and English, using British spelling. The Government of India establishments Indian Railways, ONGC, et al. have sign boards in three languages - Assamese, English and Hindi. Commercial and street signs are usually written in Assamese and English and in Bengali in the Barak Valley. As English has a wider base, foreigners need not to worry about not becoming fluent Assamese or any other local language, although it is an additional advantage for a tourist to a know few sentences of a local language. ==Get in== ===By plane=== There is good air-connectivity to Assam from elsewhere in India. Guwahati's '''Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport''' ({{IATA|GAU}}) is the busiest in Assam. Other major airports in the state include [[Dibrugarh]] ({{IATA|DIB}}), and [[Silchar]] ({{IATA|IXS}}). Air India along with several private airlines operate daily services from all of India's big cities, including [[Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Bangalore]]. Moreover, there are other airports in [[Tezpur]] and Jorhat ({{IATA|JRH}}) with less frequent flights connecting cities such as Kolkata and other cities of the northeast region to Assam. Arriving by plane gives a wonderful welcome aerial view of the green valley surrounded by blue hills in Assam. The major airlines operating in the region are: * [http://airindia.in/ Air India] * [http://www.spicejet.com/ Spicejet] * [https://www.goindigo.in/ Indigo Airlines] * [https://www.airasia.com Go Airlines] * [https://www.airasia.com Air Asia] For international travellers from [[East Asia]] or [[South East Asia]], the easiest route to get to Assam is via Kolkata. There are several direct flights from Kolkata to Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar and Jorhat. The journey time in a direct flight from Kolkata to Guwahati takes less than 45&nbsp;minutes, while a flight from Kolkata to Dibrugarh (the eastern most civil airport in Assam) takes around 90&nbsp;minutes. Similarly for travellers from [[Europe]], [[Middle East]], [[Central Asia]] and [[Africa]], routes via Delhi, Mumbai or even Kolkata are best ways to enter the state. Out of these three major Indian cities, Delhi and Kolkata have higher frequency of flights to Guwahati. A Delhi-Guwahati direct flight takes around 2 hour and 30 minutes. There are a limited number of international flights going into Guwahati. As of February 2020, there are Nok Air flights between Guwahati and Bangkok while Druk Air flies between Paro and Singapore via Guwahati. ===By rail=== Three major routes of North East Frontier Railways (NF Railways) cover Assam and provide linkage to elsewhere in India. Guwahati railway station is the largest in Assam and is served by direct trains from most of the major cities in India. The Rajdhani Express (fully air-conditioned) from [[New Delhi]] (takes 27&nbsp;hours) and Saraighat Express from [[Howrah]] in [[Kolkata]] (takes 17&nbsp;hours) are the fastest ones. There are many direct trains from Delhi (including the Rajdhani Express) and Kolkata for Dibrugarh in Upper Assam. Usually, Dibrugarh is an additional night's journey (12 hr) from Guwahati. ===By car=== There are highways from Indian states in the west and buses run between [[Siliguri]] (to Siliguri buses are available from [[Kolkata]], [[Darjeeling]] and [[Gangtok]]) and [[Guwahati]]; However, travelling by bus may not be comfortable in this patch and travel time is usually longer than that of trains. Road connectivity to surrounding Seven Sister States is good, however may take different durations depending on the location of the state. [[Tamu]] in western [[Myanmar]] is connected to a reasonably good highway to Assam via [[Manipur]]; Tamu in Myanmar border is closer to [[Mandalay]]. The historic Stilwell Road between Assam-Myanmar-[[China]] from Ledo in Upper Assam to [[Myitkina]] in Myanmar and further to [[Kunming]] in China is right now not fully operationalised. There are also roads connecting [[Bhutan]]. ==Get around== ===By bus and car=== Buses are the most common medium of travel in Assam. Buses in Assam are generally well maintained and comfortable. There are regular bus services connecting important places within Assam and to neighbouring states. Long-distance buses generally are called Night Super Bus (because they usually travel only at after sunset) are more comfortable with reclining seats. Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) is state run bus company with a very exhaustive network. Some private players have large networks as well. Taxi cabs can be a good option for travelling inside Assam and to the surrounding region. In majority cities and even small towns private taxi-cabs are available for rent for local travel as well for inter-city travel. The taxi-cabs can be also rented on daily basis. For a traveller, it is easier to hire a taxi from the hotel he or she is staying; usually the hotels can arrange or provide with information on the local car rental agencies. Self driving may not be advisable for many reasons - dangerous traffic, frequent agitations and 'bandh's and insurgency in certain areas to name some. ===By train=== Although having a fairly extensive railway network, trains are less convenient than buses or taxis for travelling short distances within Assam - inter-city or inter-regional trains are not very frequent within Assam. Moreover, the Assam's rail network is fragmented due to different gauge size. The services on narrow gauge and meter gauge lines are irregular and uncomfortable. Broad gauge service links Guwahati with major cities in upper Assam ([[Dibrugarh]], [[Jorhat]] and [[Tinsukia]]), which is comfortable but little more time-consuming than the buses; However, from Guwahati, one may try using the Rajdhani Express (fully Airconditioned) for an over-night journey to reach Dibrugarh or Tinsukia. The railway tickets are bookable online or available at the electronic ticketing counters in the stations. It is important to have a reservation for an overnight train journey, to obtain a berth in a comfortable A/C or non A/C sleeper coach. For reservation, booking should be made 2 months before the journey; however, in majority trains 'Tatkal' service is available. ===By plane === Air travel from [[Guwahati]] to Upper Assam or Southern Assam districts can be quicker and easier. Guwahati is linked with [[Dibrugarh]], [[Jorhat]], [[Tezpur]] and [[Silchar]] with several flights. However, it is important to book a ticket early. A flight between Guwahati and Dibrugarh takes roughly 45&nbsp;minutes. ==See== [[File:Rhino side view.jpg|thumb|right|180px|The famous Rhinoceros of Assam in Kaziranga]] * [[Kaziranga National Park]] is on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river. It is home and one of the last refuges to rhinoceros of Assam and covers an area of 430&nbsp;km². * '''[[Manas National Park]]''' is a haven for tigers and a {{unesco}}. [[File:Deodhas of Deodhani dance with rythm.jpg|thumb|Deodhas of Deodhani dance]] ==Do== * '''Brahmaputra Cruise''' - A private firm, Assam-Bengal Navigation offers river cruise on Brahmaputra. This tour covers almost whole of the stretch of river lying in Assam. * [https://www.facebook.com/theforestmen/ '''Jadav Payeng Initiative'''] This village is famous for the man made forest & mishing tribe. They assist in Assam's eco-cultural tours & travel. * [https://greenerpasturesind.wordpress.com/author/greenerpasturesind/ '''Greener Pastures'''] - An eco-tourism organization which provides responsible tours to offbeat and exotic destinations of Northeast India. Activities include trekking, tribal tours, wildlife journeys, river cruises, tea tours and adventure sports such as caving and rafting. * [https://www.facebook.com/pedalroads/ '''Pedalroads Adventures''' ]- An adventure tour company based in Guwahati offering cycling and trekking tours across the northeastern states. ==Eat== {{see also|South Asian cuisine}} [[File:Assamese thali.JPG|thumb|Lunch in Assam means white rice with vegetables.]] It is worthwhile to taste ethnic Assamese cuisine which comprises rice with regional curries, including choices of fish, lamb, chicken and duck. Assamese meals are usually accompanied by various side dishes like mash potatoes ''(Alu Pitika)'' or pickles of small fried fishes. ===Rice=== Rice is the most important ingredient in the state's cuisine. The large varieties of rice found in the region has led to speculation that the grain was first domesticated in the Assam-Yunnan region. Both the indica as well as the japonica varieties are grown in Assam. The most popular class of rice is the joha or scented rice. As a staple diet rice is eaten either steam boiled (''ukhua) or sundried (''aaroi'''). Some very fine varieties of rice namely, Karaballam or kauribadam etc. are available in Assam only. Rice is eaten as a snack in many different forms: roasted and ground ('''xandoh'''), boiled in its husk and flattened ('''chira'''), puffed ('''akhoi'''). There is also a variety of rice grown that can be just soaked and eaten (kumol saul). ===Fish=== The next most important ingredient is fish, harvested from the many rivers, ponds and lakes in the region. There is no traditional ethnic community in Assam that does not eat fish. Some of the most popular big fishes are the Rohu, the Hilsa and the chital (big), khoria (medium) (Chitala chitala), Maagur, Xingi, Borali, Bhokua, Xaal, Xol, etc. The small varieties of fish available and eaten in Assam include Puthi, Borolia, Mua, cheniputhi, tengera, lachin, bhagun and pabho. * The most popular dish from Assam, the '''tenga''' (fish sour), is an indispensable part of a proper meal in Assam. The most popular tenga is made with tomatoes, though the ones made with '''kajinemu''' (thick skinned elongated lemon) and '''thekera''' (dried Mangosteen,) are also popular * Another favourite is small fish roasted in banana leaves ('''paatotdia'''). * '''Hukuti''' is a special fish dish prepared from dried small fish (puthi maas) pounded with an arum stem and dried and stored in bamboo tubes. Variations of this exist among the ethnic communities of Northeast India in general and Assam in particular, are dried and fermented small fish puthy mas (Ticto barb), three to four in numbers are roasted along with lavish amounts of green chillies, tomatoes, ginger and garlic (all roasted). The ingredients are then pounded in a mortar to make a coarse paste and served with rice. The Assamese meat and fish dish is characterized by low amount of spices and oil, higher quantity of ginger, norosingho paat (curry leaves) and lemon juice. This is quite different from Bengali dishes in taste. ===Meats=== Pork and to some extent, beef dishes are particular favorites in the tribal areas in Assam. Beef is not eaten by the majority of Assamese as they practice Hinduism; however, beef is popular among Assamese Muslims and tribal communities. Likewise pork is eaten by the non-Muslim Assamese population. The basic cooking method is boiling. Onla, of the Bodos, is made with ground rice and special herbs, and constitutes a complete meal in itself. Other meats include squab, duck, chicken, mutton, venison, and turtle although venison and turtle meat are legally prohibited. The combination of duck – white gourd and squab – papaya or banana flower is very popular. Meat is curried in spicy gravy. ===Typical Assamese dishes=== * '''Chutney''' is made of coriander, spinach, tomato, heartleaf, curry leaf, chilli, lentil, chickpea etc. Xukan masor chutney (chutney made of dried fish) is popular among the tribal communities. Salads contain ingredients like carrots, radish, tomatoes, cucumbers and beetroot. * The '''khar''' is a signature dish made with a key ingredient, also called khar. The traditional ingredient is made by filtering water through the ashes of a banana tree, which is then called kola khar . A traditional meal invariably begins with a khar dish, made of raw papaya, pulses or any other main ingredient. Xôkôta: It is a severely bitter type of preparation. It is prepared with dry jute leaf, urad bean and khar. * '''Kharoli''' is fermented mashed mustard (Brassica campestris var. toria) seed to which a khar has been added, and kahudi to which an acidic agent (lemon juice or dried mangosteen) has been added. Pitikas are also made from roasted or steamed vegetables (tomatoes and eggplants being very popular). Small fishes, Asiatic pennywort, matikaduri, tengamora leaves, heartleaf, and dôrôn (Leucus longifolia) are roasted separately wrapped in banana leaves and mashed into pitika along with mustard oil, salt and chilli. It is also called patotdia (literally, 'in a leaf'). * '''Pickles''' in Assam are made from various fruits and vegetables, including mango, Indian gooseberry, hog plum, olive, Tamarind, star fruit, mangosteen, radish, carrot, elephant apple, Indian jujube, chilli, lime and garlic. * '''Poitabhat''' is a favourite dish in Assam during the summer season. Cooked rice is soaked overnight in order to prepare poitabhat and served the next day garnished with mustard oil, onion, chilli, pickles, pitika (smashes), etc. * '''Pokori''' is a fritter is made of flower and tender leaves of pumpkin, tender leaves of bottle gourd, eggplant, tender leaves of Night-flowering Jasmine, etc. * Side dishes called '''pitika''' - are a signature characteristic of Assamese cuisine. The most popular is '''aloo pitika''' - mashed potatoes) garnished with raw onions, mustard oil, green chillies and sometimes boiled eggs. khorisa tenga is mashed fermented bamboo shoot, sometimes pickled in mustard oil and spices. * The '''tenga''' is a light and sour fish dish, another signature class of preparations. The souring ingredient could be mangosteen or lemon but the most popular type is made with tomatoes. Fish dishes made with fermented bamboo shoot are generally sour, but they are not called tengas. Fish is fried in mustard oil or curried with bottle gourd or spinach. Another tenga dish is prepared with matimah (urad bean) and outenga (elephant apple). Bottle gourd also can be added to it. Tengamora or noltenga and lentil is also a distinct tenga curry. ===Assamese Snacks=== * '''Bora saul''' is a variety of glutinous rice found in Assam. It has an important role in Assamese traditional occasions like Bihu. It is used in Jolpan (snacks) and Pitha (ricecake or pancake). Soaked and ground bora saul is used in preparing Pitha. Boiled bora saul is served as Jolpan with curd or milk, jaggery or sugar. * '''Chira''' (Flattened rice, also called beaten rice) is a dehusked rice which is flattened into flat light dry flakes. These flakes of rice swell when added to liquid, whether hot or cold, as they absorb water, milk or any other liquids. It can be eaten raw by immersing it in plain water or milk or curd, with salt or sugar or jaggery to taste, or lightly fried in oil. * '''Ghila pitha''' is a type of pancake so called because of its knee cap sized shape. Knee cap is called Ghila in Assamese. Rice flour of Bora saul, one kind of glutinous rice or any common rice is used in it. A paste made of rice flour and jaggery is prepared first and then fried in cooking oil at a certain quantity. Salt is also used instead of jaggery to make salty Ghila pitha. It is generally prepared and served in Bihu in Assam. * '''Kumol saul''' is a unique type of rice from Assam that can be eaten without cooking. It is rendered fluffy and edible by being soaked in water for a short time. The rice may be eaten with milk or curd, jaggery, yogurt after being immersed in warm water for just fifteen minutes or so. * '''Muri''' (puffed rice) is made by heating sand in a pot, and then throwing in grains of rice. The rice may be washed in brine to provide seasoning. The rice puffs up and is separated from the sand by a strainer. It is served with hot milk or curd and jaggery or sugar. * '''Pitha''' is a ricecake or pancake, a thin flat cake prepared from a batter and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. It is an inseparable part of Jolpan in Assam. It is a special class of rice preparation generally made only on special occasions like Bihu in Assam. Made usually with soaked and ground rice, they could be fried in oil, roasted over a slow fire or baked and rolled over a hot plate. * '''Suji''' (Semolina) is also one type of common jolpan, a type of dessert. Like pithaguri it is heated on a frying pan and water is added to make it a paste and then served with hot milk. * '''Til Pitha''' is a type of pancake. It is a special class of rice preparation and generally made only on special occasions like Bihu in Assam. Bora saul, a glutinous type of rice is soaked and ground. Then a certain quantity of this rice flour is baked, filled up with sesame seeds, ground coconut and dried rind of orange, jaggery, etc. and pressed and rolled with many folders. This rice cake is also called Hesa pitha since it is pressed after rolling it as folder by folder. Major cities like [[Guwahati]], [[Tezpur]], [[Jorhat]] and [[Dibrugarh]] offer a wide variety of restaurants and eat outs. Restaurants are normally very cheap and a good meal will cost about $0.50 to $1 per person. There are also ambient restaurants which serve all kinds of Indian and Assamese dishes for about less than $5 – $8 per person. ==Drink== [[File:Rohi, a kind of local wine used in Assam.jpg|thumb|''Rohi'', a kind of local wine made in Assam]] Assam is famous for tea internationally. It has a large tea growing industry. Most plantations are located in the upper Assam. 70% tea is exported outside India. People drink tea with/without milk and also sometimes containing ginger and spices such as cardamom. Rohi is a fermented rice beer found throughout the northeast. The most common type in Assam is rohi made from sticky rice by the Bodo community. ==Stay safe== The region is prone to natural disasters with annual floods (in specific areas) and frequent mild earthquakes. Floods usually occur during monsoon (mid June till late August) and many a times can create trouble by destroying roads and railway linkages at places. Strong earthquakes are rare; three of these were recorded in 1869, 1897 (magnitude 8.1); and in 1950 (magnitude 8.6). [[Tap water]] is problematic due to lack of sanitary facilities and sewage treatment. It is safest to assume water is unsafe for drinking without being chemically treated or boiled, which is one reason to stick to tea or bottled water. ==Cope== ===Radio Stations=== * AIR Guwahati / Akashvani Guwahati) - 729&nbsp;kHz, 1035&nbsp;kHz, 4940&nbsp;kHz, 7280&nbsp;kHz, 100.8&nbsp;MHz * [http://www.gupshupfm.com/ Gupshup FM - 94.3] * Radio Oolala (Positive Radio Pvt. Ltd.) - 91.9&nbsp;MHz * Big 92.7 FM, Guwahati (Adlabs Films Ltd.) - 92.7&nbsp;MHz * Gyan Vani, Guwahati - 107.8&nbsp;MHz * AIR Dibrugarh / Akashvani Dibrugarh - 567&nbsp;kHz * AIR Jorhat / Akashvani Jorhat - 103.4&nbsp;MHz * AIR Tezpur / Akashvani Tezpur - 1125&nbsp;kHz * AIR Diphu / Akashvani Diphu) - 1485&nbsp;kHz * AIR Haflong / Akashvani Haflong - 100.2&nbsp;MHz * AIR Nagaon / Akashvani Nagaon - 102.7&nbsp;MHz * AIR Kokrajhar / Akashvani Kokrajhar - 1512&nbsp;kHz * AIR Dhubri / Akashvani Dhubri - 103.3&nbsp;MHz * AIR Silchar / Akashvani Silchar - 828&nbsp;kHz ===Newspapers=== * The [http://www.assamtribune.com/ Assam Tribune] * The [http://www.sentinelassam.com/ Sentinel] * The [http://asomiyapratidin.in/ Asomiya Pratidin] * [http://janasadharan.in/ Janasadharan] ==Go next== * [[Aizawl]] and other parts of [[Mizoram]] * [[Darjeeling]] and [[Kalimpong]] * [[Gangtok]] and other parts of Sikkim * [[Imphal]], [[Loktak Lake]] and other parts of [[Manipur]] * [[Kohima]], [[Zhukou Valley]] and other parts of [[Nagaland]] * The metropolises of [[Kolkata]], [[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]] along with other parts of India * [[Mandalay]] in Myanmar via Moreh ([[Manipur]]) and Tamu ([[Myanmar]]) * [[Namdapha National Park]] in Arunachal Pradesh * [[Samdrup Jongkhar]] - Bhutanese town on the border with Assam * [[Shillong]] and the world's wettest town [[Cherrapunji]] in Meghalaya * [[Tawang]] - A picturesque Himalayan place with winter snow and a large Buddhist monastery about 100&nbsp;km north of the town of [[Tezpur]]. * [[Thimphu]], [[Paro]] and other parts of Bhutan {{geo|26|93|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|North-Eastern India}} {{usableregion}} iqnxz4c13n0e1za5sdtpbk75j3oiua0 4506732 4506729 2022-08-23T10:09:21Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Cities */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} [[File:Assam in India (disputed hatched).svg|thumb|Assam on map of the Republic of India]] '''Assam''' (Assamese: অসম) is a land of blue hills, green valleys and a red river — the majestic and sacred Brahmaputra. It is known for its famous tea, its silk and its biodiversity, and is also rich in archeological heritage. Assam is in the [[North-Eastern India|north eastern region]] of India, just below the eastern Himalayan foothills, and is home to more than 31 million people (2011). It is surrounded by the states of [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Nagaland]], [[Manipur]], [[Mizoram]], [[Tripura]] and [[Meghalaya]], which together with Assam are known collectively as the ''seven sisters'', and by the nations of [[Bhutan]] and [[Bangladesh]]. The borders of [[China]] and [[Myanmar]] are within the range of 80 to 100&nbsp;km. In spite of its merits as a place to visit, Assam is decidedly off the beaten track for tourists. ==Regions== {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t3}}|title=[[Upper Assam]]|wikidata=Q24039029,Q42473,Q42479,Q42517,Q42611,Q42743,Q28110729,Q42768,Q42756,Q28110722,Q42765}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t2}}|title=[[Central Hills and Barak Valley]]|wikidata=Q42542,Q42505,Q42209,Q42774,Q24699407,Q42558,Q42737,Q42686}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t1}}|title=[[Lower Assam]]|wikidata=Q2360266,Q41249,Q42197,Q2574898,Q42485,Q42522,Q42779,Q2464674,Q42618,Q24907599,Q2247441,Q101088203,Q321998,Q42461}} {{Regionlist | regionmap=Assam Wikivoyage map.png | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Lower Assam]] | region1color={{stdColor|t1}} | region1description=The historic and the largest city [[Guwahati]], wildlife habitats such as [[Manas National Park]], Pobitora, and Chakrasila; traditional silk industry at Soalkuchi, bronze and bell metal industry at Sarthebari, archaeological sites such as Ambari (Guwahati), Madan Kamdev, Suryapahar, and Hajo; cultural life at the villages of general Assamese and of Bodo, Rabha, Hajong, and Garo ethnocultural groups, rafting at several rivers, the religious places such as Hajo. | region2name=[[Central Assam and Barak Valley]] | region2color={{stdColor|t2}} | region2description=The historic Maibong, scenic Haflong, fabled Jatinga (known for the bird suicide myth), the Bengali-speaking Barak Valley, hot water spring at Umrangshu, cultural life at the villages of Karbi, Dimasa and Tiwa ethnocultural groups, etc. | region3name=[[Upper Assam]] | region3color={{stdColor|t3}} | region3description=[[Kaziranga National Park]], the historical old capital city of Rongpur ([[Sibsagar]]), the ancient capital city and royal burial mounds at Charaideo the first capital of the Ahom rulers, [[Majuli]] - claimed to be the largest river island in the world, a centre of Vaishnav monasteries and typical villages and cultural life of the Mishing ethnocultural group, several other wildlife sanctuaries and habitats including the Joydihing rainforest and Dibru-Saikhowa with its population of feral horses (Brahmaputra's) close to [[Dibrugarh]], cultural life of ethnocultural groups such as Taiphakes, Taikhamtis, Singphos, Morans and of general Assamese population, [[Digboi]] - first Asian petroleum refinery with oil museum and the heritage wells, the WWII famous [[Stillwell Road]] and the natural and cultural environment along it, archaeological site of Deopahar near Numaligarh refinery. }} ==Cities== [[File:Night view of Dibrugarh.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Dibrugarh]]]] [[File:Sarania-hills-brahmaputra.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Guwahati]]]] Major cities are: *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Guwahati]] | lat=26.1833 |long=91.7333 | image=Kamakhya_Guwahati.JPG |wikidata=Q199605}} &mdash; Capital and largest city in Assam, city of temples, history and archaeological sites *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Bongaigaon]] | lat=26.48 |long=90.56 | image=Skyline_of_Bongaigaon_City.jpg |wikidata=Q3429538}} &mdash; commercial and industrial hub, home to many monuments of Assamese culture * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Bordua]] | lat=26.4107|long=92.5516}} &mdash; the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sarkardev draws visitors who come to learn Sattriya dance and do research on Vaishnavism * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Borgang]] | lat=26.803056 |long=93.554444 | image= |wikidata=Q4945011}} &mdash; experience the rich folklore and culture of rural Assam in a picturesque landscape *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Dibrugarh]] | lat=27.48 |long=95.0 | image=Radha Krishna Temple, Dibrugarh.jpg |wikidata=Q1266637}} &mdash; home to several parks, gardens and temples *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Golaghat]] | lat=26.5143225 |long=93.9308518 | image=Circuit_House_Compound,_Golaghat.png |wikidata=Q1708160}} &mdash; an old urban centre for Assam, but nevertheless home to wildlife sanctuaries and a UNESCO-listed national park, beautiful views amid ancient ruins, and sacred Hindu and Christian sites from the 17th and 19th centuries *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jorhat]] | lat=26.75 |long=94.217 | image=Majuli Island.jpg |wikidata=Q1937201}} &mdash; considered by some to be the cultural center of Assam and the last capital of the mighty Ahom kingdom. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Nagaon]] | lat=26.34637 |long=92.68404 | image= |wikidata=Q11938328}} &mdash; *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Silchar]] | lat=24.81666 |long=92.8 | image= |wikidata=Q944769}} &mdash; Bhuban Hills, tea gardens and the former capital of the Old Cachari Kingdom (Khaspur). * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Tezpur]] | lat=26.6245 |long=92.7910 | image=Agnigarh Hill, Tezpur.JPG |wikidata=Q1021162}} &mdash; Ancient town and also said to be the cultural capital of Assam, with many historical ruins with the Himalayas as a backdrop. *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Tinsukia]] | lat=27.5000 |long=95.3667 | image=Tinkunia_pukhri.jpg |wikidata=Q2249428}} &mdash; famous for its endless stretches of tea gardens. <!-- * [[Charaideo]] - the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Assam with hundreds of burial mounds called Moidams for kings and nobles. * [[Dhansiri]] Valley archaeological region * [[Guwahati]] archaeological region - Guwahati is an ancient city; there are several archaeological sites with temples, tanks, ramparts, etc. The Assam State Museum located close to historic Dighali Pukhuri (a large tank) is worth visiting. * [[Hajo]] archaeological region - the ancient city of Apunarbhaba; there are remains of several ancient temples and other structures. * [[Kapili]] Valley archaeological region * Madan Kamdev - a 10th-century ancient city close to Guwahati; A large site of architectural, and sculptural remains with numerous objects. Excavations are still going on. * [[Maibong]] * Surya Pahar [[Goalpara]] archaeological region * [[Tezpur]] archaeological region include Da Parbatia ruins and the Bamuni hills --> ==Other destinations== [[File:Rhino at Kaziranga.jpg|thumb|200px|A one-horned rhino at [[Kaziranga National Park]]]] Assam has several attractive destinations; majority of these are national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries, areas with archaeological interests and areas with unique cultural heritage. Moreover, as a whole, the region is covered by beautiful natural landscapes. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=Dibru-Saikhowa National Park | wikidata=Q1209353}} &mdash; A wonderful habitat of numerous birds; there are feral horses on the islands of the Brahmaputra close to the park. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=[[Kaziranga National Park]] | wikidata=Q192764}} &mdash; A World Heritage Site of UNESCO, it is the largest habitat for one-horned rhinoceros and several other unique flora and fauna. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=[[Manas National Park]] | lat=26.74599 |long=91.02032 | image= }} &mdash; In the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, where the river Manah flows with picturesque turns and clean water and sandy beaches. Although Manas is primarily a tiger reserve, it possesses numerous other valuable flora and fauna; the park is situated roughly 150&nbsp;km west of Guwahati. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=[[Nameri National Park]] | lat=26.93249 |long=92.87766 | image= }} &mdash; One of the most scenic national park of Assam, Nameri comes as a delight for the nature loving and bird watching traveler. The bird-life is particularly superb. Also, chances of spotting a Tiger is very high. * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=Orang National Park | lat=26.62766 | long=92.49504 | image=Indian_Rhinoceros.jpg }} (Mini Kaziranga National Park) &mdash; marshes, streams and grasslands provide a habitat for the Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant, wild buffalo and tiger. It provides a home for many migratory species of birds and reptiles ==Understand== [[File:Golden Langur.jpg|thumb|right|180px|A Golden Langur; endangered and are found in Chakrasila Sanctuary in Goalpara district]] [[File:Bhatou Phul.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Orchids are abundantly found in Assam; a variety - Bhatou Phul or Vanda coerulea, the 'Blue Vanda]] ===History=== The state of Assam is in a transitional region between [[South Asia]] and [[South-East Asia]]. Prior to Indian independence in 1947, Assam had been a part of British India since the British annexed the Kingdom of Assam and its tributary states in 1826 following the Treaty of Yandaboo. Assam used to be a larger state. [[Sylhet Division]], formerly part of Assam, was allotted to [[Pakistan]] in the 1947 United Nations India Partition and subsequently became part of [[Bangladesh]] after the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, while [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Nagaland]], [[Mizoram]] and [[Meghalaya]] were carved out of Assam during the 1960s and 70s. With an area of 78,438 km², Assam in its current configuration is almost equivalent to the size of [[Ireland]] or [[Austria]]. History of urban development goes back to almost two thousand years in the region. Existence of ancient urban areas such as Pragjyotishapura (Guwahati), Hatapesvara (Tezpur), and Durjaya, and medieval towns such as Charaideu, Garhgaon, Rongpur, Jorhat, Khaspur, and Guwahati, are well recorded. [[Guwahati]] with its more than two thousand years of history is the largest urban centre and a million plus city in Assam. The city has experienced multifold growth during past three decades to grow as the primate city in the region; the city's population was approximately 0.9 million (considering Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) area) during the census of 2001. Assam was known as the Kingdom of Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa during the first millennium AD and was broken into smaller states during the beginning of the second millennium; however, later, for almost 600 years starting in the 13th century, the region was again transformed into a united sovereign country as the Kingdom of Assam under the later dynasties such as the [[Ahom Kingdom|Ahoms]] and Koches. Assam has been a world leader in production of tea for more than past one hundred years and produces around 25 percent of the world's tea. Traditionally it is also a producer of high-quality silk, locally called ''paat'' bred on mulberry leaves, and the only place in the world where all four major silk types are cultivated, the others being the golden silk ''Muga'' unique to Assam, the Ahimsa silk Eri bred on castor leaves, and ''tassar''. ===A paradise for nature lovers=== Assam and surrounding regions have to be a paradise for the nature lovers and researchers. The region's unique natural settings, hydro-geomorphic environment and biodiversity have no parallel in [[Asia]]. Within an eighty to hundred kilometres of journey by land, one can travel from a flat flood plain with tropical rainforests and wet paddy fields to mountainous regions of Alpine-Himalayan climatic conditions at very high altitude. Geomorphic studies conclude that the Brahmaputra, the life-line of Assam is a paleo-river; older than the Himalayas. The river with steep gorges and rapids in Arunachal Pradesh entering Assam, becomes a braided river (at times 16&nbsp;km wide) and with tributaries, creates a flood plain (Brahmaputra Valley: 80–100&nbsp;km wide, 1000&nbsp;km long). The hills of Karbi Anglong, North Cachar and those in and close to Guwahati (also Khasi-Garo Hills) now eroded and dissected are originally parts of the South Indian Plateau system. In the south, the Barak originating in the Barail Range (Assam-Nagaland border), flows through the Cachar district with a 40–50&nbsp;km wide valley and confluences with the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. Assam is one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world and consists of tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, riverine grasslands, bamboo orchards and numerous wetland ecosystems; Many are now protected as national parks and reserved forests. The Kaziranga, home of the rare Rhinoceros, and Manas are two [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]] in Assam. Pabitora has the highest density of rhinos. The reserve forests of Joypur, Upper Dihing and Dirak are a stretch of pristine rainforests. The region is the last refuge for numerous other endangered species such as Golden Langur or Honali Bandor (Trachypithecus geei), White-winged Wood Duck or Deohanh (Cairina scutulata), Bengal Florican or Ulumora, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Pygmy Hog or Nolgahori, Greater Adjutant or Hargila, Hispid Hare or Khagorikota, Slow Loris or Lajuki Bandor, Swamp Francolin or Koira and so on. Some other endangered species with significant population in Assam are Tiger, Elephant, Hoolock Gibbon, Jerdon's Babbler and so on. Assam is also known for orchids the more well known being the foxtail or kopou and blue vanda or bhatou. ===Climate=== With the "Tropical Monsoon Rainforest Climate", Assam is temperate (Summer max. at 35-38 and winter min. at 6-8 degrees Celsius) and experiences heavy rainfall and high humidity. However, temperature is much lesser in the hilly areas of Central Assam. The climate is characterised by heavy monsoon downpours reducing summer temperature and foggy nights and mornings in winter. Thunderstorms known as Bordoicila are frequent during the afternoons. Spring (March–April) and Autumn (September–October) are usually pleasant with moderate rainfall and temperature. ===Cultural heritage=== Assam is also a region, which can be termed as a crucible of cultures. It is a true meeting place of South Asian and South East Asian cultures, where the principal language Assamese (Oxomeeya) exhibits hybridity between Indo-Iranian, Tibeto-Burman and Tai-Kadai group of languages. Apart from the hybrid Assamese population, there are several distinct ethno-cultural groups such as Bodo, Karbi, Mishing, Dimasa, Tiwa, Rabha, Hasong, Taiphake, Taikhamti, Taiaiton, Singphow, Bru, Garo, etc. with distinct languages, dialects, food habits, architecture and settlement pattern, textile design, dance, music, musical instruments, belief, etc. [[File:Assam MK Lion.JPG|thumb|right|180px|A ferocious lion excavated in Madan Kamdev close to Baihata Cariali in Assam representing the powerful Kamarupa-Palas (c. 9th-10th century A.D.)]] [[File:Rangghar Assam.JPG|thumb|right|180px|Rong Ghor, a pavilion built by the king Pramatta Singha (also Sunenpha; 1744–1751) in Ahom capital Rongpur, now Sibsagar; the Rang Ghar is one of the earliest pavilions of outdoor stadia in Asia]] ===State of tourism=== It is important to understand that in the past 60 years, the Government of India's restrictions on the foreigners in the region such as the Restricted Area Permit System (RAP - finally abolished in Assam and neighbouring Meghalaya in the 1990s), acted as major hindrances for the foreign tourists and foreign interest groups to legally enter in to Assam and gradually pushed Assam in to isolation from the world. Assam today is a terra incognita to the new generations in the developed world; while the old generation British, other Europeans, Americans and Japanese still remember 'Assam' whatever may be the cause varying from colonial administration, to tea and oil industry or to WWII. For past 60 years, tourism promotion and development was a neglected subject. During the same time period, few Assamese have left Assam for other places; Assamese have been happy inside Assam, inside their native places and inside their houses, which has seen a sea-change with thousands of students and skilled labourers coming from different cities in India. Therefore, as a not well-known place, Assam has long way to go to establish herself as a foremost tourist destination. However, Assam possesses everything that is required for developing herself as a leader of travel and tourism in the world and most importantly Assamese are one of the most hospitable people. ==Talk== '''[[Assamese phrasebook|Assamese]]''' is the principal language and the lingua franca in the region. Assamese and Bodo are the local official languages in Assam while [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]] is used as the same in the [[Barak Valley]]. There are several other local languages such as [[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]], Mishing, Karbi, Dimasa, Garo, Hmar, Bru, Taiphake, Taikhamti, etc. used by the specific ethno-cultural groups in different pockets. However, most educated people speak English and [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]] with local accents. Bengali is also spoken in many parts of Assam, especially Guwahati and Silchar, where there are large Bengali communities. Moreover, there are many speakers of other Indian languages and dialects such as Punjabi, Marwari, Bhojpuri, and Gujarati, particularly in the urban centres. Usually, all official signs and documents are written in both Assamese and English, using British spelling. The Government of India establishments Indian Railways, ONGC, et al. have sign boards in three languages - Assamese, English and Hindi. Commercial and street signs are usually written in Assamese and English and in Bengali in the Barak Valley. As English has a wider base, foreigners need not to worry about not becoming fluent Assamese or any other local language, although it is an additional advantage for a tourist to a know few sentences of a local language. ==Get in== ===By plane=== There is good air-connectivity to Assam from elsewhere in India. Guwahati's '''Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport''' ({{IATA|GAU}}) is the busiest in Assam. Other major airports in the state include [[Dibrugarh]] ({{IATA|DIB}}), and [[Silchar]] ({{IATA|IXS}}). Air India along with several private airlines operate daily services from all of India's big cities, including [[Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Bangalore]]. Moreover, there are other airports in [[Tezpur]] and Jorhat ({{IATA|JRH}}) with less frequent flights connecting cities such as Kolkata and other cities of the northeast region to Assam. Arriving by plane gives a wonderful welcome aerial view of the green valley surrounded by blue hills in Assam. The major airlines operating in the region are: * [http://airindia.in/ Air India] * [http://www.spicejet.com/ Spicejet] * [https://www.goindigo.in/ Indigo Airlines] * [https://www.airasia.com Go Airlines] * [https://www.airasia.com Air Asia] For international travellers from [[East Asia]] or [[South East Asia]], the easiest route to get to Assam is via Kolkata. There are several direct flights from Kolkata to Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar and Jorhat. The journey time in a direct flight from Kolkata to Guwahati takes less than 45&nbsp;minutes, while a flight from Kolkata to Dibrugarh (the eastern most civil airport in Assam) takes around 90&nbsp;minutes. Similarly for travellers from [[Europe]], [[Middle East]], [[Central Asia]] and [[Africa]], routes via Delhi, Mumbai or even Kolkata are best ways to enter the state. Out of these three major Indian cities, Delhi and Kolkata have higher frequency of flights to Guwahati. A Delhi-Guwahati direct flight takes around 2 hour and 30 minutes. There are a limited number of international flights going into Guwahati. As of February 2020, there are Nok Air flights between Guwahati and Bangkok while Druk Air flies between Paro and Singapore via Guwahati. ===By rail=== Three major routes of North East Frontier Railways (NF Railways) cover Assam and provide linkage to elsewhere in India. Guwahati railway station is the largest in Assam and is served by direct trains from most of the major cities in India. The Rajdhani Express (fully air-conditioned) from [[New Delhi]] (takes 27&nbsp;hours) and Saraighat Express from [[Howrah]] in [[Kolkata]] (takes 17&nbsp;hours) are the fastest ones. There are many direct trains from Delhi (including the Rajdhani Express) and Kolkata for Dibrugarh in Upper Assam. Usually, Dibrugarh is an additional night's journey (12 hr) from Guwahati. ===By car=== There are highways from Indian states in the west and buses run between [[Siliguri]] (to Siliguri buses are available from [[Kolkata]], [[Darjeeling]] and [[Gangtok]]) and [[Guwahati]]; However, travelling by bus may not be comfortable in this patch and travel time is usually longer than that of trains. Road connectivity to surrounding Seven Sister States is good, however may take different durations depending on the location of the state. [[Tamu]] in western [[Myanmar]] is connected to a reasonably good highway to Assam via [[Manipur]]; Tamu in Myanmar border is closer to [[Mandalay]]. The historic Stilwell Road between Assam-Myanmar-[[China]] from Ledo in Upper Assam to [[Myitkina]] in Myanmar and further to [[Kunming]] in China is right now not fully operationalised. There are also roads connecting [[Bhutan]]. ==Get around== ===By bus and car=== Buses are the most common medium of travel in Assam. Buses in Assam are generally well maintained and comfortable. There are regular bus services connecting important places within Assam and to neighbouring states. Long-distance buses generally are called Night Super Bus (because they usually travel only at after sunset) are more comfortable with reclining seats. Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) is state run bus company with a very exhaustive network. Some private players have large networks as well. Taxi cabs can be a good option for travelling inside Assam and to the surrounding region. In majority cities and even small towns private taxi-cabs are available for rent for local travel as well for inter-city travel. The taxi-cabs can be also rented on daily basis. For a traveller, it is easier to hire a taxi from the hotel he or she is staying; usually the hotels can arrange or provide with information on the local car rental agencies. Self driving may not be advisable for many reasons - dangerous traffic, frequent agitations and 'bandh's and insurgency in certain areas to name some. ===By train=== Although having a fairly extensive railway network, trains are less convenient than buses or taxis for travelling short distances within Assam - inter-city or inter-regional trains are not very frequent within Assam. Moreover, the Assam's rail network is fragmented due to different gauge size. The services on narrow gauge and meter gauge lines are irregular and uncomfortable. Broad gauge service links Guwahati with major cities in upper Assam ([[Dibrugarh]], [[Jorhat]] and [[Tinsukia]]), which is comfortable but little more time-consuming than the buses; However, from Guwahati, one may try using the Rajdhani Express (fully Airconditioned) for an over-night journey to reach Dibrugarh or Tinsukia. The railway tickets are bookable online or available at the electronic ticketing counters in the stations. It is important to have a reservation for an overnight train journey, to obtain a berth in a comfortable A/C or non A/C sleeper coach. For reservation, booking should be made 2 months before the journey; however, in majority trains 'Tatkal' service is available. ===By plane === Air travel from [[Guwahati]] to Upper Assam or Southern Assam districts can be quicker and easier. Guwahati is linked with [[Dibrugarh]], [[Jorhat]], [[Tezpur]] and [[Silchar]] with several flights. However, it is important to book a ticket early. A flight between Guwahati and Dibrugarh takes roughly 45&nbsp;minutes. ==See== [[File:Rhino side view.jpg|thumb|right|180px|The famous Rhinoceros of Assam in Kaziranga]] * [[Kaziranga National Park]] is on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river. It is home and one of the last refuges to rhinoceros of Assam and covers an area of 430&nbsp;km². * '''[[Manas National Park]]''' is a haven for tigers and a {{unesco}}. [[File:Deodhas of Deodhani dance with rythm.jpg|thumb|Deodhas of Deodhani dance]] ==Do== * '''Brahmaputra Cruise''' - A private firm, Assam-Bengal Navigation offers river cruise on Brahmaputra. This tour covers almost whole of the stretch of river lying in Assam. * [https://www.facebook.com/theforestmen/ '''Jadav Payeng Initiative'''] This village is famous for the man made forest & mishing tribe. They assist in Assam's eco-cultural tours & travel. * [https://greenerpasturesind.wordpress.com/author/greenerpasturesind/ '''Greener Pastures'''] - An eco-tourism organization which provides responsible tours to offbeat and exotic destinations of Northeast India. Activities include trekking, tribal tours, wildlife journeys, river cruises, tea tours and adventure sports such as caving and rafting. * [https://www.facebook.com/pedalroads/ '''Pedalroads Adventures''' ]- An adventure tour company based in Guwahati offering cycling and trekking tours across the northeastern states. ==Eat== {{see also|South Asian cuisine}} [[File:Assamese thali.JPG|thumb|Lunch in Assam means white rice with vegetables.]] It is worthwhile to taste ethnic Assamese cuisine which comprises rice with regional curries, including choices of fish, lamb, chicken and duck. Assamese meals are usually accompanied by various side dishes like mash potatoes ''(Alu Pitika)'' or pickles of small fried fishes. ===Rice=== Rice is the most important ingredient in the state's cuisine. The large varieties of rice found in the region has led to speculation that the grain was first domesticated in the Assam-Yunnan region. Both the indica as well as the japonica varieties are grown in Assam. The most popular class of rice is the joha or scented rice. As a staple diet rice is eaten either steam boiled (''ukhua) or sundried (''aaroi'''). Some very fine varieties of rice namely, Karaballam or kauribadam etc. are available in Assam only. Rice is eaten as a snack in many different forms: roasted and ground ('''xandoh'''), boiled in its husk and flattened ('''chira'''), puffed ('''akhoi'''). There is also a variety of rice grown that can be just soaked and eaten (kumol saul). ===Fish=== The next most important ingredient is fish, harvested from the many rivers, ponds and lakes in the region. There is no traditional ethnic community in Assam that does not eat fish. Some of the most popular big fishes are the Rohu, the Hilsa and the chital (big), khoria (medium) (Chitala chitala), Maagur, Xingi, Borali, Bhokua, Xaal, Xol, etc. The small varieties of fish available and eaten in Assam include Puthi, Borolia, Mua, cheniputhi, tengera, lachin, bhagun and pabho. * The most popular dish from Assam, the '''tenga''' (fish sour), is an indispensable part of a proper meal in Assam. The most popular tenga is made with tomatoes, though the ones made with '''kajinemu''' (thick skinned elongated lemon) and '''thekera''' (dried Mangosteen,) are also popular * Another favourite is small fish roasted in banana leaves ('''paatotdia'''). * '''Hukuti''' is a special fish dish prepared from dried small fish (puthi maas) pounded with an arum stem and dried and stored in bamboo tubes. Variations of this exist among the ethnic communities of Northeast India in general and Assam in particular, are dried and fermented small fish puthy mas (Ticto barb), three to four in numbers are roasted along with lavish amounts of green chillies, tomatoes, ginger and garlic (all roasted). The ingredients are then pounded in a mortar to make a coarse paste and served with rice. The Assamese meat and fish dish is characterized by low amount of spices and oil, higher quantity of ginger, norosingho paat (curry leaves) and lemon juice. This is quite different from Bengali dishes in taste. ===Meats=== Pork and to some extent, beef dishes are particular favorites in the tribal areas in Assam. Beef is not eaten by the majority of Assamese as they practice Hinduism; however, beef is popular among Assamese Muslims and tribal communities. Likewise pork is eaten by the non-Muslim Assamese population. The basic cooking method is boiling. Onla, of the Bodos, is made with ground rice and special herbs, and constitutes a complete meal in itself. Other meats include squab, duck, chicken, mutton, venison, and turtle although venison and turtle meat are legally prohibited. The combination of duck – white gourd and squab – papaya or banana flower is very popular. Meat is curried in spicy gravy. ===Typical Assamese dishes=== * '''Chutney''' is made of coriander, spinach, tomato, heartleaf, curry leaf, chilli, lentil, chickpea etc. Xukan masor chutney (chutney made of dried fish) is popular among the tribal communities. Salads contain ingredients like carrots, radish, tomatoes, cucumbers and beetroot. * The '''khar''' is a signature dish made with a key ingredient, also called khar. The traditional ingredient is made by filtering water through the ashes of a banana tree, which is then called kola khar . A traditional meal invariably begins with a khar dish, made of raw papaya, pulses or any other main ingredient. Xôkôta: It is a severely bitter type of preparation. It is prepared with dry jute leaf, urad bean and khar. * '''Kharoli''' is fermented mashed mustard (Brassica campestris var. toria) seed to which a khar has been added, and kahudi to which an acidic agent (lemon juice or dried mangosteen) has been added. Pitikas are also made from roasted or steamed vegetables (tomatoes and eggplants being very popular). Small fishes, Asiatic pennywort, matikaduri, tengamora leaves, heartleaf, and dôrôn (Leucus longifolia) are roasted separately wrapped in banana leaves and mashed into pitika along with mustard oil, salt and chilli. It is also called patotdia (literally, 'in a leaf'). * '''Pickles''' in Assam are made from various fruits and vegetables, including mango, Indian gooseberry, hog plum, olive, Tamarind, star fruit, mangosteen, radish, carrot, elephant apple, Indian jujube, chilli, lime and garlic. * '''Poitabhat''' is a favourite dish in Assam during the summer season. Cooked rice is soaked overnight in order to prepare poitabhat and served the next day garnished with mustard oil, onion, chilli, pickles, pitika (smashes), etc. * '''Pokori''' is a fritter is made of flower and tender leaves of pumpkin, tender leaves of bottle gourd, eggplant, tender leaves of Night-flowering Jasmine, etc. * Side dishes called '''pitika''' - are a signature characteristic of Assamese cuisine. The most popular is '''aloo pitika''' - mashed potatoes) garnished with raw onions, mustard oil, green chillies and sometimes boiled eggs. khorisa tenga is mashed fermented bamboo shoot, sometimes pickled in mustard oil and spices. * The '''tenga''' is a light and sour fish dish, another signature class of preparations. The souring ingredient could be mangosteen or lemon but the most popular type is made with tomatoes. Fish dishes made with fermented bamboo shoot are generally sour, but they are not called tengas. Fish is fried in mustard oil or curried with bottle gourd or spinach. Another tenga dish is prepared with matimah (urad bean) and outenga (elephant apple). Bottle gourd also can be added to it. Tengamora or noltenga and lentil is also a distinct tenga curry. ===Assamese Snacks=== * '''Bora saul''' is a variety of glutinous rice found in Assam. It has an important role in Assamese traditional occasions like Bihu. It is used in Jolpan (snacks) and Pitha (ricecake or pancake). Soaked and ground bora saul is used in preparing Pitha. Boiled bora saul is served as Jolpan with curd or milk, jaggery or sugar. * '''Chira''' (Flattened rice, also called beaten rice) is a dehusked rice which is flattened into flat light dry flakes. These flakes of rice swell when added to liquid, whether hot or cold, as they absorb water, milk or any other liquids. It can be eaten raw by immersing it in plain water or milk or curd, with salt or sugar or jaggery to taste, or lightly fried in oil. * '''Ghila pitha''' is a type of pancake so called because of its knee cap sized shape. Knee cap is called Ghila in Assamese. Rice flour of Bora saul, one kind of glutinous rice or any common rice is used in it. A paste made of rice flour and jaggery is prepared first and then fried in cooking oil at a certain quantity. Salt is also used instead of jaggery to make salty Ghila pitha. It is generally prepared and served in Bihu in Assam. * '''Kumol saul''' is a unique type of rice from Assam that can be eaten without cooking. It is rendered fluffy and edible by being soaked in water for a short time. The rice may be eaten with milk or curd, jaggery, yogurt after being immersed in warm water for just fifteen minutes or so. * '''Muri''' (puffed rice) is made by heating sand in a pot, and then throwing in grains of rice. The rice may be washed in brine to provide seasoning. The rice puffs up and is separated from the sand by a strainer. It is served with hot milk or curd and jaggery or sugar. * '''Pitha''' is a ricecake or pancake, a thin flat cake prepared from a batter and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. It is an inseparable part of Jolpan in Assam. It is a special class of rice preparation generally made only on special occasions like Bihu in Assam. Made usually with soaked and ground rice, they could be fried in oil, roasted over a slow fire or baked and rolled over a hot plate. * '''Suji''' (Semolina) is also one type of common jolpan, a type of dessert. Like pithaguri it is heated on a frying pan and water is added to make it a paste and then served with hot milk. * '''Til Pitha''' is a type of pancake. It is a special class of rice preparation and generally made only on special occasions like Bihu in Assam. Bora saul, a glutinous type of rice is soaked and ground. Then a certain quantity of this rice flour is baked, filled up with sesame seeds, ground coconut and dried rind of orange, jaggery, etc. and pressed and rolled with many folders. This rice cake is also called Hesa pitha since it is pressed after rolling it as folder by folder. Major cities like [[Guwahati]], [[Tezpur]], [[Jorhat]] and [[Dibrugarh]] offer a wide variety of restaurants and eat outs. Restaurants are normally very cheap and a good meal will cost about $0.50 to $1 per person. There are also ambient restaurants which serve all kinds of Indian and Assamese dishes for about less than $5 – $8 per person. ==Drink== [[File:Rohi, a kind of local wine used in Assam.jpg|thumb|''Rohi'', a kind of local wine made in Assam]] Assam is famous for tea internationally. It has a large tea growing industry. Most plantations are located in the upper Assam. 70% tea is exported outside India. People drink tea with/without milk and also sometimes containing ginger and spices such as cardamom. Rohi is a fermented rice beer found throughout the northeast. The most common type in Assam is rohi made from sticky rice by the Bodo community. ==Stay safe== The region is prone to natural disasters with annual floods (in specific areas) and frequent mild earthquakes. Floods usually occur during monsoon (mid June till late August) and many a times can create trouble by destroying roads and railway linkages at places. Strong earthquakes are rare; three of these were recorded in 1869, 1897 (magnitude 8.1); and in 1950 (magnitude 8.6). [[Tap water]] is problematic due to lack of sanitary facilities and sewage treatment. It is safest to assume water is unsafe for drinking without being chemically treated or boiled, which is one reason to stick to tea or bottled water. ==Cope== ===Radio Stations=== * AIR Guwahati / Akashvani Guwahati) - 729&nbsp;kHz, 1035&nbsp;kHz, 4940&nbsp;kHz, 7280&nbsp;kHz, 100.8&nbsp;MHz * [http://www.gupshupfm.com/ Gupshup FM - 94.3] * Radio Oolala (Positive Radio Pvt. Ltd.) - 91.9&nbsp;MHz * Big 92.7 FM, Guwahati (Adlabs Films Ltd.) - 92.7&nbsp;MHz * Gyan Vani, Guwahati - 107.8&nbsp;MHz * AIR Dibrugarh / Akashvani Dibrugarh - 567&nbsp;kHz * AIR Jorhat / Akashvani Jorhat - 103.4&nbsp;MHz * AIR Tezpur / Akashvani Tezpur - 1125&nbsp;kHz * AIR Diphu / Akashvani Diphu) - 1485&nbsp;kHz * AIR Haflong / Akashvani Haflong - 100.2&nbsp;MHz * AIR Nagaon / Akashvani Nagaon - 102.7&nbsp;MHz * AIR Kokrajhar / Akashvani Kokrajhar - 1512&nbsp;kHz * AIR Dhubri / Akashvani Dhubri - 103.3&nbsp;MHz * AIR Silchar / Akashvani Silchar - 828&nbsp;kHz ===Newspapers=== * The [http://www.assamtribune.com/ Assam Tribune] * The [http://www.sentinelassam.com/ Sentinel] * The [http://asomiyapratidin.in/ Asomiya Pratidin] * [http://janasadharan.in/ Janasadharan] ==Go next== * [[Aizawl]] and other parts of [[Mizoram]] * [[Darjeeling]] and [[Kalimpong]] * [[Gangtok]] and other parts of Sikkim * [[Imphal]], [[Loktak Lake]] and other parts of [[Manipur]] * [[Kohima]], [[Zhukou Valley]] and other parts of [[Nagaland]] * The metropolises of [[Kolkata]], [[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]] along with other parts of India * [[Mandalay]] in Myanmar via Moreh ([[Manipur]]) and Tamu ([[Myanmar]]) * [[Namdapha National Park]] in Arunachal Pradesh * [[Samdrup Jongkhar]] - Bhutanese town on the border with Assam * [[Shillong]] and the world's wettest town [[Cherrapunji]] in Meghalaya * [[Tawang]] - A picturesque Himalayan place with winter snow and a large Buddhist monastery about 100&nbsp;km north of the town of [[Tezpur]]. * [[Thimphu]], [[Paro]] and other parts of Bhutan {{geo|26|93|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|North-Eastern India}} {{usableregion}} 5ovpbzjxrgq04bfldsfhfxay64gvl9d 0 2387 4506195 4497652 2022-08-22T12:23:41Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Bakkhali_Sea_Beach_(cropped).jpg}} [[Image:Bakkhali1.jpg|thumb|250px|Beach at Bakkhali]] '''Bakkhali''' is a seaside resort in [[24 Parganas|South 24 Parganas]] district of [[West Bengal]], India. ==Understand== Bakkhali is on one of the many deltaic islands spread across southern Bengal and a popular sea beach. Most of the islands are part of the Sunderbans, barring a few at the fringes. Some of these are joined together with bridges over narrow creeks. This small island juts out into the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal. There is a 8&nbsp;km long beach stretching from Bakkhali to '''Frasergunj''' with gently rolling waves. These are twin towns now forming one continuous locality. Except on an occasional holiday the beach is not crowded. A small stretch near Bakkhali has been lighted up. It is a hard beach suitable for cycling or even driving. One can take long walks with coconut water. [[Image:Bakkhali, main beach.jpg|thumb|250px|Another beach view]] ==Get in== ===By road=== Bakkhali is 122&nbsp;km by road from Esplanade, [[Kolkata]]. The road runs through Diamond Harbour and Kakdwip to Namkhana. A bridge over Hatania-Doania river at Namkhana is open to small vehicles (cars), making it possible to travel directly to Bakkhali without having to wait for ferry. The 130-km stretch from Kona expressway (with links to the [[Mumbai]] and [[Delhi]] sections of the golden quadrangle project linking the four metropolises of India) and Bakkhali has been marked as National Highway (NH) 117. The road journey from the fringe of Kolkata to Bakkhali takes about 3 hours. However, crowded market places and occasional stretches of bad road can delay movement. Some sections are very crowded, especially in the early morning because of the bazaar, and later at the evening time, there is no bypass for these smaller towns. ===By bus=== West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) has regular bus service from Esplanade to Bakkhali. One starts at 7AM in the morning from Dharmatala and reaches Bakkhali at around 11:30AM and leaves from Bakkhali after half an hour for Kolkata (Esplanade). Another starts at 8AM from Dharmatala to reach bakkhali at 12:30PM and starts from Bakkhali after half an hour forty five minutes. So the bottom-line is that there are two round trips from Kolkata to Bakkhali provided by WBTC. This schedule is subject to change and one must confirm it from Dharmatala Bus Stand before venturing out from Kolkata. The route of the bus is Dharmatala- Alipore-Chiriakhana-Taratala-Diamond Harbour-Kakdwip-Namkahana-Bakkhali, the fare is ₹70. At Namkhana, the bus has to be transported across the Hatania-Doania creek in a special ferry. It is expected that the Namkhana Bridge will be open to big vehicles, once the complete work is done. The ferry service is available from 7AM-11PM except from noon till 1:45PM (lunch hour). There are plenty of local buses up to Namkhana and then again from Namkhana to Bakkhali. ===By train=== The nearest rail station is at Namkhana. There are regular trains from Sealdah via Lakshmikantapur and Kakdwip to Namkhana. Check the time table in erail.in. The first train starts at around 4AM from Sealdah. Then at around 4:40AM then at 5:10AM, 7:30AM and the next to this one is at a long gap at around 9:30AM. It is always advisable to take the train at 5:10 from Sealdah. Train fare is ₹25 and the journey takes around 2½ hr. From Namkhana station you will get a van rickshaw or TOTO (fare ₹10/head) to reach the bus stand from where one can get buses for Bakkhali which take around 35 min. and the fare is ₹16.50. You can also hire private cars from the Namkhana bus stand/railway station, the fare will be ₹350 to ₹500 depending on your bargaining skills. The Bakkhali bus stand is very close to most of the hotels and a 5- to 7-min walk from the beach. ===By plane=== The nearest airport is at Netaji Subhash Chandra (NSC) Bose International Airport or Dum Dum ({{IATA|CCU}}) in northern Kolkata. It is approximately {{km|17}} from Kolkata's city centre and is India's 5th-busiest airport. Bakkhali is around 147&nbsp;km or a 4½-hour car ride from the airport. ==Get around== {{mapframe|21.5632|88.2594|zoom=12}} There are many electric rickshaws, locally known as ''Totos'' and indigenous mechanised cycle vans, available in Bakkhali which serves the purpose of sightseeing perfectly. In case, you prefer a hired car, it is suggested that you contact and inform your hotel in advance, as availability might be less in peak season. Most Bakkhali hotels have chargeable dormitories for drivers to stay. The ride in the crude bhut-bhuti, a motorised country boat, from Frasergunj fishing harbour to '''Jambu Dwip''', a small, uninhabited and forested island out in the sea, can be a thrilling experience. The two-hour ride (both ways) costs ₹250-300 per head. The country boats can also be hired for other rides. The weak-hearted are advised not to take the rides. For all the spots a rickshaw van will charge you at max ₹60 per head and it will take around 5 hr to visit all the spots and stay for 1 to 2 hr in Jambu Dwip. ===Area landmarks=== * {{listing | name=Bakkhali Bus Stand | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.5633 | long=88.2682 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=main bus stand in Bakkhali }} * {{listing | name= Bakkhali Crocodile Project | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 21.5626 | long= 88.2697 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Bakkhali sea beach | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.5592 | long=88.2657 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It is a 8-km long sea beach, stretching from Bakhkhali to Fraserganj. The point shown on the map is towards the Bakkhali end. This part is lighted at night. There's a car park at the entry to the beach, and a fee if you want to take your car on to the beach - it's a hard surface. }} * {{listing | name= Frazerganj Fishing Harbour | alt= Jetty| url= | email= | address= | lat= 21.5797| long= 88.2511 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= ''Bhoot bhooties'' (motorised country boats) are available for visiting Jambudwip and other places. Travelling in the open sea in a primitive craft may get unconfortable if the sea suddenly turns rough, but hundreds of tourists go. }} * {{listing | name=Henry Island | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.5764 | long=88.2924 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=No more a separate island, it's slightly more than 5 km (15 minutes by car) from Bakkhali. }} * {{listing | name=Jambudwip | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.5714 | long=88.1817 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Uninhabited forested island with a beautiful beach. There is no jetty. One has to get down on the watery beach. }} * <!-- In the attached map Bakkhali is wrongly shown in Frazerganj and 'Praserganj' shown in Bakkhali. Follow the numbered items. --> ==See== The walk over the beach from Bakkhali to Frasergunj is a pleasant experience. The electric rickshaws, locally known as ''Totos'' and indigenous mechanised cycle vans, are the popular transport available locally. [[Image:view of henry island, bakkhali, WB.jpg|thumb|200px|right|View of Henry's Island from the tower]] * '''Bakkhali Beach:''' Enjoy the sea at the beach. However, the water is little muddy and the sea drifts away by a few kms during low tide. * {{listing | type=see | name=Henry Island | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=a 10-min ride from Bakkhali | phone=+91 33 2337 6470 | tollfree= | hours= | price=₹10 entry fee | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=You can take a trip to Henry's Island and Watch Tower. A rickshaw trip will travel through the local villages and their surrounds. From the watch tower you can view the entire Sunderban area. It is a splendid view. On one side you can see the Bakkhali Beach in the far distance and on all the other side the green expanses of Sundarban. Have a look at the view from the watch tower and do walk to the beach. The walk goes through a stretch of mangrove jungle accessed by crossing a small bamboo bridge. The credit for turning Henry Island into a holiday hotspot goes to the fisheries department of the state government which has set up a pisciculture project here. The fisheries department has dug more than 50 ponds occupying over 25 bigha on 100-hectare of land. Trees such as gora, kankru, palm, naturally growing sundari and hetal have been planted. Henry Island is named after a European who surveyed land in the area in the late 19th century. Dense mangrove forest is parted by numerous canals covering the area. Wildlife such as tiger, deer, wild pig, crocodile and snakes were common. The island was only an extension of the Sunderbans and the surveyor could not have dreamt that it would become a human habitat in little more than a hundred years. There are 3 guest houses on Henry Island. If you wish you can stay there too. The lodges are named ''Mangrove'', ''Sundari'' and ''Bani''. Bani has a watchtower on the roof is very close to the sea beach. You can enjoy a good view of the surrounds from there. These lodges belong to the Fisheries Department of West Bengal. }} * '''Fraserganj Beach:''' See the house of Andrew Fraser, a lieutenant-governor of Bengal, the beach and the windmills on/on the way to the beach * '''Benfish Harbour:''' Visit the Benfish harbour and Frasergunj Beach on the way to Henry's Island. * '''Jammu Deep:''' You can pay a visit to a small island, Jammu Deep, amidst the sea where you have to travel via boat in high waves from the Benfish Harbour, the boat ride is just thrilling.on arrival you will be delighted to see the beach full with Red Crabs its really a nice view. * '''Crocodile Park:''' You can also visit the Crocodile Park and Mangrove forest just beside the Bakkhali Bus Stop. The entry fee is ₹10. * '''Bishhalakshmi Temple:''' A temple called Bishhalakshmi is at the end of the Bakkhali main beach and is worth seeing. The pandit ji is quite different there as he won't allow you in the temple. He has his own rules. ==Do== * Most of the time would be spent in enjoying on the beach but some people look out for opportunities to do other things also. * Get a massage at Bakhhali Beach (full body ₹45, head and shoulder ₹10). * Take a boat ride to Jammu Deep ==Buy== Credit cards are not accepted anywhere. There are a couple of ATMs, including one at Axis Bank at Bakkhali Bus Stand, but it is recommended to carry cash as the ATM tends to dry up quickly. ==Eat== * '''Frazargunj Indian Hotel''' beside Hotel Deepak. You will get many varieties with wonderful taste and reasonable price. If you buy sea fish and crab from outside and ask them to prepare it for you, they will do that happily for a small fee. These young men are very cooperative. * '''New Hotel Parijat''' in between the local bus-stand and WBTDC Lodge provides the best food here at moderate prices. You will find all sorts of fishes like pomfret, hilsa, prawn and the standard rui and katla too. A normal rui thali with other recipes costs ₹35. Chicken meal ₹80, prawns ₹100. No breakfast available here. Extremely courteous staff. * You can also try the various road side shacks for lunch and dinner. They come a little cheaper but the food can be sumptuous and tasty. However, because Bakkhali doesn't have a steady flow of tourists, most restaurants don't have a steady menu for lunch or dinner. You have to place an order for lunch/dinner a few hours in advance. * Henry Island can be a paradise for non-vegetarians, but you are left with little or no option for vegetarians, which can become a major problem at times. * Most hotels have their own restaurants and some have bars. ==Sleep== {{cautionbox|To avoid the unsavory, corrupt, and thoroughly untrustworthy fraud booking services based in [[Kolkata]], it is best to arrange a place to stay on arrival without advance reservation.}} There are many hotels at both Bakkhali and Frasergunj and new ones are steadily coming up. The bus from Namkhana passes over Frasergunj before reaching Bakkhali. Henry Island is located closer to Frasergunj. None of the hotels have a direct view of the sea (the casuarina forest or ''jhau bon'' can be visible at maximum). The WBTDC Tourist Complex is nearest to the sea. * {{sleep | name=Ananya Hotel | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=In between Bakkhali and Frazergunj | phone=+91 98 3150 7528 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Double room ₹300-500 with AC, 10-bed top floor dormitory for ₹120 | checkin=noon | checkout=11:30AM | content=Three floors, plenty of water, hotel roof access, very good ambience and airy. Enclosed car parking available. Only problem with this hotel is the lack of any availability of food or snacks. }} * {{sleep | name=Bakkhali Tourist Lodge | alt= | url=https://www.wbtdcl.com/home/lodge_search?Lodge_id=MTk&Lodge_destinationName=MTc | email=visitwestbengal@yahoo.co.in | address= | lat=21.5611 | long=88.2681 | directions=take bus from Kolkata and the ferry across the Hatania-Doania river | phone=+91 32 1022 5260 (lodge) | tollfree= | fax=+91 33 2248 5168 | checkin=noon | checkout=noon | price=₹2900 | content=The only lodge near the beach is run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) at Bakkhali. Credit cards accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=Benfish Tourist Lodge | alt= | url=http://www.benfishtourism.com/ | email= | address=Near Frazerganj Fishing Harbour | lat=21.5774 | long=88.2497 | directions= | phone=+91 3210-225225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Henry Island | alt= | url=https://www.wbtdcl.com/home/lodge_search?Lodge_id=MTk&Lodge_destinationName=MTc | email= | address=Henry Island WBFD | lat= | long= | directions=10 min from Bakkhali | phone=+91 33 2337 6470 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹900-1200 | content=Two complexes. One is just at the entrance of the Henry Island Mangrove area just adjoing the Matla river, and the other is 2 km inside it. The cottages inside Henry Island are named after various mangrove trees. The watchtower has a nice view. To book contact the State Fisheries Development Corporation (Bikash Bhavan). }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Amarabati | alt= | url=http://bakkhalihotelamarabati.com | email= | address= | lat=21.5641 | long=88.2646 | directions= | phone=+91 97 3261 9340, +91 33 2210 1822 (Kolkata office) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=noon | checkout=noon | price=Cottage ₹750, deluxe room ₹1000, A.C. room ₹1,800, deluxe four-bed ₹2000, bathtub room ₹2800 or check website. | content=Modern facilities are available. }} *{{sleep | name=Hotel Babylon | url= | email= | address=South 24 Parganas beside Punjab National Bank | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 973278 1970 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Double rooms ₹200-400 | checkin= | checkout=11AM | content=Clean hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Bayview | url= | email=hcp_2009@rediffmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 32 1022 5214, +91 98 3613 5942 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Facilities are okay for budget conscious travellers. Food is Bengali only and seems to be clean and hygienic compared to other road-side eateries. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Deepak | alt= | url=https://www.hoteldeepakbakkhali.com/ | email=hoteldeepakbakkhali@gmail.com | address=Frasergunj | lat=21.5684 | long=88.2528 | directions= | phone=+91 33 2464 0081, +91 33 2463 3203 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=dorm bed ₹100/day, rooms ₹450-850 | content=A/C and non-A/C rooms, lift, swimming pool, bar, Bengali/Chinese/Continental. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dolphin | alt= | url=http://www.hoteldolphin.in/bhakkhali/ | email=bookingho2012@gmail.com | address=Chowrasta, 24 Parganas (South) | lat=21.5661 | long=88.2589 | directions= | phone=+91 32 1022 5296, +91 98 36543585 | tollfree= | checkin=noon | checkout=11AM | price=₹1800-2,500 + 5% tax on A/C rooms | content=A/C, non-A/C rooms, cottages, parking, garden, restaurant. On call doctor. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Indrakanan | alt=Artland group of hotels | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.5694 | long=88.2509 | directions= | phone=+91 96096 29073 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹125-500 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Joyguru Abasan | url= | email= | address=Main road to beach. | lat= | long= | directions=2 minutes from Bakkhali bus stand. | phone=+91 97 3437 0212 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₹500-1500 | checkin=10AM | checkout=11AM | content=Residential type hotel. Generator provided and running water available 24 hrs/day. All rooms have good ventilation, some rooms are facing the road with balconies. }} * {{sleep | name=Sagar Belaya Guest House | url= | email=sagarbalaya@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at Frezergunj | phone=+91 33 2453 5817, +91 92 3154 9732 | tollfree= | fax=+91 90 5182 6220 | hours= | price=8 double rooms ₹500-600, 2 triple rooms ₹600-750 | checkin=11:30AM | checkout=11AM | content=Up to 50% off-season discount available. Bengali foods & snacks are available. Group cooking facility available, dining room@₹500/day, onsite generator 6-10PM daily. }} *{{sleep | name=Sahana Tourist Lodge | url= | email=sahanabakkhali@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +91 33 22486850, +91 98 7459 6275 (mobile), +91 98 3026 8698 (Kolkata mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₹425-850 | checkin= noon | checkout=11AM | content=10 rooms with double beds, and one 4-bed room available on the 1st floor for ₹850. Off-season discount may be available. Car parking, onsite power generator, cable TV , children's playground. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Inodoy | alt= | url=http://inodoy.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 90739 60995 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-03-27 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Tara Maa | alt= | url= | email= | address=Near Lakshmipur beach / Chowrasta | lat=21.5634368 | long=88.2574245 | directions= | phone=+91 98747 56678 | tollfree= | checkin=11AM | checkout=11AM | price=₹600-1200 | lastedit=2019-03-27 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Worldonindia Bakkhali Hotels | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near Frazergaunje Fishing Harbour Sea Beach | phone=+1 90 88-67-84-89 | tollfree= | checkin=noon | checkout=noon | price=₹500 | lastedit=2019-10-27 | content=The hotels is near sea beach and sea facing with swimming pools. Car parking, AC and non-AC rooms. }} ==Connect== Mobile phone coverage at Bakkhali is good, covers full range up to Jammu Deep. BSNL, Jio, Vodafone and Airtel has good coverage. However, 4G connectivity can be patchy on most networks. It is best to check with the hotel you intend to stay at to determine which of the mobile phone service providers have good Internet connectivity in the town and whether STD/ISD calls can be made from the hotel. ==Go next== * Bhagabatpur – crocodile project * [[Sagar Island]] - Gangasagar * [[Sundarbans National Park]] – gateway for the West Bengal part of Sundarbans is through Canning and Basanti. The Sunderbans are also accessible from Bakkhali but best accessed through Basanti. If you reach Netadhopan, you may be able to spot tigers. {{geo|21.5632|88.2594}} {{isPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{usablecity}} 35923u8u17mol9oupqhu324y9utpsrz 0 2722 4506633 4506110 2022-08-23T06:30:42Z Veracious 1298114 /* Fees and permits */ So far, there's no entry fee or special permit needed. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Banyak Islands banner.jpg|caption=}} The '''Banyak Islands''' are a group of tiny islands off the western coast of [[Aceh]], [[Sumatra]], [[Indonesia]], primarily visited on surfing charters. The islands are about 100 km north of the island of [[Nias]]. ==Understand== Kepulauan Banyak is Indonesian for "Many Islands". ===History=== ===Landscape=== ===Flora and fauna=== # Green turtle (''Caretta caretta'') # Leatherback turtle (''Dermochelys coriacea'') # Hawksbill turtle (''Eretmochelys imbricata'') ===Climate=== To enjoy the beauty of this group of islands, it's recommended to visit here between March to August. That's because the weather is sunny and calm, making it the best time for island hoping, kayaking and snorkeling. ==Get in== === By plane === The nearest airport to the Banyak Islands is the small Syekh Hamzah Fansyuri Airport on the Sumatra mainland, near [[Singkil]]. The nearest major airport is [[Medan]]'s Kuala Namu International Airport ({{IATA|KNO}}), more than 250 km away. === By boat === There are frequent boats from [[Singkil]] to Balai on the Banyak Islands. The boats only leave at high tide. ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ===Surfing=== Waves are high and can reach 6 meters. There are 12 spots for surfing, spread across the Banyak Islands. The most visited surfing spots are Amandangan Beach and Violation Beach on Bangkaru Island. ===Snorkeling=== The unique view of the sea is at the coral reefs, filled with marine plants and reef fish of various colors and various sizes. Enjoying the beauty of biodiversity can be done by using snorkeling, especially for places that are hard to see by boat with see-through floors. ===Trekking=== Trekking on the Tuangku Island while enjoying the beauty of its forest. The journey can be started from Kampong Haloban and along the way tourists might encounter Mouse Deer, Nias Beo, Squirrel, Wild Boar and Butterfly of various colors. There is also a Bat Cave and Swallow's Nest Cave. But be careful of the Estuary Crocodile (''Crocodylus porosus'') which sometimes appears in river. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ===Lodging=== ===Camping=== ===Backcountry=== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * Return to [[Sumatra]] mainland. * Explore [[Nias]] island. {{outlinepark}} {{geo|2.1667|97.2500}} {{IsPartOf|Aceh}} c86yi400wnt0wslwr6i6ecni4b8josx 0 2836 4506418 4492686 2022-08-22T20:42:22Z Dima179 2230182 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Barra banner Kisimul Castle from Castlebay.JPG}} [[Image:2004 0806hebridies0040.JPG|thumb|300px|A Twin Otter touches down at Barra Airport]] [[Image:Barra Satellite Photo.png|thumb|Barra Satellite Photo]] [[Image:Isle of barra-castlebay.jpg|thumb|Castlebay]] '''[http://www.isleofbarra.com Barra]''' (Gaelic: ''Barraigh'') is an island in the [[Outer Hebrides]] or Western Isles of Scotland. The main village is the ferry port, '''Castlebay'''. A causeway links Barra to the island of Vatersay, and further south are the uninhabited islands of Pabbay, Sandray, Mingulay and Berneray. ==Understand== The resident population was about 1,200 in 2011; two-thirds of them speak Gaelic but everyone speaks English. Barra is predominately Catholic, so there are fewer restrictions on Sunday activities (e.g. shop opening) than on the islands further north. There are also some wayside shrines, unusual for Scotland. Castlebay gets its name because Kisimul Castle, the seat of Clan MacNeil, sits on a rock out in the bay. (And Kisimul in turn is from Gaelic ''ciosamul'' meaning "castle island", so it's all very logical.) A Clan McNeil gathering takes place on Barra every two years, reuniting their diaspora from across the world. ==Get in== It's either a short flight or a long ferry crossing. ===By plane=== Daily flights from Glasgow take just over an hour. Flights are operated by [http://www.loganair.co.uk/ '''Loganair'''] using Twin Otters, with a 15-kg limit for checked luggage on this route. Flight timetables vary with the tide as Barra's runway is the beach, believed to be the only place in the world where scheduled flights use a beach runway. * {{listing | type=go | name=Barra Airport | alt={{IATA|BRR}} | url=http://www.hial.co.uk/barra-airport/ | email= | address=Northbay HS9 5YD | lat=57.027 | long=-7.450 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | wikipedia=Barra Airport (Scotland) | image=Plane arrival at Barra Airport.jpg | wikidata=Q808778 | content=Small modern terminal building with toilets and a cafe, and it's reassuring that "Traigh Mhor", the runway area, translates as ''big'' beach. The round-the-island bus W32 runs to the airport three times a day routinely plus an extra late afternoon run on request. To Castlebay it takes 20 min, fare £2, local taxis also available. Car hire available (see "Get around") but do pre-book, they have few vehicles. Private aircraft are welcome with prior permission. }} ===By boat=== [http://www.calmac.co.uk Calmac ferries] link Barra with '''[[Oban]]''' on the mainland, and with the other Western Isles via Eriskay. * The Oban-Castlebay ferry takes 5 hours daily Apr-Oct, plus an extra Wednesday sailing via [[Coll]] and [[Tiree]]. Nov-March there's no Thursday or Saturday sailing or link to Coll or Tiree. Until 23 Oct 2022, return fares are £148.60 per car, £31.80 per adult (including driver) and £15.90 per child. [http://www.scotrail.co.uk Trains] and [http://www.citylink.co.uk/ buses] from Glasgow connect with the ferries at Oban, so you can travel all the way in one day. * {{go | name=Castlebay ferry terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.954 | long=-7.488 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 07:00-17:00, Sa 07:00-15:00, Su 07:00-13:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Open for all sailings, it's the small white-washed low building by the pier. With toilets and Wifi. 400 yards to shops and ATM. Free parking. }} * Six miles north of Barra, [[Eriskay]] is a small island linked by causeway to South Uist, and this is nowadays the route to the main chain of the Western Isles. A ferry runs from {{marker | type=go | name=Aird Mhor | lat=57.009 | long=-7.403 }} on the north coast of Barra to Eriskay. This sails daily year-round, with up to 5 ferries per day, taking 40 minutes, return fares (until 23 Oct 2022) £23.20 per car, £6.70 per adult (including driver) and £2.40 per child. A bus may connect on Barra between Castlebay and Aird Mhor, and on Eriskay a bus may connect all the way north via Lochboisedale, Benbecula and North Uist, with another ferry crossing to Harris. So by this [[Western Isles Overland Route]] you can travel within a day between Barra and Stornoway on Lewis. The traditional ferry route from Castlebay to Lochboisdale no longer sails. Cruise ships sometimes visit Barra, e.g. the ''[http://www.hebridean.co.uk/en/hebridean-princess_49132/ Hebridean Princess]''. Castlebay has 12 visitor moorings for yachts and other small craft. ==Get around== {{Mapframe | 56.980 | -7.460 | height=500 | width=500 | zoom=11}} Castlebay is a small walkable place, though you need a boat ride to reach the castle. The whole island is about ten miles long by six miles wide, with its sights and settlements strung along the 13-mile loop of the coastal "main road" A888. (This is basically just a lane, but well-paved.) So you'll also need bike, bus, car-hire or taxi. * [https://www.barrabikehire.co.uk '''Bike hire'''] is £16 for one day, then £10 a day. * '''Buses''' run M-Sa, with a single fare of £1-£3. : Bus W32 circles the island either clockwise (north from Castlebay via Borve on the west coast) or anti-clockwise (via Brevig on the east coast) to Northbay. Here it takes the side lane north to Ardmhor (for ferries to Eriskay), the airport, and Eoligarry; then it retraces its route to Northbay and completes the circuit to Castlebay. There are four regular buses 07:00-13:30 plus occasional extras. : Bus W33 runs south from Castlebay across the causeway onto Vatersay, where it serves Caolas, the Uidh promontery, and the main settlement of Vatersay to the south. Just two buses, at 09:30 and 12:00, a third in school holidays, and you need to book. : And see [[Western Isles Overland Route]] for connections by bus and ferry to Eriskay and all the way up the chain of islands to the north tip of Lewis. * Arrange '''car hire''' through Barra Car Hire on 01871 890 313 (for on-island hire only) or [https://www.carhire-hebrides.co.uk Car Hire Hebrides] on 01870 603 228 (they'll do off-island and one way hire across the Western Isles.) * {{listing | name= Campbell Taxis| alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/CampbellsTaxiBarra/ | email= | address=60 Tangasdale, HS9 5XW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +44 1871 810216| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content= }} * {{listing | name= Barra Taxi| alt= | url= | email= | address= Garrygall, HS9 5UH| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +44 1871 810012| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content= }} * '''Dans Taxi''' +44 1871 810497 * '''Barra Island Tours''' +44 1871 810255 ==See== * {{see | name=Kisimul Castle | alt= | url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kisimul-castle/ | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5UZ | lat=56.9521 | long=-7.4873 | directions=five minute boat trip from Kisimul | phone=+44 1871 810313 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 09:30-17:30, last outbound boat 16:30. Closed Oct-Mar | price=Adult £6, child £3.60, concession £4.80 | wikipedia=Kisimul Castle | image=Kisimul Castle Evening - panoramio.jpg | wikidata=Q79160 | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Small castle, reached by a 5-min boat ride from Castlebay, weather permitting. Built in late 15th century and showing its age, with the Great Hall closed for restoration. Wisely, the Clan Chief lives in Edinburgh. }} * {{see | name=Barra Heritage Centre | alt=Dualchas | url= | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.956 | long=-7.496 | directions=near community school | phone=+44 1871 810413 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct: Tu-F 11:00-16:00, Sa 10:00-14:00, but opening erratic | price=Adults £3, Concession £2, Children £1 | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Local history exhibition. }} * Overlooking the ferry port, note the 19th-century "Our Lady, Star of the Sea" Roman Catholic church. Masses are held here Saturday and Sunday mornings, and at various times around the island. * Along the west coast, {{marker | type=see | name=Tangasdale | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=56.9730 | long=-7.5199 | directions=}} is the best beach. The medieval ruin on the islet out on the bay is "McLeod's Tower" or "Sinclair Castle". There's a small standing stone near the roadside at Borve, and the Neolithic chambered burial cairn of Dun Bharpa in the hills above. On the hill just south of the turnoff for the golf-course is Dun Chuidhir Iron Age broch. On Grean Head to the north, Atlantic breakers pound against the cliffs. * A mile east along the main road from Castlebay towards Breivig is the start of the footpath up Heaval, see "Do". All along the more sheltered east side are views of the inner isles, and on a clear day the hills of Rhum and the peaks of the Cuillins look very close. * At {{marker | type=see | name=Northbay | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=57.00112 | long=-7.42570 | directions=}} a side lane branches north. Local artist Margaret Somerville has created a statue of St Barr, the island's saint, in the little bay here, as well as the shell pictures of seabirds and fish dotted around the island. The north end of Barra offers a vista of nearby uninhabited islands, as well as Eriskay and the Stack Isles, Ben More in South Uist, and on a clear day Benbecula and North Uist. * The lane continues north past the airport (toilets and cafe here) towards Eoligarry - a siren sounds when an aircraft's approaching and you need to get clear of the beach. This would be a really bad time for the dog to go hurtling after the seagulls. * {{see | name=Chapel of Cille Bharra | alt= | url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/9767/details/barra+eoligarry+cille+bharra/ | email= | address=Eoligarry | lat=57.0394 | long=-7.4342 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=3 or 4 chapels here, notably the 16th-century burial chapel, restored in the 1970s. This contains a replica of a stone with Viking runes and Celtic design, commemorating the Christian burial of the Viking princess Thorgeth, Steinar's daughter. The original stone is in the National Museum in Edinburgh. The "main" chapel adjacent is now a ruin, the third chapel is a scrappy ruin, and the fourth has been obliterated. In the graveyard under a simple cross lies Sir Compton MacKenzie, whose best-loved work ''Whisky Galore'' was inspired by the running aground of the whisky-laden ship "The Politician" nearby in 1941. }} * From Castlebay a lane branches south, to cross a causeway to {{marker | type=see | name=Vatersay | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=56.925 | long=-7.541 | directions=}}. This island has very fine beaches, and usually the best surfing and wind-surfing. Note the memorial to "Annie Jane", a ship from Liverpool taking emigrants to Montreal, wrecked in West Bay in 1853 with the loss of 350 lives. A number of Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age remains are found on Vatersay, while offshore to the west is the inaccessible 236-foot stack of Biruaslum - with, incredibly, a prehistoric fort. ==Do== * '''Walk:''' no end of fine walks along deserted beaches. * '''Climb''' {{do | name=Heaval | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=56.9670 | long=-7.4689 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Heaval | image=Heaval top.jpg | wikidata=Q1345347 | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=It's a short sharp ascent from the main road up the ridge to the summit at {{m|384}}. The record for racing up it and back stands at 24 min, but most folk take 40 min each way. Two thirds of the way up is a statue of the Madonna and Child overlooking Castlebay. The view from the top takes in Mingulay and Barra Head lighthouse to the south; you might even see the hills of Ireland. }} * {{do | name=Barra Golf Club | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cleat, HS9 5XX | lat=57.01217 | long=-7.49086 | directions=north end of the island | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Nine-hole course, the most westerly golf course in Scotland. }} * {{do | name=Sea kayaking | alt= | url=http://www.clearwaterpaddling.com | email= | address= | lat=56.95606 | long=-7.49134 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Includes point to point kayak tours around the Hebrides, wild camping overnight. }} * '''Boat trips''' run in calm weather to the uninhabited islands just south. The most spectacular is Mingulay, with its vast cliffs, and a tumult of sea-birds wheeling over the waters. * Castlebay Community School has a swimming pool, a fitness suite, and a library with internet facilities. * '''[https://www.barrathon.org.uk Barrathon]:''' The island's 13 miles of main road make nicely for a half-marathon circuit, and the "Barrathon" is held at the end of June. To date they've not organised a double-circuit full marathon but there's nothing holding you back. * '''[https://www.clanmacneilglobal.org/ MacNeil Clan Gathering]:''' If you are a MacNeil then you are most welcome at the Clan Gathering, held in even years, the next being 8-15 Aug 2022. Its events are mostly held in Castlebay Community Hall. ==Buy== * Castlebay has ATMs and a filling station. * {{buy | name=Co-op | alt= | url=https://finder.coop.co.uk/food/store/HS9-5XD/isle-of-barra | email= | address=Castlebay, HS9 5XD | lat=56.95549 | long=-7.49850 | directions=South side of the bay, near the school | phone=+44 1871 810 069 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 07:00-22:00; Su 12:30-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-18 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Grocer | alt= | url= | email= | address=Main Street, Castlebay | lat=56.95462 | long=-7.48646 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It sells newspapers. }} * {{buy | name=Hardware store | alt= | url= | email= | address=in Castlebay | lat=56.95527 | long=-7.48599 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *The local newspaper is ''Guth Bharraigh'', which will tell you what's on. * '''Buth Bharraigh''' is a local produce hub, at Unit 2, Castlebay Industrial Estate (M-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-16:00). * {{buy | name=Hebridean Toffee | alt= | url=http://www.hebrideantoffeecompany.com | email=hebtoffee@aol.com | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.9553 | long=-7.4893 | directions=turn first left after leaving ferry | phone=+44 1871 810898 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Apr-Oct: M-Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 12:00-16:00; Nov-Mar: Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Scottish tablet made and sold here, with toffee and other local quality crafts and gifts sold all year round. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== * For a quick snack there are cafés in Castlebay, and the village halls in Vatersay and Northbay offer coffees, teas, home baking and gifts. * {{eat | name=The Deck | alt=Outside the Toffee shop | url=http://www.hebrideantoffeecompany.com | email=heart-hebrides@btconnect.com | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1871 810898 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct: M-Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 12:00-16:00; Nov-Mar: Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Good local food and drink and fresh home baking outside on the Deck: al fresco if warm, all freezo otherwise. }} * {{eat | name=Dualchas Café | alt= | url= | email= | address=in the Heritage Centre, Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=daytime only | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Kisimul | alt= | url=http://www.cafekisimul.co.uk/index.htm | email= | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions=by the harbour | phone=+44 1871 810645 or +44 1871 810870 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10:00-22:00, Su 17:00-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Offers Italian, Indian, traditional Hebridean and vegetarian options. Great staff with a trattoria-like atmosphere. Only about 6 indoor tables. It is advisable to book at weekends and in high season. }} ===Mid-range=== All the hotels on the island offer dining to non-residents. Fresh local fish and shellfish are always a good pick. * {{eat | name=Isle of Barra Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tangasdale Beach | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Dinner 18:00-20:45 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Restaurant with fine ocean views. }} * {{eat | name=Castlebay Hotel | alt= | url=https://castlebayhotel.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 12:00-14:00 & 18:00-20:30 (to 21:30 May-Sep) | price=Mains £13-20 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=The food is reasonable value and quality especially the seafood. Friendly service. }} * {{eat | name=Craigard Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:00 & 17:30-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Mostly sea-food. Occasional live bands and big screen football matches. }} * {{eat | name=Heathbank Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Northbay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Sep: snacks from 13:00, main menu 17:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Mainly seafood. }} ==Drink== * Each of the four hotels has its own bar or cocktail lounge. There are often dances and ceilidhs which are either licensed to sell alcohol or where you are expected to bring your own bottle. * {{drink | name=Castlebay Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Often has live music late on Saturday nights. The local group "The Vatersay Boys" are very popular locally and will get you up and dancing. }} * {{drink | name=Craigard Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.craigardhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-21 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Halaman Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Isle of Barra Beach Hotel | lat= | long= | directions=a few kilometres out of Castlebay | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Architect designed, it looks really posh. Great place to watch the sunset. Large car park. }} * '''[https://isleofbarradistillers.com/ Isle of Barra Distillers]''' in Castlebay make gin, and they intend to produce whisky eventually. No tours. ==Sleep== Be ready to book your accommodation as soon as you book your transport, and vice versa. Both have limited capacity. This applies at any time of year: summer is busy, but in winter places shut down. All the accommodation is small and family-owned. It's not always listed on the [http://www.visithebrides.com tourist board website], as there are charges and hassles to do so. ===Budget=== * '''Camping:''' There are designated campsites (which take tourer caravans) at Borve on the west coast, Balnabodach on the east coast, and two at Eoiligarry at the north tip. * {{sleep | name=Dunard Hostel | alt= | url=http://www.dunardhostel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay | lat=56.95602 | long=-7.49194 | directions= | phone = +44 1871 810443 | tollfree= | fax= | price=Bunk £20, twin room £45 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=A 16-bed hostel which caters for families and solo travellers. Close to the ferry pier. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Tigh-Na-Mara Guest House | alt= | url=http://www.tighnamara-barra.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +44 1871 810304 | tollfree= | fax= | price=Doubles £80 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=B&B open April-Oct. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlebay Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.castlebay-hotel.co.uk | email= | address= | lat=56.95546 | long=-7.48741 | directions= | phone=+44 1871 810223 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=from £60 | lastedit=2018-03-21 | content=It's a few minutes walk from the ferry. Website also has general info on the island. }} * {{sleep | name=Craigard Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.craigardhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.95482 | long=-7.48454 | directions=overlooking ferry pier | phone=+44 1871 810200 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=10:30 | price=B&B double from £60 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Friendly small hotel with restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Isle of Barra Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.isleofbarrahotel.co.uk | email= | address= | lat=56.97579 | long=-7.51831 | directions=on the west coast, about 2 miles from Castlebay. | phone=+44 1871 810383 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Open May-Sep. In a lovely location next to Tangasdale Beach, 2 night minimum stay.<br /> Beware that Google map shows a duplicate of this hotel away up a rocky hill on Vatersay. No, nothing here but sheep. }} * {{sleep | name=Heathbank Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.barrahotel.co.uk | email= | address=Northbay | lat=56.99779 | long=-7.42032 | directions=on the east coast 6 miles from Castlebay | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=from £75 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Small hotel with bar and restaurant. Closes during October, otherwise year-round. }} * '''Self-catering:''' At least two dozen places dotted around, including on Vatersay. They're mostly cottages plus a few static caravans, and generally let from Saturday to Saturday. == Connect == As of 2022, EE has good signal in most parts of the island. Other carriers have worse reception, for example, there is limited 3G from Vodafone in Castlebay. Your accommodation may have Wifi. == Go next == * '''Back to the mainland''' by ferry to [[Oban]], which has trains and buses to Glasgow, and ferries to the more southern Hebrides. * '''North''' lies the chain of Western Isles linked by ferries and buses. The early bus goes all the way, so in a single day you can reach [[Eriskay]], [[South Uist]], [[Benbecula]] (for flights to Glasgow), [[North Uist]] (for ferries to Skye), [[Harris]] and finally [[Stornoway]] on [[Lewis]], for ferries to Ullapool and flights to Glagow and Edinburgh. * '''South''' the islands are more separated, and you may prefer to backtrack via Oban, but at least one ferry per week in summer is direct to [[Colonsay]], [[Islay]] and Kennacraig on the Argyll mainland. {{geo|56.96|-7.48}} {{IsPartOf|Outer Hebrides}} {{usablecity}} 5s1vxpll1x7yg8mexjoaffbganbw1hz 4506420 4506418 2022-08-22T20:45:52Z Dima179 2230182 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Barra banner Kisimul Castle from Castlebay.JPG}} [[Image:2004 0806hebridies0040.JPG|thumb|300px|A Twin Otter touches down at Barra Airport]] [[Image:Barra Satellite Photo.png|thumb|Barra Satellite Photo]] [[Image:Isle of barra-castlebay.jpg|thumb|Castlebay]] '''[http://www.isleofbarra.com Barra]''' (Gaelic: ''Barraigh'') is an island in the [[Outer Hebrides]] or Western Isles of Scotland. The main village is the ferry port, '''Castlebay'''. A causeway links Barra to the island of Vatersay, and further south are the uninhabited islands of Pabbay, Sandray, Mingulay and Berneray. ==Understand== The resident population was about 1,200 in 2011; two-thirds of them speak Gaelic but everyone speaks English. Barra is predominately Catholic, so there are fewer restrictions on Sunday activities (e.g. shop opening) than on the islands further north. There are also some wayside shrines, unusual for Scotland. Castlebay gets its name because Kisimul Castle, the seat of Clan MacNeil, sits on a rock out in the bay. (And Kisimul in turn is from Gaelic ''ciosamul'' meaning "castle island", so it's all very logical.) A Clan McNeil gathering takes place on Barra every two years, reuniting their diaspora from across the world. ==Get in== It's either a short flight or a long ferry crossing. ===By plane=== Daily flights from Glasgow take just over an hour. Flights are operated by [http://www.loganair.co.uk/ '''Loganair'''] using Twin Otters, with a 15-kg limit for checked luggage on this route. Flight timetables vary with the tide as Barra's runway is the beach, believed to be the only place in the world where scheduled flights use a beach runway. * {{listing | type=go | name=Barra Airport | alt={{IATA|BRR}} | url=http://www.hial.co.uk/barra-airport/ | email= | address=Northbay HS9 5YD | lat=57.027 | long=-7.450 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | wikipedia=Barra Airport (Scotland) | image=Plane arrival at Barra Airport.jpg | wikidata=Q808778 | content=Small modern terminal building with toilets and a cafe, and it's reassuring that "Traigh Mhor", the runway area, translates as ''big'' beach. The round-the-island bus W32 runs to the airport three times a day routinely plus an extra late afternoon run on request. To Castlebay it takes 20 min, fare £2, local taxis also available. Car hire available (see "Get around") but do pre-book, they have few vehicles. Private aircraft are welcome with prior permission. }} ===By boat=== [http://www.calmac.co.uk Calmac ferries] link Barra with '''[[Oban]]''' on the mainland, and with the other Western Isles via Eriskay. * The Oban-Castlebay ferry takes 5 hours daily Apr-Oct, plus an extra Wednesday sailing via [[Coll]] and [[Tiree]]. Nov-March there's no Thursday or Saturday sailing or link to Coll or Tiree. Until 23 Oct 2022, return fares are £148.60 per car, £31.80 per adult (including driver) and £15.90 per child. [http://www.scotrail.co.uk Trains] and [http://www.citylink.co.uk/ buses] from Glasgow connect with the ferries at Oban, so you can travel all the way in one day. * {{go | name=Castlebay ferry terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.954 | long=-7.488 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 07:00-17:00, Sa 07:00-15:00, Su 07:00-13:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Open for all sailings, it's the small white-washed low building by the pier. With toilets and Wifi. 400 yards to shops and ATM. Free parking. }} * Six miles north of Barra, [[Eriskay]] is a small island linked by causeway to South Uist, and this is nowadays the route to the main chain of the Western Isles. A ferry runs from {{marker | type=go | name=Aird Mhor | lat=57.009 | long=-7.403 }} on the north coast of Barra to Eriskay. This sails daily year-round, with up to 5 ferries per day, taking 40 minutes, return fares (until 23 Oct 2022) £23.20 per car, £6.70 per adult (including driver) and £2.40 per child. A bus may connect on Barra between Castlebay and Aird Mhor, and on Eriskay a bus may connect all the way north via Lochboisedale, Benbecula and North Uist, with another ferry crossing to Harris. So by this [[Western Isles Overland Route]] you can travel within a day between Barra and Stornoway on Lewis. The traditional ferry route from Castlebay to Lochboisdale no longer sails. Cruise ships sometimes visit Barra, e.g. the ''[http://www.hebridean.co.uk/en/hebridean-princess_49132/ Hebridean Princess]''. Castlebay has 12 visitor moorings for yachts and other small craft. ==Get around== {{Mapframe | 56.980 | -7.460 | height=500 | width=500 | zoom=11}} Castlebay is a small walkable place, though you need a boat ride to reach the castle. The whole island is about ten miles long by six miles wide, with its sights and settlements strung along the 13-mile loop of the coastal "main road" A888. (This is basically just a lane, but well-paved.) So you'll also need bike, bus, car-hire or taxi. * [https://www.barrabikehire.co.uk '''Bike hire'''] is £16 for one day, then £10 a day. * '''Buses''' run M-Sa, with a single fare of £1-£3. : Bus W32 circles the island either clockwise (north from Castlebay via Borve on the west coast) or anti-clockwise (via Brevig on the east coast) to Northbay. Here it takes the side lane north to Ardmhor (for ferries to Eriskay), the airport, and Eoligarry; then it retraces its route to Northbay and completes the circuit to Castlebay. There are four regular buses 07:00-13:30 plus occasional extras. : Bus W33 runs south from Castlebay across the causeway onto Vatersay, where it serves Caolas, the Uidh promontery, and the main settlement of Vatersay to the south. Just two buses, at 09:30 and 12:00, a third in school holidays, and you need to book. : And see [[Western Isles Overland Route]] for connections by bus and ferry to Eriskay and all the way up the chain of islands to the north tip of Lewis. * Arrange '''car hire''' through Barra Car Hire on 01871 890 313 (for on-island hire only) or [https://www.carhire-hebrides.co.uk Car Hire Hebrides] on 01870 603 228 (they'll do off-island and one way hire across the Western Isles.) * {{listing | name= Campbell Taxis| alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/CampbellsTaxiBarra/ | email= | address=60 Tangasdale, HS9 5XW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +44 1871 810216| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content= }} * {{listing | name= Barra Taxi| alt= | url= | email= | address= Garrygall, HS9 5UH| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +44 1871 810012| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content= }} * '''Dans Taxi''' +44 1871 810497 * '''Barra Island Tours''' +44 1871 810255 ==See== * {{see | name=Kisimul Castle | alt= | url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kisimul-castle/ | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5UZ | lat=56.9521 | long=-7.4873 | directions=five minute boat trip from Kisimul | phone=+44 1871 810313 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 09:30-17:30, last outbound boat 16:30. Closed Oct-Mar | price=Adult £6, child £3.60, concession £4.80 | wikipedia=Kisimul Castle | image=Kisimul Castle Evening - panoramio.jpg | wikidata=Q79160 | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Small castle, reached by a 5-min boat ride from Castlebay, weather permitting. Built in late 15th century and showing its age, with the Great Hall closed for restoration. Wisely, the Clan Chief lives in Edinburgh. }} * {{see | name=Barra Heritage Centre | alt=Dualchas | url= | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.956 | long=-7.496 | directions=near community school | phone=+44 1871 810413 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct: Tu-F 11:00-16:00, Sa 10:00-14:00, but opening erratic | price=Adults £3, Concession £2, Children £1 | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Local history exhibition. }} * Overlooking the ferry port, note the 19th-century "Our Lady, Star of the Sea" Roman Catholic church. Masses are held here Saturday and Sunday mornings, and at various times around the island. * Along the west coast, {{marker | type=see | name=Tangasdale | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=56.9730 | long=-7.5199 | directions=}} is the best beach. The medieval ruin on the islet out on the bay is "McLeod's Tower" or "Sinclair Castle". There's a small standing stone near the roadside at Borve, and the Neolithic chambered burial cairn of Dun Bharpa in the hills above. On the hill just south of the turnoff for the golf-course is Dun Chuidhir Iron Age broch. On Grean Head to the north, Atlantic breakers pound against the cliffs. * A mile east along the main road from Castlebay towards Breivig is the start of the footpath up Heaval, see "Do". All along the more sheltered east side are views of the inner isles, and on a clear day the hills of Rhum and the peaks of the Cuillins look very close. * At {{marker | type=see | name=Northbay | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=57.00112 | long=-7.42570 | directions=}} a side lane branches north. Local artist Margaret Somerville has created a statue of St Barr, the island's saint, in the little bay here, as well as the shell pictures of seabirds and fish dotted around the island. The north end of Barra offers a vista of nearby uninhabited islands, as well as Eriskay and the Stack Isles, Ben More in South Uist, and on a clear day Benbecula and North Uist. * The lane continues north past the airport (toilets and cafe here) towards Eoligarry - a siren sounds when an aircraft's approaching and you need to get clear of the beach. This would be a really bad time for the dog to go hurtling after the seagulls. * {{see | name=Chapel of Cille Bharra | alt= | url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/9767/details/barra+eoligarry+cille+bharra/ | email= | address=Eoligarry | lat=57.0394 | long=-7.4342 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=3 or 4 chapels here, notably the 16th-century burial chapel, restored in the 1970s. This contains a replica of a stone with Viking runes and Celtic design, commemorating the Christian burial of the Viking princess Thorgeth, Steinar's daughter. The original stone is in the National Museum in Edinburgh. The "main" chapel adjacent is now a ruin, the third chapel is a scrappy ruin, and the fourth has been obliterated. In the graveyard under a simple cross lies Sir Compton MacKenzie, whose best-loved work ''Whisky Galore'' was inspired by the running aground of the whisky-laden ship "The Politician" nearby in 1941. }} * From Castlebay a lane branches south, to cross a causeway to {{marker | type=see | name=Vatersay | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=56.925 | long=-7.541 | directions=}}. This island has very fine beaches, and usually the best surfing and wind-surfing. Note the memorial to "Annie Jane", a ship from Liverpool taking emigrants to Montreal, wrecked in West Bay in 1853 with the loss of 350 lives. A number of Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age remains are found on Vatersay, while offshore to the west is the inaccessible 236-foot stack of Biruaslum - with, incredibly, a prehistoric fort. ==Do== * '''Walk:''' no end of fine walks along deserted beaches. * '''Climb''' {{do | name=Heaval | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=56.9670 | long=-7.4689 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Heaval | image=Heaval top.jpg | wikidata=Q1345347 | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=It's a short sharp ascent from the main road up the ridge to the summit at {{m|384}}. The record for racing up it and back stands at 24 min, but most folk take 40 min each way. Two thirds of the way up is a statue of the Madonna and Child overlooking Castlebay. The view from the top takes in Mingulay and Barra Head lighthouse to the south; you might even see the hills of Ireland. }} * {{do | name=Barra Golf Club | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cleat, HS9 5XX | lat=57.01217 | long=-7.49086 | directions=north end of the island | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Nine-hole course, the most westerly golf course in Scotland. }} * {{do | name=Sea kayaking | alt= | url=http://www.clearwaterpaddling.com | email= | address= | lat=56.95606 | long=-7.49134 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-19 | content=Includes point to point kayak tours around the Hebrides, wild camping overnight. }} * '''Boat trips''' run in calm weather to the uninhabited islands just south. The most spectacular is Mingulay, with its vast cliffs, and a tumult of sea-birds wheeling over the waters. * Castlebay Community School has a swimming pool, a fitness suite, and a library with internet facilities. * '''[https://www.barrathon.org.uk Barrathon]:''' The island's 13 miles of main road make nicely for a half-marathon circuit, and the "Barrathon" is held at the end of June. To date they've not organised a double-circuit full marathon but there's nothing holding you back. * '''[https://www.clanmacneilglobal.org/ MacNeil Clan Gathering]:''' If you are a MacNeil then you are most welcome at the Clan Gathering, held in even years, the next being 8-15 Aug 2022. Its events are mostly held in Castlebay Community Hall. ==Buy== * Castlebay has ATMs and a filling station. * {{buy | name=Co-op | alt= | url=https://finder.coop.co.uk/food/store/HS9-5XD/isle-of-barra | email= | address=Castlebay, HS9 5XD | lat=56.95549 | long=-7.49850 | directions=South side of the bay, near the school | phone=+44 1871 810 069 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 07:00-22:00; Su 12:30-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-18 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Grocer | alt= | url= | email= | address=Main Street, Castlebay | lat=56.95462 | long=-7.48646 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It sells newspapers. }} * {{buy | name=Hardware store | alt= | url= | email= | address=in Castlebay | lat=56.95527 | long=-7.48599 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *The local newspaper is ''Guth Bharraigh'', which will tell you what's on. * '''Buth Bharraigh''' is a local produce hub, at Unit 2, Castlebay Industrial Estate (M-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-16:00). * {{buy | name=Hebridean Toffee | alt= | url=http://www.hebrideantoffeecompany.com | email=hebtoffee@aol.com | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.9553 | long=-7.4893 | directions=turn first left after leaving ferry | phone=+44 1871 810898 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Apr-Oct: M-Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 12:00-16:00; Nov-Mar: Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Scottish tablet made and sold here, with toffee and other local quality crafts and gifts sold all year round. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== * For a quick snack there are cafés in Castlebay, and the village halls in Vatersay and Northbay offer coffees, teas, home baking and gifts. * {{eat | name=The Deck | alt=Outside the Toffee shop | url=http://www.hebrideantoffeecompany.com | email=heart-hebrides@btconnect.com | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1871 810898 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct: M-Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 12:00-16:00; Nov-Mar: Th 09:00-17:00, F Sa 09:00-19:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Good local food and drink and fresh home baking outside on the Deck: al fresco if warm, all freezo otherwise. }} * {{eat | name=Dualchas Café | alt= | url= | email= | address=in the Heritage Centre, Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=daytime only | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Kisimul | alt= | url=http://www.cafekisimul.co.uk/index.htm | email= | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions=by the harbour | phone=+44 1871 810645 or +44 1871 810870 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10:00-22:00, Su 17:00-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Offers Italian, Indian, traditional Hebridean and vegetarian options. Great staff with a trattoria-like atmosphere. Only about 6 indoor tables. It is advisable to book at weekends and in high season. }} ===Mid-range=== All the hotels on the island offer dining to non-residents. Fresh local fish and shellfish are always a good pick. * {{eat | name=Isle of Barra Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tangasdale Beach | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Dinner 18:00-20:45 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Restaurant with fine ocean views. }} * {{eat | name=Castlebay Hotel | alt= | url=https://castlebayhotel.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 12:00-14:00 & 18:00-20:30 (to 21:30 May-Sep) | price=Mains £13-20 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=The food is reasonable value and quality especially the seafood. Friendly service. }} * {{eat | name=Craigard Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 12:30-14:00 & 17:30-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Mostly sea-food. Occasional live bands and big screen football matches. }} * {{eat | name=Heathbank Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Northbay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Sep: snacks from 13:00, main menu 17:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Mainly seafood. }} ==Drink== * Each of the four hotels has its own bar or cocktail lounge. There are often dances and ceilidhs which are either licensed to sell alcohol or where you are expected to bring your own bottle. * {{drink | name=Castlebay Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Often has live music late on Saturday nights. The local group "The Vatersay Boys" are very popular locally and will get you up and dancing. }} * {{drink | name=Craigard Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.craigardhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-21 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Halaman Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Isle of Barra Beach Hotel | lat= | long= | directions=a few kilometres out of Castlebay | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Architect designed, it looks really posh. Great place to watch the sunset. Large car park. }} * '''[https://isleofbarradistillers.com/ Isle of Barra Distillers]''' in Castlebay make gin, and they intend to produce whisky eventually. No tours. ==Sleep== Be ready to book your accommodation as soon as you book your transport, and vice versa. Both have limited capacity. This applies at any time of year: summer is busy, but in winter places shut down. All the accommodation is small and family-owned. It's not always listed on the [http://www.visithebrides.com tourist board website], as there are charges and hassles to do so. ===Budget=== * '''Camping:''' There are designated campsites (which take tourer caravans) at Borve on the west coast, Balnabodach on the east coast, and two at Eoiligarry at the north tip. * {{sleep | name=Dunard Hostel | alt= | url=http://www.dunardhostel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay | lat=56.95602 | long=-7.49194 | directions= | phone = +44 1871 810443 | tollfree= | fax= | price=Bunk £20, twin room £45 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=A 16-bed hostel which caters for families and solo travellers. Close to the ferry pier. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Tigh-Na-Mara Guest House | alt= | url=http://www.tighnamara-barra.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +44 1871 810304 | tollfree= | fax= | price=Doubles £80 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=B&B open April-Oct. }} * {{sleep | name=Castlebay Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.castlebay-hotel.co.uk | email= | address= | lat=56.95546 | long=-7.48741 | directions= | phone=+44 1871 810223 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=from £60 | lastedit=2018-03-21 | content=It's a few minutes walk from the ferry. Website also has general info on the island. }} * {{sleep | name=Craigard Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.craigardhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castlebay HS9 5XD | lat=56.95482 | long=-7.48454 | directions=overlooking ferry pier | phone=+44 1871 810200 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=10:30 | price=B&B double from £60 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Friendly small hotel with restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Isle of Barra Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.isleofbarrahotel.co.uk | email= | address= | lat=56.97579 | long=-7.51831 | directions=on the west coast, about 2 miles from Castlebay. | phone=+44 1871 810383 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Open May-Sep. In a lovely location next to Tangasdale Beach, 2 night minimum stay.<br /> Beware that Google map shows a duplicate of this hotel away up a rocky hill on Vatersay. No, nothing here but sheep. }} * {{sleep | name=Heathbank Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.barrahotel.co.uk | email= | address=Northbay | lat=56.99779 | long=-7.42032 | directions=on the east coast 6 miles from Castlebay | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=from £75 | lastedit=2018-10-20 | content=Small hotel with bar and restaurant. Closes during October, otherwise year-round. }} * '''Self-catering:''' At least two dozen places dotted around, including on Vatersay. They're mostly cottages plus a few static caravans, and generally let from Saturday to Saturday. == Connect == As of 2022, EE has good signal in most parts of the island. O2 and Vodafone have worse reception, for example, there is limited 3G from Vodafone in Castlebay. 3 has no signal. Your accommodation may have Wifi. == Go next == * '''Back to the mainland''' by ferry to [[Oban]], which has trains and buses to Glasgow, and ferries to the more southern Hebrides. * '''North''' lies the chain of Western Isles linked by ferries and buses. The early bus goes all the way, so in a single day you can reach [[Eriskay]], [[South Uist]], [[Benbecula]] (for flights to Glasgow), [[North Uist]] (for ferries to Skye), [[Harris]] and finally [[Stornoway]] on [[Lewis]], for ferries to Ullapool and flights to Glagow and Edinburgh. * '''South''' the islands are more separated, and you may prefer to backtrack via Oban, but at least one ferry per week in summer is direct to [[Colonsay]], [[Islay]] and Kennacraig on the Argyll mainland. {{geo|56.96|-7.48}} {{IsPartOf|Outer Hebrides}} {{usablecity}} n7mt2mp47kehaptpsxbpu38pxz7qk83 0 2919 4506379 4462700 2022-08-22T18:51:46Z Ground Zero 1423298 Update, copyedit wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bastia banner.jpg}} '''[http://www.bastia.fr/ Bastia]''' is a city on the [[France|French]] island of [[Corsica]]. The small fortifications and pleasant harbour-side areas make for a nice stroll. It is a small city and good for pedestrians. [[File:VP-nuit.jpg|thumb|right|300px|St Jean Baptiste Cathedral overlooking Bastia's Vieux Port]] ==Understand== Bastia is the second largest city by population in Corsica with almost 49,000 inhabitants (2019). Tourism has not brought much prosperity to the city, and unemployment remains high by French standards. Bastia received its name from a Genoese construction of a "bastiglia" in the 1300s. Both Bastia and bastiglia are cognates of the English "bastion". Bastia was the principal capital of Genoese Corsica, and it became French only in the late 1760s. The afternoon siesta is a serious daily event in Bastia, and one should be careful to respect shop hours (e.g. supermarket) in order to be able to buy necessities at normal prices. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Bastia Airport | alt="Poretta" {{IATA|BIA}} | url=http://www.bastia.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.55 | long=9.484722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bastia – Poretta Airport | image=Aéroport Bastia Poretta.JPG | wikidata=Q1430951 | content=It has seasonal budget flights from Europe and year-round scheduled flights from mainland France. The airport is 20 km south of the city on the main coast highway. A ricketty old bus runs approx hourly to town centre, taking 20 min, for €9 per person - cash only, to the driver. Find the timetable on the airport website. For two or more people, a taxi will probably be better value, especially if your accommodation in Bastia is away from the centre. }} ===By boat=== The main ferry routes to Bastia are from [[Marseille]], [[Toulon]], and [[Nice]] in France, and from [[Genoa]], [[Savona]], [[Livorno]] and Piombino in mainland Italy the latter via Portoferraio on Elba. There are no ferries from Sardinia: they sail to [[Bonifacio]] on the south tip of Corsica. The ferries are of uneven quality, even within the same company. They get very busy during the summer, so book early, even if you're just a foot passenger without vehicle or cabin. * {{listing|type=go | name=Ferry terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gare Maritime | lat=42.704717 | long=9.454634 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-10 | content=Entry to the port is at the north end of the New Harbour. The passenger terminal is a cramped affair, but has basic facilities. Foot passengers may exit the port by the turnstile opposite Town Hall. }} A clutch of car rental offices can be seen on the streets facing the turnstile exit. They're open M-Sa 08:00-20:00, none are open Sunday. ===By train=== A narrow gauge train service links Bastia with [[Ajaccio]], [[Corte]], [[Calvi]], [[L'Île-Rousse]]. The train takes passengers through beautiful valleys and over spectacular passes. However, the fare all the way to Ajaccio is pricey at €22 one-way, and the ride's comfort level is reminiscent of a horse-drawn carriage on a dirt road. As noted in the Corsica page, the locals call it "the shivering one" (U Trinighellu) for good reason. * {{listing | type=go | name=Train terminal | alt= | url=http://www.cf-corse.fr/ | email= | address=Bastia, Pays Bastiais, Gare Ferroviaire CFC - Chemins de Fer Corse, Place de la gare | lat=42.702029 | long=9.447662 | directions= | phone=+33 4 95 32 80 61, +33 4 95 32 80 55 | tollfree= | fax=+33 4 95 34 01 14 | hours= | price= | wikipedia=fr:Gare de Bastia | image=Corse Gare de Bastia.jpg | wikidata=Q967842 | lastedit=2015-04-19 | content= }} ===By bus=== There are bus services to/from [[Calvi]], [[L'Île-Rousse]], [[Saint-Florent]] on the northwestern part of the island, [[Solenzara]], [[Porto-Vecchio]] on the southeast, occasional services to the Cap Corse on the North [http://www.corsicabus.org/busBastia/index.html]. * {{listing|type=go | name=Bus terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= Bastia, Pays Bastiais, Gare Routière de Bastia, 1 rue du Nouveau Port, 20200 | lat=42.7027411 | long=9.4524854 | directions=just off the Place St Nicolas and the ferry terminal | phone=+33 4 95 54 54 54 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-04-19 | content= }} ==Get around== {{mapframe}} Explore the town on foot. Much is pedestrianised, and the vehicle routes get very congested. The city bus network is operated by [http://www.bastiabus.com/ Société des Autobus Bastiais] ({{phone|+33 4 95 31 06 65}}). A tramway runs from Bastia railway station, for some {{km|25}} south along the coast to Casamozza, where it connects with the mainline train between Bastia and Ajaccio. The tram passes within 2 km of Bastia airport, the nearest stop being Lucciana, but there's no connecting link so it hardly works as a means of "Getting in". It is possible but not pleasant to walk between the two along route D107, while route D507 must be avoided. ==See== [[File:CitadelleBastia.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The citadel]] The sights of Bastia are grouped around the {{see | name= Vieux Port | lat= 42.69603 | long= 9.449487}} - the Old Port. The quayside is shabby chic, with tall, faded buildings (many housing restaurants) surrounding a marina with posh yachts. It's particularly charming at dusk and early evening. The twin towers of the {{see | name=Cathedral | alt=St Jean Baptiste, St John the Baptist | lat=42.6964173756 | long=9.45013068404 }} stand prominently here. The area just north is the historic neighbourhood of Terra Vecchia: notable churches are the Oratoire de l'Imaculee Conception and the Confrerie St-Roch. To the south dominating the harbour is the '''citadel''', built by the Genoese in the 15th-17th centuries. Climb up to it by the street or by the Romieu gardens, to enter via the imposing gateway. Within is the square of Place du Donjon, and the entrance to the Palais de Gouverneurs, which now houses the city museum. Deeper within the warren of alleyways are the former cathedral {{see | name= Eglise Ste-Marie | alt= Church of Santa-Maria | lat= 42.6923770196 | long= 9.4519363174 }} and the Ortoire Baroque Ste-Croix. ==Do== '''Explore Cap Corse''', the rugged peninsula stretching north of Bastia. A very twisty road, the D80, makes for a scenic but occasionally nerve-wracking circular drive. Allow about four hours for this, have at least half a tank of fuel aboard before you start, and ''do not rush''. Going anti-clockwise, follow the main coast road north from Bastia port. This section along the east coast, though twisty, is mostly broad enough for traffic to pass with comfort, and the prospect below is not too vertiginous. It passes through Erbalunga and Pietracorbara to Santa Servera, where the road forks: one branch crossing the mountains via Luri to the west coast, the other continuing along the coast to Macinaggio. Buses from Bastia ply the road this far. Then this road also climbs inland, a cul-de-sac road branches off to the north cape at Barcaggio, and the going gets serious. The route back south along the west coast is narrow, twisting and turning high above the restless sea with no barriers between you and a very long drop. Villages along the way, clinging to the mountainside with scenic but precarious harbours, are Centuri, Pino, Canari and Nonza. Finally the road descends to Patrimonio where you'll be relieved to join the main highway D81 for the last hill-climb back over to Bastia. A short detour the other direction (towards Ile Rousse & [[Calvi]]) takes in the village of [[Saint-Florent]]. There is an argument for driving the Cap Corse route clockwise, so you'd be on the landward side of the road away from the cliff-edge. But the scariest parts are effectively single-track, with oncoming traffic and a mad white van on your tail. ==Buy== ==Eat== The Vieux Port restaurants major on seafood, but there's Tex-Mex and mainstream Italian. * {{eat | name=Le Jean Bart | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.69634 | long=9.45128 | directions= | phone = +33 4 95 31 36 31 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=For wonderful ''moules-frites'' (mussels and French fries) and puddings. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Pietracap | url=http://www.hotel-pietracap.com/ | email= | address=20 Route de San Martino | lat=42.72165 | long=9.45169 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Hotel with a swimming pool. Closed mid-Dec to Feb. }} *{{sleep | name=Sud Hôtel | alt= | url=http://www.sudhotel-bastia.com/ | email=info@sudhotel-bastia.com | address=Avenue de la Libération | lat=42.68138 | long=9.44380 | directions=1 km from centre of town | phone=+33 4 95 30 20 61 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Hotel des Gouverneurs | url=https://www.hoteldesgouverneurs.fr/ | email=contact@hoteldesgouverneurs.fr | address=3 bis rue des Turquines | lat=42.692902 | long=9.450107 | directions=in citadel overlooking old port | phone=+33 4 95 47 10 10 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2017-10-10 | content=Great comfort, in great location overlooking old port - if you can find it! In the pedestrianised citadel, nearest vehicle drop-off 200 m away. }} == Connect == As of June 2022, Bastia has 5G from all French carriers. == Go next == Bastia is a good starting point for a tour of Corsica, but you need your own car - or to be a very fit cyclist - to get around this rugged island. Public transport options are much more limited, but a daily bus runs to [[Calvi]] and all other major Corsican cities, and trains run daily to [[Corte]] and [[Ajaccio]]. {{geo|42.7008|9.4503}} {{usablecity}} {{IsPartOf|Corsica}} aka1iwpf793emqvcvbekolz4eot2w1m 0 3282 4506344 3590206 2022-08-22T17:37:56Z 84.225.178.34 /* Sleep */Info still valid wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg}} [[File:View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg|thumb|View of Beli village on hilltop]] '''Beli''' is a village in [[Cres]] island. ==Understand== Beli is one of the oldest settlements on [[Cres]]. Organised like an acropolis, 130 m high hill above the northeastern coast of the island, on the site of a prehistoric hill-fort, is a closely-built village with narrow stone-clad streets, and used to play a prominent role in the past. ==Get in== From the main road of Cres island there is a 7&nbsp;km long narrow curvy road leading to Beli, sometimes as narrow as one path. If driving, be prepared for slow traffic and careful maneuvers on the serpentines. Excursion boats arrive at the port of Beli. ==Get around== {{mapframe|45.1167|14.3500|zoom=14|layer=W}} The port of Beli, the beach and the camping is located at the bottom of the hill of Beli. It can be reached with a few minutes drive (good brakes are essential for this road!) or 10–15 minutes walk. [[File:Beli (Cres) Port and Beach view from the road.jpg|thumb|Port and Beach view from the road]] ==See== The village has a wonderful setting on the top of the hill. Narrow streets, small houses give it a real Mediterranean feel. ==Do== Watersports. [http://www.diving-beli.com/ Scubadiving]. [http://www.supovi.hr/ Eko Centar Caput Insulae] works the integral protection of Eurasian Griffon Vultures, organizes exhibitions and organizes eco-tourism programmes. They offer seven hiking routes around Beli. Zipline, over the bay. ==Buy== ==Eat== There are two restaurants in Beli * '''Restaurant Tramontana''' on top of the hill, in the Pansion. * '''Ostarija Beli''' at the entrance of the old village center, where the road to the beach and camping starts on the left. ==Drink== The buffet at the beach offers drinks, sandwiches and ice-cream until late. ==Sleep== Many rooms and apartments are available for rent: more in the village on the hill-top and a few also next to the beach. * [http://www.beli-tramontana.com/ Pansion Tramontana]. It has a restaurant. * {{sleep | name=Camping Brajdi | alt= | url=https://www.autokamp-brajdi.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=right next to the beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=One-star but cozy camping, small in size. Quite pricey yet the toilets aren’t very clean. Very basic shop, and a buffet nearby. }} ==Connect== ===Post=== Beli has a post office opening M-F 09:00-12:00. Stamps, phonecards etc. ==Go next== {{geo|45.1167|14.3500}} {{IsPartOf|Cres}} {{outlinecity}} 3fmlw1ypltnn0jnywmgdnb4mhzwkntn 4506345 4506344 2022-08-22T17:40:43Z 84.225.178.34 /* Do */Added beach info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg}} [[File:View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg|thumb|View of Beli village on hilltop]] '''Beli''' is a village in [[Cres]] island. ==Understand== Beli is one of the oldest settlements on [[Cres]]. Organised like an acropolis, 130 m high hill above the northeastern coast of the island, on the site of a prehistoric hill-fort, is a closely-built village with narrow stone-clad streets, and used to play a prominent role in the past. ==Get in== From the main road of Cres island there is a 7&nbsp;km long narrow curvy road leading to Beli, sometimes as narrow as one path. If driving, be prepared for slow traffic and careful maneuvers on the serpentines. Excursion boats arrive at the port of Beli. ==Get around== {{mapframe|45.1167|14.3500|zoom=14|layer=W}} The port of Beli, the beach and the camping is located at the bottom of the hill of Beli. It can be reached with a few minutes drive (good brakes are essential for this road!) or 10–15 minutes walk. [[File:Beli (Cres) Port and Beach view from the road.jpg|thumb|Port and Beach view from the road]] ==See== The village has a wonderful setting on the top of the hill. Narrow streets, small houses give it a real Mediterranean feel. ==Do== Water sports. Beli has a small beach in the bay, facing east. One can swim, jump from the rocks, rent a kayak or SUP. [http://www.diving-beli.com/ Scubadiving]. [http://www.supovi.hr/ Eko Centar Caput Insulae] works the integral protection of Eurasian Griffon Vultures, organizes exhibitions and organizes eco-tourism programmes. They offer seven hiking routes around Beli. Zipline, over the bay. ==Buy== ==Eat== There are two restaurants in Beli * '''Restaurant Tramontana''' on top of the hill, in the Pansion. * '''Ostarija Beli''' at the entrance of the old village center, where the road to the beach and camping starts on the left. ==Drink== The buffet at the beach offers drinks, sandwiches and ice-cream until late. ==Sleep== Many rooms and apartments are available for rent: more in the village on the hill-top and a few also next to the beach. * [http://www.beli-tramontana.com/ Pansion Tramontana]. It has a restaurant. * {{sleep | name=Camping Brajdi | alt= | url=https://www.autokamp-brajdi.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=right next to the beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=One-star but cozy camping, small in size. Quite pricey yet the toilets aren’t very clean. Very basic shop, and a buffet nearby. }} ==Connect== ===Post=== Beli has a post office opening M-F 09:00-12:00. Stamps, phonecards etc. ==Go next== {{geo|45.1167|14.3500}} {{IsPartOf|Cres}} {{outlinecity}} rx60nvrgo550d0okh0y73slk31cz04h 4506349 4506345 2022-08-22T17:46:17Z 84.225.178.34 /* Do */Added hiking trip wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg}} [[File:View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg|thumb|View of Beli village on hilltop]] '''Beli''' is a village in [[Cres]] island. ==Understand== Beli is one of the oldest settlements on [[Cres]]. Organised like an acropolis, 130 m high hill above the northeastern coast of the island, on the site of a prehistoric hill-fort, is a closely-built village with narrow stone-clad streets, and used to play a prominent role in the past. ==Get in== From the main road of Cres island there is a 7&nbsp;km long narrow curvy road leading to Beli, sometimes as narrow as one path. If driving, be prepared for slow traffic and careful maneuvers on the serpentines. Excursion boats arrive at the port of Beli. ==Get around== {{mapframe|45.1167|14.3500|zoom=14|layer=W}} The port of Beli, the beach and the camping is located at the bottom of the hill of Beli. It can be reached with a few minutes drive (good brakes are essential for this road!) or 10–15 minutes walk. [[File:Beli (Cres) Port and Beach view from the road.jpg|thumb|Port and Beach view from the road]] ==See== The village has a wonderful setting on the top of the hill. Narrow streets, small houses give it a real Mediterranean feel. ==Do== Water sports. Beli has a small beach in the bay, facing east. One can swim, jump from the rocks, snorkel, rent a kayak or SUP. Water shoes recommended. [http://www.diving-beli.com/ Scubadiving]. Zipline, over the bay. [http://www.supovi.hr/ Eko Centar Caput Insulae] works the integral protection of Eurasian Griffon Vultures, organizes exhibitions and organizes eco-tourism programmes. They offer seven hiking routes around Beli. Hiking. There are several hiking routes starting from Beli, some passing by rock sculptures and some labyrinths. ==Buy== ==Eat== There are two restaurants in Beli * '''Restaurant Tramontana''' on top of the hill, in the Pansion. * '''Ostarija Beli''' at the entrance of the old village center, where the road to the beach and camping starts on the left. ==Drink== The buffet at the beach offers drinks, sandwiches and ice-cream until late. ==Sleep== Many rooms and apartments are available for rent: more in the village on the hill-top and a few also next to the beach. * [http://www.beli-tramontana.com/ Pansion Tramontana]. It has a restaurant. * {{sleep | name=Camping Brajdi | alt= | url=https://www.autokamp-brajdi.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=right next to the beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=One-star but cozy camping, small in size. Quite pricey yet the toilets aren’t very clean. Very basic shop, and a buffet nearby. }} ==Connect== ===Post=== Beli has a post office opening M-F 09:00-12:00. Stamps, phonecards etc. ==Go next== {{geo|45.1167|14.3500}} {{IsPartOf|Cres}} {{outlinecity}} 49th22ohacn3ylapupu3pxyqyotcg5j 4506353 4506349 2022-08-22T18:06:16Z Ibaman 195012 rv per [[WV:Tour]], [[WV:Tone]], [[Don't tout]] and [[External links#What not to link to]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg}} [[File:View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg|thumb|View of Beli village on hilltop]] '''Beli''' is a village in [[Cres]] island. ==Understand== Beli is one of the oldest settlements on [[Cres]]. Organised like an acropolis, 130 m high hill above the northeastern coast of the island, on the site of a prehistoric hill-fort, is a closely-built village with narrow stone-clad streets, and used to play a prominent role in the past. ==Get in== From the main road of Cres island there is a 7&nbsp;km long narrow curvy road leading to Beli, sometimes as narrow as one path. If driving, be prepared for slow traffic and careful maneuvers on the serpentines. Excursion boats arrive at the port of Beli. ==Get around== {{mapframe|45.1167|14.3500|zoom=14|layer=W}} The port of Beli, the beach and the camping is located at the bottom of the hill of Beli. It can be reached with a few minutes drive (good brakes are essential for this road!) or 10–15 minutes walk. [[File:Beli (Cres) Port and Beach view from the road.jpg|thumb|Port and Beach view from the road]] ==See== The village has a wonderful setting on the top of the hill. Narrow streets, small houses give it a real Mediterranean feel. ==Do== Water sports. Beli has a small beach in the bay, facing east. One can swim, jump from the rocks, snorkel, rent a kayak or SUP. Water shoes recommended. Zipline, over the bay. Hiking. There are several hiking routes starting from Beli, some passing by rock sculptures and some labyrinths. ==Buy== ==Eat== There are two restaurants in Beli * '''Restaurant Tramontana''' on top of the hill, in the Pansion. * '''Ostarija Beli''' at the entrance of the old village center, where the road to the beach and camping starts on the left. ==Drink== The buffet at the beach offers drinks, sandwiches and ice-cream until late. ==Sleep== Many rooms and apartments are available for rent: more in the village on the hill-top and a few also next to the beach. * [http://www.beli-tramontana.com/ Pansion Tramontana]. It has a restaurant. * {{sleep | name=Camping Brajdi | alt= | url=https://www.autokamp-brajdi.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=right next to the beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=One-star but cozy camping, small in size. Quite pricey yet the toilets aren’t very clean. Very basic shop, and a buffet nearby. }} ==Connect== ===Post=== Beli has a post office opening M-F 09:00-12:00. Stamps, phonecards etc. ==Go next== {{geo|45.1167|14.3500}} {{IsPartOf|Cres}} {{outlinecity}} go2wbd7sxuwf6os5ik9xcblcm34ayyj 4506355 4506353 2022-08-22T18:09:50Z 84.225.214.76 /* Eat */Added restaurants wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg}} [[File:View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg|thumb|View of Beli village on hilltop]] '''Beli''' is a village in [[Cres]] island. ==Understand== Beli is one of the oldest settlements on [[Cres]]. Organised like an acropolis, 130 m high hill above the northeastern coast of the island, on the site of a prehistoric hill-fort, is a closely-built village with narrow stone-clad streets, and used to play a prominent role in the past. ==Get in== From the main road of Cres island there is a 7&nbsp;km long narrow curvy road leading to Beli, sometimes as narrow as one path. If driving, be prepared for slow traffic and careful maneuvers on the serpentines. Excursion boats arrive at the port of Beli. ==Get around== {{mapframe|45.1167|14.3500|zoom=14|layer=W}} The port of Beli, the beach and the camping is located at the bottom of the hill of Beli. It can be reached with a few minutes drive (good brakes are essential for this road!) or 10–15 minutes walk. [[File:Beli (Cres) Port and Beach view from the road.jpg|thumb|Port and Beach view from the road]] ==See== The village has a wonderful setting on the top of the hill. Narrow streets, small houses give it a real Mediterranean feel. ==Do== Water sports. Beli has a small beach in the bay, facing east. One can swim, jump from the rocks, snorkel, rent a kayak or SUP. Water shoes recommended. Zipline, over the bay. Hiking. There are several hiking routes starting from Beli, some passing by rock sculptures and some labyrinths. ==Buy== ==Eat== There are four restaurants in Beli: * '''Restaurant Tramontana''' on top of the hill, in the Pansion. * ''' Ostarija Beli''' at the entrance of the old village center, where the road to the beach and camping starts on the left. * ''' Chill & Drink Lanterna''' on the right side going down to the beach. * '''Pod Beli''', the bar at the beach also offers food. ==Drink== The buffet at the beach offers drinks, sandwiches and ice-cream until late. ==Sleep== Many rooms and apartments are available for rent: more in the village on the hill-top and a few also next to the beach. * [http://www.beli-tramontana.com/ Pansion Tramontana]. It has a restaurant. * {{sleep | name=Camping Brajdi | alt= | url=https://www.autokamp-brajdi.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=right next to the beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=One-star but cozy camping, small in size. Quite pricey yet the toilets aren’t very clean. Very basic shop, and a buffet nearby. }} ==Connect== ===Post=== Beli has a post office opening M-F 09:00-12:00. Stamps, phonecards etc. ==Go next== {{geo|45.1167|14.3500}} {{IsPartOf|Cres}} {{outlinecity}} dvchac41g2lkrnqchhsfe1dikz04nzc 4506356 4506355 2022-08-22T18:10:58Z 84.225.214.76 /* Drink */Pod Beli added wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg}} [[File:View of Beli, Cres, Croatia.jpg|thumb|View of Beli village on hilltop]] '''Beli''' is a village in [[Cres]] island. ==Understand== Beli is one of the oldest settlements on [[Cres]]. Organised like an acropolis, 130 m high hill above the northeastern coast of the island, on the site of a prehistoric hill-fort, is a closely-built village with narrow stone-clad streets, and used to play a prominent role in the past. ==Get in== From the main road of Cres island there is a 7&nbsp;km long narrow curvy road leading to Beli, sometimes as narrow as one path. If driving, be prepared for slow traffic and careful maneuvers on the serpentines. Excursion boats arrive at the port of Beli. ==Get around== {{mapframe|45.1167|14.3500|zoom=14|layer=W}} The port of Beli, the beach and the camping is located at the bottom of the hill of Beli. It can be reached with a few minutes drive (good brakes are essential for this road!) or 10–15 minutes walk. [[File:Beli (Cres) Port and Beach view from the road.jpg|thumb|Port and Beach view from the road]] ==See== The village has a wonderful setting on the top of the hill. Narrow streets, small houses give it a real Mediterranean feel. ==Do== Water sports. Beli has a small beach in the bay, facing east. One can swim, jump from the rocks, snorkel, rent a kayak or SUP. Water shoes recommended. Zipline, over the bay. Hiking. There are several hiking routes starting from Beli, some passing by rock sculptures and some labyrinths. ==Buy== ==Eat== There are four restaurants in Beli: * '''Restaurant Tramontana''' on top of the hill, in the Pansion. * ''' Ostarija Beli''' at the entrance of the old village center, where the road to the beach and camping starts on the left. * ''' Chill & Drink Lanterna''' on the right side going down to the beach. * '''Pod Beli''', the bar at the beach also offers food. ==Drink== The bar '''Pod Beli''' at the beach offers drinks, food sandwiches and ice-cream until late. And a wonderful sea view. ==Sleep== Many rooms and apartments are available for rent: more in the village on the hill-top and a few also next to the beach. * [http://www.beli-tramontana.com/ Pansion Tramontana]. It has a restaurant. * {{sleep | name=Camping Brajdi | alt= | url=https://www.autokamp-brajdi.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=right next to the beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=One-star but cozy camping, small in size. Quite pricey yet the toilets aren’t very clean. Very basic shop, and a buffet nearby. }} ==Connect== ===Post=== Beli has a post office opening M-F 09:00-12:00. Stamps, phonecards etc. ==Go next== {{geo|45.1167|14.3500}} {{IsPartOf|Cres}} {{outlinecity}} iz4rlgomdo5v449i8sygpkbo77zep07 0 4760 4506580 4505351 2022-08-23T04:59:56Z Rosspotter 2274401 amend by train wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Vancouver (British Columbia) banner River Capitano Park.jpg}} '''[https://www.hellobc.com/ British Columbia (BC)]''' is a western province of [[Canada]], between the Pacific Ocean, and the [[Rocky Mountains (Canada)|Rocky Mountains]]. British Columbia is about four times the size of Great Britain with 4.6 million inhabitants. Several north-south mountain ranges cross through the province, such as the [[Rocky Mountains (Canada)|Rockies]], the Selkirks, the Purcells and the Coastal Range. BC has great scenery along the coast and inland, and is a rewarding destination for [[outdoor life]], especially [[downhill snowsports]] and [[wilderness backpacking]]. It is a land of contrasts with the metropolis of [[Vancouver]], a progressive global hotspot, against a rich backdrop of the heritage of the [[Indigenous cultures of North America|First Nations]] of British Columbia. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap=BC WV regions map (2020 interim).png | regionmaptext=The regions, main cities and other destinations of British Columbia | regionmapsize=700px | region1name=[[Vancouver Island]] | region1color=#8a84a3 | region1items=[[North Vancouver Island|Northern]], [[Central Vancouver Island|Central]], [[South Vancouver Island|Southern]], [[Southern Gulf Islands]], [[Discovery Islands]] | region1description=Home of British Columbia's capital, Victoria, and all sorts of marine adventures. | region2name=[[Lower Mainland]] | region2color=#d56d76 | region2items=[[Vancouver]], [[Vancouver eastern suburbs|Eastern suburbs]], [[Vancouver southern suburbs|Southern Suburbs]], [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]], [[Sea to Sky]], [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]], [[Fraser Valley]] | region2description=The world-class city of Vancouver and world-class skiing in Whistler. | region3name=[[Thompson-Okanagan]] | region3color=#e3ab5a | region3items=[[North Thompson and Robson Valley]], [[Okanagan]], [[Thompson-Nicola]], [[Shuswap]], [[Similkameen]] | region3description=Sun and fun, wineries and beaches in the Okanagan, summertime boating in the Shuswap and rivers, waterfalls and mountains in the Thompson River valley. | region4name=[[Kootenays]] | region4color=#578e86 | region4items=[[West Kootenays]], [[East Kootenays]], [[Columbia-Rockies]] | region4description=Lakes, deep valleys, hot springs and world famous cat skiing. | region5name=[[Cariboo-Central Coast]] | region5color=#d5dc76 | region5items= | region5description=Retrace history and explore the ranchlands and remote parks. | region6name=[[Northern British Columbia]] | region6color=#b383b3 | region6items=[[Haida Gwaii]], [[North Coast-Nechako]], [[Peace Country and Northern Rockies]] | region6description=Large region with untouched mountains, forests and wilderness in the east. Famous for fishing in the west and limitless vistas and the [[Alaska Highway]] in the north. |regionInteractiveMap=map1|regionmapLat=54.706|regionmapLong=-125.343|regionmapZoom=5}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q1973|type=geoline}} <!--Needs updating {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Vancouver Island]]|wikidata=Q170479}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Lower Mainland]]|wikidata=Q206489}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#e3ab5a|title=[[Thompson-Okanagan]]|wikidata=Q14211073}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#578e86|title=[[Kootenays]]|wikidata=Q3198833}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Cariboo]]|wikidata=Q2938768}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[North and Central Coast]]|wikidata=Q14227277}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Northern British Columbia]]|wikidata=Q14227362}}--> ==Cities== [[File:Hidroavión aterrizando en Vancouver, Canadá, 2017-08-14, DD 38.jpg|right|thumb|Vancouver skyline]] Listed below are just nine of the province's most notable urban destinations. Links to others will be found in the various regional articles. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} – a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]]|wikidata=Q2132}} – the provincial capital, on the south tip of Vancouver Island. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kamloops]]|wikidata=Q473209}} – the tournament Capital of Canada. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kelowna]]|wikidata=Q232226}} – the largest city in the British Columbia interior. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson]]|wikidata=Q1779015}} – the "Queen City" of the Kootenays, renowned for its tourism, culture and outdoor activities. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Penticton]]|wikidata=Q935519}} – a popular summer destination on Okanagan Lake. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Prince George]]|wikidata=Q590205}} – the largest city in Northern British Columbia and the centre of the BC Forest Industry. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Prince Rupert]]|wikidata=Q1015639}} – Canada's rainiest city, is the hub of the North Coast. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}} – a summer and winter outdoor destination and the site of many events in the 2010 Winter Olympics. ==Other destinations== [[File:Lake Kinney mit Mount Whitehorn.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Alpine scenery in Mt Robson Provincial Park]] With its abundance of mountains, coastline and wilderness, British Columbia has many destinations outside of its cities and towns. Listed below are nine of the province's most notable other destinations. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Glacier National Park (British Columbia)|Glacier National Park]]|wikidata=Q1161253}} — high peaks in the Columbua Mountains, large, active glaciers, and one of Canada's largest cave systems [[File:Gwaii Haanas National Park (27277805330).jpg|right|thumb|Gwaii Haanas National Park]] * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve]]|wikidata=Q862285}} — historic villages of the Haida First Nation, deep fjords, rugged mountains, salmon spawning streams, sub-alpine tundra * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kootenay National Park]]|wikidata=Q903323}} — includes parts of the Kootenay and Park mountain ranges, the Kootenay River and the Vermilion River * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Manning Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q953516}} — a wide range of summer & winter recreational opportunities such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking & canoeing * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mount Robson Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1950710}} — includes Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Pacific Rim National Park Reserve]]|wikidata=Q1756401}} — rugged coasts, lush temperate rainforests, and the famous West Coast Trail * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Salt Spring Island]]|wikidata=Q2215523}} — the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands, replete with artist studios, hiking, kayaking, climbing, yoga * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q935426}} — part of the Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site in the northwestern corner of British Columbia * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yoho National Park]]|wikidata=Q828404}} — in the Canadian Rocky Mountains along the western slope of the Continental Divide of the Americas in southeastern British Columbia ==Understand== [[File:Wawadit'la(Mungo Martin House) a Kwakwaka'wakw big house.jpg|thumb|Wawadit'la, a Kwakwaka'wakw "big house", in Victoria]] BC was the sixth province to join the Confederation of Canada, in 1871. This was done at least partly on the basis of a promise by the Federal Government to build a railway linking BC to the rest of Canada. Significant geographical barriers and political feuding delayed the completion of this railway until 1885 when the last spike was driven home at a place called Craigellachie in the Eagle Pass area in the interior of BC. Being on the Pacific, there has always been a strong Asian influence. Many Chinese men arrived in the early part of the 19th century to work in the gold rush of that era and later many more worked on the construction of the railway through the mountains. The indigenous people of BC have been called Indians or Native Canadians, but now the generally accepted term is First Nations. Prior to arrival of Europeans BC was a very prosperous area. This was largely due to the abundance of salmon. This was demonstrated by the advanced culture that existed in BC. More than thirty languages belonging to seven different language families were spoken in BC. The arrival of Europeans began as a positive relationship. However, the Europeans brought smallpox and other diseases, which decimated the First Nations population. Many First Nations people were encouraged or even forcibly required to send their children to residential schools during the early to mid 20th century. These schools were government sponsored. The primary intent of the schools was to assimilate the First Nation population. Children were taught that their culture was backward and evil and were not allowed to speak their native languages. This systemic problem is finally being addressed and discussed openly. Many of the First Nation communities have been trying to revive their culture and are now often the center of much of the ecotourism industry. With a few exceptions, the First Nations of BC (unlike the rest of Canada) have never signed treaties or ceded their territory to Canada. Therefore, the official ownership of much of the province is contested as the First Nations claim much of the province as their territory. The courts have generally acknowledged that there is a basis for the claims based on historical use of the land and have urged the governments to negotiate a settlement to these claims. Settling these land claims has been a complex issue that is still ongoing. The first modern treaty signed was by the Nis'ga in Northern BC. In 2007, the Tsawassen and Maa-Nulth First Nations signed treaties with the Province and the federal government. ==Talk== Although Canada is officially a bilingual French/English country, you would be hard pressed to find many French-speaking people in BC. Services are available in English and French at offices of the federal government. Provincial and municipal governments operate in English only. Some businesses, especially in [[Vancouver]] and [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] offer services in a number of languages (primarily Asian ones). Banks sometimes indicate by a sign in the window which languages are offered. Due to the large number of Chinese immigrants, [[Chinese phrasebook|Mandarin]], [[Cantonese phrasebook|Cantonese]] and to lesser extent, other Chinese dialects are spoken by many Chinese residents of Vancouver. Some municipal services in Chinese-dominated neighbourhoods may be available in Chinese. Due to significant immigration from the Punjab province of India, some Vancouver area businesses offer services in [[Punjabi phrasebook|Punjabi]]. With the migration of people from all over Canada into British Columbia, most citizens here speak with a general Canadian accent while in rural areas, people may speak with a slight twang. At one time ''Chinook Jargon'', a bridge language for trading between English, French and First Nations peoples in the late 1800s and early 1900s, was common and almost became the official language of BC. Now there are very few speakers of the language, but many terms from the language are common slang terms in rural parts of BC. ;Cheechako : Newcomer, implying "tenderfoot" (more common in Northern BC and the Yukon). ;Saltchuck : The ocean. Often abbreviated as in "out on the chuck" ;High Muckamuck : The chief, or boss, or "high pooh-bah" ;Tyee : king or chief or boss, can also mean a large Chinook salmon ;Cultus : Bad or worthless, also "ordinary" ;Skookum : Strong, powerful, or impressive, also just means "big and thick". ;Skookumchuck : "strong water", used for rapids, especially saltwater rapids ==Get in== ===By plane=== [[Vancouver International Airport]] is the major international airport of the province, which is served by most major international airlines. [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Cranbrook]], and [[Kelowna]] also have international airports that have service to a number of locations within [[Canada]] and to some destinations in the [[United States]]. [[Abbotsford]] and [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] have flights from multiple destination across Canada. Some flights from [[Alberta]] travel to [[Comox]], [[Cranbrook]], [[Kamloops]], [[Kelowna]], [[Nanaimo]], and [[Prince George]]. ===By car=== There are a number of land border crossings from the [[United States]] into BC from [[Washington (state)]]. See the [[Lower Mainland#By car|Lower Mainland]] (BC) and [[Northwest Cascades#By car|Northwest Cascades]] ([[Washington (state)|WA]]) articles for details. There are also land border crossings into BC from [[Idaho]], [[Montana]] and [[Alaska]]. BC is also connected to [[Alberta]] and the [[Yukon]] by a number of major highways. ===By bus=== From [[Alberta]] *{{listing|name=Cold Shot|alt=|url=https://www.coldshot.ca/|email=support@coldshot.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 587-557-7719|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-02-04|content=Bus service from Monday to Friday between [[Fort St. John]] and [[Grande Prairie]] with stops in [[Dawson Creek]], Hythe, and Beaverlodge. Also offers bus service between Grande Prairie and [[Edmonton]].}} *{{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and [[Vancouver]]. Connecting services from Calgary enable travel to [[Edmonton]] (Alberta), [[Regina]] (Saskatchewan), [[Saskatoon]] (Saskatchewan), and [[Winnipeg]] (Manitoba).}} *{{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Once per week bus service between [[Nakusp]] and [[Calgary]] via [[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Cranbrook]], and [[Lethbridge]].}} * {{listing|name=Thompson Valley Charters|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 877-769-3287|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-26|content=In partnership with Ebus, operates twice per week service between [[Kamloops]] and [[Edmonton]].}} From [[United States of America]] * {{listing|name=FlixBus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-05-24|content=Bus service between Vancouver and [[Seattle]] including stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Some trips also stop at [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]].}} * {{listing|name=Cantrail|alt=Amtrak Thruway|url=https://www.cantrail.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-294-5541|tollfree=+1-877-940-5561|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-25|content=Operates express buses between the Seattle King St Station (Amtrak) and Vancouver.}} * {{listing|name=Greyhound Lines|alt=|url=https://www.greyhound.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 214-849-8100|tollfree=+1-800-231-2222|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Operates a route between [[Seattle]] and [[Vancouver]] including a stop in [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]].}} * {{listing|name=Quick Coach|alt=|url=https://www.quickcoach.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-940-4428|tollfree=+1-800-665-2122|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-04|content=Express bus between [[Seattle Tacoma International Airport|SeaTac Airport]] and [[Vancouver]] via downtown [[Seattle]] and [[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham Airport]]. Northbound buses going to Canada only pick up passengers in the U.S. while southbound buses going to Seattle only drop off in the U.S.}} == By boat == There are ferries from [[Washington (state)|Washington]] into [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] and [[Sidney (British Columbia)|Sidney]], and from [[Alaska]] into [[Prince Rupert]]. Except the Victoria Clipper all the other ferries do take vehicles onboard: * {{go | name=Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) | alt=Alaska Ferry | url=https://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/ | email= | address=2000 Park Ave, Prince Rupert | lat=54.29581 | long=-130.35316 | directions= | phone=+1 907-465-3941 (main number), +1 250-627-1744 (Prince Rupert Terminal) | tollfree=+1-800-642-0066 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=Connects [[Prince Rupert]] to [[Ketchikan]], Wrangell, [[Petersburg (Alaska)|Petersburg]], Kake, [[Sitka]], [[Juneau]], [[Haines]], [[Skagway]] in the [[Southeastern_Alaska|southeast panhandle of Alaska]]. They also have a separate sailing to and from Bellingham to southeast Alaska. Some of the sailings from Bellingham continue north towards Valdez and Kodiak from the [[Southeastern_Alaska|southeast]] part of Alaska during the summer. }} * {{go|name=Black Ball Ferry Line|alt=MV Coho|url=https://www.cohoferry.com/|email=|address=430 Belleville St, Victoria|lat=48.42157|long=-123.37208|directions=|phone=+1 250-386-2202|tollfree=+1-800-264-6475|hours=|price=Fares are US$70.00 for car and driver and US$21.00 per passenger 12 years old and older, US$10.50 for children 5-11 years old, free for children 4 years old and younger|lastedit=2022-08-20|content=Is a passenger and vehicle ferry running between [[Port Angeles]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]] and [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Crossing time is 90 minutes. Service runs all year except for an annual refit for one week in winter time. In the winter, this ferry runs 2 sailings a day and in the summer up to 4 sailings per day each way are scheduled.}} * {{go|name=Washington State Ferries|alt=|url=https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries|email=|address=2499 Ocean Ave, Sidney|lat=48.64362|long=-123.39743|directions=About 1 km south of downtown Sidney|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-04-03|content=Operates ferries connecting coastal [[British Columbia]] communities.}} Operates seasonal service (Spring to Fall) to Sidney connecting with [[Friday Harbor]] on [[San Juan Island]] and from [[Anacortes]]. Reservations can be made online. For security and immigration processing when travelling between the two countries, a 60 minute advance arrival at the terminal is strongly suggested. Walk on passengers need to arrive 30 minutes in advance. Vehicle reservations are recommended. Passports are required to enter either country. Service to Sidney has been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and remains suspended due to a staffing shortage. it is hoped to resume in 2023. * {{go | name=Victoria Clipper | alt= | url=https://www.clippervacations.com | email= | address=Belleville St, Victoria | lat=48.42231 | long=-123.37358 | directions=Belleville St just west of Oswego St | phone=+1 206-443-2560 | tollfree=+1-800-888-2535 | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-20 | content=Direct passenger only ferry between [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] harbour and Pier 69 at the [[Seattle]] waterfront. Some of the sailings make an additional stop in Friday Harbor, going both directions. Crossing time is 2.75 hours. }} ===By train=== * {{Listing|name=Amtrak|url=https://www.amtrak.com/home|directions=|phone=+1-215-856-7924|tollfree=+1-800-872-7245|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates train routes across the [[United States of America]].}} Operates a daily train route between [[Seattle]] and [[Vancouver]]. * {{listing | name=VIA Rail Canada | alt= | url=https://www.viarail.ca/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-842-7245 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-04-30 | content=Operates trains routes across [[Canada]]. }} Operates two train routes entering British Columbia. ** "[[The Canadian]]", runs along a historic and scenic railway into British Columbia. The route travels between from [[Jasper]], turning south at Ashcroft and along the Canadian Pacific track to Mission, and on to [[Vancouver]]. Major cities along the route outside of British Columbia include [[Edmonton]], [[Saskatoon]], [[Winnipeg]], and [[Toronto|Toronto.]] ** "The Skeena", from [[Jasper]] over Canadian National's former Grand Truck Pacific BC North line, to [[Prince George]] and [[Prince Rupert]]. There is a connection with BC Ferries' Inside Passage and Queen Charlotte routes at Prince Rupert. * {{Listing|name=Rocky Mountaineer|url=https://www.rockymountaineer.com/|address=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-460-3200|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=}} Offers an elite-class, expensive passenger tour service to Prince George and Jasper, returning to Vancouver via the another CN line via Kamloops. It does not pick up passengers along the route. Guests are placed in local hotels in Prince George and Jasper. See [[Rocky Mountaineer]]. ==Get around== ===By air=== BC is a large province. The most convenient way to get to much of the province is by air. However, this can be quite expensive. It is often more expensive to fly to some point in BC than it is to fly to Europe. [[Vancouver International Airport]] is the regional hub for most air service within BC. Float planes can also be convenient for accessing many coastal locations. ===By car=== {{British Columbia highway conditions}} Getting around here is not always easy. Many worthwhile destinations are outside of the cities and not accessible by public transportation options. This makes renting a car quite a popular option for getting around, although there is some bus service to be found. Bear in mind when travelling by car that headlights should be used both day and night, regardless of conditions. If driving during the winter, plan your route carefully as British Columbia experiences some hazardous weather. If you drive or rent a vehicle, be aware that provincial law requires fuel to be prepaid before filling up. If you use a "pay-at-pump" interface, the station may place a hold on an available amount in your account which may last for a few days. It is wise to ensure you have adequate funds or credit limit room on your payment cards before visiting. ==== Winter driving ==== Each year, between October 1 and April 30, vehicles [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/winter-tire-and-chain-up-routes must have winter tires or chains] on most highways, other than coastal areas of the [[Lower Mainland]] and [[Vancouver Island]]. In addition, between mid-fall and mid-spring, mudslides or snowfall can temporarily close highways. [https://drivebc.ca/ DriveBC] provides information on current road conditions, including any closures. '''Itineraries''': * [[Sunshine Coast-Vancouver Island Circle Tour]] - a good way to see [[Vancouver]], the neighbouring [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] and [[Vancouver Island]] * [[Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies]] ===By bus=== ==== Public transit ==== * '''[https://bctransit.com BC Transit]''' operates city buses in Victoria and only coordinate & manage local public transportation for Nanaimo, Kamloops and in other cities and towns outside of Vancouver. In the Vancouver metropolitan area '''[https://www.translink.ca TransLink]''' operates buses, the SkyTrain rail and the West Coast Express (WCE) commuter rail. ==== Intercity buses ==== *{{listing|name=Adventure Charters|alt=|url=https://www.adventurecharters.ca/|email=info@adventurecharters.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 250-305-2251|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Operates routes, each operating twice per week, between [[Prince George]] and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]], and Prince George and [[Kamloops]]. Both routes stop in [[Quesnel]], [[Williams Lake]], [[100 Mile House]], Clinton, and [[Cache Creek]]. In addition, the route to Surrey stops in [[Lytton]], [[Boston_Bar_(British_Columbia)|Boston Bar]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Abbotsford]].}} *{{go|name=Ebus|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1 877-769-3287|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Travels daily between [[Kamloops]] and [[Vancouver]], and [[Kelowna]] and Vancouver on two separate routes. Both routes have stops in [[Merritt]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]].}} *{{listing|name=BC Bus North|alt=|url=https://bcbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-844-564-7494|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Provides twice per week bus service on the following routes in [[Northern British Columbia]]:}} **Between [[Prince George]] and [[Fort St. John]] with stops in Mackenzie, [[Chetwynd]], [[Dawson Creek]], and Taylor. There is also a weekly trip between Dawson Creek and [[Fort Nelson]], allowing passengers to travel between Prince George and Fort Nelson over two consecutive days. **Between Prince George and [[Prince Rupert]] with stops in [[Vanderhoof]], Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Houston, [[Smithers]], [[New Hazelton]], [[Kitwanga]], and [[Terrace]], and Port Edward. **Between Prince George and [[Valemount]] with a stops in [[McBride]] and [[Tete Jaune Cache]]. *{{Listing|name=BC Ferries Connector|url=https://bcfconnector.com/|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-788-8840|price=|lastedit=2022-03-27|content=Offers an express coach service between [[Vancouver]] and [[Victoria]].}} *{{listing|name=FlixBus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-05-24|content=Bus service between [[Vancouver]] and [[Seattle]] including stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]].}} *{{listing|name=IslandLink Bus|alt=|url=https://www.islandlinkbus.com/|email=info@islandlinkbus.com|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-03-26|content=Operates daily using a hub and spoke bus service with hubs in [[Nanaimo]] and Buckley Bay. Trips run non-stop from the hub to the destination area. Using this service, the hubs connect to [[Campbell River]], Oyster River, [[Comox]], [[Courtenay]], Cumberland, [[Parksville]], [[Nanaimo]], [[Duncan (British Columbia)|Duncan]], and Mill Bay, and [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]].}} *{{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Operates bus routes that mostly travel along the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) near the southern edge of British Columbia.}} Routes include: **Between [[Kaslo]] and [[Vancouver]] with stops in [[Ainsworth Hot Springs-Balfour|Balfour]], [[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Castlegar]], [[Christina Lake]], [[Grand Forks (British Columbia)|Grand Forks]], [[Greenwood (British Columbia)|Greenwood]], Rock Creek, [[Osoyoos]], [[Keremeos]], [[Princeton (British Columbia)|Princeton]], [[Manning Provincial Park]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], and [[New Westminster]]. Operates two trips per week per direction. **Between [[Calgary]] and Kaslo with stops in [[Okotoks]], [[High River]], [[Claresholm]], [[Lethbridge]], [[Fort Macleod]], [[Pincher Creek]], Sparwood, [[Fernie]], [[Cranbrook]], [[Creston]], [[Salmo]], Nelson, and Balfour. Operates one trip per week per direction. *{{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and [[Vancouver]] with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]].}} *{{Listing|name=Sunshine Coast Connector|url=https://sunshinecoastconnector.ca/|email=coastconnector@gmail.com|tollfree=+1-844-613-8222|price=As of 2022, $60 per person between Langdale and Earls Cove ferry terminals|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Operates a bus service four days per week between the Langdale ferry terminal and the Earls Cove ferry terminal, including stops in all the major communities lower coast of the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]], such as [[Gibsons]] and [[Sechelt]]. The Sunshine Coast Connector is coordinated with transit [https://bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit's] service in [[Powell River]], to allow travelers to ride ferries and buses to travel the upper and lower coasts, and to connect to [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink's] public transit network including connections to [[Vancouver]].}} *{{listing|name=Thompson Valley Charters|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 877-769-3287|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-26|content=In partnership with Ebus, operates twice per week service between [[Kamloops]] and [[Edmonton]] with stops in Barriere, Little Fort, [[Clearwater (British Columbia)|Clearwater]], Avola, Blue River, [[Valemount]], Mt. Robson, [[Jasper]], [[Hinton]], and [[Edson]].}} *{{listing|name=Tofino Bus|alt=|url=https://viconnector.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-26|content=Operates routes daily on [[Vancouver Island]] between Victoria and [[Tofino]], and between Victoria and [[Campbell River]]. Both routes travel between Victoria and [[Parksville]] with stops in [[Langford]], [[Duncan (British Columbia)|Duncan]], [[Ladysmith (British Columbia)|Ladysmith]], and [[Nanaimo]]. The route to Tofino continues with stops in [[Port Alberni]] and [[Ucluelet]]. The route to Campbell River continues with stops in [[Qualicum Beach]], [[Bowser]], [[Courtenay]], and Oyster River.}} *{{listing|name=Waivin Flags Taxi|alt=|url=https://waivinflagstaxi.com/bus-service/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 250-956-2355|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-26|content=During parts of the year, operates a bus service between [[Campbell River]] and [[Port Hardy]] with stops in Woss and Port McNeill.}} *{{Listing|name=YVR Skylynx|url=https://yvrskylynx.com/|email=info@yvrskylynx.com|directions=|phone=+1-604-326-1616|lastedit=2022-04-05|content=Operates a daily bus route between [[Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Whistler]] with stops in [[Vancouver]] (Pacific Central Station and downtown) and [[Squamish]].}} ==== Intercity tour buses ==== * {{Listing|name=Moose Travel Network|url=https://moosenetwork.com/|phone=+1 604-297-0255|lastedit=2022-08-23|content=Runs a unique service on less travelled routes that is a combination between "just getting you there" and a tour of some very worthwhile destinations. They have a number of quite flexible packages available, many of them connecting the coast with popular destinations in the [[Canadian Rockies]] like Jasper, Banff and Calgary. There is also tours to Vancouver Island and Whistler.}} ===By ferry=== {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|alt=|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|lat=|long=|directions=|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-04-30|content=Operates ferries connecting coastal communities.}} You will find that BC Ferries is the only way to access many island and coastal communities. Some of the smaller islands can be visited on foot or by bicycle, but in many cases additional road transportation is necessary. Although ferry service is generally reliable, taking an automobile on board is rarely cheap, and you will likely find it less expensive to take the ferry as a foot passenger and rent an automobile at your destination. If you are taking bus service across a ferry, you should confirm when buying your bus ticket that the ferry fare is included. [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/passenger-travel/water-travel/inland-ferries Inland ferries] operated under contract for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure carry both cars and passengers and they are free for all passengers. Routes operate throughout the year, but some river ferries may not operate during parts of the Spring due to river conditions. ===By train=== * {{Listing|name=Kaoham Shuttle|lastedit=2022-08-23|content=Short-haul rail-bus, is operated by the local Indian band connecting Lillooet to Shalalth and Seton Portage at the far end of Seton Lake. However, for visitors, using this service could be a challenge. See [[Lillooet]] for details.}} * {{go|name=Rocky Mountaineer|alt=|url=https://www.rockymountaineer.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-460-3200|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates the [[Rocky Mountaineer]] luxury tourist train routes between Vancouver and [[Banff]], [[Calgary]] and [[Jasper]] from April to October.}} * {{listing | name=VIA Rail Canada | alt= | url=https://www.viarail.ca/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-842-7245 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-04-30 | content=Operates trains routes across [[Canada]]. }} Operates the following routes in British Columbia: ** "[[The Canadian]]" (between [[Toronto]] and [[Vancouver]]) two to three times per week. Stops in British Columbia include [[Valemount]], [[Clearwater]], and [[Kamloops]]. Also a stop in Jasper, Alberta. ** "The Skeena" (between [[Jasper]] and [[Prince Rupert]] including stops in [[Prince George]], [[Vanderhoof]], [[Smithers]], and [[Terrace]]. Trip involves an overnight stay in Prince George. Operates twice per week. *{{Listing|name=White Pass and Yukon Route|url=https://wpyr.com/|email=info@wpyr.com|phone=+1-800-343-7373|content=Operates out of [[Skagway]], Alaska, and runs through [[Northern British Columbia]] on its way to Carcross, Yukon.|lastedit=2022-08-22}} There are tourist/railfan railway operations that run in BC, which allow passengers to ride on restored train from decades ago. * {{Listing|name=Alberni Pacific Railway|url=https://mcleanmill.ca/the-railway|lastedit=2022-08-22|content=Located in [[Port Alberni]], operates a steam train on former Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway trackage. As of 2022, the train's website indicates that due to funding issues, the train is not operating, as it requires servicing.}} * {{Listing|name=Kettle Valley Steam Railway|url=https://www.kettlevalleyrail.org/|email=reservation@kettlevalleyrail.org|phone=+1 250-494-8422|content=Runs out of [[Summerland]] on the last remaining portion of the famous Kettle Valley Railway.|lastedit=2022-08-22}} ==See== [[File:On the trail to Takakkaw Falls.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park]] '''Vancouver''', as the province's largest city, has the biggest concentration of cultural institutions, including the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Museum of Anthropology, and Science World. It has live theater, shopping, nightlife and casinos, in a spectacular setting. Vancouver's massive Stanley Park, which covers a peninsila attached to the city's downtown, is not just your average urban park! You can stroll through the park on the seawall, check out the aquarium, take a look at the totem poles, and stop at various historical points of interest. '''Victoria''', a smaller city that is the seat of the provincial government, trades on its English charm, is home to the Royal British Columbia Museum, and the beautiful Butchart Gardens, which offer over 50 acres (22 hectares) of gardens and floral display. In '''Richmond''', a suburb of Vancouver, is the International Buddhist Temple, the most authentic example of traditional palatial Chinese architecture in North America. It is an edifice straight out of the Chinese past, as it resembles any authentic temple that can be found along the banks of the Yangtze River, where one of the world's oldest civilizations originated. Come explore traditional Chinese art, culture, and the Buddhist philosophy inside this magnificent place. Free admission. The history and culture of British Columbia's '''First Nations''' (Indigenous) peoples can be explored all around the province. The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, and the U'mista Cultural Society in [[Alert Bay]] are excellent places to start. British Columbia's spectacular '''scenery''' is the main reason many visit come to the province, whether it's for the rugged coastline, or the majestic peaks of the Coast Mountains and Rocky Mountains range, the vine and orchards of the Interior, or the canyons of its many rivers. ==Do== British Columbia has an embarrassment of riches when in comes to outdoor activities in every season. '''Backpackers''' should head to the [[West Coast Trail]], the [[Juan de Fuca Marine Trail]] closer to [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]], or the BC sections of the [[Trans Canada Trail]]. As hiking is a popular pastime residents, most cities and towns have ample ell-marked and well-maintained '''hiking trails'''. Kayakers will be thrilled by [[Desolation Sound]], [[Telegraph Cove]], the Broken Islands, [[Haida Gwaii]], and opportunities to '''kayak''' among orcas (killer whales). '''Rock-climbing''' opportunities abound in the Rocky Mountains, and the Stawamus Chief in [[Squamish]] is world-famous among [[Rock climbing|rock climbers]]. Go '''skiing''' at [[Whistler|Whistler-Blackcomb]], North America's largest ski area, or the other excellent ski areas throughout the province in destinations near [[Kimberley (British Columbia)|Kimberley]], [[Fernie]], [[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Kelowna]] or [[Rossland]]. If skiing's not your thing, there's '''winter surfing''' in [[Tofino]]. Roam the open range on '''horseback''' or try world-class '''fly-fishing''' in the [[Cariboo-Chilcotin]]. Walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in [[North Vancouver#See|North Vancouver]] and hike the many forest trails in the area. Explore British Columbia's many '''national, provincial and local parks'''. [[Yoho National Park]] in eastern BC bordering [[Banff National Park]] on the Trans-Canada Highway, and [[Glacier National Park (British Columbia)|Glacier National Park]], which takes in part of the Selkirk Mountain Range where the Trans Canada Highway crosses the range through Roger's Pass, are among the highlights. Vancouverutes take their parks so seriously, they hold elections for their parks board! == Eat == Due to British Columbia's diverse population, the province has a large variety of food available. BC's extensive coastline is home to some of the freshest fish in the world and the province's main specialty is salmon. [[Vancouver]] is home to diverse, cosmopolitan dining options and one can find Japanese and Chinese restaurants on practically every commercial block. Vancouver's southern suburb of [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]] has became a foodie hotspot with many travelling to one of its many east Asian malls which are home to some of the best affordable Chinese restaurants in Canada, additionally the Richmond Night Market which is held during the summer is the largest Asian night market outside of Asia and is home to many tasty snacks. [[Nanaimo]] on Vancouver Island is famous for its Nanaimo Bar, a desert made of chocolate and coconut. ==Drink== The legal drinking age in BC is '''19'''. Beer, wine and spirits are available from the government liquor stores (BCL). They are also available from private beer and wine stores which are usually associated with pubs or bars. Most BCL stores close at 8PM while most private liquor stores are open until 11PM. You cannot buy alcohol in grocery stores. BC is home to a number of breweries, including the '''Columbia Brewery''' in [[Creston]] which brews Kokanee, the '''Granville Island Brewery''' in [[Vancouver]] and '''[https://nelsonbrewing.com/ Nelson Brewing Company]''' in [[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson]]. Most breweries offer tours. BC is also well-renowned for its wine and the [[Okanagan|Okanagan Valley]] is the centre of the wine industry in the province. It's a perfect area to visit during the Autumn grape harvest. Many wineries are open or tastings. Due to its temperate climate Vancouver Island is home to an abundance of wineries and most [[Southern Gulf Islands]] are home to at least one winery. ==Sleep== Accommodation throughout BC can always be arranged in the usual motels, hotels and B&Bs. BC Provincial Parks have had a good reputation over the years and most have very nice campgrounds. [[Camping in BC]] is an experience you shouldn't miss. ==Stay safe== Outside of the metropolitan areas, much of BC is pretty remote. The more remote the area, the better prepared you need to be. [[File:Downtown Vancouver Sunset.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Downtown Vancouver]] If you are thinking of travelling off designated ski or snowmobile trails always take an avalanche safety course. Travel with experienced guides, talk to locals, look at the [https://www.avalanche.ca/HomeCAC Canadian Avalanche Centre's] forecast. Or best of all, just play it safe and ski at one of BC's great ski resorts. Outside the winter months always inform yourself about local concerns with [[Dangerous animals|carnivorous wildlife]], i.e., bears and cougars. If you're in the BC woods, you can assume that there are likely bears and other wildlife in the area. You're in '''their''' territory and it's good practice to make noise and keep your eyes (and ears) open. Knowing how to avoid wildlife encounters is a good idea. Petty property crime is a problem in the major cities, as it is in most, so don't leave items visible in a vehicle. Violent crime is relatively infrequent. Simple precautions will normally preclude a brush with crime. A problem area for tourists to avoid is the infamous East Hastings area of Vancouver. Experiments with late bar/nightclub closing times (4AM) have also led to increased problems and violence on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver (especially on weekends). Close to 20 women have been killed or are missing along the "[[Yellowhead Highway|Highway of Tears]]" (Highway 16) between Prince George and Prince Rupert since about 1970. Young women should not hitch-hike along this highway, especially if they are alone. ===Smoke=== The use and possession of recreational marijuana was legalized in all of Canada in 2018. However, there are strict anti-smoking bylaws that apply. Avoid flaunting your use — do not walk down the street smoking, or use it in a busy park. British Columbia has strict anti-smoking regulations against any kind of indoor smoking so lighting up in a bar or nightclub will get you in trouble with staff and other patrons. Pot cafes in Vancouver often provide a smoking room where you can safely and discreetly indulge; however, unlike their [[Amsterdam]] counterparts, they will ''not'' sell you marijuana. Although Canada has legalized marijuana, it is illegal to take it across the border to neighbouring Washington State, where it is also legal. This is considered as drug trafficking and it is a criminal offence. ==Go next== To the south is the border with the [[United States of America]] with the following states bordering British Columbia from west to east. * [[Washington (state)|Washington]] is home to the [[Olympic Peninsula]], [[Mount Rainier National Park|Mount Ranier National Park]], the North Cascades mountain range, a highly developed agricultural region and the vibrant cities of [[Seattle]]-[[Tacoma]] on the Pacific coast. * [[Idaho]] contains [[Craters of the Moon National Monument]], the western sliver of [[Yellowstone National Park]], and [[Boise]] the state's largest and capital city. * [[Montana]] contains [[Glacier National Park (Montana)|Glacier National Park]] (unrelated to British Columbia's national park with the same name) and the northern sliver of [[Yellowstone National Park]]. To the east is the province of [[Alberta]] which is home to a beautiful mix of prairie, boreal forest and mountains and an economy that fluctuates with the price of oil. It is also home to the cities of [[Edmonton]] (the provincial capital) and [[Calgary]] (a self-styled cow-town). The mountain towns of [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]] and [[Jasper]] are popular and busy in all seasons. To the north are is vast, sparsely-populated wilderness within two territories of Canada. * [[Yukon]] Territory is adjacent to most of British Columbia's northern boundary including the western end of this boundary. It can be accessed [[Dease Lake]] on highway 37, but is more commonly accessed on the [[Alaska Highway]] (highway 97) via [[Fort Nelson]]. Either way, travel will likely lead to [[Whitehorse]], the largest and capital city of this territory. * [[Northwest Territories]] is adjacent British Columbia's northern boundary near the east end of this boundary. It can be accessed from [[Fort Nelson]] on highway 77. The most notable city to reach is [[Yellowknife]], which is the largest city and capital of this territory. To the northwest is [[Alaska]], though with the exception of the isolated community of [[Hyder]], reaching this state requires travel by ferry from [[Prince Rupert]] or by road via the Yukon. {{Guideregion}} {{geo|54.5|-124.5|zoom=6}} {{IsPartOf|Canada}} 32yhl1ihqqnrz8i4x5n5opwupswsle5 0 5185 4506649 4504579 2022-08-23T07:55:37Z Roovinn 2243809 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi covers {{km2|27,834}} with an estimated population of almost 8.7 million. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the ten least developed countries in the world and it has one of the lowest per capita GDP of any nation in the world. Burundi's low GDP rate is due primarily to civil wars, corruption, poor access to education, political instability and the consequences of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== ==Work== ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== The respect for the Burundian Elders is very strong. The younger peoples of the many villages and kinships show respect to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even to strangers. The Burundians also show respect to all. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} gdsj8i4znsu2ujbf75exejntnacnke9 4506661 4506649 2022-08-23T08:19:39Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as substitence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== ==Work== ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== The respect for the Burundian Elders is very strong. The younger peoples of the many villages and kinships show respect to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even to strangers. The Burundians also show respect to all. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} nrnikdbnpmyluvyofxhcjfujka4491r 4506662 4506661 2022-08-23T08:20:16Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== ==Work== ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== The respect for the Burundian Elders is very strong. The younger peoples of the many villages and kinships show respect to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even to strangers. The Burundians also show respect to all. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} 4tjtvtniazq0c91tyk479hxonnrunmk 4506665 4506662 2022-08-23T08:24:50Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Learn */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== The respect for the Burundian Elders is very strong. The younger peoples of the many villages and kinships show respect to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even to strangers. The Burundians also show respect to all. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} n8h6b8i5cqlir032jx8f2xwgmi94ge9 4506669 4506665 2022-08-23T08:30:34Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Work */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Birundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== The respect for the Burundian Elders is very strong. The younger peoples of the many villages and kinships show respect to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even to strangers. The Burundians also show respect to all. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} gci2c41htxf3pld5z94bbbymvklre3b 4506670 4506669 2022-08-23T08:31:08Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Work */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== The respect for the Burundian Elders is very strong. The younger peoples of the many villages and kinships show respect to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even to strangers. The Burundians also show respect to all. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} akvabqm50vp7v3l1u95183t3gd4n0bb 4506677 4506670 2022-08-23T08:44:53Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== '''Respect for elders''' is important in Burundian culture. When visiting a Burundian home, it is customary to greet the oldest person first. If you're waiting to enter a building, allow someone older to go in first. If you're on public transportation, give up your seat for someone older than you. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} 2gjw6v491ku5m8fdmy110yfx4riypro 4506678 4506677 2022-08-23T08:46:27Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== '''Respect for elders''' is important in Burundian culture. When visiting a Burundian home, it is customary to greet the oldest person first. If you're waiting to enter a building, allow someone older to go in first. If you're on public transportation, give up your seat for someone older than you. Avoid challenging a statement made by an older person; it is impolite. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} 38q0ce7zau42tycc0flvi2a98yiunly 4506680 4506678 2022-08-23T08:47:59Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== As is the case in all [[Africa|African]] countries, '''respect for elders''' is important. When visiting a Burundian home, it is customary to greet the oldest person first. If you're waiting to enter a building, allow someone older to go in first. If you're on public transportation, give up your seat for someone older than you. Avoid challenging a statement made by an older person; it is impolite. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} 7guhkzxj8th752ejt69skfowd3ubr8r 4506681 4506680 2022-08-23T08:48:43Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== As is the case in all [[Africa|African]] countries, '''respect for elders''' is important. Behave accordingly in front of an older person and do not do anything that would make an older person feel challenged. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} 32c1f9zl09tctryuft9p1xs5avlfof3 4506682 4506681 2022-08-23T08:50:22Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== As is the case in all [[Africa|African]] countries, Burundi is a '''hierarchial society''', which means that '''respect for elders''' is important. Do not do anything that would make an older person/authority figure feel challenged. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} su53z9hmk2d3hvnf3xl2vhpi4u7aofi 4506683 4506682 2022-08-23T08:53:12Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== As is the case in all [[Africa|African]] countries, Burundi is a '''hierarchial society''', which means that '''respect for elders''' is important. Always treat an older person/authority figure with a great degree of respect, and do not do anything that would make an older person/authority figure feel challenged. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} djp7h6ghccb4li2lequ1hq90p4xcdf4 4506685 4506683 2022-08-23T08:55:16Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Burundi.html wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== As is the case in all [[Africa|African]] countries, Burundi is a '''hierarchial society''', which means that '''respect for elders''' is important. Always treat an older person/authority figure with a great degree of respect, and do not do anything that would make an older person/authority figure feel challenged. If you've been invited to a Burundian home, you may be showered with snacks and drinks. Do not reject any of these; it's considered rude manners to do so. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} o2ud5dju7wge31qod0ltduud981nfpm 4506687 4506685 2022-08-23T08:55:51Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== As is the case in all [[Africa|African]] countries, Burundi is a '''hierarchial society''', which means that '''respect for elders''' is important. Always treat an older person/authority figure with a great degree of respect, and do not do anything that would make an older person/authority figure feel challenged. If you've been invited to a Burundian home, you may be showered with snacks and drinks. Do not reject any of these; it's considered rude manners to do so and it could get your host(s) to think that you do not appreciate their hospitality. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} 5wx5m7duukzpica60e3xy5bxz2h9dpr 4506689 4506687 2022-08-23T09:01:46Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bujumbura (Burundi) Coconut beach.jpg}} {{warningbox|Canada, Ireland and New Zealand advises against ''all travel'' to Burundi due to its highly unpredictable security situation. The UK Foreign Office advises against ''all but essential travel'' to Burundi, and against ''all travel'' to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and some regions in the northeast of the country. |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burundi-travel-advisory.html |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/burundi |australia=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/burundi |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/burundi |ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/burundi/ |lastedit=2022-06-23}} '''[http://burundiembassy-usa.org/tourism.html Burundi]''' is a small country in [[East Africa]], although it has some cultural and geographical ties with [[Central Africa]]. It is surrounded by [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Although the country is rich in culture and history, the country has been in a state of instability since gaining independence in the 1960s. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries and has a myriad of social, political, and economic problems. Negative facts aside, Burundi guards all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, and handicrafts. The cultural inheritance from their forefathers and ancestors is evidenced by their traditional heirlooms and dances. For those with patience and an open mind, the rewards are unforgettable. ==Regions== [[Image:Burundi Regions map.png|375px|Map of Burundi|right]] The country is divided into 17 provinces (Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Bubanza, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Bururi, Rutana, Makamba). Below the province level, there are "communes" in rural areas and "quartiers" in the capital, with a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administration, including the sector, the 2 639 "collines", or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the "Nyumba Kumi" or "group of 10 houses." <br clear="right" /> ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{mapshape}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gitega]]|url=|image=Gitega.JPG|lat=-3.4264|long=29.9306|wikidata=Q167551}} — the capital and second largest city, in the middle of the country *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bujumbura]]|url=|image=Bujumbura.JPG|lat=-3.3825|long=29.3611|wikidata=Q3854}} — the largest city, situated on the north-eastern shore of [[Lake Tanganyika]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bururi]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9333|long=29.6167|wikidata=Q992247}} — southern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cibitoke]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8883|long=29.1197|wikidata=Q746329}} — north-western city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Muyinga]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.8500|long=30.3333|wikidata=Q2006076}} — north-eastern city *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ngozi]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9075|long=29.8306|wikidata=Q31810044}} — northern city ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bururi Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.9389|long=29.5972|wikidata=Q5001027}} — The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3300 ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama, to visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee (FBu5,000) and arrange a guide FBu5,000. In this place there are about 117 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of our mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is 33 km from Roumonge. The road through it will drive you from the lakes along miles of hallucinating and breathtaking panoramas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kibira National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.9147|long=29.4336|wikidata=Q3084668}}. At the apex of the Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forests, this the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey) and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings. The park is criss-crossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nyakazu Break and the Karera Falls]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.8322|long=29.8898<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=}} — The natural Forest Reserves of Roumonge, Kigwena and Mugara are in course of development to enable chimpanzees and cercopithecuses to find enough food to stay there and procreate. The thermal waterfalls situated in the Mugara reserve will enable you to lend yourselves to natural massage simply by taking showers under these waters raised from the earth’s bosom. The very near beaches of Tanganyika provide an opportunity for a swim and rest. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rusizi Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=Rusizi NP hippopotamus.jpg|lat= -3.2477|long=29.2307|wikidata=Q3084675}} — The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of ''Phragmites mauritianus''. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi palm groves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the ''Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa'' species. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ruvubu National Park]]|url=|image=|lat=-3.111|long=30.373|wikidata=Q3695993}} — The National Park of Ruvubu lies on the banks of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African birds you may think of are heard at every turn. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=-2.5486|long=30.0781<!--aprox location-->|wikidata=Q21332817}} — The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live there a peaceful live. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve]]|url=|image=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q7943873}} — This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction is the chimpanzees. The facilities for visitors for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organise a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay FBu10,000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, FBu5,000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around FBu15,000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't expect the close encounters that are possible in some places. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationBurundi.svg}} Burundi is about {{km2|27,834}} large and has a population of almost 12 million people, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Although the country is landlocked, much of the south-western border is adjacent to [[Lake Tanganyika]], one of the deepest lakes in the world. Burundi is one of the world's poorest and least developed nations in the world, and it has the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The vast majority of Burundians live in poverty and work as subsistence farmers. There are many reasons behind Burundi's lack of development and poverty: civil wars, political instability, corruption, a lack of access to education, and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea. Burundi's population today is mostly comprised of the Hutu ethnic group (85%) followed by the Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). ===History=== The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The Hutu and Tutsi people moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]] occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, Burundi has known civil wars between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in [[Rwanda]] to the north), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the re-establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. ===Climate=== Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of {{C|20}}. The area around [[Lake Tanganyika]] is warmer, averaging {{C|23}}; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging {{C|16}}. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is {{C|23}}. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the north-west. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between {{mm|1,300 and 1,600}} of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the north-east receive between {{mm|750 and 1,000}}. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Burundi.png|thumb|375px|Visa policy of Burundi]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg|thumbnail|The road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura]] ===Immigration and visa requirements=== All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], and the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. In Europe, visas are available from the [http://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ Burundi Embassy in London UK] as well as embassies in [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]] and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60 pounds. Two types of visa are available at Bujumbura airport and, in theory, at borders. A ''3 day transit visa costs USD40''. ''A multiple entry, 1 month visa costs USD90'' on arrival or can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. ===By plane=== {{listing | type=go | name=[[Bujumbura#By plane|Bujumbura International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|BJM}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.324019 | long=29.318519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bujumbura International Airport | image=BujumburaAirport.jpg | wikidata=Q681134 | content=The main airport in the country is served by airlines including: Kenya Airways ([[Nairobi]]), RwandAir ([[Kigali]]), Ethiopian airlines ([[Addis Ababa]]), Brussels Airlines ([[Brussels]]), Flydubai ([[Entebbe]]) and ([[Dubai]]). }} ===By bus=== Buses are available mainly from Bujumbura, around the central market. There are only international buses to Rwanda. Companies include Amahoro, Belveder, Otraco and Yahoo. It is also possible to get into Burundi in the east. To do this take a bus to Kabanga (Tanzania), and from there take a shared taxi to the Burundian border. From the south, minibuses run from Kasulu to Manyovu, from where boda-bodas take you through to the Burundi border post. Shared taxis continue from there to Mabanda. Minibuses also run from Gatumba on the DRC border to Bujumbura. ===By boat=== You can use the ferries to travel along [[Lake Tanganyika]], but they do not operate regularly. ==Get around== [[File:Bus and taxi station in Gitega (6908583203).jpg|thumbnail|Bus and Taxi station in Gitega]] Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international). ===By bus=== There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country. ===By taxi=== Taxi is an option for intercity travel as well. For example a roundtrip between Bujumbura and Gitega by taxi would cost you around $50 including the fuel. ===By car=== Roads are of decent quality. Beware of pedestrians walking in the middle of the road, don't be afraid to use the horn. Moreover local drivers, particularly taxi and van drivers ignore traffic rules all too often. ==Talk== Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of [[French]] (and increasingly English), some familiarity with [[Swahili]] or the related local language, [[Kirundi phrasebook|Kirundi]], is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and [[Kinyarwanda]] (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar. <br clear="right" /> ==See== [[File:Gitega Church.JPG|thumbnail|Gitega Church]] [[File:Road between Burundi Gitega and Bujumbura - Flickr - Dave Proffer (6).jpg|thumbnail|The road to Bujumbura]] [[File:School in the district of Gitega (6908590265).jpg|thumbnail|School in Gitega, Burundi]] Bujumbura is in the western part of the country. Moving towards the east, is Gitega; it’s a large market held in the middle of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travellers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the heart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the South-eastern part of the country, don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you; otherwise, you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south, you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park? Towards the north just before reaching Bugarama, there is an important market for high quality fresh foodstuffs. You can walk across the primeval forest of Kibira the access of which is still very difficult but which is in a process of beaconing. Carry on towards Kayanza and Ngozi, two big agricultural production and trade villages. At Kirundo, near the border with Rwanda, you will discover the small lakes of the North, the peacefulness and serenity of their jagged borders. Take a boat and drift on the Rwihinda Lake to admire numerous birds’ species entirely free on the lake (crested cranes, wild ducks, fishing eagles, etc.). On the road from Muyinga to Cankuzo, the visit of the Natural park of the Ruvuvu Rivers is a must now that is endowed with accommodation infrastructure; there you’ll be able to admire Burundi protected remnant buffaloes and dorcas (gazelles). The surrounding primeval forest will no doubt leave you with an unforgettable souvenir. ===Landmarks and monuments=== In Bujumbura, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town. You’ll be able to visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, founder of the Uprona party and hero of the independence of Burundi. Ten kilometres south of Bujumbura at Mugere is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, a stone marking a spot where the two famous explorers David Livingstone and H. M. Stanley spent two nights on 25-27 Nov 1871 as guests of Chief Mukamba during their joint exploration of the northern end of [[Lake Tanganyika]], following their first meeting at Ujiji, Tanzania 15 days previously. 114 km from Bujumbura, on the Bujumbura-Ijenda-Matana road lays Rutovu, a town where a pyramid was erected at the southern most source of the Nile, at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is impossible to make a list of all the places worth making a stop, as Burundi is a real Garden of Eden defying weather and exercising on people an irresistible attraction. When arriving in Bujumbura, for all your circuits, itineraries and tours go to the National Office of Tourism where a great choice are available. You will be able to see: the Nyakazu Break to the east, the Karera Falls, the [[Lake Tanganyika]] panoramas at Vyanda and Kabonambo, the tea plantations of Teza or Rwegura. The reservoir built at this place is surrounded by beautiful scenery. ===Museums=== There are two museums in Bujumbura and Gitega. The second largest town in the country, Gitega, has the National Museum founded in 1955 where there is an exhibition of a magnificent ethnographic collection of objects owned by the Crown and that could be seen at the Court in the first part of the 20th century, together with an archaeological collection and historical photographs. You will enjoy the old photographs of our kings, princes and queens of the 19th century, surrounded by lot of objects owned by men and women of those days; jewellery, baskets from all regions, earthenware for many uses, calabashes to keep water or for churning, war and hunting spears, ploughing instruments, iron-working and sculpting instruments. In Bujumbura, the [[Musée Vivant]] near the lake presents a great part of the treasures in a wider place surrounded by magnificent gardens. Old and modern crafts are presented in beautiful small cabins. However, the masterpiece of this museum is the reconstruction in real dimensions of a royal habitation. The entire surrounding courtyard can be visited and the main hut topped by an interlaced dome covered by a think thatched roof. The Musée Vivant also keeps up a bird house, where few local species can be seen and a Herpetological Centre, where there are displays of snakes and many species of reptiles. This living museum was regarded as one of the most renowned in Africa since its collection was opened to the public in 1988. Not all visitors will enjoy it, but it is possible to feed the crocodiles, leopard and some of the snakes in the Musée Vivant. For FBu2,000 you can buy a (live) guinea pig and select the lucky diner. Watch out for Tina the chimpanzee when visiting the Musée Vivant; she frequently escapes from her cage and can follow visitors around, this can be misconstrued as chasing. Her handlers assure she is not dangerous and just wants to play. ==Do== ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Burundian francs | currencyCode=FBu | date=January 2022 | USD=2,000 | EUR=2,300 | GBP=2,700 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/bif-burundian-franc XE.com] }} The currency is the '''Burundian franc''', denoted by the symbol "'''FBu'''" (ISO code: '''BIF'''). Banknotes denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs. * '''Ecobank, Equity bank and KCB''' have ATMs in Burundi where you can get a cash withdrawal with Visa Card or MasterCard. The [http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank website] has a full list of locations. ===Shopping=== Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes. Burundi has developed plastic arts only very recently. The visitor will be able to find Gitega and Bujumbura talented artist able to carve sceneries on wooden boards and paint landscapes with beautifully shaded bluish backgrounds. ===Costs=== ==Eat== [[File:Marché au Burundi.JPG|thumbnail|Pineapple market in Burundi]] [[File:Rice farm - Burundi (1).jpg|thumbnail|Rice farm in Burundi]] [[File:Colors on the road (5796672453).jpg|thumbnail|Village road in Burundi]] For the international visitor, Burundi offers some culinary surprises: fresh fish from [[Lake Tanganyika]] and produce from the nation's rich volcanic soil are particularly notable. There is a sizeable South Asian community, offering curried dishes alongside the more traditional rice and beans, and French-inspired European offerings. For lighter meals, samosas and skewered meats are common, and bananas and fresh fruit are often served as a sweet snack. The national dish is beef brochettes (kebabs) and grilled plantains (cooking bananas) available almost everywhere. Other signature dishes are: *'''Mealie-Meal Porridge''' *'''Sangala fish garnished with onions and stewed beef''' ==Drink== Soft drinks and beer are readily available. As in Rwanda and DRC, big 72 cl Primus bottles are available for between USD1-2 as well as Amstel, which is about USD2. Both are locally produced and of good quality. ==Sleep== Although accommodation in rural areas can be basic, Bujumbura hosts a number of international-grade hotels, catering to a mainly UN and international clientèle. Notable hotels include the Source du Nil (USD120/night), the Hotel Botanika (USD85/night), the Clos de Limbas (USD70/night) and the new, anglophone Sun Safari. A cheaper option is the Hotel Residence Saga at USD25 a night. ==Learn== There is a dearth of educational opportunities in Burundi, even for Burundian citizens. Years of warfare and instability have badly damaged the country's education system and school enrollment rates are quite low. The educational scene of the country is unlikely to be attractive to most people reading Wikivoyage. ==Work== Burundi is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. Weak infrastructure, political instability, an inefficient bureaucratic system, a lack of transparency, and low salaries do not make the country a highly popular place to work in. Due to a lack of opportunities in Burundi, many Burundians often migrate to other countries. Many NGOs are situated in Burundi. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills and deepen your understanding of politics and government. ==Stay safe== Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in Aug 2005, travellers should be warned that there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws. Many roads close at night, and most embassies put out curfews on their staff. As in any other conflict or post-conflict situation, visitors should consult their embassy to be apprised of the latest local developments, and be sensitive to the changing security environment. ==Stay healthy== Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled '''[[water]]'''. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, '''HIV''' infection is widespread. In 2012, [https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_statistics.html UNICEF estimated] that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV. ==Respect== As is the case in all [[Africa|African]] countries, Burundi is a '''hierarchial society''', which means that '''respect for elders''' is important. Always treat an older person/authority figure with a great degree of respect, and do not do anything that would make an older person/authority figure feel challenged. Burundians are '''family-oriented.''' It's common for Burundian parents to be intimiately involved in the lives of their children, and they aim to school their children in proper behavior, communal values, and family values. Passing unwarranted comments and/or criticisms about someone's family members is considered rude. If you've been invited to a Burundian home, you may be showered with snacks and drinks. Do not reject any of these; it's considered rude manners to do so and it could get your host(s) to think that you do not appreciate their hospitality. ==Connect== {{isPartOf|East Africa}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|-3.50|30.00|zoom=10}} amz3xdpjtsaehli8aopnriyj57xd67o 0 5670 4506500 4504715 2022-08-23T02:59:50Z OhanaUnited 76122 /* Work */ + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Angkor_panorama_banner.jpg}} The Kingdom of '''[https://www.tourismcambodia.com/ Cambodia]''' (កម្ពុជា) is in [[Southeast Asia]]. While the [[Angkor Archaeological Park|Angkor Wat]] commemorates Cambodia's glorious history, the country has been ravaged by colonialism, the [[Indochina Wars]], and the Khmer Rouge regime, and is today one of Asia's poorest countries. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Cambodia_Regions_Map.png | regionmapsize=470px | region1name=[[Cardamom and Elephant Mountains]] | region1color=#cfa56d | region1items=[[Battambang]], [[Kampot]], [[Koh Kong]], [[Pailin]], [[Pursat]], [[Sihanoukville]], [[Bokor National Park]], [[Kep]] | region1description=the western mountain ranges, gulf coast beaches and offshore islands | region2name=[[North-western Cambodia]] | region2color=#ba9eba | region2items=[[Angkor Archaeological Park]], [[Anlong Veng]], [[Siem Reap]], [[Sisophon]], [[Koh Ker]], [[Poipet]], [[Tonle Sap Lake]], [[Preah Vihear]] | region2description=Angkor, the main reason most visitors come to Cambodia, plus a huge lake and the northern mountains | region3name=[[Mekong Lowlands and Central Plains]] | region3color=#6aa5cb | region3items=[[Phnom Penh]], [[Kampong Cham ]], [[Kompong Thom]], [[Krek]] | region3description=the capital city and the central flatlands | region4name=[[Eastern Cambodia]] | region4color=#95ba79 | region4items= [[Banlung]], [[Kratie]], [[Sen Monorom]], [[Stung Treng]] | region4description=remote rural areas and national parks east of the mighty Mekong }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#cfa56d|title=[[Cardamom and Elephant Mountains]]|wikidata=Q1089661}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#ba9eba|title=[[North-western Cambodia]]|wikidata=Q14227072}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#6aa5cb|title=[[Mekong Lowlands and Central Plains]]|wikidata=Q14224654}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#95ba79|title=[[Eastern Cambodia]]|wikidata=Q14214519}} ==Cities== [[Image:PreahTineahChanchhaya.JPG|thumb|Royal palace]] <!-- DO NOT CHANGE THESE WITHOUT DISCUSSING ON TALK PAGE FIRST --> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Phnom Penh]]|wikidata=Q1850}} — the rough, drab capital is home to the beautiful Royal Palace, and is a good base for visiting historical sites related to the 1970s genocide * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Banlung]]|wikidata=Q1350362}} — far northeastern provincial capital near some great waterfalls and national parks * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Battambang]]|wikidata=Q748336}} — the second biggest town in Cambodia, with bamboo trains * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kampot]]|wikidata=Q876549}} — riverside town on the way to Sihanoukville, gateway to the Bokor National Park, and the pepper and durian capital of Cambodia * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Koh Kong]]|wikidata=Q1375645}} — small border crossing town near the Thai border * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kompong Thom]]|wikidata=Q976223}} — access to less well known (and less crowded) ancient temples and other sites * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kratie]]|wikidata=Q261892}} — relaxed river town in the northeast on the Mekong, and an excellent place to get a close look at endangered river dolphins * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Siem Reap]]|wikidata=Q11711}} — access point for [[Angkor Archaeological Park|Angkor Wat]] and various other attractions in the north * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Sihanoukville]]|lat=10.6333|long=103.5000}} — seaside town in the south, also known as Kompong Som <!-- DO NOT CHANGE THESE WITHOUT DISCUSSING ON TALK PAGE FIRST --> ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Angkor Archaeological Park]]|wikidata=Q163607}} — home of the imposing ruins of ancient Khmer civilization * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bokor National Park]]|wikidata=Q4930319}} — ghostly former French hill resort * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kampong Cham]]|wikidata=Q855724}} — nice countryside village on the Mekong river and good place to meet real Cambodia * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kep]]|wikidata=Q14204826}} — a seaside area which pre-dates Sihanoukville as the main beach resort in Cambodia; slowly being re-discovered by international travellers * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Koh Ker]]|wikidata=Q1778458}} — more ancient ruins, north of Angkor * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Poipet]]|wikidata=Q1015146}} — gritty border town that most overland visitors to Angkor pass through * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Preah Vihear]]|wikidata=Q45949}} — cliff-top temple pre-dating Angkor * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Tonle Sap Lake]]|wikidata=Q199938}} — huge lake with floating villages and SE Asia's premier bird sanctuary ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationCambodia.png}} Cambodia has had a pretty bad run of luck for the last half-millennium or so. Ever since the fall of [[Angkor]] in 1431, the once mighty '''[[Khmer Empire]]''' has been plundered by all its neighbours. It was colonised by the French in the 19th century, and during the 1970s suffered heavy carpet bombing by the USA. After a false dawn of independence in 1953, Cambodia promptly plunged back into the horrors of civil war in 1970 to suffer the '''Khmer Rouge's''' incredibly brutal reign of terror followed by occupation by Vietnamese forces, and only after UN-sponsored elections in 1993 did the country begin to struggle back onto its feet. In 2011, 10% of the population lived on less than US$1.25 per day, down from 31% in 2007. However, 41% of the population still lived on less than US$2 per day, and 72% lived on less than US$3 per day. The provision of even basic services remains spotty. Short power outages are not uncommon—stay calm, the power will probably come back on in a few minutes. Political intrigue remains as complex and opaque as ever; but the security situation has improved immeasurably, and increasing numbers of visitors are rediscovering Cambodia's temples and beaches. [[Siem Reap]], the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region, while several beach destinations are increasingly well-trafficked. However, travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure. ===History=== {{seealso|Indochina Wars}} The elaborate urban culture of Angkor and other sites can attest to the fact that the Khmer Empire was once wealthy and powerful. Its zenith came under Jayavarman VII (1181-c.1218), when the Empire made significant territorial gains. The Angkorian civilization harnessed Cambodia's water for agriculture through elaborate systems of canals and dams. Crops surplus permitted a sophisticated urban civilization, based on Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. [[Image:BasRelief Battle.JPG|thumb|Relief battle at [[Angkor]]]] The period following the fall of the Khmer Empire has been described as Cambodia's Dark Ages. Climatic factors precipitated this fall, but eventually the Khmer Empire never recovered from the sacking by its neighbours, based in Ayutthaya (in modern day Thailand). Cambodia spent much of the next four hundred years squeezed and threatened by the rivalries of the expanding Siamese and Vietnamese Empires to the west and east. On the eve of French colonisation it was claimed that Cambodia was likely to cease to exist as an independent kingdom entirely, with the historian John Tully claiming "...there can be little doubt that their [the French] intervention prevented the political disappearance of the kingdom". The French came to dominate Cambodia as a protectorate from the 1860s, part of a wider ambition to control the area then termed Indochina (modern day Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos). The French were always more concerned with their possessions in Vietnam. Education of Cambodians was neglected for all but the established elite. Paradoxically, it was from this privileged colonial elite that many "Red Khmers" would later emerge. Japan's hold on Southeast Asia during the Second World War undermined French prestige, and following the Allied victory Prince Sihanouk declared independence. This was a relatively peaceful transition, and Sihanouk is today regarded by most Cambodians to be their father of independence. Prince Sihanouk was noted for making very strange movies which he wrote, starred in, and directed. His rule was characterized at this point by a Buddhist revival and an emphasis on education. He succeeded in helping create an educated elite who became increasingly disenchanted with the lack of available jobs. As the economic situation in Cambodia deteriorated, many young people were attracted to the Indochinese Communist Party, and later the Khmer Rouge. [[File:Angkor 2005 2.JPG|thumb|Face at Prasat Bayon]] As the Second Indochina War spread to Cambodia's border (an important part of the "Ho Chi Minh trail"), the USA became increasingly concerned with events in the country. The US Air Force bombed Cambodia from 1964 to 1973, with the period from March 1969 to May 1970 being particularly intense. During this campaign, which was code-named Operation Menu, 540,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped. Estimates of the civilian death toll range from 150,000 to 500,000. In total, from 1964 to 1973 the US dropped 2.7 million tonnes of bombs on Cambodia, more than the combined amount dropped by all the Allies in all theatres during World War II. In March 1970, while overseas visiting Moscow and Beijing, Sihanouk was overthrown by Lon Nol and other generals who were looked upon favourably by the United States. Sihanouk then put his support behind the Khmer Rouge. This change influenced many to follow suit. Meanwhile the Khmer Rouge followed the Vietnamese example and began to endear themselves to the rural poor. Following a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns. Over one million people (and possibly many more) died from execution or enforced hardships. Those from the cities were known as "new" people and suffered worst at first. The rural peasantry were regarded as "base" people and fared better. However, the Khmer Rouge cruelty was inflicted on both groups. It also depended much upon where one was from. For example, people in the east generally suffered worse. It is debated whether or not the Khmer Rouge began "crimes against humanity" or a protracted "genocide". There are claims there was a disproportionate number of ethnic Chams killed, and the ethnic Vietnamese also suffered persecution. Nonetheless, the Khmer also suffered often indiscriminate mass killings. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge forces into the countryside and ended many years of fighting, although the fighting would continue for some time in border areas. Cold War politics meant that despite the horrendous crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge, they were the recognised government long after the liberation of the country by the Vietnamese. Indeed they continued to receive covert support and financing by the USA. Due to the devastating politics of the Khmer Rouge regime, there was virtually no infrastructure left. Institutions of higher education, money, and all forms of industry were destroyed in 1978, so the country had to be built up from scratch. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy, as did the rapid diminution of the Khmer Rouge militia in the mid-1990s. The monarchy was restored, albeit as a constitutional monarchy, with Sihanouk becoming King of Cambodia. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces. In the first two decades of the 21st century, as Cambodia's government has become more authoritarian, it has also pivoted from American and European support to forging closer ties with China. Amid increased Chinese investment, Cambodia has seen tremendous economic growth and a transition from agriculture to manufacturing, with more than 80% of Cambodians now above the poverty line. ===Economy=== The two pillars of Cambodia's economy are textiles and tourism. The tourism industry has grown rapidly with over 6 million visitors arriving in 2018, mainly from China and from neighboring countries. The long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge, as the population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside. The government is addressing these issues with assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors. Construction of new roads, irrigation, and agriculture are underway to rejuvenate rural areas. === People === They will greet you with a smile. They are friendly and many of them speak English well. ===Climate=== Cambodia is tropical and its climate dominated by monsoons, so season are wet or dry, rather than the four seasons of cooler regions of the world. Nov-Mar is relatively windy and cool and is the most popular time to visit. Apr-May is hot and dry, and temperatures may peak at 40 C. Jun-Sep is the wet and green season. ===Holidays=== Cambodia has a number of public holidays, some traditional ones which change based on the lunar calendar and other memorial holidays that are fixed. In addition, Chinese New Year is fairly widely celebrated. Bus fares increase and lodging gets booked up around this time as both local residents and visitors from nearby countries move around. Make all your bookings at least a couple of days in advance around this time. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|Travellers with hardcopy (printed) proof of vaccination do not require tests or quarantine to enter Cambodia. Unvaccinated travellers are required to take an ART on arrival and quarantine for 7 days only if they test positive. |lastedit=2022-08-01}} [[File:Visa policy of Cambodia.png|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Cambodia, with countries in blue and light blue having visa-free access; and countries in gold and striped yellow green having visa on arrival]] === Visas === [[File:Map of Cambodian immigration checkpoints which accept e-visa or visa on arrival.gif|thumb|Cambodian immigration checkpoints which accept e-visa or visa on arrival]] All visitors, except citizens of other ASEAN countries, need a visa to enter Cambodia. The official price is US$30 for a Tourist Visa and US$35 for an Ordinary Visa and citizens of most countries can get a visa on arrival. Staff may try to charge more at some border crossings (including airports), but hold out for the official price, especially at major crossings. Visa on Arrival is available at both international airports, all six international border crossings with Thailand, some international border crossings with Vietnam, and at the main border crossing with Laos. Visas can also be obtained at Cambodian embassies and consulates. * '''Tourist visas''': all are valid for one stay of up to 30 days. Those issued in advance expire 90 days after issue. In [[Phnom Penh]] (or elsewhere via agencies), tourist visas can be extended only once, allowing an additional 30 days at a cost of US$30. * '''Ordinary visa''' or '''Type-E''': the best choice for stays over two months and/or multiple entries, as they can be extended indefinitely (approx US$290 for a one year extension) and have multiple entry status when extended. Most Phnom Penh travel agencies process the extensions. Foreign nationals of some countries (such as India) require prior permission from the Department of Immigration or the Ministry of the Interior to obtain an Ordinary visa. Such visitors can also enter the country on a tourist visa and subsequently apply for said permission at the Department of Immigration near the airport in Phnom Penh , which, if granted, will enable them to leave the country and re-enter on an ordinary visa To apply for a visa, you may need (depending on where you apply) one or two passport-size (35x45mm) photos, a passport which is valid for at least 6 months and has at least one completely blank visa page remaining (the visa is a full-page sticker), and clean US dollar notes with which to pay the fee (expect to pay a substantially higher price if paying in a local currency). Passport photocopies may also be required when applying at some embassies/consulates, but not if applying on arrival. You don't need a passport photo upon arrival at [[Phnom Penh]] airport, [[Poipet]], or [[Siem Reap]]. If it is still required elsewhere, you may be able to have them scan the one on your passport for an extra US$3. At Phnom Penh airport head to the '''Visa on Arrival''' desk, join the queue to the left, where your application form is reviewed (you should have been given the form on the plane or before boarding). Then move to the right and wait for your name to be called. You then pay and receive your passport with the visa. Officials have difficulties pronouncing Western names so stay alert and listen out for any of your names in your passport, any of your given names or surname may be called. Once reunited with your passport, join the immigration queue. In [[Poipet#Get in|Poipet, several scams abound]]. A favourite is the Cambodian immigration officers ask tourists to pay 1,200 baht (about US$35) for a visa on arrival, instead of US$30. Stand firm but stay friendly and keep smiling, they rarely insist. Most visitors are asked for a mysterious separate 100 baht fee on top of the US$30 fee. If you insist a few times that this does not exist, you will be grumpily told to have a seat and wait, after which you will receive your visa no problem after just a few minutes (at least, when there's not a long line). Scams exist at other entry points too. The important thing is to insist on paying the $30 or $35 visa fee printed on the sign and not a higher fee, and remember that there should not be any extra fees at immigration or customs after you get your visa. If you are exiting Cambodia to enter Thailand with the aim of getting a visa on arrival there, the Cambodian airline authorities may point out that you need to have a minimum of $600 in cash. This guideline seems to be enforced especially for Indian tourists and possibly more stringently for single travellers. ====E-visa==== Citizens of most nations can apply for an [https://www.evisa.gov.kh/ '''e-Visa''' online] at the '''Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation''' website, through a service provided by a private Cambodian company ('''[http://www.cinet.com.kh CINet] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''). This is a normal '''Tourist Visa''' but costs US$36 instead of the normal US$30 (Jan 2020). The visa arrives as a PDF file by e-mail within 3 business days. The application requires a digital photograph of yourself (in .jpg format). You can scan your passport photo or have a passport sized photograph taken with a digital camera. There are other websites pretending to make a Cambodian e-visa. At best, these are just on-line travel agencies which will charge you more and get the same visa for you; at worst, you may end up with a fake e-visa. You need to print '''two''' copies (one for entry and one for exit) of the PDF visa, cut out the visa parts and keep them with your passport. Visas in advance (either on-line or from an embassy/consulate) save time at the border but are more expensive. However, you do get to skip the queues of people applying for the visa's delivery, although sometimes you may simply spend the saved time waiting at the airport luggage belt for your suitcase. E-Visas are only valid for entry by air or at the three main border crossings: Bavet (on the [[Ho Chi Minh City]]-[[Phnom Penh]] road); [[Koh Kong]] (near [[Trat]] in [[Eastern Thailand]]); and [[Poipet]] (on the [[Bangkok]]-[[Siem Reap]] road). You may '''exit''' the country with an e-visa via [http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa '''any''' border crossing], however. Given the general reduction in visa scams at the major land borders, paying the extra US$6 to guarantee the price may (more likely if entering from Thailand) or may not worth it. Getting a tourist visa on arrival for US$30 is more likely than being overcharged. Plus it keeps the option open of the enjoyable [[Phnom Penh]]-[[Chau Doc]] boat trip (and the use of other minor border crossings)! ====Fingerprinting==== Cambodian Immigration authorities now '''fingerprint''' visitors on arrival and departure. This takes place at major entry points, such as airports, [[Poipet]] (on the [[Bangkok]]-[[Siem Reap]] road), [[Cham Yeam]] (near [[Koh Kong]]), and Bavet (on the [[Phnom Penh]]-[[Ho Chi Minh]] road). Smaller crossings such as Chong Sa-Ngam/Choam (for [[Anlong Veng]]) aren't equipped with hand scanners. Ban Pakkard/Pshar Prum (for [[Pailin]]) now collects fingerprints. You may not be fingerprinted if you are on a direct bus and your driver has paid to move things along faster (observed at Bavet going to Phnom Penh). ===By plane=== [[File:Phnom penh airport.JPG|thumbnail|Phnom Penh international airport]] [[File:Kampuchea Airlines Boeing 757-200 de Maximy.jpg|thumbnail|Kampuchea Airlines at Phnom Penh airport]] Cambodia has international airports at [[Phnom Penh]] ({{IATA|PNH}}) and [[Siem Reap]] ({{IATA|REP}}). Direct flights connect [http://www.cambodia-airports.com/index.php?airport=PNH&lang=en Phnom Penh International Airport] (previously Pochentong International Airport) with cities all over [[East Asia|East]] and [[Southeast Asia]], and [http://www.cambodia-airports.com/index.php?airport=REP&lang=en Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport] has a slightly more limited range of flights. Travellers going specifically to visit [[Angkor]] and other ruins in [[North-western Cambodia]] should try to use [[Siem Reap]] as it's the main launching point and only minutes away from the main sites. For the beaches of the southwest and most off-the-beaten-path destinations, Phnom Penh is a better launching point with more extensive domestic bus connections. For flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap, AirAsia is mostly a lot cheaper than Bangkok Airways. When looking for those flights, make sure to check for Bangkok's second airport [http://donmueangairportthai.com/en Don Mueang] {{dead link|December 2020}} ({{IATA|DMK}}). Low-cost carrier [http://www.airasia.com Air Asia] has flights from [[Kuala Lumpur]] and [[Bangkok]] to [[Phnom Penh]] and Kuala Lumpur to [[Siem Reap]], while [http://www.jetstarasia.com Jetstar Asia] has begun flying from [[Singapore]] to [[Siem Reap]] and Phnom Penh. [http://www.hkexpress.com HK Express] flies to Siem Reap every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from [[Hong Kong]]. Other airlines operating flights to/from Cambodia include [http://flyasiana.com/ Asiana Airlines], [http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways], [http://www.csair.com/en China Southern Airlines], [http://www.dragonair.com Dragonair], [http://www.evaair.com Eva Airways], [http://www.koreanair.com Korean Air], [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines], [http://www.malaysiaairlines.com Malaysia Airlines] (MAS), [http://www.siemreapairways.com Siem Reap Airways] (a subsidiary of Bangkok Airways), [http://www.silkair.com SilkAir], [http://www.singaporeair.com Singapore Airlines], [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways International], and [http://www.vietnamairlines.com Vietnam Airlines]. === By road === In the list of borders below, the Cambodian town comes second; eg: [[Aranyaprathet]] is the border town in Thailand, while [[Poipet]] is in Cambodia. ====Thailand==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Beware of scams when entering Cambodia overland. Most common is the inflation of the visa fee from the official US$30 to 1,200 baht (US$35) charged by Cambodian custom officers but it is easy to deal with. In Poipet which is a visa-free zone, you can always change your Thai baht into U.S. dollars with cigarette vendors or restaurants. Insist on paying for your visa with US dollars. When dealing with custom officers, standing firm and keeping smiling will give you a long way to go. If you don't have an ID photo for the visa application, don't let them charge you more than US$2. You can also get your visa in advance - either from a Cambodian embassy/consulate (via an agency if necessary) or from the e-Visa website. See the [[#Visas|Visas]] section for full details. Past scams have included telling travellers they have to get visas from a consulate at inflated prices before going to the border (not true), fines for not presenting a vaccination certificate (even though this is not mandatory), charging 50 baht for a (bogus) SARS health form, and enforcing an imaginary US$100 to Cambodian riel exchange requirement (at lousy rates).}} All six border crossings with [[Thailand]] are open 07:00-20:00. Each offers Cambodian visas on arrival. All the crossings are served by paved roads in both countries. Most Thai buses run to ''but not across'' each of the crossings. Exceptions include the direct bus services from Bangkok to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, run by the Thai government bus company. In Cambodia, four of the six border towns ([[Poipet]], [[Koh Kong]], Daun Lem and [[Samraong#Get_out|O'Smach]]) are directly served by buses. [[Pailin]], [[Anlong Veng]] and [[Samraong]] (each less than 20 km from a border) are each served by buses; motorbikes and shared taxis connect each of the towns with their respective border crossings. Cambodia's '''busiest land crossing''' is at [[Aranyaprathet]]/Poipet on the '''[[Bangkok]] - [[Siem Reap]]''' road in [[North-western Cambodia]]. Long the stuff of nightmares, the roads are now paved all the way from Poipet to Siem Reap, [[Battambang]] and [[Phnom Penh]]. However, it is also notorious for being a hotbed of scams and corruption, and officers in the Cambodian visa office will usually demand bribes of at least 100 baht in order to process your visa-on-arrival. '''Coastal Cambodia''' and the southern part of the [[Cardamom and Elephant Mountains]] region is served by the [[Hat Lek]]/[[Koh Kong]] border. The road goes all the way to [[Sihanoukville]]. From [[Trat]] in Thailand, there a minibuses to the border. In Cambodia, minibuses or taxis connect the border to Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. The Koh Kong - Sihanoukville boat service no longer runs. The former '''Khmer Rouge''' stronghold of [[Anlong Veng]] is close to the Chong Sa-Ngam (in [[Si Saket (province)|Si Saket Province]])/[[Anlong Veng#Get_out|Choam]] border. Pol Pot was killed and burned within walking distance of immigration. Improving roads in '''Northwestern Cambodia''' are making [[Samraong]] emerge as a transport hub. It is close to the Chong Jom (in [[Surin (province)|Surin Province]])/[[Samraong#Go next|O'Smach]] border and well linked with [[Siem Reap]]. [[Eastern Thailand]] is connected to [[Battambang]] and Siem Reap by the Ban Pakard (in [[Chanthaburi (province)|Chanthaburi Province]])/ [[Pailin#Get_out|Phra Prom]] (near [[Pailin]]) crossing, which offers a less stressful and more scenic alternative to the more northly major crossing at [[Poipet]]. The '''geographically closest crossing to [[Battambang]]''' is that at Ban Leam (in [[Chanthaburi (province)|Chanthaburi Province]])/Daun Lem. '''Paramount Angkor''' run buses to [[Battambang]] though as of March 2012 the road on the Cambodian side is not yet fully paved. ====Vietnam==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh bus operators, scam foreign tourists by charging an extra US$5 for the Cambodian visa on arrival. Not agreeing to the extra charge and attempting to obtain the visa independently will result in being stranded at the border. (In July 2017) all bus companies were asking US$5 extra for a Cambodian visa as by doing this it speed up the border crossing process.)}} Vietnamese visas must be obtained in advance from an embassy or consulate (easily arranged in Cambodia), or approved online in the case of nationalities eligible for the e-Visa program. Vietnam e-Visas are valid for most, but not all border crossings (for example, they can't be used to go from Banlung to Pleiku). Vietnam "visa on arrival", now a less-common option, is only valid for airport arrivals, not land crossings. The '''main crossing''' is the Moc Bai/Bavet crossing on the [[Ho Chi Minh City]] - [[Phnom Penh]] road. Buses between the two cities cost US$8-12 and take around 6 hr. Try to only book buses run by reputable companies such as Giant IBiS, Mekong Express, Mai Linh or The Sinh Tourist, as the chances of getting ripped off is much higher with other companies. Passengers vacate the vehicle at both countries' checkpoints. Only one passport photo is required for a Cambodian visa on arrival. Tours of the Mekong Delta (US$25-35, 2-3 days) can provide a more insightful journey between the two cities. Through tickets to [[Siem Reap]] are also available (US$18), though it is cheaper to buy a ticket to Phnom Penh and then arrange onward transport on one of the many connecting buses. '''Close to the coast''' is the Xa Xia/Prek Chak border. Cambodian visas are available on arrival. Buses run between [[Ha Tien]] in Vietnam to [[Sihanoukville]] and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. '''Coastal areas''' are also served by the Tinh Bien/Phnom Den border near [[Chau Doc]] in Vietnam. The Xa Mat/Trapeang Phlong crossing on the [[Ho Chi Minh City]] - [[Kampong Cham]] road is not well served by public transport but may be useful for accessing Kampong Cham and [[Eastern Cambodia]]. [[Banlung]] in North [[Eastern Cambodia]] is served by a crossing at Le Tanh/O Yadaw near [[Pleiku]] in [[Vietnam]]. If crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia, you can get a Cambodian visa on arrival here. One photo required. If headed the other way, from Cambodia to Vietnam, be warned that e-Visas are not accepted for entering Vietnam at this border crossing, so crossing here would only be for people whose nationalities get visa-free entry to Vietnam or who already have a traditional visa from an embassy/consulate in their passports. The Vietnamese entry checkpoint closes to foreigners at 17:30. ====Laos==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Operators for buses going from Southern Laos to Cambodia will ask passengers for an additional US$10 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee to facilitate the border crossing. Not agreeing to the extra charge and attempting to obtain the visa independently more often than not results in being abandoned at the border; all bus companies are involved since non-cooperation would likely see them being denied to cross and thus hurt their business. See further below for more information and instructions how to avoid paying these unofficial fees, requiring a lot of patience and endurance from you.}} [[Stung Treng]] in Cambodia is connected to [[Pakse]] and the [[Si Phan Don|Four Thousand Islands]] region of [[Laos]] by the Voeung Kam/Dom Kralor border. Onward transportation is not always available. Cambodian and Lao visas can be obtained at the border. Travel agencies on both sides offer border crossing packages. If you're buying a ticket from a destination in Laos to one in Cambodia (one of the most common being [[Don Det]] to [[Siem Reap]]) and you want the border crossing to be as trouble-free as possible, accept that you will have to pay an additional US$10 on top of the US$30 visa-on-arrival fee (as of 2019). The US$10 are made up of: * US$5 Visa processing fee (visa price declared as $35) * $2 Stamp fee on the Lao side * $2 Stamp fee on the Cambodian side * $1 Assistance fee for the facilitator as he gets the Lao exit stamp and Cambodian visa for you The following is what roughly to expect if you choose to go down this way. A random guy will enter your bus once near the border, demanding passports and US$40; other times, you will get off the bus at the Laos immigration checkpoint, and said guy will sit on a table, with another facilitator directing everyone to go there and hand over your passport and money. You will be asked to fill out the visa-on-arrival application form, sometimes this already happens on the bus. The form is handed in alongside with your passport. Walk over from the Lao to the Cambodian checkpoint once being told so to receive your entry stamp after providing fingerprints and having a photo of you taken. Your passport, now having a new Cambodian visa in it, will be returned some time between crossing the two checkpoints or in the building on the Cambodian side, depending on the speed of the facilitators and the immigration officials. Once you receive your entry stamp, you'll exit the building and walk to the makeshift restaurants five minutes from the border building, where your bus/minivan will depart (in theory) after all your fellow passengers have arrived. Often, you will end up waiting one to two hours. '''Warning''': People booked on VIP buses to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh will often find that they have to take a crammed minivan rather than the booked bus, and that several transfers may occur on the way. Protest is fruitless as there are only tourist buses around; this border is used by comparatively few locals. '''It is possible to circumvent all these unofficial fees''' – but only if you don't get intimidated easily and possess a high frustration tolerance. One crucial component to greatly increase your chances to reach your destination in Cambodia on the same day is getting your visa in advance. Also, to avoid being abandoned by your bus, it is best to ''not'' book any transport from the border; read the whole instructions to understand why. The following is only feasible if staying on one of the 4000 Islands or in the immediate surroundings. First, arrange your transport ''to'' (but not from) the border. This can be booked with any agency on Don Det, [[Don Khon]] or in [[Ban Nakasang]]. Since denying to pay the unofficial fees will result in your crossing being delayed for an unknown amount of time and because you will need to find onward transportation, it is sensible to get to the border as early as possible. As boats only start to leave the islands from 08:00, a tuk-tuk (70,000 kip for two people after bargaining) is likely the best choice; you can find many at Ban Nakasang's market. Choosing a shared minivan instead will be cheaper (60,000 kip for two people) but you'll almost certainly have to wait, and coming with other travellers who are likely to pay the fees will weaken your case. Once at the border, proceed to the immigration counters (past an official-looking sign stipulating various fees) and hand over your passport; you'll now be asked to pay US$2 to receive the exit stamp. If it's a weekend, you will hear that this is an "overtime fee", while on weekdays, they might say anything from "ink fee" to "administration fee" to giving no explanation whatsoever. '''Politely and tactfully refuse to pay''' if they cannot provide an official receipt (which they won't). Now wait, and insist on not taking your passport back before it's stamped. Do not leave without exit stamp, as the Cambodian officials will refuse to process you without it. The Lao officials may ask you to go back to Laos, ignore you and play on their phones, and/or they will shut the counter and pretend to finish up for the day. Stand your ground, the stamp will come – the waiting time might be anything between 15 minutes to several hours though. Bring water, some food, determination, patience, and do not lose your temper or get angry at the officials; they are collecting the money by order from above, and bad behaviour will not speed up things. The third step is proceeding to and dealing with the Cambodian immigration police. When walking over to the other side, you might see a tent and people asking you to come over for a "health check" that costs US$1. Reports on the net suggest that you can simply walk past, but a probably better, less confronting way is to show a medical/travel insurance certificate, a vaccination record booklet or anything resembling the two former, as they will then waive the check for you. Cambodian officials will not require this once you enter the building. Hopefully you already have a Cambodian visa; if not, you will now have to go to the visa-on-arrival counter, where the officer in charge will demand US$35 for a tourist visa (type "T" – the official price published by the Cambodian government being US$30). Unlike their Lao counterparts, the Cambodian officials are quick to raise their voice and yell at you if you don't give in to their demands. Different reports on the net suggest that standing your ground will also get you the visa for the official price eventually, again with the waiting time totally depending on the officer and how diplomatic your behaviour is. At last, you'll have to get your entry stamp. If you obtained your visa in advance, you will be asked for US$2 after providing your fingerprints and having your photo taken. Refusing to pay will once more result in short tempers, but according to a number of reports the Cambodian officials are quick to give in, saving you another possibly hour-long wait. It is unknown whether they will still ask for this fee if they relented earlier by giving you the visa on arrival for US$30. If you managed to get through without paying: Congratulations. Your last job for the day is to find onward transport to your destination, which shouldn't prove too difficult if you arrived before mid-afternoon; just don't expect a comfortable seat (but rather sitting in the aisle), as travellers who pre-booked their transport have priority. If you had a bus booked already, chances are that it's gone. It may be a lot less stressful to just go as far as Stung Treng, spend the night there and continue your journey the following morning. Tickets to all major destinations can be booked at any guesthouse in town. ===By boat=== From '''Laos''' - Since the reopening of the land border, it's no longer possible to take a boat from Laos to reach Cambodia. From '''Thailand''' - There are no ferry services between Cambodia and Thailand. The [[Sihanoukville]]-[[Koh Kong]] ferry no longer runs. From '''Vietnam''' - It's possible to travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh by boat, or by combination of road and boat. Fast boats leave daily from Chau Doc in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and take 5h to reach Phnom Penh. Chau Doc is a four hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. A popular overland route is to make a three day trip, stopping at Can Tho and Chau Doc before taking the boat to Phnom Penh. '''Exclusively for yacht cruises''' - Members of the crew and passengers of cruise boats can obtain a visa upon arrival at the ''' Sihanoukville Autonomous Port'''. Paperwork arrival in the new marina. You must first report data on the boat, the crew and passport copies to the office of the Marina Oceania Harbour Master. Visa fee is US$25 for 30 days. ==Get around== === By plane === The domestic aviation scene in Cambodia has improved. Three airports operate scheduled passenger flights: [[Phnom Penh]], [[Siem Reap]], and [[Sihanoukville]]. The main operator is [http://www.cambodiaangkorair.com Cambodia Angkor Air], a joint venture between the government and Vietnam Airlines, which flies between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and airports in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. A charter service, [http://www.aerocambodia.com Aero Cambodia], operates from Phnom Penh to Cambodia's other 16 airports using twin engine 10-70 seat aircraft. ===By helicopter=== [[Image:Sokha Beach - (SF) 0001.jpg|thumb|Sokha Beach in [[Sihanoukville]]]] '''[http://www.helistarcambodia.com Helistar Cambodia]''', a VIP helicopter charter and scenic flights company, operate to virtually anywhere in Cambodia. Helicopters can be chartered to fly from [[Phnom Penh]] and [[Siem Reap]] for one-way or return journeys. The basic hourly charter rate is US$1,700 per flight hour plus 10% VAT and 10% SPT. They operate modern, air conditioned Eurocopter Ecureuils with seating for up to 6 passengers. They also have licensed foreign pilots. A pick-up and set-down transfer service is also available at both international airports. ===By road=== The Cambodian government has upgraded roads throughout the country. Finding an unsealed road is actually quite a challenge and most travellers will not have any horror stories of car-swallowing ruts or wet-season quagmires. For the time being, notable '''unpaved''' roads that would be of use to travellers are: [[Battambang]]-[[Koh Kong]] (a great dirt bike adventure across the mountains or a long detour by bus via [[Phnom Penh]]), access to the [[Banteay Chhmar]] temples (a high-quality unsealed road, as good as a sealed road during the dry season) and the road between [[Sen Monorom]] and [[Banlung]] (if there's any remote jungle left in Cambodia, it'll be here). The borders, coast and major cities are all well-connected with good roads. Longer journeys in Cambodia can be taken by '''bus''', '''pickup truck''' or '''shared taxi'''. In many towns, whichever of these are available will be found at the local market square. Larger towns and cities will have bus stations. Buses may also serve their companies' offices, which may be more convenient than the bus station: this is particularly true in [[Siem Reap]]. To find bus tickets, the website '''[https://www.camboticket.com/ Camboticket]''' is useful for searching multiple companies. '''Giant Ibis''' and '''Mekong Express''' has the best reputation for comfort, safety, and reliability and consequently charge a premium. '''Sorya''' (formerly ''Ho Wah Genting'') and '''GST''' offer a slightly cheaper no-frills service. '''Capitol''' runs between its central offices, making for city centre-to-city centre travel. Ramshackled peasant mover '''Paramount Angkor Transport''' is great for accessing more remote places but low on comfort and safety. Avoid VR Express and Phnom Penh Sorya Transport Co. They have a history of threatening customers, manipulating, lying, and being unhelpful and rude. They prioritize cheating passengers of their money. Indeed bus safety is a big problem in Cambodia. On Hwy 5, between Phnom Penh and Battambang, there are dozens of bus crashes annually, many of them horrendous, with multiple fatalities. There are even bus-on-bus crashes. Drivers are untrained, impatient, and (according to those working in roadside gas stations) sometimes drunk. Most of these accidents go unreported, but frequent travellers on Highway 5 can typically observe half a dozen bus crashes in a month. Night buses are particularly risky - again, Giant Ibis and Mekong Express have the best reputations. Generally bus travel is cheap, with journeys from [[Phnom Penh]] to [[Siem Reap]] or [[Sihanoukville]] costing around US$5. Bring along something warm if you don't like freezing air conditioning and earplugs if you don't like Khmer karaoke. There are a few night-time services but most buses leave in the morning and the last ones leave in the afternoon. Among night buses Giant Ibis and Mekong Express are the most comfortable, with nearly flat bunks (though if you're taller than 1.65 meters or so you'll have to sleep with your knees bent). Some believe taxis are safer for inter-city travel, but taxis also often go way too fast, and so are involved in numerous fatal accidents. The front seat in a taxi from Phnom Penh to Battambang should cost you about US$25. For short distances, the once-ubiquitous motorcycle taxis have been replaced by '''tuk-tuks''', motorized three-wheeled rickshaws. Anywhere remotely touristy will have plenty of drivers hanging around offering you a tuk-tuk ride. Agree on a fare and make sure the driver knows your destination ''before'' you get in the vehicle. Many drivers speak very little English, and some are illiterate even in Khmer, so communicating your destination can sometimes be a challenge. If you want to avoid all that, consider a ride hailing app like PassApp, which can be used to call rickshaws or regular taxis and determines the price automatically (you pay in cash). Even with PassApp, though, pay attention to where your driver is going because sometimes they get confused about the directions. Try to learn the Khmer words for "left" and "right". And if you plan to ride more than 10–15 minutes in a tuk-tuk, consider buying a paper dust mask like a fair number of locals do, to protect you from dirt, dust, and traffic exhaust. '''Motorcycle rentals''' are available in many towns, with the notable exception of Siem Reap, which has outlawed the practice. Be careful if driving yourself: driving practices are vastly different from developed countries. Local road 'rules' will also differ from city to city. Moreover, to drive in Cambodia you're required to have a Cambodian driver's license; international driving permits are not accepted. If you consider traveling alone, it’s worth remembering that English is rarely spoken outside of main towns and cities, and hazards are numerous, including the possibility of land mines. For this reason, guided tours are worth considering. ===By boat=== Ferries operate seasonally along many of the major rivers. Major routes include [[Phnom Penh]] to [[Siem Reap]] and [[Siem Reap]] to [[Battambang]]. The [[Sihanoukville]] to [[Koh Kong]] ferry no longer runs. Boats are slower than road transport, charge higher prices for foreigners, and are sometimes overcrowded and unsafe. Then again, Cambodia's highways are also dangerous, and boats are probably the safer of the two options. The high speed boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap costs US$33 and takes about 6 hours, departing at 07:30, and offers a spectacular view of rural life along the Tonle Sap River. There are also a few luxury boats operating between Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and [[Saigon]]. For something around US$150/day including accommodation, food and excursions, it's a good alternative to regular boat service. The boat trip between Siem Reap and Battambang takes longer (especially in the dry season), and is less comfortable and more expensive than taking a seat in a share taxi, but is favoured by some travellers for its up-close view of subsistence farming (and hundreds of waving children) along the river. Taking the boat late in the dry season (Apr-May) is not advisable as low water levels mean that you must transfer to smaller vessels in mid-river. ===By train=== [[File:Bamboo Train in Battambang province - (SF) 0001.jpg|thumb|Bamboo Train near Battambang]] There are passenger trains from [[Phnom Penh]] going to [[Sihanoukville]] via [[Kampot]] daily, leaving Phnom Penh at 07:00 and arriving at Sihanoukville at 13:00. The return leg back to Phnom Penh leaves Sihanoukville at 14:00 and arrives at 20:00 The journey lasts roughly six hours and is thus slower than by bus. The Phnom Penh to [[Poipet]] line via [[Battambang]] was rehabilitated and reopened to passenger trains in 2018. Services to Poipet were suspended because of COVID, but there is one train to Battambang each day, departing Phnom Penh at 06:40 arrving in Battambang at 14:00, while the train on the return journey departs Battambang at 15:00, getting back to Phnom Penh at 22:30. The carriages have fans and windows that can open, but no air conditioning. Toilets are also available. A one way ticket from Phnom Penh to Kampot is US$6. A one way ticket from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville costs US$7. The train doesn't leave when you think it will. Be sure you get your tickets from the station itself, and ask for the boarding time. Getting seats outbound from Phnom Penh is more crowded. The first stretch west passes through ramshackle camps built along the rail line, and sprawling suburban construction, then a non-descript countryside. The train stops briefly, there a good food vendors if you act quickly, then the second leg is through beautiful hills and paddies to Kampot, again with good food vendors at the station as train time nears. Seven hours doesn't seem like a long time, but it starts to drag. The return trip to Phnom Penh gets in very late, and it's difficult to find a tuktuk or taxi. Also, unless your hotel is near the station, you'll be disoriented from your normal route routine, so it's good to have your hotel or hospice card and phone number to give to the driver. Even then, it helps to have sketched out your return route from the train station. You'll be exhausted from seven hours riding on the train, and worse with a tuktuk driver going in circles at night trying to find your hotel. Don't assume they can read a map or know how to find your hotel. You should know the Khmer words for left, right and stop to direct them to it. ===By bamboo train=== Despite the lack of normal train services there are '''bamboo trains''' or '''noris''' running around Battambang, and you can also travel on a bamboo train from the outskirts of Phnom Penh to Battambang on demand. These trains are home made railcars which carry just about anything, pigs, motorcycles, crops, you name it, as long as it fits on the train. They are also great fun to ride on and they are actually reasonably safe, and the drivers are friendly. They cost around US$2 per person for a short journey and around US$6 to hire one with a driver. Ask locally where you can find a norry, or you can find one at Battambang station. ==Talk== [[Image:Sign_SlowDown.JPG|thumb|240px|Good advice for learning the language]] : ''See also:'' [[Khmer phrasebook]] Cambodians primarily speak '''[[Khmer phrasebook|Khmer]]''' (ភាសាខ្មែរ ''phiəsaa khmae''), which unlike most languages in the region is not tonal, but makes up for it with a large assortment of consonant and vowel clusters. You will find people who speak basic to fluent English in major towns and cities. In tourist market situations, most Cambodians will know enough English to complete a basic transaction, though many vendors carry calculators into which they punch numbers and show you the screen to indicate the price. [[Chinese phrasebook|Mandarin]] is also reasonably widely spoken in the tourism industry, due to increasing numbers of Chinese tourists. A few educated senior citizens can also speak [[French phrasebook|French]], a relic of the colonial period when it was a medium of instruction in schools. Because the Khmer Rouge targeted for extermination anyone capable of speaking a foreign language, actually encountering anyone fluent in French is very rare outside Phnom Penh. [[German phrasebook|German]] and other European tongues can be found in the tourist centres (but are even rarer than French). [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]] is also a popular language for tourist industry workers. Nevertheless, if you cannot speak Khmer, English remains your best bet. Chinese dialects, Thai and Vietnamese are spoken in Phnom Penh. Thai is more prevalent in northwestern provinces, whereas Vietnamese dominates southeastern provinces. [[Teochew phrasebook|Teochew]] is the main dialect spoken among the ethnic Chinese community. ==See== [[File:Angkor Wat - 022 Architecture (8581740990).jpg|thumb|A small part of Angkor Wat]] Cambodia's main sight is so famous and grand, it's also one of the prime destinations in all of Asia. The magnificent and awe-inspiring temples of the '''[[Angkor Archaeological Park]]''' draw huge and diverse crowds, who come to admire their enormous symbolism and sheer magnitude. It's a place not to be missed on any trip to the region, worth every bit of the often sweltering heat. Finding a somewhat private spot for '''sundown over the temples''' can be a challenge, but the colours are wonderful. Start early to beat the crowds at the mysterious '''Ta Prohm''' complex. Made extra famous as a filming location for Tomb Raider, the ruins overgrown by huge jungle trees make for one of the most atmospheric sites at Angkor. Close to the capital city of [[Phnom Penh]], the '''Choeung Ek Memorial''', better known as the '''Killing fields''' — while shocking and sad — leaves a long-lasting impression. Excellent tours are available, providing an insight into the outrageous atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. For further insights, the '''Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum''' is the main place to visit. * Go on a boat party in [[Phnom Penh]] * Go hiking in [[Bokor National Park]] * See endangered river dolphins in [[Kratie]] * Boat through to the floating village and have lunch aboard the floating restaurant near [[Siem_Reap|Siem Reap]] ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Cambodian riel | currencyCodeAfter=riel | date=January 2022 | EUR=4,600 | GBP=5,500 | USD=4,100 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/khr-cambodian-riel XE.com]}}{{infobox|Large Bills|ATMs in Cambodia dispense US currency and generally in large denomination bills such as US$50 and US$100. They can occasionally be troublesome to change; however, most hotels, restaurants, and large businesses, and many market traders (look for a glass cabinet filled with money) will accept and change them. Tuk-tuk drivers and street vendors generally will not have change for anything larger than US$20. In addition, due to counterfeiting, large bills not in excellent condition are often met with suspicion.}} [[File:'Dry Fish' in 'Russian Market'.JPG|thumbnail|Dry fish in Russian market, Phnom Penh]] The '''Cambodian riel''', denoted by the symbol "'''៛'''" (ISO code: '''KHR'''), and the '''US dollar''' ('''USD''') are both official currencies. The riel generally used only for small transactions (i.e. below US$10). US coins are not used. Most ATMs only dispense US dollars, although some are loaded with both currencies. The Cambodian Central Bank maintains the riel at 4100 riel to the U.S. dollar. In day-to-day commerce, 4,000 riel per dollar is ubiquitous. So a US$1.50 amount can be paid with one dollar and 2,000 riel, or with 6,000 riel. Riel notes go as high as 100,000 riel (US$25) but 10,000 riel (US$2.50) is the highest denomination that is commonly encountered. Riel only have value outside Cambodia as souvenirs; they're hard to exchange anywhere else. Near the Thai border (for example [[Battambang]], [[Koh Kong]], and [[Poipet]]) Thai baht is commonly accepted but the locals use an unfavourable 30 baht to the U.S. dollar as a rule of thumb. Try to change any baht rather than spend them as banks and money changers will give you a much better rate. Banks sometimes operate as Western Union money transfer agents. In June 2020, small US banknotes US$1, US$2 and US$5 were withdrawn in favor of Cambodian riel notes. Small US dollar denominations are still legal. ==== Changing money ==== Baht and other major currencies (euros, pounds sterling) can easily be exchanged in any city. Shop around if you are keen on saving money; there is no hard-and-fast rule as to whether banks or money changers will offer the best rates. Torn or old foreign currency notes may be difficult to exchange, except US$1 bills which change hands often. Cambodian banks will refuse US$2 bills and notes without the security strip. Refusing imperfect notes is normal, traders may try to take advantage of tourists' naïveté and try to get rid of them. Just smile and hand them back. ==== Cards and ATMs ==== ATMs are spreading far beyond the main cities. They are generally compatible with Maestro, Cirrus, MasterCard​ and Visa cards. Cash advances on credit cards are also possible at most banks. VISA and MasterCard and JCB are the most widely accepted credit cards; American Express cards are slowly becoming more widely accepted. ATMs dispense US dollars in varying denominations from 10-100. If you receive bills in poor condition (especially US$50 or US$100) from an ATM attached directly to a bank try to change them there immediately as they may be difficult to change later. Cambodian ATMs only accept 4-digit PINs. If your PIN is more than 4 digits, best to take care of that at home before you need cash and find yourself out of luck. There is a US$5 ATM fee to get money from any ATM in Cambodia. ==== Traveller's cheques ==== Traveller's cheques, like credit cards, are accepted in major business establishments, such as large hotels, some restaurants, travel agencies and some souvenir shops; American Express (in US dollars) are the most widely accepted. However, competitive rates are only usually found in banks in Cambodia's larger cities, and guesthouses in heavily visited areas may offer similar services but at horrendous rates. The usual fee for cashing traveller's cheques is 2% with a US$2 minimum. [[File:Central Market flowers..JPG|thumbnail|Flower Market in Phnom Penh]] ===Costs=== Cambodia can be a real budget destination, but you have to seek out bargains and haggle hard for that to be true. Anything aimed at international tourists will be very expensive by local standards and sometimes even as expensive as the U.S. or Europe. That said, if you avoid the main tourist haunts, haggle skillfully (see below), and aren't too picky, prices can go down considerably. For a serious budget traveler, US$5 per night for lodging and US$1-2 for a meal is possible. A more typical backpacker might pay $10 for a hostel bunk and $5 or so for a meal. ===Haggling=== You can get away with pretty much [[haggling]] for anything in Cambodia. Restaurants, outdoor food stalls, even rates for guesthouses. The Khmer are notoriously quiet up to a point of no return. They do not lose face, they lose their temper. However, there are a few guidelines: * Many products, especially those not aimed at tourists, are fixed price, and while it is possible to get a minor discount if you ask, you cannot get things significantly cheaper than this. Many markets have the prices of goods painted on the walls (in Khmer). * Products and services aimed at tourists are usually marked up, and you ''must'' haggle (and shop around to compare prices) if you don't want to get ripped off. In markets with no listed prices, expect to be quoted the "tourist price". * In Cambodia where dining out isn't really common among local people, most restaurants cater almost entirely to foreigners and tend to be a little bit more expensive than neighbouring countries. However in Siem Reap, it is, ''sometimes'' if not always, possible to haggle with street food vendors over the portion of a dish, free side dish, and get 20-30% discount. * The US dollar is widely used in Cambodia but no circulation of coins will end up giving you a lot of Cambodian riels when the price you pay is not an integer. This gives a chance for short-changing, which is particularly popular in several grocery stores in Siem Reap. For example, you give US$1 for buying a bottle of water which is US$0.60, the staff should return the amount of riel equivalent to US$0.40, but they may keep some of them. The money cheated is usually minimal. Just be quick at mental arithmetic. * Haggle in groups. Having two other friends will make it much easier to convince Cambodians to give a discount: one person can play bad cop, the other good cop. * Ask to speak with the manager/owner (this applies to guesthouse and restaurants). Usually if you try to haggle at a restaurant or guesthouse the employee will say that the boss needs to be there. If so, then just ask to speak with him or ask the employee to speak with him. You would be surprised at how easy it is to haggle down once you speak to the boss, many times he doesn't even want to be bothered and will give the discount to you. * Never pay the asking price for anything near the temples of Angkor. This includes books, souvenirs, paintings, water and food. During the off-season, the food stalls near the temples will have a separate menu, ask for it. You can even bargain on top of that too. It's much harder to bargain at the food stalls at Angkor Wat and especially at the breakfast restaurants across the street from Angkor Wat. * Try not to haggle too harshly with the motorbike drivers and tuk-tuks that work near where you stay. Most are honest, but they will look after your safety more if you are seen as a good customer. Some will decide they will get the money from you another way, and could take you to be mugged. Agree upon the fare before your ride or you may get into a very uncomfortable situation. * If haggling isn't your strong point the easiest way to get a good price at a market is to pick up an item, ask how much it is, look disappointed and start to walk away. The price will usually drop as you walk away with vendors unlikely to go below this second price. Siem Reap is the easiest place to bargain, Phnom Penh may be a little harder, but still worth trying. Just be polite and persistent. ==Eat== {{main|Cambodian cuisine}} [[Image:PubSt KhmerFamily.JPG|thumb|Fried noodles, sour soup and a Khmer-style curry]] While not the strongest link in [[Southeast Asia]]'s chain of delightful cuisines, Khmer food is tasty and cheap. Rice and occasionally noodles are the staples. Unlike in Thailand or Lao, spicy hot food is not the mainstay; black pepper is preferred over chilli peppers, though chillis are usually served on the side. Similarities with Thai and Vietnamese cuisines can be noted in Khmer food, although Cambodians love strong sour tastes in their dishes. '''Prahok''', a fermented fish paste, is common in Khmer cooking, but may not always please Western palates. Indian and Chinese restaurants have a healthy representation in [[Phnom Penh]] and the larger towns. Western food can be readily found in most restaurants in any of the tourist areas of Cambodia and Cambodia offers some of the best budget western meals in Southeast Asia. However, while still inexpensive, a western meal will often be double the price of a Khmer meal. Typical Khmer dishes include: * '''Amok''' - a Khmer steamed curry served in banana leaves or a hollowed-out coconut and often considered one of the national dishes of Cambodia. Although traditionally made with certain kinds of fish, modern renditions may also include chicken, beef or even tofu. A proper amok's texture should resemble that of a mousse or a souffle. * '''Kuytheav''' - A noodle soup generally served for breakfast. Can be made with pork, beef or seafood. Flavourings are added to the customers taste in the form of lime juice, chilli powder, sugar and fish sauce. * '''Somlah Machou Khmae''' - A sweet and sour soup made with pineapple, tomatoes and fish. * '''Bai Sarch Ch'rouk''' - Another breakfast staple. Rice (''bai'') with pork meat (''sarch chrouk'') often barbequed. Very tasty and served with some pickled vegetables. * '''Saik Ch'rouk Cha Kn'yei''' - Pork fried with ginger. Ginger is commonly used as a vegetable. This tasty dish is available just about everywhere. * '''Lok lak''' - Chopped up beef cooked quickly. Probably a holdover from the French colonial period. Served with a simple dipping sauce made from lime juice and black pepper, lettuce, onion, and often with chips. * '''Mi/Bai Chaa''' - Fried noodles or rice. Never particularly inspiring, but a good traveller's staple. * '''Trey Ch'ien Chou 'Ayme''' - Fish (''trey'') fried with a sweet chilli sauce and vegetables. Chou 'ayme is the phrase for "sweet and sour". * '''K'dam''' - Crab. Kampot in the south is famous for its crab cooked in locally sourced black pepper. A very tasty meal. Don't forget Khmer desserts - '''Pong Aime''' (sweets). These are available from stalls in most Khmer towns and can be excellent. Choose from a variety of sweetmeats and have them served with ice, condensed milk and sugar water. A must-try is the '''Tuk-a-loc''', a blended drink of fruits, raw egg, sweetened condensed milk and ice. Also, keep an eye out for waffle street vendors. The farther you are from hotel row, the better the coconut waffle batter. On the south edge of town the coconut waffles are so good they make your feet dance. As a legacy of French colonial period, '''baguettes''' are very popular in Cambodia, and are known as ''num pang'' (នំប៉័ង) in Khmer. Similar to the Vietnamese banh mi, it is usually stuffed with meat (usually pork) and/or pate, as well as some local herbs. [[File:Fruit du dragon in Bong Thom Homestay Siem reap.jpg|thumb|A fruit dessert at a guesthouse]] Perhaps the tastiest treat is the wide variety of '''fresh fruit''' available from markets. The prices vary according to which fruit is in the season but '''mangoes''' (around Khmer New Year, with up to 9 varieties on sale) and '''mangosteen''' (May/June) are both superb. '''Dragonfruit''' has pink and green-tinged skin. Inside is either white with tiny black seeds, or if you can find it, florescent juicy-red inside. A prized treat in August is '''durian''', a large spiky green fruit like a rounded football. Stop at a few vendors to watch and learn what is fresh and what is older. It comes and goes quickly so don't overthink it. And definitely haggle, the price is very high. Durian is considered almost a ceremonial dish if you have a Cambodian friend you would like to treat. The trick is to not open the fruit until right when you eat it. Just opened, it's fragrant and ambrosial if truly ripe. After some time it gets the famous 'stink' you won't forget. Restaurants will not let you eat it on their premises for this reason. '''Jackfruit''' is similar but without the 'stink', and can be found sliced, rather like pineapple in appearance. And don't miss the delicious local '''bananas''', ripe '''guavas''', green '''coconuts''', and hairy '''rambutans'''. Although not a fruit '''sugar cane''' juice is sold from street carts that crush it while you watch, a very inexpensive and safe way to replenish fluids and an energy boost. Other popular Khmer foods which may be less palatable to foreigners include '''pregnant eggs''' (duck eggs with the embryo still inside), and almost every variety of creepy or crawly animal (spiders, crickets, water beetles) as well as barbecued rats, frogs, snakes, bats and small birds. ==Drink== [[File:Sugar cane juice in Phnom Penh 4.jpg|thumb|Sugarcane juice]] The tap water supply in Phnom Penh has undergone some serious changes at the hands of a "water revolutionary" in the government, Ek Sonn Chan. So, in Phnom Penh you can drink the tap water without problem, although it's highly chlorinated and you may not like the taste. Additionally, there are some concerns about the bottle water vendors. The US Embassy website says that "In 2008, Cambodia's Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy reported that more than 100 bottled water companies in Cambodia were being considered for closure for failing to meet minimum production quality standards. Only 24 of the 130 bottled water companies are compliant with the ministry's Department of Industrial Standards." That page seems to be down on bottled water generally, so take it with a grain of salt. Outside of Phnom Penh (and perhaps Siem Reap) you should assume that tap water is not potable. Khmer brand water in blue plastic bottles sell for 1,000 riel or less (although prices are often marked up for tourists, to 50 cents or a US dollar). ===Soft drinks=== '''Iced coffee''' is ubiquitous in Cambodia. It's made Vietnamese-style, freshly brewed and mixed with sweetened condensed milk. Walk past a local eatery any time of the day and you are bound to see at least a table of locals drinking them. One glass costs 1,500-2,000 riel. '''Iced tea''' made with lemon and sugar is also refreshing and ubiquitous. '''Fresh coconut''' can be found everywhere, you could say it is ubiquitous, and is healthy and sanitary if drunk straight from the fruit. '''Sugarcane juice''' is freshly made and deliciously sweet. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Hand-painted bottles of Sombai Liqueur.jpg|thumb|Hand-painted bottles of Sombai infused rice wine]] In general, Khmers are not what could be described as casual drinkers: their main objective is to get hammered as quickly as possible. Know your limits if invited to join in! The two most popular domestic Cambodian beers are '''Anchor''' &mdash; pronounced "an-CHOR" with a ''ch'' sound! &mdash; and '''Angkor''', both of which can be found in bottles, cans, and on draft, and generally for no more than US$1 each. New beers include the cheap '''Klang''' and [http://www.khmerbrewery.com/ '''Cambodia'''], while '''Beerlao''' and '''Tiger''' are popular beers with foreigners. A plethora of other beers include '''ABC Stout''', which is dark and not so bad, in addition to the standard '''Heineken''' and '''Carlsberg'''. Cheaper beers include '''Crown''' and '''Leo''', whilst '''Kingdom Beer''' aims for the premium market with a pilsener and a dark lager. '''Palm wine''' and '''rice wine''' are available in villages and can be OK at 500-1,000 riel for a 1 L bottle. However, some safety concerns have been raised with regard to sanitation, so the local wines may be best avoided. For a truly Khmer experience, hunt down a bottle of '''Golden Muscle Wine'''. Advertised on tuk-tuks everywhere, this pitch-black concoction made from deer antlers and assorted herbs packs a 35% punch and tastes vile when drunk straight, but can be made reasonably palatable, if not exactly tasty, by the addition of tonic water or cola. At US$2 for a 350 mL flask of the original and US$3 for the "X.O." version, it's the cheapest legitimate tipple around. == Sleep == Western-style accommodation is available in most major towns the country over; even less-visited places such as [[Kampong Chhnang]] have a number of affordable guesthouses or hotels. Basic guesthouses can go as low as US$5 a night in the countryside but prices in the cities are usually around the US$5-10. At the budget end, expect to provide your own towels etc. If you want air-con and hot water and cable TV the price creeps up to close to US$10-20, you can have a dorm bed in a backpacker's hotel in most places from US$2 up to US$5. Some budget places don't have hot showers, especially outside big cities, so check before booking if you can't stand a cold shower. == Learn == Cambodia has fewer opportunities for language and cultural studies for the short-term traveller, though there are many language schools and private teachers advertising for those who are hanging around a bit longer. There are also meditation groups which meet at some of the Buddhist Pagodas in Phnom Penh. There are Khmer cooking classes available in Battambang, Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. == Work == {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud and illegal remote gambling are rampant in Cambodia, particularly [[Sihanoukville]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Cambodia or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Cambodia organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''''illegal organ transplantation'''''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are also targeted. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapons to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Local authorities and the police in Cambodia may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from uninvolved higher authorities or your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Cambodia. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-19 }} One of the most interesting ways to get to know a country, and which has become increasingly popular, is to '''[[volunteer travel|volunteer]]'''. Finding a paid job '''[[teaching English]]''' in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is easy for English speakers, even if you have no other qualifications. If you're interested, print out some resumes and start handing them out to various schools. Many bars and guesthouses in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville advertise the need for Western employees or volunteers and will generally provide free lodging and meals, but low pay, if any. If considering volunteering at an orphanage, do be aware that many, if not all, are exploitative and poorly run. Very few so called children in orphanages in Cambodia are actually orphans, i.e. have no living parents. Your money is more likely to go the owner rather than the children. There are few legitimate orphanages in Cambodia. Accepting visits from unscreened foreigners is often a sign of a substandard orphanage, which does not have the children's best interests at heart. There are several good articles on the Internet that further explain the reality of modern day orphanages, such as [http://www.movetocambodia.com/health-safety/whats-the-big-deal-with-orphanages-in-cambodia/ What’s the big deal with orphanages in Cambodia?]. ==Stay safe== [[Image:Sign_DangerMines.JPG|thumb|Land mine warning sign]] Cambodia is a reasonably safe country, with the usual exception for large cities late at night, particularly [[Phnom Penh]], and unobserved luggage or wallets. Bag snatching, even from those on bicycles and motorcycles, is a problem in [[Phnom Penh]]. Be discreet with your possessions, especially cash and cameras, and take extra care in all poorly lit or more remote areas. ===Crime and corruption=== The rule of law in Cambodia is inconsistently applied. Crimes usually require bribes to be investigated, and if perpetrators are wealthy or connected to the government they will often be untouchable by police and courts. You should also be aware that the courts are corrupt, so contracts are hard to enforce without some political leverage. All this being said, the violent crime rate is fairly low, the police are generally friendly and non-threatening, and those with common sense have little to fear besides a scam or two and perhaps some petty theft. ===Scams=== Scams of all sorts are plentiful in Cambodia. Most notorious are the border officials looking for bribes, but in general tourists should expect prices to be marked up and tours to be not quite as advertised. Practice usual precautions for scams: negotiate everything clearly before you get into a taxi, check that the restaurant bill has been added up correctly before paying, etc. Any restaurant, hotel, or activity recommended by a tuk-tuk driver is likely paying him a commission. ===Land mines=== Cambodia suffers from a legacy of millions of '''land mines''' left during the war years. However, to tourists, land mines present a minimal to non-existent threat, as most areas near tourist areas have been thoroughly de-mined. Many tourists mistake electric or sewage warning signs along national highways for land mine signs. HALO Trust, a leading mine removal organization in Cambodia, asserts that you would have to drive through the jungle for at least an hour north of Angkor Wat to come across any mines. The threat is to locals in extremely rural areas who rely on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. In remote areas such as [[Preah Vihear]] (near the border) and [[Pailin]], a former Khmer Rouge stronghold, exercise caution: ask for local advice and heed warning signs, red paint and red rope, which may indicate mined areas. Do not venture beyond well established roads and paths. Most landmine signs in the country are red with Khmer text on the top, with English text on the bottom, with a Skull and Crossbones with large eye sockets in the middle. If you see this, do not go past it under any circumstance. ===Prostitution=== The age of consent in Cambodia is 15. Prostitution is illegal but widespread, although generally not overtly aimed at tourists (there are no go-go bars). Many bars and clubs, however, do have working girls wandering the premises, especially in Phnom Penh. While Asia has seen a 20% drop in new HIV infections since 2001—and Cambodia saw a 50% decline between 2003 and 2011—safe sex remains a must in all cases. Cambodia has gained some notoriety as a destination for paedophiles, but under Cambodian law the penalty for sex with minors can be up to 30 years in prison, and paedophiles may be prosecuted by their home countries as well. ===Drugs=== Drugs, including cannabis, are illegal in Cambodia, and penalties can be very severe. Both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are full of '''Happy Herb''' pizzerias; the effects of this illegal snack comes on only slowly and you may end up biting off more than you can chew, so if you choose to indulge, exercise caution. Many such restaurants advertising "happy pizza" do not actually serve drug-laced pizza. Heroin is very high grade in SE Asia and foreigners requesting cocaine are sometimes provided with it instead, regularly leading to deaths. Over-the-counter pharmaceuticals said to be similar to heroin are readily and legally available, and have also led to tourist deaths. ===Pornography charges=== Some Westerners have been arrested on pornography charges for imitating sexual acts at parties and recording them. If convicted then prison sentences can be up to a year. ==Stay healthy== [[File:Cambodia_ice.jpg|thumb|300px|Ice in Cambodia may be made in factories with treated water but cannot be regarded as safe, since it may have been transported in contaminated bags. Ice cubes are safer than ice that appears to have been chipped from a block.]] [[Cambodia]] lacks reliable medical facilities, doctors, clinics, hospitals and medication, especially in rural areas. The only hospitals run to Western standards in Cambodia are the '''Royal Phnom Penh Hospital''' in [[Phnom Penh]], and the '''Royal Angkor International Hospital''' in [[Siem Reap]], but because they are both private hospitals, you will be paying a steep premium for their services. Any '''serious problem''' should be dealt with in [[Bangkok]], [[Ho Chi Minh City]] or [[Singapore]], which boast first rate services (at least to those who can afford them). Repatriation is also more easily arranged from either of those cities. Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation. The private and pricey '''Royal Rattanak Hospital''' in [[Phnom Penh]] can be trusted for emergency medical care and can treat most diseases and injuries common to the region. '''Naga Clinic''' has branches in [[Siem Reap]] and [[Phnom Penh]]. It is also clean, safe and useful for minor conditions. '''Local hospitals and clinics''' vary from mediocre to frightening. Expect dirt, poor equipment, expired medicines and placebos of flour and sugar. In local clinics don't let them put anything in your blood: treat dehydration orally and not with a drip, as there is a risk of septicaemia (i.e. bacterial blood poisoning). The same goes for blood transfusions. '''Hygienic standards of food and drinks''' leave something to be desired. Avoid untreated water, ice made from untreated water and any raw fruit or vegetables that may have been washed in untreated water. '''Tap water''' is generally not drinkable, so avoid. The Phnom Penh supply is claimed to be potable but few people trust it. Only the seriously immunocompromised will have problems brushing their teeth with it. Cheap bottled water is available in any town or village. Take water purification tablets or iodine to sterilize water if planning to visit more rural areas. Boiling water will also sterilize it without generating piles of waste plastic bottle waste or tainting the taste. The water in the jugs at cafés or restaurants will have been boiled, as obviously will have been the tea. Expats have no problem drinking from the water supply in Phnom Penh, but not elsewhere. The most common ailment for travellers is '''[[traveller's diarrhoea]]''', resulting in dehydration. Stay hydrated by drinking 2-3 litres of water per day. Consider bringing antidiarrhoeals with you. If you do get severe diarrhoea and become badly dehydrated, take an oral rehydration solution and drink plenty of treated water. However, a lot of blood or mucus in the stool can indicate dysentery, which requires a trip to a doctor for antibiotics. '''No health certificates or vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia''', unless arriving directly from Africa. However, consult a doctor a few weeks before leaving home for up-to-date advice on inoculations. Generally advised are shots against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B and meningitis, a polio booster and especially gamma globulin shots (against hepatitis A). Consider '''malaria tablets''' for trips to Cambodia of less than 30 days, though the most commonly visited places have minimal risk (see below). Fake antimalarials are a problem in Cambodia, so it's best to stock up before you come. A mosquito net may also help. Mosquitoes swarm [[Siem Reap]] at dusk, imported (i.e., trusted) '''DEET''' based insect repellent is available in Cambodia. The contents of a '''basic medical kit'''-such as panadol, antihistamines, antibiotics, kaolin, oral rehydration solution, calamine lotion, bandages and band-aids, scissors and DEET insect repellent-can be acquired in [[Siem Reap]] and [[Phnom Penh]]. The particularly fastidious should put their kits together in [[Bangkok]] or [[Saigon]] before coming to [[Cambodia]]. There's no need to bother doing this before coming to [[Asia]]. Phnom Penh is malaria-free, and [[Siem Reap]] and [[Angkor Wat]] are virtually malaria-free. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for most other places in the country. The biggest disease worry is mosquito-borne [[dengue fever]] which, although quite unpleasant, to say the least (it's called "break-bone fever" because of how it feels) generally isn't life-threatening for first-time victims. Use mosquito repellent to reduce your risk of dengue. '''Mystery disease'''. Although this disease, mostly striking children under the age of three, was widely reported in the international press as having been identified as enterovirus 71 in July 2012, rumours of deaths continue (Nov 2013). This appears to be a taboo topic in the local press, but expats and locals alike talk about how children continue to die from this mystery respiratory illness, apparently several per week. Expats frequently refuse to eat chicken, even from well-known food chains, citing the conditions of transporting and caging chickens, blaming chicken for the spread of the malady. '''April is the cruellest month:''' the weather is hottest (> 35°C) in March and April, use sunscreen and wear a hat to avoid sunstroke. ===HIV=== Prostitutes of both sexes can carry many STDs. The official HIV rate among prostitutes is 34%, compared to a 0.6% rate for the whole population. == Respect == {{infobox|Naming conventions|Cambaodians generally follow the naming convention of ''patronymic'' (or in some case, a family name) + ''given name''. Unlike in most Western countries, surnames are almost never used on their own to address others, and the default form address would be to use a title plus one's given name. In Khmer, the default title would be ''lok'' for men, and ''lok srey'' for women. So for instance, Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Cambodia would be addressed as ''Lok Sen'' in Khmer, or "Mr. Sen" in English.}} Cambodia is a country at a crossroads. While the more heavily touristed places like [[Phnom Penh]] and [[Siem Reap]] are well adjusted to tourist behaviour, people in places such as [[Stung Treng]] or [[Banlung]] are less so. Always ask permission before you take somebody's picture, as many in the more remote areas do not like to be photographed, and some in the urban areas will ask for payment. '''Dress''' for women is more conservative in Cambodia. While shorts are now acceptable in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, it is more respectful to wear knee length shorts or trousers when outside of these areas. While Cambodian women may prefer to dress conservatively in the daytime, covering much skin to prevent tanning which they find unattractive, at night the dress code is more revealing. Do not mistake such local women in nightclubs for prostitutes; they are out for a night on the town like anyone else. '''Beachwear''' is pretty conservative: speedos and bikinis are not common except among foreigners. Groups of young children can be found everywhere in Cambodia and many travellers feel 'pestered' by them to purchase their friendship bracelets and other wares. However, it's often the case that children enjoy the chance to practice their English on you- and by asking them their names and ages a conversation is likely to develop where the 'hard sell' is forgotten. Children and adults alike enjoy looking at photographs of your family and home country. [[File:Cambodia choeung ek mass graves.JPG|thumb|Mass grave in Choeung Ek, one of the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge]] The ''Khmer Rouge'' issue is a ''very'' delicate one, and one which Cambodians generally prefer not to talk about. However, if you approach it with politeness, they'll gladly respond. People, in general, hold no qualms when talking about the Vietnamese; in fact, they have been widely perceived as liberators when they intervened in Cambodia in 1979 to overthrow the aforementioned brutal regime. The pro-Vietnamese regime gradually rebuilt all the infrastructure that was severely damaged by the Khmer Rouge's policy of de-urbanising the country leading to economic prosperity in the 1980s, with sporadic uprisings. '''Swastikas''' are commonly seen at Buddhist temples. They are regarded as religious symbols and have no connection to Nazism or anti-Semitism whatsoever. ===Buddhist Monks=== As in neighbouring Thailand and Laos, Cambodia is predominantly Theravada Buddhist. This means that monks are revered and are expected to take their duties seriously. As in Thailand, monks go around in the morning collecting alms from people. Monks must avoid physical contact with females, so women who wish to offer food to a monk should place it on a piece of cloth in front of him so he can pick it up. Monks are not allowed to accept or touch money, and offering money to a monk is considered to be disrespectful in the local culture. Should you wish to donate, donate food. As monks are not allowed to eat solid food after noon, they will stop collecting alms before then. "Monks" who hang out at tourist spots and solicit donations from tourists are imposters. ==Connect== ===Telephone=== Cambodia uses the GSM mobile system and '''[https://www.cellcard.com.kh/en/ cellcard]''' is the largest operator, then '''[https://www.smart.com.kh/ Smart]''' then '''[https://www.metfone.com.kh/en Metfone]'''. Pre-paid SIM cards are widely available (from US$1). As of 2016, you are officially required to show your passport at a carrier store to get a SIM. The way mobile calls are charged for has created an unusual side effect. On the above 3 network operators, top-up your prepay account with e.g. US$1, key in some magic runes on your phone and your pre-pay US$1 becomes US$100 (or more) but that magic extra can only be used for in-network calls or in-network texts (this is usually called "exchange"; ask your carrier when you get your SIM how to do this). So many companies, hostels, etc. Publish two or 3 mobile numbers for different networks and have 2 or 3 mobile phones with different network operator SIMs. Tuk-tuk drivers in Phnom Penh carry around 3 mobiles held as a "stack. Locals know which prefixes are for which network so if you want to call a hotel you'll chose their published number with the prefix indicating the same network as your own SIM. Landline numbers in Cambodia are listed as <code>+855 nk 123-4567</code> where "855" is the country code for Cambodia, the first digit of the area code, "n", will be a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7; the second digit of the area code, "k" will be a digit in the range 2-6. (The leading zero seen domestically is stripped off in the international format.) The remaining 6 or 7 digits (conjoined with a hyphen) are the "local" part of the subscriber's number. Mobile phone numbers begin with a 1, 8 or 9 which is then followed by seven or eight digits. The full number of a mobile phone must always be dialed, for example <code>+855 1 1234 5678</code>. The bonus credit obtained by the above method can also be used for data, so another way to contact someone on another network (or even another country) is to use a messaging app. In addition, Metfone SIMs have cheap data roaming if you would rather stick to using one SIM for your travels around the region; roaming in any country in the ASEAN area except Brunei costs only $1.25 per day for up to 1 GB of data, and if you go over you won't be charged extra. If that happens you have the option of buying another 2 GB of high-speed data for the day for $1.25 or continuing to use roaming at a slow speed of 64kbps (only fast enough for messaging apps, e-mail, and receiving push notifications). ===Internet=== '''Internet cafes''' are cheap (US$0.50-1/hour) and common, even small towns will have at least one broadband offering. In [[Kampot]], [[Kratie]] and [[Sihanoukville]] rates are around US$1/hour. Wi-Fi is increasingly popular, with signals available in some unlikely places, not just in coffee shops, but also fast food restaurants, bars, and even gas stations. Domestic broadband prices range from US$29.95-89.00. Fast wireless 3G/4G internet is now available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville/Kampot/Kep with slower Edge coverage in almost all other areas. Tourists can use the above "exchange" trick to get very cheap local data; for example, on Metfone the smallest exchange of $1 gets you 5 GB and $8 would get you up to 133 GB if you use all the resulting credit on data. Written Khmer does not yet have a big presence in the electronic world, as do Thai or Vietnamese. Phones and computers (and hence Cambodian text messages, email, and online content) tend to be in English, although this is changing. ===Post=== Once a disaster, a trip to the post office in Cambodia no longer means a final good bye to your consignment. Intercontinental postcards should arrive in 2 weeks; within Asia, 1 week. Rates are cheap. == Go next == * [[Laos]] * The beaches and islands of [[Eastern Thailand]], like [[Ko Chang]], [[Ko Samet]] and [[Pattaya]], can easily be reached from Cambodia. * [[Vietnam]] {{geo|12.6|105|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|Southeast_Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} grhsyqsg86p57zbbho45llrhbzswiv9 0 6143 4506308 4494714 2022-08-22T16:39:48Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Highway''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|178}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} nibmp0s63jlfx4sk1gqa1nr6gv8qu39 4506310 4506308 2022-08-22T16:41:12Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Highway''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|178}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} ilsmtnxxjs9ubxuna0t5kcdw6joqewl 4506311 4506310 2022-08-22T16:41:52Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|178}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} 9kvkow2tqdlm7uwc5coce0d9eo81irb 4506314 4506311 2022-08-22T16:54:44Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 to into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} 077v2r2vp64z3k6w2ikl6f2onyievhc 4506315 4506314 2022-08-22T16:55:10Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} hk04twhl91k36ijylngbwfzxk95wcsw 4506317 4506315 2022-08-22T16:58:39Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoneix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX]]), {{mile|42}} north and in {{Tucson#By plane|Tucson}} ({{IATA|TUS]]) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} hetayyom32uyiq7iye7gsvwsub1g4wd 4506318 4506317 2022-08-22T16:59:18Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX]]), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS]]) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} pazz4xuw95ivo6czrqi48t614afcbz4 4506319 4506318 2022-08-22T16:59:49Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} hpqk7wgulpwc2dwacfoxhqx5dbvvvs4 4506321 4506319 2022-08-22T17:03:15Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-95 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} 1p99xbo91j047xc312jwweab9dl4k9k 4506325 4506321 2022-08-22T17:15:05Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This exit is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande. * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} mc1gm95ackvx521xvyjz2tel7xrup9n 4506326 4506325 2022-08-22T17:16:27Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[Yuma]], [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]] and end in [[San Diego]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 140) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye where they can re-enter I-10 thus bypassing heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} jzqaqno0uiqv5l1107241plde620ndy 4506329 4506326 2022-08-22T17:17:45Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} qzrdeind3i1jhgx2t130vvb9jdsswxk 4506347 4506329 2022-08-22T17:42:31Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} ktrso183ohe4yv4e0ppti07hm0fnuzd 4506380 4506347 2022-08-22T18:54:15Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} dpwnuoytsa90gijpwk5nby9irun3j6t 4506425 4506380 2022-08-22T21:29:50Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=320 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.87979 | long=-111.757061 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-5766 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} k6iqusm7tmvj2y99tg5gjqkkrf1oibe 4506514 4506425 2022-08-23T03:05:26Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Stop at 5000 N Sunland Gin Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Off of Exit 200 of i-10. | phone=| tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} kjk936h9bvvi7bvroimsx3ywuby43nj 4506515 4506514 2022-08-23T03:06:55Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ Updated listing for Greyhound Bus wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound Bus | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Stop at 5000 N Sunland Gin Rd | lat=32.8062 | long=-111.6713 | directions=Off of Exit 200 of i-10. | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} 1w4m6qs3zhd1oxwhm9r8ro04juynflw 4506516 4506515 2022-08-23T03:07:15Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Stop at 5000 N Sunland Gin Rd | lat=32.8062 | long=-111.6713 | directions=Off of Exit 200 of i-10. | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content= }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} tb8mrnqpt2nyo7fopdb7vwx6321c9mo 4506520 4506516 2022-08-23T03:08:52Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Stop at 5000 N Sunland Gin Rd | lat=32.8062 | long=-111.6713 | directions=Off of Exit 200 of i-10. | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} e1oz1zzwrly01jbivngebspyavrmdnt 4506522 4506520 2022-08-23T03:09:49Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 151) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''Arizona State Route 85''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Stop at 5000 N Sunland Gin Rd | lat=32.8062 | long=-111.6713 | directions=Off of Exit 200 of i-10. | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} 6l53rl21p8xdfgcvhlel938uxqeu7xi 4506523 4506522 2022-08-23T03:11:00Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 119) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''Arizona State Route 85''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Stop at 5000 N Sunland Gin Rd | lat=32.8062 | long=-111.6713 | directions=Off of Exit 200 of i-10. | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} 4mp8tlx366h72igw6fdxbnixkmbc898 4506631 4506523 2022-08-23T06:14:06Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Casa Grande''' is a city in [[South Central Arizona]] that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tuscon or Phoenix. It was the site of an interment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States. ==Understand== Casa Grande is approximately halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] of over 53,000 people (2020). It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, about 20 miles (32 km) west. "Casa Grande" is Spanish for "big house". The economy of Casa Grande used to be based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy operates a major dairy processing facility in the town that opened in 2013 and employs about 110 people. ===History=== Casa Grande was founded in 1879 by the Carter Family during the Arizona mining boom due to the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Casa Grande grew slowly, and suffered several setbacks both in 1886 and 1893, when fires ravaged the town, destroying all wooden housing structures within it. When the mining boom slowed in the 1890s, the town was nearly abandoned, but with the advent of agriculture, the town remained alive and well. Casa Grande was home to a collective farm society which was part of the New Deal. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp. Casa Grande has played a prominent role in semi-pro and collegiate baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings, who were founded in 1948, qualified to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten straight times by winning Arizona state championships in the 1940s and 1950s, and were reactivated in the 2000s. They are now members of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League. ===Climate=== Casa Grande has a hot desert climate, typical for the Sonoran Desert. The city experiences long, extremely hot summers and brief winters consisting of mild afternoons and chilly evenings. The area averages only 9.07 inches (230 millimeters) of rain per year. The coolest month on average is December, with highs averaging 68 °F (20 °C), and lows typically averaging around 37 °F (3 °C). TAlong with the rest of southern Arizona, the community is prone to dust storms and in the summer months is affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings high winds and heavy rain. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|32.88|-111.76|zoom=10|height=|width=}} ===By car=== * [[File:I-8.svg|22px]] '''Phoenix Bypass Route on Interstate 8(I-8)''' begins from exit 199 of I-10 and goes {{mile|347}} west to [[San Diego]] through [[Yuma]] and [[Calexico]]/[[El Centro]]. Travelers going towards Los Angeles can go west on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend (exit 119) and go north on AZ-85 to Buckeye (exit 112 of I-10) where they can re-enter I-10 to bypass heavy local traffic in Phoenix. :* [[File:Arizona 85.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 85''' goes {{mile|35}} north-south between Exit 112 of I-10 (west of Buckeye) to Exits #115 (eastbound access)/119 (westbound access) of I-8. It serves as a bypass around Phoenix for travelers traveling between Los Angeles and Tucson and those traveling between San Diego and Phoenix. This interchange is {{mile|60}} west of Casa Grande via I-8. * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' Casa Grande is located about halfway between [[Phoenix]] and [[Tucson]] and is accessible by car along Interstate 10. Local access into Casa Grande are through exits #185 to 211. Going from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10, the freeway physically go north and south but the directional signage to the freeway still indicates "East to Tucson" and "West to Phoenix". * [[File:Arizona 84.svg|22px]] '''Gila Bend Hwy''' goes {{mile|28}} from exit #150 of Interstate 8 into town. * [[File:Arizona 87.svg|22px]] '''State Route (SR) 87''' * '''West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway''' goes into town as '''Jimmie Kerr Blvd''' and into Eloy as '''Frontier St'''. Going {{mile|21}} northwest to Maricopa. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com/en/locations/terminal.aspx?city=860145 | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Stop at 5000 N Sunland Gin Rd | lat=32.8062 | long=-111.6713 | directions=Off of Exit 200 of i-10. | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. }} ===By train=== ===By plane=== <!-- entry relocated from Casa Grande Ruins National Monument --> * {{go | name=Casa Grande Municipal Airport | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/airport/ | email= | address=3225 N Pinal Ave | directions= | lat= | long= | phone=+1 520-426-3616 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1962644 | lastedit=2016-04-30 | content=The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. }} * {{go | name=Eloy Municipal Airport | alt= | url= | address= | directions= | lat= | long= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q29017923 | lastedit= | content= }} The nearest airports for commercial flights are in [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix]] ({{IATA|PHX}}), {{mile|42}} north and in [[Tucson#By plane|Tucson]] ({{IATA|TUS}}) at {{mile|78}} south via I-10. Travelers typically would rent a car and drive to Casa Grande. ==Get around== There is no public transportation, so a car is essential. ==See== [[File:Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SW 2.JPG|thumb|Casa Grande Valley Historical Society]] * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) west. * {{see | name=Casa Grande Art Museum | url=http://www.casagrandeartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=319 W 3 St | lat=32.879101 | long=-111.755666 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-0237 | tollfree= | fax= | image=Casa Grande Art Museum (4).JPG | hours=Oct-May: W Th Sa 1PM-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Casa Grande Main Street District | alt= | url=http://www.cgmainstreet.org/ | email=downtown@cgmailbox.com | address=110 W 2nd St | lat=32.877929 | long=-111.753942 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-8744 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-421-0676 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown Casa Grande has a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A helpful map of the most interesting buildings can be downloaded [http://www.cgmainstreet.org/images/pdf/historic-site-map.pdf here]. }} * {{see | name=The Museum of Casa Grande | alt=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society | url=https://www.tmocg.org/ | email=info@cgvhs.org | address=110 W Florence Blvd | lat=32.879182 | long=-111.753727 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2223 | tollfree= | fax=+1 520-836-5065 | image=Casa Grande Valley Historical Society Museum from SE 1.JPG | hours=Sep-May: Th-Su noon-4PM | price=$5 adults, $4 seniors, free for kids | content=Exhibits historic artifacts and photographs from the region. }} ==Do== [[File:Eloy-municipal-airport-aerial-view.jpg|thumb|Eloy Municipal Airport, home to the world's largest skydive dropzone]] * {{do | name=Pinal County Fair | url=http://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email=info@pinalfairgrounds.com | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=7 miles east of I-10 | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually in late March | price=$8 adults, $4 children 6-12 yr, free children 0-5 yr | content= }} * {{do | name=Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival | alt= | url=https://pinalfairgrounds.com/ | email= | address=512 S Eleven Mile Corner | lat=32.871225 | long=-111.568331 | directions=Pinal County Fairgrounds | phone=+1 520-723-7881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=late January | price=$8 adults, free for kids 12 and under | content=This annual three-day festival hosts musical bluegrass acts from across the US. There is also a classic car show, food, and other entertainment. }} * {{do | name=Shamrock Farms Tour | alt= | url=http://shamrockfarmstour.com/ | email= | address=40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield | lat=32.893606 | long=-112.005104 | directions= | phone=+1 602-477-2462 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Oct-May: Tu Th Sa | price=$9 (adults), $7.50 (seniors and military), $6 (children 2-12 yrs) | content=Tour a working dairy farm. Reservations required prior to visit. }} * {{do | name=Skydive Arizona | alt= | url=http://www.skydiveaz.com/ | email=jump@skydiveaz.com | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-3753 | tollfree=+1-877-313-JUMP | fax=+1 520-466-4720 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=SkyVenture Arizona | alt= | url= | email= | address=4900 N Taylor St, Eloy | lat=32.805472 | long=-111.583146 | directions= | phone=+1 520-466-2666 | tollfree=+1-888-BODY-FLY | fax=+1 520-466-4388 | hours= | price= | content=Indoor skydiving. }} ==Buy== *'''[http://www.promenadeatcasagrande.com/ Promenade at Casa Grande]''', 1005 N Promenade Pkwy. It is pretty utilitarian, an open mall type layout with contemporary retail businesses and also some eateries. Tel: +1 520-426-3055. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Bedillon's Restaurant | url=http://bedillonsrestaurant.com/Home.html | email=bedillonsrestaurant@yahoo.com | address=800 N Park Ave | lat=32.880907 | long=-111.754628 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Sa 5PM-9:30PM; closed Su-M | price= | content=American food for special occasions. }} * {{eat | name=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | url=http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ | email= | address=2281 E Florence Blvd | lat=32.879116 | long=-111.688967 | directions= | phone=+1 520-421-2101 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=McMashers Sports Bar & Grill | url=http://www.mcmashers.com/ | email=mcmasherssportsbar@cox.net | address=1355 E Florence Blvd #139 | lat=32.877817 | long=-111.728142 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-1472 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM daily | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Robson Ranch Bar & Grill | url=http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch/amenities/restaurant | email= | address=5750 N Robson Blvd, Eloy | lat=32.816015 | long=-111.639436 | directions= | phone=+1 520-426-3331 (reservations) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn Casa Grande I-10 | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/casa-grande/quality-inn-hotels/az418 | email= | address=665 N Via Del Cielo Rd | lat=32.878628 | long=-111.708261 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-1600 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$113 (Feb 2022) | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort | url=https://www.franciscogrande.com/ | email= | address=26000 W Gila Bend Hwy | lat=32.880894 | long=-111.847742 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-6444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $178 (Feb 2022) | content=The resort's restaurants and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/casa-grande/phxcg/hoteldetail | email= | address=805 Cacheris Ct | lat=32.881254 | long=-111.697399 | directions= | phone=+1 520-509-6333 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Free wi-fi and breakfast; pets accepted. }} * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt=hotelhelp@choicehotels.com | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casa_grande-arizona-AZ260 | email= | address=851 County Rd | lat=32.881443 | long=-111.705834 | directions=I-10 | phone=+1 520-426-1177 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon| price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce | alt= | url=http://www.casagrandechamber.org/ | email=info@casagrandechamber.org | address=575 N Marshall St | lat=32.878974 | long=-111.75134 | directions= | phone=+1 520-836-2125 | tollfree=+1-800-916-1515 | fax=+1 520-836-6233 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * '''[[Casa Grande Ruins National Monument]]''', in nearby [[Coolidge]] &mdash; 20 mi (32 km) east. * North to metro '''[[Phoenix]]''' and the Valley of the Sun. * South to '''[[Picacho]]''' and '''[[Picacho Peak State Park]]''' for some hiking, or continue towards '''[[Tucson]]''', the Old Pueblo. {{routebox | image1=I-8.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Yuma]] | minorl1=[[Dateland]] ← Jct [[Buckeye|N]] [[File:Arizona 85.svg|18px]] [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument|S]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=Merges into [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] | minorr1= | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Phoenix]] | minorl2=[[Chandler (Arizona)|Chandler]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Tucson]] | minorr2=[[Eloy]] }} {{geo|32.88|-111.76}} {{IsPartOf|South Central Arizona}} {{usablecity}} 5i2daxnyznrkklj6hyffg2flx9pkc14 0 6173 4506358 4459781 2022-08-22T18:23:10Z Ground Zero 1423298 Improve lead paragraph. . Format. Copyedit. Times and dates per [[wv:tdf]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Casper Banner.jpg}} '''[http://www.visitcasper.com/ Casper]''' is a city if 59,000 people (2020)5 If you're passing through the state, Casper is a likely choice for an overnight stop or as a place to find food and supplies before heading to the national parks in the state's northwestern corner or to the forests located to the southeast or to the north. The city has a few attractions to entertain visitors for a day or so, but the real attraction lies in the surrounding areas, which include some of the state's most interesting historical and natural sites. Independence Rock, South Pass City, Ayre's Bridge, Castle Gardens and two national forests are within a 60-mile (100-km) drive of downtown Casper. The Oregon and California trails once passed through the city and visible signs of their presence can be found within a stone's through of the city's boundaries. ==Understand== Casper is the largest city and county seat of Natrona county, located in [[Central Wyoming]]. The city occupies a valley created by the junction of the North Platte river and the Laramie mountains. Casper is the largest city between [[Cheyenne]] and [[Billings]], and between [[Rapid City]] and [[Salt Lake City]]. The city is the financial and administrative center for a vast region of Wyoming that encompasses some of the state's most important mineral producing areas, especially the oil and gas fields located nearby. Casper grew up around the ferries that enabled travelers on the [[Oregon Trail]] and California Trail to cross the North Platte River. The presence of settlers transiting westward and the growing presence of the US military made the region around present-day Casper a focal point in the late 19th-century war against Native American tribes in the region, many of whom had suffered prior dislocation from the north and east as the US pushed the frontier westward. This conflict resulted in a military battle in which Lt. Caspar Collins perished. As "Collins" had already been used in the designation of Ft. Collins to the south, the settlement on the North Platte became known as "Casper" (changed from "Caspar" thanks to a clerical error). In later years, the arrival of the railroad and the discovery of oil in nearby fields consolidated Casper's relative importance in the region. Today, the city is a commercial hub for the surrounding region, whose economy is closely tied to energy and mineral extraction business. Casper is the second largest city in [[Wyoming]], after Cheyenne. ===Climate=== {{climate | align = right | units = imperial | janhigh = 35 | febhigh = 38 | marhigh = 48 | aprhigh = 57 | mayhigh = 67 | junhigh = 79 | julhigh = 88 | aughigh = 86 | sephigh = 74 | octhigh = 59 | novhigh = 45 | dechigh = 34 | janlow = 14 | feblow = 16 | marlow = 22 | aprlow = 29 | maylow = 37 | junlow = 46 | jullow = 53 | auglow = 52 | seplow = 41 | octlow = 31 | novlow = 22 | declow = 14 | janprecip = 0.5 | febprecip = 0.6 | marprecip = 0.8 | aprprecip = 1.3 | mayprecip = 2.0 | junprecip = 1.6 | julprecip = 1.4 | augprecip = 0.9 | sepprecip = 1.1 | octprecip = 1.1 | novprecip = 0.8 | decprecip = 0.5 | description = {{ForecastNOAA|Casper|42.8977|-106.4739}} &#160;&#160; Data from [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datatools/normals NOAA (1981-2010)] }}Casper, as is typical in the Plains and Rocky Mountains regions, experiences a semi-arid, continental climate. Precipitation is relatively low year-round, and summers are hot, while winters are cold. ==Get in== {{mapframe}}{{mapshape}} ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Casper–Natrona County International Airport | alt={{IATA|CPR}} | url=http://www.iflycasper.com/ | email= | address= | lat=42.908056 | long=-106.464444 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Casper–Natrona County International Airport | wikidata=Q1048131 | content=Served by Allegiant Air from [[Las Vegas]] and [[Phoenix]], Delta from Salt Lake City, and United from [[Denver]]. While it might seem unexpected in an airport this small, lines at security can be long. There is only one security checkpoint and flights to Denver and Salt Lake City seem to leave at the same time, making the otherwise underused airport seem crowded and small. It's best to go through security at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. If you're lucky, your boarding pass will get a stamp from one of the security staff's extensive collection. Travelers report seeing Hello Kitty, Snoopy and various seasonal holiday greetings on their boarding passes, turning them into unexpected souvenirs. }} The airport has on-site car rental facilities and it's easy to arrange a pick-up by one of the many hotels that offer shuttle service. Taxi service is not always easy, if you want to arrange a pick-up, you can call to arrange a pick-up. They'll wait outside after your flight. If you call when you arrive, expect a 20-30 minute wait. * {{listing | name=RC Cab | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-5203 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Casper Cabs | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-8294 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} ===By car=== Casper is located at the intersection of Interstate 25, US Route 20/26, and Wyoming State Route 220. Approximate driving times are: 2 hours and 30 minutes south of the [[Montana]] border, 2 hours and 30 minutes north of Cheyenne, and 4 hours and 45 minutes east of [[Grand Teton National Park]]. ==Get around== [https://www.casperwy.gov/residents/roads_and_parking/metropolitan_planning_organization/casper_area_transit_ Casper Area Transit] is the closest Natrona county has to a bus system. Adult or youth $1.00; senior, disabled, Medicare $0.50; student $0.75; child 5 and under free (Aug 2022). If you find yourself enjoying a bit too much of Casper's nightlife, you can always call the Tipsy Taxi, a service provided by a coalition of the town's bar owners. A taxi will pick you up and take you home free of charge. They will also come pick you up to take you back to retrieve your car for a substantial discount. * {{listing | name=Tipsy Taxi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-8294 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-01 | content= }} ==See== *{{listing | type=see | name=National Historic Trails Interpretative Center | alt= | url=http://nhtcf.org | email= | address=1501 N Poplar St | lat=42.8665 | long=-106.337 | directions= | phone=+1 307 265-8030 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia=National Historic Trails Interpretive Center | image=National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.jpg | wikidata=Q14714812 | content=Thousands of people traveled the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express trails in the 1800s. Their tales are told through the center's interactive exhibits. }} *{{listing | type=see | name=Fort Caspar Museum | alt= | url=http://www.fortcasparwyoming.com/ | email= | address=4001 Fort Caspar Rd | lat=42.836306 | long=-106.370799 | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-8462 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Fort Caspar | image=Reconstructed buildings at the site of Fort Caspar museum in Casper, Wyoming.jpg | wikidata=Q5470897 | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content=The museum explores central Wyoming's history, including a reconstructed 1865 military post located at a major river crossing on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express trail corridor. }} *{{see | name=Nicolaysen Art Museum | alt= | url=http://www.thenic.org | email= | address=400 E Collins Dr, | lat=42.847954 | long=-106.320094 | directions= | phone=+1 307-235-5247 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content=The Nicolaysen is one of few Wyoming institutions focusing on contemporary arts, showcasing a wide variety of work across multiple media. Together with other galleries in Casper, "the Nic" offers a welcome respite from the constant "Old West" theme seen in galleries throughout the Rocky Mountains. Exhibits showcase the work of local, national and international artists. The Nicolaysen's website offers details about exhibits and opening hours. }} * {{see | name=Tate Geological Museum | alt= | url=https://www.caspercollege.edu/tate-geological-museum | email= | address= | lat=42.8260 | long=-106.3292 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q64158784 | lastedit=2020-10-19 | content= }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Casper Ice Arena | alt= | url=http://www.casperwy.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=82427 | email= | address=1801 East 4th St | lat=42.84506 | long=-106.30109 | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-8484 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A permanent indoor ice facility offering year-round skating, with open sessions, figure skating, curling, and hockey. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Historic Trails West | alt= | url=https://www.historictrailswest.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-03-29 | content=Feel like the pioneers of the American West by riding historic wagons following the famous Oregon Trail. They offer rides ranging from several hours to several days. Their meeting location is in Casper. }} * {{do | name=Hogadon Basin Ski Area | alt= | url=http://hogadon.net/ | email= | address=2500 W Hogadon Rd | lat=42.745 | long=-106.339 | directions=atop Casper Mountain | phone=+1 307 235-8499 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5877029 | lastedit=2020-10-18 | content= }} *'''Fly Fish''' in the North Platte River ==Buy== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Eastridge Mall | alt= | url=https://www.shopeastridge.com/en.html | email= | address=601 Southeast Wyoming Blvd | lat=42.8463 | long=-106.266 | directions=at SW corner of E 2nd St and Wyoming Blvd SE | phone= | tollfree= | hours=n–Sa 10AM–9PM, Su 11AM–6PM, maybe longer during high shopping holidays | price= | wikipedia=Eastridge Mall (Casper) | wikidata=Q5330901 | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=The only mall in the city, anchored by JCPenney and Target. }} * {{buy | name=Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters | alt= | url=http://www.loutaubert.com | email= | address=125 East 2nd St | lat=42.848463 | long=-106.324449 | directions=downtown, near Center St | phone=+1 307 234 2500 | tollfree=+1 800 447 9378 (WEST) | fax= | hours=M–Sa 9AM–5:30PM, Su noon-4PM, holidays differ | price= | content=An amazing selection of Western apparel and accessories. Want cowboy boots? They claims to have over 10,000 pairs in stock. Also hats, jeans, work shirts, belts, and more, across 9 floors. Very friendly staff. The Taubert matriarch may check that you are being served properly. }} * {{buy | name=Mountain Sports | alt= | url=http://caspermtnsports.com/ | email= | address=543 Center St | lat=42.844769 | long=-106.325044 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-1136 | tollfree=+1-800-426-1136 | fax= | hours=M–Sa 9AM–6PM, Su 11AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=One of the oldest sporting good stores in Wyoming. Helpful, knowledgeable staff and a very good selection of sporting gear, particularly for winter sports. Can provide rental equipment for skiing. A good source of information about local outdoor activities. }} * {{buy | name=Nate's Flowers and Gifts | alt= | url=http://www.natesflowers.com/ | email= | address=1042 East 2nd Street | lat=42.848941 | long=-106.311221 | directions=at S. Jackson St | phone=+1 307 266-2300 | tollfree=+1 800-845-9006 | fax= | hours=M–F 8AM–5PM, Sa noon–5PM, Su closed | price=Bouquets $20 and up | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=Capable and well-regarded local florist. Just the place if you want a bouquet of stargazer lillies for your spouse's anniversary on short notice. Friendly, helpful staff. }} * {{buy | name=307 Metal Works | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/307-Metal-Works-100297817355410/ | email= | address=136 S Wolcott St | lat=42.849254 | long=-106.324105 | directions= | phone=+1 307 277-6032 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-30 | content=A gallery of practical but pretty metal art, like tables, stools, light fixtures, and wall hangings. Many feature the number "307" or a bronco motif, meaning Wyoming. They are the arts offshoot of an oil-industry metal fabrication business, which leads to interesting gallery conversations. Eager to do custom work. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Nadonia | alt= | url= | email= | address=734 West Collins Dr | lat=42.84303 | long=-106.33382 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content= }} *{{eat | name=Fire Rock Steakhouse | url=http://www.firerocksteakhouse.com/ | email= | address=6100 E 2nd St | lat=42.842680 | long=-106.235135 | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-2333 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Dsasumo | url=http://www.dsasumo.com/ | email= | address=320 W 1st St | lat=42.850289 | long=-106.329440 | directions= | phone=+1 307 237-7874 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content=Thai, Asian, sushi. }} * {{eat | name=La Costa Mexican Restaurant | alt= | url=http://lacostamexicanrestaurantcasper-com.webs.com/ | email= | address=600 East 2nd Street | lat=42.848947 | long=-106.303668 | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-6599 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM | price=entrees $10–16 | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=The big yellow and orange building is matched by the spacious and friendly interior. The Mexican food is conventional but well-executed and generous. Plenty of vegetarian options. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=The Wonder Bar | alt= | url=http://c85group.com/wonder-bar/ | email= | address=256 South Center St | lat=42.847654 | long=-106.325449 | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-4110 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt= | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casper-wyoming-WY074 | email= | address=551 Granite Peak Dr | lat=42.84234 | long=-106.22173 | directions= | phone=+1 307 472-5189 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn and Suites | alt= | url=http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-casper-wyoming-WY044 | email= | address=821 North Poplar | lat=42.85883 | long=-106.33224 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-2400 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Super 8 Casper/West | alt= | url=http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03240 | email= | address=3838 CY Ave | lat=42.82284 | long=-106.36850 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-3480 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Budget minded hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=http://www.hilton.com | email= | address=1150 North Poplar St | lat=42.862639 | long=-106.333968 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-1300 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Reliable, predictable chain motel near the Events Center. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=I-25.svg | imagesize1=22 | image1a=US 87.svg | imagesize1a=22 | image1b= | imagesize1b= | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[File:US 87.svg|18px]] to [[Billings]] | minorl1=[[File:I-25.svg|18px]] ends ← [[Buffalo (Wyoming)|Buffalo]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Cheyenne]] | minorr1=[[Douglas (Wyoming)|Douglas]] | image2=US 20.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Yellowstone National Park|Yellowstone N.P.]] | minorl2=[[Thermopolis]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Valentine]] | minorr2=[[Douglas (Wyoming)|Douglas]] | image3=US 26.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Grand Teton National Park|Grand Teton N.P.]] | minorl3=[[Riverton (Wyoming)|Riverton]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Scottsbluff]] | minorr3=[[Douglas (Wyoming)|Douglas]] }} {{geo|42.834722|-106.325000}} {{IsPartOf|Central Wyoming}} {{usablecity}} extwfiabx0vrr98r4s5rcwovjtg6fgh 4506359 4506358 2022-08-22T18:23:28Z Ground Zero 1423298 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Casper Banner.jpg}} '''[http://www.visitcasper.com/ Casper]''' is a city of 59,000 people (2020). If you're passing through the state, Casper is a likely choice for an overnight stop or as a place to find food and supplies before heading to the national parks in the state's northwestern corner or to the forests located to the southeast or to the north. The city has a few attractions to entertain visitors for a day or so, but the real attraction lies in the surrounding areas, which include some of the state's most interesting historical and natural sites. Independence Rock, South Pass City, Ayre's Bridge, Castle Gardens and two national forests are within a 60-mile (100-km) drive of downtown Casper. The Oregon and California trails once passed through the city and visible signs of their presence can be found within a stone's through of the city's boundaries. ==Understand== Casper is the largest city and county seat of Natrona county, located in [[Central Wyoming]]. The city occupies a valley created by the junction of the North Platte river and the Laramie mountains. Casper is the largest city between [[Cheyenne]] and [[Billings]], and between [[Rapid City]] and [[Salt Lake City]]. The city is the financial and administrative center for a vast region of Wyoming that encompasses some of the state's most important mineral producing areas, especially the oil and gas fields located nearby. Casper grew up around the ferries that enabled travelers on the [[Oregon Trail]] and California Trail to cross the North Platte River. The presence of settlers transiting westward and the growing presence of the US military made the region around present-day Casper a focal point in the late 19th-century war against Native American tribes in the region, many of whom had suffered prior dislocation from the north and east as the US pushed the frontier westward. This conflict resulted in a military battle in which Lt. Caspar Collins perished. As "Collins" had already been used in the designation of Ft. Collins to the south, the settlement on the North Platte became known as "Casper" (changed from "Caspar" thanks to a clerical error). In later years, the arrival of the railroad and the discovery of oil in nearby fields consolidated Casper's relative importance in the region. Today, the city is a commercial hub for the surrounding region, whose economy is closely tied to energy and mineral extraction business. Casper is the second largest city in [[Wyoming]], after Cheyenne. ===Climate=== {{climate | align = right | units = imperial | janhigh = 35 | febhigh = 38 | marhigh = 48 | aprhigh = 57 | mayhigh = 67 | junhigh = 79 | julhigh = 88 | aughigh = 86 | sephigh = 74 | octhigh = 59 | novhigh = 45 | dechigh = 34 | janlow = 14 | feblow = 16 | marlow = 22 | aprlow = 29 | maylow = 37 | junlow = 46 | jullow = 53 | auglow = 52 | seplow = 41 | octlow = 31 | novlow = 22 | declow = 14 | janprecip = 0.5 | febprecip = 0.6 | marprecip = 0.8 | aprprecip = 1.3 | mayprecip = 2.0 | junprecip = 1.6 | julprecip = 1.4 | augprecip = 0.9 | sepprecip = 1.1 | octprecip = 1.1 | novprecip = 0.8 | decprecip = 0.5 | description = {{ForecastNOAA|Casper|42.8977|-106.4739}} &#160;&#160; Data from [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datatools/normals NOAA (1981-2010)] }}Casper, as is typical in the Plains and Rocky Mountains regions, experiences a semi-arid, continental climate. Precipitation is relatively low year-round, and summers are hot, while winters are cold. ==Get in== {{mapframe}}{{mapshape}} ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Casper–Natrona County International Airport | alt={{IATA|CPR}} | url=http://www.iflycasper.com/ | email= | address= | lat=42.908056 | long=-106.464444 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Casper–Natrona County International Airport | wikidata=Q1048131 | content=Served by Allegiant Air from [[Las Vegas]] and [[Phoenix]], Delta from Salt Lake City, and United from [[Denver]]. While it might seem unexpected in an airport this small, lines at security can be long. There is only one security checkpoint and flights to Denver and Salt Lake City seem to leave at the same time, making the otherwise underused airport seem crowded and small. It's best to go through security at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. If you're lucky, your boarding pass will get a stamp from one of the security staff's extensive collection. Travelers report seeing Hello Kitty, Snoopy and various seasonal holiday greetings on their boarding passes, turning them into unexpected souvenirs. }} The airport has on-site car rental facilities and it's easy to arrange a pick-up by one of the many hotels that offer shuttle service. Taxi service is not always easy, if you want to arrange a pick-up, you can call to arrange a pick-up. They'll wait outside after your flight. If you call when you arrive, expect a 20-30 minute wait. * {{listing | name=RC Cab | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-5203 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Casper Cabs | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-8294 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} ===By car=== Casper is located at the intersection of Interstate 25, US Route 20/26, and Wyoming State Route 220. Approximate driving times are: 2 hours and 30 minutes south of the [[Montana]] border, 2 hours and 30 minutes north of Cheyenne, and 4 hours and 45 minutes east of [[Grand Teton National Park]]. ==Get around== [https://www.casperwy.gov/residents/roads_and_parking/metropolitan_planning_organization/casper_area_transit_ Casper Area Transit] is the closest Natrona county has to a bus system. Adult or youth $1.00; senior, disabled, Medicare $0.50; student $0.75; child 5 and under free (Aug 2022). If you find yourself enjoying a bit too much of Casper's nightlife, you can always call the Tipsy Taxi, a service provided by a coalition of the town's bar owners. A taxi will pick you up and take you home free of charge. They will also come pick you up to take you back to retrieve your car for a substantial discount. * {{listing | name=Tipsy Taxi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-8294 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-01 | content= }} ==See== *{{listing | type=see | name=National Historic Trails Interpretative Center | alt= | url=http://nhtcf.org | email= | address=1501 N Poplar St | lat=42.8665 | long=-106.337 | directions= | phone=+1 307 265-8030 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia=National Historic Trails Interpretive Center | image=National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.jpg | wikidata=Q14714812 | content=Thousands of people traveled the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express trails in the 1800s. Their tales are told through the center's interactive exhibits. }} *{{listing | type=see | name=Fort Caspar Museum | alt= | url=http://www.fortcasparwyoming.com/ | email= | address=4001 Fort Caspar Rd | lat=42.836306 | long=-106.370799 | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-8462 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Fort Caspar | image=Reconstructed buildings at the site of Fort Caspar museum in Casper, Wyoming.jpg | wikidata=Q5470897 | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content=The museum explores central Wyoming's history, including a reconstructed 1865 military post located at a major river crossing on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express trail corridor. }} *{{see | name=Nicolaysen Art Museum | alt= | url=http://www.thenic.org | email= | address=400 E Collins Dr, | lat=42.847954 | long=-106.320094 | directions= | phone=+1 307-235-5247 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content=The Nicolaysen is one of few Wyoming institutions focusing on contemporary arts, showcasing a wide variety of work across multiple media. Together with other galleries in Casper, "the Nic" offers a welcome respite from the constant "Old West" theme seen in galleries throughout the Rocky Mountains. Exhibits showcase the work of local, national and international artists. The Nicolaysen's website offers details about exhibits and opening hours. }} * {{see | name=Tate Geological Museum | alt= | url=https://www.caspercollege.edu/tate-geological-museum | email= | address= | lat=42.8260 | long=-106.3292 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q64158784 | lastedit=2020-10-19 | content= }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Casper Ice Arena | alt= | url=http://www.casperwy.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=82427 | email= | address=1801 East 4th St | lat=42.84506 | long=-106.30109 | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-8484 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A permanent indoor ice facility offering year-round skating, with open sessions, figure skating, curling, and hockey. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Historic Trails West | alt= | url=https://www.historictrailswest.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-03-29 | content=Feel like the pioneers of the American West by riding historic wagons following the famous Oregon Trail. They offer rides ranging from several hours to several days. Their meeting location is in Casper. }} * {{do | name=Hogadon Basin Ski Area | alt= | url=http://hogadon.net/ | email= | address=2500 W Hogadon Rd | lat=42.745 | long=-106.339 | directions=atop Casper Mountain | phone=+1 307 235-8499 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5877029 | lastedit=2020-10-18 | content= }} *'''Fly Fish''' in the North Platte River ==Buy== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Eastridge Mall | alt= | url=https://www.shopeastridge.com/en.html | email= | address=601 Southeast Wyoming Blvd | lat=42.8463 | long=-106.266 | directions=at SW corner of E 2nd St and Wyoming Blvd SE | phone= | tollfree= | hours=n–Sa 10AM–9PM, Su 11AM–6PM, maybe longer during high shopping holidays | price= | wikipedia=Eastridge Mall (Casper) | wikidata=Q5330901 | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=The only mall in the city, anchored by JCPenney and Target. }} * {{buy | name=Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters | alt= | url=http://www.loutaubert.com | email= | address=125 East 2nd St | lat=42.848463 | long=-106.324449 | directions=downtown, near Center St | phone=+1 307 234 2500 | tollfree=+1 800 447 9378 (WEST) | fax= | hours=M–Sa 9AM–5:30PM, Su noon-4PM, holidays differ | price= | content=An amazing selection of Western apparel and accessories. Want cowboy boots? They claims to have over 10,000 pairs in stock. Also hats, jeans, work shirts, belts, and more, across 9 floors. Very friendly staff. The Taubert matriarch may check that you are being served properly. }} * {{buy | name=Mountain Sports | alt= | url=http://caspermtnsports.com/ | email= | address=543 Center St | lat=42.844769 | long=-106.325044 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-1136 | tollfree=+1-800-426-1136 | fax= | hours=M–Sa 9AM–6PM, Su 11AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=One of the oldest sporting good stores in Wyoming. Helpful, knowledgeable staff and a very good selection of sporting gear, particularly for winter sports. Can provide rental equipment for skiing. A good source of information about local outdoor activities. }} * {{buy | name=Nate's Flowers and Gifts | alt= | url=http://www.natesflowers.com/ | email= | address=1042 East 2nd Street | lat=42.848941 | long=-106.311221 | directions=at S. Jackson St | phone=+1 307 266-2300 | tollfree=+1 800-845-9006 | fax= | hours=M–F 8AM–5PM, Sa noon–5PM, Su closed | price=Bouquets $20 and up | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=Capable and well-regarded local florist. Just the place if you want a bouquet of stargazer lillies for your spouse's anniversary on short notice. Friendly, helpful staff. }} * {{buy | name=307 Metal Works | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/307-Metal-Works-100297817355410/ | email= | address=136 S Wolcott St | lat=42.849254 | long=-106.324105 | directions= | phone=+1 307 277-6032 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-30 | content=A gallery of practical but pretty metal art, like tables, stools, light fixtures, and wall hangings. Many feature the number "307" or a bronco motif, meaning Wyoming. They are the arts offshoot of an oil-industry metal fabrication business, which leads to interesting gallery conversations. Eager to do custom work. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Nadonia | alt= | url= | email= | address=734 West Collins Dr | lat=42.84303 | long=-106.33382 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content= }} *{{eat | name=Fire Rock Steakhouse | url=http://www.firerocksteakhouse.com/ | email= | address=6100 E 2nd St | lat=42.842680 | long=-106.235135 | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-2333 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Dsasumo | url=http://www.dsasumo.com/ | email= | address=320 W 1st St | lat=42.850289 | long=-106.329440 | directions= | phone=+1 307 237-7874 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content=Thai, Asian, sushi. }} * {{eat | name=La Costa Mexican Restaurant | alt= | url=http://lacostamexicanrestaurantcasper-com.webs.com/ | email= | address=600 East 2nd Street | lat=42.848947 | long=-106.303668 | directions= | phone=+1 307 235-6599 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM | price=entrees $10–16 | lastedit=2017-09-21 | content=The big yellow and orange building is matched by the spacious and friendly interior. The Mexican food is conventional but well-executed and generous. Plenty of vegetarian options. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=The Wonder Bar | alt= | url=http://c85group.com/wonder-bar/ | email= | address=256 South Center St | lat=42.847654 | long=-106.325449 | directions= | phone=+1 307 234-4110 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-17 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=MainStay Suites | alt= | url=http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-casper-wyoming-WY074 | email= | address=551 Granite Peak Dr | lat=42.84234 | long=-106.22173 | directions= | phone=+1 307 472-5189 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Quality Inn and Suites | alt= | url=http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-casper-wyoming-WY044 | email= | address=821 North Poplar | lat=42.85883 | long=-106.33224 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-2400 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Extended-stay hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Super 8 Casper/West | alt= | url=http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03240 | email= | address=3838 CY Ave | lat=42.82284 | long=-106.36850 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-3480 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Budget minded hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=http://www.hilton.com | email= | address=1150 North Poplar St | lat=42.862639 | long=-106.333968 | directions= | phone=+1 307 266-1300 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Reliable, predictable chain motel near the Events Center. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=I-25.svg | imagesize1=22 | image1a=US 87.svg | imagesize1a=22 | image1b= | imagesize1b= | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[File:US 87.svg|18px]] to [[Billings]] | minorl1=[[File:I-25.svg|18px]] ends ← [[Buffalo (Wyoming)|Buffalo]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Cheyenne]] | minorr1=[[Douglas (Wyoming)|Douglas]] | image2=US 20.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Yellowstone National Park|Yellowstone N.P.]] | minorl2=[[Thermopolis]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Valentine]] | minorr2=[[Douglas (Wyoming)|Douglas]] | image3=US 26.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Grand Teton National Park|Grand Teton N.P.]] | minorl3=[[Riverton (Wyoming)|Riverton]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Scottsbluff]] | minorr3=[[Douglas (Wyoming)|Douglas]] }} {{geo|42.834722|-106.325000}} {{IsPartOf|Central Wyoming}} {{usablecity}} ejxpdndpqraubu99oabqv0pdcrx98d8 0 6307 4506493 4444675 2022-08-23T02:42:27Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Tennessee */ NO ONE calls that part of the state "Central Tennessee". It's "Middle Tennessee". wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Caves and Lakes Rose-Daughtry Farmstead.jpg}} {{hatnote|For caves in general, see [[Caves]].}} [[Kentucky]]'s '''[http://www.caveslakescorvettes.com Caves and Lakes]''' region is centered around [[Bowling Green (Kentucky)|Bowling Green]], Ketucky's third largest city, and home to the world's largest cave system&mdash;Mammoth Cave. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Auburn (Kentucky)|Auburn]]|wikidata=Q758543}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bowling Green (Kentucky)|Bowling Green]]|wikidata=Q694545}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Brownsville (Kentucky)|Brownsville]]|wikidata=Q2926372}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cave City]]|wikidata=Q2559676}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Franklin (Kentucky)|Franklin]]|wikidata=Q1778943}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Glasgow (Kentucky)|Glasgow]]|wikidata=Q1762833}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Morgantown (Kentucky)|Morgantown]]|wikidata=Q2555567}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Russellville (Kentucky)|Russellville]]|wikidata=Q1991004}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Scottsville (Kentucky)|Scottsville]]|wikidata=Q765866}} ==Other destinations== *{{marker|name=[[Mammoth Cave National Park]]|wikidata=Q242681}} &mdash; the world's largest cave system and is one of the biggest Kentucky attractions ==Understand== The Caves and Lakes regions lies on the central part of the Mississippian Plateau. Being a large limestone karst plain, many sinkholes and cave systems have developed in this area. The largest and most famous of these is Mammoth Cave. Along with the caves, several man made lakes are present in the region. These include '''[http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lakes/BarrenRiverLake.aspx Barren River Lake]''', '''Lake Malone''', and '''[http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lakes/NolinRiverLake.aspx Nolin River Lake]'''. The term "Caves and Lakes" is used for tourism promotion, but generally not by locals. The traditional local name for the region is '''Pennyrile''', taken from the local pronunciation of "pennyroyal", a plant common in the area. While "Pennyrile" still sees use, the term '''South Central Kentucky''' (which also includes most or all of the [[Southern Lakes (Kentucky)|Southern Lakes]] region, depending on the speaker) has gained favor in recent decades. For example, the public community college whose main campus is in Bowling Green is called "Southcentral Community and Technical College". ==Get in== The major highways in the region include '''I-65''', '''I-165''' (formerly the William H. Natcher Parkway), and the '''Cumberland Parkway'''. Bowling Green's '''[http://www.bgwcairport.org/ Warren County Regional Airport]''' is the largest airport in the region. The closest international airports are located in [[Louisville]] and [[Nashville]]. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Old Mulkey Meeting House | alt= | url=http://www.parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/old-mulkey/default.aspx | email=sheila.rush@ky.gov | address=38 Old Mulkey Park Rd. Tompkinsville, KY 42167 | lat=36.67718 | long=-85.70753 | directions= | phone=+1 270 487-8481 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Old Mulkey Meeting House is a log church erected in 1804. It is the oldest freestanding log meeting house in the commonwealth. }} ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== ===Kentucky=== * [[Kentucky Derby Region]] * [[Southern Lakes (Kentucky)|Southern Lakes]] * [[Western Coal Fields]] * [[Western Waterlands]] ===Tennessee=== * [[Central Tennessee|Middle Tennessee]] {{IsPartOf|Kentucky}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|37.052|-86.416|zoom=10}} 80u1qjq5kgrqmgqhwigdt7dytrt0p8e 0 7535 4506802 4505646 2022-08-23T11:38:03Z SHB2000 2248002 unless it's an official title, "polar bear capital of the world" and alike shouldn't be capitalized wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Churchill-banner.jpg|caption=A tundra vehicle by the shore of Hudson Bay in November|otbp=yes|star=yes}} {{Otheruses}} '''[https://discoverchurchill.com/ Churchill]''' is a community [[North of 53]] in [[Manitoba]], best known as the '''polar bear capital of the world''', and only slightly less known as the '''beluga capital of the world'''. For a multi-purpose capital, though, it's very small, with a permanent population of only 899 people (as of the 2016 census), who live on the shore of Hudson Bay, the bank of the Churchill River, and just past the treeline of the [[boreal forest]]. ==Understand== [[File:Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear10.JPG|thumb|320px|Polar Deadpan]] ===Origins=== The earliest inhabitants of the region were the Thule people, the proto-Inuit, who arrived around 1,000 BCE before moving north in search of colder pastures, leaving the territory principally to the Chipewyan and Swampy Cree aboriginal groups. The first European camp here was a Danish expedition in 1619. The cold got to them; the three of 64 who survived the winter set sail for home as soon as the ice would permit. The town as we know it finds its roots in the history of the Hudson Bay Company, which in 1717 established a year-round trading post just north of the modern-day town across the Churchill River, joining in the fur trade in northwest America, largely through deals with the tundra-dwelling Chipewyan. Owing to English worries about potential French aggressors, the post was moved south in the 1730s to a massive stone star fort, Prince of Wales, which is very visible from the town, being just across the river. In 1782 the French Hudson Bay Expedition arrived and captured the badly outnumbered civilian fort garrison without a shot (the same expedition also took York Factory to the south—the capital of the Hudson Bay Company), raided the supplies, but failed in the attempt to demolish this rather well constructed fort. The Governor Samuel Hearne, one of Canada's great explorers, returned the next year and set up shop once more. The trading post and river were named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (an ancestor of Winston Churchill), who was governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in the late 17th century. {{infobox|Bear Patrol|If we can't just shoot them, how to keep them from moving into town? It's a legitimate question (they are, after all, godless killing machines), and not one easily answered, but the people of Churchill have become incredibly sophisticated about it. If anyone spots a bear near town—and they get spotted quick—they call +1 204-675-BEAR (2327), and then the bear patrol comes out. Within a minute or two, a bunch of pickups topped with big spotlights will roll up to the coast and warn off anyone from walking in the area. They quietly monitor and encourage the bears to just move through, since tranquillizing poses two problems: 1. Drugged up polar bears tend to run off out of sight and fall asleep somewhere. 2. What do you do with a drugged up sleeping polar bear? The answer to number two is the most ingenious of all: put them in jail. <br><br>Yes, '''polar bear jail'''. It's a big old aircraft hangar by the airport with an awful lot of reinforced steel and some very angry 1200 pounders banging on the walls, who just couldn't be enticed to stay out of town. When the bay freezes over, the "wardens" tranquillize the bears inside and ''airlift them by helicopter'' about three river systems north of town, which is just enormous enough of a distance to keep the bears from walking right back to town. You'll know the bears that have been captured right away—not because of the tag on their backs, but because they break into an uncharacteristic sprint at the sound of helicopters!}} Over the centuries, the fur trade waned, and Churchill might have disappeared, were it not for the ambitious attempts by provincial governments to secure a northern port in central Canada (motivated by the desire to break the monopoly of the Canadian Pacific Railway on grain exports). After more than a decade of construction across the northern forests, the rail line from [[Winnipeg]] was finished in 1929, and the Port of Churchill would become the city's economic centre until wheat shipments began to decline in 2012. As grains could be transported less expensively by rail to [[Prince Rupert]] in the west or the Port of [[Montréal]] in the east, Churchill's seaport languished; the facilities were closed in 2016. The tracks were washed out in various places by May 2017 flooding; Denver-based Omnitrax (the owner of the port and railway at the time) refused to repair the damage, leaving Churchill severed overland until the line was sold in 2018. The new owners rebuilt the railway, and passenger trains resumed in December 2018. ===The bears=== The Hudson's Bay Company traders were hardy folks, and presumably didn't mind living right in the middle of a major polar bear migration route. The problem of living just north of a giant polar bear colony was always solved rather neatly by shooting any bears wandering into town with shotguns. Starting around the 1960s, non-locals started taking an interest in the bears, in studying them, photographing them, and generally admiring the intense over-sized cuteness. Locals saw opportunity, stopped shooting the bears, and began the process of converting the town from a minor industrial centre to one of the world's northernmost tourist towns. Live polar bear webcams are operated by conservation group Polar Bear International with backing from Frontier North Adventures and [http://explore.org/channels/polar-bears/view-all/ explore.org]. The Western Hudson Bay bear colony is home to roughly 1,000 bears, which summer in Wapusk National Park. Polar bears hunt seals on the sea ice, but when the ice breaks up, they are forced to return to land where they fast until the ice forms again. Prime bear season is October and November leading up to the ice formation, when the colony heads north from the park (and towards Churchill) to get ready for the first freeze. While they wait, they snack intermittently on whatever is around. Kelp buried in snow seems to be a favorite. Things are kind of dull when the ice isn't in, so these curious animals will wander right over to you to give you a good sniff or taste. The taste bit is not a joke—polar bears' sense of taste is so powerful that you will see them regularly ''licking the air'' to discern what tastes are out there! ===The sea canary=== Belugas, with their gleaming white skin, big smiles, and canary-like twitter, have every right to claim the title of world's cutest whale. The west Hudson Bay population, one of Canada's seven, comes back from its winters at the Arctic ice cap to roost, er, calf in the Churchill river bed. At this time, the river is ''filled'' with the whales and the zodiac boats are filled with tourists with expensive camera equipment! Up to ''3,000'' whales enter the river each summer. {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = -22.7 | febhigh = -20.4 | marhigh = -14.5 | aprhigh = -5 | mayhigh = 3.2 | junhigh = 11.4 | julhigh = 17.3 | aughigh = 16.3 | sephigh = 8.8 | octhigh = 1.1 | novhigh = -8.0 | dechigh = -18.8 | janlow = -30.7 | feblow = -28.9 | marlow = -24.4 | aprlow = -14.5 | maylow = -4.6 | junlow = 1.7 | jullow = 6.8 | auglow = 7.2 | seplow = 2.5 | octlow = -4.5 | novlow = -16.1 | declow = -26.8 | janprecip = 14.8 | febprecip = 12.1 | marprecip = 18.2 | aprprecip = 23.1 | mayprecip = 27.3 | junprecip = 43.0 | julprecip = 54.6 | augprecip = 61.7 | sepprecip = 53.3 | octprecip = 43.7 | novprecip = 31.4 | decprecip = 18.3 | jansun = 7:25 | febsun = 9:52 | marsun = 12:17 | aprsun = 14:57 | maysun = 17:17 | junsun = 18:25 | julsun = 17:21 | augsun = 14:59 | sepsun = 12:21 | octsun = 9:48 | novsun = 7:23 | decsun = 6:15 | description = }} ===Climate=== The ''[[Northern Lights|Aurora Borealis]]'' is another good thing to keep tabs on: '''Bears''' can be seen year-round. But the one time of year where they really are everywhere is '''October–November''', before the sea ice forms. At that time of year, you can feel pretty confident that you will have plenty of photography opportunities every time you go out in a tundra vehicle. At other times, you have to wonder whether you are spending a small fortune on transport to see no bears. November is the really snowy month, so expect worse weather, less sunlight, way colder temperatures, but more pretty snow-covered backdrops for bears to play around in. While the sea ice is a bit unpredictable, it's fairly safe to assume that the last week of bear season is more or less the second to last week of November. Beyond that, you could miss them (and the tundra vehicles stop running anyway). [[File:Cape Churchill fast ice4.JPG|thumb|260px|Shore-fast ice at Cape Churchill, Wapusk National Park]] The '''belugas''' arrive in mid-June and depart in mid-August. So do the '''bugs''' (especially July). As cute as the belugas are, so are the flies as demonic a plague, so bring long pants, long sleeves, bug spray with DEET, and ideally a bug jacket for the possibility that it gets especially bad. '''Aurora season''' is January–March, as the nights are longest and the precipitation (ergo cloud cover) lowest. Given how bleak the deep winter months are in terms of cold and lack of animal activity, though, one might speculate that this "season", while ideal for aurora-watching, is a bit manufactured to stimulate tourism in the slow months—you can see it just fine in November if you have a good night. All you need is a clear dark sky (a new moon is ideal), and good space weather—if you time your visit to coincide with the peak of an eleven year solar cycle, you'll see more intense lights more frequently. ===Prepare=== It's not easy to visit Churchill (during bear season) without going through a tour company, simply because the tundra vehicles often book up quickly and hotels are full; the train and planes ''can'' fill up; and both the buggies and hotels generally require full payment up front with no refunds. You must confirm availability of transport, lodging, and buggy at the same time and then ''immediately'' call them back to book all three. Otherwise you could find yourself stuck with a giant bill for a hotel with no way to get out on the tundra to see the bears, or a giant bill for a buggy with no lodging! Other activities (dog-sledding, car rentals, helicopter tours, etc.), are easy enough to book, even after arriving. Once you have booked everything, it's time to buy a northern wardrobe: ====Summer==== [[File:Churchill area map.png|thumb|500px|Churchill area ([[#Get in|see below for town map]]) ]] The summer poses one problem and that's '''bugs'''. Tiny no-see-ums, run-of-the-mill mosquitoes, hell-spawn big black biting flies, and everything in between. A dry summer could mean little to no bugs, but it's good to err on the side of DEET. June–August requires insect repellent with DEET. While not necessary, pre-treating some of your clothes with ''specialized'' DEET spray ''for clothing'' probably won't be something you regret. You will see tourists with bug jackets and screen hats, but that's really a little over the top. Light long pants and long-sleeved shirts are a must, though. ====Winter==== The '''cold''' in Churchill is spectacular. When you are this far north, you will need some serious winter gear November–March, and potentially in October. Avoid wearing cotton, as cotton gets wet and stays wet. Layers are key, but not enough to keep you warm without a good jacket. If you forgot something, try to pick it up at the Walmart in [[Thompson]], if you are taking the train. *Warm wool (or other warm non-cotton) cap, which fits tightly against your skull *Parka/very well insulated jacket with hood (lined hood ideal) *Protective ski goggles will be especially good for dog sledding, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, or just days with really heavy winds *Waterproof boots, ideally rated for -40°C (-40°F) or lower. The ratings are often flat out lies, so make sure to consult with a sales person, and let them know just how cold it is where you are going. Avoid boots with rubber toes, as that rubber will freeze, making and keeping your toes very cold. Anything lined with animal skin or fur will be warmest and most comfortable, albeit very expensive. *Long underwear. When in doubt, err on the side of more (merino-) wool. *Wool/fleece pants & sweaters; non-cotton shirts. Moisture wicking gear is good. An outer layer of ski pants is nice for breaking the wind. *Insulated layer underneath your jacket, which will often come with a ski jacket or good parka. *Insulated gloves (i.e., ski gloves) [[File:Polar bear photography from a Tundra Buggy.JPG|thumb|260px|Ready your cameras, polar bear photography from the back of a Tundra Buggy]] *Glove liners *Wool scarf *Neck protector, especially balaclavas. You should be able to survive without going out and buying a new wardrobe full of expensive luxuries, but getting what you can of the above will make the trip more cosy. For more on winter clothing, see [[Cold weather#Clothing|Cold weather]]. ====Other essentials==== If ever there were a case for a good '''camera''', it's a trip to Churchill! Bring/buy the best you can. Digital cameras don't stand up well to the cold, but they will still work. But bring extra batteries and film (if your camera uses it). In the winter, keep back up batteries close to your body to keep them warm, and switch them out when your active battery in your camera gets killed by the cold. If your camera breaks, [[#Buy|Bazlik Jewellers]] can repair it. A long telephoto lens is generally required for wildlife photography; a good zoom lens may be enough but see [[Travel photography]] for a detailed discussion. A waterproof camera is a must if you plan to swim with the Beluga whales in the summer (a GoPro with a waterproof case can be great for video). Bring an extra memory card in case one fails (and the cold can help them fail). Photographing the '''[[Northern Lights#Photography|aurora]]''' requires different equipment. You will need a camera that supports manual exposure (10 to 40 seconds), a fast, wide-angle lens (aperture f/2.8 or better), fast film (800 ASA or better), or equivalent ISO setting on a digital camera, a strong tripod to hold the long exposure in potential high winds, and ideally a cable release or self-timer to trigger shots without stirring the camera. Again, you will want multiple batteries to swap as they freeze. Insulating the tripod can save your hands from freezing. Do not use any filter. A '''laptop''' is a good idea, if only for uploading your photos, to keep your memory cards free to take more high-resolution shots! '''Binoculars''' are great for wildlife viewing. Especially in the winter, you will have plenty of downtime, so books and cards/games can be nice to have. ==Get in== [[File:Churchill map.png|thumb|400px|The town of Churchill]] There are two ways to get to Churchill: airplane and train. The train service from Winnipeg resumed on December 2, 2018. The economy seats on the train make for four nights of uncomfortable sleeping, but are cheap. The expensive sleeper cars are much more stylish, and allow you to enjoy the long-distance train experience watching the ecosystemic change out the windows as you travel north. Or, you can catch the train into Churchill and then take a nice quick, painless flight back when you're weary of your travels. A viable solution for those who would like to get to Churchill faster, while not spending a lot of money is flying from Winnipeg to [[Thompson]], and then taking the train from there. The airport in Thompson is not within walking distance of the train station, but there are plenty of bored taxi drivers to help you. ===By plane=== ==== Airport ==== * {{listing | type=go | name=Churchill Airport | alt={{IATA|YYQ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.739167 | long=-94.066389 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Churchill Airport | image=Churchill Manitoba Airport.JPG | wikidata=Q2875820 | content= }} ==== Airline ==== * {{Listing|name=Calm Air|url=https://www.calmair.com/|tollfree=+1-800-839-2256|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=A regional airline operating flights in [[Manitoba]] and [[Nunavut]].}} Travel time directly to Churchill from [[Winnipeg]] is 2.5 hours. Calm Air also offers seasonal flights from [[Thompson]] a few times a week. If you are connecting through Winnipeg to get to or from Churchill, allow plenty of time between flights. As you will have to leave the secure area, collect your baggage (if you have any), check in at the airline desk and go through security. As the tiny Churchill Airport has no security screening, passengers arriving in Winnipeg exit straight into baggage claim. ==== Ground transportation ==== The airport is about a ten-minute taxi ride from town. Most hotels will pick you up if you ask ahead of time. Some package tours use chartered flights from Winnipeg, in which case the tour company takes care of all the logistics. === By train === * {{go | name=VIA Rail Canada | alt=Churchill Station {{IATA|XAD}} | url=https://www.viarail.ca/ | email= | address=1 Mantayo Seepee Meskanow | lat=58.767778 | long=-94.174444 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-842-7245 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3096230 | lastedit=2022-04-07 | content=Operates a route two days per week between [[Winnipeg]] and Churchill with stops in [[Portage la Prairie]], [[Dauphin]], [[Roblin]], [[Kamsack]], [[Canora]], [[Hudson Bay (Saskatchewan)|Hudson Bay]], [[The Pas]], and [[Thompson]]. In addition, the route travels one day per week between The Pas and Churchill. Travel time to Churchill from Winnipeg is 1 day 21 hours, from Portage La Prairie is hours 1 day 19.75 hours, from The Pas is 1 day 6.5 hours, and from Thompson is 16 hours. }} Churchill is the most northerly point in Canada that can be reached by passenger train. Taking the train to Churchill is much more affordable than flying, but takes much longer. Via Rail serves Churchill with its [http://www.viarail.ca/en/trains/prairies-and-northern-manitoba/winnipeg-churchill Hudson Bay line] that begins in Winnipeg. From Winnipeg the train takes about '''38-48 hours'''. You have the option of staying in one of several different sleeper cars, or riding in economy class (depending on how much you want to pay) and trying to find two empty seats to cram yourself into for a miserable night's sleep. Economy supersaver (non-refundable) round-trip tickets run $220-330, while sleeper cars (with showers, couches, and actual sleep) cost $500-900. A two-person cabin runs $1250-1700 per person (prices as of April 2020). Sales for economy class, which can bring the fare down further are published on Via Rail's website every Tuesday (look for the large "Discount Tuesday" banner on the home page). Sales on sleeper tickets are available in a [http://www.viarail.ca/en/deals special section] of the website at all times expect during a general sale and can bring the price down to $500 return. You cannot drink your own liquor on the train, nor can you smoke. The fines are astronomical! The train will be stopping often, though, and you can hop off at the stops for a cigarette break. The big break is in [[Thompson]], where you'll have two-five hours to get off, shop at Walmart and Safeway, and get a meal. There's even a little sightseeing to be had there, if you are creative. [[File:Aurora borealis2, Churchill, MB.JPG|thumb|260px|Northern lights shimmering and dancing above in November]] A good tip for you train boozers—if you order liquor and a mixer, the mixer is free, so if you bring some of your own mixers... free cokes! The little bottles of wine are decent too. During bear and beluga seasons there is a chef on the train preparing decent, if slightly pricey (free for those in sleeper) fresh meals. Outside of peak season the microwave meals served range from acceptable to disgusting. Most people on board plan ahead and bring food. Cheese, sausage, cracker, fruit, etc. platters are great. A dome car for passengers in sleeper class is usually attached during bear, beluga, and northern lights seasons. === By car === There is no road to Churchill; however, you can drive to Thompson and pay to park your car there (try the Days Inn lot), and continue by train or airplane. The road to Thompson is lonely and subject to closure if a snowstorm hits, though. ==Get around== {{mapframe|layer=W}} It's quite easy to walk within the city limits on your own. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from one end of town to the other. It's also possible to rent a car in Churchill, and there are several taxi drivers who tend to hang out around the airport and train station. Car rental isn't at all popular with tourists, even the ones who aren't on package tours, but taking out an SUV is actually a great idea. If you think there's a good chance of seeing the aurora on a given night, rent a vehicle and drive it out of town at night! You'll be away from the lights of the town, and you'll have a mobile heating device/bear escape pod to keep you safe. If you have a day's worth of downtime from your various activities, you can just drive around the passable roads and go bird-watching, find the downed plane, head down through the woods to the observation tower, up to Cape Merry, or create your own wildlife photo tour. Expect the rental to run around $100 and the gas refill before returning to run around... $100 more. ==See== [[File:Churchill Inukshuk en route to the port.JPG|thumb|260px|An ''inukshuk'' with the Port of Churchill behind, en route to Cape Merry]] Beyond the wildlife and landscapes, there is actually a fair amount of interesting stuff to see there. The historic Hudson's Bay Company settlements are perhaps the most interesting, but are impossible to visit during the winter months (and York Factory is hard to reach even when it's possible). Aside from Cape Merry, that is, which along with the Itsanitaq Museum is an easy and highly recommended sight to see. If you have a car and a free day, head south of the city to the observation tower and east of the city to see Miss Piggy up close. * {{see | name=Cape Merry | alt= | url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/mb/prince/activ/merry | email= | address= | lat=58.78871 | long=-94.19984 | directions=The northern tip of Churchill, past the port | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q22426630 | content=An old cannon battery was set up in 1747 to protect the Hudson Bay Company's business on the Churchill River, rather stupidly, as the cannons there could be captured by an enemy and used to fire upon Prince of Wales Fort across the river. Nonetheless, it is a great scenic spot to look out on the bay and river and fort, with a genuine tundra ecosystem. The battery has been reconstructed with original stones found on location, with a single cannon left as a reminder of the site's history. Keep an eye out in bear season, as polar bears frequent the area when heading out onto the sea ice. It's not safe to walk from town, because of the bears, so take a taxi, get someone to give you a ride, or rent a car. }} * {{see | name=Itsanitaq Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=242 LaVerendrye Ave | lat= 58.7705 | long= -94.1669 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2030 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Jul-Oct: M 1PM-5PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-noon and 1PM-5PM; Nov-Jun M-Sa 1PM-4:30PM | price=Suggested donation $2 | content=Formerly known as the Eskimo Museum, it has one of Canada's oldest collections of Inuit artifacts despite its small size (opened in 1944 by Catholic missionaries and still operated by the Diocese of Churchill-Baie d'Hudson), this museum has well detailed exhibits of all sorts of weird and interesting Inuit archaeological finds and sculptures. You will want well over an hour for the exhibits, and then some for the gift shop. }} * {{see | name=Goose Creek Observation Tower | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.663398 | long=-94.167607 | directions=South of the city following the right turn off the main road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It's only really worthwhile to come down this way if you rent a car, but it is a nice spot for a picnic in the summer. The observation tower looks out over Goose Creek towards the Churchill River, and is a good spot for birdwatching (it's also popular with aurora watchers). }} * {{see | name=Inukshuk | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.7706 | long= -94.1782 | directions=At the bottom of Bernier St on the Hudson Bay shore | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=''Inukshuk'' roughly translates to "representing a person" in [[Inuktitut phrasebook|Inuktitut]], and is a predominant symbol of the Canadian North, in the form of a humanlike stone-cairn. While there are a few ''inukshuit'' in the area, this one is by far the most popular for its striking location on the shore of Hudson Bay, and is especially popular for aurora photography. }} * {{see | name=Miss Piggy | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.760433 | long=-94.086681 | directions=Bay shore road east of town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Filled with Coca-Cola and a snowmobile, this cargo plane crashed in 1979 (the crew survived), and has now become a tourist attraction. The odd name came from the rotund shape of the plane and the curious rumour that it did once transport a cargo of pigs. You will need a car to get you here. You're not really supposed to, but you can even go inside! }} * {{see | name=MV Ithaca | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=58.7692 | long=-93.8892 | directions=Northeast of the road leading to the abandoned radio station building with the "big golf balls" on top | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=SS Ithaka | image=MV Ithaca aerial view1.JPG | wikidata=Q16210297 | content=Another wreck, this time a big 260-ft steamship that ran aground in this tidal flat in 1960 with 3000 tons of ore in its hold (the crew all survived this wreck too). Locals took advantage of the ore bounty, stripping the ship down! It is possible to hike out to the wreck in the summer in low tide, but seek local advice first to make sure you will be safe. You get a great view from the helicopter. }} [[File:Beluga 1 1999-07-03 cropped.jpg|thumb|260px|A Beluga in the Churchill River]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Prince of Wales Fort | alt= | url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/mb/prince | email=mannorth.nhs@pc.gc.ca | address=across the Churchill River from town | lat=58.797158 | long=-94.213428 | directions=accessible by boat or helicopter | phone=+1 204 675-8863 | tollfree= | hours=July–August (Beluga whale season), tours by request | price=Admission fee changes annually, and the Parks Canada's website admits not to knowing what it is! | wikipedia=Prince of Wales Fort | image=Prince of Wales Fort, Churchill, MB.jpg | wikidata=Q1143671 | content=Built by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1717, Prince of Wales Fort is the most northerly stone fort in Canadian history, and is in good shape structurally, following a couple of restoration efforts in the 20th century. The restoration continues today, and if you time your visit right, you can watch stonemasons working on the structure using traditional 18th century methods. It was a complete flop of a fort, though, falling to the French in 1782 without so much as a defensive shot being fired, its small non-military force surrendering immediately to the vastly superior French force. }} * {{see | name=Wapusk National Park | alt= | url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/wapusk | email= | address= | lat=57.7739 | long=-93.3714 | directions=South of Cape Churchill on Hudson Bay | phone=+1 204-675-8863 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Wapusk National Park | image=Bärenmutter & Junges 3 2004-11-17.jpg | wikidata=Q1638019 | content=This huge national park is difficult to visit, owing to its remoteness, and the fact that it houses a polar bear colony! (''Wapusk'' means white bear in Cree.) Other animals include the usual suspects in this area: foxes white and red, arctic hare, snowy owls, and a few grizzlies that have been moving into the southern reaches as the temperature warms. The visitor center is in Churchill's train station. There are only three reasonable ways to get out here: a helicopter tour through Hudson Bay Helicopters, or a tour through Frontiers North or Wat'chee Expeditions. }} * {{see | name=York Factory | alt= | url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/mb/yorkfactory | email= | address= | lat=57.002782 | long=-92.304717 | directions=At the mouth of the Hayes River on Hudson Bay, south of Wapusk National Park | phone=+1 204-675-8863 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=mid-July–30 Aug | price= | wikipedia=York Factory | content=Possibly ''the'' most important historic site in Northern Canada is this extraordinarily remote, decommissioned factory/office building, which was the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company. As its central base of operations, this white building was for over 100 years essentially the capital of Rupert's Land, which comprised the majority of present-day Canada! The initial settlement established in 1670 was at the mouth of the Nelson River just west, and moved to the present and extant site in 1684. Up until 1957 York Factory remained a northern trading post. Getting out there is not a simple affair, but can be done from Churchill as a day trip through Hudson Bay Helicopters (see [[#Do|below]]), for a rather steep price! | wikidata=Q1313314}} ==Do== [[File:Great White Bear Tours buggy.JPG|thumb|260px|A Great White Bear Tours buggy]] Activities are wildlife centric, and depend heavily on the season. During polar bear season everyone will head out in the tundra vehicles, while beluga whale season means the Churchill River will be filled with zodiacs and kayaks. Dog sledding can be done any time of the year, although the snowy months are more rewarding. Helicopter tours are pretty exciting any time of the year as well, but the aerial wildlife viewing is best late April through the end of bear season. ===Tundra vehicles=== The tundra vehicles are the main tour for most Churchill visitors, and also the biggest activity expense. Plan to spend two days out on the tundra during your trip during bear season (you absolutely will not regret it), and therefore $800 per traveller! Tours include a guide, and they are uniformly great (bring cash for a tip), as well as some tasty soup, sandwiches, sodas, coffee, and hot chocolate. '''Wear all your cold weather gear'''. You will want to spend some time on the outdoor deck in the back for photography, of course, but the inside is almost as cold—everyone rolls down the windows to take more pictures! * {{do | name=Great White Bear Tours | alt= | url=https://greatwhitebeartours.com/ | email= | address=266 Kelsey Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-866-765-8344 | hours= | price=$400 per day | content=One of two options for tundra vehicles. The reservations people are disorganized and do not take reservations by phone on weekends. Take down names for a bit of extra security when booking. The tour itself, though, is every bit as good as the other company's. }} * {{do | name=Lazy Bear Arctic Crawler | alt= | url=https://www.lazybearlodge.com/visiting-churchill | email= | address=313 Kelsey Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-663-9377 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$400 per day | content=Run by the Lazy Bear Lodge, this is the smallest operator with just one vehicle, and it usually is filled through their own package tour. It's worth giving them a call, though, if you are having trouble reserving the dates you want with the bigger companies. }} * {{do | name=Tundra Buggy Adventures | alt=Frontiers North Adventures | url=https://frontiersnorth.com/the-tundra-buggy-adventure | email= | address=124 Kelsey Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-949-2050 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$400 per day | content=The original Tundra Buggy operator, which holds the most permits to operate in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. They also operate the Tundra Buggy Lodge (see [[#Out of town|below]]). }} ===Dog sledding=== Dog sledding is a good activity, and fairly inexpensive. But it needs a caveat: you will spend very little time actually on a sled, and dog sledding involves little more than standing or sitting down and letting the dogs do the work. The true art of dog sledding is principally breeding and taking care of the dogs and secondarily logistics for trips. Also, during high season, expect to spend a lot of the time waiting around for your turn, as only two people can ride at a time! [[File:Churchill dog sledding2.JPG|thumb|260px|A late afternoon jaunt with some happy Canadian sled dogs]] So why do the dog sledding activity at all? The biggest reason is just to learn about the practice of dog sledding, which is pretty fascinating. Your host will take you around to meet the dogs (playing with the dogs is the other big reason to do this), and give you all sorts of background on the history and current practice of dog sledding, including all the competitions in the area. Dog sledding can be done even without snow. They will simply use a wheeled sled. As with the buggies, there are two operations in town, run by the two co-founders of the Hudson Bay Quest, a 220-mile (330-km) race from [[Gillam]] to Churchill every March (it used to go up along the west coast of the Hudson Bay to [[Arviat]], [[Nunavut]], but the boreal forest makes for a less whiteout sort of run than the flat, snow-covered tundra). * {{do | name=Blue Sky Expeditions | alt= | url= | email=jgaazure@mts.net | address=100 Button St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2001 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$95/guest, $147/non-hotel guest | content=Run by the owner of Blue Sky B&B (see [[#Sleep|below]]), Gerald Azure. Discounts are available for B&B guests. The tour runs year-round, with 2 -mile runs during bear season and 5-mile runs otherwise. In the frozen months of Jan–March, you can also do a half day or even full 30-mile day tour, at $525 for two B&B guests. }} * {{do | name=Wapusk Adventures | alt= | url=https://www.wapuskadventures.com/ | email=wapusk@mts.net | address=321 Kelsey Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2887 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$90/person | content=Run by Dave Daley, the owner of Wapusk General Store (see [[#Buy|below]]), this tour won the 2005 Manitoba Aboriginal Tourism Award. Dave is an active racer (and kind of an intense guy), still participating in the Hudson Bay Quest yearly, and also runs an outreach program to aboriginal kids interested in learning more about the heritage of dog sledding. The tour covers one mile. }} ===Boating=== There are two boating companies specializing in Beluga tours on the river, with Zodiacs and kayaks. The boat tours spend one-two hours on the water and then one more hour on the other bank to explore Prince of Wales Fort. The first is through Lazy Bear Lodge (see [[#Tundra buggies|above]] for contact information), which does a three hour tour for $130 per person, but cannot be booked in advance unless you have a room with them, so a spot would not be guaranteed if staying elsewhere and setting up your trip independently. The other is Sea North: [[File:Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear20.jpg|thumb|260px|I can has human treats?]] * {{do | name=Sea North Tours | alt= | url=https://www.seanorthtours.com/ | email=seanorth@mymts.net | address=39 Franklin St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2195 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Sea North is a dedicated tours-on-the-water company, with a bunch of different options for summer visitors. A really cool tour is the June Flow Ice Tour (which depends on sea ice conditions), which will take you on a two-hour animal spotting tour among the breaking ice, $105. The more standard tour, of course, is the July–August Beluga and Fort Tour, 2.5-3 hours in a Zodiac, $105 adults/$52.50 kids under 13. Kayak and standup paddleboard tours also run July–August at $160/person and $170/person respectively for three hours. }} ===Snorkelling/diving=== Yes, snorkelling! Most tourists are not mentally fortified to jump into a cold, cold river filled with whales, but it is certainly the most up-close way to see the Belugas. Scuba diving is permitted, but there are no guides to take you, so only experienced divers, and you must bring your own equipment to Churchill. You can fill your tanks at the hospital. For snorkellers, though, the two boating tour companies above (Sea North and Lazy Bear Lodge) will set you up with a guide and dry suit or wet suit. Sea North snorkelling in wet suits is available July–August, three hours, $195/person, two person minimum. Lazy Bear Lodge's similar three hour snorkelling tour is done in dry suits for $250 per person. ===Other=== * {{do | name=Helicopter tours | alt=Hudson Bay Heli | url=https://hudsonbayheli.com/ | email=info@hudsonbayheli.com | address=290 Kelsey Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2576 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Animal Tour: $500/person |lastedit=2022-08-21| content='''Hudson Bay Helicopters''' is the only helicopter operator in town. Their one-hour Animal Tour is by far their most popular option, and they often guarantee to see wildlife. Caribou and polar bears are the most exciting, since they are big enough to see easily! The Animal tour takes you out to Cape Churchill and Wapusk National Park, and you will see polar bears that no one else gets to see—it's a unique ecosystem to see from a helicopter, and it is worth the money. The tour will also take you over the town, by Miss Piggy and the shipwreck, and Prince of Wales Fort. Photography isn't fabulous from the helicopter, but really, you will want to spend your time looking out the window anyway. Minimum three people. In the summer months they also will offer a day-long charter down to York Factory (see [[#See|above]]). Specialty tours require advance notice, but you can just walk up to the door and get on an Animal Tour. Advance payment is never required, as weather can spoil a trip. }} * {{do | name=Hiking | alt=Nature 1st Tours | url= | email=nature1st@mymts.net | address=Launch Road | lat= | long= | directions=Near the Tundra Buggy launch—way out of town | phone=+1 204-675-2147 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=May–August | price=$85 half day, $150 full day; children 6-12 years 50% off when accompanied by 2 adults; children under 6 free |lastedit=2022-08-21| content=Hiking is a great way to get out of town, experience the different ecosystems, and spot wildlife (especially birds). Tour guides are experts, and will help you find Arctic hare, Arctic and red foxes, caribou, some 200 bird species, and even the occasional polar bear! They also do a cool walking tour of the tidal flats out to MV Ithaca. }} * {{do | name=Snowmobiling | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2474 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=There is one guy in town, Mike Macri, who will do snowmobile tours, but only well after the river has frozen (usually December–April). If you are interested, and there is a lot of snow on the ground, it's worth giving him a call anyway, and you do not need to pre-book before arriving in Churchill. }} [[File:Prince of Wales Fort, Churchill, MB.jpg|thumb|260px|Prince of Wales Fort from a helicopter]] * {{do | name=Tamarack Rentals | url=https://tamarackrentals.ca/ | email=tamarent@mts.net | address=299 Kelsey Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2192 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=24-hour support, but try to reach them before 5PM for a same-day rental | price=SUVs: $95-125/day, passenger vans: $115-160 |lastedit=2022-08-21| content=Same day rentals are almost always possible, and that is the way to go if you are trying to see the aurora (keep up to date on the space and local weather forecasts!) They will pick you up at the airport or train station, if you like. If you have a free day, a rental really is a good activity. Expect to spend at least $100 refuelling before returning. Remember to never lock the doors, so people can escape polar bears! }} ==Buy== Churchill is not exactly a major shopping destination, but there are some fun gift shops, especially if you skip the ones run by the tour companies (which ply their trade mostly by dropping off captive audiences at the end of the tours). The Itsanitaq Museum also has a nice gift shop. There is one central grocery/general store, which closes at 6PM, but will take care of most needs. The [[#Drink|liquor store]] is in Bayport Plaza by the post office and bank. * {{buy | name=Arctic Trading Company | alt= | url=http://www.arctictradingco.com/ | email=atcpenny@mts.net | address=141 Kelsey Blvd | lat= 58.7701 | long= -94.1751 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8804 | tollfree=+1-800-665-0431 | fax= | hours=M-Sa 9AM-6PM | price= | content=Perhaps the coolest store in the Canadian North, this old wooden building has a wild selection, from local native artwork to a full-on ''polar bear suit''. OK, so the polar bear suit (made in the 1950s) isn't for sale, and they're probably moving it to the Eskimo Museum, but there are a ton of other interesting animal products, from slippers to native-crafted pelt-art. You will almost certainly wind up buying something here, but the pleasure of browsing is reason alone to come. }} * {{buy | name=Churchill Creative Collective | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/ChurchillCreativeCollective/ | email= | address=Behind the Northern Store | lat= 58.7701 | long= -94.1731 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Most evenings | price= | content=Housed in a former Tundra Buggy, this is a small gallery housing arts and crafts exclusively made by locals. Cash only. }} * {{buy | name=Bazlik Jewellers | alt= | url= | email= | address=219 Kelsey Blvd | lat= 58.7688 | long= -94.1712 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2397 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Another interesting gift shop with jewellery and watches, also with some especially useful stuff like camera batteries and memory cards. They will also repair broken cameras! }} [[File:Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear12.JPG|thumb|260px|Giant fuzzy monsters prancing silently across the waste]] * {{buy | name=Northern Images | alt= | url=http://www.arcticco-op.com/services-northern-images-stores.htm | email= | address=174 Kelsey Blvd | lat= 58.7692 | long= -94.1739 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2681 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=May-Sep: Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM; Oct-Nov 8:30AM-8PM daily; Dec Tu-Sa | price= | content=A smaller and more focused store specializing in Inuit and local paintings, photography, sculpture, and other visual art. }} * {{buy | name=Northern Store | alt= | url= | email= | address=171 Kelsey Blvd | lat= 58.7696 | long= -94.1733 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8891 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Th Sa 10AM-6PM, F 10AM-8PM | price= | content=Ye olde general store is a place you'll almost certainly get to know, unless you are on a tour that takes care of everything. Groceries, some outdoor supplies (this is the only, limited option if you need winter weather gear that you forgot), DVDs, and some souvenirs. Things are more expensive this far north<!--, but it still makes sense to pick up a day's worth of food for the train ride back before restocking in Thompson-->. }} * {{buy | name=Wapusk General Store | alt= | url= | email= | address=321 Kelsey Blvd | lat= 58.7662 | long= -94.1657 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2887 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM | price= | content=Way at the other end of town from the rest of the gift shops is a cool old log cabin (built by the owner) with an Aboriginal-run gift shop (run by the same proprietors of the Wapusk Adventures dog-sledding tour). The more interesting stuff here are the jewellery and glassware. }} ==Eat== Most hotels will have ''something'' to eat, but the main restaurants in town are the three below. Expect high prices, but perhaps surprisingly, the food here is delicious. *{{eat | name=The Reef | alt= | url=http://www.seaporthotel.ca | email= | address=299 Kelsey Blvd | lat= 58.7690 | long= -94.1713 | directions=Inside the Seaport Hotel | phone=+1 204-675-8807 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 8AM-10PM | price=$15-35 | content=The Seaport Hotel's restaurant has an excellent traditional breakfast, and quite good lunch and dinner. It's pretty quiet, and does tend to attract more tourists than locals, but don't let that discourage you—this is a solid option with really nice servers and a full bar. This is the only restaurant in town that is open year round. }} [[File:Town of Churchill aerial view.JPG|thumb|260px|The town itself, with Hudson Bay in the background]] * {{eat | name=Tundra Inn Pub & Lounge | alt= | url=http://www.tundrainn.com | email= | address=23 Franklin St | lat= 58.7706 | long= -94.1737 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8831 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Jun-Sep: Tu-Sa 4PM-midnight; Oct-Nov 6AM-midnight daily | price=$20-40 | content=Breakfast is available only in bear season, and it's a pretty simple buffet (i.e., the other two restaurants have better breakfast). But dinner here is ''excellent'', with some local oddities rolled into a menu of hearty carb-hugs, much needed at the end of a cold day. As the Tundra Lounge is next door, they have good beer and cocktails. No lunch. }} * {{eat | name=Lazy Bear Café | alt= | url=https://www.lazybearlodge.com/lazy-bear-lodge | email= | address= | lat=58.7659 | long= -94.1648 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Jun-Sep: 7AM-9PM daily; Oct-Nov 6AM-9PM daily | price=$15-40 | content=Cosy restaurant in the Lazy Bear Lodge, the only place in town with an espresso machine. Good selection of sandwiches. No alcohol. }} ==Drink== Not long on bars, Churchill really only has two, aside from the Legion: the Tundra Lounge and the '''Pier Beverage Room''' at the Seaport Hotel. '''The Tundra Lounge''' (see eat above) is a safe bet for a good outing any night of the week, really the only show in town as far as bars go, and it's actually a really great spot. There is frequent live music (usually every Friday) that often gets people dancing, a pool table, and a good mix of tourists and locals. Of the beers available, the Manitoba craft brews from Fort Garry are quite good. * {{drink | name=Liquor Mart | alt= | url=http://www.liquormartsonline.com/ | email= | address=203 Laverendrye Ave | lat= 58.7704 | long= -94.1697 | directions=Bayport Plaza | phone=+1 204-675-2317 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Jan-Jun: Tu-Sa 11AM-6PM; Jul-Sep M-Sa 11AM-6PM; Oct-Dec M-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM | price= | content=The liquor selection is pretty good here. The wine and beer a bit less so, but those are easy to get in the restaurants. }} *{{drink | name=Royal Canadian Legion Branch #227 | alt= | url=http://branches.legion.ca/BrRes_Name.cfm | email= | address=23 Hudson Sq | lat=58.771994 | long=-94.170983 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2272 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Legion members and their guests only, but a good place to meet locals. }} ==Sleep== [[File:Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear15.JPG|thumb|260px|While some locals are OK with more basic accommodations, spring for indoor heating if visiting in winter]] Don't expect luxury in Churchill when it comes to lodgings. Everything is going to be basic, but warm and adequate, and with very helpful owners (really, everyone in this friendly town will happily go out of their way for you). The focus of any trip will be on what's outside! Rates are generally priced for two levels: a high price for bear season (Oct-Nov) and a low price for the rest of the year. ===In town=== * {{sleep | name=Aurora Inn | alt= | url=http://auroramb.ca | email=aurorain@mts.net | address=24 Bernier St | lat= 58.7709 | long= -94.1744 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2071 | tollfree=+1-888-840-1344 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$150-255 | content=The set-up here is pretty cool—it's a converted apartment building, so the rooms, which are all cozy two-storeys, feel a bit more like condo rentals. }} * {{sleep | name=Bear Country Inn | alt= | url= | email=bearcinn@mts.net | address=126 Kelsey Blvd | lat= 58.7701 | long= -94.1764 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8299 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The rooms are quite simple (no phones?), but the owners are friendly, and the hotel has the advantage of a decent-sized free continental breakfast that doesn't get put away until late in the day. Used by Great Canadian Travel Company. }} * {{sleep | name=Blue Sky Bed & Sled | alt= | url= | email=jgaazure@mts.net | address=100 Button St | lat=58.767 | long=-94.1594 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2001 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$100 Jan–June, $118 beluga season, $220 bear season | content=On the residential side of town, this B&B is run by a dog sled team owner, who naturally will take guests out for rides. It's also a nice spot for aurora viewing, as it backs out into the sub-Arctic wild, with an unobstructed view towards Hudson Bay... and any polar bears walking towards town! }} * {{sleep | name=Churchill Motel | alt= | url= | email=motelch@mymts.net | address=209 Kelsey Blvd | lat=58.7695064 | long=-94.1748750 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8853 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The old Churchill Motel is a little worn, but still a perfectly acceptable option, and tends to have availability in bear season, if you are having trouble finding something. The proprietor Dave, is much loved by the guests. Good breakfast at the restaurant, and a very central location. }} * {{sleep | name=Iceberg Inn | alt= | url=http://www.iceberginn.ca/ | email=djhunter@tms.net | address=184 Kelsey Blvd | lat=58.7689653 | long=-94.1734125 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2228 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$95, variable in bear season | content=A small, cozy, and rather basic hotel, with free hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate kept going all day long in the lobby. Good value and central location. }} * {{sleep | name=Lazy Bear Lodge | alt= | url=http://www.lazybearlodge.com/the-lodge/ | email=lazybearlodge@mts.net | address=313 Kelsey Blvd | lat=58.7659178 | long=-94.1650303 | directions= | phone=+1 204-663-9377 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A rare southern location in town on the main road. The cosy hotel is all made from logs, and has one of the best restaurants in town—and probably the only one that will cook you up some muskox—albeit without a liquor license. As they operate their own tundra vehicles, this is a popular option for people who want to have their hotel take care of tour arrangements for them. Indeed, it's not clear whether it's even possible to book a room here without signing up for their tour. }} * {{sleep | name=Polar Bear B&B | alt= | url=https://www.polarbearbandb.com | email= | address=26 Hearne St | lat=58.768224 | long=-94.162772 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2819 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=May–September: $90, Oct-Nov $120 | content=This B&B has really good rates during bear season for independent travellers looking to cut down on the huge Churchill expenses. It's a small place, but well-kept, with three rooms and two shared bathrooms. The one free breakfast at Gypsy's included in the price is a nice plus. The good rates and small size mean you'll have to book far in advance. }} * {{sleep | name=Polar Inn | alt= | url=http://www.polarinn.com | email=polarinn@mts.net | address=153 Kelsey Blvd | lat=58.7701289 | long=-94.1744708 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8878 | tollfree=+1-877-765-2733 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A motel with standard rooms and apartment-style suites, with an enviable location across the street from the grocery store, next to all the gift shops (they actually have one of their own), and a couple doors down from the pub. Free continental breakfast includes hot waffles. }} [[File:Tundra Lodge, Churchill.JPG|thumb|260px|Really out there, at the Tundra Lodge]] * {{sleep | name=Seaport Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.seaporthotel.ca/ | email=seaport1@mts.net | address=299 Kelsey Blvd | lat=58.7690969 | long=-94.1714781 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8804 | tollfree=+1-877-558-4555 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The Seaport has a good location in the centre of town, close to pretty much everything, and has arguably the best breakfast in town in their restaurant. Great staff. }} * {{sleep | name=Tundra Inn | alt= | url=http://www.tundrainn.com/hotel | email=info@tundrainn.com | address=34 Franklin St | lat=58.7706211 | long=-94.1727200 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8831 | tollfree=+1-800-265-8563 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$135-235 | content=This hotel has larger rooms than most in town, and has a shared kitchen, and free use of the clothes washer & dryer! The owners also operate the aurora domes outside of town, and will take you out there in the "aurora season" if they spot activity. They also run the Tundra Inn Pub across the street, which is the place to be at night, and has an early morning breakfast buffet during bear season (this does mean that there is no lunch by the hotel, though). The only real downside is the smell on the first floor, which is awful in the hall, but doesn't permeate the rooms too much (hopefully they'll take care of this at some point). }} :* {{sleep | name=Tundra House | alt= | url=http://www.tundrainn.com/hostel | email=hostel@tundrainn.com | address=51 Franklin St | lat=58.7713778 | long=-94.1728264 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-8831 | tollfree=+1-800-265-8563 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$32-80 | content=A cosy 6-bedroom property featuring a variety of bunk bed accommodations and private rooms. The property has shared kitchen and bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, laundry, and linens. Open December–October. }} ===Out of town=== * {{sleep | name=Churchill Northern Studies Center | alt= | url=http://www.churchillscience.ca/index.php?page=vacations | email=cnsc@churchillscience.ca | address= | lat= 58.7375 | long= -93.8191 | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2307 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Most vacations run a little over $1000, but the polar bear season experience is $2900 | content=It's possible to stay at the research station out in the tundra as part of a learning vacation, and have some truly expert specialist guides, with expertise regarding the ecosystems of the boreal forest, the pre-tundra, and sea ice. You need to book this ''very far'' in advance, as space is limited and there are regular repeat visitors who snag much of it up. As with the Tundra Buggy Lodge below, expect to lose a good deal of your independence, but it's a trade off for the learning-vacation with access to experts, and for the general experience of staying out in the wild north of the tree line. While the polar bear experience is the most popular, the late winter programs are intriguing: aurora/astronomy and a winter experience program where you learn to survive in the Arctic—igloo building, dog-sledding, etc. Stays are for five days, except the seven day polar bear experience. There are learning vacations focusing on the Northern Lights in February and March. The 5-day long seminars include workshops on the science, cultural history and techniques for photographing the Northern Lights. }} * {{sleep | name=Tundra Buggy Lodge | alt= | url=http://www.tundrabuggy.com/polar-bear-tours/tundra-buggy-lodge-at-polar-bear-point/ | email= | address= | lat= 58.7866 | long= -93.6859 | directions= | phone=+1 204-949-2050 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The main point of coming to Churchill during bear season is to see the bears, and this is the most immersive experience. (The Tundra Lodge is only operational in October and November.) Sleeping in the lodge, which has two sleeper cars, a dining car, lounge car, and various other utility cars, as well as two outdoor decks. You can watch the bears wake up with you and go to sleep with you, see the northern lights without leaving your bedroom and without any external light interference, etc. The downside, of course, is that you lose a fair amount of independence, but if your main goal is to spend as much time as possible with the bears, this is the way to go. The Lodge is booked almost always as part of an all-inclusive package, which would include your transport to Churchill from Winnipeg as well as food. Stays are for 2–8 nights, and the price per person runs $3,800–11,350 (with plenty of options in between). }} [[File:Polar bear danger sign.JPG|thumb|170px|Danger, polar bears!]] * {{sleep | name=Wat'chee Lodge | alt= | url=http://watchee.com/ | email= | address= | lat=58.209062 | long=-94.502492 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=If you really want to get away from civilization and deep into the wild of the Canadian north, aboriginal-run Wat'chee Lodge is the best option. 55 km (40 mi) south of Churchill in the boreal forest just west of the Wapusk National Park boundary, you are staying in a refurbished navy communications base, just outside the world's largest polar bear denning habitat. Guides have permits to enter the park and can take you within 100 m to the bears. The denning areas in the wilderness are the best places to photograph mother polar bears with cubs. This is a bit of a professional wildlife photographer retreat, in fact, for other animals as well (in addition to some great aurora watching potential), such as foxes, wolves, ptarmigan, caribou herds, etc. The polar bear ecotourism experience is only in the denning season (Feb-March) which is also a great time for aurora viewing. Wat'chee does not have publicly available contact information, and you must submit inquiries through the form on their website. }} ==Stay safe== [[Cold weather]] is theoretically a danger, but you probably won't have an opportunity to get hypothermia, since most all excursions in the winter will involve a vehicle and a fair degree of supervision. '''Polar bears''' are a real danger, though. Be careful when walking anywhere on the outskirts of town, such as Cape Merry, by the ''inukshuk'' and the big wooden boat behind the town centre, or anywhere outside of town. In such areas close to town you will notice Polar Bear Alert signs "Stop. Don't walk in this area", and if you do see a bear in or near town, call the Bear Patrol immediately at +1 204-675-BEAR (2327). Because of the dangers posed by polar bears, '''car doors are never locked''' in Churchill (don't ever lock your own if renting), and the quickest way to escape danger, if going indoors is not an immediate option, is to simply hop in a car and shut yourself inside. There hasn't been a bear-related death since 1980, but injuries have happened since, and even locals can get surprised by an itinerant bear now and then—stay aware of your surroundings at all times. ==Stay healthy== Because of Churchill's size and remote location, the services available at the hospital are limited. Individuals with serious medical issues may be transported to Winnipeg by air ambulance. The provincial government will cover most if not all of the cost of the evacuation for Manitoba residents, but not for other residents of Canada. Those coming from outside of Manitoba may or may not be covered by their provincial health plan or private supplementary plan. Visitors from outside of Canada [[Canada#Stay Healthy|should always purchase health insurance when visiting Canada]] unless they are coming on a visa that allows them to apply for provincial health insurance. As the cost for the flight to Winnipeg can exceed $10,000, plus the cost of a ground ambulance in Winnipeg and medical treatment in both Winnipeg and Churchill, insurance for visitors should have a high coverage ceiling. ==Connect== You will have Wi-Fi wherever you stay, and nearly all hotels will have an available computer. There is LTE cell data service in town, which also extends to the airport, though don't expect it anywhere else outside of town. Anyone with a Canadian SIM card or whose international carrier has a roaming agreement with any of the three major Canadian cell providers (Bell, Rogers or Telus) should be able to get service. ===By mail=== * {{listing | name=Canada Post | url=http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/fpo/personal/findPostOfficeDetail?outletId=0000510920 | email= | address=204 La Vérendrye Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 204-675-2696 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 8AM-5PM | price= | content=Handy for shipping souvenirs. }} ==Go next== [[File:Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear5.JPG|thumb|260px|Don't let the door hit you on the way out, sucka!]] There really isn't anywhere to go—you're stranded here! If you fancy a rare trip to remote [[Nunavut]], Calm Air and First air offer a daily flight to [[Rankin Inlet]]. The other option would be a custom canoeing trip (summer only, naturally) through Northern Soul Adventures. (See [[#Do|above]].) Otherwise you'll likely end up back in [[Winnipeg]], [[Thompson]] or [[Gillam]]. {{routebox | image1=VIA Rail Winnipeg Churchill icon.png | link1=across Canada by train | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=N | majorl1=END | minorl1= | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Winnipeg]] | minorr1=[[Thompson]] }} {{isPartOf|North of 53}} {{starcity}} {{geo|58.769167|-94.169167|zoom=11}} s15xtrjwxf6zf599v1k4glar006qx1x 0 7986 4506495 4503561 2022-08-23T02:50:45Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Colorado Springs Wikivoyage banner.jpg|caption=Garden of the Gods}} '''[http://www.experiencecoloradosprings.com Colorado Springs]''' is the second largest city in [[Colorado]], behind [[Denver]] to the north, and defines the northeastern tip of the [[South Central Colorado|south central]] region of the state. Attractive mountain scenery is nearby. ==Understand== The '''Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau''': * {{listing | name=Visitor Information Center | url=http://www.visitcos.com/ | email= | address=515 S. Cascade Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Off-season: M-F 8:30AM-5PM, summer season: daily 8AM-6PM | price= | content= }} ==Get in== {{mapframe|layer=W}} ===By plane=== * {{go | name=Colorado Springs Municipal Airport | alt={{IATA|COS}} | url=https://coloradosprings.gov/flycos | email= | address= | lat=38.805833 | long=-104.700833 | directions=11 miles east of downtown Colorado Springs | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Colorado Springs Airport | image=PetersonAFB.jpg | wikidata=Q969087 | lastedit=2020-04-19 | content=This is a full-service airport, but small enough to be able to get in and out quickly. Free wireless internet. It's a very nice place to wait for an hour or two if you arrive early for your flight. The airlines that serve Colorado Springs are American, Delta, Frontier, United and Southwest. }} * '''[http://pueblo.us/cgi-bin/gt/tpl_page.html,template=12&content=831&nav1=1& Pueblo Memorial Airport]''' ({{IATA|PUB}}) - Small full-service airport 40 miles south of downtown offering regional commercial air service. * '''[[Denver International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|DEN}}) - 80 miles north of Colorado Springs. [https://groometransportation.com/Colorado-springs/ Groome Transportation] has hourly shuttle service between Colorado Springs and DEN; it is also possible to take the A Line rail to downtown Denver and then Bustang or Greyhound to Colorado Springs. ===By car=== * '''Interstate 25''' is the only Interstate, running north-south through the city. Colorado Highway 83 provides a secondary route between East Denver and The Springs. US Highway 24 connects the city with mountain communities to the West and Limon, Colorado on the Eastern Plains. * '''[[Denver]]''' is 70 miles north on I-25. * '''[[Albuquerque]]''' is about 380 miles south on I-25. ===By bus=== [http://www.greyhound.com '''Greyhound'''] runs bus services up to five times per day from [[Denver]] and at least once daily from other cities in Colorado and neighbouring states. The {{marker|type=go|name=Greyhound bus terminal|url=http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/US/Colorado-Springs/bus-station/bus-station-830104|lat=38.831629|long=-104.820346}} is located at 120 S Weber St in downtown. '''[https://ridebustang.com/ Bustang]''' also runs service from Denver and Pueblo. ==Get around== Colorado Springs lies along the foothills east of the Rocky Mountains. It runs north-south along I-25, with the Air Force Academy to the North, downtown to the south, and Pikes Peak rising in the west. *'''[http://www.springsgov.com/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=19 Colorado Springs Transit]''' *'''[http://www.thecityofcoloradosprings.com/taxis/index.html Taxi Services]''' ==See== * {{see | name=Garden of the Gods | alt= | url=http://www.gardenofgods.com | email= | address=1805 N 30th St | lat=38.877804 | long=-104.870768 | directions=I25 Exit west 2.5 mi, then south on 30th St | phone=+1 719 634-6666 | tollfree= | hours=5AM-11PM | price=Free | wikidata=Q937606 | content=A series of dramatic sandstone formations, enclosed by a city park. Excellent for hiking and technical rock climbing. }} [[File:GardenOFTHEgodsCO.jpg|thumb|200px|A formation in the Garden of the Gods]] * {{see | name=Pikes Peak | url=http://www.pikespeakcolorado.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.907866 | long=-104.981575 | directions=West about 10 miles on Cimarron St./Rt 24 | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-318-9505 | fax= | hours=May-Sept 7AM-7PM | price=$10 per person/$35 per car | content=The most famous peak in Colorado, inspiring the song "America the Beautiful", dominates over the city to the west. Drive to the top, or ascend by '''[http://www.cograilway.com Cog Rail]'''. Feeling fit? Hike up Barr Trail to the summit, especially beautiful in the summer with all the wild flowers. Feeling really fit? Run up during the Pikes Peak Ascent or run up ''and'' down in the Pikes Peak Marathon. }} [[File:PIKE'sPEAKco.jpg|thumb|300px|A view of Pike's Peak from the Garden of the Gods]] * {{see | name=Rock Ledge Ranch | url=http://www.rockledgeranch.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.87737 | long=-104.87140 | directions=across 30th St from the Garden of the Gods visitor center, left at the main entrance to Garden of the Gods | phone=+1 719 578-6777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=June–August and special events | price=$4-8 | content=A seasonal living history museum ranging across four time periods encompassing authentic American Indian, early settler, Victorian and Edwardian eras. }} * {{see | name=Cave of the Winds | alt= | url=https://caveofthewinds.com/ | email=info@caveofthewinds.com | address=100 Cave of the Winds Rd, Manitou Springs | lat=38.87321 | long=-104.92218 | directions=West about 6 miles on Cimarron St./Rt 24 | phone=+1 719 685-5444 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-9PM | price=~$20 | wikidata=Q5054965 | lastedit=2020-12-12 | content=A series of caves near Manitou Springs, offering tours. }} * {{see | name=Cheyenne Mountain Zoo | alt= | url=http://www.cmzoo.org | email= | address=4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd | lat=38.7712 | long=-104.852765 | directions=I-25 Exit 138, west to the Broadmoor Hotel, then right and follow signs | phone=+1 719 633-9925 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-6PM | price=$12 | wikidata=Q5094594 | content=A small, scenic mountain zoo with many exotic animals. }} * {{see | name=Seven Falls | alt= | url=http://www.sevenfalls.com | email= | address= | lat=38.782123 | long=-104.879823 | directions=West on West Cheyenne Blvd | phone=+1 719 632-0765 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$9 Adult, $5.50 child | wikidata=Q7457262 | content=A privately owned series of falls and nature trails. Fills up quickly on weekends, but you can instead visit neighboring Helen Hunt Falls. }} * {{see | name=Helen Hunt Falls | url=http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=781 | email= | address= | lat=38.788596 | long=-104.90319 | directions=West on West Cheyenne Blvd, right at sign | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=free | content=A short hike to some great views, within '''[http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=3038 North Cheyenne Cañon City Park]'''. }} * {{see | name=United States Olympic Training Center | alt= | url=https://www.teamusa.org/about-the-usoc/olympic-training-centers/csotc/tours | email= | address=1 Olympic Plaza | lat=38.8409 | long=-104.796 | directions= | phone=+1 719 632-5551 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$12 adult, $10 seniors and military, $8 children 5-12 | wikipedia=United States Olympic Training Center | image=United States Olympic Training Center Colorado Springs.jpg | wikidata=Q7890853 | content=Major U.S. Olympic training facility, with an aquatic center, gymnasiums, shooting center, and velodrome. Senior, group and military discounts are available. }} * {{see | name=United States Air Force Academy | alt= | url=http://www.usafa.af.mil | email= | address= | lat=39.008113 | long=-104.890509 | directions=I-25 Exit 156B | phone=+1 719 333-2025 | tollfree= | hours=8AM-6PM | price=free | wikidata=Q1331280 | content=Academy nestled in the foothills of the Rampart range at the north end of town, you can tour the famous Chapel and other sights. }} * {{see | name=Air Force Falcons | url=http://www.goairforcefalcons.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Air Force Academy | phone=+1 719 472-1895 | tollfree=+1-800-666-USAF | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Academy's athletic program offers college sports action throughout the school year. The best-known program is the football team, long a solidly competitive program. Football games especially offer a unique combination of military pageantry and traditional college sports atmosphere. Ticket prices vary by sport. | wikipedia=Air Force Falcons |wikidata=Q16147118 }} * {{see | name=Colorado College Tigers | url=http://www.cctigers.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Colorado College | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Tigers play most of their sports in the non-scholarship NCAA Division III. However, two sports—men's ice hockey and women's soccer—play in Division I. The hockey team, which plays at Ed Robson Arena on its campus as a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, has one of the richest traditions in U.S. college hockey. Its rivalry with the University of Denver is one of the fiercest in the sport. }} * {{see | name=May Natural History Museum | alt= | url=https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.705146 | long=-104.840598 | directions=I-25 Exit 140, South 8 miles on Rt 115, right at huge beetle | phone=+1 719 576-0450 | tollfree= | hours=May-Sept 9AM-5PM | price=$6 | wikidata=Q102951936 | content=An eclectic but unique museum south of town, with thousands of large insects collected by John May from around the tropics. }} * {{see | name=ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy | alt= | url=http://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/ | email=halloffame@prorodeo.com | address=101 ProRodeo Dr | lat=38.912778 | long=-104.824167 | directions= | phone=+1 719 528-4764 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$6 adults, $3 children | wikidata=Q7246684 | content=The only heritage center in the world devoted to professional rodeo, with two multi-media presentations and Hall of Champions. }} * {{see | name=Garden of the Gods Trading Post | alt= | url=http://www.gardenofthegodstradingpost.com | email= | address= | lat=38.863944 | long=-104.8925 | directions=South end of Garden of the Gods park | phone=+1 719 685-9045 | tollfree=+1-800-874-4515 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q55075236 | content=Don't miss the largest art gallery and gift shop in Colorado. Sample delicious buffalo burgers and more at the Balanced Rock Cafe, on the outdoor patio, under the shade of the cottonwood trees. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ghost Town Museum | alt= | url=http://ghosttownmuseum.com | email= | address=400 S. 21st St | lat=38.8404 | long=-104.8609 | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-0696 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$6.50 adults, $4 children, under 6-free | content=Step back in time to Colorado's gold-rush days and experience an 1800s old west town frozen in time. Pan for real gold! }} * {{see | name=Western Museum of Mining and Industry | alt= | url=http://www.wmmi.org | email= | address=225 North Gate Blvd. | lat=39.0274 | long=-104.829 | directions= | phone=+1 719 488-0880 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Western Museum of Mining & Industry | image=500 hp Corliss Steam Engine.jpg | wikidata=Q7988086 | content=Featuring hands-on exhibits, gold panning, a working steam engine and Oro and Nugget, mascot burros! }} * {{see | name=Rocky Mountain Vibes | url=https://milb.com/rocky-mountain | email= | address=4385 Tutt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 591-7699 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Rocky Mountain Vibes | content=The local Pioneer League (low minor league) baseball team plays at {{marker|type=do|name=UCHealth Park|lat=38.894172|long=-104.710311}}. | wikidata=Q2083283}} * {{see | name=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | url=http://www.switchbacksfc.com | email=tickets@switchbacksfc.com | address=111 W Cimarron St | lat=38.826363 | long=-104.828191 | directions= | phone=+1 719 368-8480 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | content= The local soccer team plays in the second-level USL Championship at {{marker|type=do|name=Weidner Field|lat=38.826363 |long=-104.828191}} near downtown. (Note that this is the second stadium of that name; the original one, which has since been renamed, is near UCHealth Park.) | wikidata=Q16837600}} * {{see | name=Penny Arcade Manitou Springs | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/manitouspringspennyarcade | email= | address=930 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719-685-9815 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-17 | content=A historic location in Manitou Springs just outside of Colorado Springs where you can play old and new arcade games. }} * {{see | name=Cheyenne Mountain State Park | alt= | url=http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/cheyennemountain | email=cheyenne.park@state.co.us | address=410 JL Ranch Heights | lat=38.7336 | long=-104.828 | directions= | phone=+1 719 576-2016 | tollfree= | hours=Day use 5AM-10PM, Archery range sunrise-sunset, Visitor center: May 1- Sept 30: 9AM-5PM, Oct 1- April 30: 9AM-4PM | price=Day use $9/vehicle/day, Camping $28, Full hook-up campsite $41 | wikidata=Q5094593 | lastedit=2020-11-24 | content= }} * {{see | name=United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum | alt= | url=https://usopm.org | email=contact@usopm.org | address=200 S Sierra Madre St | lat=38.8295 | long=-104.8296 | directions= | phone=+1 719-497-1234 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adults $24.95, Seniors (65+), Military, and First responders $19.95, Children (3-12) $14.95, Children under 2 free. Only VISA cards are accepted, no cash | wikidata=Q96412665 | lastedit=2020-11-23 | content= }} ==Do== * {{do|name=Sky Zone Colorado Springs|lat=38.9335|long=-104.7935|url=http://www.skyzone.com/coloradosprings }} * '''Hiking''', the Pike National Forest to the west, Pikes Peak, and numerous city parks offer ample hiking opportunities. * '''Horseback Riding''' ** {{do | name=Academy Riding Stables | alt= | url=http://www.arsriding.com {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-700-0410 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Enjoy a ride through beautiful towering sandstone rock formations in the Garden of the Gods. }} ** {{do | name=Mark Reyner Stables Inc | alt= | url=http://www.markreynerstables.com | email= | address=3254 Paseo Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-4173 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * '''Cycling''' ** {{do | name=Challenge Unlimited-Pikes Peak by Bike | alt= | url=http://www.bikithikit.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-798-5954 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bike down over 7,000 feet from the top of Pikes Peak with professional guides, mid-April–October. Bike helmet, all-weather gear and meals are included. }} * '''Rock Climbing''', at Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon (non-marking chalk only, register first at the Garden of the Gods visitor center), and in North Cheyenne Cañon City Park. ** {{do | name=The Colorado Climbing Company | alt= | url=http://www.coclimbing.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 209-6649 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Climb with certified, professional guides in the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Cañon, Red Rock Canyon, and more. }} [[image:Colorafting.jpg|thumb|300px|Whitewater Rafting in Colorado Springs]] * '''Whitewater Rafting''' on the Arkansas river, about an hour south of town. * '''Pets''', Colorado Springs is very dog friendly, with excellent areas for off-leash hiking at [http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=788#os Red Rock Canyon Open Space], [http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=788#rp Palmer Park], and [https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/bear-creek-regional-park/ Bear Creek Regional Park]. * '''Skate''' ** {{do | name=Colorado Springs World Arena Ice Hall | alt= | url=http://www.worldarena.com/page.asp?id=8&name=Ice%20Hall {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * '''Volleyball''' ** {{do | name=The Volleyball Shack | alt= | url=http://www.bighousesports.us/home/TheVolleyballShack/ShackInfo/tabid/119/Default.aspx {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Indoor }} ** {{do | name=The Sand Pits | alt= | url=http://thesandpits.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Sand }} * '''Card Games''' ** {{do | name=ACBL Unit 360 Bridge Center | alt= | url=http://coloradospringsbridge.com/ | email= | address=901 N.17th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-7250 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Sanctioned duplicate games most afternoons and many evenings (except Sunday). }} * {{do | name=Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts | alt= | url=http://www.pikespeakcenter.com/ | email= | address=190 S Cascade Ave | lat=38.831 | long=-104.827 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=CSPPC Butterfly.jpg | wikidata=Q7193646 | lastedit=2020-12-12 | content= }} ==Buy== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Chapel Hills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.chapelhillsmall.com | email= | address=1710 Briargate Blvd | lat=38.945 | long=-104.795 | directions=Near N. Academy and I-25 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5073028 | content=Shopping, food court. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=The Citadel Mall | alt= | url=http://www.shopthecitadel.com | email= | address=750 Citadel Dr. East | lat=38.843 | long=-104.76 | directions=Academy & Platte (CO-24) | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7723111 | content=Shopping, food court. }} * {{buy | name=Old Colorado City | alt= | url=http://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.848056 | long=-104.864167 | directions=W Colorado Ave, between 23rd and 28th Streets | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7083750 | content=Historic district with shopping and restaurants. }} * {{buy | name=Manitou Springs | url=http://manitousprings.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=West on CO-24 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Shopping, many restaurants, designated national historic district. }} *[https://thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com '''The Promenade Shops at Briargate'''], 1885 Briargate Parkway (Near Briargate Pwky & I-25). Shopping, many restaurants. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza & Brewery | url= | email= | address=11 S. Tejon | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 475-9224 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Great gourmet pizzas. }} * {{eat | name=Shuga's | url=http://www.shugas.com/ | email= | address=702 S. Cascade | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 328-1412 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 11AM-1PM | price= | content=Funky. }} * {{eat | name=Big Train | url= | email= | address=3050 N Nevada | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 473-8218 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Good place for chicken fried steak breakfast. }} * {{eat | name=Biaggis | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=shops at briargate | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=A little on the expensive side but well worth it | content=Great gourmet Italian food. }} * {{eat | name=Jake and Telly's | url= | email= | address=2616 Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 633-0406 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Great Greek food; under $15 for lunch, over $20 for dinner. Sit outside on their second floor patio and enjoy the gorgeous Colorado Springs weather. }} * {{eat | name=O'Furry's | url=http://www.ofurrys.com/ | email= | address=900 E. Fillmore | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-3106 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hole-in-the-wall Irish-style pub, featuring some of the best burgers in Colorado Springs. }} * {{eat | name=Frankie's Bar & Grill | url=http://www.frankiesbargrill.com/ | email= | address=945 Powers & Galley | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 574-4881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Neighborhood bar/grill since 1984.Burgers and wings. Perfect for watching all the games. }} * {{eat | name=Frankie's Too! | url=http://www.frankiestoo.com/ | email= | address=7376 McLaughlin Rd, Falcon | lat= | long= | directions=Woodmen & Meridian | phone=+1 719 495-8708 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Sports, spirits and food. }} * {{eat | name=Jun Japanese | url=http://www.junjapanese.com/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=1760 Dublin, 3276 Centennial | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 531-9368 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Very good Japanese - Popular happy hour }} * {{eat | name=Rico's Coffee and Wine Bar | url=http://www.poorrichardsdowntown.com/ | email= | address=324 N. Tejon | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 632-7721 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Wine, chocolate, coffee, tapas, and great music. }} * {{eat | name=Pueblo Viejo | url= | email= | address=5598 N. Academy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 266-1999 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Authentic Mexican food. Run by a family from [[Jalisco]], Mexico who specialize in chile rellenos. Great salsa and atmosphere. }} * {{eat | name=Solo's Restaurant | url=http://www.solosrestaurant.com/ | email= | address=1665 N. Newport | lat= | long= | directions=Powers & Fountain | phone=+1 719 570-7656 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ok diner, and you can eat inside a KC-97 aircraft, lots of aviation decor. }} * {{eat | name=Sheldon's Luncheonette| url=http://sheldonslunch.com/ | email= | address=204 Mount View Ln #16 | lat= | long= | directions=off N Nevada, south of Garden of the Gods Road | phone=+1 719 599-0887 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M-Sa 6AM-2PM, Su 7AM-1PM | price= | content=Awesome breakfast and daily meat sandwiches or plates for lunch. }} * {{eat | name=Carbonella Creations | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/CarbonellaCreations/ | email=carbonellacreations@hotmail.com | address=1169 N Circle Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 213 1097 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 11:30AM - 7:30PM | price=$$ | lastedit=2017-10-19 | content=Fresh pasta, made in the house. Pizzas, breads, focaccia, cured meats, etc }} * {{eat | name=O'sae Sushi Ramen Bistro | alt= | url=http://osaecolorado.com/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=1825 Peterson Rd | lat=38.858482 | long=-104.700100 | directions= | phone=+1 719 570-0543 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00AM–2:00PM; 4:30PM–9:00PM (Closed Tuesdays) | price= | lastedit=2019-01-07 | content=O’sae offers authentic and delicious tasting Japanese cuisine and bistro in Colorado Springs, CO. O’sae's convenient location makes this restaurant a natural choice for dine-in or take-out meals in the Colorado Spring community. The restaurant is known for its variety in taste and choice of meals. Customers can state their personal taste preferences upon arrival and then take delight in the individualized maki, sushi, salad, and ramen creations. A true new way to do your traditional O’sae style meal. }} * {{eat | name=Slice420 | alt= | url=https://www.slice420.com/ | email= | address=2501 W Colorado Ave #108 | lat=38.84713 | long=-104.86331 | directions= | phone=+1 719 368-6977 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=Great New York style pizza. Founded by a family of American medical refugees who actively support/donate to American medical refugee causes, HopeKids, The Shandy Clinic, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, Flowering Hope Foundation, and local businesses and individuals in need. Offers pizza by the slice, full pizza pies, calzones, pizza rolls, salads, desserts, etc. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bristol Brewing Company | alt= | url=http://www.bristolbrewing.com/ | email= | address=1604 S Cascade Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 633-2555 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | contentIn an old elementary school. Quite charming and unique. }} *{{listing | type=drink | name=Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. | alt= | url=http://www.phantomcanyon.com | email= | address=2 E. Pikes Peak Ave | lat=38.83423 | long=-104.82492 | directions= | phone=+1 719 635-2800 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 10AM-2AM | price= | content=Wide variety of excellent brews made on premises. Also serves high quality food for lunch and dinner daily. Brunch is available Sunday only. }} *{{drink | name=Jack Quinns Irish Pub | url= | email= | address=Tejon St | lat= | long= | directions=Downtown | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Great Irish and English beers, decent Irish food. Stay for the Irish band! }} *{{drink | name=Trinity Brewing Co | alt= | url= | email= | address=1466 W Garden off Gods Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Mile or so west of I 25 on Garden off Gods Rd | phone=+1 719 634-0029 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Great micro brewery! Has 4-6 of their own beers on tap as well as an ever changing selection of 28 Plus other micro beers. Great food. Great crowd. Free Wi-Fi. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=The Broadmoor | alt= | url=https://www.broadmoor.com/ | email= | address=1 Lake Ave | lat=38.7912 | long=-104.8506 | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-7711 | tollfree=+1-855-634-7711 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q7720219 | content=A resort just outside Colorado Springs, covering 3,000 acres with 700 hotel rooms and suites, 15 restaurants, cafés and lounges, three championship golf courses, a tennis club, and world-class spa. Even if your budget won't allow you to stay there, it's worth touring the lavish grounds at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. }} * {{sleep | name=Cheyenne Mountain Resort | url=http://www.cheyennemountain.com | email= | address=3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 538-4000 | tollfree=+1-800-428-8886 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Offers 316 rooms and suites in eight residential lodges, each with a private balcony and views of Cheyenne Mountain. }} * {{sleep | name=Elegante Hotel and Conference Center | url=http://www.hotelelegante.com/ | email= | address=2886 South Circle Dr. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 576-5900 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Colorado Springs Marriott | alt= | url=http://www.coloradospringsmarriott.com | email= | address=5580 Tech Center Dr | lat=38.9134 | long=-104.8301 | directions= | phone=+1 719-260-1800 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Luxury hotel near the Air Force Academy with mountain vistas and Southwestern dining. }} * {{sleep | name=Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs | url=http://www.cpcoloradosprings.com | email= | address=2886 South Circle Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-981-4012 | fax=+1 719-576-7695 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A nice, moderately expensive hotel with rooms and suites and high-speed wireless Internet access. }} * {{sleep | name=Silverwood Hotel and Conference Center | url=http://www.silverwoodhotel.com/ | email= | address=505 Popes Bluff Trail | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-866-602-8120 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Remodeled facilities off I-25 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Rodeway Inn and Suites | alt= | url=http://www.rodewayinn.com/hotel-colorado_springs-colorado-CO725 | email= | address=1623 S. Nevada Ave | lat=38.81039 | long=-104.82168 | directions=Exit 140 and three blocks south of I-25 on Nevada | phone=+1 719 623-2300 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price=economy | content=Large outdoor heated pool, pet friendly, in room coffee, daily continental breakfast. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=DoubleTree by Hilton Colorado Springs | alt= | url=http://www.doubletreecosprings.com/ | email= | address=1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd | lat=38.7943 | long=-104.7996 | directions= | phone=+1 719 576-8900 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hampton Inn & Suites Colorado Springs/I-25 South | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/coswahx-hampton-suites-colorado-springs-i-25-south/ | email= | address=2910 Geyser Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-719-884-0330 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2020-02-10 | content= }} ==Stay safe== The town is about as safe as [[Denver]], though be aware that Colorado has one of the highest death rates via automobile accidents in the US. So just remember to drive defensively and you'll be fine. Colorado Springs is infamous for speed traps also. Watch out for motorcycle cops (around 5 or 6) along with one or more cruisers waiting to catch you speeding. The southern part of town is generally less safe than the northern part. Ft. Carson, on the southern edge of town, is a large Army installation bringing in thousands of young, energetic men and women. The businesses that these clients would frequent sometimes attract a rougher crowd. Stay north of Platte or west of Wahsatch, and all should be well. ==Connect== * {{listing | type=listing | name=Colorado Springs Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.83345 | long=-104.82119 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-17 | content= }} ===Wireless Internet=== [[image:Tastycreamery.jpg|thumb|200px|Colorado City Creamery]] *'''Colorado City Creamery''', Rockrimmon & Delmonico. Network is secured, information available inside for how to connect. *'''The Daily Grind''', 1200 S Tejon St. Free WiFi. *'''Einstein Bros. Café''', 4325 Centennial Blvd (''at intersection with Garden of the Gods Rd''), ''+1 719'' 548-8408. Also at Woodmen & Academy. M-F 5:30AM-6PM, Sa 6AM-4PM, Su 7AM-4PM. Free Wi-Fi. *'''[http://mountainperkscoffee.com/ Mountain Perks Coffee,] {{dead link|December 2020}}''' 5765 N. Academy. Free WiFi. *'''Oldeworld Bagel''', 1670 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd Suite A (''in the same shopping plaza as Target, near I-25 and Circle''), ''+1 719'' 527-9651. Free WiFi. *'''[http://www.panerabread.com Panera Bread]''', 7344 North Academy Blvd, ''+1 719'' 522-1100; 1845 Briargate Parkway ''+1 719'' 266-9200; 3120 New Center Point ''+1 719'' 637-3500; 1832 Southgate Road ''+1 719'' 389-0808. Free wireless; however, after you connect your browser only directs you to Panera's portal until you click on the appropriate link agreeing to their terms of service. *'''Raven's Nest''', 330 N Institute Suite #A (''SW corner of Institute at Boulder''), ''+1 719'' 632-3433. M-F 5AM-5:30PM, Sa-Su 7AM-noon. Free WiFi. "A neighborhood gathering place." *'''Rico's Coffee & Wine Bar''', 324 N. Tejon St. Free WiFi throughout the cafe with seating in the adjacent bookstore. *'''Serranos Coffee Company''', 7335 N Academy Blvd (''at Falcon Landing, north of Woodmen on the east side''), ''+1 719'' 266-0843. Free WiFi. Original store is in [[Monument]]. *'''The Summit House''', (''in the shopping plaza at the corner of Voyager Parkway and Middle Creek in the northernmost part of town'', ''From the north exit I-25 at #156A, take Northgate Road east to Voyager Parkway, turn south; from the south exit I-25 at Interquest Parkway, turn north onto Voyager Parkway''), ''+1 719'' 488-8893. M-F 6AM-9PM, Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 7AM-5PM. Free WiFi. *'''[http://www.unwiredaccess.net unwiredaccess.net]'''. Has many customers downtown. They charge a $6 one-time ("lifetime") fee for an account. Then you can use their wireless hotspots with no further charges (until they go out of business). (Their pricing is different depending on location - the PikesPerk Coffee House on North Academy still uses unwiredaccess.net but does not require a fee. It's assumed the coffee house is paying for the access). *The towns of [[Monument]] and [[Palmer Lake]], about 10 miles north of Colorado Springs, also have free wireless access. ==Go next== * '''[[Manitou Springs]]''' Small historic town and shopping area west of the city, base of the Cog Rail * '''[[Great Sand Dunes National Park]]''', a national park about 2 hours drive southwest of the city. Trek or slide around {{ft|750}} sand dunes. * '''[[Cañon City|The Arkansas River]]''' has rafting, fishing, and the Royal Gorge, about an hour south of town * '''Ski''', the closest resorts are [[Breckenridge (Colorado)|Breckenridge]] and [[Salida (Colorado)|Monarch]], each about a two-hour drive. {{routebox | image1=I-25.svg | imagesize1=22 | image1a=US 87.svg | imagesize1a=22 | image1b= | imagesize1b= | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Denver]] | minorl1=[[Monument]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]]/[[Clayton (New Mexico)|Clayton]] | minorr1=[[Pueblo]] | image2=US 24.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Minturn]] | minorl2=[[Manitou Springs]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Stockton (Kansas)|Stockton]] | minorr2=[[Limon (Colorado)|Limon]] }} {{usablecity}} {{isPartOf|South Central Colorado}} {{geo|38.836097|-104.825664}} q9u2swrv9ua86ts8yj17im9db3465rt 4506496 4506495 2022-08-23T02:51:17Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* See */ Oops. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Colorado Springs Wikivoyage banner.jpg|caption=Garden of the Gods}} '''[http://www.experiencecoloradosprings.com Colorado Springs]''' is the second largest city in [[Colorado]], behind [[Denver]] to the north, and defines the northeastern tip of the [[South Central Colorado|south central]] region of the state. Attractive mountain scenery is nearby. ==Understand== The '''Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau''': * {{listing | name=Visitor Information Center | url=http://www.visitcos.com/ | email= | address=515 S. Cascade Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Off-season: M-F 8:30AM-5PM, summer season: daily 8AM-6PM | price= | content= }} ==Get in== {{mapframe|layer=W}} ===By plane=== * {{go | name=Colorado Springs Municipal Airport | alt={{IATA|COS}} | url=https://coloradosprings.gov/flycos | email= | address= | lat=38.805833 | long=-104.700833 | directions=11 miles east of downtown Colorado Springs | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Colorado Springs Airport | image=PetersonAFB.jpg | wikidata=Q969087 | lastedit=2020-04-19 | content=This is a full-service airport, but small enough to be able to get in and out quickly. Free wireless internet. It's a very nice place to wait for an hour or two if you arrive early for your flight. The airlines that serve Colorado Springs are American, Delta, Frontier, United and Southwest. }} * '''[http://pueblo.us/cgi-bin/gt/tpl_page.html,template=12&content=831&nav1=1& Pueblo Memorial Airport]''' ({{IATA|PUB}}) - Small full-service airport 40 miles south of downtown offering regional commercial air service. * '''[[Denver International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|DEN}}) - 80 miles north of Colorado Springs. [https://groometransportation.com/Colorado-springs/ Groome Transportation] has hourly shuttle service between Colorado Springs and DEN; it is also possible to take the A Line rail to downtown Denver and then Bustang or Greyhound to Colorado Springs. ===By car=== * '''Interstate 25''' is the only Interstate, running north-south through the city. Colorado Highway 83 provides a secondary route between East Denver and The Springs. US Highway 24 connects the city with mountain communities to the West and Limon, Colorado on the Eastern Plains. * '''[[Denver]]''' is 70 miles north on I-25. * '''[[Albuquerque]]''' is about 380 miles south on I-25. ===By bus=== [http://www.greyhound.com '''Greyhound'''] runs bus services up to five times per day from [[Denver]] and at least once daily from other cities in Colorado and neighbouring states. The {{marker|type=go|name=Greyhound bus terminal|url=http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/US/Colorado-Springs/bus-station/bus-station-830104|lat=38.831629|long=-104.820346}} is located at 120 S Weber St in downtown. '''[https://ridebustang.com/ Bustang]''' also runs service from Denver and Pueblo. ==Get around== Colorado Springs lies along the foothills east of the Rocky Mountains. It runs north-south along I-25, with the Air Force Academy to the North, downtown to the south, and Pikes Peak rising in the west. *'''[http://www.springsgov.com/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=19 Colorado Springs Transit]''' *'''[http://www.thecityofcoloradosprings.com/taxis/index.html Taxi Services]''' ==See== * {{see | name=Garden of the Gods | alt= | url=http://www.gardenofgods.com | email= | address=1805 N 30th St | lat=38.877804 | long=-104.870768 | directions=I25 Exit west 2.5 mi, then south on 30th St | phone=+1 719 634-6666 | tollfree= | hours=5AM-11PM | price=Free | wikidata=Q937606 | content=A series of dramatic sandstone formations, enclosed by a city park. Excellent for hiking and technical rock climbing. }} [[File:GardenOFTHEgodsCO.jpg|thumb|200px|A formation in the Garden of the Gods]] * {{see | name=Pikes Peak | url=http://www.pikespeakcolorado.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.907866 | long=-104.981575 | directions=West about 10 miles on Cimarron St./Rt 24 | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-318-9505 | fax= | hours=May-Sept 7AM-7PM | price=$10 per person/$35 per car | content=The most famous peak in Colorado, inspiring the song "America the Beautiful", dominates over the city to the west. Drive to the top, or ascend by '''[http://www.cograilway.com Cog Rail]'''. Feeling fit? Hike up Barr Trail to the summit, especially beautiful in the summer with all the wild flowers. Feeling really fit? Run up during the Pikes Peak Ascent or run up ''and'' down in the Pikes Peak Marathon. }} [[File:PIKE'sPEAKco.jpg|thumb|300px|A view of Pike's Peak from the Garden of the Gods]] * {{see | name=Rock Ledge Ranch | url=http://www.rockledgeranch.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.87737 | long=-104.87140 | directions=across 30th St from the Garden of the Gods visitor center, left at the main entrance to Garden of the Gods | phone=+1 719 578-6777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=June–August and special events | price=$4-8 | content=A seasonal living history museum ranging across four time periods encompassing authentic American Indian, early settler, Victorian and Edwardian eras. }} * {{see | name=Cave of the Winds | alt= | url=https://caveofthewinds.com/ | email=info@caveofthewinds.com | address=100 Cave of the Winds Rd, Manitou Springs | lat=38.87321 | long=-104.92218 | directions=West about 6 miles on Cimarron St./Rt 24 | phone=+1 719 685-5444 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-9PM | price=~$20 | wikidata=Q5054965 | lastedit=2020-12-12 | content=A series of caves near Manitou Springs, offering tours. }} * {{see | name=Cheyenne Mountain Zoo | alt= | url=http://www.cmzoo.org | email= | address=4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd | lat=38.7712 | long=-104.852765 | directions=I-25 Exit 138, west to the Broadmoor Hotel, then right and follow signs | phone=+1 719 633-9925 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-6PM | price=$12 | wikidata=Q5094594 | content=A small, scenic mountain zoo with many exotic animals. }} * {{see | name=Seven Falls | alt= | url=http://www.sevenfalls.com | email= | address= | lat=38.782123 | long=-104.879823 | directions=West on West Cheyenne Blvd | phone=+1 719 632-0765 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$9 Adult, $5.50 child | wikidata=Q7457262 | content=A privately owned series of falls and nature trails. Fills up quickly on weekends, but you can instead visit neighboring Helen Hunt Falls. }} * {{see | name=Helen Hunt Falls | url=http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=781 | email= | address= | lat=38.788596 | long=-104.90319 | directions=West on West Cheyenne Blvd, right at sign | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=free | content=A short hike to some great views, within '''[http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=3038 North Cheyenne Cañon City Park]'''. }} * {{see | name=United States Olympic Training Center | alt= | url=https://www.teamusa.org/about-the-usoc/olympic-training-centers/csotc/tours | email= | address=1 Olympic Plaza | lat=38.8409 | long=-104.796 | directions= | phone=+1 719 632-5551 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$12 adult, $10 seniors and military, $8 children 5-12 | wikipedia=United States Olympic Training Center | image=United States Olympic Training Center Colorado Springs.jpg | wikidata=Q7890853 | content=Major U.S. Olympic training facility, with an aquatic center, gymnasiums, shooting center, and velodrome. Senior, group and military discounts are available. }} * {{see | name=United States Air Force Academy | alt= | url=http://www.usafa.af.mil | email= | address= | lat=39.008113 | long=-104.890509 | directions=I-25 Exit 156B | phone=+1 719 333-2025 | tollfree= | hours=8AM-6PM | price=free | wikidata=Q1331280 | content=Academy nestled in the foothills of the Rampart range at the north end of town, you can tour the famous Chapel and other sights. }} * {{see | name=Air Force Falcons | url=http://www.goairforcefalcons.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Air Force Academy | phone=+1 719 472-1895 | tollfree=+1-800-666-USAF | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Academy's athletic program offers college sports action throughout the school year. The best-known program is the football team, long a solidly competitive program. Football games especially offer a unique combination of military pageantry and traditional college sports atmosphere. Ticket prices vary by sport. | wikipedia=Air Force Falcons |wikidata=Q16147118 }} * {{see | name=Colorado College Tigers | url=http://www.cctigers.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Colorado College | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Tigers play most of their sports in the non-scholarship NCAA Division III. However, two sports—men's ice hockey and women's soccer—play in Division I. The hockey team, which plays at Ed Robson Arena on its campus as a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, has one of the richest traditions in U.S. college hockey. Its rivalry with the University of Denver is one of the fiercest in the sport. }} * {{see | name=May Natural History Museum | alt= | url=https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.705146 | long=-104.840598 | directions=I-25 Exit 140, South 8 miles on Rt 115, right at huge beetle | phone=+1 719 576-0450 | tollfree= | hours=May-Sept 9AM-5PM | price=$6 | wikidata=Q102951936 | content=An eclectic but unique museum south of town, with thousands of large insects collected by John May from around the tropics. }} * {{see | name=ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy | alt= | url=http://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/ | email=halloffame@prorodeo.com | address=101 ProRodeo Dr | lat=38.912778 | long=-104.824167 | directions= | phone=+1 719 528-4764 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$6 adults, $3 children | wikidata=Q7246684 | content=The only heritage center in the world devoted to professional rodeo, with two multi-media presentations and Hall of Champions. }} * {{see | name=Garden of the Gods Trading Post | alt= | url=http://www.gardenofthegodstradingpost.com | email= | address= | lat=38.863944 | long=-104.8925 | directions=South end of Garden of the Gods park | phone=+1 719 685-9045 | tollfree=+1-800-874-4515 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q55075236 | content=Don't miss the largest art gallery and gift shop in Colorado. Sample delicious buffalo burgers and more at the Balanced Rock Cafe, on the outdoor patio, under the shade of the cottonwood trees. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ghost Town Museum | alt= | url=http://ghosttownmuseum.com | email= | address=400 S. 21st St | lat=38.8404 | long=-104.8609 | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-0696 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$6.50 adults, $4 children, under 6-free | content=Step back in time to Colorado's gold-rush days and experience an 1800s old west town frozen in time. Pan for real gold! }} * {{see | name=Western Museum of Mining and Industry | alt= | url=http://www.wmmi.org | email= | address=225 North Gate Blvd. | lat=39.0274 | long=-104.829 | directions= | phone=+1 719 488-0880 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Western Museum of Mining & Industry | image=500 hp Corliss Steam Engine.jpg | wikidata=Q7988086 | content=Featuring hands-on exhibits, gold panning, a working steam engine and Oro and Nugget, mascot burros! }} * {{see | name=Rocky Mountain Vibes | url=https://milb.com/rocky-mountain | email= | address=4385 Tutt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 591-7699 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Rocky Mountain Vibes | content=The local Pioneer League (low minor league) baseball team plays at {{marker|type=do|name=UCHealth Park|lat=38.894172|long=-104.710311}}. | wikidata=Q2083283}} * {{see | name=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | url=http://www.switchbacksfc.com | email=tickets@switchbacksfc.com | address=111 W Cimarron St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 368-8480 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | content= The local soccer team plays in the second-level USL Championship at {{marker|type=do|name=Weidner Field|lat=38.826363 |long=-104.828191}} near downtown. (Note that this is the second stadium of that name; the original one, which has since been renamed, is near UCHealth Park.) | wikidata=Q16837600}} * {{see | name=Penny Arcade Manitou Springs | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/manitouspringspennyarcade | email= | address=930 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719-685-9815 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-17 | content=A historic location in Manitou Springs just outside of Colorado Springs where you can play old and new arcade games. }} * {{see | name=Cheyenne Mountain State Park | alt= | url=http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/cheyennemountain | email=cheyenne.park@state.co.us | address=410 JL Ranch Heights | lat=38.7336 | long=-104.828 | directions= | phone=+1 719 576-2016 | tollfree= | hours=Day use 5AM-10PM, Archery range sunrise-sunset, Visitor center: May 1- Sept 30: 9AM-5PM, Oct 1- April 30: 9AM-4PM | price=Day use $9/vehicle/day, Camping $28, Full hook-up campsite $41 | wikidata=Q5094593 | lastedit=2020-11-24 | content= }} * {{see | name=United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum | alt= | url=https://usopm.org | email=contact@usopm.org | address=200 S Sierra Madre St | lat=38.8295 | long=-104.8296 | directions= | phone=+1 719-497-1234 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adults $24.95, Seniors (65+), Military, and First responders $19.95, Children (3-12) $14.95, Children under 2 free. Only VISA cards are accepted, no cash | wikidata=Q96412665 | lastedit=2020-11-23 | content= }} ==Do== * {{do|name=Sky Zone Colorado Springs|lat=38.9335|long=-104.7935|url=http://www.skyzone.com/coloradosprings }} * '''Hiking''', the Pike National Forest to the west, Pikes Peak, and numerous city parks offer ample hiking opportunities. * '''Horseback Riding''' ** {{do | name=Academy Riding Stables | alt= | url=http://www.arsriding.com {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-700-0410 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Enjoy a ride through beautiful towering sandstone rock formations in the Garden of the Gods. }} ** {{do | name=Mark Reyner Stables Inc | alt= | url=http://www.markreynerstables.com | email= | address=3254 Paseo Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-4173 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * '''Cycling''' ** {{do | name=Challenge Unlimited-Pikes Peak by Bike | alt= | url=http://www.bikithikit.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-798-5954 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bike down over 7,000 feet from the top of Pikes Peak with professional guides, mid-April–October. Bike helmet, all-weather gear and meals are included. }} * '''Rock Climbing''', at Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon (non-marking chalk only, register first at the Garden of the Gods visitor center), and in North Cheyenne Cañon City Park. ** {{do | name=The Colorado Climbing Company | alt= | url=http://www.coclimbing.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 209-6649 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Climb with certified, professional guides in the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Cañon, Red Rock Canyon, and more. }} [[image:Colorafting.jpg|thumb|300px|Whitewater Rafting in Colorado Springs]] * '''Whitewater Rafting''' on the Arkansas river, about an hour south of town. * '''Pets''', Colorado Springs is very dog friendly, with excellent areas for off-leash hiking at [http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=788#os Red Rock Canyon Open Space], [http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=788#rp Palmer Park], and [https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/bear-creek-regional-park/ Bear Creek Regional Park]. * '''Skate''' ** {{do | name=Colorado Springs World Arena Ice Hall | alt= | url=http://www.worldarena.com/page.asp?id=8&name=Ice%20Hall {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * '''Volleyball''' ** {{do | name=The Volleyball Shack | alt= | url=http://www.bighousesports.us/home/TheVolleyballShack/ShackInfo/tabid/119/Default.aspx {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Indoor }} ** {{do | name=The Sand Pits | alt= | url=http://thesandpits.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Sand }} * '''Card Games''' ** {{do | name=ACBL Unit 360 Bridge Center | alt= | url=http://coloradospringsbridge.com/ | email= | address=901 N.17th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-7250 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Sanctioned duplicate games most afternoons and many evenings (except Sunday). }} * {{do | name=Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts | alt= | url=http://www.pikespeakcenter.com/ | email= | address=190 S Cascade Ave | lat=38.831 | long=-104.827 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=CSPPC Butterfly.jpg | wikidata=Q7193646 | lastedit=2020-12-12 | content= }} ==Buy== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Chapel Hills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.chapelhillsmall.com | email= | address=1710 Briargate Blvd | lat=38.945 | long=-104.795 | directions=Near N. Academy and I-25 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5073028 | content=Shopping, food court. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=The Citadel Mall | alt= | url=http://www.shopthecitadel.com | email= | address=750 Citadel Dr. East | lat=38.843 | long=-104.76 | directions=Academy & Platte (CO-24) | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7723111 | content=Shopping, food court. }} * {{buy | name=Old Colorado City | alt= | url=http://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/ | email= | address= | lat=38.848056 | long=-104.864167 | directions=W Colorado Ave, between 23rd and 28th Streets | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7083750 | content=Historic district with shopping and restaurants. }} * {{buy | name=Manitou Springs | url=http://manitousprings.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=West on CO-24 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Shopping, many restaurants, designated national historic district. }} *[https://thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com '''The Promenade Shops at Briargate'''], 1885 Briargate Parkway (Near Briargate Pwky & I-25). Shopping, many restaurants. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza & Brewery | url= | email= | address=11 S. Tejon | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 475-9224 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Great gourmet pizzas. }} * {{eat | name=Shuga's | url=http://www.shugas.com/ | email= | address=702 S. Cascade | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 328-1412 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 11AM-1PM | price= | content=Funky. }} * {{eat | name=Big Train | url= | email= | address=3050 N Nevada | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 473-8218 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Good place for chicken fried steak breakfast. }} * {{eat | name=Biaggis | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=shops at briargate | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=A little on the expensive side but well worth it | content=Great gourmet Italian food. }} * {{eat | name=Jake and Telly's | url= | email= | address=2616 Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 633-0406 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Great Greek food; under $15 for lunch, over $20 for dinner. Sit outside on their second floor patio and enjoy the gorgeous Colorado Springs weather. }} * {{eat | name=O'Furry's | url=http://www.ofurrys.com/ | email= | address=900 E. Fillmore | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-3106 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hole-in-the-wall Irish-style pub, featuring some of the best burgers in Colorado Springs. }} * {{eat | name=Frankie's Bar & Grill | url=http://www.frankiesbargrill.com/ | email= | address=945 Powers & Galley | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 574-4881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Neighborhood bar/grill since 1984.Burgers and wings. Perfect for watching all the games. }} * {{eat | name=Frankie's Too! | url=http://www.frankiestoo.com/ | email= | address=7376 McLaughlin Rd, Falcon | lat= | long= | directions=Woodmen & Meridian | phone=+1 719 495-8708 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Sports, spirits and food. }} * {{eat | name=Jun Japanese | url=http://www.junjapanese.com/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=1760 Dublin, 3276 Centennial | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 531-9368 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Very good Japanese - Popular happy hour }} * {{eat | name=Rico's Coffee and Wine Bar | url=http://www.poorrichardsdowntown.com/ | email= | address=324 N. Tejon | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 632-7721 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Wine, chocolate, coffee, tapas, and great music. }} * {{eat | name=Pueblo Viejo | url= | email= | address=5598 N. Academy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 266-1999 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Authentic Mexican food. Run by a family from [[Jalisco]], Mexico who specialize in chile rellenos. Great salsa and atmosphere. }} * {{eat | name=Solo's Restaurant | url=http://www.solosrestaurant.com/ | email= | address=1665 N. Newport | lat= | long= | directions=Powers & Fountain | phone=+1 719 570-7656 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ok diner, and you can eat inside a KC-97 aircraft, lots of aviation decor. }} * {{eat | name=Sheldon's Luncheonette| url=http://sheldonslunch.com/ | email= | address=204 Mount View Ln #16 | lat= | long= | directions=off N Nevada, south of Garden of the Gods Road | phone=+1 719 599-0887 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M-Sa 6AM-2PM, Su 7AM-1PM | price= | content=Awesome breakfast and daily meat sandwiches or plates for lunch. }} * {{eat | name=Carbonella Creations | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/CarbonellaCreations/ | email=carbonellacreations@hotmail.com | address=1169 N Circle Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 213 1097 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 11:30AM - 7:30PM | price=$$ | lastedit=2017-10-19 | content=Fresh pasta, made in the house. Pizzas, breads, focaccia, cured meats, etc }} * {{eat | name=O'sae Sushi Ramen Bistro | alt= | url=http://osaecolorado.com/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=1825 Peterson Rd | lat=38.858482 | long=-104.700100 | directions= | phone=+1 719 570-0543 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00AM–2:00PM; 4:30PM–9:00PM (Closed Tuesdays) | price= | lastedit=2019-01-07 | content=O’sae offers authentic and delicious tasting Japanese cuisine and bistro in Colorado Springs, CO. O’sae's convenient location makes this restaurant a natural choice for dine-in or take-out meals in the Colorado Spring community. The restaurant is known for its variety in taste and choice of meals. Customers can state their personal taste preferences upon arrival and then take delight in the individualized maki, sushi, salad, and ramen creations. A true new way to do your traditional O’sae style meal. }} * {{eat | name=Slice420 | alt= | url=https://www.slice420.com/ | email= | address=2501 W Colorado Ave #108 | lat=38.84713 | long=-104.86331 | directions= | phone=+1 719 368-6977 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=Great New York style pizza. Founded by a family of American medical refugees who actively support/donate to American medical refugee causes, HopeKids, The Shandy Clinic, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, Flowering Hope Foundation, and local businesses and individuals in need. Offers pizza by the slice, full pizza pies, calzones, pizza rolls, salads, desserts, etc. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bristol Brewing Company | alt= | url=http://www.bristolbrewing.com/ | email= | address=1604 S Cascade Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 633-2555 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | contentIn an old elementary school. Quite charming and unique. }} *{{listing | type=drink | name=Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. | alt= | url=http://www.phantomcanyon.com | email= | address=2 E. Pikes Peak Ave | lat=38.83423 | long=-104.82492 | directions= | phone=+1 719 635-2800 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 10AM-2AM | price= | content=Wide variety of excellent brews made on premises. Also serves high quality food for lunch and dinner daily. Brunch is available Sunday only. }} *{{drink | name=Jack Quinns Irish Pub | url= | email= | address=Tejon St | lat= | long= | directions=Downtown | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Great Irish and English beers, decent Irish food. Stay for the Irish band! }} *{{drink | name=Trinity Brewing Co | alt= | url= | email= | address=1466 W Garden off Gods Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Mile or so west of I 25 on Garden off Gods Rd | phone=+1 719 634-0029 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Great micro brewery! Has 4-6 of their own beers on tap as well as an ever changing selection of 28 Plus other micro beers. Great food. Great crowd. Free Wi-Fi. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=The Broadmoor | alt= | url=https://www.broadmoor.com/ | email= | address=1 Lake Ave | lat=38.7912 | long=-104.8506 | directions= | phone=+1 719 634-7711 | tollfree=+1-855-634-7711 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q7720219 | content=A resort just outside Colorado Springs, covering 3,000 acres with 700 hotel rooms and suites, 15 restaurants, cafés and lounges, three championship golf courses, a tennis club, and world-class spa. Even if your budget won't allow you to stay there, it's worth touring the lavish grounds at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. }} * {{sleep | name=Cheyenne Mountain Resort | url=http://www.cheyennemountain.com | email= | address=3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 538-4000 | tollfree=+1-800-428-8886 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Offers 316 rooms and suites in eight residential lodges, each with a private balcony and views of Cheyenne Mountain. }} * {{sleep | name=Elegante Hotel and Conference Center | url=http://www.hotelelegante.com/ | email= | address=2886 South Circle Dr. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 719 576-5900 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Colorado Springs Marriott | alt= | url=http://www.coloradospringsmarriott.com | email= | address=5580 Tech Center Dr | lat=38.9134 | long=-104.8301 | directions= | phone=+1 719-260-1800 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Luxury hotel near the Air Force Academy with mountain vistas and Southwestern dining. }} * {{sleep | name=Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs | url=http://www.cpcoloradosprings.com | email= | address=2886 South Circle Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-981-4012 | fax=+1 719-576-7695 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A nice, moderately expensive hotel with rooms and suites and high-speed wireless Internet access. }} * {{sleep | name=Silverwood Hotel and Conference Center | url=http://www.silverwoodhotel.com/ | email= | address=505 Popes Bluff Trail | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-866-602-8120 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Remodeled facilities off I-25 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Rodeway Inn and Suites | alt= | url=http://www.rodewayinn.com/hotel-colorado_springs-colorado-CO725 | email= | address=1623 S. Nevada Ave | lat=38.81039 | long=-104.82168 | directions=Exit 140 and three blocks south of I-25 on Nevada | phone=+1 719 623-2300 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price=economy | content=Large outdoor heated pool, pet friendly, in room coffee, daily continental breakfast. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=DoubleTree by Hilton Colorado Springs | alt= | url=http://www.doubletreecosprings.com/ | email= | address=1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd | lat=38.7943 | long=-104.7996 | directions= | phone=+1 719 576-8900 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hampton Inn & Suites Colorado Springs/I-25 South | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/coswahx-hampton-suites-colorado-springs-i-25-south/ | email= | address=2910 Geyser Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-719-884-0330 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2020-02-10 | content= }} ==Stay safe== The town is about as safe as [[Denver]], though be aware that Colorado has one of the highest death rates via automobile accidents in the US. So just remember to drive defensively and you'll be fine. Colorado Springs is infamous for speed traps also. Watch out for motorcycle cops (around 5 or 6) along with one or more cruisers waiting to catch you speeding. The southern part of town is generally less safe than the northern part. Ft. Carson, on the southern edge of town, is a large Army installation bringing in thousands of young, energetic men and women. The businesses that these clients would frequent sometimes attract a rougher crowd. Stay north of Platte or west of Wahsatch, and all should be well. ==Connect== * {{listing | type=listing | name=Colorado Springs Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.83345 | long=-104.82119 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-17 | content= }} ===Wireless Internet=== [[image:Tastycreamery.jpg|thumb|200px|Colorado City Creamery]] *'''Colorado City Creamery''', Rockrimmon & Delmonico. Network is secured, information available inside for how to connect. *'''The Daily Grind''', 1200 S Tejon St. Free WiFi. *'''Einstein Bros. Café''', 4325 Centennial Blvd (''at intersection with Garden of the Gods Rd''), ''+1 719'' 548-8408. Also at Woodmen & Academy. M-F 5:30AM-6PM, Sa 6AM-4PM, Su 7AM-4PM. Free Wi-Fi. *'''[http://mountainperkscoffee.com/ Mountain Perks Coffee,] {{dead link|December 2020}}''' 5765 N. Academy. Free WiFi. *'''Oldeworld Bagel''', 1670 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd Suite A (''in the same shopping plaza as Target, near I-25 and Circle''), ''+1 719'' 527-9651. Free WiFi. *'''[http://www.panerabread.com Panera Bread]''', 7344 North Academy Blvd, ''+1 719'' 522-1100; 1845 Briargate Parkway ''+1 719'' 266-9200; 3120 New Center Point ''+1 719'' 637-3500; 1832 Southgate Road ''+1 719'' 389-0808. Free wireless; however, after you connect your browser only directs you to Panera's portal until you click on the appropriate link agreeing to their terms of service. *'''Raven's Nest''', 330 N Institute Suite #A (''SW corner of Institute at Boulder''), ''+1 719'' 632-3433. M-F 5AM-5:30PM, Sa-Su 7AM-noon. Free WiFi. "A neighborhood gathering place." *'''Rico's Coffee & Wine Bar''', 324 N. Tejon St. Free WiFi throughout the cafe with seating in the adjacent bookstore. *'''Serranos Coffee Company''', 7335 N Academy Blvd (''at Falcon Landing, north of Woodmen on the east side''), ''+1 719'' 266-0843. Free WiFi. Original store is in [[Monument]]. *'''The Summit House''', (''in the shopping plaza at the corner of Voyager Parkway and Middle Creek in the northernmost part of town'', ''From the north exit I-25 at #156A, take Northgate Road east to Voyager Parkway, turn south; from the south exit I-25 at Interquest Parkway, turn north onto Voyager Parkway''), ''+1 719'' 488-8893. M-F 6AM-9PM, Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 7AM-5PM. Free WiFi. *'''[http://www.unwiredaccess.net unwiredaccess.net]'''. Has many customers downtown. They charge a $6 one-time ("lifetime") fee for an account. Then you can use their wireless hotspots with no further charges (until they go out of business). (Their pricing is different depending on location - the PikesPerk Coffee House on North Academy still uses unwiredaccess.net but does not require a fee. It's assumed the coffee house is paying for the access). *The towns of [[Monument]] and [[Palmer Lake]], about 10 miles north of Colorado Springs, also have free wireless access. ==Go next== * '''[[Manitou Springs]]''' Small historic town and shopping area west of the city, base of the Cog Rail * '''[[Great Sand Dunes National Park]]''', a national park about 2 hours drive southwest of the city. Trek or slide around {{ft|750}} sand dunes. * '''[[Cañon City|The Arkansas River]]''' has rafting, fishing, and the Royal Gorge, about an hour south of town * '''Ski''', the closest resorts are [[Breckenridge (Colorado)|Breckenridge]] and [[Salida (Colorado)|Monarch]], each about a two-hour drive. {{routebox | image1=I-25.svg | imagesize1=22 | image1a=US 87.svg | imagesize1a=22 | image1b= | imagesize1b= | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Denver]] | minorl1=[[Monument]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]]/[[Clayton (New Mexico)|Clayton]] | minorr1=[[Pueblo]] | image2=US 24.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Minturn]] | minorl2=[[Manitou Springs]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Stockton (Kansas)|Stockton]] | minorr2=[[Limon (Colorado)|Limon]] }} {{usablecity}} {{isPartOf|South Central Colorado}} {{geo|38.836097|-104.825664}} g5myxf0bj2mpoy1vdn8ny13zb1alh2u 0 8013 4506263 4499207 2022-08-22T14:22:21Z MuzikMachine 2162786 /* Get in and around */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Yoho NP banner mtns above Emerald Lake.jpg}} The '''Columbia-Rockies''' region is an mountainous area in [[British Columbia]]. [[File:Columbia-Rockies WV travel map.png|thumb|500px|Map of the Columbia-Rockies travel region]] ==Cities== {{mapframe}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Revelstoke]]|wikidata=Q1893229}} — a railway town that has become a tourist centre for exploring the mountain parks and skiing * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]]|wikidata=Q1020179}} — a year-round destination for adventure sports: skiing, snowboarding, whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and hang-gliding * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Field]]|wikidata=Q3071515}} — a cozy, small town in Yoho National Park ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Mount Revelstoke National Park]]|wikidata=Q862265}} — drive up to the sub-alpine meadows * {{marker|name=[[Glacier National Park (British Columbia)|Glacier National Park]]|wikidata=Q1161253}} — home of the famous Rogers Pass * {{marker|name=[[Yoho National Park]]|wikidata=Q828404}} — Canada's second National Park * {{marker|name=[[Hamber Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1572699}} — straddling the Great Divide on the provincial boundary with Alberta, the park is surrounded on three sides by Jasper National Park ==Understand== This region is composed solely of mountainous terrain. The mid-level Monashees mark the western gateway, and the majestic Rocky Mountains mark the east. ==Get in and around== [[File:Revelstoke BC - downtown.jpg|right|thumb|Revelstoke]] The nearest airports with scheduled flights are in [[Kelowna]] and [[Calgary]]. {{Cautionbox |There is major construction to expand a {{km|4.8}} section of the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Golden, through the Kicking Horse Canyon, to four lanes, with an anticipated completion of Winter 2023/24. Highway 1 is subject to closures that can range from 30 minutes to multiple days, depending on the season. A more updated caution box can be seen at [[Golden (British_Columbia)#By car]]. Use Hwys 95 and 93 between Golden and Castle Junction, AB (between [[Lake Louise]] & [[Banff]]) via [[Radium Hot Springs]] as an alternate route, which will add 1.5 hours of travel time. See [https://www.kickinghorsecanyon.ca/ Kicking Horse Canyon - Phase 4] or [https://www.drivebc.ca/ Drive BC] of more information. |lastedit=2022-08-11}} The region is bisected east-west by the [[Trans-Canada Highway]], and for many people, this stretch is the most scenic of its entire length. Exploring by car is the only reasonable way to enjoy this region. * {{listing | name=Rider Express | alt= | url=https://riderexpress.ca/schedules | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-833-583-3636 | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-01-16 | content=Bus service along the Trans-Canada Highway from Vancouver to Revelstoke or Golden via [[Kamloops]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]; or from [[Calgary]], [[Canmore]], [[Lake Louise]], and [[Banff]] (Alberta). }} ==See== [[Image:RogersPassTransCanada.png |thumb|right|[[Trans-Canada Highway]] at the top of Rogers Pass]] * '''Rogers Pass''' is an important connection between British Columbia and the rest of Canada in Glacier National Park east of Revelstoke. The Canadian Pacific Railway and the Trans-Canada Highway both pass through this 1330-m-high gap in the Selkirk Mountains. [[File:Awesome Takakkaw Falls IMG 4713.JPG|right|thumb|Takakkaw Falls]] * '''Takakkaw Falls''', Canada's second tallest waterfall, in Yoho National Park. * '''Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge''', in downtown Golden, is the longest covered, free-span timber-frame pedestrian bridge in Canada * There is lots to see in the region for rail fans. The '''Revelstoke Railway Museum''' in Revelstoke, and '''The Last Spike''', at Craigellachie (45 km west of Revelstoke) tell the story of the coming of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the region, and the importance of this trans-continental railway in uniting Canada. At the '''Spiral Tunnels''' viewing spots about 10 minutes from Field, you can watch the trans-Canada train spiralling through the mountain. * '''Three Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town''' (west of Revelstoke) has many abandoned buildings that have been preserved. ==Do== [[File:Glacier np canada.JPG|right|thumb|Galcier National Park]] There are ways to enjoy the mountain scenery for people of all abilities. There are '''scenic drives''', like the Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway in Mount Revelstoke National Park, boardwalk walks, short and long trails, and backcountry hikes. Go '''skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling''' from the Revelstoke Mountain Resort, or from the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden. '''White-water rafting''' along the Kicking Horse River, which is known for having one of the longest stretches of class four rapids in the world. Three companies operate from Golden. There are '''horseback riding''' opportunities in the area surrounding Golden. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kootenays}} {{Usableregion}} {{geo|51.294|-117.502|zoom=10}} gdzsh5g683061zithcwlh7mkwbtnt95 0 8303 4506383 4500394 2022-08-22T19:00:45Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Citadelle de Calvi (Haute-Corse)-banner.jpg}} <!--[[File:Corsica Map.png|thumb|Map of Corsica; the red lines are roads, the hardly visibly black dotted line is the railway]]--> '''[http://www.visit-corsica.com/ Corsica]''' ([[French phrasebook|French]]: ''Corse'', [[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]: ''Corsica'') is an island in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France and west of [[Italy]]. It is a region of [[France]] with a special constitutional status. Corsica is one of the least-visited of the large Mediterranean islands, but has many attractions including historical sights, incredible landscapes and - on the coast at least - a dependably warm and sunny climate for most of the year. The waters around the island offer excellent opportunities for diving and watersports, while inland the mountains draw hikers and climbers. Lastly, visitors come to appreciate Corsica's distinctive and stubbornly separatist culture. ==Cities== {{mapframe|42.057|9.126|zoom=8|height=500}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ajaccio]]|lat=41.9267|long=8.7369|wikidata=Q40104}} (''Aiacciu'') — the chief city of the island, and main port of entry to the southern part. As Napoleon's birthplace, it's well stocked with memorials to the man. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bastia]]|lat=42.7008|long=9.4503|wikidata=Q134698}} (''Bastìa'') — the main city and port of entry in the north. It has a charming old harbour and citadel. It's also the gateway to Cap Corse, the rugged northern peninsula, which includes small communities such as Canari and Nonza. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bonifacio]]|lat=41.3887|long=9.1561|wikidata=Q204051}} (''Bunifaziu'') — at the southern tip of the island, and spectacularly located on cliff tops, this is the port for ferries to and from Sardinia. It's also the access point for Cap Pertusato, the southern tip of Corsica. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Calvi]]|lat=42.5686|long=8.7569|wikidata=Q202439}} — on the north-west coast, this is a major tourist centre and port with ferries to mainland France. There's an old town with a citadel. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cargèse]]|lat=42.136|long=8.595|wikidata=Q391964}} (''Carghjese'') — a village near Ajaccio with a notable physics institute. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Corte]]|lat=42.3064|long=9.1514|wikidata=Q213555}} (''Corti'') — the largest inland settlement, has an old town among dramatic mountain scenery. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nonza]]|lat=42.7833|long=9.3500|wikidata=Q741214}} – a Genovese lighthouse and citadel overlooking the sea. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Florent]]|lat=42.6817|long=9.3031|wikidata=Q677952}} (''San Fiurenzu'') — a small town on the north-west coast between Bastia and Calvi. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Porto-Vecchio]]|lat=41.5917|long=9.2803|wikidata=Q241567}} (''Portivechju'') — a pleasant resort town on the south-east coast. ==Understand== "Often conquered, never subdued": Corsica has a turbulent history. In the medieval period it was ruled by warring Italian city-states; first Pisa, then Genoa. The island was independent from 1755 before coming under French control in 1768. A separatist movement (re-)emerged in the 20th century, leading to some politically motivated violence. The region now enjoys a special constitutional status within France. The rugged mountain terrain has deterred industry and large-scale agriculture, and Corsica has suffered comparatively little of the ugly tourist developments that blight other parts of the Mediterranean. In fact, Corsican's abundant nature has earned it the nickname '''île de beauté''' (''island of beauty''). It has tourism from France and Italy, but of all the Mediterranean islands, it's the least-visited by English-speaking tourists. Its main attractions are water-sports (beach, scuba-diving, sailing) and mountain hiking and climbing. The tourist season is fairly narrow, mid-June through August (when booking is essential), although the climate is pleasant May-October. Outside those months many facilities close down, and the mountains become wrapped in clouds and mist. ==Talk== {{seealso|French phrasebook|Corsican phrasebook}} The official language is '''[[French phrasebook|French]]'''. However, Corsica has its own native language, '''[[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]''', which is quite close to [[Italian phrasebook|Italian]]. It is estimated that up to 50% have conversational knowledge of Corsican, however everyone has a fluent knowledge of French. '''Italian''' is also spoken in tourist areas, but travellers should be wary of whom they address in Italian, due to it being seen as a colonial language. Few of the islanders speak or even understand '''English''', or other major European languages such as German or Spanish, so some knowledge of French (or Italian - to facilitate understanding of Corsican) may be essential to fully appreciate your time here, depending of course on what you want from your visit. At any rate, it will be polite if you start conversations in French; if locals see you making the effort but realise you're struggling, they will generally be willing to speak more slowly, mime or use any English they do know to help you out! ==Get in== ===By boat=== [[File:Corsica ferries - sncm.JPG|thumb|300px|Two ferry companies which serve Corsica]] From mainland France, the quickest sailing is the NGV (High Speed Boat, Navire à Grande Vitesse), which takes about 3 hours to sail from [[Nice]] to [[Calvi]], l'Île-Rousse, [[Ajaccio]] and [[Bastia]]. Regular car ferries, taking 6-8 hours, run from [[Marseille]], Nice and [[Toulon]]. From Italy, ferries run from [[Genoa]], [[Livorno]], [[Savona]], and [[Naples]]; and from [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] on [[Sardinia]]. The main operator is '''[http://www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/ Corsica Sardinia Ferries]''', while other companies include '''[http://www.lameridionale.com/ La Méridionale]''' and '''[https://www.mobylines.fr/traversees-italie-sardaigne-corse.html Moby Lines]'''. All these ferry rides give a great view of the mountainous coast on approach, and all the arrival ports are located within towns. ===By plane=== There are four airports on the island: {{listing | type=go | name=Ajaccio - Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | alt={{IATA|AJA}} | url=http://www.2a.cci.fr/Aeroport-Napoleon-Bonaparte-Ajaccio.html | email= | address= | lat=41.923889 | long=8.8025 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | image=Aéroport Ajaccio Corse.jpg | wikidata=Q583453 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Bastia Poretta Airport | alt={{IATA|BIA}} | url=http://www.bastia.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.55 | long=9.484722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bastia – Poretta Airport | image=Aéroport Bastia Poretta.JPG | wikidata=Q1430951 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Calvi - Sainte-Catherine Airport | alt={{IATA|CLY}} | url=http://www.calvi.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.525 | long=8.79 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport | wikidata=Q1431045 | content= }} and {{listing | type=go | name=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | alt={{IATA|FSC}} | url=http://www.figari.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=41.502222 | long=9.096667 | directions=near Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | image=Figari airport.jpg | wikidata=Q1431300 | content= }} These have year-round flights from a variety of airports on mainland France with [https://www.aircorsica.com/ Air Corsica] and [http://www.air-france.fr Air France]. Budget airline services include [https://www.easyjet.com/ Easyjet] (from [[Berlin#Schönefeld Airport|Berlin Schönefeld]], Euroairport [[Basel]]/[[Mulhouse]], [[Geneva#By plane|Geneva]], [[London Gatwick]] and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]) and [https://www.eurowings.com Eurowings] (from [[Cologne]]/[[Bonn]], [[Dusseldorf#By plane|Dusseldorf]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]], [[Stuttgart#By plane|Stuttgart]] and [[Vienna Airport|Vienna]]), but they usually only fly June to September. Outside these months, flying from outside France will involve relatively expensive and indirect scheduled flights via [[Paris CDG]]; consider instead taking a budget flight to [[Nice#By plane|Nice]] then the ferry to Bastia. If you don't plan to rent a car on landing, be aware that Corsica's airports lack public transport, except for Bastia which has a bus between town and the airport every hour or two. ==Get around== [[File:Col de Teghime et D81- cropped.jpg|thumb|Typical vandalised road signs. The French name of each town has been removed by Corsican nationalists. FLNC is the name of a Corsican nationalist group]] ===By car=== Car is the simplest way to get around this rugged island, as public transport is limited and the hills are formidable. Many people arrive by ferry and take their own car onto the island. Rental cars are available from airports and ferry ports, but do book ahead. Supermarkets do not generally have petrol stations, so make sure you have a decent reserve before embarking on a longer trip. The roads are often twisty and don't allow high speeds, but the road surface is mostly in good repair even in the mountains - except where, all of a sudden, it isn't. Signposting is good, but you may benefit from Satnav (GPS) in the towns, as traditional little blue French street signs are hard to read from a moving vehicle. Place names are given in French and Corsican: Corsican activists have diligently painted out the French, but you should have no difficulty recognising the Corsican names. ===By bus=== Buses run along the south-west coast from Ajaccio to Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, taking 3 hours. In July and August these run three times a day, 7 days a week; the rest of the year it's twice a day, Monday to Saturday. Along the east coast they run from Porto Vecchio to Bastia, taking 3 hours. They run twice a day, 7 days a week mid-June to mid-Sept, and Mon-Sat the rest of the year. A same-day connection between Bastia and Ajaccio is possible with a two-hour layover at Porto Vecchio. The operator is Rapides Bleues but a more intelligible timetable is posted on the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus]. The cities have buses to their neighbouring mountain villages, but there's no cross-island bus between Ajaccio and Corte and onward to Bastia - take the train. ===By train=== [[File:L Ile-Rousse gare juillet 2015.jpg|thumb|Trains at L'Île-Rousse station]] France is the land of the sleek TGV, but in Corsica those initials stand for "Train à Grandes Vibrations" - or "U Trinighellu" (the shivering one) as it's locally known. However it's your best public transport option between Ajaccio, Corte and Bastia, as those inter-city buses have been axed. Trains are run by [http://www.cf-corse.corsica/ CF-Corse], a subsidiary of SNCF; investment in 2010 improved the rolling stock and rail infrastructure but it's still a rumbling, rattling ride. The network is non-electrified single track built in metre gauge, twisting and straining across the steep mountain terrain. The network forms a Y-shape: the line runs from Ajaccio north through Corte to the junction at Ponte Leccia, whence the northern branch continues to Bastia while the western branch runs through L'Île-Rousse to Calvi. CF-Corse provides [http://cf-corse.corsica/fr/horaires/ current timetables] in PDF format in French and Corsican. However, these are not posted on Voyages SNCF, so they're not visible to other websites that draw from these, such as Deutsche Bahn. The best English language source is the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus], which covers all transport modalities. The train between Ajaccio and Bastia takes almost four hours and costs €21.60; there are 6 per day Mon-Fri, 5 Saturdays, 2 Sundays, all direct. Between Bastia and Calvi takes about 3 hours and costs €16.40; there are two trains every day of the week, some with a change at Ponte Leccia. Between Ajaccio and Calvi takes 4.5 hours and costs €25.10, with two trains every day, both with a change at Ponte Leccia. These are all regional trains - the same as TER in France - so there's no advance booking, just buy your ticket at the station and hop on. The fares cited are full tariff. Some concessions and passes are available, e.g. the "Pass Libertà" which is €50 for unlimited travel on 7 consecutive days, so you'd have to cover the entire network and return to your start point to benefit. SNCF passes and reductions are not valid in Corsica. Bikes are generally banned on trains as of 2022, with the exception that according to [https://cf-corse.corsica/faq/ CF-Corse's FAQ], passengers may carry folded bikes in a bag for €15. ==See== As the island was so often fought over, the main towns were heavily fortified. So they typically contain a walled citadel and old harbour, often pedestrianised, and dotted with restaurants and bars. The finest citadel is Bonifacio; arguably the most charming old harbour is Bastia. Ajaccio as the chief city has less old-world charm but has the best museums and galleries. ==Do== '''Water sports''' are available in all the main ports, e.g. windsurfing and kitesurfing. Scuba-diving is mainly conducted in the south of the island, Porto-Vecchio being a good centre. Expect to pay around €45—€60 for a one-tank dive. === Long distance walking === [[File:Gr-20-ortu-di-u-probbu-carrozu-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Corsica mountains]] Corsica has many walking trails. All require the use of topographical maps, despite usually excellent trail marks. IGN maps are the most detailed, and are similar to Ordnance Survey maps in Britain and Ireland. IGN maps may be found in many of the bigger cities, and at the airports, including Bastia airport. Additionally, you can purchase these maps (more expensively) from the internet ahead of time, and in some specialist map shops around the world. * '''[[GR 20]]''' — perhaps the best known and most difficult of all the [[Grande Randonnée]] trails. This trail takes approximately 17 days if using the traditional waypoints, though it may take more or less time depending on your experience and needs. The trail is particularly crowded in August; many people suggest the best time is in late spring or early autumn. The greatest danger on the GR 20 arises from the intense summer storms, with lightning claiming the most fatalities. * '''Mare e Mare Nord''' (''Sea to Sea North'') — [[Cargèse]] to Moriani-Plage. Suggested time: 11 days. This trail intersects with the one of the Mare e Monti Trails. The trail is only lightly travelled from [[Corte]] to Moriani, as this is the less interesting half, with uniform scenery, and gîtes that may not be open unless you call first. *'''Mare e Mare Sud''' (''Sea to Sea South'') — [[Porto-Vecchio]] to [[Propriano]]. Suggested time: 5 days. This is considered an easier trail than the others on the island. *'''Mare e Monti''' (''Sea and Mountains'') — Calenzana to Cargèse. Suggested time: 10 days. This trail includes the beautiful fishing village of Girolata, which has no road and is only accessible by boat from [[Calvi]] or on foot. ==Buy== Corsica is well-known for its artisanry, included olive wood-handled knives and jewellery made using a lively red local coral. Local food products such as charcuterie, preserves and biscuits are other commonly-bought souvenir items. ==Eat== [[File:Castagnaccio.jpg|thumb|A castagnaccio is a chestnut and honey cake.]] Corsican food has [[France|French]] and [[Italy|Italian]] influences, but also has many unique dishes of its own. The '''chestnut''' is one of the island's mainstay foods, and is used in many meals and even desserts. Most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food for much of the year, and the local '''charcuterie''' reflects this excellent flavour. Typical Corsican charcuterie include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat. '''Canistrelli''' are typical Corsican biscuits which come in many different flavours. Corsica also produces a uniquely flavoured '''olive oil''' made from ripe fruits collected under trees. Many villages have small shops where locally-produced food is sold. That said, it may be difficult to find a restaurant that prepares true Corsican dishes, and you may find yourself eating at tourist-oriented pizzerias, which nonetheless serve excellent food. ==Drink== [[File:Pietra et verre plein.jpg|thumb|Corsican beer]] Corsica has a commercial '''wine''' industry, and heritage dating back to the Phoenicians. The techniques employed in Corsica have more in common with Italian than French winemaking traditions. The island has an impressive nine ''appellations d'origine contrôlée'' (AOCs), and most wines use nielluccio, sciacarello and vermentino grapes. Corsicans brew a wide selection of local '''beers'''. which have a very distinct taste that you won't find anywhere else in France. It's highly recommended to try "Colomba", "Pietra" or "Bière Torre" when visiting. Corsica even has its own brand of '''cola''', reflecting its independent ways. Don't be surprised if you are asked ''"Américain ou corse?"'' when ordering a cola. Double points for responding ''"Corsica-Cola, per piacè!"'' ==Stay safe== Notwithstanding the notorious ''mafia'', Corsica is usually a very safe place, especially for tourists. Going out at night in the towns and villages will not be a problem. Be polite and respectful, and there is nothing to worry about. == Respect == Compared to much of [[France]], the Corsicans are a bit more hospitable and sociable. As a visitor, you can expect to be treated with a good degree of hospitality over here. The Corsicans are a separate ethnic group. They are neither French nor Italians. Keep that in mind when conversing with local people, and be wary of saying that you are in France when visiting the island. Because of its turbulent, often violent history, Corsica is often portrayed as dangerous and unsafe. '''Never''' perpetuate this portrayal; Corsicans will be incredibly offended. Dress smartly and conservatively; doing so will garner you respect from the locals. Be careful with your words, emotions, and actions — Corsicans are rather sensitive to negative feedback. Although the Corsican language is somewhat similar to Italian, never say that it is a dialect of Italian or variations thereof; it can be construed as offensive. '''Stinginess''' is frowned upon in Corsica. The island is highly dependent on tourism and Corsicans expect you to make the most out of your visit. Not doing so will result in you being made fun of (the most common terms are '''''les mangeurs de tomates''''' or '''''pumataghji''''') or ridiculed. Steer clear of discussing '''Corsican nationalism''', '''Corsican independence''', the FLNC, and '''politics in general'''. These subjects are certainly much debated and are complex, sensitive, and divisive. In March 2022, riots across the island broke out when a Corsican nationalist leader was beaten to death in prison. The Corsicans are divided into several opposing camps – some who desire full independence from France, some who desire more autonomy, and some who are happy with the area's current status in France. ==Go next== By sea, your choices are as listed in "Get in": * the French mainland: [[Nice]], [[Toulon]] and [[Marseille]]; * the Italian mainland: [[Livorno]] and [[Genoa]]; * [[Sardinia]]: [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] The route to Sardinia opens up an intriguing '''mid-Med hopscotch''': you could traverse Sardinia to its southern port of [[Cagliari]], from there sail to [[Palermo]] in [[Sicily]], and from there onward to [[Malta]] or [[Tunisia]], all without returning to the European mainland. {{geo|42.1500|9.0833|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|France}} {{usableregion}} latn3b7m4dl5p209fwf4h6dlkrin2n8 4506384 4506383 2022-08-22T19:01:15Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Citadelle de Calvi (Haute-Corse)-banner.jpg}} <!--[[File:Corsica Map.png|thumb|Map of Corsica; the red lines are roads, the hardly visibly black dotted line is the railway]]--> '''[http://www.visit-corsica.com/ Corsica]''' ([[French phrasebook|French]]: ''Corse'', [[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]: ''Corsica'') is an island in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France and west of [[Italy]]. It is a region of [[France]] with a special constitutional status. Corsica is one of the least-visited of the large Mediterranean islands, but has many attractions including historical sights, incredible landscapes and - on the coast at least - a dependably warm and sunny climate for most of the year. The waters around the island offer excellent opportunities for diving and watersports, while inland the mountains draw hikers and climbers. Lastly, visitors come to appreciate Corsica's distinctive and stubbornly separatist culture. ==Cities== {{mapframe|42.057|9.126|zoom=8|height=500}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ajaccio]]|lat=41.9267|long=8.7369|wikidata=Q40104}} (''Aiacciu'') — the chief city of the island, and main port of entry to the southern part. As Napoleon's birthplace, it's well stocked with memorials to the man. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bastia]]|lat=42.7008|long=9.4503|wikidata=Q134698}} (''Bastìa'') — the main city and port of entry in the north. It has a charming old harbour and citadel. It's also the gateway to Cap Corse, the rugged northern peninsula, which includes small communities such as Canari and Nonza. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bonifacio]]|lat=41.3887|long=9.1561|wikidata=Q204051}} (''Bunifaziu'') — at the southern tip of the island, and spectacularly located on cliff tops, this is the port for ferries to and from Sardinia. It's also the access point for Cap Pertusato, the southern tip of Corsica. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Calvi]]|lat=42.5686|long=8.7569|wikidata=Q202439}} — on the north-west coast, this is a major tourist centre and port with ferries to mainland France. There's an old town with a citadel. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cargèse]]|lat=42.136|long=8.595|wikidata=Q391964}} (''Carghjese'') — a village near Ajaccio with a notable physics institute. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Corte]]|lat=42.3064|long=9.1514|wikidata=Q213555}} (''Corti'') — the largest inland settlement, has an old town among dramatic mountain scenery. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nonza]]|lat=42.7833|long=9.3500|wikidata=Q741214}} – a Genovese lighthouse and citadel overlooking the sea. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Florent]]|lat=42.6817|long=9.3031|wikidata=Q677952}} (''San Fiurenzu'') — a small town on the north-west coast between Bastia and Calvi. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Porto-Vecchio]]|lat=41.5917|long=9.2803|wikidata=Q241567}} (''Portivechju'') — a pleasant resort town on the south-east coast. ==Understand== "Often conquered, never subdued": Corsica has a turbulent history. In the medieval period it was ruled by warring Italian city-states; first Pisa, then Genoa. The island was independent from 1755 before coming under French control in 1768. A separatist movement (re-)emerged in the 20th century, leading to some politically motivated violence. The region now enjoys a special constitutional status within France. The rugged mountain terrain has deterred industry and large-scale agriculture, and Corsica has suffered comparatively little of the ugly tourist developments that blight other parts of the Mediterranean. In fact, Corsican's abundant nature has earned it the nickname '''île de beauté''' (''island of beauty''). It has tourism from France and Italy, but of all the Mediterranean islands, it's the least-visited by English-speaking tourists. Its main attractions are water-sports (beach, scuba-diving, sailing) and mountain hiking and climbing. The tourist season is fairly narrow, mid-June through August (when booking is essential), although the climate is pleasant May-October. Outside those months many facilities close down, and the mountains become wrapped in clouds and mist. ==Talk== {{seealso|French phrasebook|Corsican phrasebook}} The official language is '''[[French phrasebook|French]]'''. However, Corsica has its own native language, '''[[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]''', which is quite close to [[Italian phrasebook|Italian]]. It is estimated that up to 50% have conversational knowledge of Corsican, however everyone has a fluent knowledge of French. '''Italian''' is also spoken in tourist areas, but travellers should be wary of whom they address in Italian, due to it being seen as a colonial language. Few of the islanders speak or even understand '''English''', or other major European languages such as German or Spanish, so some knowledge of French (or Italian - to facilitate understanding of Corsican) may be essential to fully appreciate your time here, depending of course on what you want from your visit. At any rate, it will be polite if you start conversations in French; if locals see you making the effort but realise you're struggling, they will generally be willing to speak more slowly, mime or use any English they do know to help you out! ==Get in== ===By boat=== [[File:Corsica ferries - sncm.JPG|thumb|300px|Two ferry companies which serve Corsica]] From mainland France, the quickest sailing is the NGV (High Speed Boat, Navire à Grande Vitesse), which takes about 3 hours to sail from [[Nice]] to [[Calvi]], l'Île-Rousse, [[Ajaccio]] and [[Bastia]]. Regular car ferries, taking 6-8 hours, run from [[Marseille]], Nice and [[Toulon]]. From Italy, ferries run from [[Genoa]], [[Livorno]], [[Savona]], and [[Naples]]; and from [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] on [[Sardinia]]. The main operator is '''[http://www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/ Corsica Sardinia Ferries]''', while other companies include '''[http://www.lameridionale.com/ La Méridionale]''' and '''[https://www.mobylines.fr/traversees-italie-sardaigne-corse.html Moby Lines]'''. All these ferry rides give a great view of the mountainous coast on approach, and all the arrival ports are located within towns. ===By plane=== There are four airports on the island: {{listing | type=go | name=Ajaccio - Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | alt={{IATA|AJA}} | url=http://www.2a.cci.fr/Aeroport-Napoleon-Bonaparte-Ajaccio.html | email= | address= | lat=41.923889 | long=8.8025 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | image=Aéroport Ajaccio Corse.jpg | wikidata=Q583453 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Bastia Poretta Airport | alt={{IATA|BIA}} | url=http://www.bastia.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.55 | long=9.484722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bastia – Poretta Airport | image=Aéroport Bastia Poretta.JPG | wikidata=Q1430951 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Calvi - Sainte-Catherine Airport | alt={{IATA|CLY}} | url=http://www.calvi.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.525 | long=8.79 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport | wikidata=Q1431045 | content= }} and {{listing | type=go | name=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | alt={{IATA|FSC}} | url=http://www.figari.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=41.502222 | long=9.096667 | directions=near Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | image=Figari airport.jpg | wikidata=Q1431300 | content= }} These have year-round flights from a variety of airports on mainland France with [https://www.aircorsica.com/ Air Corsica] and [http://www.air-france.fr Air France]. Budget airline services include [https://www.easyjet.com/ Easyjet] (from [[Berlin#Schönefeld Airport|Berlin Schönefeld]], Euroairport [[Basel]]/[[Mulhouse]], [[Geneva#By plane|Geneva]], [[London Gatwick]] and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]) and [https://www.eurowings.com Eurowings] (from [[Cologne]]/[[Bonn]], [[Dusseldorf#By plane|Dusseldorf]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]], [[Stuttgart#By plane|Stuttgart]] and [[Vienna Airport|Vienna]]), but they usually only fly June to September. Outside these months, flying from outside France will involve relatively expensive and indirect scheduled flights via [[Paris CDG]]; consider instead taking a budget flight to [[Nice#By plane|Nice]] then the ferry to Bastia. If you don't plan to rent a car on landing, be aware that Corsica's airports lack public transport, except for Bastia which has a bus between town and the airport every hour or two. ==Get around== [[File:Col de Teghime et D81- cropped.jpg|thumb|Typical vandalised road signs. The French name of each town has been removed by Corsican nationalists. FLNC is the name of a Corsican nationalist group]] ===By car=== Car is the simplest way to get around this rugged island, as public transport is limited and the hills are formidable. Many people arrive by ferry and take their own car onto the island. Rental cars are available from airports and ferry ports, but do book ahead. Supermarkets do not generally have petrol stations, so make sure you have a decent reserve before embarking on a longer trip. The roads are often twisty and don't allow high speeds, but the road surface is mostly in good repair even in the mountains - except where, all of a sudden, it isn't. Signposting is good, but you may benefit from Satnav (GPS) in the towns, as traditional little blue French street signs are hard to read from a moving vehicle. Place names are given in French and Corsican: Corsican activists have diligently painted out the French, but you should have no difficulty recognising the Corsican names. ===By bus=== Buses run along the south-west coast from Ajaccio to Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, taking 3 hours. In July and August these run three times a day, 7 days a week; the rest of the year it's twice a day, Monday to Saturday. Along the east coast they run from Porto Vecchio to Bastia, taking 3 hours. They run twice a day, 7 days a week mid-June to mid-September, and Monday to Saturday the rest of the year. A same-day connection between Bastia and Ajaccio is possible with a two-hour layover at Porto Vecchio. The operator is Rapides Bleues but a more intelligible timetable is posted on the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus]. The cities have buses to their neighbouring mountain villages, but there's no cross-island bus between Ajaccio and Corte and onward to Bastia - take the train. ===By train=== [[File:L Ile-Rousse gare juillet 2015.jpg|thumb|Trains at L'Île-Rousse station]] France is the land of the sleek TGV, but in Corsica those initials stand for "Train à Grandes Vibrations" - or "U Trinighellu" (the shivering one) as it's locally known. However it's your best public transport option between Ajaccio, Corte and Bastia, as those inter-city buses have been axed. Trains are run by [http://www.cf-corse.corsica/ CF-Corse], a subsidiary of SNCF; investment in 2010 improved the rolling stock and rail infrastructure but it's still a rumbling, rattling ride. The network is non-electrified single track built in metre gauge, twisting and straining across the steep mountain terrain. The network forms a Y-shape: the line runs from Ajaccio north through Corte to the junction at Ponte Leccia, whence the northern branch continues to Bastia while the western branch runs through L'Île-Rousse to Calvi. CF-Corse provides [http://cf-corse.corsica/fr/horaires/ current timetables] in PDF format in French and Corsican. However, these are not posted on Voyages SNCF, so they're not visible to other websites that draw from these, such as Deutsche Bahn. The best English language source is the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus], which covers all transport modalities. The train between Ajaccio and Bastia takes almost four hours and costs €21.60; there are 6 per day Mon-Fri, 5 Saturdays, 2 Sundays, all direct. Between Bastia and Calvi takes about 3 hours and costs €16.40; there are two trains every day of the week, some with a change at Ponte Leccia. Between Ajaccio and Calvi takes 4.5 hours and costs €25.10, with two trains every day, both with a change at Ponte Leccia. These are all regional trains - the same as TER in France - so there's no advance booking, just buy your ticket at the station and hop on. The fares cited are full tariff. Some concessions and passes are available, e.g. the "Pass Libertà" which is €50 for unlimited travel on 7 consecutive days, so you'd have to cover the entire network and return to your start point to benefit. SNCF passes and reductions are not valid in Corsica. Bikes are generally banned on trains as of 2022, with the exception that according to [https://cf-corse.corsica/faq/ CF-Corse's FAQ], passengers may carry folded bikes in a bag for €15. ==See== As the island was so often fought over, the main towns were heavily fortified. So they typically contain a walled citadel and old harbour, often pedestrianised, and dotted with restaurants and bars. The finest citadel is Bonifacio; arguably the most charming old harbour is Bastia. Ajaccio as the chief city has less old-world charm but has the best museums and galleries. ==Do== '''Water sports''' are available in all the main ports, e.g. windsurfing and kitesurfing. Scuba-diving is mainly conducted in the south of the island, Porto-Vecchio being a good centre. Expect to pay around €45—€60 for a one-tank dive. === Long distance walking === [[File:Gr-20-ortu-di-u-probbu-carrozu-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Corsica mountains]] Corsica has many walking trails. All require the use of topographical maps, despite usually excellent trail marks. IGN maps are the most detailed, and are similar to Ordnance Survey maps in Britain and Ireland. IGN maps may be found in many of the bigger cities, and at the airports, including Bastia airport. Additionally, you can purchase these maps (more expensively) from the internet ahead of time, and in some specialist map shops around the world. * '''[[GR 20]]''' — perhaps the best known and most difficult of all the [[Grande Randonnée]] trails. This trail takes approximately 17 days if using the traditional waypoints, though it may take more or less time depending on your experience and needs. The trail is particularly crowded in August; many people suggest the best time is in late spring or early autumn. The greatest danger on the GR 20 arises from the intense summer storms, with lightning claiming the most fatalities. * '''Mare e Mare Nord''' (''Sea to Sea North'') — [[Cargèse]] to Moriani-Plage. Suggested time: 11 days. This trail intersects with the one of the Mare e Monti Trails. The trail is only lightly travelled from [[Corte]] to Moriani, as this is the less interesting half, with uniform scenery, and gîtes that may not be open unless you call first. *'''Mare e Mare Sud''' (''Sea to Sea South'') — [[Porto-Vecchio]] to [[Propriano]]. Suggested time: 5 days. This is considered an easier trail than the others on the island. *'''Mare e Monti''' (''Sea and Mountains'') — Calenzana to Cargèse. Suggested time: 10 days. This trail includes the beautiful fishing village of Girolata, which has no road and is only accessible by boat from [[Calvi]] or on foot. ==Buy== Corsica is well-known for its artisanry, included olive wood-handled knives and jewellery made using a lively red local coral. Local food products such as charcuterie, preserves and biscuits are other commonly-bought souvenir items. ==Eat== [[File:Castagnaccio.jpg|thumb|A castagnaccio is a chestnut and honey cake.]] Corsican food has [[France|French]] and [[Italy|Italian]] influences, but also has many unique dishes of its own. The '''chestnut''' is one of the island's mainstay foods, and is used in many meals and even desserts. Most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food for much of the year, and the local '''charcuterie''' reflects this excellent flavour. Typical Corsican charcuterie include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat. '''Canistrelli''' are typical Corsican biscuits which come in many different flavours. Corsica also produces a uniquely flavoured '''olive oil''' made from ripe fruits collected under trees. Many villages have small shops where locally-produced food is sold. That said, it may be difficult to find a restaurant that prepares true Corsican dishes, and you may find yourself eating at tourist-oriented pizzerias, which nonetheless serve excellent food. ==Drink== [[File:Pietra et verre plein.jpg|thumb|Corsican beer]] Corsica has a commercial '''wine''' industry, and heritage dating back to the Phoenicians. The techniques employed in Corsica have more in common with Italian than French winemaking traditions. The island has an impressive nine ''appellations d'origine contrôlée'' (AOCs), and most wines use nielluccio, sciacarello and vermentino grapes. Corsicans brew a wide selection of local '''beers'''. which have a very distinct taste that you won't find anywhere else in France. It's highly recommended to try "Colomba", "Pietra" or "Bière Torre" when visiting. Corsica even has its own brand of '''cola''', reflecting its independent ways. Don't be surprised if you are asked ''"Américain ou corse?"'' when ordering a cola. Double points for responding ''"Corsica-Cola, per piacè!"'' ==Stay safe== Notwithstanding the notorious ''mafia'', Corsica is usually a very safe place, especially for tourists. Going out at night in the towns and villages will not be a problem. Be polite and respectful, and there is nothing to worry about. == Respect == Compared to much of [[France]], the Corsicans are a bit more hospitable and sociable. As a visitor, you can expect to be treated with a good degree of hospitality over here. The Corsicans are a separate ethnic group. They are neither French nor Italians. Keep that in mind when conversing with local people, and be wary of saying that you are in France when visiting the island. Because of its turbulent, often violent history, Corsica is often portrayed as dangerous and unsafe. '''Never''' perpetuate this portrayal; Corsicans will be incredibly offended. Dress smartly and conservatively; doing so will garner you respect from the locals. Be careful with your words, emotions, and actions — Corsicans are rather sensitive to negative feedback. Although the Corsican language is somewhat similar to Italian, never say that it is a dialect of Italian or variations thereof; it can be construed as offensive. '''Stinginess''' is frowned upon in Corsica. The island is highly dependent on tourism and Corsicans expect you to make the most out of your visit. Not doing so will result in you being made fun of (the most common terms are '''''les mangeurs de tomates''''' or '''''pumataghji''''') or ridiculed. Steer clear of discussing '''Corsican nationalism''', '''Corsican independence''', the FLNC, and '''politics in general'''. These subjects are certainly much debated and are complex, sensitive, and divisive. In March 2022, riots across the island broke out when a Corsican nationalist leader was beaten to death in prison. The Corsicans are divided into several opposing camps – some who desire full independence from France, some who desire more autonomy, and some who are happy with the area's current status in France. ==Go next== By sea, your choices are as listed in "Get in": * the French mainland: [[Nice]], [[Toulon]] and [[Marseille]]; * the Italian mainland: [[Livorno]] and [[Genoa]]; * [[Sardinia]]: [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] The route to Sardinia opens up an intriguing '''mid-Med hopscotch''': you could traverse Sardinia to its southern port of [[Cagliari]], from there sail to [[Palermo]] in [[Sicily]], and from there onward to [[Malta]] or [[Tunisia]], all without returning to the European mainland. {{geo|42.1500|9.0833|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|France}} {{usableregion}} 8x94dpx29chmvbg5y3ia62oorhprbb3 4506385 4506384 2022-08-22T19:01:55Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* By train */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Citadelle de Calvi (Haute-Corse)-banner.jpg}} <!--[[File:Corsica Map.png|thumb|Map of Corsica; the red lines are roads, the hardly visibly black dotted line is the railway]]--> '''[http://www.visit-corsica.com/ Corsica]''' ([[French phrasebook|French]]: ''Corse'', [[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]: ''Corsica'') is an island in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France and west of [[Italy]]. It is a region of [[France]] with a special constitutional status. Corsica is one of the least-visited of the large Mediterranean islands, but has many attractions including historical sights, incredible landscapes and - on the coast at least - a dependably warm and sunny climate for most of the year. The waters around the island offer excellent opportunities for diving and watersports, while inland the mountains draw hikers and climbers. Lastly, visitors come to appreciate Corsica's distinctive and stubbornly separatist culture. ==Cities== {{mapframe|42.057|9.126|zoom=8|height=500}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ajaccio]]|lat=41.9267|long=8.7369|wikidata=Q40104}} (''Aiacciu'') — the chief city of the island, and main port of entry to the southern part. As Napoleon's birthplace, it's well stocked with memorials to the man. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bastia]]|lat=42.7008|long=9.4503|wikidata=Q134698}} (''Bastìa'') — the main city and port of entry in the north. It has a charming old harbour and citadel. It's also the gateway to Cap Corse, the rugged northern peninsula, which includes small communities such as Canari and Nonza. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bonifacio]]|lat=41.3887|long=9.1561|wikidata=Q204051}} (''Bunifaziu'') — at the southern tip of the island, and spectacularly located on cliff tops, this is the port for ferries to and from Sardinia. It's also the access point for Cap Pertusato, the southern tip of Corsica. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Calvi]]|lat=42.5686|long=8.7569|wikidata=Q202439}} — on the north-west coast, this is a major tourist centre and port with ferries to mainland France. There's an old town with a citadel. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cargèse]]|lat=42.136|long=8.595|wikidata=Q391964}} (''Carghjese'') — a village near Ajaccio with a notable physics institute. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Corte]]|lat=42.3064|long=9.1514|wikidata=Q213555}} (''Corti'') — the largest inland settlement, has an old town among dramatic mountain scenery. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nonza]]|lat=42.7833|long=9.3500|wikidata=Q741214}} – a Genovese lighthouse and citadel overlooking the sea. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Florent]]|lat=42.6817|long=9.3031|wikidata=Q677952}} (''San Fiurenzu'') — a small town on the north-west coast between Bastia and Calvi. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Porto-Vecchio]]|lat=41.5917|long=9.2803|wikidata=Q241567}} (''Portivechju'') — a pleasant resort town on the south-east coast. ==Understand== "Often conquered, never subdued": Corsica has a turbulent history. In the medieval period it was ruled by warring Italian city-states; first Pisa, then Genoa. The island was independent from 1755 before coming under French control in 1768. A separatist movement (re-)emerged in the 20th century, leading to some politically motivated violence. The region now enjoys a special constitutional status within France. The rugged mountain terrain has deterred industry and large-scale agriculture, and Corsica has suffered comparatively little of the ugly tourist developments that blight other parts of the Mediterranean. In fact, Corsican's abundant nature has earned it the nickname '''île de beauté''' (''island of beauty''). It has tourism from France and Italy, but of all the Mediterranean islands, it's the least-visited by English-speaking tourists. Its main attractions are water-sports (beach, scuba-diving, sailing) and mountain hiking and climbing. The tourist season is fairly narrow, mid-June through August (when booking is essential), although the climate is pleasant May-October. Outside those months many facilities close down, and the mountains become wrapped in clouds and mist. ==Talk== {{seealso|French phrasebook|Corsican phrasebook}} The official language is '''[[French phrasebook|French]]'''. However, Corsica has its own native language, '''[[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]''', which is quite close to [[Italian phrasebook|Italian]]. It is estimated that up to 50% have conversational knowledge of Corsican, however everyone has a fluent knowledge of French. '''Italian''' is also spoken in tourist areas, but travellers should be wary of whom they address in Italian, due to it being seen as a colonial language. Few of the islanders speak or even understand '''English''', or other major European languages such as German or Spanish, so some knowledge of French (or Italian - to facilitate understanding of Corsican) may be essential to fully appreciate your time here, depending of course on what you want from your visit. At any rate, it will be polite if you start conversations in French; if locals see you making the effort but realise you're struggling, they will generally be willing to speak more slowly, mime or use any English they do know to help you out! ==Get in== ===By boat=== [[File:Corsica ferries - sncm.JPG|thumb|300px|Two ferry companies which serve Corsica]] From mainland France, the quickest sailing is the NGV (High Speed Boat, Navire à Grande Vitesse), which takes about 3 hours to sail from [[Nice]] to [[Calvi]], l'Île-Rousse, [[Ajaccio]] and [[Bastia]]. Regular car ferries, taking 6-8 hours, run from [[Marseille]], Nice and [[Toulon]]. From Italy, ferries run from [[Genoa]], [[Livorno]], [[Savona]], and [[Naples]]; and from [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] on [[Sardinia]]. The main operator is '''[http://www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/ Corsica Sardinia Ferries]''', while other companies include '''[http://www.lameridionale.com/ La Méridionale]''' and '''[https://www.mobylines.fr/traversees-italie-sardaigne-corse.html Moby Lines]'''. All these ferry rides give a great view of the mountainous coast on approach, and all the arrival ports are located within towns. ===By plane=== There are four airports on the island: {{listing | type=go | name=Ajaccio - Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | alt={{IATA|AJA}} | url=http://www.2a.cci.fr/Aeroport-Napoleon-Bonaparte-Ajaccio.html | email= | address= | lat=41.923889 | long=8.8025 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | image=Aéroport Ajaccio Corse.jpg | wikidata=Q583453 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Bastia Poretta Airport | alt={{IATA|BIA}} | url=http://www.bastia.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.55 | long=9.484722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bastia – Poretta Airport | image=Aéroport Bastia Poretta.JPG | wikidata=Q1430951 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Calvi - Sainte-Catherine Airport | alt={{IATA|CLY}} | url=http://www.calvi.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.525 | long=8.79 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport | wikidata=Q1431045 | content= }} and {{listing | type=go | name=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | alt={{IATA|FSC}} | url=http://www.figari.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=41.502222 | long=9.096667 | directions=near Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | image=Figari airport.jpg | wikidata=Q1431300 | content= }} These have year-round flights from a variety of airports on mainland France with [https://www.aircorsica.com/ Air Corsica] and [http://www.air-france.fr Air France]. Budget airline services include [https://www.easyjet.com/ Easyjet] (from [[Berlin#Schönefeld Airport|Berlin Schönefeld]], Euroairport [[Basel]]/[[Mulhouse]], [[Geneva#By plane|Geneva]], [[London Gatwick]] and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]) and [https://www.eurowings.com Eurowings] (from [[Cologne]]/[[Bonn]], [[Dusseldorf#By plane|Dusseldorf]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]], [[Stuttgart#By plane|Stuttgart]] and [[Vienna Airport|Vienna]]), but they usually only fly June to September. Outside these months, flying from outside France will involve relatively expensive and indirect scheduled flights via [[Paris CDG]]; consider instead taking a budget flight to [[Nice#By plane|Nice]] then the ferry to Bastia. If you don't plan to rent a car on landing, be aware that Corsica's airports lack public transport, except for Bastia which has a bus between town and the airport every hour or two. ==Get around== [[File:Col de Teghime et D81- cropped.jpg|thumb|Typical vandalised road signs. The French name of each town has been removed by Corsican nationalists. FLNC is the name of a Corsican nationalist group]] ===By car=== Car is the simplest way to get around this rugged island, as public transport is limited and the hills are formidable. Many people arrive by ferry and take their own car onto the island. Rental cars are available from airports and ferry ports, but do book ahead. Supermarkets do not generally have petrol stations, so make sure you have a decent reserve before embarking on a longer trip. The roads are often twisty and don't allow high speeds, but the road surface is mostly in good repair even in the mountains - except where, all of a sudden, it isn't. Signposting is good, but you may benefit from Satnav (GPS) in the towns, as traditional little blue French street signs are hard to read from a moving vehicle. Place names are given in French and Corsican: Corsican activists have diligently painted out the French, but you should have no difficulty recognising the Corsican names. ===By bus=== Buses run along the south-west coast from Ajaccio to Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, taking 3 hours. In July and August these run three times a day, 7 days a week; the rest of the year it's twice a day, Monday to Saturday. Along the east coast they run from Porto Vecchio to Bastia, taking 3 hours. They run twice a day, 7 days a week mid-June to mid-September, and Monday to Saturday the rest of the year. A same-day connection between Bastia and Ajaccio is possible with a two-hour layover at Porto Vecchio. The operator is Rapides Bleues but a more intelligible timetable is posted on the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus]. The cities have buses to their neighbouring mountain villages, but there's no cross-island bus between Ajaccio and Corte and onward to Bastia - take the train. ===By train=== [[File:L Ile-Rousse gare juillet 2015.jpg|thumb|Trains at L'Île-Rousse station]] France is the land of the sleek TGV, but in Corsica those initials stand for "Train à Grandes Vibrations" - or "U Trinighellu" (the shivering one) as it's locally known. However it's your best public transport option between Ajaccio, Corte and Bastia, as those inter-city buses have been axed. Trains are run by [http://www.cf-corse.corsica/ CF-Corse], a subsidiary of SNCF; investment in 2010 improved the rolling stock and rail infrastructure but it's still a rumbling, rattling ride. The network is non-electrified single track built in metre gauge, twisting and straining across the steep mountain terrain. The network forms a Y-shape: the line runs from Ajaccio north through Corte to the junction at Ponte Leccia, whence the northern branch continues to Bastia while the western branch runs through L'Île-Rousse to Calvi. CF-Corse provides [http://cf-corse.corsica/fr/horaires/ current timetables] in PDF format in French and Corsican. However, these are not posted on Voyages SNCF, so they're not visible to other websites that draw from these, such as Deutsche Bahn. The best English language source is the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus], which covers all transport modalities. The train between Ajaccio and Bastia takes almost four hours and costs €21.60; there are 6 per day Monday to Saturday, 5 Saturdays, 2 Sundays, all direct. Between Bastia and Calvi takes about 3 hours and costs €16.40; there are two trains every day of the week, some with a change at Ponte Leccia. Between Ajaccio and Calvi takes 4.5 hours and costs €25.10, with two trains every day, both with a change at Ponte Leccia. These are all regional trains - the same as TER in France - so there's no advance booking, just buy your ticket at the station and hop on. The fares cited are full tariff. Some concessions and passes are available, e.g. the "Pass Libertà" which is €50 for unlimited travel on 7 consecutive days, so you'd have to cover the entire network and return to your start point to benefit. SNCF passes and reductions are not valid in Corsica. Bikes are generally banned on trains as of 2022, with the exception that according to [https://cf-corse.corsica/faq/ CF-Corse's FAQ], passengers may carry folded bikes in a bag for €15. ==See== As the island was so often fought over, the main towns were heavily fortified. So they typically contain a walled citadel and old harbour, often pedestrianised, and dotted with restaurants and bars. The finest citadel is Bonifacio; arguably the most charming old harbour is Bastia. Ajaccio as the chief city has less old-world charm but has the best museums and galleries. ==Do== '''Water sports''' are available in all the main ports, e.g. windsurfing and kitesurfing. Scuba-diving is mainly conducted in the south of the island, Porto-Vecchio being a good centre. Expect to pay around €45—€60 for a one-tank dive. === Long distance walking === [[File:Gr-20-ortu-di-u-probbu-carrozu-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Corsica mountains]] Corsica has many walking trails. All require the use of topographical maps, despite usually excellent trail marks. IGN maps are the most detailed, and are similar to Ordnance Survey maps in Britain and Ireland. IGN maps may be found in many of the bigger cities, and at the airports, including Bastia airport. Additionally, you can purchase these maps (more expensively) from the internet ahead of time, and in some specialist map shops around the world. * '''[[GR 20]]''' — perhaps the best known and most difficult of all the [[Grande Randonnée]] trails. This trail takes approximately 17 days if using the traditional waypoints, though it may take more or less time depending on your experience and needs. The trail is particularly crowded in August; many people suggest the best time is in late spring or early autumn. The greatest danger on the GR 20 arises from the intense summer storms, with lightning claiming the most fatalities. * '''Mare e Mare Nord''' (''Sea to Sea North'') — [[Cargèse]] to Moriani-Plage. Suggested time: 11 days. This trail intersects with the one of the Mare e Monti Trails. The trail is only lightly travelled from [[Corte]] to Moriani, as this is the less interesting half, with uniform scenery, and gîtes that may not be open unless you call first. *'''Mare e Mare Sud''' (''Sea to Sea South'') — [[Porto-Vecchio]] to [[Propriano]]. Suggested time: 5 days. This is considered an easier trail than the others on the island. *'''Mare e Monti''' (''Sea and Mountains'') — Calenzana to Cargèse. Suggested time: 10 days. This trail includes the beautiful fishing village of Girolata, which has no road and is only accessible by boat from [[Calvi]] or on foot. ==Buy== Corsica is well-known for its artisanry, included olive wood-handled knives and jewellery made using a lively red local coral. Local food products such as charcuterie, preserves and biscuits are other commonly-bought souvenir items. ==Eat== [[File:Castagnaccio.jpg|thumb|A castagnaccio is a chestnut and honey cake.]] Corsican food has [[France|French]] and [[Italy|Italian]] influences, but also has many unique dishes of its own. The '''chestnut''' is one of the island's mainstay foods, and is used in many meals and even desserts. Most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food for much of the year, and the local '''charcuterie''' reflects this excellent flavour. Typical Corsican charcuterie include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat. '''Canistrelli''' are typical Corsican biscuits which come in many different flavours. Corsica also produces a uniquely flavoured '''olive oil''' made from ripe fruits collected under trees. Many villages have small shops where locally-produced food is sold. That said, it may be difficult to find a restaurant that prepares true Corsican dishes, and you may find yourself eating at tourist-oriented pizzerias, which nonetheless serve excellent food. ==Drink== [[File:Pietra et verre plein.jpg|thumb|Corsican beer]] Corsica has a commercial '''wine''' industry, and heritage dating back to the Phoenicians. The techniques employed in Corsica have more in common with Italian than French winemaking traditions. The island has an impressive nine ''appellations d'origine contrôlée'' (AOCs), and most wines use nielluccio, sciacarello and vermentino grapes. Corsicans brew a wide selection of local '''beers'''. which have a very distinct taste that you won't find anywhere else in France. It's highly recommended to try "Colomba", "Pietra" or "Bière Torre" when visiting. Corsica even has its own brand of '''cola''', reflecting its independent ways. Don't be surprised if you are asked ''"Américain ou corse?"'' when ordering a cola. Double points for responding ''"Corsica-Cola, per piacè!"'' ==Stay safe== Notwithstanding the notorious ''mafia'', Corsica is usually a very safe place, especially for tourists. Going out at night in the towns and villages will not be a problem. Be polite and respectful, and there is nothing to worry about. == Respect == Compared to much of [[France]], the Corsicans are a bit more hospitable and sociable. As a visitor, you can expect to be treated with a good degree of hospitality over here. The Corsicans are a separate ethnic group. They are neither French nor Italians. Keep that in mind when conversing with local people, and be wary of saying that you are in France when visiting the island. Because of its turbulent, often violent history, Corsica is often portrayed as dangerous and unsafe. '''Never''' perpetuate this portrayal; Corsicans will be incredibly offended. Dress smartly and conservatively; doing so will garner you respect from the locals. Be careful with your words, emotions, and actions — Corsicans are rather sensitive to negative feedback. Although the Corsican language is somewhat similar to Italian, never say that it is a dialect of Italian or variations thereof; it can be construed as offensive. '''Stinginess''' is frowned upon in Corsica. The island is highly dependent on tourism and Corsicans expect you to make the most out of your visit. Not doing so will result in you being made fun of (the most common terms are '''''les mangeurs de tomates''''' or '''''pumataghji''''') or ridiculed. Steer clear of discussing '''Corsican nationalism''', '''Corsican independence''', the FLNC, and '''politics in general'''. These subjects are certainly much debated and are complex, sensitive, and divisive. In March 2022, riots across the island broke out when a Corsican nationalist leader was beaten to death in prison. The Corsicans are divided into several opposing camps – some who desire full independence from France, some who desire more autonomy, and some who are happy with the area's current status in France. ==Go next== By sea, your choices are as listed in "Get in": * the French mainland: [[Nice]], [[Toulon]] and [[Marseille]]; * the Italian mainland: [[Livorno]] and [[Genoa]]; * [[Sardinia]]: [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] The route to Sardinia opens up an intriguing '''mid-Med hopscotch''': you could traverse Sardinia to its southern port of [[Cagliari]], from there sail to [[Palermo]] in [[Sicily]], and from there onward to [[Malta]] or [[Tunisia]], all without returning to the European mainland. {{geo|42.1500|9.0833|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|France}} {{usableregion}} k42y1jhghzindhw8j1zo8t5i1zh27ve 4506386 4506385 2022-08-22T19:03:04Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* By train */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Citadelle de Calvi (Haute-Corse)-banner.jpg}} <!--[[File:Corsica Map.png|thumb|Map of Corsica; the red lines are roads, the hardly visibly black dotted line is the railway]]--> '''[http://www.visit-corsica.com/ Corsica]''' ([[French phrasebook|French]]: ''Corse'', [[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]: ''Corsica'') is an island in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France and west of [[Italy]]. It is a region of [[France]] with a special constitutional status. Corsica is one of the least-visited of the large Mediterranean islands, but has many attractions including historical sights, incredible landscapes and - on the coast at least - a dependably warm and sunny climate for most of the year. The waters around the island offer excellent opportunities for diving and watersports, while inland the mountains draw hikers and climbers. Lastly, visitors come to appreciate Corsica's distinctive and stubbornly separatist culture. ==Cities== {{mapframe|42.057|9.126|zoom=8|height=500}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ajaccio]]|lat=41.9267|long=8.7369|wikidata=Q40104}} (''Aiacciu'') — the chief city of the island, and main port of entry to the southern part. As Napoleon's birthplace, it's well stocked with memorials to the man. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bastia]]|lat=42.7008|long=9.4503|wikidata=Q134698}} (''Bastìa'') — the main city and port of entry in the north. It has a charming old harbour and citadel. It's also the gateway to Cap Corse, the rugged northern peninsula, which includes small communities such as Canari and Nonza. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bonifacio]]|lat=41.3887|long=9.1561|wikidata=Q204051}} (''Bunifaziu'') — at the southern tip of the island, and spectacularly located on cliff tops, this is the port for ferries to and from Sardinia. It's also the access point for Cap Pertusato, the southern tip of Corsica. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Calvi]]|lat=42.5686|long=8.7569|wikidata=Q202439}} — on the north-west coast, this is a major tourist centre and port with ferries to mainland France. There's an old town with a citadel. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cargèse]]|lat=42.136|long=8.595|wikidata=Q391964}} (''Carghjese'') — a village near Ajaccio with a notable physics institute. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Corte]]|lat=42.3064|long=9.1514|wikidata=Q213555}} (''Corti'') — the largest inland settlement, has an old town among dramatic mountain scenery. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nonza]]|lat=42.7833|long=9.3500|wikidata=Q741214}} – a Genovese lighthouse and citadel overlooking the sea. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Florent]]|lat=42.6817|long=9.3031|wikidata=Q677952}} (''San Fiurenzu'') — a small town on the north-west coast between Bastia and Calvi. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Porto-Vecchio]]|lat=41.5917|long=9.2803|wikidata=Q241567}} (''Portivechju'') — a pleasant resort town on the south-east coast. ==Understand== "Often conquered, never subdued": Corsica has a turbulent history. In the medieval period it was ruled by warring Italian city-states; first Pisa, then Genoa. The island was independent from 1755 before coming under French control in 1768. A separatist movement (re-)emerged in the 20th century, leading to some politically motivated violence. The region now enjoys a special constitutional status within France. The rugged mountain terrain has deterred industry and large-scale agriculture, and Corsica has suffered comparatively little of the ugly tourist developments that blight other parts of the Mediterranean. In fact, Corsican's abundant nature has earned it the nickname '''île de beauté''' (''island of beauty''). It has tourism from France and Italy, but of all the Mediterranean islands, it's the least-visited by English-speaking tourists. Its main attractions are water-sports (beach, scuba-diving, sailing) and mountain hiking and climbing. The tourist season is fairly narrow, mid-June through August (when booking is essential), although the climate is pleasant May-October. Outside those months many facilities close down, and the mountains become wrapped in clouds and mist. ==Talk== {{seealso|French phrasebook|Corsican phrasebook}} The official language is '''[[French phrasebook|French]]'''. However, Corsica has its own native language, '''[[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]''', which is quite close to [[Italian phrasebook|Italian]]. It is estimated that up to 50% have conversational knowledge of Corsican, however everyone has a fluent knowledge of French. '''Italian''' is also spoken in tourist areas, but travellers should be wary of whom they address in Italian, due to it being seen as a colonial language. Few of the islanders speak or even understand '''English''', or other major European languages such as German or Spanish, so some knowledge of French (or Italian - to facilitate understanding of Corsican) may be essential to fully appreciate your time here, depending of course on what you want from your visit. At any rate, it will be polite if you start conversations in French; if locals see you making the effort but realise you're struggling, they will generally be willing to speak more slowly, mime or use any English they do know to help you out! ==Get in== ===By boat=== [[File:Corsica ferries - sncm.JPG|thumb|300px|Two ferry companies which serve Corsica]] From mainland France, the quickest sailing is the NGV (High Speed Boat, Navire à Grande Vitesse), which takes about 3 hours to sail from [[Nice]] to [[Calvi]], l'Île-Rousse, [[Ajaccio]] and [[Bastia]]. Regular car ferries, taking 6-8 hours, run from [[Marseille]], Nice and [[Toulon]]. From Italy, ferries run from [[Genoa]], [[Livorno]], [[Savona]], and [[Naples]]; and from [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] on [[Sardinia]]. The main operator is '''[http://www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/ Corsica Sardinia Ferries]''', while other companies include '''[http://www.lameridionale.com/ La Méridionale]''' and '''[https://www.mobylines.fr/traversees-italie-sardaigne-corse.html Moby Lines]'''. All these ferry rides give a great view of the mountainous coast on approach, and all the arrival ports are located within towns. ===By plane=== There are four airports on the island: {{listing | type=go | name=Ajaccio - Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | alt={{IATA|AJA}} | url=http://www.2a.cci.fr/Aeroport-Napoleon-Bonaparte-Ajaccio.html | email= | address= | lat=41.923889 | long=8.8025 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | image=Aéroport Ajaccio Corse.jpg | wikidata=Q583453 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Bastia Poretta Airport | alt={{IATA|BIA}} | url=http://www.bastia.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.55 | long=9.484722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bastia – Poretta Airport | image=Aéroport Bastia Poretta.JPG | wikidata=Q1430951 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Calvi - Sainte-Catherine Airport | alt={{IATA|CLY}} | url=http://www.calvi.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.525 | long=8.79 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport | wikidata=Q1431045 | content= }} and {{listing | type=go | name=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | alt={{IATA|FSC}} | url=http://www.figari.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=41.502222 | long=9.096667 | directions=near Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | image=Figari airport.jpg | wikidata=Q1431300 | content= }} These have year-round flights from a variety of airports on mainland France with [https://www.aircorsica.com/ Air Corsica] and [http://www.air-france.fr Air France]. Budget airline services include [https://www.easyjet.com/ Easyjet] (from [[Berlin#Schönefeld Airport|Berlin Schönefeld]], Euroairport [[Basel]]/[[Mulhouse]], [[Geneva#By plane|Geneva]], [[London Gatwick]] and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]) and [https://www.eurowings.com Eurowings] (from [[Cologne]]/[[Bonn]], [[Dusseldorf#By plane|Dusseldorf]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]], [[Stuttgart#By plane|Stuttgart]] and [[Vienna Airport|Vienna]]), but they usually only fly June to September. Outside these months, flying from outside France will involve relatively expensive and indirect scheduled flights via [[Paris CDG]]; consider instead taking a budget flight to [[Nice#By plane|Nice]] then the ferry to Bastia. If you don't plan to rent a car on landing, be aware that Corsica's airports lack public transport, except for Bastia which has a bus between town and the airport every hour or two. ==Get around== [[File:Col de Teghime et D81- cropped.jpg|thumb|Typical vandalised road signs. The French name of each town has been removed by Corsican nationalists. FLNC is the name of a Corsican nationalist group]] ===By car=== Car is the simplest way to get around this rugged island, as public transport is limited and the hills are formidable. Many people arrive by ferry and take their own car onto the island. Rental cars are available from airports and ferry ports, but do book ahead. Supermarkets do not generally have petrol stations, so make sure you have a decent reserve before embarking on a longer trip. The roads are often twisty and don't allow high speeds, but the road surface is mostly in good repair even in the mountains - except where, all of a sudden, it isn't. Signposting is good, but you may benefit from Satnav (GPS) in the towns, as traditional little blue French street signs are hard to read from a moving vehicle. Place names are given in French and Corsican: Corsican activists have diligently painted out the French, but you should have no difficulty recognising the Corsican names. ===By bus=== Buses run along the south-west coast from Ajaccio to Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, taking 3 hours. In July and August these run three times a day, 7 days a week; the rest of the year it's twice a day, Monday to Saturday. Along the east coast they run from Porto Vecchio to Bastia, taking 3 hours. They run twice a day, 7 days a week mid-June to mid-September, and Monday to Saturday the rest of the year. A same-day connection between Bastia and Ajaccio is possible with a two-hour layover at Porto Vecchio. The operator is Rapides Bleues but a more intelligible timetable is posted on the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus]. The cities have buses to their neighbouring mountain villages, but there's no cross-island bus between Ajaccio and Corte and onward to Bastia - take the train. ===By train=== [[File:L Ile-Rousse gare juillet 2015.jpg|thumb|Trains at L'Île-Rousse station]] France is the land of the sleek TGV, but in Corsica those initials stand for "Train à Grandes Vibrations" - or "U Trinighellu" (the shivering one) as it's locally known. However it's your best public transport option between Ajaccio, Corte and Bastia, as those inter-city buses have been axed. Trains are run by [http://www.cf-corse.corsica/ CF-Corse], a subsidiary of SNCF; investment in 2010 improved the rolling stock and rail infrastructure but it's still a rumbling, rattling ride. The network is non-electrified single track built in metre gauge, twisting and straining across the steep mountain terrain. The network forms a Y-shape: the line runs from Ajaccio north through Corte to the junction at Ponte Leccia, whence the northern branch continues to Bastia while the western branch runs through L'Île-Rousse to Calvi. CF-Corse provides [http://cf-corse.corsica/fr/horaires/ current timetables] in PDF format in French and Corsican. However, these are not posted on Voyages SNCF, so they're not visible to other websites that draw from these, such as Deutsche Bahn. The best English language source is the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus], which covers all transport modalities. The train between Ajaccio and Bastia takes almost four hours and costs €21.60; there are 6 per day Monday to Friday, 5 Saturdays, 2 Sundays, all direct. Between Bastia and Calvi takes about 3 hours and costs €16.40; there are two trains every day of the week, some with a change at Ponte Leccia. Between Ajaccio and Calvi takes 4.5 hours and costs €25.10, with two trains every day, both with a change at Ponte Leccia. These are all regional trains - the same as TER in France - so there's no advance booking, just buy your ticket at the station and hop on. The fares cited are full tariff. Some concessions and passes are available, e.g. the "Pass Libertà" which is €50 for unlimited travel on 7 consecutive days, so you'd have to cover the entire network and return to your start point to benefit. SNCF passes and reductions are not valid in Corsica. Bikes are generally banned on trains as of 2022, with the exception that according to [https://cf-corse.corsica/faq/ CF-Corse's FAQ], passengers may carry folded bikes in a bag for €15. ==See== As the island was so often fought over, the main towns were heavily fortified. So they typically contain a walled citadel and old harbour, often pedestrianised, and dotted with restaurants and bars. The finest citadel is Bonifacio; arguably the most charming old harbour is Bastia. Ajaccio as the chief city has less old-world charm but has the best museums and galleries. ==Do== '''Water sports''' are available in all the main ports, e.g. windsurfing and kitesurfing. Scuba-diving is mainly conducted in the south of the island, Porto-Vecchio being a good centre. Expect to pay around €45—€60 for a one-tank dive. === Long distance walking === [[File:Gr-20-ortu-di-u-probbu-carrozu-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Corsica mountains]] Corsica has many walking trails. All require the use of topographical maps, despite usually excellent trail marks. IGN maps are the most detailed, and are similar to Ordnance Survey maps in Britain and Ireland. IGN maps may be found in many of the bigger cities, and at the airports, including Bastia airport. Additionally, you can purchase these maps (more expensively) from the internet ahead of time, and in some specialist map shops around the world. * '''[[GR 20]]''' — perhaps the best known and most difficult of all the [[Grande Randonnée]] trails. This trail takes approximately 17 days if using the traditional waypoints, though it may take more or less time depending on your experience and needs. The trail is particularly crowded in August; many people suggest the best time is in late spring or early autumn. The greatest danger on the GR 20 arises from the intense summer storms, with lightning claiming the most fatalities. * '''Mare e Mare Nord''' (''Sea to Sea North'') — [[Cargèse]] to Moriani-Plage. Suggested time: 11 days. This trail intersects with the one of the Mare e Monti Trails. The trail is only lightly travelled from [[Corte]] to Moriani, as this is the less interesting half, with uniform scenery, and gîtes that may not be open unless you call first. *'''Mare e Mare Sud''' (''Sea to Sea South'') — [[Porto-Vecchio]] to [[Propriano]]. Suggested time: 5 days. This is considered an easier trail than the others on the island. *'''Mare e Monti''' (''Sea and Mountains'') — Calenzana to Cargèse. Suggested time: 10 days. This trail includes the beautiful fishing village of Girolata, which has no road and is only accessible by boat from [[Calvi]] or on foot. ==Buy== Corsica is well-known for its artisanry, included olive wood-handled knives and jewellery made using a lively red local coral. Local food products such as charcuterie, preserves and biscuits are other commonly-bought souvenir items. ==Eat== [[File:Castagnaccio.jpg|thumb|A castagnaccio is a chestnut and honey cake.]] Corsican food has [[France|French]] and [[Italy|Italian]] influences, but also has many unique dishes of its own. The '''chestnut''' is one of the island's mainstay foods, and is used in many meals and even desserts. Most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food for much of the year, and the local '''charcuterie''' reflects this excellent flavour. Typical Corsican charcuterie include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat. '''Canistrelli''' are typical Corsican biscuits which come in many different flavours. Corsica also produces a uniquely flavoured '''olive oil''' made from ripe fruits collected under trees. Many villages have small shops where locally-produced food is sold. That said, it may be difficult to find a restaurant that prepares true Corsican dishes, and you may find yourself eating at tourist-oriented pizzerias, which nonetheless serve excellent food. ==Drink== [[File:Pietra et verre plein.jpg|thumb|Corsican beer]] Corsica has a commercial '''wine''' industry, and heritage dating back to the Phoenicians. The techniques employed in Corsica have more in common with Italian than French winemaking traditions. The island has an impressive nine ''appellations d'origine contrôlée'' (AOCs), and most wines use nielluccio, sciacarello and vermentino grapes. Corsicans brew a wide selection of local '''beers'''. which have a very distinct taste that you won't find anywhere else in France. It's highly recommended to try "Colomba", "Pietra" or "Bière Torre" when visiting. Corsica even has its own brand of '''cola''', reflecting its independent ways. Don't be surprised if you are asked ''"Américain ou corse?"'' when ordering a cola. Double points for responding ''"Corsica-Cola, per piacè!"'' ==Stay safe== Notwithstanding the notorious ''mafia'', Corsica is usually a very safe place, especially for tourists. Going out at night in the towns and villages will not be a problem. Be polite and respectful, and there is nothing to worry about. == Respect == Compared to much of [[France]], the Corsicans are a bit more hospitable and sociable. As a visitor, you can expect to be treated with a good degree of hospitality over here. The Corsicans are a separate ethnic group. They are neither French nor Italians. Keep that in mind when conversing with local people, and be wary of saying that you are in France when visiting the island. Because of its turbulent, often violent history, Corsica is often portrayed as dangerous and unsafe. '''Never''' perpetuate this portrayal; Corsicans will be incredibly offended. Dress smartly and conservatively; doing so will garner you respect from the locals. Be careful with your words, emotions, and actions — Corsicans are rather sensitive to negative feedback. Although the Corsican language is somewhat similar to Italian, never say that it is a dialect of Italian or variations thereof; it can be construed as offensive. '''Stinginess''' is frowned upon in Corsica. The island is highly dependent on tourism and Corsicans expect you to make the most out of your visit. Not doing so will result in you being made fun of (the most common terms are '''''les mangeurs de tomates''''' or '''''pumataghji''''') or ridiculed. Steer clear of discussing '''Corsican nationalism''', '''Corsican independence''', the FLNC, and '''politics in general'''. These subjects are certainly much debated and are complex, sensitive, and divisive. In March 2022, riots across the island broke out when a Corsican nationalist leader was beaten to death in prison. The Corsicans are divided into several opposing camps – some who desire full independence from France, some who desire more autonomy, and some who are happy with the area's current status in France. ==Go next== By sea, your choices are as listed in "Get in": * the French mainland: [[Nice]], [[Toulon]] and [[Marseille]]; * the Italian mainland: [[Livorno]] and [[Genoa]]; * [[Sardinia]]: [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] The route to Sardinia opens up an intriguing '''mid-Med hopscotch''': you could traverse Sardinia to its southern port of [[Cagliari]], from there sail to [[Palermo]] in [[Sicily]], and from there onward to [[Malta]] or [[Tunisia]], all without returning to the European mainland. {{geo|42.1500|9.0833|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|France}} {{usableregion}} 70qmbt7ewfqrcuszmj096ojqvx1vrtx 4506387 4506386 2022-08-22T19:07:27Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Citadelle de Calvi (Haute-Corse)-banner.jpg}} <!--[[File:Corsica Map.png|thumb|Map of Corsica; the red lines are roads, the hardly visibly black dotted line is the railway]]--> '''[http://www.visit-corsica.com/ Corsica]''' ([[French phrasebook|French]]: ''Corse'', [[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]: ''Corsica'') is an island in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France and west of [[Italy]]. It is a region of [[France]] with a special constitutional status. Corsica is one of the least-visited of the large Mediterranean islands, but has many attractions including historical sights, incredible landscapes and - on the coast at least - a dependably warm and sunny climate for most of the year. The waters around the island offer excellent opportunities for diving and watersports, while inland the mountains draw hikers and climbers. Lastly, visitors come to appreciate Corsica's distinctive and stubbornly separatist culture. ==Cities== {{mapframe|42.057|9.126|zoom=8|height=500}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ajaccio]]|lat=41.9267|long=8.7369|wikidata=Q40104}} (''Aiacciu'') — the chief city of the island, and main port of entry to the southern part. As Napoleon's birthplace, it's well stocked with memorials to the man. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bastia]]|lat=42.7008|long=9.4503|wikidata=Q134698}} (''Bastìa'') — the main city and port of entry in the north. It has a charming old harbour and citadel. It's also the gateway to Cap Corse, the rugged northern peninsula, which includes small communities such as Canari and Nonza. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bonifacio]]|lat=41.3887|long=9.1561|wikidata=Q204051}} (''Bunifaziu'') — at the southern tip of the island, and spectacularly located on cliff tops, this is the port for ferries to and from Sardinia. It's also the access point for Cap Pertusato, the southern tip of Corsica. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Calvi]]|lat=42.5686|long=8.7569|wikidata=Q202439}} — on the north-west coast, this is a major tourist centre and port with ferries to mainland France. There's an old town with a citadel. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cargèse]]|lat=42.136|long=8.595|wikidata=Q391964}} (''Carghjese'') — a village near Ajaccio with a notable physics institute. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Corte]]|lat=42.3064|long=9.1514|wikidata=Q213555}} (''Corti'') — the largest inland settlement, has an old town among dramatic mountain scenery. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nonza]]|lat=42.7833|long=9.3500|wikidata=Q741214}} – a Genovese lighthouse and citadel overlooking the sea. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Florent]]|lat=42.6817|long=9.3031|wikidata=Q677952}} (''San Fiurenzu'') — a small town on the north-west coast between Bastia and Calvi. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Porto-Vecchio]]|lat=41.5917|long=9.2803|wikidata=Q241567}} (''Portivechju'') — a pleasant resort town on the south-east coast. ==Understand== "Often conquered, never subdued": Corsica has a turbulent history. In the medieval period it was ruled by warring Italian city-states; first Pisa, then Genoa. The island was independent from 1755 before coming under French control in 1768. A separatist movement (re-)emerged in the 20th century, leading to some politically motivated violence. The region now enjoys a special constitutional status within France. The rugged mountain terrain has deterred industry and large-scale agriculture, and Corsica has suffered comparatively little of the ugly tourist developments that blight other parts of the Mediterranean. In fact, Corsican's abundant nature has earned it the nickname '''île de beauté''' (''island of beauty''). It has tourism from France and Italy, but of all the Mediterranean islands, it's the least-visited by English-speaking tourists. Its main attractions are water-sports (beach, scuba-diving, sailing) and mountain hiking and climbing. The tourist season is fairly narrow, mid-June through August (when booking is essential), although the climate is pleasant May-October. Outside those months many facilities close down, and the mountains become wrapped in clouds and mist. ==Talk== {{seealso|French phrasebook|Corsican phrasebook}} The official language is '''[[French phrasebook|French]]'''. However, Corsica has its own native language, '''[[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]]''', which is quite close to [[Italian phrasebook|Italian]]. It is estimated that up to 50% have conversational knowledge of Corsican, however everyone has a fluent knowledge of French. '''Italian''' is also spoken in tourist areas, but travellers should be wary of whom they address in Italian, due to it being seen as a colonial language. Few of the islanders speak or even understand '''English''', or other major European languages such as German or Spanish, so some knowledge of French (or Italian - to facilitate understanding of Corsican) may be essential to fully appreciate your time here, depending of course on what you want from your visit. At any rate, it will be polite if you start conversations in French; if locals see you making the effort but realise you're struggling, they will generally be willing to speak more slowly, mime or use any English they do know to help you out! ==Get in== ===By boat=== [[File:Corsica ferries - sncm.JPG|thumb|300px|Two ferry companies which serve Corsica]] From mainland France, the quickest sailing is the NGV (High Speed Boat, Navire à Grande Vitesse), which takes about 3 hours to sail from [[Nice]] to [[Calvi]], l'Île-Rousse, [[Ajaccio]] and [[Bastia]]. Regular car ferries, taking 6-8 hours, run from [[Marseille]], Nice and [[Toulon]]. From Italy, ferries run from [[Genoa]], [[Livorno]], [[Savona]], and [[Naples]]; and from [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] on [[Sardinia]]. The main operator is '''[http://www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/ Corsica Sardinia Ferries]''', while other companies include '''[http://www.lameridionale.com/ La Méridionale]''' and '''[https://www.mobylines.fr/traversees-italie-sardaigne-corse.html Moby Lines]'''. All these ferry rides give a great view of the mountainous coast on approach, and all the arrival ports are located within towns. ===By plane=== There are four airports on the island: {{listing | type=go | name=Ajaccio - Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | alt={{IATA|AJA}} | url=http://www.2a.cci.fr/Aeroport-Napoleon-Bonaparte-Ajaccio.html | email= | address= | lat=41.923889 | long=8.8025 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport | image=Aéroport Ajaccio Corse.jpg | wikidata=Q583453 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Bastia Poretta Airport | alt={{IATA|BIA}} | url=http://www.bastia.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.55 | long=9.484722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bastia – Poretta Airport | image=Aéroport Bastia Poretta.JPG | wikidata=Q1430951 | content= }}, {{listing | type=go | name=Calvi - Sainte-Catherine Airport | alt={{IATA|CLY}} | url=http://www.calvi.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=42.525 | long=8.79 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport | wikidata=Q1431045 | content= }} and {{listing | type=go | name=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | alt={{IATA|FSC}} | url=http://www.figari.aeroport.fr | email= | address= | lat=41.502222 | long=9.096667 | directions=near Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Figari–Sud Corse Airport | image=Figari airport.jpg | wikidata=Q1431300 | content= }} These airports have year-round flights from a variety of airports on mainland France with [https://www.aircorsica.com/ Air Corsica] and [http://www.air-france.fr Air France]. Budget airline services include [https://www.easyjet.com/ Easyjet] (from [[Berlin#Schönefeld Airport|Berlin Schönefeld]], Euroairport [[Basel]]/[[Mulhouse]], [[Geneva#By plane|Geneva]], [[London Gatwick]] and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]) and [https://www.eurowings.com Eurowings] (from [[Cologne]]/[[Bonn]], [[Dusseldorf#By plane|Dusseldorf]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]], [[Stuttgart#By plane|Stuttgart]] and [[Vienna Airport|Vienna]]), but they usually only fly June to September. Outside these months, flying from outside France will involve relatively expensive and indirect scheduled flights via [[Paris CDG]]; consider instead taking a budget flight to [[Nice#By plane|Nice]] then the ferry to Bastia. If you don't plan to rent a car on landing, be aware that Corsica's airports lack public transport, except for Bastia which has a bus between town and the airport every hour or two. ==Get around== [[File:Col de Teghime et D81- cropped.jpg|thumb|Typical vandalised road signs. The French name of each town has been removed by Corsican nationalists. FLNC is the name of a Corsican nationalist group]] ===By car=== Car is the simplest way to get around this rugged island, as public transport is limited and the hills are formidable. Many people arrive by ferry and take their own car onto the island. Rental cars are available from airports and ferry ports, but do book ahead. Supermarkets do not generally have petrol stations, so make sure you have a decent reserve before embarking on a longer trip. The roads are often twisty and don't allow high speeds, but the road surface is mostly in good repair even in the mountains - except where, all of a sudden, it isn't. Signposting is good, but you may benefit from Satnav (GPS) in the towns, as traditional little blue French street signs are hard to read from a moving vehicle. Place names are given in French and Corsican: Corsican activists have diligently painted out the French, but you should have no difficulty recognising the Corsican names. ===By bus=== Buses run along the south-west coast from Ajaccio to Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, taking 3 hours. In July and August these run three times a day, 7 days a week; the rest of the year it's twice a day, Monday to Saturday. Along the east coast they run from Porto Vecchio to Bastia, taking 3 hours. They run twice a day, 7 days a week mid-June to mid-September, and Monday to Saturday the rest of the year. A same-day connection between Bastia and Ajaccio is possible with a two-hour layover at Porto Vecchio. The operator is Rapides Bleues but a more intelligible timetable is posted on the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus]. The cities have buses to their neighbouring mountain villages, but there's no cross-island bus between Ajaccio and Corte and onward to Bastia - take the train. ===By train=== [[File:L Ile-Rousse gare juillet 2015.jpg|thumb|Trains at L'Île-Rousse station]] France is the land of the sleek TGV, but in Corsica those initials stand for "Train à Grandes Vibrations" - or "U Trinighellu" (the shivering one) as it's locally known. However it's your best public transport option between Ajaccio, Corte and Bastia, as those inter-city buses have been axed. Trains are run by [http://www.cf-corse.corsica/ CF-Corse], a subsidiary of SNCF; investment in 2010 improved the rolling stock and rail infrastructure but it's still a rumbling, rattling ride. The network is non-electrified single track built in metre gauge, twisting and straining across the steep mountain terrain. The network forms a Y-shape: the line runs from Ajaccio north through Corte to the junction at Ponte Leccia, whence the northern branch continues to Bastia while the western branch runs through L'Île-Rousse to Calvi. CF-Corse provides [http://cf-corse.corsica/fr/horaires/ current timetables] in PDF format in French and Corsican. However, these are not posted on Voyages SNCF, so they're not visible to other websites that draw from these, such as Deutsche Bahn. The best English language source is the unofficial website [http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html Corsica Bus], which covers all transport modalities. The train between Ajaccio and Bastia takes almost four hours and costs €21.60; there are 6 per day Monday to Friday, 5 Saturdays, 2 Sundays, all direct. Between Bastia and Calvi takes about 3 hours and costs €16.40; there are two trains every day of the week, some with a change at Ponte Leccia. Between Ajaccio and Calvi takes 4.5 hours and costs €25.10, with two trains every day, both with a change at Ponte Leccia. These are all regional trains - the same as TER in France - so there's no advance booking, just buy your ticket at the station and hop on. The fares cited are full tariff. Some concessions and passes are available, e.g. the "Pass Libertà" which is €50 for unlimited travel on 7 consecutive days, so you'd have to cover the entire network and return to your start point to benefit. SNCF passes and reductions are not valid in Corsica. Bikes are generally banned on trains as of 2022, with the exception that according to [https://cf-corse.corsica/faq/ CF-Corse's FAQ], passengers may carry folded bikes in a bag for €15. ==See== As the island was so often fought over, the main towns were heavily fortified. So they typically contain a walled citadel and old harbour, often pedestrianised, and dotted with restaurants and bars. The finest citadel is Bonifacio; arguably the most charming old harbour is Bastia. Ajaccio as the chief city has less old-world charm but has the best museums and galleries. ==Do== '''Water sports''' are available in all the main ports, e.g. windsurfing and kitesurfing. Scuba-diving is mainly conducted in the south of the island, Porto-Vecchio being a good centre. Expect to pay around €45—€60 for a one-tank dive. === Long distance walking === [[File:Gr-20-ortu-di-u-probbu-carrozu-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Corsica mountains]] Corsica has many walking trails. All require the use of topographical maps, despite usually excellent trail marks. IGN maps are the most detailed, and are similar to Ordnance Survey maps in Britain and Ireland. IGN maps may be found in many of the bigger cities, and at the airports, including Bastia airport. Additionally, you can purchase these maps (more expensively) from the internet ahead of time, and in some specialist map shops around the world. * '''[[GR 20]]''' — perhaps the best known and most difficult of all the [[Grande Randonnée]] trails. This trail takes approximately 17 days if using the traditional waypoints, though it may take more or less time depending on your experience and needs. The trail is particularly crowded in August; many people suggest the best time is in late spring or early autumn. The greatest danger on the GR 20 arises from the intense summer storms, with lightning claiming the most fatalities. * '''Mare e Mare Nord''' (''Sea to Sea North'') — [[Cargèse]] to Moriani-Plage. Suggested time: 11 days. This trail intersects with the one of the Mare e Monti Trails. The trail is only lightly travelled from [[Corte]] to Moriani, as this is the less interesting half, with uniform scenery, and gîtes that may not be open unless you call first. *'''Mare e Mare Sud''' (''Sea to Sea South'') — [[Porto-Vecchio]] to [[Propriano]]. Suggested time: 5 days. This is considered an easier trail than the others on the island. *'''Mare e Monti''' (''Sea and Mountains'') — Calenzana to Cargèse. Suggested time: 10 days. This trail includes the beautiful fishing village of Girolata, which has no road and is only accessible by boat from [[Calvi]] or on foot. ==Buy== Corsica is well-known for its artisanry, included olive wood-handled knives and jewellery made using a lively red local coral. Local food products such as charcuterie, preserves and biscuits are other commonly-bought souvenir items. ==Eat== [[File:Castagnaccio.jpg|thumb|A castagnaccio is a chestnut and honey cake.]] Corsican food has [[France|French]] and [[Italy|Italian]] influences, but also has many unique dishes of its own. The '''chestnut''' is one of the island's mainstay foods, and is used in many meals and even desserts. Most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food for much of the year, and the local '''charcuterie''' reflects this excellent flavour. Typical Corsican charcuterie include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat. '''Canistrelli''' are typical Corsican biscuits which come in many different flavours. Corsica also produces a uniquely flavoured '''olive oil''' made from ripe fruits collected under trees. Many villages have small shops where locally-produced food is sold. That said, it may be difficult to find a restaurant that prepares true Corsican dishes, and you may find yourself eating at tourist-oriented pizzerias, which nonetheless serve excellent food. ==Drink== [[File:Pietra et verre plein.jpg|thumb|Corsican beer]] Corsica has a commercial '''wine''' industry, and heritage dating back to the Phoenicians. The techniques employed in Corsica have more in common with Italian than French winemaking traditions. The island has an impressive nine ''appellations d'origine contrôlée'' (AOCs), and most wines use nielluccio, sciacarello and vermentino grapes. Corsicans brew a wide selection of local '''beers'''. which have a very distinct taste that you won't find anywhere else in France. It's highly recommended to try "Colomba", "Pietra" or "Bière Torre" when visiting. Corsica even has its own brand of '''cola''', reflecting its independent ways. Don't be surprised if you are asked ''"Américain ou corse?"'' when ordering a cola. Double points for responding ''"Corsica-Cola, per piacè!"'' ==Stay safe== Notwithstanding the notorious ''mafia'', Corsica is usually a very safe place, especially for tourists. Going out at night in the towns and villages will not be a problem. Be polite and respectful, and there is nothing to worry about. == Respect == Compared to much of [[France]], the Corsicans are a bit more hospitable and sociable. As a visitor, you can expect to be treated with a good degree of hospitality over here. The Corsicans are a separate ethnic group. They are neither French nor Italians. Keep that in mind when conversing with local people, and be wary of saying that you are in France when visiting the island. Because of its turbulent, often violent history, Corsica is often portrayed as dangerous and unsafe. '''Never''' perpetuate this portrayal; Corsicans will be incredibly offended. Dress smartly and conservatively; doing so will garner you respect from the locals. Be careful with your words, emotions, and actions — Corsicans are rather sensitive to negative feedback. Although the Corsican language is somewhat similar to Italian, never say that it is a dialect of Italian or variations thereof; it can be construed as offensive. '''Stinginess''' is frowned upon in Corsica. The island is highly dependent on tourism and Corsicans expect you to make the most out of your visit. Not doing so will result in you being made fun of (the most common terms are '''''les mangeurs de tomates''''' or '''''pumataghji''''') or ridiculed. Steer clear of discussing '''Corsican nationalism''', '''Corsican independence''', the FLNC, and '''politics in general'''. These subjects are certainly much debated and are complex, sensitive, and divisive. In March 2022, riots across the island broke out when a Corsican nationalist leader was beaten to death in prison. The Corsicans are divided into several opposing camps – some who desire full independence from France, some who desire more autonomy, and some who are happy with the area's current status in France. ==Go next== By sea, your choices are as listed in "Get in": * the French mainland: [[Nice]], [[Toulon]] and [[Marseille]]; * the Italian mainland: [[Livorno]] and [[Genoa]]; * [[Sardinia]]: [[Santa Teresa Gallura]] The route to Sardinia opens up an intriguing '''mid-Med hopscotch''': you could traverse Sardinia to its southern port of [[Cagliari]], from there sail to [[Palermo]] in [[Sicily]], and from there onward to [[Malta]] or [[Tunisia]], all without returning to the European mainland. {{geo|42.1500|9.0833|zoom=8}} {{isPartOf|France}} {{usableregion}} buhj66loc9151fsmh33bnbhl8i9qk51 0 8372 4506638 4503644 2022-08-23T06:44:52Z Trio3D 2232222 "Stay safe" section added. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=Cottbus/Chóśebuz}} '''[http://www.cottbus.de/en/ Cottbus]''' (Sorbian: '''Chóśebuz''') is a city in the southeast of [[Brandenburg]] state, in [[Germany]]. It is the state's second-largest city and is considered one of the cultural centres of the Sorbs, a Slavic ethnic minority in eastern Germany. Cottbus sits on the southern edge of the famous [[Spreewald]] and north of the developing man-made [[Lusatian Lake District]]. After the flooding of the Cottbus-Nord surface mine, the city will lie on the shore of Germany's largest artificial lake by surface area. Also to the north is the beautiful Schlaube Valley, which can easily be reached by day trip. ==Understand== [[File:Universitaet Bibliothek.JPG|thumb|University library]][[File:Cottbus Theater von Osten.jpg|thumb|400px|The art nouveau Staatstheater Cottbus]] The name of the city comes from "Chotibuz" from the Sorbian (Wendish) language, which is itself a derivation of ''Choitische Budky'', meaning approximately "pretty little houses". Modern Cottbus is a small city, in what used to be East Germany (GDR), and due to high unemployment the city has suffered from the "brain drain" to more prosperous German cities. Its proximity to [[Berlin]] allows a lot of people to commute between the two cities. Today, it is most associated with coal mining, Communist-era prefabricated buildings, and the nearby Spreewald forest, but the city has much more to offer visitors than drab East German nostalgia. The city first reached a population of more than 100,000 (the lower limit for the German term ''Großstadt'') in the 1970s and peaked at over 130,000 during the East German period. Cottbus had about 100,000 inhabitants in 2019. While it seemed that after Reunification that it would lose the designation ''Großstadt'' once and for all, the population is rising again, fitting a Germany-wide trend of people moving into cities. The city's history is inexorably linked to its expansion during the industrial revolution. Today, it offers a beautiful and well-preserved medieval core and its surrounding 19th century districts that arose during the city's textile boom. There are many parks in and around the old city centre which give the city a "green" reputation. The Soviet-era suburbs do not have much to interest tourists, but significant efforts to refurbish these districts and make them more attractive are being undertaken. Historically, Cottbus is renowned for three specialties: cloth, grain and beer, and "baumkuche" (lit. tree-cakes), a traditional circular layer cake that resembles tree rings. Starting in around 1860, the arrival of the industrial revolution granted Cottbus huge economic benefits. The first clothmaking factory and the first military barracks were founded here during that time. Then, in 1865, the railway connecting Berlin to Görlitz was built through Cottbus, which resulted in an industrial and economic boom. Other railway companies eventually connected their lines through the city as well, interconnecting the city with the nearby clothing mill towns of Guben and Forst, as well as [[Wroclaw]]. Dr. Carl-Thiem, the father of trauma surgery in Germany, founded a private clinic in the city in 1885, where it still resides. In 1886, the first telephone system was installed, and after a merger of the three largest German carpet manufacturers, a public textile college was also founded. ==Get in== {{mapframe|51.76274|14.337845|zoom=12|height=350|width=400}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== * {{go | name=Berlin Brandenburg International Airport | alt={{IATA|BER}} | url=https://ber.berlin-airport.de/ | email= | address= | lat=52.366667 | long=13.503333 | directions=South of Berlin just off the highway. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q160556 | content= It's around 1.5 hours by train including a rain change in Königs Wusterhausen. The trip by car takes about one hour. }} * {{go | name= Dresden Airport | alt={{IATA|DRS}} | url= https://www.dresden-airport.de | email= | address= | lat=51.13444 | long=13.76806 | directions=North of Berlin, 20 minutes by commuter train. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q657005 | content= Another airport with a few international routes is Dresden, 100&nbsp;km south. The airport has an own train station. The train ride from Cottbus takes around 2.5 hours, by car 1.5. }} ===By train=== {{listing | type=go | name=Cottbus Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=51.7508 | long=14.3264 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Cottbus station | image=BahnhofCB1.JPG | wikidata=Q324997 | content=Near Cottbus there is a railway station connected to the Intercity network (IC), with morning arrivals from [[Hamburg]] and [[Berlin]], and evening arrivals from Norddeich via Berlin. Direct daily regional connections to Berlin, [[Dresden]], [[Leipzig]], and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] are also available. The train station is near a connection to the municipal streetcar network, and several bus lines stop at the station proper. }} ===By bus=== Cottbus can be reached on the regional bus network that serves Brandenburg and the surrounding areas, the '''[http://www.vbbonline.de Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg]'''. The regional bus terminal is now part of the train station. ===By car=== Cottbus is on the federal Autobahn Route '''A15''' (E36), which runs west to Lübbenau, where is connects with '''A13''' (E55) running northbound to Berlin and southbound to Dresden with a and Spur towards Dresden. Eastbound, the route terminates at the border with Poland and connects on to the Polish highway network. This motorway has two exits to the city Cottbus-West (16), and Cottbus-South (17). Secondary regional route connecting to Cottbus are '''B97''' from Guben to Spremberg and Hoyerswerda, '''B115''' from Bad Muskau and [[Görlitz]] to Lübbenau and Lübben, '''B122''' from Forst, and '''B169''' from Senftenberg ==Get around== [[File:Tram map of Cottbus.xcf|thumb|streetcar network]] The '''[http://www.cottbusverkehr.de Cottbusverkehr GmbH]''' (Cottbus Transit Authority) operates a network of four streetcar lines and eight primary bus routes in the city, in addition to three nighttime bus lines. Late night service runs from 21:00 to 04:30 daily. It's operated by three bus lines (2N, 3N, 4N). They busses always meet at the train station. Due to the compact size of the city, most destinations are easily reachable by bicycle or on foot. * {{listing | name= Fahrradservice Schenker | address= Beuchstraße 25 | directions= Tram line 1 to the "Beuchstraße" stop | url= http://www.fahrrad-schenker.de | lat= 51.770316 | long= 14.335152 | phone= +49 355-33095 | hours= M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-16:00 | description= A bicycle sale and repair shop in the north of the city}} ==See== [[Image:Cottbus Zoo - African Ground Squirrel.jpg|thumb|right|African ground squirrel at the Cottbus Zoo]] * {{see | name=Cottbuser Postkutscher Tour | alt=Cottbus Coachman | url= | email= | address=Berliner Platz | lat=51.761622 | long=14.330077 | directions=in front of City Hall | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu Sa 10:00 | price=€6, €5 reduced | content=Guided tours of the city by the Cottbus Coachman are available. Tours run about 2 hours. A climb up the Spremberger Tower is included. }} * {{see | name=Triebwagen 24 | alt=Streetcar 24 | url= | email= | address=Vetschauer Straße 70 | lat=51.750411 | long=14.325829 | directions= | phone=+49 355 8662-230 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=During daylight hours, reservation required | price=Group rate only. €114 for up to 20 persons, €149 for 20-40 persons) | content=A traditional streetcar that began operation over 100 years ago. Visitors can take a tour of the city centre. The tour is approximately 1½ hours. }} * {{see | name=Theater, Theater | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=51.757564 | long=14.325496 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€99 | content=A special travel offer for the culturally inclined couple, with the following services: overnight stay in the ''Hotel am Theater'' with a romantic dinner and champagne breakfast. Attendance of a show at the State Theatre, a guided tour of the old city or Branitzer Park. }} * {{see | name=Cottbuser Tierpark | alt=Cottbus Zoo | url=http://www.tiergaerten.de/cottbus-tierpark.html | email= | address=Kiekebuscher Straße 5 | lat=51.743028 | long=14.349775 | directions=Adjacent to Branitzer Park | phone= +49 355-3555360| tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00 to 18:00 | price=Adults €5.00, children €2.50 | content= The largest zoo in the state of Brandenburg featuring a large number of bird species, large predators and other animals. }} * {{see | name=Parkeisenbahn | alt=Park Railroad | url=http://www.pe-cottbus.de | email= | address= | lat=51.754944 | long=14.354689 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr 16-Jun 1, Sep 1-Oct 31: 10:00 to 17:40; July–August: 10:00-18:30; Christmas trips December 1–6 | price=€3, reduced fare €2, surcharge with steam locomotive €1 | content= A light-gauge railway, built in the 1950s, that runs primarily in the summer months between the stations of Sandower Dreieck (with ample parking) and Friedenseiche. The nearly 4-km-long line runs from the Sandow neighbourhood, passing by the Football Stadium, stopping at the Cottbus Zoo, and then on into Branitzer Park to the "Peace Oak". From here, it is a 15-minute walk to the Kiekebuscher Dam on the Spree river. }} * {{see | name=Cottbuser Ostsee | alt=Cottbus Eastern Lake | url= | email= | address= | lat=51.7875 | long=14.4322 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1136698 | lastedit=2020-11-28 | content=The name, which is (apart from its grammatical gender) identical to the German term for the Baltic Sea is (as of 2020) being developed from the former open pit lignite mine "Cottbus Nord". Flooding started in 2019 but low water levels in the Spree River and the general dry climate in the area have forced several interruptions. There are grand plans for the lake once it is fully flooded, but until then you can see the "lunar landscape" of lignite mining slowly transforming into a lake of {{km2|19}} surface area. }} ===Churches=== * {{see | name=Oberkirche St. Nikolai | alt= | url=https://www.st-nikolai-cottbus.de | email= | address=Oberkircheplatz | lat=51.7611 | long=14.3366 | directions=Near the "Altmarkt" stop on Line 3 | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10:00-17:00 | price=Spire access €2 | wikidata=Q1415897 | content=This Protestant church is still largely intact from the middle ages, except for a new spire which was repaired a few years ago. With the new spire, it now stands as the tallest church in the Lower Lusatia region. The church spire is open to the public offering a scenic panorama of the whole city. Due to its excellent acoustics, this church is also a popular music venue. }} * {{see | name=Schlosskirche/Synagogue | alt=Castle Church | url= | email= | address=Spremberger Straße 5 | lat=51.7592 | long=14.3338 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18398362 | content=The Protestant church "Schlosskirche" was built in 1419 and is next to the pedestrian zone in the city centre. Its was rededicated to a synagogue in 2014. }} * {{see | name=Klosterkirche | alt=Cloister Church | url=http://www.klosterkirchengemeinde-cottbus.eu | email= | address=Klosterplatz 1 | lat=51.7616 | long=14.3334 | directions= | phone=+49 355 24825 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 09:00-11:00, Th 15:00-17:00 | price= | wikidata=Q1776416 | content=This Wendish church is attached to an old Franciscan monastery and is located along the north edge of the old city wall. }} * {{see | name=Kirche St. Maria Friedenskönigin | alt=Church of St. Mary, Queen of Peace | url=http://www.klosterkirchengemeinde-cottbus.eu | email= | address=Adolph Kolping Straße 17 | lat=51.7616 | long=14.3334 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1776416 | content=Catholic church just south of the city centre. }} * {{see | name=Lutherkirche | alt=Luther Church | url= | email= | address=Brauhausbergstraße 1 | lat=51.747006 | long=14.328552 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q94655846 | content=A Protestant church near the central train station. }} ===Castles and palaces=== [[image:Cottbus 07-2017 img28 Amtsgericht.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Cottbus Castle and Courthouse]] * {{see | name=Schloss Branitz | alt=Branitz Castle | url=http://www.pueckler-museum.de/ | email= | address=Robinienweg 5 | lat=51.739786 | long=14.3681| directions= | phone= +49 355 75150| tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tuesday-Sunday: Nov–Mar 11:00-17:00; Apr–Oct 10:00-18:00 | price=Castle: €5.50/€4.00 reduced. Estate: €4.50/€3.50 Stables: €3.50/€2.50. Comprehensive: €10.00/€7.00 | content=The castle of Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau. It features two permanent exhibits and a regularly rotating theme exhibition of "... all that is different than elsewhere, fantastical, or fairytale" - Everything about the famous landscape artist, bookseller, and world-traveler, who lived from 1785 to 1871. The permanent exhibit featuring Carl Blechen (1789-1840), is also worth seeing. The castle is located in scenic Branitzer Park, which was created by the Prince in the English garden style. }} * {{see | name=Schloss in Cottbus | alt=Cottbus Castle | url= | email= | address=Magazinstraße 1 | lat=51.760795 | long=14.338199 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= The former city castle (first mentioned in the 10th century!) is now the seat of the district courthouse, but is still beautiful in its own right, with its imposing 46-m spire springing from the peak of the castle hill. The castle grounds feature a waterfall on the back side of the hill. }} ===Buildings=== [[Image:Mühlengraben Cottbus.jpg|upright|thumb|Gerber Cottages]] [[Image:Cottbus 07-2017 img30 power plant.jpg|upright|thumb|Old Powerhouse]] * {{see | name=Gerber Cottages | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uferstraße 16 | lat=51.759868 | long=14.338196 | directions=Take Line 3 to Sandower Brücke station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Gerber houses are the oldest private buildings in Cottbus. There were erected, respectively, in 1727, 1760, and 1860. }} * {{see | name=Konservatorium | alt=Conservatory | url=http://www.konservatorium-cottbus.de/ | email= | address=Puschkinpromenade 14 | lat=51.763537 | long=14.337502 | directions= | phone=+49 35541780 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Neue Rathaus | alt=New City Hall | url= | email= | address=Puschkinpromenade 1 | lat=51.762163 | long=14.330249 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Built between 1934 and 1936. }} * {{see | name=Staatstheater Cottbus | alt=State Theatre | url=http://www.staatstheater-cottbus.de | email= | address=Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 23 | lat=51.756843 | long=14.325721 | directions= | phone=+49 355 7542494 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1804142 | content=This theatre was designed by the Berlin architect Bernhard Sehring and completed in 1908. It is the sole remaining ''art nouveau'' theatre in Europe. }} * {{see | name=Spremberger Turm | alt=Spremberg Tower | url= | email= | address= | lat=51.758019 | long=14.332888 | directions= | phone=+49 355-75420 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-M 11:30-18:00 | price=€1 | wikidata=Q2313575 | content=A fortified tower preserved from the old city wall, overlooking the medieval city core. }} * {{see | name=Elektrizitätswerk | alt=Old powerhouse | url= | email= | address=am Spreeufer 1 | lat=51.760436 | long=14.338859 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Cottbus 07-2017 img30 power plant.jpg | wikidata=Q56703583 | content=The 19th-century power plant, near the old city castle, provided hydroelectric power for the city's many textile mills. It was later home to a discotheque, which has subsequently closed due to neighborhood complaints, but guided tours can still be made by special arrangement. }} * {{see | name=Weltspiegel Cottbus | alt=World-Mirror Cinema Cottbus | url=http://www.weltspiegel-cottbus.de | email= | address=Rudolf Breitscheid Straße 78 | lat=51.756209 | long=14.331949 | directions= | phone=+49 355 4949497 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1415320 | content=Opened to the public in 1911. One of the few cinemas of this era still operating, featuring impressive ''art nouveau'' architecture. }} ===Museums=== * {{see | name=Apothekenmuseum | alt=Pharmacology Museum | url=http://www.brandenburgisches-apothekenmuseum.de | email= | address=Altmarkt 24 | lat=51.7604 | long=14.3344 | directions=Line 3 to "Altmarkt" station. | phone=+49 355-23997 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tours Tu-F 11:00 and 14:00, Sa Su 14:00 and 15:00 | price=€4.00/€2.00 reduced | image=Cottbus 07-2017 img31 Apothekenmuseum.jpg | wikidata=Q897945 | content=Unusual exhibit of pharmacy facilities and related historical objects from the 18th through the 20th century. Guided tour only. }} * {{see | name=Dieselkraftwerk Kunstmuseum | alt=Diesel Power Plant Art Museum | url=http://www.museum-dkw.de | email=bkc@kunstmuseum-cottbus.de | address=Am Amtsteich 15 | lat=51.759404 | long=14.338848 | directions= | phone=+49 355-49494040 | tollfree= | fax=+49 355-49494044 | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-18:00 | price=€5.00/€2.50 reduced, free entry the first Monday each month | wikidata=Q1792539 | content=A technologically significant historic structure, which in was constructed in 1928 to satisfy the city's ever-increasing electrical demand, utilizing (then-unique) diesel power generation. The restored building now houses the Brandenburg state art collection, featuring exhibits of photography, painting, sculpture, and posters. }} * {{see | name=Flugplatzmuseum | alt=Airfield Museum | url=http://www.flugplatzmuseumcottbus.de | email= | address=Dahlitzer Straße | lat=51.764679 | long=14.295874 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mar–Oct: Tu-F 10:00-16:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00; Nov–Feb Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00 | price= | wikidata=Q1433963 | lastedit=2016-07-28 | content=The Cottbus Airfield is over 90 years old, with more than 20 airplanes, helicopters, and service vehicles in its outdoor public viewing area. }} * {{see | name=Raumflugplanetarium Cottbus | alt= | url=http://www.planetarium-cottbus.de | email=information@planetarium-cottbus.de | address=Lindenplatz 21 | lat=51.754552 | long=14.344357 | directions= | phone= +49 355-713109 | tollfree= | fax=+49 355-7295822 | hours= | price= | content=Projection planetarium, built in 1974 and named in honour of Yuri Gagarin, it has been modernized and now offers daily shows and educational content featuring 3,000 stars from the northern and southern hemisphere skies. }} * {{see | name=Museum der Natur und Umwelt | alt=Natural History Museum | url= | email= | address=Bahnhofstraße 52 | lat=51.75611 | long=14.32791 | directions= | phone= +49 355 380770 | tollfree= | fax=+49 355 3807799 | hours=Tu-Th 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 14:00-17:00 | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Wendisches Museum | alt=Wendish Museum | url=http://www.wendisches-museum.de/ | email= | address=Mühlenstraße 12 | lat=51.759842 | long=14.334455 | directions= | phone= +49 355 794930| tollfree= | fax=+49 355 701275 | hours=Tu-F 08:30-18:00, Sa Su 14:00-18:00 | price=€2.50 adult, €1.50 reduced, €0.75 children | content=Exhibits on Wendish/Sorbian art, culture, music, and traditions.}} ==Do== * {{do | name=FC Energie Cottbus | alt= | url=http://www.fcenergie.de/ | email= | address=Ludwig Leichhardt Allee 1 | lat=51.752447 | long=14.345119 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Despite the city's moderate size, Cottbus' football (soccer) club has enjoyed some success in both the 1st and 2nd divisions of the Bundesliga (professional soccer association) and has a strong regional fan following. }} * {{do | name=Lagune | alt= | url=http://www.lagune-cottbus.de | email= | address=Sielower Straße 19 | lat=51.769991| long=14.330539 | directions= | phone= +49 355 49498410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€5 | content=This sports and recreation complex features a 50-m indoor pool, spa, sauna, and outdoor pool. }} * {{do | name=Sauna village of Almsick | alt= | url=https://www.saunadorf-van-almsick.de/ | email= | address=Weinbergstraße 1, 03116 Drebkau, OT Leuthen | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+49 35602-22422 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 14:00-23:00, Sa Su 11:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2020-11-30 | content=In Leuthen, south of the city, there is the sauna village. In a beautiful garden there is a classic Finnish sauna, an earth sauna with a real fire in the oven, and a herbal sauna. There is also a pool and several relaxation areas in the garden. Of course, physical well-being is also taken care of. }} ==Buy== There is a '''Saturday market''' in Oberkirchplatz from 07:00 until about midday. You can buy delicacies from the nearby Spreewald, sold in person by the producer. A slimmed-down version of the market takes place on Wednesdays in front of the city hall and on Thursdays in the Sprem (shopping area near the Old Market). Elsewhere, the [http://www.blechen-carre.de/ '''Blechen-Carre'''] is a large shopping centre containing the usual retail chains to be found across Germany. Meanwhile, dedicated shopaholics should explore the old town, where there are many small shops and specialist boutiques. *In the hamlet of Hornow at Spremberg (about 20 km south-east of Cottbus) chocaholics are guaranteed to find something in the fine '''Felicitas''' confectionery store, which sells real homemade chocolates. ==Eat== === Budget === * {{eat|name=Brau und Bistro|address=Altmarkt 18|url=http://www.brau-bistro.de|phone=+49 355 4946023}} * {{eat| name= Die Suppenbar | url= http://www.diesuppenbar.de {{dead link|December 2020}} | address= Sandower Str. 3 | directions= Altmarkt | phone=+49 355-4947804 | fax=+49 355-4947805 | hours= M-F 11:00-17:00 }} === Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Coffeelatte | alt= | url=http://www.coffeelatte.de | email=contact@coffeelatte.de | address=Altmarkt 13 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q100250471 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Da Capo | alt= | url=http://www.eiscafe-dacapo.de | email=info@eiscafe-dacapo.de | address=Marktstraße 14 | lat=51.760528 | long=14.333336 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q100387201 | content=Eiscafé. }} * {{eat | name=Deniro | alt= | url=http://deniro-cb.de/ | email= | address=Schillerstraße 65 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+49 355 797688 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=Italian }} * {{eat | name=Stadtwächter | alt= | url=http://www.stadtwaechter.de | email=info@stadtwaechter.de | address=Mauerstr. 1 | lat=51.760579 | long=14.331325 | directions= | phone=+49 355 2 36 18 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q98537530 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Da Nando | alt= | url=http://www.da-nando.de/ | email= | address=Deffkestraße | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q96983269 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Roma | alt= | url=http://www.roma-cottbus.de | email=info@roma-cottbus.de | address=Marktstraße 7 | lat=51.760327 | long=14.332113 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104916342 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mythos | alt= | url=http://www.mythos-cottbus.de | email=info@mythos-cottbus.de | address=Sandower Str. 54 | lat=51.760838 | long=14.336739 | directions= | phone=+49 355-4949877 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th 17:00-24:00; F Su 11:30-14:30, 17:00-24:00 | price= | wikidata=Q100428037 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Shiva | alt= | url=http://www.shiva-cottbus.de | email=info@shiva-cottbus.de | address=Oberkirchplatz 5 | lat=51.761609 | long=14.335887 | directions= | phone=+49 355-6202458 | tollfree= | hours=11:30-15:00, 17:00-23:00 | price= | wikidata=Q96971783 | content= }} === Splurge === * {{eat | name=Primo | alt=Lindner Congress Hotel | url=http://www.lindner.de/de/LCC/180FBOutlets/complexdoc_view | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== === Budget=== *{{sleep | name=Jugenherberge Cottbus | alt=Cottbus youth hostel | url=http://www.jh-cottbus.de | email=jugendherberge@cmt-cottbus.de | address=Klosterpl. 2-3, 03046 Cottbus | lat=51.762078 | long=14.333136 | directions= | phone=+49 355-22558 | tollfree= | fax=+49 355-23798 | checkin= | checkout= | price=overnight from €20 with youth hostel card | wikidata=Q105061195 | content=Very nicely located on the monastery square by the medieval city wall in a historic half-timbered house. Opening hours 07:00-12:00 and 17:00-20:00. Arriving outside of these time slots can be arranged by phone call or email. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Zur Sonne | alt= | url= | email= | address=Taubenstraße 7 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+49 355 3818801 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=single from €42, double from €64 | content=Regional specialties and German home cooking. Open: restaurant, M-Sa (in July and August: closed on Sa) from 16:00. }} === Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name= AHORN - Hotel & Restaurant | address= Bautzener Straße 134/ 135}|url=http://www.ahorn-hotel-cottbus.com/ |content=}} * {{sleep | name=SORAT Hotel Cottbus | alt= | url=http://sorat-hotel-cottbus.sorat-hotels.com/en/hotel/cottbus.html | email= | address=Schlosskirchplatz 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+49 355-78440 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The hotel for business and leisure guests is on the Schlosskirchplatz in the old town. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Willmersdorfer Hof | alt=http://www.willmersdorferhof.de/ | url= | email= | address=Mauster Straße 11 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Accommodation in the northeastern part of Willmersdorf. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel & Restaurant Jahrmarkthof | alt= | url=http://www.hotel-jahrmarkthof.de/ | email= | address=Friedensplatz 8 | lat= | long= | directions= South edge of Cottbus in the quarter of Gallinchen. | phone=+49 355 539412 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Single from €49, double from €69 | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Home-style, regional cuisine. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel & inn "Zum Postkutscher" | alt= | url=https://www.zum-postkutscher.de/ | email= | address=Dresdener Straße 50 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+49 355 478680 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=single room from €45, double room from €65 | content=Home cooking with fish, grill and game specialties. Restaurant: M - F 11:00-14:30, 17:30-20:30; Sa by arrangement; Su 11:00-16:00. }} * {{sleep | name=Spree-Waldhotel-Cottbus | alt= | url=https://www.waldhotel-cottbus.de/ | email=info@waldhotel-cottbus.de | address=Drachhausener Str. 70 | lat=51.781844 | long=14.321394 | directions= | phone=+49 355 87640 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=single room from €57, double room from €78 | wikidata=Q106077682 | content="Hubertus" restaurant with traditional, regional cuisine. In-house bowling alley and sauna with relaxation area available. Open: restaurant daily 11:00-22:00. }} === Splurge === * {{sleep | name=Lindner Congress Hotel Cottbus | alt= | url=https://www.lindner.de/cottbus-congress-hotel | email=empfang.cottbus@lindner.de | address=Karl-Marx-Str. 68a | lat=51.762378 | long=14.329199 | directions=next to the town hall | phone=+49 355 366 0 | tollfree= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | wikidata=Q106028980 | lastedit=2019-11 | content=Berliner Platz is very easy to reach by several tram lines. The hotel is one of the best in town. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/de-de/hotels/radisson-blu-cottbus | email=reception.cottbus@radissonblu.com | address=Vetschauer Str. 12 | lat=51.749182 | long=14.325745 | directions=directly opposite the main train station | phone=+49-355-47610 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q105988285 | content= }} ==Stay safe== Personal safety is generally not a concern, though you may encounter drunk youth on weekend nights and after games of the local football club FC Energie Cottbus. Don't provoke, use common sense and you should be fine. Being a flat and compact city, many people commute by bike. Watch out for cyclists racing along sidewalks and around blind corners, often in dark clothes and unlit. Don't expect priority to be given to pedestrians even when required by law. Bike theft (or parts thereof) can also be a concern. ==Go next== The city of Cottbus is surrounded by a dense network of cycle paths that can quickly take you deep into attractive countryside. For the adventurous, a selection of bicycle tour routes of varying distances can be found in a [http://de.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Thema:Fahrradtouren_rund_um_Cottbus dedicated German Wikivoyage article]. Only a few kilometres north of the city is the Spreeaue, a 160-ha (400-acre) area along the course of the Spree river has been reclaimed as a nature reserve. Meadows and traditional villages invite you to explore on foot or by bike. Burg (Spreewald), the southern gateway to the Spreewald, lies about 15 km northwest of Cottbus. The route there runs through the low-lying, rural Spreewald foothills. The Spreewald is very well developed for tourism and offers an ideal starting point for boat, paddle and bike rides. Lübben and Lübbenau are two other major points of departure to visit the Spreewald area. * {{see | name=Klinger Lake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=51.7919 | long=14.5397 | directions= about {{km|15}} east of Cottbus, on the edge of a former open-cast lignite mine | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1434500 | content=The lake is still being filled and will be a major feature in the future [[Lusatian Lake District|Lower Lusatia Lake District]]. Many former lignite mines have fallen victim to changing economic circumstances, and are now gradually being repurposed. The lake's bizarre landscape is reminiscent of the lunar surface and has a certain gruff charm. }} * {{see | name=Klinger Raubritter gate | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q80723396 | lastedit= | content=Another minor attraction }}. About 40 km to the north-east in the former hat-making town of Guben you can find the '''Plastinarium''', the demonstration workshop of the internationally renowned/notorious "Body Worlds" exhibitor, Gunther von Hagen. Daily 10:00-18:00 (last entrance 16:00), admission starting from €12 per person, concessions €8. Uferstraße, 03172 Guben, {{phone|+49 3561 54 74 860}}. About 20 km west of Cottbus in Slawenburg Raddusch you can find a mock castle built as part of an international building exhibition. The model houses a museum and reflects castles of 1000 years ago built by the then Lusizi (ancestors of today's Sorbian/Wendish minority). Opening times from April to October 10:00 to 18:00, November to March 10:00 to 16:00. A15 exit Vetschau. Further afield lie the fascinating cities of [[Dresden]], [[Leipzig]] and [[Berlin]]. {{usablecity}} {{geo|51.7605|14.3341|zoom=14}} {{IsPartOf|Brandenburg}} {{translate|de}} nm1nxjoelmen5mdemqku1yv8h8n32rp 0 8893 4506623 4502632 2022-08-23T05:57:45Z MerrillSmith 2272193 /* Get in */ price update on DLI shuttle and pick-up location for shuttle from Dalat to the airport. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ho Xuan Huong voyage.jpg}} [[File:Eiffel Tower Dalat Vietnam.JPG|thumb|250px|Dalat: "Le Petit Paris"]] '''Da Lat''' (Đà Lạt), also '''Dalat''', in the South Central Highlands of [[Vietnam]], was, during the colonial era, the playground of the French who built villas in the clear mountain air to escape the heat and humidity of the plains and coastal areas. == Understand == Dalat looks somewhat like a cross between Vietnam and rural France. Many of its hotels and houses are built in a European/French style. The city spreads across a series of pine-covered hills, with a small lake in the centre and surrounded by a man-made lake and higher peaks, making for some lovely scenery quite different from the rest of Vietnam. Temperatures are pleasantly warm by day, and cool at night, down to perhaps 10°C. Dalat is surrounded by some of the best mountain biking, hiking and canyoning opportunities in Vietnam, with hills of coffee and tea plantations, which evoke images of the colonial hill stations of the north of India. Dalat's high altitude (1,500–2,000 m) and fertile landscape make it one of Vietnam's premier agricultural areas, producing varieties of fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and flowers that don't grow in the lowlands. In markets as far north as Hanoi and Haiphong, vegetable and flower vendors will tout their "grown in Dalat" produce. Dalat is a favorite destination for company-sponsored weekend outings, family getaways, and honeymooners. == Get in == [[File:Little Eiffel Tower Da Lat Vietnam.JPG|thumb|250px|Flower Eiffel Tower]] ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Lien Khuong Airport | alt={{IATA|DLI}} | url=http://lienkhuongairport.vn | email= | address= | lat=11.75056 | long=108.37361 | directions=30&nbsp;km south of the city linked by a modern, yet scenic, two-lane highway | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lien Khuong Airport | wikidata=Q165146 | lastedit=2016-02-20 | content=There are daily flights from [[Ho Chi Minh City]], [[Da Nang]], [[Hanoi]], [[Vinh]] and [[Hue]]. Which are served by [http://www.vietnamairlines.com/wps/portal/vn/welcome/ Vietnam Airlines], VietJet Air, VASCO and Jetstar Pacific. }} Some hotels offer special arrangements with '''taxi companies''' to ferry hotel guests to and from the airport for around 200,000 dong. Hotels can try to rip you off by asking for anything between 300,000 to 400,000 dong for an airport transfer. Be adamant on 200,000 dong. Taxi service with {{phone|+84 6 3383 5583}} have a fixed price of 250,000 dong. Malinh taxi charges 300,000 dong to the airport. If going by meter, it comes to around 577,000 dong (distance around 35&nbsp;km). Or catch the '''airport shuttle''' for 60,000 dong per person (8/22). They will ask what hotel you're staying in, and the airport shuttle bus will take you there. You can get the shuttle back to the airport at the Intercity Bus Station (Bến xe Liên tỉnh), also for 60,000 dong, last bus at 7 pm (8/22). ===By bus=== Most local and foreign travelers arrive in Dalat by bus, including those traveling on the famous Sinh Cafe Hanoi-HCMC open-tour buses. Phuong Trang Busline runs several daily services to Dalat from [[Nha Trang]] and [[Ho Chi Minh City]]. From [[Nha Trang]] the bus ride is about 5 hours, with the obligatory stop at a dilapidated Cham temple/tourist site. From Nha Trang, the travel time to 3–4 hours, including a 30-minute breakfast/WC stop about one hour out of Nha Trang. From [[Ho Chi Minh City]] the bus ride is about 7 hours (9 hours if there is bad traffic leaving Saigon). If coming from [[Mui Ne]], be careful as the road is rough most of the way, so try to book a large bus or at least a seat towards the front. From [[Mui Ne]]: {{listing | name=An Phu Travel | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:30, afternoon | price=USD5 | lastedit=2018-03-25 | content= 2 buses a day. It's not too comfortable seater bus but still ok. Tickets can be booked in most hotels and guest houses. They have free pick up. Journey takes 4-5 hours and includes some great views. Drop off in Dalat: Nguyen Chi Thanh street, close to the city center. }}. {{listing | name=The Sinh Tourist | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-25 | content=The bus tickets are available online on [https://www.baolau.com baolau] }}. From [[Danang]] - Danang Central Bus Station, sleeper bus from Danang to Dalat [http://www.xedanangdidalat.com] with air-cond, toilet on bus, departs from Danang at 17:00 and arrives Dalat at 08:00 - 09:00 (15 hours), it costs 265,000 dong/ticket, you may come directly to the Bus Station or online booking via email ''danangdalatbus@gmail.com.'' For foreign visitors, it may be best to book a ticket on a bus without a television. The entertainment offered could be loud and unappealing if you prefer sleeping before arriving at their next destination. Alternatively, catch a local bus at [[Ho Chi Minh City]], [[Bien Hoa]], [[Phan Rang]], [[Nha Trang]] or [[Buon Ma Thuot]]. === By motorbike === Motorbikes are also a good choice for adventurous travelers who like to travel in an experiential style and save money. From Saigon to Da Lat is about 300 kilometers, it takes about 7 – 10 hours if traveling by motorbike. Although it takes quite a long time, these will be quite interesting experiences, as well as help you discover many beautiful scenes along the way. A legit motorbike driving license is required to rent a motorbike in Vietnam. == Get around == Depending on where you stay, you can walk to most parts around town. You can catch a xe om (motorbike taxi) from most corners, so if you're going somewhere farther out of town, you have a fast way to get there. You can also book via app using Grab Bike. Taxi cars are also abundant and reasonable in price, yet watch the meter, as meter fixing is a common practice from north to south. As of July 2018, meter-fixing is a much diminished problem and almost all taxi meters click into life after the vehicle has traveled a few metres. The occasional taxi may take you on a circuitous route to get to your destination but opening Google maps and pointing out that you know the way reduces incidents of this kind. Taxis are cheap and an ideal way to get round Dalat. There is a local bus which passes near most of the main tourist sites. Heading south you can catch it at the bus shelter by the lake. Otherwise, the bus hub can be found on Hoa Binh Square (Khu Hoa Binh - behind Hoa Binh theater), just up from the market. The last bus each day is at 17:30. There are many places around town to rent a bicycle, tandem, or motorbike. Please consider carefully before you rent a motorbike, as according to the Vietnamese law you must be in the possession of a valid Vietnamese driver's licence to be able to drive a motor vehicle in the country. Failure to have one cancels any insurance that the bike might come with and makes you liable for any damages. In Southeast Asia, you are always liable, as you are always guilty, as you are presumed to have more money than the other party. Hence you will have to pay for damages to the bike and its full value, damages to other people and their property, as well as ruining your holiday. == See == [[File:Cable car, Da Lat.jpg|thumb|300px|Cable ride to Thien Vien Truc Lam Monastery]] * {{see | name=Colonial Palaces | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The three palaces and summer home of the colonial era, last emperor of Vietnam Bao Dai, which is of great interest once you visit these three heritage sites, named Palace I, II and III, the Dalat Palace Hotel being one of them, with its adjacent Dalat Du Park Hotel, all from the 1920s, together with the Dalat Palace Golf Club, which was built in 1922, to give his majesty the opportunity to practice his golf skills picked up during his years of study in France. The golf course is an awesome site, whether you enjoy the swinging and putting or not, as the coffee shop at the golf course has some wholesome meals of Asian and European food, with great view of the deep green fairways and classy environment. The Palace I is on the same street when you walk to the Crazy House. It is about a 15-30 minute walk depending on your pace (1.1 km from Tran Phu, 47 m elevation gain). Palace II is located on Tran Hung Dao, not far from the Xuan Huong Lake (next to Yersin Park). Palace III is a museum that displays the beautiful original 1930s furniture. It is open daily 07:00-17:00, 30,000 dong (Feb 2020). }} [[File:Hang Nga guesthouse 01.jpg|thumb|300px|Crazy House]] * {{see | name=Crazy House | alt= | url=http://www.crazyhouse.vn/ | email= | address=Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Phường 4 | lat= | long= | directions=about 0.3 km off Duy Tan St | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=40,000&nbsp;dong | content=A striking, not-quite-finished Gaudi-esque fantasy house designed by the daughter of an independence war hero. Well worth a visit, even if you are not too interested in architecture. }} [[File:Xuan Huong Lake 08.jpg|thumb|300px|Xuan Huong Lake]] * {{see | name=Dalat Market | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Filled with local specialities: strawberry jam, fruit conserves, avocado, artichokes.}} * {{see | name=Flower Garden | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at the northwestern end of Xuan Huong Lake | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=20,000&nbsp;dong | content=A set of flower gardens centred around a reconstructed traditional Vietnamese teak wood house. If you go for a stroll around the lake, it can be visited as a stop.}} * {{see | name=Golden Spring Lake | alt=Ho Suoi Vang | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Unspoiled scenery.}} * {{see | name=Truc Lam Zen Monastery | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=public bus to south directions (e.g. Bao Loc) from Khu Hoa Binh, get off on turn to cable car station near bus terminal | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Bus: 7,000 dong, cable car: 80,000 dong both ways, 60,000 dong one way | lastedit=2018-03-25 | content=Best to reach it via a cable car ride over the pine forest. }} [[File:The Valley of Love in Dalat, Vietnam.jpg|thumb|300px|The Valley of Love]] * {{see | name=Lake of Sorrow | alt=Lake of Sighs | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=5 km northeast of town on Ho Xuan Huong Rd | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Lake of Sorrow is a common destination in Dalat. The Lake of Sorrow is so-named because of a tale of two lovers, one who committed suicide after the other was called up to serve in the army.}} * {{see | name=Langbiang Mountain | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=public bus to Lac Duong from Khu Hoa Binh, 12,000 dong | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Parking closes at 17:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-25 | content= There are 2 peaks: 1915 m and 2167 m. First one is reachable by a steep paved path, you can ride in a Jeep (360,000&nbsp;dong for 1 Jeep). The second one is 2-3 hours great hike. You don't need to enter the main gate and pay the fee if going to 2167 m peak, trail start on the right of the gate. Also visit the ethnic village at the foot of the mountain.}} * {{see | name=Linh Phuoc Pagoda | alt= | url= | email= | address=Trai Mat, Da Lat | lat= | long= | directions=About 8&nbsp;km from town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=free | content=This kitschy temple is one of a kind in Vietnam. Broken porcelain is used to compose beautiful mosaics that adorn the whole of this 7-level pagoda, and it is still expanding.}} * {{see | name=Nha Tho Domaine de Marie | url= | email= | address=Ngo Quyen | lat= | long= | directions=1 km from where Hai Thuong and Ba Trang Hai (3 Trang Hai) meet | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A pink church on top of a hill, with a store selling various dried fruits and snacks from the local orchards run by the nuns of the monastery.}} * {{see | name=Pongour Falls | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=30 km south of town on Hwy 20 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=10,000 dong per person. 5,000 dong per bike | content=It's one of the largest and widest waterfalls in Vietnam and during the wet season is a magnificent sight. A dam built nearby has reduced the water flow. Toilets are pit latrines with no water, soap or tissue, so bring your own. }} * {{see | name=Prenn Falls | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at the foot of Prenn Pass, about 10 km outside of town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily until 17:00 | price= | content=A very common stop on a typical Dalat tour, Prenn Falls is quite beautiful, but is a lot more fun when you're hiking it than just taking pictures of it.}} * {{see | name=Thien Vien Truc Lam Monastery | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at the top of where the cable car drops you off | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free admission. The cable car to the monastery costs 50,000&nbsp;dong one-way, return 70,000 dong. | content=The monastery has a magnificent view over the dams below and its gardens are full of landscaped shrubs in animal form. Extremely peaceful. A great place to relax and soak in the tranquility. People who do not want to complete the round trip could opt for a 4.1-km walk back to Tran Phu. Be sure to bring a map. On the walk back you can go down to Tuyen Lam Lake, visit nearby Datanla waterfall, and take the bus back to town. A 54-m-tall statue of the goddess of mercy, Guan Yin, was completed in 2019. }} * {{see | name=Tuyen Lam Lake | alt=Hồ Tuyền Lâm | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=5 km south of town on Hwy 20 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Its clean green waters flow from the beautiful Tia Spring and from the Da Tam River, which flows down from Voi mountain. Its waters stretch over an immense 350 ha and because of its various sources, Tuyen Lam is known as the lake where rivers, springs, and forests meet. The lake was built in the 1980s. It is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in town. The other side of the lake is Voi Mountain which is a good place for hiking.}} * {{see | name=Valley of Love | alt=Thung Lũng Tình Yêu | url= | email= | address=Phu Dong Thien Vuong St | lat= | long= | directions=about 5 km out of town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily until 17:00 | price=USD1 | content=The Valley of Love is common stop on Dalat tours and is very popular with honeymooners. The Valley of Love is also a great spot for canyoning.}} * {{see | name=Xuan Huong Lake | alt=Hồ Xuân Hương | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=centre of town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Public lake in the centre. Approximately 5 km in length, this lake was made after two dams on the Camly River were destroyed during a storm in the 1930s. Now, Xuan Huong Lake is one of the main draws of Da Lat, and you can see honeymooners and locals strolling its banks. Many nice hotels have a view of the lake. The lake was drained in 2010, but is now filled again. Boats can be rented on both sides of the lake. The lake is adorned with a blindingly bright advertising sign, aimed directly at the lakeside hotels and coffee shops.}} == Do == * {{do | name=Lak Lake | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Stop on a bike-tour in the central highlands. It's a beautiful ride down to the elephant waterfall through coffee plantations and then up to Lak Lake over a mountain and then through sunny highlands with rice fields. The road is partly very bad, but doable.}} * {{do | name=University of Dalat | url= | email= | address=1 Phu Dong Thien Vuong St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Students from the Hand-in-Hand Club are eager to serve as free guides.}} * {{see | name=Dalat Train Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=11.942 | long=108.455 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=128,000&nbsp;dong | wikidata=Q3096348 | content=Take the steam train through the 7-km historical line to Trai Mat district. From there you can visit the Linh Phuoc pagoda. }} ===Tours=== * {{do | name=Dalat Trip Ltd | alt= | url=http://www.dalattrip.com | email=contact@dalattrip.com | address=27 Truong Cong Dinh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 263 3516888 | tollfree= | fax=+84 263 3555769 | hours= | price= | content=Elephant rides.}} * {{do | name=Easy Riders | url=http://easyridertrip.com/ | email=hientour@yahoo.com | address=1 Nguyen Khuyen | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 9 1368 4754 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It's a great and inexpensive way for non-motorcyclists to tour the Central Highlands, giving you access to places you would otherwise never know about. They speak English quite well, and are from the local villages, and know everyone and everything in and around the place. This is the original Easy Rider cited by several guide books, operating since 1992. There are a bunch of companies which jumped on the idea and all call themselves Easy Riders, so it's quite confusing. The concept is everywhere the same, price and quality may differ.}} * {{do | name=Phat Tire Ventures |alt=| url=http://www.ptv-vietnam.com | email=info@phattireventures.com | address=109 Nguyen Van Troi | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 26 3382 9422 | tollfree= | fax=+84 26 3382 0331 | hours= | price= |lastedit=2017-02-23| content=Offers canyoning, white water rafting, hiking & camping, cycling and biking tours through the highlands, coffee farms, bamboo forests.}} * {{do | name=Dalat Student | url=http://www.phattireventures.com | email=homestayindalat@gmail.com | phone=+84 986506160 | hours= | price= | content=Offers city tour, waterfall tour, coffee farms, bamboo forests. Excellent English speaking and culturally knowledgeable.}} * {{do | name=Easy Riders Vietnam | alt= | url=https://www.easyridersvietnam.com | email=info@easyridersvietnam.com | address=Lo 181 KQH Phan Dinh Phung | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+909-596-580 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2020-09-26| content=Easy Riders Vietnam provides guided motorcycle tours and adventures all over Vietnam. }} *'''[http://Du-lich-da-lat.com du-lich-da-lat.com] +84 263 3981968''' == Buy == Most visitors to Dalat are Vietnamese, and most of them leave loaded with stuff. What they like to take home is dried and candied fruits, strawberry preserves, coffee, green and artichoke tea, local wine, dried venison, orchids, strawberries, avocados, and other fresh produce. If you take any sort of organized tour, chances are you will be off-loaded for a half hour at a shop selling these items. Local treats are also for sale in abundance in the large central market in the area around Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Le Dai Hanh. Partly covered and partly outdoors, the market has dozens of small stalls selling fruits and vegetables, clothing, and a variety of other goods. There is a supermarket on the top floor selling necessities for travellers. Strolling around the market is a favourite evening activity, and every night it buzzes with thousands of visitors. Dalat does not offer lot of high-end handicrafts of the sort favoured by overseas tourists. Dalat is famous, however, for its beautifully crafted silk embroidered pictures, which can be purchased at a massive mark up from the many galleries around Dalat or at a fraction of the price from the central Dalat market. * {{buy | name=Namsilk | alt= | url=http://www.dalatnamsilk.yolasite.com/ | email=namsilkdalat@gmail.com | address=36 Truong Cong Dinh, Ward 1 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Clothing and accessories.}} Dalat also has an abundance of fruit, vegetables, and flowers available for purchase if you plan to stay for a few days and want to liven up your hotel room or cook your own meals. == Eat == * {{eat | name=Art Cafe | url= | email=info@embers-asia.com | address=76 Truong Cong Dinh St | lat= | long= | directions=on the main street | phone=+84 6 3355 5299 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Vietnamese and international dishes prepared with local ingredients.}} * {{eat | name=Âu Lạc | url= | email= | address=Bui Thi Xuan St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Good vegetarian food.}} * {{eat | name=Backpackers Tourist Cafe | url= | email= | address=61-3 Thang 2 St, F1 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 9 0364 0643 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Good food and cheap prices with nice decor. Staff speaks good English.}} [[File:Cafe de la Poste.jpg|thumb|250px|Cafe de la Poste]] * {{eat | name=Cafe de la Poste | url= | email= | address=12 Tran Phu St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 382 5777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-23:00 | price= | content=Part of the Dalat Du Parc and Dalat Palace Compound. French and Western country-style cuisine, large wine list. English-speaking friendly staff, great service.}} * {{eat | name=Dalat (Central) Market | alt=Chợ Đà Lạt | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=town center | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open daily until early evening | price= | content=Dalat's Central Market place is the best place in town to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Near the entrance, there is a lively and always busy vegetable restaurant that serves excellent soups. A tiny vegetarian food stall is in a corner of the second level.}} * {{eat | name=Dã Quỳ | alt=Wild Sunflower Restaurant | url= | email= | address=49 Truong Cong Dinh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=French and Vietnamese food.}} * {{eat | name=Dalat Palace Golf Club | url= | email= | address=1 Phu Dong Thien Vuong St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3382 1201 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-20:00 | price= | content=Cafe, pro shop and clubhouse, offering Mexican and Western food.}} * {{eat | name=Nam Giao Cafe | url= | email= | address=4C Chu Van An St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3382 2875 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:00-22:00 | price=12,000-45,000 dong | content=Vietnamese kitchen serving traditional noodle breakfasts.}} * {{eat | name=Nhat Lien | url= | email=otaki49@yahoo.com | address=17 Huynh Thuc Khang, P4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3382 1126 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Until 21:00 | price= | content=One of three vegetarian restaurants in Dalat. Primarily Vietnamese food, but also some English dishes. The staff does not speak much English, but the owner does and he is happy to help you out. Sometimes live music.}} * {{eat | name=Peace Café | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=next to Peace Hotel 1 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers some of the cheapest food in Dalat.}} * {{eat | name=Le Rabelais | url=http://www.dalatresorts.com/index.php/en/dalatpalace-dining/dalatpalace-rabelais-restaurant | email= | address=12 Tran Phu St | lat= | long= | directions=In Dalat Palace Hotel | phone=+84 6 382 5444 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Recipient of numerous international prizes and accolades. Elegant and distinctly old fashioned with its 1920s atmosphere, food, and service.}} * {{eat | name=V Cafe | url=http://www.vcafedalatvietnam.com/ | email=vcafedalatvietnam@gmail.com | address=1/1 Bui Thi Xuan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3352 0215 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:00-22:30 | price= | content=Popular place for Western travellers. Diverse menu of international dishes and live music every evening.}} * {{eat | name=Việt Mỹ CaFé | url= | email= | address=9A Le Dai Hanh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Local and Western food. Small, neat atmosphere, overlooking the city gardens.}} * {{eat | name=IndiaGate | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/India-Gate-Indian-Restaurant-112002533895097/ | email=indiagatedalat@gmail.com | address=19 Đường Bùi Thị Xuân | lat=11.944362 | long=108.439887 | directions= | phone=+84 263 3677 779 | tollfree= | hours=10:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2020-07-25 | content=Indian restaurant. Vegan and halal options available. }} == Drink == * {{drink | name=Cafe Noi | url= | email= | address=74 Phan Dinh Phung St | lat= | long= | directions=near intersection Truong Cong Dinh | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Lovely cafe with relaxed music and great coffee with chocolate flavour. Lots of young locals playing cards and board games here. Not yet spoiled by masses of tourists.}} * {{drink | name=Cafe Tung' | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Really nice cafe. The delicious Vietnamese coffee costs 8,000 dong and is served with tea.}} * {{drink | name=Hangout Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=71 Truong Cong Dinh St | lat= | long= | directions=opposite Peace Hotel | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Open after midnight | price= | lastedit=2020-08-24 | content=Classic backpacker bar. Free pool table, board games, and darts. Guests can choose their music. Good place to meet other travellers and expats. }} * {{drink | name=Larry's Bar | url= | email= | address=12 Tran Phu | lat= | long= | directions=basement of the Dalat Palace Hotel | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Happy hour 17:00-19:00 | price= | content=Library-style decorations with dark wood paneling, pool table, and darts.}} * {{drink | name=Saigon Nite | url= | email= | address=11 Hai Bà Trưng | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open until after midnight | price= | content=Cheap beer, pool, and friendly staff. Lots of tourists and expats.}} * {{drink | name=The Escape Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/TheEscapeBarDalat?fref=ts | email= | address=18 Phan Bội Châu, tp. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 63 3578 888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-19 | content=Live music every night, cosy and friendly bar. }} * {{drink | name=100 Roofs Cafe | alt=Duong Len Trang | url= | email= | address=26 Phan Bội Châu, 1, Tp. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-22 | content=The main attraction here is the building, which is a themed maze of indoor caves, tunnels, staircases, alcoves, ladders, a rooftop garden and everything in between, while built-in bar tables and chairs are plentifully scattered all around. Definitely not the place to get drunk (unless you sit at the 1st or 2nd floor). Definitely a unique, must-see experience in the city. }} == Sleep == === Budget === * {{sleep | name=Bon Mua Guesthouse | url= | email= | address=1B1 Bui Thi Xuan St | lat= | long= | directions=between intersection with Phan Boi Chau and Hotel Dai Loi | phone=+84 9 1720 9530 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From USD5 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Clean, basic guesthouse.}} * {{sleep | name=Dreams Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.dreamshoteldalat.com | email=dreams@hcm.vnn.vn | address=151 Phan Dinh Phung St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3383 3748 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Clean rooms, friendly staff and big breakfast. They also have sauna, steam, and hot tub free of charge for guests (16:00-19:00). }} * {{sleep | name=Hang Nga Guest House | url= | email=mrgentle_tour@yahoo.com | address=Bui Thi Xuan St | lat= | long= | directions=opposite Trung Cang Hotel | phone=+84 9 0310 0132 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From USD7 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Friendly staff, clean rooms, good English spoken.}} * {{sleep | name=Lucky D's Hostel | alt= | url= | email=luckyhostel.dalat@gmail.com | address=66/6 Nguyen Van Troi street | lat=11.946262 | long=108.436254 | directions= | phone=+84-931282450 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=USD3 dorm beds with breakfast | lastedit=2017-08-11 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Mr. Peace backpacker's house | url= | email=peacebackpacker@gmail.com | address=3/8 Hai ba Trung St | lat= | long= | direction= from Cam Do hotel turn left approximately 200 m you will see Saccombank in the front of alley, come into the alley about 100 m | phone=+84 977 089 159, +84 633 828456 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=usd6+ |checkin= | checkout= | content=Friendly, cosy, clean, good atmosphere, centrally located, excellent English speaking, crazy, may have family dinner with you. Good price.}} * {{sleep | name=Hoa Binh 1 Hotel | alt=Peace Hotel 1 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3382 2787 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=USD10-15 | checkin= | checkout= | content=It is anything but peaceful, and fills to capacity on weekends, but staff are friendly. There is a cafe next door.}} * {{sleep | name= Mai Tam Guesthouse| alt= | url= | email= | address= 2B Le Thanh Ton St| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 382 5363| tollfree= | fax= | price=150,000 dong| checkin= | checkout= | content=Clean family-run guesthouse a little outside city centre in a Vietnamese residential area (about 1½-km, 20-min walk). The family rents out scooters for USD5/day. They also have a convenience shop downstairs.}} * {{sleep | name=My Dream Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.dreamshoteldalat.com/ | email=dalateasyrider@gmail.com | address=213A Phan Đình Phùng | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 9 1856 4472 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=187,000 dong | lastedit=2017-04-15 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Nam Ky Hotel | url= | email= | address=11 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3382 4493 or +84 9 1378 9449 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Nice view from the rooms.}} * {{sleep | name=Ngoc My Hotel | url= | email= | address=01 Le Thi Hong Gam St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From USD25 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Nice location with Xuan Huong Lake view and clean rooms, balconies facing the lake.}} * {{sleep | name=Peace Hotel | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From USD7 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Free Wi-Fi, breakfast extra for USD1.}} * {{sleep | name=Sakura Hotel | url= | email= | address=Bui Thi Xuan St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Cheap hotel near the student centre.}} * {{sleep | name=Les Sapins 60 Hotel | url= | email= | address=60 Truong Cong Dinh St | lat= | long= | directions=Next door to Peace Cafe | phone=+84 6 3383 0839 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=USD10-20 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Renovated, clean rooms, free Wi-Fi and Internet in the lobby, breakfast for USD1 available.}} * {{sleep | name=Thanh Huong Hotel | url=http://thanhhuonghotel.jimdo.com/ | email=thu_lyttkn@yahoo.com | address=02 Bui Thi Xuan St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3382 7699 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Includes cable TV, Wi-Fi and fridge. Some rooms have balconies.}} * {{sleep | name=Van Anh Hotel | url= | email= | address=Bui Thi Xuan St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From USD10 | checkin= | checkout= | content=The staff speak good English, rooms are clean with cable TV, free Wi-Fi. Very motorcycle-friendly.}} * {{sleep | name=Villa Vista Dalat | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/villavistadalat | email=villavistadalat@gmail.com | address=Ngo Thi Sy, Ward 4 | lat=11.93120 | long=108.42439 | directions= | phone=+84 939 500 236 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=from USD30 | content=This is a new villa, with breathtaking views from all rooms, food, great coffee, tours, transportation options, live music and personal service. }} * {{sleep | name=Pine Hill Homestay Dalat | alt= | url=http://www.pinehillhomestay.com/ | email=pinehilldalat@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double 535,000 dong | lastedit=2017-04-15 | content=Home on top of the hill overlooking the city. 3 min from King's summer palace, 10 min walk from crazy house. With kitchen. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=N.T hostel | alt=Da Lat | url= | email=nhan.polimi@gmail.com | address=8/13 Pham Ngoc Thach Street P6 | lat= | long= | directions=near Da Lat Hospital | phone=+84772072605 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=USD5-8 | lastedit=2019-05-05 | content=In the heart of the city, Super comfortable beds, friendly staff, in the city center. }} === Splurge === * {{sleep | name=Ana Mandara Villas | url= | email= | address=Le Lai St| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=65 rooms within 17 refurbished French colonial villas. A bit far from the city centre and only recommended to those who like to walk, what with large distances between the accommodations and the other services of the resort. Charming and for the adventurous. Must like sharing living rooms and other services, as each villa houses several rooms, hence the sharing issue.}} * {{sleep | name=Dalat Du Parc Heritage Boutique Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.dalatresorts.com/index.php/en/duparchoteldalat | email= | address=7 Trần Phú, 3 | lat=11.93686 | long=108.439 | directions= | phone=+84 63 3825 777 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=800,000 - 2,100,000 dong | lastedit=2016-03-04 | content=Hotel built in 1922, part of the original Dalat Palace compound, with 143 rooms and one ambassador suite. Style and glory of yesteryear, a very old fashioned lift and great views from the rooms at the back of the hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa | url=http://www.dalatedensee.com/ | email= | address=Tuyen Lam Lake - Zone VII.2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+84 6 3383 1515 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From USD139 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Mountain and garden view, Eden suite, all equipped with 32-inch LCD TV, king bed and minibar. Free Wi-Fi. Nam Xuan, Eden Lake Café, and Riesling restaurants within the compound.}} * {{sleep | name=The Dalat Palace Heritage | url=http://www.dalatpalace.vn | email= | address=12 Tran Phu St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=43 luxury rooms and suites, one presidential suite. Built in the art deco-style of the 1920s with imperial dining rooms and facilities. It has beautiful gardens. It was conceived as the very centre of the city and dominates with great views onto the Xuan Huong Lake. It also has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and spa.}} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dalat | alt= | url= | email= | address=5 Nguyen Thai Hoc St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Dalat Resort |alt=| url=https://dulichdalat.pro/cam-nang/khach-san-da-lat.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= |lastedit=2020-09-11| content=The resort covers five hectares, is comprised of six villas with 75 rooms in total.}} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Binh An village | alt= | url=http://binhanvillage.com/en/ | email=dalat@binhanvillage.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Taxi; Resort's bus | phone=+84 63 3800 999 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2015-03-28 | content=Good place to sleep, great view, but far from the city }} == Go next == Buses leave regularly from the Phurong Trang (FuTa) Bus Terminal in the south of the city. * [[Ho Chi Minh City]], 220,000 dong, 7-8 hr trip * [[Mui Ne]], 140,000 dong, 4-hr trip * [[Nha Trang]], 140,000 dong, 4-hr trip * [[Buon Ma Thuot]] {{isPartOf|Central_Highlands_(Vietnam)}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|11.941667|108.438333}} 9dp3730fpvrhbehfjvwe91ljvt1vkdp 0 8976 4506490 4443776 2022-08-23T02:33:24Z Dale Arnett 737490 Noted that Kentuckians don't use this regional name—it's only for state tourism promotion. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Natural Bridge State Park.jpg}} [[Image:Natural Bridge KY-27527-2.jpg|thumb|350px|Looking up from underneath one of the many natural arches in Natural Bridge State Park]] '''[http://www.kentuckytourism.com/explore/regions/daniel_boone_country.aspx Daniel Boone Country]''' is [[Kentucky]]'s southeasternmost region, along the Appalachian border with [[Virginia]] and [[Tennessee]]. Its territory is dominated by the [[Daniel Boone National Forest]]. ==Understand== The name "Daniel Boone Country" is used only by the state government for tourism promotion. Locals consider this region to be the southern part of the '''Eastern Coalfield''' or '''Eastern Kentucky''', with the state-designated [[Kentucky Appalachians]] as its northern part. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Corbin]]|wikidata=Q2941325}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hazard]]|wikidata=Q1144366}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[London (Kentucky)|London]]|wikidata=Q3061911}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Middlesboro]]|wikidata=Q2206740}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mount Sterling]]|wikidata=Q3182166}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Stanton (Kentucky)|Stanton]]|wikidata=Q3181333}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Williamsburg (Kentucky)|Williamsburg]]|wikidata=Q738229}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Paintsville]]|wikidata=Q1012330}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Prestonsburg]]|wikidata=Q3180286}} ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Big South Fork National Recreation Area]]|wikidata=Q4906394}} *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cumberland Falls State Resort Park]]|wikidata=Q1143684}} *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cumberland Gap National Historical Park]]|wikidata=Q5193892}} *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Daniel Boone National Forest]]|wikidata=Q1160129}} *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park]]|wikidata=Q6535440}} *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Pine Mountain State Resort Park]]|wikidata=Q2095534}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Red River Gorge|wikidata=Q2136041}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Natural Bridge State Park]]|wikidata=Q6980454}} &mdash; canyons, waterfalls, natural bridges, cliffs, and a lot of rock climbing within the Daniel Boone National Forest near Stanton, Kentucky just off the Burt T. Combs Mountain Parkway ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dr. Thomas Walker | alt= | url=http://www.parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/thomas-walker/default.aspx | email=andy.teasley@ky.gov | address=4929 Ky 459 Barbourville, KY 40906 | lat=36.86521 | long=-83.88866 | directions= | phone=+1 606 546-4400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dr. Thomas Walker led the first expedition through Cumberland Gap in 1750. Near the river which he named the Cumberland, Walker built a cabin, a replica of which stands on the site today. }} ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kentucky}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|37.34|-83.68|zoom=8}} e7uc90h25zvtkgc4nsx6y57j2l83s1l 0 9026 4506603 4502309 2022-08-23T05:28:27Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Darjeeling district header1.jpg|pgname=Darjeeling Hills}} The '''Darjeeling Hills''' are a [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] region of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. It consists of the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The main attractions in the region are the mountains and the cultural diversity of the Tibetan and Nepalese populations. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1134759,Q28769140}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q7515067}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Darjeeling]]|wikidata=Q169997}} — a beautiful hill station and centre of a major tea growing area * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kalimpong]]|wikidata=Q500877}} — recognised for educational institutions. Most of those were formulated during the British colonial period. The town has many religious sightseeing places apart from beautiful views of mountains. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kurseong]]|wikidata=Q1025634}} — home to most expensive teas in the entire world. Some popular tea gardens such as Ambotia, Makaibari and Castleton produce special aromas which are difficult to cultivate elsewhere. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lava]]|wikidata=Q6502159}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lepchajagat]]|wikidata=Q110097754}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mirik]]|wikidata=Q2733296}} — nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling, It is a picturesque location. Mirik has become a highly famous tourist place because of its natural beauty, climate and easy accessibility. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Dello]]|wikidata=Q5259990}} (Deolo) &mdash; A small and peaceful Himalayan hamlet. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Loleygaon]]|wikidata=Q6668893}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mangpoo]]|wikidata=Q60789706}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rishop]]|wikidata=Q14231139}} (Rishyap) &mdash; Suitable for a one-day stint. There is no city/town life here, just a small village with spectacular views of the third largest mountain peak in the world (Kangchenjunga) and its range. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Singalila National Park|wikidata=Q2985193}} — Home to Sandakphu, the tallest peak of West Bengal. == Understand == The region used to be a cluster of villages that was administered intermittently by [[Nepal]] and [[Sikkim]]. It grew in prominence during the mid-19th century when, because of its climate, the British established a hill station there. Later it was discovered that the area was particularly well suited for tea plantations and Darjeeling tea is still exported worldwide. In 1849, the British annexed the area and Darjeeling became a part of British India. The [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] was opened in 1881 (it is now a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]). Many Tibetan refugees moved here after Tibet was annexed by China. They co-exist with the descendants of the many Nepalese who once came to the land as soldiers of Prithvi Narayan Shah and settled down there to work as labourers in the tea plantations. There has been intermittent political action from Gorkha groups demanding an independent state (Gorkhaland). In June 2008 a strike paralysed the area, with closed hotels, restaurants and shops, and the accompanying protests even turned violent a couple of times. Though inconvenient, tourists generally are not at risk, but you should check the status before going there. ==Talk== [[Nepali phrasebook|Nepali]] is the main language spoken in the Darjeeling Hills. However, as it is in the state of West Bengal, [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]] is the state official language that is used in state government offices. ==Get in== ===By plane=== The nearest international airport is the Bagdogra International Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}), at the foothills of the Darjeeling Hills. ===By train=== [[New Jalpaiguri]] (NJP) in [[Siliguri]] is the nearest broad-gauge station on the main inter-city line. Direct trains to NJP run from Delhi several times daily. From [[Kolkata]]'s Sealdah station, the best train is the Darjeeling Mail running nightly at 10:05 PM. There is also a train from Howrah station called Paharia Express, departing from [[Howrah]] at 9:55 PM and arriving at New Jalpaiguri at 8:45 AM. From NJP, the famous [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] (DHR) completes the journey to anywhere in the Darjeeling Hills. ==Get around== === By train === {{Main|Darjeeling Himalayan Railway}} [[File:DarjeelingTrainFruitshop.JPG|thumb|A toy train passing a fruit shop in [[Darjeeling]]]] The '''[[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]]''' ('''DHR'''), nicknamed the "Toy Train", is a narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling, run by the Indian Railways. It was built between 1879 and 1881 and is about 86 km (53 mi) long. The elevation level is from about 100 m (328 ft) at Siliguri to about 2,200 m (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling. There are both steam and diesel engines serving the route. The steam 'Joy' train operates from Darjeeling to Ghum via the Batasia Loop, four times a day – enquire at Darjeeling station. Steam trains cost ₹2200 and diesel trains cost ₹1200. See the [http://dhr.in.net/ DHR website]. There is also a daily 'School Train' departing Kurseong at 6:15AM and arriving at Darjeeling at 8:45AM. It leaves Darjeeling at 4PM and arrives at Kurseong at 6:30PM. This is still hauled by a steam engine and is one of the world's last 'day to day' steam trains. Its schedule is frequently changed and it often runs hours late. ==See== ==Do== [[File:Sandakphu.jpg|thumb|Sandakphu]] There are plenty of trek options in Darjeeling Hills. The most popular one is the Singalila Ridge Trail. Bookings for guides, porters and accommodation on the trail can be made in Darjeeling or in the nearby town of Manebhanjang, which serves as the trailhead. From July to mid-September the Singalila park is closed, but because of the rain, clouds and fog it is less enjoyable anyway. *{{do | name=Singalila National Park | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=west of Darjeeling, adjacent to the Nepalese border | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2022-03-24| content=Singalila is a trekking destination in the far northwest corner of West Bengal state. Kangchenjunga, the world's 3rd highest peak, is visible for much of the trek, to the north, on the Nepalese border with Sikkim. Usually the park is accessed from Maneybhanjang, approx. one hour, or 30 km. west of Darjeeling. The park can also be accessed from Rimbik, where many trekkers finish up, or from Bijanbari, with one extra day's walking. Trekkers must pay a 100rp fee to enter the park, and must hire a guide. Porters can also be hired in Maneybhanjeng. Many trekkers sign up for a 3, 5 or 6 day trek in Darjeeling, where various trekking companies make all of the arrangements. Passports must be carried, as the trek crosses briefly into Nepal, then back into India. Sleeping bags and layered warm clothing are a must, as the temperature dips well below freezing most nights. Overnight lodging is done at assorted huts or simple guesthouses along the way, and hot meals are available at the same.<br />Starting from Maneybhanjang, most trekkers stay overnight in Gairbas or Kalipokhari, and press on to Sandakphu for the 2nd night. Sandakphu at 3636 meters, is a favorite spot to view the high Himalayan peaks of LLotze, Everest, Makalu, etc., in early morning when visibility is good. 3 day trekkers turn aside and head downhill to Rimbik for their final night, while others head further north for spectacular views from Sabarkum and Phalut (especially of Kanchenjunga), then downhill for Raman, and finish in Rimbik for the last night.<br />For greater cash outlay, non-trekkers, or those pressed for time can hire a jeep as transport from Maneybhanjang to Sandakphu, and stay overnight to catch the sunrise views. The ideal time to visit is April or May, in spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom, but Singalila can also be done in the fall, after monsoon season. }} *[[Sandakphu - Phalut Trek]] ==Eat== All the better hotels have their own restaurants. And of course there is so much of that street food called "momo" that you can find just about anywhere in the Darjeeling Hills. ==Drink== The Darjeeling Hills are famous all over the world for their teas, which are very aromatic and have a delicate taste. ==Stay safe== There has been a surge of tourists visiting the Darjeeling Hills in the last few years. Earlier, there was continuous turmoil and political disturbance in the hills. But since the establishment of the new state government in 2011, the political stability has been restored and life came back to normal. ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|27.0300|88.1600|zoom=8}} 599f53g6xce6hk2tw3wj30w6chi3coa 4506604 4506603 2022-08-23T05:30:44Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Darjeeling district header1.jpg|pgname=Darjeeling Hills}} The '''Darjeeling Hills''' are a [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] region of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. It consists of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The main attractions in the region are the mountains and the cultural diversity of the Tibetan and Nepalese populations. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1134759,Q28769140}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Darjeeling]]|wikidata=Q169997}} — a beautiful hill station and centre of a major tea growing area * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kalimpong]]|wikidata=Q500877}} — recognised for educational institutions. Most of those were formulated during the British colonial period. The town has many religious sightseeing places apart from beautiful views of mountains. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kurseong]]|wikidata=Q1025634}} — home to most expensive teas in the entire world. Some popular tea gardens such as Ambotia, Makaibari and Castleton produce special aromas which are difficult to cultivate elsewhere. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lava]]|wikidata=Q6502159}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lepchajagat]]|wikidata=Q110097754}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mirik]]|wikidata=Q2733296}} — nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling, It is a picturesque location. Mirik has become a highly famous tourist place because of its natural beauty, climate and easy accessibility. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Siliguri]] | image=Siliguri_view.jpg |wikidata=Q5087}} &mdash; The largest city in North Bengal and a major commercial and shopping hub. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Dello]]|wikidata=Q5259990}} (Deolo) &mdash; A small and peaceful Himalayan hamlet. * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Jorepokhri]]|wikidata=Q14219880}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Loleygaon]]|wikidata=Q6668893}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mangpoo]]|wikidata=Q60789706}} * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Panitanki]] | wikidata=Q25341396}} &mdash; a village and popular border crossing on the Indian side of the Nepalese border. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rishop]]|wikidata=Q14231139}} (Rishyap) &mdash; Suitable for a one-day stint. There is no city/town life here, just a small village with spectacular views of the third largest mountain peak in the world (Kangchenjunga) and its range. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Singalila National Park|wikidata=Q2985193}} — Home to Sandakphu, the tallest peak of West Bengal. == Understand == The region used to be a cluster of villages that was administered intermittently by [[Nepal]] and [[Sikkim]]. It grew in prominence during the mid-19th century when, because of its climate, the British established a hill station there. Later it was discovered that the area was particularly well suited for tea plantations and Darjeeling tea is still exported worldwide. In 1849, the British annexed the area and Darjeeling became a part of British India. The [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] was opened in 1881 (it is now a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]). Many Tibetan refugees moved here after Tibet was annexed by China. They co-exist with the descendants of the many Nepalese who once came to the land as soldiers of Prithvi Narayan Shah and settled down there to work as labourers in the tea plantations. There has been intermittent political action from Gorkha groups demanding an independent state (Gorkhaland). In June 2008 a strike paralysed the area, with closed hotels, restaurants and shops, and the accompanying protests even turned violent a couple of times. Though inconvenient, tourists generally are not at risk, but you should check the status before going there. ==Talk== [[Nepali phrasebook|Nepali]] is the main language spoken in the Darjeeling Hills. However, as it is in the state of West Bengal, [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]] is the state official language that is used in state government offices. ==Get in== ===By plane=== The nearest international airport is the Bagdogra International Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}), at the foothills of the Darjeeling Hills. ===By train=== [[New Jalpaiguri]] (NJP) in [[Siliguri]] is the nearest broad-gauge station on the main inter-city line. Direct trains to NJP run from Delhi several times daily. From [[Kolkata]]'s Sealdah station, the best train is the Darjeeling Mail running nightly at 10:05 PM. There is also a train from Howrah station called Paharia Express, departing from [[Howrah]] at 9:55 PM and arriving at New Jalpaiguri at 8:45 AM. From NJP, the famous [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] (DHR) completes the journey to anywhere in the Darjeeling Hills. ==Get around== === By train === {{Main|Darjeeling Himalayan Railway}} [[File:DarjeelingTrainFruitshop.JPG|thumb|A toy train passing a fruit shop in [[Darjeeling]]]] The '''[[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]]''' ('''DHR'''), nicknamed the "Toy Train", is a narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling, run by the Indian Railways. It was built between 1879 and 1881 and is about 86 km (53 mi) long. The elevation level is from about 100 m (328 ft) at Siliguri to about 2,200 m (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling. There are both steam and diesel engines serving the route. The steam 'Joy' train operates from Darjeeling to Ghum via the Batasia Loop, four times a day – enquire at Darjeeling station. Steam trains cost ₹2200 and diesel trains cost ₹1200. See the [http://dhr.in.net/ DHR website]. There is also a daily 'School Train' departing Kurseong at 6:15AM and arriving at Darjeeling at 8:45AM. It leaves Darjeeling at 4PM and arrives at Kurseong at 6:30PM. This is still hauled by a steam engine and is one of the world's last 'day to day' steam trains. Its schedule is frequently changed and it often runs hours late. ==See== ==Do== [[File:Sandakphu.jpg|thumb|Sandakphu]] There are plenty of trek options in Darjeeling Hills. The most popular one is the Singalila Ridge Trail. Bookings for guides, porters and accommodation on the trail can be made in Darjeeling or in the nearby town of Manebhanjang, which serves as the trailhead. From July to mid-September the Singalila park is closed, but because of the rain, clouds and fog it is less enjoyable anyway. *{{do | name=Singalila National Park | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=west of Darjeeling, adjacent to the Nepalese border | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2022-03-24| content=Singalila is a trekking destination in the far northwest corner of West Bengal state. Kangchenjunga, the world's 3rd highest peak, is visible for much of the trek, to the north, on the Nepalese border with Sikkim. Usually, the park is accessed from Maneybhanjang, approx. one hour, or {{km|30}} west of Darjeeling. The park can also be accessed from Rimbik, where many trekkers finish up, or from Bijanbari, with one extra day's walking. Trekkers must pay a ₹100 fee to enter the park and must hire a guide. Porters can also be hired in Maneybhanjeng. Many trekkers sign up for a 3, 5 or 6-day trek in Darjeeling, where various trekking companies make all of the arrangements. Passports must be carried, as the trek crosses briefly into Nepal, then back into India. Sleeping bags and layered warm clothing are a must, as the temperature dips well below freezing most nights. Overnight lodging is done at assorted huts or simple guesthouses along the way, and hot meals are available at the same.<br />Starting from Maneybhanjang, most trekkers stay overnight in Gairbas or Kalipokhari, and press on to Sandakphu for the 2nd night. Sandakphu at 3636 meters, is a favourite spot to view the high Himalayan peaks of Lotze, Everest, Makalu, etc., in the early morning when visibility is good. 3-day trekkers turn aside and head downhill to Rimbik for their final night, while others head further north for spectacular views from Sabarkum and Phalut (especially of Kanchenjunga), then downhill for Raman, and finish in Rimbik for the last night.<br />For greater cash outlay, non-trekkers, or those pressed for time can hire a jeep as transport from Maneybhanjang to Sandakphu, and stay overnight to catch the sunrise views. The ideal time to visit is April or May, in spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom, but Singalila can also be done in the fall, after the monsoon season. }} *[[Sandakphu - Phalut Trek]] ==Eat== All the better hotels have their own restaurants. And of course, there is so much of that street food called "momo" that you can find just about anywhere in the Darjeeling Hills. ==Drink== The Darjeeling Hills are famous all over the world for their teas, which are very aromatic and have a delicate taste. ==Stay safe== There has been a surge of tourists visiting the Darjeeling Hills in the last few years. Earlier, there was continuous turmoil and political disturbance in the hills. But since the establishment of the new state government in 2011, political stability has been restored and life came back to normal. ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|27.0300|88.1600|zoom=8}} 9adrsetzvvo7e7l76ngnm98jbkxgq6o 0 9292 4506464 4287251 2022-08-23T01:31:44Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile}15}} to Exit 101. [[File:US 180.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. US 180 goes northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes northeasterly to I-25 in [[Hatch]]. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840280 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's | lat= | long=| directions= | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 7335xp54t8n943ujepmgihc9accf9dh 4506465 4506464 2022-08-23T01:32:05Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|15}} to Exit 101. [[File:US 180.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. US 180 goes northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes northeasterly to I-25 in [[Hatch]]. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840280 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's | lat= | long=| directions= | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 8lg8q3gjsd5b24wbaltjn7m83ibjd9i 4506466 4506465 2022-08-23T01:39:36Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Go east US 180 goes concurrently on I-10 to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd and to Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} near the Mexican border which is {{mile|32}} south. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840280 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's | lat= | long=| directions= | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 2a7b5jx6735hm73yz7oy1uo006af7p4 4506467 4506466 2022-08-23T01:43:26Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Go east US 180 goes concurrently on I-10 to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd and to Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} near the Mexican border which is {{mile|32}} south. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long=| directions=W Pine and Granite | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} ka6hq9y66c6deoo071bgsn4bc35akwc 4506470 4506467 2022-08-23T01:46:08Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Go east US 180 goes concurrently on I-10 to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd and to Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} near the Mexican border which is {{mile|32}} south. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long=| directions=W Pine and Granite | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} gi3vky2o5jiy1hilf2v7hq0xnrtqerr 4506472 4506470 2022-08-23T01:46:29Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Go east US 180 goes concurrently on I-10 to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd and to Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} near the Mexican border which is {{mile|32}} south. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long=| directions=W Pine and Granite | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 2r7rbwy45618sc2zrjtq00ts1g3tdmu 4506473 4506472 2022-08-23T01:47:25Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Go east US 180 goes concurrently on I-10 to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd and to Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} near the Mexican border which is {{mile|32}} south. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long=| directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 6fpr1ihwqk6z6jr3wlhfzjs4o3juy3t 4506474 4506473 2022-08-23T01:49:12Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long=| directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 0bwrbk9wmfnl5v3sbgovgbdcwduc5vf 4506478 4506474 2022-08-23T02:05:52Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long=| directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} lero78g5ifibv67sp7yc8n4az05r6nz 4506479 4506478 2022-08-23T02:06:47Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ Updated listing for Greyhound wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus}} which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} kwwqyyskeprpyiy52oc401qua1iya5b 4506480 4506479 2022-08-23T02:07:38Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to [[Columbus_(New Mexico)|Columbus]] which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} inxq1tvvaukszq7w43vefjg6ik2m770 4506481 4506480 2022-08-23T02:08:06Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] ''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to Columbus which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} npsp0vg07uqngzk9tl6glhujsjcfe0u 4506482 4506481 2022-08-23T02:08:20Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] '''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to Columbus which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 6ab3xtsnaz5xeovapkhxryuasxqe717 4506483 4506482 2022-08-23T02:09:56Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Trans-Pecos|Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' serves as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] '''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to Columbus which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} m02vsip7dzltgwv17l5x43ltjzs7swg 4506484 4506483 2022-08-23T02:13:26Z Anyone150 1516949 /* Get in */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Trans-Pecos|Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] to [[File:New Mexico 547.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' goes east-wast as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] '''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to Columbus which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} gg94s35gxycxyku2ynautvzh3jigmfp 4506486 4506484 2022-08-23T02:17:29Z 131.191.91.0 /* By bus */Typo wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Trans-Pecos|Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] to [[File:New Mexico 547.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' goes east-wast as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] '''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd to Columbus which is {{mile|32}} south near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} 704cvfprzh4bbqd5h285v70o6yltcwh 4506487 4506486 2022-08-23T02:19:32Z 131.191.91.0 /* By car */Typo wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.demingchamber.com Deming]''' is a small town in the [[Southwest New Mexico|southwestern]] region of [[New Mexico]], [[United States of America|USA]]. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the '''[http://www.demingduckrace.com/ Great American Duck Race]''', one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker. ==Get in== Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about {{mile|60}} west of [[Las Cruces]] and about{{mile|80}} east of the [[Arizona]] state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in [[El Paso#By plane|El Paso]], [[Trans-Pecos|Texas]], {{mile|109}} east of Deming. ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] to [[File:New Mexico 547.svg|22px]] '''Pine St''' goes east-wast as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another {{mile|17}} east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80). [[File:US 180.svg|22px]], [[File:New Mexico 26.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 11.svg|22px]] '''Gold Ave''' goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes {{mile|53}} northwesterly to [[Silver City]] while NM 26 goes {{mile|48}} northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd. It goes another {{mile|32}} south to Columbus near the Mexican border. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840158 | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 721 W Pine St | lat= | long= | directions=W Pine and Granite | phone= | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], [[Lordsburg#By us| Lordsburg]], [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules. }} ===By train=== Deming is a stop along Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train Sunset Limited]''' line, which runs three times a week. The depot is located at 400 East Railroad Avenue. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Deming Luna Mimbres Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=301 S. Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 536-2382 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Open M-Sa 9-4, Su 1:30-4; closed major holidays. Fee $2 for adults, children free with adult. Native American artifacts and items of local color. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Great American Duck Race | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The 2014 version was on August 21–24; dates for the 2015 edition apparently haven't been set yet, but expect it to be the last weekend in August. This amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs. }} ==Buy== There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Mirador | alt= | url= | email= | address=510 E Pine St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 544-7340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9PM daily | price= | content=Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible. }} * {{eat | name=Marie's Italian Grill | alt= | url=https://www.mariesitaliangrill.com/ | email= | address=110 S Silver Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th, Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM, M closed | price= | content=Basic Italian-American. }} *{{eat | name=The Adobe Deli | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=About 10 miles east of town on old NM 549 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse. }} ==Drink== Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine. * {{drink | name=Luna Rossa Winery | alt= | url=http://www.lunarossawinery.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound. }} * {{drink | name=D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room | alt= | url=https://lescombeswinery.com/locations/deming/ | email= | address=7075 Hwy 549 SE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575-546-1179 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music. }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn | url= | email= | address=1500 W. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 81 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Grand Motor Inn | url= | email= | address=1721 E. Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-2632 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Restaurant on the premises. }} *{{sleep | name=La Quinta Inn and Suites | url= | email= | address=4300 E Pine | lat= | long= | directions=exit 85 on I-10 | phone=+1 575 546-0600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free WiFi. Free Continental Breakfast. }} ==Go next== * '''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Rockhound State Park]''' is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are ''encouraged'' to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee). *'''[http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm City of Rocks State Park]''' is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known [[Chiricahua National Monument]] in [[Arizona]]. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee. {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[El Paso]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Lordsburg]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[El Paso]] | minorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | image3=US 180.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Holbrook (Arizona)|Holbrook]] | minorl3=[[Silver City]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[El Paso]] | minorr3=Merges with [[Image:I-10.svg|18px]] }} {{usablecity}} {{geo|32.26861|-107.75861}} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} ib8vv2bd1m3l1e07v811mfop7yplhxi 0 10212 4506282 4453107 2022-08-22T15:18:18Z Nobody25 521616 /* By trolleybus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Dushanbe''' is the capital of [[Tajikistan]]. [[File:Rudaki Avenue sidewalk, Dushanbe.jpg|thumbnail|Rudaki Avenue, Dushanbe|alt=People walking down a very wide pavement on Rudake Avenue in Dushanbe]] [[File:National Library of Tajikistan.JPG|thumbnail|National Library of Tajikistan]] [[File:Bread Market Dushanbe2.JPG|thumbnail|Bread market in Dushanbe]] [[File:Dushanbe Opera Theatre.jpg|thumbnail|Opera theatre in Dushanbe]] ==Understand== Dushanbe, sitting at about 800 m in the intermountain Gissar Valley basin at the confluence of the Varzob and Kofarnihon Rivers, is the main population centre of the country with about 863,400 people. It has seen instances of human habitation since neolithic times, witnessing the presence of great civilizations like the Greco-Bactrians and the Persians, but probably none more influential than the Soviets as they came steaming in in 1922. From 1929 to 1961, the city's identity went through a transformation, becoming Stalinabad, and cultural aspects from music to theatre to architecture and education took on a Soviet style. With the withdrawal of Soviet influence in the dissolution of the USSR, Dushanbe regained its former name but went through schisms of identity crisis alongside the country as it plunged into civil war circa 1992. Even now, it struggles somewhat to exert full control over all of the country, but it nonetheless takes on the dynamics of Tajikistan's main commercial centre and happening place. == Get in == === By plane === * {{listing | type=go | name=Dushanbe Airport | alt={{IATA|DYU}}, Международный Аэропорт Душанбе | url=http://airport.tj/ | email=info@airport.tj | address=M. Mastangulova (ул.им.М. Мастангулова), 32/2 | lat=38.5482 | long=68.8155 | directions=SW of city center | phone=+992 37 4494233 | tollfree= | fax=+992 37 2278717 | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Dushanbe International Airport | image=Dushanbe airport.jpg | wikidata=Q532778 | content=Moscow flights by (Tajik Air, Somon Air, Domodedovo Airlines and Sibirian S7), [[Istanbul]] IST on (Turkish Airlines); [[Urumqi]] (China Southern Airlines). Somon Air have a weekly direct flight to [[Frankfurt]], as well as flights from [[Dubai]], Delhi, Istanbul and [[Kyiv]]. It is a hub for East Air, Somon Air and Tajik Air. }} === Luggage === S7 airline or its share code flies to most European countries and you could check in your luggage up to Dushanbe. Otherwise you will require a transit visa to collect your luggage and check it in again. If you have no checked luggage, you could walk direct to the transit area. If you use a different airline and have checked in luggage you need a transit visa because the airlines will not transfer it for you. For that reason you have to collect the luggage yourself and check it in for your final flight. In order to collect it you have to pass passport control for which you need a visa (many countries get it upon arrival and free). These policies are subject to change without a notice. Check with your airlines to find out whether they transfer luggage. === Visa at the airport === Most of the European and North American nationals can apply for a visa upon arrival in Dushanbe. The airport is very small and the immigration is before the passport control. Bring 2 passport photos, and have the address at which you are staying. Don't lose your "beeline travel slip" which you will get at the immigration office. the luggage X-ray machines are very poor and they pay little attention to the screens. Watch the children when you leave the airport they will offer to take your bag to the car and start to pull it off you, though not with intentions of stealing, just wanting to help and get a tip. === By train === * {{listing | type=go | name=Dushanbe Railway Station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nazarshoev St | lat=38.55695 | long=68.79964 | directions=SE part of the city | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11695326 | content=From [[Moscow]] via [[Volgograd]], [[Atyrau]] and [[Termez]]. Trains depart from the ''Moskva Kazanskaya'' rail terminal each Monday, Wednesday and Sunday at 12:08, arriving 16:16 four nights later. Tickets costs from {{RUB|9000}} for a second class sleeper. - Trains depart to Iski-Guzar (via Vahdat), Tursunzoda (toward west via Hisor), to Kulob (via Obikiik, Kuybyshevsk, Qurghonteppa, Sarband). }} === By bus === There are no international bus services.If you are planning to go to a different town in Dushanbe there are 'terminals' that you can either find a shared taxi or a minibus. Departs are mostly early morning. * {{listing |type=go | image= | name=Pamir bus terminal | alt=Povorot aeroporta terminal Pamira, Avtobaza 2929 | url= | email= | address=Ahmed Donish Street | lat= | long= | directions= | price= | content=Toward east to Khorog (Pamir) going usually 4X4 vehicles (525 km, 12 to 14 hours, prices are vary) all via Kalaikhum (285 km). }} * {{listing |type=go | image= | name=Terminal Khojent | alt= Vodanasos cement factory Terminal| url= | email= | address=Rudaki Street | lat=38.6476 | long=68.7683 | directions=End of Rudaki Street towards Varzob Valley. Ask your taxi driver to drop you to the Stoyanka Khodjenta close to Vodonasos or Cemzavod. It is the end of the Trolleybus line. | phone= | hours= | price= | content=Minibuses to Khojent and Varzob, Aini, Penjikent, Khujand. }} * {{listing |type=go | image= | name=Korvon Market terminal | alt= | url= | address= |lat=38.5036 | long=68.7557 | directions=Korvon Market, south of Center | phone= | hours= | content=Many private cars to Kurgan-Tybe and Kulyab. }} * {{listing |type=go | image= | name=From Dushanbe I Train Station, | lat=38.55798 | long=68.80033 | content=can take mini taxis toward east: Kofarnihon, Faizabad}} * {{listing |type=go | image= | name= Polytechnic Institute terminal | address=Djami Avenue| lat= | long= | content=for taxis toward west: Hissor }} * {{listing |type=go | name=Sakhovat Market terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Sakhovat Market | phone= | hours= | price= | content=Private SUVs go (daily) to Afghan Border (Sherkhon Bandar). You will have to go early in the morning 05:00 to check for a shared car. Best is to go there a day before and arrange for the next day travel. Also lines toward south Qurghonteppa (85 km) and Kulob (190 km). }} == Get around == {{mapframe}} {{Mapmask |38.4511,68.6708 |38.4575,68.6767 |38.4607,68.6767 |38.4734,68.6806 |38.4766,68.6806 |38.4942,68.6884 |38.5085,68.6904 |38.5370,68.6749 |38.5481,68.6691 |38.5894,68.6577 |38.5927,68.6829 |38.5959,68.7042 |38.6214,68.7450 |38.6389,68.7761 |38.6358,68.7916 |38.6358,68.7936 |38.6406,68.7994 |38.6374,68.8091 |38.6343,68.8091 |38.6264,68.8168 |38.6248,68.8168 |38.6011,68.8284 |38.5995,68.8323 |38.5948,68.8361 |38.5727,68.8614 |38.5918,68.8788 |38.6076,68.8847 |38.6203,68.8963 |38.6110,68.9409 |38.6028,68.9443 |38.5177,68.9642 |38.5147,68.9569 |38.5139,68.9553 |38.5122,68.9507 |38.5109,68.9462 |38.5101,68.9446 |38.5032,68.9303 |38.4975,68.9257 |38.4934,68.9164 |38.4577,68.7396 |38.4511,68.6708}} === By bus === A number of bus services operate in Dushanbe, however there is not much clarity which one goes to where. === By marshrukta === It is very useful to figure out the marshrukta system (private cars and minibuses), which run on a standard set of routes. Minibuses are overcrowded, stop more frequently, and cost TJS1, while private cars are much quicker and cost TJS3. For marshrukti, the only important phrase is "hamin jo" (ha-MEEN JOH), which means "right here", to indicate that you want to get out. A couple of useful 'lines' (2010): No. 1: Giprozem (south) - Sakovat Bazaar - Circus - War Memorial - Aini Street - Dushanbe Airport No. 2: Giprozem - Sakovat Bazaar - Circus - War Memorial - Bokhtar Street (centre) No. 3: Dushanbe I Train Station - Rudaki Avenue - Vodanasos Bazaar (north) No. 8: Dushanbe Airport - Aini Street - Rudaki Avenue - Ismoil Somoni Street - 102nd microdistrict (west) No. 17: 82nd microdistrict - Ismoil Somoni Street - Rudaki Avenue - Vodanasos Bazaar No. 29: Giprozem - Circus - Bus Station - 82nd microdistrict - Ismoil Somoni Street - Barakat Bazaar (centre) ===By trolleybus=== Cheap way of getting around the city. Dushanbe has a few trolleybus lines running (no. 4 is one of the main ones, between the centre and the circus). Strictly a card is required to use the trolleybus, which can be loaded up with somoni. However, it's not the most user-friendly and it's much easier to offer the driver 1 somoni cash per ride (it's not legal for them to accept cash but almost all drivers do), the driver will usually either pocket it or let you on for free. ===By taxi=== Within Dushanbe it is best to take a taxi, usually it should not be more than TJS30. === Orientation === Very few streets in Dushanbe are known by their names, so it is important to know landmarks and how to navigate with them. Every taxi driver knows the airport, Somoni statue and opera-ballet, but beyond that, it is a toss-up. It is essential to know "straight ahead," "to the left," and "to the right" in Russian or Tajik. The centre is effectively long street, with a few other main streets crossing it. Dushanbe is an interesting city, but only for a few days. Other than a few museum and monuments, there is not much here. The nightlife is not of a western standard. There are three main clubs: Port Said, Dior, and Vastan (all on or near Rudaki Street). The clubs are pretty bad and attract bad music, prostitutes, and are mostly filled with men. If a man goes out with a Tajik women, he will be expected to pay for her. The streets are lined with old and tall planetrees, so in the evenings a stroll along Rudaki is quite pleasant. Rudaki Park also features numerous fountains lit by coloured lights, and the Botanical Gardens (behind the Chinese Embassy, somewhat north along Rudaki) is the best place to escape the dust and noise of the traffic for peace and quiet. == See == === Holy places === * {{listing | type=see | name=Haji Yaqub Mosque | alt=Мечеть Хаджи Якуб | url= | email= | address=Rudaki Ave | lat=38.58773 | long=68.78410 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12123152 | content=The largest mosque in the CIS cost of US$100 million. It has a crescent-topped minaret and burnished golden dome. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Sari Osiyo Mosque | alt=Мечеть Сари Осиё | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q25612149 | content=A new one }} * {{see | image= | name=Ismaili Centre | alt=Центр Исмаилизма | url= | email= | address=Ismoil Somoni Ave, |lat=38.5846 | long=68.7638| directions= | phone= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=St. Nicholas Cathedral | alt=Свято-Никольский собор | url= | email= | address=Druzhby Narodov St (улица Дружбы народов)), ~64 | lat=38.566389 | long=68.816667 | directions=Central city cemetery or commonly Russian Cemetery (Центральный Городский кладбище, русский кладбище) | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=St. Nicholas Cathedral (Dushanbe) | image=Свято-Никольский собор (Душанбе) 2.JPG | wikidata=Q13032586 | content=The main pravoslav church of Dushanbe. }} === Museums === * {{see | name=Gurminj Museum of Musical Instruments | alt=Gurminj Museum, Музей музыкальных инструментов | url=http://gurminj.tj/ | email=gurminj.museum@gmail.com | address=Bokhtar Street , 23 | lat=38.5768 | long=68.7898 | directions=Located in the center of Dushanbe, a block east of Rudaki near the Iranian Embassy | phone=+992 372 2231076, +992 92 805 9515 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-18:00 | price=Admission 10TJS | wikipedia=Gurminj Museum of Musical Instruments | wikidata=Q5620176 | content=This small museum has an interesting variety of Central Asian musical instruments as string instruments example: rubab, Pamiri rubab, tanbur, dutor, setor, qashqar, and ghizhak. There are also number of drums such as tabl, daf, and doyra. That alone is worth a peek if you like instruments, but better still is to go when a musical or cultural event is being held, or hope to catch the folk musicians who practice there and can demo many of the instruments in the collection. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Antiquities | alt=Национальный музей древности Республики Таджикистан | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.5634 | long=68.7991 | directions=on the main square near the Sadbarg shopping center | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q13201851 | content=It is quite old fashioned and includes a number of exhibits that detail the country's history. It is great for historians of contemporary Tajikistan and the current President, but only if they speak Russian or Tajik, as there are very few English signs. The museum is very poorly funded (there is a man who follows you to turn off the lights after you are finished with an exhibit room) and rather underwhelming. One of the highlight is the statue of Khatlonskogo's Sleeping Buddha which height is 14 m, found at the excavations in 1966 in south of the country. }} === Others === * {{listing | type=see | name=Monument of Amir Ismail Samani | alt=Tajik:Ҳайкали Исмоили Сомонӣ, Russian: Арка и памятник Исмаилу Самани. | url= | email= | address=Prospekt Aiani | lat=38.574 | long=68.7854 | directions=At the south rim of Rudaki Park | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12124447 | content=A monument to the 10th-century founder of the Samanid dynasty. This statue commemorates the one after whom the currency is named. Apparently, the crown is 10 kg of Tajik gold. Beware: the police at the bottom may ask for money if you take photos, so stand far back and use your zoom. (And don't encourage this bad behaviour.) }} *{{see | name=Rudaki statue | url= | address= | lat=38.5766 | long=68.7842 | directions=Rudaki Park | phone= | hours= | price= | content=It was opened for the Shanghai summit, a new park on Rudaki Avenue that has a huge statue of Rudaki, a new government palace, and enough fountains to drain the whole of Dushanbe. Go at night to see the lights. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Rokhat Teahouse | alt=Tajik:Rohat Chaikhona, Russian:чайханы «Рохат», | url= | email= | address=84, Rudaki Ave | lat=38.58468 | long=68.78752 | directions= | phone=+992 90 793 1347 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q31456927 | content=Old traditional teahouse located near central Dushanbe on Rudaki. Better to go for the interesting architecture, not the food. }} * {{see | name=Dushanbe Flagpole | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.579 | long=68.7801 | directions=Located in front of the Palace of Nations | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Dushanbe Flagpole | image=View from the Dushanbe flagpole.jpg | wikidata=Q5316867 | content=The second tallest free-standing flagpole in the world (162 m). This flagpole flies an {{convert|1800|sqm|adj=on}} flag of Tajikistan, weighing {{Convert|700|kg|lb}}. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Vahdat Palace | alt=Palace of Unity, Tajik: Кохи Ваҳдат/Kokhi Vahdat/کاخ وحدت | url= | email= | address=107, Rudaki Avenue (проспект А. Рудаки) | lat=38.58971 | long=68.78571 | directions=near Hotel Avesto | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3495223 | content=It is the headquarters of the ruling People's Democratic Party and is also used to host international conferences }} * {{listing | type=see | name=National Bank of Tajikistan | alt=Бонки миллии Тоҷикистон | url=http://www.nbt.tj | email=info@nbt.tj | address=хиёбони Рудакӣ, 107A | lat=38.5669 | long=68.79306 | directions=Opposite Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre | phone=+992 44 600 3227 | tollfree= | fax=+992 44 600-3235 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4314981 | content=Located in a nice monument building. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Tajik State National University | alt=Tajik: Donishgohi Davlatii Millii Tojikiston, Донишгоҳи миллии Тоҷикистон, Russian:Таджикский национальный университет (ТНУ) | url=https://www.tnu.tj/index.php/en/ | email=tgnu@mail.tj | address=Rudaki Ave. (хиёбони Рӯдакӣ), 17 | lat=38.56532 | long=68.79475 | directions= | phone=+992 372 21-7711 | tollfree= | fax=+992 372 217711 | hours= | price= | image=Donishgohi Davlatii Millii Tojikiston.JPG | wikidata=Q1528756 | content=On Rudaki another nice building at #33 [http://ant.tj Tajik Academy of Sciences] }} [[File:Dushanbe, Tajikistan - panoramio (121).jpg|thumb|Ismail Somoni Monument]] [[File:Flagshtoktj.jpg|thumb|Dushanbe Flagpole]] === Further afield === * {{see| image= | name=Fort Hissar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= The cheapest way to get there is taking local bus #8 (available from Rudaki ave.) to Zarnissor bazaar. From there you catch a marshrutka (minibus) to Hissar village (TJS2) where you can easily flag down a car for TJS1/seat. That means a roundtrip is roughly TJS7/person. Alternatively you can hire a taxi for around TJS80. 10&nbsp;km out of the city| phone= | hours= | price=Entrance fees are TJS1-3. | content=Rebuilt 13th century fort and madrassa. It is a must-see and includes small museums of ancient Tajik culture. It was destroyed by Soviet troops in their hunt for Enver Pasha. }} == Do == * {{listing | type=do | name=Aquapark Dolphin | alt=Аквапарк Дельфин | url=http://www.delfin.tj/ | email= | address=Bogoutdinova (Богоутдинова), 7/2 | lat=38.5768 | long=68.7343 | directions=West of City center. Take bus 8, 22, 25, 28,17 to '101 mikrorayon', after Saodat Shopping Centre the next street turn toward south (left) and walk ten mins on the right side look for it | phone=+992 48 702 0020 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adult/child M-F TJS70/40, Sa Su TJS80/40 (four hours); after 17:00 (three hours) TJS50/30; Tariff "VIP" admission to all areas. From sunrise to sunset. Adult TJS150 | wikidata=Q16647100 | lastedit=2014 | content= }} * '''Bactria Cultural Centre''' * {{listing | type=do | name=Circus | alt=Здание цирка | url= | email= | address=Karaboev Avenue, 1-3 | lat=38.5576 | long=68.7637 | directions=Ave. S. Sherozi corner | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q13202045 | content= }} === Parks === * {{listing | type=do | name=Botanical Gardens | alt=Ботанический сад Академии наук Таджикистана | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.6026 | long=68.7810 | directions=behind the Chinese Embassy, somewhat north along Rudaki turn left to Samad Gani St | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q14324727 | content=The best place to escape the dust and noise of the traffic for peace and quiet. A small forest with plenty of greenery. Usually the newly married couples have photos taken here. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Dushanbe Zoo | alt=Dushanbe Zoological Park, Tajik: Боғи ҳайвонот, Russian: Душанбинский зоопарк | url= | email= | address=Ismoili Somoni Avenue | lat=38.585 | long=68.77194 | directions=in the centre of the city on the Luchob river bank, next to the Pamir Stadium | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5316871 | content=The number of animals kept is about 600 on the area: 67000 m². This is the only institution of this kind in the country. Animals are indigenous and foreign species, with the most exotic being lion, jaguar and snow leopard. The local fauna are represented by brown bears, black bears, Bactrian camel, donkey, wolf, jackal, fox, raccoon, and some birds such as owl, vulture, golden eagle, falcon. Also some reptiles, including snakes, caymans, lizards are displayed indoors. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Park named after S. Ayni | alt=Парк культуры и отдыха имени С. Айни,Tajik:Боғи фароғат ва истироҳати ба номи С. Айнӣ | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.5684 | long=68.7962 | directions=Around Opera | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16684913 | content= }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Victory Park | alt=Парк Победы,Tajik: | url= | email= | address=Druzhby Narodov St | lat=38.57876 | long=68.81208 | directions=Turn left off of Rudaki at the TSUM and pass the beer factory. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16684899 | content=Hike to the top for a seasonal tiki-themed beer garden offering views of the city. The truly brave can take the rickety gondola. Also there is the Victory Memorial. }} === Theatres === * {{listing | type=do | name=Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre | alt=Таджикский академический театр оперы и балета имени С. Айни | url=http://www.operabalet.tj/ | email= | address=Nisor Muhammad St and Rudaki Ave cnr | lat=38.5688 | long=68.7952 | directions=Centre | phone=+992 37 2213494 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00 | price= | image=Ayni Theatre in Dushanbe.JPG | wikidata=Q13202093 | content=Regularly has free or cheap concerts sponsored by embassies and travel companies. }} * {{do | name=Lahuti Drama Theatre | alt=Таджикский академический драматический театр имени А. Лахути | url= | email= | address=Rudaki Ave, | lat=38.5851 | long=68.78785 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q13202092 | content= }} * '''Mayakovsky Theatre''' * '''Padida Theatre''' * {{do | image=Puppet theatre in Dushanbe.jpg | name=Puppet theatre | alt=Государственный театр кукол Лухтак | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.57882 | long=68.79757 | directions= | phone= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | image= | name=Parasty Theatre | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rudaki Ave, |lat=38.58418 | long=68.78796 | directions=Next to Lohuti Drama Theatr | phone= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | image= | name=Summer theatre| alt=летних амфитеатра | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | image= | name=Youth Theatre named after M. Vahidova | alt=Государственный молодежный театр имени М. Вахидова - | url= | email= | address=Karaboev Avenue, 21-23 |lat=38.5500 | long=68.7610 | directions= | phone= | hours= | price= | content= }} * '''Various concert halls''' ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Korvon Bazaar | alt= | url= | address=A384 road |lat=38.5058 | long=68.7551 | directions=far away and is very large (Marshruktas with "Корвон" signs on their dashboards will get you there for TJS3); south of Park Druzhby | phone= | hours= | price=Somewhat cheaper than Shakhmansur | content=Korvon has a massive indoor clothing and shoes section as well as a smaller food section. It is also the place for rugs, although all of the rugs come from Turkey, not Tajikistan. }} * {{buy | name=Shakhmansur Bazaar | alt=Green Bazaar, Зелёный Базар | url= | email= | address=Lohuti Street | lat=38.56653 | long=68.80068 | directions=east of Opera | phone= | content=This is the biggest bazaar in the city centre and has a huge variety of foods (very cheap by Western standards), including dried fruit, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, meats and bread, as well as an odd assortment of tools and household products. It is possible to see the entire bazaar in an hour or two. The locals invariably charge foreigners more. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Cafe Merve | alt= | url= | email= | address=92 Rudaki Avenue | lat=38.5884 | long=68.7872 | directions=Next to Orima supermarket | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Casual Turkish cafeteria is always packed with students and young locals. Kebabs, pizzaa, salads, french fries, cakes, coffee and authentic Turkish breakfasts (feta with olives) are all on the menu, but have several choices in mind, as they rarely have everything available at any given time. }} * {{eat |name=Delhi Darbar| address=Rudaki Avenue | directions=near the Pedagogical Institute. |content=The most well-known, and possibly the best vegetarian food in the city, of three local Indian restaurants serves excellent butter chicken and spinach. It also offers private "family rooms." }} * {{eat |name=Salsa |content=The only Ecuadorian restaurant for hundreds of miles. It is a reasonable imitation of Latin cuisine and popular with Europeans. It is located just off the north end of Rudaki near Starry Night (Zvezdnaya Noch) billiards.}} * {{eat |name=Tiflis | address= | lat=38.57032 | long=68.79597 |content=One of two Georgian restaurants in the city with some of the best meat dishes in the city, and a substantial wine list. Located behind the opera-ballet, across the park.}} * {{eat |name=Gruzinski Restorant "Kafene Gruziya" | address=Rudaki Avenue 29 |content=the other Georgian restaurant, located about a block north of the Opera Square on Rudaki Avenue. It has simple and tasty dishes, good cheap house wine, and a nice friendly atmosphere. Either book or come early due to its popularity.}} * {{eat | name=Steakhouse | alt=The Steakhouse | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.56932 | long=68.79712 | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Despite the name, it is one of the only places in Dushanbe to get sushi. Other meals include steaks, pasta and American style cuisine. Live entertainment nightly. }} * {{eat | name=Segafredo | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Segafredo-Dushanbe/237114566300105 | email= | address=Rudaki Ave | lat= | long= | directions=near the corner of Rudaki Ave and Ismoil Somoni Ave, across from Hotel Tajikistan | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Western food: sandwiches, soups, chicken dishes. Good place to get coffee or a snack. The salmon is surprisingly good and fresh. Downside: smokers. You will see many foreigners here. }} ==Drink== While drinking alcohol openly isn't strictly allowed, you'd never know and the outdoor beer cafes are some of the nicest places to spend a sunny afternoon; priced at 4-5 somani per beer, they are also some of the cheapest. You'll always be able to find "zakuskas" here, snacks to have alongside beer. Plaited smoked cheese, "kasichky" ("chechil") and small pieces of battered fish are popular, as is "kurut", hard salty balls of parmesan-like cheese. * {{drink | name=Best Bar City | alt= | url=https://bundestag-bar.business.site/ | email= | address=Shohtemur Street 22 | lat=38.57928 | long=68.78448 | directions=inside Hotel Tajikistan | phone=+992 90 124 8505 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=Cozy atmosphere. }} * {{drink | name=28 Monkeys | alt=Гастробар | url=https://www.instagram.com/gastrobar28 | email= | address=Bokhtar St | lat=38.57228 | long=68.78886 | directions= | phone=+992 00 000 2828 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=Gastropub with sausages and beer and things. }} *{{drink | name=Small Restaurants in front of the Opera | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at the small square in front of the Opera, just off from Rudaki | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=beer: TJS3 | content=There are about 6 small restaurants selling shashliks, beer and softdrinks in front of the opera. Pick a table in the shade and watch people walk by while sipping your cold beer. }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Greenhouse Hostel | alt= | url=https://www.greenhousedushanbe.com/ | email= | address=98a Khusravi Dehlavi Street | lat=38.56542 | long=68.81235 | directions= | phone=+992 88 008 2725 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout=| price=Dorm bed starting at $12 | lastedit= | content=Caters to bicycle travelers. Small courtyard. Differently priced simple dorms and individual rooms. }} * {{sleep | name=Dushanbe Hostel Latifa | alt=Rahmon Nabiyev Street, 2nd Passage, Nr. 23 | url= | email=admin@hostellatifa.com | address=Rahmon Nabiyev Street, 2nd Passage, Nr. 23 | lat=38.5454 | long=68.7499 | directions=from the centre, marshrutka 2 or 7 in direction to '1. Sovetskaya'. get off at 'Korea Avto'. Follow the waymarker on the 'Korea Avto' building. from the airport marshrutka 7. same direction. | phone=+992 887 08 10 77 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= US$6-7 | lastedit=2017-02-25 | content=Family-run hostel with 18 beds, free Wi-Fi and free breakfast. 10-20 min drive from the city centre. }} * {{sleep | name=Hostel Hello, Dushanbe! | alt= | url=http://hellodushanbe.com/ | email= | address=5 Proyezd Nisora Mukhammada 4/1 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+992 50 200 0005 | hours= | price=Dorm US$15 | content=Indoor pool and airport transfers. }} * {{sleep | name=Yellow hostel | alt= | url=http://yellow.tj/ | email= | address=Nisor Muhammad Street 16 | lat=38.56469 | long=68.8119 | directions= | phone=+992 93 988 0107 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Dorm 80 SM | lastedit=2019-08-17 | content=Just around the corner of the popular "Greenhouse Hostel" this place offers similar style dorms and comfort. }} === Mid-range === *{{sleep | name=Atlas B&B | alt=Гостиница Атлас| url= | email=atlas2005@list.ru | address=63, Mirzo Rizo (ул. Мирзо Ризо) | lat=38.56474 | long=68.81338 | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= | price=US$80 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Very good Tajik Guesthouse. }} * {{sleep | name=Almos hotel | alt= | url=http://almos.tj/ | email=info@almos.tj | address=6, Mirzo Rizo str (ул. Мирзо Ризо) | lat=38.56469 | long=68.80625 | directions= | phone=+992 93 8177272, +992 93 525 6666, +992 44 625 7373 | fax=+992 37 2272731 | price=Single/double from US$80/120 to 150 | lastedit=2014 | content=Sauna & swimming pool, billiards & table tennis, fitness saloon, massage services, conference-room, Wi-Fi, disco-bar with variety of beverages, transport services, dry cleaning and storing the luggage, Reservation and obtaining of tickets}} * {{sleep | name=Mercury Hotel | alt=Гостиница Меркурий | url= | email=info@hotel-mercury.tj | address=9, Lev Tolstoy Str (ул. Л. Толстого) | lat=38.59850 | long=68.78416 | directions=Near to the Botanical Garden | phone=+992 37 2244491, +992 44 6400666, +992 44 6400777, +992 918 888889, +992 918 882222 | tollfree= | fax=+992 37 2244137 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Standard single/double: US$70/90, suites US$100 | lastedit=2014 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Rohat | alt= | url=https://rohathotel.tj/ | email=info@rohathotel.tj | address=Rudaki ave. (Проспект Рудаки), 24 |lat=38.56747 | long=68.79460 | directions=across the road from the Opera & Ballet Theater | phone=+992 372 111 050 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=US$60 negotiable | lastedit=2017-03-18 | content=Central, across the road from the Opera & Ballet Theatre. 100 metres to Dushanbe main road: Rudai Av. &00 meters to Traditional Market (Green Market).Good mattresses; Kettle for tea or coffee in the room, free tea bags, coffee powder, bottles of mineral water and toiletries provided daily, safe box, aircon and good Wi-Fi, flat screen satellite TV all in your room; transfer from and to the airport; self-service substantial breakfast, discounts for long stays/off-season. Helpful English speaking staff. | image=https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0b/4a/57/83/rohat-hotel.jpg }} * {{sleep | name=Gulistan Tour Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=ul. Bukhoro (ул. Бухоро) 78 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+992 44 620-9191, +992 44 620-9393, +992 93 488-8004 | hours= | price=US$90-120 per room | content= | lastedit=2014 }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Sino | alt=Гостиница Сино | url= | email= | address=Shevchenko Street ( ул. Шевченко), 75-26 | lat=38.5674 | long=68.7836 | directions= | phone=+992 372 27 0092 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Single/double from US$92/115 | lastedit=2014 | content= }} === Splurge === * {{sleep | image=Dushanbe 2010 06 Hotel Hyatt.jpg | name=Hyatt Regency Dushanbe | alt=Хаятт Ридженси Душанбе| url=https://dushanbe.regency.hyatt.com/ | email=dushanbe.regency@hyatt.com | address=Prospekt Ismoili Somoni 26/1 |lat=38.5825 | long=68.7672 | directions=in City Park, near Lake Komsomol | phone=+992 43 377 1234 | fax=+992 48 702 1235 | hours= | price=From US$212 | checkin= | checkout= | content= A five-star hotel with 202 rooms and suites. Amenities: floor-to-ceiling windows, sitting area, heated bath floor, wireless internet and free access to pool and health club. Lounge for free continental breakfast and evening cocktails. | lastedit=2014 }} * {{sleep | name=Vefa Center Hotel | alt=Апарт Отель VEFA| url=http://vefacenter.tj/en/index.php | email=info@vefacenter.tj | address=Bokhtar str.(ул. Бохтар), 37/1|lat=38.5774 | long=68.7897 | directions= | phone=+992 47 4410702, +992 47 4410703, +992 48 7011505, +992 93 4441515 | fax= | price=Standard room US$180, Luxury apartments US$200, Family Cross-bedroom apartment US$220, Double lux US$240| content=24 rooms. Services: air-con; free in-room breakfast with menu; Cable and satellite TV; Free Wi-Fi, Underground Parking; Laundry; Transfer, rent a car; 24/7 presence of the staff, security and video surveillance 24 hours; daily room cleaning; medical care; mini bar. | lastedit=2014 }} * {{sleep | name=Istiqlol Hotel | alt=Гостиница Истиклол | url=http://www.istiqlol.tj/ | email=info@istiqlol.tj | address=12, Sportivnaya str (Улица Спортивная)|lat=38.5881 | long=68.7657 | directions= | phone=+992 44 6008150, +992 44 6008151, +992 37 2363888 | fax=+992 44 6008150 | price= Single/double from US$161/185 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Serena Hotel | alt=Отель Серена | url=https://www.serenahotels.com/serenadushanbe/default-en.html | email=Reservations.dsh@serena.com.tj | address=14 Rudaki Ave (Проспект Рудаки 14) | lat=38.56377 | long=68.79816 | directions=Next to National Museum | phone=+992 48 7014000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Deluxe US$230, Executive $280, Executive Suite $360 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Taj Palace | alt=Asia Grand Hotel, Гостиничный комплекс Тадж-Палас | url=http://taj-palace.tj | email=sipar-21@mail.tj | address=Mirzo Tursunzoda Street (Улица Турсунзаде) 21a,b |lat=38.57400 | long=68.79451 | directions=NE two blocks from Opera | phone=+992 48 7017171 | fax=+992 48 7011518 | price=Standard single/double US$120/150, Junior single/double US$150/180, Deluxe US$250. Breakfast US$6-7, lunch US$15-18 | content= }} * {{sleep | image=Dushanbe 2010 01 Hotel Tajikistan.jpg | name=Tajikistan Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=22, Shotemur Str. |lat=38.5790 | long=68.7846 | directions=City centre: 1 km | phone= | hours= | price=Sinhle/double from US$196/380 | content= }} ''' Others ''' * {{sleep | name=Komron | alt=Гостиница Комрон+П | url=http://www.hotelkomron.tj/ | email= | address=Karabaeva (1 проезд Н.Карабаева) 11, Apt 3 (кв.№3) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+992 37 233-1111, +992 93 506-9999 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Oriyo | alt= | url= | email= | address=ul. Karamova (ул. Карамова ),4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+992 37 224-2445, +992 37 224-2474| hours= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Avesto | alt=Гостиница Авесто | url= | email= | address=Ave. Rudaki (пр. Рудаки), 105 А | lat=38.58846 | long=68.78572 | directions= | phone=+992 37 2211280, +992 44 2215252 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | image=TJ-Dushanbe photo (3).JPG | name=Tadzhikmatlubot | alt= Таджикматлубот ** | url= | email= | address=Rudaki ave. (Проспект Рудаки) , 137 | lat=38.6012 | long=68.7859 | directions= | phone=+992 37 224-6487 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Guesthouse Comfort | alt=Гостевой дом Комфорт | url= | email=ghcomfort@mail.ru | address=59 Lva Tolstogo str. (Ул. Льва Толстого, ул. Хамза Хакимзаде) | lat=38.5974 | long=68.7847 | directions=near the Botanical Garden and the Hotel Mercury | phone=+992 37 2246904, +992 44 6012206, +992 918 654064, +992 918 621119 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=24-hour room service, breakfast, bar, dinner and conference halls, laundry, transportation, Wi-Fi, telephone services, copying, scanning, printing. }} ==Stay safe== In general, Dushanbe is safe but robberies and street crime do sometimes occur even in broad daylight although this is rare. The police force can sometimes seem a little ineffective. Avoid attracting police attention, as the law enforcement officials are primarily concerned with augmenting their small income. People tend to be private and conservative but with a little effort they can be incredibly welcoming and genuine. Many people complain about corrupt airport officials, who try to scam departing passengers. For further information and how to avoid problems google "Dushanbe airport scam". ==Stay healthy== Don't drink the water from the tap, nor use the water to brush your teeth, unless you're used to the tap water of the region. Always wash fresh produce, especially when bought from the local bazaar. Some melons, although they are incredibly fresh and sweet, can be irrigated and fertilized with manure, so sometimes washing them will not help. Commonly foreigners from developed countries will get sick at least once while in Tajikistan, but this can be delayed by avoiding unwashed/unpeeled fruits and vegetables (be especially wary of this in restaurants). ==Cope== ===Embassies=== * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China | url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zwjg_665342/2490_665344/2494_665352/t14471.shtml | address=No.143, Rudaki Street. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +992 93 5710666, +992 372 242188, +992 372 242007| email=chinaembassy@tajnet.com| hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany | url=http://www.duschanbe.diplo.de/ | email= | address=59/1 Ismoili Somoni Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+992 37 2212189, +992 43 3773000 | fax=+992 43 3773080, +992 43 3773081 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | alt= | url=http://www.rusemb.tj/ | email=embassy.dushanbe@yandex.ru | address=Abuali Ibn Sino (ул. Абуали ибн Сино) 29/31 | lat=38.5829 | long=68.7541 | directions=Ismoili Somoni Avenue off | phone=+992 37 2359827, +992 37 2357065, +992 37 2350906, +992 37 2362253, +992 37 2352733 | fax=+992 37 2358806 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Turkey}} {{listing | name=Turkey | alt= | url=http://dushanbe.emb.mfa.gov.tr/ | email=embassy.dushanbe@mfa.gov.tr | address=Rudaki ave. (Проспект Рудаки), 17/2 | lat=38.5648 | long=68.7956 | directions=South of Tajik National State University | phone=+992 48 7024108 | fax=+992 48 7024109 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United States}} {{listing | name=United States | alt= | url=https://tj.usembassy.gov/ | email=usembassydushanbe@state.gov | address=109-A, Ismoili Somoni Avenue (Zarafshon district) | lat=38.57936 | long=68.71214 | directions=West | phone=+992 37 2292000 | tollfree= | fax=+992 37 2292050, +992 37 2360430 | hours=M-F 08:00-17:00. Closed on U.S. and Tajik national holidays | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom | url=http://ukintajikistan.fco.gov.uk/en/ | email=dushanbe.reception@fco.gov.uk | address=65 Mirzo Tursunzoda Street |lat=38.58434 | long=68.79422 | directions=Two blocks north of the Children's Park | phone=+992 37 2242221 | fax=+992 37 2271726 | hours=M-F 09:00-17:00 | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Uzbekistan}}{{listing | name=Uzbekistan | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Take the small street off from Rudaki just next to hotel Avesto (Rudaki 105) and walk until the bend. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-12:00 | price=US$62 | content=Visas to Uzbekistan can be obtained here. You need to bring a passport size photo, a copy of your passport and your Tajik visa in addition to your passport. Some nationalities (including Finnish), need to bring an invitation. The visa is issued on the same day you submitted your application so that the processing takes, depending on how busy it is at the embassy, about an hour. The staff are neither friendly nor helpful. }} == Connect == Wi-Fi in Dushanbe is a rare thing. Shokoladnitsa (Шоколадница) and Çitir Usta both offer Wi-Fi vouchers if you eat in. Staff are friendly. Fancy places but the cheapest drinks are around 3-6 somoni. Download a good VPN before you arrive if you really need internet, the government is prone to blocking Google and social media access unpredictably. ==Go next== There are many drivers for hire who will take you to lakes and mountains nearby. Varzob River also has some vacation areas with raised platforms above the narrow river, which is quite refreshing on a hot day. Be aware that the drivers will most likely not speak English, so a working knowledge of Russian or Tajik is advisable, as are haggling skills. Iskander-Kul lake is popular with locals in the summertime and it's very much possible to reach it for free through hitchhiking and hiking. There is a waterfall. Often completely packed though. An alternative waterfall in the area is near Gusgarf village. It drops 32m into a pool, possible to swim (for the brave!) unlike in Iskander-Kul. Difficult to find, however. There is a shepherd's trail from Gusgarf village about 4km north. 1,000m ascent over rough scree. Follow the (sometimes invisible) trail to the top of the mountain (where it is possible to camp and make a fire), look down over the ridge and to the left, the waterfall is hidden behind the large bare rock. Turn left along the ridge and walk along until you see a trail leading down to the right; follow this over a ford until you reach a rocky barely-there stream flowing steeply downhill on the left, then follow this down to the waterfall. Or ask a shepherd for directions ("gdye vadapad?" should suffice). Difficult hike, wear good shoes. {{usablecity}} {{geo|38.536667|68.780000}} {{isPartOf|Karategin}} p88bi5a0e4u9zvyd38tznhek5wvtwe2 0 10393 4506511 4504269 2022-08-23T03:03:57Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Eastern Myanmar Fisherman at Inle Lake.jpg}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling and narcotics manufacturing are rampant in [[Northern Myanmar]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Myanmar or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs out of Myanmar, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Myanmar. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} '''Eastern Myanmar''' is a region in [[Myanmar]] comprising Shan and Kayah states. '''Shan State''' covers a quarter of Myanmar. The Tai (Shan) people constitute the majority among several ethnic groups that inhabit the area. Shan is largely rural, and is home to several armed ethnic armies. Vast areas of the state, especially those east of the Salween River, remain outside the central government's control. In some areas, the local ethnic army has signed peace agreements with the central government, and some of those areas are now open to tourists, though a guide may be required. '''Kayah State''' is a mountainous area inhabited primarily by the Karenni ethnic group, also known as Red Karen or Kayah, a Sino-Tibetan people. As in many other states in Myanmar that have ethnic minority populations, there are alleged human rights abuses by the Myanmar military junta and the armed forces. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q456847, Q652845}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Heho]]|wikidata=Q4497421}} - gateway to [[Inle Lake]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hsipaw]]|wikidata=Q2746181}} - town on the old [[Burma Road]] from [[Mandalay]] to [[Lashio]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kengtung]]|wikidata=Q1027111}} (''Cheingtung, Chiang Tung, Kengtong, Kyaingtong'') * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kyaukme]]|wikidata=Q6450764}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Loikaw]]|wikidata=Q1017971}} - the capital of Kayah State * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mong La]]|wikidata=}} - casino boomtown gone bust * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mu-se]]|wikidata=}} - border crossing to [[Ruili]] in [[Yunnan]], [[China]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tachileik]]|wikidata=Q1018494}} - border crossing to [[Mae Sai]] in [[Chiang Rai (province)|Chiang Rai]], [[Thailand]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taunggyi]]|wikidata=Q1075566}} - the capital of Shan State ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Inle Lake]]|wikidata=Q1043461}} ==Understand== The '''Shan people''' in Myanmar are the same as the Dai people in China's Yunnan Province. The Shan people are one of the largest minority groups in Myanmar. They have been fighting an on-and-off war with the central Burmese government for several decades. The central Burmese government has signed peace agreements with some factional groups, such as the Wa State, which allows these groups to have a high degree of autonomy, including maintaining separate armed forces. The political situation, however, remains relatively unstable. Many military checkpoints exist on few major roads that cross the mountainous Shan State. Each checkpoint marks the border between a territory (usually a Special District or a city) controlled by a different army. In July 2005, the central government official responsible for negotiating these peace agreements was imprisoned for corruption, possibly signalling a renewed attempt by the central government to crack down on the rebel Shan armies. The southern portion of this region is Kayah state. The Karenni people are the majority within this province similarly to Kayin state to its south and west. Refugees from this area also inhabit [[Mae Hong Son Province|Mae Hong Son]] province in Thailand. Similarly to Shan state and other Burmese frontier states, various Karenni groups, seeking independence for their homeland, have been in conflict with the central Burmese government. Since 2012, there has been ceasefire agreements between armed Karenni groups in the region and the central government. The Mekong River marks the border between the Shan State and Laos. This border region is generally known as the [[Golden Triangle (Thailand)|Golden Triangle]], though the actual Golden Triangle point is where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet on the Mekong River. The Golden Triangle region used to be one of the largest opium producing areas in the world. Opium production today is minimal. ==Talk== This are is linguistically very rich, with many languages spoken by the various ethnic groups. The Shan language is a Kra-Dai language related to Thai, though not mutually intelligible. Burmese serves as the lingua franca within the government-controlled areas, though it may not be spoken at all in some separatist-controlled regions. In the Wa State, [[Chinese phrasebook|Mandarin]] is widely spoken as a second language, in addition to the native Wa language, and hardly anyone speaks Burmese. ==Get in== === By plane=== '''Heho Airport''' ({{IATA|HEH}}) '''Loikaw Airport''' ({{IATA|LIW}}) - Loikaw airport is the only commercial airport in Kayah state and connects the state with Yangon. Myanmar National Airlines and Air KBZ operate a daily flight to this airport from Yangon. === By bus === Buses link cities in this region to each other and to the major Burmese centres of Yangon and Mandalay. === By car === This region is connected by highways to [[Central Myanmar]] and to Thailand through the [[Tachileik]]/[[Mae Sai]] border. === By train=== The major cities in this region are connected by local trains off the [[Yangon]]-[[Mandalay]] mainline. The connection with the mainline to this region is at [[Thazi|Thazi.]] Trains are, in general, slower than road travel in this region due to the age of the tracks. <br /> ==Get around== === By road === Car is the easiest way to travel in this region. Roads other than the highways in the rural parts of this region can be quite poor with many existing as unpaved dirt roads. During the monsoon season, these dirt roads wash out and become very difficult to drive. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for the remote and rural roads in this area. Motorbiking is also possible, but ensure adequate knowledge of conditions. There are military checkpoints along the highways and in remote regions, you may encounter checkpoints by ethnic organizations controlling those areas. The maps of this area are incomplete and mostly outline major highways. Tourists who wish to visit the Pa-O Self Administered Zone of Shan State are required to be accompanied by a local Pa-O guide, who can be hired in [[Taunggyi]]. Your hotel or tour company can usually arrange this for you. === By rail === Train travel between the major cities (e.g. [[Taunggyi|Taungyyi]], [[Loikaw|Loikaw)]] is possible on the local train line, albeit slow. However, smaller towns and furthest reaches of this region will not be connected by the sparse rail network in this region. ==See== The daily market in the regional administrative city of [[Kengtung]] is a sprawling complex with a wide variety of goods, including tourist souvenirs, although they do not get many tourists. Instead the market is full of local residents and hill tribe people dressed in their colourful traditional clothing, and Buddhist monks and nuns with their begging bowls. A visit can easily consume half a day of people watching, shopping and bargaining. This market is much more interesting than the border market in [[Tachileik]], where hawkers harass tourists to buy soft porn and cigarettes. A subgroup of the local Kayan people, the Padaung, are famous for the neck coils worn by some women. These so-called "giraffe women" have become a popular, if arguably exploitative, tourist attraction in the Shan State, bringing in much-needed revenue. ==Do== ==Eat== Try the traditional foods of this area which include: * Shan noodles - noodles in a sauce formed with a variety of different spices, chilies, and peanuts * Hin Htote - rice flour and meat steamed in a banana leaf * Kayah sausage - a pork sausage Common dishes in this region also include Burmese staples like Mohinga (fish soup), Burmese curries, and a variety of stir fries influenced by Chinese cuisine. ==Drink== Local liquors in the region are of the moonshine variety made from fermented palm sugar or grains. You may be able to see people selling their homemade liquor in what appears to be gasoline containers in smaller towns. If you're adventurous, ask for a taste before buying. Otherwise, Burmese beer (e.g. Myanmar, Dagon) is the drink of choice. ==Stay safe== The area is generally safe for foreigners, but traveling to remote areas in this region without a local guide may bring up the attention of a variety of groups. Exploring off the beaten path without a guide is not recommended as areas can be heavily mined with landmines due to the conflict between the area's minority groups and the central Burmese government. Roads in this area can be poor and mostly are not lit, so caution is recommended if walking or traveling by motor vehicle. Malaria prophylaxis in this region is highly recommended. The Thai-Burmese border is endemic for drug-resistant malaria. Make sure your malaria prophylaxis is suitable to protect against this. ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Myanmar}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|21.65|97.70|zoom=7}} 3f7wr7grtpr3defbmbh7wf3ovfhrgl6 0 10884 4506390 4505846 2022-08-22T19:19:57Z 190.120.29.105 /* Bitcoin */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|El Salvador banner 2.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|For updates, see [https://covid19.gob.sv/ the government's COVID-19 page].|lastedit=2021-10-13}} '''[https://elsalvador.travel/en/ El Salvador]''' is a country in [[Central America]]. Located halfway between [[Guatemala]], to the northwest, and [[Honduras]], to the northeast, the country has many natural riches, such as beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast, majestic forests in the mountains and striking volcanoes. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap=El Salvador Regions map.png | regionmapsize=400px | region1name=[[Western El Salvador]] | region1color=#71B37B | region1description= | region2name=[[Eastern El Salvador]] | region2color=#72AACF | region2description= }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Western El Salvador]]|wikidata=Q14925057}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#72AACF|title=[[Eastern El Salvador]]|wikidata=Q14214532}} ==Cities== [[Image:Sanandrezpyramid.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A Mayan pyramid at the San Andres Archeological Site]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[San Salvador]]|wikidata=Q3110}} - national capital; San Salvador department * {{marker|type=city|name=[[La Libertad]]|wikidata=Q2631462}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[San Francisco Gotera]]|wikidata=Q969396}} , Morazán department * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Santa Ana (El Salvador)|Santa Ana]]|wikidata=Q739664}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]]|wikidata=Q672458}} , San Miguel department * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Santa Tecla]]|wikidata=Q723246}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Suchitoto]]|wikidata=Q2779509}} ==Other destinations== *{{marker|name=[[El Pital]]|wikidata=Q74214}} (highest mountain in El Salvador) and its rural life. *{{marker|name=[[Parque Nacional Cerro Verde]]|wikidata=}} (also known as Parque Nacional Los Volcanes) *{{marker|name=[[Parque Nacional El Imposible]]|wikidata=}} *{{marker|name=[[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]]|wikidata=Q672458}} beaches - [[Playa Las Flores]], [[Playa El Esteron]], [[Intipuca Beach]] and El Cuco ==Understand== Although El Salvador only covers an area of about 21,040 km² (the smallest country in Central America), it is the most densely populated. El Salvador is home to more than 6,500,000 people. It is divided into 14 sections called Departamentos. It has 25 volcanoes, 14 lakes, and four large cities and is divided in to East, Central and West with the capital [[San Salvador]] in the central region, [[Santa Ana (El Salvador)|Santa Ana]] in the west, and [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]], the largest city in the east. ===History=== ====Pre-Columbian to early independence==== The civilization of El Salvador dates from the pre-Columbian time, around 1500 B.C., according to evidence provided by the ancient structures of Tazumal in Chalchuapa. {{quickbar| location=LocationElSalvador.png}} The Spanish Admiral Andrés Niño led an expedition to Central America and disembarked on the Island Meanguera, located in the Gulf of Fonseca, on May 31st, 1522. This was the first Salvadoran territory visited by the Spaniards. In June 1524, Spanish Captain Pedro de Alvarado began a predatory war against the native tribes of Cuzcatlán. During 17 days of bloody battles many natives and Spaniards died. Pedro de Alvarado was defeated and, with an injury to his left hip, abandoned the fight and fled to Guatemala, appointing his brother, Gonzalo de Alvarado, to continue with the conquest of Cuzcatlán. Later, his cousin Diego de Alvarado established the Villa of San Salvador in April 1525. King Carlos I of Spain (who also ruled in what is now Germany as Karl V) granted San Salvador the title of City in the year 1546. During the following years, El Salvador developed under Spanish rule. Towards the end of 1810, the ''criollos'' (European descendant people born in the Spanish colonies) who had long been excluded from most real power in the colonies, wanted to overthrow the tiny elite of ''peninsulares'' (people born in mainland Spain) and the colonial administration. The moment to fight for independence from Spain arrived at dawn on November 5th, 1811, when the Salvadoran priest, Jose Matías Delgado, sounded the bells of the Iglesia La Merced in San Salvador, making a call for insurrection. As with most former Spanish colonies, independence was made likelier by the fact that Spain was occupied by Napoleonic troops and the colonial administration was unsure whether they should be loyal to the former king or the new king of Napoleon's choosing. After many internal fights and setbacks that made independence seem unlikely, the Acta de Independencia (Act of Independence) of Central America was signed in Guatemala on September 15th, 1821. Like the other four Central American states that gained independence that day, El Salvador joined the short lived United Provinces of Central America, the closest those five countries have ever come to a meaningful form of political unity since. While independence brought more political participation (at least in theory) to the (white) land-holding elites and urban middle class, the indigenous population didn't benefit at all and in fact continued to be disenfranchised and dispossessed even more. By 1900 over 90% of the land was in the hand of just 0.01% of the population, a situation that would prove to threaten the country's political stability for much of the time to come. ====20th and 21st centuries==== [[File:El Mirador - Nuevo Gualcho, El Salvador.jpg|thumb|View in Nuevo Gualcho]] The fraudulent elections of January 1932 were the detonating factor of the social outbreak. Several voting sites were suspended in populations in which the Communist Party had a strong presence. A new insurrection began. After two frustrated assaults on the Cuartel de Caballería (Cavalry Quarters) were conducted by the rebel forces, the government ordered martial law. Strict censorship of the press was implemented. In the following days thousands of farmers and workers, carrying machetes and some few "Mauser" rifles attacked police stations, municipal offices, telegraph stations, warehouses, and wealthy landowners' properties. This insurrection was crushed. On January 31st, Manuel Antonio Castañeda sentenced Farabundo Martí to death. He was shot and killed on February 1st, 1932. Another sad consequence of the uprising and its suppression was "la Matanza", a mass slaughter of indigenous people (many of them sympathetic towards Martí but many of them not) simply for being indigenous, looking indigenous, wearing clothes deemed to be indigenous or speaking indigenous languages. While not all indigenous people were actually killed, it dealt a huge blow to indigenous culture and even today less than 1% of Salvadorans self-identify as indigenous, the lowest number in all of Central America. While this is in part due to fear of being discriminated against or stereotyped when identifying as indigenous, there are some people of indigenous descent that have lost all ties to the culture of their ancestors and don't self identify as indigenous because of that. Over the next decades, many coups d'états followed, including the one that overthrew General Maximiliano Hernández Martínez. Relations with Honduras deteriorated in the late 1960s. There was a border clash in 1967, and a four-day so-called ''guerra de futbol'' (Soccer War), as it was named by the international mass media, broke out in July 1969 after a FIFA world cup qualification match between the two countries. The war ended with a cease-fire prompted by pressure from the United States and the Organization of American States. The Salvadoran forces that had invaded Honduras were withdrawn. They were just a few kilometers outside [[Tegucigalpa]], Honduras' capital. A movement of organized leftist guerrillas sprang up in 1974 and 1975, amid increasing political violence. In 1980, three of the leftist organizations united to coordinate a fight against the government. This movement was called FMLN (Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional. English: Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front). In March of the same year Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador, was assassinated while he was celebrating Mass. It is widely believed that the order for his execution came from Major Roberto D'Abuisson, the founder and leader of ARENA, a right-wing party. D'Abuisson is best known for his suspected involvement in death squad murders. He died of cancer in 1992. On January 16th, 1992, the government of El Salvador and the FMLN signed Los Acuerdos de Paz (Peace Accords) in Chapultepec, Mexico, putting an end to one of the most painful chapters in the history of El Salvador. The 12 years of armed conflict claimed the lives of over 75,000 people and caused the exodus of hundreds of thousands more who fled to the United States, Canada, and other countries to escape the violence. The FMLN has become a legal political party and won 30-40% of the vote in elections from 1997 to 2015, but won less than a quarter of the vote in 2018. Apart from economic woes a big problem the country still faces is also somewhat of a legacy of the war as some people who left El Salvador ended up in American jails and upon release were deported to El Salvador bringing with them US-style gang culture. As many of these people were very young when they left El Salvador more or less their only source of identity was gang culture, and thus combating these extremely violent groups has proven to be extremely difficult. Today, El Salvador is stable and with a growing economy, leaving behind its painful history. ===Climate=== El Salvador has a tropical climate with a rainy season from May to October and a dry season the rest of the year. Temperatures vary with altitude, and are usually stable throughout the year. The Pacific coast tends to have warm temperatures, while the mountainous areas are cooler. As a country located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, El Salvador is vulnerable to hurricanes. ===Holidays=== {| class="wikitable" ! Date !! English Name !! Spanish Name !! Remarks |- | March/April || Easter || Semana Santa || Celebrated with carnival-like events in different cities by the large Catholic population |- | May 1 || Labor Day || Día del Trabajo || International Labor Day |- | May 10 || Mother's Day || Día de la Madre || . |- | August 1-7 || August Carnival || Fiestas Agostinas || Week long festival in celebration of El Salvador del Mundo, patron saint of El Salvador. |- | September 15 || Independence Day || Día de independencia || Celebrates independence from Spain, achieved in 1821AD |- | October 12 || Columbus Day || Día de la Raza || This day commemorates the arrival of Europeans in the Americas |- | November 2 || Day of the Dead || Día de los Difuntos || A day on which people usually visit the graves of deceased loved ones. |- | Final week of November || San Miguel's Carnival || Carnaval de San Miguel || Week long carnival in [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] |- | December 25 || Christmas Day || Navidad || Salvadorans stay up on December 24th until midnight to welcome Christmas with a huge "arsenal" of firecrackers |- | December 31 || New Year's || Año nuevo || Salvadorans stay up on December 31st until midnight to welcome the New Year the same way as Christmas (You can hear the deafening sound of the firecrackers on both days all over the country). |} ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of El Salvador.svg|thumb|450px|Citizens of countries marked in green enjoy visa-free travel to El Salvador]] ===Visas=== Immigration requires that visitors entering El Salvador have their passport and one of the following documents: visa or tourist card. Visas are issued by the Consulate of El Salvador accredited in the countries where these type of diplomatic missions exist; and the tourist card is generally issued for 90 days and can be purchased for US$10 at the port of entry. [https://rree.gob.sv/visas/] {{dead link|June 2020|December 2020}} Passports of certain countries might need to obtain a visa before entering El Salvador such as Malaysia. Visa for U.S. citizens is free. Some countries pay a fee for the issuance of the visa. ===By plane=== Visitors traveling by plane usually arrive at El Salvador International Airport in Comalapa ({{IATA|SAL}}), located 50 km or a 45 minutes' drive south of the capital city. A US$32 departure tax must be paid upon departure. Depending on the airline, the full amount or part of the tax may already be included in the price of your ticket. Airlines that fly into El Salvador include: * '''[http://www.avianca.com Avianca]''' has been the national airline of El Salvador since its merger with Taca. They have a monopoly and high ticket prices, especially for travel within Central America. Shop around for deals. * '''Aeromexico Connect''' ([[Mexico City Benito Juarez Airport]]). * '''American Airlines''' ([[Miami Airport]] and [[Dallas Fort Worth Airport]]) * '''Copa Airlines''' ([[Panamá City Tocumen Airport]]) * '''Delta''' ([[Atlanta Airport]]) * '''Iberia''' ([[Madrid Barajas]]) * '''Spirit Airlines''' (from [[Fort Lauderdale]]) * '''United''' ([[Houston Intercontinental Airport]] and [[Newark Liberty Airport]]) ===By car=== The Pan-American highway travels through El Salvador and is a safe route for entering the country and travelling between [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] in the East and San Salvador in the West ===By bus=== The following bus companies offer luxury (and safer) bus travel between El Salvador and other Central American destinations: *{{listing | name=Pullmantur | alt= | url=http://www.pullmantur.com | email= | address=Sheraton Presidente San Salvador @ Ave De La Revolucion, Col. San Beneito | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+503 2526-9900| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=They serve San Salvador, Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Managua and San Jose. }} *{{listing | name=Trans Galgos Inter | alt= | url=http://transgalgosintergt.com/ | email= | address=7a Avenida 19-44 Zona 1, Guatemala City | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+502 2331-4279 or +502 2361-1773 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=departs 13:00 | price= | content=Once daily departures to Tapachula via Retaluleau and Coatepeque (up to $43 one way) on one route and to Guatemala City ($13 one way) on another. Passengers transfer in Guatemala City to get to Quetzaltenango/Xela. }} *{{see | name=Platinum Centroamerica | alt=King Quality | url=http://platinumcentroamerica.com/en/ | email= | address=(Centro) 19 Avenida Norte y 3era. Calle Poniente; (San Benito) Boulevard del Hipódromo, Pasaje 1, Local 415, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+503 2281-1996, +503 2241-8704, +503 2241-8787 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=They serve San Salvador, Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Managua and San Jose. }} *{{listing | name=Comfort Lines | alt= | url=http://www.comfortpremium.com | email= | address=(San Benito) Boulevard del Hipódromo Pasaje No. 1, 415; (Centro) 19 Ave. Norte y 3ra. Calle Poniente Esquina (ex Shell gas station) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+503 22418713, +503 2281-1996 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$25 one way or $50 return | content=Only between Guatemala City and San Salvador. }} *{{listing | name=Ticabus | alt=Transportes Internationales Centromaericanos | url=http://www.ticabus.com/eng | email= | address=(San Benito) Boulevard del Hipódromo Local 301; (Hotel San Carlos) Calle Conception 121 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+503 2243-1188 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The next stops from San Salvador are in Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa and Managua. They travel to the major cities in all countries in Central America except Belize. }} *{{listing | name=Transportes del Sol | alt= | url=http://www.busesdelsol.com/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Av La Revolución No 159-A, San Benito | phone=+503 2133-7800 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Arsotur | alt= | url= | email=arsotur@yahoo.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+502 5705 6393 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-07-17 | content=Direct shuttle service from Antigua, Guatemala to El Roble Hostal, Playa San Diego and other beaches of El Salvador. }} ==Get around== [[Image:Oficebuildings.jpg|thumb|250px|Office high-rise buildings in [[San Salvador]]]] If driving, rental car agencies include Alamo and Hertz. Buses and taxis also provide good ways of getting around. Distances between sights make walking an unpopular option, as does the street layout in the city; San Salvador is not a square city, but has long avenues that are straight and streets that aren't. That said, in some areas walking is a great option, such as in Zona Rosa. El Salvador now has a well developed GPS navigation system called [http://www.elsalvadorgps.com/ QFind] that can help you move around either in urban or rural areas. This is a fully functional system with thousands of points of interest and turn by turn routing to your destination. Another option for luxury transportation is [http://www.lineaejecutiva.com.sv Linea Ejecutiva], they bring private transfer. If you want, you can contact the Bureau of Conventions of El Salvador to visit the country. ===By train=== All rail transport in El Salvador was suspended in October 2002. In 2006 a pilot scheme for reviving the rail network commenced and in 2007 a service between [[San Salvador]] and Apopa was restarted with two return trips each morning and evening aimed at commuter traffic. Whilst this will be of little use to travellers, it may be a sign of a future reopening of more of the extensive rail network. ===By bus=== Numerous buses traverse the highways of the country. Domestic bus services are typically very cheap (not more than $2-3 for even the longest rides) and difficult to understand except they are consistently numbered. Single and double digit numbers designate local, in-town routes while buses numbered in the triple digits travel between cities and towns. The buses themselves are often very well painted and adorned with all kinds of posters and trinkets, ranging from the religious to the pop-culture. As chaotic as it may seem they do run consistently and frequently. Longer bus rides may include a stop in some town where plenty of ''mujeres'', and sometimes their children, too, will board hawking mangos, nuts, water, and even sometimes fried chicken in a box. There is no central agency that coordinates bus routes and schedules except to see [http://horariodebuses.com/EN/sv/ HorarioDeBuses.com] to get an idea as to which bus to take get there and from where. The site also includes a map showing where the bus stations are at. It is best to just ask the ''cobrador'' or anyone at the bus station where the bus is going and when. Most are very friendly and helpful, but do watch out for scams on the buses '''Microbuses''' are an inexpensive way to get around, but they are often very crowded, and it is very easy to be robbed. ==Talk== The official language in El Salvador is Spanish, however a large population does speak English. Around 1% of people speak [[Izalco phrasebook|Izalco]] or Nahuat, the Pipil language. ==See== [[Image:Volcan de san miguel.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Chaparrastique, [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] - One of the most active volcanoes in El Salvador]] The countryside of El Salvador is breathtaking, with volcanoes and mountains offering "green" adventurers exactly what they are looking for. Many of environmentally-oriented community-based organizations promote eco-tourism, and there are a number of beautiful and secluded beaches and forests scattered throughout the country. A well-maintained and practically deserted national park is found in the west at Bosque El Imposible. Additionally, there is Montecristo Cloud Forest, and a quaint fishing village with incredible local hospitality and remote coconut islands in La Isla de Méndez. Isla de Olomega in the department of [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] is an excellent eco-tourism destination, as are the beautiful Isla El Cajete in [[Sonsonate]], Isla San Sebastian, Conchagua, Conchaguita, Isla Conejo, Isla Teopan, and Isla Meanguera. One should also visit the colonial towns of [[Apaneca]], [[Juayua]], [[Panchimalco]], and [[Suchitoto]] as well as the Mayan sites of San Andrés, Joya de Cerén (the Pompeii of Central America and an UNESCO World Heritage Site), and Tazumal, whose main pyramid rises some 33 m (75 feet) into the air. The on-site museum showcases artifacts from the Pipil culture (the builders of Tazumal), and paintings that illustrate life in pre-Hispanic El Salvador. Souvenir hunters will find some of the best artisans in San Juan el Espino and in La Palma (the artisan capital of El Salvador). The capital, San Salvador, is a cosmopolitan city with good restaurants highlighting the country’s fresh seafood, and plenty of shopping, entertainment and nightlife. [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] in the East offers tourists a more authentic way to see El Salvador by getting off the beaten track to see its countryside, coastline and lakes ==Do== *'''Surfing''' El Salvador is gaining a reputation for having some of the best surfing in the world. Tourists from all over Central America are discovering the surfing meccas of La Libertad (near San Salvador), El Sunzal, El Zonte (Bitcoin Beach) and El Cuco (near [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] ), transforming El Salvador into the fastest growing surf tourism hot-spot in Central America. *'''Stand-up paddleboarding''' at the famous [[Intipuca Beach]] *'''Water skiing, tubing, wake boarding, para sailing, jet skiing''' in [[Playa El Esteron]], one of the most beautiful beaches in El Salvador *'''Windsurfing, swimming, jet skiing''' at Coatepeque Lake near [[Santa Ana (El Salvador)|Santa Ana]] *'''Volcano hiking''': Santa Ana volcano, Chaparrastique, Izalco, El Boqueron, and El Impossible are among the most famous ones *'''Nature hikes and lake tours''' to Isla de Olomega on [[Lake Olomega]] *'''Waterfalls and hot springs''' *'''Drink!'' - stay up all night long in Zona Rosa ==Buy== ===Money=== {{Template:exchange rate US}} [[File:USDnotesNew.png|right|thumb|US$100, US$50, US$20, US$10, US$5, US$2 and US$1 bills]] El Salvador's official currencies are the '''U.S. dollar''', denoted by the symbol "'''$'''" (ISO currency code: '''USD''') and '''Bitcoin'''. Carry only $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills. Most stores, supermarkets and department stores won't accept $50 or $100 bills. If you need to exchange to lower denominations, you can go to any bank. If you have money from other Central American countries on you the banks of those countries are usually your best bet, as they almost always exchange their own currency for dollars at pretty decent rates. You can also get dollars in many ATMs in countries such as Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Large bills ($50 & $100) are almost unspendable. Get change wherever you can -- gas stations are always a good bet. A good idea is to visit a bank and ask for small bills and nothing larger than a $20. ==== Bitcoin ==== [[File:Personas Cajero Bitcoin El Salvador.jpg|right|thumb|Salvadorans using a Bitcoin ATM.]] Bitcoin has been accepted as a legal tender in El Salvador since September 2021. Most Salvadorans use the Chivo Wallet created by the government. <!-- Is this relevant to travellers? It is not well explained: By default, Lightning is not activated on the personal versions and the POS computer. To pay with Lightning, the seller must manually select this option in the settings. --> Bitcoin ATMs ("cajeros") are available across the country, and especially at the airport. Most Bitcoin ATMs are provided by Chivo. You can see the map of Chivo ATMs [https://chivowallet.com/ on the official website]. Foreigners will not be able to install Chivo app, but we can pay to Chivo users if they show us the Lightning or Bitcoin QR. In practice, as of August 2022, Bitcoin's adoption is not widespread. It is accepted in most shops in beach towns in [[La Libertad]] (mainly El Tunco and El Zonte, also known as "Bitcoin Beach"). Outside La Libertad and San Salvador, Bitcoin is rarely accepted. Some places that accept Bitcoin include: * Immigration card to be paid at the custom's cashier right after disembarking. * McDonald's, Starbucks, Wendy's accept Lightning, but not L1 (aka normal Bitcoin on-chain transfers). * KFC only accept Chivo and will not accept either L1 or Lightning. Since foreigners are not able to signup for Chivo, you will likely need to use a hot wallet with Lightning Network support for quick payments. One can use [https://bluewallet.io/ BlueWallet app] to make payment through Lightning Network, and [https://fixedfloat.com/ FixedFloat] to move Bitcoins into Lightning. ===Costs=== Expect to pay $30-60 for a room in a hotel, $3-5 for a simple meal, $0.25-0.35 to ride a San Salvador city bus, $1/hour to use the Internet, and $0.25 for a bag of sliced mangos. Take note of the prices that street vendors sell their products because at times some of them will take advantage of people that look or sound foreign by raising their prices dramatically (for example, most fruits and vegetables will cost $0.25-0.50, if they believe that you are from the first world (white and have a ''funny'' accent), they will charge you $1). ===Shopping=== El Salvador has the largest malls in the region (MetroCentro - MetroSur), especially in [[San Salvador]], with many upmarket international stores. Goods can also be purchased from markets, including national and international supermarkets. San Salvador has a number of large modern shopping malls stocking the latest in international fashion, accessories and cuisine. These are generally found in the city's upscale suburbs such as Escalón, Santa Elena, and their surroundings. These malls include: * Multiplaza [http://www.multiplazamall.com/] * La Gran Vía [http://www.lagranvia.com.sv/] * Galerías [http://www.galerias.com.sv/] * Plaza Merliot [http://www.plazamerliot.com.sv/] For those shoppers interested in purchasing fairly traded crafts and organically grown produce, a local alternative market is held every other Saturday in the San José park in the San Luis area just west of the National University. El Salvador has an ''electronics and luxury'' tax, meaning that electronic devices and high-end products have prices increased from 30-75 percent depending on the demand. (A $300 electronic product will cost $450-500.) ==Eat== [[Image:Pupusas.jpg|thumb|Traditional Salvadoran dish, The Pupusa]] The restaurant scene in El Salvador is influenced by many different cultures. Food options include Italian, Korean, Japanese, French, Chilean, American, Peruvian, Mexican, Spanish, Middle Eastern, German, Chinese, Argentinian and others. You can also easily find American fast food chains such as Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, Subway, Quiznos, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's, and Domino's, in the largest cities in the country such as San Salvador, Merliot/Santa Tecla, and Santa Ana. Other franchises include Tony Romas', Bennigans and others. Some of the best restaurants are located in Zona Rosa. The typical Salvadoran diet includes lots of rice and beans, seafood (particularly among those who live on the coast), and the most common Salvadoran dish, the famous '''Pupusa''', a round corn tortilla filled with cheese and other elements, usually chicharon (shredded pork meat). It's widely agreed that the best pupusas in the country can be bought in Olocuilta, which you can get to along the highway on the way to the Comalapa airport. You will find more than 50 pupusa stands there, competing for business. Also Salvadorans eat fried sliced plantains (platanos) usually with beans, sour cream, cheese and sometimes eggs, yuca con chicharron, pastelitos de carne, panes con pavo (turkey sandwiches), hand made tortillas among other very delicious Salvadoran foods. If you are staying on the coast, make sure you try the cóctel de conchas. It is a mix of black clams, lime juice, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and chiles in a spicy black sauce. You can find them for about $3/bowl, using freshly harvested clams. A wide range of other seafood dishes can also be found. Many large modern supermarkets are scattered throughout the capital and in large towns, such as La Despensa de Don Juan and Super Selectos, which sell local produce and a large variety of international products. Like anywhere else in the world, these are a cheaper alternative to eating out every night. ==Drink== === Typical beverages and fruits === Try the most delicious ''Horchata'' (made from rice and "morro" seeds) and ''Cebada'' (a smooth and sweet pink barley refreshment). If you prefer (at your own risk) to drink natural juices, such as: guava, ''jocote'', ''arrayan'', ''chirimoya'', ''granadilla de "moco"'' and marañon. Furthermore, you should try to savour the local fruit, as: '''jocotes, marañon japones, green mango''' (with salt, lime, ''alhuaiste'' (ground pumpkin seed), ''manzana pedorra'' (orig.from Los Planes de Renderos), '''"nance", "red or yellow almendras"''' salvadorenias, '''"hicaco", "paterna"''' (also try the cooked paterna seed with lime and hot pepper, and don't miss the suave and liquory aroma of '''"carao"'''. === Clubs === <!--Information on the country's bars and nightlife. As with most other country information, this as general as possible and save the actual bar or nightclub listings for the city articles where they are. You can and should mention cities or regions with especially good nightlife, or interesting musical traditions. Also give an idea of bar and club etiquette.--> In San Salvador, The trendiest night spot to visit is called La Zona Rosa. Although it doesn't cover a large area, it is home to many exclusive, upscale bars and nightclubs, and the best restaurants in town. A famous spot to go is a mall named Multiplaza, where it has several clubs and bars. There's also Paseo del Carmen. In [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] the famous Av. Roosevelt that hosts one of the biggest festivals in Central America in November is where you will find numerous bars and clubs for sexy nightlife. ==Sleep== [[San Miguel (El Salvador)|San Miguel]] has high end hotels on Av. Roosevelt by the Metrocentro mall and budget hotels near the bus terminal <!-- Provide a general overview of accommodation options in the country. Do not list individual businesses, which belong in city articles. --> ==Work== Finding employment in El Salvador is difficult for both Salvadorans and ''extranjeros'' (foreigners) alike, although bilingual schools are constantly looking for English speakers, as well as other foreign language teachers. Bilingual schools offer competitive salaries for foreign teachers. For current vacancies see the schools websites (above). Most foreigners find themselves volunteering with one of a number of local community organizations or NGOs. The Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad [http://www.cis-elsalvador.org] is often looking to hire bilingual project managers and liaisons, and offers both Spanish classes and numerous volunteer and cultural opportunities. The growth of the call center sector has raised the bar in the need for a bi-lingual workforce. ==Stay safe== [[File:Atardecer de San Salvador desde Los Planes de Renderos.jpg|thumb|Night view of [[San Salvador]]]] El Salvador has a bad reputation due to the civil war of the 80s. The Consular sheet from the US State Department indicates that '''El Salvador has one of the highest homicide rates in the world'''. Crime is an issue, and most of it is attributed to street gangs, though statistics from official sources do not support that claim. You must use common sense and avoid entering into a zone that does not appear safe, just like you do in any country of the world. Avoid carrying fancy items such as jewelry, expensive cameras, and watches if you are walking on the public streets. Women should avoid traveling alone as they may catch the occasional cat-calling and perhaps get felt up on tightly packed buses. As a foreigner the kind of response you might get from the police is "hit or miss." If you have been pick-pocketed or otherwise robbed without harm to your person, a visit to the police station will almost certainly be an exercise in frustration. Police officers have also been known to harass or to be inappropriate to female travelers. Many Salvadorans are armed, and shootouts are not uncommon. Foreigners, however, may not carry guns even for their own protection without first obtaining firearms licenses from the Salvadoran government. Extortion tactics have included indiscriminate grenade attacks on buses, businesses and restaurants, resulting in the death or injury of dozens of people, including children. These types of attacks are unpredictable and the U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to remain alert to their surroundings and to minimize risk to themselves. It is a good idea for anyone visiting El Salvador to keep only necessary forms of identification, such as a driver's license, when exploring the city or tourist locales. If you must keep your passport on you at all times, a traveller's pouch would allow you to have it safely with you. Police officers routinely ask tourists to present their passports; most can be convinced that a copy of the passport and another form of identification is sufficient. Others will insist on accompanying back to your hotel to retrieve your actual document. Most tourists prefer to stay within the safe areas of El Salvador such as La Zona Rosa where there is relatively no crime. In case you are not staying at one of the country's 5-star hotels, remember to ask if the city or town you are visiting has a high level of gang activity. In 1996 San Salvador was considered the second most dangerous city in the Western Hemisphere, according to statistics. Since the end of the civil war in 1992 El Salvador has not seen a reduction in crime rates. Today San Salvador, and El Salvador in general, experience some of the highest homicide rates in the world, and it is also considered an epicenter of the gang crisis, along with [[Guatemala]] and [[Honduras]]. The homicides reported in 2006 reached 3,906, and in 2005 3,779 were reported; 57.2 violent deaths per every 100,000 people. Crime rates in general have been steadily growing throughout the years, and from 2005-2006 alone crime rose 7.5%. El Salvador is the most dangerous and violent country in Central America. The government tried controlling the gangs with a tactic called "Super Mano Dura" which means "Super Strong Hand", however it has not been successful and crime rates have continued to rise. ==Stay healthy== If you are not accustomed to food sold by street vendors, you might want to stay away from food sold on the streets until you acclimatize. If you want to try a '''pupusa''', you should try to find a restaurant to taste this popular dish rather than buying them from street vendors. Street food that you see cooked can sometimes be safer than restaurant food that you do not see cooked. 'Agua en bolsa' (water in a plastic bag) is very commonly sold in the streets and corner stores of El Salvador. Don't drink '''[[tap water]]'''. Pharmacies are easily found all over the country. Be sure to have a first-aid kit if you travel to the countryside and to archaeological sites. Mosquito repellent comes in handy. ==Respect== Salvadorans are known for their great hospitality. They are among the nicest people in the world. They are friendly, industrious people always willing to help anyone. That is what has earned El Salvador the nickname of "the country with a smile". When speaking with people you don't know, it is customary to address them in a formal manner, using ''señor'', ''señora'' and/or ''usted''. ==Connect== The international country code for El Salvador is '''503'''. {{geo|13.667|-89.1667|zoom=9}} {{isPartOf|Central America}} {{outlinecountry}} 4cis7ay8ob9i7xwx6dphmcepbjurasa 0 11234 4506796 4489591 2022-08-23T11:24:03Z Vidimian 1815 /* Upcoming events */ attach the facts to each other wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Events Banner.jpg}} Many cities have regular big cultural and sporting events, which draw tens of thousands of participants and lock up accommodation and transport; but it’s generally just for a day or so. Those listed here are really ''really'' big events, which may draw millions, locking up not just the city but much of the country over an extended period. If you aim to be there, especially as an independent traveller, you must plan over a year in advance. If you’re not interested in the event itself, come another time, perhaps a few months later when the place has returned to normal but all the new infrastructure and amenities are there for you. What you can't do is dabble, going to the area thinking you might sort-of drop in on the event, as mega-crowds will be ahead of you. == Upcoming events == [[File:2024 Summer Olympics text logo.png | thumb | 300px | Paris Olympics of 2024: it's not too soon to plan ]] * '''21 Nov – 18 Dec 2022:''' FIFA World Cup Finals, [[Qatar]]. This is the top soccer tournament for men’s national teams, with 32 nations participating. Qatar automatically qualify as hosts, and the English-speaking nations among the other 31 are England, Wales, United States, Canada and Australia. Four match venues are in [[Doha]] the main city, and the others are [[Al Wakrah]], [[Al Rayyan]], [[Lusail]] and [[Al Khor]] - this is the furthest out yet only 50 km north of Doha city. This means that teams and fans can base in Doha throughout, so it will be packed, but there won't be the travelling armies usually seen at these tournaments. (The 2026 Finals are in USA, Canada and Mexico, and expand to 48 nations.) * '''23 June - 23 July 2023:''' FIFA Africa Cup of Nations, [[Côte d'Ivoire]]. This soccer tournament doesn't draw the size of crowds seen in Europe, but they're sure to overwhelm the host country's limited accommodation, transport and other facilities. 24 national teams will participate, and the venues are expected to include [[Abidjan]] (which has the old and the new national stadiums), San-Pédro, [[Yamoussoukro]], [[Bouaké]] and [[Korhogo]]. * '''26 June - 1 July 2023''' (1444 AH): [[Hajj]] in [[Mecca]]. The key pilgrimage in Islam, drawing some 2 million registered pilgrims. Another million may attend unofficially, as they live in the region and don’t need visas. Most pilgrims also visit [[Medina]] 450 km northeast. * '''1 - 24 July 2023:''' [https://www.letour.fr/ Tour de France] is the world's premier on-road men's cycle race. In 2023 it starts in Bilbao and tours the Spanish Basque region for three days, then continues across France to culminate in Paris. This is a huge event because of the size of the sporting and commercial entourages, and the roving audience. Especially in the mountains with only a single connecting road, whole areas become locked down, and even fire trucks struggle for access. ''Giro'' in Italy in May and ''Vuelta'' in Spain in Aug / Sept are locally disruptive but on nothing like this scale. The conclusion of the men's race in Paris is also the start of the women's Tour, held over a week - this likewise is a much smaller affair. [[File:La horde - Surfers riding a wave in Paea, Tahiti.jpg | thumb | 300px | Paris?? Yes, 2024 Olympic surfing is in Tahiti ]] * '''8 Sept - 28 Oct 2023:''' Rugby Union World Cup in France, with 20 men's national teams playing. The matches are in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, Nice, Nantes and Toulouse. * '''14 - 19 June 2024''' (1445 AH): [[Hajj]] in [[Mecca]] - because it follows a lunar calendar (not a solar-lunar calendar like Easter), it falls 10 / 11 days earlier each year. * '''14 June - 14 July 2024:''' UEFA Euro Finals across Germany. 24 national soccer teams will compete, playing in [[Berlin]], [[Munich]], [[Dortmund]], [[Gelsenkirchen]], [[Stuttgart]], [[Hamburg]], [[Düsseldorf]], [[Cologne]], [[Leipzig]] and [[Frankfurt]]. Just over a million attended the covid-blighted 2020 Finals (postponed to 2021) so the audience of 2024 will probably be much greater. Fans know where their own team will play in the early stages, but the varied fortunes of the tournament mean they don't know their later venues. So this creates a huge travelling army trying to book last-minute accommodation and transport to cities the far side of the country. (The 2028 host country is to be decided in late 2023.) * '''29 June - 21 July 2024:''' Tour de France starts in [[Florence]] and tours Italy for three days; on Day 4 they cross the Alps to continue across France. The 2024 Tour is a week earlier than usual, and - uniquely - ends in Nice not Paris, to avoid the capital on the eve of the Olympic Games. * '''26 July – 11 Aug 2024:''' Summer Olympics (XXXIII), [[Paris]]. The concept is that Olympics are hosted by a city, not a country. The reality is that they embroil the nation, especially with such a central metropolis and transport hub as Paris. There are also events in Lille, Marseilles, Lyon, Saint-Étienne, Bordeaux, Nice and Nantes, and you'll need to set off especially early to watch the surfing. That's at Teahupo'o in Tahiti, 15,716 km from the host city. (The host of the 2028 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, is a whole lot closer.) * '''4 - 9 June 2025''' (1446 AH): [[Hajj]] in [[Mecca]]. * '''June / July 2025:''' FIFA Africa Cup of Nations held in [[Guinea]], with 24 teams competing. Dates are not confirmed, the likely host cities are Conakry, Kankan, Labé and Nzérékoré. (The venue for 2027 is not yet decided.) * '''6 - 22 Feb 2026:''' Winter Olympics (XXV) in [[Milan]], [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]] and half a dozen other resorts in the northeast of Italy. This area is well developed for visitors and has fairly reliable snow. (The 2028 host city is not yet decided. Bids are likely from Barcelona-Andorra, Sapporo, Vancouver-Whistler and Salt Lake City.) == Stay safe == It is quite remarkable how little illness, accidents or crime is recorded at mega-events such as the Olympics, considering their huge and not always sober audiences. Partly that's under-reporting but it also reflects the security that cloaks the event, and an inherently healthy set of travelers. Standard advice about care of valuables and avoiding drunks, low-life and traffic should see you through. The game-changer in 2020 and 2021 of course was the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. It's difficult to say how this will play out over the coming years; but if anything could spark a resurgence, it would be huge crowds like the 60,000-plus in London's Wembley Stadium for the Euro 2020 Finals. Even if they were minded to, those people couldn't "social distance" in the stadium, nor in the congestion around the stadium, on public transport, in pubs or in outdoor big-screen viewing areas. And the problems start well before you arrive, since you must plan and book well in advance, yet the event may be cancelled or the host country not let you in or impose onerous conditions. Big multi-national events can only be as safe as the participating nation with the weakest covid-control. In less developed places, consider the conventional risks of crowd collapse (as at Hillsborough, Sheffield in 1989) or of transport catastrophes eg through over-crowded ferries capsizing. == See also == * [[Cultural attractions]]; experiencing mankind's heritage * [[Activities]] for sports and pastimes * [[Itineraries]] * [[Natural attractions]] * [[Reasons to travel]] {{PartOfTopic|Travel topics}} {{usabletopic}} fmlzysgjaidyjmup7zq4aknxpdhrgls 0 11615 4506219 4504459 2022-08-22T12:56:07Z LPfi 79572 /* Sweden */ Tallink cutting down wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Finland Wikivoyage Banner.png|caption=Sunset at Päijänne}} '''[https://www.visitfinland.com/ Finland]''' ([[Finnish phrasebook|Finnish]]: ''Suomi'', [[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]]: ''Finland'') is one of the [[Nordic countries]] in northern [[Europe]]. The country has comfortable small towns and cities, as well as vast areas of unspoiled nature. About 10% of the area is made up by 188,000 lakes, with a similar number of islands. Finland extends into the [[Arctic]], where the [[Northern Lights]] and the [[Midnight Sun]] can be seen. The mythical mountain of ''Korvatunturi'' is said to be the home of Santa Claus, and there is a Santaland in [[Rovaniemi]]. While Finland is a high-technology welfare state, Finns love to head to their summer cottages in the warmer months to enjoy all manner of relaxing pastimes including sauna, swimming, fishing and barbecuing during the short but bright summer. Finland has a distinctive language and culture that sets it apart from both Scandinavia and Russia. While Finnish culture is ancient, the country only became independent in 1917, shortly after the collapse of the Russian Empire. ==Regions== {{Regionlist| regionmap=Finland regions.png | regiontext=| regionmapsize=400px | region1name=[[Southern Finland]] | region1color=#d09440 | region1items=[[Tavastia Proper]], [[Päijänne Tavastia]], [[Uusimaa]], [[Kymenlaakso]], [[South Karelia]] | region1description=The southern stretch of coastline up to the Russian border, including the capital [[Helsinki]] | region2name=[[West Coast (Finland)|West Coast]] | region2color=#578e86 | region2items=[[Central Ostrobothnia]], [[Ostrobothnia]], [[Southern Ostrobothnia]], [[Satakunta]], [[Finland Proper]] | region2description=The south-western coastal areas, the old capital [[Turku]], and the southern parts of the historical province of Ostrobothnia (''Pohjanmaa'', ''Österbotten''), with half of Finland's Swedish-speaking population. | region3name=[[Finnish Lakeland]] | region3color=#71b37b | region3items=[[North Savonia]], [[North Karelia]], [[Central Finland]], [[South Savonia]], [[Pirkanmaa]] | region3description=Forests and lakes from the inland hub city [[Tampere]] all the way to the Russian border, including Savonia (''Savo'') and the Finnish side of Karelia (''Karjala'').| region4name=[[Northern Finland]] | region4color=#8a84a3 | region4items=[[Finnish Lapland]], [[Kainuu and Eastern Oulu region]], [[Southern Oulu region]], [[Western Oulu region]] | region4description=The northern half of Finland is mostly wilderness, with some important cities like [[Oulu]] and [[Rovaniemi]]. | region5name=[[Åland]] | region5color=#b383b3 | region5items= | region5description=An autonomous and monolingually [[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]] group of islands off the southwestern coast of Finland. | }} <!-- don't repeat the regions already mentioned above --> The current formal divisions of the country do not correspond well to geographical or cultural boundaries, and are not used here. Formerly regions and provinces did correspond; many people identify with their region (maakunta/landskap), but mostly according to historic boundaries. These regions include '''Tavastia''' (''Häme''), covering a large area of central Finland around Tampere, '''Savonia''' (''Savo'') in the eastern part of the lakeland and '''Karelia''' (''Karjala'') to the far east. Much of Finnish Karelia was lost to the [[Soviet Union]] in [[World War II in Europe|World War II]], which still is a sore topic in some circles. ==Cities== <!-- This is only intended to be a representative sample of NINE cities; please list other cities on the appropriate region pages --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Helsinki]]|wikidata=Q1757}} &mdash; the "Daughter of the Baltic", Finland's capital and largest city by far *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jyväskylä]]|wikidata=Q134620}} &mdash; a university town in Central Finland *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Oulu]]|wikidata=Q47048}} &mdash; a technology city at the end of the Gulf of Bothnia *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Rauma]]|wikidata=Q37013}} &mdash; largest wooden old town in the Nordics and a UNESCO World Heritage site *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Rovaniemi]]|wikidata=Q103717}} &mdash; gateway to [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] and home of Santa Claus Village *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Savonlinna]]|wikidata=Q683512}} &mdash; a small lakeside town with a big castle and a popular opera festival. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Tampere]]|wikidata=Q40840}} &mdash; a former industrial city becoming a hispter home of culture, music, art and museums *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Turku]]|wikidata=Q38511}} &mdash; the former capital on the southwest coast. Medieval castle and cathedral. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vaasa]]|wikidata=Q125080}} &mdash; a town with strong Swedish influences on the west coast located near the UNESCO world natural site [[Kvarken Archipelago]] <!-- only 7 to 9 of the biggest and most important for the traveller, please --> ==Other destinations== [[File:Koli hill view.jpg|thumb|[[Koli National Park]]]] * {{marker|name=[[Archipelago Sea]]|wikidata=Q650654}} - hundreds and hundreds of islands from the mainland all the way to [[Åland]] * {{marker|name=[[Finnish National Parks|Finnish national parks, other protected areas, hiking areas or wilderness areas]]|wikidata=Q375770}} , e.g. ** {{marker|name=[[Koli National Park]]|wikidata=Q375387}} – scenic national park in Eastern Finland, symbol for the nature of the country ** {{marker|name=[[Lemmenjoki National Park]]|wikidata=Q938172}} – gold digging grounds of Lapland, and one of the largest wilderness areas in Europe ** {{marker|name=[[Nuuksio National Park]]|wikidata=Q1815268}} – pint-sized but pretty national park a stone's throw from Helsinki * {{marker|name=[[Kilpisjärvi]]|wikidata=Q999185}} - "the Arm of Finland" offers scenic views and the highest hills in Finland * {{marker|name=[[Levi]]|wikidata=Q262837}} , [[Saariselkä]] and [[Ylläs]] – popular winter sports resorts in Lapland * {{marker|name=[[Suomenlinna]]|wikidata=}} – island off the coast of Helsinki where there is a 18–19th century fort that you can visit by ferry <br clear="right" /> ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationFinland.png}} ===History=== {{seealso|Vikings and the Old Norse|Nordic history|Swedish Empire|Russian Empire}} {{quote|Swedes we are no longer, Russians we do not want to become, let us therefore be Finns.|author=Adolf Ivar Arwidsson, Finnish national ideologist}} [[File:Savonlinna heinäkuu 2002 IMG 1635.JPG|thumb|240px|St. Olaf's Castle, the world's northernmost medieval castle, built in [[Savonlinna]] by Sweden in 1475]] Not much is known about Finland's early history, with archaeologists still debating when and where a tribe of Finno-Ugric speakers cropped up. The earliest certain evidence of human settlement is from 8900 BC. Roman historian Tacitus mentions a primitive and savage hunter tribe called ''Fenni'' in 100 AD, though there is no unanimity whether this means Finns or [[Sami people|Sami]]. Even the Vikings chose not to settle, fearing the famed shamans of the area, and instead traded and plundered along the coasts. In the mid-1100s Sweden started out to conquer and Christianise the Finnish pagans in earnest, with Birger Jarl incorporating most of the country into Sweden in 1249. While the population was Finnish-speaking, the Swedish kings installed a Swedish-speaking class of clergy and nobles in Finland, and enforced Western Christianity, succeeding in eliminating local animism and to a large part even Russian Orthodoxy. Farmers and fishermen from Sweden settled along the coast. Finland remained [[Swedish Empire|an integral part of Sweden]] until the 19th century, although there was near-constant warfare with Russia on the eastern border and two brief occupations. Sweden converted to Lutheran Protestantism, which marked the end of the Middle Ages, led to widespread literacy in Finnish and still defines many aspects of Finnish culture. After Sweden's final disastrous defeat in the Finnish War of 1808–1809, Finland became an autonomous grand duchy under [[Russian Empire|Russian]] rule. The Finnish nation was built during the Russian time, while the Swedish heritage provided the political framework. The Finnish language, literature, music and arts developed, with active involvement by the (mostly Swedish speaking) educated class. Russian rule alternated between benevolence and repression and there was already a significant independence movement when Russia plunged into war and revolutionary chaos in 1917. Parliament seized the chance (after a few rounds of internal conflicts) and declared independence in December, quickly gaining Soviet assent, but the country promptly plunged into a brief but bitter '''civil war''' between the conservative Whites and the socialist Reds, eventually won by the Whites. During World War II, Finland was attacked by the [[Soviet Union]] in the '''Winter War''', but fought them to a standstill that saw the USSR conquer 12% of Finnish territory. Finland then allied with Germany in an unsuccessful attempt to repel the Soviets and regain the lost territory (the '''Continuation War'''), was defeated and, as a condition for peace, had to turn against Germany instead (the '''Lapland War'''). Thus Finland fought three separate wars during World War II. In the end, Finland lost much of Karelia and Finland's second city [[Vyborg]] (''Viipuri'', ''Viborg''), but the Soviets paid a heavy price with over 300,000 dead. The lost territory was evacuated in a massive operation, in which the former inhabitants, and thus Karelian culture, were redistributed all over the country. After the war, Finland lay in the grey zone between the Western countries and the Soviet Union (see [[Cold War Europe]]). The Finno-Soviet Pact of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance committed Finland to resist armed attacks by "Germany or its allies" (read: the West), but also allowed Finland to stay neutral in the Cold War and avoid a Communist government or Warsaw Pact membership. In politics, there was a tendency to avoid any policies and statements that could be interpreted as anti-Soviet. This balancing act of '''Finlandization''' was humorously defined as "the art of bowing to the East without mooning the West". Practically, Finland was west of the Iron Curtain and travel to the West was easy. Thus, even many older people know English and German and have friends in the West, while Russian was not compulsory and is even today scarcely known. Despite close relations with the Soviet Union, Finland managed to retain democratic multi-party elections and remained a Western European market economy, building close ties with its [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] neighbours. While there were some tense moments, Finland pulled it off: in these decades the country made a remarkable transformation from a farm and forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy featuring high-tech giants like Nokia, and per capita income is now in the world top 15. After the collapse of the USSR, Finland joined the [[European Union]] in 1995, and was the only Nordic state to join the euro currency system at its initiation in January 1999. In 2017, Finland celebrated its 100 years of independence. ===Geography=== [[File:Puijo view to north.JPG|thumbnail|View over the Finnish Lakeland]] Unlike craggy Norway and Sweden, Finland consists mostly of low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills, with mountains (of a sort) only in the extreme north and Finland's highest point, Mount Halti, rising only to a modest 1,328 m. Finland sits squarely on the taiga zone, covered in coniferous forest, which is interspersed with cultivated land, towns, lakes and bogs. Finland has 187,888 lakes according to the Geological Survey of Finland, making the moniker '''Land of a Thousand Lakes''' something of an underestimate (a third of Europe's largest lakes are in Finland<!--8 of 24 largest, 20 of 60 largest-->). Along the coast and in the lakes are – according to another estimate – 179,584 islands, making the country an excellent boating destination as well. The Lakeland is more or less a plateau, so the lakes make up labyrinths of islands, peninsulas, sounds and open water, and the coastal archipelagos follow suite. Finland is not on the Scandinavian peninsula, so despite many cultural and historical links (including the Swedish language, which enjoys co-official status alongside Finnish), it is not considered to be part of Scandinavia. Even Finns rarely bother to make the distinction, but more correct terms that include Finland are the "[[Nordic countries]]" (''Pohjoismaat'', ''Norden'') and "Fennoscandia". Particularly in the eastern and northern parts of the country, which are densely forested and sparsely populated, you'll find more examples of traditional, rustic Finnish culture. Southern and Western Finland, which have cultivated plains and fields and have a higher population density, do indeed have very much in common with Scandinavia proper — this can clearly be seen in the capital, Helsinki, which has a lot of Scandinavian features, especially in terms of architecture. ===Climate=== {{See also|Winter in the Nordic Countries}} Finland has a temperate climate, which is actually comparatively mild for the latitude because of the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream. There are four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Winter is just as dark as everywhere in these latitudes, and temperatures can (very rarely) reach -30°C in the south and even dip down to {{nowrap|−50°C (−60°F)}} in the north, with 0 to −25°C (+35 to −15°F) being normal in the south. Snow cover is common, but not guaranteed in the southern part of the country. Early spring (March–April) is when the snow starts to melt and Finns like to head north for skiing and winter sports. The brief Finnish summer is considerably more pleasant, with day temperatures around +15 to +25°C (on occasion up to +35°C), and is generally the best time of year to visit. July is the warmest month. September brings cool weather (+5 to +15 °C), morning frosts and rains. The transition from autumn to winter in October–December – wet, rainy, sometimes cold, no staying snow but maybe slush and sleet, dark and generally miserable – is the worst time to visit. There is a noticeable difference between coastal and southern areas vs. inland and northern areas in the timing and length of these seasons: if travelling north in the winter, slush in Helsinki often turns to snow by Tampere. Due to the extreme latitude, Finland experiences the famous '''[[Midnight sun|midnight sun]]''' near the summer solstice, when (if above the Arctic Circle) the sun never sets during the night and even in southern Finland it never really gets dark. The flip side of the coin is the '''[[Midnight sun|Arctic night]]''' (''kaamos'') in the winter, when the sun never comes up at all in the north (with good chances to see '''[[northern lights]]''' instead). In the south, daylight is limited to a few pitiful hours with the sun just barely climbing over the trees before it heads down again. Information on the climate and weather forecasts are available from the [http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/ Finnish Meteorological Institute]. === Culture=== [[File:Gallen-Kallela The defence of the Sampo.jpg|thumb|240px|Väinämöinen defending the ''Sampo'', by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1896)]] Buffeted by its neighbors for centuries and absorbing influences from west, east and south, Finnish culture as a distinct identity was only born in the 19th century: "we are not Swedes, and we do not wish to become Russian, so let us be Finns." The Finnish creation myth and national epic is the '''''[https://kalevalaseura.fi/en/about-kalevala/translations-of-the-kalevala/ Kalevala]''''', a collection of old Karelian stories and poems collated by Elias Lönnrot in 1835. In addition to the creation the book includes the adventures of '''Väinämöinen''', a shamanistic hero with magical powers. Kalevalan themes such as the '''Sampo''', a mythical cornucopia, have been a major inspiration for Finnish artists, and figures, scenes, and concepts from the epic continue to colour their works. While Finland's state religion is '''Lutheranism''', a version of Protestant Christianity, the country has full freedom of religion and for the great majority everyday observance is lax or nonexistent. Still, Luther's teachings of strong '''work ethic''' and a belief in '''equality''' remain strong, both in the good (women's rights, non-existent corruption) and the bad (conformity, high rates of depression and suicide). The Finnish character is often summed up with the word '''''sisu''''', a mixture of admirable perseverance and pig-headed stubbornness in the face of adversity. Finnish '''music''' is best known for classical composer '''Jean Sibelius''', whose symphonies continue to grace concert halls around the world. Finnish pop, on the other hand, has only rarely ventured beyond the borders, but rock and heavy metal bands like '''Nightwish''', '''Children Of Bodom''', '''Sonata Arctica''', '''Apocalyptica''' and '''HIM''' have become fairly big names in the global heavy music scene and latex monsters '''Lordi''' hit an exceedingly unlikely jackpot by taking home the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. In the other arts, Finland has produced noted architect and designer '''Alvar Aalto''', authors '''Mika Waltari''' (''The Egyptian'') and '''Väinö Linna''' (''The Unknown Soldier''), and painter '''Akseli Gallen-Kallela''', known for his ''Kalevala'' illustrations. === Bilingualism === <div style="float:right; margin-left:15px; margin-right:15px; text-align:center"> {| class="wikitable" |+ '''Street reference chart''' |- ! Finnish !! Swedish !! English |- | ''-katu'' || ''-gata(n)'' || street |- | ''-tie'' || ''-väg(en)'' || road |- | ''-kuja'' || ''-gränd(en)'' || alley |- | ''-väylä'' || ''-led(en)'' || way |- | ''-polku'' || ''-stig(en)'' || path |- | ''-tori'' || ''-torg(et)'' || market |- | ''-kaari'' || ''-båge(n)'' || crescent |- | ''-puisto'' || ''-park(en)'' || park |- | ''-ranta'' || ''-kaj(en)'' || quay |- | ''-rinne'' || ''-brink(en)'' || bank (hill) |- | ''-aukio'' || ''-plats(en)'' || square |} </div> Finland has a 5.5% Swedish-speaking minority and is officially bilingual, with both languages compulsory in school. Three [[Sámi culture|Sámi]] languages (including [[Northern Sámi phrasebook|Northern Sámi]]), [[Roma culture in Europe|Romani]] and Finnish sign language are also recognised in the constitution, but are not "national" languages. Maps and transport announcements often give both Finnish and Swedish names, e.g. ''Turku'' and ''Åbo'' are the same city. This helps the visitor, as English-speakers generally find the Swedish announcement easier to follow, especially if you have a smattering of German. Road signs often flip between versions, e.g. ''Turuntie'' and ''Åbovägen'' are both the same "Turku Road". This is common in Helsinki and the Swedish-speaking coastal areas, whereas Swedish is far less common inland. Away north in [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]], you almost never see Swedish, but you may see signage in (mostly Northern) Sami. And if you navigate by Google Map, there's no telling what language it may conjure up. Although the country was once ruled by a Swedish elite, most Swedish-speaking Finns have always been commoners: fishermen, farmers and industrial workers. The educated class has been bilingual since the national awakening, while population mixing with industrialisation did the rest. In the bilingual areas the language groups mix amicably. Even in Finnish speaking areas, such as Jyväskylä, Pori and Oulu, many Finnish speakers welcome the contacts with Swedish that the minority provides; the few Swedish schools in those areas have many Finnish pupils and language immersion daycare is popular. In politics bilingualism remains contentious: some Finnish speakers see it as a hangover from Swedish rule, while Swedish speakers are concerned at their language being marginalised, e.g. when small Swedish institutions are merged with bigger Finnish ones. ===Holidays=== [[File:Lakitus Turussa 2014.jpg|thumb|240px|Students in Turku ready to wear their student caps exactly at 18:00 in the Walpurgis Night.]] Finns aren't typically very hot on big public carnivals; most holidays are spent at home with family. The most notable exception is ''Vappu'' on 30th April–1st May, as thousands of people (including the students) fill the streets. Important holidays and similar happenings include: * '''New Year's Day''' (''uudenvuodenpäivä'', ''nyårsdagen''), January 1. * '''Epiphany''' (''loppiainen'', ''trettondag''), January 6. The date coincides with [[Christmas and New Year travel|24 December]] in the Julian calender used by the Russian church, contributing to lots of Russian tourists around this time (and thus to many shops being open despite the holiday). * '''[[Easter travel|Easter]]''' (''pääsiäinen'', ''påsk''), variable dates, Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Tied to this are ''laskiainen'', ''fastlagstisdag'', 40 days before Easter, nominally a holy day that kicks off the Lent, practically a time for children and university students to go sliding down snowy slopes, and '''Ascension Day''' (''helatorstai'', ''Kristi himmelsfärds dag'') 40 days after, just another day for the shops to be closed. If you want to visit an Orthodox service, the one in waiting for the grave to be found empty might be the most special one. * '''Walpurgis Night''' (''vappuaatto'', ''valborgsmässoafton'') and '''May Day''' (''vappu'', ''första maj'', the Finnish word often written with capital-W), originally a pagan tradition that coincides with a modern workers' celebration, has become a ''truly giant festival for university students'', who wear their colourful signature overalls, white student caps, and roam the streets. Also the graduates use their white student caps between 18:00 at April 30 until the end of May 1st. The latter day people gather to nurse their hangovers at open-air picnics, even if it's raining sleet! Definitely a fun celebration to witness as the students come up with most peculiar ways to celebrate. On 1 May there are also parades and talks arranged by the left-wing parties, and families go out buying balloons, whistles and other market fare. Small towns often arrange an open-air market or an event at a community centre, open to the public. * '''Midsummer''' (''juhannus'', ''midsommar''), Friday evening and Saturday between June 20th and June 26th. Held to celebrate the summer solstice, with plenty of '''bonfires''', drinking and general merrymaking. Cities become almost empty as people rush to their summer cottages. It might be a good idea to visit one of the bigger cities just for the eerie feeling of an empty city – or a countryside village, where the locals vividly celebrate together. Careless use of alcohol during this particular weekend in the "country of thousand lakes" is seen in Finnish statistics as an annual peak in the number of people died by drowning. Midsummer is the beginning of the Finnish holiday season and in many summer-oriented destinations "on Season" means from the Midsummer until the schools open. * '''Independence Day''' (''itsenäisyyspäivä'', ''självständighetsdagen''), December 6. A fairly somber celebration of Finland's independence. There are church services (the one from the cathedral in Helsinki, with national dignities, can be seen on TV), concerts, and a military parade arranged every year in some town. A 1955 movie, ''The Unknown Soldier'', is shown on TV. The most popular event is in the evening: the President holds a ball for the important people (e.g. MPs, diplomats, merited Finnish sportspeople and artists) that the less important watch on TV – over 2 million Finns watch the ball from their homes. * '''Little Christmas''' (''pikkujoulu''). People go pub crawling with their workmates throughout December. Not an official holiday, just a Viking-strength version of an office Christmas party season. Among the Swedish-speakers the ''lillajul'' ("little Christmas") is the Saturday at beginning of Advent and is mostly celebrated among families. * '''[[Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas]]''' (''joulu'', ''jul''), December 24 to 26. The biggest holiday of the year, when pretty much everything closes for three days. Santa (''Joulupukki'', ''Julgubben'') comes on Christmas Eve on December 24, ham is eaten and everyone goes to sauna. See also [[Winter in the Nordic countries#Christmas]]. * '''New Year's Eve''' (''uudenvuodenaatto'', ''nyårsafton''), December 31. Fireworks time! Most shops and offices are closed on most of these holidays. Public transport stops for part of Christmas and Midsummer; on other holidays, timetables for Sundays are usually applied, sometimes with minor deviations. Most Finns take their '''summer holidays''' in July, unlike elsewhere in Europe, where August is the main vacation season. People generally start their summer holidays around Midsummer. During these days, cities are likely to be less populated, as Finns head for their summer cottages. Schoolchildren start their summer holidays in the beginning of June and return to school in mid-August. The exact dates vary by year and municipality. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|Since July 2022 there are [https://raja.fi/en/-/restrictions-on-external-border-traffic-imposed-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic-will-end-on-30-june no COVID-19-related restrictions] on entry. The domestic COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in June. Prevalence is still high. Several pages have outdated information or report a zero instead of "data missing" (such as WHO). |lastedit=2022-08-03}} {{Schengen}} Visa freedom applies to Schengen and EU nationals and nationals of countries with a visa-freedom agreement, for example United States citizens. By default, a visa is required; [https://um.fi/visa-requirement-and-travel-documents-accepted-by-finland see the list] to check if you need a visa. Visas cannot be issued at the border or at entry, but must be applied at least 15 days in advance in a Finnish embassy or other mission (see [http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=324099&nodeid=49459&contentlan=2&culture=en-US instructions]). An ID photograph, a passport, travel insurance, and sufficient funds (considered to be at least €30 a day) is required. The visa fee is €35–70, even if the visa application is rejected. Visa processing times tend to be '''quite lengthy''' and might be one of the more stringent ones overall. It's not uncommon to wait for a month or more to get a Finnish visa, so plan and prepare well. For Russians, in August 2022 Finland is limiting the volumes of tourist visa applications handled; there are plans to create new visa types for those with certain types of ties to Finland. The Finland-Russia border is a Schengen external border, and border controls apply. This border can be crossed only at designated border crossings; elsewhere there is a no-entry border zone on both sides. Border crossing opening hours have been reduced in 2022 and the Svetogorsk–Imatra crossing is closed. There are border zones on both sides of the border, mostly a few kilometres in width on the Finnish side, where entrance is prohibited. Entering the border zones or trying to photograph there will result in an arrest and a fine. The Finnish-Norwegian and Finnish-Swedish borders may be crossed at any point without a permit, provided that you're not carrying anything requiring customs control. Generally, when travelling over the international waters between Finland and Estonia, border checks are not required. However, the Border Guard may conduct random or discretionary checks and is authorised to check the immigration status of any person or vessel at any time or location, regardless of the mode of entry. As Finland is separated from Western and Central Europe by the Baltic Sea, the common arrival routes (in addition to flights) are via Sweden, with a one-night (or day) ferry passage, via Estonia, with a shorter ferry passage, or from Russia, over the land border. There are also ferries across the Baltic Sea, mainly those from Travemünde in Germany (two nights or two days). ===By plane=== {{cautionbox|Because of the Russian war on Ukraine, flights through Russian airspace have been suspended or rerouted. Details are not necessarily updated below. |lastedit=2022-02-28 }} [[File:Helsinki-Vantaan kiitotie 33.jpg|thumbnail|If you're flying into Finland from abroad, you'll very likely pass through Helsinki-Vantaa]] Finland's main international hub is '''[[Helsinki-Vantaa Airport]]''' ({{IATA|HEL}}) near [[Helsinki]]. [http://www.finnair.com Finnair] and [http://www.flysas.com/en/uk/ SAS] are based there, as is [http://www.norwegian.com/en/ Norwegian Air Shuttle], offering domestic and international flights. Around 30 foreign airlines fly to Helsinki-Vantaa. Connections are good to major European hubs like Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS) and London Heathrow (LHR), and transfers can be made via Stockholm (ARN) and Copenhagen (CPH). There are flights from several East Asian cities, such as Beijing, Seoul (ICN), Shanghai and Tokyo, and some destinations in other parts of Asia. In the other direction, New York City is served around the year and Chicago, Miami and San Francisco in the summer season. International flights to other airports in Finland are scarce (Air Baltic and Ryanair have withdrawn most of their services to regional Finland). To [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] there are seasonal scheduled flights (Dec–Mar) as well as occasional direct charters (especially in December). There are direct flights all year to [[Tampere]] and [[Turku]] from a couple of foreign destinations, to [[Lappeenranta]] from [[Bergamo]], [[Vienna]] and [[Budapest]], to [[Turku]] from [[Belgrade]], [[Gdańsk]], [[Kaunas]], [[Kraków]], [[Larnaca]], [[Skopje]], [[Warsaw]], and to [[Mariehamn]], [[Tampere]], [[Turku]] and [[Vaasa]] from [[Stockholm]]. If your destination is somewhere in Southern Finland, it may also be worth your while to get a cheap flight to [[Tallinn]] and follow the boat instructions for the last leg. ===By train=== The trains from Russia have been suspended, because of the Russian war on Ukraine.<!-- [[File:Allegro train Pasila.JPG|thumbnail|upright|The "Allegro" trains connect St Petersburg and Helsinki]] '''[https://www.vr.fi/cs/vr/en/frontpage VR]''' and Russian Railways jointly operate services between [[Saint Petersburg]] and Helsinki, stopping at [[Vyborg]], [[Kouvola]] and [[Lahti]] along the way (rail was introduced in Finland under Russian rule, so the gauge is the same). The border controls are conducted in the moving train en route, to avoid delay on the border. The line was upgraded in 2010 and the slick new ''Allegro''-branded trains glide between the two cities in three and a half hours at up to 220&nbsp;km/h. The route is served four times in a day for both directions. Prices vary between €30 and €80 per direction depending on popularity of the departure and when you book. There is also a traditional slow overnight sleeper from [[Moscow]], which takes around 15 hours. After a COVID-19 break, the former train services restarted in December 2021, for Finnish and Russian citizens. On 27 March the Allegros will stop due to the Russian war on Ukraine. --> There are no direct trains between [[Sweden]] or [[Norway]] and Finland (the rail gauge is different), but [[Haparanda]] in Sweden is next to [[Tornio]] in Finland, just walk across the border. For more trains, continue to [[Kemi]] 30 km away. The journey by coach from Swedish trains to Kemi is free with an [[Eurail]]/[[Inter Rail]] pass. If you instead take a ferry farther south, you mostly get a 50% discount with these passes (on the normal price, you might find cheaper offers). ===By bus=== Buses are the cheapest but also the slowest and least comfortable way of travelling between '''Russia''' and Finland. * Regular scheduled express buses run between [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Vyborg]] and major southern Finnish towns like [[Helsinki]], [[Lappeenranta]], [[Jyväskylä]] and all the way west to [[Turku]], check [http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en Matkahuolto] for schedules. St. Petersburg–Helsinki is served 2–4 times daily and takes 7–8 hours. * Various direct minibuses run between Saint Petersburg's Oktyabrskaya Hotel (opposite Moskovsky train station) and Helsinki's Tennispalatsi (Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, one block away from Kamppi). At €15 one-way, this is the cheapest option, but the minibuses leave only when full. Departures from Helsinki are most frequent in the morning (around 10:00), while departures from Saint Petersburg usually overnight (around 22:00). * There is a daily service between [[Petrozavodsk]] and [[Joensuu]] (possibly suspended, check). * There is a service between [[Murmansk]] and [[Ivalo]] in northern Finland thrice a week (possibly suspended, check). You can also use a bus from northern '''Sweden''' or '''Norway''' to Finland. * [[Haparanda]] at the border in Sweden has bus connections to [[Tornio]], [[Kemi]], [[Oulu]] and [[Rovaniemi]]. See more from [http://www.matkahuolto.fi Matkahuolto] and [[Haparanda#Get in]]. * [https://www.eskelisen.fi Eskelisen Lapinlinjat] offers bus connections from northern parts of Norway. Some routes, such as [[Tromsø]], in summer only. * [https://tapanis.se Tapanis Buss] has a route from [[Stockholm]] to Tornio going along the [[E4 through Sweden|E4]] coastal route. From Tornio it is possible to continue using Finnish long distance buses or trains. See [[Haparanda#Get in]] for other connections to the border. ===By boat=== [[File:Nordlandia IMO 7928811 and Viking Xprs F Tallin 08-02-2011.JPG|thumb|Xprs and Nordlandia in Tallinn, soon leaving for Helsinki]] {{seealso|Baltic Sea ferries|Cruising the Baltic Sea|Boating on the Baltic Sea}} One of the best ways to travel to and from Finland is by sea. The '''cruise ferries''' from [[Estonia]] and [[Sweden]] are giant, multi-story floating palaces with restaurants, department stores and entertainment. There are also more Spartan ropax ferries from Sweden and [[Germany]], and there have been faster and smaller hydrofoils from Tallinn. Cheap prices are subsidised by sales of tax-free booze: a return trip from Tallinn to Helsinki or from Stockholm to Turku, including a cabin for up to four people can go as low as €30. Ordinary tickets are significantly more expensive, though. If travelling by [[Inter Rail]], you can get 50% off deck fares on non-cruises. The passes over Sea of Åland and Kvarken from Sweden, and Gulf of Finland from Estonia, are short enough for any '''yacht''' on a calm day (many also come over the sea from [[Gotland]]). As Finland is famous for its archipelagos, especially the [[Archipelago Sea]], coming with [[Cruising on small craft|small craft]] is a good alternative. Border controls are not generally required for pleasure craft crossing from Estonia to Finland; however, the Border Guard can discretionarily order individual craft to report to border control. All craft arriving from outside the Schengen area must report to border control (see [[Boating in Finland#Get in]]). ====Estonia and the Baltic states==== [[Helsinki]] and [[Tallinn]] are only 80&nbsp;km apart. [http://www.vikingline.fi Viking Line], [http://www.eckeroline.com Eckerö Line] and [http://www.tallinksilja.com Tallink Silja] operate full-service car ferries all year round. Depending on the ferry type travel times are from 2 (Tallink's Star class ferries) to 3½ hours (Tallink's biggest cruise ships). Some services travel overnight and wait outside the harbour until morning. The Tallink cruise ferry between Tallinn and Stockholm calls at [[Mariehamn]] (in the night/early morning). There are no scheduled services from [[Latvia]] or [[Lithuania]], but some of the operators above offer semi-regular cruises in the summer, with [[Riga]] being the most popular destination. ====Germany==== [http://www.ferrycenter.fi/finnlines/en/ Finnlines] operates from [[Travemünde]] near [[Lübeck]] and [[Hamburg]] to [[Helsinki]], taking 27–36 hours one way. These are ropax ferries: primarily intended for freight and lorry drivers, but having some amenities also for normal passengers, including families. They are not party and shopping boats like some other Baltic ferries. Traffic on this route was more lively in former times, the best example being the GTS Finnjet, which was the fastest and largest passenger ferry in the world in the 1970s. Freight and passengers could be transported between Helsinki and Travemünde (and the rest of continental Europe west of the Iron Curtain) in only 22 hours, much faster than the other (non-air) routes at the time. ====Russia==== For years scheduled ferry services from Russia have been stop-and-go.<!-- [http://www.stpeterline.com/en/ St Peter Line] offered regular ferry service from Saint Petersburg to Helsinki for as low as €30 one way.--> As of 2022 connections are suspended because of COVID-19 and the Russian war on Ukraine. The passenger cruises between Vyborg and Lappeenranta were suspended in 2022, also because of the war. <!--[http://www.saimaatravel.fi/en/home Saimaa Travel] offers sailings along [[Saimaa Canal]] from [[Vyborg]] to [[Lappeenranta]] in the summer months (suspended in 2022). This route is mostly used for cruises ''to'' Russia, taking advantage of the Russian visa exception for short-term cruise visitors.--> The [[Saimaa Canal]] can still be used to reach [[Saimaa]] and the lake district by own vessel. If coming by yacht from Russia, customs routes have to be followed, see [[Boating in Finland#Get in]]. ====Sweden==== [[File:Silja Serenade.jpg|thumb|240px|Silja Serenade leaving [[Helsinki]]]] Both [http://www.siljaline.fi Silja] (Tallink) and [http://www.vikingline.fi Viking] offer overnight cruises from [[Stockholm]] to [[Helsinki]] and overnight as well as daytime cruises to [[Turku]], all usually calling in the [[Åland]] islands along the way, in either [[Mariehamn]] or Långnäs. These are some of the largest and most luxurious ferries in the world, with as many as 14 floors and a whole slew of restaurants, bars, discos, pool and spa facilities, etcetera. The cheaper cabin classes below the car decks are rather Spartan, but the higher sea view cabins can be very nice indeed. As Åland is outside the EU tax area, the ferries can operate duty-free sales. (Tallink is cutting down their service to Turku in September 2022, see [[Turku]].) Due to crowds of rowdy youngsters aiming to get thoroughly hammered on cheap tax-free booze, both Silja and Viking do not allow '''unaccompanied youth under 23''' to cruise on Fridays or Saturdays. The age limit is 20 on other nights, and 18 for travellers not on same-day-return cruise packages. Silja does not offer deck class on its overnight services, while Viking does. With Viking Line it often is cheaper to book a cruise instead of "route traffic". The cruise includes both ways with or without a day in between. If you want to stay longer you simply do not go back – it might still be cheaper than booking a one-way "route traffic" ticket. This accounts especially to last minute tickets (you could, e.g., get from Stockholm to Turku for around 10€ over night – "route traffic" would be over 30€ for a cabin with lower quality). In addition to the big two, [http://www.finnlink.fi FinnLink] (Finnlines) offers the cheapest car ferry connection of all from [[Kapellskär]] to [[Naantali]], some of the services calling also in Åland (from €60 for a car with driver). These are much more quiet, primarily catering to lorry drivers. For Åland there are some more services, to [[Mariehamn]] or [[Eckerö]], by Viking and [https://www.eckerolinjen.ax Eckerölinjen]. There is also a car ferry connection between [[Umeå]] and [[Vaasa]] ([http://www.wasaline.com Wasa line]; 4 hours), without taxfree sales, but trying to achieve the same feeling as on the southerly routes. The latest addition, in 2022, is [https://stenaline.se Stena Line] with a daily connection from [[Nynäshamn]] south of Stockholm to [[Hanko]] on the south coast, with two ropax ferries, i.e. mostly for freight but with some passenger capacity, only for those travelling with a vehicle. Basic fares in this route also do not include a cabin or lounge. ===By car=== [[File:Utsjoki border Sami Bridge.jpg|thumb|[[Utsjoki]] border crossing, with the Sámi Bridge; shared customs]] ====Sweden==== The easiest ways to get by car from Sweden to Finland is a car ferry (except in the far north). The European Route E18 includes a ferry line between [[Kapellskär]] and [[Naantali]]. There are four daily cruise ferries on the nearby pass [[Stockholm]]–[[Turku]] (two of them overnight) and two on the longer pass Stockholm–Helsinki (overnight). There is also a daily ferry from [[Nynäshamn]] to [[Hanko]]. Farther north there is the [[Blue Highway]]/E12, with car ferry (4 hours) from [[Umeå]] to [[Vaasa]], where E12 forks off to Helsinki as Finnish national highway 3. There are also land border crossings up in Lapland in [[Tornio]] ([[E4 through Sweden|E4]]), [[Ylitornio]], [[Pello]], [[Kolari]], [[Muonio]] and [[Karesuvanto]] ([[E45 through Europe|E45]]). ====Norway==== European Routes [[E8 through Finland and Norway|E8]] and [[Highway 4 (Finland)|E75]] (and some national roads) connect northern Norway with Finland. There are border crossings at [[Kilpisjärvi]], Kivilompolo (near [[Hetta]]), [[Karigasniemi]], [[Utsjoki]], [[Nuorgam]] and [[Näätämö]]. For central and southern parts of Norway, going through Sweden is more practical, e.g. by [[Blue Highway|E12]] (from [[Mo i Rana]] via Umeå) or E18 (from [[Oslo]] via Stockholm or Kapellskär). ====Russia==== European route E18 (in Russia: route A181, formerly part of M10), goes from [[Saint Petersburg]] via [[Vyborg]] to Vaalimaa/Torfyanovka border station near [[Hamina]]. From there, E18 continues as Finnish national highway 7 to Helsinki, and from there, along the coast as highway 1 to Turku. In Vaalimaa, trucks will have to wait in a persistent truck queue, but this queue does not directly affect other vehicles. There are border control and customs checks in Vaalimaa and passports and Schengen visas, if applicable, will be needed. From south to north, other border crossings can be found at Nuijamaa/Brusnichnoye ([[Lappeenranta]]), [[Imatra]]/[[Svetogorsk]], Niirala ([[Tohmajärvi]], near [[Joensuu]]), Vartius ([[Kuhmo]]), [[Kuusamo]], Kelloselkä ([[Salla]]) and Raja-Jooseppi ([[Inari]]). All except the first are very remote, and most of those [https://raja.fi/en/contact-information#aineisto-BorderCrossingPoints open] in daytime only. ====Estonia==== Some of the ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki take cars. They form an extension to European route E67, [[Via Baltica]], which runs from the Polish capital [[Warsaw]], via [[Kaunas]] in [[Lithuania]] and [[Riga]] in [[Latvia]], to the Estonian capital Tallinn. The distance from Warsaw to Tallinn is about 970 kilometres, not including any detours. There is a [https://www.dfds.com/en/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-the-baltics/hanko-paldiski car and cargo ferry service] from [[Paldiski]] to [[Hanko]]. === By bicycle === Bikes can be taken on the ferries for a modest fee. You enter via the car deck, check when to show up. As you will leave the bike, have something to tie it up with and bags for taking what you need (and valuables) with you. There are no special requirements on the land borders with Norway and Sweden. In 2016, Finnish Border Agency did forbid crossing the border by bicycle over the northernmost checkpoints from Russia (Raja-Jooseppi and Salla), the restriction has probably expired, but check! The southern border stations were apparently not affected. On the trains from Russia, the bikes have to be packed (100 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm). === By foot === Walk-in from Sweden and Norway is allowed anywhere (unless you have goods to declare, which can probably be handled beforehand), but crossing the Russian border by foot may not be, check regulations. Entering the Finnish-Russian border zone or crossing that border outside designated crossings nets you an arrest and a fine, unless you have got a specific permit. ==Get around== [[File:Suomen rataverkko 2006 en.png|thumb|The Finnish rail network (passenger lines in green).]] Finland is a large country and travelling is relatively expensive. Public transportation is well organised and the equipment is always comfortable and often new, and advance bookings are rarely necessary outside the biggest holiday periods, but buying tickets on the net a few days in advance (or as soon as you know your plans) may give significantly lower prices. There are several route planners available. VR and Matkahuolto provides timetable service nationwide for trains and coaches, respectively, and there are several regional and local planners. As of 2020, Google Maps and Apple Maps have coverage nationally. [https://opas.matka.fi opas.matka.fi] includes train traffic, domestic flights, local transport of many cities and towns and [[:Wikipedia:Public service obligation|public service obligation]] traffic (i.e. services offered on behalf of the government) in the countryside. [http://reittiopas.matkahuolto.fi Matkahuolto Reittiopas] is focused on local, regional and long-distance buses and trains. There are deficiencies in most or all of the planners, so try different names and main stops if you don't get a connection, and do a sanity check when you get one. You might also want to check more than one when services shown are sparse or complicated. Knowing the municipality and the name in both Finnish and Swedish is useful. Sometimes the local connections are unknown to the digital services. "'''Street addresses'''" work with many electronic maps also for the countryside. "Street numbers" outside built up areas are based on the distance from the beginning of the road, in tens of metres, with even numbers on the left hand side: "Metsätie 101" is about a kilometre from the junction, on the right hand side, distance from the road to the house not counted. Many roads change names at municipality borders; what is Posiontie in Ranua becomes Ranuantie in Posio. An address of "Rantakatu 12–16 A 15" means lots 12, 14 and 16 on that street, stairwell A (or house A), flat number 15. Most map services know only the individual lots. "Rantakatu 12 a" means the first lot of an original lot 12 that was split. ===By plane=== Flights are the fastest but traditionally also the most expensive way of getting around. The new low-cost airliners however provide prices even half of the train prices in the routes between north and south. In some cases it may even be cheaper to fly via Riga than take a train. Finnair and some smaller airlines still operate regional flights from Helsinki to places all over the country, including [[Kuopio]], [[Rovaniemi]], [[Ivalo]] and [[Vaasa]]. It's worth booking in advance if possible: on the [[Helsinki]]–[[Oulu]] sector, the country's busiest, a fully flexible return economy ticket costs a whopping €251 but an advance-purchase non-changeable one-way ticket can go as low as €39, less than a train ticket. Finnair has cheaper fares usually when you book at least three week before your planned trip and your trip includes at least three nights spent in destination or one night between Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday. You may also be able to get discounted domestic tickets if you fly into Finland on Finnair and book combination ticket directly to your final destination. Finnair also has a youth ticket (16–25) and senior ticket (+65 or pension decision) that is substantially cheaper and fixed price regardless of when you book. Flying makes most sense when there is a suitable transfer. By going to Helsinki from elsewhere for the flight, and transferring to the airport in both ends, you often lose any time you win on flying. Flying may make sense also when rail connections are convoluted or the flight is long, such as to [[Ivalo]]. To [[Oulu]] or [[Rovaniemi]] the flight is considerably faster, but with an overnight train available that point may be moot. There are two major airlines selling domestic flights: * '''[http://www.finnair.com Finnair]''', the biggest by far. Serves nearly all of the country, with some flights operated by their subsidiary [http://flynorra.com/ '''Nordic Regional Airlines'''].. * '''[http://www.norwegian.com/en/ Norwegian Air Shuttle]''' flies from Helsinki to Oulu and Rovaniemi. In addition there's a handful of smaller airlines, often just flying from Helsinki to one airport each. The destinations served are often easy to reach by train, bus and car making flights unprofitable wherefore companies and services tend to come and go. ===By train=== [[File:Green Finnish Pendolino.JPG|thumb|240px|A ''Pendolino'' train, the fastest in VR's fleet (max 220 km/h)]] '''[http://www.vr.fi/en VR]''' (Valtion Rautatiet, "State's Railways") operates the railway network. Trains are usually the most comfortable and fastest method of inter-city travel. From [[Helsinki]] to [[Tampere]], [[Turku]] and [[Lahti]], there are departures more or less every hour in daytime. The following classes of service are available: * '''Pendolino''' tilting trains (code '''S''') often fastest; children and pets in normal cars * '''InterCity''' ('''IC''') and '''InterCity2''' ('''IC2''') express trains; the latter are two-storey, mostly with a family car with a playing corner for children. * Ordinary '''express''' (''pikajuna'', '''P'''), old cars; some night trains and connections on remote routes * '''Local''' and '''regional''' trains (''lähiliikennejuna'', ''lähijuna'' or ''taajamajuna''), no surcharge, quite slow While differences between Pendolino, IC and express trains isn't that crucial – if you need specific facilities you should check anyway – rules for regional trains (about pets, bikes and tickets) may differ from those on the long-distance trains, and some regional trains travel quite far from Helsinki. The trains are generally very comfortable, especially the intercity and long distance services, which (depending on route and type of train) may have restaurant and family cars (with a playing space for children), power sockets, and free Wi-Fi connection. Check the services of individual trains if you need them, e.g. facilities for families and wheelchair users vary considerably. Additional surcharges apply for travel in first class, branded "Extra" on some trains, which gets you more spacious seating, newspapers and possibly a snack. Wi-Fi is sometimes overloaded when many use the journey time for work, such as on morning trains to Helsinki. Formally two large pieces of luggage (80×60×40 cm) are allowed for free in the Finnish trains, in addition to small hand luggage, and pram or wheelchair if applicable. Also a ski bag can be taken into your cabin for free. In practice, no one will check the allowance unless you cause trouble. For skis (max 30×30×220 cm), snowboards and other additional luggage (max 60×54×195 cm) transported in the luggage compartment €5/piece is charged. [[File:Sovkupé VR 2020 nedre våningen 04.jpg|thumb|upright|Standard cabin in an overnight train; bunks and sink cupboard]] [[Sleeper trains|Overnight sleepers]] are available for long-haul routes and very good value. The modern sleeper cars to Lapland have 2-berth cabins, some of which can be combined for a family.<!-- On the ''Tolstoi'' train from Moscow 2nd class cabins are for 4, other cabins for 2 persons. There are en suite showers in the upper floor cabins in the modern overnight trains and in business class in the ''Tolstoi'' trains, otherwise showers are shared.--> In the 3-person cabins in the old "blue" sleeper cars there are no showers, only a small sink in the cabin, but some more overhead luggage space; these cars are nowadays mostly used as supplement in the "P" trains in the busiest holiday periods. In each modern Finnish sleeper car, one cabin is for a disabled person and his or her assistant, another for travelling with a pet. If you take a "P" train with both new and old cabins, check that you get the cabin you want. An overnight journey from Helsinki to Lapland in a sleeper cabin costs about €150–250 for two people (as of 2022). The [https://www.vr.fi/en/facilities-and-services/restaurant-services restaurant cars] mostly serve snacks, coffee and beer. On some routes (such as those to Lapland) you can get simple real meals (€10–13.50). Shorter intercity routes usually just have a trolley with snacks and coffee. Drinking alcoholic beverages you brought yourselves is not allowed. Own food at your seat should be no problem as long as you don't make a mess or spectacle out of it; bringing packed meals, other than for small children, has become rare. Seniors over 65 years old and students with ''Finnish'' student ID (''ISIC cards etc. not accepted'') get 50 % off. If booking a few days (better: at least two weeks) in advance on the net you may get cheaper prices. Children younger than 10 years travel for free in sleeper cabins if they share a bed with somebody else (bed width 75 cm, safety nets can be ordered, using a travel bed is allowed if it fits nicely). The accessible toilets double as family rooms. Otherwise children aged 4–16 pay a child fee on long-distance trains, those aged 7–16 on commuter trains, usually half the ordinary price. Carry your ID or passport to prove your age. [[Travelling with pets|Pets]] can be taken on trains (€5), but seats must be booked in the right compartments. If your pet is big, book a seat with extended legroom (or, on some trains, a separate seat for the pet). The pets travel on the floor (a blanket can be useful; bring water), other than for dogs a cage is mandatory. Vaccination etc. should be in order. For regional transport the rules are different. The sleeper trains have some cabins for passengers with pets. For night trains, ask the conductor about stops where you can get out with your dog. Don't leave pets in your car. Finland participates in the [[Inter Rail]] and [[Eurail]] systems. Residents of Europe can buy InterRail Finland passes offering 3–8 days of unlimited travel in one month for €109–229 (adult 2nd class), while the Eurail Finland pass for non-residents is €178–320 for 3–10 days. You would have to travel a lot to make any of these pay off though; by comparison, a full-fare InterCity return ticket across the entire country from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and back is €162. The price for a typical 2-hr journey, such as between Helsinki, Turku and Tampere, is about €20. [https://www.vr.fi/en Train tickets] can be purchased online, from ticketing machines on mid-sized and large stations, from manned booths on some of the largest stations and e.g. from R kiosks (not all tickets). A fee of €1–3 applies when buying over the counter or by phone. There are usually cheaper offers if you buy several days in advance, to get the cheapest tickets, buy them at least two weeks in advance. A seat is included in the fare of these tickets.<!-- The HSL-operated trains in the Helsinki region no longer sell tickets on board. On long-distance trains tickets can be bought with major cards only (not with cash). Buying on board (with an additional fee of €3–6) allows using booked-out trains, possibly with seat part of the journey.--> During the COVID-19 pandemic, '''seats must be reserved''', i.e. tickets bought, in advance. On the regional trains in the capital region there is no ticket sale in normal times either. This means that for walk-up travel at many mid-sized stations, you'll need to buy a ticket from the machine. This is easier if no-one tries to assist you! Otherwise, thinking to be helpful, they'll press ''Aloita'' and you'll be faced by a screen asking you to choose between ''Aikuinen'', ''Eläkeläisen'' and ''Lapsi''. So spurn their help, wind back to the beginning and press "Start" to get the process in English, including the bank card reader instructions. Or if you're feeling adventurous you can press ''Börja'' since you can figure out whether you're ''vuxen, pensionär'' or ''barn'', but you'll have to choose "Åbo" to get a ticket to [[Turku]]. Larger machines take cash, but most provincial stations have only small ones for which you need a debit/credit card with chip. The selling procedure offers a seat, but you can chose one yourself if you want. Usually half of the seats face forward, half of them backward. Seats with a wall behind them have less legroom when reclined, and don't recline as much. You may want to check the options on IC2 trains especially if you are a group or want privacy (four seats with a table in-between, cabins for two or four etc.). On most other trains options are limited. In some situations your group or voyage does not make sense to the booking system. There are usually tricks to fool the system to allow what you want to do, but unless you find a solution, you might want to book by phone, to leave the problem to somebody more experienced. Generally, the trains are most crowded at the beginning and end of the weekend, i.e. Friday and Sunday evening. Shortly before and at the end of major holidays like Christmas/New Year and Easter, trains are usually very busy, with car-and-sleeper tickets for the most popular services sold out immediately when booking opens. If you try booking for these days at a late time, you may find the seat you reserve to be among the least desirable, that is, facing backwards, without recline, and facing towards and sharing the legroom with other passengers – and many services sold out altogether. While VR's trains may be slick, harsh winter conditions and underinvestment in maintenance mean that delayed trains are not uncommon, with the fancy Pendolinos particularly prone to breaking down. Also much of the network is single-track, so delays become compounded as oncoming trains have to wait in the passing loop. As in the rest of the EU, you'll get a 25% refund if the train is 1–2 hours late and 50% if more. [http://www.junat.net/en/ Real-time train traffic data for every train station in Finland] in webapp or iOS app is enabled by the Trafi licensing this data under the CC-BY free licence. ===By bus=== [[File:Savonlinja Volvo B7R 9700S.jpg|thumb|Coach of the express service cooperation Expressbus. The coaches are often used also on non-express lines.]] [[File:Finland road sign 532.svg|thumb|upright|Blue stop signs for coaches (yellow for local buses), express stops have an additional text of "pikavuoro"/"snabbtur".]] There are coach connections along the main roads to practically all parts of Finland. This is also the only way to travel in Lapland, since the rail network doesn't extend to the extreme north. Connections may be scarce between the thoroughfares. Long haul coaches are generally quite comfortable, with toilets, reclining seats, AC, sometimes a coffee machine and perhaps a few newspapers to read (often only in Finnish, though). Wi-Fi and power outlets (USB or 230 V) are getting common. Some long-haul services stop at an intermediate destination long enough for you to buy a sandwich or eat an ice cream. Coaches seldom restrict the amount of luggage. They have fees for luggage transport, but these are generally not invoked for any you would carry. Bulky luggage is usually placed in a separate luggage compartment, at least if the coach is more than half-full. There is no dominant operator, but many smaller ones. '''[http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en Matkahuolto]''' maintains some services across companies, such as timetables, ticket sale and freight. Their browser-based [https://reittiopas.matkahuolto.fi/?locale=en route planner], with address based routing for coaches, is available (sometimes useful, but often suggests convoluted connections despite there being direct ones). Their [https://www.matkahuolto.fi/passengers/routes-and-tickets-mobile-app Routes and Tickets] mobile app has address-based routing and also a ticket purchase option. Some regional [[:Wikipedia:Public service obligation|public service obligation]] bus routes are missing. They can be found in the [https://opas.matka.fi/?locale=en opas.matka.fi] route planner, and often from the local bus company, the web page of the municipality (often well hidden in Finnish only) or similar. There are Matkahuolto service points at more or less every bus station, in small towns and villages often by cooperation with a local business. Although the staff is generally helpful, they and their tools may not know very much about local conditions in other parts of the country; checking with locals (such as the local host or local bus company) for any quirks is sometimes advantageous. At the Matkahuolto search results, click (i) for a service, and the link that appears, to get more information on it, including a stop list. For most services all stops are listed, with a [[:w:Here Technologies|Here]] map available, for non-express services sometimes only part of the stops are listed. The main search page doesn't find routes that include transfers, and is quite particular about start and end points (using the city name rather than the bus station can help in cases where the bus starts from elsewhere). Especially the English interface often uses Finnish names also for Swedish-speaking towns – it usually finds the Swedish ones, but might tell only the Finnish name. Searching in Swedish often helps. Most coaches between bigger towns are '''express''' services (''pikavuoro''/''snabbtur''), having fewer stops than the "standard" (''vakiovuoro''/''reguljär tur'') coaches, near extinction on some routes. Between some big cities there are also '''special express''' (''erikoispikavuoro''/''express'') coaches with hardly any stops between the cities. Using coaches to reach the countryside you should check not only that there are services along the right road, but also that any express service you are going to use stops not too far away from where you intend to get off or on, and that any service runs on the right day of the week. Non-express services have stops at most a few kilometres apart. Coaches are generally slightly higher '''priced''' than trains, although on routes with direct train competition they can be slightly cheaper. Speeds are usually slower than trains, sometimes very much so (from Helsinki to Oulu), sometimes even faster (from Helsinki to Kotka and Pori). On many routes, though, coaches are more frequent, so you may still get to your destination faster than if you wait for the next train. Tickets can be bought in advance (bargains are possible on some routes), with the seldom used option to reserve seats, although paying to the driver is common (there are few if any conductors left). '''Credit and debit cards''' should be accepted on the main express and long-haul services (and when buying tickets in advance), on "regular" services on short distances you are more likely to need cash. [[Travel with pets|Pets]] are usually accepted on coaches as well as buses (except on Onnibus), but not very common. In buses, bigger dogs often travel in the area for prams and wheelchairs. There is a fee for some pets on some services (Koiviston auto: €5 in cash unless they can fit on your lap). '''[http://www.onnibus.com Onnibus]''' offers a cheaper alternative (often €5–10 even for long rides if bought early enough) with double-deckers on routes between major cities in Finland. Tickets must be bought online as they do not accept cash, with cash it is possible to buy Onnibus tickets only from R-kioski and Matkahuolto partners. Online tickets can be bought from Matkahuolto, but other Matkahuolto tickets are not accepted. Passengers need to be on the stop beforehand (15 min recommended), bikes and pets are not accepted, and 12–14 years old children can travel independently with written consent from their parent or guardian using Onnibus's form; otherwise children need to be accompanied by somebody at least 15 years old. Onnibuses include free unencrypted Wi-Fi and 220 V power sockets. The general standard is lower than on other coaches and there is less legroom than in any other buses in Finland. Also the overhead racks are tight, so put everything you do not need in the luggage compartment (one normal-size 20 kg item or according to special rules). Be at the stop 15 minutes before departure, more if you want good seats. Note that the routes do not necessarily serve the city centres, but can provide direct access to some nearby locations. Onnibus also has cooperation ("Onnibux flex") with some other bus companies, for legs they do not serve themselves. These services can be found through Onnibus, Matkahuolto or the website of the real operator; standard and prices are mostly the same as usually on coaches, not those of Onnibus. Onnibus recommends reserving 1½ or 2½ hr for transfers not included on their web site. ====Discounts==== '''Senior discounts''' are for those over 65 years old or with Finnish pension decision. As with trains, '''student discounts''' are available only for Finnish students or foreign students at Finnish institutions. You need either a Matkahuolto/VR student discount card (€5) or a student card with the Matkahuolto logo. For coaches, '''children''' aged 4–11 pay about half the price (infants free), juniors (12–16) get a reduction of up to 30 % or 50 % on long non-return trips. On city buses age limits vary from one city or region to another, often children fees apply for 7–14 years old. An infant in a baby carriage gives one adult a free ride in e.g. Helsinki and Turku (but entering may be difficult in rush hours). You can get the ''[https://www.matkahuolto.fi/passengers/bus-pass BusPass]'' travel pass from Matkahuolto, which offers unlimited travel for a specified time, priced at €149 for 7 days and €249 for 14 days. The pass is not accepted by Onnibus. ====Local transport==== Local transport networks are well-developed in [https://www.hsl.fi Greater Helsinki], [https://joukkoliikenne.tampere.fi Tampere], [https://www.foli.fi Turku], [http://www.oulunjoukkoliikenne.fi Oulu], [https://vilkku.kuopio.fi Kuopio], [http://linkki.jyvaskyla.fi Jyväskylä] and [http://www.lsl.fi Lahti]. In other big towns public transport networks are often usable on workdays, but sparse on weekends and during the summer, while many small towns only have rudimentary services. For information about local transport in cities and some regions around Finland, see the [https://www.matkahuolto.fi/matkustajat/bussiaikataulut link list provided by Matkahuolto] (in Finnish; scroll to the bottom of the page). In the '''countryside''' there are sometimes '''line taxis''', '''paratransit''' or similar arrangements, where the municipality sponsors taxis driving by schedule, but only when the service has been requested. Usually you contact the taxi company the day before to ask for the service and pay according to normal coach or bus fares. Sometimes the taxi can deviate from the route to pick you up from a more convenient point or drive you to your real destination. The added distance is sometimes included, and sometimes paid as a normal taxi voyage (depending on length, municipality and other circumstances). These services are sparse (from a few times daily to weekly) and schedules are made to suit the target audience, often the elderly, but can be the only way to reach some destinations for a reasonable price without one's own vehicle. Some '''school buses''' also take outsiders, and sometimes what seems to be a normal bus connection is in fact such a school bus, open for others to use. There are also route planners covering many regions: [http://opas.matka.fi Opas.matka.fi] covers most cities (Helsinki, Hämeenlinna, Iisalmi, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Järvenpää, Kajaani, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pieksämäki, Pori, Rovaniemi, Salo, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa, Valkeakoski, Varkaus). Some of the remaining cities are included in the [https://reittiopas.matkahuolto.fi Matkahuolto Route Planner] (Hyvinkää, Kemi, Kokkola, Lohja, Loviisa, Porvoo, Raahe, Rauma, Riihimäki, Savonlinna, Tornio). As for smartphone apps, [https://nysse.mobi Nysse] and [https://moovitapp.com Moovit] have a route planner for local transport services of many cities (Helsinki, Hämeenlinna, Iisalmi, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kajaani, Kokkola, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Sastamala, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa and Varkaus). ====General advice==== Both coaches and city buses are '''stopped''' for boarding by raising a hand at a bus stop (blue sign for coaches, yellow for city buses; a reflector or source of light, such as a smartphone screen, is useful in the dusk and night). In some rural areas, such as northern Lapland, you may have luck also where there is no official stop (and not even official stops are necessarily marked there). You pay or show your ticket to the driver (or to the machine near the driver). On buses, those with pram or wheelchair usually enter through the middle door. On coaches, the driver will often step out to let you put most of your luggage in the luggage compartment – have what you want to have with you in a more handy bag. Ring the bell by pushing a button when you want to get off, and the bus will stop at the next stop. Often the driver knows the route well and can be asked to let you off at the right stop, and even if not (more common now, with increased competition), drivers usually try their best. This works less well though on busy city buses. Local and regional transport outside cities often uses minibuses or minivans instead of normal buses. Don't miss them just because they don't look like what you expected. ===By boat=== [[File:Helsingholmens gästhamn 2010.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Harbour bay of Helsingholmen in the [[Archipelago Sea]]]] {{see also|Boating in Finland}} As a country with many lakes, a long coast and large archipelagos, Finland is a good destination for boating. There are some 165,000 registered motorboats, some 14,000 sailing yachts and some 600,000 rowing boats and small motorboats owned by locals, i.e. a boat on every seventh Finn. If you stay at a cottage, chances are there is a rowing boat available. Yachts and motorboats are available for charter in most bigger towns at suitable waterways. You may also want to rent a canoe or kayak, for [[sea kayaking|exploring the archipelagos]], [[canoeing]] along calm rivers or [[whitewater sports|going down]] rapid-filled ones. ===By ferry=== In summertime, lake and archipelago cruises are a great way to see the scenery of Finland, although many of them only do circular sightseeing loops and thus aren't particularly useful for getting somewhere. Most cruise ships carry 100–200 passengers (book ahead on weekends!), and many are historical steam boats. Popular routes include [[Turku]]–[[Naantali]], [[Helsinki]]–[[Porvoo]] and various routes on [[Saimaa]] and the other big lakes. Child tickets often have lower age limits than on other kinds of transport (such as 3–12 years). The archipelago of [[Åland]] and the [[Archipelago Sea]] have many inhabited islands dependant on ferry connections. As these are maintained as a public service they are mostly free, even the half-a-day lines. Some are useful as cruises, although there is little entertainment except the scenery. These ''are'' meant for getting somewhere, so make sure you have somewhere to sleep after having got off. There is a distinction between "road ferries" (yellow, typically on short routes, with an open car deck and few facilities), which are regarded as part of the road network and free, and other ferries (usually with a more ship-like look and primarily serving car-less passengers). Whether the latter are free, heavily subsidised or fully paid by passengers varies. See [[Archipelago Sea#By ferry 2|Archipelago Sea]] for some discussion. ===By car=== {{main|Driving in Finland}} <gallery width="275px" widths="50px" heights="50px" perrow="3" style="float: right"> File:Finland road sign C17.svg|No entry File:Finland road sign B4.svg|Priority for oncoming traffic File:Finland road sign C34-40.svg|Speed limit for zone </gallery> [[File:Main road 82 in Kemijärvi.JPG|thumbnail|Road 82 in Kemijärvi, typical two-lane road. The yellow unbroken lines, forbidding overtaking, will become white to better cater for automated systems – and less well for wintry conditions.]] Traffic drives on the right. There are no road tolls or congestion charges. From February 2018, driving licences of all countries for ordinary cars are officially accepted in Finland. The only requirement is that the licence is in a European language or you have an official translation of it to Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German, English or French. A foreign-registered car may be used in Finland for up to six months. A longer stay requires registering it locally and paying a substantial tax to equalise the price to Finnish levels. '''Car hire''' in Finland is expensive, with rates generally upwards of €80/day, although rates go down for longer hire. See [[Driving in Finland#Costs]]. Main '''roads''' are usually fairly well maintained and extensive, although motorways are limited to the south of the country and near the bigger cities. Local roads may to some extent suffer from cracks and potholes, and warnings about irregularities in the pavement of these roads are seldom posted. Look out for wild animals, particularly at dawn and dusk. '''Collisions with moose''' (frequently lethal) are common countrywide, deer cause numerous collisions in parts of the country, and semi-domesticated reindeer are a common cause of accidents in Lapland. Try to pass the rear end of the animal to let it escape forward. Call the emergency service (112) to report accidents even if you are OK, as the animal may be injured. VR's '''[http://www.vr.fi/en/index/aikataulut/tulostettavat_aikataulut/auto_ja_yojunat.html overnight car carrier trains]''' are popular for skipping the long slog from the south up to Lapland and getting a good night's sleep instead: a [[Helsinki]]–[[Rovaniemi]] trip (one way) with car and cabin for 1–3 people starts from €215. A few unusual or '''unobvious rules''' to be aware of: * Headlights or DRLs are mandatory even during daylight. New cars usually come with headlight-related automatics which do not always work properly, so double check your car's behavior and use manual toggles if necessary. This is especially important in the dark Finnish winter. * ''Always'' give way to the right, unless signposted otherwise. The concept of minor road refers only to exits from parking lots and such (a decent rule of thumb is whether the exit crosses over a curb). Nearly all intersections are explicitly signposted with yield signs (either the stop sign or an inverted triangle); watch for the back of the yield sign on the other road. Major highways are often signposted with an explicit right of way (yellow diamond with white borders). * Turning right on red at traffic lights is always illegal. Instead, intersections may have two sets of traffic lights, one with regular circular lights and the other displaying arrows. A green arrow light also means there is no crossing traffic or pedestrians in the indicated direction. * Times on signage use the 24h clock with the following format: white or black numbers are for weekdays, numbers in parentheses for Saturdays and red numbers for Sundays and public holidays; e.g. "8–16" in white means M–F 8AM–4PM. If the numbers for Saturdays and Sundays are absent, the sign does not apply on weekends at all. * Trams (present in Helsinki and Tampere) always have the right of way over other vehicles, but not over pedestrians at zebra crossings. You do not want to crash into one. * Vehicles are required by law to stop at zebra crossings if a pedestrian intends to cross the road or if another vehicle has already stopped to (presumably) give way. Unfortunately, this sometimes causes dangerous situations at crossings over multiple lanes since not all drivers follow the rule properly. Many pedestrians are aware of this and "intend" to cross the road only when there is a suitable gap in the traffic, but you are still required to adjust your speed to be able to stop in case. Use your best judgement and watch out for less careful drivers. * Using seat belts is mandatory. Children under 135 cm tall must use booster seats or other safety equipment (the requirement is waived for taxis, except for children under 3 years of age). Finnish driving culture is not too hazardous and driving is generally quite safe. [[File:Masku winter road.jpg|thumbnail|National road 192 in Masku covered by ice and snow]] '''[[Winter driving]]''' can be risky, especially for drivers unused to cold weather conditions. The most dangerous weather is around freezing, when slippery but near-invisible '''black ice''' forms on the roads, and on the first day of the cold season, which can catch drivers by surprise. Studded winter tyres are allowed November–March and "when circumstances require", with a liberal interpretation, such as in soon being en route to wintry Lapland. Winter tyres (studded or not) are compulsory in wintry conditions November–March. '''Speed limits''' default to 50&nbsp;km/h in built-up areas (look for the yellow-black coloured sign with a town skyline) and 80&nbsp;km/h elsewhere. Other limits are always signposted. Major highways often have a limit of 100 km/h, with motorways up to 120 km/h. Some roads have their limits reduced in the winter for safety. A blood '''alcohol''' level of over 0.05 % is considered drunk driving. Finnish police strictly enforce this by random roadblocks and sobriety tests. If you are driving at night when the '''petrol stations''' are closed (many close at 21:00), always remember to bring some cash. Automated petrol pumps in Finland in rare occasions do not accept foreign credit/debit cards, but you can pay with Euro notes. In the sparsely-populated areas of the country, distances of 50&nbsp;km and more between gas stations are not unheard of, so don't gamble unnecessarily with those last litres of fuel. === By taxi === Taxis are widely available and comfortable. Fares were deregulated in 2018, causing a significant rise in already expensive prices. Most companies have a flag fall of €4–9 (differing between daytime in weekdays and nights and weekends) and the meter ticking up by €2–3 per km or so (including a time based fare of around €1/min). Fares have to be clearly posted; while comparing price schemes is difficult, getting ripped off is rare. Using the meter is ''not'' mandatory, but by law any fixed fares have to be stated in advance and you have to be warned if the fare might exceed €100. Once mostly plush Mercedes sedans, taxis can now come in any colour or shape, but they have a yellow taxi sign on the roof (usually with the spelling "TAKSI"). A normal taxi will carry 4 passengers and a moderate amount of luggage. For significant amounts of luggage, you can order a ''farmari'' taxi, an estate/wagon car with a roomier luggage compartment. There is also a third common type of taxi available, the ''tilataksi'', a van which will comfortably carry about 8 people (if you ask for one, you are often charged for 5+ people, but not if you just happen to get one). Tilataksis are usually equipped for taking also a person in wheelchair. If you want child seats, mention that when ordering, you may be lucky. Transporting a child under 3 years of age without an appropriate device is illegal. The usual ways to get a taxi are either to find a taxi rank, order by phone or, increasingly, use a smartphone app (there is often also a similar web page), which can also tell you the fare (estimate or fixed based on estimates). Street hailing is legal but uncommon, there just aren't that many empty cabs driving around. Any pub or restaurant can also help you get a taxi, expect to pay €2 for the call. Apps and call centres with taxis available in many cities include: * {{listing | type=go | name=Taksi Helsinki | alt= | url=https://valopilkkutaksi.fi/briefly-in-english/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-08-27 | content=Uses the Valopilkku smart phone app. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=02 Taksi | alt= | url=https://02taksi.fi/english/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +358 20-230 (€1.25/call+€3/min) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-08-25 | content=Call centre and smart phone app offers address based routing and gives price offers from one or more taxi companies (mainly big companies, i.e. useful mostly in cities, towns and around them). Price or price logic told when booking. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Menevä | url=https://meneva.fi/en | email=info@meneva.fi | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 50-471-0470 (head of office) | tollfree=0800-02120 (booking) | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-01-04 | content=Smart phone app offers address based routing and calculates price according to them. }} In city centres, long waiting times can be expected on Friday and Saturday nights. The same is true at ferry harbours, railway stations and the like when a service arrives (there is usually a queue of taxis when the ferry arrive, but with all filled up it takes a while before any return). It is not uncommon to share a taxi with strangers, if going towards the same general direction. At airports, railway stations and other locations from where many people are going to the same direction at the same time, there may also be ''kimppataksi'' minivans publicly offering rides with strangers. They are as comfortable as other taxis and will leave without much delay. In the countryside, there may only be a single taxi operator and they may have to drive a long way to get to you, so pre-booking is strongly recommended if you need to catch a train or flight. For a short trip in a remote location, you might want to tip generously, as the fare doesn't cover the fetching distance. [https://www.taksit.fi/taksihaku/ Taksit.fi] is an (incomplete) catalogue for finding local taxi companies. For those not listed, check locally. ===By ridesharing=== [https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/helsinki/ Uber] operates in Helsinki, but not elsewhere in the country. They are formally taxis. For inter-city trips, you can try your luck on peer-to-peer ridesharing services: * [http://www.kyydit.net kyydit.net] – Carpooling site with search engine * [http://www.kimppakyyti.fi/en/ kimppakyyti.fi] – Carpooling site * [http://www.kimppa.net kimppa.net] – Oldest and most retro looking carpooling site in Finland === By thumb === [[Hitchhiking]] is possible, albeit unusual, as the harsh climate does not exactly encourage standing around and waiting for cars. Many middle age and elderly people hitchhiked when they were young, but in the last decades high standards of living and stories about abuse have had a deterring effect. The most difficult task is getting out of [[Helsinki]]. Spring and summer offer long light hours, but in the darker seasons you should plan your time. The highway between [[Helsinki]] and [[Saint Petersburg]] has a very high percentage of Russian drivers. See [http://www.liftari.org Hitchhiking Club Finland liftari.org] or the [http://hitchwiki.org/en/Finland Finland article on Hitchwiki] for further details if interested. Pedestrians walking in the dark on shoulders of unlit roads are required by law to use safety reflectors. Their use is generally recommended, since the visibility of pedestrians with reflectors improves greatly. Controlled-access highways (green signs) are off limits for pedestrians. ===By bicycle=== [[File:Finland road sign 424.svg|thumb|upright=0.4|Combined pedestrian and bicycle path, cyclists to the left of divisor.]] Most Finnish cities have good cycleways especially outside the centres, and taking a bike can be a quick, healthy and environmentally friendly method of getting around locally. Farther from cities, where the cycleways end, not all major roads allow safe biking. You can often find suitable quiet routes, but sometimes this requires an effort. Locals often drive quite fast on low-traffic gravel roads; be alert and keep to the right. There are cyclists' maps for many areas. Biking off-road is regarded as part of the [[right to access]], but biking may cause erosion or other harm, so choose your route with consideration and unmount your bike at sensitive sections. There are some routes explicitly meant (also) for off-road bikes, e.g. at some national parks. Children under 12 years can use the pavement where there is no cycleway, as long as they do not unreasonably disturb pedestrians. Bikes on cycleways have to yield for cars on crossing roads unless there is a yield sign, the car is turning or the cycleway is marked as continuing over the crossing street (be careful, not all drivers watch out for cyclists). Leading your bike you are a pedestrian. The roads are generally paved well, although gravel roads are sometimes unavoidable. As long as you don't go off-road, you will not need suspension or grooved tyres. Beware that a good cycleway can end abruptly and force you out among the cars; the bike network building efforts are not too well coordinated. Also at road works, directions for cyclists are often neglected. Due to the relatively gentle topographic relief, too hilly terrain is rarely a problem, but in the cold months, wind chill and sweat require more careful choice of clothing than in walking. In some municipalities bike paths are well maintained in winter, in others they are not. Biking among the cars in winter is usually too dangerous (some locals do, but they know the circumstances). In dark hours headlight, rear light and a rear reflector are obligatory; side reflectors are recommended. Because of the long distances, bicycle tourists are advised to plan well and be prepared to use public transport for the less interesting stretches. Coaches are well-equipped to take a few bicycles on board (Onnibus Mega does not accept them, Onnibus Flex accepts). Fares vary by company and distance, typically about half of an ordinary ticket, or a flat €5. Packing the bike is not needed, but getting on at the bus station and arriving in time may help finding room for the bike. On some lines you should check the day before. Trains take bicycles for €5 if there is enough space in the racks (varies by train type, on some trains advance booking is necessary; on IC trains you also need a 50c coin; tandem bikes or bikes with trailers fit only on some trains, €10). Packed bikes are free if the package is small enough (requires taking the bike apart, exact dimensions vary by train type). On the trains from Russia (suspended in 2022) packing the bikes is necessary (100 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm). Bikes are free also unpacked on local trains in the Helsinki region, but are allowed only if there is enough space. Ferries usually take bikes for free or for a minimal charge. Renting a bike at your destination should be possible. In several towns, including Helsinki and Turku, there are also municipal bike-sharing systems. Some of the available bikes have an electric booster motor. Bikes are often stolen, at least in cities, so have a lock and use it, and try to avoid leaving the bike in unsafe places. ===By motorised scooter=== {{anchor|By motorized scooter}} In many cities there are electric kick scooters for hire; you will need to install a smartphone app. Check where the nearest scooter is, check the price and allowed areas, unlock with the app, ride, park it in an allowed sensible location (mind the vision impaired) and release it with the app. The scooters have a maximum speed of {{kmh|20–25}}, which is plenty; acquaint yourself with the scooter and its controls somewhere safe. There is a handful of companies, some active in more cities than others. The scooters are legally counted as bikes, with an operator-imposed minimum rider age of 18. Whilst common, driving on the pavement is illegal. Wearing a helmet is recommended by the operators, sort of mandated by law (wearing one is "generally" required) and going without one is dangerous – however, seeing somebody wear one is rare indeed. To reduce number and severity of accidents, lower speed may be enforced in the night (such as 15 km/h) and in some locations (5 km/h). In some municipalities the scooters are unavailable for some hours in weekend nights. Some companies ask you to take a photo of the scooter after parking it and might take action if it was left carelessly. The price for a ride is typically significantly higher than by bus on any distance you couldn't walk (and typically used for short distances), but they are handy and cheaper than taxis. ===By foot=== There are usually adequate pavements and zebra crossings in towns. Cars are in principle obliged to stop at '''zebra crossings''' if a pedestrian intends to cross the road – but as most cross the road only when there is a sufficiently large gap in the traffic, drivers may assume you "do not intend to cross right now", and ''not'' stop. Do not leave a shadow of a doubt that you will cross the road, and cars will mostly stop. With some practice, this works out smoothly, efficiently and without taking undue risks. Don't try this when drivers cannot see you in time, and remember some will have their eyes on something else. In the night and dusk '''reflectors''' are in theory mandatory – and they are immensely useful for being seen by drivers. They are especially important on country roads with narrow shoulders. ==Talk== [[File:Quintilingual sign in Ivalo's S-market.jpg|thumb|Welcome back! in five languages, [[Ivalo]]]] [[File:Joensuu river view.JPG|thumbnail|Night view across Pielisjoki river, Joensuu]] {{seealso|Finnish phrasebook|Swedish phrasebook}} Finland has two "national languages", '''[[Finnish phrasebook|Finnish]]''' (''suomi'') and '''[[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]]''' (''svenska''), and both are compulsory in nearly all schools (with varying results). Also [[Saami phrasebook|Sámi]], Romani and Finnish Sign Language are recognised in the constitution, but they are not spoken outside their respective communities and the speakers are bilingual with Finnish. Nearly anybody above 12 years speaks English and many above school age at least the basics of one or two other foreign languages. Road signs and the like mostly use the language or languages of the municipality, so road signs can sometimes be confusing unless you know both names, and online maps can use either with little logic. Also elsewhere a name in the other language may turn up unexpectedly. Sometimes the names are very different. '''Finnish''', the mother tongue of 92 percent of the population, is not related to Swedish, Russian, English or any other Indo-European language. Instead it belongs to the Uralic group of languages (which includes Hungarian, Estonian and Sámi), making it hard for speakers of most other European languages to learn. While Finnish and Estonian bear some degree of mutual intelligibility, Hungarian and Finnish are about as close to each other as Spanish and Russian (but as major Uralic languages are few, there is a special relationship). Reading signboards can be difficult, as Finnish uses relatively few loan words. Using a dictionary, especially for longer texts, is complicated by the word inflection; also the stem of many words varies somewhat (e.g. ''katto'', "roof" in the example below). For more complicated texts, you don't get anywhere by just translating words, as much is encoded into the endings. The relation between spelling and formal pronunciation, on the other hand, is straightforward (just learn how to pronounce individual letters – the difficulty lies in sticking to that), while colloquial speech differs substantially from what is taught in most language lessons. The Finnish language has few exceptions but quite a lot of rules – where some rules might be considered cleverly disguised exceptions. There are 15 grammatical cases for "getting ''some'' coffee and getting ''the'' coffee, going ''into'' a pub, being ''in'' a pub, getting ''out of'' the pub, being ''on'' the roof, getting ''onto'' the roof, getting ''off'' the roof, using something ''as'' a roof and so on, which are encoded into the word endings (kahvia, kahvi, pubiin, pubissa, pubista, katolle, katolta, kattona). The conjugation of verbs is unfortunately somewhat more complex. Many different words are formed from the same root by other endings: kirjain, kirjasin, kirjuri, kirjoitin, kirje, kirjelmä, kirjasto and kirjaamo are all nouns related to ''kirja'', "book" (letter, font, bookkeeper, printer, ...), and then there are related verbs and adjectives. '''Swedish''', Germanic like English and closely related to [[Norwegian]] and [[Danish]], is the mother tongue for 5.6 % of Finns. About half the population regard themselves conversant in Swedish, including nearly all national-level politicians. A lot of written material from public institutions (e.g. city governments, parliament, public museums) is available in Swedish. As the language has many cognates with English, fragments can be intelligible to an English speaker. The Swedish speakers are concentrated along most of the coast, with smaller communities in some cities elsewhere. The larger cities nowadays all have Finnish majorities, but e.g. the municipalities of Korsnäs and Larsmo are more or less exclusively Swedish-speaking, as is the small autonomous province of [[Åland]] and much of the countryside elsewhere in the Swedish speaking areas. In Åland and the Swedish parts of Ostrobothina, people typically speak little or no Finnish. In traditionally Swedish-majority towns like Vaasa (Vasa) and Porvoo (Borgå) nearly half the population is Swedish-speaking and service in Swedish is expected by many Swedish-speaking locals. In cities like Helsinki and Turku, on the other hand, there is a lively Swedish cultural scene and most people know enough Swedish to deal with simple conversations you engage in as a tourist and often at least somewhat beyond, but living would be quite tough without knowledge of Finnish. Most larger hotels and restaurants in areas where Swedish is widely spoken do have Swedish-proficient staff. In the Finnish-speaking hinterland, it is less common to find somebody fluent in Swedish by chance. Almost all Finns speak '''English''', so you should have no serious language problems. Don't hesitate to ask for help: Finns can be shy, but will do anything they can to help people in need. Businesses with a domestic customer base often have their web pages and other marketing materials in Finnish only. This is not an indication that they cannot provide service in English (although they might have to improvise more than businesses used to foreigners). If the business seems interesting, just call them to get the information you need. '''[[Russian]]''' is spoken in shops and hotels that cater to Russian tourists, especially in towns close to the Russian border such as [[Lappeenranta]], [[Imatra]] and [[Joensuu]]; also for Helsinki shopping tourists from Russia are important, and service in Russian available in select locations. Russians are one of the largest immigrant groups in Finland: 1.5% of the population. Besides the languages above, some Finns can speak '''[[German]]''' (18% conversant) or '''[[French]]''' (3% conversant). Other secondary languages such as [[Spanish]] and [[Italian]] are rarer. However, some tourist services are also offered in a wider variety of languages, including for example Chinese and Japanese: tour packets often have guides proficient in them, and there are often brochures, web pages and similar for the most important destinations and sights. Foreign TV programs and films, including segments of local shows with foreign language dialogue, are nearly always shown with audio in the original language but subtitled into Finnish or Swedish. Only children's programmes, children's films, certain types of documentaries (the narrator part) and nature films get dubbed into Finnish or Swedish. ==See== [[File:Lake Kivijarvi.JPG|thumbnail|Kivijärvi in Central Finland, one of Finland's thousand lakes]] A selection of top sights in Finland: * Central [[Helsinki]], the '''Daughter of the Baltic''', on a warm and sunny summer day * The '''historical sites''' of [[Turku]] and the [[Archipelago Sea]] around it, best viewed from a yacht or from the deck of a giant car ferry. * Puttering around the '''picturesque wooden houses''' of [[Porvoo]], Finland's second-oldest city * Renting a car and exploring the Lake Land of Eastern Finland, an area dotted with around 60 000 lakes with a similar number of islands, which in turn have their own lakes... * '''Olavinlinna Castle''' in [[Savonlinna]], Finland's most atmospheric castle, especially during the yearly Opera Festival *'''Hämeenlinna Castle''' in [[Hämeenlinna]] is Finland's oldest castle. Built in 13th century. * '''Icebreaker cruising''' and the '''world's biggest snow castle''' in [[Kemi]] * Seeing the '''Northern Lights''' and trying your hand '''sledding down a mile-long track''' at [[Saariselkä]] * A ride on the historical "Linnanmäki" wooden roller coaster (Helsinki). Unlike modern designs, only gravity keeps it on the track, and it requires a driver on each train to operate the brakes. There is a museum card ([http://www.museot.fi/week-card/ museokortti]), which gives free entrance to most bigger museums for a week for €40. There are 40 participating museums in the capital region, 250 in all the country. There is also a one-year version, for €65. ===Itineraries=== * [[Archipelago Trail]], by road and ferry through the Archipelago Sea * [[Blue Highway]], a road from Norway to Russia, by lakes and rivers * [[E8 through Finland and Norway]], the main road of Finland's west coast * [[Finland in ten days by car]], a suggested route showing some of the most important sights in Finland * [[Highway 4 (Finland)]], part of the European route E75, stretching almost the full length of the country from south to north * [[Hanko-Uusikaupunki by boat]], the main leisure fairway through the Archipelago Sea * [[Hämeen Härkätie]], a historic route from Turku to the inland * [[King's Road (Finland)]], the old postal route along the south coast * [[Nordkalottleden]], a long-distance hiking trail through the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area ==Do== ===[[Sport]]=== [[File:Nokia Arenan avajaiset 2.jpg|thumbnail|A Liiga ice hockey match]] Notably lacking in craggy mountains or crenellated fjords, Finland is ''not'' the adrenalin-laden [[winter sport]]s paradise you might expect: the traditional Finnish pastime is [[cross-country skiing]] through more or less flat terrain. If you're looking for [[downhill skiing]], snowboarding etc., you'll need to head up to [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] and resorts like [[Levi]] and [[Saariselkä]]. The king of sports in Finland is '''[[Ice hockey in Europe|ice hockey]]''' (''jääkiekko''), and winning the Ice Hockey World Championship is as close to nirvana as the country gets &mdash; especially if they defeat arch-rivals Sweden, as they did in 1995 and 2011. The yearly national championship is the '''[http://www.liiga.fi Liiga (finnish)]''', where 15 teams battle it out. Additionally, the Helsinki-based '''[http://www.jokerit.com/en Jokerit]''', a former Liiga member, plays in the '''[http://en.khl.ru/ Kontinental Hockey League]''', a Russia-based league that also includes teams from several other post-Soviet states, Slovakia, and China. If you're visiting in season (September to March), catching a game is worthwhile. Tickets start from around €16, and while the action on the ice is brutal, fans are generally well behaved (if not necessarily sober). If you happen to be in Finland when they win the World Championship, the traffic in the city centers might be messy, as the fans are running in the streets celebrating, usually intoxicated. The national sport of Finland, though, is '''pesäpallo''', which translates literally as "baseball", but looks and plays rather differently to its American forebear. The single most notable difference is that the pitcher stands at the home plate together with the batter and pitches directly upward, making hitting the ball easier and catching it harder. The '''Superpesis''' league plays for the yearly championship in summer, with both men's and women's teams. And if you'd like to try your hand at something uniquely Finnish, don't miss the plethora of bizarre sports contests in the summer, including: * {{do | name=Air Guitar World Championships | alt= | url=http://www.airguitarworldchampionships.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=August, [[Oulu]]. Bring out your inner guitar hero! }} * {{do | name=World Fart Championships | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Utajärvi]]. Yes, you read correctly. }} * {{do | name=Mobile Phone Throwing Championship | alt= | url=http://www.mobilephonethrowing.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Suspended 2016 | price= | content=August, [[Savonlinna]]. Recycle your Nokia! }} * {{do | name=Swamp Soccer World Championship | alt= | url=http://www.suopotkupallo.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Hyrynsalmi]]. Probably the messiest sporting event in the world. They also arrange a snow soccer world championships each February. }} * {{do | name=Wife Carrying World Championship | alt= | url=<!-- should be found somewhere at http://www.sonkajarvi.fi, nothing there now --> | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Sonkajärvi]]. The grand prize is the wife's weight in beer. }} * {{do | name=Sulkavan Suursoudut | alt= | url=http://www.suursoudut.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Sulkava]] Finland's biggest rowing event }} ===[[Outdoor life]]=== {{see also|Boating in Finland|Hiking in the Nordic countries|Finnish National Parks}} [[File:Landscape near Salla.jpg|thumb|Forest, lake with islands, and fells by the horizon, [[Finnish Lapland]]]] [[File:Bläsnäs simstrand juni 2020.jpg|thumb|Beaches tend to be small; they seldom have guards, but also dangerous currents are rare]] During the short summer you can '''swim''', '''canoe''', '''row''' or '''sail''' in the lakes or in the sea. The water is at its warmest around 20 July, with temperatures about {{C|20}}. Local newspapers usually have the current surface temperatures, and a map of the surface temperatures can also be found from the Environment Ministry [http://wwwi2.ymparisto.fi/i2/90/twlx2/tanaan_fi.html website]. During the warmest weeks, late at night or early in the morning the water can feel quite pleasant when the air temperature is lower than the water's. Most towns also have swimming halls with slightly warmer water, but these are often closed during the summer. Many Finns [[Winter swimming|swim outdoors in winter]] also. There are lifeguards in busy hours at some beaches, but non-obvious risks are rare; nearly any shore can be used as long as you do not jump in without checking for obstacles. [[Algal bloom]] (''sinilevä''/''cyanobakterier'') can happen during the warmest period, so if the water seems to contain massive amounts of blue-green flakes, do not swim or use the water, and do not let children or pets into it. [[File:Vandring Åland.jpg|thumb|People hiking in [[Åland]]]] The [[right to access]] and the sparse population makes it easy to go '''hiking''' wherever you are. If you are serious about it, you might want to check [[Hiking in the Nordic countries]] for advice and [[Finnish National Parks]] for destinations. There are trails for easy day trips as well as for week-long hikes – and large backwoods for the experienced. The best season for hiking is early fall, after most mosquitoes have died off and the autumn colours have come out, but summer is good too, and all seasons possible. Making an open fire requires landowner permission (which you have at campfire sites at most hiking destinations) and is forbidden during wildfire warnings regardless of such permission. A lighter version of being outdoors is to go '''berry picking''' in some nearby forest. Also in bigger cities, there are usually suitable woods interspersed with the suburbs (i.e. within half a kilometre from a local bus stop). Bilberry (''Vaccinium myrtillus'', ''mustikka''/''blåbär'', closely related to the blueberry) is common enough that you nearly anywhere (in July–August) quickly will find berries for your morning porridge for all the week, for pies and deserts with cream and sugar. Other common berries include wild strawberry (''metsämansikka''/''smultron'', from late June), lingonberry (''puolukka''/''lingon'', August–September), bog bilberry (''juolukka''/''odon''), raspberry (''vadelma''/''hallon'') and crowberry (''variksenmarja''/''kråkbär''/''čáhppesmuorji''). On bogs you may find cloudberry (''lakka''/''hjortron''/''luomi'') and cranberry (''karpalo''/''tranbär''), the latter picked late in autumn. You can even sell excess berries at a local market (though this may be restricted for cloudberries in Lapland). Many Finns also pick '''mushrooms''', but that requires you to know what you are doing, as there are deadly ones, including the death cap and the European destroying angel, easy to mistake for an ''Agaricus'' (field/button/common mushroom and the like). A good rule of thumb is to never pick any white mushrooms, mushrooms growing on stumps or ''Cortinarius'' species, which have a cortina (a web of fibers resembling a cobweb) and usually reddish gills. You should of course not pick any mushrooms you do not know, but edible mushrooms in these categories are easily confused with common deadly ones. In winter (and spring in the north) the way to go is of course '''[[cross-country skiing]]'''. There are maintained tracks around most cities, as well as around winter sports centres and in national parks. Wilderness back-packers use larger skis and do not rely on pre-existing tracks. Many Finns are keen fishermen and recreational '''[[fishing]]''' is equally available to foreigners. For most species there are regulations on allowed size and allowed times, and it is your responsibility to check the general and local regulations. In most still waters rod and hook fishing is free. Fishing with (single) reel and lure is allowed in most still waters, provided a national [http://www.ahven.net/english fishing fee] has been paid, at a Metsähallitus service point (such as a national park visitor centre) or R-kioski, in the [https://verkkokauppa.eraluvat.fi web shop] or by bank giro (2016: €39 for a year, €12 for a week, €5 for a day, plus any bank or kiosk surcharge; children under 18 and elderly over 64 exempted). Report wanted starting date when paying and show the receipt on request. For streaming waters rich in salmon or related species and some specially regulated waters, also separate permits have to be bought. With the national permit and permission from the owner of the waters (most land-owners in the countryside have a share) you can fish with most legal methods. There are minimum sizes, protected species and other special regulations you should check, e.g. when getting the permit, from a visitor centre or a suitable business. More information from [tel:+35820692424 020-69-2424] (08:00–16:00), the web shop or e.g. [http://www.ahven.net/english ahven.net]. Moving between certain waters you should disinfect your equipment, including boat and boots, and be careful in handling water and entrails (there are [http://www.nationalparks.fi/salmonparasite salmon parasites] and crayfish plague). Many small businesses arrange fishing excursions. Catch-and-release fishing is not practised (but undersize fish is released). Åland has its own fishing law, where nearly all fishing requires permission from the owner of the waters, which you can get for many specific areas by paying a fee. Residents may fish by rod and hook in their home municipality except 15.4–15.6 and Nordic residents may fish for household use by any legal means in waters without an owner (far enough from inhabited islands). The Forestry Administration (Metsähallitus) maintains an online [http://www.excursionmap.fi Excursion Map] with trails and huts marked. ===Music=== {{seealso|Nordic music}} [[File:Apocalyptica on stage of Ruisrock.jpg|thumbnail|Apocalyptica performing at Ruisrock]] Finland hosts many '''music festivals''' during the summer. Some of the most notable festivals of popular music (''festari'') include: <!-- no more than ten, order by date, discuss changes on talk page first --> * {{do | name=Sauna Open Air | alt= | url=http://www.sauna-open-air.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, [[Tampere]], early June }} * {{do | name=Provinssirock | alt= | url=http://provinssirock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, [[Seinäjoki]], mid-June }} * {{do | name=Nummirock | alt= | url=http://nummirock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, [[Nummijärvi]] (near [[Kauhajoki]]), late June (Midsummer) }} * {{do | name=Raumanmeren juhannus | alt= | url=http://www.rmj.fi/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Pop/disco music, [[Pori]], late June (Midsummer) }} * {{do | name=Tuska Open Air | alt= | url=http://www.tuska-festival.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, [[Helsinki]], late June }} * {{do | name=Tangomarkkinat | alt= | url=http://www.tangomarkkinat.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Tango, [[Seinäjoki]], early July }} * {{do | name=Ruisrock | alt= | url=http://ruisrock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, [[Turku]], July }} * {{do | name=Ilosaarirock | alt= | url=http://ilosaarirock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, pop, reggae, [[Joensuu]], mid-July }} * {{do | name=Kuopiorock | alt= | url=https://kuopiorock.fi/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, rock, pop, [[Kuopio]], late-July }} * {{do | name=Pori Jazz | alt= | url=http://www.porijazz.fi/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Jazz/world music, [[Pori]], mid-July }} * {{do | name=Flow | alt= | url=http://www.flowfestival.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Indie/electronic/urban, Helsinki, mid-August }} * {{do | name=Qstock | alt= | url=http://www.qstock.fi/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, pop, rap, Oulu, end of july }} Most of the festivals last 2–4 days and are very well organised, with many different bands playing, with e.g. Foo Fighters and Linkin Park headlining at Provinssirock in 2008. The normal full ticket (all days) price is about €60–100, which includes a camp site where you can sleep, eat and meet other festival guests. The atmosphere at festivals is great and probably you'll find new friends there. Of course drinking a lot of beer is a part of the experience. There are also many festivals of '''classical music''', most of them in summer. At these festivals people gather just for individual concerts. ===Other events=== * {{do | name=Finncon | alt= | url=http://www.finncon.org/ | email= | address=Helsinki, Turku, Tampere or Jyväskylä | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free of charge | content=Finland's biggest sci-fi convention and the only major sci-fi convention in the world to be completely free of charge. Held on a weekend in summer, usually in middle July. }} ===Northern Lights=== Spotting the eerie '''[[Northern Lights]]''' (''aurora borealis'', or ''revontulet'' in Finnish) glowing in the sky is on the agenda of many visitors. Far north [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] in Finland is one of the best places to observe aurorae, as it has good accessibility, high-quality accommodation and inland Finland has relatively clear skies, compared e.g. to coastal Norway. However, seeing them requires some planning and some luck. To have a good chance to see them you should stay at least a few days, preferably a week or more, in the far north in the right season. In the south, northern lights are seldom seen. In e.g. Helsinki there are northern lights about once a month, but you are likely to be somewhere with too much light pollution. In the winter in northern Lapland, on the other hand, the probability of some northern lights is 50–70 % every night with clear skies, and light pollution is quite easy to avoid there. === Sauna === [[File:Sauna 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Inside a modern Finnish sauna]] The '''[[sauna]]''' is perhaps Finland's most significant contribution to the world (and the world's vocabulary). The sauna is essentially a room heated to 70–120°C; according to an oft-quoted statistic this nation of 5 million has no less than 2 million saunas, in apartments, offices, summer cottages and even Parliament (many agreements in business and politics are reached informally after a sauna bath). In ancient times, saunas (being the cleanest places around) were the place to give birth and heal the sick, and the first building constructed when setting up a new household. The old Finnish saying; "If it is not cured by sauna, tar and liquor, then it is for life" maybe crystallises the Finnish honour for the holy room. If invited to visit a Finnish home, you may be invited to bathe in the sauna as well — this is an honour and should be treated as such, although Finns do understand that foreigners may not be keen about the idea. Enter the sauna nude after taking a shower, as wearing a bathing suit or any other clothing is considered a bit of a ''faux pas'', although if you are feeling shy, you can wrap yourself in a bath towel. Unlike in some other cultures, there is not much erotic involved in Finnish Sauna for Finns, even when they bath unisex, it is purely for cleaning and refreshing, or for discussions about e.g. life or politics. Public saunas in swimming halls and spas are generally segregated by gender. There may be a separate mixed sauna with exits to both men's and women's showers, useful for e.g. couples or families; entry to the wrong side is to be avoided. In places with a single sauna, there are usually separate shifts for men and women, and possibly a mixed-gender shift. Children under the age of 7 can usually participate in any shift. In private saunas the host usually organises the bathing turns along similar lines. After you've had your fill, you can cool off by heading outside, just to sit at the veranda, for a roll in the snow (in winter) or for a dip in the lake (any time of the year, beach sandals or the like can be practical in the winter) — and then head back in for another round. Repeat this a few times, then cork open a cold beer, roast a sausage over a fire, and enjoy total relaxation Finnish style. These days the most common type of sauna features an electrically heated stove, which is easy to control and maintain. In the countryside you can still find wood-fired saunas, but purists prefer the (now very rare) traditional chimneyless ''smoke saunas'' (''savusauna''), where a large pile of stones is heated and the sauna then ventilated well before entering. Anyone elderly or with a medical condition (especially high blood pressure) should consult their physician before using a sauna – although sauna bathing as a habit is good for the heart, you might need expert advice for your first visits. ===Social dancing=== [[File:Valasranta 3.jpg|thumb|The dance pavilion at Valasranta, [[Loimaa|Yläne]].]] If you like social dancing – foxtrot, tango, waltz, jive etc. – you should try the ''dance pavilions'' (Finnish: ''lavatanssit'' at a ''tanssilava''), usually by a lake or in some other nice countryside setting. They have lost popularity since the 1950s, but do have a faithful audience. Similar dances are arranged in many rural community centres. In summertime there are dances at most dance pavilions at least weekly and often a dance somewhere in the region most days. In the winter you can find part of the same crowd at heated indoor locations (mostly community centres, a few of the pavilions, some dance restaurants). See also Tangomarkkinat, the tango festival of [[Seinäjoki]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{Template:Exchange rate euros}} {{Euro}} In cash transactions in Finland all '''sums are rounded''' to the nearest five cents. Thus one and two cent coins are seldom used (although legal tender) and the rare Finnish ones are collectors' items. When paying with a card, the payment is honoured to the cent. Prices are usually given without explicitly stating the currency. Cents are told after a comma, which is the decimal separator. Thus 5,50 means five euros and fifty cents, while 5,– means five euros. Most places accept the major credit cards (with chip, ID may be needed). In some situations only cash is accepted (such as local and regional buses, open air markets and other small scale business), while train conductors do not accept cash. Cheques are never used. Notes of 100, 200 and 500 euro are not dispensed by ATMs and are rarely actually used. Prepare for a hassle if trying to pay with them. Buses and many types of smaller kiosks often do not accept them, local buses sometimes not even notes of 50 euro. Most Finns use a chipped debit card for their daily purchases. EMV contactless payment readers are commonplace for purchases under €50. You will need your PIN for the terminals for purchases over €50 and now and then for the contactless ones. An ID isn't normally needed, as long as you can confirm your identity with your PIN – which means that anybody that gets your PIN can use your card. Credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, sometimes other cards) are widely accepted. Visa Electron and Visa Debit card readers are found in all major and most minor shops, so carrying large amounts of cash is not usually necessary. Using a foreign card might become an issue if your card is not chip-based; many vendors require PIN. Many Finns use a card even for small purchases, and the use of cash is rapidly decreasing; don't get annoyed if Finns pay small €1–5 amounts using cards, even when there is a long queue behind. For open air markets, small accommodation businesses, for buying handicraft at the workshop and similar, have cash (''käteinen'') or check in advance. A sign reading "''Vain käteinen''" means "Cash only". Currencies other than the euro are generally ''not'' accepted, although the Swedish krona may be accepted in [[Åland]] and northern border towns like [[Tornio]] (and Norwegian crowns likewise in the extreme north). As an exception, Stockmann accepts U.S. dollars, pound sterling, Swedish krona and Russian rubles. Also on the ferries from Sweden and Estonia many currencies may be accepted. ===Banking=== [[File:Ottopiste.jpg|thumb|upright|An Otto cashpoint in [[Tampere]] ]] Getting or exchanging money is rarely a problem in cities, as ATMs (''pankkiautomaatti'', ''bankautomat'') are common and they can be operated with international credit and debit cards (Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Maestro). Most ATMs belong to the ''Otto'' system, some to the ''Nosto'' (both names can be interpreted as "draw"). The former is a cooperation between the banks, the latter, often found at S markets, an independent new competitor. In the countryside ATMs are harder to find. Cash can be got with some cards at some shops. Exchange bureaux (e.g. ''Forex'', recognisable from its bright yellow logo) can be found in the bigger cities and near borders and typically have better rates, longer opening hours and faster service than banks. Note that not all bank offices handle cash at all, and those that do may still not handle currency exchange. Because of widespread electronic banking, routine bill payment and other banking tasks are rarely conducted at a bank office. Banks have scaled down their office network and personal service, so that you might have to queue for that. Finland is a part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which covers EU and EEA, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland. Any chipped credit or debit card issued by a SEPA bank should work, and money can be transferred between banks by giro over the whole SEPA area. Nevertheless, if you're moving into the country, get a Finnish bank account (''pankkitili'', ''bankkonto''), because Finnish banks do not charge fees for giros within Finland if they are submitted online, and bank giro (''pankkisiirto'', ''bankgiro'') is – for all intents and purposes – the only method to pay bills and get salaries paid. You will be issued electronic banking credentials, which can be used to execute most daily banking tasks including giro payments. Many vendors offer "electronic bills" (''e-lasku'', ''e-räkning''), which sends the bill directly to your user account at the bank for approval, and you can also have the bank pay the bill automatically at a specified date, useful for e.g. rent. Banking credentials also serve as identity checks for e.g. insurance or government electronic services. ===Tipping=== As a rule, '''tipping is entirely optional and never necessary''' in Finland and restaurant bills already include service charges. Indeed tipping is almost unheard of outside restaurants with table service and taxi fares; the latter are occasionally rounded up to the next convenient number. Cloakrooms (''narikka'') in nightclubs and better restaurants often have ''non-negotiable'' fees (usually clearly signposted, €2 is standard), and – in the few hotels that employ them – hotel porters will expect around the same per bag. Bar patrons may tip the bouncer when leaving for satisfactory service in the establishment in general. Consequently tips are most often pooled. Bars often have a brass tippikello (tip bell) near the counter. Upon receiving a tip, the service person strikes it with the largest denomination of coin given in the tip. Tipping government and municipality personnel for any service will not be accepted, as it could be considered a bribe. ===Costs=== Declared the world's most expensive country in 1990, prices have since abated somewhat but are still steep by most standards, though somewhat cheaper than Norway; Norwegians living near the border often drive into Finland to purchase groceries. Rock-bottom travelling if staying in hostel dorms and self-catering costs at least €25/day and it's safer to assume double that amount. Groceries in Finland cost approximately 20% over the EU average. The cheapest hotels cost about €50 per night (without breakfast) and more regular hotels start from about €80–100. Instead of hotels or hostels, look for holiday cottages, especially when travelling in a group and off-season; you can find a full-equipped cottage for €10–15 per person a night. Camp-sites typically cost €10–20 per tent or caravan, plus about €5/2 per person. Museums and tourist attractions have an entrance fee in the range of €5–25. Using public transport costs a few euros per day and depends on the city. One-way travel between major cities by train or by bus costs €20–100, depending on the distance. Children, by varying definitions, often pay about half price or less (small children free), except at children's attractions. A VAT of 24 % is charged for nearly everything (the main exception being food at 14 %), but by law this must be included in the displayed price. Non-EU residents can get a tax refund for purchases not intended for local use above €40 at participating outlets, just look for the Tax-Free Shopping logo and check how to get the refund. ===Shopping=== [[File:Åbo salutorg 2010, Blommor och grönsaker.jpg|thumbnail|The market square in Turku: flowers and food.]] As you might expect given the general price level, souvenir shopping in Finland isn't exactly cheap. Traditional buys include Finnish ''puukko'' knives and handwoven ''ryijy'' rugs. For any [[Finnish Lapland|Lappish]] handicrafts, look for the "Sámi Duodji" label that certifies it as authentic. Popular foods to try or to bring home to astonish your friends include every conceivable part of a reindeer, lye-soaked ''lutefisk'' (''lipeäkala''), and pine tar (''terva'') syrup. If you can't bring yourself to try terva on your pancakes, then you can also get soap scented with it in nearly any grocery or drug store. There are also candies with tar flavour, the most common being the Leijona Lakritsi candies. Popular brands for modern (or timeless) Finnish design include [http://www.marimekko.fi Marimekko] clothing, [http://www.iittala.fi Iittala] glass, [http://www.arabia.fi Arabia] ceramics (especially their Moomin mugs are a must), [http://www.kalevalakoru.fi Kalevala Koru] jewelry, [http://www.pentik.fi Pentik] interior design and, if you don't mind the shipping costs, [http://www.artek.fi Artek] furniture by renowned architect and designer Alvar Aalto. Kids, and more than a few adults, love [http://www.moomin.fi Moomin] characters, which fill up souvenir store shelves. '''Shopping hours''' are not regulated any more, and depend on the location, size and type of shop: it is best to check their websites for opening hours of the day. The most available are local grocery stores, such as ''Sale'', ''Alepa'' or ''K-Market'', which usually are open 07:00–23:00, in some cases around the clock. Larger shops, shopping centres and department stores are generally open until 20:00 or 21:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. For small and speciality shops, normal weekday opening hours are from 9:00 or later to 17:00 or 18:00, but most of them close early on Saturday and are closed entirely on Sundays. Shopping hours in Helsinki are the longest, with some department stores open around the clock. Shopping hours in the countryside and small cities are shorter, although most national chains keep the same hours throughout the country (except for 24 hr operations). During national holidays, almost all stores are closed, although some grocery stores may remain open. Finally, shops may operate longer than usual hours during the Christmas shopping season. Convenience stores like the ubiquitous ''[http://www.rkioski.fi R-Kioski]'' keep quite long hours, but still tend to be closed when you most need them. If in desperate need of basic supplies, fuel station convenience stores (''Shell'', ''Neste'', ''Teboil'', ''ABC!'') are usually open on weekends and until late at night, and especially stores in ABC! stations commonly operate around the clock. Supermarkets in [[Helsinki]]'s ''Asematunneli'', underneath the Central Railway Station, are open until 22:00 every day of the year, except on Christmas Day (25 December). When buying products in '''loose sale''', such as often vegetables and fruits, in supermarkets you should usually put them on an nearby scale and push the button for the code shown adjacent to the price, to get a sticker for the cashier. Lidl is an exception, there the scale is at the cashier and handled by them. For alcohol, see [[#Drink|Drink]] below. Most products need to be imported, and unfortunately this shows in the selection of goods and the pricing. It is not uncommon to see exactly the same product in different shops, at exactly the same price. When buying consumer electronics, one should be aware that the shelf life of products can be rather long, especially if the shop isn't specialised in consumer electronics. There is a risk of buying an overpriced product that has already been discontinued by the manufacturer or replaced with a newer model. While shopkeepers may vehemently deny this to a foreigner, prices in smaller stores are by no means fixed. When buying hobby equipment, it is not uncommon to get 30% discount (hint: find the international price level from a web shop and print it out). In the kinds of shops where such ad hoc discounts are possible, you could at least ask for the price to be rounded down some 5%, or to get some lesser product included. This is not like the bargaining in some other countries – you should mostly ask for the price you hope to get, or just suggest you'd appreciate a reduced price. ==Eat== [[File:Finland SmokedSalmonPlate.JPG|thumb|A typical Finnish meal. Clockwise from bottom: warm smoked salmon, boiled potatoes, cream sauce with chantarelles, lightly pickled cucumbers with dill]] Finnish cuisine is heavily influenced by its neighbours (see [[Nordic cuisine]] and [[Russian cuisine]]), the main staples being '''potatoes''' and '''bread''' with various fish and meat dishes on the side. '''Dairy''' products are also important, with a wide variety of cheeses, and milk a common beverage even for adults. Due to the harsh climate, spices in Finland were historically largely limited to salt and pepper, with lashings of dill in the summer. While traditional Finnish food is famously bland, there was a culinary revolution in the 1990s, with a boom in classy restaurants experimenting with local ingredients, often with excellent results. Contemporary Finnish cuisine includes tastes and influences from all over the world, and the dining scene in larger cities has become quite cosmopolitan. As the ingredients make much of the food, in Finland, the agricultural products might suffer of the cold climate, which requires many of them to be imported or grown with little natural light off season. Yet in summer, many products benefit from the nearly eternal sunlight. The fish, while small in size and rare in occurrence, are tasty. Salmon in shops and on markets in Finland is often imported from Norway. When travelling in the middle of the Finland, there is a rare occasion to purchase freshly caught and prepared fish from one of the thousand lakes. In working days locals typically eat a substantial breakfast, lunch (at a workplace cafeteria, a nearby restaurant, or packed), dinner after work, and a light evening meal before going to bed. If eating the dinner out, it is eaten later and the evening meal skipped. In weekends lunch and dinner are often combined. Full board lodging may include the evening meal, sometimes as a basket to eat at your room or in communal areas. In proper hotels the included breakfast is extensive. In other lodgings, if breakfast is included, it is usually sufficient to keep you going until a late lunch. It at least includes bread with toppings and coffee or tea, often also other fare. In some "B&B"s breakfast isn't included, but must be ordered separately and might be self-service. ===Seafood=== With tens of thousands of lakes and a long coastline, fish is a Finnish staple, and there's a lot more on that menu than just salmon (''lohi''/''lax''). Specialities include: * '''Baltic herring''' (''silakka''/''strömming''), a small, fatty and quite tasty fish available coal roasted (''hiilisilakka''), pickled, marinated, smoked, grilled, and in countless other varieties. * '''Gravlax''' (''graavilohi''), a pan-Scandinavian appetiser of raw salted salmon. * '''Smoked salmon''' (''savulohi''/''rökt lax''), not just the cold, thinly sliced, semi-raw kind (which seldom really is smoked nowadays) but also fully cooked warm-smoked salmon. * '''Vendace''' (''muikku''), a delicacy from the lakeland Finland. A small fish served rolled in a mix of breadcrumb flour and salt, and fried in butter till crunchy. They are traditionally served with mashed potatoes, and you will find them sold at most music festivals and open air market events. The local variety of vendace living in the lakes of [[Kuusamo|Koillismaa highlands]] – the ''Kitkan viisas''– enjoy the protected designation of origin (PDO) status in the European Union. Other local fish to look out for include: zander (''kuha''/''gös''), an expensive delicacy, pike (''hauki''/''gädda''), flounder (''kampela''/''flundra'') and perch (''ahven''/''abborre''). If you're in Finland around September–October, keep an eye out for the Herring Fair (''silakkamarkkinat''/''strömmingsmarknad''), celebrated in most larger coastal cities. Other than just fish products there are plenty of other delicacies, handicraft and general market fare for sale in such markets. ===Meat dishes=== [[File:Poronkäristys.jpg|thumb|Reindeer stew (''poronkäristys''), a [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] favourite, served in a potato mash bowl with lingonberries]] [[File:KahvilaSuomi Meatballs.JPG|thumb|Meatballs (''lihapullat''), served with mashed potatoes, creamy roux sauce, salad, and lingonberry jam]] * '''Karelian stew''' or '''Karelian hot pot''' (''karjalanpaisti''), a heavy stew made from large chops of beef and pork (and optionally, lamb), carrots, and onions. Baked for hours and hours and finally served with potatoes this is an iconic dish, which is unfortunately difficult to find unless made for that special occasion. A version made using shortcuts is common at cafeterias. * '''Liver casserole''' (''maksalaatikko''/''leverlåda''), consisting of chopped liver, rice and raisins cooked in an oven. It tastes rather different from what you'd expect — eerily sweet and not liver-y at all. You won't find liver casserole at restaurants, but from any grocery store, as it is one of the most popular convenience foods. * '''Loop sausage''' (''lenkkimakkara''), a large, mildly flavoured, U-shaped sausage; best when grilled and topped with a dab of sweet Finnish mustard (''sinappi''), and beer. * '''Meat balls''' (''lihapullat'', ''lihapyörykät''/''köttbullar'') are as popular and tasty as in the neighbouring Sweden. * '''Reindeer''' (''poro'') dishes aren't part of the everyday Finnish diet, but a tourist staple, easily available in the [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] and [[Kuusamo]] regions. Especially famous is the '''sautéed reindeer''' shavings (''poronkäristys''), served with mashed potato and lingonberries. In addition to poronkäristys also an '''air dried reindeer jerky''' (''poron kuivaliha'') is a known delicacy hard to come by. Looking scary it has an intensive and salty taste. Slightly '''smoked reindeer beef cutlets''' are available at all supermarkets though they too are expensive (delicious with rye bread). Both the Lapland reindeer jerky and the Lapland smoked reindeer enjoy the protected designation of origin (PDO) status in the European Union. * '''Swedish hash''' (''pyttipannu'', Swedish: ''pytt i panna''), originally from [[Sweden]]. A hearty dish of chopped potatoes, chopped onions and any meaty leftovers on hand. Fried up in a pan and topped with an egg. Available from many grill kiosks. * '''Makkara'''/'''Korv''', Finnish sausages are affectionately called "the Finnish man's vegetable" since the actual meat content may be rather low. ===Milk products=== [[File:Leipäjuusto.jpg|thumbnail|upright|A quarter of ''leipäjuusto'', the Finnish squeaky cheese.]] Cheese and other milk products are very popular in Finland. Large quantities of [[cheese]] (''juusto''/''ost'') are consumed, much of it locally produced mild to medium matured. Imported cheeses are freely available and local farm cheeses can be sampled and purchased at open air markets (''tori''/''torg'') and year round market halls. A flat, fried "bread-cheese" (''leipäjuusto'') can be eaten cold in a salad or slightly softened and with (cloudberry) jam as a dessert. A baked egg cheese (''munajuusto'') block is a common delicacy made with milk, buttermilk, and egg. The most common and popular varieties are mild hard cheeses like Edam and Emmental, but local specialities include: * '''Aura cheese''' (''aurajuusto''/''auraost''), a local variety of Roquefort blue cheese, also used in soups, sauces; one of the most popular pizza toppings. * '''Breadcheese''' (''leipäjuusto'' or ''juustoleipä'', depending on local dialect), a type of very mild-flavoured grilled curd that squeaks when you eat it, best enjoyed warm with a dab of cloudberry jam. Breadcheese is an Ostrobothnia-Lapland speciality, which is readily available in any grocery store though. * '''Home cheese''' (''kotijuusto''), a white, crumbly mass from which pieces are cut. Commonly available in buffet restaurants, especially during the Christmas season. Fermented dairy products help stabilise the digestion system, so if your system is upset, give them a try: * '''Piimä''' (''surmjölk''), a type of buttermilk beverage, thick and sour and contains naturally healthy lactic acid bacteria; nowadays some are often explicitly added ("AB"). * '''Viili''' (''fil'', ''filbunke''), a type of curd, acts like super-stretchy liquid bubble gum but is similar to plain yoghurt in taste. It is traditionally eaten with cinnamon and sugar on top. Yoghurt (''jugurtti''), often premixed with jam, is commonly eaten. ''Skyr'', a cultured milk product originally from [[Iceland]], has become a popular yogurt substitute. ''Kefir'', a Russian yoghurt drink, is available in many flavours. ===Other dishes=== [[File:Karjalanpiirakka-20060227.jpg|thumb|The Karelian pie (''karjalanpiirakka''), a signature Finnish pastry.]] * '''Pea soup''' (''hernekeitto''/''ärtsoppa'') — usually but not always with ham; vegetarian versions usually with cubed carrot. Traditionally eaten with a dab of mustard and some chopped onion, and served on Thursdays with a piece of pancake as a dessert. Just watch out for the flatulence! The Finnish pea soup is greener by colour and much thicker than its Swedish counterpart. Found in canned version in every single grocery store in Finland (the thick mass in the can will liquefy when heated, but usually about half a can of water is added). * '''Karelian pie''' (''karjalanpiirakka'') — an oval 7 by 10&nbsp;cm baked pastry, traditionally baked with rye flour, containing rice porridge or mashed potato, ideally eaten topped with a mixture of butter and chopped egg (''munavoi''). The ''karjalanpiirakka'' has got the Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) status in the European Union. As the pastry is extremely popular though, similar pies baked elsewhere are commonly sold as ''riisipiirakka'' ("rice pie") or ''perunapiirakka'' ("potato pie") etc. * '''Porridge''' (''puuro''/''gröt''), usually made from oats (''kaura''), barley (''ohra''), rice (''riisi''), wheat (in this context: ''manna'') or rye (''ruis''), and most often served for breakfast. The oats porridge (''kaurapuuro'') is often cooked with milk in [[Finland Proper]]. Sour rye porridge with lingonberries (''ruis-puolukkapuuro'') is a traditional lunch meal in Finnish schools. ===Bread=== Bread (''leipä''/''bröd'') is served with every meal in Finland, and comes in a vast array of varieties. Different types of '''rye bread''' (''ruisleipä'', ''rågbröd'') are the most popular breads in Finland. It can be up to 100% rye, and traditionally mostly sour-dough bread, ''much'' darker, heavier, and chewier than American-style mixed wheat-rye bread. Most traditional Finnish types of rye bread are unsweetened and thus sour or even bitter, although Swedish-like varieties sweetened with malt are also widely available. Typically Finnish breads include: * ''reikäleipä'' (''hålkaka''), a round, flat rye bread with a hole in the middle. Typical in western Finland. The hole was for drying it on sticks by the ceiling. Ones made just from rye flour, water and salt are still widely available. * ''ruispala'', the most popular type of bread, a modern "unholed", single-serving, pre-cut variant of reikäleipä in a rectangular or oblong shape. * ''hapankorppu'' (''surskorpa''), a dry, crispy, and slightly sour flatbread, occasionally sold overseas as "Finncrisp". * ''näkkileipä'', dried, crispy flatbread, traditionally from rye. Thicker and more foam-like than hapankorppu. * ''ruislimppu'' (''råglimpa''), traditionally made of rye, water, and salt only. ''Limppu'' is a catch-all term for big loaves of fresh bread. * ''perunalimppu'' (''potatislimpa''), rye bread with potato and malt. Quite sweet * ''svartbröd'' (''mustaleipä'') and ''skärgårdslimpa'' (''saaristolaisleipä'') are sweet, firm, and heavy black breads from the Swedish-speaking south-western archipelago (svartbröd especially from Åland). These are made through a complicated process. Originally this type of breads were baked for long fishing and hunting expeditions, and for seafarers. Excellent as a base for eating roe with smetana or as a side with salmon soup. * ''Malaxlimpa'' (''Maalahden limppu''), a somewhat similar archipelago bread from the Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnian coast. * ''piimälimppu'', wheat bread with buttermilk. Usually sweetened * ''rieska'', an unleavened bread made of barley or sometimes mashed potatoes. Like a softer and thicker variant of a tortilla. Eaten fresh. Typical for the Ostrobothnia-Lapland area === Seasonal specialities === {{infobox|Attack of the killer mushrooms|The '''false morel''' (''korvasieni'', ''stenmurkla'') has occasionally been dubbed as the "Finnish fugu", as like the infamous Japanese pufferfish, an improperly prepared false morel dish actually ''can kill you''. Fortunately, the mushroom is easily rendered safe by boiling with the right ceremonies (you should get instructions when you buy it – and do not breathe in the fumes!). Prepared mushrooms can be found in gourmet restaurants and even canned in grocery stores.}} [[File:Runebergintorttu.jpg|thumb|The Runeberg torte]] Around Easter keep an eye out for ''mämmi'' (''memma''), a type of brown sweet '''rye and malt pudding'''. It looks famously unpleasant but actually tastes quite good (best eaten with creamy milk and sugar). A sweet speciality for May Day is ''tippaleipä'' (''struva''), a palm sized '''funnel cake''' traditionally enjoyed with mead. The '''Runeberg torte''' (''Runebergintorttu'', ''Runebergstårta'') is a cylindrical pastry with a patch of jam surrounded by a ring of sugar paste on top. It is a strictly seasonal pastry available only during a few weeks in February, close to the Finland's national poet J.L. Runeberg's Day. At the Fat Tuesday lunch restaurants all over the country serve ''pea soup with a pancake and jam'' as a traditional meal, as it is. This is also the season for the ''laskiaispulla''/''fastlagsbulle'', a bun filled with whipped cream and either jam or almond paste (don't serve the wrong version to anybody!); some serve it with hot milk. During the Midsummer celebration in late June it is common to serve the first potatoes of that years' harvest with herring. From the end of July until September it's worthwhile to ask for '''crayfish''' (''rapu''/''kräfta'') menus and prices at better restaurants. It's not cheap, you won't get full from the crayfish alone, and there are many rituals involved, most of which involve large quantities of ice-cold vodka, but it should be tried at least once. Around Christmas, a '''baked Christmas ham''' (''joulukinkku''/''julskinka'') is the traditional star of the dinner table, with a constellation of casseroles around it. Some restaurants serve Christmas buffets for some days before the holiday. During the winter months, '''''blini'''''s are often available in restaurants. These are small, soft, pancakes of Russian origin, eaten with fish roe, sour cream and onion. Another popular Russian delicacy is '''paskha''' (''pasha''), a sweet but sour-ish quark-based dessert, easy to find in grocery stores during Easter. === Regional specialities === There are also regional specialities, including: * [[Savonia]]'s ''kalakukko'' — a bread-like rye pie filled with small whole fish (often vendace). The pie is baked slow and low so that even the fish bones become soft and edible. ''Kalakukko'' has got the traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG) status in the European union. * [[Tampere]]'s ''black sausage'' (''mustamakkara'') — a blood sausage canonically served with lingonberry jam and a pint of cold milk. Grill kiosks (see below) also like to put their local spin on things, ranging from [[Lappeenranta]]'s ''vety'' and ''atomi'' ("hydrogen" and "atom"), meat pies with ham and fried eggs inside, to [[Lahti]]'s spectacularly unappetising ''lihamuki'' ("meat mug"), a disposable soda cup filled with the cheapest grade of kebab meat, your choice of sauce, and nothing else. ===Desserts=== [[File:Pullia.jpg|thumb|An assortment of ''pulla'' straight from the oven]] For dessert or just as a snack, '''Finnish pastries''' abound and are often taken with coffee (see [[#Drink|Drink]]) after a meal. Look for '''cardamom coffee bread''' (''pulla''/''bulla''), a wide variety of '''tarts''' (''torttu''), and '''donuts'''. Traditional Finnish deep-fried doughnuts, which are commonly available at cafés, come in two varieties: ''munkki'', which is a deep-fried bun, and ''munkkipossu'', which is flat and roughly rectangular; both contain sweet jam. A slice of giant oven pancake (''(uuni)pannukakku'') is a common accompaniment to pea soup on Thursdays. In summer, a wide range of fresh '''berries''' are available, including the delectable but expensive '''cloudberry''' (Finnish: ''lakka''/''hilla''/''muurain''/''valokki'', depending on location; Swedish:''hjortron'', Sámi: ''luomi''), and a number of wild berry products are available throughout the year as jam (''hillo''/''sylt''), soup (''keitto''/''soppa''), candy (''makeinen''/''godis''), and a type of a gooey, clear pudding known as ''kiisseli'' (''kräm''). [[File:Salmiak alphabets.jpg|thumbnail|Usually there is a wide selection of ''salmiakki'' candies in kiosks and markets.]] Finnish chocolate is also rather good, with '''[https://www.fazer.fi Fazer]''' products including their iconic '''Sininen''' ("Blue") bar and '''Geisha''' candies exported around the world. A Finnish speciality is the wide use of '''licorice''' (''lakritsi''/''lakrits''). The Finns are particularly craving for the strong '''salty liquorice''' (''salmiakki''/''salmiak'') which gets its unique (and acquired, be warned) taste from ammonium chloride. After a meal it's common to chomp '''chewing gum''' (''purukumi''/''tuggummi'') including xylitol, which is good for dental health. [http://www.jenkki.fi Jenkki] is a popular domestic brand. Many flavours are available. ===Places to eat=== [[File:Savonlinna Liekkilohi Buffet.JPG|thumb|Cold fish buffet at Liekkilohi, [[Savonlinna]]]] Finns tend to eat out only on special occasions, and restaurant prices are correspondingly expensive. The one exception is '''lunchtime''', when thanks to a government-sponsored lunch coupon system company cafeterias and nearly every restaurant in town offers set lunches (''lounas''/''lunch'') for the corresponding prices (around €9–10), usually consisting of a main course, salad bar, bread table and a drink. Cafés might offer a simpler meal with salad, soup, bread and coffee. University cafeterias, many of which are open to all, are particularly good value with meals in the €5–7 range (€2–4 for students with Finnish student ID). There are also public cafeterias in office areas that are open only during lunch hours on working days. While not particularly stylish and sometimes hard to find, those usually offer high-quality buffet lunch at a reasonable price. Any lunch eatery will have these offers M–F 11:00–14:00, while some have them e.g. 10:30–15:00, very few until dinner time, and very few in weekends. There are some websites which list lunch offers for the day for several restaurants of a particular city, for example [https://www.lounasmenu.fi Lounasmenu]. You can find many of them by searching with the word ''lounaslistat'' (lunch lists). For dinner, you'll be limited to generic fast food (pizza, hamburgers, kebabs and such) in the €5–10 range, or you'll often have to splurge over €20 for a meal in a "nice" restaurant. For eating on the move, look for '''grill''' kiosks (''grilli''), which serve sausages, hamburgers and other portable if not terribly health-conscious fare late into the night at reasonable prices. In addition to the usual hamburgers and hot dogs, look for '''meat pies''' (''lihapiirakka''/''köttpirog''), akin to a giant savoury doughnut stuffed with minced meat and your choice of sausage, fried eggs and condiments. '''[http://www.hesburger.fi Hesburger]''' is the local fast-food equivalent of McDonald's, with a similar menu. Also most international fast food chains are present. The grills and hamburger chains may offer "Finnish" interpretations of some dishes, such as reindeer burgers in Lapland, or substituting sandwich buns with a sour-rye bun on request. Also pizzas are sometimes offered with similar twists. The Finnish word for buffet is ''seisova pöytä'' ("standing table"), and while increasingly used to refer to budget all-you-can-eat restaurants, the traditional meaning is akin to Sweden's ''smörgåsbord'': a good-sized selection of sandwiches, fish, meats and pastries. It's traditionally eaten in three rounds: first the fish, then the cold meats, and finally warm dishes &mdash; and it's usually the first that is the star of the show. Though expensive and not very common in a restaurant setting, if you are fortunate enough to be formally invited to a Finn's home, they might have prepared a spread for their guests, along with plenty of coffee. Breakfast at better hotels is also along these lines and it's easy to eat enough to cover lunch as well! If you're really on a budget, you can save a considerable amount of money by '''self-catering'''. Ready-to-eat casseroles and other basic fare that can be quickly prepared in a microwave can be bought for a few euros in any supermarket. Note that you're usually expected to weigh and label any fruits or vegetables yourself (bag it, place it on the scale and press the numbered button; the correct number can be found from the price sign), and green signs mean possibly tastier but certainly more expensive organic (''luomu''/''ekologisk'') produce. Many shops tag produce at or near the "best before" date for a discount of 30% or so, often doubled in the late evening. At restaurants, despite the high prices, portions tend to be quite small, at least when compared to [[USA]] and [[Canada]], and even many [[Europe]]an countries. Finns are used to eating a substantial breakfast (included in the price of hotels and some other lodgings) and lunch, so the dinner doesn't need to be very heavy, and can be two- or single-course. Dinner is eaten rather early, sometimes as early as 16:00, but usually at 17:00 or 18:00. Most restaurants try to cater also to families with '''children''', some making a greater effort than others. There is often a children's menu, typically meatballs, chicken nuggets and simple pastas, although some offer the option of a child size portion from the normal menu to a reduced price. In '''small towns''', you might want to check accommodations and fuel stations. Any proper hotel has a restaurant of some sort, and also places such as marinas may be focal points for locals going out. Some accommodations in the countryside have catering, workplace getaways and family celebrations as their main business, and if they offer food, the meal can be a pleasant experience, often different from the standard restaurant fare. Other countryside cafés often go on the burger/schnitzel line. ===Dietary restrictions=== Traditional Finnish cuisine relies heavily on meat and fish, but '''[[Vegetarians|vegetarianism]]''' (''kasvissyönti''/''vegetarianism'') is increasingly popular and well-understood, and will rarely pose a problem for travellers. Practically all restaurants offer vegetarian options, often marked with a "V" on menus. Take note that egg (''kananmuna'' or ''muna''/''ägg'') is found in many prepared foods, ready meals and baked goods, so vegan meals are not common outside selected restaurants, but the selection of raw ingredients, speciality grains and health foods is adequate for preparing your own. Likewise gelatine (''liivate'') in yoghurt, jellies and sweets is common. Both will always be indicated on labels. Two ailments most commonly found among Finns themselves are '''lactose intolerance''' (''laktoosi-intoleranssi'', inability to digest the milk sugar lactose) and '''coeliac disease''' (''keliakia''/''celiaki'', inability to digest gluten). In restaurants, lactose-free selections are often tagged "L". Low-lactose products are sometimes called "Hyla" or marked with "VL". (Notice that low-lactose VL has nothing to do with vegetarian V.) The gluten-free options are marked with "G". However, hydrolysed lactose (EILA, or HYLA brand) milk or lactose-free milk drink for the lactose intolerant is widely available, which also means that a lactose-free dish is not necessarily milk-free. Allergies are quite common among Finnish people, too, so restaurant workers are usually quite knowledgeable on what goes into each dish and often it is possible to get the dish without certain ingredients if specified. Kosher and halal food are rare in Finland and generally not available outside very limited speciality shops and restaurants catering to the tiny Jewish and Islamic communities. Watch out for minced meat dishes like meatballs, which very commonly use a mix of beef and pork. The [http://www.jchelsinki.fi Jewish Community of Helsinki] runs a small [[kosher]] deli in [[Helsinki]]. A range of ingredients that have more common allergies and dietary restrictions associated with them may be printed in '''bold''' text in the list of ingredients (''ainekset'' or ''ainesosat''/''ingredienser'') on all packaged goods, at restaurants and markets you will have to ask. A problem when self-catering is that lots of products contain ''traces of'' allergens (e.g. most chocolate will have traces of nuts, most oats traces of gluten etc.), which means you might have to buy expensive food items specifically for those with your diet. The Swedish version of the list may be easier for an English-speaker, but check the names of foodstuff you want to avoid. ==Drink== Thanks to its thousands of lakes, Finland has plenty of water supplies and '''tap water''' is always potable – except on trains and the like, where this is clearly indicated. In fact, never buy bottled water if you can get tap water! The usual soft drinks and juices are widely available, but there is also a wide array of '''berry juices''' (''marjamehu''), especially in summer, as well as '''Pommac''', an unusual soda made from (according to the label) "mixed fruits", which you'll either love or hate. Juice from many berries is to be mixed with water, also when not bought as concentrate; sugar is often already added. Note the difference between ''mehu'' (''juice'') and ''mehujuoma'' (''saftdryck''), where the latter may have only traces of the nominal ingredient. ===Coffee and tea=== [[File:Helsinki CafeAalto 01.jpg|thumb|Café in Helsinki]] Finns are the world's heaviest '''coffee''' (''kahvi''/''kaffe'') drinkers, averaging 3–4 cups per day. Most Finns drink it strong and black, but sugar and milk for coffee are always available and variants such as espresso and cappuccino are becoming all the more common especially in the bigger cities. All the biggest towns have had French-style fancy cafés for quite some time and modern competitors, like Wayne's, Robert's Coffee or Espresso House, are springing up in the mix. Most cafés close early. For a quick caffeine fix, you can just pop into any convenience store, which will pour you a cuppa for €2 or so. Tea hasn't quite caught on in quite the same way, although finding hot water and a bag of Lipton Yellow Label won't be a problem. For brewed tea, check out some of the finer cafés or tea rooms in the city centres. Finnish coffee, however, is prepared usually using filters ("sumppi"), producing rather mild substance. Finding a strong high pressure espresso might be an issue somewhere, but tasting the smooth flavour of mocca blend is something to try about. Discussing the preparation mechanics of coffee with Finns is not such a bad idea, generally they are open for new ideas and tastes. The more traditional option for the filtered coffee in Finland is the Eastern style "mud coffee". In that preparation the grounded coffee beans are boiled in a large pot. Before serving, the grounded coffee is let to calm down, before serving the smooth flavoured coffee on the top. Today, one might not be able to find this kind of "''pannukahvi''" in finer cafés (in big cities), but they are largely available pretty much anywhere else. You can even purchase special grounded coffee in most of the supermarkets for that purpose (it is not that fine-grounded like normal filter coffee let alone like espresso). It is specially tasty with cream, rather than milk. ===Dairy=== In Finland it is quite common for people of all ages to drink '''milk''' (''maito'', ''mjölk'') as an accompaniment to food. It is absolutely normal to see businessmen having a lunch and drinking milk. Another popular option is ''piimä'' (buttermilk, Swedish: ''surmjölk''). ===Alcohol=== '''[[Alcohol]]''' is very expensive in Finland compared to most countries (though not to its Nordic neighbours [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]]), although low-cost [[Estonia]]'s entry to the EU forced the government to cut alcohol taxes a little. Still, a single beer will cost you closer to €5–6 in any bar or pub, or over €1 in a supermarket. While beer and cider are available in any supermarket or convenience store – but not after 21:00 and not before 09:00 – the state monopoly '''[http://www.alko.fi Alko]''' is your sole choice for wine or anything stronger. The ''legal drinking age'' is 18 for milder drinks, while to buy or carry spirits you need to be 20. Providing alcohol to somebody underage is a crime (this includes parents letting their children have a taste, and many do comply). Bars and restaurants are allowed to serve all alcohols to customers over 18 within their premises. ID is usually requested from all young-looking clients (nowadays all looking to be under 30). The age limit of 18 applies also to entering nightclubs and other premises where serving alcohol is central, and many of them maintain higher age requirements of their own (sometimes flexible, such as at quiet times or towards customers seen as attractive). Despite the unusually high cost of booze, Finnish people are well known to drink heavily at parties. There are also those mostly abstaining, although this is not popular in some companies, unless you have a reason, among which pregnancy and driving are universally accepted. In the 2000s, teetotalling has become more common among the youth. Especially many Swedish-speaking share the Swedish culture of drinking songs. While Finnish people tend to stick to individual bills in the bar, when you get with them into the summer cottage, things usually turn the other way around and everyone enjoys together what there is on the table. The national drink is ''not'' Finlandia Vodka, a brand directed to foreigners, but '''[https://www.kossu.org/eng/spirit/ Koskenkorva viina]''' (or just ''Kossu'' in common speech). Kossu has 38% ABV while Finlandia has 40%, and Kossu also has a small amount of added sugar, which makes the two drinks taste somewhat different. There are also many other vodkas (''viina'') on the market, most of which taste pretty much the same. As a rule of thumb: products with word ''vodka'' in their name are completely without added sugar while products called ''viina'' have some. A once very popular Finnish speciality is ''Salmiakki Koskenkorva''. Nowadays there are several brands, so people tend to say just '''Salmari'''. It is prepared by mixing in salty licorice, whose taste masks the alcohol behind it fearfully well. There are several brands for salmari available. Add in some Fisherman's Friend menthol cough drops to get Fisu ("Fish") shots, which are even more lethal. In-the-know hipsters opt for ''Pantteri'' ("Panther"), which is half and half Salmari and Fisu. Other famous classics are '''Jaloviina''' (''Jallu'' in everyday speech), a mixture of vodka and brandy, popular especially among university students, and '''Tervasnapsi''' ("tar schnapps") with a distinctive smoky aroma. Both Salmari and Tervasnapsi are strongly acquired tastes and the Finns enjoy seeing how foreigners react to them. '''Marskin Ryyppy''' is a spiced vodka which was the favourite schnapps of the marshal and president of Finland C.G.E. Mannerheim. Marskin Ryyppy should be served ice cold in a glass which is poured as full as ever possible. Spilling the schnapps is, of course, forbidden. '''Beer''' (''olut'' or more softly ''kalja''; Swedish: ''öl'') is very popular. Finnish beers used to be nearly identical mild lagers, but import and the microbrewery trend has forced also the big players to experiment with different types. Big brands are ''Lapin Kulta'', ''Karjala'', ''Olvi'', ''Koff'' and ''Karhu''. Pay attention to the label when buying: beers branded "I" are inexpensive due to their low alcohol content (and thus: low tax), while "III" and "IV" are stronger and more expensive. The Finnish standard is "III beer" with 4.5–4.7% ABV. In grocery stores you will not find any drinks with more than 5.5% alcohol. You may also encounter kvass or '''''kotikalja''''' (literally "home beer"), a dark brown beer-like but very low-alcohol beverage. Kotikalja is popular especially at Christmas time but may be served around the year (cf the Swedish ''julmust'' and ''svagdricka''). Imported beers are available in bigger grocery stores, most pubs and bars, and Czech beers in particular are popular and only slightly more expensive than local ones. Some microbreweries (Laitila, Stadin panimo, Nokian panimo etc.) are gaining foothold with their domestic dark lagers, wheat beers and ales. '''''Sahti''''' is type of unfiltered, usually strong, top-fermented beer. Traditionally it is brewed without hops but is flavoured with juniper instead. Commercially available sahti is usually around 8% ABV and therefore available in Alko stores only. Sahti is often considered as an acquired taste. Some villages in Häme and Satakunta provinces have prominent sahti-tradition. [[File:The Finnish Long Drink captured in Montauk, NY.jpg|thumb|upright|Long drink (''lonkero'')]] A modern development (from the 1980s?) is '''ciders''' (''siideri'', Swedish: ''cider''). Most of these are artificially flavoured sweet concoctions which are quite different from the English or French kinds, although the more authentic varieties are gaining market share. The ever-popular '''gin long drink''' or ''lonkero'' ("tentacle"), a pre-bottled mix of gin and grapefruit soda, tastes better than it sounds and has the additional useful property of glowing under ultraviolet light. At up to 610 kcal/litre it also allows to skip dinner, leaving more time for drinking. During the winter, do not miss '''glögi''' (Swedish: ''glögg''), a type of spiced mulled wine most often served with almonds and raisins. Although it was originally made of old wine the bottled stuff in grocery stores is usually alcohol free and Finns will very often mix in some wine or spirits. In restaurants, glögi is served either alcohol-free, or with 4 cl vodka added. Fresh, hot glögi can, for example, be found at the Christmas markets and somewhat every bar and restaurant during the season. Finnish '''wines''' are made of cultivated or natural berries instead of grapes. The ones made of blackcurrant form a fruity alternative for grape wines. ''Elysee No 1'' is a fairly popular sparkling wine made of white currant. Alko stores (especially some of them) have quite an impressive selection of foreign wines, and these are much more commonly drunk than their few domestic rivals. Due to Alko's volumes and to taxes being on the alcohol content, the premium wines are actually quite cheap i Finland. The largest selection is in the range €10–15/bottle. Quite a few unusual liquors (''likööri'') made from berries are available, although they're uniformly very sweet and usually served with dessert. Cloudberry liquor (''lakkalikööri'') is worth a shot even if you don't like the berries fresh. Home-made spirits ('''pontikka''', Swedish: ''hembränt''): you have been warned! More common in rural areas. It is illegal and frequently distilled on modified water purification plants – which are subject to import control laws nowadays – anecdotal evidence suggests that those are occasionally played as a prank on unsuspecting foreigners. Politely decline the offer, ''especially'' if still sober. '''Kilju''' refers to sugar wine, a fermented mix of sugar and water with an ABV comparable to fortified wine (15–17%). Manufacturing this for one's own use is legal (as is "homewine", basically the same thing but with fruits or berries added), selling isn't. Finally, there is traditional beverage worth looking for: the '''mead''' (''sima'', Swedish: ''mjöd''). Sima is an age-old wine-like sweet brew nowadays usually made from brown sugar, lemon and yeast and consumed particularly around Mayday (''Vappu''). If you are lucky you might encounter some varieties of sima such as one spiced with meadow-sweet. Try them! ==Sleep== [[File:Inari - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Camping in Lapland]] Accommodation in Finland is expensive, with typical hotel rooms about €100/night or more. Many large '''hotels''' are cheaper during the weekends and in summer. Foreign hotel chains are rare outside the capital; most of the hotels are run either by locals or by some domestic brand. So do not expect to accumulate your points when staying anywhere but in major cities. More or less national hotel chains include [http://www.scandichotels.fi Scandic], [http://www.finlandiahotels.fi Finlandia] and [http://www.sokoshotels.fi Sokos]. The [http://www.omenahotels.com Omena] chain offers self-service hotels, where you book online and get a keycode for your room, with no check-in of any kind needed (and little service available). If you insist on a five-star hotel, the rating is up to the individual hotelier. When searching for budget options – and outside cities – check whether breakfast and linen are included, they are in regular hotels, but not in many budget options. Extras, such as sauna, are sometimes included also in cheap prices, and virtually all accommodations (except remote cottages) nowadays have free Wi-Fi. '''[[Bed and breakfasts|Bed and breakfast]]''' is not well-known in Finland. In the countryside there are lodgings that are similar, or use the term, but neither does guarantee any specifics. They are often nice, and might be your only option, but check what to expect, such as whether breakfast is included or you are supposed to self-cater. Some B&Bs border to [[agritourism]]. Some offer dinner on advance request. One of the few ways to not spend too much is to stay in '''[[hostels|youth hostels]]''' (''retkeilymaja''/''vandrarhem'' or ''hostelli''), as the [https://www.hihostels.com/destinations/fi/hostels Hostelling International] has a fairly comprehensive network in the cities, and a dorm bed usually costs less than €20 per night. Many hostels also have private rooms for as little as €30, which are a great deal if you want a little extra privacy. There are also '''[[camping|camping grounds]]''' all around the country. Typical prices are €10–20 per tent or caravan + €4–6/€2 per person, although there are some more expensive locations. A discount card may be worthwhile. Night temperatures are seldom an issue in season (typically 5–15°C, although freezing temperatures are possible also in midsummer, at least in Lapland). Most campsites are closed off season, unless they have cottages adequate for winter use. An even cheaper option is to take advantage of Finland's [[right to access]], or "Every Man's Right" (''jokamiehenoikeus''/''allemansrätten''), which allows '''[[wild camping]]'''. Keep out of sight, don't disturb wildlife, stay for at most two nights, make no campfires and [[Leave-no-trace camping|leave no trace]]. A berry picker finding you is no issue, but they shouldn't have been alarmed by noise, and your campsite should be tidy. In [[Åland]] the right to access is somewhat more limited than on the mainland. Note that making an open fire always requires landowner's permission and is never allowed during [[Wildfires|wildfire]] warnings, which are common in summer. Also, near cities wild camping isn't expected, other than along hiking routes (where there may be designated free sites). Going for multi-day hikes in the north, there are usually free Spartan "open wilderness huts" (''autiotupa''), see below. Virtually every lodging in Finland includes a [[sauna]] for guests — don't miss it! Check operating hours though, as they're often only heated in the evenings and there may be separate shifts of men and women. In hotels there is often a free "morning sauna", while sauna in the evening may have to be booked and paid. ===Cabins=== {{seealso|Vacation rentals|Second homes}} [[File:Vuokramokki Skitunas.jpg|thumb|Larger cottage at a sea shore]] [[File:Kalliojärvi holiday village in winter, Isokyrö, Finland.jpg|thumbnail|Cottages in a holiday village.]] For a taste of the Finnish countryside, an excellent option is to stay at a '''cottage''' or '''cabin''' (Finnish: ''mökki''; Swedish: ''stuga'', Ostrobothnia: ''villa''), thousands of which dot the lake and sea shores. These are generally best in summer (and many are closed in winter), but there are also many cottages around Lapland's ski resorts. In fact, at some localities hiring a cabin is not just the cheapest but perhaps the only option. Usually, cottages are clean and nice, but as the Finns themselves are mostly fairly happy with minimal services, there may be confusingly few available. When making the reservation, check carefully what will be included or otherwise provided. Cleaning after the stay is usually required, sometimes available for a fee. Linen likewise not included but sometimes available. While all but the most basic cottages will have electricity, it is very common for them to lack running water! Also, the cottage might have a shared toilet, either a standard one in a service building or an outhouse dry toilet. You are probably expected to use a shared shower or a [[sauna]] for cleaning yourself. Saunas at cottages are often heated with wood; you should probably ask for instructions unless the hosts take care of heating and drying. At campsites and in "cottage villages" the sauna is usually heated daily or weekly, with separate shifts for men and women, and an opportunity to book it for yourselves at other times. Some cottages may have their own saunas, and any cottage not at a campsite or in a "cottage village" will. Into the 1990s most cottages for rent were cottages built for private use, and although facilities were very basic, they were fairly roomy. Some of these are former farm houses, with kitchen serving as living room (perhaps also with beds), a bedroom, and possibly other rooms. Other ones were built as cottages, with combined kitchen and living room plus one or two minimal bedrooms being fairly common. Small outhouses built as guest rooms for summer use are also quite common. As these houses and cottages were built for private use in the countryside, by a single family, they are often off the beaten path, and the host may live at a distance, visiting only as needed. In later years private cottages have got increasingly good facilities, with electricity and running water ubiquitous in new and installed in many older ones (although many Finns like going back to basics, and refuse any of this). These may be available for rent when not in use by the owners. On the other hand many cottages are built for paying guests, and these are often minimal – 6 m² for two persons is not uncommon – unless targeted at the luxury market. Usually these cottages are arranged in groups to ease administration and service, sometimes with just enough spacing to provide privacy, sometimes in a row near the parking and the shared facilities. There may be a few cottages a bit farther, perhaps built earlier, for those who want more space and privacy. Shared facilities typically include kitchen (often with a minimal kitchenette in the cabin), water toilet, showers, sauna, and perhaps a café and kiosk. There may be a rowing boat, some kind of playground and similar activity infrastructure. Most have some kind of jetty or beach for swimming and cooling down after sauna sessions. Some are a focal point also for locals, perhaps with a bar and live music on Saturday nights. Cottages for use in winter and shoulder season are larger, as thermal insulation and heating get relatively more economic by size, and indoor facilities are more important in autumn and winter. They may be the old kind (see above), or built at skiing resorts or as base for fishing or hunting. Some are former wilderness huts (for use by the public or the border guard), remote enough that their maintenance for public use was deemed uneconomical. All these cottages are of course available also in summer. Prices vary widely based on facilities, location, season and random factors: simple cottages with beds and cooking facilities can go for as little as €20/night, although €40–80 is more typical. There are also expensive big and even fairly luxurious ones costing several hundred euros per night. The price at winter resorts may more than double when there is a winter holiday season in schools. Not all cottages are available for a single night, sometimes you need to stay at least two nights or a week. Renting a car or bike might be necessary since there might be no facilities (shops, restaurants, etc.) within walking distance (buses do not run too often in rural Finland). Decide whether you want to get a cottage far from people, close to an ordinary village, at a "cottage village" or some compromise. The largest cottage rental services are '''[https://www.lomarengas.fi/en Lomarengas]''' and '''[https://www.nettimokki.com/en Nettimökki]''', both of which have English interfaces. Cottages at campsites, in "cottage villages" and by a tourist business are often booked through their own website. In national parks, wilderness areas, and by popular hiking routes, the Finnish Forest Administration (''Metsähallitus''/''Forststyrelsen'') maintains '''wilderness huts''', especially in the north, most of them open and free to use for a day or two without fees by anybody coming independently by foot or ski (self-service, some serviced only biennially). Latecomers have an indisputable right to stay in the open huts, so if coming early you might want to put up your tent. There are also locked huts with reservable beds. These are all very Spartan, see [[Finnish National Parks#Sleep]] and [[Hiking in the Nordic countries#Sleep]] for what to expect. ==Learn== Finland's universities are generally well-regarded and offer many exchange programmes. Although Finland is not one of the big study destinations, in relation to the local population there are quite some international students at most universities. Exchange programs are often in English, as are some advanced courses. While other lectures are usually conducted in Finnish (or Swedish as in Åbo Akademi or Novia), most advanced text books are in English. It is often possible to complete all courses through assignments and exams in English. Universities also offer the option to study Finnish (or Swedish) at various levels. There are no tuition fees for regular degree students, including foreign degree students studying in Finnish or Swedish and exchange students, but [http://www.studyinfinland.fi/tuition_and_scholarships/tuition_fees/tuition_fees_2017 tuition fees] (in the range €8,000–15,000/year in 2019) were introduced in autumn 2017 for new non-EU/EEA students studying in English for a bachelor's or master's degree. A system with scholarships was also set up. There are usually quite a lot of activities for students from abroad, arranged by the student unions and exchange student associations, including social activities and excursions to other parts of the country or other interesting destinations (Lapland, Tallinn, Stockholm and Saint Petersburg being typical), in additions to all the activities for students in general. The Finnish higher education system follows the German model, which means there are two kinds of universities: academic (''yliopisto''/''universitet'') and vocational (''ammattikorkeakoulu''/''yrkeshögskola'', abbreviated ''AMK'' in Finnish; many of these were formerly known as polytechnics). ''Yliopisto'' students are expected to graduate with a master's degree. The university bachelor's degree is mainly meant as an intermediate step and isn't very useful for much else. For foreigners, there are some master's programs in English. AMK students are expected to graduate as bachelors and enter the workforce directly. An AMK bachelor does not directly qualify for academic master's programs; if accepted, about a year's worth of additional bridging studies are needed. A reasonable monthly budget (including dorm housing) would be €700–1,000. Student union membership at around €100/year is obligatory for undergraduate studies. Getting housing is the responsibility of the student and housing is scarce when students arrive in autumn (from July, when first-year students get to know they are accepted); there are waiting lists and some years emergency housing in shared rooms. There may be quotas for exchange students, and all people from out of town are often prioritised in the queues. Many exchange programs fully or partly subsidise accommodation in student dorms. Student housing is usually in locations owned by the student unions either directly or through foundations, and costs from about €250–400/month in a room with shared kitchen and bathroom to about €500–700/month for independent one-room apartments (also larger apartments are available, primarily for families). Rents on the private market vary depending on location such that in Greater Helsinki and particularly Helsinki proper prices may easily be two times that of cheaper locations or student housing. A couple of friends sharing a bigger apartment is quite common, but check how to write the contract to avoid pitfalls. If you are (counted as) a cohabiting couple, your partner's incomes will be taken into account in possible living grants, and in some configurations you may become responsible for unpaid rents etc. Basic health care for students is arranged by a foundation owned by the student unions. From 2021 also AMK students have access, and the yearly fee is paid to Kela/Fpa instead of being included in the student union membership fee. The service is comparable to that at municipal health care centers, but also basic dentistry is included. Check details. EU/EEA citizens can simply enter the country and register as a student after arrival (if accepted to some programme), while students from elsewhere will need to arrange their residence permit beforehand. [http://www.cimo.fi CIMO] (Centre for International Mobility) administers exchange programs and can arrange scholarships and traineeships in Finland, while the [http://www.edu.fi Finnish National Board of Education] offers basic information about study opportunities. ==Work== [[File:Kuopio from Puijo.JPG|thumbnail|Kuopio, the largest city in Eastern Finland]] Finnish unionisation rate is high (70%), salaries are reasonably good even for simple jobs and employment laws are strict, but on the flipside, actually getting a job can be difficult – and living, and especially housing in the capital region, is expensive. There is little informal work to be found and some classes of jobs require at least a remedial level of Finnish ''and'' Swedish (although foreigners may be exempted from the requirement). Citizens of the European Union, the Nordic countries, Switzerland and Liechtenstein can work freely in Finland, but acquiring a work permit from other countries means doing battle with the infamous [http://www.migri.fi/frontpage Finnish Immigration Service] (''Maahanmuuttovirasto''). Generally, to get a work permit there needs to be a shortage of people in your profession. Students permitted to study full-time in Finland ''are'' allowed work part-time (up to 25 h/week, as long as they are able to succeed in their studies) or even full-time during holiday periods. Finland is known for the low intake of immigrants, compared to neighbouring countries. Still there are communities of foreigners from many countries in most university towns and in some more rural municipalities. In some trades professionals from abroad are quite common. For jobs, you might want to check out the [http://www.mol.fi Ministry of Labour]. Most of the posted jobs are described in Finnish so you may need some help in translation, but some jobs are in English. Publicly posted positions are usually highly competitive, and usually require both a degree or a professional qualification and specific work experience. Thus, informal channels or assistance from an experienced local are valuable. Directly contacting possible employers can turn up jobs not published anywhere. Seasonal work at resorts is often available, if you have the right attitude and skills, and make the contact early enough. As locals generally speak good English, a position [[teaching English]] generally requires special qualifications; foreigners are not recruited for basic teaching, but in some scenarios. Most positions for foreigners are in private language schools for children and students, on adult ESP courses, in preschools and in a few international schools. For teacher's jobs in ordinary schools you need a locally recognised teacher's exam. The pupils are usually motivated. A public school teacher's salary is €2,600–4,300/month (including summer holiday, but temporary teachers may not get that). In comprehensive school expect about 20 hr/week in class and about the same of preparation and other related work, with overtime in class paid for, overtime for the rest usually not. As a foreign visitor you are unlikely to get a full time job, so an average of €1200–2000/month may be realistic. This can include private lessons for €10–30/hr. A rapidly growing trend in Finland, especially for the younger generation, is to work for placement agencies. Although there has been a massive surge of public companies going private in the last ten years, this trend seems to be fuelled by the increased demand for more flexible work schedules as well as the freedom to work seasonally or sporadically. Due to the nature of these types of agencies as well as the types of work they provide, it is common for them to hire non-Finns. Some agencies include Adecco, Staff Point, Manpower, Aaltovoima and Biisoni. For '''summer jobs''', such as trainee positions for university students and summer jobs at hotels and cafés, the search begins very early, around January, and application periods end in late March. Last-minute positions opening in May are very few and quickly taken. For '''Nordic youth''' (18–28/30) – or other EU/EEA citizens who know Swedish, Norwegian or Danish – there is the [http://www.nordjobb.org Nordjobb]. Focusing on summer jobs as cultural exchange, it now offers also some other positions. If you are invited to a '''job interview''', remember that modesty is a virtue in Finland. Finns appreciate facts and directness, so stay on topic and be truthful. Exaggeration and bragging is usually associated with lying. You can check expected salaries with the union for your field; they usually have defined minimum wages – there is no national minimum wage except for these. Salaries range from €1,200 to €6,500 per month (2010) for most full-time jobs, the median being about €3,500. Fees for mandatory insurance, social security and pensions are shared between employer and employee and cannot be selected or managed by the employee (there may also be voluntary negotiable benefits). One category of informal work is '''berry picking''', either on a farm or picking wild berries. To get such a job you mostly have to convince the employer you are going to work hard, harder than most Finns are willing to. Picking wild berries and selling them is exempted from tax and you are free to do the business yourself (like the locals), but you would probably do so only if wanting a fun way to get pocket money. If coming for the income you will have somebody arrange everything (including accommodation and transport) and you will be independent only formally (taking the economic risk: no wage, just somebody buying the berries; you might be able to prove a de facto employment, but only with a good lawyer). Working on a farm you will be formally employed: still low-paid piece work, but employment law applies. You should always ask for a written '''employment contract'''. It is not compulsory, but no serious employer should object to giving you one; as somebody less acquainted to the Finnish job market you are more likely to get in contact with those not playing by the rules. Cash payment is usually not possible (too much trouble for the employer), so you will need a Finnish bank account. Unfortunately the willingness of different banks to issue them to foreigners varies. You may also need a Finnish social security number (''henkilötunnus'') from the local ''maistraatti'' (register office); see [https://dvv.fi/en/foreigner-registration the register office website] for information. For construction sites, a tax number is needed; see Tax Administration's [https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/tax-cards-and-tax-returns/arriving_in_finland/work_in_finland/individual_tax_numbers/ information on tax numbers]. ==Stay safe== {{infobox|[[Risks]] in Finland| Crime/violence: '''Low'''<br> <small>Most violence is alcohol-related and/or domestic – walking in the street is usually safe even in the night</small><br> Authorities/corruption: '''Low'''<br> <small>The police are generally courteous and speak some (or good) English. They don't take bribes.</small><br> Transportation: '''Low''' to '''Moderate'''<br> <small>Icy roads and pavements in the winter, moose and other animals occasionally crossing the roads</small><br> Health: '''Low'''<br> <small>Tick and mosquito bites</small><br> Nature: '''Low''' to '''Moderate'''<br> <small>Blizzards in the winter, getting lost when hiking in the forests</small> }} {{cautionbox|Although Finland borders to Russia and is sympathetic to Ukraine, there is '''{{nowrap|no threat}}''' towards Finland, and should not be towards '''Russians''' in Finland. Most people understand that the war is not the fault of the Russian people, but of the regime. Still, you might want to avoid speaking Russian where people may be drunk and aggressive. |lastedit=2022-03-07 }} ===Crime=== Finland enjoys a comparatively low crime rate and is, generally, a very safe place to travel. Parents often leave their sleeping babies in a baby carriage on the street while visiting a shop, and in the countryside cars and house doors are often left unlocked. There are no no-go neighbourhoods even in the night. Use '''common sense at night''', particularly on Friday and Saturday when the youth of Finland hit the streets to get drunk and in some unfortunate cases look for trouble. Don't leave valuables or your drink unguarded at night clubs. '''Racism''' is generally a minor concern for tourists, especially in the cosmopolitan major cities, but some drunk people looking for trouble may be more likely to target foreign looking people. Avoiding arguments with drunk gangs may be more important if you fit that description. Immigration to Finland was quite limited before the 1990s and not everybody has got used to the globalisation. '''Pickpockets''' used to be rare, but nowadays the situation has changed, especially in the busy tourist months in the summer, when organised pickpockets arrive from Eastern Europe. In restaurants, do not ever leave your phone, laptop, tablet, keys or wallet unattended. There have been some cases in Helsinki where thieves have been targeting breakfast buffets in hotels, where people often leave valuables unguarded for a few minutes. Regardless of that, most Finns carry their wallets in their pockets or purses and feel quite safe while doing it. '''Bicycle thieves''' are everywhere, never leave your bike unlocked even for a minute. '''Self defence''' is generally allowed only as a last escape and excess force must not be used. Weapons for self defence (including pepper spray) are not allowed. Finnish '''police''' (''poliisi''/''polis'') are respected by the public, respectful even to drunkards and thieves, and not corrupt. Should something happen, do not hesitate to get in contact with them. In addition to the police proper, the '''border guard''' (''rajavartiolaitos''/''gränsbevakningsväsendet'') and '''customs''' officials (''tulli''/''tull'') have police powers; the border guard acts on behalf of the police in some sparsely populated areas. All these should normally be in uniform. Private security staff such as nightclub bouncers should have a badge, vest or clearly visible band. There are several categories with different training and authorities. Count on them being authorised to throw you out, while you can ask for them to call the police if they want to search you. In some cases they are allowed to detain you until police arrives (or until the ship reaches a port) and search you to to be able to do so safely. They might use excess force if you resist or don't stay calm and reasonable yourself. In the case a police officer actually approaches you, staying calm and polite will help keep the situation on the level of discussion. They have the right to check your identity and your right to stay in the country. They might ask strange questions like where are you coming from, where are you heading next, where you stay or whether you have seen, met or know somebody. If you feel that some question could compromise your privacy, feel free to politely say so. Finnish police have wide powers for arrest and search, but they are unlikely to abuse them. If the situation deteriorates, however, they will probably take you in custody, with force if needed. Whatever happens, remember that Finland is one of the world's least corrupt countries. Suggestion of bribes will be met by astonishment or worse. If you get fined, payment on the spot is never expected or even possible. A "police" asking for money would be a dead giveaway that they aren't real police. Customs and the police are strict on drugs, including cannabis. Sniffer dogs are used in ports and airports and a positive marking will always result in a full search. Cannabis use is not generally tolerated among the population. Prostitution is not illegal and is mostly unregulated. However, there are no brothels, as pimping is illegal. It is also illegal to use the services of a prostitute who is a victim of human trafficking, a minor or otherwise unable to legally consent. The age of consent in other contexts is generally 16, but when somebody is coerced into sexual acts other factors come into play. ===Nature=== [[File:Kovddoskaisin huipulla.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|You don't want to get lost here! Some snow remaining in late July, 20 km to nearest village]] There are few serious health risks in Finland. Your primary enemy will be the '''[[Cold weather|cold]]''', especially in wintertime and at sea. Finland is a sparsely populated country and, if heading out into the wilderness, it is imperative that you register your travel plans with somebody who can inform rescue services if you fail to return. Always keep your mobile phone with you if you run into trouble. Dress warmly in layers and bring along a good pair of sunglasses in the snowy times to prevent '''[[Snow safety|snow blindness]]''', especially in the spring and if you plan to spend whole days outdoors. Always keep a map, a compass and preferably a GPS with you while trekking in the wilderness. Take extra precautions in Lapland, where it can be several days' hike to the nearest house or road. Weather can change rapidly, and even though the sun is shining now, you can have a medium sized blizzard on your hands (no joke!) an hour or two later. Although weather forecast generally are of good quality, there are circumstances where the weather is hard to predict, especially in regions with fells or islands. Also remember that many forecasts only cite day temperatures, while it often is 10–15°C (20–30°F) colder in the night and early morning. If out on the lakes and sea, remember that wind and water will cool you faster than cold air, and keeping dry means keeping warm. A person that falls into water close to freezing has to be saved quickly, and even in summer water will cool you pretty soon. If you jump into water, first check there isn't any half-submerged log to hit with your head. Safety in small boats: Don't drink alcohol, keep seated and wear a life vest at all times. If your boat capsizes – keep clothes on to stay warm and cling to the boat. Small boats are made to be unsinkable. In winter, lakes and the sea are [[ice safety|frozen]]. Walking, skating or even driving a car on the ice is commonly seen, but fatal accidents are not unheard of either, so ask and heed local advice. If the ice fails, it is difficult to get back out of the water, as the ice will be slippery. Ice picks are sold as safety equipment (a pair of steel needles with bright plastic grips, connected with a safety line). Stay calm, shout for help, break the ice in the direction you came from, get up, creep away and get indoors with no delay. Help from somebody with a rope, a long stick or any similar improvised aid might be needed (no use having both of you in the water). The most important poisonous insects in Finland are '''wasps''' (''ampiainen''/''geting''), '''hornets''' (''herhiläinen''/''bålgeting''), '''bees''' (''mehiläinen''/''bi'') and '''bumblebees''' (''kimalainen''/''humla''). Their stings can be painful, but are not dangerous, unless you receive many stings or a sting by the trachea (do not lure a wasp onto your sandwich!) or if you are extremely allergic to it. In late summer, wasps can become a nuisance, but otherwise these insects tend to leave people alone if not disturbed. There is only one type of poisonous snake in Finland, the '''European adder''' (Finnish: ''kyy'' or ''kyykäärme''/''huggorm''). Their bites are very rarely fatal (although dangerous to small children and allergic persons), but one should be careful in the summertime. If you are bitten by a snake, always get medical assistance; stay calm and call 112 to get advice. As for other [[dangerous animals|dangerous wildlife]], '''brown bears''' (''karhu''/''björn''), '''wolves''' (''susi''/''varg''), '''lynxes''' (''ilves''/''lo''), and '''wolverines''' (''ahma''/''järv'') occur across Finland, but you are lucky if you see any of these large carnivores! Talking with your company while in the forest should be enough to make them keep away, especially to avoid getting between a bear and her cubs. If you do see a bear, back off calmly. Also keep your distance to other wildlife, such as ''elk''. Bulls can become aggressive and charge at humans, as can cows defending their calves. The worst risk is however running into one [[Animal collisions|on the road]]. In Lapland, Northern Ostrobothnia, and Kainuu there is risk for '''reindeer''' collisions. They often linger peacefully on the road; if you see one reindeer anywhere near the road, reduce your speed immediately and understand there are more of them around. Always call 112 after a collision even if you did not get hurt, as the animal probably did. ===In case of emergency=== '''[https://112.fi/en/ 112]''' is the national phone number for all emergency services, '''including police and social services''', and it does not require an area code, regardless of what kind of phone you are using. The number works on any mobile phone, whether it is keylocked or not, and with or without a SIM card. If a cellphone challenges you with a PIN code, you can simply type in 112 as a PIN code – most phones will give a choice to call the number (or call without asking). The operator will answer in Finnish or Swedish, but your switching to English should be no problem. There is a 112 app, which will use your GPS to get your position when you use it to call the emergency services. The app knows also some related phone numbers. The updated version is available for android and iPhone in the respective app stores. Have it installed before you need it! It relies on mobile data, so is not reliable in some remote areas, and the GPS position is unreliable unless the GPS has been on for some time. But along the main roads, where you are most likely not to know your position, mobile coverage is good. For inquiries about poisons or toxins (from mushrooms, plants, medicine or other chemicals) call the national '''Toxin Information Office''' at [tel:+3589471977 +358 9 471-977]. Finns often have an "adder kit" (''kyypakkaus'', 50 mg hydrocortisone) at their cottages, although this is not enough by itself except perhaps for bee or wasp stings; with an adder bite, one should call 112 with no undue delay. The time for help to arrive can be quite long in sparsely populated areas (around an hour, more in extreme areas; in cities just minutes), so it makes sense to have basic first-aid supplies at hand when visiting cottages or the wilderness. First aid training is quite common, so amateur help may be available. In case of cardiac arrest, public defibrillators (Finnish: ''defibrillaattori'') are often available; still begin CPR immediately to the best of your ability, after telling someone to call 112. ==Stay healthy== {{infobox|Signs to watch out for (in Finnish and Swedish)| ; vaara, vaarallinen, fara, farlig : danger, dangerous ; sortumisvaara; rasrisk, rasfara : risk of collapse/landslide ; hengenvaara, livsfara : life threatening danger ; tulipalo, eldsvåda : fire ; kielletty, förbjuden, -et : prohibited ; pääsy kielletty, privat, tillträde förbjudet: no entry ; pysäköinti kielletty, parkering förbjuden : no parking ; hätäuloskäynti or hätäpoistumistie, nödutgång : emergency exit ; lääkäri, läkare : doctor ; poliisi, polis : police ; terveyskeskus, hälsocentral : municipal clinic ; sairaala, sjukhus : hospital ; apua! hjälp! : help! }} You're unlikely to have tummy troubles in Finland, since '''[[Water|tap water]]''' is always drinkable (and generally quite tasty as well), and hygiene standards in restaurants are strict. If you have any sort of allergies, many restaurants often display in the menu the most common ingredients that people typically are allergic to. Examples: (L) = Lactose free, (VL) = Low Lactose, (G) = Gluten free, if you are unsure just ask the waitress or restaurant staff. ===Pests=== [[File:Archipelago outside Mariehamn.JPG|thumbnail|Archipelago outside Mariehamn, Åland Islands]] The most dangerous pests are the '''[[Pests#Ticks|ticks]]''' (Finnish: ''puutiainen'' or colloquially ''punkki'', Swedish: ''fästing''), which may carry Lyme's disease (borreliosis) or tick-borne viral encephalitis (TBE). They are common in some areas, but can be encountered in most of the country, up to [[Simo]], and are active when the temperature climbs over +5°C. In high grass and shrubs putting your trousers in your socks is recommended, and you should check your body (or better: have your mate check it) when you return in the evening, ideally when they still creep around searching for a good spot. Borreliosis is easily treated if noticed the days after the bite (from local symptoms), while both are serious at later stages (with neurological ones). There are also a number of irritating insects, but if you are planning to stay in the centres of major cities, you are unlikely to encounter them. A serious nuisance in summer are '''[[mosquito]]es''' (''hyttynen'', ''mygga'', Sámi: ''čuoika''), hordes of which appear in summer &ndash; particularly in Lapland, where it and its colleagues are called ''räkkä''. There are also '''blackflies''' (''mäkärä'', ''knott'', ''muogir''), close relatives to mosquitoes, much smaller and also abundant in Lapland, and '''gadflies''' (''paarma'', ''broms''; common where there is cattle). The '''deer keds''' (''hirvikärpänen'', ''älgfluga''), appearing in late summer, seldom bite, but crawl around after losing its wings and are hard to get rid of. '''Wasps''' sometimes gather to share your outdoor snack. Don't eat them together with the ham and juice (making their sting dangerous), but take turns getting bites – they are fascinating, flying away with a big load of tiny ham cubes – or go away if you cannot stand them. Also '''bumblebees''' and '''bees''' may sting, but only as provoked. In autumn wasps are irritable and best let alone altogether. ===Air quality=== Air quality is mostly good in cities and excellent outside city centres, but in cities there may be problematic streets and problematic times. A few weeks in spring is the worst time in many cities, when the snow is gone and the streets are dry, but dust from the winter remains. Inversion occurs in some cities but is usually a minor problem. The meteorological institute monitors the [https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/air-quality air quality]. ===Healthcare=== Medicines are strictly regulated. Any non-trivial medications, such as antibiotics, require a prescription. Also most prescription-free pharmaceuticals have to be bought at pharmacies (or by special arrangements in remote areas). If bringing your own, have the original packaging and your prescription. Especially if you bought a drug without prescription, check the rules. Finnish '''healthcare is mostly public''', in particular intensive, advanced and emergency healthcare. Institutions most relevant to travellers are municipal mainly outpatient clinics (''terveyskeskus''/''hälsocentral''), (central) hospital with surgery (''(keskus)sairaala'', ''(cental)sjukhus''), and university hospitals (''yliopistollinen keskussairaala'', ''universitetscentralsjukhus''). There are fees, but they are significantly lower than costs. Dentist work outside this system and are mostly private. There are also '''private clinics''' (''lääkäriasema''/''läkarstation'' or ''lääkärikeskus''/''läkarcentral''), which often can schedule an appointment with less queuing, with more substantial fees (residents usually get reimbursements). If you are not an EU/EEA resident the difference in price may be less significant, as you'll pay the costs of public care yourself; check with your insurance company. The clinics may however have to refer the patient to a public hospital anyway, if advanced services are needed. The distinction between public and private care has been less clear in the last years, with some municipalities outsourcing part of the medical services (partly in response to a large controversial reform – say "sote" to get a deep sigh from anyone – a new incarnation of which has finally passed, to be in use from 2023). For '''emergencies''', call 112. '''Otherwise''' contact the ''terveyskeskus'' or a private clinic. Every municipality should have a 24/7 clinic, but it is sometimes in a nearby city, while the local clinic has limited hours where population is sparse. You can get advice over the phone. Visits to a doctor must usually be booked, while you may be able to see a nurse just walking in (ask over the phone). The time booking numbers often work by a nurse calling back (usually in an hour or so) after a machine has answered your call and given you a chance to specify what service you need. Just letting it talk until it hangs up may be enough to get the call registered. University and AMK '''students''' have access to basic health care arranged by the student unions, including dental care. See [[#Learn|Learn]] above. '''EU/EEA''' and Swiss citizens can access emergency and health services with their European Health Insurance Card, which means nominal fees for public healthcare in most cases (seeing a doctor usually €15–30, minors free, day surgery €100; some related costs can be reimbursed). '''Other foreigners''' are also given urgently needed treatment, but may have to pay all costs. See more information at [https://www.eu-healthcare.fi/ Contact Point for Cross-Border Healthcare]. ==Respect== {{infobox|Fishing Finnish style|It was a beautiful summer day, and Virtanen and Lahtinen were in a little rowboat in the middle of a lake, fishing. Two hours passed, both men sitting quietly, and then Lahtinen said "Nice weather today." Virtanen grunted and stared intently at his fishing rod.<br><br> Two more hours passed. Lahtinen said, "Gee, the fish aren't biting today." Virtanen shot back: "That's because you talk too much."<br><br> '''Drinking Finnish style'''<br><br> Virtanen and Lahtinen decided to go drinking at their lakeside cottage. For a couple hours, both men sat silently and emptied their bottles. After a few more hours, Lahtinen decided to break the ice: "Isn't it nice to have some quality time?" Virtanen glared at Lahtinen and answered: "Are we here to drink or talk?"}} Finns generally have a relaxed attitude towards manners and dressing up, and a visitor is unlikely to offend them by accident. Common sense is quite enough in most situations, but there are a couple of things that one should keep in mind: Finns are a famously '''taciturn''' people who have little time for small talk or social niceties, so don't expect to hear phrases like "thank you" or "you're welcome" too often. They usually go straight to business. The Finnish language lacks a specific word for "please" so Finns sometimes forget to use it when speaking English, with no intention to be rude. Also lacking in Finnish is the distinction between "he" and "she", which may lead to confusing errors. Loud speaking and loud laughing is not normal in Finland and may irritate some Finns. Occasional silence is considered a part of the conversation, not a sign of hostility or irritation. Notice that although the phrase ''mitä kuuluu'' translates to "how are you", it has a literal meaning in Finnish, i.e. a longer discussion is expected; it is not a part of the greeting as in English. All that said, Finns are generally helpful and polite, and glad to help confused tourists if asked. The lack of niceties has more to do with the fact that in Finnish culture, '''honesty''' is highly regarded; one should open one's mouth only to mean what one is about to say. Do not say "maybe later" when there is no later time to be expected. A visitor is unlikely to receive many compliments from Finns, but can be fairly sure that the compliments received are genuine. Another highly regarded virtue in Finland is '''punctuality'''. A visitor should apologise even for being a few minutes late. Being late for longer usually requires a short explanation. Ten minutes is usually considered the threshold between being "acceptably" late and very late. Some will leave arranged meeting points after fifteen minutes. With the advent of mobile phones, sending a text message even if you are only a few minutes late is nowadays a norm. Being late for a business meeting, even by one or two minutes, is considered rude. The standard greeting is a '''handshake''' (although avoided since a few years by healthcare personnel, and now by many, to avoid spreading a disease). Hugs are only exchanged between family members and close friends in some situations, kisses, even on the cheek, practically never. Touching is generally restricted to family members. The distance between strangers is ca. 1.2 m and between friends ca. 70 cm. If you are invited to a Finnish home, the only bad mistake visitors can make is not to '''remove their shoes'''. For much of the year, shoes will carry a lot of snow or mud. Therefore, it is customary to remove them, even during the summer. During the wet season you can ask to put your shoes somewhere to dry during your stay. Very formal occasions at private homes, such as baptisms (often conducted at home in Finland) or somebody's 50th birthday party, are exceptions to these rules. In the wintertime, this sometimes means that the guests bring separate clean shoes and put them on while leaving outdoor shoes in the hall. Bringing gifts such as pastry, wine, or flowers to the host is appreciated, but not required. In Finland, there is little in the way of a '''dress code'''. The general attire is casual and even in business meetings the attire is somewhat more relaxed than in some other countries, although sport clothing in a business meeting would still be bad form. Topless sunbathing is accepted but not very common on beaches in the summer, and thong bikinis have become fashionable in 2018. While going ''au naturel'' is common in saunas and even swimming by lake- or seaside cottages, Finns aren't big on nudism in itself, and there are very few dedicated [[nudism|nudist]] beaches. At normal public beaches swimwear is expected for anybody over 6 years old. Finns are highly '''egalitarian'''. Women participate in society, also in leading roles up to the Presidency. Equal respect is to be given to any gender, and there is little formal sex segregation. Social rank is not usually an important part of social code, thus a Dr. Roger Spencer is usually referred to as simply "Spencer", or even as "Roger" among co-workers, rather than "tohtori Spencer" or "herra Spencer", without meaning any disrespect. Finns are rather '''nationalistic'''. They are neither Swedes nor Russians, nor a mixture of the two. When travelling with '''public transport''', it is generally accepted to talk with your friends or ask for help, but only if you keep your voice down. No need to whisper, just don't shout or laugh too loud. It is of course appreciated if you give your seat to someone in need, but it is in no way a vital part of the culture today, and most Finns won't do that themselves. Sitting down by a stranger when there are still empty benches is unusual, as is starting a conversation with one; some will enjoy talking to you, but note any hints to the contrary. ==Connect== ===By snail mail=== [[File:Kaakkurinkulma 4 Oulu 20171205.jpg|thumb|Post kiosk: enter your codes at the console and a door to (or for) your parcel will open.]] Finland's [[Postal service|mail service]] is run by [http://www.posti.fi/english/index.html Posti], nowadays a state owned business concentrating on parcels; the delivery time of normal domestic letters has increased to four days. A stamp for a postcard or normal letter (max 50g domestic, max 20g abroad; as of 2020) costs €1.75. Most stamps are "no-value" (''ikimerkki'', ''fixvärdesmärke''), which means they are supposed to be valid indefinitely for a given service. Real post offices are all but extinct, with the services mostly handled by local businesses and automats. Stamps etc. can be got from these businesses or e.g. in book stores. The network of letterboxes is still adequate. There are '''Poste restante''' services in the cities, but often a better option is to get the post to some trusted address, e.g. your accommodation. '''[[Åland]]''' has its own mail service, with stamps of its own. ===By phone=== [[File:Telephone booth. The last stationary telephone, out of service, Helsinki..jpg|thumb|Not many of these left]] As you'd expect from Nokia's home country, mobile phones are ubiquitous in Finland. Modern 4G/5G networks blanket the country, although it's still possible to find wilderness areas with poor signal, typically in Lapland and the outer archipelago. The largest operators are '''[http://www.telia.fi Telia]''', '''[http://www.elisa.fi Elisa]''' (a Vodafone partner) and '''[http://www.dna.fi/ DNA]''''. Most locals use packages with data, messages and normal calls included in the monthly fee (from €20, as of 2020). Prepaid packages cost from about €5, including all the price as value. Ask at any convenience store for a list of prices and special offers. Finland has an exception to the EU roaming rules because of low domestic prices, so if you need to use the SIM abroad, check the fine print (EU roaming is usually free or cheap, but is treated separately and may not even be included). Also note prices for calling abroad (home) – you are typically referred to the internet, but might want to insist on the clerk finding the right page and translating if needed. For data (100 Mbit/s), you typically pay €1/day (days in use, even for a second, or days from activation) or €0.01/MB, for normal domestic calls €0.066/min (surcharge for service numbers often more), for SMS à €0.066 (as of 2020). 5G cards may cost a little more. If your card is an "all included" one, paid per day, reserve some leeway for calls not included (service and business numbers, foreign calls). The cards with value rather than days are usually valid for half a year, or a year from last top-up (of a minimum of €10). Public telephones are close to extinction in Finland, although a few can still be found at airports, major train/bus stations and the like. It is best to bring along a phone or buy one – a simple GSM model can cost less than €40 (be very clear about wanting a cheap, possibly used one: the shops might otherwise not suggest their cheapest options). Phones for sale are not locked to one operator, although there are deals where you lease a phone coupled to a 2-year plan. People are reluctant to lend their phones, even for a single call, as anyone is assumed to be carrying their own. The area codes (one or more digits following the +358) are prefixed by 0 when used without the country code, i.e. {{nowrap|+358 9 123-456}} (a land line number in Helsinki) can be dialled as {{nowrap|09 123 456}} ({{nowrap|123 456 from local land lines),}} and is often written {{nowrap|"(09) 123 456",}} sometimes {{nowrap|"+358 (0) 9 123 456".}} Mobile phone numbers – as other numbers without true area codes – are always written without the parenthesis: {{nowrap|"0400 123 456"}} for {{nowrap|+358 400-123-456.}} Mobile phone numbers usually start with 04x or 050 as in the example. If you have a local SIM, note that any service numbers, including the 020 numbers, may have an inflated operator's surcharge, and are usually not included in the "all included" packages. Numbers starting with 0800 or 116 are toll free with domestic phones. Numbers starting with 0700 are possibly expensive entertainment services. There is no guarantee that any service number is reasonably priced – e.g. Eniro number and timetable information is €6/min, with the price told in Finnish only – but prices should be indicated where the number is advertised; "pvm/mpm" or "lsa/lna" stands for your operator's surcharge, for landlines the price of a normal local call, for mobile phones often slightly more. Queuing may or may not be free. Service numbers usually start with 010, 020, 030, 060, 070 or 075 (here including the area code prefix 0) or 10 (without 0). There are also service numbers prefixed with a true area code (such as some taxi call centres). Some service numbers may be unavailable from abroad. The prefix for international calls (from local land lines) is 00, as in the rest of EU. Other prefixes (directing the call through a specific operator) may be available. Telephone numbers can be enquired from e.g. the service numbers {{nowrap|0200 16100,}} 020202, {{nowrap|0100 100,}} {{nowrap|0300 3000}} and 118, with hard to discover varying costs (often given per 10s instead of per minute), e.g. €1–2/call+€1–6/min with some combinations of operators, service and time of day. Having the service connect the call usually costs extra. For the moment (February 2021) e.g. {{nowrap|[http://www.16100.fi/numeropalvelu 0200 16100]}} costs €1.84/call+€2,5/min (€0.084/min+mpm during a connected call). Some services have a maximum cost of e.g. €24/call. All of the main carriers offer good roaming services, so using your foreign SIM card should not be an issue. However the costs can be rather impressive. The European Union has agreed on the abolishing of roaming charges; domestic calls with an EU SIM via an EU operator should cost as domestic calls in the country of origin (and likewise with SMS and data), but again, check the fine print as some operators have "fair use limits" or exceptions to the policy completely, allowing them to surcharge for roaming use. The Finnish operators have been granted an exception from this policy, although as of 2021, most have implemented surcharge-free roaming in some form. However, each provider's policy varies. Telia, for instance, only allows prepaid roaming in certain EU countries. Aside from the countries they operate in, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Greece, it will not work at all, even for an extra charge. Elisa has different rules depending on the package you buy and where you are going. DNA has a fair use limit on their plans that applies uniformly in all EU/EEA countries. In addition, even within Finland, if you are planning on going to Åland, be aware that you may need to switch on data roaming when using a SIM not purchased from Telia; Elisa and DNA have domestic roaming agreements with Ålcom, the local provider, instead of building their own networks there. This domestic roaming does not cost any extra and is available on any service package. ===By net=== Internet cafés are sparse on the ground in this country where everybody logs on at home and in the office, but nearly every '''public library''' in the country has computers with free Internet access, although you will often have to register for a time slot in advance or queue, unless there is Wi-Fi and you are using your own device. '''Wi-Fi hotspots''' are increasingly common: in cafés, public transport, marinas, what have you (often called "WLAN"). University staff and students from institutions in the [https://www.eduroam.org Eduroam] cooperation have access to that net on most campuses and at some other locations. '''Mobile phone networks''' are another option, either for your smartphone or for a 3G/4G dongle for your laptop. The dongles themselves (''mokkula'') are usually sold as part of a 24 months' subscription, so check how to get one if using this option. At least Elisa/Saunalahti and DNA offer a dongle with a prepaid subscription, likely a better alternative for most travellers. There are used ones to be bought on the net ([https://www.tori.fi tori.fi], [http://www.huuto.net huuto.net] etc.), with seemingly random prices. LTE (4G) networks cover most of the country. The mobile phone operators all offer SIM cards for prepaid Internet access (some tailored for that, some for all-round smartphone use – but check surcharges for incoming calls): [https://www.dna.fi/prepaid-english DNA], [https://elisa.fi/kauppa/puheliittymat/prepaid Elisa] and [https://www.telia.fi/kauppa/liittymat/prepaid Telia]. You can buy them as soon as you arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at the vending machine by baggage claim, or at R-kioskis, post offices and mobile phone stores around Finland. Remember that you can use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices. Prices start from under €10, with about €20–30 for thirty days (one month or individual calendar days) of unlimited use. As of 2021 also 5G coverage is available in major cities and urban areas. ==Cope== ===Electricity=== Finland has 230V 50Hz AC [[Electrical systems|electricity]] as standard. Modern installation use Schuko outlets (CEE 7/3, "type F"), used with Schuko plugs (grounded, max 16 A) or "Europlugs" (ungrounded, max 2.5 A, compatible with all outlets in continental Europe). Old installations (from before 1997) may use ungrounded outlets in most rooms (with Schuko in kitchen and bathroom). These accept also ungrounded type C plugs. A few three-phase outlets (such as at the distribution board and the garage wall) are common in new installations. Outlets dedicated for lamps use their own smaller 230V/50Hz plugs, in old installations just screw terminals. The lightbulbs themselves use 14 or 27 mm Edison screw connectors (with several other connectors used for special-use or non-lightbulb lamps). USB outlets can be found in some coaches and some solar powered cottages. Remote cottages may not have electricity at all. Electricity is mostly reliable, although rural areas with overhead lines may have outages of at worst a few days in connection with storms (when trees fall over the cables). ===Religion=== [[File: Lappi church 3.JPG|thumbnail|Most Finns are [[Christianity|Lutheran Christians]], however religion is usually not as important as in e.g. southern Europe and regular churchgoers are few. When visiting churches and cemeteries, a solemn mood is usually appropriate.]] The state churches of Finland are the Evangelic-Lutheran (often called just Lutheran) and the Orthodox, the former gathering more than 90% of the population until the 2000s. There is freedom of religion, and there are many recognised small religious communities, including a small Catholic church (16,000 members). The Lutheran state church is liberal and sober (quite different from the Evangelic churches in the USA). Most religious revival movements still work under its auspices, and where these are strong, the religious life can look somewhat different from that in the south. There are also several independent [[Christianity|Christian]] communities, such as the Pentecostal ones. The Orthodox Church of Finland was founded with official status equal to the Lutheran as Finland became part of the Russian Empire. It has remained small, with some 60,000 members today. On Finnish independence it changed to the Gregorian calender, and since 1923 it belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. As a reaction a separate Orthodox church was formed under the Moscow Patriarchate, gathering most of the Russian speaking. Today, there are many members with Russian background also in the Orthodox Church of Finland. The Islamic communities are mostly organised on a local level only. There is an Islamic community of Tatars, with background in the 19th century, while the other Islamic communities are formed by later immigrants, from the 1990s onwards. Also the Jewish communities originate in 19th century immigration from the Russian empire. ===Newspapers=== There are usually newspapers available in libraries for the public to read. In bigger towns these often include a few in foreign languages, including English. Foreign language newspapers are also on sale in some book stores and in some R kiosks. ===Radio=== Most stations are on analogue FM channels. The public broadcasting company YLE sends short [https://yle.fi/news news in English] 15:55 on Yle Radio 1 (87.9 or 90.9 FM) and 15:29 or 15:30 on Yle Mondo, the latter a multilingual channel aired only in the Helsinki region. There are programmes also in [https://svenska.yle.fi Swedish] (own channels), [https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/sapmi/ Sámi] (Northern, Inari and Skolt) and [https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/novosti/ Russian]. The programmes can be heard also by Internet ([https://arenan.yle.fi/audio/guide arenan.yle.fi/audio/guide] for today's radio programmes, add ?t=yyyy-mm-dd for a specific day), usually up to a month after they were aired. Yle also publishes written news. ===Contraception=== Condoms are widely available in supermarkets, convenience stores and elsewhere. Most other contraception methods (including contraceptive pills) require a prescription, which should be reasonably easy to get. Emergency contraceptive pills ("morning-after pills") are available from pharmacies without prescription (perhaps in person only). Abortion is allowed until the twelfth week (counted from last menstruation) for social as well as medical reasons. It usually requires the support of two doctors, but denial is more or less unheard of. Later abortion requires special circumstances (mostly medical reasons). ===Laundry=== Laundry is problematic. * Most households have a washing machine, so when staying in a normal flat or private house, you could ask and get to seize the chance. Some use common facilities in the basement, which may or may not be easily bookable. * Laundry services are expensive; usually clothes are paid per piece, also where there are per weight fees for sheets and the like. * Laundrettes are found at some campsites and bigger marinas, perhaps at hostels, and possibly in student housing areas, although not necessarily available for those not residing there. ===Toilets=== [[File:Rantapiha gamla toaletter 2019.jpg|thumb|Outhouse toilets at a public beach; if the hooks are off, they are probably occupied.]] [[Toilets]] are usually marked with "WC", image of rooster (and hen, if separate), pictograms for men and women (now sometimes also unisex pictograms) or the letters "M" (''miehet'', men) and "N" (''naiset'', women). Where there is more than one toilet, there is usually also an accessible/family toilet marked with a wheelchair pictogram, equipped for use with wheelchair, for changing nappies and for small children. A family room can also have its own pictogram. There should be toilet paper, sink and soap, some method for drying your hands, a waste basket for paper towels and often one with lid and pedal for used sanitary napkins. Bidet showers are nowadays common. At cottages without running water there are usually only outhouses of varying standard: at some summer cottages they are a sight, with carpet, lace curtains and a nice view, for wilderness huts and rest stops you might need to bring toilet paper and take care of hand washing on your own. Toilets in public buildings are free, while toilets in the street (quite rare), at bus stations, in shopping malls and the like usually require a suitable coin (€0.50–2). There are toilets for the customers in all restaurants and cafés, while others often can use them for a token fee – but it is more polite to become a real customer. At festivals there are usually free (and stinky) portable toilets. Also toilets at rest stops are sometimes in bad condition. ==Go next== * [[Russia]] to the east. <!--You will probably need a visa unless just visiting [[Vyborg]] or [[Saint Petersburg]] on a cruise, but even [[Moscow]] is just an overnight train away. There are tours and regular connections to some internationally less known destinations, such as [[Petrozavodsk]] (Finnish:''Petroskoi'')-->However, due to the Russian war on Ukraine, as of 2022 most transport options are suspended, and existing ones may be closed with short notice. * [[Sweden]], of which Finland was part for 650 years, is reachable by an overnight (or day) cruise, or overland from [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]]. * [[Estonia]], a couple of hours away from Helsinki. * [[Norway]]'s county of [[Finnmark]] and [[Troms]] can be accessed overland from [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]]. {{related|Finland_in_ten_days_by_car}} {{isPartOf|Nordic countries}} {{usablecountry}} {{geo|65|27|zoom=5}} 91g2d4nbrnluj5dnbguapbvjglhk8pr 4506221 4506219 2022-08-22T12:58:47Z LPfi 79572 /* By car */ customs image: an EU border wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Finland Wikivoyage Banner.png|caption=Sunset at Päijänne}} '''[https://www.visitfinland.com/ Finland]''' ([[Finnish phrasebook|Finnish]]: ''Suomi'', [[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]]: ''Finland'') is one of the [[Nordic countries]] in northern [[Europe]]. The country has comfortable small towns and cities, as well as vast areas of unspoiled nature. About 10% of the area is made up by 188,000 lakes, with a similar number of islands. Finland extends into the [[Arctic]], where the [[Northern Lights]] and the [[Midnight Sun]] can be seen. The mythical mountain of ''Korvatunturi'' is said to be the home of Santa Claus, and there is a Santaland in [[Rovaniemi]]. While Finland is a high-technology welfare state, Finns love to head to their summer cottages in the warmer months to enjoy all manner of relaxing pastimes including sauna, swimming, fishing and barbecuing during the short but bright summer. Finland has a distinctive language and culture that sets it apart from both Scandinavia and Russia. While Finnish culture is ancient, the country only became independent in 1917, shortly after the collapse of the Russian Empire. ==Regions== {{Regionlist| regionmap=Finland regions.png | regiontext=| regionmapsize=400px | region1name=[[Southern Finland]] | region1color=#d09440 | region1items=[[Tavastia Proper]], [[Päijänne Tavastia]], [[Uusimaa]], [[Kymenlaakso]], [[South Karelia]] | region1description=The southern stretch of coastline up to the Russian border, including the capital [[Helsinki]] | region2name=[[West Coast (Finland)|West Coast]] | region2color=#578e86 | region2items=[[Central Ostrobothnia]], [[Ostrobothnia]], [[Southern Ostrobothnia]], [[Satakunta]], [[Finland Proper]] | region2description=The south-western coastal areas, the old capital [[Turku]], and the southern parts of the historical province of Ostrobothnia (''Pohjanmaa'', ''Österbotten''), with half of Finland's Swedish-speaking population. | region3name=[[Finnish Lakeland]] | region3color=#71b37b | region3items=[[North Savonia]], [[North Karelia]], [[Central Finland]], [[South Savonia]], [[Pirkanmaa]] | region3description=Forests and lakes from the inland hub city [[Tampere]] all the way to the Russian border, including Savonia (''Savo'') and the Finnish side of Karelia (''Karjala'').| region4name=[[Northern Finland]] | region4color=#8a84a3 | region4items=[[Finnish Lapland]], [[Kainuu and Eastern Oulu region]], [[Southern Oulu region]], [[Western Oulu region]] | region4description=The northern half of Finland is mostly wilderness, with some important cities like [[Oulu]] and [[Rovaniemi]]. | region5name=[[Åland]] | region5color=#b383b3 | region5items= | region5description=An autonomous and monolingually [[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]] group of islands off the southwestern coast of Finland. | }} <!-- don't repeat the regions already mentioned above --> The current formal divisions of the country do not correspond well to geographical or cultural boundaries, and are not used here. Formerly regions and provinces did correspond; many people identify with their region (maakunta/landskap), but mostly according to historic boundaries. These regions include '''Tavastia''' (''Häme''), covering a large area of central Finland around Tampere, '''Savonia''' (''Savo'') in the eastern part of the lakeland and '''Karelia''' (''Karjala'') to the far east. Much of Finnish Karelia was lost to the [[Soviet Union]] in [[World War II in Europe|World War II]], which still is a sore topic in some circles. ==Cities== <!-- This is only intended to be a representative sample of NINE cities; please list other cities on the appropriate region pages --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Helsinki]]|wikidata=Q1757}} &mdash; the "Daughter of the Baltic", Finland's capital and largest city by far *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jyväskylä]]|wikidata=Q134620}} &mdash; a university town in Central Finland *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Oulu]]|wikidata=Q47048}} &mdash; a technology city at the end of the Gulf of Bothnia *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Rauma]]|wikidata=Q37013}} &mdash; largest wooden old town in the Nordics and a UNESCO World Heritage site *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Rovaniemi]]|wikidata=Q103717}} &mdash; gateway to [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] and home of Santa Claus Village *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Savonlinna]]|wikidata=Q683512}} &mdash; a small lakeside town with a big castle and a popular opera festival. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Tampere]]|wikidata=Q40840}} &mdash; a former industrial city becoming a hispter home of culture, music, art and museums *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Turku]]|wikidata=Q38511}} &mdash; the former capital on the southwest coast. Medieval castle and cathedral. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vaasa]]|wikidata=Q125080}} &mdash; a town with strong Swedish influences on the west coast located near the UNESCO world natural site [[Kvarken Archipelago]] <!-- only 7 to 9 of the biggest and most important for the traveller, please --> ==Other destinations== [[File:Koli hill view.jpg|thumb|[[Koli National Park]]]] * {{marker|name=[[Archipelago Sea]]|wikidata=Q650654}} - hundreds and hundreds of islands from the mainland all the way to [[Åland]] * {{marker|name=[[Finnish National Parks|Finnish national parks, other protected areas, hiking areas or wilderness areas]]|wikidata=Q375770}} , e.g. ** {{marker|name=[[Koli National Park]]|wikidata=Q375387}} – scenic national park in Eastern Finland, symbol for the nature of the country ** {{marker|name=[[Lemmenjoki National Park]]|wikidata=Q938172}} – gold digging grounds of Lapland, and one of the largest wilderness areas in Europe ** {{marker|name=[[Nuuksio National Park]]|wikidata=Q1815268}} – pint-sized but pretty national park a stone's throw from Helsinki * {{marker|name=[[Kilpisjärvi]]|wikidata=Q999185}} - "the Arm of Finland" offers scenic views and the highest hills in Finland * {{marker|name=[[Levi]]|wikidata=Q262837}} , [[Saariselkä]] and [[Ylläs]] – popular winter sports resorts in Lapland * {{marker|name=[[Suomenlinna]]|wikidata=}} – island off the coast of Helsinki where there is a 18–19th century fort that you can visit by ferry <br clear="right" /> ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationFinland.png}} ===History=== {{seealso|Vikings and the Old Norse|Nordic history|Swedish Empire|Russian Empire}} {{quote|Swedes we are no longer, Russians we do not want to become, let us therefore be Finns.|author=Adolf Ivar Arwidsson, Finnish national ideologist}} [[File:Savonlinna heinäkuu 2002 IMG 1635.JPG|thumb|240px|St. Olaf's Castle, the world's northernmost medieval castle, built in [[Savonlinna]] by Sweden in 1475]] Not much is known about Finland's early history, with archaeologists still debating when and where a tribe of Finno-Ugric speakers cropped up. The earliest certain evidence of human settlement is from 8900 BC. Roman historian Tacitus mentions a primitive and savage hunter tribe called ''Fenni'' in 100 AD, though there is no unanimity whether this means Finns or [[Sami people|Sami]]. Even the Vikings chose not to settle, fearing the famed shamans of the area, and instead traded and plundered along the coasts. In the mid-1100s Sweden started out to conquer and Christianise the Finnish pagans in earnest, with Birger Jarl incorporating most of the country into Sweden in 1249. While the population was Finnish-speaking, the Swedish kings installed a Swedish-speaking class of clergy and nobles in Finland, and enforced Western Christianity, succeeding in eliminating local animism and to a large part even Russian Orthodoxy. Farmers and fishermen from Sweden settled along the coast. Finland remained [[Swedish Empire|an integral part of Sweden]] until the 19th century, although there was near-constant warfare with Russia on the eastern border and two brief occupations. Sweden converted to Lutheran Protestantism, which marked the end of the Middle Ages, led to widespread literacy in Finnish and still defines many aspects of Finnish culture. After Sweden's final disastrous defeat in the Finnish War of 1808–1809, Finland became an autonomous grand duchy under [[Russian Empire|Russian]] rule. The Finnish nation was built during the Russian time, while the Swedish heritage provided the political framework. The Finnish language, literature, music and arts developed, with active involvement by the (mostly Swedish speaking) educated class. Russian rule alternated between benevolence and repression and there was already a significant independence movement when Russia plunged into war and revolutionary chaos in 1917. Parliament seized the chance (after a few rounds of internal conflicts) and declared independence in December, quickly gaining Soviet assent, but the country promptly plunged into a brief but bitter '''civil war''' between the conservative Whites and the socialist Reds, eventually won by the Whites. During World War II, Finland was attacked by the [[Soviet Union]] in the '''Winter War''', but fought them to a standstill that saw the USSR conquer 12% of Finnish territory. Finland then allied with Germany in an unsuccessful attempt to repel the Soviets and regain the lost territory (the '''Continuation War'''), was defeated and, as a condition for peace, had to turn against Germany instead (the '''Lapland War'''). Thus Finland fought three separate wars during World War II. In the end, Finland lost much of Karelia and Finland's second city [[Vyborg]] (''Viipuri'', ''Viborg''), but the Soviets paid a heavy price with over 300,000 dead. The lost territory was evacuated in a massive operation, in which the former inhabitants, and thus Karelian culture, were redistributed all over the country. After the war, Finland lay in the grey zone between the Western countries and the Soviet Union (see [[Cold War Europe]]). The Finno-Soviet Pact of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance committed Finland to resist armed attacks by "Germany or its allies" (read: the West), but also allowed Finland to stay neutral in the Cold War and avoid a Communist government or Warsaw Pact membership. In politics, there was a tendency to avoid any policies and statements that could be interpreted as anti-Soviet. This balancing act of '''Finlandization''' was humorously defined as "the art of bowing to the East without mooning the West". Practically, Finland was west of the Iron Curtain and travel to the West was easy. Thus, even many older people know English and German and have friends in the West, while Russian was not compulsory and is even today scarcely known. Despite close relations with the Soviet Union, Finland managed to retain democratic multi-party elections and remained a Western European market economy, building close ties with its [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] neighbours. While there were some tense moments, Finland pulled it off: in these decades the country made a remarkable transformation from a farm and forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy featuring high-tech giants like Nokia, and per capita income is now in the world top 15. After the collapse of the USSR, Finland joined the [[European Union]] in 1995, and was the only Nordic state to join the euro currency system at its initiation in January 1999. In 2017, Finland celebrated its 100 years of independence. ===Geography=== [[File:Puijo view to north.JPG|thumbnail|View over the Finnish Lakeland]] Unlike craggy Norway and Sweden, Finland consists mostly of low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills, with mountains (of a sort) only in the extreme north and Finland's highest point, Mount Halti, rising only to a modest 1,328 m. Finland sits squarely on the taiga zone, covered in coniferous forest, which is interspersed with cultivated land, towns, lakes and bogs. Finland has 187,888 lakes according to the Geological Survey of Finland, making the moniker '''Land of a Thousand Lakes''' something of an underestimate (a third of Europe's largest lakes are in Finland<!--8 of 24 largest, 20 of 60 largest-->). Along the coast and in the lakes are – according to another estimate – 179,584 islands, making the country an excellent boating destination as well. The Lakeland is more or less a plateau, so the lakes make up labyrinths of islands, peninsulas, sounds and open water, and the coastal archipelagos follow suite. Finland is not on the Scandinavian peninsula, so despite many cultural and historical links (including the Swedish language, which enjoys co-official status alongside Finnish), it is not considered to be part of Scandinavia. Even Finns rarely bother to make the distinction, but more correct terms that include Finland are the "[[Nordic countries]]" (''Pohjoismaat'', ''Norden'') and "Fennoscandia". Particularly in the eastern and northern parts of the country, which are densely forested and sparsely populated, you'll find more examples of traditional, rustic Finnish culture. Southern and Western Finland, which have cultivated plains and fields and have a higher population density, do indeed have very much in common with Scandinavia proper — this can clearly be seen in the capital, Helsinki, which has a lot of Scandinavian features, especially in terms of architecture. ===Climate=== {{See also|Winter in the Nordic Countries}} Finland has a temperate climate, which is actually comparatively mild for the latitude because of the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream. There are four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Winter is just as dark as everywhere in these latitudes, and temperatures can (very rarely) reach -30°C in the south and even dip down to {{nowrap|−50°C (−60°F)}} in the north, with 0 to −25°C (+35 to −15°F) being normal in the south. Snow cover is common, but not guaranteed in the southern part of the country. Early spring (March–April) is when the snow starts to melt and Finns like to head north for skiing and winter sports. The brief Finnish summer is considerably more pleasant, with day temperatures around +15 to +25°C (on occasion up to +35°C), and is generally the best time of year to visit. July is the warmest month. September brings cool weather (+5 to +15 °C), morning frosts and rains. The transition from autumn to winter in October–December – wet, rainy, sometimes cold, no staying snow but maybe slush and sleet, dark and generally miserable – is the worst time to visit. There is a noticeable difference between coastal and southern areas vs. inland and northern areas in the timing and length of these seasons: if travelling north in the winter, slush in Helsinki often turns to snow by Tampere. Due to the extreme latitude, Finland experiences the famous '''[[Midnight sun|midnight sun]]''' near the summer solstice, when (if above the Arctic Circle) the sun never sets during the night and even in southern Finland it never really gets dark. The flip side of the coin is the '''[[Midnight sun|Arctic night]]''' (''kaamos'') in the winter, when the sun never comes up at all in the north (with good chances to see '''[[northern lights]]''' instead). In the south, daylight is limited to a few pitiful hours with the sun just barely climbing over the trees before it heads down again. Information on the climate and weather forecasts are available from the [http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/ Finnish Meteorological Institute]. === Culture=== [[File:Gallen-Kallela The defence of the Sampo.jpg|thumb|240px|Väinämöinen defending the ''Sampo'', by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1896)]] Buffeted by its neighbors for centuries and absorbing influences from west, east and south, Finnish culture as a distinct identity was only born in the 19th century: "we are not Swedes, and we do not wish to become Russian, so let us be Finns." The Finnish creation myth and national epic is the '''''[https://kalevalaseura.fi/en/about-kalevala/translations-of-the-kalevala/ Kalevala]''''', a collection of old Karelian stories and poems collated by Elias Lönnrot in 1835. In addition to the creation the book includes the adventures of '''Väinämöinen''', a shamanistic hero with magical powers. Kalevalan themes such as the '''Sampo''', a mythical cornucopia, have been a major inspiration for Finnish artists, and figures, scenes, and concepts from the epic continue to colour their works. While Finland's state religion is '''Lutheranism''', a version of Protestant Christianity, the country has full freedom of religion and for the great majority everyday observance is lax or nonexistent. Still, Luther's teachings of strong '''work ethic''' and a belief in '''equality''' remain strong, both in the good (women's rights, non-existent corruption) and the bad (conformity, high rates of depression and suicide). The Finnish character is often summed up with the word '''''sisu''''', a mixture of admirable perseverance and pig-headed stubbornness in the face of adversity. Finnish '''music''' is best known for classical composer '''Jean Sibelius''', whose symphonies continue to grace concert halls around the world. Finnish pop, on the other hand, has only rarely ventured beyond the borders, but rock and heavy metal bands like '''Nightwish''', '''Children Of Bodom''', '''Sonata Arctica''', '''Apocalyptica''' and '''HIM''' have become fairly big names in the global heavy music scene and latex monsters '''Lordi''' hit an exceedingly unlikely jackpot by taking home the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. In the other arts, Finland has produced noted architect and designer '''Alvar Aalto''', authors '''Mika Waltari''' (''The Egyptian'') and '''Väinö Linna''' (''The Unknown Soldier''), and painter '''Akseli Gallen-Kallela''', known for his ''Kalevala'' illustrations. === Bilingualism === <div style="float:right; margin-left:15px; margin-right:15px; text-align:center"> {| class="wikitable" |+ '''Street reference chart''' |- ! Finnish !! Swedish !! English |- | ''-katu'' || ''-gata(n)'' || street |- | ''-tie'' || ''-väg(en)'' || road |- | ''-kuja'' || ''-gränd(en)'' || alley |- | ''-väylä'' || ''-led(en)'' || way |- | ''-polku'' || ''-stig(en)'' || path |- | ''-tori'' || ''-torg(et)'' || market |- | ''-kaari'' || ''-båge(n)'' || crescent |- | ''-puisto'' || ''-park(en)'' || park |- | ''-ranta'' || ''-kaj(en)'' || quay |- | ''-rinne'' || ''-brink(en)'' || bank (hill) |- | ''-aukio'' || ''-plats(en)'' || square |} </div> Finland has a 5.5% Swedish-speaking minority and is officially bilingual, with both languages compulsory in school. Three [[Sámi culture|Sámi]] languages (including [[Northern Sámi phrasebook|Northern Sámi]]), [[Roma culture in Europe|Romani]] and Finnish sign language are also recognised in the constitution, but are not "national" languages. Maps and transport announcements often give both Finnish and Swedish names, e.g. ''Turku'' and ''Åbo'' are the same city. This helps the visitor, as English-speakers generally find the Swedish announcement easier to follow, especially if you have a smattering of German. Road signs often flip between versions, e.g. ''Turuntie'' and ''Åbovägen'' are both the same "Turku Road". This is common in Helsinki and the Swedish-speaking coastal areas, whereas Swedish is far less common inland. Away north in [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]], you almost never see Swedish, but you may see signage in (mostly Northern) Sami. And if you navigate by Google Map, there's no telling what language it may conjure up. Although the country was once ruled by a Swedish elite, most Swedish-speaking Finns have always been commoners: fishermen, farmers and industrial workers. The educated class has been bilingual since the national awakening, while population mixing with industrialisation did the rest. In the bilingual areas the language groups mix amicably. Even in Finnish speaking areas, such as Jyväskylä, Pori and Oulu, many Finnish speakers welcome the contacts with Swedish that the minority provides; the few Swedish schools in those areas have many Finnish pupils and language immersion daycare is popular. In politics bilingualism remains contentious: some Finnish speakers see it as a hangover from Swedish rule, while Swedish speakers are concerned at their language being marginalised, e.g. when small Swedish institutions are merged with bigger Finnish ones. ===Holidays=== [[File:Lakitus Turussa 2014.jpg|thumb|240px|Students in Turku ready to wear their student caps exactly at 18:00 in the Walpurgis Night.]] Finns aren't typically very hot on big public carnivals; most holidays are spent at home with family. The most notable exception is ''Vappu'' on 30th April–1st May, as thousands of people (including the students) fill the streets. Important holidays and similar happenings include: * '''New Year's Day''' (''uudenvuodenpäivä'', ''nyårsdagen''), January 1. * '''Epiphany''' (''loppiainen'', ''trettondag''), January 6. The date coincides with [[Christmas and New Year travel|24 December]] in the Julian calender used by the Russian church, contributing to lots of Russian tourists around this time (and thus to many shops being open despite the holiday). * '''[[Easter travel|Easter]]''' (''pääsiäinen'', ''påsk''), variable dates, Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Tied to this are ''laskiainen'', ''fastlagstisdag'', 40 days before Easter, nominally a holy day that kicks off the Lent, practically a time for children and university students to go sliding down snowy slopes, and '''Ascension Day''' (''helatorstai'', ''Kristi himmelsfärds dag'') 40 days after, just another day for the shops to be closed. If you want to visit an Orthodox service, the one in waiting for the grave to be found empty might be the most special one. * '''Walpurgis Night''' (''vappuaatto'', ''valborgsmässoafton'') and '''May Day''' (''vappu'', ''första maj'', the Finnish word often written with capital-W), originally a pagan tradition that coincides with a modern workers' celebration, has become a ''truly giant festival for university students'', who wear their colourful signature overalls, white student caps, and roam the streets. Also the graduates use their white student caps between 18:00 at April 30 until the end of May 1st. The latter day people gather to nurse their hangovers at open-air picnics, even if it's raining sleet! Definitely a fun celebration to witness as the students come up with most peculiar ways to celebrate. On 1 May there are also parades and talks arranged by the left-wing parties, and families go out buying balloons, whistles and other market fare. Small towns often arrange an open-air market or an event at a community centre, open to the public. * '''Midsummer''' (''juhannus'', ''midsommar''), Friday evening and Saturday between June 20th and June 26th. Held to celebrate the summer solstice, with plenty of '''bonfires''', drinking and general merrymaking. Cities become almost empty as people rush to their summer cottages. It might be a good idea to visit one of the bigger cities just for the eerie feeling of an empty city – or a countryside village, where the locals vividly celebrate together. Careless use of alcohol during this particular weekend in the "country of thousand lakes" is seen in Finnish statistics as an annual peak in the number of people died by drowning. Midsummer is the beginning of the Finnish holiday season and in many summer-oriented destinations "on Season" means from the Midsummer until the schools open. * '''Independence Day''' (''itsenäisyyspäivä'', ''självständighetsdagen''), December 6. A fairly somber celebration of Finland's independence. There are church services (the one from the cathedral in Helsinki, with national dignities, can be seen on TV), concerts, and a military parade arranged every year in some town. A 1955 movie, ''The Unknown Soldier'', is shown on TV. The most popular event is in the evening: the President holds a ball for the important people (e.g. MPs, diplomats, merited Finnish sportspeople and artists) that the less important watch on TV – over 2 million Finns watch the ball from their homes. * '''Little Christmas''' (''pikkujoulu''). People go pub crawling with their workmates throughout December. Not an official holiday, just a Viking-strength version of an office Christmas party season. Among the Swedish-speakers the ''lillajul'' ("little Christmas") is the Saturday at beginning of Advent and is mostly celebrated among families. * '''[[Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas]]''' (''joulu'', ''jul''), December 24 to 26. The biggest holiday of the year, when pretty much everything closes for three days. Santa (''Joulupukki'', ''Julgubben'') comes on Christmas Eve on December 24, ham is eaten and everyone goes to sauna. See also [[Winter in the Nordic countries#Christmas]]. * '''New Year's Eve''' (''uudenvuodenaatto'', ''nyårsafton''), December 31. Fireworks time! Most shops and offices are closed on most of these holidays. Public transport stops for part of Christmas and Midsummer; on other holidays, timetables for Sundays are usually applied, sometimes with minor deviations. Most Finns take their '''summer holidays''' in July, unlike elsewhere in Europe, where August is the main vacation season. People generally start their summer holidays around Midsummer. During these days, cities are likely to be less populated, as Finns head for their summer cottages. Schoolchildren start their summer holidays in the beginning of June and return to school in mid-August. The exact dates vary by year and municipality. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|Since July 2022 there are [https://raja.fi/en/-/restrictions-on-external-border-traffic-imposed-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic-will-end-on-30-june no COVID-19-related restrictions] on entry. The domestic COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in June. Prevalence is still high. Several pages have outdated information or report a zero instead of "data missing" (such as WHO). |lastedit=2022-08-03}} {{Schengen}} Visa freedom applies to Schengen and EU nationals and nationals of countries with a visa-freedom agreement, for example United States citizens. By default, a visa is required; [https://um.fi/visa-requirement-and-travel-documents-accepted-by-finland see the list] to check if you need a visa. Visas cannot be issued at the border or at entry, but must be applied at least 15 days in advance in a Finnish embassy or other mission (see [http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=324099&nodeid=49459&contentlan=2&culture=en-US instructions]). An ID photograph, a passport, travel insurance, and sufficient funds (considered to be at least €30 a day) is required. The visa fee is €35–70, even if the visa application is rejected. Visa processing times tend to be '''quite lengthy''' and might be one of the more stringent ones overall. It's not uncommon to wait for a month or more to get a Finnish visa, so plan and prepare well. For Russians, in August 2022 Finland is limiting the volumes of tourist visa applications handled; there are plans to create new visa types for those with certain types of ties to Finland. The Finland-Russia border is a Schengen external border, and border controls apply. This border can be crossed only at designated border crossings; elsewhere there is a no-entry border zone on both sides. Border crossing opening hours have been reduced in 2022 and the Svetogorsk–Imatra crossing is closed. There are border zones on both sides of the border, mostly a few kilometres in width on the Finnish side, where entrance is prohibited. Entering the border zones or trying to photograph there will result in an arrest and a fine. The Finnish-Norwegian and Finnish-Swedish borders may be crossed at any point without a permit, provided that you're not carrying anything requiring customs control. Generally, when travelling over the international waters between Finland and Estonia, border checks are not required. However, the Border Guard may conduct random or discretionary checks and is authorised to check the immigration status of any person or vessel at any time or location, regardless of the mode of entry. As Finland is separated from Western and Central Europe by the Baltic Sea, the common arrival routes (in addition to flights) are via Sweden, with a one-night (or day) ferry passage, via Estonia, with a shorter ferry passage, or from Russia, over the land border. There are also ferries across the Baltic Sea, mainly those from Travemünde in Germany (two nights or two days). ===By plane=== {{cautionbox|Because of the Russian war on Ukraine, flights through Russian airspace have been suspended or rerouted. Details are not necessarily updated below. |lastedit=2022-02-28 }} [[File:Helsinki-Vantaan kiitotie 33.jpg|thumbnail|If you're flying into Finland from abroad, you'll very likely pass through Helsinki-Vantaa]] Finland's main international hub is '''[[Helsinki-Vantaa Airport]]''' ({{IATA|HEL}}) near [[Helsinki]]. [http://www.finnair.com Finnair] and [http://www.flysas.com/en/uk/ SAS] are based there, as is [http://www.norwegian.com/en/ Norwegian Air Shuttle], offering domestic and international flights. Around 30 foreign airlines fly to Helsinki-Vantaa. Connections are good to major European hubs like Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS) and London Heathrow (LHR), and transfers can be made via Stockholm (ARN) and Copenhagen (CPH). There are flights from several East Asian cities, such as Beijing, Seoul (ICN), Shanghai and Tokyo, and some destinations in other parts of Asia. In the other direction, New York City is served around the year and Chicago, Miami and San Francisco in the summer season. International flights to other airports in Finland are scarce (Air Baltic and Ryanair have withdrawn most of their services to regional Finland). To [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] there are seasonal scheduled flights (Dec–Mar) as well as occasional direct charters (especially in December). There are direct flights all year to [[Tampere]] and [[Turku]] from a couple of foreign destinations, to [[Lappeenranta]] from [[Bergamo]], [[Vienna]] and [[Budapest]], to [[Turku]] from [[Belgrade]], [[Gdańsk]], [[Kaunas]], [[Kraków]], [[Larnaca]], [[Skopje]], [[Warsaw]], and to [[Mariehamn]], [[Tampere]], [[Turku]] and [[Vaasa]] from [[Stockholm]]. If your destination is somewhere in Southern Finland, it may also be worth your while to get a cheap flight to [[Tallinn]] and follow the boat instructions for the last leg. ===By train=== The trains from Russia have been suspended, because of the Russian war on Ukraine.<!-- [[File:Allegro train Pasila.JPG|thumbnail|upright|The "Allegro" trains connect St Petersburg and Helsinki]] '''[https://www.vr.fi/cs/vr/en/frontpage VR]''' and Russian Railways jointly operate services between [[Saint Petersburg]] and Helsinki, stopping at [[Vyborg]], [[Kouvola]] and [[Lahti]] along the way (rail was introduced in Finland under Russian rule, so the gauge is the same). The border controls are conducted in the moving train en route, to avoid delay on the border. The line was upgraded in 2010 and the slick new ''Allegro''-branded trains glide between the two cities in three and a half hours at up to 220&nbsp;km/h. The route is served four times in a day for both directions. Prices vary between €30 and €80 per direction depending on popularity of the departure and when you book. There is also a traditional slow overnight sleeper from [[Moscow]], which takes around 15 hours. After a COVID-19 break, the former train services restarted in December 2021, for Finnish and Russian citizens. On 27 March the Allegros will stop due to the Russian war on Ukraine. --> There are no direct trains between [[Sweden]] or [[Norway]] and Finland (the rail gauge is different), but [[Haparanda]] in Sweden is next to [[Tornio]] in Finland, just walk across the border. For more trains, continue to [[Kemi]] 30 km away. The journey by coach from Swedish trains to Kemi is free with an [[Eurail]]/[[Inter Rail]] pass. If you instead take a ferry farther south, you mostly get a 50% discount with these passes (on the normal price, you might find cheaper offers). ===By bus=== Buses are the cheapest but also the slowest and least comfortable way of travelling between '''Russia''' and Finland. * Regular scheduled express buses run between [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Vyborg]] and major southern Finnish towns like [[Helsinki]], [[Lappeenranta]], [[Jyväskylä]] and all the way west to [[Turku]], check [http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en Matkahuolto] for schedules. St. Petersburg–Helsinki is served 2–4 times daily and takes 7–8 hours. * Various direct minibuses run between Saint Petersburg's Oktyabrskaya Hotel (opposite Moskovsky train station) and Helsinki's Tennispalatsi (Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, one block away from Kamppi). At €15 one-way, this is the cheapest option, but the minibuses leave only when full. Departures from Helsinki are most frequent in the morning (around 10:00), while departures from Saint Petersburg usually overnight (around 22:00). * There is a daily service between [[Petrozavodsk]] and [[Joensuu]] (possibly suspended, check). * There is a service between [[Murmansk]] and [[Ivalo]] in northern Finland thrice a week (possibly suspended, check). You can also use a bus from northern '''Sweden''' or '''Norway''' to Finland. * [[Haparanda]] at the border in Sweden has bus connections to [[Tornio]], [[Kemi]], [[Oulu]] and [[Rovaniemi]]. See more from [http://www.matkahuolto.fi Matkahuolto] and [[Haparanda#Get in]]. * [https://www.eskelisen.fi Eskelisen Lapinlinjat] offers bus connections from northern parts of Norway. Some routes, such as [[Tromsø]], in summer only. * [https://tapanis.se Tapanis Buss] has a route from [[Stockholm]] to Tornio going along the [[E4 through Sweden|E4]] coastal route. From Tornio it is possible to continue using Finnish long distance buses or trains. See [[Haparanda#Get in]] for other connections to the border. ===By boat=== [[File:Nordlandia IMO 7928811 and Viking Xprs F Tallin 08-02-2011.JPG|thumb|Xprs and Nordlandia in Tallinn, soon leaving for Helsinki]] {{seealso|Baltic Sea ferries|Cruising the Baltic Sea|Boating on the Baltic Sea}} One of the best ways to travel to and from Finland is by sea. The '''cruise ferries''' from [[Estonia]] and [[Sweden]] are giant, multi-story floating palaces with restaurants, department stores and entertainment. There are also more Spartan ropax ferries from Sweden and [[Germany]], and there have been faster and smaller hydrofoils from Tallinn. Cheap prices are subsidised by sales of tax-free booze: a return trip from Tallinn to Helsinki or from Stockholm to Turku, including a cabin for up to four people can go as low as €30. Ordinary tickets are significantly more expensive, though. If travelling by [[Inter Rail]], you can get 50% off deck fares on non-cruises. The passes over Sea of Åland and Kvarken from Sweden, and Gulf of Finland from Estonia, are short enough for any '''yacht''' on a calm day (many also come over the sea from [[Gotland]]). As Finland is famous for its archipelagos, especially the [[Archipelago Sea]], coming with [[Cruising on small craft|small craft]] is a good alternative. Border controls are not generally required for pleasure craft crossing from Estonia to Finland; however, the Border Guard can discretionarily order individual craft to report to border control. All craft arriving from outside the Schengen area must report to border control (see [[Boating in Finland#Get in]]). ====Estonia and the Baltic states==== [[Helsinki]] and [[Tallinn]] are only 80&nbsp;km apart. [http://www.vikingline.fi Viking Line], [http://www.eckeroline.com Eckerö Line] and [http://www.tallinksilja.com Tallink Silja] operate full-service car ferries all year round. Depending on the ferry type travel times are from 2 (Tallink's Star class ferries) to 3½ hours (Tallink's biggest cruise ships). Some services travel overnight and wait outside the harbour until morning. The Tallink cruise ferry between Tallinn and Stockholm calls at [[Mariehamn]] (in the night/early morning). There are no scheduled services from [[Latvia]] or [[Lithuania]], but some of the operators above offer semi-regular cruises in the summer, with [[Riga]] being the most popular destination. ====Germany==== [http://www.ferrycenter.fi/finnlines/en/ Finnlines] operates from [[Travemünde]] near [[Lübeck]] and [[Hamburg]] to [[Helsinki]], taking 27–36 hours one way. These are ropax ferries: primarily intended for freight and lorry drivers, but having some amenities also for normal passengers, including families. They are not party and shopping boats like some other Baltic ferries. Traffic on this route was more lively in former times, the best example being the GTS Finnjet, which was the fastest and largest passenger ferry in the world in the 1970s. Freight and passengers could be transported between Helsinki and Travemünde (and the rest of continental Europe west of the Iron Curtain) in only 22 hours, much faster than the other (non-air) routes at the time. ====Russia==== For years scheduled ferry services from Russia have been stop-and-go.<!-- [http://www.stpeterline.com/en/ St Peter Line] offered regular ferry service from Saint Petersburg to Helsinki for as low as €30 one way.--> As of 2022 connections are suspended because of COVID-19 and the Russian war on Ukraine. The passenger cruises between Vyborg and Lappeenranta were suspended in 2022, also because of the war. <!--[http://www.saimaatravel.fi/en/home Saimaa Travel] offers sailings along [[Saimaa Canal]] from [[Vyborg]] to [[Lappeenranta]] in the summer months (suspended in 2022). This route is mostly used for cruises ''to'' Russia, taking advantage of the Russian visa exception for short-term cruise visitors.--> The [[Saimaa Canal]] can still be used to reach [[Saimaa]] and the lake district by own vessel. If coming by yacht from Russia, customs routes have to be followed, see [[Boating in Finland#Get in]]. ====Sweden==== [[File:Silja Serenade.jpg|thumb|240px|Silja Serenade leaving [[Helsinki]]]] Both [http://www.siljaline.fi Silja] (Tallink) and [http://www.vikingline.fi Viking] offer overnight cruises from [[Stockholm]] to [[Helsinki]] and overnight as well as daytime cruises to [[Turku]], all usually calling in the [[Åland]] islands along the way, in either [[Mariehamn]] or Långnäs. These are some of the largest and most luxurious ferries in the world, with as many as 14 floors and a whole slew of restaurants, bars, discos, pool and spa facilities, etcetera. The cheaper cabin classes below the car decks are rather Spartan, but the higher sea view cabins can be very nice indeed. As Åland is outside the EU tax area, the ferries can operate duty-free sales. (Tallink is cutting down their service to Turku in September 2022, see [[Turku]].) Due to crowds of rowdy youngsters aiming to get thoroughly hammered on cheap tax-free booze, both Silja and Viking do not allow '''unaccompanied youth under 23''' to cruise on Fridays or Saturdays. The age limit is 20 on other nights, and 18 for travellers not on same-day-return cruise packages. Silja does not offer deck class on its overnight services, while Viking does. With Viking Line it often is cheaper to book a cruise instead of "route traffic". The cruise includes both ways with or without a day in between. If you want to stay longer you simply do not go back – it might still be cheaper than booking a one-way "route traffic" ticket. This accounts especially to last minute tickets (you could, e.g., get from Stockholm to Turku for around 10€ over night – "route traffic" would be over 30€ for a cabin with lower quality). In addition to the big two, [http://www.finnlink.fi FinnLink] (Finnlines) offers the cheapest car ferry connection of all from [[Kapellskär]] to [[Naantali]], some of the services calling also in Åland (from €60 for a car with driver). These are much more quiet, primarily catering to lorry drivers. For Åland there are some more services, to [[Mariehamn]] or [[Eckerö]], by Viking and [https://www.eckerolinjen.ax Eckerölinjen]. There is also a car ferry connection between [[Umeå]] and [[Vaasa]] ([http://www.wasaline.com Wasa line]; 4 hours), without taxfree sales, but trying to achieve the same feeling as on the southerly routes. The latest addition, in 2022, is [https://stenaline.se Stena Line] with a daily connection from [[Nynäshamn]] south of Stockholm to [[Hanko]] on the south coast, with two ropax ferries, i.e. mostly for freight but with some passenger capacity, only for those travelling with a vehicle. Basic fares in this route also do not include a cabin or lounge. ===By car=== [[File:Utsjoki border Sami Bridge.jpg|thumb|[[Utsjoki]] border crossing between EU and Norway, with the Sámi Bridge; shared customs]] ====Sweden==== The easiest ways to get by car from Sweden to Finland is a car ferry (except in the far north). The European Route E18 includes a ferry line between [[Kapellskär]] and [[Naantali]]. There are four daily cruise ferries on the nearby pass [[Stockholm]]–[[Turku]] (two of them overnight) and two on the longer pass Stockholm–Helsinki (overnight). There is also a daily ferry from [[Nynäshamn]] to [[Hanko]]. Farther north there is the [[Blue Highway]]/E12, with car ferry (4 hours) from [[Umeå]] to [[Vaasa]], where E12 forks off to Helsinki as Finnish national highway 3. There are also land border crossings up in Lapland in [[Tornio]] ([[E4 through Sweden|E4]]), [[Ylitornio]], [[Pello]], [[Kolari]], [[Muonio]] and [[Karesuvanto]] ([[E45 through Europe|E45]]). ====Norway==== European Routes [[E8 through Finland and Norway|E8]] and [[Highway 4 (Finland)|E75]] (and some national roads) connect northern Norway with Finland. There are border crossings at [[Kilpisjärvi]], Kivilompolo (near [[Hetta]]), [[Karigasniemi]], [[Utsjoki]], [[Nuorgam]] and [[Näätämö]]. For central and southern parts of Norway, going through Sweden is more practical, e.g. by [[Blue Highway|E12]] (from [[Mo i Rana]] via Umeå) or E18 (from [[Oslo]] via Stockholm or Kapellskär). ====Russia==== European route E18 (in Russia: route A181, formerly part of M10), goes from [[Saint Petersburg]] via [[Vyborg]] to Vaalimaa/Torfyanovka border station near [[Hamina]]. From there, E18 continues as Finnish national highway 7 to Helsinki, and from there, along the coast as highway 1 to Turku. In Vaalimaa, trucks will have to wait in a persistent truck queue, but this queue does not directly affect other vehicles. There are border control and customs checks in Vaalimaa and passports and Schengen visas, if applicable, will be needed. From south to north, other border crossings can be found at Nuijamaa/Brusnichnoye ([[Lappeenranta]]), [[Imatra]]/[[Svetogorsk]], Niirala ([[Tohmajärvi]], near [[Joensuu]]), Vartius ([[Kuhmo]]), [[Kuusamo]], Kelloselkä ([[Salla]]) and Raja-Jooseppi ([[Inari]]). All except the first are very remote, and most of those [https://raja.fi/en/contact-information#aineisto-BorderCrossingPoints open] in daytime only. ====Estonia==== Some of the ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki take cars. They form an extension to European route E67, [[Via Baltica]], which runs from the Polish capital [[Warsaw]], via [[Kaunas]] in [[Lithuania]] and [[Riga]] in [[Latvia]], to the Estonian capital Tallinn. The distance from Warsaw to Tallinn is about 970 kilometres, not including any detours. There is a [https://www.dfds.com/en/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-the-baltics/hanko-paldiski car and cargo ferry service] from [[Paldiski]] to [[Hanko]]. === By bicycle === Bikes can be taken on the ferries for a modest fee. You enter via the car deck, check when to show up. As you will leave the bike, have something to tie it up with and bags for taking what you need (and valuables) with you. There are no special requirements on the land borders with Norway and Sweden. In 2016, Finnish Border Agency did forbid crossing the border by bicycle over the northernmost checkpoints from Russia (Raja-Jooseppi and Salla), the restriction has probably expired, but check! The southern border stations were apparently not affected. On the trains from Russia, the bikes have to be packed (100 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm). === By foot === Walk-in from Sweden and Norway is allowed anywhere (unless you have goods to declare, which can probably be handled beforehand), but crossing the Russian border by foot may not be, check regulations. Entering the Finnish-Russian border zone or crossing that border outside designated crossings nets you an arrest and a fine, unless you have got a specific permit. ==Get around== [[File:Suomen rataverkko 2006 en.png|thumb|The Finnish rail network (passenger lines in green).]] Finland is a large country and travelling is relatively expensive. Public transportation is well organised and the equipment is always comfortable and often new, and advance bookings are rarely necessary outside the biggest holiday periods, but buying tickets on the net a few days in advance (or as soon as you know your plans) may give significantly lower prices. There are several route planners available. VR and Matkahuolto provides timetable service nationwide for trains and coaches, respectively, and there are several regional and local planners. As of 2020, Google Maps and Apple Maps have coverage nationally. [https://opas.matka.fi opas.matka.fi] includes train traffic, domestic flights, local transport of many cities and towns and [[:Wikipedia:Public service obligation|public service obligation]] traffic (i.e. services offered on behalf of the government) in the countryside. [http://reittiopas.matkahuolto.fi Matkahuolto Reittiopas] is focused on local, regional and long-distance buses and trains. There are deficiencies in most or all of the planners, so try different names and main stops if you don't get a connection, and do a sanity check when you get one. You might also want to check more than one when services shown are sparse or complicated. Knowing the municipality and the name in both Finnish and Swedish is useful. Sometimes the local connections are unknown to the digital services. "'''Street addresses'''" work with many electronic maps also for the countryside. "Street numbers" outside built up areas are based on the distance from the beginning of the road, in tens of metres, with even numbers on the left hand side: "Metsätie 101" is about a kilometre from the junction, on the right hand side, distance from the road to the house not counted. Many roads change names at municipality borders; what is Posiontie in Ranua becomes Ranuantie in Posio. An address of "Rantakatu 12–16 A 15" means lots 12, 14 and 16 on that street, stairwell A (or house A), flat number 15. Most map services know only the individual lots. "Rantakatu 12 a" means the first lot of an original lot 12 that was split. ===By plane=== Flights are the fastest but traditionally also the most expensive way of getting around. The new low-cost airliners however provide prices even half of the train prices in the routes between north and south. In some cases it may even be cheaper to fly via Riga than take a train. Finnair and some smaller airlines still operate regional flights from Helsinki to places all over the country, including [[Kuopio]], [[Rovaniemi]], [[Ivalo]] and [[Vaasa]]. It's worth booking in advance if possible: on the [[Helsinki]]–[[Oulu]] sector, the country's busiest, a fully flexible return economy ticket costs a whopping €251 but an advance-purchase non-changeable one-way ticket can go as low as €39, less than a train ticket. Finnair has cheaper fares usually when you book at least three week before your planned trip and your trip includes at least three nights spent in destination or one night between Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday. You may also be able to get discounted domestic tickets if you fly into Finland on Finnair and book combination ticket directly to your final destination. Finnair also has a youth ticket (16–25) and senior ticket (+65 or pension decision) that is substantially cheaper and fixed price regardless of when you book. Flying makes most sense when there is a suitable transfer. By going to Helsinki from elsewhere for the flight, and transferring to the airport in both ends, you often lose any time you win on flying. Flying may make sense also when rail connections are convoluted or the flight is long, such as to [[Ivalo]]. To [[Oulu]] or [[Rovaniemi]] the flight is considerably faster, but with an overnight train available that point may be moot. There are two major airlines selling domestic flights: * '''[http://www.finnair.com Finnair]''', the biggest by far. Serves nearly all of the country, with some flights operated by their subsidiary [http://flynorra.com/ '''Nordic Regional Airlines'''].. * '''[http://www.norwegian.com/en/ Norwegian Air Shuttle]''' flies from Helsinki to Oulu and Rovaniemi. In addition there's a handful of smaller airlines, often just flying from Helsinki to one airport each. The destinations served are often easy to reach by train, bus and car making flights unprofitable wherefore companies and services tend to come and go. ===By train=== [[File:Green Finnish Pendolino.JPG|thumb|240px|A ''Pendolino'' train, the fastest in VR's fleet (max 220 km/h)]] '''[http://www.vr.fi/en VR]''' (Valtion Rautatiet, "State's Railways") operates the railway network. Trains are usually the most comfortable and fastest method of inter-city travel. From [[Helsinki]] to [[Tampere]], [[Turku]] and [[Lahti]], there are departures more or less every hour in daytime. The following classes of service are available: * '''Pendolino''' tilting trains (code '''S''') often fastest; children and pets in normal cars * '''InterCity''' ('''IC''') and '''InterCity2''' ('''IC2''') express trains; the latter are two-storey, mostly with a family car with a playing corner for children. * Ordinary '''express''' (''pikajuna'', '''P'''), old cars; some night trains and connections on remote routes * '''Local''' and '''regional''' trains (''lähiliikennejuna'', ''lähijuna'' or ''taajamajuna''), no surcharge, quite slow While differences between Pendolino, IC and express trains isn't that crucial – if you need specific facilities you should check anyway – rules for regional trains (about pets, bikes and tickets) may differ from those on the long-distance trains, and some regional trains travel quite far from Helsinki. The trains are generally very comfortable, especially the intercity and long distance services, which (depending on route and type of train) may have restaurant and family cars (with a playing space for children), power sockets, and free Wi-Fi connection. Check the services of individual trains if you need them, e.g. facilities for families and wheelchair users vary considerably. Additional surcharges apply for travel in first class, branded "Extra" on some trains, which gets you more spacious seating, newspapers and possibly a snack. Wi-Fi is sometimes overloaded when many use the journey time for work, such as on morning trains to Helsinki. Formally two large pieces of luggage (80×60×40 cm) are allowed for free in the Finnish trains, in addition to small hand luggage, and pram or wheelchair if applicable. Also a ski bag can be taken into your cabin for free. In practice, no one will check the allowance unless you cause trouble. For skis (max 30×30×220 cm), snowboards and other additional luggage (max 60×54×195 cm) transported in the luggage compartment €5/piece is charged. [[File:Sovkupé VR 2020 nedre våningen 04.jpg|thumb|upright|Standard cabin in an overnight train; bunks and sink cupboard]] [[Sleeper trains|Overnight sleepers]] are available for long-haul routes and very good value. The modern sleeper cars to Lapland have 2-berth cabins, some of which can be combined for a family.<!-- On the ''Tolstoi'' train from Moscow 2nd class cabins are for 4, other cabins for 2 persons. There are en suite showers in the upper floor cabins in the modern overnight trains and in business class in the ''Tolstoi'' trains, otherwise showers are shared.--> In the 3-person cabins in the old "blue" sleeper cars there are no showers, only a small sink in the cabin, but some more overhead luggage space; these cars are nowadays mostly used as supplement in the "P" trains in the busiest holiday periods. In each modern Finnish sleeper car, one cabin is for a disabled person and his or her assistant, another for travelling with a pet. If you take a "P" train with both new and old cabins, check that you get the cabin you want. An overnight journey from Helsinki to Lapland in a sleeper cabin costs about €150–250 for two people (as of 2022). The [https://www.vr.fi/en/facilities-and-services/restaurant-services restaurant cars] mostly serve snacks, coffee and beer. On some routes (such as those to Lapland) you can get simple real meals (€10–13.50). Shorter intercity routes usually just have a trolley with snacks and coffee. Drinking alcoholic beverages you brought yourselves is not allowed. Own food at your seat should be no problem as long as you don't make a mess or spectacle out of it; bringing packed meals, other than for small children, has become rare. Seniors over 65 years old and students with ''Finnish'' student ID (''ISIC cards etc. not accepted'') get 50 % off. If booking a few days (better: at least two weeks) in advance on the net you may get cheaper prices. Children younger than 10 years travel for free in sleeper cabins if they share a bed with somebody else (bed width 75 cm, safety nets can be ordered, using a travel bed is allowed if it fits nicely). The accessible toilets double as family rooms. Otherwise children aged 4–16 pay a child fee on long-distance trains, those aged 7–16 on commuter trains, usually half the ordinary price. Carry your ID or passport to prove your age. [[Travelling with pets|Pets]] can be taken on trains (€5), but seats must be booked in the right compartments. If your pet is big, book a seat with extended legroom (or, on some trains, a separate seat for the pet). The pets travel on the floor (a blanket can be useful; bring water), other than for dogs a cage is mandatory. Vaccination etc. should be in order. For regional transport the rules are different. The sleeper trains have some cabins for passengers with pets. For night trains, ask the conductor about stops where you can get out with your dog. Don't leave pets in your car. Finland participates in the [[Inter Rail]] and [[Eurail]] systems. Residents of Europe can buy InterRail Finland passes offering 3–8 days of unlimited travel in one month for €109–229 (adult 2nd class), while the Eurail Finland pass for non-residents is €178–320 for 3–10 days. You would have to travel a lot to make any of these pay off though; by comparison, a full-fare InterCity return ticket across the entire country from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and back is €162. The price for a typical 2-hr journey, such as between Helsinki, Turku and Tampere, is about €20. [https://www.vr.fi/en Train tickets] can be purchased online, from ticketing machines on mid-sized and large stations, from manned booths on some of the largest stations and e.g. from R kiosks (not all tickets). A fee of €1–3 applies when buying over the counter or by phone. There are usually cheaper offers if you buy several days in advance, to get the cheapest tickets, buy them at least two weeks in advance. A seat is included in the fare of these tickets.<!-- The HSL-operated trains in the Helsinki region no longer sell tickets on board. On long-distance trains tickets can be bought with major cards only (not with cash). Buying on board (with an additional fee of €3–6) allows using booked-out trains, possibly with seat part of the journey.--> During the COVID-19 pandemic, '''seats must be reserved''', i.e. tickets bought, in advance. On the regional trains in the capital region there is no ticket sale in normal times either. This means that for walk-up travel at many mid-sized stations, you'll need to buy a ticket from the machine. This is easier if no-one tries to assist you! Otherwise, thinking to be helpful, they'll press ''Aloita'' and you'll be faced by a screen asking you to choose between ''Aikuinen'', ''Eläkeläisen'' and ''Lapsi''. So spurn their help, wind back to the beginning and press "Start" to get the process in English, including the bank card reader instructions. Or if you're feeling adventurous you can press ''Börja'' since you can figure out whether you're ''vuxen, pensionär'' or ''barn'', but you'll have to choose "Åbo" to get a ticket to [[Turku]]. Larger machines take cash, but most provincial stations have only small ones for which you need a debit/credit card with chip. The selling procedure offers a seat, but you can chose one yourself if you want. Usually half of the seats face forward, half of them backward. Seats with a wall behind them have less legroom when reclined, and don't recline as much. You may want to check the options on IC2 trains especially if you are a group or want privacy (four seats with a table in-between, cabins for two or four etc.). On most other trains options are limited. In some situations your group or voyage does not make sense to the booking system. There are usually tricks to fool the system to allow what you want to do, but unless you find a solution, you might want to book by phone, to leave the problem to somebody more experienced. Generally, the trains are most crowded at the beginning and end of the weekend, i.e. Friday and Sunday evening. Shortly before and at the end of major holidays like Christmas/New Year and Easter, trains are usually very busy, with car-and-sleeper tickets for the most popular services sold out immediately when booking opens. If you try booking for these days at a late time, you may find the seat you reserve to be among the least desirable, that is, facing backwards, without recline, and facing towards and sharing the legroom with other passengers – and many services sold out altogether. While VR's trains may be slick, harsh winter conditions and underinvestment in maintenance mean that delayed trains are not uncommon, with the fancy Pendolinos particularly prone to breaking down. Also much of the network is single-track, so delays become compounded as oncoming trains have to wait in the passing loop. As in the rest of the EU, you'll get a 25% refund if the train is 1–2 hours late and 50% if more. [http://www.junat.net/en/ Real-time train traffic data for every train station in Finland] in webapp or iOS app is enabled by the Trafi licensing this data under the CC-BY free licence. ===By bus=== [[File:Savonlinja Volvo B7R 9700S.jpg|thumb|Coach of the express service cooperation Expressbus. The coaches are often used also on non-express lines.]] [[File:Finland road sign 532.svg|thumb|upright|Blue stop signs for coaches (yellow for local buses), express stops have an additional text of "pikavuoro"/"snabbtur".]] There are coach connections along the main roads to practically all parts of Finland. This is also the only way to travel in Lapland, since the rail network doesn't extend to the extreme north. Connections may be scarce between the thoroughfares. Long haul coaches are generally quite comfortable, with toilets, reclining seats, AC, sometimes a coffee machine and perhaps a few newspapers to read (often only in Finnish, though). Wi-Fi and power outlets (USB or 230 V) are getting common. Some long-haul services stop at an intermediate destination long enough for you to buy a sandwich or eat an ice cream. Coaches seldom restrict the amount of luggage. They have fees for luggage transport, but these are generally not invoked for any you would carry. Bulky luggage is usually placed in a separate luggage compartment, at least if the coach is more than half-full. There is no dominant operator, but many smaller ones. '''[http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en Matkahuolto]''' maintains some services across companies, such as timetables, ticket sale and freight. Their browser-based [https://reittiopas.matkahuolto.fi/?locale=en route planner], with address based routing for coaches, is available (sometimes useful, but often suggests convoluted connections despite there being direct ones). Their [https://www.matkahuolto.fi/passengers/routes-and-tickets-mobile-app Routes and Tickets] mobile app has address-based routing and also a ticket purchase option. Some regional [[:Wikipedia:Public service obligation|public service obligation]] bus routes are missing. They can be found in the [https://opas.matka.fi/?locale=en opas.matka.fi] route planner, and often from the local bus company, the web page of the municipality (often well hidden in Finnish only) or similar. There are Matkahuolto service points at more or less every bus station, in small towns and villages often by cooperation with a local business. Although the staff is generally helpful, they and their tools may not know very much about local conditions in other parts of the country; checking with locals (such as the local host or local bus company) for any quirks is sometimes advantageous. At the Matkahuolto search results, click (i) for a service, and the link that appears, to get more information on it, including a stop list. For most services all stops are listed, with a [[:w:Here Technologies|Here]] map available, for non-express services sometimes only part of the stops are listed. The main search page doesn't find routes that include transfers, and is quite particular about start and end points (using the city name rather than the bus station can help in cases where the bus starts from elsewhere). Especially the English interface often uses Finnish names also for Swedish-speaking towns – it usually finds the Swedish ones, but might tell only the Finnish name. Searching in Swedish often helps. Most coaches between bigger towns are '''express''' services (''pikavuoro''/''snabbtur''), having fewer stops than the "standard" (''vakiovuoro''/''reguljär tur'') coaches, near extinction on some routes. Between some big cities there are also '''special express''' (''erikoispikavuoro''/''express'') coaches with hardly any stops between the cities. Using coaches to reach the countryside you should check not only that there are services along the right road, but also that any express service you are going to use stops not too far away from where you intend to get off or on, and that any service runs on the right day of the week. Non-express services have stops at most a few kilometres apart. Coaches are generally slightly higher '''priced''' than trains, although on routes with direct train competition they can be slightly cheaper. Speeds are usually slower than trains, sometimes very much so (from Helsinki to Oulu), sometimes even faster (from Helsinki to Kotka and Pori). On many routes, though, coaches are more frequent, so you may still get to your destination faster than if you wait for the next train. Tickets can be bought in advance (bargains are possible on some routes), with the seldom used option to reserve seats, although paying to the driver is common (there are few if any conductors left). '''Credit and debit cards''' should be accepted on the main express and long-haul services (and when buying tickets in advance), on "regular" services on short distances you are more likely to need cash. [[Travel with pets|Pets]] are usually accepted on coaches as well as buses (except on Onnibus), but not very common. In buses, bigger dogs often travel in the area for prams and wheelchairs. There is a fee for some pets on some services (Koiviston auto: €5 in cash unless they can fit on your lap). '''[http://www.onnibus.com Onnibus]''' offers a cheaper alternative (often €5–10 even for long rides if bought early enough) with double-deckers on routes between major cities in Finland. Tickets must be bought online as they do not accept cash, with cash it is possible to buy Onnibus tickets only from R-kioski and Matkahuolto partners. Online tickets can be bought from Matkahuolto, but other Matkahuolto tickets are not accepted. Passengers need to be on the stop beforehand (15 min recommended), bikes and pets are not accepted, and 12–14 years old children can travel independently with written consent from their parent or guardian using Onnibus's form; otherwise children need to be accompanied by somebody at least 15 years old. Onnibuses include free unencrypted Wi-Fi and 220 V power sockets. The general standard is lower than on other coaches and there is less legroom than in any other buses in Finland. Also the overhead racks are tight, so put everything you do not need in the luggage compartment (one normal-size 20 kg item or according to special rules). Be at the stop 15 minutes before departure, more if you want good seats. Note that the routes do not necessarily serve the city centres, but can provide direct access to some nearby locations. Onnibus also has cooperation ("Onnibux flex") with some other bus companies, for legs they do not serve themselves. These services can be found through Onnibus, Matkahuolto or the website of the real operator; standard and prices are mostly the same as usually on coaches, not those of Onnibus. Onnibus recommends reserving 1½ or 2½ hr for transfers not included on their web site. ====Discounts==== '''Senior discounts''' are for those over 65 years old or with Finnish pension decision. As with trains, '''student discounts''' are available only for Finnish students or foreign students at Finnish institutions. You need either a Matkahuolto/VR student discount card (€5) or a student card with the Matkahuolto logo. For coaches, '''children''' aged 4–11 pay about half the price (infants free), juniors (12–16) get a reduction of up to 30 % or 50 % on long non-return trips. On city buses age limits vary from one city or region to another, often children fees apply for 7–14 years old. An infant in a baby carriage gives one adult a free ride in e.g. Helsinki and Turku (but entering may be difficult in rush hours). You can get the ''[https://www.matkahuolto.fi/passengers/bus-pass BusPass]'' travel pass from Matkahuolto, which offers unlimited travel for a specified time, priced at €149 for 7 days and €249 for 14 days. The pass is not accepted by Onnibus. ====Local transport==== Local transport networks are well-developed in [https://www.hsl.fi Greater Helsinki], [https://joukkoliikenne.tampere.fi Tampere], [https://www.foli.fi Turku], [http://www.oulunjoukkoliikenne.fi Oulu], [https://vilkku.kuopio.fi Kuopio], [http://linkki.jyvaskyla.fi Jyväskylä] and [http://www.lsl.fi Lahti]. In other big towns public transport networks are often usable on workdays, but sparse on weekends and during the summer, while many small towns only have rudimentary services. For information about local transport in cities and some regions around Finland, see the [https://www.matkahuolto.fi/matkustajat/bussiaikataulut link list provided by Matkahuolto] (in Finnish; scroll to the bottom of the page). In the '''countryside''' there are sometimes '''line taxis''', '''paratransit''' or similar arrangements, where the municipality sponsors taxis driving by schedule, but only when the service has been requested. Usually you contact the taxi company the day before to ask for the service and pay according to normal coach or bus fares. Sometimes the taxi can deviate from the route to pick you up from a more convenient point or drive you to your real destination. The added distance is sometimes included, and sometimes paid as a normal taxi voyage (depending on length, municipality and other circumstances). These services are sparse (from a few times daily to weekly) and schedules are made to suit the target audience, often the elderly, but can be the only way to reach some destinations for a reasonable price without one's own vehicle. Some '''school buses''' also take outsiders, and sometimes what seems to be a normal bus connection is in fact such a school bus, open for others to use. There are also route planners covering many regions: [http://opas.matka.fi Opas.matka.fi] covers most cities (Helsinki, Hämeenlinna, Iisalmi, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Järvenpää, Kajaani, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pieksämäki, Pori, Rovaniemi, Salo, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa, Valkeakoski, Varkaus). Some of the remaining cities are included in the [https://reittiopas.matkahuolto.fi Matkahuolto Route Planner] (Hyvinkää, Kemi, Kokkola, Lohja, Loviisa, Porvoo, Raahe, Rauma, Riihimäki, Savonlinna, Tornio). As for smartphone apps, [https://nysse.mobi Nysse] and [https://moovitapp.com Moovit] have a route planner for local transport services of many cities (Helsinki, Hämeenlinna, Iisalmi, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kajaani, Kokkola, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Sastamala, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa and Varkaus). ====General advice==== Both coaches and city buses are '''stopped''' for boarding by raising a hand at a bus stop (blue sign for coaches, yellow for city buses; a reflector or source of light, such as a smartphone screen, is useful in the dusk and night). In some rural areas, such as northern Lapland, you may have luck also where there is no official stop (and not even official stops are necessarily marked there). You pay or show your ticket to the driver (or to the machine near the driver). On buses, those with pram or wheelchair usually enter through the middle door. On coaches, the driver will often step out to let you put most of your luggage in the luggage compartment – have what you want to have with you in a more handy bag. Ring the bell by pushing a button when you want to get off, and the bus will stop at the next stop. Often the driver knows the route well and can be asked to let you off at the right stop, and even if not (more common now, with increased competition), drivers usually try their best. This works less well though on busy city buses. Local and regional transport outside cities often uses minibuses or minivans instead of normal buses. Don't miss them just because they don't look like what you expected. ===By boat=== [[File:Helsingholmens gästhamn 2010.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Harbour bay of Helsingholmen in the [[Archipelago Sea]]]] {{see also|Boating in Finland}} As a country with many lakes, a long coast and large archipelagos, Finland is a good destination for boating. There are some 165,000 registered motorboats, some 14,000 sailing yachts and some 600,000 rowing boats and small motorboats owned by locals, i.e. a boat on every seventh Finn. If you stay at a cottage, chances are there is a rowing boat available. Yachts and motorboats are available for charter in most bigger towns at suitable waterways. You may also want to rent a canoe or kayak, for [[sea kayaking|exploring the archipelagos]], [[canoeing]] along calm rivers or [[whitewater sports|going down]] rapid-filled ones. ===By ferry=== In summertime, lake and archipelago cruises are a great way to see the scenery of Finland, although many of them only do circular sightseeing loops and thus aren't particularly useful for getting somewhere. Most cruise ships carry 100–200 passengers (book ahead on weekends!), and many are historical steam boats. Popular routes include [[Turku]]–[[Naantali]], [[Helsinki]]–[[Porvoo]] and various routes on [[Saimaa]] and the other big lakes. Child tickets often have lower age limits than on other kinds of transport (such as 3–12 years). The archipelago of [[Åland]] and the [[Archipelago Sea]] have many inhabited islands dependant on ferry connections. As these are maintained as a public service they are mostly free, even the half-a-day lines. Some are useful as cruises, although there is little entertainment except the scenery. These ''are'' meant for getting somewhere, so make sure you have somewhere to sleep after having got off. There is a distinction between "road ferries" (yellow, typically on short routes, with an open car deck and few facilities), which are regarded as part of the road network and free, and other ferries (usually with a more ship-like look and primarily serving car-less passengers). Whether the latter are free, heavily subsidised or fully paid by passengers varies. See [[Archipelago Sea#By ferry 2|Archipelago Sea]] for some discussion. ===By car=== {{main|Driving in Finland}} <gallery width="275px" widths="50px" heights="50px" perrow="3" style="float: right"> File:Finland road sign C17.svg|No entry File:Finland road sign B4.svg|Priority for oncoming traffic File:Finland road sign C34-40.svg|Speed limit for zone </gallery> [[File:Main road 82 in Kemijärvi.JPG|thumbnail|Road 82 in Kemijärvi, typical two-lane road. The yellow unbroken lines, forbidding overtaking, will become white to better cater for automated systems – and less well for wintry conditions.]] Traffic drives on the right. There are no road tolls or congestion charges. From February 2018, driving licences of all countries for ordinary cars are officially accepted in Finland. The only requirement is that the licence is in a European language or you have an official translation of it to Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German, English or French. A foreign-registered car may be used in Finland for up to six months. A longer stay requires registering it locally and paying a substantial tax to equalise the price to Finnish levels. '''Car hire''' in Finland is expensive, with rates generally upwards of €80/day, although rates go down for longer hire. See [[Driving in Finland#Costs]]. Main '''roads''' are usually fairly well maintained and extensive, although motorways are limited to the south of the country and near the bigger cities. Local roads may to some extent suffer from cracks and potholes, and warnings about irregularities in the pavement of these roads are seldom posted. Look out for wild animals, particularly at dawn and dusk. '''Collisions with moose''' (frequently lethal) are common countrywide, deer cause numerous collisions in parts of the country, and semi-domesticated reindeer are a common cause of accidents in Lapland. Try to pass the rear end of the animal to let it escape forward. Call the emergency service (112) to report accidents even if you are OK, as the animal may be injured. VR's '''[http://www.vr.fi/en/index/aikataulut/tulostettavat_aikataulut/auto_ja_yojunat.html overnight car carrier trains]''' are popular for skipping the long slog from the south up to Lapland and getting a good night's sleep instead: a [[Helsinki]]–[[Rovaniemi]] trip (one way) with car and cabin for 1–3 people starts from €215. A few unusual or '''unobvious rules''' to be aware of: * Headlights or DRLs are mandatory even during daylight. New cars usually come with headlight-related automatics which do not always work properly, so double check your car's behavior and use manual toggles if necessary. This is especially important in the dark Finnish winter. * ''Always'' give way to the right, unless signposted otherwise. The concept of minor road refers only to exits from parking lots and such (a decent rule of thumb is whether the exit crosses over a curb). Nearly all intersections are explicitly signposted with yield signs (either the stop sign or an inverted triangle); watch for the back of the yield sign on the other road. Major highways are often signposted with an explicit right of way (yellow diamond with white borders). * Turning right on red at traffic lights is always illegal. Instead, intersections may have two sets of traffic lights, one with regular circular lights and the other displaying arrows. A green arrow light also means there is no crossing traffic or pedestrians in the indicated direction. * Times on signage use the 24h clock with the following format: white or black numbers are for weekdays, numbers in parentheses for Saturdays and red numbers for Sundays and public holidays; e.g. "8–16" in white means M–F 8AM–4PM. If the numbers for Saturdays and Sundays are absent, the sign does not apply on weekends at all. * Trams (present in Helsinki and Tampere) always have the right of way over other vehicles, but not over pedestrians at zebra crossings. You do not want to crash into one. * Vehicles are required by law to stop at zebra crossings if a pedestrian intends to cross the road or if another vehicle has already stopped to (presumably) give way. Unfortunately, this sometimes causes dangerous situations at crossings over multiple lanes since not all drivers follow the rule properly. Many pedestrians are aware of this and "intend" to cross the road only when there is a suitable gap in the traffic, but you are still required to adjust your speed to be able to stop in case. Use your best judgement and watch out for less careful drivers. * Using seat belts is mandatory. Children under 135 cm tall must use booster seats or other safety equipment (the requirement is waived for taxis, except for children under 3 years of age). Finnish driving culture is not too hazardous and driving is generally quite safe. [[File:Masku winter road.jpg|thumbnail|National road 192 in Masku covered by ice and snow]] '''[[Winter driving]]''' can be risky, especially for drivers unused to cold weather conditions. The most dangerous weather is around freezing, when slippery but near-invisible '''black ice''' forms on the roads, and on the first day of the cold season, which can catch drivers by surprise. Studded winter tyres are allowed November–March and "when circumstances require", with a liberal interpretation, such as in soon being en route to wintry Lapland. Winter tyres (studded or not) are compulsory in wintry conditions November–March. '''Speed limits''' default to 50&nbsp;km/h in built-up areas (look for the yellow-black coloured sign with a town skyline) and 80&nbsp;km/h elsewhere. Other limits are always signposted. Major highways often have a limit of 100 km/h, with motorways up to 120 km/h. Some roads have their limits reduced in the winter for safety. A blood '''alcohol''' level of over 0.05 % is considered drunk driving. Finnish police strictly enforce this by random roadblocks and sobriety tests. If you are driving at night when the '''petrol stations''' are closed (many close at 21:00), always remember to bring some cash. Automated petrol pumps in Finland in rare occasions do not accept foreign credit/debit cards, but you can pay with Euro notes. In the sparsely-populated areas of the country, distances of 50&nbsp;km and more between gas stations are not unheard of, so don't gamble unnecessarily with those last litres of fuel. === By taxi === Taxis are widely available and comfortable. Fares were deregulated in 2018, causing a significant rise in already expensive prices. Most companies have a flag fall of €4–9 (differing between daytime in weekdays and nights and weekends) and the meter ticking up by €2–3 per km or so (including a time based fare of around €1/min). Fares have to be clearly posted; while comparing price schemes is difficult, getting ripped off is rare. Using the meter is ''not'' mandatory, but by law any fixed fares have to be stated in advance and you have to be warned if the fare might exceed €100. Once mostly plush Mercedes sedans, taxis can now come in any colour or shape, but they have a yellow taxi sign on the roof (usually with the spelling "TAKSI"). A normal taxi will carry 4 passengers and a moderate amount of luggage. For significant amounts of luggage, you can order a ''farmari'' taxi, an estate/wagon car with a roomier luggage compartment. There is also a third common type of taxi available, the ''tilataksi'', a van which will comfortably carry about 8 people (if you ask for one, you are often charged for 5+ people, but not if you just happen to get one). Tilataksis are usually equipped for taking also a person in wheelchair. If you want child seats, mention that when ordering, you may be lucky. Transporting a child under 3 years of age without an appropriate device is illegal. The usual ways to get a taxi are either to find a taxi rank, order by phone or, increasingly, use a smartphone app (there is often also a similar web page), which can also tell you the fare (estimate or fixed based on estimates). Street hailing is legal but uncommon, there just aren't that many empty cabs driving around. Any pub or restaurant can also help you get a taxi, expect to pay €2 for the call. Apps and call centres with taxis available in many cities include: * {{listing | type=go | name=Taksi Helsinki | alt= | url=https://valopilkkutaksi.fi/briefly-in-english/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-08-27 | content=Uses the Valopilkku smart phone app. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=02 Taksi | alt= | url=https://02taksi.fi/english/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +358 20-230 (€1.25/call+€3/min) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-08-25 | content=Call centre and smart phone app offers address based routing and gives price offers from one or more taxi companies (mainly big companies, i.e. useful mostly in cities, towns and around them). Price or price logic told when booking. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Menevä | url=https://meneva.fi/en | email=info@meneva.fi | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 50-471-0470 (head of office) | tollfree=0800-02120 (booking) | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-01-04 | content=Smart phone app offers address based routing and calculates price according to them. }} In city centres, long waiting times can be expected on Friday and Saturday nights. The same is true at ferry harbours, railway stations and the like when a service arrives (there is usually a queue of taxis when the ferry arrive, but with all filled up it takes a while before any return). It is not uncommon to share a taxi with strangers, if going towards the same general direction. At airports, railway stations and other locations from where many people are going to the same direction at the same time, there may also be ''kimppataksi'' minivans publicly offering rides with strangers. They are as comfortable as other taxis and will leave without much delay. In the countryside, there may only be a single taxi operator and they may have to drive a long way to get to you, so pre-booking is strongly recommended if you need to catch a train or flight. For a short trip in a remote location, you might want to tip generously, as the fare doesn't cover the fetching distance. [https://www.taksit.fi/taksihaku/ Taksit.fi] is an (incomplete) catalogue for finding local taxi companies. For those not listed, check locally. ===By ridesharing=== [https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/helsinki/ Uber] operates in Helsinki, but not elsewhere in the country. They are formally taxis. For inter-city trips, you can try your luck on peer-to-peer ridesharing services: * [http://www.kyydit.net kyydit.net] – Carpooling site with search engine * [http://www.kimppakyyti.fi/en/ kimppakyyti.fi] – Carpooling site * [http://www.kimppa.net kimppa.net] – Oldest and most retro looking carpooling site in Finland === By thumb === [[Hitchhiking]] is possible, albeit unusual, as the harsh climate does not exactly encourage standing around and waiting for cars. Many middle age and elderly people hitchhiked when they were young, but in the last decades high standards of living and stories about abuse have had a deterring effect. The most difficult task is getting out of [[Helsinki]]. Spring and summer offer long light hours, but in the darker seasons you should plan your time. The highway between [[Helsinki]] and [[Saint Petersburg]] has a very high percentage of Russian drivers. See [http://www.liftari.org Hitchhiking Club Finland liftari.org] or the [http://hitchwiki.org/en/Finland Finland article on Hitchwiki] for further details if interested. Pedestrians walking in the dark on shoulders of unlit roads are required by law to use safety reflectors. Their use is generally recommended, since the visibility of pedestrians with reflectors improves greatly. Controlled-access highways (green signs) are off limits for pedestrians. ===By bicycle=== [[File:Finland road sign 424.svg|thumb|upright=0.4|Combined pedestrian and bicycle path, cyclists to the left of divisor.]] Most Finnish cities have good cycleways especially outside the centres, and taking a bike can be a quick, healthy and environmentally friendly method of getting around locally. Farther from cities, where the cycleways end, not all major roads allow safe biking. You can often find suitable quiet routes, but sometimes this requires an effort. Locals often drive quite fast on low-traffic gravel roads; be alert and keep to the right. There are cyclists' maps for many areas. Biking off-road is regarded as part of the [[right to access]], but biking may cause erosion or other harm, so choose your route with consideration and unmount your bike at sensitive sections. There are some routes explicitly meant (also) for off-road bikes, e.g. at some national parks. Children under 12 years can use the pavement where there is no cycleway, as long as they do not unreasonably disturb pedestrians. Bikes on cycleways have to yield for cars on crossing roads unless there is a yield sign, the car is turning or the cycleway is marked as continuing over the crossing street (be careful, not all drivers watch out for cyclists). Leading your bike you are a pedestrian. The roads are generally paved well, although gravel roads are sometimes unavoidable. As long as you don't go off-road, you will not need suspension or grooved tyres. Beware that a good cycleway can end abruptly and force you out among the cars; the bike network building efforts are not too well coordinated. Also at road works, directions for cyclists are often neglected. Due to the relatively gentle topographic relief, too hilly terrain is rarely a problem, but in the cold months, wind chill and sweat require more careful choice of clothing than in walking. In some municipalities bike paths are well maintained in winter, in others they are not. Biking among the cars in winter is usually too dangerous (some locals do, but they know the circumstances). In dark hours headlight, rear light and a rear reflector are obligatory; side reflectors are recommended. Because of the long distances, bicycle tourists are advised to plan well and be prepared to use public transport for the less interesting stretches. Coaches are well-equipped to take a few bicycles on board (Onnibus Mega does not accept them, Onnibus Flex accepts). Fares vary by company and distance, typically about half of an ordinary ticket, or a flat €5. Packing the bike is not needed, but getting on at the bus station and arriving in time may help finding room for the bike. On some lines you should check the day before. Trains take bicycles for €5 if there is enough space in the racks (varies by train type, on some trains advance booking is necessary; on IC trains you also need a 50c coin; tandem bikes or bikes with trailers fit only on some trains, €10). Packed bikes are free if the package is small enough (requires taking the bike apart, exact dimensions vary by train type). On the trains from Russia (suspended in 2022) packing the bikes is necessary (100 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm). Bikes are free also unpacked on local trains in the Helsinki region, but are allowed only if there is enough space. Ferries usually take bikes for free or for a minimal charge. Renting a bike at your destination should be possible. In several towns, including Helsinki and Turku, there are also municipal bike-sharing systems. Some of the available bikes have an electric booster motor. Bikes are often stolen, at least in cities, so have a lock and use it, and try to avoid leaving the bike in unsafe places. ===By motorised scooter=== {{anchor|By motorized scooter}} In many cities there are electric kick scooters for hire; you will need to install a smartphone app. Check where the nearest scooter is, check the price and allowed areas, unlock with the app, ride, park it in an allowed sensible location (mind the vision impaired) and release it with the app. The scooters have a maximum speed of {{kmh|20–25}}, which is plenty; acquaint yourself with the scooter and its controls somewhere safe. There is a handful of companies, some active in more cities than others. The scooters are legally counted as bikes, with an operator-imposed minimum rider age of 18. Whilst common, driving on the pavement is illegal. Wearing a helmet is recommended by the operators, sort of mandated by law (wearing one is "generally" required) and going without one is dangerous – however, seeing somebody wear one is rare indeed. To reduce number and severity of accidents, lower speed may be enforced in the night (such as 15 km/h) and in some locations (5 km/h). In some municipalities the scooters are unavailable for some hours in weekend nights. Some companies ask you to take a photo of the scooter after parking it and might take action if it was left carelessly. The price for a ride is typically significantly higher than by bus on any distance you couldn't walk (and typically used for short distances), but they are handy and cheaper than taxis. ===By foot=== There are usually adequate pavements and zebra crossings in towns. Cars are in principle obliged to stop at '''zebra crossings''' if a pedestrian intends to cross the road – but as most cross the road only when there is a sufficiently large gap in the traffic, drivers may assume you "do not intend to cross right now", and ''not'' stop. Do not leave a shadow of a doubt that you will cross the road, and cars will mostly stop. With some practice, this works out smoothly, efficiently and without taking undue risks. Don't try this when drivers cannot see you in time, and remember some will have their eyes on something else. In the night and dusk '''reflectors''' are in theory mandatory – and they are immensely useful for being seen by drivers. They are especially important on country roads with narrow shoulders. ==Talk== [[File:Quintilingual sign in Ivalo's S-market.jpg|thumb|Welcome back! in five languages, [[Ivalo]]]] [[File:Joensuu river view.JPG|thumbnail|Night view across Pielisjoki river, Joensuu]] {{seealso|Finnish phrasebook|Swedish phrasebook}} Finland has two "national languages", '''[[Finnish phrasebook|Finnish]]''' (''suomi'') and '''[[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]]''' (''svenska''), and both are compulsory in nearly all schools (with varying results). Also [[Saami phrasebook|Sámi]], Romani and Finnish Sign Language are recognised in the constitution, but they are not spoken outside their respective communities and the speakers are bilingual with Finnish. Nearly anybody above 12 years speaks English and many above school age at least the basics of one or two other foreign languages. Road signs and the like mostly use the language or languages of the municipality, so road signs can sometimes be confusing unless you know both names, and online maps can use either with little logic. Also elsewhere a name in the other language may turn up unexpectedly. Sometimes the names are very different. '''Finnish''', the mother tongue of 92 percent of the population, is not related to Swedish, Russian, English or any other Indo-European language. Instead it belongs to the Uralic group of languages (which includes Hungarian, Estonian and Sámi), making it hard for speakers of most other European languages to learn. While Finnish and Estonian bear some degree of mutual intelligibility, Hungarian and Finnish are about as close to each other as Spanish and Russian (but as major Uralic languages are few, there is a special relationship). Reading signboards can be difficult, as Finnish uses relatively few loan words. Using a dictionary, especially for longer texts, is complicated by the word inflection; also the stem of many words varies somewhat (e.g. ''katto'', "roof" in the example below). For more complicated texts, you don't get anywhere by just translating words, as much is encoded into the endings. The relation between spelling and formal pronunciation, on the other hand, is straightforward (just learn how to pronounce individual letters – the difficulty lies in sticking to that), while colloquial speech differs substantially from what is taught in most language lessons. The Finnish language has few exceptions but quite a lot of rules – where some rules might be considered cleverly disguised exceptions. There are 15 grammatical cases for "getting ''some'' coffee and getting ''the'' coffee, going ''into'' a pub, being ''in'' a pub, getting ''out of'' the pub, being ''on'' the roof, getting ''onto'' the roof, getting ''off'' the roof, using something ''as'' a roof and so on, which are encoded into the word endings (kahvia, kahvi, pubiin, pubissa, pubista, katolle, katolta, kattona). The conjugation of verbs is unfortunately somewhat more complex. Many different words are formed from the same root by other endings: kirjain, kirjasin, kirjuri, kirjoitin, kirje, kirjelmä, kirjasto and kirjaamo are all nouns related to ''kirja'', "book" (letter, font, bookkeeper, printer, ...), and then there are related verbs and adjectives. '''Swedish''', Germanic like English and closely related to [[Norwegian]] and [[Danish]], is the mother tongue for 5.6 % of Finns. About half the population regard themselves conversant in Swedish, including nearly all national-level politicians. A lot of written material from public institutions (e.g. city governments, parliament, public museums) is available in Swedish. As the language has many cognates with English, fragments can be intelligible to an English speaker. The Swedish speakers are concentrated along most of the coast, with smaller communities in some cities elsewhere. The larger cities nowadays all have Finnish majorities, but e.g. the municipalities of Korsnäs and Larsmo are more or less exclusively Swedish-speaking, as is the small autonomous province of [[Åland]] and much of the countryside elsewhere in the Swedish speaking areas. In Åland and the Swedish parts of Ostrobothina, people typically speak little or no Finnish. In traditionally Swedish-majority towns like Vaasa (Vasa) and Porvoo (Borgå) nearly half the population is Swedish-speaking and service in Swedish is expected by many Swedish-speaking locals. In cities like Helsinki and Turku, on the other hand, there is a lively Swedish cultural scene and most people know enough Swedish to deal with simple conversations you engage in as a tourist and often at least somewhat beyond, but living would be quite tough without knowledge of Finnish. Most larger hotels and restaurants in areas where Swedish is widely spoken do have Swedish-proficient staff. In the Finnish-speaking hinterland, it is less common to find somebody fluent in Swedish by chance. Almost all Finns speak '''English''', so you should have no serious language problems. Don't hesitate to ask for help: Finns can be shy, but will do anything they can to help people in need. Businesses with a domestic customer base often have their web pages and other marketing materials in Finnish only. This is not an indication that they cannot provide service in English (although they might have to improvise more than businesses used to foreigners). If the business seems interesting, just call them to get the information you need. '''[[Russian]]''' is spoken in shops and hotels that cater to Russian tourists, especially in towns close to the Russian border such as [[Lappeenranta]], [[Imatra]] and [[Joensuu]]; also for Helsinki shopping tourists from Russia are important, and service in Russian available in select locations. Russians are one of the largest immigrant groups in Finland: 1.5% of the population. Besides the languages above, some Finns can speak '''[[German]]''' (18% conversant) or '''[[French]]''' (3% conversant). Other secondary languages such as [[Spanish]] and [[Italian]] are rarer. However, some tourist services are also offered in a wider variety of languages, including for example Chinese and Japanese: tour packets often have guides proficient in them, and there are often brochures, web pages and similar for the most important destinations and sights. Foreign TV programs and films, including segments of local shows with foreign language dialogue, are nearly always shown with audio in the original language but subtitled into Finnish or Swedish. Only children's programmes, children's films, certain types of documentaries (the narrator part) and nature films get dubbed into Finnish or Swedish. ==See== [[File:Lake Kivijarvi.JPG|thumbnail|Kivijärvi in Central Finland, one of Finland's thousand lakes]] A selection of top sights in Finland: * Central [[Helsinki]], the '''Daughter of the Baltic''', on a warm and sunny summer day * The '''historical sites''' of [[Turku]] and the [[Archipelago Sea]] around it, best viewed from a yacht or from the deck of a giant car ferry. * Puttering around the '''picturesque wooden houses''' of [[Porvoo]], Finland's second-oldest city * Renting a car and exploring the Lake Land of Eastern Finland, an area dotted with around 60 000 lakes with a similar number of islands, which in turn have their own lakes... * '''Olavinlinna Castle''' in [[Savonlinna]], Finland's most atmospheric castle, especially during the yearly Opera Festival *'''Hämeenlinna Castle''' in [[Hämeenlinna]] is Finland's oldest castle. Built in 13th century. * '''Icebreaker cruising''' and the '''world's biggest snow castle''' in [[Kemi]] * Seeing the '''Northern Lights''' and trying your hand '''sledding down a mile-long track''' at [[Saariselkä]] * A ride on the historical "Linnanmäki" wooden roller coaster (Helsinki). Unlike modern designs, only gravity keeps it on the track, and it requires a driver on each train to operate the brakes. There is a museum card ([http://www.museot.fi/week-card/ museokortti]), which gives free entrance to most bigger museums for a week for €40. There are 40 participating museums in the capital region, 250 in all the country. There is also a one-year version, for €65. ===Itineraries=== * [[Archipelago Trail]], by road and ferry through the Archipelago Sea * [[Blue Highway]], a road from Norway to Russia, by lakes and rivers * [[E8 through Finland and Norway]], the main road of Finland's west coast * [[Finland in ten days by car]], a suggested route showing some of the most important sights in Finland * [[Highway 4 (Finland)]], part of the European route E75, stretching almost the full length of the country from south to north * [[Hanko-Uusikaupunki by boat]], the main leisure fairway through the Archipelago Sea * [[Hämeen Härkätie]], a historic route from Turku to the inland * [[King's Road (Finland)]], the old postal route along the south coast * [[Nordkalottleden]], a long-distance hiking trail through the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area ==Do== ===[[Sport]]=== [[File:Nokia Arenan avajaiset 2.jpg|thumbnail|A Liiga ice hockey match]] Notably lacking in craggy mountains or crenellated fjords, Finland is ''not'' the adrenalin-laden [[winter sport]]s paradise you might expect: the traditional Finnish pastime is [[cross-country skiing]] through more or less flat terrain. If you're looking for [[downhill skiing]], snowboarding etc., you'll need to head up to [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] and resorts like [[Levi]] and [[Saariselkä]]. The king of sports in Finland is '''[[Ice hockey in Europe|ice hockey]]''' (''jääkiekko''), and winning the Ice Hockey World Championship is as close to nirvana as the country gets &mdash; especially if they defeat arch-rivals Sweden, as they did in 1995 and 2011. The yearly national championship is the '''[http://www.liiga.fi Liiga (finnish)]''', where 15 teams battle it out. Additionally, the Helsinki-based '''[http://www.jokerit.com/en Jokerit]''', a former Liiga member, plays in the '''[http://en.khl.ru/ Kontinental Hockey League]''', a Russia-based league that also includes teams from several other post-Soviet states, Slovakia, and China. If you're visiting in season (September to March), catching a game is worthwhile. Tickets start from around €16, and while the action on the ice is brutal, fans are generally well behaved (if not necessarily sober). If you happen to be in Finland when they win the World Championship, the traffic in the city centers might be messy, as the fans are running in the streets celebrating, usually intoxicated. The national sport of Finland, though, is '''pesäpallo''', which translates literally as "baseball", but looks and plays rather differently to its American forebear. The single most notable difference is that the pitcher stands at the home plate together with the batter and pitches directly upward, making hitting the ball easier and catching it harder. The '''Superpesis''' league plays for the yearly championship in summer, with both men's and women's teams. And if you'd like to try your hand at something uniquely Finnish, don't miss the plethora of bizarre sports contests in the summer, including: * {{do | name=Air Guitar World Championships | alt= | url=http://www.airguitarworldchampionships.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=August, [[Oulu]]. Bring out your inner guitar hero! }} * {{do | name=World Fart Championships | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Utajärvi]]. Yes, you read correctly. }} * {{do | name=Mobile Phone Throwing Championship | alt= | url=http://www.mobilephonethrowing.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Suspended 2016 | price= | content=August, [[Savonlinna]]. Recycle your Nokia! }} * {{do | name=Swamp Soccer World Championship | alt= | url=http://www.suopotkupallo.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Hyrynsalmi]]. Probably the messiest sporting event in the world. They also arrange a snow soccer world championships each February. }} * {{do | name=Wife Carrying World Championship | alt= | url=<!-- should be found somewhere at http://www.sonkajarvi.fi, nothing there now --> | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Sonkajärvi]]. The grand prize is the wife's weight in beer. }} * {{do | name=Sulkavan Suursoudut | alt= | url=http://www.suursoudut.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=July, [[Sulkava]] Finland's biggest rowing event }} ===[[Outdoor life]]=== {{see also|Boating in Finland|Hiking in the Nordic countries|Finnish National Parks}} [[File:Landscape near Salla.jpg|thumb|Forest, lake with islands, and fells by the horizon, [[Finnish Lapland]]]] [[File:Bläsnäs simstrand juni 2020.jpg|thumb|Beaches tend to be small; they seldom have guards, but also dangerous currents are rare]] During the short summer you can '''swim''', '''canoe''', '''row''' or '''sail''' in the lakes or in the sea. The water is at its warmest around 20 July, with temperatures about {{C|20}}. Local newspapers usually have the current surface temperatures, and a map of the surface temperatures can also be found from the Environment Ministry [http://wwwi2.ymparisto.fi/i2/90/twlx2/tanaan_fi.html website]. During the warmest weeks, late at night or early in the morning the water can feel quite pleasant when the air temperature is lower than the water's. Most towns also have swimming halls with slightly warmer water, but these are often closed during the summer. Many Finns [[Winter swimming|swim outdoors in winter]] also. There are lifeguards in busy hours at some beaches, but non-obvious risks are rare; nearly any shore can be used as long as you do not jump in without checking for obstacles. [[Algal bloom]] (''sinilevä''/''cyanobakterier'') can happen during the warmest period, so if the water seems to contain massive amounts of blue-green flakes, do not swim or use the water, and do not let children or pets into it. [[File:Vandring Åland.jpg|thumb|People hiking in [[Åland]]]] The [[right to access]] and the sparse population makes it easy to go '''hiking''' wherever you are. If you are serious about it, you might want to check [[Hiking in the Nordic countries]] for advice and [[Finnish National Parks]] for destinations. There are trails for easy day trips as well as for week-long hikes – and large backwoods for the experienced. The best season for hiking is early fall, after most mosquitoes have died off and the autumn colours have come out, but summer is good too, and all seasons possible. Making an open fire requires landowner permission (which you have at campfire sites at most hiking destinations) and is forbidden during wildfire warnings regardless of such permission. A lighter version of being outdoors is to go '''berry picking''' in some nearby forest. Also in bigger cities, there are usually suitable woods interspersed with the suburbs (i.e. within half a kilometre from a local bus stop). Bilberry (''Vaccinium myrtillus'', ''mustikka''/''blåbär'', closely related to the blueberry) is common enough that you nearly anywhere (in July–August) quickly will find berries for your morning porridge for all the week, for pies and deserts with cream and sugar. Other common berries include wild strawberry (''metsämansikka''/''smultron'', from late June), lingonberry (''puolukka''/''lingon'', August–September), bog bilberry (''juolukka''/''odon''), raspberry (''vadelma''/''hallon'') and crowberry (''variksenmarja''/''kråkbär''/''čáhppesmuorji''). On bogs you may find cloudberry (''lakka''/''hjortron''/''luomi'') and cranberry (''karpalo''/''tranbär''), the latter picked late in autumn. You can even sell excess berries at a local market (though this may be restricted for cloudberries in Lapland). Many Finns also pick '''mushrooms''', but that requires you to know what you are doing, as there are deadly ones, including the death cap and the European destroying angel, easy to mistake for an ''Agaricus'' (field/button/common mushroom and the like). A good rule of thumb is to never pick any white mushrooms, mushrooms growing on stumps or ''Cortinarius'' species, which have a cortina (a web of fibers resembling a cobweb) and usually reddish gills. You should of course not pick any mushrooms you do not know, but edible mushrooms in these categories are easily confused with common deadly ones. In winter (and spring in the north) the way to go is of course '''[[cross-country skiing]]'''. There are maintained tracks around most cities, as well as around winter sports centres and in national parks. Wilderness back-packers use larger skis and do not rely on pre-existing tracks. Many Finns are keen fishermen and recreational '''[[fishing]]''' is equally available to foreigners. For most species there are regulations on allowed size and allowed times, and it is your responsibility to check the general and local regulations. In most still waters rod and hook fishing is free. Fishing with (single) reel and lure is allowed in most still waters, provided a national [http://www.ahven.net/english fishing fee] has been paid, at a Metsähallitus service point (such as a national park visitor centre) or R-kioski, in the [https://verkkokauppa.eraluvat.fi web shop] or by bank giro (2016: €39 for a year, €12 for a week, €5 for a day, plus any bank or kiosk surcharge; children under 18 and elderly over 64 exempted). Report wanted starting date when paying and show the receipt on request. For streaming waters rich in salmon or related species and some specially regulated waters, also separate permits have to be bought. With the national permit and permission from the owner of the waters (most land-owners in the countryside have a share) you can fish with most legal methods. There are minimum sizes, protected species and other special regulations you should check, e.g. when getting the permit, from a visitor centre or a suitable business. More information from [tel:+35820692424 020-69-2424] (08:00–16:00), the web shop or e.g. [http://www.ahven.net/english ahven.net]. Moving between certain waters you should disinfect your equipment, including boat and boots, and be careful in handling water and entrails (there are [http://www.nationalparks.fi/salmonparasite salmon parasites] and crayfish plague). Many small businesses arrange fishing excursions. Catch-and-release fishing is not practised (but undersize fish is released). Åland has its own fishing law, where nearly all fishing requires permission from the owner of the waters, which you can get for many specific areas by paying a fee. Residents may fish by rod and hook in their home municipality except 15.4–15.6 and Nordic residents may fish for household use by any legal means in waters without an owner (far enough from inhabited islands). The Forestry Administration (Metsähallitus) maintains an online [http://www.excursionmap.fi Excursion Map] with trails and huts marked. ===Music=== {{seealso|Nordic music}} [[File:Apocalyptica on stage of Ruisrock.jpg|thumbnail|Apocalyptica performing at Ruisrock]] Finland hosts many '''music festivals''' during the summer. Some of the most notable festivals of popular music (''festari'') include: <!-- no more than ten, order by date, discuss changes on talk page first --> * {{do | name=Sauna Open Air | alt= | url=http://www.sauna-open-air.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, [[Tampere]], early June }} * {{do | name=Provinssirock | alt= | url=http://provinssirock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, [[Seinäjoki]], mid-June }} * {{do | name=Nummirock | alt= | url=http://nummirock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, [[Nummijärvi]] (near [[Kauhajoki]]), late June (Midsummer) }} * {{do | name=Raumanmeren juhannus | alt= | url=http://www.rmj.fi/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Pop/disco music, [[Pori]], late June (Midsummer) }} * {{do | name=Tuska Open Air | alt= | url=http://www.tuska-festival.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, [[Helsinki]], late June }} * {{do | name=Tangomarkkinat | alt= | url=http://www.tangomarkkinat.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Tango, [[Seinäjoki]], early July }} * {{do | name=Ruisrock | alt= | url=http://ruisrock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, [[Turku]], July }} * {{do | name=Ilosaarirock | alt= | url=http://ilosaarirock.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, pop, reggae, [[Joensuu]], mid-July }} * {{do | name=Kuopiorock | alt= | url=https://kuopiorock.fi/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Heavy metal, rock, pop, [[Kuopio]], late-July }} * {{do | name=Pori Jazz | alt= | url=http://www.porijazz.fi/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Jazz/world music, [[Pori]], mid-July }} * {{do | name=Flow | alt= | url=http://www.flowfestival.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Indie/electronic/urban, Helsinki, mid-August }} * {{do | name=Qstock | alt= | url=http://www.qstock.fi/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rock, pop, rap, Oulu, end of july }} Most of the festivals last 2–4 days and are very well organised, with many different bands playing, with e.g. Foo Fighters and Linkin Park headlining at Provinssirock in 2008. The normal full ticket (all days) price is about €60–100, which includes a camp site where you can sleep, eat and meet other festival guests. The atmosphere at festivals is great and probably you'll find new friends there. Of course drinking a lot of beer is a part of the experience. There are also many festivals of '''classical music''', most of them in summer. At these festivals people gather just for individual concerts. ===Other events=== * {{do | name=Finncon | alt= | url=http://www.finncon.org/ | email= | address=Helsinki, Turku, Tampere or Jyväskylä | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free of charge | content=Finland's biggest sci-fi convention and the only major sci-fi convention in the world to be completely free of charge. Held on a weekend in summer, usually in middle July. }} ===Northern Lights=== Spotting the eerie '''[[Northern Lights]]''' (''aurora borealis'', or ''revontulet'' in Finnish) glowing in the sky is on the agenda of many visitors. Far north [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] in Finland is one of the best places to observe aurorae, as it has good accessibility, high-quality accommodation and inland Finland has relatively clear skies, compared e.g. to coastal Norway. However, seeing them requires some planning and some luck. To have a good chance to see them you should stay at least a few days, preferably a week or more, in the far north in the right season. In the south, northern lights are seldom seen. In e.g. Helsinki there are northern lights about once a month, but you are likely to be somewhere with too much light pollution. In the winter in northern Lapland, on the other hand, the probability of some northern lights is 50–70 % every night with clear skies, and light pollution is quite easy to avoid there. === Sauna === [[File:Sauna 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Inside a modern Finnish sauna]] The '''[[sauna]]''' is perhaps Finland's most significant contribution to the world (and the world's vocabulary). The sauna is essentially a room heated to 70–120°C; according to an oft-quoted statistic this nation of 5 million has no less than 2 million saunas, in apartments, offices, summer cottages and even Parliament (many agreements in business and politics are reached informally after a sauna bath). In ancient times, saunas (being the cleanest places around) were the place to give birth and heal the sick, and the first building constructed when setting up a new household. The old Finnish saying; "If it is not cured by sauna, tar and liquor, then it is for life" maybe crystallises the Finnish honour for the holy room. If invited to visit a Finnish home, you may be invited to bathe in the sauna as well — this is an honour and should be treated as such, although Finns do understand that foreigners may not be keen about the idea. Enter the sauna nude after taking a shower, as wearing a bathing suit or any other clothing is considered a bit of a ''faux pas'', although if you are feeling shy, you can wrap yourself in a bath towel. Unlike in some other cultures, there is not much erotic involved in Finnish Sauna for Finns, even when they bath unisex, it is purely for cleaning and refreshing, or for discussions about e.g. life or politics. Public saunas in swimming halls and spas are generally segregated by gender. There may be a separate mixed sauna with exits to both men's and women's showers, useful for e.g. couples or families; entry to the wrong side is to be avoided. In places with a single sauna, there are usually separate shifts for men and women, and possibly a mixed-gender shift. Children under the age of 7 can usually participate in any shift. In private saunas the host usually organises the bathing turns along similar lines. After you've had your fill, you can cool off by heading outside, just to sit at the veranda, for a roll in the snow (in winter) or for a dip in the lake (any time of the year, beach sandals or the like can be practical in the winter) — and then head back in for another round. Repeat this a few times, then cork open a cold beer, roast a sausage over a fire, and enjoy total relaxation Finnish style. These days the most common type of sauna features an electrically heated stove, which is easy to control and maintain. In the countryside you can still find wood-fired saunas, but purists prefer the (now very rare) traditional chimneyless ''smoke saunas'' (''savusauna''), where a large pile of stones is heated and the sauna then ventilated well before entering. Anyone elderly or with a medical condition (especially high blood pressure) should consult their physician before using a sauna – although sauna bathing as a habit is good for the heart, you might need expert advice for your first visits. ===Social dancing=== [[File:Valasranta 3.jpg|thumb|The dance pavilion at Valasranta, [[Loimaa|Yläne]].]] If you like social dancing – foxtrot, tango, waltz, jive etc. – you should try the ''dance pavilions'' (Finnish: ''lavatanssit'' at a ''tanssilava''), usually by a lake or in some other nice countryside setting. They have lost popularity since the 1950s, but do have a faithful audience. Similar dances are arranged in many rural community centres. In summertime there are dances at most dance pavilions at least weekly and often a dance somewhere in the region most days. In the winter you can find part of the same crowd at heated indoor locations (mostly community centres, a few of the pavilions, some dance restaurants). See also Tangomarkkinat, the tango festival of [[Seinäjoki]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{Template:Exchange rate euros}} {{Euro}} In cash transactions in Finland all '''sums are rounded''' to the nearest five cents. Thus one and two cent coins are seldom used (although legal tender) and the rare Finnish ones are collectors' items. When paying with a card, the payment is honoured to the cent. Prices are usually given without explicitly stating the currency. Cents are told after a comma, which is the decimal separator. Thus 5,50 means five euros and fifty cents, while 5,– means five euros. Most places accept the major credit cards (with chip, ID may be needed). In some situations only cash is accepted (such as local and regional buses, open air markets and other small scale business), while train conductors do not accept cash. Cheques are never used. Notes of 100, 200 and 500 euro are not dispensed by ATMs and are rarely actually used. Prepare for a hassle if trying to pay with them. Buses and many types of smaller kiosks often do not accept them, local buses sometimes not even notes of 50 euro. Most Finns use a chipped debit card for their daily purchases. EMV contactless payment readers are commonplace for purchases under €50. You will need your PIN for the terminals for purchases over €50 and now and then for the contactless ones. An ID isn't normally needed, as long as you can confirm your identity with your PIN – which means that anybody that gets your PIN can use your card. Credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, sometimes other cards) are widely accepted. Visa Electron and Visa Debit card readers are found in all major and most minor shops, so carrying large amounts of cash is not usually necessary. Using a foreign card might become an issue if your card is not chip-based; many vendors require PIN. Many Finns use a card even for small purchases, and the use of cash is rapidly decreasing; don't get annoyed if Finns pay small €1–5 amounts using cards, even when there is a long queue behind. For open air markets, small accommodation businesses, for buying handicraft at the workshop and similar, have cash (''käteinen'') or check in advance. A sign reading "''Vain käteinen''" means "Cash only". Currencies other than the euro are generally ''not'' accepted, although the Swedish krona may be accepted in [[Åland]] and northern border towns like [[Tornio]] (and Norwegian crowns likewise in the extreme north). As an exception, Stockmann accepts U.S. dollars, pound sterling, Swedish krona and Russian rubles. Also on the ferries from Sweden and Estonia many currencies may be accepted. ===Banking=== [[File:Ottopiste.jpg|thumb|upright|An Otto cashpoint in [[Tampere]] ]] Getting or exchanging money is rarely a problem in cities, as ATMs (''pankkiautomaatti'', ''bankautomat'') are common and they can be operated with international credit and debit cards (Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Maestro). Most ATMs belong to the ''Otto'' system, some to the ''Nosto'' (both names can be interpreted as "draw"). The former is a cooperation between the banks, the latter, often found at S markets, an independent new competitor. In the countryside ATMs are harder to find. Cash can be got with some cards at some shops. Exchange bureaux (e.g. ''Forex'', recognisable from its bright yellow logo) can be found in the bigger cities and near borders and typically have better rates, longer opening hours and faster service than banks. Note that not all bank offices handle cash at all, and those that do may still not handle currency exchange. Because of widespread electronic banking, routine bill payment and other banking tasks are rarely conducted at a bank office. Banks have scaled down their office network and personal service, so that you might have to queue for that. Finland is a part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which covers EU and EEA, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland. Any chipped credit or debit card issued by a SEPA bank should work, and money can be transferred between banks by giro over the whole SEPA area. Nevertheless, if you're moving into the country, get a Finnish bank account (''pankkitili'', ''bankkonto''), because Finnish banks do not charge fees for giros within Finland if they are submitted online, and bank giro (''pankkisiirto'', ''bankgiro'') is – for all intents and purposes – the only method to pay bills and get salaries paid. You will be issued electronic banking credentials, which can be used to execute most daily banking tasks including giro payments. Many vendors offer "electronic bills" (''e-lasku'', ''e-räkning''), which sends the bill directly to your user account at the bank for approval, and you can also have the bank pay the bill automatically at a specified date, useful for e.g. rent. Banking credentials also serve as identity checks for e.g. insurance or government electronic services. ===Tipping=== As a rule, '''tipping is entirely optional and never necessary''' in Finland and restaurant bills already include service charges. Indeed tipping is almost unheard of outside restaurants with table service and taxi fares; the latter are occasionally rounded up to the next convenient number. Cloakrooms (''narikka'') in nightclubs and better restaurants often have ''non-negotiable'' fees (usually clearly signposted, €2 is standard), and – in the few hotels that employ them – hotel porters will expect around the same per bag. Bar patrons may tip the bouncer when leaving for satisfactory service in the establishment in general. Consequently tips are most often pooled. Bars often have a brass tippikello (tip bell) near the counter. Upon receiving a tip, the service person strikes it with the largest denomination of coin given in the tip. Tipping government and municipality personnel for any service will not be accepted, as it could be considered a bribe. ===Costs=== Declared the world's most expensive country in 1990, prices have since abated somewhat but are still steep by most standards, though somewhat cheaper than Norway; Norwegians living near the border often drive into Finland to purchase groceries. Rock-bottom travelling if staying in hostel dorms and self-catering costs at least €25/day and it's safer to assume double that amount. Groceries in Finland cost approximately 20% over the EU average. The cheapest hotels cost about €50 per night (without breakfast) and more regular hotels start from about €80–100. Instead of hotels or hostels, look for holiday cottages, especially when travelling in a group and off-season; you can find a full-equipped cottage for €10–15 per person a night. Camp-sites typically cost €10–20 per tent or caravan, plus about €5/2 per person. Museums and tourist attractions have an entrance fee in the range of €5–25. Using public transport costs a few euros per day and depends on the city. One-way travel between major cities by train or by bus costs €20–100, depending on the distance. Children, by varying definitions, often pay about half price or less (small children free), except at children's attractions. A VAT of 24 % is charged for nearly everything (the main exception being food at 14 %), but by law this must be included in the displayed price. Non-EU residents can get a tax refund for purchases not intended for local use above €40 at participating outlets, just look for the Tax-Free Shopping logo and check how to get the refund. ===Shopping=== [[File:Åbo salutorg 2010, Blommor och grönsaker.jpg|thumbnail|The market square in Turku: flowers and food.]] As you might expect given the general price level, souvenir shopping in Finland isn't exactly cheap. Traditional buys include Finnish ''puukko'' knives and handwoven ''ryijy'' rugs. For any [[Finnish Lapland|Lappish]] handicrafts, look for the "Sámi Duodji" label that certifies it as authentic. Popular foods to try or to bring home to astonish your friends include every conceivable part of a reindeer, lye-soaked ''lutefisk'' (''lipeäkala''), and pine tar (''terva'') syrup. If you can't bring yourself to try terva on your pancakes, then you can also get soap scented with it in nearly any grocery or drug store. There are also candies with tar flavour, the most common being the Leijona Lakritsi candies. Popular brands for modern (or timeless) Finnish design include [http://www.marimekko.fi Marimekko] clothing, [http://www.iittala.fi Iittala] glass, [http://www.arabia.fi Arabia] ceramics (especially their Moomin mugs are a must), [http://www.kalevalakoru.fi Kalevala Koru] jewelry, [http://www.pentik.fi Pentik] interior design and, if you don't mind the shipping costs, [http://www.artek.fi Artek] furniture by renowned architect and designer Alvar Aalto. Kids, and more than a few adults, love [http://www.moomin.fi Moomin] characters, which fill up souvenir store shelves. '''Shopping hours''' are not regulated any more, and depend on the location, size and type of shop: it is best to check their websites for opening hours of the day. The most available are local grocery stores, such as ''Sale'', ''Alepa'' or ''K-Market'', which usually are open 07:00–23:00, in some cases around the clock. Larger shops, shopping centres and department stores are generally open until 20:00 or 21:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. For small and speciality shops, normal weekday opening hours are from 9:00 or later to 17:00 or 18:00, but most of them close early on Saturday and are closed entirely on Sundays. Shopping hours in Helsinki are the longest, with some department stores open around the clock. Shopping hours in the countryside and small cities are shorter, although most national chains keep the same hours throughout the country (except for 24 hr operations). During national holidays, almost all stores are closed, although some grocery stores may remain open. Finally, shops may operate longer than usual hours during the Christmas shopping season. Convenience stores like the ubiquitous ''[http://www.rkioski.fi R-Kioski]'' keep quite long hours, but still tend to be closed when you most need them. If in desperate need of basic supplies, fuel station convenience stores (''Shell'', ''Neste'', ''Teboil'', ''ABC!'') are usually open on weekends and until late at night, and especially stores in ABC! stations commonly operate around the clock. Supermarkets in [[Helsinki]]'s ''Asematunneli'', underneath the Central Railway Station, are open until 22:00 every day of the year, except on Christmas Day (25 December). When buying products in '''loose sale''', such as often vegetables and fruits, in supermarkets you should usually put them on an nearby scale and push the button for the code shown adjacent to the price, to get a sticker for the cashier. Lidl is an exception, there the scale is at the cashier and handled by them. For alcohol, see [[#Drink|Drink]] below. Most products need to be imported, and unfortunately this shows in the selection of goods and the pricing. It is not uncommon to see exactly the same product in different shops, at exactly the same price. When buying consumer electronics, one should be aware that the shelf life of products can be rather long, especially if the shop isn't specialised in consumer electronics. There is a risk of buying an overpriced product that has already been discontinued by the manufacturer or replaced with a newer model. While shopkeepers may vehemently deny this to a foreigner, prices in smaller stores are by no means fixed. When buying hobby equipment, it is not uncommon to get 30% discount (hint: find the international price level from a web shop and print it out). In the kinds of shops where such ad hoc discounts are possible, you could at least ask for the price to be rounded down some 5%, or to get some lesser product included. This is not like the bargaining in some other countries – you should mostly ask for the price you hope to get, or just suggest you'd appreciate a reduced price. ==Eat== [[File:Finland SmokedSalmonPlate.JPG|thumb|A typical Finnish meal. Clockwise from bottom: warm smoked salmon, boiled potatoes, cream sauce with chantarelles, lightly pickled cucumbers with dill]] Finnish cuisine is heavily influenced by its neighbours (see [[Nordic cuisine]] and [[Russian cuisine]]), the main staples being '''potatoes''' and '''bread''' with various fish and meat dishes on the side. '''Dairy''' products are also important, with a wide variety of cheeses, and milk a common beverage even for adults. Due to the harsh climate, spices in Finland were historically largely limited to salt and pepper, with lashings of dill in the summer. While traditional Finnish food is famously bland, there was a culinary revolution in the 1990s, with a boom in classy restaurants experimenting with local ingredients, often with excellent results. Contemporary Finnish cuisine includes tastes and influences from all over the world, and the dining scene in larger cities has become quite cosmopolitan. As the ingredients make much of the food, in Finland, the agricultural products might suffer of the cold climate, which requires many of them to be imported or grown with little natural light off season. Yet in summer, many products benefit from the nearly eternal sunlight. The fish, while small in size and rare in occurrence, are tasty. Salmon in shops and on markets in Finland is often imported from Norway. When travelling in the middle of the Finland, there is a rare occasion to purchase freshly caught and prepared fish from one of the thousand lakes. In working days locals typically eat a substantial breakfast, lunch (at a workplace cafeteria, a nearby restaurant, or packed), dinner after work, and a light evening meal before going to bed. If eating the dinner out, it is eaten later and the evening meal skipped. In weekends lunch and dinner are often combined. Full board lodging may include the evening meal, sometimes as a basket to eat at your room or in communal areas. In proper hotels the included breakfast is extensive. In other lodgings, if breakfast is included, it is usually sufficient to keep you going until a late lunch. It at least includes bread with toppings and coffee or tea, often also other fare. In some "B&B"s breakfast isn't included, but must be ordered separately and might be self-service. ===Seafood=== With tens of thousands of lakes and a long coastline, fish is a Finnish staple, and there's a lot more on that menu than just salmon (''lohi''/''lax''). Specialities include: * '''Baltic herring''' (''silakka''/''strömming''), a small, fatty and quite tasty fish available coal roasted (''hiilisilakka''), pickled, marinated, smoked, grilled, and in countless other varieties. * '''Gravlax''' (''graavilohi''), a pan-Scandinavian appetiser of raw salted salmon. * '''Smoked salmon''' (''savulohi''/''rökt lax''), not just the cold, thinly sliced, semi-raw kind (which seldom really is smoked nowadays) but also fully cooked warm-smoked salmon. * '''Vendace''' (''muikku''), a delicacy from the lakeland Finland. A small fish served rolled in a mix of breadcrumb flour and salt, and fried in butter till crunchy. They are traditionally served with mashed potatoes, and you will find them sold at most music festivals and open air market events. The local variety of vendace living in the lakes of [[Kuusamo|Koillismaa highlands]] – the ''Kitkan viisas''– enjoy the protected designation of origin (PDO) status in the European Union. Other local fish to look out for include: zander (''kuha''/''gös''), an expensive delicacy, pike (''hauki''/''gädda''), flounder (''kampela''/''flundra'') and perch (''ahven''/''abborre''). If you're in Finland around September–October, keep an eye out for the Herring Fair (''silakkamarkkinat''/''strömmingsmarknad''), celebrated in most larger coastal cities. Other than just fish products there are plenty of other delicacies, handicraft and general market fare for sale in such markets. ===Meat dishes=== [[File:Poronkäristys.jpg|thumb|Reindeer stew (''poronkäristys''), a [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] favourite, served in a potato mash bowl with lingonberries]] [[File:KahvilaSuomi Meatballs.JPG|thumb|Meatballs (''lihapullat''), served with mashed potatoes, creamy roux sauce, salad, and lingonberry jam]] * '''Karelian stew''' or '''Karelian hot pot''' (''karjalanpaisti''), a heavy stew made from large chops of beef and pork (and optionally, lamb), carrots, and onions. Baked for hours and hours and finally served with potatoes this is an iconic dish, which is unfortunately difficult to find unless made for that special occasion. A version made using shortcuts is common at cafeterias. * '''Liver casserole''' (''maksalaatikko''/''leverlåda''), consisting of chopped liver, rice and raisins cooked in an oven. It tastes rather different from what you'd expect — eerily sweet and not liver-y at all. You won't find liver casserole at restaurants, but from any grocery store, as it is one of the most popular convenience foods. * '''Loop sausage''' (''lenkkimakkara''), a large, mildly flavoured, U-shaped sausage; best when grilled and topped with a dab of sweet Finnish mustard (''sinappi''), and beer. * '''Meat balls''' (''lihapullat'', ''lihapyörykät''/''köttbullar'') are as popular and tasty as in the neighbouring Sweden. * '''Reindeer''' (''poro'') dishes aren't part of the everyday Finnish diet, but a tourist staple, easily available in the [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] and [[Kuusamo]] regions. Especially famous is the '''sautéed reindeer''' shavings (''poronkäristys''), served with mashed potato and lingonberries. In addition to poronkäristys also an '''air dried reindeer jerky''' (''poron kuivaliha'') is a known delicacy hard to come by. Looking scary it has an intensive and salty taste. Slightly '''smoked reindeer beef cutlets''' are available at all supermarkets though they too are expensive (delicious with rye bread). Both the Lapland reindeer jerky and the Lapland smoked reindeer enjoy the protected designation of origin (PDO) status in the European Union. * '''Swedish hash''' (''pyttipannu'', Swedish: ''pytt i panna''), originally from [[Sweden]]. A hearty dish of chopped potatoes, chopped onions and any meaty leftovers on hand. Fried up in a pan and topped with an egg. Available from many grill kiosks. * '''Makkara'''/'''Korv''', Finnish sausages are affectionately called "the Finnish man's vegetable" since the actual meat content may be rather low. ===Milk products=== [[File:Leipäjuusto.jpg|thumbnail|upright|A quarter of ''leipäjuusto'', the Finnish squeaky cheese.]] Cheese and other milk products are very popular in Finland. Large quantities of [[cheese]] (''juusto''/''ost'') are consumed, much of it locally produced mild to medium matured. Imported cheeses are freely available and local farm cheeses can be sampled and purchased at open air markets (''tori''/''torg'') and year round market halls. A flat, fried "bread-cheese" (''leipäjuusto'') can be eaten cold in a salad or slightly softened and with (cloudberry) jam as a dessert. A baked egg cheese (''munajuusto'') block is a common delicacy made with milk, buttermilk, and egg. The most common and popular varieties are mild hard cheeses like Edam and Emmental, but local specialities include: * '''Aura cheese''' (''aurajuusto''/''auraost''), a local variety of Roquefort blue cheese, also used in soups, sauces; one of the most popular pizza toppings. * '''Breadcheese''' (''leipäjuusto'' or ''juustoleipä'', depending on local dialect), a type of very mild-flavoured grilled curd that squeaks when you eat it, best enjoyed warm with a dab of cloudberry jam. Breadcheese is an Ostrobothnia-Lapland speciality, which is readily available in any grocery store though. * '''Home cheese''' (''kotijuusto''), a white, crumbly mass from which pieces are cut. Commonly available in buffet restaurants, especially during the Christmas season. Fermented dairy products help stabilise the digestion system, so if your system is upset, give them a try: * '''Piimä''' (''surmjölk''), a type of buttermilk beverage, thick and sour and contains naturally healthy lactic acid bacteria; nowadays some are often explicitly added ("AB"). * '''Viili''' (''fil'', ''filbunke''), a type of curd, acts like super-stretchy liquid bubble gum but is similar to plain yoghurt in taste. It is traditionally eaten with cinnamon and sugar on top. Yoghurt (''jugurtti''), often premixed with jam, is commonly eaten. ''Skyr'', a cultured milk product originally from [[Iceland]], has become a popular yogurt substitute. ''Kefir'', a Russian yoghurt drink, is available in many flavours. ===Other dishes=== [[File:Karjalanpiirakka-20060227.jpg|thumb|The Karelian pie (''karjalanpiirakka''), a signature Finnish pastry.]] * '''Pea soup''' (''hernekeitto''/''ärtsoppa'') — usually but not always with ham; vegetarian versions usually with cubed carrot. Traditionally eaten with a dab of mustard and some chopped onion, and served on Thursdays with a piece of pancake as a dessert. Just watch out for the flatulence! The Finnish pea soup is greener by colour and much thicker than its Swedish counterpart. Found in canned version in every single grocery store in Finland (the thick mass in the can will liquefy when heated, but usually about half a can of water is added). * '''Karelian pie''' (''karjalanpiirakka'') — an oval 7 by 10&nbsp;cm baked pastry, traditionally baked with rye flour, containing rice porridge or mashed potato, ideally eaten topped with a mixture of butter and chopped egg (''munavoi''). The ''karjalanpiirakka'' has got the Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) status in the European Union. As the pastry is extremely popular though, similar pies baked elsewhere are commonly sold as ''riisipiirakka'' ("rice pie") or ''perunapiirakka'' ("potato pie") etc. * '''Porridge''' (''puuro''/''gröt''), usually made from oats (''kaura''), barley (''ohra''), rice (''riisi''), wheat (in this context: ''manna'') or rye (''ruis''), and most often served for breakfast. The oats porridge (''kaurapuuro'') is often cooked with milk in [[Finland Proper]]. Sour rye porridge with lingonberries (''ruis-puolukkapuuro'') is a traditional lunch meal in Finnish schools. ===Bread=== Bread (''leipä''/''bröd'') is served with every meal in Finland, and comes in a vast array of varieties. Different types of '''rye bread''' (''ruisleipä'', ''rågbröd'') are the most popular breads in Finland. It can be up to 100% rye, and traditionally mostly sour-dough bread, ''much'' darker, heavier, and chewier than American-style mixed wheat-rye bread. Most traditional Finnish types of rye bread are unsweetened and thus sour or even bitter, although Swedish-like varieties sweetened with malt are also widely available. Typically Finnish breads include: * ''reikäleipä'' (''hålkaka''), a round, flat rye bread with a hole in the middle. Typical in western Finland. The hole was for drying it on sticks by the ceiling. Ones made just from rye flour, water and salt are still widely available. * ''ruispala'', the most popular type of bread, a modern "unholed", single-serving, pre-cut variant of reikäleipä in a rectangular or oblong shape. * ''hapankorppu'' (''surskorpa''), a dry, crispy, and slightly sour flatbread, occasionally sold overseas as "Finncrisp". * ''näkkileipä'', dried, crispy flatbread, traditionally from rye. Thicker and more foam-like than hapankorppu. * ''ruislimppu'' (''råglimpa''), traditionally made of rye, water, and salt only. ''Limppu'' is a catch-all term for big loaves of fresh bread. * ''perunalimppu'' (''potatislimpa''), rye bread with potato and malt. Quite sweet * ''svartbröd'' (''mustaleipä'') and ''skärgårdslimpa'' (''saaristolaisleipä'') are sweet, firm, and heavy black breads from the Swedish-speaking south-western archipelago (svartbröd especially from Åland). These are made through a complicated process. Originally this type of breads were baked for long fishing and hunting expeditions, and for seafarers. Excellent as a base for eating roe with smetana or as a side with salmon soup. * ''Malaxlimpa'' (''Maalahden limppu''), a somewhat similar archipelago bread from the Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnian coast. * ''piimälimppu'', wheat bread with buttermilk. Usually sweetened * ''rieska'', an unleavened bread made of barley or sometimes mashed potatoes. Like a softer and thicker variant of a tortilla. Eaten fresh. Typical for the Ostrobothnia-Lapland area === Seasonal specialities === {{infobox|Attack of the killer mushrooms|The '''false morel''' (''korvasieni'', ''stenmurkla'') has occasionally been dubbed as the "Finnish fugu", as like the infamous Japanese pufferfish, an improperly prepared false morel dish actually ''can kill you''. Fortunately, the mushroom is easily rendered safe by boiling with the right ceremonies (you should get instructions when you buy it – and do not breathe in the fumes!). Prepared mushrooms can be found in gourmet restaurants and even canned in grocery stores.}} [[File:Runebergintorttu.jpg|thumb|The Runeberg torte]] Around Easter keep an eye out for ''mämmi'' (''memma''), a type of brown sweet '''rye and malt pudding'''. It looks famously unpleasant but actually tastes quite good (best eaten with creamy milk and sugar). A sweet speciality for May Day is ''tippaleipä'' (''struva''), a palm sized '''funnel cake''' traditionally enjoyed with mead. The '''Runeberg torte''' (''Runebergintorttu'', ''Runebergstårta'') is a cylindrical pastry with a patch of jam surrounded by a ring of sugar paste on top. It is a strictly seasonal pastry available only during a few weeks in February, close to the Finland's national poet J.L. Runeberg's Day. At the Fat Tuesday lunch restaurants all over the country serve ''pea soup with a pancake and jam'' as a traditional meal, as it is. This is also the season for the ''laskiaispulla''/''fastlagsbulle'', a bun filled with whipped cream and either jam or almond paste (don't serve the wrong version to anybody!); some serve it with hot milk. During the Midsummer celebration in late June it is common to serve the first potatoes of that years' harvest with herring. From the end of July until September it's worthwhile to ask for '''crayfish''' (''rapu''/''kräfta'') menus and prices at better restaurants. It's not cheap, you won't get full from the crayfish alone, and there are many rituals involved, most of which involve large quantities of ice-cold vodka, but it should be tried at least once. Around Christmas, a '''baked Christmas ham''' (''joulukinkku''/''julskinka'') is the traditional star of the dinner table, with a constellation of casseroles around it. Some restaurants serve Christmas buffets for some days before the holiday. During the winter months, '''''blini'''''s are often available in restaurants. These are small, soft, pancakes of Russian origin, eaten with fish roe, sour cream and onion. Another popular Russian delicacy is '''paskha''' (''pasha''), a sweet but sour-ish quark-based dessert, easy to find in grocery stores during Easter. === Regional specialities === There are also regional specialities, including: * [[Savonia]]'s ''kalakukko'' — a bread-like rye pie filled with small whole fish (often vendace). The pie is baked slow and low so that even the fish bones become soft and edible. ''Kalakukko'' has got the traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG) status in the European union. * [[Tampere]]'s ''black sausage'' (''mustamakkara'') — a blood sausage canonically served with lingonberry jam and a pint of cold milk. Grill kiosks (see below) also like to put their local spin on things, ranging from [[Lappeenranta]]'s ''vety'' and ''atomi'' ("hydrogen" and "atom"), meat pies with ham and fried eggs inside, to [[Lahti]]'s spectacularly unappetising ''lihamuki'' ("meat mug"), a disposable soda cup filled with the cheapest grade of kebab meat, your choice of sauce, and nothing else. ===Desserts=== [[File:Pullia.jpg|thumb|An assortment of ''pulla'' straight from the oven]] For dessert or just as a snack, '''Finnish pastries''' abound and are often taken with coffee (see [[#Drink|Drink]]) after a meal. Look for '''cardamom coffee bread''' (''pulla''/''bulla''), a wide variety of '''tarts''' (''torttu''), and '''donuts'''. Traditional Finnish deep-fried doughnuts, which are commonly available at cafés, come in two varieties: ''munkki'', which is a deep-fried bun, and ''munkkipossu'', which is flat and roughly rectangular; both contain sweet jam. A slice of giant oven pancake (''(uuni)pannukakku'') is a common accompaniment to pea soup on Thursdays. In summer, a wide range of fresh '''berries''' are available, including the delectable but expensive '''cloudberry''' (Finnish: ''lakka''/''hilla''/''muurain''/''valokki'', depending on location; Swedish:''hjortron'', Sámi: ''luomi''), and a number of wild berry products are available throughout the year as jam (''hillo''/''sylt''), soup (''keitto''/''soppa''), candy (''makeinen''/''godis''), and a type of a gooey, clear pudding known as ''kiisseli'' (''kräm''). [[File:Salmiak alphabets.jpg|thumbnail|Usually there is a wide selection of ''salmiakki'' candies in kiosks and markets.]] Finnish chocolate is also rather good, with '''[https://www.fazer.fi Fazer]''' products including their iconic '''Sininen''' ("Blue") bar and '''Geisha''' candies exported around the world. A Finnish speciality is the wide use of '''licorice''' (''lakritsi''/''lakrits''). The Finns are particularly craving for the strong '''salty liquorice''' (''salmiakki''/''salmiak'') which gets its unique (and acquired, be warned) taste from ammonium chloride. After a meal it's common to chomp '''chewing gum''' (''purukumi''/''tuggummi'') including xylitol, which is good for dental health. [http://www.jenkki.fi Jenkki] is a popular domestic brand. Many flavours are available. ===Places to eat=== [[File:Savonlinna Liekkilohi Buffet.JPG|thumb|Cold fish buffet at Liekkilohi, [[Savonlinna]]]] Finns tend to eat out only on special occasions, and restaurant prices are correspondingly expensive. The one exception is '''lunchtime''', when thanks to a government-sponsored lunch coupon system company cafeterias and nearly every restaurant in town offers set lunches (''lounas''/''lunch'') for the corresponding prices (around €9–10), usually consisting of a main course, salad bar, bread table and a drink. Cafés might offer a simpler meal with salad, soup, bread and coffee. University cafeterias, many of which are open to all, are particularly good value with meals in the €5–7 range (€2–4 for students with Finnish student ID). There are also public cafeterias in office areas that are open only during lunch hours on working days. While not particularly stylish and sometimes hard to find, those usually offer high-quality buffet lunch at a reasonable price. Any lunch eatery will have these offers M–F 11:00–14:00, while some have them e.g. 10:30–15:00, very few until dinner time, and very few in weekends. There are some websites which list lunch offers for the day for several restaurants of a particular city, for example [https://www.lounasmenu.fi Lounasmenu]. You can find many of them by searching with the word ''lounaslistat'' (lunch lists). For dinner, you'll be limited to generic fast food (pizza, hamburgers, kebabs and such) in the €5–10 range, or you'll often have to splurge over €20 for a meal in a "nice" restaurant. For eating on the move, look for '''grill''' kiosks (''grilli''), which serve sausages, hamburgers and other portable if not terribly health-conscious fare late into the night at reasonable prices. In addition to the usual hamburgers and hot dogs, look for '''meat pies''' (''lihapiirakka''/''köttpirog''), akin to a giant savoury doughnut stuffed with minced meat and your choice of sausage, fried eggs and condiments. '''[http://www.hesburger.fi Hesburger]''' is the local fast-food equivalent of McDonald's, with a similar menu. Also most international fast food chains are present. The grills and hamburger chains may offer "Finnish" interpretations of some dishes, such as reindeer burgers in Lapland, or substituting sandwich buns with a sour-rye bun on request. Also pizzas are sometimes offered with similar twists. The Finnish word for buffet is ''seisova pöytä'' ("standing table"), and while increasingly used to refer to budget all-you-can-eat restaurants, the traditional meaning is akin to Sweden's ''smörgåsbord'': a good-sized selection of sandwiches, fish, meats and pastries. It's traditionally eaten in three rounds: first the fish, then the cold meats, and finally warm dishes &mdash; and it's usually the first that is the star of the show. Though expensive and not very common in a restaurant setting, if you are fortunate enough to be formally invited to a Finn's home, they might have prepared a spread for their guests, along with plenty of coffee. Breakfast at better hotels is also along these lines and it's easy to eat enough to cover lunch as well! If you're really on a budget, you can save a considerable amount of money by '''self-catering'''. Ready-to-eat casseroles and other basic fare that can be quickly prepared in a microwave can be bought for a few euros in any supermarket. Note that you're usually expected to weigh and label any fruits or vegetables yourself (bag it, place it on the scale and press the numbered button; the correct number can be found from the price sign), and green signs mean possibly tastier but certainly more expensive organic (''luomu''/''ekologisk'') produce. Many shops tag produce at or near the "best before" date for a discount of 30% or so, often doubled in the late evening. At restaurants, despite the high prices, portions tend to be quite small, at least when compared to [[USA]] and [[Canada]], and even many [[Europe]]an countries. Finns are used to eating a substantial breakfast (included in the price of hotels and some other lodgings) and lunch, so the dinner doesn't need to be very heavy, and can be two- or single-course. Dinner is eaten rather early, sometimes as early as 16:00, but usually at 17:00 or 18:00. Most restaurants try to cater also to families with '''children''', some making a greater effort than others. There is often a children's menu, typically meatballs, chicken nuggets and simple pastas, although some offer the option of a child size portion from the normal menu to a reduced price. In '''small towns''', you might want to check accommodations and fuel stations. Any proper hotel has a restaurant of some sort, and also places such as marinas may be focal points for locals going out. Some accommodations in the countryside have catering, workplace getaways and family celebrations as their main business, and if they offer food, the meal can be a pleasant experience, often different from the standard restaurant fare. Other countryside cafés often go on the burger/schnitzel line. ===Dietary restrictions=== Traditional Finnish cuisine relies heavily on meat and fish, but '''[[Vegetarians|vegetarianism]]''' (''kasvissyönti''/''vegetarianism'') is increasingly popular and well-understood, and will rarely pose a problem for travellers. Practically all restaurants offer vegetarian options, often marked with a "V" on menus. Take note that egg (''kananmuna'' or ''muna''/''ägg'') is found in many prepared foods, ready meals and baked goods, so vegan meals are not common outside selected restaurants, but the selection of raw ingredients, speciality grains and health foods is adequate for preparing your own. Likewise gelatine (''liivate'') in yoghurt, jellies and sweets is common. Both will always be indicated on labels. Two ailments most commonly found among Finns themselves are '''lactose intolerance''' (''laktoosi-intoleranssi'', inability to digest the milk sugar lactose) and '''coeliac disease''' (''keliakia''/''celiaki'', inability to digest gluten). In restaurants, lactose-free selections are often tagged "L". Low-lactose products are sometimes called "Hyla" or marked with "VL". (Notice that low-lactose VL has nothing to do with vegetarian V.) The gluten-free options are marked with "G". However, hydrolysed lactose (EILA, or HYLA brand) milk or lactose-free milk drink for the lactose intolerant is widely available, which also means that a lactose-free dish is not necessarily milk-free. Allergies are quite common among Finnish people, too, so restaurant workers are usually quite knowledgeable on what goes into each dish and often it is possible to get the dish without certain ingredients if specified. Kosher and halal food are rare in Finland and generally not available outside very limited speciality shops and restaurants catering to the tiny Jewish and Islamic communities. Watch out for minced meat dishes like meatballs, which very commonly use a mix of beef and pork. The [http://www.jchelsinki.fi Jewish Community of Helsinki] runs a small [[kosher]] deli in [[Helsinki]]. A range of ingredients that have more common allergies and dietary restrictions associated with them may be printed in '''bold''' text in the list of ingredients (''ainekset'' or ''ainesosat''/''ingredienser'') on all packaged goods, at restaurants and markets you will have to ask. A problem when self-catering is that lots of products contain ''traces of'' allergens (e.g. most chocolate will have traces of nuts, most oats traces of gluten etc.), which means you might have to buy expensive food items specifically for those with your diet. The Swedish version of the list may be easier for an English-speaker, but check the names of foodstuff you want to avoid. ==Drink== Thanks to its thousands of lakes, Finland has plenty of water supplies and '''tap water''' is always potable – except on trains and the like, where this is clearly indicated. In fact, never buy bottled water if you can get tap water! The usual soft drinks and juices are widely available, but there is also a wide array of '''berry juices''' (''marjamehu''), especially in summer, as well as '''Pommac''', an unusual soda made from (according to the label) "mixed fruits", which you'll either love or hate. Juice from many berries is to be mixed with water, also when not bought as concentrate; sugar is often already added. Note the difference between ''mehu'' (''juice'') and ''mehujuoma'' (''saftdryck''), where the latter may have only traces of the nominal ingredient. ===Coffee and tea=== [[File:Helsinki CafeAalto 01.jpg|thumb|Café in Helsinki]] Finns are the world's heaviest '''coffee''' (''kahvi''/''kaffe'') drinkers, averaging 3–4 cups per day. Most Finns drink it strong and black, but sugar and milk for coffee are always available and variants such as espresso and cappuccino are becoming all the more common especially in the bigger cities. All the biggest towns have had French-style fancy cafés for quite some time and modern competitors, like Wayne's, Robert's Coffee or Espresso House, are springing up in the mix. Most cafés close early. For a quick caffeine fix, you can just pop into any convenience store, which will pour you a cuppa for €2 or so. Tea hasn't quite caught on in quite the same way, although finding hot water and a bag of Lipton Yellow Label won't be a problem. For brewed tea, check out some of the finer cafés or tea rooms in the city centres. Finnish coffee, however, is prepared usually using filters ("sumppi"), producing rather mild substance. Finding a strong high pressure espresso might be an issue somewhere, but tasting the smooth flavour of mocca blend is something to try about. Discussing the preparation mechanics of coffee with Finns is not such a bad idea, generally they are open for new ideas and tastes. The more traditional option for the filtered coffee in Finland is the Eastern style "mud coffee". In that preparation the grounded coffee beans are boiled in a large pot. Before serving, the grounded coffee is let to calm down, before serving the smooth flavoured coffee on the top. Today, one might not be able to find this kind of "''pannukahvi''" in finer cafés (in big cities), but they are largely available pretty much anywhere else. You can even purchase special grounded coffee in most of the supermarkets for that purpose (it is not that fine-grounded like normal filter coffee let alone like espresso). It is specially tasty with cream, rather than milk. ===Dairy=== In Finland it is quite common for people of all ages to drink '''milk''' (''maito'', ''mjölk'') as an accompaniment to food. It is absolutely normal to see businessmen having a lunch and drinking milk. Another popular option is ''piimä'' (buttermilk, Swedish: ''surmjölk''). ===Alcohol=== '''[[Alcohol]]''' is very expensive in Finland compared to most countries (though not to its Nordic neighbours [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]]), although low-cost [[Estonia]]'s entry to the EU forced the government to cut alcohol taxes a little. Still, a single beer will cost you closer to €5–6 in any bar or pub, or over €1 in a supermarket. While beer and cider are available in any supermarket or convenience store – but not after 21:00 and not before 09:00 – the state monopoly '''[http://www.alko.fi Alko]''' is your sole choice for wine or anything stronger. The ''legal drinking age'' is 18 for milder drinks, while to buy or carry spirits you need to be 20. Providing alcohol to somebody underage is a crime (this includes parents letting their children have a taste, and many do comply). Bars and restaurants are allowed to serve all alcohols to customers over 18 within their premises. ID is usually requested from all young-looking clients (nowadays all looking to be under 30). The age limit of 18 applies also to entering nightclubs and other premises where serving alcohol is central, and many of them maintain higher age requirements of their own (sometimes flexible, such as at quiet times or towards customers seen as attractive). Despite the unusually high cost of booze, Finnish people are well known to drink heavily at parties. There are also those mostly abstaining, although this is not popular in some companies, unless you have a reason, among which pregnancy and driving are universally accepted. In the 2000s, teetotalling has become more common among the youth. Especially many Swedish-speaking share the Swedish culture of drinking songs. While Finnish people tend to stick to individual bills in the bar, when you get with them into the summer cottage, things usually turn the other way around and everyone enjoys together what there is on the table. The national drink is ''not'' Finlandia Vodka, a brand directed to foreigners, but '''[https://www.kossu.org/eng/spirit/ Koskenkorva viina]''' (or just ''Kossu'' in common speech). Kossu has 38% ABV while Finlandia has 40%, and Kossu also has a small amount of added sugar, which makes the two drinks taste somewhat different. There are also many other vodkas (''viina'') on the market, most of which taste pretty much the same. As a rule of thumb: products with word ''vodka'' in their name are completely without added sugar while products called ''viina'' have some. A once very popular Finnish speciality is ''Salmiakki Koskenkorva''. Nowadays there are several brands, so people tend to say just '''Salmari'''. It is prepared by mixing in salty licorice, whose taste masks the alcohol behind it fearfully well. There are several brands for salmari available. Add in some Fisherman's Friend menthol cough drops to get Fisu ("Fish") shots, which are even more lethal. In-the-know hipsters opt for ''Pantteri'' ("Panther"), which is half and half Salmari and Fisu. Other famous classics are '''Jaloviina''' (''Jallu'' in everyday speech), a mixture of vodka and brandy, popular especially among university students, and '''Tervasnapsi''' ("tar schnapps") with a distinctive smoky aroma. Both Salmari and Tervasnapsi are strongly acquired tastes and the Finns enjoy seeing how foreigners react to them. '''Marskin Ryyppy''' is a spiced vodka which was the favourite schnapps of the marshal and president of Finland C.G.E. Mannerheim. Marskin Ryyppy should be served ice cold in a glass which is poured as full as ever possible. Spilling the schnapps is, of course, forbidden. '''Beer''' (''olut'' or more softly ''kalja''; Swedish: ''öl'') is very popular. Finnish beers used to be nearly identical mild lagers, but import and the microbrewery trend has forced also the big players to experiment with different types. Big brands are ''Lapin Kulta'', ''Karjala'', ''Olvi'', ''Koff'' and ''Karhu''. Pay attention to the label when buying: beers branded "I" are inexpensive due to their low alcohol content (and thus: low tax), while "III" and "IV" are stronger and more expensive. The Finnish standard is "III beer" with 4.5–4.7% ABV. In grocery stores you will not find any drinks with more than 5.5% alcohol. You may also encounter kvass or '''''kotikalja''''' (literally "home beer"), a dark brown beer-like but very low-alcohol beverage. Kotikalja is popular especially at Christmas time but may be served around the year (cf the Swedish ''julmust'' and ''svagdricka''). Imported beers are available in bigger grocery stores, most pubs and bars, and Czech beers in particular are popular and only slightly more expensive than local ones. Some microbreweries (Laitila, Stadin panimo, Nokian panimo etc.) are gaining foothold with their domestic dark lagers, wheat beers and ales. '''''Sahti''''' is type of unfiltered, usually strong, top-fermented beer. Traditionally it is brewed without hops but is flavoured with juniper instead. Commercially available sahti is usually around 8% ABV and therefore available in Alko stores only. Sahti is often considered as an acquired taste. Some villages in Häme and Satakunta provinces have prominent sahti-tradition. [[File:The Finnish Long Drink captured in Montauk, NY.jpg|thumb|upright|Long drink (''lonkero'')]] A modern development (from the 1980s?) is '''ciders''' (''siideri'', Swedish: ''cider''). Most of these are artificially flavoured sweet concoctions which are quite different from the English or French kinds, although the more authentic varieties are gaining market share. The ever-popular '''gin long drink''' or ''lonkero'' ("tentacle"), a pre-bottled mix of gin and grapefruit soda, tastes better than it sounds and has the additional useful property of glowing under ultraviolet light. At up to 610 kcal/litre it also allows to skip dinner, leaving more time for drinking. During the winter, do not miss '''glögi''' (Swedish: ''glögg''), a type of spiced mulled wine most often served with almonds and raisins. Although it was originally made of old wine the bottled stuff in grocery stores is usually alcohol free and Finns will very often mix in some wine or spirits. In restaurants, glögi is served either alcohol-free, or with 4 cl vodka added. Fresh, hot glögi can, for example, be found at the Christmas markets and somewhat every bar and restaurant during the season. Finnish '''wines''' are made of cultivated or natural berries instead of grapes. The ones made of blackcurrant form a fruity alternative for grape wines. ''Elysee No 1'' is a fairly popular sparkling wine made of white currant. Alko stores (especially some of them) have quite an impressive selection of foreign wines, and these are much more commonly drunk than their few domestic rivals. Due to Alko's volumes and to taxes being on the alcohol content, the premium wines are actually quite cheap i Finland. The largest selection is in the range €10–15/bottle. Quite a few unusual liquors (''likööri'') made from berries are available, although they're uniformly very sweet and usually served with dessert. Cloudberry liquor (''lakkalikööri'') is worth a shot even if you don't like the berries fresh. Home-made spirits ('''pontikka''', Swedish: ''hembränt''): you have been warned! More common in rural areas. It is illegal and frequently distilled on modified water purification plants – which are subject to import control laws nowadays – anecdotal evidence suggests that those are occasionally played as a prank on unsuspecting foreigners. Politely decline the offer, ''especially'' if still sober. '''Kilju''' refers to sugar wine, a fermented mix of sugar and water with an ABV comparable to fortified wine (15–17%). Manufacturing this for one's own use is legal (as is "homewine", basically the same thing but with fruits or berries added), selling isn't. Finally, there is traditional beverage worth looking for: the '''mead''' (''sima'', Swedish: ''mjöd''). Sima is an age-old wine-like sweet brew nowadays usually made from brown sugar, lemon and yeast and consumed particularly around Mayday (''Vappu''). If you are lucky you might encounter some varieties of sima such as one spiced with meadow-sweet. Try them! ==Sleep== [[File:Inari - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Camping in Lapland]] Accommodation in Finland is expensive, with typical hotel rooms about €100/night or more. Many large '''hotels''' are cheaper during the weekends and in summer. Foreign hotel chains are rare outside the capital; most of the hotels are run either by locals or by some domestic brand. So do not expect to accumulate your points when staying anywhere but in major cities. More or less national hotel chains include [http://www.scandichotels.fi Scandic], [http://www.finlandiahotels.fi Finlandia] and [http://www.sokoshotels.fi Sokos]. The [http://www.omenahotels.com Omena] chain offers self-service hotels, where you book online and get a keycode for your room, with no check-in of any kind needed (and little service available). If you insist on a five-star hotel, the rating is up to the individual hotelier. When searching for budget options – and outside cities – check whether breakfast and linen are included, they are in regular hotels, but not in many budget options. Extras, such as sauna, are sometimes included also in cheap prices, and virtually all accommodations (except remote cottages) nowadays have free Wi-Fi. '''[[Bed and breakfasts|Bed and breakfast]]''' is not well-known in Finland. In the countryside there are lodgings that are similar, or use the term, but neither does guarantee any specifics. They are often nice, and might be your only option, but check what to expect, such as whether breakfast is included or you are supposed to self-cater. Some B&Bs border to [[agritourism]]. Some offer dinner on advance request. One of the few ways to not spend too much is to stay in '''[[hostels|youth hostels]]''' (''retkeilymaja''/''vandrarhem'' or ''hostelli''), as the [https://www.hihostels.com/destinations/fi/hostels Hostelling International] has a fairly comprehensive network in the cities, and a dorm bed usually costs less than €20 per night. Many hostels also have private rooms for as little as €30, which are a great deal if you want a little extra privacy. There are also '''[[camping|camping grounds]]''' all around the country. Typical prices are €10–20 per tent or caravan + €4–6/€2 per person, although there are some more expensive locations. A discount card may be worthwhile. Night temperatures are seldom an issue in season (typically 5–15°C, although freezing temperatures are possible also in midsummer, at least in Lapland). Most campsites are closed off season, unless they have cottages adequate for winter use. An even cheaper option is to take advantage of Finland's [[right to access]], or "Every Man's Right" (''jokamiehenoikeus''/''allemansrätten''), which allows '''[[wild camping]]'''. Keep out of sight, don't disturb wildlife, stay for at most two nights, make no campfires and [[Leave-no-trace camping|leave no trace]]. A berry picker finding you is no issue, but they shouldn't have been alarmed by noise, and your campsite should be tidy. In [[Åland]] the right to access is somewhat more limited than on the mainland. Note that making an open fire always requires landowner's permission and is never allowed during [[Wildfires|wildfire]] warnings, which are common in summer. Also, near cities wild camping isn't expected, other than along hiking routes (where there may be designated free sites). Going for multi-day hikes in the north, there are usually free Spartan "open wilderness huts" (''autiotupa''), see below. Virtually every lodging in Finland includes a [[sauna]] for guests — don't miss it! Check operating hours though, as they're often only heated in the evenings and there may be separate shifts of men and women. In hotels there is often a free "morning sauna", while sauna in the evening may have to be booked and paid. ===Cabins=== {{seealso|Vacation rentals|Second homes}} [[File:Vuokramokki Skitunas.jpg|thumb|Larger cottage at a sea shore]] [[File:Kalliojärvi holiday village in winter, Isokyrö, Finland.jpg|thumbnail|Cottages in a holiday village.]] For a taste of the Finnish countryside, an excellent option is to stay at a '''cottage''' or '''cabin''' (Finnish: ''mökki''; Swedish: ''stuga'', Ostrobothnia: ''villa''), thousands of which dot the lake and sea shores. These are generally best in summer (and many are closed in winter), but there are also many cottages around Lapland's ski resorts. In fact, at some localities hiring a cabin is not just the cheapest but perhaps the only option. Usually, cottages are clean and nice, but as the Finns themselves are mostly fairly happy with minimal services, there may be confusingly few available. When making the reservation, check carefully what will be included or otherwise provided. Cleaning after the stay is usually required, sometimes available for a fee. Linen likewise not included but sometimes available. While all but the most basic cottages will have electricity, it is very common for them to lack running water! Also, the cottage might have a shared toilet, either a standard one in a service building or an outhouse dry toilet. You are probably expected to use a shared shower or a [[sauna]] for cleaning yourself. Saunas at cottages are often heated with wood; you should probably ask for instructions unless the hosts take care of heating and drying. At campsites and in "cottage villages" the sauna is usually heated daily or weekly, with separate shifts for men and women, and an opportunity to book it for yourselves at other times. Some cottages may have their own saunas, and any cottage not at a campsite or in a "cottage village" will. Into the 1990s most cottages for rent were cottages built for private use, and although facilities were very basic, they were fairly roomy. Some of these are former farm houses, with kitchen serving as living room (perhaps also with beds), a bedroom, and possibly other rooms. Other ones were built as cottages, with combined kitchen and living room plus one or two minimal bedrooms being fairly common. Small outhouses built as guest rooms for summer use are also quite common. As these houses and cottages were built for private use in the countryside, by a single family, they are often off the beaten path, and the host may live at a distance, visiting only as needed. In later years private cottages have got increasingly good facilities, with electricity and running water ubiquitous in new and installed in many older ones (although many Finns like going back to basics, and refuse any of this). These may be available for rent when not in use by the owners. On the other hand many cottages are built for paying guests, and these are often minimal – 6 m² for two persons is not uncommon – unless targeted at the luxury market. Usually these cottages are arranged in groups to ease administration and service, sometimes with just enough spacing to provide privacy, sometimes in a row near the parking and the shared facilities. There may be a few cottages a bit farther, perhaps built earlier, for those who want more space and privacy. Shared facilities typically include kitchen (often with a minimal kitchenette in the cabin), water toilet, showers, sauna, and perhaps a café and kiosk. There may be a rowing boat, some kind of playground and similar activity infrastructure. Most have some kind of jetty or beach for swimming and cooling down after sauna sessions. Some are a focal point also for locals, perhaps with a bar and live music on Saturday nights. Cottages for use in winter and shoulder season are larger, as thermal insulation and heating get relatively more economic by size, and indoor facilities are more important in autumn and winter. They may be the old kind (see above), or built at skiing resorts or as base for fishing or hunting. Some are former wilderness huts (for use by the public or the border guard), remote enough that their maintenance for public use was deemed uneconomical. All these cottages are of course available also in summer. Prices vary widely based on facilities, location, season and random factors: simple cottages with beds and cooking facilities can go for as little as €20/night, although €40–80 is more typical. There are also expensive big and even fairly luxurious ones costing several hundred euros per night. The price at winter resorts may more than double when there is a winter holiday season in schools. Not all cottages are available for a single night, sometimes you need to stay at least two nights or a week. Renting a car or bike might be necessary since there might be no facilities (shops, restaurants, etc.) within walking distance (buses do not run too often in rural Finland). Decide whether you want to get a cottage far from people, close to an ordinary village, at a "cottage village" or some compromise. The largest cottage rental services are '''[https://www.lomarengas.fi/en Lomarengas]''' and '''[https://www.nettimokki.com/en Nettimökki]''', both of which have English interfaces. Cottages at campsites, in "cottage villages" and by a tourist business are often booked through their own website. In national parks, wilderness areas, and by popular hiking routes, the Finnish Forest Administration (''Metsähallitus''/''Forststyrelsen'') maintains '''wilderness huts''', especially in the north, most of them open and free to use for a day or two without fees by anybody coming independently by foot or ski (self-service, some serviced only biennially). Latecomers have an indisputable right to stay in the open huts, so if coming early you might want to put up your tent. There are also locked huts with reservable beds. These are all very Spartan, see [[Finnish National Parks#Sleep]] and [[Hiking in the Nordic countries#Sleep]] for what to expect. ==Learn== Finland's universities are generally well-regarded and offer many exchange programmes. Although Finland is not one of the big study destinations, in relation to the local population there are quite some international students at most universities. Exchange programs are often in English, as are some advanced courses. While other lectures are usually conducted in Finnish (or Swedish as in Åbo Akademi or Novia), most advanced text books are in English. It is often possible to complete all courses through assignments and exams in English. Universities also offer the option to study Finnish (or Swedish) at various levels. There are no tuition fees for regular degree students, including foreign degree students studying in Finnish or Swedish and exchange students, but [http://www.studyinfinland.fi/tuition_and_scholarships/tuition_fees/tuition_fees_2017 tuition fees] (in the range €8,000–15,000/year in 2019) were introduced in autumn 2017 for new non-EU/EEA students studying in English for a bachelor's or master's degree. A system with scholarships was also set up. There are usually quite a lot of activities for students from abroad, arranged by the student unions and exchange student associations, including social activities and excursions to other parts of the country or other interesting destinations (Lapland, Tallinn, Stockholm and Saint Petersburg being typical), in additions to all the activities for students in general. The Finnish higher education system follows the German model, which means there are two kinds of universities: academic (''yliopisto''/''universitet'') and vocational (''ammattikorkeakoulu''/''yrkeshögskola'', abbreviated ''AMK'' in Finnish; many of these were formerly known as polytechnics). ''Yliopisto'' students are expected to graduate with a master's degree. The university bachelor's degree is mainly meant as an intermediate step and isn't very useful for much else. For foreigners, there are some master's programs in English. AMK students are expected to graduate as bachelors and enter the workforce directly. An AMK bachelor does not directly qualify for academic master's programs; if accepted, about a year's worth of additional bridging studies are needed. A reasonable monthly budget (including dorm housing) would be €700–1,000. Student union membership at around €100/year is obligatory for undergraduate studies. Getting housing is the responsibility of the student and housing is scarce when students arrive in autumn (from July, when first-year students get to know they are accepted); there are waiting lists and some years emergency housing in shared rooms. There may be quotas for exchange students, and all people from out of town are often prioritised in the queues. Many exchange programs fully or partly subsidise accommodation in student dorms. Student housing is usually in locations owned by the student unions either directly or through foundations, and costs from about €250–400/month in a room with shared kitchen and bathroom to about €500–700/month for independent one-room apartments (also larger apartments are available, primarily for families). Rents on the private market vary depending on location such that in Greater Helsinki and particularly Helsinki proper prices may easily be two times that of cheaper locations or student housing. A couple of friends sharing a bigger apartment is quite common, but check how to write the contract to avoid pitfalls. If you are (counted as) a cohabiting couple, your partner's incomes will be taken into account in possible living grants, and in some configurations you may become responsible for unpaid rents etc. Basic health care for students is arranged by a foundation owned by the student unions. From 2021 also AMK students have access, and the yearly fee is paid to Kela/Fpa instead of being included in the student union membership fee. The service is comparable to that at municipal health care centers, but also basic dentistry is included. Check details. EU/EEA citizens can simply enter the country and register as a student after arrival (if accepted to some programme), while students from elsewhere will need to arrange their residence permit beforehand. [http://www.cimo.fi CIMO] (Centre for International Mobility) administers exchange programs and can arrange scholarships and traineeships in Finland, while the [http://www.edu.fi Finnish National Board of Education] offers basic information about study opportunities. ==Work== [[File:Kuopio from Puijo.JPG|thumbnail|Kuopio, the largest city in Eastern Finland]] Finnish unionisation rate is high (70%), salaries are reasonably good even for simple jobs and employment laws are strict, but on the flipside, actually getting a job can be difficult – and living, and especially housing in the capital region, is expensive. There is little informal work to be found and some classes of jobs require at least a remedial level of Finnish ''and'' Swedish (although foreigners may be exempted from the requirement). Citizens of the European Union, the Nordic countries, Switzerland and Liechtenstein can work freely in Finland, but acquiring a work permit from other countries means doing battle with the infamous [http://www.migri.fi/frontpage Finnish Immigration Service] (''Maahanmuuttovirasto''). Generally, to get a work permit there needs to be a shortage of people in your profession. Students permitted to study full-time in Finland ''are'' allowed work part-time (up to 25 h/week, as long as they are able to succeed in their studies) or even full-time during holiday periods. Finland is known for the low intake of immigrants, compared to neighbouring countries. Still there are communities of foreigners from many countries in most university towns and in some more rural municipalities. In some trades professionals from abroad are quite common. For jobs, you might want to check out the [http://www.mol.fi Ministry of Labour]. Most of the posted jobs are described in Finnish so you may need some help in translation, but some jobs are in English. Publicly posted positions are usually highly competitive, and usually require both a degree or a professional qualification and specific work experience. Thus, informal channels or assistance from an experienced local are valuable. Directly contacting possible employers can turn up jobs not published anywhere. Seasonal work at resorts is often available, if you have the right attitude and skills, and make the contact early enough. As locals generally speak good English, a position [[teaching English]] generally requires special qualifications; foreigners are not recruited for basic teaching, but in some scenarios. Most positions for foreigners are in private language schools for children and students, on adult ESP courses, in preschools and in a few international schools. For teacher's jobs in ordinary schools you need a locally recognised teacher's exam. The pupils are usually motivated. A public school teacher's salary is €2,600–4,300/month (including summer holiday, but temporary teachers may not get that). In comprehensive school expect about 20 hr/week in class and about the same of preparation and other related work, with overtime in class paid for, overtime for the rest usually not. As a foreign visitor you are unlikely to get a full time job, so an average of €1200–2000/month may be realistic. This can include private lessons for €10–30/hr. A rapidly growing trend in Finland, especially for the younger generation, is to work for placement agencies. Although there has been a massive surge of public companies going private in the last ten years, this trend seems to be fuelled by the increased demand for more flexible work schedules as well as the freedom to work seasonally or sporadically. Due to the nature of these types of agencies as well as the types of work they provide, it is common for them to hire non-Finns. Some agencies include Adecco, Staff Point, Manpower, Aaltovoima and Biisoni. For '''summer jobs''', such as trainee positions for university students and summer jobs at hotels and cafés, the search begins very early, around January, and application periods end in late March. Last-minute positions opening in May are very few and quickly taken. For '''Nordic youth''' (18–28/30) – or other EU/EEA citizens who know Swedish, Norwegian or Danish – there is the [http://www.nordjobb.org Nordjobb]. Focusing on summer jobs as cultural exchange, it now offers also some other positions. If you are invited to a '''job interview''', remember that modesty is a virtue in Finland. Finns appreciate facts and directness, so stay on topic and be truthful. Exaggeration and bragging is usually associated with lying. You can check expected salaries with the union for your field; they usually have defined minimum wages – there is no national minimum wage except for these. Salaries range from €1,200 to €6,500 per month (2010) for most full-time jobs, the median being about €3,500. Fees for mandatory insurance, social security and pensions are shared between employer and employee and cannot be selected or managed by the employee (there may also be voluntary negotiable benefits). One category of informal work is '''berry picking''', either on a farm or picking wild berries. To get such a job you mostly have to convince the employer you are going to work hard, harder than most Finns are willing to. Picking wild berries and selling them is exempted from tax and you are free to do the business yourself (like the locals), but you would probably do so only if wanting a fun way to get pocket money. If coming for the income you will have somebody arrange everything (including accommodation and transport) and you will be independent only formally (taking the economic risk: no wage, just somebody buying the berries; you might be able to prove a de facto employment, but only with a good lawyer). Working on a farm you will be formally employed: still low-paid piece work, but employment law applies. You should always ask for a written '''employment contract'''. It is not compulsory, but no serious employer should object to giving you one; as somebody less acquainted to the Finnish job market you are more likely to get in contact with those not playing by the rules. Cash payment is usually not possible (too much trouble for the employer), so you will need a Finnish bank account. Unfortunately the willingness of different banks to issue them to foreigners varies. You may also need a Finnish social security number (''henkilötunnus'') from the local ''maistraatti'' (register office); see [https://dvv.fi/en/foreigner-registration the register office website] for information. For construction sites, a tax number is needed; see Tax Administration's [https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/tax-cards-and-tax-returns/arriving_in_finland/work_in_finland/individual_tax_numbers/ information on tax numbers]. ==Stay safe== {{infobox|[[Risks]] in Finland| Crime/violence: '''Low'''<br> <small>Most violence is alcohol-related and/or domestic – walking in the street is usually safe even in the night</small><br> Authorities/corruption: '''Low'''<br> <small>The police are generally courteous and speak some (or good) English. They don't take bribes.</small><br> Transportation: '''Low''' to '''Moderate'''<br> <small>Icy roads and pavements in the winter, moose and other animals occasionally crossing the roads</small><br> Health: '''Low'''<br> <small>Tick and mosquito bites</small><br> Nature: '''Low''' to '''Moderate'''<br> <small>Blizzards in the winter, getting lost when hiking in the forests</small> }} {{cautionbox|Although Finland borders to Russia and is sympathetic to Ukraine, there is '''{{nowrap|no threat}}''' towards Finland, and should not be towards '''Russians''' in Finland. Most people understand that the war is not the fault of the Russian people, but of the regime. Still, you might want to avoid speaking Russian where people may be drunk and aggressive. |lastedit=2022-03-07 }} ===Crime=== Finland enjoys a comparatively low crime rate and is, generally, a very safe place to travel. Parents often leave their sleeping babies in a baby carriage on the street while visiting a shop, and in the countryside cars and house doors are often left unlocked. There are no no-go neighbourhoods even in the night. Use '''common sense at night''', particularly on Friday and Saturday when the youth of Finland hit the streets to get drunk and in some unfortunate cases look for trouble. Don't leave valuables or your drink unguarded at night clubs. '''Racism''' is generally a minor concern for tourists, especially in the cosmopolitan major cities, but some drunk people looking for trouble may be more likely to target foreign looking people. Avoiding arguments with drunk gangs may be more important if you fit that description. Immigration to Finland was quite limited before the 1990s and not everybody has got used to the globalisation. '''Pickpockets''' used to be rare, but nowadays the situation has changed, especially in the busy tourist months in the summer, when organised pickpockets arrive from Eastern Europe. In restaurants, do not ever leave your phone, laptop, tablet, keys or wallet unattended. There have been some cases in Helsinki where thieves have been targeting breakfast buffets in hotels, where people often leave valuables unguarded for a few minutes. Regardless of that, most Finns carry their wallets in their pockets or purses and feel quite safe while doing it. '''Bicycle thieves''' are everywhere, never leave your bike unlocked even for a minute. '''Self defence''' is generally allowed only as a last escape and excess force must not be used. Weapons for self defence (including pepper spray) are not allowed. Finnish '''police''' (''poliisi''/''polis'') are respected by the public, respectful even to drunkards and thieves, and not corrupt. Should something happen, do not hesitate to get in contact with them. In addition to the police proper, the '''border guard''' (''rajavartiolaitos''/''gränsbevakningsväsendet'') and '''customs''' officials (''tulli''/''tull'') have police powers; the border guard acts on behalf of the police in some sparsely populated areas. All these should normally be in uniform. Private security staff such as nightclub bouncers should have a badge, vest or clearly visible band. There are several categories with different training and authorities. Count on them being authorised to throw you out, while you can ask for them to call the police if they want to search you. In some cases they are allowed to detain you until police arrives (or until the ship reaches a port) and search you to to be able to do so safely. They might use excess force if you resist or don't stay calm and reasonable yourself. In the case a police officer actually approaches you, staying calm and polite will help keep the situation on the level of discussion. They have the right to check your identity and your right to stay in the country. They might ask strange questions like where are you coming from, where are you heading next, where you stay or whether you have seen, met or know somebody. If you feel that some question could compromise your privacy, feel free to politely say so. Finnish police have wide powers for arrest and search, but they are unlikely to abuse them. If the situation deteriorates, however, they will probably take you in custody, with force if needed. Whatever happens, remember that Finland is one of the world's least corrupt countries. Suggestion of bribes will be met by astonishment or worse. If you get fined, payment on the spot is never expected or even possible. A "police" asking for money would be a dead giveaway that they aren't real police. Customs and the police are strict on drugs, including cannabis. Sniffer dogs are used in ports and airports and a positive marking will always result in a full search. Cannabis use is not generally tolerated among the population. Prostitution is not illegal and is mostly unregulated. However, there are no brothels, as pimping is illegal. It is also illegal to use the services of a prostitute who is a victim of human trafficking, a minor or otherwise unable to legally consent. The age of consent in other contexts is generally 16, but when somebody is coerced into sexual acts other factors come into play. ===Nature=== [[File:Kovddoskaisin huipulla.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|You don't want to get lost here! Some snow remaining in late July, 20 km to nearest village]] There are few serious health risks in Finland. Your primary enemy will be the '''[[Cold weather|cold]]''', especially in wintertime and at sea. Finland is a sparsely populated country and, if heading out into the wilderness, it is imperative that you register your travel plans with somebody who can inform rescue services if you fail to return. Always keep your mobile phone with you if you run into trouble. Dress warmly in layers and bring along a good pair of sunglasses in the snowy times to prevent '''[[Snow safety|snow blindness]]''', especially in the spring and if you plan to spend whole days outdoors. Always keep a map, a compass and preferably a GPS with you while trekking in the wilderness. Take extra precautions in Lapland, where it can be several days' hike to the nearest house or road. Weather can change rapidly, and even though the sun is shining now, you can have a medium sized blizzard on your hands (no joke!) an hour or two later. Although weather forecast generally are of good quality, there are circumstances where the weather is hard to predict, especially in regions with fells or islands. Also remember that many forecasts only cite day temperatures, while it often is 10–15°C (20–30°F) colder in the night and early morning. If out on the lakes and sea, remember that wind and water will cool you faster than cold air, and keeping dry means keeping warm. A person that falls into water close to freezing has to be saved quickly, and even in summer water will cool you pretty soon. If you jump into water, first check there isn't any half-submerged log to hit with your head. Safety in small boats: Don't drink alcohol, keep seated and wear a life vest at all times. If your boat capsizes – keep clothes on to stay warm and cling to the boat. Small boats are made to be unsinkable. In winter, lakes and the sea are [[ice safety|frozen]]. Walking, skating or even driving a car on the ice is commonly seen, but fatal accidents are not unheard of either, so ask and heed local advice. If the ice fails, it is difficult to get back out of the water, as the ice will be slippery. Ice picks are sold as safety equipment (a pair of steel needles with bright plastic grips, connected with a safety line). Stay calm, shout for help, break the ice in the direction you came from, get up, creep away and get indoors with no delay. Help from somebody with a rope, a long stick or any similar improvised aid might be needed (no use having both of you in the water). The most important poisonous insects in Finland are '''wasps''' (''ampiainen''/''geting''), '''hornets''' (''herhiläinen''/''bålgeting''), '''bees''' (''mehiläinen''/''bi'') and '''bumblebees''' (''kimalainen''/''humla''). Their stings can be painful, but are not dangerous, unless you receive many stings or a sting by the trachea (do not lure a wasp onto your sandwich!) or if you are extremely allergic to it. In late summer, wasps can become a nuisance, but otherwise these insects tend to leave people alone if not disturbed. There is only one type of poisonous snake in Finland, the '''European adder''' (Finnish: ''kyy'' or ''kyykäärme''/''huggorm''). Their bites are very rarely fatal (although dangerous to small children and allergic persons), but one should be careful in the summertime. If you are bitten by a snake, always get medical assistance; stay calm and call 112 to get advice. As for other [[dangerous animals|dangerous wildlife]], '''brown bears''' (''karhu''/''björn''), '''wolves''' (''susi''/''varg''), '''lynxes''' (''ilves''/''lo''), and '''wolverines''' (''ahma''/''järv'') occur across Finland, but you are lucky if you see any of these large carnivores! Talking with your company while in the forest should be enough to make them keep away, especially to avoid getting between a bear and her cubs. If you do see a bear, back off calmly. Also keep your distance to other wildlife, such as ''elk''. Bulls can become aggressive and charge at humans, as can cows defending their calves. The worst risk is however running into one [[Animal collisions|on the road]]. In Lapland, Northern Ostrobothnia, and Kainuu there is risk for '''reindeer''' collisions. They often linger peacefully on the road; if you see one reindeer anywhere near the road, reduce your speed immediately and understand there are more of them around. Always call 112 after a collision even if you did not get hurt, as the animal probably did. ===In case of emergency=== '''[https://112.fi/en/ 112]''' is the national phone number for all emergency services, '''including police and social services''', and it does not require an area code, regardless of what kind of phone you are using. The number works on any mobile phone, whether it is keylocked or not, and with or without a SIM card. If a cellphone challenges you with a PIN code, you can simply type in 112 as a PIN code – most phones will give a choice to call the number (or call without asking). The operator will answer in Finnish or Swedish, but your switching to English should be no problem. There is a 112 app, which will use your GPS to get your position when you use it to call the emergency services. The app knows also some related phone numbers. The updated version is available for android and iPhone in the respective app stores. Have it installed before you need it! It relies on mobile data, so is not reliable in some remote areas, and the GPS position is unreliable unless the GPS has been on for some time. But along the main roads, where you are most likely not to know your position, mobile coverage is good. For inquiries about poisons or toxins (from mushrooms, plants, medicine or other chemicals) call the national '''Toxin Information Office''' at [tel:+3589471977 +358 9 471-977]. Finns often have an "adder kit" (''kyypakkaus'', 50 mg hydrocortisone) at their cottages, although this is not enough by itself except perhaps for bee or wasp stings; with an adder bite, one should call 112 with no undue delay. The time for help to arrive can be quite long in sparsely populated areas (around an hour, more in extreme areas; in cities just minutes), so it makes sense to have basic first-aid supplies at hand when visiting cottages or the wilderness. First aid training is quite common, so amateur help may be available. In case of cardiac arrest, public defibrillators (Finnish: ''defibrillaattori'') are often available; still begin CPR immediately to the best of your ability, after telling someone to call 112. ==Stay healthy== {{infobox|Signs to watch out for (in Finnish and Swedish)| ; vaara, vaarallinen, fara, farlig : danger, dangerous ; sortumisvaara; rasrisk, rasfara : risk of collapse/landslide ; hengenvaara, livsfara : life threatening danger ; tulipalo, eldsvåda : fire ; kielletty, förbjuden, -et : prohibited ; pääsy kielletty, privat, tillträde förbjudet: no entry ; pysäköinti kielletty, parkering förbjuden : no parking ; hätäuloskäynti or hätäpoistumistie, nödutgång : emergency exit ; lääkäri, läkare : doctor ; poliisi, polis : police ; terveyskeskus, hälsocentral : municipal clinic ; sairaala, sjukhus : hospital ; apua! hjälp! : help! }} You're unlikely to have tummy troubles in Finland, since '''[[Water|tap water]]''' is always drinkable (and generally quite tasty as well), and hygiene standards in restaurants are strict. If you have any sort of allergies, many restaurants often display in the menu the most common ingredients that people typically are allergic to. Examples: (L) = Lactose free, (VL) = Low Lactose, (G) = Gluten free, if you are unsure just ask the waitress or restaurant staff. ===Pests=== [[File:Archipelago outside Mariehamn.JPG|thumbnail|Archipelago outside Mariehamn, Åland Islands]] The most dangerous pests are the '''[[Pests#Ticks|ticks]]''' (Finnish: ''puutiainen'' or colloquially ''punkki'', Swedish: ''fästing''), which may carry Lyme's disease (borreliosis) or tick-borne viral encephalitis (TBE). They are common in some areas, but can be encountered in most of the country, up to [[Simo]], and are active when the temperature climbs over +5°C. In high grass and shrubs putting your trousers in your socks is recommended, and you should check your body (or better: have your mate check it) when you return in the evening, ideally when they still creep around searching for a good spot. Borreliosis is easily treated if noticed the days after the bite (from local symptoms), while both are serious at later stages (with neurological ones). There are also a number of irritating insects, but if you are planning to stay in the centres of major cities, you are unlikely to encounter them. A serious nuisance in summer are '''[[mosquito]]es''' (''hyttynen'', ''mygga'', Sámi: ''čuoika''), hordes of which appear in summer &ndash; particularly in Lapland, where it and its colleagues are called ''räkkä''. There are also '''blackflies''' (''mäkärä'', ''knott'', ''muogir''), close relatives to mosquitoes, much smaller and also abundant in Lapland, and '''gadflies''' (''paarma'', ''broms''; common where there is cattle). The '''deer keds''' (''hirvikärpänen'', ''älgfluga''), appearing in late summer, seldom bite, but crawl around after losing its wings and are hard to get rid of. '''Wasps''' sometimes gather to share your outdoor snack. Don't eat them together with the ham and juice (making their sting dangerous), but take turns getting bites – they are fascinating, flying away with a big load of tiny ham cubes – or go away if you cannot stand them. Also '''bumblebees''' and '''bees''' may sting, but only as provoked. In autumn wasps are irritable and best let alone altogether. ===Air quality=== Air quality is mostly good in cities and excellent outside city centres, but in cities there may be problematic streets and problematic times. A few weeks in spring is the worst time in many cities, when the snow is gone and the streets are dry, but dust from the winter remains. Inversion occurs in some cities but is usually a minor problem. The meteorological institute monitors the [https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/air-quality air quality]. ===Healthcare=== Medicines are strictly regulated. Any non-trivial medications, such as antibiotics, require a prescription. Also most prescription-free pharmaceuticals have to be bought at pharmacies (or by special arrangements in remote areas). If bringing your own, have the original packaging and your prescription. Especially if you bought a drug without prescription, check the rules. Finnish '''healthcare is mostly public''', in particular intensive, advanced and emergency healthcare. Institutions most relevant to travellers are municipal mainly outpatient clinics (''terveyskeskus''/''hälsocentral''), (central) hospital with surgery (''(keskus)sairaala'', ''(cental)sjukhus''), and university hospitals (''yliopistollinen keskussairaala'', ''universitetscentralsjukhus''). There are fees, but they are significantly lower than costs. Dentist work outside this system and are mostly private. There are also '''private clinics''' (''lääkäriasema''/''läkarstation'' or ''lääkärikeskus''/''läkarcentral''), which often can schedule an appointment with less queuing, with more substantial fees (residents usually get reimbursements). If you are not an EU/EEA resident the difference in price may be less significant, as you'll pay the costs of public care yourself; check with your insurance company. The clinics may however have to refer the patient to a public hospital anyway, if advanced services are needed. The distinction between public and private care has been less clear in the last years, with some municipalities outsourcing part of the medical services (partly in response to a large controversial reform – say "sote" to get a deep sigh from anyone – a new incarnation of which has finally passed, to be in use from 2023). For '''emergencies''', call 112. '''Otherwise''' contact the ''terveyskeskus'' or a private clinic. Every municipality should have a 24/7 clinic, but it is sometimes in a nearby city, while the local clinic has limited hours where population is sparse. You can get advice over the phone. Visits to a doctor must usually be booked, while you may be able to see a nurse just walking in (ask over the phone). The time booking numbers often work by a nurse calling back (usually in an hour or so) after a machine has answered your call and given you a chance to specify what service you need. Just letting it talk until it hangs up may be enough to get the call registered. University and AMK '''students''' have access to basic health care arranged by the student unions, including dental care. See [[#Learn|Learn]] above. '''EU/EEA''' and Swiss citizens can access emergency and health services with their European Health Insurance Card, which means nominal fees for public healthcare in most cases (seeing a doctor usually €15–30, minors free, day surgery €100; some related costs can be reimbursed). '''Other foreigners''' are also given urgently needed treatment, but may have to pay all costs. See more information at [https://www.eu-healthcare.fi/ Contact Point for Cross-Border Healthcare]. ==Respect== {{infobox|Fishing Finnish style|It was a beautiful summer day, and Virtanen and Lahtinen were in a little rowboat in the middle of a lake, fishing. Two hours passed, both men sitting quietly, and then Lahtinen said "Nice weather today." Virtanen grunted and stared intently at his fishing rod.<br><br> Two more hours passed. Lahtinen said, "Gee, the fish aren't biting today." Virtanen shot back: "That's because you talk too much."<br><br> '''Drinking Finnish style'''<br><br> Virtanen and Lahtinen decided to go drinking at their lakeside cottage. For a couple hours, both men sat silently and emptied their bottles. After a few more hours, Lahtinen decided to break the ice: "Isn't it nice to have some quality time?" Virtanen glared at Lahtinen and answered: "Are we here to drink or talk?"}} Finns generally have a relaxed attitude towards manners and dressing up, and a visitor is unlikely to offend them by accident. Common sense is quite enough in most situations, but there are a couple of things that one should keep in mind: Finns are a famously '''taciturn''' people who have little time for small talk or social niceties, so don't expect to hear phrases like "thank you" or "you're welcome" too often. They usually go straight to business. The Finnish language lacks a specific word for "please" so Finns sometimes forget to use it when speaking English, with no intention to be rude. Also lacking in Finnish is the distinction between "he" and "she", which may lead to confusing errors. Loud speaking and loud laughing is not normal in Finland and may irritate some Finns. Occasional silence is considered a part of the conversation, not a sign of hostility or irritation. Notice that although the phrase ''mitä kuuluu'' translates to "how are you", it has a literal meaning in Finnish, i.e. a longer discussion is expected; it is not a part of the greeting as in English. All that said, Finns are generally helpful and polite, and glad to help confused tourists if asked. The lack of niceties has more to do with the fact that in Finnish culture, '''honesty''' is highly regarded; one should open one's mouth only to mean what one is about to say. Do not say "maybe later" when there is no later time to be expected. A visitor is unlikely to receive many compliments from Finns, but can be fairly sure that the compliments received are genuine. Another highly regarded virtue in Finland is '''punctuality'''. A visitor should apologise even for being a few minutes late. Being late for longer usually requires a short explanation. Ten minutes is usually considered the threshold between being "acceptably" late and very late. Some will leave arranged meeting points after fifteen minutes. With the advent of mobile phones, sending a text message even if you are only a few minutes late is nowadays a norm. Being late for a business meeting, even by one or two minutes, is considered rude. The standard greeting is a '''handshake''' (although avoided since a few years by healthcare personnel, and now by many, to avoid spreading a disease). Hugs are only exchanged between family members and close friends in some situations, kisses, even on the cheek, practically never. Touching is generally restricted to family members. The distance between strangers is ca. 1.2 m and between friends ca. 70 cm. If you are invited to a Finnish home, the only bad mistake visitors can make is not to '''remove their shoes'''. For much of the year, shoes will carry a lot of snow or mud. Therefore, it is customary to remove them, even during the summer. During the wet season you can ask to put your shoes somewhere to dry during your stay. Very formal occasions at private homes, such as baptisms (often conducted at home in Finland) or somebody's 50th birthday party, are exceptions to these rules. In the wintertime, this sometimes means that the guests bring separate clean shoes and put them on while leaving outdoor shoes in the hall. Bringing gifts such as pastry, wine, or flowers to the host is appreciated, but not required. In Finland, there is little in the way of a '''dress code'''. The general attire is casual and even in business meetings the attire is somewhat more relaxed than in some other countries, although sport clothing in a business meeting would still be bad form. Topless sunbathing is accepted but not very common on beaches in the summer, and thong bikinis have become fashionable in 2018. While going ''au naturel'' is common in saunas and even swimming by lake- or seaside cottages, Finns aren't big on nudism in itself, and there are very few dedicated [[nudism|nudist]] beaches. At normal public beaches swimwear is expected for anybody over 6 years old. Finns are highly '''egalitarian'''. Women participate in society, also in leading roles up to the Presidency. Equal respect is to be given to any gender, and there is little formal sex segregation. Social rank is not usually an important part of social code, thus a Dr. Roger Spencer is usually referred to as simply "Spencer", or even as "Roger" among co-workers, rather than "tohtori Spencer" or "herra Spencer", without meaning any disrespect. Finns are rather '''nationalistic'''. They are neither Swedes nor Russians, nor a mixture of the two. When travelling with '''public transport''', it is generally accepted to talk with your friends or ask for help, but only if you keep your voice down. No need to whisper, just don't shout or laugh too loud. It is of course appreciated if you give your seat to someone in need, but it is in no way a vital part of the culture today, and most Finns won't do that themselves. Sitting down by a stranger when there are still empty benches is unusual, as is starting a conversation with one; some will enjoy talking to you, but note any hints to the contrary. ==Connect== ===By snail mail=== [[File:Kaakkurinkulma 4 Oulu 20171205.jpg|thumb|Post kiosk: enter your codes at the console and a door to (or for) your parcel will open.]] Finland's [[Postal service|mail service]] is run by [http://www.posti.fi/english/index.html Posti], nowadays a state owned business concentrating on parcels; the delivery time of normal domestic letters has increased to four days. A stamp for a postcard or normal letter (max 50g domestic, max 20g abroad; as of 2020) costs €1.75. Most stamps are "no-value" (''ikimerkki'', ''fixvärdesmärke''), which means they are supposed to be valid indefinitely for a given service. Real post offices are all but extinct, with the services mostly handled by local businesses and automats. Stamps etc. can be got from these businesses or e.g. in book stores. The network of letterboxes is still adequate. There are '''Poste restante''' services in the cities, but often a better option is to get the post to some trusted address, e.g. your accommodation. '''[[Åland]]''' has its own mail service, with stamps of its own. ===By phone=== [[File:Telephone booth. The last stationary telephone, out of service, Helsinki..jpg|thumb|Not many of these left]] As you'd expect from Nokia's home country, mobile phones are ubiquitous in Finland. Modern 4G/5G networks blanket the country, although it's still possible to find wilderness areas with poor signal, typically in Lapland and the outer archipelago. The largest operators are '''[http://www.telia.fi Telia]''', '''[http://www.elisa.fi Elisa]''' (a Vodafone partner) and '''[http://www.dna.fi/ DNA]''''. Most locals use packages with data, messages and normal calls included in the monthly fee (from €20, as of 2020). Prepaid packages cost from about €5, including all the price as value. Ask at any convenience store for a list of prices and special offers. Finland has an exception to the EU roaming rules because of low domestic prices, so if you need to use the SIM abroad, check the fine print (EU roaming is usually free or cheap, but is treated separately and may not even be included). Also note prices for calling abroad (home) – you are typically referred to the internet, but might want to insist on the clerk finding the right page and translating if needed. For data (100 Mbit/s), you typically pay €1/day (days in use, even for a second, or days from activation) or €0.01/MB, for normal domestic calls €0.066/min (surcharge for service numbers often more), for SMS à €0.066 (as of 2020). 5G cards may cost a little more. If your card is an "all included" one, paid per day, reserve some leeway for calls not included (service and business numbers, foreign calls). The cards with value rather than days are usually valid for half a year, or a year from last top-up (of a minimum of €10). Public telephones are close to extinction in Finland, although a few can still be found at airports, major train/bus stations and the like. It is best to bring along a phone or buy one – a simple GSM model can cost less than €40 (be very clear about wanting a cheap, possibly used one: the shops might otherwise not suggest their cheapest options). Phones for sale are not locked to one operator, although there are deals where you lease a phone coupled to a 2-year plan. People are reluctant to lend their phones, even for a single call, as anyone is assumed to be carrying their own. The area codes (one or more digits following the +358) are prefixed by 0 when used without the country code, i.e. {{nowrap|+358 9 123-456}} (a land line number in Helsinki) can be dialled as {{nowrap|09 123 456}} ({{nowrap|123 456 from local land lines),}} and is often written {{nowrap|"(09) 123 456",}} sometimes {{nowrap|"+358 (0) 9 123 456".}} Mobile phone numbers – as other numbers without true area codes – are always written without the parenthesis: {{nowrap|"0400 123 456"}} for {{nowrap|+358 400-123-456.}} Mobile phone numbers usually start with 04x or 050 as in the example. If you have a local SIM, note that any service numbers, including the 020 numbers, may have an inflated operator's surcharge, and are usually not included in the "all included" packages. Numbers starting with 0800 or 116 are toll free with domestic phones. Numbers starting with 0700 are possibly expensive entertainment services. There is no guarantee that any service number is reasonably priced – e.g. Eniro number and timetable information is €6/min, with the price told in Finnish only – but prices should be indicated where the number is advertised; "pvm/mpm" or "lsa/lna" stands for your operator's surcharge, for landlines the price of a normal local call, for mobile phones often slightly more. Queuing may or may not be free. Service numbers usually start with 010, 020, 030, 060, 070 or 075 (here including the area code prefix 0) or 10 (without 0). There are also service numbers prefixed with a true area code (such as some taxi call centres). Some service numbers may be unavailable from abroad. The prefix for international calls (from local land lines) is 00, as in the rest of EU. Other prefixes (directing the call through a specific operator) may be available. Telephone numbers can be enquired from e.g. the service numbers {{nowrap|0200 16100,}} 020202, {{nowrap|0100 100,}} {{nowrap|0300 3000}} and 118, with hard to discover varying costs (often given per 10s instead of per minute), e.g. €1–2/call+€1–6/min with some combinations of operators, service and time of day. Having the service connect the call usually costs extra. For the moment (February 2021) e.g. {{nowrap|[http://www.16100.fi/numeropalvelu 0200 16100]}} costs €1.84/call+€2,5/min (€0.084/min+mpm during a connected call). Some services have a maximum cost of e.g. €24/call. All of the main carriers offer good roaming services, so using your foreign SIM card should not be an issue. However the costs can be rather impressive. The European Union has agreed on the abolishing of roaming charges; domestic calls with an EU SIM via an EU operator should cost as domestic calls in the country of origin (and likewise with SMS and data), but again, check the fine print as some operators have "fair use limits" or exceptions to the policy completely, allowing them to surcharge for roaming use. The Finnish operators have been granted an exception from this policy, although as of 2021, most have implemented surcharge-free roaming in some form. However, each provider's policy varies. Telia, for instance, only allows prepaid roaming in certain EU countries. Aside from the countries they operate in, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Greece, it will not work at all, even for an extra charge. Elisa has different rules depending on the package you buy and where you are going. DNA has a fair use limit on their plans that applies uniformly in all EU/EEA countries. In addition, even within Finland, if you are planning on going to Åland, be aware that you may need to switch on data roaming when using a SIM not purchased from Telia; Elisa and DNA have domestic roaming agreements with Ålcom, the local provider, instead of building their own networks there. This domestic roaming does not cost any extra and is available on any service package. ===By net=== Internet cafés are sparse on the ground in this country where everybody logs on at home and in the office, but nearly every '''public library''' in the country has computers with free Internet access, although you will often have to register for a time slot in advance or queue, unless there is Wi-Fi and you are using your own device. '''Wi-Fi hotspots''' are increasingly common: in cafés, public transport, marinas, what have you (often called "WLAN"). University staff and students from institutions in the [https://www.eduroam.org Eduroam] cooperation have access to that net on most campuses and at some other locations. '''Mobile phone networks''' are another option, either for your smartphone or for a 3G/4G dongle for your laptop. The dongles themselves (''mokkula'') are usually sold as part of a 24 months' subscription, so check how to get one if using this option. At least Elisa/Saunalahti and DNA offer a dongle with a prepaid subscription, likely a better alternative for most travellers. There are used ones to be bought on the net ([https://www.tori.fi tori.fi], [http://www.huuto.net huuto.net] etc.), with seemingly random prices. LTE (4G) networks cover most of the country. The mobile phone operators all offer SIM cards for prepaid Internet access (some tailored for that, some for all-round smartphone use – but check surcharges for incoming calls): [https://www.dna.fi/prepaid-english DNA], [https://elisa.fi/kauppa/puheliittymat/prepaid Elisa] and [https://www.telia.fi/kauppa/liittymat/prepaid Telia]. You can buy them as soon as you arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at the vending machine by baggage claim, or at R-kioskis, post offices and mobile phone stores around Finland. Remember that you can use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices. Prices start from under €10, with about €20–30 for thirty days (one month or individual calendar days) of unlimited use. As of 2021 also 5G coverage is available in major cities and urban areas. ==Cope== ===Electricity=== Finland has 230V 50Hz AC [[Electrical systems|electricity]] as standard. Modern installation use Schuko outlets (CEE 7/3, "type F"), used with Schuko plugs (grounded, max 16 A) or "Europlugs" (ungrounded, max 2.5 A, compatible with all outlets in continental Europe). Old installations (from before 1997) may use ungrounded outlets in most rooms (with Schuko in kitchen and bathroom). These accept also ungrounded type C plugs. A few three-phase outlets (such as at the distribution board and the garage wall) are common in new installations. Outlets dedicated for lamps use their own smaller 230V/50Hz plugs, in old installations just screw terminals. The lightbulbs themselves use 14 or 27 mm Edison screw connectors (with several other connectors used for special-use or non-lightbulb lamps). USB outlets can be found in some coaches and some solar powered cottages. Remote cottages may not have electricity at all. Electricity is mostly reliable, although rural areas with overhead lines may have outages of at worst a few days in connection with storms (when trees fall over the cables). ===Religion=== [[File: Lappi church 3.JPG|thumbnail|Most Finns are [[Christianity|Lutheran Christians]], however religion is usually not as important as in e.g. southern Europe and regular churchgoers are few. When visiting churches and cemeteries, a solemn mood is usually appropriate.]] The state churches of Finland are the Evangelic-Lutheran (often called just Lutheran) and the Orthodox, the former gathering more than 90% of the population until the 2000s. There is freedom of religion, and there are many recognised small religious communities, including a small Catholic church (16,000 members). The Lutheran state church is liberal and sober (quite different from the Evangelic churches in the USA). Most religious revival movements still work under its auspices, and where these are strong, the religious life can look somewhat different from that in the south. There are also several independent [[Christianity|Christian]] communities, such as the Pentecostal ones. The Orthodox Church of Finland was founded with official status equal to the Lutheran as Finland became part of the Russian Empire. It has remained small, with some 60,000 members today. On Finnish independence it changed to the Gregorian calender, and since 1923 it belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. As a reaction a separate Orthodox church was formed under the Moscow Patriarchate, gathering most of the Russian speaking. Today, there are many members with Russian background also in the Orthodox Church of Finland. The Islamic communities are mostly organised on a local level only. There is an Islamic community of Tatars, with background in the 19th century, while the other Islamic communities are formed by later immigrants, from the 1990s onwards. Also the Jewish communities originate in 19th century immigration from the Russian empire. ===Newspapers=== There are usually newspapers available in libraries for the public to read. In bigger towns these often include a few in foreign languages, including English. Foreign language newspapers are also on sale in some book stores and in some R kiosks. ===Radio=== Most stations are on analogue FM channels. The public broadcasting company YLE sends short [https://yle.fi/news news in English] 15:55 on Yle Radio 1 (87.9 or 90.9 FM) and 15:29 or 15:30 on Yle Mondo, the latter a multilingual channel aired only in the Helsinki region. There are programmes also in [https://svenska.yle.fi Swedish] (own channels), [https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/sapmi/ Sámi] (Northern, Inari and Skolt) and [https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/novosti/ Russian]. The programmes can be heard also by Internet ([https://arenan.yle.fi/audio/guide arenan.yle.fi/audio/guide] for today's radio programmes, add ?t=yyyy-mm-dd for a specific day), usually up to a month after they were aired. Yle also publishes written news. ===Contraception=== Condoms are widely available in supermarkets, convenience stores and elsewhere. Most other contraception methods (including contraceptive pills) require a prescription, which should be reasonably easy to get. Emergency contraceptive pills ("morning-after pills") are available from pharmacies without prescription (perhaps in person only). Abortion is allowed until the twelfth week (counted from last menstruation) for social as well as medical reasons. It usually requires the support of two doctors, but denial is more or less unheard of. Later abortion requires special circumstances (mostly medical reasons). ===Laundry=== Laundry is problematic. * Most households have a washing machine, so when staying in a normal flat or private house, you could ask and get to seize the chance. Some use common facilities in the basement, which may or may not be easily bookable. * Laundry services are expensive; usually clothes are paid per piece, also where there are per weight fees for sheets and the like. * Laundrettes are found at some campsites and bigger marinas, perhaps at hostels, and possibly in student housing areas, although not necessarily available for those not residing there. ===Toilets=== [[File:Rantapiha gamla toaletter 2019.jpg|thumb|Outhouse toilets at a public beach; if the hooks are off, they are probably occupied.]] [[Toilets]] are usually marked with "WC", image of rooster (and hen, if separate), pictograms for men and women (now sometimes also unisex pictograms) or the letters "M" (''miehet'', men) and "N" (''naiset'', women). Where there is more than one toilet, there is usually also an accessible/family toilet marked with a wheelchair pictogram, equipped for use with wheelchair, for changing nappies and for small children. A family room can also have its own pictogram. There should be toilet paper, sink and soap, some method for drying your hands, a waste basket for paper towels and often one with lid and pedal for used sanitary napkins. Bidet showers are nowadays common. At cottages without running water there are usually only outhouses of varying standard: at some summer cottages they are a sight, with carpet, lace curtains and a nice view, for wilderness huts and rest stops you might need to bring toilet paper and take care of hand washing on your own. Toilets in public buildings are free, while toilets in the street (quite rare), at bus stations, in shopping malls and the like usually require a suitable coin (€0.50–2). There are toilets for the customers in all restaurants and cafés, while others often can use them for a token fee – but it is more polite to become a real customer. At festivals there are usually free (and stinky) portable toilets. Also toilets at rest stops are sometimes in bad condition. ==Go next== * [[Russia]] to the east. <!--You will probably need a visa unless just visiting [[Vyborg]] or [[Saint Petersburg]] on a cruise, but even [[Moscow]] is just an overnight train away. There are tours and regular connections to some internationally less known destinations, such as [[Petrozavodsk]] (Finnish:''Petroskoi'')-->However, due to the Russian war on Ukraine, as of 2022 most transport options are suspended, and existing ones may be closed with short notice. * [[Sweden]], of which Finland was part for 650 years, is reachable by an overnight (or day) cruise, or overland from [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]]. * [[Estonia]], a couple of hours away from Helsinki. * [[Norway]]'s county of [[Finnmark]] and [[Troms]] can be accessed overland from [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]]. {{related|Finland_in_ten_days_by_car}} {{isPartOf|Nordic countries}} {{usablecountry}} {{geo|65|27|zoom=5}} bq688q5ysimwp90g3pqpi2u2ydqif0t 0 11888 4506519 4460160 2022-08-23T03:07:54Z Wdmtaj 2275013 /* Eat */ Added listing for Chuck's Seafood Restaurant - Item did not exits wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Fort Pierce banner.jpg}} '''Fort Pierce''' is a small city on the [[Treasure Coast]] of [[Florida]]. The city is most commonly referred to as "The Fort" in reference to the old fort on Indian River Drive. ==Understand== Fort Pierce is the oldest incorporated city in St. Lucie County, with a bustling and historic downtown area, close location to beaches on the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean by its extension to Hutchinson Island, and many famous celebrities visiting every summer at the Sunrise Theatre. Fort Pierce has a population of 43,601 by the 2013 US Census Estimate; Fort Pierce is also a part of the [[Port St. Lucie]] metropolitan area, or the [[Treasure Coast]], an area populated at almost 600,000. [[File:South Beach Park (Fort Pierce, Florida) 2.jpg|thumb|South Beach Park]] Fort Pierce is a small railroad city along [[Florida|Florida's]] east coast, being the location of a mid-sized rail yard with track rights owned by the Florida East Coast Railroad, with track all the way to Miami and Jacksonville, and South Central Florida Express, with track from the downtown yard to [[Clewiston]] and [[Sebring]]. FP is becoming more and more modernized, but slowly and steadily. Downtown is considered the hot-spot of the city due to its blossoming commercialism, amazing Spanish-colonial buildings, celebrities performing at the Sunrise Theatre, and an amazing Christmas display yearly at Avenues A and Orange. There's a lot of fun going on with the marina and many interesting shops on the thoroughfares of Orange Avenue and Avenue D. Fort Pierce is also a college town, home to the primary campus of Indian River State College and its public safety training complex. ==Get in== {{mapframe|27.455|-80.34|zoom=12}} ===By car=== Fort Pierce, like many cities has many major highways running through the city. Major highways include I-95, US-1, and Florida's Turnpike. By '''Interstate 95''', you can access Fort Pierce by: *'''Exit 126''' at Midway Road. Going west will take you to Okeechobee Road, which is what the locals call State Road 70. Going east will take you to the beach. *'''Exit 129''' at Okeechobee Road. There are many hotels and fast food restaurants near by. Going west will take you to Okeechobee and further to Bradenton. Going east will put you closer into the heart of downtown. *'''Exit 131''' at Orange Avenue. Going west will take you out to the "country" area of the city with many ranches. Going east will take you into downtown. *'''Exit 138''' at Indrio Road. Services are east of the exit. By '''Florida's Turnpike''', you can access Fort Pierce by: *'''Exit 152''' at SR 70, or Okeechobee Road. One special thing about the Okeechobee Road area between I-95 and the Turnpike is that it is considered to be a crossroads, where two highways are within a driving range of less than a mile. Businesses, from hotels to restaurants, are abundant in this State Road 70 corridor. Businesses along State Road 70 don't just exist at the cross roads, but also run along to US-1. '''US-1''' and '''A1A''' run through the heart of downtown, and A1A almost parallels US-1. A1A runs along the barrier islands of the east coast, from Miami to the Jacksonville area. The local name for A1A on Hutchinson Island South crossing onto US-1 is "Seaway Drive". ===By plane=== Fort Pierce is home to the St. Lucie County International, the local airport. Here, you can buy a plane to fly from place to place, due to no commercial flights. * {{listing | type=go | name=Treasure Coast International Airport | alt={{IATA|FPR}} St. Lucie County International Airport | url= | email= | address=3000 Curtis King Blvd | lat=27.495 | long=-80.368333 | directions= | phone=+1 772-462-1732 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7589731 | lastedit=2015-05-11 | content=The only airport serving the county. No commercial service yet, so bring your own plane. }} If you want to get in by a commercial flight, your best options are: * [[Orlando International Airport]] ({{IATA|MCO}}) is outside of the region, but is used to get into the region, serving almost all global US cities. * Melbourne International Airport ({{IATA|MLB}}) serves [[Atlanta]], [[Charlotte]], and [[Washington DC]] at Dulles. * Palm Beach International Airport ({{IATA|PBI}}) serving major airports from Boston to Dallas. ===By train=== There has been much talk and controversy about the Florida East Coast Railroad and Amtrak giving the [[Port St. Lucie]] area, possibly Fort Pierce, a train station that serves passengers. If these plans go through, they will be serving the Florida East Coast Railway on rails that have not been touched by the rumbling wheels of passenger trains since the mid-1900s. Also, there has been controversy of a high-speed rail project from [[Miami]] to [[Orlando]] with a station in [[West Palm Beach]]; a station may be placed in the PSL area as well to accommodate. The full plan is rebuilding a passenger line to re-connect the Treasure Coast and the Space Coast with the rest of the country, serving from Martin County to northern Brevard County. The closest stations to date are in [[Okeechobee]] and [[West Palm Beach]]. * {{listing | type=listing | name=West Palm Beach | alt= | url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&code=WPB | email= | address=209 South Tamarind Ave, West Palm Beach | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Ticket office, waiting room, and two different routes going two ways! }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Okeechobee | alt= | url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&code=OKE | email= | address=801 North Parrott Ave, Okeechobee | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Platform station with shelter. Only a stopping location, no ticket office yet. }} ===By bus=== * {{listing|type=go | name=Greyhound Lines | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(bus station) 7150 Okeechobee Rd | lat=27.4137 | long=-80.3979 | directions=Kings Highway and Okeechobee Road, north of the I-95/Florida Turnpike junction | phone=+1 775 461-3299 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM to 6:30PM and Su 7:30AM to 3:15PM | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content=They also have additional stops at a Shell Station on 1795 SW St Lucie West Rd in Port St Lucie and at a Sunoco Gas Station on 8418 20th St in Vero Beach. The gas stations stops do not sell tickets. }} * {{listing |type=go | name=Jet Set Express | alt= | url=https://www.miamiorlando.com/ | email= | address=(bus stop) Port St. Lucie-Fort Pierce Service Plaza | lat=27.30186 | long=-80.37284 | directions=MM 144 of the Florida Turnpike | phone=+1 407 649-4994 | tollfree= | hours=Venue at stop open 24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content=Bus between Miami-Dade and Orlando }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Red Coach | alt= | url=https://www.redcoachusa.com/ | email= | address=(bus stop) Port St. Lucie-Fort Pierce Service Plaza | lat=27.30189 | long=-80.37284 | directions=MM 144 of the Florida Turnpike, north of Crosstown Pkwy Jct | phone=+1 321 604-7188 | tollfree=+1 877-733-0724 | hours=Venue at stop open 24/7 | price= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content= }} ==Get around== ===By car=== In Fort Pierce, the roads are the easiest way to get around. Major roads lead to the highways, and Downtown Fort Pierce can tend to get crowded at any time of day, but you can take in the view of the Spanish-colonial style buildings as you drive through Downtown. ===By bus=== The cities of Fort Pierce, [[Port St. Lucie]], [[Jensen Beach]], and now [[Vero Beach]] are all served by bus through the [http://www.treasurecoastconnector.com/ Treasure Coast Connector]. Service extends from 43rd Street SW in Vero Beach to Avenue D in Fort Pierce via the northern routes, and from St. Lucie West in [[Port St. Lucie]] to the Treasure Coast Square Mall in [[Jensen Beach]]. *'''Route 1''' takes you from the Treasure Coast Square Mall in Jensen Beach through [[Port St. Lucie]] to the city hospital, the civic center, and the Prima Vista Crossings shopping center, ending in Fort Pierce at the Intermodal Transit Facility. *'''Route 2''' runs a loop from the Intermodal Facility to the airport and the Taylor Creek Commons. *'''Route 3''' takes you through southern Fort Pierce along Okeechobee Road to the Intermodal Facility. *'''Route 7''' is a loop route from the Intermodal Facility through Lakewood Park via 25th Street and Kings Highway to [[Vero Beach]] and the Taylor Creek Commons. *'''Route 8''' runs along 25th Street and Airoso Blvd., from the Intermodal Facility to the Port St. Lucie Community Center. There is only one transfer point in Fort Pierce: the Intermodal Facility on Avenue D for Routes 1, 2, 3, and 7; for Indian River County transfers, there is a stop at IRSC on Route 3 and South Point Plaza on Route 7. ===By boat=== Fort Pierce is a city built on the water, and it is no coincidence that using a boat is one of the easiest ways to get around the city. Fort Pierce may not have many navigable canals like neighboring Port St. Lucie, but most of Fort Pierce is a waterfront city. The city boundaries extend to the Atlantic Ocean. Downtown is a mostly waterfront area, with many restaurants and businesses on the water. * {{go | name=Fort Pierce City Marina | alt= | url=https://cityoffortpierce.com/165/City-Marina | email= | address=1 Marina Way | lat=27.4503 | long=-80.3216 | directions= | phone=+1 772 464-1245 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-06-23 | content=The primary marina in Fort Pierce. }} ==See== [[File:SunriseTheater.jpg|thumbnail|The Sunrise Theatre in the heart of downtown]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Arcade Building | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=27.4469 | long=-80.3269 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4785068 | lastedit=2020-06-19 | content=At one time, the largest commercial building in the city, and was a big part of the redevelopment and renovation of the city and its downtown. }} [[File:Ft Pierce FL Avalon SP beach02.jpg|thumb|Beach at Avalon State Park]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Avalon State Park | alt= | url=https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Avalon | email= | address=State Road A1A North, North Hutchinson Island | lat=27.538500 | long=-80.316559 | directions=Four miles north of Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, via Highway A1A and the North Causeway. | phone=+1-772 468-4007 | tollfree= | hours=8AM to sundown | price=$2 | wikidata=Q4827601 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Boston House | alt= | url= | email= | address=239 S. Indian River Dr | lat=27.4456 | long=-80.3236 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4947937 | content=An unusual mixture of Neo-classical and Georgian architecture. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Fort Pierce Inlet State Park | alt= | url=https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Pierce-Inlet | email= | address=905 Shorewinds Dr | lat=27.485302 | long=-80.303208 | directions=Four miles east of Fort Pierce, via North Causeway | phone=+1-772 468-3985 | tollfree= | hours=8AM to sundown | price=$6 | wikidata=Q5471830 | content=A popular fishing destination and home to the infamous Jetty Lounge, home of the original Treasure Coast RumRunner. }} * {{see | name=Heathcote Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=https://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/ | email= | address=210 Savannah Rd | lat=27.418278 | long=-80.324 | directions= | phone=+1 772 464-4672 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$8 adults; $6 seniors; $3 children 6-12; young children free. Members and veterans free | wikipedia=Heathcote Botanical Gardens | wikidata=Q5693628 | content= }} * {{see | name=Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | alt= | url=http://www.fau.edu/hboi/ | email= | address=5600 N US-1 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 772 242-2400 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5654568 | content=Run by Florida Atlantic University. }} * {{see | name=Manatee Observation and Education Center | alt= | url=http://www.manateecenter.com/ | email= | address=480 N Indian River Drive | lat=27.4518 | long=-80.3233 | directions= | phone=+1 772 466-1600 | tollfree= | hours=Closed Monday; Tue-Sat: 12-5; Sun: 12-4 | price=$1 | content=Learn about manatees and the fragile ecosystems of the Treasure Coast at the Manatee Center. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Navy UDT-SEAL Museum | alt= | url=http://www.navysealmuseum.com/ | email= | address=3300 N Highway A1A | lat=27.4952 | long=-80.3003 | directions= | phone=+1 772 595-5845 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM; Su noon-4PM; closed on Mondays, Easter, 4th of July, Christmas Eve and Day, New Years Eve and Day | price=Adults (13 and older): $10; Children (6-12): $5; Free for kids under 6 | wikipedia=National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum | wikidata=Q6974563 | lastedit=2015-06-11 | content=The Navy Seal Museum has exhibits, the history of the SEALS, and scuba adventures for the brave ones. }} * {{see | name=Old Fort Park | alt= | url=http://www.cityoffortpierce.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Old-Fort-Park-19 | email= | address=800 S Indian River Dr | lat=27.4364 | long=-80.3206 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7084033 | content=The site of a popular natural spring in Native American and colonial times, hence showing evidence of both pre-Columbian and Spanish settlement. The fort was built during the Seminole Wars and stationed by officer William T. Sherman, who later served as one of the most successful Union generals in the [[American Civil War]]. The burial mound found on-site is a reminder of the once-vast lands and importance of the Ais people, which at their peak extended as far north as [[Cape Canaveral]]. }} * {{see | name=Old Fort Pierce City Hall | alt= | url=http://www.cityoffortpierce.com/210/Old-City-Hall | email= | address=315 Avenue A | lat=27.447778 | long=-80.326389 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Old Fort Pierce City Hall | wikidata=Q7084032 | content=The former site of city hall was built in 1925 and was used for almost 60 years before the local government's relocation. It was restored in 1995 and added to the National Register in 2001. }} ==Do== You can go boating in the Fort Pierce Inlet or stroll along the beach and catch a tan. The historic downtown contains outstanding "Spanish-colonial revival"-style buildings, and in downtown you can catch a performance at Sunrise Theatre. * {{listing | type=do | name=A. E. Backus Gallery and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.backusgallery.com/ | email= | address=500 N Indian River Drive | lat=27.4524 | long=-80.3241 | directions= | phone=+1 772 465-0630 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa 10AM-4PM; Su noon-4PM | price= | wikidata=Q4647709 | content=This museum houses the greatest paintings of A. E. "Beanie" Backus and the Florida Highwaymen. }} * {{do | name=Pineapple Playhouse | alt= | url=http://www.pineappleplayhouse.com | email= | address=700 W. Weatherbee Road | lat=27.383 | long=-80.3326 | directions= | phone=+1 772 465-0366 | tollfree= | hours=Th-Sa 8PM evenings, 2PM Sun. matinee | price=$18 for adults, $10 for students, $15 per group ticket | content=Founded in 1973, the St. Lucie Community Theatre performed all across the county until settling down at the Pineapple Playhouse at the border of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie. Many plays are put on from September to May each year, so grab a ticket while you have a chance! }} *{{listing | type=do | name=St. Lucie County Aquarium featuring the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit | alt= | url=http://www.sms.si.edu/smee | email= | address=420 Seaway Drive | lat=27.46065 | long=-80.31431 | directions= | phone=+1 772-462-3474 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM | price=$3-4 | wikipedia=St. Lucie County Aquarium | wikidata=Q28451057 | content=Visitors can explore six different Florida marine habitats and learn about the complexity and importance of marine ecosystems. The largest aquarium is a model of a Caribbean coral reef. Other displays include living models of seagrass, mangrove, estuarine and nearshore habitats, as well as a deepwater Oculina coral reef. There are several smaller aquarium displays and a touch tank for you to meet local sea creatures. Feeding Frenzy tours daily at 10:30AM and Snack Time tours daily at 2:30PM. Behind-the-Scenes tour Saturday at 2PM. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Sunrise Theatre | alt= | url=http://www.sunrisetheatre.com | email= | address=117 South Second Street | lat=27.446111 | long=-80.323889 | directions=US-1 to Citrus Avenue, over the bridge and the third exit of the roundabout| phone=+1 772 461-4884 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sunrise Theatre | wikidata=Q7641133 | content=This Mediterranean Revival style theater has hosted many big names, such as Ringo Starr and Pat Benatar. Tickets can be bought at the box office if one plans to take in a show, be it comedy, jazz, or rock. }} ==Buy== Fort Pierce's shopping economy is built on mostly fishing, as well as commercial "big-wig" names in retail, even some small businesses carrying big names. Not what you'd expect, but it gives you the right tools to enjoy one of the greatest activities on the Treasure Coast. * {{buy | name=Galleria of Downtown | alt= | url=https://www.galleriaofpierceharbor.com/ | email= | address=100 S 2nd Street | lat=27.4475 | long=-80.3238 | directions= | phone=+1 772 801-5729 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-05-20 | content=Small shopping mall in the historic downtown. }} *'''Bealls''' stores are commonplace in Florida, and the only Bealls in the city limits is at the Sabal Palm Plaza. Bealls carries large names in fashion and clothing and they mainly sell in South Florida. The Arcade Building in Downtown at one time was the largest commercial building in St. Lucie County. There aren't many stores in the Arcade; however, it is making a comeback with some small restaurants and boutiques, and lots of spaces are still for rent. ==Eat== [[File:Farmers Market in Fort Pierce Florida 4.jpg|thumb|Farmers' market in Fort Pierce]] * {{eat | name=2nd Street Bistro Tap House and Eatery | alt= | url=http://www.2ndstreetbistro.com | email=2ndstreetbistro122@gmail.com | address=122 N 2nd Street | lat=27.4482 | long=-80.3241 | directions= | phone=+1 772 293 9191 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 11AM-11PM | price= | lastedit=2018-02-27 | content=Historical 1929 building, with antique memorabilia throughout, outdoor deck and bar with 50 local draft and craft beers on tap. Fresh local food made daily. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with kitchen open late on Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday and Sunday it's open at 10AM serving Bloody Mary Bar and Bottomless Mimosas along with brunch. }} * {{eat | name=12A Buoy | alt= | url=http://www.12abuoy.com/ | email= | address=22 Fishermans Wharf | lat=27.456187 | long=-80.324661 | directions= | phone=+1 772 672-4524 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-10PM, closed on Tuesdays | price= | lastedit=2015-05-10 | content=A local seafood restaurant, the 12A Buoy is a favorite amongst the residents as well as its visitors. Try the Lobster Mac'n'Cheese, their marvelous Key Lime Pie, and the Tuna and Scallops dinner. Enjoy pure Floridian seafood while sitting near the riverfront. }} * {{eat | name=Cobb's Landing | alt= | url=http://cobbs-landing.com/ | email= | address=200 N Indian River Drive | lat=27.4492 | long=-80.3232 | directions=downtown | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th 11AM-10PM; F Sa 11AM-11PM | price= | lastedit=2015-05-10 | content=A local favorite place to get a bite to eat. Have a drink at the Mojito Bar, with the recommended drink being the Pineapple Mojito. }} * {{eat | name=Hurricane Grill and Wings | alt= | url=http://www.hurricanewings.com | email= | address=2017 Seaway Drive | lat=27.4693 | long=-80.2915 | directions=Easy access from US-1 | phone=+1 772 467-9464 | tollfree= | hours=11AM-10PM | price= | lastedit=2015-06-02 | content=Hurricane Grill and Wings is a national chain born on the Treasure Coast in Fort Pierce. Wings served in many sauces of your choice. There are many menu items to serve a variety of tastes. }} * {{eat | name=Joy's Ice Cream Plus | alt= | url= | email= | address=4959 US-1 | lat=27.37549 | long=-80.32816 | directions=In Towne South Plaza on US-1 | phone=+1 772 461-5544 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM; Su noon-9PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-10 | content=Family owned ice cream shop, a local favorite. }} * {{eat | name=Phatz | alt= | url=https://www.phatzchicken.com/ | email= | address=412 US-1 | lat=27.45147 | long=-80.32697 | directions= | phone=+1 772 882 4838 | tollfree= | hours=Closed Sundays, M-Th 10:30AM-9PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM | price= | lastedit=2021-01-03 | content=Wings, tenders, and soul food. }} * {{eat | name=Chuck's Seafood Restaurant | alt=Chuck's | url=http://chucks-seafood.com/ | email=chucksseafood822@gmail.com | address=822 Seaway Dr. Fort Pierce, FL 34949 | lat=27.462480 | long=-80.309120 | directions=A1A to Hutchinson Island | phone=(772) 461-9484 | tollfree= | hours=1:00pm to 10:00 pm Weekends, 3:00pm to 9:00pm Weekdays, Closed Mondays. | price=$20 and up | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Iconic Seafood Restaurant in business for over 60 years. Indoor and outdoor bar on the beach with live music Spectacular Seafood dishes and great staff! }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Archie's Seabreeze | alt=Archie's | url=https://www.archiesftpierce.com/ | email= | address=401 South Ocean Drive | lat=27.4652 | long=-80.2902 | directions= | phone=+1 772 460-3888 | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM | price= | lastedit=2020-07-29 | content=Bar and grill on Hutchinson Island. }} * {{drink | name=Boozgeois Saloon | alt= | url= | email= | address=720 U.S.1 | lat=27.4399 | long=-80.3257 | directions= | phone=+1 772 466-4255 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-05-18 | content=This cocktail bar and liquor store has a tremendous selection of any liquor you would enjoy. A small business considered a favorite among the locals. }} ==Sleep== A majority of hotels in Fort Pierce are at the "crossroads" of the city, such named because the Turnpike and I-95 are closest by distance here. It gives you a chance to change your traveled highway if your plans call for such. * {{listing | type=sleep | name=At Home Inn | alt= | url=https://www.athomeinns.com/ftpierce-home | email= | address=7025 Okeechobee Road | lat=27.41167 | long=-80.39570 | directions=On a side road behind the McDonald's | phone=+1 772 577-6237 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2020-07-29 | content=Free Wifi, heated pool, and BBQ area. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Comfort Suites | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/fort-pierce/comfort-suites-hotels/fl733?source=gyxt | email= | address=6505 Metal Drive | lat=27.4125 | long=-80.3913 | directions=Exit west from I-95/east from Turnpike. Turn on Crossroads Pkwy going south and | phone=+1 772 409-1420 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=noon | price=Starting at $80/night | lastedit=2016-07-12 | content=Part of Choice Hotels. A smoke-free hotel with a hot breakfast every morning and an outdoor pool. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Fairfield Inn & Suites | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mlbfp-fairfield-inn-and-suites-fort-pierce/ | email= | address=6502 Metal Drive | lat=27.41263 | long=-80.39046 | directions= | phone=+1 772-462-2900 | tollfree= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price=$85/night | lastedit=2020-07-29 | content=Rooms and suites with microwave, work desk, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free parking, free breakfast, pool and fitness center. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hampton Inn & Suites Ft. Pierce | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ftphshx-hampton-suites-ft-pierce/ | email= | address=1985 Reynolds Dr | lat=27.4119 | long=-80.3925 | directions= | phone=+1 772 828-4100 | tollfree= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price=$87/night | lastedit=2020-07-29 | content=Free breakfast every morning, outdoor temperature-controlled pool, fitness center, and free WiFi. All rooms are non-smoking. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Pierce West | alt= | url=http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/fort-pierce/fprtp/hoteldetail | email= | address=7151 Okeechobee Road | lat=27.41082 | long=-80.39767 | directions=East of Turnpike, West of I-95 | phone=+1 772 464-5000 | tollfree= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=$110/night | lastedit=2016-07-12 | content=This hotel gives travelers free in-room WiFi, free breakfast every morning, an outdoor heated pool, and a fitness center. }} * {{sleep | name=Hutchinson Island Plaza Hotel and Suites | alt= | url=https://www.hutchinsonplazahotel.com/ | email= | address=1230 Seaway Dr | lat=27.4670 | long=-80.3009 | directions=Hutchinson Island | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2020-08-12 | content=Hotel on Hutchinson Island offering great views of the inlet. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.fl.fort-pierce.9371.html | email= | address=2500 Peters Road | lat=27.4199 | long=-80.3899 | directions=near Interstate 95 | phone=+1 772 461-9937 | tollfree= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price=$59.99/night | lastedit=2020-07-29 | content=Pet friendly, with modest prices. Coin laundry, free WiFi, ADA accessible rooms, and an outdoor pool. }} ==Connect== The area code for Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and the Treasure Coast is 772. There are many post offices in the area, but POs in the city limits are located on Orange Avenue and Midway Road, depending on where you stay. * {{listing | name=United States Post Office | alt= | url=http://www.usps.com | email= | address=1717 Orange Avenue; 5000 W Midway Road | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Closed Sundays; M-F 8:30AM-5PM; Sa 10AM-1PM at Orange Ave location | price= | content= }} ==Stay safe== Fort Pierce may be an interesting city, but there is one area (numbered streets and lettered avenues) that is considered a "ghetto" or a "hood", where crime is abundant, and there has been at least one shooting a year. Exercise caution when in that area, and keep your windows up when driving, particularly at night. ==Go next== *[[Port St. Lucie]] - Bordering city much larger than Fort Pierce, spring training home of the New York Mets. *[[Vero Beach]] - Original spring training home of the Dodgers before moving to [[Arizona]]. *[[Jensen Beach]] - Charming small town with easy access to the Indian River. *[[Melbourne (Florida)|Melbourne]] - Home to some great surfing spots along the Atlantic; one of the closest cities to Kennedy Space Center. *[[Orlando]] - the theme park capital of the world, only 2 hours north on the Turnpike. *[[Stuart]] - Great boating spot on the St. Lucie River, hailed as "the sailfish capital of the world". *[[West Palm Beach]] - A bustling town further south; home to many local festivals and weekly events in the downtown area. {{routebox | image1=I-95.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Daytona Beach]] | minorl1=[[Vero Beach]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[West Palm Beach]] | minorr1=[[Port St. Lucie]] | image2=Florida's Turnpike shield.png | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Orlando]] | minorl2=[[Kissimmee]] ← Jct [[Lake Wales|W]] [[File:Florida 60.svg|18px]] [[Vero Beach|E]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[West Palm Beach]] | minorr2=[[Port St. Lucie]] | image3=US 1.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Daytona Beach]] | minorl3=[[Vero Beach]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[West Palm Beach]] | minorr3=[[Port St. Lucie]] | image4=Florida A1A.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=N | majorl4=[[Daytona Beach]] | minorl4=[[Vero Beach]] | directionr4=S | majorr4=[[West Palm Beach]] | minorr4=[[Jensen Beach]] | image5=Florida 70.svg | imagesize5=22 | directionl5=W | majorl5=[[Bradenton]] | minorl5=[[Okeechobee]] | directionr5=E | majorr5=END | minorr5= }} {{geo|27.438889|-80.335556}} {{IsPartOf|Treasure Coast}} {{guidecity}} 4r7qnm2gnmy9kv48wxzysi5ab6goe1r 0 12020 4506626 4475083 2022-08-23T06:07:24Z Rosspotter 2274401 fix link wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Fraser valley (British Columbia) banner.jpg|caption=Farms and the Fraser River near Agassiz, BC}} '''The Fraser Valley''' is an agricultural region of the [[Lower Mainland]] of [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. It is gradually being transformed into suburbs of [[Vancouver]]. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]]|wikidata=Q1805330}} — the birthplace of British Columbia stretches from the Fraser River south to the US border in the south and is home to a wealth of parks, wineries, agriculture and historical sites. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} — a major regional town with a significant commercial airport, and a hub of agriculture. [[File:Pitt Lake bog and dike.jpg|right|thumb|Pitt Lake bog and dike]] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Pitt Meadows]]|wikidata=Q1369892}} has a small regional airport and sits at the confluence of the Fraser and Pitt Rivers. Pitt River drains Pitt Lake, the only fresh-water tidal body in the world. It is a destination for boating and fishing, with a few small resorts on the lake and the option to do an overnight canoe trip up Widgeon Creek. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Maple Ridge]]|wikidata=Q16740}} hosts the only Lower Mainland location for Wild Play *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]]|wikidata=Q557643}} — home to a Catholic Mission that can be toured *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chilliwack]]|wikidata=Q983026}} — where the Fraser River emerges from the mountains *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]]|wikidata=Q3195268}} — largely rural area along the north shore of the Fraser River *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Harrison Hot Springs]]|wikidata=Q1586275}} — a pretty vacation area next to the mountains *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} — gateway to British Columbia's interior and the eastern end of the Fraser Valley ==Other destinations== [[File:Golden Ears Provincial Park (49297806787).jpg|right|thumb| Golden Ears Provincial Park]] * '''Cultus Lake''' near [[Chilliwack]] *{{marker|name=Lindell Beach|wikidata=}} — on Cultus Lake * '''Chilliwack Lake''' * {{marker|name=Golden Ears Provincial Park|wikidata=Q1534860}} — a rugged park set amid the Coast Mountains, used for hiking, horseback riding, camping, and boating ==Understand== The [[Fraser Valley]] has lush fertile farmland, which contributes a large portion of the local produce. The Fraser is also the world's greatest salmon producing river, and a focus for the region's economy, transportation and culture. The towns of [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], and [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] are transforming from agricultural to suburb. [[Abbotsford]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] remain closer to their agricultural roots, but are also transforming. ==Get in== ==== By plane ==== * [[Abbotsford#By plane|Abbotsford International Airport]] offers flights to some Canadian destinations and some international destinations. * [[Vancouver International Airport]] is further, but is the main airport serving the region with far more flight options. * [[Bellingham (Washington)#By plane|Bellingham International Airport]] offers some flights in the [[United States of America]] ==== By bus ==== * {{listing|name=Adventure Charters|alt=|url=https://www.adventurecharters.ca/|email=info@adventurecharters.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 250-305-2251|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week bus service between [[Prince George]] and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]] with stops in [[Quesnel]], [[Williams Lake]], [[100 Mile House]], Clinton, [[Cache Creek]], [[Lytton]], [[Boston_Bar_(British_Columbia)|Boston Bar]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Abbotsford]].}} * {{go|name=Ebus|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1 877-769-3287|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Travels daily between [[Kamloops]] and Vancouver, and [[Kelowna]] and Vancouver on two separate routes. Both routes have stops in [[Merritt]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]].}} * {{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week service between [[Kaslo]] and [[Vancouver]] with stops in [[Ainsworth_Hot_Springs-Balfour|Balfour]], [[Nelson_(British_Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Castlegar]], [[Christina Lake]], [[Grand_Forks_(British_Columbia)|Grand Forks]], [[Greenwood (British Columbia)|Greenwood]], Rock Creek, [[Osoyoos]], [[Keremeos]], [[Princeton_(British_Columbia)|Princeton]], [[Manning Provincial Park]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Langley_(British_Columbia)|Langley]], and [[New Westminster]]. This service provider also offers a weekly route between Kalso and [[Calgary]] via Nelson.}} * {{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], and [[Winnipeg]].}} ==== By public transit ==== * {{listing|name=BC Transit (Central Fraser Valley Transit System)|alt=|url=https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/home|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-604-854-3232|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-27|content=Offers a route between [[Burnaby]] and [[Chilliwack]] with stops in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] and [[Abbotsford]]. The route primarily travels along Highway 1.}} Also operates a route between Abbotsford and Langley. * {{listing|name=TransLink|alt=|url=https://www.translink.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-604-953-3333|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-27|content=The main public transit network in the Vancouver area, including: [[Bowen Island]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Lions_Bay-Britannia_Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[New Westminster]], [[North Vancouver]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], Vancouver, [[West Vancouver]], and [[White Rock]]. Its network includes buses, SkyTrain (rail rapid transit), SeaBus (ferries), West Coast Express (commuter rail), and HandyDART (door-to-door shared-ride service for those who cannot ride public transit without assistance).}} Operates West Coast Express operates during weekdays along the north side of the Fraser River between Vancouver and [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]]. ==Get around== A rental car or other means such as a bicycle are needed to access more rural areas of this region or if unwilling to wait for buses, each which run every half hour or less frequently. === By public transit === * [https://www.bctransit.com/ '''BC Transit'''] operates bus services within and connecting [[Abbotsford]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], and [[Chilliwack]]. Transit service from Chilliwack to [[Kent (British Columbia)|Agassiz]], [[Harrison Hot Springs]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] are available, but infrequent. Transit connections with the Metro Vancouver's TransLink network are available throughout the day via Langley. * {{listing|name=TransLink|alt=|url=https://www.translink.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-604-953-3333|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-27|content=Is the public transit service bus service provider for destinations within Langley.}} ==See== [[File:2018 05 27d Fort Langley 12 (41960083175).jpg|right|thumb|Fort Langley]] '''Fort Langley National Historic Site''' of Canada in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] helps to tell the story of local fur trade and agricultural pursuits, as well as the colonization story and the ongoing history of the area. The '''Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival''' is held in [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]] on the third weekend of each November to view the third largest gathering of bald eagles in North America. The '''Greater Vancouver Zoo''' in Langley is a mid-sized zoo with lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras, hippos and monkeys. The '''[[Abbotsford]] International Air Show''' is held the second weekend in August. Flight demonstrations primarily by Canadian and US craft. ==Do== '''Golden Ears Provincial Park''' near Mission and the '''Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park''' have plenty of easy to moderate hiking trails. Golden Ears is a major camping and recreation destination for Vancouverites, and has a day-use area for swimming and boating. ===Wine tasting=== Though it isn't quite the viniculture hotbed that the [[Okanagan]] is, there are a number of wineries in the Fraser Valley. See Domaine de Chaberton Estate, which started it all, and Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, Glenugie Winery, and Blackwood Lane Vineyards & Winery in [[Langley (British Columbia)#Do|Langley]]; The Fort Wine Company in historic [[Fort Langley#Do|Fort Langley]]; Blossom Winery (famous for ice wine and fruit wines) and Sanduz Estate Wines in [[Richmond (British Columbia)#Do|Richmond]]; River's Bend Winery in [[Surrey (British Columbia)#Do|Surrey]]; Lotusland Vineyards in [[Abbotsford#Do|Abbotsford]]; Blue Heron Winery in [[Pitt Meadows#Do|Pitt Meadows]]; and Kermode Wild Berry Winery in [[Dewdney]]; Westham Island Estate Winery and Wellbrook Winery in [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]]; and St. Urban Winery in [[Chilliwack]]. Look for the handy '''Wine Map''' from [https://winebc.com/discover-bc-wine-country/fraser-valley/ Wines of British Columbia]. Consider visiting only three to five wineries in a day, to give yourself time to enjoy the visit, available at most of these wineries. Many wineries will limit you to only three to five wine samples in one visit. Some may charge you a couple of dollars for the tasting, which might be waived if you purchase some wine. ===Pottery=== The [https://fraservalleypottersguild.com Fraser Valley Potters Guild] has a handy brochure listing area potters open to tours. Try Simpson Pottery in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Aldergrove]]; Venema Pottery in [[Abbotsford]]; [http://www.rainforestpottery.com/ Rainforest Pottery], Schellenberg Pottery, and Driediger Pottery in [[Yarrow]]; [http://www.greendalepottery.com/ Greendale Pottery] in [[Chilliwack]]; and The Back Porch in [[Agassiz]]. A further list of potters are open by appointment. Call the studios to confirm they will be open. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{Usableregion}} {{geo|49.240|-122.092|zoom=11}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} c6kxtykzt0gcuognzsc7vn4m0do0lsc 0 12094 4506222 4453691 2022-08-22T12:59:36Z 103.176.224.31 /* Vowels */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | French phrasebook banner Sign in Geneva.jpg | caption=Sign in Geneva asking nightly bar patrons not to disturb people who sleep|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Map-Francophone World.svg|thumb|500px|French speaking areas]] '''French''' (''français'') is a Romance language, and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world: 277 million people speak French, including about 100 million native speakers. While the French language originated in [[France]], in modern times it is spoken on every continent; it is an official language of 29 countries, an important business, cultural, or minority language in dozens of other countries and regions, and is used officially by scores of international organisations including the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Olympic Committee. French was the main international lingua franca well into the 20th century, and at one point, French was the language spoken in most of the royal courts of Europe. To this day, it remains ''de rigueur'' for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. [[File:Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation).svg|thumb|500px|Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation)]] French is the sole official language of France, including all of its overseas departments and territories, and is the only language you will need to communicate with French nationals. Beyond France, French is widely spoken in many nearby countries in Europe, including the southern half of [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]] and [[Brussels]]), western [[Switzerland]], [[Monaco]], [[Luxembourg]], and the [[Aosta Valley]] of northwestern [[Italy]]. A significant number of second-language speakers are also found on most of the [[Channel Islands]] ([[Jersey]], [[Guernsey]], and [[Sark]], where dialects of Norman extremely similar to French persist), and in the tiny Pyrenean country of [[Andorra]]. In the Americas, French is spoken primarily in the Canadian provinces of [[Quebec]], [[New Brunswick]], the northern and eastern parts of [[Ontario]] and around the Winnipeg area of [[Manitoba]]. Indeed, [[Canada]] is an officially bilingual nation and there are Francophone enclaves in almost every province, though outside of the four provinces mentioned, it's quite rare to encounter anyone in Canada who speaks more than a few words of French without hunting down off-the-beaten-track French-speaking communities. French is also spoken in a few parts of the [[United States]], namely parts of [[Louisiana]] and northern [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Vermont]]. In the Caribbean, French is an official language of [[Haiti]], a former colonial possession of France. The Americas also host the French departments of [[Martinique]], [[Guadeloupe]], and [[French Guiana]], plus the overseas collectivities of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]], [[Saint Barthélemy]], and the northern half of [[Saint Martin]]. Elsewhere, French is an official language of many former French and Belgian colonies in Africa, like [[Cameroon]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and the [[Republic of the Congo]], and is unofficial but carries prestige in others, namely [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]], and [[Morocco]]. It is an important administrative, educational, and cultural language in the former French Southeast Asian possessions of [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]]. In the Indian Ocean, [[Réunion]] and [[Mayotte]] are French overseas departments, while French is also an official language in [[Mauritius]] and the [[Seychelles]]. In Oceania, [[New Caledonia]], [[French Polynesia]], and [[Wallis and Futuna]] remain overseas territories of France, and French is also one of the official languages of [[Vanuatu]]. The French Wikivoyage has a [[:fr:Francophonie|page]] that can help you locate French-speaking regions. ==Grammar== [[File:Institut de France - Académie française et pont des Arts.jpg|thumb|300px|Like Spanish and German, but unlike English, the French language is governed by an official regulator - ''L'Académie française''. Headquartered in Paris (shown here), the Académie issues guidance and recommendations on good French, and its occasional spelling reforms are often controversial.]] ===Gender and its complications=== French nouns are divided into two different '''genders''': masculine and feminine. Unlike in English, all inanimate objects have a gender assigned to them: for example, ''pain'' (bread) is masculine, while ''confiture'' (jam) is feminine. The grammatical gender of nouns denoting persons generally follows the person's natural sex; for instance, ''mère'' (mother) is feminine, while ''père'' (father) is masculine. However, some nouns are always of the same gender regardless of the natural gender of the person they are referring to: ''personne'' is always feminine even if the person in question is a man. It is not always easy to tell at a glance which gender a noun is but, in general, if it ends in a consonant, or by the letter combinations ''-age'', ''-au'', ''-é'', ''-ège'', ''ème'', or ''-isme'' / ''-iste'', or is a foreign (particularly English) loanword, it's likely to be masculine. On the other hand, if a noun ends in ''-ace'', ''-ance'' / ''-ence'', ''-ée'', ''-elle'' / ''-erre'' / ''-esse'' / ''-ette'', ''-ie'', ''-ice'', ''-ine'', ''-ise'', ''-que'', or ''-tion / sion'', it's probably feminine. There are plenty of exceptions, however! The singular '''definite article''' ("the" in English) of each noun depends on its gender: ''le'' (m), ''la'' (f) or ''l’'' (before all singular nouns starting with a vowel and some starting with "h", regardless of gender). The plural definite article for both genders is ''les''. Thus: * le garçon – the boy → les garçons – the boys * la fille – the girl → les filles – the girls * l'homme – the man → les hommes – the men The singular '''indefinite article''' ("a" and "an" in English) also corresponds to the noun's gender: ''un'' for masculine and ''une'' for feminine. Unlike English, French has a plural indefinite article – ''des'', which works for both genders – and three '''partitive articles''' – ''du'' (m), ''de la'' (f), and ''de l’'' (before vowels and some instances of the letter "h"), which precede uncountable nouns. Thus: * un homme – a man → des hommes – men * une femme – a woman → des femmes – women * du vin – wine * de la confiture – jam * de l'eau – water Similarly, the '''third person pronouns''' also depend on the grammatical gender of the subject: ''il'' (m – he or it) or ''elle'' (f – she or it), with ''ils'' and ''elles'' respectively being the masculine and feminine plurals (they). When there are groups of mixed-gender people or objects, ''ils'' is always used. ===Formal and informal speech=== In French, there are two equivalents of the English word '''"you"'''. When addressing one person you know well such as a family member or a friend, plus any time you speak to one child or one animal, the word to use will be ''tu''. In '''''all''''' other situations, including when addressing a group of people regardless of who they are, the word to use will be ''vous''. This means that in practice, as a traveller and novice French speaker, most of the time you will be using ''vous''. It is important to know the distinction, as while addressing a pet dog with the ''vous'' form might just raise a chuckle, using ''tu'' with somebody you've just met is inappropriate and may offend the person whom you are addressing. After initially using the ''vous'' form, a person may say to you ''"On peut se tutoyer"''; this is a polite invitation for you to use the ''tu'' form with them. The default '''title''' used when addressing a man is ''monsieur'', while a woman would be addressed as ''madame''. ''Mademoiselle'' was traditionally used to address young, unmarried women, but this is now controversial and arguably sexist, so unless the other person tells you otherwise, it is best to default to ''madame''. The respective plurals are ''messieurs'' and ''mesdames'', so the French equivalent of "ladies and gentlemen" is "''mesdames et messieurs''", though often in speech this is rendered as "''messieurs-dames''". ===Verbs=== In a manner similar to many other Romance languages, French '''verbs''' all end in either ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' in their infinitive forms, for example ''écouter'' (to listen), ''finir'' (to finish), and ''vendre'' (to sell). Verbs in French '''conjugate''' differently according to tense, mood, aspect and voice. This means that there are many more possible conjugations for French verbs than English verbs, and learning how to conjugate each verb in different scenarios can be a challenge for English speakers. Fortunately for you, the vast majority of verbs follow a regular conjugation pattern. Here are three examples of regular verbs conjugated in the present tense, which can be used as a model for all other present-tense regular verbs. For the regular conjugations, remove the ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' ending from the infinitive and add the letters in bold from the table below: {| class="wikitable" |+ !regular<br>''-er'' verb example: ÉCOUTER !to listen !regular<br>''-ir'' verb example: FINIR !to finish !regular<br>''-re'' verb example: VENDRE !to sell |- |j'écout'''e''' |I listen |je fin'''is''' |I finish |je vend'''s''' |I sell |- |tu écout'''es''' |you listen (informal) |tu fin'''is''' |you finish (informal) |tu vend'''s''' |you sell (informal) |- |il écout'''e''' elle écout'''e''' |he listens / it listens (masculine inanimate) she listens / it listens (feminine inanimate) |il fin'''it''' elle fin'''it''' |he finishes / it finishes (masculine inanimate) she finishes / it finishes (feminine inanimate) |il vend elle vend |he sells / it sells (masculine inanimate) she sells / it sells (feminine inanimate) |- |on écout'''e''' |one listens we listen |on fin'''it''' |one finishes we finish |on vend |one sells we sell |- |nous écout'''ons''' |we listen |nous fin'''issons''' |we finish |nous vend'''ons''' |we sell |- |vous écout'''ez''' |you listen (formal / plural) |vous fin'''issez''' |you finish (formal / plural) |vous vend'''ez''' |you sell (formal / plural) |- |ils écout'''ent''' elles écout'''ent''' |they listen |ils fin'''issent''' elles fin'''issent''' |they finish |ils vend'''ent''' elles vend'''ent''' |they sell |- |} Some verbs are '''irregular''', meaning that they use different roots when conjugated. The good news is that irregular verbs are very much in the minority. The bad news is that nearly all of the most useful everyday verbs are irregular; you will have to learn their conjugations individually if you wish to use them effectively: ''aller'' (to go), ''venir'' (to come), ''voir'' (to see), ''faire'' (to do), ''acheter'' (to buy), ''manger'' (to eat), ''boire'' (to drink), ''sortir'' (to go out), ''dormir'' (to sleep), ''pouvoir'' (to be able to), and ''vouloir'' (to want). The worst of these are probably ''être'' (to be) and ''avoir'' (to have), by far the most common verbs for everyday communication. Here are the present tense conjugations of each; you'll notice the entire word changes for each form of the verb: [[Image:Eclairs at Fauchon in Paris.jpg|thumb|300px|If you hate grammar, just think of éclairs. ''Éclair'', by the way, is a masculine noun.]] {| class="wikitable" |+ !AVOIR !to have !ÊTRE !to be |- |j''''ai''' |I have |je '''suis''' |I am |- |tu '''as''' |you have (informal) |tu '''es''' |you are (informal) |- |il '''a''' elle '''a''' |he has / it has (masculine inanimate) she has / it has (feminine inanimate) |il '''est''' elle '''est''' |he is / it is (masculine inanimate) she is / it is (feminine inanimate) |- |on '''a''' |one has we have |on '''est''' |one is we are |- |nous '''avons''' |we have |nous '''sommes''' |we are |- |vous '''avez''' |you have (formal / plural) |vous '''êtes''' |you are (formal / plural) |- |ils '''ont''' elles '''ont''' |they have |ils '''sont''' elles '''sont''' |they are |} ==Pronunciation== [[File:Moliere-statue.jpg|thumb|300px|French is often called the "language of Molière". The Parisian playwright is celebrated in stone on the city hall of his hometown.]] French spelling is '''not very phonetic'''. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. The good news, though, is that French generally has more regular pronunciation rules than English. This means that with sufficient practice, one can generally pronounce written French fairly accurately. However, the large number of homophones and silent letters make it such that attempting to write down spoken French often results in spelling mistakes, even for native speakers. Some rules are as follows: * '''Stress''' is fairly even in French, but the stress almost always falls on the last syllable. In words where the stress falls on an earlier syllable, it's not uncommon to hear the last syllable or sound of some words cut off or "swallowed." For example, ''Possible'' can sound like ''poss-EEB'' and ''hymne'' can sound like ''eem''. This is particularly noticeable in Quebec, but exists in other accents too. * The '''final consonant''' of a word is usually silent except for c, f, l, q, and r. Thus, ''allez'' (go) is pronounced ''al-AY'', not ''al-AYZ''; ''tard'' (late) is pronounced ''tar'', not ''tard''. * If the next word begins with a vowel, a consonant may be pronounced; this is called '''''liaison'''''. For example, ''allez-y'' (≈ go ahead / off you go), is pronounced ''al-ay-ZEE'', while ''mes amis'' (my friends) is pronounced ''MEZ-ah-MEE'' . * A '''final e''' is also usually silent if the word has more than one syllable, except in parts of southern France and when singing or reciting poetry, when it can appear as a schwa or é sound (see [[#Vowels|below]]). Guess what? Those pronunciation "rules" you just read have a ton of '''exceptions'''! For example, the rule that a final r is pronounced is not true in the combination "-er", normally found in verb infinitives; this letter combination is pronounced ''ay''. The plural ending "-ent" for verbs is silent (except for the t, in cases of liaison), even though it is pronounced when it appears in other words. Sometimes, whether to pronounce the final consonant of a word is denoted by its grammatical function; for example, the final "s" in ''tous'' (all) is silent when used as an adjective, but pronounced when used as a pronoun, while the final "f" in nouns such as ''cerf'' (deer) and ''œuf'' (egg) is pronounced in the singular form, but in the plural form (''cerfs'', ''œufs'') the "f" and the "s" are both silent. A final warning: for many French words, it is impossible to write something which an English speaker can easily read and reproduce without compromising on "perfect" French pronunciation. This means that '''the pronunciation guides in this very phrasebook are open to interpretation!''' Use the transliteration provided with each phrase as a guide to ''liaison'', but refer to the following letter lists in order to correctly pronounce the vowels and consonants. ===Vowels=== Vowels in French can have '''accent marks''', which generally have no noticeable impact on pronunciation, but they often distinguish between homophones in writing (''ou'', meaning "or", and ''où'', meaning "where", are pronounced the same). The only really important ones which affect pronunciation are é, è, and ê, which are called ''e accent aigu'', ''e accent grave'', and ''e accent circonflexe'', respectively. The grave and circumflex accents have the same name when they appear on other letters, while the umlaut (ë, ï, ü) is called ''e / i / u tréma''. ; a, à, â : like f'''a'''ther (U.S. English) or c'''a'''t (UK English); {{IPA|a}}. In Quebec French, sometimes more like "aw" as in the standard UK pronunciation of n'''o'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; e : in most cases a central neutral vowel ("schwa") like in '''a'''bout {{IPA|ə}}, sometimes like "é" or "è". At the end of a word, it's usually not pronounced at all ; é, ai, -er, -es, -ez, -et : similar to d'''ay''' but shorter {{IPA|e}} ; è, ê : more open, like s'''e'''t {{IPA|ɛ}}. Sometimes diphthongised in Quebec French {{IPA|ɛɪ̯}} ; i, î : like s'''ee''', but shorter and tenser {{IPA|i}} ; o, ô, au, eau : generally like b'''oa'''t {{IPA|o}} ; u, ù : like a very tight, frontal "oo" sound (purse your lips as if to say "oo" as in "soon" but try to make your tongue say "ee") - {{IPA|y}}, ''uu'' in transcriptions, similar to the German ü. Sometimes pronounced more like "eu" in Quebec French ; ou : like f'''oo'''d, but rounder {{IPA|u}} ; y : when followed by a consonant, like s'''ee''' {{IPA|i}}. When followed by another vowel, it's used as a consonant, pronounced '''y'''es {{IPA|j}} ; eu : between d'''ew''' and b'''u'''rp {{IPA|ø}}; written as ''eu'' in transcriptions [[Image:Ouagadougou place nations unies.JPG|thumb|300px|Like many ex-colonial placenames, '''[[Ouagadougou]]''' mixes French spelling convention with African words]] Road 0:56 ===Semi-vowels=== ; oi : like '''wha'''m {{IPA|wa}}, or when followed by a nasal more like '''we'''t {{IPA|wɛ̃}}. In Quebec French, sometimes like th'''ough'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; oui : like '''wee'''k {{IPA|wi}} ; ui : like '''wee'''k, but with a French u instead of the w {{IPA|ɥi}} ; œ : a bit like ''eu'', but more open {{IPA|œ}}. The distinction between ''œ'' (called ''o e entrelacés'') and ''eu'' is very subtle and often irrelevant. ===Consonants=== ; b : {{pron|b|b}} ; c : {{pron|k|c|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|s̪|c|notes=before "e", "i", and "y"}} ; ç : like the second pronunciation of ''c''. This letter, called a "cedilla" (''cédille''), can only be written before "a" ,"o", or "u" ; ch : {{pron|ʃ|ch}}; sometimes like k (in words of Greek origin mostly) ; d : {{pron|d̪|d}}. In Quebec, like "dz" or "ds" when before "i" or "y" ; dj : {{pron|d͡ʒ|dj}} ; f : {{pron|f|f}} ; g : {{pron|ɡ|g|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|ʒ|g|notes=before "e", "i" and "y"}} ; gu : like the first pronunciation of g (before "e", "i", "y"); if the u is to be pronounced, it will be written with a diaresis (e.g. ''aigüe'') ; gn : {{pron|ɲ|gn}}. This is particularly difficult when followed by '''oi''', as in '''baignoire''' (''beh-NYWAR'') "bathtub". ; h : silent, but may sometimes prevent a ''liaison'' with the former word (this is called an ''h aspiré'') ; j : like the second pronunciation of g ; k : {{pron|k|k|notes=only used for loanwords, but common in Alsatian and Breton placenames}} ; l, ll : {{pron|l|l}}; some exceptions for "ll" in the combination "ille" (sometimes pronounced ee-yuh, {{IPA|j|noparen=y}}), or in "guillotine". ; m : {{pron|m|m}} ; n: pronounced with the tongue touching the teeth {{IPA|n̪}}, except when followed by a vowel, when it is pronounced like '''n'''ose {{IPA|n}}. See [[#Nasals|Nasals]] below}} ; p : {{pron|p|p}} ; ph : like f ; pn : like a'''pn'''ea {{IPA|pn}} ; ps: like sli'''ps''' {{IPA|ps}} ; q(u) : most of the time k, like '''qu'''ick only in loanwords ; r : guttural r, pronounced at the back of the throat {{IPA|ʁ}} ; s : usually like the second pronunciation of c; like ''z'' when between two vowels (unless doubled), or in a liaison ; t, th : {{pron|t̪|t}}; in Quebec, {{pron|t͡s|t}} when before "i" or "y"; like the second pronunciation of c in ''tion'' ; tch : {{pron|t͡ʃ|tch}} ; v : {{pron|v|v}} ; w : only in foreign words, mostly {{pron|w|w}} and sometimes like v (in particular, "wagon" is "vagon" and "WC" is "VC"!) ; x : either ks, gz or s ; z : {{pron|z̪|z}} [[File:Home Alone House.jpg|thumb|300px|Remember the scene in the movie ''Home Alone'' where Kevin's sister mockingly told him "you're what the French call ''les incompétents''"? Even though grammar Nazis might deduct points for addressing a singular subject in the plural, any phonicist will tell you she got the sound of the French nasal vowel pretty much down pat.]] ===Nasals=== ; an, en, em : nasal a {{IPA|ɑ̃}}. Not always pronounced as a nasal, especially if the n or m is doubled: ''emmental'' is pronounced as a normal "emm" sound ; on : nasal o {{IPA|ɔ̃}} - distinguishing between this and "an" is tricky, it's a deeper, more closed sound ; in, ain : nasal è {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; un : nasal eu {{IPA|œ̃}}. In northern France and particularly around Paris, pronounced the same as 'in' {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; oin : nasal "wè" {{IPA|wɛ̃}} ===Diphthongs=== ; aï, ail : like the English pronoun '''I''' {{IPA|aj}} ; ay, éi : ''é'' and ''i'' smooshed together {{IPA|ɛ.i}} ; ill : either literally, or like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (''ville'' is ''veel'', ''fille'' is ''fiy'') Quebec French sometimes has vestigial diphthongs where French from France no longer does. For example, while a Parisian would pronounce the word ''maître'' as ''MET-ruh'', a Québécois would pronounce it more like ''MIGHT-ruh''. ===Exceptions=== * When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: ''réunion'' (meeting). * A diaeresis (''tréma'') may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: ''maïs'' (Indian corn or maize). * In the combination "geo" (as in ''pigeon'' or ''bourgeois''), the "e" should not be pronounced, as it is only there to force the pronunciation of the soft "g" {{IPA|ʒ}}. When the e is marked with an acute accent (as in ''géologie'') it is pronounced the normal way. ==International varieties of French== [[Image:Guadeloupe creole 2010-03-30.JPG|thumb|300px|"Levez le pied, il y a des enfants qui jouent ici !" - Lift your foot [off the gas pedal], there are children playing here! (Guadeloupe Creole)]] For its size, [[France]] is quite a linguistically-diverse country. Aside from languages which are very clearly separate from French (e.g. [[Basque]] and [[Breton]]), there is a whole slew of local ''parlers'' (e.g. Angevin, Lorrain, Norman, Picard, Savoyard...) which are just similar enough to standard French that, depending on whom you ask, they can be considered either separate languages in their own right, or simply dialects (''patois'') of the mother tongue. These local languages/dialects also influence the accents of standard French within their region, from the strange vowels and increased nasalisation of the far north to the 'singing' accents of the deep south. The varieties of French which are spoken in Belgium and Switzerland differ slightly from the French spoken in France, though they are similar enough to be mutually intelligible. In particular, the numbering system in French-speaking [[Belgium]] and [[Switzerland]] has some slight peculiarities that are different from the French spoken in France, and the pronunciation of some words is slightly different. Nevertheless, all French-speaking Belgians and Swiss would have learned standard French in school, so they would be able to understand you even if you used the standard French numbering system. Aside from Europe and Canada (see below), many French-speaking regions have incorporated the words of local languages, and on occasion have formed distinctive dialects or languages known as '''creoles'''. French-based creoles today enjoy wide use and often official status in the [[Seychelles]], [[Mauritius]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Haiti]] (see [[Haitian Creole phrasebook|Haitian creole]]), [[Réunion]], and the French overseas territories in the Antilles. A dialect of French known as [[Louisiana]] French or Cajun, which is similar to the Acadian French spoken in parts of New Brunswick, and a distinct French-based creole known as Louisiana Creole are both still spoken by some residents in the southern U.S. state, while parts of [[New England]] near the Canadian border are home to speakers of a dialect known as New England French, which bears many similarities to Québécois. ===Canada=== {{see also|Quebec#Talk}} There are many phonological and lexical differences between the French spoken in Quebec and that spoken in France. Quebec has retained many 18th- & 19th-century French words, while in France the language has moved on, as well as incorporating many English words in the modern era. On the other side, Québécois borrowed English terms from their Anglophone neighbours as early as the 19th century, but the onset of the "Quiet Revolution" and the Quebec sovereignty movement in the 1960s led to laws that strictly limited the usage and influence of English in the public sphere, with the result that, etymologically speaking, Quebec French is in many ways more purely "French" than that spoken in France. For instance, the [[Fast food in the United States and Canada#Chicken|fast-food restaurant chain founded by Colonel Sanders]] is known in both the United States and France as "Kentucky Fried Chicken" or KFC for short, but in Quebec it was known as ''Poulet Frit Kentucky'' (PFK) until the last outlet closed in 2019. Some examples of everyday words which differ between Québécois and standard French: {| class="wikitable" |+ !English !France !Quebec !Notes |- |car |voiture/auto |char |In France, ''un char'' is 'a tank'. ''Voiture'' and ''auto'' are feminine; ''char'' is masculine. |- |car park |parking |stationnement | |- |to park (a car) |garer |parker | |- |to drive |conduire |chauffer |In France, ''chauffer'' means 'to heat' |- |stop (on a road sign) |stop |arrêt | |- |pavement/sidewalk |trottoir |cotteur | |- |washing machine |machine à laver |laveuse | |- |breakfast, lunch, dinner |petit déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner |déjeuner, dîner, souper |Belgium and Switzerland use the same terms as Quebec |- |shopping |shopping/courses |magasinage | |- |bicycle |vélo |bicyclette |''vélo'' is masculine; ''bicyclette'' is feminine |- |weekend |week-end |fin de semaine |''week-end'' is masculine; ''fin de semaine'' is feminine <br> In France, ''fin de semaine'' refers to the end of the working week (typically Thursday-Friday). |- |toothpaste |dentifrice |pâte à dents |Canadian toothpaste packaging still says ''dentifrice'' |- |email |e-mail/mail |courriel |Use of ''courriel'', short for ''courrier électronique'' (electronic mail), is recommended by the ''Académie française'', but this is all but ignored in France |} Each of Canada's other provinces has a Francophone population, who are not Québécois. Some of these groups have been settled for hundreds of years. Another distinct dialect of French, known as Acadian French, is spoken commonly in parts of [[New Brunswick]], with smaller populations in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Many of these people were expelled by the British during the French and Indian War, and settled in [[Louisiana]], where they would later become known as the Cajuns. Nevertheless, all Francophone Canadians, including Québécois, learn standard French in school, and most of the differences between the two varieties are limited to informal speech. This means that while you may not understand conversation among locals, they will be able to converse with you in standard French if required. [[Image:Arrêt - Stop Sign, Montreal, Canada (28389217345).jpg|thumb|right|300px|Stop sign in Montreal]] ==Phrase list== ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Ouvert (''oo-VAIR'') ; CLOSED : Fermé (''FEHR-may'') ; OPENING HOURS : Horaires d'ouverture (''Oh-RAIR doo-VAIR-tuur'') ; ENTRANCE : Entrée (''AHN-tray'') ; EXIT : Sortie (''sor-TEE'') ; PUSH : Poussez (''POO-say'') ; PULL : Tirez (''TEE-ray'') ; TOILET : Toilettes (''twah-LET'') ; MEN : Hommes (''om'') ; WOMEN : Femmes (''fam'') ; DISABLED : Handicapés (''on-dee-KAP-ay'') ; EMERGENCY EXIT : Sortie de secours (''sor-TEE duh suh-COOR'') ; FORBIDDEN : Interdit, Défendu (''ehn-tair-DEE, day-fahn-DUU'') ; NO PARKING : Stationnement interdit, Défense de stationner (''STAH-syonn-mon an-tair-DEE, day-FAHNS duh STAH-syonn-ay'') ; YIELD / GIVE WAY : Cédez le passage (''SAY-day luh pah-SAHZH'') ; STOP : Stop (''stop'') / Arrêt (''Ah-RAY'')}} ; Hello. (formal): Bonjour. (''bawn-ZHOOR'') (in the day) / Bonsoir. (''bawn-SWAHR'') (at night) ; Hello. (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; How are you? (formal) : Comment allez-vous ? (''koh-moh t-AH-lay VOO'') ; How are you? (informal) : Comment vas-tu ? (''koh-mahng va TUU''); Comment ça va ? (''koh-moh sah VAH'') ; Fine, thank you. : Bien, merci. (''byang, merr-SEE'') ; What is your name? : Comment vous appelez-vous ? (''koh-moh vooz AHP-lay VOO?''); lit. "How do you call yourself?" ; What is your name? (informal) : Comment t'appelles-tu ? (''koh-moh tah-pell TOO?'') ; My name is ______ . : Je m'appelle ______ . (''zhuh mah-PELL _____'') ; Nice to meet you. : Enchanté(e). (''ahn-shan-TAY'') ; Please. (formal) : S'il vous plaît. (''seel voo PLEH''); Je vous prie. (''zhuh voo PREE'') ; Please. (informal) : S'il te plaît. (''seel tuh PLEH'') ; Thank you. : Merci. (''merr-SEE'') ; You're welcome. : De rien. (''duh RYEHNG''); Je vous en prie. (''zhuh voo-zahn PREE'') (more polite) ; Yes. : Oui. (''WEE'') ; No. : Non. (''NOH'') ; Excuse me. : Pardon. (''pahr-DOHN''); Excusez-moi. (''ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH'') ; (I am) Sorry. : (Je suis) Désolé(e). (''zhuh swee DAY-zoh-LAY''); Je m'excuse. (''zhuh mehk-SKEWZ'') ; Goodbye : Au revoir. (''oh ruh-VWAHR'') ; Goodbye (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; I can't speak French [well]. : Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (''zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byang] frahn-SEH '') ; Do you speak English? :Parlez-vous anglais ? (''par-lay VOO ahng-LEH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'')/ Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ee yah-TEEL kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR'') ; Look out! : Attention ! (''ah-tahn-SYONG'') ; Good day / good morning : Bonjour (''bong̠-ZHOO(R)'') ; Have a nice day: Bonne journée (''bon zhoor-NAY'') ; Good evening. : Bonsoir. (''bong-SWAHR'') ; Good night. (at the end of an evening) : Bonne soirée (''bon swahr-RAY'') ; Good night. (when going to bed) : Bonne nuit. (''bon NWEE'') ; Sweet dreams : Faites de beaux rêves (''FEHT duh bo REV'') ; I don't understand. : Je ne comprends pas. (''zhuh nuh KOHM-prahn pah'') ; I don't know. : Je ne sais pas. (''zhuh nuh say pah'') ; I can't. : Je ne peux (pas). (''zhuh nuh puh pah'') ; Where is the toilet? : Où sont les toilettes ? (''OOH sohn leh twah-LET?'') ; What is it? : Qu'est-ce que c'est ? (''KES-kuh-SAY'') ; How do you say _____ in French / in English? : Comment dit-on _____ en français / en anglais ? (''koh-moh dee-TONG _____ ahn frahn-SEH / ahn ahng-LEH ?'') ; What is this/that called? :Comment appelle-t-on ça ? (''koh-moh ah-pell-TONG SAH?'') ; How is that spelt? : Comment ça s'écrit ? (''koh-moh sah SAY-cree?'') ===Problems=== ; Leave me alone. :Laissez-moi tranquille ! (''lay-say mwah trahn-KEEL!'') ; Buzz off. : Dégage ! (''day-GAHZH!'') / Va-t'en ! (''va TAHN'') ; Don't touch me! : Ne me touchez pas ! (''nuh muh TOOSH-ay PAH!'') ; I'm calling the police. : Je vais appeler la police. (''zhuh VAYZ a-pell-AY la poh-LEES'') ; Police! : Police ! (''poh-LEES'') ; Stop! Thief! : Arrêtez ! Au voleur ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vo-LEUR!'') ; Stop! Rapist! : Arrêtez ! Au viol ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vee-YOL!'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR!'') ; Fire! : Au feu ! (''oh FEUH!'') ; Help me, please!. : Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît ! (''aih-day MWAH, SEEL voo PLEH!'') ; It's an emergency. : C'est urgent ! (''seh toor-ZHAHN'') ; I'm lost. : Je me suis perdu(e). (''ZHUH muh swee pehr-DUU'') ; I've lost my bag. : J'ai perdu mon sac. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon SAK'') ; I've lost my wallet. :J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon POHR-tuh-fuhye'') ; My things have been stolen. : On m'a volé mes affaires. (''o(n) ma vo-LAY may-zaf-FAIR'') ; Someone / This man / This woman is harassing me : Quelqu'un / Cet homme / Cette femme me harcèle (''kel-ku(n) / set om / set fam muh ar-SELL'') ; I'm sick. : Je suis malade. (''zhuh swee mah-LAHD'') ; I've been injured. : Je me suis blessé. (''zhuh muh swee bleh-SAY'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Je me suis fait mordre par un chien. (''zhuh muh swee fay MOR-druh par u(n) shee-AH(N)'') ; I need a doctor. : J'ai besoin d'un médecin. (''zhay buh-ZWAHN duun may-TSAN'') ; Can I use your phone? : Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone ? (''PWEEZH oo-tee-lee-ZAY vot-ruh tay-lay-FUN'') ; Call an ambulance. :Appelez une ambulance. (''ah-puh-lay uun OM-boo-lo(n)ss'') ; Call the fire brigade. :Appelez les pompiers. (''ah-puh-lay lay pom-PEE-ay'') ; Call the police. :Appelez la police. (''ah-puh-lay la poh-LEES'') ; Call the coastguard. :Appelez les gardes-côtes. (''ah-puh-lay lay garde cot'') ===Numbers=== [[File:Reunion BrasDeLaPlaine.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Réunion]]]] Unlike English, French uses the long scale, so ''un billion'' and ''un trillion'' are not the same as the English "one billion" and "one trillion". ; 0 : zéro (''zairro'') ; 1 : un/une (''uhn'')/(''uun'') ; 2 : deux (''deu'') ; 3 : trois (''trwah'') ; 4 : quatre (''kahtr'') ; 5 :cinq (''sank'') ; 6 : six (''sees'') ; 7 : sept (''set'') ; 8 : huit (''weet'') ; 9 : neuf (''neuf'') ; 10 : dix (''deece'') ; 11 : onze (''onz'') ; 12 : douze (''dooz'') ; 13 : treize (''trayz'') ; 14 : quatorze (''kat-ORZ'') ; 15 : quinze (''kihnz'') ; 16 : seize (''says'') ; 17 : dix-sept (''dee-SET'') ; 18 : dix-huit (''dee-ZWEET'') ; 19 : dix-neuf (''deez-NUF'') ; 20 : vingt (''vihnt'') ; 21 : vingt-et-un (''vihng-tay-UHN'') ; 22 : vingt-deux (''vihn-teu-DEU'') ; 23 : vingt-trois (''vin-teu-TRWAH'') ; 30 : trente (''trahnt'') ; 40 : quarante (''kar-AHNT'') ; 50 : cinquante (''sank-AHNT'') ; 60 : soixante (''swah-SAHNT'') ; 70 : soixante-dix (''swah-sahnt-DEES'') or septante (''sep-TAHNGT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 80 : quatre-vingts (''kaht-ruh-VIHN''); huitante (''weet-AHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland (except Geneva); octante (''oct-AHNT'') in Switzerland ; 90 : quatre-vingt-dix (''katr-vihn-DEES''); nonante (''noh-NAHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 100 : cent (''sahn'') ; 200 : deux cents (''deu sahng'') ; 300 : trois cents (''trrwa sahng'') [[File:Купюра в 500 франков КФА. Лицевая сторона.jpg|thumb|300px|Cinq cents francs, used in several countries in Central Africa]] ; 1000 : mille (''meel'') ; 2000 : deux mille (''deu meel'') ; 1,000,000 : un million (''ung mee-LYOHN'') (treated as a noun when alone: one million euros would be ''un million d'euros''). ; 1,000,000,000 : un milliard ; 1,000,000,000,000 : un billion ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : numéro _____ (''nuu-may-ROH'') ; half : demi (''duh-MEE''), moitié (''mwah-tee-AY'') ; less : moins (''mwihn'') ; more : plus (''pluus'') / no more : plus (''pluu'') so this time, the "S" is mute ===Time=== [[File:A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles.jpg|thumb|300px|A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles]] ; now : maintenant (''mant-NAHN'') ; earlier : plus tôt (''pluu to'') ; later : plus tard (''pluu TAHR'') ; before : avant (''ah-VAHN'') ; after : après (''ah-PREH'') ; morning : le matin (''luh mah-TAN'') ; in the morning : dans la matinée (''dahn lah mah-tee-NAY'') ; afternoon : l'après-midi (''lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; in the afternoon : dans l'après-midi (''dahn lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; evening : le soir (''luh SWAHR'') ; in the evening: dans la soirée (''dahn lah swah-RAY'') ; night : la nuit (''lah NWEE'') ; in the night : pendant la nuit (''pehndahn lah NWEE'') ====Clock time==== French speakers most commonly use the 24-hour clock, even in Quebec (whereas most other Canadians use the 12-hour clock). In Europe, an 'h' is used as a separator between hours and minutes, as opposed to the colon that is used in Quebec and English-speaking countries. Therefore, midnight is written as ''0h00'', 1AM as ''1h00'', and 1PM as ''13h00''; more details and examples below. However, the 12-hour clock is making some inroads in speech, and saying 1-11 in the afternoon or evening will be understood. ; What's the time? : Quelle heure est-il ? (''kel euhr et-EEL?''); ; hour : heure (''eur'') ; minute : minute (''mee-NUUT'') ; From 1 minute past to 30 minutes past the hour: [hour] + [number of minutes] : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>20 or "twenty past ten" = <nowiki>10h20</nowiki>; "dix heures vingt" (''deez eur va(n)'') ; For 31 minutes past to 59 minutes past the hour : [next hour] + moins (''mwa(n)'') : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>40 or "twenty to eleven" = <nowiki>10h40</nowiki>; "onze heures moins vingt" (''onz eur mwa(n) va(n)'') ; quarter past : [hour] et quart (''ay kahr'') : Example: 07<nowiki>:</nowiki>15 or "quarter past seven" = <nowiki>7h15</nowiki>; "sept heures et quart" (''set eur eh kahr'') ; quarter to :[hour] moins le quart (''mwa(n) luh kahr'') : Example: 16<nowiki>:</nowiki>45 or "quarter to five" = <nowiki>16h45</nowiki>; "dix sept heures moins le quart" (''dee-set eur mwan luh kahr'') ; half-past : et demie (''eh duh-MEE''); et demi (after 12 midnight or 12 noon, ''eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past ten" = <nowiki>10h30</nowiki>; "dix heures et demie" (''deez eur eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past twelve" = <nowiki>12h30</nowiki>; "douze heures et demi" (''dooz eur eh duh-MEE'') ; 1AM, 01<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>1h00</nowiki>; une heure du matin (''uun eur duu ma-TAN'') ; 2AM, 02<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>2h00</nowiki>; deux heures du matin (''dooz eur duu ma-TAN'') ; noon, 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>12h00</nowiki>; midi (''mee-DEE'') ; 1PM, 13<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>13h00</nowiki>; treize heures (''traiyz er'') : une heure de l'après-midi (''uun eur duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 2PM, 14<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>14h00</nowiki>; quatorze heures (''KAH-torz er'') : deux heures de l'après-midi (''duz er duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 6PM, 18<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>18h00</nowiki>; dix-huit heures (''deez-weet ER'') : six heures du soir (''seez er duu SWAR'') ; 7<nowiki>:</nowiki>30PM, 19<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 : <nowiki>19h30</nowiki>; dix-neuf heures trente (''DEE-znuf er TRAHNT'') : sept heures et demie (''SET er eh duh-MEE'') ; midnight, 00<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>0h00</nowiki>; minuit (''mee-NWEE'') ====Duration==== [[File:Fontevraud3.jpg|thumb|300px|Abbaye de Fontevraud]] ; _____ minute(s) : _____ minute(s) (''mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) :_____ heure(s) (''eur'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ jour(s) (''zhoor'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ semaine(s) (''suh-MEN'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ mois (''mwa'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ an(s) (''ahng''), année(s) (''ah-NAY'') ; hourly : horaire (''oh-RAIR'') ; daily : quotidien / quotidienne (''ko-tee-DYAN'' / ''ko-tee-DYEN'') ; weekly : hebdomadaire (''eb-doh-ma-DAIYR'') ; monthly : mensuel / mensuelle (''mang-suu-WEL'') ; seasonal : saisonnier / saisonnière (''SEH-zon-ee-ay'' / ''SEH-zon-ee-air'') ; yearly : annuel / annuelle (''ah-nuu-WEL'') ; How long is your vacation? : Combien de temps restez-vous en vacances ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton res-TAY voo on VAH-kons''); ; I am in France for ten days : Je reste en France pendant dix jours. (''zhuh rest on frons pon-don dee zhoor'') ; How long is the journey? : Combien de temps le voyage dure-t-il ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton luh vwoi-YAHZH dyoor-TEEL'') ; It takes an hour and a half : Cela dure une heure et demie. (''suh-LAH dyoor uun er ay duh-MEE'') ===Days=== ; today : aujourd'hui (''oh-zhoor-DWEE'') ; yesterday : hier (''yare'') ; tomorrow : demain (''duh-MAN'') ; this week : cette semaine (''set suh-MEN'') ; last week : la semaine dernière (''lah suh-MEN dehr-NYAIR'') ; next week : la semaine prochaine (''lah suh-MEN pro-SHEN'') ; the weekend : le week-end (France) / la fin de semaine (Canada) (''luh week-end / lah fah(n) duh suh-MEN'') French calendars normally start on Monday. Unlike in English, the names of days are not capitalised in French: ; Monday : lundi (''luhn-DEE'') ; Tuesday : mardi (''mahr-DEE'') ; Wednesday : mercredi (''mehr-kruh-DEE'') ; Thursday : jeudi (''juh-DEE'') ; Friday : vendredi (''vahn-druh-DEE'') ; Saturday : samedi (''sahm-DEE'') ; Sunday : dimanche (''dee-MAHNSH'') ===Months=== [[File:Fontaine d'Octon.JPG|thumb|300px|The revolutionary calendar isn't in use any longer, but inscriptions where it's been used can be seen here and there]] Unlike English, the names of months are not capitalised in French: ; January : janvier (''ZHO(N)-vee-yeh'') ; February : février (''FEH-vree-yeh'') ; March :mars (''mar''s) ; April :avril (''av-REEL'') ; May :mai (''meh'') ; June :juin (''zh-WAH(N)'') ; July : juillet (''zh-WEE-eh'') ; August : août (''oot'') ; September : septembre (''sep-TOMBR'') ; October : octobre (''oc-TOBR'') ; November : novembre (''no-VOMBR'') ; December : décembre (''deh-SOMBR'') ===Seasons=== ; spring : le printemps (''luh PRAH(N)-toh(m)'') ; summer : l'été (''LAY-tay'') ; autumn : l'automne (''loh-TOMNUH'') ; winter : l'hiver (''LEE-vair'') ===Holidays=== [[File:FréjusPlageSaint-Aygulf.jpg|thumb|300px|France has many beaches, and they are popular destinations during ''les vacances d'été'']] ; Enjoy your holiday/vacation! : Bonnes vacances ! (''bon vah-KOH(N)S'') ; Happy holidays! (festival) : Bonnes fêtes ! (''bon fet'') ; Happy birthday! : Joyeux anniversaire ! (''ZHWY-yeuz-AN-ee-vair-SAIR'') ; Happy New Year! : Bonne année ! (''BON-a-NAY'') ; New Year's Day : le jour de l'an (''luh zhoor duh lah(n)'') ; Shrove Tuesday : le mardi gras (''luh MAR-dee grah'') ; Easter : les Pâques (''lay pak'') ; Passover : la Pâque juive / le Pessa'h (''lah pak zh-WEEV'' / ''luh pess-AKH'') ; Ramadan : le Ramadan (''luh RAH-mah-doh(n)'') (the other Muslim festivals are also called by their Arabic names) ; Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (24 June, Quebec) : la Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste (''lah fet duh lah sa(n)-JOH(N)-bap-TEEST'') ; Bastille Day (14 July, France) : le Quatorze Juillet / la Fête Nationale (''luh kat-ORZ zh-WEE-eh / lah fet nah-syon-NAL'') ; summer holidays : les vacances d'été (''lay vah-KOH(N)S DAY-tay'') ; school holidays : les vacances scolaires (''lay vah-KOH(N)S skoh-LAIR'') ; beginning of the school year : la rentrée (''lah roh(n)-TRAY'') ; All Saints' Day : la Toussaint (''lah TOO-sahn'') ; Hanukkah : Hanoucca (''ah-NOO-kah'') ; Christmas : Noël (''noh-EL'') ; Merry Christmas! : Joyeux Noël ! (''ZHWY-euh noh-EL!'') ===Colours=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. For instance, a lady may be ''blonde'' or ''brunette'' while a gentleman with hair of the corresponding hue is ''blond'' or ''brunet''. ; black : noir/noire (''nwahr'') ; white : blanc/blanche (''blahng/blahnsh'') ; grey : gris/grise (''gree/greez'') ; red : rouge (''roozh'') ; blue : bleu/bleue (''bluh'') ; yellow : jaune (''zhone'') ; green : vert/verte (''verre/vehrt'') ; orange : orange (''oh-RAHNZH'') ; purple : violet/violette (''vee-oh-LEH/vee-oh-LET'') ; brown : brun/brune (''bruh/bruhn''); marron (''MAH-rohn'') ; pink : rose (''roz'') ===Adjectives=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. ; Good :Bon (m.) (''bo(n)'') / Bonne (f.) (''bon'') ; Bad : Mauvais (''MO-vay'') / Mauvaise (f.) (''MO-vez'') ; Big : Grand (m.) (''gro(n)'') / Grande (f.) (''grond'') ; Small : Petit (m.) (''puh-TEE'') / Petite (f.) (''puh-TEET'') ; Hot : Chaud (m.) (''sho'') / Chaude (f.) (''shode'') [[File:Mont Blanc Gipfelpano.jpg|thumb|300px|The summit of [[Mont Blanc]], at about 4800 m above sea level, is ''froid toute l'année'']] ; Cold : Froid (m.) (''frwah'') / Froide (f.) (''frwahd'') ; Fast : Rapide / Vite (both genders) (''rah-PEED / veet'') ; Slow : Lent (m.) (''lo(n)'') / Lente (f.) (''lont'') ; Expensive : Cher (m.) (''shair'') / Chère (f.) (''shairr'') ; Cheap : Bon marché (both genders) (''bo(n) mar-SHAY'') ; Rich : Riche (both genders) (''reesh'') ; Poor : Pauvre (both genders) (''pov-ruh'') ===Transportation=== [[File:SNCF TGV Duplex Viaduc de Cize - Bolozon.jpg|thumb|300px|France's famous TGV (''train à grande vitesse'' - high speed train) crossing the Ain river]] ====Bus and Train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Combien coûte le billet pour _____ ? (''kom-BYAN koot luh bee-YEH poor'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Un billet pour _____, s'il vous plaît. (''ung bee-YEH poor ____ seel voo pleh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Où va ce train/bus ? (''OO va suh trahn/boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Où est le train/bus pour _____ ? (''OO eh luh trahn/buus poor ____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____ ? (''suh trahn/buus sah-reh-tuh-TEEL ah _____'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Quand part le train/bus pour _____? (''kahn par luh trahn/buus poor _____'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Quand ce train/bus arrivera à _____ ? (''kahn suh trahn/buus ah-ree-vuh-RAH ah _____'') ; the/this shuttle : la/cette navette (''lah/set nah-VET'') ; a one-way ticket: un aller simple (''uhn ah-LAY SAM-pluh'') ; a return/round trip ticket: un aller-retour (''uhn ah-LAY ruh-TOOR'') ; I would like to rent a car. : J'aimerais louer une voiture. (''ZHEM-eu-ray LOO-way oon VWA-tuur'') ====Directions==== ; Where is / are _____? : Où se trouve / trouvent _____ ? / (''oo suh tr-OO-v _____'') ; ...the train station? : ...la gare ? (''lah gahr'') ; ...the bus station? : ...la gare routière ? (''lah gahr roo-TYEHR'') ; ...the nearest metro station? : ...la station de métro la plus proche ? (''lah stah-syon duh MAY-tro lah ploo prosh'') ; ...the airport? : ...l'aéroport ? (''lehr-oh-POR?'') ; ...the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy? : ...l'ambassade américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne ? (''lahm-bah-SAHD a-may-ree-KEN / os-trah-lee-EN / bree-tah-NEEK / ka-na-DYEN'') ; ...the (nearest) hotel? :...l'hôtel (le plus proche) ? (''loh-tel luh ploo prohsh'') ; ...the town / city hall? : ...l'hôtel de ville / la mairie ? (''loh-tel duh veel / lah mair-REE'') ; ...the police station? : ...le commissariat de police ? (''luh com-mee-SAHR-ee-ah duh po-LEES'') ; ...the tourist information centre? : ...le syndicat d'initiative ? / l'office de tourisme ? / le bureau touristique ? (Quebec) (''luh SAN-dee-kah dee-NEE-sya-teev'' / ''loff-EES duh toor-REEZ-muh'' / ''luh BOOR-oh toor-REES-teek'') ; ...the nearest bank / ATM? : ...la banque la plus proche ? (''lah bonk lah ploo prosh'') / le distributeur de billets le plus proche ?(''luh dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY luh ploo prosh'') / le guichet automatique le plus proche? (''luh GEE-shay oh-toh-mah-TEEK luh ploo prosh'') ; ...the nearest petrol/gas station ? : ...la station-service la plus proche ? (''lah sth-syon-SAIR-vees lah pluu prosh'') ; ...the market? :...les halles ? (city or large town) / le marché ? (small town or village) (''layz AL-uh'' / ''luh MAR-shay'') ; ...the beach? : ...la plage ? (''lah plaazh'') ; ...the best bars? :...les meilleurs bars ? (''leh meh-YUHR bahr'') ; ...the best restaurants? : ...les meilleurs restaurants ? (''leh meh-YUHR res-toh-RO(N)'') ; _____ Street : rue _____ e.g. ''rue de l'Église, rue Victor Hugo, rue de Rivoli...'' ; Please could you show me it on the map? : S'il vous plaît, pourriez-vous me l'indiquer sur la carte ? (''SEE-voo-PLEH POO-ree-yeh-voo muh la(n)-DEE-keh syoor la cart'' ; Is it far? : C'est loin ? (''seh lwa(n)'') ; No, it's quite close. :Non, c'est tout proche. (''No(n) seh too prohsh'') ; Straight on : Tout droit (''too drwah'') ; Turn right : Tournez à droite (''TOOR-neh a drwaht'') ; Turn left : Tournez à gauche (''TOOR-neh a gohsh'') ; Towards the... : Vers le / la / les... (''vehr luh'') ; Past the... : Après que vous passiez le / la / les... (''ap-REH kuh voo PASS-see-yeh luh / la / leh'') ; Before the... : Avant que vous arriviez au / à la / aux (''av-O(N) kuh vooz-a-REEV-ee-yeh o / a la / o'') ; Next to the... : À côté du / de la / des (''a COH-teh duu / duh la / deh'') ; Opposite the... : En face du / de la / des (''o(n) fass duu / duh la / deh'') ; Follow : Suivre : (''sweevr'') ; The north : le nord (''luh nor'') ; The east : l'est (''lest'') ; The south : le sud (''luh suud'') ; The west : l'ouest (''loo-WEST'') ; The (next) exit : la (prochaine) sortie (''lah pro-SHEN SOR-tee'') ; Here : Ici (''ee-SEE'') ; There : Là(-bas/-haut) (lah (BAH / OH) ; Watch out for... : Repérez... (''ruh-PAIR-ray luh / lah / lay'') ; ...the road : ...la route (''lah root'') ; ...the street : ...la rue (''lah ruu'') ; ...the intersection : ...le carrefour (''luh car-FOOR'') ; ...the traffic lights : ...les feux (''lay fuh'') ; ...the roundabout : ...le rond-point (''luh ro(n)-pwa(n)'') ; ...the motorway : ...l'autoroute (''loh-to-ROOT'') ; ...the railway : ...le chemin de fer (''luh shuh-MA(N) duh fehr'') ; ...the level crossing : ...le passage à niveau (''luh pah-SAAZH-ah-NEE-vo'') ; ...the bridge : ... le pont (''luh po(n)'') ; ...the tunnel : ... le tunnel (''luh tuu-nell'') ; ...the toll booth : le péage (''luh pay-ahzh'') ; Queue : Bouchon (''boo-sho(n)'') ; Roadworks : Travaux (''trah-vo'') ; Road closed : Route barrée (''root BAH-ray'') ; Diversion : Déviation (''day-vee-ah-SYO(N)'') ====Taxi==== [[File:20151107 lyon236.jpg|thumb|300px|Taxi in Lyon]] ; Taxi! : Taxi ! (''tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Déposez-moi à _____, je vous prie. (''DAY-poh-zay-MWAH ah _____, zhuh voo PREE'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Combien ça coûte d'aller à _____ ? (''kahm-BYENG suh-LA koo-TEEL dah-LAY ah _____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Amenez-moi là, je vous prie. (''AH-muh-nay-mwah LAH, zhuh voo PREE'') ; I want to get out here. : Je veux descendre ici. (''zhuh vuh duh-SO(N)D-rr EE-SEE'') ; Thank you! Keep the change. : Merci ! Gardez la monnaie. (''MERR-see GARR-day lah moh-NAY'') ===Lodging=== [[File:BiarritzHotelduPalais1.JPG|thumb|300px|Hotel du Palais in [[Biarritz]]]] ; Bed and breakfast : Chambres d'hôte (''SHAHM-bruh dote'') ; Campsite : Camping (''CAHM-ping'') ; Hotel : Hôtel (''OH-tel'') ; Self-catering cottage / holiday rental : Gîte / Location de vacances (''zheet / lo-cah-syo(n) duh vah-CAHNS'') ; (Youth) hostel : Auberge (de jeunesse) (''oh-BAIRZH duh zheuh-NESS'') ; Do you have any rooms available? : Avez-vous des chambres libres ? (''ah-veh VOO day SHAHM-bruh leeb'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Combien coûte une chambre pour une personne/deux personnes ? (''com-BYA(N) coot uun SHAHM-bruh poor uun PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Does the room come with... : Dans la chambre, y a-t-il... (''dah(n) la SHAHM-bruh, ee-ya-tee'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...des draps de lit ? (''...day dra duh lee?'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...une salle de bain ? (''...uun sal duh bah(n)?'') ; ...a telephone? : ...un téléphone ? (''...u(n) teh-leh-fone?'') ; ...a TV? : ...une télévision ? (''...uun teh-leh-VEEZ-yo(n)?'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...un réfrigérateur / un frigo ? (''...u(n) ray-FREEZH-ay-rah-teur / u(n) FREE-go''?) ; ...a kettle? : ...une bouilloire ? (''...uun boo-WEE-wah?'') [[File:Bungalows la salamandre à foulpointe.JPG|thumb|300px|Bungalows in Foulpointe, [[Madagascar]]]] ; May I see the room first? : Pourrais-je voir la chambre ? (''poo-RAY zhuh vwaah la SHAHM-bruh?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : Avez-vous une chambre plus tranquille ? (''ah-veh VOO uun SHAHM-bruh ploo trahn-KEE?'') ; ...bigger? : ...plus grande ? (''ploo grahnd?'') ; ...cleaner? : ...plus propre? (''ploo prop?'') ; ...cheaper? : ...moins chère? (''mwahn shair?'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Bon, je la prends. (''bo(n), zhuh lah proh(n)'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Je compte rester pour _____ nuits. (''zhuh compt REH-stay poor _____ nwee'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Pourriez-vous me suggérer un autre hôtel ? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh soo-ZHAY-ray u(n) OH-truh OH-tel ?'') ; Do you have a safe? : Avez-vous un coffre-fort ? (''ah-veh VOO u(n) COFF-ruh-FOR?'') ; ...lockers? : ...un vestiaire ? (''u(n) ves-tee-AIR?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Le petit-déjeuner/le dîner est-il compris ? (''luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay eh-TEE com-PREE?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : À quelle heure est servi le petit-déjeuner/le dîner ? (''ah kell euhrr eh SAIR-vee luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay?'') ; Please clean my room. : Veuillez faire le ménage. (''vuh-YEH fair luh MEH-naazh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Pourriez-vous me réveiller à _____? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh REH-veh-yeh ah _____? '') ; You have a bedbug / cockroach / fly / mouse infestation here. : Vous êtes envahi de punaises / blattes / mouches / souris ici. (''voo ZET O(N)-vah-YEE duh poo-NEZ / blat / moosh / soo-REE ee-see'') ; I want to check out. : Je voudrais régler la note. (''zhuh VOO-dray REH-glay lah note'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Acceptez-vous les dollars américains/australiens/canadiens ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh doh-LAHR ah-may-ree-KANG/aws-trah-LYAHNG/kah-nah-DYAHNG?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Acceptez-vous les livres Sterling ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh leevr stehr-LING?'') ; Do you accept euros? : Acceptez-vous les euros ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO lehz-OO-roh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh kahrt duh kray-DEE?'') ; Can you change it (the money) for me? : Pouvez-vous me le faire changer ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Where can I get it (the money) changed? : Où puis-je le faire changer ? (''oo PWEEZH luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Pouvez-vous me faire le change sur un chèque de voyage ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH suur ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Où puis-je changer un chèque de voyage ? (''oo PWEEZH shahng-ZHAY ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Quel est le taux de change ? (''KELL eh luh TAW duh SHAHNZH?'') ; Where can I find a cash point / ATM? : Où puis-je trouver un distributeur de billets ? (''oo PWEEZH troo-VAY ung dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY?'') ===Eating=== [[File:Belon oysters at Belon river, France.jpg|thumb|300px|Belon oysters]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; I'd like to reserve a table for tonight/tomorrow. : Je voudrais réserver une table pour ce soir/demain. (''zhuh voo-DREH REH-sair-VEH uun TAH-bluh poor suh SWAAH / duh-MAHN(G)'') ; set menu : menu (''muh-NUU'') ; à la carte : à la carte (''ah lah KAHRT'') ; the dish of the day : le plat du jour (''luh PLA duu ZHOOR'') ; serves food all day : service continu (''SAIR-vees con-tee-NOO'') ; breakfast : '''France:''' petit-déjeuner (''ptee-day-zheu-NAY''); '''Switzerland/Belgium/Canada''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY'') ; lunch : '''France''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': dîner (''dee-NAY'') ; dinner/supper : '''France''': dîner (''dee-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': souper (''soo-PAY'') ; I would like _____. : Je voudrais _____. (''zhuh voo-DREH _____'') ; something local : un plat typique (de la région) (''uhn pla tee-PEEK (duh lah RAY-zhyong)'') ; I would like a dish containing _____. : Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (''zhuh voo-DREHZ ung plaht ah-VEK _____'') ; meat : de la viande (''duh lah vee-AWND'') ; chicken : du poulet / de la volaille (''duu poo-LEH / duh lah voh-LIE'') : Note: ''volaille'' literally means "poultry", but nearly always means "chicken" on menus ; turkey : de la dinde (''duh lah DAND'') ; duck : du canard (''duu can-AR'') ; lamb : de l'agneau (''duh LAN-yo'') ; pork : du porc / du cochon (''duu POHR''/''duu coh-SHONG''). ; ham : du jambon (''duu zhahng-BONG'') ; beef : du bœuf (''duu BUFF'') {{infobox|Quelle cuisson ?|A common question when ordering meat (especially, but not only, steak) is how long you want it cooked for: rare, medium, or well done? Simple enough, you might think. But if you're from an English-speaking country, then as a general rule of thumb, you'll find that if you ask for what you're used to at home, the meat will be rarer than you'd like. Therefore, it's worth getting to know these terms: * '''Bleu''' – "Blue", almost raw, meat that is cooked for less than a minute each side. * '''Saignant''' – "Bloody", i.e. very rare, but cooked slightly longer than a ''bleu'' steak. * '''À point''' – "Perfectly cooked", and the most popular among the French, but still rare by British or American standards. * '''Bien cuit''' – "Well cooked", but not well done. More like medium, with pink on the inside, though there should be no blood. * '''Très bien cuit''' – This should get you a "well done" steak that is totally cooked through. ''Mais, attention !'' If chef is not used to catering to ''les Anglo-Saxons'', he might just overdo it and give you a plate of leather.}} ; steak : du steak / du bifteck (''duu stek / duu BEEF-tek'') ; sausage : des saucisses (hot) / du saucisson (cold) (''deh saw-SEESS / duu saw-see-SON'') ; game: du gibier (''duu ZHI-bee-ay'') : Note: ''gibier'' may also mean specifically venison ; boar : du sanglier (''duu sahng-GLYAY'') ; venison : du cerf / du chevreuil / de la venaison (''duu SEHR / duu shev-REUY / duh lah vu-NAY-so(n)'') ; rabbit: du lapin (''duu lap-ANG'') ; fish : du poisson (''duu pwa-SONG'') ; salmon : du saumon (''duu saw-MONG'') ; tuna : du thon (''duu TONG'') ; whiting : du merlan (''duu mehr-LANG'') ; cod : de la morue (''duh lah moh-RUU'') ; seabass : du loup (de mer) / du bar (''duu LOO (duh MAIR) / duu BARR'') ; seafood : des fruits de mer (''deh frwee duh MEHR''); literally: "fruits of the sea" ; dulse : de la dulse (''duh lah DUULS'') ; lobster : du homard (''duu oh-MAR''), de la langouste (''duh lah lan-goost'') (rock lobster) ; clams : des palourdes (''deh pah-LOORD'') ; oysters : des huîtres (''dez WEETR'') ; mussels : des moules (''deh MOOL'') ; scallops : des coquilles Saint-Jacques (''deh kok-EE-sah(n)-ZHAK'') [[File:Marchés des Producteurs de Pays 11 16 12.jpg|thumb|300px|Escargots at a farmers market in Paris]] ; snails : des escargots (''dez es-car-GOH'') ; frogs' legs : des cuisses de grenouille (''deh gruh-NOOEY'') ; cheese : du fromage (''duu froh-MAHZH'') ; cow's cheese : du fromage de lait de vache (''duu froh-MAHZH duh lay duh vash'') ; goat's / sheep's cheese : du fromage de chèvre / de brebis (''duu froh-MAHZH duh SHEV-ruh / duh bruh-BEE'') ; eggs : des œufs (''dehz UH'') ; one egg : un œuf (''un UF'') ; (fresh) vegetables : des légumes (frais) (''deh lay-guum (FREH)'') ; onions : des oignons (''DEZ-on-yon'') ; carrots : des carottes (''deh kah-ROT'') ; peas : des (petits) pois (''deh (PUH-tee) PWAH'') ; broccoli : du brocoli (''duu broh-COLEE'') ; sweetcorn : du maïs (''duu my-YEES'') ; mushrooms : des champignons (''deh SHAM-pee-nyon'') ; cabbage : du chou (''duu shoo'') ; spinach : des épinards (''DEZ-ep-ee-NARR'') ; green / French beans : des haricots verts (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko VAIRR'') ; white / haricot beans : des haricots blancs (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko BLAWNG'') ; Brussels sprouts : des choux de Bruxelles (''deh shoo duh bruu-SEL'') ; lentils : des lentilles (''deh lon-TEE'') ; potatoes : des pommes de terre (''deh POM-duh-TAIR'') ; French fries : des frites (''day freet'') ; (fresh) fruit : des fruits (frais) (''deh frwee (freh)'') ; an apple : une pomme (''uun pom'') ; a pear : une poire (''uun pwarr'') ; a plum : une prune (''uun pruun'') ; a peach : une pêche (''uun pesh'') ; grapes : des raisins (''deh RAY-zan'') ; cherries : des cerises (''deh suh-REEZ'') ; an orange : une orange (''uun oh-RAWNZH'') ; a banana : une banane (''uun bah-NAN'') ; a mango : une mangue (''uun mawngg'') ; a lemon : un citron (''un SEE-trong'') ; a lime : un citron vert / un limon / une lime (''un SEE-trong vair / un LEE-mon / uun leem'') ; berries : des fruits rouges (''deh frwee roozh'') ; strawberries : des fraises (''deh frez'') ; raspberries : des framboises (''deh from-BWAHZ'') ; blackberries : des mûres (''deh muur'') ; blueberries : des myrtilles (''deh MIRR-tee'') ; blackcurrant : des cassis (''deh kah-SEES'') ; a salad : une salade (''uun sah-LAHD'') ; cucumber : du concombre (''duu cong-COMBRR'') ; tomatoes : des tomates (''deh toh-MAT'') ; lettuce : de la laitue (''duh lah LAY-tuu'') ; red / yellow / green pepper : du poivron rouge / jaune / vert (''duu PWAH-vrong roozh / zhoan / vairr'') ; spring onions : des oignons nouveaux (''DEZ-on-YONG NOO-vo'') ; radish : du radis (''duu RAH-dee'') ; chives : de la ciboulette (''duh lah SEE-boo-LET'') ; mixed herbs : des herbes de Provence (''dez-AIRB-duh-pro-VAWNSS'') ; bread : du pain (''duu pang'') ; toast : des toasts (''deh toast'') ; (milky) coffee : du café (au lait) (''duu kah-FAY (oh lay)'') : Note: Coffee will always be served black unless you ask for milk ; tea : du thé (''duu tay'') ; juice : du jus (''duu zhuu'') ; fresh / sparkling water : de l'eau plate / gazeuse (''duh loh PLAT / gah-ZUHZ'') : Note: If you ask for "water", you will get mineral water. To specify "tap water", say "eau du robinet" (''OH duu roh-bee-NEH'') or ask for a jug of water "une carafe d'eau" (''uun cahr-AHF doh''). ; (draught) beer : de la bière (pression) (''duh lah byehr'') ; red / white / rosé wine : du vin rouge / blanc / rosé (''duu vang roozh / blahng / ro-ZAY'') ; May I have some _____? : Puis-je avoir _____ ? (''pweezh ah-VWAHR duu'') ; salt : du sel (''duu sel'') ; black pepper : du poivre (''duu pwavr'') ; garlic : de l'ail (''duh lie'') ; butter : du beurre (''duu bur'') ; olive oil : de l'huile d'olive (''duh LWEEL-doh-LEEV'') ; ketchup/mayonnaise/mustard/alioli : du ketchup / de la mayonnaise / de la moutarde / de l'aïoli (''duu KECH-up / duh lah MIE-oh-NEZ / duh lah MOO-tard / duh LIE-oh-lee'') ; Excuse me, waiter / waitress? : S'il vous plaît, monsieur / madame ? (''seell voo PLEH muh-SYUH/ma-DAHM'') : Note: "garçon" (boy) is offensive and should be avoided. ; I'm finished. : J'ai terminé. (''zhay TAIRH-mee-NAY'') ; It was delicious. : C'était délicieux. (''seh-tay de-li-SYUH'') ; Can you please clear the plates? : Pouvez-vous débarrasser la table, s'il vous plaît ? (''poovay voo DEH-bahr-a-seh lah tah-bluh seel voo play'') ; The check (bill), please. : L'addition, s'il vous plaît. (''lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo play'') ====Dietary requirements==== [[File:20170329 ratatouille-fin-cuisson.jpg|thumb|300px|Ratatouille]] ; I am _____. : Je suis _____. (''zhuh swee'') ; ...vegan : végétalien (''vey-zhey-tal-YENG'') (m); végétalienne (''vey-zhey-tal-YEN'') (f) ; ...vegetarian : végétarien (''vey-zhey-tar-YENG'') (m); végétarienne (''vey-zhey-tar-YEN'') (f) ; I do not eat eggs, milk, or cheese. : Je ne mange pas d'œufs, de lait ni de fromage. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah dooh, duh lay, nee duh froh-MAHZH'') ; I do not eat meat, chicken, or pork. : Je ne mange pas de viande, de poulet, ni de porc. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah duh vee ahnd, duh poo-LEH, nee duh pohr'') ; I do not eat _____. : Je ne mange pas_____. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah'') ; ...honey. : de miel. (''duh mee ehl'') ; ...animal products. : de produits animaux. (''duh pro-dweez-ah-nee-mo'') ; ...dairy. : de laitage. (''duh lay tazh'') ; ...wheat. : de blé. (''duh blay'') ; ...seafood. : de fruits de mer. (''duh frwee duh MEHR'') ; ...nuts. : de noix (''duh nwaah'') ; ...gluten : de gluten (''duh gluu-TEN'') ; I do eat _____. : Je mange _____. (''zhuh monzh'') ; ...grains. : des céréales. (''deh say-ray-ahl'') ; ...vegetables. : des légumes. (''deh lay-guum'') ; ...beans. : des fèves. (''deh fehv'') ; ...fruit : des fruits. (''deh frwee'') ; I only eat kosher / halal food. : Je ne mange que de la nourriture kasher (casher, cachère) / halal. (''zhuh nuh monzh kuh duh la noo-ri-toor CASH-eh / alal'') ; I am allergic to... : Je suis allergique à... (''zhuh sweez ah-lair-ZHEEK ah...'') ===Bars=== [[File:Chai-barrique.JPG|thumb|300px|Cognac barrels]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Do you serve alcohol? : Servez-vous des boissons alcoolisées ? (''sair-vay VOO day bwa-songz al-co-ol-ee-SAY'') ; Is there table service? : Est-ce que vous servez à la table ? (''ess-kuh voo ser-VAYZ ah lah TAHBL?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Une bière/deux bières, s'il vous plaît. (''uun BYEHR/deuh BYEHR, seel voo PLEH'') ; A draught beer, please. : Une pression, s'il vous plaît (''uun pres-SYON, seel voo PLEH'') ; A glass of red/white/rosé/sparkling wine, please. :Un verre de vin rouge/blanc/rosé/pétillant, s'il vous plaît. (''an ver duh van rooj / blan / ro-ZAY / PET-ee-YAUN, seel voo PLEH'') ; A quarter litre of beer, please : Un demi, s'il-vous-plaît. (''an deh-mee, seel voo PLEH'') ; A pint, please. : Une pinte, s'il vous plait. (''uun pannt, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; A bottle, please. : Une bouteille, s'il vous plait. (''uun boo-tay, seel voo PLEH'') ; _____ (''spirit'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. :_____ et _____, s'il vous plait. (''____ eh ____, seel voo PLEH'') ; whisky : whisky (m.) (''wee-skee'') ; vodka : vodka (f.) (''VOD-kah'') ; rum : rhum (m.) (''room'') ; cider : cidre (m.) (''seedr'') ; water : eau (f.) (''oh'') ; club soda : soda (m.) (''so-dah'') ; tonic water : Schweppes (m. or f.) (''shwep'') ; orange juice : jus d'orange (m.) (''joo d'or-AHNJ'') ; Coke (''soda'') : Coca (m.) (''koh-KAH'') ; One more, please. : Un/une autre, s'il vous plait. (''uhn / uun OH-truh, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; Another round, please. : Un autre pour la table, s'il vous plait. (''ahn OH-truh poor la tah-bluh, seel voo PLEH'') ; When is closing time? : À quelle heure fermez-vous ? (''ah kell EUR fer-MAY voo'') ===Shopping=== [[File:Marigot Market Saint Martin.JPG|thumb|300px|Marigot Market, [[Saint Martin]]]] ; Do you have this in my size? : Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ? (''AH-veh-VOO say-SEE dan sma THAI'') ; How much (is this)? : Combien (ça) coûte ? (''COMM-bee-yan (SAH) coot'') ; That's too expensive. : C'est trop cher. (''say-TRO-shair'') ; Would you take _____? : Pourriez-vous accepter _____ ? (''poor-yay-VOOZ ahk-sep-TAY'') ; expensive : cher (''shehr'') ; cheap :bon marché (''bong mar-SHAY'') (Note: this doesn't change with the gender or number of the noun. ''Elles sont bon marché'' is correct''.'') ; I can't afford it. : Je n'ai pas les moyens. (''zhe nay pah leh mwah-YAHNG'') ; I don't want it. : Je n'en veux pas. (''zhe nahng veu pah'') ; You're cheating me. : Vous me trompez. (''voo muh TROM-pay'') ; I'm not interested. : Je ne suis pas intéressé. (''zhen swee pahz-ann-tay-ress-SAY'') ; OK, I'll take it. : D'accord, je le/la prends. (''dah-kor zhe luh/lah prahn'') ; Can I have a bag? : Pourrais-je avoir un sac ? (''poo-REHZH ah-VWAR ung sahk'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l'étranger) ? (''leev-ray-VOO ootr-MEHR/ah lay-trahn-ZHAY'') ; I need... : J'ai besoin... (''zhay buh-ZWAHN'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...de dentifrice. (''duh dahn-tee-FREESS'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...d'une brosse à dents. (''duun bross ah DAHN'') ; ...tampons. : ...de tampons. (''duh tahm-POHN'') ; ...soap. : ...de savon. (''duh sah-VOHN'') ; ...shampoo. : ...de shampooing. (''duh shahm-PWAHN'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...d'un analgésique (''aspirine, ibuprofène'');. (''dun ah-nal-zhay-ZEEK (ahs-pee-REEN/ee-buu-proh-FEN)'') ; ...cold medicine. :...d'un médicament pour le rhume. (''dun may-dee-kah-MAHNG poor luh RUUM'') ; ...stomach medicine. :...d'un remède pour l'estomac. (''dun ray-MED poor less-toh-MAHK'') ; ...an antihistamine :...d'un antihistaminique (''dun on-tee-STAM-eek'') ; ...a razor. :...d'un rasoir. (''dun rah-ZWAR'') ; ...batteries. : ...de piles. (''duh PEEL'') ; ...a SIM card. : ...d'une carte SIM (''duun cahrrt seem'') ; ...an umbrella. (rain) : ...d'un parapluie. (''duun pah-ra-ploo-ee'') ; ...an umbrella. (sun) : ...d'une ombrelle. (''duun ohm-brehl'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...de crème solaire. (''duh crehm so-LEHR'') ; ...a postcard. : ...d'une carte postale. (''duun kahrt post-AL'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...de timbres. (''duh TAHM-burs'') ; ...writing paper. : ...de papier à lettres. (''duh pap-YEH ah LEH-TR'') ; ...a pen. :...d'un stylo. (''dun STEE-loh'') ; ...English-language books. : ...de livres en anglais. (''duh LEE-vruh-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...de revues en anglais. (''duh REH-voo-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...d'un journal en anglais. (''dun zhoar-NAL ahn ahng-LEH'') ; ...a French-English dictionary. :...d'un dictionnaire français-anglais. (''dun deect-see-ohn-AIR frahn-SEH ahng-LEH'') ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Je n'ai rien fait de mal. (''zhuh nay ree-AHN fay duh MAL'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : C'est une erreur. (''set uhn air-UR'') ; Where are you taking me? : Où m'emmenez-vous ? (''ooh mehm-en-EH voo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Suis-je en état d'arrestation ? (''SWEEZH ahn EH-tah dahr-es-ta-SYONG'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m) : Je suis un citoyen américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f) : Je suis une citoyenne américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I want to speak to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy or consulate. : Je veux parler à l'ambassade ou au consulat américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''ZHUH vuh pahr-LAY ah lahm-ba-SAHD oo oh kon-soo-LAHT a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN'') ; I want to speak to a lawyer. : Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (''ZHUH vood-RAY par-lehr ah uhn AH-vo-cah'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende ? (''poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND'') ; [offering bribe] Will you accept this in place of my fine? : Acceptez-vous ceci au lieu de mon amende ? (''accept-eh voo suh-see oh LOO duh mon ah-MAND'') : ''Note: Only consider attempting this in third world countries. ''Do not'' try to do this in European Francophone countries or in Canada as it will get you in worse trouble!'' {{guidephrasebook}} {{PartOfPhrasebook|Europe|Oceania|Africa|North America|South America}} 7sd7jwkhcoah9bp5bnxfy5d0s8tnt5x 4506226 4506222 2022-08-22T13:04:00Z SHB2000 2248002 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/103.176.224.31|103.176.224.31]] ([[User talk:103.176.224.31|talk]]) to last version by [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | French phrasebook banner Sign in Geneva.jpg | caption=Sign in Geneva asking nightly bar patrons not to disturb people who sleep|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Map-Francophone World.svg|thumb|500px|French speaking areas]] '''French''' (''français'') is a Romance language, and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world: 277 million people speak French, including about 100 million native speakers. While the French language originated in [[France]], in modern times it is spoken on every continent; it is an official language of 29 countries, an important business, cultural, or minority language in dozens of other countries and regions, and is used officially by scores of international organisations including the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Olympic Committee. French was the main international lingua franca well into the 20th century, and at one point, French was the language spoken in most of the royal courts of Europe. To this day, it remains ''de rigueur'' for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. [[File:Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation).svg|thumb|500px|Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation)]] French is the sole official language of France, including all of its overseas departments and territories, and is the only language you will need to communicate with French nationals. Beyond France, French is widely spoken in many nearby countries in Europe, including the southern half of [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]] and [[Brussels]]), western [[Switzerland]], [[Monaco]], [[Luxembourg]], and the [[Aosta Valley]] of northwestern [[Italy]]. A significant number of second-language speakers are also found on most of the [[Channel Islands]] ([[Jersey]], [[Guernsey]], and [[Sark]], where dialects of Norman extremely similar to French persist), and in the tiny Pyrenean country of [[Andorra]]. In the Americas, French is spoken primarily in the Canadian provinces of [[Quebec]], [[New Brunswick]], the northern and eastern parts of [[Ontario]] and around the Winnipeg area of [[Manitoba]]. Indeed, [[Canada]] is an officially bilingual nation and there are Francophone enclaves in almost every province, though outside of the four provinces mentioned, it's quite rare to encounter anyone in Canada who speaks more than a few words of French without hunting down off-the-beaten-track French-speaking communities. French is also spoken in a few parts of the [[United States]], namely parts of [[Louisiana]] and northern [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Vermont]]. In the Caribbean, French is an official language of [[Haiti]], a former colonial possession of France. The Americas also host the French departments of [[Martinique]], [[Guadeloupe]], and [[French Guiana]], plus the overseas collectivities of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]], [[Saint Barthélemy]], and the northern half of [[Saint Martin]]. Elsewhere, French is an official language of many former French and Belgian colonies in Africa, like [[Cameroon]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and the [[Republic of the Congo]], and is unofficial but carries prestige in others, namely [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]], and [[Morocco]]. It is an important administrative, educational, and cultural language in the former French Southeast Asian possessions of [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]]. In the Indian Ocean, [[Réunion]] and [[Mayotte]] are French overseas departments, while French is also an official language in [[Mauritius]] and the [[Seychelles]]. In Oceania, [[New Caledonia]], [[French Polynesia]], and [[Wallis and Futuna]] remain overseas territories of France, and French is also one of the official languages of [[Vanuatu]]. The French Wikivoyage has a [[:fr:Francophonie|page]] that can help you locate French-speaking regions. ==Grammar== [[File:Institut de France - Académie française et pont des Arts.jpg|thumb|300px|Like Spanish and German, but unlike English, the French language is governed by an official regulator - ''L'Académie française''. Headquartered in Paris (shown here), the Académie issues guidance and recommendations on good French, and its occasional spelling reforms are often controversial.]] ===Gender and its complications=== French nouns are divided into two different '''genders''': masculine and feminine. Unlike in English, all inanimate objects have a gender assigned to them: for example, ''pain'' (bread) is masculine, while ''confiture'' (jam) is feminine. The grammatical gender of nouns denoting persons generally follows the person's natural sex; for instance, ''mère'' (mother) is feminine, while ''père'' (father) is masculine. However, some nouns are always of the same gender regardless of the natural gender of the person they are referring to: ''personne'' is always feminine even if the person in question is a man. It is not always easy to tell at a glance which gender a noun is but, in general, if it ends in a consonant, or by the letter combinations ''-age'', ''-au'', ''-é'', ''-ège'', ''ème'', or ''-isme'' / ''-iste'', or is a foreign (particularly English) loanword, it's likely to be masculine. On the other hand, if a noun ends in ''-ace'', ''-ance'' / ''-ence'', ''-ée'', ''-elle'' / ''-erre'' / ''-esse'' / ''-ette'', ''-ie'', ''-ice'', ''-ine'', ''-ise'', ''-que'', or ''-tion / sion'', it's probably feminine. There are plenty of exceptions, however! The singular '''definite article''' ("the" in English) of each noun depends on its gender: ''le'' (m), ''la'' (f) or ''l’'' (before all singular nouns starting with a vowel and some starting with "h", regardless of gender). The plural definite article for both genders is ''les''. Thus: * le garçon – the boy → les garçons – the boys * la fille – the girl → les filles – the girls * l'homme – the man → les hommes – the men The singular '''indefinite article''' ("a" and "an" in English) also corresponds to the noun's gender: ''un'' for masculine and ''une'' for feminine. Unlike English, French has a plural indefinite article – ''des'', which works for both genders – and three '''partitive articles''' – ''du'' (m), ''de la'' (f), and ''de l’'' (before vowels and some instances of the letter "h"), which precede uncountable nouns. Thus: * un homme – a man → des hommes – men * une femme – a woman → des femmes – women * du vin – wine * de la confiture – jam * de l'eau – water Similarly, the '''third person pronouns''' also depend on the grammatical gender of the subject: ''il'' (m – he or it) or ''elle'' (f – she or it), with ''ils'' and ''elles'' respectively being the masculine and feminine plurals (they). When there are groups of mixed-gender people or objects, ''ils'' is always used. ===Formal and informal speech=== In French, there are two equivalents of the English word '''"you"'''. When addressing one person you know well such as a family member or a friend, plus any time you speak to one child or one animal, the word to use will be ''tu''. In '''''all''''' other situations, including when addressing a group of people regardless of who they are, the word to use will be ''vous''. This means that in practice, as a traveller and novice French speaker, most of the time you will be using ''vous''. It is important to know the distinction, as while addressing a pet dog with the ''vous'' form might just raise a chuckle, using ''tu'' with somebody you've just met is inappropriate and may offend the person whom you are addressing. After initially using the ''vous'' form, a person may say to you ''"On peut se tutoyer"''; this is a polite invitation for you to use the ''tu'' form with them. The default '''title''' used when addressing a man is ''monsieur'', while a woman would be addressed as ''madame''. ''Mademoiselle'' was traditionally used to address young, unmarried women, but this is now controversial and arguably sexist, so unless the other person tells you otherwise, it is best to default to ''madame''. The respective plurals are ''messieurs'' and ''mesdames'', so the French equivalent of "ladies and gentlemen" is "''mesdames et messieurs''", though often in speech this is rendered as "''messieurs-dames''". ===Verbs=== In a manner similar to many other Romance languages, French '''verbs''' all end in either ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' in their infinitive forms, for example ''écouter'' (to listen), ''finir'' (to finish), and ''vendre'' (to sell). Verbs in French '''conjugate''' differently according to tense, mood, aspect and voice. This means that there are many more possible conjugations for French verbs than English verbs, and learning how to conjugate each verb in different scenarios can be a challenge for English speakers. Fortunately for you, the vast majority of verbs follow a regular conjugation pattern. Here are three examples of regular verbs conjugated in the present tense, which can be used as a model for all other present-tense regular verbs. For the regular conjugations, remove the ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' ending from the infinitive and add the letters in bold from the table below: {| class="wikitable" |+ !regular<br>''-er'' verb example: ÉCOUTER !to listen !regular<br>''-ir'' verb example: FINIR !to finish !regular<br>''-re'' verb example: VENDRE !to sell |- |j'écout'''e''' |I listen |je fin'''is''' |I finish |je vend'''s''' |I sell |- |tu écout'''es''' |you listen (informal) |tu fin'''is''' |you finish (informal) |tu vend'''s''' |you sell (informal) |- |il écout'''e''' elle écout'''e''' |he listens / it listens (masculine inanimate) she listens / it listens (feminine inanimate) |il fin'''it''' elle fin'''it''' |he finishes / it finishes (masculine inanimate) she finishes / it finishes (feminine inanimate) |il vend elle vend |he sells / it sells (masculine inanimate) she sells / it sells (feminine inanimate) |- |on écout'''e''' |one listens we listen |on fin'''it''' |one finishes we finish |on vend |one sells we sell |- |nous écout'''ons''' |we listen |nous fin'''issons''' |we finish |nous vend'''ons''' |we sell |- |vous écout'''ez''' |you listen (formal / plural) |vous fin'''issez''' |you finish (formal / plural) |vous vend'''ez''' |you sell (formal / plural) |- |ils écout'''ent''' elles écout'''ent''' |they listen |ils fin'''issent''' elles fin'''issent''' |they finish |ils vend'''ent''' elles vend'''ent''' |they sell |- |} Some verbs are '''irregular''', meaning that they use different roots when conjugated. The good news is that irregular verbs are very much in the minority. The bad news is that nearly all of the most useful everyday verbs are irregular; you will have to learn their conjugations individually if you wish to use them effectively: ''aller'' (to go), ''venir'' (to come), ''voir'' (to see), ''faire'' (to do), ''acheter'' (to buy), ''manger'' (to eat), ''boire'' (to drink), ''sortir'' (to go out), ''dormir'' (to sleep), ''pouvoir'' (to be able to), and ''vouloir'' (to want). The worst of these are probably ''être'' (to be) and ''avoir'' (to have), by far the most common verbs for everyday communication. Here are the present tense conjugations of each; you'll notice the entire word changes for each form of the verb: [[Image:Eclairs at Fauchon in Paris.jpg|thumb|300px|If you hate grammar, just think of éclairs. ''Éclair'', by the way, is a masculine noun.]] {| class="wikitable" |+ !AVOIR !to have !ÊTRE !to be |- |j''''ai''' |I have |je '''suis''' |I am |- |tu '''as''' |you have (informal) |tu '''es''' |you are (informal) |- |il '''a''' elle '''a''' |he has / it has (masculine inanimate) she has / it has (feminine inanimate) |il '''est''' elle '''est''' |he is / it is (masculine inanimate) she is / it is (feminine inanimate) |- |on '''a''' |one has we have |on '''est''' |one is we are |- |nous '''avons''' |we have |nous '''sommes''' |we are |- |vous '''avez''' |you have (formal / plural) |vous '''êtes''' |you are (formal / plural) |- |ils '''ont''' elles '''ont''' |they have |ils '''sont''' elles '''sont''' |they are |} ==Pronunciation== [[File:Moliere-statue.jpg|thumb|300px|French is often called the "language of Molière". The Parisian playwright is celebrated in stone on the city hall of his hometown.]] French spelling is '''not very phonetic'''. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. The good news, though, is that French generally has more regular pronunciation rules than English. This means that with sufficient practice, one can generally pronounce written French fairly accurately. However, the large number of homophones and silent letters make it such that attempting to write down spoken French often results in spelling mistakes, even for native speakers. Some rules are as follows: * '''Stress''' is fairly even in French, but the stress almost always falls on the last syllable. In words where the stress falls on an earlier syllable, it's not uncommon to hear the last syllable or sound of some words cut off or "swallowed." For example, ''Possible'' can sound like ''poss-EEB'' and ''hymne'' can sound like ''eem''. This is particularly noticeable in Quebec, but exists in other accents too. * The '''final consonant''' of a word is usually silent except for c, f, l, q, and r. Thus, ''allez'' (go) is pronounced ''al-AY'', not ''al-AYZ''; ''tard'' (late) is pronounced ''tar'', not ''tard''. * If the next word begins with a vowel, a consonant may be pronounced; this is called '''''liaison'''''. For example, ''allez-y'' (≈ go ahead / off you go), is pronounced ''al-ay-ZEE'', while ''mes amis'' (my friends) is pronounced ''MEZ-ah-MEE'' . * A '''final e''' is also usually silent if the word has more than one syllable, except in parts of southern France and when singing or reciting poetry, when it can appear as a schwa or é sound (see [[#Vowels|below]]). Guess what? Those pronunciation "rules" you just read have a ton of '''exceptions'''! For example, the rule that a final r is pronounced is not true in the combination "-er", normally found in verb infinitives; this letter combination is pronounced ''ay''. The plural ending "-ent" for verbs is silent (except for the t, in cases of liaison), even though it is pronounced when it appears in other words. Sometimes, whether to pronounce the final consonant of a word is denoted by its grammatical function; for example, the final "s" in ''tous'' (all) is silent when used as an adjective, but pronounced when used as a pronoun, while the final "f" in nouns such as ''cerf'' (deer) and ''œuf'' (egg) is pronounced in the singular form, but in the plural form (''cerfs'', ''œufs'') the "f" and the "s" are both silent. A final warning: for many French words, it is impossible to write something which an English speaker can easily read and reproduce without compromising on "perfect" French pronunciation. This means that '''the pronunciation guides in this very phrasebook are open to interpretation!''' Use the transliteration provided with each phrase as a guide to ''liaison'', but refer to the following letter lists in order to correctly pronounce the vowels and consonants. ===Vowels=== Vowels in French can have '''accent marks''', which generally have no noticeable impact on pronunciation, but they often distinguish between homophones in writing (''ou'', meaning "or", and ''où'', meaning "where", are pronounced the same). The only really important ones which affect pronunciation are é, è, and ê, which are called ''e accent aigu'', ''e accent grave'', and ''e accent circonflexe'', respectively. The grave and circumflex accents have the same name when they appear on other letters, while the umlaut (ë, ï, ü) is called ''e / i / u tréma''. ; a, à, â : like f'''a'''ther (U.S. English) or c'''a'''t (UK English); {{IPA|a}}. In Quebec French, sometimes more like "aw" as in the standard UK pronunciation of n'''o'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; e : in most cases a central neutral vowel ("schwa") like in '''a'''bout {{IPA|ə}}, sometimes like "é" or "è". At the end of a word, it's usually not pronounced at all ; é, ai, -er, -es, -ez, -et : similar to d'''ay''' but shorter {{IPA|e}} ; è, ê : more open, like s'''e'''t {{IPA|ɛ}}. Sometimes diphthongised in Quebec French {{IPA|ɛɪ̯}} ; i, î : like s'''ee''', but shorter and tenser {{IPA|i}} ; o, ô, au, eau : generally like b'''oa'''t {{IPA|o}} ; u, ù : like a very tight, frontal "oo" sound (purse your lips as if to say "oo" as in "soon" but try to make your tongue say "ee") - {{IPA|y}}, ''uu'' in transcriptions, similar to the German ü. Sometimes pronounced more like "eu" in Quebec French ; ou : like f'''oo'''d, but rounder {{IPA|u}} ; y : when followed by a consonant, like s'''ee''' {{IPA|i}}. When followed by another vowel, it's used as a consonant, pronounced '''y'''es {{IPA|j}} ; eu : between d'''ew''' and b'''u'''rp {{IPA|ø}}; written as ''eu'' in transcriptions [[Image:Ouagadougou place nations unies.JPG|thumb|300px|Like many ex-colonial placenames, '''[[Ouagadougou]]''' mixes French spelling convention with African words]] ===Semi-vowels=== ; oi : like '''wha'''m {{IPA|wa}}, or when followed by a nasal more like '''we'''t {{IPA|wɛ̃}}. In Quebec French, sometimes like th'''ough'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; oui : like '''wee'''k {{IPA|wi}} ; ui : like '''wee'''k, but with a French u instead of the w {{IPA|ɥi}} ; œ : a bit like ''eu'', but more open {{IPA|œ}}. The distinction between ''œ'' (called ''o e entrelacés'') and ''eu'' is very subtle and often irrelevant. ===Consonants=== ; b : {{pron|b|b}} ; c : {{pron|k|c|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|s̪|c|notes=before "e", "i", and "y"}} ; ç : like the second pronunciation of ''c''. This letter, called a "cedilla" (''cédille''), can only be written before "a" ,"o", or "u" ; ch : {{pron|ʃ|ch}}; sometimes like k (in words of Greek origin mostly) ; d : {{pron|d̪|d}}. In Quebec, like "dz" or "ds" when before "i" or "y" ; dj : {{pron|d͡ʒ|dj}} ; f : {{pron|f|f}} ; g : {{pron|ɡ|g|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|ʒ|g|notes=before "e", "i" and "y"}} ; gu : like the first pronunciation of g (before "e", "i", "y"); if the u is to be pronounced, it will be written with a diaresis (e.g. ''aigüe'') ; gn : {{pron|ɲ|gn}}. This is particularly difficult when followed by '''oi''', as in '''baignoire''' (''beh-NYWAR'') "bathtub". ; h : silent, but may sometimes prevent a ''liaison'' with the former word (this is called an ''h aspiré'') ; j : like the second pronunciation of g ; k : {{pron|k|k|notes=only used for loanwords, but common in Alsatian and Breton placenames}} ; l, ll : {{pron|l|l}}; some exceptions for "ll" in the combination "ille" (sometimes pronounced ee-yuh, {{IPA|j|noparen=y}}), or in "guillotine". ; m : {{pron|m|m}} ; n: pronounced with the tongue touching the teeth {{IPA|n̪}}, except when followed by a vowel, when it is pronounced like '''n'''ose {{IPA|n}}. See [[#Nasals|Nasals]] below}} ; p : {{pron|p|p}} ; ph : like f ; pn : like a'''pn'''ea {{IPA|pn}} ; ps: like sli'''ps''' {{IPA|ps}} ; q(u) : most of the time k, like '''qu'''ick only in loanwords ; r : guttural r, pronounced at the back of the throat {{IPA|ʁ}} ; s : usually like the second pronunciation of c; like ''z'' when between two vowels (unless doubled), or in a liaison ; t, th : {{pron|t̪|t}}; in Quebec, {{pron|t͡s|t}} when before "i" or "y"; like the second pronunciation of c in ''tion'' ; tch : {{pron|t͡ʃ|tch}} ; v : {{pron|v|v}} ; w : only in foreign words, mostly {{pron|w|w}} and sometimes like v (in particular, "wagon" is "vagon" and "WC" is "VC"!) ; x : either ks, gz or s ; z : {{pron|z̪|z}} [[File:Home Alone House.jpg|thumb|300px|Remember the scene in the movie ''Home Alone'' where Kevin's sister mockingly told him "you're what the French call ''les incompétents''"? Even though grammar Nazis might deduct points for addressing a singular subject in the plural, any phonicist will tell you she got the sound of the French nasal vowel pretty much down pat.]] ===Nasals=== ; an, en, em : nasal a {{IPA|ɑ̃}}. Not always pronounced as a nasal, especially if the n or m is doubled: ''emmental'' is pronounced as a normal "emm" sound ; on : nasal o {{IPA|ɔ̃}} - distinguishing between this and "an" is tricky, it's a deeper, more closed sound ; in, ain : nasal è {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; un : nasal eu {{IPA|œ̃}}. In northern France and particularly around Paris, pronounced the same as 'in' {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; oin : nasal "wè" {{IPA|wɛ̃}} ===Diphthongs=== ; aï, ail : like the English pronoun '''I''' {{IPA|aj}} ; ay, éi : ''é'' and ''i'' smooshed together {{IPA|ɛ.i}} ; ill : either literally, or like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (''ville'' is ''veel'', ''fille'' is ''fiy'') Quebec French sometimes has vestigial diphthongs where French from France no longer does. For example, while a Parisian would pronounce the word ''maître'' as ''MET-ruh'', a Québécois would pronounce it more like ''MIGHT-ruh''. ===Exceptions=== * When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: ''réunion'' (meeting). * A diaeresis (''tréma'') may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: ''maïs'' (Indian corn or maize). * In the combination "geo" (as in ''pigeon'' or ''bourgeois''), the "e" should not be pronounced, as it is only there to force the pronunciation of the soft "g" {{IPA|ʒ}}. When the e is marked with an acute accent (as in ''géologie'') it is pronounced the normal way. ==International varieties of French== [[Image:Guadeloupe creole 2010-03-30.JPG|thumb|300px|"Levez le pied, il y a des enfants qui jouent ici !" - Lift your foot [off the gas pedal], there are children playing here! (Guadeloupe Creole)]] For its size, [[France]] is quite a linguistically-diverse country. Aside from languages which are very clearly separate from French (e.g. [[Basque]] and [[Breton]]), there is a whole slew of local ''parlers'' (e.g. Angevin, Lorrain, Norman, Picard, Savoyard...) which are just similar enough to standard French that, depending on whom you ask, they can be considered either separate languages in their own right, or simply dialects (''patois'') of the mother tongue. These local languages/dialects also influence the accents of standard French within their region, from the strange vowels and increased nasalisation of the far north to the 'singing' accents of the deep south. The varieties of French which are spoken in Belgium and Switzerland differ slightly from the French spoken in France, though they are similar enough to be mutually intelligible. In particular, the numbering system in French-speaking [[Belgium]] and [[Switzerland]] has some slight peculiarities that are different from the French spoken in France, and the pronunciation of some words is slightly different. Nevertheless, all French-speaking Belgians and Swiss would have learned standard French in school, so they would be able to understand you even if you used the standard French numbering system. Aside from Europe and Canada (see below), many French-speaking regions have incorporated the words of local languages, and on occasion have formed distinctive dialects or languages known as '''creoles'''. French-based creoles today enjoy wide use and often official status in the [[Seychelles]], [[Mauritius]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Haiti]] (see [[Haitian Creole phrasebook|Haitian creole]]), [[Réunion]], and the French overseas territories in the Antilles. A dialect of French known as [[Louisiana]] French or Cajun, which is similar to the Acadian French spoken in parts of New Brunswick, and a distinct French-based creole known as Louisiana Creole are both still spoken by some residents in the southern U.S. state, while parts of [[New England]] near the Canadian border are home to speakers of a dialect known as New England French, which bears many similarities to Québécois. ===Canada=== {{see also|Quebec#Talk}} There are many phonological and lexical differences between the French spoken in Quebec and that spoken in France. Quebec has retained many 18th- & 19th-century French words, while in France the language has moved on, as well as incorporating many English words in the modern era. On the other side, Québécois borrowed English terms from their Anglophone neighbours as early as the 19th century, but the onset of the "Quiet Revolution" and the Quebec sovereignty movement in the 1960s led to laws that strictly limited the usage and influence of English in the public sphere, with the result that, etymologically speaking, Quebec French is in many ways more purely "French" than that spoken in France. For instance, the [[Fast food in the United States and Canada#Chicken|fast-food restaurant chain founded by Colonel Sanders]] is known in both the United States and France as "Kentucky Fried Chicken" or KFC for short, but in Quebec it was known as ''Poulet Frit Kentucky'' (PFK) until the last outlet closed in 2019. Some examples of everyday words which differ between Québécois and standard French: {| class="wikitable" |+ !English !France !Quebec !Notes |- |car |voiture/auto |char |In France, ''un char'' is 'a tank'. ''Voiture'' and ''auto'' are feminine; ''char'' is masculine. |- |car park |parking |stationnement | |- |to park (a car) |garer |parker | |- |to drive |conduire |chauffer |In France, ''chauffer'' means 'to heat' |- |stop (on a road sign) |stop |arrêt | |- |pavement/sidewalk |trottoir |cotteur | |- |washing machine |machine à laver |laveuse | |- |breakfast, lunch, dinner |petit déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner |déjeuner, dîner, souper |Belgium and Switzerland use the same terms as Quebec |- |shopping |shopping/courses |magasinage | |- |bicycle |vélo |bicyclette |''vélo'' is masculine; ''bicyclette'' is feminine |- |weekend |week-end |fin de semaine |''week-end'' is masculine; ''fin de semaine'' is feminine <br> In France, ''fin de semaine'' refers to the end of the working week (typically Thursday-Friday). |- |toothpaste |dentifrice |pâte à dents |Canadian toothpaste packaging still says ''dentifrice'' |- |email |e-mail/mail |courriel |Use of ''courriel'', short for ''courrier électronique'' (electronic mail), is recommended by the ''Académie française'', but this is all but ignored in France |} Each of Canada's other provinces has a Francophone population, who are not Québécois. Some of these groups have been settled for hundreds of years. Another distinct dialect of French, known as Acadian French, is spoken commonly in parts of [[New Brunswick]], with smaller populations in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Many of these people were expelled by the British during the French and Indian War, and settled in [[Louisiana]], where they would later become known as the Cajuns. Nevertheless, all Francophone Canadians, including Québécois, learn standard French in school, and most of the differences between the two varieties are limited to informal speech. This means that while you may not understand conversation among locals, they will be able to converse with you in standard French if required. [[Image:Arrêt - Stop Sign, Montreal, Canada (28389217345).jpg|thumb|right|300px|Stop sign in Montreal]] ==Phrase list== ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Ouvert (''oo-VAIR'') ; CLOSED : Fermé (''FEHR-may'') ; OPENING HOURS : Horaires d'ouverture (''Oh-RAIR doo-VAIR-tuur'') ; ENTRANCE : Entrée (''AHN-tray'') ; EXIT : Sortie (''sor-TEE'') ; PUSH : Poussez (''POO-say'') ; PULL : Tirez (''TEE-ray'') ; TOILET : Toilettes (''twah-LET'') ; MEN : Hommes (''om'') ; WOMEN : Femmes (''fam'') ; DISABLED : Handicapés (''on-dee-KAP-ay'') ; EMERGENCY EXIT : Sortie de secours (''sor-TEE duh suh-COOR'') ; FORBIDDEN : Interdit, Défendu (''ehn-tair-DEE, day-fahn-DUU'') ; NO PARKING : Stationnement interdit, Défense de stationner (''STAH-syonn-mon an-tair-DEE, day-FAHNS duh STAH-syonn-ay'') ; YIELD / GIVE WAY : Cédez le passage (''SAY-day luh pah-SAHZH'') ; STOP : Stop (''stop'') / Arrêt (''Ah-RAY'')}} ; Hello. (formal): Bonjour. (''bawn-ZHOOR'') (in the day) / Bonsoir. (''bawn-SWAHR'') (at night) ; Hello. (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; How are you? (formal) : Comment allez-vous ? (''koh-moh t-AH-lay VOO'') ; How are you? (informal) : Comment vas-tu ? (''koh-mahng va TUU''); Comment ça va ? (''koh-moh sah VAH'') ; Fine, thank you. : Bien, merci. (''byang, merr-SEE'') ; What is your name? : Comment vous appelez-vous ? (''koh-moh vooz AHP-lay VOO?''); lit. "How do you call yourself?" ; What is your name? (informal) : Comment t'appelles-tu ? (''koh-moh tah-pell TOO?'') ; My name is ______ . : Je m'appelle ______ . (''zhuh mah-PELL _____'') ; Nice to meet you. : Enchanté(e). (''ahn-shan-TAY'') ; Please. (formal) : S'il vous plaît. (''seel voo PLEH''); Je vous prie. (''zhuh voo PREE'') ; Please. (informal) : S'il te plaît. (''seel tuh PLEH'') ; Thank you. : Merci. (''merr-SEE'') ; You're welcome. : De rien. (''duh RYEHNG''); Je vous en prie. (''zhuh voo-zahn PREE'') (more polite) ; Yes. : Oui. (''WEE'') ; No. : Non. (''NOH'') ; Excuse me. : Pardon. (''pahr-DOHN''); Excusez-moi. (''ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH'') ; (I am) Sorry. : (Je suis) Désolé(e). (''zhuh swee DAY-zoh-LAY''); Je m'excuse. (''zhuh mehk-SKEWZ'') ; Goodbye : Au revoir. (''oh ruh-VWAHR'') ; Goodbye (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; I can't speak French [well]. : Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (''zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byang] frahn-SEH '') ; Do you speak English? :Parlez-vous anglais ? (''par-lay VOO ahng-LEH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'')/ Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ee yah-TEEL kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR'') ; Look out! : Attention ! (''ah-tahn-SYONG'') ; Good day / good morning : Bonjour (''bong̠-ZHOO(R)'') ; Have a nice day: Bonne journée (''bon zhoor-NAY'') ; Good evening. : Bonsoir. (''bong-SWAHR'') ; Good night. (at the end of an evening) : Bonne soirée (''bon swahr-RAY'') ; Good night. (when going to bed) : Bonne nuit. (''bon NWEE'') ; Sweet dreams : Faites de beaux rêves (''FEHT duh bo REV'') ; I don't understand. : Je ne comprends pas. (''zhuh nuh KOHM-prahn pah'') ; I don't know. : Je ne sais pas. (''zhuh nuh say pah'') ; I can't. : Je ne peux (pas). (''zhuh nuh puh pah'') ; Where is the toilet? : Où sont les toilettes ? (''OOH sohn leh twah-LET?'') ; What is it? : Qu'est-ce que c'est ? (''KES-kuh-SAY'') ; How do you say _____ in French / in English? : Comment dit-on _____ en français / en anglais ? (''koh-moh dee-TONG _____ ahn frahn-SEH / ahn ahng-LEH ?'') ; What is this/that called? :Comment appelle-t-on ça ? (''koh-moh ah-pell-TONG SAH?'') ; How is that spelt? : Comment ça s'écrit ? (''koh-moh sah SAY-cree?'') ===Problems=== ; Leave me alone. :Laissez-moi tranquille ! (''lay-say mwah trahn-KEEL!'') ; Buzz off. : Dégage ! (''day-GAHZH!'') / Va-t'en ! (''va TAHN'') ; Don't touch me! : Ne me touchez pas ! (''nuh muh TOOSH-ay PAH!'') ; I'm calling the police. : Je vais appeler la police. (''zhuh VAYZ a-pell-AY la poh-LEES'') ; Police! : Police ! (''poh-LEES'') ; Stop! Thief! : Arrêtez ! Au voleur ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vo-LEUR!'') ; Stop! Rapist! : Arrêtez ! Au viol ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vee-YOL!'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR!'') ; Fire! : Au feu ! (''oh FEUH!'') ; Help me, please!. : Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît ! (''aih-day MWAH, SEEL voo PLEH!'') ; It's an emergency. : C'est urgent ! (''seh toor-ZHAHN'') ; I'm lost. : Je me suis perdu(e). (''ZHUH muh swee pehr-DUU'') ; I've lost my bag. : J'ai perdu mon sac. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon SAK'') ; I've lost my wallet. :J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon POHR-tuh-fuhye'') ; My things have been stolen. : On m'a volé mes affaires. (''o(n) ma vo-LAY may-zaf-FAIR'') ; Someone / This man / This woman is harassing me : Quelqu'un / Cet homme / Cette femme me harcèle (''kel-ku(n) / set om / set fam muh ar-SELL'') ; I'm sick. : Je suis malade. (''zhuh swee mah-LAHD'') ; I've been injured. : Je me suis blessé. (''zhuh muh swee bleh-SAY'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Je me suis fait mordre par un chien. (''zhuh muh swee fay MOR-druh par u(n) shee-AH(N)'') ; I need a doctor. : J'ai besoin d'un médecin. (''zhay buh-ZWAHN duun may-TSAN'') ; Can I use your phone? : Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone ? (''PWEEZH oo-tee-lee-ZAY vot-ruh tay-lay-FUN'') ; Call an ambulance. :Appelez une ambulance. (''ah-puh-lay uun OM-boo-lo(n)ss'') ; Call the fire brigade. :Appelez les pompiers. (''ah-puh-lay lay pom-PEE-ay'') ; Call the police. :Appelez la police. (''ah-puh-lay la poh-LEES'') ; Call the coastguard. :Appelez les gardes-côtes. (''ah-puh-lay lay garde cot'') ===Numbers=== [[File:Reunion BrasDeLaPlaine.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Réunion]]]] Unlike English, French uses the long scale, so ''un billion'' and ''un trillion'' are not the same as the English "one billion" and "one trillion". ; 0 : zéro (''zairro'') ; 1 : un/une (''uhn'')/(''uun'') ; 2 : deux (''deu'') ; 3 : trois (''trwah'') ; 4 : quatre (''kahtr'') ; 5 :cinq (''sank'') ; 6 : six (''sees'') ; 7 : sept (''set'') ; 8 : huit (''weet'') ; 9 : neuf (''neuf'') ; 10 : dix (''deece'') ; 11 : onze (''onz'') ; 12 : douze (''dooz'') ; 13 : treize (''trayz'') ; 14 : quatorze (''kat-ORZ'') ; 15 : quinze (''kihnz'') ; 16 : seize (''says'') ; 17 : dix-sept (''dee-SET'') ; 18 : dix-huit (''dee-ZWEET'') ; 19 : dix-neuf (''deez-NUF'') ; 20 : vingt (''vihnt'') ; 21 : vingt-et-un (''vihng-tay-UHN'') ; 22 : vingt-deux (''vihn-teu-DEU'') ; 23 : vingt-trois (''vin-teu-TRWAH'') ; 30 : trente (''trahnt'') ; 40 : quarante (''kar-AHNT'') ; 50 : cinquante (''sank-AHNT'') ; 60 : soixante (''swah-SAHNT'') ; 70 : soixante-dix (''swah-sahnt-DEES'') or septante (''sep-TAHNGT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 80 : quatre-vingts (''kaht-ruh-VIHN''); huitante (''weet-AHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland (except Geneva); octante (''oct-AHNT'') in Switzerland ; 90 : quatre-vingt-dix (''katr-vihn-DEES''); nonante (''noh-NAHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 100 : cent (''sahn'') ; 200 : deux cents (''deu sahng'') ; 300 : trois cents (''trrwa sahng'') [[File:Купюра в 500 франков КФА. Лицевая сторона.jpg|thumb|300px|Cinq cents francs, used in several countries in Central Africa]] ; 1000 : mille (''meel'') ; 2000 : deux mille (''deu meel'') ; 1,000,000 : un million (''ung mee-LYOHN'') (treated as a noun when alone: one million euros would be ''un million d'euros''). ; 1,000,000,000 : un milliard ; 1,000,000,000,000 : un billion ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : numéro _____ (''nuu-may-ROH'') ; half : demi (''duh-MEE''), moitié (''mwah-tee-AY'') ; less : moins (''mwihn'') ; more : plus (''pluus'') / no more : plus (''pluu'') so this time, the "S" is mute ===Time=== [[File:A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles.jpg|thumb|300px|A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles]] ; now : maintenant (''mant-NAHN'') ; earlier : plus tôt (''pluu to'') ; later : plus tard (''pluu TAHR'') ; before : avant (''ah-VAHN'') ; after : après (''ah-PREH'') ; morning : le matin (''luh mah-TAN'') ; in the morning : dans la matinée (''dahn lah mah-tee-NAY'') ; afternoon : l'après-midi (''lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; in the afternoon : dans l'après-midi (''dahn lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; evening : le soir (''luh SWAHR'') ; in the evening: dans la soirée (''dahn lah swah-RAY'') ; night : la nuit (''lah NWEE'') ; in the night : pendant la nuit (''pehndahn lah NWEE'') ====Clock time==== French speakers most commonly use the 24-hour clock, even in Quebec (whereas most other Canadians use the 12-hour clock). In Europe, an 'h' is used as a separator between hours and minutes, as opposed to the colon that is used in Quebec and English-speaking countries. Therefore, midnight is written as ''0h00'', 1AM as ''1h00'', and 1PM as ''13h00''; more details and examples below. However, the 12-hour clock is making some inroads in speech, and saying 1-11 in the afternoon or evening will be understood. ; What's the time? : Quelle heure est-il ? (''kel euhr et-EEL?''); ; hour : heure (''eur'') ; minute : minute (''mee-NUUT'') ; From 1 minute past to 30 minutes past the hour: [hour] + [number of minutes] : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>20 or "twenty past ten" = <nowiki>10h20</nowiki>; "dix heures vingt" (''deez eur va(n)'') ; For 31 minutes past to 59 minutes past the hour : [next hour] + moins (''mwa(n)'') : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>40 or "twenty to eleven" = <nowiki>10h40</nowiki>; "onze heures moins vingt" (''onz eur mwa(n) va(n)'') ; quarter past : [hour] et quart (''ay kahr'') : Example: 07<nowiki>:</nowiki>15 or "quarter past seven" = <nowiki>7h15</nowiki>; "sept heures et quart" (''set eur eh kahr'') ; quarter to :[hour] moins le quart (''mwa(n) luh kahr'') : Example: 16<nowiki>:</nowiki>45 or "quarter to five" = <nowiki>16h45</nowiki>; "dix sept heures moins le quart" (''dee-set eur mwan luh kahr'') ; half-past : et demie (''eh duh-MEE''); et demi (after 12 midnight or 12 noon, ''eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past ten" = <nowiki>10h30</nowiki>; "dix heures et demie" (''deez eur eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past twelve" = <nowiki>12h30</nowiki>; "douze heures et demi" (''dooz eur eh duh-MEE'') ; 1AM, 01<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>1h00</nowiki>; une heure du matin (''uun eur duu ma-TAN'') ; 2AM, 02<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>2h00</nowiki>; deux heures du matin (''dooz eur duu ma-TAN'') ; noon, 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>12h00</nowiki>; midi (''mee-DEE'') ; 1PM, 13<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>13h00</nowiki>; treize heures (''traiyz er'') : une heure de l'après-midi (''uun eur duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 2PM, 14<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>14h00</nowiki>; quatorze heures (''KAH-torz er'') : deux heures de l'après-midi (''duz er duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 6PM, 18<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>18h00</nowiki>; dix-huit heures (''deez-weet ER'') : six heures du soir (''seez er duu SWAR'') ; 7<nowiki>:</nowiki>30PM, 19<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 : <nowiki>19h30</nowiki>; dix-neuf heures trente (''DEE-znuf er TRAHNT'') : sept heures et demie (''SET er eh duh-MEE'') ; midnight, 00<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>0h00</nowiki>; minuit (''mee-NWEE'') ====Duration==== [[File:Fontevraud3.jpg|thumb|300px|Abbaye de Fontevraud]] ; _____ minute(s) : _____ minute(s) (''mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) :_____ heure(s) (''eur'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ jour(s) (''zhoor'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ semaine(s) (''suh-MEN'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ mois (''mwa'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ an(s) (''ahng''), année(s) (''ah-NAY'') ; hourly : horaire (''oh-RAIR'') ; daily : quotidien / quotidienne (''ko-tee-DYAN'' / ''ko-tee-DYEN'') ; weekly : hebdomadaire (''eb-doh-ma-DAIYR'') ; monthly : mensuel / mensuelle (''mang-suu-WEL'') ; seasonal : saisonnier / saisonnière (''SEH-zon-ee-ay'' / ''SEH-zon-ee-air'') ; yearly : annuel / annuelle (''ah-nuu-WEL'') ; How long is your vacation? : Combien de temps restez-vous en vacances ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton res-TAY voo on VAH-kons''); ; I am in France for ten days : Je reste en France pendant dix jours. (''zhuh rest on frons pon-don dee zhoor'') ; How long is the journey? : Combien de temps le voyage dure-t-il ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton luh vwoi-YAHZH dyoor-TEEL'') ; It takes an hour and a half : Cela dure une heure et demie. (''suh-LAH dyoor uun er ay duh-MEE'') ===Days=== ; today : aujourd'hui (''oh-zhoor-DWEE'') ; yesterday : hier (''yare'') ; tomorrow : demain (''duh-MAN'') ; this week : cette semaine (''set suh-MEN'') ; last week : la semaine dernière (''lah suh-MEN dehr-NYAIR'') ; next week : la semaine prochaine (''lah suh-MEN pro-SHEN'') ; the weekend : le week-end (France) / la fin de semaine (Canada) (''luh week-end / lah fah(n) duh suh-MEN'') French calendars normally start on Monday. Unlike in English, the names of days are not capitalised in French: ; Monday : lundi (''luhn-DEE'') ; Tuesday : mardi (''mahr-DEE'') ; Wednesday : mercredi (''mehr-kruh-DEE'') ; Thursday : jeudi (''juh-DEE'') ; Friday : vendredi (''vahn-druh-DEE'') ; Saturday : samedi (''sahm-DEE'') ; Sunday : dimanche (''dee-MAHNSH'') ===Months=== [[File:Fontaine d'Octon.JPG|thumb|300px|The revolutionary calendar isn't in use any longer, but inscriptions where it's been used can be seen here and there]] Unlike English, the names of months are not capitalised in French: ; January : janvier (''ZHO(N)-vee-yeh'') ; February : février (''FEH-vree-yeh'') ; March :mars (''mar''s) ; April :avril (''av-REEL'') ; May :mai (''meh'') ; June :juin (''zh-WAH(N)'') ; July : juillet (''zh-WEE-eh'') ; August : août (''oot'') ; September : septembre (''sep-TOMBR'') ; October : octobre (''oc-TOBR'') ; November : novembre (''no-VOMBR'') ; December : décembre (''deh-SOMBR'') ===Seasons=== ; spring : le printemps (''luh PRAH(N)-toh(m)'') ; summer : l'été (''LAY-tay'') ; autumn : l'automne (''loh-TOMNUH'') ; winter : l'hiver (''LEE-vair'') ===Holidays=== [[File:FréjusPlageSaint-Aygulf.jpg|thumb|300px|France has many beaches, and they are popular destinations during ''les vacances d'été'']] ; Enjoy your holiday/vacation! : Bonnes vacances ! (''bon vah-KOH(N)S'') ; Happy holidays! (festival) : Bonnes fêtes ! (''bon fet'') ; Happy birthday! : Joyeux anniversaire ! (''ZHWY-yeuz-AN-ee-vair-SAIR'') ; Happy New Year! : Bonne année ! (''BON-a-NAY'') ; New Year's Day : le jour de l'an (''luh zhoor duh lah(n)'') ; Shrove Tuesday : le mardi gras (''luh MAR-dee grah'') ; Easter : les Pâques (''lay pak'') ; Passover : la Pâque juive / le Pessa'h (''lah pak zh-WEEV'' / ''luh pess-AKH'') ; Ramadan : le Ramadan (''luh RAH-mah-doh(n)'') (the other Muslim festivals are also called by their Arabic names) ; Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (24 June, Quebec) : la Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste (''lah fet duh lah sa(n)-JOH(N)-bap-TEEST'') ; Bastille Day (14 July, France) : le Quatorze Juillet / la Fête Nationale (''luh kat-ORZ zh-WEE-eh / lah fet nah-syon-NAL'') ; summer holidays : les vacances d'été (''lay vah-KOH(N)S DAY-tay'') ; school holidays : les vacances scolaires (''lay vah-KOH(N)S skoh-LAIR'') ; beginning of the school year : la rentrée (''lah roh(n)-TRAY'') ; All Saints' Day : la Toussaint (''lah TOO-sahn'') ; Hanukkah : Hanoucca (''ah-NOO-kah'') ; Christmas : Noël (''noh-EL'') ; Merry Christmas! : Joyeux Noël ! (''ZHWY-euh noh-EL!'') ===Colours=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. For instance, a lady may be ''blonde'' or ''brunette'' while a gentleman with hair of the corresponding hue is ''blond'' or ''brunet''. ; black : noir/noire (''nwahr'') ; white : blanc/blanche (''blahng/blahnsh'') ; grey : gris/grise (''gree/greez'') ; red : rouge (''roozh'') ; blue : bleu/bleue (''bluh'') ; yellow : jaune (''zhone'') ; green : vert/verte (''verre/vehrt'') ; orange : orange (''oh-RAHNZH'') ; purple : violet/violette (''vee-oh-LEH/vee-oh-LET'') ; brown : brun/brune (''bruh/bruhn''); marron (''MAH-rohn'') ; pink : rose (''roz'') ===Adjectives=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. ; Good :Bon (m.) (''bo(n)'') / Bonne (f.) (''bon'') ; Bad : Mauvais (''MO-vay'') / Mauvaise (f.) (''MO-vez'') ; Big : Grand (m.) (''gro(n)'') / Grande (f.) (''grond'') ; Small : Petit (m.) (''puh-TEE'') / Petite (f.) (''puh-TEET'') ; Hot : Chaud (m.) (''sho'') / Chaude (f.) (''shode'') [[File:Mont Blanc Gipfelpano.jpg|thumb|300px|The summit of [[Mont Blanc]], at about 4800 m above sea level, is ''froid toute l'année'']] ; Cold : Froid (m.) (''frwah'') / Froide (f.) (''frwahd'') ; Fast : Rapide / Vite (both genders) (''rah-PEED / veet'') ; Slow : Lent (m.) (''lo(n)'') / Lente (f.) (''lont'') ; Expensive : Cher (m.) (''shair'') / Chère (f.) (''shairr'') ; Cheap : Bon marché (both genders) (''bo(n) mar-SHAY'') ; Rich : Riche (both genders) (''reesh'') ; Poor : Pauvre (both genders) (''pov-ruh'') ===Transportation=== [[File:SNCF TGV Duplex Viaduc de Cize - Bolozon.jpg|thumb|300px|France's famous TGV (''train à grande vitesse'' - high speed train) crossing the Ain river]] ====Bus and Train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Combien coûte le billet pour _____ ? (''kom-BYAN koot luh bee-YEH poor'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Un billet pour _____, s'il vous plaît. (''ung bee-YEH poor ____ seel voo pleh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Où va ce train/bus ? (''OO va suh trahn/boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Où est le train/bus pour _____ ? (''OO eh luh trahn/buus poor ____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____ ? (''suh trahn/buus sah-reh-tuh-TEEL ah _____'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Quand part le train/bus pour _____? (''kahn par luh trahn/buus poor _____'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Quand ce train/bus arrivera à _____ ? (''kahn suh trahn/buus ah-ree-vuh-RAH ah _____'') ; the/this shuttle : la/cette navette (''lah/set nah-VET'') ; a one-way ticket: un aller simple (''uhn ah-LAY SAM-pluh'') ; a return/round trip ticket: un aller-retour (''uhn ah-LAY ruh-TOOR'') ; I would like to rent a car. : J'aimerais louer une voiture. (''ZHEM-eu-ray LOO-way oon VWA-tuur'') ====Directions==== ; Where is / are _____? : Où se trouve / trouvent _____ ? / (''oo suh tr-OO-v _____'') ; ...the train station? : ...la gare ? (''lah gahr'') ; ...the bus station? : ...la gare routière ? (''lah gahr roo-TYEHR'') ; ...the nearest metro station? : ...la station de métro la plus proche ? (''lah stah-syon duh MAY-tro lah ploo prosh'') ; ...the airport? : ...l'aéroport ? (''lehr-oh-POR?'') ; ...the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy? : ...l'ambassade américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne ? (''lahm-bah-SAHD a-may-ree-KEN / os-trah-lee-EN / bree-tah-NEEK / ka-na-DYEN'') ; ...the (nearest) hotel? :...l'hôtel (le plus proche) ? (''loh-tel luh ploo prohsh'') ; ...the town / city hall? : ...l'hôtel de ville / la mairie ? (''loh-tel duh veel / lah mair-REE'') ; ...the police station? : ...le commissariat de police ? (''luh com-mee-SAHR-ee-ah duh po-LEES'') ; ...the tourist information centre? : ...le syndicat d'initiative ? / l'office de tourisme ? / le bureau touristique ? (Quebec) (''luh SAN-dee-kah dee-NEE-sya-teev'' / ''loff-EES duh toor-REEZ-muh'' / ''luh BOOR-oh toor-REES-teek'') ; ...the nearest bank / ATM? : ...la banque la plus proche ? (''lah bonk lah ploo prosh'') / le distributeur de billets le plus proche ?(''luh dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY luh ploo prosh'') / le guichet automatique le plus proche? (''luh GEE-shay oh-toh-mah-TEEK luh ploo prosh'') ; ...the nearest petrol/gas station ? : ...la station-service la plus proche ? (''lah sth-syon-SAIR-vees lah pluu prosh'') ; ...the market? :...les halles ? (city or large town) / le marché ? (small town or village) (''layz AL-uh'' / ''luh MAR-shay'') ; ...the beach? : ...la plage ? (''lah plaazh'') ; ...the best bars? :...les meilleurs bars ? (''leh meh-YUHR bahr'') ; ...the best restaurants? : ...les meilleurs restaurants ? (''leh meh-YUHR res-toh-RO(N)'') ; _____ Street : rue _____ e.g. ''rue de l'Église, rue Victor Hugo, rue de Rivoli...'' ; Please could you show me it on the map? : S'il vous plaît, pourriez-vous me l'indiquer sur la carte ? (''SEE-voo-PLEH POO-ree-yeh-voo muh la(n)-DEE-keh syoor la cart'' ; Is it far? : C'est loin ? (''seh lwa(n)'') ; No, it's quite close. :Non, c'est tout proche. (''No(n) seh too prohsh'') ; Straight on : Tout droit (''too drwah'') ; Turn right : Tournez à droite (''TOOR-neh a drwaht'') ; Turn left : Tournez à gauche (''TOOR-neh a gohsh'') ; Towards the... : Vers le / la / les... (''vehr luh'') ; Past the... : Après que vous passiez le / la / les... (''ap-REH kuh voo PASS-see-yeh luh / la / leh'') ; Before the... : Avant que vous arriviez au / à la / aux (''av-O(N) kuh vooz-a-REEV-ee-yeh o / a la / o'') ; Next to the... : À côté du / de la / des (''a COH-teh duu / duh la / deh'') ; Opposite the... : En face du / de la / des (''o(n) fass duu / duh la / deh'') ; Follow : Suivre : (''sweevr'') ; The north : le nord (''luh nor'') ; The east : l'est (''lest'') ; The south : le sud (''luh suud'') ; The west : l'ouest (''loo-WEST'') ; The (next) exit : la (prochaine) sortie (''lah pro-SHEN SOR-tee'') ; Here : Ici (''ee-SEE'') ; There : Là(-bas/-haut) (lah (BAH / OH) ; Watch out for... : Repérez... (''ruh-PAIR-ray luh / lah / lay'') ; ...the road : ...la route (''lah root'') ; ...the street : ...la rue (''lah ruu'') ; ...the intersection : ...le carrefour (''luh car-FOOR'') ; ...the traffic lights : ...les feux (''lay fuh'') ; ...the roundabout : ...le rond-point (''luh ro(n)-pwa(n)'') ; ...the motorway : ...l'autoroute (''loh-to-ROOT'') ; ...the railway : ...le chemin de fer (''luh shuh-MA(N) duh fehr'') ; ...the level crossing : ...le passage à niveau (''luh pah-SAAZH-ah-NEE-vo'') ; ...the bridge : ... le pont (''luh po(n)'') ; ...the tunnel : ... le tunnel (''luh tuu-nell'') ; ...the toll booth : le péage (''luh pay-ahzh'') ; Queue : Bouchon (''boo-sho(n)'') ; Roadworks : Travaux (''trah-vo'') ; Road closed : Route barrée (''root BAH-ray'') ; Diversion : Déviation (''day-vee-ah-SYO(N)'') ====Taxi==== [[File:20151107 lyon236.jpg|thumb|300px|Taxi in Lyon]] ; Taxi! : Taxi ! (''tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Déposez-moi à _____, je vous prie. (''DAY-poh-zay-MWAH ah _____, zhuh voo PREE'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Combien ça coûte d'aller à _____ ? (''kahm-BYENG suh-LA koo-TEEL dah-LAY ah _____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Amenez-moi là, je vous prie. (''AH-muh-nay-mwah LAH, zhuh voo PREE'') ; I want to get out here. : Je veux descendre ici. (''zhuh vuh duh-SO(N)D-rr EE-SEE'') ; Thank you! Keep the change. : Merci ! Gardez la monnaie. (''MERR-see GARR-day lah moh-NAY'') ===Lodging=== [[File:BiarritzHotelduPalais1.JPG|thumb|300px|Hotel du Palais in [[Biarritz]]]] ; Bed and breakfast : Chambres d'hôte (''SHAHM-bruh dote'') ; Campsite : Camping (''CAHM-ping'') ; Hotel : Hôtel (''OH-tel'') ; Self-catering cottage / holiday rental : Gîte / Location de vacances (''zheet / lo-cah-syo(n) duh vah-CAHNS'') ; (Youth) hostel : Auberge (de jeunesse) (''oh-BAIRZH duh zheuh-NESS'') ; Do you have any rooms available? : Avez-vous des chambres libres ? (''ah-veh VOO day SHAHM-bruh leeb'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Combien coûte une chambre pour une personne/deux personnes ? (''com-BYA(N) coot uun SHAHM-bruh poor uun PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Does the room come with... : Dans la chambre, y a-t-il... (''dah(n) la SHAHM-bruh, ee-ya-tee'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...des draps de lit ? (''...day dra duh lee?'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...une salle de bain ? (''...uun sal duh bah(n)?'') ; ...a telephone? : ...un téléphone ? (''...u(n) teh-leh-fone?'') ; ...a TV? : ...une télévision ? (''...uun teh-leh-VEEZ-yo(n)?'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...un réfrigérateur / un frigo ? (''...u(n) ray-FREEZH-ay-rah-teur / u(n) FREE-go''?) ; ...a kettle? : ...une bouilloire ? (''...uun boo-WEE-wah?'') [[File:Bungalows la salamandre à foulpointe.JPG|thumb|300px|Bungalows in Foulpointe, [[Madagascar]]]] ; May I see the room first? : Pourrais-je voir la chambre ? (''poo-RAY zhuh vwaah la SHAHM-bruh?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : Avez-vous une chambre plus tranquille ? (''ah-veh VOO uun SHAHM-bruh ploo trahn-KEE?'') ; ...bigger? : ...plus grande ? (''ploo grahnd?'') ; ...cleaner? : ...plus propre? (''ploo prop?'') ; ...cheaper? : ...moins chère? (''mwahn shair?'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Bon, je la prends. (''bo(n), zhuh lah proh(n)'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Je compte rester pour _____ nuits. (''zhuh compt REH-stay poor _____ nwee'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Pourriez-vous me suggérer un autre hôtel ? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh soo-ZHAY-ray u(n) OH-truh OH-tel ?'') ; Do you have a safe? : Avez-vous un coffre-fort ? (''ah-veh VOO u(n) COFF-ruh-FOR?'') ; ...lockers? : ...un vestiaire ? (''u(n) ves-tee-AIR?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Le petit-déjeuner/le dîner est-il compris ? (''luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay eh-TEE com-PREE?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : À quelle heure est servi le petit-déjeuner/le dîner ? (''ah kell euhrr eh SAIR-vee luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay?'') ; Please clean my room. : Veuillez faire le ménage. (''vuh-YEH fair luh MEH-naazh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Pourriez-vous me réveiller à _____? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh REH-veh-yeh ah _____? '') ; You have a bedbug / cockroach / fly / mouse infestation here. : Vous êtes envahi de punaises / blattes / mouches / souris ici. (''voo ZET O(N)-vah-YEE duh poo-NEZ / blat / moosh / soo-REE ee-see'') ; I want to check out. : Je voudrais régler la note. (''zhuh VOO-dray REH-glay lah note'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Acceptez-vous les dollars américains/australiens/canadiens ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh doh-LAHR ah-may-ree-KANG/aws-trah-LYAHNG/kah-nah-DYAHNG?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Acceptez-vous les livres Sterling ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh leevr stehr-LING?'') ; Do you accept euros? : Acceptez-vous les euros ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO lehz-OO-roh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh kahrt duh kray-DEE?'') ; Can you change it (the money) for me? : Pouvez-vous me le faire changer ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Where can I get it (the money) changed? : Où puis-je le faire changer ? (''oo PWEEZH luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Pouvez-vous me faire le change sur un chèque de voyage ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH suur ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Où puis-je changer un chèque de voyage ? (''oo PWEEZH shahng-ZHAY ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Quel est le taux de change ? (''KELL eh luh TAW duh SHAHNZH?'') ; Where can I find a cash point / ATM? : Où puis-je trouver un distributeur de billets ? (''oo PWEEZH troo-VAY ung dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY?'') ===Eating=== [[File:Belon oysters at Belon river, France.jpg|thumb|300px|Belon oysters]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; I'd like to reserve a table for tonight/tomorrow. : Je voudrais réserver une table pour ce soir/demain. (''zhuh voo-DREH REH-sair-VEH uun TAH-bluh poor suh SWAAH / duh-MAHN(G)'') ; set menu : menu (''muh-NUU'') ; à la carte : à la carte (''ah lah KAHRT'') ; the dish of the day : le plat du jour (''luh PLA duu ZHOOR'') ; serves food all day : service continu (''SAIR-vees con-tee-NOO'') ; breakfast : '''France:''' petit-déjeuner (''ptee-day-zheu-NAY''); '''Switzerland/Belgium/Canada''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY'') ; lunch : '''France''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': dîner (''dee-NAY'') ; dinner/supper : '''France''': dîner (''dee-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': souper (''soo-PAY'') ; I would like _____. : Je voudrais _____. (''zhuh voo-DREH _____'') ; something local : un plat typique (de la région) (''uhn pla tee-PEEK (duh lah RAY-zhyong)'') ; I would like a dish containing _____. : Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (''zhuh voo-DREHZ ung plaht ah-VEK _____'') ; meat : de la viande (''duh lah vee-AWND'') ; chicken : du poulet / de la volaille (''duu poo-LEH / duh lah voh-LIE'') : Note: ''volaille'' literally means "poultry", but nearly always means "chicken" on menus ; turkey : de la dinde (''duh lah DAND'') ; duck : du canard (''duu can-AR'') ; lamb : de l'agneau (''duh LAN-yo'') ; pork : du porc / du cochon (''duu POHR''/''duu coh-SHONG''). ; ham : du jambon (''duu zhahng-BONG'') ; beef : du bœuf (''duu BUFF'') {{infobox|Quelle cuisson ?|A common question when ordering meat (especially, but not only, steak) is how long you want it cooked for: rare, medium, or well done? Simple enough, you might think. But if you're from an English-speaking country, then as a general rule of thumb, you'll find that if you ask for what you're used to at home, the meat will be rarer than you'd like. Therefore, it's worth getting to know these terms: * '''Bleu''' – "Blue", almost raw, meat that is cooked for less than a minute each side. * '''Saignant''' – "Bloody", i.e. very rare, but cooked slightly longer than a ''bleu'' steak. * '''À point''' – "Perfectly cooked", and the most popular among the French, but still rare by British or American standards. * '''Bien cuit''' – "Well cooked", but not well done. More like medium, with pink on the inside, though there should be no blood. * '''Très bien cuit''' – This should get you a "well done" steak that is totally cooked through. ''Mais, attention !'' If chef is not used to catering to ''les Anglo-Saxons'', he might just overdo it and give you a plate of leather.}} ; steak : du steak / du bifteck (''duu stek / duu BEEF-tek'') ; sausage : des saucisses (hot) / du saucisson (cold) (''deh saw-SEESS / duu saw-see-SON'') ; game: du gibier (''duu ZHI-bee-ay'') : Note: ''gibier'' may also mean specifically venison ; boar : du sanglier (''duu sahng-GLYAY'') ; venison : du cerf / du chevreuil / de la venaison (''duu SEHR / duu shev-REUY / duh lah vu-NAY-so(n)'') ; rabbit: du lapin (''duu lap-ANG'') ; fish : du poisson (''duu pwa-SONG'') ; salmon : du saumon (''duu saw-MONG'') ; tuna : du thon (''duu TONG'') ; whiting : du merlan (''duu mehr-LANG'') ; cod : de la morue (''duh lah moh-RUU'') ; seabass : du loup (de mer) / du bar (''duu LOO (duh MAIR) / duu BARR'') ; seafood : des fruits de mer (''deh frwee duh MEHR''); literally: "fruits of the sea" ; dulse : de la dulse (''duh lah DUULS'') ; lobster : du homard (''duu oh-MAR''), de la langouste (''duh lah lan-goost'') (rock lobster) ; clams : des palourdes (''deh pah-LOORD'') ; oysters : des huîtres (''dez WEETR'') ; mussels : des moules (''deh MOOL'') ; scallops : des coquilles Saint-Jacques (''deh kok-EE-sah(n)-ZHAK'') [[File:Marchés des Producteurs de Pays 11 16 12.jpg|thumb|300px|Escargots at a farmers market in Paris]] ; snails : des escargots (''dez es-car-GOH'') ; frogs' legs : des cuisses de grenouille (''deh gruh-NOOEY'') ; cheese : du fromage (''duu froh-MAHZH'') ; cow's cheese : du fromage de lait de vache (''duu froh-MAHZH duh lay duh vash'') ; goat's / sheep's cheese : du fromage de chèvre / de brebis (''duu froh-MAHZH duh SHEV-ruh / duh bruh-BEE'') ; eggs : des œufs (''dehz UH'') ; one egg : un œuf (''un UF'') ; (fresh) vegetables : des légumes (frais) (''deh lay-guum (FREH)'') ; onions : des oignons (''DEZ-on-yon'') ; carrots : des carottes (''deh kah-ROT'') ; peas : des (petits) pois (''deh (PUH-tee) PWAH'') ; broccoli : du brocoli (''duu broh-COLEE'') ; sweetcorn : du maïs (''duu my-YEES'') ; mushrooms : des champignons (''deh SHAM-pee-nyon'') ; cabbage : du chou (''duu shoo'') ; spinach : des épinards (''DEZ-ep-ee-NARR'') ; green / French beans : des haricots verts (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko VAIRR'') ; white / haricot beans : des haricots blancs (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko BLAWNG'') ; Brussels sprouts : des choux de Bruxelles (''deh shoo duh bruu-SEL'') ; lentils : des lentilles (''deh lon-TEE'') ; potatoes : des pommes de terre (''deh POM-duh-TAIR'') ; French fries : des frites (''day freet'') ; (fresh) fruit : des fruits (frais) (''deh frwee (freh)'') ; an apple : une pomme (''uun pom'') ; a pear : une poire (''uun pwarr'') ; a plum : une prune (''uun pruun'') ; a peach : une pêche (''uun pesh'') ; grapes : des raisins (''deh RAY-zan'') ; cherries : des cerises (''deh suh-REEZ'') ; an orange : une orange (''uun oh-RAWNZH'') ; a banana : une banane (''uun bah-NAN'') ; a mango : une mangue (''uun mawngg'') ; a lemon : un citron (''un SEE-trong'') ; a lime : un citron vert / un limon / une lime (''un SEE-trong vair / un LEE-mon / uun leem'') ; berries : des fruits rouges (''deh frwee roozh'') ; strawberries : des fraises (''deh frez'') ; raspberries : des framboises (''deh from-BWAHZ'') ; blackberries : des mûres (''deh muur'') ; blueberries : des myrtilles (''deh MIRR-tee'') ; blackcurrant : des cassis (''deh kah-SEES'') ; a salad : une salade (''uun sah-LAHD'') ; cucumber : du concombre (''duu cong-COMBRR'') ; tomatoes : des tomates (''deh toh-MAT'') ; lettuce : de la laitue (''duh lah LAY-tuu'') ; red / yellow / green pepper : du poivron rouge / jaune / vert (''duu PWAH-vrong roozh / zhoan / vairr'') ; spring onions : des oignons nouveaux (''DEZ-on-YONG NOO-vo'') ; radish : du radis (''duu RAH-dee'') ; chives : de la ciboulette (''duh lah SEE-boo-LET'') ; mixed herbs : des herbes de Provence (''dez-AIRB-duh-pro-VAWNSS'') ; bread : du pain (''duu pang'') ; toast : des toasts (''deh toast'') ; (milky) coffee : du café (au lait) (''duu kah-FAY (oh lay)'') : Note: Coffee will always be served black unless you ask for milk ; tea : du thé (''duu tay'') ; juice : du jus (''duu zhuu'') ; fresh / sparkling water : de l'eau plate / gazeuse (''duh loh PLAT / gah-ZUHZ'') : Note: If you ask for "water", you will get mineral water. To specify "tap water", say "eau du robinet" (''OH duu roh-bee-NEH'') or ask for a jug of water "une carafe d'eau" (''uun cahr-AHF doh''). ; (draught) beer : de la bière (pression) (''duh lah byehr'') ; red / white / rosé wine : du vin rouge / blanc / rosé (''duu vang roozh / blahng / ro-ZAY'') ; May I have some _____? : Puis-je avoir _____ ? (''pweezh ah-VWAHR duu'') ; salt : du sel (''duu sel'') ; black pepper : du poivre (''duu pwavr'') ; garlic : de l'ail (''duh lie'') ; butter : du beurre (''duu bur'') ; olive oil : de l'huile d'olive (''duh LWEEL-doh-LEEV'') ; ketchup/mayonnaise/mustard/alioli : du ketchup / de la mayonnaise / de la moutarde / de l'aïoli (''duu KECH-up / duh lah MIE-oh-NEZ / duh lah MOO-tard / duh LIE-oh-lee'') ; Excuse me, waiter / waitress? : S'il vous plaît, monsieur / madame ? (''seell voo PLEH muh-SYUH/ma-DAHM'') : Note: "garçon" (boy) is offensive and should be avoided. ; I'm finished. : J'ai terminé. (''zhay TAIRH-mee-NAY'') ; It was delicious. : C'était délicieux. (''seh-tay de-li-SYUH'') ; Can you please clear the plates? : Pouvez-vous débarrasser la table, s'il vous plaît ? (''poovay voo DEH-bahr-a-seh lah tah-bluh seel voo play'') ; The check (bill), please. : L'addition, s'il vous plaît. (''lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo play'') ====Dietary requirements==== [[File:20170329 ratatouille-fin-cuisson.jpg|thumb|300px|Ratatouille]] ; I am _____. : Je suis _____. (''zhuh swee'') ; ...vegan : végétalien (''vey-zhey-tal-YENG'') (m); végétalienne (''vey-zhey-tal-YEN'') (f) ; ...vegetarian : végétarien (''vey-zhey-tar-YENG'') (m); végétarienne (''vey-zhey-tar-YEN'') (f) ; I do not eat eggs, milk, or cheese. : Je ne mange pas d'œufs, de lait ni de fromage. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah dooh, duh lay, nee duh froh-MAHZH'') ; I do not eat meat, chicken, or pork. : Je ne mange pas de viande, de poulet, ni de porc. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah duh vee ahnd, duh poo-LEH, nee duh pohr'') ; I do not eat _____. : Je ne mange pas_____. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah'') ; ...honey. : de miel. (''duh mee ehl'') ; ...animal products. : de produits animaux. (''duh pro-dweez-ah-nee-mo'') ; ...dairy. : de laitage. (''duh lay tazh'') ; ...wheat. : de blé. (''duh blay'') ; ...seafood. : de fruits de mer. (''duh frwee duh MEHR'') ; ...nuts. : de noix (''duh nwaah'') ; ...gluten : de gluten (''duh gluu-TEN'') ; I do eat _____. : Je mange _____. (''zhuh monzh'') ; ...grains. : des céréales. (''deh say-ray-ahl'') ; ...vegetables. : des légumes. (''deh lay-guum'') ; ...beans. : des fèves. (''deh fehv'') ; ...fruit : des fruits. (''deh frwee'') ; I only eat kosher / halal food. : Je ne mange que de la nourriture kasher (casher, cachère) / halal. (''zhuh nuh monzh kuh duh la noo-ri-toor CASH-eh / alal'') ; I am allergic to... : Je suis allergique à... (''zhuh sweez ah-lair-ZHEEK ah...'') ===Bars=== [[File:Chai-barrique.JPG|thumb|300px|Cognac barrels]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Do you serve alcohol? : Servez-vous des boissons alcoolisées ? (''sair-vay VOO day bwa-songz al-co-ol-ee-SAY'') ; Is there table service? : Est-ce que vous servez à la table ? (''ess-kuh voo ser-VAYZ ah lah TAHBL?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Une bière/deux bières, s'il vous plaît. (''uun BYEHR/deuh BYEHR, seel voo PLEH'') ; A draught beer, please. : Une pression, s'il vous plaît (''uun pres-SYON, seel voo PLEH'') ; A glass of red/white/rosé/sparkling wine, please. :Un verre de vin rouge/blanc/rosé/pétillant, s'il vous plaît. (''an ver duh van rooj / blan / ro-ZAY / PET-ee-YAUN, seel voo PLEH'') ; A quarter litre of beer, please : Un demi, s'il-vous-plaît. (''an deh-mee, seel voo PLEH'') ; A pint, please. : Une pinte, s'il vous plait. (''uun pannt, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; A bottle, please. : Une bouteille, s'il vous plait. (''uun boo-tay, seel voo PLEH'') ; _____ (''spirit'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. :_____ et _____, s'il vous plait. (''____ eh ____, seel voo PLEH'') ; whisky : whisky (m.) (''wee-skee'') ; vodka : vodka (f.) (''VOD-kah'') ; rum : rhum (m.) (''room'') ; cider : cidre (m.) (''seedr'') ; water : eau (f.) (''oh'') ; club soda : soda (m.) (''so-dah'') ; tonic water : Schweppes (m. or f.) (''shwep'') ; orange juice : jus d'orange (m.) (''joo d'or-AHNJ'') ; Coke (''soda'') : Coca (m.) (''koh-KAH'') ; One more, please. : Un/une autre, s'il vous plait. (''uhn / uun OH-truh, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; Another round, please. : Un autre pour la table, s'il vous plait. (''ahn OH-truh poor la tah-bluh, seel voo PLEH'') ; When is closing time? : À quelle heure fermez-vous ? (''ah kell EUR fer-MAY voo'') ===Shopping=== [[File:Marigot Market Saint Martin.JPG|thumb|300px|Marigot Market, [[Saint Martin]]]] ; Do you have this in my size? : Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ? (''AH-veh-VOO say-SEE dan sma THAI'') ; How much (is this)? : Combien (ça) coûte ? (''COMM-bee-yan (SAH) coot'') ; That's too expensive. : C'est trop cher. (''say-TRO-shair'') ; Would you take _____? : Pourriez-vous accepter _____ ? (''poor-yay-VOOZ ahk-sep-TAY'') ; expensive : cher (''shehr'') ; cheap :bon marché (''bong mar-SHAY'') (Note: this doesn't change with the gender or number of the noun. ''Elles sont bon marché'' is correct''.'') ; I can't afford it. : Je n'ai pas les moyens. (''zhe nay pah leh mwah-YAHNG'') ; I don't want it. : Je n'en veux pas. (''zhe nahng veu pah'') ; You're cheating me. : Vous me trompez. (''voo muh TROM-pay'') ; I'm not interested. : Je ne suis pas intéressé. (''zhen swee pahz-ann-tay-ress-SAY'') ; OK, I'll take it. : D'accord, je le/la prends. (''dah-kor zhe luh/lah prahn'') ; Can I have a bag? : Pourrais-je avoir un sac ? (''poo-REHZH ah-VWAR ung sahk'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l'étranger) ? (''leev-ray-VOO ootr-MEHR/ah lay-trahn-ZHAY'') ; I need... : J'ai besoin... (''zhay buh-ZWAHN'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...de dentifrice. (''duh dahn-tee-FREESS'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...d'une brosse à dents. (''duun bross ah DAHN'') ; ...tampons. : ...de tampons. (''duh tahm-POHN'') ; ...soap. : ...de savon. (''duh sah-VOHN'') ; ...shampoo. : ...de shampooing. (''duh shahm-PWAHN'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...d'un analgésique (''aspirine, ibuprofène'');. (''dun ah-nal-zhay-ZEEK (ahs-pee-REEN/ee-buu-proh-FEN)'') ; ...cold medicine. :...d'un médicament pour le rhume. (''dun may-dee-kah-MAHNG poor luh RUUM'') ; ...stomach medicine. :...d'un remède pour l'estomac. (''dun ray-MED poor less-toh-MAHK'') ; ...an antihistamine :...d'un antihistaminique (''dun on-tee-STAM-eek'') ; ...a razor. :...d'un rasoir. (''dun rah-ZWAR'') ; ...batteries. : ...de piles. (''duh PEEL'') ; ...a SIM card. : ...d'une carte SIM (''duun cahrrt seem'') ; ...an umbrella. (rain) : ...d'un parapluie. (''duun pah-ra-ploo-ee'') ; ...an umbrella. (sun) : ...d'une ombrelle. (''duun ohm-brehl'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...de crème solaire. (''duh crehm so-LEHR'') ; ...a postcard. : ...d'une carte postale. (''duun kahrt post-AL'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...de timbres. (''duh TAHM-burs'') ; ...writing paper. : ...de papier à lettres. (''duh pap-YEH ah LEH-TR'') ; ...a pen. :...d'un stylo. (''dun STEE-loh'') ; ...English-language books. : ...de livres en anglais. (''duh LEE-vruh-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...de revues en anglais. (''duh REH-voo-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...d'un journal en anglais. (''dun zhoar-NAL ahn ahng-LEH'') ; ...a French-English dictionary. :...d'un dictionnaire français-anglais. (''dun deect-see-ohn-AIR frahn-SEH ahng-LEH'') ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Je n'ai rien fait de mal. (''zhuh nay ree-AHN fay duh MAL'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : C'est une erreur. (''set uhn air-UR'') ; Where are you taking me? : Où m'emmenez-vous ? (''ooh mehm-en-EH voo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Suis-je en état d'arrestation ? (''SWEEZH ahn EH-tah dahr-es-ta-SYONG'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m) : Je suis un citoyen américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f) : Je suis une citoyenne américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I want to speak to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy or consulate. : Je veux parler à l'ambassade ou au consulat américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''ZHUH vuh pahr-LAY ah lahm-ba-SAHD oo oh kon-soo-LAHT a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN'') ; I want to speak to a lawyer. : Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (''ZHUH vood-RAY par-lehr ah uhn AH-vo-cah'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende ? (''poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND'') ; [offering bribe] Will you accept this in place of my fine? : Acceptez-vous ceci au lieu de mon amende ? (''accept-eh voo suh-see oh LOO duh mon ah-MAND'') : ''Note: Only consider attempting this in third world countries. ''Do not'' try to do this in European Francophone countries or in Canada as it will get you in worse trouble!'' {{guidephrasebook}} {{PartOfPhrasebook|Europe|Oceania|Africa|North America|South America}} p31f45iy9267l55dctc8c57wkrwif7p 4506227 4506226 2022-08-22T13:06:19Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Vowels */ "African" not a language and potentially inappropriate – remember, Africa is not one country. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | French phrasebook banner Sign in Geneva.jpg | caption=Sign in Geneva asking nightly bar patrons not to disturb people who sleep|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Map-Francophone World.svg|thumb|500px|French speaking areas]] '''French''' (''français'') is a Romance language, and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world: 277 million people speak French, including about 100 million native speakers. While the French language originated in [[France]], in modern times it is spoken on every continent; it is an official language of 29 countries, an important business, cultural, or minority language in dozens of other countries and regions, and is used officially by scores of international organisations including the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Olympic Committee. French was the main international lingua franca well into the 20th century, and at one point, French was the language spoken in most of the royal courts of Europe. To this day, it remains ''de rigueur'' for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. [[File:Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation).svg|thumb|500px|Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation)]] French is the sole official language of France, including all of its overseas departments and territories, and is the only language you will need to communicate with French nationals. Beyond France, French is widely spoken in many nearby countries in Europe, including the southern half of [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]] and [[Brussels]]), western [[Switzerland]], [[Monaco]], [[Luxembourg]], and the [[Aosta Valley]] of northwestern [[Italy]]. A significant number of second-language speakers are also found on most of the [[Channel Islands]] ([[Jersey]], [[Guernsey]], and [[Sark]], where dialects of Norman extremely similar to French persist), and in the tiny Pyrenean country of [[Andorra]]. In the Americas, French is spoken primarily in the Canadian provinces of [[Quebec]], [[New Brunswick]], the northern and eastern parts of [[Ontario]] and around the Winnipeg area of [[Manitoba]]. Indeed, [[Canada]] is an officially bilingual nation and there are Francophone enclaves in almost every province, though outside of the four provinces mentioned, it's quite rare to encounter anyone in Canada who speaks more than a few words of French without hunting down off-the-beaten-track French-speaking communities. French is also spoken in a few parts of the [[United States]], namely parts of [[Louisiana]] and northern [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Vermont]]. In the Caribbean, French is an official language of [[Haiti]], a former colonial possession of France. The Americas also host the French departments of [[Martinique]], [[Guadeloupe]], and [[French Guiana]], plus the overseas collectivities of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]], [[Saint Barthélemy]], and the northern half of [[Saint Martin]]. Elsewhere, French is an official language of many former French and Belgian colonies in Africa, like [[Cameroon]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and the [[Republic of the Congo]], and is unofficial but carries prestige in others, namely [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]], and [[Morocco]]. It is an important administrative, educational, and cultural language in the former French Southeast Asian possessions of [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]]. In the Indian Ocean, [[Réunion]] and [[Mayotte]] are French overseas departments, while French is also an official language in [[Mauritius]] and the [[Seychelles]]. In Oceania, [[New Caledonia]], [[French Polynesia]], and [[Wallis and Futuna]] remain overseas territories of France, and French is also one of the official languages of [[Vanuatu]]. The French Wikivoyage has a [[:fr:Francophonie|page]] that can help you locate French-speaking regions. ==Grammar== [[File:Institut de France - Académie française et pont des Arts.jpg|thumb|300px|Like Spanish and German, but unlike English, the French language is governed by an official regulator - ''L'Académie française''. Headquartered in Paris (shown here), the Académie issues guidance and recommendations on good French, and its occasional spelling reforms are often controversial.]] ===Gender and its complications=== French nouns are divided into two different '''genders''': masculine and feminine. Unlike in English, all inanimate objects have a gender assigned to them: for example, ''pain'' (bread) is masculine, while ''confiture'' (jam) is feminine. The grammatical gender of nouns denoting persons generally follows the person's natural sex; for instance, ''mère'' (mother) is feminine, while ''père'' (father) is masculine. However, some nouns are always of the same gender regardless of the natural gender of the person they are referring to: ''personne'' is always feminine even if the person in question is a man. It is not always easy to tell at a glance which gender a noun is but, in general, if it ends in a consonant, or by the letter combinations ''-age'', ''-au'', ''-é'', ''-ège'', ''ème'', or ''-isme'' / ''-iste'', or is a foreign (particularly English) loanword, it's likely to be masculine. On the other hand, if a noun ends in ''-ace'', ''-ance'' / ''-ence'', ''-ée'', ''-elle'' / ''-erre'' / ''-esse'' / ''-ette'', ''-ie'', ''-ice'', ''-ine'', ''-ise'', ''-que'', or ''-tion / sion'', it's probably feminine. There are plenty of exceptions, however! The singular '''definite article''' ("the" in English) of each noun depends on its gender: ''le'' (m), ''la'' (f) or ''l’'' (before all singular nouns starting with a vowel and some starting with "h", regardless of gender). The plural definite article for both genders is ''les''. Thus: * le garçon – the boy → les garçons – the boys * la fille – the girl → les filles – the girls * l'homme – the man → les hommes – the men The singular '''indefinite article''' ("a" and "an" in English) also corresponds to the noun's gender: ''un'' for masculine and ''une'' for feminine. Unlike English, French has a plural indefinite article – ''des'', which works for both genders – and three '''partitive articles''' – ''du'' (m), ''de la'' (f), and ''de l’'' (before vowels and some instances of the letter "h"), which precede uncountable nouns. Thus: * un homme – a man → des hommes – men * une femme – a woman → des femmes – women * du vin – wine * de la confiture – jam * de l'eau – water Similarly, the '''third person pronouns''' also depend on the grammatical gender of the subject: ''il'' (m – he or it) or ''elle'' (f – she or it), with ''ils'' and ''elles'' respectively being the masculine and feminine plurals (they). When there are groups of mixed-gender people or objects, ''ils'' is always used. ===Formal and informal speech=== In French, there are two equivalents of the English word '''"you"'''. When addressing one person you know well such as a family member or a friend, plus any time you speak to one child or one animal, the word to use will be ''tu''. In '''''all''''' other situations, including when addressing a group of people regardless of who they are, the word to use will be ''vous''. This means that in practice, as a traveller and novice French speaker, most of the time you will be using ''vous''. It is important to know the distinction, as while addressing a pet dog with the ''vous'' form might just raise a chuckle, using ''tu'' with somebody you've just met is inappropriate and may offend the person whom you are addressing. After initially using the ''vous'' form, a person may say to you ''"On peut se tutoyer"''; this is a polite invitation for you to use the ''tu'' form with them. The default '''title''' used when addressing a man is ''monsieur'', while a woman would be addressed as ''madame''. ''Mademoiselle'' was traditionally used to address young, unmarried women, but this is now controversial and arguably sexist, so unless the other person tells you otherwise, it is best to default to ''madame''. The respective plurals are ''messieurs'' and ''mesdames'', so the French equivalent of "ladies and gentlemen" is "''mesdames et messieurs''", though often in speech this is rendered as "''messieurs-dames''". ===Verbs=== In a manner similar to many other Romance languages, French '''verbs''' all end in either ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' in their infinitive forms, for example ''écouter'' (to listen), ''finir'' (to finish), and ''vendre'' (to sell). Verbs in French '''conjugate''' differently according to tense, mood, aspect and voice. This means that there are many more possible conjugations for French verbs than English verbs, and learning how to conjugate each verb in different scenarios can be a challenge for English speakers. Fortunately for you, the vast majority of verbs follow a regular conjugation pattern. Here are three examples of regular verbs conjugated in the present tense, which can be used as a model for all other present-tense regular verbs. For the regular conjugations, remove the ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' ending from the infinitive and add the letters in bold from the table below: {| class="wikitable" |+ !regular<br>''-er'' verb example: ÉCOUTER !to listen !regular<br>''-ir'' verb example: FINIR !to finish !regular<br>''-re'' verb example: VENDRE !to sell |- |j'écout'''e''' |I listen |je fin'''is''' |I finish |je vend'''s''' |I sell |- |tu écout'''es''' |you listen (informal) |tu fin'''is''' |you finish (informal) |tu vend'''s''' |you sell (informal) |- |il écout'''e''' elle écout'''e''' |he listens / it listens (masculine inanimate) she listens / it listens (feminine inanimate) |il fin'''it''' elle fin'''it''' |he finishes / it finishes (masculine inanimate) she finishes / it finishes (feminine inanimate) |il vend elle vend |he sells / it sells (masculine inanimate) she sells / it sells (feminine inanimate) |- |on écout'''e''' |one listens we listen |on fin'''it''' |one finishes we finish |on vend |one sells we sell |- |nous écout'''ons''' |we listen |nous fin'''issons''' |we finish |nous vend'''ons''' |we sell |- |vous écout'''ez''' |you listen (formal / plural) |vous fin'''issez''' |you finish (formal / plural) |vous vend'''ez''' |you sell (formal / plural) |- |ils écout'''ent''' elles écout'''ent''' |they listen |ils fin'''issent''' elles fin'''issent''' |they finish |ils vend'''ent''' elles vend'''ent''' |they sell |- |} Some verbs are '''irregular''', meaning that they use different roots when conjugated. The good news is that irregular verbs are very much in the minority. The bad news is that nearly all of the most useful everyday verbs are irregular; you will have to learn their conjugations individually if you wish to use them effectively: ''aller'' (to go), ''venir'' (to come), ''voir'' (to see), ''faire'' (to do), ''acheter'' (to buy), ''manger'' (to eat), ''boire'' (to drink), ''sortir'' (to go out), ''dormir'' (to sleep), ''pouvoir'' (to be able to), and ''vouloir'' (to want). The worst of these are probably ''être'' (to be) and ''avoir'' (to have), by far the most common verbs for everyday communication. Here are the present tense conjugations of each; you'll notice the entire word changes for each form of the verb: [[Image:Eclairs at Fauchon in Paris.jpg|thumb|300px|If you hate grammar, just think of éclairs. ''Éclair'', by the way, is a masculine noun.]] {| class="wikitable" |+ !AVOIR !to have !ÊTRE !to be |- |j''''ai''' |I have |je '''suis''' |I am |- |tu '''as''' |you have (informal) |tu '''es''' |you are (informal) |- |il '''a''' elle '''a''' |he has / it has (masculine inanimate) she has / it has (feminine inanimate) |il '''est''' elle '''est''' |he is / it is (masculine inanimate) she is / it is (feminine inanimate) |- |on '''a''' |one has we have |on '''est''' |one is we are |- |nous '''avons''' |we have |nous '''sommes''' |we are |- |vous '''avez''' |you have (formal / plural) |vous '''êtes''' |you are (formal / plural) |- |ils '''ont''' elles '''ont''' |they have |ils '''sont''' elles '''sont''' |they are |} ==Pronunciation== [[File:Moliere-statue.jpg|thumb|300px|French is often called the "language of Molière". The Parisian playwright is celebrated in stone on the city hall of his hometown.]] French spelling is '''not very phonetic'''. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. The good news, though, is that French generally has more regular pronunciation rules than English. This means that with sufficient practice, one can generally pronounce written French fairly accurately. However, the large number of homophones and silent letters make it such that attempting to write down spoken French often results in spelling mistakes, even for native speakers. Some rules are as follows: * '''Stress''' is fairly even in French, but the stress almost always falls on the last syllable. In words where the stress falls on an earlier syllable, it's not uncommon to hear the last syllable or sound of some words cut off or "swallowed." For example, ''Possible'' can sound like ''poss-EEB'' and ''hymne'' can sound like ''eem''. This is particularly noticeable in Quebec, but exists in other accents too. * The '''final consonant''' of a word is usually silent except for c, f, l, q, and r. Thus, ''allez'' (go) is pronounced ''al-AY'', not ''al-AYZ''; ''tard'' (late) is pronounced ''tar'', not ''tard''. * If the next word begins with a vowel, a consonant may be pronounced; this is called '''''liaison'''''. For example, ''allez-y'' (≈ go ahead / off you go), is pronounced ''al-ay-ZEE'', while ''mes amis'' (my friends) is pronounced ''MEZ-ah-MEE'' . * A '''final e''' is also usually silent if the word has more than one syllable, except in parts of southern France and when singing or reciting poetry, when it can appear as a schwa or é sound (see [[#Vowels|below]]). Guess what? Those pronunciation "rules" you just read have a ton of '''exceptions'''! For example, the rule that a final r is pronounced is not true in the combination "-er", normally found in verb infinitives; this letter combination is pronounced ''ay''. The plural ending "-ent" for verbs is silent (except for the t, in cases of liaison), even though it is pronounced when it appears in other words. Sometimes, whether to pronounce the final consonant of a word is denoted by its grammatical function; for example, the final "s" in ''tous'' (all) is silent when used as an adjective, but pronounced when used as a pronoun, while the final "f" in nouns such as ''cerf'' (deer) and ''œuf'' (egg) is pronounced in the singular form, but in the plural form (''cerfs'', ''œufs'') the "f" and the "s" are both silent. A final warning: for many French words, it is impossible to write something which an English speaker can easily read and reproduce without compromising on "perfect" French pronunciation. This means that '''the pronunciation guides in this very phrasebook are open to interpretation!''' Use the transliteration provided with each phrase as a guide to ''liaison'', but refer to the following letter lists in order to correctly pronounce the vowels and consonants. ===Vowels=== Vowels in French can have '''accent marks''', which generally have no noticeable impact on pronunciation, but they often distinguish between homophones in writing (''ou'', meaning "or", and ''où'', meaning "where", are pronounced the same). The only really important ones which affect pronunciation are é, è, and ê, which are called ''e accent aigu'', ''e accent grave'', and ''e accent circonflexe'', respectively. The grave and circumflex accents have the same name when they appear on other letters, while the umlaut (ë, ï, ü) is called ''e / i / u tréma''. ; a, à, â : like f'''a'''ther (U.S. English) or c'''a'''t (UK English); {{IPA|a}}. In Quebec French, sometimes more like "aw" as in the standard UK pronunciation of n'''o'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; e : in most cases a central neutral vowel ("schwa") like in '''a'''bout {{IPA|ə}}, sometimes like "é" or "è". At the end of a word, it's usually not pronounced at all ; é, ai, -er, -es, -ez, -et : similar to d'''ay''' but shorter {{IPA|e}} ; è, ê : more open, like s'''e'''t {{IPA|ɛ}}. Sometimes diphthongised in Quebec French {{IPA|ɛɪ̯}} ; i, î : like s'''ee''', but shorter and tenser {{IPA|i}} ; o, ô, au, eau : generally like b'''oa'''t {{IPA|o}} ; u, ù : like a very tight, frontal "oo" sound (purse your lips as if to say "oo" as in "soon" but try to make your tongue say "ee") - {{IPA|y}}, ''uu'' in transcriptions, similar to the German ü. Sometimes pronounced more like "eu" in Quebec French ; ou : like f'''oo'''d, but rounder {{IPA|u}} ; y : when followed by a consonant, like s'''ee''' {{IPA|i}}. When followed by another vowel, it's used as a consonant, pronounced '''y'''es {{IPA|j}} ; eu : between d'''ew''' and b'''u'''rp {{IPA|ø}}; written as ''eu'' in transcriptions [[Image:Ouagadougou place nations unies.JPG|thumb|300px|Like many ex-colonial placenames, '''[[Ouagadougou]]''' mixes French spelling convention with Mooré words]] ===Semi-vowels=== ; oi : like '''wha'''m {{IPA|wa}}, or when followed by a nasal more like '''we'''t {{IPA|wɛ̃}}. In Quebec French, sometimes like th'''ough'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; oui : like '''wee'''k {{IPA|wi}} ; ui : like '''wee'''k, but with a French u instead of the w {{IPA|ɥi}} ; œ : a bit like ''eu'', but more open {{IPA|œ}}. The distinction between ''œ'' (called ''o e entrelacés'') and ''eu'' is very subtle and often irrelevant. ===Consonants=== ; b : {{pron|b|b}} ; c : {{pron|k|c|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|s̪|c|notes=before "e", "i", and "y"}} ; ç : like the second pronunciation of ''c''. This letter, called a "cedilla" (''cédille''), can only be written before "a" ,"o", or "u" ; ch : {{pron|ʃ|ch}}; sometimes like k (in words of Greek origin mostly) ; d : {{pron|d̪|d}}. In Quebec, like "dz" or "ds" when before "i" or "y" ; dj : {{pron|d͡ʒ|dj}} ; f : {{pron|f|f}} ; g : {{pron|ɡ|g|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|ʒ|g|notes=before "e", "i" and "y"}} ; gu : like the first pronunciation of g (before "e", "i", "y"); if the u is to be pronounced, it will be written with a diaresis (e.g. ''aigüe'') ; gn : {{pron|ɲ|gn}}. This is particularly difficult when followed by '''oi''', as in '''baignoire''' (''beh-NYWAR'') "bathtub". ; h : silent, but may sometimes prevent a ''liaison'' with the former word (this is called an ''h aspiré'') ; j : like the second pronunciation of g ; k : {{pron|k|k|notes=only used for loanwords, but common in Alsatian and Breton placenames}} ; l, ll : {{pron|l|l}}; some exceptions for "ll" in the combination "ille" (sometimes pronounced ee-yuh, {{IPA|j|noparen=y}}), or in "guillotine". ; m : {{pron|m|m}} ; n: pronounced with the tongue touching the teeth {{IPA|n̪}}, except when followed by a vowel, when it is pronounced like '''n'''ose {{IPA|n}}. See [[#Nasals|Nasals]] below}} ; p : {{pron|p|p}} ; ph : like f ; pn : like a'''pn'''ea {{IPA|pn}} ; ps: like sli'''ps''' {{IPA|ps}} ; q(u) : most of the time k, like '''qu'''ick only in loanwords ; r : guttural r, pronounced at the back of the throat {{IPA|ʁ}} ; s : usually like the second pronunciation of c; like ''z'' when between two vowels (unless doubled), or in a liaison ; t, th : {{pron|t̪|t}}; in Quebec, {{pron|t͡s|t}} when before "i" or "y"; like the second pronunciation of c in ''tion'' ; tch : {{pron|t͡ʃ|tch}} ; v : {{pron|v|v}} ; w : only in foreign words, mostly {{pron|w|w}} and sometimes like v (in particular, "wagon" is "vagon" and "WC" is "VC"!) ; x : either ks, gz or s ; z : {{pron|z̪|z}} [[File:Home Alone House.jpg|thumb|300px|Remember the scene in the movie ''Home Alone'' where Kevin's sister mockingly told him "you're what the French call ''les incompétents''"? Even though grammar Nazis might deduct points for addressing a singular subject in the plural, any phonicist will tell you she got the sound of the French nasal vowel pretty much down pat.]] ===Nasals=== ; an, en, em : nasal a {{IPA|ɑ̃}}. Not always pronounced as a nasal, especially if the n or m is doubled: ''emmental'' is pronounced as a normal "emm" sound ; on : nasal o {{IPA|ɔ̃}} - distinguishing between this and "an" is tricky, it's a deeper, more closed sound ; in, ain : nasal è {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; un : nasal eu {{IPA|œ̃}}. In northern France and particularly around Paris, pronounced the same as 'in' {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; oin : nasal "wè" {{IPA|wɛ̃}} ===Diphthongs=== ; aï, ail : like the English pronoun '''I''' {{IPA|aj}} ; ay, éi : ''é'' and ''i'' smooshed together {{IPA|ɛ.i}} ; ill : either literally, or like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (''ville'' is ''veel'', ''fille'' is ''fiy'') Quebec French sometimes has vestigial diphthongs where French from France no longer does. For example, while a Parisian would pronounce the word ''maître'' as ''MET-ruh'', a Québécois would pronounce it more like ''MIGHT-ruh''. ===Exceptions=== * When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: ''réunion'' (meeting). * A diaeresis (''tréma'') may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: ''maïs'' (Indian corn or maize). * In the combination "geo" (as in ''pigeon'' or ''bourgeois''), the "e" should not be pronounced, as it is only there to force the pronunciation of the soft "g" {{IPA|ʒ}}. When the e is marked with an acute accent (as in ''géologie'') it is pronounced the normal way. ==International varieties of French== [[Image:Guadeloupe creole 2010-03-30.JPG|thumb|300px|"Levez le pied, il y a des enfants qui jouent ici !" - Lift your foot [off the gas pedal], there are children playing here! (Guadeloupe Creole)]] For its size, [[France]] is quite a linguistically-diverse country. Aside from languages which are very clearly separate from French (e.g. [[Basque]] and [[Breton]]), there is a whole slew of local ''parlers'' (e.g. Angevin, Lorrain, Norman, Picard, Savoyard...) which are just similar enough to standard French that, depending on whom you ask, they can be considered either separate languages in their own right, or simply dialects (''patois'') of the mother tongue. These local languages/dialects also influence the accents of standard French within their region, from the strange vowels and increased nasalisation of the far north to the 'singing' accents of the deep south. The varieties of French which are spoken in Belgium and Switzerland differ slightly from the French spoken in France, though they are similar enough to be mutually intelligible. In particular, the numbering system in French-speaking [[Belgium]] and [[Switzerland]] has some slight peculiarities that are different from the French spoken in France, and the pronunciation of some words is slightly different. Nevertheless, all French-speaking Belgians and Swiss would have learned standard French in school, so they would be able to understand you even if you used the standard French numbering system. Aside from Europe and Canada (see below), many French-speaking regions have incorporated the words of local languages, and on occasion have formed distinctive dialects or languages known as '''creoles'''. French-based creoles today enjoy wide use and often official status in the [[Seychelles]], [[Mauritius]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Haiti]] (see [[Haitian Creole phrasebook|Haitian creole]]), [[Réunion]], and the French overseas territories in the Antilles. A dialect of French known as [[Louisiana]] French or Cajun, which is similar to the Acadian French spoken in parts of New Brunswick, and a distinct French-based creole known as Louisiana Creole are both still spoken by some residents in the southern U.S. state, while parts of [[New England]] near the Canadian border are home to speakers of a dialect known as New England French, which bears many similarities to Québécois. ===Canada=== {{see also|Quebec#Talk}} There are many phonological and lexical differences between the French spoken in Quebec and that spoken in France. Quebec has retained many 18th- & 19th-century French words, while in France the language has moved on, as well as incorporating many English words in the modern era. On the other side, Québécois borrowed English terms from their Anglophone neighbours as early as the 19th century, but the onset of the "Quiet Revolution" and the Quebec sovereignty movement in the 1960s led to laws that strictly limited the usage and influence of English in the public sphere, with the result that, etymologically speaking, Quebec French is in many ways more purely "French" than that spoken in France. For instance, the [[Fast food in the United States and Canada#Chicken|fast-food restaurant chain founded by Colonel Sanders]] is known in both the United States and France as "Kentucky Fried Chicken" or KFC for short, but in Quebec it was known as ''Poulet Frit Kentucky'' (PFK) until the last outlet closed in 2019. Some examples of everyday words which differ between Québécois and standard French: {| class="wikitable" |+ !English !France !Quebec !Notes |- |car |voiture/auto |char |In France, ''un char'' is 'a tank'. ''Voiture'' and ''auto'' are feminine; ''char'' is masculine. |- |car park |parking |stationnement | |- |to park (a car) |garer |parker | |- |to drive |conduire |chauffer |In France, ''chauffer'' means 'to heat' |- |stop (on a road sign) |stop |arrêt | |- |pavement/sidewalk |trottoir |cotteur | |- |washing machine |machine à laver |laveuse | |- |breakfast, lunch, dinner |petit déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner |déjeuner, dîner, souper |Belgium and Switzerland use the same terms as Quebec |- |shopping |shopping/courses |magasinage | |- |bicycle |vélo |bicyclette |''vélo'' is masculine; ''bicyclette'' is feminine |- |weekend |week-end |fin de semaine |''week-end'' is masculine; ''fin de semaine'' is feminine <br> In France, ''fin de semaine'' refers to the end of the working week (typically Thursday-Friday). |- |toothpaste |dentifrice |pâte à dents |Canadian toothpaste packaging still says ''dentifrice'' |- |email |e-mail/mail |courriel |Use of ''courriel'', short for ''courrier électronique'' (electronic mail), is recommended by the ''Académie française'', but this is all but ignored in France |} Each of Canada's other provinces has a Francophone population, who are not Québécois. Some of these groups have been settled for hundreds of years. Another distinct dialect of French, known as Acadian French, is spoken commonly in parts of [[New Brunswick]], with smaller populations in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Many of these people were expelled by the British during the French and Indian War, and settled in [[Louisiana]], where they would later become known as the Cajuns. Nevertheless, all Francophone Canadians, including Québécois, learn standard French in school, and most of the differences between the two varieties are limited to informal speech. This means that while you may not understand conversation among locals, they will be able to converse with you in standard French if required. [[Image:Arrêt - Stop Sign, Montreal, Canada (28389217345).jpg|thumb|right|300px|Stop sign in Montreal]] ==Phrase list== ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Ouvert (''oo-VAIR'') ; CLOSED : Fermé (''FEHR-may'') ; OPENING HOURS : Horaires d'ouverture (''Oh-RAIR doo-VAIR-tuur'') ; ENTRANCE : Entrée (''AHN-tray'') ; EXIT : Sortie (''sor-TEE'') ; PUSH : Poussez (''POO-say'') ; PULL : Tirez (''TEE-ray'') ; TOILET : Toilettes (''twah-LET'') ; MEN : Hommes (''om'') ; WOMEN : Femmes (''fam'') ; DISABLED : Handicapés (''on-dee-KAP-ay'') ; EMERGENCY EXIT : Sortie de secours (''sor-TEE duh suh-COOR'') ; FORBIDDEN : Interdit, Défendu (''ehn-tair-DEE, day-fahn-DUU'') ; NO PARKING : Stationnement interdit, Défense de stationner (''STAH-syonn-mon an-tair-DEE, day-FAHNS duh STAH-syonn-ay'') ; YIELD / GIVE WAY : Cédez le passage (''SAY-day luh pah-SAHZH'') ; STOP : Stop (''stop'') / Arrêt (''Ah-RAY'')}} ; Hello. (formal): Bonjour. (''bawn-ZHOOR'') (in the day) / Bonsoir. (''bawn-SWAHR'') (at night) ; Hello. (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; How are you? (formal) : Comment allez-vous ? (''koh-moh t-AH-lay VOO'') ; How are you? (informal) : Comment vas-tu ? (''koh-mahng va TUU''); Comment ça va ? (''koh-moh sah VAH'') ; Fine, thank you. : Bien, merci. (''byang, merr-SEE'') ; What is your name? : Comment vous appelez-vous ? (''koh-moh vooz AHP-lay VOO?''); lit. "How do you call yourself?" ; What is your name? (informal) : Comment t'appelles-tu ? (''koh-moh tah-pell TOO?'') ; My name is ______ . : Je m'appelle ______ . (''zhuh mah-PELL _____'') ; Nice to meet you. : Enchanté(e). (''ahn-shan-TAY'') ; Please. (formal) : S'il vous plaît. (''seel voo PLEH''); Je vous prie. (''zhuh voo PREE'') ; Please. (informal) : S'il te plaît. (''seel tuh PLEH'') ; Thank you. : Merci. (''merr-SEE'') ; You're welcome. : De rien. (''duh RYEHNG''); Je vous en prie. (''zhuh voo-zahn PREE'') (more polite) ; Yes. : Oui. (''WEE'') ; No. : Non. (''NOH'') ; Excuse me. : Pardon. (''pahr-DOHN''); Excusez-moi. (''ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH'') ; (I am) Sorry. : (Je suis) Désolé(e). (''zhuh swee DAY-zoh-LAY''); Je m'excuse. (''zhuh mehk-SKEWZ'') ; Goodbye : Au revoir. (''oh ruh-VWAHR'') ; Goodbye (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; I can't speak French [well]. : Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (''zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byang] frahn-SEH '') ; Do you speak English? :Parlez-vous anglais ? (''par-lay VOO ahng-LEH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'')/ Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ee yah-TEEL kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR'') ; Look out! : Attention ! (''ah-tahn-SYONG'') ; Good day / good morning : Bonjour (''bong̠-ZHOO(R)'') ; Have a nice day: Bonne journée (''bon zhoor-NAY'') ; Good evening. : Bonsoir. (''bong-SWAHR'') ; Good night. (at the end of an evening) : Bonne soirée (''bon swahr-RAY'') ; Good night. (when going to bed) : Bonne nuit. (''bon NWEE'') ; Sweet dreams : Faites de beaux rêves (''FEHT duh bo REV'') ; I don't understand. : Je ne comprends pas. (''zhuh nuh KOHM-prahn pah'') ; I don't know. : Je ne sais pas. (''zhuh nuh say pah'') ; I can't. : Je ne peux (pas). (''zhuh nuh puh pah'') ; Where is the toilet? : Où sont les toilettes ? (''OOH sohn leh twah-LET?'') ; What is it? : Qu'est-ce que c'est ? (''KES-kuh-SAY'') ; How do you say _____ in French / in English? : Comment dit-on _____ en français / en anglais ? (''koh-moh dee-TONG _____ ahn frahn-SEH / ahn ahng-LEH ?'') ; What is this/that called? :Comment appelle-t-on ça ? (''koh-moh ah-pell-TONG SAH?'') ; How is that spelt? : Comment ça s'écrit ? (''koh-moh sah SAY-cree?'') ===Problems=== ; Leave me alone. :Laissez-moi tranquille ! (''lay-say mwah trahn-KEEL!'') ; Buzz off. : Dégage ! (''day-GAHZH!'') / Va-t'en ! (''va TAHN'') ; Don't touch me! : Ne me touchez pas ! (''nuh muh TOOSH-ay PAH!'') ; I'm calling the police. : Je vais appeler la police. (''zhuh VAYZ a-pell-AY la poh-LEES'') ; Police! : Police ! (''poh-LEES'') ; Stop! Thief! : Arrêtez ! Au voleur ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vo-LEUR!'') ; Stop! Rapist! : Arrêtez ! Au viol ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vee-YOL!'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR!'') ; Fire! : Au feu ! (''oh FEUH!'') ; Help me, please!. : Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît ! (''aih-day MWAH, SEEL voo PLEH!'') ; It's an emergency. : C'est urgent ! (''seh toor-ZHAHN'') ; I'm lost. : Je me suis perdu(e). (''ZHUH muh swee pehr-DUU'') ; I've lost my bag. : J'ai perdu mon sac. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon SAK'') ; I've lost my wallet. :J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon POHR-tuh-fuhye'') ; My things have been stolen. : On m'a volé mes affaires. (''o(n) ma vo-LAY may-zaf-FAIR'') ; Someone / This man / This woman is harassing me : Quelqu'un / Cet homme / Cette femme me harcèle (''kel-ku(n) / set om / set fam muh ar-SELL'') ; I'm sick. : Je suis malade. (''zhuh swee mah-LAHD'') ; I've been injured. : Je me suis blessé. (''zhuh muh swee bleh-SAY'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Je me suis fait mordre par un chien. (''zhuh muh swee fay MOR-druh par u(n) shee-AH(N)'') ; I need a doctor. : J'ai besoin d'un médecin. (''zhay buh-ZWAHN duun may-TSAN'') ; Can I use your phone? : Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone ? (''PWEEZH oo-tee-lee-ZAY vot-ruh tay-lay-FUN'') ; Call an ambulance. :Appelez une ambulance. (''ah-puh-lay uun OM-boo-lo(n)ss'') ; Call the fire brigade. :Appelez les pompiers. (''ah-puh-lay lay pom-PEE-ay'') ; Call the police. :Appelez la police. (''ah-puh-lay la poh-LEES'') ; Call the coastguard. :Appelez les gardes-côtes. (''ah-puh-lay lay garde cot'') ===Numbers=== [[File:Reunion BrasDeLaPlaine.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Réunion]]]] Unlike English, French uses the long scale, so ''un billion'' and ''un trillion'' are not the same as the English "one billion" and "one trillion". ; 0 : zéro (''zairro'') ; 1 : un/une (''uhn'')/(''uun'') ; 2 : deux (''deu'') ; 3 : trois (''trwah'') ; 4 : quatre (''kahtr'') ; 5 :cinq (''sank'') ; 6 : six (''sees'') ; 7 : sept (''set'') ; 8 : huit (''weet'') ; 9 : neuf (''neuf'') ; 10 : dix (''deece'') ; 11 : onze (''onz'') ; 12 : douze (''dooz'') ; 13 : treize (''trayz'') ; 14 : quatorze (''kat-ORZ'') ; 15 : quinze (''kihnz'') ; 16 : seize (''says'') ; 17 : dix-sept (''dee-SET'') ; 18 : dix-huit (''dee-ZWEET'') ; 19 : dix-neuf (''deez-NUF'') ; 20 : vingt (''vihnt'') ; 21 : vingt-et-un (''vihng-tay-UHN'') ; 22 : vingt-deux (''vihn-teu-DEU'') ; 23 : vingt-trois (''vin-teu-TRWAH'') ; 30 : trente (''trahnt'') ; 40 : quarante (''kar-AHNT'') ; 50 : cinquante (''sank-AHNT'') ; 60 : soixante (''swah-SAHNT'') ; 70 : soixante-dix (''swah-sahnt-DEES'') or septante (''sep-TAHNGT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 80 : quatre-vingts (''kaht-ruh-VIHN''); huitante (''weet-AHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland (except Geneva); octante (''oct-AHNT'') in Switzerland ; 90 : quatre-vingt-dix (''katr-vihn-DEES''); nonante (''noh-NAHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 100 : cent (''sahn'') ; 200 : deux cents (''deu sahng'') ; 300 : trois cents (''trrwa sahng'') [[File:Купюра в 500 франков КФА. Лицевая сторона.jpg|thumb|300px|Cinq cents francs, used in several countries in Central Africa]] ; 1000 : mille (''meel'') ; 2000 : deux mille (''deu meel'') ; 1,000,000 : un million (''ung mee-LYOHN'') (treated as a noun when alone: one million euros would be ''un million d'euros''). ; 1,000,000,000 : un milliard ; 1,000,000,000,000 : un billion ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : numéro _____ (''nuu-may-ROH'') ; half : demi (''duh-MEE''), moitié (''mwah-tee-AY'') ; less : moins (''mwihn'') ; more : plus (''pluus'') / no more : plus (''pluu'') so this time, the "S" is mute ===Time=== [[File:A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles.jpg|thumb|300px|A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles]] ; now : maintenant (''mant-NAHN'') ; earlier : plus tôt (''pluu to'') ; later : plus tard (''pluu TAHR'') ; before : avant (''ah-VAHN'') ; after : après (''ah-PREH'') ; morning : le matin (''luh mah-TAN'') ; in the morning : dans la matinée (''dahn lah mah-tee-NAY'') ; afternoon : l'après-midi (''lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; in the afternoon : dans l'après-midi (''dahn lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; evening : le soir (''luh SWAHR'') ; in the evening: dans la soirée (''dahn lah swah-RAY'') ; night : la nuit (''lah NWEE'') ; in the night : pendant la nuit (''pehndahn lah NWEE'') ====Clock time==== French speakers most commonly use the 24-hour clock, even in Quebec (whereas most other Canadians use the 12-hour clock). In Europe, an 'h' is used as a separator between hours and minutes, as opposed to the colon that is used in Quebec and English-speaking countries. Therefore, midnight is written as ''0h00'', 1AM as ''1h00'', and 1PM as ''13h00''; more details and examples below. However, the 12-hour clock is making some inroads in speech, and saying 1-11 in the afternoon or evening will be understood. ; What's the time? : Quelle heure est-il ? (''kel euhr et-EEL?''); ; hour : heure (''eur'') ; minute : minute (''mee-NUUT'') ; From 1 minute past to 30 minutes past the hour: [hour] + [number of minutes] : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>20 or "twenty past ten" = <nowiki>10h20</nowiki>; "dix heures vingt" (''deez eur va(n)'') ; For 31 minutes past to 59 minutes past the hour : [next hour] + moins (''mwa(n)'') : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>40 or "twenty to eleven" = <nowiki>10h40</nowiki>; "onze heures moins vingt" (''onz eur mwa(n) va(n)'') ; quarter past : [hour] et quart (''ay kahr'') : Example: 07<nowiki>:</nowiki>15 or "quarter past seven" = <nowiki>7h15</nowiki>; "sept heures et quart" (''set eur eh kahr'') ; quarter to :[hour] moins le quart (''mwa(n) luh kahr'') : Example: 16<nowiki>:</nowiki>45 or "quarter to five" = <nowiki>16h45</nowiki>; "dix sept heures moins le quart" (''dee-set eur mwan luh kahr'') ; half-past : et demie (''eh duh-MEE''); et demi (after 12 midnight or 12 noon, ''eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past ten" = <nowiki>10h30</nowiki>; "dix heures et demie" (''deez eur eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past twelve" = <nowiki>12h30</nowiki>; "douze heures et demi" (''dooz eur eh duh-MEE'') ; 1AM, 01<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>1h00</nowiki>; une heure du matin (''uun eur duu ma-TAN'') ; 2AM, 02<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>2h00</nowiki>; deux heures du matin (''dooz eur duu ma-TAN'') ; noon, 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>12h00</nowiki>; midi (''mee-DEE'') ; 1PM, 13<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>13h00</nowiki>; treize heures (''traiyz er'') : une heure de l'après-midi (''uun eur duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 2PM, 14<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>14h00</nowiki>; quatorze heures (''KAH-torz er'') : deux heures de l'après-midi (''duz er duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 6PM, 18<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>18h00</nowiki>; dix-huit heures (''deez-weet ER'') : six heures du soir (''seez er duu SWAR'') ; 7<nowiki>:</nowiki>30PM, 19<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 : <nowiki>19h30</nowiki>; dix-neuf heures trente (''DEE-znuf er TRAHNT'') : sept heures et demie (''SET er eh duh-MEE'') ; midnight, 00<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>0h00</nowiki>; minuit (''mee-NWEE'') ====Duration==== [[File:Fontevraud3.jpg|thumb|300px|Abbaye de Fontevraud]] ; _____ minute(s) : _____ minute(s) (''mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) :_____ heure(s) (''eur'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ jour(s) (''zhoor'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ semaine(s) (''suh-MEN'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ mois (''mwa'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ an(s) (''ahng''), année(s) (''ah-NAY'') ; hourly : horaire (''oh-RAIR'') ; daily : quotidien / quotidienne (''ko-tee-DYAN'' / ''ko-tee-DYEN'') ; weekly : hebdomadaire (''eb-doh-ma-DAIYR'') ; monthly : mensuel / mensuelle (''mang-suu-WEL'') ; seasonal : saisonnier / saisonnière (''SEH-zon-ee-ay'' / ''SEH-zon-ee-air'') ; yearly : annuel / annuelle (''ah-nuu-WEL'') ; How long is your vacation? : Combien de temps restez-vous en vacances ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton res-TAY voo on VAH-kons''); ; I am in France for ten days : Je reste en France pendant dix jours. (''zhuh rest on frons pon-don dee zhoor'') ; How long is the journey? : Combien de temps le voyage dure-t-il ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton luh vwoi-YAHZH dyoor-TEEL'') ; It takes an hour and a half : Cela dure une heure et demie. (''suh-LAH dyoor uun er ay duh-MEE'') ===Days=== ; today : aujourd'hui (''oh-zhoor-DWEE'') ; yesterday : hier (''yare'') ; tomorrow : demain (''duh-MAN'') ; this week : cette semaine (''set suh-MEN'') ; last week : la semaine dernière (''lah suh-MEN dehr-NYAIR'') ; next week : la semaine prochaine (''lah suh-MEN pro-SHEN'') ; the weekend : le week-end (France) / la fin de semaine (Canada) (''luh week-end / lah fah(n) duh suh-MEN'') French calendars normally start on Monday. Unlike in English, the names of days are not capitalised in French: ; Monday : lundi (''luhn-DEE'') ; Tuesday : mardi (''mahr-DEE'') ; Wednesday : mercredi (''mehr-kruh-DEE'') ; Thursday : jeudi (''juh-DEE'') ; Friday : vendredi (''vahn-druh-DEE'') ; Saturday : samedi (''sahm-DEE'') ; Sunday : dimanche (''dee-MAHNSH'') ===Months=== [[File:Fontaine d'Octon.JPG|thumb|300px|The revolutionary calendar isn't in use any longer, but inscriptions where it's been used can be seen here and there]] Unlike English, the names of months are not capitalised in French: ; January : janvier (''ZHO(N)-vee-yeh'') ; February : février (''FEH-vree-yeh'') ; March :mars (''mar''s) ; April :avril (''av-REEL'') ; May :mai (''meh'') ; June :juin (''zh-WAH(N)'') ; July : juillet (''zh-WEE-eh'') ; August : août (''oot'') ; September : septembre (''sep-TOMBR'') ; October : octobre (''oc-TOBR'') ; November : novembre (''no-VOMBR'') ; December : décembre (''deh-SOMBR'') ===Seasons=== ; spring : le printemps (''luh PRAH(N)-toh(m)'') ; summer : l'été (''LAY-tay'') ; autumn : l'automne (''loh-TOMNUH'') ; winter : l'hiver (''LEE-vair'') ===Holidays=== [[File:FréjusPlageSaint-Aygulf.jpg|thumb|300px|France has many beaches, and they are popular destinations during ''les vacances d'été'']] ; Enjoy your holiday/vacation! : Bonnes vacances ! (''bon vah-KOH(N)S'') ; Happy holidays! (festival) : Bonnes fêtes ! (''bon fet'') ; Happy birthday! : Joyeux anniversaire ! (''ZHWY-yeuz-AN-ee-vair-SAIR'') ; Happy New Year! : Bonne année ! (''BON-a-NAY'') ; New Year's Day : le jour de l'an (''luh zhoor duh lah(n)'') ; Shrove Tuesday : le mardi gras (''luh MAR-dee grah'') ; Easter : les Pâques (''lay pak'') ; Passover : la Pâque juive / le Pessa'h (''lah pak zh-WEEV'' / ''luh pess-AKH'') ; Ramadan : le Ramadan (''luh RAH-mah-doh(n)'') (the other Muslim festivals are also called by their Arabic names) ; Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (24 June, Quebec) : la Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste (''lah fet duh lah sa(n)-JOH(N)-bap-TEEST'') ; Bastille Day (14 July, France) : le Quatorze Juillet / la Fête Nationale (''luh kat-ORZ zh-WEE-eh / lah fet nah-syon-NAL'') ; summer holidays : les vacances d'été (''lay vah-KOH(N)S DAY-tay'') ; school holidays : les vacances scolaires (''lay vah-KOH(N)S skoh-LAIR'') ; beginning of the school year : la rentrée (''lah roh(n)-TRAY'') ; All Saints' Day : la Toussaint (''lah TOO-sahn'') ; Hanukkah : Hanoucca (''ah-NOO-kah'') ; Christmas : Noël (''noh-EL'') ; Merry Christmas! : Joyeux Noël ! (''ZHWY-euh noh-EL!'') ===Colours=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. For instance, a lady may be ''blonde'' or ''brunette'' while a gentleman with hair of the corresponding hue is ''blond'' or ''brunet''. ; black : noir/noire (''nwahr'') ; white : blanc/blanche (''blahng/blahnsh'') ; grey : gris/grise (''gree/greez'') ; red : rouge (''roozh'') ; blue : bleu/bleue (''bluh'') ; yellow : jaune (''zhone'') ; green : vert/verte (''verre/vehrt'') ; orange : orange (''oh-RAHNZH'') ; purple : violet/violette (''vee-oh-LEH/vee-oh-LET'') ; brown : brun/brune (''bruh/bruhn''); marron (''MAH-rohn'') ; pink : rose (''roz'') ===Adjectives=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. ; Good :Bon (m.) (''bo(n)'') / Bonne (f.) (''bon'') ; Bad : Mauvais (''MO-vay'') / Mauvaise (f.) (''MO-vez'') ; Big : Grand (m.) (''gro(n)'') / Grande (f.) (''grond'') ; Small : Petit (m.) (''puh-TEE'') / Petite (f.) (''puh-TEET'') ; Hot : Chaud (m.) (''sho'') / Chaude (f.) (''shode'') [[File:Mont Blanc Gipfelpano.jpg|thumb|300px|The summit of [[Mont Blanc]], at about 4800 m above sea level, is ''froid toute l'année'']] ; Cold : Froid (m.) (''frwah'') / Froide (f.) (''frwahd'') ; Fast : Rapide / Vite (both genders) (''rah-PEED / veet'') ; Slow : Lent (m.) (''lo(n)'') / Lente (f.) (''lont'') ; Expensive : Cher (m.) (''shair'') / Chère (f.) (''shairr'') ; Cheap : Bon marché (both genders) (''bo(n) mar-SHAY'') ; Rich : Riche (both genders) (''reesh'') ; Poor : Pauvre (both genders) (''pov-ruh'') ===Transportation=== [[File:SNCF TGV Duplex Viaduc de Cize - Bolozon.jpg|thumb|300px|France's famous TGV (''train à grande vitesse'' - high speed train) crossing the Ain river]] ====Bus and Train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Combien coûte le billet pour _____ ? (''kom-BYAN koot luh bee-YEH poor'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Un billet pour _____, s'il vous plaît. (''ung bee-YEH poor ____ seel voo pleh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Où va ce train/bus ? (''OO va suh trahn/boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Où est le train/bus pour _____ ? (''OO eh luh trahn/buus poor ____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____ ? (''suh trahn/buus sah-reh-tuh-TEEL ah _____'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Quand part le train/bus pour _____? (''kahn par luh trahn/buus poor _____'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Quand ce train/bus arrivera à _____ ? (''kahn suh trahn/buus ah-ree-vuh-RAH ah _____'') ; the/this shuttle : la/cette navette (''lah/set nah-VET'') ; a one-way ticket: un aller simple (''uhn ah-LAY SAM-pluh'') ; a return/round trip ticket: un aller-retour (''uhn ah-LAY ruh-TOOR'') ; I would like to rent a car. : J'aimerais louer une voiture. (''ZHEM-eu-ray LOO-way oon VWA-tuur'') ====Directions==== ; Where is / are _____? : Où se trouve / trouvent _____ ? / (''oo suh tr-OO-v _____'') ; ...the train station? : ...la gare ? (''lah gahr'') ; ...the bus station? : ...la gare routière ? (''lah gahr roo-TYEHR'') ; ...the nearest metro station? : ...la station de métro la plus proche ? (''lah stah-syon duh MAY-tro lah ploo prosh'') ; ...the airport? : ...l'aéroport ? (''lehr-oh-POR?'') ; ...the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy? : ...l'ambassade américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne ? (''lahm-bah-SAHD a-may-ree-KEN / os-trah-lee-EN / bree-tah-NEEK / ka-na-DYEN'') ; ...the (nearest) hotel? :...l'hôtel (le plus proche) ? (''loh-tel luh ploo prohsh'') ; ...the town / city hall? : ...l'hôtel de ville / la mairie ? (''loh-tel duh veel / lah mair-REE'') ; ...the police station? : ...le commissariat de police ? (''luh com-mee-SAHR-ee-ah duh po-LEES'') ; ...the tourist information centre? : ...le syndicat d'initiative ? / l'office de tourisme ? / le bureau touristique ? (Quebec) (''luh SAN-dee-kah dee-NEE-sya-teev'' / ''loff-EES duh toor-REEZ-muh'' / ''luh BOOR-oh toor-REES-teek'') ; ...the nearest bank / ATM? : ...la banque la plus proche ? (''lah bonk lah ploo prosh'') / le distributeur de billets le plus proche ?(''luh dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY luh ploo prosh'') / le guichet automatique le plus proche? (''luh GEE-shay oh-toh-mah-TEEK luh ploo prosh'') ; ...the nearest petrol/gas station ? : ...la station-service la plus proche ? (''lah sth-syon-SAIR-vees lah pluu prosh'') ; ...the market? :...les halles ? (city or large town) / le marché ? (small town or village) (''layz AL-uh'' / ''luh MAR-shay'') ; ...the beach? : ...la plage ? (''lah plaazh'') ; ...the best bars? :...les meilleurs bars ? (''leh meh-YUHR bahr'') ; ...the best restaurants? : ...les meilleurs restaurants ? (''leh meh-YUHR res-toh-RO(N)'') ; _____ Street : rue _____ e.g. ''rue de l'Église, rue Victor Hugo, rue de Rivoli...'' ; Please could you show me it on the map? : S'il vous plaît, pourriez-vous me l'indiquer sur la carte ? (''SEE-voo-PLEH POO-ree-yeh-voo muh la(n)-DEE-keh syoor la cart'' ; Is it far? : C'est loin ? (''seh lwa(n)'') ; No, it's quite close. :Non, c'est tout proche. (''No(n) seh too prohsh'') ; Straight on : Tout droit (''too drwah'') ; Turn right : Tournez à droite (''TOOR-neh a drwaht'') ; Turn left : Tournez à gauche (''TOOR-neh a gohsh'') ; Towards the... : Vers le / la / les... (''vehr luh'') ; Past the... : Après que vous passiez le / la / les... (''ap-REH kuh voo PASS-see-yeh luh / la / leh'') ; Before the... : Avant que vous arriviez au / à la / aux (''av-O(N) kuh vooz-a-REEV-ee-yeh o / a la / o'') ; Next to the... : À côté du / de la / des (''a COH-teh duu / duh la / deh'') ; Opposite the... : En face du / de la / des (''o(n) fass duu / duh la / deh'') ; Follow : Suivre : (''sweevr'') ; The north : le nord (''luh nor'') ; The east : l'est (''lest'') ; The south : le sud (''luh suud'') ; The west : l'ouest (''loo-WEST'') ; The (next) exit : la (prochaine) sortie (''lah pro-SHEN SOR-tee'') ; Here : Ici (''ee-SEE'') ; There : Là(-bas/-haut) (lah (BAH / OH) ; Watch out for... : Repérez... (''ruh-PAIR-ray luh / lah / lay'') ; ...the road : ...la route (''lah root'') ; ...the street : ...la rue (''lah ruu'') ; ...the intersection : ...le carrefour (''luh car-FOOR'') ; ...the traffic lights : ...les feux (''lay fuh'') ; ...the roundabout : ...le rond-point (''luh ro(n)-pwa(n)'') ; ...the motorway : ...l'autoroute (''loh-to-ROOT'') ; ...the railway : ...le chemin de fer (''luh shuh-MA(N) duh fehr'') ; ...the level crossing : ...le passage à niveau (''luh pah-SAAZH-ah-NEE-vo'') ; ...the bridge : ... le pont (''luh po(n)'') ; ...the tunnel : ... le tunnel (''luh tuu-nell'') ; ...the toll booth : le péage (''luh pay-ahzh'') ; Queue : Bouchon (''boo-sho(n)'') ; Roadworks : Travaux (''trah-vo'') ; Road closed : Route barrée (''root BAH-ray'') ; Diversion : Déviation (''day-vee-ah-SYO(N)'') ====Taxi==== [[File:20151107 lyon236.jpg|thumb|300px|Taxi in Lyon]] ; Taxi! : Taxi ! (''tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Déposez-moi à _____, je vous prie. (''DAY-poh-zay-MWAH ah _____, zhuh voo PREE'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Combien ça coûte d'aller à _____ ? (''kahm-BYENG suh-LA koo-TEEL dah-LAY ah _____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Amenez-moi là, je vous prie. (''AH-muh-nay-mwah LAH, zhuh voo PREE'') ; I want to get out here. : Je veux descendre ici. (''zhuh vuh duh-SO(N)D-rr EE-SEE'') ; Thank you! Keep the change. : Merci ! Gardez la monnaie. (''MERR-see GARR-day lah moh-NAY'') ===Lodging=== [[File:BiarritzHotelduPalais1.JPG|thumb|300px|Hotel du Palais in [[Biarritz]]]] ; Bed and breakfast : Chambres d'hôte (''SHAHM-bruh dote'') ; Campsite : Camping (''CAHM-ping'') ; Hotel : Hôtel (''OH-tel'') ; Self-catering cottage / holiday rental : Gîte / Location de vacances (''zheet / lo-cah-syo(n) duh vah-CAHNS'') ; (Youth) hostel : Auberge (de jeunesse) (''oh-BAIRZH duh zheuh-NESS'') ; Do you have any rooms available? : Avez-vous des chambres libres ? (''ah-veh VOO day SHAHM-bruh leeb'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Combien coûte une chambre pour une personne/deux personnes ? (''com-BYA(N) coot uun SHAHM-bruh poor uun PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Does the room come with... : Dans la chambre, y a-t-il... (''dah(n) la SHAHM-bruh, ee-ya-tee'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...des draps de lit ? (''...day dra duh lee?'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...une salle de bain ? (''...uun sal duh bah(n)?'') ; ...a telephone? : ...un téléphone ? (''...u(n) teh-leh-fone?'') ; ...a TV? : ...une télévision ? (''...uun teh-leh-VEEZ-yo(n)?'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...un réfrigérateur / un frigo ? (''...u(n) ray-FREEZH-ay-rah-teur / u(n) FREE-go''?) ; ...a kettle? : ...une bouilloire ? (''...uun boo-WEE-wah?'') [[File:Bungalows la salamandre à foulpointe.JPG|thumb|300px|Bungalows in Foulpointe, [[Madagascar]]]] ; May I see the room first? : Pourrais-je voir la chambre ? (''poo-RAY zhuh vwaah la SHAHM-bruh?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : Avez-vous une chambre plus tranquille ? (''ah-veh VOO uun SHAHM-bruh ploo trahn-KEE?'') ; ...bigger? : ...plus grande ? (''ploo grahnd?'') ; ...cleaner? : ...plus propre? (''ploo prop?'') ; ...cheaper? : ...moins chère? (''mwahn shair?'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Bon, je la prends. (''bo(n), zhuh lah proh(n)'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Je compte rester pour _____ nuits. (''zhuh compt REH-stay poor _____ nwee'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Pourriez-vous me suggérer un autre hôtel ? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh soo-ZHAY-ray u(n) OH-truh OH-tel ?'') ; Do you have a safe? : Avez-vous un coffre-fort ? (''ah-veh VOO u(n) COFF-ruh-FOR?'') ; ...lockers? : ...un vestiaire ? (''u(n) ves-tee-AIR?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Le petit-déjeuner/le dîner est-il compris ? (''luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay eh-TEE com-PREE?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : À quelle heure est servi le petit-déjeuner/le dîner ? (''ah kell euhrr eh SAIR-vee luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay?'') ; Please clean my room. : Veuillez faire le ménage. (''vuh-YEH fair luh MEH-naazh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Pourriez-vous me réveiller à _____? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh REH-veh-yeh ah _____? '') ; You have a bedbug / cockroach / fly / mouse infestation here. : Vous êtes envahi de punaises / blattes / mouches / souris ici. (''voo ZET O(N)-vah-YEE duh poo-NEZ / blat / moosh / soo-REE ee-see'') ; I want to check out. : Je voudrais régler la note. (''zhuh VOO-dray REH-glay lah note'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Acceptez-vous les dollars américains/australiens/canadiens ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh doh-LAHR ah-may-ree-KANG/aws-trah-LYAHNG/kah-nah-DYAHNG?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Acceptez-vous les livres Sterling ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh leevr stehr-LING?'') ; Do you accept euros? : Acceptez-vous les euros ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO lehz-OO-roh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh kahrt duh kray-DEE?'') ; Can you change it (the money) for me? : Pouvez-vous me le faire changer ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Where can I get it (the money) changed? : Où puis-je le faire changer ? (''oo PWEEZH luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Pouvez-vous me faire le change sur un chèque de voyage ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH suur ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Où puis-je changer un chèque de voyage ? (''oo PWEEZH shahng-ZHAY ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Quel est le taux de change ? (''KELL eh luh TAW duh SHAHNZH?'') ; Where can I find a cash point / ATM? : Où puis-je trouver un distributeur de billets ? (''oo PWEEZH troo-VAY ung dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY?'') ===Eating=== [[File:Belon oysters at Belon river, France.jpg|thumb|300px|Belon oysters]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; I'd like to reserve a table for tonight/tomorrow. : Je voudrais réserver une table pour ce soir/demain. (''zhuh voo-DREH REH-sair-VEH uun TAH-bluh poor suh SWAAH / duh-MAHN(G)'') ; set menu : menu (''muh-NUU'') ; à la carte : à la carte (''ah lah KAHRT'') ; the dish of the day : le plat du jour (''luh PLA duu ZHOOR'') ; serves food all day : service continu (''SAIR-vees con-tee-NOO'') ; breakfast : '''France:''' petit-déjeuner (''ptee-day-zheu-NAY''); '''Switzerland/Belgium/Canada''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY'') ; lunch : '''France''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': dîner (''dee-NAY'') ; dinner/supper : '''France''': dîner (''dee-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': souper (''soo-PAY'') ; I would like _____. : Je voudrais _____. (''zhuh voo-DREH _____'') ; something local : un plat typique (de la région) (''uhn pla tee-PEEK (duh lah RAY-zhyong)'') ; I would like a dish containing _____. : Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (''zhuh voo-DREHZ ung plaht ah-VEK _____'') ; meat : de la viande (''duh lah vee-AWND'') ; chicken : du poulet / de la volaille (''duu poo-LEH / duh lah voh-LIE'') : Note: ''volaille'' literally means "poultry", but nearly always means "chicken" on menus ; turkey : de la dinde (''duh lah DAND'') ; duck : du canard (''duu can-AR'') ; lamb : de l'agneau (''duh LAN-yo'') ; pork : du porc / du cochon (''duu POHR''/''duu coh-SHONG''). ; ham : du jambon (''duu zhahng-BONG'') ; beef : du bœuf (''duu BUFF'') {{infobox|Quelle cuisson ?|A common question when ordering meat (especially, but not only, steak) is how long you want it cooked for: rare, medium, or well done? Simple enough, you might think. But if you're from an English-speaking country, then as a general rule of thumb, you'll find that if you ask for what you're used to at home, the meat will be rarer than you'd like. Therefore, it's worth getting to know these terms: * '''Bleu''' – "Blue", almost raw, meat that is cooked for less than a minute each side. * '''Saignant''' – "Bloody", i.e. very rare, but cooked slightly longer than a ''bleu'' steak. * '''À point''' – "Perfectly cooked", and the most popular among the French, but still rare by British or American standards. * '''Bien cuit''' – "Well cooked", but not well done. More like medium, with pink on the inside, though there should be no blood. * '''Très bien cuit''' – This should get you a "well done" steak that is totally cooked through. ''Mais, attention !'' If chef is not used to catering to ''les Anglo-Saxons'', he might just overdo it and give you a plate of leather.}} ; steak : du steak / du bifteck (''duu stek / duu BEEF-tek'') ; sausage : des saucisses (hot) / du saucisson (cold) (''deh saw-SEESS / duu saw-see-SON'') ; game: du gibier (''duu ZHI-bee-ay'') : Note: ''gibier'' may also mean specifically venison ; boar : du sanglier (''duu sahng-GLYAY'') ; venison : du cerf / du chevreuil / de la venaison (''duu SEHR / duu shev-REUY / duh lah vu-NAY-so(n)'') ; rabbit: du lapin (''duu lap-ANG'') ; fish : du poisson (''duu pwa-SONG'') ; salmon : du saumon (''duu saw-MONG'') ; tuna : du thon (''duu TONG'') ; whiting : du merlan (''duu mehr-LANG'') ; cod : de la morue (''duh lah moh-RUU'') ; seabass : du loup (de mer) / du bar (''duu LOO (duh MAIR) / duu BARR'') ; seafood : des fruits de mer (''deh frwee duh MEHR''); literally: "fruits of the sea" ; dulse : de la dulse (''duh lah DUULS'') ; lobster : du homard (''duu oh-MAR''), de la langouste (''duh lah lan-goost'') (rock lobster) ; clams : des palourdes (''deh pah-LOORD'') ; oysters : des huîtres (''dez WEETR'') ; mussels : des moules (''deh MOOL'') ; scallops : des coquilles Saint-Jacques (''deh kok-EE-sah(n)-ZHAK'') [[File:Marchés des Producteurs de Pays 11 16 12.jpg|thumb|300px|Escargots at a farmers market in Paris]] ; snails : des escargots (''dez es-car-GOH'') ; frogs' legs : des cuisses de grenouille (''deh gruh-NOOEY'') ; cheese : du fromage (''duu froh-MAHZH'') ; cow's cheese : du fromage de lait de vache (''duu froh-MAHZH duh lay duh vash'') ; goat's / sheep's cheese : du fromage de chèvre / de brebis (''duu froh-MAHZH duh SHEV-ruh / duh bruh-BEE'') ; eggs : des œufs (''dehz UH'') ; one egg : un œuf (''un UF'') ; (fresh) vegetables : des légumes (frais) (''deh lay-guum (FREH)'') ; onions : des oignons (''DEZ-on-yon'') ; carrots : des carottes (''deh kah-ROT'') ; peas : des (petits) pois (''deh (PUH-tee) PWAH'') ; broccoli : du brocoli (''duu broh-COLEE'') ; sweetcorn : du maïs (''duu my-YEES'') ; mushrooms : des champignons (''deh SHAM-pee-nyon'') ; cabbage : du chou (''duu shoo'') ; spinach : des épinards (''DEZ-ep-ee-NARR'') ; green / French beans : des haricots verts (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko VAIRR'') ; white / haricot beans : des haricots blancs (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko BLAWNG'') ; Brussels sprouts : des choux de Bruxelles (''deh shoo duh bruu-SEL'') ; lentils : des lentilles (''deh lon-TEE'') ; potatoes : des pommes de terre (''deh POM-duh-TAIR'') ; French fries : des frites (''day freet'') ; (fresh) fruit : des fruits (frais) (''deh frwee (freh)'') ; an apple : une pomme (''uun pom'') ; a pear : une poire (''uun pwarr'') ; a plum : une prune (''uun pruun'') ; a peach : une pêche (''uun pesh'') ; grapes : des raisins (''deh RAY-zan'') ; cherries : des cerises (''deh suh-REEZ'') ; an orange : une orange (''uun oh-RAWNZH'') ; a banana : une banane (''uun bah-NAN'') ; a mango : une mangue (''uun mawngg'') ; a lemon : un citron (''un SEE-trong'') ; a lime : un citron vert / un limon / une lime (''un SEE-trong vair / un LEE-mon / uun leem'') ; berries : des fruits rouges (''deh frwee roozh'') ; strawberries : des fraises (''deh frez'') ; raspberries : des framboises (''deh from-BWAHZ'') ; blackberries : des mûres (''deh muur'') ; blueberries : des myrtilles (''deh MIRR-tee'') ; blackcurrant : des cassis (''deh kah-SEES'') ; a salad : une salade (''uun sah-LAHD'') ; cucumber : du concombre (''duu cong-COMBRR'') ; tomatoes : des tomates (''deh toh-MAT'') ; lettuce : de la laitue (''duh lah LAY-tuu'') ; red / yellow / green pepper : du poivron rouge / jaune / vert (''duu PWAH-vrong roozh / zhoan / vairr'') ; spring onions : des oignons nouveaux (''DEZ-on-YONG NOO-vo'') ; radish : du radis (''duu RAH-dee'') ; chives : de la ciboulette (''duh lah SEE-boo-LET'') ; mixed herbs : des herbes de Provence (''dez-AIRB-duh-pro-VAWNSS'') ; bread : du pain (''duu pang'') ; toast : des toasts (''deh toast'') ; (milky) coffee : du café (au lait) (''duu kah-FAY (oh lay)'') : Note: Coffee will always be served black unless you ask for milk ; tea : du thé (''duu tay'') ; juice : du jus (''duu zhuu'') ; fresh / sparkling water : de l'eau plate / gazeuse (''duh loh PLAT / gah-ZUHZ'') : Note: If you ask for "water", you will get mineral water. To specify "tap water", say "eau du robinet" (''OH duu roh-bee-NEH'') or ask for a jug of water "une carafe d'eau" (''uun cahr-AHF doh''). ; (draught) beer : de la bière (pression) (''duh lah byehr'') ; red / white / rosé wine : du vin rouge / blanc / rosé (''duu vang roozh / blahng / ro-ZAY'') ; May I have some _____? : Puis-je avoir _____ ? (''pweezh ah-VWAHR duu'') ; salt : du sel (''duu sel'') ; black pepper : du poivre (''duu pwavr'') ; garlic : de l'ail (''duh lie'') ; butter : du beurre (''duu bur'') ; olive oil : de l'huile d'olive (''duh LWEEL-doh-LEEV'') ; ketchup/mayonnaise/mustard/alioli : du ketchup / de la mayonnaise / de la moutarde / de l'aïoli (''duu KECH-up / duh lah MIE-oh-NEZ / duh lah MOO-tard / duh LIE-oh-lee'') ; Excuse me, waiter / waitress? : S'il vous plaît, monsieur / madame ? (''seell voo PLEH muh-SYUH/ma-DAHM'') : Note: "garçon" (boy) is offensive and should be avoided. ; I'm finished. : J'ai terminé. (''zhay TAIRH-mee-NAY'') ; It was delicious. : C'était délicieux. (''seh-tay de-li-SYUH'') ; Can you please clear the plates? : Pouvez-vous débarrasser la table, s'il vous plaît ? (''poovay voo DEH-bahr-a-seh lah tah-bluh seel voo play'') ; The check (bill), please. : L'addition, s'il vous plaît. (''lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo play'') ====Dietary requirements==== [[File:20170329 ratatouille-fin-cuisson.jpg|thumb|300px|Ratatouille]] ; I am _____. : Je suis _____. (''zhuh swee'') ; ...vegan : végétalien (''vey-zhey-tal-YENG'') (m); végétalienne (''vey-zhey-tal-YEN'') (f) ; ...vegetarian : végétarien (''vey-zhey-tar-YENG'') (m); végétarienne (''vey-zhey-tar-YEN'') (f) ; I do not eat eggs, milk, or cheese. : Je ne mange pas d'œufs, de lait ni de fromage. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah dooh, duh lay, nee duh froh-MAHZH'') ; I do not eat meat, chicken, or pork. : Je ne mange pas de viande, de poulet, ni de porc. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah duh vee ahnd, duh poo-LEH, nee duh pohr'') ; I do not eat _____. : Je ne mange pas_____. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah'') ; ...honey. : de miel. (''duh mee ehl'') ; ...animal products. : de produits animaux. (''duh pro-dweez-ah-nee-mo'') ; ...dairy. : de laitage. (''duh lay tazh'') ; ...wheat. : de blé. (''duh blay'') ; ...seafood. : de fruits de mer. (''duh frwee duh MEHR'') ; ...nuts. : de noix (''duh nwaah'') ; ...gluten : de gluten (''duh gluu-TEN'') ; I do eat _____. : Je mange _____. (''zhuh monzh'') ; ...grains. : des céréales. (''deh say-ray-ahl'') ; ...vegetables. : des légumes. (''deh lay-guum'') ; ...beans. : des fèves. (''deh fehv'') ; ...fruit : des fruits. (''deh frwee'') ; I only eat kosher / halal food. : Je ne mange que de la nourriture kasher (casher, cachère) / halal. (''zhuh nuh monzh kuh duh la noo-ri-toor CASH-eh / alal'') ; I am allergic to... : Je suis allergique à... (''zhuh sweez ah-lair-ZHEEK ah...'') ===Bars=== [[File:Chai-barrique.JPG|thumb|300px|Cognac barrels]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Do you serve alcohol? : Servez-vous des boissons alcoolisées ? (''sair-vay VOO day bwa-songz al-co-ol-ee-SAY'') ; Is there table service? : Est-ce que vous servez à la table ? (''ess-kuh voo ser-VAYZ ah lah TAHBL?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Une bière/deux bières, s'il vous plaît. (''uun BYEHR/deuh BYEHR, seel voo PLEH'') ; A draught beer, please. : Une pression, s'il vous plaît (''uun pres-SYON, seel voo PLEH'') ; A glass of red/white/rosé/sparkling wine, please. :Un verre de vin rouge/blanc/rosé/pétillant, s'il vous plaît. (''an ver duh van rooj / blan / ro-ZAY / PET-ee-YAUN, seel voo PLEH'') ; A quarter litre of beer, please : Un demi, s'il-vous-plaît. (''an deh-mee, seel voo PLEH'') ; A pint, please. : Une pinte, s'il vous plait. (''uun pannt, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; A bottle, please. : Une bouteille, s'il vous plait. (''uun boo-tay, seel voo PLEH'') ; _____ (''spirit'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. :_____ et _____, s'il vous plait. (''____ eh ____, seel voo PLEH'') ; whisky : whisky (m.) (''wee-skee'') ; vodka : vodka (f.) (''VOD-kah'') ; rum : rhum (m.) (''room'') ; cider : cidre (m.) (''seedr'') ; water : eau (f.) (''oh'') ; club soda : soda (m.) (''so-dah'') ; tonic water : Schweppes (m. or f.) (''shwep'') ; orange juice : jus d'orange (m.) (''joo d'or-AHNJ'') ; Coke (''soda'') : Coca (m.) (''koh-KAH'') ; One more, please. : Un/une autre, s'il vous plait. (''uhn / uun OH-truh, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; Another round, please. : Un autre pour la table, s'il vous plait. (''ahn OH-truh poor la tah-bluh, seel voo PLEH'') ; When is closing time? : À quelle heure fermez-vous ? (''ah kell EUR fer-MAY voo'') ===Shopping=== [[File:Marigot Market Saint Martin.JPG|thumb|300px|Marigot Market, [[Saint Martin]]]] ; Do you have this in my size? : Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ? (''AH-veh-VOO say-SEE dan sma THAI'') ; How much (is this)? : Combien (ça) coûte ? (''COMM-bee-yan (SAH) coot'') ; That's too expensive. : C'est trop cher. (''say-TRO-shair'') ; Would you take _____? : Pourriez-vous accepter _____ ? (''poor-yay-VOOZ ahk-sep-TAY'') ; expensive : cher (''shehr'') ; cheap :bon marché (''bong mar-SHAY'') (Note: this doesn't change with the gender or number of the noun. ''Elles sont bon marché'' is correct''.'') ; I can't afford it. : Je n'ai pas les moyens. (''zhe nay pah leh mwah-YAHNG'') ; I don't want it. : Je n'en veux pas. (''zhe nahng veu pah'') ; You're cheating me. : Vous me trompez. (''voo muh TROM-pay'') ; I'm not interested. : Je ne suis pas intéressé. (''zhen swee pahz-ann-tay-ress-SAY'') ; OK, I'll take it. : D'accord, je le/la prends. (''dah-kor zhe luh/lah prahn'') ; Can I have a bag? : Pourrais-je avoir un sac ? (''poo-REHZH ah-VWAR ung sahk'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l'étranger) ? (''leev-ray-VOO ootr-MEHR/ah lay-trahn-ZHAY'') ; I need... : J'ai besoin... (''zhay buh-ZWAHN'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...de dentifrice. (''duh dahn-tee-FREESS'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...d'une brosse à dents. (''duun bross ah DAHN'') ; ...tampons. : ...de tampons. (''duh tahm-POHN'') ; ...soap. : ...de savon. (''duh sah-VOHN'') ; ...shampoo. : ...de shampooing. (''duh shahm-PWAHN'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...d'un analgésique (''aspirine, ibuprofène'');. (''dun ah-nal-zhay-ZEEK (ahs-pee-REEN/ee-buu-proh-FEN)'') ; ...cold medicine. :...d'un médicament pour le rhume. (''dun may-dee-kah-MAHNG poor luh RUUM'') ; ...stomach medicine. :...d'un remède pour l'estomac. (''dun ray-MED poor less-toh-MAHK'') ; ...an antihistamine :...d'un antihistaminique (''dun on-tee-STAM-eek'') ; ...a razor. :...d'un rasoir. (''dun rah-ZWAR'') ; ...batteries. : ...de piles. (''duh PEEL'') ; ...a SIM card. : ...d'une carte SIM (''duun cahrrt seem'') ; ...an umbrella. (rain) : ...d'un parapluie. (''duun pah-ra-ploo-ee'') ; ...an umbrella. (sun) : ...d'une ombrelle. (''duun ohm-brehl'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...de crème solaire. (''duh crehm so-LEHR'') ; ...a postcard. : ...d'une carte postale. (''duun kahrt post-AL'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...de timbres. (''duh TAHM-burs'') ; ...writing paper. : ...de papier à lettres. (''duh pap-YEH ah LEH-TR'') ; ...a pen. :...d'un stylo. (''dun STEE-loh'') ; ...English-language books. : ...de livres en anglais. (''duh LEE-vruh-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...de revues en anglais. (''duh REH-voo-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...d'un journal en anglais. (''dun zhoar-NAL ahn ahng-LEH'') ; ...a French-English dictionary. :...d'un dictionnaire français-anglais. (''dun deect-see-ohn-AIR frahn-SEH ahng-LEH'') ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Je n'ai rien fait de mal. (''zhuh nay ree-AHN fay duh MAL'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : C'est une erreur. (''set uhn air-UR'') ; Where are you taking me? : Où m'emmenez-vous ? (''ooh mehm-en-EH voo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Suis-je en état d'arrestation ? (''SWEEZH ahn EH-tah dahr-es-ta-SYONG'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m) : Je suis un citoyen américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f) : Je suis une citoyenne américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I want to speak to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy or consulate. : Je veux parler à l'ambassade ou au consulat américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''ZHUH vuh pahr-LAY ah lahm-ba-SAHD oo oh kon-soo-LAHT a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN'') ; I want to speak to a lawyer. : Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (''ZHUH vood-RAY par-lehr ah uhn AH-vo-cah'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende ? (''poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND'') ; [offering bribe] Will you accept this in place of my fine? : Acceptez-vous ceci au lieu de mon amende ? (''accept-eh voo suh-see oh LOO duh mon ah-MAND'') : ''Note: Only consider attempting this in third world countries. ''Do not'' try to do this in European Francophone countries or in Canada as it will get you in worse trouble!'' {{guidephrasebook}} {{PartOfPhrasebook|Europe|Oceania|Africa|North America|South America}} kc0pg4cx2hta6vrqbei693o4vz6ssnf 4506237 4506227 2022-08-22T13:27:58Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Vowels */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | French phrasebook banner Sign in Geneva.jpg | caption=Sign in Geneva asking nightly bar patrons not to disturb people who sleep|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Map-Francophone World.svg|thumb|500px|French speaking areas]] '''French''' (''français'') is a Romance language, and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world: 277 million people speak French, including about 100 million native speakers. While the French language originated in [[France]], in modern times it is spoken on every continent; it is an official language of 29 countries, an important business, cultural, or minority language in dozens of other countries and regions, and is used officially by scores of international organisations including the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Olympic Committee. French was the main international lingua franca well into the 20th century, and at one point, French was the language spoken in most of the royal courts of Europe. To this day, it remains ''de rigueur'' for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. [[File:Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation).svg|thumb|500px|Proportion of French speakers by country in 2014 (0-50% gradation)]] French is the sole official language of France, including all of its overseas departments and territories, and is the only language you will need to communicate with French nationals. Beyond France, French is widely spoken in many nearby countries in Europe, including the southern half of [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]] and [[Brussels]]), western [[Switzerland]], [[Monaco]], [[Luxembourg]], and the [[Aosta Valley]] of northwestern [[Italy]]. A significant number of second-language speakers are also found on most of the [[Channel Islands]] ([[Jersey]], [[Guernsey]], and [[Sark]], where dialects of Norman extremely similar to French persist), and in the tiny Pyrenean country of [[Andorra]]. In the Americas, French is spoken primarily in the Canadian provinces of [[Quebec]], [[New Brunswick]], the northern and eastern parts of [[Ontario]] and around the Winnipeg area of [[Manitoba]]. Indeed, [[Canada]] is an officially bilingual nation and there are Francophone enclaves in almost every province, though outside of the four provinces mentioned, it's quite rare to encounter anyone in Canada who speaks more than a few words of French without hunting down off-the-beaten-track French-speaking communities. French is also spoken in a few parts of the [[United States]], namely parts of [[Louisiana]] and northern [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Vermont]]. In the Caribbean, French is an official language of [[Haiti]], a former colonial possession of France. The Americas also host the French departments of [[Martinique]], [[Guadeloupe]], and [[French Guiana]], plus the overseas collectivities of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]], [[Saint Barthélemy]], and the northern half of [[Saint Martin]]. Elsewhere, French is an official language of many former French and Belgian colonies in Africa, like [[Cameroon]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and the [[Republic of the Congo]], and is unofficial but carries prestige in others, namely [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]], and [[Morocco]]. It is an important administrative, educational, and cultural language in the former French Southeast Asian possessions of [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]]. In the Indian Ocean, [[Réunion]] and [[Mayotte]] are French overseas departments, while French is also an official language in [[Mauritius]] and the [[Seychelles]]. In Oceania, [[New Caledonia]], [[French Polynesia]], and [[Wallis and Futuna]] remain overseas territories of France, and French is also one of the official languages of [[Vanuatu]]. The French Wikivoyage has a [[:fr:Francophonie|page]] that can help you locate French-speaking regions. ==Grammar== [[File:Institut de France - Académie française et pont des Arts.jpg|thumb|300px|Like Spanish and German, but unlike English, the French language is governed by an official regulator - ''L'Académie française''. Headquartered in Paris (shown here), the Académie issues guidance and recommendations on good French, and its occasional spelling reforms are often controversial.]] ===Gender and its complications=== French nouns are divided into two different '''genders''': masculine and feminine. Unlike in English, all inanimate objects have a gender assigned to them: for example, ''pain'' (bread) is masculine, while ''confiture'' (jam) is feminine. The grammatical gender of nouns denoting persons generally follows the person's natural sex; for instance, ''mère'' (mother) is feminine, while ''père'' (father) is masculine. However, some nouns are always of the same gender regardless of the natural gender of the person they are referring to: ''personne'' is always feminine even if the person in question is a man. It is not always easy to tell at a glance which gender a noun is but, in general, if it ends in a consonant, or by the letter combinations ''-age'', ''-au'', ''-é'', ''-ège'', ''ème'', or ''-isme'' / ''-iste'', or is a foreign (particularly English) loanword, it's likely to be masculine. On the other hand, if a noun ends in ''-ace'', ''-ance'' / ''-ence'', ''-ée'', ''-elle'' / ''-erre'' / ''-esse'' / ''-ette'', ''-ie'', ''-ice'', ''-ine'', ''-ise'', ''-que'', or ''-tion / sion'', it's probably feminine. There are plenty of exceptions, however! The singular '''definite article''' ("the" in English) of each noun depends on its gender: ''le'' (m), ''la'' (f) or ''l’'' (before all singular nouns starting with a vowel and some starting with "h", regardless of gender). The plural definite article for both genders is ''les''. Thus: * le garçon – the boy → les garçons – the boys * la fille – the girl → les filles – the girls * l'homme – the man → les hommes – the men The singular '''indefinite article''' ("a" and "an" in English) also corresponds to the noun's gender: ''un'' for masculine and ''une'' for feminine. Unlike English, French has a plural indefinite article – ''des'', which works for both genders – and three '''partitive articles''' – ''du'' (m), ''de la'' (f), and ''de l’'' (before vowels and some instances of the letter "h"), which precede uncountable nouns. Thus: * un homme – a man → des hommes – men * une femme – a woman → des femmes – women * du vin – wine * de la confiture – jam * de l'eau – water Similarly, the '''third person pronouns''' also depend on the grammatical gender of the subject: ''il'' (m – he or it) or ''elle'' (f – she or it), with ''ils'' and ''elles'' respectively being the masculine and feminine plurals (they). When there are groups of mixed-gender people or objects, ''ils'' is always used. ===Formal and informal speech=== In French, there are two equivalents of the English word '''"you"'''. When addressing one person you know well such as a family member or a friend, plus any time you speak to one child or one animal, the word to use will be ''tu''. In '''''all''''' other situations, including when addressing a group of people regardless of who they are, the word to use will be ''vous''. This means that in practice, as a traveller and novice French speaker, most of the time you will be using ''vous''. It is important to know the distinction, as while addressing a pet dog with the ''vous'' form might just raise a chuckle, using ''tu'' with somebody you've just met is inappropriate and may offend the person whom you are addressing. After initially using the ''vous'' form, a person may say to you ''"On peut se tutoyer"''; this is a polite invitation for you to use the ''tu'' form with them. The default '''title''' used when addressing a man is ''monsieur'', while a woman would be addressed as ''madame''. ''Mademoiselle'' was traditionally used to address young, unmarried women, but this is now controversial and arguably sexist, so unless the other person tells you otherwise, it is best to default to ''madame''. The respective plurals are ''messieurs'' and ''mesdames'', so the French equivalent of "ladies and gentlemen" is "''mesdames et messieurs''", though often in speech this is rendered as "''messieurs-dames''". ===Verbs=== In a manner similar to many other Romance languages, French '''verbs''' all end in either ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' in their infinitive forms, for example ''écouter'' (to listen), ''finir'' (to finish), and ''vendre'' (to sell). Verbs in French '''conjugate''' differently according to tense, mood, aspect and voice. This means that there are many more possible conjugations for French verbs than English verbs, and learning how to conjugate each verb in different scenarios can be a challenge for English speakers. Fortunately for you, the vast majority of verbs follow a regular conjugation pattern. Here are three examples of regular verbs conjugated in the present tense, which can be used as a model for all other present-tense regular verbs. For the regular conjugations, remove the ''-er'', ''-ir'', or ''-re'' ending from the infinitive and add the letters in bold from the table below: {| class="wikitable" |+ !regular<br>''-er'' verb example: ÉCOUTER !to listen !regular<br>''-ir'' verb example: FINIR !to finish !regular<br>''-re'' verb example: VENDRE !to sell |- |j'écout'''e''' |I listen |je fin'''is''' |I finish |je vend'''s''' |I sell |- |tu écout'''es''' |you listen (informal) |tu fin'''is''' |you finish (informal) |tu vend'''s''' |you sell (informal) |- |il écout'''e''' elle écout'''e''' |he listens / it listens (masculine inanimate) she listens / it listens (feminine inanimate) |il fin'''it''' elle fin'''it''' |he finishes / it finishes (masculine inanimate) she finishes / it finishes (feminine inanimate) |il vend elle vend |he sells / it sells (masculine inanimate) she sells / it sells (feminine inanimate) |- |on écout'''e''' |one listens we listen |on fin'''it''' |one finishes we finish |on vend |one sells we sell |- |nous écout'''ons''' |we listen |nous fin'''issons''' |we finish |nous vend'''ons''' |we sell |- |vous écout'''ez''' |you listen (formal / plural) |vous fin'''issez''' |you finish (formal / plural) |vous vend'''ez''' |you sell (formal / plural) |- |ils écout'''ent''' elles écout'''ent''' |they listen |ils fin'''issent''' elles fin'''issent''' |they finish |ils vend'''ent''' elles vend'''ent''' |they sell |- |} Some verbs are '''irregular''', meaning that they use different roots when conjugated. The good news is that irregular verbs are very much in the minority. The bad news is that nearly all of the most useful everyday verbs are irregular; you will have to learn their conjugations individually if you wish to use them effectively: ''aller'' (to go), ''venir'' (to come), ''voir'' (to see), ''faire'' (to do), ''acheter'' (to buy), ''manger'' (to eat), ''boire'' (to drink), ''sortir'' (to go out), ''dormir'' (to sleep), ''pouvoir'' (to be able to), and ''vouloir'' (to want). The worst of these are probably ''être'' (to be) and ''avoir'' (to have), by far the most common verbs for everyday communication. Here are the present tense conjugations of each; you'll notice the entire word changes for each form of the verb: [[Image:Eclairs at Fauchon in Paris.jpg|thumb|300px|If you hate grammar, just think of éclairs. ''Éclair'', by the way, is a masculine noun.]] {| class="wikitable" |+ !AVOIR !to have !ÊTRE !to be |- |j''''ai''' |I have |je '''suis''' |I am |- |tu '''as''' |you have (informal) |tu '''es''' |you are (informal) |- |il '''a''' elle '''a''' |he has / it has (masculine inanimate) she has / it has (feminine inanimate) |il '''est''' elle '''est''' |he is / it is (masculine inanimate) she is / it is (feminine inanimate) |- |on '''a''' |one has we have |on '''est''' |one is we are |- |nous '''avons''' |we have |nous '''sommes''' |we are |- |vous '''avez''' |you have (formal / plural) |vous '''êtes''' |you are (formal / plural) |- |ils '''ont''' elles '''ont''' |they have |ils '''sont''' elles '''sont''' |they are |} ==Pronunciation== [[File:Moliere-statue.jpg|thumb|300px|French is often called the "language of Molière". The Parisian playwright is celebrated in stone on the city hall of his hometown.]] French spelling is '''not very phonetic'''. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. The good news, though, is that French generally has more regular pronunciation rules than English. This means that with sufficient practice, one can generally pronounce written French fairly accurately. However, the large number of homophones and silent letters make it such that attempting to write down spoken French often results in spelling mistakes, even for native speakers. Some rules are as follows: * '''Stress''' is fairly even in French, but the stress almost always falls on the last syllable. In words where the stress falls on an earlier syllable, it's not uncommon to hear the last syllable or sound of some words cut off or "swallowed." For example, ''Possible'' can sound like ''poss-EEB'' and ''hymne'' can sound like ''eem''. This is particularly noticeable in Quebec, but exists in other accents too. * The '''final consonant''' of a word is usually silent except for c, f, l, q, and r. Thus, ''allez'' (go) is pronounced ''al-AY'', not ''al-AYZ''; ''tard'' (late) is pronounced ''tar'', not ''tard''. * If the next word begins with a vowel, a consonant may be pronounced; this is called '''''liaison'''''. For example, ''allez-y'' (≈ go ahead / off you go), is pronounced ''al-ay-ZEE'', while ''mes amis'' (my friends) is pronounced ''MEZ-ah-MEE'' . * A '''final e''' is also usually silent if the word has more than one syllable, except in parts of southern France and when singing or reciting poetry, when it can appear as a schwa or é sound (see [[#Vowels|below]]). Guess what? Those pronunciation "rules" you just read have a ton of '''exceptions'''! For example, the rule that a final r is pronounced is not true in the combination "-er", normally found in verb infinitives; this letter combination is pronounced ''ay''. The plural ending "-ent" for verbs is silent (except for the t, in cases of liaison), even though it is pronounced when it appears in other words. Sometimes, whether to pronounce the final consonant of a word is denoted by its grammatical function; for example, the final "s" in ''tous'' (all) is silent when used as an adjective, but pronounced when used as a pronoun, while the final "f" in nouns such as ''cerf'' (deer) and ''œuf'' (egg) is pronounced in the singular form, but in the plural form (''cerfs'', ''œufs'') the "f" and the "s" are both silent. A final warning: for many French words, it is impossible to write something which an English speaker can easily read and reproduce without compromising on "perfect" French pronunciation. This means that '''the pronunciation guides in this very phrasebook are open to interpretation!''' Use the transliteration provided with each phrase as a guide to ''liaison'', but refer to the following letter lists in order to correctly pronounce the vowels and consonants. ===Vowels=== Vowels in French can have '''accent marks''', which generally have no noticeable impact on pronunciation, but they often distinguish between homophones in writing (''ou'', meaning "or", and ''où'', meaning "where", are pronounced the same). The only really important ones which affect pronunciation are é, è, and ê, which are called ''e accent aigu'', ''e accent grave'', and ''e accent circonflexe'', respectively. The grave and circumflex accents have the same name when they appear on other letters, while the umlaut (ë, ï, ü) is called ''e / i / u tréma''. ; a, à, â : like f'''a'''ther (U.S. English) or c'''a'''t (UK English); {{IPA|a}}. In Quebec French, sometimes more like "aw" as in the standard UK pronunciation of n'''o'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; e : in most cases a central neutral vowel ("schwa") like in '''a'''bout {{IPA|ə}}, sometimes like "é" or "è". At the end of a word, it's usually not pronounced at all ; é, ai, -er, -es, -ez, -et : similar to d'''ay''' but shorter {{IPA|e}} ; è, ê : more open, like s'''e'''t {{IPA|ɛ}}. Sometimes diphthongised in Quebec French {{IPA|ɛɪ̯}} ; i, î : like s'''ee''', but shorter and tenser {{IPA|i}} ; o, ô, au, eau : generally like b'''oa'''t {{IPA|o}} ; u, ù : like a very tight, frontal "oo" sound (purse your lips as if to say "oo" as in "soon" but try to make your tongue say "ee") - {{IPA|y}}, ''uu'' in transcriptions, similar to the German ü. Sometimes pronounced more like "eu" in Quebec French ; ou : like f'''oo'''d, but rounder {{IPA|u}} ; y : when followed by a consonant, like s'''ee''' {{IPA|i}}. When followed by another vowel, it's used as a consonant, pronounced '''y'''es {{IPA|j}} ; eu : between d'''ew''' and b'''u'''rp {{IPA|ø}}; written as ''eu'' in transcriptions [[Image:Ouagadougou place nations unies.JPG|thumb|300px|Like many ex-colonial placenames, '''[[Ouagadougou]]''' mixes French spelling convention with words from a local language, in this case Mooré]] ===Semi-vowels=== ; oi : like '''wha'''m {{IPA|wa}}, or when followed by a nasal more like '''we'''t {{IPA|wɛ̃}}. In Quebec French, sometimes like th'''ough'''t {{IPA|ɔ}} ; oui : like '''wee'''k {{IPA|wi}} ; ui : like '''wee'''k, but with a French u instead of the w {{IPA|ɥi}} ; œ : a bit like ''eu'', but more open {{IPA|œ}}. The distinction between ''œ'' (called ''o e entrelacés'') and ''eu'' is very subtle and often irrelevant. ===Consonants=== ; b : {{pron|b|b}} ; c : {{pron|k|c|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|s̪|c|notes=before "e", "i", and "y"}} ; ç : like the second pronunciation of ''c''. This letter, called a "cedilla" (''cédille''), can only be written before "a" ,"o", or "u" ; ch : {{pron|ʃ|ch}}; sometimes like k (in words of Greek origin mostly) ; d : {{pron|d̪|d}}. In Quebec, like "dz" or "ds" when before "i" or "y" ; dj : {{pron|d͡ʒ|dj}} ; f : {{pron|f|f}} ; g : {{pron|ɡ|g|notes=before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonant}}, {{pron|ʒ|g|notes=before "e", "i" and "y"}} ; gu : like the first pronunciation of g (before "e", "i", "y"); if the u is to be pronounced, it will be written with a diaresis (e.g. ''aigüe'') ; gn : {{pron|ɲ|gn}}. This is particularly difficult when followed by '''oi''', as in '''baignoire''' (''beh-NYWAR'') "bathtub". ; h : silent, but may sometimes prevent a ''liaison'' with the former word (this is called an ''h aspiré'') ; j : like the second pronunciation of g ; k : {{pron|k|k|notes=only used for loanwords, but common in Alsatian and Breton placenames}} ; l, ll : {{pron|l|l}}; some exceptions for "ll" in the combination "ille" (sometimes pronounced ee-yuh, {{IPA|j|noparen=y}}), or in "guillotine". ; m : {{pron|m|m}} ; n: pronounced with the tongue touching the teeth {{IPA|n̪}}, except when followed by a vowel, when it is pronounced like '''n'''ose {{IPA|n}}. See [[#Nasals|Nasals]] below}} ; p : {{pron|p|p}} ; ph : like f ; pn : like a'''pn'''ea {{IPA|pn}} ; ps: like sli'''ps''' {{IPA|ps}} ; q(u) : most of the time k, like '''qu'''ick only in loanwords ; r : guttural r, pronounced at the back of the throat {{IPA|ʁ}} ; s : usually like the second pronunciation of c; like ''z'' when between two vowels (unless doubled), or in a liaison ; t, th : {{pron|t̪|t}}; in Quebec, {{pron|t͡s|t}} when before "i" or "y"; like the second pronunciation of c in ''tion'' ; tch : {{pron|t͡ʃ|tch}} ; v : {{pron|v|v}} ; w : only in foreign words, mostly {{pron|w|w}} and sometimes like v (in particular, "wagon" is "vagon" and "WC" is "VC"!) ; x : either ks, gz or s ; z : {{pron|z̪|z}} [[File:Home Alone House.jpg|thumb|300px|Remember the scene in the movie ''Home Alone'' where Kevin's sister mockingly told him "you're what the French call ''les incompétents''"? Even though grammar Nazis might deduct points for addressing a singular subject in the plural, any phonicist will tell you she got the sound of the French nasal vowel pretty much down pat.]] ===Nasals=== ; an, en, em : nasal a {{IPA|ɑ̃}}. Not always pronounced as a nasal, especially if the n or m is doubled: ''emmental'' is pronounced as a normal "emm" sound ; on : nasal o {{IPA|ɔ̃}} - distinguishing between this and "an" is tricky, it's a deeper, more closed sound ; in, ain : nasal è {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; un : nasal eu {{IPA|œ̃}}. In northern France and particularly around Paris, pronounced the same as 'in' {{IPA|ɛ̃}} ; oin : nasal "wè" {{IPA|wɛ̃}} ===Diphthongs=== ; aï, ail : like the English pronoun '''I''' {{IPA|aj}} ; ay, éi : ''é'' and ''i'' smooshed together {{IPA|ɛ.i}} ; ill : either literally, or like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (''ville'' is ''veel'', ''fille'' is ''fiy'') Quebec French sometimes has vestigial diphthongs where French from France no longer does. For example, while a Parisian would pronounce the word ''maître'' as ''MET-ruh'', a Québécois would pronounce it more like ''MIGHT-ruh''. ===Exceptions=== * When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: ''réunion'' (meeting). * A diaeresis (''tréma'') may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: ''maïs'' (Indian corn or maize). * In the combination "geo" (as in ''pigeon'' or ''bourgeois''), the "e" should not be pronounced, as it is only there to force the pronunciation of the soft "g" {{IPA|ʒ}}. When the e is marked with an acute accent (as in ''géologie'') it is pronounced the normal way. ==International varieties of French== [[Image:Guadeloupe creole 2010-03-30.JPG|thumb|300px|"Levez le pied, il y a des enfants qui jouent ici !" - Lift your foot [off the gas pedal], there are children playing here! (Guadeloupe Creole)]] For its size, [[France]] is quite a linguistically-diverse country. Aside from languages which are very clearly separate from French (e.g. [[Basque]] and [[Breton]]), there is a whole slew of local ''parlers'' (e.g. Angevin, Lorrain, Norman, Picard, Savoyard...) which are just similar enough to standard French that, depending on whom you ask, they can be considered either separate languages in their own right, or simply dialects (''patois'') of the mother tongue. These local languages/dialects also influence the accents of standard French within their region, from the strange vowels and increased nasalisation of the far north to the 'singing' accents of the deep south. The varieties of French which are spoken in Belgium and Switzerland differ slightly from the French spoken in France, though they are similar enough to be mutually intelligible. In particular, the numbering system in French-speaking [[Belgium]] and [[Switzerland]] has some slight peculiarities that are different from the French spoken in France, and the pronunciation of some words is slightly different. Nevertheless, all French-speaking Belgians and Swiss would have learned standard French in school, so they would be able to understand you even if you used the standard French numbering system. Aside from Europe and Canada (see below), many French-speaking regions have incorporated the words of local languages, and on occasion have formed distinctive dialects or languages known as '''creoles'''. French-based creoles today enjoy wide use and often official status in the [[Seychelles]], [[Mauritius]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Haiti]] (see [[Haitian Creole phrasebook|Haitian creole]]), [[Réunion]], and the French overseas territories in the Antilles. A dialect of French known as [[Louisiana]] French or Cajun, which is similar to the Acadian French spoken in parts of New Brunswick, and a distinct French-based creole known as Louisiana Creole are both still spoken by some residents in the southern U.S. state, while parts of [[New England]] near the Canadian border are home to speakers of a dialect known as New England French, which bears many similarities to Québécois. ===Canada=== {{see also|Quebec#Talk}} There are many phonological and lexical differences between the French spoken in Quebec and that spoken in France. Quebec has retained many 18th- & 19th-century French words, while in France the language has moved on, as well as incorporating many English words in the modern era. On the other side, Québécois borrowed English terms from their Anglophone neighbours as early as the 19th century, but the onset of the "Quiet Revolution" and the Quebec sovereignty movement in the 1960s led to laws that strictly limited the usage and influence of English in the public sphere, with the result that, etymologically speaking, Quebec French is in many ways more purely "French" than that spoken in France. For instance, the [[Fast food in the United States and Canada#Chicken|fast-food restaurant chain founded by Colonel Sanders]] is known in both the United States and France as "Kentucky Fried Chicken" or KFC for short, but in Quebec it was known as ''Poulet Frit Kentucky'' (PFK) until the last outlet closed in 2019. Some examples of everyday words which differ between Québécois and standard French: {| class="wikitable" |+ !English !France !Quebec !Notes |- |car |voiture/auto |char |In France, ''un char'' is 'a tank'. ''Voiture'' and ''auto'' are feminine; ''char'' is masculine. |- |car park |parking |stationnement | |- |to park (a car) |garer |parker | |- |to drive |conduire |chauffer |In France, ''chauffer'' means 'to heat' |- |stop (on a road sign) |stop |arrêt | |- |pavement/sidewalk |trottoir |cotteur | |- |washing machine |machine à laver |laveuse | |- |breakfast, lunch, dinner |petit déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner |déjeuner, dîner, souper |Belgium and Switzerland use the same terms as Quebec |- |shopping |shopping/courses |magasinage | |- |bicycle |vélo |bicyclette |''vélo'' is masculine; ''bicyclette'' is feminine |- |weekend |week-end |fin de semaine |''week-end'' is masculine; ''fin de semaine'' is feminine <br> In France, ''fin de semaine'' refers to the end of the working week (typically Thursday-Friday). |- |toothpaste |dentifrice |pâte à dents |Canadian toothpaste packaging still says ''dentifrice'' |- |email |e-mail/mail |courriel |Use of ''courriel'', short for ''courrier électronique'' (electronic mail), is recommended by the ''Académie française'', but this is all but ignored in France |} Each of Canada's other provinces has a Francophone population, who are not Québécois. Some of these groups have been settled for hundreds of years. Another distinct dialect of French, known as Acadian French, is spoken commonly in parts of [[New Brunswick]], with smaller populations in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Many of these people were expelled by the British during the French and Indian War, and settled in [[Louisiana]], where they would later become known as the Cajuns. Nevertheless, all Francophone Canadians, including Québécois, learn standard French in school, and most of the differences between the two varieties are limited to informal speech. This means that while you may not understand conversation among locals, they will be able to converse with you in standard French if required. [[Image:Arrêt - Stop Sign, Montreal, Canada (28389217345).jpg|thumb|right|300px|Stop sign in Montreal]] ==Phrase list== ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Ouvert (''oo-VAIR'') ; CLOSED : Fermé (''FEHR-may'') ; OPENING HOURS : Horaires d'ouverture (''Oh-RAIR doo-VAIR-tuur'') ; ENTRANCE : Entrée (''AHN-tray'') ; EXIT : Sortie (''sor-TEE'') ; PUSH : Poussez (''POO-say'') ; PULL : Tirez (''TEE-ray'') ; TOILET : Toilettes (''twah-LET'') ; MEN : Hommes (''om'') ; WOMEN : Femmes (''fam'') ; DISABLED : Handicapés (''on-dee-KAP-ay'') ; EMERGENCY EXIT : Sortie de secours (''sor-TEE duh suh-COOR'') ; FORBIDDEN : Interdit, Défendu (''ehn-tair-DEE, day-fahn-DUU'') ; NO PARKING : Stationnement interdit, Défense de stationner (''STAH-syonn-mon an-tair-DEE, day-FAHNS duh STAH-syonn-ay'') ; YIELD / GIVE WAY : Cédez le passage (''SAY-day luh pah-SAHZH'') ; STOP : Stop (''stop'') / Arrêt (''Ah-RAY'')}} ; Hello. (formal): Bonjour. (''bawn-ZHOOR'') (in the day) / Bonsoir. (''bawn-SWAHR'') (at night) ; Hello. (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; How are you? (formal) : Comment allez-vous ? (''koh-moh t-AH-lay VOO'') ; How are you? (informal) : Comment vas-tu ? (''koh-mahng va TUU''); Comment ça va ? (''koh-moh sah VAH'') ; Fine, thank you. : Bien, merci. (''byang, merr-SEE'') ; What is your name? : Comment vous appelez-vous ? (''koh-moh vooz AHP-lay VOO?''); lit. "How do you call yourself?" ; What is your name? (informal) : Comment t'appelles-tu ? (''koh-moh tah-pell TOO?'') ; My name is ______ . : Je m'appelle ______ . (''zhuh mah-PELL _____'') ; Nice to meet you. : Enchanté(e). (''ahn-shan-TAY'') ; Please. (formal) : S'il vous plaît. (''seel voo PLEH''); Je vous prie. (''zhuh voo PREE'') ; Please. (informal) : S'il te plaît. (''seel tuh PLEH'') ; Thank you. : Merci. (''merr-SEE'') ; You're welcome. : De rien. (''duh RYEHNG''); Je vous en prie. (''zhuh voo-zahn PREE'') (more polite) ; Yes. : Oui. (''WEE'') ; No. : Non. (''NOH'') ; Excuse me. : Pardon. (''pahr-DOHN''); Excusez-moi. (''ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH'') ; (I am) Sorry. : (Je suis) Désolé(e). (''zhuh swee DAY-zoh-LAY''); Je m'excuse. (''zhuh mehk-SKEWZ'') ; Goodbye : Au revoir. (''oh ruh-VWAHR'') ; Goodbye (informal) : Salut. (''sah-LUU'') ; I can't speak French [well]. : Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (''zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byang] frahn-SEH '') ; Do you speak English? :Parlez-vous anglais ? (''par-lay VOO ahng-LEH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'')/ Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (''ee yah-TEEL kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL ahng-LEH'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR'') ; Look out! : Attention ! (''ah-tahn-SYONG'') ; Good day / good morning : Bonjour (''bong̠-ZHOO(R)'') ; Have a nice day: Bonne journée (''bon zhoor-NAY'') ; Good evening. : Bonsoir. (''bong-SWAHR'') ; Good night. (at the end of an evening) : Bonne soirée (''bon swahr-RAY'') ; Good night. (when going to bed) : Bonne nuit. (''bon NWEE'') ; Sweet dreams : Faites de beaux rêves (''FEHT duh bo REV'') ; I don't understand. : Je ne comprends pas. (''zhuh nuh KOHM-prahn pah'') ; I don't know. : Je ne sais pas. (''zhuh nuh say pah'') ; I can't. : Je ne peux (pas). (''zhuh nuh puh pah'') ; Where is the toilet? : Où sont les toilettes ? (''OOH sohn leh twah-LET?'') ; What is it? : Qu'est-ce que c'est ? (''KES-kuh-SAY'') ; How do you say _____ in French / in English? : Comment dit-on _____ en français / en anglais ? (''koh-moh dee-TONG _____ ahn frahn-SEH / ahn ahng-LEH ?'') ; What is this/that called? :Comment appelle-t-on ça ? (''koh-moh ah-pell-TONG SAH?'') ; How is that spelt? : Comment ça s'écrit ? (''koh-moh sah SAY-cree?'') ===Problems=== ; Leave me alone. :Laissez-moi tranquille ! (''lay-say mwah trahn-KEEL!'') ; Buzz off. : Dégage ! (''day-GAHZH!'') / Va-t'en ! (''va TAHN'') ; Don't touch me! : Ne me touchez pas ! (''nuh muh TOOSH-ay PAH!'') ; I'm calling the police. : Je vais appeler la police. (''zhuh VAYZ a-pell-AY la poh-LEES'') ; Police! : Police ! (''poh-LEES'') ; Stop! Thief! : Arrêtez ! Au voleur ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vo-LEUR!'') ; Stop! Rapist! : Arrêtez ! Au viol ! (''ah-reh-TAY! oh vee-YOL!'') ; Help! : Au secours ! (''oh suh-KOOR!'') ; Fire! : Au feu ! (''oh FEUH!'') ; Help me, please!. : Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît ! (''aih-day MWAH, SEEL voo PLEH!'') ; It's an emergency. : C'est urgent ! (''seh toor-ZHAHN'') ; I'm lost. : Je me suis perdu(e). (''ZHUH muh swee pehr-DUU'') ; I've lost my bag. : J'ai perdu mon sac. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon SAK'') ; I've lost my wallet. :J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. (''zhay pehr-DUU mon POHR-tuh-fuhye'') ; My things have been stolen. : On m'a volé mes affaires. (''o(n) ma vo-LAY may-zaf-FAIR'') ; Someone / This man / This woman is harassing me : Quelqu'un / Cet homme / Cette femme me harcèle (''kel-ku(n) / set om / set fam muh ar-SELL'') ; I'm sick. : Je suis malade. (''zhuh swee mah-LAHD'') ; I've been injured. : Je me suis blessé. (''zhuh muh swee bleh-SAY'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Je me suis fait mordre par un chien. (''zhuh muh swee fay MOR-druh par u(n) shee-AH(N)'') ; I need a doctor. : J'ai besoin d'un médecin. (''zhay buh-ZWAHN duun may-TSAN'') ; Can I use your phone? : Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone ? (''PWEEZH oo-tee-lee-ZAY vot-ruh tay-lay-FUN'') ; Call an ambulance. :Appelez une ambulance. (''ah-puh-lay uun OM-boo-lo(n)ss'') ; Call the fire brigade. :Appelez les pompiers. (''ah-puh-lay lay pom-PEE-ay'') ; Call the police. :Appelez la police. (''ah-puh-lay la poh-LEES'') ; Call the coastguard. :Appelez les gardes-côtes. (''ah-puh-lay lay garde cot'') ===Numbers=== [[File:Reunion BrasDeLaPlaine.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Réunion]]]] Unlike English, French uses the long scale, so ''un billion'' and ''un trillion'' are not the same as the English "one billion" and "one trillion". ; 0 : zéro (''zairro'') ; 1 : un/une (''uhn'')/(''uun'') ; 2 : deux (''deu'') ; 3 : trois (''trwah'') ; 4 : quatre (''kahtr'') ; 5 :cinq (''sank'') ; 6 : six (''sees'') ; 7 : sept (''set'') ; 8 : huit (''weet'') ; 9 : neuf (''neuf'') ; 10 : dix (''deece'') ; 11 : onze (''onz'') ; 12 : douze (''dooz'') ; 13 : treize (''trayz'') ; 14 : quatorze (''kat-ORZ'') ; 15 : quinze (''kihnz'') ; 16 : seize (''says'') ; 17 : dix-sept (''dee-SET'') ; 18 : dix-huit (''dee-ZWEET'') ; 19 : dix-neuf (''deez-NUF'') ; 20 : vingt (''vihnt'') ; 21 : vingt-et-un (''vihng-tay-UHN'') ; 22 : vingt-deux (''vihn-teu-DEU'') ; 23 : vingt-trois (''vin-teu-TRWAH'') ; 30 : trente (''trahnt'') ; 40 : quarante (''kar-AHNT'') ; 50 : cinquante (''sank-AHNT'') ; 60 : soixante (''swah-SAHNT'') ; 70 : soixante-dix (''swah-sahnt-DEES'') or septante (''sep-TAHNGT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 80 : quatre-vingts (''kaht-ruh-VIHN''); huitante (''weet-AHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland (except Geneva); octante (''oct-AHNT'') in Switzerland ; 90 : quatre-vingt-dix (''katr-vihn-DEES''); nonante (''noh-NAHNT'') in Belgium and Switzerland ; 100 : cent (''sahn'') ; 200 : deux cents (''deu sahng'') ; 300 : trois cents (''trrwa sahng'') [[File:Купюра в 500 франков КФА. Лицевая сторона.jpg|thumb|300px|Cinq cents francs, used in several countries in Central Africa]] ; 1000 : mille (''meel'') ; 2000 : deux mille (''deu meel'') ; 1,000,000 : un million (''ung mee-LYOHN'') (treated as a noun when alone: one million euros would be ''un million d'euros''). ; 1,000,000,000 : un milliard ; 1,000,000,000,000 : un billion ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : numéro _____ (''nuu-may-ROH'') ; half : demi (''duh-MEE''), moitié (''mwah-tee-AY'') ; less : moins (''mwihn'') ; more : plus (''pluus'') / no more : plus (''pluu'') so this time, the "S" is mute ===Time=== [[File:A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles.jpg|thumb|300px|A sculpture at the entrance to the palace of Versailles]] ; now : maintenant (''mant-NAHN'') ; earlier : plus tôt (''pluu to'') ; later : plus tard (''pluu TAHR'') ; before : avant (''ah-VAHN'') ; after : après (''ah-PREH'') ; morning : le matin (''luh mah-TAN'') ; in the morning : dans la matinée (''dahn lah mah-tee-NAY'') ; afternoon : l'après-midi (''lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; in the afternoon : dans l'après-midi (''dahn lah-preh-mee-DEE'') ; evening : le soir (''luh SWAHR'') ; in the evening: dans la soirée (''dahn lah swah-RAY'') ; night : la nuit (''lah NWEE'') ; in the night : pendant la nuit (''pehndahn lah NWEE'') ====Clock time==== French speakers most commonly use the 24-hour clock, even in Quebec (whereas most other Canadians use the 12-hour clock). In Europe, an 'h' is used as a separator between hours and minutes, as opposed to the colon that is used in Quebec and English-speaking countries. Therefore, midnight is written as ''0h00'', 1AM as ''1h00'', and 1PM as ''13h00''; more details and examples below. However, the 12-hour clock is making some inroads in speech, and saying 1-11 in the afternoon or evening will be understood. ; What's the time? : Quelle heure est-il ? (''kel euhr et-EEL?''); ; hour : heure (''eur'') ; minute : minute (''mee-NUUT'') ; From 1 minute past to 30 minutes past the hour: [hour] + [number of minutes] : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>20 or "twenty past ten" = <nowiki>10h20</nowiki>; "dix heures vingt" (''deez eur va(n)'') ; For 31 minutes past to 59 minutes past the hour : [next hour] + moins (''mwa(n)'') : Example: 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>40 or "twenty to eleven" = <nowiki>10h40</nowiki>; "onze heures moins vingt" (''onz eur mwa(n) va(n)'') ; quarter past : [hour] et quart (''ay kahr'') : Example: 07<nowiki>:</nowiki>15 or "quarter past seven" = <nowiki>7h15</nowiki>; "sept heures et quart" (''set eur eh kahr'') ; quarter to :[hour] moins le quart (''mwa(n) luh kahr'') : Example: 16<nowiki>:</nowiki>45 or "quarter to five" = <nowiki>16h45</nowiki>; "dix sept heures moins le quart" (''dee-set eur mwan luh kahr'') ; half-past : et demie (''eh duh-MEE''); et demi (after 12 midnight or 12 noon, ''eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 10<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past ten" = <nowiki>10h30</nowiki>; "dix heures et demie" (''deez eur eh duh-MEE'') : Example : 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 or "half past twelve" = <nowiki>12h30</nowiki>; "douze heures et demi" (''dooz eur eh duh-MEE'') ; 1AM, 01<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>1h00</nowiki>; une heure du matin (''uun eur duu ma-TAN'') ; 2AM, 02<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>2h00</nowiki>; deux heures du matin (''dooz eur duu ma-TAN'') ; noon, 12<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>12h00</nowiki>; midi (''mee-DEE'') ; 1PM, 13<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>13h00</nowiki>; treize heures (''traiyz er'') : une heure de l'après-midi (''uun eur duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 2PM, 14<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>14h00</nowiki>; quatorze heures (''KAH-torz er'') : deux heures de l'après-midi (''duz er duh la-preh-mee-DEE'') ; 6PM, 18<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>18h00</nowiki>; dix-huit heures (''deez-weet ER'') : six heures du soir (''seez er duu SWAR'') ; 7<nowiki>:</nowiki>30PM, 19<nowiki>:</nowiki>30 : <nowiki>19h30</nowiki>; dix-neuf heures trente (''DEE-znuf er TRAHNT'') : sept heures et demie (''SET er eh duh-MEE'') ; midnight, 00<nowiki>:</nowiki>00 : <nowiki>0h00</nowiki>; minuit (''mee-NWEE'') ====Duration==== [[File:Fontevraud3.jpg|thumb|300px|Abbaye de Fontevraud]] ; _____ minute(s) : _____ minute(s) (''mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) :_____ heure(s) (''eur'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ jour(s) (''zhoor'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ semaine(s) (''suh-MEN'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ mois (''mwa'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ an(s) (''ahng''), année(s) (''ah-NAY'') ; hourly : horaire (''oh-RAIR'') ; daily : quotidien / quotidienne (''ko-tee-DYAN'' / ''ko-tee-DYEN'') ; weekly : hebdomadaire (''eb-doh-ma-DAIYR'') ; monthly : mensuel / mensuelle (''mang-suu-WEL'') ; seasonal : saisonnier / saisonnière (''SEH-zon-ee-ay'' / ''SEH-zon-ee-air'') ; yearly : annuel / annuelle (''ah-nuu-WEL'') ; How long is your vacation? : Combien de temps restez-vous en vacances ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton res-TAY voo on VAH-kons''); ; I am in France for ten days : Je reste en France pendant dix jours. (''zhuh rest on frons pon-don dee zhoor'') ; How long is the journey? : Combien de temps le voyage dure-t-il ? (''com-bee-AN duh ton luh vwoi-YAHZH dyoor-TEEL'') ; It takes an hour and a half : Cela dure une heure et demie. (''suh-LAH dyoor uun er ay duh-MEE'') ===Days=== ; today : aujourd'hui (''oh-zhoor-DWEE'') ; yesterday : hier (''yare'') ; tomorrow : demain (''duh-MAN'') ; this week : cette semaine (''set suh-MEN'') ; last week : la semaine dernière (''lah suh-MEN dehr-NYAIR'') ; next week : la semaine prochaine (''lah suh-MEN pro-SHEN'') ; the weekend : le week-end (France) / la fin de semaine (Canada) (''luh week-end / lah fah(n) duh suh-MEN'') French calendars normally start on Monday. Unlike in English, the names of days are not capitalised in French: ; Monday : lundi (''luhn-DEE'') ; Tuesday : mardi (''mahr-DEE'') ; Wednesday : mercredi (''mehr-kruh-DEE'') ; Thursday : jeudi (''juh-DEE'') ; Friday : vendredi (''vahn-druh-DEE'') ; Saturday : samedi (''sahm-DEE'') ; Sunday : dimanche (''dee-MAHNSH'') ===Months=== [[File:Fontaine d'Octon.JPG|thumb|300px|The revolutionary calendar isn't in use any longer, but inscriptions where it's been used can be seen here and there]] Unlike English, the names of months are not capitalised in French: ; January : janvier (''ZHO(N)-vee-yeh'') ; February : février (''FEH-vree-yeh'') ; March :mars (''mar''s) ; April :avril (''av-REEL'') ; May :mai (''meh'') ; June :juin (''zh-WAH(N)'') ; July : juillet (''zh-WEE-eh'') ; August : août (''oot'') ; September : septembre (''sep-TOMBR'') ; October : octobre (''oc-TOBR'') ; November : novembre (''no-VOMBR'') ; December : décembre (''deh-SOMBR'') ===Seasons=== ; spring : le printemps (''luh PRAH(N)-toh(m)'') ; summer : l'été (''LAY-tay'') ; autumn : l'automne (''loh-TOMNUH'') ; winter : l'hiver (''LEE-vair'') ===Holidays=== [[File:FréjusPlageSaint-Aygulf.jpg|thumb|300px|France has many beaches, and they are popular destinations during ''les vacances d'été'']] ; Enjoy your holiday/vacation! : Bonnes vacances ! (''bon vah-KOH(N)S'') ; Happy holidays! (festival) : Bonnes fêtes ! (''bon fet'') ; Happy birthday! : Joyeux anniversaire ! (''ZHWY-yeuz-AN-ee-vair-SAIR'') ; Happy New Year! : Bonne année ! (''BON-a-NAY'') ; New Year's Day : le jour de l'an (''luh zhoor duh lah(n)'') ; Shrove Tuesday : le mardi gras (''luh MAR-dee grah'') ; Easter : les Pâques (''lay pak'') ; Passover : la Pâque juive / le Pessa'h (''lah pak zh-WEEV'' / ''luh pess-AKH'') ; Ramadan : le Ramadan (''luh RAH-mah-doh(n)'') (the other Muslim festivals are also called by their Arabic names) ; Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (24 June, Quebec) : la Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste (''lah fet duh lah sa(n)-JOH(N)-bap-TEEST'') ; Bastille Day (14 July, France) : le Quatorze Juillet / la Fête Nationale (''luh kat-ORZ zh-WEE-eh / lah fet nah-syon-NAL'') ; summer holidays : les vacances d'été (''lay vah-KOH(N)S DAY-tay'') ; school holidays : les vacances scolaires (''lay vah-KOH(N)S skoh-LAIR'') ; beginning of the school year : la rentrée (''lah roh(n)-TRAY'') ; All Saints' Day : la Toussaint (''lah TOO-sahn'') ; Hanukkah : Hanoucca (''ah-NOO-kah'') ; Christmas : Noël (''noh-EL'') ; Merry Christmas! : Joyeux Noël ! (''ZHWY-euh noh-EL!'') ===Colours=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. For instance, a lady may be ''blonde'' or ''brunette'' while a gentleman with hair of the corresponding hue is ''blond'' or ''brunet''. ; black : noir/noire (''nwahr'') ; white : blanc/blanche (''blahng/blahnsh'') ; grey : gris/grise (''gree/greez'') ; red : rouge (''roozh'') ; blue : bleu/bleue (''bluh'') ; yellow : jaune (''zhone'') ; green : vert/verte (''verre/vehrt'') ; orange : orange (''oh-RAHNZH'') ; purple : violet/violette (''vee-oh-LEH/vee-oh-LET'') ; brown : brun/brune (''bruh/bruhn''); marron (''MAH-rohn'') ; pink : rose (''roz'') ===Adjectives=== Like in other Romance languages, nouns in French are either "masculine" or "feminine"; adjectives vary accordingly. ; Good :Bon (m.) (''bo(n)'') / Bonne (f.) (''bon'') ; Bad : Mauvais (''MO-vay'') / Mauvaise (f.) (''MO-vez'') ; Big : Grand (m.) (''gro(n)'') / Grande (f.) (''grond'') ; Small : Petit (m.) (''puh-TEE'') / Petite (f.) (''puh-TEET'') ; Hot : Chaud (m.) (''sho'') / Chaude (f.) (''shode'') [[File:Mont Blanc Gipfelpano.jpg|thumb|300px|The summit of [[Mont Blanc]], at about 4800 m above sea level, is ''froid toute l'année'']] ; Cold : Froid (m.) (''frwah'') / Froide (f.) (''frwahd'') ; Fast : Rapide / Vite (both genders) (''rah-PEED / veet'') ; Slow : Lent (m.) (''lo(n)'') / Lente (f.) (''lont'') ; Expensive : Cher (m.) (''shair'') / Chère (f.) (''shairr'') ; Cheap : Bon marché (both genders) (''bo(n) mar-SHAY'') ; Rich : Riche (both genders) (''reesh'') ; Poor : Pauvre (both genders) (''pov-ruh'') ===Transportation=== [[File:SNCF TGV Duplex Viaduc de Cize - Bolozon.jpg|thumb|300px|France's famous TGV (''train à grande vitesse'' - high speed train) crossing the Ain river]] ====Bus and Train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Combien coûte le billet pour _____ ? (''kom-BYAN koot luh bee-YEH poor'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Un billet pour _____, s'il vous plaît. (''ung bee-YEH poor ____ seel voo pleh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Où va ce train/bus ? (''OO va suh trahn/boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Où est le train/bus pour _____ ? (''OO eh luh trahn/buus poor ____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____ ? (''suh trahn/buus sah-reh-tuh-TEEL ah _____'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Quand part le train/bus pour _____? (''kahn par luh trahn/buus poor _____'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Quand ce train/bus arrivera à _____ ? (''kahn suh trahn/buus ah-ree-vuh-RAH ah _____'') ; the/this shuttle : la/cette navette (''lah/set nah-VET'') ; a one-way ticket: un aller simple (''uhn ah-LAY SAM-pluh'') ; a return/round trip ticket: un aller-retour (''uhn ah-LAY ruh-TOOR'') ; I would like to rent a car. : J'aimerais louer une voiture. (''ZHEM-eu-ray LOO-way oon VWA-tuur'') ====Directions==== ; Where is / are _____? : Où se trouve / trouvent _____ ? / (''oo suh tr-OO-v _____'') ; ...the train station? : ...la gare ? (''lah gahr'') ; ...the bus station? : ...la gare routière ? (''lah gahr roo-TYEHR'') ; ...the nearest metro station? : ...la station de métro la plus proche ? (''lah stah-syon duh MAY-tro lah ploo prosh'') ; ...the airport? : ...l'aéroport ? (''lehr-oh-POR?'') ; ...the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy? : ...l'ambassade américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne ? (''lahm-bah-SAHD a-may-ree-KEN / os-trah-lee-EN / bree-tah-NEEK / ka-na-DYEN'') ; ...the (nearest) hotel? :...l'hôtel (le plus proche) ? (''loh-tel luh ploo prohsh'') ; ...the town / city hall? : ...l'hôtel de ville / la mairie ? (''loh-tel duh veel / lah mair-REE'') ; ...the police station? : ...le commissariat de police ? (''luh com-mee-SAHR-ee-ah duh po-LEES'') ; ...the tourist information centre? : ...le syndicat d'initiative ? / l'office de tourisme ? / le bureau touristique ? (Quebec) (''luh SAN-dee-kah dee-NEE-sya-teev'' / ''loff-EES duh toor-REEZ-muh'' / ''luh BOOR-oh toor-REES-teek'') ; ...the nearest bank / ATM? : ...la banque la plus proche ? (''lah bonk lah ploo prosh'') / le distributeur de billets le plus proche ?(''luh dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY luh ploo prosh'') / le guichet automatique le plus proche? (''luh GEE-shay oh-toh-mah-TEEK luh ploo prosh'') ; ...the nearest petrol/gas station ? : ...la station-service la plus proche ? (''lah sth-syon-SAIR-vees lah pluu prosh'') ; ...the market? :...les halles ? (city or large town) / le marché ? (small town or village) (''layz AL-uh'' / ''luh MAR-shay'') ; ...the beach? : ...la plage ? (''lah plaazh'') ; ...the best bars? :...les meilleurs bars ? (''leh meh-YUHR bahr'') ; ...the best restaurants? : ...les meilleurs restaurants ? (''leh meh-YUHR res-toh-RO(N)'') ; _____ Street : rue _____ e.g. ''rue de l'Église, rue Victor Hugo, rue de Rivoli...'' ; Please could you show me it on the map? : S'il vous plaît, pourriez-vous me l'indiquer sur la carte ? (''SEE-voo-PLEH POO-ree-yeh-voo muh la(n)-DEE-keh syoor la cart'' ; Is it far? : C'est loin ? (''seh lwa(n)'') ; No, it's quite close. :Non, c'est tout proche. (''No(n) seh too prohsh'') ; Straight on : Tout droit (''too drwah'') ; Turn right : Tournez à droite (''TOOR-neh a drwaht'') ; Turn left : Tournez à gauche (''TOOR-neh a gohsh'') ; Towards the... : Vers le / la / les... (''vehr luh'') ; Past the... : Après que vous passiez le / la / les... (''ap-REH kuh voo PASS-see-yeh luh / la / leh'') ; Before the... : Avant que vous arriviez au / à la / aux (''av-O(N) kuh vooz-a-REEV-ee-yeh o / a la / o'') ; Next to the... : À côté du / de la / des (''a COH-teh duu / duh la / deh'') ; Opposite the... : En face du / de la / des (''o(n) fass duu / duh la / deh'') ; Follow : Suivre : (''sweevr'') ; The north : le nord (''luh nor'') ; The east : l'est (''lest'') ; The south : le sud (''luh suud'') ; The west : l'ouest (''loo-WEST'') ; The (next) exit : la (prochaine) sortie (''lah pro-SHEN SOR-tee'') ; Here : Ici (''ee-SEE'') ; There : Là(-bas/-haut) (lah (BAH / OH) ; Watch out for... : Repérez... (''ruh-PAIR-ray luh / lah / lay'') ; ...the road : ...la route (''lah root'') ; ...the street : ...la rue (''lah ruu'') ; ...the intersection : ...le carrefour (''luh car-FOOR'') ; ...the traffic lights : ...les feux (''lay fuh'') ; ...the roundabout : ...le rond-point (''luh ro(n)-pwa(n)'') ; ...the motorway : ...l'autoroute (''loh-to-ROOT'') ; ...the railway : ...le chemin de fer (''luh shuh-MA(N) duh fehr'') ; ...the level crossing : ...le passage à niveau (''luh pah-SAAZH-ah-NEE-vo'') ; ...the bridge : ... le pont (''luh po(n)'') ; ...the tunnel : ... le tunnel (''luh tuu-nell'') ; ...the toll booth : le péage (''luh pay-ahzh'') ; Queue : Bouchon (''boo-sho(n)'') ; Roadworks : Travaux (''trah-vo'') ; Road closed : Route barrée (''root BAH-ray'') ; Diversion : Déviation (''day-vee-ah-SYO(N)'') ====Taxi==== [[File:20151107 lyon236.jpg|thumb|300px|Taxi in Lyon]] ; Taxi! : Taxi ! (''tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Déposez-moi à _____, je vous prie. (''DAY-poh-zay-MWAH ah _____, zhuh voo PREE'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Combien ça coûte d'aller à _____ ? (''kahm-BYENG suh-LA koo-TEEL dah-LAY ah _____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Amenez-moi là, je vous prie. (''AH-muh-nay-mwah LAH, zhuh voo PREE'') ; I want to get out here. : Je veux descendre ici. (''zhuh vuh duh-SO(N)D-rr EE-SEE'') ; Thank you! Keep the change. : Merci ! Gardez la monnaie. (''MERR-see GARR-day lah moh-NAY'') ===Lodging=== [[File:BiarritzHotelduPalais1.JPG|thumb|300px|Hotel du Palais in [[Biarritz]]]] ; Bed and breakfast : Chambres d'hôte (''SHAHM-bruh dote'') ; Campsite : Camping (''CAHM-ping'') ; Hotel : Hôtel (''OH-tel'') ; Self-catering cottage / holiday rental : Gîte / Location de vacances (''zheet / lo-cah-syo(n) duh vah-CAHNS'') ; (Youth) hostel : Auberge (de jeunesse) (''oh-BAIRZH duh zheuh-NESS'') ; Do you have any rooms available? : Avez-vous des chambres libres ? (''ah-veh VOO day SHAHM-bruh leeb'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Combien coûte une chambre pour une personne/deux personnes ? (''com-BYA(N) coot uun SHAHM-bruh poor uun PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Does the room come with... : Dans la chambre, y a-t-il... (''dah(n) la SHAHM-bruh, ee-ya-tee'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...des draps de lit ? (''...day dra duh lee?'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...une salle de bain ? (''...uun sal duh bah(n)?'') ; ...a telephone? : ...un téléphone ? (''...u(n) teh-leh-fone?'') ; ...a TV? : ...une télévision ? (''...uun teh-leh-VEEZ-yo(n)?'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...un réfrigérateur / un frigo ? (''...u(n) ray-FREEZH-ay-rah-teur / u(n) FREE-go''?) ; ...a kettle? : ...une bouilloire ? (''...uun boo-WEE-wah?'') [[File:Bungalows la salamandre à foulpointe.JPG|thumb|300px|Bungalows in Foulpointe, [[Madagascar]]]] ; May I see the room first? : Pourrais-je voir la chambre ? (''poo-RAY zhuh vwaah la SHAHM-bruh?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : Avez-vous une chambre plus tranquille ? (''ah-veh VOO uun SHAHM-bruh ploo trahn-KEE?'') ; ...bigger? : ...plus grande ? (''ploo grahnd?'') ; ...cleaner? : ...plus propre? (''ploo prop?'') ; ...cheaper? : ...moins chère? (''mwahn shair?'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Bon, je la prends. (''bo(n), zhuh lah proh(n)'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Je compte rester pour _____ nuits. (''zhuh compt REH-stay poor _____ nwee'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Pourriez-vous me suggérer un autre hôtel ? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh soo-ZHAY-ray u(n) OH-truh OH-tel ?'') ; Do you have a safe? : Avez-vous un coffre-fort ? (''ah-veh VOO u(n) COFF-ruh-FOR?'') ; ...lockers? : ...un vestiaire ? (''u(n) ves-tee-AIR?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Le petit-déjeuner/le dîner est-il compris ? (''luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay eh-TEE com-PREE?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : À quelle heure est servi le petit-déjeuner/le dîner ? (''ah kell euhrr eh SAIR-vee luh puh-TEE DAY-zhuh-nay / luh DEE-nay?'') ; Please clean my room. : Veuillez faire le ménage. (''vuh-YEH fair luh MEH-naazh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Pourriez-vous me réveiller à _____? (''poo-REE-ay voo muh REH-veh-yeh ah _____? '') ; You have a bedbug / cockroach / fly / mouse infestation here. : Vous êtes envahi de punaises / blattes / mouches / souris ici. (''voo ZET O(N)-vah-YEE duh poo-NEZ / blat / moosh / soo-REE ee-see'') ; I want to check out. : Je voudrais régler la note. (''zhuh VOO-dray REH-glay lah note'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Acceptez-vous les dollars américains/australiens/canadiens ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh doh-LAHR ah-may-ree-KANG/aws-trah-LYAHNG/kah-nah-DYAHNG?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Acceptez-vous les livres Sterling ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh leevr stehr-LING?'') ; Do you accept euros? : Acceptez-vous les euros ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO lehz-OO-roh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? (''ahk-sep-tay VOO leh kahrt duh kray-DEE?'') ; Can you change it (the money) for me? : Pouvez-vous me le faire changer ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Where can I get it (the money) changed? : Où puis-je le faire changer ? (''oo PWEEZH luh fehr SHAHNZHAY?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Pouvez-vous me faire le change sur un chèque de voyage ? (''poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH suur ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Où puis-je changer un chèque de voyage ? (''oo PWEEZH shahng-ZHAY ung shek duh vwoy-AHZH?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Quel est le taux de change ? (''KELL eh luh TAW duh SHAHNZH?'') ; Where can I find a cash point / ATM? : Où puis-je trouver un distributeur de billets ? (''oo PWEEZH troo-VAY ung dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY?'') ===Eating=== [[File:Belon oysters at Belon river, France.jpg|thumb|300px|Belon oysters]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; I'd like to reserve a table for tonight/tomorrow. : Je voudrais réserver une table pour ce soir/demain. (''zhuh voo-DREH REH-sair-VEH uun TAH-bluh poor suh SWAAH / duh-MAHN(G)'') ; set menu : menu (''muh-NUU'') ; à la carte : à la carte (''ah lah KAHRT'') ; the dish of the day : le plat du jour (''luh PLA duu ZHOOR'') ; serves food all day : service continu (''SAIR-vees con-tee-NOO'') ; breakfast : '''France:''' petit-déjeuner (''ptee-day-zheu-NAY''); '''Switzerland/Belgium/Canada''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY'') ; lunch : '''France''': déjeuner (''day-zheu-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': dîner (''dee-NAY'') ; dinner/supper : '''France''': dîner (''dee-NAY''); '''Elsewhere''': souper (''soo-PAY'') ; I would like _____. : Je voudrais _____. (''zhuh voo-DREH _____'') ; something local : un plat typique (de la région) (''uhn pla tee-PEEK (duh lah RAY-zhyong)'') ; I would like a dish containing _____. : Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (''zhuh voo-DREHZ ung plaht ah-VEK _____'') ; meat : de la viande (''duh lah vee-AWND'') ; chicken : du poulet / de la volaille (''duu poo-LEH / duh lah voh-LIE'') : Note: ''volaille'' literally means "poultry", but nearly always means "chicken" on menus ; turkey : de la dinde (''duh lah DAND'') ; duck : du canard (''duu can-AR'') ; lamb : de l'agneau (''duh LAN-yo'') ; pork : du porc / du cochon (''duu POHR''/''duu coh-SHONG''). ; ham : du jambon (''duu zhahng-BONG'') ; beef : du bœuf (''duu BUFF'') {{infobox|Quelle cuisson ?|A common question when ordering meat (especially, but not only, steak) is how long you want it cooked for: rare, medium, or well done? Simple enough, you might think. But if you're from an English-speaking country, then as a general rule of thumb, you'll find that if you ask for what you're used to at home, the meat will be rarer than you'd like. Therefore, it's worth getting to know these terms: * '''Bleu''' – "Blue", almost raw, meat that is cooked for less than a minute each side. * '''Saignant''' – "Bloody", i.e. very rare, but cooked slightly longer than a ''bleu'' steak. * '''À point''' – "Perfectly cooked", and the most popular among the French, but still rare by British or American standards. * '''Bien cuit''' – "Well cooked", but not well done. More like medium, with pink on the inside, though there should be no blood. * '''Très bien cuit''' – This should get you a "well done" steak that is totally cooked through. ''Mais, attention !'' If chef is not used to catering to ''les Anglo-Saxons'', he might just overdo it and give you a plate of leather.}} ; steak : du steak / du bifteck (''duu stek / duu BEEF-tek'') ; sausage : des saucisses (hot) / du saucisson (cold) (''deh saw-SEESS / duu saw-see-SON'') ; game: du gibier (''duu ZHI-bee-ay'') : Note: ''gibier'' may also mean specifically venison ; boar : du sanglier (''duu sahng-GLYAY'') ; venison : du cerf / du chevreuil / de la venaison (''duu SEHR / duu shev-REUY / duh lah vu-NAY-so(n)'') ; rabbit: du lapin (''duu lap-ANG'') ; fish : du poisson (''duu pwa-SONG'') ; salmon : du saumon (''duu saw-MONG'') ; tuna : du thon (''duu TONG'') ; whiting : du merlan (''duu mehr-LANG'') ; cod : de la morue (''duh lah moh-RUU'') ; seabass : du loup (de mer) / du bar (''duu LOO (duh MAIR) / duu BARR'') ; seafood : des fruits de mer (''deh frwee duh MEHR''); literally: "fruits of the sea" ; dulse : de la dulse (''duh lah DUULS'') ; lobster : du homard (''duu oh-MAR''), de la langouste (''duh lah lan-goost'') (rock lobster) ; clams : des palourdes (''deh pah-LOORD'') ; oysters : des huîtres (''dez WEETR'') ; mussels : des moules (''deh MOOL'') ; scallops : des coquilles Saint-Jacques (''deh kok-EE-sah(n)-ZHAK'') [[File:Marchés des Producteurs de Pays 11 16 12.jpg|thumb|300px|Escargots at a farmers market in Paris]] ; snails : des escargots (''dez es-car-GOH'') ; frogs' legs : des cuisses de grenouille (''deh gruh-NOOEY'') ; cheese : du fromage (''duu froh-MAHZH'') ; cow's cheese : du fromage de lait de vache (''duu froh-MAHZH duh lay duh vash'') ; goat's / sheep's cheese : du fromage de chèvre / de brebis (''duu froh-MAHZH duh SHEV-ruh / duh bruh-BEE'') ; eggs : des œufs (''dehz UH'') ; one egg : un œuf (''un UF'') ; (fresh) vegetables : des légumes (frais) (''deh lay-guum (FREH)'') ; onions : des oignons (''DEZ-on-yon'') ; carrots : des carottes (''deh kah-ROT'') ; peas : des (petits) pois (''deh (PUH-tee) PWAH'') ; broccoli : du brocoli (''duu broh-COLEE'') ; sweetcorn : du maïs (''duu my-YEES'') ; mushrooms : des champignons (''deh SHAM-pee-nyon'') ; cabbage : du chou (''duu shoo'') ; spinach : des épinards (''DEZ-ep-ee-NARR'') ; green / French beans : des haricots verts (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko VAIRR'') ; white / haricot beans : des haricots blancs (''DEZ-ah-REE-ko BLAWNG'') ; Brussels sprouts : des choux de Bruxelles (''deh shoo duh bruu-SEL'') ; lentils : des lentilles (''deh lon-TEE'') ; potatoes : des pommes de terre (''deh POM-duh-TAIR'') ; French fries : des frites (''day freet'') ; (fresh) fruit : des fruits (frais) (''deh frwee (freh)'') ; an apple : une pomme (''uun pom'') ; a pear : une poire (''uun pwarr'') ; a plum : une prune (''uun pruun'') ; a peach : une pêche (''uun pesh'') ; grapes : des raisins (''deh RAY-zan'') ; cherries : des cerises (''deh suh-REEZ'') ; an orange : une orange (''uun oh-RAWNZH'') ; a banana : une banane (''uun bah-NAN'') ; a mango : une mangue (''uun mawngg'') ; a lemon : un citron (''un SEE-trong'') ; a lime : un citron vert / un limon / une lime (''un SEE-trong vair / un LEE-mon / uun leem'') ; berries : des fruits rouges (''deh frwee roozh'') ; strawberries : des fraises (''deh frez'') ; raspberries : des framboises (''deh from-BWAHZ'') ; blackberries : des mûres (''deh muur'') ; blueberries : des myrtilles (''deh MIRR-tee'') ; blackcurrant : des cassis (''deh kah-SEES'') ; a salad : une salade (''uun sah-LAHD'') ; cucumber : du concombre (''duu cong-COMBRR'') ; tomatoes : des tomates (''deh toh-MAT'') ; lettuce : de la laitue (''duh lah LAY-tuu'') ; red / yellow / green pepper : du poivron rouge / jaune / vert (''duu PWAH-vrong roozh / zhoan / vairr'') ; spring onions : des oignons nouveaux (''DEZ-on-YONG NOO-vo'') ; radish : du radis (''duu RAH-dee'') ; chives : de la ciboulette (''duh lah SEE-boo-LET'') ; mixed herbs : des herbes de Provence (''dez-AIRB-duh-pro-VAWNSS'') ; bread : du pain (''duu pang'') ; toast : des toasts (''deh toast'') ; (milky) coffee : du café (au lait) (''duu kah-FAY (oh lay)'') : Note: Coffee will always be served black unless you ask for milk ; tea : du thé (''duu tay'') ; juice : du jus (''duu zhuu'') ; fresh / sparkling water : de l'eau plate / gazeuse (''duh loh PLAT / gah-ZUHZ'') : Note: If you ask for "water", you will get mineral water. To specify "tap water", say "eau du robinet" (''OH duu roh-bee-NEH'') or ask for a jug of water "une carafe d'eau" (''uun cahr-AHF doh''). ; (draught) beer : de la bière (pression) (''duh lah byehr'') ; red / white / rosé wine : du vin rouge / blanc / rosé (''duu vang roozh / blahng / ro-ZAY'') ; May I have some _____? : Puis-je avoir _____ ? (''pweezh ah-VWAHR duu'') ; salt : du sel (''duu sel'') ; black pepper : du poivre (''duu pwavr'') ; garlic : de l'ail (''duh lie'') ; butter : du beurre (''duu bur'') ; olive oil : de l'huile d'olive (''duh LWEEL-doh-LEEV'') ; ketchup/mayonnaise/mustard/alioli : du ketchup / de la mayonnaise / de la moutarde / de l'aïoli (''duu KECH-up / duh lah MIE-oh-NEZ / duh lah MOO-tard / duh LIE-oh-lee'') ; Excuse me, waiter / waitress? : S'il vous plaît, monsieur / madame ? (''seell voo PLEH muh-SYUH/ma-DAHM'') : Note: "garçon" (boy) is offensive and should be avoided. ; I'm finished. : J'ai terminé. (''zhay TAIRH-mee-NAY'') ; It was delicious. : C'était délicieux. (''seh-tay de-li-SYUH'') ; Can you please clear the plates? : Pouvez-vous débarrasser la table, s'il vous plaît ? (''poovay voo DEH-bahr-a-seh lah tah-bluh seel voo play'') ; The check (bill), please. : L'addition, s'il vous plaît. (''lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo play'') ====Dietary requirements==== [[File:20170329 ratatouille-fin-cuisson.jpg|thumb|300px|Ratatouille]] ; I am _____. : Je suis _____. (''zhuh swee'') ; ...vegan : végétalien (''vey-zhey-tal-YENG'') (m); végétalienne (''vey-zhey-tal-YEN'') (f) ; ...vegetarian : végétarien (''vey-zhey-tar-YENG'') (m); végétarienne (''vey-zhey-tar-YEN'') (f) ; I do not eat eggs, milk, or cheese. : Je ne mange pas d'œufs, de lait ni de fromage. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah dooh, duh lay, nee duh froh-MAHZH'') ; I do not eat meat, chicken, or pork. : Je ne mange pas de viande, de poulet, ni de porc. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah duh vee ahnd, duh poo-LEH, nee duh pohr'') ; I do not eat _____. : Je ne mange pas_____. (''zhuh nuh monzh pah'') ; ...honey. : de miel. (''duh mee ehl'') ; ...animal products. : de produits animaux. (''duh pro-dweez-ah-nee-mo'') ; ...dairy. : de laitage. (''duh lay tazh'') ; ...wheat. : de blé. (''duh blay'') ; ...seafood. : de fruits de mer. (''duh frwee duh MEHR'') ; ...nuts. : de noix (''duh nwaah'') ; ...gluten : de gluten (''duh gluu-TEN'') ; I do eat _____. : Je mange _____. (''zhuh monzh'') ; ...grains. : des céréales. (''deh say-ray-ahl'') ; ...vegetables. : des légumes. (''deh lay-guum'') ; ...beans. : des fèves. (''deh fehv'') ; ...fruit : des fruits. (''deh frwee'') ; I only eat kosher / halal food. : Je ne mange que de la nourriture kasher (casher, cachère) / halal. (''zhuh nuh monzh kuh duh la noo-ri-toor CASH-eh / alal'') ; I am allergic to... : Je suis allergique à... (''zhuh sweez ah-lair-ZHEEK ah...'') ===Bars=== [[File:Chai-barrique.JPG|thumb|300px|Cognac barrels]] ; A table for one / two. : Une table pour une personne / deux personnes. (''uun TAH-bluh poor oon PAIR-son / duh PAIR-son'') ; Do you serve alcohol? : Servez-vous des boissons alcoolisées ? (''sair-vay VOO day bwa-songz al-co-ol-ee-SAY'') ; Is there table service? : Est-ce que vous servez à la table ? (''ess-kuh voo ser-VAYZ ah lah TAHBL?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Une bière/deux bières, s'il vous plaît. (''uun BYEHR/deuh BYEHR, seel voo PLEH'') ; A draught beer, please. : Une pression, s'il vous plaît (''uun pres-SYON, seel voo PLEH'') ; A glass of red/white/rosé/sparkling wine, please. :Un verre de vin rouge/blanc/rosé/pétillant, s'il vous plaît. (''an ver duh van rooj / blan / ro-ZAY / PET-ee-YAUN, seel voo PLEH'') ; A quarter litre of beer, please : Un demi, s'il-vous-plaît. (''an deh-mee, seel voo PLEH'') ; A pint, please. : Une pinte, s'il vous plait. (''uun pannt, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; A bottle, please. : Une bouteille, s'il vous plait. (''uun boo-tay, seel voo PLEH'') ; _____ (''spirit'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. :_____ et _____, s'il vous plait. (''____ eh ____, seel voo PLEH'') ; whisky : whisky (m.) (''wee-skee'') ; vodka : vodka (f.) (''VOD-kah'') ; rum : rhum (m.) (''room'') ; cider : cidre (m.) (''seedr'') ; water : eau (f.) (''oh'') ; club soda : soda (m.) (''so-dah'') ; tonic water : Schweppes (m. or f.) (''shwep'') ; orange juice : jus d'orange (m.) (''joo d'or-AHNJ'') ; Coke (''soda'') : Coca (m.) (''koh-KAH'') ; One more, please. : Un/une autre, s'il vous plait. (''uhn / uun OH-truh, seel-voo-PLEH'') ; Another round, please. : Un autre pour la table, s'il vous plait. (''ahn OH-truh poor la tah-bluh, seel voo PLEH'') ; When is closing time? : À quelle heure fermez-vous ? (''ah kell EUR fer-MAY voo'') ===Shopping=== [[File:Marigot Market Saint Martin.JPG|thumb|300px|Marigot Market, [[Saint Martin]]]] ; Do you have this in my size? : Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ? (''AH-veh-VOO say-SEE dan sma THAI'') ; How much (is this)? : Combien (ça) coûte ? (''COMM-bee-yan (SAH) coot'') ; That's too expensive. : C'est trop cher. (''say-TRO-shair'') ; Would you take _____? : Pourriez-vous accepter _____ ? (''poor-yay-VOOZ ahk-sep-TAY'') ; expensive : cher (''shehr'') ; cheap :bon marché (''bong mar-SHAY'') (Note: this doesn't change with the gender or number of the noun. ''Elles sont bon marché'' is correct''.'') ; I can't afford it. : Je n'ai pas les moyens. (''zhe nay pah leh mwah-YAHNG'') ; I don't want it. : Je n'en veux pas. (''zhe nahng veu pah'') ; You're cheating me. : Vous me trompez. (''voo muh TROM-pay'') ; I'm not interested. : Je ne suis pas intéressé. (''zhen swee pahz-ann-tay-ress-SAY'') ; OK, I'll take it. : D'accord, je le/la prends. (''dah-kor zhe luh/lah prahn'') ; Can I have a bag? : Pourrais-je avoir un sac ? (''poo-REHZH ah-VWAR ung sahk'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l'étranger) ? (''leev-ray-VOO ootr-MEHR/ah lay-trahn-ZHAY'') ; I need... : J'ai besoin... (''zhay buh-ZWAHN'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...de dentifrice. (''duh dahn-tee-FREESS'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...d'une brosse à dents. (''duun bross ah DAHN'') ; ...tampons. : ...de tampons. (''duh tahm-POHN'') ; ...soap. : ...de savon. (''duh sah-VOHN'') ; ...shampoo. : ...de shampooing. (''duh shahm-PWAHN'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...d'un analgésique (''aspirine, ibuprofène'');. (''dun ah-nal-zhay-ZEEK (ahs-pee-REEN/ee-buu-proh-FEN)'') ; ...cold medicine. :...d'un médicament pour le rhume. (''dun may-dee-kah-MAHNG poor luh RUUM'') ; ...stomach medicine. :...d'un remède pour l'estomac. (''dun ray-MED poor less-toh-MAHK'') ; ...an antihistamine :...d'un antihistaminique (''dun on-tee-STAM-eek'') ; ...a razor. :...d'un rasoir. (''dun rah-ZWAR'') ; ...batteries. : ...de piles. (''duh PEEL'') ; ...a SIM card. : ...d'une carte SIM (''duun cahrrt seem'') ; ...an umbrella. (rain) : ...d'un parapluie. (''duun pah-ra-ploo-ee'') ; ...an umbrella. (sun) : ...d'une ombrelle. (''duun ohm-brehl'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...de crème solaire. (''duh crehm so-LEHR'') ; ...a postcard. : ...d'une carte postale. (''duun kahrt post-AL'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...de timbres. (''duh TAHM-burs'') ; ...writing paper. : ...de papier à lettres. (''duh pap-YEH ah LEH-TR'') ; ...a pen. :...d'un stylo. (''dun STEE-loh'') ; ...English-language books. : ...de livres en anglais. (''duh LEE-vruh-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...de revues en anglais. (''duh REH-voo-zahn ahngh-LEH'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...d'un journal en anglais. (''dun zhoar-NAL ahn ahng-LEH'') ; ...a French-English dictionary. :...d'un dictionnaire français-anglais. (''dun deect-see-ohn-AIR frahn-SEH ahng-LEH'') ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Je n'ai rien fait de mal. (''zhuh nay ree-AHN fay duh MAL'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : C'est une erreur. (''set uhn air-UR'') ; Where are you taking me? : Où m'emmenez-vous ? (''ooh mehm-en-EH voo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Suis-je en état d'arrestation ? (''SWEEZH ahn EH-tah dahr-es-ta-SYONG'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m) : Je suis un citoyen américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f) : Je suis une citoyenne américaine/australienne/britannique/canadienne. (''zhuh sweez uhn see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-LYEN/bree-tah-NEEK/ka-na-DYEN'') ; I want to speak to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy or consulate. : Je veux parler à l'ambassade ou au consulat américain/australien/britannique/canadien. (''ZHUH vuh pahr-LAY ah lahm-ba-SAHD oo oh kon-soo-LAHT a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN'') ; I want to speak to a lawyer. : Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (''ZHUH vood-RAY par-lehr ah uhn AH-vo-cah'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende ? (''poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND'') ; [offering bribe] Will you accept this in place of my fine? : Acceptez-vous ceci au lieu de mon amende ? (''accept-eh voo suh-see oh LOO duh mon ah-MAND'') : ''Note: Only consider attempting this in third world countries. ''Do not'' try to do this in European Francophone countries or in Canada as it will get you in worse trouble!'' {{guidephrasebook}} {{PartOfPhrasebook|Europe|Oceania|Africa|North America|South America}} ieb2btc77wmikz5dj5smnifnubf4uda 0 12791 4506266 4463669 2022-08-22T14:32:39Z MuzikMachine 2162786 /* Go next */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Glacier National Park (Canada) banner.jpg|pgname=Glacier National Park}} :''For the park of the same name in Montana, see [[Glacier National Park (Montana)]].'' '''[https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier Glacier National Park]''' is a [[Canadian national parks|Canadian national park]] in the [[Columbia-Rockies]] region of [[Canada]]. It encompasses a portion of the Columbia Mountains, and the Rogers Pass National Historic Site. ==Understand== [[File:Eagle Peak and Mount Sir Donald.jpg|thumb|Eagle Peak and Mount Sir Donald]] Glacier National Park, near [[Revelstoke]], British Columbia, covers an area of 1,349 km² (521 sq mi). The park is open year-round; valley trails open in May, while upper-elevation trails are snowed-in into early July. Day-use areas open in June, and campgrounds open in late June. The ski season is November to April. The park contains high peaks, large, active glaciers, and one of Canada's largest cave systems. Its dense forests support populations of large mammals, birds, and alpine species. The region is noted for its heavy snowfall. The park has an extensive network of trails, three campgrounds, and four backcountry huts and cabins. Due to the major transportation routes that bisect it, Glacier National Park sees a lot of visitors. Contact the park office {{phone|+1 250-837-7500}} or email {{email|RevGlacier.Reception@pc.gc.ca}} ===History=== [[File:Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park of Canada.jpg|thumb|Rogers Pass]] The park was established in 1886. The park's history is closely tied to two primary Canadian transportation routes, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), completed in 1885, and the [[Trans-Canada Highway]], completed in 1963. The pass in the centre of the park eluded explorers until 1881. The railway brought with it tourism, the establishment of Glacier National Park and the construction of a popular alpine hotel. The heavy winter snows and steep, avalanche-prone valleys of the park have been a major obstacle to transportation, necessitating much railway engineering and avalanche control measures. Getting across the avalanche-prone Rogers Pass has proved an obstacle for road and rail. It was vulnerable link in the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1885 to 1916, when traffic was diverted via a {{km|8}} rail tunnel. The pass was incorporated into the Trans-Canada Highway, where a marker commemorates the Trans-Canada's 1962 official opening. ===Landscape=== [[File:Balu Pass, Glacier National Park.jpg|thumb|Balu Pass, Glacier National Park]] The park covers the northern part of the Selkirk Mountains, a sub-range of the Columbia Mountains. It contains numerous glaciers and large, swift waterways. The Columbia Mountains rise from the plateaus of the Central Interior and extend eastward to the Rocky Mountain Trench. Geologically distinct from the nearby Rockies, the range is divided into four sub-ranges: the Cariboos, Monashees, Selkirks, and the Purcells. Glacier encompasses a portion of the northern Selkirks and a narrow strip of the northern Purcells. The topography of the park varies between rounded mountains and ridges in the east, north, and west, and sharp, steep-sided peaks in the central and southern regions. The park has 131 glaciers larger than 50,000 m² (0.019 sq mi), covering 133 km² (51 sq mi) of the park. Throughout its history, North America has seen cycles of glaciation, where ice sheets advanced and retreated across the terrain. The last glacial period ended about 12,000 years ago, before which all but the highest peaks of the park were covered in ice. The movements of these rivers of ice formed the steep-sided, U-shaped valleys of the park. They also rounded the lesser peaks; ranges in the west of the park show this effect. The glaciers in the park are on whole shrinking and retreating; they are also some of the most studied glaciers in North America. The glaciers of the park have been dramatically reduced in size in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. An inventory noted a reduction of 19.4 km² (7.5 sq mi) of glacial surface area from 2000 to 2011. All watercourses in the park are part of the Columbia River drainage basin. Park rivers are swift-running and glacially-fed, and have helped carve out the steep valleys and canyons. They carry much silt and rocky debris with them, and often have a milky white appearance. In the summer months, these rivers have noticeable diurnal cycles; they run high in the afternoons as the snow and ice melt is at its peak, then drop considerably with lower nighttime temperatures. The major rivers are the Illecillewaet, the Beaver, and the headwaters of the Incomappleux and Duncan Rivers. Large creeks and brooks include Mountain, Cougar (which runs underground through the Nakimu Caves), and Battle. Glacier National Park covers a range of habitats, from lush temperate rainforest in the western valleys, to inhospitable ice- and rock-covered alpine areas, to drier fir and pine forests on the eastern boundary. Four of British Columbia's biogeoclimatic zones are found within the park: Interior cedar/hemlock, Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir, Interior Douglas-fir in the eastern extremities, and alpine tundra at high elevations. Parks Canada characterizes these zones as "rainforest, snow forest, and no forest". Animal life in the park ranges from large mammals like caribou and grizzly bear to bird species such as Steller's jay and the golden eagle. ===Flora=== The valleys on the western side of the park support dense wet forests, with a thick understory. The widest valleys, such as the Illecillewaet, contain a rare wetlands environment, featuring skunk cabbage and water hemlock. Outside of the wetlands, the lower valleys are covered by Western Red cedar, western white pine, western hemlock, Interior douglas fir, and white birch. Ground species include devil's club, blueberries, liverwort, and fern species. At middle elevations, the subalpine zone appears. This forest has Engelmann spruce, mountain hemlock, and subalpine fir. The understory is thick here with rhododendron and berry species, as well as deep beds of moss and lichens. At higher elevations, this forest opens up to meadows and slide chutes, which are covered in a lush growth of grasses, herbaceous shrubs, and alpine wildflowers. Parks botanists and others have identified 546 species of flowering plants in the park. Late July to mid-September see an impressive display of alpine blooms. The alpine meadows continue into the harsh alpine tundra zone, where poor soil, heavy snowfall, cold temperatures, and a very short growing season discourage all but the hardiest sedge grasses, heathers, and lichens. ===Fauna=== Glacier's rich forests support a large wildlife population, which Parks staff monitor regularly. There are 53 mammal species found within the park. Bears dominate the snow zone; the berry-rich avalanche slides provide an important food source for both black and grizzly species. They spend the winters in deep dens hibernating. Other predators include the timber wolf, coyote, red fox, wolverine, cougar, and lynx. Mountain goats are the most common ungulates in Glacier National Park. Caribou migrate through certain park valleys, while elk, mule and white-tailed deer can be found throughout. The deep snows of winter drive most ungulates out of the park into the lower elevations of the nearby Rocky Mountain Trench and Columbia valleys. Moose are seen in the park on rare occasions. Several species of squirrels are found in the lower forests, and alpine mammals include pika, hoary marmots, and martens. Glacier has 235 observed bird species, but the majority are migratory and only seen in the summer months. The 30 species who are year-round residents include woodpeckers, golden eagles, owls, ravens, Steller's jays, and golden-crowned kinglets. Unpredictable explosions of pine siskins, sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands in number, will appear and stay year round, but be gone the next year. American dippers feed in the many waterfalls and cascades of the park. ===Climate=== The park lies in the ''Interior Wetbelt'' region of British Columbia which makes for large amounts of precipitation. Mean annual precipitation is 1278 mm (50 in) at lower elevations and 1995 mm (79 in) in the subalpine zone. Rogers Pass can see up to an incredible 17 m of snow each year. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|51.3000|-117.5186|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q1161253|type=geomask}} About the only way into the park is on the Trans-Canada Highway 1, which bisects the park. [[Calgary]] is about four hours east, and [[Kamloops]] is about three hours west. Glacier National Park is accessible by car or bus. ==Fees and permits== Daily/annual (until June 30)/annual fees (2018): *Adult $7.80/$29.40/$39.20 *Senior $6.80/$25.75/$34.30 *Youth and children under 18 free *Family/group $15.70/$73.50/$78.50 Fishing per permit *Daily $9.80 *Annual $34.30 {{Canadian national park passes}} ==Get around== ==See== * {{listing | type=see | name=Rogers Pass | alt=Rogers Pass National Historic Site | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q383051 | lastedit=2019-07-03 | content=Located at the summit of the park at 1382 m (4,534 ft). The pass' namesake, Major A.B. Rogers was tasked by the Canadian Pacific Railway to find a route through the Selkirk Mountains to bypass the railway's ''Big Bend'' alignment. After finding the pass (with the help of native guides) Rogers was presented with a cheque for $5000, a handsome prize for the times. After Rogers framed the check rather than cashing it, the CPR drew him a new one (and insisted he cash it). Rogers Pass National Historic Site is 72 km east of Revelstoke, and 80 km west of Golden. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Rogers Pass Discovery Centre | alt= | url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier/visit/heures-hours | email= | address= | lat=51.301276 | long=-117.521167 | directions=Rogers Pass summit along the Trans-Canada Hwy | phone= | tollfree= | hours=May 2-Jun 12, Sep 5-Nov 13: 9AM-5PM; Jun 13-Sep 4: 8AM-7PM; Nov 14-Apr 30: 7AM-4PM | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-03 | content=The Parks Canada administration and Rogers Pass Discovery Centre are located at Rogers Pass. The interpretive program for Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks is based at the centre. It includes a theatre, an exhibit hall with railway models, natural history displays and wildlife specimens, and a bookstore. }} ==Do== *There are 140 km (87 mi) of established '''hiking trails''' in the park. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ===Lodging=== A variety of accommodation is available in Golden, 80 km east of Rogers Pass in the heart of the park, and Revelstoke, 72 km west. ===Camping=== There are three campgrounds in the park. Illecillewaet is the largest, with two smaller campgrounds located at Loop Brook and Sir Donald. Fees per night (2018): *{{Sleep|name=Illecillewaet|lat=51.26509|long=-117.49506|price=|lastedit=2022-06-08|content=Unserviced with toilets only}} *{{Sleep|name=Loop Brook|lat=51.25747|long=-117.53824|price=|lastedit=2022-06-08|content=Unserviced with toilets only}} *{{Sleep|name=Mount Sir Donald|lat=51.26132|long=-117.55063|price=|lastedit=2022-06-08|content=Primitive. Closed until further notice as of June 2022.}} *{{Sleep|name=Beaver Valley Campground|lat=|long=-|price=|lastedit=2022-06-08|content=Primitive}} ===Backcountry=== There are five designated backcountry camping areas. Parks and the Alpine Club of Canada maintain four alpine huts and cabins for backcountry users. The Wheeler Hut is the oldest and largest, and is located near the Illecillewaet camping area. The Asulkan hut sits at 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) on the Asulkan Pass, the Sapphire Col hut is a basic shelter near The Dome, and the Glacier Circle cabin in the Beaver River valley is a base for travelling in the southern areas of the park. None of the camping facilities in the park are maintained during winter months. Backcountry use and camping permit (2018): *Overnight, per person $9.80 *Season, per person $68.70 ==Stay safe== Because of the huge amounts of snow, there is a near constant avalanche danger during winter months, including along the Trans-Canada Highway. There is online '''[https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/securiteenmontagne-mountainsafety/avalanche avalanche safety information]''' available. [[Canadian National Parks|Parks Canada]] often closes areas of Glacier National Park in winter so that soldiers may trigger [https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/securiteenmontagne-mountainsafety/avalanche/routes-highways controlled avalanches] using 105mm howitzers or explosives. ==Go next== * Head east to visit [[Yoho National Park]], [[Banff National Park]], and further on to [[Calgary]]. * Head west to visit [[Revelstoke]], the [[Shuswap]], and [[Kamloops]]. {{routebox | image1=BC-1 (TCH).svg | imagesize1=22 | link1=Trans-Canada Highway | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Kamloops]] | minorl1=[[Mount Revelstoke National Park]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Banff]] | minorr1=[[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]] }} {{Usablepark}} {{geo|51.3000|-117.5186}} {{isPartOf|Columbia-Rockies}} 0n3npfkxvu2n25dqmrlcnv04ihxlh6g 0 12922 4506265 4505050 2022-08-22T14:31:51Z MuzikMachine 2162786 /* Go next */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=Golden}} '''[https://www.tourismgolden.com/ Golden]''' is a small town in the [[Columbia-Rockies]] portion of the [[Kootenays]] in [[British Columbia]] near the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. ==Understand== [[Image:Goldenbc.jpg|thumb|Golden, British Columbia]] The town was established in 1883 as a railway base camp named Cache. The name was later changed in an effort to compete with the nearby camp of Silver City. Since 2000, and the development of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden has become increasingly tourist-oriented. Golden has a population of 5000, but a drawing area of approximately 15 000. The face of the town is changing with the development at the ski resort, drawing a multitude of transient visitors and wealthy Albertans purchasing second homes. There are two visitor information centres in Golden. * {{listing | name=Tourism Golden - Visitor Information Services Amenity Hub (VISAH) | alt= | url=https://www.tourismgolden.com/ | email=visitorinfo@tourismgolden.com | address=1000 Trans Canada Highway | lat=51.309402 | long=-116.96777 | directions=at the bottom of the hill, beside KFC, at the first four way intersection coming in from the east | phone=+1 250-439-7290 | tollfree= | hours=Summer: daily 9AM-7PM, winter: closed | price= | lastedit=2018-08-22 | content=Information specific to the Golden area. Will answer phone enquiries. Facilities at the VISAH include Wi-Fi, digital kiosks, picnic tables and a dog run. }} * {{listing | name=Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce | url= | email= | address=500 10th Ave N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Carries only local information. }} ==Get in== ===By car=== Golden is located at the junction of the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] (Highway 1) and Highway 95, about 4 hours north of the U.S. border. The nearest major airports are [[Calgary]], 3 hours east on Hwy 1; and [[Vancouver]], 8 hours west on Hwy 1. {{Cautionbox |There is major construction to expand a {{km|4.8}} section of the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Golden, through the Kicking Horse Canyon, to four lanes. Summer hours continue to be in effect until mid-September, generally as follows: * No daytime stoppages due to construction * 30-minute stoppages in the evening * Overnight closures Sunday through Thursday nights * 30-minute stoppages overnight on Friday and Saturday nights * Highway open for long holiday weekends <!--[COMMMENTED OUT - BASIC TEMPLATE] Anticipated future closure schedules are as follows: '''Summer''' * During the daytime, the highway through the Canyon will remain fully open and free of interruptions, other than momentary traffic control for turning vehicles. * Overnight interruptions (8PM to 7AM) may range from 20-minute stoppages to 8-hour closures. The closures will require significant advance notice. '''Fall, Winter and Spring''' * Daytime may see stoppages from 20 minutes to 2 hours. * There may be closures of up to nine hours overnight (8PM to 7AM) which will require significant advance notice. * There may be multi-day extended closures from April 1 to the end of May and from mid-September to the end of November. * The highway will be kept open for Easter and Thanksgiving long weekends, and there will be two daily peak-hour windows to allow passage for school buses, commuters and other essential local traffic/trips. --> Use Hwys 95 and 93 between Golden and Castle Junction, AB (between [[Lake Louise]] & [[Banff]]) via [[Radium Hot Springs]] as an alternate route, which will add 1.5 hours of travel time. See [https://www.kickinghorsecanyon.ca/ Kicking Horse Canyon - Phase 4] or [https://www.drivebc.ca/ Drive BC] of more information. |lastedit=2022-08-11}} ===By bus=== * {{Listing|name=Golden triangle tours|url=https://tajtoursindia.com|email=info@tajtoursindia.com|tollfree=+91-7465924411|lastedit=2022-03-27|content=The Golden Triangle Tour Package embarks on a journey to marvel at the ancient architecture and beauty of New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These packages are designed so that people of all ages can enjoy them. With the impeccable service of Sri Rophyria and numerous discounts, these packages are affordable and a perfect deal for all travelers.}} * {{Listing|name=Kicking Horse YYC Express Shuttle|alt=|url=https://kickinghorseresort.com/discover-kickinghorse/getting-to-kicking-horse-mountain-resort/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-258-7669|fax=|hours=|price=Adult $99, child $69 |wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-12-06|content=During the ski season (December - March) a bus runs from the [[Calgary]] international airport to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (with a transfer in [[Lake Louise]]) on Wednesdays & Saturdays. You can get dropped off or picked up in town if you ask. Bookings must be made by phone 72 hours in advance.}} * {{go | name=Rider Express | alt= | url=https://riderexpress.ca/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-833-583-3636 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-03-19 | content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and [[Vancouver]] with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], Golden, [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. Travel time to Lake Louise from Golden from Calgary is 3.55 hours, from Banff is 1.75 hours, from Lake Louise is 1 hour, from Revelstoke is 2 hours, from Salmon Arm is 3.5 hours, from Kamloops is 5 hours, from Hope is 8 hours, from Abbotsford is 9 hours, and from Vancouver is 10.5 hours. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]]. }} ===By rail=== No passenger trains stop in Golden. ===By plane=== Golden has a small airport that private aircraft can fly into. It is operated by the [http://www.town.golden.bc.ca Town of Golden]. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|51.301944|-116.966667|zoom=13}} Golden is so small that you don't need a car (especially if you are staying in the proximity of the centre). The town is divided by a river and each side has a supermarket (IGA on the north, Overwaitea on the south) which makes it easy to get the necessities by foot. During the winter months, Kicking Horse Resort runs a '''Snow Shuttle''' ($6/trip as of Feb 2007 - daily, weekly, monthly passes are available) which runs every 2 hours or so. The Snow Shuttle does a route going around town, up along the strip on the highway (Trans-Canada 1) and up to the mountain. Of course, the easiest thing is to have a car, especially if you want to explore. There is a '''National Car & Truck Rental''', 915 11th Ave S, {{phone|+1 250-344-9899}}, in town, however, their fleet is very limited. There may also be some in nearby towns (Kamloops, Revelstoke, Canmore, Invermere). Otherwise Calgary would be a good bet. === By taxi === * {{Listing|name=Mount 7 Taxi|phone=+1 250-344-5237|hours=Open 24 hours per day|price=A trip across town will probably cost you $10-15, up to Kicking Horse is likely $30-40|lastedit=2022-07-29}} == See == [[Image:Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge.jpg|thumb|Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge]] * {{see | name=Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge | url=https://www.tourismgolden.com/activities/places-of-interest/kicking-horse-pedestrian-bridge | email= | address= | lat=51.299675 | long=-116.968369 | directions=downtown Golden | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The longest covered, free-span timber-frame pedestrian bridge in Canada, over the Kicking Horse River. Built by volunteers from around the world, it won the Communities in Bloom, Most Innovative Project for 2001. It intersects with a walking trail that circles the town, and is great for photos. }} * {{see | name=Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre | url=http://www.northernlightswildlife.com | email= | address=1745 Short Rd | lat=51.413408 | long=-117.009450 | directions=Blaeberry Valley | phone=+1 250-344-6798 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open 365 days a year, from 9AM to 9PM in July and August, and from 10AM to 6PM during the rest of the year | price=$10 adult, $8 senior or youth, $6 child, $30 family | content=Promotes wolf conversation. The centre houses wolves, and presents an interpretive talk about their behaviour and the work to help protect them. }} * {{see | name=Golden and District Museum | url=http://www.goldenbcmuseum.com | email= | address=1302 11th Ave S | lat=51.292208 | long=-116.960996 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-5169 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=May-Sep: M-F 9AM-noon and 1PM-5PM | price=$2 per person | content=Primarily houses displays on local history: exhibits on the railway, Swiss mountaineering guides, and the background and life of the early settlers. It is home to a display on David Thompson, in honour of the bicentennial of his passage through the Golden area. }} ==Do== [[File:Buffalo Ranch (37351822500).jpg|thumb|Buffalo Ranch]] Golden's main appeal for the tourist is its wide array of adventure sports. In the winter, visitors should head for the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, ideal for the experienced skier or snowboarder. In the summer, activities to consider include whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and hang-gliding. ===Recreation=== [[File:ParaglidingGolden.JPG|thumb|Paragliding in Golden BC after launch off of Mount 7]] * {{do | name=Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | alt= | url=https://kickinghorseresort.com/ | email= | address=1500 Kicking Horse Trail | lat=51.29830 | long=-117.04890 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-866-754-5425 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ski resort in winter and mountain bike park in summer, KHMR is Golden's biggest attraction. Those less enamoured with adventure recreation can take a ride up the gondola or tour the grizzly bear refuge. }} * {{do | name=Golden Golf Club | url=http://www.golfgolden.com | email= | address=576 Golf Course Dr | lat=51.3325 | long=-117.0073 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$59-65 per adult | content= Ranked as the best value in British Columbia. }} * {{do | name=Golden Skybridge | alt= | url=https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/golden-skybridge/ | email= | address=503 Golden Donald Upper Rd | lat=51.31521 | long=-116.95735 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-270-1238 | hours=June 25-Sept 5: Daily 10AM-8PM; Sept 6-Oct 10: M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa-Su 10AM-8PM | price=$39/adult, $25/child; Golden Hour (last 3 hours before close): $31/adult, $20/child; Book online and save 10% | lastedit=2022-08-17 | content=Home to one of Canada’s highest suspension bridges at {{ft|426}} feet above an expansive canyon. Offers views of the Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges. Other activities include a zipline, rock wall climbing, and axe throwing. }} ====Hiking==== Golden's location makes it a good starting point for many hikes in the area. A comprehensive listing can be found through '''[http://www.goldenhikes.ca Golden Hikes]'''. Most hikes are at high elevations, and will definitely be under snow until mid June and quite possibly until late July, depending on the year's snowfall. There is also a 7-km walking path, the Rotary Trail, which circles the town. The section along the river is particularly nice. Start at the Pedestrian Bridge. ====Horseback riding==== Horseback riding, in the area surrounding Golden, is also popular among tourists. * {{do | name=Bear Corner Adventures | url=http://www.bearcornerb-b.com | email= | address=2054 Blaeberry Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-4785 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The only company that offers year-round riding. Acts as a bed and bale for those travelling with horses. }} * {{do | name=Flying W Trail Rides | url=http://www.flyingwtrailrides.com {{dead link|June 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | phone=+1 250-344-0495 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content+ }} * {{do | name=Goldenwood Lodge | url=http://www.goldenwoodlodge.com | email= | address=2493 Holmes Deakin Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-7685 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers 1-hour to half-day rides. Also available for accommodation, with packages available. }} ====Mountain biking==== In addition to KHMR, the [https://goldencyclingclub.com/ Golden Cycle Club] maintains downhill and cross country trails including the Mount 7, Mountain Shadow, Moonraker and CBT networks. ====Para-gliding==== Mount 7 is a world-renowned heli/para-gliding site, home to several past world records. Tandem paragliding is a great option for amateurs. * {{do | name=Canadian Rockies Tandem Paragliding | url=http://www.heliparagliding.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-3214 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ====Water sports==== There are lakes in the area which might appeal to fishermen or canoeists. However, there is no place that rents canoes in Golden, so must bring their own equipment. You can go swimming in a local lake or in the outdoor swimming pool. * {{do | name=Cedar Lake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=51.2615 | long=-116.9815 | directions=from downtown drive down 7th St N, across a one-way bridge and then 6 km up Kicking Horse Drive until you come to a fork in the road; turn left onto a gravel road; you will come to a three-way fork, take the centre road. On the next fork, turn left to get to the boat launch and right to access the beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A pleasant little lake that you can swim, fish, or boat in. Popular among locals and great for picnics. }} * {{do | name=Golden Swimming Pool | alt= | url=http://www.golden.ca/Departments/Recreation-Services/Booking-a-Facility/Golden-Municipal-Pool.aspx | email= | address=1408 9th St S | lat=51.2967 | long=-116.9522 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-2118 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open in the summer only 6:30AM - 10PM. Schedules vary and can be found on the website | price=Public swim: $2.20/child, $2.75/student, $4/adult, $9/family | content= }} =====Whitewater rafting===== Three whitewater rafting companies operate from Golden. All raft the Kicking Horse River, which is known for having one of the longest stretches of class four rapids in the world. There is no appreciable difference between the companies. * {{listing | type=do | name=Alpine Rafting | alt= | url=http://www.alpinerafting.com | email= | address=1509c Lafontaine Rd | lat=51.302714 | long=-116.947872 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-6521 | tollfree=+1-877-344-7238 |fax=| hours= | price= |wikidata=| lastedit=2019-03-10 | content= }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Glacier Raft Company | alt= | url=https://www.glacierraft.com | email= | address=1509a Lafontaine Rd | lat=51.302714 | long=-116.947872 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-6521 | tollfree=+1 877-344-7238 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-12 | content=Glacier Raft Company has been providing whitewater rafting trips on the Kicking Horse, and other beautiful rivers around Golden for 35 years. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Wet N Wild Adventures | alt= | url=http://www.wetnwild.bc.ca | email= | address=1509b Lafontaine Rd | lat=51.302714 | long=-116.947872 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-6521 | tollfree= |fax=| hours= | price= |wikidata=| lastedit=2019-03-10 | content=Also the site of Whitewater Lodge, an adults-only accommodator. }} ===Entertainment=== * {{do | name=Kicking Horse Culture | url=http://www.kickinghorseculture.ca | email=info@kickinghorseculture.ca | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-6186 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content=The Golden Arts Council organizes local artistic performances. In the summer, they run Summer Kicks which offers a concert every week. }} * {{do | name=Kicking Horse Movies | url= | email= | address=802 10th Ave S | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-5510 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The local movie theatre. Shows one video a week. }} ==Buy== The majority of Golden's stores are downtown on 9th St N, with a few being based on the other side of the river on 10th St S. Anyone interested in shopping can probably browse through the entire town in about three hours. For souvenirs check out the: * {{buy | name=Moon River Gift Gallery | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-5313 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A selection of local art and knick knacks. }} For those in town to participate in any sort of adventure recreation, there are a variety of sporting good stores in town that rent equipment. * {{buy | name=Canyon Creek Outfitters | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Selkirk Sports | url= | email= | address=504 9th St N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-2966 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Summit Cycle | url= | email= | address=1007 11th Ave S | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-6600 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Golden Farmer's Market | alt= | url=http://www.goldenbcfarmersmarket.com/ | email=goldenfarmersmarket@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Summmer: Wednesday Market @ CP Lot from noon - 5PM (June - September), Saturday Market @ Spirit Square (by the Pedestrian Bridge) from 10AM - 3PM (July and August); Winter: Christmas Market @ Mt 7 RecPlex from 10AM - 6PM (usually the last Saturday before Christmas) | price= | lastedit=2018-01-05 | content=Lots of local products ranging from honey to pottery. }} ==Eat== For such a small town Golden has a remarkable number and variety of places to eat, ranging from numerous fast-food places up on the highway strip, to pub-grub, to lower and high-end restaurants. ===Budget=== * {{listing | type=eat | name=Bacchus Books and Cafe | alt= | url=https://bacchusbooks.ca/ | email= | address=409 9th Ave N | lat=51.299393 | long=-116.964738 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-5600 | tollfree= | hours=Open till 6PM | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=New and used bookstore is on the ground floor, cafe is above. Serves bagels, soup, sandwiches, salad. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Canadian 2-for-1 Pizza | alt= | url= | email= | address=519 9th Ave N | lat=51.300705 | long=-116.967505 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-7241 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} * Fast-food places off Highway 1 include '''McDonald's''', '''Subway''', '''Dairy Queen''', '''Tim Hortons''' and '''A&W'''. ===Mid-range=== * {{listing | type=eat | name=Copperhorse Steakhouse | alt= | url=http://www.copperhorselodge.com/copper-horse-steakhouse.php {{dead link|June 2020|December 2020}} | email=info@copperhorsesteakhouse.com | address=1587 Cache Close | lat=51.300359 | long=-117.051349 | directions=Copper Horse Lodge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | phone=+1 250 344-6201 | tollfree= | hours=Th-Su 5-10PM | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Casual, yet unparalleled mountain dining experience that is inspired by locally sourced food and wines from British Columbia. Rocky Mountain Cuisine such as Elk, Bison, Beef, and Salmon. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Eleven 22 | alt= | url=http://www.eleven22.ca | email= | address=1122 10th Ave S | lat=51.293494 | long=-116.962709 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-2443 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | content=Open for dinner. Excellent fusion cuisine. Reservations recommended. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Golden Grizzly Cookhouse | alt= | url= | email= | address=1002 Trans Canada Hwy | lat=51.310280 | long=-116.968344 | directions= | phone=+1 250-439-1833 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Decor features photographs of many locals, providing a homey touch. Food is fairly basic steak & pizza. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Cedar House | alt= | url=http://www.cedarhousechalets.com/ | email=cedarhouse@cablerocket.com | address=735 Hefti Rd | lat=51.262222 | long=-116.913283 | directions=drive 5 min south of Golden, turn left onto Almberg Rd and then onto Hefti | phone=+1 250-344-4679 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Organic food, fine dining, scenic mountain atmosphere. Definitely make a reservation, especially during peak season. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Eagle's Eye | alt=Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | url=http://kickinghorseresort.com/purchase/eagles-eye-restaurant/ | email= | address= | lat=51.274852 | long=-117.078055 | directions=Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | phone=+1 250-439-5425 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Accessible only by gondola at {{ft|7700}} above sea level. Go on a clear day to make the most of the views. The prices are much more reasonable for lunch. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Fire Pit BBQ Smokehouse | alt= | url=http://firepitbbqsmokehouse.com/ | email= | address=1105 Highway 1 Frontage Rd | lat=51.312154 | long=-116.972844 | directions=at the Park Inn Hotel, inbetween the Prestige Inn and the Sportsman Lodge | phone=+1 250-344-5222 | tollfree= | hours=7AM-midnight | price=$5-28 | content=Southern-style BBQ breakfast, all food is made and smoked in house. A lounge with some big screens local draft. Two patios (front and back). }} ==Drink== Many cafes in Golden are licensed, but these are the best if you're looking for a pub. * {{listing | type=drink | name=The Golden Taps Pub | alt= | url=http://www.goldentapspub.com/ | email= | address=505 9th Ave N | lat=51.300150 | long=-116.966885 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-7155 | tollfree= | hours=M-W 11:30-1AM; Th-Sa 11:30-2AM; Su 1PM-1AM | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Great food, drinks and a nice cozy atmosphere. Taps is pretty small so it fills up quickly, but the servers are friendly. Great food; lots to choose from. They have events a couple of nights a week - Wednesdays there are snowboard movies and giveaways all night, Thursdays is open mic night. }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=The Local Hero Scottish Pub | alt= | url=http://www.highlandlodge.net/the_local_hero_scottish_pub.html | email= | address=1593 Cache Close | lat=51.301023 | long=-117.051355 | directions=The Highland Lodge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | phone=+1 250-344-7220 | tollfree= | hours=3PM to late | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=A Scottish mountain pub specializing in single malt Highland whisky and Scottish meals. Friendly relaxed atmosphere with low-beamed ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces and many nooks and crannies from Scotland. There is even an outside fireplace incorporated into the stone exterior of the pub, with plenty of outdoor seating on large decking area. Kids welcome. }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Peaks Grill | alt= | url=https://www.peaksgrill.com/ | email=peaks@waymarker.ca | address=1549 Kicking Horse Trail | lat=51.298026 | long=-117.048078 | directions=Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | phone=+1 250-344-4950 | tollfree= | hours=Th, Su 11AM-8PM; Fr, Sa 11AM-10PM | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Post-skiing homemade meals. Served with ice-cold beer on the patio or inside the lounge. }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Rock Water | alt= | url= | email= | address=429 9th Ave N | lat=51.299641 | long=-116.965916 | directions=just up the street from Taps | phone=+1 250-344-5951 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Used to be called Packers. Rock Water is the place to go for bands, DJs, and big nights out. It is pretty dingy during the day. They do offer accommodation, it often closes earlier than the other bars, but if it's busy, will keep going all night long. It has a few pool tables etc for entertainment. Now home of the "fresh beat" Mondays. }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Whitetooth Brewing | alt= | url=https://whitetoothbrewing.com | email=info@whitetoothbrewing.com | address=623 8th Ave North | lat=51.30203 | long=-116.97041 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-2838 | tollfree= | hours=2PM-10PM | price= | lastedit=2019-04-15 | content=A local brewery with a tasting room. In the summer there is outdoor seating and usually a food truck. }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== ====Hostels==== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Caribou Hostel | alt= | url=http://www.cariboumountainadventures.ca | email=backpackers@cariboumountainadventures.ca | address=1401 Adolph Johnson Rd | lat=51.381837 | long=-117.005969 | directions=in the Blaeberry Valley west of Golden. | phone=+1 250-344-4870 | tollfree= | checkin=4PM | checkout=11AM | price=$25/night | lastedit=2019-08-29 | content=On Moberly mountain, this quiet family-run hostel is 10 min west of Golden. Families and groups welcome. The Moberly Pub is a 2-minute walk through the woods. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kicking Horse River Lodge | alt= | url=http://www.khrl.com | email=info@khrl.com | address=801 9th St N | lat=51.304757 | long=-116.977693 | directions= | phone=+1 250-439-1112 | tollfree=+1-877-547-5266 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Dorm rooms with single beds $31, private rooms begin at $100 and increase significantly in price for additional people | lastedit=2019-08-29 | content=Services include a licensed cafe, laundry facilities, and, most essential of all, shuttle service up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Within walking distance of downtown, ideal for the traveller without a vehicle. }} ====Camping==== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Golden Eco-Adventure Ranch | alt= | url=http://www.goldenadventurepark.com | email=gear@cablerocket.com | address=McBeath Rd | lat=51.243060 | long=-116.922637 | directions=in the small community of Nicholson, 5 minutes south of Golden | phone=+1 250-344-6825 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$20-35 based on type of campsite | lastedit=2019-08-29 | content=400 scenic acres. Full campground facilities include modern plumbing, laundry, internet, and full service for RVs. Rents bikes and kayaks. Has a swimming pond with beach and playground equipment. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Golden Municipal Campground | alt= | url=http://www.tourismgolden.com/accommodations/campgrounds/golden-municipal-campground-and-rv-park | email=info@goldenmunicipalcampground.com | address=1411 9th St. S | lat=51.297396 | long=-116.951741 | directions=Across the street from Golden Municipal Pool | phone= | tollfree=+1 866-538-6625 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$35-40 | lastedit=2019-08-29 | content=On the river, within walking distance of downtown. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Whispering Spruce Campground | alt= | url= | email=goldenrv@uniserve.com | address=1430 Golden View Rd | lat=51.301071 | long=-116.947755 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-6680 | tollfree= | fax=+1 250-344-6165 | hours=Open from April 15 - October 15 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$37-47 | lastedit=2017-07-15 | content=off Hwy #1 }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Columbia River Wetlands RV Park | alt= | url=http://columbiariverwetlandsrvpark.ca/ | email= | address=2122 Hwy 95 | lat=51.151587 | long=-116.792937 | directions=20 km south of Golden | phone=+1 250-348-2094 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$35 | lastedit=2019-08-29 | content=RV Park with services in Columbia Wetlands region, near the Columbia Wetlands Outpost, which offers kayaking, rafting and float tours among other activities. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Golden Golf Club RV Park | alt= | url=http://www.golfgolden.com/rv-park/ | email=teeoff@golfgolden.com | address=576 Golf Course Drive | lat=51.331769 | long=-117.008659 | directions=head up Kicking Horse Drive towards Ski Hill, then make turn right at Golf Course Dr. | phone=+1 250-344-2700 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$30 | lastedit=2017-07-15 | content=Quaint RV park on the grounds of the Golden Golf Club. Ideal for those golfing on course, but open to anybody. Restaurant on-site at Golf Club. }} ===Mid-range=== ====Bed and Breakfast==== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Mount 7 Guesthouse & B&B | alt= | url=http://www.mount7guesthouse.com | email=info@mount7guesthouse.com | address=1308 Selkirk Dr | lat=51.289785 | long=-116.955235 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-4707 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$90-100, depending on season and room | lastedit=2019-08-29 | content=Organic continental breakfasts. Hardwood floors, jacuzzi, twin or king sized bed, private bathroom. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Auberge Kicking Horse B&B | alt= | url=http://www.aubergekickinghorse.com | email=aubergebnb@telus.net | address=1306 Selkirk Dr | lat=51.289762 | long=-116.954980 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-3997 | tollfree= | fax=+1 250-344-3998 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$80-95, depending on season and room | content=Continental breakfasts with yoghurt parfaits. Hardwood floors, jacuzzi, queen or king sized bed, private bathroom. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kicking Horse Canyon B&B | alt= | url=http://www.kickinghorsecanyonbb.com | email=kicking_cook@hotmail.com | address=644 Lapp Rd | lat=51.302706 | long=-116.930245 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-6848 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The owner is really friendly and an amazing cook. Decor is historical, creating a great atmosphere. A little out of town. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=River to Peaks Inn | alt= | url=http://www.rivertopeaks.com/ | email=info@rivertopeaks.com | address=420 Riverglen Drive | lat=51.302018 | long=-116.976166 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-4775 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $110 | lastedit=2017-07-16 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Country Comfort B&B | alt= | url=http://www.countrycomfortbandb.com/ | email= | address=1001 10th Ave S | lat=51.294983 | long=-116.963558 | directions=across the street from Overwaitea and People's Drug Mart | phone=+1 250-344 6200 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $85 | lastedit=2017-07-16 | content=Within walking distance of downtown core, which hosts many restaurants and shops. }} ====Cabins and lodges==== All of these have a central lodge and cabins for rent. Accommodation in the lodge will include breakfast. * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Alpenrose Cabins | alt= | url=http://alpenrosecabins.com {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Althoff Road | lat=51.324952 | long=-116.978328 | directions=off the Trans Canada Hwy 1, 1 km west of Golden | phone=+1 250-344-5549 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-29 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Blaeberry Mountain Lodge | url=http://www.blaeberrymountainlodge.bc.ca | email=blaberry@rockies.net | address=Moberly School Rd | lat= | long= | directions=16 km northwest of Golden | phone=+1 250-344-5296 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Glenogle Mountain Lodge Resort & Spa | url=http://www.glenoglelodge.com | email=info@glenoglelodge.com | address=913 Oster Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-7638 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hillside Lodge & Chalets | url=http://www.hillsidechalets.com | email=info@hillsidechalets.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=13 km west of Golden | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Kicking Horse Kabins | url=http://www.kickinghorsekabins.ca | email= info@kickinghorsekabins.ca | address=1732 Oberg Johnson Rd | lat=51.416123990357065 | long=-117.00920104980469 | directions=10 min from town center | phone=+1 250-439-1117 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$150-390 | checkin= | checkout= | content= 3-bed 2-bath lodge. Groups all year, couples rate in spring and fall. }} *{{sleep | name=Whitewater Lodge | url=https://www.whitewaterlodge.com/ | email= | address=1509d Lafontaine Rd, Golden, BC V0A 1H3 | phone=+1 250 344-6521 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= Adults only 10 bedroom lodge with a mix of Twin and Queen rooms all with en-suite bathrooms. Common area with TV. Breakfast included. |alt=|lastedit=2019-09-24}} ====Motels and hotels==== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Best Western Mountainview Inn | alt= | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-golden/best-western-mountainview-inn/propertyCode.62085.html | email= | address=1024 11th Street N | lat=51.311009 | long=-116.972759 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-2333 | tollfree=+1-800-528-1234 | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Golden Rim Motor Inn | alt= | url=http://www.goldenrim.ca {{dead link|June 2020|December 2020}} | email=info@goldenrim.ca | address=1416 Golden View Rd | lat=51.300590 | long=-116.950792 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-2216 | tollfree=+1-877-311-2216 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Has an indoor pool with a waterslide. The Canyon's Edge Restaurant is in the same building. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Mary's Motel | alt= | url=http://marysmotel.com | email=info@marysmotel.com | address=603 8th Ave N | lat=51.300917 | long=-116.969322 | directions=downtown | phone=+1 250-344-7111 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Prestige Mountainside Resort | alt= | url=https://www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com/locations/golden/overview/ | email=Golden@PrestigeHotels.ca | address=1049 Trans Canada Hwy N | lat=51.311298 | long=-116.971868 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-7990 | tollfree=+1-877-737-8443 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$100-350/night, based on single occupancy, price dependent on room and season | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=4.5 stars. }} * {{sleep | name=Purcell Mountain Lodge |alt=| url=http://www.purcellmountainlodge.com | email=info@purcellmountainlodge.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=accessible only by helicopter flights from Golden | phone=+1 250-344-2639 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=For a three-night stay (the minimum) $1100-2260/person. Includes accommodation, helicopter flight, food, and guiding |lastedit=2017-07-15| content=Open July 7 - Oct 3, and Dec 28 - Apr 4. 2200 metres above sea level on the edge of Glacier National Park. A spectacularly scenic base for helihiking or heliskiing. | hours= }} ====On Mountain - Kicking Horse Mountain Resort==== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Copper Horse Lodge | alt= | url=http://www.copperhorselodge.com | email=stay@copperhorselodge.com | address=1587 Cache Close, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | lat=51.300275 | long=-117.051382 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-7644 | tollfree=+1-877-544-7644 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$140 to $250 depending upon season, includes breakfast | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=A 10-room boutique mountain lodge with spa style bathrooms, featherbeds, mini fridges, down duvets and quality linens. Deluxe suite with private jacuzzi and large sitting area. Guest lounge area with wood-burning fireplace. Breakfast is included with your stay (full hot in the winter and deluxe continental in the summer). '''Copper Horse Steakhouse onsite.''' Outdoor hottub. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Glacier Mountaineer Lodge | alt= | url=https://www.kickinghorselodging.com/glacier-mountaineer-lodge | email= | address=1549 Kicking Horse Trail, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | lat=51.298100 | long=-117.048075 | directions= | phone=+1 250-439-1160 | tollfree=+1-877-754-5486 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Located in the heart of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort alpine village - at the base of the Golden Eagle Express Gondola - Glacier Mountaineer offers king and queen guest rooms as well as one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites. All suites are appointed with full kitchens, fireplaces, and private balconies. }} * {{sleep | name=Highland Lodge | url=http://www.highlandlodge.net/ | email=info@highlandlodge.net | address=#3 Cache Close, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | lat=51.29302 | long=-116.96678 | directions= | phone=+1 250-344-7272 | tollfree= | fax=+1 250-344-7275 | hours= | price=$135 to 340 depending upon season | checkin=4PM | checkout=11AM | content= Scottish mountain lodge set within the heart of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. 10 bedrooms, all of which have en-suite facilities, TV, DVD and Satellite and have their own private balconies with views over looking the surrounding mountain ranges. At the centre of the Lodge is the Great Room, designed to provide a quiet and relaxing focal place to enjoy a wood burning fireplace. Hot gourmet breakfast, wireless internet and use of the outdoor hot tub all included. Dinner available on request. Includes breakfast. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Palliser Lodge | alt= | url=https://www.kickinghorselodging.com/palliser-lodge | email= | address=1420 Palliser Trail, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | lat=51.295639 | long=-117.046001 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-877-754-5486 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=Steps away from the mountain village, Palliser Lodge offers easy ski-in/ski-out access. One- and two-bedroom suites are appointed with full kitchens, private balconies, and private hot tubs (in select suites). }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Vagabond Lodge | alt= | url=http://www.vagabondlodge.ca | email=info@vagabondlodge.ca | address=1581 Cache Close | lat=51.299601 | long=-117.051334 | directions=directly across the road from the Gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | phone=+1 250-344-2622 | tollfree=+1-866-944-2622 | checkin=4PM | checkout=11AM | price=$135-250 per room based on double occupancy; prices depend on season, include breakfast | lastedit=2019-08-22 | content=All rooms have feather rest beds, private bathrooms with heated floors, carpeted floors and antique armours. Six rooms have balconies with great views of the Rocky Mountains. Huge guest area with wood burning rock fireplace, bar (but no liquor licence, so guests may bring their own). Downstairs is a secure ski/snowboard room, boot dryer, games room with a pool table and satellite TV, and an outdoor hot tub. }} ==Go next== Golden is in the heart of the national parks, many of which are close enough to be feasible day trips. [[Yoho National Park]] is 30 minutes west on the Trans Canada Hwy #1, and [[Banff National Park]] lies directly beyond. [[Kootenay National Park]] and the small town of [[Radium Hot Springs]] are hour south of Golden on Trans Canada Hwy #95. To the west, on Hwy #1, lie [[Glacier National Park (British Columbia)|Glacier National Park]], [[Mount Revelstoke National Park]], and the community of [[Revelstoke]]. {{routebox | image1=BC-1 (TCH).svg | imagesize1=22 | link1=Trans-Canada Highway | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Kamloops]] | minorl1=[[Glacier National Park (British Columbia)|Glacier National Park]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Banff]] | minorr1=[[Field]] (in [[Yoho National Park|Yoho National Park]]) | image2=BC-1 (TCH) Detour.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=END | minorl2= | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Banff]] | minorr2=[[File:BC-95.svg|18px]] S → [[Radium Hot Springs]] | image3=BC-95.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=END | minorl3= | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[Cranbrook]] | minorr3=[[Radium Hot Springs]] }} {{geo|51.301944|-116.966667}} {{isPartOf|Columbia-Rockies}} {{usablecity}} o9i3xbn4bvbvcyxazgs2e0zlv3nsfzh 0 13201 4506717 4411940 2022-08-23T10:01:43Z Jpatokal 692 /* Southeast Asia */ +Hotel Indonesia wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Raffles hotel Singapore.jpg|caption=Raffles, Singapore}} Some [[hotels]] have a heritage from the golden age of [[steam power|steam railways]] and [[ocean liners]]; before the [[World War II|Second World War]], in the 19th or early 20th centuries. These hotels were where the rich and the famous of the day would stay, and often had [[fine dining]] and [[nightlife]]. While they are usually privately owned, they sometimes accommodate visiting heads of state and other dignitaries. <!--To qualify for a listing on this page, a hotel should be at least four stars and should have been in operation as a luxury hotel before World War II. Exceptions can be made after discussions on the talk page. Very old buildings that were only recently converted into hotels do not qualify for listing.--> ==Understand== {{quote|I stayed in a really old hotel last night. They sent me a wake-up letter.|author=Steven Wright}} Even today such places generally offer fine accommodation and are usually not cheap, though more modern high-end places may be even more luxurious and are often more expensive. The grand old hotels, though, have an appeal all their own; part of it is that they often are in superb locations, either smack in the middle of cities (very often being next to a major railway station, as they were often constructed to house railway travelers) or close to major outdoor attractions. The old fashioned fittings, the lack of the latest amenities, and a certain graceful agedness are also part of their character. You need not stay in such hotels to enjoy some of their services. A visitor to Singapore, for example, might go to Raffles just for a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar where it was invented, and where Rudyard Kipling and Noel Coward once drank, and check out the Billiard Room where Singapore's last tiger was shot. A traveller with piles of money might consider a [[Round the world flights|round the world flight]], broken up with stays in many of these hotels. Travelling [[around the world overland]], on routes such as the one taken in ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]'', would give a more authentic experience of pre-flight travel. ==Africa== ===Democratic Republic of Congo=== * [[Kinshasa]] - [https://www.memling.net/ Hotel Memling], colonial luxury hotel inaugurated in 1937. ===Egypt=== [[File:Egypt.Luxor.WinterPalace.01.jpg|thumb|Winter Palace, seen from the [[Nile]]]] * [[Alexandria]] - [https://www.steigenberger.com/en/hotels/all-hotels/egypt/alexandria/steigenberger-cecil-hotel Cecil Hotel] * [[Aswan]] - [https://all.accor.com/hotel/1666/index.en.shtml Old-Cataract Hotel] * [[Cairo]] - [https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/CAIEG Marriott Hotel], originally the "Al Gezira Palace" built to house Napoleon's wife, Empress Eugenie of France * [[Giza]] - [http://www.oberoimenahouse.com Mena House Oberoi] * [[Luxor]] - [https://all.accor.com/hotel/1661/index.en.shtml Old Winter Palace] The discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb was first announced on their bulletin board. ===Kenya=== * [[Nairobi]] - [https://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor/ Giraffe Manor] * [[Nairobi]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/norfolkhotel Norfolk Hotel] ===Morocco=== * [[Essaouira]] - [http://www.villa-maroc.com Villa Maroc] * [[Marrakech]] - [http://www.mamounia.com La Mamounia] ===Mozambique=== * [[Maputo]] - [http://www.serenahotels.com/serenapolana/ Polana Hotel] ===South Africa=== * [[Cape Town]] - [http://www.belmond.com/mount-nelson-hotel-cape-town/ Mount Nelson] * [[Riebeek-Kasteel]] - [http://www.royalinriebeek.com The Royal Hotel] ==Asia== ===East Asia=== [[Image:GrandHotel Fountain.JPG|thumb|250px|The Grand Hotel, Taipei]] * [[Hong Kong]], [[China]] - [https://www.peninsula.com/en/hong-kong/5-star-luxury-hotel-kowloon The Peninsula], Kowloon side at the foot of Nathan Road * [[Beijing]], [[China]] - [https://www.nuohotel.com/beijingchangan Beijing Hotel] * [[Shanghai]], [[China]] has several fine hotels built in the [[Art Deco architecture|Art Deco]] style in the city's glory days, 1840s-1930s: ** [http://www.fairmont.com/peace-hotel-shanghai/ The Peace Hotel], on the Bund at the start of Nanjing Road ** [https://en.bestwehotel.com/hoteldetail?hotelId=JJ1062 Park Hotel] on Nanjing Road facing People's Park * [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]] - [https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/selwi-the-westin-chosun-seoul/ Westin Chosun] * [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]] - [http://www.grand-hotel.org/taipei/en/ The Grand Hotel] * [[Tianjin]], [[China]] - [http://astortianjinhotel.com/ Astor Hotel] * [[Tokyo/Chiyoda|Tokyo]], [[Japan]] - [http://www.imperialhotel.co.jp The Imperial Hotel] * [[Tokyo/Chiyoda|Tokyo]], [[Japan]] - [https://www.thetokyostationhotel.jp/en Tokyo Station Hotel] * [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]] - [http://www.hotel-newgrand.co.jp/english/ Hotel New Grand] * [[Nara]], [[Japan]] - [http://www.narahotel.co.jp/en/ Nara Hotel] ===Middle East=== * [[Baalbek]], [[Lebanon]] - Hotel Palmyra * [[Jerusalem]], [[Israel]] - [http://www.americancolony.com American Colony Hotel] * [[Jerusalem]], [[Israel]] - [http://www.danhotels.com/danSite/eng/hotelHomepage.asp?hotelNo=4 King David Hotel] * [[Aleppo]], [[Syria]] - [http://hotel-baron.com/ Baron Hotel] ===South Asia=== ====India==== * [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]] - [http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/The%20Taj%20West%20End%2CBANGALORE/ Taj West End] * [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]] - [http://www.tajhotels.com/Business/Taj%20Connemara,CHENNAI/ Taj Connemara] * [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]] - [http://www.thelalit.com/the-lalit-great-eastern-kolkata/ The Great Eastern Hotel] Built in 1841 and historically known as 'the jewel of the east'. * [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]] - [http://www.oberoikolkata.com/ The Grand Hotel] * [[Delhi]] - [http://www.theimperialindia.com/ The Imperial Hotel] * [[Delhi]] - [http://www.maidenshotel.com/ Maidens Hotel] * [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]] - [https://taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-mahal-palace-mumbai/ The Taj Mahal Palace] * [[Shimla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] - [https://www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-shimla-cecil/ The Cecil] ====Pakistan==== * [[Lahore]], [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] — [http://falettishotel.com Faletti's Hotel], built in late 18th century by an Italian, and now renovated. ====Sri Lanka==== * [[Colombo]] - [http://www.gallefacehotel.com/ Galle Face Hotel] * [[Kandy]] - [http://www.queenshotel.lk/ Queen's Hotel] ===Southeast Asia=== [[Image:RafflesHotel-Singapore-20041025.jpg|thumb|250px|Raffles, Singapore]] Many of Southeast Asia's grand old hotels can be credited to a single family, the remarkable '''Sarkies brothers''' from [[Armenia]], who founded all of the following icons: * [[George Town (Malaysia)|George Town]], [[Penang]], [[Malaysia]] - [http://www.eohotels.com/main.php Eastern & Oriental] * [[Singapore]] - [http://www.raffleshotel.com Raffles], with the bar where the Singapore sling was invented * [[Surabaya]], [[Indonesia]] - [http://www.hotel-majapahit.com/ Hotel Majapahit] * [[Yangon]], [[Myanmar]] (Burma) - [http://www.hotelthestrand.com/ Strand Hotel] Of course, there are some other very classy options as well: * [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]] - [https://www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/chao-phraya-river/luxury-hotel The Oriental] * [[Hanoi]], [[Vietnam]] - [https://all.accor.com/hotel/1555/index.en.shtml The Metropole] * [[Ho Chi Minh City]], [[Vietnam]] - [http://continentalsaigon.com/ Continental Hotel] * [[Ho Chi Minh City]], [[Vietnam]] - [http://www.majesticsaigon.com Majestic Saigon] * [[Hue]], [[Vietnam]] - [https://morinhotel.com.vn/vi/ Morin Hotel] * [[Hua Hin]], [[Thailand]] - [http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/chbr/ Centara Grand Beach] * [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]] - [https://www.kempinski.com/en/jakarta/hotel-indonesia/ Hotel Indonesia] * [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]] - [http://www.majestickl.com/ Hotel Majestic] * [[Manila]], [[Philippines]] - [http://www.manila-hotel.com.ph The Manila Hotel] * [[Phnom Penh]], [[Cambodia]] - [http://phnompenh.raffles.com/ Le Royal] * [[Siem Reap]] (Angkor Wat), [[Cambodia]] - [http://siemreap.raffles.com/ Grand Hotel d'Angkor] * [[Singapore]] - [http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/ Goodwood Park Hotel] * [[Vientiane]], [[Laos]] - [http://www.setthapalace.com/ Settha Palace Hotel] ==Europe== ===Northern Europe=== * [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]] - [http://www.dangleterre.com/ Hotel D'Angleterre] * [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]] - [http://www.hotelkamp.fi/ Kämp] * [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] - [http://www.grand.no Grand Hotel] * [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]] - [http://www.hoteleggers.se/ Hôtel Eggers] * [[Stockholm archipelago|Saltsjöbaden]], [[Sweden]] - [http://www.grandsaltsjobaden.se Hotel Saltsjöbaden], famous for the 1938 "Saltsjöbaden agreement" (''Saltsjöbadsavtalet'') which has been the framework for the Swedish labour market until present day * [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] - [http://www.grandhotel.se Grand Hôtel] * [[Sundsvall]], [[Sweden]] - [http://www.elite.se/sv/hotell/sundsvall/knaust Hotel Knaust] ===Western Europe=== [[File:Amstel hotel.jpg|thumb|Amstel Hotel, Amsterdam]] [[File:Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.jpg|thumb|Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh]] * [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]] - [https://www.metropolehotel.com Hotel Metropole] * [[Le Pouzin]], France - [https://www.hotel-restaurant-privas.com La Cardinale] * [[Paris]], [[France]] - [http://www.ritzparis.com Hôtel Ritz] * [[Paris]], [[France]] - [https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon Hôtel de Crillon] * [[Paris]], [[France]] - [https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/paris/parhb/hoteldetail Le Grand Hôtel] * [[Paris]], [[France]] - [https://www.hotellutetia.com Hôtel Lutetia] * [[Nice]], [[France]] - [https://www.hotel-negresco-nice.com/en Hôtel Negresco] * [[Amsterdam]], [[Netherlands]] - [https://www.amsterdam.intercontinental.com/en/ Amstel Hotel] * [[London]], [[UK]] - [https://www.claridges.co.uk Claridge's] * [[London]], [[UK]] - [https://www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/ Savoy Hotel] * [[London]], [[UK]] - [https://www.theritzlondon.com The Ritz] - Perhaps the most famous place in the world for high tea. Reservations are required many months in advance. * [[London]], [[UK]] - [http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/en/ The Langham] * [[London]], [[UK]] - [https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel (opened as the Midland Grand Hotel)] * [[London]], [[UK]] - [https://www.mandarinoriental.com/london/ Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London (originally called the Hyde Park Hotel)] * [[Manchester]], [[UK]] - [http://www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/the-midland-manchester/ The Midland] * [[Oxford]], [[UK]] - [https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/south-england/oxford/the-randolph-hotel The Randolph] * [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]], [[UK]] - [https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel The Balmoral] ===Central Europe=== [[File:Beau-Rivage.JPG|thumb|During the century and a half of its existence, leaders have died and Czechoslovakia was "born" at Beau-Rivage in Geneva]] * [[Vienna]], [[Austria]] - [https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/vieil-hotel-imperial-a-luxury-collection-hotel-vienna/ Hotel Imperial] * [[Vienna]], [[Austria]] - [http://www.sacher.com/ Hotel Sacher] * [[Karlovy Vary]], [[Czech Republic]] - [http://www.pupp.cz/en/ Grandhotel Pupp] * [[Karlovy Vary]], [[Czech Republic]] - [https://www.spa-hotel-imperial.cz/en/ Hotel Imperial] * [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]] - [http://www.hotel-paris.cz/ Hotel Paris] * [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]] - [http://www.palacehotel.cz/en/ Art Nouveau Palace Hotel] * [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]] - [http://www.grandhotelbohemia.cz/index.html Grand Hotel Bohemia] * [[Berlin]], [[Germany]] - [http://www.hotel-adlon.de/en/hotel/index.htm Hotel Adlon] * [[Frankfurt]], [[Germany]] - [http://www.steigenberger.com/aw/Hotel_Steigenberger_Frankfurter_Hof/~baid/ Frankfurter Hof] * [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]] - [https://www.kempinski.com/en/hamburg/hotel-atlantic/ Hotel Atlantic] * [[Heiligendamm]], [[Germany]] - [https://www.grandhotel-heiligendamm.de/ Grand Hotel Heiligendamm] * [[Munich]], [[Germany]] - [http://www.bayerischerhof.de/en/hotel/index.php Bayerischer Hof] * [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]] - [http://www.danubiushotels.com/en/budapest-hotels/danubius-hotel-gellert-budapest Hotel Gellért] * [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]] - [http://www.corinthia.com/en/hotels/budapest Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal] * [[Krakow]], [[Poland]] - [http://www.grand.pl/ Grand Hotel] *[[Warsaw]], [[Poland]] - [https://www.raffles.com/warsaw/ Hotel Europejski] * [[Wroclaw]], [[Poland]] - [http://monopolwroclaw.hotel.com.pl/en/Home Hotel Monopol] * [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]] - [http://www.beau-rivage.ch/fr/ Beau-Rivage] * [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]] - [https://www.metropole.ch Hotel Métropole] * [[Lucerne]], [[Switzerland]] - [http://www.national-luzern.ch/ Grand Hotel National] * [[St. Moritz]], [[Switzerland]] - [http://www.badruttspalace.com/ Badrutt's Palace Hotel] * [[Zurich]], [[Switzerland]] - [http://www.thedoldergrand.com/ The Dolder Grand] * [[Zurich]], [[Switzerland]] - [http://www.widderhotel.ch Hotel Widder] ===Southern Europe=== [[File:Hotel_Paris_Monaco.jpg|thumb|Hotel de Paris, Monaco]] * [[Athens]], [[Greece]] - [http://www.grandebretagne.gr Hotel Grande Bretagne] * [[Pisa]], [[Italy]] - [http://www.royalvictoria.it/ Royal Victoria Hotel] * [[Monaco]] - [http://www.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com Hotel de Paris] * [[Valletta]], [[Malta]] - [https://www.phoeniciamalta.com/ The Phoenicia] * [[Funchal]], [[Portugal]] - [http://www.belmond.com/reids-palace-madeira/ Reid's Palace] * [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]] - [http://www.pestana.com/hotels/en/hotels/europe/lisbonhotels/palace/home Pestana Palace Hotel] * [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]] - [http://www.hotelavenidapalace.pt Hotel Avenida Palace] * [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]] - [http://www.hotelpalacebarcelona.com/ El Palace] * [[Madrid]], [[Spain]] - [http://www.ritzmadrid.com/web/orit/hotel_ritz_madrid.jsp Hotel Ritz] * [[Madrid]], [[Spain]] - [https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/madwi-the-westin-palace-madrid/ The Westin Palace] * [[Seville]], [[Spain]] - [http://www.hotel-alfonsoxiii-sevilla.com/ Hotel Alfonso XIII] * [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]] - [http://perapalace.com Pera Palace] ===Eastern Europe=== * [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] - [http://www.national.ru/ National Hotel] * [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] - [http://eng.savoy.ru/ Savoy Hotel] * [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] - [https://www.radissonblu.com/en/royalhotel-moscow Hotel Ukraina] * [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] - [https://www.sovietsky.ru/en/ Hotel Sovietsky] — Moscow's premier hotel during Soviet times, and today regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Stalinist architecture * [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]] - [http://www.grand-hotel-europe.com Grand Hotel Europe] * [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]] - [http://www.thehotelastoria.com/ Hotel Astoria] * [[Lviv]], [[Ukraine]] - [http://www.georgehotel.com.ua/ Hotel George] ==North America== ===United States=== There is a program called [http://www.historichotels.org/ ''Historic Hotels of America''] with 200-odd hotels involved. [[Image:The Cincinnatian Hotel.jpg|thumb|The Cincinnatian Hotel.]] * [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]] - [https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/louisiana/hilton-baton-rouge-capitol-center-BTRCPHF/index.html Heidelberg Hotel] * [[Birmingham (Alabama)|Birmingham]], [[Alabama]] - [https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/alabama/hampton-inn-and-suites-birmingham-downtown-tutwiler-BHMDNHX/index.html The Tutwiler Hotel] * [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] - [https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/boston-parker-house Parker House Hotel] - The oldest continuously operating hotel in the USA * [[Boulder]], [[Colorado]] - [http://www.boulderado.com/ Hotel Boulderado] * [[Buffalo]], [[New York (state)|New York]] - [http://www.thehotellafayette.com/ Hotel Lafayette] * [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] - [http://www.theblackstonehotel.com/ The Blackstone] * [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] - [http://www.thedrakehotel.com/ Drake Hotel] * [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] - [https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/illinois/hilton-chicago-CHICHHH/index.html Hilton Chicago (formerly Stevens Hotel)] * [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] - [https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/illinois/palmer-house-a-hilton-hotel-CHIPHHH/index.html Palmer House Hotel] * [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]] - [http://www.cincinnatianhotel.com The Cincinnatian] * [[Grand Canyon]], [[Arizona]] - [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/ El Tovar] * [[Honolulu/Waikiki|Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]] - [http://www.moana-surfrider.com/ Moana Hotel] * [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] - [https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/los-angeles/millennium-biltmore-hotel-los-angeles/ The Biltmore] * [[Mackinac Island]], [[Michigan]] - [http://www.grandhotel.com The Grand Hotel] * [[Memphis]], [[Tennessee]] - [http://www.peabodymemphis.com/ Peabody Hotel] * [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]] - [http://www.thepfisterhotel.com/ The Pfister Hotel] * [[Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] - [https://www.thehermitagehotel.com/ The Hermitage Hotel] * [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] - [http://hotelmonteleone.com/ Hotel Monteleone] * [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] - [https://www.lepavillon.com/ Le Pavillon Hotel] (formerly New Denechaud Hotel) * [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]] - [http://www.algonquinhotel.com Alongquin Hotel] * [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]] - [https://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/waldorf-astoria-new-york-NYCWAWA/index.html The Waldorf-Astoria] - Where President Franklin Roosevelt stayed during his trips to New York during World War II. A secret train platform that Roosevelt used in an effort to hide his disability from the public survives underneath the hotel, together with the traincar he most likely used, though they are not accessible to the public. Closed for renovation until 2021. * [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]] - [http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/The%20Pierre,New%20York/default.htm The Pierre] * [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]] - [http://www.theplazany.com/ The Plaza] * [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]] - [http://www.stregisnewyork.com/ St. Regis Hotel] * [[Omaha]], [[Nebraska]] - [https://www.thecottonwoodhotel.com/ Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel (formerly Blackstone Hotel)] * [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]] - [http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/PittsburghWilliamPenn.aspx The William Penn] * [[San Diego]], [[California]] - [http://www.hoteldel.com The Hotel Del Coronado] * [[San Francisco]], [[California]] - [http://www.sfpalace.com Palace Hotel] * [[San Francisco]], [[California]] - [http://www.westinstfrancis.com/ St. Francis Hotel] * [[Washington, D.C./West End]] - [http://www.washington.intercontinental.com The Willard Intercontinental] * [[Yosemite National Park]] - [https://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/the-majestic-yosemite-hotel The Ahwahnee Hotel] ===Canada=== [[Image:ChateauFrontenac.jpg|thumb|Le Château Frontenac, [[Quebec City]]]] The grand old hotels in Canada, also referred to as railway hotels, have a unique place in Canadian history. Most of them were built during the first quarter of the 20th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway or Grand Trunk Railway to provide elegant accommodation while viewing the natural beauty along the rail line. Canadian Pacific, which purchased the former Grand Trunk (Canadian National) hotels in 1988, spun off all non-rail subsidiaries (including Fairmont, its hotel group) in 2001. These hotels are popular with tourists and locals alike and though overnight stays are expensive; they represent a fine piece of Canadiana worth visiting even if you only have time for a walk through the lobby. Two - Banff and Lake Louise - are major tourist resorts in their own right, located amid stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. * [[Banff]], [[Alberta]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/ The Banff Springs Hotel] * [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/palliser/ The Palliser Hotel] * [[Digby]], [[Nova Scotia]] - [http://www.digbypines.ca/ The Pines] Only open during the summer. * [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/macdonald/ The Hotel MacDonald] * [[Halifax (Nova Scotia)|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]] - [http://lordnelsonhotel.ca/ Lord Nelson Hotel] * [[Halifax (Nova Scotia)|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]] - [http://www.thewestinnovascotian.com The Hotel Nova Scotian] * [[Jasper]], [[Alberta]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/jasper/ Jasper Park Lodge] * [[Charlevoix|La Malbaie]], [[Quebec]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/richelieu-charlevoix/ Le Manoir Richelieu] * [[Lake Louise]], [[Alberta]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/lakelouise/ The Château Lake Louise] * [[Montebello (Quebec)|Montebello]], [[Quebec]] - [https://www.fairmont.com/montebello/ Le Château Montebello] Claims to be "the world’s largest log cabin". * [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/laurier/ The Château Laurier]. One of Canada's Prime Ministers, R.B. Bennett, lived in this hotel, a block from Parliament, rather than in the mansion most PMs occupy. Well-known portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh also lived here; some of his photographs decorate the lobby. * [[Quebec City]], [[Quebec]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac/ Le Château Frontenac]. Tallest structure in "Vieux-Québec" (the [[old cities|old city]]) and the city's most easily-recognised landmark; arguably the most photographed hotel in the world. * [[Regina]], [[Saskatchewan]] - [https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yqrak-the-hotel-saskatchewan-aut0graph-collection/ Hotel Saskatchewan] * [[Saint Andrews (New Brunswick)|Saint Andrews]], [[New Brunswick]] - [https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ysjak-the-algonquin-resort-st-andrews-by-the-sea-autograph-collection/ The Alongquin Resort] An icon of the province with its Tudor-style architecture * [[Saskatoon]], [[Saskatchewan]] - [https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yxedb-delta-hotels-bessborough/ The Bessborough Hotel] * [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork/ The Royal York]. [[The Canadian]] has its eastern end at the Royal York's doorstep. * [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/hotelvancouver/ The Hotel Vancouver] * [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]], [[British Columbia]] - [http://www.fairmont.com/empress The Empress Hotel] * [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]] - [http://www.fortgarryhotel.com The Hotel Fort Garry] Of course, there are some other very classy options as well: * [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] - [http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/canada/montreal Ritz-Carlton Montreal] * [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]] - [https://lordelginhotel.ca/ Lord Elgin Hotel] ===Mexico=== * [[Chichen Itza]], [[Yucatan]] - [http://www.haciendachichen.com Hacienda Chichen Resort and Spa], 16th-century colonial landmark * [[Mexico City]] - [http://www.hotelgeneve.com.mx/en/ Hotel Geneve] ===Costa Rica=== [[Image:GranHotelCostaRica.JPG|thumb|The Gran Hotel Costa Rica]] * [[San José (Costa Rica)|San José]], [[Costa Rica]] - [http://www.grandhotelcostarica.com The Gran Hotel Costa Rica], 20th-century colonial-style landmark * [[San José (Costa Rica)|San José]], [[Costa Rica]] - [http://www.granodeoro.com/ Hotel Grano de Oro], grand old hotel of Victorian design. Also listed as a small, distinctive hotel. ===Cuba=== * [[Havana]], [[Cuba]] - [http://www.hotelnacional-cuba.com Hotel Nacional La Habana], a grand old lady filled with memories of times past ==South America== ===Argentina=== * [[Buenos Aires]] - [http://www.alvearpalace.com Hotel Alvear Palace] ===Brazil=== * [[Rio de Janeiro]] - [http://www.belmond.com/copacabana-palace-rio-de-janeiro/ Copacabana Palace] * [[Salvador]] - [http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/pousadas/Brasil/Brasil/ConventodoCarmo/home/ Convento do Carmo] === Peru === * [[Lima]] - [https://www.granhotelbolivar.pe/ Gran Hotel Bolívar] ==Oceania== ===Australia=== * [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] - [http://www.thewindsor.com.au Hotel Windsor] ===Fiji=== * [[Suva]] - [http://grandpacifichotel.com.fj Grand Pacific Hotel] ===New Zealand=== * [[Dunedin]] - [https://www.fablehotelsandresorts.com/hotels/fable-dunedin Wains Hotel] * [[Queenstown (New Zealand)|Queenstown]] - [http://www.eichardts.com/ Eichardt's Hotel] ==See also== * [[Historical travel]] * [[Old towns]] {{usabletopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Sleep}} {{related|Hotels}} {{related|Finding accommodation}} g5607sabqulqu2q0fc0fa15vfkkpz45 0 13743 4506722 4499779 2022-08-23T10:05:42Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Guwahati banner.jpg|caption=Panoramic view of Guwahati City}} '''Guwahati''', previously '''Gauhati''', is the capital<!-- capital since the article also covers Dispur --> and the largest city in the state of [[Assam]], [[North-Eastern India]]. Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India. ==Understand== Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of 2.4 million in 2020, and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main centre for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the [[North-Eastern India|north east]] as well as from [[Eastern Bhutan]]. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the city while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city, and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati. This article also covers Dispur, Assam's seat of government. In 1973, Assam was reorganized to form the smaller states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]. Assam lost its capital, [[Shillong]], to Meghalaya. A search for a new capital ensued and the choice settled on Dispur, then a suburb of Guwahati. ===Climate=== Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | alt={{IATA|GAU}} also known as ''Guwāhāti International Airport'' and used to be known as ''Borjhar Airport'' | url=http://www.aai.aero/guwahati/index.jsp | email= | address= | lat=26.106111 | long=91.585833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | wikidata=Q2673008 | content=A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of [[Shillong]] and [[Tura (India)|Tura]] are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min). }} {| class="wikitable" !Airlines !Destinations |- ! Air India | Bagdogra, Delhi, Imphal, Kolkata |- ! Alliance Air | Agartala, Aizawl, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Imphal, Jorhat, Kolkata, Lilabari, Silchar, Tezpur |- ! Druk Air | Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Paro, Singapore |- ! Go First | Bagdogra, Bangalore, Delhi |- ! IndiGo | Chennai, Delhi, Imphal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru |- ! JetLite | Agartala, Bangalore, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Goa, Imphal, Jorhat, Kolkata, Mumbai |- ! Pawan Hans | Itanagar, Naharlagun, Shillong, Tawang, Tura |- ! SpiceJet | Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai |- ! Vistara | Delhi, Bagdogra, Kolkata, Goa, Banagalore |- |} ===By train=== Guwahati is well connected by train with all of India's major cities. The Guwahati Junction serves as the headquarters for the Northeast Frontier Railways. The reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at the third window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from the Northeast Frontier Railways Network. Tickets can also be booked on the [https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/ Indian Railways website]. * {{go | name=Guwahati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5621999 | lastedit=2020-10-22 | content= }} ===By car=== By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 2- to 2½-hour drive via Rangia to the [[Bhutan]]ese border town of [[Samdrup Jongkhar]]. ===By bus=== It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for [[Dibrugarh]], [[Kohima]], [[Imphal]], [[Itanagar]], [[Siliguri]]. ===By boat=== Luxurious vessels with AC upper deck connect Guwahati to [[Dibrugarh]], passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur. ==Get around== {{mapframe|staticmap=Schematic map of Guwahati City.jpg}} ===By bus=== Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, and there is air-conditioned bus service between the airport and the city. ===By auto=== Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high. ===By motorbike=== ===By ferry=== If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river. ==See== * {{see | name=Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.assamstatezoo.com/ | email=assamforest.info.assamzoo@gmail.com | address=Zoo Road, Japorigog | lat=26.16338 | long=91.78195 | directions=on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road. | phone=+91 8721857919, +91 7002716702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa-Th 8AM-4:30PM | price=Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see [http://www.assamstatezoo.com/tariff.html tariffs page] for more details | content= }} * {{see | name=Basistha Ashram | alt=Pancha Kanya Ashram | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.10421 | long=91.79040 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place of pilgrimage and a picnic spot near the Sandhychal hills south of Dispur, the seat of the state government lies at the confluence of the three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, names of the wives of legendary sage Vasistha who had set up this Ashram. It is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. }} * {{see | name=Dighali Pukhuri | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.18812 | long=91.75084 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. }} [[File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|right|thumb|Kamakhya Temple.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Nehru Park | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nehru-Park-Guwahati-1743891299259440/posts/ | email= | address=Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar | lat=26.18875 | long=91.74703 | directions= | phone=+91 96133 86546 | tollfree= | hours=F&ndash;W: 10AM&ndash;8PM | price=Adult ₹10, child ₹5 | lastedit=2017-11-24 | content=This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. }} * {{see | name=Pandu Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17056 | long=91.67970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. }} * {{see | name=Shilpagram | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.13043 | long=91.82114 | directions= | phone=+91 361 213 0483 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Crafts center next to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalaksetra }} * {{see | name=Sualkuchi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17033 | long=91.57033 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Area renowned for its silk production. }} ===Museums=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Assam State Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=GNB Rd | lat=26.18531 | long=91.75181 | directions=southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. | phone=+91 361 254 0651 | tollfree= | hours=Closed on Mondays, the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and government holidays | price=Adult ₹5, child ₹2.50 | wikidata=Q4808390 | content= }} * {{see | name=Guwahati Planetarium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uzan Bazar | lat=26.19152 | long=91.75198 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Regional Science Centre and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.rscguwahati.gov.in/ | email= | address=Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara | lat=26.12032 | long=91.81553 | directions= | phone=+91 361 2363218 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5:30PM, closed on Holi and Diwali | price=Adults/Children ₹10, Students ₹5 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Shankardev Kalashetra Museum | alt=Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra | url= | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Batahguli | lat=26.13006 | long=91.8225 | directions= | phone=+91 361 233 2665 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q656636 | content=The museum is named after Srimanta Sankardeva, a famous social reformer who promoted the cultural heritage of Assam. It has exhibits of books, sculptures, paintings, costumers and other belongings associated with the Assamese tribal communities. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Anthropological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Department of Anthropology, Guwahati University | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 2470248 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on university holidays | price= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The museum preserves prehistoric crafts, weapons, basketry, jewellery among other things used by the ancient Assamese. }} ===Temples=== * {{see | name=Bhubaneswari Temple | alt=Bhubaneswari Mandir | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.16690 | long=91.70970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Janardana Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sukleshwar Hill | lat=26.18779 | long=91.74141 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Kamakhya Temple | alt=Kamrup-Kamakhya | url= | email= | address=Nilachal Hill | lat=26.16642 | long=91.70500 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. }} * {{see | name=Navagraha Temple | alt=Navagraha Mandir | url= | email= | address=Chitrasal Hill | lat=26.16282 | long=91.69480 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. }} * {{see | name=Ugra Tara Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Latashil | lat=26.18897 | long=91.75365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. }} * {{see | name=Uma Nanda Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.19677 | long=91.74483 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]] Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. }} ==Do== [[File:Accoland by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|thumb|Accoland Amusement park]] * {{do | name=Accoland | alt= | url=http://www.accoland.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Airport Rd. Amusement park. }} *North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar. ===Fairs and festivals=== * {{listing | type=do | name=Assam Tea Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=November | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The annual festival caters to more than tea lovers. In addition to tea tasting and tours of the tea gardens, visitors can enjoy jungle safaris and river rafting. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Bihu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A set of three Assamese festivals in April, October and January respectively, all of which celebrate the changing seasons. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Debaddhani Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July–August | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A three-day festival where offerings are made to the goddess of snakes, Devi Manassa. An unusual ritual takes place where possessed devotees walk on a sharp sword's edge in a trance-like state. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Technology | alt= | url=http://www.iitg.ac.in | email= | address= | lat=26.19290 | long=91.69506 | directions=around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== *'''Handicrafts''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. * '''Handlooms & Handicrafts''', the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar". * {{buy | name=Hidesign | url=http://www.hidesign.com | email= | address=Dighali Pukhuri East | lat= | long= | directions=Near High Court | phone=+91 92 0704 7683 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. }} * '''Malls'''. The city has several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons. * '''Tea Bags''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous. ===Markets=== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Uzan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Every morning, fishers come in to one of the oldest settlements in the city to sell their catch.}} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Paltan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11011881 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Literally meaning 'military market', back in the day Paltan Bazaar was the shopping hub for British sepoys. It is one of the busiest and most congested places in Guwahati. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city. * {{eat | name=City Dhaba | url= | email= | address= Bora Service, Ulubari| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dispur Dhaba | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Get Tagged | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9401057578| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Hotel Shyama | url= | email= | address=AK Azad Road, Rehabari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=G S Rd, Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Good bakery with sweets. }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=M G Rd, Riverside | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Momo Ghar | url= | email= | address= Bharalumukh| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9435019810| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Chinese }} * {{eat | name=Shaikh Brothers | url= | email= | address=Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar | lat= | long= | directions=opp. United Bank | phone=+91 36 1273 6615 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bon Jaluk | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8254063369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous Assamese thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Gam's Delicacy Restaurant| url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 2233402| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gopal Maharaj | url= | email= | address=Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864351111| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Heritage Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Silpukhuri, Chandmari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9706034838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Bora Service, Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9864982948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Maach | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9854061725 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for various fishes. }} * {{eat | name=Makhan Bhog | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mast Biryani | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Biryani restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Nashraj Restaurant | url= | email= | address=S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=inside Hotel Nova | phone=+91 361-251-9465 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. }} ===Splurge=== *{{eat | name=Barbeque Nation | url= | email= | address= Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864109282 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Mocha | url= | email= | address=Christian basti | lat= | long= | directions=near the fly over | phone=+91 8486000401 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italian restaurant }} *{{eat | name=Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty | url= | email= | address= SS Road, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 7120055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== [[File:Bahor Sungar Doi.JPG|thumb|''Bahor Sungar Doi'']] Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops. ===Pub, disco, and bar=== * {{drink | name=Cafe Copa | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Club Ozone | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ivory | url= | email= | address=Ulubari flyover | lat= | long= | directions=below Hotel Amrit Regency | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar/pub. }} * {{drink | name=The Lounge Bar | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Mazbaan | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie }} * {{drink | name=Q'Ba | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Disco }} * {{drink | name=Silver Streak | url= | email= | address=Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Terra Mayaa | url= | email= | address=Anil Plaza-2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Topaz | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Urban Mantra | url= | email= | address=Sixmile | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=XS | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners. [[File:Guwahati Street.jpg|thumb|A hotel on left]] * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brahmaputra Madhukalya | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrahmaputramadhukalya.com/ | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Six Mile | lat= | long= | directions=Near Kalakshetra | phone=+91 97060 37210 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. Breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Biswanath | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbiswanath.com/ | email= | address=M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar | lat= | long= | directions=south of the station | phone=+91 81358 09898 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1923 single | lastedit=2015-05-13 | content=Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brindavan | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrindavan.com/ | email= | address=Paltan Bazar, M E Rd | lat= | long= | directions=3 min walking distance from Rly Station | phone=+91 94350 40946 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout=noon | price=₹400/- to ₹3,500/- | content= }} * {{sleep | name=SPOT ON 72442 Hotel Suradevi | alt= | url= | email= | address=M.L.N Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Pan Bazaar | phone=+91 94353 24031 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹400 single w/private bath | content=Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Prashaanti Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361-2544475, +91-9435042063, +91-94640 83579 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-08-28 | content=The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Mahalaxmi Indo Myanmar | alt= | url=http://hotelmahalaxmi.com | email=mahalaxmiindomyanmar@gmail.com | address=G.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 260 2508 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹2514 | content=This one feels very Indian. Has a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=OYO 10571 Hotel Nova | alt= | url=http://www.novahotel.in | email= | address=1, SS Rd, Kamarpatty, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=Fancy Bazaar | phone=+91 124 620 1614 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1390 for single with no a/c | content=A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Rialto | alt= | url=http://hotelrialto.co.in/ | email= | address=GNB Rd, Pan Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=nearby Pan Bazer | phone=+91 94017 26686 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1,000-₹1,800 | content=Has that nice crumbly look like all of the other buildings around it. Buffet and breakfast here. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dynasty | url=http://www.dynastyhotel.in | email=info@dynastyhotel.in | address=S.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Lakhtokia | phone=+91 361 251 6021 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000 | content=Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Nakshatra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotelnakshatraofficial/ | email=hotelnakshatra@gmail.com | address=Beltola Tiniali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 99571 81929 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 2229720 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000 | content=Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati |alt=| url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-guwahati | email=reservations.guwahati@radisson.com | address=National Highway 37, Gotanagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 7100100 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 7100101 | checkin= | checkout= | price= |lastedit=2020-08-10| content=On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. }} * {{sleep | name=Taj Vivanta | alt= | url=https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-guwahati/ | email= | address=613, Mahapurush Sriamanta Sankradeva, Road, Khanapara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 710 6710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹6360 | lastedit=2018-04-04 | content=The rooftop pool is at the top of this tall upscale hotel tower, and you get a complimentary breakfast in the morning. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[Shillong]] is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to [[Cherrapunji]] and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station. * '''Tirupati Balaji Temple''' - The Tirupati Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting. * '''Deepor Beel''' - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali. * '''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city centre to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle. [[File:HDR The sound of silence (The road to Kamakhya).jpg|thumb|The road to the Kamakhya Temple]] * '''Kamakhya Temple''' - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minute drive from the heart of the city. * '''Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary''' - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day. * '''Resorts on Sonapur Road''' - The Sonapur Road ''(Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37'') has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort, Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings. {{geo|26.1833|91.7333}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Assam}} {{usablecity}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} b1z0nfp8olppw3gdkr3qt6my3ixrjh2 4506725 4506722 2022-08-23T10:06:24Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Guwahati banner.jpg|caption=Panoramic view of Guwahati City}} '''Guwahati''', previously '''Gauhati''', is the capital<!-- capital since the article also covers Dispur --> and the largest city in the state of [[Assam]], [[North-Eastern India]]. Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India. ==Understand== Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of 2.4 million in 2020, and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main centre for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the [[North-Eastern India|north east]] as well as from [[Eastern Bhutan]]. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the city while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city, and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati. This article also covers '''Dispur''', Assam's seat of government. In 1973, Assam was reorganized to form the smaller states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]. Assam lost its capital, [[Shillong]], to Meghalaya. A search for a new capital ensued and the choice settled on Dispur, then a suburb of Guwahati. ===Climate=== Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | alt={{IATA|GAU}} also known as ''Guwāhāti International Airport'' and used to be known as ''Borjhar Airport'' | url=http://www.aai.aero/guwahati/index.jsp | email= | address= | lat=26.106111 | long=91.585833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | wikidata=Q2673008 | content=A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of [[Shillong]] and [[Tura (India)|Tura]] are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min). }} {| class="wikitable" !Airlines !Destinations |- ! Air India | Bagdogra, Delhi, Imphal, Kolkata |- ! Alliance Air | Agartala, Aizawl, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Imphal, Jorhat, Kolkata, Lilabari, Silchar, Tezpur |- ! Druk Air | Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Paro, Singapore |- ! Go First | Bagdogra, Bangalore, Delhi |- ! IndiGo | Chennai, Delhi, Imphal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru |- ! JetLite | Agartala, Bangalore, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Goa, Imphal, Jorhat, Kolkata, Mumbai |- ! Pawan Hans | Itanagar, Naharlagun, Shillong, Tawang, Tura |- ! SpiceJet | Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai |- ! Vistara | Delhi, Bagdogra, Kolkata, Goa, Banagalore |- |} ===By train=== Guwahati is well connected by train with all of India's major cities. The Guwahati Junction serves as the headquarters for the Northeast Frontier Railways. The reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at the third window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from the Northeast Frontier Railways Network. Tickets can also be booked on the [https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/ Indian Railways website]. * {{go | name=Guwahati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5621999 | lastedit=2020-10-22 | content= }} ===By car=== By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 2- to 2½-hour drive via Rangia to the [[Bhutan]]ese border town of [[Samdrup Jongkhar]]. ===By bus=== It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for [[Dibrugarh]], [[Kohima]], [[Imphal]], [[Itanagar]], [[Siliguri]]. ===By boat=== Luxurious vessels with AC upper deck connect Guwahati to [[Dibrugarh]], passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur. ==Get around== {{mapframe|staticmap=Schematic map of Guwahati City.jpg}} ===By bus=== Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, and there is air-conditioned bus service between the airport and the city. ===By auto=== Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high. ===By motorbike=== ===By ferry=== If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river. ==See== * {{see | name=Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.assamstatezoo.com/ | email=assamforest.info.assamzoo@gmail.com | address=Zoo Road, Japorigog | lat=26.16338 | long=91.78195 | directions=on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road. | phone=+91 8721857919, +91 7002716702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa-Th 8AM-4:30PM | price=Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see [http://www.assamstatezoo.com/tariff.html tariffs page] for more details | content= }} * {{see | name=Basistha Ashram | alt=Pancha Kanya Ashram | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.10421 | long=91.79040 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place of pilgrimage and a picnic spot near the Sandhychal hills south of Dispur, the seat of the state government lies at the confluence of the three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, names of the wives of legendary sage Vasistha who had set up this Ashram. It is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. }} * {{see | name=Dighali Pukhuri | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.18812 | long=91.75084 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. }} [[File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|right|thumb|Kamakhya Temple.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Nehru Park | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nehru-Park-Guwahati-1743891299259440/posts/ | email= | address=Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar | lat=26.18875 | long=91.74703 | directions= | phone=+91 96133 86546 | tollfree= | hours=F&ndash;W: 10AM&ndash;8PM | price=Adult ₹10, child ₹5 | lastedit=2017-11-24 | content=This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. }} * {{see | name=Pandu Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17056 | long=91.67970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. }} * {{see | name=Shilpagram | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.13043 | long=91.82114 | directions= | phone=+91 361 213 0483 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Crafts center next to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalaksetra }} * {{see | name=Sualkuchi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17033 | long=91.57033 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Area renowned for its silk production. }} ===Museums=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Assam State Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=GNB Rd | lat=26.18531 | long=91.75181 | directions=southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. | phone=+91 361 254 0651 | tollfree= | hours=Closed on Mondays, the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and government holidays | price=Adult ₹5, child ₹2.50 | wikidata=Q4808390 | content= }} * {{see | name=Guwahati Planetarium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uzan Bazar | lat=26.19152 | long=91.75198 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Regional Science Centre and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.rscguwahati.gov.in/ | email= | address=Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara | lat=26.12032 | long=91.81553 | directions= | phone=+91 361 2363218 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5:30PM, closed on Holi and Diwali | price=Adults/Children ₹10, Students ₹5 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Shankardev Kalashetra Museum | alt=Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra | url= | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Batahguli | lat=26.13006 | long=91.8225 | directions= | phone=+91 361 233 2665 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q656636 | content=The museum is named after Srimanta Sankardeva, a famous social reformer who promoted the cultural heritage of Assam. It has exhibits of books, sculptures, paintings, costumers and other belongings associated with the Assamese tribal communities. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Anthropological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Department of Anthropology, Guwahati University | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 2470248 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on university holidays | price= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The museum preserves prehistoric crafts, weapons, basketry, jewellery among other things used by the ancient Assamese. }} ===Temples=== * {{see | name=Bhubaneswari Temple | alt=Bhubaneswari Mandir | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.16690 | long=91.70970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Janardana Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sukleshwar Hill | lat=26.18779 | long=91.74141 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Kamakhya Temple | alt=Kamrup-Kamakhya | url= | email= | address=Nilachal Hill | lat=26.16642 | long=91.70500 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. }} * {{see | name=Navagraha Temple | alt=Navagraha Mandir | url= | email= | address=Chitrasal Hill | lat=26.16282 | long=91.69480 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. }} * {{see | name=Ugra Tara Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Latashil | lat=26.18897 | long=91.75365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. }} * {{see | name=Uma Nanda Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.19677 | long=91.74483 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]] Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. }} ==Do== [[File:Accoland by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|thumb|Accoland Amusement park]] * {{do | name=Accoland | alt= | url=http://www.accoland.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Airport Rd. Amusement park. }} *North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar. ===Fairs and festivals=== * {{listing | type=do | name=Assam Tea Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=November | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The annual festival caters to more than tea lovers. In addition to tea tasting and tours of the tea gardens, visitors can enjoy jungle safaris and river rafting. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Bihu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A set of three Assamese festivals in April, October and January respectively, all of which celebrate the changing seasons. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Debaddhani Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July–August | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A three-day festival where offerings are made to the goddess of snakes, Devi Manassa. An unusual ritual takes place where possessed devotees walk on a sharp sword's edge in a trance-like state. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Technology | alt= | url=http://www.iitg.ac.in | email= | address= | lat=26.19290 | long=91.69506 | directions=around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== *'''Handicrafts''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. * '''Handlooms & Handicrafts''', the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar". * {{buy | name=Hidesign | url=http://www.hidesign.com | email= | address=Dighali Pukhuri East | lat= | long= | directions=Near High Court | phone=+91 92 0704 7683 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. }} * '''Malls'''. The city has several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons. * '''Tea Bags''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous. ===Markets=== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Uzan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Every morning, fishers come in to one of the oldest settlements in the city to sell their catch.}} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Paltan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11011881 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Literally meaning 'military market', back in the day Paltan Bazaar was the shopping hub for British sepoys. It is one of the busiest and most congested places in Guwahati. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city. * {{eat | name=City Dhaba | url= | email= | address= Bora Service, Ulubari| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dispur Dhaba | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Get Tagged | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9401057578| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Hotel Shyama | url= | email= | address=AK Azad Road, Rehabari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=G S Rd, Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Good bakery with sweets. }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=M G Rd, Riverside | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Momo Ghar | url= | email= | address= Bharalumukh| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9435019810| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Chinese }} * {{eat | name=Shaikh Brothers | url= | email= | address=Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar | lat= | long= | directions=opp. United Bank | phone=+91 36 1273 6615 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bon Jaluk | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8254063369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous Assamese thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Gam's Delicacy Restaurant| url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 2233402| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gopal Maharaj | url= | email= | address=Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864351111| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Heritage Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Silpukhuri, Chandmari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9706034838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Bora Service, Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9864982948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Maach | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9854061725 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for various fishes. }} * {{eat | name=Makhan Bhog | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mast Biryani | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Biryani restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Nashraj Restaurant | url= | email= | address=S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=inside Hotel Nova | phone=+91 361-251-9465 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. }} ===Splurge=== *{{eat | name=Barbeque Nation | url= | email= | address= Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864109282 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Mocha | url= | email= | address=Christian basti | lat= | long= | directions=near the fly over | phone=+91 8486000401 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italian restaurant }} *{{eat | name=Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty | url= | email= | address= SS Road, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 7120055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== [[File:Bahor Sungar Doi.JPG|thumb|''Bahor Sungar Doi'']] Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops. ===Pub, disco, and bar=== * {{drink | name=Cafe Copa | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Club Ozone | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ivory | url= | email= | address=Ulubari flyover | lat= | long= | directions=below Hotel Amrit Regency | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar/pub. }} * {{drink | name=The Lounge Bar | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Mazbaan | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie }} * {{drink | name=Q'Ba | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Disco }} * {{drink | name=Silver Streak | url= | email= | address=Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Terra Mayaa | url= | email= | address=Anil Plaza-2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Topaz | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Urban Mantra | url= | email= | address=Sixmile | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=XS | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners. [[File:Guwahati Street.jpg|thumb|A hotel on left]] * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brahmaputra Madhukalya | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrahmaputramadhukalya.com/ | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Six Mile | lat= | long= | directions=Near Kalakshetra | phone=+91 97060 37210 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. Breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Biswanath | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbiswanath.com/ | email= | address=M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar | lat= | long= | directions=south of the station | phone=+91 81358 09898 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1923 single | lastedit=2015-05-13 | content=Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brindavan | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrindavan.com/ | email= | address=Paltan Bazar, M E Rd | lat= | long= | directions=3 min walking distance from Rly Station | phone=+91 94350 40946 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout=noon | price=₹400/- to ₹3,500/- | content= }} * {{sleep | name=SPOT ON 72442 Hotel Suradevi | alt= | url= | email= | address=M.L.N Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Pan Bazaar | phone=+91 94353 24031 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹400 single w/private bath | content=Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Prashaanti Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361-2544475, +91-9435042063, +91-94640 83579 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-08-28 | content=The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Mahalaxmi Indo Myanmar | alt= | url=http://hotelmahalaxmi.com | email=mahalaxmiindomyanmar@gmail.com | address=G.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 260 2508 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹2514 | content=This one feels very Indian. Has a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=OYO 10571 Hotel Nova | alt= | url=http://www.novahotel.in | email= | address=1, SS Rd, Kamarpatty, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=Fancy Bazaar | phone=+91 124 620 1614 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1390 for single with no a/c | content=A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Rialto | alt= | url=http://hotelrialto.co.in/ | email= | address=GNB Rd, Pan Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=nearby Pan Bazer | phone=+91 94017 26686 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1,000-₹1,800 | content=Has that nice crumbly look like all of the other buildings around it. Buffet and breakfast here. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dynasty | url=http://www.dynastyhotel.in | email=info@dynastyhotel.in | address=S.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Lakhtokia | phone=+91 361 251 6021 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000 | content=Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Nakshatra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotelnakshatraofficial/ | email=hotelnakshatra@gmail.com | address=Beltola Tiniali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 99571 81929 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 2229720 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000 | content=Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati |alt=| url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-guwahati | email=reservations.guwahati@radisson.com | address=National Highway 37, Gotanagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 7100100 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 7100101 | checkin= | checkout= | price= |lastedit=2020-08-10| content=On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. }} * {{sleep | name=Taj Vivanta | alt= | url=https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-guwahati/ | email= | address=613, Mahapurush Sriamanta Sankradeva, Road, Khanapara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 710 6710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹6360 | lastedit=2018-04-04 | content=The rooftop pool is at the top of this tall upscale hotel tower, and you get a complimentary breakfast in the morning. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[Shillong]] is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to [[Cherrapunji]] and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station. * '''Tirupati Balaji Temple''' - The Tirupati Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting. * '''Deepor Beel''' - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali. * '''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city centre to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle. [[File:HDR The sound of silence (The road to Kamakhya).jpg|thumb|The road to the Kamakhya Temple]] * '''Kamakhya Temple''' - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minute drive from the heart of the city. * '''Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary''' - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day. * '''Resorts on Sonapur Road''' - The Sonapur Road ''(Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37'') has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort, Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings. {{geo|26.1833|91.7333}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Assam}} {{usablecity}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} 666tghsalh1uuv20btsu6ntrfy80z1l 4506737 4506725 2022-08-23T10:12:35Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Guwahati banner.jpg|caption=Panoramic view of Guwahati City}} '''Guwahati''', previously '''Gauhati''', is the capital<!-- capital since the article also covers Dispur --> and the largest city in the state of [[Assam]], [[North-Eastern India]]. Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India. ==Understand== Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of 2.4 million in 2020, and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main centre for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the [[North-Eastern India|north east]] as well as from [[Eastern Bhutan]]. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the city while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city, and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati. This article also covers '''Dispur''', Assam's seat of government. In 1973, Assam was reorganized to form the smaller states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]. Assam lost its capital, [[Shillong]], to Meghalaya. A search for a new capital ensued and the choice settled on Dispur, then a suburb of Guwahati. ===Climate=== Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | alt={{IATA|GAU}} also known as ''Guwāhāti International Airport'' and used to be known as ''Borjhar Airport'' | url=http://www.aai.aero/guwahati/index.jsp | email= | address= | lat=26.106111 | long=91.585833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | wikidata=Q2673008 | content=A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of [[Shillong]] and [[Tura (India)|Tura]] are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min). }} ===By train=== Guwahati is well connected by train with all of India's major cities. The Guwahati Junction serves as the headquarters for the Northeast Frontier Railways. The reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at the third window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from the Northeast Frontier Railways Network. Tickets can also be booked on the [https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/ Indian Railways website]. * {{go | name=Guwahati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5621999 | lastedit=2020-10-22 | content= }} ===By car=== By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 2- to 2½-hour drive via Rangia to the [[Bhutan]]ese border town of [[Samdrup Jongkhar]]. ===By bus=== It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for [[Dibrugarh]], [[Kohima]], [[Imphal]], [[Itanagar]], [[Siliguri]]. ===By boat=== Luxurious vessels with AC upper deck connect Guwahati to [[Dibrugarh]], passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur. ==Get around== {{mapframe|staticmap=Schematic map of Guwahati City.jpg}} ===By bus=== Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, and there is air-conditioned bus service between the airport and the city. ===By auto=== Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high. ===By motorbike=== ===By ferry=== If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river. ==See== * {{see | name=Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.assamstatezoo.com/ | email=assamforest.info.assamzoo@gmail.com | address=Zoo Road, Japorigog | lat=26.16338 | long=91.78195 | directions=on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road. | phone=+91 8721857919, +91 7002716702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa-Th 8AM-4:30PM | price=Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see [http://www.assamstatezoo.com/tariff.html tariffs page] for more details | content= }} * {{see | name=Basistha Ashram | alt=Pancha Kanya Ashram | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.10421 | long=91.79040 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place of pilgrimage and a picnic spot near the Sandhychal hills south of Dispur, the seat of the state government lies at the confluence of the three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, names of the wives of legendary sage Vasistha who had set up this Ashram. It is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. }} * {{see | name=Dighali Pukhuri | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.18812 | long=91.75084 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. }} [[File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|right|thumb|Kamakhya Temple.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Nehru Park | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nehru-Park-Guwahati-1743891299259440/posts/ | email= | address=Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar | lat=26.18875 | long=91.74703 | directions= | phone=+91 96133 86546 | tollfree= | hours=F&ndash;W: 10AM&ndash;8PM | price=Adult ₹10, child ₹5 | lastedit=2017-11-24 | content=This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. }} * {{see | name=Pandu Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17056 | long=91.67970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. }} * {{see | name=Shilpagram | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.13043 | long=91.82114 | directions= | phone=+91 361 213 0483 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Crafts center next to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalaksetra }} * {{see | name=Sualkuchi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17033 | long=91.57033 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Area renowned for its silk production. }} ===Museums=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Assam State Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=GNB Rd | lat=26.18531 | long=91.75181 | directions=southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. | phone=+91 361 254 0651 | tollfree= | hours=Closed on Mondays, the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and government holidays | price=Adult ₹5, child ₹2.50 | wikidata=Q4808390 | content= }} * {{see | name=Guwahati Planetarium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uzan Bazar | lat=26.19152 | long=91.75198 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Regional Science Centre and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.rscguwahati.gov.in/ | email= | address=Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara | lat=26.12032 | long=91.81553 | directions= | phone=+91 361 2363218 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5:30PM, closed on Holi and Diwali | price=Adults/Children ₹10, Students ₹5 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Shankardev Kalashetra Museum | alt=Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra | url= | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Batahguli | lat=26.13006 | long=91.8225 | directions= | phone=+91 361 233 2665 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q656636 | content=The museum is named after Srimanta Sankardeva, a famous social reformer who promoted the cultural heritage of Assam. It has exhibits of books, sculptures, paintings, costumers and other belongings associated with the Assamese tribal communities. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Anthropological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Department of Anthropology, Guwahati University | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 2470248 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on university holidays | price= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The museum preserves prehistoric crafts, weapons, basketry, jewellery among other things used by the ancient Assamese. }} ===Temples=== * {{see | name=Bhubaneswari Temple | alt=Bhubaneswari Mandir | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.16690 | long=91.70970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Janardana Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sukleshwar Hill | lat=26.18779 | long=91.74141 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Kamakhya Temple | alt=Kamrup-Kamakhya | url= | email= | address=Nilachal Hill | lat=26.16642 | long=91.70500 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. }} * {{see | name=Navagraha Temple | alt=Navagraha Mandir | url= | email= | address=Chitrasal Hill | lat=26.16282 | long=91.69480 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. }} * {{see | name=Ugra Tara Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Latashil | lat=26.18897 | long=91.75365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. }} * {{see | name=Uma Nanda Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.19677 | long=91.74483 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]] Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. }} ==Do== [[File:Accoland by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|thumb|Accoland Amusement park]] * {{do | name=Accoland | alt= | url=http://www.accoland.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Airport Rd. Amusement park. }} *North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar. ===Fairs and festivals=== * {{listing | type=do | name=Assam Tea Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=November | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The annual festival caters to more than tea lovers. In addition to tea tasting and tours of the tea gardens, visitors can enjoy jungle safaris and river rafting. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Bihu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A set of three Assamese festivals in April, October and January respectively, all of which celebrate the changing seasons. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Debaddhani Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July–August | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A three-day festival where offerings are made to the goddess of snakes, Devi Manassa. An unusual ritual takes place where possessed devotees walk on a sharp sword's edge in a trance-like state. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Technology | alt= | url=http://www.iitg.ac.in | email= | address= | lat=26.19290 | long=91.69506 | directions=around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== *'''Handicrafts''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. * '''Handlooms & Handicrafts''', the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar". * {{buy | name=Hidesign | url=http://www.hidesign.com | email= | address=Dighali Pukhuri East | lat= | long= | directions=Near High Court | phone=+91 92 0704 7683 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. }} * '''Malls'''. The city has several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons. * '''Tea Bags''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous. ===Markets=== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Uzan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Every morning, fishers come in to one of the oldest settlements in the city to sell their catch.}} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Paltan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11011881 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Literally meaning 'military market', back in the day Paltan Bazaar was the shopping hub for British sepoys. It is one of the busiest and most congested places in Guwahati. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city. * {{eat | name=City Dhaba | url= | email= | address= Bora Service, Ulubari| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dispur Dhaba | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Get Tagged | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9401057578| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Hotel Shyama | url= | email= | address=AK Azad Road, Rehabari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=G S Rd, Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Good bakery with sweets. }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=M G Rd, Riverside | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Momo Ghar | url= | email= | address= Bharalumukh| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9435019810| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Chinese }} * {{eat | name=Shaikh Brothers | url= | email= | address=Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar | lat= | long= | directions=opp. United Bank | phone=+91 36 1273 6615 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bon Jaluk | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8254063369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous Assamese thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Gam's Delicacy Restaurant| url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 2233402| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gopal Maharaj | url= | email= | address=Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864351111| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Heritage Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Silpukhuri, Chandmari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9706034838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Bora Service, Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9864982948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Maach | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9854061725 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for various fishes. }} * {{eat | name=Makhan Bhog | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mast Biryani | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Biryani restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Nashraj Restaurant | url= | email= | address=S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=inside Hotel Nova | phone=+91 361-251-9465 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. }} ===Splurge=== *{{eat | name=Barbeque Nation | url= | email= | address= Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864109282 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Mocha | url= | email= | address=Christian basti | lat= | long= | directions=near the fly over | phone=+91 8486000401 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italian restaurant }} *{{eat | name=Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty | url= | email= | address= SS Road, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 7120055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== [[File:Bahor Sungar Doi.JPG|thumb|''Bahor Sungar Doi'']] Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops. ===Pub, disco, and bar=== * {{drink | name=Cafe Copa | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Club Ozone | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ivory | url= | email= | address=Ulubari flyover | lat= | long= | directions=below Hotel Amrit Regency | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar/pub. }} * {{drink | name=The Lounge Bar | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Mazbaan | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie }} * {{drink | name=Q'Ba | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Disco }} * {{drink | name=Silver Streak | url= | email= | address=Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Terra Mayaa | url= | email= | address=Anil Plaza-2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Topaz | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Urban Mantra | url= | email= | address=Sixmile | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=XS | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners. [[File:Guwahati Street.jpg|thumb|A hotel on left]] * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brahmaputra Madhukalya | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrahmaputramadhukalya.com/ | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Six Mile | lat= | long= | directions=Near Kalakshetra | phone=+91 97060 37210 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. Breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Biswanath | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbiswanath.com/ | email= | address=M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar | lat= | long= | directions=south of the station | phone=+91 81358 09898 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1923 single | lastedit=2015-05-13 | content=Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brindavan | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrindavan.com/ | email= | address=Paltan Bazar, M E Rd | lat= | long= | directions=3 min walking distance from Rly Station | phone=+91 94350 40946 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout=noon | price=₹400/- to ₹3,500/- | content= }} * {{sleep | name=SPOT ON 72442 Hotel Suradevi | alt= | url= | email= | address=M.L.N Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Pan Bazaar | phone=+91 94353 24031 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹400 single w/private bath | content=Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Prashaanti Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361-2544475, +91-9435042063, +91-94640 83579 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-08-28 | content=The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Mahalaxmi Indo Myanmar | alt= | url=http://hotelmahalaxmi.com | email=mahalaxmiindomyanmar@gmail.com | address=G.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 260 2508 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹2514 | content=This one feels very Indian. Has a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=OYO 10571 Hotel Nova | alt= | url=http://www.novahotel.in | email= | address=1, SS Rd, Kamarpatty, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=Fancy Bazaar | phone=+91 124 620 1614 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1390 for single with no a/c | content=A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Rialto | alt= | url=http://hotelrialto.co.in/ | email= | address=GNB Rd, Pan Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=nearby Pan Bazer | phone=+91 94017 26686 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1,000-₹1,800 | content=Has that nice crumbly look like all of the other buildings around it. Buffet and breakfast here. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dynasty | url=http://www.dynastyhotel.in | email=info@dynastyhotel.in | address=S.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Lakhtokia | phone=+91 361 251 6021 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000 | content=Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Nakshatra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotelnakshatraofficial/ | email=hotelnakshatra@gmail.com | address=Beltola Tiniali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 99571 81929 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 2229720 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000 | content=Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati |alt=| url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-guwahati | email=reservations.guwahati@radisson.com | address=National Highway 37, Gotanagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 7100100 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 7100101 | checkin= | checkout= | price= |lastedit=2020-08-10| content=On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. }} * {{sleep | name=Taj Vivanta | alt= | url=https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-guwahati/ | email= | address=613, Mahapurush Sriamanta Sankradeva, Road, Khanapara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 710 6710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹6360 | lastedit=2018-04-04 | content=The rooftop pool is at the top of this tall upscale hotel tower, and you get a complimentary breakfast in the morning. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[Shillong]] is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to [[Cherrapunji]] and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station. * '''Tirupati Balaji Temple''' - The Tirupati Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting. * '''Deepor Beel''' - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali. * '''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city centre to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle. [[File:HDR The sound of silence (The road to Kamakhya).jpg|thumb|The road to the Kamakhya Temple]] * '''Kamakhya Temple''' - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minute drive from the heart of the city. * '''Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary''' - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day. * '''Resorts on Sonapur Road''' - The Sonapur Road ''(Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37'') has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort, Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings. {{geo|26.1833|91.7333}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Assam}} {{usablecity}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} tgxp6ba09wsx3wqyd5l116yqpqk4w8m 4506738 4506737 2022-08-23T10:13:18Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Guwahati banner.jpg|caption=Panoramic view of Guwahati City}} '''Guwahati''', previously '''Gauhati''', is the capital<!-- capital since the article also covers Dispur --> and the largest city in the state of [[Assam]], [[North-Eastern India]]. Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India. ==Understand== Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of 2.4 million in 2020, and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main centre for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the [[North-Eastern India|north east]] as well as from [[Eastern Bhutan]]. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the city while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city, and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati. This article also covers '''Dispur''', Assam's seat of government. In 1973, Assam was reorganized to form the smaller states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]. Assam lost its capital, [[Shillong]], to Meghalaya. A search for a new capital ensued and the choice settled on Dispur, then a suburb of Guwahati. ===Climate=== Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | alt={{IATA|GAU}}; Guwahati International Airport, Borjhar Airport | url=http://www.aai.aero/guwahati/index.jsp | email= | address= | lat=26.106111 | long=91.585833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | wikidata=Q2673008 | content=A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of [[Shillong]] and [[Tura (India)|Tura]] are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min). }} ===By train=== Guwahati is well connected by train with all of India's major cities. The Guwahati Junction serves as the headquarters for the Northeast Frontier Railways. The reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at the third window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from the Northeast Frontier Railways Network. Tickets can also be booked on the [https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/ Indian Railways website]. * {{go | name=Guwahati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5621999 | lastedit=2020-10-22 | content= }} ===By car=== By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 2- to 2½-hour drive via Rangia to the [[Bhutan]]ese border town of [[Samdrup Jongkhar]]. ===By bus=== It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for [[Dibrugarh]], [[Kohima]], [[Imphal]], [[Itanagar]], [[Siliguri]]. ===By boat=== Luxurious vessels with AC upper deck connect Guwahati to [[Dibrugarh]], passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur. ==Get around== {{mapframe|staticmap=Schematic map of Guwahati City.jpg}} ===By bus=== Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, and there is air-conditioned bus service between the airport and the city. ===By auto=== Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high. ===By motorbike=== ===By ferry=== If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river. ==See== * {{see | name=Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.assamstatezoo.com/ | email=assamforest.info.assamzoo@gmail.com | address=Zoo Road, Japorigog | lat=26.16338 | long=91.78195 | directions=on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road. | phone=+91 8721857919, +91 7002716702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa-Th 8AM-4:30PM | price=Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see [http://www.assamstatezoo.com/tariff.html tariffs page] for more details | content= }} * {{see | name=Basistha Ashram | alt=Pancha Kanya Ashram | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.10421 | long=91.79040 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place of pilgrimage and a picnic spot near the Sandhychal hills south of Dispur, the seat of the state government lies at the confluence of the three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, names of the wives of legendary sage Vasistha who had set up this Ashram. It is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. }} * {{see | name=Dighali Pukhuri | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.18812 | long=91.75084 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. }} [[File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|right|thumb|Kamakhya Temple.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Nehru Park | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nehru-Park-Guwahati-1743891299259440/posts/ | email= | address=Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar | lat=26.18875 | long=91.74703 | directions= | phone=+91 96133 86546 | tollfree= | hours=F&ndash;W: 10AM&ndash;8PM | price=Adult ₹10, child ₹5 | lastedit=2017-11-24 | content=This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. }} * {{see | name=Pandu Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17056 | long=91.67970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. }} * {{see | name=Shilpagram | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.13043 | long=91.82114 | directions= | phone=+91 361 213 0483 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Crafts center next to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalaksetra }} * {{see | name=Sualkuchi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17033 | long=91.57033 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Area renowned for its silk production. }} ===Museums=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Assam State Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=GNB Rd | lat=26.18531 | long=91.75181 | directions=southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. | phone=+91 361 254 0651 | tollfree= | hours=Closed on Mondays, the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and government holidays | price=Adult ₹5, child ₹2.50 | wikidata=Q4808390 | content= }} * {{see | name=Guwahati Planetarium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uzan Bazar | lat=26.19152 | long=91.75198 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Regional Science Centre and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.rscguwahati.gov.in/ | email= | address=Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara | lat=26.12032 | long=91.81553 | directions= | phone=+91 361 2363218 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5:30PM, closed on Holi and Diwali | price=Adults/Children ₹10, Students ₹5 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Shankardev Kalashetra Museum | alt=Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra | url= | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Batahguli | lat=26.13006 | long=91.8225 | directions= | phone=+91 361 233 2665 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q656636 | content=The museum is named after Srimanta Sankardeva, a famous social reformer who promoted the cultural heritage of Assam. It has exhibits of books, sculptures, paintings, costumers and other belongings associated with the Assamese tribal communities. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Anthropological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Department of Anthropology, Guwahati University | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 2470248 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on university holidays | price= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The museum preserves prehistoric crafts, weapons, basketry, jewellery among other things used by the ancient Assamese. }} ===Temples=== * {{see | name=Bhubaneswari Temple | alt=Bhubaneswari Mandir | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.16690 | long=91.70970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Janardana Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sukleshwar Hill | lat=26.18779 | long=91.74141 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Kamakhya Temple | alt=Kamrup-Kamakhya | url= | email= | address=Nilachal Hill | lat=26.16642 | long=91.70500 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. }} * {{see | name=Navagraha Temple | alt=Navagraha Mandir | url= | email= | address=Chitrasal Hill | lat=26.16282 | long=91.69480 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. }} * {{see | name=Ugra Tara Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Latashil | lat=26.18897 | long=91.75365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. }} * {{see | name=Uma Nanda Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.19677 | long=91.74483 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]] Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. }} ==Do== [[File:Accoland by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|thumb|Accoland Amusement park]] * {{do | name=Accoland | alt= | url=http://www.accoland.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Airport Rd. Amusement park. }} *North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar. ===Fairs and festivals=== * {{listing | type=do | name=Assam Tea Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=November | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The annual festival caters to more than tea lovers. In addition to tea tasting and tours of the tea gardens, visitors can enjoy jungle safaris and river rafting. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Bihu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A set of three Assamese festivals in April, October and January respectively, all of which celebrate the changing seasons. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Debaddhani Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July–August | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A three-day festival where offerings are made to the goddess of snakes, Devi Manassa. An unusual ritual takes place where possessed devotees walk on a sharp sword's edge in a trance-like state. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Technology | alt= | url=http://www.iitg.ac.in | email= | address= | lat=26.19290 | long=91.69506 | directions=around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== *'''Handicrafts''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. * '''Handlooms & Handicrafts''', the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar". * {{buy | name=Hidesign | url=http://www.hidesign.com | email= | address=Dighali Pukhuri East | lat= | long= | directions=Near High Court | phone=+91 92 0704 7683 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. }} * '''Malls'''. The city has several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons. * '''Tea Bags''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous. ===Markets=== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Uzan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Every morning, fishers come in to one of the oldest settlements in the city to sell their catch.}} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Paltan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11011881 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Literally meaning 'military market', back in the day Paltan Bazaar was the shopping hub for British sepoys. It is one of the busiest and most congested places in Guwahati. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city. * {{eat | name=City Dhaba | url= | email= | address= Bora Service, Ulubari| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dispur Dhaba | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Get Tagged | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9401057578| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Hotel Shyama | url= | email= | address=AK Azad Road, Rehabari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=G S Rd, Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Good bakery with sweets. }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=M G Rd, Riverside | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Momo Ghar | url= | email= | address= Bharalumukh| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9435019810| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Chinese }} * {{eat | name=Shaikh Brothers | url= | email= | address=Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar | lat= | long= | directions=opp. United Bank | phone=+91 36 1273 6615 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bon Jaluk | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8254063369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous Assamese thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Gam's Delicacy Restaurant| url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 2233402| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gopal Maharaj | url= | email= | address=Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864351111| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Heritage Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Silpukhuri, Chandmari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9706034838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Bora Service, Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9864982948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Maach | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9854061725 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for various fishes. }} * {{eat | name=Makhan Bhog | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mast Biryani | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Biryani restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Nashraj Restaurant | url= | email= | address=S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=inside Hotel Nova | phone=+91 361-251-9465 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. }} ===Splurge=== *{{eat | name=Barbeque Nation | url= | email= | address= Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864109282 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Mocha | url= | email= | address=Christian basti | lat= | long= | directions=near the fly over | phone=+91 8486000401 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italian restaurant }} *{{eat | name=Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty | url= | email= | address= SS Road, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 7120055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== [[File:Bahor Sungar Doi.JPG|thumb|''Bahor Sungar Doi'']] Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops. ===Pub, disco, and bar=== * {{drink | name=Cafe Copa | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Club Ozone | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ivory | url= | email= | address=Ulubari flyover | lat= | long= | directions=below Hotel Amrit Regency | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar/pub. }} * {{drink | name=The Lounge Bar | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Mazbaan | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie }} * {{drink | name=Q'Ba | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Disco }} * {{drink | name=Silver Streak | url= | email= | address=Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Terra Mayaa | url= | email= | address=Anil Plaza-2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Topaz | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Urban Mantra | url= | email= | address=Sixmile | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=XS | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners. [[File:Guwahati Street.jpg|thumb|A hotel on left]] * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brahmaputra Madhukalya | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrahmaputramadhukalya.com/ | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Six Mile | lat= | long= | directions=Near Kalakshetra | phone=+91 97060 37210 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. Breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Biswanath | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbiswanath.com/ | email= | address=M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar | lat= | long= | directions=south of the station | phone=+91 81358 09898 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1923 single | lastedit=2015-05-13 | content=Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brindavan | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrindavan.com/ | email= | address=Paltan Bazar, M E Rd | lat= | long= | directions=3 min walking distance from Rly Station | phone=+91 94350 40946 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout=noon | price=₹400/- to ₹3,500/- | content= }} * {{sleep | name=SPOT ON 72442 Hotel Suradevi | alt= | url= | email= | address=M.L.N Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Pan Bazaar | phone=+91 94353 24031 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹400 single w/private bath | content=Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Prashaanti Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361-2544475, +91-9435042063, +91-94640 83579 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-08-28 | content=The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Mahalaxmi Indo Myanmar | alt= | url=http://hotelmahalaxmi.com | email=mahalaxmiindomyanmar@gmail.com | address=G.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 260 2508 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹2514 | content=This one feels very Indian. Has a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=OYO 10571 Hotel Nova | alt= | url=http://www.novahotel.in | email= | address=1, SS Rd, Kamarpatty, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=Fancy Bazaar | phone=+91 124 620 1614 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1390 for single with no a/c | content=A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Rialto | alt= | url=http://hotelrialto.co.in/ | email= | address=GNB Rd, Pan Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=nearby Pan Bazer | phone=+91 94017 26686 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1,000-₹1,800 | content=Has that nice crumbly look like all of the other buildings around it. Buffet and breakfast here. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dynasty | url=http://www.dynastyhotel.in | email=info@dynastyhotel.in | address=S.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Lakhtokia | phone=+91 361 251 6021 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000 | content=Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Nakshatra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotelnakshatraofficial/ | email=hotelnakshatra@gmail.com | address=Beltola Tiniali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 99571 81929 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 2229720 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000 | content=Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati |alt=| url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-guwahati | email=reservations.guwahati@radisson.com | address=National Highway 37, Gotanagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 7100100 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 7100101 | checkin= | checkout= | price= |lastedit=2020-08-10| content=On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. }} * {{sleep | name=Taj Vivanta | alt= | url=https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-guwahati/ | email= | address=613, Mahapurush Sriamanta Sankradeva, Road, Khanapara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 710 6710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹6360 | lastedit=2018-04-04 | content=The rooftop pool is at the top of this tall upscale hotel tower, and you get a complimentary breakfast in the morning. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[Shillong]] is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to [[Cherrapunji]] and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station. * '''Tirupati Balaji Temple''' - The Tirupati Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting. * '''Deepor Beel''' - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali. * '''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city centre to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle. [[File:HDR The sound of silence (The road to Kamakhya).jpg|thumb|The road to the Kamakhya Temple]] * '''Kamakhya Temple''' - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minute drive from the heart of the city. * '''Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary''' - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day. * '''Resorts on Sonapur Road''' - The Sonapur Road ''(Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37'') has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort, Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings. {{geo|26.1833|91.7333}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Assam}} {{usablecity}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} ttfbjxhjtrwcvsqg3n9k3h8ebulm7c7 4506745 4506738 2022-08-23T10:15:38Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* By train */ Updated listing for Guwahati railway station wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Guwahati banner.jpg|caption=Panoramic view of Guwahati City}} '''Guwahati''', previously '''Gauhati''', is the capital<!-- capital since the article also covers Dispur --> and the largest city in the state of [[Assam]], [[North-Eastern India]]. Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India. ==Understand== Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of 2.4 million in 2020, and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main centre for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the [[North-Eastern India|north east]] as well as from [[Eastern Bhutan]]. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the city while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city, and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati. This article also covers '''Dispur''', Assam's seat of government. In 1973, Assam was reorganized to form the smaller states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]. Assam lost its capital, [[Shillong]], to Meghalaya. A search for a new capital ensued and the choice settled on Dispur, then a suburb of Guwahati. ===Climate=== Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | alt={{IATA|GAU}}; Guwahati International Airport, Borjhar Airport | url=http://www.aai.aero/guwahati/index.jsp | email= | address= | lat=26.106111 | long=91.585833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | wikidata=Q2673008 | content=A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of [[Shillong]] and [[Tura (India)|Tura]] are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min). }} ===By train=== Guwahati is well connected by train with all of India's major cities. The Guwahati Junction serves as the headquarters for the Northeast Frontier Railways. The reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at the third window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from the Northeast Frontier Railways Network. Tickets can also be booked on the [https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/ Indian Railways website]. * {{go | name=Guwahati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.182635 | long=91.751851 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5621999 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ===By car=== By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 2- to 2½-hour drive via Rangia to the [[Bhutan]]ese border town of [[Samdrup Jongkhar]]. ===By bus=== It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for [[Dibrugarh]], [[Kohima]], [[Imphal]], [[Itanagar]], [[Siliguri]]. ===By boat=== Luxurious vessels with AC upper deck connect Guwahati to [[Dibrugarh]], passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur. ==Get around== {{mapframe|staticmap=Schematic map of Guwahati City.jpg}} ===By bus=== Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, and there is air-conditioned bus service between the airport and the city. ===By auto=== Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high. ===By motorbike=== ===By ferry=== If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river. ==See== * {{see | name=Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.assamstatezoo.com/ | email=assamforest.info.assamzoo@gmail.com | address=Zoo Road, Japorigog | lat=26.16338 | long=91.78195 | directions=on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road. | phone=+91 8721857919, +91 7002716702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa-Th 8AM-4:30PM | price=Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see [http://www.assamstatezoo.com/tariff.html tariffs page] for more details | content= }} * {{see | name=Basistha Ashram | alt=Pancha Kanya Ashram | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.10421 | long=91.79040 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place of pilgrimage and a picnic spot near the Sandhychal hills south of Dispur, the seat of the state government lies at the confluence of the three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, names of the wives of legendary sage Vasistha who had set up this Ashram. It is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. }} * {{see | name=Dighali Pukhuri | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.18812 | long=91.75084 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. }} [[File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|right|thumb|Kamakhya Temple.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Nehru Park | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nehru-Park-Guwahati-1743891299259440/posts/ | email= | address=Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar | lat=26.18875 | long=91.74703 | directions= | phone=+91 96133 86546 | tollfree= | hours=F&ndash;W: 10AM&ndash;8PM | price=Adult ₹10, child ₹5 | lastedit=2017-11-24 | content=This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. }} * {{see | name=Pandu Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17056 | long=91.67970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. }} * {{see | name=Shilpagram | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.13043 | long=91.82114 | directions= | phone=+91 361 213 0483 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Crafts center next to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalaksetra }} * {{see | name=Sualkuchi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17033 | long=91.57033 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Area renowned for its silk production. }} ===Museums=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Assam State Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=GNB Rd | lat=26.18531 | long=91.75181 | directions=southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. | phone=+91 361 254 0651 | tollfree= | hours=Closed on Mondays, the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and government holidays | price=Adult ₹5, child ₹2.50 | wikidata=Q4808390 | content= }} * {{see | name=Guwahati Planetarium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uzan Bazar | lat=26.19152 | long=91.75198 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Regional Science Centre and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.rscguwahati.gov.in/ | email= | address=Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara | lat=26.12032 | long=91.81553 | directions= | phone=+91 361 2363218 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5:30PM, closed on Holi and Diwali | price=Adults/Children ₹10, Students ₹5 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Shankardev Kalashetra Museum | alt=Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra | url= | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Batahguli | lat=26.13006 | long=91.8225 | directions= | phone=+91 361 233 2665 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q656636 | content=The museum is named after Srimanta Sankardeva, a famous social reformer who promoted the cultural heritage of Assam. It has exhibits of books, sculptures, paintings, costumers and other belongings associated with the Assamese tribal communities. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Anthropological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Department of Anthropology, Guwahati University | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 2470248 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on university holidays | price= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The museum preserves prehistoric crafts, weapons, basketry, jewellery among other things used by the ancient Assamese. }} ===Temples=== * {{see | name=Bhubaneswari Temple | alt=Bhubaneswari Mandir | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.16690 | long=91.70970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Janardana Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sukleshwar Hill | lat=26.18779 | long=91.74141 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Kamakhya Temple | alt=Kamrup-Kamakhya | url= | email= | address=Nilachal Hill | lat=26.16642 | long=91.70500 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. }} * {{see | name=Navagraha Temple | alt=Navagraha Mandir | url= | email= | address=Chitrasal Hill | lat=26.16282 | long=91.69480 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. }} * {{see | name=Ugra Tara Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Latashil | lat=26.18897 | long=91.75365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. }} * {{see | name=Uma Nanda Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.19677 | long=91.74483 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]] Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. }} ==Do== [[File:Accoland by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|thumb|Accoland Amusement park]] * {{do | name=Accoland | alt= | url=http://www.accoland.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Airport Rd. Amusement park. }} *North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar. ===Fairs and festivals=== * {{listing | type=do | name=Assam Tea Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=November | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The annual festival caters to more than tea lovers. In addition to tea tasting and tours of the tea gardens, visitors can enjoy jungle safaris and river rafting. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Bihu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A set of three Assamese festivals in April, October and January respectively, all of which celebrate the changing seasons. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Debaddhani Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July–August | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A three-day festival where offerings are made to the goddess of snakes, Devi Manassa. An unusual ritual takes place where possessed devotees walk on a sharp sword's edge in a trance-like state. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Technology | alt= | url=http://www.iitg.ac.in | email= | address= | lat=26.19290 | long=91.69506 | directions=around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== *'''Handicrafts''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. * '''Handlooms & Handicrafts''', the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar". * {{buy | name=Hidesign | url=http://www.hidesign.com | email= | address=Dighali Pukhuri East | lat= | long= | directions=Near High Court | phone=+91 92 0704 7683 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. }} * '''Malls'''. The city has several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons. * '''Tea Bags''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous. ===Markets=== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Uzan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Every morning, fishers come in to one of the oldest settlements in the city to sell their catch.}} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Paltan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11011881 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Literally meaning 'military market', back in the day Paltan Bazaar was the shopping hub for British sepoys. It is one of the busiest and most congested places in Guwahati. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city. * {{eat | name=City Dhaba | url= | email= | address= Bora Service, Ulubari| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dispur Dhaba | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Get Tagged | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9401057578| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Hotel Shyama | url= | email= | address=AK Azad Road, Rehabari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=G S Rd, Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Good bakery with sweets. }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=M G Rd, Riverside | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Momo Ghar | url= | email= | address= Bharalumukh| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9435019810| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Chinese }} * {{eat | name=Shaikh Brothers | url= | email= | address=Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar | lat= | long= | directions=opp. United Bank | phone=+91 36 1273 6615 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bon Jaluk | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8254063369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous Assamese thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Gam's Delicacy Restaurant| url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 2233402| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gopal Maharaj | url= | email= | address=Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864351111| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Heritage Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Silpukhuri, Chandmari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9706034838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Bora Service, Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9864982948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Maach | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9854061725 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for various fishes. }} * {{eat | name=Makhan Bhog | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mast Biryani | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Biryani restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Nashraj Restaurant | url= | email= | address=S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=inside Hotel Nova | phone=+91 361-251-9465 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. }} ===Splurge=== *{{eat | name=Barbeque Nation | url= | email= | address= Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864109282 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Mocha | url= | email= | address=Christian basti | lat= | long= | directions=near the fly over | phone=+91 8486000401 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italian restaurant }} *{{eat | name=Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty | url= | email= | address= SS Road, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 7120055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== [[File:Bahor Sungar Doi.JPG|thumb|''Bahor Sungar Doi'']] Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops. ===Pub, disco, and bar=== * {{drink | name=Cafe Copa | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Club Ozone | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ivory | url= | email= | address=Ulubari flyover | lat= | long= | directions=below Hotel Amrit Regency | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar/pub. }} * {{drink | name=The Lounge Bar | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Mazbaan | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie }} * {{drink | name=Q'Ba | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Disco }} * {{drink | name=Silver Streak | url= | email= | address=Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Terra Mayaa | url= | email= | address=Anil Plaza-2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Topaz | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Urban Mantra | url= | email= | address=Sixmile | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=XS | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners. [[File:Guwahati Street.jpg|thumb|A hotel on left]] * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brahmaputra Madhukalya | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrahmaputramadhukalya.com/ | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Six Mile | lat= | long= | directions=Near Kalakshetra | phone=+91 97060 37210 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. Breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Biswanath | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbiswanath.com/ | email= | address=M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar | lat= | long= | directions=south of the station | phone=+91 81358 09898 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1923 single | lastedit=2015-05-13 | content=Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brindavan | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrindavan.com/ | email= | address=Paltan Bazar, M E Rd | lat= | long= | directions=3 min walking distance from Rly Station | phone=+91 94350 40946 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout=noon | price=₹400/- to ₹3,500/- | content= }} * {{sleep | name=SPOT ON 72442 Hotel Suradevi | alt= | url= | email= | address=M.L.N Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Pan Bazaar | phone=+91 94353 24031 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹400 single w/private bath | content=Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Prashaanti Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361-2544475, +91-9435042063, +91-94640 83579 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-08-28 | content=The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Mahalaxmi Indo Myanmar | alt= | url=http://hotelmahalaxmi.com | email=mahalaxmiindomyanmar@gmail.com | address=G.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 260 2508 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹2514 | content=This one feels very Indian. Has a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=OYO 10571 Hotel Nova | alt= | url=http://www.novahotel.in | email= | address=1, SS Rd, Kamarpatty, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=Fancy Bazaar | phone=+91 124 620 1614 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1390 for single with no a/c | content=A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Rialto | alt= | url=http://hotelrialto.co.in/ | email= | address=GNB Rd, Pan Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=nearby Pan Bazer | phone=+91 94017 26686 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1,000-₹1,800 | content=Has that nice crumbly look like all of the other buildings around it. Buffet and breakfast here. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dynasty | url=http://www.dynastyhotel.in | email=info@dynastyhotel.in | address=S.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Lakhtokia | phone=+91 361 251 6021 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000 | content=Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Nakshatra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotelnakshatraofficial/ | email=hotelnakshatra@gmail.com | address=Beltola Tiniali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 99571 81929 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 2229720 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000 | content=Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati |alt=| url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-guwahati | email=reservations.guwahati@radisson.com | address=National Highway 37, Gotanagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 7100100 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 7100101 | checkin= | checkout= | price= |lastedit=2020-08-10| content=On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. }} * {{sleep | name=Taj Vivanta | alt= | url=https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-guwahati/ | email= | address=613, Mahapurush Sriamanta Sankradeva, Road, Khanapara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 710 6710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹6360 | lastedit=2018-04-04 | content=The rooftop pool is at the top of this tall upscale hotel tower, and you get a complimentary breakfast in the morning. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[Shillong]] is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to [[Cherrapunji]] and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station. * '''Tirupati Balaji Temple''' - The Tirupati Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting. * '''Deepor Beel''' - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali. * '''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city centre to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle. [[File:HDR The sound of silence (The road to Kamakhya).jpg|thumb|The road to the Kamakhya Temple]] * '''Kamakhya Temple''' - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minute drive from the heart of the city. * '''Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary''' - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day. * '''Resorts on Sonapur Road''' - The Sonapur Road ''(Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37'') has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort, Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings. {{geo|26.1833|91.7333}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Assam}} {{usablecity}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} sblf6em4prnd1gh9v9offylutsy0e0w 4506747 4506745 2022-08-23T10:16:57Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* By train */ Added listing for Kamakhya Junction railway station wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Guwahati banner.jpg|caption=Panoramic view of Guwahati City}} '''Guwahati''', previously '''Gauhati''', is the capital<!-- capital since the article also covers Dispur --> and the largest city in the state of [[Assam]], [[North-Eastern India]]. Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India. ==Understand== Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of 2.4 million in 2020, and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main centre for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the [[North-Eastern India|north east]] as well as from [[Eastern Bhutan]]. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the city while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city, and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati. This article also covers '''Dispur''', Assam's seat of government. In 1973, Assam was reorganized to form the smaller states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]. Assam lost its capital, [[Shillong]], to Meghalaya. A search for a new capital ensued and the choice settled on Dispur, then a suburb of Guwahati. ===Climate=== Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | alt={{IATA|GAU}}; Guwahati International Airport, Borjhar Airport | url=http://www.aai.aero/guwahati/index.jsp | email= | address= | lat=26.106111 | long=91.585833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | wikidata=Q2673008 | content=A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of [[Shillong]] and [[Tura (India)|Tura]] are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min). }} ===By train=== Guwahati is well connected by train with all of India's major cities. The Guwahati Junction serves as the headquarters for the Northeast Frontier Railways. The reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at the third window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from the Northeast Frontier Railways Network. Tickets can also be booked on the [https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/ Indian Railways website]. * {{go | name=Guwahati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.182635 | long=91.751851 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5621999 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{go | name=Kamakhya Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.1571 | long=91.6907 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12419209 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ===By car=== By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 2- to 2½-hour drive via Rangia to the [[Bhutan]]ese border town of [[Samdrup Jongkhar]]. ===By bus=== It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for [[Dibrugarh]], [[Kohima]], [[Imphal]], [[Itanagar]], [[Siliguri]]. ===By boat=== Luxurious vessels with AC upper deck connect Guwahati to [[Dibrugarh]], passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur. ==Get around== {{mapframe|staticmap=Schematic map of Guwahati City.jpg}} ===By bus=== Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, and there is air-conditioned bus service between the airport and the city. ===By auto=== Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high. ===By motorbike=== ===By ferry=== If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river. ==See== * {{see | name=Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.assamstatezoo.com/ | email=assamforest.info.assamzoo@gmail.com | address=Zoo Road, Japorigog | lat=26.16338 | long=91.78195 | directions=on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road. | phone=+91 8721857919, +91 7002716702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa-Th 8AM-4:30PM | price=Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see [http://www.assamstatezoo.com/tariff.html tariffs page] for more details | content= }} * {{see | name=Basistha Ashram | alt=Pancha Kanya Ashram | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.10421 | long=91.79040 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place of pilgrimage and a picnic spot near the Sandhychal hills south of Dispur, the seat of the state government lies at the confluence of the three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, names of the wives of legendary sage Vasistha who had set up this Ashram. It is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. }} * {{see | name=Dighali Pukhuri | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.18812 | long=91.75084 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. }} [[File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|right|thumb|Kamakhya Temple.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Nehru Park | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nehru-Park-Guwahati-1743891299259440/posts/ | email= | address=Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar | lat=26.18875 | long=91.74703 | directions= | phone=+91 96133 86546 | tollfree= | hours=F&ndash;W: 10AM&ndash;8PM | price=Adult ₹10, child ₹5 | lastedit=2017-11-24 | content=This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. }} * {{see | name=Pandu Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17056 | long=91.67970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. }} * {{see | name=Shilpagram | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.13043 | long=91.82114 | directions= | phone=+91 361 213 0483 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Crafts center next to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalaksetra }} * {{see | name=Sualkuchi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17033 | long=91.57033 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Area renowned for its silk production. }} ===Museums=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Assam State Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=GNB Rd | lat=26.18531 | long=91.75181 | directions=southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. | phone=+91 361 254 0651 | tollfree= | hours=Closed on Mondays, the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and government holidays | price=Adult ₹5, child ₹2.50 | wikidata=Q4808390 | content= }} * {{see | name=Guwahati Planetarium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uzan Bazar | lat=26.19152 | long=91.75198 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Regional Science Centre and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.rscguwahati.gov.in/ | email= | address=Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara | lat=26.12032 | long=91.81553 | directions= | phone=+91 361 2363218 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5:30PM, closed on Holi and Diwali | price=Adults/Children ₹10, Students ₹5 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Shankardev Kalashetra Museum | alt=Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra | url= | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Batahguli | lat=26.13006 | long=91.8225 | directions= | phone=+91 361 233 2665 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q656636 | content=The museum is named after Srimanta Sankardeva, a famous social reformer who promoted the cultural heritage of Assam. It has exhibits of books, sculptures, paintings, costumers and other belongings associated with the Assamese tribal communities. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Anthropological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Department of Anthropology, Guwahati University | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 2470248 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on university holidays | price= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The museum preserves prehistoric crafts, weapons, basketry, jewellery among other things used by the ancient Assamese. }} ===Temples=== * {{see | name=Bhubaneswari Temple | alt=Bhubaneswari Mandir | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.16690 | long=91.70970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Janardana Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sukleshwar Hill | lat=26.18779 | long=91.74141 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Kamakhya Temple | alt=Kamrup-Kamakhya | url= | email= | address=Nilachal Hill | lat=26.16642 | long=91.70500 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. }} * {{see | name=Navagraha Temple | alt=Navagraha Mandir | url= | email= | address=Chitrasal Hill | lat=26.16282 | long=91.69480 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. }} * {{see | name=Ugra Tara Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Latashil | lat=26.18897 | long=91.75365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. }} * {{see | name=Uma Nanda Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.19677 | long=91.74483 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]] Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. }} ==Do== [[File:Accoland by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|thumb|Accoland Amusement park]] * {{do | name=Accoland | alt= | url=http://www.accoland.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Airport Rd. Amusement park. }} *North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar. ===Fairs and festivals=== * {{listing | type=do | name=Assam Tea Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=November | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The annual festival caters to more than tea lovers. In addition to tea tasting and tours of the tea gardens, visitors can enjoy jungle safaris and river rafting. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Bihu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A set of three Assamese festivals in April, October and January respectively, all of which celebrate the changing seasons. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Debaddhani Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July–August | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A three-day festival where offerings are made to the goddess of snakes, Devi Manassa. An unusual ritual takes place where possessed devotees walk on a sharp sword's edge in a trance-like state. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Technology | alt= | url=http://www.iitg.ac.in | email= | address= | lat=26.19290 | long=91.69506 | directions=around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== *'''Handicrafts''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. * '''Handlooms & Handicrafts''', the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar". * {{buy | name=Hidesign | url=http://www.hidesign.com | email= | address=Dighali Pukhuri East | lat= | long= | directions=Near High Court | phone=+91 92 0704 7683 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. }} * '''Malls'''. The city has several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons. * '''Tea Bags''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous. ===Markets=== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Uzan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Every morning, fishers come in to one of the oldest settlements in the city to sell their catch.}} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Paltan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11011881 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Literally meaning 'military market', back in the day Paltan Bazaar was the shopping hub for British sepoys. It is one of the busiest and most congested places in Guwahati. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city. * {{eat | name=City Dhaba | url= | email= | address= Bora Service, Ulubari| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dispur Dhaba | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Get Tagged | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9401057578| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Hotel Shyama | url= | email= | address=AK Azad Road, Rehabari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=G S Rd, Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Good bakery with sweets. }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=M G Rd, Riverside | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Momo Ghar | url= | email= | address= Bharalumukh| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9435019810| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Chinese }} * {{eat | name=Shaikh Brothers | url= | email= | address=Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar | lat= | long= | directions=opp. United Bank | phone=+91 36 1273 6615 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bon Jaluk | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8254063369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous Assamese thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Gam's Delicacy Restaurant| url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 2233402| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gopal Maharaj | url= | email= | address=Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864351111| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Heritage Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Silpukhuri, Chandmari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9706034838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Bora Service, Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9864982948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Maach | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9854061725 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for various fishes. }} * {{eat | name=Makhan Bhog | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mast Biryani | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Biryani restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Nashraj Restaurant | url= | email= | address=S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=inside Hotel Nova | phone=+91 361-251-9465 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. }} ===Splurge=== *{{eat | name=Barbeque Nation | url= | email= | address= Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864109282 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Mocha | url= | email= | address=Christian basti | lat= | long= | directions=near the fly over | phone=+91 8486000401 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italian restaurant }} *{{eat | name=Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty | url= | email= | address= SS Road, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 7120055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== [[File:Bahor Sungar Doi.JPG|thumb|''Bahor Sungar Doi'']] Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops. ===Pub, disco, and bar=== * {{drink | name=Cafe Copa | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Club Ozone | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ivory | url= | email= | address=Ulubari flyover | lat= | long= | directions=below Hotel Amrit Regency | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar/pub. }} * {{drink | name=The Lounge Bar | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Mazbaan | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie }} * {{drink | name=Q'Ba | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Disco }} * {{drink | name=Silver Streak | url= | email= | address=Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Terra Mayaa | url= | email= | address=Anil Plaza-2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Topaz | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Urban Mantra | url= | email= | address=Sixmile | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=XS | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners. [[File:Guwahati Street.jpg|thumb|A hotel on left]] * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brahmaputra Madhukalya | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrahmaputramadhukalya.com/ | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Six Mile | lat= | long= | directions=Near Kalakshetra | phone=+91 97060 37210 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. Breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Biswanath | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbiswanath.com/ | email= | address=M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar | lat= | long= | directions=south of the station | phone=+91 81358 09898 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1923 single | lastedit=2015-05-13 | content=Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brindavan | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrindavan.com/ | email= | address=Paltan Bazar, M E Rd | lat= | long= | directions=3 min walking distance from Rly Station | phone=+91 94350 40946 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout=noon | price=₹400/- to ₹3,500/- | content= }} * {{sleep | name=SPOT ON 72442 Hotel Suradevi | alt= | url= | email= | address=M.L.N Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Pan Bazaar | phone=+91 94353 24031 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹400 single w/private bath | content=Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Prashaanti Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361-2544475, +91-9435042063, +91-94640 83579 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-08-28 | content=The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Mahalaxmi Indo Myanmar | alt= | url=http://hotelmahalaxmi.com | email=mahalaxmiindomyanmar@gmail.com | address=G.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 260 2508 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹2514 | content=This one feels very Indian. Has a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=OYO 10571 Hotel Nova | alt= | url=http://www.novahotel.in | email= | address=1, SS Rd, Kamarpatty, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=Fancy Bazaar | phone=+91 124 620 1614 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1390 for single with no a/c | content=A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Rialto | alt= | url=http://hotelrialto.co.in/ | email= | address=GNB Rd, Pan Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=nearby Pan Bazer | phone=+91 94017 26686 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1,000-₹1,800 | content=Has that nice crumbly look like all of the other buildings around it. Buffet and breakfast here. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dynasty | url=http://www.dynastyhotel.in | email=info@dynastyhotel.in | address=S.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Lakhtokia | phone=+91 361 251 6021 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000 | content=Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Nakshatra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotelnakshatraofficial/ | email=hotelnakshatra@gmail.com | address=Beltola Tiniali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 99571 81929 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 2229720 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000 | content=Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati |alt=| url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-guwahati | email=reservations.guwahati@radisson.com | address=National Highway 37, Gotanagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 7100100 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 7100101 | checkin= | checkout= | price= |lastedit=2020-08-10| content=On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. }} * {{sleep | name=Taj Vivanta | alt= | url=https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-guwahati/ | email= | address=613, Mahapurush Sriamanta Sankradeva, Road, Khanapara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 710 6710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹6360 | lastedit=2018-04-04 | content=The rooftop pool is at the top of this tall upscale hotel tower, and you get a complimentary breakfast in the morning. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[Shillong]] is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to [[Cherrapunji]] and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station. * '''Tirupati Balaji Temple''' - The Tirupati Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting. * '''Deepor Beel''' - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali. * '''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city centre to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle. [[File:HDR The sound of silence (The road to Kamakhya).jpg|thumb|The road to the Kamakhya Temple]] * '''Kamakhya Temple''' - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minute drive from the heart of the city. * '''Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary''' - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day. * '''Resorts on Sonapur Road''' - The Sonapur Road ''(Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37'') has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort, Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings. {{geo|26.1833|91.7333}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Assam}} {{usablecity}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} fjihuos7uupuia5qb2bcef4yr382egl 4506756 4506747 2022-08-23T10:23:30Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Learn */ Updated listing for Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Guwahati banner.jpg|caption=Panoramic view of Guwahati City}} '''Guwahati''', previously '''Gauhati''', is the capital<!-- capital since the article also covers Dispur --> and the largest city in the state of [[Assam]], [[North-Eastern India]]. Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India. ==Understand== Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of 2.4 million in 2020, and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main centre for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the [[North-Eastern India|north east]] as well as from [[Eastern Bhutan]]. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the city while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city, and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati. This article also covers '''Dispur''', Assam's seat of government. In 1973, Assam was reorganized to form the smaller states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Mizoram]]. Assam lost its capital, [[Shillong]], to Meghalaya. A search for a new capital ensued and the choice settled on Dispur, then a suburb of Guwahati. ===Climate=== Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often. ==Get in== ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | alt={{IATA|GAU}}; Guwahati International Airport, Borjhar Airport | url=http://www.aai.aero/guwahati/index.jsp | email= | address= | lat=26.106111 | long=91.585833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | wikidata=Q2673008 | content=A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of [[Shillong]] and [[Tura (India)|Tura]] are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min). }} ===By train=== Guwahati is well connected by train with all of India's major cities. The Guwahati Junction serves as the headquarters for the Northeast Frontier Railways. The reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at the third window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from the Northeast Frontier Railways Network. Tickets can also be booked on the [https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/ Indian Railways website]. * {{go | name=Guwahati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.182635 | long=91.751851 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5621999 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{go | name=Kamakhya Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.1571 | long=91.6907 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12419209 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ===By car=== By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 2- to 2½-hour drive via Rangia to the [[Bhutan]]ese border town of [[Samdrup Jongkhar]]. ===By bus=== It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for [[Dibrugarh]], [[Kohima]], [[Imphal]], [[Itanagar]], [[Siliguri]]. ===By boat=== Luxurious vessels with AC upper deck connect Guwahati to [[Dibrugarh]], passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur. ==Get around== {{mapframe|staticmap=Schematic map of Guwahati City.jpg}} ===By bus=== Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, and there is air-conditioned bus service between the airport and the city. ===By auto=== Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high. ===By motorbike=== ===By ferry=== If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river. ==See== * {{see | name=Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.assamstatezoo.com/ | email=assamforest.info.assamzoo@gmail.com | address=Zoo Road, Japorigog | lat=26.16338 | long=91.78195 | directions=on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road. | phone=+91 8721857919, +91 7002716702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa-Th 8AM-4:30PM | price=Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see [http://www.assamstatezoo.com/tariff.html tariffs page] for more details | content= }} * {{see | name=Basistha Ashram | alt=Pancha Kanya Ashram | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.10421 | long=91.79040 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place of pilgrimage and a picnic spot near the Sandhychal hills south of Dispur, the seat of the state government lies at the confluence of the three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, names of the wives of legendary sage Vasistha who had set up this Ashram. It is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. }} * {{see | name=Dighali Pukhuri | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.18812 | long=91.75084 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. }} [[File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|right|thumb|Kamakhya Temple.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Nehru Park | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nehru-Park-Guwahati-1743891299259440/posts/ | email= | address=Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar | lat=26.18875 | long=91.74703 | directions= | phone=+91 96133 86546 | tollfree= | hours=F&ndash;W: 10AM&ndash;8PM | price=Adult ₹10, child ₹5 | lastedit=2017-11-24 | content=This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. }} * {{see | name=Pandu Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17056 | long=91.67970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. }} * {{see | name=Shilpagram | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dispur | lat=26.13043 | long=91.82114 | directions= | phone=+91 361 213 0483 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Crafts center next to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalaksetra }} * {{see | name=Sualkuchi | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.17033 | long=91.57033 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Area renowned for its silk production. }} ===Museums=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Assam State Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=GNB Rd | lat=26.18531 | long=91.75181 | directions=southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. | phone=+91 361 254 0651 | tollfree= | hours=Closed on Mondays, the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and government holidays | price=Adult ₹5, child ₹2.50 | wikidata=Q4808390 | content= }} * {{see | name=Guwahati Planetarium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Uzan Bazar | lat=26.19152 | long=91.75198 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Regional Science Centre and Museum | alt= | url=http://www.rscguwahati.gov.in/ | email= | address=Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara | lat=26.12032 | long=91.81553 | directions= | phone=+91 361 2363218 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5:30PM, closed on Holi and Diwali | price=Adults/Children ₹10, Students ₹5 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Shankardev Kalashetra Museum | alt=Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra | url= | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Batahguli | lat=26.13006 | long=91.8225 | directions= | phone=+91 361 233 2665 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q656636 | content=The museum is named after Srimanta Sankardeva, a famous social reformer who promoted the cultural heritage of Assam. It has exhibits of books, sculptures, paintings, costumers and other belongings associated with the Assamese tribal communities. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Anthropological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Department of Anthropology, Guwahati University | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 2470248 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on university holidays | price= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The museum preserves prehistoric crafts, weapons, basketry, jewellery among other things used by the ancient Assamese. }} ===Temples=== * {{see | name=Bhubaneswari Temple | alt=Bhubaneswari Mandir | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.16690 | long=91.70970 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Janardana Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sukleshwar Hill | lat=26.18779 | long=91.74141 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Kamakhya Temple | alt=Kamrup-Kamakhya | url= | email= | address=Nilachal Hill | lat=26.16642 | long=91.70500 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. }} * {{see | name=Navagraha Temple | alt=Navagraha Mandir | url= | email= | address=Chitrasal Hill | lat=26.16282 | long=91.69480 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. }} * {{see | name=Ugra Tara Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Latashil | lat=26.18897 | long=91.75365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. }} * {{see | name=Uma Nanda Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.19677 | long=91.74483 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]] Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. }} ==Do== [[File:Accoland by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|thumb|Accoland Amusement park]] * {{do | name=Accoland | alt= | url=http://www.accoland.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Airport Rd. Amusement park. }} *North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar. ===Fairs and festivals=== * {{listing | type=do | name=Assam Tea Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=November | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=The annual festival caters to more than tea lovers. In addition to tea tasting and tours of the tea gardens, visitors can enjoy jungle safaris and river rafting. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Bihu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A set of three Assamese festivals in April, October and January respectively, all of which celebrate the changing seasons. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Debaddhani Festival | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July–August | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=A three-day festival where offerings are made to the goddess of snakes, Devi Manassa. An unusual ritual takes place where possessed devotees walk on a sharp sword's edge in a trance-like state. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati | alt=IIT Guwahati | url=http://www.iitg.ac.in | email= | address= | lat=26.187222 | long=91.691667 | directions=around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3518863 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Buy== *'''Handicrafts''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. * '''Handlooms & Handicrafts''', the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar". * {{buy | name=Hidesign | url=http://www.hidesign.com | email= | address=Dighali Pukhuri East | lat= | long= | directions=Near High Court | phone=+91 92 0704 7683 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. }} * '''Malls'''. The city has several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons. * '''Tea Bags''', of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous. ===Markets=== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Uzan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Every morning, fishers come in to one of the oldest settlements in the city to sell their catch.}} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Paltan Bazaar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11011881 | lastedit=2020-02-01 | content=Literally meaning 'military market', back in the day Paltan Bazaar was the shopping hub for British sepoys. It is one of the busiest and most congested places in Guwahati. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city. * {{eat | name=City Dhaba | url= | email= | address= Bora Service, Ulubari| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dispur Dhaba | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Get Tagged | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9401057578| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Hotel Shyama | url= | email= | address=AK Azad Road, Rehabari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=G S Rd, Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Good bakery with sweets. }} * {{eat | name=JBs | url= | email= | address=M G Rd, Riverside | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Momo Ghar | url= | email= | address= Bharalumukh| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9435019810| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Chinese }} * {{eat | name=Shaikh Brothers | url= | email= | address=Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar | lat= | long= | directions=opp. United Bank | phone=+91 36 1273 6615 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bon Jaluk | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8254063369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous Assamese thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Gam's Delicacy Restaurant| url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 2233402| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gopal Maharaj | url= | email= | address=Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864351111| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Heritage Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Silpukhuri, Chandmari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9706034838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Khorikaa | url= | email= | address=Bora Service, Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9864982948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. }} * {{eat | name=Maach | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 9854061725 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Famous for various fishes. }} * {{eat | name=Makhan Bhog | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Mast Biryani | url= | email= | address= Zoo Road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Biryani restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Nashraj Restaurant | url= | email= | address=S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=inside Hotel Nova | phone=+91 361-251-9465 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. }} ===Splurge=== *{{eat | name=Barbeque Nation | url= | email= | address= Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 9864109282 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Mocha | url= | email= | address=Christian basti | lat= | long= | directions=near the fly over | phone=+91 8486000401 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italian restaurant }} *{{eat | name=Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty | url= | email= | address= SS Road, Fancy Bazar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 361 7120055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== [[File:Bahor Sungar Doi.JPG|thumb|''Bahor Sungar Doi'']] Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops. ===Pub, disco, and bar=== * {{drink | name=Cafe Copa | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Club Ozone | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ivory | url= | email= | address=Ulubari flyover | lat= | long= | directions=below Hotel Amrit Regency | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar/pub. }} * {{drink | name=The Lounge Bar | url= | email= | address=Christian Basti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Mazbaan | url= | email= | address=Ganeshguri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie }} * {{drink | name=Q'Ba | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Disco }} * {{drink | name=Silver Streak | url= | email= | address=Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Terra Mayaa | url= | email= | address=Anil Plaza-2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Topaz | url= | email= | address=Ulubari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Urban Mantra | url= | email= | address=Sixmile | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=XS | url= | email= | address=GS Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners. [[File:Guwahati Street.jpg|thumb|A hotel on left]] * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brahmaputra Madhukalya | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrahmaputramadhukalya.com/ | email= | address=Panjabari Rd, Six Mile | lat= | long= | directions=Near Kalakshetra | phone=+91 97060 37210 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. Breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Biswanath | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbiswanath.com/ | email= | address=M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar | lat= | long= | directions=south of the station | phone=+91 81358 09898 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1923 single | lastedit=2015-05-13 | content=Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Brindavan | alt= | url=http://www.hotelbrindavan.com/ | email= | address=Paltan Bazar, M E Rd | lat= | long= | directions=3 min walking distance from Rly Station | phone=+91 94350 40946 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout=noon | price=₹400/- to ₹3,500/- | content= }} * {{sleep | name=SPOT ON 72442 Hotel Suradevi | alt= | url= | email= | address=M.L.N Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Pan Bazaar | phone=+91 94353 24031 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹400 single w/private bath | content=Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Prashaanti Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361-2544475, +91-9435042063, +91-94640 83579 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-08-28 | content=The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Mahalaxmi Indo Myanmar | alt= | url=http://hotelmahalaxmi.com | email=mahalaxmiindomyanmar@gmail.com | address=G.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 260 2508 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹2514 | content=This one feels very Indian. Has a restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=OYO 10571 Hotel Nova | alt= | url=http://www.novahotel.in | email= | address=1, SS Rd, Kamarpatty, Fancy Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=Fancy Bazaar | phone=+91 124 620 1614 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1390 for single with no a/c | content=A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Rialto | alt= | url=http://hotelrialto.co.in/ | email= | address=GNB Rd, Pan Bazaar | lat= | long= | directions=nearby Pan Bazer | phone=+91 94017 26686 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹1,000-₹1,800 | content=Has that nice crumbly look like all of the other buildings around it. Buffet and breakfast here. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dynasty | url=http://www.dynastyhotel.in | email=info@dynastyhotel.in | address=S.S. Rd | lat= | long= | directions=Lakhtokia | phone=+91 361 251 6021 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000 | content=Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Nakshatra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotelnakshatraofficial/ | email=hotelnakshatra@gmail.com | address=Beltola Tiniali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 99571 81929 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 2229720 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000 | content=Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. }} * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati |alt=| url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-guwahati | email=reservations.guwahati@radisson.com | address=National Highway 37, Gotanagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 7100100 | tollfree= | fax=+91 361 7100101 | checkin= | checkout= | price= |lastedit=2020-08-10| content=On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. }} * {{sleep | name=Taj Vivanta | alt= | url=https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-guwahati/ | email= | address=613, Mahapurush Sriamanta Sankradeva, Road, Khanapara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 361 710 6710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹6360 | lastedit=2018-04-04 | content=The rooftop pool is at the top of this tall upscale hotel tower, and you get a complimentary breakfast in the morning. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[Shillong]] is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to [[Cherrapunji]] and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station. * '''Tirupati Balaji Temple''' - The Tirupati Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting. * '''Deepor Beel''' - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali. * '''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city centre to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle. [[File:HDR The sound of silence (The road to Kamakhya).jpg|thumb|The road to the Kamakhya Temple]] * '''Kamakhya Temple''' - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minute drive from the heart of the city. * '''Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary''' - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day. * '''Resorts on Sonapur Road''' - The Sonapur Road ''(Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37'') has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort, Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings. {{geo|26.1833|91.7333}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Assam}} {{usablecity}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} oxe0dk1jjnclrraqm4bxgeiivpvwwf9 0 14676 4506686 4500220 2022-08-23T08:55:51Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* States and union territories */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} The '''Himalayan North''' region comprises the two states and two union territories of [[India]] situated at the northernmost [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] mountain: [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Ladakh]] and [[Uttarakhand]]. Eastern parts of Himalayan India are in the northern sections of [[Eastern India]] and [[North-Eastern India]], which have their own regional articles. ==States and union territories== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Himalayan North WV.png | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Jammu and Kashmir]] | region1color=#69999f | region1description=With its mountains and lakes, this is a popular destination with travellers, although the conflict escalation between Pakistan and India has decreased its popularity. | region2name=[[Ladakh]] | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2description=Ladakh was an independent kingdom for centuries and still with its own culture. Offering much in the way of sightseeing, and trekking it's not to be missed. | region3name=[[Himachal Pradesh]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3description=A pleasant, laid back, predominantly Hindu state, with a Tibetan refugee population; popular with tourists. | region4name= [[Uttarakhand]] | region4color=#71b37b | region4description=The source of the Ganges, it has a number of pilgrimage sites. }} * [[Azad Kashmir]] and [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] are claimed by India to be parts of [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] respectively, although they are administered by [[Pakistan]]. Since Wikivoyage articles are written in a travel point of view, these Pakistani territories are not included in the Himalayan North region. {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t1}}|title=[[Jammu and Kashmir]]|wikidata=Q66278313}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t2}}|title=[[Ladakh]]|wikidata=Q200667}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t3}}|title=[[Himachal Pradesh]]|wikidata=Q1177}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t4}}|title=[[Uttarakhand]]|wikidata=Q1499}} ==Cities== Here are nine of the most notable cities. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=12 | name=[[Bharmour]] | lat=32.44285 | long=76.53293 | image=Bharmour.jpg |wikidata=Q4901297}} &mdash; famous for Chaurasi Temple and the Hindu pilgrimage of Mani Mahesh *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dehradun]]|lat=30.32295|long=78.03168|image=Robbers_Cave%2C_Dehradun.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q199528}} &mdash; the capital of Uttarakhand *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dharamsala]]| lat=32.21904 | long=76.32340| image=Dharamsala_View.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q186182}} &mdash; a city popular amongst the backpacker community and where the Dalai Lama resides *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Haridwar]]| lat=29.956 | long=78.17| image=Haridwar_HariKiPairi.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q273030}} &mdash; a holy city for Hindus, where the Ganges river emerges from the hills to the plains * {{marker|type=city|zoom=15| name=[[Jammu]] | lat=32.71 | long=74.86 | image=View_of_Jammu_city_and_the_Tawi_River.jpg|wikidata=Q255455}} &mdash; the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Leh]]| lat=34.15259 | long=77.57705| image=Leh.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q230818}} &mdash; a bustling tourist town, large numbers of Kashmiri traders. One of the two capital towns of Ladakh, with another being [[Kargil]]. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Manali]]| lat=32.23963 | long=77.18871| image=KULLU_Manali.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83443}}&mdash; a quiet picturesque town set in mountainous region by day, hosts many a rave at night *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Shimla]]| lat=31.10410 | long=77.17102| image=ShimlaRW1.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83786}} &mdash; the summer capital of former [[British Raj|British India]], modern India with English architecture *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Srinagar]]| lat=34.090000 | long=74.790000| image=Dal_Lake_in_evening.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q170115}} &mdash; the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Famous for Dal Lake and in a valley surrounded by the picturesque Himalayas ==Other destinations== [[File:Mountain peaks, Lahul.jpg|thumb|Mountains in [[Lahaul and Spiti]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]]] * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Great Himalayan National Park]] | lat=31.80241 | long=77.69942 | image=Common_Yellow_Swallowtail_-_Papilio_machaon_I_IMG_6962.jpg |wikidata=Q1544213}}, [[Himachal Pradesh]] &mdash; located in the [[hill station]] of [[Kullu]] is home to many species of wildlife. Virtually pristine forests and alpine meadows, this fragile region makes this park a wonderful destination. The national park has also been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Hemis National Park | lat=33.75632 | long=77.28333 | image= }} (Hemis High Altitude Park), [[Ladakh]] &mdash; home to several endangered mammals including the snow leopard. The Tibetan wolf and golden eagle can also be found in the park. The Rumbak Valley offers opportunities for bird-watching. Snow trekking is popular here. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Kishtwar National Park | lat=33.61785 | long=75.99277 | image= }}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; located in the Kishtwar district, this park has rugged and steep terrain, with narrow valleys leading to glaciers. This park provides habitat for the Himalayan Snowcock and the brown bear. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Nanda Devi National Park]] | lat=30.37639 | long=79.96966 | image=Nanda_devi.jpg |wikidata=Q1648266}} [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; surrounded by high ridges and the Rishi Glacier, this park is home for some large mammals (ie. Himilayan musk deer), carnivores (ie. Snow leopard) and birds in a land with diverse vegetation * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Valley of Flowers National Park]]|lat=30.72804|long=79.60530|zoom=12|wikidata=Q605897}}, [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; a park valley of wild flowers designated a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Gulmarg]]|lat=|long=|zoom=12|wikidata=Q1025272}}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; a hill station with lush green meadows and snow during winter. ==Understand== After the heat and chaos in the big cities of the [[Plains (India)|Plains]], the Indian Himalayas make a relaxing change. Some foreign travelers make visiting this region their sole purpose for coming to India, and it is a popular destination for Indians as well. The Himalayan North, being the abode of the gods and the origin of Hinduism's holy rivers, is one of the most ancient travel destinations in the country. Pilgrims have been visiting this place for centuries. The British, conquering India before air conditioning, found themselves defeated by the Indian summer. As a result, they had to take refuge in '''hill stations''' to escape the heat. This region, because of its proximity to [[Delhi]], had the largest concentration of hill stations. The largest among these, [[Shimla]], was the '''summer capital''' of British India. Shimla and other cities like [[Mussoorie]] and [[Dalhousie (India)|Dalhousie]] still retain their charming colonial atmosphere. The [[Kashmir Valley]] is used to be the honeymoon destination of choice for those who could afford it. However, it has been afflicted by violence by insurgents, terrorists and the Indian Army since the late 1980s. ==Talk== [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] are understood throughout the region either as a primary or secondary language. English is widely understood, especially in the more touristed parts. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Despite its altitude, there are eight domestic airports and one international airport in the Himalayan North region. However, there are problems of [[altitude sickness]] if travellers get in the region by plane. * Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant Airport ({{IATA|DED}}) at [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Jammu Airport ({{IATA|IXJ}}) at [[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] * Kangra Airport ({{IATA|DHM}}) at [[Kangra]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kullu–Manali Airport ({{IATA|KUU}}) at [[Kullu]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport ({{IATA|IXL}}) at [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]] * Pantnagar Airport ({{IATA|PGH}}) at [[Pantnagar]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Pithoragarh Airport or Naini Saini Airport ({{IATA|NNS}}) at [[Pithoragarh]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Shimla Airport ({{IATA|SLV}}) at [[Shimla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport ({{IATA|SXR}}) at [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] ===By bus=== The Himalayan North is well connected to the Plains by bus. ===By train=== [[Dehradun]], [[Jammu]] and [[Shimla]] are primary railheads of the region. ==Get around== ===By bus=== This is the main way to get around the Himalayan north, the only choice in many places. The winding roads and steep slopes make for some nerve wracking moments; but the views more than make up for it. ===By train=== Being a mountainous region there are very few rail lines, with [[Jammu and Kashmir]] being least connected with railway. However, there is a "toy train" service that connects Kalka and Shimla. In its day, this single gauge line was a remarkable engineering feat, but now it makes for a slow and beautiful tourist route. ==See== [[File:Nainital lake in the morning.jpg|thumb|Nainital lake in Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand]] This is an extremely picturesque area of the country, with much natural beauty. As a region that borders on [[Tibet]], it also has Tibetan-style Buddhist temples, especially in [[Dharamsala]], where the Dalai Lama and many of his followers set up a kind of "free Tibet" in exile, but also in the union territory of [[Ladakh]], which has a home-grown but Tibetan-influenced Buddhism. In addition, [[Uttarakhand]] contains the sources of the Ganges, Hinduism's holiest river, which runs past the state's holy cities of [[Dehradun]], [[Rishikesh]] and [[Haridwar]]. [[Himachal Pradesh]] features the [[hill station]] of [[Shimla]], which was a great favourite of Britons during the [[British Raj]], while the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, [[Srinagar]], with its breathtaking location in the [[Kashmir Valley]] surrounded by high Himalayan peaks and its famous Dal Lake, though probably too big to be thought of as a hill station, is a very beautiful place to fly to to cool off during the hot summer months in the [[Plains (India)|Plains]]. ==Do== This region is very appealing for devotees of outdoor sports, including hiking, mountain-climbing and whitewater rafting. Another thing you can do is to study Tibetan Buddhism and sit zazen in Dharamsala or study yoga in Rishikesh. ==Eat== North Indian cuisine and ethnic Ladakhi cuisine has a major influence in this region. Most people in the region follow vegetarianism as many holy sites are located here. Ladakh has a unique cuisine. Yak meat, Thukpa and Momos (dumplings) are popular in this region. Except Ladakh, the other regions have the same cuisine as the rest of North India which include Naan (bread), Chapati, Dal and many more. ==Drink== Like the rest of India, tea is a common beverage to people of the Himalayan North region. Alcohol is rare in the Himalayan North region, and it is illegal in some holy sites like [[Haridwar]] and [[Rishikesh]]. However, native Ladakhis and immigrant Tibetans use their own variety of alcohol called ''chang''. ==Stay safe== The Himalayan North, especially the union territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir]], is far from being safe. It had suffered several wars, conflicts and insurgencies. Some parts of the region, especially along the border, are off-limits. If you would like to visit the Himalayan North, check on current security conditions before you decide. Travellers visiting hill stations at {{m|4000}} or higher may suffer from [[altitude sickness]]. Therefore, they should rest at a hotel after arriving at the hill station to adapt their body for low oxygen. {{geo|31.70817|76.93137|zoom=7}} {{IsPartOf|India}} {{outlineregion}} ekjg4fldx3q1rehxvdg85k3t42brehp 4506690 4506686 2022-08-23T09:02:34Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Cities */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} The '''Himalayan North''' region comprises the two states and two union territories of [[India]] situated at the northernmost [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] mountain: [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Ladakh]] and [[Uttarakhand]]. Eastern parts of Himalayan India are in the northern sections of [[Eastern India]] and [[North-Eastern India]], which have their own regional articles. ==States and union territories== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Himalayan North WV.png | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Jammu and Kashmir]] | region1color=#69999f | region1description=With its mountains and lakes, this is a popular destination with travellers, although the conflict escalation between Pakistan and India has decreased its popularity. | region2name=[[Ladakh]] | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2description=Ladakh was an independent kingdom for centuries and still with its own culture. Offering much in the way of sightseeing, and trekking it's not to be missed. | region3name=[[Himachal Pradesh]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3description=A pleasant, laid back, predominantly Hindu state, with a Tibetan refugee population; popular with tourists. | region4name= [[Uttarakhand]] | region4color=#71b37b | region4description=The source of the Ganges, it has a number of pilgrimage sites. }} * [[Azad Kashmir]] and [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] are claimed by India to be parts of [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] respectively, although they are administered by [[Pakistan]]. Since Wikivoyage articles are written in a travel point of view, these Pakistani territories are not included in the Himalayan North region. {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t1}}|title=[[Jammu and Kashmir]]|wikidata=Q66278313}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t2}}|title=[[Ladakh]]|wikidata=Q200667}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t3}}|title=[[Himachal Pradesh]]|wikidata=Q1177}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t4}}|title=[[Uttarakhand]]|wikidata=Q1499}} ==Cities== Here are nine of the most notable cities. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=12 | name=[[Bharmour]] | lat=32.44285 | long=76.53293 | image=Bharmour.jpg |wikidata=Q4901297}} &mdash; famous for Chaurasi Temple and the Hindu pilgrimage of Mani Mahesh *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dehradun]]|lat=30.32295|long=78.03168|image=Robbers_Cave%2C_Dehradun.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q199528}} &mdash; the capital of Uttarakhand *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dharamsala]]| lat=32.21904 | long=76.32340| image=Dharamsala_View.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q186182}} &mdash; a city popular amongst the backpacker community and where the Dalai Lama resides *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Haridwar]]| lat=29.956 | long=78.17| image=Haridwar_HariKiPairi.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q273030}} &mdash; a holy city for Hindus, where the Ganges river emerges from the hills to the plains * {{marker|type=city|zoom=15| name=[[Jammu]] | lat=32.71 | long=74.86 | image=View_of_Jammu_city_and_the_Tawi_River.jpg|wikidata=Q255455}} &mdash; the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Leh]]| lat=34.15259 | long=77.57705| image=Leh.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q230818}} &mdash; one of the two capitals of Ladakh, a bustling tourist town, large numbers of Kashmiri traders *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Manali]]| lat=32.23963 | long=77.18871| image=KULLU_Manali.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83443}}&mdash; a quiet picturesque town set in mountainous region by day, hosts many a rave at night *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Shimla]]| lat=31.10410 | long=77.17102| image=ShimlaRW1.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83786}} &mdash; the summer capital of former [[British Raj|British India]], modern India with English architecture *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Srinagar]]| lat=34.090000 | long=74.790000| image=Dal_Lake_in_evening.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q170115}} &mdash; the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Famous for Dal Lake and in a valley surrounded by the picturesque Himalayas ==Other destinations== [[File:Mountain peaks, Lahul.jpg|thumb|Mountains in [[Lahaul and Spiti]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]]] * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Great Himalayan National Park]] | lat=31.80241 | long=77.69942 | image=Common_Yellow_Swallowtail_-_Papilio_machaon_I_IMG_6962.jpg |wikidata=Q1544213}}, [[Himachal Pradesh]] &mdash; located in the [[hill station]] of [[Kullu]] is home to many species of wildlife. Virtually pristine forests and alpine meadows, this fragile region makes this park a wonderful destination. The national park has also been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Hemis National Park | lat=33.75632 | long=77.28333 | image= }} (Hemis High Altitude Park), [[Ladakh]] &mdash; home to several endangered mammals including the snow leopard. The Tibetan wolf and golden eagle can also be found in the park. The Rumbak Valley offers opportunities for bird-watching. Snow trekking is popular here. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Kishtwar National Park | lat=33.61785 | long=75.99277 | image= }}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; located in the Kishtwar district, this park has rugged and steep terrain, with narrow valleys leading to glaciers. This park provides habitat for the Himalayan Snowcock and the brown bear. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Nanda Devi National Park]] | lat=30.37639 | long=79.96966 | image=Nanda_devi.jpg |wikidata=Q1648266}} [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; surrounded by high ridges and the Rishi Glacier, this park is home for some large mammals (ie. Himilayan musk deer), carnivores (ie. Snow leopard) and birds in a land with diverse vegetation * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Valley of Flowers National Park]]|lat=30.72804|long=79.60530|zoom=12|wikidata=Q605897}}, [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; a park valley of wild flowers designated a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Gulmarg]]|lat=|long=|zoom=12|wikidata=Q1025272}}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; a hill station with lush green meadows and snow during winter. ==Understand== After the heat and chaos in the big cities of the [[Plains (India)|Plains]], the Indian Himalayas make a relaxing change. Some foreign travelers make visiting this region their sole purpose for coming to India, and it is a popular destination for Indians as well. The Himalayan North, being the abode of the gods and the origin of Hinduism's holy rivers, is one of the most ancient travel destinations in the country. Pilgrims have been visiting this place for centuries. The British, conquering India before air conditioning, found themselves defeated by the Indian summer. As a result, they had to take refuge in '''hill stations''' to escape the heat. This region, because of its proximity to [[Delhi]], had the largest concentration of hill stations. The largest among these, [[Shimla]], was the '''summer capital''' of British India. Shimla and other cities like [[Mussoorie]] and [[Dalhousie (India)|Dalhousie]] still retain their charming colonial atmosphere. The [[Kashmir Valley]] is used to be the honeymoon destination of choice for those who could afford it. However, it has been afflicted by violence by insurgents, terrorists and the Indian Army since the late 1980s. ==Talk== [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] are understood throughout the region either as a primary or secondary language. English is widely understood, especially in the more touristed parts. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Despite its altitude, there are eight domestic airports and one international airport in the Himalayan North region. However, there are problems of [[altitude sickness]] if travellers get in the region by plane. * Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant Airport ({{IATA|DED}}) at [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Jammu Airport ({{IATA|IXJ}}) at [[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] * Kangra Airport ({{IATA|DHM}}) at [[Kangra]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kullu–Manali Airport ({{IATA|KUU}}) at [[Kullu]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport ({{IATA|IXL}}) at [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]] * Pantnagar Airport ({{IATA|PGH}}) at [[Pantnagar]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Pithoragarh Airport or Naini Saini Airport ({{IATA|NNS}}) at [[Pithoragarh]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Shimla Airport ({{IATA|SLV}}) at [[Shimla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport ({{IATA|SXR}}) at [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] ===By bus=== The Himalayan North is well connected to the Plains by bus. ===By train=== [[Dehradun]], [[Jammu]] and [[Shimla]] are primary railheads of the region. ==Get around== ===By bus=== This is the main way to get around the Himalayan north, the only choice in many places. The winding roads and steep slopes make for some nerve wracking moments; but the views more than make up for it. ===By train=== Being a mountainous region there are very few rail lines, with [[Jammu and Kashmir]] being least connected with railway. However, there is a "toy train" service that connects Kalka and Shimla. In its day, this single gauge line was a remarkable engineering feat, but now it makes for a slow and beautiful tourist route. ==See== [[File:Nainital lake in the morning.jpg|thumb|Nainital lake in Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand]] This is an extremely picturesque area of the country, with much natural beauty. As a region that borders on [[Tibet]], it also has Tibetan-style Buddhist temples, especially in [[Dharamsala]], where the Dalai Lama and many of his followers set up a kind of "free Tibet" in exile, but also in the union territory of [[Ladakh]], which has a home-grown but Tibetan-influenced Buddhism. In addition, [[Uttarakhand]] contains the sources of the Ganges, Hinduism's holiest river, which runs past the state's holy cities of [[Dehradun]], [[Rishikesh]] and [[Haridwar]]. [[Himachal Pradesh]] features the [[hill station]] of [[Shimla]], which was a great favourite of Britons during the [[British Raj]], while the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, [[Srinagar]], with its breathtaking location in the [[Kashmir Valley]] surrounded by high Himalayan peaks and its famous Dal Lake, though probably too big to be thought of as a hill station, is a very beautiful place to fly to to cool off during the hot summer months in the [[Plains (India)|Plains]]. ==Do== This region is very appealing for devotees of outdoor sports, including hiking, mountain-climbing and whitewater rafting. Another thing you can do is to study Tibetan Buddhism and sit zazen in Dharamsala or study yoga in Rishikesh. ==Eat== North Indian cuisine and ethnic Ladakhi cuisine has a major influence in this region. Most people in the region follow vegetarianism as many holy sites are located here. Ladakh has a unique cuisine. Yak meat, Thukpa and Momos (dumplings) are popular in this region. Except Ladakh, the other regions have the same cuisine as the rest of North India which include Naan (bread), Chapati, Dal and many more. ==Drink== Like the rest of India, tea is a common beverage to people of the Himalayan North region. Alcohol is rare in the Himalayan North region, and it is illegal in some holy sites like [[Haridwar]] and [[Rishikesh]]. However, native Ladakhis and immigrant Tibetans use their own variety of alcohol called ''chang''. ==Stay safe== The Himalayan North, especially the union territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir]], is far from being safe. It had suffered several wars, conflicts and insurgencies. Some parts of the region, especially along the border, are off-limits. If you would like to visit the Himalayan North, check on current security conditions before you decide. Travellers visiting hill stations at {{m|4000}} or higher may suffer from [[altitude sickness]]. Therefore, they should rest at a hotel after arriving at the hill station to adapt their body for low oxygen. {{geo|31.70817|76.93137|zoom=7}} {{IsPartOf|India}} {{outlineregion}} ghz4u6lbb6fhsrvzihdwaeah0ezhvzc 4506691 4506690 2022-08-23T09:04:01Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* By train */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} The '''Himalayan North''' region comprises the two states and two union territories of [[India]] situated at the northernmost [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] mountain: [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Ladakh]] and [[Uttarakhand]]. Eastern parts of Himalayan India are in the northern sections of [[Eastern India]] and [[North-Eastern India]], which have their own regional articles. ==States and union territories== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Himalayan North WV.png | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Jammu and Kashmir]] | region1color=#69999f | region1description=With its mountains and lakes, this is a popular destination with travellers, although the conflict escalation between Pakistan and India has decreased its popularity. | region2name=[[Ladakh]] | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2description=Ladakh was an independent kingdom for centuries and still with its own culture. Offering much in the way of sightseeing, and trekking it's not to be missed. | region3name=[[Himachal Pradesh]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3description=A pleasant, laid back, predominantly Hindu state, with a Tibetan refugee population; popular with tourists. | region4name= [[Uttarakhand]] | region4color=#71b37b | region4description=The source of the Ganges, it has a number of pilgrimage sites. }} * [[Azad Kashmir]] and [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] are claimed by India to be parts of [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] respectively, although they are administered by [[Pakistan]]. Since Wikivoyage articles are written in a travel point of view, these Pakistani territories are not included in the Himalayan North region. {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t1}}|title=[[Jammu and Kashmir]]|wikidata=Q66278313}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t2}}|title=[[Ladakh]]|wikidata=Q200667}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t3}}|title=[[Himachal Pradesh]]|wikidata=Q1177}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t4}}|title=[[Uttarakhand]]|wikidata=Q1499}} ==Cities== Here are nine of the most notable cities. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=12 | name=[[Bharmour]] | lat=32.44285 | long=76.53293 | image=Bharmour.jpg |wikidata=Q4901297}} &mdash; famous for Chaurasi Temple and the Hindu pilgrimage of Mani Mahesh *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dehradun]]|lat=30.32295|long=78.03168|image=Robbers_Cave%2C_Dehradun.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q199528}} &mdash; the capital of Uttarakhand *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dharamsala]]| lat=32.21904 | long=76.32340| image=Dharamsala_View.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q186182}} &mdash; a city popular amongst the backpacker community and where the Dalai Lama resides *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Haridwar]]| lat=29.956 | long=78.17| image=Haridwar_HariKiPairi.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q273030}} &mdash; a holy city for Hindus, where the Ganges river emerges from the hills to the plains * {{marker|type=city|zoom=15| name=[[Jammu]] | lat=32.71 | long=74.86 | image=View_of_Jammu_city_and_the_Tawi_River.jpg|wikidata=Q255455}} &mdash; the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Leh]]| lat=34.15259 | long=77.57705| image=Leh.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q230818}} &mdash; one of the two capitals of Ladakh, a bustling tourist town, large numbers of Kashmiri traders *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Manali]]| lat=32.23963 | long=77.18871| image=KULLU_Manali.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83443}}&mdash; a quiet picturesque town set in mountainous region by day, hosts many a rave at night *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Shimla]]| lat=31.10410 | long=77.17102| image=ShimlaRW1.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83786}} &mdash; the summer capital of former [[British Raj|British India]], modern India with English architecture *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Srinagar]]| lat=34.090000 | long=74.790000| image=Dal_Lake_in_evening.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q170115}} &mdash; the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Famous for Dal Lake and in a valley surrounded by the picturesque Himalayas ==Other destinations== [[File:Mountain peaks, Lahul.jpg|thumb|Mountains in [[Lahaul and Spiti]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]]] * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Great Himalayan National Park]] | lat=31.80241 | long=77.69942 | image=Common_Yellow_Swallowtail_-_Papilio_machaon_I_IMG_6962.jpg |wikidata=Q1544213}}, [[Himachal Pradesh]] &mdash; located in the [[hill station]] of [[Kullu]] is home to many species of wildlife. Virtually pristine forests and alpine meadows, this fragile region makes this park a wonderful destination. The national park has also been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Hemis National Park | lat=33.75632 | long=77.28333 | image= }} (Hemis High Altitude Park), [[Ladakh]] &mdash; home to several endangered mammals including the snow leopard. The Tibetan wolf and golden eagle can also be found in the park. The Rumbak Valley offers opportunities for bird-watching. Snow trekking is popular here. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Kishtwar National Park | lat=33.61785 | long=75.99277 | image= }}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; located in the Kishtwar district, this park has rugged and steep terrain, with narrow valleys leading to glaciers. This park provides habitat for the Himalayan Snowcock and the brown bear. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Nanda Devi National Park]] | lat=30.37639 | long=79.96966 | image=Nanda_devi.jpg |wikidata=Q1648266}} [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; surrounded by high ridges and the Rishi Glacier, this park is home for some large mammals (ie. Himilayan musk deer), carnivores (ie. Snow leopard) and birds in a land with diverse vegetation * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Valley of Flowers National Park]]|lat=30.72804|long=79.60530|zoom=12|wikidata=Q605897}}, [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; a park valley of wild flowers designated a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Gulmarg]]|lat=|long=|zoom=12|wikidata=Q1025272}}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; a hill station with lush green meadows and snow during winter. ==Understand== After the heat and chaos in the big cities of the [[Plains (India)|Plains]], the Indian Himalayas make a relaxing change. Some foreign travelers make visiting this region their sole purpose for coming to India, and it is a popular destination for Indians as well. The Himalayan North, being the abode of the gods and the origin of Hinduism's holy rivers, is one of the most ancient travel destinations in the country. Pilgrims have been visiting this place for centuries. The British, conquering India before air conditioning, found themselves defeated by the Indian summer. As a result, they had to take refuge in '''hill stations''' to escape the heat. This region, because of its proximity to [[Delhi]], had the largest concentration of hill stations. The largest among these, [[Shimla]], was the '''summer capital''' of British India. Shimla and other cities like [[Mussoorie]] and [[Dalhousie (India)|Dalhousie]] still retain their charming colonial atmosphere. The [[Kashmir Valley]] is used to be the honeymoon destination of choice for those who could afford it. However, it has been afflicted by violence by insurgents, terrorists and the Indian Army since the late 1980s. ==Talk== [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] are understood throughout the region either as a primary or secondary language. English is widely understood, especially in the more touristed parts. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Despite its altitude, there are eight domestic airports and one international airport in the Himalayan North region. However, there are problems of [[altitude sickness]] if travellers get in the region by plane. * Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant Airport ({{IATA|DED}}) at [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Jammu Airport ({{IATA|IXJ}}) at [[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] * Kangra Airport ({{IATA|DHM}}) at [[Kangra]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kullu–Manali Airport ({{IATA|KUU}}) at [[Kullu]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport ({{IATA|IXL}}) at [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]] * Pantnagar Airport ({{IATA|PGH}}) at [[Pantnagar]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Pithoragarh Airport or Naini Saini Airport ({{IATA|NNS}}) at [[Pithoragarh]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Shimla Airport ({{IATA|SLV}}) at [[Shimla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport ({{IATA|SXR}}) at [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] ===By bus=== The Himalayan North is well connected to the Plains by bus. ===By train=== [[Dehradun]], [[Jammu]] and [[Shimla]] are primary railheads of the region. ==Get around== ===By bus=== This is the main way to get around the Himalayan north, the only choice in many places. The winding roads and steep slopes make for some nerve wracking moments; but the views more than make up for it. ===By train=== Being a mountainous region there are very few rail lines, with [[Jammu and Kashmir]] being the least connected with railway and [[Ladakh]] does not have any rail line at all. However, there is a "toy train" service that connects Kalka and Shimla. In its day, this single gauge line was a remarkable engineering feat, but now it makes for a slow and beautiful tourist route. ==See== [[File:Nainital lake in the morning.jpg|thumb|Nainital lake in Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand]] This is an extremely picturesque area of the country, with much natural beauty. As a region that borders on [[Tibet]], it also has Tibetan-style Buddhist temples, especially in [[Dharamsala]], where the Dalai Lama and many of his followers set up a kind of "free Tibet" in exile, but also in the union territory of [[Ladakh]], which has a home-grown but Tibetan-influenced Buddhism. In addition, [[Uttarakhand]] contains the sources of the Ganges, Hinduism's holiest river, which runs past the state's holy cities of [[Dehradun]], [[Rishikesh]] and [[Haridwar]]. [[Himachal Pradesh]] features the [[hill station]] of [[Shimla]], which was a great favourite of Britons during the [[British Raj]], while the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, [[Srinagar]], with its breathtaking location in the [[Kashmir Valley]] surrounded by high Himalayan peaks and its famous Dal Lake, though probably too big to be thought of as a hill station, is a very beautiful place to fly to to cool off during the hot summer months in the [[Plains (India)|Plains]]. ==Do== This region is very appealing for devotees of outdoor sports, including hiking, mountain-climbing and whitewater rafting. Another thing you can do is to study Tibetan Buddhism and sit zazen in Dharamsala or study yoga in Rishikesh. ==Eat== North Indian cuisine and ethnic Ladakhi cuisine has a major influence in this region. Most people in the region follow vegetarianism as many holy sites are located here. Ladakh has a unique cuisine. Yak meat, Thukpa and Momos (dumplings) are popular in this region. Except Ladakh, the other regions have the same cuisine as the rest of North India which include Naan (bread), Chapati, Dal and many more. ==Drink== Like the rest of India, tea is a common beverage to people of the Himalayan North region. Alcohol is rare in the Himalayan North region, and it is illegal in some holy sites like [[Haridwar]] and [[Rishikesh]]. However, native Ladakhis and immigrant Tibetans use their own variety of alcohol called ''chang''. ==Stay safe== The Himalayan North, especially the union territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir]], is far from being safe. It had suffered several wars, conflicts and insurgencies. Some parts of the region, especially along the border, are off-limits. If you would like to visit the Himalayan North, check on current security conditions before you decide. Travellers visiting hill stations at {{m|4000}} or higher may suffer from [[altitude sickness]]. Therefore, they should rest at a hotel after arriving at the hill station to adapt their body for low oxygen. {{geo|31.70817|76.93137|zoom=7}} {{IsPartOf|India}} {{outlineregion}} m1c8gtl756fubzlsllhpqk8fdko1h3r 4506697 4506691 2022-08-23T09:23:54Z Sbb1413 2217354 Mentioning the apparent peace at J&K in recent times. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} The '''Himalayan North''' region comprises the two states and two union territories of [[India]] at the northernmost [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] mountains: [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Ladakh]] and [[Uttarakhand]]. Eastern parts of Himalayan India are in the northern sections of [[Eastern India]] and [[North-Eastern India]], which have their own regional articles. ==States and union territories== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Himalayan North WV.png | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Himachal Pradesh]] | region1color=#b383b3 | region1description=A pleasant, laid back, predominantly Hindu state, with a Tibetan refugee population; popular with tourists. | region2name=[[Jammu and Kashmir]] | region2color=#69999f | region2description=With its mountains and lakes, this is a popular destination with travellers, although the conflict escalation between Pakistan and India has decreased its popularity. | region3name=[[Ladakh]] | region3color=#d5dc76 | region3description=Ladakh was an independent kingdom for centuries and still with its own culture. Offering much in the way of sightseeing, and trekking it's not to be missed. | region4name= [[Uttarakhand]] | region4color=#71b37b | region4description=The source of the Ganges, it has a number of pilgrimage sites. }} * [[Azad Kashmir]] and [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] are claimed by India to be parts of [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] respectively, although they are administered by [[Pakistan]]. Since Wikivoyage articles are written in a travel point of view, these Pakistani territories are not included in the Himalayan North region. {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t1}}|title=[[Jammu and Kashmir]]|wikidata=Q66278313}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t2}}|title=[[Ladakh]]|wikidata=Q200667}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t3}}|title=[[Himachal Pradesh]]|wikidata=Q1177}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill={{StdColor|t4}}|title=[[Uttarakhand]]|wikidata=Q1499}} ==Cities== Here are nine of the most notable cities. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=12 | name=[[Bharmour]] | lat=32.44285 | long=76.53293 | image=Bharmour.jpg |wikidata=Q4901297}} &mdash; famous for Chaurasi Temple and the Hindu pilgrimage of Mani Mahesh *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dehradun]]|lat=30.32295|long=78.03168|image=Robbers_Cave%2C_Dehradun.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q199528}} &mdash; the capital of Uttarakhand *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dharamsala]]| lat=32.21904 | long=76.32340| image=Dharamsala_View.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q186182}} &mdash; a city popular amongst the backpacker community and where the Dalai Lama resides *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Haridwar]]| lat=29.956 | long=78.17| image=Haridwar_HariKiPairi.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q273030}} &mdash; a holy city for Hindus, where the Ganges river emerges from the hills to the plains * {{marker|type=city|zoom=15| name=[[Jammu]] | lat=32.71 | long=74.86 | image=View_of_Jammu_city_and_the_Tawi_River.jpg|wikidata=Q255455}} &mdash; the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Leh]]| lat=34.15259 | long=77.57705| image=Leh.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q230818}} &mdash; one of the two capitals of Ladakh, a bustling tourist town, large numbers of Kashmiri traders *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Manali]]| lat=32.23963 | long=77.18871| image=KULLU_Manali.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83443}}&mdash; a quiet picturesque town set in mountainous region by day, hosts many a rave at night *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Shimla]]| lat=31.10410 | long=77.17102| image=ShimlaRW1.jpg|zoom=12|wikidata=Q83786}} &mdash; the summer capital of former [[British Raj|British India]], modern India with English architecture *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Srinagar]]| lat=34.090000 | long=74.790000| image=Dal_Lake_in_evening.JPG|zoom=12|wikidata=Q170115}} &mdash; the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Famous for Dal Lake and in a valley surrounded by the picturesque Himalayas ==Other destinations== [[File:Mountain peaks, Lahul.jpg|thumb|Mountains in [[Lahaul and Spiti]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]]] * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Great Himalayan National Park]] | lat=31.80241 | long=77.69942 | image=Common_Yellow_Swallowtail_-_Papilio_machaon_I_IMG_6962.jpg |wikidata=Q1544213}}, [[Himachal Pradesh]] &mdash; located in the [[hill station]] of [[Kullu]] is home to many species of wildlife. Virtually pristine forests and alpine meadows, this fragile region makes this park a wonderful destination. The national park has also been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Hemis National Park | lat=33.75632 | long=77.28333 | image= }} (Hemis High Altitude Park), [[Ladakh]] &mdash; home to several endangered mammals including the snow leopard. The Tibetan wolf and golden eagle can also be found in the park. The Rumbak Valley offers opportunities for bird-watching. Snow trekking is popular here. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Kishtwar National Park | lat=33.61785 | long=75.99277 | image= }}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; located in the Kishtwar district, this park has rugged and steep terrain, with narrow valleys leading to glaciers. This park provides habitat for the Himalayan Snowcock and the brown bear. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Nanda Devi National Park]] | lat=30.37639 | long=79.96966 | image=Nanda_devi.jpg |wikidata=Q1648266}} [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; surrounded by high ridges and the Rishi Glacier, this park is home for some large mammals (ie. Himilayan musk deer), carnivores (ie. Snow leopard) and birds in a land with diverse vegetation * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Valley of Flowers National Park]]|lat=30.72804|long=79.60530|zoom=12|wikidata=Q605897}}, [[Uttarakhand]] &mdash; a park valley of wild flowers designated a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Gulmarg]]|lat=|long=|zoom=12|wikidata=Q1025272}}, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] &mdash; a hill station with lush green meadows and snow during winter. ==Understand== After the heat and chaos in the big cities of the [[Plains (India)|Plains]], the Indian Himalayas make a relaxing change. Some foreign travelers make visiting this region their sole purpose for coming to India, and it is a popular destination for Indians as well. The Himalayan North, being the abode of the gods and the origin of Hinduism's holy rivers, is one of the most ancient travel destinations in the country. Pilgrims have been visiting this place for centuries. The British, conquering India before air conditioning, found themselves defeated by the Indian summer. As a result, they had to take refuge in '''hill stations''' to escape the heat. This region, because of its proximity to [[Delhi]], had the largest concentration of hill stations. The largest among these, [[Shimla]], was the '''summer capital''' of British India. Shimla and other cities like [[Mussoorie]] and [[Dalhousie (India)|Dalhousie]] still retain their charming colonial atmosphere. The [[Kashmir Valley]] is used to be the honeymoon destination of choice for those who could afford it. However, it has been afflicted by violence by insurgents, terrorists and the Indian Army since the late 1980s, although things have become somewhat normal since 2019. ==Talk== [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] are understood throughout the region either as a primary or secondary language. English is widely understood, especially in the more touristed parts. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Despite its altitude, there are eight domestic airports and one international airport in the Himalayan North region. However, there are problems of [[altitude sickness]] if travellers get in the region by plane. * Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant Airport ({{IATA|DED}}) at [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Jammu Airport ({{IATA|IXJ}}) at [[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] * Kangra Airport ({{IATA|DHM}}) at [[Kangra]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kullu–Manali Airport ({{IATA|KUU}}) at [[Kullu]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport ({{IATA|IXL}}) at [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]] * Pantnagar Airport ({{IATA|PGH}}) at [[Pantnagar]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Pithoragarh Airport or Naini Saini Airport ({{IATA|NNS}}) at [[Pithoragarh]], [[Uttarakhand]] * Shimla Airport ({{IATA|SLV}}) at [[Shimla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] * Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport ({{IATA|SXR}}) at [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] ===By bus=== The Himalayan North is well connected to the Plains by bus. ===By train=== [[Dehradun]], [[Jammu]] and [[Shimla]] are primary railheads of the region. ==Get around== ===By bus=== This is the main way to get around the Himalayan north, the only choice in many places. The winding roads and steep slopes make for some nerve wracking moments; but the views more than make up for it. ===By train=== Being a mountainous region there are very few rail lines, with [[Jammu and Kashmir]] being the least connected with railway and [[Ladakh]] does not have any rail line at all. However, there is a "toy train" service that connects Kalka and Shimla. In its day, this single gauge line was a remarkable engineering feat, but now it makes for a slow and beautiful tourist route. ==See== [[File:Nainital lake in the morning.jpg|thumb|Nainital lake in Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand]] This is an extremely picturesque area of the country, with much natural beauty. As a region that borders on [[Tibet]], it also has Tibetan-style Buddhist temples, especially in [[Dharamsala]], where the Dalai Lama and many of his followers set up a kind of "free Tibet" in exile, but also in the union territory of [[Ladakh]], which has a home-grown but Tibetan-influenced Buddhism. In addition, [[Uttarakhand]] contains the sources of the Ganges, Hinduism's holiest river, which runs past the state's holy cities of [[Dehradun]], [[Rishikesh]] and [[Haridwar]]. [[Himachal Pradesh]] features the [[hill station]] of [[Shimla]], which was a great favourite of Britons during the [[British Raj]], while the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, [[Srinagar]], with its breathtaking location in the [[Kashmir Valley]] surrounded by high Himalayan peaks and its famous Dal Lake, though probably too big to be thought of as a hill station, is a very beautiful place to fly to to cool off during the hot summer months in the [[Plains (India)|Plains]]. ==Do== This region is very appealing for devotees of outdoor sports, including hiking, mountain-climbing and whitewater rafting. Another thing you can do is to study Tibetan Buddhism and sit zazen in Dharamsala or study yoga in Rishikesh. ==Eat== North Indian cuisine and ethnic Ladakhi cuisine has a major influence in this region. Most people in the region follow vegetarianism as many holy sites are located here. Ladakh has a unique cuisine. Yak meat, Thukpa and Momos (dumplings) are popular in this region. Except Ladakh, the other regions have the same cuisine as the rest of North India which include Naan (bread), Chapati, Dal and many more. ==Drink== Like the rest of India, tea is a common beverage to people of the Himalayan North region. Alcohol is rare in the Himalayan North region, and it is illegal in some holy sites like [[Haridwar]] and [[Rishikesh]]. However, native Ladakhis and immigrant Tibetans use their own variety of alcohol called ''chang''. ==Stay safe== The Himalayan North, especially the union territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir]], is far from being safe. It had suffered several wars, conflicts and insurgencies. Some parts of the region, especially along the border, are off-limits. If you would like to visit the Himalayan North, check on current security conditions before you decide. Travellers visiting hill stations at {{m|4000}} or higher may suffer from [[altitude sickness]]. Therefore, they should rest at a hotel after arriving at the hill station to adapt their body for low oxygen. {{geo|31.70817|76.93137|zoom=7}} {{IsPartOf|India}} {{outlineregion}} dzwqu667mim2z139at731g78w9hhano 0 15090 4506557 4505781 2022-08-23T04:36:53Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* See */ Updated listing for Andul Rajbari wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wv Howrah banner.jpg}} [[Image:Howrah Bridge et les ablutions dans la Howrah.jpg|thumb|300px|Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)]] '''Howrah''' (Bengali: হাওড়া, Hindi: हावड़ा) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]] in [[India]] and the twin city of [[Kolkata]]. It is the second-largest city in [[West Bengal]] after Kolkata. ==Understand== Howrah is in the eastern part of India and is spread along the western banks of the Hooghly River. While it is a separate city, Howrah is very much a part of the [[Greater Kolkata|Kolkata metropolitan area]], and Howrah railway station is where you will arrive if connecting with anywhere north, south or east of Kolkata. This article also covers Dankuni, which though a separate city is one of the entrance points to Howrah and also a part of the metropolitan area. ==Get in== === By plane=== The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. === By train === {{infobox|Railways in India|The first commercial railway service in Eastern India began on 15 August 1854 on its first run between Howrah Junction railway station to [[Hooghly]] railway station.}} [[File:Howrah Station.jpg|thumb|Howrah railway station as seen from the Hooghly River]] * {{go | name=Howrah Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.582871 | long=88.342811 | directions=near the Howrah Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Howrah Junction railway station | wikidata=Q986105 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Howrah Junction railway station is the largest railway complex in India with over 600 trains arriving per day. An estimated two million people use Howrah station every day. There are 26 platforms in Howrah station. Local trains of Eastern Railway arrives mainly at 1-9 platforms while South Eastern Railway local trains arrive at platforms 17-23, remaining platforms is used for long-distance trains. Platforms 17 to 26 are in New Complex, just south of the original building. For passengers it has an enormous covered waiting area between the main complex and the platforms. In addition there is a Yatri Niwas (railway's travellers' lodge) with dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. The vehicular carriageways along the length of platforms allow passengers to be dropped near rail compartments — a facility unique among most major stations of the country. }} * {{go | name=Andul railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.575169 | long=88.239643 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q59858133 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content= }} * {{go | name=Bally railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.655078 | long=88.340429 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q25549108 | lastedit=2022-07-07 | content= }} * {{go | name=Dankuni Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dankuni | lat=22.6783 | long=88.2908 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15212753 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} *{{go | name=Santragachi Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Santragachi Station Rd, Santragachi | lat=22.5838 | long=88.2843 | directions=near Santragachi Jheel | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7420706 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=There are six platforms. Serves local trains to Amta, Mecheda, Panskura, Haldia, [[Contai]], [[Midnapore]] and [[Kharagpur]]. A few trains originate from Santragachi station to [[Ajmer]], [[Porbandar]] and [[Nanded]], and a Vivek Express running to [[Mangalore]] Central starting from Santragachi. Mostly all Howrah/Shalimar bound express/mail trains stop here. }} * {{go | name=Shalimar railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.556389 | long=88.314722 | directions=near Vidyasagar Setu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7487222 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=A small railway station compared to Howrah station, which handles a few EMU trains and few Express trains. }} === By metro === The nearest operational metro station is at {{Marker|type=go|name=[[Kolkata/Esplanade|Esplanade]]|wikidata=Q5399030}} and one may have to change to other modes of transport to reach one's destination in Howrah. The East-West Corridor (Line 2) of the [[Kolkata#By metro|Kolkata Metro]] is under construction and is expected to connect Kolkata and Howrah directly with underwater metro service by 2023. That would be the first underwater metro service in India. ===By bus=== There are two bus stands: Howrah Bus Stand and Kolkata Bus Stand from where you can avail numerous buses from Kolkata and different parts of West Bengal. Kolkata Airport linked Volvo air-conditioned buses are available from Howrah railway station. === By ferry === Howrah is just across the river from [[Kolkata]]. The ferry services to cross the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Howrah is very convenient to zip across both cities. There are a number of jetties. On the Kolkata side the ferries link to such jetties as Bagbazar, Armenian, Fairlie, Chandpalghat, Babughat, Prinsep Ghat. On the Howrah side there are jetties at Howrah Station, Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Botanical Garden Ghat, Bandhaghat, Golabari and Belur Math. Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised! ==Get around== {{mapframe|height=600}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q205697,Q4851973,Q5071109}} For short distance travel, there are auto-rickshaws, electric rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. ===By taxi=== Like in [[Kolkata]], taxis in Howrah are easily available, relatively cheap, and will use their meters, at least in theory. They generally stand at the major railway stations in Howrah. ==See== [[File:Migratory Birds - Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2012-01-26 1520.JPG|thumb|200px|Migratory Birds at Santragachi Jheel in January]] [[File:Vidyasagar Setu.jpg|thumb|200px|Vidyasagar Setu]] * {{see | name=Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden | alt=Shibpur Botanic Garden | url=http://www.bgci.org/garden.php?id=53 | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.560556 | long=88.286944 | directions= | phone=+91 33 67 32 31 35 | tollfree= | hours=Mar-Sep: 5AM-5:30PM; Oct-Feb: 5:30AM-5PM | price=foreigners: ₹50; Indians: ₹5 | wikidata=Q3346386 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog filled sky of the city. You will value the silence that is only filled by some birds singing. The Great Banyan tree in the botanical garden boasts of having the largest canopy in the world. The British established the institution in 1786 as Indian Botanical Garden. }} * {{see | name=Belur Math | alt= | url= | email= | address=Belur | lat=22.6315 | long=88.3561 | directions=about {{km|4}} from Howrah railway station. You can travel there by bus, auto or taxi. It takes 20-25 min to get there and around 40 min to return, because this route is longer and becomes more congested. All modes of transportation are easily accessible from adjacent to the Howrah station area/Howrah bus stand. Local trains also go to Belur Math, but going by auto, bus or taxi is much better as they drop you off at the entrance of Belur Math. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q816234 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Belur Math is a monastery and the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Situated next to the Ganges one can sit on the banks of the Hooghly River during evening time and relax. Across the Hooghly River is the [[Kolkata/Northern fringes#See|Dakshineswar Temple]]. }} * {{See | image=HOWRAH BRIDGE from howrah station.jpg | name=Howrah Bridge | alt=Rabindra Setu | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.5851 | long=88.3469 | directions=Near Howrah station | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The area around Howrah station and Howrah Bridge has grown as a world of its own, catering to the needs of a huge floating population. The 705-metre (2,313 ft) long Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River, commissioned in 1943, replacing the older pontoon bridge. This bridge frames the skyline of the riverfront. The ambience is as amicable and profound as the river that flows alongside. }} * {{see | image=Kolkata West gate.jpg | name=Kolkata West Gate | alt= | url= | email= | address=Salap | lat=22.61368 | long=88.275 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Based on the Brandenburg Gate in [[Berlin]], the gate is an entrance to the Kolkata West International City (KWIC), a satellite township in Howrah developed by Indonesia's Ciputra Group. }} * {{see | name=Nabanna | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.5676 | long=88.3135 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15222967 | lastedit=2022-07-20 | content=Despite Kolkata is declared as the capital of West Bengal, the permanent administrative office of the state government is in Howrah. }} * {{See | name=Nivedita Setu | alt=Second Vivekananda Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.652286 | long=88.353258 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Nivedita Setu is a cable-stayed bridge over the Hooghly River. It runs parallel to and around {{m|50}} downstream of Vivekananda Setu. }} * {{see | name=Rail Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat=22.578693 | long=88.340445 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56683370 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{see | image=Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2013-01-25 3597 to 3598 Combined.JPG | name=Santragachi Jheel | url= | email=| address=Santragachi, Howrah | lat=22.5820669 | long=88.283338 | directions={{km|7}} from Howrah station by train, or {{km|6}} from Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu| phone=| fax=| hours= | price=| content=Santragachi Jheel is a large lake next to Santragachi railway station. This lake attracts a lot of migratory birds in the winter months, particularly in December and January, impart because migratory birds are avoiding destinations like the lakes in Alipore Zoo, Kolkata. Birds like Saras Crane from North America and Australia, and many other local migratory birds such as Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Comb Duck, are spotted here during this season. The lake area is owned by South Eastern Railway, though the Forest Department of West Bengal also looks after the place. Efforts are made by local residents, Forest Department and Railways to improve the environment for the birds. }} * {{see | name=Statue of Enlightened Buddha | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kona Expy, Shibpur | lat=22.57216 | long=88.3048 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Buddha Statue (18 June 2022) 2.jpg | lastedit=2022-07-29 | content=A pair of brass statues of the Buddha at Kona Expressway. }} * {{See | name=Vidyasagar Setu | alt=Second Hooghly Bridge | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.556944 | long=88.327778 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=With a total length of {{m|823}}, Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built {{km|3.7}} south/downstream of the Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992 }} * {{See | name=Vivekananda Setu | alt=Bally Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.65319 | long=88.35326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The {{m|880}} long rail-cum-road bridge was built in 1932 as Willingdon Bridge and later renamed Vivekananda Setu. }} * {{see | name=Andul Rajbari | alt= | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.5832 | long=88.2356 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q23808306 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Belilious Park | alt= | url=http://panchwatigroup.com/beliliouspark.php | email= | address=Tikiapara | lat=22.5951 | long=88.3279 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10AM-8PM | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Maidan | alt= | url= | email= | address=RBC Rd | lat=22.58227 | long=88.33448 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Indoor Stadium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.58171 | long=88.30681 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q65058968 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | alt=IIEST Shibpur | url=https://www.iiests.ac.in/ | email= | address= | lat=22.5558 | long=88.3056 | directions=near Shalimar railway station | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3348743 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Buy== * It might be worth while to stroll down Howrah Maidan just for the excitement of a local market, busy with street shops selling anything from clothes, to pots, to fruits. By bus or taxi from Howrah station it will only take 10 minutes to get there. * {{buy | name=Avani Riverside Mall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/avaniriversidemall/ | email= | address=32 Jagat Banerjee Ghat Rd | lat=22.56301 | long=88.3231 | directions=on the way to Kolkata - from Prinsep Ghat Railway Station &mdash; {{km|1}} &mdash; take a trip to Dinobondhu College Bus Stop &mdash; {{km|0.5}} | phone=+91 33 3312-9000 | tollfree= | fax=+91-33-2289-5811 | hours=11AM–10PM | price=Free | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=This three storey mall contains Eastern India's first PVR cinema hall. Large food court and many shops. }} * {{buy | name=Forum Rangoli Mall | alt= | url= | email= | address=212, Girish Ghosh Rd | lat=22.62389 | long=88.353718 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-24 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Dankuni Bazar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Railway Station Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68033 | long=88.28869 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Eat== Local foods you must try are egg, chicken and mutton roll. Howrah is known for its egg chicken roll, which is available anywhere for ₹25. You will not find these foods anywhere else in the world. Mutton Biryani is also worth a try, in Nizams or Arsalan. * {{eat | name=Kichukhhan | alt= | url= | email= | address=23/2/2, Bhagwan Chatterjee Ln, Kadamtala | lat=22.59195 | long=88.31632 | directions= | phone=+91 98300 88008 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₹200-250 for an average meal per person | lastedit=2018-07-09 | content=North Indian and Indo-Chinese. Their signature dish is mixed fried rice. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Blue Heaven Bar Cum Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Delhi Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68622 | long=88.30468 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Das Restaurant Cum Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Benaras Road | lat=22.62384 | long=88.2937 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under ₹1000|₹1000 to ₹3000|Over ₹3000}} ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Rail Yatri Niwas | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2660-1742 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹350 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Contains dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. Show your ticket. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Howrah Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.thehowrahhotel.com/ | email=info@thehowrahhotel.com | address=1, Mukhram Kanoria Road | lat=22.585833 | long=88.341843 | directions=Adjacent to Howrah station | phone=+91 33 26413878, +91 33 26412149, +91 33 28490240 | tollfree= | checkin=24 hours | checkout= | price=₹550-₹650 | content=A heritage property, with a lot of character and one of the oldest hotels of Kolkata. Renowned for homey atmosphere and offers very neat and clean, airy rooms - one of the safest hotels in the locality, with cordial staff. Attached baths and cable TV. Five minutes walking distance from the railway station and bus stand. 5,000 sq ft garden. }} * {{sleep | name=Samrat Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=219, GT Rd | lat=22.56766 | long=88.32398 | directions= | phone=+91 0124 620 1612 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ===Mid-range=== ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Fortune Park Panchwati | alt= | url=http://www.fortunehotels.in/hotel/Kolkata-Fortune_Park_Panchwati.aspx | email=sales.fhp@fortunehotels.in | address=Kona Expy | lat=22.593273 | long=88.270195 | directions= | phone=+91 33-39884444 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33-39881222 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Standard Room ₹4,200, Fortune Club Room ₹5,000, Executive Suite ₹7,000 (Best Rates Price) | content= }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Batai Post Office | alt= | url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ | email=| address=461, Sarat Chaterjee Road, Kazipara, Shalimar, Howrah | lat=22.5617 | long=88.3177| directions=at 'Santa Sing More' Bus Stop| phone= | hours= | price=| content=A Branch Office. }} ==Go next== * [[Gadiara]] * [[Kolkata]] — Howrah's eastern neighbour is the centre of culture, heitage and economy. It is just across the river, and probably the reason one's here in the first place. * [[Rural Hooghly]] * [[Rural Howrah]] * [[Serampore]] {{geo|22.595770|88.263641|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{usablecity}} 6cjkzznd95w65pcxqi5em4jdbzd3qup 4506560 4506557 2022-08-23T04:38:30Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wv Howrah banner.jpg}} [[Image:Howrah Bridge et les ablutions dans la Howrah.jpg|thumb|300px|Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)]] '''Howrah''' (Bengali: হাওড়া, Hindi: हावड़ा) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]] in [[India]] and the twin city of [[Kolkata]]. It is the second-largest city in [[West Bengal]] after Kolkata. ==Understand== Howrah is in the eastern part of India and is spread along the western banks of the Hooghly River. While it is a separate city, Howrah is very much a part of the [[Greater Kolkata|Kolkata metropolitan area]], and Howrah railway station is where you will arrive if connecting with anywhere north, south or east of Kolkata. This article also covers Dankuni, which though a separate city is one of the entrance points to Howrah and also a part of the metropolitan area. ==Get in== === By plane=== The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. === By train === {{infobox|Railways in India|The first commercial railway service in Eastern India began on 15 August 1854 on its first run between Howrah Junction railway station to [[Hooghly]] railway station.}} [[File:Howrah Station.jpg|thumb|Howrah railway station as seen from the Hooghly River]] * {{go | name=Howrah Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.582871 | long=88.342811 | directions=near the Howrah Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Howrah Junction railway station | wikidata=Q986105 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Howrah Junction railway station is the largest railway complex in India with over 600 trains arriving per day. An estimated two million people use Howrah station every day. There are 26 platforms in Howrah station. Local trains of Eastern Railway arrives mainly at 1-9 platforms while South Eastern Railway local trains arrive at platforms 17-23, remaining platforms is used for long-distance trains. Platforms 17 to 26 are in New Complex, just south of the original building. For passengers it has an enormous covered waiting area between the main complex and the platforms. In addition there is a Yatri Niwas (railway's travellers' lodge) with dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. The vehicular carriageways along the length of platforms allow passengers to be dropped near rail compartments — a facility unique among most major stations of the country. }} * {{go | name=Andul railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.575169 | long=88.239643 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q59858133 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content= }} * {{go | name=Bally railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.655078 | long=88.340429 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q25549108 | lastedit=2022-07-07 | content= }} * {{go | name=Dankuni Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dankuni | lat=22.6783 | long=88.2908 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15212753 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} *{{go | name=Santragachi Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Santragachi Station Rd, Santragachi | lat=22.5838 | long=88.2843 | directions=near Santragachi Jheel | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7420706 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=There are six platforms. Serves local trains to Amta, Mecheda, Panskura, Haldia, [[Contai]], [[Midnapore]] and [[Kharagpur]]. A few trains originate from Santragachi station to [[Ajmer]], [[Porbandar]] and [[Nanded]], and a Vivek Express running to [[Mangalore]] Central starting from Santragachi. Mostly all Howrah/Shalimar bound express/mail trains stop here. }} * {{go | name=Shalimar railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.556389 | long=88.314722 | directions=near Vidyasagar Setu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7487222 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=A small railway station compared to Howrah station, which handles a few EMU trains and few Express trains. }} === By metro === The nearest operational metro station is at {{Marker|type=go|name=[[Kolkata/Esplanade|Esplanade]]|wikidata=Q5399030}} and one may have to change to other modes of transport to reach one's destination in Howrah. The East-West Corridor (Line 2) of the [[Kolkata#By metro|Kolkata Metro]] is under construction and is expected to connect Kolkata and Howrah directly with underwater metro service by 2023. That would be the first underwater metro service in India. ===By bus=== There are two bus stands: Howrah Bus Stand and Kolkata Bus Stand from where you can avail numerous buses from Kolkata and different parts of West Bengal. Kolkata Airport linked Volvo air-conditioned buses are available from Howrah railway station. === By ferry === Howrah is just across the river from [[Kolkata]]. The ferry services to cross the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Howrah is very convenient to zip across both cities. There are a number of jetties. On the Kolkata side the ferries link to such jetties as Bagbazar, Armenian, Fairlie, Chandpalghat, Babughat, Prinsep Ghat. On the Howrah side there are jetties at Howrah Station, Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Botanical Garden Ghat, Bandhaghat, Golabari and Belur Math. Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised! ==Get around== {{mapframe|height=600}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q205697,Q4851973,Q5071109}} For short distance travel, there are auto-rickshaws, electric rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. ===By taxi=== Like in [[Kolkata]], taxis in Howrah are easily available, relatively cheap, and will use their meters, at least in theory. They generally stand at the major railway stations in Howrah. ==See== [[File:Migratory Birds - Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2012-01-26 1520.JPG|thumb|200px|Migratory Birds at Santragachi Jheel in January]] [[File:Vidyasagar Setu.jpg|thumb|200px|Vidyasagar Setu]] * {{see | name=Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden | alt=Shibpur Botanic Garden | url=http://www.bgci.org/garden.php?id=53 | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.560556 | long=88.286944 | directions= | phone=+91 33 67 32 31 35 | tollfree= | hours=Mar-Sep: 5AM-5:30PM; Oct-Feb: 5:30AM-5PM | price=foreigners: ₹50; Indians: ₹5 | wikidata=Q3346386 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog filled sky of the city. You will value the silence that is only filled by some birds singing. The Great Banyan tree in the botanical garden boasts of having the largest canopy in the world. The British established the institution in 1786 as Indian Botanical Garden. }} * {{see | name=Andul Rajbari | alt= | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.5832 | long=88.2356 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q23808306 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{see | name=Belur Math | alt= | url= | email= | address=Belur | lat=22.6315 | long=88.3561 | directions=about {{km|4}} from Howrah railway station. You can travel there by bus, auto or taxi. It takes 20-25 min to get there and around 40 min to return, because this route is longer and becomes more congested. All modes of transportation are easily accessible from adjacent to the Howrah station area/Howrah bus stand. Local trains also go to Belur Math, but going by auto, bus or taxi is much better as they drop you off at the entrance of Belur Math. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q816234 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Belur Math is a monastery and the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Situated next to the Ganges one can sit on the banks of the Hooghly River during evening time and relax. Across the Hooghly River is the [[Kolkata/Northern fringes#See|Dakshineswar Temple]]. }} * {{See | image=HOWRAH BRIDGE from howrah station.jpg | name=Howrah Bridge | alt=Rabindra Setu | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.5851 | long=88.3469 | directions=Near Howrah station | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The area around Howrah station and Howrah Bridge has grown as a world of its own, catering to the needs of a huge floating population. The 705-metre (2,313 ft) long Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River, commissioned in 1943, replacing the older pontoon bridge. This bridge frames the skyline of the riverfront. The ambience is as amicable and profound as the river that flows alongside. }} * {{see | image=Kolkata West gate.jpg | name=Kolkata West Gate | alt= | url= | email= | address=Salap | lat=22.61368 | long=88.275 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Based on the Brandenburg Gate in [[Berlin]], the gate is an entrance to the Kolkata West International City (KWIC), a satellite township in Howrah developed by Indonesia's Ciputra Group. }} * {{see | name=Nabanna | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.5676 | long=88.3135 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15222967 | lastedit=2022-07-20 | content=Despite Kolkata is declared as the capital of West Bengal, the permanent administrative office of the state government is in Howrah. }} * {{See | name=Nivedita Setu | alt=Second Vivekananda Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.652286 | long=88.353258 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Nivedita Setu is a cable-stayed bridge over the Hooghly River. It runs parallel to and around {{m|50}} downstream of Vivekananda Setu. }} * {{see | name=Rail Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat=22.578693 | long=88.340445 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56683370 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{see | image=Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2013-01-25 3597 to 3598 Combined.JPG | name=Santragachi Jheel | url= | email=| address=Santragachi, Howrah | lat=22.5820669 | long=88.283338 | directions={{km|7}} from Howrah station by train, or {{km|6}} from Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu| phone=| fax=| hours= | price=| content=Santragachi Jheel is a large lake next to Santragachi railway station. This lake attracts a lot of migratory birds in the winter months, particularly in December and January, impart because migratory birds are avoiding destinations like the lakes in Alipore Zoo, Kolkata. Birds like Saras Crane from North America and Australia, and many other local migratory birds such as Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Comb Duck, are spotted here during this season. The lake area is owned by South Eastern Railway, though the Forest Department of West Bengal also looks after the place. Efforts are made by local residents, Forest Department and Railways to improve the environment for the birds. }} * {{see | name=Statue of Enlightened Buddha | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kona Expy, Shibpur | lat=22.57216 | long=88.3048 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Buddha Statue (18 June 2022) 2.jpg | lastedit=2022-07-29 | content=A pair of brass statues of the Buddha at Kona Expressway. }} * {{See | name=Vidyasagar Setu | alt=Second Hooghly Bridge | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.556944 | long=88.327778 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=With a total length of {{m|823}}, Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built {{km|3.7}} south/downstream of the Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992 }} * {{See | name=Vivekananda Setu | alt=Bally Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.65319 | long=88.35326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The {{m|880}} long rail-cum-road bridge was built in 1932 as Willingdon Bridge and later renamed Vivekananda Setu. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Belilious Park | alt= | url=http://panchwatigroup.com/beliliouspark.php | email= | address=Tikiapara | lat=22.5951 | long=88.3279 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10AM-8PM | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Maidan | alt= | url= | email= | address=RBC Rd | lat=22.58227 | long=88.33448 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Indoor Stadium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.58171 | long=88.30681 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q65058968 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | alt=IIEST Shibpur | url=https://www.iiests.ac.in/ | email= | address= | lat=22.5558 | long=88.3056 | directions=near Shalimar railway station | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3348743 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Buy== * It might be worth while to stroll down Howrah Maidan just for the excitement of a local market, busy with street shops selling anything from clothes, to pots, to fruits. By bus or taxi from Howrah station it will only take 10 minutes to get there. * {{buy | name=Avani Riverside Mall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/avaniriversidemall/ | email= | address=32 Jagat Banerjee Ghat Rd | lat=22.56301 | long=88.3231 | directions=on the way to Kolkata - from Prinsep Ghat Railway Station &mdash; {{km|1}} &mdash; take a trip to Dinobondhu College Bus Stop &mdash; {{km|0.5}} | phone=+91 33 3312-9000 | tollfree= | fax=+91-33-2289-5811 | hours=11AM–10PM | price=Free | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=This three storey mall contains Eastern India's first PVR cinema hall. Large food court and many shops. }} * {{buy | name=Forum Rangoli Mall | alt= | url= | email= | address=212, Girish Ghosh Rd | lat=22.62389 | long=88.353718 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-24 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Dankuni Bazar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Railway Station Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68033 | long=88.28869 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Eat== Local foods you must try are egg, chicken and mutton roll. Howrah is known for its egg chicken roll, which is available anywhere for ₹25. You will not find these foods anywhere else in the world. Mutton Biryani is also worth a try, in Nizams or Arsalan. * {{eat | name=Kichukhhan | alt= | url= | email= | address=23/2/2, Bhagwan Chatterjee Ln, Kadamtala | lat=22.59195 | long=88.31632 | directions= | phone=+91 98300 88008 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₹200-250 for an average meal per person | lastedit=2018-07-09 | content=North Indian and Indo-Chinese. Their signature dish is mixed fried rice. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Blue Heaven Bar Cum Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Delhi Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68622 | long=88.30468 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Das Restaurant Cum Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Benaras Road | lat=22.62384 | long=88.2937 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under ₹1000|₹1000 to ₹3000|Over ₹3000}} ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Rail Yatri Niwas | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2660-1742 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹350 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Contains dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. Show your ticket. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Howrah Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.thehowrahhotel.com/ | email=info@thehowrahhotel.com | address=1, Mukhram Kanoria Road | lat=22.585833 | long=88.341843 | directions=Adjacent to Howrah station | phone=+91 33 26413878, +91 33 26412149, +91 33 28490240 | tollfree= | checkin=24 hours | checkout= | price=₹550-₹650 | content=A heritage property, with a lot of character and one of the oldest hotels of Kolkata. Renowned for homey atmosphere and offers very neat and clean, airy rooms - one of the safest hotels in the locality, with cordial staff. Attached baths and cable TV. Five minutes walking distance from the railway station and bus stand. 5,000 sq ft garden. }} * {{sleep | name=Samrat Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=219, GT Rd | lat=22.56766 | long=88.32398 | directions= | phone=+91 0124 620 1612 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ===Mid-range=== ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Fortune Park Panchwati | alt= | url=http://www.fortunehotels.in/hotel/Kolkata-Fortune_Park_Panchwati.aspx | email=sales.fhp@fortunehotels.in | address=Kona Expy | lat=22.593273 | long=88.270195 | directions= | phone=+91 33-39884444 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33-39881222 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Standard Room ₹4,200, Fortune Club Room ₹5,000, Executive Suite ₹7,000 (Best Rates Price) | content= }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Batai Post Office | alt= | url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ | email=| address=461, Sarat Chaterjee Road, Kazipara, Shalimar, Howrah | lat=22.5617 | long=88.3177| directions=at 'Santa Sing More' Bus Stop| phone= | hours= | price=| content=A Branch Office. }} ==Go next== * [[Gadiara]] * [[Kolkata]] — Howrah's eastern neighbour is the centre of culture, heitage and economy. It is just across the river, and probably the reason one's here in the first place. * [[Rural Hooghly]] * [[Rural Howrah]] * [[Serampore]] {{geo|22.595770|88.263641|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{usablecity}} bfjp7kw0r83kgqvvcpyzdhwwkrqhwi6 4506562 4506560 2022-08-23T04:41:39Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* See */ Updated listing for Andul Rajbari wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wv Howrah banner.jpg}} [[Image:Howrah Bridge et les ablutions dans la Howrah.jpg|thumb|300px|Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)]] '''Howrah''' (Bengali: হাওড়া, Hindi: हावड़ा) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]] in [[India]] and the twin city of [[Kolkata]]. It is the second-largest city in [[West Bengal]] after Kolkata. ==Understand== Howrah is in the eastern part of India and is spread along the western banks of the Hooghly River. While it is a separate city, Howrah is very much a part of the [[Greater Kolkata|Kolkata metropolitan area]], and Howrah railway station is where you will arrive if connecting with anywhere north, south or east of Kolkata. This article also covers Dankuni, which though a separate city is one of the entrance points to Howrah and also a part of the metropolitan area. ==Get in== === By plane=== The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. === By train === {{infobox|Railways in India|The first commercial railway service in Eastern India began on 15 August 1854 on its first run between Howrah Junction railway station to [[Hooghly]] railway station.}} [[File:Howrah Station.jpg|thumb|Howrah railway station as seen from the Hooghly River]] * {{go | name=Howrah Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.582871 | long=88.342811 | directions=near the Howrah Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Howrah Junction railway station | wikidata=Q986105 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Howrah Junction railway station is the largest railway complex in India with over 600 trains arriving per day. An estimated two million people use Howrah station every day. There are 26 platforms in Howrah station. Local trains of Eastern Railway arrives mainly at 1-9 platforms while South Eastern Railway local trains arrive at platforms 17-23, remaining platforms is used for long-distance trains. Platforms 17 to 26 are in New Complex, just south of the original building. For passengers it has an enormous covered waiting area between the main complex and the platforms. In addition there is a Yatri Niwas (railway's travellers' lodge) with dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. The vehicular carriageways along the length of platforms allow passengers to be dropped near rail compartments — a facility unique among most major stations of the country. }} * {{go | name=Andul railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.575169 | long=88.239643 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q59858133 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content= }} * {{go | name=Bally railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.655078 | long=88.340429 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q25549108 | lastedit=2022-07-07 | content= }} * {{go | name=Dankuni Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dankuni | lat=22.6783 | long=88.2908 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15212753 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} *{{go | name=Santragachi Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Santragachi Station Rd, Santragachi | lat=22.5838 | long=88.2843 | directions=near Santragachi Jheel | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7420706 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=There are six platforms. Serves local trains to Amta, Mecheda, Panskura, Haldia, [[Contai]], [[Midnapore]] and [[Kharagpur]]. A few trains originate from Santragachi station to [[Ajmer]], [[Porbandar]] and [[Nanded]], and a Vivek Express running to [[Mangalore]] Central starting from Santragachi. Mostly all Howrah/Shalimar bound express/mail trains stop here. }} * {{go | name=Shalimar railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.556389 | long=88.314722 | directions=near Vidyasagar Setu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7487222 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=A small railway station compared to Howrah station, which handles a few EMU trains and few Express trains. }} === By metro === The nearest operational metro station is at {{Marker|type=go|name=[[Kolkata/Esplanade|Esplanade]]|wikidata=Q5399030}} and one may have to change to other modes of transport to reach one's destination in Howrah. The East-West Corridor (Line 2) of the [[Kolkata#By metro|Kolkata Metro]] is under construction and is expected to connect Kolkata and Howrah directly with underwater metro service by 2023. That would be the first underwater metro service in India. ===By bus=== There are two bus stands: Howrah Bus Stand and Kolkata Bus Stand from where you can avail numerous buses from Kolkata and different parts of West Bengal. Kolkata Airport linked Volvo air-conditioned buses are available from Howrah railway station. === By ferry === Howrah is just across the river from [[Kolkata]]. The ferry services to cross the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Howrah is very convenient to zip across both cities. There are a number of jetties. On the Kolkata side the ferries link to such jetties as Bagbazar, Armenian, Fairlie, Chandpalghat, Babughat, Prinsep Ghat. On the Howrah side there are jetties at Howrah Station, Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Botanical Garden Ghat, Bandhaghat, Golabari and Belur Math. Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised! ==Get around== {{mapframe|height=600}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q205697,Q4851973,Q5071109}} For short distance travel, there are auto-rickshaws, electric rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. ===By taxi=== Like in [[Kolkata]], taxis in Howrah are easily available, relatively cheap, and will use their meters, at least in theory. They generally stand at the major railway stations in Howrah. ==See== [[File:Migratory Birds - Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2012-01-26 1520.JPG|thumb|200px|Migratory Birds at Santragachi Jheel in January]] [[File:Vidyasagar Setu.jpg|thumb|200px|Vidyasagar Setu]] * {{see | name=Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden | alt=Shibpur Botanic Garden | url=http://www.bgci.org/garden.php?id=53 | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.560556 | long=88.286944 | directions= | phone=+91 33 67 32 31 35 | tollfree= | hours=Mar-Sep: 5AM-5:30PM; Oct-Feb: 5:30AM-5PM | price=foreigners: ₹50; Indians: ₹5 | wikidata=Q3346386 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog filled sky of the city. You will value the silence that is only filled by some birds singing. The Great Banyan tree in the botanical garden boasts of having the largest canopy in the world. The British established the institution in 1786 as Indian Botanical Garden. }} * {{see | name=Andul Rajbari | alt=Andul Royal Palace | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.5832 | long=88.2356 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q23808306 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=A heritage site of Andul, the palace was built by Raja Rajnarayan Bahadur in 1834. His family now owns a cinema hall and a local market as well. }} * {{see | name=Belur Math | alt= | url= | email= | address=Belur | lat=22.6315 | long=88.3561 | directions=about {{km|4}} from Howrah railway station. You can travel there by bus, auto or taxi. It takes 20-25 min to get there and around 40 min to return, because this route is longer and becomes more congested. All modes of transportation are easily accessible from adjacent to the Howrah station area/Howrah bus stand. Local trains also go to Belur Math, but going by auto, bus or taxi is much better as they drop you off at the entrance of Belur Math. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q816234 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Belur Math is a monastery and the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Situated next to the Ganges one can sit on the banks of the Hooghly River during evening time and relax. Across the Hooghly River is the [[Kolkata/Northern fringes#See|Dakshineswar Temple]]. }} * {{See | image=HOWRAH BRIDGE from howrah station.jpg | name=Howrah Bridge | alt=Rabindra Setu | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.5851 | long=88.3469 | directions=Near Howrah station | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The area around Howrah station and Howrah Bridge has grown as a world of its own, catering to the needs of a huge floating population. The 705-metre (2,313 ft) long Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River, commissioned in 1943, replacing the older pontoon bridge. This bridge frames the skyline of the riverfront. The ambience is as amicable and profound as the river that flows alongside. }} * {{see | image=Kolkata West gate.jpg | name=Kolkata West Gate | alt= | url= | email= | address=Salap | lat=22.61368 | long=88.275 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Based on the Brandenburg Gate in [[Berlin]], the gate is an entrance to the Kolkata West International City (KWIC), a satellite township in Howrah developed by Indonesia's Ciputra Group. }} * {{see | name=Nabanna | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.5676 | long=88.3135 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15222967 | lastedit=2022-07-20 | content=Despite Kolkata is declared as the capital of West Bengal, the permanent administrative office of the state government is in Howrah. }} * {{See | name=Nivedita Setu | alt=Second Vivekananda Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.652286 | long=88.353258 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Nivedita Setu is a cable-stayed bridge over the Hooghly River. It runs parallel to and around {{m|50}} downstream of Vivekananda Setu. }} * {{see | name=Rail Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat=22.578693 | long=88.340445 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56683370 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{see | image=Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2013-01-25 3597 to 3598 Combined.JPG | name=Santragachi Jheel | url= | email=| address=Santragachi, Howrah | lat=22.5820669 | long=88.283338 | directions={{km|7}} from Howrah station by train, or {{km|6}} from Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu| phone=| fax=| hours= | price=| content=Santragachi Jheel is a large lake next to Santragachi railway station. This lake attracts a lot of migratory birds in the winter months, particularly in December and January, impart because migratory birds are avoiding destinations like the lakes in Alipore Zoo, Kolkata. Birds like Saras Crane from North America and Australia, and many other local migratory birds such as Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Comb Duck, are spotted here during this season. The lake area is owned by South Eastern Railway, though the Forest Department of West Bengal also looks after the place. Efforts are made by local residents, Forest Department and Railways to improve the environment for the birds. }} * {{see | name=Statue of Enlightened Buddha | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kona Expy, Shibpur | lat=22.57216 | long=88.3048 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Buddha Statue (18 June 2022) 2.jpg | lastedit=2022-07-29 | content=A pair of brass statues of the Buddha at Kona Expressway. }} * {{See | name=Vidyasagar Setu | alt=Second Hooghly Bridge | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.556944 | long=88.327778 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=With a total length of {{m|823}}, Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built {{km|3.7}} south/downstream of the Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992 }} * {{See | name=Vivekananda Setu | alt=Bally Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.65319 | long=88.35326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The {{m|880}} long rail-cum-road bridge was built in 1932 as Willingdon Bridge and later renamed Vivekananda Setu. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Belilious Park | alt= | url=http://panchwatigroup.com/beliliouspark.php | email= | address=Tikiapara | lat=22.5951 | long=88.3279 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10AM-8PM | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Maidan | alt= | url= | email= | address=RBC Rd | lat=22.58227 | long=88.33448 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Indoor Stadium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.58171 | long=88.30681 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q65058968 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | alt=IIEST Shibpur | url=https://www.iiests.ac.in/ | email= | address= | lat=22.5558 | long=88.3056 | directions=near Shalimar railway station | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3348743 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Buy== * It might be worth while to stroll down Howrah Maidan just for the excitement of a local market, busy with street shops selling anything from clothes, to pots, to fruits. By bus or taxi from Howrah station it will only take 10 minutes to get there. * {{buy | name=Avani Riverside Mall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/avaniriversidemall/ | email= | address=32 Jagat Banerjee Ghat Rd | lat=22.56301 | long=88.3231 | directions=on the way to Kolkata - from Prinsep Ghat Railway Station &mdash; {{km|1}} &mdash; take a trip to Dinobondhu College Bus Stop &mdash; {{km|0.5}} | phone=+91 33 3312-9000 | tollfree= | fax=+91-33-2289-5811 | hours=11AM–10PM | price=Free | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=This three storey mall contains Eastern India's first PVR cinema hall. Large food court and many shops. }} * {{buy | name=Forum Rangoli Mall | alt= | url= | email= | address=212, Girish Ghosh Rd | lat=22.62389 | long=88.353718 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-24 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Dankuni Bazar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Railway Station Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68033 | long=88.28869 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Eat== Local foods you must try are egg, chicken and mutton roll. Howrah is known for its egg chicken roll, which is available anywhere for ₹25. You will not find these foods anywhere else in the world. Mutton Biryani is also worth a try, in Nizams or Arsalan. * {{eat | name=Kichukhhan | alt= | url= | email= | address=23/2/2, Bhagwan Chatterjee Ln, Kadamtala | lat=22.59195 | long=88.31632 | directions= | phone=+91 98300 88008 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₹200-250 for an average meal per person | lastedit=2018-07-09 | content=North Indian and Indo-Chinese. Their signature dish is mixed fried rice. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Blue Heaven Bar Cum Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Delhi Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68622 | long=88.30468 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Das Restaurant Cum Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Benaras Road | lat=22.62384 | long=88.2937 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under ₹1000|₹1000 to ₹3000|Over ₹3000}} ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Rail Yatri Niwas | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2660-1742 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹350 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Contains dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. Show your ticket. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Howrah Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.thehowrahhotel.com/ | email=info@thehowrahhotel.com | address=1, Mukhram Kanoria Road | lat=22.585833 | long=88.341843 | directions=Adjacent to Howrah station | phone=+91 33 26413878, +91 33 26412149, +91 33 28490240 | tollfree= | checkin=24 hours | checkout= | price=₹550-₹650 | content=A heritage property, with a lot of character and one of the oldest hotels of Kolkata. Renowned for homey atmosphere and offers very neat and clean, airy rooms - one of the safest hotels in the locality, with cordial staff. Attached baths and cable TV. Five minutes walking distance from the railway station and bus stand. 5,000 sq ft garden. }} * {{sleep | name=Samrat Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=219, GT Rd | lat=22.56766 | long=88.32398 | directions= | phone=+91 0124 620 1612 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ===Mid-range=== ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Fortune Park Panchwati | alt= | url=http://www.fortunehotels.in/hotel/Kolkata-Fortune_Park_Panchwati.aspx | email=sales.fhp@fortunehotels.in | address=Kona Expy | lat=22.593273 | long=88.270195 | directions= | phone=+91 33-39884444 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33-39881222 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Standard Room ₹4,200, Fortune Club Room ₹5,000, Executive Suite ₹7,000 (Best Rates Price) | content= }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Batai Post Office | alt= | url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ | email=| address=461, Sarat Chaterjee Road, Kazipara, Shalimar, Howrah | lat=22.5617 | long=88.3177| directions=at 'Santa Sing More' Bus Stop| phone= | hours= | price=| content=A Branch Office. }} ==Go next== * [[Gadiara]] * [[Kolkata]] — Howrah's eastern neighbour is the centre of culture, heitage and economy. It is just across the river, and probably the reason one's here in the first place. * [[Rural Hooghly]] * [[Rural Howrah]] * [[Serampore]] {{geo|22.595770|88.263641|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{usablecity}} n5sa59d23qo2uekknj4qvzhzcq20eep 4506566 4506562 2022-08-23T04:44:15Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Go next */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wv Howrah banner.jpg}} [[Image:Howrah Bridge et les ablutions dans la Howrah.jpg|thumb|300px|Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)]] '''Howrah''' (Bengali: হাওড়া, Hindi: हावड़ा) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]] in [[India]] and the twin city of [[Kolkata]]. It is the second-largest city in [[West Bengal]] after Kolkata. ==Understand== Howrah is in the eastern part of India and is spread along the western banks of the Hooghly River. While it is a separate city, Howrah is very much a part of the [[Greater Kolkata|Kolkata metropolitan area]], and Howrah railway station is where you will arrive if connecting with anywhere north, south or east of Kolkata. This article also covers Dankuni, which though a separate city is one of the entrance points to Howrah and also a part of the metropolitan area. ==Get in== === By plane=== The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. === By train === {{infobox|Railways in India|The first commercial railway service in Eastern India began on 15 August 1854 on its first run between Howrah Junction railway station to [[Hooghly]] railway station.}} [[File:Howrah Station.jpg|thumb|Howrah railway station as seen from the Hooghly River]] * {{go | name=Howrah Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.582871 | long=88.342811 | directions=near the Howrah Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Howrah Junction railway station | wikidata=Q986105 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Howrah Junction railway station is the largest railway complex in India with over 600 trains arriving per day. An estimated two million people use Howrah station every day. There are 26 platforms in Howrah station. Local trains of Eastern Railway arrives mainly at 1-9 platforms while South Eastern Railway local trains arrive at platforms 17-23, remaining platforms is used for long-distance trains. Platforms 17 to 26 are in New Complex, just south of the original building. For passengers it has an enormous covered waiting area between the main complex and the platforms. In addition there is a Yatri Niwas (railway's travellers' lodge) with dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. The vehicular carriageways along the length of platforms allow passengers to be dropped near rail compartments — a facility unique among most major stations of the country. }} * {{go | name=Andul railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.575169 | long=88.239643 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q59858133 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content= }} * {{go | name=Bally railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.655078 | long=88.340429 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q25549108 | lastedit=2022-07-07 | content= }} * {{go | name=Dankuni Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dankuni | lat=22.6783 | long=88.2908 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15212753 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} *{{go | name=Santragachi Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Santragachi Station Rd, Santragachi | lat=22.5838 | long=88.2843 | directions=near Santragachi Jheel | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7420706 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=There are six platforms. Serves local trains to Amta, Mecheda, Panskura, Haldia, [[Contai]], [[Midnapore]] and [[Kharagpur]]. A few trains originate from Santragachi station to [[Ajmer]], [[Porbandar]] and [[Nanded]], and a Vivek Express running to [[Mangalore]] Central starting from Santragachi. Mostly all Howrah/Shalimar bound express/mail trains stop here. }} * {{go | name=Shalimar railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.556389 | long=88.314722 | directions=near Vidyasagar Setu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7487222 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=A small railway station compared to Howrah station, which handles a few EMU trains and few Express trains. }} === By metro === The nearest operational metro station is at {{Marker|type=go|name=[[Kolkata/Esplanade|Esplanade]]|wikidata=Q5399030}} and one may have to change to other modes of transport to reach one's destination in Howrah. The East-West Corridor (Line 2) of the [[Kolkata#By metro|Kolkata Metro]] is under construction and is expected to connect Kolkata and Howrah directly with underwater metro service by 2023. That would be the first underwater metro service in India. ===By bus=== There are two bus stands: Howrah Bus Stand and Kolkata Bus Stand from where you can avail numerous buses from Kolkata and different parts of West Bengal. Kolkata Airport linked Volvo air-conditioned buses are available from Howrah railway station. === By ferry === Howrah is just across the river from [[Kolkata]]. The ferry services to cross the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Howrah is very convenient to zip across both cities. There are a number of jetties. On the Kolkata side the ferries link to such jetties as Bagbazar, Armenian, Fairlie, Chandpalghat, Babughat, Prinsep Ghat. On the Howrah side there are jetties at Howrah Station, Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Botanical Garden Ghat, Bandhaghat, Golabari and Belur Math. Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised! ==Get around== {{mapframe|height=600}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q205697,Q4851973,Q5071109}} For short distance travel, there are auto-rickshaws, electric rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. ===By taxi=== Like in [[Kolkata]], taxis in Howrah are easily available, relatively cheap, and will use their meters, at least in theory. They generally stand at the major railway stations in Howrah. ==See== [[File:Migratory Birds - Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2012-01-26 1520.JPG|thumb|200px|Migratory Birds at Santragachi Jheel in January]] [[File:Vidyasagar Setu.jpg|thumb|200px|Vidyasagar Setu]] * {{see | name=Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden | alt=Shibpur Botanic Garden | url=http://www.bgci.org/garden.php?id=53 | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.560556 | long=88.286944 | directions= | phone=+91 33 67 32 31 35 | tollfree= | hours=Mar-Sep: 5AM-5:30PM; Oct-Feb: 5:30AM-5PM | price=foreigners: ₹50; Indians: ₹5 | wikidata=Q3346386 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog filled sky of the city. You will value the silence that is only filled by some birds singing. The Great Banyan tree in the botanical garden boasts of having the largest canopy in the world. The British established the institution in 1786 as Indian Botanical Garden. }} * {{see | name=Andul Rajbari | alt=Andul Royal Palace | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.5832 | long=88.2356 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q23808306 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=A heritage site of Andul, the palace was built by Raja Rajnarayan Bahadur in 1834. His family now owns a cinema hall and a local market as well. }} * {{see | name=Belur Math | alt= | url= | email= | address=Belur | lat=22.6315 | long=88.3561 | directions=about {{km|4}} from Howrah railway station. You can travel there by bus, auto or taxi. It takes 20-25 min to get there and around 40 min to return, because this route is longer and becomes more congested. All modes of transportation are easily accessible from adjacent to the Howrah station area/Howrah bus stand. Local trains also go to Belur Math, but going by auto, bus or taxi is much better as they drop you off at the entrance of Belur Math. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q816234 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Belur Math is a monastery and the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Situated next to the Ganges one can sit on the banks of the Hooghly River during evening time and relax. Across the Hooghly River is the [[Kolkata/Northern fringes#See|Dakshineswar Temple]]. }} * {{See | image=HOWRAH BRIDGE from howrah station.jpg | name=Howrah Bridge | alt=Rabindra Setu | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.5851 | long=88.3469 | directions=Near Howrah station | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The area around Howrah station and Howrah Bridge has grown as a world of its own, catering to the needs of a huge floating population. The 705-metre (2,313 ft) long Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River, commissioned in 1943, replacing the older pontoon bridge. This bridge frames the skyline of the riverfront. The ambience is as amicable and profound as the river that flows alongside. }} * {{see | image=Kolkata West gate.jpg | name=Kolkata West Gate | alt= | url= | email= | address=Salap | lat=22.61368 | long=88.275 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Based on the Brandenburg Gate in [[Berlin]], the gate is an entrance to the Kolkata West International City (KWIC), a satellite township in Howrah developed by Indonesia's Ciputra Group. }} * {{see | name=Nabanna | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.5676 | long=88.3135 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15222967 | lastedit=2022-07-20 | content=Despite Kolkata is declared as the capital of West Bengal, the permanent administrative office of the state government is in Howrah. }} * {{See | name=Nivedita Setu | alt=Second Vivekananda Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.652286 | long=88.353258 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Nivedita Setu is a cable-stayed bridge over the Hooghly River. It runs parallel to and around {{m|50}} downstream of Vivekananda Setu. }} * {{see | name=Rail Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat=22.578693 | long=88.340445 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56683370 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{see | image=Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2013-01-25 3597 to 3598 Combined.JPG | name=Santragachi Jheel | url= | email=| address=Santragachi, Howrah | lat=22.5820669 | long=88.283338 | directions={{km|7}} from Howrah station by train, or {{km|6}} from Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu| phone=| fax=| hours= | price=| content=Santragachi Jheel is a large lake next to Santragachi railway station. This lake attracts a lot of migratory birds in the winter months, particularly in December and January, impart because migratory birds are avoiding destinations like the lakes in Alipore Zoo, Kolkata. Birds like Saras Crane from North America and Australia, and many other local migratory birds such as Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Comb Duck, are spotted here during this season. The lake area is owned by South Eastern Railway, though the Forest Department of West Bengal also looks after the place. Efforts are made by local residents, Forest Department and Railways to improve the environment for the birds. }} * {{see | name=Statue of Enlightened Buddha | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kona Expy, Shibpur | lat=22.57216 | long=88.3048 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Buddha Statue (18 June 2022) 2.jpg | lastedit=2022-07-29 | content=A pair of brass statues of the Buddha at Kona Expressway. }} * {{See | name=Vidyasagar Setu | alt=Second Hooghly Bridge | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.556944 | long=88.327778 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=With a total length of {{m|823}}, Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built {{km|3.7}} south/downstream of the Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992 }} * {{See | name=Vivekananda Setu | alt=Bally Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.65319 | long=88.35326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The {{m|880}} long rail-cum-road bridge was built in 1932 as Willingdon Bridge and later renamed Vivekananda Setu. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Belilious Park | alt= | url=http://panchwatigroup.com/beliliouspark.php | email= | address=Tikiapara | lat=22.5951 | long=88.3279 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10AM-8PM | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Maidan | alt= | url= | email= | address=RBC Rd | lat=22.58227 | long=88.33448 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Indoor Stadium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.58171 | long=88.30681 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q65058968 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | alt=IIEST Shibpur | url=https://www.iiests.ac.in/ | email= | address= | lat=22.5558 | long=88.3056 | directions=near Shalimar railway station | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3348743 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Buy== * It might be worth while to stroll down Howrah Maidan just for the excitement of a local market, busy with street shops selling anything from clothes, to pots, to fruits. By bus or taxi from Howrah station it will only take 10 minutes to get there. * {{buy | name=Avani Riverside Mall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/avaniriversidemall/ | email= | address=32 Jagat Banerjee Ghat Rd | lat=22.56301 | long=88.3231 | directions=on the way to Kolkata - from Prinsep Ghat Railway Station &mdash; {{km|1}} &mdash; take a trip to Dinobondhu College Bus Stop &mdash; {{km|0.5}} | phone=+91 33 3312-9000 | tollfree= | fax=+91-33-2289-5811 | hours=11AM–10PM | price=Free | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=This three storey mall contains Eastern India's first PVR cinema hall. Large food court and many shops. }} * {{buy | name=Forum Rangoli Mall | alt= | url= | email= | address=212, Girish Ghosh Rd | lat=22.62389 | long=88.353718 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-24 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Dankuni Bazar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Railway Station Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68033 | long=88.28869 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Eat== Local foods you must try are egg, chicken and mutton roll. Howrah is known for its egg chicken roll, which is available anywhere for ₹25. You will not find these foods anywhere else in the world. Mutton Biryani is also worth a try, in Nizams or Arsalan. * {{eat | name=Kichukhhan | alt= | url= | email= | address=23/2/2, Bhagwan Chatterjee Ln, Kadamtala | lat=22.59195 | long=88.31632 | directions= | phone=+91 98300 88008 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₹200-250 for an average meal per person | lastedit=2018-07-09 | content=North Indian and Indo-Chinese. Their signature dish is mixed fried rice. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Blue Heaven Bar Cum Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Delhi Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68622 | long=88.30468 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Das Restaurant Cum Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Benaras Road | lat=22.62384 | long=88.2937 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under ₹1000|₹1000 to ₹3000|Over ₹3000}} ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Rail Yatri Niwas | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2660-1742 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹350 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Contains dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. Show your ticket. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Howrah Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.thehowrahhotel.com/ | email=info@thehowrahhotel.com | address=1, Mukhram Kanoria Road | lat=22.585833 | long=88.341843 | directions=Adjacent to Howrah station | phone=+91 33 26413878, +91 33 26412149, +91 33 28490240 | tollfree= | checkin=24 hours | checkout= | price=₹550-₹650 | content=A heritage property, with a lot of character and one of the oldest hotels of Kolkata. Renowned for homey atmosphere and offers very neat and clean, airy rooms - one of the safest hotels in the locality, with cordial staff. Attached baths and cable TV. Five minutes walking distance from the railway station and bus stand. 5,000 sq ft garden. }} * {{sleep | name=Samrat Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=219, GT Rd | lat=22.56766 | long=88.32398 | directions= | phone=+91 0124 620 1612 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ===Mid-range=== ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Fortune Park Panchwati | alt= | url=http://www.fortunehotels.in/hotel/Kolkata-Fortune_Park_Panchwati.aspx | email=sales.fhp@fortunehotels.in | address=Kona Expy | lat=22.593273 | long=88.270195 | directions= | phone=+91 33-39884444 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33-39881222 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Standard Room ₹4,200, Fortune Club Room ₹5,000, Executive Suite ₹7,000 (Best Rates Price) | content= }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Batai Post Office | alt= | url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ | email=| address=461, Sarat Chaterjee Road, Kazipara, Shalimar, Howrah | lat=22.5617 | long=88.3177| directions=at 'Santa Sing More' Bus Stop| phone= | hours= | price=| content=A Branch Office. }} ==Go next== * [[Kolkata]] — Howrah's eastern neighbour is the centre of culture, heitage and economy. It is just across the river, and probably the reason one's here in the first place. * [[Rural Hooghly]] * [[Rural Howrah]] * [[Serampore]] {{geo|22.595770|88.263641|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{usablecity}} cfincoukhggblocx4hkyjjo0o1l1hfp 4506567 4506566 2022-08-23T04:44:49Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Connect */ Updated listing for Batai Post Office wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wv Howrah banner.jpg}} [[Image:Howrah Bridge et les ablutions dans la Howrah.jpg|thumb|300px|Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)]] '''Howrah''' (Bengali: হাওড়া, Hindi: हावड़ा) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]] in [[India]] and the twin city of [[Kolkata]]. It is the second-largest city in [[West Bengal]] after Kolkata. ==Understand== Howrah is in the eastern part of India and is spread along the western banks of the Hooghly River. While it is a separate city, Howrah is very much a part of the [[Greater Kolkata|Kolkata metropolitan area]], and Howrah railway station is where you will arrive if connecting with anywhere north, south or east of Kolkata. This article also covers Dankuni, which though a separate city is one of the entrance points to Howrah and also a part of the metropolitan area. ==Get in== === By plane=== The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. === By train === {{infobox|Railways in India|The first commercial railway service in Eastern India began on 15 August 1854 on its first run between Howrah Junction railway station to [[Hooghly]] railway station.}} [[File:Howrah Station.jpg|thumb|Howrah railway station as seen from the Hooghly River]] * {{go | name=Howrah Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.582871 | long=88.342811 | directions=near the Howrah Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Howrah Junction railway station | wikidata=Q986105 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Howrah Junction railway station is the largest railway complex in India with over 600 trains arriving per day. An estimated two million people use Howrah station every day. There are 26 platforms in Howrah station. Local trains of Eastern Railway arrives mainly at 1-9 platforms while South Eastern Railway local trains arrive at platforms 17-23, remaining platforms is used for long-distance trains. Platforms 17 to 26 are in New Complex, just south of the original building. For passengers it has an enormous covered waiting area between the main complex and the platforms. In addition there is a Yatri Niwas (railway's travellers' lodge) with dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. The vehicular carriageways along the length of platforms allow passengers to be dropped near rail compartments — a facility unique among most major stations of the country. }} * {{go | name=Andul railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.575169 | long=88.239643 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q59858133 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content= }} * {{go | name=Bally railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.655078 | long=88.340429 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q25549108 | lastedit=2022-07-07 | content= }} * {{go | name=Dankuni Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dankuni | lat=22.6783 | long=88.2908 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15212753 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} *{{go | name=Santragachi Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Santragachi Station Rd, Santragachi | lat=22.5838 | long=88.2843 | directions=near Santragachi Jheel | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7420706 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=There are six platforms. Serves local trains to Amta, Mecheda, Panskura, Haldia, [[Contai]], [[Midnapore]] and [[Kharagpur]]. A few trains originate from Santragachi station to [[Ajmer]], [[Porbandar]] and [[Nanded]], and a Vivek Express running to [[Mangalore]] Central starting from Santragachi. Mostly all Howrah/Shalimar bound express/mail trains stop here. }} * {{go | name=Shalimar railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.556389 | long=88.314722 | directions=near Vidyasagar Setu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7487222 | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=A small railway station compared to Howrah station, which handles a few EMU trains and few Express trains. }} === By metro === The nearest operational metro station is at {{Marker|type=go|name=[[Kolkata/Esplanade|Esplanade]]|wikidata=Q5399030}} and one may have to change to other modes of transport to reach one's destination in Howrah. The East-West Corridor (Line 2) of the [[Kolkata#By metro|Kolkata Metro]] is under construction and is expected to connect Kolkata and Howrah directly with underwater metro service by 2023. That would be the first underwater metro service in India. ===By bus=== There are two bus stands: Howrah Bus Stand and Kolkata Bus Stand from where you can avail numerous buses from Kolkata and different parts of West Bengal. Kolkata Airport linked Volvo air-conditioned buses are available from Howrah railway station. === By ferry === Howrah is just across the river from [[Kolkata]]. The ferry services to cross the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Howrah is very convenient to zip across both cities. There are a number of jetties. On the Kolkata side the ferries link to such jetties as Bagbazar, Armenian, Fairlie, Chandpalghat, Babughat, Prinsep Ghat. On the Howrah side there are jetties at Howrah Station, Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Botanical Garden Ghat, Bandhaghat, Golabari and Belur Math. Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised! ==Get around== {{mapframe|height=600}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q205697,Q4851973,Q5071109}} For short distance travel, there are auto-rickshaws, electric rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. ===By taxi=== Like in [[Kolkata]], taxis in Howrah are easily available, relatively cheap, and will use their meters, at least in theory. They generally stand at the major railway stations in Howrah. ==See== [[File:Migratory Birds - Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2012-01-26 1520.JPG|thumb|200px|Migratory Birds at Santragachi Jheel in January]] [[File:Vidyasagar Setu.jpg|thumb|200px|Vidyasagar Setu]] * {{see | name=Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden | alt=Shibpur Botanic Garden | url=http://www.bgci.org/garden.php?id=53 | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.560556 | long=88.286944 | directions= | phone=+91 33 67 32 31 35 | tollfree= | hours=Mar-Sep: 5AM-5:30PM; Oct-Feb: 5:30AM-5PM | price=foreigners: ₹50; Indians: ₹5 | wikidata=Q3346386 | lastedit=2022-07-05 | content=An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog filled sky of the city. You will value the silence that is only filled by some birds singing. The Great Banyan tree in the botanical garden boasts of having the largest canopy in the world. The British established the institution in 1786 as Indian Botanical Garden. }} * {{see | name=Andul Rajbari | alt=Andul Royal Palace | url= | email= | address=Andul | lat=22.5832 | long=88.2356 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q23808306 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=A heritage site of Andul, the palace was built by Raja Rajnarayan Bahadur in 1834. His family now owns a cinema hall and a local market as well. }} * {{see | name=Belur Math | alt= | url= | email= | address=Belur | lat=22.6315 | long=88.3561 | directions=about {{km|4}} from Howrah railway station. You can travel there by bus, auto or taxi. It takes 20-25 min to get there and around 40 min to return, because this route is longer and becomes more congested. All modes of transportation are easily accessible from adjacent to the Howrah station area/Howrah bus stand. Local trains also go to Belur Math, but going by auto, bus or taxi is much better as they drop you off at the entrance of Belur Math. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q816234 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Belur Math is a monastery and the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Situated next to the Ganges one can sit on the banks of the Hooghly River during evening time and relax. Across the Hooghly River is the [[Kolkata/Northern fringes#See|Dakshineswar Temple]]. }} * {{See | image=HOWRAH BRIDGE from howrah station.jpg | name=Howrah Bridge | alt=Rabindra Setu | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.5851 | long=88.3469 | directions=Near Howrah station | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The area around Howrah station and Howrah Bridge has grown as a world of its own, catering to the needs of a huge floating population. The 705-metre (2,313 ft) long Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River, commissioned in 1943, replacing the older pontoon bridge. This bridge frames the skyline of the riverfront. The ambience is as amicable and profound as the river that flows alongside. }} * {{see | image=Kolkata West gate.jpg | name=Kolkata West Gate | alt= | url= | email= | address=Salap | lat=22.61368 | long=88.275 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-06 | content=Based on the Brandenburg Gate in [[Berlin]], the gate is an entrance to the Kolkata West International City (KWIC), a satellite township in Howrah developed by Indonesia's Ciputra Group. }} * {{see | name=Nabanna | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.5676 | long=88.3135 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15222967 | lastedit=2022-07-20 | content=Despite Kolkata is declared as the capital of West Bengal, the permanent administrative office of the state government is in Howrah. }} * {{See | name=Nivedita Setu | alt=Second Vivekananda Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.652286 | long=88.353258 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Nivedita Setu is a cable-stayed bridge over the Hooghly River. It runs parallel to and around {{m|50}} downstream of Vivekananda Setu. }} * {{see | name=Rail Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat=22.578693 | long=88.340445 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56683370 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{see | image=Santragachi Lake - Howrah 2013-01-25 3597 to 3598 Combined.JPG | name=Santragachi Jheel | url= | email=| address=Santragachi, Howrah | lat=22.5820669 | long=88.283338 | directions={{km|7}} from Howrah station by train, or {{km|6}} from Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu| phone=| fax=| hours= | price=| content=Santragachi Jheel is a large lake next to Santragachi railway station. This lake attracts a lot of migratory birds in the winter months, particularly in December and January, impart because migratory birds are avoiding destinations like the lakes in Alipore Zoo, Kolkata. Birds like Saras Crane from North America and Australia, and many other local migratory birds such as Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Comb Duck, are spotted here during this season. The lake area is owned by South Eastern Railway, though the Forest Department of West Bengal also looks after the place. Efforts are made by local residents, Forest Department and Railways to improve the environment for the birds. }} * {{see | name=Statue of Enlightened Buddha | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kona Expy, Shibpur | lat=22.57216 | long=88.3048 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Buddha Statue (18 June 2022) 2.jpg | lastedit=2022-07-29 | content=A pair of brass statues of the Buddha at Kona Expressway. }} * {{See | name=Vidyasagar Setu | alt=Second Hooghly Bridge | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.556944 | long=88.327778 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=With a total length of {{m|823}}, Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built {{km|3.7}} south/downstream of the Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992 }} * {{See | name=Vivekananda Setu | alt=Bally Bridge | url= | email= | address=Bally | lat=22.65319 | long=88.35326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The {{m|880}} long rail-cum-road bridge was built in 1932 as Willingdon Bridge and later renamed Vivekananda Setu. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Belilious Park | alt= | url=http://panchwatigroup.com/beliliouspark.php | email= | address=Tikiapara | lat=22.5951 | long=88.3279 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10AM-8PM | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Maidan | alt= | url= | email= | address=RBC Rd | lat=22.58227 | long=88.33448 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} * {{do | name=Howrah Indoor Stadium | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shibpur | lat=22.58171 | long=88.30681 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q65058968 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content= }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | alt=IIEST Shibpur | url=https://www.iiests.ac.in/ | email= | address= | lat=22.5558 | long=88.3056 | directions=near Shalimar railway station | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3348743 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Buy== * It might be worth while to stroll down Howrah Maidan just for the excitement of a local market, busy with street shops selling anything from clothes, to pots, to fruits. By bus or taxi from Howrah station it will only take 10 minutes to get there. * {{buy | name=Avani Riverside Mall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/avaniriversidemall/ | email= | address=32 Jagat Banerjee Ghat Rd | lat=22.56301 | long=88.3231 | directions=on the way to Kolkata - from Prinsep Ghat Railway Station &mdash; {{km|1}} &mdash; take a trip to Dinobondhu College Bus Stop &mdash; {{km|0.5}} | phone=+91 33 3312-9000 | tollfree= | fax=+91-33-2289-5811 | hours=11AM–10PM | price=Free | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=This three storey mall contains Eastern India's first PVR cinema hall. Large food court and many shops. }} * {{buy | name=Forum Rangoli Mall | alt= | url= | email= | address=212, Girish Ghosh Rd | lat=22.62389 | long=88.353718 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-24 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Dankuni Bazar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Railway Station Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68033 | long=88.28869 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Eat== Local foods you must try are egg, chicken and mutton roll. Howrah is known for its egg chicken roll, which is available anywhere for ₹25. You will not find these foods anywhere else in the world. Mutton Biryani is also worth a try, in Nizams or Arsalan. * {{eat | name=Kichukhhan | alt= | url= | email= | address=23/2/2, Bhagwan Chatterjee Ln, Kadamtala | lat=22.59195 | long=88.31632 | directions= | phone=+91 98300 88008 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₹200-250 for an average meal per person | lastedit=2018-07-09 | content=North Indian and Indo-Chinese. Their signature dish is mixed fried rice. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Blue Heaven Bar Cum Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=Old Delhi Rd, Dankuni | lat=22.68622 | long=88.30468 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Das Restaurant Cum Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Benaras Road | lat=22.62384 | long=88.2937 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under ₹1000|₹1000 to ₹3000|Over ₹3000}} ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Rail Yatri Niwas | alt= | url= | email= | address=Howrah railway station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2660-1742 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹350 | lastedit=2022-07-21 | content=Contains dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. Show your ticket. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Howrah Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.thehowrahhotel.com/ | email=info@thehowrahhotel.com | address=1, Mukhram Kanoria Road | lat=22.585833 | long=88.341843 | directions=Adjacent to Howrah station | phone=+91 33 26413878, +91 33 26412149, +91 33 28490240 | tollfree= | checkin=24 hours | checkout= | price=₹550-₹650 | content=A heritage property, with a lot of character and one of the oldest hotels of Kolkata. Renowned for homey atmosphere and offers very neat and clean, airy rooms - one of the safest hotels in the locality, with cordial staff. Attached baths and cable TV. Five minutes walking distance from the railway station and bus stand. 5,000 sq ft garden. }} * {{sleep | name=Samrat Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=219, GT Rd | lat=22.56766 | long=88.32398 | directions= | phone=+91 0124 620 1612 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ===Mid-range=== ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Fortune Park Panchwati | alt= | url=http://www.fortunehotels.in/hotel/Kolkata-Fortune_Park_Panchwati.aspx | email=sales.fhp@fortunehotels.in | address=Kona Expy | lat=22.593273 | long=88.270195 | directions= | phone=+91 33-39884444 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33-39881222 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Standard Room ₹4,200, Fortune Club Room ₹5,000, Executive Suite ₹7,000 (Best Rates Price) | content= }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Batai Post Office | alt= | url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ | email= | address=461, Sarat Chaterjee Road, Kazipara, Shalimar | lat=22.5617 | long=88.3177 | directions=at 'Santa Sing More' Bus Stop | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=A Branch Office. }} ==Go next== * [[Kolkata]] — Howrah's eastern neighbour is the centre of culture, heitage and economy. It is just across the river, and probably the reason one's here in the first place. * [[Rural Hooghly]] * [[Rural Howrah]] * [[Serampore]] {{geo|22.595770|88.263641|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{usablecity}} ktwrgwsen3pu7vwebulkely9d4l88zw 0 15557 4506632 4505985 2022-08-23T06:23:20Z 103.125.53.17 Added new parks wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|TajMahal Banner.jpg|caption=Taj Mahal|origin=0,0}} {{COVID-19 box|Travellers arriving in India must submit a self-declaration form at the [https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration Air Suvidha] portal. A negative RT-PCR test report issued 72 hours before the time of travel will be required. Alternatively, travellers vaccinated with a WHO recognised COVID-19 vaccine can upload their vaccination certificate and are not bound to undergo RT-PCR testing. Exceptions may apply. Lockdowns and curfews may apply in some states. See the [https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf advisory issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare] for details.<br> For the latest information, please check the [https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ National Health Ministry Portal] and [https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/ Directorate General of Civil Aviation Portal]. |lastedit=2022-02-12}} {{warningbox|There is a moderate level of civil unrest, crime and terrorist activity in some parts the country, but in particular Jammu and Kashmir, near the India-Pakistan border where most governments advice have a "Do not travel" warning. There are also a few extremist groups in the states of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in the North-Eastern part of the country. Protests have occurred nationwide in response to the Indian government's new military service scheme, and in some states, these protests have turned into riots. Road and rail transportation are severely disrupted, as protesters target transportation infrastructures. General riot control weapons (like tear gas and water cannon) and live ammunition have been used by security forces, and Internet shutdown has been observed in parts of [[Bihar]]. |lastedit=2022-06-21 |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/india-travel-advisory.html |au=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india |ca=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/india |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/india}} '''[https://www.incredibleindia.org India]''' ([[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]: भारत or ''Bhārat''), the largest country in [[South Asia]], has many of the world's highest mountains, most populated cities, and longest rivers. India's heritage and culture is a rich amalgam of the past and present. This vast country, the second most populous in the world and set to become number one, offers the traveller a view of fascinating religions and ethnography, a smorgasbord of languages, and architectural masterpieces that were built millennia ago and remain intact today. As the nation opens up to a globalised world, India still has a depth of history and intensity of culture that awe and fascinate the many who visit there. ==Regions== India is administratively divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. The states are broadly demarcated on linguistic lines. They vary in size; the larger ones are bigger and more diverse than some countries of Europe. The union territories are usually much smaller than the states&mdash;sometimes they are just one city&mdash;and they have much less autonomy. India has two island chains off the mainland – the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] in the Bay of Bengal and the [[Lakshadweep]] in the Arabian Sea. The states and union territories are grouped by convention into the following regions: {{Regionlist | regionmap=Map of India.png | regionmaptext=Map of India's regions and states | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | regionmapsize=350px | region1name=[[Himalayan North]] | region1color=#d5b66b | region1items=[[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Ladakh]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]] | region1description=Mountainous and beautiful, a tourist destination for the adventurous and the spiritual. This region contains some of India's most visited hill stations and religious places. | region2name=[[Plains (India)|The Plains]] | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2items=[[Bihar]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Delhi]], [[Haryana]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] | region2description=The plains, India's breadbasket, are watered by the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and their tributaries. The region also features the country's capital, Delhi, [[Agra]] of Taj Mahal fame and the holy cities of [[Allahabad]], [[Mathura]], [[Varanasi]] and [[Bodh Gaya]]. Many of the events that shaped India's history took place in this region. | region3name=[[Western India]] | region3color=#71b37b | region3items=[[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]], [[Goa]], [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Rajasthan]] | region3description= Home to the vast Thar Desert; the colourful palaces, forts and cities of Rajasthan; the country's most vibrant and biggest city, [[Mumbai]]; the mesmerising rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra; pristine forests; the wonderful beaches of Goa; the Asiatic lions of Gujarat in Gir jungles; and the rapidly developing cities of [[Ahmedabad]], [[Surat]], [[Jaipur]] and [[Pune]]. | region4name=[[Southern India]] | region4color=#b383b3 | region4items=[[Andaman and Nicobar]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Lakshadweep]], [[Pondicherry]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Telangana]] | region4description=Features famous and historical temples, tropical forests, backwaters, beaches, hill stations, and the vibrant cities of [[Bangalore]], [[Chennai]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and [[Hyderabad]]. The city of [[Mysore]] is world-renowned for its palaces, especially the Mysore Palace. The island groups of Andaman and Nicobar (on the east) and Lakshadweep on the west, included in this region for convenience, are far from the mainland and have their own unique characteristics. | region5name=[[Eastern India]] | region5color=#4da9c4 | region5items=[[Chhattisgarh]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Odisha]], [[Sikkim]], [[West Bengal]] | region5description=Economically less developed, but culturally rich and perhaps the most welcoming to outsiders. Features [[Kolkata]], once the capital of British India, and the temple cities of [[Puri]], [[Bhubaneswar]] and [[Konark]]. The region stretches from the mountains to the coast, resulting in fascinating variations in climate. It is also the mineral storehouse of India, having the country's largest and richest mines. | region6name=[[North-Eastern India]] | region6color=#d56d76 | region6items=[[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Assam]], [[Manipur]], [[Meghalaya]], [[Mizoram]], [[Nagaland]], [[Tripura]] | region6description=Insular and relatively virgin, this is the country's tribal corner, with lush, beautiful landscapes, endemic flora and fauna of the Indo-Malayan group and famed tea gardens. Consists of seven states popularly known as the "Seven Sisters". The world's oldest pologround, world's only floating national park, world's only women run market, world's tallest topiary plant and world's only floating lake can be seen in [[Manipur]]. The state of Meghalaya is depicted as the "Scotland of India" because of its mesmerising environment. World's tallest railway bridge is also under construction in Manipur. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5b66b|title=[[Himalayan North]]|wikidata=Q1180,Q1177,Q1499|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Plains (India)|The Plains]]|wikidata=Q22424,Q1174,Q1498,Q1165,Q1188|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Western India]]|wikidata=Q1437,Q1061,Q1191,Q1171|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Southern India]]|wikidata=Q1159,Q677037,Q1186,Q1445,Q1185,Q40888,Q26927|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#4da9c4|title=[[Eastern India]]|wikidata=Q1168,Q22048,Q1356,Q1505,Q1184|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[North-Eastern India]]|wikidata=Q1162,Q1164,Q1193,Q1195,Q1502,Q1599,Q1363|stroke-opacity=0.1}} ==Cities== <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN NINE CITIES ALLOWED HERE --> These are nine of India's most notable cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions. <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING ON THE TALK PAGE --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Delhi]]|url=|lat=28.61|long=77.23|wikidata=Q1353}} — the capital of India and the heart of Northern India *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bangalore]]|url=|lat=12.966667|long=77.566667|wikidata=Q1355}} (''Bengaluru'') — the beautiful garden city, once the sleepy home of pension takers, now transformed into an IT hub for high-technology companies and sprouting pubs. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chennai]]|url=|lat=13.083333|long=80.266667|wikidata=Q1352}} (''Madras'') — the main port in Southern India, cultural centre, automobile capital of India *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hyderabad]]|url=|lat=17.37|long=78.48|wikidata=Q1361}} — known for pearl and diamond trading, now with major manufacturing and financial institutions *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jaipur]]|url=|lat=26.9|long=75.8|wikidata=Q66485}} — the Pink City, a major exhibit of the Hindu Rajput culture of medieval Northern India *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kochi]]|url=|lat=9.97|long=76.28|wikidata=Q1800}} (''Cochin'') — the Queen of the Arabian Sea, historically a centre of international trade, now the gateway to the sandy beaches and backwaters *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kolkata]]|url=|lat=22.566667|long=88.366667|wikidata=Q1348}} (''Calcutta'') — the cultural capital of India, known as the City of Joy, and home to numerous colonial buildings *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mumbai]]|url=|lat=18.975|long=72.825833|wikidata=Q1156}} (''Bombay'') — the largest city and the financial capital of India, the city that never sleeps, home of "Bollywood", the Hindi film industry *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Varanasi]]|url=|lat=25.28|long=82.96|wikidata=Q79980}} (''Banaras'' or ''Kashi'') — considered the most sacred Hindu city, on the banks of the Ganges, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN NINE CITIES ALLOWED HERE --> ==Other destinations== India has many outstanding landmarks and areas of outstanding beauty. Here are some of the most notable. <!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT PRIOR DISCUSSION ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN 9 DESTINATIONS PLEASE --> *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bodh Gaya]]|url=|lat=24.695102|long=84.991275|wikidata=Q176767}} &mdash; the main temple complex, which includes the Mahabodhi temple, is the place where the Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ellora]]|url=|lat=20.0268|long=75.1771|wikidata=Q189616}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ajanta]]|url=|lat=20.551356|long=75.703304|wikidata=Q184427}} &mdash; spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Amritsar#Golden Temple|Golden Temple]]|url=|lat=31.62|long=74.876944|wikidata=Q180422}} &mdash; Sikh holy site in [[Amritsar]] *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Hampi]]|url=|lat=15.335|long=76.462|wikidata=Q26732}} &mdash; the awesome ruins of the empire of Vijayanagara *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Khajuraho]]|url=|lat=24.85|long=79.93|wikidata=Q178948}} &mdash; temple complexes famed for their erotic sculptures *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Konark]]|url=|lat=19.890833|long=86.100278|wikidata=Q749189}} &mdash; Sun Temple, a unique example of Kalingan architecture, which is a [[UNESCO World Heritage]] site *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Madurai#Meenakshi Amman Temple|Meenakshi Temple]]|url=|lat=9.919444|long=78.119444|wikidata=Q1424358}} &mdash; a spectacular Hindu temple in [[Madurai]] *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Agra#Taj Mahal|Taj Mahal]]|url=|lat=27.175|long=78.041944|wikidata=Q9141}} &mdash; the incomparable marble tomb in [[Agra]], one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World <!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT PRIOR DISCUSSION ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN 9 DESTINATIONS PLEASE --> See also: * {{marker|name=[[Forts and palaces of India]]|wikidata=}} * {{marker|name=[[Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries]]|wikidata=Q1125269}} * {{marker|name=[[Indian zoos and botanical gardens]]|wikidata=Q20892053}} * {{marker|name=[[Natural wonders of India]]|wikidata=Q28913858}} * {{marker|name=[[Sacred sites of the Indian subcontinent]]|wikidata=Q1372264}} * {{marker|name=[[Hill stations in India]]|wikidata=Q1372264}} * {{marker|name=[[UNESCO World Heritage List (India)]]|wikidata=}} * [https://urbanairtrampolineandadventurepark.com/sky-zone-trampoline-park/ '''Trampoline parks in India'''] ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationIndia.png|capital=New Delhi}} One thing that foreign visitors need to know is that India is, in many ways, heterogeneous. If they experience one set of behaviours from the locals in one part of the country, it does not mean that the same behaviour is common in another area. To give a very simple example, a taxi driver in [[Mumbai]] will without saying a word drop their meter flag and return the exact change, while in [[Delhi]] you have to tell the driver to use the meter and hope you get your change, and in other areas taxi drivers don't even have meters and have fixed the rates for even short distances, and you just pay the amount demanded; if you do get an honest driver, consider yourself lucky. India shows extreme variation in most things, and one needs patience and luck to find the best. Never assume you know everything about any aspect of India; be prepared to see completely new things every day. ===History=== {{see also|Mughal Empire|British Raj}} [[File:Varanasikedarghat.JPG|thumb|240px|Hindu pilgrims bathing in the Ganges at [[Varanasi]]]] Humans are thought to have first migrated into the [[Indian subcontinent]] around 70,000 BCE and there are some [[archaeological sites]] for stone age India. One important one is at [[Mehrgarh]] (Pakistan), with the oldest known evidence of agriculture in the subcontinent, around 7000 BCE. The '''[[Indus Valley Civilisation]]''' (3300-1300&nbsp;BCE) was one of the world's first Bronze Age civilizations and very advanced for its time. At its peak (2600-1900&nbsp;BCE) it covered most of what is now [[Pakistan]], plus some of northern India and eastern [[Afghanistan]]. The two biggest archaeological sites, both in Pakistan, are [[Mohenjo-daro]] and [[Harappa]]. Some time after 2000 BCE, the '''Aryans''', herdsmen from somewhere to the northwest, migrated into the region. At about the same time, related groups invaded [[Greece]] (Hellenic Greeks displacing Minoans), Anatolia or [[Turkey]] (the Hittites), [[Persia]] and other areas. It is believed that all these tribes spoke related languages and many modern languages, including most of those spoken in northern India, Europe and some in Central Asia, are descended from them. Linguists classify them all in the Indo-European language family. The '''Vedic Period''' is dated to roughly 1500-500 BCE. This was the period when the '''Vedas''', the oldest and holiest books of '''[[Hinduism]]''', were compiled. They were in an Indo-Aryan language, Vedic Sanskrit. Although few details and archaeological findings are available for this period, many rituals of Hinduism took shape during that period. The Vedic civilisation influences India to this day through the dharmic religions. Present-day Hinduism traces its roots to the Vedas, but is also heavily influenced by literature that came afterward, ranging from the '''Upanishads''' and '''Puranas''', to the great epics &mdash; '''Ramayana''' and '''Mahabharata'''. By tradition, these texts are claimed to only expand and distill the knowledge that is already present in the Vedas. A section of the Mahabharata called the '''Bhagavad Gita''' is among the most widely read works. The Gita is said to be a concise summary of the four Vedas of Hinduism.  Kaal (Kshar Brahm) is said to have described the knowledge of Gita in 700 verses of 18 chapters after entering in Shri Krishna's body. It is a dialogue, just before a great battle at [[Kurukshetra]], between the hero Arjuna and the God Krishna who serves as his charioteer. Today Kurukshetra is a destination for both pilgrimage and tourism. In the 1st millennium BCE, various schools of philosophical thought developed, enriching Hinduism greatly. Most of them claimed to derive from the Vedas. However, some of these schools, two of which were '''[[Buddhism]]''' and '''Jainism''', questioned the authority of the Vedas, and they are now recognised as separate religions. Many great empires arose between 500 BCE and 590 CE. Notable among them were the '''Mauryas''' and the '''Guptas''', both with their capital in the city of Pataliputra, now called [[Patna]]. The Gupta Empire (3rd century CE to 590 CE) is often called the '''Golden Age of India'''. Further west, the Gandharan civilisation (an independent kingdom, later part of the Maurya Empire) ruled much of what are now [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]]. Their city [[Taxila]] was a great centre of Buddhist and other learning. Over time there was a gradual decline of Buddhism and Jainism. The practice of Buddhism, in particular, disappeared from India's heartland, though Buddha himself was incorporated into the Hindu pantheon. Jainism continues to be practised by a significant minority who are ambivalent about whether they consider themselves Hindus or not. Hinduism itself went through major changes. Vedic deities such as Indra and Agni became less important while Puranic deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, their various Avatars and family members gained prominence. [[File:Jama Masjid, Delhi, morning view.jpg|thumb|Jama Masjid, [[Delhi]]]] [[Islam|Islamic]] incursions started in the 8th century. Gradually the raiders started staying as rulers, and soon much of North India was ruled by Muslims. The most important Muslim rulers were the [[Mughal Empire]] that at its peak covered almost the entire subcontinent (save the southern and northeastern extremities), while the major Hindu force that survived in the North were the '''Rajputs'''. The bravery of the Rajputs in resisting invasion of their land is legendary and celebrated in ballads all over the forts of [[Rajasthan]]. Prominent among the Rajputs was '''Maha Rana Pratap''', the ruler of [[Chittorgarh]], who spent years in exile fighting '''Akbar''', the third of the Mughals. Eventually, however, the Rajputs were subdued. Some Mughal armies had a high proportion of Rajput officers, although some Rajput rebellions still occurred during the reign of Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. This period of North India produced the monumental gems of Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal. Hindi and Urdu also took root in medieval North India. During the Islamic period, there were Hindus that converted to Islam, often forcibly, or to avoid the Jizya tax, as told by Muslim chroniclers. Today, around 15% of India's population follow Islam. '''[[Sikhism]]''', another major religion, was established in [[Punjab]] during the Mughal period. Relations between Sikhism and the Mughals varied over time. The '''Golden Temple''' at [[Amritsar]] was built and recognised all over the world as Sikhism's foremost pilgrimage centre. By the time of its tenth Guru however, '''Guru Gobind Singh''', relations were hostile, primarily due to the antagonism of '''Aurangzeb''', the most intolerant, brutal and bigoted of the Mughals. Conflict between the Sikhs and the Mughals was one of the causes for the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire. Another reason was the rise of the '''Maratha Empire''' in [[Maharashtra]], which was started by '''Shivaji''' and carried on by the '''Peshwas'''. The Marathas established a short-lived confederacy that was almost as large as the Mughal Empire. Marathas lost their command over India after the third battle of Panipat, which in turn paved a way for British colonialism. [[File:ShoreTemple Approach2.JPG|thumb|Shore Temple (c. 700 CE), [[Mamallapuram]]]] South India followed a different trajectory, being less affected by Islamic rule. The period from 500 to 1600 CE is called the classical period and was dominated by great South Indian kingdoms. The most prominent empires included the '''Chalukyas''', '''Rashtrakutas''' and '''Vijayanagara''' who ruled from present day Karnataka and the '''Pallavas''', '''Cheras''', '''Pandyas''' and '''Cholas''' who ruled from present day Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Among them, the Cholas, who ruled from various capital cities including [[Thanjavur]] and [[Gangaikondacholapuram]], are widely recognised to be the most powerful of the South Indian kingdoms, with their territory stretching as far north as Pataliputra and their influence spreading as far east as Sumatra, western Borneo and southern Vietnam at the height of their power. Some of the grandest Hindu and Jain monuments that exist in India were built during this time in South and East India. Northeast India was also fairly isolated from the rest of the country until the colonial period. The largest and longest kingdom to rule over the Northeast were the '''Ningthouja dynasty (33 AD - 1891 AD)''' of [[Manipur]], followed by the '''[[Ahom Kingdom|Ahoms]]''' who, from the 13th to 19th centuries, successfully defended [[Assam]] and neighbouring regions from Mughal expansion. European traders started visiting India beginning in the late 16th century. Prominent among these were the British, Dutch, French and the Portuguese. The British East India Company made [[Calcutta]] their headquarters in 1772. They also established subsidiary cities like [[Bombay]] and [[Chennai|Madras]]. Calcutta later went on to become 'the second city of the empire after [[London]]'. By the 19th century, the British had, one way or the other assumed political control of virtually all of India, though the Portuguese, the Dutch and the French too had their enclaves along the coast. The British would send Indian labourers, policemen and soldiers all over the Empire, resulting in the establishment of Indian diaspora communities, the most notable ones in [[Myanmar]], [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Fiji]], [[South Africa]], [[Mauritius]], [[Kenya]], [[Guyana]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] and the [[United Kingdom]] itself. There was an uprising by Indian rulers in 1857 which was suppressed, but which prompted the British government to take over from the Company and make India a part of the empire. This period of rule by the crown, 1858-1947, was called the [[British Raj]]. It was a period in which some Indians converted to Christianity, though forcible conversions ended in British India after 1859, and Queen Victoria's proclamation promised to respect the religious faiths of Indians. Non-violent resistance to British colonialism led by '''Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi''' led to independence on 15 August 1947. However, independence was simultaneously granted to the secular Hindu-majority state of India and the smaller Muslim-majority state of [[Pakistan]], and the orgy of Hindu-Muslim bloodletting that followed '''Partition''' led to the deaths of at least half a million and the migration of 12-14 million people. India achieved self-sufficiency in food grains by the 1970s, ensuring that the large-scale famines that had been common are now history. However these policies also led to shortages, slow growth and large-scale corruption. After a balance-of-payments crisis in 1991, the country adopted free-market reforms which have continued at a steady pace ever since, fueling strong growth. The IT, Business Process Outsourcing and other industries have been the drivers for the growth, while manufacturing and agriculture, which have not experienced reforms, are lagging. About 60% of Indians live on agriculture and around 36% remain in poverty. Relations with Pakistan have been frosty. The two countries have fought four wars, three of them over the status of [[Kashmir]]. The third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming Bangladesh. India continues to experience occasional terrorist attacks, many of which are widely believed to originate in Pakistan and be ordered or assisted by its military-intelligence complex. China and India went to war in 1962 over a Himalayan border dispute. Current relations are largely peaceful but tense. There are no land crossings allowed between the two countries, though one border crossing between [[Sikkim]] and [[Tibet]] was re-opened in 2006 for trade. Security concerns over Pakistan and China prompted India to test '''nuclear weapons''' twice (including the 1974 tests described as "peaceful explosions"). India wants to be accepted as a legitimate nuclear power and is campaigning for a permanent Security Council seat. India is proud of its democratic record. Constitutional government and democratic freedoms have been safeguarded for most of its time as an independent country. Current concerns in India include corruption, poverty, overpopulation, pollution and forms of environmental degradation, ongoing border disputes with Pakistan and China, cross-border terrorism, and ethnic, political and religious strife which occurs from time to time. India's current obsession, at least among the educated elite, is over whether India will be able to overtake China in economic growth and be an economic and military superpower. ===Politics=== India is a parliamentary republic and democracy modelled on the British Westminster system. The president, indirectly elected, is the head of state, but this position, while not entirely ceremonial, has limited powers. The prime minister runs the government with a cabinet of ministers, and in practice wields the most authority in government. The parliament is bicameral. The Lok Sabha (House of People), the lower house, is directly elected by universal adult franchise, while the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), or the upper house, is indirectly elected. The Lok Sabha is the more powerful of the two, primarily because a majority in the Lok Sabha is required to form a government and pass budgets, and the prime minister, by convention, is always a member of the Lok Sabha. India has a vast number of political parties. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forms the government, and the centre-left Indian National Congress (known as "Congress") is the main opposition party. India has a strong and independent judiciary and a free press. India is also a federation, divided into states and union territories. Each of these has its own legislature, with a government run by a chief minister and a cabinet. Street demonstrations, protests and agitations occur, as they do in any democracy. There are also occasional low levels of political violence, in which a visitor has an extremely small chance of getting caught. ===Time zone=== Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC+5.5). Daylight Savings Time is not observed in India. ===Geography=== Mountains, jungles, deserts and beaches, India has it all. It is bounded to the north and northeast by the '''snow-capped Himalayas''', the tallest mountain range in the world. In addition to protecting the country from invaders, they also feed the perennial rivers '''Ganga''', '''Yamuna''' (Jamuna) and '''Sindhu''' (Indus) on whose plains India's civilization flourished. Though most of the Sindhu is in Pakistan now, three of its tributaries flow through [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. The other Himalayan river, the '''Brahmaputra''' flows through the northeast, mostly through [[Assam]] where it is known by different names. The '''Manipur River''', originated from [[Manipur]], joins the Chindwin-Irrawaddy River System of Myanmar. [[File:Loktak Lake Boat people Moirang Manipur India.jpg|thumb|[[Loktak lake]], the world's only floating lake.]] The '''world's only floating lake''' is the [[Loktak lake]] in the central bowl like plain of [[Manipur]]. It is remarkably known for its unique circular floating biomasses ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Phumdi). South of Punjab lies the '''Aravalli''' range, which cuts [[Rajasthan]] into two. The western half of Rajasthan is occupied by the '''Thar''' desert. The '''Vindhyas''' cut across Central India, particularly through [[Madhya Pradesh]] and signify the start of the '''Deccan''' plateau, which covers almost the whole of the southern peninsula. The Deccan plateau is bounded by the '''Western Ghats''' range (which is called '''Sahyadri''' in Maharashtra) to the west and the '''Eastern Ghats''' to the east. The plateau is more arid than the plains, as the rivers that feed the area, such as the '''Narmada''', '''Godavari''' and the '''Kaveri''', run dry during the summer. Towards the northeast of the Deccan plateau is what used to be a thickly forested area that covers the states of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Jharkhand]], the eastern edge of [[Maharashtra]] and the northern tip of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. This area is still forested, poverty stricken and populated by tribal people. This forest acted as a barrier to the invasion of South India. India has a long '''coastline'''. The west coast borders the '''Arabian Sea''' and the east coast the '''Bay of Bengal''', both parts of the Indian Ocean. ===Climate=== [[File:A beach side resort at Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Lakshadweep Islands]] [[File:Jammu and Kashmir 3.JPG|thumbnail|250px|Gulmarg]] In India, it rains only during a specific time of the year. The season as well as the phenomenon that causes it is called the '''monsoon'''. There are two of them, the '''Southwest''' and the '''Northeast''', both named after the directions the winds come from. The Southwest monsoon is the more important one, as it causes rains over most parts of the country, and is the crucial variable that decides how the crops will do. It lasts from June to September. The Southwest monsoon hits the west coast the most, as crossing the Western Ghats and reaching the rest of India is an uphill task for the winds. The western coastline is therefore much '''greener''' than the interior. The Northeast monsoon hits the east coast between October and February, mostly in the form of occasional '''cyclones''' that cause much devastation every year. The only region that gets rains from both monsoons is North-Eastern India, which consequently experiences the '''highest rainfall in the world'''. India experiences at least three seasons a year, '''Summer''', '''Rainy Season''' (or "Monsoon") and '''Winter''', though in the '''tropical South''' calling the 25°C (77°F) weather "Winter" would be stretching the concept. The North experiences some extremes of heat in Summer and cold in Winter, but except in the Himalayan regions, snow is almost unheard of. November to January is the winter season and April and May are the hot months when everyone eagerly awaits the rains. There is also a brief spring in February and March, especially in North India. Opinions are divided on whether any part of India experiences an '''Autumn''', but the ancients had certainly identified such a season among the '''six seasons''' (or ''ritus'' - ''Vasanta'' - Spring, ''Greeshma'' - Summer, ''Varsha'' - Rainy, ''Sharat'' - Autumn, ''Hemanta'' - "Mild Winter"/"late autumn", ''Sheet'' - Winter) they had divided the year into. ===Culture=== {{infobox|Culture shock|Many visitors expecting maharajas and fabulous palaces are shocked when their first impressions are dominated by poverty instead. Prepare for the following: * '''Attention'''. Some people will unabashedly stare at foreign tourists, who can also be magnets for persistent touts and beggars. People may shove their mobile phone in your face and take pictures; just turn your head. Beggars, especially malnourished children and the badly deformed, can be particularly disturbing. * '''Filth'''. Dirt, refuse and insects abound in the cities. The roadside can sometimes be a urinal. * '''Noise'''. Drivers lean on horns, radios and TVs blare Bollywood tracks, and even temples, mosques and churches use loudspeakers to spread their message. * '''Pollution'''. Most North Indian cities—especially New Delhi—suffer badly. Exhaust combined with dust can make the drier seasons a nightmare for asthma sufferers. * '''Crowds'''. Many of India's streets, markets and bazaars are jam-packed with people, vehicles and at certain times, animals, and streets tend to be narrow. Most visitors quickly get inured to these things that are pitfalls of urbanisation and start seeing the good sides too, but take it easy on your first few days and schedule some time to get away from it all.}} India's rich and multi-layered cultures are dominated by religious and spiritual themes. While it is a mistake to assume that there is a single unified Indian culture, there certainly are unifying themes that link the various cultures. India's cultural heritage is expressed through its myriad of languages in which much great literature and poetry has been written. It can be seen in its music, both in its classical (Carnatic and Hindustani) forms and in modern Bollywood music. India also has a vast tradition of classical and folk dances. Art and theatre flourish amongst the bustling cities of the country, against the backdrop of the ever-expanding western influences. Indians greatly value their family system. Typically, an Indian family encompasses what would be called the extended family in the West. It is routine for Indians to live as part of the paternal family unit throughout their lives, i.e. sons live together with their parents all their lives, and daughters live with their parents till they get married. The relationship is mutually self-supporting. Parents may support their children for longer than is common in the West, brothers and sisters may support each other, and sons are expected to take care of their parents in their old age. "Living with parents" does not carry the same stigma as it does in parts of Europe or North America. Naturally, the arrangements are not perfect and there are strains and breakups, especially by the time the third generation grows up. Also, it has now become common for children to move away from the parental house for education and employment. Nonetheless, it is fair to say that the joint family is still seen as the norm and an ideal to aspire to, and Indians continue to care about their family's honour, achievements and failures even while they are not living together. Despite the weakening of the caste system (which has officially been outlawed by the Indian government), India remains a fairly stratified society. Indians care more about a person's background and position in society than is the norm in the individualist West. This attitude, when combined with the legacy of colonial rule, results in some rather interesting, if unfortunate consequences. People with white skin are placed high on the societal totem pole, and they may find that Indians are obsequious towards them to the point of embarrassment. People with dark skin, however, may find that they are discriminated against. If it is any consolation, Indians display similar prejudices based on skin colour and ethnicity among themselves and not just towards foreigners. (See more in the '''Stay Safe''' and '''Respect''' sections) There is also a community known as the Siddis, who are believed to be descended from East African slaves brought to India by the Arab Slave Trade, and mainly found in remote rural villages. Although they speak Indian instead of African languages these days, they still retain many African customs including African dance and music. Although they are Indian citizens, due to a lack of awareness from the general Indian population of their existence, they continue to face much discrimination, and are often presumed to be illegal immigrants from Africa. The British colonisation also gave rise to a mixed-raced population known as the Anglo-Indians, and while most of them migrated to Western countries following independence, pockets of these communities remain in India's major cities. ===Holidays and festivals=== There are three national holidays: '''Republic Day''' (26 January), '''Independence Day''' (15 August), and '''Gandhi's Birthday,''' generally called '''Gandhi Jayanti''' (2 October) which follow the Western calendar and occur on the same day every year. Hindu religious festivals, because they follow the lunisolar calendar, occur on different days every year, but around the same time of the year every time. The major religious festivals of Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism are also celebrated. Central government offices are closed for holidays around 17 days a year for these festivals and observances. The significance of these festivals differs across different regions of India. State government offices will have a different holiday schedule based on which festivals are important in that state. Generally, the day on which the state was formed will also be a holiday in that state. Some of the major Indian festivals are: [[File:Diwali Lighting Mini Lamps 2011.jpg|thumb|250px|Diwali lighting]] *'''Diwali''' (Deepavali), Oct-Nov &mdash; The festival of lights, celebrates the return of the Hindu God Rama to the capital of his kingdom, [[Ayodhya]] after an exile of 14 years and victory of justice over injustice when Narakasura was killed by Satyabhama with the help of Krishna. Probably the most lavish festival in the country, reminiscent of Christmas in Europe or Thanksgiving in the US. Houses are decorated, there is glitter everywhere, and if you wander the streets on Diwali night, there will be firecrackers going off everywhere including sometimes under your feet. *'''Ugadhi,''' [sometimes also called 'Yugadhi' and various other names] is one of the main festivals, which is mainly celebrated as the 1st day of the Hindu Calendar New Year. Which is one of the main festivals and is quite widely followed in South India. [[File:Durga Puja DS.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Durga Puja ]] *'''Durga Puja / Navaratri / Dussehara''', Sep-Oct &mdash; A nine-day festival culminating in the holy day of Dussehra, when locals worship the deity Durga. Workers are given sweets, cash bonuses, gifts and new clothes. It is also new year for businessmen, when they are supposed to start new account books. In some places like [[West Bengal]] and [[Odisha]], Durga Puja is ''the'' most important festival. In the north ''Dussehra'' celebrations take place and the slaying of Ravana by Lord Rama is ceremonially reenacted as ''Ram Lila''. In [[Gujarat]] and [[South India]], it is celebrated as Navaratri where the festival is celebrated by dancing to devotional songs and religious observances like fasts extended over a period of nine nights. *'''Holi''', in March &mdash; The festival of colour is a major festival celebrated mainly in North, East and Western India. On the first day, people go to temples and light bonfires, but on the second, it's a waterfight combined with '''showers of coloured powder'''. This is not a spectator sport: as a visible foreigner, you're a magnet for attention, so you'll either have to barricade yourself inside, or put on your most disposable clothes and join the fray. Alcohol and ''bhang'' (cannabis) are often involved and crowds can get rowdy as the evening wears on. [[File:DagduHalwai2013.jpg|thumb|right|Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesha Idol during Ganesh Chaturthi 2013]] *'''Ganesh Chaturthi''', is celebrated all over [[India]]. Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh Chaturthi is most enjoyed in [[Maharashtra]]. It is the best time to visit cities like [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], [[Nagpur]]. * '''Christmas''' and '''New Years Day''' are public holidays across the country and Bank Holidays as well. Christmas is a major festival in the regions of Kerala and Goa. * '''Eid-ul-Fitr''', '''Eid-uz-Zuha''', '''Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi''', '''Yawm-e-Aashoora''' and '''Ramazaan''' are widely celebrated and observed as public holidays across the country. Apart from these, each state has its own major national festival like '''Onam''' in [[Kerala]], '''Makar Sankranti''' and '''Ugadi''' in Andhra Pradesh, ''Utarayan'' in Gujarat, '''Pongal''' in [[Tamil Nadu]], '''Baisakhi''' for Punjab, Bihu for Assam,''Rathayatra''(Car festival for lord Jagannath) in Odisha,''Nuakhai'' for Western Odisha. India is a diverse nation, and festivals are a significant part of life for the locals, and they provide holidays for about a week. Religious holidays occur on different days each year because the Hindu and Islamic festivals are based on their respective calendars and not on the Gregorian calendar. Most of them are celebrated only locally, so check the state or city you are visiting for information on whether there will be closures. Different regions might give somewhat different names to the same festival. To cater to varying religious practices, offices have a list of '''optional holidays''' (called '''restricted holidays''' by the government) from which employees are allowed to pick two, in addition to the list of fixed holidays. This may mean thin attendance and delayed service even when the office is officially open. ===Read=== {{infobox|Kashmir dispute|India and Pakistan have a bitter dispute over Kashmir; each government claims territory that is under the control of the other. They have fought wars over this three times since independence in 1947. China (PRC) also claims portions of Kashmir. Wikivoyage, however, deals ''only'' with the current situation on the ground; our maps show and our text describes that without taking sides on the disputes. If you can go there with a Pakistani visa today then we treat it as being in Pakistan, and if you need an Indian visa, we treat it as being in India. This is the most important distinction for travellers. Visitors should exercise considerable caution in these areas. Both governments consider them highly sensitive, keep large military forces along the border, and restrict travel to border areas.}} *''An Era of Darkness'' by Shashi Tharoor. Thought provoking account of how the British Raj impoverished the country and caused humanitarian crises. *''Midnight's Children'', Salman Rushdie's allegory about Independence. It was awarded the "Booker of Bookers" Prize and the best all-time prize winners to celebrate the Booker Prize 25th and 40th anniversary. It was also adapted into a film by Indo-Canadian film director Deepa Mehta (2012). *''The India they saw : foreign accounts'', by Meenakshi Jain (2011). A compilation of intriguing travel tales and excerpts from travelogues by travellers, writers, pilgrims and missionaries. *''A Goddess in the Stones: Travels in India'' by Norman Lewis (Cape 1991; US: Holt 1992), In "Goddess in the Stones", influential journalist and author Norman Lewis undertakes a journey of 2500 miles in search of the old India. *''India: A History'', John Keay; "A superb one-volume history of a land that defies reduction into simple narrative ... Without peer among general studies, a history that is intelligent, incisive, and eminently readable." ({{ISBN|0802137970}}) *''India: A Million Mutinies Now'', V.S. Naipaul; "With this book he may well have written his own enduring monument, in prose at once stirring and intensely personal, distinguished both by style and critical acumen" ({{ISBN|0670837024}}) *''In Spite of the Gods'', Edward Luce; an exceptionally insightful and readable book on the unlikely rise of modern India. ({{ISBN|0316729817}}) *''No Full Stops In India'', Mark Tully; "India's Westernised elite, cut off from local traditions, want to write a full stop in a land where there are no full stops. From that striking insight, Mark Tully has woven a superb series of stories that explore everything from communal conflict in Ahmedabad to communism in Kolkata, from the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (probably the biggest religious festival in the world) to the televising of a Hindu epic." ({{ISBN|0140104801}}) *''Mother Pious Lady'', Santosh Desai; An excellent account of middle-class beliefs and customs from the pre-liberalisation era till date. For anyone who wants to understand the culture of present India, this is a must-read where the author cuts through the chaos and confusion letting you see things more clearly. ({{ISBN|9788172238643}}) *''Indian journals, March 1962-May 1963: Notebooks, diary, blank pages, writings.'' Ginsberg, A. (1970). San Francisco: Dave Haselwood Books. Travel diary written by the famous beat poet Allen Ginsberg. *''Lion: A Long Way Home'', a book by Saroo Brierley. *''Spiritual India handbook: A guide to temples, holy sites festivals and traditions'' by Stephen Knapp (2013). Useful for the pilgrim who wants to get the most out of his or her spiritual adventure and experience in India. See also the Wikivoyage article [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim]]. ===Touts=== Touts are ubiquitous, as in many developing countries, and you should assume that anyone 'proactively' trying to help you has a hidden agenda to part you from your money. However, in areas hardly or not at all visited by tourists, it is not at all uncommon for people who go out of their way to 'proactively' help you when you approach without expecting anything in return. During your travels in India, you will be deluged with touts trying to get you to buy something or patronise particular establishments. There are a myriad of [[common scams]], which range from telling you your hotel has gone out of business (of course, they'll know of one that's open with vacancies), to giving wrong directions to a government rail ticket booking office (the directions will be to their friend's tour office), to trying to get you to take diamonds back to your home country (the diamonds are worthless crystal), to 'poor students' giving you sightseeing for hours and then with pity make you buy school books for them (tremendously overpriced from a bookstore with whom they are affiliated). There will also be more obvious touts who "know a very good place for dinner" or want to sell you a chess set on the street. Faced with such an assault, it's very easy to get into a siege mentality where all of India is against you and out to squeeze you dry. This mentality may affect any true appreciation of the country. Dealing with touts is simple: assume anyone offering surprising information (such as "your hotel is shut down") is a tout. Never be afraid to get a second or third answer to a question. To get rid of touts: * Completely ignore them and go about your business until they go away. This may take quite a while, but patience is key to managing India. * Tell them "no", very firmly, and repeatedly. It is also beneficial to have a firm Indian friend whom you can trust. If they show you around, they will act to help you ward off such touts. ===Discriminatory pricing=== Foreign visitors will quickly encounter the '''special foreigners' rates''' that they are charged in some places in India. This applies to many tourist attractions, such as museums and historical sites. The difference in pricing is because the Indian government subsidises entry fees for local people, to make these attractions more affordable for taxpayers. While this may seem discriminatory, it is practised in most developing countries in Asia and Africa and helps make these attractions more accessible to local people. Some tourist attractions that are run by the Archaeological Survey of India have different rates for Indians and foreigners. These rates are prominently posted at the entrance and ticketing booths. The rates for foreigners may be as many as five to ten times those for Indians. Likewise, if you are reserving a hotel room or an airline ticket over the internet, you may find that paying in euros or US dollars costs significantly more. You can get an Indian friend to book in rupees and in most cases, no one will question you at the time of check in. ==Talk== At the federal level, the official languages of India are '''[[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]''' and '''[[English language varieties|English]].''' Other languages that are official to some degree (often at state level) are '''[[Assamese phrasebook|Assamese]]''', '''[[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]]''', '''[[Bodo phrasebook|Bodo]]''', '''[[Dogri phrasebook|Dogri]]''', '''[[Gujarati phrasebook|Gujarati]]''', '''[[Kannada phrasebook|Kannada]]''', '''[[Kashmiri phrasebook|Kashmiri]]''', '''[[Konkani phrasebook|Konkani]]''', '''[[Maithili phrasebook|Maithili]]''', '''[[Malayalam phrasebook|Malayalam]]''', '''[[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]''' (also known as Meitei), '''[[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]]''', '''[[Nepali phrasebook|Nepali]]''', '''[[Odia phrasebook|Odia]]''' (also known as Oriya), '''[[Punjabi phrasebook|Punjabi]]''', '''[[Sanskrit phrasebook|Sanskrit]]''', '''[[Santhali phrasebook|Santhali]]''', '''[[Sindhi phrasebook|Sindhi]]''', '''[[Tamil phrasebook|Tamil]]''', '''[[Telugu phrasebook|Telugu]]''' and '''[[Urdu phrasebook|Urdu]].''' There are also hundreds of other less prominent languages like [[Tulu phrasebook|'''Tulu''']], [[Bhojpuri phrasebook|'''Bhojpuri''']] and [[Ladakhi phrasebook|'''Ladakhi''']].[[File:Gas mixing station - Avvertenze in hindi e in oriya.JPG|thumb|"Gas mixing station" with instructions in Hindi and Odia]] '''Hindi''', spoken by the vast majority of the population, serves as the lingua franca of [[Northern India|North India]] and [[Central India]]. Many more speak it as their second, or even third language. Although it is one of the main languages of the Union Government, very little Hindi is spoken in [[Southern India|Southern]] and [[North-Eastern India|North-Eastern]] India, and English is generally more widely spoken than Hindi in these areas. There are also over 120 dialects in India. One of them is Haryanvi, which is a common dialect around in Haryana and the Delhi area. '''English''' is spoken in urban areas, and is the main language in education, media, government, and business. It serves as the "de facto lingua franca" of the country. Although this sounds reassuring, Indian English is remarkably different compared to other dialects. Perhaps the most common jibe about the dialect is its use of universally improper grammar, which may give some the impression that India isn't an English-speaking country. Prejudices aside, this is perhaps the dialect's most fascinating quality. The sounds of Indian English are flavoured by many of the country's languages, which means that non-native English speakers may have difficulty understanding the way Indians speak. Here are some features of Indian English: * The most commonly used tag question is ''"isn't it"'', which can be used to indicate a genuine question (e.g. ''He is from Tamil Nadu, isn't it?''), sarcasm, bewilderment, and so on. * Nouns are commonly pluralised (e.g. ''A room full of furnitures'', ''stuffs for eating'' as opposed to ''A room full of furniture'' or ''stuff for eating'') * Verbs conjugate differently (e.g. ''I knowed about it'' or ''I buyed it'' as opposed to ''I knew about it'' or ''I bought it'') * Colloquialisms, slang words, and idioms are rife, some of which may be perceived as impolite by non-Indians (e.g. ''Hello, what you want?'' as opposed to ''Hello, what do you want?'') * Prepositions and articles are often dropped or combined strangely (e.g. ''I want computer'' as opposed to ''I want a computer'') *The use of some vocabulary that would not be said elsewhere (e.g. ''vote bank'' which means a group of people that supports a particular political party) English-language TV shows and movies are common, and the number of English TV channels outnumber the number of Indian-language TV channels. Some shows may be dubbed in another language depending on where you are. '''Sanskrit''' is the language in which much of ancient Indian literature and religious texts are written. Today Sanskrit survives primarily as a liturgical language; few if any people speak Sanskrit as a native language, but quite a few scholars or lay-persons know it or are learning it. Many modern Indian languages are descended from Sanskrit, and even those unrelated to Sanskrit have been strongly influenced by it. While most north Indian languages, including Hindi, are descended from Sanskrit, the main languages of the south &mdash; [[Telugu phrasebook|Telugu]], [[Tamil phrasebook|Tamil]], [[Kannada phrasebook|Kannada]] and [[Malayalam phrasebook|Malayalam]] &mdash; originate from a different language and are called the Dravidian languages. Ironically, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam are far more Sanskritic than Hindi due to the relative absence of Islamic rule in those regions. In North Eastern India, [[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]] or Meitei is a language of the Sino-Tibetan family, and resembles closer to Chinese, Burmese and Tibetan, making it unique from other Indian languages. However, you are better off picking up as many words as you can of the local language of the place you are going to - people are proud of their state's (or region's) culture and language and will appreciate it if an outsider makes an attempt to communicate in it. Code-switching between English and the local language (often given a portmanteau of the native language and English; for instance, mixing Malayalam and English is called as ''Manglish''<!--isn't Manglish used to refer to Malay and English?-->, and the same for Hindi is called as ''Hinglish'') is common among the youth in urban areas, although most educated people would speak standard English (British) when talking to foreigners. Many Indian languages lack a word for please, just like the Scandinavian languages. Instead, verbs have many forms denoting levels of politeness and formality. As there is no such distinction in English, Indians may also seem commanding to a westerner. You may hear phrases like ''come here'' which may sound commanding to Anglophones from Western cultures, but this is not intended to be rude. '''Non-verbal communication''' is also important. Much has been made of the confusing Indian head nod for yes and no, but the only important thing to understand is that Indians have '''different nods for yes, ok and no.''' * If they are nodding their head '''up and down''', they mean '''yes''' or '''I agree''', as in a standard nod. * If they are shaking their head in a '''tilting motion''' from right to left and back, they mean '''I understand''' or '''I get what you said'''. * If they shake their head sideways (left to right to left), they mean '''no'''. * There are differences in the way these signs are used in northern and southern India. The back to forth is yes and a vigorous left-right shift is no in northern India, though the latter may be construed for yes in southern states like Tamil Nadu. Look for verbal cues that accompany these sounds (like 'aaan' for yes ) in southern India to get the correct meaning. ==Get in== {{VisaRestriction| Certain states in India require permits to visit. Citizens of [[Bangladesh]], [[Pakistan]], [[China]], and [[Myanmar]] are not usually eligible for them unless they have permission from the Home Ministry. * A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter parts of [[Sikkim]] and [[Andaman and Nicobar]]. * A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required to enter [[Arunachal Pradesh]], and parts of [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Ladakh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Sikkim]], and [[Uttarakhand]]. * An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required to enter [[Mizoram]], [[Manipur]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], or [[Nagaland]] if you are a citizen of India. }} ===Entry requirements=== ====Visas==== [[File:Visa policy of India.svg|thumb|500px| {{legend|#FF3030|India}} {{legend|#FF9090|Freedom of movement}} {{legend|#00A000|Visa-free}} {{legend|#40D000|Visa on arrival}} {{legend|#80E0B0|e-Visa}} {{legend|#C0C0C0|Visa required}} {{legend|#888888|Government clearance required}} ]] Rules and validity of visas will differ based on citizenship. Check the website of the Indian embassy, consulate or high commission in your country, found on [http://goidirectory.nic.in/country_wise_view.php?ct=I001 this list]. '''Holders of an Overseas Citizenship of India (OIC) document''' are permitted to live in India indefinitely, however they must apply for permits to visit certain areas in India. Citizens of '''[[Nepal]]''' and '''[[Bhutan]]''' may enter and live in India indefinitely without a visa. Citizens of '''[[Maldives]]''' may stay up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of '''[[Japan]], [[South Korea]], and the [[United Arab Emirates]]''' are eligible for visas on arrival may stay up to 60 days without a visa. Citizens of '''[[Pakistan]]''', including dual citizens, not only require a visa, but they also require clearance from the Indian government. '''Citizens of Pakistan are rarely granted visas of any kind''' and it can take ''several years'' to get a clearance from the Indian government. Pakistani citizens over the age of 65 can apply for a [https://www.india.org.pk/pages.php?id=133 visa on arrival], but they are ineligible for the scheme if they've been denied an Indian visa in the past. Depending on the purpose of the visit, with most passports you can get a tourist visa (multiple entry for six months or one year depending on nationality), a business visa (6 months, one year or more, multiple entries) or a student visa (up to 5 years). A special 10-year visa is available to nationals of certain countries, including U.S. citizens (US$100). '''An Indian visa is valid from the day it is issued, not the date of entry.''' For example, a 6-month visa issued on 1 January will expire on 30 June, regardless of your date of entry. (This is '''''not true'' for e-Visas''', which are valid 60 days "from the date of arrival in India."—see the "Instructions for Applicant" section of the [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html e-Visa page].) {{infobox|Do you need a visa? Yes, (except for 3 countries)|'''Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) regulations cover entry into India through certain airports from certain countries. See [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html this webpage] for more details.''' eTV allows double entry, for stays up to 60 days, non-extendable and non-convertible. It is not possible to obtain eTV at land crossings. You must arrive at one of the following airports or seaports for your first entry: Airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, and Varanasi. Seaports: Cochin, Mangalore, and Goa. Second entry allowed at all entrance points. If you do not want the restrictions of the eTV, you must get a regular visa. For U.S. passport holders, you must start your visa application here. [https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ VFS Global] '''Visa-exempt''' * Bhutan * Nepal * Maldives (max. stay of 90 days; tourism only) '''e-Tourist visa (eTV)''' * ''Processing fee of USD0'': Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vanuatu * ''Processing fee of USD25'' (+2.5% bank fee): Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka * ''Processing fee of USD80'' (+2.5% bank fee): Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China (PRC), China (Hong Kong SAR), China (Macau SAR), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam. * ''Processing fee of USD100'' (+2.5% bank fee): Mozambique, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America '''Advance visa required''' * All other nationalities other than those mentioned above '''Visa required with a minimum of 4 weeks waiting time''' * Nationals (or former nationals) of Afghanistan, North Korea and Iran '''Visa required with a minimum of 45 days waiting time''' * Nationals (or former nationals) of Pakistan }} India has an [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html '''e-Tourist Visa'''] (eTV) facility. Electronic visas can be applied for between 4 and 120 days in advance of arrival and are valid for a ''double entry'' and a stay of up to 60 days. Travellers cannot receive more than two eTVs in a calendar year. Entry with an eTV must be at 1 of 25 designated airports (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, Vishakhapatnam - check the web link for a current list). The eTV is available to citizens of over 100 countries (again, check the web link for the latest list; some EU countries, along with most of Africa and the Middle East, are excluded). Persons of Pakistani origin, regardless of nationality, are not eligible. The fee for the eTV is dependent on nationality. Since 2019 e-Visas are issued for 30 days, 1 year or 5 years. The 1-and-5 year visas allow stays for up to 60 days at a time (except for nationals of the US, UK, Canada and Japan, who are allowed to stay for 90 days). Also, prices are expected to go down, and there will be no limit on the number of e-visas you can request in a calendar year. The exact implementation date is still not known. The eTV facility replaced the limited visa-on-arrival scheme in January 2015; there are no longer any visa-on-arrival facilities in India. Regular visa applications for U.S. passport holders (for travellers not eligible for eTV) begin at '''[https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ VFS Global]''' before being submitted to a visa application centre either by FedEx or in person. Many Indian embassies have '''outsourced visa processing''' in full or in part to third party companies, so check ahead before going to the embassy. For example, in the United States as of 9 Oct 2020, your visa application must be submitted to [https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ VFS Global] rather than the embassy. Applications through these agencies also attract an application fee (in the US to VFS Global, this fee is USD15.90) above that which is detailed on most embassy websites and should be checked prior to submitting your paperwork. In addition, many Indian embassies only offer visas to '''residents of that country''': this means you should get your visa before you leave home instead of trying to get it in a neighbouring country (although, as at August 2009, non-residents are able to apply for visas through the Bangkok embassy for an additional 400 THB "referral fee"). It's wise to ask for a '''multiple-entry''' visa even if you aren't planning to use it - they cost the same, are handed out pretty liberally and come in handy if you decide last minute to dip into one of the neighbouring countries. A '''business visa''' may be required if you intend to do anything work related in India. The eTV does permit 'casual business visits' and will be easier to obtain. If you do need a business visa, then be prepared to provide a great deal of documentation about your company in your home country as well as the company you are visiting in India. This will include (but may not be limited to) an invitation letter from the company that you are visiting as well as business registration documents and possibly tax returns and other sensitive documents. It may be worth applying for a short-term visa (such as 6 months) since the criteria may be less in your case. There are other categories for [https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/visaServices specialised purposes]. The '''missionary visa''' is mandatory for anyone who is visiting India "primarily to take part in religious activities". This rule is meant to combat religious conversion, particularly of Hindus to Christianity. There have been cases where preachers have been deported for addressing religious congregations while on a tourist visa. You don't need to be worried if you are just on a religious tour of churches in India. If you are on a Student, Employment, Research or Missionary visa, you '''need to register''' within 14 days of arrival with the [https://mea.gov.in/foreigners-registration.htm '''Foreigners Regional Registration Office'''] where you will be staying. If the place you are staying at doesn't have one, you need to register at the local police station. All visitors who intend to stay '''more than 180 days''' also need to be registered. '''Overstaying''' a visa is to be avoided at all costs as you will be prevented from leaving the country until you have paid some fairly hefty fines and presented a large amount of paperwork to either the local immigration office or police station. This whole process is unlikely to take less than 3 days, and can take much longer if you include weekends, numerous government holidays and the inevitable bizarre bureaucratic requirements. In the worst-case scenarios, the Indian Government can also take legal action for exceptionally long overstays including prison term for 5 years. '''Penalties for [https://www.evisasindia.org/overstaying-an-indian-visa/ overstaying] in India''' * For Overstays or non-registration for up to 90 days, penalty is US$300. * For Overstays from 91 days to 2 years, penalty is US$400. * For Overstays more than 2 years, penalty is US$500. Penalties for overstay in India may differ for persons belonging to minority communities from nearby countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan: * For Overstays or non-registration for up to 90 days, penalty is ₹100 * For Overstays from 91 days to 2 years, penalty is ₹200 * For Overstays more than 2 years, penalty is ₹500 ====Customs and immigration==== Clearing customs can be a bit of a hassle, though it has improved vastly over the last decade. In general, avoid the touts who will offer to ease your baggage through customs. There are various rules regarding duty-free allowances &mdash; there are differing rules for Indian citizens, foreign "tourists", citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan, non-citizens of Indian origin and people moving to India. Use the website of the [https://www.cbic.gov.in/ Central Board of Excise and Customs] for information about what you can bring in. Foreign tourists other than Nepalis, Bhutanese and Pakistanis and those entering through Nepal, Bhutan or Pakistan, are entitled to bring in their "used personal effects and travel souvenirs" and ₹4,000 worth of articles for "gifts". If you are an Indian citizen or are of Indian origin, you are entitled to ₹25,000 worth of articles (provided you aren't entering through Nepal, Bhutan or Pakistan). The other rules are on the web site. If you are bringing any new packaged items, it is a good idea to carry the invoices for them to show their value. You are also allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco and 1 litre (2 litres for Indians) of alcohol duty-free. If you do not have anything to declare, you can go through the '''green channel''' clearly marked at various airports and generally you will not be harassed. Importing and exporting Indian rupees is '''strictly forbidden''' for foreigners, and limited to ₹25,000 for Indian citizens. Details can be found in the [https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/notification/PDFs/CR3105F871DDFD343407BA1BC640B96AFB21A.PDF official statement of the Reserve Bank of India]. There are currency exchange counters at international airports where you are required to change all your excess Indian rupees to foreign currency before leaving. ===By plane=== [[File:Sculpture of hasta mudras at Indira Gandhi International Airport.jpg|thumb|[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] serves [[Delhi]] and is one of the most important entry points to India.]] The major points of entry are [[Bangalore]] ({{IATA|BLR}}), [[Mumbai]] ({{IATA|BOM}}), [[Delhi]] ({{IATA|DEL}}), [[Kolkata]] ({{IATA|CCU}}), [[Hyderabad]] ({{IATA|HYD}}) and [[Chennai]] ({{IATA|MAA}}). The airports at these cities are either new or undergoing development. The Hyderabad airport is rated as one of the top five airports in the 10-15 million passenger category. There are many nonstop, direct and connecting choices to these cities from Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa and Australia. Secondary points of entry include [[Goa]] and the [[Malabar]] coast. There are many connections from the Middle East to Malabar coast cities such as [[Kochi]], [[Kozhikode]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. Most of the major Middle Eastern carriers offer one-stop connections to the coast from their Gulf hubs. Goa is a favourite European tourist destination and thus is connected by many European charter operators like Condor, Edelweiss and Thomson Airways. [[File:Air India Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner.jpg|thumb|An Air India Boeing 777]] India's national airline is '''[http://www.airindia.com/ Air India]'''. Other Indian airlines that operate international flights include '''[http://www.goindigo.in IndiGo]''' and '''[http://www.spicejet.com/ SpiceJet]'''. These airlines offer daily flights to major hubs around the world. You must carry a printed air ticket in order to take many domestic flights. From the United States, [http://www.united.com United Airlines] offers non-stop daily service from [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]] to Delhi and Mumbai; Air India offers daily non-stop service to Delhi from [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]], Newark, [[Dulles Airport|Washington–Dulles]], [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]] and [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago O'Hare]] and to Mumbai from Newark (and soon JFK). Various European airlines offer connecting service through their European hubs from most major U.S. cities and various Asian airlines offer connecting service from West Coast cities through their Asian hubs. [[File:IndiGo A320neo (VT-ITZ) @ GAU, Sept 2019 (02).jpg|thumb|IndiGo is a popular low-cost carrier]] Entries from Europe and North America are possible using many European airlines such as [http://www.lufthansa.com Lufthansa], [http://www.finnair.com Finnair], [http://www.britishairways.com British Airways], [http://www.klm.com KLM], [http://www.airfrance.com Air France] and [http://www.virginatlantic.com Virgin Atlantic]. For long-term visitors (3–12 months), [http://www.swiss.com Swiss Airlines] often have good deals from Switzerland with connecting flights from major European and some American cities as well. To save on tickets, consider connecting via Gulf countries, with [http://www.airarabia.com Air Arabia] ([[Sharjah]]-based low cost carrier with some connections to Europe), [http://www.etihadairways.com Etihad] (especially if you need a one-way ticket or are going back to Europe from another Asian country) via [[Abu Dhabi]], [http://www.emirates.com Emirates] via [[Dubai]] or [http://www.qatarairways.com Qatar Airways] via [[Doha]]. These airlines are also the easiest way to come from the Gulf countries, along with Indian carriers, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo and SpiceJet. From East Asia and Australia, [[Singapore]] (which is served by Air India, its low-cost subsidiary [http://www.airindiaexpress.in Air India Express], [http://www.singaporeair.com Singapore Airlines], its subsidiary [http://www.silkair.com Silk Air] and low-cost subsidiary [https://www.flyscoot.com Scoot]) has excellent connections with flights to all the major cities and many smaller ones. As for the cheap way from [[Southeast Asia]], Malaysian low-cost carrier [http://www.airasia.com AirAsia] is often the best choice (if booked well in advance, one-way ticket price is normally below US$100, sometimes being less than US$50, they have connections from China, [[Australia]] and most South-east Asian countries). They fly from [[Kuala Lumpur]] into New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi and Tiruchirapalli. If you're going from [[Thailand]], Air India Express flies from Chennai and Kolkata to Bangkok. Air India and [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways] fly from there to a range of Indian cities as well. [http://www.silkair.com Silk Air] flies from Singapore to [[Hyderabad]] as well. IndiGo, an Indian low-cost-carrier, also offers attractive fares to Singapore and Bangkok. ===By boat=== India has several international ports on its peninsula. [[Kochi]], Mumbai, Goa and Chennai are the main ones handling passenger traffic, while the rest mainly handle cargo. However, due to the profusion of cheap flights, there no longer appear to be any scheduled ferry services from India to the Middle East. The southern island of [[Minicoy]] in [[Lakshadweep]] islands is now a permitted entry point. Some cruise lines that travel to India include Indian Oceans Eden II and Grand Voyage Seychelles-Dubai. ===By train=== There are two links from [[Pakistan]]. The ''Samjhauta Express'' runs from [[Lahore]] to [[Attari]] near [[Amritsar]] in [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. The ''Thar Express'', restarted in February 2006 after 40 years out of service, runs from Munabao in the Indian state of [[Rajasthan]] to Khokrapar in Pakistan's [[Sindh]] province; however, this crossing is '''not open to foreign tourists'''. Neither train is the fastest, safest or the most practical way to go between India and Pakistan due to the long delay to clear customs and immigration (although the trains are sights in their own right and make for a fascinating trip). Ths Samjhauta express was the victim of a terrorist strike in February 2007, when bombs were set off killing many people. Should you want to get from one country to the other as quickly as possible, walk across at [[Attari]]/[[Wagah]]. From [[Nepal]], trains run between [[Khajuri]] in [[Dhanusa]] district of [[Nepal]] and Jainagar in [[Bihar]], operated by Nepal Railways. Neither is of much interest for travellers and there are no onward connections into Nepal, so most travellers opt for the bus or plane instead. Train services from [[Bangladesh]] were suspended for 42 years, but the ''Moitree Express'' started running again between [[Dhaka]] to Kolkata in April 2008. The service is biweekly: A Bangledeshi train leaves Dhaka every Saturday, returning on Sunday, while an Indian train leaves Kolkata on Saturdays and returns the next day. You can see what trains are available between stations at the following sites: http://www.indianrail.gov.in. However, for booking of rail tickets through the internet you should use the Government of India's website http://www.irctc.co.in. For booking through this site, you have to register (which is free) and you need a credit/debit card. You can also take the services of many travel agents that charge a nominal service fee for booking train tickets. ===By land=== [[File:Wagah Border2014.jpg|thumb|Flag lowering ceremony at the Wagah border crossing]] ====Nepal==== From [[Nepal]] buses cross the border daily, usually with connections to [[New Delhi]], [[Lucknow]], [[Patna]] and [[Varanasi]]. However, it's cheaper and more reliable to take one bus to the border crossing and another from there on. The border crossings are (India/Nepal side) Sunauli/Bhairawa from Varanasi, Raxaul/Birganj from [[Patna]], Kolkata, Kakarbhitta from Darjeeling, and Mahendrenagar-Banbassa from Delhi. ====Bhutan==== The Royal Bhutanese Government runs a service to/from [[Phuentsholing]]. These buses depart from Kolkata's Esplanade bus station at 7PM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and from the Phuentsholing Bhutan Post office at 3PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The journey takes around 18 hours and costs ₹300. The buses are comfortable, but because much of the highway to Kolkata is like the surface of the moon, don't bank on getting much sleep on the way. There is frequent service between [[Siliguri]] and Phuentsholing. ====Myanmar==== Entering from [[Myanmar]] is apparently possible at [[Moreh]]/[[Tamu]]&mdash;see [[Myanmar#India|Myanmar article]] for more details. Regarding Indo-Myanmar connection, [[Manipur]] is the most advanced and the only developed route inside India, to pass to and from between the two nations. ====Pakistan==== From [[Pakistan]] the only land crossing is from [[Lahore]] to [[Amritsar]] via the [[Attari]]/[[Wagah]] border crossing. Despite tensions between the two countries, there is a steady trickle of travellers passing this way. The immigration procedures are fairly straightforward, but neither [[Pakistan]] nor India issue visas at the border. Expect to take most of the day to go between Lahore and Amritsar on local buses. Normally it's possible to get a direct bus from Amritsar to the border, walk to the other side and catch a direct bus to Lahore, although you may need to change at some point on route. Amritsar and Lahore are both fairly close to the border (about 30–40 minutes drive), so taxis are a faster and easier option. The direct Delhi-Lahore service has restarted, though it is far more costly than local buses/trains, not any faster, and would mean you miss seeing [[Amritsar]]. You will also be stuck at the border for '''much''' longer while the bus is searched and all of the passengers go through immigration. There is now a bus service across the 'Line of control' between Indian and Pakistani Kashmir; however, it is '''not open to foreign tourists'''. For going '''by car''' also see [[Istanbul to New Delhi over land]]. You will need a [[Carnet de Passage]] if crossing with your own vehicle. The process is not particularly lengthy - crossing with your own vehicle from/to Pakistan should take a maximum of 3 hours to clear both borders for you and your vehicle. ====From Bangladesh==== From [[Bangladesh]] there are a number of land entry points to India. The most common way is the regular air-conditioned and comfortable bus services from Dhaka to Kolkata via [[Haridaspur]] (India)/[[Benapole]] (Bangladesh) border post. Bus companies 'Shyamoli', 'Shohag', 'Green Line' and others operate daily bus services under the label of the state owned West Bengal Surface Transport Service Corporation (WBSTSC) and the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC). From Kolkata 2 buses leave every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday while from Dhaka they leave on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The journey usually takes around 12 hours with a one-way fare of ₹400-450 or BDT600-800, roughly US$8–10. Another daily bus service by 'Shyamoli' and others under the BRTC label from [[Dhaka]] connects Siliguri, but the buses in this route do not cross the Changrabanda/Burimari or Burungamari border post. Rather, passengers reaching the border have to clear customs, walk a few hundred yards to cross the border and board the awaiting connecting buses on the other end for the final destination. Ticket for Dhaka-Siliguri-Dhaka route costs BDT 1,600, roughly US$20–25 depending on conversion rates. Tickets are purchased either in Dhaka or in Siliguri. There is also a regular bus service between Dhaka and Agartala, capital of Tripura. Two BRTC buses daily from Dhaka and the [https://tsu.trp.nic.in/transport/ Tripura Road Transport Corporation] plying its vehicles six days a week with a round fare costing US$10 connect the two cities. There is only one halt at Ashuganj in Bangladesh during the journey. Other entry points from Bangladesh are Hili, Chilahati/Haldibari, Banglaband border posts for entry to West Bengal; Tamabil border post for a route to [[Shillong]] in Meghalaya, and some others with lesser known routes to north-eastern Indian regions. ====China==== The Nathu La pass in [[Sikkim]], which borders [[Tibet]] in [[China]] is the only border crossing between India and China. This border is not open to tourists; only local traders are allowed to cross. Special permits are required to visit the pass from either side, and foreigners are not permitted to visit the Indian side of the border. ==Get around== India is '''big''' and there are lots of interesting ways to travel around it, most of which could not very well be described as efficient or punctual. Allow considerable buffer time for any journey with a fixed deadline (e.g. your flight back), and try to remember that getting there should be half the fun. Travel in much of the [[North-East India|North-East]] (with the notable exception of Assam) and parts of [[Andaman and Nicobar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Lakshadweep]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Uttarakhand]] will require obtaining a '''Protected Area Permit''' (PAP). The easiest way to get one is to request it along with your visa application, in which case it will be added to your visa. Otherwise, you will need to hunt down a local Ministry of Home Affairs office and battle with bureaucracy. ===By plane=== [[File:Airports and seaports map.png|thumb|400px|Map of airports in India]] India's large size and uncertain roads make '''flying''' a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years. Even India's offshore islands and remote mountain states are served by flights. Due to the aviation boom over the last few years, airports have not been able to keep up with the air traffic. Most Indian airports continue to function with one runway and a handful of boarding gates. Check-in and security queues can be quite long, especially in Delhi and Mumbai. India has built two new international airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore, which are modern and well-equipped. Delhi airport's newly constructed Terminal 3 is the 8th largest terminal in the world. In northern India, particularly Delhi, '''heavy winter fog''' can wreak havoc on schedules, especially during Christmas Season and January, leading to massive delays across the country. Flights to small airports up in the mountains, especially to [[Leh]] in Ladakh (which is reachable only by plane for most of the year), are erratic at the best of times. ====Airlines==== At one time, domestic flights were the monopoly of the government-owned Indian Airlines, but things have changed dramatically and now there are quite a few competitors, often offering excellent value . The main operators are: *'''[http://www.airindia.com/ Air India]''' - flag carrier owned by Tata Group. Air India has a wide network in the country and provides excellent regional connectivity. Service is generally below par. Their services have been quite a few times in the past been affected by pilots' strikes. * '''[http://www.airindiaexpress.in/ Air India Express]''' - Tata-owned low-cost carrier which flies mainly on trunk routes and to international destinations in the Gulf and Southeastern Asia. * [https://www.airasia.co.in/home '''Air Asia India'''], another Tata-owned low-cost carrier. * '''Alliance Air''' - India's state-owned airline that flies small aircraft to obscure places. * [https://www.goindigo.in/ '''IndiGo'''] - low-cost airline, connecting around 33 cities throughout the country. They fly a young fleet of Airbus A320s and ATR regional aircraft. *'''[https://www.flygofirst.com/ Go First]''', another low-cost carrier connecting around 22 cities across the country. Mostly flies from their Mumbai base. * [https://www.spicejet.com/ '''SpiceJet'''], a third low-cost airline, serves around 34 domestic destinations. * [https://www.airvistara.com/ '''Vistara'''], a full-service airline and a joint venture of Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. ====Fares==== The earlier you book, the lower you pay. You will hear a lot about air tickets at '''₹500''', but those are promotional rates for limited seats which are sold out within seconds. In some other cases, the advertised fare may not include charges such as passenger service fees, air fuel surcharge and taxes which will be added subsequently. Nonetheless, you do get good rates from budget airlines. Tickets for small cities will cost more than those for the metros, because of the spotty coverage noted above. Indian ticket pricing has not attained the bewildering complexity that the Americans have achieved, but they are getting there. You don't have to worry about higher prices on weekends, lower prices for round-trips, lower prices for travel ''around'' weekends. There are two complications for non-Indians trying to buy plane tickets: # Many airlines have '''higher fares for foreigners''' than for Indians. Foreigners ("non-residents") will be charged in US dollars, whereas Indians will be charged in rupees. In practice, you can simply pretend to be Indian when booking online as the check-in desk will rarely if ever care, but you are still running a small risk if you do this. When possible it's best to patronise those airlines that do not follow this practice. # Many online booking sites and some of the low-cost carriers '''reject non-Indian credit cards'''. Read the small print before you start booking, or book directly with the airline or through a bricks-and-mortar travel agency instead. ====Check in==== [[File:TRZ Check In Counters.jpg|thumb|Check-in at Trichy Airport]] Checking in at Indian airports tends to be slow, involving lots of queues and multiple security checks. A few pointers to smooth your way: * Arrive '''at least two hours before departure''' if travelling from the major airports. (For domestic flights from minor airports, 60 or 90 minutes before is fine.) The new rule dictates that check-in closes 45 minutes before departure time and the boarding gate closes 25 minutes before departure. Though the original boarding might take longer, this rule is now being strictly implemented widely to avoid delays in flight departures. * '''Bring a print-out of your ticket or a soft copy of your ticket''' and a '''government-issued id''', or else you are not allowed to enter the airport. They are checked and matched compulsorily at the airport entry gate by security guards. If you possess neither a printout or a soft copy, you can get a copy at the airline offices just outside the airport entry gate. Some airlines have started to charge for this privilege. * Most older airports require that you '''screen your checked bags before check-in''', usually at a stand near the entrance. In high-security airports like Jammu, Srinagar or anywhere in the Northeast, even carry-on baggage needs to be screened. All carry on baggage will be screened by an X-ray scanner and at the discretion of the security personnel, physically too. * Pick up a tag for every item of carry-on baggage and attach it to it. The staff at the security checkpoint will stamp your boarding pass as well as the tags of your carry-on baggage. Do not put your boarding pass on the X-ray belt, bring it with you when you go through the metal detector. '''Make sure you received all these stamps before leaving the security check area'''. Without a stamped boarding pass you will not be allowed to board the plane. You will not be allowed to take any items onboard without a stamped tag attached. Don't hesitate to ask someone if you are unsure. Most staff in airports are very helpful to passengers and will take pains to ensure you catch your flight. There are separate queues for passengers travelling light (without check-in baggage) and these queues are usually less crowded. Different airlines have different standards for what they allow as cabin baggage, so err on the side of caution, especially if you are travelling by a low-cost airline. Usually, the allowed free baggage limit is 15&nbsp;kg on most airlines. ===By train=== [[File:New Delhi Metro.jpg|thumb|240px|The Delhi Metro]] {{seealso|Rail travel in India}} Railways were introduced in India in 1853, more than one and half a century ago by the British, and today India boasts one of the biggest network of railway lines in the world, and the rail system is very efficient, if rarely on schedule. Travelling on Indian Railways gives you the opportunity to discover first hand the landscape and beauty of India, and is generally more economical than flying domestic. It is one of the safest ways of travel in India. With classes ranging from luxurious to regular, it's the best way to get to know the country and its people. Most train passengers will be curious about you and happy to pass the time with a chat. While taking an overnight sleeper train will save the money you'd otherwise spend on a hotel, your sleep may not be as comfortable. [[File:Shatabdi montage.jpg|thumb|Shatabdi trains]] ====Regular trains==== Trains come in many varieties. Most express and passenger trains operate with ICF coaches. ICF coaches are now slowly being replaced with LHB coaches. The 'Rajdhani' and 'Shatabdi' trains are the most luxurious and fastest trains on Indian Railways. They are completely air-conditioned and have breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner included in your ticket price. The food is served at your seat during travel. Almost all of these trains also have modern German designed LHB coaches which are extremely comfortable and luxurious. 'Vande Bharat Express', a semi-high speed train was introduced in 2019 and is aimed to replace all 'Shatabdi' trains. It is equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, infotainment, reading lights and electric outlets. The ''Garib Rath'' literally means the chariot of the poor, and it is a good option for those who want to use good facilities at low cost. ====Luxury trains==== There are 5 trains offering 12 signature journeys between major tourist destinations in India. They offer a wonderful way to experience the sights in India without having to worry about the hassles of travel and accommodation. Journeys on board these trains are all inclusive of accommodation, dining, sightseeing, transportation and porter charges. Each of these luxury trains is equipped with amenities such as live television, individual climate control, restaurant, bar, lounges and cabins with electronic safe and attached bathrooms. ====Classes==== India has seven classes of train travel to choose from. Not all classes are available on all trains: for example, Chair Cars are usually found only on short-distance daytime trains, while sleeper classes are only found on overnight journeys. Full information about this classes is [[Rail_travel_in_India#Classes|here]]. ====Different types of trains==== Basically there are five types of trains: * '''Passenger Trains''' are slow trains that stop in all stations including very small stations. * '''Fast Passenger Trains''' are passenger trains that skip smaller stations and offer the same fare structure. * '''Express Trains''' stop only at major railway stations and charge higher than Passenger trains. * '''Superfast Trains''' skip some of the major stations and charge even higher than Express Trains. * '''Rajadhani and Shadabdhi Trains''' are elite trains that offer only air conditioned coaches. They stop only at selected stations. The fare is quite high because all food is included. ====Train fare==== The average fare for a '''200 km distance''' for different classes is given below: * First Class AC: ₹1,200 * Two Tier AC: ₹617 * Three Tier AC: ₹430 * AC Chair Car: ₹203 * Sleeper Class: ₹120 * Second class seat in Express train: ₹70 * Second class seat in Passenger train: ₹30 ====Ticketing==== Trains tend to fill up early. Tickets can be reserved up to 4 months in advance. School summer vacation time &mdash; mid-April to mid-June &mdash; is peak season for the railways, which means that you may need to book well in advance. Other festival days, long weekends or holidays may see a similar rush. Booking tickets from the [http://www.irctc.co.in/ railway website] has vastly improved over the years. A lot of work has gone into the usability and responsiveness of the website. Tickets are also available from counters at most railway stations. Details of facility available for tourists from abroad are available at [https://contents.irctc.co.in/en/ForeignTouristQuotaBooking.pdf '''IRCTC website'''] and [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/enquiry/StaticPages/StaticEnquiry.jsp?locale=en&StaticPage=international_Tourist.html '''Indian Railway Website'''] [[File:India - Indian Railways Kitchen coach - 0989.jpg|thumb|Sandwiches at the kitchen coach]] One day before the departure date of a train the '''Tatkal''' quota seats become available. Tatkal accounts for about 10% of the total number of seats. This allows tourists who like to plan a trip as they go to book seats closer to the day of departure, for an extra fee. However, booking for this service online or in person is an even more fraught experience. It is sometimes difficult to book Tatkal tickets online because of the excess amount of traffic on Indian railway website. Indian railway has launched E-wallet facility which enables users to keep money on Indian railway website for faster booking of tickets. This facility reduces the time of ticket booking because users skip the payment gateway processing time. It is very fast to book tickets using E-wallet facility. You may also need [http://ifscpedia.com/ IFSC Code] to transfer funds to the E-wallet, but now you can also pay using your debit cards, credits cards, internet banking, etc. IFSC Code generally stands for Indian Financial System code which uniquely identifies bank branches in India, IFSC code is required to transfer money online in India. You can easily find IFSC Code using [https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/IFSCMICRDetails.aspx IFSC Code finder] ==== Meals ==== Most long-distance night trains (though not all) have a '''pantry car''' and if you are in the sleeper or air-con classes, you can buy meals onboard the train. The pantry staff will visit your seat before meal timings to take down your order. However, most pantry car meals aren't really good in quality or taste. The railways are concerned about the bad quality of pantry car meals and efforts are underway to improve things, but do not count on it as yet. If you are finicky, bring enough food for the journey including delays: bananas, bread, and candy bars are good basics. You can purchase drinks, packaged snacks or biscuits from the pantry staff who circulate from one coach to another. At most stations, hawkers selling tea, peanuts, and snack food and even complete meals will go up and down the train. Most stations will have vendors selling all kinds of edible stuff. You can also get down on the station platform to look for food, but make sure you know the stoppage timing of the train at that station. In the most luxurious 'Rajdhani' & 'Shatabdi' trains, meals are included in your ticket price and served at your seat during travel. There are no dining cars in Indian Railways except in select luxury trains. ===By taxi or ride-hailing=== {{infobox|Farewell to the King|Once upon a time, virtually all Indian taxis were trusty Hindustan Ambassadors, a locally manufactured copy of the 1950s-vintage Morris Oxford, but these days the King of Indian Roads is an endangered species. [[File:ہندوستان موٹر کی بنائی پیلی ایمبیسڈر۔.jpg|thumb|[[Kolkata]]'s iconic yellow Ambassador taxi]]}} There was a time when the metered taxi was unheard of outside India's largest cities, and when it could be found, getting one that would take you to your destination and charge you the right rate was a rare event. This situation has undergone a drastic change for the better in the past few years, with many online companies offering taxi services. The two largest players are [http://www.olacabs.com Ola] and [https://www.uber.com/in/en/ Uber], which operate in all major Indian cities and have ranks at major airports. Both pickup and dropoff points can be entered in English, minimising hassle. Fares are affordable by Western standards, with most city rides under ₹200, although surge pricing can be expensive. However, the very cheapest categories (UberX and Ola Micro/Mini respectively) often have tiny, run-down cars, so paying the small premium for the next class up (Uber Comfort and Ola Prime) may be worth it. If ride-hailing isn't an option, central locations of big cities like airports or stations have pre-paid taxi services managed by local traffic police officials. However, beware of touts who would claim themselves to be running pre-paid taxis. Always collect the receipt from the counter first. The receipt has two parts: one part is for your reference and the other part you will need to be handed to the taxi driver only after you reach your desired destination. The taxi driver will receive their payment by submitting or producing this other part to the pre-paid taxi counter. The taxi driver may not know how to get to your destination, and will not tell you this beforehand. This may result in the taxi stopping at various points during the journey as the driver gets out to ask for directions. Insist on being taken to your original destination, and not a substitute offered by the driver (e.g. a different hotel). Regular metered taxis are also common and can usually be hailed on the street. While they're supposed to use the meter, tales of "broken" meters and hapless fleeced tourists are common, so try to have an idea of the fare before you set off. ===By bus=== [[File:Pathankot Bus.JPG|thumb|240px|Ordinary-class Himachal Road Transport Co bus in [[Dharamsala]]]] While you can't take a cross-country bus journey across India, buses are the second most-popular way of travelling across states and the only cheap way of reaching many places not on the rail network (e.g. Dharamsala). Every state has its own public bus service, usually named "''X'' Road Transport Corporation" (or ''X''RTC) or "''X'' State Transport Corporation" (or ''X''STC) which primarily connects intrastate routes, but will also have services to neighbouring states. There are usually multiple classes of buses. The '''ordinary''' buses (called differently in different states, e.g. "service bus") are extremely crowded with even standing room rarely available (unless you're among the first onboard) as reservations are not possible and they tend to stop at too many places. On the upside, they're ''very'' cheap, with even a 5-6 hour journey rarely costing over ₹100. In addition to ordinary public buses, there are '''luxury''' or '''express''' buses available, and most have air-conditioning these days. Some state transport corporations have even introduced Volvo buses on some routes and these are extremely luxurious and comfortable. These better class "express" or "luxury" buses have assured seating (book in advance), and have limited stops, making them well worth the slight extra expense. But even these better-class buses rarely have toilets and make occasional snack and toilet breaks. '''Private buses''' may or may not be available in the area you are travelling to, and even if they are, the quality could vary a lot. Be warned that many of the private buses, especially long-distance lines, play music and/or videos at ear-splitting volume. Even with earplugs it can be nerve-wracking. Restrooms are available in large bus stations but are crowded. The bus industry is '''extremely fragmented''' and there are few operators who offer services in more than 2 or 3 neighbouring states. Travel agents usually ''only'' offer seats on private buses. However, long distance bus operators such as Raj National Express and KPN Travels are rolling out their operations across the country modelled on the lines of the Greyhound service in the United States. Their services are good and they provide entertainment on board. Regardless of the class of travel, all buses have to contend with the poor state of Indian highways and the havoc of Indian traffic which usually makes them slower, less comfortable and less safe than trains. Night buses are particularly hazardous, and for long-distance travel it's wise to opt for sleeper train services instead. ===By car=== Our itinerary article [[Grand Trunk Road]] describes one of India's major roads, running east-west through the Ganges valley and west across northern Pakistan to [[Kabul]]. ====Driving on your own==== In India driving is on the '''left''' of the road &mdash; at least most of the time. You can drive in India if you have a local licence or an International Driving Permit, but unless you are accustomed to driving on extremely chaotic streets, you probably will not want to. The average city or village road is narrow, often potholed and badly marked. '''National Highways''' are better, but they are still narrow, and Indian driving discipline is non-existent. In the past few years the Central government has embarked on an ambitious project to upgrade the highways. The '''Golden Quadrilateral''' connecting the four largest cities of Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata with four-laned highways has been completed and is of a reasonable standard. Some of it is of an international standard but that cannot be said for all of it. However, improving the quality of the roads does not improve the way in which people drive and it is very dangerous to drive on the roads in India as people drive as they like without regard to any rules (rules do exist but are almost never enforced). ====Hiring driver with car==== [[File:Road in India (5472802655).jpg|thumb|View from a car in India]] Instead, you can opt for a driver while renting a car. Rates are quoted in rupees per kilometre and you will have to pay for both ways even if you are going only one way. The driver's salary is so low (typically around ₹100-150 per day) that it adds little to the cost of renting the car. The driver will find their own accommodation and food wherever you are travelling, although it is customary to give him some money to buy some food when you stop somewhere to eat. Rates vary by size and quality of the car. Many vehicles come equipped with a roof carrier, so one may opt for a smaller vehicle for 2-3 passengers even with excess luggage. (You may need to specifically ask for a vehicle with a roof carrier.) There are numerous advantages to having a car and driver. *A good local driver is the safest means of car travel. *You can keep your bags and shopping goods with you securely wherever you go. *The driver will often have some knowledge of local tourist destinations. *The car is at your disposal. You needn't spend any time finding further transport, or [[haggling]] over price. It is rare to find a driver that speaks more than a few words of English. As a result, misunderstandings are common. Keep sentences short. Use the present tense. Use single words and hand gestures to convey meaning. Make sure you can trust your driver before you leave your goods with him. If he shows any suspicious behaviour make sure you keep your bags with you. Your driver may in some cases act as a tout, offering to take you to businesses from which he gets ''baksheesh'' (a sort of commission). This isn't necessarily a bad thing - the driver may help you find just what you're looking for, and add to his income at the same time. On the other hand, always evaluate for yourself whether you are being sold on a higher-cost or poorer quality product than you want. Avoid touts on the road posing as guides that your driver may stop for because he gets a commission from them; supporting them only promotes this unpleasant practice. The driver might ''ask'' for a tip at the end of the trip. Pay him some amount (₹100/day is generally sufficient) and don't let him guilt-trip you into paying too much. Memorise your driver's face and write down his licence plate number and phone number. Touts at tourist areas will try to mislead you into getting into the wrong car when you leave; if you fall for this you will certainly be ripped off, your car may be stolen and you may be sexually assaulted. Be wary of reckless driving when renting a car with a driver. Do not be afraid to tell the driver that you have time to see around and that you are not in a hurry. Make sure also that your driver gets enough rest time and time to eat. In general as you visit restaurants, the driver may eat at the same time (either separately at the same restaurant or at some other nearby place). They may be willing to work nonstop for you as you are the "boss", but your life depends on their ability to concentrate, so ensure that your driving demands are reasonable; for example, if you decide to carry your own food with you on the road, be sure to offer your driver time to get a lunch himself. Avoid travelling at night. Indian roads are dimly lit if at all, and there are even more hazards on the road after dark &mdash; even highway bandits if you get far enough off the beaten track. ====== Self-drive car rental ====== If you feel confident enough to drive by yourself, you can now hire a self-drive car in many major cities. These cars are available for long-distance as well as intra-city travel. The choices you get may be different from what are available in your home country, and these service providers may not accept international licences. Do your research well before opting for this choice. Some of the options are: * {{Go||name=Zoomcar|url=https://www.zoomcar.com/|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoomcar|content=Available in many cities. Good choice of cars.}} * {{Go|name=Myles|url=https://www.mylescars.com/|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MylesCar}} * {{Go|name=Revv|url=https://www.revv.co.in/}} * [https://onroadz.com/ '''Onroadz'''] ===By motorcycle=== [[File:Royal Enfield 7.jpg|thumb|Royal Enfield motorcycle]] Some people argue that '''the best way to experience India is on a motorbike'''. Riding a motorbike and travelling across India you get a closer look and feel of India along with all the smells and sounds. There are companies which organise package tours or tailor-made tours for enthusiastic bikers and the adventurous, or a safer motorbike experience of India. Blazing Trails tours, Wild Experience tours and Extreme Bike tours are some such companies. Another choice, popular with people who like taking risks, is to '''buy a motorcycle'''. Not for the faint of heart or inexperienced rider. India boasts the highest motor vehicle accident rate in the world. The Royal Enfield is a popular (some would say, the only) choice for its classic looks and macho mystique. This despite its high petrol consumption, 25&nbsp;km/litre to 30&nbsp;km/litre, supposed low reliability (it is "classic" 1940s engineering after all and requires regular service adjustment; you can find an Enfield mechanic with decades of experience in every town in India, who will perform miracles at about ₹100 an hour labour cost), and claimed difficulty to handle (actually the bike handles beautifully, but may be a wee heavy and seat high for some). Or, one can opt for the smaller yet quicker and more fuel efficient bikes. They can range from 100 cc to the newly launched 220 cc bikes. Three most popular bike manufacturers are Hero, Bajaj and Honda. The smaller variants (100-125 cc) can give you a mileage exceeding 50&nbsp;km/litre on the road, while giving less power if one is opting to drive with pillion on the highways. The bigger variants (150-220 cc) are more powerful and one can get a feel of the power especially on highways - the mileage is lesser for these bikes anywhere between 35&nbsp;km/litre to 45&nbsp;km/litre. Preferably tourists should go for second hand bikes rather than purchasing new ones. The smaller 100 cc variants can be purchased for anywhere between ₹15,000-25,000 depending on the year of make and condition of vehicle. The bigger ones can be brought from ₹30,000 onwards. ===By hitch hiking=== Hitch-hiking in India is very easy due to the enormous number of cargo trucks on every highway and road. Most drivers do not speak English or any other international language; however, most have a very keen sense of where the cities and villages are along the road. It is rare for any of them to expect payment. For safety concerns, it is not recommended as all the drivers cannot be trusted. Hitch-hiking in cities, highways and crowded places is safe, but refrain from hitchhiking on deserted places, less populated areas, forest roads, etc. ===By auto-rickshaw=== [[File:Havelock Autorickshaw.JPG|thumb|A typical Indian autorickshaw, [[Andaman Islands]]]] The auto-rickshaw, usually abbreviated and referred to as '''auto''' and sometimes as '''rickshaw''', is the most common means of hired transportation in India. They are very handy for short-distance travel in cities, especially since they can weave their way through small alleys to bypass larger cars stuck in travel jams, but are not very suitable for long distances. Most are green and yellow, due to the new CNG gas laws, and some may be yellow and black in colour, with one wheel in the front and two in the back, with a leather or soft plastic top. When getting an auto-rickshaw, you can either negotiate the fare or go by the meter. In almost all cases it is better to use the meter—a negotiated fare means that you are being charged a higher than normal rate. A metered fare starts around ₹13(different for different areas), and includes the first 1 to 2 kilometres of travel. '''Never''' get in an auto-rickshaw without either the meter being turned on, or the fare negotiated in advance. In nearly all cases the driver will ask an exorbitant sum (for Indian standards) from you later. A normal fare would be ₹11-12 for the first km and ₹7-8 per km after that. In most cities, auto-rickshaw drivers are provided with a rate card that elaborately describes the fares on per kilometre basis. A careful tourist must verify the meter reading against the rate card before making a payment. Auto-rickshaws carry either digital or analog meters wherein the analog meters may have been tampered with. It may be a better option to go for a negotiated fare when the auto-rickshaw has an analogue meter. Ideally, you should talk with a local to find out what the fare for any estimated route will be. Higher rates may apply at night, and for special destinations such as airports. Finally, factor in that auto drivers may have to pay bribes to join the queue for customers at premium locations such as expensive hotels. The bribe will be factored in the fare. Make sure that the driver knows where he is going. Many autorickshaw drivers will claim to know the destination without really having any clue as to where it is. If you know something about the location, quiz them on it to screen out the liars. If you do not know much about the location, make them tell you in no uncertain terms that they know where it is. This is because after they get lost and drive all over the place, they will often demand extra payment for their own mistake. You can then tell them that they lied to you, and wasted your time, so they should be happy to get the agreed-upon fee. ===Addresses=== If you need to get anywhere, call in advance and ask for detailed directions. Bear in mind that street signs in India tend to be rare or nonexistent outside the cities. Postal addresses will often carry landmark details "Opp. Prithvi theatre" or "Behind Maruti Showroom" or "near temple / church / mosque / bank branch / police station / school" to ease the search. Unlike the western system of address, the Indian system uses plot number or house number, street, road followed by landmark and the location pin code instead of street name and block number. Finding a place will usually involve some searching, but you will always find someone around the area willing to guide you. Unlike many other countries, Indians ask passers-by, nearby shopkeepers or cops for guidance on street addresses. So you may do the same, people would be happy to help. Using Google maps with GPS works well most of the time in major cities but at times may not be accurate due to incorrect spelling of road or incorrect positioning on map. ===Inner Line permit=== Inner Line Permit is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected/restricted area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into the protected state. The document is an effort by the Government to regulate movement to certain areas near the international border of India. This is a security measure and it is applicable for the following states: * [[Arunachal Pradesh]] – permits are issued by the Secretary of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The permits are required for entering the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh through any of the check gates across the inter-state border with Assam or Nagaland. Permits are obtained at Arunachal Bhavan in all major cities. Permits are given to specific districts and therefore plan the itinerary before applying for district entry permits. Checkpoints at every district border only allow locals and permit holders. * [[Manipur]] - permits are issued by the Government of Manipur to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into the state for a limited period to avoid uncontrollable influx. Foreign tourists are not provided the permits. * [[Mizoram]] – permits are issued by the Government of Mizoram. The permit is required for entering the Indian state of Mizoram through any of the check gates across the inter-state borders. * [[Nagaland]] – a permit is mandatory for a mainland Indian citizen entering the state of Nagaland through any of the check gates across the inter-state borders. * [[Sikkim]] - a permit required for the '[[Nathu La]]' Pass which was an important passage of the silk route in medieval era and now a part of the border between India and China. Foreigners are not provided the permits. Only Indian citizens are allowed beyond the point. Further permits for high altitude regions like '[[Lachung]]-[[Lachen]]' along with a high altitude lake called '[[Gurudongmar Lake]]' can be obtained from Gangtok directly. Foreigners may be allowed. Another point known as 'Zero Point' also requires permits. * [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] - non-Indians need a Restricted Area Permit to visit the islands, but these are now issued on arrival at the Port Blair airport; if you plan to arrive by sea, you'll need to arrange your permit before arrival, either in Chennai or when applying for your Indian visa. Indian nationals do not require a permit to visit the Andamans, but permits are required to visit Nicobar Islands and other tribal areas, and are rarely given. ==See== To see all the places worth visiting in India, even a 6-month visit is arguably inadequate. There are more tourist destinations in India than can be mentioned in a full-length book, let alone a summary. Almost every state in India has over ten major tourist destinations and there are cities which can barely be tasted in a full week. Many Indian states by themselves are bigger and more populous than most of the countries in the world, and there are 28 states and 8 Union Territories in India, including two island chains outside the Mainland. That said, below are some highlights. ===Historical monuments and forts=== Probably the most famous single attraction in India is the '''[[Agra|Taj Mahal]]''', which is widely recognised as the jewel of Islamic art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the [[UNESCO World Heritage List|world's heritage]]. [[File:RedFort.jpg|thumb|260px|Red Fort, Delhi]] The '''Qutb Minar''' and the impressive '''Red Fort''' are the two most prominent historical monuments in [[Delhi]]. [[Jaipur]], the capital of the [[Western India|western]] state of [[Rajasthan]], is incredibly rich in forts and palaces, including the tremendous '''Amber Fort''', beautiful '''Jal Mahal''' (Water Palace) and unique '''Hawa Mahal'''. [[Nalanda]] in [[Bihar]] has the remains of a university of Buddhism that was established in 450 CE. For a rather different and more modern kind of historical monument, the '''Gandhi Ashram''' in [[Ahmedabad]], founded by the Mahatma himself, is a repository of all things Gandhi. ===Houses of worship=== No visit to India would be complete without a trip to some of the country's fantastic temples. All regions of the country are replete with temples. The city of [[Jammu]], the winter capital of [[Jammu and Kashmir]], has so many temples that it's called the '''"City of Temples"''' and is a major draw for Hindu pilgrims. [[Bishnupur (West Bengal)|Bishnupur]] in [[West Bengal]] is home to famous '''terracotta temples'''. The '''Sri Venkateswara Temple''' in [[Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], is dedicated to Vishnu and is also a major draw for pilgrims. The '''Tantric temple complexes of [[Khajuraho]]''' in [[Madhya Pradesh]] are much beloved for their thousand-year-old sacred erotic wall carvings, considered by some art historians to be the pinnacle of erotic art. The '''Meenakshi Amman Temple''' in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], is a centre of worship of Parvati, the consort of Shiva. The city of [[Thanjavur]] in Tamil Nadu known for its grand Chola-era temples. Hinduism is not the only religion represented among the great temples of India. The world headquarters of the Sikh religion are in the '''Golden Temple''' in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. [[Leh]] and environs, in the union territory of [[Ladakh]], are one of a number of areas that have '''splendid Buddhist temples or monasteries'''. The '''Ranakpur Temple''' in the small Rajasthani town of [[Ranakpur]] is an impressive and historic Jain temple. India's second-largest religion in adherents after Hinduism is Islam, and many parts of India were ruled by Muslim dynasties for hundreds of years, so it's not surprising that India is also home to many magnificent mosques. Some of them, like the mosque in the Taj, are part of historical monuments. One impressive mosque that's very much in use to this day is the lovely 17th-century '''Jama Masjid''' in Old [[Delhi]]. [[Hyderabad]] in [[Southern India|the south]] has several historical mosques, including '''Charminar Masjid''' and '''Mecca Masjid'''. There are also notable churches in various Indian cities, and the dwindling ancient Jewish community of [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]], continues to use their famous synagogue, which is a tourist attraction nowadays. ===Geographical=== [[File:Varanasi Munshi Ghat3.jpg|thumb|Munshi Ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi]] India is a very geographically varied country. In the north of the country, one can see the '''Himalayas''', the Earth's highest mountain range. There are hilly areas in many non-Himalayan states, too. In India, '''hill stations''' — towns in the cooler areas in foothills or high valleys surrounded by mountains, which were favored by rajas, then the British and now Indian tourists in the hot summer months — are considered sights and experiences in themselves. The largest of them is Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital, [[Srinagar]], but [[Darjeeling]], in view of Mount Kangchenjunga in the [[North Bengal|northern part]] of [[West Bengal]], is very famous for its tea. Other famous hill stations include [[Shimla]], [[Ooty]] and [[Gangtok]], and there are many others — most states have some. India is also a country of numerous rivers. Several of them are traditionally considered holy, but especially the '''Ganges''', locally known as Ganga, which brings life to the [[Plains (India)|Indian Plains]], India's breadbasket, and is not just an impressive body of water but a centre of ritual ablutions, prayer and cremation. There are several holy cities along the river that have many temples, but they are often less places of pilgrimage to specific temples than holy cities whose temples have grown because of the ghats (steps leading down to the holy river) and most interesting to visit for the overall experience of observing or partaking in the way of life and death along the river. Foremost among these holy cities is [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], where some 5,000-year-old rituals are still practised; other cities worth visiting to experience the Ganges include [[Rishikesh]] and [[Haridwar]], much further upstream. India also has a long coastline. The '''beaches''' of [[Goa]], also an interesting former Portuguese colony; [[Kochi]]; and the [[Andaman Islands]] are among the most appreciated by domestic and foreign visitors. Finally, India has a vast desert, the '''[[Thar Desert]]''' in [[Rajasthan]]. Several Rajasthani cities including [[Jaisalmer]] are good bases for camel safaris. ===Wildlife=== {{seealso|Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries}} India is famous for its wildlife, including the Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions and elephants. * [[Keibul Lamjao National Park]] in [[Manipur]] is the world's only floating national park, floating on the mirror like [[Loktak lake]], where the world's only dancing deer species, Brow antlered deer ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Sangai) is found. Another one, the [[Sirohi National Park]] is the world's only habitat for the world's only terrestrial lily, the Shirui Lily (Lilium macklineae), which can't be grown in any part of the earth except in the Shirui NP in [[Manipur]], despite innumerable serious experiments of numerous scientists. * [[Bandhavgarh National Park]] in [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Ranthambhore National Park]] in [[Rajasthan]] are the most likely places for you to spot an Indian tiger in the wild, though you will still have to have some luck and persistence. * [[Gir Forest National Park]] in [[Gujarat]] is dedicated to the preservation of Asiatic lions. * [[Sundarbans National Park]], on the border with [[Bangladesh]] is the largest mangrove forest and delta in the world, home to the famous Royal Bengal tigers and estuarine crocodiles but also fascinating as an overall ecosystem. * [[Pench National Park]] in Madhya Pradesh is one of the places that may have inspired Rudyard Kipling's ''Jungle Book''. * [[Kaziranga National Park]] in Assam is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros. ==Do== ===Fairs and festivals=== [[File:Holi Bonfire Udaipur.jpg|thumb|Holi bonfire in [[Udaipur]]]] '''Goa Fair''' (carnival). February heralds the carnival at [[Goa]]. For three days and nights the streets come alive with colour. Held in mid February the week-long event is a time for lively processions, floats, the strumming of guitars, graceful dances and of non-stop festivity. One of the more famous of Indian carnivals, the Goa Festival is a complete sell out in terms of tourism capacities. '''Surajkund Mela''' (1–15 February). As spring glides in, full of warmth and vibrancy, leaving the grey winter behind, Surajkund adorns itself with colourful traditional crafts of India. Craftsmen from all over the country assemble at Surajkund during the first fortnight of February to participate in the annual celebration that is the Surajkund Crafts Mela. '''Holi'''. The Spring Festival of India, Holi is a festival of colours. Celebrated in March or April, according to the Hindu calendar, it was meant to welcome spring and win the blessings of Gods for good harvests and fertility of the land. As with all Hindu festivals, there are many interesting legends attached to Holi, the most popular being that of Prince Prahlad, who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. It is the second most important festival of India after Diwali. Holi in India is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable. '''Diwali'''. The festival of lights, Diwali, illuminates the darkness of the New Year's moon, and is said to strengthen close friendships and knowledge with a self-realisation. Diwali is celebrated on a nation-wide scale on Amavasya – the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Oct/Nov) every year. It symbolises that age-old culture of India which teaches to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. The festival of lights still today projects the rich and glorious past of India. '''Pushkar Mela'''. Every November the sleepy little township of [[Pushkar]] in Rajasthan comes alive in a riot of colours and a frenzied burst of activity during the Pushkar Fair. Few fairs in the world can match the liveliness of Pushkar. It includes the world's largest camel fair, but is much more than that. ===Sports=== *'''[[Cricket]]'''. India is a cricket-obsessed country and cricket is in the blood of most Indians. India plays an important role in world cricket and has been world champion twice in the ICC Cricket World Cup, in 1983 beating the mighty West Indies in the final, and Sri Lanka in 2011. India also emerged triumphant in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 held in South Africa beating arch-rival Pakistan in a nail-biting final. The popularity of cricket in India is second to no other game, so seeing children playing cricket in parks and alleys with rubber balls and makeshift wickets is very common. Until 2008, Indian cricket was all about the national team playing against other countries in one-day matches or epic five-day Test marathons, but the advent of the [http://www.iplt20.com/ Indian Premier League] (IPL) has, for better or worse, brought fast-paced, commercialised "Twenty20" cricket to the fore, complete with cheerleaders and massive salaries. In international matches, while Australia typically poses the strongest challenge to Indian supremacy, the most intense rivalry by far is with neighbouring Pakistan, and matches between the two sides are often a very charged affair. About half-a dozen Indian stadiums have a capacity of over 45,000 and watching a cricket match can be quite an experience. Eden Gardens cricket stadium in [[Kolkata]] is Asia's highest capacity stadium with a 66,349 seating capacity and is the oldest cricket stadium in the Indian subcontinent, established in 1865, and is comparable to the stadiums of Lords' in London and the MCG in Melbourne. The atmosphere of most matches is electrifying. ''Nearly all'' international matches have sellout crowds, and it is quite normal for fans to bribe officials and make their way in. Starting ticket prices are quite cheap; they can be as low as ₹250–300. India and Pakistan are all-time arch rivals, and cricket matches between the two nations attract up to a billion TV viewers, including many people who are otherwise not cricket fans. *'''Football''' (soccer) You can come across young boys playing with a football on any open space that is available, as with cricket. Club football is very popular, especially among youth and you will find people getting into heated arguments in public places over their favourite teams. Many people also support national teams other than India, but it usually depends on the nationality of their favourite players. Also, many large restaurants and bars offer a view of important European club matches and the World Cup matches. The most famous and electrifying rivalry is the ''Kolkata Derby'' between Mohun Bagan Athletic club (established 1889) and East Bengal Football club (Estd.-1920) held in Salt Lake stadium (the second-largest non-auto racing stadium in the world) in [[Kolkata]], the football capital of India and a tremendously football crazy city. This rivalry is widely regarded to be the oldest and most intense football rivalry in Asia. *'''[[Field hockey|Hockey]]''' (field hockey) – The national game of India, hockey retains a prominent position in the hearts of many Indians, despite the craze for cricket and football. Although the viewership has dwindled significantly (as compared to the golden era before cricket came to the fore in the mid-1980s), it hasn't vanished completely. It still has a significant fan base, especially in North India, some eastern parts like Jharkhand, Odisha and the Northeastern states. The introduction of the Premier Hockey League has helped restore its popularity. Speakers of US/Canadian English should also note that 'hockey' refers to field hockey, not ice hockey. *''' Formula One''' – Not very popular in India, though there has been one Formula One race held at Noida. People now know the names of drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, while ten years earlier only a few knew this sport. *'''Polo'''. Polo is a gift from [[Manipur]], India to the world. The game was taken from India by the Europeans during the 19th century and spread across the globe. ''"Polo can be traced to origins in [[Manipur]] state c. 3100 BC, when it was played as Sagol Kangjei."'' - Guinness World Records, 1991, page no. 706. The Imphal Polo Ground ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Mapal Kangjeibung) is the world's oldest polo ground and is in the heart of [[Imphal]], the capital city of [[Manipur]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Indian rupees | currencyCode=₹ | date= March 2022 | USD=75 | EUR=84 | GBP=100 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/inr-indian-rupee XE.com] }} {{infobox|The money that isn't|In 2016, the old yellow ₹500 and red ₹1000 banknotes were demonetised (made invalid) at very short notice in a ham-fisted attempt to fight corruption. If you have any lying around, they are no longer legal tender and they're impossible to exchange, so '''don't accept these''' if somebody tries to palm any off to you: [[File:India 500 INR, MG series, 2014, obverse.jpg|x117px]] [[File:India 1000 INR, MG series, 2006, obverse.jpg|x117px]] The new ₹500 note is grey, and there is no ₹1000 note at all. The new ₹2000 note is magenta in colour. }} The currency in India is the Indian '''rupee''' (sign: ₹; code: '''INR''') (रुपया &mdash; ''rupaya'' in Hindi and similarly named in most Indian languages, but ''taka'' in Maithili, ''Taakaa'' in Bengali and ''Toka'' in Assamese). The rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular: paisa). "5 rupees 75 paise" would normally be written as "₹5.75". The new rupee symbol ₹ was introduced in July 2010 to bring the rupee's symbol in line with other major currencies. Previously, "Rs" was used (or "Re" for the singular rupee). It is very likely you will continue to see the previous nomenclature in your Indian travels, especially with smaller businesses and street vendors. Indian banknotes or bills come in denominations of ₹5 (green) ^{'''[printing discontinued]'''}, ₹10 (orange and violet/chocolate brown), ₹20 (reddish-orange/greenish yellow), ₹50 (violet/fluorescent blue), ₹100 (greenish blue/lavender), ₹200 (bright yellow), ₹500 (stone grey) and ₹2,000 (magenta). There are two versions of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50 and ₹100 banknotes due to the introduction of a new series of the currency by the government in 2016 following the demonetisation. It is always good to have a number of small bills on hand, as merchants and drivers sometimes have no change. A useful technique is to keep small bills (₹10-50) in your wallet or in a pocket, and to keep larger bills separate. Then, it will not be obvious how much money you have. Many merchants will claim that they don't have change for a ₹100 or ₹500 note. This is often a lie so that they are not stuck with a large bill. It is best not to buy unless you have exact change. The coins in circulation are ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 and ₹20. Coins are useful for buying tea (₹5), for bus fares (₹2 to ₹10), and for giving exact change for an auto-rickshaw. Indians commonly use '''lakh''' and '''crore''' for 100,000 and 10,000,000 respectively. Though these terms come from Sanskrit, they have been adopted so deeply into Indian English that most people are not aware that they are non-existent in other English dialects. You may also find non-standard, although standard in India, placement of commas while writing numerals. One crore rupees would be written as ₹1,00,00,000, so first time you place a comma after three numerals, then after every two numerals. This format may puzzle you till you start thinking in terms of lakhs and crores, after which it will seem natural. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Number !! English Format !! Indian Format (In English) !! Indian Format (In Hindi) |- | 100 || Hundred || Hundred || Sau |- | 1000 || Thousand || Thousand || Hazaar |- | 1,00,000 || Hundred Thousand || One Lakh || Ek Lakh |- | 10,00,000 || Million || Ten Lakhs || Das Lakh |- | 1,00,00,000 || Ten Million || One Crore || Ek Crore |} ==== Converting from rupees to dollars, euros and pounds==== Your usual currency equalling between 58 and 80 rupees, do this to convert a price in rupees: Divide by 100 and add the half of it. Example: <br> • ₹800 / 100 = 8; 8 + 4 ≈ 12 of your usual currency When your usual currency equals between 80 and 110 rupees, do this to convert a price in rupees: Divide by 100. Example:<br> • ₹900 / 100 ≈ 9 of your usual currency And your usual currency being between 110 and 133 rupees, do this to convert a price in rupees: Divide by 1000 and multiply by 8. Example: <br> • ₹1000 / 1000 = 1; 1 * 8 ≈ 8 of your usual currency This works well for everyday expenses. For rather high amounts of money, it's better to convert with the exact exchange rate, e.g. with an app. ===Changing money=== [[File:SardarMarket Fabrics.JPG|thumb|240px|Rajasthani fabric for sale, [[Jodhpur]]]] The Indian rupee is not fully convertible; foreigners are '''not allowed''' to bring Indian rupees into or out of India, while Indian citizens are restricted to carrying '''up to ₹25,000''' when exiting or entering India. Rates for exchanging rupees overseas are often poor, although places with significant Indian populations (e.g. Dubai, Singapore) can give decent rates. You can change foreign currencies into rupees at any one of the numerous foreign exchange conversion units including banks. Most ATMs will pay out ₹10,000 in each transaction. State Bank of India (SBI) is the biggest bank in India and has the most ATMs. ICICI bank has the second largest network of ATMs and accepts most of the international cards at a nominal charge. International banks like Citibank, HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, ABN Amro and Standard Chartered have a significant presence in major Indian cities. It is always worthwhile to have bank cards or credit cards from at least two different providers to ensure that you have a backup available in case one card is suspended by your bank or simply does not work work at a particular ATM. In many cities and towns, credit cards are accepted at retail chain stores and other restaurants and stores. Small businesses and family-run stores almost never accept credit cards, so it is useful to keep a moderate amount of cash on hand. Electronic payments including Google Pay, PayPe and Paytm are increasingly popular across India, but you will need both an Indian phone number and an Indian bank account to sign up. ===Maximum Retail Price - MRP=== When buying factory packaged food or drinks (e.g. lemonade, cola, etc.) always have a look for a stamp on the packaging. It will tell you the MRP (short for maximum retail price) and you can't be forced to pay more than that. ===Costs=== Costs in India can vary widely from region to region, and even in the same city, depending on the quality of service or product, brand, etc. But usually, India is '''not very expensive''' for the foreign traveller. ====Mid-range to high-range travellers==== ₹ 5000, at least, needed for a decent room in a good hotel offering cable TV, air conditioning and a direct telephone; however, this price doesn't include a refrigerator. Food will cost at least ₹150 for a decent meal (at a stall, not a hotel), but the sky is the limit. While bus transportation will cost approximately ₹5 for a short distance of about 1&nbsp;km, a taxi or rickshaw may cost ₹20-₹30 for the same distance without air conditioning. There are radio taxis that are available at ₹ 20 to 25 per km in key Indian cities which have GPS navigation, air conditioned and accept debit/credit cards for payments. They are a very safe mode of travel. So the total for one day would be about as below: *Hotel: US$60 for a good place per day *Food: US$10 for a good meal per day *Travel: US$10 taxi and bus together Total: US$80 for a couple, US$70 for a person alone ====Budget travellers==== Budget travel around India is surprisingly easy, with the savvy backpacker able to get by (relatively comfortably) on as little as US$25–35 per day. It is generally cheaper than South East Asia with a night in a hotel costing as little as ₹200-1,000 (though there will be probably no air conditioning or room service for this price). Beach huts in the cheaper places of Goa can cost around ₹800 per night. A meal can be bought from a street trader for as little as ₹30, though, in a restaurant expect, to pay around ₹200-300 for a beer or two. Overnight buses and trains can cost anywhere from ₹600-1,000 dependent on distance and locations, though an uncomfortable government bus (benches only) may be cheaper. ===Tipping=== In India there has traditionally been little or no tipping, and today tipping is unusual outside of fancier restaurants where up to 10% is appropriate. The fancier restaurants may also levy a service charge of up to 15% apart from government taxes. Some restaurants have also have started placing jars at the cashier for people to drop in some change if they feel so, but this is a rather rare phenomenon. Most clubs in India have a complete ban on its members from tipping. Usually no service industry except the food services industry expects a tip. In India, it is unlawful for taxi or rickshaw drivers to charge anything above the meter. ===Shopping=== [[File:Delhi main bazaar.jpg|thumb|At the main bazaar in Delhi]] In India, you are '''''expected'' to negotiate the price''' with street hawkers but not in department stores and the like. If not, you risk overpaying many times, which can be okay if you think that it is cheaper than at home. In most of the big cities and even smaller towns retail chain stores are popping up where the shopping experience is essentially identical to similar stores in the West. There are also some government-run stores like the '''Cottage Emporium''' in New Delhi, where you can sample wares from all across the country in air-conditioned comfort. Although you will pay a little more at these stores, you can be sure that what you are getting is not a cheap knockoff. The harder you [[bargaining|bargain]], the more you save money. A few tries later, you will realise that it is fun. Often, the more time you spend in a shop, the better deals you will get. It is worth spending time getting to know the owner, asking questions, and getting him to show you other products (if you are interested). Once the owner feels that they will make a sufficient profit from you, they will often give you additional goods at a rate close to cost, rather than the common "foreigner rate". You will get better prices and service by buying many items in one store than by bargaining in multiple stores individually. If you see local people buying in a store, you should be able to find out the real Indian prices. Ask someone around you quietly, "How much would you pay for this?" Also, very often you will meet a "friend" in the street inviting you to visit their family's shop. That almost always means that you pay twice as much as when you had been in the shop without your newly found friend. ''Baksheesh'' was originally a Persian word for charity, but it has spread to many languages including most of those in India. Depending on context, its English translation might be any of donation, gift, tip, bribe, alms or commission. Having Indians you deal with want baksheesh is a fairly common phenomenon. While this is sometimes a problem, doing it can ease certain problems and clear some hurdles. Baksheesh is also the term used by beggars when they want money from you and may refer to tips given those who provide you a service. Packaged goods show the '''Maximum Retail Price (MRP)''' on the package. This includes taxes. Retailers are not supposed to charge more than this. Though this rule is adhered to at most places, at tourist destinations or remote places, you may be charged more. This is especially true for cold drinks like Coke or Pepsi, where a bottle (300 ml) costs around ₹33-35 when the actual price is ₹30. Also, keep in mind that a surprising number of things do not come in packaged form. Do check for the authenticity of the MRP, as shopkeepers may put up their own sticker to charge more from you. ===What to look for/buy=== *'''Wood Carvings''': India produces a striking variety of carved wood products that can be bought at very low prices. Examples include decorative wooden plates, bowls, artwork, furniture and miscellaneous items that will surprise you. Check the regulations of your home country before attempting to import wooden items. *'''Clothing''': It depends on the state/region you are visiting. Most of the states have their speciality to offer. For example go for silk sarees if you are visiting Benaras; Block prints if you are in Jaipur *'''Paintings''': Paintings come on a wide variety of media, such as cotton, silk, or with frame included. Gemstone paintings incorporate semi-precious stone dust, so they have a glittering appearance to them. *'''Marble and stone carvings''': Common carved items include elephants, Hindu gods/goddesses. Compare several of the same kind. If they look too similar bargain hard as they are probably machine made. *'''Jewellery''': Beautiful necklaces, bracelets and other jewellery are very inexpensive in India. *'''Pillow covers, bedsets''': Striking and rich designs are common for pillows and bed covers. *'''Carpets''': India has a long [[Carpets#Indian_subcontinent|history]] of carpet production and makes many today for both domestic and export markets. Designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Zara, A & F, all are available in upmarket stores. ==Eat== {{seealso|South Asian cuisine}} Indian cuisine takes its place among the great cuisines of the world. There is a good chance that you'd have tasted "Indian food" in your country, especially if you are a traveller from the West, but what India has exported abroad is just one part of its extraordinary range of culinary diversity. [[File:Namaste Delhi Indian Cuisine.jpg|thumb|Indian Cuisine in [[New Delhi]]]] Indian food can be spicy: Potent fresh green chillies or red chilli powder will bring tears to the eyes of the uninitiated, and can be found in unexpected places like sweet cornflakes (a snack, not breakfast) or even candies. The degree of spiciness varies widely throughout the country: [[Andhra Pradesh|Andhra]] food is famously fiery, while [[Gujarat]]i cuisine is quite mild in taste with the exception of Surti food (from [[Surat]]). To enjoy the local food, start slowly. Don't try everything at once. After a few weeks, you can get accustomed to spicy food. If you would like to order your dish not spicy, simply say so. Most visitors are tempted to try at least some of the spicy concoctions, and most discover that the sting is worth the trouble. Remember, too, that while "spicy" is a convenient short-hand for "chilli-laden," the spiciness of food in India doesn't always mean lots of chilli: Indian cuisines often use a multitude of different spices and other aromatic ingredients in highly creative and flavourful ways. ===Cuisine=== Cuisine in India varies greatly from region to region. The "Indian food" served by many so-called Indian restaurants in the Western hemisphere is inspired by [[Plains (India)|North India]]n cooking, specifically '''Mughlai''' cuisine, a style developed by the royal kitchens of the historical Mughal Empire, and the regional cuisine of the [[Punjab]], although it has been Britainised and the degree of authenticity in relation to actual Mughlai or Punjabi cooking is variable at best and dubious at worst. [[File:Chuni Roti.jpg|thumb|Chuni roti]] '''North India''' is a wheat-growing area, so you have '''Indian breads''' (known as ''roti''), including ''chapatti'' (unleavened bread), ''paratha'' (pan-fried layered roti), ''naan'' (cooked in a clay ''tandoor'' oven), ''puri'' (deep-fried and puffed up bread) and many more. A typical meal consists of one or more gravy dishes along with rotis, to be eaten by breaking off a piece of roti, dipping it in the gravy and eating them together. Most of the Hindi heartland of India survives on roti, rice, and '''lentils''' (''dal''), which are prepared in several different ways and made spicy to taste. Served on the side, you will usually find spiced yogurt (''raita'') and either fresh chutney or a tiny piece of exceedingly pungent pickle (''achar''), very much an acquired taste for most visitors &mdash; try mixing it with curry, not eating it plain. A variety of regional cuisines can be found throughout the North. ''Tandoori'' chicken, prepared in a clay oven called a ''tandoor'', is probably the best-known North Indian dish, innovated by a Punjabi immigrant from present-day Pakistan during the Partition. For a taste of traditional Punjabi folk cooking, try ''dal makhani'' (stewed black lentils and kidney beans in a buttery gravy), or ''sarson da saag'', a yummy gravy dish made with stewed mustard greens, served with ''makke di roti'' (flatbread made from maize). There are also the hearty textures and robust flavours of [[Rajasthan]]i food, the meat-heavy [[Kashmir]]i dishes from the valley of Kashmir, or the mild yet ingratiating [[Himalayan North|Himalayan]] (''pahari'') cuisine found in the higher reaches. North India also has of a variety of snacks like ''samosa'' (vegetables encased in thin pastry of a triangular shape) and ''kachori'' (either vegetable or pulses encased in thin pastry). There is also a vast constellation of sweet desserts like ''jalebi'' (deep-fried pretzel with sugar syrup- shaped like a spiral), ''rasmalai'' (balls of curds soaked in condensed milk) and ''halwa''. Dry fruits and nuts like almonds, cashews and pistachios are used a lot, often in the desserts, but sometimes also in the main meal. Authentic Mughal-style cooking, the royal cuisine of the Mughal Empire, can still be found and savoured in some parts of India, most notably the old Mughal cities of Delhi, [[Agra]] and [[Lucknow]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], and [[Hyderabad]] in [[Telangana]]. It is a refined blend of [[Iran|Persian]], [[Central Asia|Turkic]] and [[Indian subcontinent|Subcontinent]] cooking, and makes heavy use of meat and spices. The names of some Mughal dishes bear the prefix of ''shahi'' as a sign of its prestige and royal status from a bygone era. Famous Mughal specialties include ''biryani'' (layered meat and rice casserole), ''pulao'' (rice cooked in a meat or vegetable broth), ''kebab'' (grilled meat), ''kofta'' (balls of mincemeat), ''rumali roti'' (flatbread whirled into paper-thin consistency) and ''shahi tukray'' (saffron and cardamom-scented bread pudding). [[File:Meal BananaLeaf.JPG|thumb|240px|A typically south Indian banana leaf meal]] {{seealso|Southern India#Eat}} In '''[[Southern India|South India]]''', the food is mostly '''rice-based'''. A typical meal includes ''sambhar'' (a thick vegetable and lentil chowder) with rice, ''rasam'' (a thin, peppery soup), or ''avial'' (mixed vegetables) with rice, traditionally served on a banana leaf as a plate. Seasoning in South India differs from northern regions by its ubiquitous use of mustard seeds, curry leaves, pulses, fenugreek seeds, and a variety of souring agents such as tamarind and kokum. There are regional variations too &mdash; the coastal regions make greater use of coconut and fish. In the State of [[Kerala]], it is common to use grated coconut in everything and coconut oil for cooking, while someone from the interior could be surprised to learn that coconut oil can be used for cooking. The South also has some great breakfast dishes like ''idli'' (a steamed cake of lentils and rice), ''dosa'', a thin, crispy pancake often stuffed with spiced potatoes to make ''masala dosa'', ''vada'', a savoury Indian donut, and ''uttapam'', a fried pancake made from a rice and lentil batter with onions and other vegetables mixed in. All of these can be eaten with ''dahi'', plain yogurt, and '''chutney''', a condiment that can be made from practically anything. Try the ever popular masala dosa, which originated from Udupi in [[Karnataka]], in one of the old restaurants of [[Bangalore]] like CTR and Janatha in Malleswaram or Vidyarthi Bhavan in Basavangudi or at MTR near Lalbagh. South Indian cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, though there are exceptions: Seafood is very popular in [[Kerala]] and the [[Mangalore]]an coast of Karnataka; and [[Tamil Nadu|Chettinad]] and Hyderabad cuisines use meat heavily, and are a lot spicier. Coffee tends to be the preferred drink to tea in South India. To the '''[[West (India)|West]]''', you will find some great cuisine groups. '''[[Gujarat]]i''' cuisine is somewhat similar to Rajastani cooking with the heavy use of dairy products, but differs in that it is predominantly vegetarian, and often sweetened with jaggery or sugar. Gujaratis make some of the best snack items such as the '''Dhokla''' and the '''Muthia'''. [[Mumbai]] is famous for its chaat, as well as the food of the small but visible Irani and Parsi communities concentrated in and around the city. The adjacent states of [[Maharashtra]] and Goa are renowned for their seafood, often simply grilled, fried or poached in coconut milk. A notable feature of Goan cooking is that pork and vinegar is used, a rare sight in the rest of India. Vindaloo originated in Goa, and is traditionally cooked with pork, and in spite of its apparent popularity in Indian restaurants abroad, it is not common in India itself. [[File:A scene from traditional Odia kitchen.jpg|thumb|"A scene from traditional Odia kitchen"]] To the '''[[East (India)|East]]''', '''[[West Bengal|Bengali]]''' and [[Odisha]]n food makes heavy use of rice, and fish due to the vast river channels and ocean coastline in the region. Bengali cooking is known for its complexity of flavor and bittersweet balance. Mustard oil, derived from mustard seeds, is often used in cooking and adds a pungent, slightly sweet flavour and intense heat. Bengalis prefer freshwater fish, in particular the iconic ilish or hilsa: it can be smoked, fried, steamed, baked in young plantain leaves, cooked with curd, aubergine and cumin seeds. It is said that ilish can be prepared in more than 50 ways. Typical Bengali dishes include ''maccher jhal'', a brothy fish stew which literally means "fish in sauce", and ''shorshe ilish'' (cooked in a gravy made from mustard seed paste). Eastern India is also famous for its desserts and sweets: Rasgulla is a famous variant of the better-known gulab jamun, a spherical morsel made from cow's milk and soaked in a clear sugar syrup. It's excellent if consumed fresh or within a day after it is made. ''Sondesh'' is another excellent milk-based sweet, best described as the dry equivalent of ras malai. A lot of food has also filtered in from other countries. '''Indian Chinese''' (or ''Chindian'') is far and away the most common adaptation: most Chinese would barely recognise the stuff, but dishes like ''veg manchurian'' (deep-fried vegetable balls in a chilli-soy-ginger sauce) and ''chilli chicken'' are very much a part of the Indian cultural landscape and worth a try. The British left fish and chips and some fusion dishes like mulligatawny soup, while [[Tibet]]an and [[Nepal]]i food, especially ''momo'' dumplings, are not uncommon in north India. Pizza has entered India in a big way, and the chains such as Pizza Hut and Domino's have Indianised the pizza and introduced adaptations like paneer-tikka pizza. There is an Indian chain called Smokin Joe's, based in Mumbai, which has mixed Thai curry with pizzas. It is, of course, impossible to do full justice to the range and diversity of Indian food in this brief section. Not only does every region of India have a distinctive cuisine, but you will also find that even within a region, castes and ethnic communities have different styles of cooking and often have their signature recipes which you will probably not find in restaurants. The adventurous traveller is advised to wangle invitations to homes, try various bylanes of the city and look for food in unlikely places like temples and Gurudhwaras in search of culinary nirvana. ===Fruits=== While a wide variety of fruits are native to India, including the ''chikoo'' and the ''jackfruit'', nothing is closer to an Indian's heart than a juicy ripe mango. Hundreds of varieties are found across most of its regions &mdash; in fact, India is the largest producer, growing more than half the world's output. Mangoes are in season at the hottest part of the year, usually between May and July, and range from small (as big as a fist) to some as big as a small cantaloupe. They can be consumed in their ripe, unripe and also a baby form (the last 2 predominantly in pickles). The best mango (the "King of Mangoes", as Indians call it) is the "Alphonso" or Haapoos (in Marathi), in season in April and May along the western coast of Maharashtra. Buy it from a good fruit shop in Mumbai or Mahatma Phule market (formerly Crawford market) in South Mumbai. Dushheri Mangoes are also popular in North India. Other fruits widely available (depending on the season) are bananas, oranges, guavas, lychees, apples, pineapples, pomegranates, apricots, melons, coconuts, grapes, plums, peaches and berries. ===Vegetarian=== {{infobox|Know your vegetarians|[[File:Vegmark.PNG|noframe|150px|right]] Most Indians who practise vegetarianism do so for religious or cultural reasons &mdash; though cultural taboos have their roots in ethical concerns. Indians' dietary restrictions come in all shapes and sizes and the two symbols (see right) do not capture the full range. The green dot means pure vegetarian. red dot means non-vegetarian, including only eggs (as in a fruit-egg cake). Here is a quick guide: * '''Veganism''' is practically unknown in many parts of India, because milk and honey are enthusiastically consumed by virtually everyone. But some restaurants in major cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore increasingly cater for vegans. Foods like tofu, soy chunks (branded Nutrela) and soy milk are readily available in major cities, as well as some minor ones. **Eggs are considered non-vegetarian by many, though you are very likely to find people who are otherwise vegetarian eating eggs. These people are often referred to as '''eggetarians'''. That said, there are a number of foods that are vegan by default in India, including standard restaurant dishes such as aloo gobi, channa masala, various types of dal, dosas, and the vast majority of Indo-Chinese dishes. **Dishes made with dairy products are usually denoted as such (referencing their use of butter or ghee, in particular). Most restaurants will accommodate dietary restrictions and it is advisable to ask if a dish contains milk, butter, cream, yogurt or ghee. Virtually all Indian desserts, however, are non-vegan, with the exception of jalebi, an orange-coloured fried dough commonly found in western and northern India. * The strictest vegetarians are some '''Jains and some Brahmin sects''' - they not only abjure all kinds of meat and eggs, they also refuse to eat onions, potatoes or anything grown under the soil. * Even meat-eating Hindus often follow special diets during religious days or during '''fasts'''. Hindu fasts do not involve giving up all food, just eating a restricted diet &mdash; some take only fruits. * A very small group of Indians are, or used to be '''pescatarians''' &mdash; i.e. they count fish as vegetarian. Among these are Bengali and Konkani Brahmins. Such people are increasingly rare as most have taken to meat-eating.}} Visiting vegetarians will discover a culinary treasure that is found nowhere else in the world. Owing to a large number of strictly vegetarian Hindu Brahmins and Jains, Indian cuisine has evolved an astonishingly rich menu that uses no meat or eggs. The Jains in particular practise a strict form of vegetarianism based on the principles of non-violence and peaceful co-operative co-existence: Jains usually do not consume root vegetables such as potatoes, garlic, onions, carrots, radishes, cassava, sweet potatoes and turnips, as the plant needs to be killed prior to its end of normal life cycle, in the process of accessing these . At least half the menus of most restaurants are devoted to vegetarian dishes, and by law all packaged food products in India are tagged with a green dot (vegetarian) or red dot (non-veg). Veganism however is not a well-understood concept in India, and vegans may face a tougher time: milk products like cheese (''paneer''), yogurt (''dahi'') and clarified butter (''ghee'') are used extensively (in particular, ghee can be hard to spot as it can be mixed into curries before they are served), and honey is also commonly used as a sweetener. Milk in India is generally ''not'' pasteurised, and must be boiled before consumption. Even non-vegetarians will soon note that due to the Hindu taboo, '''beef''' is generally not served (except in the Muslim, Christian and Parsi communities, [[Goa]], [[Kerala]] and the [[Northeast India|North-Eastern states]]), and '''pork''' is also uncommon due to the Muslim population. Chicken and mutton are thus by far the most common meats used, although "buff" (water buffalo) is occasionally served in backpacker establishments. Seafood is of course ubiquitous in the coastal regions of India, and a few regional cuisines do use duck, venison and other game meats in traditional dishes. ===Etiquette=== In India eating with your hand (instead of cutlery like forks and spoons) is very common. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe, particularly in non-urban India: '''Use only your right hand'''. The left hand is reserved for unhygienic uses. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the spatula with your left hand to serve yourself and then dig in. For all types of breads, the basic technique is to hold down the item with your forefinger and use your middle-finger and thumb to tear off pieces. The pieces can then be dipped in sauce, curry or used to pick up bits before you stuff them in your mouth. Rice is more challenging, but the basic idea is to use four fingers to mix the rice in curry and pack a little ball, before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. Most of the restaurants do provide cutlery and its pretty safe to use them instead of your hand. Eating by hand is frowned on in some "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. ===Restaurants=== {{infobox|Menus in English... well, almost|Menus in Indian restaurants are usually written in English &mdash; but using Hindi names. Here's a quick decoder key that goes a long way for understanding common dishes like ''aloo gobi'' and ''muttar paneer''. <!-- please don't repeat words already covered above. --> * ''aloo'' or ''aalu'' &mdash; potato * ''baigan'' or ''baingan'' &mdash; eggplant/aubergine * ''bhindi'' &mdash; okra * ''chana'' &mdash; chickpeas * ''dal'' &mdash; lentils * ''gobi'' &mdash; cauliflower (or other cabbage) * ''machli'' &mdash; fish * ''makkhan'' &mdash; butter * ''matar'' &mdash; green peas * ''mirch'' &mdash; chilli pepper * ''murgh'' or ''murg'' &mdash; chicken * ''palak'' or ''saag'' &mdash; spinach (or other greens) * ''paneer'' &mdash; Indian cottage cheese * ''subzi'' &mdash; vegetable}} Indian restaurants run the gamut from roadside shacks (''dhabas'') to classy five-star places where the experience is comparable to places anywhere in the world. Away from the big cities and tourist haunts, mid-level restaurants are scarce, and food choices will be limited to the local cuisine, Punjabi/Mughlai, "Chinese"/"Indo-Chinese" and occasionally South Indian. The credit for popularising Punjabi cuisine all over the country goes to the ''dhabas'' that line India's highways. Their patrons are usually the truckers, who happen to be overwhelmingly Punjabi. The authentic dhaba serves up simple yet tasty seasonal dishes like roti and dal with onions. Hygiene can be an issue in many dhabas, so if one's not up to your standards try another. In rural areas, dhabas are usually the only option. In South India, a "hotel" is local restaurant serving south Indian food, usually a ''thali'' or ''plate meal''—a full plate of food that usually includes a kind of bread and/or rice and an assortment of meat or vegetarian dishes—and prepared meals. Although you may be handed an extensive menu, most dishes are served only during specific hours, if at all. ==Drink== One of the sweetest and safest beverages you can get is young coconut water (''nariyal paani''). You can almost always find it in any beach or other tourist destinations in the south. In summer (Mar-Jul), you can get fresh sugarcane juice in many places and even a lot of fresh fruit juice varieties. India is famous for its Alphonso variety of mangoes, generally regarded as the King of Mangoes among connoisseurs. ''Frooti'', in its famous tetra-pack, is the most popular processed drink, followed by ''Maaza'' (bottled by Coca-Cola) or ''Slice'' (bottled by PepsiCo), both of which contain about 15% Alphonso mango pulp. Both cost about ₹30-50 for a 600 ml bottle. As for bottled water, make sure that the cap's seal has not been broken; otherwise, it is a tell-tale sign of tampering or that unscrupulous vendors reuse old bottles and fill them with tap water, which is generally unsafe for foreign tourists to drink without prior boiling. Bottled water brands like ''Aquafina'' (by PepsiCo) and ''Kinley'' (by Coca-Cola) are widely available. Local brands like ''Bisleri'', being the most popular one is perfectly safe. Tastes may vary due to the individual brands' mineral contents. In semi-urban or rural areas, it may be appropriate to ask for boiled water as well. ===Tea=== [[File:Indian chai tea - Haridwar - India.jpg|thumb|Making chai]] One can get tea (''chai'' in most North Indian languages) of one variety or the other everywhere in India. The most common method of preparing chai is by brewing tea leaves, milk, and sugar altogether in a pot and keeping it hot until it's all sold. It is sweet and uniquely refreshing once you get the taste for it. '''Masala chai''' will have, added to the above mix, spices such as cardamom, ginger or cinnamon etc. For some people, that takes some getting used to.<br /> While Masala chai is popular in Northern and Central India, people in Eastern India ([[West Bengal]] and [[Assam]]) generally consume tea without spices, the English way. This is also the part of India where most tea is grown. ===Coffee=== In South India, '''filter coffee''' replaces tea as the standard beverage. Indian filter coffee is a coffee drink made by mixing frothed and boiled milk with the decoction obtained by brewing finely ground coffee powder in a traditional Indian filter. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Labels of Indian beer Kingfisher.jpg|thumb|Kingfisher beer]] Drinking alcohol can either be frowned upon or openly accepted, depending on the region and religion of the area within which you are drinking. For example, Goa, Punjab and [[Pondicherry]] tend to be more free-wheeling (and have low taxes on alcohol), while a few southern areas like Chennai are less tolerant of alcohol, and may even charge excessive taxes on it. Some states such as Gujarat and Bihar are legally "dry" states and alcohol cannot be bought openly there, although there is a substantial bootlegging industry. Bootleg alcohol is unregulated and could kill you or make you sick, and you could also be in legal trouble if you are caught while drunk in a dry state. Favourite Indian tipples include beer, notably the ubiquitous '''Kingfisher''' (a decent lager), and rum, particularly '''Old Monk'''. Prices vary by state, especially for hard liquor, but you can expect to pay ₹50-100 for a large bottle of beer and anywhere between ₹170-250 for a 750 mL bottle of Old Monk. Mumbai tends to be the most expensive, due to local taxes, which can be three-times as much as Meghalaya. [[File:Wine barrels at Sula Vineyards.jpg|thumb|Wine barrels at Sula Vineyards]] Indian wines, long a bit of a joke, have improved remarkably and there's a booming wine industry in the hills of [[Maharashtra]]. The good stuff is not particularly cheap (expect to pay around ₹500 a bottle) and selections are mostly limited to white wines, but look out for labels by '''Chateau Indage''' or [https://sulavineyards.com/ '''Sula''']. Illegal moonshine, called ''tharra'' when made from sugar cane and ''toddy'' when made from coconuts, is widely available in some states. It's cheap and strong, but '''very dangerous''' as it may contain poisonous methanol. Quality control is nonexistent, and best avoided entirely. In the former Portuguese colony of Goa you can obtain an extremely pungent liquor called ''fenny'' or ''feni'', typically made from cashew fruits or coconuts. As of April 2017 it is illegal to sell alcohol within 500 m of a highway. This is controversial as it has hit restaurants, bars and hotels hard so check latest rulings before booking your hotel for any changers. ===Cannabis=== [[File:Bhang shop in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India on June 6, 2006.jpg|thumb|240px|Government-authorised ''bhang'' shop, [[Jaisalmer]]]] [[Cannabis]] in its many forms, especially ''ganja'' (weed) and ''charas'' (hash), is widely available throughout India, but are all '''illegal''' in the vast majority of the country. The law states that simple possession may mean fines or years in prison, depending on the quantity possessed. However, in some states (notably Uttar Pradesh, [[Bihar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]] and [[Orissa]]) the one legal and socially accepted way to consume cannabis is as '''''bhang''''', a low-grade preparation sold at government-licensed shops that is not only smoked, but also made into cookies, chocolate and the infamous ''bhang lassi'', an herb-laced version of the normally innocuous yogurt drink. ''Bhang lassi'' is usually available at varying strengths, so use caution if opting for the stronger versions. It's also occasionally sold as "special lassi", but is usually easily spotted by the ₹30-50 price tag (several times higher than the non-special kinds). An important point to bear in mind is that the effects of "Bhang" are slow and heighten when consumed with something sweet. Also, first-time users may want to wait a while before consuming too much in an effort to judge their tolerance. ==Sleep== Make sure to bring the passport wherever you go, as most hotels will not rent out rooms without a valid passport. Two important factors to keep in mind when choosing a place to stay are safety and cleanliness. [[Malaria]] is present in most areas of India. One way to combat malaria is to choose lodgings with air conditioning and sealed windows. An insect-repellent spray containing DEET will also help, or consider [[Permethrin-treated fabrics]]. Overcharging of foreigners is widespread and you will have to [[bargain]] hard. Many hotels listed on western booking websites (booking.com etc.) are also set at the "tourist price"; try local booking sites like Goibibo, redBus or OYO rooms, as these have much better coverage of local hotels and in rural areas. Choices vary widely depending on budget and location. Good budget hotels in India are easy to find. Cheap travellers' hotels are numerous in big cities where rooms are available for less than ₹450. Rooms at guest-houses with a double bed (and often a bathroom) can be found in many touristic venues for ₹150-200. [[Hostels|accommodation in clean dormitories]] for as little as ₹50 is also available. Bed and breakfast service providers are coming up offering standard services that can be expected from B&Bs outside India. The basics include: air-conditioner or air cooler, free food, and free wi-fi internet. Most Indian train stations have rooms or dormitories, just ask the railway officials or book it online on the [https://www.rr.irctctourism.com/#/home railway's dormitory website]. They are cheap, relatively well maintained (the beds, sheets, not the showers), in demand and secure. There are also the added bonus of not being accosted by the rickshaw mafia, getting the bags off quickly and, for the adventurous, high likelihood to jump on a cheap public bus back to the train station. Keep in mind you must have an arrival or departure train ticket from the station where you intend to sleep and there could be a limit on how many nights you may stay. Midrange options are plentiful in the larger cities and expanding fast into second-tier cities as well. Dependable local chains include [https://www.treebo.com/ Treebo], [https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/brand/country-inn Country Inns], [http://www.gingerhotels.com Ginger] and [http://www.neemranahotels.com Neemrana], and prices vary from ₹1,000-4,000 per night. Local, unbranded hotels can be found in any city, but quality varies widely. [[File:Taj hotel mumbai india.jpg|thumb|Hotel Taj Mahal, one of the most famous landmarks of [[Mumbai]]]] If the wallet allows it, you can try staying like royalty in a maharaja's palace in places like [[Udaipur]] or modern five-star hotels which are now found pretty much all over the country. The top-end of Indian luxury rests with hotel chains like [http://www.oberoihotels.com/ Oberoi], [http://www.tajhotels.com/ Taj], [https://www.theleela.com/en_us/ The Leela] and [http://www.itcwelcomgroup.in/ ITC Welcomgroup], who operate hotels in all the major cities and throughout [[Rajasthan]]. The usual international chains also run major 5-star hotels in most Indian metropolises, but due to India's economic boom availability is tight and prices can be crazy: it's not uncommon to be quoted over US$300/night for what would in other countries be a distinctly ordinary business hotel going for a third of the price. Also beware that some jurisdictions including [[Delhi]] and Bangalore charge stiff luxury taxes on the ''rack rate'' of the room, which can lead to nasty surprises at check-out time. One way of meeting interesting Indian travellers is by staying at an Dak bungalow. Also, called travellers' bungalows or inspection bungalows, they were built by the British to accommodate travelling officials and are now used by the Central and state governments for the same purpose. They exist in many towns and some rural locations. Most will take tourists at a moderate fee if they have room. They are clean, comfortable and usually in good locations, but plain with ceiling fans rather than air conditioning, shower but no bath. Typically the staff includes a pensioned-off soldier as night watchman and perhaps another as gardener; often the gardens are lovely. Sometimes there may be a cook; his or her services will be free but you should buy ingredients. Reliable electricity supply is present mainly in upmarket hotels. Brownouts are frequent, and many buildings have unsafe wiring. If you like having a beer at the bar or expect alcohol in the room fridge then make sure the hotel is more than {{meter|500}} from a highway. ==Learn== There are many things to learn that interest foreigners all over India, but there are a few destinations that have become particularly well known for certain things: *'''Yoga''' is popular in [[Haridwar]], [[Rishikesh]] and [[Mysore]]. *'''Ayurveda''' is popular in [[Kerala]]. The region also boasts of many dance and dramatic forms. *'''[[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]''' in [[Delhi]] and [[Varanasi]]. *'''Classical musical instruments''' in not only the ancient city of [[Varanasi]] but many parts of India, especially in Southern States, where they form the most integral part of Core Classicals. *'''Classical vocal music''' and '''classical dance forms''' in [[Tamil Nadu]] or [[Manipur]] or [[Karnataka]]. *'''Sanskrit''' at 'Samskrita Bharati' in areas of [[Udupi]], [[Bangalore]] in the state of Karnataka and [[Delhi]]. *'''Buddhism''' in [[Dharamsala]] and [[Bir]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] as well as in [[Bodh Gaya]] in [[Bihar]]. *'''Cooking''' classes are also popular. The most well-known exported type of Indian food are the cuisines such as Idly, Dosa, Biryanis, Dals etc and regional cuisines such as Thalis, South Indian, and [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]i, as the Sikhs have been the most successful in spreading Indian restaurants throughout the western world. However, styles vary a lot throughout the country, so if you have the time and appetite it's worth checking out courses in a variety of areas such as [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Tamil Nadu]], and [[West Bengal]]. There are many Universities imparting education but at the helm are '''Indian Institutes of Technology''' (IITs) for technical undergraduates, '''Indian Institutes of Management''' (IIMs) for management postgraduates and '''National Law Universities/Schools''' (NLUs) which are world class institutes. Most of the ambitious students who want to get a good high level education strive to get into these institutes through admission processes which are rather very difficult ones both due to nature of test and the prevailing competition. For example, the 6 top IIMs (Including the 4 oldest - [[Ahmedabad]], [[Kolkata]], [[Bangalore]] & [[Lucknow]] plus newly established Indore and Kozhikode) together select only about 1,200 students from 350,000 students who appear for CAT exam. But still students have a great desire to get into these institutes. These institutes also offer degrees to foreign students. Apart from undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, there are many training and diploma-level institutes and polytechnics that cater to the growing demand for skill-based and vocational education. Besides conventional educational institutes, foreigners might also be interested to study with Pandits to learn Hindi and Sanskrit in genuine settings as well as with Mullahs to study Urdu, Persian, and Arabic. They might also like to live with famed Ustads to study traditional Indian music. Whether people are interested in philosophy or religion, cuisine or dance, India will have the right opportunity for them. ==Work== Foreigners need a work permit to be employed in India. A work permit is granted if an application is made to the local Indian embassy along with proof of potential employment and supporting documents. There are many expatriates working in India, mostly for multinational companies. India has always had an expatriate community of reasonable size, and there are many avenues for finding employment, including popular job-hunting websites. Citizens of '''[[Nepal]]''' and '''[[Bhutan]]''' can live and work freely in India, and do not require work permits. There are many volunteer opportunities around the country including teaching. India has a reasonable presence of foreign Christian missionaries, who for the most part form the non-local religious workers, since the other major religions of the world either grew out of India or have had a long-term presence. A living can be made in the traveller scenes by providing some kind of service such as baking Western cakes, tattooing or massage. Previously, an AIDS test result was required as part of the work visa application process. It is highly recommended that applicants obtain test results in their home country beforehand if possible. ==Stay safe== [[File:Holy Cow (7438681490).jpg|thumb|Holy cow in [[Pushkar]]]] As a rule India is quite safe for foreigners, apart from instances of petty crime and theft common to any developing country, as long as certain basic precautions and common sense are observed (i.e. women should be cautious travelling alone at night). You can check with your embassy or ask for local advice before heading to [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] in northern-most India, and to Northeast India, i.e. ([[Assam]], [[Nagaland]], [[Tripura]], [[Mizoram]], [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]]). These areas have had serious law and order problems for a long time, though the situation has improved a lot. The same applies while travelling to what used to be a thickly forested area in East-Central India, which covers the states of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Jharkhand]], the eastern edge of [[Maharashtra]] and the northern tip of [[Telangana]]. Though the problem is only in the remote areas of these states and normal areas to visit in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra or Telangana are safe. [[File:India - Kolkata street beggar - 3246.jpg|thumb|A beggar in Kolkata]] Unfortunately '''theft''' is quite common in places visited by tourists, but violent thefts hardly ever occur. More likely a thief will [[pickpockets|pickpocket]] or break into your room. Take precautions to firmly lock the door while indoors, and be on guard while outside. Some people handling your cash will try to '''shortchange you or rip you off'''. In Delhi particularly, this is a universal rule adhered to by all who handle westerners' cash. This does not exclude official ticket sellers at tourist sites, employees at prepaid taxi stands, or merchants in all but the most upscale businesses. Count your cash before handing it over, and ensure receiving the correct change. It is advisable or better to agree on the fare before getting inside an auto or a taxi. This avoids any further unpleasant fare-related arguments. If you can take the advice of a local friend or someone manning your hotel's front desk to know how much it should cost to travel between two destinations, you will be a smart traveller. Overseas visitors are often magnets for [[begging|beggars]], frauds and touts. Beggars will often go as far as touching you and following you, tugging on your sleeve. It does little good to get angry or to say "No" loudly. The best response is to look unconcerned and ignore the behaviour. The more attention you pay to a beggar or a tout, positive or negative, the longer they will follow you hoping for a donation. Begging is criminalised in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. It is however common in many cities, and in pilgrim cities, there are sadhus who live an ascetic lifestyle of the seeker that requires them to adopt bhiksha-charya (begging vows) only for sustaining the body. While hospitality is important in India, it is not common to see people offering to share food or cookies while they eat. Some such offers are genuine and some are not. In case you are travelling by train, you are offered food from a family group, you can take a bite. But if you are offered something by men or even a couple eating a part of it, try avoiding it, as the other part may have sedatives (this may be so that they may loot your belongings when you become unconscious). You can politely say no with a smile; they won't take it personally. While travelling in public transport (trains, buses) do not accept any food or drink from any local fellow passenger even if they are very friendly or polite. There have been instances in which very friendly fellow passengers offered food or drinks including tea or coffee that contained substances that put the victim to sleep whilst all their possessions, including even their clothing, were stolen. Visitors should not trust strangers offering assistance or services; see [[Common scams]]. Be particularly wary of frauds at tourist attractions such as the temples of [[Kanchipuram]], where they prey on those unfamiliar with local and religious customs. If a priest or guide offers to treat you to a religious ceremony, find out what it will cost you first, and do not allow yourself to be pressured into making "donations" of thousands of rupees &mdash; simply walk away if you feel uncomfortable. However, don't get ''too'' paranoid: foreigners on the train, or Indian families who want to take your picture on ''their own'' camera, for example, are often just genuinely curious. Same-sex intercourse was decriminalised by a court ruling in 2018. There is a vibrant gay nightlife in metropolitan areas and some (but very few) openly gay celebrities. On the other hand, the law was used as a tool by policemen to harass gays cruising on the streets. You will often see Indian men walking hand-in-hand in the streets, but this is a sign of friendship, not homosexuality. Whereas Indian men can be really eager to talk to foreigners, women in India often refrain from contact with men. It is an unfortunate fact that if you are a man and you approach a woman in India for even an innocuous purpose like asking for directions, you are putting her on the defensive usually, especially the ones dressed traditionally. It is better to ask a man if one is available (there usually will be), or be extra respectful if you are asking a woman. Black people may encounter prejudices from the police and the general public about being drug dealers. This reaction stems from the fact that more often than not, foreign-born drug peddlers in India are of Nigerian nationality. Indians find it hard to differentiate between Nigerians and other Africans, others of African descent or even their own Siddi (Indians of sub-Saharan African descent) community, and this behaviour is towards the whole race and not just to any specific country. That said, this behaviour is still considered publicly unacceptable when Indians are confronted by Indians themselves. It is hence wise to keep passports handy at all times, avoid going to areas notorious for illegal activities and maintain contact with respective embassies and, if possible, with other support groups that can vouch for you. The cow is considered to be a holy animal in Hinduism, and in many Indian states, it is '''illegal''' to consume or possess beef or buffalo meat. Non-Hindus suspected of slaughtering cattle or eating beef are also known to have been lynched by fundamentalist Hindu mobs. Prominent exceptions to this taboo are the state of Kerala and the northeastern parts of the country, where the meat of water buffaloes is widely consumed. Beef continues to be rare. ===Driving=== [[File:Crashed Taxi - Multiple Car Accident - Rabindra Sadan Area - Kolkata 2012-06-13 01323.jpg|thumb|A car crash in Kolkata]] As a former British colony, India drives on the '''left''' side of the road. Driving in India can be dangerous. Irresponsible driving habits, insufficient highway infrastructure development, wandering livestock and other hazards make travelling on the country's roads a sometimes nerve-wracking undertaking. More than 150,000 people died on Indian roads in 2019, the highest figure in the world, and that's despite having only 44 cars per 1,000 people. The first encounter with a typical Indian highway will no doubt feature a traffic mix of lumbering trucks, speeding maniacs, blithely wandering cows and suicidal pedestrians, all weaving across a narrow, potholed strip of tarmac. To minimise your risk of becoming a grim statistic, use trains instead of buses, use government bus services instead of private ones (which are more likely to force their drivers into inhuman shifts), use taxis instead of auto-rickshaws, avoid travelling at night, and don't hesitate to change taxis or cars if you feel your driver is unsafe. Of significant concern is that much of the road network is significantly underdeveloped. Most roads are very poorly built and they are full of rubble, large cracks and potholes. Most road signs are not very reliable in the country, and in most cases provide drivers with confusing or inaccurate information. If you are in doubt, ask the locals, normally they are very helpful and willingly provide people with appropriate guidance to a location. Of course, the quality of information and willingness to provide it varies, especially in the larger cities. ===Female travellers=== [[File:Busy Indore night traffic (5104223286).jpg|thumb|Night in [[Indore]]]] India is a socially conservative country, and although some Western habits can be perceived as dishonourable for a woman in much of the country, India is coming out of its conservative image rather quickly, especially in big cities. By "conservative", this doesn't mean women are always suppressed because the world's only women-run market, the Ima Market ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Ima Keithel) in [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]], is a sign of women empowerment. People usually say "Asia's largest women market" but this 500-year-old market is the "World's only women-run market" and a matter of pride for the whole nation of the world. * White and/or East Asian females may receive some extra attention (usually in the form of stares) from the locals (particularly men) and in some cases, they may even want to take photographs with you. To a large extent, it's likely that the person who wants to take a photo with you or is staring at you has little to no contact with foreigners. This said it's still possible to encounter someone who may harass you. Don't be afraid to create a scene and don't feel the need to be polite; no Indian woman (or any woman for that matter) would put up with rotten behaviour like that. * Being overly friendly and appreciative to Indian men is often seen as a sign of romantic interest. If a man and a woman are seen together or talk to each other quite often, locals may assume that there's something going on between the man and the woman. Make it clear that you are friends or acquaintances; that will usually ward people off. * Outside of the larger cities, it is unusual for people of the opposite sex to touch each other in public. Even couples (married or otherwise) refrain from public displays of affection. Therefore, it is advised that you do not shake hands with a person of the opposite sex unless the other person extends his/her hand first. The greeting by a Hindu is to bring their palms together in front of their chest, or simply saying '''namaste''' or '''namaskar''' or '''namaskaram''' in most Indic languages (Indo-Aryan and Dravidian) and '''khurumjari''' in [[Meitei phrasebook|Meitei]] ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]). Both forms are equally polite and correct if a little formal. Almost all people (even if they don't know English) do understand a "hi" or a "Hello". In most parts of northern India and cities, it is quite acceptable to offer a "hello" or "good day" followed by a handshake, regardless of gender. * Outside of trendy places or high society, women generally do not smoke. In some rural or tribal areas women do smoke, but discreetly. * Places such as discos and dance clubs are less conservative areas. It is good to leave your things at a hotel and head down there for a drink and some light conversation. Only carry as much change as you think you would require since losing your wallet or passport means that you will waste a considerable time trying to get help. * People are generally modestly clothed even at the beaches, so be sure to find out what the appropriate attire is for the beach you are visiting. In tourist-oriented places like Goa, where beachgoers are predominantly foreigners, it is permissible to wear bikinis on the beach. However, it is still offensive to walk around in them elsewhere. There are a few beaches where women (mostly foreigners) sunbathe topless, but make sure that it is safe and accepted before you do so. * It's not so safe to walk in isolated places if you are a solo female. Especially at night, avoid walking on streets or lanes without many people and be cautious when taking a taxi or auto-rickshaw at night. Avoid clothes such as tight shorts, a miniskirt, sports bra, tank-top or other clothes which expose a lot of skin, as they can attract unwanted attention. There have been some rapes of foreign women and highly publicised rapes of Indian women, some of whom have been murdered. India has been characterised as one of the "countries with the lowest per capita rates of rape" but a large number of rapes go unreported. The willingness to report rape has increased after several incidents received widespread media attention and triggered the widespread public protest. The Indian government of India has also reformed its penal code in relation to crimes of rape and sexual assault. * In local and suburban trains, there are usually cars reserved only for women and designated as such on their front. In Delhi Metro trains, it is the first compartment. * In most buses (private and public) a few seats at the front or at one side of the bus are reserved for women. Usually, these seats will be occupied by men and, very often, they vacate the place when a female stands near gesturing her intention to sit there. In many parts of the country, women will not share a seat with a man other than her spouse. If you sit near a man, he may stand up from the seat and give his seat also to you; this is a sign of respect, ''not'' rudeness. * Street parties for holidays are usually filled with crowds of inebriated men. During festivals such as Holi, New Year's Eve, and even Christmas Eve, women can be subjected to groping and sexually aggressive behaviour from a certain section hiding in these crowds. In such an event, just scream or make a scene pointing your finger at the person. People will come to your help. It may be less advisable for women to attend these festivities alone. *So-called Eve teasing is a common term used in Indian English to refer to anything from unwanted verbal advances to physical sexual assault. Anything overt should be treated in a firm manner and if needed, ask the local populace (women in particular) to try and get the message across. Avoid confrontation if at all possible. Sticking to such an area is not recommended. It's not disrespectful for a woman to tell a man eager to talk to her that she doesn't want to talk: so if a man's behaviour makes you uncomfortable, say so firmly. If he doesn't seem to get the hint, quietly excusing yourself is a better answer than confrontation. *Befriending Indian women can be a wonderful experience for female visitors, although you might have to initiate conversation. An easy topic to get things going is to talk about clothes or food. * Dressing in traditional Indian clothes, such as ''salwaar kameez'' (comfortable) or ''saree'' (more formal and difficult to wear) will often garner Western women more respect in the eyes of locals. The idea is to portray yourself as a normal person, instead of a distanced tourist. Easy clothing is to wear a kurta paired up with jeans or a salwar. They are very comfortable and most of the women do the same. * Body searches (such as at the airport) by officers of the opposite sex are not allowed in India. [[File:India - Varanasi policemen - 0691.jpg|thumb|Police officers in Varanasi]] ===Police and other emergency services=== * Like other federal countries, law enforcement is dealt with by various agencies in India: ** General policing is responsible for the states and union territories, under various state and union territory police forces. ** Large cities like [[Mumbai]] or [[Bangalore]] may also have their own police departments, often operating independently from state police forces. ** The Central government also maintain federal law-enforcement agencies responsible for specific duties, such as railway policing, transport security and border patrol. * Unfortunately, corruption and inefficiency are present in all Indian police forces, and the quality of the police force varies by officer. For emergencies, throughout most of India, you can dial '''100''' for police assistance. Try to speak the words slowly so that the police officer on phone does not have a problem in comprehending your foreign English accent. For non-emergency crimes, go down to the police station to report them, and insist on getting a receipt of your complaint. * You should insist the police to make a '''first information report''' (FIR) and receive a copy of it if you are reporting any serious crimes, as it is a legal requirement for them to do so. The police will only start the investigation after the FIR is made. * The emergency contact numbers for most of India are: 100 (Police), 101 (Fire and rescue), and 102 (Emergency medical service). Dialling to neighbouring major hospitals may also work in case of medical emergencies. In Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kochi and several other cities throughout India, you can dial '''108''' for all emergencies. ===Terrorism=== The India-Pakistan conflict, simmering for decades, has manifested in terrorist attacks on India's main cities: since 2007, there have been bombings in Delhi, Mumbai and other big cities. The targets have varied widely, but attacks have usually been aimed at locals rather than visitors. The exception was in 2008, when a shooting spree targeted and killed many foreigners along with Indians, in Mumbai's posh hotels and railway station, etc. All the terrorists involved in this were from Pakistan and were killed in action except one who was captured alive and later hanged. There is little you can do to avoid such random attacks, but keep an eye on the national news and any travel advisories from your embassy. ==Stay healthy== {{infobox|Avoiding Delhi belly|Four quick tips for keeping your stomach happy: * '''Go vegetarian''', at least for the first week or two. Meat spoils quickly. * '''Avoid raw leafy vegetables'''. They are hard to clean properly. * '''Avoid ice and unbottled water'''. Both the water in it and the way it's transported are suspect. Try to use only commercially available sealed bottled water. * '''Wash hands before eating''', with soap or hand sanitisers. Otherwise the dirt of India's streets will find its way onto your ''chapatis'' and into your mouth. In addition, keep nails cut short and clean. }} Going to India, you have to adapt to a different climate and food. However, with precautions the chance and severity of any illness can be minimised. Don't stress yourself too much at the beginning of your journey to allow your body to acclimatise to the country. For example, take a day of rest upon arrival, at least on your first visit. Many travellers get ill for wanting to do too much in too little time. Be careful with spicy food if it is not your daily diet. '''[[Tap water]]''' is normally not safe for drinking. However, some establishments have water filters/purifiers installed, in which case the water should be safe to drink from them. Packed drinking water (popularly called "mineral water" throughout India) is a better choice. Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina and Health Plus are popular and safe brands. But if the seal has been tampered with, or if the bottle seems crushed, it could be tap water being illegally sold. So always make sure that seal is intact before buying. In Indian Railway stations, a low-priced mineral water brand of Indian Railways is generally available, known as "Rail Neer". Fruits that can be peeled such as apples and bananas, as well as packaged snacks, are always a safe option. Wash any fruit with uncontaminated water before eating it. [[File:Force Traveller Kuoni ambulance, 2008.JPG|thumb|An ambulance in India]] No '''vaccinations''' are required for entry to India, except for yellow fever if you are coming from an infected area such as [[Africa]]. However, Hepatitis (both A and B, depending on your individual circumstances), meningitis and typhoid shots are recommended, as is a booster shot for tetanus. '''[[Diarrhea|Diarrhoea]]''' is common, and can have many different causes. Bring a standard first-aid kit, plus extra over-the-counter medicine for diarrhoea and stomach upset. A rehydration kit can also be helpful. In case you run out and cannot get the re-hydration solution widely available at pharmacies, remember the salt/sugar/water ratio for oral rehydration: 1 tsp salt, 8 tsp sugar, for 1 litre of water. Indians have resistance to native bacteria and parasites that visitors do not have. If you have had serious diarrhoea for more than a day or two, it is best to visit a private hospital. Parasites such as Giardia are a common cause of diarrhoea, and may not get better without treatment. '''[[Malaria]]''' is endemic throughout India. [http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/indianrg.htm CDC] states that risk exists in all areas, including the cities of Delhi and Mumbai, and at altitudes of less than 2000 metres in [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Sikkim]]; however, the risk of infection is considered low in Delhi and the [[Plains (India)|Plains]]. Get expert advice on malaria preventatives, and take adequate precautions to prevent [[mosquito]] bites. Use a mosquito repellent when going outside (particularly during the evenings) and also when sleeping in trains and hotels without air conditioning. A local mosquito repellent used by Indians is Odomos which is available over-the-counter at most medical stores. '''Litter''' can be a problem in some cities in India. Many efforts have been made in the 21st century to clean up the country but there is still a long way to go because most people use the many waterways as garbage dumps. It would be unwise to swim in most of the rivers and downright senseless in a lake. If you have asthma, carry enough supplies as dust, pollen or pollution may cause some trouble to your breathing. It is very important to stay away from the many stray dogs and cats in India, as India has the highest rate of '''rabies''' in the world. If you are bitten it is extremely urgent to get to a hospital in a major urban area capable of dealing with rabies. You can get treatment at any major hospital. It is very important to get the rabies vaccine after any contact with animals that includes contact with saliva or blood. Rabies vaccines only work if the full course is given '''prior''' to symptoms. The disease is almost invariably fatal otherwise. If you venture to forests in India, you may encounter venomous snakes. If bitten, try to note the markings of the snake so that the snake can be identified and the correct antidote given. In any event, immediately seek medical care. ===Healthcare=== Medical care in India is generally of good quality. Virtually all Indian doctors speak English fluently and are highly qualified at their jobs. Public hospitals tend to be unsanitary, overcrowded, understaffed and underequipped. Private hospitals, on the other hand, are usually of an excellent standard and among the best in the world, making India a popular destination for medical tourism. The downside is that they are generally much more expensive than public hospitals, though still reasonably priced by Western standards. Many private hospitals accept international health insurance; check with the hospital before you go. One may also consider availing of the services of a private clinic. Private medical practices are common throughout the country and are readily more accessible than hospitals. There are a few travel clinics in India, that can be checked out by visiting the [http://www.istm.org ISTM] website in the larger cities. Most CDC-recommended vaccinations are available in many of these [http://www.travelsafeclinic.com travel health clinics] in larger cities. Large corporate hospital chains like Fortis, Max, Apollo and similar places are your best bet for emergency medical care in larger cities, and they have better hygiene and generally well-trained doctors, some from UK and US institutions. ==Respect== {{infobox|Kissing in India|India can trace kissing back thousands of years in its literature. Indeed, the well-known ''Kama Sutra'' has an entire chapter devoted to kissing. However, in most cultures of the Subcontinent, kissing has traditionally been people have been surprised to get into serious trouble for kissing in public, regardless of the nature of their relationship or marriage or their nationality. Opposition to public kissing is not a universal opinion in India; many Indians find kissing acceptable, but because of those who don't, it is best to avoid kissing (even on cheeks) in public while you are there. None of this applies to parents and children kissing each other, though; that's universally acceptable in India.}} ===Etiquette=== <!--[[File:Kamya Panjabi at Disney princess' promotion in Mumbai.jpg|thumb|In bigger Indian cities, wearing of shorts by women is generally accepted. Picture shows an Indian woman with her daughter in [[Mumbai]].]] this image violates the image policy as watermarks are not allowed--> * Indians, by and large, are neutral communicators. Although Indians try to be respectful and courteous in social situations, words are often taken at face value. It's important to be explicitly clear and upfront about what you intend to say as euphemisms, idiomatic language, and the like may be misunderstood. *Direct personal questions (based on your personal life, salary, education, and lifestyle) are commonly asked. To Indians, it's not considered impolite, but rather it's a way to get to know someone fully. In some cases, you may find others giving you advice on whatever it is you're doing, either warranted or unwarranted. Don't feel annoyed or irritated by this as Indians don't intend to patronise or pull you down in any way. If you feel the question was too personal, simply give an indirect answer and move along. *English is an official language of India. To most Indians, it is a second language, and among a few, it is the first language. Making condescending statements such as "You speak very good English" can be met with offence. *'''Indians respect their elders''' and it would be seen as rude to directly challenge a statement said by someone older than you. You should always try to address people you don't know as 'ma'am' or 'sir', especially if they're older than you, and always act in a mature, sensible fashion around them. *Family values are highly revered by many Indians. Passing unwarranted comments about someone's family life won't win you friends or praise. *Indian women generally dress conservatively, although in metropolitan cities more liberal attire can be seen. Women may attract unwanted attention from men depending on how they're dressed. * It is better to avoid going out on the roads alone, especially in remote places or lanes and by-lanes without many people at night. Keeping some company is always advisable. * Indians will consider themselves obliged to go out of the way to fulfill a guest's request and will insist very strongly that it is no inconvenience to do so, even if it is not true. This of course means that there is a reciprocal obligation on you as a guest to take extra care not to be a burden. * Most Indians are not aware that the term "Negro" is considered offensive in some other parts of the world, and they may use it with no intent to offend. * Note dietary restrictions when inviting Indian friends for a meal. Pork is forbidden to Muslims, while beef is forbidden to followers of most of India's other religions (e.g. Hinduism), though in some states, like Kerala, beef is consumed liberally by Christians and Muslims. Also about 30% of Indians are vegetarian. it is better to ask people what they don't eat beforehand. * It is customary to put up a token '''friendly argument''' with your host or any other member of the group when paying bills at restaurant or while making purchases. The etiquette for this is somewhat complicated. ** In a '''business lunch or dinner''', it is usually clear upfront who is supposed to pay, and there is no need to fight. But if you are someone's personal guest and they take you out to a restaurant, you should offer to pay anyway, and you should insist a lot. Sometimes these fights get a little funny, with each side trying to snatch the bill away from the other, all the time laughing politely. If you don't have experience in these things, chances are, you will lose the chance the first time, but in that case, make sure that you pay the next time. (and try to make sure that there is a next time.) Unless the bill amount is very large do not offer to share it, and only as a second resort after they have refused to let you pay it all. ** The same rule applies when you are making a purchase. If you are purchasing something for yourself, your hosts might still offer to pay for it if the amount is not very high, and sometimes, even if it is. In this situation, unless the amount is very low, you should never lose the fight. (If the amount is ridiculously low, say less than ₹10, then don't insult your hosts by putting up a fight.) Even if by chance you lose the fight to pay the shopkeeper, it is customary to practically thrust (in a nice way, of course) the money into your host's hands. ** These rules do not apply if the host has made it clear beforehand that it is his or her treat, especially for some specific occasion. {{infobox|Naming conventions |* Most Indians follow the naming convention of a given name followed by a family name. <br /> * '''Tamil''' names, however are an exception to this rule. Tamil names generally follow the convention of given name + father's name, or father's initial + given name. Therefore, someone called Ramasamy Govindasamy would have Ramasamy as his given name, with Govindasamy being his father's name. Alternatively, he might be known as G. Ramasamy. Due to the patronymic nature of the last names, first names are always used when addressing individuals, so the above person would be addressed as Mr Ramasamy.<br /> *'''Meitei''' names are also exception to the general rules of naming in India. Meitei names generally follow the convention of family name + given name + name of the respective "salai". Salai means clan and it is different from family. There are 7 salais in Meitei ethnicity (Manipuri ethnicity). Each salai has many families within it. So, salai is just like a group or aggregation of many families. For instance, a person named "Albert" belongs to the "Oinam" family of the "Khuman" salai. Then, his name will be like this: "Oinam Albert Khuman". In Meitei nomenclature, father's names are not used.<br /> *The foolproof method, therefore, is to ''ask'' how the person would like to be addressed.}} ===Religious etiquette=== As India has great diversity, people follow different religions. Hinduism is followed by a majority of the people. ==== General rules ==== * When visiting temples and mosques, '''it is obligatory to take off your shoes'''. The same custom applies to visiting someone's home. * Christians are a minority in India, but going to church and following your faith are always appreciated. There are different denominations and they differ a bit in their practices. * '''It is disrespectful to touch people with your feet'''. If done accidentally, you will find that Indians will make a quick gesture of apology that involves touching the offended person with the right hand, and then moving the hand to the chest and to the eyes. It is a good idea to emulate that. * The head is considered to be the holiest part of the body, '''so avoid touching people on the head''', including young children, as this is very offensive to Hindus. * '''Books and written materials are treated with respect''', as they are treated as concrete/physical forms of the Hindu goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. Never touch a book/written material with your feet. * '''Anything associated with wealth is treated with respect''' as it is treated as concrete/physical forms of Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. * '''The swastika is a common symbol in India'''. It is also fairly common for Indian parents to name their daughters "Swastika". There is no connection of this symbol to the Nazis. Jewish people have lived in India for thousands of years and have never faced any antisemitism. '''Drawing parallels between the Swastika and Nazism will not be appreciated'''. === Things to avoid === ==== Politics: ==== * '''Indians, in general, are ardently political''', and politics is a very popular conversational subject amongst many Indians, including the older generation. Many Indians have a breadth of political opinions, including that of their own country. As a visitor, you'll be exposed to a breadth of political opinions both publicly and privately, even though most Indians often express frustration with the government. This said though, you could immediately be seen as uninformed if you do not follow Indian news closely. Don't hesitate to engage in political discussions, but it's worth mentioning that being a visitor puts you in a delicate position. * '''Do not mention or have a discussion about the Kashmir conflict'''. It's a highly emotional subject that can very quickly elicit strong reactions from Indian people. On a side note, the whole of Kashmir, including [[Azad Kashmir]] and [[Gilgit Baltistan]] (the two regions of Kashmir under Pakistani control), ''legally belongs'' to India according to the Jammu and Kashmir Instrument of Accession, which was signed during the first Indo-Pak war in the 1940s. Pakistan is the only country that objects to the document. Given the very sensitive nature of the conflict, many Indians express feelings of antipathy towards Pakistan. * '''Do not mention or have a discussion about [[Pakistan]]'''. You're unlikely to cause offence by having a discussion about the relationship between India and Pakistan, but attempting to compliment or say anything that could be perceived as positive about Pakistan can evoke a strong response from some Indians. Referring to someone as a "Pakistani" is often used as an insult in India. * '''Do not mention or have a discussion about [[China]]'''. The two countries have a tense and complicated relationship, mostly over territorial disputes on their Himalayan border. Some Chinese products are '''illegal''' to possess in India and the mere sight of Chinese products can evoke a strong response among some Indians. * The Partition of India is a sensitive issue. Whilst a few may convey bitterness against the British Empire, the vast majority of people do not have anything against people from the [[United Kingdom]], save those who lived through the horrors of the partition. The two countries enjoy a positive relationship, and it is not uncommon to find people who have relatives or friends living in the UK. That said, keep in mind that former British prime minister Winston Churchill is widely regarded as a villain in India due to his role in exacerbating the Bengal famine in 1943. ==== Religion: ==== * '''Be extremely careful when discussing religion'''. Many Indians have liberal, open-minded attitudes towards religion, although there are some who have rigid, radical viewpoints, and fundamentalist Hinduism has seen growing support the 21st century. It's not considered impolite to discuss your religious convictions with someone; for the most part, many Indians are open about talking about it. This said, '''do not impose your religious beliefs upon someone'''. Anything hinting at '''proselytisation''' is frowned upon in general and will not be appreciated. * Contrary to popular belief, '''India is not a vegetarian nation'''. Vegatarians are a minority in India, comprising 20-30% of the population. Jains, a staunchly vegetarian religious group, are 2-5% of the population. That said, some ardently religious groups and people often try to demonise non-vegetarianism. Many of the more well-aware Indians feel it is a part of a concerted attempt to codify a monolithic idea of Indian culture and are quite embarrassed by this all. These sentiments are more common in North India, but in other places, such as [[South India]] and [[North-East India]], people tend to be more liberal and accepting of other beliefs, and don't really mind as much. If visiting someone's house, it's always wise to ask if the person is a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian. '''Do not impose your meal preferences upon someone'''; it is frowned upon. * '''Atheism is not taboo''' in India. This said, you should be careful when discussing religion with those who have rigid, radical viewpoints; some atheists in India have been attacked by radical groups for openly criticising religion. === Other things to watch out for === * A lot of Indians tend to have a strong sense of '''ethnic pride''', as many Indian communities around the globe are noted for being well-established. If you have Indian roots, or if you were born and raised overseas, be careful with divulging your opinions on the country and the culture: some may expect you to follow the same norms and nuances like the rest of the populace, and may not take too kindly to your negative feedback. * Families tend to be close-knit. Tread '''very carefully''' if you have Indian roots, if you were born and raised overseas, or if you are in an intimate relationship with an Indian person: You're often expected to align your views with your/their family, and not doing so would result in you being shunned. Bear in mind that this phenomenon is common, so if this ever happens to you, remember that you're not alone. * '''Racial relations in India have historically been complex''', and you should exercise a degree of respect when discussing that. * Attitudes towards the LGBT community have been changing since the 2000s. In 2018, homosexuality (which was once punishable by life imprisonment) was decriminalised, and since then there have been strong political movements in favour of LGBT rights. While this may seem impressive, '''many Indians still have conservative opinions on homosexuality''' and do not fully understand it. Try not to reveal your sexuality in public as you may invite unwanted comments or stares. ==Connect== ===By phone=== The country code for India is '''+91'''. In acronym in India, area codes are called '''STD''' '''codes''' (Subscriber Trunk Dialing - national long distance) and international dialing is called '''ISD''' (International Subscriber Dialing - international long distance). Local phone numbers can be anywhere from 5-8 digits long. But when the STD code is included, all landline phone numbers in India are 10 digits long. Mobile phone numbers are always 10 digits long and usually start with '9', '8', '7' or '6'. The following table explains how to dial: {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! Calling from || Price || Syntax || Example |- | Same STD code || Local || align=right| ''number'' || align=right| 12345678 |- | Mobile phone || Local || align=right| ''STD code of the town you are in number'' || align=right| 011-12345678 |- | Mobile phone || STD to mobile phone|| align=right| ''number'' || align=right| 012345678 |- | Different STD code|| STD || align=right| '''0'''-''area code''-''number'' || align=right| 022-12345678 |- | Overseas || ISD || align=right| '''+91'''-''area code''-''number'' || align=right| +91-22-12345678 |} Toll-free numbers start with '''1-800''', but are usually ''operator-dependent'': you can't call a BSNL/MTNL toll-free number from an Airtel landline, and vice versa. Often, the numbers may not work from your cellular phone. Other National Numbers that start with '''18xx''' or '''19xx''' may attract special charges. To dial outside the country from India, prefix the country code with 00, e.g. a US number will be dialed as 00-1-555-555-5555. Calling the Canada/UK/US over the normal telephone line will cost you about ₹7.20 per minute. Calls to other countries, particularly to the Middle East, can be more expensive. Payphones, called '''public call offices''' or '''PCOs''' are now increasingly rare with the ubiquitous availability of mobile phones. Where they exist, they are usually staffed, and you dial yourself but pay to the attendant after the call is over. Metering is done per pulse and a service charge of ₹2 is added to the bill. Larger cities also have Western-style unmanned public phones, which are usually red in colour and accept one rupee coins. ====Mobile==== '''[https://www.airtel.in/ Airtel]''', '''[https://www.myvi.in/ Vodafone Idea]''', '''[https://www.jio.com/ Reliance JIO]''' and '''[https://www.bsnl.co.in/ BSNL]-MTNL''' are mobile service provider in India. Airtel, Vodafone, and JIO provide services to the whole of India. There is no extra cost for roaming across India. You can use call, data and SMS services everywhere. India to India maximum call rate is ₹1 per minute. You can buy 1GB (2G, 3G or 4G) data for less than ₹20. You can use 4G and 4G VoLTE services everywhere. The Jio and Airtel 4G (LTE and VoLTE) networks cover 95% of the population of India. You can buy a keypad mobile for ₹500. Touch mobiles retail from ₹4,000. '''You need a validity recharge to use your data, calls and SMS'''. If you don't have any validity (or unlimited) plan, you cannot use data, text, or make calls. Airtel and Vodafone Idea (VI) gives one-month validity for ₹49. Calling overseas can cost quite a bit and will depend on the location you're calling to. In contrast, the other way round (calling to India from elsewhere) is cheap. ==== Unlimited Recharge ==== All operators provide unlimited calls in all India. With an unlimited pack, you can talk unlimitedly anywhere in India. Unlimited plans start at ₹129 for 28 days. All operators have almost the same plans for all users. ===By internet=== Wi-Fi hotspots in India are, for the most part, limited. All airports and railway stations do offer free high speed Wi-Fi. Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai are the only cities with decent Wi-Fi coverage. Many free Wi-Fi services will require entering a One time password (OTP) sent to an Indian cell phone number. As restrictions on internet use increase in India, many vendors refuse to sell SIM cards to foreigners (or anyone without local ID) which was not always the case: you may find an Indian resident or hotel employee willing to buy one under their name if suitably motivated. This might be the best option. To get a SIM card alone as a foreigner, you are suggested to visit the telecom operator's exclusive store. * '''Mobile internet''' is very cheap to obtain, especially with the proliferation of low-cost operator Reliance Jio, which has forced the mainstream operators such as Airtel and Vodafone Idea to follow suit. It is not hard to find reasonable deals (like 1 GB per day for a month) for ₹200 ($3) or so. 4G connectivity is available in most places, with 3G in some remote locations. If you use the train, you may occasionally find pocket regions where the internet drops to 2G or goes away completely. * '''Internet cafes''' are common and they charge as little as ₹10-20 per hour. Many will ask for your passport or ID. Beware of using your credit cards online as there have been many cases of credit cards thefts using ''keyloggers''. * '''Public libraries''' have PCs with broadband for public use. Most libraries require a membership but government-operated libraries only require a quick registration with the verification of your ID. Internet censorship in India is considered “selective”. There are occasional random, inexplicable and arbitrary attempts by the government to block some sites it considers as carrying hateful propaganda, but enforcement is spotty and the decisions are often forgotten after a few month of being made. The site which are blocked by the courts remain strictly blocked and is different from the vague blocks by the government. You are unlikely to find any useful site blocked. ===By mail=== [[File:India - Varanasi post office - 1584.jpg|thumb|A post office in Varanasi]] Addressing mail with a properly-formatted address will expedite its journey with government owned [https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/IndiaPosthome.aspx India Post]. The PIN code (postal index number) is important, and you can look up PIN codes and correct address formats on India Post's website. A 6-digit PIN code identifies the post office of a district; a 4-digit Post box number (recommended but optional) may narrow this to one business or an individual building. Addresses should be written in three to four lines with the name of recipient, house number and suite or apartment or building number, street name, city or town, state name, PIN code, e.g.: <blockquote>United Nations House<br/>55/73 Lodhi Estate<br/>New Delhi, Delhi-110003</blockquote> First class mail travels by air within India. International first class mail has a maximum limit of 20kg. Prices vary from country to country. A full list related to the pricing can be found in [https://www.indiapost.gov.in/MBE/pages/content/international-air-parcels.aspx India Post's website]. All locations with a PIN code are considered domestic. Military mail is operated by the Army Postal Service through its APOs and FPOs. Domestic post can be made at an affordable rate of ₹15 ($0.40) per 50 grams. Private international carriers like FedEx, DHL and UPS also operate though all major cities. ==Cope== For immediate emergency assistance, you can call '''112'''.<br> The Ministry of Tourism has a 24X7 helpline for tourists in need. You can call the helpline number at '''1800-11-1363''' or just '''1363'''. ===Consular assistance=== All major cities have international consular assistance which include high commissions, embassies and consulates. More information can be found in respective city articles. Here are links to consular assistance in some cities: * [[Delhi#Embassies & High Commissions|Delhi]] * [[Mumbai#Foreign missions|Mumbai]] * [[Kolkata#Consulates|Kolkata]] * [[Chennai#Consulates|Chennai]] ===Newspapers=== Local Indian English newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day-to-day updates about the country. India has number of English newspapers and magazines that are published daily, weekly and bi-weekly. Some of the major ones are ''Business Standard'', ''Daily News and Analysis'', ''Deccan Herald'', ''The Hindu'', ''The Statesman'', ''The Telegraph'', ''The Times of India'', ''The Tribune'' and many more. Some popular magazines are ''Filmfare'', ''Down to Earth'', ''India Today'', ''Forbes India'' and ''Vogue''. ===Radio=== * '''AIR FM Rainbow''' offers hourly news broadcasts at '''102.6MHZ'''. * '''AIR FM Gold''' offers hourly news broadcasts at '''100.1MHZ''' * '''Radio One''' offers modern and retro song broadcasts at '''94.3MHZ'''. * '''Red FM''' offers public talks and entertainment at '''93.5MHZ''' {{geo|22.8|83|zoom=5}} {{isPartOf|South Asia}} {{usablecountry}} {{related|Forts_and_Palaces_of_India}} {{related|Indian_National_Parks_and_Wildlife_Sanctuaries}} {{related|Indian_Zoos_and_Botanical_Gardens}} {{related|Natural Wonders of India}} {{related|Sacred_sites_of_the_Indian_sub-continent}} {{related|UNESCO_World_Heritage_List_(India)}} 7h4yurheegvrtnbb6u3ui24mspj1pvt 4506814 4506632 2022-08-23T11:51:05Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/103.125.53.17|103.125.53.17]] ([[User talk:103.125.53.17|talk]]) to last version by [[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|TajMahal Banner.jpg|caption=Taj Mahal|origin=0,0}} {{COVID-19 box|Travellers arriving in India must submit a self-declaration form at the [https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration Air Suvidha] portal. A negative RT-PCR test report issued 72 hours before the time of travel will be required. Alternatively, travellers vaccinated with a WHO recognised COVID-19 vaccine can upload their vaccination certificate and are not bound to undergo RT-PCR testing. Exceptions may apply. Lockdowns and curfews may apply in some states. See the [https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf advisory issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare] for details.<br> For the latest information, please check the [https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ National Health Ministry Portal] and [https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/ Directorate General of Civil Aviation Portal]. |lastedit=2022-02-12}} {{warningbox|There is a moderate level of civil unrest, crime and terrorist activity in some parts the country, but in particular Jammu and Kashmir, near the India-Pakistan border where most governments advice have a "Do not travel" warning. There are also a few extremist groups in the states of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in the North-Eastern part of the country. Protests have occurred nationwide in response to the Indian government's new military service scheme, and in some states, these protests have turned into riots. Road and rail transportation are severely disrupted, as protesters target transportation infrastructures. General riot control weapons (like tear gas and water cannon) and live ammunition have been used by security forces, and Internet shutdown has been observed in parts of [[Bihar]]. |lastedit=2022-06-21 |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/india-travel-advisory.html |au=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india |ca=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/india |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/india}} '''[https://www.incredibleindia.org India]''' ([[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]: भारत or ''Bhārat''), the largest country in [[South Asia]], has many of the world's highest mountains, most populated cities, and longest rivers. India's heritage and culture is a rich amalgam of the past and present. This vast country, the second most populous in the world and set to become number one, offers the traveller a view of fascinating religions and ethnography, a smorgasbord of languages, and architectural masterpieces that were built millennia ago and remain intact today. As the nation opens up to a globalised world, India still has a depth of history and intensity of culture that awe and fascinate the many who visit there. ==Regions== India is administratively divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. The states are broadly demarcated on linguistic lines. They vary in size; the larger ones are bigger and more diverse than some countries of Europe. The union territories are usually much smaller than the states&mdash;sometimes they are just one city&mdash;and they have much less autonomy. India has two island chains off the mainland – the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] in the Bay of Bengal and the [[Lakshadweep]] in the Arabian Sea. The states and union territories are grouped by convention into the following regions: {{Regionlist | regionmap=Map of India.png | regionmaptext=Map of India's regions and states | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | regionmapsize=350px | region1name=[[Himalayan North]] | region1color=#d5b66b | region1items=[[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Ladakh]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]] | region1description=Mountainous and beautiful, a tourist destination for the adventurous and the spiritual. This region contains some of India's most visited hill stations and religious places. | region2name=[[Plains (India)|The Plains]] | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2items=[[Bihar]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Delhi]], [[Haryana]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] | region2description=The plains, India's breadbasket, are watered by the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and their tributaries. The region also features the country's capital, Delhi, [[Agra]] of Taj Mahal fame and the holy cities of [[Allahabad]], [[Mathura]], [[Varanasi]] and [[Bodh Gaya]]. Many of the events that shaped India's history took place in this region. | region3name=[[Western India]] | region3color=#71b37b | region3items=[[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]], [[Goa]], [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Rajasthan]] | region3description= Home to the vast Thar Desert; the colourful palaces, forts and cities of Rajasthan; the country's most vibrant and biggest city, [[Mumbai]]; the mesmerising rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra; pristine forests; the wonderful beaches of Goa; the Asiatic lions of Gujarat in Gir jungles; and the rapidly developing cities of [[Ahmedabad]], [[Surat]], [[Jaipur]] and [[Pune]]. | region4name=[[Southern India]] | region4color=#b383b3 | region4items=[[Andaman and Nicobar]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Lakshadweep]], [[Pondicherry]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Telangana]] | region4description=Features famous and historical temples, tropical forests, backwaters, beaches, hill stations, and the vibrant cities of [[Bangalore]], [[Chennai]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and [[Hyderabad]]. The city of [[Mysore]] is world-renowned for its palaces, especially the Mysore Palace. The island groups of Andaman and Nicobar (on the east) and Lakshadweep on the west, included in this region for convenience, are far from the mainland and have their own unique characteristics. | region5name=[[Eastern India]] | region5color=#4da9c4 | region5items=[[Chhattisgarh]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Odisha]], [[Sikkim]], [[West Bengal]] | region5description=Economically less developed, but culturally rich and perhaps the most welcoming to outsiders. Features [[Kolkata]], once the capital of British India, and the temple cities of [[Puri]], [[Bhubaneswar]] and [[Konark]]. The region stretches from the mountains to the coast, resulting in fascinating variations in climate. It is also the mineral storehouse of India, having the country's largest and richest mines. | region6name=[[North-Eastern India]] | region6color=#d56d76 | region6items=[[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Assam]], [[Manipur]], [[Meghalaya]], [[Mizoram]], [[Nagaland]], [[Tripura]] | region6description=Insular and relatively virgin, this is the country's tribal corner, with lush, beautiful landscapes, endemic flora and fauna of the Indo-Malayan group and famed tea gardens. Consists of seven states popularly known as the "Seven Sisters". The world's oldest pologround, world's only floating national park, world's only women run market, world's tallest topiary plant and world's only floating lake can be seen in [[Manipur]]. The state of Meghalaya is depicted as the "Scotland of India" because of its mesmerising environment. World's tallest railway bridge is also under construction in Manipur. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5b66b|title=[[Himalayan North]]|wikidata=Q1180,Q1177,Q1499|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Plains (India)|The Plains]]|wikidata=Q22424,Q1174,Q1498,Q1165,Q1188|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Western India]]|wikidata=Q1437,Q1061,Q1191,Q1171|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Southern India]]|wikidata=Q1159,Q677037,Q1186,Q1445,Q1185,Q40888,Q26927|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#4da9c4|title=[[Eastern India]]|wikidata=Q1168,Q22048,Q1356,Q1505,Q1184|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[North-Eastern India]]|wikidata=Q1162,Q1164,Q1193,Q1195,Q1502,Q1599,Q1363|stroke-opacity=0.1}} ==Cities== <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN NINE CITIES ALLOWED HERE --> These are nine of India's most notable cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions. <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING ON THE TALK PAGE --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Delhi]]|url=|lat=28.61|long=77.23|wikidata=Q1353}} — the capital of India and the heart of Northern India *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bangalore]]|url=|lat=12.966667|long=77.566667|wikidata=Q1355}} (''Bengaluru'') — the beautiful garden city, once the sleepy home of pension takers, now transformed into an IT hub for high-technology companies and sprouting pubs. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chennai]]|url=|lat=13.083333|long=80.266667|wikidata=Q1352}} (''Madras'') — the main port in Southern India, cultural centre, automobile capital of India *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hyderabad]]|url=|lat=17.37|long=78.48|wikidata=Q1361}} — known for pearl and diamond trading, now with major manufacturing and financial institutions *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jaipur]]|url=|lat=26.9|long=75.8|wikidata=Q66485}} — the Pink City, a major exhibit of the Hindu Rajput culture of medieval Northern India *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kochi]]|url=|lat=9.97|long=76.28|wikidata=Q1800}} (''Cochin'') — the Queen of the Arabian Sea, historically a centre of international trade, now the gateway to the sandy beaches and backwaters *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kolkata]]|url=|lat=22.566667|long=88.366667|wikidata=Q1348}} (''Calcutta'') — the cultural capital of India, known as the City of Joy, and home to numerous colonial buildings *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mumbai]]|url=|lat=18.975|long=72.825833|wikidata=Q1156}} (''Bombay'') — the largest city and the financial capital of India, the city that never sleeps, home of "Bollywood", the Hindi film industry *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Varanasi]]|url=|lat=25.28|long=82.96|wikidata=Q79980}} (''Banaras'' or ''Kashi'') — considered the most sacred Hindu city, on the banks of the Ganges, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN NINE CITIES ALLOWED HERE --> ==Other destinations== India has many outstanding landmarks and areas of outstanding beauty. Here are some of the most notable. <!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT PRIOR DISCUSSION ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN 9 DESTINATIONS PLEASE --> *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bodh Gaya]]|url=|lat=24.695102|long=84.991275|wikidata=Q176767}} &mdash; the main temple complex, which includes the Mahabodhi temple, is the place where the Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ellora]]|url=|lat=20.0268|long=75.1771|wikidata=Q189616}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ajanta]]|url=|lat=20.551356|long=75.703304|wikidata=Q184427}} &mdash; spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Amritsar#Golden Temple|Golden Temple]]|url=|lat=31.62|long=74.876944|wikidata=Q180422}} &mdash; Sikh holy site in [[Amritsar]] *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Hampi]]|url=|lat=15.335|long=76.462|wikidata=Q26732}} &mdash; the awesome ruins of the empire of Vijayanagara *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Khajuraho]]|url=|lat=24.85|long=79.93|wikidata=Q178948}} &mdash; temple complexes famed for their erotic sculptures *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Konark]]|url=|lat=19.890833|long=86.100278|wikidata=Q749189}} &mdash; Sun Temple, a unique example of Kalingan architecture, which is a [[UNESCO World Heritage]] site *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Madurai#Meenakshi Amman Temple|Meenakshi Temple]]|url=|lat=9.919444|long=78.119444|wikidata=Q1424358}} &mdash; a spectacular Hindu temple in [[Madurai]] *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Agra#Taj Mahal|Taj Mahal]]|url=|lat=27.175|long=78.041944|wikidata=Q9141}} &mdash; the incomparable marble tomb in [[Agra]], one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World <!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS LIST WITHOUT PRIOR DISCUSSION ON THE TALK PAGE --> <!-- NO MORE THAN 9 DESTINATIONS PLEASE --> See also: * {{marker|name=[[Forts and palaces of India]]|wikidata=}} * {{marker|name=[[Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries]]|wikidata=Q1125269}} * {{marker|name=[[Indian zoos and botanical gardens]]|wikidata=Q20892053}} * {{marker|name=[[Natural wonders of India]]|wikidata=Q28913858}} * {{marker|name=[[Sacred sites of the Indian subcontinent]]|wikidata=Q1372264}} * {{marker|name=[[Hill stations in India]]|wikidata=Q1372264}} * {{marker|name=[[UNESCO World Heritage List (India)]]|wikidata=}} ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationIndia.png|capital=New Delhi}} One thing that foreign visitors need to know is that India is, in many ways, heterogeneous. If they experience one set of behaviours from the locals in one part of the country, it does not mean that the same behaviour is common in another area. To give a very simple example, a taxi driver in [[Mumbai]] will without saying a word drop their meter flag and return the exact change, while in [[Delhi]] you have to tell the driver to use the meter and hope you get your change, and in other areas taxi drivers don't even have meters and have fixed the rates for even short distances, and you just pay the amount demanded; if you do get an honest driver, consider yourself lucky. India shows extreme variation in most things, and one needs patience and luck to find the best. Never assume you know everything about any aspect of India; be prepared to see completely new things every day. ===History=== {{see also|Mughal Empire|British Raj}} [[File:Varanasikedarghat.JPG|thumb|240px|Hindu pilgrims bathing in the Ganges at [[Varanasi]]]] Humans are thought to have first migrated into the [[Indian subcontinent]] around 70,000 BCE and there are some [[archaeological sites]] for stone age India. One important one is at [[Mehrgarh]] (Pakistan), with the oldest known evidence of agriculture in the subcontinent, around 7000 BCE. The '''[[Indus Valley Civilisation]]''' (3300-1300&nbsp;BCE) was one of the world's first Bronze Age civilizations and very advanced for its time. At its peak (2600-1900&nbsp;BCE) it covered most of what is now [[Pakistan]], plus some of northern India and eastern [[Afghanistan]]. The two biggest archaeological sites, both in Pakistan, are [[Mohenjo-daro]] and [[Harappa]]. Some time after 2000 BCE, the '''Aryans''', herdsmen from somewhere to the northwest, migrated into the region. At about the same time, related groups invaded [[Greece]] (Hellenic Greeks displacing Minoans), Anatolia or [[Turkey]] (the Hittites), [[Persia]] and other areas. It is believed that all these tribes spoke related languages and many modern languages, including most of those spoken in northern India, Europe and some in Central Asia, are descended from them. Linguists classify them all in the Indo-European language family. The '''Vedic Period''' is dated to roughly 1500-500 BCE. This was the period when the '''Vedas''', the oldest and holiest books of '''[[Hinduism]]''', were compiled. They were in an Indo-Aryan language, Vedic Sanskrit. Although few details and archaeological findings are available for this period, many rituals of Hinduism took shape during that period. The Vedic civilisation influences India to this day through the dharmic religions. Present-day Hinduism traces its roots to the Vedas, but is also heavily influenced by literature that came afterward, ranging from the '''Upanishads''' and '''Puranas''', to the great epics &mdash; '''Ramayana''' and '''Mahabharata'''. By tradition, these texts are claimed to only expand and distill the knowledge that is already present in the Vedas. A section of the Mahabharata called the '''Bhagavad Gita''' is among the most widely read works. The Gita is said to be a concise summary of the four Vedas of Hinduism.  Kaal (Kshar Brahm) is said to have described the knowledge of Gita in 700 verses of 18 chapters after entering in Shri Krishna's body. It is a dialogue, just before a great battle at [[Kurukshetra]], between the hero Arjuna and the God Krishna who serves as his charioteer. Today Kurukshetra is a destination for both pilgrimage and tourism. In the 1st millennium BCE, various schools of philosophical thought developed, enriching Hinduism greatly. Most of them claimed to derive from the Vedas. However, some of these schools, two of which were '''[[Buddhism]]''' and '''Jainism''', questioned the authority of the Vedas, and they are now recognised as separate religions. Many great empires arose between 500 BCE and 590 CE. Notable among them were the '''Mauryas''' and the '''Guptas''', both with their capital in the city of Pataliputra, now called [[Patna]]. The Gupta Empire (3rd century CE to 590 CE) is often called the '''Golden Age of India'''. Further west, the Gandharan civilisation (an independent kingdom, later part of the Maurya Empire) ruled much of what are now [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]]. Their city [[Taxila]] was a great centre of Buddhist and other learning. Over time there was a gradual decline of Buddhism and Jainism. The practice of Buddhism, in particular, disappeared from India's heartland, though Buddha himself was incorporated into the Hindu pantheon. Jainism continues to be practised by a significant minority who are ambivalent about whether they consider themselves Hindus or not. Hinduism itself went through major changes. Vedic deities such as Indra and Agni became less important while Puranic deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, their various Avatars and family members gained prominence. [[File:Jama Masjid, Delhi, morning view.jpg|thumb|Jama Masjid, [[Delhi]]]] [[Islam|Islamic]] incursions started in the 8th century. Gradually the raiders started staying as rulers, and soon much of North India was ruled by Muslims. The most important Muslim rulers were the [[Mughal Empire]] that at its peak covered almost the entire subcontinent (save the southern and northeastern extremities), while the major Hindu force that survived in the North were the '''Rajputs'''. The bravery of the Rajputs in resisting invasion of their land is legendary and celebrated in ballads all over the forts of [[Rajasthan]]. Prominent among the Rajputs was '''Maha Rana Pratap''', the ruler of [[Chittorgarh]], who spent years in exile fighting '''Akbar''', the third of the Mughals. Eventually, however, the Rajputs were subdued. Some Mughal armies had a high proportion of Rajput officers, although some Rajput rebellions still occurred during the reign of Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. This period of North India produced the monumental gems of Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal. Hindi and Urdu also took root in medieval North India. During the Islamic period, there were Hindus that converted to Islam, often forcibly, or to avoid the Jizya tax, as told by Muslim chroniclers. Today, around 15% of India's population follow Islam. '''[[Sikhism]]''', another major religion, was established in [[Punjab]] during the Mughal period. Relations between Sikhism and the Mughals varied over time. The '''Golden Temple''' at [[Amritsar]] was built and recognised all over the world as Sikhism's foremost pilgrimage centre. By the time of its tenth Guru however, '''Guru Gobind Singh''', relations were hostile, primarily due to the antagonism of '''Aurangzeb''', the most intolerant, brutal and bigoted of the Mughals. Conflict between the Sikhs and the Mughals was one of the causes for the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire. Another reason was the rise of the '''Maratha Empire''' in [[Maharashtra]], which was started by '''Shivaji''' and carried on by the '''Peshwas'''. The Marathas established a short-lived confederacy that was almost as large as the Mughal Empire. Marathas lost their command over India after the third battle of Panipat, which in turn paved a way for British colonialism. [[File:ShoreTemple Approach2.JPG|thumb|Shore Temple (c. 700 CE), [[Mamallapuram]]]] South India followed a different trajectory, being less affected by Islamic rule. The period from 500 to 1600 CE is called the classical period and was dominated by great South Indian kingdoms. The most prominent empires included the '''Chalukyas''', '''Rashtrakutas''' and '''Vijayanagara''' who ruled from present day Karnataka and the '''Pallavas''', '''Cheras''', '''Pandyas''' and '''Cholas''' who ruled from present day Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Among them, the Cholas, who ruled from various capital cities including [[Thanjavur]] and [[Gangaikondacholapuram]], are widely recognised to be the most powerful of the South Indian kingdoms, with their territory stretching as far north as Pataliputra and their influence spreading as far east as Sumatra, western Borneo and southern Vietnam at the height of their power. Some of the grandest Hindu and Jain monuments that exist in India were built during this time in South and East India. Northeast India was also fairly isolated from the rest of the country until the colonial period. The largest and longest kingdom to rule over the Northeast were the '''Ningthouja dynasty (33 AD - 1891 AD)''' of [[Manipur]], followed by the '''[[Ahom Kingdom|Ahoms]]''' who, from the 13th to 19th centuries, successfully defended [[Assam]] and neighbouring regions from Mughal expansion. European traders started visiting India beginning in the late 16th century. Prominent among these were the British, Dutch, French and the Portuguese. The British East India Company made [[Calcutta]] their headquarters in 1772. They also established subsidiary cities like [[Bombay]] and [[Chennai|Madras]]. Calcutta later went on to become 'the second city of the empire after [[London]]'. By the 19th century, the British had, one way or the other assumed political control of virtually all of India, though the Portuguese, the Dutch and the French too had their enclaves along the coast. The British would send Indian labourers, policemen and soldiers all over the Empire, resulting in the establishment of Indian diaspora communities, the most notable ones in [[Myanmar]], [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Fiji]], [[South Africa]], [[Mauritius]], [[Kenya]], [[Guyana]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] and the [[United Kingdom]] itself. There was an uprising by Indian rulers in 1857 which was suppressed, but which prompted the British government to take over from the Company and make India a part of the empire. This period of rule by the crown, 1858-1947, was called the [[British Raj]]. It was a period in which some Indians converted to Christianity, though forcible conversions ended in British India after 1859, and Queen Victoria's proclamation promised to respect the religious faiths of Indians. Non-violent resistance to British colonialism led by '''Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi''' led to independence on 15 August 1947. However, independence was simultaneously granted to the secular Hindu-majority state of India and the smaller Muslim-majority state of [[Pakistan]], and the orgy of Hindu-Muslim bloodletting that followed '''Partition''' led to the deaths of at least half a million and the migration of 12-14 million people. India achieved self-sufficiency in food grains by the 1970s, ensuring that the large-scale famines that had been common are now history. However these policies also led to shortages, slow growth and large-scale corruption. After a balance-of-payments crisis in 1991, the country adopted free-market reforms which have continued at a steady pace ever since, fueling strong growth. The IT, Business Process Outsourcing and other industries have been the drivers for the growth, while manufacturing and agriculture, which have not experienced reforms, are lagging. About 60% of Indians live on agriculture and around 36% remain in poverty. Relations with Pakistan have been frosty. The two countries have fought four wars, three of them over the status of [[Kashmir]]. The third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming Bangladesh. India continues to experience occasional terrorist attacks, many of which are widely believed to originate in Pakistan and be ordered or assisted by its military-intelligence complex. China and India went to war in 1962 over a Himalayan border dispute. Current relations are largely peaceful but tense. There are no land crossings allowed between the two countries, though one border crossing between [[Sikkim]] and [[Tibet]] was re-opened in 2006 for trade. Security concerns over Pakistan and China prompted India to test '''nuclear weapons''' twice (including the 1974 tests described as "peaceful explosions"). India wants to be accepted as a legitimate nuclear power and is campaigning for a permanent Security Council seat. India is proud of its democratic record. Constitutional government and democratic freedoms have been safeguarded for most of its time as an independent country. Current concerns in India include corruption, poverty, overpopulation, pollution and forms of environmental degradation, ongoing border disputes with Pakistan and China, cross-border terrorism, and ethnic, political and religious strife which occurs from time to time. India's current obsession, at least among the educated elite, is over whether India will be able to overtake China in economic growth and be an economic and military superpower. ===Politics=== India is a parliamentary republic and democracy modelled on the British Westminster system. The president, indirectly elected, is the head of state, but this position, while not entirely ceremonial, has limited powers. The prime minister runs the government with a cabinet of ministers, and in practice wields the most authority in government. The parliament is bicameral. The Lok Sabha (House of People), the lower house, is directly elected by universal adult franchise, while the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), or the upper house, is indirectly elected. The Lok Sabha is the more powerful of the two, primarily because a majority in the Lok Sabha is required to form a government and pass budgets, and the prime minister, by convention, is always a member of the Lok Sabha. India has a vast number of political parties. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forms the government, and the centre-left Indian National Congress (known as "Congress") is the main opposition party. India has a strong and independent judiciary and a free press. India is also a federation, divided into states and union territories. Each of these has its own legislature, with a government run by a chief minister and a cabinet. Street demonstrations, protests and agitations occur, as they do in any democracy. There are also occasional low levels of political violence, in which a visitor has an extremely small chance of getting caught. ===Time zone=== Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC+5.5). Daylight Savings Time is not observed in India. ===Geography=== Mountains, jungles, deserts and beaches, India has it all. It is bounded to the north and northeast by the '''snow-capped Himalayas''', the tallest mountain range in the world. In addition to protecting the country from invaders, they also feed the perennial rivers '''Ganga''', '''Yamuna''' (Jamuna) and '''Sindhu''' (Indus) on whose plains India's civilization flourished. Though most of the Sindhu is in Pakistan now, three of its tributaries flow through [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. The other Himalayan river, the '''Brahmaputra''' flows through the northeast, mostly through [[Assam]] where it is known by different names. The '''Manipur River''', originated from [[Manipur]], joins the Chindwin-Irrawaddy River System of Myanmar. [[File:Loktak Lake Boat people Moirang Manipur India.jpg|thumb|[[Loktak lake]], the world's only floating lake.]] The '''world's only floating lake''' is the [[Loktak lake]] in the central bowl like plain of [[Manipur]]. It is remarkably known for its unique circular floating biomasses ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Phumdi). South of Punjab lies the '''Aravalli''' range, which cuts [[Rajasthan]] into two. The western half of Rajasthan is occupied by the '''Thar''' desert. The '''Vindhyas''' cut across Central India, particularly through [[Madhya Pradesh]] and signify the start of the '''Deccan''' plateau, which covers almost the whole of the southern peninsula. The Deccan plateau is bounded by the '''Western Ghats''' range (which is called '''Sahyadri''' in Maharashtra) to the west and the '''Eastern Ghats''' to the east. The plateau is more arid than the plains, as the rivers that feed the area, such as the '''Narmada''', '''Godavari''' and the '''Kaveri''', run dry during the summer. Towards the northeast of the Deccan plateau is what used to be a thickly forested area that covers the states of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Jharkhand]], the eastern edge of [[Maharashtra]] and the northern tip of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. This area is still forested, poverty stricken and populated by tribal people. This forest acted as a barrier to the invasion of South India. India has a long '''coastline'''. The west coast borders the '''Arabian Sea''' and the east coast the '''Bay of Bengal''', both parts of the Indian Ocean. ===Climate=== [[File:A beach side resort at Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Lakshadweep Islands]] [[File:Jammu and Kashmir 3.JPG|thumbnail|250px|Gulmarg]] In India, it rains only during a specific time of the year. The season as well as the phenomenon that causes it is called the '''monsoon'''. There are two of them, the '''Southwest''' and the '''Northeast''', both named after the directions the winds come from. The Southwest monsoon is the more important one, as it causes rains over most parts of the country, and is the crucial variable that decides how the crops will do. It lasts from June to September. The Southwest monsoon hits the west coast the most, as crossing the Western Ghats and reaching the rest of India is an uphill task for the winds. The western coastline is therefore much '''greener''' than the interior. The Northeast monsoon hits the east coast between October and February, mostly in the form of occasional '''cyclones''' that cause much devastation every year. The only region that gets rains from both monsoons is North-Eastern India, which consequently experiences the '''highest rainfall in the world'''. India experiences at least three seasons a year, '''Summer''', '''Rainy Season''' (or "Monsoon") and '''Winter''', though in the '''tropical South''' calling the 25°C (77°F) weather "Winter" would be stretching the concept. The North experiences some extremes of heat in Summer and cold in Winter, but except in the Himalayan regions, snow is almost unheard of. November to January is the winter season and April and May are the hot months when everyone eagerly awaits the rains. There is also a brief spring in February and March, especially in North India. Opinions are divided on whether any part of India experiences an '''Autumn''', but the ancients had certainly identified such a season among the '''six seasons''' (or ''ritus'' - ''Vasanta'' - Spring, ''Greeshma'' - Summer, ''Varsha'' - Rainy, ''Sharat'' - Autumn, ''Hemanta'' - "Mild Winter"/"late autumn", ''Sheet'' - Winter) they had divided the year into. ===Culture=== {{infobox|Culture shock|Many visitors expecting maharajas and fabulous palaces are shocked when their first impressions are dominated by poverty instead. Prepare for the following: * '''Attention'''. Some people will unabashedly stare at foreign tourists, who can also be magnets for persistent touts and beggars. People may shove their mobile phone in your face and take pictures; just turn your head. Beggars, especially malnourished children and the badly deformed, can be particularly disturbing. * '''Filth'''. Dirt, refuse and insects abound in the cities. The roadside can sometimes be a urinal. * '''Noise'''. Drivers lean on horns, radios and TVs blare Bollywood tracks, and even temples, mosques and churches use loudspeakers to spread their message. * '''Pollution'''. Most North Indian cities—especially New Delhi—suffer badly. Exhaust combined with dust can make the drier seasons a nightmare for asthma sufferers. * '''Crowds'''. Many of India's streets, markets and bazaars are jam-packed with people, vehicles and at certain times, animals, and streets tend to be narrow. Most visitors quickly get inured to these things that are pitfalls of urbanisation and start seeing the good sides too, but take it easy on your first few days and schedule some time to get away from it all.}} India's rich and multi-layered cultures are dominated by religious and spiritual themes. While it is a mistake to assume that there is a single unified Indian culture, there certainly are unifying themes that link the various cultures. India's cultural heritage is expressed through its myriad of languages in which much great literature and poetry has been written. It can be seen in its music, both in its classical (Carnatic and Hindustani) forms and in modern Bollywood music. India also has a vast tradition of classical and folk dances. Art and theatre flourish amongst the bustling cities of the country, against the backdrop of the ever-expanding western influences. Indians greatly value their family system. Typically, an Indian family encompasses what would be called the extended family in the West. It is routine for Indians to live as part of the paternal family unit throughout their lives, i.e. sons live together with their parents all their lives, and daughters live with their parents till they get married. The relationship is mutually self-supporting. Parents may support their children for longer than is common in the West, brothers and sisters may support each other, and sons are expected to take care of their parents in their old age. "Living with parents" does not carry the same stigma as it does in parts of Europe or North America. Naturally, the arrangements are not perfect and there are strains and breakups, especially by the time the third generation grows up. Also, it has now become common for children to move away from the parental house for education and employment. Nonetheless, it is fair to say that the joint family is still seen as the norm and an ideal to aspire to, and Indians continue to care about their family's honour, achievements and failures even while they are not living together. Despite the weakening of the caste system (which has officially been outlawed by the Indian government), India remains a fairly stratified society. Indians care more about a person's background and position in society than is the norm in the individualist West. This attitude, when combined with the legacy of colonial rule, results in some rather interesting, if unfortunate consequences. People with white skin are placed high on the societal totem pole, and they may find that Indians are obsequious towards them to the point of embarrassment. People with dark skin, however, may find that they are discriminated against. If it is any consolation, Indians display similar prejudices based on skin colour and ethnicity among themselves and not just towards foreigners. (See more in the '''Stay Safe''' and '''Respect''' sections) There is also a community known as the Siddis, who are believed to be descended from East African slaves brought to India by the Arab Slave Trade, and mainly found in remote rural villages. Although they speak Indian instead of African languages these days, they still retain many African customs including African dance and music. Although they are Indian citizens, due to a lack of awareness from the general Indian population of their existence, they continue to face much discrimination, and are often presumed to be illegal immigrants from Africa. The British colonisation also gave rise to a mixed-raced population known as the Anglo-Indians, and while most of them migrated to Western countries following independence, pockets of these communities remain in India's major cities. ===Holidays and festivals=== There are three national holidays: '''Republic Day''' (26 January), '''Independence Day''' (15 August), and '''Gandhi's Birthday,''' generally called '''Gandhi Jayanti''' (2 October) which follow the Western calendar and occur on the same day every year. Hindu religious festivals, because they follow the lunisolar calendar, occur on different days every year, but around the same time of the year every time. The major religious festivals of Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism are also celebrated. Central government offices are closed for holidays around 17 days a year for these festivals and observances. The significance of these festivals differs across different regions of India. State government offices will have a different holiday schedule based on which festivals are important in that state. Generally, the day on which the state was formed will also be a holiday in that state. Some of the major Indian festivals are: [[File:Diwali Lighting Mini Lamps 2011.jpg|thumb|250px|Diwali lighting]] *'''Diwali''' (Deepavali), Oct-Nov &mdash; The festival of lights, celebrates the return of the Hindu God Rama to the capital of his kingdom, [[Ayodhya]] after an exile of 14 years and victory of justice over injustice when Narakasura was killed by Satyabhama with the help of Krishna. Probably the most lavish festival in the country, reminiscent of Christmas in Europe or Thanksgiving in the US. Houses are decorated, there is glitter everywhere, and if you wander the streets on Diwali night, there will be firecrackers going off everywhere including sometimes under your feet. *'''Ugadhi,''' [sometimes also called 'Yugadhi' and various other names] is one of the main festivals, which is mainly celebrated as the 1st day of the Hindu Calendar New Year. Which is one of the main festivals and is quite widely followed in South India. [[File:Durga Puja DS.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Durga Puja ]] *'''Durga Puja / Navaratri / Dussehara''', Sep-Oct &mdash; A nine-day festival culminating in the holy day of Dussehra, when locals worship the deity Durga. Workers are given sweets, cash bonuses, gifts and new clothes. It is also new year for businessmen, when they are supposed to start new account books. In some places like [[West Bengal]] and [[Odisha]], Durga Puja is ''the'' most important festival. In the north ''Dussehra'' celebrations take place and the slaying of Ravana by Lord Rama is ceremonially reenacted as ''Ram Lila''. In [[Gujarat]] and [[South India]], it is celebrated as Navaratri where the festival is celebrated by dancing to devotional songs and religious observances like fasts extended over a period of nine nights. *'''Holi''', in March &mdash; The festival of colour is a major festival celebrated mainly in North, East and Western India. On the first day, people go to temples and light bonfires, but on the second, it's a waterfight combined with '''showers of coloured powder'''. This is not a spectator sport: as a visible foreigner, you're a magnet for attention, so you'll either have to barricade yourself inside, or put on your most disposable clothes and join the fray. Alcohol and ''bhang'' (cannabis) are often involved and crowds can get rowdy as the evening wears on. [[File:DagduHalwai2013.jpg|thumb|right|Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesha Idol during Ganesh Chaturthi 2013]] *'''Ganesh Chaturthi''', is celebrated all over [[India]]. Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh Chaturthi is most enjoyed in [[Maharashtra]]. It is the best time to visit cities like [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], [[Nagpur]]. * '''Christmas''' and '''New Years Day''' are public holidays across the country and Bank Holidays as well. Christmas is a major festival in the regions of Kerala and Goa. * '''Eid-ul-Fitr''', '''Eid-uz-Zuha''', '''Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi''', '''Yawm-e-Aashoora''' and '''Ramazaan''' are widely celebrated and observed as public holidays across the country. Apart from these, each state has its own major national festival like '''Onam''' in [[Kerala]], '''Makar Sankranti''' and '''Ugadi''' in Andhra Pradesh, ''Utarayan'' in Gujarat, '''Pongal''' in [[Tamil Nadu]], '''Baisakhi''' for Punjab, Bihu for Assam,''Rathayatra''(Car festival for lord Jagannath) in Odisha,''Nuakhai'' for Western Odisha. India is a diverse nation, and festivals are a significant part of life for the locals, and they provide holidays for about a week. Religious holidays occur on different days each year because the Hindu and Islamic festivals are based on their respective calendars and not on the Gregorian calendar. Most of them are celebrated only locally, so check the state or city you are visiting for information on whether there will be closures. Different regions might give somewhat different names to the same festival. To cater to varying religious practices, offices have a list of '''optional holidays''' (called '''restricted holidays''' by the government) from which employees are allowed to pick two, in addition to the list of fixed holidays. This may mean thin attendance and delayed service even when the office is officially open. ===Read=== {{infobox|Kashmir dispute|India and Pakistan have a bitter dispute over Kashmir; each government claims territory that is under the control of the other. They have fought wars over this three times since independence in 1947. China (PRC) also claims portions of Kashmir. Wikivoyage, however, deals ''only'' with the current situation on the ground; our maps show and our text describes that without taking sides on the disputes. If you can go there with a Pakistani visa today then we treat it as being in Pakistan, and if you need an Indian visa, we treat it as being in India. This is the most important distinction for travellers. Visitors should exercise considerable caution in these areas. Both governments consider them highly sensitive, keep large military forces along the border, and restrict travel to border areas.}} *''An Era of Darkness'' by Shashi Tharoor. Thought provoking account of how the British Raj impoverished the country and caused humanitarian crises. *''Midnight's Children'', Salman Rushdie's allegory about Independence. It was awarded the "Booker of Bookers" Prize and the best all-time prize winners to celebrate the Booker Prize 25th and 40th anniversary. It was also adapted into a film by Indo-Canadian film director Deepa Mehta (2012). *''The India they saw : foreign accounts'', by Meenakshi Jain (2011). A compilation of intriguing travel tales and excerpts from travelogues by travellers, writers, pilgrims and missionaries. *''A Goddess in the Stones: Travels in India'' by Norman Lewis (Cape 1991; US: Holt 1992), In "Goddess in the Stones", influential journalist and author Norman Lewis undertakes a journey of 2500 miles in search of the old India. *''India: A History'', John Keay; "A superb one-volume history of a land that defies reduction into simple narrative ... Without peer among general studies, a history that is intelligent, incisive, and eminently readable." ({{ISBN|0802137970}}) *''India: A Million Mutinies Now'', V.S. Naipaul; "With this book he may well have written his own enduring monument, in prose at once stirring and intensely personal, distinguished both by style and critical acumen" ({{ISBN|0670837024}}) *''In Spite of the Gods'', Edward Luce; an exceptionally insightful and readable book on the unlikely rise of modern India. ({{ISBN|0316729817}}) *''No Full Stops In India'', Mark Tully; "India's Westernised elite, cut off from local traditions, want to write a full stop in a land where there are no full stops. From that striking insight, Mark Tully has woven a superb series of stories that explore everything from communal conflict in Ahmedabad to communism in Kolkata, from the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (probably the biggest religious festival in the world) to the televising of a Hindu epic." ({{ISBN|0140104801}}) *''Mother Pious Lady'', Santosh Desai; An excellent account of middle-class beliefs and customs from the pre-liberalisation era till date. For anyone who wants to understand the culture of present India, this is a must-read where the author cuts through the chaos and confusion letting you see things more clearly. ({{ISBN|9788172238643}}) *''Indian journals, March 1962-May 1963: Notebooks, diary, blank pages, writings.'' Ginsberg, A. (1970). San Francisco: Dave Haselwood Books. Travel diary written by the famous beat poet Allen Ginsberg. *''Lion: A Long Way Home'', a book by Saroo Brierley. *''Spiritual India handbook: A guide to temples, holy sites festivals and traditions'' by Stephen Knapp (2013). Useful for the pilgrim who wants to get the most out of his or her spiritual adventure and experience in India. See also the Wikivoyage article [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim]]. ===Touts=== Touts are ubiquitous, as in many developing countries, and you should assume that anyone 'proactively' trying to help you has a hidden agenda to part you from your money. However, in areas hardly or not at all visited by tourists, it is not at all uncommon for people who go out of their way to 'proactively' help you when you approach without expecting anything in return. During your travels in India, you will be deluged with touts trying to get you to buy something or patronise particular establishments. There are a myriad of [[common scams]], which range from telling you your hotel has gone out of business (of course, they'll know of one that's open with vacancies), to giving wrong directions to a government rail ticket booking office (the directions will be to their friend's tour office), to trying to get you to take diamonds back to your home country (the diamonds are worthless crystal), to 'poor students' giving you sightseeing for hours and then with pity make you buy school books for them (tremendously overpriced from a bookstore with whom they are affiliated). There will also be more obvious touts who "know a very good place for dinner" or want to sell you a chess set on the street. Faced with such an assault, it's very easy to get into a siege mentality where all of India is against you and out to squeeze you dry. This mentality may affect any true appreciation of the country. Dealing with touts is simple: assume anyone offering surprising information (such as "your hotel is shut down") is a tout. Never be afraid to get a second or third answer to a question. To get rid of touts: * Completely ignore them and go about your business until they go away. This may take quite a while, but patience is key to managing India. * Tell them "no", very firmly, and repeatedly. It is also beneficial to have a firm Indian friend whom you can trust. If they show you around, they will act to help you ward off such touts. ===Discriminatory pricing=== Foreign visitors will quickly encounter the '''special foreigners' rates''' that they are charged in some places in India. This applies to many tourist attractions, such as museums and historical sites. The difference in pricing is because the Indian government subsidises entry fees for local people, to make these attractions more affordable for taxpayers. While this may seem discriminatory, it is practised in most developing countries in Asia and Africa and helps make these attractions more accessible to local people. Some tourist attractions that are run by the Archaeological Survey of India have different rates for Indians and foreigners. These rates are prominently posted at the entrance and ticketing booths. The rates for foreigners may be as many as five to ten times those for Indians. Likewise, if you are reserving a hotel room or an airline ticket over the internet, you may find that paying in euros or US dollars costs significantly more. You can get an Indian friend to book in rupees and in most cases, no one will question you at the time of check in. ==Talk== At the federal level, the official languages of India are '''[[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]''' and '''[[English language varieties|English]].''' Other languages that are official to some degree (often at state level) are '''[[Assamese phrasebook|Assamese]]''', '''[[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]]''', '''[[Bodo phrasebook|Bodo]]''', '''[[Dogri phrasebook|Dogri]]''', '''[[Gujarati phrasebook|Gujarati]]''', '''[[Kannada phrasebook|Kannada]]''', '''[[Kashmiri phrasebook|Kashmiri]]''', '''[[Konkani phrasebook|Konkani]]''', '''[[Maithili phrasebook|Maithili]]''', '''[[Malayalam phrasebook|Malayalam]]''', '''[[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]''' (also known as Meitei), '''[[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]]''', '''[[Nepali phrasebook|Nepali]]''', '''[[Odia phrasebook|Odia]]''' (also known as Oriya), '''[[Punjabi phrasebook|Punjabi]]''', '''[[Sanskrit phrasebook|Sanskrit]]''', '''[[Santhali phrasebook|Santhali]]''', '''[[Sindhi phrasebook|Sindhi]]''', '''[[Tamil phrasebook|Tamil]]''', '''[[Telugu phrasebook|Telugu]]''' and '''[[Urdu phrasebook|Urdu]].''' There are also hundreds of other less prominent languages like [[Tulu phrasebook|'''Tulu''']], [[Bhojpuri phrasebook|'''Bhojpuri''']] and [[Ladakhi phrasebook|'''Ladakhi''']].[[File:Gas mixing station - Avvertenze in hindi e in oriya.JPG|thumb|"Gas mixing station" with instructions in Hindi and Odia]] '''Hindi''', spoken by the vast majority of the population, serves as the lingua franca of [[Northern India|North India]] and [[Central India]]. Many more speak it as their second, or even third language. Although it is one of the main languages of the Union Government, very little Hindi is spoken in [[Southern India|Southern]] and [[North-Eastern India|North-Eastern]] India, and English is generally more widely spoken than Hindi in these areas. There are also over 120 dialects in India. One of them is Haryanvi, which is a common dialect around in Haryana and the Delhi area. '''English''' is spoken in urban areas, and is the main language in education, media, government, and business. It serves as the "de facto lingua franca" of the country. Although this sounds reassuring, Indian English is remarkably different compared to other dialects. Perhaps the most common jibe about the dialect is its use of universally improper grammar, which may give some the impression that India isn't an English-speaking country. Prejudices aside, this is perhaps the dialect's most fascinating quality. The sounds of Indian English are flavoured by many of the country's languages, which means that non-native English speakers may have difficulty understanding the way Indians speak. Here are some features of Indian English: * The most commonly used tag question is ''"isn't it"'', which can be used to indicate a genuine question (e.g. ''He is from Tamil Nadu, isn't it?''), sarcasm, bewilderment, and so on. * Nouns are commonly pluralised (e.g. ''A room full of furnitures'', ''stuffs for eating'' as opposed to ''A room full of furniture'' or ''stuff for eating'') * Verbs conjugate differently (e.g. ''I knowed about it'' or ''I buyed it'' as opposed to ''I knew about it'' or ''I bought it'') * Colloquialisms, slang words, and idioms are rife, some of which may be perceived as impolite by non-Indians (e.g. ''Hello, what you want?'' as opposed to ''Hello, what do you want?'') * Prepositions and articles are often dropped or combined strangely (e.g. ''I want computer'' as opposed to ''I want a computer'') *The use of some vocabulary that would not be said elsewhere (e.g. ''vote bank'' which means a group of people that supports a particular political party) English-language TV shows and movies are common, and the number of English TV channels outnumber the number of Indian-language TV channels. Some shows may be dubbed in another language depending on where you are. '''Sanskrit''' is the language in which much of ancient Indian literature and religious texts are written. Today Sanskrit survives primarily as a liturgical language; few if any people speak Sanskrit as a native language, but quite a few scholars or lay-persons know it or are learning it. Many modern Indian languages are descended from Sanskrit, and even those unrelated to Sanskrit have been strongly influenced by it. While most north Indian languages, including Hindi, are descended from Sanskrit, the main languages of the south &mdash; [[Telugu phrasebook|Telugu]], [[Tamil phrasebook|Tamil]], [[Kannada phrasebook|Kannada]] and [[Malayalam phrasebook|Malayalam]] &mdash; originate from a different language and are called the Dravidian languages. Ironically, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam are far more Sanskritic than Hindi due to the relative absence of Islamic rule in those regions. In North Eastern India, [[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]] or Meitei is a language of the Sino-Tibetan family, and resembles closer to Chinese, Burmese and Tibetan, making it unique from other Indian languages. However, you are better off picking up as many words as you can of the local language of the place you are going to - people are proud of their state's (or region's) culture and language and will appreciate it if an outsider makes an attempt to communicate in it. Code-switching between English and the local language (often given a portmanteau of the native language and English; for instance, mixing Malayalam and English is called as ''Manglish''<!--isn't Manglish used to refer to Malay and English?-->, and the same for Hindi is called as ''Hinglish'') is common among the youth in urban areas, although most educated people would speak standard English (British) when talking to foreigners. Many Indian languages lack a word for please, just like the Scandinavian languages. Instead, verbs have many forms denoting levels of politeness and formality. As there is no such distinction in English, Indians may also seem commanding to a westerner. You may hear phrases like ''come here'' which may sound commanding to Anglophones from Western cultures, but this is not intended to be rude. '''Non-verbal communication''' is also important. Much has been made of the confusing Indian head nod for yes and no, but the only important thing to understand is that Indians have '''different nods for yes, ok and no.''' * If they are nodding their head '''up and down''', they mean '''yes''' or '''I agree''', as in a standard nod. * If they are shaking their head in a '''tilting motion''' from right to left and back, they mean '''I understand''' or '''I get what you said'''. * If they shake their head sideways (left to right to left), they mean '''no'''. * There are differences in the way these signs are used in northern and southern India. The back to forth is yes and a vigorous left-right shift is no in northern India, though the latter may be construed for yes in southern states like Tamil Nadu. Look for verbal cues that accompany these sounds (like 'aaan' for yes ) in southern India to get the correct meaning. ==Get in== {{VisaRestriction| Certain states in India require permits to visit. Citizens of [[Bangladesh]], [[Pakistan]], [[China]], and [[Myanmar]] are not usually eligible for them unless they have permission from the Home Ministry. * A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter parts of [[Sikkim]] and [[Andaman and Nicobar]]. * A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required to enter [[Arunachal Pradesh]], and parts of [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Ladakh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Sikkim]], and [[Uttarakhand]]. * An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required to enter [[Mizoram]], [[Manipur]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], or [[Nagaland]] if you are a citizen of India. }} ===Entry requirements=== ====Visas==== [[File:Visa policy of India.svg|thumb|500px| {{legend|#FF3030|India}} {{legend|#FF9090|Freedom of movement}} {{legend|#00A000|Visa-free}} {{legend|#40D000|Visa on arrival}} {{legend|#80E0B0|e-Visa}} {{legend|#C0C0C0|Visa required}} {{legend|#888888|Government clearance required}} ]] Rules and validity of visas will differ based on citizenship. Check the website of the Indian embassy, consulate or high commission in your country, found on [http://goidirectory.nic.in/country_wise_view.php?ct=I001 this list]. '''Holders of an Overseas Citizenship of India (OIC) document''' are permitted to live in India indefinitely, however they must apply for permits to visit certain areas in India. Citizens of '''[[Nepal]]''' and '''[[Bhutan]]''' may enter and live in India indefinitely without a visa. Citizens of '''[[Maldives]]''' may stay up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of '''[[Japan]], [[South Korea]], and the [[United Arab Emirates]]''' are eligible for visas on arrival may stay up to 60 days without a visa. Citizens of '''[[Pakistan]]''', including dual citizens, not only require a visa, but they also require clearance from the Indian government. '''Citizens of Pakistan are rarely granted visas of any kind''' and it can take ''several years'' to get a clearance from the Indian government. Pakistani citizens over the age of 65 can apply for a [https://www.india.org.pk/pages.php?id=133 visa on arrival], but they are ineligible for the scheme if they've been denied an Indian visa in the past. Depending on the purpose of the visit, with most passports you can get a tourist visa (multiple entry for six months or one year depending on nationality), a business visa (6 months, one year or more, multiple entries) or a student visa (up to 5 years). A special 10-year visa is available to nationals of certain countries, including U.S. citizens (US$100). '''An Indian visa is valid from the day it is issued, not the date of entry.''' For example, a 6-month visa issued on 1 January will expire on 30 June, regardless of your date of entry. (This is '''''not true'' for e-Visas''', which are valid 60 days "from the date of arrival in India."—see the "Instructions for Applicant" section of the [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html e-Visa page].) {{infobox|Do you need a visa? Yes, (except for 3 countries)|'''Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) regulations cover entry into India through certain airports from certain countries. See [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html this webpage] for more details.''' eTV allows double entry, for stays up to 60 days, non-extendable and non-convertible. It is not possible to obtain eTV at land crossings. You must arrive at one of the following airports or seaports for your first entry: Airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, and Varanasi. Seaports: Cochin, Mangalore, and Goa. Second entry allowed at all entrance points. If you do not want the restrictions of the eTV, you must get a regular visa. For U.S. passport holders, you must start your visa application here. [https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ VFS Global] '''Visa-exempt''' * Bhutan * Nepal * Maldives (max. stay of 90 days; tourism only) '''e-Tourist visa (eTV)''' * ''Processing fee of USD0'': Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vanuatu * ''Processing fee of USD25'' (+2.5% bank fee): Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka * ''Processing fee of USD80'' (+2.5% bank fee): Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China (PRC), China (Hong Kong SAR), China (Macau SAR), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam. * ''Processing fee of USD100'' (+2.5% bank fee): Mozambique, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America '''Advance visa required''' * All other nationalities other than those mentioned above '''Visa required with a minimum of 4 weeks waiting time''' * Nationals (or former nationals) of Afghanistan, North Korea and Iran '''Visa required with a minimum of 45 days waiting time''' * Nationals (or former nationals) of Pakistan }} India has an [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html '''e-Tourist Visa'''] (eTV) facility. Electronic visas can be applied for between 4 and 120 days in advance of arrival and are valid for a ''double entry'' and a stay of up to 60 days. Travellers cannot receive more than two eTVs in a calendar year. Entry with an eTV must be at 1 of 25 designated airports (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, Vishakhapatnam - check the web link for a current list). The eTV is available to citizens of over 100 countries (again, check the web link for the latest list; some EU countries, along with most of Africa and the Middle East, are excluded). Persons of Pakistani origin, regardless of nationality, are not eligible. The fee for the eTV is dependent on nationality. Since 2019 e-Visas are issued for 30 days, 1 year or 5 years. The 1-and-5 year visas allow stays for up to 60 days at a time (except for nationals of the US, UK, Canada and Japan, who are allowed to stay for 90 days). Also, prices are expected to go down, and there will be no limit on the number of e-visas you can request in a calendar year. The exact implementation date is still not known. The eTV facility replaced the limited visa-on-arrival scheme in January 2015; there are no longer any visa-on-arrival facilities in India. Regular visa applications for U.S. passport holders (for travellers not eligible for eTV) begin at '''[https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ VFS Global]''' before being submitted to a visa application centre either by FedEx or in person. Many Indian embassies have '''outsourced visa processing''' in full or in part to third party companies, so check ahead before going to the embassy. For example, in the United States as of 9 Oct 2020, your visa application must be submitted to [https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/ VFS Global] rather than the embassy. Applications through these agencies also attract an application fee (in the US to VFS Global, this fee is USD15.90) above that which is detailed on most embassy websites and should be checked prior to submitting your paperwork. In addition, many Indian embassies only offer visas to '''residents of that country''': this means you should get your visa before you leave home instead of trying to get it in a neighbouring country (although, as at August 2009, non-residents are able to apply for visas through the Bangkok embassy for an additional 400 THB "referral fee"). It's wise to ask for a '''multiple-entry''' visa even if you aren't planning to use it - they cost the same, are handed out pretty liberally and come in handy if you decide last minute to dip into one of the neighbouring countries. A '''business visa''' may be required if you intend to do anything work related in India. The eTV does permit 'casual business visits' and will be easier to obtain. If you do need a business visa, then be prepared to provide a great deal of documentation about your company in your home country as well as the company you are visiting in India. This will include (but may not be limited to) an invitation letter from the company that you are visiting as well as business registration documents and possibly tax returns and other sensitive documents. It may be worth applying for a short-term visa (such as 6 months) since the criteria may be less in your case. There are other categories for [https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/visaServices specialised purposes]. The '''missionary visa''' is mandatory for anyone who is visiting India "primarily to take part in religious activities". This rule is meant to combat religious conversion, particularly of Hindus to Christianity. There have been cases where preachers have been deported for addressing religious congregations while on a tourist visa. You don't need to be worried if you are just on a religious tour of churches in India. If you are on a Student, Employment, Research or Missionary visa, you '''need to register''' within 14 days of arrival with the [https://mea.gov.in/foreigners-registration.htm '''Foreigners Regional Registration Office'''] where you will be staying. If the place you are staying at doesn't have one, you need to register at the local police station. All visitors who intend to stay '''more than 180 days''' also need to be registered. '''Overstaying''' a visa is to be avoided at all costs as you will be prevented from leaving the country until you have paid some fairly hefty fines and presented a large amount of paperwork to either the local immigration office or police station. This whole process is unlikely to take less than 3 days, and can take much longer if you include weekends, numerous government holidays and the inevitable bizarre bureaucratic requirements. In the worst-case scenarios, the Indian Government can also take legal action for exceptionally long overstays including prison term for 5 years. '''Penalties for [https://www.evisasindia.org/overstaying-an-indian-visa/ overstaying] in India''' * For Overstays or non-registration for up to 90 days, penalty is US$300. * For Overstays from 91 days to 2 years, penalty is US$400. * For Overstays more than 2 years, penalty is US$500. Penalties for overstay in India may differ for persons belonging to minority communities from nearby countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan: * For Overstays or non-registration for up to 90 days, penalty is ₹100 * For Overstays from 91 days to 2 years, penalty is ₹200 * For Overstays more than 2 years, penalty is ₹500 ====Customs and immigration==== Clearing customs can be a bit of a hassle, though it has improved vastly over the last decade. In general, avoid the touts who will offer to ease your baggage through customs. There are various rules regarding duty-free allowances &mdash; there are differing rules for Indian citizens, foreign "tourists", citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan, non-citizens of Indian origin and people moving to India. Use the website of the [https://www.cbic.gov.in/ Central Board of Excise and Customs] for information about what you can bring in. Foreign tourists other than Nepalis, Bhutanese and Pakistanis and those entering through Nepal, Bhutan or Pakistan, are entitled to bring in their "used personal effects and travel souvenirs" and ₹4,000 worth of articles for "gifts". If you are an Indian citizen or are of Indian origin, you are entitled to ₹25,000 worth of articles (provided you aren't entering through Nepal, Bhutan or Pakistan). The other rules are on the web site. If you are bringing any new packaged items, it is a good idea to carry the invoices for them to show their value. You are also allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco and 1 litre (2 litres for Indians) of alcohol duty-free. If you do not have anything to declare, you can go through the '''green channel''' clearly marked at various airports and generally you will not be harassed. Importing and exporting Indian rupees is '''strictly forbidden''' for foreigners, and limited to ₹25,000 for Indian citizens. Details can be found in the [https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/notification/PDFs/CR3105F871DDFD343407BA1BC640B96AFB21A.PDF official statement of the Reserve Bank of India]. There are currency exchange counters at international airports where you are required to change all your excess Indian rupees to foreign currency before leaving. ===By plane=== [[File:Sculpture of hasta mudras at Indira Gandhi International Airport.jpg|thumb|[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] serves [[Delhi]] and is one of the most important entry points to India.]] The major points of entry are [[Bangalore]] ({{IATA|BLR}}), [[Mumbai]] ({{IATA|BOM}}), [[Delhi]] ({{IATA|DEL}}), [[Kolkata]] ({{IATA|CCU}}), [[Hyderabad]] ({{IATA|HYD}}) and [[Chennai]] ({{IATA|MAA}}). The airports at these cities are either new or undergoing development. The Hyderabad airport is rated as one of the top five airports in the 10-15 million passenger category. There are many nonstop, direct and connecting choices to these cities from Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa and Australia. Secondary points of entry include [[Goa]] and the [[Malabar]] coast. There are many connections from the Middle East to Malabar coast cities such as [[Kochi]], [[Kozhikode]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. Most of the major Middle Eastern carriers offer one-stop connections to the coast from their Gulf hubs. Goa is a favourite European tourist destination and thus is connected by many European charter operators like Condor, Edelweiss and Thomson Airways. [[File:Air India Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner.jpg|thumb|An Air India Boeing 777]] India's national airline is '''[http://www.airindia.com/ Air India]'''. Other Indian airlines that operate international flights include '''[http://www.goindigo.in IndiGo]''' and '''[http://www.spicejet.com/ SpiceJet]'''. These airlines offer daily flights to major hubs around the world. You must carry a printed air ticket in order to take many domestic flights. From the United States, [http://www.united.com United Airlines] offers non-stop daily service from [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]] to Delhi and Mumbai; Air India offers daily non-stop service to Delhi from [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]], Newark, [[Dulles Airport|Washington–Dulles]], [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]] and [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago O'Hare]] and to Mumbai from Newark (and soon JFK). Various European airlines offer connecting service through their European hubs from most major U.S. cities and various Asian airlines offer connecting service from West Coast cities through their Asian hubs. [[File:IndiGo A320neo (VT-ITZ) @ GAU, Sept 2019 (02).jpg|thumb|IndiGo is a popular low-cost carrier]] Entries from Europe and North America are possible using many European airlines such as [http://www.lufthansa.com Lufthansa], [http://www.finnair.com Finnair], [http://www.britishairways.com British Airways], [http://www.klm.com KLM], [http://www.airfrance.com Air France] and [http://www.virginatlantic.com Virgin Atlantic]. For long-term visitors (3–12 months), [http://www.swiss.com Swiss Airlines] often have good deals from Switzerland with connecting flights from major European and some American cities as well. To save on tickets, consider connecting via Gulf countries, with [http://www.airarabia.com Air Arabia] ([[Sharjah]]-based low cost carrier with some connections to Europe), [http://www.etihadairways.com Etihad] (especially if you need a one-way ticket or are going back to Europe from another Asian country) via [[Abu Dhabi]], [http://www.emirates.com Emirates] via [[Dubai]] or [http://www.qatarairways.com Qatar Airways] via [[Doha]]. These airlines are also the easiest way to come from the Gulf countries, along with Indian carriers, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo and SpiceJet. From East Asia and Australia, [[Singapore]] (which is served by Air India, its low-cost subsidiary [http://www.airindiaexpress.in Air India Express], [http://www.singaporeair.com Singapore Airlines], its subsidiary [http://www.silkair.com Silk Air] and low-cost subsidiary [https://www.flyscoot.com Scoot]) has excellent connections with flights to all the major cities and many smaller ones. As for the cheap way from [[Southeast Asia]], Malaysian low-cost carrier [http://www.airasia.com AirAsia] is often the best choice (if booked well in advance, one-way ticket price is normally below US$100, sometimes being less than US$50, they have connections from China, [[Australia]] and most South-east Asian countries). They fly from [[Kuala Lumpur]] into New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi and Tiruchirapalli. If you're going from [[Thailand]], Air India Express flies from Chennai and Kolkata to Bangkok. Air India and [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways] fly from there to a range of Indian cities as well. [http://www.silkair.com Silk Air] flies from Singapore to [[Hyderabad]] as well. IndiGo, an Indian low-cost-carrier, also offers attractive fares to Singapore and Bangkok. ===By boat=== India has several international ports on its peninsula. [[Kochi]], Mumbai, Goa and Chennai are the main ones handling passenger traffic, while the rest mainly handle cargo. However, due to the profusion of cheap flights, there no longer appear to be any scheduled ferry services from India to the Middle East. The southern island of [[Minicoy]] in [[Lakshadweep]] islands is now a permitted entry point. Some cruise lines that travel to India include Indian Oceans Eden II and Grand Voyage Seychelles-Dubai. ===By train=== There are two links from [[Pakistan]]. The ''Samjhauta Express'' runs from [[Lahore]] to [[Attari]] near [[Amritsar]] in [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. The ''Thar Express'', restarted in February 2006 after 40 years out of service, runs from Munabao in the Indian state of [[Rajasthan]] to Khokrapar in Pakistan's [[Sindh]] province; however, this crossing is '''not open to foreign tourists'''. Neither train is the fastest, safest or the most practical way to go between India and Pakistan due to the long delay to clear customs and immigration (although the trains are sights in their own right and make for a fascinating trip). Ths Samjhauta express was the victim of a terrorist strike in February 2007, when bombs were set off killing many people. Should you want to get from one country to the other as quickly as possible, walk across at [[Attari]]/[[Wagah]]. From [[Nepal]], trains run between [[Khajuri]] in [[Dhanusa]] district of [[Nepal]] and Jainagar in [[Bihar]], operated by Nepal Railways. Neither is of much interest for travellers and there are no onward connections into Nepal, so most travellers opt for the bus or plane instead. Train services from [[Bangladesh]] were suspended for 42 years, but the ''Moitree Express'' started running again between [[Dhaka]] to Kolkata in April 2008. The service is biweekly: A Bangledeshi train leaves Dhaka every Saturday, returning on Sunday, while an Indian train leaves Kolkata on Saturdays and returns the next day. You can see what trains are available between stations at the following sites: http://www.indianrail.gov.in. However, for booking of rail tickets through the internet you should use the Government of India's website http://www.irctc.co.in. For booking through this site, you have to register (which is free) and you need a credit/debit card. You can also take the services of many travel agents that charge a nominal service fee for booking train tickets. ===By land=== [[File:Wagah Border2014.jpg|thumb|Flag lowering ceremony at the Wagah border crossing]] ====Nepal==== From [[Nepal]] buses cross the border daily, usually with connections to [[New Delhi]], [[Lucknow]], [[Patna]] and [[Varanasi]]. However, it's cheaper and more reliable to take one bus to the border crossing and another from there on. The border crossings are (India/Nepal side) Sunauli/Bhairawa from Varanasi, Raxaul/Birganj from [[Patna]], Kolkata, Kakarbhitta from Darjeeling, and Mahendrenagar-Banbassa from Delhi. ====Bhutan==== The Royal Bhutanese Government runs a service to/from [[Phuentsholing]]. These buses depart from Kolkata's Esplanade bus station at 7PM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and from the Phuentsholing Bhutan Post office at 3PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The journey takes around 18 hours and costs ₹300. The buses are comfortable, but because much of the highway to Kolkata is like the surface of the moon, don't bank on getting much sleep on the way. There is frequent service between [[Siliguri]] and Phuentsholing. ====Myanmar==== Entering from [[Myanmar]] is apparently possible at [[Moreh]]/[[Tamu]]&mdash;see [[Myanmar#India|Myanmar article]] for more details. Regarding Indo-Myanmar connection, [[Manipur]] is the most advanced and the only developed route inside India, to pass to and from between the two nations. ====Pakistan==== From [[Pakistan]] the only land crossing is from [[Lahore]] to [[Amritsar]] via the [[Attari]]/[[Wagah]] border crossing. Despite tensions between the two countries, there is a steady trickle of travellers passing this way. The immigration procedures are fairly straightforward, but neither [[Pakistan]] nor India issue visas at the border. Expect to take most of the day to go between Lahore and Amritsar on local buses. Normally it's possible to get a direct bus from Amritsar to the border, walk to the other side and catch a direct bus to Lahore, although you may need to change at some point on route. Amritsar and Lahore are both fairly close to the border (about 30–40 minutes drive), so taxis are a faster and easier option. The direct Delhi-Lahore service has restarted, though it is far more costly than local buses/trains, not any faster, and would mean you miss seeing [[Amritsar]]. You will also be stuck at the border for '''much''' longer while the bus is searched and all of the passengers go through immigration. There is now a bus service across the 'Line of control' between Indian and Pakistani Kashmir; however, it is '''not open to foreign tourists'''. For going '''by car''' also see [[Istanbul to New Delhi over land]]. You will need a [[Carnet de Passage]] if crossing with your own vehicle. The process is not particularly lengthy - crossing with your own vehicle from/to Pakistan should take a maximum of 3 hours to clear both borders for you and your vehicle. ====From Bangladesh==== From [[Bangladesh]] there are a number of land entry points to India. The most common way is the regular air-conditioned and comfortable bus services from Dhaka to Kolkata via [[Haridaspur]] (India)/[[Benapole]] (Bangladesh) border post. Bus companies 'Shyamoli', 'Shohag', 'Green Line' and others operate daily bus services under the label of the state owned West Bengal Surface Transport Service Corporation (WBSTSC) and the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC). From Kolkata 2 buses leave every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday while from Dhaka they leave on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The journey usually takes around 12 hours with a one-way fare of ₹400-450 or BDT600-800, roughly US$8–10. Another daily bus service by 'Shyamoli' and others under the BRTC label from [[Dhaka]] connects Siliguri, but the buses in this route do not cross the Changrabanda/Burimari or Burungamari border post. Rather, passengers reaching the border have to clear customs, walk a few hundred yards to cross the border and board the awaiting connecting buses on the other end for the final destination. Ticket for Dhaka-Siliguri-Dhaka route costs BDT 1,600, roughly US$20–25 depending on conversion rates. Tickets are purchased either in Dhaka or in Siliguri. There is also a regular bus service between Dhaka and Agartala, capital of Tripura. Two BRTC buses daily from Dhaka and the [https://tsu.trp.nic.in/transport/ Tripura Road Transport Corporation] plying its vehicles six days a week with a round fare costing US$10 connect the two cities. There is only one halt at Ashuganj in Bangladesh during the journey. Other entry points from Bangladesh are Hili, Chilahati/Haldibari, Banglaband border posts for entry to West Bengal; Tamabil border post for a route to [[Shillong]] in Meghalaya, and some others with lesser known routes to north-eastern Indian regions. ====China==== The Nathu La pass in [[Sikkim]], which borders [[Tibet]] in [[China]] is the only border crossing between India and China. This border is not open to tourists; only local traders are allowed to cross. Special permits are required to visit the pass from either side, and foreigners are not permitted to visit the Indian side of the border. ==Get around== India is '''big''' and there are lots of interesting ways to travel around it, most of which could not very well be described as efficient or punctual. Allow considerable buffer time for any journey with a fixed deadline (e.g. your flight back), and try to remember that getting there should be half the fun. Travel in much of the [[North-East India|North-East]] (with the notable exception of Assam) and parts of [[Andaman and Nicobar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Lakshadweep]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Uttarakhand]] will require obtaining a '''Protected Area Permit''' (PAP). The easiest way to get one is to request it along with your visa application, in which case it will be added to your visa. Otherwise, you will need to hunt down a local Ministry of Home Affairs office and battle with bureaucracy. ===By plane=== [[File:Airports and seaports map.png|thumb|400px|Map of airports in India]] India's large size and uncertain roads make '''flying''' a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years. Even India's offshore islands and remote mountain states are served by flights. Due to the aviation boom over the last few years, airports have not been able to keep up with the air traffic. Most Indian airports continue to function with one runway and a handful of boarding gates. Check-in and security queues can be quite long, especially in Delhi and Mumbai. India has built two new international airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore, which are modern and well-equipped. Delhi airport's newly constructed Terminal 3 is the 8th largest terminal in the world. In northern India, particularly Delhi, '''heavy winter fog''' can wreak havoc on schedules, especially during Christmas Season and January, leading to massive delays across the country. Flights to small airports up in the mountains, especially to [[Leh]] in Ladakh (which is reachable only by plane for most of the year), are erratic at the best of times. ====Airlines==== At one time, domestic flights were the monopoly of the government-owned Indian Airlines, but things have changed dramatically and now there are quite a few competitors, often offering excellent value . The main operators are: *'''[http://www.airindia.com/ Air India]''' - flag carrier owned by Tata Group. Air India has a wide network in the country and provides excellent regional connectivity. Service is generally below par. Their services have been quite a few times in the past been affected by pilots' strikes. * '''[http://www.airindiaexpress.in/ Air India Express]''' - Tata-owned low-cost carrier which flies mainly on trunk routes and to international destinations in the Gulf and Southeastern Asia. * [https://www.airasia.co.in/home '''Air Asia India'''], another Tata-owned low-cost carrier. * '''Alliance Air''' - India's state-owned airline that flies small aircraft to obscure places. * [https://www.goindigo.in/ '''IndiGo'''] - low-cost airline, connecting around 33 cities throughout the country. They fly a young fleet of Airbus A320s and ATR regional aircraft. *'''[https://www.flygofirst.com/ Go First]''', another low-cost carrier connecting around 22 cities across the country. Mostly flies from their Mumbai base. * [https://www.spicejet.com/ '''SpiceJet'''], a third low-cost airline, serves around 34 domestic destinations. * [https://www.airvistara.com/ '''Vistara'''], a full-service airline and a joint venture of Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. ====Fares==== The earlier you book, the lower you pay. You will hear a lot about air tickets at '''₹500''', but those are promotional rates for limited seats which are sold out within seconds. In some other cases, the advertised fare may not include charges such as passenger service fees, air fuel surcharge and taxes which will be added subsequently. Nonetheless, you do get good rates from budget airlines. Tickets for small cities will cost more than those for the metros, because of the spotty coverage noted above. Indian ticket pricing has not attained the bewildering complexity that the Americans have achieved, but they are getting there. You don't have to worry about higher prices on weekends, lower prices for round-trips, lower prices for travel ''around'' weekends. There are two complications for non-Indians trying to buy plane tickets: # Many airlines have '''higher fares for foreigners''' than for Indians. Foreigners ("non-residents") will be charged in US dollars, whereas Indians will be charged in rupees. In practice, you can simply pretend to be Indian when booking online as the check-in desk will rarely if ever care, but you are still running a small risk if you do this. When possible it's best to patronise those airlines that do not follow this practice. # Many online booking sites and some of the low-cost carriers '''reject non-Indian credit cards'''. Read the small print before you start booking, or book directly with the airline or through a bricks-and-mortar travel agency instead. ====Check in==== [[File:TRZ Check In Counters.jpg|thumb|Check-in at Trichy Airport]] Checking in at Indian airports tends to be slow, involving lots of queues and multiple security checks. A few pointers to smooth your way: * Arrive '''at least two hours before departure''' if travelling from the major airports. (For domestic flights from minor airports, 60 or 90 minutes before is fine.) The new rule dictates that check-in closes 45 minutes before departure time and the boarding gate closes 25 minutes before departure. Though the original boarding might take longer, this rule is now being strictly implemented widely to avoid delays in flight departures. * '''Bring a print-out of your ticket or a soft copy of your ticket''' and a '''government-issued id''', or else you are not allowed to enter the airport. They are checked and matched compulsorily at the airport entry gate by security guards. If you possess neither a printout or a soft copy, you can get a copy at the airline offices just outside the airport entry gate. Some airlines have started to charge for this privilege. * Most older airports require that you '''screen your checked bags before check-in''', usually at a stand near the entrance. In high-security airports like Jammu, Srinagar or anywhere in the Northeast, even carry-on baggage needs to be screened. All carry on baggage will be screened by an X-ray scanner and at the discretion of the security personnel, physically too. * Pick up a tag for every item of carry-on baggage and attach it to it. The staff at the security checkpoint will stamp your boarding pass as well as the tags of your carry-on baggage. Do not put your boarding pass on the X-ray belt, bring it with you when you go through the metal detector. '''Make sure you received all these stamps before leaving the security check area'''. Without a stamped boarding pass you will not be allowed to board the plane. You will not be allowed to take any items onboard without a stamped tag attached. Don't hesitate to ask someone if you are unsure. Most staff in airports are very helpful to passengers and will take pains to ensure you catch your flight. There are separate queues for passengers travelling light (without check-in baggage) and these queues are usually less crowded. Different airlines have different standards for what they allow as cabin baggage, so err on the side of caution, especially if you are travelling by a low-cost airline. Usually, the allowed free baggage limit is 15&nbsp;kg on most airlines. ===By train=== [[File:New Delhi Metro.jpg|thumb|240px|The Delhi Metro]] {{seealso|Rail travel in India}} Railways were introduced in India in 1853, more than one and half a century ago by the British, and today India boasts one of the biggest network of railway lines in the world, and the rail system is very efficient, if rarely on schedule. Travelling on Indian Railways gives you the opportunity to discover first hand the landscape and beauty of India, and is generally more economical than flying domestic. It is one of the safest ways of travel in India. With classes ranging from luxurious to regular, it's the best way to get to know the country and its people. Most train passengers will be curious about you and happy to pass the time with a chat. While taking an overnight sleeper train will save the money you'd otherwise spend on a hotel, your sleep may not be as comfortable. [[File:Shatabdi montage.jpg|thumb|Shatabdi trains]] ====Regular trains==== Trains come in many varieties. Most express and passenger trains operate with ICF coaches. ICF coaches are now slowly being replaced with LHB coaches. The 'Rajdhani' and 'Shatabdi' trains are the most luxurious and fastest trains on Indian Railways. They are completely air-conditioned and have breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner included in your ticket price. The food is served at your seat during travel. Almost all of these trains also have modern German designed LHB coaches which are extremely comfortable and luxurious. 'Vande Bharat Express', a semi-high speed train was introduced in 2019 and is aimed to replace all 'Shatabdi' trains. It is equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, infotainment, reading lights and electric outlets. The ''Garib Rath'' literally means the chariot of the poor, and it is a good option for those who want to use good facilities at low cost. ====Luxury trains==== There are 5 trains offering 12 signature journeys between major tourist destinations in India. They offer a wonderful way to experience the sights in India without having to worry about the hassles of travel and accommodation. Journeys on board these trains are all inclusive of accommodation, dining, sightseeing, transportation and porter charges. Each of these luxury trains is equipped with amenities such as live television, individual climate control, restaurant, bar, lounges and cabins with electronic safe and attached bathrooms. ====Classes==== India has seven classes of train travel to choose from. Not all classes are available on all trains: for example, Chair Cars are usually found only on short-distance daytime trains, while sleeper classes are only found on overnight journeys. Full information about this classes is [[Rail_travel_in_India#Classes|here]]. ====Different types of trains==== Basically there are five types of trains: * '''Passenger Trains''' are slow trains that stop in all stations including very small stations. * '''Fast Passenger Trains''' are passenger trains that skip smaller stations and offer the same fare structure. * '''Express Trains''' stop only at major railway stations and charge higher than Passenger trains. * '''Superfast Trains''' skip some of the major stations and charge even higher than Express Trains. * '''Rajadhani and Shadabdhi Trains''' are elite trains that offer only air conditioned coaches. They stop only at selected stations. The fare is quite high because all food is included. ====Train fare==== The average fare for a '''200 km distance''' for different classes is given below: * First Class AC: ₹1,200 * Two Tier AC: ₹617 * Three Tier AC: ₹430 * AC Chair Car: ₹203 * Sleeper Class: ₹120 * Second class seat in Express train: ₹70 * Second class seat in Passenger train: ₹30 ====Ticketing==== Trains tend to fill up early. Tickets can be reserved up to 4 months in advance. School summer vacation time &mdash; mid-April to mid-June &mdash; is peak season for the railways, which means that you may need to book well in advance. Other festival days, long weekends or holidays may see a similar rush. Booking tickets from the [http://www.irctc.co.in/ railway website] has vastly improved over the years. A lot of work has gone into the usability and responsiveness of the website. Tickets are also available from counters at most railway stations. Details of facility available for tourists from abroad are available at [https://contents.irctc.co.in/en/ForeignTouristQuotaBooking.pdf '''IRCTC website'''] and [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/enquiry/StaticPages/StaticEnquiry.jsp?locale=en&StaticPage=international_Tourist.html '''Indian Railway Website'''] [[File:India - Indian Railways Kitchen coach - 0989.jpg|thumb|Sandwiches at the kitchen coach]] One day before the departure date of a train the '''Tatkal''' quota seats become available. Tatkal accounts for about 10% of the total number of seats. This allows tourists who like to plan a trip as they go to book seats closer to the day of departure, for an extra fee. However, booking for this service online or in person is an even more fraught experience. It is sometimes difficult to book Tatkal tickets online because of the excess amount of traffic on Indian railway website. Indian railway has launched E-wallet facility which enables users to keep money on Indian railway website for faster booking of tickets. This facility reduces the time of ticket booking because users skip the payment gateway processing time. It is very fast to book tickets using E-wallet facility. You may also need [http://ifscpedia.com/ IFSC Code] to transfer funds to the E-wallet, but now you can also pay using your debit cards, credits cards, internet banking, etc. IFSC Code generally stands for Indian Financial System code which uniquely identifies bank branches in India, IFSC code is required to transfer money online in India. You can easily find IFSC Code using [https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/IFSCMICRDetails.aspx IFSC Code finder] ==== Meals ==== Most long-distance night trains (though not all) have a '''pantry car''' and if you are in the sleeper or air-con classes, you can buy meals onboard the train. The pantry staff will visit your seat before meal timings to take down your order. However, most pantry car meals aren't really good in quality or taste. The railways are concerned about the bad quality of pantry car meals and efforts are underway to improve things, but do not count on it as yet. If you are finicky, bring enough food for the journey including delays: bananas, bread, and candy bars are good basics. You can purchase drinks, packaged snacks or biscuits from the pantry staff who circulate from one coach to another. At most stations, hawkers selling tea, peanuts, and snack food and even complete meals will go up and down the train. Most stations will have vendors selling all kinds of edible stuff. You can also get down on the station platform to look for food, but make sure you know the stoppage timing of the train at that station. In the most luxurious 'Rajdhani' & 'Shatabdi' trains, meals are included in your ticket price and served at your seat during travel. There are no dining cars in Indian Railways except in select luxury trains. ===By taxi or ride-hailing=== {{infobox|Farewell to the King|Once upon a time, virtually all Indian taxis were trusty Hindustan Ambassadors, a locally manufactured copy of the 1950s-vintage Morris Oxford, but these days the King of Indian Roads is an endangered species. [[File:ہندوستان موٹر کی بنائی پیلی ایمبیسڈر۔.jpg|thumb|[[Kolkata]]'s iconic yellow Ambassador taxi]]}} There was a time when the metered taxi was unheard of outside India's largest cities, and when it could be found, getting one that would take you to your destination and charge you the right rate was a rare event. This situation has undergone a drastic change for the better in the past few years, with many online companies offering taxi services. The two largest players are [http://www.olacabs.com Ola] and [https://www.uber.com/in/en/ Uber], which operate in all major Indian cities and have ranks at major airports. Both pickup and dropoff points can be entered in English, minimising hassle. Fares are affordable by Western standards, with most city rides under ₹200, although surge pricing can be expensive. However, the very cheapest categories (UberX and Ola Micro/Mini respectively) often have tiny, run-down cars, so paying the small premium for the next class up (Uber Comfort and Ola Prime) may be worth it. If ride-hailing isn't an option, central locations of big cities like airports or stations have pre-paid taxi services managed by local traffic police officials. However, beware of touts who would claim themselves to be running pre-paid taxis. Always collect the receipt from the counter first. The receipt has two parts: one part is for your reference and the other part you will need to be handed to the taxi driver only after you reach your desired destination. The taxi driver will receive their payment by submitting or producing this other part to the pre-paid taxi counter. The taxi driver may not know how to get to your destination, and will not tell you this beforehand. This may result in the taxi stopping at various points during the journey as the driver gets out to ask for directions. Insist on being taken to your original destination, and not a substitute offered by the driver (e.g. a different hotel). Regular metered taxis are also common and can usually be hailed on the street. While they're supposed to use the meter, tales of "broken" meters and hapless fleeced tourists are common, so try to have an idea of the fare before you set off. ===By bus=== [[File:Pathankot Bus.JPG|thumb|240px|Ordinary-class Himachal Road Transport Co bus in [[Dharamsala]]]] While you can't take a cross-country bus journey across India, buses are the second most-popular way of travelling across states and the only cheap way of reaching many places not on the rail network (e.g. Dharamsala). Every state has its own public bus service, usually named "''X'' Road Transport Corporation" (or ''X''RTC) or "''X'' State Transport Corporation" (or ''X''STC) which primarily connects intrastate routes, but will also have services to neighbouring states. There are usually multiple classes of buses. The '''ordinary''' buses (called differently in different states, e.g. "service bus") are extremely crowded with even standing room rarely available (unless you're among the first onboard) as reservations are not possible and they tend to stop at too many places. On the upside, they're ''very'' cheap, with even a 5-6 hour journey rarely costing over ₹100. In addition to ordinary public buses, there are '''luxury''' or '''express''' buses available, and most have air-conditioning these days. Some state transport corporations have even introduced Volvo buses on some routes and these are extremely luxurious and comfortable. These better class "express" or "luxury" buses have assured seating (book in advance), and have limited stops, making them well worth the slight extra expense. But even these better-class buses rarely have toilets and make occasional snack and toilet breaks. '''Private buses''' may or may not be available in the area you are travelling to, and even if they are, the quality could vary a lot. Be warned that many of the private buses, especially long-distance lines, play music and/or videos at ear-splitting volume. Even with earplugs it can be nerve-wracking. Restrooms are available in large bus stations but are crowded. The bus industry is '''extremely fragmented''' and there are few operators who offer services in more than 2 or 3 neighbouring states. Travel agents usually ''only'' offer seats on private buses. However, long distance bus operators such as Raj National Express and KPN Travels are rolling out their operations across the country modelled on the lines of the Greyhound service in the United States. Their services are good and they provide entertainment on board. Regardless of the class of travel, all buses have to contend with the poor state of Indian highways and the havoc of Indian traffic which usually makes them slower, less comfortable and less safe than trains. Night buses are particularly hazardous, and for long-distance travel it's wise to opt for sleeper train services instead. ===By car=== Our itinerary article [[Grand Trunk Road]] describes one of India's major roads, running east-west through the Ganges valley and west across northern Pakistan to [[Kabul]]. ====Driving on your own==== In India driving is on the '''left''' of the road &mdash; at least most of the time. You can drive in India if you have a local licence or an International Driving Permit, but unless you are accustomed to driving on extremely chaotic streets, you probably will not want to. The average city or village road is narrow, often potholed and badly marked. '''National Highways''' are better, but they are still narrow, and Indian driving discipline is non-existent. In the past few years the Central government has embarked on an ambitious project to upgrade the highways. The '''Golden Quadrilateral''' connecting the four largest cities of Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata with four-laned highways has been completed and is of a reasonable standard. Some of it is of an international standard but that cannot be said for all of it. However, improving the quality of the roads does not improve the way in which people drive and it is very dangerous to drive on the roads in India as people drive as they like without regard to any rules (rules do exist but are almost never enforced). ====Hiring driver with car==== [[File:Road in India (5472802655).jpg|thumb|View from a car in India]] Instead, you can opt for a driver while renting a car. Rates are quoted in rupees per kilometre and you will have to pay for both ways even if you are going only one way. The driver's salary is so low (typically around ₹100-150 per day) that it adds little to the cost of renting the car. The driver will find their own accommodation and food wherever you are travelling, although it is customary to give him some money to buy some food when you stop somewhere to eat. Rates vary by size and quality of the car. Many vehicles come equipped with a roof carrier, so one may opt for a smaller vehicle for 2-3 passengers even with excess luggage. (You may need to specifically ask for a vehicle with a roof carrier.) There are numerous advantages to having a car and driver. *A good local driver is the safest means of car travel. *You can keep your bags and shopping goods with you securely wherever you go. *The driver will often have some knowledge of local tourist destinations. *The car is at your disposal. You needn't spend any time finding further transport, or [[haggling]] over price. It is rare to find a driver that speaks more than a few words of English. As a result, misunderstandings are common. Keep sentences short. Use the present tense. Use single words and hand gestures to convey meaning. Make sure you can trust your driver before you leave your goods with him. If he shows any suspicious behaviour make sure you keep your bags with you. Your driver may in some cases act as a tout, offering to take you to businesses from which he gets ''baksheesh'' (a sort of commission). This isn't necessarily a bad thing - the driver may help you find just what you're looking for, and add to his income at the same time. On the other hand, always evaluate for yourself whether you are being sold on a higher-cost or poorer quality product than you want. Avoid touts on the road posing as guides that your driver may stop for because he gets a commission from them; supporting them only promotes this unpleasant practice. The driver might ''ask'' for a tip at the end of the trip. Pay him some amount (₹100/day is generally sufficient) and don't let him guilt-trip you into paying too much. Memorise your driver's face and write down his licence plate number and phone number. Touts at tourist areas will try to mislead you into getting into the wrong car when you leave; if you fall for this you will certainly be ripped off, your car may be stolen and you may be sexually assaulted. Be wary of reckless driving when renting a car with a driver. Do not be afraid to tell the driver that you have time to see around and that you are not in a hurry. Make sure also that your driver gets enough rest time and time to eat. In general as you visit restaurants, the driver may eat at the same time (either separately at the same restaurant or at some other nearby place). They may be willing to work nonstop for you as you are the "boss", but your life depends on their ability to concentrate, so ensure that your driving demands are reasonable; for example, if you decide to carry your own food with you on the road, be sure to offer your driver time to get a lunch himself. Avoid travelling at night. Indian roads are dimly lit if at all, and there are even more hazards on the road after dark &mdash; even highway bandits if you get far enough off the beaten track. ====== Self-drive car rental ====== If you feel confident enough to drive by yourself, you can now hire a self-drive car in many major cities. These cars are available for long-distance as well as intra-city travel. The choices you get may be different from what are available in your home country, and these service providers may not accept international licences. Do your research well before opting for this choice. Some of the options are: * {{Go||name=Zoomcar|url=https://www.zoomcar.com/|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoomcar|content=Available in many cities. Good choice of cars.}} * {{Go|name=Myles|url=https://www.mylescars.com/|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MylesCar}} * {{Go|name=Revv|url=https://www.revv.co.in/}} * [https://onroadz.com/ '''Onroadz'''] ===By motorcycle=== [[File:Royal Enfield 7.jpg|thumb|Royal Enfield motorcycle]] Some people argue that '''the best way to experience India is on a motorbike'''. Riding a motorbike and travelling across India you get a closer look and feel of India along with all the smells and sounds. There are companies which organise package tours or tailor-made tours for enthusiastic bikers and the adventurous, or a safer motorbike experience of India. Blazing Trails tours, Wild Experience tours and Extreme Bike tours are some such companies. Another choice, popular with people who like taking risks, is to '''buy a motorcycle'''. Not for the faint of heart or inexperienced rider. India boasts the highest motor vehicle accident rate in the world. The Royal Enfield is a popular (some would say, the only) choice for its classic looks and macho mystique. This despite its high petrol consumption, 25&nbsp;km/litre to 30&nbsp;km/litre, supposed low reliability (it is "classic" 1940s engineering after all and requires regular service adjustment; you can find an Enfield mechanic with decades of experience in every town in India, who will perform miracles at about ₹100 an hour labour cost), and claimed difficulty to handle (actually the bike handles beautifully, but may be a wee heavy and seat high for some). Or, one can opt for the smaller yet quicker and more fuel efficient bikes. They can range from 100 cc to the newly launched 220 cc bikes. Three most popular bike manufacturers are Hero, Bajaj and Honda. The smaller variants (100-125 cc) can give you a mileage exceeding 50&nbsp;km/litre on the road, while giving less power if one is opting to drive with pillion on the highways. The bigger variants (150-220 cc) are more powerful and one can get a feel of the power especially on highways - the mileage is lesser for these bikes anywhere between 35&nbsp;km/litre to 45&nbsp;km/litre. Preferably tourists should go for second hand bikes rather than purchasing new ones. The smaller 100 cc variants can be purchased for anywhere between ₹15,000-25,000 depending on the year of make and condition of vehicle. The bigger ones can be brought from ₹30,000 onwards. ===By hitch hiking=== Hitch-hiking in India is very easy due to the enormous number of cargo trucks on every highway and road. Most drivers do not speak English or any other international language; however, most have a very keen sense of where the cities and villages are along the road. It is rare for any of them to expect payment. For safety concerns, it is not recommended as all the drivers cannot be trusted. Hitch-hiking in cities, highways and crowded places is safe, but refrain from hitchhiking on deserted places, less populated areas, forest roads, etc. ===By auto-rickshaw=== [[File:Havelock Autorickshaw.JPG|thumb|A typical Indian autorickshaw, [[Andaman Islands]]]] The auto-rickshaw, usually abbreviated and referred to as '''auto''' and sometimes as '''rickshaw''', is the most common means of hired transportation in India. They are very handy for short-distance travel in cities, especially since they can weave their way through small alleys to bypass larger cars stuck in travel jams, but are not very suitable for long distances. Most are green and yellow, due to the new CNG gas laws, and some may be yellow and black in colour, with one wheel in the front and two in the back, with a leather or soft plastic top. When getting an auto-rickshaw, you can either negotiate the fare or go by the meter. In almost all cases it is better to use the meter—a negotiated fare means that you are being charged a higher than normal rate. A metered fare starts around ₹13(different for different areas), and includes the first 1 to 2 kilometres of travel. '''Never''' get in an auto-rickshaw without either the meter being turned on, or the fare negotiated in advance. In nearly all cases the driver will ask an exorbitant sum (for Indian standards) from you later. A normal fare would be ₹11-12 for the first km and ₹7-8 per km after that. In most cities, auto-rickshaw drivers are provided with a rate card that elaborately describes the fares on per kilometre basis. A careful tourist must verify the meter reading against the rate card before making a payment. Auto-rickshaws carry either digital or analog meters wherein the analog meters may have been tampered with. It may be a better option to go for a negotiated fare when the auto-rickshaw has an analogue meter. Ideally, you should talk with a local to find out what the fare for any estimated route will be. Higher rates may apply at night, and for special destinations such as airports. Finally, factor in that auto drivers may have to pay bribes to join the queue for customers at premium locations such as expensive hotels. The bribe will be factored in the fare. Make sure that the driver knows where he is going. Many autorickshaw drivers will claim to know the destination without really having any clue as to where it is. If you know something about the location, quiz them on it to screen out the liars. If you do not know much about the location, make them tell you in no uncertain terms that they know where it is. This is because after they get lost and drive all over the place, they will often demand extra payment for their own mistake. You can then tell them that they lied to you, and wasted your time, so they should be happy to get the agreed-upon fee. ===Addresses=== If you need to get anywhere, call in advance and ask for detailed directions. Bear in mind that street signs in India tend to be rare or nonexistent outside the cities. Postal addresses will often carry landmark details "Opp. Prithvi theatre" or "Behind Maruti Showroom" or "near temple / church / mosque / bank branch / police station / school" to ease the search. Unlike the western system of address, the Indian system uses plot number or house number, street, road followed by landmark and the location pin code instead of street name and block number. Finding a place will usually involve some searching, but you will always find someone around the area willing to guide you. Unlike many other countries, Indians ask passers-by, nearby shopkeepers or cops for guidance on street addresses. So you may do the same, people would be happy to help. Using Google maps with GPS works well most of the time in major cities but at times may not be accurate due to incorrect spelling of road or incorrect positioning on map. ===Inner Line permit=== Inner Line Permit is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected/restricted area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into the protected state. The document is an effort by the Government to regulate movement to certain areas near the international border of India. This is a security measure and it is applicable for the following states: * [[Arunachal Pradesh]] – permits are issued by the Secretary of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The permits are required for entering the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh through any of the check gates across the inter-state border with Assam or Nagaland. Permits are obtained at Arunachal Bhavan in all major cities. Permits are given to specific districts and therefore plan the itinerary before applying for district entry permits. Checkpoints at every district border only allow locals and permit holders. * [[Manipur]] - permits are issued by the Government of Manipur to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into the state for a limited period to avoid uncontrollable influx. Foreign tourists are not provided the permits. * [[Mizoram]] – permits are issued by the Government of Mizoram. The permit is required for entering the Indian state of Mizoram through any of the check gates across the inter-state borders. * [[Nagaland]] – a permit is mandatory for a mainland Indian citizen entering the state of Nagaland through any of the check gates across the inter-state borders. * [[Sikkim]] - a permit required for the '[[Nathu La]]' Pass which was an important passage of the silk route in medieval era and now a part of the border between India and China. Foreigners are not provided the permits. Only Indian citizens are allowed beyond the point. Further permits for high altitude regions like '[[Lachung]]-[[Lachen]]' along with a high altitude lake called '[[Gurudongmar Lake]]' can be obtained from Gangtok directly. Foreigners may be allowed. Another point known as 'Zero Point' also requires permits. * [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] - non-Indians need a Restricted Area Permit to visit the islands, but these are now issued on arrival at the Port Blair airport; if you plan to arrive by sea, you'll need to arrange your permit before arrival, either in Chennai or when applying for your Indian visa. Indian nationals do not require a permit to visit the Andamans, but permits are required to visit Nicobar Islands and other tribal areas, and are rarely given. ==See== To see all the places worth visiting in India, even a 6-month visit is arguably inadequate. There are more tourist destinations in India than can be mentioned in a full-length book, let alone a summary. Almost every state in India has over ten major tourist destinations and there are cities which can barely be tasted in a full week. Many Indian states by themselves are bigger and more populous than most of the countries in the world, and there are 28 states and 8 Union Territories in India, including two island chains outside the Mainland. That said, below are some highlights. ===Historical monuments and forts=== Probably the most famous single attraction in India is the '''[[Agra|Taj Mahal]]''', which is widely recognised as the jewel of Islamic art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the [[UNESCO World Heritage List|world's heritage]]. [[File:RedFort.jpg|thumb|260px|Red Fort, Delhi]] The '''Qutb Minar''' and the impressive '''Red Fort''' are the two most prominent historical monuments in [[Delhi]]. [[Jaipur]], the capital of the [[Western India|western]] state of [[Rajasthan]], is incredibly rich in forts and palaces, including the tremendous '''Amber Fort''', beautiful '''Jal Mahal''' (Water Palace) and unique '''Hawa Mahal'''. [[Nalanda]] in [[Bihar]] has the remains of a university of Buddhism that was established in 450 CE. For a rather different and more modern kind of historical monument, the '''Gandhi Ashram''' in [[Ahmedabad]], founded by the Mahatma himself, is a repository of all things Gandhi. ===Houses of worship=== No visit to India would be complete without a trip to some of the country's fantastic temples. All regions of the country are replete with temples. The city of [[Jammu]], the winter capital of [[Jammu and Kashmir]], has so many temples that it's called the '''"City of Temples"''' and is a major draw for Hindu pilgrims. [[Bishnupur (West Bengal)|Bishnupur]] in [[West Bengal]] is home to famous '''terracotta temples'''. The '''Sri Venkateswara Temple''' in [[Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], is dedicated to Vishnu and is also a major draw for pilgrims. The '''Tantric temple complexes of [[Khajuraho]]''' in [[Madhya Pradesh]] are much beloved for their thousand-year-old sacred erotic wall carvings, considered by some art historians to be the pinnacle of erotic art. The '''Meenakshi Amman Temple''' in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], is a centre of worship of Parvati, the consort of Shiva. The city of [[Thanjavur]] in Tamil Nadu known for its grand Chola-era temples. Hinduism is not the only religion represented among the great temples of India. The world headquarters of the Sikh religion are in the '''Golden Temple''' in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. [[Leh]] and environs, in the union territory of [[Ladakh]], are one of a number of areas that have '''splendid Buddhist temples or monasteries'''. The '''Ranakpur Temple''' in the small Rajasthani town of [[Ranakpur]] is an impressive and historic Jain temple. India's second-largest religion in adherents after Hinduism is Islam, and many parts of India were ruled by Muslim dynasties for hundreds of years, so it's not surprising that India is also home to many magnificent mosques. Some of them, like the mosque in the Taj, are part of historical monuments. One impressive mosque that's very much in use to this day is the lovely 17th-century '''Jama Masjid''' in Old [[Delhi]]. [[Hyderabad]] in [[Southern India|the south]] has several historical mosques, including '''Charminar Masjid''' and '''Mecca Masjid'''. There are also notable churches in various Indian cities, and the dwindling ancient Jewish community of [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]], continues to use their famous synagogue, which is a tourist attraction nowadays. ===Geographical=== [[File:Varanasi Munshi Ghat3.jpg|thumb|Munshi Ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi]] India is a very geographically varied country. In the north of the country, one can see the '''Himalayas''', the Earth's highest mountain range. There are hilly areas in many non-Himalayan states, too. In India, '''hill stations''' — towns in the cooler areas in foothills or high valleys surrounded by mountains, which were favored by rajas, then the British and now Indian tourists in the hot summer months — are considered sights and experiences in themselves. The largest of them is Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital, [[Srinagar]], but [[Darjeeling]], in view of Mount Kangchenjunga in the [[North Bengal|northern part]] of [[West Bengal]], is very famous for its tea. Other famous hill stations include [[Shimla]], [[Ooty]] and [[Gangtok]], and there are many others — most states have some. India is also a country of numerous rivers. Several of them are traditionally considered holy, but especially the '''Ganges''', locally known as Ganga, which brings life to the [[Plains (India)|Indian Plains]], India's breadbasket, and is not just an impressive body of water but a centre of ritual ablutions, prayer and cremation. There are several holy cities along the river that have many temples, but they are often less places of pilgrimage to specific temples than holy cities whose temples have grown because of the ghats (steps leading down to the holy river) and most interesting to visit for the overall experience of observing or partaking in the way of life and death along the river. Foremost among these holy cities is [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], where some 5,000-year-old rituals are still practised; other cities worth visiting to experience the Ganges include [[Rishikesh]] and [[Haridwar]], much further upstream. India also has a long coastline. The '''beaches''' of [[Goa]], also an interesting former Portuguese colony; [[Kochi]]; and the [[Andaman Islands]] are among the most appreciated by domestic and foreign visitors. Finally, India has a vast desert, the '''[[Thar Desert]]''' in [[Rajasthan]]. Several Rajasthani cities including [[Jaisalmer]] are good bases for camel safaris. ===Wildlife=== {{seealso|Wildlife in South and Southeast Asia|Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries}} India is famous for its wildlife, including the Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions and elephants. * [[Keibul Lamjao National Park]] in [[Manipur]] is the world's only floating national park, floating on the mirror like [[Loktak lake]], where the world's only dancing deer species, Brow antlered deer ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Sangai) is found. Another one, the [[Sirohi National Park]] is the world's only habitat for the world's only terrestrial lily, the Shirui Lily (Lilium macklineae), which can't be grown in any part of the earth except in the Shirui NP in [[Manipur]], despite innumerable serious experiments of numerous scientists. * [[Bandhavgarh National Park]] in [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Ranthambhore National Park]] in [[Rajasthan]] are the most likely places for you to spot an Indian tiger in the wild, though you will still have to have some luck and persistence. * [[Gir Forest National Park]] in [[Gujarat]] is dedicated to the preservation of Asiatic lions. * [[Sundarbans National Park]], on the border with [[Bangladesh]] is the largest mangrove forest and delta in the world, home to the famous Royal Bengal tigers and estuarine crocodiles but also fascinating as an overall ecosystem. * [[Pench National Park]] in Madhya Pradesh is one of the places that may have inspired Rudyard Kipling's ''Jungle Book''. * [[Kaziranga National Park]] in Assam is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros. ==Do== ===Fairs and festivals=== [[File:Holi Bonfire Udaipur.jpg|thumb|Holi bonfire in [[Udaipur]]]] '''Goa Fair''' (carnival). February heralds the carnival at [[Goa]]. For three days and nights the streets come alive with colour. Held in mid February the week-long event is a time for lively processions, floats, the strumming of guitars, graceful dances and of non-stop festivity. One of the more famous of Indian carnivals, the Goa Festival is a complete sell out in terms of tourism capacities. '''Surajkund Mela''' (1–15 February). As spring glides in, full of warmth and vibrancy, leaving the grey winter behind, Surajkund adorns itself with colourful traditional crafts of India. Craftsmen from all over the country assemble at Surajkund during the first fortnight of February to participate in the annual celebration that is the Surajkund Crafts Mela. '''Holi'''. The Spring Festival of India, Holi is a festival of colours. Celebrated in March or April, according to the Hindu calendar, it was meant to welcome spring and win the blessings of Gods for good harvests and fertility of the land. As with all Hindu festivals, there are many interesting legends attached to Holi, the most popular being that of Prince Prahlad, who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. It is the second most important festival of India after Diwali. Holi in India is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable. '''Diwali'''. The festival of lights, Diwali, illuminates the darkness of the New Year's moon, and is said to strengthen close friendships and knowledge with a self-realisation. Diwali is celebrated on a nation-wide scale on Amavasya – the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Oct/Nov) every year. It symbolises that age-old culture of India which teaches to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. The festival of lights still today projects the rich and glorious past of India. '''Pushkar Mela'''. Every November the sleepy little township of [[Pushkar]] in Rajasthan comes alive in a riot of colours and a frenzied burst of activity during the Pushkar Fair. Few fairs in the world can match the liveliness of Pushkar. It includes the world's largest camel fair, but is much more than that. ===Sports=== *'''[[Cricket]]'''. India is a cricket-obsessed country and cricket is in the blood of most Indians. India plays an important role in world cricket and has been world champion twice in the ICC Cricket World Cup, in 1983 beating the mighty West Indies in the final, and Sri Lanka in 2011. India also emerged triumphant in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 held in South Africa beating arch-rival Pakistan in a nail-biting final. The popularity of cricket in India is second to no other game, so seeing children playing cricket in parks and alleys with rubber balls and makeshift wickets is very common. Until 2008, Indian cricket was all about the national team playing against other countries in one-day matches or epic five-day Test marathons, but the advent of the [http://www.iplt20.com/ Indian Premier League] (IPL) has, for better or worse, brought fast-paced, commercialised "Twenty20" cricket to the fore, complete with cheerleaders and massive salaries. In international matches, while Australia typically poses the strongest challenge to Indian supremacy, the most intense rivalry by far is with neighbouring Pakistan, and matches between the two sides are often a very charged affair. About half-a dozen Indian stadiums have a capacity of over 45,000 and watching a cricket match can be quite an experience. Eden Gardens cricket stadium in [[Kolkata]] is Asia's highest capacity stadium with a 66,349 seating capacity and is the oldest cricket stadium in the Indian subcontinent, established in 1865, and is comparable to the stadiums of Lords' in London and the MCG in Melbourne. The atmosphere of most matches is electrifying. ''Nearly all'' international matches have sellout crowds, and it is quite normal for fans to bribe officials and make their way in. Starting ticket prices are quite cheap; they can be as low as ₹250–300. India and Pakistan are all-time arch rivals, and cricket matches between the two nations attract up to a billion TV viewers, including many people who are otherwise not cricket fans. *'''Football''' (soccer) You can come across young boys playing with a football on any open space that is available, as with cricket. Club football is very popular, especially among youth and you will find people getting into heated arguments in public places over their favourite teams. Many people also support national teams other than India, but it usually depends on the nationality of their favourite players. Also, many large restaurants and bars offer a view of important European club matches and the World Cup matches. The most famous and electrifying rivalry is the ''Kolkata Derby'' between Mohun Bagan Athletic club (established 1889) and East Bengal Football club (Estd.-1920) held in Salt Lake stadium (the second-largest non-auto racing stadium in the world) in [[Kolkata]], the football capital of India and a tremendously football crazy city. This rivalry is widely regarded to be the oldest and most intense football rivalry in Asia. *'''[[Field hockey|Hockey]]''' (field hockey) – The national game of India, hockey retains a prominent position in the hearts of many Indians, despite the craze for cricket and football. Although the viewership has dwindled significantly (as compared to the golden era before cricket came to the fore in the mid-1980s), it hasn't vanished completely. It still has a significant fan base, especially in North India, some eastern parts like Jharkhand, Odisha and the Northeastern states. The introduction of the Premier Hockey League has helped restore its popularity. Speakers of US/Canadian English should also note that 'hockey' refers to field hockey, not ice hockey. *''' Formula One''' – Not very popular in India, though there has been one Formula One race held at Noida. People now know the names of drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, while ten years earlier only a few knew this sport. *'''Polo'''. Polo is a gift from [[Manipur]], India to the world. The game was taken from India by the Europeans during the 19th century and spread across the globe. ''"Polo can be traced to origins in [[Manipur]] state c. 3100 BC, when it was played as Sagol Kangjei."'' - Guinness World Records, 1991, page no. 706. The Imphal Polo Ground ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Mapal Kangjeibung) is the world's oldest polo ground and is in the heart of [[Imphal]], the capital city of [[Manipur]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Indian rupees | currencyCode=₹ | date= March 2022 | USD=75 | EUR=84 | GBP=100 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/inr-indian-rupee XE.com] }} {{infobox|The money that isn't|In 2016, the old yellow ₹500 and red ₹1000 banknotes were demonetised (made invalid) at very short notice in a ham-fisted attempt to fight corruption. If you have any lying around, they are no longer legal tender and they're impossible to exchange, so '''don't accept these''' if somebody tries to palm any off to you: [[File:India 500 INR, MG series, 2014, obverse.jpg|x117px]] [[File:India 1000 INR, MG series, 2006, obverse.jpg|x117px]] The new ₹500 note is grey, and there is no ₹1000 note at all. The new ₹2000 note is magenta in colour. }} The currency in India is the Indian '''rupee''' (sign: ₹; code: '''INR''') (रुपया &mdash; ''rupaya'' in Hindi and similarly named in most Indian languages, but ''taka'' in Maithili, ''Taakaa'' in Bengali and ''Toka'' in Assamese). The rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular: paisa). "5 rupees 75 paise" would normally be written as "₹5.75". The new rupee symbol ₹ was introduced in July 2010 to bring the rupee's symbol in line with other major currencies. Previously, "Rs" was used (or "Re" for the singular rupee). It is very likely you will continue to see the previous nomenclature in your Indian travels, especially with smaller businesses and street vendors. Indian banknotes or bills come in denominations of ₹5 (green) ^{'''[printing discontinued]'''}, ₹10 (orange and violet/chocolate brown), ₹20 (reddish-orange/greenish yellow), ₹50 (violet/fluorescent blue), ₹100 (greenish blue/lavender), ₹200 (bright yellow), ₹500 (stone grey) and ₹2,000 (magenta). There are two versions of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50 and ₹100 banknotes due to the introduction of a new series of the currency by the government in 2016 following the demonetisation. It is always good to have a number of small bills on hand, as merchants and drivers sometimes have no change. A useful technique is to keep small bills (₹10-50) in your wallet or in a pocket, and to keep larger bills separate. Then, it will not be obvious how much money you have. Many merchants will claim that they don't have change for a ₹100 or ₹500 note. This is often a lie so that they are not stuck with a large bill. It is best not to buy unless you have exact change. The coins in circulation are ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 and ₹20. Coins are useful for buying tea (₹5), for bus fares (₹2 to ₹10), and for giving exact change for an auto-rickshaw. Indians commonly use '''lakh''' and '''crore''' for 100,000 and 10,000,000 respectively. Though these terms come from Sanskrit, they have been adopted so deeply into Indian English that most people are not aware that they are non-existent in other English dialects. You may also find non-standard, although standard in India, placement of commas while writing numerals. One crore rupees would be written as ₹1,00,00,000, so first time you place a comma after three numerals, then after every two numerals. This format may puzzle you till you start thinking in terms of lakhs and crores, after which it will seem natural. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Number !! English Format !! Indian Format (In English) !! Indian Format (In Hindi) |- | 100 || Hundred || Hundred || Sau |- | 1000 || Thousand || Thousand || Hazaar |- | 1,00,000 || Hundred Thousand || One Lakh || Ek Lakh |- | 10,00,000 || Million || Ten Lakhs || Das Lakh |- | 1,00,00,000 || Ten Million || One Crore || Ek Crore |} ==== Converting from rupees to dollars, euros and pounds==== Your usual currency equalling between 58 and 80 rupees, do this to convert a price in rupees: Divide by 100 and add the half of it. Example: <br> • ₹800 / 100 = 8; 8 + 4 ≈ 12 of your usual currency When your usual currency equals between 80 and 110 rupees, do this to convert a price in rupees: Divide by 100. Example:<br> • ₹900 / 100 ≈ 9 of your usual currency And your usual currency being between 110 and 133 rupees, do this to convert a price in rupees: Divide by 1000 and multiply by 8. Example: <br> • ₹1000 / 1000 = 1; 1 * 8 ≈ 8 of your usual currency This works well for everyday expenses. For rather high amounts of money, it's better to convert with the exact exchange rate, e.g. with an app. ===Changing money=== [[File:SardarMarket Fabrics.JPG|thumb|240px|Rajasthani fabric for sale, [[Jodhpur]]]] The Indian rupee is not fully convertible; foreigners are '''not allowed''' to bring Indian rupees into or out of India, while Indian citizens are restricted to carrying '''up to ₹25,000''' when exiting or entering India. Rates for exchanging rupees overseas are often poor, although places with significant Indian populations (e.g. Dubai, Singapore) can give decent rates. You can change foreign currencies into rupees at any one of the numerous foreign exchange conversion units including banks. Most ATMs will pay out ₹10,000 in each transaction. State Bank of India (SBI) is the biggest bank in India and has the most ATMs. ICICI bank has the second largest network of ATMs and accepts most of the international cards at a nominal charge. International banks like Citibank, HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, ABN Amro and Standard Chartered have a significant presence in major Indian cities. It is always worthwhile to have bank cards or credit cards from at least two different providers to ensure that you have a backup available in case one card is suspended by your bank or simply does not work work at a particular ATM. In many cities and towns, credit cards are accepted at retail chain stores and other restaurants and stores. Small businesses and family-run stores almost never accept credit cards, so it is useful to keep a moderate amount of cash on hand. Electronic payments including Google Pay, PayPe and Paytm are increasingly popular across India, but you will need both an Indian phone number and an Indian bank account to sign up. ===Maximum Retail Price - MRP=== When buying factory packaged food or drinks (e.g. lemonade, cola, etc.) always have a look for a stamp on the packaging. It will tell you the MRP (short for maximum retail price) and you can't be forced to pay more than that. ===Costs=== Costs in India can vary widely from region to region, and even in the same city, depending on the quality of service or product, brand, etc. But usually, India is '''not very expensive''' for the foreign traveller. ====Mid-range to high-range travellers==== ₹ 5000, at least, needed for a decent room in a good hotel offering cable TV, air conditioning and a direct telephone; however, this price doesn't include a refrigerator. Food will cost at least ₹150 for a decent meal (at a stall, not a hotel), but the sky is the limit. While bus transportation will cost approximately ₹5 for a short distance of about 1&nbsp;km, a taxi or rickshaw may cost ₹20-₹30 for the same distance without air conditioning. There are radio taxis that are available at ₹ 20 to 25 per km in key Indian cities which have GPS navigation, air conditioned and accept debit/credit cards for payments. They are a very safe mode of travel. So the total for one day would be about as below: *Hotel: US$60 for a good place per day *Food: US$10 for a good meal per day *Travel: US$10 taxi and bus together Total: US$80 for a couple, US$70 for a person alone ====Budget travellers==== Budget travel around India is surprisingly easy, with the savvy backpacker able to get by (relatively comfortably) on as little as US$25–35 per day. It is generally cheaper than South East Asia with a night in a hotel costing as little as ₹200-1,000 (though there will be probably no air conditioning or room service for this price). Beach huts in the cheaper places of Goa can cost around ₹800 per night. A meal can be bought from a street trader for as little as ₹30, though, in a restaurant expect, to pay around ₹200-300 for a beer or two. Overnight buses and trains can cost anywhere from ₹600-1,000 dependent on distance and locations, though an uncomfortable government bus (benches only) may be cheaper. ===Tipping=== In India there has traditionally been little or no tipping, and today tipping is unusual outside of fancier restaurants where up to 10% is appropriate. The fancier restaurants may also levy a service charge of up to 15% apart from government taxes. Some restaurants have also have started placing jars at the cashier for people to drop in some change if they feel so, but this is a rather rare phenomenon. Most clubs in India have a complete ban on its members from tipping. Usually no service industry except the food services industry expects a tip. In India, it is unlawful for taxi or rickshaw drivers to charge anything above the meter. ===Shopping=== [[File:Delhi main bazaar.jpg|thumb|At the main bazaar in Delhi]] In India, you are '''''expected'' to negotiate the price''' with street hawkers but not in department stores and the like. If not, you risk overpaying many times, which can be okay if you think that it is cheaper than at home. In most of the big cities and even smaller towns retail chain stores are popping up where the shopping experience is essentially identical to similar stores in the West. There are also some government-run stores like the '''Cottage Emporium''' in New Delhi, where you can sample wares from all across the country in air-conditioned comfort. Although you will pay a little more at these stores, you can be sure that what you are getting is not a cheap knockoff. The harder you [[bargaining|bargain]], the more you save money. A few tries later, you will realise that it is fun. Often, the more time you spend in a shop, the better deals you will get. It is worth spending time getting to know the owner, asking questions, and getting him to show you other products (if you are interested). Once the owner feels that they will make a sufficient profit from you, they will often give you additional goods at a rate close to cost, rather than the common "foreigner rate". You will get better prices and service by buying many items in one store than by bargaining in multiple stores individually. If you see local people buying in a store, you should be able to find out the real Indian prices. Ask someone around you quietly, "How much would you pay for this?" Also, very often you will meet a "friend" in the street inviting you to visit their family's shop. That almost always means that you pay twice as much as when you had been in the shop without your newly found friend. ''Baksheesh'' was originally a Persian word for charity, but it has spread to many languages including most of those in India. Depending on context, its English translation might be any of donation, gift, tip, bribe, alms or commission. Having Indians you deal with want baksheesh is a fairly common phenomenon. While this is sometimes a problem, doing it can ease certain problems and clear some hurdles. Baksheesh is also the term used by beggars when they want money from you and may refer to tips given those who provide you a service. Packaged goods show the '''Maximum Retail Price (MRP)''' on the package. This includes taxes. Retailers are not supposed to charge more than this. Though this rule is adhered to at most places, at tourist destinations or remote places, you may be charged more. This is especially true for cold drinks like Coke or Pepsi, where a bottle (300 ml) costs around ₹33-35 when the actual price is ₹30. Also, keep in mind that a surprising number of things do not come in packaged form. Do check for the authenticity of the MRP, as shopkeepers may put up their own sticker to charge more from you. ===What to look for/buy=== *'''Wood Carvings''': India produces a striking variety of carved wood products that can be bought at very low prices. Examples include decorative wooden plates, bowls, artwork, furniture and miscellaneous items that will surprise you. Check the regulations of your home country before attempting to import wooden items. *'''Clothing''': It depends on the state/region you are visiting. Most of the states have their speciality to offer. For example go for silk sarees if you are visiting Benaras; Block prints if you are in Jaipur *'''Paintings''': Paintings come on a wide variety of media, such as cotton, silk, or with frame included. Gemstone paintings incorporate semi-precious stone dust, so they have a glittering appearance to them. *'''Marble and stone carvings''': Common carved items include elephants, Hindu gods/goddesses. Compare several of the same kind. If they look too similar bargain hard as they are probably machine made. *'''Jewellery''': Beautiful necklaces, bracelets and other jewellery are very inexpensive in India. *'''Pillow covers, bedsets''': Striking and rich designs are common for pillows and bed covers. *'''Carpets''': India has a long [[Carpets#Indian_subcontinent|history]] of carpet production and makes many today for both domestic and export markets. Designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Zara, A & F, all are available in upmarket stores. ==Eat== {{seealso|South Asian cuisine}} Indian cuisine takes its place among the great cuisines of the world. There is a good chance that you'd have tasted "Indian food" in your country, especially if you are a traveller from the West, but what India has exported abroad is just one part of its extraordinary range of culinary diversity. [[File:Namaste Delhi Indian Cuisine.jpg|thumb|Indian Cuisine in [[New Delhi]]]] Indian food can be spicy: Potent fresh green chillies or red chilli powder will bring tears to the eyes of the uninitiated, and can be found in unexpected places like sweet cornflakes (a snack, not breakfast) or even candies. The degree of spiciness varies widely throughout the country: [[Andhra Pradesh|Andhra]] food is famously fiery, while [[Gujarat]]i cuisine is quite mild in taste with the exception of Surti food (from [[Surat]]). To enjoy the local food, start slowly. Don't try everything at once. After a few weeks, you can get accustomed to spicy food. If you would like to order your dish not spicy, simply say so. Most visitors are tempted to try at least some of the spicy concoctions, and most discover that the sting is worth the trouble. Remember, too, that while "spicy" is a convenient short-hand for "chilli-laden," the spiciness of food in India doesn't always mean lots of chilli: Indian cuisines often use a multitude of different spices and other aromatic ingredients in highly creative and flavourful ways. ===Cuisine=== Cuisine in India varies greatly from region to region. The "Indian food" served by many so-called Indian restaurants in the Western hemisphere is inspired by [[Plains (India)|North India]]n cooking, specifically '''Mughlai''' cuisine, a style developed by the royal kitchens of the historical Mughal Empire, and the regional cuisine of the [[Punjab]], although it has been Britainised and the degree of authenticity in relation to actual Mughlai or Punjabi cooking is variable at best and dubious at worst. [[File:Chuni Roti.jpg|thumb|Chuni roti]] '''North India''' is a wheat-growing area, so you have '''Indian breads''' (known as ''roti''), including ''chapatti'' (unleavened bread), ''paratha'' (pan-fried layered roti), ''naan'' (cooked in a clay ''tandoor'' oven), ''puri'' (deep-fried and puffed up bread) and many more. A typical meal consists of one or more gravy dishes along with rotis, to be eaten by breaking off a piece of roti, dipping it in the gravy and eating them together. Most of the Hindi heartland of India survives on roti, rice, and '''lentils''' (''dal''), which are prepared in several different ways and made spicy to taste. Served on the side, you will usually find spiced yogurt (''raita'') and either fresh chutney or a tiny piece of exceedingly pungent pickle (''achar''), very much an acquired taste for most visitors &mdash; try mixing it with curry, not eating it plain. A variety of regional cuisines can be found throughout the North. ''Tandoori'' chicken, prepared in a clay oven called a ''tandoor'', is probably the best-known North Indian dish, innovated by a Punjabi immigrant from present-day Pakistan during the Partition. For a taste of traditional Punjabi folk cooking, try ''dal makhani'' (stewed black lentils and kidney beans in a buttery gravy), or ''sarson da saag'', a yummy gravy dish made with stewed mustard greens, served with ''makke di roti'' (flatbread made from maize). There are also the hearty textures and robust flavours of [[Rajasthan]]i food, the meat-heavy [[Kashmir]]i dishes from the valley of Kashmir, or the mild yet ingratiating [[Himalayan North|Himalayan]] (''pahari'') cuisine found in the higher reaches. North India also has of a variety of snacks like ''samosa'' (vegetables encased in thin pastry of a triangular shape) and ''kachori'' (either vegetable or pulses encased in thin pastry). There is also a vast constellation of sweet desserts like ''jalebi'' (deep-fried pretzel with sugar syrup- shaped like a spiral), ''rasmalai'' (balls of curds soaked in condensed milk) and ''halwa''. Dry fruits and nuts like almonds, cashews and pistachios are used a lot, often in the desserts, but sometimes also in the main meal. Authentic Mughal-style cooking, the royal cuisine of the Mughal Empire, can still be found and savoured in some parts of India, most notably the old Mughal cities of Delhi, [[Agra]] and [[Lucknow]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], and [[Hyderabad]] in [[Telangana]]. It is a refined blend of [[Iran|Persian]], [[Central Asia|Turkic]] and [[Indian subcontinent|Subcontinent]] cooking, and makes heavy use of meat and spices. The names of some Mughal dishes bear the prefix of ''shahi'' as a sign of its prestige and royal status from a bygone era. Famous Mughal specialties include ''biryani'' (layered meat and rice casserole), ''pulao'' (rice cooked in a meat or vegetable broth), ''kebab'' (grilled meat), ''kofta'' (balls of mincemeat), ''rumali roti'' (flatbread whirled into paper-thin consistency) and ''shahi tukray'' (saffron and cardamom-scented bread pudding). [[File:Meal BananaLeaf.JPG|thumb|240px|A typically south Indian banana leaf meal]] {{seealso|Southern India#Eat}} In '''[[Southern India|South India]]''', the food is mostly '''rice-based'''. A typical meal includes ''sambhar'' (a thick vegetable and lentil chowder) with rice, ''rasam'' (a thin, peppery soup), or ''avial'' (mixed vegetables) with rice, traditionally served on a banana leaf as a plate. Seasoning in South India differs from northern regions by its ubiquitous use of mustard seeds, curry leaves, pulses, fenugreek seeds, and a variety of souring agents such as tamarind and kokum. There are regional variations too &mdash; the coastal regions make greater use of coconut and fish. In the State of [[Kerala]], it is common to use grated coconut in everything and coconut oil for cooking, while someone from the interior could be surprised to learn that coconut oil can be used for cooking. The South also has some great breakfast dishes like ''idli'' (a steamed cake of lentils and rice), ''dosa'', a thin, crispy pancake often stuffed with spiced potatoes to make ''masala dosa'', ''vada'', a savoury Indian donut, and ''uttapam'', a fried pancake made from a rice and lentil batter with onions and other vegetables mixed in. All of these can be eaten with ''dahi'', plain yogurt, and '''chutney''', a condiment that can be made from practically anything. Try the ever popular masala dosa, which originated from Udupi in [[Karnataka]], in one of the old restaurants of [[Bangalore]] like CTR and Janatha in Malleswaram or Vidyarthi Bhavan in Basavangudi or at MTR near Lalbagh. South Indian cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, though there are exceptions: Seafood is very popular in [[Kerala]] and the [[Mangalore]]an coast of Karnataka; and [[Tamil Nadu|Chettinad]] and Hyderabad cuisines use meat heavily, and are a lot spicier. Coffee tends to be the preferred drink to tea in South India. To the '''[[West (India)|West]]''', you will find some great cuisine groups. '''[[Gujarat]]i''' cuisine is somewhat similar to Rajastani cooking with the heavy use of dairy products, but differs in that it is predominantly vegetarian, and often sweetened with jaggery or sugar. Gujaratis make some of the best snack items such as the '''Dhokla''' and the '''Muthia'''. [[Mumbai]] is famous for its chaat, as well as the food of the small but visible Irani and Parsi communities concentrated in and around the city. The adjacent states of [[Maharashtra]] and Goa are renowned for their seafood, often simply grilled, fried or poached in coconut milk. A notable feature of Goan cooking is that pork and vinegar is used, a rare sight in the rest of India. Vindaloo originated in Goa, and is traditionally cooked with pork, and in spite of its apparent popularity in Indian restaurants abroad, it is not common in India itself. [[File:A scene from traditional Odia kitchen.jpg|thumb|"A scene from traditional Odia kitchen"]] To the '''[[East (India)|East]]''', '''[[West Bengal|Bengali]]''' and [[Odisha]]n food makes heavy use of rice, and fish due to the vast river channels and ocean coastline in the region. Bengali cooking is known for its complexity of flavor and bittersweet balance. Mustard oil, derived from mustard seeds, is often used in cooking and adds a pungent, slightly sweet flavour and intense heat. Bengalis prefer freshwater fish, in particular the iconic ilish or hilsa: it can be smoked, fried, steamed, baked in young plantain leaves, cooked with curd, aubergine and cumin seeds. It is said that ilish can be prepared in more than 50 ways. Typical Bengali dishes include ''maccher jhal'', a brothy fish stew which literally means "fish in sauce", and ''shorshe ilish'' (cooked in a gravy made from mustard seed paste). Eastern India is also famous for its desserts and sweets: Rasgulla is a famous variant of the better-known gulab jamun, a spherical morsel made from cow's milk and soaked in a clear sugar syrup. It's excellent if consumed fresh or within a day after it is made. ''Sondesh'' is another excellent milk-based sweet, best described as the dry equivalent of ras malai. A lot of food has also filtered in from other countries. '''Indian Chinese''' (or ''Chindian'') is far and away the most common adaptation: most Chinese would barely recognise the stuff, but dishes like ''veg manchurian'' (deep-fried vegetable balls in a chilli-soy-ginger sauce) and ''chilli chicken'' are very much a part of the Indian cultural landscape and worth a try. The British left fish and chips and some fusion dishes like mulligatawny soup, while [[Tibet]]an and [[Nepal]]i food, especially ''momo'' dumplings, are not uncommon in north India. Pizza has entered India in a big way, and the chains such as Pizza Hut and Domino's have Indianised the pizza and introduced adaptations like paneer-tikka pizza. There is an Indian chain called Smokin Joe's, based in Mumbai, which has mixed Thai curry with pizzas. It is, of course, impossible to do full justice to the range and diversity of Indian food in this brief section. Not only does every region of India have a distinctive cuisine, but you will also find that even within a region, castes and ethnic communities have different styles of cooking and often have their signature recipes which you will probably not find in restaurants. The adventurous traveller is advised to wangle invitations to homes, try various bylanes of the city and look for food in unlikely places like temples and Gurudhwaras in search of culinary nirvana. ===Fruits=== While a wide variety of fruits are native to India, including the ''chikoo'' and the ''jackfruit'', nothing is closer to an Indian's heart than a juicy ripe mango. Hundreds of varieties are found across most of its regions &mdash; in fact, India is the largest producer, growing more than half the world's output. Mangoes are in season at the hottest part of the year, usually between May and July, and range from small (as big as a fist) to some as big as a small cantaloupe. They can be consumed in their ripe, unripe and also a baby form (the last 2 predominantly in pickles). The best mango (the "King of Mangoes", as Indians call it) is the "Alphonso" or Haapoos (in Marathi), in season in April and May along the western coast of Maharashtra. Buy it from a good fruit shop in Mumbai or Mahatma Phule market (formerly Crawford market) in South Mumbai. Dushheri Mangoes are also popular in North India. Other fruits widely available (depending on the season) are bananas, oranges, guavas, lychees, apples, pineapples, pomegranates, apricots, melons, coconuts, grapes, plums, peaches and berries. ===Vegetarian=== {{infobox|Know your vegetarians|[[File:Vegmark.PNG|noframe|150px|right]] Most Indians who practise vegetarianism do so for religious or cultural reasons &mdash; though cultural taboos have their roots in ethical concerns. Indians' dietary restrictions come in all shapes and sizes and the two symbols (see right) do not capture the full range. The green dot means pure vegetarian. red dot means non-vegetarian, including only eggs (as in a fruit-egg cake). Here is a quick guide: * '''Veganism''' is practically unknown in many parts of India, because milk and honey are enthusiastically consumed by virtually everyone. But some restaurants in major cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore increasingly cater for vegans. Foods like tofu, soy chunks (branded Nutrela) and soy milk are readily available in major cities, as well as some minor ones. **Eggs are considered non-vegetarian by many, though you are very likely to find people who are otherwise vegetarian eating eggs. These people are often referred to as '''eggetarians'''. That said, there are a number of foods that are vegan by default in India, including standard restaurant dishes such as aloo gobi, channa masala, various types of dal, dosas, and the vast majority of Indo-Chinese dishes. **Dishes made with dairy products are usually denoted as such (referencing their use of butter or ghee, in particular). Most restaurants will accommodate dietary restrictions and it is advisable to ask if a dish contains milk, butter, cream, yogurt or ghee. Virtually all Indian desserts, however, are non-vegan, with the exception of jalebi, an orange-coloured fried dough commonly found in western and northern India. * The strictest vegetarians are some '''Jains and some Brahmin sects''' - they not only abjure all kinds of meat and eggs, they also refuse to eat onions, potatoes or anything grown under the soil. * Even meat-eating Hindus often follow special diets during religious days or during '''fasts'''. Hindu fasts do not involve giving up all food, just eating a restricted diet &mdash; some take only fruits. * A very small group of Indians are, or used to be '''pescatarians''' &mdash; i.e. they count fish as vegetarian. Among these are Bengali and Konkani Brahmins. Such people are increasingly rare as most have taken to meat-eating.}} Visiting vegetarians will discover a culinary treasure that is found nowhere else in the world. Owing to a large number of strictly vegetarian Hindu Brahmins and Jains, Indian cuisine has evolved an astonishingly rich menu that uses no meat or eggs. The Jains in particular practise a strict form of vegetarianism based on the principles of non-violence and peaceful co-operative co-existence: Jains usually do not consume root vegetables such as potatoes, garlic, onions, carrots, radishes, cassava, sweet potatoes and turnips, as the plant needs to be killed prior to its end of normal life cycle, in the process of accessing these . At least half the menus of most restaurants are devoted to vegetarian dishes, and by law all packaged food products in India are tagged with a green dot (vegetarian) or red dot (non-veg). Veganism however is not a well-understood concept in India, and vegans may face a tougher time: milk products like cheese (''paneer''), yogurt (''dahi'') and clarified butter (''ghee'') are used extensively (in particular, ghee can be hard to spot as it can be mixed into curries before they are served), and honey is also commonly used as a sweetener. Milk in India is generally ''not'' pasteurised, and must be boiled before consumption. Even non-vegetarians will soon note that due to the Hindu taboo, '''beef''' is generally not served (except in the Muslim, Christian and Parsi communities, [[Goa]], [[Kerala]] and the [[Northeast India|North-Eastern states]]), and '''pork''' is also uncommon due to the Muslim population. Chicken and mutton are thus by far the most common meats used, although "buff" (water buffalo) is occasionally served in backpacker establishments. Seafood is of course ubiquitous in the coastal regions of India, and a few regional cuisines do use duck, venison and other game meats in traditional dishes. ===Etiquette=== In India eating with your hand (instead of cutlery like forks and spoons) is very common. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe, particularly in non-urban India: '''Use only your right hand'''. The left hand is reserved for unhygienic uses. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the spatula with your left hand to serve yourself and then dig in. For all types of breads, the basic technique is to hold down the item with your forefinger and use your middle-finger and thumb to tear off pieces. The pieces can then be dipped in sauce, curry or used to pick up bits before you stuff them in your mouth. Rice is more challenging, but the basic idea is to use four fingers to mix the rice in curry and pack a little ball, before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. Most of the restaurants do provide cutlery and its pretty safe to use them instead of your hand. Eating by hand is frowned on in some "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. ===Restaurants=== {{infobox|Menus in English... well, almost|Menus in Indian restaurants are usually written in English &mdash; but using Hindi names. Here's a quick decoder key that goes a long way for understanding common dishes like ''aloo gobi'' and ''muttar paneer''. <!-- please don't repeat words already covered above. --> * ''aloo'' or ''aalu'' &mdash; potato * ''baigan'' or ''baingan'' &mdash; eggplant/aubergine * ''bhindi'' &mdash; okra * ''chana'' &mdash; chickpeas * ''dal'' &mdash; lentils * ''gobi'' &mdash; cauliflower (or other cabbage) * ''machli'' &mdash; fish * ''makkhan'' &mdash; butter * ''matar'' &mdash; green peas * ''mirch'' &mdash; chilli pepper * ''murgh'' or ''murg'' &mdash; chicken * ''palak'' or ''saag'' &mdash; spinach (or other greens) * ''paneer'' &mdash; Indian cottage cheese * ''subzi'' &mdash; vegetable}} Indian restaurants run the gamut from roadside shacks (''dhabas'') to classy five-star places where the experience is comparable to places anywhere in the world. Away from the big cities and tourist haunts, mid-level restaurants are scarce, and food choices will be limited to the local cuisine, Punjabi/Mughlai, "Chinese"/"Indo-Chinese" and occasionally South Indian. The credit for popularising Punjabi cuisine all over the country goes to the ''dhabas'' that line India's highways. Their patrons are usually the truckers, who happen to be overwhelmingly Punjabi. The authentic dhaba serves up simple yet tasty seasonal dishes like roti and dal with onions. Hygiene can be an issue in many dhabas, so if one's not up to your standards try another. In rural areas, dhabas are usually the only option. In South India, a "hotel" is local restaurant serving south Indian food, usually a ''thali'' or ''plate meal''—a full plate of food that usually includes a kind of bread and/or rice and an assortment of meat or vegetarian dishes—and prepared meals. Although you may be handed an extensive menu, most dishes are served only during specific hours, if at all. ==Drink== One of the sweetest and safest beverages you can get is young coconut water (''nariyal paani''). You can almost always find it in any beach or other tourist destinations in the south. In summer (Mar-Jul), you can get fresh sugarcane juice in many places and even a lot of fresh fruit juice varieties. India is famous for its Alphonso variety of mangoes, generally regarded as the King of Mangoes among connoisseurs. ''Frooti'', in its famous tetra-pack, is the most popular processed drink, followed by ''Maaza'' (bottled by Coca-Cola) or ''Slice'' (bottled by PepsiCo), both of which contain about 15% Alphonso mango pulp. Both cost about ₹30-50 for a 600 ml bottle. As for bottled water, make sure that the cap's seal has not been broken; otherwise, it is a tell-tale sign of tampering or that unscrupulous vendors reuse old bottles and fill them with tap water, which is generally unsafe for foreign tourists to drink without prior boiling. Bottled water brands like ''Aquafina'' (by PepsiCo) and ''Kinley'' (by Coca-Cola) are widely available. Local brands like ''Bisleri'', being the most popular one is perfectly safe. Tastes may vary due to the individual brands' mineral contents. In semi-urban or rural areas, it may be appropriate to ask for boiled water as well. ===Tea=== [[File:Indian chai tea - Haridwar - India.jpg|thumb|Making chai]] One can get tea (''chai'' in most North Indian languages) of one variety or the other everywhere in India. The most common method of preparing chai is by brewing tea leaves, milk, and sugar altogether in a pot and keeping it hot until it's all sold. It is sweet and uniquely refreshing once you get the taste for it. '''Masala chai''' will have, added to the above mix, spices such as cardamom, ginger or cinnamon etc. For some people, that takes some getting used to.<br /> While Masala chai is popular in Northern and Central India, people in Eastern India ([[West Bengal]] and [[Assam]]) generally consume tea without spices, the English way. This is also the part of India where most tea is grown. ===Coffee=== In South India, '''filter coffee''' replaces tea as the standard beverage. Indian filter coffee is a coffee drink made by mixing frothed and boiled milk with the decoction obtained by brewing finely ground coffee powder in a traditional Indian filter. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Labels of Indian beer Kingfisher.jpg|thumb|Kingfisher beer]] Drinking alcohol can either be frowned upon or openly accepted, depending on the region and religion of the area within which you are drinking. For example, Goa, Punjab and [[Pondicherry]] tend to be more free-wheeling (and have low taxes on alcohol), while a few southern areas like Chennai are less tolerant of alcohol, and may even charge excessive taxes on it. Some states such as Gujarat and Bihar are legally "dry" states and alcohol cannot be bought openly there, although there is a substantial bootlegging industry. Bootleg alcohol is unregulated and could kill you or make you sick, and you could also be in legal trouble if you are caught while drunk in a dry state. Favourite Indian tipples include beer, notably the ubiquitous '''Kingfisher''' (a decent lager), and rum, particularly '''Old Monk'''. Prices vary by state, especially for hard liquor, but you can expect to pay ₹50-100 for a large bottle of beer and anywhere between ₹170-250 for a 750 mL bottle of Old Monk. Mumbai tends to be the most expensive, due to local taxes, which can be three-times as much as Meghalaya. [[File:Wine barrels at Sula Vineyards.jpg|thumb|Wine barrels at Sula Vineyards]] Indian wines, long a bit of a joke, have improved remarkably and there's a booming wine industry in the hills of [[Maharashtra]]. The good stuff is not particularly cheap (expect to pay around ₹500 a bottle) and selections are mostly limited to white wines, but look out for labels by '''Chateau Indage''' or [https://sulavineyards.com/ '''Sula''']. Illegal moonshine, called ''tharra'' when made from sugar cane and ''toddy'' when made from coconuts, is widely available in some states. It's cheap and strong, but '''very dangerous''' as it may contain poisonous methanol. Quality control is nonexistent, and best avoided entirely. In the former Portuguese colony of Goa you can obtain an extremely pungent liquor called ''fenny'' or ''feni'', typically made from cashew fruits or coconuts. As of April 2017 it is illegal to sell alcohol within 500 m of a highway. This is controversial as it has hit restaurants, bars and hotels hard so check latest rulings before booking your hotel for any changers. ===Cannabis=== [[File:Bhang shop in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India on June 6, 2006.jpg|thumb|240px|Government-authorised ''bhang'' shop, [[Jaisalmer]]]] [[Cannabis]] in its many forms, especially ''ganja'' (weed) and ''charas'' (hash), is widely available throughout India, but are all '''illegal''' in the vast majority of the country. The law states that simple possession may mean fines or years in prison, depending on the quantity possessed. However, in some states (notably Uttar Pradesh, [[Bihar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]] and [[Orissa]]) the one legal and socially accepted way to consume cannabis is as '''''bhang''''', a low-grade preparation sold at government-licensed shops that is not only smoked, but also made into cookies, chocolate and the infamous ''bhang lassi'', an herb-laced version of the normally innocuous yogurt drink. ''Bhang lassi'' is usually available at varying strengths, so use caution if opting for the stronger versions. It's also occasionally sold as "special lassi", but is usually easily spotted by the ₹30-50 price tag (several times higher than the non-special kinds). An important point to bear in mind is that the effects of "Bhang" are slow and heighten when consumed with something sweet. Also, first-time users may want to wait a while before consuming too much in an effort to judge their tolerance. ==Sleep== Make sure to bring the passport wherever you go, as most hotels will not rent out rooms without a valid passport. Two important factors to keep in mind when choosing a place to stay are safety and cleanliness. [[Malaria]] is present in most areas of India. One way to combat malaria is to choose lodgings with air conditioning and sealed windows. An insect-repellent spray containing DEET will also help, or consider [[Permethrin-treated fabrics]]. Overcharging of foreigners is widespread and you will have to [[bargain]] hard. Many hotels listed on western booking websites (booking.com etc.) are also set at the "tourist price"; try local booking sites like Goibibo, redBus or OYO rooms, as these have much better coverage of local hotels and in rural areas. Choices vary widely depending on budget and location. Good budget hotels in India are easy to find. Cheap travellers' hotels are numerous in big cities where rooms are available for less than ₹450. Rooms at guest-houses with a double bed (and often a bathroom) can be found in many touristic venues for ₹150-200. [[Hostels|accommodation in clean dormitories]] for as little as ₹50 is also available. Bed and breakfast service providers are coming up offering standard services that can be expected from B&Bs outside India. The basics include: air-conditioner or air cooler, free food, and free wi-fi internet. Most Indian train stations have rooms or dormitories, just ask the railway officials or book it online on the [https://www.rr.irctctourism.com/#/home railway's dormitory website]. They are cheap, relatively well maintained (the beds, sheets, not the showers), in demand and secure. There are also the added bonus of not being accosted by the rickshaw mafia, getting the bags off quickly and, for the adventurous, high likelihood to jump on a cheap public bus back to the train station. Keep in mind you must have an arrival or departure train ticket from the station where you intend to sleep and there could be a limit on how many nights you may stay. Midrange options are plentiful in the larger cities and expanding fast into second-tier cities as well. Dependable local chains include [https://www.treebo.com/ Treebo], [https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/brand/country-inn Country Inns], [http://www.gingerhotels.com Ginger] and [http://www.neemranahotels.com Neemrana], and prices vary from ₹1,000-4,000 per night. Local, unbranded hotels can be found in any city, but quality varies widely. [[File:Taj hotel mumbai india.jpg|thumb|Hotel Taj Mahal, one of the most famous landmarks of [[Mumbai]]]] If the wallet allows it, you can try staying like royalty in a maharaja's palace in places like [[Udaipur]] or modern five-star hotels which are now found pretty much all over the country. The top-end of Indian luxury rests with hotel chains like [http://www.oberoihotels.com/ Oberoi], [http://www.tajhotels.com/ Taj], [https://www.theleela.com/en_us/ The Leela] and [http://www.itcwelcomgroup.in/ ITC Welcomgroup], who operate hotels in all the major cities and throughout [[Rajasthan]]. The usual international chains also run major 5-star hotels in most Indian metropolises, but due to India's economic boom availability is tight and prices can be crazy: it's not uncommon to be quoted over US$300/night for what would in other countries be a distinctly ordinary business hotel going for a third of the price. Also beware that some jurisdictions including [[Delhi]] and Bangalore charge stiff luxury taxes on the ''rack rate'' of the room, which can lead to nasty surprises at check-out time. One way of meeting interesting Indian travellers is by staying at an Dak bungalow. Also, called travellers' bungalows or inspection bungalows, they were built by the British to accommodate travelling officials and are now used by the Central and state governments for the same purpose. They exist in many towns and some rural locations. Most will take tourists at a moderate fee if they have room. They are clean, comfortable and usually in good locations, but plain with ceiling fans rather than air conditioning, shower but no bath. Typically the staff includes a pensioned-off soldier as night watchman and perhaps another as gardener; often the gardens are lovely. Sometimes there may be a cook; his or her services will be free but you should buy ingredients. Reliable electricity supply is present mainly in upmarket hotels. Brownouts are frequent, and many buildings have unsafe wiring. If you like having a beer at the bar or expect alcohol in the room fridge then make sure the hotel is more than {{meter|500}} from a highway. ==Learn== There are many things to learn that interest foreigners all over India, but there are a few destinations that have become particularly well known for certain things: *'''Yoga''' is popular in [[Haridwar]], [[Rishikesh]] and [[Mysore]]. *'''Ayurveda''' is popular in [[Kerala]]. The region also boasts of many dance and dramatic forms. *'''[[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]''' in [[Delhi]] and [[Varanasi]]. *'''Classical musical instruments''' in not only the ancient city of [[Varanasi]] but many parts of India, especially in Southern States, where they form the most integral part of Core Classicals. *'''Classical vocal music''' and '''classical dance forms''' in [[Tamil Nadu]] or [[Manipur]] or [[Karnataka]]. *'''Sanskrit''' at 'Samskrita Bharati' in areas of [[Udupi]], [[Bangalore]] in the state of Karnataka and [[Delhi]]. *'''Buddhism''' in [[Dharamsala]] and [[Bir]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] as well as in [[Bodh Gaya]] in [[Bihar]]. *'''Cooking''' classes are also popular. The most well-known exported type of Indian food are the cuisines such as Idly, Dosa, Biryanis, Dals etc and regional cuisines such as Thalis, South Indian, and [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]i, as the Sikhs have been the most successful in spreading Indian restaurants throughout the western world. However, styles vary a lot throughout the country, so if you have the time and appetite it's worth checking out courses in a variety of areas such as [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Tamil Nadu]], and [[West Bengal]]. There are many Universities imparting education but at the helm are '''Indian Institutes of Technology''' (IITs) for technical undergraduates, '''Indian Institutes of Management''' (IIMs) for management postgraduates and '''National Law Universities/Schools''' (NLUs) which are world class institutes. Most of the ambitious students who want to get a good high level education strive to get into these institutes through admission processes which are rather very difficult ones both due to nature of test and the prevailing competition. For example, the 6 top IIMs (Including the 4 oldest - [[Ahmedabad]], [[Kolkata]], [[Bangalore]] & [[Lucknow]] plus newly established Indore and Kozhikode) together select only about 1,200 students from 350,000 students who appear for CAT exam. But still students have a great desire to get into these institutes. These institutes also offer degrees to foreign students. Apart from undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, there are many training and diploma-level institutes and polytechnics that cater to the growing demand for skill-based and vocational education. Besides conventional educational institutes, foreigners might also be interested to study with Pandits to learn Hindi and Sanskrit in genuine settings as well as with Mullahs to study Urdu, Persian, and Arabic. They might also like to live with famed Ustads to study traditional Indian music. Whether people are interested in philosophy or religion, cuisine or dance, India will have the right opportunity for them. ==Work== Foreigners need a work permit to be employed in India. A work permit is granted if an application is made to the local Indian embassy along with proof of potential employment and supporting documents. There are many expatriates working in India, mostly for multinational companies. India has always had an expatriate community of reasonable size, and there are many avenues for finding employment, including popular job-hunting websites. Citizens of '''[[Nepal]]''' and '''[[Bhutan]]''' can live and work freely in India, and do not require work permits. There are many volunteer opportunities around the country including teaching. India has a reasonable presence of foreign Christian missionaries, who for the most part form the non-local religious workers, since the other major religions of the world either grew out of India or have had a long-term presence. A living can be made in the traveller scenes by providing some kind of service such as baking Western cakes, tattooing or massage. Previously, an AIDS test result was required as part of the work visa application process. It is highly recommended that applicants obtain test results in their home country beforehand if possible. ==Stay safe== [[File:Holy Cow (7438681490).jpg|thumb|Holy cow in [[Pushkar]]]] As a rule India is quite safe for foreigners, apart from instances of petty crime and theft common to any developing country, as long as certain basic precautions and common sense are observed (i.e. women should be cautious travelling alone at night). You can check with your embassy or ask for local advice before heading to [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] in northern-most India, and to Northeast India, i.e. ([[Assam]], [[Nagaland]], [[Tripura]], [[Mizoram]], [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]]). These areas have had serious law and order problems for a long time, though the situation has improved a lot. The same applies while travelling to what used to be a thickly forested area in East-Central India, which covers the states of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Jharkhand]], the eastern edge of [[Maharashtra]] and the northern tip of [[Telangana]]. Though the problem is only in the remote areas of these states and normal areas to visit in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra or Telangana are safe. [[File:India - Kolkata street beggar - 3246.jpg|thumb|A beggar in Kolkata]] Unfortunately '''theft''' is quite common in places visited by tourists, but violent thefts hardly ever occur. More likely a thief will [[pickpockets|pickpocket]] or break into your room. Take precautions to firmly lock the door while indoors, and be on guard while outside. Some people handling your cash will try to '''shortchange you or rip you off'''. In Delhi particularly, this is a universal rule adhered to by all who handle westerners' cash. This does not exclude official ticket sellers at tourist sites, employees at prepaid taxi stands, or merchants in all but the most upscale businesses. Count your cash before handing it over, and ensure receiving the correct change. It is advisable or better to agree on the fare before getting inside an auto or a taxi. This avoids any further unpleasant fare-related arguments. If you can take the advice of a local friend or someone manning your hotel's front desk to know how much it should cost to travel between two destinations, you will be a smart traveller. Overseas visitors are often magnets for [[begging|beggars]], frauds and touts. Beggars will often go as far as touching you and following you, tugging on your sleeve. It does little good to get angry or to say "No" loudly. The best response is to look unconcerned and ignore the behaviour. The more attention you pay to a beggar or a tout, positive or negative, the longer they will follow you hoping for a donation. Begging is criminalised in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. It is however common in many cities, and in pilgrim cities, there are sadhus who live an ascetic lifestyle of the seeker that requires them to adopt bhiksha-charya (begging vows) only for sustaining the body. While hospitality is important in India, it is not common to see people offering to share food or cookies while they eat. Some such offers are genuine and some are not. In case you are travelling by train, you are offered food from a family group, you can take a bite. But if you are offered something by men or even a couple eating a part of it, try avoiding it, as the other part may have sedatives (this may be so that they may loot your belongings when you become unconscious). You can politely say no with a smile; they won't take it personally. While travelling in public transport (trains, buses) do not accept any food or drink from any local fellow passenger even if they are very friendly or polite. There have been instances in which very friendly fellow passengers offered food or drinks including tea or coffee that contained substances that put the victim to sleep whilst all their possessions, including even their clothing, were stolen. Visitors should not trust strangers offering assistance or services; see [[Common scams]]. Be particularly wary of frauds at tourist attractions such as the temples of [[Kanchipuram]], where they prey on those unfamiliar with local and religious customs. If a priest or guide offers to treat you to a religious ceremony, find out what it will cost you first, and do not allow yourself to be pressured into making "donations" of thousands of rupees &mdash; simply walk away if you feel uncomfortable. However, don't get ''too'' paranoid: foreigners on the train, or Indian families who want to take your picture on ''their own'' camera, for example, are often just genuinely curious. Same-sex intercourse was decriminalised by a court ruling in 2018. There is a vibrant gay nightlife in metropolitan areas and some (but very few) openly gay celebrities. On the other hand, the law was used as a tool by policemen to harass gays cruising on the streets. You will often see Indian men walking hand-in-hand in the streets, but this is a sign of friendship, not homosexuality. Whereas Indian men can be really eager to talk to foreigners, women in India often refrain from contact with men. It is an unfortunate fact that if you are a man and you approach a woman in India for even an innocuous purpose like asking for directions, you are putting her on the defensive usually, especially the ones dressed traditionally. It is better to ask a man if one is available (there usually will be), or be extra respectful if you are asking a woman. Black people may encounter prejudices from the police and the general public about being drug dealers. This reaction stems from the fact that more often than not, foreign-born drug peddlers in India are of Nigerian nationality. Indians find it hard to differentiate between Nigerians and other Africans, others of African descent or even their own Siddi (Indians of sub-Saharan African descent) community, and this behaviour is towards the whole race and not just to any specific country. That said, this behaviour is still considered publicly unacceptable when Indians are confronted by Indians themselves. It is hence wise to keep passports handy at all times, avoid going to areas notorious for illegal activities and maintain contact with respective embassies and, if possible, with other support groups that can vouch for you. The cow is considered to be a holy animal in Hinduism, and in many Indian states, it is '''illegal''' to consume or possess beef or buffalo meat. Non-Hindus suspected of slaughtering cattle or eating beef are also known to have been lynched by fundamentalist Hindu mobs. Prominent exceptions to this taboo are the state of Kerala and the northeastern parts of the country, where the meat of water buffaloes is widely consumed. Beef continues to be rare. ===Driving=== [[File:Crashed Taxi - Multiple Car Accident - Rabindra Sadan Area - Kolkata 2012-06-13 01323.jpg|thumb|A car crash in Kolkata]] As a former British colony, India drives on the '''left''' side of the road. Driving in India can be dangerous. Irresponsible driving habits, insufficient highway infrastructure development, wandering livestock and other hazards make travelling on the country's roads a sometimes nerve-wracking undertaking. More than 150,000 people died on Indian roads in 2019, the highest figure in the world, and that's despite having only 44 cars per 1,000 people. The first encounter with a typical Indian highway will no doubt feature a traffic mix of lumbering trucks, speeding maniacs, blithely wandering cows and suicidal pedestrians, all weaving across a narrow, potholed strip of tarmac. To minimise your risk of becoming a grim statistic, use trains instead of buses, use government bus services instead of private ones (which are more likely to force their drivers into inhuman shifts), use taxis instead of auto-rickshaws, avoid travelling at night, and don't hesitate to change taxis or cars if you feel your driver is unsafe. Of significant concern is that much of the road network is significantly underdeveloped. Most roads are very poorly built and they are full of rubble, large cracks and potholes. Most road signs are not very reliable in the country, and in most cases provide drivers with confusing or inaccurate information. If you are in doubt, ask the locals, normally they are very helpful and willingly provide people with appropriate guidance to a location. Of course, the quality of information and willingness to provide it varies, especially in the larger cities. ===Female travellers=== [[File:Busy Indore night traffic (5104223286).jpg|thumb|Night in [[Indore]]]] India is a socially conservative country, and although some Western habits can be perceived as dishonourable for a woman in much of the country, India is coming out of its conservative image rather quickly, especially in big cities. By "conservative", this doesn't mean women are always suppressed because the world's only women-run market, the Ima Market ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]: Ima Keithel) in [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]], is a sign of women empowerment. People usually say "Asia's largest women market" but this 500-year-old market is the "World's only women-run market" and a matter of pride for the whole nation of the world. * White and/or East Asian females may receive some extra attention (usually in the form of stares) from the locals (particularly men) and in some cases, they may even want to take photographs with you. To a large extent, it's likely that the person who wants to take a photo with you or is staring at you has little to no contact with foreigners. This said it's still possible to encounter someone who may harass you. Don't be afraid to create a scene and don't feel the need to be polite; no Indian woman (or any woman for that matter) would put up with rotten behaviour like that. * Being overly friendly and appreciative to Indian men is often seen as a sign of romantic interest. If a man and a woman are seen together or talk to each other quite often, locals may assume that there's something going on between the man and the woman. Make it clear that you are friends or acquaintances; that will usually ward people off. * Outside of the larger cities, it is unusual for people of the opposite sex to touch each other in public. Even couples (married or otherwise) refrain from public displays of affection. Therefore, it is advised that you do not shake hands with a person of the opposite sex unless the other person extends his/her hand first. The greeting by a Hindu is to bring their palms together in front of their chest, or simply saying '''namaste''' or '''namaskar''' or '''namaskaram''' in most Indic languages (Indo-Aryan and Dravidian) and '''khurumjari''' in [[Meitei phrasebook|Meitei]] ([[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]]). Both forms are equally polite and correct if a little formal. Almost all people (even if they don't know English) do understand a "hi" or a "Hello". In most parts of northern India and cities, it is quite acceptable to offer a "hello" or "good day" followed by a handshake, regardless of gender. * Outside of trendy places or high society, women generally do not smoke. In some rural or tribal areas women do smoke, but discreetly. * Places such as discos and dance clubs are less conservative areas. It is good to leave your things at a hotel and head down there for a drink and some light conversation. Only carry as much change as you think you would require since losing your wallet or passport means that you will waste a considerable time trying to get help. * People are generally modestly clothed even at the beaches, so be sure to find out what the appropriate attire is for the beach you are visiting. In tourist-oriented places like Goa, where beachgoers are predominantly foreigners, it is permissible to wear bikinis on the beach. However, it is still offensive to walk around in them elsewhere. There are a few beaches where women (mostly foreigners) sunbathe topless, but make sure that it is safe and accepted before you do so. * It's not so safe to walk in isolated places if you are a solo female. Especially at night, avoid walking on streets or lanes without many people and be cautious when taking a taxi or auto-rickshaw at night. Avoid clothes such as tight shorts, a miniskirt, sports bra, tank-top or other clothes which expose a lot of skin, as they can attract unwanted attention. There have been some rapes of foreign women and highly publicised rapes of Indian women, some of whom have been murdered. India has been characterised as one of the "countries with the lowest per capita rates of rape" but a large number of rapes go unreported. The willingness to report rape has increased after several incidents received widespread media attention and triggered the widespread public protest. The Indian government of India has also reformed its penal code in relation to crimes of rape and sexual assault. * In local and suburban trains, there are usually cars reserved only for women and designated as such on their front. In Delhi Metro trains, it is the first compartment. * In most buses (private and public) a few seats at the front or at one side of the bus are reserved for women. Usually, these seats will be occupied by men and, very often, they vacate the place when a female stands near gesturing her intention to sit there. In many parts of the country, women will not share a seat with a man other than her spouse. If you sit near a man, he may stand up from the seat and give his seat also to you; this is a sign of respect, ''not'' rudeness. * Street parties for holidays are usually filled with crowds of inebriated men. During festivals such as Holi, New Year's Eve, and even Christmas Eve, women can be subjected to groping and sexually aggressive behaviour from a certain section hiding in these crowds. In such an event, just scream or make a scene pointing your finger at the person. People will come to your help. It may be less advisable for women to attend these festivities alone. *So-called Eve teasing is a common term used in Indian English to refer to anything from unwanted verbal advances to physical sexual assault. Anything overt should be treated in a firm manner and if needed, ask the local populace (women in particular) to try and get the message across. Avoid confrontation if at all possible. Sticking to such an area is not recommended. It's not disrespectful for a woman to tell a man eager to talk to her that she doesn't want to talk: so if a man's behaviour makes you uncomfortable, say so firmly. If he doesn't seem to get the hint, quietly excusing yourself is a better answer than confrontation. *Befriending Indian women can be a wonderful experience for female visitors, although you might have to initiate conversation. An easy topic to get things going is to talk about clothes or food. * Dressing in traditional Indian clothes, such as ''salwaar kameez'' (comfortable) or ''saree'' (more formal and difficult to wear) will often garner Western women more respect in the eyes of locals. The idea is to portray yourself as a normal person, instead of a distanced tourist. Easy clothing is to wear a kurta paired up with jeans or a salwar. They are very comfortable and most of the women do the same. * Body searches (such as at the airport) by officers of the opposite sex are not allowed in India. [[File:India - Varanasi policemen - 0691.jpg|thumb|Police officers in Varanasi]] ===Police and other emergency services=== * Like other federal countries, law enforcement is dealt with by various agencies in India: ** General policing is responsible for the states and union territories, under various state and union territory police forces. ** Large cities like [[Mumbai]] or [[Bangalore]] may also have their own police departments, often operating independently from state police forces. ** The Central government also maintain federal law-enforcement agencies responsible for specific duties, such as railway policing, transport security and border patrol. * Unfortunately, corruption and inefficiency are present in all Indian police forces, and the quality of the police force varies by officer. For emergencies, throughout most of India, you can dial '''100''' for police assistance. Try to speak the words slowly so that the police officer on phone does not have a problem in comprehending your foreign English accent. For non-emergency crimes, go down to the police station to report them, and insist on getting a receipt of your complaint. * You should insist the police to make a '''first information report''' (FIR) and receive a copy of it if you are reporting any serious crimes, as it is a legal requirement for them to do so. The police will only start the investigation after the FIR is made. * The emergency contact numbers for most of India are: 100 (Police), 101 (Fire and rescue), and 102 (Emergency medical service). Dialling to neighbouring major hospitals may also work in case of medical emergencies. In Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kochi and several other cities throughout India, you can dial '''108''' for all emergencies. ===Terrorism=== The India-Pakistan conflict, simmering for decades, has manifested in terrorist attacks on India's main cities: since 2007, there have been bombings in Delhi, Mumbai and other big cities. The targets have varied widely, but attacks have usually been aimed at locals rather than visitors. The exception was in 2008, when a shooting spree targeted and killed many foreigners along with Indians, in Mumbai's posh hotels and railway station, etc. All the terrorists involved in this were from Pakistan and were killed in action except one who was captured alive and later hanged. There is little you can do to avoid such random attacks, but keep an eye on the national news and any travel advisories from your embassy. ==Stay healthy== {{infobox|Avoiding Delhi belly|Four quick tips for keeping your stomach happy: * '''Go vegetarian''', at least for the first week or two. Meat spoils quickly. * '''Avoid raw leafy vegetables'''. They are hard to clean properly. * '''Avoid ice and unbottled water'''. Both the water in it and the way it's transported are suspect. Try to use only commercially available sealed bottled water. * '''Wash hands before eating''', with soap or hand sanitisers. Otherwise the dirt of India's streets will find its way onto your ''chapatis'' and into your mouth. In addition, keep nails cut short and clean. }} Going to India, you have to adapt to a different climate and food. However, with precautions the chance and severity of any illness can be minimised. Don't stress yourself too much at the beginning of your journey to allow your body to acclimatise to the country. For example, take a day of rest upon arrival, at least on your first visit. Many travellers get ill for wanting to do too much in too little time. Be careful with spicy food if it is not your daily diet. '''[[Tap water]]''' is normally not safe for drinking. However, some establishments have water filters/purifiers installed, in which case the water should be safe to drink from them. Packed drinking water (popularly called "mineral water" throughout India) is a better choice. Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina and Health Plus are popular and safe brands. But if the seal has been tampered with, or if the bottle seems crushed, it could be tap water being illegally sold. So always make sure that seal is intact before buying. In Indian Railway stations, a low-priced mineral water brand of Indian Railways is generally available, known as "Rail Neer". Fruits that can be peeled such as apples and bananas, as well as packaged snacks, are always a safe option. Wash any fruit with uncontaminated water before eating it. [[File:Force Traveller Kuoni ambulance, 2008.JPG|thumb|An ambulance in India]] No '''vaccinations''' are required for entry to India, except for yellow fever if you are coming from an infected area such as [[Africa]]. However, Hepatitis (both A and B, depending on your individual circumstances), meningitis and typhoid shots are recommended, as is a booster shot for tetanus. '''[[Diarrhea|Diarrhoea]]''' is common, and can have many different causes. Bring a standard first-aid kit, plus extra over-the-counter medicine for diarrhoea and stomach upset. A rehydration kit can also be helpful. In case you run out and cannot get the re-hydration solution widely available at pharmacies, remember the salt/sugar/water ratio for oral rehydration: 1 tsp salt, 8 tsp sugar, for 1 litre of water. Indians have resistance to native bacteria and parasites that visitors do not have. If you have had serious diarrhoea for more than a day or two, it is best to visit a private hospital. Parasites such as Giardia are a common cause of diarrhoea, and may not get better without treatment. '''[[Malaria]]''' is endemic throughout India. [http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/indianrg.htm CDC] states that risk exists in all areas, including the cities of Delhi and Mumbai, and at altitudes of less than 2000 metres in [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Sikkim]]; however, the risk of infection is considered low in Delhi and the [[Plains (India)|Plains]]. Get expert advice on malaria preventatives, and take adequate precautions to prevent [[mosquito]] bites. Use a mosquito repellent when going outside (particularly during the evenings) and also when sleeping in trains and hotels without air conditioning. A local mosquito repellent used by Indians is Odomos which is available over-the-counter at most medical stores. '''Litter''' can be a problem in some cities in India. Many efforts have been made in the 21st century to clean up the country but there is still a long way to go because most people use the many waterways as garbage dumps. It would be unwise to swim in most of the rivers and downright senseless in a lake. If you have asthma, carry enough supplies as dust, pollen or pollution may cause some trouble to your breathing. It is very important to stay away from the many stray dogs and cats in India, as India has the highest rate of '''rabies''' in the world. If you are bitten it is extremely urgent to get to a hospital in a major urban area capable of dealing with rabies. You can get treatment at any major hospital. It is very important to get the rabies vaccine after any contact with animals that includes contact with saliva or blood. Rabies vaccines only work if the full course is given '''prior''' to symptoms. The disease is almost invariably fatal otherwise. If you venture to forests in India, you may encounter venomous snakes. If bitten, try to note the markings of the snake so that the snake can be identified and the correct antidote given. In any event, immediately seek medical care. ===Healthcare=== Medical care in India is generally of good quality. Virtually all Indian doctors speak English fluently and are highly qualified at their jobs. Public hospitals tend to be unsanitary, overcrowded, understaffed and underequipped. Private hospitals, on the other hand, are usually of an excellent standard and among the best in the world, making India a popular destination for medical tourism. The downside is that they are generally much more expensive than public hospitals, though still reasonably priced by Western standards. Many private hospitals accept international health insurance; check with the hospital before you go. One may also consider availing of the services of a private clinic. Private medical practices are common throughout the country and are readily more accessible than hospitals. There are a few travel clinics in India, that can be checked out by visiting the [http://www.istm.org ISTM] website in the larger cities. Most CDC-recommended vaccinations are available in many of these [http://www.travelsafeclinic.com travel health clinics] in larger cities. Large corporate hospital chains like Fortis, Max, Apollo and similar places are your best bet for emergency medical care in larger cities, and they have better hygiene and generally well-trained doctors, some from UK and US institutions. ==Respect== {{infobox|Kissing in India|India can trace kissing back thousands of years in its literature. Indeed, the well-known ''Kama Sutra'' has an entire chapter devoted to kissing. However, in most cultures of the Subcontinent, kissing has traditionally been people have been surprised to get into serious trouble for kissing in public, regardless of the nature of their relationship or marriage or their nationality. Opposition to public kissing is not a universal opinion in India; many Indians find kissing acceptable, but because of those who don't, it is best to avoid kissing (even on cheeks) in public while you are there. None of this applies to parents and children kissing each other, though; that's universally acceptable in India.}} ===Etiquette=== <!--[[File:Kamya Panjabi at Disney princess' promotion in Mumbai.jpg|thumb|In bigger Indian cities, wearing of shorts by women is generally accepted. Picture shows an Indian woman with her daughter in [[Mumbai]].]] this image violates the image policy as watermarks are not allowed--> * Indians, by and large, are neutral communicators. Although Indians try to be respectful and courteous in social situations, words are often taken at face value. It's important to be explicitly clear and upfront about what you intend to say as euphemisms, idiomatic language, and the like may be misunderstood. *Direct personal questions (based on your personal life, salary, education, and lifestyle) are commonly asked. To Indians, it's not considered impolite, but rather it's a way to get to know someone fully. In some cases, you may find others giving you advice on whatever it is you're doing, either warranted or unwarranted. Don't feel annoyed or irritated by this as Indians don't intend to patronise or pull you down in any way. If you feel the question was too personal, simply give an indirect answer and move along. *English is an official language of India. To most Indians, it is a second language, and among a few, it is the first language. Making condescending statements such as "You speak very good English" can be met with offence. *'''Indians respect their elders''' and it would be seen as rude to directly challenge a statement said by someone older than you. You should always try to address people you don't know as 'ma'am' or 'sir', especially if they're older than you, and always act in a mature, sensible fashion around them. *Family values are highly revered by many Indians. Passing unwarranted comments about someone's family life won't win you friends or praise. *Indian women generally dress conservatively, although in metropolitan cities more liberal attire can be seen. Women may attract unwanted attention from men depending on how they're dressed. * It is better to avoid going out on the roads alone, especially in remote places or lanes and by-lanes without many people at night. Keeping some company is always advisable. * Indians will consider themselves obliged to go out of the way to fulfill a guest's request and will insist very strongly that it is no inconvenience to do so, even if it is not true. This of course means that there is a reciprocal obligation on you as a guest to take extra care not to be a burden. * Most Indians are not aware that the term "Negro" is considered offensive in some other parts of the world, and they may use it with no intent to offend. * Note dietary restrictions when inviting Indian friends for a meal. Pork is forbidden to Muslims, while beef is forbidden to followers of most of India's other religions (e.g. Hinduism), though in some states, like Kerala, beef is consumed liberally by Christians and Muslims. Also about 30% of Indians are vegetarian. it is better to ask people what they don't eat beforehand. * It is customary to put up a token '''friendly argument''' with your host or any other member of the group when paying bills at restaurant or while making purchases. The etiquette for this is somewhat complicated. ** In a '''business lunch or dinner''', it is usually clear upfront who is supposed to pay, and there is no need to fight. But if you are someone's personal guest and they take you out to a restaurant, you should offer to pay anyway, and you should insist a lot. Sometimes these fights get a little funny, with each side trying to snatch the bill away from the other, all the time laughing politely. If you don't have experience in these things, chances are, you will lose the chance the first time, but in that case, make sure that you pay the next time. (and try to make sure that there is a next time.) Unless the bill amount is very large do not offer to share it, and only as a second resort after they have refused to let you pay it all. ** The same rule applies when you are making a purchase. If you are purchasing something for yourself, your hosts might still offer to pay for it if the amount is not very high, and sometimes, even if it is. In this situation, unless the amount is very low, you should never lose the fight. (If the amount is ridiculously low, say less than ₹10, then don't insult your hosts by putting up a fight.) Even if by chance you lose the fight to pay the shopkeeper, it is customary to practically thrust (in a nice way, of course) the money into your host's hands. ** These rules do not apply if the host has made it clear beforehand that it is his or her treat, especially for some specific occasion. {{infobox|Naming conventions |* Most Indians follow the naming convention of a given name followed by a family name. <br /> * '''Tamil''' names, however are an exception to this rule. Tamil names generally follow the convention of given name + father's name, or father's initial + given name. Therefore, someone called Ramasamy Govindasamy would have Ramasamy as his given name, with Govindasamy being his father's name. Alternatively, he might be known as G. Ramasamy. Due to the patronymic nature of the last names, first names are always used when addressing individuals, so the above person would be addressed as Mr Ramasamy.<br /> *'''Meitei''' names are also exception to the general rules of naming in India. Meitei names generally follow the convention of family name + given name + name of the respective "salai". Salai means clan and it is different from family. There are 7 salais in Meitei ethnicity (Manipuri ethnicity). Each salai has many families within it. So, salai is just like a group or aggregation of many families. For instance, a person named "Albert" belongs to the "Oinam" family of the "Khuman" salai. Then, his name will be like this: "Oinam Albert Khuman". In Meitei nomenclature, father's names are not used.<br /> *The foolproof method, therefore, is to ''ask'' how the person would like to be addressed.}} ===Religious etiquette=== As India has great diversity, people follow different religions. Hinduism is followed by a majority of the people. ==== General rules ==== * When visiting temples and mosques, '''it is obligatory to take off your shoes'''. The same custom applies to visiting someone's home. * Christians are a minority in India, but going to church and following your faith are always appreciated. There are different denominations and they differ a bit in their practices. * '''It is disrespectful to touch people with your feet'''. If done accidentally, you will find that Indians will make a quick gesture of apology that involves touching the offended person with the right hand, and then moving the hand to the chest and to the eyes. It is a good idea to emulate that. * The head is considered to be the holiest part of the body, '''so avoid touching people on the head''', including young children, as this is very offensive to Hindus. * '''Books and written materials are treated with respect''', as they are treated as concrete/physical forms of the Hindu goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. Never touch a book/written material with your feet. * '''Anything associated with wealth is treated with respect''' as it is treated as concrete/physical forms of Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. * '''The swastika is a common symbol in India'''. It is also fairly common for Indian parents to name their daughters "Swastika". There is no connection of this symbol to the Nazis. Jewish people have lived in India for thousands of years and have never faced any antisemitism. '''Drawing parallels between the Swastika and Nazism will not be appreciated'''. === Things to avoid === ==== Politics: ==== * '''Indians, in general, are ardently political''', and politics is a very popular conversational subject amongst many Indians, including the older generation. Many Indians have a breadth of political opinions, including that of their own country. As a visitor, you'll be exposed to a breadth of political opinions both publicly and privately, even though most Indians often express frustration with the government. This said though, you could immediately be seen as uninformed if you do not follow Indian news closely. Don't hesitate to engage in political discussions, but it's worth mentioning that being a visitor puts you in a delicate position. * '''Do not mention or have a discussion about the Kashmir conflict'''. It's a highly emotional subject that can very quickly elicit strong reactions from Indian people. On a side note, the whole of Kashmir, including [[Azad Kashmir]] and [[Gilgit Baltistan]] (the two regions of Kashmir under Pakistani control), ''legally belongs'' to India according to the Jammu and Kashmir Instrument of Accession, which was signed during the first Indo-Pak war in the 1940s. Pakistan is the only country that objects to the document. Given the very sensitive nature of the conflict, many Indians express feelings of antipathy towards Pakistan. * '''Do not mention or have a discussion about [[Pakistan]]'''. You're unlikely to cause offence by having a discussion about the relationship between India and Pakistan, but attempting to compliment or say anything that could be perceived as positive about Pakistan can evoke a strong response from some Indians. Referring to someone as a "Pakistani" is often used as an insult in India. * '''Do not mention or have a discussion about [[China]]'''. The two countries have a tense and complicated relationship, mostly over territorial disputes on their Himalayan border. Some Chinese products are '''illegal''' to possess in India and the mere sight of Chinese products can evoke a strong response among some Indians. * The Partition of India is a sensitive issue. Whilst a few may convey bitterness against the British Empire, the vast majority of people do not have anything against people from the [[United Kingdom]], save those who lived through the horrors of the partition. The two countries enjoy a positive relationship, and it is not uncommon to find people who have relatives or friends living in the UK. That said, keep in mind that former British prime minister Winston Churchill is widely regarded as a villain in India due to his role in exacerbating the Bengal famine in 1943. ==== Religion: ==== * '''Be extremely careful when discussing religion'''. Many Indians have liberal, open-minded attitudes towards religion, although there are some who have rigid, radical viewpoints, and fundamentalist Hinduism has seen growing support the 21st century. It's not considered impolite to discuss your religious convictions with someone; for the most part, many Indians are open about talking about it. This said, '''do not impose your religious beliefs upon someone'''. Anything hinting at '''proselytisation''' is frowned upon in general and will not be appreciated. * Contrary to popular belief, '''India is not a vegetarian nation'''. Vegatarians are a minority in India, comprising 20-30% of the population. Jains, a staunchly vegetarian religious group, are 2-5% of the population. That said, some ardently religious groups and people often try to demonise non-vegetarianism. Many of the more well-aware Indians feel it is a part of a concerted attempt to codify a monolithic idea of Indian culture and are quite embarrassed by this all. These sentiments are more common in North India, but in other places, such as [[South India]] and [[North-East India]], people tend to be more liberal and accepting of other beliefs, and don't really mind as much. If visiting someone's house, it's always wise to ask if the person is a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian. '''Do not impose your meal preferences upon someone'''; it is frowned upon. * '''Atheism is not taboo''' in India. This said, you should be careful when discussing religion with those who have rigid, radical viewpoints; some atheists in India have been attacked by radical groups for openly criticising religion. === Other things to watch out for === * A lot of Indians tend to have a strong sense of '''ethnic pride''', as many Indian communities around the globe are noted for being well-established. If you have Indian roots, or if you were born and raised overseas, be careful with divulging your opinions on the country and the culture: some may expect you to follow the same norms and nuances like the rest of the populace, and may not take too kindly to your negative feedback. * Families tend to be close-knit. Tread '''very carefully''' if you have Indian roots, if you were born and raised overseas, or if you are in an intimate relationship with an Indian person: You're often expected to align your views with your/their family, and not doing so would result in you being shunned. Bear in mind that this phenomenon is common, so if this ever happens to you, remember that you're not alone. * '''Racial relations in India have historically been complex''', and you should exercise a degree of respect when discussing that. * Attitudes towards the LGBT community have been changing since the 2000s. In 2018, homosexuality (which was once punishable by life imprisonment) was decriminalised, and since then there have been strong political movements in favour of LGBT rights. While this may seem impressive, '''many Indians still have conservative opinions on homosexuality''' and do not fully understand it. Try not to reveal your sexuality in public as you may invite unwanted comments or stares. ==Connect== ===By phone=== The country code for India is '''+91'''. In acronym in India, area codes are called '''STD''' '''codes''' (Subscriber Trunk Dialing - national long distance) and international dialing is called '''ISD''' (International Subscriber Dialing - international long distance). Local phone numbers can be anywhere from 5-8 digits long. But when the STD code is included, all landline phone numbers in India are 10 digits long. Mobile phone numbers are always 10 digits long and usually start with '9', '8', '7' or '6'. The following table explains how to dial: {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! Calling from || Price || Syntax || Example |- | Same STD code || Local || align=right| ''number'' || align=right| 12345678 |- | Mobile phone || Local || align=right| ''STD code of the town you are in number'' || align=right| 011-12345678 |- | Mobile phone || STD to mobile phone|| align=right| ''number'' || align=right| 012345678 |- | Different STD code|| STD || align=right| '''0'''-''area code''-''number'' || align=right| 022-12345678 |- | Overseas || ISD || align=right| '''+91'''-''area code''-''number'' || align=right| +91-22-12345678 |} Toll-free numbers start with '''1-800''', but are usually ''operator-dependent'': you can't call a BSNL/MTNL toll-free number from an Airtel landline, and vice versa. Often, the numbers may not work from your cellular phone. Other National Numbers that start with '''18xx''' or '''19xx''' may attract special charges. To dial outside the country from India, prefix the country code with 00, e.g. a US number will be dialed as 00-1-555-555-5555. Calling the Canada/UK/US over the normal telephone line will cost you about ₹7.20 per minute. Calls to other countries, particularly to the Middle East, can be more expensive. Payphones, called '''public call offices''' or '''PCOs''' are now increasingly rare with the ubiquitous availability of mobile phones. Where they exist, they are usually staffed, and you dial yourself but pay to the attendant after the call is over. Metering is done per pulse and a service charge of ₹2 is added to the bill. Larger cities also have Western-style unmanned public phones, which are usually red in colour and accept one rupee coins. ====Mobile==== '''[https://www.airtel.in/ Airtel]''', '''[https://www.myvi.in/ Vodafone Idea]''', '''[https://www.jio.com/ Reliance JIO]''' and '''[https://www.bsnl.co.in/ BSNL]-MTNL''' are mobile service provider in India. Airtel, Vodafone, and JIO provide services to the whole of India. There is no extra cost for roaming across India. You can use call, data and SMS services everywhere. India to India maximum call rate is ₹1 per minute. You can buy 1GB (2G, 3G or 4G) data for less than ₹20. You can use 4G and 4G VoLTE services everywhere. The Jio and Airtel 4G (LTE and VoLTE) networks cover 95% of the population of India. You can buy a keypad mobile for ₹500. Touch mobiles retail from ₹4,000. '''You need a validity recharge to use your data, calls and SMS'''. If you don't have any validity (or unlimited) plan, you cannot use data, text, or make calls. Airtel and Vodafone Idea (VI) gives one-month validity for ₹49. Calling overseas can cost quite a bit and will depend on the location you're calling to. In contrast, the other way round (calling to India from elsewhere) is cheap. ==== Unlimited Recharge ==== All operators provide unlimited calls in all India. With an unlimited pack, you can talk unlimitedly anywhere in India. Unlimited plans start at ₹129 for 28 days. All operators have almost the same plans for all users. ===By internet=== Wi-Fi hotspots in India are, for the most part, limited. All airports and railway stations do offer free high speed Wi-Fi. Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai are the only cities with decent Wi-Fi coverage. Many free Wi-Fi services will require entering a One time password (OTP) sent to an Indian cell phone number. As restrictions on internet use increase in India, many vendors refuse to sell SIM cards to foreigners (or anyone without local ID) which was not always the case: you may find an Indian resident or hotel employee willing to buy one under their name if suitably motivated. This might be the best option. To get a SIM card alone as a foreigner, you are suggested to visit the telecom operator's exclusive store. * '''Mobile internet''' is very cheap to obtain, especially with the proliferation of low-cost operator Reliance Jio, which has forced the mainstream operators such as Airtel and Vodafone Idea to follow suit. It is not hard to find reasonable deals (like 1 GB per day for a month) for ₹200 ($3) or so. 4G connectivity is available in most places, with 3G in some remote locations. If you use the train, you may occasionally find pocket regions where the internet drops to 2G or goes away completely. * '''Internet cafes''' are common and they charge as little as ₹10-20 per hour. Many will ask for your passport or ID. Beware of using your credit cards online as there have been many cases of credit cards thefts using ''keyloggers''. * '''Public libraries''' have PCs with broadband for public use. Most libraries require a membership but government-operated libraries only require a quick registration with the verification of your ID. Internet censorship in India is considered “selective”. There are occasional random, inexplicable and arbitrary attempts by the government to block some sites it considers as carrying hateful propaganda, but enforcement is spotty and the decisions are often forgotten after a few month of being made. The site which are blocked by the courts remain strictly blocked and is different from the vague blocks by the government. You are unlikely to find any useful site blocked. ===By mail=== [[File:India - Varanasi post office - 1584.jpg|thumb|A post office in Varanasi]] Addressing mail with a properly-formatted address will expedite its journey with government owned [https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/IndiaPosthome.aspx India Post]. The PIN code (postal index number) is important, and you can look up PIN codes and correct address formats on India Post's website. A 6-digit PIN code identifies the post office of a district; a 4-digit Post box number (recommended but optional) may narrow this to one business or an individual building. Addresses should be written in three to four lines with the name of recipient, house number and suite or apartment or building number, street name, city or town, state name, PIN code, e.g.: <blockquote>United Nations House<br/>55/73 Lodhi Estate<br/>New Delhi, Delhi-110003</blockquote> First class mail travels by air within India. International first class mail has a maximum limit of 20kg. Prices vary from country to country. A full list related to the pricing can be found in [https://www.indiapost.gov.in/MBE/pages/content/international-air-parcels.aspx India Post's website]. All locations with a PIN code are considered domestic. Military mail is operated by the Army Postal Service through its APOs and FPOs. Domestic post can be made at an affordable rate of ₹15 ($0.40) per 50 grams. Private international carriers like FedEx, DHL and UPS also operate though all major cities. ==Cope== For immediate emergency assistance, you can call '''112'''.<br> The Ministry of Tourism has a 24X7 helpline for tourists in need. You can call the helpline number at '''1800-11-1363''' or just '''1363'''. ===Consular assistance=== All major cities have international consular assistance which include high commissions, embassies and consulates. More information can be found in respective city articles. Here are links to consular assistance in some cities: * [[Delhi#Embassies & High Commissions|Delhi]] * [[Mumbai#Foreign missions|Mumbai]] * [[Kolkata#Consulates|Kolkata]] * [[Chennai#Consulates|Chennai]] ===Newspapers=== Local Indian English newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day-to-day updates about the country. India has number of English newspapers and magazines that are published daily, weekly and bi-weekly. Some of the major ones are ''Business Standard'', ''Daily News and Analysis'', ''Deccan Herald'', ''The Hindu'', ''The Statesman'', ''The Telegraph'', ''The Times of India'', ''The Tribune'' and many more. Some popular magazines are ''Filmfare'', ''Down to Earth'', ''India Today'', ''Forbes India'' and ''Vogue''. ===Radio=== * '''AIR FM Rainbow''' offers hourly news broadcasts at '''102.6MHZ'''. * '''AIR FM Gold''' offers hourly news broadcasts at '''100.1MHZ''' * '''Radio One''' offers modern and retro song broadcasts at '''94.3MHZ'''. * '''Red FM''' offers public talks and entertainment at '''93.5MHZ''' {{geo|22.8|83|zoom=5}} {{isPartOf|South Asia}} {{usablecountry}} {{related|Forts_and_Palaces_of_India}} {{related|Indian_National_Parks_and_Wildlife_Sanctuaries}} {{related|Indian_Zoos_and_Botanical_Gardens}} {{related|Natural Wonders of India}} {{related|Sacred_sites_of_the_Indian_sub-continent}} {{related|UNESCO_World_Heritage_List_(India)}} fr7d4vvv7dftoy9myjtp0lhu8b7wfys 0 15662 4506579 4503616 2022-08-23T04:57:25Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Rugby union */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|MalmöFF Fans banner.jpg|caption=Fans of Malmö FF, a Swedish football team}} : ''This article is about watching sports. For participating in sports, see [[Sports]].'' '''Watching sports''' is a popular pastime around the world, whether at a major international event such as the [[Olympic Games]] or, for example, a minor league football game. In the 21st century, sports is a multi-billion-dollar industry and part of this revolves about travel. Many combine their love of sport and travel to watch events overseas or in another part of the country. ==Understand== Sport stadiums can be designated for one sport, or host several different events. Major stadiums can change their name with a sponsor deal; in some cases they even change name during a specific event. Be sure to find out which stadium you are going to. ==Articles about watching sports== <div style="{{column-width|25em}}"> * [[American football]] * [[Association football]] ** [[Association football in Europe]] * [[Australian rules football]] * [[Baseball in the United States]] * [[Basketball in North America]] * [[Boxing]] * [[Cricket]] * [[Field hockey]] * [[Formula One]] * [[Golf]] * [[Handball in Europe]] * [[Horse racing]] * [[Ice hockey in Europe]] * [[Ice hockey in North America]] * [[Martial arts]] * [[Motorcycle speedway]] * [[Olympic Games]] * [[Rugby football]] </div> ==Events with multiple sports== ===Asian Games=== * '''2022''': 10–25 September, [[Hangzhou]], [[China]] * '''2026''': 19 September–4 October, [[Nagoya]], [[Japan]] ===Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games=== ===Bolivarian Games=== * '''2024''': [[Ayacucho]], [[Peru]] ===Commonwealth Games=== * '''2026''': [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] (spread among the cities of [[Melbourne]], [[Geelong]], [[Bendigo]], and [[Ballarat]], plus the region of [[Gippsland]]) ===European Games=== * '''2023''': Dates TBA, [[Kraków]], [[Poland]] ===Jeux de la Francophonie=== *'''2023''': [[Kinshasa]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] <!-- ===Mediterranean Games=== --> ===Olympic Games=== * [[Paris 2024|'''2024''': Summer Olympics]], 2-18 Aug, [[Paris]], [[France]] * [[Milan–Cortina 2026|'''2026''': Winter Olympics]], dates TBA, [[Milan]] and [[Cortina d'Ampezzo|Cortina]], [[Italy]] * [[Los Angeles 2028|'''2028''': Summer Olympics]], 21 Jul - 6 Aug, [[Los Angeles]], [[United States of America|USA]] * [[Brisbane 2032|'''2032''': Summer Olympics]], 23 Jul - 8 Aug, [[Brisbane]], [[Australia]] <!-- ====Youth Olympic Games==== ===Pacific Games=== --> ===Pan American Games=== * '''2023''': 20 October – 5 November, [[Santiago de Chile|Santiago]], [[Chile]] ===Southeast Asian Games=== * '''2023''': 5—16 May, [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia * '''2025''': 7-19 December, [[Bangkok]], Thailand <!-- ===Student Games=== --> ===World Games=== Held every four years in the year after the summer Olympic Games. No events overlap with any contested in the Olympics. Many of the sports are not part of the Olympic program at all; the World Games also feature many non-Olympic disciplines and/or events within Olympic sports. The events are organized by the International World Games Association, which is recognized by the IOC. * '''2025''': 7–17 July, [[Chengdu]], China ==Events for a single sport== ===American football=== ==== National Football League ==== * '''Super Bowl LVII''' at State Farm Stadium in [[Glendale (Arizona)|Glendale]], [[Arizona]] (home of the Arizona Cardinals) on 12 February 2023 * '''Super Bowl LVIII''' to take place on 11 February 2024 at Allegiant Stadium (home of the [[Las Vegas]] Raiders), just [[Las Vegas/West of I-15|west]] of the [[Las Vegas/The Strip|Las Vegas Strip]] in [[Nevada]]. Originally scheduled for New Orleans but will not be held there due to scheduling conflicts with Mardi Gras, which falls near that time in 2024. * '''Super Bowl LIX''' at Caesars Superdome in the [[New Orleans/Central Business District|Central Business District]] of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] (home of the New Orleans Saints) on 9 February 2025; Originally host of Super Bowl LVIII =====NFL International Series===== At least three regular season games, all held in [[London]] (England). The NFL has contracts with the following venues for future games: * At least one game per season through 2024 at Wembley Stadium. * At least two games per season through 2027 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. For the 2022 season, three NFL games will take place in London: * 2 October: Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium * 9 October: New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium * 30 October: Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium ======NFL games in Mexico====== The NFL first held a regular season game in Mexico in 2005. Despite good attendance, the league did not return until the 2016 season, the first of what was meant to be a three-year deal to hold one game each season in that country. With both the 2016 and 2017 games selling out, the deal was extended through the 2021 season with an eye to possibly play more than one game per season in future years. All Mexico games thus far have been held in Estadio Azteca in [[Mexico City]], as will the 2022 game. The next Mexico City game will pit the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals on November 21. ======NFL games in Germany====== In February 2022, the NFL announced a four-year agreement to expand the NFL International Series in Germany. The games will be split between the Allianz Arena in Munich and Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. The first game will see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers "host" the Seattle Seahawks on 13 November 2022 in Munich. ==== US college football ==== * '''College Football Playoff National Championship''' ** 2023: SoFi Stadium in [[Inglewood]], [[California]] (home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams) on 9 January ** 2024: NRG Stadium in [[Houston]], [[Texas]] (home of the Houston Texans) on 8 January Each of these games is the championship for the previous calendar year. The bulk of the American football season takes place in the northern hemisphere fall/autumn. ====German Football League==== * [http://www.germanbowl.de/ German Bowl] October 8, 2022, [[Frankfurt]] ==== Other events ==== * 2022 European Championship. Dates and sites TBA; given the last second swap of the 2018 championship from Germany to France over squabbles in the governing bodies of the sport, don't book anything too far in advance. ===Australian rules football=== ====Australian Football League==== * '''2022 AFL Grand Final''' at the [[Melbourne]] Cricket Ground – 24 September ===Badminton=== Badminton is generally most popular in Asia, with East and Southeast Asian nations generally dominating the international tournaments, the sole exception being Denmark. The '''[https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/ BWF World Tour]''' is the premier international badminton tournament circuit, with the following tournaments being the most important ones on the circuit: *'''[https://www.allenglandbadminton.com/ All England Open]''' — the oldest international badminton tournament in the world, and the most prestigious tournament on the circuit. Held in March every year at the Arena Birmingham in [[Birmingham]], [[England]]. *'''China Open''' — held in September every year, with the venue often changing between different [[China|Chinese]] cities. *'''Denmark Open''' — held in October every year at the Odense Sports Park in [[Odense]], [[Denmark]]. *'''Indonesia Open''' — held in November every year at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno in [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]]. The '''[https://bwfworldchampionships.bwfbadminton.com/ World Championships]''' are held every year except in Olympic years. Badminton has been an Olympic sport since 1992, with the Olympics generally being considered the premier tournament in the sport. There is also the '''Thomas Cup''' for men's national teams, and the '''Uber Cup''' for women's national teams, which mostly operate as multi-level leagues. ===Baseball=== ''see also'' [[Baseball in the United States]] * World Baseball Classic * '''Little League World Series''' – Held over 10 days, ending on the last Sunday of August, in [[Williamsport|South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA]]. ===Basketball=== ====NBA==== ''See:'' [[Basketball in North America]] ====US college basketball==== The biggest event in US college (university) basketball is the NCAA Division I men's tournament, featuring 68 teams. The Division I women's tournament draws considerably less interest, but is still the biggest event in American women's college sports. The men's tournament begins on the Tuesday preceding the third Thursday in March (in terms of dates, no earlier than March 13 and no later than March 19) in [[Dayton|Dayton, Ohio]] with an eight-team round marketed as the First Four, featuring two games on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. The winners of these four games join the remaining 60 tournament teams for the first round, which starts on the third Thursday in March. The women's tournament expanded from 64 teams to 68 starting in 2022, with its own First Four; it starts the day after the men's tournament. The four-team final rounds of these tournaments are known as the Final Four. Future Final Four sites are: ;Men * 2023 – April 1 and 3 at NRG Stadium in [[Houston]] * 2024 – April 6 and 8 at State Farm Stadium in [[Glendale (Arizona)|Glendale, Arizona]], northwest of [[Phoenix]] * 2025 – April 5 and 7 at the Alamodome in [[San Antonio]] * 2026 – April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis ;Women * 2023 – March 31 and April 2 at American Airlines Center in [[Dallas]] * 2024 – April 5 and 7 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in [[Cleveland]] * 2025 – April 4 and 6 at Amalie Arena in [[Tampa]] * 2026 – April 3 and 5 at Footprint Center in Phoenix ====EuroLeague==== The EuroLeague is basketball's equivalent to the UEFA Champions League in association football (soccer), featuring top club teams from throughout Europe (note that in sports, "Europe" includes several countries either partly or totally in Asia, most notably Russia, Turkey, and Israel). The season starts in October and ends with its own Final Four in May. * 2023 '''EuroLeague Final Four''' – Dates in late May and location to be announced ===Canadian football=== * '''109th Grey Cup''' at Mosaic Stadium in [[Regina]], [[Saskatchewan]] (home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders) on November 20, 2022 * '''110th Grey Cup''' at Tim Hortons Field in [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]], [[Ontario]] (home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats); expected date November 19, 2023 <!-- ===Cricket=== ===Cycling=== ===Gaelic football=== --> ===Golf=== ====Men's==== ;Major championships Three of the four men's major championships are held in the US. The only exception is The Open Championship, also known as the "British Open". Each tournament is played from Thursday through Sunday, barring weather-related delays, and has a fixed weekend on the calendar. * '''Masters Tournament''' (always held at Augusta National Golf Club in [[Augusta (Georgia)|Augusta]], [[Georgia (state)|Georgia]]) – ends on the second Sunday in April, with the next edition set for 6–9 April 2023 * '''PGA Championship''' – ends on the next-to-last Sunday of May; next edition to be held 18–21 May 2023 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York, just outside [[Rochester (New York)|Rochester]] ** Sites have been set through 2029, as well as for 2031 and 2034. * '''U.S. Open''' – ends on the third Sunday in June; next edition to be held 15–18 June 2023 at [[Los Angeles]] Country Club on the city's [[Los Angeles/West|Westside]] ** Sites have been set through 2030, except for 2028, as well as for most subsequent years through 2051. * '''The Open Championship''' – played during the week containing the third Friday in July; next edition to be held 20–23 July 2023 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in [[West Kirby|Hoylake]], [[England]] ** Sites have been set through 2025. ;Other significant events * '''Ryder Cup''' (USA vs. Europe team competition) – Held in odd-numbered years; alternately hosted by the US and Europe ** 2023 – 30 September–2 October at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, [[Italy]] (near [[Rome]]) ** 2025 – September/October (exact dates TBA) at the Black Course of [[Bethpage]] State Park on [[Long Island]] (about 35 miles/56 km east of Midtown Manhattan) ** 2027 – September/October (exact dates TBA) at [[Adare]] Manor in [[County Limerick]], [[Ireland]] *'''Presidents Cup''' (competition between a USA team and an "International" team of non-Europeans) – Held in even-numbered years; alternately hosted by the US and a non-European country ** 2022 – September 23–25 at Quail Hollow Club in [[Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]] ** 2024 – Dates TBA at Royal [[Montreal]] Golf Club in [[Quebec]], [[Canada]] ** 2026 – Dates TBA at Hazeltine National Golf Club in [[Chaska]], [[Minnesota]] (a western suburb of the [[Twin Cities]]) ====Women's==== ;Major championships Three of the five women's major championships are held in the US. As with the men's major championships, all are held from Thursday through Sunday (barring weather delays). * '''Chevron Championship''' (held at The Club at Carlton Woods in [[The Woodlands]], Texas, about 30 mi/50 km north of [[Houston]]) – ends on the first Sunday in April; next edition 30 March–2 April 2023 * '''Women's PGA Championship''' – 22–25 June 2023 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, [[New Jersey]], about 25 mi/40 km west of Midtown Manhattan * '''U.S. Women's Open''' – Next edition to be held 6–9 July 2023 at [[Pebble Beach]] Golf Links in Pebble Beach, [[California]] ** Future sites have been set through 2031, and for several subsequent years through 2048. * '''The Evian Championship''' (always held at the Evian Resort Golf Club in [[Evian|Évian-les-Bains]], [[France]]) – Typically ends on the last Sunday of July; next edition expected to be held 27–30 July 2023 * '''Women's British Open''' – Held two weeks after The Evian Championship; the 2023 edition will be at Walton Heath Golf Club in Walton-on-the-Hill, [[Surrey]] (about 40 km/25 mi from [[London]]); dates have yet to be set. ;Other significant events * '''Solheim Cup''' (USA vs. Europe team competition) – Held in even-numbered years (from 2024) in August or September; alternately hosted by the US and Europe ** 2024 – Dates TBA at Finca Cortesín Golf Club in Casares, Spain (near [[Málaga]]) === Ice hockey === {{seealso|Ice hockey in North America|Ice hockey in Europe}} ==== Men's ==== ;IIHF Men's World Championship * 2023: Site and dates TBA. The original host of [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]] was stripped of hosting rights following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. * 2024: [[Czech Republic]], dates TBA * 2025: [[Denmark]] and [[Sweden]], dates TBA ==== Women's ==== ;IIHF Women's World Championship Starting in 2022, the top level of the Women's World Championships will be held annually, even in Winter Olympic years. From 1997–2021, the top level was an annual affair, but Winter Olympic years were skipped. * 2022: 26 August–4 September in [[Herning]] and [[Frederikshavn]], [[Denmark]] ===Motor racing=== {{seealso|Motor sport}} ====[[Formula One]]==== See the dedicated article. ====NASCAR==== A U.S. stock car racing organization, and the country's most popular form of motorsport. The term "stock car" is a historic reference; when NASCAR first organized races in the years immediately after World War II, the cars were in fact "stock"—exactly as purchased from dealers, with minimal safety-related changes. Over time, the cars changed to the point that they are only vaguely similar in external appearance to current street vehicles, with much more powerful engines and far more safety equipment. NASCAR now operates three national touring series: * Cup Series, the top series * Xfinity Series, the second level * Camping World Truck Series, the third level, which races pickup trucks instead of cars; usually called simply the "Truck Series" Most races are held on oval tracks. For many years, no more than one or two Cup Series races were held on road courses, but since 2021 that number has gone up to six. Five Xfinity Series races and three Truck Series are also held on road courses. One of the two 2022 weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway in East Tennessee saw the paved oval covered by dirt, with all three series racing on that surface (the fall race weekend uses the normal paved track). Before COVID-19, the Truck Series held one race in Canada, but border restrictions have led to that date being transferred south of the border. The sport used to be centered in the Southeastern U.S., but beginning in the 1990s it expanded to become a national spectacle. A typical NASCAR event spans a long weekend, with two or even all three series holding races at one site. Unlike most sports, NASCAR's biggest event is the ''first'' race of the season: * '''Daytona 500''', held on the day before the Presidents Day holiday (which falls on the third Monday of February) at Daytona International Speedway in [[Daytona Beach]], [[Florida]] ====IndyCar==== A U.S.-based open-wheel racing series. It was established in its current form in 2008, when the IndyCar Series (launched in 1996) merged with the former Champcars series. The merger is a story in itself—as late as the early 1990s, open-wheel racing, governed by a body known as CART (which later became Champcars), was the most popular form of motorsport in the U.S. However, in 1994, the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the series' marquee event, the Indianapolis 500, had a bitter falling-out with CART, leading to the creation of the competing IndyCar series (which took the Indy 500 with it). The feud led many former open-wheel fans to abandon the sport, often for NASCAR. By the time the feud ended, attendance and sponsorship money for the sport were a fraction of what they had been only 15 years earlier, and only in the late 2010s had it begun to recover some of its original prominence. All of the series' races are held in the U.S. except for one on a street course in [[Toronto]]. The tracks are a mixture of ovals, road courses, and street circuits. The series' marquee event, as mentioned above, is: * '''Indianapolis 500''', held the day before the U.S. holiday of Memorial Day (which falls on the last Monday of May) at the [[Indianapolis]] Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana (a community completely surrounded by the city of Indianapolis) ==== Motorcycle speedway ==== Motorcycle speedway is a sport where lightweight motorcycles race each other on an oval-shaped track. It is most popular in [[Poland]] but also has a major presence in [[Australia]], [[Britain]], and [[Sweden]]. ===== Important events ===== *'''Speedway Grand Prix''', held annually in the Northern Hemisphere's late spring, summer, and early fall. *'''Speedway of Nations''', held annually in the Northern Hemisphere's summer (usually June or July). ===Rugby=== ''see also'' [[Rugby football]] ====Rugby union==== * 2023 '''Six Nations Championship''', 4 February–18 March: ** [[Cardiff]], Principality Stadium (Millennium Stadium) ** [[Dublin]], Aviva Stadium ** [[Edinburgh]], BT Murrayfield ** [[London]], Twickenham Stadium ** [[Rome]], Stadio Olimpico ** [[Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)|Saint-Denis]] ([[Paris]]), Stade de France * 2022 '''Rugby Championship''', various locations in [[Argentina]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], and [[South Africa]]. Normally held August–October, with an abbreviated and time-shifted version held in years of the men's Rugby World Cup. * 2023 '''Rugby World Cup''' (men's) in [[France]], 8 September–28 October ** Note that World Rugby, the governing body for union, uses the "Rugby World Cup" name for both its men's and women's championship events. * 2025: ** '''British and Irish Lions tour''' to Australia, June–July ** '''Rugby World Cup''' (women's) in England, dates TBA * 2027 '''Rugby World Cup''' (men's) in Australia, dates TBA * 2029: ** '''British and Irish Lions tour''' to New Zealand, June–July ** '''Rugby World Cup''' (women's) in Australia, dates TBA * 2031 '''Rugby World Cup''' (men's) in the United States, dates TBA * 2033: ** '''British and Irish Lions tour''' to South Africa, June–July ** '''Rugby World Cup''' (women's) in the United States, dates TBA ====Rugby sevens==== * '''World Rugby Sevens Series''': A series of 10 tournaments for national men's sevens teams held at various locations around the world. The '''World Rugby Women's Sevens Series''' is a series of eight tournaments. Events in both series will be listed here, with joint events indicated. ** '''USA Women's Sevens''' – The opener of the world sevens season; held in early October at Infinity Park in the [[Denver]] suburb of Glendale, Colorado. ** '''[[Dubai]] Sevens''' – Traditionally the men's season opener, and now the first of six combined men's and women's events. Held on the weekend including the first Saturday in December at a stadium known as The Sevens. ** '''South Africa Sevens''' – Held on the weekend after the Dubai Sevens at [[Cape Town]] Stadium. ** '''New Zealand Sevens''' – Held in the last weekend of January at FMG Stadium Waikato (Waikato Stadium) in [[Hamilton (New Zealand)|Hamilton]]. ** '''Australian Sevens''' – A joint event for the last several years, held in the first weekend of February (immediately following the New Zealand event) at Bankwest Stadium (Western [[Sydney]] Stadium) in [[Sydney/Parramatta|Parramatta]]. ** '''USA Sevens''' – A men-only event held in the weekend ending with the first Sunday of March at Dignity Health Sports Park in the [[Los Angeles]] suburb of [[Carson|Carson, California]]. ** '''Canada Sevens''' – A men-only event held on the weekend after the USA Sevens at BC Place in [[Vancouver/Yaletown-False Creek|downtown]] [[Vancouver]]. ** '''[[Hong Kong]] Sevens''' – The most famous men's event. Normally held in early April at Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po, in the [[Hong Kong/Eastern District|east]] of Hong Kong Island. ** '''[[Singapore]] Sevens''' – A men-only event normally held on the weekend after the Hong Kong Sevens at the National Stadium in Kallang, a district just to the [[Singapore/East Coast|northeast]] of the Downtown Core. ** '''Canada Women's Sevens''' – Held in the first weekend of May at Westhills Stadium in the [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] suburb of [[Langford|Langford, British Columbia]]. ** '''[[London]] Sevens''' – A men-only event held in late May at Twickenham Stadium. ** '''[[Paris]] Sevens''' – The final event for both series, held the weekend after the London Sevens at Stade Jean-Bouin in the city's [[Paris/16th arrondissement|16th arrondissement]]. * The next '''Rugby World Cup Sevens''', with men's and women's national teams competing in separate tournaments at the same site and time, will be held in 2022 at a site to be determined. ====Rugby league==== =====National Rugby League===== *'''NRL Grand Final''' – The first or second Saturday of October at the Sydney Cricket Ground, just [[Sydney/Eastern Suburbs|east of the city centre]]. *'''State of Origin''' series – three matches in all in May–July, with at least one at each of the following venues: ** Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park) in [[Brisbane]] =====Super League===== *'''Super League Grand Final''' – =====International===== *'''2025 Rugby League World Cup''' - [[Canada]] and the [[United States of America|United States]] ===Soccer=== {{seealso|Association football|Association football in Europe}} ====Men's==== * '''2022''' [https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/ FIFA World Cup] in [[Qatar]], 22 November–18 December * '''2023''': ** FIFA U-17 World Cup in [[Peru]], dates TBA ** [https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/index.html FIFA U-20 World Cup] in [[Indonesia]], dates TBA * '''2024''': UEFA [[Euro 2024]] in [[Germany]], 14 June–14 July * '''2026''' FIFA World Cup in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], and [[Mexico]], dates TBA ====Women's==== * '''2022''': ** [https://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/index.html FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup] in [[Costa Rica]], ongoing through 28 August ** [https://www.fifa.com/u17womensworldcup/index.html FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup]: Originally scheduled for October, but India was officially stripped of hosting rights on 16 August. FIFA has yet to determine a new host or dates. * '''2023''' FIFA Women's World Cup in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], 20 July–20 August (opening match in [[Auckland]], final at Stadium Australia in the [[Sydney]] [[Sydney/Sydney Olympic Park|Olympic Park]]) ===Tennis=== Tennis has events throughout the calendar year. The top-level men's tour is the ATP Tour, with the WTA Tour as the women's counterpart. The men's and women's tours come together for the four '''Grand Slam''' events and a few other select tournaments throughout the year. The only players to have ever completed the grand slam are Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 & 1969) in the men's event, and Maureen Connolly (1953), Margaret Court (1965) and Steffi Graf (1988) in the women's event. In addition to these, the '''Davis Cup''' (men) and '''Billie Jean King Cup''' (women) are the top events for national teams; these operate as multi-level leagues. The top levels (now known as the "Finals" in both events) were traditionally conducted as knockout tournaments, but now use a format similar to that of the FIFA World Cup, with all qualifying nations meeting at a single site for a group stage followed by a knockout stage. A player who wins all four grand slams and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year is said to have completed a '''golden slam''', and the only player to have done so to date was Germany's Steffi Graf in 1988. (The doubles partnership of American identical twins Bob and Mike Bryan, aka the Bryan Brothers, won all of the required events consecutively, but their streak started with the 2012 Olympics, thus spanning two calendar years.) ====Grand Slam events==== All four of these events are held over two weeks. They are considered to be the pinnacle of the sport of tennis, and are even more prestigious than the Olympics. * '''Australian Open''': Ends on the last Sunday in January at [[Melbourne]] Park just outside the city centre. Frequently suffers from hot and humid weather in the southern summer, although this has been alleviated by retractable roofs on the three main courts. The final is held in the Rod Laver Arena, which is named after Rod Laver, the only player to have completed a grand slam twice, and the last man to achieve the feat when he did so in 1969. * '''French Open''' (also known as ''Roland Garros''): Held in late May and early June at ''Stade Roland Garros'' in the Bois de Boulogne in the [[Paris/16th arrondissement|16th arondissement]] of [[Paris]]. Most notable as the only Grand Slam event still held on clay courts. * '''Wimbledon''': Begins on the first Monday in July and ends on the second Sunday following at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in the Wimbledon neighbourhood of southwest [[London]]. Notable for being the only Grand Slam event held on grass courts, requiring all players to dress only in white, and many other traditions. The most prestigious of the Grand Slams. * '''US Open''': Begins on the last Monday in August and ends on the Sunday after the US holiday of Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in the northern part of the [[New York City]] borough of [[Queens]]. ====Season-ending championships==== Both the ATP and WTA have season-ending events for the very top players, with eight players qualifying for the finals in singles and eight teams in doubles. The competitors are divided into two groups of four, each playing a round-robin within the group. The top two finishers in each group advance to the semifinals, with the winners of each semifinal contesting the final. * '''ATP Finals''': Mid-November at Pala Alpitour (aka Palasport Olimpico) in [[Turin]], Italy. * '''WTA Finals''': Late October–early November. Due to COVID-19 issues, plus concerns over the treatment of Chinese player Peng Shuai after she accused a top Communist Party official of sexual assault, the tournament was stripped from Shenzhen, China, with no replacement yet named. For a few years, the WTA Tour had a second season-ending event for players immediately below those who qualify for the WTA Finals known as the WTA Elite Trophy, but no edition has been held since 2019. ====Other top-tier events==== Both the ATP and WTA have a multi-level hierarchy of events, with the Grand Slam at the top, followed by the season-ending championships and then the events shown here (with other levels below these in both cases). The two tours have differing terminology for this level: * ATP: Nine events known as the "ATP Tour Masters 1000". All top players are required to enter these events (barring injury or other misfortune), with the exception of the Monte-Carlo Masters. * WTA: The "WTA 1000" was established in 2021 by the merger of the former "Premier Mandatory" and "Premier 5" events. However, the former split between those two categories is still maintained, with only the four former "Premier Mandatory" events requiring that top players enter. * Olympics: The tennis event at the Olympics is less prestigious than the Grand Slams, and many top players choose to skip it, while those who compete often do not take it seriously and lose to little-known lower-ranked opponents. That said, players who win all four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year are said to have completed a golden slam, which is an extremely rare and difficult feat; only one player, Steffi Graf, has managed to do so to date. One doubles team, the Bryan Brothers (American twins Bob and Mike Bryan), won all of the events consecutively, but during a span of two calendar years. With that in mind, here are the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 events: * '''[[Qatar]] Ladies Open''': Mid-February at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in [[Doha]]. ''Non-mandatory; alternates yearly with Dubai between WTA 1000 and lower-level WTA 500 status.'' * '''[[Dubai]] Tennis Championships''': Late February at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre. ''Non-mandatory; alternates yearly with Qatar between WTA 1000 and lower-level WTA 500 status.'' * '''Indian Wells Masters''' (men) and '''Indian Wells Open''' (women): Early March in [[Indian Wells]], California (near Palm Springs). ''ATP Masters 1000 and mandatory WTA 1000.'' * '''Miami Open''': Late March–early April at Hard Rock Stadium in [[Miami Gardens]], Florida (north of the city of Miami). ''ATP Masters 1000 and mandatory WTA 1000.'' * '''Monte-Carlo Masters''': Mid-April at Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, next to Monaco. ''ATP Masters 1000.'' * '''[[Madrid]] Open''': Mid-May at Caja Mágica in Madrid. ''ATP Masters 1000 and mandatory WTA 1000.'' * '''Italian Open''': Week following the Madrid Open at Foro Italico in Rome. ''ATP Masters 1000 and non-mandatory WTA 1000.'' * '''Canadian Open''': Early August at Stade IGA in Montreal and Aviva Centre in Toronto. In odd-numbered years, the men play in Montreal and the women in Toronto, and vice versa in even-numbered years. ''ATP Masters 1000 and non-mandatory WTA 1000.'' * '''Cincinnati Masters''' (men) and '''Cincinnati Open''' (women): Week after the Canadian Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in [[Mason (Ohio)|Mason, Ohio]], northeast of [[Cincinnati]]. ''ATP Masters 1000 and non-mandatory WTA 1000.'' * '''[[Wuhan]] Open''': Last week of September at Optics Valley International Tennis Center. ''Non-mandatory WTA 1000.'' * '''China Open''': Start of October, immediately following the Wuhan Open, at the National Tennis Center in [[Beijing]]. ''Mandatory WTA 1000.'' ** Note that the ATP Tour plays here at the same time, but the men's version of the China Open is a fourth-tier 500 Series event. * '''[[Shanghai]] Masters''': Week after the China Open at Qi Zhong Stadium in the southwest of the city. ''ATP Masters 1000.'' * '''[[Paris]] Masters''': Late October–early November at AccorHotels Arena in the [[Paris/12th arrondissement|12th arrondissement]]. ''ATP Masters 1000.'' ===Handball=== {{see also|Handball in Europe}} Olympic or team Handball is a fast paced team sport that is mostly played indoors and enjoys considerable popularity in most of continental Europe. The world cup as well as the European championship are major events, second only to soccer. The best national leagues (found in Germany, France and the Nordic countries) battle out a club champion every year. There is also the [http://www.ehfcl.com/ EHF Champions League] which battles out Europe's top club team every year. ===Cycling=== Road bicycle racing is broadly divided into two race types: * '''Single-day races''' — Exactly as the name implies, these races are held on a single day at around the same time each year. Some have fixed courses; more have fixed starting and end points with courses varying slightly from year to year. The most prestigious races of this type are often called "classics", but the term is poorly defined. * '''Stage races''' — Held over more than one day, with one race each day known as a "stage" (though some races, notably the Grand Tours, will include one or two rest days). While there is an award ceremony at the end of each stage, the overall winner is determined by "general classification"—the cumulative time for the entire race. The most famous road racing events for bicycles in Europe are the three stage races known as Grand Tours. They are raced in Italy, France, and Spain but commonly also include legs in other countries. These tours, each featuring 21 stages, involve only men's races, and are even more prestigious than the cycling events at the Olympics. * '''[https://www.giroditalia.it/ Giro d'Italia]''' - around Italy, usually takes place in May. * '''[https://www.letour.fr/en/ Tour de France]''' - around France, usually takes place in July. * '''[https://www.lavuelta.es/en Vuelta a España]''' - around Spain, usually takes place in August. While countless single-day races are run, both throughout Europe and worldwide, the most famous are the five races known as "Monuments", all of which were first held between 1890 and 1915. * '''[[Milan]]–[[Sanremo|San Remo]]''' (Italian: ''Milano–Sanremo'') – The first major classic of the year, usually on the third Saturday of March on a course between the two named locations. It's considered "the sprinters' classic" because its mostly flat course favors that type of rider. * '''Tour of [[Flanders]]''' (Dutch: ''Ronde van Vlaanderen'') – Held in early April through [[Belgium]]'s Flanders region between [[Antwerp]] and [[Oudenaarde]]. The first of the "cobbled classics", with many key sections (including several short but very steep hills) paved in cobblestones. * '''[[Paris]]–[[Roubaix]]''' – Probably ''the'' most famous single-day race, it's known as the "Queen of the Classics" and ''l'Enfer du Nord'' ("The Hell of the North [of France]"). Held one week after the Tour of Flanders, it features even longer stretches of cobblestone roads, making it arguably the hardest single-day race on riders. * '''[[Liège]]–[[Bastogne]]–Liège''' – Held in late April in Belgium, this race is nearly as hard on riders as Paris–Roubaix, but for different reasons, namely a long course with numerous short but steep hills in the [[Ardennes]] region, as well as an uphill finish in Liège. * '''Giro di [[Lombardy|Lombardia]]''' (officially ''Il Lombardia'') – The year's final Monument, held in October over a course that varies from year to year, with only a few fixed locations, most famously the arduous climb to the Madonna del Ghisallo church in Magreglio near Lake Como. The race ends in either [[Bergamo]] or [[Como]]. Known as "the climbers' classic" from its many significant climbs. Cycling is also featured at the Summer Olympics in 4 disciplines; track cycling, road cycling, mountain biking and BMX. With the exception of the men's road cycling discipline, these are generally considered to be the pinnacle of the sport of cycling. {{usabletopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Sports}} j87aif23ldyso1y311ev18r8z4e21ju 0 15854 4506205 4496174 2022-08-22T12:44:10Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Towns */ cmt broken mapshape wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sandown banner Sandown Pier.jpg|caption=Sandown Pier at sunrise}} The '''[http://www.islandbreaks.co.uk/ Isle of Wight]''' is an island and county five miles (8 km) off the [[South East England|southern coast]] of [[England]]. The island has long been an excellent place for an upmarket but traditional seaside holiday, with beaches and towns that were very popular in Victorian times. It has become a must-visit destination for young people seeking watersports and outdoor activities generally. [[Cowes]] is a famous yachting centre and attracts the 'London set' together with members of the worldwide sailing fraternity during Cowes Week in August. The island has a similar atmosphere to [[Guernsey]] or [[Jersey]] yet is much closer to the mainland and is three times the size. Despite being only 6 miles (10 km) across the sea from Portsmouth and 15 miles (25 km) from Southampton it is a world apart in terms of scenery, culture and pace of life. Known as "England In Miniature" it offers an incredible variety with the landscape changing dramatically in the space of a few miles and each town and village offering something different. Beaches are fantastic and the water quality is good. == Towns == {{Mapframe | 50.680 | -1.320 | height=600 | width=800 | zoom=11}} <!--{{Mapshape}}--> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Newport (Isle of Wight)|Newport]]|url=|lat=50.701|long=-1.2883|wikidata=Q985594}} – the county town (administrative centre) in the centre of the island on the River Medina. On the outskirts is '''Carisbrooke Castle''' *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bembridge]]|url=|lat=50.6897|long=-1.0889|wikidata=Q2624470}} – on the eastern tip *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cowes|Cowes & East Cowes]]|url=|lat=50.7595|long=-1.3002|wikidata=Q587996}} – two towns at the northern tip, separated by the River Medina *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Freshwater]]|url=|lat=50.682566|long=-1.524884|wikidata=Q2428909}} – in the west *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ryde]]|url=|lat=50.7271|long=-1.1618|wikidata=Q776556}} – the largest town; on the north-east coast nearest to Portsmouth *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sandown and Shanklin]]|url=|lat=50.631|long=-1.1734|wikidata=Q34058574}} – on the south-east coast *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ventnor]]|url=|lat=50.5976|long=-1.2084|wikidata=Q1026673}} – at the south end *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Wootton Bridge]]|url=|lat=50.7263|long=-1.2321|wikidata=Q2382467}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Yarmouth (England)|Yarmouth]]|url=|lat=50.7048|long=-1.495|wikidata=Q921984}} – in the west <!--Move the following ones up when articles are created for them - wikidata ids have been added * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Arreton]]|wikidata=Q2228859}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Brading]]|wikidata=Q738184}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Calbourne]]|wikidata=Q2572551}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Godshill]]|wikidata=Q2034581}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Niton]]|wikidata=Q7041346}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Sandown]]|wikidata=Q516605}} – on the south-east coast * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Shalfleet]]|wikidata=Q2801374}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Shorwell]]|wikidata=Q2557938}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Wroxall]]|wikidata=Q2044679}} --> ==Understand== Historically the local economy has moved from being dependent on smuggling and farming to tourism with the coming of the railways. There is also considerable light engineering and yacht building. The local newspaper is the ''Isle of Wight County Press'', which sells 23,000 copies to a population of 140,000 (2017), and is published from Newport every Friday. Any event will be advertised here. There are car boot sales nearly every day in summer advertised here. ===Climate=== Thanks to a southerly latitude and sheltered location, many parts of the Isle of Wight enjoy a mild and sunny climate. The south-east of the island in particular is known for its high sunshine records and warm air. [http://www.isleofwightweather.co.uk June to September are the warmest months.] {{Climate| units = Metric | janhigh =8.1 | febhigh =7.9 | marhigh =10 | aprhigh =12.3 | mayhigh =15.6 | junhigh =18.2 | julhigh =20.4 | aughigh =20.5 | sephigh =18.3 | octhigh =15 | novhigh =11.3 | dechigh =8.8 | janlow =3.5 | feblow =2.9 | marlow =4.3 | aprlow =5.4 | maylow =8.4 | junlow =11.1 | jullow =13.4 | auglow =13.5 | seplow =11.8 | octlow =9.5 | novlow =6.2 | declow =4 | janprecip =3.5 | febprecip =2.6 | marprecip =2.6 | aprprecip =2.1 | mayprecip =2.1 | junprecip =1.9 | julprecip =1.9 | augprecip =2.2 | sepprecip =2.8 | octprecip =4.5 | novprecip =4.3 | decprecip =4 | description = Source: [[w:Isle_of_Wight#Climate|Wikipedia]]. Visit [https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcp06tsw8 the Met Office] for a five day forecast. }} ==Get in== It is easily and quickly accessible by multiple sea routes from the mainland cities of [[Southampton]] and [[Portsmouth]]. There is over a century's worth of proposals to create a fixed link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland, but nothing has ever materialised. Most visitors will need to rely on ferry service to and from the island. ===By ferry or hovercraft=== Access is across the Solent, a narrow stretch of sea between the mainland and the island, by regular ferry, hovercraft or fast-cat. Many of the ferries carry cars, but this can be expensive; the alternative is to leave the car behind and use buses and trains on the island, but this will limit access to more rural locations and beaches. Car tickets are for car plus four passengers and depending on the size of your party bringing a car may actually work out cheaper than the passenger ferry. Hovercraft and fast cat fares are comparable. The cat connects better with trains, while the hovercraft is better for onward journeys by bus or car. Prices for crossing the Solent increase for the fare with the length of the stay, and you may find two single tickets are a better bet than a long-period return. With the hovercraft you can reserve a seat on a specific crossing, which is useful if you are travelling in the summer holidays or at rush hour. If taking a car on a vehicle ferry, it's strongly advised to book in advance, and is essential during the summer holidays. The major ferry routes and trip durations from the mainland to the island are: * [http://www.wightlink.co.uk/ferry-travel-info/routes-destinations/portsmouth-ryde-catamaran Wightlink passenger catamaran] – [[Portsmouth]] Harbour rail station to [[Ryde]] Pier Head; 15 min; adult £11.50, day return £16.50, period return £18. Ryde terminal is within Ryde Pier Head train station. Portsmouth terminal lies inside Portsmouth Harbour train station. Outside of Portmsouth Harbour station you can find numerous local and national express buses. There is no bus service to Ryde Pier Head, but there is (expensive, gate controlled) car parking. There's no car parking facilities at Portsmouth Harbour. It's also possible to walk and cycle down the pier. * [http://www.wightlink.co.uk/go/isle-of-wight-ferry-routes-destinations/portsmouth-fishbourne/ Wightlink car ferry] – Portsmouth to Fishbourne (near Ryde); 45 min. There is no public transport to either terminal. * [http://www.wightlink.co.uk/ferry-travel-info/routes-destinations/lymington-yarmouth-ferry Wightlink car and passenger ferry] – [[Lymington]] to [[Yarmouth (England)|Yarmouth]] on the west end of the island; 40 min. Lymington terminal is directly connected to the Lymington Pier train station. Yarmouth terminal is served by the #7 bus route, along with a "Breezer" open top bus in summer running to the Needles. * [http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/ferry-travel/red-jet-hi-speed-service/timetable/ Red Funnel Red Jet passenger catamaran] – [[Southampton]] Town Quay to west [[Cowes]]; 25 min; adult £14.40. The West Cowes terminal is served by the #1 bus to Newport, while Town Quay has a dedicated shuttle bus to the city centre and Southampton Central train station. Be aware there is no easy access to the National Express bus station (it involves a walk through the Asda supermarket and a lift down the multistorey carpark - if you have luggage definitely consider a taxi) * [http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/ferry-travel/passenger-vehicle-ferry-service/timetable/ Red Funnel car and passenger ferry] – Southampton Town Quay to east Cowes; 55 min. The East Cowes terminal is in the town centre. From the Waitrose supermarket just across the mini roundabout, bus #5 runs to newport, and #4 to Ryde. The Southampton terminal is served by the same shuttle service as the Red Jet (see above) * {{listing | type=go | name=Hovertravel passenger hovercraft | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adult £19, day return £24.50, period return (for 90 days) £32 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-12-04 | content=Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde 10 min. Using the service of Hovertravel will give you the unique chance to ride or fly in a hovercraft, as the route across the Solent is the world's only commercial passenger hovercraft. }}. At Southsea, National Express and local buses stop directly across the road from the hoverport, and there is a council run large long stay car park also directly opposite. At Ryde, there is a large council run long-stay car park directly outside the terminal, and a footbridge over the railway line connecting directly to both Ryde bus station (numerous services) and Ryde Esplanade train station. Note the footbridge has no lift. If you have luggage, turn left (toward the ice rink) and walk ~100m and you can cross the line without stairs, as the railway drops into a tunnel. Whilst on the ferry pick up a free guide of things to do and if possible another of places to eat. These are updated twice a year and give useful information and phone numbers. At Portsmouth/Southsea for an extra fee of £1.50 Hoverbus will take you between the Hovercraft terminus at Southsea and Portsmouth & Southsea station via Portsmouth Harbour station. On the Isle of Wight Hovertravel's terminal is in Ryde next to the bus station at the seafront (use overpass across the railway tracks), while the Wightlink catamaran calls at the far end of [[Ryde Pier]], requiring a 700-yard (630-m) walk ashore (unless you get picked up by private car, or ride the train). ==Get around== [[File:Cottages in Godshill, Isle of Wight - geograph.org.uk - 1716175.jpg|thumb|250px|Thatched cottages near the old church at Godshill]] ===By bus=== The island is covered by a wide but expensive bus network (by the standards of a rural area) run by '''[http://www.islandbuses.info Southern Vectis]''', including spectacular open-top services in West Wight and near Ryde. Tickets can be bought from drivers and options include singles (minimum price of £2.50), [http://www.islandbuses.info/page.shtml?pageid=1271 "rover" passes](adult price of £10 for one day, £15 for two), evening "NightRider" passes (£7 after 7PM), and various discounts to cater to students and the island's retired population. Most buses start from either Ryde Bus Station (on the beach by the hoverport, and integrated into Ryde Esplanade rail station) or Newport Bus Station (in Newport town centre). If you need to transfer between buses, ask for a ticket to your final destination, and you can get a ticket right through. Island buses also operates Breezer and Steamer buses during the summer season to take tourists to various destinations and attractions. Concession passes are not valid on these services, but "Rover" or "Freedom" unlimited ride tickets ''can'' be used. * Needles Breezer * Downs Breezer * Island Coaster * Shanklin Steamer ===By train=== The [https://www.southwesternrailway.com/destinations-and-offers/island-line Island Line] is operated as part of the larger South-Western Railway franchise, and is part of the regular ticketing system. All trains from the catamaran ferry terminal at [[Ryde]] Pier Head depart to Shanklin twice hourly (though on an unusual 20 minute/40 minute pattern, due to the track layout) calling at: * Ryde Esplanade - integrated with the bus station that serves most destinations on the eastern half of the island, and over the footbridge to the hovercraft terminal for service to Southsea. * Ryde St. Johns Road - for Ryde High Street * Smallbrook Junction - directly connecting to the '''[https://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ Isle of Wight Steam Railway]'''. Trains only stop here when the steam railway is operating, and there is no entrance or exit. * Brading - for the historic town and '''[https://bradingromanvilla.org.uk/ Brading Roman Villa]''' * [[Sandown]] - for the town, and local bus service to '''[http://www.dinosaurisle.com/ Dinosaur Isle]''' * Lake - the walk from here along the cliff top footpath to Shanklin is popular with locals * [[Shanklin]] - the southern terminus. Serves the town. Connecting buses to [[Ventnor]] (bus #3), which also serves '''Shanklin Old VIllage''' and [https://www.shanklinchine.co.uk/ '''Shanklin Chine'''] which can also be reached on foot (~20 min). Since the 1960s the line has been operated by ex-London Underground trains - the precise type has changed over the years, with the present type having been constructed in the early 1980s. ===By bicycle=== Cycling on the island is a fantastic way to get around and keep green. Bicycles can be brought to the island by foot passengers on any of the car ferries. Hire cycles are available [http://www.isleofwighthire.co.uk at this website]. The island has over 200 miles of cycle ways much of which can be enjoyed by families off road. The major bike trails are: * '''The Sunshine Trail''' incorporates Sandown, Shanklin, Godshill and Wroxhall in a 12-mile circular route. * '''The Troll Trail''' leads from Cowes to Sandown (90% off road) about 13 miles either way * '''Round the Island Cycle Route''' circumnavigates the island on a reported 62-mile ride (not for the amateur or faint-hearted). *'''[https://redsquirreltrail.org.uk/ The Red Squirrel Trail]''' is a 32-mile, mostly traffic free cycle route from coast to coast through the island's stunning countryside. The route is from Cowes to Sandown and Shanklin, with a return route via Godshill and Wroxall. It incorporates some of the Troll and Sunshine Trails. ==See== [[File:The Needles, Isle of Wight, England-2Oct2011 (4).jpg|thumb|250px|The Needles at Alum Bay]] * {{see | name=Alum Bay | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=The Needles | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=Carisbrooke Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Carisbrooke]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=Osborne House | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Cowes|East Cowes]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=Steephill Cove | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Ventnor]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-10-30 | content= }} * '''Eagles''' - the island is the site for a national reintroduction programme of white-tailed eagles; six juveniles were released in summer 2019, and more releases are planned every summer until 2023. Although eagles roam hundreds of miles for days at a time, they will still consider the Isle of Wight as their home territory, and it is hoped they will breed here in years to come, so this is the best place you have a hope of seeing one. These are the first wild eagles to live in England since the 18th century, so a sighting of one of these huge birds (they have a {{ft|6}} wingspan) would be a truly special addition to your island holiday! ==Do== [[File:Carisbrooke Castle 2011, 24.jpg|thumb|The Governor's House in Carisbrooke Castle]] Visit Ventnor Botanic Garden - the South Coast of the island has a warm micro-climate allowing palms, banana trees and cactus to flourish, even in private gardens. It is regularly used by TV and film makers when locations like the South of France are required, in productions like ''Lady Chatterley's Lover''. Much of the road network in the South passes through the lush flora and fauna of an area called the landslip which offers spectacular sea views between Ventnor and Niton. The Isle of Wight is, according to ''National Geographic Magazine'', the 4th best location for dinosaur fossils in the world. Fossil walks can be booked from Dinosaur Isle Museum at Sandown or the Fossil Shop at Blackgang Chine. Walk from Freshwater Bay to the Needles Battery over Tennyson Down. Fantastic views over the west Wight and western Solent. The [http://www.isleofwightzoo.com Isle of Wight Zoo] in Sandown is a privately-run zoo with a focus on tigers and lemurs, built within the ruins of a Victorian fort which once guarded Sandown's coast and beaches. Guided "walking safari" tours for kids, temporary exhibits. A "[https://www.poomuseum.org National Poo Museum]" in Sandown is a spin-off of a 2016 zoo exhibit, established as a free-standing museum. From May to September, the weather is often bright and warm, making a visit to some of the island's beaches a good idea. Favourites: *'''Colwell Bay''' - NW coast near Yarmouth. good golden sands and often clear waters, shallow shelf nice for family swimming and building sand castles. Can get busy, esp for parking, but there's generally enough space on the beach itself. Note that at high tide the beach disappears. *'''Freshwater Bay''' - SW coast. Pebble beach with facilities and parking. Popular with snorkellers and divers. Can be exposed when the westerly winds get up. *'''Compton Bay''' - SW coast, off the Military Road. Popular for surfing when the wind is right. Parking (very busy in summer), but otherwise limited facilities. Spectacular views *'''Shepherd's Chine''' - SW coast. One of the most remote beaches. No real facilities, though there is a campsite nearby with toilets and water. Spectacular views and even in summer it doesn't get busy. Coming from the west along the Military Road, there's a Layby just before the bridge over the chine, from there a footpath follows the chine to the beach. *'''Binnel Bay (aka Old Park)''' - South coast. Not a swimming beach but a bizarre place dominated by the gigantic remains of an artificial harbour built by an eccentric 19th-century German millionaire, William Spindler, who wanted to build a resort. The extremely rough seas here in winter breached the massive stone seawalls into giant pieces twisted and turned on themselves, which still dominate the bay, combined with the broken, tortured terrain of the landslip, dominated by streams, pulled down trees pointing at all angles, and broken pathways, and giving it a surreal atmosphere, a mix of Atlantean sunken grandeur and Mad Max-esque post-apocalypse. The footpath (unsurprisingly) down the bay is closed, but still accessible (though the steps are a neglected), and quite popular with locals and curious tourists walking the coastal path, which passes close by. Park up by the Old Park Hotel, which is a product of Spindler's grandiose plans that has faded somewhat into wrack and ruin (the hotel still operates, despite the derelict feel). *'''Steephill Cove''' - South coast. Small rocky bay near the botanic gardens. Extremely popular with tourists due to the seafood joint, and a whole lot of hype. *'''Ventnor''' - South coast. Typical Victorian resort beach. Esplanade with many cafes, including The Sands (cards accepted, free WiFi), which does excellent seaside food, and the Spyglass Inn pub with spectacular outdoor terrace. Beach has extremely fine, smooth shingle with the texture of rice grains - effectively sand but without the mess. There's an offshore rocky reef exposed at low tide that makes good snorkelling at other times, though visibility is poor. On the esplanade is the Brisbane Gnomon, a sun clock presented to the town by Sir Thomas Brisbane, the governor of New South Wales from 1821-1825, and from whom [[Brisbane]] takes its name. Plenty of parking. *'''Bonchurch''' - Sheltered, shallow coves with pebble and shingle beach get nice and warm if the sun's been out for a week or so (August). Parking available up the hill. *'''Shanklin''' - SE coast. Typical Victorian resort beach. Massive sandy beach at low tide. At high tide, the southern half is inaccessible. Plenty of parking. The Lazy Wave cafe at the slipway is excellent (cards accepted). Esplanade with a string of hotels, cafes and pubs, as well as a delightfully weird little arcade of retro and antique arcade games. Separated from the rest of the town by towering sandstone cliffs, a problem solved rather ingeniously by a giant lift (£1 single, £1.50 return - operates May to November). *'''Lake''' - SE coast - also on the south coast near Ventnor. Windsurfing and sailing hire available. Park and walk from the wonderfully named Small Hope Beach carpark at the north end of Shanklin beach. *'''Sandown -''' SE coast. Has an extensive sandy beach at all states of the tide, with plenty of facilities and a pleasure pier. Unlikle most beaches on the island, Sandown is right in the town centre, as there's no cliff here. *'''Appley Beach / Ryde Beaches''' (NE coast). Essentially one massive beach running east from Ryde town centre all the way to Appley. Sandy and plenty of beach even at high tide. Plenty of facilities and parking, including a swimming pool with retractable roof in summer. * The Isle of Wight has over 60 miles (100 km)) of beach to explore throughout the year. The coast by Osborne House and King's Quay is private and around Newtown Ranges is Ministry of Defence land. In 2007, Blue Flag status was given to the beaches at Ryde East, Sandown and Shanklin for achieving the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management. Some 13 other Isle of Wight beaches were given Seaside Awards for above average water quality. * Walking is promoted by an annual Walking Festival. There is an extensive network of footpaths and bridle ways. The Ordnance Survey 50,000 scale Landranger map is half IOW and half in Hampshire, but the 25,000 explorer map is the same price and only covers the Island. There are a number of "long distance trails" of which the coastal path is the longest at approximately 73 miles (116 km). * '''Isle of Wight Festival''' is held in Newport. It's normally in June, though the 2021 event was postponed to Sept. * '''[http://www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk/ Cowes Week]''' is a yachting regatta held at [[Cowes]] in August. ==Eat== *[http://www.thenew-inn.co.uk/ The New Inn], Shalfleet, is an excellent place to go for fresh, locally caught fish. It has a relaxed, traditional pub ambience and friendly service. Local ales and a wide range of wines are available to accompany your meal. * Lake Fish Bar sells excellent fish and chips. * You will need to book for the Baywatch at St.Helen's and probably the [http://www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk/ Crab and Lobster] in Bembridge. The other restaurants in St. Helens are good but pricey. The Pilot Boat is fine and you will not usually need to book. *The Black Cat in Shanklin Old Village does good Thai cuisine. *Vernon Cottage in Shanklin Old Village is good for lunches. *Visit [http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/ The Garlic Farm] in Newchurch. There is a brilliant restaurant there, plus a large shop for anything garlic related! ==Drink== The Isle of Wight has many country pubs selling food and local real ale. Adgestone Vineyard produces white wine which is used in state banquets when English wine is required to show off to foreign diplomats etc. Historically the local breweries were Mews, Langton at Newport and Burts at Ventnor, now both closed. Most of the ex-Mews pubs were taken over by Whitbread, but local breweries have re-opened as Goddards and Yates. There are a few Gales pubs such as the Castle in Ryde. Isle of Wight tap water is generally very good for making tea. Bottled mineral water is produced under the name "Wight Spring" from Whitwell, where it had been a holy well. Country pubs with food: the Hare & Hounds near Newport is a Greene King chain pub that serves a standard menu all year round -reliable, cheap for families but pretty uninspiring. Also any rustic character has been diluted by unsightly back extensions. The White Lion at Arreton provides a good alternative. Nearby is the Dairyman's Daughter in the Craft Centre. The Fighting Cocks on the Newport Road holds a boot sale in the car park in summer The Crown Inn in Shorwell has fishponds and doves in its garden. If you want a pub with sea views and freshly cooked seafood in the middle of an estate of bungalows, try the Crab and Lobster Inn in Bembridge. ==Sleep== There are '''[https://www.premierinn.com Premier Inn]''' hotels in Newport, by the harbour, and just outside Lake, as well as '''[https://www.travelodge.co.uk/ Travel Lodge]''' hotels in Newport and Ryde. There are also independent hotels at most budget levels. The Isle of Wight Tourist Board maintains a vacancy list. There are a number of farms that provide accommodation and holiday cottages. Holiday cottages are often quite difficult to book late and relatively expensive compared with the rest of England. There are numerous campsites and holiday parks scattered around the island, with the usual park chains operating at least one. Prices rise dramatically in the summer school holiday season (mid-July to early September). Many pubs also provide accommodation. Saturday night in Newport Town Centre is apt to be quite rowdy and not a good place to sleep near. Sandown has a reputation for being rough at the weekends, whereas Shanklin and Ventnor tend to be fairly quiet. The west coast towns are very tranquil. ===Budget=== "Xoron" is a houseboat converted from a wartime gunboat. It is moored at Bembridge Harbour. ===Top range=== Bembridge Coast Hotel, Priory Bay Hotel (St. Helens), Farringford [Totland]. ===Farms=== Newnham Farm, near Ryde. ===Pubs=== The Crab and Lobster Inn has 5 B&B rooms, some with wonderful sea views and has a 4 star AA rating The Meadows is a family-run B&B, it is virtually a home from home and is conveniently close to Newport Town centre. The Meadows offers plentiful extras including a complimentary mini bottle of wine on arrival. [http://www.fortvictoriacottage.co.uk Fort Victoria Cottage] is a Grade II former officer's cottage next to the sea in the Fort Victoria Country Park, near Yarmouth. *{{sleep | name=St Maur Hotel | alt=Isle of Wight Hotels | url=http://www.stmaur.co.uk | email= | address=Castle Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1LG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +44 1983 852306 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=St Maur Hotel can cater for a variety of visits. Available for short breaks or week-long stays, and any other occasion or event. Can organise your travel to and from the island. }} *{{sleep | name=Castlehaven Caravan Site | alt= | url=http://www.isleofwightholidays.com/castlehaven_caravans.html | email= | address=Castlehaven Lane, Niton, Isle of Wight | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1983 730495 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Caravan park right on the waters edge giving incredible sea views. }} ==Go next== *'''[[Portsmouth]]''' is a good place for a day visit (Victory, Warrior, Mary Rose, Gosport Submarine Museum). Off-shore sightseeing cruises can be booked from Sandown Pier or East Cowes (Wight Line Cruises aka. Blue Funnel). *'''[[Southampton]]''', Hampshire's largest city, offers plenty of museums, restaurants and shopping. {{geo|50.67|-1.31|zoom=12}} {{isPartOf|South_East_England}} {{outlineregion}} fmkavldq675o6qpiietn9cvqiqbelpi 0 15920 4506272 4503888 2022-08-22T14:53:19Z Sunset2001 2188185 /* WiFi */ Added reference to WiFi Italia wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Italy banner 3 Florence.jpg|caption=A view across beautiful Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo}} {{COVID-19 box|There are no COVID-19 restrictions in effect for Italy. Wearing an FFP2 mask or an equivalent standard remains mandatory on public transport. If getting ill (fever and repiratory symptoms), [[Self-isolation after travel|self-isolate]] and call a doctor. See [http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/covid-19-updates-information-for-tourists.html www.italia.it] for updates.| lastedit=2022-08-13 }} '''[https://www.italia.it/en Italy]''' ([[Italian phrasebook|Italian]]: ''Italia''), officially the '''Italian Republic''' (''Repubblica italiana''), was once the core of the mighty [[Roman Empire]], and the cradle of the [[Medieval and Renaissance Italy|Renaissance]]. Along with [[Greece]], it is regarded as the "birthplace" of Western culture, and it is also home to the greatest number of [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Sites]] in the world, including high art and monuments. Italy is famous for [[Italian cuisine|its delicious cuisine]], trendy fashions, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, diverse regional cultures and dialects, as well as for its various landscapes from the seas to the Alps and Apennines, which makes reason for its nickname ''Il Bel Paese'' (the Beautiful Country). In the shape of a boot, the country continues to be one of the world's most influential countries. It is a member of the [[European Union]] and shares borders with [[France]], [[Switzerland]], [[Austria]], and [[Slovenia]]. There are thousands of things to do in this mesmerising country, and if you want to experience what living the life feels like, you're bound to find it in Italy. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Italy regions.png | regiontext= | regionmapsize=400px | region1name=[[Northwest Italy]] | region1color=#71b37b | region1items=[[Piedmont]], [[Liguria]], [[Lombardy]] and [[Aosta Valley]] | region1description=Home of the Italian Riviera, including [[Portofino]] and the [[Cinque Terre]]. The [[Alps]] and world-class cities like the industrial capital of Italy ([[Turin]]), its largest port ([[Genoa]]) and the main business hub of the country ([[Milan]]) are near beautiful landscapes like the [[Lake Como]] and [[Lake Maggiore]] area and lesser-known Renaissance treasures like [[Mantova]] and [[Bergamo]]. | region2name=[[Northeast Italy]] | region2color=#8a84a3 | region2items=[[Emilia-Romagna]], [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]], [[Trentino-Alto Adige]] and [[Veneto]] | region2description=From the canals of [[Venice]] to the gastronomic capital [[Bologna]], from impressive mountains such as the [[Dolomites]] and first-class ski resorts like [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]] to the delightful roofscapes of [[Parma]] and [[Verona]], these regions offer much to see and do. German-speaking [[South Tyrol]] and the cosmopolitan city of [[Trieste]] offer a uniquely Central European flair. | region3name=[[Central Italy]] | region3color=#d5dc76 | region3items=[[Lazio]], [[Abruzzo]], [[Marche]], [[Tuscany]] and [[Umbria]] | region3description=This region breathes history and art. [[Rome]] boasts many of the remaining wonders of the Roman Empire and some of the world's best-known landmarks, combined with a vibrant, big-city feel. [[Florence]], cradle of the Renaissance, is [[Tuscany]]'s top attraction, and the magnificent countryside and nearby cities like [[Siena]], [[Pisa]] and [[Lucca]] also offer a rich history and heritage. Abruzzo is dotted with picturesque cities such as [[L'Aquila]], [[Chieti]] and [[Vasto]], as well as [[Perugia]], [[Gubbio]] and [[Assisi]] in Umbria. | region4name=[[Southern Italy]] | region4color=#d09440 | region4items=[[Apulia]], [[Basilicata]], [[Calabria]], [[Campania]] and [[Molise]] | region4description=Bustling [[Naples]], the dramatic ruins of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]], the romantic [[Amalfi Coast]] and [[Capri]], laidback [[Apulia]], the stunning beaches of [[Calabria]], and up-and-coming agritourism make the region a great place to explore. | region5name=[[Sicily]] | region5color=#d56d76 | region5description=The beautiful island is famous for archaeology, seascape and some of Italy's best cuisine. | region6name=[[Sardinia]] | region6color=#b383b3 | region6description=Large, gorgeous island some 250 km west of the Italian coastline offers mountains, beaches and the sea with some of the oldest historical structures dating back to the Nuragic Age. }} <br clear="all"/> '''[[San Marino]]''' and the '''[[Rome/Vatican|Vatican City]]''' are two microstates surrounded by Italy. As they use the euro, the Italian language and have no [[border crossing|border controls]], they are easy to visit. Another micro-state, according to some, is SMOM. That stands for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta; it issues its own passports and has two locations in Rome: one at Via Condotti 68 near the Spanish Steps, the second on Aventine Hill where you can not enter, but can look through their famous keyhole, which provides a view through a well-tended garden that reveals three independent states: the SMOM, the Vatican City and Rome, Italy. ==Cities== [[File:Vue des toits depuis la Sainte-Trinité-des-Monts, Rome, Italy.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Rome (seen from Trinità dei Monti)]] [[File:Florence bridges.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Florence (River Arno, with Ponte Vecchio in the foreground)]] There are hundreds of Italian cities. Here are '''nine''' of its most famous: <!--Please do not change this list without first discussing your proposed change on the talk page. Cities lists are limited by policy to NINE.--> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Rome]]|url=|lat=41.9|long=12.5|wikidata=Q220}} (''Roma'') — The Eternal City has shrugged off sacks and fascists, urban planning disasters and traffic snarls and is as impressive to the visitor now as two thousand years ago *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bologna]]|url=|lat=44.5075|long=11.351389|wikidata=Q1891}} — one of the world's great university cities that is filled with history, culture, technology and food *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Florence]]|url=|lat=43.783333|long=11.25|wikidata=Q2044}} (''Firenze'') — the Renaissance city known for its architecture and art that had a major impact throughout the world *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Genoa]]|url=|lat=44.411111|long=8.932778|wikidata=Q1449}} (''Genova'') — an important medieval maritime republic; it's a port city with art and architecture *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Milan]]|url=|lat=45.466667|long=9.183333|wikidata=Q490}} (''Milano'') — one of the main fashion cities of the world, but also Italy's most important centre of trade and business *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Naples]]|url=|lat=40.845|long=14.258333|wikidata=Q2634}} (''Napoli'') — one of the oldest cities of the Western world, with a historic city centre that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Pisa]]|url=|lat=43.716667|long=10.4|wikidata=Q13375}} — one of the medieval maritime republics, it is home to the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Turin]]|url=|lat=45.066667|long=7.7|wikidata=Q495}} (''Torino'') — a well-known industrial city, home of FIAT, other automobiles and the aerospace industry. Le Corbusier defined Turin as "the city with the most beautiful natural location in the world" *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Venice]]|url=|lat=45.4375|long=12.335833|wikidata=Q641}} (''Venezia'') — one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, known for its history, art, and of course its world-famous canals <!-- '''nine''' Please do not change this list without first discussing your proposed change on the talk page. Cities lists are limited by policy to NINE.--> ==Other destinations== <!-- '''nine''' Please do not change this list without first discussing your proposed change on the talk page. Other destinations lists are limited by policy to NINE.--> *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Amalfi Coast]]|url=|lat=40.633333|long=14.6|wikidata=Q212214}} (''Costiera Amalfitana'') — stunningly beautiful rocky coastline, so popular that private cars are banned in the summer months *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Capri]]|url=|lat=40.55|long=14.233333|wikidata=Q173292}} — the famed island in the Bay of Naples, which was a favored resort of the Roman emperors *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cinque Terre]]|url=|lat=44.119444|long=9.716667|wikidata=Q275639}} — five tiny, scenic, towns strung along the steep vineyard-laced coast of Liguria *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Alps|Italian Alps]]|url=|lat=46.505556|long=9.330278|wikidata=Q1286}} (''Alpi'') — some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe, including Mont Blanc and Mount Rosa *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Lake Como]]|url=|lat=46|long=9.266667|wikidata=Q15523}} (''Lago di Como'') — its atmosphere has been appreciated for its beauty and uniqueness since Roman times *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Lake Garda]]|url=|lat=45.633333|long=10.666667|wikidata=Q6414}} (''Lago di Garda'') — a beautiful lake in Northern Italy surrounded by many small villages *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Pompeii]]|url=|lat=40.75|long=14.486111|wikidata=Q43332}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Herculaneum]]|url=|lat=40.806|long=14.3482|wikidata=Q178813}} (''Ercolano'') — two suburbs of Naples covered by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79, now excavated to reveal life as it was in Roman times *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Taormina]]|url=|lat=37.852222|long=15.291944|wikidata=Q199952}} — a charming hillside town on the east coast of Sicily *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Vesuvius]]|url=|lat=40.816667|long=14.433333|wikidata=Q524}} (''Monte Vesuvio'') — the famous volcano with a stunning view of the Bay of Naples <!-- '''nine''' Please do not change this list without first discussing your proposed change on the talk page. Other destinations lists are limited by policy to NINE.--> ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationItaly.png}} Italy is largely a peninsula situated on the Mediterranean Sea, bordering [[France]], [[Switzerland]], [[Austria]], and [[Slovenia]] in the north. The boot-shaped country is surrounded by the Ligurian Sea, the Sardinian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west, the Sicilian and Ionian Sea in the South, and Adriatic Sea in the East. Italian is the official language spoken by the majority of the population, but as you travel throughout the country, you will find there are distinct Italian dialects corresponding to the region you are in. Italy has a diverse landscape, but it is primarily mountainous, with the Alps and the Apennines. Italy has two major islands: [[Sardinia]], off the west coast of Italy, and [[Sicily]], just off the southern tip (the "toe") of the boot. Italy has a population of around 60 million. The capital is [[Rome]]. ===History=== [[File:Pantheon, Rome.jpg|thumb|The Pantheon, a huge Roman temple, which is a symbol of the Roman civilization in Italy.]] ====Prehistory==== There have been humans on the Italian peninsula for at least 200,000 years. The Etruscan civilization lasted from prehistory to the 2nd century BC. The Etruscans flourished in the centre and north of what is now Italy, particularly in areas now represented by northern [[Lazio]], [[Umbria]] and [[Tuscany]]. [[Rome]] was dominated by the Etruscans until the Romans sacked the nearby Etruscan city of Veii in 396 BC. In the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Greek colonies were established in Sicily and the southern part of the Italy and the Etruscan culture rapidly became influenced by that of Greece. This is well illustrated at some excellent Etruscan museums; Etruscan burial sites are also well worth visiting. ====The Roman Empire==== {{see also|Roman Empire|Latin Europe}} Ancient Rome was at first a small village founded around the 8th century BC. In time, it grew into one of the most powerful empires the world has ever seen, surrounding the whole Mediterranean, extending from the northern coast of [[Africa]] to as far north as the southern part of [[Scotland]]. The Roman Empire greatly influenced Western civilisation. Its steady decline began in the 2nd century AD, with a "crisis" in the 3rd century AD that hit particularly hard, bringing leaders who mostly relied on the military and were often deposed in just a few years of rule. The empire finally broke into two parts in 395 AD: the Western Roman Empire with its capital in [[Rome]], and the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire with its capital in [[Istanbul|Constantinople]]. The western part, under attack from the Goths, Vandals, Huns and numerous other groups finally collapsed in the late 5th century AD, leaving the Italian peninsula divided. After this, Rome passed into the so-called ''Dark Ages.'' The city itself was sacked by Saracens in 846. Rome went from a city of 1,000,000 people in the first century AD to barely a dot on the map by the seventh century AD, and the stones of its ancient monuments were removed to build new buildings. ====From independent city states to unification==== {{see also|Franks|Medieval and Renaissance Italy}} Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Italian peninsula was divided into many independent city states, and remained so for centuries thereafter. In the 6th century AD, a Germanic tribe, the Lombards, arrived from the north; hence the present-day northern region of [[Lombardy]]. The balance of power between them and other invaders such as the Byzantines, Arabs, and Muslim Saracens, with the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy meant that it was not possible to unify Italy, although later arrivals such as the Carolingians and the Hohenstaufens managed to impose some control. Thus Northern Italy was under the tenuous control of dynasties from what is now Germany and many cities vying for independence challenged the rule of both pope and emperor, siding with either against the other from time to time. In the south, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, a result of unification of the Kingdom of Sicily with the Kingdom of Naples in 1442, had its capital in Naples. In the north, Italy remained a collection of small independent city states and kingdoms until the 19th century. One of the most influential city states was the Republic of [[Venice]], considered one of the most progressive of its time. The first public opera house opened there in 1637, and for the first time allowed paying members of the general public to enjoy what had been court entertainment reserved for the aristocracy, thus allowing the arts to flourish. Italians turned to strongmen to bring order to the cities, leading to the development of dynasties such as the Medici in [[Florence]]. Their patronage of the arts allowed Florence to become the birthplace of the Renaissance and helped to enable men of genius such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to emerge. Rome and its surrounding areas became the Papal States, where the Pope had both religious and political authority. From 1494 onwards, Italy suffered a series of invasions by the Austrians, the French and the Spanish; the latter ultimately emerged victorious. After Vasco da Gama sailed the [[Cape Route]] around Africa, and Christopher Columbus (who was from [[Genoa]] but working for the king and queen of Spain) [[Voyages of Columbus|sailed to the Americas]], much of the Mediterranean commerce — especially with Asia through the Middle East — was displaced, making Italian merchants less important. While foreign empires such as [[Austro-Hungarian Empire|Austria]], France and Spain came to dominate the Italian peninsula, it remained a centre of the fine arts, and was from the 17th to the 19th century the main destination for the [[Grand Tour]] of wealthy young people from Britain and Europe. The Kingdom of [[Sardinia]] began to unify Italy in 1815. Giuseppe Garibaldi led a drive for unification in southern Italy, while the north wanted to establish a united Italian state under its rule. The northern kingdom successfully challenged the Austrians and established Turin as capital of the newly formed state. In 1866, King Victor Emmanuel II annexed Venice. In 1870, shortly after France abandoned it (because they were preoccupied in a war against [[Prussia]] that would lead to German unification by 1871), Italy's capital was moved to Rome. The Pope lost much of his influence, with his political authority now being confined to the [[Rome/Vatican|Vatican City]], itself a result of a political compromise between the Pope and Benito Mussolini in the 1920s. ====The Kingdom of Italy==== After unification, the Kingdom of Italy occupied parts of Eastern and Northern Africa. This included the occupation of [[Libya]], during which Italy scored a decisive victory over the Ottoman Empire. At the outbreak of [[World War I]], despite being in alliance with Germany and [[Austro-Hungarian Empire|Austria-Hungary]], Italy refused to participate in the war. Eventually, Italy entered the war, but as allies of the [[United Kingdom]] and [[France]]. As a result of the victory of Italy and its allies, Italy annexed former Austro-Hungarian land. However, Italy was not able to obtain much of what it desired, and this, in addition to the high cost of the war, led to popular discontent. This was manipulated by the nationalists, who evolved into the Fascist movement. In October 1922, the National Fascist Party, led by Benito Mussolini, a former socialist who was thrown out of the party for his pro-war stance, attempted a coup with its "March on Rome", which resulted in the King forming an alliance with Mussolini. A pact with Germany (by that time fascist as well) was concluded by Mussolini in 1936, and a second in 1938. During the [[World War II in Europe|Second World War]], Italy was invaded by the Allies in June 1943, leading to the collapse of the fascist regime and the arrest, escape, re-capture and execution of Mussolini. In September 1943, Italy surrendered. However, fighting continued on its territory for the rest of the war, with the allies fighting those Italian fascists who did not surrender, as well as German forces. ====Italian Republic==== In 1946, King Umberto II was forced to abdicate and Italy became a republic after a referendum. In the 1950s, Italy became a member of NATO. The Marshall Plan helped revive the Italian economy which, until the 1960s, enjoyed a period of sustained economic growth. Cities such as Rome returned to being popular tourist destinations, expressed in both American and Italian films such as ''Roman Holiday'' or ''La Dolce Vita''. In 1957, Italy became a founding member of the European Economic Community. Beginning with the ''Wirtschaftswunder'' (German for "economic miracle") of the 1950s, many Germans invested their new-found wealth in vacations in Italy and Northern Italy has been particularly popular with Germans ever since. Even to the point that the spread of pizza (a speciality from the South) to Northern Italy is said to have originated with German tourists demanding what they thought to be "Italian food". [[File:Panorama of Trevi fountain 2015.jpg|alt=|thumb|250x250px|The Trevi Fountain, symbol of 18th century Baroque Italy.]] From the late 1960s till the late 1980s, however, the country experienced an economic and political crisis. There was a constant fear, inside and outside Italy, that the Communist Party, which regularly polled over 20% of the vote, would one day form a government. Many machinations by the parties of the establishment prevented this. Italy suffered terrorism from the right and the left, including the shocking kidnapping and murder of Prime Minister Aldo Moro, who shortly before had forged the "historic compromise" with the Communists. Some attacks thought to have been perpetrated by leftist groups are now known to have originated with right wing groups trying to discredit the Communist Party or with the Mafia. An involvement by the NATO "stay behind" organisation (supposed to function as a guerrilla force in the instance of a Soviet occupation), Gladio, that included many right-wing extremists has been alleged in several cases. This turbulent period is remembered as the Years of Lead, or ''anni di piombo''. Since 1992, Italy has faced massive government debt and extensive corruption. Scandals have involved all major parties, but especially the Christian Democrats and the Socialists, which were both dissolved, after having dominated politics since the end of the war. The 1994 elections led to media magnate Silvio Berlusconi's tenure as Prime Minister; his allies were defeated in 1996, but emerged victorious in 2001. They lost the election in 2006, but won again in 2008, and lost in 2013. Berlusconi is a controversial figure inside and outside of Italy, and has found himself in court numerous times. Some people even say his political career began as an attempt to escape legal repercussions through parliamentary immunity. Following the 2018 elections, two populist parties agreed to form a government with a majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies. This has resulted in an uneasy arrangement, with the anti-establishment ''Movimento Cinque Stelle'' (Five Star Movement, M5S) and the far-right ''Lega'' (League) uniting to form an unprecedented populist coalition government. This coalition broke down in 2019 over disagreements on the treatment of refugees from Africa, and a new coaliton government comprised of M5S with and the centre-left ''Partito Democratico'' (Democratic Party, PD) was sworn in after that, though whether or not this coalition can solve the country's underlying structural problems remains to be seen. [[File:Paolo Monti - Servizio fotografico - BEIC 6338550.jpg|thumb|200px|The modern 1960s Pirelli Tower in Milan is often considered a symbol of the new Italy, and of post-war economic growth and reconstruction.]] ===Climate=== The climate of Italy varies and often differs from the stereotypical [[Mediterranean climates|Mediterranean climate]] it is known for. Most of Italy has hot, dry summers, with July and August being the hottest months of the year. Winters are cold and damp in the north, and mild and sunny in the south. The temperature differences across the country are more extreme in winter. For instance, on a typical winter day, you may very well have 6°C in Milan (north), 15°C in Rome (centre), and 21°C in Palermo (south). On the other hand, a typical summer day might bring similar temperatures to all three cities. Conditions on the peninsula's coastal areas can be very different from the higher ground and valleys of the interior; during the winter months, the higher altitudes tend to be cold, and during the summer months the heat is oppressive in the valleys. The Alps have a mountain climate, with mild summers and very cold winters. Below is a climate chart depicting the climate of Naples, Italy, which well represents a typical Italian coastal climate. {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 15 | febhigh = 16 | marhigh = 19 | aprhigh = 22 | mayhigh = 26 | junhigh = 30 | julhigh = 32 | aughigh = 33 | sephigh = 29 | octhigh = 25 | novhigh = 20 | dechigh = 17 | janlow = 6 | feblow = 6 | marlow = 8 | aprlow = 11 | maylow = 15 | junlow = 19 | jullow = 21 | auglow = 22 | seplow = 18 | octlow = 15 | novlow = 11 | declow = 7 | janprecip = 73 | febprecip = 77 | marprecip = 59 | aprprecip = 71 | mayprecip = 36 | junprecip = 14 | julprecip = 5 | augprecip = 12 | sepprecip = 40 | octprecip = 68 | novprecip = 91 | decprecip = 94 }} ===Read=== Non-Guidebooks about Italy or by Italian writers. * ''Italian Journey'' (original German title: Italienische Reise) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; a report on his travels to Italy via [[Innsbruck]] and the [[Brenner Pass]]. He visited [[Lake Garda]], [[Verona]], [[Vicenza]], [[Venice]], [[Bologna]], [[Assisi]], [[Rome]] and [[Alban Hills]], [[Naples]] and [[Sicily]] from 1786–7, published in 1816–7. * ''The Agony and the Ecstasy'' by Irving Stone &mdash; a biography of Michelangelo that also paints a lovely portrait of Tuscany and Rome. * ''Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture'' by Ross King &mdash; a compelling story of one of the greatest structural engineering achievements of the Renaissance. The story of the building of the immense dome on top of the basilica in Florence, Italy. * ''Under the Tuscan Sun'' by Frances Mayes &mdash; an account of a woman who buys and restores a holiday home in Cortona, Italy. Full of local flavour and a true taste of Tuscany. * ''The Sea and Sardinia'' by D.H. Lawrence &mdash; describes a brief excursion undertaken by Lawrence and Frieda, his wife aka Queen Bee, from Taormina in Sicily to the interior of Sardinia. They visited Cagliari, Mandas, Sorgono and Nuoro. Despite the brevity of his visit, Lawrence distills an essence of the island and its people that is still recognisable today. Also by D.H. Lawrence is ''Etruscan Places'', recording his impressions of [[Cerveteri]], [[Tarquinia]], [[Vulci]] and [[Volterra]]. * ''Italian Neighbours'' and ''A Season with Verona'' by Tim Parks. Two portraits of contemporary life in Italy as seen by an English writer who lived just outside Verona. * ''Neapolitan Quartet Series'' by Elena Ferrante. A series of novels that explores the intense friendship of two Italian women during the 1950s-1970s. Primarily set in Naples and Florence, this series of novels has received international attention for its depiction of Naples and the rich friendship between these two fictional characters. ===Holidays=== The Italian names are parenthesised. *'''1 January''': New Year's Day (''Capodanno'') *'''6 January''': Epiphany (''Epifania'') *'''March or April according to the Gregorian calendar''': Easter (''Pasqua'') and Easter Monday (''Pasquetta'') *'''25 April''': Liberation Day (''la Festa della Liberazione'') *'''1 May''': Labor Day (''la Festa del Lavoro'') *'''2 June''': Republic Day (''la Festa della Repubblica'') *'''15 August''': Ferragosto *'''1 November''': All Saints' Day (''Ognissanti'') *'''8 December''': Feast of the Immaculate Conception (''Immacolata Concezione'') *'''25 December''': Christmas (''Natale'') *'''26 December''': St. Stephen's Day (''Santo Stefano'') ==Talk== {{seealso|Italian phrasebook}} '''[[Italian phrasebook|Italian]]''' (''italiano'') is the language spoken natively by most Italians. Standard Italian is largely based on the dialect of Tuscan spoken in [[Florence]]. Every region in Italy has a distinct native Italic language in addition to Italian that may or may not be spoken by locals, depending on the area. In Rome or Milan, the spoken language is nowadays usually Italian with some local influence, whereas in rural areas the local language is more common; though people usually speak ''italiano'', too. Even though Italians call the native languages "dialects", they are separate languages, much like Chinese languages; they even have their own way of writing. Some of these languages also have their own rich literary traditions, the most important ones being Neapolitan, Venetian and Milanese. '''[[German phrasebook|German]]''' is the official language of [[South Tyrol]], an autonomous province of the country. Many of South Tyrol's residents (69.4% according to the 2011 census) have German as their first language, but the use of German is gradually declining. In northern Italy, there are small pockets of other Romance languages like Ladin, a Rhaeto-Romance language related to [[Switzerland]]'s Romansh. Friulano, another Rhaeto-Romance language, is still spoken by an important minority in the border region near Astria and Slovenia . There are several [[Greek]]-speaking enclaves in the southern regions of [[Calabria]] and [[Puglia]] and there are an estimated 100,000 [[Albanian]] speakers in Apulia, Calabria and Sicily&mdash;some of whom migrated in the Middle Ages and thus speak the rather medieval-sounding [[Arberesh phrasebook|Arberesh]] language. Some regions have additional official languages: German in Alto Adige/ South Tyrol, Slovene and German in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and French in Valle d'Aosta. Slovene is spoken near the Slovenian border and in Gorizia and [[Trieste]]. Most speakers of these minority languages also speak Italian. '''English''' is spoken by shopkeepers and tour operators in touristic areas. Outside of the tourism industry, you're not guaranteed to find locals who are conversant in English. There are many reasons why many Italians cannot speak English, but to simplify: there isn't really a "culture" of learning foreign languages in Italy, all foreign films and TV shows are dubbed in Italian and at school teachers focus only on grammar rather than actually practicing the language. Before speaking English, begin the conversation in Italian and ask in Italian if the person understands English before switching. Always '''simplify and speak slowly''' when using English, especially if you are outside the touristy cities. '''Most people above 50 never studied English at school and they are very unlikely to know a single word in English'''. Younger people are more likely to know basic English, but with a strong accent and do not expect them to be fluent. Realistically, the only people who are likely to speak fluent English are the students who study languages at university, and those who have lived abroad or travel abroad regularly for work. However, most people will make gestures to make themselves understood (that is exactly what Italians who don't know English do when they travel abroad). The '''Romance''' languages Spanish, French, Portuguese and Romanian are not widely spoken but are similar to Italian, so some words will be understood, especially in written form. In the northwesternmost region ([[Valle d'Aosta]]) there are French- and Franco-Provençal-speaking minorities. In neighboring [[Piedmont]], it's not uncommon to find people who speak French as well. Italian is somewhat similar to [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]], so if you speak Spanish, locals will generally be able to puzzle you out with some difficulty, and you should also find it easy to pick up Italian. ==Get in== {{infobox|Minimum validity of travel documents|* EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, and some non-EU citizens who are visa-exempt (e.g. New Zealanders and Australians), need only produce a passport which is valid for the entirety of their stay in Italy. * Other nationals who are required to have a visa and even some who are not must have a passport which has '''at least 3 months' validity''' beyond their period of stay in Italy. * For more information, visit [http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN/Ministero/Servizi/Stranieri/IngressoeSoggiornoInItalia.htm this webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy].}} [[File:Here it is, The Piazza dei Miracoli! Pisa, Italy.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Pisa (the Piazza dei Miracoli, with the cathedral and the leaning tower)]] [[File:ViewofNaplesBay.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Naples (a view over the city, showing Vesuvius)]] [[File:Canal Grande Chiesa della Salute e Dogana dal ponte dell Accademia.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Venice (the grand canal)]] {{Schengen}} Foreign military entering Italy under a Status of Forces Agreement do not require a passport and need only show their valid military identification card and travel orders. Their dependents, however, are not exempt from visa requirements. All '''non'''-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens staying in Italy for 90 days or less have to declare their presence in Italy within 8 days of arrival. If your passport was stamped on arrival ''in Italy'', the stamp counts as such a declaration. Generally, a copy of your hotel registration will suffice if you are staying at a hotel. Otherwise, however, you will have to go to a police office to complete the form ('''dichiarazione di presenza'''). Failing to do so may result in expulsion. Travellers staying longer than 90 days do not need to complete this declaration, but must instead have an appropriate visa and must obtain a residence permit ('''permesso di soggiorno'''). ===By plane=== Larger airports are served by the major European airlines. Intercontinental flights mainly arrive in Milan and Rome, the main gateways into the country. Most mid-range international flights arrive in the following Italian cities: * [[Rome]] - with two airports: [[Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport|Fiumicino]] ({{IATA|FCO}} - Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino ({{IATA|CIA}}) for budget airlines * [[Milan]] - with two airports: Malpensa ({{IATA|MXP}}) and Linate ({{IATA|LIN}}); in addition, [[Bergamo]] ({{IATA|BGY}} - Orio al Serio) is sometimes referred to as "Milan Bergamo" * [[Bologna]] ({{IATA|BLQ}} – Guglielmo Marconi) * [[Naples]] ({{IATA|NAP}} - Capodichino) * [[Pisa]] ({{IATA|PSA}} - Galileo Galilei) * [[Venice]] ({{IATA|VCE}} – Marco Polo); in addition, Treviso (TSF - Antonio Canova) is sometimes referred to as "Venice Treviso" * [[Turin]] ({{IATA|TRN}} – Sandro Pertini) * [[Catania]] ({{IATA|CTA}} - Vincenzo Bellini) * [[Bari]] ({{IATA|BRI}} - Palese) * [[Genoa]] ({{IATA|GOA}} - Cristoforo Colombo) ====Prominent airlines in Italy==== *{{listing | name=ITA Airways | alt=AZ | url=https://www.itaspa.com/en_en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 892010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Flag carrier and national airline of Italy. It's part of the SkyTeam alliance, and also codeshares with other carriers outside the alliance. Rome Fiumicino ({{IATA|FCO}}) is the main hub, while Milano Malpensa ({{IATA|MXP}}) has been relegated to a lesser role. }} *{{listing | name=Ryanair | alt=FR| url=http://www.ryanair.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 899 55 25 89 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ten bases plus eleven more destinations in Italy. }} *{{listing | name=easyjet | alt=U2 | url=http://www.easyjet.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 199 201 840 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Two bases and many destinations in Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Wizz Air | alt=W6 | url=http://www.wizzair.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 899 018 874 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Links some Italian airports with Eastern Europe. }} *{{listing | name=Blu Express | alt=BV | url=http://www.blu-express.com/en/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 06 98956677 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Mainly focused on domestic routes, links Rome Fiumicino with some international destinations. }} ===By train=== *From [[Austria]] via [[Vienna]], [[Innsbruck]] and [[Villach]] *From [[France]] via [[Nice]], [[Lyon]] and [[Paris]] *From [[Germany]] via [[Munich]] *From [[Spain]] via [[Barcelona]] *From [[Switzerland]] via [[Basel]], [[Geneva]] and [[Zürich]] *From [[Slovenia]] via [[Ljubljana]] to Opicina, a small village above [[Trieste]] or via [[Nova Gorica]] and a short walk to [[Gorizia]], Italy If travelling to or from France on the [https://www.thello.com/ Thello] [[sleeper train]], buy sandwiches or other food before the journey. ===By car=== Italy borders on [[France]], [[Austria]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Slovenia]]. All borders are open (without passport/customs checks), but cars can be stopped behind the border for random checks. === By bus === [https://www.eurolines.de/en/home/ Eurolines], [http://www.megabus.com Megabus] and [http://www.flixbus.com Flixbus] offer domestic and international routes. There are regular buses between Ljubljana, Slovenian coastal towns and Istria (Croatia) and Trieste (Italy). These services are cheap and from Trieste onward connections with the rest of Italy are plentiful. There is also a bus that goes from Malmö, Sweden via Denmark, Germany and Switzerland and then goes through the country and then back to Sweden. ===By boat=== {{see also|Ferries in the Mediterranean}} Ferries arrive from [[Greece]], [[Albania]], [[Montenegro]] and [[Croatia]]. Most of them arrive at [[Venice]], [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Brindisi]]. Regular ferry services connect the island of [[Corsica]] in [[France]] to [[Genoa]], [[Livorno]], [[Civitavecchia]], [[Naples]] and Northern [[Sardinia]]. [[Barcelona]] is connected to [[Civitavecchia]] and to [[Genoa]]. Regular ferry services connect [[Sicily]] and [[Naples]] to [[North Africa]]n harbours. A hydrofoil service connects [[Pozzallo]] on the south-eastern coast of [[Sicily]] and [[Malta]]. There is a year-round service between [[Trieste]] and Albania and summer services between Trieste and [[Piran]] (Slovenia) and [[Porec]] and [[Rovinj]] in Croatian Istria. The service between Trieste and Rovinj takes less than 2 hours, which is quicker than the bus service. ==Get around== [[File:Bologna-SanPetronioPiazzaMaggiore1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Bologna (the red terracotta roofs and brick towers of the city's skyline)]] [[File:20110724 Milan Cathedral 5260.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Milan (the Piazza del Duomo, with the city's stunning medieval cathedral)]] ===By train=== :''Main article: [[Rail travel in Italy]]'' [[File:Italy TAV.png|thumb|Italy's [[high speed rail]] network]] Trains in Italy are generally a good value, frequent, and of uneven reliability. On some [[high speed rail|high-speed routes]] there is a choice between "Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori" (privately owned) and "Trenitalia" (state owned). On other routes, either Trenitalia or a regional operator provides the service. *{{listing | name=Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori | alt= | url=http://www.italotreno.it/EN/Pages/default.aspx | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 060708 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=NTV's ".Italo" high-speed trains serve major cities. It is a luxurious service, and for some routes and dates, their prices are lower than the competition's. }} *{{listing | name=Trenitalia | alt= | url=http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 892021 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2016-09-28| content=Trenitalia runs a wide range of train types: '''[[high-speed trains]]''' (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca), '''Intercity''', '''regional trains''' (Regionali, Regionali Veloci) and '''international trains''' (Eurocity, Euronight). <br />High-speed trains are very comfortable, travelling up to 360km/h and stopping only at major stations and connect only the main cities. They charge a supplement to the standard ticket, which includes the booking fee. Regional trains are the slowest, cheapest and least reliable, stopping at all stations. Intercity trains are somewhere between high-speed and local trains. They are generally reliable. }} ==== Train types ==== On long-distance trains there are 1st and 2nd classes. A 2nd class ticket costs about 80% the price of a 1st class ticket. On high-speed trains you can also choose between basic, standard and flexible tickets. Basic tickets are of course the cheapest. During commuter hours, on major north-south routes during the holidays, or before and after large political demonstrations, trains on the lower train types are often overcrowded. Although between Milan and Naples (including Bologna, Florence and Rome), high-speed trains cut travel times in half, on other routes, such as between Rome and Genoa, Naples and Reggio Calabria, Venice and Trieste, they travel on the traditional line, with only marginally shorter travel times compared to Intercity trains. On long routes, such as [[Milan]] - [[Rome]] or [[Milan]] - [[Reggio di Calabria]], Trenitalia operates special [[sleeper trains|night trains]]: ''Intercity notte''. They depart around 22.00 and arrive in the morning. ==== Getting tickets ==== The lines to buy tickets are often long and slow, so get to the station early. There are efficient, multilingual, touch-screen ticket machines, but the lines for them are often long, too, because there are few of them. You can also buy tickets online on the [http://trenitalia.com/ Trenitalia website]; you will receive a code (codice di prenotatione (PNR)) that is used to pick up the ticket from a ticket machine in the station ("Self Service"). The site will show the "best" (usually more expensive) connections - you may select to "show all connections" (or "Regional trains") to see if there are slower but cheaper connections available. For high-speed and intercity trains you can also choose a ''ticketless'' option. You get a PNR code via email and board the train directly. On board you must tell the conductor your PNR code. High-speed trains can fill up, so if you're on a tight schedule, buy the tickets in advance. In general, you should buy the tickets ''before'' boarding the train. Fines start at €50. If you're running late and have no ticket, it's probably best to talk directly with the conductor (''il controllore'' or ''il capotreno'') outside the train before boarding. '''Trenitalia Pass''': you buy a number of days of travel to be used within 2 months, however you still have to pay a supplement on the compulsory reservation services, i.e. TBiz, Eurostar Italia, and Intercity which will be €5-25, depending on the train type. Details are on the [http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en Trenitalia] website, and also on the [https://www.internationalrail.com/A846-trenitalia International Rail website]. ==== Rules ==== You '''must''' validate the ticket before boarding most trains, by stamping it in one of the white boxes (marked ''Convalida''). Tickets that specify the day and time of travel do not need to be validated. The cheapest way to travel in a region is to buy a '''zone ticket card'''. A chart displayed near the validating machine tells you how many zones you must ''pay'' between stations. To buy a zone card for the next region, get off the train at the last station, buy the ticket, and board the next train (usually departing in about an hour). A '''smoking ban''' in public places is in effect in Italy. Smoking on any Italian train is subject to a fine. ===By plane=== The advent of low-cost carriers made domestic air travel cheaper. When booked in advance, plane tickets for long trips are often cheaper than train fares. ITA Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet and Blue Express operate domestic flights while small, new airlines appear and disappear often. ===By car=== :''Main article: [[Driving in Italy]]'' Italy has a well-developed system of motorways (''autostrade'') in the North, while in the South it's a bit worse for quality and extent. Most motorways are toll roads. The ''autostrade'' are marked with green signs, while general highways are marked with blue signs. Speeding on the ''autostrade'' is nowadays less common than in the past. There are automatic systems to punish speeding and hazardous driving. Italian Highway Patrol (''Polizia Stradale'') operates unmarked cars equipped with advanced speed radars and camera systems. The tolerated alcohol limit is '''0.50g/L''' in blood, or '''zero''' for drivers under 21 years of age or with less than 3 years of driving experience. Fuel prices are in line with those in western Europe and more expensive than in North America and Japan. As of December 2016, prices were about €1.65/L for gasoline and €1.53/L for diesel. Traffic in large Italian cities is heavy and finding a parking spot ranges from a challenging to an impossible enterprise at times. Park your vehicle at a park-and-ride facility or somewhere in the outskirts and use public transport. Be careful with ''Zone a Traffico Limitato'' or [https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/dont-mess-with-ztl-zones '''ZTL'''s (Limited Traffic Zones)]. They are restricted areas in the historical centres of many cities, where only authorised vehicles are permitted. Many tourists are fined (about €100) for entering a ZTL unknowingly. EU licences are automatically recognised. If you don't have an EU driving licence, you need an International Driving Permit in addition to your home driver's license in order to drive. To obtain a recognition of your driving licence (''adeguamento'' or ''tagliando di riconoscimento'') you will need to pass a medical examination. All motor vehicles in Italy must have insurance (''assicurazione'') for at least third party liability. [[File:Palermo-Sicily-Italy - Creative Commons by gnuckx (3492692842).jpg|thumb|250px|right|Palermo (cathedral)]] ===By bus=== ====Local==== Buy town bus tickets from corner shops, bus-company offices or automated machines before boarding (on ''some'' systems, tickets ''might'' be bought on-board from an automated machine). Buying tickets from the bus driver is generally not possible. The payment system for most mass transit in Italy (urban trains, city buses, subway) is based on voluntary payment combined with variable enforcement. Tickets are bought before boarding and validated on an on-board machine; inspectors may board the vehicle to check the passengers' tickets and issue fines to those lacking a validated ticket. The inspectors are generally recognizable by some item displaying the company's logo. When issuing a fine, inspectors are allowed to ask to see your documents, and they have to give some sort of receipt with date, time and location. They are never allowed to directly collect the fine (which generally can be paid at a post office). Assaulting an inspector during his work is a serious offense. Daily, weekly, monthly and year-round tickets are generally available, in addition to multi-use tickets. These may or may not need to be validated. In almost every city there's a different pricing scheme, so check ticket formulas and availability in advance. For tourists it may be very convenient to buy daily (or multi-day) tickets that allow unlimited travel within a single day or period. Major cities have some type of '''City Card''', a fixed-fee card allowing travel on local public transportation, visits to a number of museums, and discounts in shops, hotels and restaurants. Check for these possibilities at local tourist offices or on the city's website (which is often of the form www.comune.''cityname''.it as for example www.comune.roma.it). ====Intercity==== Intercity buses used to be a niche market in Italy, but now [http://www.megabus.com Megabus], [http://www.flixbus.com Flixbus] and others have filled the vacuum. ===By thumb=== Hitchhiking in Italy is associated with the 1960s hippies and "on the road" kind of culture. Therefore, it is considered out-dated and useless. You will almost never find Italians hitchhiking unless there's a serious problem with the bus or other means of transportation. Also, it is nowadays common to spot prostitutes by the side of the road pretending to hitchhike to attract clientele so it's advisable to avoid being mistaken for one. Hitchhiking in the summer in touristy areas works well because you'll get rides from Northern European tourists, and it works well in rural areas as long as there is consistent traffic (because you're still playing the odds), but hitchhiking near large cities or along busy routes is '''frustrating'''. Hitchhiking along expressways and highways is forbidden by law and off the Autostrade, Italians are unlikely to pick up hitchhikers. ===By boat=== Approaching Italy by sea can be a great experience and is a good alternative to traditional onshore “tours”. A yacht charter to Italy is a fulfilling way to experience the country. Although the yacht charter industry is smaller than one would expect for this incredibly popular tourist destination, there are many reasons to choose a yacht over a more conventional onshore approach. The Italian coast, like the French coast, attracts luxury yacht charters of the highest standards. “Touring” Italy from a private yacht is surprisingly convenient and comfortable. Italy’s dramatic coastline is best appreciated from the sea. You may take a swim whenever you like, and many famous sights are near the seashore. Cruising on a private yacht shields one from the crowds and traffic infesting popular destinations. Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily are the main nautical regions. Each has its own flavor and is rewarding in its own particular way. ==See== There is so much to see in Italy that it is difficult to know where to begin. Virtually every village has something to see. * '''Etruscan Italy.''' If you have limited time and no potential to travel outside the main cities, then don't miss the amazing collection at the Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia in Rome. Hiring a car gives access to the painted tombs and museum of [[Tarquinia]] or the enormous burial complex at [[Cerveteri]] and those are just the sites within easy reach of Rome. [[File:Bikini mosaic.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Roman bikinis. Mosaic from the Villa Romana at [[Piazza Armerina]], Sicily.]] * '''The Greek influence.''' Well-preserved Greek temples at [[Agrigento]] in the southwest of Sicily and at [[Paestum]], just south of Naples, give a good understanding of the extent of Greek influence on Italy. * '''Roman ruins.''' From the south, in Sicily, to the north of the country, Italy is full of reminders of the Roman empire. In [[Taormina]], Sicily check out the Roman theatre, with excellent views of Mt. Etna on a clear day. Also in Sicily, don't miss the well-preserved mosaics at [[Piazza Armerina]]. Moving north to just south of Naples, [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] were covered in lava by Mt. Vesuvius and, as a result, are well preserved. To [[Rome]] and every street in the centre seems to have a few pieces of inscribed Roman stone built into more recent buildings. Don't miss the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Aqueducts, the Appian Way, and a dozen or so museums devoted to Roman ruins. Further north, the Roman amphitheatre at [[Verona]] is definitely not to be missed. [[File:Florence duomo fc01.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Florence's cathedral; bell tower by Giotto to the left and the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio in front]] * '''Christian Italy.''' The [[Rome/Vatican|Vatican]] is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Although inside Rome it has the status of a separate state. Don't miss St Peter's and the Vatican Museum. Rome, itself, has over 900 churches; a large number of these are worth a quick visit. Throughout Italy there is amazing Christian architecture covering the Romanesque (700-1200); Gothic (1100-1450); Renaissance (1400-1600); and ornate Baroque (1600-1830) styles. Although theft of artwork has been a problem, major city churches and cathedrals retain many paintings and sculptures, while others have been moved to city and Church museums. Frescoes and mosaics are everywhere, and quite stunning. Don't just look for churches: in rural areas there are some fascinating monasteries to be discovered. All but the largest churches are usually closed between 12.30 and 15.30. * '''The Byzantine cities.''' The Byzantines controlled northern Italy until kicked out by the Lombards in 751. [[Venice]] is of course world famous and nearby Chioggia, also in the Lagoon, is a smaller version. [[Ravenna|Ravenna's churches]] have some incredible mosaics. Visiting Ravenna requires a bit of a detour, but it is well worth it. * '''The Renaissance.''' Start with a visit to Piazza Michelangelo in [[Florence]] to admire the famous view. Then explore the museums, both inside and outside Florence, that house Renaissance masterpieces. The Renaissance, or Rebirth, (''Rinascimento'' in Italian) lasted from 14th to the 16th centuries and is generally believed to have begun in Florence. The list of famous names is endless: in architecture Ghiberti (the cathedral's bronze doors), Brunelleschi (the dome), and Giotto (the bell tower). In literature: Dante, Petrarch and Machiavelli. In painting and sculpture: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Masaccio and Botticelli. * '''Streets and squares.''' You could visit Italy's cities, never go in a church, museum or Roman ruin, and still have a great time. Just wander around, keeping your eyes open. Apart from the Po and Adige valleys, most of Italy (including the cities) is hilly or mountainous, giving some great views. Look up when walking around to see amazing roof gardens and classical bell towers. In cities such as Rome, note the continued juxtaposition of expensive stores with small workplaces for artisans. Search for interesting food shops and ice cream shops (''gelaterie''). Above all, enjoy the atmosphere. * '''Operas'''. If you are interested in famous Italian operas, they are performed in Milan, Verona, Parma, Rome, Venice, Turin, Spoleto, Florence, Palermo and Genoa. * '''Medieval hilltop towns'''. Hundreds of these offer a backdrop of scenic landscapes. ===Monuments=== * [[UNESCO World Heritage List#Italy|UNESCO World Heritage]] ===Islands=== [[File:Stromboli und Strombolicchio.JPG|thumb|250px|Stromboli]] * [[Sicily]] * [[Sardinia]] * [[Capri]] * [[Ischia]] * [[Elba]] * [[Procida]] * [[Aeolian Islands]] * [[Ustica]] * [[Pantelleria]] * [[Aegadi Islands]] * [[Pelagie Islands]] ===Museums=== [[File:Galleria degli Uffizi Florence.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Uffizi gallery in Florence, considered one of the most prestigious art museums in the world.]] Every major city has museums, but some of them have national and international relevance. These are some of the most important permanent collections. * {{see | name=Uffizi Museum | alt= | url=http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Florence, is one of the greatest museums in the world and a must-see. Given the great number of visitors, advance ticket reservation is a good idea, to avoid hour-long queues. }} * {{see | name=Galleria dell'Accademia | alt= | url=http://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.beniculturali.it/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Also in Florence, it is home to Michelangelo's famous statue of David. }} * {{see | name=Brera Art Gallery | alt= | url=http://www.brera.beniculturali.it/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Milan is a prestigious museum held in a fine 17th-century palace, which boasts several paintings, including notable ones from the Renaissance era. }} * {{see | name=The Etruscan Academy Museum of the City of Cortona | alt= | url=http://www.cortonamaec.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Cortona, Tuscany. }} * {{see | name=Egyptian Museum | alt= | url=http://www.museoegizio.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Turin, holds the second-largest Egyptian collection in the world, after Egypt's Cairo Museum collection. }} * {{see | name=The Aquarium | alt= | url=http://www.acquariodigenova.it/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Genoa, one of the largest and most beautiful in the world, is in the '''Porto Antico''' (ancient port) in an area completely renewed by architect Renzo Piano in 1992. }} * {{see | name=Science and Technology Museum | alt= | url=http://www.museoscienza.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Milan, one of the largest in Europe, holds collections about boats, airplanes, trains, cars, motorcycles, radio and energy. Has also acquired the Toti submarine, which is open to visitors. }} * {{see | name=Roman Civilization Museum | alt= | url=http://en.museociviltaromana.it/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Rome, hold the world's largest collection about ancient Rome and a marvelous reproduction (scale 1:250) of the entire Rome area in 325 AD, the age of Constantine the Great. }} * {{see | name=National Cinema Museum | alt= | url=http://www.museonazionaledelcinema.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Turin, located inside the historic '''Mole Antonelliana''' building, the symbol of the city. }} * {{see | name=Automobile Museum | alt= | url=http://www.museoauto.it/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Turin, one of the largest in the world, with a 170-car collection covering the entire history of automobiles. }} * {{see | name=Capitoline Museums | alt=Musei Capitolini | url=http://www.museoauto.it/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Rome, with large collections of artworks and archaeological findings from the Roman period to the Renaissance. The oldest public art museum in the world. }} * '''[http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html The Vatican Museums]'''. Not, strictly speaking, in Italy as the [[Rome/Vatican|Vatican]] is a separate territory. Visit the 54 "galleries" of the museums to see the Sistine Chapel, the rooms painted by Raphael, some amazing early maps, and artwork across the centuries, mostly Christian in focus. * '''The Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia, Rome'''. Amazing collection of Etruscan art. ==Do== === Beaches and swimming === One of the great things about Italy is that its long thin shape means that when you get fed up with sightseeing, you are often near a beach. In many of the more popular areas, large sections of beach are reserved as paid beaches. In the season they cover almost the entire beach with rows and rows of sunbeds (lettini) and umbrellas (ombrelloni). You have the right to pass through these establishments without being charged to get to the sea, and should be able to walk along the sea in front of them. More affordable are the beaches in [[Calabria]]: Many are free, so you will only need to pay for equipment if you choose to rent any. South of Rome there are 20&nbsp;km of free beach at the Circeo National Park. This is thanks to '''[http://www.valeriani.com/Mario-Valeriani.html Dr. Mario Valeriani]''', who was in charge of that area after World War II and never gave permits to build anything, in spite of the very generous bribes offered by a multitude of would-be investors and millionaires, as he thought this was a natural marvel that should remain as it was intended. So today we can all enjoy this stretch of nature. You can bring your own chair and sun cover and you will only be charged a parking fee on the main road. While renting ''lettini'' for the day is not particularly expensive at establishments, they can fill up very quickly. There are some free beaches everywhere: they are easily identifiable by the absence of regimented rows of ''lettini''. They are often crowded: on a Saturday or Sunday in the summer you won’t find an empty stretch of beach anywhere. Most establishments offer full services including entertainment, bar and restaurant, gym classes and kindergarten. Close to urban areas you will never be far from a fish restaurant on the beach or, at the very least, a bar. On the beach, topless women are more or less accepted everywhere but complete nudity is absolutely not accepted anywhere in Italy and it carries a hefty fine and/or arrest. ===Classical music=== Italy was the birthplace of Western opera during the late 16th century and, unsurprisingly, Italy is home to some of the world's most famous opera houses, the best known of which is the Teatro alla Scala in [[Milan]]. The first-ever opera was Jacopo Peri's ''Dafne'' (now lost), which was premiered at the Palazzo Corsi in [[Florence]] in 1598, though the oldest surviving opera that is still regularly performed today is ''L'Orfeo'' by Claudio Monteverdi, which was premiered at the court of [[Mantua]] in 1607. Yet another important city in the history of opera is [[Venice]], in which the first public opera house was built, allowing paying members of the general public access to what was once court entertainment for the aristocracy. In fact, in the early 18th century, Italian opera was the most popular form of entertainment among the aristocracy in every European country except France, and even operas that premiered in non-Italian speaking areas such as London and Vienna were written in Italian. Many Italian composers, such as Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Rossini, Verdi and Puccini continue to be revered by classical music enthusiasts, and some of their pieces have even found their way into modern pop culture. In addition to the locals, many foreign composers such as Handel and Mozart also composed several critically acclaimed Italian operas which continue to enchant audiences to this day. Besides opera, Italy has also been a key player in the development of other genres of Western classical music. The concerto was first popularised by the Italian composer Arcangelo Corelli during the baroque period, and the symphony can trace its origins to the overtures of Italian baroque opera. Ballet, despite its French name and terminology, and being more commonly associated with France or Russia, actually originated in Italy during the Renaissance. In fact, it was ''de rigueur'' for European composers, regardless of their origin, to spend some time in Italy studying music, and to this day, most terminology used in Western music scores continues to be in Italian. ===Visit the vineyards=== [[File:Vineyards in Chianti Country.jpg|thumb|250px|Wine-growing holding in the Chianti region]] Italy is famous for its [[wine]]. And its vineyards tend to be in the middle of some beautiful scenery. Taking an organised tour is probably best. Day trips can usually be organised through hotels in major wine areas such as [[Chianti]] or through the local tourism office. There are several companies offering longer tours that include meals and accommodation. A simple web search for “Italian vineyard tours” or “wine tour Italy” will find them. These longer tours emphasise good food, great wine and a high standard of accommodation and are thus expensive. If you rent a car and want to organise your own trips, a helpful website is that of the [http://www.movimentoturismovino.it/?lang=en Movimento Turismo del Vino]. The Italian page has a link to ''itinerari'' which is not available in English. Even if you don’t read Italian you can still find addresses and opening hours of some interesting wine producers. “Su prenotazione” means "By Appointment Only". ===Cycling tours=== Several companies offer cycling tours of the Italian countryside. They provide cycles, a guide and transportation for your suitcase, and for you if it all gets a bit too tiring. Tours vary to accommodate different interests. Normally you change city and hotel every day. If you like cycling this is an excellent way of seeing Italy off-the-beaten-track. Search Google, etc. for "Cycle Tours Italy" for companies. ===Sailing=== Sailing is one of the best ways to see the Italian islands such as Sardinia and Sicily. Most charter companies offer options from bareboat to crewed and cabin charter, with all types of the boats. ===Spectator sports=== Italy is sports crazy and as such [[Football in Europe| soccer]], [[Rugby football| Rugby Union]] and several other sports enjoy a devout, if sometimes violent, following. In the 1980s Italy was one of the most notable first adopters of [[American Football]] in Europe, though corruption in the national federation and scandals have greatly reduced interest in this sport since. '''Cycling:''' [https://www.giroditalia.it/en/ Giro d'Italia] is one of the world's top races, held over three weeks in May. There are lots of smaller events, which you may be forced to watch when they cause road closures. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{Template:Exchange rate euros}} {{Euro}} Italy phased out the one- and two-cent coins in 2018, rounding prices to the nearest five-cent increment. ===Tipping=== Tips (''la mancia'') are not customary in Italy but are offered when a special service is given or to recognise high quality service. Most restaurants, except those in Rome, have a price for the service ''coperto'' and waiters do not expect a tip; however, they will not refuse one. In cafés, bars, and pubs it's not uncommon to leave the change, saying to the waiter or to the cashier ''tenga il resto'' - "keep the change". Tip jars near the cash register are becoming widespread, but in public toilets, they are often forbidden. Leaving the change is also quite common with taxi drivers, and hotel porters may expect a little something. It is not possible to add tips manually to a credit card bill, so you'll need cash. ===Shopping=== Italy is an expensive country and its cities are more expensive than suburban and rural places. Usually, Southern Italy is less expensive than Northern Italy, especially for food; this will, of course, vary by location. Meals can be had from as cheap as €3 (if you are happy with a sandwich [panino] or falafel from a street vendor); restaurant bills range from €10 (a burger with fries or salad and a soft drink from a pub) to €20 (a starter, main course and water from a regular restaurant). Unless otherwise stated, prices are inclusive of IVA sales tax (same as '''VAT'''), which is 22% for most goods, and 10% in restaurants and hotels. On some products, such as books, IVA is 4%. In practice, you can forget about it since it is universally included in the display price. Non-EU residents are entitled to a VAT refund on purchases of goods that will be taken out of the [[European Union]]. Shops offering this scheme have a '''Tax Free''' sticker outside. Ask for a tax-free voucher before leaving the store. These goods have to be unused when passing the customs checkpoint upon leaving the EU. While travelling through the countryside, do not rely on '''credit cards'''; in small towns they're accepted by only a few shops and restaurants. === Opening hours === Opening hours in Italy are very complicated and they change from place to place. '''Do not expect''' stores to be open all day and always check opening times before going to a particular place. To simplify, generally the situation is as follows: *Most shops are closed for lunch (between 12:30 and 15:30) *Barber shops are closed on Mondays *Banks are open to the public for about only 4 hours in the morning and barely an hour in the afternoon *Restaurants will not open before 11:30 for lunch and 19:00 for dinner *Many shops are closed on Sunday and some are closed on Monday, but don't take the rest of the week for granted: many will close on a specific day of the week === What to buy === Italy is a great place for all forms of shopping. Most cities, villages and towns, are crammed to the brim with many different forms of shops, from glitzy boutiques and huge shopping malls, to tiny art galleries, small food stores, antique dealers and general newsagents. * '''Food''' is definitely one of the best souvenirs you can get in Italy. There are thousands of different shapes of pasta (not only spaghetti or macaroni). Then every Italian region has its local speciality like [[cheese]], [[wine]], ham, salami, oil and vinegar. Don't forget to buy Nutella. Note that some non-European countries (notably, the United States) have strict rules about what food items can be brought into the country from outside. Cured meats (and other uncooked produce) that you purchase in Italy may not be allowed into your country - check with your embassy or your customs agency to be sure, before you spend a large amount of money on something that may get confiscated. * Italian '''[[fashion]]''' is renowned worldwide. Many of the world's most famous international brands have their headquarters or were founded in Italy. [[File:Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from TownHouse Hotel.jpg|thumb|250px|Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan]] :Milan is Italy's fashion and design capital. In the city one can find virtually every major brand in the world, not only Italian, but also French, English, American, Swedish and Spanish. Your main place for la-crème-de-la-crème shopping is the Via Montenapoleone, but the Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni, Via Sant'Andrea and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele are equally luxurious, if less-prominent shopping streets. The Corso Buenos Aires is the place to go for mass-scale or outlet shopping. And, the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the centre and Via Dante boast some designer boutiques, too. Virtually every street in central Milan has clothing stores of some kind. :However, Rome and Florence, are also fashion centres, and boast being the birthplace of some of the oldest fashion and jewellery houses in Italy. When in Rome, the chic and beautiful Via dei Condotti, leading to the Spanish Steps, will be your primary point of shopping reference, with boutiques, but subsidiary streets such as Via dei Babuino, Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, Via del Corso and the Piazza di Spagna. In Florence, Via de' Tornabuoni is the main high-fashion shopping street, and there you'll find loads of designer brands. However, in both cities, you'll be able to find a plethora of chic boutiques, designer or not, scattered around the centre. :Prestigious brands such as Armani, Gucci and Prada can of course be found in Italian cities; since their pricing is set internationally, they will likely not be much cheaper than they are in your homeland. * '''Jewellery and accessory''' shops can be found in abundance in Italy. There are many jewellery and accessory stores which hail from Italy. Vicenza and Valenza are considered the country's jewellery capitals, which are also famous for their silverware and goldware shops. All over Italy, notably Vicenza, Milan, Valenza, Rome, Naples, Florence and Venice, but also several other cities, you can find hundreds of jewellery or silverware boutiques. Apart from the famous ones, there are some great quirky and funky jewelry stores scattered around the country. * '''Design and furniture''' is something Italy is proudly and justifiably famous for. Excellent quality furniture stores can be found all over, but the best deals are in Milan. Milan contains among the top design rooms and emporia in the world. For the newest design inventions, attend the Fiera di Milano in Rho, where the latest appliances are exhibited. Many Italian cities have great antique furniture stores. So, you can choose between cutting-edge, avant-garde furniture, or old world antiques to buy in this country, which are, by average, of good quality. * '''Glassware''' is something which Venice makes uniquely but which is spread around the whole of the country. Venice is famously the capital of Murano (not the island), or glassware made in different colours. Here, you can get goblets, crystal chandeliers, candlesticks and decorations made in multi-coloured blown glass, which can be designed in modern, funky arrangements, or the classical style. * '''Books''' can be found in bookshops in any city. The main book and publishing companies/stores in Italy include Mondadori, Feltrinelli, Hoepli or Rizzoli. Most big bookstores are found in Milan, Turin and nearby Monza, which are the capitals of Italy's publishing trade (Turin was made World Book Capital in 2006), however other cities such as Rome have many book shops. 99% of the books sold are in Italian. * '''Art''' shops are found throughout Italy, notably in Florence, Rome and Venice. In Florence, the best place to buy art is the Oltrarno, where there are numerous ateliers selling replicas of famous paintings. Usually, depending in what city you're in, you get replicas of notable works of art found there, but also, you can find rare art shops, sculpture shops, or funky, modern/old stores in several cities. === How to buy === In a small or medium-sized shop, it's standard to greet the staff as you enter, not when you approach the counter to pay. A friendly 'Buongiorno' or 'Buonasera' warms the atmosphere. When paying, the staff usually expect you to put coins down on the surface or dish provided, rather than placing money directly into their hands (old money-handling etiquette to avoid messy coin droppings), and they will do the same when giving you your change ('il resto'). This is normal practice and is not intended to be rude. Haggling is very rare and only ever takes place when dealing with hawkers. They will generally ask for an initial price that is much higher than what they are willing to sell for, and going for the asking price is a sure way to get ripped off. Hawkers often sell counterfeit merchandise (in some cases, very believable counterfeits), and that hoping to buy a Gucci purse for €30 off the street might not be in your best interest. In all other situations, haggling will get you nowhere. Always be careful about counterfeit merchandise: Italian laws can apply fines up to €3000 to people who buy it (this mostly applies to luxury brand clothing or accessories). ==Eat== [[File:Troffiette genovese.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Trofie with pesto alla Genovese.]] [[File:RedMeatWine.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A traditional Italian meal, with beef with sauce and dark red wine.]] {{seealso|Italian cuisine}} As one of the world's most renowned culinary traditions, it is unsurprising that Italian cuisine can be very good. Unfortunately, there are also many tourist traps that serve overpriced and mediocre food. Finding the right place to eat, preferably the ones patronised by Italians, is therefore important; ask locals for their recommendation if possible, or perhaps even ask your hotel or look at online review sites for recommendations. The downside is that it is rare to find English-speaking waiters in the non-tourist-trap restaurants, so be prepared to have to speak some Italian. ===Cuisine=== In Italy, cuisine is considered a ''kind of art''. Great chefs such as Gualtiero Marchesi and Gianfranco Vissani are seen as half-way between TV stars and magicians. Italians are extremely proud of their culinary tradition and generally love food and talking about it. However, they are not so fond of common preconceptions, such as that Italian food is only pizza and spaghetti. They also have a distaste for "bastardised" versions of their dishes that are popular elsewhere, and many Italians have a hard time believing that the average foreigner can't get even a basic pasta dish "right". Italian food in Italy is different from food marketed as "Italian" overseas. It is truly one of the most diverse in the world, and in any region, or even city and village you go, there are different specialities. For instance, it could be only misleading to say that Northern Italian cuisine is based on hearty, potato and rice-rich meals, Central Italian cuisine is mainly on pastas, roasts and meat, and Southern Italian cuisine on vegetables, pizza, pasta and seafood: there are so many cross-influences that you'd only get confused trying to categorise. And in any case, Italian cuisine is not just based on pasta and tomato sauce: that's only a tiny snippet of the nation's food; rice, potatoes, lentils, soups and similar meals are very common in some parts of the country. Italian food is based upon so many ingredients and Italians often have very discriminating tastes that may seem strange to visitors. For instance, a '''sandwich''' stand might sell 4 different types of ham sandwiches that in each case contain ham, mayonnaise, and cheese. The only thing that may be different between the sandwiches is the type of ham or cheese used in them. Rustichella and panzerotti are two examples of sandwiches well-liked by Italians and tourists alike. Rather than large sandwiches with a piling of meat, vegetables, and cheese, sandwiches in Italy are often quite small, very flat (made even more so when they are quickly heated and pressed on a panini grill), and contain a few simple ingredients and often without lettuce or mayonnaise. The term '''panini''' may be somewhat confusing to travellers from Northern Europe where it has erroneously come to mean a flat, heated sandwich on a grill. In Italy the term is equivalent to "bread rolls" (plural - the singular is '''panino''') which can be simple rolls or sometimes with basic filling. However instead of a sandwich why not try a '''piadina''', which is a flat folded bread with filling, served warm and typical of the coast of Romagna? Italian pasta is usually available with a myriad of sauces rather than simply tomato or Alfredo. Also, Italian pasta is often served a small amount of sauce. This is, in part, because pasta in a restaurant is usually regarded as the first course of a three- or four-course meal, not a meal in itself. '''Structure of a traditional meal:''' Usually Italian meals for working days are: small breakfast, one-dish lunch, one-dish dinner. Coffee is welcomed at nearly every hour, especially around 10:00 and at the end of a meal. At the weekends and in restaurants (for other occasions), a meal typically consists of: ''antipasti'' (appetisers: marinated vegetables, mixed coldcuts, seafood, etc.), ''primo'' (pasta or rice dish or soup), ''secondo'' (meat or fish course) often with a side dish known as a ''contorno'', and ''dolce'' (dessert). Like the language and culture, food in Italy '''differs region by region'''. Local ingredients are also very important. In warm Naples, citrus and other fresh fruit play a prominent role in both food and liquor, while in Venice fish is obviously an important traditional ingredient. '''Breakfast''' in Italy: this is very light, often just a cappuccino or coffee with a pastry (''cappuccino e cornetto'') or a piece of bread and fruit jam. Unless you know for certain otherwise, you should not expect a large breakfast. It is not customary in Italy to eat eggs and bacon and the like at breakfast - just the thought of it is revolting to most Italians. In fact, no salty foods are consumed at breakfast, generally speaking. Additionally, cappuccino is a breakfast drink; ordering one after lunch or dinner is considered strange and considered a typical "tourist thing". A small '''espresso''' coffee is considered more appropriate for digestion. Another enjoyable Italian breakfast item is '''cornetto''' (pl. cornetti): a croissant or light pastry often filled with jam, cream or chocolate. Lunch and dinner times may be very different from the ones outside of southern Europe, and most restaurant will be closed outside the usual Italian lunch and dinner times. '''Lunch''' is seen as the most important part of the day, so much that Italians have one hour reserved for eating (and in the past, another hour was reserved for napping). All shops close down and resume after the two hour break period. To compensate for this, businesses stay open later than in most other European towns, often until 20:00. Good luck trying to find a place open during the so-called "pausa pranzo" (lunch break <!-- When is this? Surely not at actual lunch time?-->), when visiting a small town, but this is not the case in the city centres of the biggest cities or in shopping malls. '''Dinner''' time varies by region: in the north it is usually around 20:00 (even 19:00 in the homes), but it gets progressively later the further south one goes, up to 22:00. Do not expect the kind of dedicated, focused service you will find in e.g. American restaurants. In Italy this is considered somewhat annoying and people generally prefer to be left alone when consuming their meal. You should expect the waiter to come and check on you after your first course, maybe to order something as second course. Italy's most famous dishes like pizza or spaghetti are quite lame for some Italians, and eating in different areas can be an interesting opportunity to taste some less well known local specialities. Even for something as simple as pizza there are significant regional variations. That of Naples has a relatively thick, soft crust while that of Rome is considerably thinner and crustier. Both styles are thin-crust compared to American-style pizza, however. When dining out with Italians, read the menu: almost every restaurant has a typical dish and some towns have centuries-old traditions that you are invited to learn. People will appreciate when you ask for local specialities and will gladly advise you. In Northern Italy, at around 17:00, most bars prepare an '''aperitivo''', especially in cosmopolitan Milan, with a series of plates of nibbles, cheese, olives, meat, bruschetta, etc. This is not considered a meal and it is considered gauche to indulge oneself in eating it as if it were dinner. All this food is typically free to anyone who purchases a drink but it is intended to be a pre-meal snack. ===Regional specialities=== Cities and regions have their own specialities, including: *'''Risotto''' – Carnaroli or Arborio or Vialone Nano (etc.) rice that has been sautéed and cooked in a shallow pan with stock. The result is a creamy and hearty dish. Meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and cheeses are almost always added depending on the recipe and the locale. Many restaurants, families, towns, and regions will have a signature risotto or at least style of risotto, in addition or in place of a signature pasta dish (risotto alla Milanese is a famous Italian classic). Risotto is a typical dish in Lombardy and Piedmont. *'''Arancini''' – Balls of rice with tomato sauce, eggs, peas and mozzarella cheese that are deep fried. A Sicilian speciality, they are now common nationwide. *'''Polenta''' – Yellow cornmeal (yellow grits) that has been cooked with stock. It is normally served either creamy, or allowed to set up and then cut into shapes and fried or roasted. It is common in northern mountain restaurants, usually eaten with deer or boar. In the Veneto region, the best polenta is "polenta bianca", a special, tasty, and white cornmeal called "biancoperla". *'''Gelato''' – This is the Italian word for ice cream. The non-fruit flavors are usually made only with milk. Gelato made with water and without dairy ingredients is also known as sorbetto. It's as fresh as a sorbet, but tastier. There are many flavors, including coffee, chocolate, fruit, and tiramisù. When buying at a gelateria, you have the choice of having it served in a wafer cone or a tub; in northern Italy you'll pay for every single flavour "ball", and the panna (the milk cream) counts as a flavour; in Rome you can buy a small wafer cone (around €2.50) a medium one (€3) or a large one (€3.50, 2020) without limit of flavours, and the panna is free. *'''Tiramisù''' – Italian cake made with coffee, mascarpone, and ladyfingers (sometimes rum) with cocoa powder on the top. The name means "pick-me-up". ====Pizza==== [[File:Pizza Rucola.JPG|thumb|250px|Pizza Rucola]] Pizza is a quick and convenient meal. In most cities, '''Pizza al taglio''' shops sell pizza by the gram. When ordering, point to the display or tell the attendant the type of pizza you would like (e.g. pizza margherita, pizza con patate (roasted or french fries), pizza al prosciutto (ham), etc.) and how much ("Vorrei (due fette - two slices) or (due etti – two-tenths of a kilogram) or simply say "di più – more" or "di meno – less, per favore"). They will slice it, warm it in the oven, fold it in half, and wrap it in paper. Other food shops also sell pizza by the slice. Italians consider those a sort of second-class pizza, chosen only when you cannot eat a real pizzeria. Getting your meal on the run can save money – many sandwich shops charge an additional fee if you want to sit to eat your meal. In many parts of the country pizzas have a thin base of bread and not much cheese. The most authentic, original pizza is found in Naples – often containing quite a few ingredients, but most commonly ''pizza margherita'' (tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella di bufala) or margherita with prosciutto. The traditional, round pizza is found in many restaurants and ''pizzerie''. It is rare to find a restaurant that serves pizza at lunchtime, however. Take-away pizzerias (pizzerie da asporto) are becoming ubiquitous in many cities and towns. These are often run by north African immigrants and quality may vary, though they are almost always cheaper than restaurants (€4–5 for a margherita on average, though sometimes as low as €3) and are also open at lunchtime (a few are also open all day long). Some will also serve kebab, which may also vary in quality. Though take-away pizzas are also considered "second-class pizza" by most Italians, they are quite popular among the vast population of university students and they are usually located in residential areas. This is not to be confused with the ever so popular "Pizza al Taglio" shops in Rome. These are a sort of traditional fast food in the Capital City and can be found at every corner. Quality is usually very good and pizza is sold by the weight; you choose the piece of pizza you want, then it is weighed on a scale and priced. [[File:Rifugio Alpino Boffalora (4).JPG|thumb|180px|[[Cheese]] - Formaggi misti]] ====Cheese and sausages==== In Italy there are nearly 800 types of cheese, including the famous Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano, and over 400 types of sausages. Open-air markets offer a variety of cheeses and meats and are always open on Saturdays and usually other days, except Sunday, as well. ===Restaurants and bars=== [[File:Rifugio Alpino Boffalora (5).JPG|thumb|right|180px|the menu]] Italian bars in the centre of major cities charge more (typically double whatever the final bill is) if you drink or eat seated at a table outside rather than standing at the bar or taking your order to go. This is because bars are charged a very high tax to place tables and chairs outside, so since most people do not use tables anyway, they had decided long ago to only charge those who do. The further away you are from the centre streets, the less this rule is applied. When calling into a bar for a coffee or other drink you first go to the cash register and pay for what you want. You then give the receipt to the barman, who will serve you. Restaurants always used to charge a small ''coperto'' (cover charge). Some years ago attempts were made to outlaw the practice, with limited success. The rule now seems to be that if you have bread a coperto can be charged but if you specifically say that you don't want bread then no coperto can be levied. This has happened mainly because of backpackers who sat at a table, occupied it for an hour by just ordering a drink or a salad and consuming enormous amounts of bread. When dining at restaurants, always wait to be seated by a waiter as attempting to seat yourself is considered to be very rude. Table manners in restaurants also tend to be formal; always keep your hands visible by resting your forearms on the table. You should never rest your elbows on the table, or put your hands on your lap. Also always be sure to hold the fork in your left hand, and the knife in your right. Also note that it is rude to ask for extra cheese to go with your pasta; it will be offered to you spontaneously when appropriate. Bread is meant to be eaten with the meal and not as an appetiser; it is either eaten with the main course, put in your soup or dipped in the sauce after you finish your pasta. Also be sure to ask for the bill when you're done; it is considered rude for a waiter to clear your table and bring you the bill before you ask for it. Some restaurants now levy a service charge, but this is far from common. In Italian restaurants a large tip is never expected; just leave a euro or two and they will be more than happy. The traditional meal can include (in order) ''antipasto'' (starter of cold seafood, gratinated vegetables or ham and salami), ''primo'' (first dish - pasta or rice dishes), ''secondo'' (second dish - meat or fish dishes), served together with ''contorno'' (mostly vegetables), cheeses/fruit, ''dessert'', coffee, and spirits. Upmarket restaurants usually refuse to make changes to proposed dishes (exceptions warmly granted for babies or people on special diets). Mid-range restaurants are usually more accommodating. For example, a simple pasta with tomato sauce may not be on the menu but a restaurant will nearly always be willing to cook one for kids who turn their noses up at everything else on the menu. If you are in a large group (say four or more) then it is appreciated if you don't all order a totally different pasta. While the sauces are pre-cooked the pasta is cooked fresh and it is difficult for the restaurant if one person wants '''spaghetti''', another '''fettuccine''', a third '''rigatoni''', a fourth '''penne''' and a fifth '''farfalle''' (butterfly shaped pasta). If you attempt such an order you will invariably be told that you will have a long wait (because the time required for cooking isn't the same for all the types of pasta)! When pizza is ordered, it is served as a ''primo'' (even if formally it is not considered as such), together with other ''primi''. If you order a pasta or pizza and your friend has a steak you will get your pasta dish, and probably when you've finished eating the steak will arrive. If you want ''primo'' and ''secondo'' dishes to be brought at the same time you have to ask. Most restaurants do not offer '''diet food'''. The few that do usually write it clearly in menus and even outside. To avoid cover charges, and if you are on a strict budget, many Italian railway stations have a buffet or self-service restaurant (Termini station in Rome is a great example of the latter). These are reasonably priced and generally the food is of a high quality. ===Gastronomia=== A gastronomia is a kind of self-service restaurant (normally you tell the staff what you want rather than serving yourself) that also offers take-aways. This can give a good opportunity to sample traditional Italian dishes at fairly low cost. These are not buffet restaurants. The food is sold by weight. ==Drink== Bars, like restaurants, are non-smoking. Italians enjoy going out during the evenings, so it's common to have a drink in a bar before dinner. It is called '''Aperitivo'''. Within the last couple years, started by Milan, a lot of bars have started offering fixed-price cocktails at aperitivo hours (18 - 21) with a free, and often a very good, buffet meal. It's now widely considered stylish to have this kind of aperitivo (called '''Happy Hour''') instead of a structured meal before going out to dance or whatever. ===Wine=== Italian [[wine]] is exported all over the world, and names like Barolo, Brunello, Prosecco, Valpolicella and Chianti are known everywhere. In Italy wine is a substantial topic, a sort of test which can ensure either respect or lack of attention from an entire restaurant staff. Doing your homework ensures that you will get better service, better wine and in the end may even pay less. {{infobox|DOC, DOCG, IGT?|The ''Denominazione di origine controllata'' certificate restricts above all the grape blend allowed for the wine, and in itself it is not yet a guarantee of quality. The same applies to the stricter ''Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita''. These two denominations are indications of a traditional wine typical of the region, such as [[Chianti]], and often a good partner for local food. But some of the best Italian wines are labeled with the less strict ''Indicazione geografica tipica'' designation, often a sign of a more modern, "international" wine.}} So before reaching Italy, try to learn a little about the most important wines of the region you are planning to visit. This will greatly increase you enjoyment. Italian cuisine varies greatly from region to region (sometimes also from town to town), and wine reflects this variety. Italians have a long tradition of matching wines with dishes and often every dish has an appropriate wine. The popular "colour rule" (red wines with meat dishes, white wines with fish) can be happily broken: Italy has many strong white wines to serve with meat (e.g. Sicilian or Tuscan chardonnays), as well as delicate red wines for fish (perhaps an Alto Adige pinot noir). The price mark-ups charged by restaurants for wines on their wine list are not usually excessive, giving you a chance to experiment. In the big cities, there are also many wine bars, where you can taste different wines by the glass, at the same time as eating some delicious snacks. Unlike in many other countries, it is unusual for restaurants to serve wine by the glass. The ''vino della casa'' (house wine) can be an excellent drinking opportunity in small villages far from towns (especially in Tuscany), where it could be what the patron would really personally drink or could even be the restaurant's own product. It tends to be a safe choice in decent restaurants in cities as well. Vino della casa may come bottled but in lower-priced restaurants it is still just as likely to be available in a carafe of one quarter, one half or one litre. As a general rule, if the restaurant seems honest and not too geared for tourists, the house wine is usually not too bad. That said, some house wines can be dreadful and give you a nasty head the next morning. If it doesn't taste too good it probably won't do you much good, so send it back and order from the wine list. Italians are justly proud of their wines and foreign wines are rarely served, but many foreign grapes like ''cabernet sauvignon'' and ''chardonnay'' are increasingly being used. ===Beer=== Although wine is a traditional everyday product, beer is very common as well. Beer did not belong to the Italian tradition in the way that wine does, but in the last 30-odd years there has been an explosion of English-style pubs in every town, big or small, with usually a huge selection of any kind of beer, ale, stout and cider, from every country in the world. Major Italian beers include Peroni and Moretti and these are usually the ones offered by daytime cafes. If you are serious about beer drinking, there are many bars that specialise in serving a wide range of bottled beers (see city articles for more details), as well as Irish pubs and similar establishments. There is an increasing number of micro-breweries around the country. They often are run by local beer enthusiasts turned brewers, running small breweries with a pub attached. Their association is called [http://www.unionbirrai.com/ Unionbirrai]. In the Trieste region it is far more common to drink Slovenian beers and the most popular brands are 'Union' and 'Zlatorog'. Surprisingly it is often cheaper to buy Slovenian beer in Italy (Trieste) than in Slovenia itself. ===Other drinks=== [[File:Limoncello 2005.jpg|thumb|A cold limoncello on a warm night]] * '''Limoncello'''. A liquor made of alcohol, lemon peels, and sugar. Limoncello can be considered a "moonshine" type of product (although usually made with legally obtained alcohol) as every Italian family, especially in the middle-south (near Naples) and southern part of the country, has its own recipe for limoncello. Because lemon trees adapt so well to the Mediterranean climate, and they produce a large amount of fruit continually throughout their long fruit-bearing season, it is not unusual to find many villa's yards filled with lemon trees bending under the weight of their crop. You can make a lot of lemonade, or better yet, brew your own limoncello. It is mainly considered a dessert liqueur, served after a heavy meal (similar to amaretto), and used for different celebrations. The taste can be compared to a very strong and slightly thick lemonade flavor with an alcohol tinge to it. Best served chilled in the freezer in small glasses that have been in the freezer. It is better sipped than treated as a shooter. A derived beverage is '''Crema di Limoncello''', a mix of limoncello and heavy cream, giving it a milder flavour. *'''Grappa''' is a highly alcoholic drink made by distilling grape skins after the juice has been squeezed from them for winemaking, so you could imagine how it might taste. If you're going to drink it, then make sure you get a bottle having been distilled multiple times. *'''San Pellegrino''' is the most famous sparkling water in Italy and considered among the best. It can be found throughout Europe and beyond, but the best place to enjoy its distinct experience is in Italy itself. San Pellegrino can be found in almost every Italian supermarket or grocery store, and is also served in many restaurants. It can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. Limoncello and grappa and other similar drinks are usually served after a meal as an aid to digestion. If you are a good customer restaurants will offer a drink to you free of charge, and may even leave the bottle on your table for you to help yourself. Beware that these are very strong drinks. ===Coffee=== Bars in Italy offer an enormous number of possible permutations for a way of having a cup of coffee. What you won't get, however, is 100 different types of bean; nor will you find "gourmet" coffees. If you like that kind of stuff, better take your own. A bar will make coffee from a commercial blend of beans supplied by just one roaster. There are many companies who supply roast beans and the brand used is usually prominently displayed both inside and outside of the bar. The following are the most basic preparations of coffee: * ''Caffè'' or ''Caffè Normale'' or ''Espresso'' – This is the basic unit of coffee, normally consumed after a meal. * ''Caffè ristretto'' – This has the same amount of coffee, but less water, thus making it stronger. * ''Caffè lungo'' – This is the basic unit of coffee but additional water is allowed to go through the ground coffee beans in the machine. * ''Caffè americano'' – This has much more water and is served in a cappuccino cup. It is more like an American breakfast coffee but the quantity is still far less than you would get in the States. It started as an attempt to replicate the type of coffee preferred by occupying American soldiers during World War II, hence its name. So far so good. But here the permutations begin. For the same price as a normal coffee, you can ask for a dash of milk to be added to any of the above. This is called ''macchiato''. Hence, ''caffè lungo macchiato'' or ''caffè americano macchiato''. But that dash of milk can be either hot (''caldo'') or cold (''freddo''). So you can ask, without the barman batting an eye, for a ''caffè lungo macchiato freddo'' or a ''caffè Americano macchiato caldo''. Any one of these options can also be had decaffeinated. Ask for ''caffè decaffeinato''. The most popular brand of decaffeinated coffee is HAG and it is quite usual to ask for ''caffè HAG'' even if the bar does not use that particular brand. If you are really in need of a pick-me-up you can ask for a double dose of coffee, or a ''doppio''. You have to specify this when you pay at the cash register and it costs twice as much as a normal coffee. All the above permutations still apply, although a ''caffè doppio ristretto'' may be a bit strange. Additionally, if you need a shot of alcohol, you can ask for a ''caffè corretto''. This usually involves adding grappa, brandy or sambuca; "corrected" being the Italian expression corresponding to "spiked". Normally it is only a plain coffee that is corrected but there is no reason why you could not "correct" any of the above combinations. Then there are coffee drinks with milk, as follows: * ''Cappuccino'' – Needs no introduction. If you don’t like the froth you can ask for ''cappuccino senza schiuma''. * ''Caffè latte'' – Often served in a glass, this is a small amount of coffee with the cup/glass filled up with hot milk. * ''Latte macchiato'' – This is a glass of milk with a dash of coffee in the top. The milk can be hot or cold. Finally, in the summer you can have ''caffè freddo'', which is basically plain coffee with ice, ''caffè freddo "shakerato"'' (shaked ice coffee) or ''cappuccino freddo'', which is a cold milky coffee without the froth. This list is by no means exhaustive. With a vivid imagination and a desire to experiment you should be able to find many more permutations. Enjoy! ==Sleep== In major cities and touristic areas you can find a good variety of accommodations, from world-class brand hotels to family-managed bed & breakfasts and room rentals, but [[hostels]] are really few. Camping is a good way to save money and camping sites are usually well managed, but especially during summer, managers tend not to accept last-minute groups of young people (given the high chance of problems that such groups of Italian guys tend to cause), so you'd better book in advance. Farmstays are an increasingly popular way to experience Italy, particularly in rural areas of [[Tuscany]], [[Piedmont]], [[Umbria]], [[Abruzzo]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Apulia]]. They provide a great combination of good and healthy food, wonderful sights and not-so-expensive prices. If you prefer self-catering accommodations, it's quite simple to find them on the wonderful [[Amalfi Coast]] or the less commercial and more genuine [[Calabria]] coast. Hotel star ratings can only be taken as a broad indication of what you will get for your money. There are many marvellous 2-star hotels that you will want to return to every year and many 5-star hotels that you will never want to set foot in again. The star rating, as in all countries, is based on a bureaucratic assessment of the facilities provided and does not necessarily relate to comfort. Often the only difference between a 3-star and 4-star hotel is that the latter offers all meals while the former only offers breakfast. ==Cope== === Electricity === Italy uses 220 V, 50&nbsp;Hz. It has its own [[Electrical systems|electrical plug]] design. The standard "European" flat two-prong plugs will fit, but most other plugs from abroad will not, or not fit safely, in the standard sockets. Sockets accepting French unearthed and German-type "Schuko" plugs (used in much of mainland Europe) can also be found quite often, especially in the north, and you'll find adapters for Schuko plugs in virtually all supermarkets. Adapters for other systems are not that ubiquitous but can be found at airports or in specialised shops. In private apartments or hotels you will often find all three types of electric sockets in one room so if your device won't fit in one socket keep trying. Power surges and power failures are virtually unknown in Italy; the energy, water and gas systems are state-run and very well equipped and maintained since even before WW2; the electrical system is fully updated to the latest tech specs and every household is required to comply when renovating. That includes the remote villages in the South, too. ==Learn== For a country that was the birthplace of the Renaissance period, Italians value education and learning and the country is home to several prestigious universities. Many of the world's oldest operating universities are situated in Italy and many of the world's greatest minds (e.g. ''Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Niccolo Machiavelli'') were from Italy. Although this all sounds impressive, Italy isn't a popular destination for foreign students yet. This is probably (emphasis on probably) because most university classes are conducted in Italian and a limited selection of courses is conducted entirely in English. It all depends on the university you wish to study at. Italian universities charge low tuition fees for all students, including international students. As you may or may not expect, there is a wide gap between schools in [[Northern Italy]] and schools in [[Southern Italy]]. Education standards in [[Southern Italy]] are much lower than that of [[Northern Italy]]. The province of [[Emilia-Romagna]] has some of the oldest universities in the world; the '''[https://www.unimore.it/ University of Modena and Reggio Emilia]''' was founded in 1175 and the '''[http://www.unibo.it University of Bologna]''' (''Università di Bologna''), founded in 1088, is the oldest operating university in the world, unless you count Al Azhar in Cairo. It also happens to be the country's most prestigious university. The '''[https://www.unipa.it/ University of Palermo]''' (founded in 1806) and '''[https://www.unina.it/en_GB/home University of Naples Federico II]''' (founded in 1224) are [[Southern Italy]]'s most prestigious universities. The '''[http://www.polimi.it/en Polytechnic University of Milan]''' (''Politecnico di Milano'') is the oldest university in [[Milan]] and the country's largest and most prestigious technical university. To get admission into the university, you have to pass a competitive entrance exam. One may consider the Polytechnic University of Milan as the "MIT" of Italy. Some American universities have satellite campuses in the country. '''New York University''' for example offers a study-abroad program in [[Florence]] and maintains its own campus in the country. ==Work== If you are a citizen of a country that is a part of the [[European Union]] or the EFTA, you may work in Italy without any restrictions whatsoever. Everyone else including citizens of the [[United Kingdom]] requires a work permit to work in Italy. Obtaining a work permit requires you to deal with Italian bureaucracy, which has a reputation for being slow, complicated, and inefficient. Finding a job in Italy is rather challenging, even for Italians themselves. The country has a high level of unemployment, the country's economy is notoriously sluggish (on average the economy grows between 0 and 1% each year), and many Southern Italians move to Northern Italy due to the lack of opportunities in Southern Italy. The Italian labour market tends to operate through personal contacts — if you know someone that works somewhere, you can probably figure out quite an easy way to work there, too. It always helps to know people living in the area where you want to work. Italy is not usually considered a top destination for career advancement. An increasing number of Italians have moved abroad for work, and they often express discontent over the lack of opportunities in Italy. Some blame the Italian education system for failing to adequately prepare Italians for a competitive job market. Starting salaries range from €800 to €1,400 a month. There's a huge underground black market, though. This doesn't mean working in some kind of obscure crime syndicate: it simply means not being book-regulated. Most "black" workers can be found in small businesses such as bars, pubs and small shops, or as construction workers. ==Stay safe== [[File:Carabinieri a cavallo.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Mounted Carabinieri in Milan.]] For emergencies, call '''113''' (Polizia di Stato - State Police), '''112''' (Carabinieri - Gendarmerie), '''117''' (Guardia di Finanza - Financial police force), '''115''' (Fire Department), '''118''' (Medical Rescue), '''1515''' (State Forestry Department), '''1530''' (Coast Guard), '''1528''' (Traffic reports). Italy is a safe country to travel in like most developed countries. There are few incidents of terrorism/serious violence and these episodes have been almost exclusively motivated by internal politics. Almost every major incident is attributed to organised crime or anarchist movements and rarely, if ever, directed at travellers or foreigners. ===Crime=== Violent crime rates in Italy are low compared to most European countries. If you're reasonably careful and use common sense you won't encounter personal safety risks even in the less affluent neighborhoods of large cities. However, petty crime can be a problem for unwary travellers. Pickpockets often work in pairs or teams, occasionally in conjunction with street vendors; take the usual precautions against pickpockets. Instances of rape and robbery are increasing slightly. You should exercise the usual caution when going out at night alone, although it remains reasonably safe even for single women to walk alone at night. Italians will often offer to accompany female friends back home for safety, even though crime statistics show that sexual violence against women is rare compared to most other Western countries. In a survey by United Nations, 14% of Italian women had experienced attempted rape and 2.3% had experienced rape in their lifetimes. The mafia, camorra, and other crime syndicates generally operate in southern Italy and not the whole country, and although infamous are usually not involved in petty crime. Prostitution is rife in the night streets around cities. Prostitution in Italy is not exactly illegal, though authorities are taking a firmer stance against it than before. Brothels are illegal, though, and pimping is a serious offence, considered by the law similar to slavery. In some areas, it is an offence even to stop your car in front of a prostitute although the rows of prostitutes at the side of many roads, particularly in the suburbs, suggest that the law is not enforced. In general, being the client of a prostitute falls in an area of questionable legality and is inadvisable. Being the client of a prostitute under 18 is a criminal offence. It is estimated that a high percentage of prostitutes working in Italy are victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. There are four types of police forces a tourist might encounter in Italy. The Polizia di Stato (State Police) is the national police force and stationed mostly in the larger towns and cities, and by train stations; they wear blue shirts and grey pants and drive light-blue-painted cars with "POLIZIA" written on the side. The Carabinieri are the national gendarmerie, and are found in the smaller communities, as well as in the cities; they wear very dark blue uniforms with fiery red vertical stripes on their trousers and drive similarly-coloured cars. There is no real distinction between the roles of these two major police forces: both can intervene, investigate, and prosecute in the same way. The Guardia di Finanza is a police force charged with border controls and fiscal matters; although not a patrolling police force, they sometime aid the other forces in territory control. They dress fully in light grey and drive blue or gray cars with yellow markings. All these police forces are generally professional and trustworthy, corruption being virtually unheard of. Finally, municipalities have local police, with names such as "Polizia municipale" or "Polizia locale" (previously, they were labelled "Vigili urbani"). Their style of dressing varies among the cities, but they will always wear some type of blue uniform with white piping and details, and drive similarly marked cars, which should be easy to spot. These local police forces are not trained for major policing interventions, as in the past they have mostly been treated as traffic police, employed for minor tasks; in the event of major crimes, the Polizia or Carabinieri will be summoned instead. After leaving a restaurant or other commercial facility, it is possible, though unlikely, that you will be asked to show your bill and your documents to Guardia di Finanza agents. This is perfectly legitimate (they are checking to see if the facility has printed a proper receipt and will thus pay taxes on what was sold). For all practical matters, including reporting a crime or asking for information, you may ask any police. The Italian Army has also been directly tasked with protecting key locations, including some city landmarks you may want to visit that might be target for terrorist attacks; in case of emergency you can, by all means, ask them for help, but they are not police officers and will have to call the police for you to report a crime and so on. Police officers in Italy are not authorised to collect fines of any kind and have no authority to ask you for money for any reason (unless you are pulled over in your foreign vehicle and fined, see "Get around/By car" above). Possession of drugs is always illegal, but it is a criminal offence only above a certain amount. The main emergency number, handled by the State Police, used to be 113. The medical emergency number is 118, but personnel of the 113 call centre are trained to handle mistakes and will immediately hook you up with actual medical emergency services. Some regions (e.g. Lombardy) have adopted or are adopting the common European emergency number 112. There are many bars in Italy that cater to tourists and foreigners with "home country" themes, calling themselves such things as "American bars" or "Irish pubs". In addition to travellers, these bars attract a large number of Italians who, among other reasons, go there specifically to meet travellers and other foreigners. While the motivation for the vast majority of these Italians is simply to have a good time with new friends, there may be one or two petty criminals who loiter in and out of these establishments hoping to take advantage of travellers who are disoriented or drunk. Travelling to these places in groups is a simple solution to this problem. Alternatively, if you are alone, avoid getting drunk! When entering with a car into a city, avoid restricted, pedestrian-only areas (ZTL) or you could be fined about €100. As in other countries, there are gangs known for tampering with ATMs by placing "skimmers" in front of the card slot and get a clone of your card. Check the machine carefully and, if unsure, use a different one. Naples and Rome are the cities with the highest rates of crime towards tourists. These two cities are riddled with beggars and criminals and special care must be taken especially near such locations as the main historical monuments (the Colosseum for example) and the popular gathering places for tourists (Campo de' Fiori Square in Rome for example). It must be stated also that every train station in the country attracts lowlifes, and in general train stations, at night, are not places where one might want to linger too long. ===Tourist scams=== Read up on the legends concerning tourist scams. Most of them occur regularly in bigger cities such as Rome, Milan, or Naples. Around popular tourist sites, there are people trying to sell cheap souvenirs. They may also carry roses and say they are giving you a gift because they like you but the minute you take their 'gift' they demand money. They are very insistent, pleading and pesty and often the only way to get rid of them is to be plain rude. Do the best you can to not take their "gifts" as they will follow you around asking for money. Simply saying "no" or "vai via" ("go away") will get them off your back until the next vendor comes up to you. Another typical encounter throughout tourist spots is the fake 'deaf and dumbs' who enter restaurants or bars, leaving small objects (lighters, keychains, or small toys) on tables with a note asking for financial help. Do not examine their wares; leave them down and they will come back and collect it then leave. A particular scam is when some plainclothes police will approach you, asking to look for "drug money" or to see your passport. This is a scam to take your money. You can scare them by asking for their ID. Guardia di Finanza (the grey uniformed ones) do customs work. Another scam involves men approaching you, asking where you are from, and beginning to tie bracelets around your wrists. When they are done they will try to charge you upwards of €20 for each bracelet. If anyone makes any attempt to reach for your hand, retract quickly. If you get trapped, you can refuse to pay, but this may not be wise if there are not many people around. Carry small bills or just change, in your wallet, so if you find yourself cornered to pay for the bracelet, you can convince them that €1 or €2 is all you have. Yet another scam involves being approached by a man, asking you to help break a large bill - usually €20 or €50. Do not give him your money. The bill he is giving you is fake, but at first glance it might seem real. The best advice to avoid scams is to get away from anyone you have never seen before who starts talking to you. When taking a taxi, be sure to remember the license number written on the car door. In seconds, people have had a taxi bill increased by €10 or even more. ===Racism=== Racially-motivated violence is rare but it does make the news a few times a year. Italians may assume a person with prominent "foreign" features to be an immigrant and, regrettably, treat them with some measure of contempt or condescension. Tourists can generally expect not to be insulted to their face, but unfortunately casual racism and bigotry is not absent from conversation (especially bar talk, and especially if sports games featuring non-white players are on). Sports-induced attacks (hooliganism) on foreigners are not unknown, and supporters of foreign teams playing in Italy should exercise extra care not to wear their colours openly on the day of the game, outside of the sports ground. ===Road safety=== [[Driving in Italy]] is ''fast-paced'' and widely considered to be ''wild'', especially when compared to other European countries. Drivers tend to change lanes quickly and tend to make hasty, irrational driving decisions. It's common for drivers to drive on the wrong side of the roads just to beat the traffic and get ahead of everyone else. As a pedestrian, be careful when crossing roads, as not all vehicles will stop at marked crossings. ==Stay healthy== [[File:Careggi Hospital entry.jpg|thumb|250px|Careggi hospital in Florence.]] Italian hospitals are public and offer completely free high-standard treatment for travellers in possession of an EHIC (EU/EEA citizens) or GHIC (UK citizens). As in other countries with universal healthcare, you may have to wait some hours to be treated unless you're in a serious condition. Emergency rooms are called "Pronto Soccorso". Emergency assistance is granted even to non-EU travellers. For non-emergency assistance, non-EHIC/GHIC-holders are required to pay out-of-pocket, there is no convention with US health insurances (although some insurance companies might later reimburse these expenses). Italy has a four-colour code of urgency, red being the most immediate (assistance is given without any delay) and white being the lowest (anyone with a red, yellow and green code will pass before you). With a white code, meaning the treatment is not urgent and does not necessitate emergency personnel, you are also required to pay for the full consultation, so do not go to the Pronto Soccorso just to check your knee after last year's fall. ===Water=== While safe to drink, the tap water (''acqua del rubinetto'') in some peninsular parts of Italy can be cloudy with a slight off taste. With the exception of certain towns that use mountain water for their municipal supplies, such as [[Spoleto]], most Italians prefer bottled water, which is served in restaurants. Make sure you let the waiter/waitress know you want still water (''acqua naturale'' or ''acqua senza gas'') or else you could get water with either natural gas or with added carbonation (''frizzante'' or ''con gas''). Rome, in particular, has exceptional pride in the quality of its water. This goes right back to the building of aqueducts channelling pure mountain water to all the citizens of Rome during Roman times. Don't waste plastic bottles. You can refill your drinking containers and bottles at any of the constant running taps and fountains dotted around the city, safe in the knowledge that you are getting excellent quality cool spring water - try it! Water in southern Italy might come from desalination plants and sometimes may have a strange taste, due to extended droughts, but it is always perfectly safe as the state runs continuous tests. If in doubt use bottled water. Elsewhere tap water is perfectly drinkable and very well maintained. If not, a "non potabile" warning is posted. Many towns have fountains with tap water that you can use to refill your container, but do not use water from fountains with an "Acqua non potabile" sign on them. ==Respect== Italy has a reputation for being a welcoming country and Italians are friendly and courteous, as well as '''very''' used to small talk and interacting with foreigners. ==== Culture and identity ==== Although this is a broad generalisation, Italians in the North are perceived to be much more reserved compared to Italians in the South. Despite stereotypes, it is ''uncommon'' for Italians to strike up conversations with strangers. Acting too familiar with someone can cause someone to be uncomfortable. Italians are generally '''neutral communicators'''. They make efforts to be polite and respectful, but they are quite comfortable with expressing their emotions and thoughts clearly. Sure, Italians are known for being sociable and talkative, but you should make every effort to be tactful with your words. Just because they seem confident does not mean that they are difficult to offend. It is common for Italians to ask people personal questions and give people advice on all kinds of things. You can expect to be showered with lots of advice on what you're doing, what you're wearing, how to take care of your home, asked questions about your life story and background, what to see and not see, and so on. Try not to get upset or annoyed at this because the information that Italians convey is meant to help you in a good way, not a bad way. As a foreigner, you may not fully experience this, but know that this is common. Italian society is less formal compared to other countries around [[Europe]], especially when it comes to introductions. For instance, it's common for Italians to introduce people to friends in a casual manner. In conversational settings, it is '''very common''' for people to interrupt or talk over one another. Shouting to make oneself heard is common, as is the use of animated hand gestures and swear words. What may seem like a shouting match in public may actually be a passionate conversation! Italians are highly proud of their language and people will become noticeably more aloof if you approach them speaking English. Immediately conversing in English with someone may be seen as rude or even impolite, but since the country receives so many visitors, Italians have gradually gotten used to being spoken to in English and are grudgingly tolerant of this. To get on someone's good side, you should '''ask someone if they speak English''' before communicating. If you wish to leave a lasting impression on someone, say ''Parla inglese?'' (pron. Par-Lah-Ing-Lay-Zee) to someone. If you're looking to practice your Italian skills, do not worry if you're not fluent in or if you think you're bad at Italian; any knowledge of Italian (even if you just know two words) is bound to impress the locals. Once a foreigner has mastered the language sufficiently, though, he/she will be required to start using polite forms of speech when addressing older folk, people who are not in their circle of friends, and any office/store clerk they come in contact with. In fact, using familiar verb and pronoun forms is rather rare except among friends, family, and sometimes peers. The Italian polite form of speech form uses the third singular person instead of the second person singular: "Lei" (also the word for "she", but used for both male and female as a formal way of saying "you") instead of "tu" (you [familiar]). Italians greet family and close friends with two light kisses on the cheek. Males do, too. To avoid ending up kissing on the lips, first move to the right (kiss the other person on their left cheek) and then to the left. Other than that, the hand-shaking rules are the same as anywhere else in the western world. ====Clothing==== You will notice that in general Italians are quite obsessed with fashion and they '''dress well''' even in informal situations (this is particularly true in big cities, especially [[Milan]], being one of the world's fashion capitals). After all, Italian fashion is famous worldwide. However, this doesn't mean that Italians wear a suit and expensive clothes all the time, but if you dress in the 'whatever is comfortable' kind of way (like flip-flops outside the beach, sneakers outside sport activities, pajamas-like sweatshirts etc.) you will be considered 'strange'. Even if most tourists in Italy wear '''sandals with socks''' and large short-sleeved shirts, most Italians make fun of them (but almost never will they insult people to their face). Whole essays can be written about the Italians' relationships with clothes. Three of the most important observations: # Most Italians (especially young ones from the upper and upper-middle social class) are very appearance-conscious; don't be surprised or insulted if you are looked at askance for your 'eccentricity' in not wearing the latest customised jeans or boots. # It's important not to judge people in return by their choice of clothing. Styles do not necessarily carry the same connotations in Italy that they would in Britain or some other countries. A woman in stilettos, miniskirt and full makeup at eight in the morning is probably just going to work in a bank. Almost all youths lounge about in skin-tight tee-shirts and casually knotted knitwear (and are very perplexed by the response they get when they take their sense of style and grooming to a less 'sophisticated' climate). # Sometimes, clothing rules are written. To visit a church or religious site you will need to cover yourself up; no bare backs, chests, shoulders and sometimes no knees, either. Sometimes museums and other attractions can also be strict; no bathing costumes, for example. If you want to visit a church or religious site it's a good idea to take something to cover yourself up with; for example a jumper or large scarf. Some churches supply cover-ups, such as sarongs are loaned to men with shorts so that they can modestly conceal their legs. Even where there are no written rules, bare chests and large expanses of sunburnt skin are unacceptable away from beaches or sunbathing areas, whatever the temperature is. It is considered impolite for a man to wear a hat in a Catholic church. ==== Sensitive issues ==== Italians in general do not trust their government, and it is very common for them to express feelings of dismay and frustration towards their government and politicians. It is not a societal taboo to discuss politics, but generally speaking, political discourse tends to be quite polarising. Italians in general are modest about the role their country plays (or has played) in the world. This said, some aspects of Italian history (Benito Mussolini's fascist regime being one of them) are regarded with shame and dismay. Younger Italians may be more open about discussing such subjects, but the same cannot be said for older Italians. Fascism is out of mainstream Italian politics and is viewed with contempt and scorn. Unlike in other parts of Europe, communism has no negative connotations in Italy. For several decades of the 20th century, Italy had the largest communist party in the western world. The Communist Party of Italy was independent of the Soviet Union and associated with good government, many cities have a piazza or major street named after its most important founding figure, Antonio Gramsci, and there are some people in [[Emilia-Romagna]] and [[Tuscany]] (two communist strongholds) who are nostalgic towards the party. Italians are often portrayed as "mobsters" in popular culture. It's '''rude''' to perpetuate this stereotype and Italians often get tired of hearing of such stereotypes. Generally speaking, the mafia is a rather sensitive issue and many Italians prefer to not talk about it. '''The North/South divide''' is a sensitive issue for some. Unless you have a heart for lengthy, prolonged debates, it would be wise to refrain from comparing the North and the South or bringing the subject up. It's a lot more sensitive in the South than it is in the North. Italy has twenty provinces and some people in some provinces (for example, [[Veneto]], [[South Tyrol]], and [[Sicily]]) are sympathetic to full autonomy or secession from Italy. If anything regarding regional politics has been brought up, it's best to stay neutral unless you have a heart for lengthy, passionate debates. Don't compare one city/region to another; doing so is quite crass and Italians may think you are trying to start an argument. Italians are quite proud of their home cities/regions. ====LGBT rights in Italy==== Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in Italy may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Italy, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Italian opinions have changed and people are now more supportive of LGBT rights, but tend to be more repressive than other European nations. Tolerance of others is part of the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, which, at the same time, holds generally negative views of gay sex. Nevertheless, there is a significant liberal tradition, particularly in the North and in Rome. Conservative Italian politicians such as former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have expressed opposition to increasing gay rights. A Eurobarometer survey published in December 2006 showed that 31% of Italians surveyed support same-sex marriage and 24% recognise same-sex couple's right to adopt (EU-wide average 44% and 33%). A 2007 poll found 45% support, 47% opposition and 8% unsure on the question of support for a civil partnership law for gays. Civil unions for same-sex couples were recognised in 2016, and public opinion on the acceptance of LGBT people as a whole remains fairly positive, with 70-80% of Italians believing homosexuality should be accepted by society. While more information can be found on LGBT-specific websites, a brief summary of the situation is as follows: while violence is uncommon against openly gay people, some Italians are disturbed by public displays of affection from same-sex couples and stares are very possible. Some same-sex couples prefer to avoid public attention. As is the case elsewhere, the younger generations tend to be more tolerant than older folks, but assumptions should not be made in either direction. ====Religion==== Although most Italians are nominally Roman Catholic, contemporary Italy is in general a secular society, and most Italians are rather relaxed in their religious observances. Atheism and agnosticism are also not uncommon, particularly in traditionally left-wing areas in Central and Northern Italy. While not all Italians respect Catholic religious traditions, even many atheists do, and as a visitor, you should, especially in the South. ====Food==== Italians, in general, have an '''intricate relationship with food'''. Unlike other countries, there are several food rules that you should be mindful of during your stay. Since the country receives so many visitors, cultural blunders are tolerated, but still, you should keep the following in mind if you want to get on locals' good sides and adapt to the Italian way of life. * Most Italians drink '''cappuccino''' during breakfast. Ordering cappuccino after breakfast is considered awkward by most Italians and servers. If you want to sip on some coffee, consider ordering a '''macchiato'''. * '''Never criticise someone's food'''; it is considered extremely rude. * '''Never criticise the food that is served to you at a restaurant'''; it is considered extremely rude and staff members won't hesitate to defend the quality of food that is served to you. Also, do not expect waiters and staff members to dance to your tune. * '''Do not tell someone how to improve their cooking'''. Italians would be '''incredibly offended''' by this. * Don't confuse Italian food with Italian-American food. They are different cuisines and should be treated as such. * Don't rush your meal. A meal with your Italian colleagues and/or friends can last for several hours. Savour it! ==Connect== ===Internet access=== ====WiFi==== By law all public-access internet points must keep records of web sites viewed by customers, and even the customer's ID: expect to be refused access if you don't provide identification. Hotels providing Internet access are not required to record IDs if the connection is provided in the guest's room, although if the connection is offered in the main public hall then IDs are required. Publicly available '''wireless access''' without user identification is illegal, so open Wi-Fi hotspots (like the ones you might expect to find in a mall or cafée) all have some form of (generally one-time) registration. Certain internet activities are illegal. Beside the obvious (child pornography, trading in illegal products like drugs and weapons), copyright infringement is illegal even if no profit is made. However enforcement of copyright laws against P2P users is lax and cease&desist letters from providers are unheard of, ''unless'' using a University's WiFi. Certain websites (mostly related to online gambling and copyrighted material) have been blocked in Italy following court rulings. There is a free, government run, public, nation-wide WiFi network called [https://wifi.italia.it/en/ WiFi Italia], accessible through an app. ====Mobile==== The mobile phone market developed in Italy as early as 1993, so reception is guaranteed in the whole of the country, including far off the coast, the tallest mountains, and the smallest villages. 4G internet connectivity is available from all major Italian carriers. Most carriers offer relatively cheap internet plans with plenty of traffic with unlimited calls and text messages. There are three main carriers: [https://www.tim.it/ TIM], [https://www.vodafone.it/portal/privati Vodafone] and [https://www.windtre.it/ Wind Tre]. However, it might be best to also check out smaller and "virtual" operators, that often charge less. Generally speaking, internet plans only include connectivity when under a specific carrier's coverage. When roaming, internet costs can be very high. Coverage of major carriers is widespread, but it would be wise to check whether your carrier covers your area. ===Telephone=== [[File:Pay phones outside Duomo, Milan.jpg|thumb|Pay phones in Milan]] Both the fixed and mobile phone systems are available throughout Italy. Telephone numbers of the fixed system used to have separate prefixes (area codes) and a local number. In the 1990s the numbers were unified and nowadays, when calling Italian phones you must '''always dial the full number'''. For example you start numbers for Rome with 06 even if you are calling from Rome. All land line numbers start with 0. Mobile numbers start with 3. Numbers starting with 89 are high-fee services. If you don't know somebody's phone number you can dial a variety of phone services, the most used being 1240, 892424, 892892, but most of them have high fees. To call abroad from Italy you have to dial <code>'''00''' + ''country code'' + ''local part''</code> where the syntax of the ''local part'' depends on the country called. To call Italy from abroad you have to dial <code>''international prefix'' + '''39''' + ''local part''</code>. Unlike calls to most countries, you should ''not'' skip the starting zero of the local part if you are calling an Italian land line. In case of emergency call the appropriate number from the list below. Such calls are usually free and calls to 112, 113, 115, 118 can be made from payphones for free without the need of inserting coins. 112 (standard emergency number in GSM specification) can be dialed in any case for free from any mobile phone (even if your credit is empty or if you are in an area covered by a different operator) * ''112'' EU emergency telephone number - Carabinieri emergency number - general emergency * ''113'' Police emergency number * ''114'' Blue Phone emergency number - children-related emergency (especially various forms of violence) * ''115'' Fire Brigade emergency number * ''117'' Guardia di Finanza - for customs, commercial and tax issues * ''118'' Health emergency number - use this if you need an ambulance, otherwise ask for the local Guardia Medica number and they'll send you a doctor. * ''1515'' State Forestry Department * ''1518'' Traffic Information * ''1530'' Coast Guard * ''803116'' A.C.I. (Italian Automobile Club) This provides assistance if your car breaks down (if you have a rented car then call the number they provide), This is a service provided to subscribers to ACI or to other Automobile Clubs associated to ARC Europe. If you're not associated to any of them you'll be asked to pay a fee (approx. €80). Always carry with you a note about the address and the number of your embassy. If you are in an emergency and do not know who to call dial 112 or 113 (out of major towns, better to call '''113''' for English-speaking operators). A few payphones remain in train stations and airports. Some of them work only with coins, some only with phone cards and just a very few with both coins and phone cards. Only a limited number of payphones (in main airports) directly accept credit cards. Many companies are shifting their customer service numbers to fixed-rate number (prefix 199). These numbers are at the local rate, no matter where they are called from. According to national regulations, hotels cannot apply a surcharge on calls made from hotels (as the switchboard service should already be included as a service paid in the room cost) but, to be sure, check it before you use. Calls between landlines are charged at either the local rate or the national rate depending on the originating and destination area codes; if they are the same then the call will be local rate. Local calls are not free. ====Mobile==== Italians use mobile phones extensively, some might say excessively. The main networks are TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile, part of Telecom Italia, formerly state controlled), Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad. Best advice is to buy a prepaid SIM card (€10 upwards) and a cheap mobile phone (€19 upwards) to put it in (if you don't have a cellphone already that you can use). It will be much more practical. Mobile phones from Korea, Japan and North America will not work in Italy unless they are Tri-band. Nearly all of Italy has GSM, GPRS, UMTS/HDSPA and LTE coverage, 5G technology is being rolled-out only in major cities as of Mar 2021. You must provide a valid form of identification, such as a passport or other official identity, to be able to purchase a SIM card. Unless you already have one, you will also be required to obtain a ''Codice Fiscale'' (a tax number) - or the vendor may generate one for you from your form of identification. Subscription-based mobile telephony accounts are subject to a government tax, to which ''prepaid'' SIM cards are not subject. Sometimes hotels have mobile phones for customer to borrow or rent. Mobile tariffs used to be very complicated but nowadays most mobile operators offer contracts with unlimited calls and messages to all operators and at least a few tens of gigabytes of internet traffic for about €10/month. Usually there is a difference in cost even for incoming calls from abroad. If you can choose, calling the other party's land line could be even 40% cheaper than mobile. ===Post=== If at all possible, wait until you leave Italy before posting postcards, greeting cards and other items to friends and family back home. The Italian post is notorious for being slow, expensive and unreliable. In border towns and cities near the borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia it may be best to cross the border to post - postcards from Slovenia to Britain can take just 2 days compared with over a week when posted across the border in Trieste, Italy. When you do decide to send mail from Italy, there are two services: [https://www.poste.it/ Poste Italiane] (red post boxes, available everywhere) and [https://www.globepostalservice.com Globe Postal Service (GPS)] (yellow post-boxes, available in some shops). [https://www.poste.it/ Poste Italiane] offices can be found in every town and most villages - look for the ''PT'' symbol. When entering the post office you will usually have to take a ticket and wait for your number to appear on the screen when it's your turn. There will be different tickets for different services but for posting a parcel look for the yellow symbol with the icon of an envelope. Most post offices close at around 13:00 or 14:00 and only a central post office in most towns will re-open in the late afternoon. [https://www.globepostalservice.com/ Globe Postal Service (GPS)] sells stamps in tobacco/postcard shops, which also have their dedicated post boxes. [https://www.globepostalservice.com/faq/ Rates] as of September 2018 are: €1.30 within Europe, and €2.50 for international mail. [https://www.globepostalservice.com/faq/ Delivery times] are "slightly longer than national service", being: Europe: 14 days, international: 18 days. GPS has a feature where one can add videos/photos to a stamp via a QR-code, and allow tracking of the postcard. ==Go next== The land border can be crossed to [[France]], [[Switzerland]], [[Austria]], [[Slovenia]], [[San Marino]] and [[Vatican City]]. Ferry service is provided to surrounding countries. {{geo|42.5|12.5|zoom=6}} {{isPartOf|Europe}} {{outlinecountry}} {{related|Ferries in the Mediterranean}} gq2yhyo6iwwirqt39ns3nobkv2g3bx8 0 16075 4506704 4503992 2022-08-23T09:41:39Z Jpatokal 692 -useless covid box wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Simpang_Semanggi,_Jakarta_banner.jpg|dotm=yes}} {{printDistricts}} '''Jakarta''' is [[Indonesia]]'s capital and largest city, with about 10 million inhabitants, and a total 30 million in [[Greater Jakarta]] on the [[Java]] island. Dubbed ''The Big Durian'', an equivalent to [[New York City|New York]]'s Big Apple, its concrete jungle, traffic frenzy, and hot polluted air may tempt you to skip the city as fast as possible, but what awaits inside will change your perspective! One of the most bustling and cosmopolitan cities in Asia, the ''J-Town'' has cheerful nightlife, vibrant shopping malls, a variety of foods, refreshing greenery, cultural diversity and a rich history, that caters to all levels of budget and how much fun you want to have. ==Districts== Administratively, Jakarta is a province called the Jakarta Special Capital Region (''Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta''). It is administratively divided into 5 municipalities and 1 regency (the [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] in the Jakarta Bay): {{mapframe|width=500|height=500|-6.2048|106.8359|zoom=11|staticmap=Jakarta Wikivoyage Map PNG.png}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10109|fill=#AC5C91|title=[[Jakarta/Central|Central Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10116|fill=#D56D76|title=[[Jakarta/West|West Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10114|fill=#D5DC76|title=[[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10111|fill=#B5D29F|title=[[Jakarta/East|East Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10113|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]]}} {{mapshapes|Q1926929}} <!-- Commuter rail --> {{mapshapes|Q3333785}} <!-- MRT --> {{mapshapes|Q1671143}} <!-- TransJakarta --> {{mapshapes|Q56810702}} <!-- LRT --> {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Jakarta/Central|Central Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Pusat'') | region1color=#AC5C91 | region1items= | region1description=The heart of Jakarta's administration, government and finance, an aptly named district and the site of Jakarta's symbol, the soaring '''Monas''' ('''Mon'''umen '''Nas'''ional) and also the world's largest city square "Lapangan Merdeka". The city is a part of the old Jakarta (''Batavia''), recognisable by the president's palace and the National Museum of Indonesia, both built in the 19th century. Now filled with modern high rises for office buildings, hotels, and shopping centres, this is where most of Jakarta's attractions are, such as the malls, the Tanah Abang garment complex, the Istiqlal mosque, the Cathedral, and the Bung Karno Sports Stadium. | region2name=[[Jakarta/West|West Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Barat'') | region2color=#D56D76 | region2items= | region2description=This site is also part of the Old Batavia. It is home to the '''Glodok''' area (Jakarta's Chinatown) which is rich in [[street food|street hawker food]], Chinese restaurants, and temple complexes, and contains Jakarta's electronic promenade. West Jakarta is also a major destination for shopping, as it is home to a lane of upscale malls at S. Parman and cheap shopping lanes at Mangga Dua. This area is also home to Jakarta's biggest nightlife entertainment and red light district "Mangga Besar". | region3name=[[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Selatan'') | region3color=#D5DC76 | region3items= | region3description=Jakarta's middle/upper class residential area, and part of Jakarta's business centre. Here you can find upscale shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, bustling nightlife and entertainment, Blok M, Senayan sports complex, and affluent residential areas. The Kemang area is very popular among expats and locals for its nightlife and entertainment. | region4name=[[Jakarta/East|East Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Timur'') | region4color=#B5D29F | region4items= | region4description=The city's industrial quarter and the most populous city within Jakarta. The location of '''[[Taman Mini Indonesia Indah]]''' (where you can see parts of Indonesia's multiethnic community in one big park), some golf courses, Cibubur camping ground, and Jakarta's second airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. | region5name=[[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Utara'') | region5color=#71B37B | region5items= | region5description= Jakarta's main harbour area and the real home of the old Batavia. A small area consisting of Dutch buildings and harbor, its streets are thronged with hawker food, crafted goods, street performers, artists and Jakartan youths hanging around. This is also the location of '''Ancol Bayfront City''', Asia's largest integrated tourism area. The beautiful '''[[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]]''' (Kepulauan Seribu), accessible by boat from North Jakarta's dock, is an instant escape from the hectic city with its beautiful beaches, marine parks, and world-class resorts. }} '''Satellite cities''': The Jakarta megalopolis of 30 million inhabitants includes Jakarta and the following satellite cities: * [[Bogor]] - One of the primary destinations to escape from Jakarta, with well-kept natural habitats, world class botany garden, resorts, and multiple golf courses * [[Tangerang]] - The airport, many large commercial centres and clustered homes * [[Bekasi]] - Mostly industrial parks * [[Depok]] - Home to the University of Indonesia A common abbreviation to describe the megalopolitan area is ''Jabodetabek'' (''Ja''karta, ''Bo''gor, ''De''pok, ''Ta''ngerang, ''Bek''asi). ===Orientation=== Finding places in Jakarta, especially smaller buildings not on the main arteries, is easier said than done. Sometimes, the same name is used for different streets in different parts of the city, and it's often difficult to find the correct street or address without the postal code/region. A sign with a street name facing you indicates the name of the street you are about to enter, not that of the cross street. Alleys off a main road are often simply notated by Roman numerals, hence a street address like "Jl. Mangga Besar VIII/21" means house number 21 on alley number 8 (VIII) off the main road of Jl. Mangga Besar. Fortunately, there is a logic to the name of the street. Outside of the corridors of high rise offices, you basically can find out on what branch of the street you're on by looking at the name of the streets without the Roman numerals. Most often the name of the area is the same as the name of the street, especially if it also bears the phrase ''Jalan Raya'' or avenues. Knowing this almost takes you there, but gated clusters of houses have their own main roads that do not follow the convention, even though they are branches of a specific street. In that case, knowing the name of the housing cluster would be the best option in addition to the above rules. Conveniently, most navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze are useful for finding addresses and places throughout Jakarta due to regular updates from users. If you don't want to waste time, ask for the description or name of nearby landmarks or buildings, billboards, color of the building or fence, or the postal code. If you still cannot find the address, start asking people on the street, especially ''ojek'' (motorcycle taxi drivers). ==Understand== [[File:Jakarta Skyline Part 2.jpg|thumb|400px|Jakarta Skyline]] Jakarta's nickname among expats is the '''Big Durian''', and like the fruit itself, it's a shock at first sight (and smell): a sweltering, steaming, heaving mass of some 30 million people packed into a vast urban sprawl. The metropolitan area is a magnet for Indonesians, both as a business and a government centre, and the most developed city in the country. But all of this comes at a cost: the city has been struggling ''very'' hard to keep up with the urban growth. Major roads are packed up during rush hours and weekends, sometimes all day during rainy season due to motorcyclists sheltering under the fly-over or the tunnel when it's raining heavily, thus causing additional congestion, while the growth of the public transportation system has been unable to keep up. All that said, while initially a bit overwhelming, if you can withstand the pollution and can afford to indulge in Jakarta's charms, you can discover what is also one of Asia's most exciting, most lively global cities. There is plenty to do in Jakarta, from green parks and historical centres, to cosmopolitan shopping, diverse gourmet choices, and some of the hippest nightlife in Southeast Asia! ===History=== [[File:Jakarta Indonesia Jakarta-History-Museum-01.jpg|thumb|The colonial building that is now the Jakarta History Museum, in West Jakarta.]] The port of {{marker|type=go|name=Sunda Kelapa|lat=-6.117944|long=106.808801}} dates to the 12th century, when it served the Sundanese kingdom of Pajajaran near present-day [[Bogor]]. The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese, who were given permission by the Hindu Kingdom of Pakuan Pajajaran to erect a godown (warehouse) in 1522. Control was still firmly in local hands, and in 1527 the city was conquered by '''Prince Fatahillah''', a Muslim prince from [[Cirebon]], who changed the name to '''Jayakarta'''. By the early 17th century, however, the '''[[Dutch Empire|Dutch]]''' had pretty much taken over the port city, and the razing of a competing English fort in 1619 secured their hold on the island. Under the name '''Batavia''', the new Dutch town became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was known as the ''Queen of the East''. However, the Dutch made the mistake of attempting to replicate Holland by digging canals throughout the malarial swamps in the area, resulting in shockingly high death rates and earning the town the epithet ''White Man's Graveyard''. In the early 1800s most canals were filled in, the town was shifted 4&nbsp;km inland and the ''Pearl of the Orient'' flourished once again. In 1740, Chinese slaves rebelled against the Dutch. The rebellion was put down harshly with the massacre of thousands of Chinese slaves. The survivors were exiled to [[Sri Lanka]]. In 1795, the Netherlands were invaded and occupied by France, and on March 17, 1798, the '''Batavian Republic''', a satellite state of France, took over the VOC's debts and assets. But on August 26, 1811, a British expedition led by Lord Minto defeated the French/Dutch troops in Jakarta, leading to a brief liberation and subsequent administration of Indonesia by the British (led by Sir Stamford Raffles of [[Singapore]] fame) in 1811-1816. In 1815, after the Congress of Vienna, Indonesia was handed over from the British to the Dutch government. The name '''Jakarta''' was adopted as a short form of Jayakarta when the city was conquered by the Japanese in 1942. After the war, the Indonesian war of independence followed, with the capital briefly shifted to [[Yogyakarta]] after the Dutch attacked. The war lasted until 1949, four years after Indonesian Independence, when the Dutch accepted the independence and handed back the town, which became Indonesia's capital again. Since independence, Jakarta's population has skyrocketed, thanks to migrants coming to the city from across the Indonesian archipelago. The entire '''Jabodetabek''' (Jakarta-[[Bogor]]-[[Depok]]-[[Tangerang]]-[[Bekasi]]) metropolitan region is estimated to have a population of about 30 million. ===Climate=== {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 30 | febhigh = 30 | marhigh = 31 | aprhigh = 32 | mayhigh = 33 | junhigh = 32 | julhigh = 32 | aughigh = 33 | sephigh = 33 | octhigh = 33 | novhigh = 32 | dechigh = 31 | janlow = 23 | feblow = 23 | marlow = 24 | aprlow = 24 | maylow = 23 | junlow = 23 | jullow = 22 | auglow = 22 | seplow = 23 | octlow = 23 | novlow = 23 | declow = 23 | janprecip = 402 | febprecip = 284 | marprecip = 219 | aprprecip = 131 | mayprecip = 113 | junprecip = 90 | julprecip = 58 | augprecip = 61 | sepprecip = 64 | octprecip = 101 | novprecip = 128 | decprecip = 204 | description = Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Department has a today & tomorrow forecast on its website in Indonesian }} Jakarta, like the rest of Indonesia, is under the tropical climate classification. It has two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. It is hot and usually humid with little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year. The average temperature is about 28°C (82°F), hot compared to other cities across Indonesia, especially because of the absence of trees in many areas. November to March is the peak of the rainy season, and floods and traffic chaos on many of the streets usually occur. At its worst, floods can result in standstill on the prone spots and takes a few days to subside; canal-widening and cleanings have mitigated the effect substantially and for most major roads, a couple hours is all it takes for the standing water to be wiped out. Even in rainy seasons, the sun usually appears for hours each day. During the transition from rainy to dry season or vice versa (April-May & September-October), there is occasional rain. Sometimes it pours; other times it's not a washout. The good thing is that it cools down the air after a sweltering hot day. The rain is almost always absent from June through August. ===Tourism information=== * {{listing | name="Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Centre | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta-tourism.go.id/ | email= | address=Jakarta Theater Building, Jl. MH. Thamrin No. 9 | lat=-6.1864 | long=106.82137 | directions= | phone=+62 21 314 2067 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2016-11-24| content= }} * {{listing | name="Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Service | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta-tourism.go.id/ | email= | address=Terminal 2D Arrival, [[Soekarno-Hatta International Airport]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 550 7088 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2016-11-24| content= }} ==Talk== {{infobox|How to speak ''prokem'' like a ''Betawi''|The everyday speech of Jakartans (''Betawi'') is liberally laced with slang (''prokem'') expressions. Like any slang, words come in and out of fashion with bewildering rapidity, but some features can be distinguished: * ''f'' becomes ''p'' * ''z'' becomes ''j'' * The prefix ''me-'' for verbs becomes ''ng-'' * The suffixes ''-i'' and ''-kan'' turn into ''-in'' A short glossary of common Jakartan expressions: ; no : tidak &rarr; nggak/kagak/gak/ogah/moh ; I : saya/aku &rarr; gua/gue ; you : kamu/anda &rarr; lu/lo ; sorry : maaf &rarr; maap ; to come up : menaik &rarr; naek ; to take : mengambil &rarr; ngambil ; to look : melihat &rarr; ngeliat ; to use : memakai/menggunakan &rarr; pake/make/ngegunain ; to visit : mengunjungi &rarr; ngunjungin ; what are you doing? : kamu sedang apa? &rarr; ngapain? ; to pay : membayar &rarr; bayar/ngebayar ; how much is it?: berapa harganya? &rarr; berapaan nih? }} As the capital of Indonesia, it is unsurprising that nearly all residents of Jakarta are able to speak [[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]]. However, Jakarta also has its own local language that is known as '''Betawi''', which has a [[Malay phrasebook|Malay]] base but incorporates many loan words from [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]], [[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]], [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] and [[Minnan phrasebook|Hokkien]]. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Jakarta ({{IATA|JKT}}) has two airports with scheduled flights: {{marker|type=go|name=Soekarno-Hatta International Airport|lat=-6.1252|long=106.6597}} ({{IATA|CGK}}) is 20 km northwest of the city in the neighboring city of [[Tangerang]], and handles most commercial flights. This airport, along with transportation options to and from the airport, is covered in a [[Soekarno Hatta International Airport|separate article]]. An express train runs every half hour to Sudirman station right at downtown in one hour for Rp70,000. The state-owned DAMRI buses take you to various major transportation hubs (trains & other buses) routinely, while the JAConnexion buses serves a number of hotels and shopping malls within the metro area for up to Rp50,000. Many hotels are generous enough to offer shuttles from the airport. There is a dedicated tollway that takes you to the city, which should take 45 to 90 minutes. Avoid taking conventional or online taxi in rush hour as it may charge you more than Rp300.000. {{marker|type=go|name=Halim Perdanakusuma Airport|lat=-6.2653|long=106.8856}} ({{IATA|HLP}}) is smaller and much closer to the city (in [[East Jakarta]]), is served by a range of domestic scheduled flights, in addition to its use by the military, VIP flights, charter flights, helicopter leasing companies, and private jets. DAMRI also operates bus services to Rawamangun Bus Terminal; to Pulogebang, Gambir Station, and [[Bekasi]]; and to [[Depok]], [[Bogor]]'s Botany Square, and Soekarno Hatta Airport. There are also taxi services operating here, but avoid taking them inside the airport area. Alternatively, you can use '''Husein Sastranegara International Airport''' ({{IATA|BDO}}), which serves the city of [[Bandung]], 130 km from Jakarta, which features mostly propeller airplanes, and some international flights by jets. However, considering the more limited offering of flight destinations compared to Soekarno-Hatta, and the relatively lengthy and often congested trip between Jakarta and Bandung, this option is not commonly useful. There are coach services, although most of the time you have to transfer between coaches at the respective companies' pools at downtown Bandung before continuing to Jakarta. The trip from Jakarta to Bandung's airport by public transport requires at least 3 hours, often more. ===By train=== [[File:205-142F Mangga Dua.jpg|thumb|Jakarta's commuter train]] The national operator [https://kai.id/'''Kereta Api'''] runs multiple daily trains from other cities in [[Java]] such as [[Bandung]], [[Surabaya]] and [[Yogyakarta]]. Jakarta has several major train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=Gambir|lat=-6.1767|long=106.8306}} in [[Central Jakarta]] is the current main station for long-distance passenger service, especially Executive class trains from most major cities in Java, thus it has the most complete facilities. If you are using a business or economy class train, you will likely stop at either {{marker|type=go|name=Pasar Senen|lat=-6.1745|long=106.8445}}, two blocks away from Gambir, or {{marker|type=go|name=Kota|lat=-6.1376|long=106.8146}} in [[West Jakarta]]. All stations offer connections to local public transportation, including the Transjakarta system. While Jakarta's suburban commuter trains (''KA Commuter Jabodetabek'') do stop at most Jakarta stations, Gambir and Senen are '''not''' included. Get off at {{marker|type=go|name=|lat=-6.2151|long=106.8703}}'''Jatinegara''' station if you wish to connect with the commuter train. ===By bus=== When buying tickets for buses out of Jakarta, you're better off '''buying them at each bus company's booth'''. Do not buy from anywhere outside the booth as the prices are more expensive and the bus they will take you to is questionable. Jakarta has many bus terminals, but not all of them have inter-city services. Look for the sign '''AKAP''' (Antar Kota Antar Provinsi or Inter-city and Inter-Province). Fortunately these terminals are easy to reach. City bus services, as well as airport shuttles, start and end at bus terminals, and busway services stop there too. Even though the listing says the destination the terminal mainly serves, some services may be available to other parts of [[Java]]. * {{listing | type=go | name= Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Lingkar Luar Selatan, East Jakarta | lat=-6.3095 | long=106.8824 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 7.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The busiest terminal for intercity buses. Kampung Rambutan offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across [[Banten]], especially the [[Merak]] port, and the central & southern part of [[Java]] island, such as [[Cianjur]], [[Bandung]], [[Garut]], [[Tasikmalaya]], [[Cilacap]], [[Purwokerto]], [[Yogyakarta]], [[Solo]], and [[Malang]], although buses to major cities across the north may exist. City & intercity buses depart from separate areas. }} * {{listing | type=go | name= Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= Jalan Bekasi Raya, East Jakarta| lat=-6.1832 | long=106.9084 | directions= Use busway lines [[File:TransJakarta roundel 2.svg|20px]] & [[File:TransJakarta roundel 4.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Formerly the second busiest terminal, nowadays Pulo Gadung Terminal only serves buses to Merak, [[Sumatra]], [[Bali]] and [[Lombok]]. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta | lat=-6.2118 | long=106.9524 | directions=Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 11.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q28725669 | content=The new and biggest bus terminal in Southeast Asia. Offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across the northern coast of [[Java]], such as [[Cirebon]], [[Tegal]], [[Pekalongan]], [[Semarang]], and [[Surabaya]], though some operators may also drive you to [[Bandung]]. Some buses even offer routes to [[Bali]] and [[Lombok]] '''together''' after pickup from Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Lebak Bulus Bus Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-6.2894 | long=106.7741 | directions= Use MRT North-South line or busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 8.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not a terminal but only a 100-m² bus stop, as a temporary replacement for the Lebak Bulus Terminal, which nowadays is an MRT station under construction. When the MRT station is completed, it will be integrated with the bus terminal. Service to destinations east of Jakarta, as far as [[East Java]]. }} If you are arriving from Sumatra or taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you will most likely arrive at one of these two terminals: * {{listing | type=go | name= Rawamangun Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= Jalan Perserikatan No. 1 (Jalan Paus), East Jakarta| lat=-6.1978 | long=106.8913 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 4.svg|20px]], but does not stop right at the terminal. The nearest stop is at Pemuda Ramawangun or Velodrome. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Like Pulo Gadung Terminal, only serves buses to Merak, Sumatra, Bali and Lombok. }} * {{listing | type=go | name= Kali Deres Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Daan Mogot KM 16, West Jakarta| lat=-6.1545 | long=106.7058 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 3.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Its location in west Jakarta makes it an optimal stop for buses from [[Sumatra]], although it doesn't have as many as Rawamangun. }} Besides above if you are taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you can arrive at terminals: * Tanjung Priok Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 10 or 12 * Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 7 * Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 8 ===By minibus=== Minibus service (vans for about 8-10 passengers, in Indonesia indicated as "'''travel"''') has taken over the short-distance intercity coach services. Most minibus companies such as '''CitiTrans''', and '''XTrans''' will take you to Jakarta from [[Bandung]] or to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. One-way fares from Bandung are typically Rp150,000 to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The buses will most often not drop you at hotels or bus terminals, but at their own offices or drop-off locations instead. You still can bargain the driver to drop at your desired place with additional price. ===By boat=== The national ferry companies, [https://www.indonesiaferry.co.id/ '''ASDP Indonesia Ferry'''] and [https://www.pelni.co.id '''Pelni'''], operate passenger services from a large number of destinations across the Indonesian archipelago. The main ferry terminal is {{marker|type=go|name=Tanjung Priok|lat=-6.1041|long=106.8818}} port in [[North Jakarta]]. Smaller speedboats, particularly to and from the [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] (''Pulau Seribu''), depart from '''Ancol''' and '''Muara Angke''', also on Jakarta's north shore. There are no international passenger ferries but Pelni operates a weekly service from [[Batam]], a 45-minute ferry ride across the strait from [[Singapore]]. ===By car=== While travelling by car may not be a good idea, it remains perhaps the most convenient way to enter Jakarta. Congestion can extend well past rush hours and a hesitation at any ring road tollway in Jakarta can have a domino effect on other tolls. There are four tollways that terminate in Jakarta: *'''Jakarta-Merak''' cuts through [[Tangerang]] and leads to the western edge of Java, the [[Merak]] port for connections to [[Sumatra]] Island. *'''Jagorawi''' tollway goes south to [[Bogor]] and the [[Puncak]] holiday resorts. *'''Jakarta-Cikampek''' goes east via [[Bekasi]] and [[Karawang]] and continues to [[Bandung]] or all the way towards [[Central Java]]. *The short '''Jakarta-Serpong''' toll road connects Jakarta to [[South Tangerang]]. An '''odd-even license plate scheme''' is in effect for the first three tollways inbound towards Jakarta on weekdays 06:00-10:00, but is enforced only at selected on-ramps. Under the system, only odd-numbered plates may enter the road on odd dates, and even-numbered plates on even dates. Only an electronic payment card is accepted. ==Get around== Getting around Jakarta is, more often than not, problematic. The city layout is Darwinistic and bewildering with horrendous traffic jams (''macet'' "MAH-chet") slowing the city to a crawl during rush hour, and the ever-expanding public transportation is still inadequate enough to relieve the congestion. To make things worse, the traffic jams are worse during the rainy season despite no real flooding, mainly due to motorcyclists sheltering under the tunnel. Various areas of the city have different levels of chaotic traffic. But while the better-organised traffic is mainly in the business districts (MH Thamrin, Jendral Sudirman, and H.R. Rasuna Said), they remain one of the most congested spots in Jakarta! It can even go beyond business hours because of the area's mixed-use as both office and commercial space, as well as the domino effect from other streets' stop-and-go traffic. ===By KA Commuter Jabodetabek=== [[File:KCJ 205 trainset BOO 15.jpg|thumb|300px|Coast through town quickly with the Commuter Line! Note the dedicated female car at the front.]] The ''KA Commuter Jabodetabek'' (or [http://www.krl.co.id KRL], colloquially known as the '''Commuter Line''') commuter trains in Jakarta connect the city centre with the suburbs and satellite cities, namely [[Tangerang]], [[Bekasi]], [[Depok]], [[Bogor]], [[South Tangerang]], and Tanjung Priok port in [[North Jakarta]]. It's usually worth trying as it is much faster than most motor vehicles on the road, but the late arrival of the train (usually by 10 to 15 minutes) might be bothersome. Riding the train is generally safe and comfortable; while they are of course cramped during peak hours, they are still better than using the bus. Major stations are adjacent to a TransJakarta bus stop, though you have to walk a bit or use a feeder bus service to transfer between systems. There are three types of Commuter Line tickets: *'''7-day trips''' (''Tiket Harian Berjaminan'', literally: Daily Ticket with Guarantee) must be purchased at a ticket counter by stating your destination. An Rp10,000 refundable deposit will be added to the calculated fare and may be used for unlimited trips within 7 consecutive days in which the ticket must be returned to have your deposit back. *'''Multi-trip''', refillable at the vending machine and directly usable to enter the electronic gate at the station. The train company issues a special Multi-trip card that can be purchased at a ticket counter for Rp50,000 (the initial balance contains Rp30,000), but you must have at least Rp5,000 to use the train. *'''Electronic money or bank-issued prepaid cards''' are a better alternative than the other two, as any credits are also usable for purchases at major retailers and convenience stores, the toll road, parking, and other public transportation (MRT and Transjakarta). Bank Mandiri's e-money or e-toll card, BCA's Flazz, BNI's tap-cash, BRI's BRIZZI, or Bank DKI's JakCard, are obtainable at the respective banks, minimarts such as Alfamart and Indomaret, and at Transjakarta stops. An initial purchase of the card costs Rp40,000, which is credited toward each fare. The card is non-refundable and it can be topped up at convenience stores and the ATMs of the respective banks. The fare is determined by distance: Rp3,000 for the first 25 km and Rp1,000 for every 10 km thereafter. This means that you have to tap in at your origin station and tap out at your destination; transfers are free as long as you do not tap out. You will be charged the longest route fare for not tapping out and Rp50,000 for losing your card or pay the remaining fare with the ''fare-adjustment vending machine'' if your credit isn't enough to pay the fare. It's better to make sure that you have at least Rp20,000 credit left on your multi-trip or prepaid card. It is safe to assume that you should pay a maximum of Rp5,000 if you are only wandering around Jakarta. Commuter services run daily from 04:30 to 00:00, roughly every 15-30 minutes per route. It usually takes 20 minutes to get from one end of the city to another, and another 30 minutes to the suburban terminus. Weekend special services connect Depok and Bogor with the popular Ancol entertainment park at [[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]]. '''Commuter trains do not stop at Gambir and Pasar Senen stations''', the starting stations for long-distance trains in Jakarta; transfer at Jatinegara train station in the east. ===By MRT=== [[File:Ratangga K 1 18 37.jpg|thumb|300px|The MRT Train]] The '''[http://www.jakartamrt.co.id/ Jakarta MRT]''' (in Indonesian known as ''Moda Raya Terpadu'') is Jakarta's newest service connecting Lebak Bulus in [[South Jakarta]] with Bundaran HI in [[Central Jakarta]] from 05:00 till midnight. It follows the main business street of MH Thamrin, continuing south along the mixed-use areas of South Jakarta before ending near the southern city limits in Lebak Bulus. It primarily links a number of business centres in the city, as well as being pedestrian-accessible to several malls. It's less convenient to access other parts of the city, and passes through few tourist attractions. Unlike the more utilitarian and dated design of the city's other transportation services, the MRT uses modern, spacious stations designed for heavier use. North of Senayan, stations are underground and can be accessed through rather small descending passageways on the pedestrian path. Southern stations are elevated and can't be missed. Some of the entrances have upwards escalators, but each station has at least one wheelchair-accessible elevator. Upon entry, head into the main hall, obtain a payment card and tap in to the platform area. Tap out again before exiting. Convenience stores and snacks are available before the tap-in gates, but eating and drinking is forbidden on the platforms or within the train. This rule is actively enforced, though with a few exceptions. Trains are clean and on time and operate every 5 minutes during peak rush hour (07:00-09:00 and 17:00–19:00), and every 10 minutes for the rest of the day. Fares range from Rp3,000 to Rp14,000 based on the distance covered. Fares can be paid with single-trip cards, purchasable from vending machines or at the ticket booth within each station, or through bank-issued prepaid cards. Single-trip cards have a Rp10,000 deposit that can be refunded at the end of the trip; the prepaid card option is more convenient, can be topped up at convenience stores and ATMs, and are also usable in some of the other transportation modes. (See: [[Jakarta#By_KA_Commuter_Jabodetabek|Commuter Jabodetabek]]). It is also possible to buy the ticket through '''MRT Jakarta App''', but you still need to have a prepaid payment application on your mobile phone such as Gopay, OVO, LinkAja, and DANA. A Park-and-ride space is available 200 metres from Lebak Bulus Station and uses a daily flat rate of Rp1,000 for bicycles, Rp2,000 for motorcycles, and Rp5,000 for cars. This is more useful for commuters, and can easily fill up during the day. ===By TransJakarta=== [[File:Harmoni Central Busway Transjakarta 4.JPG|thumb|300px|A Transjakarta bus at the Harmoni Central Busway Transit Centre]] The [http://transjakarta.co.id/ TransJakarta] buses (in Indonesian known as ''busway'') are modern, air-conditioned, and generally comfortable. The mainline service runs Su-Th 05:00 to 23:00 and F Sa to 24:00, with few buses outside these hours. The buses have separate seating for women at the front, an attendant who stands by the door announcing stops and providing security, and CCTVs. There are priority seats for the elderly, disabled, and expectant mothers, but the wide gap between the platforms and buses can be a hindrance. There are 13 main lines in operation, in addition to a number of feeder routes that operate between them. Unlike Jakarta's other buses, they run on fully dedicated lanes. Passengers must use dedicated stations usually found in the middle of large thoroughfares connected to both sides by overhead bridges. The system is remarkably user-friendly by Jakarta standards, with station announcements inside the purpose-built vehicles. Grab onto a handle as soon as you enter the bus, as they move away from the stop suddenly and quickly. Park and Ride facilities are in Ragunan (South Jakarta), Kampung Rambutan (East Jakarta), Kalideres (West Jakarta), and Pulo Gebang (East Jakarta). Tickets cost Rp2,000 from 05:00 to 07:00 and Rp3,500 all other times regardless of distance. You pay by using bank-issued prepaid cards (See: [[Jakarta#By_KA_Commuter_Jabodetabek|Commuter Jabodetabek]]). There are no single-use passes, however, you may be able to offer a helpful local Rp5,000 note to tap you in using their card. Transfers between lines are free, but be careful not to exit the system until your journey is completed. The buses can get very crowded, especially during rush hours at around 07:00 and 17:00, when office workers are on the move. Multiple smaller buses serve as a feeder between selected mainline stops and train stations or neighborhoods where the mainline does not run. Wait for them under the blue bus sign that says ''Bus Pengumpan Transjakarta'' (lit. Transjakarta feeder bus). If you transfer from the mainline stops, you do not need to pay for the transfer; otherwise, payments are accepted in both cash and prepaid card. They can also take you out to Jakarta's satellite cities. See the [[Jakarta#By public bus|Jakarta 'By public bus']] section. As there are no indicators of which routes serve these bus stops, it's a good idea to use the map apps or the '''Moovit''' app on your phone. ''TransJakarta Cares'' is a complimentary bus service for disabled people to reach the nearest TransJakarta bus stop. They can be requested by calling 1500 102. Passengers can keep track of bus arrival times at the screens in the mainline bus stops or with the '''Moovit''' app from any smartphones. ===By Mikrotrans=== [[File:Suzuki Carry 1.5 Real Van (MikroTrans JakLingko).jpg|thumb|300px|A Mikrotrans minibus]] Mikrotrans is a free-charge minibus serving numerous main roads in Jakarta with fixed stops. An electronic money card is required to take this public transport such as Brizzi, E-money, Flazz, JakCard, JakLingko, or TapCash. You may use Moovit to trace the stops. Make sure a code in front of the vans with the prefix '''JAK''' e.g. JAK-01, JAK-02, and so on, depending on the routes, so you don't go wrong taking an older minibus with cash payments. ===By tour bus=== Jakarta may be one of the few cities in the world whose government provides tour buses. Dubbed the [https://transjakarta.co.id/produk-dan-layanan/layanan-bus/bus-wisata/ '''City Tour Jakarta'''], the buses are double-decker and you can ride them for free! There are 4 loop routes that are sorted by the genre of the places of interest: Historical, Modern, Art & Culinary and the Jakarta skyscrapers. The first two routes run Monday-Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00, while the latter only operates Saturdays 17:00-23:00. ===By public bus=== A multitude of bus companies prowl the streets of Jakarta. However, buses do not run on schedule or even have one. Most maps bought outside Indonesia do not show bus routes, so Google Maps would be the best method to figure out what bus you should take. Most bus stops also post what route numbers and destinations stop there, but they ''do not always stop there''! They make for a good adventure if you're not in a rush and don't mind being the centre of attention. These are the bus companies, ranked from best to worst: *'''Transjabodetabek''' feeds between the Transjakarta stops and the outskirts of town. Look for the routes that has a letter preceding the line number. In case of no shelter, wait under the blue bus sign. *'''Kopaja AC''' (not to be confused with Kopaja non-AC) has introduced a similar service on selected routes. Some of the lines are reachable from the Transjakarta bus stops. Look for the metallic grey and green colour bus. These buses offer Wi-Fi connectivity. *Most '''Mayasari Bakti''' buses have an air conditioner, but a few routes do not. Air conditioned buses bear the letters AC on the bus number. These buses usually have a light & dark blue body, but some are green and orange. Inquire if in doubt. *'''PPD''' also has a combination of an air conditioned and non-air conditioned fleet. They have fewer buses and noticeably a lower tier of service than Mayasari Bakti. Look for the white & black strip, with the Monas icon; the buses may be branded as "PATAS", which means express. *'''Avoid using''' MetroMini (orange & blue), Kopami (blue & yellow) and non-air conditioned Kopaja (white & green) at all costs as the buses are filthy, do not offer air conditioning and are driven recklessly. Bus fares are generally less than Rp10,000 with a flat rate system. You usually pay in a box beside the driver but a ''kenek'' may reach out to you so you can pay him. Cheaper still are ''mikrolet'' (mini-buses) and ''angkot'' (small vans) that ply the smaller streets and whose fares vary from Rp4,000 for the first 2 km to Rp10,000. You pay the fare directly to the driver when you get off. You may want to have a couple of spare Rp500 coins before boarding the bus since there is on-board "entertainment" and other distractions. On a typical day, you may find street musicians singing unplugged versions of Indonesian and Western pop songs and asking for donations at the end of the performance, and street vendors, one after another, trying to sell almost everything, from ballpoint pens and candies to boxed doughnuts and health goods. Avoid sitting or standing in the back of the bus, as this is where muggers find their prey. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be alert at all times for [[pickpockets]] and do not wear any valuable. The best seat is in the front, next to the driver. Buses do not run according to any schedule or timetable. Sometimes a bus may take a while to come, other times two buses of the same route may come together and the drivers will steer aggressively to get more passengers. They do not stop at any particular bus stop, but anywhere they like. If you want to get off, simply say "kiri" (to the left) to the "kondektur" or just knock on the ceiling of the bus three times (be sure that the driver hears your thumping, best to use a coin), and the bus driver will find a place to drop you. An additional tip to alight from these buses is to use your left foot first to maintain balance and try to get down as quickly as possible and move the body in line with bus direction, as they do not fully stop the bus. Also, seats in these buses are built for Indonesians, who are typically shorter and more slender and agile than people with a larger build such as Europeans and Africans. Non-Indonesians might find the seats in these buses confining and uncomfortable. TransJabodetabek, APTB and BKTB are not so crowded and the seats are more comfortable for non-Indonesians. While most bus routes are from one bus terminal to another, not all of them have connections to long-distance bus services (see ''Get In'' section). ===By car=== [[File:JalanJenderalSudirmanJakarta.jpg|thumb|300px|Jalan Jendral Sudirman, one of Jakarta's business avenues and frequent spots for stop-and-go traffic]] Travelling by car, while it just adds up to the congestion itself, remains the most convenient way to travel around the city, especially because of its lacking public transportation. Rental cars are available, but unless you are familiar with local driving practices or lack thereof, take reputable taxis. Foreigners are recommended not to rent cars and drive on their own, as the chaotic traffic can give you a headache; renting with a driver is more than advisable. That being said, safety and road rules are enforced much more rigorously than in other parts of the country—obey the traffic laws and '''do not be tempted to disobey''' like many of the locals do, even when it seems convenient. Police regularly patrol the major roadways, and many rules are poorly marked, such as which lanes exactly are reserved for the TransJakarta service. Two toll roads circle the city: the '''Lingkar Dalam''' ("inner ring road", bisecting the downtown core) and '''Lingkar Luar''' ('''JORR''', Jakarta Outer Ring Road, encircling the outskirts). Using these toll roads is faster when the traffic is good, but are very often jammed themselves, particularly during rush hours. They generally only accept payment using prepaid bank cards. Outside of the toll roads, road quality differs heavily between the wide downtown avenues and thin alleyways in the residential districts. Road types may be poorly marked in maps. Flooding is common in certain areas during the rainy season, with even large roads being completely inaccessible. Finding parking places in residential areas can be difficult due to the narrow roads. Paid parking is easy to find in shopping malls, offices and the like for a shockingly cheap rate: Rp4,000-6,000 per hour. Street parking often requires payment of up to Rp3,000-5,000 to an illegal parking 'attendant' for one hour. For 41 areas with street electronic parking posts, the fee is Rp5,000 per hour paid by 7 certain debit cards, and don't pay anything to a formal attendant (monitoring by CCTV) such as you would in Sabang and Kelapa Gading Boulevards. If you park on a street, do so only at the designated areas and in a way that does not block the traffic. Otherwise, your car will be towed and ticketed, in which case you will need some paperwork to get it back! An '''odd-even traffic control system''' is enforced along select main streets Mondays to Fridays from 06:00-10:00 and 16:00-21:00, except public holiday. Under the system, only vehicles with odd license plate numbers are permitted to travel on odd-numbered calendar dates, and even-numbered license plates on even-numbered dates. The fine for violations is Rp500,000, but taxis and public transportation (vehicles with yellow-black plate number) are exempt. Look for the sign above the road that indicates if the rule is enforced at the adjacent street; generally speaking they are valid on roads along the Inner Ring Road south of the Merak toll interchange and along the eastern side, Rasuna Said, and the Sudirman-Thamrin-Medan Merdeka Barat corridor. Starting on September 9, 2019 there are additional 16 new routes of the system. It can be read at: http://www.beritajakarta.id/en/read/31342/city-expands-odd-even-system-in-16-routes#.XXU9R3E3GM8 If you wish to rent a car, consider these companies: * {{listing | name=RentalMobil.com | alt= | url= http://www.rentalmobil.com/en/| email= | address=SCBD Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 52 - 53 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 29608390| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=TRAC Astra Rent A Car | alt= | url= http://www.trac.astra.co.id/| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 500 009| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Golden Bird | alt=A subsidiary service of Blue Bird Group | url= https://reservation.bluebirdgroup.com/golden| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 794 4444| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= |wikidata=|wikipedia=|image=|lastedit=2017-12-01}} ===By taxi=== {{infobox|Beware the false Blue Bird|Blue Bird's reputation has spawned a host of dodgy imitators, so just because it's blue doesn't mean it's safe. Check the following before you get in: * The door and roof logo is either the Blue Bird or the Pusaka/Lintas "flying egg" * The windshield says "Blue Bird Group" * The driver is in uniform * The headrests have Blue Bird logos * On the side window, there is a sticker about regulations in the car & its call centre as listed beside this box.}} Most visitors opt to travel by taxi, which is very cheap by Western standards, abundant and occasionally fast. There is a multitude of taxi companies of varying degrees of dependability. * {{listing | name= Blue Bird Group | alt= | url=http://www.bluebirdgroup.com/ | email= | address=| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 7917 1234, +62 21 794 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Blue Bird, including the Pusaka & Morante taxis as well as the premium brands Silver Bird and Golden Bird, are well known for their reliability, efficient telephone order service, and orderly meter usage. A special ride for the physically impaired can also be requested. The Silver Bird ''executive taxi'' charges a premium rate for a larger car. In addition, Blue Bird Taxi has launched taxis using a low roof MPV which can accommodate up to 7 persons. The fare is the same as for a regular taxi, but if you want one, order it specifically when you call for a taxi. }} The popularity of online taxis (GrabCar and GoCar), due to cheaper fares, safer and more polite drivers, means that nowadays it can be more difficult or time-consuming to get conventional/regular taxis; out of 32 taxi companies that used to operating in Jakarta, there are only 4 now. Besides Blue Bird, these are the remaining companies: * {{listing | type=listing | name=Express | alt= | url=http://www.expressgroup.co.id | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 500 122 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This is typically the second-best option, if Blue Bird taxis are not visible, but hail this taxi if your main concern is price. No minimum payment for hailing in the street, the minimum payment of Rp40,000 is only for ordering by phone. }} * {{listing | name=Gamya | alt= | url=http://www.gamya.com/home.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 8779 5555, +62 21 840 3838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxiku | alt= | url=http://www.taxiku.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 4786 2121| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} You can generally determine a good cabbie by asking "''Pakai argo?''" ("meter?") - if they say no or "tidak", get another taxi. Taxis parked near train/bus stations, tourist attractions, and hotels often refuse to use the meter and quote silly prices (especially to foreigners) - in this case, it's a good idea to walk away a bit, then hail a passing taxi from the above companies. Tipping is not necessary, but rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp5,000 is expected, although rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp1,000 is also OK. So prepare some change if you want, or else you may be rounded up to the nearest Rp5,000. If the taxi takes a toll road, the added cost is '''not''' reflected on the meter. The driver will tap their contactless card to the toll booth, receive a receipt, and you can see the cost shown on a large display next to the payment machine. Drivers may run out of their card's credits, and require a short stop at a convenience store to top up; this is normal. At the end of the trip, your driver will sum up the meter price with any toll receipts, and you can always pay in cash, while some taxis accept cards. A taxi receipt is available on request and is not standard. Blue Bird, Gojek and Grab apps can be downloaded for free to help you order taxis via smartphone. Fill in the departure and arrival points and Google Maps will show the map with the taxis and also the estimated cost displayed in a range. Blue Bird Taxi has the same fare regardless of whether you hire them online or by phone (with minimum payment applied). GoCar and GrabCar have prices fixed in advance, regardless of any traffic jams. Choose the taxi that will be used and the taxi will usually come in five minutes. Only qualified taxis and qualified drivers can join the apps, so this is one of the safest ways to get a taxi. Taxis have been abundant since online ride-hailing started operating in Jakarta. Online taxis rate is only about two-thirds that of a conventional taxi, or at most the same as a conventional one during peak hours. Since the price is preset, drivers have no incentive to take an unnecessarily roundabout route, which used to be common with conventional taxis. ===By bajaj=== [[File:Gas Fuelled Bajaj in Jakarta.jpg|thumb|300px|Gas-Fueled Bajaj in Jakarta]] The Jakartan equivalent to [[Thailand]]'s tuk-tuk is the '''bajaj''' (pronounced "bahdge-eye"), orange mutant scooters souped up in India into little three-wheeled vehicles that carry passengers in a small cabin at the back. Besides the usual orange bajaj, there is blue bajaj, which use gas as fuel. They're a popular way to get around town since they can weave through Jakarta's interminable traffic jams much like motorbikes can. Although slow, boneshaking (they have no suspension), hot and windy (locals joke about the "natural A/C"), and a great way to breathe in more exhaust fumes than you ever thought possible (maybe less if you ride the blue bajaj), riding around in these little motor-bugs can really grow on you. Blue gas-fueled bajaj are quieter than the orange 2-cycle bajaj. There are no set prices, but a short hop of a few city blocks shouldn't cost much more than Rp5,000. Be sure to agree to (read: [[haggle]]) a price before you set off. Bajaj drivers are happy to overcharge visitors, and often ask double or even more than what you would pay by a meter in a more comfortable Blue Bird taxi. Locals who regularly use the bajaj know what a typical fare should be and are happy to tell you. Also, since bajaj aren't allowed on some of the larger roads in Jakarta, your route may well take you through the bewildering warren of backstreets. Try to keep an eye on what direction you're going, because some unscrupulous bajaj drivers see nothing wrong with taking the "scenic" route and then charging you double or triple the price. '''Grab Bajaj''' There are also Grab Bajaj that use the Grab application. The tariff is Rp 3,000 per kilometre and minimum payment Rp 9,000. It is intermediate between GrabBike and GrabCar due to Bajaj can accommodate 2 passengers and baggage. '''Qute Bajaj''' This variant of bajaj has 4 wheels instead of 3. Qute are much quieter than bemo and have air conditioning. These 'new bemo' operate throughout Central Jakarta towards North Jakarta via Mangga Dua to Ancol. The price is quite the same as for ordinary bajaj (about Rp5,000 for a short hop). Make sure to haggle a price before you ride the vehicle. ===By ojek=== [[File:Pangkalan ojek.jpg|thumb|200px|One of many Ojek drivers in Jakarta]] If you're poking around narrow back streets, or in such a hurry that you're willing to lose a limb or more to get there, then Jakarta's motorcycle taxis (''ojek'') might be the ticket for you. Jakarta's ojek services consist of guys with bikes lounging around street corners, who usually shuttle short distances down alleys and roads but will also do longer trips for a price. Agree on the fare before you set off. Insist on a helmet and wear it properly—no need to make it more insanely dangerous than it already is. The ojek drivers will insist you're safe with them and that they'll drive carefully—some are telling the truth, some lying. Before you choose a driver, pay attention to their motorcycle's appearance and their helmet; sometimes it shows their character. Locals normally pay Rp5,000 for a short ride (one kilometre) and Rp7,000-10,000 for a longer (roughly more than a kilometre or a 15-minute walk). Foreigners are likely to be asked for more, but generally, ojek drivers will accept the proper fare if you insist on it, unless they see you really need their service. On-demand (online) ojek services such as '''[http://www.go-jek.com/ Go-Jek]''' and '''Grab''' are ubiquitous can be booked through their respective smartphone apps, and offer generally cheaper fares which are stated in advance, although for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi area are more expensive than other area Rp 2,250 to Rp 2,650 per kilometer with minimum payment Rp 9,000 to Rp 10,500. Payments can be made by cash or stored value (akin to prepaid mobile phone service). You may chat or call the driver for help with finding each other, although some knowledge of Indonesian would be helpful. Go-Jek as a pioneer has more widespread availability; those who travel here alongside other Southeast Asian countries may find it useful to keep using Grab. The other more expensive on-demand ojek service is Lady Jek with female drivers. Unlike conventional ojeks, which typically only operate dawn to dusk, they are available at all times and relatively safe for both passengers and drivers as they are monitored by GPS. While it seems cheap, those who travel in groups of at least three may be better off taking a taxi for convenience and the unnoticeable difference in fares. The aforementioned brands also offer taxi service that are either private cars akin to Uber elsewhere in the world or with taxi companies so that you can hail them from the same app. Other services include food or groceries delivery and shipping between residents or from online businesses. ===By helicopter=== If you have a lot of cash and want to beat the traffic exponentially, a helicopter can be an option for you. They can be chartered as well for excursions outside Jakarta. * {{listing | name=Transwisata | alt= | url=http://transwisata.com | email=marketing@transwisata.com | address=Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Terminal Building, Ground Floor | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 80889628 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-18 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Whitesky Aviation | alt= | url=http://www.whitesky.co.id/ | email=info@helicity.co.id | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 80890066 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-18 | content= }} ===By bicycle=== [[File:Jakarta Car Free Day.jpg|thumb|300px|Car Free Day in HI Roundabout]] [[Cycling]] provisions are almost non-existent in Jakarta, but the first signs of a cycling culture are emerging. Every Sunday from 06:00-11:00 during the '''Car Free Day (CFD)''' in Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin (and every month in other places in each city in Jakarta) are emptied of motorised vehicles, except TransJakarta. The atmosphere can be festive, as events are held in some places (especially in Hotel Indonesia Roundabout). As of 2019, 63 km of new bicycle lanes have been opened, besides previous bicycle lanes at '''Blok M''' and '''Kanal Banjir Timur.''' The Pemuda Pramuka is the most used bicycle lane, mainly to commute between work and home. New rules mention that bicycle lanes can be used by bicycle, electric bicycle, otopet, electric scooter, hoverboard and unicycle. Whoever violates the rule will be penalised up to Rp500,000. Beyond that, there are dedicated [[mountain biking]] paths in Cihuni and along the Jalur Gas Pipa, both in [[Tangerang]]. Or you could head to [[Salak Mountain]] or other parts of the region beyond [[Bogor]]. ===By eScooter=== Grab (the online transport service provider stated in the 'Ojek' section) offers eScooter services with the 'GrabWheels' brand and a fare of Rp 5,000 per 30 minutes (Nov 2019). There are hundreds of parking lots for GrabWheels in Jakarta, mainly in the Sudirman Street area, so one can depart from a GrabWheels parking lot and deposit their eScooter in another. Despite the service's relative newness, many people rent it (mostly for fun). However, after a car accident involving GrabWheels, in which 2 persons were killed and 4 others were injured, regulations were enacted: eScooters can be used only at bicycle lanes (no usage allowed along pavements, regular streets, or pedestrian overhead bridges). ===On foot=== Jakarta is hot and humid year-round, discouraging pedestrians, while what sidewalk is left is often quickly occupied by pushcart vendors. Crosswalks are not always available, and not always respected even when present. Many locals will simply walk across a busy street, holding up a palm to request vehicles slow down for them. Even then, walking can sometimes be faster than using a vehicle, especially when the maze of streets results in a winding, roundabout, and congested route. Jakarta is rapidly revamping its pedestrian facilities on its main roads, with clean and accessible wide sidewalks already in place along the Sudirman-Thamrin corridor and adjacent districts, with continuous construction work outwards. The paths remain hot and are very quiet during the day, but are more pleasant and busy during the afternoons. Still expect to clamber around mismatched concrete blocks and step on asphalt in the residential areas of the city. A few other neighbourhoods can be explored on foot: * Kota Tua ([[West Jakarta]]): a pedestrian-friendly square, a walk in this area explores the sights of Dutch colonial charm that was once central to the colonial administration. * Pasar Baru ([[Central Jakarta]]): a pedestrian-friendly market that has been in existence since the colonial era. * Rasuna Said, Kuningan District (South Jakarta): another business district along Jl. HR Rasuna Said with many embassies and office buildings. * Monas and Kebon Sirih area (Central Jakarta): the city square is a pedestrian-friendly zone, and the surrounding area has several attractions such as the presidential palace and old colonial churches. * Kanal Banjir Timur (Jakarta Timur), a nice river view in the morning with special bicycle and walking/running lane. * Jatinegara (Jakarta Timur), full of vintage stalls, building, train station, and river view of Ciliwung. * Kemang (Jakarta Selatan), full of coffee stalls, restaurants and bars. The best place to walk at night. * Cikini (Jakarta Pusat), for coffee stalls, art spaces, and performances. On Car-Free Day (CFD), every Sunday from 06:00 to 11:00 in the morning, the Sudirman-Thamrin thoroughfares are closed to motor vehicles, except for the Transjakarta buses. Locals crowd the streets to walk, jog, bike, enjoy performance arts and generally have some fun on the streets. While crowded, this is a good time to get in touch with the locals and see a different side of the city. ==See== {{SeeDistricts}} [[File:Kota HistoryMuseum.JPG|300px|thumb|Jakarta History Museum, Kota]] The heart of tourist attractions is to the north and centre of Jakarta. Visitors typically start exploring Jakarta from this part of the town, called the '''Kota Tua''', where the old buildings of Jakarta are preserved within a dedicated walking area. Jakarta has 47 museums, which are spread across the city. The '''Jakarta History Museum''', formerly a city hall (''Stadhuis''), covers Jakarta's history from 400 AD to the present day, with photos, replicas, and maps. Do not miss the '''Jagur cannon''' in the back yard. '''The Bank Indonesia Museum''' tells about the economy and currency system then and now using modern technology while the '''Museum Bahari''' takes you to the old glory of Jakarta's port, and Indonesia's as a whole. If you are into arts & crafts, the '''Museum Wayang''' has a collection of different puppets (Wayang) from all across the country and the world, and the '''Museum Seni Rupa & Keramik''' allows you to admire Indonesia's art in paintings and sculptures. '''Museum Prasasti''' for historical and scripture. A few kilometres down south, you'll find the legacy of the Dutch and the first years of the Indonesian government, such as the iconic landmark of Jakarta, '''the National Monument''' park standing right at the centre of the court, and the '''Presidential Palace''' on its north side. And where else in the world could you find the '''Istiqlal Mosque''', Southeast Asia's biggest mosque, and a 113-year-old '''gothic cathedral''' standing mightily across from each other? On the western side of the court, the elephant statue welcomes you to the '''Museum Nasional''', one of the better designed museums out there. Or '''Gallery Nasional''' for art and sculpture. Statues and monuments are ubiquitous in Jakarta and many stand prominently in major points across the city. Most of these icons were erected during Soekarno's rule in 1960, and thus still represent the old glory of independence. Start your trip from the '''Tugu Tani''' statue in Menteng that has a figure of a farmer going out to war. Across the Monas Park is '''Arjuna Wijaya''', an eight-horse carriage statue near Monas. Going south at Jalan MH Thamrin, the iconic '''Selamat Datang''' statue waves at you, with a fountain that signifies its importance as the city centre of Jakarta. Passing through that is the '''Jenderal Sudirman''' statue giving a salute, that gives the street its name. Going further until the end of the straight street, is the '''Pemuda Membangun''' or Youth Developing statue that looks like a man holding up a burning bowl. The '''Dirgantara''' statue is visible in its glory if you are using the inner tollway in South Jakarta. ===Parks=== Green spaces are often overlooked in Jakarta. While the city has nearly 1,000 public parks big and small, very few are well maintained including even the National Monument Park ('''Monas'''). '''Menteng''' is large and perhaps the best and '''Taman Suropati''' hosts regular violin shows. '''Pantai Indah Kapuk''', while inundated by housing projects, still leaves a space for mangrove swamps and monkeys' habitats in the two parks there. For parks with lakes, '''Pluit Park''' is one option, and a smaller one is '''Pulo Mas Park'''. '''Ragunan''', the official zoo of Jakarta, is the second largest zoo in the world (140 hectares), offering diverse Indonesian and international flora & fauna, including a dedicated centre that houses primates, especially the endemic orangutans. '''Kalijodo Park''' is open 24 hours a day with green and child-friendly public space and an international skate park. For community park, look for '''Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak (RPTRA).''' Although smaller, it usually offers a small library with AC available to get some rest and a futsal field for physical activity. The newest is '''Lapangan Banteng Park''' which is also open for 24 hours and has good illumination for playing football. However metropolitan Jakarta has 3 small forests in the city at Muara Angke, Srengseng and Tebet. Jakarta also hosts two amusement parks. '''Taman Impian Jaya Ancol''' at the North, that is for pure fun plus a sea world aquarium, and '''Taman Mini Indonesia Indah''' (Indonesia in miniature) in East Jakarta, which celebrates the culture of all 34 provinces of Indonesia, a bird park containing multiple endemic species, and multiple museums. Escape to '''Kepulauan Seribu''' to see wild birds and eagles, and island resorts not too far away from the city. The '''Setu Babakan''' down south is the centre of the indigenous Betawi culture. If you are looking for lake scene, go to '''Taman Waduk Pluit''' or '''Taman Waduk Ria Rio'''. For river scene, go to '''Taman Kanal Banjir Timur''' or '''RPTRA Mawar.''' ==Do== {{seeDistricts}} ===Betawi culture=== [[Image:Ondel-ondel.JPG|thumbnail|250px|Traditional male & female ondel-ondel in Wayang Museum, Jakarta]] Despite being the melting pot of Indonesia, Jakarta's indigenous tribe called the '''Betawi''' still stays proud of its culture. They are actually a unique assimilation of various domestic and international races from the Chinese to the Portuguese, which makes it distinct from other parts of Indonesia. The '''Lenong''' theatre performance is accompanied by the '''Gambang Kromong''' orchestra that consists of the Sundanese ''Gendang'', the Javanese ''Gamelan'', and the Chinese ''Kongahyan'' (its own version of violin). The '''Tanjidor''' trumpets are an influence from the Dutch, while the Portuguese bequeathed the '''Keroncong''' orchestra. At the anniversary of the city's founding every 22 June, a distinctive piece of culture can be seen in hotels, the infamous pair of '''Ondel-ondel''' puppets. The complete experience of the culture can be found at '''Setu Babakan''', the village of Betawi culture (and fishing at its lake). ===Cinema=== Cinemas are a more affordable escape at around Rp30,000 - 45,000 for a plush seat (Rp40,000 - 70,000 on the weekend, up to Rp150,000 if you watch in Premiere Class ''at XXI'' or Velvet Class at ''CGV Blitz'') in any of the capital's shopping malls. Beware of the heavy hand of the Indonesian censor though. The price of popcorn and drinks are exorbitant so you may wish to bring your own coming in. CGV Blitz cinemas will typically show movies in any foreign language other than English and the lesser ones also exhibit Indonesian B-Movies with erotic themes (still heavily censored). The largest chain of cinemas in Indonesia are the [http://www.21cineplex.com '''21 Cineplex'''] (branded as XXI in premium shopping malls) and [https://www.cgv.id/ '''CGV Blitz''']. IMAX theaters are only available at Gandaria City's XXI theatre, Mal Kelapa Gading III's theatre and Keong Mas in TMII, although the latter more often shows documentary than blockbuster films. ===Performing arts festivals=== Jakarta boasts some of the world's largest music events, which may surprise you, and the many young fans have attracted artists all around the world to regularly stop by Jakarta as part of their world tour, from rock concerts to Korean pop. Perhaps the best known event is the annual [http://www.javajazzfestival.com '''Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival'''] that takes place each March for 3 days, filled with over 40 international and local artists performing jazz, R&B and reggae songs. The [http://www.hammersonic.com '''Hammersonic'''] is an annual metal music concert, while [http://www.wethefest.com/ '''We The Fest'''] boasts some of the performances from indie/pop artists in August since its first inception in 2014, '''Road to Soundrenaline''' takes you to the popular local indie/major label bands showcases, before it ends up in Bali for the main event with some of international artists performing there and the '''Djakarta Warehouse Project''' hosts world famous DJs to jam the start of the year-end holiday. For a street performance, the Sudirman-Thamrin strip is closed at night on '''22 June and New Year's Eve''', when stages for musical performances are erected and cultural parades set up to usher in Jakarta's founding anniversary and the New Year, respectively. For some traditional and classical stuff, there are performances at '''Gedung Kesenian Jakarta''', by indie, jazz, dance, and classical music orchestras. '''Taman Ismail Marzuki''' hosts mainly theatrical shows, although English shows might be rare. '''Erasmus Huis Hall''' by the Dutch embassy also regularly hosts classical music shows and photography exhibitions. ===Sport=== The sport scene in Jakarta is perhaps one of the most vibrant you'll ever see in Asia. The Senayan sports complex still lives up to its name since the 1962 Asian Games, where archery and indoor shooting range are also publicly available to try. Soemantri-Brodjonegoro in Kuningan district also offers you many kinds of sport activities. If you like skateboarding, '''Kalijodo Skatepark i'''s the best place to meet others. ====Golf==== Jakarta is perhaps the best city to play golf in Asia, thanks to the abundance of courses close to or even in the middle of the city, and relatively cheap prices compared to Western standards. Green fees can go as low as Rp70,000 on weekdays, although the better courses are twice that, and weekend rates are considerably steeper at Rp300,000 and more. Many golf courses are at [[Jakarta/South|South]] and [[Jakarta/East|East]] within the immediate suburbs of the city, much better in quality and quantity at the satellite cities. ====Football==== Indonesia is one of the few lucky Asian countries where numerous European soccer teams, including from the prestigious British Premier League or the Italian League, play a trial game against the national team when the game itself is at break in Europe. The supporters between the national team and the Europeans at the '''Gelora Bung Karno Stadium''' are even, yet even though for the most part Indonesia's national team post losses, clashes do not seem to happen at least in a chaotic way. When the Europeans are back in season, numerous cafés and bars around town put up gigantic TV screens to let the enthusiasm erupt while having a drink at dawn. '''Futsal''' is the indoor version of football, which has 5 players per team and more lax rules of play. Anytime after work or on the weekends, you can easily find crowds at the many indoor courts across the city. Outdoors, the dirt and grass makeshift fields are abundant in residential areas, crowded with players, spectators and vendors, typically on weekend afternoons. In these casual games, anyone can simply ask to jump in or relax. ====Badminton==== As a badminton powerhouse, Jakarta has a multitude of badminton courts, ranging from the national venues at the Senayan Complex to the suburban halls which cater to both futsal and badminton. Most of them have wood-panel flooring and are maintained in reasonably good condition. Lighting is strictly functional and is below par in comparison with standard badminton halls. People play almost every evening - so, walk in, strike up a conversation with the group's captain, and expect to blend in with their group for the session. If the captain refuses payment (usually less than Rp20,000), it is polite to buy the players a round of soft-drinks (Teh-botol is a good choice). Be warned that it is common for Indonesians to eat, smoke, drink and nap by the side of the court: so watch your footing. If you want to watch rather than to play, the '''Istora Senayan''' is packed in the middle of January for Indonesia Masters Super 500 and early June during the Indonesia Open Super 1000 (a Grand Slam equivalent in badminton), when the world's top badminton players compete. The deafening cheers are chanted even beyond when the players hit the shuttlecock, an enthusiasm unmatched elsewhere in the world. It is advised to buy the tickets online (especially for the weekend matches), otherwise you must choose between watching it on television or the big screen outside the venue (think about Murray Mound/Henman Hill in Wimbledon). ===Karaoke=== You are in one of Asia's big cities—karaoke is the norm, so sing your heart out! Most chain brands such as '''Inul Vizta''', '''NAV''', or '''DIVA''' can be found at the upscale shopping malls where the youngsters play. You'll have your own lavish room with a wide span of libraries containing local, English, and East Asian songs, on a wide-screen TV while you can order a drink or food to be enjoyed while you wait your turn to sing. Rates can start from as low as Rp70,000 per room for a minimum of 6 people. ==Learn== There are a few locations for '''cooking classes''' along Jalan Kemang ([[South Jakarta]]) that specifically cater to expats. Most offer pastry cooking classes. Interestingly, you can learn about cultures from around the world in Jakarta. Many embassies have set up cultural centres where you can take '''world culture & language classes'''. Check these cultural centres for information: [http://id.korean-culture.org/ Korean Culture Centre], [http://ifi-id.com/ Institut Francais], [http://itacultjkt.or.id/ Istituto Italiano di Cultura], [https://www.jpf.or.id/en/ Japan Foundation], [http://idn.rs.gov.ru/en Russian Culture Centre], [http://www.goethe.de/ins/id/en/jak.html Goethe Institut]. ==Work== Casual work in Jakarta is difficult to come by and Indonesian bureaucracy does not readily facilitate foreigners undertaking employment in Indonesia. As in the rest of Asia, [[teaching English]] is the best option, although salaries are poor (US$700–3000/month is typical, although accommodation may be provided) and the government only allows citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA to work as teachers. Formal work visas, residency permits and registration with several government offices is necessary. Formal approval from the Department of Manpower and the provision of documentation and guarantees from an employing sponsor is required to engage in any form of employment in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia. Business visas are available for the purposes of conducting business related activities in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia, this class of visa has strict conditions and requires a local business to sponsor the applicant. A business visa does not permit the holder to undertake any form of employment. Jakarta caters to a growing class of remote workers and visitors on business trips with a large selection of '''coworking spaces'''. Mostly spread around Central and South Jakarta, day passes can be as low as Rp100,000, with hourly passes even lower. These spaces typically share buildings with offices and provide internet, drinks, and sometimes extra services like printing and meeting rooms. Some spaces are directly connected to shopping malls or public transit, making them very useful alternatives to spending hours in a cafe for work. Available desks may be limited in popular areas; call ahead to reserve a spot if necessary. ==Buy== {{seeDistricts}} [[File:Grand-Indonesia.jpg|thumb|Grand Indonesia Shopping Town located in Central Jakarta, as viewed from Plaza Indonesia]] More than 2.5 million foreign tourists and more than 30 million domestic tourists visit Jakarta every year. It's a paradise for buying international brand-name garments (both genuine and fake). If you're stopping in Jakarta, consider buying an extra suitcase, because there are '''lots of good shopping''' opportunities. Good used suitcases can be bought at Surabaya street and vendors also sell antiques. However, although quality can be excellent, genuine branded goods or quality products are expensive. Every year, the Provincial Government of Jakarta holds an annual '''Festival Jakarta Great Sale''' that takes place from Mid-June to Mid-July. Most markets, shopping malls, and department stores attend it and will give discounts on selected items, although the event itself might be barely noticeable aside from some banners. Some stores also run Midnight Sales, usually in the weekend. And most of the malls are open from 10:00-20:00 every day, except on Ied Day when they're open 13:30-22:00. ===Shopping malls=== An escape from Jakarta's sweltering heat, hundreds of '''shopping malls''' serve as social hotspots and are where the city congregate on weekends to shop, buy groceries, and hang out. They range from grand top-end luxury malls to smaller trade centers and shopping complexes, with new buildings constantly under construction, so you can probably find a suitably stocked mall (or three) for what you're looking for close to you. Genuinely imported goods from official retailers are priced to international standards, but Jakarta also offers local and lesser-known designer alternatives. A vast selection of cafes and social spots are also attached to malls, so if you're planning to meet up with an Indonesian acquaintance, brunch or dinner at a mall is a popular affair. As a convention, most Jakarta malls will have a supermarket in the basement, alongside utilities such as ATMs, office goods, barber shops, pharmacies, personal health, and budget eating options. Shopping options are on the middle floors, followed by a selection of higher-end restaurants and potentially a movie theater at the top floors. Expect each location to have one or more lobbies at which you can be dropped off, and one of these lobbies will usually include a taxi stand. If calling in your own taxi (or rideshare) be sure to specify which lobby you're waiting at. Most malls open at 10:00, though breakfast dining spaces on the ground floor may open sooner, and lunch options may only fully open at 11:00. Some of the most well known shopping complexes are at the heart of the city. '''Grand Indonesia''' and '''Plaza Indonesia''' are massive upper-class malls next to each other on Jakarta's busy Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, easily accessible via MRT. To the south, '''Plaza Senayan & Senayan City''' are popular chic hangouts across from each other, also accessible by MRT. '''Mal Taman Anggrek''' and '''Central Park''' to the west at Jalan Letjen S. Parman are for all rounders. '''Jalan Prof.Dr.Satrio''' is Jakarta's answer to the famed Orchard Road in [[Singapore]], [[Ginza]] in [[Tokyo]] and Fifth Avenue in New York. Four malls (namely ITC Mal Ambassador, Kuningan City, Ciputra World I, and a bit further off, Kota Kasablanka) and counting, catering to visitors of all budget levels. '''Kelapa Gading''' has a street with four malls on its side, and two other giant malls are located elsewhere in the region. '''Pluit''' and '''Pondok Indah''' hosts three malls located along a single strip. Every shopping mall has at least one department store, alongside brands that have their own shops. '''Sogo''' has the most branches, followed by Metro & Centro. Galeries Lafayette can be found at Pacific Place while Seibu and Central are located at Grand Indonesia. '''Matahari''' also provides similar fashion usually for a lower price. ===Markets=== In addition to malls, there are also numerous extremely large '''shopping centres''', most of them within a complex, so if you are unable to find what you need at one mall, you can try again at the mall next door. '''Mangga Dua''', '''Tanah Abang''', and '''Pasar Baru''' are the best places in Jakarta to shop for fashion. In Mangga Dua area there are at least 3 shopping centres connected by bridges: '''ITC''' is for middle and upper middle class fashion, while the lower class is served by '''Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua''', and '''Mangga Dua Mall''' is for gadget enthuasiasts. Tanah Abang is a wholesale market and the biggest in [[Southeast Asia]], with delivery to Africa and other parts of the world. Tanah Abang is overcrowded, so Thamrin city next to Grand Indonesia (500 m from Tanah Abang) can serve as an alternative, mainly for Muslim wear and batik. Pasar Baru is not a shopping centre, but more like a street with old retail shops; stamp collectors will be able to find Indonesian stamps at the front of many of these shops. '''Mangga Dua Square''', as well as Glodok and Roxy, are places to find gadgets. WTC (Wholesale Trade Centre) Mangga Dua is now specialised in selling used cars, with more than 100 sold per day. If you are looking for antique products such as local handicrafts, Indonesian traditional batik or wayang golek (Sundanese puppets), you can go to '''Jalan Surabaya''' in Central Jakarta. If you are looking for rare maps, prints or paintings, you can go to Kemang Raya, where there are many galleries including Bartele gallery and Hadi Prana. '''Pasaraya Grande''' shopping mall at Blok M, South Jakarta has one dedicated floor for Indonesian antiques and handicrafts. '''Pasar Seni''' at Ancol is the centre of paintings and sculpture, including portrait pictures you can have done on the spot. '''Sarinah''' department store also has a vast section of traditional gifts. Shopping at traditional markets may also be an exciting experience, where you can find exotic tropical fruits, traditional snacks, cheap fashion and novelty items. While most of them are far from tourist hot spots, '''Pasar Gondangdia''' across the namesake train station and the '''Fresh Market Pantai Indah Kapuk''' are the places that still offer such experience in a modern building while easily accessible. Cash is still the most effective payment system for all transactions. A few established shops may accept payment with debit/credit card and electronic money. ==Eat== {{seeDistricts}} {{eatpricerange|up to Rp25,000|Rp25.000-Rp100.000|more than Rp100.000}} [[File:Panorama of Interior of Cafe Batavia - 1805 Construction - Jakarta - Indonesia.jpg|thumb|500px|Interior of Cafe Batavia near Museum Fatahillah]] Jakarta has a vast range of food available at hundreds of eating complexes located all over the huge city. In addition to selections from all over the country, you can also find excellent Chinese, Japanese, Western, and many other international foods thanks to the cosmopolitan population. If you want to go local Jakarta, the indigenous Betawi has its own dishes to offer: * '''Asinan Betawi''': assorted pickled vegetables, served with peanut sauce (and sometimes chili) and chips. * '''Bubur dingin''', literally cold porridge with beef sweet soup. * '''Gabus pucung''', snakehead fish soup. * '''Gado-gado''' is like ketoprak, but all of it is vegetables. * '''Kerak telor''', omelette cooked with glutinous rice and served with shredded coconut and a dried shrimp topping. * '''Ketoprak''', ''lontong'' (rice cake), tofu, bean sprout, shrimp crackers in peanut sauce. * '''Mie kangkung''': noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. * '''Nasi kebuli''': a Betawi pilaf influenced by Arab culture. * '''Nasi uduk''', rice cooked in coconut milk similar to nasi lemak, served with choices of various toppings, such as fried chicken, beef, fried shallots, and sambal (chili sauce). * '''Nasi ulam''', rice cooked in coconut milk served with fried minced beef, sweet fried tempeh, many other toppings, cucumber, and sambal. * '''Rujak/Mie juhi''': noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''Sop iga sapi''', beef spare rib soup that takes a simple Dutch dish and piles on Indonesian spices. * '''Soto Betawi''', coconut milk broth with beef tendons, intestines, tripe. Food at malls and brick-and-mortar restaurants are by and large of hygiene standards. Street vendors (''kaki lima'') or carts can be questionable, though it is still wise to use discretion as some of the best or well-known food can actually be from them. The online ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab also offer food delivery service (such as Gojek's GO-FOOD) to virtually all restaurants, for a small fee. Furthermore, it can increase your convenience when you only want to rest at your hotel. Though tips are originally not customary in restaurants, it starts to become a habit. In fact, a few do automatically charge a service fee of typically 5%, which may surprise some patrons. Eating at restaurants are almost always subject to a 10% general tax. ===Budget=== Food courts at just about every shopping mall in Jakarta offer cheap but filling meals. Prices range from Rp15,000 to Rp25,000. While street vendors (''kaki lima'') are cheap with questionable hygiene standards, some items are unfortunately offered ''only'' within street vendors, so use good judgment when shopping around. Look for those that have lines at least a couple people long, as that means it's reputable and indisputably delicious. Steer clear from vendors that offer aggressively cheap prices or being pushy, as they might make their items using shady ingredients. For cleaner alternatives with decent price, you can look for '''Lokbin''' (lokasi binaan), '''Loksem''' (Lokasi sementara), or '''Lenggang Jakarta,''' which serve same affordable food but with better hygiene standards. Practically the sellers there are relocated street vendors. Price in Lenggang Jakarta and Lokbin will be around Rp10.000 to Rp30.000. Franchise fast food chains are also a good choice for eating as the hygiene is often up to standards. American fast food chains such as KFC and McDonald's have ample seating. Local chain '''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its noodles and its fried wanton. '''Hoka-hoka Bento''' (locally known as HokBen), also a local chain, provides Japanese buffet with a complete meal set for an affordable price. Also consider '''Es Teler 77''' & '''Solaria'''. You will find one or all of them at major malls across the city. Department store or mini market food items can be an alternative should you need to eat on the go or at work. For some exquisite Indonesian snacks, head to the traditional markets or street vendors. The infamous '''jajanan pasar''' (lit. market snacks) or '''bakpao''' (Chinese meat buns) should cost around Rp10,000 to Rp35,000 per box or piece. Assorted fritters ('''gorengan''') are ubiquitous throughout and should cost Rp7,000 to Rp15,000 for up to a dozen pieces of fried tofu, tempeh, cassava, yam, and even banana. '''Siomay''' and '''batagor''' will be available for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000. '''Instant ramen noodle''' for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000, '''ketoprak''' Rp5.000-Rp8.000, '''pecel lele''' Rp7.000-Rp10.000, or '''nasi uduk''' Rp3.000-Rp7.000. More substantial meals such as '''martabak''', '''satay''', chicken noodle ('''mi ayam''') or porridge ('''bubur ayam'''), and '''nasi goreng''' are typically on the upper end of budget dining. The Indonesian '''soto''' soup can be enjoyed for Rp45,000 with rice and a drink of your choice and a bowl of meatball ('''bakso''') soup with a side of noodles or vermicelli should cost no more than Rp50,000 per bowl. Bakeries also have buns that you can consume for breakfast, starting from Rp10,000. '''Roti Lauw''' and '''Tan Ek Tjoan''' is the most popular choice in Jakarta. You may look for D'Cost Seafood for decent price all over the city. As some traditional Indonesian cuisine may be too hot and spicy for many foreign tourist, you can usually ask for just a little chili or none at all: ''"pedas sedikit"'' and ''"tidak pedas"'', respectively. It also better to know that you can say ''"bungkus"'' for take away order, or ''"makan di sini"'' for dine in. And be careful as red ketchup usually means hot chilli sauce, not tomato. ===Mid-range=== Fine dining restaurants offer main courses for a range of prices and can be found at just about every mall in Jakarta or better yet outside the malls. Some of the restaurants in this category include pizza franchises '''Pizza Hut''' and '''Domino's,''' or '''A&W, Wendy's, and''' '''Burger King''' for fast food chain. Mains in shopping mall restaurants typically range between Rp40,000 and Rp75,000; many even provide lunch set menus for just about Rp50,000 that entitles you to rice, one or two main platters and a glass of drink which can be an impressive deal. Seafood restaurants north of the city centre falls on the borderline between mid-range to expensive depending on your preference, with shrimp & fish on the cheaper side, followed by scallop, and lastly crab & lobster. For middle class traditional cuisine, go to the Menteng area and look for '''Gado-Gado Boplo, Warung Daun, Bumbu Desa, Saur Kuring, Dapur Sunda, Sate House, Bunga Rampai, Sate Khas Senayan''' or '''Aroma Sedap'''. Or try to look around '''Sabang''' area. '''Garuda, Natrabu''', '''Sederhana,''' '''Penang Bistro,''' or '''Pagi Sore''' will offer you the best value over price. ===Splurge=== The best gourmet splurges in Jakarta are the '''opulent buffet spreads''' in the 5-star hotels such as the JW Marriott, Hotel Mulia, Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La, which offer amazing value by international standards. Expect to pay upwards of Rp150,000 per person. Chinese roundtable restaurants, such as '''Din Tai Fung''', '''Imperial Duck''', '''Jun Njan''', or '''Tai Pan''', among other small enterprises, offer considerably expensive dishes, but these are mostly meant to be communal rather than for individuals. Steakhouses also fall into this category, especially if the beef is imported from Australia or a USDA certified. For pizza, look for '''Pizza Express''' ''(formerly Pizza Marzano).'' For premium traditional cuisine, '''Rara Jonggrang''', '''Remboelan''' and '''Tugu Koenstring Paleis''' will serve you the highest standard. ==Drink== {{seeDistricts}} Jakarta may be the capital of the world's largest Muslim-majority country, but it has an underground life of its own. If you're the clubbing type, its nightlife is arguably among the best in Asia, except during fasting months when some venues are closed or have limited hours. From the upscale '''Kemang''' to the seedy '''Mangga Besar''', nightlife is there for all levels of loudness, but bring a friend if you decide to brave the seedier places (though they tend to have the best DJs). Fans of live music, on the other hand, are largely out of luck if they go to budget bars, at least unless they're into Indonesian pop. To get alcoholic beverages in Jakarta is not an easy task since 2015 it is not permissible to sell them in the mini market except in big stores inside a mall to discourage underage drinking. Fortunately, there are some wine bars/stores that sell imported wines or hard liquors throughout the city. Jakarta has a fairly large number of '''prostitutes''', known in local parlance as ''ayam'' (lit. "chicken"), so much so that much of the female clientele of some respectable bars (operated by five-star hotels, etc.) is on the take. The Kota area in [[Jakarta/North|northern Jakarta]] is the oldest part of town with numerous colonial buildings still dominating the area. It is also considered to be the seediest part of town after midnight. Most karaoke bars and 'health' clubs there are in fact brothels who mostly cater to local Jakartans. Even regular discos such as Golden Crown have special areas designated for prostitutes. Other notable establishments in this area are Malioboro and Club 36 which should not be missed. This part of town has a large ethnic Chinese population who also dominate the clubbing scene there. The bulk of the clubbing scene is spread throughout Jakarta but usually found in office buildings or hotels. The help of an experienced local with finding these places is recommended. Nightlife in Jakarta tends to be pricey by local standards. Due to Jakarta's freedom, there is no specific dress code that should be worn unless you are in a religious area. However, it is best not to dress too openly to avoid awkward stares or giving the impression (especially for women) that you are a prostitute since most of them in Jakarta wear very short dresses or skirts. Sandals are fine to wear if you're heading for North Jakarta since it is near the beach. During the month of Ramadan, most nightlife ends at midnight, while some venues ''do not open'' all month. A nightlife district popular among expats is '''Blok M''' in [[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]], or more specifically the single lane of Jl. Palatehan 1 just north of the bus terminal, packed with pubs and bars geared squarely towards single male Western visitors. While lacking the bikini-clad go-go dancers of [[Bangkok/Silom|Patpong]], the meat market atmosphere is much the same with poor country girls turned prostitute. Blok M is easily accessible as the southern terminus of BRT Line 1. For a more off-the-beaten track experience, head a few blocks south to Jl. Melawai 6 (''opposite Plaza Blok M''), Jakarta's de-facto '''Little Japan''' with lots of Japanese restaurants, bars and karaoke bars. If you prefer to mingle with Koreans, go south to Jalan Wijaya. Plaza Senayan's '''Arcadia''' annex attempts to duplicate the concept, but with more of an emphasis on fine dining. The Kemang area in [[Jakarta/South|southern Jakarta]] is popular with expats and locals alike so it has numerous places to eat, drink and dance. Or if you want to keep it sober, '''bubble tea cafes''' and '''coffee shops''' are popping up sporadically, especially in North and West Jakarta, and most major malls. No jamming music and (mostly) no alcohol, but still a good place to hang out. '''Coffee''' aficionados can rejoice as some of the best beans in the world hail from Indonesia, and they can easily be found from stands on the street to dedicated coffee shops and even the sachets at the supermarket. They are usually priced from Rp30,000 per cup while powdered coffee are sold from Rp15,000. Co-working spaces are also starting to expand their business into making a coffee shop which caters mostly for workers in the city. ==Sleep== {{seeDistricts}} {{sleeppricerange|Less than Rp500,000|Rp500,000-1,000,000|More than Rp1,000,000}} The travel agencies at Jakarta's airport can have surprisingly good rates for mid-range and above hotels. Star ratings are reserved for midrange and better hotels, while budget places have "Melati" rankings from 1-3 (best). Tax and service charges of 21% are usually added to the bill. * '''Budget''', hostels (''losmen'') can be found around '''Jalan Jaksa''', which is close to the Gambir station, for as low as Rp30,000 per night! Or '''Kwitang''' area offer low cost but filthy hotel for Rp50,000 to Rp150,000. Hotels around '''Cikini''' has better room to offer for Rp300,000 to Rp 400,000. Another choice is hotels around '''Mangga Besar''', a street with a wide variety of hotels, clubs, restaurants and low class spas. Elsewhere, look for brands such as '''favehotel''', '''amaris''', and '''ibis budget'''. * '''Mid-range''' are easily found at all parts of Jakarta, from independents to chain brands such as all Accor Group hotels but Pullman. * '''Splurge''', Jakarta has more than its fair share of luxury hotels, and after the prolonged post-crash hangover new ones are now going up again. Many remain good value by world prices, but opulent lobbies do not always correspond to the same quality in the room. Mostly found within the business strips of '''Sudirman-Thamrin''' and '''Rasuna Said'''. In 2016, Jakarta's hotel occupancy rate is the lowest in a decade, just 49.5 percent. It is lower than [[Bali]]'s occupancy rate. But, thanks to business travellers who usually sleep in the same hotel for their visits, the hotels get by. They also have relatively little competition from aparthotel and villas, so you won't find cutthroat prices as in Bali, but certainly discounts are always available. Due to low occupancy rates, booking last-minute deals will get the cheapest price. In Ied holiday seasons (one week before the end of the fasting month and one week after), hotels in Jakarta are empty, and throughout the year, weekends are emptier than weekdays. For stays longer than 2½–3 weeks, monthly rental rooms (called ''kost'') and apartments are a good alternative to budget and mid-range hotels, respectively. Fully-furnished rooms (with TV, air-con, large bed, hot shower, kitchen outside) can be rented for 1½-4 million rupiah per month. In most cases, the rental fee already includes electricity and water usage, and often there are additional services included like laundry, Internet access, breakfast, etc. There are cheaper rooms as well (starting from Rp500,000-700,000), but those are usually small, windowless, and the furniture includes just a bed or even nothing at all. Also, some cheaper places are exclusively for either men or women (no opposite-sex tenants or visitors allowed); many others allow couples to stay together only if they're legally married. For apartments (one or more rooms + private kitchen + often balcony), prices are Rp3-4 million and up. Cheaper rates can be obtained in some places which are oriented to the long-term rental (3, 6 months or 1 year minimum); however, there may be same limitations as for cheaper rooms. Short term room rentals services such as ''Airbnb'' can be an option for those on the budget. Beware of Travelio, a real estate booking agent and app. '''Do not sign a contract with these predators, especially if you're an expat or foreigner'''. If you are looking for an apartment, go straight to the apartment and ask to see apartments at their front desk or after you find out the unit number you want from Travelio. == Stay safe == A number of high-profile terror attacks in 2003, 2004, and 2009 have led to the city beefing up its security presence. An attack in 2016 specifically targeted foreigners, killing four. However, given the scale and population of the city, terror attacks are exceedingly rare and wayward traffic is a much more realistic threat. Security continues to be highly visible in the city, although checks are generally light and act more as a first layer of defense (that actively helped save lives in the 2016 attack). You'll spot many x-ray machines and people waving metal-detection wands in offices, malls and transportation infrastructure. By and large, your stay in Jakarta should not be problematic as long as you use common sense. While theft and robbery seem common, they are highly unlikely to happen in the crowded Sudirman streets, but much more likely at night in the less economically fortunate areas such as in the East, or in residential areas in the suburbs. It is generally better to use a car, or the Transjakarta and commuter trains if you opt for public transit. Women are even entitled to a dedicated seating area or car on these routes! {{infobox|The City that Definitely Sleeps|Jakarta operates on a different timetable to many other countries. Early birds wake up around 04:00 to 05:00, schoolchildren and workers leave home by 06:00, and the day begins around 07:00 or 08:00. Likewise, dinner starts early at 18:00 to 19:00, and people head home by 21:00 or 22:00 at the latest. This means the streets tend to be much more quiet leading up to midnight than you might expect elsewhere around the world. At best, major streets may still be have a few stalls and business areas may still have people going home late. Most shops close around 21:00, with whole malls closing down at 22:00 (with the exception of dedicated late-night eateries and bars). The MRT, Transjakarta and commuter trains run until 23:00 or midnight. Properly-licensed taxis are the easiest and safest way to get around after the city goes to sleep. Take this into account when returning home late after a day out. }} Strict gun control laws make Jakarta safer, leaving '''theft''' and '''robbery''' as day-to-day concerns. Violence is low, and most criminal acts are done by stealth or intimidation rather than lethal force. It is rare for serious injuries to occur during these situations, although there are exceptions. If the theft is done by stealth, simply catching the thief in the act will cause him to run away. For intimidation such as robberies, simply giving them an object of value will usually satisfy the thief, who will leave without further ado. Most Indonesians are also very protective of their neighbors and friends; in many neighborhoods, a thief caught by the local residents will be punished "traditionally" before being taken to police. Shout for help ("Tolong!") or robber ("Maling!") to get yourself away from this. Be on your guard in crowded places such as markets, because pickpockets often steal wallets and cellular phones. Do as the locals do, and carry your backpack on your chest when you see others do the same. Business travelers need to keep a close eye on laptops, which have been known to disappear even from within office buildings. For all-night party excursions, it may be wise to keep your cab waiting; the extra cost is cheap and it's worth it for the security. Lock your car doors and windows, and show no cellular phones or wallets on the dashboard. Organised criminals sometimes operate on the streets (especially at traffic lights) without fearing crowds. === Protests === Indonesians are fiercely protective of their right to protest, which proved critical in establishing its democracy in 1998, when citizens (particularly students) descended upon the streets, with significant damage to the city and killing thousands in the process. Today, as a dense concentration of 30 million citizens in its metro area representing one of the world's largest democracies, Jakarta sees regular protests of all sorts. Most protests are rowdy yet organised events, taking place around government offices. Visitors will see their impact from miles away as they cause congestion in the already congested traffic, but they're also decorated with large banners, flags and posters. Protesters generally don't interact with others around them, although given the tight streets and sidewalks, beware of getting swept away or separated in a march. During larger protests, entire roads or areas may be cordoned off by police. There is always a police presence of some sort at these events, so follow their directions. Transjakarta, rail and metro services will also know in advance and announcements may be displayed in stations. Taxi companies also broadcast this information to their drivers. When in doubt, do like an Indonesian and simply ask a nearby uniformed person and ask if there's a disruption going on. Protests tend to take a turn for the chaotic once night falls and the bulk of protesters leave to return to their families. Most protests end right around nightfall (about 18:00), but if a one extends into the night, it would be prudent to give it a wide berth. ==Stay healthy== Tap water in Jakarta is '''not''' drinkable, unless it's boiled or purified and the water is supplied by [http://www.aetra.co.id/ PT. Aetra Air Jakarta] through the city water supply. It is generally fine for a bath or a toothbrush session, though. Bottled water is cheap, up to Rp5,000, and for safety reasons it is better to '''buy it from minimarts''', rather than from street vendors. If you're staying for extended periods, you can also obtain gallon-sized water containers. Ensure the tamper proof seal is intact. Jakarta's air quality is poor, especially during the dry season. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors near the streets (especially in less central areas, where you may be meters from passing cars and motorbikes, without a proper sidewalk) it's wise to do like many Indonesians and wear a mask. You can obtain masks from pharmacies or convenience stores; ask for a "motorbike mask" if necessary. Keep an eye on air quality through weather apps if you're sensitive to air quality, as it may vary depending on where you are in the city. There is a law against smoking in public places in Jakarta, and the smoker can (in theory) be fined up to US$5,000. You may see the signs threatening a fine (''denda'') of Rp50 million or 6 months jail for smoking, although that law seems not to be enforced, as locals still smoke everywhere on the street and even in local buses, as anywhere in Indonesia. It's generally prohibited to smoke, however, inside shops, offices, hotel, and air-conditioned buildings generally. If in doubt, you can ask locals: ''Boleh merokok''? Diarrhea, food poisoning, and typhoid fever is common in Jakarta, so it's wise to prepare yourself with antidiarrheal and activated carbon, and always bring hand sanitizer. Spot your nearest hospital or clinic with 24 hours emergency service before deciding where to sleep. A visit to general practitioner will roughly cost you Rp50.000 to Rp150.000. While attending a specialist or going to hospital will cost you around Rp200.000-Rp500.000. ==Connect== ===Telephone=== The area code for Jakarta and the metropolitan area is '''021'''. You do not need to dial the area code if you are calling another number within the same area using a landline. Drop the 0 prefix when calling from elsewhere in Indonesia. ''Wartel'' or telephone shops are ubiquitous on the streets of Jakarta, but are gradually disappearing because of the booming of mobile phones. If you wish to avoid the exorbitant roaming fees (or need to make a lot of calls), you can buy a new phone in small stalls for Rp120,000-150,000 plus your mobile number's balance, while the card itself is relatively cheap or free. Coverage is generally great at most spots. Public phones can still be commonly seen on the sidewalk. If you see a public telephone, lift the receiver and check the number in the display near the keypad. If the number is not 000, don't insert coins, because the phone is broken. They usually are, but they're very cheap (just Rp100 per minute) when they do work. ===Internet=== If you have your own laptop you may be able to access wifi networks in shopping malls, park, and government building. Ask at the information desk for access codes, but usually the speed is bad. Free hotspots are also available at restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores. Most hotels also provide wifi hotspots in their public area or in their rooms, either free or paid—inquire before booking. Internet cafes are available in most parts of the city, especially around universities, residential areas, and most shopping malls, for Rp4,000-10,000 per hour. While the cheap ones will have slow dial-up connections, others offer broadband high speed capabilities, usually used by the youngsters for online gaming. If you are keen on using the internet for long hours, try to get the "happy hour" deals, where for up to Rp30,000, you can browse the Internet as long as you want. All providers in Jakarta have 4G LTE, but the signals are only good in business triangle areas (Sudirman, HR Rasuna Said and Gatot Subroto); in other areas, the signal flips between 4G LTE, HSDPA, and 3G, or is mostly 3G. For more general information, see [[Indonesia#Internet|Internet in Indonesia]]. For alternative, try to find '''wifi.id''' for reliable connection in public space or big building. They will charge you Rp5.000 from your mobile phone credit for full day connectivity. ===Post=== Post is provided by the state-owned '''Pos Indonesia''', open during business hours only. They do not have mailboxes but have mobile counters in a van, or you can just go to the post office. Major freight companies such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS also offer drop by package delivery, albeit through a third-party service. Gojek and Grab also offer door-to-door delivery service within their app if you only need to send something light and quick (maximum 5 kg), for which the price depends on distance rather than weight. TIKI, JNE, or J&T are reliable for bulk or inter-city delivery. ===Emergency=== Jakarta's emergency services are the best in Indonesia. Many hospitals have 24-hour emergency rooms, but equipment may not be as advanced as their international counterparts. The international emergency number {{phone|112}} does work and will channel you to the respective services you need. * {{listing | name=Fire | phone=113 }} * {{listing | name=Ambulance | phone=118 }} * {{listing | name=Police | phone=110 }} * {{listing | name=Search and rescue team | phone=115 }} * {{listing | name=Indonesian Police HQ | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl. Trunojoyo 3, South Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 7218144 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Jakarta Police HQ | address=Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. 45, South Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 5709261 }} * {{listing | name=Child abuse | phone=1-500-771 (in country only) }} * Hospitals with 24-hour emergency room UGD (ER): see the Jakarta district pages. ==Cope== ===Media=== Jakarta is the centre of Indonesia's media. Most news is actually sourced from Jakarta. English-language publications are starting to make their way into newsstands. *'''[http://www.thejakartapost.com The Jakarta Post]'''. Indonesia's English-language paper of record. *'''[http://www.thejakartaglobe.com The Jakarta Globe]''' In a tabloid format. Provides more lifestyle content. *'''[https://en.tempo.co Tempo English Edition]''' Weekly hard news magazine. *'''[http://whatsnewjakarta.com/ What's New Jakarta]''' is a lifestyle website full of food and event listings. Suitable for long-term visitors State-owned TV station TVRI has an English news broadcast every day at 17:00, and MetroTV Tuesday-Saturday at 01:00. MetroTV has Metro XinWen for news in Mandarin Chinese. ===Immigration office=== The General Directorate of Immigration (Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav.X-6 Kuningan-Jakarta Selatan) provides visas, re-entry permits and many other immigration services. ===Embassies and consulates=== The ''Kementerian Luar Negeri'' (Kemlu) or [https://kemlu.go.id/portal/en/page/29/kedutaan_konsulat Ministry of Foreign Affairs] maintains a complete searchable database of diplomatic institutions. The embassies are located in Jakarta; some consulates general and honorary consulates are located in other cities such as Surabaya and Denpasar. This list may not be complete. {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Afghanistan}} {{listing | name=Afghanistan | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Doktor Kusuma Atmaja 15 | lat=-6.20124 | long=106.82973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143169 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31935390 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107557497 | content= }} * {{flag|Algeria}} {{listing | name=Algeria | alt= | url=http://emb-algeria.org/ | email=ambalyak@rad.net.id | address=Jl H. R. Rasuna Said Kav. 10-11 | lat=-6.23 | long=106.8337 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5254719 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q100269337 | content= }} * {{flag|Argentina}} {{listing | name=Argentina | alt= | url=https://eisia.cancilleria.gob.ar/ | email= | address=Menara Thamrin R. 1602 Jl Muhammad Thamrin, Kav. 3. 16th Floor Suite 1602 | lat=-6.1856 | long=106.82219 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2303061 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 2303962 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107557649 | content= }} * {{flag|Armenia}} {{listing | name=Armenia | alt= | url=http://www.indonesia.mfa.am | email=armindonesiaembassy@mfa.am | address=Jl Denpasar II No. 49 | lat=-6.22925 | long=106.82997 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5276549 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5276549 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107558126 | content= }} * {{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url=http://www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/jakt/home.html | email= | address=Jl H.R. Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16 | lat=-6.23209 | long=106.83409 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25505555 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25505467 | hours= | price= | wikipedia= |wikidata=Q48734360 | content= }} * {{flag|Austria}} {{listing | name=Austria | alt= | url=https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-jakarta/ | email=jakarta-ob@bmeia.gv.at | address=Jl Terusan Denpasar Raya Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.2017 | long=106.8397 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2593037 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 52920651 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104717403 | content= }} * {{flag|Azerbaijan}} {{listing | name=Azerbaijan | alt= | url=https://jakarta.mfa.gov.az | email=jakarta@mission.mfa.gov.az | address=Jl. Karang Asem Tengah Blok C-5 No. 20 | lat=-6.2264 | long=106.8295 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2555 4408 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 2555 4409 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12836909 | content= }} * {{flag|Bangladesh}} {{listing | name=Bangladesh | alt= | url=http://www.bdembassyjakarta.org | email= | address=Jl Denpasar Raya No. 3, Block A-13 Kav 10, Kuningan | lat=-6.23736 | long=106.83991 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5251986 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q83584132 | content= }} * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium | alt= | url=http://indonesia.diplomatie.belgium.be | email=jakarta@diplobel.fed.be | address=Deutsche Bank Building - 16th floor, Jl Imam Bonjol 80 | lat=-6.1957 | long=106.8244 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3162030 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3162035 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104551751 | content= }} * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | alt= | url=http://jacarta.itamaraty.gov.br | email= | address=Jl Jenderal Gatot Subroto, 12190 | lat=-6.23432 | long=106.8222 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5265656 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5265659 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q10272255 | content= }} * {{flag|Brunei}} {{listing | name=Brunei | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/indonesia-jakarta | email=kbjindo@cbn.net.id | address=Jl. Teuku Umar No. 51, Menteng, Central Jakarta 10310 | lat=-6.23386 | long=106.83557 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3190 6080 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3190 5070 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107559517 | content= }} * {{flag|Cambodia}} {{listing | name=Cambodia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Kintamani Raya C-15 No. 33 | lat=-6.27774 | long=106.82604 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520-1373, +62 21 919-2895 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560073 | content= }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | alt= | url=https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/indonesia-indonesie/index.aspx | email=canadianembassy.jkrta@international.gc.ca | address=World Trade Centre I, 6th Floor Jl Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31 | lat=-6.2153 | long=106.8204 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25507800 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25507811 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104382964 | content= }} * {{flag|Chile}} {{listing | name=Chile | alt= | url=https://chile.gob.cl/indonesia | email=emchijak@indosat.net.id | address=Bina Mulia Building I, 7th floor, Jl H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 10 | lat=-6.19913 | long=106.82362 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2521982 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5201955 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560121 | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China (PRC) | alt= | url=http://id.china-embassy.org | email=chinaemb_id@mfa.gov.cn | address=Jl Mega Kuningan No.2, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.225556 | long=106.825556 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761039 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761034 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q97636046 | content= }} * {{flag|Colombia}} {{listing | name=Colombia | alt= | url=https://indonesia.embajada.gov.co | email=ejakarta@cancilleria.gov.co | address=Jl Jend Sudirman Kav. 47-48, South Jakarta Central Plaza Building 12th Floor | lat=-6.20124 | long=106.82973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 57903560 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 52905217 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560270 | content= }} * {{flag|Cuba}} {{listing | name=Cuba | alt= | url=http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/en/indonesia/embassy-cuba-indonesia | email=cubaindo@cbn.net.id | address=Jl. Logam Blok D/ No. 58, Permata Hijau, Jakarta 12210 | lat=-6.2181 | long=106.78824 | directions= | phone=+62 21 548 5902 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 532 8174 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107567604 | content= }} * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Czech Republic | alt= | url=https://www.mzv.cz/jakarta | email=jakarta@embassy.mzv.cz | address=Gereja Theresia 20, Menteng | lat=-6.19115 | long=106.82776 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3904075 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 336282 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107033727 | content= }} * {{flag|Denmark}} {{listing | name=Denmark | alt= | url=https://indonesien.um.dk | email=jktamb@um.dk | address=Jl Mega Kuningan Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761478 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761535 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105959028 | content= }} * {{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name=Egypt | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.eg/english/embassies/egyptian_embassy_jakarta/Pages/default.aspx | email=embassyofegypt.jakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl Teuku Umar No. 68, Menteng | lat=-6.19701 | long=106.83247 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143440 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3145073 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107568011 | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finland | alt= | url=https://finlandabroad.fi/web/idn | email=sanomat.jak@formin.fi | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761631 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105959052 | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | type=listing | name=France | alt= | url=https://id.ambafrance.org/ | email= | address=Jalan M. H. Thamrin 20, Jakarta 10350 | lat=-6.196632 | long=106.822348 | directions= | phone=+62 21 23557600 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 23557601 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2841750 | content=French Embassy }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany | alt= | url=https://jakarta.diplo.de | email=germany@rad.net.id | address=Jl MH. Thamrin No. 1 Gondangdia Menteng Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.19681 | long=106.82368 | directions= | phone=+62 21 39855000 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3901757 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q31886708 | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | alt= | url=https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/indonesia.html | email=grembas@cbn.net.id | address=Jl HR. Rasuna Said Kav X-7 No.6 Karet Kuningan Setiabudi Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.21793 | long=106.83046 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5207776 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5207753 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107578047 | content= }} * {{flag|Hungary}} {{listing | name=Hungary | alt= | url=https://jakarta.mfa.gov.hu/ | email=mission.jkt@mfa.gov.hu, consulate.jkt@mfa.gov.hu | address=Jl HR. Rasuna Said Kav. X/3 Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.235417 | long=106.827417 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 3459 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 3461 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q63750070 | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India | alt= | url=https://www.indianembassyjakarta.gov.in/ | email=eoiisi@indo.net.id | address=Jl Besakih Kav S-1, | lat=-6.234 | long=106.8294 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5204150 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5204160 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q73101745 | content= }} * {{flag|Iran}} {{listing | name=Iran | alt= | url=https://indonesia.mfa.gov.ir | email=irembjkt@indo.net.id | address=Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto No. 110, Menteng, Central Jakarta | lat=-6.2005 | long=106.82782 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3193-1378, +62 21 3193-1391, +62 21 3193-4637 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 310-7860 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107579223 | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | alt= | url=https://ambjakarta.esteri.it | email=ambasciata.jakarta@esteri.it | address=Jl Diponegoro No. 45, Menteng - Central Jakarta | lat=-6.2009 | long=106.8401 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31937445 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31937422 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105061836 | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | alt= | url=https://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp | email= | address=Jl M.H. Thamrin 24, Central Jakarta | lat=-6.191611 | long=106.822417 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31924308 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31925460 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q44981967 | content= }} * {{flag|Jordan}} {{listing | name=Jordan | alt= | url=https://www.jordanembassy.or.id | email=jordanem@cbn.net.id | address=Jl Kawasan Sudirman Central Business District 10270 | lat=-6.22464 | long=106.81107 | directions= | phone=+62 21 7248843 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107593551 | content= }} * {{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=Republic of Korea | alt= | url=https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/id-id/index.do | email= | address=Jl Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav. 57 | lat=-6.23943 | long=106.83288 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5201915 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636645 | content= }} * {{flag|North Korea}} {{listing | name=Democratic People's Republic of Korea | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Teluk Betung No. 2 | lat=-6.203056 | long=106.827389 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31908425, +62 21 31908437 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q95593121 | content= }} * {{flag|Laos}} {{listing | name=Lao People's Democratic Republic | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Patra Kuningan XIV No. 1A, Kuningan | lat=-6.22989 | long=106.83546 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5229602 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107605839 | content= }} | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Malaysia}} {{listing | name=Malaysia | alt= | url=https://www.kln.gov.my/web/idn_jakarta | email=maljakarta@kln.gov.my | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said 1-3 Kav X-6 | lat=-6.22471 | long=106.83223 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5224947 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5224974 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107607172 | content= }} *{{flag|Marshall Islands}} {{listing | name=Marshall Islands | url= | email= | address=Jl Pangeran Jayakarta No. 115 Blok A-11, Central Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 6249054 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Myanmar}} {{listing | name=Myanmar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Haji Agus Salim No. 109, Menteng | lat=-6.19394 | long=106.82543 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3140440, +62 21 31927684 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107608324 | content= }} * {{flag|Netherlands}} {{listing | name=The Netherlands | alt= | url=https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/indonesia/about-us/embassy-in-jakarta | email=jak@minbuza.nl | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said Kav.S-3, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.2345 | long=106.8285 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5248200 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5200734 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q38086932 | content= }} * {{flag|New Zealand}} {{listing | name=New Zealand | alt= | url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/asia/indonesia/new-zealand-embassy-and-mission-to-asean/ | email=nzembjak@cbn.net.id | address=Jl Asia Afrika No. 8 Gelora Bung Karno - Central Jakarta Sentral Senayan 2 10th Floor | lat=-6.221527 | long=106.798079 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5709460 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5709457 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q76392295 | content= }} * {{flag|Nigeria}} {{listing | name=Nigeria | alt= | url=https://www.nigerian-embassy.com/ng/Nigeria-in-Jakarta | email=nigembjkt@yahoo.co.id | address=Jl. Denpasar Raya Blok A-13 No. 3 Kuningan Timur, South Jakarta | lat=-6.23399 | long=106.82769 | directions= | phone=+62 21 526 0922, +62 21 526 0923, +62 21 5296 4261 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 526 0924 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107594936 | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Norway | alt= | url=https://www.norway.no/en/indonesia | email=emb.jakarta@mfa.no | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761523 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 576 1537 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q106357020 | content= }} * {{flag|Pakistan}} {{listing | name=Pakistan | alt= | url=https://pakembjakarta.org | email=pakembassyjakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl. Mega Kuningan Barat Blok E.3.9 Kav. 5-8 Mega Kuningan - South Jakarta | lat=-6.23126 | long=106.82573 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5785 1836, +62 21 5785 1837 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5785 1645 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107622823 | content= }} * {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} {{listing | name=Papua New Guinea | alt= | url= | email= | address=Panin Bank Centre, 6th Floor, Jl Jenderal Sudirman No. 1 | lat=-6.22802 | long=106.79973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 7251218 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107625925 | content= }} * {{flag|Philippines}} {{listing | name=The Phillipines | alt= | url=https://jakartape.dfa.gov.ph | email= | address=Jl Imam Bonjol No. 6-8, Menteng | lat=-6.199528 | long=106.830444 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3100334 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q96377189 | content= }} * {{flag|Poland}} {{listing | name=Poland | alt= | url=https://www.gov.pl/web/indonezja | email=dzakarta.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl | address=Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav.X Blok IV/3, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23349 | long=106.83038 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25 25 938 40 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25 25 958 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | wikidata=Q16528151 | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | alt= | url=http://jakarta.mae.ro | email=jakarta@mae.ro | address=42A, Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro, Menteng | lat=-6.19806 | long=106.8368 | directions= | phone=+62 21 390 04 89, +62 21 310 62 40 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 310 62 41 | hours=M-F 9:00-17:00 | price= | wikidata=Q106844842 | lastedit=2021-12-03 | content=Also covers as the embassy of Romania for [[East Timor]]. }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | alt= | url=https://indonesia.mid.ru | email=rusemb.indonesia@gmail.com | address=Jl Hr Rasuna Said Kav X7 No 1-2 Setia Budi, Kuningan | lat=-6.22042 | long=106.83114 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5222912 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5222916 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107558160 | content= }} * {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} {{listing | name=Saudi Arabia | alt= | url=https://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/indonesia | email= | address=Jl MT Haryono Kav. 27, Cawang, Jakarta Timur | lat=-6.21193 | long=106.82985 | directions= | phone=+62 21 8011533 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3905864 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q28715477 | content= }} * {{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | alt= | url=https://www.mfa.gov.sg/jkt | email= | address=Jl H. R. Rasuna Said Blok X/4 Kav. No. 2, Kuningan | lat=-6.23399 | long=106.82769 | directions= | phone=+62 21 52961433, +62 21 5201489 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107595041 | content= }} * {{flag|Serbia}} {{listing | name=The Republic of Serbia | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta.mfa.gov.rs | email=embjakarta@serbian-embassy.org | address=Jl H.O.S Cokroaminoto 109, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.20116 | long=106.82835 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143560, +62 21 3143720, +62 21334157 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 314 3613 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636374 | content= }} * {{flag|South Africa}} {{listing | name=South Africa | alt= | url=http://www.dirco.gov.za/jakarta/ | email= | address=Wisma GKBI, 7th Floor, Suite 705, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 28 | lat=-6.21737 | long=106.81293 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5740660 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q106614884 | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | alt= | url=http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Yakarta | email=embespid@mail.mae.es | address=Jl H Agus Salim 61 Menteng Jakarta Pusat 10350 | lat=-6.1873 | long=106.8254 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31935940 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31935134 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q61998981 | content= }} * {{flag|Sri Lanka}} {{listing | name=Sri Lanka | alt= | url=http://srilankaembassyjakarta.com | email= | address=Jl Diponegoro No. 70, Menteng | lat=-6.19993 | long=106.84521 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3141018, +62 21 3161886, +62 213190-2389 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636691 | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Sweden | alt= | url=https://www.swedenabroad.se/sv/utlandsmyndigheter/indonesien-jakarta/ | email=ambassaden.jakarta@foreign.ministry.se | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22715 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25535900 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5762691 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18333518 | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland | alt= | url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/jakarta | email=vertretung@jak.rep.admin.ch | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said 2, Kav X3 12710 | lat=-6.2351 | long=106.8279 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5256061 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5202289 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q101246820 | content= }} * {{flag|Syria}} {{listing | name=Syria | alt= | url= | email=syrembjakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl. Karang Asem I No. 8, Kuningan Raya, Jakarta 12950 | lat=-6.22722 | long=106.83101 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 4117, +62 21 525 5991, +62 21 520 1641 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 2511 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637268 | content= }} * {{flag|Republic of China}} {{listing | name=Taipei Economic and Trade Office | alt= | url=http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ID | email= | address=Gedung Artha Graha, 12th Floor(Service Division) and 17th Floor Sudirman Centre Business District Jl Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52-53 | lat=-6.224722 | long=106.810833 | directions= | phone=+62 21 515-3939, +62 215151111 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16901068 | content= }} * {{flag|East Timor}} {{listing | name=Timor Leste | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gedung Surya 11th Floor, Jl. M.H.Thamrin Kav. 9 | lat=-6.21369 | long=106.82017 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3902678, +62 21 3902679 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637578 | content= }} *{{flag|Thailand}} {{listing | name=Thailand | alt= | url=http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com | email= | address=JI. DR Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung kav.NO. 3.3 (Lot 8.8), Kawasan Mega Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23183 | long=106.82818 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3904052 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637542 | content= }} * {{flag|Turkey}} {{listing | name=Turkey | alt= | url=http://jakarta.emb.mfa.gov.tr | email=jakarta.embassy@mfa.gov.tr | address=Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav. 1, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23607 | long=106.82856 | directions= | phone=+62 21 525 6250 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 522 6056 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q79611181 | content= }} * {{flag|Ukraine}} {{listing | name=Ukraine | alt= | url=http://indonesia.mfa.gov.ua/ | email=emb_id@mfa.gov.ua | address=Generali Tower – Gran Rubina Business Park, 16th floor. Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta 12940 | lat=-6.219738 | long=106.830881 | directions= | phone=+62 21 250 0801 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12142686 | content= }} * {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} {{listing | name=United Arab Emirates | alt= | url= | email=jakartaemb@mofaic.gov.ae | address=Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio, Blok C-4, Kav. 16-17, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.225872 | long=106.830788 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 6518, +62 21 520 6528, +62 21 650 6538 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 6526 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q81896011 | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | alt= | url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-jakarta | email=Consulate.Jakarta@fco.gov.uk | address=Jl. Patra Kuningan Raya Blok L5-6 | lat=-6.23085 | long=106.83449 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2356 5200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= |wikidata=Q25052258 | content= }} * {{flag|United States}} {{listing | name=United States of America | alt= | url=https://id.usembassy.gov/ | email= | address=Jl Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 5, Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.18136 | long=106.83092 | directions= | phone=+62 21 34359000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5369957 | content= }} * {{flag|Venezuela}} {{listing | name=Venezuela | alt= | url= | email=evenjakt@cbn.net.id | address=Menara Mulia, 20th Floor, Suite 2005, Jl. Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav. 9-11, Jakarta 12930 | lat=-6.23499 | long=106.82342 | directions= | phone=+62 21 522 7548, +62 21 522 7549 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 522 7547 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107642300 | content= }} * {{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | name=Vietnam | alt= | url=https://vietnamembassy-indonesia.org/ | email= | address=Jl Teuku Umar No. 25, Menteng | lat=-6.19327 | long=106.83364 | directions= | phone=+62 21 9100163, +62 21 3100358 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107642397 | content= }} |} ==Go next== ===Within the metropolitan area:=== The fun does not end in Jakarta, but well beyond its satellite cities! *[[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] &mdash; administratively a part of Jakarta, but it is the complete opposite of the hectic mainland: an island escape with sprawling resorts and nature reserves. *[[Bogor]] &mdash; a sense of nature one hour away, where you can tuck yourself away in its botanic gardens or golf courses. *[[Puncak]] &mdash; cooler climate, beautiful view of the mountains and tea plantations, restaurants, as well as the Taman Safari Wildlife Park. *[[Tangerang]] &mdash; a thriving area for premium residents and opulent malls, especially to its south. *[[Depok]] &mdash; a budget style city with adequate facilities because of the nearby University of Indonesia. *[[Bekasi]] &mdash; home to Jakarta's big industry companies and an increasingly bustling city. ===A bit further off=== * A 3-hour drive using the tollway leads into the [[Merak]] Port at the western end of Java, where you can continue your journey by ferry to [[Sumatra]] island for 1½ hours. * [[Anyer]] is an upscale resort beach 4 hours away from Jakarta, but if you want a less crowded option, the [[Carita Beach]] is just a short drive away from there. * [[Pulau Umang]], an island resort to itself, is midway between Carita Beach and Ujung Kulon National Park. * [[Ujung Kulon National Park]] &mdash; a beautiful national park 5 hours away, featuring the endangered ''single-horn rhinoceros''. * [[Bandung]] &mdash; 3 hours away from Jakarta, it's a budget style city famous for both food and bargain fashions. * For a tropical island hype (without the resorts) and an instant escape from the hectic city, head to [[Belitung]] Island, less than 1 hour away by air. {{geo|-6.19892|106.84170|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Greater Jakarta}} {{Guidecity}} fuin1d12l2rdx5d5vlch07xi41dfvu8 4506719 4506704 2022-08-23T10:03:47Z Jpatokal 692 /* Sleep */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Simpang_Semanggi,_Jakarta_banner.jpg|dotm=yes}} {{printDistricts}} '''Jakarta''' is [[Indonesia]]'s capital and largest city, with about 10 million inhabitants, and a total 30 million in [[Greater Jakarta]] on the [[Java]] island. Dubbed ''The Big Durian'', an equivalent to [[New York City|New York]]'s Big Apple, its concrete jungle, traffic frenzy, and hot polluted air may tempt you to skip the city as fast as possible, but what awaits inside will change your perspective! One of the most bustling and cosmopolitan cities in Asia, the ''J-Town'' has cheerful nightlife, vibrant shopping malls, a variety of foods, refreshing greenery, cultural diversity and a rich history, that caters to all levels of budget and how much fun you want to have. ==Districts== Administratively, Jakarta is a province called the Jakarta Special Capital Region (''Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta''). It is administratively divided into 5 municipalities and 1 regency (the [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] in the Jakarta Bay): {{mapframe|width=500|height=500|-6.2048|106.8359|zoom=11|staticmap=Jakarta Wikivoyage Map PNG.png}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10109|fill=#AC5C91|title=[[Jakarta/Central|Central Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10116|fill=#D56D76|title=[[Jakarta/West|West Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10114|fill=#D5DC76|title=[[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10111|fill=#B5D29F|title=[[Jakarta/East|East Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10113|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]]}} {{mapshapes|Q1926929}} <!-- Commuter rail --> {{mapshapes|Q3333785}} <!-- MRT --> {{mapshapes|Q1671143}} <!-- TransJakarta --> {{mapshapes|Q56810702}} <!-- LRT --> {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Jakarta/Central|Central Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Pusat'') | region1color=#AC5C91 | region1items= | region1description=The heart of Jakarta's administration, government and finance, an aptly named district and the site of Jakarta's symbol, the soaring '''Monas''' ('''Mon'''umen '''Nas'''ional) and also the world's largest city square "Lapangan Merdeka". The city is a part of the old Jakarta (''Batavia''), recognisable by the president's palace and the National Museum of Indonesia, both built in the 19th century. Now filled with modern high rises for office buildings, hotels, and shopping centres, this is where most of Jakarta's attractions are, such as the malls, the Tanah Abang garment complex, the Istiqlal mosque, the Cathedral, and the Bung Karno Sports Stadium. | region2name=[[Jakarta/West|West Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Barat'') | region2color=#D56D76 | region2items= | region2description=This site is also part of the Old Batavia. It is home to the '''Glodok''' area (Jakarta's Chinatown) which is rich in [[street food|street hawker food]], Chinese restaurants, and temple complexes, and contains Jakarta's electronic promenade. West Jakarta is also a major destination for shopping, as it is home to a lane of upscale malls at S. Parman and cheap shopping lanes at Mangga Dua. This area is also home to Jakarta's biggest nightlife entertainment and red light district "Mangga Besar". | region3name=[[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Selatan'') | region3color=#D5DC76 | region3items= | region3description=Jakarta's middle/upper class residential area, and part of Jakarta's business centre. Here you can find upscale shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, bustling nightlife and entertainment, Blok M, Senayan sports complex, and affluent residential areas. The Kemang area is very popular among expats and locals for its nightlife and entertainment. | region4name=[[Jakarta/East|East Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Timur'') | region4color=#B5D29F | region4items= | region4description=The city's industrial quarter and the most populous city within Jakarta. The location of '''[[Taman Mini Indonesia Indah]]''' (where you can see parts of Indonesia's multiethnic community in one big park), some golf courses, Cibubur camping ground, and Jakarta's second airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. | region5name=[[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Utara'') | region5color=#71B37B | region5items= | region5description= Jakarta's main harbour area and the real home of the old Batavia. A small area consisting of Dutch buildings and harbor, its streets are thronged with hawker food, crafted goods, street performers, artists and Jakartan youths hanging around. This is also the location of '''Ancol Bayfront City''', Asia's largest integrated tourism area. The beautiful '''[[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]]''' (Kepulauan Seribu), accessible by boat from North Jakarta's dock, is an instant escape from the hectic city with its beautiful beaches, marine parks, and world-class resorts. }} '''Satellite cities''': The Jakarta megalopolis of 30 million inhabitants includes Jakarta and the following satellite cities: * [[Bogor]] - One of the primary destinations to escape from Jakarta, with well-kept natural habitats, world class botany garden, resorts, and multiple golf courses * [[Tangerang]] - The airport, many large commercial centres and clustered homes * [[Bekasi]] - Mostly industrial parks * [[Depok]] - Home to the University of Indonesia A common abbreviation to describe the megalopolitan area is ''Jabodetabek'' (''Ja''karta, ''Bo''gor, ''De''pok, ''Ta''ngerang, ''Bek''asi). ===Orientation=== Finding places in Jakarta, especially smaller buildings not on the main arteries, is easier said than done. Sometimes, the same name is used for different streets in different parts of the city, and it's often difficult to find the correct street or address without the postal code/region. A sign with a street name facing you indicates the name of the street you are about to enter, not that of the cross street. Alleys off a main road are often simply notated by Roman numerals, hence a street address like "Jl. Mangga Besar VIII/21" means house number 21 on alley number 8 (VIII) off the main road of Jl. Mangga Besar. Fortunately, there is a logic to the name of the street. Outside of the corridors of high rise offices, you basically can find out on what branch of the street you're on by looking at the name of the streets without the Roman numerals. Most often the name of the area is the same as the name of the street, especially if it also bears the phrase ''Jalan Raya'' or avenues. Knowing this almost takes you there, but gated clusters of houses have their own main roads that do not follow the convention, even though they are branches of a specific street. In that case, knowing the name of the housing cluster would be the best option in addition to the above rules. Conveniently, most navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze are useful for finding addresses and places throughout Jakarta due to regular updates from users. If you don't want to waste time, ask for the description or name of nearby landmarks or buildings, billboards, color of the building or fence, or the postal code. If you still cannot find the address, start asking people on the street, especially ''ojek'' (motorcycle taxi drivers). ==Understand== [[File:Jakarta Skyline Part 2.jpg|thumb|400px|Jakarta Skyline]] Jakarta's nickname among expats is the '''Big Durian''', and like the fruit itself, it's a shock at first sight (and smell): a sweltering, steaming, heaving mass of some 30 million people packed into a vast urban sprawl. The metropolitan area is a magnet for Indonesians, both as a business and a government centre, and the most developed city in the country. But all of this comes at a cost: the city has been struggling ''very'' hard to keep up with the urban growth. Major roads are packed up during rush hours and weekends, sometimes all day during rainy season due to motorcyclists sheltering under the fly-over or the tunnel when it's raining heavily, thus causing additional congestion, while the growth of the public transportation system has been unable to keep up. All that said, while initially a bit overwhelming, if you can withstand the pollution and can afford to indulge in Jakarta's charms, you can discover what is also one of Asia's most exciting, most lively global cities. There is plenty to do in Jakarta, from green parks and historical centres, to cosmopolitan shopping, diverse gourmet choices, and some of the hippest nightlife in Southeast Asia! ===History=== [[File:Jakarta Indonesia Jakarta-History-Museum-01.jpg|thumb|The colonial building that is now the Jakarta History Museum, in West Jakarta.]] The port of {{marker|type=go|name=Sunda Kelapa|lat=-6.117944|long=106.808801}} dates to the 12th century, when it served the Sundanese kingdom of Pajajaran near present-day [[Bogor]]. The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese, who were given permission by the Hindu Kingdom of Pakuan Pajajaran to erect a godown (warehouse) in 1522. Control was still firmly in local hands, and in 1527 the city was conquered by '''Prince Fatahillah''', a Muslim prince from [[Cirebon]], who changed the name to '''Jayakarta'''. By the early 17th century, however, the '''[[Dutch Empire|Dutch]]''' had pretty much taken over the port city, and the razing of a competing English fort in 1619 secured their hold on the island. Under the name '''Batavia''', the new Dutch town became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was known as the ''Queen of the East''. However, the Dutch made the mistake of attempting to replicate Holland by digging canals throughout the malarial swamps in the area, resulting in shockingly high death rates and earning the town the epithet ''White Man's Graveyard''. In the early 1800s most canals were filled in, the town was shifted 4&nbsp;km inland and the ''Pearl of the Orient'' flourished once again. In 1740, Chinese slaves rebelled against the Dutch. The rebellion was put down harshly with the massacre of thousands of Chinese slaves. The survivors were exiled to [[Sri Lanka]]. In 1795, the Netherlands were invaded and occupied by France, and on March 17, 1798, the '''Batavian Republic''', a satellite state of France, took over the VOC's debts and assets. But on August 26, 1811, a British expedition led by Lord Minto defeated the French/Dutch troops in Jakarta, leading to a brief liberation and subsequent administration of Indonesia by the British (led by Sir Stamford Raffles of [[Singapore]] fame) in 1811-1816. In 1815, after the Congress of Vienna, Indonesia was handed over from the British to the Dutch government. The name '''Jakarta''' was adopted as a short form of Jayakarta when the city was conquered by the Japanese in 1942. After the war, the Indonesian war of independence followed, with the capital briefly shifted to [[Yogyakarta]] after the Dutch attacked. The war lasted until 1949, four years after Indonesian Independence, when the Dutch accepted the independence and handed back the town, which became Indonesia's capital again. Since independence, Jakarta's population has skyrocketed, thanks to migrants coming to the city from across the Indonesian archipelago. The entire '''Jabodetabek''' (Jakarta-[[Bogor]]-[[Depok]]-[[Tangerang]]-[[Bekasi]]) metropolitan region is estimated to have a population of about 30 million. ===Climate=== {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 30 | febhigh = 30 | marhigh = 31 | aprhigh = 32 | mayhigh = 33 | junhigh = 32 | julhigh = 32 | aughigh = 33 | sephigh = 33 | octhigh = 33 | novhigh = 32 | dechigh = 31 | janlow = 23 | feblow = 23 | marlow = 24 | aprlow = 24 | maylow = 23 | junlow = 23 | jullow = 22 | auglow = 22 | seplow = 23 | octlow = 23 | novlow = 23 | declow = 23 | janprecip = 402 | febprecip = 284 | marprecip = 219 | aprprecip = 131 | mayprecip = 113 | junprecip = 90 | julprecip = 58 | augprecip = 61 | sepprecip = 64 | octprecip = 101 | novprecip = 128 | decprecip = 204 | description = Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Department has a today & tomorrow forecast on its website in Indonesian }} Jakarta, like the rest of Indonesia, is under the tropical climate classification. It has two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. It is hot and usually humid with little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year. The average temperature is about 28°C (82°F), hot compared to other cities across Indonesia, especially because of the absence of trees in many areas. November to March is the peak of the rainy season, and floods and traffic chaos on many of the streets usually occur. At its worst, floods can result in standstill on the prone spots and takes a few days to subside; canal-widening and cleanings have mitigated the effect substantially and for most major roads, a couple hours is all it takes for the standing water to be wiped out. Even in rainy seasons, the sun usually appears for hours each day. During the transition from rainy to dry season or vice versa (April-May & September-October), there is occasional rain. Sometimes it pours; other times it's not a washout. The good thing is that it cools down the air after a sweltering hot day. The rain is almost always absent from June through August. ===Tourism information=== * {{listing | name="Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Centre | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta-tourism.go.id/ | email= | address=Jakarta Theater Building, Jl. MH. Thamrin No. 9 | lat=-6.1864 | long=106.82137 | directions= | phone=+62 21 314 2067 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2016-11-24| content= }} * {{listing | name="Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Service | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta-tourism.go.id/ | email= | address=Terminal 2D Arrival, [[Soekarno-Hatta International Airport]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 550 7088 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2016-11-24| content= }} ==Talk== {{infobox|How to speak ''prokem'' like a ''Betawi''|The everyday speech of Jakartans (''Betawi'') is liberally laced with slang (''prokem'') expressions. Like any slang, words come in and out of fashion with bewildering rapidity, but some features can be distinguished: * ''f'' becomes ''p'' * ''z'' becomes ''j'' * The prefix ''me-'' for verbs becomes ''ng-'' * The suffixes ''-i'' and ''-kan'' turn into ''-in'' A short glossary of common Jakartan expressions: ; no : tidak &rarr; nggak/kagak/gak/ogah/moh ; I : saya/aku &rarr; gua/gue ; you : kamu/anda &rarr; lu/lo ; sorry : maaf &rarr; maap ; to come up : menaik &rarr; naek ; to take : mengambil &rarr; ngambil ; to look : melihat &rarr; ngeliat ; to use : memakai/menggunakan &rarr; pake/make/ngegunain ; to visit : mengunjungi &rarr; ngunjungin ; what are you doing? : kamu sedang apa? &rarr; ngapain? ; to pay : membayar &rarr; bayar/ngebayar ; how much is it?: berapa harganya? &rarr; berapaan nih? }} As the capital of Indonesia, it is unsurprising that nearly all residents of Jakarta are able to speak [[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]]. However, Jakarta also has its own local language that is known as '''Betawi''', which has a [[Malay phrasebook|Malay]] base but incorporates many loan words from [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]], [[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]], [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] and [[Minnan phrasebook|Hokkien]]. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Jakarta ({{IATA|JKT}}) has two airports with scheduled flights: {{marker|type=go|name=Soekarno-Hatta International Airport|lat=-6.1252|long=106.6597}} ({{IATA|CGK}}) is 20 km northwest of the city in the neighboring city of [[Tangerang]], and handles most commercial flights. This airport, along with transportation options to and from the airport, is covered in a [[Soekarno Hatta International Airport|separate article]]. An express train runs every half hour to Sudirman station right at downtown in one hour for Rp70,000. The state-owned DAMRI buses take you to various major transportation hubs (trains & other buses) routinely, while the JAConnexion buses serves a number of hotels and shopping malls within the metro area for up to Rp50,000. Many hotels are generous enough to offer shuttles from the airport. There is a dedicated tollway that takes you to the city, which should take 45 to 90 minutes. Avoid taking conventional or online taxi in rush hour as it may charge you more than Rp300.000. {{marker|type=go|name=Halim Perdanakusuma Airport|lat=-6.2653|long=106.8856}} ({{IATA|HLP}}) is smaller and much closer to the city (in [[East Jakarta]]), is served by a range of domestic scheduled flights, in addition to its use by the military, VIP flights, charter flights, helicopter leasing companies, and private jets. DAMRI also operates bus services to Rawamangun Bus Terminal; to Pulogebang, Gambir Station, and [[Bekasi]]; and to [[Depok]], [[Bogor]]'s Botany Square, and Soekarno Hatta Airport. There are also taxi services operating here, but avoid taking them inside the airport area. Alternatively, you can use '''Husein Sastranegara International Airport''' ({{IATA|BDO}}), which serves the city of [[Bandung]], 130 km from Jakarta, which features mostly propeller airplanes, and some international flights by jets. However, considering the more limited offering of flight destinations compared to Soekarno-Hatta, and the relatively lengthy and often congested trip between Jakarta and Bandung, this option is not commonly useful. There are coach services, although most of the time you have to transfer between coaches at the respective companies' pools at downtown Bandung before continuing to Jakarta. The trip from Jakarta to Bandung's airport by public transport requires at least 3 hours, often more. ===By train=== [[File:205-142F Mangga Dua.jpg|thumb|Jakarta's commuter train]] The national operator [https://kai.id/'''Kereta Api'''] runs multiple daily trains from other cities in [[Java]] such as [[Bandung]], [[Surabaya]] and [[Yogyakarta]]. Jakarta has several major train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=Gambir|lat=-6.1767|long=106.8306}} in [[Central Jakarta]] is the current main station for long-distance passenger service, especially Executive class trains from most major cities in Java, thus it has the most complete facilities. If you are using a business or economy class train, you will likely stop at either {{marker|type=go|name=Pasar Senen|lat=-6.1745|long=106.8445}}, two blocks away from Gambir, or {{marker|type=go|name=Kota|lat=-6.1376|long=106.8146}} in [[West Jakarta]]. All stations offer connections to local public transportation, including the Transjakarta system. While Jakarta's suburban commuter trains (''KA Commuter Jabodetabek'') do stop at most Jakarta stations, Gambir and Senen are '''not''' included. Get off at {{marker|type=go|name=|lat=-6.2151|long=106.8703}}'''Jatinegara''' station if you wish to connect with the commuter train. ===By bus=== When buying tickets for buses out of Jakarta, you're better off '''buying them at each bus company's booth'''. Do not buy from anywhere outside the booth as the prices are more expensive and the bus they will take you to is questionable. Jakarta has many bus terminals, but not all of them have inter-city services. Look for the sign '''AKAP''' (Antar Kota Antar Provinsi or Inter-city and Inter-Province). Fortunately these terminals are easy to reach. City bus services, as well as airport shuttles, start and end at bus terminals, and busway services stop there too. Even though the listing says the destination the terminal mainly serves, some services may be available to other parts of [[Java]]. * {{listing | type=go | name= Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Lingkar Luar Selatan, East Jakarta | lat=-6.3095 | long=106.8824 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 7.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The busiest terminal for intercity buses. Kampung Rambutan offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across [[Banten]], especially the [[Merak]] port, and the central & southern part of [[Java]] island, such as [[Cianjur]], [[Bandung]], [[Garut]], [[Tasikmalaya]], [[Cilacap]], [[Purwokerto]], [[Yogyakarta]], [[Solo]], and [[Malang]], although buses to major cities across the north may exist. City & intercity buses depart from separate areas. }} * {{listing | type=go | name= Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= Jalan Bekasi Raya, East Jakarta| lat=-6.1832 | long=106.9084 | directions= Use busway lines [[File:TransJakarta roundel 2.svg|20px]] & [[File:TransJakarta roundel 4.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Formerly the second busiest terminal, nowadays Pulo Gadung Terminal only serves buses to Merak, [[Sumatra]], [[Bali]] and [[Lombok]]. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta | lat=-6.2118 | long=106.9524 | directions=Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 11.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q28725669 | content=The new and biggest bus terminal in Southeast Asia. Offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across the northern coast of [[Java]], such as [[Cirebon]], [[Tegal]], [[Pekalongan]], [[Semarang]], and [[Surabaya]], though some operators may also drive you to [[Bandung]]. Some buses even offer routes to [[Bali]] and [[Lombok]] '''together''' after pickup from Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Lebak Bulus Bus Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-6.2894 | long=106.7741 | directions= Use MRT North-South line or busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 8.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not a terminal but only a 100-m² bus stop, as a temporary replacement for the Lebak Bulus Terminal, which nowadays is an MRT station under construction. When the MRT station is completed, it will be integrated with the bus terminal. Service to destinations east of Jakarta, as far as [[East Java]]. }} If you are arriving from Sumatra or taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you will most likely arrive at one of these two terminals: * {{listing | type=go | name= Rawamangun Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= Jalan Perserikatan No. 1 (Jalan Paus), East Jakarta| lat=-6.1978 | long=106.8913 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 4.svg|20px]], but does not stop right at the terminal. The nearest stop is at Pemuda Ramawangun or Velodrome. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Like Pulo Gadung Terminal, only serves buses to Merak, Sumatra, Bali and Lombok. }} * {{listing | type=go | name= Kali Deres Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Daan Mogot KM 16, West Jakarta| lat=-6.1545 | long=106.7058 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 3.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Its location in west Jakarta makes it an optimal stop for buses from [[Sumatra]], although it doesn't have as many as Rawamangun. }} Besides above if you are taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you can arrive at terminals: * Tanjung Priok Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 10 or 12 * Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 7 * Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 8 ===By minibus=== Minibus service (vans for about 8-10 passengers, in Indonesia indicated as "'''travel"''') has taken over the short-distance intercity coach services. Most minibus companies such as '''CitiTrans''', and '''XTrans''' will take you to Jakarta from [[Bandung]] or to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. One-way fares from Bandung are typically Rp150,000 to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The buses will most often not drop you at hotels or bus terminals, but at their own offices or drop-off locations instead. You still can bargain the driver to drop at your desired place with additional price. ===By boat=== The national ferry companies, [https://www.indonesiaferry.co.id/ '''ASDP Indonesia Ferry'''] and [https://www.pelni.co.id '''Pelni'''], operate passenger services from a large number of destinations across the Indonesian archipelago. The main ferry terminal is {{marker|type=go|name=Tanjung Priok|lat=-6.1041|long=106.8818}} port in [[North Jakarta]]. Smaller speedboats, particularly to and from the [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] (''Pulau Seribu''), depart from '''Ancol''' and '''Muara Angke''', also on Jakarta's north shore. There are no international passenger ferries but Pelni operates a weekly service from [[Batam]], a 45-minute ferry ride across the strait from [[Singapore]]. ===By car=== While travelling by car may not be a good idea, it remains perhaps the most convenient way to enter Jakarta. Congestion can extend well past rush hours and a hesitation at any ring road tollway in Jakarta can have a domino effect on other tolls. There are four tollways that terminate in Jakarta: *'''Jakarta-Merak''' cuts through [[Tangerang]] and leads to the western edge of Java, the [[Merak]] port for connections to [[Sumatra]] Island. *'''Jagorawi''' tollway goes south to [[Bogor]] and the [[Puncak]] holiday resorts. *'''Jakarta-Cikampek''' goes east via [[Bekasi]] and [[Karawang]] and continues to [[Bandung]] or all the way towards [[Central Java]]. *The short '''Jakarta-Serpong''' toll road connects Jakarta to [[South Tangerang]]. An '''odd-even license plate scheme''' is in effect for the first three tollways inbound towards Jakarta on weekdays 06:00-10:00, but is enforced only at selected on-ramps. Under the system, only odd-numbered plates may enter the road on odd dates, and even-numbered plates on even dates. Only an electronic payment card is accepted. ==Get around== Getting around Jakarta is, more often than not, problematic. The city layout is Darwinistic and bewildering with horrendous traffic jams (''macet'' "MAH-chet") slowing the city to a crawl during rush hour, and the ever-expanding public transportation is still inadequate enough to relieve the congestion. To make things worse, the traffic jams are worse during the rainy season despite no real flooding, mainly due to motorcyclists sheltering under the tunnel. Various areas of the city have different levels of chaotic traffic. But while the better-organised traffic is mainly in the business districts (MH Thamrin, Jendral Sudirman, and H.R. Rasuna Said), they remain one of the most congested spots in Jakarta! It can even go beyond business hours because of the area's mixed-use as both office and commercial space, as well as the domino effect from other streets' stop-and-go traffic. ===By KA Commuter Jabodetabek=== [[File:KCJ 205 trainset BOO 15.jpg|thumb|300px|Coast through town quickly with the Commuter Line! Note the dedicated female car at the front.]] The ''KA Commuter Jabodetabek'' (or [http://www.krl.co.id KRL], colloquially known as the '''Commuter Line''') commuter trains in Jakarta connect the city centre with the suburbs and satellite cities, namely [[Tangerang]], [[Bekasi]], [[Depok]], [[Bogor]], [[South Tangerang]], and Tanjung Priok port in [[North Jakarta]]. It's usually worth trying as it is much faster than most motor vehicles on the road, but the late arrival of the train (usually by 10 to 15 minutes) might be bothersome. Riding the train is generally safe and comfortable; while they are of course cramped during peak hours, they are still better than using the bus. Major stations are adjacent to a TransJakarta bus stop, though you have to walk a bit or use a feeder bus service to transfer between systems. There are three types of Commuter Line tickets: *'''7-day trips''' (''Tiket Harian Berjaminan'', literally: Daily Ticket with Guarantee) must be purchased at a ticket counter by stating your destination. An Rp10,000 refundable deposit will be added to the calculated fare and may be used for unlimited trips within 7 consecutive days in which the ticket must be returned to have your deposit back. *'''Multi-trip''', refillable at the vending machine and directly usable to enter the electronic gate at the station. The train company issues a special Multi-trip card that can be purchased at a ticket counter for Rp50,000 (the initial balance contains Rp30,000), but you must have at least Rp5,000 to use the train. *'''Electronic money or bank-issued prepaid cards''' are a better alternative than the other two, as any credits are also usable for purchases at major retailers and convenience stores, the toll road, parking, and other public transportation (MRT and Transjakarta). Bank Mandiri's e-money or e-toll card, BCA's Flazz, BNI's tap-cash, BRI's BRIZZI, or Bank DKI's JakCard, are obtainable at the respective banks, minimarts such as Alfamart and Indomaret, and at Transjakarta stops. An initial purchase of the card costs Rp40,000, which is credited toward each fare. The card is non-refundable and it can be topped up at convenience stores and the ATMs of the respective banks. The fare is determined by distance: Rp3,000 for the first 25 km and Rp1,000 for every 10 km thereafter. This means that you have to tap in at your origin station and tap out at your destination; transfers are free as long as you do not tap out. You will be charged the longest route fare for not tapping out and Rp50,000 for losing your card or pay the remaining fare with the ''fare-adjustment vending machine'' if your credit isn't enough to pay the fare. It's better to make sure that you have at least Rp20,000 credit left on your multi-trip or prepaid card. It is safe to assume that you should pay a maximum of Rp5,000 if you are only wandering around Jakarta. Commuter services run daily from 04:30 to 00:00, roughly every 15-30 minutes per route. It usually takes 20 minutes to get from one end of the city to another, and another 30 minutes to the suburban terminus. Weekend special services connect Depok and Bogor with the popular Ancol entertainment park at [[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]]. '''Commuter trains do not stop at Gambir and Pasar Senen stations''', the starting stations for long-distance trains in Jakarta; transfer at Jatinegara train station in the east. ===By MRT=== [[File:Ratangga K 1 18 37.jpg|thumb|300px|The MRT Train]] The '''[http://www.jakartamrt.co.id/ Jakarta MRT]''' (in Indonesian known as ''Moda Raya Terpadu'') is Jakarta's newest service connecting Lebak Bulus in [[South Jakarta]] with Bundaran HI in [[Central Jakarta]] from 05:00 till midnight. It follows the main business street of MH Thamrin, continuing south along the mixed-use areas of South Jakarta before ending near the southern city limits in Lebak Bulus. It primarily links a number of business centres in the city, as well as being pedestrian-accessible to several malls. It's less convenient to access other parts of the city, and passes through few tourist attractions. Unlike the more utilitarian and dated design of the city's other transportation services, the MRT uses modern, spacious stations designed for heavier use. North of Senayan, stations are underground and can be accessed through rather small descending passageways on the pedestrian path. Southern stations are elevated and can't be missed. Some of the entrances have upwards escalators, but each station has at least one wheelchair-accessible elevator. Upon entry, head into the main hall, obtain a payment card and tap in to the platform area. Tap out again before exiting. Convenience stores and snacks are available before the tap-in gates, but eating and drinking is forbidden on the platforms or within the train. This rule is actively enforced, though with a few exceptions. Trains are clean and on time and operate every 5 minutes during peak rush hour (07:00-09:00 and 17:00–19:00), and every 10 minutes for the rest of the day. Fares range from Rp3,000 to Rp14,000 based on the distance covered. Fares can be paid with single-trip cards, purchasable from vending machines or at the ticket booth within each station, or through bank-issued prepaid cards. Single-trip cards have a Rp10,000 deposit that can be refunded at the end of the trip; the prepaid card option is more convenient, can be topped up at convenience stores and ATMs, and are also usable in some of the other transportation modes. (See: [[Jakarta#By_KA_Commuter_Jabodetabek|Commuter Jabodetabek]]). It is also possible to buy the ticket through '''MRT Jakarta App''', but you still need to have a prepaid payment application on your mobile phone such as Gopay, OVO, LinkAja, and DANA. A Park-and-ride space is available 200 metres from Lebak Bulus Station and uses a daily flat rate of Rp1,000 for bicycles, Rp2,000 for motorcycles, and Rp5,000 for cars. This is more useful for commuters, and can easily fill up during the day. ===By TransJakarta=== [[File:Harmoni Central Busway Transjakarta 4.JPG|thumb|300px|A Transjakarta bus at the Harmoni Central Busway Transit Centre]] The [http://transjakarta.co.id/ TransJakarta] buses (in Indonesian known as ''busway'') are modern, air-conditioned, and generally comfortable. The mainline service runs Su-Th 05:00 to 23:00 and F Sa to 24:00, with few buses outside these hours. The buses have separate seating for women at the front, an attendant who stands by the door announcing stops and providing security, and CCTVs. There are priority seats for the elderly, disabled, and expectant mothers, but the wide gap between the platforms and buses can be a hindrance. There are 13 main lines in operation, in addition to a number of feeder routes that operate between them. Unlike Jakarta's other buses, they run on fully dedicated lanes. Passengers must use dedicated stations usually found in the middle of large thoroughfares connected to both sides by overhead bridges. The system is remarkably user-friendly by Jakarta standards, with station announcements inside the purpose-built vehicles. Grab onto a handle as soon as you enter the bus, as they move away from the stop suddenly and quickly. Park and Ride facilities are in Ragunan (South Jakarta), Kampung Rambutan (East Jakarta), Kalideres (West Jakarta), and Pulo Gebang (East Jakarta). Tickets cost Rp2,000 from 05:00 to 07:00 and Rp3,500 all other times regardless of distance. You pay by using bank-issued prepaid cards (See: [[Jakarta#By_KA_Commuter_Jabodetabek|Commuter Jabodetabek]]). There are no single-use passes, however, you may be able to offer a helpful local Rp5,000 note to tap you in using their card. Transfers between lines are free, but be careful not to exit the system until your journey is completed. The buses can get very crowded, especially during rush hours at around 07:00 and 17:00, when office workers are on the move. Multiple smaller buses serve as a feeder between selected mainline stops and train stations or neighborhoods where the mainline does not run. Wait for them under the blue bus sign that says ''Bus Pengumpan Transjakarta'' (lit. Transjakarta feeder bus). If you transfer from the mainline stops, you do not need to pay for the transfer; otherwise, payments are accepted in both cash and prepaid card. They can also take you out to Jakarta's satellite cities. See the [[Jakarta#By public bus|Jakarta 'By public bus']] section. As there are no indicators of which routes serve these bus stops, it's a good idea to use the map apps or the '''Moovit''' app on your phone. ''TransJakarta Cares'' is a complimentary bus service for disabled people to reach the nearest TransJakarta bus stop. They can be requested by calling 1500 102. Passengers can keep track of bus arrival times at the screens in the mainline bus stops or with the '''Moovit''' app from any smartphones. ===By Mikrotrans=== [[File:Suzuki Carry 1.5 Real Van (MikroTrans JakLingko).jpg|thumb|300px|A Mikrotrans minibus]] Mikrotrans is a free-charge minibus serving numerous main roads in Jakarta with fixed stops. An electronic money card is required to take this public transport such as Brizzi, E-money, Flazz, JakCard, JakLingko, or TapCash. You may use Moovit to trace the stops. Make sure a code in front of the vans with the prefix '''JAK''' e.g. JAK-01, JAK-02, and so on, depending on the routes, so you don't go wrong taking an older minibus with cash payments. ===By tour bus=== Jakarta may be one of the few cities in the world whose government provides tour buses. Dubbed the [https://transjakarta.co.id/produk-dan-layanan/layanan-bus/bus-wisata/ '''City Tour Jakarta'''], the buses are double-decker and you can ride them for free! There are 4 loop routes that are sorted by the genre of the places of interest: Historical, Modern, Art & Culinary and the Jakarta skyscrapers. The first two routes run Monday-Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00, while the latter only operates Saturdays 17:00-23:00. ===By public bus=== A multitude of bus companies prowl the streets of Jakarta. However, buses do not run on schedule or even have one. Most maps bought outside Indonesia do not show bus routes, so Google Maps would be the best method to figure out what bus you should take. Most bus stops also post what route numbers and destinations stop there, but they ''do not always stop there''! They make for a good adventure if you're not in a rush and don't mind being the centre of attention. These are the bus companies, ranked from best to worst: *'''Transjabodetabek''' feeds between the Transjakarta stops and the outskirts of town. Look for the routes that has a letter preceding the line number. In case of no shelter, wait under the blue bus sign. *'''Kopaja AC''' (not to be confused with Kopaja non-AC) has introduced a similar service on selected routes. Some of the lines are reachable from the Transjakarta bus stops. Look for the metallic grey and green colour bus. These buses offer Wi-Fi connectivity. *Most '''Mayasari Bakti''' buses have an air conditioner, but a few routes do not. Air conditioned buses bear the letters AC on the bus number. These buses usually have a light & dark blue body, but some are green and orange. Inquire if in doubt. *'''PPD''' also has a combination of an air conditioned and non-air conditioned fleet. They have fewer buses and noticeably a lower tier of service than Mayasari Bakti. Look for the white & black strip, with the Monas icon; the buses may be branded as "PATAS", which means express. *'''Avoid using''' MetroMini (orange & blue), Kopami (blue & yellow) and non-air conditioned Kopaja (white & green) at all costs as the buses are filthy, do not offer air conditioning and are driven recklessly. Bus fares are generally less than Rp10,000 with a flat rate system. You usually pay in a box beside the driver but a ''kenek'' may reach out to you so you can pay him. Cheaper still are ''mikrolet'' (mini-buses) and ''angkot'' (small vans) that ply the smaller streets and whose fares vary from Rp4,000 for the first 2 km to Rp10,000. You pay the fare directly to the driver when you get off. You may want to have a couple of spare Rp500 coins before boarding the bus since there is on-board "entertainment" and other distractions. On a typical day, you may find street musicians singing unplugged versions of Indonesian and Western pop songs and asking for donations at the end of the performance, and street vendors, one after another, trying to sell almost everything, from ballpoint pens and candies to boxed doughnuts and health goods. Avoid sitting or standing in the back of the bus, as this is where muggers find their prey. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be alert at all times for [[pickpockets]] and do not wear any valuable. The best seat is in the front, next to the driver. Buses do not run according to any schedule or timetable. Sometimes a bus may take a while to come, other times two buses of the same route may come together and the drivers will steer aggressively to get more passengers. They do not stop at any particular bus stop, but anywhere they like. If you want to get off, simply say "kiri" (to the left) to the "kondektur" or just knock on the ceiling of the bus three times (be sure that the driver hears your thumping, best to use a coin), and the bus driver will find a place to drop you. An additional tip to alight from these buses is to use your left foot first to maintain balance and try to get down as quickly as possible and move the body in line with bus direction, as they do not fully stop the bus. Also, seats in these buses are built for Indonesians, who are typically shorter and more slender and agile than people with a larger build such as Europeans and Africans. Non-Indonesians might find the seats in these buses confining and uncomfortable. TransJabodetabek, APTB and BKTB are not so crowded and the seats are more comfortable for non-Indonesians. While most bus routes are from one bus terminal to another, not all of them have connections to long-distance bus services (see ''Get In'' section). ===By car=== [[File:JalanJenderalSudirmanJakarta.jpg|thumb|300px|Jalan Jendral Sudirman, one of Jakarta's business avenues and frequent spots for stop-and-go traffic]] Travelling by car, while it just adds up to the congestion itself, remains the most convenient way to travel around the city, especially because of its lacking public transportation. Rental cars are available, but unless you are familiar with local driving practices or lack thereof, take reputable taxis. Foreigners are recommended not to rent cars and drive on their own, as the chaotic traffic can give you a headache; renting with a driver is more than advisable. That being said, safety and road rules are enforced much more rigorously than in other parts of the country—obey the traffic laws and '''do not be tempted to disobey''' like many of the locals do, even when it seems convenient. Police regularly patrol the major roadways, and many rules are poorly marked, such as which lanes exactly are reserved for the TransJakarta service. Two toll roads circle the city: the '''Lingkar Dalam''' ("inner ring road", bisecting the downtown core) and '''Lingkar Luar''' ('''JORR''', Jakarta Outer Ring Road, encircling the outskirts). Using these toll roads is faster when the traffic is good, but are very often jammed themselves, particularly during rush hours. They generally only accept payment using prepaid bank cards. Outside of the toll roads, road quality differs heavily between the wide downtown avenues and thin alleyways in the residential districts. Road types may be poorly marked in maps. Flooding is common in certain areas during the rainy season, with even large roads being completely inaccessible. Finding parking places in residential areas can be difficult due to the narrow roads. Paid parking is easy to find in shopping malls, offices and the like for a shockingly cheap rate: Rp4,000-6,000 per hour. Street parking often requires payment of up to Rp3,000-5,000 to an illegal parking 'attendant' for one hour. For 41 areas with street electronic parking posts, the fee is Rp5,000 per hour paid by 7 certain debit cards, and don't pay anything to a formal attendant (monitoring by CCTV) such as you would in Sabang and Kelapa Gading Boulevards. If you park on a street, do so only at the designated areas and in a way that does not block the traffic. Otherwise, your car will be towed and ticketed, in which case you will need some paperwork to get it back! An '''odd-even traffic control system''' is enforced along select main streets Mondays to Fridays from 06:00-10:00 and 16:00-21:00, except public holiday. Under the system, only vehicles with odd license plate numbers are permitted to travel on odd-numbered calendar dates, and even-numbered license plates on even-numbered dates. The fine for violations is Rp500,000, but taxis and public transportation (vehicles with yellow-black plate number) are exempt. Look for the sign above the road that indicates if the rule is enforced at the adjacent street; generally speaking they are valid on roads along the Inner Ring Road south of the Merak toll interchange and along the eastern side, Rasuna Said, and the Sudirman-Thamrin-Medan Merdeka Barat corridor. Starting on September 9, 2019 there are additional 16 new routes of the system. It can be read at: http://www.beritajakarta.id/en/read/31342/city-expands-odd-even-system-in-16-routes#.XXU9R3E3GM8 If you wish to rent a car, consider these companies: * {{listing | name=RentalMobil.com | alt= | url= http://www.rentalmobil.com/en/| email= | address=SCBD Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 52 - 53 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 29608390| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=TRAC Astra Rent A Car | alt= | url= http://www.trac.astra.co.id/| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 500 009| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Golden Bird | alt=A subsidiary service of Blue Bird Group | url= https://reservation.bluebirdgroup.com/golden| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 794 4444| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= |wikidata=|wikipedia=|image=|lastedit=2017-12-01}} ===By taxi=== {{infobox|Beware the false Blue Bird|Blue Bird's reputation has spawned a host of dodgy imitators, so just because it's blue doesn't mean it's safe. Check the following before you get in: * The door and roof logo is either the Blue Bird or the Pusaka/Lintas "flying egg" * The windshield says "Blue Bird Group" * The driver is in uniform * The headrests have Blue Bird logos * On the side window, there is a sticker about regulations in the car & its call centre as listed beside this box.}} Most visitors opt to travel by taxi, which is very cheap by Western standards, abundant and occasionally fast. There is a multitude of taxi companies of varying degrees of dependability. * {{listing | name= Blue Bird Group | alt= | url=http://www.bluebirdgroup.com/ | email= | address=| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 7917 1234, +62 21 794 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Blue Bird, including the Pusaka & Morante taxis as well as the premium brands Silver Bird and Golden Bird, are well known for their reliability, efficient telephone order service, and orderly meter usage. A special ride for the physically impaired can also be requested. The Silver Bird ''executive taxi'' charges a premium rate for a larger car. In addition, Blue Bird Taxi has launched taxis using a low roof MPV which can accommodate up to 7 persons. The fare is the same as for a regular taxi, but if you want one, order it specifically when you call for a taxi. }} The popularity of online taxis (GrabCar and GoCar), due to cheaper fares, safer and more polite drivers, means that nowadays it can be more difficult or time-consuming to get conventional/regular taxis; out of 32 taxi companies that used to operating in Jakarta, there are only 4 now. Besides Blue Bird, these are the remaining companies: * {{listing | type=listing | name=Express | alt= | url=http://www.expressgroup.co.id | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 500 122 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This is typically the second-best option, if Blue Bird taxis are not visible, but hail this taxi if your main concern is price. No minimum payment for hailing in the street, the minimum payment of Rp40,000 is only for ordering by phone. }} * {{listing | name=Gamya | alt= | url=http://www.gamya.com/home.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 8779 5555, +62 21 840 3838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxiku | alt= | url=http://www.taxiku.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 4786 2121| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} You can generally determine a good cabbie by asking "''Pakai argo?''" ("meter?") - if they say no or "tidak", get another taxi. Taxis parked near train/bus stations, tourist attractions, and hotels often refuse to use the meter and quote silly prices (especially to foreigners) - in this case, it's a good idea to walk away a bit, then hail a passing taxi from the above companies. Tipping is not necessary, but rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp5,000 is expected, although rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp1,000 is also OK. So prepare some change if you want, or else you may be rounded up to the nearest Rp5,000. If the taxi takes a toll road, the added cost is '''not''' reflected on the meter. The driver will tap their contactless card to the toll booth, receive a receipt, and you can see the cost shown on a large display next to the payment machine. Drivers may run out of their card's credits, and require a short stop at a convenience store to top up; this is normal. At the end of the trip, your driver will sum up the meter price with any toll receipts, and you can always pay in cash, while some taxis accept cards. A taxi receipt is available on request and is not standard. Blue Bird, Gojek and Grab apps can be downloaded for free to help you order taxis via smartphone. Fill in the departure and arrival points and Google Maps will show the map with the taxis and also the estimated cost displayed in a range. Blue Bird Taxi has the same fare regardless of whether you hire them online or by phone (with minimum payment applied). GoCar and GrabCar have prices fixed in advance, regardless of any traffic jams. Choose the taxi that will be used and the taxi will usually come in five minutes. Only qualified taxis and qualified drivers can join the apps, so this is one of the safest ways to get a taxi. Taxis have been abundant since online ride-hailing started operating in Jakarta. Online taxis rate is only about two-thirds that of a conventional taxi, or at most the same as a conventional one during peak hours. Since the price is preset, drivers have no incentive to take an unnecessarily roundabout route, which used to be common with conventional taxis. ===By bajaj=== [[File:Gas Fuelled Bajaj in Jakarta.jpg|thumb|300px|Gas-Fueled Bajaj in Jakarta]] The Jakartan equivalent to [[Thailand]]'s tuk-tuk is the '''bajaj''' (pronounced "bahdge-eye"), orange mutant scooters souped up in India into little three-wheeled vehicles that carry passengers in a small cabin at the back. Besides the usual orange bajaj, there is blue bajaj, which use gas as fuel. They're a popular way to get around town since they can weave through Jakarta's interminable traffic jams much like motorbikes can. Although slow, boneshaking (they have no suspension), hot and windy (locals joke about the "natural A/C"), and a great way to breathe in more exhaust fumes than you ever thought possible (maybe less if you ride the blue bajaj), riding around in these little motor-bugs can really grow on you. Blue gas-fueled bajaj are quieter than the orange 2-cycle bajaj. There are no set prices, but a short hop of a few city blocks shouldn't cost much more than Rp5,000. Be sure to agree to (read: [[haggle]]) a price before you set off. Bajaj drivers are happy to overcharge visitors, and often ask double or even more than what you would pay by a meter in a more comfortable Blue Bird taxi. Locals who regularly use the bajaj know what a typical fare should be and are happy to tell you. Also, since bajaj aren't allowed on some of the larger roads in Jakarta, your route may well take you through the bewildering warren of backstreets. Try to keep an eye on what direction you're going, because some unscrupulous bajaj drivers see nothing wrong with taking the "scenic" route and then charging you double or triple the price. '''Grab Bajaj''' There are also Grab Bajaj that use the Grab application. The tariff is Rp 3,000 per kilometre and minimum payment Rp 9,000. It is intermediate between GrabBike and GrabCar due to Bajaj can accommodate 2 passengers and baggage. '''Qute Bajaj''' This variant of bajaj has 4 wheels instead of 3. Qute are much quieter than bemo and have air conditioning. These 'new bemo' operate throughout Central Jakarta towards North Jakarta via Mangga Dua to Ancol. The price is quite the same as for ordinary bajaj (about Rp5,000 for a short hop). Make sure to haggle a price before you ride the vehicle. ===By ojek=== [[File:Pangkalan ojek.jpg|thumb|200px|One of many Ojek drivers in Jakarta]] If you're poking around narrow back streets, or in such a hurry that you're willing to lose a limb or more to get there, then Jakarta's motorcycle taxis (''ojek'') might be the ticket for you. Jakarta's ojek services consist of guys with bikes lounging around street corners, who usually shuttle short distances down alleys and roads but will also do longer trips for a price. Agree on the fare before you set off. Insist on a helmet and wear it properly—no need to make it more insanely dangerous than it already is. The ojek drivers will insist you're safe with them and that they'll drive carefully—some are telling the truth, some lying. Before you choose a driver, pay attention to their motorcycle's appearance and their helmet; sometimes it shows their character. Locals normally pay Rp5,000 for a short ride (one kilometre) and Rp7,000-10,000 for a longer (roughly more than a kilometre or a 15-minute walk). Foreigners are likely to be asked for more, but generally, ojek drivers will accept the proper fare if you insist on it, unless they see you really need their service. On-demand (online) ojek services such as '''[http://www.go-jek.com/ Go-Jek]''' and '''Grab''' are ubiquitous can be booked through their respective smartphone apps, and offer generally cheaper fares which are stated in advance, although for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi area are more expensive than other area Rp 2,250 to Rp 2,650 per kilometer with minimum payment Rp 9,000 to Rp 10,500. Payments can be made by cash or stored value (akin to prepaid mobile phone service). You may chat or call the driver for help with finding each other, although some knowledge of Indonesian would be helpful. Go-Jek as a pioneer has more widespread availability; those who travel here alongside other Southeast Asian countries may find it useful to keep using Grab. The other more expensive on-demand ojek service is Lady Jek with female drivers. Unlike conventional ojeks, which typically only operate dawn to dusk, they are available at all times and relatively safe for both passengers and drivers as they are monitored by GPS. While it seems cheap, those who travel in groups of at least three may be better off taking a taxi for convenience and the unnoticeable difference in fares. The aforementioned brands also offer taxi service that are either private cars akin to Uber elsewhere in the world or with taxi companies so that you can hail them from the same app. Other services include food or groceries delivery and shipping between residents or from online businesses. ===By helicopter=== If you have a lot of cash and want to beat the traffic exponentially, a helicopter can be an option for you. They can be chartered as well for excursions outside Jakarta. * {{listing | name=Transwisata | alt= | url=http://transwisata.com | email=marketing@transwisata.com | address=Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Terminal Building, Ground Floor | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 80889628 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-18 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Whitesky Aviation | alt= | url=http://www.whitesky.co.id/ | email=info@helicity.co.id | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 80890066 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-18 | content= }} ===By bicycle=== [[File:Jakarta Car Free Day.jpg|thumb|300px|Car Free Day in HI Roundabout]] [[Cycling]] provisions are almost non-existent in Jakarta, but the first signs of a cycling culture are emerging. Every Sunday from 06:00-11:00 during the '''Car Free Day (CFD)''' in Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin (and every month in other places in each city in Jakarta) are emptied of motorised vehicles, except TransJakarta. The atmosphere can be festive, as events are held in some places (especially in Hotel Indonesia Roundabout). As of 2019, 63 km of new bicycle lanes have been opened, besides previous bicycle lanes at '''Blok M''' and '''Kanal Banjir Timur.''' The Pemuda Pramuka is the most used bicycle lane, mainly to commute between work and home. New rules mention that bicycle lanes can be used by bicycle, electric bicycle, otopet, electric scooter, hoverboard and unicycle. Whoever violates the rule will be penalised up to Rp500,000. Beyond that, there are dedicated [[mountain biking]] paths in Cihuni and along the Jalur Gas Pipa, both in [[Tangerang]]. Or you could head to [[Salak Mountain]] or other parts of the region beyond [[Bogor]]. ===By eScooter=== Grab (the online transport service provider stated in the 'Ojek' section) offers eScooter services with the 'GrabWheels' brand and a fare of Rp 5,000 per 30 minutes (Nov 2019). There are hundreds of parking lots for GrabWheels in Jakarta, mainly in the Sudirman Street area, so one can depart from a GrabWheels parking lot and deposit their eScooter in another. Despite the service's relative newness, many people rent it (mostly for fun). However, after a car accident involving GrabWheels, in which 2 persons were killed and 4 others were injured, regulations were enacted: eScooters can be used only at bicycle lanes (no usage allowed along pavements, regular streets, or pedestrian overhead bridges). ===On foot=== Jakarta is hot and humid year-round, discouraging pedestrians, while what sidewalk is left is often quickly occupied by pushcart vendors. Crosswalks are not always available, and not always respected even when present. Many locals will simply walk across a busy street, holding up a palm to request vehicles slow down for them. Even then, walking can sometimes be faster than using a vehicle, especially when the maze of streets results in a winding, roundabout, and congested route. Jakarta is rapidly revamping its pedestrian facilities on its main roads, with clean and accessible wide sidewalks already in place along the Sudirman-Thamrin corridor and adjacent districts, with continuous construction work outwards. The paths remain hot and are very quiet during the day, but are more pleasant and busy during the afternoons. Still expect to clamber around mismatched concrete blocks and step on asphalt in the residential areas of the city. A few other neighbourhoods can be explored on foot: * Kota Tua ([[West Jakarta]]): a pedestrian-friendly square, a walk in this area explores the sights of Dutch colonial charm that was once central to the colonial administration. * Pasar Baru ([[Central Jakarta]]): a pedestrian-friendly market that has been in existence since the colonial era. * Rasuna Said, Kuningan District (South Jakarta): another business district along Jl. HR Rasuna Said with many embassies and office buildings. * Monas and Kebon Sirih area (Central Jakarta): the city square is a pedestrian-friendly zone, and the surrounding area has several attractions such as the presidential palace and old colonial churches. * Kanal Banjir Timur (Jakarta Timur), a nice river view in the morning with special bicycle and walking/running lane. * Jatinegara (Jakarta Timur), full of vintage stalls, building, train station, and river view of Ciliwung. * Kemang (Jakarta Selatan), full of coffee stalls, restaurants and bars. The best place to walk at night. * Cikini (Jakarta Pusat), for coffee stalls, art spaces, and performances. On Car-Free Day (CFD), every Sunday from 06:00 to 11:00 in the morning, the Sudirman-Thamrin thoroughfares are closed to motor vehicles, except for the Transjakarta buses. Locals crowd the streets to walk, jog, bike, enjoy performance arts and generally have some fun on the streets. While crowded, this is a good time to get in touch with the locals and see a different side of the city. ==See== {{SeeDistricts}} [[File:Kota HistoryMuseum.JPG|300px|thumb|Jakarta History Museum, Kota]] The heart of tourist attractions is to the north and centre of Jakarta. Visitors typically start exploring Jakarta from this part of the town, called the '''Kota Tua''', where the old buildings of Jakarta are preserved within a dedicated walking area. Jakarta has 47 museums, which are spread across the city. The '''Jakarta History Museum''', formerly a city hall (''Stadhuis''), covers Jakarta's history from 400 AD to the present day, with photos, replicas, and maps. Do not miss the '''Jagur cannon''' in the back yard. '''The Bank Indonesia Museum''' tells about the economy and currency system then and now using modern technology while the '''Museum Bahari''' takes you to the old glory of Jakarta's port, and Indonesia's as a whole. If you are into arts & crafts, the '''Museum Wayang''' has a collection of different puppets (Wayang) from all across the country and the world, and the '''Museum Seni Rupa & Keramik''' allows you to admire Indonesia's art in paintings and sculptures. '''Museum Prasasti''' for historical and scripture. A few kilometres down south, you'll find the legacy of the Dutch and the first years of the Indonesian government, such as the iconic landmark of Jakarta, '''the National Monument''' park standing right at the centre of the court, and the '''Presidential Palace''' on its north side. And where else in the world could you find the '''Istiqlal Mosque''', Southeast Asia's biggest mosque, and a 113-year-old '''gothic cathedral''' standing mightily across from each other? On the western side of the court, the elephant statue welcomes you to the '''Museum Nasional''', one of the better designed museums out there. Or '''Gallery Nasional''' for art and sculpture. Statues and monuments are ubiquitous in Jakarta and many stand prominently in major points across the city. Most of these icons were erected during Soekarno's rule in 1960, and thus still represent the old glory of independence. Start your trip from the '''Tugu Tani''' statue in Menteng that has a figure of a farmer going out to war. Across the Monas Park is '''Arjuna Wijaya''', an eight-horse carriage statue near Monas. Going south at Jalan MH Thamrin, the iconic '''Selamat Datang''' statue waves at you, with a fountain that signifies its importance as the city centre of Jakarta. Passing through that is the '''Jenderal Sudirman''' statue giving a salute, that gives the street its name. Going further until the end of the straight street, is the '''Pemuda Membangun''' or Youth Developing statue that looks like a man holding up a burning bowl. The '''Dirgantara''' statue is visible in its glory if you are using the inner tollway in South Jakarta. ===Parks=== Green spaces are often overlooked in Jakarta. While the city has nearly 1,000 public parks big and small, very few are well maintained including even the National Monument Park ('''Monas'''). '''Menteng''' is large and perhaps the best and '''Taman Suropati''' hosts regular violin shows. '''Pantai Indah Kapuk''', while inundated by housing projects, still leaves a space for mangrove swamps and monkeys' habitats in the two parks there. For parks with lakes, '''Pluit Park''' is one option, and a smaller one is '''Pulo Mas Park'''. '''Ragunan''', the official zoo of Jakarta, is the second largest zoo in the world (140 hectares), offering diverse Indonesian and international flora & fauna, including a dedicated centre that houses primates, especially the endemic orangutans. '''Kalijodo Park''' is open 24 hours a day with green and child-friendly public space and an international skate park. For community park, look for '''Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak (RPTRA).''' Although smaller, it usually offers a small library with AC available to get some rest and a futsal field for physical activity. The newest is '''Lapangan Banteng Park''' which is also open for 24 hours and has good illumination for playing football. However metropolitan Jakarta has 3 small forests in the city at Muara Angke, Srengseng and Tebet. Jakarta also hosts two amusement parks. '''Taman Impian Jaya Ancol''' at the North, that is for pure fun plus a sea world aquarium, and '''Taman Mini Indonesia Indah''' (Indonesia in miniature) in East Jakarta, which celebrates the culture of all 34 provinces of Indonesia, a bird park containing multiple endemic species, and multiple museums. Escape to '''Kepulauan Seribu''' to see wild birds and eagles, and island resorts not too far away from the city. The '''Setu Babakan''' down south is the centre of the indigenous Betawi culture. If you are looking for lake scene, go to '''Taman Waduk Pluit''' or '''Taman Waduk Ria Rio'''. For river scene, go to '''Taman Kanal Banjir Timur''' or '''RPTRA Mawar.''' ==Do== {{seeDistricts}} ===Betawi culture=== [[Image:Ondel-ondel.JPG|thumbnail|250px|Traditional male & female ondel-ondel in Wayang Museum, Jakarta]] Despite being the melting pot of Indonesia, Jakarta's indigenous tribe called the '''Betawi''' still stays proud of its culture. They are actually a unique assimilation of various domestic and international races from the Chinese to the Portuguese, which makes it distinct from other parts of Indonesia. The '''Lenong''' theatre performance is accompanied by the '''Gambang Kromong''' orchestra that consists of the Sundanese ''Gendang'', the Javanese ''Gamelan'', and the Chinese ''Kongahyan'' (its own version of violin). The '''Tanjidor''' trumpets are an influence from the Dutch, while the Portuguese bequeathed the '''Keroncong''' orchestra. At the anniversary of the city's founding every 22 June, a distinctive piece of culture can be seen in hotels, the infamous pair of '''Ondel-ondel''' puppets. The complete experience of the culture can be found at '''Setu Babakan''', the village of Betawi culture (and fishing at its lake). ===Cinema=== Cinemas are a more affordable escape at around Rp30,000 - 45,000 for a plush seat (Rp40,000 - 70,000 on the weekend, up to Rp150,000 if you watch in Premiere Class ''at XXI'' or Velvet Class at ''CGV Blitz'') in any of the capital's shopping malls. Beware of the heavy hand of the Indonesian censor though. The price of popcorn and drinks are exorbitant so you may wish to bring your own coming in. CGV Blitz cinemas will typically show movies in any foreign language other than English and the lesser ones also exhibit Indonesian B-Movies with erotic themes (still heavily censored). The largest chain of cinemas in Indonesia are the [http://www.21cineplex.com '''21 Cineplex'''] (branded as XXI in premium shopping malls) and [https://www.cgv.id/ '''CGV Blitz''']. IMAX theaters are only available at Gandaria City's XXI theatre, Mal Kelapa Gading III's theatre and Keong Mas in TMII, although the latter more often shows documentary than blockbuster films. ===Performing arts festivals=== Jakarta boasts some of the world's largest music events, which may surprise you, and the many young fans have attracted artists all around the world to regularly stop by Jakarta as part of their world tour, from rock concerts to Korean pop. Perhaps the best known event is the annual [http://www.javajazzfestival.com '''Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival'''] that takes place each March for 3 days, filled with over 40 international and local artists performing jazz, R&B and reggae songs. The [http://www.hammersonic.com '''Hammersonic'''] is an annual metal music concert, while [http://www.wethefest.com/ '''We The Fest'''] boasts some of the performances from indie/pop artists in August since its first inception in 2014, '''Road to Soundrenaline''' takes you to the popular local indie/major label bands showcases, before it ends up in Bali for the main event with some of international artists performing there and the '''Djakarta Warehouse Project''' hosts world famous DJs to jam the start of the year-end holiday. For a street performance, the Sudirman-Thamrin strip is closed at night on '''22 June and New Year's Eve''', when stages for musical performances are erected and cultural parades set up to usher in Jakarta's founding anniversary and the New Year, respectively. For some traditional and classical stuff, there are performances at '''Gedung Kesenian Jakarta''', by indie, jazz, dance, and classical music orchestras. '''Taman Ismail Marzuki''' hosts mainly theatrical shows, although English shows might be rare. '''Erasmus Huis Hall''' by the Dutch embassy also regularly hosts classical music shows and photography exhibitions. ===Sport=== The sport scene in Jakarta is perhaps one of the most vibrant you'll ever see in Asia. The Senayan sports complex still lives up to its name since the 1962 Asian Games, where archery and indoor shooting range are also publicly available to try. Soemantri-Brodjonegoro in Kuningan district also offers you many kinds of sport activities. If you like skateboarding, '''Kalijodo Skatepark i'''s the best place to meet others. ====Golf==== Jakarta is perhaps the best city to play golf in Asia, thanks to the abundance of courses close to or even in the middle of the city, and relatively cheap prices compared to Western standards. Green fees can go as low as Rp70,000 on weekdays, although the better courses are twice that, and weekend rates are considerably steeper at Rp300,000 and more. Many golf courses are at [[Jakarta/South|South]] and [[Jakarta/East|East]] within the immediate suburbs of the city, much better in quality and quantity at the satellite cities. ====Football==== Indonesia is one of the few lucky Asian countries where numerous European soccer teams, including from the prestigious British Premier League or the Italian League, play a trial game against the national team when the game itself is at break in Europe. The supporters between the national team and the Europeans at the '''Gelora Bung Karno Stadium''' are even, yet even though for the most part Indonesia's national team post losses, clashes do not seem to happen at least in a chaotic way. When the Europeans are back in season, numerous cafés and bars around town put up gigantic TV screens to let the enthusiasm erupt while having a drink at dawn. '''Futsal''' is the indoor version of football, which has 5 players per team and more lax rules of play. Anytime after work or on the weekends, you can easily find crowds at the many indoor courts across the city. Outdoors, the dirt and grass makeshift fields are abundant in residential areas, crowded with players, spectators and vendors, typically on weekend afternoons. In these casual games, anyone can simply ask to jump in or relax. ====Badminton==== As a badminton powerhouse, Jakarta has a multitude of badminton courts, ranging from the national venues at the Senayan Complex to the suburban halls which cater to both futsal and badminton. Most of them have wood-panel flooring and are maintained in reasonably good condition. Lighting is strictly functional and is below par in comparison with standard badminton halls. People play almost every evening - so, walk in, strike up a conversation with the group's captain, and expect to blend in with their group for the session. If the captain refuses payment (usually less than Rp20,000), it is polite to buy the players a round of soft-drinks (Teh-botol is a good choice). Be warned that it is common for Indonesians to eat, smoke, drink and nap by the side of the court: so watch your footing. If you want to watch rather than to play, the '''Istora Senayan''' is packed in the middle of January for Indonesia Masters Super 500 and early June during the Indonesia Open Super 1000 (a Grand Slam equivalent in badminton), when the world's top badminton players compete. The deafening cheers are chanted even beyond when the players hit the shuttlecock, an enthusiasm unmatched elsewhere in the world. It is advised to buy the tickets online (especially for the weekend matches), otherwise you must choose between watching it on television or the big screen outside the venue (think about Murray Mound/Henman Hill in Wimbledon). ===Karaoke=== You are in one of Asia's big cities—karaoke is the norm, so sing your heart out! Most chain brands such as '''Inul Vizta''', '''NAV''', or '''DIVA''' can be found at the upscale shopping malls where the youngsters play. You'll have your own lavish room with a wide span of libraries containing local, English, and East Asian songs, on a wide-screen TV while you can order a drink or food to be enjoyed while you wait your turn to sing. Rates can start from as low as Rp70,000 per room for a minimum of 6 people. ==Learn== There are a few locations for '''cooking classes''' along Jalan Kemang ([[South Jakarta]]) that specifically cater to expats. Most offer pastry cooking classes. Interestingly, you can learn about cultures from around the world in Jakarta. Many embassies have set up cultural centres where you can take '''world culture & language classes'''. Check these cultural centres for information: [http://id.korean-culture.org/ Korean Culture Centre], [http://ifi-id.com/ Institut Francais], [http://itacultjkt.or.id/ Istituto Italiano di Cultura], [https://www.jpf.or.id/en/ Japan Foundation], [http://idn.rs.gov.ru/en Russian Culture Centre], [http://www.goethe.de/ins/id/en/jak.html Goethe Institut]. ==Work== Casual work in Jakarta is difficult to come by and Indonesian bureaucracy does not readily facilitate foreigners undertaking employment in Indonesia. As in the rest of Asia, [[teaching English]] is the best option, although salaries are poor (US$700–3000/month is typical, although accommodation may be provided) and the government only allows citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA to work as teachers. Formal work visas, residency permits and registration with several government offices is necessary. Formal approval from the Department of Manpower and the provision of documentation and guarantees from an employing sponsor is required to engage in any form of employment in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia. Business visas are available for the purposes of conducting business related activities in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia, this class of visa has strict conditions and requires a local business to sponsor the applicant. A business visa does not permit the holder to undertake any form of employment. Jakarta caters to a growing class of remote workers and visitors on business trips with a large selection of '''coworking spaces'''. Mostly spread around Central and South Jakarta, day passes can be as low as Rp100,000, with hourly passes even lower. These spaces typically share buildings with offices and provide internet, drinks, and sometimes extra services like printing and meeting rooms. Some spaces are directly connected to shopping malls or public transit, making them very useful alternatives to spending hours in a cafe for work. Available desks may be limited in popular areas; call ahead to reserve a spot if necessary. ==Buy== {{seeDistricts}} [[File:Grand-Indonesia.jpg|thumb|Grand Indonesia Shopping Town located in Central Jakarta, as viewed from Plaza Indonesia]] More than 2.5 million foreign tourists and more than 30 million domestic tourists visit Jakarta every year. It's a paradise for buying international brand-name garments (both genuine and fake). If you're stopping in Jakarta, consider buying an extra suitcase, because there are '''lots of good shopping''' opportunities. Good used suitcases can be bought at Surabaya street and vendors also sell antiques. However, although quality can be excellent, genuine branded goods or quality products are expensive. Every year, the Provincial Government of Jakarta holds an annual '''Festival Jakarta Great Sale''' that takes place from Mid-June to Mid-July. Most markets, shopping malls, and department stores attend it and will give discounts on selected items, although the event itself might be barely noticeable aside from some banners. Some stores also run Midnight Sales, usually in the weekend. And most of the malls are open from 10:00-20:00 every day, except on Ied Day when they're open 13:30-22:00. ===Shopping malls=== An escape from Jakarta's sweltering heat, hundreds of '''shopping malls''' serve as social hotspots and are where the city congregate on weekends to shop, buy groceries, and hang out. They range from grand top-end luxury malls to smaller trade centers and shopping complexes, with new buildings constantly under construction, so you can probably find a suitably stocked mall (or three) for what you're looking for close to you. Genuinely imported goods from official retailers are priced to international standards, but Jakarta also offers local and lesser-known designer alternatives. A vast selection of cafes and social spots are also attached to malls, so if you're planning to meet up with an Indonesian acquaintance, brunch or dinner at a mall is a popular affair. As a convention, most Jakarta malls will have a supermarket in the basement, alongside utilities such as ATMs, office goods, barber shops, pharmacies, personal health, and budget eating options. Shopping options are on the middle floors, followed by a selection of higher-end restaurants and potentially a movie theater at the top floors. Expect each location to have one or more lobbies at which you can be dropped off, and one of these lobbies will usually include a taxi stand. If calling in your own taxi (or rideshare) be sure to specify which lobby you're waiting at. Most malls open at 10:00, though breakfast dining spaces on the ground floor may open sooner, and lunch options may only fully open at 11:00. Some of the most well known shopping complexes are at the heart of the city. '''Grand Indonesia''' and '''Plaza Indonesia''' are massive upper-class malls next to each other on Jakarta's busy Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, easily accessible via MRT. To the south, '''Plaza Senayan & Senayan City''' are popular chic hangouts across from each other, also accessible by MRT. '''Mal Taman Anggrek''' and '''Central Park''' to the west at Jalan Letjen S. Parman are for all rounders. '''Jalan Prof.Dr.Satrio''' is Jakarta's answer to the famed Orchard Road in [[Singapore]], [[Ginza]] in [[Tokyo]] and Fifth Avenue in New York. Four malls (namely ITC Mal Ambassador, Kuningan City, Ciputra World I, and a bit further off, Kota Kasablanka) and counting, catering to visitors of all budget levels. '''Kelapa Gading''' has a street with four malls on its side, and two other giant malls are located elsewhere in the region. '''Pluit''' and '''Pondok Indah''' hosts three malls located along a single strip. Every shopping mall has at least one department store, alongside brands that have their own shops. '''Sogo''' has the most branches, followed by Metro & Centro. Galeries Lafayette can be found at Pacific Place while Seibu and Central are located at Grand Indonesia. '''Matahari''' also provides similar fashion usually for a lower price. ===Markets=== In addition to malls, there are also numerous extremely large '''shopping centres''', most of them within a complex, so if you are unable to find what you need at one mall, you can try again at the mall next door. '''Mangga Dua''', '''Tanah Abang''', and '''Pasar Baru''' are the best places in Jakarta to shop for fashion. In Mangga Dua area there are at least 3 shopping centres connected by bridges: '''ITC''' is for middle and upper middle class fashion, while the lower class is served by '''Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua''', and '''Mangga Dua Mall''' is for gadget enthuasiasts. Tanah Abang is a wholesale market and the biggest in [[Southeast Asia]], with delivery to Africa and other parts of the world. Tanah Abang is overcrowded, so Thamrin city next to Grand Indonesia (500 m from Tanah Abang) can serve as an alternative, mainly for Muslim wear and batik. Pasar Baru is not a shopping centre, but more like a street with old retail shops; stamp collectors will be able to find Indonesian stamps at the front of many of these shops. '''Mangga Dua Square''', as well as Glodok and Roxy, are places to find gadgets. WTC (Wholesale Trade Centre) Mangga Dua is now specialised in selling used cars, with more than 100 sold per day. If you are looking for antique products such as local handicrafts, Indonesian traditional batik or wayang golek (Sundanese puppets), you can go to '''Jalan Surabaya''' in Central Jakarta. If you are looking for rare maps, prints or paintings, you can go to Kemang Raya, where there are many galleries including Bartele gallery and Hadi Prana. '''Pasaraya Grande''' shopping mall at Blok M, South Jakarta has one dedicated floor for Indonesian antiques and handicrafts. '''Pasar Seni''' at Ancol is the centre of paintings and sculpture, including portrait pictures you can have done on the spot. '''Sarinah''' department store also has a vast section of traditional gifts. Shopping at traditional markets may also be an exciting experience, where you can find exotic tropical fruits, traditional snacks, cheap fashion and novelty items. While most of them are far from tourist hot spots, '''Pasar Gondangdia''' across the namesake train station and the '''Fresh Market Pantai Indah Kapuk''' are the places that still offer such experience in a modern building while easily accessible. Cash is still the most effective payment system for all transactions. A few established shops may accept payment with debit/credit card and electronic money. ==Eat== {{seeDistricts}} {{eatpricerange|up to Rp25,000|Rp25.000-Rp100.000|more than Rp100.000}} [[File:Panorama of Interior of Cafe Batavia - 1805 Construction - Jakarta - Indonesia.jpg|thumb|500px|Interior of Cafe Batavia near Museum Fatahillah]] Jakarta has a vast range of food available at hundreds of eating complexes located all over the huge city. In addition to selections from all over the country, you can also find excellent Chinese, Japanese, Western, and many other international foods thanks to the cosmopolitan population. If you want to go local Jakarta, the indigenous Betawi has its own dishes to offer: * '''Asinan Betawi''': assorted pickled vegetables, served with peanut sauce (and sometimes chili) and chips. * '''Bubur dingin''', literally cold porridge with beef sweet soup. * '''Gabus pucung''', snakehead fish soup. * '''Gado-gado''' is like ketoprak, but all of it is vegetables. * '''Kerak telor''', omelette cooked with glutinous rice and served with shredded coconut and a dried shrimp topping. * '''Ketoprak''', ''lontong'' (rice cake), tofu, bean sprout, shrimp crackers in peanut sauce. * '''Mie kangkung''': noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. * '''Nasi kebuli''': a Betawi pilaf influenced by Arab culture. * '''Nasi uduk''', rice cooked in coconut milk similar to nasi lemak, served with choices of various toppings, such as fried chicken, beef, fried shallots, and sambal (chili sauce). * '''Nasi ulam''', rice cooked in coconut milk served with fried minced beef, sweet fried tempeh, many other toppings, cucumber, and sambal. * '''Rujak/Mie juhi''': noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''Sop iga sapi''', beef spare rib soup that takes a simple Dutch dish and piles on Indonesian spices. * '''Soto Betawi''', coconut milk broth with beef tendons, intestines, tripe. Food at malls and brick-and-mortar restaurants are by and large of hygiene standards. Street vendors (''kaki lima'') or carts can be questionable, though it is still wise to use discretion as some of the best or well-known food can actually be from them. The online ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab also offer food delivery service (such as Gojek's GO-FOOD) to virtually all restaurants, for a small fee. Furthermore, it can increase your convenience when you only want to rest at your hotel. Though tips are originally not customary in restaurants, it starts to become a habit. In fact, a few do automatically charge a service fee of typically 5%, which may surprise some patrons. Eating at restaurants are almost always subject to a 10% general tax. ===Budget=== Food courts at just about every shopping mall in Jakarta offer cheap but filling meals. Prices range from Rp15,000 to Rp25,000. While street vendors (''kaki lima'') are cheap with questionable hygiene standards, some items are unfortunately offered ''only'' within street vendors, so use good judgment when shopping around. Look for those that have lines at least a couple people long, as that means it's reputable and indisputably delicious. Steer clear from vendors that offer aggressively cheap prices or being pushy, as they might make their items using shady ingredients. For cleaner alternatives with decent price, you can look for '''Lokbin''' (lokasi binaan), '''Loksem''' (Lokasi sementara), or '''Lenggang Jakarta,''' which serve same affordable food but with better hygiene standards. Practically the sellers there are relocated street vendors. Price in Lenggang Jakarta and Lokbin will be around Rp10.000 to Rp30.000. Franchise fast food chains are also a good choice for eating as the hygiene is often up to standards. American fast food chains such as KFC and McDonald's have ample seating. Local chain '''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its noodles and its fried wanton. '''Hoka-hoka Bento''' (locally known as HokBen), also a local chain, provides Japanese buffet with a complete meal set for an affordable price. Also consider '''Es Teler 77''' & '''Solaria'''. You will find one or all of them at major malls across the city. Department store or mini market food items can be an alternative should you need to eat on the go or at work. For some exquisite Indonesian snacks, head to the traditional markets or street vendors. The infamous '''jajanan pasar''' (lit. market snacks) or '''bakpao''' (Chinese meat buns) should cost around Rp10,000 to Rp35,000 per box or piece. Assorted fritters ('''gorengan''') are ubiquitous throughout and should cost Rp7,000 to Rp15,000 for up to a dozen pieces of fried tofu, tempeh, cassava, yam, and even banana. '''Siomay''' and '''batagor''' will be available for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000. '''Instant ramen noodle''' for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000, '''ketoprak''' Rp5.000-Rp8.000, '''pecel lele''' Rp7.000-Rp10.000, or '''nasi uduk''' Rp3.000-Rp7.000. More substantial meals such as '''martabak''', '''satay''', chicken noodle ('''mi ayam''') or porridge ('''bubur ayam'''), and '''nasi goreng''' are typically on the upper end of budget dining. The Indonesian '''soto''' soup can be enjoyed for Rp45,000 with rice and a drink of your choice and a bowl of meatball ('''bakso''') soup with a side of noodles or vermicelli should cost no more than Rp50,000 per bowl. Bakeries also have buns that you can consume for breakfast, starting from Rp10,000. '''Roti Lauw''' and '''Tan Ek Tjoan''' is the most popular choice in Jakarta. You may look for D'Cost Seafood for decent price all over the city. As some traditional Indonesian cuisine may be too hot and spicy for many foreign tourist, you can usually ask for just a little chili or none at all: ''"pedas sedikit"'' and ''"tidak pedas"'', respectively. It also better to know that you can say ''"bungkus"'' for take away order, or ''"makan di sini"'' for dine in. And be careful as red ketchup usually means hot chilli sauce, not tomato. ===Mid-range=== Fine dining restaurants offer main courses for a range of prices and can be found at just about every mall in Jakarta or better yet outside the malls. Some of the restaurants in this category include pizza franchises '''Pizza Hut''' and '''Domino's,''' or '''A&W, Wendy's, and''' '''Burger King''' for fast food chain. Mains in shopping mall restaurants typically range between Rp40,000 and Rp75,000; many even provide lunch set menus for just about Rp50,000 that entitles you to rice, one or two main platters and a glass of drink which can be an impressive deal. Seafood restaurants north of the city centre falls on the borderline between mid-range to expensive depending on your preference, with shrimp & fish on the cheaper side, followed by scallop, and lastly crab & lobster. For middle class traditional cuisine, go to the Menteng area and look for '''Gado-Gado Boplo, Warung Daun, Bumbu Desa, Saur Kuring, Dapur Sunda, Sate House, Bunga Rampai, Sate Khas Senayan''' or '''Aroma Sedap'''. Or try to look around '''Sabang''' area. '''Garuda, Natrabu''', '''Sederhana,''' '''Penang Bistro,''' or '''Pagi Sore''' will offer you the best value over price. ===Splurge=== The best gourmet splurges in Jakarta are the '''opulent buffet spreads''' in the 5-star hotels such as the JW Marriott, Hotel Mulia, Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La, which offer amazing value by international standards. Expect to pay upwards of Rp150,000 per person. Chinese roundtable restaurants, such as '''Din Tai Fung''', '''Imperial Duck''', '''Jun Njan''', or '''Tai Pan''', among other small enterprises, offer considerably expensive dishes, but these are mostly meant to be communal rather than for individuals. Steakhouses also fall into this category, especially if the beef is imported from Australia or a USDA certified. For pizza, look for '''Pizza Express''' ''(formerly Pizza Marzano).'' For premium traditional cuisine, '''Rara Jonggrang''', '''Remboelan''' and '''Tugu Koenstring Paleis''' will serve you the highest standard. ==Drink== {{seeDistricts}} Jakarta may be the capital of the world's largest Muslim-majority country, but it has an underground life of its own. If you're the clubbing type, its nightlife is arguably among the best in Asia, except during fasting months when some venues are closed or have limited hours. From the upscale '''Kemang''' to the seedy '''Mangga Besar''', nightlife is there for all levels of loudness, but bring a friend if you decide to brave the seedier places (though they tend to have the best DJs). Fans of live music, on the other hand, are largely out of luck if they go to budget bars, at least unless they're into Indonesian pop. To get alcoholic beverages in Jakarta is not an easy task since 2015 it is not permissible to sell them in the mini market except in big stores inside a mall to discourage underage drinking. Fortunately, there are some wine bars/stores that sell imported wines or hard liquors throughout the city. Jakarta has a fairly large number of '''prostitutes''', known in local parlance as ''ayam'' (lit. "chicken"), so much so that much of the female clientele of some respectable bars (operated by five-star hotels, etc.) is on the take. The Kota area in [[Jakarta/North|northern Jakarta]] is the oldest part of town with numerous colonial buildings still dominating the area. It is also considered to be the seediest part of town after midnight. Most karaoke bars and 'health' clubs there are in fact brothels who mostly cater to local Jakartans. Even regular discos such as Golden Crown have special areas designated for prostitutes. Other notable establishments in this area are Malioboro and Club 36 which should not be missed. This part of town has a large ethnic Chinese population who also dominate the clubbing scene there. The bulk of the clubbing scene is spread throughout Jakarta but usually found in office buildings or hotels. The help of an experienced local with finding these places is recommended. Nightlife in Jakarta tends to be pricey by local standards. Due to Jakarta's freedom, there is no specific dress code that should be worn unless you are in a religious area. However, it is best not to dress too openly to avoid awkward stares or giving the impression (especially for women) that you are a prostitute since most of them in Jakarta wear very short dresses or skirts. Sandals are fine to wear if you're heading for North Jakarta since it is near the beach. During the month of Ramadan, most nightlife ends at midnight, while some venues ''do not open'' all month. A nightlife district popular among expats is '''Blok M''' in [[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]], or more specifically the single lane of Jl. Palatehan 1 just north of the bus terminal, packed with pubs and bars geared squarely towards single male Western visitors. While lacking the bikini-clad go-go dancers of [[Bangkok/Silom|Patpong]], the meat market atmosphere is much the same with poor country girls turned prostitute. Blok M is easily accessible as the southern terminus of BRT Line 1. For a more off-the-beaten track experience, head a few blocks south to Jl. Melawai 6 (''opposite Plaza Blok M''), Jakarta's de-facto '''Little Japan''' with lots of Japanese restaurants, bars and karaoke bars. If you prefer to mingle with Koreans, go south to Jalan Wijaya. Plaza Senayan's '''Arcadia''' annex attempts to duplicate the concept, but with more of an emphasis on fine dining. The Kemang area in [[Jakarta/South|southern Jakarta]] is popular with expats and locals alike so it has numerous places to eat, drink and dance. Or if you want to keep it sober, '''bubble tea cafes''' and '''coffee shops''' are popping up sporadically, especially in North and West Jakarta, and most major malls. No jamming music and (mostly) no alcohol, but still a good place to hang out. '''Coffee''' aficionados can rejoice as some of the best beans in the world hail from Indonesia, and they can easily be found from stands on the street to dedicated coffee shops and even the sachets at the supermarket. They are usually priced from Rp30,000 per cup while powdered coffee are sold from Rp15,000. Co-working spaces are also starting to expand their business into making a coffee shop which caters mostly for workers in the city. ==Sleep== {{seeDistricts}} {{sleeppricerange|Less than Rp500,000|Rp500,000-1,000,000|More than Rp1,000,000}} [[File:Hotel Indonesia, photographed at dusk; December 2014.jpg|thumb|''Hotel Indonesia'', Jakarta's [[grand old hotel]] and still a local landmark, now operated by Kempinski]] The travel agencies at Jakarta's airport can have surprisingly good rates for mid-range and above hotels. Star ratings are reserved for midrange and better hotels, while budget places have "Melati" rankings from 1-3 (best). Tax and service charges of 21% are usually added to the bill. * '''Budget''', hostels (''losmen'') can be found around '''Jalan Jaksa''', which is close to the Gambir station, for as low as Rp30,000 per night! Or '''Kwitang''' area offer low cost but filthy hotel for Rp50,000 to Rp150,000. Hotels around '''Cikini''' has better room to offer for Rp300,000 to Rp 400,000. Another choice is hotels around '''Mangga Besar''', a street with a wide variety of hotels, clubs, restaurants and low class spas. Elsewhere, look for brands such as '''favehotel''', '''amaris''', and '''ibis budget'''. * '''Mid-range''' are easily found at all parts of Jakarta, from independents to chain brands such as all Accor Group hotels but Pullman. * '''Splurge''', Jakarta has more than its fair share of luxury hotels, and after the prolonged post-crash hangover new ones are now going up again. Many remain good value by world prices, but opulent lobbies do not always correspond to the same quality in the room. Mostly found within the business strips of '''Sudirman-Thamrin''' and '''Rasuna Said'''. Jakarta is a business destination, so rates are often lower on the weekends. During the Eid holiday season, Jakarta empties out and there are some great deals to be had. For stays longer than 2½–3 weeks, monthly rental rooms (called ''kost'') and apartments are a good alternative to budget and mid-range hotels, respectively. Fully-furnished rooms (with TV, air-con, large bed, hot shower, kitchen outside) can be rented for 1½-4 million rupiah per month. In most cases, the rental fee already includes electricity and water usage, and often there are additional services included like laundry, Internet access, breakfast, etc. There are cheaper rooms as well (starting from Rp500,000-700,000), but those are usually small, windowless, and the furniture includes just a bed or even nothing at all. Also, some cheaper places are exclusively for either men or women (no opposite-sex tenants or visitors allowed); many others allow couples to stay together only if they're legally married. For apartments (one or more rooms + private kitchen + often balcony), prices are Rp3-4 million and up. Cheaper rates can be obtained in some places which are oriented to the long-term rental (3, 6 months or 1 year minimum); however, there may be same limitations as for cheaper rooms. Short term room rentals services such as ''Airbnb'' can be an option for those on the budget. == Stay safe == A number of high-profile terror attacks in 2003, 2004, and 2009 have led to the city beefing up its security presence. An attack in 2016 specifically targeted foreigners, killing four. However, given the scale and population of the city, terror attacks are exceedingly rare and wayward traffic is a much more realistic threat. Security continues to be highly visible in the city, although checks are generally light and act more as a first layer of defense (that actively helped save lives in the 2016 attack). You'll spot many x-ray machines and people waving metal-detection wands in offices, malls and transportation infrastructure. By and large, your stay in Jakarta should not be problematic as long as you use common sense. While theft and robbery seem common, they are highly unlikely to happen in the crowded Sudirman streets, but much more likely at night in the less economically fortunate areas such as in the East, or in residential areas in the suburbs. It is generally better to use a car, or the Transjakarta and commuter trains if you opt for public transit. Women are even entitled to a dedicated seating area or car on these routes! {{infobox|The City that Definitely Sleeps|Jakarta operates on a different timetable to many other countries. Early birds wake up around 04:00 to 05:00, schoolchildren and workers leave home by 06:00, and the day begins around 07:00 or 08:00. Likewise, dinner starts early at 18:00 to 19:00, and people head home by 21:00 or 22:00 at the latest. This means the streets tend to be much more quiet leading up to midnight than you might expect elsewhere around the world. At best, major streets may still be have a few stalls and business areas may still have people going home late. Most shops close around 21:00, with whole malls closing down at 22:00 (with the exception of dedicated late-night eateries and bars). The MRT, Transjakarta and commuter trains run until 23:00 or midnight. Properly-licensed taxis are the easiest and safest way to get around after the city goes to sleep. Take this into account when returning home late after a day out. }} Strict gun control laws make Jakarta safer, leaving '''theft''' and '''robbery''' as day-to-day concerns. Violence is low, and most criminal acts are done by stealth or intimidation rather than lethal force. It is rare for serious injuries to occur during these situations, although there are exceptions. If the theft is done by stealth, simply catching the thief in the act will cause him to run away. For intimidation such as robberies, simply giving them an object of value will usually satisfy the thief, who will leave without further ado. Most Indonesians are also very protective of their neighbors and friends; in many neighborhoods, a thief caught by the local residents will be punished "traditionally" before being taken to police. Shout for help ("Tolong!") or robber ("Maling!") to get yourself away from this. Be on your guard in crowded places such as markets, because pickpockets often steal wallets and cellular phones. Do as the locals do, and carry your backpack on your chest when you see others do the same. Business travelers need to keep a close eye on laptops, which have been known to disappear even from within office buildings. For all-night party excursions, it may be wise to keep your cab waiting; the extra cost is cheap and it's worth it for the security. Lock your car doors and windows, and show no cellular phones or wallets on the dashboard. Organised criminals sometimes operate on the streets (especially at traffic lights) without fearing crowds. === Protests === Indonesians are fiercely protective of their right to protest, which proved critical in establishing its democracy in 1998, when citizens (particularly students) descended upon the streets, with significant damage to the city and killing thousands in the process. Today, as a dense concentration of 30 million citizens in its metro area representing one of the world's largest democracies, Jakarta sees regular protests of all sorts. Most protests are rowdy yet organised events, taking place around government offices. Visitors will see their impact from miles away as they cause congestion in the already congested traffic, but they're also decorated with large banners, flags and posters. Protesters generally don't interact with others around them, although given the tight streets and sidewalks, beware of getting swept away or separated in a march. During larger protests, entire roads or areas may be cordoned off by police. There is always a police presence of some sort at these events, so follow their directions. Transjakarta, rail and metro services will also know in advance and announcements may be displayed in stations. Taxi companies also broadcast this information to their drivers. When in doubt, do like an Indonesian and simply ask a nearby uniformed person and ask if there's a disruption going on. Protests tend to take a turn for the chaotic once night falls and the bulk of protesters leave to return to their families. Most protests end right around nightfall (about 18:00), but if a one extends into the night, it would be prudent to give it a wide berth. ==Stay healthy== Tap water in Jakarta is '''not''' drinkable, unless it's boiled or purified and the water is supplied by [http://www.aetra.co.id/ PT. Aetra Air Jakarta] through the city water supply. It is generally fine for a bath or a toothbrush session, though. Bottled water is cheap, up to Rp5,000, and for safety reasons it is better to '''buy it from minimarts''', rather than from street vendors. If you're staying for extended periods, you can also obtain gallon-sized water containers. Ensure the tamper proof seal is intact. Jakarta's air quality is poor, especially during the dry season. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors near the streets (especially in less central areas, where you may be meters from passing cars and motorbikes, without a proper sidewalk) it's wise to do like many Indonesians and wear a mask. You can obtain masks from pharmacies or convenience stores; ask for a "motorbike mask" if necessary. Keep an eye on air quality through weather apps if you're sensitive to air quality, as it may vary depending on where you are in the city. There is a law against smoking in public places in Jakarta, and the smoker can (in theory) be fined up to US$5,000. You may see the signs threatening a fine (''denda'') of Rp50 million or 6 months jail for smoking, although that law seems not to be enforced, as locals still smoke everywhere on the street and even in local buses, as anywhere in Indonesia. It's generally prohibited to smoke, however, inside shops, offices, hotel, and air-conditioned buildings generally. If in doubt, you can ask locals: ''Boleh merokok''? Diarrhea, food poisoning, and typhoid fever is common in Jakarta, so it's wise to prepare yourself with antidiarrheal and activated carbon, and always bring hand sanitizer. Spot your nearest hospital or clinic with 24 hours emergency service before deciding where to sleep. A visit to general practitioner will roughly cost you Rp50.000 to Rp150.000. While attending a specialist or going to hospital will cost you around Rp200.000-Rp500.000. ==Connect== ===Telephone=== The area code for Jakarta and the metropolitan area is '''021'''. You do not need to dial the area code if you are calling another number within the same area using a landline. Drop the 0 prefix when calling from elsewhere in Indonesia. ''Wartel'' or telephone shops are ubiquitous on the streets of Jakarta, but are gradually disappearing because of the booming of mobile phones. If you wish to avoid the exorbitant roaming fees (or need to make a lot of calls), you can buy a new phone in small stalls for Rp120,000-150,000 plus your mobile number's balance, while the card itself is relatively cheap or free. Coverage is generally great at most spots. Public phones can still be commonly seen on the sidewalk. If you see a public telephone, lift the receiver and check the number in the display near the keypad. If the number is not 000, don't insert coins, because the phone is broken. They usually are, but they're very cheap (just Rp100 per minute) when they do work. ===Internet=== If you have your own laptop you may be able to access wifi networks in shopping malls, park, and government building. Ask at the information desk for access codes, but usually the speed is bad. Free hotspots are also available at restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores. Most hotels also provide wifi hotspots in their public area or in their rooms, either free or paid—inquire before booking. Internet cafes are available in most parts of the city, especially around universities, residential areas, and most shopping malls, for Rp4,000-10,000 per hour. While the cheap ones will have slow dial-up connections, others offer broadband high speed capabilities, usually used by the youngsters for online gaming. If you are keen on using the internet for long hours, try to get the "happy hour" deals, where for up to Rp30,000, you can browse the Internet as long as you want. All providers in Jakarta have 4G LTE, but the signals are only good in business triangle areas (Sudirman, HR Rasuna Said and Gatot Subroto); in other areas, the signal flips between 4G LTE, HSDPA, and 3G, or is mostly 3G. For more general information, see [[Indonesia#Internet|Internet in Indonesia]]. For alternative, try to find '''wifi.id''' for reliable connection in public space or big building. They will charge you Rp5.000 from your mobile phone credit for full day connectivity. ===Post=== Post is provided by the state-owned '''Pos Indonesia''', open during business hours only. They do not have mailboxes but have mobile counters in a van, or you can just go to the post office. Major freight companies such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS also offer drop by package delivery, albeit through a third-party service. Gojek and Grab also offer door-to-door delivery service within their app if you only need to send something light and quick (maximum 5 kg), for which the price depends on distance rather than weight. TIKI, JNE, or J&T are reliable for bulk or inter-city delivery. ===Emergency=== Jakarta's emergency services are the best in Indonesia. Many hospitals have 24-hour emergency rooms, but equipment may not be as advanced as their international counterparts. The international emergency number {{phone|112}} does work and will channel you to the respective services you need. * {{listing | name=Fire | phone=113 }} * {{listing | name=Ambulance | phone=118 }} * {{listing | name=Police | phone=110 }} * {{listing | name=Search and rescue team | phone=115 }} * {{listing | name=Indonesian Police HQ | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl. Trunojoyo 3, South Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 7218144 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Jakarta Police HQ | address=Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. 45, South Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 5709261 }} * {{listing | name=Child abuse | phone=1-500-771 (in country only) }} * Hospitals with 24-hour emergency room UGD (ER): see the Jakarta district pages. ==Cope== ===Media=== Jakarta is the centre of Indonesia's media. Most news is actually sourced from Jakarta. English-language publications are starting to make their way into newsstands. *'''[http://www.thejakartapost.com The Jakarta Post]'''. Indonesia's English-language paper of record. *'''[http://www.thejakartaglobe.com The Jakarta Globe]''' In a tabloid format. Provides more lifestyle content. *'''[https://en.tempo.co Tempo English Edition]''' Weekly hard news magazine. *'''[http://whatsnewjakarta.com/ What's New Jakarta]''' is a lifestyle website full of food and event listings. Suitable for long-term visitors State-owned TV station TVRI has an English news broadcast every day at 17:00, and MetroTV Tuesday-Saturday at 01:00. MetroTV has Metro XinWen for news in Mandarin Chinese. ===Immigration office=== The General Directorate of Immigration (Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav.X-6 Kuningan-Jakarta Selatan) provides visas, re-entry permits and many other immigration services. ===Embassies and consulates=== The ''Kementerian Luar Negeri'' (Kemlu) or [https://kemlu.go.id/portal/en/page/29/kedutaan_konsulat Ministry of Foreign Affairs] maintains a complete searchable database of diplomatic institutions. The embassies are located in Jakarta; some consulates general and honorary consulates are located in other cities such as Surabaya and Denpasar. This list may not be complete. {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Afghanistan}} {{listing | name=Afghanistan | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Doktor Kusuma Atmaja 15 | lat=-6.20124 | long=106.82973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143169 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31935390 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107557497 | content= }} * {{flag|Algeria}} {{listing | name=Algeria | alt= | url=http://emb-algeria.org/ | email=ambalyak@rad.net.id | address=Jl H. R. Rasuna Said Kav. 10-11 | lat=-6.23 | long=106.8337 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5254719 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q100269337 | content= }} * {{flag|Argentina}} {{listing | name=Argentina | alt= | url=https://eisia.cancilleria.gob.ar/ | email= | address=Menara Thamrin R. 1602 Jl Muhammad Thamrin, Kav. 3. 16th Floor Suite 1602 | lat=-6.1856 | long=106.82219 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2303061 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 2303962 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107557649 | content= }} * {{flag|Armenia}} {{listing | name=Armenia | alt= | url=http://www.indonesia.mfa.am | email=armindonesiaembassy@mfa.am | address=Jl Denpasar II No. 49 | lat=-6.22925 | long=106.82997 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5276549 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5276549 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107558126 | content= }} * {{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url=http://www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/jakt/home.html | email= | address=Jl H.R. Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16 | lat=-6.23209 | long=106.83409 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25505555 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25505467 | hours= | price= | wikipedia= |wikidata=Q48734360 | content= }} * {{flag|Austria}} {{listing | name=Austria | alt= | url=https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-jakarta/ | email=jakarta-ob@bmeia.gv.at | address=Jl Terusan Denpasar Raya Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.2017 | long=106.8397 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2593037 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 52920651 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104717403 | content= }} * {{flag|Azerbaijan}} {{listing | name=Azerbaijan | alt= | url=https://jakarta.mfa.gov.az | email=jakarta@mission.mfa.gov.az | address=Jl. Karang Asem Tengah Blok C-5 No. 20 | lat=-6.2264 | long=106.8295 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2555 4408 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 2555 4409 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12836909 | content= }} * {{flag|Bangladesh}} {{listing | name=Bangladesh | alt= | url=http://www.bdembassyjakarta.org | email= | address=Jl Denpasar Raya No. 3, Block A-13 Kav 10, Kuningan | lat=-6.23736 | long=106.83991 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5251986 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q83584132 | content= }} * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium | alt= | url=http://indonesia.diplomatie.belgium.be | email=jakarta@diplobel.fed.be | address=Deutsche Bank Building - 16th floor, Jl Imam Bonjol 80 | lat=-6.1957 | long=106.8244 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3162030 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3162035 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104551751 | content= }} * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | alt= | url=http://jacarta.itamaraty.gov.br | email= | address=Jl Jenderal Gatot Subroto, 12190 | lat=-6.23432 | long=106.8222 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5265656 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5265659 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q10272255 | content= }} * {{flag|Brunei}} {{listing | name=Brunei | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/indonesia-jakarta | email=kbjindo@cbn.net.id | address=Jl. Teuku Umar No. 51, Menteng, Central Jakarta 10310 | lat=-6.23386 | long=106.83557 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3190 6080 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3190 5070 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107559517 | content= }} * {{flag|Cambodia}} {{listing | name=Cambodia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Kintamani Raya C-15 No. 33 | lat=-6.27774 | long=106.82604 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520-1373, +62 21 919-2895 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560073 | content= }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | alt= | url=https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/indonesia-indonesie/index.aspx | email=canadianembassy.jkrta@international.gc.ca | address=World Trade Centre I, 6th Floor Jl Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31 | lat=-6.2153 | long=106.8204 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25507800 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25507811 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104382964 | content= }} * {{flag|Chile}} {{listing | name=Chile | alt= | url=https://chile.gob.cl/indonesia | email=emchijak@indosat.net.id | address=Bina Mulia Building I, 7th floor, Jl H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 10 | lat=-6.19913 | long=106.82362 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2521982 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5201955 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560121 | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China (PRC) | alt= | url=http://id.china-embassy.org | email=chinaemb_id@mfa.gov.cn | address=Jl Mega Kuningan No.2, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.225556 | long=106.825556 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761039 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761034 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q97636046 | content= }} * {{flag|Colombia}} {{listing | name=Colombia | alt= | url=https://indonesia.embajada.gov.co | email=ejakarta@cancilleria.gov.co | address=Jl Jend Sudirman Kav. 47-48, South Jakarta Central Plaza Building 12th Floor | lat=-6.20124 | long=106.82973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 57903560 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 52905217 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560270 | content= }} * {{flag|Cuba}} {{listing | name=Cuba | alt= | url=http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/en/indonesia/embassy-cuba-indonesia | email=cubaindo@cbn.net.id | address=Jl. Logam Blok D/ No. 58, Permata Hijau, Jakarta 12210 | lat=-6.2181 | long=106.78824 | directions= | phone=+62 21 548 5902 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 532 8174 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107567604 | content= }} * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Czech Republic | alt= | url=https://www.mzv.cz/jakarta | email=jakarta@embassy.mzv.cz | address=Gereja Theresia 20, Menteng | lat=-6.19115 | long=106.82776 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3904075 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 336282 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107033727 | content= }} * {{flag|Denmark}} {{listing | name=Denmark | alt= | url=https://indonesien.um.dk | email=jktamb@um.dk | address=Jl Mega Kuningan Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761478 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761535 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105959028 | content= }} * {{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name=Egypt | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.eg/english/embassies/egyptian_embassy_jakarta/Pages/default.aspx | email=embassyofegypt.jakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl Teuku Umar No. 68, Menteng | lat=-6.19701 | long=106.83247 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143440 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3145073 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107568011 | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finland | alt= | url=https://finlandabroad.fi/web/idn | email=sanomat.jak@formin.fi | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761631 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105959052 | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | type=listing | name=France | alt= | url=https://id.ambafrance.org/ | email= | address=Jalan M. H. Thamrin 20, Jakarta 10350 | lat=-6.196632 | long=106.822348 | directions= | phone=+62 21 23557600 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 23557601 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2841750 | content=French Embassy }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany | alt= | url=https://jakarta.diplo.de | email=germany@rad.net.id | address=Jl MH. Thamrin No. 1 Gondangdia Menteng Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.19681 | long=106.82368 | directions= | phone=+62 21 39855000 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3901757 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q31886708 | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | alt= | url=https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/indonesia.html | email=grembas@cbn.net.id | address=Jl HR. Rasuna Said Kav X-7 No.6 Karet Kuningan Setiabudi Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.21793 | long=106.83046 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5207776 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5207753 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107578047 | content= }} * {{flag|Hungary}} {{listing | name=Hungary | alt= | url=https://jakarta.mfa.gov.hu/ | email=mission.jkt@mfa.gov.hu, consulate.jkt@mfa.gov.hu | address=Jl HR. Rasuna Said Kav. X/3 Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.235417 | long=106.827417 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 3459 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 3461 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q63750070 | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India | alt= | url=https://www.indianembassyjakarta.gov.in/ | email=eoiisi@indo.net.id | address=Jl Besakih Kav S-1, | lat=-6.234 | long=106.8294 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5204150 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5204160 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q73101745 | content= }} * {{flag|Iran}} {{listing | name=Iran | alt= | url=https://indonesia.mfa.gov.ir | email=irembjkt@indo.net.id | address=Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto No. 110, Menteng, Central Jakarta | lat=-6.2005 | long=106.82782 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3193-1378, +62 21 3193-1391, +62 21 3193-4637 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 310-7860 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107579223 | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | alt= | url=https://ambjakarta.esteri.it | email=ambasciata.jakarta@esteri.it | address=Jl Diponegoro No. 45, Menteng - Central Jakarta | lat=-6.2009 | long=106.8401 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31937445 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31937422 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105061836 | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | alt= | url=https://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp | email= | address=Jl M.H. Thamrin 24, Central Jakarta | lat=-6.191611 | long=106.822417 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31924308 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31925460 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q44981967 | content= }} * {{flag|Jordan}} {{listing | name=Jordan | alt= | url=https://www.jordanembassy.or.id | email=jordanem@cbn.net.id | address=Jl Kawasan Sudirman Central Business District 10270 | lat=-6.22464 | long=106.81107 | directions= | phone=+62 21 7248843 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107593551 | content= }} * {{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=Republic of Korea | alt= | url=https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/id-id/index.do | email= | address=Jl Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav. 57 | lat=-6.23943 | long=106.83288 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5201915 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636645 | content= }} * {{flag|North Korea}} {{listing | name=Democratic People's Republic of Korea | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Teluk Betung No. 2 | lat=-6.203056 | long=106.827389 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31908425, +62 21 31908437 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q95593121 | content= }} * {{flag|Laos}} {{listing | name=Lao People's Democratic Republic | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Patra Kuningan XIV No. 1A, Kuningan | lat=-6.22989 | long=106.83546 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5229602 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107605839 | content= }} | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Malaysia}} {{listing | name=Malaysia | alt= | url=https://www.kln.gov.my/web/idn_jakarta | email=maljakarta@kln.gov.my | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said 1-3 Kav X-6 | lat=-6.22471 | long=106.83223 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5224947 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5224974 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107607172 | content= }} *{{flag|Marshall Islands}} {{listing | name=Marshall Islands | url= | email= | address=Jl Pangeran Jayakarta No. 115 Blok A-11, Central Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 6249054 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Myanmar}} {{listing | name=Myanmar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Haji Agus Salim No. 109, Menteng | lat=-6.19394 | long=106.82543 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3140440, +62 21 31927684 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107608324 | content= }} * {{flag|Netherlands}} {{listing | name=The Netherlands | alt= | url=https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/indonesia/about-us/embassy-in-jakarta | email=jak@minbuza.nl | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said Kav.S-3, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.2345 | long=106.8285 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5248200 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5200734 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q38086932 | content= }} * {{flag|New Zealand}} {{listing | name=New Zealand | alt= | url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/asia/indonesia/new-zealand-embassy-and-mission-to-asean/ | email=nzembjak@cbn.net.id | address=Jl Asia Afrika No. 8 Gelora Bung Karno - Central Jakarta Sentral Senayan 2 10th Floor | lat=-6.221527 | long=106.798079 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5709460 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5709457 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q76392295 | content= }} * {{flag|Nigeria}} {{listing | name=Nigeria | alt= | url=https://www.nigerian-embassy.com/ng/Nigeria-in-Jakarta | email=nigembjkt@yahoo.co.id | address=Jl. Denpasar Raya Blok A-13 No. 3 Kuningan Timur, South Jakarta | lat=-6.23399 | long=106.82769 | directions= | phone=+62 21 526 0922, +62 21 526 0923, +62 21 5296 4261 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 526 0924 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107594936 | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Norway | alt= | url=https://www.norway.no/en/indonesia | email=emb.jakarta@mfa.no | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761523 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 576 1537 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q106357020 | content= }} * {{flag|Pakistan}} {{listing | name=Pakistan | alt= | url=https://pakembjakarta.org | email=pakembassyjakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl. Mega Kuningan Barat Blok E.3.9 Kav. 5-8 Mega Kuningan - South Jakarta | lat=-6.23126 | long=106.82573 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5785 1836, +62 21 5785 1837 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5785 1645 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107622823 | content= }} * {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} {{listing | name=Papua New Guinea | alt= | url= | email= | address=Panin Bank Centre, 6th Floor, Jl Jenderal Sudirman No. 1 | lat=-6.22802 | long=106.79973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 7251218 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107625925 | content= }} * {{flag|Philippines}} {{listing | name=The Phillipines | alt= | url=https://jakartape.dfa.gov.ph | email= | address=Jl Imam Bonjol No. 6-8, Menteng | lat=-6.199528 | long=106.830444 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3100334 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q96377189 | content= }} * {{flag|Poland}} {{listing | name=Poland | alt= | url=https://www.gov.pl/web/indonezja | email=dzakarta.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl | address=Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav.X Blok IV/3, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23349 | long=106.83038 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25 25 938 40 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25 25 958 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | wikidata=Q16528151 | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | alt= | url=http://jakarta.mae.ro | email=jakarta@mae.ro | address=42A, Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro, Menteng | lat=-6.19806 | long=106.8368 | directions= | phone=+62 21 390 04 89, +62 21 310 62 40 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 310 62 41 | hours=M-F 9:00-17:00 | price= | wikidata=Q106844842 | lastedit=2021-12-03 | content=Also covers as the embassy of Romania for [[East Timor]]. }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | alt= | url=https://indonesia.mid.ru | email=rusemb.indonesia@gmail.com | address=Jl Hr Rasuna Said Kav X7 No 1-2 Setia Budi, Kuningan | lat=-6.22042 | long=106.83114 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5222912 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5222916 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107558160 | content= }} * {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} {{listing | name=Saudi Arabia | alt= | url=https://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/indonesia | email= | address=Jl MT Haryono Kav. 27, Cawang, Jakarta Timur | lat=-6.21193 | long=106.82985 | directions= | phone=+62 21 8011533 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3905864 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q28715477 | content= }} * {{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | alt= | url=https://www.mfa.gov.sg/jkt | email= | address=Jl H. R. Rasuna Said Blok X/4 Kav. No. 2, Kuningan | lat=-6.23399 | long=106.82769 | directions= | phone=+62 21 52961433, +62 21 5201489 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107595041 | content= }} * {{flag|Serbia}} {{listing | name=The Republic of Serbia | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta.mfa.gov.rs | email=embjakarta@serbian-embassy.org | address=Jl H.O.S Cokroaminoto 109, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.20116 | long=106.82835 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143560, +62 21 3143720, +62 21334157 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 314 3613 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636374 | content= }} * {{flag|South Africa}} {{listing | name=South Africa | alt= | url=http://www.dirco.gov.za/jakarta/ | email= | address=Wisma GKBI, 7th Floor, Suite 705, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 28 | lat=-6.21737 | long=106.81293 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5740660 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q106614884 | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | alt= | url=http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Yakarta | email=embespid@mail.mae.es | address=Jl H Agus Salim 61 Menteng Jakarta Pusat 10350 | lat=-6.1873 | long=106.8254 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31935940 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31935134 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q61998981 | content= }} * {{flag|Sri Lanka}} {{listing | name=Sri Lanka | alt= | url=http://srilankaembassyjakarta.com | email= | address=Jl Diponegoro No. 70, Menteng | lat=-6.19993 | long=106.84521 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3141018, +62 21 3161886, +62 213190-2389 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636691 | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Sweden | alt= | url=https://www.swedenabroad.se/sv/utlandsmyndigheter/indonesien-jakarta/ | email=ambassaden.jakarta@foreign.ministry.se | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22715 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25535900 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5762691 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18333518 | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland | alt= | url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/jakarta | email=vertretung@jak.rep.admin.ch | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said 2, Kav X3 12710 | lat=-6.2351 | long=106.8279 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5256061 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5202289 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q101246820 | content= }} * {{flag|Syria}} {{listing | name=Syria | alt= | url= | email=syrembjakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl. Karang Asem I No. 8, Kuningan Raya, Jakarta 12950 | lat=-6.22722 | long=106.83101 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 4117, +62 21 525 5991, +62 21 520 1641 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 2511 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637268 | content= }} * {{flag|Republic of China}} {{listing | name=Taipei Economic and Trade Office | alt= | url=http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ID | email= | address=Gedung Artha Graha, 12th Floor(Service Division) and 17th Floor Sudirman Centre Business District Jl Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52-53 | lat=-6.224722 | long=106.810833 | directions= | phone=+62 21 515-3939, +62 215151111 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16901068 | content= }} * {{flag|East Timor}} {{listing | name=Timor Leste | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gedung Surya 11th Floor, Jl. M.H.Thamrin Kav. 9 | lat=-6.21369 | long=106.82017 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3902678, +62 21 3902679 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637578 | content= }} *{{flag|Thailand}} {{listing | name=Thailand | alt= | url=http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com | email= | address=JI. DR Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung kav.NO. 3.3 (Lot 8.8), Kawasan Mega Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23183 | long=106.82818 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3904052 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637542 | content= }} * {{flag|Turkey}} {{listing | name=Turkey | alt= | url=http://jakarta.emb.mfa.gov.tr | email=jakarta.embassy@mfa.gov.tr | address=Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav. 1, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23607 | long=106.82856 | directions= | phone=+62 21 525 6250 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 522 6056 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q79611181 | content= }} * {{flag|Ukraine}} {{listing | name=Ukraine | alt= | url=http://indonesia.mfa.gov.ua/ | email=emb_id@mfa.gov.ua | address=Generali Tower – Gran Rubina Business Park, 16th floor. Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta 12940 | lat=-6.219738 | long=106.830881 | directions= | phone=+62 21 250 0801 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12142686 | content= }} * {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} {{listing | name=United Arab Emirates | alt= | url= | email=jakartaemb@mofaic.gov.ae | address=Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio, Blok C-4, Kav. 16-17, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.225872 | long=106.830788 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 6518, +62 21 520 6528, +62 21 650 6538 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 6526 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q81896011 | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | alt= | url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-jakarta | email=Consulate.Jakarta@fco.gov.uk | address=Jl. Patra Kuningan Raya Blok L5-6 | lat=-6.23085 | long=106.83449 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2356 5200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= |wikidata=Q25052258 | content= }} * {{flag|United States}} {{listing | name=United States of America | alt= | url=https://id.usembassy.gov/ | email= | address=Jl Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 5, Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.18136 | long=106.83092 | directions= | phone=+62 21 34359000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5369957 | content= }} * {{flag|Venezuela}} {{listing | name=Venezuela | alt= | url= | email=evenjakt@cbn.net.id | address=Menara Mulia, 20th Floor, Suite 2005, Jl. Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav. 9-11, Jakarta 12930 | lat=-6.23499 | long=106.82342 | directions= | phone=+62 21 522 7548, +62 21 522 7549 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 522 7547 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107642300 | content= }} * {{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | name=Vietnam | alt= | url=https://vietnamembassy-indonesia.org/ | email= | address=Jl Teuku Umar No. 25, Menteng | lat=-6.19327 | long=106.83364 | directions= | phone=+62 21 9100163, +62 21 3100358 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107642397 | content= }} |} ==Go next== ===Within the metropolitan area:=== The fun does not end in Jakarta, but well beyond its satellite cities! *[[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] &mdash; administratively a part of Jakarta, but it is the complete opposite of the hectic mainland: an island escape with sprawling resorts and nature reserves. *[[Bogor]] &mdash; a sense of nature one hour away, where you can tuck yourself away in its botanic gardens or golf courses. *[[Puncak]] &mdash; cooler climate, beautiful view of the mountains and tea plantations, restaurants, as well as the Taman Safari Wildlife Park. *[[Tangerang]] &mdash; a thriving area for premium residents and opulent malls, especially to its south. *[[Depok]] &mdash; a budget style city with adequate facilities because of the nearby University of Indonesia. *[[Bekasi]] &mdash; home to Jakarta's big industry companies and an increasingly bustling city. ===A bit further off=== * A 3-hour drive using the tollway leads into the [[Merak]] Port at the western end of Java, where you can continue your journey by ferry to [[Sumatra]] island for 1½ hours. * [[Anyer]] is an upscale resort beach 4 hours away from Jakarta, but if you want a less crowded option, the [[Carita Beach]] is just a short drive away from there. * [[Pulau Umang]], an island resort to itself, is midway between Carita Beach and Ujung Kulon National Park. * [[Ujung Kulon National Park]] &mdash; a beautiful national park 5 hours away, featuring the endangered ''single-horn rhinoceros''. * [[Bandung]] &mdash; 3 hours away from Jakarta, it's a budget style city famous for both food and bargain fashions. * For a tropical island hype (without the resorts) and an instant escape from the hectic city, head to [[Belitung]] Island, less than 1 hour away by air. {{geo|-6.19892|106.84170|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Greater Jakarta}} {{Guidecity}} dddi168bgausktek9dj4t77tbgnk6es 4506767 4506719 2022-08-23T10:28:09Z Jpatokal 692 /* Stay healthy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Simpang_Semanggi,_Jakarta_banner.jpg|dotm=yes}} {{printDistricts}} '''Jakarta''' is [[Indonesia]]'s capital and largest city, with about 10 million inhabitants, and a total 30 million in [[Greater Jakarta]] on the [[Java]] island. Dubbed ''The Big Durian'', an equivalent to [[New York City|New York]]'s Big Apple, its concrete jungle, traffic frenzy, and hot polluted air may tempt you to skip the city as fast as possible, but what awaits inside will change your perspective! One of the most bustling and cosmopolitan cities in Asia, the ''J-Town'' has cheerful nightlife, vibrant shopping malls, a variety of foods, refreshing greenery, cultural diversity and a rich history, that caters to all levels of budget and how much fun you want to have. ==Districts== Administratively, Jakarta is a province called the Jakarta Special Capital Region (''Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta''). It is administratively divided into 5 municipalities and 1 regency (the [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] in the Jakarta Bay): {{mapframe|width=500|height=500|-6.2048|106.8359|zoom=11|staticmap=Jakarta Wikivoyage Map PNG.png}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10109|fill=#AC5C91|title=[[Jakarta/Central|Central Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10116|fill=#D56D76|title=[[Jakarta/West|West Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10114|fill=#D5DC76|title=[[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10111|fill=#B5D29F|title=[[Jakarta/East|East Jakarta]]}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q10113|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]]}} {{mapshapes|Q1926929}} <!-- Commuter rail --> {{mapshapes|Q3333785}} <!-- MRT --> {{mapshapes|Q1671143}} <!-- TransJakarta --> {{mapshapes|Q56810702}} <!-- LRT --> {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Jakarta/Central|Central Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Pusat'') | region1color=#AC5C91 | region1items= | region1description=The heart of Jakarta's administration, government and finance, an aptly named district and the site of Jakarta's symbol, the soaring '''Monas''' ('''Mon'''umen '''Nas'''ional) and also the world's largest city square "Lapangan Merdeka". The city is a part of the old Jakarta (''Batavia''), recognisable by the president's palace and the National Museum of Indonesia, both built in the 19th century. Now filled with modern high rises for office buildings, hotels, and shopping centres, this is where most of Jakarta's attractions are, such as the malls, the Tanah Abang garment complex, the Istiqlal mosque, the Cathedral, and the Bung Karno Sports Stadium. | region2name=[[Jakarta/West|West Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Barat'') | region2color=#D56D76 | region2items= | region2description=This site is also part of the Old Batavia. It is home to the '''Glodok''' area (Jakarta's Chinatown) which is rich in [[street food|street hawker food]], Chinese restaurants, and temple complexes, and contains Jakarta's electronic promenade. West Jakarta is also a major destination for shopping, as it is home to a lane of upscale malls at S. Parman and cheap shopping lanes at Mangga Dua. This area is also home to Jakarta's biggest nightlife entertainment and red light district "Mangga Besar". | region3name=[[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Selatan'') | region3color=#D5DC76 | region3items= | region3description=Jakarta's middle/upper class residential area, and part of Jakarta's business centre. Here you can find upscale shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, bustling nightlife and entertainment, Blok M, Senayan sports complex, and affluent residential areas. The Kemang area is very popular among expats and locals for its nightlife and entertainment. | region4name=[[Jakarta/East|East Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Timur'') | region4color=#B5D29F | region4items= | region4description=The city's industrial quarter and the most populous city within Jakarta. The location of '''[[Taman Mini Indonesia Indah]]''' (where you can see parts of Indonesia's multiethnic community in one big park), some golf courses, Cibubur camping ground, and Jakarta's second airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. | region5name=[[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]] (''Jakarta Utara'') | region5color=#71B37B | region5items= | region5description= Jakarta's main harbour area and the real home of the old Batavia. A small area consisting of Dutch buildings and harbor, its streets are thronged with hawker food, crafted goods, street performers, artists and Jakartan youths hanging around. This is also the location of '''Ancol Bayfront City''', Asia's largest integrated tourism area. The beautiful '''[[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]]''' (Kepulauan Seribu), accessible by boat from North Jakarta's dock, is an instant escape from the hectic city with its beautiful beaches, marine parks, and world-class resorts. }} '''Satellite cities''': The Jakarta megalopolis of 30 million inhabitants includes Jakarta and the following satellite cities: * [[Bogor]] - One of the primary destinations to escape from Jakarta, with well-kept natural habitats, world class botany garden, resorts, and multiple golf courses * [[Tangerang]] - The airport, many large commercial centres and clustered homes * [[Bekasi]] - Mostly industrial parks * [[Depok]] - Home to the University of Indonesia A common abbreviation to describe the megalopolitan area is ''Jabodetabek'' (''Ja''karta, ''Bo''gor, ''De''pok, ''Ta''ngerang, ''Bek''asi). ===Orientation=== Finding places in Jakarta, especially smaller buildings not on the main arteries, is easier said than done. Sometimes, the same name is used for different streets in different parts of the city, and it's often difficult to find the correct street or address without the postal code/region. A sign with a street name facing you indicates the name of the street you are about to enter, not that of the cross street. Alleys off a main road are often simply notated by Roman numerals, hence a street address like "Jl. Mangga Besar VIII/21" means house number 21 on alley number 8 (VIII) off the main road of Jl. Mangga Besar. Fortunately, there is a logic to the name of the street. Outside of the corridors of high rise offices, you basically can find out on what branch of the street you're on by looking at the name of the streets without the Roman numerals. Most often the name of the area is the same as the name of the street, especially if it also bears the phrase ''Jalan Raya'' or avenues. Knowing this almost takes you there, but gated clusters of houses have their own main roads that do not follow the convention, even though they are branches of a specific street. In that case, knowing the name of the housing cluster would be the best option in addition to the above rules. Conveniently, most navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze are useful for finding addresses and places throughout Jakarta due to regular updates from users. If you don't want to waste time, ask for the description or name of nearby landmarks or buildings, billboards, color of the building or fence, or the postal code. If you still cannot find the address, start asking people on the street, especially ''ojek'' (motorcycle taxi drivers). ==Understand== [[File:Jakarta Skyline Part 2.jpg|thumb|400px|Jakarta Skyline]] Jakarta's nickname among expats is the '''Big Durian''', and like the fruit itself, it's a shock at first sight (and smell): a sweltering, steaming, heaving mass of some 30 million people packed into a vast urban sprawl. The metropolitan area is a magnet for Indonesians, both as a business and a government centre, and the most developed city in the country. But all of this comes at a cost: the city has been struggling ''very'' hard to keep up with the urban growth. Major roads are packed up during rush hours and weekends, sometimes all day during rainy season due to motorcyclists sheltering under the fly-over or the tunnel when it's raining heavily, thus causing additional congestion, while the growth of the public transportation system has been unable to keep up. All that said, while initially a bit overwhelming, if you can withstand the pollution and can afford to indulge in Jakarta's charms, you can discover what is also one of Asia's most exciting, most lively global cities. There is plenty to do in Jakarta, from green parks and historical centres, to cosmopolitan shopping, diverse gourmet choices, and some of the hippest nightlife in Southeast Asia! ===History=== [[File:Jakarta Indonesia Jakarta-History-Museum-01.jpg|thumb|The colonial building that is now the Jakarta History Museum, in West Jakarta.]] The port of {{marker|type=go|name=Sunda Kelapa|lat=-6.117944|long=106.808801}} dates to the 12th century, when it served the Sundanese kingdom of Pajajaran near present-day [[Bogor]]. The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese, who were given permission by the Hindu Kingdom of Pakuan Pajajaran to erect a godown (warehouse) in 1522. Control was still firmly in local hands, and in 1527 the city was conquered by '''Prince Fatahillah''', a Muslim prince from [[Cirebon]], who changed the name to '''Jayakarta'''. By the early 17th century, however, the '''[[Dutch Empire|Dutch]]''' had pretty much taken over the port city, and the razing of a competing English fort in 1619 secured their hold on the island. Under the name '''Batavia''', the new Dutch town became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was known as the ''Queen of the East''. However, the Dutch made the mistake of attempting to replicate Holland by digging canals throughout the malarial swamps in the area, resulting in shockingly high death rates and earning the town the epithet ''White Man's Graveyard''. In the early 1800s most canals were filled in, the town was shifted 4&nbsp;km inland and the ''Pearl of the Orient'' flourished once again. In 1740, Chinese slaves rebelled against the Dutch. The rebellion was put down harshly with the massacre of thousands of Chinese slaves. The survivors were exiled to [[Sri Lanka]]. In 1795, the Netherlands were invaded and occupied by France, and on March 17, 1798, the '''Batavian Republic''', a satellite state of France, took over the VOC's debts and assets. But on August 26, 1811, a British expedition led by Lord Minto defeated the French/Dutch troops in Jakarta, leading to a brief liberation and subsequent administration of Indonesia by the British (led by Sir Stamford Raffles of [[Singapore]] fame) in 1811-1816. In 1815, after the Congress of Vienna, Indonesia was handed over from the British to the Dutch government. The name '''Jakarta''' was adopted as a short form of Jayakarta when the city was conquered by the Japanese in 1942. After the war, the Indonesian war of independence followed, with the capital briefly shifted to [[Yogyakarta]] after the Dutch attacked. The war lasted until 1949, four years after Indonesian Independence, when the Dutch accepted the independence and handed back the town, which became Indonesia's capital again. Since independence, Jakarta's population has skyrocketed, thanks to migrants coming to the city from across the Indonesian archipelago. The entire '''Jabodetabek''' (Jakarta-[[Bogor]]-[[Depok]]-[[Tangerang]]-[[Bekasi]]) metropolitan region is estimated to have a population of about 30 million. ===Climate=== {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 30 | febhigh = 30 | marhigh = 31 | aprhigh = 32 | mayhigh = 33 | junhigh = 32 | julhigh = 32 | aughigh = 33 | sephigh = 33 | octhigh = 33 | novhigh = 32 | dechigh = 31 | janlow = 23 | feblow = 23 | marlow = 24 | aprlow = 24 | maylow = 23 | junlow = 23 | jullow = 22 | auglow = 22 | seplow = 23 | octlow = 23 | novlow = 23 | declow = 23 | janprecip = 402 | febprecip = 284 | marprecip = 219 | aprprecip = 131 | mayprecip = 113 | junprecip = 90 | julprecip = 58 | augprecip = 61 | sepprecip = 64 | octprecip = 101 | novprecip = 128 | decprecip = 204 | description = Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Department has a today & tomorrow forecast on its website in Indonesian }} Jakarta, like the rest of Indonesia, is under the tropical climate classification. It has two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. It is hot and usually humid with little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year. The average temperature is about 28°C (82°F), hot compared to other cities across Indonesia, especially because of the absence of trees in many areas. November to March is the peak of the rainy season, and floods and traffic chaos on many of the streets usually occur. At its worst, floods can result in standstill on the prone spots and takes a few days to subside; canal-widening and cleanings have mitigated the effect substantially and for most major roads, a couple hours is all it takes for the standing water to be wiped out. Even in rainy seasons, the sun usually appears for hours each day. During the transition from rainy to dry season or vice versa (April-May & September-October), there is occasional rain. Sometimes it pours; other times it's not a washout. The good thing is that it cools down the air after a sweltering hot day. The rain is almost always absent from June through August. ===Tourism information=== * {{listing | name="Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Centre | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta-tourism.go.id/ | email= | address=Jakarta Theater Building, Jl. MH. Thamrin No. 9 | lat=-6.1864 | long=106.82137 | directions= | phone=+62 21 314 2067 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2016-11-24| content= }} * {{listing | name="Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Service | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta-tourism.go.id/ | email= | address=Terminal 2D Arrival, [[Soekarno-Hatta International Airport]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 550 7088 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2016-11-24| content= }} ==Talk== {{infobox|How to speak ''prokem'' like a ''Betawi''|The everyday speech of Jakartans (''Betawi'') is liberally laced with slang (''prokem'') expressions. Like any slang, words come in and out of fashion with bewildering rapidity, but some features can be distinguished: * ''f'' becomes ''p'' * ''z'' becomes ''j'' * The prefix ''me-'' for verbs becomes ''ng-'' * The suffixes ''-i'' and ''-kan'' turn into ''-in'' A short glossary of common Jakartan expressions: ; no : tidak &rarr; nggak/kagak/gak/ogah/moh ; I : saya/aku &rarr; gua/gue ; you : kamu/anda &rarr; lu/lo ; sorry : maaf &rarr; maap ; to come up : menaik &rarr; naek ; to take : mengambil &rarr; ngambil ; to look : melihat &rarr; ngeliat ; to use : memakai/menggunakan &rarr; pake/make/ngegunain ; to visit : mengunjungi &rarr; ngunjungin ; what are you doing? : kamu sedang apa? &rarr; ngapain? ; to pay : membayar &rarr; bayar/ngebayar ; how much is it?: berapa harganya? &rarr; berapaan nih? }} As the capital of Indonesia, it is unsurprising that nearly all residents of Jakarta are able to speak [[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]]. However, Jakarta also has its own local language that is known as '''Betawi''', which has a [[Malay phrasebook|Malay]] base but incorporates many loan words from [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]], [[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]], [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] and [[Minnan phrasebook|Hokkien]]. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Jakarta ({{IATA|JKT}}) has two airports with scheduled flights: {{marker|type=go|name=Soekarno-Hatta International Airport|lat=-6.1252|long=106.6597}} ({{IATA|CGK}}) is 20 km northwest of the city in the neighboring city of [[Tangerang]], and handles most commercial flights. This airport, along with transportation options to and from the airport, is covered in a [[Soekarno Hatta International Airport|separate article]]. An express train runs every half hour to Sudirman station right at downtown in one hour for Rp70,000. The state-owned DAMRI buses take you to various major transportation hubs (trains & other buses) routinely, while the JAConnexion buses serves a number of hotels and shopping malls within the metro area for up to Rp50,000. Many hotels are generous enough to offer shuttles from the airport. There is a dedicated tollway that takes you to the city, which should take 45 to 90 minutes. Avoid taking conventional or online taxi in rush hour as it may charge you more than Rp300.000. {{marker|type=go|name=Halim Perdanakusuma Airport|lat=-6.2653|long=106.8856}} ({{IATA|HLP}}) is smaller and much closer to the city (in [[East Jakarta]]), is served by a range of domestic scheduled flights, in addition to its use by the military, VIP flights, charter flights, helicopter leasing companies, and private jets. DAMRI also operates bus services to Rawamangun Bus Terminal; to Pulogebang, Gambir Station, and [[Bekasi]]; and to [[Depok]], [[Bogor]]'s Botany Square, and Soekarno Hatta Airport. There are also taxi services operating here, but avoid taking them inside the airport area. Alternatively, you can use '''Husein Sastranegara International Airport''' ({{IATA|BDO}}), which serves the city of [[Bandung]], 130 km from Jakarta, which features mostly propeller airplanes, and some international flights by jets. However, considering the more limited offering of flight destinations compared to Soekarno-Hatta, and the relatively lengthy and often congested trip between Jakarta and Bandung, this option is not commonly useful. There are coach services, although most of the time you have to transfer between coaches at the respective companies' pools at downtown Bandung before continuing to Jakarta. The trip from Jakarta to Bandung's airport by public transport requires at least 3 hours, often more. ===By train=== [[File:205-142F Mangga Dua.jpg|thumb|Jakarta's commuter train]] The national operator [https://kai.id/'''Kereta Api'''] runs multiple daily trains from other cities in [[Java]] such as [[Bandung]], [[Surabaya]] and [[Yogyakarta]]. Jakarta has several major train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=Gambir|lat=-6.1767|long=106.8306}} in [[Central Jakarta]] is the current main station for long-distance passenger service, especially Executive class trains from most major cities in Java, thus it has the most complete facilities. If you are using a business or economy class train, you will likely stop at either {{marker|type=go|name=Pasar Senen|lat=-6.1745|long=106.8445}}, two blocks away from Gambir, or {{marker|type=go|name=Kota|lat=-6.1376|long=106.8146}} in [[West Jakarta]]. All stations offer connections to local public transportation, including the Transjakarta system. While Jakarta's suburban commuter trains (''KA Commuter Jabodetabek'') do stop at most Jakarta stations, Gambir and Senen are '''not''' included. Get off at {{marker|type=go|name=|lat=-6.2151|long=106.8703}}'''Jatinegara''' station if you wish to connect with the commuter train. ===By bus=== When buying tickets for buses out of Jakarta, you're better off '''buying them at each bus company's booth'''. Do not buy from anywhere outside the booth as the prices are more expensive and the bus they will take you to is questionable. Jakarta has many bus terminals, but not all of them have inter-city services. Look for the sign '''AKAP''' (Antar Kota Antar Provinsi or Inter-city and Inter-Province). Fortunately these terminals are easy to reach. City bus services, as well as airport shuttles, start and end at bus terminals, and busway services stop there too. Even though the listing says the destination the terminal mainly serves, some services may be available to other parts of [[Java]]. * {{listing | type=go | name= Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Lingkar Luar Selatan, East Jakarta | lat=-6.3095 | long=106.8824 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 7.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The busiest terminal for intercity buses. Kampung Rambutan offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across [[Banten]], especially the [[Merak]] port, and the central & southern part of [[Java]] island, such as [[Cianjur]], [[Bandung]], [[Garut]], [[Tasikmalaya]], [[Cilacap]], [[Purwokerto]], [[Yogyakarta]], [[Solo]], and [[Malang]], although buses to major cities across the north may exist. City & intercity buses depart from separate areas. }} * {{listing | type=go | name= Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= Jalan Bekasi Raya, East Jakarta| lat=-6.1832 | long=106.9084 | directions= Use busway lines [[File:TransJakarta roundel 2.svg|20px]] & [[File:TransJakarta roundel 4.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Formerly the second busiest terminal, nowadays Pulo Gadung Terminal only serves buses to Merak, [[Sumatra]], [[Bali]] and [[Lombok]]. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta | lat=-6.2118 | long=106.9524 | directions=Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 11.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q28725669 | content=The new and biggest bus terminal in Southeast Asia. Offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across the northern coast of [[Java]], such as [[Cirebon]], [[Tegal]], [[Pekalongan]], [[Semarang]], and [[Surabaya]], though some operators may also drive you to [[Bandung]]. Some buses even offer routes to [[Bali]] and [[Lombok]] '''together''' after pickup from Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Lebak Bulus Bus Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-6.2894 | long=106.7741 | directions= Use MRT North-South line or busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 8.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not a terminal but only a 100-m² bus stop, as a temporary replacement for the Lebak Bulus Terminal, which nowadays is an MRT station under construction. When the MRT station is completed, it will be integrated with the bus terminal. Service to destinations east of Jakarta, as far as [[East Java]]. }} If you are arriving from Sumatra or taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you will most likely arrive at one of these two terminals: * {{listing | type=go | name= Rawamangun Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= Jalan Perserikatan No. 1 (Jalan Paus), East Jakarta| lat=-6.1978 | long=106.8913 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 4.svg|20px]], but does not stop right at the terminal. The nearest stop is at Pemuda Ramawangun or Velodrome. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Like Pulo Gadung Terminal, only serves buses to Merak, Sumatra, Bali and Lombok. }} * {{listing | type=go | name= Kali Deres Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Daan Mogot KM 16, West Jakarta| lat=-6.1545 | long=106.7058 | directions= Use busway line [[File:TransJakarta roundel 3.svg|20px]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Its location in west Jakarta makes it an optimal stop for buses from [[Sumatra]], although it doesn't have as many as Rawamangun. }} Besides above if you are taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you can arrive at terminals: * Tanjung Priok Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 10 or 12 * Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 7 * Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 8 ===By minibus=== Minibus service (vans for about 8-10 passengers, in Indonesia indicated as "'''travel"''') has taken over the short-distance intercity coach services. Most minibus companies such as '''CitiTrans''', and '''XTrans''' will take you to Jakarta from [[Bandung]] or to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. One-way fares from Bandung are typically Rp150,000 to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The buses will most often not drop you at hotels or bus terminals, but at their own offices or drop-off locations instead. You still can bargain the driver to drop at your desired place with additional price. ===By boat=== The national ferry companies, [https://www.indonesiaferry.co.id/ '''ASDP Indonesia Ferry'''] and [https://www.pelni.co.id '''Pelni'''], operate passenger services from a large number of destinations across the Indonesian archipelago. The main ferry terminal is {{marker|type=go|name=Tanjung Priok|lat=-6.1041|long=106.8818}} port in [[North Jakarta]]. Smaller speedboats, particularly to and from the [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] (''Pulau Seribu''), depart from '''Ancol''' and '''Muara Angke''', also on Jakarta's north shore. There are no international passenger ferries but Pelni operates a weekly service from [[Batam]], a 45-minute ferry ride across the strait from [[Singapore]]. ===By car=== While travelling by car may not be a good idea, it remains perhaps the most convenient way to enter Jakarta. Congestion can extend well past rush hours and a hesitation at any ring road tollway in Jakarta can have a domino effect on other tolls. There are four tollways that terminate in Jakarta: *'''Jakarta-Merak''' cuts through [[Tangerang]] and leads to the western edge of Java, the [[Merak]] port for connections to [[Sumatra]] Island. *'''Jagorawi''' tollway goes south to [[Bogor]] and the [[Puncak]] holiday resorts. *'''Jakarta-Cikampek''' goes east via [[Bekasi]] and [[Karawang]] and continues to [[Bandung]] or all the way towards [[Central Java]]. *The short '''Jakarta-Serpong''' toll road connects Jakarta to [[South Tangerang]]. An '''odd-even license plate scheme''' is in effect for the first three tollways inbound towards Jakarta on weekdays 06:00-10:00, but is enforced only at selected on-ramps. Under the system, only odd-numbered plates may enter the road on odd dates, and even-numbered plates on even dates. Only an electronic payment card is accepted. ==Get around== Getting around Jakarta is, more often than not, problematic. The city layout is Darwinistic and bewildering with horrendous traffic jams (''macet'' "MAH-chet") slowing the city to a crawl during rush hour, and the ever-expanding public transportation is still inadequate enough to relieve the congestion. To make things worse, the traffic jams are worse during the rainy season despite no real flooding, mainly due to motorcyclists sheltering under the tunnel. Various areas of the city have different levels of chaotic traffic. But while the better-organised traffic is mainly in the business districts (MH Thamrin, Jendral Sudirman, and H.R. Rasuna Said), they remain one of the most congested spots in Jakarta! It can even go beyond business hours because of the area's mixed-use as both office and commercial space, as well as the domino effect from other streets' stop-and-go traffic. ===By KA Commuter Jabodetabek=== [[File:KCJ 205 trainset BOO 15.jpg|thumb|300px|Coast through town quickly with the Commuter Line! Note the dedicated female car at the front.]] The ''KA Commuter Jabodetabek'' (or [http://www.krl.co.id KRL], colloquially known as the '''Commuter Line''') commuter trains in Jakarta connect the city centre with the suburbs and satellite cities, namely [[Tangerang]], [[Bekasi]], [[Depok]], [[Bogor]], [[South Tangerang]], and Tanjung Priok port in [[North Jakarta]]. It's usually worth trying as it is much faster than most motor vehicles on the road, but the late arrival of the train (usually by 10 to 15 minutes) might be bothersome. Riding the train is generally safe and comfortable; while they are of course cramped during peak hours, they are still better than using the bus. Major stations are adjacent to a TransJakarta bus stop, though you have to walk a bit or use a feeder bus service to transfer between systems. There are three types of Commuter Line tickets: *'''7-day trips''' (''Tiket Harian Berjaminan'', literally: Daily Ticket with Guarantee) must be purchased at a ticket counter by stating your destination. An Rp10,000 refundable deposit will be added to the calculated fare and may be used for unlimited trips within 7 consecutive days in which the ticket must be returned to have your deposit back. *'''Multi-trip''', refillable at the vending machine and directly usable to enter the electronic gate at the station. The train company issues a special Multi-trip card that can be purchased at a ticket counter for Rp50,000 (the initial balance contains Rp30,000), but you must have at least Rp5,000 to use the train. *'''Electronic money or bank-issued prepaid cards''' are a better alternative than the other two, as any credits are also usable for purchases at major retailers and convenience stores, the toll road, parking, and other public transportation (MRT and Transjakarta). Bank Mandiri's e-money or e-toll card, BCA's Flazz, BNI's tap-cash, BRI's BRIZZI, or Bank DKI's JakCard, are obtainable at the respective banks, minimarts such as Alfamart and Indomaret, and at Transjakarta stops. An initial purchase of the card costs Rp40,000, which is credited toward each fare. The card is non-refundable and it can be topped up at convenience stores and the ATMs of the respective banks. The fare is determined by distance: Rp3,000 for the first 25 km and Rp1,000 for every 10 km thereafter. This means that you have to tap in at your origin station and tap out at your destination; transfers are free as long as you do not tap out. You will be charged the longest route fare for not tapping out and Rp50,000 for losing your card or pay the remaining fare with the ''fare-adjustment vending machine'' if your credit isn't enough to pay the fare. It's better to make sure that you have at least Rp20,000 credit left on your multi-trip or prepaid card. It is safe to assume that you should pay a maximum of Rp5,000 if you are only wandering around Jakarta. Commuter services run daily from 04:30 to 00:00, roughly every 15-30 minutes per route. It usually takes 20 minutes to get from one end of the city to another, and another 30 minutes to the suburban terminus. Weekend special services connect Depok and Bogor with the popular Ancol entertainment park at [[Jakarta/North|North Jakarta]]. '''Commuter trains do not stop at Gambir and Pasar Senen stations''', the starting stations for long-distance trains in Jakarta; transfer at Jatinegara train station in the east. ===By MRT=== [[File:Ratangga K 1 18 37.jpg|thumb|300px|The MRT Train]] The '''[http://www.jakartamrt.co.id/ Jakarta MRT]''' (in Indonesian known as ''Moda Raya Terpadu'') is Jakarta's newest service connecting Lebak Bulus in [[South Jakarta]] with Bundaran HI in [[Central Jakarta]] from 05:00 till midnight. It follows the main business street of MH Thamrin, continuing south along the mixed-use areas of South Jakarta before ending near the southern city limits in Lebak Bulus. It primarily links a number of business centres in the city, as well as being pedestrian-accessible to several malls. It's less convenient to access other parts of the city, and passes through few tourist attractions. Unlike the more utilitarian and dated design of the city's other transportation services, the MRT uses modern, spacious stations designed for heavier use. North of Senayan, stations are underground and can be accessed through rather small descending passageways on the pedestrian path. Southern stations are elevated and can't be missed. Some of the entrances have upwards escalators, but each station has at least one wheelchair-accessible elevator. Upon entry, head into the main hall, obtain a payment card and tap in to the platform area. Tap out again before exiting. Convenience stores and snacks are available before the tap-in gates, but eating and drinking is forbidden on the platforms or within the train. This rule is actively enforced, though with a few exceptions. Trains are clean and on time and operate every 5 minutes during peak rush hour (07:00-09:00 and 17:00–19:00), and every 10 minutes for the rest of the day. Fares range from Rp3,000 to Rp14,000 based on the distance covered. Fares can be paid with single-trip cards, purchasable from vending machines or at the ticket booth within each station, or through bank-issued prepaid cards. Single-trip cards have a Rp10,000 deposit that can be refunded at the end of the trip; the prepaid card option is more convenient, can be topped up at convenience stores and ATMs, and are also usable in some of the other transportation modes. (See: [[Jakarta#By_KA_Commuter_Jabodetabek|Commuter Jabodetabek]]). It is also possible to buy the ticket through '''MRT Jakarta App''', but you still need to have a prepaid payment application on your mobile phone such as Gopay, OVO, LinkAja, and DANA. A Park-and-ride space is available 200 metres from Lebak Bulus Station and uses a daily flat rate of Rp1,000 for bicycles, Rp2,000 for motorcycles, and Rp5,000 for cars. This is more useful for commuters, and can easily fill up during the day. ===By TransJakarta=== [[File:Harmoni Central Busway Transjakarta 4.JPG|thumb|300px|A Transjakarta bus at the Harmoni Central Busway Transit Centre]] The [http://transjakarta.co.id/ TransJakarta] buses (in Indonesian known as ''busway'') are modern, air-conditioned, and generally comfortable. The mainline service runs Su-Th 05:00 to 23:00 and F Sa to 24:00, with few buses outside these hours. The buses have separate seating for women at the front, an attendant who stands by the door announcing stops and providing security, and CCTVs. There are priority seats for the elderly, disabled, and expectant mothers, but the wide gap between the platforms and buses can be a hindrance. There are 13 main lines in operation, in addition to a number of feeder routes that operate between them. Unlike Jakarta's other buses, they run on fully dedicated lanes. Passengers must use dedicated stations usually found in the middle of large thoroughfares connected to both sides by overhead bridges. The system is remarkably user-friendly by Jakarta standards, with station announcements inside the purpose-built vehicles. Grab onto a handle as soon as you enter the bus, as they move away from the stop suddenly and quickly. Park and Ride facilities are in Ragunan (South Jakarta), Kampung Rambutan (East Jakarta), Kalideres (West Jakarta), and Pulo Gebang (East Jakarta). Tickets cost Rp2,000 from 05:00 to 07:00 and Rp3,500 all other times regardless of distance. You pay by using bank-issued prepaid cards (See: [[Jakarta#By_KA_Commuter_Jabodetabek|Commuter Jabodetabek]]). There are no single-use passes, however, you may be able to offer a helpful local Rp5,000 note to tap you in using their card. Transfers between lines are free, but be careful not to exit the system until your journey is completed. The buses can get very crowded, especially during rush hours at around 07:00 and 17:00, when office workers are on the move. Multiple smaller buses serve as a feeder between selected mainline stops and train stations or neighborhoods where the mainline does not run. Wait for them under the blue bus sign that says ''Bus Pengumpan Transjakarta'' (lit. Transjakarta feeder bus). If you transfer from the mainline stops, you do not need to pay for the transfer; otherwise, payments are accepted in both cash and prepaid card. They can also take you out to Jakarta's satellite cities. See the [[Jakarta#By public bus|Jakarta 'By public bus']] section. As there are no indicators of which routes serve these bus stops, it's a good idea to use the map apps or the '''Moovit''' app on your phone. ''TransJakarta Cares'' is a complimentary bus service for disabled people to reach the nearest TransJakarta bus stop. They can be requested by calling 1500 102. Passengers can keep track of bus arrival times at the screens in the mainline bus stops or with the '''Moovit''' app from any smartphones. ===By Mikrotrans=== [[File:Suzuki Carry 1.5 Real Van (MikroTrans JakLingko).jpg|thumb|300px|A Mikrotrans minibus]] Mikrotrans is a free-charge minibus serving numerous main roads in Jakarta with fixed stops. An electronic money card is required to take this public transport such as Brizzi, E-money, Flazz, JakCard, JakLingko, or TapCash. You may use Moovit to trace the stops. Make sure a code in front of the vans with the prefix '''JAK''' e.g. JAK-01, JAK-02, and so on, depending on the routes, so you don't go wrong taking an older minibus with cash payments. ===By tour bus=== Jakarta may be one of the few cities in the world whose government provides tour buses. Dubbed the [https://transjakarta.co.id/produk-dan-layanan/layanan-bus/bus-wisata/ '''City Tour Jakarta'''], the buses are double-decker and you can ride them for free! There are 4 loop routes that are sorted by the genre of the places of interest: Historical, Modern, Art & Culinary and the Jakarta skyscrapers. The first two routes run Monday-Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00, while the latter only operates Saturdays 17:00-23:00. ===By public bus=== A multitude of bus companies prowl the streets of Jakarta. However, buses do not run on schedule or even have one. Most maps bought outside Indonesia do not show bus routes, so Google Maps would be the best method to figure out what bus you should take. Most bus stops also post what route numbers and destinations stop there, but they ''do not always stop there''! They make for a good adventure if you're not in a rush and don't mind being the centre of attention. These are the bus companies, ranked from best to worst: *'''Transjabodetabek''' feeds between the Transjakarta stops and the outskirts of town. Look for the routes that has a letter preceding the line number. In case of no shelter, wait under the blue bus sign. *'''Kopaja AC''' (not to be confused with Kopaja non-AC) has introduced a similar service on selected routes. Some of the lines are reachable from the Transjakarta bus stops. Look for the metallic grey and green colour bus. These buses offer Wi-Fi connectivity. *Most '''Mayasari Bakti''' buses have an air conditioner, but a few routes do not. Air conditioned buses bear the letters AC on the bus number. These buses usually have a light & dark blue body, but some are green and orange. Inquire if in doubt. *'''PPD''' also has a combination of an air conditioned and non-air conditioned fleet. They have fewer buses and noticeably a lower tier of service than Mayasari Bakti. Look for the white & black strip, with the Monas icon; the buses may be branded as "PATAS", which means express. *'''Avoid using''' MetroMini (orange & blue), Kopami (blue & yellow) and non-air conditioned Kopaja (white & green) at all costs as the buses are filthy, do not offer air conditioning and are driven recklessly. Bus fares are generally less than Rp10,000 with a flat rate system. You usually pay in a box beside the driver but a ''kenek'' may reach out to you so you can pay him. Cheaper still are ''mikrolet'' (mini-buses) and ''angkot'' (small vans) that ply the smaller streets and whose fares vary from Rp4,000 for the first 2 km to Rp10,000. You pay the fare directly to the driver when you get off. You may want to have a couple of spare Rp500 coins before boarding the bus since there is on-board "entertainment" and other distractions. On a typical day, you may find street musicians singing unplugged versions of Indonesian and Western pop songs and asking for donations at the end of the performance, and street vendors, one after another, trying to sell almost everything, from ballpoint pens and candies to boxed doughnuts and health goods. Avoid sitting or standing in the back of the bus, as this is where muggers find their prey. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be alert at all times for [[pickpockets]] and do not wear any valuable. The best seat is in the front, next to the driver. Buses do not run according to any schedule or timetable. Sometimes a bus may take a while to come, other times two buses of the same route may come together and the drivers will steer aggressively to get more passengers. They do not stop at any particular bus stop, but anywhere they like. If you want to get off, simply say "kiri" (to the left) to the "kondektur" or just knock on the ceiling of the bus three times (be sure that the driver hears your thumping, best to use a coin), and the bus driver will find a place to drop you. An additional tip to alight from these buses is to use your left foot first to maintain balance and try to get down as quickly as possible and move the body in line with bus direction, as they do not fully stop the bus. Also, seats in these buses are built for Indonesians, who are typically shorter and more slender and agile than people with a larger build such as Europeans and Africans. Non-Indonesians might find the seats in these buses confining and uncomfortable. TransJabodetabek, APTB and BKTB are not so crowded and the seats are more comfortable for non-Indonesians. While most bus routes are from one bus terminal to another, not all of them have connections to long-distance bus services (see ''Get In'' section). ===By car=== [[File:JalanJenderalSudirmanJakarta.jpg|thumb|300px|Jalan Jendral Sudirman, one of Jakarta's business avenues and frequent spots for stop-and-go traffic]] Travelling by car, while it just adds up to the congestion itself, remains the most convenient way to travel around the city, especially because of its lacking public transportation. Rental cars are available, but unless you are familiar with local driving practices or lack thereof, take reputable taxis. Foreigners are recommended not to rent cars and drive on their own, as the chaotic traffic can give you a headache; renting with a driver is more than advisable. That being said, safety and road rules are enforced much more rigorously than in other parts of the country—obey the traffic laws and '''do not be tempted to disobey''' like many of the locals do, even when it seems convenient. Police regularly patrol the major roadways, and many rules are poorly marked, such as which lanes exactly are reserved for the TransJakarta service. Two toll roads circle the city: the '''Lingkar Dalam''' ("inner ring road", bisecting the downtown core) and '''Lingkar Luar''' ('''JORR''', Jakarta Outer Ring Road, encircling the outskirts). Using these toll roads is faster when the traffic is good, but are very often jammed themselves, particularly during rush hours. They generally only accept payment using prepaid bank cards. Outside of the toll roads, road quality differs heavily between the wide downtown avenues and thin alleyways in the residential districts. Road types may be poorly marked in maps. Flooding is common in certain areas during the rainy season, with even large roads being completely inaccessible. Finding parking places in residential areas can be difficult due to the narrow roads. Paid parking is easy to find in shopping malls, offices and the like for a shockingly cheap rate: Rp4,000-6,000 per hour. Street parking often requires payment of up to Rp3,000-5,000 to an illegal parking 'attendant' for one hour. For 41 areas with street electronic parking posts, the fee is Rp5,000 per hour paid by 7 certain debit cards, and don't pay anything to a formal attendant (monitoring by CCTV) such as you would in Sabang and Kelapa Gading Boulevards. If you park on a street, do so only at the designated areas and in a way that does not block the traffic. Otherwise, your car will be towed and ticketed, in which case you will need some paperwork to get it back! An '''odd-even traffic control system''' is enforced along select main streets Mondays to Fridays from 06:00-10:00 and 16:00-21:00, except public holiday. Under the system, only vehicles with odd license plate numbers are permitted to travel on odd-numbered calendar dates, and even-numbered license plates on even-numbered dates. The fine for violations is Rp500,000, but taxis and public transportation (vehicles with yellow-black plate number) are exempt. Look for the sign above the road that indicates if the rule is enforced at the adjacent street; generally speaking they are valid on roads along the Inner Ring Road south of the Merak toll interchange and along the eastern side, Rasuna Said, and the Sudirman-Thamrin-Medan Merdeka Barat corridor. Starting on September 9, 2019 there are additional 16 new routes of the system. It can be read at: http://www.beritajakarta.id/en/read/31342/city-expands-odd-even-system-in-16-routes#.XXU9R3E3GM8 If you wish to rent a car, consider these companies: * {{listing | name=RentalMobil.com | alt= | url= http://www.rentalmobil.com/en/| email= | address=SCBD Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 52 - 53 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 29608390| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=TRAC Astra Rent A Car | alt= | url= http://www.trac.astra.co.id/| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 500 009| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Golden Bird | alt=A subsidiary service of Blue Bird Group | url= https://reservation.bluebirdgroup.com/golden| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 794 4444| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= |wikidata=|wikipedia=|image=|lastedit=2017-12-01}} ===By taxi=== {{infobox|Beware the false Blue Bird|Blue Bird's reputation has spawned a host of dodgy imitators, so just because it's blue doesn't mean it's safe. Check the following before you get in: * The door and roof logo is either the Blue Bird or the Pusaka/Lintas "flying egg" * The windshield says "Blue Bird Group" * The driver is in uniform * The headrests have Blue Bird logos * On the side window, there is a sticker about regulations in the car & its call centre as listed beside this box.}} Most visitors opt to travel by taxi, which is very cheap by Western standards, abundant and occasionally fast. There is a multitude of taxi companies of varying degrees of dependability. * {{listing | name= Blue Bird Group | alt= | url=http://www.bluebirdgroup.com/ | email= | address=| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 7917 1234, +62 21 794 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Blue Bird, including the Pusaka & Morante taxis as well as the premium brands Silver Bird and Golden Bird, are well known for their reliability, efficient telephone order service, and orderly meter usage. A special ride for the physically impaired can also be requested. The Silver Bird ''executive taxi'' charges a premium rate for a larger car. In addition, Blue Bird Taxi has launched taxis using a low roof MPV which can accommodate up to 7 persons. The fare is the same as for a regular taxi, but if you want one, order it specifically when you call for a taxi. }} The popularity of online taxis (GrabCar and GoCar), due to cheaper fares, safer and more polite drivers, means that nowadays it can be more difficult or time-consuming to get conventional/regular taxis; out of 32 taxi companies that used to operating in Jakarta, there are only 4 now. Besides Blue Bird, these are the remaining companies: * {{listing | type=listing | name=Express | alt= | url=http://www.expressgroup.co.id | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 500 122 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This is typically the second-best option, if Blue Bird taxis are not visible, but hail this taxi if your main concern is price. No minimum payment for hailing in the street, the minimum payment of Rp40,000 is only for ordering by phone. }} * {{listing | name=Gamya | alt= | url=http://www.gamya.com/home.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 8779 5555, +62 21 840 3838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxiku | alt= | url=http://www.taxiku.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +62 21 4786 2121| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} You can generally determine a good cabbie by asking "''Pakai argo?''" ("meter?") - if they say no or "tidak", get another taxi. Taxis parked near train/bus stations, tourist attractions, and hotels often refuse to use the meter and quote silly prices (especially to foreigners) - in this case, it's a good idea to walk away a bit, then hail a passing taxi from the above companies. Tipping is not necessary, but rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp5,000 is expected, although rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp1,000 is also OK. So prepare some change if you want, or else you may be rounded up to the nearest Rp5,000. If the taxi takes a toll road, the added cost is '''not''' reflected on the meter. The driver will tap their contactless card to the toll booth, receive a receipt, and you can see the cost shown on a large display next to the payment machine. Drivers may run out of their card's credits, and require a short stop at a convenience store to top up; this is normal. At the end of the trip, your driver will sum up the meter price with any toll receipts, and you can always pay in cash, while some taxis accept cards. A taxi receipt is available on request and is not standard. Blue Bird, Gojek and Grab apps can be downloaded for free to help you order taxis via smartphone. Fill in the departure and arrival points and Google Maps will show the map with the taxis and also the estimated cost displayed in a range. Blue Bird Taxi has the same fare regardless of whether you hire them online or by phone (with minimum payment applied). GoCar and GrabCar have prices fixed in advance, regardless of any traffic jams. Choose the taxi that will be used and the taxi will usually come in five minutes. Only qualified taxis and qualified drivers can join the apps, so this is one of the safest ways to get a taxi. Taxis have been abundant since online ride-hailing started operating in Jakarta. Online taxis rate is only about two-thirds that of a conventional taxi, or at most the same as a conventional one during peak hours. Since the price is preset, drivers have no incentive to take an unnecessarily roundabout route, which used to be common with conventional taxis. ===By bajaj=== [[File:Gas Fuelled Bajaj in Jakarta.jpg|thumb|300px|Gas-Fueled Bajaj in Jakarta]] The Jakartan equivalent to [[Thailand]]'s tuk-tuk is the '''bajaj''' (pronounced "bahdge-eye"), orange mutant scooters souped up in India into little three-wheeled vehicles that carry passengers in a small cabin at the back. Besides the usual orange bajaj, there is blue bajaj, which use gas as fuel. They're a popular way to get around town since they can weave through Jakarta's interminable traffic jams much like motorbikes can. Although slow, boneshaking (they have no suspension), hot and windy (locals joke about the "natural A/C"), and a great way to breathe in more exhaust fumes than you ever thought possible (maybe less if you ride the blue bajaj), riding around in these little motor-bugs can really grow on you. Blue gas-fueled bajaj are quieter than the orange 2-cycle bajaj. There are no set prices, but a short hop of a few city blocks shouldn't cost much more than Rp5,000. Be sure to agree to (read: [[haggle]]) a price before you set off. Bajaj drivers are happy to overcharge visitors, and often ask double or even more than what you would pay by a meter in a more comfortable Blue Bird taxi. Locals who regularly use the bajaj know what a typical fare should be and are happy to tell you. Also, since bajaj aren't allowed on some of the larger roads in Jakarta, your route may well take you through the bewildering warren of backstreets. Try to keep an eye on what direction you're going, because some unscrupulous bajaj drivers see nothing wrong with taking the "scenic" route and then charging you double or triple the price. '''Grab Bajaj''' There are also Grab Bajaj that use the Grab application. The tariff is Rp 3,000 per kilometre and minimum payment Rp 9,000. It is intermediate between GrabBike and GrabCar due to Bajaj can accommodate 2 passengers and baggage. '''Qute Bajaj''' This variant of bajaj has 4 wheels instead of 3. Qute are much quieter than bemo and have air conditioning. These 'new bemo' operate throughout Central Jakarta towards North Jakarta via Mangga Dua to Ancol. The price is quite the same as for ordinary bajaj (about Rp5,000 for a short hop). Make sure to haggle a price before you ride the vehicle. ===By ojek=== [[File:Pangkalan ojek.jpg|thumb|200px|One of many Ojek drivers in Jakarta]] If you're poking around narrow back streets, or in such a hurry that you're willing to lose a limb or more to get there, then Jakarta's motorcycle taxis (''ojek'') might be the ticket for you. Jakarta's ojek services consist of guys with bikes lounging around street corners, who usually shuttle short distances down alleys and roads but will also do longer trips for a price. Agree on the fare before you set off. Insist on a helmet and wear it properly—no need to make it more insanely dangerous than it already is. The ojek drivers will insist you're safe with them and that they'll drive carefully—some are telling the truth, some lying. Before you choose a driver, pay attention to their motorcycle's appearance and their helmet; sometimes it shows their character. Locals normally pay Rp5,000 for a short ride (one kilometre) and Rp7,000-10,000 for a longer (roughly more than a kilometre or a 15-minute walk). Foreigners are likely to be asked for more, but generally, ojek drivers will accept the proper fare if you insist on it, unless they see you really need their service. On-demand (online) ojek services such as '''[http://www.go-jek.com/ Go-Jek]''' and '''Grab''' are ubiquitous can be booked through their respective smartphone apps, and offer generally cheaper fares which are stated in advance, although for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi area are more expensive than other area Rp 2,250 to Rp 2,650 per kilometer with minimum payment Rp 9,000 to Rp 10,500. Payments can be made by cash or stored value (akin to prepaid mobile phone service). You may chat or call the driver for help with finding each other, although some knowledge of Indonesian would be helpful. Go-Jek as a pioneer has more widespread availability; those who travel here alongside other Southeast Asian countries may find it useful to keep using Grab. The other more expensive on-demand ojek service is Lady Jek with female drivers. Unlike conventional ojeks, which typically only operate dawn to dusk, they are available at all times and relatively safe for both passengers and drivers as they are monitored by GPS. While it seems cheap, those who travel in groups of at least three may be better off taking a taxi for convenience and the unnoticeable difference in fares. The aforementioned brands also offer taxi service that are either private cars akin to Uber elsewhere in the world or with taxi companies so that you can hail them from the same app. Other services include food or groceries delivery and shipping between residents or from online businesses. ===By helicopter=== If you have a lot of cash and want to beat the traffic exponentially, a helicopter can be an option for you. They can be chartered as well for excursions outside Jakarta. * {{listing | name=Transwisata | alt= | url=http://transwisata.com | email=marketing@transwisata.com | address=Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Terminal Building, Ground Floor | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 80889628 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-18 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Whitesky Aviation | alt= | url=http://www.whitesky.co.id/ | email=info@helicity.co.id | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 80890066 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-09-18 | content= }} ===By bicycle=== [[File:Jakarta Car Free Day.jpg|thumb|300px|Car Free Day in HI Roundabout]] [[Cycling]] provisions are almost non-existent in Jakarta, but the first signs of a cycling culture are emerging. Every Sunday from 06:00-11:00 during the '''Car Free Day (CFD)''' in Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin (and every month in other places in each city in Jakarta) are emptied of motorised vehicles, except TransJakarta. The atmosphere can be festive, as events are held in some places (especially in Hotel Indonesia Roundabout). As of 2019, 63 km of new bicycle lanes have been opened, besides previous bicycle lanes at '''Blok M''' and '''Kanal Banjir Timur.''' The Pemuda Pramuka is the most used bicycle lane, mainly to commute between work and home. New rules mention that bicycle lanes can be used by bicycle, electric bicycle, otopet, electric scooter, hoverboard and unicycle. Whoever violates the rule will be penalised up to Rp500,000. Beyond that, there are dedicated [[mountain biking]] paths in Cihuni and along the Jalur Gas Pipa, both in [[Tangerang]]. Or you could head to [[Salak Mountain]] or other parts of the region beyond [[Bogor]]. ===By eScooter=== Grab (the online transport service provider stated in the 'Ojek' section) offers eScooter services with the 'GrabWheels' brand and a fare of Rp 5,000 per 30 minutes (Nov 2019). There are hundreds of parking lots for GrabWheels in Jakarta, mainly in the Sudirman Street area, so one can depart from a GrabWheels parking lot and deposit their eScooter in another. Despite the service's relative newness, many people rent it (mostly for fun). However, after a car accident involving GrabWheels, in which 2 persons were killed and 4 others were injured, regulations were enacted: eScooters can be used only at bicycle lanes (no usage allowed along pavements, regular streets, or pedestrian overhead bridges). ===On foot=== Jakarta is hot and humid year-round, discouraging pedestrians, while what sidewalk is left is often quickly occupied by pushcart vendors. Crosswalks are not always available, and not always respected even when present. Many locals will simply walk across a busy street, holding up a palm to request vehicles slow down for them. Even then, walking can sometimes be faster than using a vehicle, especially when the maze of streets results in a winding, roundabout, and congested route. Jakarta is rapidly revamping its pedestrian facilities on its main roads, with clean and accessible wide sidewalks already in place along the Sudirman-Thamrin corridor and adjacent districts, with continuous construction work outwards. The paths remain hot and are very quiet during the day, but are more pleasant and busy during the afternoons. Still expect to clamber around mismatched concrete blocks and step on asphalt in the residential areas of the city. A few other neighbourhoods can be explored on foot: * Kota Tua ([[West Jakarta]]): a pedestrian-friendly square, a walk in this area explores the sights of Dutch colonial charm that was once central to the colonial administration. * Pasar Baru ([[Central Jakarta]]): a pedestrian-friendly market that has been in existence since the colonial era. * Rasuna Said, Kuningan District (South Jakarta): another business district along Jl. HR Rasuna Said with many embassies and office buildings. * Monas and Kebon Sirih area (Central Jakarta): the city square is a pedestrian-friendly zone, and the surrounding area has several attractions such as the presidential palace and old colonial churches. * Kanal Banjir Timur (Jakarta Timur), a nice river view in the morning with special bicycle and walking/running lane. * Jatinegara (Jakarta Timur), full of vintage stalls, building, train station, and river view of Ciliwung. * Kemang (Jakarta Selatan), full of coffee stalls, restaurants and bars. The best place to walk at night. * Cikini (Jakarta Pusat), for coffee stalls, art spaces, and performances. On Car-Free Day (CFD), every Sunday from 06:00 to 11:00 in the morning, the Sudirman-Thamrin thoroughfares are closed to motor vehicles, except for the Transjakarta buses. Locals crowd the streets to walk, jog, bike, enjoy performance arts and generally have some fun on the streets. While crowded, this is a good time to get in touch with the locals and see a different side of the city. ==See== {{SeeDistricts}} [[File:Kota HistoryMuseum.JPG|300px|thumb|Jakarta History Museum, Kota]] The heart of tourist attractions is to the north and centre of Jakarta. Visitors typically start exploring Jakarta from this part of the town, called the '''Kota Tua''', where the old buildings of Jakarta are preserved within a dedicated walking area. Jakarta has 47 museums, which are spread across the city. The '''Jakarta History Museum''', formerly a city hall (''Stadhuis''), covers Jakarta's history from 400 AD to the present day, with photos, replicas, and maps. Do not miss the '''Jagur cannon''' in the back yard. '''The Bank Indonesia Museum''' tells about the economy and currency system then and now using modern technology while the '''Museum Bahari''' takes you to the old glory of Jakarta's port, and Indonesia's as a whole. If you are into arts & crafts, the '''Museum Wayang''' has a collection of different puppets (Wayang) from all across the country and the world, and the '''Museum Seni Rupa & Keramik''' allows you to admire Indonesia's art in paintings and sculptures. '''Museum Prasasti''' for historical and scripture. A few kilometres down south, you'll find the legacy of the Dutch and the first years of the Indonesian government, such as the iconic landmark of Jakarta, '''the National Monument''' park standing right at the centre of the court, and the '''Presidential Palace''' on its north side. And where else in the world could you find the '''Istiqlal Mosque''', Southeast Asia's biggest mosque, and a 113-year-old '''gothic cathedral''' standing mightily across from each other? On the western side of the court, the elephant statue welcomes you to the '''Museum Nasional''', one of the better designed museums out there. Or '''Gallery Nasional''' for art and sculpture. Statues and monuments are ubiquitous in Jakarta and many stand prominently in major points across the city. Most of these icons were erected during Soekarno's rule in 1960, and thus still represent the old glory of independence. Start your trip from the '''Tugu Tani''' statue in Menteng that has a figure of a farmer going out to war. Across the Monas Park is '''Arjuna Wijaya''', an eight-horse carriage statue near Monas. Going south at Jalan MH Thamrin, the iconic '''Selamat Datang''' statue waves at you, with a fountain that signifies its importance as the city centre of Jakarta. Passing through that is the '''Jenderal Sudirman''' statue giving a salute, that gives the street its name. Going further until the end of the straight street, is the '''Pemuda Membangun''' or Youth Developing statue that looks like a man holding up a burning bowl. The '''Dirgantara''' statue is visible in its glory if you are using the inner tollway in South Jakarta. ===Parks=== Green spaces are often overlooked in Jakarta. While the city has nearly 1,000 public parks big and small, very few are well maintained including even the National Monument Park ('''Monas'''). '''Menteng''' is large and perhaps the best and '''Taman Suropati''' hosts regular violin shows. '''Pantai Indah Kapuk''', while inundated by housing projects, still leaves a space for mangrove swamps and monkeys' habitats in the two parks there. For parks with lakes, '''Pluit Park''' is one option, and a smaller one is '''Pulo Mas Park'''. '''Ragunan''', the official zoo of Jakarta, is the second largest zoo in the world (140 hectares), offering diverse Indonesian and international flora & fauna, including a dedicated centre that houses primates, especially the endemic orangutans. '''Kalijodo Park''' is open 24 hours a day with green and child-friendly public space and an international skate park. For community park, look for '''Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak (RPTRA).''' Although smaller, it usually offers a small library with AC available to get some rest and a futsal field for physical activity. The newest is '''Lapangan Banteng Park''' which is also open for 24 hours and has good illumination for playing football. However metropolitan Jakarta has 3 small forests in the city at Muara Angke, Srengseng and Tebet. Jakarta also hosts two amusement parks. '''Taman Impian Jaya Ancol''' at the North, that is for pure fun plus a sea world aquarium, and '''Taman Mini Indonesia Indah''' (Indonesia in miniature) in East Jakarta, which celebrates the culture of all 34 provinces of Indonesia, a bird park containing multiple endemic species, and multiple museums. Escape to '''Kepulauan Seribu''' to see wild birds and eagles, and island resorts not too far away from the city. The '''Setu Babakan''' down south is the centre of the indigenous Betawi culture. If you are looking for lake scene, go to '''Taman Waduk Pluit''' or '''Taman Waduk Ria Rio'''. For river scene, go to '''Taman Kanal Banjir Timur''' or '''RPTRA Mawar.''' ==Do== {{seeDistricts}} ===Betawi culture=== [[Image:Ondel-ondel.JPG|thumbnail|250px|Traditional male & female ondel-ondel in Wayang Museum, Jakarta]] Despite being the melting pot of Indonesia, Jakarta's indigenous tribe called the '''Betawi''' still stays proud of its culture. They are actually a unique assimilation of various domestic and international races from the Chinese to the Portuguese, which makes it distinct from other parts of Indonesia. The '''Lenong''' theatre performance is accompanied by the '''Gambang Kromong''' orchestra that consists of the Sundanese ''Gendang'', the Javanese ''Gamelan'', and the Chinese ''Kongahyan'' (its own version of violin). The '''Tanjidor''' trumpets are an influence from the Dutch, while the Portuguese bequeathed the '''Keroncong''' orchestra. At the anniversary of the city's founding every 22 June, a distinctive piece of culture can be seen in hotels, the infamous pair of '''Ondel-ondel''' puppets. The complete experience of the culture can be found at '''Setu Babakan''', the village of Betawi culture (and fishing at its lake). ===Cinema=== Cinemas are a more affordable escape at around Rp30,000 - 45,000 for a plush seat (Rp40,000 - 70,000 on the weekend, up to Rp150,000 if you watch in Premiere Class ''at XXI'' or Velvet Class at ''CGV Blitz'') in any of the capital's shopping malls. Beware of the heavy hand of the Indonesian censor though. The price of popcorn and drinks are exorbitant so you may wish to bring your own coming in. CGV Blitz cinemas will typically show movies in any foreign language other than English and the lesser ones also exhibit Indonesian B-Movies with erotic themes (still heavily censored). The largest chain of cinemas in Indonesia are the [http://www.21cineplex.com '''21 Cineplex'''] (branded as XXI in premium shopping malls) and [https://www.cgv.id/ '''CGV Blitz''']. IMAX theaters are only available at Gandaria City's XXI theatre, Mal Kelapa Gading III's theatre and Keong Mas in TMII, although the latter more often shows documentary than blockbuster films. ===Performing arts festivals=== Jakarta boasts some of the world's largest music events, which may surprise you, and the many young fans have attracted artists all around the world to regularly stop by Jakarta as part of their world tour, from rock concerts to Korean pop. Perhaps the best known event is the annual [http://www.javajazzfestival.com '''Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival'''] that takes place each March for 3 days, filled with over 40 international and local artists performing jazz, R&B and reggae songs. The [http://www.hammersonic.com '''Hammersonic'''] is an annual metal music concert, while [http://www.wethefest.com/ '''We The Fest'''] boasts some of the performances from indie/pop artists in August since its first inception in 2014, '''Road to Soundrenaline''' takes you to the popular local indie/major label bands showcases, before it ends up in Bali for the main event with some of international artists performing there and the '''Djakarta Warehouse Project''' hosts world famous DJs to jam the start of the year-end holiday. For a street performance, the Sudirman-Thamrin strip is closed at night on '''22 June and New Year's Eve''', when stages for musical performances are erected and cultural parades set up to usher in Jakarta's founding anniversary and the New Year, respectively. For some traditional and classical stuff, there are performances at '''Gedung Kesenian Jakarta''', by indie, jazz, dance, and classical music orchestras. '''Taman Ismail Marzuki''' hosts mainly theatrical shows, although English shows might be rare. '''Erasmus Huis Hall''' by the Dutch embassy also regularly hosts classical music shows and photography exhibitions. ===Sport=== The sport scene in Jakarta is perhaps one of the most vibrant you'll ever see in Asia. The Senayan sports complex still lives up to its name since the 1962 Asian Games, where archery and indoor shooting range are also publicly available to try. Soemantri-Brodjonegoro in Kuningan district also offers you many kinds of sport activities. If you like skateboarding, '''Kalijodo Skatepark i'''s the best place to meet others. ====Golf==== Jakarta is perhaps the best city to play golf in Asia, thanks to the abundance of courses close to or even in the middle of the city, and relatively cheap prices compared to Western standards. Green fees can go as low as Rp70,000 on weekdays, although the better courses are twice that, and weekend rates are considerably steeper at Rp300,000 and more. Many golf courses are at [[Jakarta/South|South]] and [[Jakarta/East|East]] within the immediate suburbs of the city, much better in quality and quantity at the satellite cities. ====Football==== Indonesia is one of the few lucky Asian countries where numerous European soccer teams, including from the prestigious British Premier League or the Italian League, play a trial game against the national team when the game itself is at break in Europe. The supporters between the national team and the Europeans at the '''Gelora Bung Karno Stadium''' are even, yet even though for the most part Indonesia's national team post losses, clashes do not seem to happen at least in a chaotic way. When the Europeans are back in season, numerous cafés and bars around town put up gigantic TV screens to let the enthusiasm erupt while having a drink at dawn. '''Futsal''' is the indoor version of football, which has 5 players per team and more lax rules of play. Anytime after work or on the weekends, you can easily find crowds at the many indoor courts across the city. Outdoors, the dirt and grass makeshift fields are abundant in residential areas, crowded with players, spectators and vendors, typically on weekend afternoons. In these casual games, anyone can simply ask to jump in or relax. ====Badminton==== As a badminton powerhouse, Jakarta has a multitude of badminton courts, ranging from the national venues at the Senayan Complex to the suburban halls which cater to both futsal and badminton. Most of them have wood-panel flooring and are maintained in reasonably good condition. Lighting is strictly functional and is below par in comparison with standard badminton halls. People play almost every evening - so, walk in, strike up a conversation with the group's captain, and expect to blend in with their group for the session. If the captain refuses payment (usually less than Rp20,000), it is polite to buy the players a round of soft-drinks (Teh-botol is a good choice). Be warned that it is common for Indonesians to eat, smoke, drink and nap by the side of the court: so watch your footing. If you want to watch rather than to play, the '''Istora Senayan''' is packed in the middle of January for Indonesia Masters Super 500 and early June during the Indonesia Open Super 1000 (a Grand Slam equivalent in badminton), when the world's top badminton players compete. The deafening cheers are chanted even beyond when the players hit the shuttlecock, an enthusiasm unmatched elsewhere in the world. It is advised to buy the tickets online (especially for the weekend matches), otherwise you must choose between watching it on television or the big screen outside the venue (think about Murray Mound/Henman Hill in Wimbledon). ===Karaoke=== You are in one of Asia's big cities—karaoke is the norm, so sing your heart out! Most chain brands such as '''Inul Vizta''', '''NAV''', or '''DIVA''' can be found at the upscale shopping malls where the youngsters play. You'll have your own lavish room with a wide span of libraries containing local, English, and East Asian songs, on a wide-screen TV while you can order a drink or food to be enjoyed while you wait your turn to sing. Rates can start from as low as Rp70,000 per room for a minimum of 6 people. ==Learn== There are a few locations for '''cooking classes''' along Jalan Kemang ([[South Jakarta]]) that specifically cater to expats. Most offer pastry cooking classes. Interestingly, you can learn about cultures from around the world in Jakarta. Many embassies have set up cultural centres where you can take '''world culture & language classes'''. Check these cultural centres for information: [http://id.korean-culture.org/ Korean Culture Centre], [http://ifi-id.com/ Institut Francais], [http://itacultjkt.or.id/ Istituto Italiano di Cultura], [https://www.jpf.or.id/en/ Japan Foundation], [http://idn.rs.gov.ru/en Russian Culture Centre], [http://www.goethe.de/ins/id/en/jak.html Goethe Institut]. ==Work== Casual work in Jakarta is difficult to come by and Indonesian bureaucracy does not readily facilitate foreigners undertaking employment in Indonesia. As in the rest of Asia, [[teaching English]] is the best option, although salaries are poor (US$700–3000/month is typical, although accommodation may be provided) and the government only allows citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA to work as teachers. Formal work visas, residency permits and registration with several government offices is necessary. Formal approval from the Department of Manpower and the provision of documentation and guarantees from an employing sponsor is required to engage in any form of employment in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia. Business visas are available for the purposes of conducting business related activities in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia, this class of visa has strict conditions and requires a local business to sponsor the applicant. A business visa does not permit the holder to undertake any form of employment. Jakarta caters to a growing class of remote workers and visitors on business trips with a large selection of '''coworking spaces'''. Mostly spread around Central and South Jakarta, day passes can be as low as Rp100,000, with hourly passes even lower. These spaces typically share buildings with offices and provide internet, drinks, and sometimes extra services like printing and meeting rooms. Some spaces are directly connected to shopping malls or public transit, making them very useful alternatives to spending hours in a cafe for work. Available desks may be limited in popular areas; call ahead to reserve a spot if necessary. ==Buy== {{seeDistricts}} [[File:Grand-Indonesia.jpg|thumb|Grand Indonesia Shopping Town located in Central Jakarta, as viewed from Plaza Indonesia]] More than 2.5 million foreign tourists and more than 30 million domestic tourists visit Jakarta every year. It's a paradise for buying international brand-name garments (both genuine and fake). If you're stopping in Jakarta, consider buying an extra suitcase, because there are '''lots of good shopping''' opportunities. Good used suitcases can be bought at Surabaya street and vendors also sell antiques. However, although quality can be excellent, genuine branded goods or quality products are expensive. Every year, the Provincial Government of Jakarta holds an annual '''Festival Jakarta Great Sale''' that takes place from Mid-June to Mid-July. Most markets, shopping malls, and department stores attend it and will give discounts on selected items, although the event itself might be barely noticeable aside from some banners. Some stores also run Midnight Sales, usually in the weekend. And most of the malls are open from 10:00-20:00 every day, except on Ied Day when they're open 13:30-22:00. ===Shopping malls=== An escape from Jakarta's sweltering heat, hundreds of '''shopping malls''' serve as social hotspots and are where the city congregate on weekends to shop, buy groceries, and hang out. They range from grand top-end luxury malls to smaller trade centers and shopping complexes, with new buildings constantly under construction, so you can probably find a suitably stocked mall (or three) for what you're looking for close to you. Genuinely imported goods from official retailers are priced to international standards, but Jakarta also offers local and lesser-known designer alternatives. A vast selection of cafes and social spots are also attached to malls, so if you're planning to meet up with an Indonesian acquaintance, brunch or dinner at a mall is a popular affair. As a convention, most Jakarta malls will have a supermarket in the basement, alongside utilities such as ATMs, office goods, barber shops, pharmacies, personal health, and budget eating options. Shopping options are on the middle floors, followed by a selection of higher-end restaurants and potentially a movie theater at the top floors. Expect each location to have one or more lobbies at which you can be dropped off, and one of these lobbies will usually include a taxi stand. If calling in your own taxi (or rideshare) be sure to specify which lobby you're waiting at. Most malls open at 10:00, though breakfast dining spaces on the ground floor may open sooner, and lunch options may only fully open at 11:00. Some of the most well known shopping complexes are at the heart of the city. '''Grand Indonesia''' and '''Plaza Indonesia''' are massive upper-class malls next to each other on Jakarta's busy Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, easily accessible via MRT. To the south, '''Plaza Senayan & Senayan City''' are popular chic hangouts across from each other, also accessible by MRT. '''Mal Taman Anggrek''' and '''Central Park''' to the west at Jalan Letjen S. Parman are for all rounders. '''Jalan Prof.Dr.Satrio''' is Jakarta's answer to the famed Orchard Road in [[Singapore]], [[Ginza]] in [[Tokyo]] and Fifth Avenue in New York. Four malls (namely ITC Mal Ambassador, Kuningan City, Ciputra World I, and a bit further off, Kota Kasablanka) and counting, catering to visitors of all budget levels. '''Kelapa Gading''' has a street with four malls on its side, and two other giant malls are located elsewhere in the region. '''Pluit''' and '''Pondok Indah''' hosts three malls located along a single strip. Every shopping mall has at least one department store, alongside brands that have their own shops. '''Sogo''' has the most branches, followed by Metro & Centro. Galeries Lafayette can be found at Pacific Place while Seibu and Central are located at Grand Indonesia. '''Matahari''' also provides similar fashion usually for a lower price. ===Markets=== In addition to malls, there are also numerous extremely large '''shopping centres''', most of them within a complex, so if you are unable to find what you need at one mall, you can try again at the mall next door. '''Mangga Dua''', '''Tanah Abang''', and '''Pasar Baru''' are the best places in Jakarta to shop for fashion. In Mangga Dua area there are at least 3 shopping centres connected by bridges: '''ITC''' is for middle and upper middle class fashion, while the lower class is served by '''Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua''', and '''Mangga Dua Mall''' is for gadget enthuasiasts. Tanah Abang is a wholesale market and the biggest in [[Southeast Asia]], with delivery to Africa and other parts of the world. Tanah Abang is overcrowded, so Thamrin city next to Grand Indonesia (500 m from Tanah Abang) can serve as an alternative, mainly for Muslim wear and batik. Pasar Baru is not a shopping centre, but more like a street with old retail shops; stamp collectors will be able to find Indonesian stamps at the front of many of these shops. '''Mangga Dua Square''', as well as Glodok and Roxy, are places to find gadgets. WTC (Wholesale Trade Centre) Mangga Dua is now specialised in selling used cars, with more than 100 sold per day. If you are looking for antique products such as local handicrafts, Indonesian traditional batik or wayang golek (Sundanese puppets), you can go to '''Jalan Surabaya''' in Central Jakarta. If you are looking for rare maps, prints or paintings, you can go to Kemang Raya, where there are many galleries including Bartele gallery and Hadi Prana. '''Pasaraya Grande''' shopping mall at Blok M, South Jakarta has one dedicated floor for Indonesian antiques and handicrafts. '''Pasar Seni''' at Ancol is the centre of paintings and sculpture, including portrait pictures you can have done on the spot. '''Sarinah''' department store also has a vast section of traditional gifts. Shopping at traditional markets may also be an exciting experience, where you can find exotic tropical fruits, traditional snacks, cheap fashion and novelty items. While most of them are far from tourist hot spots, '''Pasar Gondangdia''' across the namesake train station and the '''Fresh Market Pantai Indah Kapuk''' are the places that still offer such experience in a modern building while easily accessible. Cash is still the most effective payment system for all transactions. A few established shops may accept payment with debit/credit card and electronic money. ==Eat== {{seeDistricts}} {{eatpricerange|up to Rp25,000|Rp25.000-Rp100.000|more than Rp100.000}} [[File:Panorama of Interior of Cafe Batavia - 1805 Construction - Jakarta - Indonesia.jpg|thumb|500px|Interior of Cafe Batavia near Museum Fatahillah]] Jakarta has a vast range of food available at hundreds of eating complexes located all over the huge city. In addition to selections from all over the country, you can also find excellent Chinese, Japanese, Western, and many other international foods thanks to the cosmopolitan population. If you want to go local Jakarta, the indigenous Betawi has its own dishes to offer: * '''Asinan Betawi''': assorted pickled vegetables, served with peanut sauce (and sometimes chili) and chips. * '''Bubur dingin''', literally cold porridge with beef sweet soup. * '''Gabus pucung''', snakehead fish soup. * '''Gado-gado''' is like ketoprak, but all of it is vegetables. * '''Kerak telor''', omelette cooked with glutinous rice and served with shredded coconut and a dried shrimp topping. * '''Ketoprak''', ''lontong'' (rice cake), tofu, bean sprout, shrimp crackers in peanut sauce. * '''Mie kangkung''': noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. * '''Nasi kebuli''': a Betawi pilaf influenced by Arab culture. * '''Nasi uduk''', rice cooked in coconut milk similar to nasi lemak, served with choices of various toppings, such as fried chicken, beef, fried shallots, and sambal (chili sauce). * '''Nasi ulam''', rice cooked in coconut milk served with fried minced beef, sweet fried tempeh, many other toppings, cucumber, and sambal. * '''Rujak/Mie juhi''': noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''Sop iga sapi''', beef spare rib soup that takes a simple Dutch dish and piles on Indonesian spices. * '''Soto Betawi''', coconut milk broth with beef tendons, intestines, tripe. Food at malls and brick-and-mortar restaurants are by and large of hygiene standards. Street vendors (''kaki lima'') or carts can be questionable, though it is still wise to use discretion as some of the best or well-known food can actually be from them. The online ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab also offer food delivery service (such as Gojek's GO-FOOD) to virtually all restaurants, for a small fee. Furthermore, it can increase your convenience when you only want to rest at your hotel. Though tips are originally not customary in restaurants, it starts to become a habit. In fact, a few do automatically charge a service fee of typically 5%, which may surprise some patrons. Eating at restaurants are almost always subject to a 10% general tax. ===Budget=== Food courts at just about every shopping mall in Jakarta offer cheap but filling meals. Prices range from Rp15,000 to Rp25,000. While street vendors (''kaki lima'') are cheap with questionable hygiene standards, some items are unfortunately offered ''only'' within street vendors, so use good judgment when shopping around. Look for those that have lines at least a couple people long, as that means it's reputable and indisputably delicious. Steer clear from vendors that offer aggressively cheap prices or being pushy, as they might make their items using shady ingredients. For cleaner alternatives with decent price, you can look for '''Lokbin''' (lokasi binaan), '''Loksem''' (Lokasi sementara), or '''Lenggang Jakarta,''' which serve same affordable food but with better hygiene standards. Practically the sellers there are relocated street vendors. Price in Lenggang Jakarta and Lokbin will be around Rp10.000 to Rp30.000. Franchise fast food chains are also a good choice for eating as the hygiene is often up to standards. American fast food chains such as KFC and McDonald's have ample seating. Local chain '''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its noodles and its fried wanton. '''Hoka-hoka Bento''' (locally known as HokBen), also a local chain, provides Japanese buffet with a complete meal set for an affordable price. Also consider '''Es Teler 77''' & '''Solaria'''. You will find one or all of them at major malls across the city. Department store or mini market food items can be an alternative should you need to eat on the go or at work. For some exquisite Indonesian snacks, head to the traditional markets or street vendors. The infamous '''jajanan pasar''' (lit. market snacks) or '''bakpao''' (Chinese meat buns) should cost around Rp10,000 to Rp35,000 per box or piece. Assorted fritters ('''gorengan''') are ubiquitous throughout and should cost Rp7,000 to Rp15,000 for up to a dozen pieces of fried tofu, tempeh, cassava, yam, and even banana. '''Siomay''' and '''batagor''' will be available for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000. '''Instant ramen noodle''' for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000, '''ketoprak''' Rp5.000-Rp8.000, '''pecel lele''' Rp7.000-Rp10.000, or '''nasi uduk''' Rp3.000-Rp7.000. More substantial meals such as '''martabak''', '''satay''', chicken noodle ('''mi ayam''') or porridge ('''bubur ayam'''), and '''nasi goreng''' are typically on the upper end of budget dining. The Indonesian '''soto''' soup can be enjoyed for Rp45,000 with rice and a drink of your choice and a bowl of meatball ('''bakso''') soup with a side of noodles or vermicelli should cost no more than Rp50,000 per bowl. Bakeries also have buns that you can consume for breakfast, starting from Rp10,000. '''Roti Lauw''' and '''Tan Ek Tjoan''' is the most popular choice in Jakarta. You may look for D'Cost Seafood for decent price all over the city. As some traditional Indonesian cuisine may be too hot and spicy for many foreign tourist, you can usually ask for just a little chili or none at all: ''"pedas sedikit"'' and ''"tidak pedas"'', respectively. It also better to know that you can say ''"bungkus"'' for take away order, or ''"makan di sini"'' for dine in. And be careful as red ketchup usually means hot chilli sauce, not tomato. ===Mid-range=== Fine dining restaurants offer main courses for a range of prices and can be found at just about every mall in Jakarta or better yet outside the malls. Some of the restaurants in this category include pizza franchises '''Pizza Hut''' and '''Domino's,''' or '''A&W, Wendy's, and''' '''Burger King''' for fast food chain. Mains in shopping mall restaurants typically range between Rp40,000 and Rp75,000; many even provide lunch set menus for just about Rp50,000 that entitles you to rice, one or two main platters and a glass of drink which can be an impressive deal. Seafood restaurants north of the city centre falls on the borderline between mid-range to expensive depending on your preference, with shrimp & fish on the cheaper side, followed by scallop, and lastly crab & lobster. For middle class traditional cuisine, go to the Menteng area and look for '''Gado-Gado Boplo, Warung Daun, Bumbu Desa, Saur Kuring, Dapur Sunda, Sate House, Bunga Rampai, Sate Khas Senayan''' or '''Aroma Sedap'''. Or try to look around '''Sabang''' area. '''Garuda, Natrabu''', '''Sederhana,''' '''Penang Bistro,''' or '''Pagi Sore''' will offer you the best value over price. ===Splurge=== The best gourmet splurges in Jakarta are the '''opulent buffet spreads''' in the 5-star hotels such as the JW Marriott, Hotel Mulia, Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La, which offer amazing value by international standards. Expect to pay upwards of Rp150,000 per person. Chinese roundtable restaurants, such as '''Din Tai Fung''', '''Imperial Duck''', '''Jun Njan''', or '''Tai Pan''', among other small enterprises, offer considerably expensive dishes, but these are mostly meant to be communal rather than for individuals. Steakhouses also fall into this category, especially if the beef is imported from Australia or a USDA certified. For pizza, look for '''Pizza Express''' ''(formerly Pizza Marzano).'' For premium traditional cuisine, '''Rara Jonggrang''', '''Remboelan''' and '''Tugu Koenstring Paleis''' will serve you the highest standard. ==Drink== {{seeDistricts}} Jakarta may be the capital of the world's largest Muslim-majority country, but it has an underground life of its own. If you're the clubbing type, its nightlife is arguably among the best in Asia, except during fasting months when some venues are closed or have limited hours. From the upscale '''Kemang''' to the seedy '''Mangga Besar''', nightlife is there for all levels of loudness, but bring a friend if you decide to brave the seedier places (though they tend to have the best DJs). Fans of live music, on the other hand, are largely out of luck if they go to budget bars, at least unless they're into Indonesian pop. To get alcoholic beverages in Jakarta is not an easy task since 2015 it is not permissible to sell them in the mini market except in big stores inside a mall to discourage underage drinking. Fortunately, there are some wine bars/stores that sell imported wines or hard liquors throughout the city. Jakarta has a fairly large number of '''prostitutes''', known in local parlance as ''ayam'' (lit. "chicken"), so much so that much of the female clientele of some respectable bars (operated by five-star hotels, etc.) is on the take. The Kota area in [[Jakarta/North|northern Jakarta]] is the oldest part of town with numerous colonial buildings still dominating the area. It is also considered to be the seediest part of town after midnight. Most karaoke bars and 'health' clubs there are in fact brothels who mostly cater to local Jakartans. Even regular discos such as Golden Crown have special areas designated for prostitutes. Other notable establishments in this area are Malioboro and Club 36 which should not be missed. This part of town has a large ethnic Chinese population who also dominate the clubbing scene there. The bulk of the clubbing scene is spread throughout Jakarta but usually found in office buildings or hotels. The help of an experienced local with finding these places is recommended. Nightlife in Jakarta tends to be pricey by local standards. Due to Jakarta's freedom, there is no specific dress code that should be worn unless you are in a religious area. However, it is best not to dress too openly to avoid awkward stares or giving the impression (especially for women) that you are a prostitute since most of them in Jakarta wear very short dresses or skirts. Sandals are fine to wear if you're heading for North Jakarta since it is near the beach. During the month of Ramadan, most nightlife ends at midnight, while some venues ''do not open'' all month. A nightlife district popular among expats is '''Blok M''' in [[Jakarta/South|South Jakarta]], or more specifically the single lane of Jl. Palatehan 1 just north of the bus terminal, packed with pubs and bars geared squarely towards single male Western visitors. While lacking the bikini-clad go-go dancers of [[Bangkok/Silom|Patpong]], the meat market atmosphere is much the same with poor country girls turned prostitute. Blok M is easily accessible as the southern terminus of BRT Line 1. For a more off-the-beaten track experience, head a few blocks south to Jl. Melawai 6 (''opposite Plaza Blok M''), Jakarta's de-facto '''Little Japan''' with lots of Japanese restaurants, bars and karaoke bars. If you prefer to mingle with Koreans, go south to Jalan Wijaya. Plaza Senayan's '''Arcadia''' annex attempts to duplicate the concept, but with more of an emphasis on fine dining. The Kemang area in [[Jakarta/South|southern Jakarta]] is popular with expats and locals alike so it has numerous places to eat, drink and dance. Or if you want to keep it sober, '''bubble tea cafes''' and '''coffee shops''' are popping up sporadically, especially in North and West Jakarta, and most major malls. No jamming music and (mostly) no alcohol, but still a good place to hang out. '''Coffee''' aficionados can rejoice as some of the best beans in the world hail from Indonesia, and they can easily be found from stands on the street to dedicated coffee shops and even the sachets at the supermarket. They are usually priced from Rp30,000 per cup while powdered coffee are sold from Rp15,000. Co-working spaces are also starting to expand their business into making a coffee shop which caters mostly for workers in the city. ==Sleep== {{seeDistricts}} {{sleeppricerange|Less than Rp500,000|Rp500,000-1,000,000|More than Rp1,000,000}} [[File:Hotel Indonesia, photographed at dusk; December 2014.jpg|thumb|''Hotel Indonesia'', Jakarta's [[grand old hotel]] and still a local landmark, now operated by Kempinski]] The travel agencies at Jakarta's airport can have surprisingly good rates for mid-range and above hotels. Star ratings are reserved for midrange and better hotels, while budget places have "Melati" rankings from 1-3 (best). Tax and service charges of 21% are usually added to the bill. * '''Budget''', hostels (''losmen'') can be found around '''Jalan Jaksa''', which is close to the Gambir station, for as low as Rp30,000 per night! Or '''Kwitang''' area offer low cost but filthy hotel for Rp50,000 to Rp150,000. Hotels around '''Cikini''' has better room to offer for Rp300,000 to Rp 400,000. Another choice is hotels around '''Mangga Besar''', a street with a wide variety of hotels, clubs, restaurants and low class spas. Elsewhere, look for brands such as '''favehotel''', '''amaris''', and '''ibis budget'''. * '''Mid-range''' are easily found at all parts of Jakarta, from independents to chain brands such as all Accor Group hotels but Pullman. * '''Splurge''', Jakarta has more than its fair share of luxury hotels, and after the prolonged post-crash hangover new ones are now going up again. Many remain good value by world prices, but opulent lobbies do not always correspond to the same quality in the room. Mostly found within the business strips of '''Sudirman-Thamrin''' and '''Rasuna Said'''. Jakarta is a business destination, so rates are often lower on the weekends. During the Eid holiday season, Jakarta empties out and there are some great deals to be had. For stays longer than 2½–3 weeks, monthly rental rooms (called ''kost'') and apartments are a good alternative to budget and mid-range hotels, respectively. Fully-furnished rooms (with TV, air-con, large bed, hot shower, kitchen outside) can be rented for 1½-4 million rupiah per month. In most cases, the rental fee already includes electricity and water usage, and often there are additional services included like laundry, Internet access, breakfast, etc. There are cheaper rooms as well (starting from Rp500,000-700,000), but those are usually small, windowless, and the furniture includes just a bed or even nothing at all. Also, some cheaper places are exclusively for either men or women (no opposite-sex tenants or visitors allowed); many others allow couples to stay together only if they're legally married. For apartments (one or more rooms + private kitchen + often balcony), prices are Rp3-4 million and up. Cheaper rates can be obtained in some places which are oriented to the long-term rental (3, 6 months or 1 year minimum); however, there may be same limitations as for cheaper rooms. Short term room rentals services such as ''Airbnb'' can be an option for those on the budget. == Stay safe == A number of high-profile terror attacks in 2003, 2004, and 2009 have led to the city beefing up its security presence. An attack in 2016 specifically targeted foreigners, killing four. However, given the scale and population of the city, terror attacks are exceedingly rare and wayward traffic is a much more realistic threat. Security continues to be highly visible in the city, although checks are generally light and act more as a first layer of defense (that actively helped save lives in the 2016 attack). You'll spot many x-ray machines and people waving metal-detection wands in offices, malls and transportation infrastructure. By and large, your stay in Jakarta should not be problematic as long as you use common sense. While theft and robbery seem common, they are highly unlikely to happen in the crowded Sudirman streets, but much more likely at night in the less economically fortunate areas such as in the East, or in residential areas in the suburbs. It is generally better to use a car, or the Transjakarta and commuter trains if you opt for public transit. Women are even entitled to a dedicated seating area or car on these routes! {{infobox|The City that Definitely Sleeps|Jakarta operates on a different timetable to many other countries. Early birds wake up around 04:00 to 05:00, schoolchildren and workers leave home by 06:00, and the day begins around 07:00 or 08:00. Likewise, dinner starts early at 18:00 to 19:00, and people head home by 21:00 or 22:00 at the latest. This means the streets tend to be much more quiet leading up to midnight than you might expect elsewhere around the world. At best, major streets may still be have a few stalls and business areas may still have people going home late. Most shops close around 21:00, with whole malls closing down at 22:00 (with the exception of dedicated late-night eateries and bars). The MRT, Transjakarta and commuter trains run until 23:00 or midnight. Properly-licensed taxis are the easiest and safest way to get around after the city goes to sleep. Take this into account when returning home late after a day out. }} Strict gun control laws make Jakarta safer, leaving '''theft''' and '''robbery''' as day-to-day concerns. Violence is low, and most criminal acts are done by stealth or intimidation rather than lethal force. It is rare for serious injuries to occur during these situations, although there are exceptions. If the theft is done by stealth, simply catching the thief in the act will cause him to run away. For intimidation such as robberies, simply giving them an object of value will usually satisfy the thief, who will leave without further ado. Most Indonesians are also very protective of their neighbors and friends; in many neighborhoods, a thief caught by the local residents will be punished "traditionally" before being taken to police. Shout for help ("Tolong!") or robber ("Maling!") to get yourself away from this. Be on your guard in crowded places such as markets, because pickpockets often steal wallets and cellular phones. Do as the locals do, and carry your backpack on your chest when you see others do the same. Business travelers need to keep a close eye on laptops, which have been known to disappear even from within office buildings. For all-night party excursions, it may be wise to keep your cab waiting; the extra cost is cheap and it's worth it for the security. Lock your car doors and windows, and show no cellular phones or wallets on the dashboard. Organised criminals sometimes operate on the streets (especially at traffic lights) without fearing crowds. === Protests === Indonesians are fiercely protective of their right to protest, which proved critical in establishing its democracy in 1998, when citizens (particularly students) descended upon the streets, with significant damage to the city and killing thousands in the process. Today, as a dense concentration of 30 million citizens in its metro area representing one of the world's largest democracies, Jakarta sees regular protests of all sorts. Most protests are rowdy yet organised events, taking place around government offices. Visitors will see their impact from miles away as they cause congestion in the already congested traffic, but they're also decorated with large banners, flags and posters. Protesters generally don't interact with others around them, although given the tight streets and sidewalks, beware of getting swept away or separated in a march. During larger protests, entire roads or areas may be cordoned off by police. There is always a police presence of some sort at these events, so follow their directions. Transjakarta, rail and metro services will also know in advance and announcements may be displayed in stations. Taxi companies also broadcast this information to their drivers. When in doubt, do like an Indonesian and simply ask a nearby uniformed person and ask if there's a disruption going on. Protests tend to take a turn for the chaotic once night falls and the bulk of protesters leave to return to their families. Most protests end right around nightfall (about 18:00), but if a one extends into the night, it would be prudent to give it a wide berth. ==Stay healthy== Tap water in Jakarta is '''not''' drinkable, unless it's boiled or purified. It is generally fine for a bath or a toothbrush session, though. Bottled water is cheap, up to Rp5,000, and for safety reasons it is better to '''buy it from minimarts''', rather than from street vendors. If you're staying for extended periods, you can also obtain gallon-sized water containers. Ensure the tamper proof seal is intact. Jakarta's air quality is poor, especially during the dry season. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors near the streets (especially in less central areas, where you may be meters from passing cars and motorbikes, without a proper sidewalk) it's wise to do like many Indonesians and wear a mask. You can obtain masks from pharmacies or convenience stores; ask for a "motorbike mask" if necessary. Keep an eye on air quality through weather apps if you're sensitive to air quality, as it may vary depending on where you are in the city. There is a law against smoking in public places in Jakarta, and the smoker can (in theory) be fined up to US$5,000. You may see the signs threatening a fine (''denda'') of Rp50 million or 6 months jail for smoking, although that law seems not to be enforced, as locals still smoke everywhere on the street and even in local buses, as anywhere in Indonesia. It's generally prohibited to smoke, however, inside shops, offices, hotel, and air-conditioned buildings generally. If in doubt, you can ask locals: ''Boleh merokok''? Diarrhea, food poisoning, and typhoid fever is common in Jakarta, so it's wise to prepare yourself with antidiarrheal and activated carbon, and always bring hand sanitizer. Spot your nearest hospital or clinic with 24 hours emergency service before deciding where to sleep. A visit to general practitioner will roughly cost you Rp50.000 to Rp150.000. While attending a specialist or going to hospital will cost you around Rp200.000-Rp500.000. ==Connect== ===Telephone=== The area code for Jakarta and the metropolitan area is '''021'''. You do not need to dial the area code if you are calling another number within the same area using a landline. Drop the 0 prefix when calling from elsewhere in Indonesia. ''Wartel'' or telephone shops are ubiquitous on the streets of Jakarta, but are gradually disappearing because of the booming of mobile phones. If you wish to avoid the exorbitant roaming fees (or need to make a lot of calls), you can buy a new phone in small stalls for Rp120,000-150,000 plus your mobile number's balance, while the card itself is relatively cheap or free. Coverage is generally great at most spots. Public phones can still be commonly seen on the sidewalk. If you see a public telephone, lift the receiver and check the number in the display near the keypad. If the number is not 000, don't insert coins, because the phone is broken. They usually are, but they're very cheap (just Rp100 per minute) when they do work. ===Internet=== If you have your own laptop you may be able to access wifi networks in shopping malls, park, and government building. Ask at the information desk for access codes, but usually the speed is bad. Free hotspots are also available at restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores. Most hotels also provide wifi hotspots in their public area or in their rooms, either free or paid—inquire before booking. Internet cafes are available in most parts of the city, especially around universities, residential areas, and most shopping malls, for Rp4,000-10,000 per hour. While the cheap ones will have slow dial-up connections, others offer broadband high speed capabilities, usually used by the youngsters for online gaming. If you are keen on using the internet for long hours, try to get the "happy hour" deals, where for up to Rp30,000, you can browse the Internet as long as you want. All providers in Jakarta have 4G LTE, but the signals are only good in business triangle areas (Sudirman, HR Rasuna Said and Gatot Subroto); in other areas, the signal flips between 4G LTE, HSDPA, and 3G, or is mostly 3G. For more general information, see [[Indonesia#Internet|Internet in Indonesia]]. For alternative, try to find '''wifi.id''' for reliable connection in public space or big building. They will charge you Rp5.000 from your mobile phone credit for full day connectivity. ===Post=== Post is provided by the state-owned '''Pos Indonesia''', open during business hours only. They do not have mailboxes but have mobile counters in a van, or you can just go to the post office. Major freight companies such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS also offer drop by package delivery, albeit through a third-party service. Gojek and Grab also offer door-to-door delivery service within their app if you only need to send something light and quick (maximum 5 kg), for which the price depends on distance rather than weight. TIKI, JNE, or J&T are reliable for bulk or inter-city delivery. ===Emergency=== Jakarta's emergency services are the best in Indonesia. Many hospitals have 24-hour emergency rooms, but equipment may not be as advanced as their international counterparts. The international emergency number {{phone|112}} does work and will channel you to the respective services you need. * {{listing | name=Fire | phone=113 }} * {{listing | name=Ambulance | phone=118 }} * {{listing | name=Police | phone=110 }} * {{listing | name=Search and rescue team | phone=115 }} * {{listing | name=Indonesian Police HQ | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl. Trunojoyo 3, South Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 7218144 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Jakarta Police HQ | address=Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. 45, South Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 5709261 }} * {{listing | name=Child abuse | phone=1-500-771 (in country only) }} * Hospitals with 24-hour emergency room UGD (ER): see the Jakarta district pages. ==Cope== ===Media=== Jakarta is the centre of Indonesia's media. Most news is actually sourced from Jakarta. English-language publications are starting to make their way into newsstands. *'''[http://www.thejakartapost.com The Jakarta Post]'''. Indonesia's English-language paper of record. *'''[http://www.thejakartaglobe.com The Jakarta Globe]''' In a tabloid format. Provides more lifestyle content. *'''[https://en.tempo.co Tempo English Edition]''' Weekly hard news magazine. *'''[http://whatsnewjakarta.com/ What's New Jakarta]''' is a lifestyle website full of food and event listings. Suitable for long-term visitors State-owned TV station TVRI has an English news broadcast every day at 17:00, and MetroTV Tuesday-Saturday at 01:00. MetroTV has Metro XinWen for news in Mandarin Chinese. ===Immigration office=== The General Directorate of Immigration (Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav.X-6 Kuningan-Jakarta Selatan) provides visas, re-entry permits and many other immigration services. ===Embassies and consulates=== The ''Kementerian Luar Negeri'' (Kemlu) or [https://kemlu.go.id/portal/en/page/29/kedutaan_konsulat Ministry of Foreign Affairs] maintains a complete searchable database of diplomatic institutions. The embassies are located in Jakarta; some consulates general and honorary consulates are located in other cities such as Surabaya and Denpasar. This list may not be complete. {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Afghanistan}} {{listing | name=Afghanistan | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Doktor Kusuma Atmaja 15 | lat=-6.20124 | long=106.82973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143169 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31935390 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107557497 | content= }} * {{flag|Algeria}} {{listing | name=Algeria | alt= | url=http://emb-algeria.org/ | email=ambalyak@rad.net.id | address=Jl H. R. Rasuna Said Kav. 10-11 | lat=-6.23 | long=106.8337 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5254719 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q100269337 | content= }} * {{flag|Argentina}} {{listing | name=Argentina | alt= | url=https://eisia.cancilleria.gob.ar/ | email= | address=Menara Thamrin R. 1602 Jl Muhammad Thamrin, Kav. 3. 16th Floor Suite 1602 | lat=-6.1856 | long=106.82219 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2303061 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 2303962 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107557649 | content= }} * {{flag|Armenia}} {{listing | name=Armenia | alt= | url=http://www.indonesia.mfa.am | email=armindonesiaembassy@mfa.am | address=Jl Denpasar II No. 49 | lat=-6.22925 | long=106.82997 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5276549 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5276549 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107558126 | content= }} * {{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url=http://www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/jakt/home.html | email= | address=Jl H.R. Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16 | lat=-6.23209 | long=106.83409 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25505555 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25505467 | hours= | price= | wikipedia= |wikidata=Q48734360 | content= }} * {{flag|Austria}} {{listing | name=Austria | alt= | url=https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-jakarta/ | email=jakarta-ob@bmeia.gv.at | address=Jl Terusan Denpasar Raya Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.2017 | long=106.8397 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2593037 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 52920651 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104717403 | content= }} * {{flag|Azerbaijan}} {{listing | name=Azerbaijan | alt= | url=https://jakarta.mfa.gov.az | email=jakarta@mission.mfa.gov.az | address=Jl. Karang Asem Tengah Blok C-5 No. 20 | lat=-6.2264 | long=106.8295 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2555 4408 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 2555 4409 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12836909 | content= }} * {{flag|Bangladesh}} {{listing | name=Bangladesh | alt= | url=http://www.bdembassyjakarta.org | email= | address=Jl Denpasar Raya No. 3, Block A-13 Kav 10, Kuningan | lat=-6.23736 | long=106.83991 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5251986 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q83584132 | content= }} * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium | alt= | url=http://indonesia.diplomatie.belgium.be | email=jakarta@diplobel.fed.be | address=Deutsche Bank Building - 16th floor, Jl Imam Bonjol 80 | lat=-6.1957 | long=106.8244 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3162030 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3162035 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104551751 | content= }} * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | alt= | url=http://jacarta.itamaraty.gov.br | email= | address=Jl Jenderal Gatot Subroto, 12190 | lat=-6.23432 | long=106.8222 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5265656 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5265659 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q10272255 | content= }} * {{flag|Brunei}} {{listing | name=Brunei | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/indonesia-jakarta | email=kbjindo@cbn.net.id | address=Jl. Teuku Umar No. 51, Menteng, Central Jakarta 10310 | lat=-6.23386 | long=106.83557 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3190 6080 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3190 5070 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107559517 | content= }} * {{flag|Cambodia}} {{listing | name=Cambodia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Kintamani Raya C-15 No. 33 | lat=-6.27774 | long=106.82604 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520-1373, +62 21 919-2895 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560073 | content= }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | alt= | url=https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/indonesia-indonesie/index.aspx | email=canadianembassy.jkrta@international.gc.ca | address=World Trade Centre I, 6th Floor Jl Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31 | lat=-6.2153 | long=106.8204 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25507800 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25507811 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q104382964 | content= }} * {{flag|Chile}} {{listing | name=Chile | alt= | url=https://chile.gob.cl/indonesia | email=emchijak@indosat.net.id | address=Bina Mulia Building I, 7th floor, Jl H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 10 | lat=-6.19913 | long=106.82362 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2521982 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5201955 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560121 | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China (PRC) | alt= | url=http://id.china-embassy.org | email=chinaemb_id@mfa.gov.cn | address=Jl Mega Kuningan No.2, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.225556 | long=106.825556 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761039 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761034 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q97636046 | content= }} * {{flag|Colombia}} {{listing | name=Colombia | alt= | url=https://indonesia.embajada.gov.co | email=ejakarta@cancilleria.gov.co | address=Jl Jend Sudirman Kav. 47-48, South Jakarta Central Plaza Building 12th Floor | lat=-6.20124 | long=106.82973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 57903560 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 52905217 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107560270 | content= }} * {{flag|Cuba}} {{listing | name=Cuba | alt= | url=http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/en/indonesia/embassy-cuba-indonesia | email=cubaindo@cbn.net.id | address=Jl. Logam Blok D/ No. 58, Permata Hijau, Jakarta 12210 | lat=-6.2181 | long=106.78824 | directions= | phone=+62 21 548 5902 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 532 8174 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107567604 | content= }} * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Czech Republic | alt= | url=https://www.mzv.cz/jakarta | email=jakarta@embassy.mzv.cz | address=Gereja Theresia 20, Menteng | lat=-6.19115 | long=106.82776 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3904075 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 336282 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107033727 | content= }} * {{flag|Denmark}} {{listing | name=Denmark | alt= | url=https://indonesien.um.dk | email=jktamb@um.dk | address=Jl Mega Kuningan Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761478 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761535 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105959028 | content= }} * {{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name=Egypt | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.eg/english/embassies/egyptian_embassy_jakarta/Pages/default.aspx | email=embassyofegypt.jakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl Teuku Umar No. 68, Menteng | lat=-6.19701 | long=106.83247 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143440 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3145073 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107568011 | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finland | alt= | url=https://finlandabroad.fi/web/idn | email=sanomat.jak@formin.fi | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5761631 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105959052 | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | type=listing | name=France | alt= | url=https://id.ambafrance.org/ | email= | address=Jalan M. H. Thamrin 20, Jakarta 10350 | lat=-6.196632 | long=106.822348 | directions= | phone=+62 21 23557600 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 23557601 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2841750 | content=French Embassy }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany | alt= | url=https://jakarta.diplo.de | email=germany@rad.net.id | address=Jl MH. Thamrin No. 1 Gondangdia Menteng Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.19681 | long=106.82368 | directions= | phone=+62 21 39855000 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3901757 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q31886708 | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | alt= | url=https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/indonesia.html | email=grembas@cbn.net.id | address=Jl HR. Rasuna Said Kav X-7 No.6 Karet Kuningan Setiabudi Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.21793 | long=106.83046 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5207776 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5207753 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107578047 | content= }} * {{flag|Hungary}} {{listing | name=Hungary | alt= | url=https://jakarta.mfa.gov.hu/ | email=mission.jkt@mfa.gov.hu, consulate.jkt@mfa.gov.hu | address=Jl HR. Rasuna Said Kav. X/3 Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.235417 | long=106.827417 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 3459 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 3461 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q63750070 | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India | alt= | url=https://www.indianembassyjakarta.gov.in/ | email=eoiisi@indo.net.id | address=Jl Besakih Kav S-1, | lat=-6.234 | long=106.8294 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5204150 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5204160 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q73101745 | content= }} * {{flag|Iran}} {{listing | name=Iran | alt= | url=https://indonesia.mfa.gov.ir | email=irembjkt@indo.net.id | address=Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto No. 110, Menteng, Central Jakarta | lat=-6.2005 | long=106.82782 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3193-1378, +62 21 3193-1391, +62 21 3193-4637 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 310-7860 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107579223 | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | alt= | url=https://ambjakarta.esteri.it | email=ambasciata.jakarta@esteri.it | address=Jl Diponegoro No. 45, Menteng - Central Jakarta | lat=-6.2009 | long=106.8401 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31937445 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31937422 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q105061836 | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | alt= | url=https://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp | email= | address=Jl M.H. Thamrin 24, Central Jakarta | lat=-6.191611 | long=106.822417 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31924308 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31925460 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q44981967 | content= }} * {{flag|Jordan}} {{listing | name=Jordan | alt= | url=https://www.jordanembassy.or.id | email=jordanem@cbn.net.id | address=Jl Kawasan Sudirman Central Business District 10270 | lat=-6.22464 | long=106.81107 | directions= | phone=+62 21 7248843 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107593551 | content= }} * {{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=Republic of Korea | alt= | url=https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/id-id/index.do | email= | address=Jl Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav. 57 | lat=-6.23943 | long=106.83288 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5201915 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636645 | content= }} * {{flag|North Korea}} {{listing | name=Democratic People's Republic of Korea | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Teluk Betung No. 2 | lat=-6.203056 | long=106.827389 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31908425, +62 21 31908437 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q95593121 | content= }} * {{flag|Laos}} {{listing | name=Lao People's Democratic Republic | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Patra Kuningan XIV No. 1A, Kuningan | lat=-6.22989 | long=106.83546 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5229602 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107605839 | content= }} | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Malaysia}} {{listing | name=Malaysia | alt= | url=https://www.kln.gov.my/web/idn_jakarta | email=maljakarta@kln.gov.my | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said 1-3 Kav X-6 | lat=-6.22471 | long=106.83223 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5224947 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5224974 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107607172 | content= }} *{{flag|Marshall Islands}} {{listing | name=Marshall Islands | url= | email= | address=Jl Pangeran Jayakarta No. 115 Blok A-11, Central Jakarta | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 21 6249054 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Myanmar}} {{listing | name=Myanmar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Haji Agus Salim No. 109, Menteng | lat=-6.19394 | long=106.82543 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3140440, +62 21 31927684 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107608324 | content= }} * {{flag|Netherlands}} {{listing | name=The Netherlands | alt= | url=https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/indonesia/about-us/embassy-in-jakarta | email=jak@minbuza.nl | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said Kav.S-3, Jakarta Selatan | lat=-6.2345 | long=106.8285 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5248200 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5200734 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q38086932 | content= }} * {{flag|New Zealand}} {{listing | name=New Zealand | alt= | url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/asia/indonesia/new-zealand-embassy-and-mission-to-asean/ | email=nzembjak@cbn.net.id | address=Jl Asia Afrika No. 8 Gelora Bung Karno - Central Jakarta Sentral Senayan 2 10th Floor | lat=-6.221527 | long=106.798079 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5709460 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5709457 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q76392295 | content= }} * {{flag|Nigeria}} {{listing | name=Nigeria | alt= | url=https://www.nigerian-embassy.com/ng/Nigeria-in-Jakarta | email=nigembjkt@yahoo.co.id | address=Jl. Denpasar Raya Blok A-13 No. 3 Kuningan Timur, South Jakarta | lat=-6.23399 | long=106.82769 | directions= | phone=+62 21 526 0922, +62 21 526 0923, +62 21 5296 4261 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 526 0924 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107594936 | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Norway | alt= | url=https://www.norway.no/en/indonesia | email=emb.jakarta@mfa.no | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22721 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5761523 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 576 1537 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q106357020 | content= }} * {{flag|Pakistan}} {{listing | name=Pakistan | alt= | url=https://pakembjakarta.org | email=pakembassyjakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl. Mega Kuningan Barat Blok E.3.9 Kav. 5-8 Mega Kuningan - South Jakarta | lat=-6.23126 | long=106.82573 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5785 1836, +62 21 5785 1837 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5785 1645 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107622823 | content= }} * {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} {{listing | name=Papua New Guinea | alt= | url= | email= | address=Panin Bank Centre, 6th Floor, Jl Jenderal Sudirman No. 1 | lat=-6.22802 | long=106.79973 | directions= | phone=+62 21 7251218 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107625925 | content= }} * {{flag|Philippines}} {{listing | name=The Phillipines | alt= | url=https://jakartape.dfa.gov.ph | email= | address=Jl Imam Bonjol No. 6-8, Menteng | lat=-6.199528 | long=106.830444 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3100334 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q96377189 | content= }} * {{flag|Poland}} {{listing | name=Poland | alt= | url=https://www.gov.pl/web/indonezja | email=dzakarta.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl | address=Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav.X Blok IV/3, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23349 | long=106.83038 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25 25 938 40 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 25 25 958 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | wikidata=Q16528151 | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | alt= | url=http://jakarta.mae.ro | email=jakarta@mae.ro | address=42A, Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro, Menteng | lat=-6.19806 | long=106.8368 | directions= | phone=+62 21 390 04 89, +62 21 310 62 40 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 310 62 41 | hours=M-F 9:00-17:00 | price= | wikidata=Q106844842 | lastedit=2021-12-03 | content=Also covers as the embassy of Romania for [[East Timor]]. }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | alt= | url=https://indonesia.mid.ru | email=rusemb.indonesia@gmail.com | address=Jl Hr Rasuna Said Kav X7 No 1-2 Setia Budi, Kuningan | lat=-6.22042 | long=106.83114 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5222912 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5222916 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107558160 | content= }} * {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} {{listing | name=Saudi Arabia | alt= | url=https://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/indonesia | email= | address=Jl MT Haryono Kav. 27, Cawang, Jakarta Timur | lat=-6.21193 | long=106.82985 | directions= | phone=+62 21 8011533 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 3905864 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q28715477 | content= }} * {{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | alt= | url=https://www.mfa.gov.sg/jkt | email= | address=Jl H. R. Rasuna Said Blok X/4 Kav. No. 2, Kuningan | lat=-6.23399 | long=106.82769 | directions= | phone=+62 21 52961433, +62 21 5201489 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107595041 | content= }} * {{flag|Serbia}} {{listing | name=The Republic of Serbia | alt= | url=http://www.jakarta.mfa.gov.rs | email=embjakarta@serbian-embassy.org | address=Jl H.O.S Cokroaminoto 109, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.20116 | long=106.82835 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3143560, +62 21 3143720, +62 21334157 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 314 3613 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636374 | content= }} * {{flag|South Africa}} {{listing | name=South Africa | alt= | url=http://www.dirco.gov.za/jakarta/ | email= | address=Wisma GKBI, 7th Floor, Suite 705, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 28 | lat=-6.21737 | long=106.81293 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5740660 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q106614884 | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | alt= | url=http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Yakarta | email=embespid@mail.mae.es | address=Jl H Agus Salim 61 Menteng Jakarta Pusat 10350 | lat=-6.1873 | long=106.8254 | directions= | phone=+62 21 31935940 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 31935134 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q61998981 | content= }} * {{flag|Sri Lanka}} {{listing | name=Sri Lanka | alt= | url=http://srilankaembassyjakarta.com | email= | address=Jl Diponegoro No. 70, Menteng | lat=-6.19993 | long=106.84521 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3141018, +62 21 3161886, +62 213190-2389 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107636691 | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Sweden | alt= | url=https://www.swedenabroad.se/sv/utlandsmyndigheter/indonesien-jakarta/ | email=ambassaden.jakarta@foreign.ministry.se | address=Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5 12930 | lat=-6.22715 | long=106.82641 | directions= | phone=+62 21 25535900 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5762691 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18333518 | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland | alt= | url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/jakarta | email=vertretung@jak.rep.admin.ch | address=Jl HR Rasuna Said 2, Kav X3 12710 | lat=-6.2351 | long=106.8279 | directions= | phone=+62 21 5256061 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 5202289 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q101246820 | content= }} * {{flag|Syria}} {{listing | name=Syria | alt= | url= | email=syrembjakarta@gmail.com | address=Jl. Karang Asem I No. 8, Kuningan Raya, Jakarta 12950 | lat=-6.22722 | long=106.83101 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 4117, +62 21 525 5991, +62 21 520 1641 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 2511 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637268 | content= }} * {{flag|Republic of China}} {{listing | name=Taipei Economic and Trade Office | alt= | url=http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ID | email= | address=Gedung Artha Graha, 12th Floor(Service Division) and 17th Floor Sudirman Centre Business District Jl Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52-53 | lat=-6.224722 | long=106.810833 | directions= | phone=+62 21 515-3939, +62 215151111 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16901068 | content= }} * {{flag|East Timor}} {{listing | name=Timor Leste | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gedung Surya 11th Floor, Jl. M.H.Thamrin Kav. 9 | lat=-6.21369 | long=106.82017 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3902678, +62 21 3902679 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637578 | content= }} *{{flag|Thailand}} {{listing | name=Thailand | alt= | url=http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com | email= | address=JI. DR Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung kav.NO. 3.3 (Lot 8.8), Kawasan Mega Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23183 | long=106.82818 | directions= | phone=+62 21 3904052 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107637542 | content= }} * {{flag|Turkey}} {{listing | name=Turkey | alt= | url=http://jakarta.emb.mfa.gov.tr | email=jakarta.embassy@mfa.gov.tr | address=Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav. 1, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.23607 | long=106.82856 | directions= | phone=+62 21 525 6250 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 522 6056 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q79611181 | content= }} * {{flag|Ukraine}} {{listing | name=Ukraine | alt= | url=http://indonesia.mfa.gov.ua/ | email=emb_id@mfa.gov.ua | address=Generali Tower – Gran Rubina Business Park, 16th floor. Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta 12940 | lat=-6.219738 | long=106.830881 | directions= | phone=+62 21 250 0801 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12142686 | content= }} * {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} {{listing | name=United Arab Emirates | alt= | url= | email=jakartaemb@mofaic.gov.ae | address=Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio, Blok C-4, Kav. 16-17, Jakarta Selatan 12950 | lat=-6.225872 | long=106.830788 | directions= | phone=+62 21 520 6518, +62 21 520 6528, +62 21 650 6538 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 520 6526 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q81896011 | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | alt= | url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-jakarta | email=Consulate.Jakarta@fco.gov.uk | address=Jl. Patra Kuningan Raya Blok L5-6 | lat=-6.23085 | long=106.83449 | directions= | phone=+62 21 2356 5200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= |wikidata=Q25052258 | content= }} * {{flag|United States}} {{listing | name=United States of America | alt= | url=https://id.usembassy.gov/ | email= | address=Jl Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 5, Jakarta Pusat | lat=-6.18136 | long=106.83092 | directions= | phone=+62 21 34359000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5369957 | content= }} * {{flag|Venezuela}} {{listing | name=Venezuela | alt= | url= | email=evenjakt@cbn.net.id | address=Menara Mulia, 20th Floor, Suite 2005, Jl. Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav. 9-11, Jakarta 12930 | lat=-6.23499 | long=106.82342 | directions= | phone=+62 21 522 7548, +62 21 522 7549 | tollfree= | fax=+62 21 522 7547 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107642300 | content= }} * {{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | name=Vietnam | alt= | url=https://vietnamembassy-indonesia.org/ | email= | address=Jl Teuku Umar No. 25, Menteng | lat=-6.19327 | long=106.83364 | directions= | phone=+62 21 9100163, +62 21 3100358 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q107642397 | content= }} |} ==Go next== ===Within the metropolitan area:=== The fun does not end in Jakarta, but well beyond its satellite cities! *[[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] &mdash; administratively a part of Jakarta, but it is the complete opposite of the hectic mainland: an island escape with sprawling resorts and nature reserves. *[[Bogor]] &mdash; a sense of nature one hour away, where you can tuck yourself away in its botanic gardens or golf courses. *[[Puncak]] &mdash; cooler climate, beautiful view of the mountains and tea plantations, restaurants, as well as the Taman Safari Wildlife Park. *[[Tangerang]] &mdash; a thriving area for premium residents and opulent malls, especially to its south. *[[Depok]] &mdash; a budget style city with adequate facilities because of the nearby University of Indonesia. *[[Bekasi]] &mdash; home to Jakarta's big industry companies and an increasingly bustling city. ===A bit further off=== * A 3-hour drive using the tollway leads into the [[Merak]] Port at the western end of Java, where you can continue your journey by ferry to [[Sumatra]] island for 1½ hours. * [[Anyer]] is an upscale resort beach 4 hours away from Jakarta, but if you want a less crowded option, the [[Carita Beach]] is just a short drive away from there. * [[Pulau Umang]], an island resort to itself, is midway between Carita Beach and Ujung Kulon National Park. * [[Ujung Kulon National Park]] &mdash; a beautiful national park 5 hours away, featuring the endangered ''single-horn rhinoceros''. * [[Bandung]] &mdash; 3 hours away from Jakarta, it's a budget style city famous for both food and bargain fashions. * For a tropical island hype (without the resorts) and an instant escape from the hectic city, head to [[Belitung]] Island, less than 1 hour away by air. {{geo|-6.19892|106.84170|zoom=12}} {{IsPartOf|Greater Jakarta}} {{Guidecity}} ab1kii4aqbx7fpoouicdqyh0m8qxqav 0 16145 4506288 4504190 2022-08-22T15:32:05Z The dog2 35982 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Japanese lanterns banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Foreign nationals can now enter Japan on supervised, fixed itinerary tours with restrictions and conditions. Foreigners can also enter for business, academic or employment purposes, long term stays and other exceptional circumstances. A visa to enter Japan will be required for most foreigners. All arrivals must follow COVID-19 protocols, which include a negative COVID test requirement before travel. See [[Japan#Get_in|Get in]] for details. Japan has been undergoing its worst outbreak of COVID infections since July 2022. Over 250,000 daily cases were reported in mid-August 2022.|lastedit=2022-08-19}} [[Image:Benzaitendo Temple2.JPG|thumb|Cherry blossoms in [[Kichijoji|Kichijōji]]]] '''[https://www.japan.travel/en/ Japan]''', known as ''Nihon'' or ''Nippon'' (日本) in [[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]], is an island nation in [[East Asia]]. Its insular character has allowed it to develop a unique and very intricate culture, while its closeness to other ancient East Asian cultures, in particular [[China]], has left lasting influence. Despite belonging to a nation long at war, both internal and foreign, Japan's people have always placed emphasis on inner balance, tranquility and natural beauty. These traditional values have become increasingly important now that Japan has grown to be one of the world's most densely-populated countries, and its legendary work ethic makes life in its cities quite hectic. [[Japanese cuisine|Japan's sophisticated cuisine]] has spread to all corners of the world, but it is only in the country of its birth where you can appreciate its true form. Even more fascinating is the country's popular culture, which has developed a fandom all over the world, in particular ''manga'' comics and ''anime'' cartoons — with the Japanese taking their affinity for their favorite characters and themes to the extreme. In the 20th century, Japan enjoyed impressive economic growth, putting it among the world's most affluent nations today. This was mostly driven by rapid modernization and specialization in high technology. Japan is now full of contrasts between the living tradition and much cherished heritage, and its ultra-modern infrastructure, buildings and facilities. While the Japanese are known to be reserved and their language skills are not their strongest asset, they will go out of their way to make you feel a welcome visitor. Japanese retail businesses are also known for their legendary customer service, and visitors from overseas are often surprised at the lengths service staff would go to satisfy the demands of customers. ==Regions== Japan is conventionally divided into nine regions, listed here from north to south: {{Regionlist | regionmap=Japan regions map.png | regionmaptext=Regions of Japan | regionmapsize=401px | region1name=[[Hokkaido]] | region1color=#4f93c0 | region1items= [[Central Circuit]], [[Eastern Circuit]], [[Northern Circuit]], [[Southern Circuit]] | region1description=Northernmost island and snowy frontier. Famous for its wide open spaces and cold winters. | region2name=[[Tohoku]] | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2items=[[Aomori (prefecture)|Aomori]], [[Iwate (prefecture)|Iwate]], [[Akita (prefecture)|Akita]], [[Miyagi]], [[Yamagata (prefecture)|Yamagata]], [[Fukushima (prefecture)|Fukushima]] | region2description=Largely rural north-east part of the main island Honshu, best known for seafood, skiing and hot springs. | region3name=[[Kanto]] | region3color=#d09440 | region3items=[[Ibaraki]], [[Tochigi (prefecture)|Tochigi]], [[Gunma]], [[Saitama (prefecture)|Saitama]], [[Chiba (prefecture)|Chiba]], [[Tokyo (prefecture)|Tokyo]], [[Kanagawa]] | region3description=Coastal plain of Honshu, includes the cities of [[Tokyo]] and [[Yokohama]]. | region4name=[[Chubu]] | region4color=#b5d29f | region4items=[[Niigata (prefecture)|Niigata]], [[Toyama (prefecture)|Toyama]], [[Ishikawa]], [[Fukui (prefecture)|Fukui]], [[Yamanashi (prefecture)|Yamanashi]], [[Nagano (prefecture)|Nagano]], [[Shizuoka (prefecture)|Shizuoka]], [[Aichi]], [[Gifu (prefecture)|Gifu]] | region4description=Mountainous middle region of Honshu, dominated by the [[Japan Alps]] and Japan's fourth-largest city [[Nagoya]]. | region5name=[[Kansai]] | region5color=#d56d76 | region5items=[[Shiga]], [[Mie]], [[Kyoto (prefecture)|Kyoto]], [[Osaka (prefecture)|Osaka]], [[Nara (prefecture)|Nara]], [[Wakayama (prefecture)|Wakayama]], [[Hyogo]] | region5description=Western region of Honshu, ancient capital of culture and commerce, including the cities of [[Osaka]], [[Kyoto]], [[Nara]] and [[Kobe]]. | region6name=[[Chugoku]] | region6color=#71b37b | region6items=[[Tottori (prefecture)|Tottori]], [[Shimane]], [[Okayama (prefecture)|Okayama]], [[Hiroshima (prefecture)|Hiroshima]], [[Yamaguchi (prefecture)|Yamaguchi]] | region6description=South-westernmost Honshu, a rural region best known for the cities of [[Hiroshima]] and [[Okayama]]. | region7name=[[Shikoku]] | region7color=#b383b3 | region7items=[[Kagawa]], [[Ehime]], [[Tokushima (prefecture)|Tokushima]], [[Kochi (prefecture)|Kochi]] | region7description=Smallest of the four main islands, a destination for Buddhist pilgrims, and Japan's best white-water rafting. | region8name=[[Kyushu]] | region8color=#69999f | region8items=[[Fukuoka (prefecture)|Fukuoka]], [[Saga (prefecture)|Saga]], [[Nagasaki (prefecture)|Nagasaki]], [[Oita (prefecture)|Oita]], [[Kumamoto (prefecture)|Kumamoto]], [[Miyazaki (prefecture)|Miyazaki]], [[Kagoshima (prefecture)|Kagoshima]] | region8description=Southernmost of the four main islands, birthplace of Japanese civilization; largest cities [[Fukuoka]] and [[Kitakyushu]]. | region9name=[[Okinawa]] | region9color=#db3021 | region9items=Okinawa Islands, [[Daito Islands]], [[Miyako Islands]], [[Yaeyama Islands]] | region9description=This semi-tropical southern island chain was an independent kingdom until it was annexed in 1879; its traditional customs and architecture are very different from those of the rest of Japan. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#4f93c0|title=[[Hokkaido]]|wikidata=Q35581|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Tohoku]]|wikidata=Q129465|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d09440|title=[[Kanto]]|wikidata=Q132480|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#4f93c0|title=[[Chubu]]|wikidata=Q134638|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Kansai]]|wikidata=Q164256|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Chugoku]]|wikidata=Q127864|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Shikoku]]|wikidata=Q13991|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#69999f|title=[[Kyushu]]|wikidata=Q13987|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#db3021|title=[[Okinawa]]|wikidata=Q766445|stroke-opacity=0.1}} ==Cities== {{Mapframe|35.42|133.95|zoom=4|height=500|width=|layer=M|staticmap=|align=}} {{Mapshapes|Q164338}} <!-- Shinkansen (High speed rail) --> Japan has thousands of cities; these are nine of the most important to the traveller. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Tokyo]]|url=|lat=35.683333|long=139.683333|wikidata=Q7473516}} — the capital and main financial center, modern and densely populated *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hiroshima]]|url=|lat=34.385278|long=132.455278|wikidata=Q34664}} — large port city, the first city to be destroyed by an atomic bomb *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kanazawa]]|url=|lat=36.566667|long=136.65|wikidata=Q191130}} — historic city on the west coast *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kyoto]]|url=|lat=35.011667|long=135.768333|wikidata=Q34600}} — ancient capital of Japan, considered the cultural heart of the country, with many ancient Buddhist temples and gardens *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nagasaki]]|url=|lat=32.783333|long=129.866667|wikidata=Q38234}} — ancient port city with a unique blend of Chinese, Japanese, and European influences *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nara]]|url=|lat=34.683333|long=135.8|wikidata=Q169134}} — first capital of a united Japan, with many Buddhist shrines and historical buildings *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Osaka]]|url=|lat=34.693889|long=135.502222|wikidata=Q35765}} — large and dynamic city located in the Kansai region *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sapporo]]|url=|lat=43.066667|long=141.35|wikidata=Q37951}} — largest city in Hokkaido, famous for its snow festival *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sendai]]|url=|lat=38.266667|long=140.866667|wikidata=Q46747}} — largest city in the Tohoku region, known as the city of forests due to its tree-lined avenues and wooded hills ==Other destinations== See [[Japan's Top 3]] for some sights and places held in the high esteem by the Japanese themselves, and [[Off the beaten track in Japan]] for a selection of fascinating but less well known destinations throughout the country. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Miyajima]]|url=|lat=34.275556|long=132.307778|wikidata=Q875301}} — just off Hiroshima, site of the iconic floating ''torii'' *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mount Fuji]]|url=|lat=35.358056|long=138.731111|wikidata=Q39231}} — iconic snow-topped volcano, and highest peak in Japan (3776m) *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mount Koya]]|url=|lat=34.2125|long=135.586389|wikidata=Q535065}} — mountaintop headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect *{{Marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Naoshima]]|wikidata=Q1350060}} - "Art Island" with many museums and instillations off the coast of Shikoku *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Sado Island]]|url=|lat=38.016667|long=138.366667|wikidata=Q499047}} — island off Niigata, former home to exiles and prisoners, now a brilliant summer getaway *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Shirakawa-go]]|url=|lat=36.257345|long=136.906832|wikidata=Q66087931}} — one of the most well-preserved and picturesque historic villages in the nation. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Shiretoko National Park]]|url=|lat=44.1|long=145.183333|wikidata=Q739391}} — unspoiled wilderness at Hokkaido's northeasternmost tip *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yaeyama Islands]]|url=|lat=24.363056|long=123.746389|wikidata=Q696496}} — the farthest-flung bit of Okinawa, with spectacular diving, beaches and jungle cruising *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yakushima]]|url=|lat=30.358611|long=130.528611|wikidata=Q242176}} — [[UNESCO World Heritage site]] with enormous cedars and misty primeval forests ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationMapJapan.png}} Also known as the "Land of the Rising Sun", Japan is a country where the past meets the future. Japanese culture stretches back millennia, yet has also adopted (and created) the latest modern fashions and trends. Japan is a study in contrasts and contradictions. Many Japanese corporations still dominate their industries yet, if you read the financial news, it seems like Japan is practically bankrupt. Cities are as modern and high tech as anywhere else, but tumbledown wooden shacks can still be spotted next to glass fronted designer condominiums. Japan has beautiful temples and gardens which are often surrounded by garish signs and ugly buildings. In the middle of a modern skyscraper you might discover a sliding wooden door which leads to a traditional chamber with tatami mats, calligraphy, and tea ceremony. These juxtapositions mean you may often be surprised and rarely bored by your travels in Japan. Although Japan has often been seen in the West as a land combining tradition and modernity, and juxtapositions definitely exist, part of this idea is obsolete, and is a product of Japan being the first major Asian power to modernize as well as Western patronization and heavy promotion by the travel industry. Keep in mind that continued demolition of some of Japan's historic landmarks goes on apace, as with the famed Kabuki-za Theater demolition. Still, with the proper planning, and with expectations held in check, a trip to Japan can be incredibly enjoyable and definitely worthwhile. ===History=== {{see also|Pre-modern Japan}} Japan's location on islands at the outermost edge of Asia has had a profound influence on its history. Just close enough to mainland Asia, yet far enough to keep itself separate, much of Japanese history has seen alternating periods of closure and openness. Until the mid-19th century, Japan has been able to turn on or off its connection to the rest of the world, accepting foreign cultural influences in fits and starts. It's comparable with the relationship between Britain and the rest of Europe, but with a much wider channel. Recorded Japanese history begins in the 5th century, although archaeological evidence of settlement stretches back 50,000 years and the mythical Emperor Jimmu is said to have founded the current Imperial line in the 7th century BCE. Archeological evidence, however, has only managed to trace the Imperial line back to the '''Kofun Period''' (古墳時代) during the 3rd to 7th centuries CE, which was also when the Japanese first had significant contact with China and Korea. Japan then gradually became a centralized state during the '''Asuka Period''' (飛鳥時代), during which Japan extensively absorbed many aspects of Chinese culture, and saw the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism. During that period, Prince Shotoku, the regent of Japan, sent envoys to Tang China to learn more about Chinese culture and practices and introduce them to Japan. The popular board game of [[Go]] is also believed to have been introduced to Japan during this period. [[Image:Kamakura Daibutsu JIM9943-vi.jpg|thumb|The Great Buddha of [[Kamakura]]]] The first strong Japanese state was centered in [[Nara]], then known as Heijo-kyo (平城京), which was built to model the then Chinese capital [[Xi'an|Chang'an]]. This period, dubbed the '''Nara Period''' (奈良時代) was the last time the emperor actually held political power, with power eventually falling into the hands of the Fujiwara clan of court nobles during the '''Heian Period''' (平安時代), when the capital was moved to [[Kyoto]], then known as Heian-Kyo (平安京), also modeled after the Chinese capital Chang'an, which remained the Japanese imperial residence until the 19th century. Chinese influence also reached its peak during the early Heian Period, which saw Buddhism become a popular religion among the masses. This was then followed by the '''Kamakura Period''' (鎌倉時代), when the samurai managed to gain political power. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the most powerful of them, was dubbed ''shogun'' by the emperor and ruled from his base in [[Kamakura]]. The '''Muromachi Period''' (室町時代) then saw the '''Ashikaga shogunate''' come to power, ruling from their base in [[Ashikaga]]. Japan then descended into the chaos of the '''Warring States Period''' (戦国時代) in the 15th century. Japan was gradually unified towards the end of the Warring States Period, known as the '''Azuchi-Momoyama Period''' (安土桃山時代), under the influence of the powerful warlords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ruling from their bases in [[Kiyosu]] and [[Osaka]] respectively. Tokugawa Ieyasu finally completed unification of the country in 1600 and founded the '''Tokugawa shogunate''', a feudal state ruled from Edo, or modern-day [[Tokyo]]. Although the emperor continued to rule in name from the imperial capital in Kyoto, in practice absolute power was concentrated in the hands of the Tokugawa shogun. A strict caste system was imposed, with the Shogun and his ''samurai'' warriors at the top of the heap and no social mobility permitted. During this period, dubbed the '''Edo Period''' (江戸時代), Tokugawa rule kept the country stable but stagnant with a policy of strict isolation while the West rushed ahead. US Commodore Matthew Perry's Black Ships arrived in [[Yokohama]] in 1854, forcing the country to open up to trade with the West, resulting in the signing of unequal treaties, leading to the collapse of the shogunate and the returning of power to the emperor in the '''Meiji Restoration''' (明治維新) of 1868, during which the imperial capital was relocated from Kyoto to Edo, now renamed Tokyo. After observing Western colonization in Southeast Asia and the division and weakening of China, which the Japanese had for so long considered to be the world's greatest superpower, Japan vowed not to be overtaken by the West, launching itself headlong into a drive to modernize at frantic speed, and becoming the first country in Asia to industrialize. Adopting Western technology and culture wholesale, Japan's cities soon sprouted railways, brick buildings and factories, and even the disastrous Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which flattened large parts of Tokyo and killed over 100,000 people, was barely a bump in the road. ====Expansion and war==== [[Image:AtomicEffects-p42a.jpg|thumb|Nuclear devastation in [[Hiroshima]] (1945)]] {{see also|Pacific War|Japanese colonial empire}} From day one, resource-poor Japan had looked elsewhere for the supplies it needed, and this soon turned into a drive to '''expand and colonize''' its neighbors. The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–'95 saw Japan take control of Taiwan, Korea and parts of Manchuria, and its victory against Russia in the 1904–'05 Russo-Japanese War cemented its position of strength. With an increasingly totalitarian government controlled by the military, Japan overthrew the Korean monarchy and annexed Korea outright in 1910. During [[World War I]], Japan participated in the war as part of the Allies, and would subsequently gain control of the German concessions in China. Japan would then stage the Mukden Incident as a pretext to occupy Manchuria in 1931, and subsequently launched a full-scale invasion of China in 1937. Japan would then proceed to invade British Hong Kong and Southeast Asia in 1941, and by the middle of 1942, had an [[Japanese colonial empire|empire]] stretching across much of eastern Asia and the Pacific. In 1941, Japan attacked '''Pearl Harbor''', destroying a small portion of the U.S. Pacific fleet but drawing America into the war, whose tide soon started to turn against Japan. By the time Japan was forced to surrender in 1945 after the '''nuclear attacks''' on [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]], 1.86 million Japanese civilians and military personnel had died, well over 10 million Chinese and other Asians had been killed, and Japan was occupied for the first time in its history. The Japanese government has been lukewarm at best in apologising for or even acknowledging the atrocities committed during World War II, which remains a major bone of contention in diplomatic relations with other Asian countries, in particular its neighbours China and South Korea. ====Post-war Japan==== The Emperor kept his throne but was turned into a constitutional monarch. Thus converted to pacifism and democracy, with the U.S. taking care of defense, Japan now directed its prodigious energies into peaceful technology and reemerged from poverty to conquer the world's marketplaces with an endless stream of cars and consumer electronics to attain the second-largest gross national product in the world after the United States. But frenzied growth could not last forever, and after the Nikkei stock index hit the giddy heights of 39,000 in 1989, the bubble well and truly burst, leading to Japan's '''lost decade''' of the 1990s that saw the real estate bubbles deflate, the stock market fall by half and, adding insult to injury, the '''Great Hanshin Earthquake''' of 1995 that leveled parts of [[Kobe]] and killed over 6,000 people. The economy has yet to fully recover from its doldrums, with deflation driving down prices, an increasingly unsupportable burden of government debt (nearing 200% of GDP) and an increasing polarization of Japanese society into "haves" with permanent jobs and "have-not" ''freeters'' drifting between temporary jobs. National anxiety has also increased due to neighboring [[China]]'s more assertive regional stance as well overtaking Japan to become the world's second largest economy. Nevertheless, Japan continues to be home to many of the world's leading high technology corporations, and the Japanese maintain one of the highest standards of living in the world. Tragedy struck again in March 2011 with the '''Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami'''. Japan's worst disaster since World War II claimed the lives of over 15,000 people with another 2,500 missing. Like previous disasters, Japan is recovering and the impacted areas&mdash;save for a small perimeter around a damaged nuclear power plant outside of [[Fukushima]]&mdash;are open once again. Many cities and towns in northern [[Tohoku]] located along the Pacific coast were severely damaged or destroyed. A few locations, however, were lucky&mdash;in [[Matsushima]], it is believed that the pine-clad islands that are offshore helped mitigate the impact of the tsunami and saved the city from substantial damage. The islands are a famous attraction in Matsushima, and are said to be one of Japan's "[[Japan's Top 3#Three Views|Three Great Views]]." In May 2019, Emperor Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne after the abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito. This marked the first Imperial succession from a living Emperor since Emperor Kōkaku abdicated the throne in 1817. ===Government and politics=== Japan is a constitutional monarchy, modeled after the British parliamentary system. The Imperial House of Japan is the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy house in the world, traditionally said to have began in 660 BC. The current constitution, enacted in 1947 after World War II, redefined the emperor's role to be entirely ceremonial; unlike European monarchs, he is not even the source of sovereign power, nor is it "his" government. The few government functions he performs are always done following instructions from the Cabinet. The legislative branch is the National Diet (国会 ''kokkai''), consisting of the upper House of Councillors and the larger and more powerful lower House of Representatives. Both are popularly elected under a parallel system, where some seats are filled by individual candidates and others are filled by a party. The Cabinet forms the executive branch of government. It is led by the prime minister, who is elected by the Diet; the prime minister appoints ministers to the Cabinet, a majority of whom must be members of the Diet. The Supreme Court and three tiers of lower courts form the judicial branch. Many functions are delegated to prefectural and municipal governments, but they're constrained by national law, and dependent on the national government for funding. The result is that policies are generally somewhat centralized and homogeneous, but prefectures, cities, and towns retain some uniqueness. Japan has several major political parties (and thousands in total), which have shifted, merged, and split over time — which probably explains their confusing names. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, 自民党 ''Jimintō''), which is generally conservative and pro-business, has been in power almost continuously since 1955. The dominant LDP has a number of factions; these sub-parties themselves sometimes split or merge just as national parties do. ===People=== [[Image:Taketomi Island 20071002 07.jpg|thumb|Japan is not always crowded &mdash; like this beach in [[Taketomi]], [[Okinawa]]]] As an island nation shut off from the rest of the world for a long time (with only some contact with China and Korea), Japan is very '''homogeneous''', and almost 99% of the population is of Japanese ethnicity. The largest minority are Koreans, around 1 million strong, many in their 3rd or 4th generations. There are also sizable populations of Chinese, Filipinos and Brazilians, although many are of Japanese descent. Though largely assimilated, the resident Chinese population maintains a presence in Japan's three Chinatowns in [[Kobe]], [[Nagasaki]] and [[Yokohama]]. Indigenous ethnic minorities include the '''Ainu''' on [[Hokkaido]], gradually driven north during the centuries and now numbering around 50,000 (although the number varies greatly depending on the exact definition used), and the '''Ryukyuan''' people of [[Okinawa]]. Japan's population started shrinking in 2008, and since efforts to increase the birth rate have largely fallen flat, immigration is increasingly being used to fill in the gaps. Particularly in Tokyo quite a few service industry workers now hail from China, Vietnam or Nepal. The Japanese are well known for their politeness. Many Japanese are thrilled to have visitors to their country and are incredibly helpful to lost and bewildered-looking foreigners. Younger Japanese people are often extremely interested in meeting and becoming friends with foreigners as well. Do not be surprised if a Japanese person (usually of the opposite gender) approaches you in a public place and tries to initiate a conversation with you in somewhat coherent English. On the other hand, many are not used to dealing with foreigners (外人 ''gaijin'', or the more politically correct 外国人 ''gaikokujin'') and are more reserved and reluctant to communicate. Visibly foreign visitors remain a rarity in many parts of Japan outside of major cities, and you will likely encounter moments when entering a shop causes the staff to seemingly panic and scurry off into the back. Don't take this as racism or other xenophobia: they're just afraid that you'll try to address them in English and they'll be embarrassed because they can't understand or reply. A smile and a ''konnichiwa'' ("Hello") often helps. ===Culture=== Japan has gone through periods of openness and isolation during its history, therefore its culture is unique, if anything. Having been in the Chinese cultural sphere for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences can be seen in Japanese culture. They have been seamlessly blended with native Japanese customs to give rise to a culture that is distinctly Japanese. During the Edo Period, Japanese culture was strongly influenced by Confucianism. The Tokugawa Shogunate instituted a rigid class system, with the Shogun at the apex, his retainers below him, and the other samurai below that, followed by a vast population of commoners at the bottom. Commoners were expected to pay respect to samurai (at the risk of being killed if they didn't), and women were expected to be subservient to men. Samurai were expected to adopt a "Death before dishonor" attitude, and would typically commit suicide by self-disembowelment (切腹 ''seppuku'') rather than live in shame. Although the Edo Period ended with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, its legacy lives on in Japanese society. Honor remains an important concept in Japanese society, employees are still expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women continue to struggle for equal treatment. Japanese people are fiercely proud of their heritage and culture, and hold on to many ancient traditions that go back hundreds of years. At the same time, they also seem to be obsessed with the latest technology, and consumer technology in Japan is often several years ahead of the rest of the world. This paradox of being traditional yet ultramodern often serves to intrigue visitors, and many keep returning to Japan to experience this after their first visit. ====Holidays==== [[File:Awa-odori 2008 Tokushima.jpg|thumb|The Awa Odori, a famous Obon Festival in [[Tokushima]] ]] The most important holiday in Japan is the '''New Year''' (お正月 ''Oshōgatsu''), which pretty much shuts down the country from 30 December to 3 January. Japanese head home to their families (which means massive transport congestion), eat festive foods, and head out to the neighborhood temple at the stroke of midnight to wish in the New Year. Many Japanese travel to other countries as well, and prices for airfares are very high. In March or April, Japanese head out en masse for ''hanami'' (花見, lit. "flower viewing"), a festival of outdoors picnics and drunken revelry in parks, cleverly disguised as '''cherry blossom''' (桜 ''sakura'') viewing. The exact timing of the famously fleeting blossoms varies from year to year and Japan's TV channels follow the progress of the cherry blossom front from south to north obsessively. [[Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossoms Spots|Top ''sakura'' spots]] like Kyoto are packed with tourists. Peak ''hanami'' often coincides with the start of the new school & financial year on April 1, which means lots of people on the move and full hotels in major cities. Japan's longest holiday is '''[[Golden Week in Japan|Golden Week]]''' (29 April to 5 May), when there are four public holidays within a week and people go on an extended vacation. Trains become crowded and flight and hotel prices are jacked up to multiples of normal prices, making this a bad time to travel in Japan, but the weeks immediately before or after Golden Week are excellent choices. Summer brings a spate of festivals designed to distract people from the intolerable heat and humidity (comparable to the US Midwest). There are local festivals (祭 ''matsuri'') and impressive fireworks competitions (花火 ''hanabi'') throughout the country. '''Tanabata''' (七夕), on 7 July (or early August in some places), commemorates a story of star-crossed lovers who could only meet on this day. The largest summer festival is '''Obon''' (お盆), held in mid-July in eastern Japan ([[Kanto]]) and mid-August in western Japan ([[Kansai]]), which honors departed ancestral spirits. Everybody heads home to visit village graveyards, and transport is packed. ====National holidays==== * '''1 January''' — New Year's Day (''ganjitsu'' 元日, ''gantan'' 元旦 or ''o-shōgatsu'' お正月) * '''2 and 3 January''' — New Year's Bank Holidays * '''Second Monday in January''' — Coming-of-Age Day (''seijin no hi'' 成人の日) * '''11 February''' — National Foundation Day (''kenkoku kinen no hi'' 建国記念の日) * '''23 February''' — The Emperor's Birthday (''tennō tanjōbi'' 天皇誕生日) * '''21 March''' — Vernal Equinox Day (''shunbun no hi'' 春分の日) * '''29 April''' — Showa Day (''shōwa no hi'' 昭和の日) * '''3 May''' — Constitution Day (''kenpō kinnenbi'' 憲法記念日) * '''4 May''' — Greenery Day (''midori no hi'' みどりの日) * '''5 May''' — Children's Day (''kodomo no hi'' こどもの日) * '''Third Monday in July''' — Marine Day (''umi no hi'' 海の日) * '''11 August''' - Mountain Day (''yama no hi'' 山の日) * '''Third Monday in September'''— Respect-for-the-Aged Day (''keirō no hi'' 敬老の日) * '''23 September''' — Autumnal Equinox Day (''shūbun no hi'' 秋分の日) * '''Second Monday in October''' — Sports Day (''supōtsu no hi'' スポーツの日) * '''3 November''' — Culture Day (''bunka no hi'' 文化の日) * '''23 November''' — Labor Thanksgiving Day (''kinrō kansha no hi'' 勤労感謝の日) * '''31 December''' — New Year's Bank Holiday Holidays based on the seasons, such as equinoxes, may vary by a day or two. Additional bank holidays, also known as compensation holidays, are usually added if any holiday falls on a Sunday, and in cases when two dates for holidays are close together. Most Japanese people take additional time off around New Year's, during Golden Week, and during Obon. The most important festival is New Year's Day, and many shops and restaurants close for at least 2 days during this period, so it might not be an ideal time to visit. However, convenience stores remain open, and many temples conduct New Year's Day fairs, so it's still not difficult to find food to eat. ====The Japanese calendar==== The Imperial era year, which counts from the year of ascension of the Emperor, is often used for reckoning dates in Japan, including transportation timetables and store receipts. The current era is '''Reiwa''' (令和), which began on 1 May 2019 with the ascension of Emperor Naruhito to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Reiwa 4 corresponds to 2022; the year may be written as "R4" or just "4". You may see dates written down in the format of year/month/date; for example, "4/4/1" is 1 April 2022 and "5/4/1" would be 1 April 2023. The Western Gregorian calendar is commonly used. Japan has celebrated its festivals according to the Gregorian calendar since 1873 and no longer uses the Chinese calendar, with the exception of some festivals in the Ryukyu Islands. ====Religion==== [[Image:koya-rooftops-jpatokal.jpg|thumb|Buddhist temples, [[Mount Koya]]]] [[Image:DewaSanZan Japan YudonosanGate.jpg|thumb|Shinto ''torii'' gate, [[Dewa Sanzan]]]] Japan has two dominant religious traditions: '''Shinto''' (神道 ''Shintō'') is the ancient animist religion of traditional Japan. At just over twelve hundred years in Japan, '''[[Buddhism]]''' (仏教 ''Bukkyō'') is the more recent imported faith. '''Christianity''' (キリスト教 ''Kirisutokyō''), introduced by European missionaries, was widely persecuted during the feudal era but is now accepted, and a small percentage of Japanese are Christian, concentrated in western Japan. Generally speaking, the Japanese are not a particularly religious people. While they are strongly influenced by Buddhist philosophies and regularly visit shrines and temples to offer coins and make silent prayers, religious faith and doctrine play a small role (if any) in the life of the average Japanese. Thus it would be impossible to try to represent what percentage of the population is Shinto versus Buddhist, or even Christian. According to a famous poll, Japan is 80% Shinto ''and'' 80% Buddhist, and another oft-quoted dictum states that Japanese are Shinto when they live, as weddings and festivals are typically Shinto, but Buddhist when they die, since funerals usually use Buddhist rites. Neither Buddhism nor Shinto demand exclusivity, so most Japanese practice a mix of both religions. At the same time, Shinto and Buddhism have had an enormous influence on the country's history and cultural life. The Shinto religion focuses on the spirit of the land, and is reflected in the country's exquisite gardens and peaceful shrines deep in ancient forests. When you visit a shrine (神社 ''jinja'') with its simple ''torii'' (鳥居) gate, you are seeing Shinto customs and styles. If you see an empty plot of land with some white paper suspended in a square, that's a Shinto ceremony to dedicate the land for a new building. Buddhism in Japan has branched out in numerous directions over the centuries. Nichiren (日蓮) is the largest branch of Buddhist belief. Westerners are probably most familiar with Zen (禅) Buddhism, which was introduced to Japan in the 14th and 15th centuries. Zen fit the aesthetic and moral sensibilities of medieval Japan, influencing arts such as flower-arranging (生け花 ''ikebana''), tea ceremony (茶道 ''sadō''), ceramics, painting, calligraphy, poetry, and the [[martial arts]]. Over the years, Shinto and Buddhism have intertwined considerably. You will find them side by side in cities, towns, and people's lives. It's not at all unusual to find a sparse Shinto ''torii'' standing before an elaborate Buddhist temple (お寺 ''o-tera''). Christianity is evident almost exclusively in a commercial sense. In season, variations of Santa Claus, Christmas trees and other non-religious Christmas symbols are on display in malls and shopping centers throughout metropolitan areas. A Christian minority exists in Japan and there was historically a group called ''Kakure Kirishitan'' (隠れキリシタン) or "hidden Christians" who went underground when Japan persecuted Christianity. However, this group is all but extinct nowadays, having become mainstream Christians or Shinto/Buddhist for the most part. Unlike South Korea, Japan does not have "megachurch" style denominations and while Christians have attained high political offices - including that of Prime Minister - at 1-2% of the Japanese population, Christianity is not very visible and most Japanese people will have wrong or no knowledge of even basic tenets of Christianity.<!--Hidden_Christian_Sites_in_the_Nagasaki_Region this should be linked if WV has an article on this--> ===Climate=== [[Image:JP-19 Syousenkyo.jpg|thumb|Autumn colors in [[Kofu]], [[Yamanashi (prefecture)|Yamanashi]]]] The Japanese are proud of their four seasons, but the tourist with a flexible travel schedule should aim for spring or autumn. * '''Spring''' is one of the best times of year to be in Japan. The temperatures are warm but not hot, there's not too much rain, and March–April brings the justly famous '''cherry blossoms''' (''sakura'') and is a time of revelry and festivals. * '''Summer''' starts with a dreary '''rainy season''' (known as ''tsuyu'' or ''baiu'') in June and turns into a steam bath in July–August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 40&nbsp;°C. Avoid, or head to northern [[Hokkaido]] or the mountains of [[Chubu]] and [[Tohoku]] to escape. The upside, though, is a slew of fireworks shows (花火大会 ''hanabi taikai'') and festivals big and small. * '''Autumn''', starting in September, is also an excellent time to be in Japan. Temperatures and humidity become more tolerable, fair days are common and fall colors can be just as impressive as cherry blossoms. However, in early autumn '''typhoons''' often hit the southern parts of Japan and bring everything to a standstill. * '''Winter''' is a good time to go skiing or hot-spring hopping, but as some buildings lack central heating, it's often miserably cold indoors. Heading south to [[Okinawa]] provides some relief. There is usually heavy snow in Hokkaido and northeast Japan due to the cold wind blasts from Siberia. The Pacific coast of Honshu (where most major cities are located) has milder winters than the Sea of Japan coast: it may be snowing in Kyoto while it is cloudy or sprinkling rain in Osaka, an hour away. ===Read=== There are multitudes of books written on Japan. A good place to begin is one of the many recommended reading lists such as sites like '''[http://www.crazyjapan.com/CJGuide%20Read.html The Crazy Japan Times]''' or '''[http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=354&pID=287&cName=Books&pName=travel-books Japan Visitor]'''. Some recommended books include: * ''Untangling My Chopsticks'' ({{ISBN|076790852X}}), by Victoria Abbott Riccardi. Set mainly in [[Kyoto]]. * ''My Mother is a Tractor'' ({{ISBN|1412048974}}), by Nicholas Klar. A former English teacher with a witty and informative take on Japanese society. Written from the depths of the Japanese countryside. * ''Hitching Rides with Buddha'' ({{ISBN|1841957852}}), by Will Ferguson, is about a Canadian English teacher who hitches rides across the country, following the blooming cherry blossoms. At times hilariously funny and deathly serious, it gives a very honest evaluation of all sorts of aspects of Japanese culture. * ''Culture Shock: Japan'' ({{ISBN|1558688528}}). A part of the "Culture Shock" series, this is an excellent overview of the culture and lifestyle of the Japanese. A good resource for a long or work-related stay in Japan or even for interaction with Japanese people. * ''All-You-Can Japan'' ({{ISBN|1453666354}}), by Josh Shulman, is a unique travel guide to Japan that offers a wise and economical travel strategy rather than references to various points of interest. The author was born and raised in Japan, and writes this short guide in a casual, easy-to-read language. ===Watch=== Television shows about Japan: * ''[http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/japanologyplus/ Japanology Plus]'' (and its prior incarnation ''Begin Japanology'') &ndash; Produced by NHK World-Japan, these long-running series explore a plethora of topics in Japanese culture and customs, from arts and foods to robots and refrigerators, as well as some unexpected topics like batteries or scissors. * Travel-oriented shows produced by NHK World-Japan include ''[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/journeys/ Journeys in Japan]'' and ''[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/traincruise/ Train Cruise]''. ==Talk== [[Image:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] {{see also|Japanese phrasebook}} The language of Japan is '''[[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]]'''. Japanese is a language with several distinct dialects, although Standard Japanese (''hyōjungo'' 標準語), which is based on the Tokyo dialect, is taught in schools and known by most people throughout the country. The slang-heavy dialect of the [[Kansai]] region is particularly famous in Japanese pop culture, while the northern [[Tohoku]] region and southern [[Kyushu]] are famous for their impenetrable dialects. On the southern islands of [[Okinawa]], many of the closely related '''Ryukyuan''' languages are spoken, mostly by the elderly, while many locals speak Okinawan Japanese, a dialect that borrows much vocabulary from Ryukyuan languages. In northern [[Hokkaido]], a rare few still speak '''[[Ainu phrasebook|Ainu]]'''. Japanese is written using a convoluted mix of three different scripts: ''kanji'' (漢字) or Chinese characters, together with "native" ''hiragana'' (ひらがな) and ''katakana'' (カタカナ) syllabaries. There are thousands of kanji in everyday use and even the Japanese spend years learning them, but the ''kana'' have only 46 characters each and can be learned with a reasonable amount of effort. Of the two, ''katakana'' are probably more useful for the visitor as they are used to write loanwords from foreign languages other than Chinese, and thus can be used to figure out the numerous English loan words in Japanese like ''basu'' (バス, '''bus'''), ''kamera'' (カメラ, '''camera''') or ''konpyūtā'' (コンピューター, '''computer'''). However, some words like ''terebi'' (テレビ, '''televi'''sion), ''depāto'' (デパート, '''depart'''ment store), ''wāpuro'' (ワープロ, '''wo'''rd '''pro'''cessor) and ''sūpā'' (スーパー, '''super'''market) may be harder to figure out. Knowing Chinese will also be a great head start for tackling ''kanji'', but not all words mean what they seem: 手紙 (lit. "hand-paper"; Mandarin Chinese: ''shǒuzhǐ'', Japanese: ''tegami''), "toilet paper" to the Chinese, means "letter" (the kind you mail) in Japan! Most younger Japanese have studied '''English''' for at least 6 years, but the instruction tends to focus on formal grammar and writing rather than actual conversation. Outside of major tourist attractions and large international hotels, it is rare to find people who are conversant in English. Reading and writing tends to come much better though, and many people are able to understand some written English without being able to speak it. If lost, it can be practical to write out a question on paper in simple words and someone will likely be able to point you in the right direction. It can also be helpful to carry a hotel business card or matchbook with you, to show a taxi driver or someone if you lose your way. Take comfort in the fact that many Japanese will go to extraordinary lengths to understand what you want and to help you, therefore it is worthwhile to try to pick up at least basic greetings and thank yous to put people at ease. Public facilities like trains almost universally include English signage, and the Shinkansen and other commonly-used trains also announce upcoming stops in English. Tourist attractions and large businesses also usually have at least some English signage, but as you get farther off the beaten path, English becomes more spotty (and the translations more questionable). Some of the major tourist attractions and large international hotels in Tokyo have staff who can speak '''Mandarin''' or '''Korean''', and many major airports and railway stations also have signs in Chinese and Korean as well. In Hokkaido, a few people who live in ports frequented by Russian sailors may know some '''Russian'''. '''Japanese Sign Language''' (JSL, 日本手話 ''nihon shuwa'') is the dominant sign language. Its adoption has been slow, but it has a few strong proponents, including Kiko, Princess Akishino, who is a skilled sign interpreter and participates in many sign language and deaf events. It is mutually intelligible with Korean and Taiwanese Sign Languages, but not with Chinese Sign Language, Auslan, American Sign Language, or others. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|A limited number of foreigners can enter Japan on '''supervised, fixed itinerary tours''' with an approved tour operator. Such travelers must arrive from a country or territory on the '''blue list''' (as described below), must take out private health insurance, and must agree to follow Japan's anti-infection measures. Measures to further ease restrictions for tourists are not yet known. Foreigners can also enter Japan for stays of 90 days or less that are not related to tourism (such as business or employment purposes), or if staying in the country for greater than 90 days. Such arrivals must be sponsored by a Japanese individual or business responsible for the visit. Entry is also permitted for permanent residents and arrivals due to exceptional circumstances (i.e. humanitarian considerations). A '''visa''' will be required to enter Japan in most cases, even if arriving from a location that would normally have visa-free arrangements. '''Before attempting to make travel plans,''' contact your [https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html local Japanese embassy or consulate] for the latest information and entry requirements. Travelers from Canada and the United States can apply for an '''[https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index electronic visa]''' in advance of travel. Prior to departure you must take a PCR COVID test within 72 hours of your flight's departure with a confirmed negative result. You are also encouraged to use the Japanese Government's [https://www.digital.go.jp/en/services/visit_japan_web Visit Japan Web service] and [https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/fasttrack/en/ Fast Track service] where you can submit vaccination records, test results, quarantine, immigration and customs declarations in advance. Arrivals are classified into three color categories based on the current coronavirus situation at the traveler's point of origin, as assessed by the Japanese government: *'''Blue:''' Arrival testing and quarantine is not required, regardless of vaccination status. *'''Yellow:''' Arrival testing and self-quarantine for five days is required. Such travelers can exit quarantine after three days with another negative COVID PCR or antigen/LFD test result (testing is at the traveler's expense). If fully vaccinated, arrival testing and quarantine is not required. *'''Red:''' Arrival testing and quarantine at a government-designated facility is required. Such travelers can exit quarantine after three days with another negative test result. If fully vaccinated, five days of self-quarantine will be required (shortened to three days with another negative test result). For quarantine purposes, Japan defines "fully vaccinated" as having received a full series of COVID vaccinations ''and'' a booster shot. For all of these, Japan recognizes Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson&Johnson, Covaxin and Novavax vaccines. Failure to comply with health surveys or hospitalization requests while in Japan, or falsifying information on quarantine declaration forms, may result in a fine of up to ¥500,000 or up to six months of imprisonment. For additional information: *[https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare] page on current Japanese border measures and restrictions *[https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan] page with the latest fine print on border measures *[https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/ JNTO coronavirus advisory page]|lastedit=2022-08-18}} [[File:Visa policy of Japan.svg|thumb|450px|Visa policy of Japan{{legend|#ee161f|Japan}} {{legend|#0b6628|Visa-free - up to 6 months}} {{legend|#1cb34b|Visa-free - 90 days}}{{legend|#1ab5a1|Visa-free - 30 days (registered passports only)}}{{legend|#b6e717|Visa-free - 15 days}}{{legend|#ddf395|Visa-free - 15 days (registered passports only)}}{{legend|#adadad|Visa required}}]] {{infobox|Visa policy overview|* '''Visa free entry''': 15, 30 or 90 days for citizens of [http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html certain countries] * '''Transit Visa''': 15 days * '''Temporary Visitor Visa''': max. 90 days (for short-term stay like tourism and business) * '''Working Visa''': max. 3 years * '''General Visa''': max. 3 years (for accepting training) * '''Special Visa''': max. 3 years (for long-term residence) You can contact your nearest [http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html Japanese embassies and consulates] for more details. }} [http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html#list Citizens of most developed countries], including all the usual suspects (US, Canada, UK, EU, etc) can obtain entry permission on arrival without a visa. This is usually valid for a stay of up to 90 days, although Mexicans and some European nationalities are permitted to stay for 180 days if they ask for a longer stay upon entry. All other nationalities must obtain a "temporary visitor" visa prior to arrival, which is generally valid for a stay of 90 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an [http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/ on-line Guide to Japanese Visas]. No visa is required for a same-day transit between international flights at the same airport, so long as you do not leave the secured area. Foreigners must typically fill out a '''disembarkation form''' for immigration, and a '''declaration form''' for customs. Those arriving from certain countries may also be required to fill out a '''quarantine form'''. Travellers entering Japan with anything other than a temporary visitor visa are required to obtain a "Residence Card" (在留カード), colloquially known as a ''gaijin card'', within 90 days of arrival and carry it at all times in lieu of their passport. Those staying for 90 days or less may complete this registration, but they are not obligated to. This card must be surrendered upon exit from Japan, unless a re-entry permit is held. '''Drug laws are stricter''' in Japan than in many other Western countries, and this would be an unpleasant surprise at customs. A number of over-the-counter and prescription drugs that are legal in other countries are not allowed in Japan. Ignorance is not considered an excuse, and you can expect to be jailed and deported if caught. See [http://www.customs.go.jp/english/index.htm '''Japan Customs website'''] for details, or check with the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. (See also ''[[#Drug trafficking|&sect; Drug trafficking]]''.) * Some '''over-the-counter medications''', notably pseudoephedrine (Actifed, Claritin-D, Sudafed, Vicks inhalers) and codeine (some cough medications), cannot be brought into Japan. ** Some items that may not be brought in can be found locally with restrictions: for example, Benza-Block L, a common cold medicine in Japan, contains pseudoephedrine, with the restriction that one person may only buy one box from one pharmacy at a time. * Some '''prescription medicines''' (mostly strong painkillers) are also banned'even if you have a prescription, unless you get a ''yakkan shoumei'' (薬監証明 "medicine certificate"), which typically takes 1-2 weeks to obtain; some drugs may need additional import/export certificates. ** You may also require permission in order to import drug-filled syringes, such as '''EpiPens'''. ** Drugs used to treat '''ADHD''' are restricted: amphetamine (Adderall) is completely illegal, while methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta) and atomoxetine (Strattera) may require permission depending on the amount. * '''[[Cannabis]]''' and '''CBD/THC''' products, which are seeing increased used in certain parts of the world, are also illegal in Japan. Once in Japan, '''you must carry your passport or trusted traveler card''' (see below) with you at all times. If caught in a random check without it (and nightclub raids are not uncommon), you'll be detained until somebody can fetch it for you. First offenders who apologize are usually let off with a warning, although you could be fined up to ¥200,000. All foreigners (except those on government business and certain permanent residents) age 16 and older are electronically fingerprinted and photographed as part of immigration entry procedures. This may be followed by a short interview conducted by the immigration officer. Entry will be denied if any of these procedures are refused. ====Trusted Traveler Program==== Foreigners who travel frequently to Japan for business, pleasure or family visits may be able to take advantage of Japan's [http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/ttp2/en/index.html Trusted Traveler Program] operated by the Bureau of Immigration. In order to use the service, you must: * Have visited Japan two times in the last 12 months * Possess a passport from a country that has visa-free arrangements with Japan * Have never been deported from Japan * Be working full-time in a major business, or visit on business related to the Japanese government or another Japanese business If you are a United States citizen and are a member of Global Entry (the US Trusted Traveler Program), the business requirement is waived. The fee to apply for Japan's Trusted Traveler Program is ¥2200. Upon approval, you will receive a registered user card valid for either 3 years or until the expiration date of your passport, whichever is sooner. The card will allow you to use the automated immigration kiosks at Haneda, Narita, Chubu and Kansai airports, bypassing the manned immigration counters. You can also carry the card on you in place of your passport, and it will suffice as identification if requested by authorities; the main exception is for tax-exempt shopping, for which both passport and card are required. ===By plane=== [[File:011 Aircraft of various airlines together at Narita Airport, Japan. Swiss Air Lines, United Airlines, Thai Airways.JPG|thumb|Aircraft of Swiss, United and Thai Airways together at Narita Airport terminal]] Most international flights arrive at either [[Narita Airport]] ({{IATA|NRT}}) near [[Tokyo]] or [[Kansai International Airport|Kansai Airport]] ({{IATA|KIX}}) near [[Osaka]]; a smaller number use [[Chubu International Airport]] ({{IATA|NGO}}) near [[Nagoya]]. All three are significant distances from their respective city centers, but are linked to regional rail networks and also have numerous bus services to nearby destinations. Tokyo's other airport, [[Haneda Airport]] ({{IATA|HND}}), the busiest in Japan, has been expanding and shifting from primarily domestic flights back to international, and now has a sizeable network of international flights to destinations that see heavy business traffic. Just about every sizable city has an airport although most only offer domestic flights and a few services to [[China]] and [[South Korea]]. Transiting via both countries can sometimes be cheaper than making a connection in Japan. Narita and Kansai airports are generally easy to get through and not particularly crowded assuming you avoid the main holiday periods &mdash; namely New Year's (end of December &ndash; beginning of January), Golden Week (end of April &ndash; beginning of May), and Obon (Mid-August), when things are more hectic and expensive. Japan's two major airlines are flag carrier '''[http://www.jal.co.jp Japan Airlines]''' ('''JAL''', 日本航空 ''nihon kōkū'') and '''[http://www.ana.co.jp All Nippon Airways]''' ('''ANA''', 全日本空輸 ''zen nippon kūyu'', or just 全日空 ''zennikkū''). Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines also operate flights from numerous U.S. cities into Narita or Haneda, as does Air Canada from several Canadian cities. Finnair offers flights to Japan's major airports (Narita, Chubu, and Kansai) from most European countries via Helsinki airport, often code-sharing with British Airways and Japan Airlines. Low-cost carriers have become increasing popular with cheap domestic and international flights, with companies such as [http://www.jetstar.com/jp/en/home Jetstar] (Australia), [http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/ Skymark], and [http://www.flypeach.com/pc/en Peach] (Osaka) offering competition to JAL and ANA. ===By boat=== There are a number of international ferries to Japan from [[South Korea]], [[China]], and [[Russia]]. These are not particularly price competitive with air tickets, and also often have long travel times. ====South Korea==== *Ferries from [[South Korea]]'s second city [[Busan]] offer an alternative to flying, with the [[Fukuoka]] service being a particularly quick and practical way to travel between the two countries. To [[Fukuoka]], [https://www.jrbeetle.com/en/ JR Kyushu Ferry], operates hydrofoil service several times each day;[http://www.camellia-line.co.jp/ Camellia Line] operates a slower ferry. To [[Shimonoseki]], Kanbu Ferry has daily service. To [[Osaka]], Pan Star Line offers thrice-weekly service. [[Tsushima]] Island is the closest part of Japan to [[South Korea]], and day trips from Busan are practical. * Service from [[Donghae]], South Korea, to [[Sakai Minato]] is offered by [http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/main/main.asp DBS Cruise Ferry]. ====China==== * [[Shanghai]]-[[Osaka]]/[[Kobe]]: [https://www.shinganjin.com/en/ Japan-China Ferry] {{dead link|December 2020}}, weekly service that alternates between Kobe and Osaka. * [[Tianjin]]-[[Kobe]]: China Express Line, weekly service. * [[Suzhou]]-[[Shimonoseki]]: Shanghai-Shimonoseki Ferry, thrice weekly service. ====Taiwan==== * [[Keelung]] (Taiwan)-[[Ishigaki]]/[[Naha]]: [http://www.starcruises.com Star Cruises] offers cruises in summer high season only (May-Sep), but one-way fares are generally not available. ====Russia==== *[[Sakhalin]]-[[Wakkanai]]: Heartland Ferry. Service is suspended Oct–Apr due to sea ice. ''See our [[Russia to Japan via Sakhalin]] itinerary.'' *[[Vladivostok]]-[[Sakai Minato]]: [http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/main/main.asp DBS Cruise Ferry] via [[Donghae]], South Korea. ==Get around== [[Image:TamaToshiMonorail6061.jpg|thumb|[[Tokyo/Tama|Tama]] Monorail in [[Tokyo]], one of the country's many futuristic transport systems]] Japan has one of the world's best transport systems, and getting around is usually a breeze, with the train being overwhelmingly the most popular option. Trains are rarely or never late, and are probably one of the cleanest transport systems on earth. Although travelling around Japan is expensive when compared to other Asian countries, there are a variety of passes that can be used to limit the damage. For sorting through transport schedules and fares, [https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/ '''Navitime'''] and [http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html '''Jorudan'''] are useful companions, although some features are limited to subscribers. Google Maps can give detailed train and bus directions including platform numbers, but given the plethora of choices on popular routes it can be hard to filter results, making it more useful while you're there than for advanced planning. English timetables for long-distance trains are available on the websites of [http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/ JR Hokkaido], [http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html JR East], [http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/ JR Central] and [http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/time_table/time_table.jsp JR Kyushu]. Timetables for the Tokaido, San'yo and Kyushu Shinkansen can also be viewed in English at [http://www.tabi-o-ji.com/go/?lang=en '''Tabi-o-ji''']. Both Navitime and Tabi-o-ji offer options to exclude the '''Nozomi''' and '''Mizuho''' trains from search results, which will benefit holders of the Japan Rail Pass. On Navitime, select the Japan Rail Pass option under Tourist Pass; on Tabi-o-ji, select to exclude Nozomi and Mizuho trains. ====Navigating Japanese cities==== [[File:Nakamura-ward meieki Sag.jpg|thumb|A town block indicator plate in [[Nagoya]] displaying the address ''Nakamura-ku, Meieki 4-chōme, 5-banchi''. That's Nakamura ward, Meieki neighborhood, district 4, block 5. As is common on indicator plates, this sign uses [[Japanese phrasebook#Numbers|kanji]] rather than Arabic numerals for the ''chōme'' (四 rather than 4).|alt=Japanese town block indicator plate displaying the location's ward, neighborhood, and district and block number]] In most of Japan, addresses use a hierarchical scheme that's quite different from Western addresses. '''Most roads have no name'''; instead, cities are split into neighborhoods with names, which are divided into numbered districts (丁目 ''chōme''), which are subdivided into numbered street blocks. Addresses are written in order from largest to smallest; an example address ending in 名駅4丁目5-6 or 名駅4-5-6 would be the neighborhood of Meieki (名駅), district 4, block 5, house 6. (Addresses are usually written in English as "Meieki 4-5-6" or "4-5-6 Meieki", although the post office recommends the confusing "5-6 Meieki 4-chome".) Additional numbers may be appended for the floor or room number. '''Numbering for districts, blocks, and houses is often ''not'' sequential'''; numbers are usually assigned ''chronologically'' as buildings are built, or based on distance from the city center. Small signs near street corners display the ward/neighborhood and district in Japanese (such as 名駅4丁目, ''Meieki 4-chōme''); they often include the block number, but sometimes not, in which case the signs are very unhelpful since a district could be a dozen or more blocks. A building's entrance will usually show the block and house number (such as 5-6, sometimes written 5番6号), but not the district. The lack of road names makes it difficult to give directions; '''maps''' and especially '''satnav''' are a blessing in Japan. A minute spent checking a map can save you half an hour of aimlessly walking. * Most places are described in terms of the walking distance from the nearest train station, and relative to local landmarks. Business cards very often have little maps printed on the back to make navigation easier (at least if you can read Japanese). * Many '''train stations''' have maps of the local area that can help you find a destination if it is reasonably close to the station. * '''Police boxes''' (交番 ''kōban'') also have detailed maps of the area. Going to a ''kōban'' to ask for directions is perfectly normal (it's why they're there), although the policemen usually don't speak much English. * '''Google Maps''' and '''Apple Maps''' in Japan are very accurate, even showing the insides of buildings. However, it may occasionally misinterpret an address and lead you to the wrong location. ===Smart cards=== :''See also: [[Rail travel in Japan#Smart cards|Rail travel in Japan &sect; Smart cards]]'' One of the first things any visitor to Japan should do is pick up a public transport '''smart card''' (スマートカード ''sumāto kādo''), also called an '''IC card''' (ICカード ''ai shī kādo'') or '''''jōsha kādo''''' (乗車カード, "boarding card"). Using a smart card, fares are calculated automatically no matter how complicated your journey or how often you transfer; just tap on and tap off at both ends. In addition to public transport, smart cards are used for all sorts of electronic payments, so they can be used at vending machines, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, etc. Smart cards are also accepted in lieu of paper tickets for some bullet trains when journeys are purchased online in advance. Different cards are available in each region (such as '''Suica''' and '''Pasmo''' in and around Tokyo, and '''ICOCA''' in Kansai), but the major ones are ''fully interchangeable'', meaning you can pick up a card in any major city and use it in virtually the entire country, the main exceptions being [[Shikoku]] and [[Okinawa]]. These cards can be purchased from any station ticket counter and many station vending machines, including those at airports. The base deposit is ¥500 plus the amount you wish to load. Alternatively, simply [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207154 add a Suica card] to '''Apple Wallet''' or a PASMO card to '''Google Pay''' before you travel. Cards can be topped up in the same places. The deposit and any remaining value on a physical card can be refunded when you leave Japan provided you leave via the same region you arrived and bought the card in. For example, a Pasmo card bought on arrival in Tokyo can be ''used'' and recharged in Kansai, but you will not be able to refund it there before flying out of Osaka. You can keep the card for your next visit as they stay valid for 10 years from the last transaction. ===By rail=== {{main|Rail travel in Japan}} [[File:JR_west_N700series_N1_maibara.jpg|thumb|The ''N700'' Shinkansen train]] [[File:014 Baggage lockers at Kyoto Station, Japan.JPG|thumb|Baggage lockers at Kyoto Station]] Japan offers one of the most efficient rail transportation systems in the world, the crowning jewel of which is the '''''Shinkansen''''' (新幹線), popularly known in English as the '''bullet train''', the world's first ever [[high-speed rail]] line. Japan's railways can also be among the most complicated to navigate. A tourist who plans to travel a great deal around the country should consider investing in a '''[http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html Japan Rail Pass]''', which offers — with a few exceptions — unlimited travel on all Japan Railway (JR) services including bullet trains, limited express and regular commuter trains. Seat reservations can also be made for no charge by visiting a staffed JR ticket counter. See [[Rail travel in Japan#Japan Rail Pass]] for information on prices. Passes have no blackout dates. Depending on where the pass is purchased, you will collect your pass in Japan after showing proof of payment (if purchased through JR) or an exchange voucher (if purchased through a travel agency). Generally speaking, the Japan Rail Pass is good value if you plan to do a lot of long distance travelling, but is not worth it if you are only planning to stick to a single city and its vicinity. There are also regional and local rail passes offered by the various JR companies (such as the JR East Rail Pass), as well as by the subway and private rail companies. Numerous discount tickets are also sold, such as the [[Seishun 18 Ticket]]. For short distances, you can purchase a ticket from a vending machine. Stations will usually have a map above the ticket machines of the other stations along the line or within the vicinity, and the fare to each of those stations. If you are unsure, you can purchase the cheapest ticket at your origin station, and visit a fare adjustment machine at your destination station to pay the difference. In major cities or regions, you can also pay for your journey with a smart card and only have to worry about topping off your balance when you are low on funds. Part of Japan's efficiency in rail travel lies in its punctuality, and average delays for Japanese trains are typically measured in seconds. All services aim to run promptly on the posted timetable, so ''arrive early'' if you know your train's departure time. If you are late by even a single minute, you ''will'' miss the train. If you're planning to stay out late, be sure to find out when the last train leaves the station nearest to you. Trains usually don't run during the late night hours. The last train also may not run all the way to the end of the line. ====Luggage==== With the exception of airport lines, Japanese trains typically do not have much space for luggage, meaning it is unlikely that you would be able to find space for anything larger than a small suitcase. Japan has very convenient and inexpensive courier services (see ''[[#Courier services|&sect; Courier services]]'') which you can use to send your luggage to your next hotel. The downside is that your luggage will generally take at least a day to arrive at the destination, so you should take what you need for at least the first night on the train with you. Your hotel concierge will usually be able to arrange this for you, so enquire with them before you check out. ===By plane=== Japan's excellent ''Shinkansen'' network means that flying is usually more of a luxury than a necessity. Flying remains, however, the most practical mode of reaching Japan's outlying islands, most notably for connections from the mainland to [[Hokkaido]] and/or [[Okinawa]]. Flying is also useful for getting around sparsely-populated Hokkaido, as the Shinkansen network there is limited. [[Tokyo]]'s [[Narita Airport]] handles a few domestic flights, but most domestic flights leave from '''Haneda''' ({{IATA|HND}}) to the south of the city. Similarly, while there are some domestic flights from [[Kansai International Airport]], more use '''Itami''' ({{IATA|ITM}}) to the north of Osaka, and [[Kobe]]'s airport also fields some flights. Narita&ndash;Haneda or Kansai&ndash;Itami is quite a trek, so allow at least three and preferably four hours to transfer. Chubu, on the other hand, has many domestic flights and was built from the ground up for easy interchange. List prices for domestic flights are very expensive, but significant discounts are available if purchased in advance. Both of Japan's largest carriers, '''[http://www.jal.co.jp/en/ Japan Airlines]''' ('''JAL''', 日本航空 ''Nihon Kōkū'') and '''[http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/ All Nippon Airways]''' ('''ANA''', 全日空 ''Zennikkū'') offer special fares where international visitors can fly domestic segments anywhere in the country at reduced rates. The most common discount ticket is called the Japan Explorer Pass (JAL) or the Experience Japan Fare (ANA), which offer a limited number of economy fares for ¥5400, ¥7560 or ¥10800 depending on the route. The ¥10800 fare is a particularly good deal for travel to [[Hokkaido]] or the remote southern islands of [[Okinawa]]. Alternatively, the airlines offer a Welcome to Japan Fare (JAL) or Visit Japan Fare (ANA) where flights cost ¥13,000 each (plus tax) with a minimum of two trips required. Some blackout periods or other restrictions during peak travel seasons may apply. If you reserve on the airlines' respective international websites, the offers for international travelers may be displayed as the cheapest ones, but if you try on the Japan website (in English and in yen), the regular discounts for a purchase in advance may be cheaper. Low-cost carriers have begun to make an impact in Japan's domestic air market, including '''[http://www.jetstar.com/jp/en/home Jetstar Japan]''', '''[http://www.flypeach.com Peach Aviation]''', '''[http://www.fujidream.co.jp/ Fuji Dream Airlines]''', '''[http://www.skymark.co.jp/ Skymark Airlines]''', '''[http://www.starflyer.jp/ StarFlyer]''' and '''[http://www.airdo.jp/ Air DO]'''. Some of these airlines offer online bookings in English (Fuji Dream and StarFlyer do not). StarFlyer offers a discounted fare of ¥7,000-9,000 per flight to foreigners on select routes. Be careful, their most basic offers may not include a checked baggage (which is sold as an option), and if you reserve via a third-party web site you may not be able to purchase the option. ANA, JAL, and their subsidiaries offer a special standby card, the ''Skymate Card'', to young passengers (up to the age of 22). With the card, passengers can fly standby at half of the full published fare, which is usually less than the equivalent express train fare. The card can be obtained from any JAL or ANA ticket counter with a passport-sized photo and a one-time fee of ¥1000. ===By boat=== Given that Japan is an island nation, boats are a surprisingly uncommon means of transport, as all the major islands are linked together by bridges and tunnels. While there are some long-distance ferries linking [[Okinawa]] and [[Hokkaido]] to the mainland, the fares are usually higher than discounted airline tickets and pretty much the sole advantage is that you can take your car with you. For some smaller islands, however, boats may well be the only practical option. Hovercrafts and jet ferries are fast but expensive, with prices varying between ¥2000-5000 for an hour-long trip. Slow cargo boats are more affordable, a rule of thumb being ¥1000 per hour in second class, but departures are infrequent. There are also some inexpensive and convenient short-distance intercity ferries such as the [[Aomori]]-[[Hakodate]] ferry. These boats are typically divided into classes, where second class (2等 ''nitō'') is just a giant expanse of tatami mat, first class (1等 ''ittō'') gets you a comfy chair in large shared room and only special class (特等 ''tokutō'') gets you a private cabin. Vending machines and simple restaurant fare are typically available on board, but on longer trips (particularly in second class) the primary means of entertainment is alcoholic &mdash; this can be fun if you're invited in, but less so if you're trying to sleep. ===By bus=== {{main|Bus travel in Japan}} Buses are plentiful in Japan, and are a major mode of intercity transportation, especially for overnight travel. Fierce competition between modes has resulted in affordable prices. While a few buses offer fixed fares between two stops, many have adopted a dynamic pricing model, where fares are based on the time of day, the type of seating on the bus, and how far in advance the ticket is purchased. [[File:D71-1903 front left.jpg|thumb|A typical JR intercity bus bound for [[Gifu]] at a bus stop in [[Nagoya]].]] Major operators of intercity, or '''highway buses''' (高速バス ''kōsoku basu''; ハイウェイバス ''haiwei basu'') include the '''JR Group''' and '''Willer Express'''. Regional transit operators (Seibu in Tokyo, Hankyu in Kansai, etc) also operate long-distance buses. Tickets for such buses can be purchased at the point of departure, or, with a command of some Japanese, at convenience stores or on the internet. Some companies offer online reservations for bus routes in English and several other languages. '''Willer Express''', which operates around the country in its distinctive pink buses, offers online reservations for its buses in English, Korean and Chinese. They also sell tickets for other bus operators. Willer Express' '''Japan Bus Pass''' offers discounted bus travel all across the Willer network starting at ¥10,200 for a 3-day weekday pass. A separate national pass is the '''JBL Pass''', which is more expensive but covers a larger network of buses. In major cities, '''Limousine Buses''' (リムジンバス ''rimujin basu'') travel from major train stations and hotels to airports. Buses also travel frequently to their own terminals in the city such as the Tokyo City Air Terminal (T-CAT) in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. '''Local buses''' (路線バス ''rosen basu'') are the norm in big cities and small towns. Bus fares are either fixed (you pay once, when entering or exiting the bus) or distance-based (you board the rear of the bus, grab a numbered ticket, and match the number with the fare displayed on a board at the front of the bus when it's time to get off). Many buses accept smartcards. Buses are indispensable in less-populated areas, as well as in cities such as [[Kyoto]] where there is not much local rail transit. The electronic board almost always includes a display and recorded voice announcements of the next stop — usually only in Japanese, although some cities (like Kyoto) make a welcome exception. However, if asked most drivers will be glad to tell you when you've reached your destination. ===By taxi=== [[File:A Teito Group Taxi in Tokyo.jpg|thumb|A Taxi in Tokyo]] You will find taxis everywhere in Japan, not only in the city but also in the country. Taxis are clean and completely safe, though a bit expensive: starting fees are usually in the ¥640-710 range and the meter ticks up frantically after the first 2&nbsp;km or so. But sometimes, they are the only way to get where you are going. Taxi meters are strictly regulated and clearly visible to the passenger. If you are not sure if you have enough money for the trip, your driver may be able to guess the approximate cost of a trip beforehand. Even if money is not a concern, if you get a cost estimate beforehand, some taxi drivers will stop the meter at the estimated price regardless of how much further the destination may be. Taxi fares are also higher at night. Tipping is not customary and would most likely be refused. In the city, you can hail a taxi just about anywhere, but outside train stations and other transfer points you should board at a taxi stand. (The taxi stand will usually either have a long line of patient passengers, or a long line of idle taxis.) If the destination is a well-known location, such as a hotel, train station, or public facility, the name alone should be enough. Even in the major cities, you are very unlikely to encounter a taxi driver who can speak English, so carrying a pamphlet or card of your hotel or destination with the address on it can be very helpful. Likewise, have staff at your hotel write down the names and addresses of places you want to visit in Japanese to show your taxi driver. Calling for a taxi using a '''smartphone app''' is becoming available in many cities, with [https://japantaxi.jp/ JapanTaxi] or [https://go.mo-t.com/ GO] being the largest player. These apps will provide the approximate fare to travel between two locations, although trips are still charged by the meter and can fluctuate depending on routing and traffic. Many taxi companies will add a fee for immediate phone or app hails; this booking charge is higher for taxis reserved in advance. Some taxi companies offer fixed-fare rides for smartphone hails. In Japanese taxis, the driver controls the opening and closing of the rear left passenger door. Try to avoid closing your door when you board the taxi. Taxi drivers also have a reputation for speeding and aggressive driving, but there are very few accidents involving bad drivers. All licensed taxis in Japan have green license plates. Illegal cabs will have standard white or yellow plates and should be avoided. ===By ride-hailing=== Uber X-style ridesharing is illegal in Japan. Uber and Hailo are available in major cities, but they can only be used to book taxis and limousines, and charge a premium for the convenience. ===By car=== {{seealso|Driving in Japan}} [[Image:Bihoro Pass.JPG|thumb|[[Bihoro]] Pass and Highway 243, [[Akan National Park]], [[Hokkaido]]]] Rental cars and driving in Japan are rare in or around the major cities, as public transport is generally excellent and gets you almost everywhere. In addition, the roads of major cities like Tokyo are plagued with massive traffic jams and parking is expensive and difficult to find, so driving there is more of a hindrance than anything else. However, many rural areas can really only be explored with only your own transport, so driving should certainly not be dismissed out of hand, especially on the vast, sparsely populated island of [[Hokkaido]]. Often the most feasible option is to combine the two: take the train out to the countryside and then pick up a rental car at a station. JR's '''[http://www.ekiren.co.jp/ Ekiren]''' has outlets at most larger train stations and often has discounted train & car packages. An international driver's license (or Japanese license) will be required if you wish to rent a car or drive in Japan, and must be carried at all times. Driving is on the left. ===By bike=== Japan has many great opportunities for bikers. Bike rentals can be found throughout the country, especially near popular routes. Some routes (like the [[Shimanami Kaido Bikeway]]) have been set up specifically for bikers. Even very rural roads are well paved, but as Japan is quite mountainous, you'll need your lowest climbing gear a lot. If you will be spending an extended period of time in Japan, you may want to purchase a bike. If you do, you must have it '''registered'''. If your bike does not have the proper sticker, your bike can be confiscated. If you are caught borrowing a bike registered under someone else's name, it is considered ''stolen'' in Japan, and you will likely be taken to the police station. The police often check bikes, so avoid problems by obeying the law. You should learn Japan's cycling laws, although not all of them are heavily enforced. Cycling drunk is illegal, with no blood alcohol limit, and you face fines of up to ¥1 million or up to 5 years in jail (the same as for driving!) Using your phone or listening to music are illegal. Cycling on the sidewalk, even in big cities crowded with pedestrians, is normal. Helmets are required for children under 13, but neither children nor adults frequently wear helmets, not even police officers. Usually '''trains only allow bikes in a "rinko bag"''' (bike bag, 輪行袋 ''rinkō-bukuro'' or 輪行バッグ ''rinkō baggu''). This requires a folding bike or removing one or both wheels, so it's not very convenient for short trips. Long-distance buses often don't allow bikes, and on local buses it may be at the driver's discretion; in both cases, a rinko bag would also be required. Don't go during busy commuting hours, pack your bike away from the station, keep things ''clean'' (bike, bag, and your hands), and don't take up too much space or impede other passengers. Booking a seat at the back of long-distance trains near the storage areas may be helpful. Ferries allow bikes for a small fee. ===By thumb=== Japan is an excellent country for hitchhiking, although some Japanese language ability is highly recommended. See [[Hitchhiking in Japan]] for a more detail and practical tips for this. === Accessibility and disability === [[File:Ramp at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo.jpg|alt=Ramp at Meiji Shrine|thumb|A ramp at Meiji Shrine allows seniors and people with disabilities easy access to the shrine.]] {{seealso|Travellers with disabilities}} Though the cramped cities and older buildings present many barriers to those with disabilities and other mobility issues, Japan is a '''very wheelchair accessible''' country. Japan has switched into high-gear to create a "barrier-free" society. The vast majority of train and subway stations are wheelchair accessible. Anyone who needs special assistance can inform station staff at the ticketing gates and will be guided to the train and helped off the train at a station. Most trains and local buses (but not long-distance buses) have priority seats (優先席 ''yūsenseki''). The Shinkansen generally does not, but you can always reserve a seat (for a fee, or for free with a Japan Rail Pass). On a wheelchair, you can park in the hallway between cars, reserve a wheelchair seat (which are limited; JR recommends booking 2 days in advance, and you should keep your travel times flexible), or reserve a private room. The major tourist attractions are partially adapted generally provide some sort of accessible route. While discounts are available for those with disabilities, disability identification cards not issued in Japan may not be accepted. Hotels with accessible rooms can be hard to find and are often labeled "barrier free" (バリアフリー ''baria furii'') or "universal" (ユニバーサル ''yunibāsaru'') instead of "accessible". Even if an accessible room is available, most hotels require booking via phone or email. '''Tactile paving''' was invented in Japan, and has been ubiquitous there for decades. These yellow tiles have dots and bars to help visually impaired people follow paths and identify steps and platforms. * [https://www.accessible-japan.com/ Accessible Japan] - general information on accessible travel, database of hotels with accessible rooms, tourist attraction accessibility information * [http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2301.html Japan Guide: Basic Guide to Accessible Travel in Japan] - general tips on traveling with a disability in Japan ==See== ===Castles=== {{seealso|Japanese castles}} [[File:Matsue castle01bs4592.jpg|thumb|Matsue Castle, [[Matsue]]]] Like the British, the French and the Germans, the Japanese were also a nation of castle-builders. In their feudal days, you could find several castles in nearly every prefecture. Because of bombings in World War II, fires, edicts to tear down castles, etc. only twelve of Japan's castles are considered to be originals, which have keeps or donjons (天守閣 ''tenshukaku'') that date back to the days when they were still used. Four of them are on the island of Shikoku, two just north in the Chugoku region, two in Kansai, three in the Chubu region, and one in the northern Tohoku region. There are no original castles in Kyushu, Kanto, Hokkaido, or Okinawa. The '''original castles''' are: <div style="{{column-width|14em}}"> * [[Hirosaki|Hirosaki Castle]] * [[Matsumoto|Matsumoto Castle]] * [[Sakai (Fukui)|Maruoka Castle]] * [[Inuyama|Inuyama Castle]] * [[Hikone|Hikone Castle]] * [[Himeji|Himeji Castle]] * [[Takahashi|Bitchu Matsuyama Castle]] * [[Matsue|Matsue Castle]] * [[Marugame|Marugame Castle]] * [[Kochi (Shikoku)|Kochi Castle]] * [[Matsuyama|Matsuyama Castle]] * [[Uwajima|Uwajima Castle]] </div> Japan also has many '''reconstructed castles''', many of which receive more visitors than the originals. A reconstructed castle means that the donjon was rebuilt in modern times. However, other structures may be original. For example, [[Nagoya|Nagoya Castle]]'s southeast, southwest, and northwest turrets all date back to the castle's original construction. Okinawa's [[Naha|Shuri Castle]] is unique among Japan's castles, because it is not a Japanese castle; it was the royal palace of the Ryukyuan Kingdom and built in a distinctive Ryukyuan architectural style, with a much stronger Chinese influence than Japanese-style castles. '''Ruins''' typically feature only the castle walls or parts of the original layout are visible. Although they lack the structures of reconstructed castles, ruins often feel more authentic without the concrete reconstructions that sometimes feel too commercial and touristy. Many ruins maintain historical significance. ===Gardens=== [[Image:Ritsurin.JPG|thumb|Ritsurin Park, [[Takamatsu]]]] {{Main|Japanese gardens}} Japan is famous for its gardens, known for its unique aesthetics both in landscape gardens and Zen rock/sand gardens. The nation has designated an official "Top Three Gardens", based on their beauty, size, authenticity (gardens that have not been drastically altered), and historical significance. Those gardens are '''Kairakuen''' in [[Mito]], '''Kenrokuen''' in [[Kanazawa]], and '''Korakuen''' in [[Okayama]]. The largest garden, and the favorite of many travellers, is actually '''Ritsurin Park''' in [[Takamatsu]]. Rock and sand gardens can typically be found in temples, specifically those of Zen Buddhism. The most famous of these is '''Ryoanji Temple''' in [[Kyoto]], but such temples can be found throughout Japan. Moss gardens are also popular in Japan and '''Koke-dera''', also in Kyoto, has one of the nation's best. Reservations are required to visit just so that they can ensure the moss is always flourishing and not trampled. Pure Land gardens dating back to the Heian Period were built to represent the Buddhist Paradise. They all feature a large central pond in front of the Amida Hall. They're simplistic to such an extent that those who are unaware would like not likely even view them as gardens at all. The Byodoin Temple in [[Uji]], Motsuji Temple in [[Hiraizumi]], and Joruriji Temple in [[Kizugawa]] are among the most famous of those that remain. ===Spiritual sites=== Regardless of your travel interests, it's difficult to visit Japan without at least seeing a few shrines and temples. Buddhist and Shinto sites are the most common, although there are some noteworthy spiritual sites of other religions, as well. ====Buddhist==== [[Image:Horyu-ji11s3200.jpg|thumb|Horyuji Temple, [[Horyuji]]]] [[Buddhism]] has had a profound impact on Japan ever since it was introduced in the 6th century. Like shrines, temples can be found in every city, and many different sects exist. Some temples also offer [[Meditation in Japan|meditation classes]] in English. Some of the holiest sites are made up of large complexes on mountaintops and include [[Mount Koya]] (Japan's most prestigious place to be buried and head temple of Shingon Buddhism), [[Mount Hiei]] (set here when Kyoto became the capital to remove Buddhism from politics, the head of the Tendai sect of Buddhism), and [[Mount Osore]] (considered to be the "Gateway to Hell", it features many monuments and graves in a volcanic wasteland). Many of the nation's head temples are located in [[Kyoto]], like the Honganji Temples and Chion-in Temple. Kyoto also has five of the top Zen temples named in the "Five Mountain System" (Tenryuji, Shokokuji, Kenninji, Tofukuji, and Manjuji), along with '''Nanzenji Temple''', which sits above all the temples outside of the mountain system. Although there are "five" temples, Kyoto and Kamakura both have their own five. The Kamakura temples are Kenchoji, Engakuji, Jufukuji, Jochiji, and Jomyoji Temples. [[Eiheiji Temple]] is also a prominent Zen temple, although it was never part of the mountain system. [[Nara]]'s '''Todaiji Temple''' and [[Kamakura]]'s '''Kotokuin Temple''' are famous for their large Buddhist statues. Todaiji's is the largest in the nation, while the Kamakura Daibutsu is the second largest, meditating outside in the open air. '''Horyuji Temple''' in [[Horyuji]], just south of Nara, is the world's oldest wooden structure. The beautiful '''Phoenix Hall''' in [[Uji]] is seen by most visitors to Japan on the back of the ¥10 coin, if not in real-life. ====Shinto==== Shintoism is the "native" religion of Japan, so those looking to experience things that are "wholly Japanese" should particularly enjoy them as they truly embody the Japanese aesthetic. The holiest Shinto Shrine is the [[Ise|Grand Ise Shrine]], while the second holiest is [[Izumo|Izumo Shrine]], where the gods gather annually for a meeting. Other famous holy shrines include '''Itsukushima Shrine''' in [[Miyajima]], '''Toshogu Shrine''' in [[Nikko]], the [[Kumano Sanzan]], and the [[Dewa Sanzan]], '''Meiji Shrine''' in [[Tokyo]], and '''Shimogamo Shrine''', '''Kamigamo Shrine''', and '''Fushimi Inari Shrine''' in [[Kyoto]]. ====Christian==== {{seealso|Christian sites in Japan}} [[File:Hirado Catholic Church 1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Saint Francis Xavier Memorial Church in [[Hirado]]]] Japan's introduction to Christianity came in 1549 by way of the Portuguese and '''Saint Francis Xavier'''. He established the first Christian church in [[Yamaguchi]] at Daidoji Temple, whose ruins are now part of '''Xavier Memorial Park''', and the Xavier Memorial Church was built in his honor. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi came into power, Christianity was banned and Christians were persecuted. In [[Nagasaki]], 26 Japanese Christians were crucified. There is a memorial for these martyrs in the city, and the '''Oura Church''', the oldest church left in the nation, built in 1864. The '''Shimabara Rebellion''', a Christian uprising, led to the ousting of the Portuguese and Catholic practices from Japan, along with approximately 37,000 beheadings of Christians and peasants. In [[Shimabara]], you can visit the ruins of Hara Castle, where the Christians gathered and were attacked. [[Oyano]]'s '''Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall''' explains the Shimabara Rebellion and the persecution of Christians. There are less famous sites off the beaten path. When the nation reopened, some Christians assumed that meant that they were able to practice Christianity freely and openly, but it was still not legal and these Christians were tortured. You can see one of these sites at '''Maria Cathedral''' in [[Tsuwano]]. Strangely, you can often find Christian objects in temples and shrines throughout the country. This is because many of these objects were hidden in temples and shrines back when Christianity was forbidden. ====Other==== Japan has a handful of well-known Confucian Temples. As Japan's gateway to the world for many centuries, [[Nagasaki]]'s Confucian Temple is the only Confucian temple in the world to be built by Chinese outside of China. '''Yushima Seido''' in [[Tokyo]] was a Confucian school and one of the nation's first-ever institutes of higher education. The first integrated school in the nation, the '''Shizutani School''' in [[Bizen]] also taught based on Confucian teachings and principles. The schoolhouse itself was even modeled after Chinese architectural styles. The first public school in [[Okinawa]] was a Confucian school given to the Ryukyuan Kingdom along with the '''Shiseibyo Confucian Temple'''. The Okinawan religion also has its own spiritual sites. '''Seta Utaki''', a World Heritage Site, is one of the most famous. Many Okinawan spiritual ceremonies were held here. '''Asumui''' in Kongo Sekirinzan Park is a large rock formation believed to be the oldest land in the area. As a religious site, shaman used to come here to speak with the gods. ===World War II sites=== [[Image:NagasakiGroundZero.jpg|thumb|Ground Zero, [[Nagasaki]]]] {{seealso|Pacific War}} The three must-visit places for World War II buffs are [[Hiroshima]], [[Nagasaki]], and the main island of [[Okinawa]]. Okinawa is where some of the most brutal battles occurred between Japan and the United States, and the area is crawling with remnants from its dark past. The Peace Park, Prefectural Peace Museum, Himeyuri Peace Museum, and the Peace Memorial Hall in [[Itoman]] are some of the best places to learn more, see artifacts, and hear accounts of the battles that took place here. [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]] are important sites in many ways. Hiroshima is the first city ever to be attacked by an atomic bomb, as well as the deadliest. After Hiroshima was devastated, the bombing of Nagasaki days later led the Japanese to surrender, ending WWII. Even those who are not particularly interested in World War II may find the atomic bomb sites interesting, as issues surrounding nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear war remain a concern to this day. These sites show how powerful, devastating, and harmful atomic bombs can be, not only to the land and those who die, but also for the survivors. Fifty-eight other places (including Tokyo, of course) were bombed, as well, so there are lesser-known memorials in those cities. Many people are curious about the possibility of visiting [[Ogasawara Islands|Iwo Jima]]. The [http://www.miltours.com/ Military Historic Tours Company] has exclusive rights to conduct tours of the island, and these tours are only open to US citizens. ===Pilgrimage routes=== * [[88 Temple Pilgrimage]] — an arduous 1,647&nbsp;km trail around the island of [[Shikoku]] * [[Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage]] * [[Narrow Road to the Deep North]] — a route around northern Japan immortalized by Japan's most famous ''haiku'' poet ===Industrial heritage=== The [[UNESCO World Heritage site]] "[[Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining]]" is made up of 23 individual sites around the country, most of them in [[Chugoku]] and [[Kyushu]]. These are places like mines, railroads, ironworks and ports from the Meiji era, which are among the most notable of Japan's first Western-style industrial sites. Separately listed is the silk mill of [[Tomioka]]. ==Do== ===Outdoors=== [[File:Iya_Jirogyu_View.JPG|thumb|Hiking trails in [[Iya Valley]], [[Shikoku]]]] It shouldn't be surprising that in a country where more than 70% of the terrain is forests and mountains, '''outdoor activities''' abound. '''Hiking''' is very traditional and popular in Japan. You can find many small trails across the country, as well as plenty of rugged terrain in Japan's many national parks. Hikes can also be part of a spiritual experience, such as climbing the 2446 stone steps of the holy [[Dewa Sanzan|Haguro]] mountain through an amazing primeval forest. Ascending one of Japan's many '''mountains''' is within the capabilities of any traveller. You can reach the summit of some mountains almost entirely by car, or with only a short easy walk. '''[[Mount Aso]]''' is one of the world's largest volcanic calderas, and a paved road brings cars and pedestrians right up to the summit. Or, you can take the ropeway, which was promoted as the world's first ropeway over an active volcano. Around 300,000 people every year climb '''[[Mount Fuji]]''', a mountain so famous as an icon of Japan that it hardly needs introduction. On the most popular route, you will need to use your hands for support, but no actual climbing is required; you can easily climb Fuji with just adequate clothing, some basic gear (sunscreen, headlamp, etc.), and 1–2 days in your itinerary. It's no walk in the park, but it's easily doable if you're not too out of shape. With its snowy mountainous terrain, Japan is an excellent destination for '''[[Downhill snowsports|skiing and snowboarding]]''', although it tends to be mostly domestic visitors. Japan's climate means that many ski resorts get ''excellent'' powder, and a lot of it: on average, resorts in the '''[[Japan Alps|Japanese Alps]]''' get {{m|10|m}} and '''[[Hokkaido]]''' slopes get a whopping {{m|14}} or more! Skiing in Japan can be inexpensive compared to other countries, with cheaper lift tickets, budget accommodations, and cheap meals. Rental gear is reasonably priced, but as Japanese on average have smaller feet, you should consider bringing your own boots. The easiest way to get to many slopes is to take public transit (rail and buses), and ship your ski/snowboard gear to the slopes (see ''[[#Courier services|&sect; Courier services]]''). '''Golf''' is popular with the Japanese. Land is simply too valuable near cities, so golf courses have to pay a lot for land, and are typically 1–2 hours' drive outside the city. (Shuttles from the nearest train station are often available with a reservation.) Midweek prices can be found from ¥6,000 and up. Expect it to take the whole day, with travel time, a round of golf, and relaxing in a hot bath afterwards. Since most players are local businessmen, singles are not allowed on most courses (so make sure you have at least two players), and rental equipment will have a limited selection (better to bring your own clubs and shoes, which you can ship to the range cheaply; see ''[[#Courier services|&sect; Courier services]]''). Despite being an island nation, Japan is not really known for its '''beaches'''. Many beaches simply don't exist as Japanese cities (many of which are coastal) expand right up to the coast line. Where there are beaches, they tend to only be visited in summer; as soon as 1 September comes, lifeguards stop patrolling the beaches, and Japanese beachgoers disappear as a result. '''Surfing''' is somewhat popular, as the surf can be very good on both coasts (during typhoon season [Aug-Oct] on the Pacific coast, and during winter on the Sea of Japan coast). There are also some excellent spots for '''snorkeling''' and '''diving'''. Aside from marine life, corals, and World War II wrecks, you can also visit [[Susami]], outside [[Kushimoto]], and send your friends a postcard from the world's deepest underwater mailbox, 10 meters underwater. While boating and river sports are not very common, a few fun activities can be found, such as going river rafting in some of the last wild rivers in Japan in the [[Iya Valley]]. ===Spectator sports=== [[File:Amateur baseball match - Tokyo Domo - Japan (15838269026).jpg|thumb|Amateur baseball match]] '''Baseball''' (野球 ''yakyū'') has been '''hugely popular''' ever since it was introduced to Japan in the 1870s by an American professor. Baseball fans travelling internationally may find Japan to be one of the great examples of baseball popularity outside of the United States. Baseball is not only played in many high schools and by professionals, but also referenced in much Japanese pop culture as well. In addition, many Japanese players have gone on to become top players in Major League Baseball. The official Japanese baseball league is known as '''[http://npb.jp/eng/ Nippon Professional Baseball]''', or simply known as '''''Puro Yakyū''''' (プロ野球), meaning Professional Baseball, and it is regarded by many to be the strongest professional baseball league outside of the United States. The Japanese national baseball team is also considered to be one of the strongest in the world, having won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, as well as the second edition in 2009. Tickets to baseball games are generally easy to get, even on the day of a game, although popular games should of course be reserved in advance. Tickets start around ¥2,000. If you are interested, be sure to leave 4–5 hours free. You can generally bring in outside food and drink, which is a good way to save some money instead of paying prices inside the stadium (¥800 for a pint of beer); you'll just need to have your bag inspected and pour your drinks into disposable cups. Especially in Osaka, it's also popular to visit local restaurants or bars where the entire store will be taken over by fans loudly singing, chanting, and cheering non-stop through the entire game. The rules in Japanese baseball are not much different from baseball in United States, although there are some minor variations. The biggest rivalry is between [[Tokyo]]'s Yomiuri Giants (a national favorite and top performer, although equally disliked by many) and [[Osaka]]'s Hanshin Tigers (a perennial underdog, widely known for having the most boisterous and dedicated fans, along with many cheers, songs, and traditions). Japan has two national high school tournaments each year that draw possibly more attention than the professional game. Both are held at Kōshien Stadium, a stadium in Nishinomiya City near Kobe that seats over 50,000 and also hosts NPB's Hanshin Tigers. * The '''National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament''', commonly known as '''Spring Kōshien''' (春の甲子園 ''haru no kōshien'', or センバツ ''senbatsu'') – Held in March, featuring 32 teams invited from throughout the country. * The '''National High School Baseball Championship''', commonly known as '''Summer Kōshien''' (夏の甲子園 ''natsu no kōshien'') – A two-week event in August, it is the final phase of a nationwide tournament structure. A total of 49 teams participate in the final phase—one from each of Japan's prefectures, with second teams from Hokkaido and Tokyo. '''[[Association football|Soccer]]''' (サッカー ''sakkā'') is also popular in Japan. The top men's league is the Japan Professional Football League (日本プロサッカーリーグ ''nippon puro sakkā rīgu''), known as the '''J.League''' (Jリーグ ''J rīgu''), of which the top division is the '''J1 League'''. The country launched a fully professional women's league in 2021–22, the Japan Women's Professional Football League (日本女子サッカーリーグ, ''Nihon joshi sakkā rīgu''), which is branded as the '''WE League''' (WEリーグ, ''WE rīgu''), with "WE" standing for the English words "Women's Empowerment". Japan is one of the most successful Asian soccer nations, and has been at or near the top of the Asian Football Confederation rankings for decades, and some Japanese players have had successful careers in the top European leagues. [[File:Asashoryu fight Jan08.JPG|thumb|Sumo wrestling in Japan is steeped in tradition.]] '''Sumo wrestling''' (相撲 ''sumō'') is a popular Japanese sport. The rules are simple enough: be the first to get your opponent to step outside the ring or touch the ground with anything but the bottom of his feet. Almost anything goes except for a handful of forbidden moves, but most matches are won by pushing or grappling, which explains why '''girth''' is usually an advantage in a sport with no weight classes. Sumo has retained many traditions from its Shinto origins, and a single bout usually consists of many minutes of rituals and mental preparation, followed by just 10–30 seconds of wrestling. Sumo wrestlers, known as ''rikishi'' (力士), live a '''regimented life''' in training stables (部屋 ''heya'', lit. "rooms", or 相撲部屋 ''sumō-beya''), devoting themselves to nothing more than bulking up and competing. A few foreign wrestlers have been quite successful in the top ranks, although controversial rules have put a limit on how many foreign wrestlers each stable may train. Sumo is organized by the [http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/ Japan Sumo Association] (日本相撲協会 ''Nihon Sumō Kyōkai''). The biggest events are the six '''''honbasho''''' (本場所, "main tournaments") throughout the year, which are the only events that affect wrestlers' rankings. Each tournament is 15 days long; they're in [[Tokyo]] in January, May, and September, [[Osaka]] in March, [[Nagoya]] in July, and [[Fukuoka]] in November. With some planning, you could also arrange to visit a stable during '''training''' (稽古 ''keiko''), although you'll need to speak Japanese or bring a Japanese guide, and strictly observe Japanese etiquette and rules from the stable. (For example, you'll be expected to sit ''silently'' for the entire duration of practice, which is usually several hours.) Training starts in the early morning, anytime from 05:00 to 08:00. '''Professional wrestling''' (プロレス ''puroresu'') also enjoys major popularity. While it is similar to professional wrestling elsewhere in the world in that the outcomes are predetermined, its psychology and presentation are uniquely Japanese. Puroresu matches are treated as legitimate fights, with stories strongly emphasizing the wrestlers' fighting spirit and perseverance. Also, because many Japanese wrestlers have legitimate martial arts backgrounds, full-contact striking and realistic submission holds are commonplace. A good number of wrestlers from other countries have had successful runs with Japanese promotions (companies that organize shows), with notable examples in the early 21st century including Kenny Omega from Canada, Will Ospreay from the UK, and Jay White from New Zealand. Also, foreign stars may be brought in as part of business relationships between Japanese and overseas promotions; the largest promotion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, has had partnerships with numerous US-based companies in the past, and as of 2022 has a major partnership with the second-largest US promotion, All Elite Wrestling. While many promotions operate, New Japan is clearly the largest nowadays, with other significant promotions including All Japan Pro Wrestling, DDT Pro-Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling NOAH (the last two sharing ownership). Unlike pro wrestling in most of the world, Japanese women's puroresu, known locally as ''joshi puroresu'' (女子プロレス), is run by separate promotions from men's puroresu. ''Joshi'' promotions do regularly cooperate with men's promotions, and frequently share cards. The most prominent ''joshi'' promotion, World Wonder Ring Stardom, shares ownership with New Japan. The biggest single event in puroresu is New Japan's three-night show promoted as ''Wrestle Kingdom'', roughly analogous to WrestleMania in the U.S. The first two nights are at the Tokyo Dome on January 4 and 5 each year; the third, added in 2022, is held on January 8 in Yokohama. '''[[Horse racing]]''' (競馬 ''keiba'') is a big business in Japan, and one of the few forms of legal gambling. The '''Japan Cup''', held annually at [[Fuchu]]'s [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j01.html Tokyo Racecourse], is one of the premier events on the international horse racing calendar, and regularly attracts the world's top jockeys and horses. The [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j04.html Hanshin Racecourse] in [[Takarazuka]], the [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j03.html Kyoto Racecourse] in [[Kyoto/South|Fushimi]], and the [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j02.html Nakayama Racecourse] in [[Funabashi]] round off Japan's "big four" racecourses, and also host numerous internationally important races. Among these races, '''Arima Kinen''', held at Nakayama near the end of December, is notable as drawing more betting interest than any other race in the world by a very wide margin. The [http://japanracing.jp/en/ Japan Racing Association (JRA)] organizes races at the 10 major racecourses in Japan, while those at the minor local racecourses are run by the [https://www.goracing.jp/english/ National Association of Racing (NAR)]. Bets for all JRA races can be placed at any of the JRA-run racecourses, and at off-track betting facilities run by the JRA known as WINS. ===Games and entertainment=== '''''Karaoke''''' (カラオケ) was invented in Japan and can be found in virtually every Japanese city. Pronounced ''kah-rah-oh-keh'', it is abbreviated from the words "empty orchestra" in Japanese; many natives won't have any idea what you're talking about if you use the English ''carry-oh-kee''. Most karaoke places occupy several floors of a building. You and your friends have a room to yourself — no strangers involved — and the standard hourly rate often includes all-you-can-drink alcohol, with refills ordered through a phone on the wall or through the karaoke machine. The major chains all have excellent English-language song selections. Old folks prefer singing ''enka'' ballads at small neighborhood bars. You operate the karaoke machine yourself. It lets you queue up songs to be played in order. (At 4 minutes per song, 15 songs would keep you singing for an hour.) These days, many machines use a tablet or touchscreen which you can use to search for songs by a variety of criteria; if you can get one of these set to English, great. You can also look up songs in the phonebook-sized catalogs, which is what you'll have to do if you can't get an a tablet in English, or at older places that just have a large remote control. Once you find the song's 4- to 6-digit number, aim the remote at the karaoke machine like a TV remote, type in the number (it will appear on the screen, so you can check that it was entered correctly; if not press 戻る to go back), and press 転送 or "send" to confirm and add it to the queue. Also ubiquitous are '''''pachinko'' parlors'''. Pachinko (パチンコ) is a form of gambling that involves dropping little steel balls into a machine; more balls are awarded depending on where they land. The air inside most pachinko parlors is hot and sweaty, with ear-splitting noise. (Legally you can only trade the balls for prizes, but gamblers always opt for "special prize" (特殊景品 ''tokushu keihin'') tokens which they sell back for cash at a separate booth elsewhere in the building or in a nearby alley. Because the booth is off-site, it's a separate business and therefore not illegal.) Even in a declining market, nearly 10% of all Japanese — mostly middle-age businessmen — play at least once a week, and pachinko generates more gambling revenue than Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore combined. '''Video arcades''' (ゲームセンター ''gēmu sentā'', or ビデオ・アーケード ''bideo ākēdo''; don't confuse with a regular ''ākēdo'' which means "shopping arcade/street"), though sometimes difficult to distinguish from pachinko parlors from the outside, have arcade games rather than gambling, and are often several floors high. Video games are the norm here, although you may be surprised at the sheer variety of games. Aside from the usual action and fighting games, there are also rhythm games such as ''Dance Dance Revolution'' or the much easier for beginners ''Taiko Drum Master'' (太鼓の達人 ''Taiko no Tatsujin''), difficult-to-define oddities such as ''Derby Owners Club'' (which can only be described as a "multiplayer online card-collecting role-playing horse racing simulator"), and bizarre inventions like ''Chō Chabudai-Gaeshi!'' (超・ちゃぶ台返し! "''Super Table-Flip!''") where you literally bang on a table and flip it over angrily to relieve stress while racking up points. Game centers usually also have non-video games, which almost always include '''claw crane games''' (クレーンゲーム ''kurēn gēmu'') where you can win anything from stuffed animals and trinkets to expensive smartphones and jewelry, and sophisticated '''photo sticker booths''' (プリクラ ''puri-kura'', shortened from the brand name Print Club). [[File:Go and shogi center by pommes king in Osaka.jpg|thumb|Go being played, [[Osaka]]]] Japan's national game is '''[[Go]]''' (囲碁 ''igo'', or just 碁 ''go''), a strategy board game that originated in China. Players place their stones to surround the most territory on the board; stones can't be moved, but can be captured if they're surrounded in all four directions. While the rules are simple, the strategy and tactics are very complex. Despite its Chinese origins, due to the fact that it was initially introduced to and promoted in the West by the Japanese, it is by their Japanese and not Chinese names that the game itself and its in-game terminology are generally known outside East Asia. By no means everyone plays, but Go has newspaper columns, TV, and professional players. Go is also played in the West, and there is a large and active [http://senseis.xmp.net/ English language wiki] discussing it. On a sunny day, the Tennoji ward of [[Osaka]] is a good place to join a crowd watching two Go masters go at it. Besides Go, another popular board game in Japan is '''[[shogi]]''' (将棋 ''shōgi'') or Japanese chess. The general mechanics are similar to Western [[chess]], with a few extra pieces that move in unique ways, but the most important difference is that after capturing a piece, you can later "drop" it back into play as one of your own pieces. The use of drops makes shogi a much more complex and dynamic game than Western chess. '''Mahjong''' (麻雀 ''mājan'') is also relatively popular in Japan, and frequently features in Japanese video and arcade games, although it's associated with illegal gambling, and mahjong parlors can be quite seedy. Mahjong uses tiles with a variety of Chinese symbols and characters. Players draw and discard tiles trying to complete a hand with particular sets of tiles (typically, four sets of either three identical tiles or three in a straight flush, plus one identical pair). While gameplay is similar, scoring is drastically different from the various Chinese versions. ===Music=== {{Seealso|Arts in Japan#Music}} The Japanese love '''music''' (音楽 ''ongaku'') in all styles. [[File:Agidaiko01.jpg|thumb|Taiko performance]] '''Traditional Japanese music''' (邦楽 ''hōgaku'') uses a variety of instruments, many of which originated in China, but developed into unique forms after being introduced to Japan. The most common instruments are the ''shamisen'' (三味線, a 3-string picked or plucked instrument), the ''shakuhachi'' (尺八, a bamboo flute), and the ''koto'' (箏, a 13-string picked zither). '''''Taiko''''' (太鼓) are drums that are unique to Japan, and range in size from small handheld drums to enormous {{m|1.8|adj}} stationary drums. ''Taiko'' also refers to the performances, which are very common at festivals. Outside of traditional Japanese music, these instruments are not frequently used. '''Western classical music''' (クラシック[音楽] ''kurashikku [ongaku]'') is moderately popular in Japan with people of all ages. There are 1,600 professional and amateur orchestras (オーケストラ ''ōkesutora'') in Japan; Tokyo is home to nearly half of them, including ''eight'' full-time professional orchestras. There are also well over 10,000 choirs (合唱 ''gasshō'', コーラス ''kōrasu'' or クワイア ''kuwaia''); the [http://www.jcanet.or.jp/profile/jca-english.htm Japan Choral Association] has more information. With the arrival of Western pop music in the 20th century, Japan created its own forms of pop music. These have largely died out except for '''''enka''''' (演歌), sentimental ballads in Western pop styles composed to resemble traditional Japanese music, typically sung in an exaggerated emotional style. '''Jazz''' (ジャズ ''jazu'') has been very popular in Japan since the 1930s. [[Japanese cuisine#Coffee shops|Jazz coffee shops]] are a common way to listen to jazz. '''J-pop''' and '''J-rock''' flood the airwaves. Punk, heavy metal, hip hop, electronic, and many other genres also find niches in Japan where they get their own Japanese interpretation. J-pop is often associated with '''idols''' (アイドル ''aidoru''), young music stars manufactured by talent agencies. Although many are one-hit wonders, quite a few idol groups turn into long-lasting acts: SMAP and Morning Musume have been popular for decades, while AKB48 has rocketed to the top to become the best-selling female group in Japan. '''Concerts''' (ライブ ''raibu'', "live") are easy to find. Depending on the event, you may be able to buy tickets at convenience stores (using a numeric code to identify the right concert), online, at record stores, or in various pre-sale lotteries. (Some sellers may require you to have a Japanese credit card with a Japanese billing address, so you may need to try multiple methods to find one you can use.) You can buy day-of tickets at the venue, assuming the concert isn't sold out, but large venues may not even sell tickets at the door. Rather than doing general admission, tickets may be numbered to divide the audience into smaller groups which are admitted in order. '''Music festivals''' (ロック・フェスティバル ''rokku fesutibaru'', shortened to ロックフェス ''rokku fesu'' or just フェス ''fesu'') are also popular, drawing tens of thousands of people. [http://fujirock-eng.com/ Fuji Rock Festival] is Japan's largest festival, and covers many genres. [http://rijfes.jp/ Rock In Japan Festival] is the biggest festival where only Japanese artists are allowed to perform. ===Performing arts=== [[File:Bunraku doll in national theatre Osaka 2.JPG|thumb|Bunraku doll in the National theatre, [[Osaka]]]] {{Seealso|Arts in Japan#Performing arts}} The most well-known types of traditional Japanese performing arts originated in medieval or pre-modern Japan, and feature melodramatic period stories of historical events, romance, or moral conflicts. While the old Japanese language they use can be off-putting, an important part of these art forms is the '''intricate visual aspects''' of their traditional costumes and emotional expressiveness. You may be more interested in the less well-known ''taishū engeki'' ("pop theater") or modern '''comedy''', such as ''rakugo'' solo storytellers, extremely popular ''manzai'' stand-up duos, or Western-style comedy. '''''Bunraku''''' (文楽) is a type of puppet theater. An actor and two stagehands precisely control each puppet, while a narrator performs the exposition and all dialogue with improvised ''shamisen'' accompaniment. '''''Kabuki''''' (歌舞伎) is a popular type of dance-drama. It's known for the elaborate costumes and makeup that performers wear. ''Kabuki'' tells its stories through the expressions and dances. Actors fly above the audience on wires and make dramatic entrances and exits via aisles down the middle of the audience, complex revolving stages, and trap doors. '''Noh''' (能 ''nō'' or 能楽 ''nōgaku'') is an older type of musical drama. Minimalist and probably boring for the average visitor, noh uses wooden masks and stark movements on identical bare sets, and tells its emotional stories through the lyrics, which are in an old form of Japanese (difficult for even native speakers to understand). It's sometimes described as "Japanese opera", although it's closer to chanted poetry rather than actual singing. Traditionally used as comic intermission between acts in a noh play, '''''kyōgen''''' (狂言) consists of short (10 minute) plays, often using stock characters such as servants and their master, or a farmer and his son. Much less well-known is '''''taishū engeki''''' (大衆演劇), a vague term meaning "theater for the masses" or "popular theater". Superficially, it's similar to kabuki, with elaborate Edo-period costumes, but the melodrama is turned all the way up. Every performance is a new tale, as these plays are ''not'' scripted, but invented from scratch during the morning's rehearsal; the simple stories are easy to understand even without a translation, with the good guys obviously triumphing over the bad guys. Following the play, the second half showcases actors mostly solo performing traditional dances with modern flashing stage lights and fog machines. You may find these accessible shows to have cultural similarities to variety shows, revues, or even drag shows. Shows are much cheaper than kabuki or noh, around ¥2,000. '''Comedy''' in Japan is markedly different from the Western style. Japanese are very sensitive about making jokes at the expense of others, so Western-style stand-up comedy isn't very common. Most Japanese comedy relies on absurdity, non sequiturs, and breaking the strict social expectations. Most Japanese also love puns and wordplay (駄洒落 ''dajare''), although these can cross the line into groan-inducing ''oyaji gyagu'' (親父ギャグ "old man jokes"). Don't bother attempting irony or sarcasm; Japanese rarely use these, and they're likely to take your statement at face value instead. * The most common and well-known type of stand-up comedy in Japan is '''manzai''' (漫才). This typically involves two performers misinterpreting each other and making puns at a breakneck pace. * Another traditional type of Japanese comedy is '''rakugo''' (落語), comedic storytelling. A lone performer sits on stage, using tricks to convey actions like standing up or walking, and tells a long and usually complicated funny story which always involves dialog between two or more characters. * A few troupes do Western style stand-up and improv comedy in English, which attracts a diverse international audience and even a lot of English-speaking Japanese. ===Japanese cultural arts=== {{Seealso|Arts in Japan#Japanese cultural arts}} [[File:Toshihana tea ceremony.jpg|thumb|Preparing tea]] Japan is famous for '''geisha''', although they're often misunderstood by the West. Literally translated, the word 芸者 (''geisha'') means "artist" or "artisan". Geisha are '''entertainers''', whether you're looking for song and dance, party games, or just some nice company and conversation. Geisha train from a young age to be exquisite, high-class entertainers. They're often employed today by businesses for parties and banquets. Although traditionally expensive and exclusive, you may be able to see geisha perform for as little as ¥3,000, or for free at a festival. In the largest Japanese cities, it's easy to spot a geisha if you look in the right part of town. In '''hostess clubs''', a female hostess will provide conversation, pour drinks, entertain, and to some degree flirt with her male clients. (At a '''host club''', roles are reversed with male hosts serving female clients, typically with a bit more overt flirting.) Hostesses work in bars and sing karaoke to entertain, compared to geisha coming to tea houses and restaurants to perform traditional Japanese arts. The hostesses are professional flirts, ''not'' prostitutes, and many hostess clubs have a prohibition on physical intimacy or sexual conversation topics. '''Maid cafés''' and other cosplay restaurants have employees dressed as French maids pamper their clients while serving them beverages and food. '''Tea ceremony''' (茶道 ''sadō'' or ''chadō'') is not unique to Japan, or even to Asia, but the Japanese version stands out for its deep connection to Japanese aesthetics. The focus of a Japanese tea ceremony is not so much the tea as making guests feel welcome and appreciating the season. Due to the influence of Zen Buddhism, Japanese tea ceremony emphasizes a uniquely Japanese aesthetic called ''wabi-sabi'' (侘寂). A very rough translation might be that ''wabi'' is "rustic simplicity" and ''sabi'' is "beauty that comes with age and wear". There are '''tea houses''' across Japan where you can be a guest at a tea ceremony. The most common type of "informal" ceremony usually takes 30 minutes to an hour; a "formal" ceremony can take up to 4 hours. ===Festivals=== [[File:Kan n01.jpg|thumb|right|Kanto Festival in [[Akita]] ]] Japan has an estimated 200,000 '''festivals''' (祭 ''matsuri'') throughout the year. Festivals are held for a variety of reasons, the most common being to give thanks (e.g. for a successful rice harvest) and bring good fortune. Although most festivals are small events sponsored by local shrines or temples, there are hundreds that are large city-wide affairs, any of which would be a nice addition to your itinerary if they overlap your schedule. The main event at many large festivals is a '''parade of floats''', which are usually lifted and carried by hand by several dozen men. Often a shrine's ''kami'' (spirit/deity) will be ritually put in a portable shrine (''mikoshi'') and carried around the neighborhood as part of the parade. At some festivals, anyone can take a turn helping to carry a float for a few minutes. <!-- I know that's true, but I don't know how common it is. Can anyone clarify? --> '''Fireworks''' (花火 ''hanabi'') are also a common event at festivals, particularly in the summer; in Japan, this is the most common use of fireworks. The rest of the time is spent enjoying the booths and entertainment. Food stalls have '''traditional festival foods''' like ''takoyaki'', shaved ice (かき氷 ''kakigōri''), and skewered hot dogs. A traditional game at festivals is '''goldfish scooping''' (''kingyo sukui''): if you can catch a goldfish using the flimsy paper scoop, you get to keep it. Other common games include ring toss and cork guns. Festivals are a time for the neighborhood and community to come out and celebrate together, whether it's a family, young couples making a date of it, or just a group of friends. Nearly everyone will put on a colorful '''''yukata''''' robe, while many of the people working at the festival wear ''happi'' coats. (Street clothes are perfectly fine, too.) <!-- Are there some smaller/local festivals we could mention that aren't quite so unusual or risque? --> <!-- to do: how do you find other local/smaller festivals? --> The JNTO website has a [http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/festivals/ list of several dozen festivals throughout the year] in English. Some of the most well-known festivals are: <!-- So far this is 7... maybe we could expand this to NINE (standard/max length of wv lists), but how should we determine which ones should be listed? --> * '''Sapporo Snow Festival''' (さっぽろ雪まつり ''Sapporo Yuki-matsuri'') in [[Sapporo]] (February, 7 days starting the second week) — elaborate snow and ice sculptures * '''Hakata Dontaku''' in [[Fukuoka]] (May 3–4) — Japan's largest festival, drawing over 2 million people during the Golden Week holidays * '''Kanda''' in [[Tokyo]] (May, Sa-Su closest to May 15 in odd-numbered years) * '''Hakata Gion Yamakasa''' in [[Fukuoka]] (July 1–15) — famous for racing one-ton floats * '''Gion''' in [[Kyoto]] (July, the whole month but particularly 14-17 and 21-24) * '''Nebuta''' in [[Aomori]] (August 2–7) * '''Awa-Odori''' in [[Tokushima]] (August 12–15) — folk dance festival There are also several nationwide festivals: * '''New Year's''' (正月 ''Shōgatsu'') (December 31 - January 3) * '''''Hina matsuri''''' (March 3) — during the "Doll festival", families pray for their girls, and arrange displays of dolls of the emperor and his court * '''''Tanabata''''' (around July 7; in Sendai, August 5–8; some places based on lunar calendar) — sometimes called the "Star Festival", celebrates the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (the stars Vega and Altair) who could only meet on this day each year * '''''Obon''''' or '''''Bon''''' (three days usually around August 15, but date varies by region) — when spirits of the deceased return to this world; families have reunions, and visit and clean ancestors' graves * '''''Shichi-Go-San''''' ("Seven-Five-Three") (November 15) — for girls age 3 and 7 and boys age 3 and 5 Some local festivals are more eccentric. '''''Hari Kuyō''''' ("needle memorial") festivals are held throughout Japan to express thanks to old or broken needles and pins. '''''Hadaka''''' ("naked") festivals are actually common throughout Japan, but the most well-known one is the '''''Eyō Hadaka''''' matsuri at Saidai-ji in [[Okayama]]. Thousands of men wearing just loincloths scramble to catch lucky sacred items thrown into the crowd, which will bring them a year of happiness. '''''Naki Sumō''''' ("crying sumo") festivals throughout Japan have competitions where two sumo wrestlers holding babies see which baby will cry first as priests provoke them by making faces and putting on masks. And the '''''Kanamara''''' matsuri in [[Kawasaki]] is famous for celebrating the male genitalia. ===Hot springs and public baths=== {{seealso|Public baths in Japan}} As a nation made of volcanic islands, it's not surprising that in Japan '''hot springs''' (温泉 ''onsen'') are commonplace. Japanese have pondered for centuries what the best hot springs in the country are, and they've come up with [[Japan's Top 3#Three Hot Springs|quite a few]]. Bathing is a big deal in Japan, and be it a scenic ''onsen'' hot spring, a neighborhood ''sentō'' bath or just an ordinary household tub, bathing Japanese style is a pleasure. Whereas a Western "bath" is used for washing in, "baths" in Japan are for soaking and relaxing, more like a hot tub. Washing is done first outside the tub. [[Image:Okuhida Bath Kodakara2.JPG|thumb|''Rotenburo'' outdoor bath in the [[Oku-Hida Onsen Villages]]]] ''Onsen'' are the pinnacle of the Japanese bathing experience. Clusters of hot spring '''inns''' pop up wherever there's a suitable source of hot water. The most memorable onsen experience is often the '''''rotenburo''''' (露天風呂): '''outdoor baths''' with views of the surrounding natural scenery. While most onsen are run commercially and charge fees for entry (¥500-1000 is typical), especially in remote areas there are free publicly maintained baths that offer minimal facilities, but, more often than not, stunning views to make up for it. To find those off the beaten track inns, check out the '''[http://www.hitou.or.jp/en/index.html Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns]''' (日本秘湯を守る会 ''Nihon hitō o mamoru kai''), which has 185 independent lodges throughout the country. ''Sentō'' (銭湯) are public bath houses found in any large city. Intended for people without their own home tub, they are typically quite utilitarian and are slowly dying out. Some, however, have gone upmarket and turned into "spas" (スパ ''supa''), which are public baths for stressed-out salarymen, often with a capsule hotel (see ''[[#Sleep|&sect; Sleep]]'') bolted on the side. As you might expect, these come in varying degrees of legitimacy &mdash; beware any place advertising "esthe", "health", or "soap" &mdash; but most are surprisingly decent. Foreign visitors typically visit hot springs by stopping at a '''''[[#Ryokan|ryokan]]''''', a traditional Japanese inn, most of which feature hot springs as one of their main attractions (the other main attraction usually being the elaborate ''kaiseki'' meals). This requires some research and planning to decide where you want to go (most ryokan are in small towns in the country) and to fit it into your schedule. But don't focus exclusively on inns; many onsen have no lodging, making them cheap and quick to stop at, although many are hard to get to without a car or bicycle. Many onsen and sento prohibit the entry of visitors with '''tattoos'''. Intended to keep out ''yakuza'' gangsters (who often sport full-back tattoos), the rule is usually applied with a modicum of common sense, but heavily tattooed visitors will, at the very least, receive curious looks and may be asked to leave. Japanese are understanding of the funny ways of foreigners, but there's one rule where no exceptions are made: '''you have to wash yourself and rinse off all foam ''before'' entering the bath'''. Baths in Japan are generally used '''naked''', although if you really don't want to be seen by strangers and/or travel companions, you can instead use private baths (by reservation or attached to your room) or stay clothed in a foot bath. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rate JPY|currencies=USD,EUR,GBP,CAD,CNY,ZAR}} The Japanese currency is the '''Japanese yen''', abbreviated ¥ (or '''JPY''' in foreign exchange contexts). The symbol 円 (pronounced ''en'') is used in the Japanese language itself. [[File:500JPY.JPG|thumb|Japanese ¥500 coins]] * '''Coins''': ¥1 (silver), ¥5 (gold with a center hole), ¥10 (copper), ¥50 (silver with a center hole), ¥100 (silver), and ¥500. There are two ¥500 coins, distinguishable by their color. (The new ones are gold, the old ones are silver). * '''Bills''': ¥1,000 (blue), ¥2,000 (green), ¥5,000 (purple), and ¥10,000 (brown). ¥2,000 bills are rare. New designs for all the bills except ¥2,000 were introduced in November 2004, so there are now two versions in circulation. Most merchants will not object to receiving a ¥10,000 bill even for a small purchase. ====Converting yen to euros, dollars and pounds==== Your usual currency equaling between 80 and 111 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 100. Example: <br> • ¥2,000 -> 20 of your usual currency When your usual currency equals between 111 and 133 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 1,000 and multiply by 8. Example:<br> • ¥3,000 -> 3. 3*8 ≈ 24 of your usual currency Your usual currency being between 133 and 154 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 1,000 and multiply by 7. Example:<br> • ¥4,000 -> 4. 4*7 ≈ 28 of your usual currency And when your usual currency is between 154 and 182 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 1,000 and multiply by 6. Example: <br> • ¥5,000 -> 5. 5*6 ≈ 30 of your usual currency This works well for everyday expenses. For rather high amounts of money, it's better to convert with the exact exchange rate, e.g. with an app. ====Paying by cash==== Japan is fundamentally a cash society. The Japanese usually carry around large quantities of cash — it is quite safe to do so and is almost a necessity, especially in smaller towns and more isolated areas. Some machines, such as coin lockers, laundries and beach showers, only accept ¥100 coins, and some change machines may only accept ¥1,000 bills. ====Paying by credit card==== Although most stores and hotels serving foreign customers take credit cards, many businesses such as cafés, bars, grocery stores, and even smaller hotels and inns '''do not'''. The Japanese government has made an effort to improve this situation somewhat in the lead-up to the 2020 Olympics however. Even businesses that do take cards often have a minimum charge as well as a surcharge, although this practice is disappearing. MasterCard, Visa, and JCB are accepted, and Discover and American Express have an agreement with JCB and are usable at locations where JCB cards are accepted. The following two types of '''contactless payment''' terminals are used in stores throughout the country: * EMV - compatible with Apple Pay/Google Pay. * FeliCa - compatible with Japan-specific smart cards such as Suica/Waon. Look for the EMV terminals displaying the international contactless logo {{nowrap|[[File:EMVCoContactlessIndicator.svg|25px]]}} and say "Contactless" to the sales assistant for your contactless payment to be accepted. ====Paying by smart card==== Smart cards can be used for both public transport and store purchases in all the major cities throughout the country. A "'''Suica'''", "PASMO" or "ICOCA" card can be purchased from the airport train station when you arrive. Alternatively, simply [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207154 add a Suica card] to '''Apple Wallet''' or a PASMO card to '''Google Pay''' before you travel. Once topped up with funds, tap your device at almost any train station gate line or store payment terminal for your travel/mobile payment to be accepted. ====Exchange==== Almost any major bank in Japan will provide foreign currency exchange from US dollars (cash and traveller's checks). Rates are basically the same whichever bank you choose (rates may be better or worse at private exchange counters). Having to wait 15-30 min, depending on how busy the branch gets, is not unusual. Other currencies accepted are euros, Swiss francs, British pounds, and Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand dollars. Singapore dollars are the most widely accepted Asian currency, followed by the Korean won, Chinese yuan, and Hong Kong dollars. Other Asian currencies are generally ''not'' accepted. Exchange rates for US dollars and euros are typically very good (about 2% below the official rate). Exchange rates for other currencies are very poor (up to 15% below the official rate). Japanese post offices can also cash traveller's checks or exchange cash for yen, at a slightly better rate than the banks. Traveller's checks also have a better rate of exchange than cash. If you are exchanging amounts in excess of US$1,000 (whether cash or traveller's checks), you will be required to provide identification that includes your name, address, and date of birth. Since passports usually do not show your address, bring along another form of ID such as a driver's license that shows your address. ===Banking=== Banking in Japan is a notoriously cumbersome process, especially for foreigners. While foreigners in Japan on an extended period (i.e. those on student, dependent or work visas) may open an account, this option is not available to those on short trips for tourism or business. In the event that you need a locally-issued "credit" card (for an online merchant that performs region checks, for instance), there are a multitude of online-only virtual Visa cards available, and some stores' point cards carry a prepaid Visa or JCB card function also. Japanese bank branches will often only have ATMs available during office hours, though this is changing. While foreigners used to have to go to a 7-Eleven Bank or Japan Post ATM to withdraw cash, cash is now available from a wider range of '''ATMs''', known locally as "ATMs" (''ē tī emu'') or "cash corners" (キャッシュコーナー ''kyasshu kōnā''). The major banks and ATM operators accepting foreign cards are listed the [[Shopping in Japan#Withdrawing cash|Shopping in Japan]] article. Many Japanese ATMs are '''closed at night and during the weekends''', so it's best to get your banking done during office hours. Exceptions are convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson (for UnionPay users), and Ministop locations in larger cities. Staff at some bank branches are unaware that their ATMs accept foreign cards at all. If you're having trouble, pick up the handset next to the machine to talk to the central ATM support staff. For information on setting up a bank account or getting a Japanese credit card, see [[Working in Japan#Money]]. [[File:016 Coca-Cola vending machine at Kyoto Station, Japan - コカコーラ 自動販売機.JPG|thumb|Coca-Cola vending machine at Kyoto Station.]] '''Vending machines''' in Japan are known for their pervasiveness and the (notorious) variety of products they sell. Most will take ¥1,000 bills, and some types such as train ticket machines will take up to ¥10,000; none accept ¥1 or ¥5 coins, and only some accept ¥2,000 notes. And even the most high-tech vending machines do not take credit cards, save for certain ones in train stations (though there are limitations — for example, JR East and West ticket vending machines require a PIN of four digits or less; most credit card customers would be better off purchasing from a ticket window). Cigarette vending machines require a Taspo card (age verification), which are not available to non-residents, but local smokers are usually happy to lend you theirs. '''Prepaid electronic cards''' are quite popular in Japan for small purchases. There are cards for train fares, convenience store purchases, and other general purposes, though they aren't interchangeable. There is a '''10% consumption tax''' on most sales in Japan. Tax is ''usually'' included in displayed prices. The word ''zeinuki'' (税抜) means tax-excluded, ''zeikomi'' (税込) means tax-included. If you cannot find out any words in the price card, most of them are tax-included. Note that daily necessities, such as take-away food and non-alcoholic beverages, are subject to a lower 8% tax. Always keep a sizable stack of reserve money in Japan, as if you run out for any reason (wallet stolen, credit card blocked, etc.), it can be difficult to have any wired to you. Western Union has a very limited presence even in the larger metropolitan areas (they have an agreement with Daikokuya). American Express cardholders have more emergency options: the AmEx office in Tokyo can print replacement cards for same-day pickup if lost, and they do have the ability to send emergency funds to certain locations in Japan for pick-up if needed. ===Tipping=== In Japan, tipping is not a part of the culture. Japanese people are uncomfortable with being tipped and are likely to be confused, amused or possibly even offended if tipped. The Japanese pride themselves on the service given to customers, and a further financial incentive is unnecessary. If you leave a tip in a restaurant, the staff will probably come running after you to return the money you 'forgot'. Many Westernised hotels and restaurants may add a 10% service charge, and family restaurants may add a 10% late-night charge after midnight. Occasionally the hotel or inn will leave a small gratuity envelope for you to tip the maids, though it is completely optional. '''Never''' leave a cash tip on a table or hotel bed because the Japanese consider it impolite if it is not concealed in an envelope. Even bellhops in high end hotels usually do not accept tips. Exceptions are high-end ryokan (see ''[[#Ryokan|&sect; Sleep]]'') and interpreters or tour guides. ===Costs=== In the Bubble Era of the 1980s, Japan acquired a reputation for being extremely expensive &mdash; and it can be. However, many things have become significantly cheaper since the bubble popped, with Japan's economy and prices stagnant while the rest of the world roared and inflated away. These days Japan is actually cheaper than [[Australia]] and most [[European Union]] countries for basic expenses. Food in particular can be a bargain, and while still expensive by Asian standards, eating out in Japan is generally cheaper than in Western countries, with simple meals of noodles or rice with a topping starting from about ¥300 per serve. Of course, on the other end of the spectrum, fine dining can be very expensive, with prices on the order of ¥30,000 per person not unheard of. For long-distance travel, in particular, the Japan Rail Pass, Japan Bus Pass, and Visit Japan flights (see ''[[#Get around|&sect; Get around]]'') can save you a bundle. As rough guidelines, you will find it very difficult to travel on less than ¥5,000 per day (but if you plan carefully, it is certainly possible) and you can expect a degree of comfort only if you pay ¥10,000. Staying in posh hotels, eating fancy meals or just travelling long-distance will easily double this yet again. Typical prices for moderate budget travel would be ¥5,000 for hotel, ¥2,000 for meals, and ¥2,000 again for entry fees and local transport. Costs also differ from location to location, with the Tokyo metropolitan area being more expensive than the rest of the country. ====Tips for budget shopping==== If you find yourself a little short on cash, you can get your essential items in one of the many '''¥100 shops''' (百円ショップ ''hyaku-en shoppu'') in most cities like [http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/english/index.html Daiso], Can Do (キャンドゥ), Seria (セリア), and Silk (シルク). There are also convenience-store-like ¥100 shops such as SHOP99 and Lawson Store 100 which carry sandwiches, drinks, vegetables and some ¥100 items. ===Shopping=== [[File:03-05-JPN153.jpg|thumb|Night in [[Shinjuku]]]] {{seealso|Shopping in Japan}} Japan is known for its upscale '''department stores''' (デパート ''depāto''), the nicest of which feature beautiful interior architectural ornamentation and still employ uniformed women to operate the elevators while informing customers where to find items. ''Depāto'' typically have a food court and groceries in the basement, while the roof often has a garden (which doubles as a beer garden during the summer) and some affordable eateries. Retail hours are surprisingly limited, typically 10:00-20:00, though most shops are open on weekends and public holidays except New Year, and close on one day a week. However, you will always find something you could need to buy at any time of day. Japan is crawling with 24/7 '''convenience stores''', such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, Circle K, and Sunkus. Many Westerners come to Japan in search of '''''anime''''' (animation), '''''manga''''' (comics), and '''video games'''. One of the best places to shop is [[Akihabara]] in Tokyo. Battery-powered '''small electronics and still cameras''' made for sale in Japan will work anywhere in the world. There are no great bargains to be found, but the selection is unparalleled. However, if you are buying other electronics to take home, it's best to shop at stores that specialize in "overseas" configurations, many of which can be found in Tokyo's [[Tokyo/Akihabara|Akihabara]]. Japanese AC runs at 100 volts, so check devices' ratings; if it's not rated for 100–120&nbsp;V, using it without a step-down transformer can be dangerous. Blank media is a great deal; Blu-ray optical media for video and data is much, much cheaper than anywhere else. When it comes to casual '''fashion''', Japan is hard to beat. [[Tokyo]] and [[Osaka]] in particular are home to many shopping districts, and there is an abundance of stores selling the latest fashion, particularly those catering to youths. Japan's main contribution to jewelry is the '''cultured pearl''', developed by Mikimoto Kōkichi. The pearls are widely available, although there is little if any price difference to buying them outside Japan. For those who insist on getting their hands on the "authentic" stuff, Mikimoto's flagship store is in the [[Tokyo/Ginza|Ginza]] district of Tokyo, while the small town of [[Toba]] still hosts Mikimoto's Pearl Island. Then of course there is '''kimono''', the classic Japanese garment. While very expensive new, second-hand kimono can be had at a fraction of the price, or you can opt for a much cheaper and easier to wear casual ''yukata'' robe. See [[purchasing a kimono]] for buying your own. When wearing a kimono, it should always be wrapped left over right; doing the reverse is a major faux pas as that is only done when dressing the dead. ==Eat== {{main|Japanese cuisine}} [[Image:Japanese dinner, kaiseki.jpg|thumb|Fancy Japanese ''kaiseki'' (会席) multi-course dinner]] Japanese cuisine, renowned for its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, has taken the world by storm. The key ingredient of most meals is '''white rice''', usually served steamed. '''Soybeans''' are a key source of protein and take many forms, notably the ''miso'' soup (味噌汁 ''miso shiru'') served with many meals, but also tofu (豆腐 ''tōfu'') bean curd and the ubiquitous '''soy sauce''' (醤油 ''shōyu''). '''Seafood''' features heavily in Japanese cuisine, including creatures of the sea and many varieties of '''seaweed'''. A complete meal is always rounded out by some '''pickles''' (漬物 ''tsukemono''). One of the joys of getting out of Tokyo and travelling within Japan is to discover the local specialties. Every region within the country has a number of delightful dishes, based on locally available crops and fish. In [[Hokkaido]] try the fresh sashimi and crab. In [[Osaka]] don't miss the ''okonomiyaki'' (お好み焼き) stuffed with green onions and the octopus balls (たこ焼き ''takoyaki''). The [https://gm.gnavi.co.jp/home/ Michelin Guide] is considered by many Western visitors to be the benchmark of good restaurants in Japan. But many top fine dining restaurants are not listed in it by choice. [https://tabelog.com/en/ Tabelog] is the go-to directory for Japanese people looking at restaurant reviews, but most of the reviews are posted in Japanese. ===Etiquette=== Most Japanese food is eaten with '''chopsticks''' (箸 ''hashi''). Eating with chopsticks is a surprisingly easy skill to pick up, although mastering them takes a while. * '''Never''' place or leave chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice; You can rest chopsticks across the edge of your bowl, plate or chopstick rest. * Never pass something from your chopsticks to another person's chopsticks. * Licking the ends of your chopsticks is considered low-class. * Using chopsticks to move plates or bowls is rude. * Pointing at things with your chopsticks is rude. (Pointing at people in general is rude; with chopsticks, doubly so.) * Spearing food with your chopsticks is generally rude and should be used as only a last resort. You shouldn't "whittle" your disposable chopsticks after breaking them apart (which would imply you think they're cheap), but for cleanliness it ''is'' good manners to put them back in their paper wrapper when you're finished eating. Most soups and broths, especially ''miso'', are drunk directly out of the bowl after you've chopsticked out the larger bits, and it's also normal to pick up a bowl of rice for easier eating. For main-dish soups like ''rāmen'' you will be given a spoon. Curry rice and fried rice are also eaten with spoons. Many restaurants give you a hot towel (''o-shibori'') to wipe your hands with (not your face) as soon as you sit down. Japanese '''never put soy sauce on a bowl of rice'''. Japanese don't like to waste food (including soy sauce, so don't pour more than you need), but it's fine in most restaurants if you leave some food on your plates. In all types of Japanese restaurants, '''staff generally ignore you''' until you ask for something. Say "''sumimasen''" ("excuse me") and maybe raise your hand at a large restaurant. Restaurants will present you with the bill after the meal. Pay at the counter when leaving &mdash; do not leave payment on the table and walk out. '''Tipping''' is not customary in Japan, although many sit-down restaurants apply 10% service charges and 24-hour "family restaurants" usually have a 10% late-night surcharge. ===Restaurants=== [[Image:Tsukiji DaiwaSushi.JPG|thumb|Sushi breakfast in [[Tokyo/Chuo|Tsukiji]], [[Tokyo]]]] The number of restaurants (レストラン ''resutoran'') in Japan is stupendous, and you will never run out of places to go. Japanese almost never invite guests to their homes, so socializing nearly always involves eating out. Eating out is generally cheaper than in Western countries, though still expensive by Asian standards, if you stick to a basic rice or noodles meal at a local joint. At the other end of the spectrum, fine dining can be very expensive indeed. Menus will, for most establishments, be in Japanese only; however, many restaurants have models (many in exquisite detail) of their meals in their front window, and if you can't read the menu it may be better to take the waiter or waitress outside and point at what you would like. There may be photographs of the food labeled with names and prices. Many cheap chain eateries have '''vending machines''' where you buy a ticket and give it to the server. At many of these restaurants, you'll have to be able to read Japanese or match the price from models or picture menus, along with some of the kana (characters) to the choices at the machine. Some other places have all-you-can-eat meals called ''tabehōdai'' (食べ放題), ''byuffe'' (ビュッフェ, "buffet"), or ''baikingu'' (バイキング "Viking", because "smorgasbord" would be too hard to pronounce in Japanese). ====Fine dining==== Japan is considered by many to be one of the world's centers of fine dining. Japan is tied with France for first place as the country with the most Michelin-star restaurants. Unfortunately, Japanese fine dining is notoriously inaccessible to foreign visitors; online bookings are typically not an option, staff typically speak little to no English, and most fine dining establishments do not accept reservations from new customers without an introduction from one of their regular diners. In some cases, if you are staying in a top-end luxury hotel, the concierge may be able to score you a reservation at one of these places provided you make the request well in advance. Traditional Japanese inns ''(see [[#Ryokan|&sect; Ryokan]])'' are a common way for travellers to enjoy a fine ''kaiseki'' meal. The elaborate meals featuring local seasonal ingredients are considered an essential part of a visit to a ryokan, and factor heavily into many people's choice of inn. ====Noodles==== [[Image:Bukkake udon by cloneofsnake in Kurashiki, Okayama.jpg|thumb|''Bukkake udon'' with ''tempura'', [[Kurashiki]]]] Practically every town and hamlet in Japan boasts its own "famous" noodle (麺 ''men'') dish. There are two major noodle types native to Japan: thin buckwheat '''''soba''''' (そば) and thick wheat '''''udon''''' (うどん). Chinese egg noodles or '''''rāmen''''' (ラーメン) are also very popular but more expensive (¥500 and up) and typically include a slice of grilled pork and a variety of vegetables. Slurping your noodles is acceptable and even expected. According to the Japanese, it cools them down and makes them taste better. Any remaining broth can be drunk directly from the bowl. ====Sushi and sashimi==== Perhaps Japan's most famous culinary exports are '''''sushi''''' (寿司 or 鮨), usually raw fish over vinegared rice, and '''''sashimi''''' (刺身), plain raw fish. Most sushi restaurants keep a handy multilingual decoding key on hand or on the wall. At the finest sushi restaurants, the chef puts a dab of fiery '''''wasabi''''' radish into the sushi, and glazes the fish with soy sauce for you. Thus, such sushi restaurants don't have individual bowls of soy sauce or wasabi. Most restaurants, though, provide them at the table. (Turn nigiri sushi upside down before dipping, as the soy sauce is to flavor the fish, not to drown the rice.) Slices of pickled ginger (''gari'') refresh the palate. When eating sushi, it's perfectly acceptable to use your fingers. Good sushi is always made such that you can put the entire piece into your mouth at once. ====Grilled and fried dishes==== [[File:Hiroshima yaki by woinary at the food court in Hiroshima Airport.jpg|thumb|Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) in [[Hiroshima]]]] The ''teppanyaki'' (鉄板焼き, confusingly known in the U.S. as "hibachi") and self-grill ''yakiniku'' (焼肉, Japanese-style "Korean barbecue") cooking methods, as well as the deep fried ''tempura'' (天ぷら) battered shrimp and vegetables originate here. Meat (especially beef) can be fiercely expensive, like the famous marbled '''Kobe beef''', which can cost thousands per serving. Tempura has entered the Japanese fine dining repertoire, and there are numerous fine tempura omakase restaurants in which the chef deep-fries the dish in front of you and puts it directly on your plate to be eaten immediately. Other uniquely Japanese foods include ''okonomiyaki'' (お好み焼き, "cook it how you like it", a batter with cabbage, meat, seafood, and vegetable fillings of your choice, often self-cooked at your table) and ''yakitori'' (焼き鳥, grilled skewers of every chicken part imaginable). ====Curry==== Japanese curry is very distinct from [[India]]n curry. Curry powder was introduced to Japan in the late 19th century by the [[United Kingdom|British]]. The Indian curry brought by the British was too spicy for Japanese tastes, but they altered the recipe to make it sweeter and thicker. Curry restaurants can be found throughout the country, but there are also localized versions, such as [[Kanazawa]] Curry, [[Bizen]] Curry, and [[Kuwana]] Curry. Soup curry is a famous dish in [[Hokkaido]]. Curry udon and other curry combinations are also quite popular. ====All-around eateries==== [[File:Shop-made bento box.jpeg|thumb|A typical ''o-bentō''. Clockwise from top: ''kara-age'' fried chicken with a ''korokke'' potato croquet and cocktail wieners, salad, rice with an ''umeboshi'' plum, ''harusame'' noodles and ''tsukemono'' pickles.]] ''Shokudō'' (食堂 "cafeteria" or "dining hall") serve up simple, popular dishes and ''teishoku'' sets at affordable prices (¥500-1000). When in doubt, go for the daily special or ''kyō no teishoku'' (今日の定食), which nearly always consists of a main course, rice, soup and pickles. A staple of the ''shokudō'' is the ''donburi'' (丼), meaning a bowl of rice with a topping. A closely related variant is the ''bentō-ya'' (弁当屋), which serves takeout boxes known as ''o-bentō'' (お弁当). While travelling on JR, don't forget to sample the vast array of ''ekiben'' (駅弁) or "station bento". Department store basements are often huge spaces filled with expansive amounts of fresh food from throughout the country and local dishes. You can get bento boxes, take out food on a stick, bowls of soup, and often find samples of treats to try. You can also find restaurants in department stores, often on the top floors. ====Others==== Various types of '''hot pot''' (鍋 ''nabe''), as well as a number of stewed food items known as ''oden'' (おでん) are popular in Japan during the winter. You can often find '''pseudo-Western dishes''', which were adapted from European and American cuisines, but often heavily Japanized. See the [[Japanese cuisine]] and [[Western food in Asia]] articles for more details. ====Beer gardens==== During the summer months when it's not raining, many buildings and hotels have restaurants on their rooftops and serve dishes like fried chicken and french fries, as well as light snacks. The specialty is, of course, '''draft beer''' (生ビール ''nama-biiru''). You can order large mugs of beer or pay a fixed price for an all-you-can-drink (飲み放題 ''nomihōdai'') course lasting for a set period of time (usually up to 2 hours). Cocktails and other drinks are also often available as part of all-you-can-drink sets. ===Fast food=== Japanese fast food restaurants offer decent quality at reasonable prices. Many chains offer interesting seasonal choices that are quite tasty. Fast food chains offer the range from classic Japanese food through to modern American junk food. There are also a number of Japanese '''family restaurants''' (ファミレス ''famiresu'' or ファミリーレストラン ''famirii resutoran''), serving a wide variety of dishes, including steak, pasta, Chinese style dishes, sandwiches, and other foods. Though their food is relatively uninteresting, these restaurants usually have illustrated menus, so travellers who cannot read Japanese can use the photos to choose and communicate their orders. ===Convenience stores=== If you're travelling on the cheap, Japan's numerous convenience stores (コンビニ ''konbini'') can be a great place to grab a bite to eat; they are everywhere and almost always open 24/7. Major chains include [http://www.sej.co.jp/in/en.html 7-Eleven], [http://lawson.jp/en/ Lawson], and [http://www.family.co.jp/for_tourist/en.html Family Mart]. You can find instant noodles, sandwiches, meat buns, and some small prepared meals, which can be heated up in a microwave in the store. An excellent option for food on the go is ''onigiri'' (or ''omusubi''), which is a large ball of rice stuffed with (say) fish or pickled plum and wrapped in seaweed, and usually cost ¥100-150 each (as of Mar 2019). ===Supermarkets=== For those really on a budget, most supermarkets (''sūpā'') have a wide variety of ready-to-eat meals, bentos, sandwiches, snacks and the like, generally cheaper than convenience stores. Some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. One Japanese institution worth checking out is the ''depachika'' (デパ地下) or department store basement food court, featuring dozens of tiny specialist stalls dishing up local specialties ranging from exquisitely packed tea ceremony candies to fresh sushi and Chinese takeaway. They're often a little upmarket pricewise, but discount heavily towards the end of the day: look for little red half price (半額 ''hangaku'') and X% off signs (eg. 2割, read ''ni-wari'', means 20% off). ===Dietary restrictions=== ====Eating vegetarian==== Although the situation is improving in major cities, vegetarians (much less vegans) may have serious difficulty finding a meal that does not include animal products, particularly as the near-ubiquitous Japanese soup stock ''dashi'' is usually prepared with fish and often pops up in unexpected places like ''miso'', rice crackers, curry, omelettes (including ''tamago'' sushi), instant noodles and pretty much anywhere salt would be used in Western cuisine. ''Soba'' and ''udon'' noodle soups virtually always use bonito-based ''katsuodashi'', and typically the only vegetarian-safe item on the menu in a noodle shop is ''zarusoba'', or plain cold noodles &mdash; but even for this the dipping sauce typically contains ''dashi''. A safe bet is to look for '''Buddhist cuisine''' (精進料理 ''shōjin ryōri''), which is based on the cuisine eaten by Japanese Buddhist monks, and uses only the highest quality ingredients. As per Mahayana Buddhist tradition, it does not include dairy products, eggs or any other animal products. However, it is usually rather expensive. An excellent option is the ''kaiten'' (conveyor belt) sushi shop. There are several kinds of rolled sushi available in these shops that do not include fish or other marine creatures. You may have to ask for the type of sushi you want and the sushi chef will prepare it for you. Traditional Japanese cuisine contains an ample amount of protein through its great variety of soy products. In the prepared food sections of supermarkets and department store basements, you can also find many dishes including various types of beans, both sweet and savory. Vegetarians may want to seek out Indian or Italian restaurants in larger cities. ====Allergies==== Travelling in Japan with food allergies (アレルギー ''arerugī'') is '''very difficult'''. Awareness of severe allergies is low and restaurant staff are rarely aware of trace ingredients in their menu items. A serious '''soy ''' (大豆 ''daizu'') allergy is basically incompatible with Japanese food. The bean is used everywhere, including soybean oil for cooking. Keeping a ''strict'' '''gluten-free ''' diet while eating out is also close to impossible. Most common brands of soy sauce and mirin contain wheat, while miso is often made with barley or wheat. Commercially prepared sushi vinegar and wasabi may both contain gluten. Avoiding '''dairy ''' products is straightforward, as they are uncommon in traditional Japanese cuisine. '''Peanuts''' and other tree nuts are basically not used in Japanese cooking, with the exception of a few snacks and desserts. Peanut oil is rarely used. ====Religious diets==== Due to the very small size of the [[Islam|Muslim]] and [[Judaism|Jewish]] communities, finding halal or [[kashrut|kosher]] food is ''very difficult'' in Japan, and you will need to do some advanced planning before your trip. Muslim visitors can contact the [http://www.islam.or.jp/en/ Japan Islamic Trust], while Jewish visitors can contact either of Tokyo's Chabad Houses for more information; see [https://www.chabad.jp/ here] and [http://www.chabadjapan.org/ here]. ==Drink== {{Seealso|Japanese_cuisine#Beverages}} [[File:Getränkeautomaten in Japan.jpg|thumb|Beverage vending machines galore]] The Japanese drink a lot: not only green tea in the office, at meetings and with meals, but also all types of alcoholic beverages in the evening with friends and colleagues. The drinking age is 20. However, ID verification is almost never requested at restaurants, bars, or convenience stores, so long as the purchaser does not appear obviously underage. The main exception is in the large clubs in Shibuya, Tokyo, which during busy times will ID everyone entering the club. '''Drinking in public is legal''' in Japan, as is public intoxication. It's especially common to drink at festivals and ''hanami''. It's also not unusual to have a small drinking party on the bullet trains. ===Where to drink=== If you're looking for an evening of food and drink in a relaxed traditional atmosphere, go to an '''''izakaya''''' (居酒屋, Japanese-style pub), easily identified by red lanterns with the character 酒 ("alcohol") hanging out front. Many of them have an all-you-can-drink (飲み放題 ''nomihōdai'') deals at about ¥1,000 for 90 minutes (on average), although you will be limited to certain types of drinks. Food is invariably good and reasonably priced. A common Japanese institution is the '''snack''' (スナック ''sunakku''). These small neighborhood bars are usually run by an aging woman addressed as ''mama-san'' ("Ms. Mom"); besides serving food and a limited selection of drinks (often just beer and whiskey), she's a surrogate mother for patrons to converse with and get advice and even an occasional scolding from. Many are dive bars filled with cigarette-smoking regulars; an occasional visit from foreigners may be welcomed, but if you don't speak some Japanese you're undoubtedly missing some of the appeal. Somewhat related are '''hostess clubs''' (キャバクラ kyaba-kura, short for "cabaret club"), many of which describe themselves as ''sunakku''; these are slightly dodgy operations where paid hostesses pour drinks, sing karaoke, massage egos (and sometimes a bit more) and charge upwards of ¥3,000/hour for the service. Tourists will probably feel out of place and many do not even admit non-Japanese patrons. Dedicated gay bars are comparatively rare in Japan, but the districts of [[Tokyo/Shinjuku|Shinjuku ni-chome]] in Tokyo and [[Osaka/Kita|Doyama-cho]] in Osaka have busy gay scenes. Most gay/lesbian bars serve a small niche (muscular men, etc.) and will not permit those who do not fit the mold, including the opposite sex, to enter. While a few are Japanese only, foreigners are welcome at most bars. Izakaya, bars and snacks typically have cover charges (カバーチャージ ''kabā chāji''), usually around ¥500 but on rare occasions more, so ask if the place looks really swish. In izakayas this often takes the form of being served some little nibble (お通し ''otōshi'') as you sit down, and no, you can't refuse it and not pay. Some bars also charge a cover charge ''and'' an additional fee for any peanuts you're served with your beer. Karaoke parlors serve drinks and snacks. Orders are placed via a phone on the wall, by pressing a button to summon staff, or in high-tech ones using the karaoke machine's tablet or remote control. If you're just looking for a jolt of caffeine, go to Starbucks or one of its Japanese competitors such as Doutor or Excelsior. But for a more calm and unique experience, the Japanese coffee shop, '''''kissaten''''' (喫茶店), has a long history. Most are one-of-a-kind affairs, and reflect the tastes of their clientele. A peculiar kind of kissaten is the '''jazz coffee shop'''; these moody joints for jazz buffs are strictly for quiet listening, and ''not'' for conversation. '''Vending machines''' (自動販売機 ''jidōhanbaiki'', or ''jihanki'' in slang) are omnipresent in Japan and serve up drinks 24 hours a day at the price of ¥120-150 a can/bottle. In addition to cans of soft drinks, tea and coffee, you can find vending machines that sell beer, sake and hard liquor. In winter, some machines will also dispense hot drinks &mdash; look for a red label with the writing あたたかい (''atatakai'') instead of the usual blue つめたい (''tsumetai''). Vending machines that sell alcoholic beverages are usually switched off at 23:00. ===Beverages=== [[Image:Sake set.jpg|thumb|Flat ''sakazuki'' tray, a small ''choko'' cup and a wooden ''masu'' box]] '''Sake''' is a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from rice. The Japanese word ''sake'' (酒) can mean any kind of alcoholic drink, and in Japan the word '''''nihonshu''''' (日本酒) is used to refer to what Westerners call "sake". Sake is around 15% alcohol, and contrary to popular belief, is usually not served hot, but often chilled; defaulting to room temperature is in most cases safe. Bottles and menus often show the '''''nihonshu-do''''' (日本酒度), a "sake level" that measures the sweetness or dryness of the brew, the average today being around +3 (slightly dry). When making a purchase, price is often a fair indicator of quality. '''''Shōchū''''' (焼酎) is the big brother of sake, a stronger-tasting distilled type of alcohol. Traditional ''shōchū'' are most commonly made of rice, yam, or grain, but can be made of other materials like potatoes, too. Typically around 25% alcohol and often cheap at less than ¥1000 for a big 1L bottle, these can be served straight, on the rocks, or mixed with hot or cold water. ''Shōchū'' industrially made out of sugar is often used and served as a kind of cooler mixed with juice or soda known as a ''chū-hai'', short for "''shōchū'' highball". '''''Umeshu''''' (梅酒), inaccurately called "plum wine", is prepared by soaking Japanese ''ume'' plums (actually a type of apricot) in white liquor so it absorbs the flavor, and the distinctive, penetrating nose of sour dark plum and sweet brown sugar is a hit with many visitors. Typically about 10-15% alcohol, it can be taken straight, on the rocks (ロック ''rokku'') or mixed with soda (ソダ割り ''soda-wari''). Japanese '''whisky''' ([ジャパニーズ] ウイスキー ''[japanīzu] uisukī''), although popular domestically for over 150 years, has come to inernational attention and won numerous awards. It can be had neat/straight (ストレート ''sutorēto'') or on the rocks (オン・ザ・ロック ''on za rokku'' or simply ロック ''rokku''), but it's much more common to dilute it, the same as with ''shōchū''. The most common preparation is a highball (ハイボール ''haibōru''), 1 part whisky and 2 parts soda water over ice. Another common drink uses cold mineral water (水割り ''mizu-wari'') in the same proportions, or in the winter, hot water (お湯割り ''o-yu-wari''). There are several large brands of Japanese '''beer''' (ビール ''biiru''), including Kirin, Asahi, Sapporo, and Suntory. Yebisu is also a popular beer brewed by Sapporo. In Japanese restaurants, beer is typically served in various sizes of bottles (瓶 ''bin''), or draft (生 ''nama'' meaning "fresh"). Most Japanese beers are dry pilsners, with strengths averaging 5%, which pair well with Japanese food but are definitely light in flavor. Even the few dark beers like Asahi Super Dry Black are actually dark ''lagers'', so despite their color they're still not very full-bodied. '''Microbreweries''' are quickly picking up steam, and their ''kurafuto bia'' (クラフトビア "craft beer") or ''ji-biiru'' (地ビール "local beer") bring some welcome diversity to the market. You'll likely have to hunt around to find them, though; besides brewpubs and good liquor stores like the widespread Yamaya (店舗 or やまや), another good place to look is department store basements. Japanese '''wine''' is actually quite nice but costs about twice as much as comparable wine from other countries. Several varieties exist, and imported wine at various prices is available nationwide. Specialized stores and large department stores offer the most extensive offerings. Most wine, red and white, is served chilled and you may find it hard obtaining room-temperature (常温 ''jō-on'') wine when dining out. [[Image:Higashi Shima Matcha.JPG|thumb|''Matcha'' and traditional sweets, [[Kanazawa]]]] The most popular beverage by far is '''tea''' (お茶 ''o-cha''), provided free of charge with almost every meal, hot in winter and cold in summer. There is a huge variety of tea in bottles and cans in convenience-store fridges and vending machines. Unless specified, tea is usually Japanese green tea; Western-style black tea is called ''kōcha'' (紅茶), and Chinese oolong tea (ウーロン茶 ''ūron cha'') is also popular. Japanese teas are always drunk neat, without the use of any milk or sugar. However, Western-style milk tea can also be found in most of the American fast food chains. '''Coffee''' (コーヒー ''kōhī'') is quite popular in Japan. It's usually brewed to the same strength as European coffee; weaker, watered down coffee is called ''American''. Canned coffee (hot and cold) is a bit of a curiosity, and widely available in vending machines for about ¥120 per can. Most canned coffee is sweet, so look for brands with the English word "Black" or the kanji 無糖 ("no sugar") if you want it unsweetened. There are many uniquely Japanese '''soft drinks''' and trying random drinks from vending machines is one of the little traveller's joys of Japan. Calpis (カルピス ''Karupisu'') is a kind of yogurt-based soft drink that tastes better than it sounds. The famous Pocari Sweat (ポカリスエット ''Pokari Suetto'') is a Gatorade-style isotonic drink. A more traditional Japanese soft drink is Ramune (ラムネ), nearly the same as Sprite or 7-Up but noteworthy for its unusual bottle, where one pushes down a marble into an open space below the spout instead of using a bottle opener. American soft drink brands are widely available. The only choices for diet soda will be Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or Diet Pepsi. In Japan, the term "'''juice'''" (ジュース ''jūsu'') is a catch-all term for any kind of soft drink — including even Coca-Cola and the like — so if it's fruit squeezings you want, ask for ''kajū'' (果汁). Extremely few are 100% juice. '''Water''' is commonly encountered in the form of plastic bottles of water. The tap water is safe to drink, and you can find filling stations for water bottles through [https://www.refill-japan.org/ Refill Japan], or by asking for water at a friendly restaurant. ==Sleep== [[Image:Ku-Nel-Asob.JPG|thumb|Room with a view, [[Oboke and Koboke]]]] In addition to the usual youth hostels and business hotels, you can find several kinds of uniquely Japanese accommodation, ranging from rarefied '''''ryokan''''' inns to strictly functional '''capsule hotels''' and utterly over-the-top '''love hotels'''. When reserving any Japanese accommodations, bear in mind that many smaller operations may hesitate to accept foreigners, fearing language difficulties or other cultural misunderstandings. Many Western hotel booking sites also have only a small selection of Japanese hotels available; to explore the full gamut, use local companies [http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/ Rakuten Travel] or [https://www.jalan.net/en Jalan], which have good English sites. Pricing for Japanese inns is often ''per person'', not per room. Bizarrely, some Japanese hotel chains also charge per person. Read the fine print, and check what meals are included at inns since this can make a big difference in the price (and the experience). When checking in to any type of accommodation, the hotel is required by law to make a copy of your passport unless you are a resident of Japan. It is a good idea, especially if you are travelling in groups, to present the clerk a '''photo copy of your passport''' to speed up check-in. Aside from this, remember that Japan is mostly a '''cash only''' country, and credit cards are usually not accepted in smaller forms of accommodation, including small business hotels. Bring enough cash to be able to pay in advance. One thing to beware in wintertime: traditional Japanese houses are designed to be cool in summer, which all too often means that they are '''freezing cold inside''' in winter. Bulk up on clothing and make good use of the bathing facilities to stay warm; fortunately, ''futon'' bedding is usually quite warm and getting a good night's sleep is rarely a problem. While accommodation in Japan is expensive, you may find that you can comfortably use a lower standard of hotel than you would in other countries. Shared baths will usually be spotless, and theft is very unusual in Japan. Just don't expect to sleep in late: check-out time is invariably '''10:00''', and any extensions to this will have to be paid for. You may have difficulty finding rooms at the busiest [[#Holidays|holiday times]], such as Golden Week at the beginning of May. However, many Japanese hotels and third-party booking sites do not accept online bookings more than '''3 to 6 months in advance''', so if it's more than 3 months before your trip and you're not finding anything available, either contact the hotel directly or try again later. Sizes of Japanese rooms are often measured in ''jō'' (畳 or sometimes 帖), the number of ''tatami'' (straw floor) mats that would cover the floor, regardless of the room's actual flooring material. Sizes vary by region, with 1 ''jō'' ranging from {{convert|1.445|to|1.824|m2|m2|abbr=on|disp=out}}, but a commonly used value is {{convert|1.652|m2|abbr=on|1}}. A typical room in a Japanese apartment is 6 ''jō'' (about {{convert|9.3|m2|m2 sqft|disp=out}}), big enough to sleep two people with their luggage spread out. ===Hotels=== While Western-branded hotels (ホテル ''hoteru'') are to be found all across Japan, it's Japanese brands like that rule the roost. Some of the Japanese hotel chains include: * '''[http://www.anaihghotels.co.jp/ ANA IHG Hotels]''' - the only Western-branded hotel chain with widespread Japanese presence, it operates Intercontinental Hotels, Crowne Plazas and Holiday Inns across Japan. Some ANA Hotels can be booked via IHG's reservation system. * '''[http://www.okura.com/ Okura Hotels & Resorts]''' is a brand of upscale and luxury hotels. They also own the midscale chains [http://www.okura.com/brand/nhi/ Hotel Nikko] and [http://www.jalhotels.com JAL Hotels]. * '''[http://www.rihga.com/ Rihga Royal]''' * '''[http://www.princehotels.com/ Prince Hotels]''' Full-service five-star hotel can turn pampering into an artform, but tend to be rather bland and generic in appearance, despite steep prices starting from ¥20,000 ''per person'' (not per room). On the other hand, three- and four-star [[#business hotels|business hotels]] are relatively reasonably priced when compared to prices in major European or North American cities, and even two-star hotels provide impeccable cleanliness and features rarely found in the West in that price range. However, there are several types of uniquely Japanese and far more affordable hotels: ====Capsule hotels==== [[Image:Susukino CapsuleHotel.JPG|thumb|Space-efficient sleeping in [[Sapporo]]]] Capsule hotels (カプセルホテル ''kapuseru hoteru'') are the ultimate in space-efficient sleeping: for a small fee (normally between ¥3000 and ¥4000), the guest rents a '''capsule''', sized about 2 x 1 x 1m and stacked in two rows inside a hall containing tens if not hundreds of capsules. Capsule hotels are segregated by sex, and only a few cater to women. On entry to a capsule hotel, take off your shoes, place them in a locker and put on a pair of slippers. You will often have to surrender your locker key at check-in to insure that you do not slip out without paying! On checking in you will be given a second locker for placing your belongings, as there is no space for them in the capsule and little security as most capsules have simply a curtain, not a door. Beware though if there is a curtain, since probing hands may enter it. Many capsule hotels are attached to a spa of varying degrees of luxury and/or legitimacy, often so that entry to the spa costs perhaps ¥2000 but the capsule is only an additional ¥1000. The cheapest capsule hotels will require feeding in ¥100 coins even to get the shower to work. This being Japan, there are always vending machines on hand to dispense toothpaste, underwear and sundries. Once you retire into your capsule, you will usually find a simple control panel for operating the lights, the alarm clock and the inevitable built-in TV. If you oversleep, you may be hit with another day's charge. In Tokyo's Shinjuku and Shibuya districts the capsule hotels run at least ¥3500, but have excellent free massage chairs, saunas, public baths, disposable razors and shampoo, magazines, and coffee in the morning. Your capsule "door" is just a curtain that keeps light out. You will likely hear a steady stream of drunk and sleepy business men crawling into their capsules above and across from you before falling into a mild snore. ====Love hotels==== [[Image:Hotel_Little_chapel_Christmas_Himeji.jpg|thumb|Many love hotels, such as this property in [[Himeji]], have unique exterior decorations.]] {{Infobox|Why are there so many love hotels?|Consider the housing shortage that plagued post-war Japan for years, and the way people still live in extended families. If you are 28 years old and still live at home, do you really want to bring your mate back to your folks<nowiki>'</nowiki> house? If you are a married couple in a {{convert|40|m2|sqft|adj=on}} apartment with two grade school children, do you really want to get down to it at home? Thus, there is the love hotel. They can be seedy, but mainly they are just practical and fulfil a social need.}} '''Love hotel''' (ラブホテル ''rabu hoteru'') is a euphemism; a more accurate term would be "sex hotel". They can be found in and near red light districts, but most are not in those areas. Many of them are often clustered around highway interchanges or main train stations. The entrance is usually quite discreet, and the exit is separated from the entrance (to avoid running into someone one might know). You rent a room by the night (listed as "Stay" or 宿泊 ''shukuhaku'' on the rate card, usually ¥6000-10,000), a couple of hours ("Rest" or 休憩 ''kyūkei'', around ¥3000), or off hours ("No Time Service"), which are usually weekday afternoons. Service charges, peak hour surcharges, and taxes can push your bill up by 25%. Some will accept single guests, but most will not allow same-sex couples or obviously underaged guests. They are generally clean, safe, and very private. Some have exotic themes: aquatics, sports, or Hello Kitty. As a traveller, rather than a typical client, you (usually) cannot check in, drop your bags, and go out exploring. Once you leave, that is it, so they are not as convenient as proper hotels. "Stay" rates also tend to start only after 22:00, and overstaying may incur hefty additional "Rest" charges. Many rooms have simple food and drinks in a refrigerator, and often have high prices. Take some food and drinks with you instead. The rooms often feature amenities such as jacuzzis, wild theme decoration, costumes, karaoke machines, vibrating beds, sex toy vending machines, and in some cases, video games. Most often, all toiletries (including condoms) are included. Sometimes the rooms have a book that acts as a log, where people record their tales and adventures for posterity. Popular love hotels may be entirely booked up in the cities on weekends. Hidden cameras have been found in love hotels, planted by other guests or even occasionally the hotel management. Videos of these supposed ''tousatsu'' (hidden camera) are popular in adult video stores, although many such videos are staged. ====Business hotels==== Business hotels (ビジネスホテル ''bijinesu hoteru'') are usually around ¥10,000 per night and have a convenient location (often near major train stations) as their major selling point, but rooms are usually unbelievably cramped. On the upside, you'll get a (tiny) en suite bathroom and, quite often, free Internet. Some major chains of cheaper business hotels include '''[http://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/en Tokyu REI Hotels]''', known for its generously sized rooms, '''[http://en.sunroute.jp/ Sunroute Hotels]''' and '''[http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/ Toyoko Inn]'''. The latter have a club card, which at ¥1500, can pay for itself on a single Sunday night. Local business hotels, farther from major stations, can be significantly cheaper (double room from ¥5000/night). English is rarely spoken, so pre-book online. For two or more, the price can often compete with youth hostels if you share a twin or double room. Full payment is often expected on check-in, and check-out times are early (usually 10AM) and non-negotiable unless you are willing to pay extra. At the very bottom end are dirt-cheap hotels in the labourers' districts of the major cities, such as Kamagasaki in Osaka, or Senju in Tokyo, where prices start from as little as ¥1500 for a tiny three-mat room that literally has only enough room to sleep. Walls and futons can be thin as well. ===Inns=== ====''Ryokan''==== [[Image:Togetsuan Room.JPG|thumb|A typical guest room in a ryokan]] [[Image:AzumaRyokan Breakfast 2.JPG|thumb|Japanese breakfast at a ryokan. Clockwise from top left: miso soup, rice, cold grilled fish, vegetables, pickles, ''nattō'' fermented soybeans, ''nori'' seaweed, a raw egg (for ''tamago kake gohan''), and more vegetables.]] {{seealso|Ryokan}} ''Ryokan'' (旅館) are '''traditional Japanese inns''', and a visit to one is the highlight of a trip to Japan for many. A night at a ryokan ''for one'' with two meals starts at about ¥8,000 and goes up into the stratosphere. ¥50,000 a night ''per person'' is not uncommon for some of the posher ones. Ryokan usually operate on a '''fairly strict schedule''' and you will be expected to arrive by 17:00. Before dinner you will be encouraged to take a '''bath''' &mdash; see ''[[Public baths in Japan]]'' for the full scoop. But first, you should change into your '''''yukata''''' robe, which you wear during your whole stay. For '''dinner''', ryokan typically serve ''kaiseki'' cuisine, traditional meals that consist of a dozen or more small dishes, elaborately prepared and presented from carefully chosen seasonal ingredients. The food in a good ryokan is a substantial part of the experience (and the bill), and is an excellent way to try some high-class Japanese cuisine. While some ryokan have a few rooms with Western beds, usually you sleep on '''''futon'' bedding''', which is not a convertible couch but a comfortable mattress rolled out for you on the tatami. '''Breakfast''' in the morning is more likely to be served communally in a dining hall at a fixed time. A Japanese breakfast is the norm, meaning rice, miso soup and cold fish. A last word of warning: some establishments with the word "ryokan" in their name are not the luxurious variety at all but guesthouse-like inns (some minshuku are included). The price will tell you the type of lodging it is. ====''Minshuku''==== ''Minshuku'' (民宿) are the '''budget version of ryokan''', and similar in concept to a [[Bed and breakfast|B&B]]. At these family-run houses, the overall experience is similar to ryokan but the food is simpler, dining is communal, bathrooms are shared, and guests are expected to lay out their own futon (although an exception is often made for foreigners). Consequently minshuku rates are lower, hovering around ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 with two meals (一泊二食 ''ippaku-nishoku''). Cheaper yet is a stay with no meals (素泊まり ''sudomari''), which can go as low as ¥3,000. Minshuku are more often found in the countryside, where virtually every hamlet or island, no matter how small or obscure, will have one. The hardest part is often finding them, as they rarely advertise or show up in online booking engines, so asking the local tourist office is often the best way. '''Pensions''' (ペンション ''penshon'') are similar to minshuku but have Western-style rooms, just like their European namesake. ====''Kokuminshukusha''==== ''Kokuminshukusha'' (国民宿舎), a mouthful that translates quite literally into "people's lodges", are '''government-run guest houses'''. They primarily provide subsidized holidays for government employees in remote scenic spots, but they are usually happy to accept paying guests. Both facilities and prices are usually more comparable to ryokan than minshuku standards; however, they are almost invariably large in size and can be rather impersonal. Popular ones need to be booked well in advance for peak seasons: sometimes almost a year in advance for New Year's and the like. ====''Shukubō''==== : ''See also:'' [[Meditation in Japan]] ''Shukubō'' (宿坊) are '''lodgings for pilgrims''', usually located within a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine. Again, the experience is broadly similar to a ryokan, but the food will be vegetarian and you may be offered a chance to participate in the temple's activities. Some Zen temples offer [[Meditation in Japan|meditation]] lessons and courses. Shukubo can be reluctant to accept foreign guests, but one place where that will not be a problem is the major Buddhist center of [[Mt. Koya]] near [[Osaka]]. ===Hostels and camping=== ====Youth hostels==== '''[[Hostels|Youth hostels]]''' (ユースホステル ''yūsu hosuteru'', often just called ''yūsu'' or abbreviated "YH") are another cheap option in Japan. Hostels can be found throughout the country, so they are popular among budget travellers, especially students. Hostels typically range in price from ¥2,000 to ¥4,000. It can become more expensive if you opt for dinner and breakfast and are not a Hostelling International (HI) member, in which case the price for a single night may be over ¥5000. For HI members, a simple stay can cost as little as ¥1500 depending on location and season. As elsewhere, some are concrete cell blocks run like reform schools, while others are wonderful cottages in scenic spots. There are even a number of temples that run hostels as a sideline. Do some groundwork before choosing where to go, the [http://www.jyh.or.jp/e/index.php Japan Youth Hostel] page is a good place to start. Many have curfews (and sometimes a lock-out period during the day when all guests must leave), and dorm rooms are often gender segregated. ====Riders' houses==== [[File:Rider House KAZE Ishikari Ishikari beach.jpg|thumb|A riders' house in [[Ishikari (Ishikari)|Ishikari]], [[Hokkaido]]]] '''Riders' houses''' (ライダーハウス ''raidā hausu'') are super-budget dorms intended primarily for bikers, both motorized and pedal-powered. While anybody is generally welcome, these are generally located deep in the countryside and access by public transport is impractical or impossible. Generally run as a hobby, riders' houses are very cheap (¥300/night is typical, free is not unheard of), but facilities are minimal; you're expected to bring your own sleeping bag and there may not even be a kitchen or a bath. Long stays are also discouraged and some ban stays of more than one night. These are particularly common in Hokkaido, but can be found here and there around the country. The definitive directory is [http://www.hatinosu.net/house/ Hatinosu] (Japanese only). ====Camping==== [[Image:Iya Campground Tent.JPG|thumb|Camping in scenic [[Iya Valley]]]] Camping is (after ''nojuku'', see below) ''the'' cheapest way to get a night's sleep in Japan. There is an extensive network of camping grounds throughout the country; naturally, most are away from the big cities. Transportation to them can also be problematic, as few buses may go there. Prices may vary from nominal fees (¥500) to large bungalows that cost more than many hotel rooms (¥13,000 or more). Camping wild is illegal in most of Japan, although you can always try asking for permission, or simply pitch your tent late and leave early. Many larger city parks may in fact have large numbers of blue, plastic tarpaulin "tents" with homeless in them. Campsites in Japan are known as ''kyanpu-jo'' (キャンプ場), while sites designed for cars are known as ''ōto-kyanpu-jo''. The latter tend to be far more expensive than the former (¥5,000 or so) and should be avoided by those setting out on foot unless they also have lower-key accommodations available. Campsites are often located near ''onsen'', which can be quite convenient. The '''[http://www.camping.or.jp/ National Camping Association of Japan]''' helps maintain '''[http://www.campjo.com/Campjo_AllList.asp Campjo.com]''', a Japanese-only database of nearly all campsites in Japan. The '''[http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-804.pdf JNTO]''' website has a fairly extensive list (in PDF format) of camp grounds in English, and local tourist offices are often well informed. ====''Nojuku''==== :''See also [[Urban camping in Japan]] article.'' For the real budget traveller wanting to get by on the cheap in Japan is the option of ''nojuku'' (野宿). This is Japanese for "'''sleeping outside'''", and although it may seem quite strange to Westerners, some young Japanese do this when they travel. Thanks to a low crime rate and relatively stable climate, ''nojuku'' is a genuinely viable option if you're travelling in a group or feel confident doing it on your own. Common ''nojuku'' places are basically anywhere that has some kind of shelter and public toilets nearby. Those worrying about shower facilities will be delighted to know that Japan is blessed with cheap public facilities pretty much everywhere: notably ''onsen'' or hot springs. Even if you cannot find an onsen, ''sentō'' (public bath), or sauna is also an option. See [[Public baths in Japan]]. Nojuku is really viable only in the summer months, although in the northern island of Hokkaido, even in summer the temperature may dip during the night. On the other hand, there's much more scope for nojuku on [[Okinawa]] (although public facilities on the smaller islands are lacking). Nojuku is not really recommended for first-time travellers to Japan, but for those with some experience, it can be a great way to get into the ''onsen'' culture, meet other fellow ''nojuku'' travellers, and most of all travel very cheaply when coupled with [[Hitchhiking in Japan|hitchhiking]]. ===Private accommodations=== ====Guest houses==== There are a number of '''guest houses''' (ゲストハウス) in Japan. Sometimes this is just a synonym for "hostel", but other guest houses are run from someone's private home. Whereas a minshuku is a destination unto itself, guest houses are simply places to stay, and often have convenient locations in cities or nearby suburbs. They may have shared dormitory-style accommodations, and unlike a minshuku or [[Bed and breakfast|B&B]] usually don't offer meals. Most will have a curfew as well. Some cater to foreign visitors, although some Japanese language ability will be helpful for finding, booking, and staying at one. ====[[Hospitality exchange]]==== Particularly in Japan's dense cities, [[hospitality exchange]] (民泊 ''minpaku'') through sites like AirBnB has become very popular. Such rentals are now regulated, and hosts must register with the government and display a license number on their listing. Hospitality exchange can be a good way to find a great deal on premium lodging and experience what a typical home is like for many Japanese. Many of the listings will be for "'''mansions'''" (マンション ''manshon''), which in Japanese is a common marketing term that really means "condominium". Mansions are typically in high-rise buildings with many amenities, unlike apartments (アパート ''apaato'') which are usually inexpensive flats. ''Minpaku'' is a great boon for rural areas with few hotels, but in cities the law protects hotels from having too much competition. Hosts operating as a ''minpaku'' rather than a hotel may only rent up to 180 days per year, and local laws may further restrict when rentals are allowed. (For example, in Shinjuku rentals are only allowed on weekends, in Shibuya only during school holidays, and in Kyoto's residential areas only between January and mid-March.) To get around this, some hosts may attempt tricks like asking you to make a one-night reservation and pay under the table for the additional nights; this is illegal, and would leave you with no recourse if you have problems with your rental. ===Long-term=== If you're staying for a longer period, you might be able to drastically reduce your living costs by staying in a '''gaijin house'''. '''Weekly mansions''' (short-term apartments) have become popular for residents (typically businessmen on long-term assignment or young singles) and are accessible even to visitors. Renting an apartment is a ridiculously complex and expensive process. See [[Working in Japan#Accommodations]] for more information. ===Last resorts=== Even in Tokyo, the trains completely stop running around 01:00, so if you are out after then and want to avoid paying for a cab or even a capsule hotel, there are a few options for killing the hours until the first morning train. If you need to find one of these options fast, station attendants will typically be able to point you in the right direction. Conveniently, many of these facilities are usually clustered around train stations, and they are used to accepting people who have missed the last train home. ====Internet and manga cafés==== [[Image:Manga_Kissa_5_(6021168063).jpg|thumb|A typical ''manga kissa'' in Tokyo's [[Tokyo/Chiyoda|Chiyoda Ward]]]] In bigger cities, especially around the major stations you can find Internet or Manga cafés. Membership costs around ¥300 one time. Here you can also watch TV, play video games, read comics and enjoy the free drink bar. Prices vary but usually are around ¥400/hour. They often have a special night rate for the period when no trains are running (from around midnight until 05:00 for ¥1,500). Customers are typically given the choice between a computer-equipped or TV-equipped cubicle, while others offer amenities such as a massage chair, a mat to sleep on or even a shower. It is not an especially comfortable option, but it is perfect for checking the next day's train schedule, downloading pictures from your digital camera, writing home, and resting a bit. Often, you may be surrounded by snoring locals who have missed the last train home. ====Karaoke bar==== This is only an emergency option if you cannot find anything else and you are freezing outside. Karaoke bars offer entertainment rooms until 05:00 ("free time") for ¥1,500-2,500. Works only with at least 3 people. ====Public baths==== {{seealso|Public baths in Japan}} Some onsen or sento stay open all night. These are usually known as "super" sentos. Usually there is a 'relaxing area' with tatami mats, TV, vending machines, etc. Though occasionally they are multi story bath and play houses. Often, for a reasonable fee (on top of the bathing cost), you will be allowed to crash the night on the tatami or in a room with large reclining chairs. ====Outside==== In the warmer months, people sleeping or napping on streetsides outside the bigger train stations is a common sight. Many of them just missed their last trains and prefer spending three or four hours waiting for the first train on the asphalt rather than three or four thousand yen for a short-term stay in a hotel or public bath. While this is definitely the least comfortable way to sleep through the night, it is especially popular with college students (who have no money), and absolutely tolerated by police and station staff; even drunkards sleeping next to their own puke will not be disturbed in their booze-induced sleep. ====On trains==== Similarly, no need to sweat if you fall asleep on a local train after a long party night. However be careful not to oversleep and go to the end of the line. Sometimes, that station turns out to be two hours away from the city. ==Learn== {{seealso|Working and studying in Japan}} [[Image:JP-13 Bunkyo-ward Tokyo-Univ Yasuda auditorium.jpg|thumb|University of Tokyo, [[Tokyo/Bunkyo|Tokyo]]]] There are hundreds of thousands of foreigners studying in Japan, either in language schools (to learn Japanese), in universities, or to study Japanese martial arts, or arts and crafts. Many exchange programs bring foreigners to Japan, including at the university level. Students from many countries are exempt for obtaining a visa if they are coming to Japanese to study the Japanese language for up to 90 days, while visas sponsored by educational institutions are required for other students. ==Work== {{seealso|Working and studying in Japan}} To work in Japan, a foreigner who is not already a permanent resident must receive a job offer from a guarantor in Japan, and then apply for a working visa at an immigration office (if already in Japan) or an embassy or consulate (if abroad). It is illegal for foreigners to work in Japan on a tourist visa. The '''[http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/index.html Working Holiday]''' program is open to young citizens (between 18 and 30) from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK. Those eligible may apply for working holiday visas without having a prior job offer. A popular form of employment among foreigners from English speaking countries is [[teaching English]], especially in after-hours English conversation schools known as ''eikaiwa'' (英会話). Pay is fairly good for young adults, but rather poor compared to a qualified educator already at work in most Western countries. An undergraduate degree or ESL accreditation is essential for most desirable positions. Interviews for English schools belonging to one of the larger chains would usually be held in the applicant's home country. North American accents are preferred, as well as an unspoken preference for teachers with a white appearance. This is largely based on economics; the stereotypical native English speaker is a white person, and many parents expect the teacher to look like that when they send their children to learn English. The '''[http://www.jetprogramme.org/ JET Programme]''' (Japan Exchange and Teaching) offers young university graduates a chance to teach in Japan. The program is run by the Japanese government but your employer would typically be a local Board of Education who assigns you to one or more public schools, often deep in the countryside. No Japanese skills or formal teaching qualifications are required and your airfare is provided. Pay is slightly better than the language schools. Quite a few young women choose to work in the '''hostess''' industry, where they entertain Japanese men over drinks in tiny bars known as ''sunakku'' (スナック) and are paid for their time. While pay can be good, visas for this line of work are difficult if not impossible to obtain and most work illegally. The nature of the work also carries risks, notably groping, harassment or worse. ==Stay healthy== Japan is a country '''obsessed with cleanliness''' and health hazards are few and far between. Food hygiene standards are very high. There are no communicable diseases of significance, and despite the name, '''Japanese encephalitis''' has been almost eradicated. '''[[Tap water]]''' is safe and of good quality throughout the country. Domestic and foreign brands of bottled water are available for &yen;100-200 everywhere (at least in tourist destinations). Most restaurants serve filtered tap water for free. Unless specifically labeled "mineral water" (ミネラルウォーター ''mineraru wōtā''), water in Japan has a low mineral concentration in general. Radioactivity levels in the water supply have been closely monitored in some areas since the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster, but found negligible as far as water used by civilians is concerned; also see the [http://japan2.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-health.html U.S. Embassy's summary] and [[Tokyo]] government's [http://monitoring.tokyo-eiken.go.jp/en/mon_water_data.html daily reports]. Many Japanese public [[toilets]] do not have soap, and some do not have toilet paper, although there are often vending machines nearby that sell toilet paper at token prices. Major stations often have people handing out free tissue packets with advertisements, which can come in handy in a pinch. Be sure to bring a small umbrella for the frequent rainy days. Don't rely too much on the weather forecasts, especially from a day or two ago. Then again, if you forget, you can always go into the nearest convenience store and pick one up for ¥500. If you do become ill with a cold or other sickness, purchase a mouth-covering, cloth surgical mask. You will find that people frequently wear these out on trains and on the job. This filters your sneezing and coughing so you do not transmit to others. '''Second-hand smoke''' used to be a massive issue in Japan, but public transport, public buildings and most offices are now smoke-free, with increasing numbers of cities banning smoking entirely outside designated smoking areas. Since 2020, even restaurants in Tokyo only allow smoking in dedicated, separately ventilated smoking sections. ===Healthcare=== Medical facilities in Japan are on par with the West, and the better known hospitals are usually equipped with the most cutting edge medical technology. For Japanese citizens and residents, the cost of medical treatment is made affordable by the government's national health insurance system. However, for those not covered by it, the cost of medical treatment is expensive. While foreigners in Japan for an extended period (eg. those on Work or Student visas) are allowed limited access to the national health insurance system, it is not available to tourists on short visits, so be sure to have your travel insurance in order before your trip. However, if you have not made arrangements prior to arrival for any reason, [https://travelins.sjnk.jp/?code=99002 Sompo Japan] sells travel insurance for visitors that can be applied for online after arrival. Most Japanese doctors and nurses are unable to communicate in English. The [https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/doctors/ website of the US embassy] maintains a list of hospitals and clinics which have English-speaking staff available. *[https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html Japan: the official guide] (Japan National Tourist Organization). A guide for when you are feeling ill in Japan. List of medical institutions with English-speaking staff and how to use medical institutions is available. *Japan Visitor Hotline {{phone|+81 50-3816-2787}}. The Japan National Tourism Organization has a 24/7 visitor hotline. Also respond to inquiries related to the COVID-19. [https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/ Information about COVID-19] ==Stay safe== [[File:Kakamigahara Police Station Unuma Koban.jpg|thumb|Police boxes (交番 kōban) ]] {{multiple image | total_width = 200 | image1=Japanese Map symbol (Koban).svg | alt1=Police box (''kōban'') map symbol | image2=Japanese Map symbol (Police station).svg | alt2=Police station map symbol | footer=Map symbols for a police box (X) and police station (circled X) }} Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with crime rates significantly lower than that of most countries. Policing in Japan is the responsibility of the 47 prefectural governments, but all police officers have nationwide jurisdiction. '''''Kōban''''' (交番), usually translated as '''police boxes''', can be found in nearly every neighborhood, identified by a flashing red light. The police are generally helpful (although they rarely speak English), so ask if you get lost or have any trouble. They usually have a detailed map of the area around showing not only the difficult-to-understand numbering system but also the names of major buildings to help to find your way. You can report accidents and petty crimes at a ''kōban'', but for serious crimes or other police services, go to a police station (警察署 ''keisatsusho''). Report any thefts or lost items at the ''kōban''. They have forms in English and Japanese, often referred to as the "Blue Form". For lost items, even cash, filling out this form is not wasted effort, as Japanese people will very often take lost items, even a wallet full of cash, to the ''kōban''. If you happen to find such an item, take it to the ''kōban''. If the item is not claimed within six months, it is yours. If it is claimed, you may be due a reward of 5-15%. Japan has two emergency numbers. To call the '''police''' in an emergency, dial '''110''' (110番 ''hyakutoban''). To call for an '''ambulance''' or '''fire truck''', dial '''119'''. Some Japanese public phones have a red emergency button on the lower panel; press this and then dial. In Tokyo, operators proficient in English and other languages are available; elsewhere, they should usually be able to reach an English translator who will have a three-way conversation with you and the dispatcher. In Tokyo, you can report non-emergencies and get translation in English, Korean, and Chinese from the General Advisory Center at +81 3 3501-0110; it is available M-F 08:30-17:15 except on holidays. Similar services are available from any prefecture's police headquarters by calling '''#9110''' (although in some locations you may need to use a local phone number instead), although fewer foreign languages may be available. ===Crimes and scams=== {{infobox|Police and the law|Police in Japan may and do detain people up to 23 days before a prosecutor formally files charges, and you may be subjected to nonstop interrogation during this period. This detention period may be extended for another 23 days each time indefinitely by simply amending the charge. You can hire a lawyer only if somebody outside pays the fees in advance, and your lawyer is not allowed to be present during interrogations. Insist on an interpreter and consular access, and '''do not fingerprint ''anything''''' (Japanese equivalent of signing), especially if you do not fully understand what you sign. A signed confession ''will'' result in a guilty verdict at your trial. By far the most common pattern of how foreign tourists end up staring at the cold, yellow walls of a Japanese detention cell is getting drunk and then involved in a fight. Standard police procedure is to detain everybody first and to sort out things later. If anybody accuses you of anything even on the flimsiest grounds, you may be looking at an unpleasant extension to your vacation. Over 99% of criminal trials in Japan end in a conviction, so if your case goes to trial, your conviction is largely a formality, and the main job of the judge is to decide your sentence. If you are convicted of a crime, you will be looking at a first-hand experience of Japan's notoriously harsh prison system. Japan is exotic and mysterious; what seems strange and even appealing to you during daytime can get obnoxious and annoying to you at night, especially with some booze running through your veins, so control your temper and alcohol level. Police patrol party areas heavily at night and they will be willing to "rescue" a fellow Japanese from a violent foreigner.}} Street crime is extremely rare, even for single female travellers late at night, but it is still no excuse to ditch your common sense. Women travelling alone should take care as they would in their home countries and never hitchhike alone. Pickpocketing does sometimes happen: if you take your usual precautions in crowded places such as trains and at Narita Airport, you should be fine. Women and men on crowded rush-hour trains should be aware of the existence of male ''chikan'' (痴漢) and female ''chijo'' (痴女) or molesters. Be careful in these trains too, as you could be blamed for such occurrences, and possibly arrested. Some trains have female-only carriages during rush hour in an effort to combat sexual harassment. A lot of heavy drinking goes on in the evenings and occasionally drunks may be a nuisance, although alcohol-related violence is extremely rare. The infamous ''yakuza'' (ヤクザ), the Japanese gangsters, almost never target people not already involved in organized crime. Don't bother them and they will not bother you. Red-light districts in large cities can be seedy although they are rarely dangerous for visitors, but some smaller backstreet bars and shops that look like normal-looking shops but tout themselves on the street have been known to lay down exorbitant cover charges or drink prices. In some extreme cases, foreigners have reported being drugged at such establishments and then charged as much as ¥700,000 for drinks that they do not remember ordering (notably in the Roppongi and Kabukichō districts of Tokyo). Never go into a place that is suggested by someone that you just met. This goes especially for the street touts (absent in Japan except in places like Kabukichō). ====Prostitution==== '''Prostitution is illegal in Japan''', but creative interpretation of the letter of the law, which bans only intercourse and specifies no penalties for provider or client, combined with lenient policing means Japan that still has one of the most vibrant sex industries in the world. However, this industry is almost entirely geared towards the domestic market, and foreigners are by and large not welcome, even if they speak Japanese. The most famous red-light district is '''Kabukichō''' (歌舞伎町) in [[Tokyo]]'s [[Tokyo/Shinjuku|Shinjuku]] district where many call girl booths and love hotels are located, although to the untrained eye the flashy neon signage looks little different from any other eating and drinking district. From 2012 to 2018, the number of Japan infected with HIV fell, but the virus remains a concern, and infection rates for syphilis have been surging, particularly in Tokyo. ===Traffic=== Contrary to its reputation for very efficient and comprehensive public transport, outside of Tokyo, Japan is a very car-centric culture. Street patterns in much of the country have remained unchanged for centuries, so many roads are small and full of blind corners. Japanese drivers treat traffic lights differently than other drivers. When the light is green at a pedestrian crossing near an intersection, Japanese drivers will often turn onto you. Usually, they will turn halfway and then stop, allowing you to cross, though it is not unheard of for them to charge forwards at full speed, ignoring people who are crossing. Crossing the street when the light is red is illegal, and this is sometimes enforced. ===Gay and lesbian travellers=== Japan is considered to be very safe for gay and lesbian travellers, and violence against homosexuals is quite rare. There are no laws against homosexuality in Japan, and major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka have a large gay scene, but same-sex relationships are not recognized by the government, and open displays of your orientation are still likely to draw stares and whispers. ===Discrimination=== Violent attacks against foreigners in Japan are almost unheard of. While it's becoming increasingly rare, there may still be a small handful of onsen and restaurants that refuse foreign people. Some apartments, motels, night clubs, and public baths in Japan have been known to put up signs stating that foreigners are not allowed or that they must be accompanied by a Japanese person to enter. Such places are rare, however, and many Japanese claim that the prohibitions are due to perceived social incompatibility (for example, foreigners may not understand proper bathhouse etiquette) and not racism. Banks are often reluctant or unwilling to give cash advances to foreigners, stemming mainly from stereotypes of untrustworthiness. If you need to get a cash advance from your bank then Japanese language proficiency, or a Japanese friend to vouch for you, will strongly help your case. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a perceived spike in xenophobia, with some shops and restaurants having refused service to foreigners, especially Chinese people. Such establishments are in the minority however, and most foreign residents are able to go through their daily lives for the most part. The Japanese are in general a reserved people, and may sometimes avoid foreigners out of fear of embarrassment due to their lack of English-language skills. Attempting to speak some Japanese will go a long way in putting people at ease. ===Earthquakes and tsunamis=== [[Image:Aso crater.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Aso]], one of the world's largest volcanic calderas]] [[File:Shelter in Sakurajima 2009.JPG|thumb|In towns near the frequently erupting volcanoes, there are shelters to protect yourself from volcanic bombs.]] Japan is prone to '''earthquakes''' (地震 ''jishin'') which can sometimes cause '''tsunamis''' (津波 ''tsunami'', pronounced with a ''tsu'' and not like English "sue"). On 11 March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of [[Miyagi prefecture]], triggering a very large tsunami and bringing havoc to the city of [[Sendai]] and the surrounding area. The quake (and its aftershocks) were palpable throughout Japan, with the death toll numbering over 15,000, mostly due to the tsunami. Every few days, somewhere in Japan is rattled by a quake large enough to be felt, but most of them are completely harmless. Japan is well-prepared for such disasters though, and has very strict building codes that require buildings to be engineered to withstand major earthquakes. Japan has an early warning system that detects earthquakes and notifies areas that will be affected, giving from a few seconds up to a minute's notice. Use this invaluable time to cover up before the actual jolt. See our articles on [[Earthquake safety#Prepare|earthquake safety]] and [[tsunami]]s to learn how to prepare. If you are by the sea and experience even a moderate quake, look for '''tsunami''' warnings (also in English) on NHK TV (channel 1) and Radio 2 (693&nbsp;kHz). Most tremors and small quakes will merit only a scrolling announcement in Japanese at the top of the screen. If you are near the sea and experience a major earthquake, '''evacuate to high ground immediately'''; do not wait for a warning. Every neighborhood has an evacuation area, most often the local playground. Many schools are set up as temporary shelters. They will be labeled in English. If you are travelling with others, plan to meet there and be aware that portable telephones will likely not work. There are lots of resources to learn about and prepare for disasters. It almost goes without saying, but this should be done '''in advance'''. Once a disaster strikes, you may have neither the time nor the ability to go online and read a lengthy document. * [https://www.mlit.go.jp/river/bousai/olympic/en/index.html '''Disaster Prevention Portal Site'''] – From the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism * [https://www.jnto.go.jp/smartapp/eng/about.html '''Japan Official Travel App'''] – The Japan National Tourist Organization's app includes safety information * [https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/1002147/1008042/1008046/index.html '''Disaster Preparedness Tokyo'''] – Handbook from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Hundreds of pages about earthquake safety, disaster preparation, and survival. You can also purchase a [https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/1002147/1002317/1009059/index.html printed copy] from a number of retailers. ===Drug trafficking=== '''Drug laws''' in Japan are stricter than those in many Western countries, particularly for smuggling. The Japanese '''do not distinguish between hard and soft drugs''', so possession of even personal-use quantities of soft drugs can land you a prison sentence of several years. This applies even if you consumed drugs outside of the country, or if it is proven that you aren't aware the drugs are in your luggage. Checking your luggage beforehand is strongly recommended to prevent issues like this. If you have '''prescription drugs''', check with the Japanese Embassy prior to your departure to find out whether or not your medicine is allowed in Japan. If it is illegal, they should also be able to give you information regarding what medicines you can buy in Japan to use in place of your prescription while you are there. ===Other=== [[File:Vespa mandarinia japonica s3.JPG|thumb|Asian Giant Hornet]] [[Volcanoes]], storms and [[cyclones|typhoons]] are primarily a potential issue if you are mountain-climbing or sailing, so check the latest information before heading out. Stick to designated footpaths in volcanic areas as volcanic gas may be an issue. Typhoons are rarely physically dangerous, but they still wreak havoc with planes, ferries, and even (if there are landslides) trains and buses. There are venomous snakes called ''habu'' (波布) in [[Okinawa]] although not in unusual numbers. You are unlikely to be bitten by one, but if you are, seek medical help immediately as anti-venoms are available. If you are hiking in Hokkaido and Honshu, be aware of possible bear activity, especially in autumn. Attacks are rare, but in areas such as the [[Shiretoko National Park|Shiretoko Peninsula]], attach bells to your backpack to scare them away. Especially in the countryside, be aware of the '''Japanese giant hornet''' (大雀蜂 or 大スズメバチ ''ōsuzumebachi''), a sub-species of the Asian giant hornet; it is about {{convert|4|cm|in|abbr=off}} long and can sting repeatedly and painfully. Every year, 20&ndash;40 people die in Japan after being stung by giant hornets. A hornet defending its nest or feeding spot will make a clicking sound to warn away intruders; if you encounter one, retreat. If you are stung, receive prompt medical attention, as prolonged exposure to the venom could cause permanent injury or even death. ==Cope== ===Electricity=== Japan uses the same Type A two-pin and Type B three-pin electrical sockets as North America. Electricity is delivered at 100 V (somewhat lower than the 120V that is common in North America), and at 50 or 60 Hz, depending on location. ===Media=== The Japanese-language national newspapers ''[https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/ Yomiuri Shimbun]'' (読売新聞) and ''[https://www.asahi.com/ Asahi Shimbun]'' (朝日新聞) are the two most widely circulated newspapers in the world. Other major national newspapers include the ''[https://www.mainichi.co.jp/ Mainichi Shimbun]'' (毎日新聞) and ''[https://www.sankei.com/ Sankei Shimbun]'' (産経新聞). ''[https://www.nikkei.com/ The Nikkei]'' (日本経済新聞) is Japan's main financial newspaper, and the most widely-circulated financial newspaper in the world. '''''[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/ The Japan Times]''''' (¥200 daily, ¥250 Sunday) from Tokyo is Japan's largest and oldest English-language daily newspaper, and is sold bundled with ''The New York Times International Weekly''. ''Yomirui Shimbun'' also prints English-language '''''[http://the-japan-news.com/ The Japan News]''''' daily, and ''[https://asia.nikkei.com/ The Nikkei Weekly]'' (日経ウィークリー) covers business news from Japan every Monday. Many other English publications have gone online-only. ===Toilets=== [[Image:WirelessToiletControlPanel.jpg|thumb|A typical washlet control panel. The five large controls are "stop", "buttocks" (normal and soft), "bidet", and "dry". The buttons below control the "move" and "massage" features, while to the right are "water force" (strong or weak) and "nozzle position" (forwards or back).]] {{Seealso|Public baths in Japan#Toilets}} As elsewhere in Asia, you will find both Western-style porcelain thrones for sitting and floor-level units for squatting. In private homes and home-style accommodations, you will often find '''toilet slippers''', which are to be worn inside the toilet and ''only'' inside the toilet. Over half of Japan's homes are equipped with high-tech devices known as '''washlets''' (ウォシュレット), which incorporate seat warmers, hot air dryers and tiny arms that squirt water. The flush mechanism is usually ''not'' operated by the control panel: instead, there is a standard, Western-style lever, switch or knob somewhere, and it is thus possible to take care of your business without using the washlet features. (In rare cases, look for buttons labeled 大 or 小, meaning a big or small flush respectively, on a wireless control panel on the wall.) There is always a big red button labeled 止 with the standard "stop button" symbol ⏹ on the panel &mdash; pressing this will instantly stop everything. Older models have a lever nearby that controls the flow of a sprayer. Typical controls include: * ''Oshiri'' (おしり) - "buttocks", for spraying your rear - typically shown in blue with a stylized butt icon * ''Bidet'' (ビデ) - for spraying your front - typically shown in pink with a female icon * ''Kansō'' (乾燥) - "dry", for drying off - typically yellow with a wavy air icon Other, smaller buttons can be used to adjust the pressure, angle, location and pulsation of the jet of water. Sometimes the seat of the toilet is heated, and this can also be regulated. ==Respect== {{infobox|Using people's names|2=Names are a complicated matter in Japan. Most Japanese follow the Western naming order when writing or saying their names in English. However, when names are written or spoken in Japanese, they always follow the East Asian naming order of '''family name followed by given name'''. Therefore someone called Taro <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Yamada</span> in English would be called 山田太郎 (''<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Yamada</span> Tarō'') in Japanese. Historical figures from before the Meiji restoration are an exception, such as <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Tokugawa</span> Ieyasu (徳川家康), whose name follows East Asian naming conventions even when written in English. Using someone's given name when speaking to or about them is considered very personal, and is only used when addressing children of elementary school age or younger, and very close friends. At all other times, the default is to '''use family names plus ''-san'' (さん)''', a suffix approximately like "Mr." or "Ms." Most Japanese know that Westerners usually go by their given names, so they may call you "John" or "Mary" with no suffix, but unless they tell you otherwise, you should still call them "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Family name</span>''-san''" to be polite. (However, don't introduce ''yourself'' as "John-san". The point is to honor others; using a suffix on yourself generally sounds cocky and arrogant.) ''San'' is the default suffix, but you may encounter a few others: * ''-sama'' (様) — People above you, from bosses up to deities, as well as customers * ''-kun'' (君) — Young boys, good male friends and male subordinates * ''-chan'' (ちゃん) — Young children and close (usually female) friends To avoid being overly familiar or formal, stick with "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Family name</span>''-san''" until someone asks you to call them differently. In business settings, the title is often used in place of the family name when addressing a person; for instance, an employee may address his company's president as ''shachō-sama'' (社長様, "Honored Mr./Ms. President"), while a customer may address a shop owner (but not the other employees) as ''tenchō-san'' (店長さん, "Mr./Ms. Storekeeper"). Lastly, the reigning '''Emperor''' is always called ''Tennō Heika'' (天皇陛下, "His (Imperial) Majesty the Emperor"), ''Kinjō Heika'' (今上陛下, "His Current Majesty") or simply ''Tennō'' ("the Emperor") or ''Heika'' ("His Majesty") in Japanese. Calling him "Emperor Reiwa", even in English, is a faux pas since this is strictly his future posthumous name. Calling him by his given name, Naruhito, is also not done and is considered vulgar.}} Most, if not all, Japanese are very understanding of a foreigner (''gaijin'' or ''gaikokujin'') who does not conform instantly to their culture; indeed, many believe that their language and culture are among the most difficult to understand in the world, so they are generally quite happy to assist you if you appear to be struggling. However, Japanese will appreciate it if you follow at least the rules below, many of which boil down to social norms of strict cleanliness and avoiding intruding on others (迷惑 ''meiwaku''). ===Things to avoid=== Japanese people understand that visitors may not be aware of the intricacies of Japanese etiquette and tend to be tolerant of blunders in this regard by foreigners. There are a few serious etiquette breaches that will meet with universal disapproval (even when demonstrated by foreigners) and should be avoided if at all possible: * '''Never''' walk on a tatami mat wearing shoes or even slippers, as it would damage the tatami. * '''Never''' leave your chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice (This is how rice is offered to the dead). * '''Never''' enter a bathtub without washing yourself thoroughly first. (See ''[[Public baths in Japan]]'' for details.) ===Things to do=== * Learn a little of the '''language''', and try to use it. They will be complimentary if you try, and there is no reason to be embarrassed. They realize that Japanese is very difficult for foreigners and are tolerant about your mistakes; on the contrary, they will like you more for trying. * The average Japanese person '''bows''' over 100 times a day; this ubiquitous gesture of respect is used for greeting, saying farewell, thanking, accepting thanks, apologizing, accepting apologies, etc. Men bow with their hands to their sides. Women bow with their hands together in front. Women's hands look like they are settled in their lap when bowing (not in a prayer position such as the ''wai'' in Thailand). The exact degree of the bow depends on your position in society relative to the receiver of the bow and on the occasion: the largely unwritten rules are complex, but for foreigners, a "token bow" is fine, and better than accidentally performing a deep formal bow (as U.S. President Obama once did). Many Japanese will gladly offer a handshake instead or in addition; just be careful that you don't bump heads when trying to do both at the same time. * When you are '''handing something to someone''', especially a business card, it is considered polite to present it holding it with both hands. ** '''Business cards''' in particular are treated very respectfully and formally. How you treat someone's business card is seen as representing how you will treat the person. When accepting a business card, use both hands to pick it up by the corners, and take the time to read the card and confirm how to pronounce the person's name. It's disrespectful to write on a card, fold it, or place it in your back pocket (where you'll sit on it!). * Registers often have a small dish used to give your payment and receive change. : When giving money as a gift (such as a tip at a ryokan), you should get pristine unused bills from the bank, and present them in a formal envelope. * When you are '''drinking sake or beer in a group''', it is considered polite not to fill your own glass but to allow someone else to do it. Typically, glasses are refilled well before they are empty. To be especially polite, hold up your own glass with both hands while one of your companions fills it. (It's fine to refuse, but you have to do so frequently, otherwise a senior person at your table might fill your glass when you're not looking.) * '''Gift-giving''' is very common in Japan. You, as a guest, may find yourself inundated with gifts and dinners. Foreign guests are, of course, outside of this sometimes burdensome system of give-and-take (''kashi-kari''), but it would be a nice gesture to offer a gift or souvenir (''omiyage''), including one unique to or representative of your country. A gift that is "consumable" is advisable due to the smaller size of Japanese homes. Items such as soap, candies, alcohol, and stationery will be well-received as the recipient will not be expected to have it on hand on subsequent visits. "Re-gifting" is a common and accepted practice, even for items such as fruit. ** Some items are '''not given as gifts''' because of cultural associations. Some things to watch out for: black and white are important colors in funerals, scissors or knives may insinuate you want to cut off your relationship with someone, and certain flowers have particular connotations. Other taboos are based on homophones: for example, the word "four" (四 ''shi'') sounds like "death", "nine" (九 ''ku'') sounds like "suffering", and "comb" (櫛 ''kushi'') sounds like "suffering death"! It's a good idea to consult a local for advice, or at least search the Internet for lists of taboo gifts before you purchase one. * '''Expressing gratitude''' is slightly different from obligatory gift-giving. Even if you brought a gift for your Japanese host, once you return, it is a sign of good etiquette to send a handwritten thank-you card: it will be much appreciated. Japanese guests always exchange photos that they have taken with their hosts so you should expect to receive some snapshots and should prepare to send yours (of you and your hosts together) back to them. Depending on their age and the nature of your relationship (business or personal), an online exchange may suffice. * '''The elderly''' are given special respect in Japanese society, and they are used to the privileges that come with it. Some priority seats (優先席 ''yūsenseki'', or シルバーシート ''shirubā shīto'', "silver seats") on many trains are set aside for the disabled, elderly, pregnant women, and people with infants. * There are not many '''trash cans''' in public; you may have to carry around your trash for a while before finding one. When you do, you'll often see 4 to 6 of them together; Japan is very conscious of '''recycling'''. Most disposable containers are labelled with a recycling symbol in Japanese indicating what type of material it is. Some types of recycling bins you'll often see are: ** Paper (紙 ''kami'') ** PET/Plastic (ペット ''petto'' or プラ ''pura'') ** Glass bottles (ビン ''bin'') ** Metal cans (カン ''kan'') ** Burnable trash (もえるゴミ ''moeru gomi'') ** Non-burnable trash (もえないゴミ ''moenai gomi'') * '''Punctuality''' is highly valued, and generally expected thanks to Japan's reliable public transit. If you're meeting someone and it looks like you'll arrive even a few minutes late, Japanese prefer the reassurance of a phone call or message if you can send one. Being on time (which really means being early) is even more important in business; Japanese employees might get scolded for arriving even one minute late to work in the morning. * When riding on Shinkansen and limited express trains, it is considered good manners to ask for permission from the person behind you before reclining your seat (「椅子を倒してもいいですか?」 ''"Isu o taoshite mo ii desu ka?"''), to which they will almost always oblige. Likewise, the passenger sitting in front of you would often do the same to you, and you should respond with a nod of your head. ===Other things=== [[File:Tidy Japan 土足厳禁 くつべら入れ 2011 (6314266743).jpg|thumb|Please take off your shoes]] * Hospitality in Japan means giving visitors and guests the very best, no matter how much it inconveniences the host. For example, asking for directions on the street can sometimes prompt the stranger to go out of their way to walk you all the way to your destination. You'll particularly notice this during a homestay, where you'll be offered use of the bath before the rest of the family, and may be given the host's bed while they sleep on the couch. In Western culture it would be polite to refuse such accommodations, but in Japanese culture you should apologize for inconveniencing them, which serves as acceptance of their generosity. Similarly, while entertaining guests it's common for the host to putter around busily in the kitchen and elsewhere, which is meant to create an air of "all your needs are being met"; rather than offering to help them, you should just sit and enjoy the peaceful moment they're offering for you. * '''Shoes''' (and feet in general) are considered very dirty by the Japanese. Avoid pointing your soles at anybody (such as resting your foot on the opposite knee when seated) and try to restrain children from standing up on seats. Brushing your feet against somebody's clothing, even by accident, is very rude. :* In many buildings, you're expected to '''take your shoes off''' when you enter, leaving them in a lowered entryway or a shoe locker. You can borrow slippers if any are available (although they are usually only in sizes for typically smaller Japanese feet), wear socks or go bare foot. :: Wearing shoes inside such a building is seen as disrespectful, as it brings dirt and/or evil spirits inside the building. For related reasons, it's preferred if you can both remove and put on your shoes using your hands as little as possible. * In some traditional settings, you may be expected to sit in ''seiza'' posture, '''kneeling''' on the floor. This is the traditional way to sit on tatami mats, with or without a cushion. However, today even most younger Japanese can't sit this way for more than a few minutes without their legs going numb, so most foreigners have no hope. Give it a try to be respectful, but when your legs start aching, say ''"Sumimasen"'' ("Excuse me") and change your posture to something less formal but still polite: men may sit cross-legged, and women usually sit with both legs to one side. * The Japanese consider '''back slaps''' rude, especially if they're coming from someone they just met. '''Hugging''' is typically reserved only for romantic couples, and should also be avoided unless that situation applies to you. * Point with an '''open hand''', not a finger, and tell people to come by waving your hand facing '''down''', not up. * Avoid shouting or talking '''loudly''' in public. Talking on a mobile phone on a train is considered rude, and many trains have signs advising you not to use them. (Sending text messages, however, is considered ''de rigueur''.) * '''Blowing your nose''' in public is considered rude, much like flatulence. Sipping your nose also makes them uncomfortable. If you want to wipe the runny nose without making a sound, even in public, there is no problem. If you want to blow your nose as hard as you can, get away from the public. * '''Smoking''' is discouraged on many street corners and sidewalks around Tokyo. Most smokers will be found huddled around designated smoking areas. The Japanese are such a clean culture that many of the smokers won't even leave ash on the ground. * Displaying an open mouth is traditionally considered impolite. Many Japanese women will at least partially cover their mouth with their hand when laughing, smiling, or sometimes eating. Don't feel obligated to do so yourself, although doing this in a formal setting (whether you're male or female) would probably make you seem sophisticated and polite. * As in neighboring China and Korea, '''saving face''' is a very important concept in Japanese culture. Particularly in business settings, Japanese people will rarely say "no" if they are not interested in a deal, and would instead say something more indirect such as "I'll think about it" instead. Body language is also used for this in place of words; if your question is met by someone '''loudly breathing in through their teeth''', sometimes accompanied by scratching the back of the head (a gesture that conveys embarrassment), the answer is actually "no". Unless it is by a boss or someone from a position of seniority, mistakes are typically not pointed out, and doing so will likely cause major embarrassment. * While voter apathy is high, that's not to say Japanese don't care about '''politics''', but it's not a common discussion topic among Japanese. They may in fact be interested to hear about your own politics back home (particularly from Americans), but might be much less welcoming of your thoughts on Japanese politics. Sensitive topics include: ** Japan's territorial disputes with China, South Korea and Russia ** '''World War II''' — a touchy and complicated topic, especially with older people, it is generally best avoided, but the vast majority of Japanese people bear no animosity against the United States, and American visitors will get a particularly warm welcome as most Japanese admire American culture<!--what about China, the main adversary Japan faced in that war?--> ** Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which renounces war and forbids the establishment of a military (although the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are the world's fifth most-powerful ''de facto'' military) ** Bad behavior of some American soldiers stationed in Japan ** Japan's historical marginalization of the indigenous Ainu and Ryukyuan people, and discrimination against ''burakumin'' (a feudal outcast group of undertakers, slaughterhouse workers, butchers, etc.; their descendants and people in those professions today still face occasional discrimination in marriage and employment — illegal since the 1970s — as well as social stigma in some areas) ===Dress=== For most tourists, dressing for daily sightseeing in Japan puts you at a disadvantage: you will most likely stand out, no matter how you dress, next to the throngs of ''salarymen'' (male office workers) in suits and children in school uniforms. Japan is known for being very fashionable, whether dressing in kimono, tailored suits, or the latest trends from Harajuku. First and foremost: '''wear shoes that can easily slip off and on, and keep a pair of socks handy as needed'''. Athletic shoes are acceptable, but keep them tied loosely so you can slip them off and on. Dress shoes are acceptable as well, as are quality walking sandals (not flip-flops), although sandals are not common outdoor wear for locals. Japanese culture sees shoes as being dirty, and before entering someone's house, certain restaurants, dressing rooms, and temples (to name a few), you ''must'' remove your shoes. The older generation of Japanese tend to group steps into two types: wooden ("clean") and concrete or stone ("dirty"). If you are going to be stepping on to wood, take your shoes off and place them to the side; there might even be a cubby hole for you to put your shoes in. And '''don't forget socks,''' as it's generally more common to wear socks when in temples and houses, if you don't have slippers available. Japanese people are known for their love of socks, and sock stores selling high quality and colorful socks are found in most cities. Many of the socks sold in Japan are made there. So, bring a pair of socks in your bag while you're sightseeing, if you aren't wearing them. Tights are acceptable for women. Footsies and under the ankle socks are handy, especially if you're going for the "no socks" look. Shorts are uncommon, and generally only worn by children and teens. Though a common item in tourist summer apparel, instead try stylish jeans or slacks, or capri pants for keeping cool in warm weather. In the summer, women wear sun dresses from trendy stores and breathable slacks made of fabrics like linen. Keep it stylish and comfortable. In business situations, suits are standard; companies will let you know if you can or should wear casual dress. Suits are worn out for after work drinks and entertainment. For clubbing and nights out, dress casual cool. Japanese women generally do not wear skin tight, super short dresses and cleavage is rarely shown, unless at the beach. Women dressed in tight short dresses and very sexy looks are often stereotyped as sex workers or escorts. When visiting Tokyo, for example, you will see young women and men dressed in subculture styles, such as Harajuku, Lolita, and punk. Japanese avoid making a scene of those who dress like a scene, but, casual glances are often enough for you feel like you're being checked out. If you plan on visiting a hot spring or public bath, they're almost always used nude (except for rare mixed-gender baths). Although you may get some questioning looks, bathing suits are allowed in some baths. For men, speedos or trunks are fine at a bath; for the beach, boardshorts are also okay. For women, a modest swimsuit is better than a skimpy bikini if you're visiting a hot spring or bath; for the beach, bikinis are okay. At public or private pools, you may have to wear a swimming cap; they may be provided for you, or you can bring your own. ====Accessories==== Japan in the summer can be extremely warm and humid. '''Japanese don't like visible sweat''', and will frequently wipe sweat from their face with a colorful '''handkerchief''' (ハンカチ ''hankachi''), use a '''fan''' (扇子 ''sensu'' for a folding fan, 団扇 ''uchiwa'' for a flat fan) to keep themselves cool, or (for women) use '''umbrellas''' (傘 ''kasa'') to shade themselves during sunny weather. Purchasing one or all of these items is not only a smart way to stay cool, but can provide a lasting memento from your visit. In historic and tourism areas you will find shops selling beautiful fans and umbrellas. Both are affordable investments, though they can be pricey if you wish to have a real work of art. However, most Japanese use cheap but beautiful fans &ndash; many made in China &ndash; in their every day life, only to replace them when they become hard to close or worn. Cheap flat paper fans are often distributed for free at festivals and events. Traditional umbrellas can be bought at gift shops, and stylish umbrellas for rain and shine can be purchased at women's accessory and clothing stores throughout the country. Handkerchiefs are popular for both men or women. Some look like traditional cotton handkerchiefs you'd use to blow your nose, others are small towels. Japan's fabulous ''depāto'' (department stores) carry all colors, makes and models of these necessities. It's an affordable luxury &ndash; you can find men's and women's handkerchiefs from high end designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Burberry for ¥1,500 or less. You'll also find locally made versions in gift shops and stores throughout the country. Keep them in your purse or pocket, and wipe your brow when necessary. '''Rain umbrellas''' are often cheap plastic, and available at every convenience store for about ¥500. Since they all look alike, they're sometimes treated as a communal resource. When you go in a store, you leave yours at the door, and when you leave, you simply grab an identical one, whether or not it was the one you brought. Some stores instead have bags to keep your umbrella from dripping on the floor. Hostels usually have umbrellas to lend, as do some other lodgings and businesses. Rather than toting your own umbrella around, you may find it more convenient to buy a cheap one (if you even need to), "donate" it to your hostel, and buy a new one in your next city. ===Religion=== Religious freedom is respected by most Japanese, and people of all faiths are generally able to practise their religion without any major problems. You are expected to dress and behave in a respectful manner whenever you visit religious sites. As in many other Asian countries, swastikas are Buddhist symbols representing peace and do not represent Nazism or antisemitism in any way, and you will notice the symbol is actually pointing in the opposite direction. Swastikas are often used on maps to mark the locations of Buddhist temples and monasteries. When visiting a Shinto shrine or a Buddhist temple, follow the appropriate '''cleansing procedure''' at the ''chōzuya'' or ''temizuya'' (手水舎) before you enter. Using your right hand, fill the dipper with water. Rinse your left hand, then your right hand. Then, cup your left hand and fill it with water, using it to rinse your mouth. '''Do not''' touch the dipper directly with your mouth. Spit the water onto the rocks. After that, rinse your left hand one more time. Finally, turn the dipper upright so the remaining water spills down to rinse the handle before returning the dipper. ==Connect== ===By phone=== International dialing prefixes vary from company to company. Check with your operator for more details. For international calls to Japan, the country code is '''81'''. Phone numbers in Japan have the format <code>+81 3 1234-5678</code> where "81" is the country code for Japan, the next digits are the dialing zone where the local number is located (can contain from one to three digits) and the remaining digits (six to eight digits) are the "local" part. When calling within Japan, the long-distance prefix (trunk code) is '''0''', and this is usually written in the number, like <code>03-1234-5678</code>; when calling Japan from abroad, leave off the "0". Phone numbers starting with 0120 or 0800 are "free-dial" numbers, and are free to call from any landline (payphones included), while phone numbers starting with 0570 are "navi-dial" numbers, which are variable-rate numbers used by businesses (one number works nationwide, but you are charged based on the distance between your phone and the closest call center operated by the company). To dial abroad from Japan, the '''international access code''' is '''010''' (or "+" on mobile phones). ====Emergency call==== Emergency calls can be made from any phone (except VoIP phones) free of charge: call '''110''' for police or call '''119''' for fire and ambulance. ====Pay telephones==== '''Payphones''' (公衆電話 ''kōshū denwa'') are easily found, particularly near train stations. '''Gray and green pay phones''' accept ¥10 and ¥100 coins and prepaid cards. Some pay phones that accept coins, so it may be worthwhile to buy a phone card for emergency use. Some of the gray phones can make international calls. Phone cards can be purchased at convenience stores, train station kiosk stores and sometimes in vending machines next to the phone. International phone charges from pay phones can be unusually high; third-party phone cards are a reasonable alternative. An in-between solution is to purchase phone cards from discount ticket shops, which typically sell them for 35-45% off face value (for example, a 105-unit phone card, which would cost ¥1000 if purchased from normal sales channels, would only cost around ¥650). This may be sufficiently cheap for some to decide not to bother with a third-party card. If directly dialing internationally with a phone card, NTT's international access code is 0033+010. ====Mobile phones==== {{infobox|Galápagos syndrome|Japan has had a tendency to develop technology that's initially superior to what's available elsewhere in the world, but either fails to catch on elsewhere or becomes incompatible with global standards. This has been called '''Galápagos syndrome''', after the Galápagos Islands and their highly-specialized flora and fauna that led Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution. Japanese mobile phones were the original example of Galápagos syndrome. With e-mail and web browsing available since 1999 and mobile payments since 2004, they were nearly a decade ahead of global competition. But when global standards for messaging, web browsing, and contactless communication were settled, they were incompatible with the existing Japanese technologies. As a result, the Japanese mobile phone market became isolated, and has had comparatively slow adoption of smartphones, which were initially a step ''backwards'' from Japanese-only '''''Gara-kei''''' (from "Galápagos" and "''keitai''") feature phones. The tide has turned, however, and smartphones (スマホ ''sumaho'') are taking over. Mobile phones aren't the only technology to suffer from Galapagosization. Smart cards for public transit, ''kei'' cars, digital television, and car satellite navigation are all examples of widespread technologies in Japan that either never caught on elsewhere, or developed incompatible standards that have left Japan isolated.}} Modern Japanese '''mobile phones''' (携帯電話 ''keitai denwa'' or just ''keitai'') use the global standards for 3G and newer. In a nutshell: * '''5G''' phones should work in large cities. * '''4G'''/'''LTE''' phones should work, but check your device's compatibility: your device may not support the frequency bands used in Japan. * '''3G''' phones using the '''UMTS''' standard ''and'' equipped with a '''3G SIM card''' will most likely work. From March 2022 to March 2026, 3G will gradually be discontinued. * '''3G CDMA''' phones should work on the AU network until its planned shutdown in 2022. You ''must'' make sure your phone's PRL is updated, however, or it will not be able to register on AU's towers. * '''2G''' phones ''do not work'' in Japan. If your phone is up to spec, double-check with your carrier if they have a roaming agreement with one of the major Japanese carriers: [https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/ NTT Docomo], [https://www.au.com/english/ au], [https://www.softbank.jp/en/mobile/ SoftBank], or [https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/ Rakuten Mobile]. Coverage is generally excellent unless you are heading to a remote mountainous areas. If your phone is incompatible with frequencies used in Japan but you have a 4G-capable SIM card, you can rent a phone in Japan and slot in your card, allowing you to keep your home phone number in Japan. Carrier restrictions may apply. Be sure to double-check with your network provider before departing. '''Data roaming''' works as well (subject to the above restrictions), allowing you to use wireless Internet on your phone (although it can be expensive!). Google Maps on your phone can be invaluable (although tower positioning may not work depending on the carrier you are using). If you just need Internet and not phone calls, or if your phone and carrier support calling over Wi-Fi, the cheapest and easiest option is to '''rent a Pocket Wi-Fi''', a battery-powered Wi-Fi access point that runs over the cellular networks. Alternatively, you can purchase a data-only SIM card more freely. Data-only SIM cards, unlike full voice+text+data SIM cards, do not require the purchaser to be a Japanese resident. ''See [[#By net|&sect; Pocket Wi-Fi]] below.'' For a short visit, your cheapest option for mobile access is to '''rent a phone'''. A number of companies provide this service, although with the prevalence of smartphones and cheap roaming from nearby countries, this number is shrinking. Rental rates and call charges vary. Incoming calls are free in Japan. Beware of "free" rental as there is a catch: usually, there are very high call charges Japanese phones have an email address linked to the phone number, and most of the above companies allow you to send and receive emails. Your usual email provider may offer redirection to another email address (Gmail does), so that you receive all emails on the cellphone. Beware that companies charge for incoming and outgoing emails. Prepaid phones are widely available, and can be purchased even if your stay is short. For information buying a phone, please see [[Working and studying in Japan#Communicating|Working and studying in Japan]]. ====Texting==== As much as anywhere else, Japanese use their phones more for texting than phone calls. However, SMS and MMS text messages never caught on in Japan due to surcharges and limitations (even though those have since been eliminated). Instead, Japanese text by '''email''' (which in Japanese is just called メール ''mēru'', without the "E-" prefix) using an email address tied to their mobile phone number. The internationally popular messaging app WhatsApp is not popular in Japan, and most Japanese people use local Japanese app '''[https://line.me/en/ LINE]''' instead. ===By mail=== [[File:First Japanese mailbox.JPG|thumb|Replica of the first Japanese mailbox]] You can send postcards to anywhere in the world for ¥70 (some postcards are sold with domestic postage of ¥63 included, so you may only have to pay for a supplemental ¥7 stamp when mailing). Public '''[[mail]]''' deposit boxes are found throughout Japan. They have two slots, one for regular domestic mail, and the other for overseas and express mail. ====Courier services==== '''Courier services''' (宅配便 ''takuhaibin'') are useful for sending packages, documents, and even luggage to/from airports, cities, and hotels. Golf clubs and skis/snowboards can be sent directly to the sporting destination. Couriers guarantee next-day delivery to practically all locations in Japan, excluding Okinawa and other far-flung islands, but including remote rural locations like ski resorts. You can send and receive items at most '''convenience stores''', as well as hotels and airports. The largest courier is Yamato Transport, often called '''''Kuro Neko''''' (黒ねこ "black cat") after their logo, with their service known as [http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/personal/ta_q_bin/ TA-Q-BIN (宅急便 ''takkyūbin'' )]. Other couriers include '''[http://www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/english/ Sagawa Express]''' and '''[http://www.nipponexpress.com/region-info/japan/service/ Nittsu]''' (Nippon Express). ===By net=== {{infobox|Typing with a Japanese keyboard|On a PC, there may be several possible ways to switch between Japanese and Roman input: * the <code>漢字</code> or <code>半角/全角</code> key (usually on the top left, just above Tab) * the <code>英数</code> key (on Caps Lock) * the left <code>Alt</code> key (or maybe <code>Ctrl</code><code>Shift</code> or <code>Alt</code><code>Shift</code>) * sometimes <code>Alt</code> or <code>Ctrl</code><code>Shift</code> and the <code>ひらがな/カタカナ</code> key (on the bottom to the right of Spacebar). On Macs, use the <code>英数</code> key (on the bottom, to the left of Spacebar). For email, the <code>@</code> key is usually on the right side of the keyboard, next to <code>P</code>; several other punctuation characters are moved, as well.}} '''Internet cafés''' (インターネットカフェ) can be found in or around many train stations. Here, you can upload your pictures from a digital camera, and if you forgot your cable, some cafés will lend you a memory card reader for free. Manga coffee shops (漫画喫茶 ''manga-kissa'') usually have Internet PCs as well. When you get tired of browsing the web, you can browse comic books, watch TV or a variety of movies-on-demand, or play video games. The cost is typically around ¥400/hour, with free (non-alcoholic) drinks, and possibly more. Often they have special night fares: around ¥1,500 for the 4-5 hour period when no trains are running. Internet cafés can be a safe and inexpensive place to spend the night if you miss the last train; some will even have "flat seat" areas for this purpose. Many train stations, including major JR stations, have Wi-Fi. Some larger train stations and airports also have rental PCs to surf and send e-mail, usually about ¥100 (coin) for 10 minutes. A number of business hotels have Internet access available if you have your own computer, sometimes for free. In most cases, access is usually provided by a VDSL modem connected to the hotel telephone system. Some of the hotels that offer free Internet access do not include the rental for the modem in the "free" part of the service, so check before you use. Setting up your network interface for DHCP is usually all that is required to gain access to the Internet in such situations. Many also tend to have rental or free PC's available for hotel guests. It is also possible to find Wi-Fi "hot spots" around many large cities in Japan, especially near tech-related businesses and large corporate buildings with unsecured wireless networks (the Apple store in Ginza, Tokyo has a fast, open 802.11n connection). '''Wireless Data''' is available, and if you have international data roaming, you should roam with no problem. GPRS does not work in Japan. Please see the section on mobile phones for additional information including phone/data card compatibility. Remember, the same restrictions on phones apply to Data. '''Public Wi-Fi''' availability is really hit and miss in Japan, but it is being expanded little by little. Cafes such as Starbucks may require registering your email address and responding to an email before you can use the Wifi (requiring you to go, sign up, find another place with free wifi, then going back). Many major stations, airports, and convenience stores also offer Wi-Fi, but will require you to register every time you use it. One simple way of getting around this is a Japan Free Wi-Fi app, which will allow you to connect without having to register every time. You should be ready though, this free Public WiFi is usually weak and painfully slow. Paid public WiFi, however, is readily available and can be had for as little as ¥200 a month (per device, phones only) from [https://wi2.co.jp/jp/personal/gigazo/ Wi2]. Given the high prices of prepaid data SIMs, this can be a good alternative or supplement. '''Pocket Wi-Fi''' is another affordable option for people wanting to use their Wi-Fi enabled devices (smartphone, iPhone, iPad, laptops etc.) A Pocket Wi-Fi device is a little smaller than a deck of cards and fits in your pocket or bag. It makes available a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot you can connect your devices to. You can either rent one from one of the many companies offering rentals, or, depending on your needs, you can DIY one by purchasing a used Pocket WiFi device from a local electronics store and inserting a SIM of your choice (docomo-branded Pocket WiFi devices will work with any data-only SIM sold in Japan that uses the docomo network, au-branded devices with model numbers W03, W04, W05, and W06 are sold unlocked and will work with any SIM on any network; an AU W03 supports all Japanese carrier frequency bands and can be had for as little as ¥1000). {{related|Hitchhiking_in_Japan}}{{related|Japan with children}}{{related|Kimono_buying_guide}}{{related|Meditation_in_Japan}}{{related|Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossoms Spots}}{{related|Japan's Top 3}} {{geo|35|136|zoom=5|layer=M|lang=en}} {{IsPartOf|East Asia}} {{usablecountry}} q5rjyn5t17ckm4d0a6y7i1f6i5rj1yy 4506392 4506288 2022-08-22T19:21:11Z The dog2 35982 /* Castles */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Japanese lanterns banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Foreign nationals can now enter Japan on supervised, fixed itinerary tours with restrictions and conditions. Foreigners can also enter for business, academic or employment purposes, long term stays and other exceptional circumstances. A visa to enter Japan will be required for most foreigners. All arrivals must follow COVID-19 protocols, which include a negative COVID test requirement before travel. See [[Japan#Get_in|Get in]] for details. Japan has been undergoing its worst outbreak of COVID infections since July 2022. Over 250,000 daily cases were reported in mid-August 2022.|lastedit=2022-08-19}} [[Image:Benzaitendo Temple2.JPG|thumb|Cherry blossoms in [[Kichijoji|Kichijōji]]]] '''[https://www.japan.travel/en/ Japan]''', known as ''Nihon'' or ''Nippon'' (日本) in [[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]], is an island nation in [[East Asia]]. Its insular character has allowed it to develop a unique and very intricate culture, while its closeness to other ancient East Asian cultures, in particular [[China]], has left lasting influence. Despite belonging to a nation long at war, both internal and foreign, Japan's people have always placed emphasis on inner balance, tranquility and natural beauty. These traditional values have become increasingly important now that Japan has grown to be one of the world's most densely-populated countries, and its legendary work ethic makes life in its cities quite hectic. [[Japanese cuisine|Japan's sophisticated cuisine]] has spread to all corners of the world, but it is only in the country of its birth where you can appreciate its true form. Even more fascinating is the country's popular culture, which has developed a fandom all over the world, in particular ''manga'' comics and ''anime'' cartoons — with the Japanese taking their affinity for their favorite characters and themes to the extreme. In the 20th century, Japan enjoyed impressive economic growth, putting it among the world's most affluent nations today. This was mostly driven by rapid modernization and specialization in high technology. Japan is now full of contrasts between the living tradition and much cherished heritage, and its ultra-modern infrastructure, buildings and facilities. While the Japanese are known to be reserved and their language skills are not their strongest asset, they will go out of their way to make you feel a welcome visitor. Japanese retail businesses are also known for their legendary customer service, and visitors from overseas are often surprised at the lengths service staff would go to satisfy the demands of customers. ==Regions== Japan is conventionally divided into nine regions, listed here from north to south: {{Regionlist | regionmap=Japan regions map.png | regionmaptext=Regions of Japan | regionmapsize=401px | region1name=[[Hokkaido]] | region1color=#4f93c0 | region1items= [[Central Circuit]], [[Eastern Circuit]], [[Northern Circuit]], [[Southern Circuit]] | region1description=Northernmost island and snowy frontier. Famous for its wide open spaces and cold winters. | region2name=[[Tohoku]] | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2items=[[Aomori (prefecture)|Aomori]], [[Iwate (prefecture)|Iwate]], [[Akita (prefecture)|Akita]], [[Miyagi]], [[Yamagata (prefecture)|Yamagata]], [[Fukushima (prefecture)|Fukushima]] | region2description=Largely rural north-east part of the main island Honshu, best known for seafood, skiing and hot springs. | region3name=[[Kanto]] | region3color=#d09440 | region3items=[[Ibaraki]], [[Tochigi (prefecture)|Tochigi]], [[Gunma]], [[Saitama (prefecture)|Saitama]], [[Chiba (prefecture)|Chiba]], [[Tokyo (prefecture)|Tokyo]], [[Kanagawa]] | region3description=Coastal plain of Honshu, includes the cities of [[Tokyo]] and [[Yokohama]]. | region4name=[[Chubu]] | region4color=#b5d29f | region4items=[[Niigata (prefecture)|Niigata]], [[Toyama (prefecture)|Toyama]], [[Ishikawa]], [[Fukui (prefecture)|Fukui]], [[Yamanashi (prefecture)|Yamanashi]], [[Nagano (prefecture)|Nagano]], [[Shizuoka (prefecture)|Shizuoka]], [[Aichi]], [[Gifu (prefecture)|Gifu]] | region4description=Mountainous middle region of Honshu, dominated by the [[Japan Alps]] and Japan's fourth-largest city [[Nagoya]]. | region5name=[[Kansai]] | region5color=#d56d76 | region5items=[[Shiga]], [[Mie]], [[Kyoto (prefecture)|Kyoto]], [[Osaka (prefecture)|Osaka]], [[Nara (prefecture)|Nara]], [[Wakayama (prefecture)|Wakayama]], [[Hyogo]] | region5description=Western region of Honshu, ancient capital of culture and commerce, including the cities of [[Osaka]], [[Kyoto]], [[Nara]] and [[Kobe]]. | region6name=[[Chugoku]] | region6color=#71b37b | region6items=[[Tottori (prefecture)|Tottori]], [[Shimane]], [[Okayama (prefecture)|Okayama]], [[Hiroshima (prefecture)|Hiroshima]], [[Yamaguchi (prefecture)|Yamaguchi]] | region6description=South-westernmost Honshu, a rural region best known for the cities of [[Hiroshima]] and [[Okayama]]. | region7name=[[Shikoku]] | region7color=#b383b3 | region7items=[[Kagawa]], [[Ehime]], [[Tokushima (prefecture)|Tokushima]], [[Kochi (prefecture)|Kochi]] | region7description=Smallest of the four main islands, a destination for Buddhist pilgrims, and Japan's best white-water rafting. | region8name=[[Kyushu]] | region8color=#69999f | region8items=[[Fukuoka (prefecture)|Fukuoka]], [[Saga (prefecture)|Saga]], [[Nagasaki (prefecture)|Nagasaki]], [[Oita (prefecture)|Oita]], [[Kumamoto (prefecture)|Kumamoto]], [[Miyazaki (prefecture)|Miyazaki]], [[Kagoshima (prefecture)|Kagoshima]] | region8description=Southernmost of the four main islands, birthplace of Japanese civilization; largest cities [[Fukuoka]] and [[Kitakyushu]]. | region9name=[[Okinawa]] | region9color=#db3021 | region9items=Okinawa Islands, [[Daito Islands]], [[Miyako Islands]], [[Yaeyama Islands]] | region9description=This semi-tropical southern island chain was an independent kingdom until it was annexed in 1879; its traditional customs and architecture are very different from those of the rest of Japan. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#4f93c0|title=[[Hokkaido]]|wikidata=Q35581|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Tohoku]]|wikidata=Q129465|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d09440|title=[[Kanto]]|wikidata=Q132480|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#4f93c0|title=[[Chubu]]|wikidata=Q134638|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Kansai]]|wikidata=Q164256|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Chugoku]]|wikidata=Q127864|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Shikoku]]|wikidata=Q13991|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#69999f|title=[[Kyushu]]|wikidata=Q13987|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#db3021|title=[[Okinawa]]|wikidata=Q766445|stroke-opacity=0.1}} ==Cities== {{Mapframe|35.42|133.95|zoom=4|height=500|width=|layer=M|staticmap=|align=}} {{Mapshapes|Q164338}} <!-- Shinkansen (High speed rail) --> Japan has thousands of cities; these are nine of the most important to the traveller. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Tokyo]]|url=|lat=35.683333|long=139.683333|wikidata=Q7473516}} — the capital and main financial center, modern and densely populated *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hiroshima]]|url=|lat=34.385278|long=132.455278|wikidata=Q34664}} — large port city, the first city to be destroyed by an atomic bomb *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kanazawa]]|url=|lat=36.566667|long=136.65|wikidata=Q191130}} — historic city on the west coast *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kyoto]]|url=|lat=35.011667|long=135.768333|wikidata=Q34600}} — ancient capital of Japan, considered the cultural heart of the country, with many ancient Buddhist temples and gardens *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nagasaki]]|url=|lat=32.783333|long=129.866667|wikidata=Q38234}} — ancient port city with a unique blend of Chinese, Japanese, and European influences *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nara]]|url=|lat=34.683333|long=135.8|wikidata=Q169134}} — first capital of a united Japan, with many Buddhist shrines and historical buildings *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Osaka]]|url=|lat=34.693889|long=135.502222|wikidata=Q35765}} — large and dynamic city located in the Kansai region *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sapporo]]|url=|lat=43.066667|long=141.35|wikidata=Q37951}} — largest city in Hokkaido, famous for its snow festival *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sendai]]|url=|lat=38.266667|long=140.866667|wikidata=Q46747}} — largest city in the Tohoku region, known as the city of forests due to its tree-lined avenues and wooded hills ==Other destinations== See [[Japan's Top 3]] for some sights and places held in the high esteem by the Japanese themselves, and [[Off the beaten track in Japan]] for a selection of fascinating but less well known destinations throughout the country. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Miyajima]]|url=|lat=34.275556|long=132.307778|wikidata=Q875301}} — just off Hiroshima, site of the iconic floating ''torii'' *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mount Fuji]]|url=|lat=35.358056|long=138.731111|wikidata=Q39231}} — iconic snow-topped volcano, and highest peak in Japan (3776m) *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mount Koya]]|url=|lat=34.2125|long=135.586389|wikidata=Q535065}} — mountaintop headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect *{{Marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Naoshima]]|wikidata=Q1350060}} - "Art Island" with many museums and instillations off the coast of Shikoku *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Sado Island]]|url=|lat=38.016667|long=138.366667|wikidata=Q499047}} — island off Niigata, former home to exiles and prisoners, now a brilliant summer getaway *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Shirakawa-go]]|url=|lat=36.257345|long=136.906832|wikidata=Q66087931}} — one of the most well-preserved and picturesque historic villages in the nation. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Shiretoko National Park]]|url=|lat=44.1|long=145.183333|wikidata=Q739391}} — unspoiled wilderness at Hokkaido's northeasternmost tip *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yaeyama Islands]]|url=|lat=24.363056|long=123.746389|wikidata=Q696496}} — the farthest-flung bit of Okinawa, with spectacular diving, beaches and jungle cruising *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yakushima]]|url=|lat=30.358611|long=130.528611|wikidata=Q242176}} — [[UNESCO World Heritage site]] with enormous cedars and misty primeval forests ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationMapJapan.png}} Also known as the "Land of the Rising Sun", Japan is a country where the past meets the future. Japanese culture stretches back millennia, yet has also adopted (and created) the latest modern fashions and trends. Japan is a study in contrasts and contradictions. Many Japanese corporations still dominate their industries yet, if you read the financial news, it seems like Japan is practically bankrupt. Cities are as modern and high tech as anywhere else, but tumbledown wooden shacks can still be spotted next to glass fronted designer condominiums. Japan has beautiful temples and gardens which are often surrounded by garish signs and ugly buildings. In the middle of a modern skyscraper you might discover a sliding wooden door which leads to a traditional chamber with tatami mats, calligraphy, and tea ceremony. These juxtapositions mean you may often be surprised and rarely bored by your travels in Japan. Although Japan has often been seen in the West as a land combining tradition and modernity, and juxtapositions definitely exist, part of this idea is obsolete, and is a product of Japan being the first major Asian power to modernize as well as Western patronization and heavy promotion by the travel industry. Keep in mind that continued demolition of some of Japan's historic landmarks goes on apace, as with the famed Kabuki-za Theater demolition. Still, with the proper planning, and with expectations held in check, a trip to Japan can be incredibly enjoyable and definitely worthwhile. ===History=== {{see also|Pre-modern Japan}} Japan's location on islands at the outermost edge of Asia has had a profound influence on its history. Just close enough to mainland Asia, yet far enough to keep itself separate, much of Japanese history has seen alternating periods of closure and openness. Until the mid-19th century, Japan has been able to turn on or off its connection to the rest of the world, accepting foreign cultural influences in fits and starts. It's comparable with the relationship between Britain and the rest of Europe, but with a much wider channel. Recorded Japanese history begins in the 5th century, although archaeological evidence of settlement stretches back 50,000 years and the mythical Emperor Jimmu is said to have founded the current Imperial line in the 7th century BCE. Archeological evidence, however, has only managed to trace the Imperial line back to the '''Kofun Period''' (古墳時代) during the 3rd to 7th centuries CE, which was also when the Japanese first had significant contact with China and Korea. Japan then gradually became a centralized state during the '''Asuka Period''' (飛鳥時代), during which Japan extensively absorbed many aspects of Chinese culture, and saw the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism. During that period, Prince Shotoku, the regent of Japan, sent envoys to Tang China to learn more about Chinese culture and practices and introduce them to Japan. The popular board game of [[Go]] is also believed to have been introduced to Japan during this period. [[Image:Kamakura Daibutsu JIM9943-vi.jpg|thumb|The Great Buddha of [[Kamakura]]]] The first strong Japanese state was centered in [[Nara]], then known as Heijo-kyo (平城京), which was built to model the then Chinese capital [[Xi'an|Chang'an]]. This period, dubbed the '''Nara Period''' (奈良時代) was the last time the emperor actually held political power, with power eventually falling into the hands of the Fujiwara clan of court nobles during the '''Heian Period''' (平安時代), when the capital was moved to [[Kyoto]], then known as Heian-Kyo (平安京), also modeled after the Chinese capital Chang'an, which remained the Japanese imperial residence until the 19th century. Chinese influence also reached its peak during the early Heian Period, which saw Buddhism become a popular religion among the masses. This was then followed by the '''Kamakura Period''' (鎌倉時代), when the samurai managed to gain political power. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the most powerful of them, was dubbed ''shogun'' by the emperor and ruled from his base in [[Kamakura]]. The '''Muromachi Period''' (室町時代) then saw the '''Ashikaga shogunate''' come to power, ruling from their base in [[Ashikaga]]. Japan then descended into the chaos of the '''Warring States Period''' (戦国時代) in the 15th century. Japan was gradually unified towards the end of the Warring States Period, known as the '''Azuchi-Momoyama Period''' (安土桃山時代), under the influence of the powerful warlords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ruling from their bases in [[Kiyosu]] and [[Osaka]] respectively. Tokugawa Ieyasu finally completed unification of the country in 1600 and founded the '''Tokugawa shogunate''', a feudal state ruled from Edo, or modern-day [[Tokyo]]. Although the emperor continued to rule in name from the imperial capital in Kyoto, in practice absolute power was concentrated in the hands of the Tokugawa shogun. A strict caste system was imposed, with the Shogun and his ''samurai'' warriors at the top of the heap and no social mobility permitted. During this period, dubbed the '''Edo Period''' (江戸時代), Tokugawa rule kept the country stable but stagnant with a policy of strict isolation while the West rushed ahead. US Commodore Matthew Perry's Black Ships arrived in [[Yokohama]] in 1854, forcing the country to open up to trade with the West, resulting in the signing of unequal treaties, leading to the collapse of the shogunate and the returning of power to the emperor in the '''Meiji Restoration''' (明治維新) of 1868, during which the imperial capital was relocated from Kyoto to Edo, now renamed Tokyo. After observing Western colonization in Southeast Asia and the division and weakening of China, which the Japanese had for so long considered to be the world's greatest superpower, Japan vowed not to be overtaken by the West, launching itself headlong into a drive to modernize at frantic speed, and becoming the first country in Asia to industrialize. Adopting Western technology and culture wholesale, Japan's cities soon sprouted railways, brick buildings and factories, and even the disastrous Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which flattened large parts of Tokyo and killed over 100,000 people, was barely a bump in the road. ====Expansion and war==== [[Image:AtomicEffects-p42a.jpg|thumb|Nuclear devastation in [[Hiroshima]] (1945)]] {{see also|Pacific War|Japanese colonial empire}} From day one, resource-poor Japan had looked elsewhere for the supplies it needed, and this soon turned into a drive to '''expand and colonize''' its neighbors. The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–'95 saw Japan take control of Taiwan, Korea and parts of Manchuria, and its victory against Russia in the 1904–'05 Russo-Japanese War cemented its position of strength. With an increasingly totalitarian government controlled by the military, Japan overthrew the Korean monarchy and annexed Korea outright in 1910. During [[World War I]], Japan participated in the war as part of the Allies, and would subsequently gain control of the German concessions in China. Japan would then stage the Mukden Incident as a pretext to occupy Manchuria in 1931, and subsequently launched a full-scale invasion of China in 1937. Japan would then proceed to invade British Hong Kong and Southeast Asia in 1941, and by the middle of 1942, had an [[Japanese colonial empire|empire]] stretching across much of eastern Asia and the Pacific. In 1941, Japan attacked '''Pearl Harbor''', destroying a small portion of the U.S. Pacific fleet but drawing America into the war, whose tide soon started to turn against Japan. By the time Japan was forced to surrender in 1945 after the '''nuclear attacks''' on [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]], 1.86 million Japanese civilians and military personnel had died, well over 10 million Chinese and other Asians had been killed, and Japan was occupied for the first time in its history. The Japanese government has been lukewarm at best in apologising for or even acknowledging the atrocities committed during World War II, which remains a major bone of contention in diplomatic relations with other Asian countries, in particular its neighbours China and South Korea. ====Post-war Japan==== The Emperor kept his throne but was turned into a constitutional monarch. Thus converted to pacifism and democracy, with the U.S. taking care of defense, Japan now directed its prodigious energies into peaceful technology and reemerged from poverty to conquer the world's marketplaces with an endless stream of cars and consumer electronics to attain the second-largest gross national product in the world after the United States. But frenzied growth could not last forever, and after the Nikkei stock index hit the giddy heights of 39,000 in 1989, the bubble well and truly burst, leading to Japan's '''lost decade''' of the 1990s that saw the real estate bubbles deflate, the stock market fall by half and, adding insult to injury, the '''Great Hanshin Earthquake''' of 1995 that leveled parts of [[Kobe]] and killed over 6,000 people. The economy has yet to fully recover from its doldrums, with deflation driving down prices, an increasingly unsupportable burden of government debt (nearing 200% of GDP) and an increasing polarization of Japanese society into "haves" with permanent jobs and "have-not" ''freeters'' drifting between temporary jobs. National anxiety has also increased due to neighboring [[China]]'s more assertive regional stance as well overtaking Japan to become the world's second largest economy. Nevertheless, Japan continues to be home to many of the world's leading high technology corporations, and the Japanese maintain one of the highest standards of living in the world. Tragedy struck again in March 2011 with the '''Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami'''. Japan's worst disaster since World War II claimed the lives of over 15,000 people with another 2,500 missing. Like previous disasters, Japan is recovering and the impacted areas&mdash;save for a small perimeter around a damaged nuclear power plant outside of [[Fukushima]]&mdash;are open once again. Many cities and towns in northern [[Tohoku]] located along the Pacific coast were severely damaged or destroyed. A few locations, however, were lucky&mdash;in [[Matsushima]], it is believed that the pine-clad islands that are offshore helped mitigate the impact of the tsunami and saved the city from substantial damage. The islands are a famous attraction in Matsushima, and are said to be one of Japan's "[[Japan's Top 3#Three Views|Three Great Views]]." In May 2019, Emperor Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne after the abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito. This marked the first Imperial succession from a living Emperor since Emperor Kōkaku abdicated the throne in 1817. ===Government and politics=== Japan is a constitutional monarchy, modeled after the British parliamentary system. The Imperial House of Japan is the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy house in the world, traditionally said to have began in 660 BC. The current constitution, enacted in 1947 after World War II, redefined the emperor's role to be entirely ceremonial; unlike European monarchs, he is not even the source of sovereign power, nor is it "his" government. The few government functions he performs are always done following instructions from the Cabinet. The legislative branch is the National Diet (国会 ''kokkai''), consisting of the upper House of Councillors and the larger and more powerful lower House of Representatives. Both are popularly elected under a parallel system, where some seats are filled by individual candidates and others are filled by a party. The Cabinet forms the executive branch of government. It is led by the prime minister, who is elected by the Diet; the prime minister appoints ministers to the Cabinet, a majority of whom must be members of the Diet. The Supreme Court and three tiers of lower courts form the judicial branch. Many functions are delegated to prefectural and municipal governments, but they're constrained by national law, and dependent on the national government for funding. The result is that policies are generally somewhat centralized and homogeneous, but prefectures, cities, and towns retain some uniqueness. Japan has several major political parties (and thousands in total), which have shifted, merged, and split over time — which probably explains their confusing names. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, 自民党 ''Jimintō''), which is generally conservative and pro-business, has been in power almost continuously since 1955. The dominant LDP has a number of factions; these sub-parties themselves sometimes split or merge just as national parties do. ===People=== [[Image:Taketomi Island 20071002 07.jpg|thumb|Japan is not always crowded &mdash; like this beach in [[Taketomi]], [[Okinawa]]]] As an island nation shut off from the rest of the world for a long time (with only some contact with China and Korea), Japan is very '''homogeneous''', and almost 99% of the population is of Japanese ethnicity. The largest minority are Koreans, around 1 million strong, many in their 3rd or 4th generations. There are also sizable populations of Chinese, Filipinos and Brazilians, although many are of Japanese descent. Though largely assimilated, the resident Chinese population maintains a presence in Japan's three Chinatowns in [[Kobe]], [[Nagasaki]] and [[Yokohama]]. Indigenous ethnic minorities include the '''Ainu''' on [[Hokkaido]], gradually driven north during the centuries and now numbering around 50,000 (although the number varies greatly depending on the exact definition used), and the '''Ryukyuan''' people of [[Okinawa]]. Japan's population started shrinking in 2008, and since efforts to increase the birth rate have largely fallen flat, immigration is increasingly being used to fill in the gaps. Particularly in Tokyo quite a few service industry workers now hail from China, Vietnam or Nepal. The Japanese are well known for their politeness. Many Japanese are thrilled to have visitors to their country and are incredibly helpful to lost and bewildered-looking foreigners. Younger Japanese people are often extremely interested in meeting and becoming friends with foreigners as well. Do not be surprised if a Japanese person (usually of the opposite gender) approaches you in a public place and tries to initiate a conversation with you in somewhat coherent English. On the other hand, many are not used to dealing with foreigners (外人 ''gaijin'', or the more politically correct 外国人 ''gaikokujin'') and are more reserved and reluctant to communicate. Visibly foreign visitors remain a rarity in many parts of Japan outside of major cities, and you will likely encounter moments when entering a shop causes the staff to seemingly panic and scurry off into the back. Don't take this as racism or other xenophobia: they're just afraid that you'll try to address them in English and they'll be embarrassed because they can't understand or reply. A smile and a ''konnichiwa'' ("Hello") often helps. ===Culture=== Japan has gone through periods of openness and isolation during its history, therefore its culture is unique, if anything. Having been in the Chinese cultural sphere for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences can be seen in Japanese culture. They have been seamlessly blended with native Japanese customs to give rise to a culture that is distinctly Japanese. During the Edo Period, Japanese culture was strongly influenced by Confucianism. The Tokugawa Shogunate instituted a rigid class system, with the Shogun at the apex, his retainers below him, and the other samurai below that, followed by a vast population of commoners at the bottom. Commoners were expected to pay respect to samurai (at the risk of being killed if they didn't), and women were expected to be subservient to men. Samurai were expected to adopt a "Death before dishonor" attitude, and would typically commit suicide by self-disembowelment (切腹 ''seppuku'') rather than live in shame. Although the Edo Period ended with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, its legacy lives on in Japanese society. Honor remains an important concept in Japanese society, employees are still expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women continue to struggle for equal treatment. Japanese people are fiercely proud of their heritage and culture, and hold on to many ancient traditions that go back hundreds of years. At the same time, they also seem to be obsessed with the latest technology, and consumer technology in Japan is often several years ahead of the rest of the world. This paradox of being traditional yet ultramodern often serves to intrigue visitors, and many keep returning to Japan to experience this after their first visit. ====Holidays==== [[File:Awa-odori 2008 Tokushima.jpg|thumb|The Awa Odori, a famous Obon Festival in [[Tokushima]] ]] The most important holiday in Japan is the '''New Year''' (お正月 ''Oshōgatsu''), which pretty much shuts down the country from 30 December to 3 January. Japanese head home to their families (which means massive transport congestion), eat festive foods, and head out to the neighborhood temple at the stroke of midnight to wish in the New Year. Many Japanese travel to other countries as well, and prices for airfares are very high. In March or April, Japanese head out en masse for ''hanami'' (花見, lit. "flower viewing"), a festival of outdoors picnics and drunken revelry in parks, cleverly disguised as '''cherry blossom''' (桜 ''sakura'') viewing. The exact timing of the famously fleeting blossoms varies from year to year and Japan's TV channels follow the progress of the cherry blossom front from south to north obsessively. [[Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossoms Spots|Top ''sakura'' spots]] like Kyoto are packed with tourists. Peak ''hanami'' often coincides with the start of the new school & financial year on April 1, which means lots of people on the move and full hotels in major cities. Japan's longest holiday is '''[[Golden Week in Japan|Golden Week]]''' (29 April to 5 May), when there are four public holidays within a week and people go on an extended vacation. Trains become crowded and flight and hotel prices are jacked up to multiples of normal prices, making this a bad time to travel in Japan, but the weeks immediately before or after Golden Week are excellent choices. Summer brings a spate of festivals designed to distract people from the intolerable heat and humidity (comparable to the US Midwest). There are local festivals (祭 ''matsuri'') and impressive fireworks competitions (花火 ''hanabi'') throughout the country. '''Tanabata''' (七夕), on 7 July (or early August in some places), commemorates a story of star-crossed lovers who could only meet on this day. The largest summer festival is '''Obon''' (お盆), held in mid-July in eastern Japan ([[Kanto]]) and mid-August in western Japan ([[Kansai]]), which honors departed ancestral spirits. Everybody heads home to visit village graveyards, and transport is packed. ====National holidays==== * '''1 January''' — New Year's Day (''ganjitsu'' 元日, ''gantan'' 元旦 or ''o-shōgatsu'' お正月) * '''2 and 3 January''' — New Year's Bank Holidays * '''Second Monday in January''' — Coming-of-Age Day (''seijin no hi'' 成人の日) * '''11 February''' — National Foundation Day (''kenkoku kinen no hi'' 建国記念の日) * '''23 February''' — The Emperor's Birthday (''tennō tanjōbi'' 天皇誕生日) * '''21 March''' — Vernal Equinox Day (''shunbun no hi'' 春分の日) * '''29 April''' — Showa Day (''shōwa no hi'' 昭和の日) * '''3 May''' — Constitution Day (''kenpō kinnenbi'' 憲法記念日) * '''4 May''' — Greenery Day (''midori no hi'' みどりの日) * '''5 May''' — Children's Day (''kodomo no hi'' こどもの日) * '''Third Monday in July''' — Marine Day (''umi no hi'' 海の日) * '''11 August''' - Mountain Day (''yama no hi'' 山の日) * '''Third Monday in September'''— Respect-for-the-Aged Day (''keirō no hi'' 敬老の日) * '''23 September''' — Autumnal Equinox Day (''shūbun no hi'' 秋分の日) * '''Second Monday in October''' — Sports Day (''supōtsu no hi'' スポーツの日) * '''3 November''' — Culture Day (''bunka no hi'' 文化の日) * '''23 November''' — Labor Thanksgiving Day (''kinrō kansha no hi'' 勤労感謝の日) * '''31 December''' — New Year's Bank Holiday Holidays based on the seasons, such as equinoxes, may vary by a day or two. Additional bank holidays, also known as compensation holidays, are usually added if any holiday falls on a Sunday, and in cases when two dates for holidays are close together. Most Japanese people take additional time off around New Year's, during Golden Week, and during Obon. The most important festival is New Year's Day, and many shops and restaurants close for at least 2 days during this period, so it might not be an ideal time to visit. However, convenience stores remain open, and many temples conduct New Year's Day fairs, so it's still not difficult to find food to eat. ====The Japanese calendar==== The Imperial era year, which counts from the year of ascension of the Emperor, is often used for reckoning dates in Japan, including transportation timetables and store receipts. The current era is '''Reiwa''' (令和), which began on 1 May 2019 with the ascension of Emperor Naruhito to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Reiwa 4 corresponds to 2022; the year may be written as "R4" or just "4". You may see dates written down in the format of year/month/date; for example, "4/4/1" is 1 April 2022 and "5/4/1" would be 1 April 2023. The Western Gregorian calendar is commonly used. Japan has celebrated its festivals according to the Gregorian calendar since 1873 and no longer uses the Chinese calendar, with the exception of some festivals in the Ryukyu Islands. ====Religion==== [[Image:koya-rooftops-jpatokal.jpg|thumb|Buddhist temples, [[Mount Koya]]]] [[Image:DewaSanZan Japan YudonosanGate.jpg|thumb|Shinto ''torii'' gate, [[Dewa Sanzan]]]] Japan has two dominant religious traditions: '''Shinto''' (神道 ''Shintō'') is the ancient animist religion of traditional Japan. At just over twelve hundred years in Japan, '''[[Buddhism]]''' (仏教 ''Bukkyō'') is the more recent imported faith. '''Christianity''' (キリスト教 ''Kirisutokyō''), introduced by European missionaries, was widely persecuted during the feudal era but is now accepted, and a small percentage of Japanese are Christian, concentrated in western Japan. Generally speaking, the Japanese are not a particularly religious people. While they are strongly influenced by Buddhist philosophies and regularly visit shrines and temples to offer coins and make silent prayers, religious faith and doctrine play a small role (if any) in the life of the average Japanese. Thus it would be impossible to try to represent what percentage of the population is Shinto versus Buddhist, or even Christian. According to a famous poll, Japan is 80% Shinto ''and'' 80% Buddhist, and another oft-quoted dictum states that Japanese are Shinto when they live, as weddings and festivals are typically Shinto, but Buddhist when they die, since funerals usually use Buddhist rites. Neither Buddhism nor Shinto demand exclusivity, so most Japanese practice a mix of both religions. At the same time, Shinto and Buddhism have had an enormous influence on the country's history and cultural life. The Shinto religion focuses on the spirit of the land, and is reflected in the country's exquisite gardens and peaceful shrines deep in ancient forests. When you visit a shrine (神社 ''jinja'') with its simple ''torii'' (鳥居) gate, you are seeing Shinto customs and styles. If you see an empty plot of land with some white paper suspended in a square, that's a Shinto ceremony to dedicate the land for a new building. Buddhism in Japan has branched out in numerous directions over the centuries. Nichiren (日蓮) is the largest branch of Buddhist belief. Westerners are probably most familiar with Zen (禅) Buddhism, which was introduced to Japan in the 14th and 15th centuries. Zen fit the aesthetic and moral sensibilities of medieval Japan, influencing arts such as flower-arranging (生け花 ''ikebana''), tea ceremony (茶道 ''sadō''), ceramics, painting, calligraphy, poetry, and the [[martial arts]]. Over the years, Shinto and Buddhism have intertwined considerably. You will find them side by side in cities, towns, and people's lives. It's not at all unusual to find a sparse Shinto ''torii'' standing before an elaborate Buddhist temple (お寺 ''o-tera''). Christianity is evident almost exclusively in a commercial sense. In season, variations of Santa Claus, Christmas trees and other non-religious Christmas symbols are on display in malls and shopping centers throughout metropolitan areas. A Christian minority exists in Japan and there was historically a group called ''Kakure Kirishitan'' (隠れキリシタン) or "hidden Christians" who went underground when Japan persecuted Christianity. However, this group is all but extinct nowadays, having become mainstream Christians or Shinto/Buddhist for the most part. Unlike South Korea, Japan does not have "megachurch" style denominations and while Christians have attained high political offices - including that of Prime Minister - at 1-2% of the Japanese population, Christianity is not very visible and most Japanese people will have wrong or no knowledge of even basic tenets of Christianity.<!--Hidden_Christian_Sites_in_the_Nagasaki_Region this should be linked if WV has an article on this--> ===Climate=== [[Image:JP-19 Syousenkyo.jpg|thumb|Autumn colors in [[Kofu]], [[Yamanashi (prefecture)|Yamanashi]]]] The Japanese are proud of their four seasons, but the tourist with a flexible travel schedule should aim for spring or autumn. * '''Spring''' is one of the best times of year to be in Japan. The temperatures are warm but not hot, there's not too much rain, and March–April brings the justly famous '''cherry blossoms''' (''sakura'') and is a time of revelry and festivals. * '''Summer''' starts with a dreary '''rainy season''' (known as ''tsuyu'' or ''baiu'') in June and turns into a steam bath in July–August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 40&nbsp;°C. Avoid, or head to northern [[Hokkaido]] or the mountains of [[Chubu]] and [[Tohoku]] to escape. The upside, though, is a slew of fireworks shows (花火大会 ''hanabi taikai'') and festivals big and small. * '''Autumn''', starting in September, is also an excellent time to be in Japan. Temperatures and humidity become more tolerable, fair days are common and fall colors can be just as impressive as cherry blossoms. However, in early autumn '''typhoons''' often hit the southern parts of Japan and bring everything to a standstill. * '''Winter''' is a good time to go skiing or hot-spring hopping, but as some buildings lack central heating, it's often miserably cold indoors. Heading south to [[Okinawa]] provides some relief. There is usually heavy snow in Hokkaido and northeast Japan due to the cold wind blasts from Siberia. The Pacific coast of Honshu (where most major cities are located) has milder winters than the Sea of Japan coast: it may be snowing in Kyoto while it is cloudy or sprinkling rain in Osaka, an hour away. ===Read=== There are multitudes of books written on Japan. A good place to begin is one of the many recommended reading lists such as sites like '''[http://www.crazyjapan.com/CJGuide%20Read.html The Crazy Japan Times]''' or '''[http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=354&pID=287&cName=Books&pName=travel-books Japan Visitor]'''. Some recommended books include: * ''Untangling My Chopsticks'' ({{ISBN|076790852X}}), by Victoria Abbott Riccardi. Set mainly in [[Kyoto]]. * ''My Mother is a Tractor'' ({{ISBN|1412048974}}), by Nicholas Klar. A former English teacher with a witty and informative take on Japanese society. Written from the depths of the Japanese countryside. * ''Hitching Rides with Buddha'' ({{ISBN|1841957852}}), by Will Ferguson, is about a Canadian English teacher who hitches rides across the country, following the blooming cherry blossoms. At times hilariously funny and deathly serious, it gives a very honest evaluation of all sorts of aspects of Japanese culture. * ''Culture Shock: Japan'' ({{ISBN|1558688528}}). A part of the "Culture Shock" series, this is an excellent overview of the culture and lifestyle of the Japanese. A good resource for a long or work-related stay in Japan or even for interaction with Japanese people. * ''All-You-Can Japan'' ({{ISBN|1453666354}}), by Josh Shulman, is a unique travel guide to Japan that offers a wise and economical travel strategy rather than references to various points of interest. The author was born and raised in Japan, and writes this short guide in a casual, easy-to-read language. ===Watch=== Television shows about Japan: * ''[http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/japanologyplus/ Japanology Plus]'' (and its prior incarnation ''Begin Japanology'') &ndash; Produced by NHK World-Japan, these long-running series explore a plethora of topics in Japanese culture and customs, from arts and foods to robots and refrigerators, as well as some unexpected topics like batteries or scissors. * Travel-oriented shows produced by NHK World-Japan include ''[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/journeys/ Journeys in Japan]'' and ''[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/traincruise/ Train Cruise]''. ==Talk== [[Image:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] {{see also|Japanese phrasebook}} The language of Japan is '''[[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]]'''. Japanese is a language with several distinct dialects, although Standard Japanese (''hyōjungo'' 標準語), which is based on the Tokyo dialect, is taught in schools and known by most people throughout the country. The slang-heavy dialect of the [[Kansai]] region is particularly famous in Japanese pop culture, while the northern [[Tohoku]] region and southern [[Kyushu]] are famous for their impenetrable dialects. On the southern islands of [[Okinawa]], many of the closely related '''Ryukyuan''' languages are spoken, mostly by the elderly, while many locals speak Okinawan Japanese, a dialect that borrows much vocabulary from Ryukyuan languages. In northern [[Hokkaido]], a rare few still speak '''[[Ainu phrasebook|Ainu]]'''. Japanese is written using a convoluted mix of three different scripts: ''kanji'' (漢字) or Chinese characters, together with "native" ''hiragana'' (ひらがな) and ''katakana'' (カタカナ) syllabaries. There are thousands of kanji in everyday use and even the Japanese spend years learning them, but the ''kana'' have only 46 characters each and can be learned with a reasonable amount of effort. Of the two, ''katakana'' are probably more useful for the visitor as they are used to write loanwords from foreign languages other than Chinese, and thus can be used to figure out the numerous English loan words in Japanese like ''basu'' (バス, '''bus'''), ''kamera'' (カメラ, '''camera''') or ''konpyūtā'' (コンピューター, '''computer'''). However, some words like ''terebi'' (テレビ, '''televi'''sion), ''depāto'' (デパート, '''depart'''ment store), ''wāpuro'' (ワープロ, '''wo'''rd '''pro'''cessor) and ''sūpā'' (スーパー, '''super'''market) may be harder to figure out. Knowing Chinese will also be a great head start for tackling ''kanji'', but not all words mean what they seem: 手紙 (lit. "hand-paper"; Mandarin Chinese: ''shǒuzhǐ'', Japanese: ''tegami''), "toilet paper" to the Chinese, means "letter" (the kind you mail) in Japan! Most younger Japanese have studied '''English''' for at least 6 years, but the instruction tends to focus on formal grammar and writing rather than actual conversation. Outside of major tourist attractions and large international hotels, it is rare to find people who are conversant in English. Reading and writing tends to come much better though, and many people are able to understand some written English without being able to speak it. If lost, it can be practical to write out a question on paper in simple words and someone will likely be able to point you in the right direction. It can also be helpful to carry a hotel business card or matchbook with you, to show a taxi driver or someone if you lose your way. Take comfort in the fact that many Japanese will go to extraordinary lengths to understand what you want and to help you, therefore it is worthwhile to try to pick up at least basic greetings and thank yous to put people at ease. Public facilities like trains almost universally include English signage, and the Shinkansen and other commonly-used trains also announce upcoming stops in English. Tourist attractions and large businesses also usually have at least some English signage, but as you get farther off the beaten path, English becomes more spotty (and the translations more questionable). Some of the major tourist attractions and large international hotels in Tokyo have staff who can speak '''Mandarin''' or '''Korean''', and many major airports and railway stations also have signs in Chinese and Korean as well. In Hokkaido, a few people who live in ports frequented by Russian sailors may know some '''Russian'''. '''Japanese Sign Language''' (JSL, 日本手話 ''nihon shuwa'') is the dominant sign language. Its adoption has been slow, but it has a few strong proponents, including Kiko, Princess Akishino, who is a skilled sign interpreter and participates in many sign language and deaf events. It is mutually intelligible with Korean and Taiwanese Sign Languages, but not with Chinese Sign Language, Auslan, American Sign Language, or others. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|A limited number of foreigners can enter Japan on '''supervised, fixed itinerary tours''' with an approved tour operator. Such travelers must arrive from a country or territory on the '''blue list''' (as described below), must take out private health insurance, and must agree to follow Japan's anti-infection measures. Measures to further ease restrictions for tourists are not yet known. Foreigners can also enter Japan for stays of 90 days or less that are not related to tourism (such as business or employment purposes), or if staying in the country for greater than 90 days. Such arrivals must be sponsored by a Japanese individual or business responsible for the visit. Entry is also permitted for permanent residents and arrivals due to exceptional circumstances (i.e. humanitarian considerations). A '''visa''' will be required to enter Japan in most cases, even if arriving from a location that would normally have visa-free arrangements. '''Before attempting to make travel plans,''' contact your [https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html local Japanese embassy or consulate] for the latest information and entry requirements. Travelers from Canada and the United States can apply for an '''[https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index electronic visa]''' in advance of travel. Prior to departure you must take a PCR COVID test within 72 hours of your flight's departure with a confirmed negative result. You are also encouraged to use the Japanese Government's [https://www.digital.go.jp/en/services/visit_japan_web Visit Japan Web service] and [https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/fasttrack/en/ Fast Track service] where you can submit vaccination records, test results, quarantine, immigration and customs declarations in advance. Arrivals are classified into three color categories based on the current coronavirus situation at the traveler's point of origin, as assessed by the Japanese government: *'''Blue:''' Arrival testing and quarantine is not required, regardless of vaccination status. *'''Yellow:''' Arrival testing and self-quarantine for five days is required. Such travelers can exit quarantine after three days with another negative COVID PCR or antigen/LFD test result (testing is at the traveler's expense). If fully vaccinated, arrival testing and quarantine is not required. *'''Red:''' Arrival testing and quarantine at a government-designated facility is required. Such travelers can exit quarantine after three days with another negative test result. If fully vaccinated, five days of self-quarantine will be required (shortened to three days with another negative test result). For quarantine purposes, Japan defines "fully vaccinated" as having received a full series of COVID vaccinations ''and'' a booster shot. For all of these, Japan recognizes Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson&Johnson, Covaxin and Novavax vaccines. Failure to comply with health surveys or hospitalization requests while in Japan, or falsifying information on quarantine declaration forms, may result in a fine of up to ¥500,000 or up to six months of imprisonment. For additional information: *[https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare] page on current Japanese border measures and restrictions *[https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan] page with the latest fine print on border measures *[https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/ JNTO coronavirus advisory page]|lastedit=2022-08-18}} [[File:Visa policy of Japan.svg|thumb|450px|Visa policy of Japan{{legend|#ee161f|Japan}} {{legend|#0b6628|Visa-free - up to 6 months}} {{legend|#1cb34b|Visa-free - 90 days}}{{legend|#1ab5a1|Visa-free - 30 days (registered passports only)}}{{legend|#b6e717|Visa-free - 15 days}}{{legend|#ddf395|Visa-free - 15 days (registered passports only)}}{{legend|#adadad|Visa required}}]] {{infobox|Visa policy overview|* '''Visa free entry''': 15, 30 or 90 days for citizens of [http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html certain countries] * '''Transit Visa''': 15 days * '''Temporary Visitor Visa''': max. 90 days (for short-term stay like tourism and business) * '''Working Visa''': max. 3 years * '''General Visa''': max. 3 years (for accepting training) * '''Special Visa''': max. 3 years (for long-term residence) You can contact your nearest [http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html Japanese embassies and consulates] for more details. }} [http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html#list Citizens of most developed countries], including all the usual suspects (US, Canada, UK, EU, etc) can obtain entry permission on arrival without a visa. This is usually valid for a stay of up to 90 days, although Mexicans and some European nationalities are permitted to stay for 180 days if they ask for a longer stay upon entry. All other nationalities must obtain a "temporary visitor" visa prior to arrival, which is generally valid for a stay of 90 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an [http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/ on-line Guide to Japanese Visas]. No visa is required for a same-day transit between international flights at the same airport, so long as you do not leave the secured area. Foreigners must typically fill out a '''disembarkation form''' for immigration, and a '''declaration form''' for customs. Those arriving from certain countries may also be required to fill out a '''quarantine form'''. Travellers entering Japan with anything other than a temporary visitor visa are required to obtain a "Residence Card" (在留カード), colloquially known as a ''gaijin card'', within 90 days of arrival and carry it at all times in lieu of their passport. Those staying for 90 days or less may complete this registration, but they are not obligated to. This card must be surrendered upon exit from Japan, unless a re-entry permit is held. '''Drug laws are stricter''' in Japan than in many other Western countries, and this would be an unpleasant surprise at customs. A number of over-the-counter and prescription drugs that are legal in other countries are not allowed in Japan. Ignorance is not considered an excuse, and you can expect to be jailed and deported if caught. See [http://www.customs.go.jp/english/index.htm '''Japan Customs website'''] for details, or check with the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. (See also ''[[#Drug trafficking|&sect; Drug trafficking]]''.) * Some '''over-the-counter medications''', notably pseudoephedrine (Actifed, Claritin-D, Sudafed, Vicks inhalers) and codeine (some cough medications), cannot be brought into Japan. ** Some items that may not be brought in can be found locally with restrictions: for example, Benza-Block L, a common cold medicine in Japan, contains pseudoephedrine, with the restriction that one person may only buy one box from one pharmacy at a time. * Some '''prescription medicines''' (mostly strong painkillers) are also banned'even if you have a prescription, unless you get a ''yakkan shoumei'' (薬監証明 "medicine certificate"), which typically takes 1-2 weeks to obtain; some drugs may need additional import/export certificates. ** You may also require permission in order to import drug-filled syringes, such as '''EpiPens'''. ** Drugs used to treat '''ADHD''' are restricted: amphetamine (Adderall) is completely illegal, while methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta) and atomoxetine (Strattera) may require permission depending on the amount. * '''[[Cannabis]]''' and '''CBD/THC''' products, which are seeing increased used in certain parts of the world, are also illegal in Japan. Once in Japan, '''you must carry your passport or trusted traveler card''' (see below) with you at all times. If caught in a random check without it (and nightclub raids are not uncommon), you'll be detained until somebody can fetch it for you. First offenders who apologize are usually let off with a warning, although you could be fined up to ¥200,000. All foreigners (except those on government business and certain permanent residents) age 16 and older are electronically fingerprinted and photographed as part of immigration entry procedures. This may be followed by a short interview conducted by the immigration officer. Entry will be denied if any of these procedures are refused. ====Trusted Traveler Program==== Foreigners who travel frequently to Japan for business, pleasure or family visits may be able to take advantage of Japan's [http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/ttp2/en/index.html Trusted Traveler Program] operated by the Bureau of Immigration. In order to use the service, you must: * Have visited Japan two times in the last 12 months * Possess a passport from a country that has visa-free arrangements with Japan * Have never been deported from Japan * Be working full-time in a major business, or visit on business related to the Japanese government or another Japanese business If you are a United States citizen and are a member of Global Entry (the US Trusted Traveler Program), the business requirement is waived. The fee to apply for Japan's Trusted Traveler Program is ¥2200. Upon approval, you will receive a registered user card valid for either 3 years or until the expiration date of your passport, whichever is sooner. The card will allow you to use the automated immigration kiosks at Haneda, Narita, Chubu and Kansai airports, bypassing the manned immigration counters. You can also carry the card on you in place of your passport, and it will suffice as identification if requested by authorities; the main exception is for tax-exempt shopping, for which both passport and card are required. ===By plane=== [[File:011 Aircraft of various airlines together at Narita Airport, Japan. Swiss Air Lines, United Airlines, Thai Airways.JPG|thumb|Aircraft of Swiss, United and Thai Airways together at Narita Airport terminal]] Most international flights arrive at either [[Narita Airport]] ({{IATA|NRT}}) near [[Tokyo]] or [[Kansai International Airport|Kansai Airport]] ({{IATA|KIX}}) near [[Osaka]]; a smaller number use [[Chubu International Airport]] ({{IATA|NGO}}) near [[Nagoya]]. All three are significant distances from their respective city centers, but are linked to regional rail networks and also have numerous bus services to nearby destinations. Tokyo's other airport, [[Haneda Airport]] ({{IATA|HND}}), the busiest in Japan, has been expanding and shifting from primarily domestic flights back to international, and now has a sizeable network of international flights to destinations that see heavy business traffic. Just about every sizable city has an airport although most only offer domestic flights and a few services to [[China]] and [[South Korea]]. Transiting via both countries can sometimes be cheaper than making a connection in Japan. Narita and Kansai airports are generally easy to get through and not particularly crowded assuming you avoid the main holiday periods &mdash; namely New Year's (end of December &ndash; beginning of January), Golden Week (end of April &ndash; beginning of May), and Obon (Mid-August), when things are more hectic and expensive. Japan's two major airlines are flag carrier '''[http://www.jal.co.jp Japan Airlines]''' ('''JAL''', 日本航空 ''nihon kōkū'') and '''[http://www.ana.co.jp All Nippon Airways]''' ('''ANA''', 全日本空輸 ''zen nippon kūyu'', or just 全日空 ''zennikkū''). Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines also operate flights from numerous U.S. cities into Narita or Haneda, as does Air Canada from several Canadian cities. Finnair offers flights to Japan's major airports (Narita, Chubu, and Kansai) from most European countries via Helsinki airport, often code-sharing with British Airways and Japan Airlines. Low-cost carriers have become increasing popular with cheap domestic and international flights, with companies such as [http://www.jetstar.com/jp/en/home Jetstar] (Australia), [http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/ Skymark], and [http://www.flypeach.com/pc/en Peach] (Osaka) offering competition to JAL and ANA. ===By boat=== There are a number of international ferries to Japan from [[South Korea]], [[China]], and [[Russia]]. These are not particularly price competitive with air tickets, and also often have long travel times. ====South Korea==== *Ferries from [[South Korea]]'s second city [[Busan]] offer an alternative to flying, with the [[Fukuoka]] service being a particularly quick and practical way to travel between the two countries. To [[Fukuoka]], [https://www.jrbeetle.com/en/ JR Kyushu Ferry], operates hydrofoil service several times each day;[http://www.camellia-line.co.jp/ Camellia Line] operates a slower ferry. To [[Shimonoseki]], Kanbu Ferry has daily service. To [[Osaka]], Pan Star Line offers thrice-weekly service. [[Tsushima]] Island is the closest part of Japan to [[South Korea]], and day trips from Busan are practical. * Service from [[Donghae]], South Korea, to [[Sakai Minato]] is offered by [http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/main/main.asp DBS Cruise Ferry]. ====China==== * [[Shanghai]]-[[Osaka]]/[[Kobe]]: [https://www.shinganjin.com/en/ Japan-China Ferry] {{dead link|December 2020}}, weekly service that alternates between Kobe and Osaka. * [[Tianjin]]-[[Kobe]]: China Express Line, weekly service. * [[Suzhou]]-[[Shimonoseki]]: Shanghai-Shimonoseki Ferry, thrice weekly service. ====Taiwan==== * [[Keelung]] (Taiwan)-[[Ishigaki]]/[[Naha]]: [http://www.starcruises.com Star Cruises] offers cruises in summer high season only (May-Sep), but one-way fares are generally not available. ====Russia==== *[[Sakhalin]]-[[Wakkanai]]: Heartland Ferry. Service is suspended Oct–Apr due to sea ice. ''See our [[Russia to Japan via Sakhalin]] itinerary.'' *[[Vladivostok]]-[[Sakai Minato]]: [http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/main/main.asp DBS Cruise Ferry] via [[Donghae]], South Korea. ==Get around== [[Image:TamaToshiMonorail6061.jpg|thumb|[[Tokyo/Tama|Tama]] Monorail in [[Tokyo]], one of the country's many futuristic transport systems]] Japan has one of the world's best transport systems, and getting around is usually a breeze, with the train being overwhelmingly the most popular option. Trains are rarely or never late, and are probably one of the cleanest transport systems on earth. Although travelling around Japan is expensive when compared to other Asian countries, there are a variety of passes that can be used to limit the damage. For sorting through transport schedules and fares, [https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/ '''Navitime'''] and [http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html '''Jorudan'''] are useful companions, although some features are limited to subscribers. Google Maps can give detailed train and bus directions including platform numbers, but given the plethora of choices on popular routes it can be hard to filter results, making it more useful while you're there than for advanced planning. English timetables for long-distance trains are available on the websites of [http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/ JR Hokkaido], [http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html JR East], [http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/ JR Central] and [http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/time_table/time_table.jsp JR Kyushu]. Timetables for the Tokaido, San'yo and Kyushu Shinkansen can also be viewed in English at [http://www.tabi-o-ji.com/go/?lang=en '''Tabi-o-ji''']. Both Navitime and Tabi-o-ji offer options to exclude the '''Nozomi''' and '''Mizuho''' trains from search results, which will benefit holders of the Japan Rail Pass. On Navitime, select the Japan Rail Pass option under Tourist Pass; on Tabi-o-ji, select to exclude Nozomi and Mizuho trains. ====Navigating Japanese cities==== [[File:Nakamura-ward meieki Sag.jpg|thumb|A town block indicator plate in [[Nagoya]] displaying the address ''Nakamura-ku, Meieki 4-chōme, 5-banchi''. That's Nakamura ward, Meieki neighborhood, district 4, block 5. As is common on indicator plates, this sign uses [[Japanese phrasebook#Numbers|kanji]] rather than Arabic numerals for the ''chōme'' (四 rather than 4).|alt=Japanese town block indicator plate displaying the location's ward, neighborhood, and district and block number]] In most of Japan, addresses use a hierarchical scheme that's quite different from Western addresses. '''Most roads have no name'''; instead, cities are split into neighborhoods with names, which are divided into numbered districts (丁目 ''chōme''), which are subdivided into numbered street blocks. Addresses are written in order from largest to smallest; an example address ending in 名駅4丁目5-6 or 名駅4-5-6 would be the neighborhood of Meieki (名駅), district 4, block 5, house 6. (Addresses are usually written in English as "Meieki 4-5-6" or "4-5-6 Meieki", although the post office recommends the confusing "5-6 Meieki 4-chome".) Additional numbers may be appended for the floor or room number. '''Numbering for districts, blocks, and houses is often ''not'' sequential'''; numbers are usually assigned ''chronologically'' as buildings are built, or based on distance from the city center. Small signs near street corners display the ward/neighborhood and district in Japanese (such as 名駅4丁目, ''Meieki 4-chōme''); they often include the block number, but sometimes not, in which case the signs are very unhelpful since a district could be a dozen or more blocks. A building's entrance will usually show the block and house number (such as 5-6, sometimes written 5番6号), but not the district. The lack of road names makes it difficult to give directions; '''maps''' and especially '''satnav''' are a blessing in Japan. A minute spent checking a map can save you half an hour of aimlessly walking. * Most places are described in terms of the walking distance from the nearest train station, and relative to local landmarks. Business cards very often have little maps printed on the back to make navigation easier (at least if you can read Japanese). * Many '''train stations''' have maps of the local area that can help you find a destination if it is reasonably close to the station. * '''Police boxes''' (交番 ''kōban'') also have detailed maps of the area. Going to a ''kōban'' to ask for directions is perfectly normal (it's why they're there), although the policemen usually don't speak much English. * '''Google Maps''' and '''Apple Maps''' in Japan are very accurate, even showing the insides of buildings. However, it may occasionally misinterpret an address and lead you to the wrong location. ===Smart cards=== :''See also: [[Rail travel in Japan#Smart cards|Rail travel in Japan &sect; Smart cards]]'' One of the first things any visitor to Japan should do is pick up a public transport '''smart card''' (スマートカード ''sumāto kādo''), also called an '''IC card''' (ICカード ''ai shī kādo'') or '''''jōsha kādo''''' (乗車カード, "boarding card"). Using a smart card, fares are calculated automatically no matter how complicated your journey or how often you transfer; just tap on and tap off at both ends. In addition to public transport, smart cards are used for all sorts of electronic payments, so they can be used at vending machines, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, etc. Smart cards are also accepted in lieu of paper tickets for some bullet trains when journeys are purchased online in advance. Different cards are available in each region (such as '''Suica''' and '''Pasmo''' in and around Tokyo, and '''ICOCA''' in Kansai), but the major ones are ''fully interchangeable'', meaning you can pick up a card in any major city and use it in virtually the entire country, the main exceptions being [[Shikoku]] and [[Okinawa]]. These cards can be purchased from any station ticket counter and many station vending machines, including those at airports. The base deposit is ¥500 plus the amount you wish to load. Alternatively, simply [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207154 add a Suica card] to '''Apple Wallet''' or a PASMO card to '''Google Pay''' before you travel. Cards can be topped up in the same places. The deposit and any remaining value on a physical card can be refunded when you leave Japan provided you leave via the same region you arrived and bought the card in. For example, a Pasmo card bought on arrival in Tokyo can be ''used'' and recharged in Kansai, but you will not be able to refund it there before flying out of Osaka. You can keep the card for your next visit as they stay valid for 10 years from the last transaction. ===By rail=== {{main|Rail travel in Japan}} [[File:JR_west_N700series_N1_maibara.jpg|thumb|The ''N700'' Shinkansen train]] [[File:014 Baggage lockers at Kyoto Station, Japan.JPG|thumb|Baggage lockers at Kyoto Station]] Japan offers one of the most efficient rail transportation systems in the world, the crowning jewel of which is the '''''Shinkansen''''' (新幹線), popularly known in English as the '''bullet train''', the world's first ever [[high-speed rail]] line. Japan's railways can also be among the most complicated to navigate. A tourist who plans to travel a great deal around the country should consider investing in a '''[http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html Japan Rail Pass]''', which offers — with a few exceptions — unlimited travel on all Japan Railway (JR) services including bullet trains, limited express and regular commuter trains. Seat reservations can also be made for no charge by visiting a staffed JR ticket counter. See [[Rail travel in Japan#Japan Rail Pass]] for information on prices. Passes have no blackout dates. Depending on where the pass is purchased, you will collect your pass in Japan after showing proof of payment (if purchased through JR) or an exchange voucher (if purchased through a travel agency). Generally speaking, the Japan Rail Pass is good value if you plan to do a lot of long distance travelling, but is not worth it if you are only planning to stick to a single city and its vicinity. There are also regional and local rail passes offered by the various JR companies (such as the JR East Rail Pass), as well as by the subway and private rail companies. Numerous discount tickets are also sold, such as the [[Seishun 18 Ticket]]. For short distances, you can purchase a ticket from a vending machine. Stations will usually have a map above the ticket machines of the other stations along the line or within the vicinity, and the fare to each of those stations. If you are unsure, you can purchase the cheapest ticket at your origin station, and visit a fare adjustment machine at your destination station to pay the difference. In major cities or regions, you can also pay for your journey with a smart card and only have to worry about topping off your balance when you are low on funds. Part of Japan's efficiency in rail travel lies in its punctuality, and average delays for Japanese trains are typically measured in seconds. All services aim to run promptly on the posted timetable, so ''arrive early'' if you know your train's departure time. If you are late by even a single minute, you ''will'' miss the train. If you're planning to stay out late, be sure to find out when the last train leaves the station nearest to you. Trains usually don't run during the late night hours. The last train also may not run all the way to the end of the line. ====Luggage==== With the exception of airport lines, Japanese trains typically do not have much space for luggage, meaning it is unlikely that you would be able to find space for anything larger than a small suitcase. Japan has very convenient and inexpensive courier services (see ''[[#Courier services|&sect; Courier services]]'') which you can use to send your luggage to your next hotel. The downside is that your luggage will generally take at least a day to arrive at the destination, so you should take what you need for at least the first night on the train with you. Your hotel concierge will usually be able to arrange this for you, so enquire with them before you check out. ===By plane=== Japan's excellent ''Shinkansen'' network means that flying is usually more of a luxury than a necessity. Flying remains, however, the most practical mode of reaching Japan's outlying islands, most notably for connections from the mainland to [[Hokkaido]] and/or [[Okinawa]]. Flying is also useful for getting around sparsely-populated Hokkaido, as the Shinkansen network there is limited. [[Tokyo]]'s [[Narita Airport]] handles a few domestic flights, but most domestic flights leave from '''Haneda''' ({{IATA|HND}}) to the south of the city. Similarly, while there are some domestic flights from [[Kansai International Airport]], more use '''Itami''' ({{IATA|ITM}}) to the north of Osaka, and [[Kobe]]'s airport also fields some flights. Narita&ndash;Haneda or Kansai&ndash;Itami is quite a trek, so allow at least three and preferably four hours to transfer. Chubu, on the other hand, has many domestic flights and was built from the ground up for easy interchange. List prices for domestic flights are very expensive, but significant discounts are available if purchased in advance. Both of Japan's largest carriers, '''[http://www.jal.co.jp/en/ Japan Airlines]''' ('''JAL''', 日本航空 ''Nihon Kōkū'') and '''[http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/ All Nippon Airways]''' ('''ANA''', 全日空 ''Zennikkū'') offer special fares where international visitors can fly domestic segments anywhere in the country at reduced rates. The most common discount ticket is called the Japan Explorer Pass (JAL) or the Experience Japan Fare (ANA), which offer a limited number of economy fares for ¥5400, ¥7560 or ¥10800 depending on the route. The ¥10800 fare is a particularly good deal for travel to [[Hokkaido]] or the remote southern islands of [[Okinawa]]. Alternatively, the airlines offer a Welcome to Japan Fare (JAL) or Visit Japan Fare (ANA) where flights cost ¥13,000 each (plus tax) with a minimum of two trips required. Some blackout periods or other restrictions during peak travel seasons may apply. If you reserve on the airlines' respective international websites, the offers for international travelers may be displayed as the cheapest ones, but if you try on the Japan website (in English and in yen), the regular discounts for a purchase in advance may be cheaper. Low-cost carriers have begun to make an impact in Japan's domestic air market, including '''[http://www.jetstar.com/jp/en/home Jetstar Japan]''', '''[http://www.flypeach.com Peach Aviation]''', '''[http://www.fujidream.co.jp/ Fuji Dream Airlines]''', '''[http://www.skymark.co.jp/ Skymark Airlines]''', '''[http://www.starflyer.jp/ StarFlyer]''' and '''[http://www.airdo.jp/ Air DO]'''. Some of these airlines offer online bookings in English (Fuji Dream and StarFlyer do not). StarFlyer offers a discounted fare of ¥7,000-9,000 per flight to foreigners on select routes. Be careful, their most basic offers may not include a checked baggage (which is sold as an option), and if you reserve via a third-party web site you may not be able to purchase the option. ANA, JAL, and their subsidiaries offer a special standby card, the ''Skymate Card'', to young passengers (up to the age of 22). With the card, passengers can fly standby at half of the full published fare, which is usually less than the equivalent express train fare. The card can be obtained from any JAL or ANA ticket counter with a passport-sized photo and a one-time fee of ¥1000. ===By boat=== Given that Japan is an island nation, boats are a surprisingly uncommon means of transport, as all the major islands are linked together by bridges and tunnels. While there are some long-distance ferries linking [[Okinawa]] and [[Hokkaido]] to the mainland, the fares are usually higher than discounted airline tickets and pretty much the sole advantage is that you can take your car with you. For some smaller islands, however, boats may well be the only practical option. Hovercrafts and jet ferries are fast but expensive, with prices varying between ¥2000-5000 for an hour-long trip. Slow cargo boats are more affordable, a rule of thumb being ¥1000 per hour in second class, but departures are infrequent. There are also some inexpensive and convenient short-distance intercity ferries such as the [[Aomori]]-[[Hakodate]] ferry. These boats are typically divided into classes, where second class (2等 ''nitō'') is just a giant expanse of tatami mat, first class (1等 ''ittō'') gets you a comfy chair in large shared room and only special class (特等 ''tokutō'') gets you a private cabin. Vending machines and simple restaurant fare are typically available on board, but on longer trips (particularly in second class) the primary means of entertainment is alcoholic &mdash; this can be fun if you're invited in, but less so if you're trying to sleep. ===By bus=== {{main|Bus travel in Japan}} Buses are plentiful in Japan, and are a major mode of intercity transportation, especially for overnight travel. Fierce competition between modes has resulted in affordable prices. While a few buses offer fixed fares between two stops, many have adopted a dynamic pricing model, where fares are based on the time of day, the type of seating on the bus, and how far in advance the ticket is purchased. [[File:D71-1903 front left.jpg|thumb|A typical JR intercity bus bound for [[Gifu]] at a bus stop in [[Nagoya]].]] Major operators of intercity, or '''highway buses''' (高速バス ''kōsoku basu''; ハイウェイバス ''haiwei basu'') include the '''JR Group''' and '''Willer Express'''. Regional transit operators (Seibu in Tokyo, Hankyu in Kansai, etc) also operate long-distance buses. Tickets for such buses can be purchased at the point of departure, or, with a command of some Japanese, at convenience stores or on the internet. Some companies offer online reservations for bus routes in English and several other languages. '''Willer Express''', which operates around the country in its distinctive pink buses, offers online reservations for its buses in English, Korean and Chinese. They also sell tickets for other bus operators. Willer Express' '''Japan Bus Pass''' offers discounted bus travel all across the Willer network starting at ¥10,200 for a 3-day weekday pass. A separate national pass is the '''JBL Pass''', which is more expensive but covers a larger network of buses. In major cities, '''Limousine Buses''' (リムジンバス ''rimujin basu'') travel from major train stations and hotels to airports. Buses also travel frequently to their own terminals in the city such as the Tokyo City Air Terminal (T-CAT) in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. '''Local buses''' (路線バス ''rosen basu'') are the norm in big cities and small towns. Bus fares are either fixed (you pay once, when entering or exiting the bus) or distance-based (you board the rear of the bus, grab a numbered ticket, and match the number with the fare displayed on a board at the front of the bus when it's time to get off). Many buses accept smartcards. Buses are indispensable in less-populated areas, as well as in cities such as [[Kyoto]] where there is not much local rail transit. The electronic board almost always includes a display and recorded voice announcements of the next stop — usually only in Japanese, although some cities (like Kyoto) make a welcome exception. However, if asked most drivers will be glad to tell you when you've reached your destination. ===By taxi=== [[File:A Teito Group Taxi in Tokyo.jpg|thumb|A Taxi in Tokyo]] You will find taxis everywhere in Japan, not only in the city but also in the country. Taxis are clean and completely safe, though a bit expensive: starting fees are usually in the ¥640-710 range and the meter ticks up frantically after the first 2&nbsp;km or so. But sometimes, they are the only way to get where you are going. Taxi meters are strictly regulated and clearly visible to the passenger. If you are not sure if you have enough money for the trip, your driver may be able to guess the approximate cost of a trip beforehand. Even if money is not a concern, if you get a cost estimate beforehand, some taxi drivers will stop the meter at the estimated price regardless of how much further the destination may be. Taxi fares are also higher at night. Tipping is not customary and would most likely be refused. In the city, you can hail a taxi just about anywhere, but outside train stations and other transfer points you should board at a taxi stand. (The taxi stand will usually either have a long line of patient passengers, or a long line of idle taxis.) If the destination is a well-known location, such as a hotel, train station, or public facility, the name alone should be enough. Even in the major cities, you are very unlikely to encounter a taxi driver who can speak English, so carrying a pamphlet or card of your hotel or destination with the address on it can be very helpful. Likewise, have staff at your hotel write down the names and addresses of places you want to visit in Japanese to show your taxi driver. Calling for a taxi using a '''smartphone app''' is becoming available in many cities, with [https://japantaxi.jp/ JapanTaxi] or [https://go.mo-t.com/ GO] being the largest player. These apps will provide the approximate fare to travel between two locations, although trips are still charged by the meter and can fluctuate depending on routing and traffic. Many taxi companies will add a fee for immediate phone or app hails; this booking charge is higher for taxis reserved in advance. Some taxi companies offer fixed-fare rides for smartphone hails. In Japanese taxis, the driver controls the opening and closing of the rear left passenger door. Try to avoid closing your door when you board the taxi. Taxi drivers also have a reputation for speeding and aggressive driving, but there are very few accidents involving bad drivers. All licensed taxis in Japan have green license plates. Illegal cabs will have standard white or yellow plates and should be avoided. ===By ride-hailing=== Uber X-style ridesharing is illegal in Japan. Uber and Hailo are available in major cities, but they can only be used to book taxis and limousines, and charge a premium for the convenience. ===By car=== {{seealso|Driving in Japan}} [[Image:Bihoro Pass.JPG|thumb|[[Bihoro]] Pass and Highway 243, [[Akan National Park]], [[Hokkaido]]]] Rental cars and driving in Japan are rare in or around the major cities, as public transport is generally excellent and gets you almost everywhere. In addition, the roads of major cities like Tokyo are plagued with massive traffic jams and parking is expensive and difficult to find, so driving there is more of a hindrance than anything else. However, many rural areas can really only be explored with only your own transport, so driving should certainly not be dismissed out of hand, especially on the vast, sparsely populated island of [[Hokkaido]]. Often the most feasible option is to combine the two: take the train out to the countryside and then pick up a rental car at a station. JR's '''[http://www.ekiren.co.jp/ Ekiren]''' has outlets at most larger train stations and often has discounted train & car packages. An international driver's license (or Japanese license) will be required if you wish to rent a car or drive in Japan, and must be carried at all times. Driving is on the left. ===By bike=== Japan has many great opportunities for bikers. Bike rentals can be found throughout the country, especially near popular routes. Some routes (like the [[Shimanami Kaido Bikeway]]) have been set up specifically for bikers. Even very rural roads are well paved, but as Japan is quite mountainous, you'll need your lowest climbing gear a lot. If you will be spending an extended period of time in Japan, you may want to purchase a bike. If you do, you must have it '''registered'''. If your bike does not have the proper sticker, your bike can be confiscated. If you are caught borrowing a bike registered under someone else's name, it is considered ''stolen'' in Japan, and you will likely be taken to the police station. The police often check bikes, so avoid problems by obeying the law. You should learn Japan's cycling laws, although not all of them are heavily enforced. Cycling drunk is illegal, with no blood alcohol limit, and you face fines of up to ¥1 million or up to 5 years in jail (the same as for driving!) Using your phone or listening to music are illegal. Cycling on the sidewalk, even in big cities crowded with pedestrians, is normal. Helmets are required for children under 13, but neither children nor adults frequently wear helmets, not even police officers. Usually '''trains only allow bikes in a "rinko bag"''' (bike bag, 輪行袋 ''rinkō-bukuro'' or 輪行バッグ ''rinkō baggu''). This requires a folding bike or removing one or both wheels, so it's not very convenient for short trips. Long-distance buses often don't allow bikes, and on local buses it may be at the driver's discretion; in both cases, a rinko bag would also be required. Don't go during busy commuting hours, pack your bike away from the station, keep things ''clean'' (bike, bag, and your hands), and don't take up too much space or impede other passengers. Booking a seat at the back of long-distance trains near the storage areas may be helpful. Ferries allow bikes for a small fee. ===By thumb=== Japan is an excellent country for hitchhiking, although some Japanese language ability is highly recommended. See [[Hitchhiking in Japan]] for a more detail and practical tips for this. === Accessibility and disability === [[File:Ramp at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo.jpg|alt=Ramp at Meiji Shrine|thumb|A ramp at Meiji Shrine allows seniors and people with disabilities easy access to the shrine.]] {{seealso|Travellers with disabilities}} Though the cramped cities and older buildings present many barriers to those with disabilities and other mobility issues, Japan is a '''very wheelchair accessible''' country. Japan has switched into high-gear to create a "barrier-free" society. The vast majority of train and subway stations are wheelchair accessible. Anyone who needs special assistance can inform station staff at the ticketing gates and will be guided to the train and helped off the train at a station. Most trains and local buses (but not long-distance buses) have priority seats (優先席 ''yūsenseki''). The Shinkansen generally does not, but you can always reserve a seat (for a fee, or for free with a Japan Rail Pass). On a wheelchair, you can park in the hallway between cars, reserve a wheelchair seat (which are limited; JR recommends booking 2 days in advance, and you should keep your travel times flexible), or reserve a private room. The major tourist attractions are partially adapted generally provide some sort of accessible route. While discounts are available for those with disabilities, disability identification cards not issued in Japan may not be accepted. Hotels with accessible rooms can be hard to find and are often labeled "barrier free" (バリアフリー ''baria furii'') or "universal" (ユニバーサル ''yunibāsaru'') instead of "accessible". Even if an accessible room is available, most hotels require booking via phone or email. '''Tactile paving''' was invented in Japan, and has been ubiquitous there for decades. These yellow tiles have dots and bars to help visually impaired people follow paths and identify steps and platforms. * [https://www.accessible-japan.com/ Accessible Japan] - general information on accessible travel, database of hotels with accessible rooms, tourist attraction accessibility information * [http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2301.html Japan Guide: Basic Guide to Accessible Travel in Japan] - general tips on traveling with a disability in Japan ==See== ===Castles=== {{seealso|Japanese castles}} [[File:Matsue castle01bs4592.jpg|thumb|Matsue Castle, [[Matsue]]]] Like the British, the French and the Germans, the Japanese were also a nation of castle-builders. In their feudal days, you could find several castles in nearly every prefecture. Because of bombings in World War II, fires, edicts to tear down castles, etc. only twelve of Japan's castles are considered to be originals, which have keeps or donjons (天守閣 ''tenshukaku'') that date back to the days when they were still used. Four of them are on the island of Shikoku, two just north in the Chugoku region, two in Kansai, three in the Chubu region, and one in the northern Tohoku region. There are no original castles in Kyushu, Kanto, Hokkaido, or Okinawa. The '''original castles''' are: <div style="{{column-width|14em}}"> * [[Hirosaki|Hirosaki Castle]] * [[Matsumoto|Matsumoto Castle]] * [[Sakai (Fukui)|Maruoka Castle]] * [[Inuyama|Inuyama Castle]] * [[Hikone|Hikone Castle]] * [[Himeji|Himeji Castle]] * [[Takahashi|Bitchu Matsuyama Castle]] * [[Matsue|Matsue Castle]] * [[Marugame|Marugame Castle]] * [[Kochi (Shikoku)|Kochi Castle]] * [[Matsuyama|Matsuyama Castle]] * [[Uwajima|Uwajima Castle]] </div> Japan also has many '''reconstructed castles''', many of which receive more visitors than the originals. A reconstructed castle means that the donjon was rebuilt in modern times. However, other structures may be original. For example, [[Nagoya|Nagoya Castle]]'s southeast, southwest, and northwest turrets all date back to the castle's original construction. Okinawa's [[Naha|Shuri Castle]] is unique among Japan's castles, because it is not a Japanese castle; it was the royal palace of the Ryukyuan Kingdom and built in a distinctive Ryukyuan architectural style, with a much stronger Chinese influence than Japanese-style castles. '''Ruins''' typically feature only the castle walls or parts of the original layout are visible. Although they lack the structures of reconstructed castles, ruins often feel more authentic without the concrete reconstructions that sometimes feel too commercial and touristy. Many ruins maintain historical significance, and some have original structures that are still standing. One of the most notable ones is [[Kyoto]]'s Nijo Castle, which is not listed as an original because its main keep burnt down and was not reconstructed, but the palace buildings that served as the lord's residence are among the finest and best preserved in all of Japan. ===Gardens=== [[Image:Ritsurin.JPG|thumb|Ritsurin Park, [[Takamatsu]]]] {{Main|Japanese gardens}} Japan is famous for its gardens, known for its unique aesthetics both in landscape gardens and Zen rock/sand gardens. The nation has designated an official "Top Three Gardens", based on their beauty, size, authenticity (gardens that have not been drastically altered), and historical significance. Those gardens are '''Kairakuen''' in [[Mito]], '''Kenrokuen''' in [[Kanazawa]], and '''Korakuen''' in [[Okayama]]. The largest garden, and the favorite of many travellers, is actually '''Ritsurin Park''' in [[Takamatsu]]. Rock and sand gardens can typically be found in temples, specifically those of Zen Buddhism. The most famous of these is '''Ryoanji Temple''' in [[Kyoto]], but such temples can be found throughout Japan. Moss gardens are also popular in Japan and '''Koke-dera''', also in Kyoto, has one of the nation's best. Reservations are required to visit just so that they can ensure the moss is always flourishing and not trampled. Pure Land gardens dating back to the Heian Period were built to represent the Buddhist Paradise. They all feature a large central pond in front of the Amida Hall. They're simplistic to such an extent that those who are unaware would like not likely even view them as gardens at all. The Byodoin Temple in [[Uji]], Motsuji Temple in [[Hiraizumi]], and Joruriji Temple in [[Kizugawa]] are among the most famous of those that remain. ===Spiritual sites=== Regardless of your travel interests, it's difficult to visit Japan without at least seeing a few shrines and temples. Buddhist and Shinto sites are the most common, although there are some noteworthy spiritual sites of other religions, as well. ====Buddhist==== [[Image:Horyu-ji11s3200.jpg|thumb|Horyuji Temple, [[Horyuji]]]] [[Buddhism]] has had a profound impact on Japan ever since it was introduced in the 6th century. Like shrines, temples can be found in every city, and many different sects exist. Some temples also offer [[Meditation in Japan|meditation classes]] in English. Some of the holiest sites are made up of large complexes on mountaintops and include [[Mount Koya]] (Japan's most prestigious place to be buried and head temple of Shingon Buddhism), [[Mount Hiei]] (set here when Kyoto became the capital to remove Buddhism from politics, the head of the Tendai sect of Buddhism), and [[Mount Osore]] (considered to be the "Gateway to Hell", it features many monuments and graves in a volcanic wasteland). Many of the nation's head temples are located in [[Kyoto]], like the Honganji Temples and Chion-in Temple. Kyoto also has five of the top Zen temples named in the "Five Mountain System" (Tenryuji, Shokokuji, Kenninji, Tofukuji, and Manjuji), along with '''Nanzenji Temple''', which sits above all the temples outside of the mountain system. Although there are "five" temples, Kyoto and Kamakura both have their own five. The Kamakura temples are Kenchoji, Engakuji, Jufukuji, Jochiji, and Jomyoji Temples. [[Eiheiji Temple]] is also a prominent Zen temple, although it was never part of the mountain system. [[Nara]]'s '''Todaiji Temple''' and [[Kamakura]]'s '''Kotokuin Temple''' are famous for their large Buddhist statues. Todaiji's is the largest in the nation, while the Kamakura Daibutsu is the second largest, meditating outside in the open air. '''Horyuji Temple''' in [[Horyuji]], just south of Nara, is the world's oldest wooden structure. The beautiful '''Phoenix Hall''' in [[Uji]] is seen by most visitors to Japan on the back of the ¥10 coin, if not in real-life. ====Shinto==== Shintoism is the "native" religion of Japan, so those looking to experience things that are "wholly Japanese" should particularly enjoy them as they truly embody the Japanese aesthetic. The holiest Shinto Shrine is the [[Ise|Grand Ise Shrine]], while the second holiest is [[Izumo|Izumo Shrine]], where the gods gather annually for a meeting. Other famous holy shrines include '''Itsukushima Shrine''' in [[Miyajima]], '''Toshogu Shrine''' in [[Nikko]], the [[Kumano Sanzan]], and the [[Dewa Sanzan]], '''Meiji Shrine''' in [[Tokyo]], and '''Shimogamo Shrine''', '''Kamigamo Shrine''', and '''Fushimi Inari Shrine''' in [[Kyoto]]. ====Christian==== {{seealso|Christian sites in Japan}} [[File:Hirado Catholic Church 1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Saint Francis Xavier Memorial Church in [[Hirado]]]] Japan's introduction to Christianity came in 1549 by way of the Portuguese and '''Saint Francis Xavier'''. He established the first Christian church in [[Yamaguchi]] at Daidoji Temple, whose ruins are now part of '''Xavier Memorial Park''', and the Xavier Memorial Church was built in his honor. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi came into power, Christianity was banned and Christians were persecuted. In [[Nagasaki]], 26 Japanese Christians were crucified. There is a memorial for these martyrs in the city, and the '''Oura Church''', the oldest church left in the nation, built in 1864. The '''Shimabara Rebellion''', a Christian uprising, led to the ousting of the Portuguese and Catholic practices from Japan, along with approximately 37,000 beheadings of Christians and peasants. In [[Shimabara]], you can visit the ruins of Hara Castle, where the Christians gathered and were attacked. [[Oyano]]'s '''Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall''' explains the Shimabara Rebellion and the persecution of Christians. There are less famous sites off the beaten path. When the nation reopened, some Christians assumed that meant that they were able to practice Christianity freely and openly, but it was still not legal and these Christians were tortured. You can see one of these sites at '''Maria Cathedral''' in [[Tsuwano]]. Strangely, you can often find Christian objects in temples and shrines throughout the country. This is because many of these objects were hidden in temples and shrines back when Christianity was forbidden. ====Other==== Japan has a handful of well-known Confucian Temples. As Japan's gateway to the world for many centuries, [[Nagasaki]]'s Confucian Temple is the only Confucian temple in the world to be built by Chinese outside of China. '''Yushima Seido''' in [[Tokyo]] was a Confucian school and one of the nation's first-ever institutes of higher education. The first integrated school in the nation, the '''Shizutani School''' in [[Bizen]] also taught based on Confucian teachings and principles. The schoolhouse itself was even modeled after Chinese architectural styles. The first public school in [[Okinawa]] was a Confucian school given to the Ryukyuan Kingdom along with the '''Shiseibyo Confucian Temple'''. The Okinawan religion also has its own spiritual sites. '''Seta Utaki''', a World Heritage Site, is one of the most famous. Many Okinawan spiritual ceremonies were held here. '''Asumui''' in Kongo Sekirinzan Park is a large rock formation believed to be the oldest land in the area. As a religious site, shaman used to come here to speak with the gods. ===World War II sites=== [[Image:NagasakiGroundZero.jpg|thumb|Ground Zero, [[Nagasaki]]]] {{seealso|Pacific War}} The three must-visit places for World War II buffs are [[Hiroshima]], [[Nagasaki]], and the main island of [[Okinawa]]. Okinawa is where some of the most brutal battles occurred between Japan and the United States, and the area is crawling with remnants from its dark past. The Peace Park, Prefectural Peace Museum, Himeyuri Peace Museum, and the Peace Memorial Hall in [[Itoman]] are some of the best places to learn more, see artifacts, and hear accounts of the battles that took place here. [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]] are important sites in many ways. Hiroshima is the first city ever to be attacked by an atomic bomb, as well as the deadliest. After Hiroshima was devastated, the bombing of Nagasaki days later led the Japanese to surrender, ending WWII. Even those who are not particularly interested in World War II may find the atomic bomb sites interesting, as issues surrounding nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear war remain a concern to this day. These sites show how powerful, devastating, and harmful atomic bombs can be, not only to the land and those who die, but also for the survivors. Fifty-eight other places (including Tokyo, of course) were bombed, as well, so there are lesser-known memorials in those cities. Many people are curious about the possibility of visiting [[Ogasawara Islands|Iwo Jima]]. The [http://www.miltours.com/ Military Historic Tours Company] has exclusive rights to conduct tours of the island, and these tours are only open to US citizens. ===Pilgrimage routes=== * [[88 Temple Pilgrimage]] — an arduous 1,647&nbsp;km trail around the island of [[Shikoku]] * [[Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage]] * [[Narrow Road to the Deep North]] — a route around northern Japan immortalized by Japan's most famous ''haiku'' poet ===Industrial heritage=== The [[UNESCO World Heritage site]] "[[Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining]]" is made up of 23 individual sites around the country, most of them in [[Chugoku]] and [[Kyushu]]. These are places like mines, railroads, ironworks and ports from the Meiji era, which are among the most notable of Japan's first Western-style industrial sites. Separately listed is the silk mill of [[Tomioka]]. ==Do== ===Outdoors=== [[File:Iya_Jirogyu_View.JPG|thumb|Hiking trails in [[Iya Valley]], [[Shikoku]]]] It shouldn't be surprising that in a country where more than 70% of the terrain is forests and mountains, '''outdoor activities''' abound. '''Hiking''' is very traditional and popular in Japan. You can find many small trails across the country, as well as plenty of rugged terrain in Japan's many national parks. Hikes can also be part of a spiritual experience, such as climbing the 2446 stone steps of the holy [[Dewa Sanzan|Haguro]] mountain through an amazing primeval forest. Ascending one of Japan's many '''mountains''' is within the capabilities of any traveller. You can reach the summit of some mountains almost entirely by car, or with only a short easy walk. '''[[Mount Aso]]''' is one of the world's largest volcanic calderas, and a paved road brings cars and pedestrians right up to the summit. Or, you can take the ropeway, which was promoted as the world's first ropeway over an active volcano. Around 300,000 people every year climb '''[[Mount Fuji]]''', a mountain so famous as an icon of Japan that it hardly needs introduction. On the most popular route, you will need to use your hands for support, but no actual climbing is required; you can easily climb Fuji with just adequate clothing, some basic gear (sunscreen, headlamp, etc.), and 1–2 days in your itinerary. It's no walk in the park, but it's easily doable if you're not too out of shape. With its snowy mountainous terrain, Japan is an excellent destination for '''[[Downhill snowsports|skiing and snowboarding]]''', although it tends to be mostly domestic visitors. Japan's climate means that many ski resorts get ''excellent'' powder, and a lot of it: on average, resorts in the '''[[Japan Alps|Japanese Alps]]''' get {{m|10|m}} and '''[[Hokkaido]]''' slopes get a whopping {{m|14}} or more! Skiing in Japan can be inexpensive compared to other countries, with cheaper lift tickets, budget accommodations, and cheap meals. Rental gear is reasonably priced, but as Japanese on average have smaller feet, you should consider bringing your own boots. The easiest way to get to many slopes is to take public transit (rail and buses), and ship your ski/snowboard gear to the slopes (see ''[[#Courier services|&sect; Courier services]]''). '''Golf''' is popular with the Japanese. Land is simply too valuable near cities, so golf courses have to pay a lot for land, and are typically 1–2 hours' drive outside the city. (Shuttles from the nearest train station are often available with a reservation.) Midweek prices can be found from ¥6,000 and up. Expect it to take the whole day, with travel time, a round of golf, and relaxing in a hot bath afterwards. Since most players are local businessmen, singles are not allowed on most courses (so make sure you have at least two players), and rental equipment will have a limited selection (better to bring your own clubs and shoes, which you can ship to the range cheaply; see ''[[#Courier services|&sect; Courier services]]''). Despite being an island nation, Japan is not really known for its '''beaches'''. Many beaches simply don't exist as Japanese cities (many of which are coastal) expand right up to the coast line. Where there are beaches, they tend to only be visited in summer; as soon as 1 September comes, lifeguards stop patrolling the beaches, and Japanese beachgoers disappear as a result. '''Surfing''' is somewhat popular, as the surf can be very good on both coasts (during typhoon season [Aug-Oct] on the Pacific coast, and during winter on the Sea of Japan coast). There are also some excellent spots for '''snorkeling''' and '''diving'''. Aside from marine life, corals, and World War II wrecks, you can also visit [[Susami]], outside [[Kushimoto]], and send your friends a postcard from the world's deepest underwater mailbox, 10 meters underwater. While boating and river sports are not very common, a few fun activities can be found, such as going river rafting in some of the last wild rivers in Japan in the [[Iya Valley]]. ===Spectator sports=== [[File:Amateur baseball match - Tokyo Domo - Japan (15838269026).jpg|thumb|Amateur baseball match]] '''Baseball''' (野球 ''yakyū'') has been '''hugely popular''' ever since it was introduced to Japan in the 1870s by an American professor. Baseball fans travelling internationally may find Japan to be one of the great examples of baseball popularity outside of the United States. Baseball is not only played in many high schools and by professionals, but also referenced in much Japanese pop culture as well. In addition, many Japanese players have gone on to become top players in Major League Baseball. The official Japanese baseball league is known as '''[http://npb.jp/eng/ Nippon Professional Baseball]''', or simply known as '''''Puro Yakyū''''' (プロ野球), meaning Professional Baseball, and it is regarded by many to be the strongest professional baseball league outside of the United States. The Japanese national baseball team is also considered to be one of the strongest in the world, having won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, as well as the second edition in 2009. Tickets to baseball games are generally easy to get, even on the day of a game, although popular games should of course be reserved in advance. Tickets start around ¥2,000. If you are interested, be sure to leave 4–5 hours free. You can generally bring in outside food and drink, which is a good way to save some money instead of paying prices inside the stadium (¥800 for a pint of beer); you'll just need to have your bag inspected and pour your drinks into disposable cups. Especially in Osaka, it's also popular to visit local restaurants or bars where the entire store will be taken over by fans loudly singing, chanting, and cheering non-stop through the entire game. The rules in Japanese baseball are not much different from baseball in United States, although there are some minor variations. The biggest rivalry is between [[Tokyo]]'s Yomiuri Giants (a national favorite and top performer, although equally disliked by many) and [[Osaka]]'s Hanshin Tigers (a perennial underdog, widely known for having the most boisterous and dedicated fans, along with many cheers, songs, and traditions). Japan has two national high school tournaments each year that draw possibly more attention than the professional game. Both are held at Kōshien Stadium, a stadium in Nishinomiya City near Kobe that seats over 50,000 and also hosts NPB's Hanshin Tigers. * The '''National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament''', commonly known as '''Spring Kōshien''' (春の甲子園 ''haru no kōshien'', or センバツ ''senbatsu'') – Held in March, featuring 32 teams invited from throughout the country. * The '''National High School Baseball Championship''', commonly known as '''Summer Kōshien''' (夏の甲子園 ''natsu no kōshien'') – A two-week event in August, it is the final phase of a nationwide tournament structure. A total of 49 teams participate in the final phase—one from each of Japan's prefectures, with second teams from Hokkaido and Tokyo. '''[[Association football|Soccer]]''' (サッカー ''sakkā'') is also popular in Japan. The top men's league is the Japan Professional Football League (日本プロサッカーリーグ ''nippon puro sakkā rīgu''), known as the '''J.League''' (Jリーグ ''J rīgu''), of which the top division is the '''J1 League'''. The country launched a fully professional women's league in 2021–22, the Japan Women's Professional Football League (日本女子サッカーリーグ, ''Nihon joshi sakkā rīgu''), which is branded as the '''WE League''' (WEリーグ, ''WE rīgu''), with "WE" standing for the English words "Women's Empowerment". Japan is one of the most successful Asian soccer nations, and has been at or near the top of the Asian Football Confederation rankings for decades, and some Japanese players have had successful careers in the top European leagues. [[File:Asashoryu fight Jan08.JPG|thumb|Sumo wrestling in Japan is steeped in tradition.]] '''Sumo wrestling''' (相撲 ''sumō'') is a popular Japanese sport. The rules are simple enough: be the first to get your opponent to step outside the ring or touch the ground with anything but the bottom of his feet. Almost anything goes except for a handful of forbidden moves, but most matches are won by pushing or grappling, which explains why '''girth''' is usually an advantage in a sport with no weight classes. Sumo has retained many traditions from its Shinto origins, and a single bout usually consists of many minutes of rituals and mental preparation, followed by just 10–30 seconds of wrestling. Sumo wrestlers, known as ''rikishi'' (力士), live a '''regimented life''' in training stables (部屋 ''heya'', lit. "rooms", or 相撲部屋 ''sumō-beya''), devoting themselves to nothing more than bulking up and competing. A few foreign wrestlers have been quite successful in the top ranks, although controversial rules have put a limit on how many foreign wrestlers each stable may train. Sumo is organized by the [http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/ Japan Sumo Association] (日本相撲協会 ''Nihon Sumō Kyōkai''). The biggest events are the six '''''honbasho''''' (本場所, "main tournaments") throughout the year, which are the only events that affect wrestlers' rankings. Each tournament is 15 days long; they're in [[Tokyo]] in January, May, and September, [[Osaka]] in March, [[Nagoya]] in July, and [[Fukuoka]] in November. With some planning, you could also arrange to visit a stable during '''training''' (稽古 ''keiko''), although you'll need to speak Japanese or bring a Japanese guide, and strictly observe Japanese etiquette and rules from the stable. (For example, you'll be expected to sit ''silently'' for the entire duration of practice, which is usually several hours.) Training starts in the early morning, anytime from 05:00 to 08:00. '''Professional wrestling''' (プロレス ''puroresu'') also enjoys major popularity. While it is similar to professional wrestling elsewhere in the world in that the outcomes are predetermined, its psychology and presentation are uniquely Japanese. Puroresu matches are treated as legitimate fights, with stories strongly emphasizing the wrestlers' fighting spirit and perseverance. Also, because many Japanese wrestlers have legitimate martial arts backgrounds, full-contact striking and realistic submission holds are commonplace. A good number of wrestlers from other countries have had successful runs with Japanese promotions (companies that organize shows), with notable examples in the early 21st century including Kenny Omega from Canada, Will Ospreay from the UK, and Jay White from New Zealand. Also, foreign stars may be brought in as part of business relationships between Japanese and overseas promotions; the largest promotion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, has had partnerships with numerous US-based companies in the past, and as of 2022 has a major partnership with the second-largest US promotion, All Elite Wrestling. While many promotions operate, New Japan is clearly the largest nowadays, with other significant promotions including All Japan Pro Wrestling, DDT Pro-Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling NOAH (the last two sharing ownership). Unlike pro wrestling in most of the world, Japanese women's puroresu, known locally as ''joshi puroresu'' (女子プロレス), is run by separate promotions from men's puroresu. ''Joshi'' promotions do regularly cooperate with men's promotions, and frequently share cards. The most prominent ''joshi'' promotion, World Wonder Ring Stardom, shares ownership with New Japan. The biggest single event in puroresu is New Japan's three-night show promoted as ''Wrestle Kingdom'', roughly analogous to WrestleMania in the U.S. The first two nights are at the Tokyo Dome on January 4 and 5 each year; the third, added in 2022, is held on January 8 in Yokohama. '''[[Horse racing]]''' (競馬 ''keiba'') is a big business in Japan, and one of the few forms of legal gambling. The '''Japan Cup''', held annually at [[Fuchu]]'s [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j01.html Tokyo Racecourse], is one of the premier events on the international horse racing calendar, and regularly attracts the world's top jockeys and horses. The [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j04.html Hanshin Racecourse] in [[Takarazuka]], the [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j03.html Kyoto Racecourse] in [[Kyoto/South|Fushimi]], and the [http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/go_racing/jra_racecourses/j02.html Nakayama Racecourse] in [[Funabashi]] round off Japan's "big four" racecourses, and also host numerous internationally important races. Among these races, '''Arima Kinen''', held at Nakayama near the end of December, is notable as drawing more betting interest than any other race in the world by a very wide margin. The [http://japanracing.jp/en/ Japan Racing Association (JRA)] organizes races at the 10 major racecourses in Japan, while those at the minor local racecourses are run by the [https://www.goracing.jp/english/ National Association of Racing (NAR)]. Bets for all JRA races can be placed at any of the JRA-run racecourses, and at off-track betting facilities run by the JRA known as WINS. ===Games and entertainment=== '''''Karaoke''''' (カラオケ) was invented in Japan and can be found in virtually every Japanese city. Pronounced ''kah-rah-oh-keh'', it is abbreviated from the words "empty orchestra" in Japanese; many natives won't have any idea what you're talking about if you use the English ''carry-oh-kee''. Most karaoke places occupy several floors of a building. You and your friends have a room to yourself — no strangers involved — and the standard hourly rate often includes all-you-can-drink alcohol, with refills ordered through a phone on the wall or through the karaoke machine. The major chains all have excellent English-language song selections. Old folks prefer singing ''enka'' ballads at small neighborhood bars. You operate the karaoke machine yourself. It lets you queue up songs to be played in order. (At 4 minutes per song, 15 songs would keep you singing for an hour.) These days, many machines use a tablet or touchscreen which you can use to search for songs by a variety of criteria; if you can get one of these set to English, great. You can also look up songs in the phonebook-sized catalogs, which is what you'll have to do if you can't get an a tablet in English, or at older places that just have a large remote control. Once you find the song's 4- to 6-digit number, aim the remote at the karaoke machine like a TV remote, type in the number (it will appear on the screen, so you can check that it was entered correctly; if not press 戻る to go back), and press 転送 or "send" to confirm and add it to the queue. Also ubiquitous are '''''pachinko'' parlors'''. Pachinko (パチンコ) is a form of gambling that involves dropping little steel balls into a machine; more balls are awarded depending on where they land. The air inside most pachinko parlors is hot and sweaty, with ear-splitting noise. (Legally you can only trade the balls for prizes, but gamblers always opt for "special prize" (特殊景品 ''tokushu keihin'') tokens which they sell back for cash at a separate booth elsewhere in the building or in a nearby alley. Because the booth is off-site, it's a separate business and therefore not illegal.) Even in a declining market, nearly 10% of all Japanese — mostly middle-age businessmen — play at least once a week, and pachinko generates more gambling revenue than Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore combined. '''Video arcades''' (ゲームセンター ''gēmu sentā'', or ビデオ・アーケード ''bideo ākēdo''; don't confuse with a regular ''ākēdo'' which means "shopping arcade/street"), though sometimes difficult to distinguish from pachinko parlors from the outside, have arcade games rather than gambling, and are often several floors high. Video games are the norm here, although you may be surprised at the sheer variety of games. Aside from the usual action and fighting games, there are also rhythm games such as ''Dance Dance Revolution'' or the much easier for beginners ''Taiko Drum Master'' (太鼓の達人 ''Taiko no Tatsujin''), difficult-to-define oddities such as ''Derby Owners Club'' (which can only be described as a "multiplayer online card-collecting role-playing horse racing simulator"), and bizarre inventions like ''Chō Chabudai-Gaeshi!'' (超・ちゃぶ台返し! "''Super Table-Flip!''") where you literally bang on a table and flip it over angrily to relieve stress while racking up points. Game centers usually also have non-video games, which almost always include '''claw crane games''' (クレーンゲーム ''kurēn gēmu'') where you can win anything from stuffed animals and trinkets to expensive smartphones and jewelry, and sophisticated '''photo sticker booths''' (プリクラ ''puri-kura'', shortened from the brand name Print Club). [[File:Go and shogi center by pommes king in Osaka.jpg|thumb|Go being played, [[Osaka]]]] Japan's national game is '''[[Go]]''' (囲碁 ''igo'', or just 碁 ''go''), a strategy board game that originated in China. Players place their stones to surround the most territory on the board; stones can't be moved, but can be captured if they're surrounded in all four directions. While the rules are simple, the strategy and tactics are very complex. Despite its Chinese origins, due to the fact that it was initially introduced to and promoted in the West by the Japanese, it is by their Japanese and not Chinese names that the game itself and its in-game terminology are generally known outside East Asia. By no means everyone plays, but Go has newspaper columns, TV, and professional players. Go is also played in the West, and there is a large and active [http://senseis.xmp.net/ English language wiki] discussing it. On a sunny day, the Tennoji ward of [[Osaka]] is a good place to join a crowd watching two Go masters go at it. Besides Go, another popular board game in Japan is '''[[shogi]]''' (将棋 ''shōgi'') or Japanese chess. The general mechanics are similar to Western [[chess]], with a few extra pieces that move in unique ways, but the most important difference is that after capturing a piece, you can later "drop" it back into play as one of your own pieces. The use of drops makes shogi a much more complex and dynamic game than Western chess. '''Mahjong''' (麻雀 ''mājan'') is also relatively popular in Japan, and frequently features in Japanese video and arcade games, although it's associated with illegal gambling, and mahjong parlors can be quite seedy. Mahjong uses tiles with a variety of Chinese symbols and characters. Players draw and discard tiles trying to complete a hand with particular sets of tiles (typically, four sets of either three identical tiles or three in a straight flush, plus one identical pair). While gameplay is similar, scoring is drastically different from the various Chinese versions. ===Music=== {{Seealso|Arts in Japan#Music}} The Japanese love '''music''' (音楽 ''ongaku'') in all styles. [[File:Agidaiko01.jpg|thumb|Taiko performance]] '''Traditional Japanese music''' (邦楽 ''hōgaku'') uses a variety of instruments, many of which originated in China, but developed into unique forms after being introduced to Japan. The most common instruments are the ''shamisen'' (三味線, a 3-string picked or plucked instrument), the ''shakuhachi'' (尺八, a bamboo flute), and the ''koto'' (箏, a 13-string picked zither). '''''Taiko''''' (太鼓) are drums that are unique to Japan, and range in size from small handheld drums to enormous {{m|1.8|adj}} stationary drums. ''Taiko'' also refers to the performances, which are very common at festivals. Outside of traditional Japanese music, these instruments are not frequently used. '''Western classical music''' (クラシック[音楽] ''kurashikku [ongaku]'') is moderately popular in Japan with people of all ages. There are 1,600 professional and amateur orchestras (オーケストラ ''ōkesutora'') in Japan; Tokyo is home to nearly half of them, including ''eight'' full-time professional orchestras. There are also well over 10,000 choirs (合唱 ''gasshō'', コーラス ''kōrasu'' or クワイア ''kuwaia''); the [http://www.jcanet.or.jp/profile/jca-english.htm Japan Choral Association] has more information. With the arrival of Western pop music in the 20th century, Japan created its own forms of pop music. These have largely died out except for '''''enka''''' (演歌), sentimental ballads in Western pop styles composed to resemble traditional Japanese music, typically sung in an exaggerated emotional style. '''Jazz''' (ジャズ ''jazu'') has been very popular in Japan since the 1930s. [[Japanese cuisine#Coffee shops|Jazz coffee shops]] are a common way to listen to jazz. '''J-pop''' and '''J-rock''' flood the airwaves. Punk, heavy metal, hip hop, electronic, and many other genres also find niches in Japan where they get their own Japanese interpretation. J-pop is often associated with '''idols''' (アイドル ''aidoru''), young music stars manufactured by talent agencies. Although many are one-hit wonders, quite a few idol groups turn into long-lasting acts: SMAP and Morning Musume have been popular for decades, while AKB48 has rocketed to the top to become the best-selling female group in Japan. '''Concerts''' (ライブ ''raibu'', "live") are easy to find. Depending on the event, you may be able to buy tickets at convenience stores (using a numeric code to identify the right concert), online, at record stores, or in various pre-sale lotteries. (Some sellers may require you to have a Japanese credit card with a Japanese billing address, so you may need to try multiple methods to find one you can use.) You can buy day-of tickets at the venue, assuming the concert isn't sold out, but large venues may not even sell tickets at the door. Rather than doing general admission, tickets may be numbered to divide the audience into smaller groups which are admitted in order. '''Music festivals''' (ロック・フェスティバル ''rokku fesutibaru'', shortened to ロックフェス ''rokku fesu'' or just フェス ''fesu'') are also popular, drawing tens of thousands of people. [http://fujirock-eng.com/ Fuji Rock Festival] is Japan's largest festival, and covers many genres. [http://rijfes.jp/ Rock In Japan Festival] is the biggest festival where only Japanese artists are allowed to perform. ===Performing arts=== [[File:Bunraku doll in national theatre Osaka 2.JPG|thumb|Bunraku doll in the National theatre, [[Osaka]]]] {{Seealso|Arts in Japan#Performing arts}} The most well-known types of traditional Japanese performing arts originated in medieval or pre-modern Japan, and feature melodramatic period stories of historical events, romance, or moral conflicts. While the old Japanese language they use can be off-putting, an important part of these art forms is the '''intricate visual aspects''' of their traditional costumes and emotional expressiveness. You may be more interested in the less well-known ''taishū engeki'' ("pop theater") or modern '''comedy''', such as ''rakugo'' solo storytellers, extremely popular ''manzai'' stand-up duos, or Western-style comedy. '''''Bunraku''''' (文楽) is a type of puppet theater. An actor and two stagehands precisely control each puppet, while a narrator performs the exposition and all dialogue with improvised ''shamisen'' accompaniment. '''''Kabuki''''' (歌舞伎) is a popular type of dance-drama. It's known for the elaborate costumes and makeup that performers wear. ''Kabuki'' tells its stories through the expressions and dances. Actors fly above the audience on wires and make dramatic entrances and exits via aisles down the middle of the audience, complex revolving stages, and trap doors. '''Noh''' (能 ''nō'' or 能楽 ''nōgaku'') is an older type of musical drama. Minimalist and probably boring for the average visitor, noh uses wooden masks and stark movements on identical bare sets, and tells its emotional stories through the lyrics, which are in an old form of Japanese (difficult for even native speakers to understand). It's sometimes described as "Japanese opera", although it's closer to chanted poetry rather than actual singing. Traditionally used as comic intermission between acts in a noh play, '''''kyōgen''''' (狂言) consists of short (10 minute) plays, often using stock characters such as servants and their master, or a farmer and his son. Much less well-known is '''''taishū engeki''''' (大衆演劇), a vague term meaning "theater for the masses" or "popular theater". Superficially, it's similar to kabuki, with elaborate Edo-period costumes, but the melodrama is turned all the way up. Every performance is a new tale, as these plays are ''not'' scripted, but invented from scratch during the morning's rehearsal; the simple stories are easy to understand even without a translation, with the good guys obviously triumphing over the bad guys. Following the play, the second half showcases actors mostly solo performing traditional dances with modern flashing stage lights and fog machines. You may find these accessible shows to have cultural similarities to variety shows, revues, or even drag shows. Shows are much cheaper than kabuki or noh, around ¥2,000. '''Comedy''' in Japan is markedly different from the Western style. Japanese are very sensitive about making jokes at the expense of others, so Western-style stand-up comedy isn't very common. Most Japanese comedy relies on absurdity, non sequiturs, and breaking the strict social expectations. Most Japanese also love puns and wordplay (駄洒落 ''dajare''), although these can cross the line into groan-inducing ''oyaji gyagu'' (親父ギャグ "old man jokes"). Don't bother attempting irony or sarcasm; Japanese rarely use these, and they're likely to take your statement at face value instead. * The most common and well-known type of stand-up comedy in Japan is '''manzai''' (漫才). This typically involves two performers misinterpreting each other and making puns at a breakneck pace. * Another traditional type of Japanese comedy is '''rakugo''' (落語), comedic storytelling. A lone performer sits on stage, using tricks to convey actions like standing up or walking, and tells a long and usually complicated funny story which always involves dialog between two or more characters. * A few troupes do Western style stand-up and improv comedy in English, which attracts a diverse international audience and even a lot of English-speaking Japanese. ===Japanese cultural arts=== {{Seealso|Arts in Japan#Japanese cultural arts}} [[File:Toshihana tea ceremony.jpg|thumb|Preparing tea]] Japan is famous for '''geisha''', although they're often misunderstood by the West. Literally translated, the word 芸者 (''geisha'') means "artist" or "artisan". Geisha are '''entertainers''', whether you're looking for song and dance, party games, or just some nice company and conversation. Geisha train from a young age to be exquisite, high-class entertainers. They're often employed today by businesses for parties and banquets. Although traditionally expensive and exclusive, you may be able to see geisha perform for as little as ¥3,000, or for free at a festival. In the largest Japanese cities, it's easy to spot a geisha if you look in the right part of town. In '''hostess clubs''', a female hostess will provide conversation, pour drinks, entertain, and to some degree flirt with her male clients. (At a '''host club''', roles are reversed with male hosts serving female clients, typically with a bit more overt flirting.) Hostesses work in bars and sing karaoke to entertain, compared to geisha coming to tea houses and restaurants to perform traditional Japanese arts. The hostesses are professional flirts, ''not'' prostitutes, and many hostess clubs have a prohibition on physical intimacy or sexual conversation topics. '''Maid cafés''' and other cosplay restaurants have employees dressed as French maids pamper their clients while serving them beverages and food. '''Tea ceremony''' (茶道 ''sadō'' or ''chadō'') is not unique to Japan, or even to Asia, but the Japanese version stands out for its deep connection to Japanese aesthetics. The focus of a Japanese tea ceremony is not so much the tea as making guests feel welcome and appreciating the season. Due to the influence of Zen Buddhism, Japanese tea ceremony emphasizes a uniquely Japanese aesthetic called ''wabi-sabi'' (侘寂). A very rough translation might be that ''wabi'' is "rustic simplicity" and ''sabi'' is "beauty that comes with age and wear". There are '''tea houses''' across Japan where you can be a guest at a tea ceremony. The most common type of "informal" ceremony usually takes 30 minutes to an hour; a "formal" ceremony can take up to 4 hours. ===Festivals=== [[File:Kan n01.jpg|thumb|right|Kanto Festival in [[Akita]] ]] Japan has an estimated 200,000 '''festivals''' (祭 ''matsuri'') throughout the year. Festivals are held for a variety of reasons, the most common being to give thanks (e.g. for a successful rice harvest) and bring good fortune. Although most festivals are small events sponsored by local shrines or temples, there are hundreds that are large city-wide affairs, any of which would be a nice addition to your itinerary if they overlap your schedule. The main event at many large festivals is a '''parade of floats''', which are usually lifted and carried by hand by several dozen men. Often a shrine's ''kami'' (spirit/deity) will be ritually put in a portable shrine (''mikoshi'') and carried around the neighborhood as part of the parade. At some festivals, anyone can take a turn helping to carry a float for a few minutes. <!-- I know that's true, but I don't know how common it is. Can anyone clarify? --> '''Fireworks''' (花火 ''hanabi'') are also a common event at festivals, particularly in the summer; in Japan, this is the most common use of fireworks. The rest of the time is spent enjoying the booths and entertainment. Food stalls have '''traditional festival foods''' like ''takoyaki'', shaved ice (かき氷 ''kakigōri''), and skewered hot dogs. A traditional game at festivals is '''goldfish scooping''' (''kingyo sukui''): if you can catch a goldfish using the flimsy paper scoop, you get to keep it. Other common games include ring toss and cork guns. Festivals are a time for the neighborhood and community to come out and celebrate together, whether it's a family, young couples making a date of it, or just a group of friends. Nearly everyone will put on a colorful '''''yukata''''' robe, while many of the people working at the festival wear ''happi'' coats. (Street clothes are perfectly fine, too.) <!-- Are there some smaller/local festivals we could mention that aren't quite so unusual or risque? --> <!-- to do: how do you find other local/smaller festivals? --> The JNTO website has a [http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/festivals/ list of several dozen festivals throughout the year] in English. Some of the most well-known festivals are: <!-- So far this is 7... maybe we could expand this to NINE (standard/max length of wv lists), but how should we determine which ones should be listed? --> * '''Sapporo Snow Festival''' (さっぽろ雪まつり ''Sapporo Yuki-matsuri'') in [[Sapporo]] (February, 7 days starting the second week) — elaborate snow and ice sculptures * '''Hakata Dontaku''' in [[Fukuoka]] (May 3–4) — Japan's largest festival, drawing over 2 million people during the Golden Week holidays * '''Kanda''' in [[Tokyo]] (May, Sa-Su closest to May 15 in odd-numbered years) * '''Hakata Gion Yamakasa''' in [[Fukuoka]] (July 1–15) — famous for racing one-ton floats * '''Gion''' in [[Kyoto]] (July, the whole month but particularly 14-17 and 21-24) * '''Nebuta''' in [[Aomori]] (August 2–7) * '''Awa-Odori''' in [[Tokushima]] (August 12–15) — folk dance festival There are also several nationwide festivals: * '''New Year's''' (正月 ''Shōgatsu'') (December 31 - January 3) * '''''Hina matsuri''''' (March 3) — during the "Doll festival", families pray for their girls, and arrange displays of dolls of the emperor and his court * '''''Tanabata''''' (around July 7; in Sendai, August 5–8; some places based on lunar calendar) — sometimes called the "Star Festival", celebrates the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (the stars Vega and Altair) who could only meet on this day each year * '''''Obon''''' or '''''Bon''''' (three days usually around August 15, but date varies by region) — when spirits of the deceased return to this world; families have reunions, and visit and clean ancestors' graves * '''''Shichi-Go-San''''' ("Seven-Five-Three") (November 15) — for girls age 3 and 7 and boys age 3 and 5 Some local festivals are more eccentric. '''''Hari Kuyō''''' ("needle memorial") festivals are held throughout Japan to express thanks to old or broken needles and pins. '''''Hadaka''''' ("naked") festivals are actually common throughout Japan, but the most well-known one is the '''''Eyō Hadaka''''' matsuri at Saidai-ji in [[Okayama]]. Thousands of men wearing just loincloths scramble to catch lucky sacred items thrown into the crowd, which will bring them a year of happiness. '''''Naki Sumō''''' ("crying sumo") festivals throughout Japan have competitions where two sumo wrestlers holding babies see which baby will cry first as priests provoke them by making faces and putting on masks. And the '''''Kanamara''''' matsuri in [[Kawasaki]] is famous for celebrating the male genitalia. ===Hot springs and public baths=== {{seealso|Public baths in Japan}} As a nation made of volcanic islands, it's not surprising that in Japan '''hot springs''' (温泉 ''onsen'') are commonplace. Japanese have pondered for centuries what the best hot springs in the country are, and they've come up with [[Japan's Top 3#Three Hot Springs|quite a few]]. Bathing is a big deal in Japan, and be it a scenic ''onsen'' hot spring, a neighborhood ''sentō'' bath or just an ordinary household tub, bathing Japanese style is a pleasure. Whereas a Western "bath" is used for washing in, "baths" in Japan are for soaking and relaxing, more like a hot tub. Washing is done first outside the tub. [[Image:Okuhida Bath Kodakara2.JPG|thumb|''Rotenburo'' outdoor bath in the [[Oku-Hida Onsen Villages]]]] ''Onsen'' are the pinnacle of the Japanese bathing experience. Clusters of hot spring '''inns''' pop up wherever there's a suitable source of hot water. The most memorable onsen experience is often the '''''rotenburo''''' (露天風呂): '''outdoor baths''' with views of the surrounding natural scenery. While most onsen are run commercially and charge fees for entry (¥500-1000 is typical), especially in remote areas there are free publicly maintained baths that offer minimal facilities, but, more often than not, stunning views to make up for it. To find those off the beaten track inns, check out the '''[http://www.hitou.or.jp/en/index.html Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns]''' (日本秘湯を守る会 ''Nihon hitō o mamoru kai''), which has 185 independent lodges throughout the country. ''Sentō'' (銭湯) are public bath houses found in any large city. Intended for people without their own home tub, they are typically quite utilitarian and are slowly dying out. Some, however, have gone upmarket and turned into "spas" (スパ ''supa''), which are public baths for stressed-out salarymen, often with a capsule hotel (see ''[[#Sleep|&sect; Sleep]]'') bolted on the side. As you might expect, these come in varying degrees of legitimacy &mdash; beware any place advertising "esthe", "health", or "soap" &mdash; but most are surprisingly decent. Foreign visitors typically visit hot springs by stopping at a '''''[[#Ryokan|ryokan]]''''', a traditional Japanese inn, most of which feature hot springs as one of their main attractions (the other main attraction usually being the elaborate ''kaiseki'' meals). This requires some research and planning to decide where you want to go (most ryokan are in small towns in the country) and to fit it into your schedule. But don't focus exclusively on inns; many onsen have no lodging, making them cheap and quick to stop at, although many are hard to get to without a car or bicycle. Many onsen and sento prohibit the entry of visitors with '''tattoos'''. Intended to keep out ''yakuza'' gangsters (who often sport full-back tattoos), the rule is usually applied with a modicum of common sense, but heavily tattooed visitors will, at the very least, receive curious looks and may be asked to leave. Japanese are understanding of the funny ways of foreigners, but there's one rule where no exceptions are made: '''you have to wash yourself and rinse off all foam ''before'' entering the bath'''. Baths in Japan are generally used '''naked''', although if you really don't want to be seen by strangers and/or travel companions, you can instead use private baths (by reservation or attached to your room) or stay clothed in a foot bath. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rate JPY|currencies=USD,EUR,GBP,CAD,CNY,ZAR}} The Japanese currency is the '''Japanese yen''', abbreviated ¥ (or '''JPY''' in foreign exchange contexts). The symbol 円 (pronounced ''en'') is used in the Japanese language itself. [[File:500JPY.JPG|thumb|Japanese ¥500 coins]] * '''Coins''': ¥1 (silver), ¥5 (gold with a center hole), ¥10 (copper), ¥50 (silver with a center hole), ¥100 (silver), and ¥500. There are two ¥500 coins, distinguishable by their color. (The new ones are gold, the old ones are silver). * '''Bills''': ¥1,000 (blue), ¥2,000 (green), ¥5,000 (purple), and ¥10,000 (brown). ¥2,000 bills are rare. New designs for all the bills except ¥2,000 were introduced in November 2004, so there are now two versions in circulation. Most merchants will not object to receiving a ¥10,000 bill even for a small purchase. ====Converting yen to euros, dollars and pounds==== Your usual currency equaling between 80 and 111 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 100. Example: <br> • ¥2,000 -> 20 of your usual currency When your usual currency equals between 111 and 133 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 1,000 and multiply by 8. Example:<br> • ¥3,000 -> 3. 3*8 ≈ 24 of your usual currency Your usual currency being between 133 and 154 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 1,000 and multiply by 7. Example:<br> • ¥4,000 -> 4. 4*7 ≈ 28 of your usual currency And when your usual currency is between 154 and 182 yen, do this to convert: Divide by 1,000 and multiply by 6. Example: <br> • ¥5,000 -> 5. 5*6 ≈ 30 of your usual currency This works well for everyday expenses. For rather high amounts of money, it's better to convert with the exact exchange rate, e.g. with an app. ====Paying by cash==== Japan is fundamentally a cash society. The Japanese usually carry around large quantities of cash — it is quite safe to do so and is almost a necessity, especially in smaller towns and more isolated areas. Some machines, such as coin lockers, laundries and beach showers, only accept ¥100 coins, and some change machines may only accept ¥1,000 bills. ====Paying by credit card==== Although most stores and hotels serving foreign customers take credit cards, many businesses such as cafés, bars, grocery stores, and even smaller hotels and inns '''do not'''. The Japanese government has made an effort to improve this situation somewhat in the lead-up to the 2020 Olympics however. Even businesses that do take cards often have a minimum charge as well as a surcharge, although this practice is disappearing. MasterCard, Visa, and JCB are accepted, and Discover and American Express have an agreement with JCB and are usable at locations where JCB cards are accepted. The following two types of '''contactless payment''' terminals are used in stores throughout the country: * EMV - compatible with Apple Pay/Google Pay. * FeliCa - compatible with Japan-specific smart cards such as Suica/Waon. Look for the EMV terminals displaying the international contactless logo {{nowrap|[[File:EMVCoContactlessIndicator.svg|25px]]}} and say "Contactless" to the sales assistant for your contactless payment to be accepted. ====Paying by smart card==== Smart cards can be used for both public transport and store purchases in all the major cities throughout the country. A "'''Suica'''", "PASMO" or "ICOCA" card can be purchased from the airport train station when you arrive. Alternatively, simply [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207154 add a Suica card] to '''Apple Wallet''' or a PASMO card to '''Google Pay''' before you travel. Once topped up with funds, tap your device at almost any train station gate line or store payment terminal for your travel/mobile payment to be accepted. ====Exchange==== Almost any major bank in Japan will provide foreign currency exchange from US dollars (cash and traveller's checks). Rates are basically the same whichever bank you choose (rates may be better or worse at private exchange counters). Having to wait 15-30 min, depending on how busy the branch gets, is not unusual. Other currencies accepted are euros, Swiss francs, British pounds, and Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand dollars. Singapore dollars are the most widely accepted Asian currency, followed by the Korean won, Chinese yuan, and Hong Kong dollars. Other Asian currencies are generally ''not'' accepted. Exchange rates for US dollars and euros are typically very good (about 2% below the official rate). Exchange rates for other currencies are very poor (up to 15% below the official rate). Japanese post offices can also cash traveller's checks or exchange cash for yen, at a slightly better rate than the banks. Traveller's checks also have a better rate of exchange than cash. If you are exchanging amounts in excess of US$1,000 (whether cash or traveller's checks), you will be required to provide identification that includes your name, address, and date of birth. Since passports usually do not show your address, bring along another form of ID such as a driver's license that shows your address. ===Banking=== Banking in Japan is a notoriously cumbersome process, especially for foreigners. While foreigners in Japan on an extended period (i.e. those on student, dependent or work visas) may open an account, this option is not available to those on short trips for tourism or business. In the event that you need a locally-issued "credit" card (for an online merchant that performs region checks, for instance), there are a multitude of online-only virtual Visa cards available, and some stores' point cards carry a prepaid Visa or JCB card function also. Japanese bank branches will often only have ATMs available during office hours, though this is changing. While foreigners used to have to go to a 7-Eleven Bank or Japan Post ATM to withdraw cash, cash is now available from a wider range of '''ATMs''', known locally as "ATMs" (''ē tī emu'') or "cash corners" (キャッシュコーナー ''kyasshu kōnā''). The major banks and ATM operators accepting foreign cards are listed the [[Shopping in Japan#Withdrawing cash|Shopping in Japan]] article. Many Japanese ATMs are '''closed at night and during the weekends''', so it's best to get your banking done during office hours. Exceptions are convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson (for UnionPay users), and Ministop locations in larger cities. Staff at some bank branches are unaware that their ATMs accept foreign cards at all. If you're having trouble, pick up the handset next to the machine to talk to the central ATM support staff. For information on setting up a bank account or getting a Japanese credit card, see [[Working in Japan#Money]]. [[File:016 Coca-Cola vending machine at Kyoto Station, Japan - コカコーラ 自動販売機.JPG|thumb|Coca-Cola vending machine at Kyoto Station.]] '''Vending machines''' in Japan are known for their pervasiveness and the (notorious) variety of products they sell. Most will take ¥1,000 bills, and some types such as train ticket machines will take up to ¥10,000; none accept ¥1 or ¥5 coins, and only some accept ¥2,000 notes. And even the most high-tech vending machines do not take credit cards, save for certain ones in train stations (though there are limitations — for example, JR East and West ticket vending machines require a PIN of four digits or less; most credit card customers would be better off purchasing from a ticket window). Cigarette vending machines require a Taspo card (age verification), which are not available to non-residents, but local smokers are usually happy to lend you theirs. '''Prepaid electronic cards''' are quite popular in Japan for small purchases. There are cards for train fares, convenience store purchases, and other general purposes, though they aren't interchangeable. There is a '''10% consumption tax''' on most sales in Japan. Tax is ''usually'' included in displayed prices. The word ''zeinuki'' (税抜) means tax-excluded, ''zeikomi'' (税込) means tax-included. If you cannot find out any words in the price card, most of them are tax-included. Note that daily necessities, such as take-away food and non-alcoholic beverages, are subject to a lower 8% tax. Always keep a sizable stack of reserve money in Japan, as if you run out for any reason (wallet stolen, credit card blocked, etc.), it can be difficult to have any wired to you. Western Union has a very limited presence even in the larger metropolitan areas (they have an agreement with Daikokuya). American Express cardholders have more emergency options: the AmEx office in Tokyo can print replacement cards for same-day pickup if lost, and they do have the ability to send emergency funds to certain locations in Japan for pick-up if needed. ===Tipping=== In Japan, tipping is not a part of the culture. Japanese people are uncomfortable with being tipped and are likely to be confused, amused or possibly even offended if tipped. The Japanese pride themselves on the service given to customers, and a further financial incentive is unnecessary. If you leave a tip in a restaurant, the staff will probably come running after you to return the money you 'forgot'. Many Westernised hotels and restaurants may add a 10% service charge, and family restaurants may add a 10% late-night charge after midnight. Occasionally the hotel or inn will leave a small gratuity envelope for you to tip the maids, though it is completely optional. '''Never''' leave a cash tip on a table or hotel bed because the Japanese consider it impolite if it is not concealed in an envelope. Even bellhops in high end hotels usually do not accept tips. Exceptions are high-end ryokan (see ''[[#Ryokan|&sect; Sleep]]'') and interpreters or tour guides. ===Costs=== In the Bubble Era of the 1980s, Japan acquired a reputation for being extremely expensive &mdash; and it can be. However, many things have become significantly cheaper since the bubble popped, with Japan's economy and prices stagnant while the rest of the world roared and inflated away. These days Japan is actually cheaper than [[Australia]] and most [[European Union]] countries for basic expenses. Food in particular can be a bargain, and while still expensive by Asian standards, eating out in Japan is generally cheaper than in Western countries, with simple meals of noodles or rice with a topping starting from about ¥300 per serve. Of course, on the other end of the spectrum, fine dining can be very expensive, with prices on the order of ¥30,000 per person not unheard of. For long-distance travel, in particular, the Japan Rail Pass, Japan Bus Pass, and Visit Japan flights (see ''[[#Get around|&sect; Get around]]'') can save you a bundle. As rough guidelines, you will find it very difficult to travel on less than ¥5,000 per day (but if you plan carefully, it is certainly possible) and you can expect a degree of comfort only if you pay ¥10,000. Staying in posh hotels, eating fancy meals or just travelling long-distance will easily double this yet again. Typical prices for moderate budget travel would be ¥5,000 for hotel, ¥2,000 for meals, and ¥2,000 again for entry fees and local transport. Costs also differ from location to location, with the Tokyo metropolitan area being more expensive than the rest of the country. ====Tips for budget shopping==== If you find yourself a little short on cash, you can get your essential items in one of the many '''¥100 shops''' (百円ショップ ''hyaku-en shoppu'') in most cities like [http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/english/index.html Daiso], Can Do (キャンドゥ), Seria (セリア), and Silk (シルク). There are also convenience-store-like ¥100 shops such as SHOP99 and Lawson Store 100 which carry sandwiches, drinks, vegetables and some ¥100 items. ===Shopping=== [[File:03-05-JPN153.jpg|thumb|Night in [[Shinjuku]]]] {{seealso|Shopping in Japan}} Japan is known for its upscale '''department stores''' (デパート ''depāto''), the nicest of which feature beautiful interior architectural ornamentation and still employ uniformed women to operate the elevators while informing customers where to find items. ''Depāto'' typically have a food court and groceries in the basement, while the roof often has a garden (which doubles as a beer garden during the summer) and some affordable eateries. Retail hours are surprisingly limited, typically 10:00-20:00, though most shops are open on weekends and public holidays except New Year, and close on one day a week. However, you will always find something you could need to buy at any time of day. Japan is crawling with 24/7 '''convenience stores''', such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, Circle K, and Sunkus. Many Westerners come to Japan in search of '''''anime''''' (animation), '''''manga''''' (comics), and '''video games'''. One of the best places to shop is [[Akihabara]] in Tokyo. Battery-powered '''small electronics and still cameras''' made for sale in Japan will work anywhere in the world. There are no great bargains to be found, but the selection is unparalleled. However, if you are buying other electronics to take home, it's best to shop at stores that specialize in "overseas" configurations, many of which can be found in Tokyo's [[Tokyo/Akihabara|Akihabara]]. Japanese AC runs at 100 volts, so check devices' ratings; if it's not rated for 100–120&nbsp;V, using it without a step-down transformer can be dangerous. Blank media is a great deal; Blu-ray optical media for video and data is much, much cheaper than anywhere else. When it comes to casual '''fashion''', Japan is hard to beat. [[Tokyo]] and [[Osaka]] in particular are home to many shopping districts, and there is an abundance of stores selling the latest fashion, particularly those catering to youths. Japan's main contribution to jewelry is the '''cultured pearl''', developed by Mikimoto Kōkichi. The pearls are widely available, although there is little if any price difference to buying them outside Japan. For those who insist on getting their hands on the "authentic" stuff, Mikimoto's flagship store is in the [[Tokyo/Ginza|Ginza]] district of Tokyo, while the small town of [[Toba]] still hosts Mikimoto's Pearl Island. Then of course there is '''kimono''', the classic Japanese garment. While very expensive new, second-hand kimono can be had at a fraction of the price, or you can opt for a much cheaper and easier to wear casual ''yukata'' robe. See [[purchasing a kimono]] for buying your own. When wearing a kimono, it should always be wrapped left over right; doing the reverse is a major faux pas as that is only done when dressing the dead. ==Eat== {{main|Japanese cuisine}} [[Image:Japanese dinner, kaiseki.jpg|thumb|Fancy Japanese ''kaiseki'' (会席) multi-course dinner]] Japanese cuisine, renowned for its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, has taken the world by storm. The key ingredient of most meals is '''white rice''', usually served steamed. '''Soybeans''' are a key source of protein and take many forms, notably the ''miso'' soup (味噌汁 ''miso shiru'') served with many meals, but also tofu (豆腐 ''tōfu'') bean curd and the ubiquitous '''soy sauce''' (醤油 ''shōyu''). '''Seafood''' features heavily in Japanese cuisine, including creatures of the sea and many varieties of '''seaweed'''. A complete meal is always rounded out by some '''pickles''' (漬物 ''tsukemono''). One of the joys of getting out of Tokyo and travelling within Japan is to discover the local specialties. Every region within the country has a number of delightful dishes, based on locally available crops and fish. In [[Hokkaido]] try the fresh sashimi and crab. In [[Osaka]] don't miss the ''okonomiyaki'' (お好み焼き) stuffed with green onions and the octopus balls (たこ焼き ''takoyaki''). The [https://gm.gnavi.co.jp/home/ Michelin Guide] is considered by many Western visitors to be the benchmark of good restaurants in Japan. But many top fine dining restaurants are not listed in it by choice. [https://tabelog.com/en/ Tabelog] is the go-to directory for Japanese people looking at restaurant reviews, but most of the reviews are posted in Japanese. ===Etiquette=== Most Japanese food is eaten with '''chopsticks''' (箸 ''hashi''). Eating with chopsticks is a surprisingly easy skill to pick up, although mastering them takes a while. * '''Never''' place or leave chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice; You can rest chopsticks across the edge of your bowl, plate or chopstick rest. * Never pass something from your chopsticks to another person's chopsticks. * Licking the ends of your chopsticks is considered low-class. * Using chopsticks to move plates or bowls is rude. * Pointing at things with your chopsticks is rude. (Pointing at people in general is rude; with chopsticks, doubly so.) * Spearing food with your chopsticks is generally rude and should be used as only a last resort. You shouldn't "whittle" your disposable chopsticks after breaking them apart (which would imply you think they're cheap), but for cleanliness it ''is'' good manners to put them back in their paper wrapper when you're finished eating. Most soups and broths, especially ''miso'', are drunk directly out of the bowl after you've chopsticked out the larger bits, and it's also normal to pick up a bowl of rice for easier eating. For main-dish soups like ''rāmen'' you will be given a spoon. Curry rice and fried rice are also eaten with spoons. Many restaurants give you a hot towel (''o-shibori'') to wipe your hands with (not your face) as soon as you sit down. Japanese '''never put soy sauce on a bowl of rice'''. Japanese don't like to waste food (including soy sauce, so don't pour more than you need), but it's fine in most restaurants if you leave some food on your plates. In all types of Japanese restaurants, '''staff generally ignore you''' until you ask for something. Say "''sumimasen''" ("excuse me") and maybe raise your hand at a large restaurant. Restaurants will present you with the bill after the meal. Pay at the counter when leaving &mdash; do not leave payment on the table and walk out. '''Tipping''' is not customary in Japan, although many sit-down restaurants apply 10% service charges and 24-hour "family restaurants" usually have a 10% late-night surcharge. ===Restaurants=== [[Image:Tsukiji DaiwaSushi.JPG|thumb|Sushi breakfast in [[Tokyo/Chuo|Tsukiji]], [[Tokyo]]]] The number of restaurants (レストラン ''resutoran'') in Japan is stupendous, and you will never run out of places to go. Japanese almost never invite guests to their homes, so socializing nearly always involves eating out. Eating out is generally cheaper than in Western countries, though still expensive by Asian standards, if you stick to a basic rice or noodles meal at a local joint. At the other end of the spectrum, fine dining can be very expensive indeed. Menus will, for most establishments, be in Japanese only; however, many restaurants have models (many in exquisite detail) of their meals in their front window, and if you can't read the menu it may be better to take the waiter or waitress outside and point at what you would like. There may be photographs of the food labeled with names and prices. Many cheap chain eateries have '''vending machines''' where you buy a ticket and give it to the server. At many of these restaurants, you'll have to be able to read Japanese or match the price from models or picture menus, along with some of the kana (characters) to the choices at the machine. Some other places have all-you-can-eat meals called ''tabehōdai'' (食べ放題), ''byuffe'' (ビュッフェ, "buffet"), or ''baikingu'' (バイキング "Viking", because "smorgasbord" would be too hard to pronounce in Japanese). ====Fine dining==== Japan is considered by many to be one of the world's centers of fine dining. Japan is tied with France for first place as the country with the most Michelin-star restaurants. Unfortunately, Japanese fine dining is notoriously inaccessible to foreign visitors; online bookings are typically not an option, staff typically speak little to no English, and most fine dining establishments do not accept reservations from new customers without an introduction from one of their regular diners. In some cases, if you are staying in a top-end luxury hotel, the concierge may be able to score you a reservation at one of these places provided you make the request well in advance. Traditional Japanese inns ''(see [[#Ryokan|&sect; Ryokan]])'' are a common way for travellers to enjoy a fine ''kaiseki'' meal. The elaborate meals featuring local seasonal ingredients are considered an essential part of a visit to a ryokan, and factor heavily into many people's choice of inn. ====Noodles==== [[Image:Bukkake udon by cloneofsnake in Kurashiki, Okayama.jpg|thumb|''Bukkake udon'' with ''tempura'', [[Kurashiki]]]] Practically every town and hamlet in Japan boasts its own "famous" noodle (麺 ''men'') dish. There are two major noodle types native to Japan: thin buckwheat '''''soba''''' (そば) and thick wheat '''''udon''''' (うどん). Chinese egg noodles or '''''rāmen''''' (ラーメン) are also very popular but more expensive (¥500 and up) and typically include a slice of grilled pork and a variety of vegetables. Slurping your noodles is acceptable and even expected. According to the Japanese, it cools them down and makes them taste better. Any remaining broth can be drunk directly from the bowl. ====Sushi and sashimi==== Perhaps Japan's most famous culinary exports are '''''sushi''''' (寿司 or 鮨), usually raw fish over vinegared rice, and '''''sashimi''''' (刺身), plain raw fish. Most sushi restaurants keep a handy multilingual decoding key on hand or on the wall. At the finest sushi restaurants, the chef puts a dab of fiery '''''wasabi''''' radish into the sushi, and glazes the fish with soy sauce for you. Thus, such sushi restaurants don't have individual bowls of soy sauce or wasabi. Most restaurants, though, provide them at the table. (Turn nigiri sushi upside down before dipping, as the soy sauce is to flavor the fish, not to drown the rice.) Slices of pickled ginger (''gari'') refresh the palate. When eating sushi, it's perfectly acceptable to use your fingers. Good sushi is always made such that you can put the entire piece into your mouth at once. ====Grilled and fried dishes==== [[File:Hiroshima yaki by woinary at the food court in Hiroshima Airport.jpg|thumb|Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) in [[Hiroshima]]]] The ''teppanyaki'' (鉄板焼き, confusingly known in the U.S. as "hibachi") and self-grill ''yakiniku'' (焼肉, Japanese-style "Korean barbecue") cooking methods, as well as the deep fried ''tempura'' (天ぷら) battered shrimp and vegetables originate here. Meat (especially beef) can be fiercely expensive, like the famous marbled '''Kobe beef''', which can cost thousands per serving. Tempura has entered the Japanese fine dining repertoire, and there are numerous fine tempura omakase restaurants in which the chef deep-fries the dish in front of you and puts it directly on your plate to be eaten immediately. Other uniquely Japanese foods include ''okonomiyaki'' (お好み焼き, "cook it how you like it", a batter with cabbage, meat, seafood, and vegetable fillings of your choice, often self-cooked at your table) and ''yakitori'' (焼き鳥, grilled skewers of every chicken part imaginable). ====Curry==== Japanese curry is very distinct from [[India]]n curry. Curry powder was introduced to Japan in the late 19th century by the [[United Kingdom|British]]. The Indian curry brought by the British was too spicy for Japanese tastes, but they altered the recipe to make it sweeter and thicker. Curry restaurants can be found throughout the country, but there are also localized versions, such as [[Kanazawa]] Curry, [[Bizen]] Curry, and [[Kuwana]] Curry. Soup curry is a famous dish in [[Hokkaido]]. Curry udon and other curry combinations are also quite popular. ====All-around eateries==== [[File:Shop-made bento box.jpeg|thumb|A typical ''o-bentō''. Clockwise from top: ''kara-age'' fried chicken with a ''korokke'' potato croquet and cocktail wieners, salad, rice with an ''umeboshi'' plum, ''harusame'' noodles and ''tsukemono'' pickles.]] ''Shokudō'' (食堂 "cafeteria" or "dining hall") serve up simple, popular dishes and ''teishoku'' sets at affordable prices (¥500-1000). When in doubt, go for the daily special or ''kyō no teishoku'' (今日の定食), which nearly always consists of a main course, rice, soup and pickles. A staple of the ''shokudō'' is the ''donburi'' (丼), meaning a bowl of rice with a topping. A closely related variant is the ''bentō-ya'' (弁当屋), which serves takeout boxes known as ''o-bentō'' (お弁当). While travelling on JR, don't forget to sample the vast array of ''ekiben'' (駅弁) or "station bento". Department store basements are often huge spaces filled with expansive amounts of fresh food from throughout the country and local dishes. You can get bento boxes, take out food on a stick, bowls of soup, and often find samples of treats to try. You can also find restaurants in department stores, often on the top floors. ====Others==== Various types of '''hot pot''' (鍋 ''nabe''), as well as a number of stewed food items known as ''oden'' (おでん) are popular in Japan during the winter. You can often find '''pseudo-Western dishes''', which were adapted from European and American cuisines, but often heavily Japanized. See the [[Japanese cuisine]] and [[Western food in Asia]] articles for more details. ====Beer gardens==== During the summer months when it's not raining, many buildings and hotels have restaurants on their rooftops and serve dishes like fried chicken and french fries, as well as light snacks. The specialty is, of course, '''draft beer''' (生ビール ''nama-biiru''). You can order large mugs of beer or pay a fixed price for an all-you-can-drink (飲み放題 ''nomihōdai'') course lasting for a set period of time (usually up to 2 hours). Cocktails and other drinks are also often available as part of all-you-can-drink sets. ===Fast food=== Japanese fast food restaurants offer decent quality at reasonable prices. Many chains offer interesting seasonal choices that are quite tasty. Fast food chains offer the range from classic Japanese food through to modern American junk food. There are also a number of Japanese '''family restaurants''' (ファミレス ''famiresu'' or ファミリーレストラン ''famirii resutoran''), serving a wide variety of dishes, including steak, pasta, Chinese style dishes, sandwiches, and other foods. Though their food is relatively uninteresting, these restaurants usually have illustrated menus, so travellers who cannot read Japanese can use the photos to choose and communicate their orders. ===Convenience stores=== If you're travelling on the cheap, Japan's numerous convenience stores (コンビニ ''konbini'') can be a great place to grab a bite to eat; they are everywhere and almost always open 24/7. Major chains include [http://www.sej.co.jp/in/en.html 7-Eleven], [http://lawson.jp/en/ Lawson], and [http://www.family.co.jp/for_tourist/en.html Family Mart]. You can find instant noodles, sandwiches, meat buns, and some small prepared meals, which can be heated up in a microwave in the store. An excellent option for food on the go is ''onigiri'' (or ''omusubi''), which is a large ball of rice stuffed with (say) fish or pickled plum and wrapped in seaweed, and usually cost ¥100-150 each (as of Mar 2019). ===Supermarkets=== For those really on a budget, most supermarkets (''sūpā'') have a wide variety of ready-to-eat meals, bentos, sandwiches, snacks and the like, generally cheaper than convenience stores. Some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. One Japanese institution worth checking out is the ''depachika'' (デパ地下) or department store basement food court, featuring dozens of tiny specialist stalls dishing up local specialties ranging from exquisitely packed tea ceremony candies to fresh sushi and Chinese takeaway. They're often a little upmarket pricewise, but discount heavily towards the end of the day: look for little red half price (半額 ''hangaku'') and X% off signs (eg. 2割, read ''ni-wari'', means 20% off). ===Dietary restrictions=== ====Eating vegetarian==== Although the situation is improving in major cities, vegetarians (much less vegans) may have serious difficulty finding a meal that does not include animal products, particularly as the near-ubiquitous Japanese soup stock ''dashi'' is usually prepared with fish and often pops up in unexpected places like ''miso'', rice crackers, curry, omelettes (including ''tamago'' sushi), instant noodles and pretty much anywhere salt would be used in Western cuisine. ''Soba'' and ''udon'' noodle soups virtually always use bonito-based ''katsuodashi'', and typically the only vegetarian-safe item on the menu in a noodle shop is ''zarusoba'', or plain cold noodles &mdash; but even for this the dipping sauce typically contains ''dashi''. A safe bet is to look for '''Buddhist cuisine''' (精進料理 ''shōjin ryōri''), which is based on the cuisine eaten by Japanese Buddhist monks, and uses only the highest quality ingredients. As per Mahayana Buddhist tradition, it does not include dairy products, eggs or any other animal products. However, it is usually rather expensive. An excellent option is the ''kaiten'' (conveyor belt) sushi shop. There are several kinds of rolled sushi available in these shops that do not include fish or other marine creatures. You may have to ask for the type of sushi you want and the sushi chef will prepare it for you. Traditional Japanese cuisine contains an ample amount of protein through its great variety of soy products. In the prepared food sections of supermarkets and department store basements, you can also find many dishes including various types of beans, both sweet and savory. Vegetarians may want to seek out Indian or Italian restaurants in larger cities. ====Allergies==== Travelling in Japan with food allergies (アレルギー ''arerugī'') is '''very difficult'''. Awareness of severe allergies is low and restaurant staff are rarely aware of trace ingredients in their menu items. A serious '''soy ''' (大豆 ''daizu'') allergy is basically incompatible with Japanese food. The bean is used everywhere, including soybean oil for cooking. Keeping a ''strict'' '''gluten-free ''' diet while eating out is also close to impossible. Most common brands of soy sauce and mirin contain wheat, while miso is often made with barley or wheat. Commercially prepared sushi vinegar and wasabi may both contain gluten. Avoiding '''dairy ''' products is straightforward, as they are uncommon in traditional Japanese cuisine. '''Peanuts''' and other tree nuts are basically not used in Japanese cooking, with the exception of a few snacks and desserts. Peanut oil is rarely used. ====Religious diets==== Due to the very small size of the [[Islam|Muslim]] and [[Judaism|Jewish]] communities, finding halal or [[kashrut|kosher]] food is ''very difficult'' in Japan, and you will need to do some advanced planning before your trip. Muslim visitors can contact the [http://www.islam.or.jp/en/ Japan Islamic Trust], while Jewish visitors can contact either of Tokyo's Chabad Houses for more information; see [https://www.chabad.jp/ here] and [http://www.chabadjapan.org/ here]. ==Drink== {{Seealso|Japanese_cuisine#Beverages}} [[File:Getränkeautomaten in Japan.jpg|thumb|Beverage vending machines galore]] The Japanese drink a lot: not only green tea in the office, at meetings and with meals, but also all types of alcoholic beverages in the evening with friends and colleagues. The drinking age is 20. However, ID verification is almost never requested at restaurants, bars, or convenience stores, so long as the purchaser does not appear obviously underage. The main exception is in the large clubs in Shibuya, Tokyo, which during busy times will ID everyone entering the club. '''Drinking in public is legal''' in Japan, as is public intoxication. It's especially common to drink at festivals and ''hanami''. It's also not unusual to have a small drinking party on the bullet trains. ===Where to drink=== If you're looking for an evening of food and drink in a relaxed traditional atmosphere, go to an '''''izakaya''''' (居酒屋, Japanese-style pub), easily identified by red lanterns with the character 酒 ("alcohol") hanging out front. Many of them have an all-you-can-drink (飲み放題 ''nomihōdai'') deals at about ¥1,000 for 90 minutes (on average), although you will be limited to certain types of drinks. Food is invariably good and reasonably priced. A common Japanese institution is the '''snack''' (スナック ''sunakku''). These small neighborhood bars are usually run by an aging woman addressed as ''mama-san'' ("Ms. Mom"); besides serving food and a limited selection of drinks (often just beer and whiskey), she's a surrogate mother for patrons to converse with and get advice and even an occasional scolding from. Many are dive bars filled with cigarette-smoking regulars; an occasional visit from foreigners may be welcomed, but if you don't speak some Japanese you're undoubtedly missing some of the appeal. Somewhat related are '''hostess clubs''' (キャバクラ kyaba-kura, short for "cabaret club"), many of which describe themselves as ''sunakku''; these are slightly dodgy operations where paid hostesses pour drinks, sing karaoke, massage egos (and sometimes a bit more) and charge upwards of ¥3,000/hour for the service. Tourists will probably feel out of place and many do not even admit non-Japanese patrons. Dedicated gay bars are comparatively rare in Japan, but the districts of [[Tokyo/Shinjuku|Shinjuku ni-chome]] in Tokyo and [[Osaka/Kita|Doyama-cho]] in Osaka have busy gay scenes. Most gay/lesbian bars serve a small niche (muscular men, etc.) and will not permit those who do not fit the mold, including the opposite sex, to enter. While a few are Japanese only, foreigners are welcome at most bars. Izakaya, bars and snacks typically have cover charges (カバーチャージ ''kabā chāji''), usually around ¥500 but on rare occasions more, so ask if the place looks really swish. In izakayas this often takes the form of being served some little nibble (お通し ''otōshi'') as you sit down, and no, you can't refuse it and not pay. Some bars also charge a cover charge ''and'' an additional fee for any peanuts you're served with your beer. Karaoke parlors serve drinks and snacks. Orders are placed via a phone on the wall, by pressing a button to summon staff, or in high-tech ones using the karaoke machine's tablet or remote control. If you're just looking for a jolt of caffeine, go to Starbucks or one of its Japanese competitors such as Doutor or Excelsior. But for a more calm and unique experience, the Japanese coffee shop, '''''kissaten''''' (喫茶店), has a long history. Most are one-of-a-kind affairs, and reflect the tastes of their clientele. A peculiar kind of kissaten is the '''jazz coffee shop'''; these moody joints for jazz buffs are strictly for quiet listening, and ''not'' for conversation. '''Vending machines''' (自動販売機 ''jidōhanbaiki'', or ''jihanki'' in slang) are omnipresent in Japan and serve up drinks 24 hours a day at the price of ¥120-150 a can/bottle. In addition to cans of soft drinks, tea and coffee, you can find vending machines that sell beer, sake and hard liquor. In winter, some machines will also dispense hot drinks &mdash; look for a red label with the writing あたたかい (''atatakai'') instead of the usual blue つめたい (''tsumetai''). Vending machines that sell alcoholic beverages are usually switched off at 23:00. ===Beverages=== [[Image:Sake set.jpg|thumb|Flat ''sakazuki'' tray, a small ''choko'' cup and a wooden ''masu'' box]] '''Sake''' is a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from rice. The Japanese word ''sake'' (酒) can mean any kind of alcoholic drink, and in Japan the word '''''nihonshu''''' (日本酒) is used to refer to what Westerners call "sake". Sake is around 15% alcohol, and contrary to popular belief, is usually not served hot, but often chilled; defaulting to room temperature is in most cases safe. Bottles and menus often show the '''''nihonshu-do''''' (日本酒度), a "sake level" that measures the sweetness or dryness of the brew, the average today being around +3 (slightly dry). When making a purchase, price is often a fair indicator of quality. '''''Shōchū''''' (焼酎) is the big brother of sake, a stronger-tasting distilled type of alcohol. Traditional ''shōchū'' are most commonly made of rice, yam, or grain, but can be made of other materials like potatoes, too. Typically around 25% alcohol and often cheap at less than ¥1000 for a big 1L bottle, these can be served straight, on the rocks, or mixed with hot or cold water. ''Shōchū'' industrially made out of sugar is often used and served as a kind of cooler mixed with juice or soda known as a ''chū-hai'', short for "''shōchū'' highball". '''''Umeshu''''' (梅酒), inaccurately called "plum wine", is prepared by soaking Japanese ''ume'' plums (actually a type of apricot) in white liquor so it absorbs the flavor, and the distinctive, penetrating nose of sour dark plum and sweet brown sugar is a hit with many visitors. Typically about 10-15% alcohol, it can be taken straight, on the rocks (ロック ''rokku'') or mixed with soda (ソダ割り ''soda-wari''). Japanese '''whisky''' ([ジャパニーズ] ウイスキー ''[japanīzu] uisukī''), although popular domestically for over 150 years, has come to inernational attention and won numerous awards. It can be had neat/straight (ストレート ''sutorēto'') or on the rocks (オン・ザ・ロック ''on za rokku'' or simply ロック ''rokku''), but it's much more common to dilute it, the same as with ''shōchū''. The most common preparation is a highball (ハイボール ''haibōru''), 1 part whisky and 2 parts soda water over ice. Another common drink uses cold mineral water (水割り ''mizu-wari'') in the same proportions, or in the winter, hot water (お湯割り ''o-yu-wari''). There are several large brands of Japanese '''beer''' (ビール ''biiru''), including Kirin, Asahi, Sapporo, and Suntory. Yebisu is also a popular beer brewed by Sapporo. In Japanese restaurants, beer is typically served in various sizes of bottles (瓶 ''bin''), or draft (生 ''nama'' meaning "fresh"). Most Japanese beers are dry pilsners, with strengths averaging 5%, which pair well with Japanese food but are definitely light in flavor. Even the few dark beers like Asahi Super Dry Black are actually dark ''lagers'', so despite their color they're still not very full-bodied. '''Microbreweries''' are quickly picking up steam, and their ''kurafuto bia'' (クラフトビア "craft beer") or ''ji-biiru'' (地ビール "local beer") bring some welcome diversity to the market. You'll likely have to hunt around to find them, though; besides brewpubs and good liquor stores like the widespread Yamaya (店舗 or やまや), another good place to look is department store basements. Japanese '''wine''' is actually quite nice but costs about twice as much as comparable wine from other countries. Several varieties exist, and imported wine at various prices is available nationwide. Specialized stores and large department stores offer the most extensive offerings. Most wine, red and white, is served chilled and you may find it hard obtaining room-temperature (常温 ''jō-on'') wine when dining out. [[Image:Higashi Shima Matcha.JPG|thumb|''Matcha'' and traditional sweets, [[Kanazawa]]]] The most popular beverage by far is '''tea''' (お茶 ''o-cha''), provided free of charge with almost every meal, hot in winter and cold in summer. There is a huge variety of tea in bottles and cans in convenience-store fridges and vending machines. Unless specified, tea is usually Japanese green tea; Western-style black tea is called ''kōcha'' (紅茶), and Chinese oolong tea (ウーロン茶 ''ūron cha'') is also popular. Japanese teas are always drunk neat, without the use of any milk or sugar. However, Western-style milk tea can also be found in most of the American fast food chains. '''Coffee''' (コーヒー ''kōhī'') is quite popular in Japan. It's usually brewed to the same strength as European coffee; weaker, watered down coffee is called ''American''. Canned coffee (hot and cold) is a bit of a curiosity, and widely available in vending machines for about ¥120 per can. Most canned coffee is sweet, so look for brands with the English word "Black" or the kanji 無糖 ("no sugar") if you want it unsweetened. There are many uniquely Japanese '''soft drinks''' and trying random drinks from vending machines is one of the little traveller's joys of Japan. Calpis (カルピス ''Karupisu'') is a kind of yogurt-based soft drink that tastes better than it sounds. The famous Pocari Sweat (ポカリスエット ''Pokari Suetto'') is a Gatorade-style isotonic drink. A more traditional Japanese soft drink is Ramune (ラムネ), nearly the same as Sprite or 7-Up but noteworthy for its unusual bottle, where one pushes down a marble into an open space below the spout instead of using a bottle opener. American soft drink brands are widely available. The only choices for diet soda will be Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or Diet Pepsi. In Japan, the term "'''juice'''" (ジュース ''jūsu'') is a catch-all term for any kind of soft drink — including even Coca-Cola and the like — so if it's fruit squeezings you want, ask for ''kajū'' (果汁). Extremely few are 100% juice. '''Water''' is commonly encountered in the form of plastic bottles of water. The tap water is safe to drink, and you can find filling stations for water bottles through [https://www.refill-japan.org/ Refill Japan], or by asking for water at a friendly restaurant. ==Sleep== [[Image:Ku-Nel-Asob.JPG|thumb|Room with a view, [[Oboke and Koboke]]]] In addition to the usual youth hostels and business hotels, you can find several kinds of uniquely Japanese accommodation, ranging from rarefied '''''ryokan''''' inns to strictly functional '''capsule hotels''' and utterly over-the-top '''love hotels'''. When reserving any Japanese accommodations, bear in mind that many smaller operations may hesitate to accept foreigners, fearing language difficulties or other cultural misunderstandings. Many Western hotel booking sites also have only a small selection of Japanese hotels available; to explore the full gamut, use local companies [http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/ Rakuten Travel] or [https://www.jalan.net/en Jalan], which have good English sites. Pricing for Japanese inns is often ''per person'', not per room. Bizarrely, some Japanese hotel chains also charge per person. Read the fine print, and check what meals are included at inns since this can make a big difference in the price (and the experience). When checking in to any type of accommodation, the hotel is required by law to make a copy of your passport unless you are a resident of Japan. It is a good idea, especially if you are travelling in groups, to present the clerk a '''photo copy of your passport''' to speed up check-in. Aside from this, remember that Japan is mostly a '''cash only''' country, and credit cards are usually not accepted in smaller forms of accommodation, including small business hotels. Bring enough cash to be able to pay in advance. One thing to beware in wintertime: traditional Japanese houses are designed to be cool in summer, which all too often means that they are '''freezing cold inside''' in winter. Bulk up on clothing and make good use of the bathing facilities to stay warm; fortunately, ''futon'' bedding is usually quite warm and getting a good night's sleep is rarely a problem. While accommodation in Japan is expensive, you may find that you can comfortably use a lower standard of hotel than you would in other countries. Shared baths will usually be spotless, and theft is very unusual in Japan. Just don't expect to sleep in late: check-out time is invariably '''10:00''', and any extensions to this will have to be paid for. You may have difficulty finding rooms at the busiest [[#Holidays|holiday times]], such as Golden Week at the beginning of May. However, many Japanese hotels and third-party booking sites do not accept online bookings more than '''3 to 6 months in advance''', so if it's more than 3 months before your trip and you're not finding anything available, either contact the hotel directly or try again later. Sizes of Japanese rooms are often measured in ''jō'' (畳 or sometimes 帖), the number of ''tatami'' (straw floor) mats that would cover the floor, regardless of the room's actual flooring material. Sizes vary by region, with 1 ''jō'' ranging from {{convert|1.445|to|1.824|m2|m2|abbr=on|disp=out}}, but a commonly used value is {{convert|1.652|m2|abbr=on|1}}. A typical room in a Japanese apartment is 6 ''jō'' (about {{convert|9.3|m2|m2 sqft|disp=out}}), big enough to sleep two people with their luggage spread out. ===Hotels=== While Western-branded hotels (ホテル ''hoteru'') are to be found all across Japan, it's Japanese brands like that rule the roost. Some of the Japanese hotel chains include: * '''[http://www.anaihghotels.co.jp/ ANA IHG Hotels]''' - the only Western-branded hotel chain with widespread Japanese presence, it operates Intercontinental Hotels, Crowne Plazas and Holiday Inns across Japan. Some ANA Hotels can be booked via IHG's reservation system. * '''[http://www.okura.com/ Okura Hotels & Resorts]''' is a brand of upscale and luxury hotels. They also own the midscale chains [http://www.okura.com/brand/nhi/ Hotel Nikko] and [http://www.jalhotels.com JAL Hotels]. * '''[http://www.rihga.com/ Rihga Royal]''' * '''[http://www.princehotels.com/ Prince Hotels]''' Full-service five-star hotel can turn pampering into an artform, but tend to be rather bland and generic in appearance, despite steep prices starting from ¥20,000 ''per person'' (not per room). On the other hand, three- and four-star [[#business hotels|business hotels]] are relatively reasonably priced when compared to prices in major European or North American cities, and even two-star hotels provide impeccable cleanliness and features rarely found in the West in that price range. However, there are several types of uniquely Japanese and far more affordable hotels: ====Capsule hotels==== [[Image:Susukino CapsuleHotel.JPG|thumb|Space-efficient sleeping in [[Sapporo]]]] Capsule hotels (カプセルホテル ''kapuseru hoteru'') are the ultimate in space-efficient sleeping: for a small fee (normally between ¥3000 and ¥4000), the guest rents a '''capsule''', sized about 2 x 1 x 1m and stacked in two rows inside a hall containing tens if not hundreds of capsules. Capsule hotels are segregated by sex, and only a few cater to women. On entry to a capsule hotel, take off your shoes, place them in a locker and put on a pair of slippers. You will often have to surrender your locker key at check-in to insure that you do not slip out without paying! On checking in you will be given a second locker for placing your belongings, as there is no space for them in the capsule and little security as most capsules have simply a curtain, not a door. Beware though if there is a curtain, since probing hands may enter it. Many capsule hotels are attached to a spa of varying degrees of luxury and/or legitimacy, often so that entry to the spa costs perhaps ¥2000 but the capsule is only an additional ¥1000. The cheapest capsule hotels will require feeding in ¥100 coins even to get the shower to work. This being Japan, there are always vending machines on hand to dispense toothpaste, underwear and sundries. Once you retire into your capsule, you will usually find a simple control panel for operating the lights, the alarm clock and the inevitable built-in TV. If you oversleep, you may be hit with another day's charge. In Tokyo's Shinjuku and Shibuya districts the capsule hotels run at least ¥3500, but have excellent free massage chairs, saunas, public baths, disposable razors and shampoo, magazines, and coffee in the morning. Your capsule "door" is just a curtain that keeps light out. You will likely hear a steady stream of drunk and sleepy business men crawling into their capsules above and across from you before falling into a mild snore. ====Love hotels==== [[Image:Hotel_Little_chapel_Christmas_Himeji.jpg|thumb|Many love hotels, such as this property in [[Himeji]], have unique exterior decorations.]] {{Infobox|Why are there so many love hotels?|Consider the housing shortage that plagued post-war Japan for years, and the way people still live in extended families. If you are 28 years old and still live at home, do you really want to bring your mate back to your folks<nowiki>'</nowiki> house? If you are a married couple in a {{convert|40|m2|sqft|adj=on}} apartment with two grade school children, do you really want to get down to it at home? Thus, there is the love hotel. They can be seedy, but mainly they are just practical and fulfil a social need.}} '''Love hotel''' (ラブホテル ''rabu hoteru'') is a euphemism; a more accurate term would be "sex hotel". They can be found in and near red light districts, but most are not in those areas. Many of them are often clustered around highway interchanges or main train stations. The entrance is usually quite discreet, and the exit is separated from the entrance (to avoid running into someone one might know). You rent a room by the night (listed as "Stay" or 宿泊 ''shukuhaku'' on the rate card, usually ¥6000-10,000), a couple of hours ("Rest" or 休憩 ''kyūkei'', around ¥3000), or off hours ("No Time Service"), which are usually weekday afternoons. Service charges, peak hour surcharges, and taxes can push your bill up by 25%. Some will accept single guests, but most will not allow same-sex couples or obviously underaged guests. They are generally clean, safe, and very private. Some have exotic themes: aquatics, sports, or Hello Kitty. As a traveller, rather than a typical client, you (usually) cannot check in, drop your bags, and go out exploring. Once you leave, that is it, so they are not as convenient as proper hotels. "Stay" rates also tend to start only after 22:00, and overstaying may incur hefty additional "Rest" charges. Many rooms have simple food and drinks in a refrigerator, and often have high prices. Take some food and drinks with you instead. The rooms often feature amenities such as jacuzzis, wild theme decoration, costumes, karaoke machines, vibrating beds, sex toy vending machines, and in some cases, video games. Most often, all toiletries (including condoms) are included. Sometimes the rooms have a book that acts as a log, where people record their tales and adventures for posterity. Popular love hotels may be entirely booked up in the cities on weekends. Hidden cameras have been found in love hotels, planted by other guests or even occasionally the hotel management. Videos of these supposed ''tousatsu'' (hidden camera) are popular in adult video stores, although many such videos are staged. ====Business hotels==== Business hotels (ビジネスホテル ''bijinesu hoteru'') are usually around ¥10,000 per night and have a convenient location (often near major train stations) as their major selling point, but rooms are usually unbelievably cramped. On the upside, you'll get a (tiny) en suite bathroom and, quite often, free Internet. Some major chains of cheaper business hotels include '''[http://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/en Tokyu REI Hotels]''', known for its generously sized rooms, '''[http://en.sunroute.jp/ Sunroute Hotels]''' and '''[http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/ Toyoko Inn]'''. The latter have a club card, which at ¥1500, can pay for itself on a single Sunday night. Local business hotels, farther from major stations, can be significantly cheaper (double room from ¥5000/night). English is rarely spoken, so pre-book online. For two or more, the price can often compete with youth hostels if you share a twin or double room. Full payment is often expected on check-in, and check-out times are early (usually 10AM) and non-negotiable unless you are willing to pay extra. At the very bottom end are dirt-cheap hotels in the labourers' districts of the major cities, such as Kamagasaki in Osaka, or Senju in Tokyo, where prices start from as little as ¥1500 for a tiny three-mat room that literally has only enough room to sleep. Walls and futons can be thin as well. ===Inns=== ====''Ryokan''==== [[Image:Togetsuan Room.JPG|thumb|A typical guest room in a ryokan]] [[Image:AzumaRyokan Breakfast 2.JPG|thumb|Japanese breakfast at a ryokan. Clockwise from top left: miso soup, rice, cold grilled fish, vegetables, pickles, ''nattō'' fermented soybeans, ''nori'' seaweed, a raw egg (for ''tamago kake gohan''), and more vegetables.]] {{seealso|Ryokan}} ''Ryokan'' (旅館) are '''traditional Japanese inns''', and a visit to one is the highlight of a trip to Japan for many. A night at a ryokan ''for one'' with two meals starts at about ¥8,000 and goes up into the stratosphere. ¥50,000 a night ''per person'' is not uncommon for some of the posher ones. Ryokan usually operate on a '''fairly strict schedule''' and you will be expected to arrive by 17:00. Before dinner you will be encouraged to take a '''bath''' &mdash; see ''[[Public baths in Japan]]'' for the full scoop. But first, you should change into your '''''yukata''''' robe, which you wear during your whole stay. For '''dinner''', ryokan typically serve ''kaiseki'' cuisine, traditional meals that consist of a dozen or more small dishes, elaborately prepared and presented from carefully chosen seasonal ingredients. The food in a good ryokan is a substantial part of the experience (and the bill), and is an excellent way to try some high-class Japanese cuisine. While some ryokan have a few rooms with Western beds, usually you sleep on '''''futon'' bedding''', which is not a convertible couch but a comfortable mattress rolled out for you on the tatami. '''Breakfast''' in the morning is more likely to be served communally in a dining hall at a fixed time. A Japanese breakfast is the norm, meaning rice, miso soup and cold fish. A last word of warning: some establishments with the word "ryokan" in their name are not the luxurious variety at all but guesthouse-like inns (some minshuku are included). The price will tell you the type of lodging it is. ====''Minshuku''==== ''Minshuku'' (民宿) are the '''budget version of ryokan''', and similar in concept to a [[Bed and breakfast|B&B]]. At these family-run houses, the overall experience is similar to ryokan but the food is simpler, dining is communal, bathrooms are shared, and guests are expected to lay out their own futon (although an exception is often made for foreigners). Consequently minshuku rates are lower, hovering around ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 with two meals (一泊二食 ''ippaku-nishoku''). Cheaper yet is a stay with no meals (素泊まり ''sudomari''), which can go as low as ¥3,000. Minshuku are more often found in the countryside, where virtually every hamlet or island, no matter how small or obscure, will have one. The hardest part is often finding them, as they rarely advertise or show up in online booking engines, so asking the local tourist office is often the best way. '''Pensions''' (ペンション ''penshon'') are similar to minshuku but have Western-style rooms, just like their European namesake. ====''Kokuminshukusha''==== ''Kokuminshukusha'' (国民宿舎), a mouthful that translates quite literally into "people's lodges", are '''government-run guest houses'''. They primarily provide subsidized holidays for government employees in remote scenic spots, but they are usually happy to accept paying guests. Both facilities and prices are usually more comparable to ryokan than minshuku standards; however, they are almost invariably large in size and can be rather impersonal. Popular ones need to be booked well in advance for peak seasons: sometimes almost a year in advance for New Year's and the like. ====''Shukubō''==== : ''See also:'' [[Meditation in Japan]] ''Shukubō'' (宿坊) are '''lodgings for pilgrims''', usually located within a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine. Again, the experience is broadly similar to a ryokan, but the food will be vegetarian and you may be offered a chance to participate in the temple's activities. Some Zen temples offer [[Meditation in Japan|meditation]] lessons and courses. Shukubo can be reluctant to accept foreign guests, but one place where that will not be a problem is the major Buddhist center of [[Mt. Koya]] near [[Osaka]]. ===Hostels and camping=== ====Youth hostels==== '''[[Hostels|Youth hostels]]''' (ユースホステル ''yūsu hosuteru'', often just called ''yūsu'' or abbreviated "YH") are another cheap option in Japan. Hostels can be found throughout the country, so they are popular among budget travellers, especially students. Hostels typically range in price from ¥2,000 to ¥4,000. It can become more expensive if you opt for dinner and breakfast and are not a Hostelling International (HI) member, in which case the price for a single night may be over ¥5000. For HI members, a simple stay can cost as little as ¥1500 depending on location and season. As elsewhere, some are concrete cell blocks run like reform schools, while others are wonderful cottages in scenic spots. There are even a number of temples that run hostels as a sideline. Do some groundwork before choosing where to go, the [http://www.jyh.or.jp/e/index.php Japan Youth Hostel] page is a good place to start. Many have curfews (and sometimes a lock-out period during the day when all guests must leave), and dorm rooms are often gender segregated. ====Riders' houses==== [[File:Rider House KAZE Ishikari Ishikari beach.jpg|thumb|A riders' house in [[Ishikari (Ishikari)|Ishikari]], [[Hokkaido]]]] '''Riders' houses''' (ライダーハウス ''raidā hausu'') are super-budget dorms intended primarily for bikers, both motorized and pedal-powered. While anybody is generally welcome, these are generally located deep in the countryside and access by public transport is impractical or impossible. Generally run as a hobby, riders' houses are very cheap (¥300/night is typical, free is not unheard of), but facilities are minimal; you're expected to bring your own sleeping bag and there may not even be a kitchen or a bath. Long stays are also discouraged and some ban stays of more than one night. These are particularly common in Hokkaido, but can be found here and there around the country. The definitive directory is [http://www.hatinosu.net/house/ Hatinosu] (Japanese only). ====Camping==== [[Image:Iya Campground Tent.JPG|thumb|Camping in scenic [[Iya Valley]]]] Camping is (after ''nojuku'', see below) ''the'' cheapest way to get a night's sleep in Japan. There is an extensive network of camping grounds throughout the country; naturally, most are away from the big cities. Transportation to them can also be problematic, as few buses may go there. Prices may vary from nominal fees (¥500) to large bungalows that cost more than many hotel rooms (¥13,000 or more). Camping wild is illegal in most of Japan, although you can always try asking for permission, or simply pitch your tent late and leave early. Many larger city parks may in fact have large numbers of blue, plastic tarpaulin "tents" with homeless in them. Campsites in Japan are known as ''kyanpu-jo'' (キャンプ場), while sites designed for cars are known as ''ōto-kyanpu-jo''. The latter tend to be far more expensive than the former (¥5,000 or so) and should be avoided by those setting out on foot unless they also have lower-key accommodations available. Campsites are often located near ''onsen'', which can be quite convenient. The '''[http://www.camping.or.jp/ National Camping Association of Japan]''' helps maintain '''[http://www.campjo.com/Campjo_AllList.asp Campjo.com]''', a Japanese-only database of nearly all campsites in Japan. The '''[http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-804.pdf JNTO]''' website has a fairly extensive list (in PDF format) of camp grounds in English, and local tourist offices are often well informed. ====''Nojuku''==== :''See also [[Urban camping in Japan]] article.'' For the real budget traveller wanting to get by on the cheap in Japan is the option of ''nojuku'' (野宿). This is Japanese for "'''sleeping outside'''", and although it may seem quite strange to Westerners, some young Japanese do this when they travel. Thanks to a low crime rate and relatively stable climate, ''nojuku'' is a genuinely viable option if you're travelling in a group or feel confident doing it on your own. Common ''nojuku'' places are basically anywhere that has some kind of shelter and public toilets nearby. Those worrying about shower facilities will be delighted to know that Japan is blessed with cheap public facilities pretty much everywhere: notably ''onsen'' or hot springs. Even if you cannot find an onsen, ''sentō'' (public bath), or sauna is also an option. See [[Public baths in Japan]]. Nojuku is really viable only in the summer months, although in the northern island of Hokkaido, even in summer the temperature may dip during the night. On the other hand, there's much more scope for nojuku on [[Okinawa]] (although public facilities on the smaller islands are lacking). Nojuku is not really recommended for first-time travellers to Japan, but for those with some experience, it can be a great way to get into the ''onsen'' culture, meet other fellow ''nojuku'' travellers, and most of all travel very cheaply when coupled with [[Hitchhiking in Japan|hitchhiking]]. ===Private accommodations=== ====Guest houses==== There are a number of '''guest houses''' (ゲストハウス) in Japan. Sometimes this is just a synonym for "hostel", but other guest houses are run from someone's private home. Whereas a minshuku is a destination unto itself, guest houses are simply places to stay, and often have convenient locations in cities or nearby suburbs. They may have shared dormitory-style accommodations, and unlike a minshuku or [[Bed and breakfast|B&B]] usually don't offer meals. Most will have a curfew as well. Some cater to foreign visitors, although some Japanese language ability will be helpful for finding, booking, and staying at one. ====[[Hospitality exchange]]==== Particularly in Japan's dense cities, [[hospitality exchange]] (民泊 ''minpaku'') through sites like AirBnB has become very popular. Such rentals are now regulated, and hosts must register with the government and display a license number on their listing. Hospitality exchange can be a good way to find a great deal on premium lodging and experience what a typical home is like for many Japanese. Many of the listings will be for "'''mansions'''" (マンション ''manshon''), which in Japanese is a common marketing term that really means "condominium". Mansions are typically in high-rise buildings with many amenities, unlike apartments (アパート ''apaato'') which are usually inexpensive flats. ''Minpaku'' is a great boon for rural areas with few hotels, but in cities the law protects hotels from having too much competition. Hosts operating as a ''minpaku'' rather than a hotel may only rent up to 180 days per year, and local laws may further restrict when rentals are allowed. (For example, in Shinjuku rentals are only allowed on weekends, in Shibuya only during school holidays, and in Kyoto's residential areas only between January and mid-March.) To get around this, some hosts may attempt tricks like asking you to make a one-night reservation and pay under the table for the additional nights; this is illegal, and would leave you with no recourse if you have problems with your rental. ===Long-term=== If you're staying for a longer period, you might be able to drastically reduce your living costs by staying in a '''gaijin house'''. '''Weekly mansions''' (short-term apartments) have become popular for residents (typically businessmen on long-term assignment or young singles) and are accessible even to visitors. Renting an apartment is a ridiculously complex and expensive process. See [[Working in Japan#Accommodations]] for more information. ===Last resorts=== Even in Tokyo, the trains completely stop running around 01:00, so if you are out after then and want to avoid paying for a cab or even a capsule hotel, there are a few options for killing the hours until the first morning train. If you need to find one of these options fast, station attendants will typically be able to point you in the right direction. Conveniently, many of these facilities are usually clustered around train stations, and they are used to accepting people who have missed the last train home. ====Internet and manga cafés==== [[Image:Manga_Kissa_5_(6021168063).jpg|thumb|A typical ''manga kissa'' in Tokyo's [[Tokyo/Chiyoda|Chiyoda Ward]]]] In bigger cities, especially around the major stations you can find Internet or Manga cafés. Membership costs around ¥300 one time. Here you can also watch TV, play video games, read comics and enjoy the free drink bar. Prices vary but usually are around ¥400/hour. They often have a special night rate for the period when no trains are running (from around midnight until 05:00 for ¥1,500). Customers are typically given the choice between a computer-equipped or TV-equipped cubicle, while others offer amenities such as a massage chair, a mat to sleep on or even a shower. It is not an especially comfortable option, but it is perfect for checking the next day's train schedule, downloading pictures from your digital camera, writing home, and resting a bit. Often, you may be surrounded by snoring locals who have missed the last train home. ====Karaoke bar==== This is only an emergency option if you cannot find anything else and you are freezing outside. Karaoke bars offer entertainment rooms until 05:00 ("free time") for ¥1,500-2,500. Works only with at least 3 people. ====Public baths==== {{seealso|Public baths in Japan}} Some onsen or sento stay open all night. These are usually known as "super" sentos. Usually there is a 'relaxing area' with tatami mats, TV, vending machines, etc. Though occasionally they are multi story bath and play houses. Often, for a reasonable fee (on top of the bathing cost), you will be allowed to crash the night on the tatami or in a room with large reclining chairs. ====Outside==== In the warmer months, people sleeping or napping on streetsides outside the bigger train stations is a common sight. Many of them just missed their last trains and prefer spending three or four hours waiting for the first train on the asphalt rather than three or four thousand yen for a short-term stay in a hotel or public bath. While this is definitely the least comfortable way to sleep through the night, it is especially popular with college students (who have no money), and absolutely tolerated by police and station staff; even drunkards sleeping next to their own puke will not be disturbed in their booze-induced sleep. ====On trains==== Similarly, no need to sweat if you fall asleep on a local train after a long party night. However be careful not to oversleep and go to the end of the line. Sometimes, that station turns out to be two hours away from the city. ==Learn== {{seealso|Working and studying in Japan}} [[Image:JP-13 Bunkyo-ward Tokyo-Univ Yasuda auditorium.jpg|thumb|University of Tokyo, [[Tokyo/Bunkyo|Tokyo]]]] There are hundreds of thousands of foreigners studying in Japan, either in language schools (to learn Japanese), in universities, or to study Japanese martial arts, or arts and crafts. Many exchange programs bring foreigners to Japan, including at the university level. Students from many countries are exempt for obtaining a visa if they are coming to Japanese to study the Japanese language for up to 90 days, while visas sponsored by educational institutions are required for other students. ==Work== {{seealso|Working and studying in Japan}} To work in Japan, a foreigner who is not already a permanent resident must receive a job offer from a guarantor in Japan, and then apply for a working visa at an immigration office (if already in Japan) or an embassy or consulate (if abroad). It is illegal for foreigners to work in Japan on a tourist visa. The '''[http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/index.html Working Holiday]''' program is open to young citizens (between 18 and 30) from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK. Those eligible may apply for working holiday visas without having a prior job offer. A popular form of employment among foreigners from English speaking countries is [[teaching English]], especially in after-hours English conversation schools known as ''eikaiwa'' (英会話). Pay is fairly good for young adults, but rather poor compared to a qualified educator already at work in most Western countries. An undergraduate degree or ESL accreditation is essential for most desirable positions. Interviews for English schools belonging to one of the larger chains would usually be held in the applicant's home country. North American accents are preferred, as well as an unspoken preference for teachers with a white appearance. This is largely based on economics; the stereotypical native English speaker is a white person, and many parents expect the teacher to look like that when they send their children to learn English. The '''[http://www.jetprogramme.org/ JET Programme]''' (Japan Exchange and Teaching) offers young university graduates a chance to teach in Japan. The program is run by the Japanese government but your employer would typically be a local Board of Education who assigns you to one or more public schools, often deep in the countryside. No Japanese skills or formal teaching qualifications are required and your airfare is provided. Pay is slightly better than the language schools. Quite a few young women choose to work in the '''hostess''' industry, where they entertain Japanese men over drinks in tiny bars known as ''sunakku'' (スナック) and are paid for their time. While pay can be good, visas for this line of work are difficult if not impossible to obtain and most work illegally. The nature of the work also carries risks, notably groping, harassment or worse. ==Stay healthy== Japan is a country '''obsessed with cleanliness''' and health hazards are few and far between. Food hygiene standards are very high. There are no communicable diseases of significance, and despite the name, '''Japanese encephalitis''' has been almost eradicated. '''[[Tap water]]''' is safe and of good quality throughout the country. Domestic and foreign brands of bottled water are available for &yen;100-200 everywhere (at least in tourist destinations). Most restaurants serve filtered tap water for free. Unless specifically labeled "mineral water" (ミネラルウォーター ''mineraru wōtā''), water in Japan has a low mineral concentration in general. Radioactivity levels in the water supply have been closely monitored in some areas since the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster, but found negligible as far as water used by civilians is concerned; also see the [http://japan2.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-health.html U.S. Embassy's summary] and [[Tokyo]] government's [http://monitoring.tokyo-eiken.go.jp/en/mon_water_data.html daily reports]. Many Japanese public [[toilets]] do not have soap, and some do not have toilet paper, although there are often vending machines nearby that sell toilet paper at token prices. Major stations often have people handing out free tissue packets with advertisements, which can come in handy in a pinch. Be sure to bring a small umbrella for the frequent rainy days. Don't rely too much on the weather forecasts, especially from a day or two ago. Then again, if you forget, you can always go into the nearest convenience store and pick one up for ¥500. If you do become ill with a cold or other sickness, purchase a mouth-covering, cloth surgical mask. You will find that people frequently wear these out on trains and on the job. This filters your sneezing and coughing so you do not transmit to others. '''Second-hand smoke''' used to be a massive issue in Japan, but public transport, public buildings and most offices are now smoke-free, with increasing numbers of cities banning smoking entirely outside designated smoking areas. Since 2020, even restaurants in Tokyo only allow smoking in dedicated, separately ventilated smoking sections. ===Healthcare=== Medical facilities in Japan are on par with the West, and the better known hospitals are usually equipped with the most cutting edge medical technology. For Japanese citizens and residents, the cost of medical treatment is made affordable by the government's national health insurance system. However, for those not covered by it, the cost of medical treatment is expensive. While foreigners in Japan for an extended period (eg. those on Work or Student visas) are allowed limited access to the national health insurance system, it is not available to tourists on short visits, so be sure to have your travel insurance in order before your trip. However, if you have not made arrangements prior to arrival for any reason, [https://travelins.sjnk.jp/?code=99002 Sompo Japan] sells travel insurance for visitors that can be applied for online after arrival. Most Japanese doctors and nurses are unable to communicate in English. The [https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/doctors/ website of the US embassy] maintains a list of hospitals and clinics which have English-speaking staff available. *[https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html Japan: the official guide] (Japan National Tourist Organization). A guide for when you are feeling ill in Japan. List of medical institutions with English-speaking staff and how to use medical institutions is available. *Japan Visitor Hotline {{phone|+81 50-3816-2787}}. The Japan National Tourism Organization has a 24/7 visitor hotline. Also respond to inquiries related to the COVID-19. [https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/ Information about COVID-19] ==Stay safe== [[File:Kakamigahara Police Station Unuma Koban.jpg|thumb|Police boxes (交番 kōban) ]] {{multiple image | total_width = 200 | image1=Japanese Map symbol (Koban).svg | alt1=Police box (''kōban'') map symbol | image2=Japanese Map symbol (Police station).svg | alt2=Police station map symbol | footer=Map symbols for a police box (X) and police station (circled X) }} Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with crime rates significantly lower than that of most countries. Policing in Japan is the responsibility of the 47 prefectural governments, but all police officers have nationwide jurisdiction. '''''Kōban''''' (交番), usually translated as '''police boxes''', can be found in nearly every neighborhood, identified by a flashing red light. The police are generally helpful (although they rarely speak English), so ask if you get lost or have any trouble. They usually have a detailed map of the area around showing not only the difficult-to-understand numbering system but also the names of major buildings to help to find your way. You can report accidents and petty crimes at a ''kōban'', but for serious crimes or other police services, go to a police station (警察署 ''keisatsusho''). Report any thefts or lost items at the ''kōban''. They have forms in English and Japanese, often referred to as the "Blue Form". For lost items, even cash, filling out this form is not wasted effort, as Japanese people will very often take lost items, even a wallet full of cash, to the ''kōban''. If you happen to find such an item, take it to the ''kōban''. If the item is not claimed within six months, it is yours. If it is claimed, you may be due a reward of 5-15%. Japan has two emergency numbers. To call the '''police''' in an emergency, dial '''110''' (110番 ''hyakutoban''). To call for an '''ambulance''' or '''fire truck''', dial '''119'''. Some Japanese public phones have a red emergency button on the lower panel; press this and then dial. In Tokyo, operators proficient in English and other languages are available; elsewhere, they should usually be able to reach an English translator who will have a three-way conversation with you and the dispatcher. In Tokyo, you can report non-emergencies and get translation in English, Korean, and Chinese from the General Advisory Center at +81 3 3501-0110; it is available M-F 08:30-17:15 except on holidays. Similar services are available from any prefecture's police headquarters by calling '''#9110''' (although in some locations you may need to use a local phone number instead), although fewer foreign languages may be available. ===Crimes and scams=== {{infobox|Police and the law|Police in Japan may and do detain people up to 23 days before a prosecutor formally files charges, and you may be subjected to nonstop interrogation during this period. This detention period may be extended for another 23 days each time indefinitely by simply amending the charge. You can hire a lawyer only if somebody outside pays the fees in advance, and your lawyer is not allowed to be present during interrogations. Insist on an interpreter and consular access, and '''do not fingerprint ''anything''''' (Japanese equivalent of signing), especially if you do not fully understand what you sign. A signed confession ''will'' result in a guilty verdict at your trial. By far the most common pattern of how foreign tourists end up staring at the cold, yellow walls of a Japanese detention cell is getting drunk and then involved in a fight. Standard police procedure is to detain everybody first and to sort out things later. If anybody accuses you of anything even on the flimsiest grounds, you may be looking at an unpleasant extension to your vacation. Over 99% of criminal trials in Japan end in a conviction, so if your case goes to trial, your conviction is largely a formality, and the main job of the judge is to decide your sentence. If you are convicted of a crime, you will be looking at a first-hand experience of Japan's notoriously harsh prison system. Japan is exotic and mysterious; what seems strange and even appealing to you during daytime can get obnoxious and annoying to you at night, especially with some booze running through your veins, so control your temper and alcohol level. Police patrol party areas heavily at night and they will be willing to "rescue" a fellow Japanese from a violent foreigner.}} Street crime is extremely rare, even for single female travellers late at night, but it is still no excuse to ditch your common sense. Women travelling alone should take care as they would in their home countries and never hitchhike alone. Pickpocketing does sometimes happen: if you take your usual precautions in crowded places such as trains and at Narita Airport, you should be fine. Women and men on crowded rush-hour trains should be aware of the existence of male ''chikan'' (痴漢) and female ''chijo'' (痴女) or molesters. Be careful in these trains too, as you could be blamed for such occurrences, and possibly arrested. Some trains have female-only carriages during rush hour in an effort to combat sexual harassment. A lot of heavy drinking goes on in the evenings and occasionally drunks may be a nuisance, although alcohol-related violence is extremely rare. The infamous ''yakuza'' (ヤクザ), the Japanese gangsters, almost never target people not already involved in organized crime. Don't bother them and they will not bother you. Red-light districts in large cities can be seedy although they are rarely dangerous for visitors, but some smaller backstreet bars and shops that look like normal-looking shops but tout themselves on the street have been known to lay down exorbitant cover charges or drink prices. In some extreme cases, foreigners have reported being drugged at such establishments and then charged as much as ¥700,000 for drinks that they do not remember ordering (notably in the Roppongi and Kabukichō districts of Tokyo). Never go into a place that is suggested by someone that you just met. This goes especially for the street touts (absent in Japan except in places like Kabukichō). ====Prostitution==== '''Prostitution is illegal in Japan''', but creative interpretation of the letter of the law, which bans only intercourse and specifies no penalties for provider or client, combined with lenient policing means Japan that still has one of the most vibrant sex industries in the world. However, this industry is almost entirely geared towards the domestic market, and foreigners are by and large not welcome, even if they speak Japanese. The most famous red-light district is '''Kabukichō''' (歌舞伎町) in [[Tokyo]]'s [[Tokyo/Shinjuku|Shinjuku]] district where many call girl booths and love hotels are located, although to the untrained eye the flashy neon signage looks little different from any other eating and drinking district. From 2012 to 2018, the number of Japan infected with HIV fell, but the virus remains a concern, and infection rates for syphilis have been surging, particularly in Tokyo. ===Traffic=== Contrary to its reputation for very efficient and comprehensive public transport, outside of Tokyo, Japan is a very car-centric culture. Street patterns in much of the country have remained unchanged for centuries, so many roads are small and full of blind corners. Japanese drivers treat traffic lights differently than other drivers. When the light is green at a pedestrian crossing near an intersection, Japanese drivers will often turn onto you. Usually, they will turn halfway and then stop, allowing you to cross, though it is not unheard of for them to charge forwards at full speed, ignoring people who are crossing. Crossing the street when the light is red is illegal, and this is sometimes enforced. ===Gay and lesbian travellers=== Japan is considered to be very safe for gay and lesbian travellers, and violence against homosexuals is quite rare. There are no laws against homosexuality in Japan, and major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka have a large gay scene, but same-sex relationships are not recognized by the government, and open displays of your orientation are still likely to draw stares and whispers. ===Discrimination=== Violent attacks against foreigners in Japan are almost unheard of. While it's becoming increasingly rare, there may still be a small handful of onsen and restaurants that refuse foreign people. Some apartments, motels, night clubs, and public baths in Japan have been known to put up signs stating that foreigners are not allowed or that they must be accompanied by a Japanese person to enter. Such places are rare, however, and many Japanese claim that the prohibitions are due to perceived social incompatibility (for example, foreigners may not understand proper bathhouse etiquette) and not racism. Banks are often reluctant or unwilling to give cash advances to foreigners, stemming mainly from stereotypes of untrustworthiness. If you need to get a cash advance from your bank then Japanese language proficiency, or a Japanese friend to vouch for you, will strongly help your case. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a perceived spike in xenophobia, with some shops and restaurants having refused service to foreigners, especially Chinese people. Such establishments are in the minority however, and most foreign residents are able to go through their daily lives for the most part. The Japanese are in general a reserved people, and may sometimes avoid foreigners out of fear of embarrassment due to their lack of English-language skills. Attempting to speak some Japanese will go a long way in putting people at ease. ===Earthquakes and tsunamis=== [[Image:Aso crater.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Aso]], one of the world's largest volcanic calderas]] [[File:Shelter in Sakurajima 2009.JPG|thumb|In towns near the frequently erupting volcanoes, there are shelters to protect yourself from volcanic bombs.]] Japan is prone to '''earthquakes''' (地震 ''jishin'') which can sometimes cause '''tsunamis''' (津波 ''tsunami'', pronounced with a ''tsu'' and not like English "sue"). On 11 March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of [[Miyagi prefecture]], triggering a very large tsunami and bringing havoc to the city of [[Sendai]] and the surrounding area. The quake (and its aftershocks) were palpable throughout Japan, with the death toll numbering over 15,000, mostly due to the tsunami. Every few days, somewhere in Japan is rattled by a quake large enough to be felt, but most of them are completely harmless. Japan is well-prepared for such disasters though, and has very strict building codes that require buildings to be engineered to withstand major earthquakes. Japan has an early warning system that detects earthquakes and notifies areas that will be affected, giving from a few seconds up to a minute's notice. Use this invaluable time to cover up before the actual jolt. See our articles on [[Earthquake safety#Prepare|earthquake safety]] and [[tsunami]]s to learn how to prepare. If you are by the sea and experience even a moderate quake, look for '''tsunami''' warnings (also in English) on NHK TV (channel 1) and Radio 2 (693&nbsp;kHz). Most tremors and small quakes will merit only a scrolling announcement in Japanese at the top of the screen. If you are near the sea and experience a major earthquake, '''evacuate to high ground immediately'''; do not wait for a warning. Every neighborhood has an evacuation area, most often the local playground. Many schools are set up as temporary shelters. They will be labeled in English. If you are travelling with others, plan to meet there and be aware that portable telephones will likely not work. There are lots of resources to learn about and prepare for disasters. It almost goes without saying, but this should be done '''in advance'''. Once a disaster strikes, you may have neither the time nor the ability to go online and read a lengthy document. * [https://www.mlit.go.jp/river/bousai/olympic/en/index.html '''Disaster Prevention Portal Site'''] – From the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism * [https://www.jnto.go.jp/smartapp/eng/about.html '''Japan Official Travel App'''] – The Japan National Tourist Organization's app includes safety information * [https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/1002147/1008042/1008046/index.html '''Disaster Preparedness Tokyo'''] – Handbook from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Hundreds of pages about earthquake safety, disaster preparation, and survival. You can also purchase a [https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/1002147/1002317/1009059/index.html printed copy] from a number of retailers. ===Drug trafficking=== '''Drug laws''' in Japan are stricter than those in many Western countries, particularly for smuggling. The Japanese '''do not distinguish between hard and soft drugs''', so possession of even personal-use quantities of soft drugs can land you a prison sentence of several years. This applies even if you consumed drugs outside of the country, or if it is proven that you aren't aware the drugs are in your luggage. Checking your luggage beforehand is strongly recommended to prevent issues like this. If you have '''prescription drugs''', check with the Japanese Embassy prior to your departure to find out whether or not your medicine is allowed in Japan. If it is illegal, they should also be able to give you information regarding what medicines you can buy in Japan to use in place of your prescription while you are there. ===Other=== [[File:Vespa mandarinia japonica s3.JPG|thumb|Asian Giant Hornet]] [[Volcanoes]], storms and [[cyclones|typhoons]] are primarily a potential issue if you are mountain-climbing or sailing, so check the latest information before heading out. Stick to designated footpaths in volcanic areas as volcanic gas may be an issue. Typhoons are rarely physically dangerous, but they still wreak havoc with planes, ferries, and even (if there are landslides) trains and buses. There are venomous snakes called ''habu'' (波布) in [[Okinawa]] although not in unusual numbers. You are unlikely to be bitten by one, but if you are, seek medical help immediately as anti-venoms are available. If you are hiking in Hokkaido and Honshu, be aware of possible bear activity, especially in autumn. Attacks are rare, but in areas such as the [[Shiretoko National Park|Shiretoko Peninsula]], attach bells to your backpack to scare them away. Especially in the countryside, be aware of the '''Japanese giant hornet''' (大雀蜂 or 大スズメバチ ''ōsuzumebachi''), a sub-species of the Asian giant hornet; it is about {{convert|4|cm|in|abbr=off}} long and can sting repeatedly and painfully. Every year, 20&ndash;40 people die in Japan after being stung by giant hornets. A hornet defending its nest or feeding spot will make a clicking sound to warn away intruders; if you encounter one, retreat. If you are stung, receive prompt medical attention, as prolonged exposure to the venom could cause permanent injury or even death. ==Cope== ===Electricity=== Japan uses the same Type A two-pin and Type B three-pin electrical sockets as North America. Electricity is delivered at 100 V (somewhat lower than the 120V that is common in North America), and at 50 or 60 Hz, depending on location. ===Media=== The Japanese-language national newspapers ''[https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/ Yomiuri Shimbun]'' (読売新聞) and ''[https://www.asahi.com/ Asahi Shimbun]'' (朝日新聞) are the two most widely circulated newspapers in the world. Other major national newspapers include the ''[https://www.mainichi.co.jp/ Mainichi Shimbun]'' (毎日新聞) and ''[https://www.sankei.com/ Sankei Shimbun]'' (産経新聞). ''[https://www.nikkei.com/ The Nikkei]'' (日本経済新聞) is Japan's main financial newspaper, and the most widely-circulated financial newspaper in the world. '''''[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/ The Japan Times]''''' (¥200 daily, ¥250 Sunday) from Tokyo is Japan's largest and oldest English-language daily newspaper, and is sold bundled with ''The New York Times International Weekly''. ''Yomirui Shimbun'' also prints English-language '''''[http://the-japan-news.com/ The Japan News]''''' daily, and ''[https://asia.nikkei.com/ The Nikkei Weekly]'' (日経ウィークリー) covers business news from Japan every Monday. Many other English publications have gone online-only. ===Toilets=== [[Image:WirelessToiletControlPanel.jpg|thumb|A typical washlet control panel. The five large controls are "stop", "buttocks" (normal and soft), "bidet", and "dry". The buttons below control the "move" and "massage" features, while to the right are "water force" (strong or weak) and "nozzle position" (forwards or back).]] {{Seealso|Public baths in Japan#Toilets}} As elsewhere in Asia, you will find both Western-style porcelain thrones for sitting and floor-level units for squatting. In private homes and home-style accommodations, you will often find '''toilet slippers''', which are to be worn inside the toilet and ''only'' inside the toilet. Over half of Japan's homes are equipped with high-tech devices known as '''washlets''' (ウォシュレット), which incorporate seat warmers, hot air dryers and tiny arms that squirt water. The flush mechanism is usually ''not'' operated by the control panel: instead, there is a standard, Western-style lever, switch or knob somewhere, and it is thus possible to take care of your business without using the washlet features. (In rare cases, look for buttons labeled 大 or 小, meaning a big or small flush respectively, on a wireless control panel on the wall.) There is always a big red button labeled 止 with the standard "stop button" symbol ⏹ on the panel &mdash; pressing this will instantly stop everything. Older models have a lever nearby that controls the flow of a sprayer. Typical controls include: * ''Oshiri'' (おしり) - "buttocks", for spraying your rear - typically shown in blue with a stylized butt icon * ''Bidet'' (ビデ) - for spraying your front - typically shown in pink with a female icon * ''Kansō'' (乾燥) - "dry", for drying off - typically yellow with a wavy air icon Other, smaller buttons can be used to adjust the pressure, angle, location and pulsation of the jet of water. Sometimes the seat of the toilet is heated, and this can also be regulated. ==Respect== {{infobox|Using people's names|2=Names are a complicated matter in Japan. Most Japanese follow the Western naming order when writing or saying their names in English. However, when names are written or spoken in Japanese, they always follow the East Asian naming order of '''family name followed by given name'''. Therefore someone called Taro <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Yamada</span> in English would be called 山田太郎 (''<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Yamada</span> Tarō'') in Japanese. Historical figures from before the Meiji restoration are an exception, such as <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Tokugawa</span> Ieyasu (徳川家康), whose name follows East Asian naming conventions even when written in English. Using someone's given name when speaking to or about them is considered very personal, and is only used when addressing children of elementary school age or younger, and very close friends. At all other times, the default is to '''use family names plus ''-san'' (さん)''', a suffix approximately like "Mr." or "Ms." Most Japanese know that Westerners usually go by their given names, so they may call you "John" or "Mary" with no suffix, but unless they tell you otherwise, you should still call them "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Family name</span>''-san''" to be polite. (However, don't introduce ''yourself'' as "John-san". The point is to honor others; using a suffix on yourself generally sounds cocky and arrogant.) ''San'' is the default suffix, but you may encounter a few others: * ''-sama'' (様) — People above you, from bosses up to deities, as well as customers * ''-kun'' (君) — Young boys, good male friends and male subordinates * ''-chan'' (ちゃん) — Young children and close (usually female) friends To avoid being overly familiar or formal, stick with "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Family name</span>''-san''" until someone asks you to call them differently. In business settings, the title is often used in place of the family name when addressing a person; for instance, an employee may address his company's president as ''shachō-sama'' (社長様, "Honored Mr./Ms. President"), while a customer may address a shop owner (but not the other employees) as ''tenchō-san'' (店長さん, "Mr./Ms. Storekeeper"). Lastly, the reigning '''Emperor''' is always called ''Tennō Heika'' (天皇陛下, "His (Imperial) Majesty the Emperor"), ''Kinjō Heika'' (今上陛下, "His Current Majesty") or simply ''Tennō'' ("the Emperor") or ''Heika'' ("His Majesty") in Japanese. Calling him "Emperor Reiwa", even in English, is a faux pas since this is strictly his future posthumous name. Calling him by his given name, Naruhito, is also not done and is considered vulgar.}} Most, if not all, Japanese are very understanding of a foreigner (''gaijin'' or ''gaikokujin'') who does not conform instantly to their culture; indeed, many believe that their language and culture are among the most difficult to understand in the world, so they are generally quite happy to assist you if you appear to be struggling. However, Japanese will appreciate it if you follow at least the rules below, many of which boil down to social norms of strict cleanliness and avoiding intruding on others (迷惑 ''meiwaku''). ===Things to avoid=== Japanese people understand that visitors may not be aware of the intricacies of Japanese etiquette and tend to be tolerant of blunders in this regard by foreigners. There are a few serious etiquette breaches that will meet with universal disapproval (even when demonstrated by foreigners) and should be avoided if at all possible: * '''Never''' walk on a tatami mat wearing shoes or even slippers, as it would damage the tatami. * '''Never''' leave your chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice (This is how rice is offered to the dead). * '''Never''' enter a bathtub without washing yourself thoroughly first. (See ''[[Public baths in Japan]]'' for details.) ===Things to do=== * Learn a little of the '''language''', and try to use it. They will be complimentary if you try, and there is no reason to be embarrassed. They realize that Japanese is very difficult for foreigners and are tolerant about your mistakes; on the contrary, they will like you more for trying. * The average Japanese person '''bows''' over 100 times a day; this ubiquitous gesture of respect is used for greeting, saying farewell, thanking, accepting thanks, apologizing, accepting apologies, etc. Men bow with their hands to their sides. Women bow with their hands together in front. Women's hands look like they are settled in their lap when bowing (not in a prayer position such as the ''wai'' in Thailand). The exact degree of the bow depends on your position in society relative to the receiver of the bow and on the occasion: the largely unwritten rules are complex, but for foreigners, a "token bow" is fine, and better than accidentally performing a deep formal bow (as U.S. President Obama once did). Many Japanese will gladly offer a handshake instead or in addition; just be careful that you don't bump heads when trying to do both at the same time. * When you are '''handing something to someone''', especially a business card, it is considered polite to present it holding it with both hands. ** '''Business cards''' in particular are treated very respectfully and formally. How you treat someone's business card is seen as representing how you will treat the person. When accepting a business card, use both hands to pick it up by the corners, and take the time to read the card and confirm how to pronounce the person's name. It's disrespectful to write on a card, fold it, or place it in your back pocket (where you'll sit on it!). * Registers often have a small dish used to give your payment and receive change. : When giving money as a gift (such as a tip at a ryokan), you should get pristine unused bills from the bank, and present them in a formal envelope. * When you are '''drinking sake or beer in a group''', it is considered polite not to fill your own glass but to allow someone else to do it. Typically, glasses are refilled well before they are empty. To be especially polite, hold up your own glass with both hands while one of your companions fills it. (It's fine to refuse, but you have to do so frequently, otherwise a senior person at your table might fill your glass when you're not looking.) * '''Gift-giving''' is very common in Japan. You, as a guest, may find yourself inundated with gifts and dinners. Foreign guests are, of course, outside of this sometimes burdensome system of give-and-take (''kashi-kari''), but it would be a nice gesture to offer a gift or souvenir (''omiyage''), including one unique to or representative of your country. A gift that is "consumable" is advisable due to the smaller size of Japanese homes. Items such as soap, candies, alcohol, and stationery will be well-received as the recipient will not be expected to have it on hand on subsequent visits. "Re-gifting" is a common and accepted practice, even for items such as fruit. ** Some items are '''not given as gifts''' because of cultural associations. Some things to watch out for: black and white are important colors in funerals, scissors or knives may insinuate you want to cut off your relationship with someone, and certain flowers have particular connotations. Other taboos are based on homophones: for example, the word "four" (四 ''shi'') sounds like "death", "nine" (九 ''ku'') sounds like "suffering", and "comb" (櫛 ''kushi'') sounds like "suffering death"! It's a good idea to consult a local for advice, or at least search the Internet for lists of taboo gifts before you purchase one. * '''Expressing gratitude''' is slightly different from obligatory gift-giving. Even if you brought a gift for your Japanese host, once you return, it is a sign of good etiquette to send a handwritten thank-you card: it will be much appreciated. Japanese guests always exchange photos that they have taken with their hosts so you should expect to receive some snapshots and should prepare to send yours (of you and your hosts together) back to them. Depending on their age and the nature of your relationship (business or personal), an online exchange may suffice. * '''The elderly''' are given special respect in Japanese society, and they are used to the privileges that come with it. Some priority seats (優先席 ''yūsenseki'', or シルバーシート ''shirubā shīto'', "silver seats") on many trains are set aside for the disabled, elderly, pregnant women, and people with infants. * There are not many '''trash cans''' in public; you may have to carry around your trash for a while before finding one. When you do, you'll often see 4 to 6 of them together; Japan is very conscious of '''recycling'''. Most disposable containers are labelled with a recycling symbol in Japanese indicating what type of material it is. Some types of recycling bins you'll often see are: ** Paper (紙 ''kami'') ** PET/Plastic (ペット ''petto'' or プラ ''pura'') ** Glass bottles (ビン ''bin'') ** Metal cans (カン ''kan'') ** Burnable trash (もえるゴミ ''moeru gomi'') ** Non-burnable trash (もえないゴミ ''moenai gomi'') * '''Punctuality''' is highly valued, and generally expected thanks to Japan's reliable public transit. If you're meeting someone and it looks like you'll arrive even a few minutes late, Japanese prefer the reassurance of a phone call or message if you can send one. Being on time (which really means being early) is even more important in business; Japanese employees might get scolded for arriving even one minute late to work in the morning. * When riding on Shinkansen and limited express trains, it is considered good manners to ask for permission from the person behind you before reclining your seat (「椅子を倒してもいいですか?」 ''"Isu o taoshite mo ii desu ka?"''), to which they will almost always oblige. Likewise, the passenger sitting in front of you would often do the same to you, and you should respond with a nod of your head. ===Other things=== [[File:Tidy Japan 土足厳禁 くつべら入れ 2011 (6314266743).jpg|thumb|Please take off your shoes]] * Hospitality in Japan means giving visitors and guests the very best, no matter how much it inconveniences the host. For example, asking for directions on the street can sometimes prompt the stranger to go out of their way to walk you all the way to your destination. You'll particularly notice this during a homestay, where you'll be offered use of the bath before the rest of the family, and may be given the host's bed while they sleep on the couch. In Western culture it would be polite to refuse such accommodations, but in Japanese culture you should apologize for inconveniencing them, which serves as acceptance of their generosity. Similarly, while entertaining guests it's common for the host to putter around busily in the kitchen and elsewhere, which is meant to create an air of "all your needs are being met"; rather than offering to help them, you should just sit and enjoy the peaceful moment they're offering for you. * '''Shoes''' (and feet in general) are considered very dirty by the Japanese. Avoid pointing your soles at anybody (such as resting your foot on the opposite knee when seated) and try to restrain children from standing up on seats. Brushing your feet against somebody's clothing, even by accident, is very rude. :* In many buildings, you're expected to '''take your shoes off''' when you enter, leaving them in a lowered entryway or a shoe locker. You can borrow slippers if any are available (although they are usually only in sizes for typically smaller Japanese feet), wear socks or go bare foot. :: Wearing shoes inside such a building is seen as disrespectful, as it brings dirt and/or evil spirits inside the building. For related reasons, it's preferred if you can both remove and put on your shoes using your hands as little as possible. * In some traditional settings, you may be expected to sit in ''seiza'' posture, '''kneeling''' on the floor. This is the traditional way to sit on tatami mats, with or without a cushion. However, today even most younger Japanese can't sit this way for more than a few minutes without their legs going numb, so most foreigners have no hope. Give it a try to be respectful, but when your legs start aching, say ''"Sumimasen"'' ("Excuse me") and change your posture to something less formal but still polite: men may sit cross-legged, and women usually sit with both legs to one side. * The Japanese consider '''back slaps''' rude, especially if they're coming from someone they just met. '''Hugging''' is typically reserved only for romantic couples, and should also be avoided unless that situation applies to you. * Point with an '''open hand''', not a finger, and tell people to come by waving your hand facing '''down''', not up. * Avoid shouting or talking '''loudly''' in public. Talking on a mobile phone on a train is considered rude, and many trains have signs advising you not to use them. (Sending text messages, however, is considered ''de rigueur''.) * '''Blowing your nose''' in public is considered rude, much like flatulence. Sipping your nose also makes them uncomfortable. If you want to wipe the runny nose without making a sound, even in public, there is no problem. If you want to blow your nose as hard as you can, get away from the public. * '''Smoking''' is discouraged on many street corners and sidewalks around Tokyo. Most smokers will be found huddled around designated smoking areas. The Japanese are such a clean culture that many of the smokers won't even leave ash on the ground. * Displaying an open mouth is traditionally considered impolite. Many Japanese women will at least partially cover their mouth with their hand when laughing, smiling, or sometimes eating. Don't feel obligated to do so yourself, although doing this in a formal setting (whether you're male or female) would probably make you seem sophisticated and polite. * As in neighboring China and Korea, '''saving face''' is a very important concept in Japanese culture. Particularly in business settings, Japanese people will rarely say "no" if they are not interested in a deal, and would instead say something more indirect such as "I'll think about it" instead. Body language is also used for this in place of words; if your question is met by someone '''loudly breathing in through their teeth''', sometimes accompanied by scratching the back of the head (a gesture that conveys embarrassment), the answer is actually "no". Unless it is by a boss or someone from a position of seniority, mistakes are typically not pointed out, and doing so will likely cause major embarrassment. * While voter apathy is high, that's not to say Japanese don't care about '''politics''', but it's not a common discussion topic among Japanese. They may in fact be interested to hear about your own politics back home (particularly from Americans), but might be much less welcoming of your thoughts on Japanese politics. Sensitive topics include: ** Japan's territorial disputes with China, South Korea and Russia ** '''World War II''' — a touchy and complicated topic, especially with older people, it is generally best avoided, but the vast majority of Japanese people bear no animosity against the United States, and American visitors will get a particularly warm welcome as most Japanese admire American culture<!--what about China, the main adversary Japan faced in that war?--> ** Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which renounces war and forbids the establishment of a military (although the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are the world's fifth most-powerful ''de facto'' military) ** Bad behavior of some American soldiers stationed in Japan ** Japan's historical marginalization of the indigenous Ainu and Ryukyuan people, and discrimination against ''burakumin'' (a feudal outcast group of undertakers, slaughterhouse workers, butchers, etc.; their descendants and people in those professions today still face occasional discrimination in marriage and employment — illegal since the 1970s — as well as social stigma in some areas) ===Dress=== For most tourists, dressing for daily sightseeing in Japan puts you at a disadvantage: you will most likely stand out, no matter how you dress, next to the throngs of ''salarymen'' (male office workers) in suits and children in school uniforms. Japan is known for being very fashionable, whether dressing in kimono, tailored suits, or the latest trends from Harajuku. First and foremost: '''wear shoes that can easily slip off and on, and keep a pair of socks handy as needed'''. Athletic shoes are acceptable, but keep them tied loosely so you can slip them off and on. Dress shoes are acceptable as well, as are quality walking sandals (not flip-flops), although sandals are not common outdoor wear for locals. Japanese culture sees shoes as being dirty, and before entering someone's house, certain restaurants, dressing rooms, and temples (to name a few), you ''must'' remove your shoes. The older generation of Japanese tend to group steps into two types: wooden ("clean") and concrete or stone ("dirty"). If you are going to be stepping on to wood, take your shoes off and place them to the side; there might even be a cubby hole for you to put your shoes in. And '''don't forget socks,''' as it's generally more common to wear socks when in temples and houses, if you don't have slippers available. Japanese people are known for their love of socks, and sock stores selling high quality and colorful socks are found in most cities. Many of the socks sold in Japan are made there. So, bring a pair of socks in your bag while you're sightseeing, if you aren't wearing them. Tights are acceptable for women. Footsies and under the ankle socks are handy, especially if you're going for the "no socks" look. Shorts are uncommon, and generally only worn by children and teens. Though a common item in tourist summer apparel, instead try stylish jeans or slacks, or capri pants for keeping cool in warm weather. In the summer, women wear sun dresses from trendy stores and breathable slacks made of fabrics like linen. Keep it stylish and comfortable. In business situations, suits are standard; companies will let you know if you can or should wear casual dress. Suits are worn out for after work drinks and entertainment. For clubbing and nights out, dress casual cool. Japanese women generally do not wear skin tight, super short dresses and cleavage is rarely shown, unless at the beach. Women dressed in tight short dresses and very sexy looks are often stereotyped as sex workers or escorts. When visiting Tokyo, for example, you will see young women and men dressed in subculture styles, such as Harajuku, Lolita, and punk. Japanese avoid making a scene of those who dress like a scene, but, casual glances are often enough for you feel like you're being checked out. If you plan on visiting a hot spring or public bath, they're almost always used nude (except for rare mixed-gender baths). Although you may get some questioning looks, bathing suits are allowed in some baths. For men, speedos or trunks are fine at a bath; for the beach, boardshorts are also okay. For women, a modest swimsuit is better than a skimpy bikini if you're visiting a hot spring or bath; for the beach, bikinis are okay. At public or private pools, you may have to wear a swimming cap; they may be provided for you, or you can bring your own. ====Accessories==== Japan in the summer can be extremely warm and humid. '''Japanese don't like visible sweat''', and will frequently wipe sweat from their face with a colorful '''handkerchief''' (ハンカチ ''hankachi''), use a '''fan''' (扇子 ''sensu'' for a folding fan, 団扇 ''uchiwa'' for a flat fan) to keep themselves cool, or (for women) use '''umbrellas''' (傘 ''kasa'') to shade themselves during sunny weather. Purchasing one or all of these items is not only a smart way to stay cool, but can provide a lasting memento from your visit. In historic and tourism areas you will find shops selling beautiful fans and umbrellas. Both are affordable investments, though they can be pricey if you wish to have a real work of art. However, most Japanese use cheap but beautiful fans &ndash; many made in China &ndash; in their every day life, only to replace them when they become hard to close or worn. Cheap flat paper fans are often distributed for free at festivals and events. Traditional umbrellas can be bought at gift shops, and stylish umbrellas for rain and shine can be purchased at women's accessory and clothing stores throughout the country. Handkerchiefs are popular for both men or women. Some look like traditional cotton handkerchiefs you'd use to blow your nose, others are small towels. Japan's fabulous ''depāto'' (department stores) carry all colors, makes and models of these necessities. It's an affordable luxury &ndash; you can find men's and women's handkerchiefs from high end designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Burberry for ¥1,500 or less. You'll also find locally made versions in gift shops and stores throughout the country. Keep them in your purse or pocket, and wipe your brow when necessary. '''Rain umbrellas''' are often cheap plastic, and available at every convenience store for about ¥500. Since they all look alike, they're sometimes treated as a communal resource. When you go in a store, you leave yours at the door, and when you leave, you simply grab an identical one, whether or not it was the one you brought. Some stores instead have bags to keep your umbrella from dripping on the floor. Hostels usually have umbrellas to lend, as do some other lodgings and businesses. Rather than toting your own umbrella around, you may find it more convenient to buy a cheap one (if you even need to), "donate" it to your hostel, and buy a new one in your next city. ===Religion=== Religious freedom is respected by most Japanese, and people of all faiths are generally able to practise their religion without any major problems. You are expected to dress and behave in a respectful manner whenever you visit religious sites. As in many other Asian countries, swastikas are Buddhist symbols representing peace and do not represent Nazism or antisemitism in any way, and you will notice the symbol is actually pointing in the opposite direction. Swastikas are often used on maps to mark the locations of Buddhist temples and monasteries. When visiting a Shinto shrine or a Buddhist temple, follow the appropriate '''cleansing procedure''' at the ''chōzuya'' or ''temizuya'' (手水舎) before you enter. Using your right hand, fill the dipper with water. Rinse your left hand, then your right hand. Then, cup your left hand and fill it with water, using it to rinse your mouth. '''Do not''' touch the dipper directly with your mouth. Spit the water onto the rocks. After that, rinse your left hand one more time. Finally, turn the dipper upright so the remaining water spills down to rinse the handle before returning the dipper. ==Connect== ===By phone=== International dialing prefixes vary from company to company. Check with your operator for more details. For international calls to Japan, the country code is '''81'''. Phone numbers in Japan have the format <code>+81 3 1234-5678</code> where "81" is the country code for Japan, the next digits are the dialing zone where the local number is located (can contain from one to three digits) and the remaining digits (six to eight digits) are the "local" part. When calling within Japan, the long-distance prefix (trunk code) is '''0''', and this is usually written in the number, like <code>03-1234-5678</code>; when calling Japan from abroad, leave off the "0". Phone numbers starting with 0120 or 0800 are "free-dial" numbers, and are free to call from any landline (payphones included), while phone numbers starting with 0570 are "navi-dial" numbers, which are variable-rate numbers used by businesses (one number works nationwide, but you are charged based on the distance between your phone and the closest call center operated by the company). To dial abroad from Japan, the '''international access code''' is '''010''' (or "+" on mobile phones). ====Emergency call==== Emergency calls can be made from any phone (except VoIP phones) free of charge: call '''110''' for police or call '''119''' for fire and ambulance. ====Pay telephones==== '''Payphones''' (公衆電話 ''kōshū denwa'') are easily found, particularly near train stations. '''Gray and green pay phones''' accept ¥10 and ¥100 coins and prepaid cards. Some pay phones that accept coins, so it may be worthwhile to buy a phone card for emergency use. Some of the gray phones can make international calls. Phone cards can be purchased at convenience stores, train station kiosk stores and sometimes in vending machines next to the phone. International phone charges from pay phones can be unusually high; third-party phone cards are a reasonable alternative. An in-between solution is to purchase phone cards from discount ticket shops, which typically sell them for 35-45% off face value (for example, a 105-unit phone card, which would cost ¥1000 if purchased from normal sales channels, would only cost around ¥650). This may be sufficiently cheap for some to decide not to bother with a third-party card. If directly dialing internationally with a phone card, NTT's international access code is 0033+010. ====Mobile phones==== {{infobox|Galápagos syndrome|Japan has had a tendency to develop technology that's initially superior to what's available elsewhere in the world, but either fails to catch on elsewhere or becomes incompatible with global standards. This has been called '''Galápagos syndrome''', after the Galápagos Islands and their highly-specialized flora and fauna that led Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution. Japanese mobile phones were the original example of Galápagos syndrome. With e-mail and web browsing available since 1999 and mobile payments since 2004, they were nearly a decade ahead of global competition. But when global standards for messaging, web browsing, and contactless communication were settled, they were incompatible with the existing Japanese technologies. As a result, the Japanese mobile phone market became isolated, and has had comparatively slow adoption of smartphones, which were initially a step ''backwards'' from Japanese-only '''''Gara-kei''''' (from "Galápagos" and "''keitai''") feature phones. The tide has turned, however, and smartphones (スマホ ''sumaho'') are taking over. Mobile phones aren't the only technology to suffer from Galapagosization. Smart cards for public transit, ''kei'' cars, digital television, and car satellite navigation are all examples of widespread technologies in Japan that either never caught on elsewhere, or developed incompatible standards that have left Japan isolated.}} Modern Japanese '''mobile phones''' (携帯電話 ''keitai denwa'' or just ''keitai'') use the global standards for 3G and newer. In a nutshell: * '''5G''' phones should work in large cities. * '''4G'''/'''LTE''' phones should work, but check your device's compatibility: your device may not support the frequency bands used in Japan. * '''3G''' phones using the '''UMTS''' standard ''and'' equipped with a '''3G SIM card''' will most likely work. From March 2022 to March 2026, 3G will gradually be discontinued. * '''3G CDMA''' phones should work on the AU network until its planned shutdown in 2022. You ''must'' make sure your phone's PRL is updated, however, or it will not be able to register on AU's towers. * '''2G''' phones ''do not work'' in Japan. If your phone is up to spec, double-check with your carrier if they have a roaming agreement with one of the major Japanese carriers: [https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/ NTT Docomo], [https://www.au.com/english/ au], [https://www.softbank.jp/en/mobile/ SoftBank], or [https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/ Rakuten Mobile]. Coverage is generally excellent unless you are heading to a remote mountainous areas. If your phone is incompatible with frequencies used in Japan but you have a 4G-capable SIM card, you can rent a phone in Japan and slot in your card, allowing you to keep your home phone number in Japan. Carrier restrictions may apply. Be sure to double-check with your network provider before departing. '''Data roaming''' works as well (subject to the above restrictions), allowing you to use wireless Internet on your phone (although it can be expensive!). Google Maps on your phone can be invaluable (although tower positioning may not work depending on the carrier you are using). If you just need Internet and not phone calls, or if your phone and carrier support calling over Wi-Fi, the cheapest and easiest option is to '''rent a Pocket Wi-Fi''', a battery-powered Wi-Fi access point that runs over the cellular networks. Alternatively, you can purchase a data-only SIM card more freely. Data-only SIM cards, unlike full voice+text+data SIM cards, do not require the purchaser to be a Japanese resident. ''See [[#By net|&sect; Pocket Wi-Fi]] below.'' For a short visit, your cheapest option for mobile access is to '''rent a phone'''. A number of companies provide this service, although with the prevalence of smartphones and cheap roaming from nearby countries, this number is shrinking. Rental rates and call charges vary. Incoming calls are free in Japan. Beware of "free" rental as there is a catch: usually, there are very high call charges Japanese phones have an email address linked to the phone number, and most of the above companies allow you to send and receive emails. Your usual email provider may offer redirection to another email address (Gmail does), so that you receive all emails on the cellphone. Beware that companies charge for incoming and outgoing emails. Prepaid phones are widely available, and can be purchased even if your stay is short. For information buying a phone, please see [[Working and studying in Japan#Communicating|Working and studying in Japan]]. ====Texting==== As much as anywhere else, Japanese use their phones more for texting than phone calls. However, SMS and MMS text messages never caught on in Japan due to surcharges and limitations (even though those have since been eliminated). Instead, Japanese text by '''email''' (which in Japanese is just called メール ''mēru'', without the "E-" prefix) using an email address tied to their mobile phone number. The internationally popular messaging app WhatsApp is not popular in Japan, and most Japanese people use local Japanese app '''[https://line.me/en/ LINE]''' instead. ===By mail=== [[File:First Japanese mailbox.JPG|thumb|Replica of the first Japanese mailbox]] You can send postcards to anywhere in the world for ¥70 (some postcards are sold with domestic postage of ¥63 included, so you may only have to pay for a supplemental ¥7 stamp when mailing). Public '''[[mail]]''' deposit boxes are found throughout Japan. They have two slots, one for regular domestic mail, and the other for overseas and express mail. ====Courier services==== '''Courier services''' (宅配便 ''takuhaibin'') are useful for sending packages, documents, and even luggage to/from airports, cities, and hotels. Golf clubs and skis/snowboards can be sent directly to the sporting destination. Couriers guarantee next-day delivery to practically all locations in Japan, excluding Okinawa and other far-flung islands, but including remote rural locations like ski resorts. You can send and receive items at most '''convenience stores''', as well as hotels and airports. The largest courier is Yamato Transport, often called '''''Kuro Neko''''' (黒ねこ "black cat") after their logo, with their service known as [http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/personal/ta_q_bin/ TA-Q-BIN (宅急便 ''takkyūbin'' )]. Other couriers include '''[http://www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/english/ Sagawa Express]''' and '''[http://www.nipponexpress.com/region-info/japan/service/ Nittsu]''' (Nippon Express). ===By net=== {{infobox|Typing with a Japanese keyboard|On a PC, there may be several possible ways to switch between Japanese and Roman input: * the <code>漢字</code> or <code>半角/全角</code> key (usually on the top left, just above Tab) * the <code>英数</code> key (on Caps Lock) * the left <code>Alt</code> key (or maybe <code>Ctrl</code><code>Shift</code> or <code>Alt</code><code>Shift</code>) * sometimes <code>Alt</code> or <code>Ctrl</code><code>Shift</code> and the <code>ひらがな/カタカナ</code> key (on the bottom to the right of Spacebar). On Macs, use the <code>英数</code> key (on the bottom, to the left of Spacebar). For email, the <code>@</code> key is usually on the right side of the keyboard, next to <code>P</code>; several other punctuation characters are moved, as well.}} '''Internet cafés''' (インターネットカフェ) can be found in or around many train stations. Here, you can upload your pictures from a digital camera, and if you forgot your cable, some cafés will lend you a memory card reader for free. Manga coffee shops (漫画喫茶 ''manga-kissa'') usually have Internet PCs as well. When you get tired of browsing the web, you can browse comic books, watch TV or a variety of movies-on-demand, or play video games. The cost is typically around ¥400/hour, with free (non-alcoholic) drinks, and possibly more. Often they have special night fares: around ¥1,500 for the 4-5 hour period when no trains are running. Internet cafés can be a safe and inexpensive place to spend the night if you miss the last train; some will even have "flat seat" areas for this purpose. Many train stations, including major JR stations, have Wi-Fi. Some larger train stations and airports also have rental PCs to surf and send e-mail, usually about ¥100 (coin) for 10 minutes. A number of business hotels have Internet access available if you have your own computer, sometimes for free. In most cases, access is usually provided by a VDSL modem connected to the hotel telephone system. Some of the hotels that offer free Internet access do not include the rental for the modem in the "free" part of the service, so check before you use. Setting up your network interface for DHCP is usually all that is required to gain access to the Internet in such situations. Many also tend to have rental or free PC's available for hotel guests. It is also possible to find Wi-Fi "hot spots" around many large cities in Japan, especially near tech-related businesses and large corporate buildings with unsecured wireless networks (the Apple store in Ginza, Tokyo has a fast, open 802.11n connection). '''Wireless Data''' is available, and if you have international data roaming, you should roam with no problem. GPRS does not work in Japan. Please see the section on mobile phones for additional information including phone/data card compatibility. Remember, the same restrictions on phones apply to Data. '''Public Wi-Fi''' availability is really hit and miss in Japan, but it is being expanded little by little. Cafes such as Starbucks may require registering your email address and responding to an email before you can use the Wifi (requiring you to go, sign up, find another place with free wifi, then going back). Many major stations, airports, and convenience stores also offer Wi-Fi, but will require you to register every time you use it. One simple way of getting around this is a Japan Free Wi-Fi app, which will allow you to connect without having to register every time. You should be ready though, this free Public WiFi is usually weak and painfully slow. Paid public WiFi, however, is readily available and can be had for as little as ¥200 a month (per device, phones only) from [https://wi2.co.jp/jp/personal/gigazo/ Wi2]. Given the high prices of prepaid data SIMs, this can be a good alternative or supplement. '''Pocket Wi-Fi''' is another affordable option for people wanting to use their Wi-Fi enabled devices (smartphone, iPhone, iPad, laptops etc.) A Pocket Wi-Fi device is a little smaller than a deck of cards and fits in your pocket or bag. It makes available a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot you can connect your devices to. You can either rent one from one of the many companies offering rentals, or, depending on your needs, you can DIY one by purchasing a used Pocket WiFi device from a local electronics store and inserting a SIM of your choice (docomo-branded Pocket WiFi devices will work with any data-only SIM sold in Japan that uses the docomo network, au-branded devices with model numbers W03, W04, W05, and W06 are sold unlocked and will work with any SIM on any network; an AU W03 supports all Japanese carrier frequency bands and can be had for as little as ¥1000). {{related|Hitchhiking_in_Japan}}{{related|Japan with children}}{{related|Kimono_buying_guide}}{{related|Meditation_in_Japan}}{{related|Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossoms Spots}}{{related|Japan's Top 3}} {{geo|35|136|zoom=5|layer=M|lang=en}} {{IsPartOf|East Asia}} {{usablecountry}} c5lgic5na2cxnwfxz9elidgaliv4f3o 0 16153 4506160 4477726 2022-08-22T11:59:18Z 103.176.224.31 /* Driving */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} po6o5921pckh7i07a2mil7pyvi6lwjp 4506170 4506160 2022-08-22T12:02:59Z 103.176.224.31 /* Shopping */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} 7zxgtg0nxwp5rs3qrj7mgh4o8tuz70s 4506175 4506170 2022-08-22T12:05:05Z 103.176.224.31 /* Talking about another's family */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} 21008qpor4lieg3l93uf6wfly2jv9fj 4506182 4506175 2022-08-22T12:09:38Z 103.176.224.31 /* On the phone */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} i1pflh53s1cn4rb8abb0g9qqbowsn2a 4506196 4506182 2022-08-22T12:24:11Z 103.176.224.31 /* Vowels */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "F'''E'''NG" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} kbb45yynf2misk66ya01730rj5bqmbz 4506200 4506196 2022-08-22T12:32:31Z 103.176.224.31 /* Consonants */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "F'''E'''NG" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "chin" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} 73c9lb2lipxce4thz70y6f52w28r25z 4506202 4506200 2022-08-22T12:36:13Z 103.176.224.31 /* Seasons */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "F'''E'''NG" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "chin" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ;Octopus : tưhbx (''buchian'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} k14sdokoqk56epj953w5sqt0kphj66v 4506204 4506202 2022-08-22T12:40:28Z 103.176.224.31 /* Shopping */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "F'''E'''NG" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "chin" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ;Octopus : tưhbx (''buchian'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping 5:31:32 === {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') 16:24 ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') 53:22 ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') 20:06 ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') 5:53 ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') 0:16 ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} 7yd35jdj1ius9cbug5kkkpwhj9kcpue 4506207 4506204 2022-08-22T12:47:40Z 103.176.224.31 /* Eating */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "F'''E'''NG" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "chin" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ;Octopus : tưhbx (''buchian'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== 4:21 {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') 0:01 ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') 0:12 ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') 0:32 ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') 0:40 ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') 050 ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') 051 ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') 059 ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') 102 ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') 105 ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') 106 ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') 110 ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') 112 ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') 113 ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') 115 ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') 120 ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') 121 ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') 123 ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') 129 ; bread : パン (''pan'') 130 ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') 132 ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') 139 ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') 140 ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') 141 ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') 150 ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') 151 ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') 156 ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') 157 ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') 159 ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') 201 ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') 209 ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') 216 ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) 219 ; water : 水 (''mizu'') 230 ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') 231 ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') 240 ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') 251 ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') 300 ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') 302 ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') 316 ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') 330 ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') 331 ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') 340 ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') 404 ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') 409 ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') 412 ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) 415 ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') 419 ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') 420 ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') 421 ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping 5:31:32 === {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') 16:24 ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') 53:22 ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') 20:06 ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') 5:53 ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') 0:16 ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} 5xnb0ipwzb8j9liny762k2o7e6309j3 4506214 4506207 2022-08-22T12:51:10Z 103.176.224.31 /* Colors */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "F'''E'''NG" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "chin" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ;Octopus : tưhbx (''buchian'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== 150 Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. 150 Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". 130 ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') 001 ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') 012 ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') 018 ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') 020 ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') 021 ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') 022 ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') 040 ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') 050 ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') 101 ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') 108 ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') 115 ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') 120 ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') 121 ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== 4:21 {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') 0:01 ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') 0:12 ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') 0:32 ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') 0:40 ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') 050 ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') 051 ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') 059 ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') 102 ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') 105 ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') 106 ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') 110 ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') 112 ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') 113 ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') 115 ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') 120 ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') 121 ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') 123 ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') 129 ; bread : パン (''pan'') 130 ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') 132 ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') 139 ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') 140 ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') 141 ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') 150 ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') 151 ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') 156 ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') 157 ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') 159 ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') 201 ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') 209 ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') 216 ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) 219 ; water : 水 (''mizu'') 230 ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') 231 ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') 240 ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') 251 ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') 300 ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') 302 ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') 316 ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') 330 ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') 331 ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') 340 ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') 404 ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') 409 ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') 412 ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) 415 ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') 419 ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') 420 ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') 421 ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping 5:31:32 === {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') 16:24 ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') 53:22 ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') 20:06 ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') 5:53 ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') 0:16 ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} khcm51tepq3qoeq3hbk9pmpsq5f1wow 4506216 4506214 2022-08-22T12:54:25Z 103.176.224.31 /* Problems */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "F'''E'''NG" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "chin" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== 410 {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' 001 ; face: 顔 ''kao'' 012 ; eyes: 目 ''me'' 036 ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' 040 ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' 102 ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' 156 ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' 200 ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' 216 ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' 230 ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' 235 ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' 240 ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' 300 ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' 302 ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' 340 ; hands: 手 ''te'' 350 ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' 400 ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' 402 ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' 405 ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' 408 ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi'' 410}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ;Octopus : tưhbx (''buchian'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== 150 Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. 150 Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". 130 ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') 001 ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') 012 ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') 018 ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') 020 ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') 021 ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') 022 ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') 040 ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') 050 ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') 101 ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') 108 ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') 115 ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') 120 ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') 121 ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== 4:21 {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') 0:01 ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') 0:12 ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') 0:32 ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') 0:40 ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') 050 ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') 051 ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') 059 ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') 102 ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') 105 ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') 106 ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') 110 ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') 112 ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') 113 ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') 115 ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') 120 ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') 121 ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') 123 ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') 129 ; bread : パン (''pan'') 130 ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') 132 ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') 139 ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') 140 ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') 141 ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') 150 ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') 151 ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') 156 ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') 157 ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') 159 ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') 201 ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') 209 ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') 216 ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) 219 ; water : 水 (''mizu'') 230 ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') 231 ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') 240 ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') 251 ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') 300 ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') 302 ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') 316 ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') 330 ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') 331 ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') 340 ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') 404 ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') 409 ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') 412 ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) 415 ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') 419 ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') 420 ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') 421 ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' 0:12 ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) 36:53 ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' 0:03 ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' 0:04 ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' 56:32 ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping 5:31:32 === {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') 16:24 ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') 0:01 ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') 13:01 ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') 0:07 ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') 14:06 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') 53:22 ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') 20:06 ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') 0:06 ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') 0:31 ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') 5:53 ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') 0:16 ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') 33:05 ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') 620:25 ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') 4:02 ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') 52:08 ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') 42:23 ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') 02:06 ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') 46:05 ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') 34:32 ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') 42:44 ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') 56:03 ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') 24:33 ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 42:22 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 43:01 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 44:00 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 40:56 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 50:01 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 50:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 50:19 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 50:36 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 50:41 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 50:49 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 51:01 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} rc29yj8ue6avxbo0fshmbbovsdkb42z 4506238 4506216 2022-08-22T13:28:11Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/103.176.224.31|103.176.224.31]] ([[User talk:103.176.224.31|talk]]) to last version by [[User:Leo219|Leo219]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} 7caf6u9k586iw9l9oq7bibwxp76ge2y 4506548 4506238 2022-08-23T04:20:12Z 103.176.224.62 /* Driving */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 0:01 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') 0:12 ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 0:38 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 0:40 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 0:51 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 1:05 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 1:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 1:20 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 1:23 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 1:40 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 52:33 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 1:02:31 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} bcovb3qy9hninwz4amynhz435vycx4b 4506549 4506548 2022-08-23T04:23:10Z 103.176.224.62 /* Consonants */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; ng : like 'ng' in "ching" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 0:01 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') 0:12 ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 0:38 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 0:40 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 0:51 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 1:05 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 1:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 1:20 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 1:23 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 1:40 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 52:33 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 1:02:31 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} fqeyv6lk3lqbouui2h38rt8jtwxstks 4506550 4506549 2022-08-23T04:26:43Z 103.176.224.62 /* Learning more */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Osaka banner.jpg}} [[File:Chingodo Lanterns.JPG|thumb|240px|Japanese writing on a temple lantern, [[Tokyo/Asakusa|Asakusa]], [[Tokyo]]]] '''Japanese''' ({{Lang|ja|日本語}} ''nihongo'') is spoken in [[Japan]], and essentially nowhere else other than areas of Micronesia, [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Taiwan]] where some use it as a second language, with sizeable Japanese-speaking foreign communities in [[South Korea]] and [[China]]. Japanese may be distantly related to [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], but is entirely unrelated to [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], though it uses a large amount of imported Chinese vocabulary. The written form uses a combination of Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji characters which were all derived from Chinese characters. Japanese is a language with many distinct dialects, and while standard Japanese (標準語 ''hyōjungo''), which is based on the [[Tokyo]] dialect, is universally taught and understood, you may get an interesting reply from some when travelling around the country. The dialect you are most likely to encounter is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in the region around Osaka and Kyoto (with slight dialectal differences between the two cities), and is often heard in the Japanese mass media. This might make it harder for you to understand them if you have just started learning Japanese, though locals will usually be able to switch to standard Japanese if you ask them politely. ==Pronunciation guide== Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese or Thai, and is comparatively easy to pronounce. The vowels are pronounced virtually identical to the "Italian way" and there are very few consonants that do not exist in English. All syllables are to be pronounced equal in length. Long vowels take the length of two syllables. Combinations like ''kya'' are treated like one syllable and are the only occurrence of glides (semivowels), all other syllables are to be pronounced rather separately. Also avoid placing too much emphasis on particular words or syllables. Although Japanese does have a form of stress and intonation, it is significantly flatter than English. Word stress is much more subtle and neglecting it at this point should not interfere with meaning. Trying to keep your intonation flat will make your attempts to speak Japanese more comprehensible to local listeners. When asking questions, you can raise the tone at the end, as in English. ===Vowels=== Japanese has only five basic vowels, but the distinction between short and long vowels is important. For example, 少女 (''shōjo'', with a long first vowel) means "teenage girl", while 処女 (''shojo'', with a short first vowel) means "female virgin". The sounds below are first given in romanized Japanese, then hiragana and finally katakana. The '''short vowels''' are: ; a, あ, ア : like 'a' in "p'''a'''lm" ; i, い, イ : like 'i' in "mar'''i'''ne" ; u, う, ウ : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p", but short (said without rounded lips) ; e, え, エ : like 'e' in "s'''e'''t" ; o, お, オ : like 'o' in "r'''o'''pe", but less round Note that "u" is often weak at the end of syllables. In particular, the common endings ''desu'' and ''masu'' are usually pronounced as ''des'' and ''mas'' respectively. Also, the kana "do" and "to" are sometimes pronounced with a weak "o". The '''long vowels''' are generally the same sound as the short vowels, only held approximately 60% longer. The long vowels, marked with a macron (¯) or by two adjacent vowels, are: ; ā, ああ, アー : like 'a' in "f'''a'''ther" ; ii or ī, いい, イー : like 'ee' in "ch'''ee'''se" ; ū, うう, ウー : like 'oo' in "h'''oo'''p" ; ei or ē, えい, エー : like the 'ay' in "p'''ay'''" ; ō, おお, おう, オー : stretch out the 'o' in "s'''o'''ap" All descriptions above are approximations, it's best to practice with a native speaker. ===Consonants=== With the solitary exception of "n" (ん・ン), consonants in Japanese are always followed by a vowel to form a syllable. Consonants and vowels are not freely combinable as in English, see table on the right for all possible syllables and note irregularities like し ''shi'' or ふ ''fu''. Certain syllables can be marked with diacritics, which alters the pronunciation of the consonant part. The list below first gives the consonant part of the syllable in romanized Japanese, then the Japanese syllables that the sound occurs in first in Hiragana, then Katakana. ; k in かきくけこ・カキクケコ : like 'k' in "king" ; g in がぎぐげご・ガギグゲゴ : like 'g' in "go" ; s in さすせそ・サスセソ : like 's' in "sit" ; z in ざずぜぞ・ザズゼゾ・づ・ヅ : like 'z' in "haze" ; t in たてと・タテト : like 't' in "top" ; d in だでど・ダデド : like 'd' in "dog" ; n in なにぬねの・ナニヌネノ : like 'n' in "nice" ; ng : like 'ng' in "ching" ; h in はひへほ・ハヒヘホ : like 'h' in "help" ; p in ぱぴぷぺぽ・パピプペポ : like 'p' in "pig" ; b in ばびぶべぼ・バビブベボ : like 'b' in "bed" ; m in まみむめも・マミムメモ : like 'm' in "mother" ; y in やゆよ・ヤユヨ : like 'y' in "yard" ; r in らりるれろ・ラリルレロ : no equivalent in English, a sound between 'l', 'r' and 'd', but close to a very soft 'r' ; w in わを・ワヲ : like 'w' in "wall" ; sh in し・シ : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; j in じ・ジ・ぢ・ヂ : like 'j' in "jar" ; ch in ち・チ : like 'ch' in "touch" ; ts in つ・ツ : like 'ts' in "hot soup" ; f in ふ・フ : no equivalent in English, somewhere between 'h' and 'f', but you will be understood if you pronounce it either way ; n, ん, ン : short 'n', slides towards 'm' in some cases ; っ・ッ (small ''tsu'') : glottal stop; the following consonant is prepared, held and stopped for the duration of one syllable. For example, にっぽん ''nippon'' is pronounced "nip-(pause)-pon". (Note that the double consonants ''nn, mm'', which are not written with っ, do not have this pause.) ===Examples=== * ''kon'nichiwa'' → ''kon-nee-chee-wa'' ('''not''' ''kounneeCHEEua'') * ''sumimasen'' → ''soo-mee-mah-sen'' ('''not''' ''sue my maysen'') * ''onegai shimasu'' → ''oh-neh-gigh shee-mahss'' ('''not''' ''ouneeGAY SHYmessu'') ===Katakana=== [[File:Kana & Romaji Chart.svg|thumb|400px|''Kana'' chart]] Katakana are used to write foreign and loanwords (except for those from Chinese, which are written in kanji) and are hence a good choice for travellers to learn. The katakana set of characters encompasses exactly the same sounds as hiragana; they only look different. The table on the left only reproduces the basic character set and diacritics (カ → ガ). Combinations (キャ) apply just as for hiragana. One additional sound though is ヴ ''vu'' and combinations like ヴェ ''ve'' based on it, accommodating additional foreign sounds. Every once in a while you may spot additional ingenious combinations or use of diacritics. Since Japanese doesn't very well accommodate rapid successions of consonants, the katakana transcription can often only approximate the actual pronunciation of a foreign word. While some words like café (カフェ ''kafe'') can be represented quite gracefully, other words like beer (ビール ''bīru'') or rent-a-car (レンタカー ''rentakā'') seem slightly strange to the native English speaker. Nonetheless, many English expressions and concepts are used in everyday life, as are a number of German, French, Dutch and Portuguese loanwords. In many cases, the original words are often abbreviated when used in Japanese, such as '''super'''market (スーパー ''sūpā''), '''depart'''ment store (デパート ''depāto''), '''remo'''te '''con'''trol (リモコン ''rimokon'') or '''televi'''sion (テレビ ''terebi''). Oftentimes the exact meaning of a word has changed in Japanese (German: ''Arbeit'' → アルバイト ''arubaito'' is used only for part-time work) or a completely new meaning was invented (ワンマンカー ''wanmankā'' → "one-man car", trains and buses without an inspector, only ''one'' driver), but you can usually at least guess at the meaning. Due to post World War II American influences, by far the largest number of non-Chinese loan words in the Japanese language come from American English. To identify a katakana word, it's usually helpful to repeat it out loud a few times and to leave out superfluous vocals, especially the 'u' in ス ''su'' and 'o' in ト ''to''. That way ライス ''raisu'' quickly becomes "rice" and チケット ''chiketto'' becomes "ticket". Don't try too hard though, as sometimes original Japanese words are written in katakana as well, similar to the use of uppercase or italic letters in English. In addition, some words were not derived from English but from other languages such as German, French or Dutch. ==Grammar== Japanese sentence structure is very similar to that of [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]], so speakers of Korean will find many aspects of Japanese grammar familiar, and vice versa. Unlike English, which uses the ''subject-verb-object'' syntax, Japanese syntax is ''subject-object-verb''. Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions (''Japan in'' and not ''in Japan''). However, unlike many European languages, it has no gender, declensions or plurals. Nouns never decline while adjectives follow a generally standard conjugation pattern. However, verbs have extensive conjugation patterns and many Japanese lessons for foreign language learners are about getting these conjugations right. Verbs and adjectives also conjugate by politeness level, though, and in a rather peculiar way. Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning several morphemes which have purely grammatical functions are glued to the end of a word stem to express the grammatical function. The more the intended meaning differs from the basic form of the word, the more morphemes are glued together. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" ! colspan=5 | Japanese verb and adjective conjugation |- | rowspan=3 style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>見 ''mi'' | '''basic form'''<br>見る ''miru'', "to see" | '''polite basic form'''<br>見ます ''mimasu'', "to see" (pol.) | '''negative form'''<br>見ない ''minai'', "to not see" | '''pol. neg. form'''<br>見ません ''mimasen'', "to not see" (pol.) |- | '''past tense'''<br>見た ''mita'', "seen" | '''pol. past tense'''<br>見ました ''mimashita'', "seen" (pol.) | '''neg. past tense'''<br>見なかった ''minakatta'', "not seen" | '''pol. neg. past tense'''<br>見ませんでした ''mimasendeshita'', "not seen" (pol.) |- | '''possibility'''<br>見える ''mieru'', "can see" | '''pol. possibility'''<br>見えます ''miemasu'', "can see" (pol.) | '''neg. possibility'''<br>見えない ''mienai'', "can not see" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''stem'''<br>赤 ''aka'' | '''adjective'''<br>赤い ''akai'', "red" | '''negative form'''<br>赤くない ''akakunai'', "not red" | '''neg. past tense'''<br>赤くなかった ''akakunakatta'', "was not red" |} ===Forming sentences=== {{infobox|Particle pronunciation|The hiragana syllables '''は ''ha''''', '''へ ''he''''' and '''を ''wo''''' are pronounced as '''''wa''''', '''''e''''' and '''''o''''' respectively when used as a particle.}} Japanese grammar generally employs a subject-object-verb order, but is very modular and flexible since the grammatical meaning of a word is expressed by the morphemes glued to its end and special marker particles. The two most important particles are the topic marker は ''wa'' and the object marker を ''o''. : I saw the movie. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''映画'''を'''見ました。}} : ''Watashi-'''wa''' eiga-'''o''' mimashita.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] movie-['''object'''] seen.'' It becomes a little more complicated if both objects and subjects are mixed within a sentence and the subject marker が ''ga'' is thrown in. : I discovered that she likes tea. : {{Lang|ja|私'''は'''彼女'''が'''お茶'''を'''好きな事'''が'''分かった。}}<br />''Watashi-'''wa''' kanojo-'''ga''' ocha-'''o''' sukinakoto-'''ga''' wakatta.'' : ''I-['''topic'''] she-['''subj.'''] tea-['''obj.'''] like-['''subj.'''] understood.'' Students of the language can spend years wrapping their heads around the difference between the ''topic'' of a sentence (marked by は ''wa'') and the ''subject'' of a sentence (marked by が ''ga''). However, as a beginner, you can fairly safely always use は ''wa'' to mark the person doing the action and get your message across. Some other useful particles are: ; の no : possessive marker : The mother's child : {{Lang|ja|母'''の'''子}} : ''haha '''no''' ko'' ; で de, に ni : indicating places and times : in Tokyo : {{Lang|ja|東京で}} : ''Tōkyō-'''de''''' : at 2 o'clock : {{Lang|ja|２時に}} : ''niji-'''ni''''' ; から kara, へ e, まで made : from, towards, until : From here towards Osaka until Nara. : {{Lang|ja|ここから大阪へ奈良まで}} : ''koko '''kara''' Ōsaka-'''e''' Nara-'''made''' '' ; と to, か ka : and, or : This and that. : {{Lang|ja|これとそれ}} : ''kore '''to''' sore'' : This or that. : {{Lang|ja|これかそれ}} : ''kore '''ka''' sore'' ; か？ ka? : question forming particle : Are you going to Tokyo? : {{Lang|ja|東京に行きますか？}} : ''Tōkyō ni ikimasu '''ka?''' '' ===The verb "to be"=== Japanese does not have an exact equivalent to the English verb "to be". Instead, the easiest way to form '''"A equals B"''' type expressions like "I am ..." or "This is ..." is the pattern '''A ''wa'', B ''desu'''''. : {{Lang|ja|私は、山田です。}} ''Watashi wa, Yamada desu'' ("I [am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは、りんごです。}} ''Kore wa, ringo desu'' ("This [is] apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは、赤いです。}} ''Sore wa, akai desu'' ("That [is] red."). The word です　''desu'' here is ''not'' a verb, it's a polite copula (linking word), which can be omitted in colloquial speech or replaced with other copulas including でした ''deshita'' (polite past), でしょう ''deshō'' (polite suggestion) or だ ''da'' (plain). The topic indicated by は ''wa'' is also optional and is often implied by context: : {{Lang|ja|あなたはだれですか？}} ''Anata wa dare desu ka?'' ("Who [are] you?") : {{Lang|ja|山田です。}} ''Yamada desu.'' ("[I am] Yamada.") : {{Lang|ja|これは何ですか？}} ''Kore wa nan desu ka?'' ("What [is] this?") : {{Lang|ja|りんごです。}} ''Ringo desu''. ("[This is] an apple.") : {{Lang|ja|それは何色ですか？}} ''Sore wa nani-iro desu ka?'' ("What color [is] that?")<br> : {{Lang|ja|赤いです。}} ''Akai desu''. ("[That is] red.") The two verbs いる ''iru'' > ''imasu'' and ある ''aru'' > ''arimasu'' express the '''physical presence''' of a person or animal in the former case, or an object in the latter case. To say '''"A is located in B'''", use the pattern '''A ''ga'' B ''ni imasu/arimasu'' ''': : {{Lang|ja|山田さんがここにいます。}} ''Yamada-san ga koko ni imasu.'' ("Mr. Yamada is [physically located] here.") : {{Lang|ja|本が棚にありますか？}}　''Hon ga tana ni arimasu ka?'' ("Is there a book on the shelf?") : {{Lang|ja|はい、あります。}} ''Hai, arimasu.'' ("Yes, [the book] is [on the shelf].") ===Addressing others=== {{infobox|Me, myself and I| As long as you're not 100% sure what you're doing you should always refer to yourself as 私 ''watashi'' and address others by their last name + さん ''san''. If you feel adventurous, here are a number of ways to address people. '''I''' ; {{Lang|ja|私}} ''watashi'', ''watakushi'' : the most common polite form for "I", lit. "private" ; {{Lang|ja|あたし}} ''atashi'' : informal feminine version of ''watashi'' ; {{Lang|ja|うち}} ''uchi'' : dialect form of ''watashi'', lit "(my) house", usually used to refer to one's family or home ; {{Lang|ja|僕}} ''boku'' : boyish and more informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|俺}} ''ore'' : male speak (rude) '''you''' ; {{Lang|ja|あなた}} ''anata'' : most common form for "you", not too direct ; {{Lang|ja|あんた}} ''anta'' : more direct, used only by females, tends to be insulting ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''kimi'' : more direct, mostly from a man to a woman ; {{Lang|ja|お前}} ''omae'' : very direct and informal, used only by males ; {{Lang|ja|てめえ}} ''temē'' : ''very'' rude, used only by males }} More a cultural than a grammatical problem is the problem of addressing somebody. Even though there exist a multitude of words with the meaning "you", it is generally avoided to address somebody directly. The closest equivalent to "you" is あなた ''anata'', but it's only used among close friends, or people of lower status than you. It is usually preferred to address somebody by family name, title or status, applying appropriate honorifics. Note that in Japan, it is generally rude to address people by first name, and last names are almost always used instead. The exception to this rule are children of elementary school age or younger, and friends you are very close to. When names are written in Japanese, they always follow the Eastern name order (like Chinese and Korean names), with the last name always written before the first name, which is contrary to common practice in English-speaking countries. This means that someone known as Taro Yamada in English will have his name written as 山田太郎 (''yamada tarō'') in Japanese. ; {{Lang|ja|さん}} ''-san'' : The most basic honorific, about equivalent to Mister or Miss (no distinction between the two in Japanese). 山田さん ''Yamada-san'': Mister Yamada ; {{Lang|ja|様}} ''-sama'' : Politer than ''-san'', used to address people ranking higher on the social ladder, such as your supervisor or boss, or even deities. It is also used by shop assistants to address customers. ; {{Lang|ja|ちゃん}} ''-chan'' : Usually used to address young children. Also used to address (usually female) close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|君}} ''-kun'' : Used to address young boys and male close friends. ; {{Lang|ja|お客様}} ''okyaku-sama'' : "Honored Mr/Ms customer", used by hotel or shop owners to address you. ; {{Lang|ja|店長さん}} ''tenchō-san'' : The way to address the owner of a shop, though not the other employees. ; {{Lang|ja|お兄さん}} ''onīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お姉さん}} ''onēsan'' : Literally "big brother" and "big sister" respectively, is used to address young people who you're having a hard time finding a better honorific for. ; {{Lang|ja|お爺さん}} ''ojīsan'', {{Lang|ja|お婆さん}} ''obāsan'' : "Grandpa" and "grandma", very popular to address old people. Cuter when used with ''-chan''. ; {{Lang|ja|社長様}} ''shachō-sama'' : Used by employees to address the boss of the company. ; {{Lang|ja|そちら}} ''sochira'' : Means something like "on your side" and is used when absolutely no better honorific can be found. There are also several different words for "I", with 私 ''watashi'' being the most commonly used. Grammatically it's often unnecessary to use the words "you" or "I" as the intended meaning is obvious from context, so they should generally be avoided. Sometimes people will also call themselves by their own name. When doing so they must not add any additional honorifics though; one only does this when addressing others. There's no specific form for "we" or the plural "you". To address groups of people you add the plural particle たち ''-tachi'' to somebody within the group or the group designator. ; {{Lang|ja|私たち}} ''watashi-tachi'' : lit. "the group around myself", meaning "we" ; {{Lang|ja|我々}} ''ware-ware'' : a less formal way of saying "we" ; {{Lang|ja|あなたたち}} ''anata-tachi'' : "the group around you", plural "you" ; {{Lang|ja|子供たち}} ''kodomo-tachi'' : "a group of children", meaning "the children" ; {{Lang|ja|山田さんたち}} ''Yamada-san-tachi'' : "the group around Yamada-''san''", everybody you'd associate with Mr. Yamada, based on context ==Reading and writing== Reading and writing Japanese are advanced skills which take years of work to gain much real proficiency. Japanese people use three different writing systems of various complexity, two of which ('''''hiragana''''' and '''''katakana''''') are syllabic and relatively easy to learn with 50 characters each. The clincher is the set of Chinese characters known as '''''kanji''''', roughly 2,000 of which are in daily use while many more exist. The components of kanji originated as pictures representing concepts, and even though kanji have since evolved dramatically and many have long since jettisoned any connection to the original concept, the meaning of a few simple kanji can still be guessed at (see below). One difficulty in reading Japanese lies often in the fact that a kanji can have '''several different pronunciations'''. The kanji 人 for example has the meaning of "person", and by itself it may be pronounced ''hito''. The kanji 大 means "big" (imagine a person with outstretched arms) and can be pronounced as ''dai'' or ''ō''. Together they form the word 大人 "adult" (lit. ''big person''), which is pronounced ''otona'' &mdash; a pronunciation that has no relation to ''dai'', ''ō'', or ''hito''. In the word {{Lang|ja|外国人}} ''gaikokujin'' ("foreigner", lit. ''outside country person'') the same kanji 人 is pronounced ''jin''. These pronunciations exist because a single kanji may be used to write one or more different words, or parts of words. These "readings" are normally categorized as either Sino-Japanese ({{Lang|ja|音読み}} ''on'yomi'', a Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced to Japanese) or native Japanese ({{Lang|ja|訓読み}} ''kun'yomi'', based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word). Generally, kanji are read with their native Japanese reading when on their own (eg. {{Lang|ja|話}}, ''<u>hanashi</u>'') and with Sino-Japanese readings when part of compound words (eg. {{Lang|ja|電話}}, ''den<u>wa</u>''), though there are many exceptions. While knowing Chinese will give one a huge advantage in tackling kanji, and someone who knows Chinese would generally be able to guess the meanings of new kanji with about 70% accuracy, one should still be careful. While most characters have similar meanings in both Japanese and Chinese, there are a few which have drastically different meanings. For example, the word {{Lang|ja|手紙}}, literally "hand paper", means "toilet paper" (''shǒuzhǐ'') in China, but "letter" (''tegami'') in Japan. In addition, many kanji used in Japanese have since become less used in Chinese (e.g. {{Lang|ja|犬}} ''inu'', meaning "dog"), meaning that while a native speaker of Chinese would likely recognize them, foreign language learners of Chinese may not be familiar with these characters as they are rarely used outside of idioms, proverbs and compound words. Moreover, the difference between Chinese and Japanese syntax means that different combinations of kanji can also result in drastically different meanings with amusing results. For instance, the kanji for the Japanese surname ''Inukai'' (犬飼), which means "someone who raises dogs" in Japanese, will be interpreted as "someone who was raised by a dog" by a Chinese speaker. Kanji are mixed with hiragana and katakana in everyday writing for historical reasons. Japan adapted the Chinese ''hanzi'' system into ''man'yōgana'', which is using the characters for their sounds rather than their meaning. Cursive form of man'yōgana was later on simplified into hiragana by women and its printed form into katakana by Buddhist monks. Until 1900 there were several hiragana characters to write each syllable. There are also several competing systems for rendering Japanese in the Latin alphabet, although the '''[[w:Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn romanization]]''' system is the most common and is used on Wikivoyage as well. Do not be surprised if you see these words romanized differently elsewhere. Also note that there are many '''homophones''' in Japanese, i.e. words with different meanings that have the same pronunciation (like "there", "they're" and "their"). This can be confusing even to native speakers, to the extent that words have to be explained with an alternative reading or need to be drawn. These words may also employ a pitch-accent system to distinguish them, which speakers of non-tonal languages may have difficulty learning to understand. {| cellpadding="8" border="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #EEE" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''hashi''''' | 橋 "bridge" | 端 "edge" | 箸 "chopsticks" |- | style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #CCC;" | '''''noboru''''' | 登る "to climb" | 昇る "to ascend" | 上る "to go up" |} ==Phrase list== {{infobox|Common signs| ; 営業中 (''eigyōchū'') : Open ; 準備中 (''junbichū'') : Closed ; 入口 (''iriguchi'') : Entrance ; 出口 (''deguchi'') : Exit ; 大・中・小 (''dai / chū / shō'') : Large / Medium / Small ; 押 (''osu'') : Push ; 引 (''hiku'') : Pull ; お手洗い (''o-tearai''), トイレ (''toire''), 化粧室 (''keshō-shitsu'') : Toilet ; 男 (''otoko'') : Men ; 女 (''onna'') : Women ; 禁止 (''kinshi'') : Forbidden ; 円 (''en'') : Yen}} ===Basics=== ; Good afternoon. : こんにちは。 ''Konnichiwa.'' (''kon-nee-chee-wah'') ; How are you? : お元気ですか？ ''O-genki desu ka?'' (''Oh-GEN-kee dess-ka?'') ; Fine, thank you. : はい、元気です。 ''Hai, genki desu.'' (''Ha-ee, gen-kee dess'') ; How about you? : あなたは？ ''Anata wa?'' (''Ah-nah-tah wa'') ; What's your name? (lit. "Your name is...") : お名前は？ ''O-namae wa?'' (''Oh-nah-mah-eh wah?'') ; My name is ... . : ... です。 ''... desu.'' (''... dess.'') ; Nice to meet you. (formal) : 始めまして。どうぞ宜しくお願いします。 ''Hajimemashite. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.'' (''Hah-jee-meh-mash-teh dohh-zoh yoh-roh-sh-ku oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-ss'') ; Please. (request) : お願いします。 ''Onegai shimasu.'' (''oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mahs'') ; Please. (offer) : どうぞ。 ''Dōzo.'' (''Dohh-zoh'') ; This person is ... . (when introducing somebody) : こちらは ... ''Kochira wa ...'' (''ko-chi-rah wah...'') ; Thank you very much. (formal) : どうもありがとうございました。 ''Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.'' (''doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mah-shi-tah'') ; Thank you. (less formal) : ありがとうございます。 ''Arigatō gozaimasu.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZAh-ee-mahs'') ; Thank you. (normal) : ありがとう。 ''Arigatō.'' (''ah-ree-GAH-toh'') ; Thanks. (informal) : どうも。 ''Dōmo.'' (''doh-moh'') ; Thanks. (informal, Kansai) : おおきに。 ''Ōkini'' (''ohh-KEE-nee'') ; You're welcome. : どういたしまして。 ''Dō itashimashite.'' (''doh EE-tah-shee mah-shteh'') ; yes : はい。 ''hai'' (''High'') ; no : いいえ。 ''iie'' (''EE-eh'') ; Excuse me. : すみません。 ''Sumimasen.'' (''soo-mee-mah-sen'') ; I'm sorry. : ごめんなさい。 ''Gomen nasai.'' (''goh-men-nah-sah-ee'') ; I'm sorry. (informal) : ごめん ''Gomen.'' (''goh-men'') ; Goodbye. (long-term) : さようなら。 ''Sayōnara.'' (''sa-YOHH-nah-rah'') ; Goodbye. (informal) : じゃね。 ''Ja ne.'' (''Jah-neh'') ; I can't speak Japanese (very well). : 日本語が（よく）話せません。 ''Nihongo ga (yoku) hanasemasen.'' (''nee-hohn-goh gah (yo-koo) hah-nah-seh-mah-sen'') ; Do you speak Japanese? : 日本語が話せますか？ ''Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''ni-HON-go gah hah-nah-se-mahs-KAH?'') ; Yes, a little. : はい、少し。 ''Hai, sukoshi.'' (''HIGH sko-shee'') ; Do you speak English? : 英語が話せますか？ ''Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs-KAH?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : 誰か英語が話せますか？ ''Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?'' (''dah-reh-kah EHH-goh gah hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?'') ; Please speak slowly. : ゆっくり話してください。 ''Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.'' (''YOO-kuree hanash-teh koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please say it again. : もう一度言ってください。 ''Mō ichido itte kudasai.'' (''mo EE-chee-doh ee-te koo-dah-sah-ee'') ; Please help! : 助けて！ ''Tasukete!'' (''tahs-keh-teh!'') ; Look out! : 危ない！ ''Abunai!'' (''ah-boo-NIGH!'') ; Good morning. : お早うございます。 ''Ohayō gozaimasu.'' (''oh-hah-YOH go-zah-ee-mahs'') ; Good morning. (informal) : おはよう。 ''Ohayō.'' ; Good evening. : こんばんは。 ''Kombanwa.'' (''kohn-bahn-wah'') ; Good night (to sleep) : お休みなさい。 ''Oyasuminasai.'' (''oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sigh'') ; Good night (to sleep) (informal) : お休み。 ''Oyasumi.'' ; I don't understand. : 分かりません。 ''Wakarimasen.'' (''wah-kah-ree-mah-sen'') ; I am not Japanese. : 日本人ではありません。 ''Nihonjin dewa arimasen.'' (''nee-hon-jin deh-wah a-ree-ma-sehn'') ; Where is the toilet? : お手洗い・トイレはどこですか？ ''Otearai/toire wa doko desu ka?'' (''Oh-teh-ah-rah-ee/toh-ee-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?'') ; What? : 何？''Nani?'' (''nah-nee'') ; Where? : どこ？ ''Doko?'' (''doh-koh'') ; Who? : 誰？ ''Dare?'' (''dah-reh'') ; When? : いつ？ ''Itsu?'' (''it-soo'') ; Which? : どれ？ ''Dore?'' (''doh-reh'') ; Why? : どうして ''Dōshite'' (''doh-sh'teh'') ; How? : どうやって？ ''Dōyatte'' (''dohh-yah-teh'') ; How much? : いくら？ ''Ikura?'' (''ee-koo-rah'') ; What type of? : どんな？ ''Donna?'' (''dohn-nah'') ===Problems=== {{infobox|What part of "no" don't you understand?|The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no", and in fact the language's closest equivalent, いいえ ''iie'', is largely limited to denying compliments you have received. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "''Iie'', it is very bad!"). But there are numerous other ways of expressing "no", so here are a few to watch out for. ; いいです。<br/>''Ii desu.''<br/>結構です。<br/>''Kekkō desu.'' : "It's good," or "It's excellent." Used when you don't want more beer, don't want your ''bentō'' lunch microwaved, and are generally happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth-sucking and handwaving to be sure to get your point across - both of these expressions may be interpreted as ''positive'' responses if you don't include enough nonverbal indications to the contrary. ; ちょっと難しいです･･･<br/>''Chotto muzukashii desu...'' : Literally "it's a little difficult", but in practice "it's completely impossible." Often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained. Take the hint. ; 申し訳ないですが･･･<br/>''Mōshiwakenai desu ga...'' : "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something. ; ダメです。<br/>''Dame desu.'' : "It's no good." Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something. The [[Kansai]] equivalent is ''akan''. ; 違います。<br/>''Chigaimasu.'' : "It is different." What they really mean is "you're wrong". The casual form ''chigau'' and the [[Kansai]] contraction ''chau'' are also much used. }} ; Leave me alone. : ほっといてくれ。 ''Hottoitekure.'' ; Don't touch me! : さわらないで！ ''Sawaranaide!'' ; I'll call the police. : 警察をよぶよ！。 ''Keisatsu o yobu yo!'' ; Police! : 警察！ ''Keisatsu!'' ; Stop! Thief! : 動くな! 泥棒！ ''Ugokuna! Dorobō!'' ; I need your help. : 手伝ってください。 ''Tetsudatte kudasai.'' ; It's an emergency. : 緊急です。 ''Kinkyū desu.'' ; I'm lost. : 道に迷っています。 ''Michi ni mayotte imasu.'' ; I lost my bag. : 鞄をなくしました。 ''Kaban o nakushimashita.'' ; I dropped my wallet. : 財布をおとしました。 ''Saifu o otoshimashita.'' ; I'm sick. : 病気です。 ''Byōki desu.'' ; I don't feel well. : 具合がわるいです。 ''Guai ga warui desu.'' ; I've been injured. : 怪我をしました。 ''Kega o shimashita.'' ; Please call a doctor. : 医者を呼んでください。 ''Isha o yonde kudasai.'' ; Can I use your phone? : 電話を使わせていただけますか？ ''Denwa o tsukawasete itadakemasu ka?'' ====Medical emergencies==== ; I need a doctor. : 医者に見てもらいたいです。 ''Isha ni mite moraitai desu.'' ; Is there a doctor who can speak English? : 英語の出来る医者はいますか？ ''Eigo no dekiru isha wa imasu ka?'' ; Please take me to a doctor. : 医者に連れていって下さい。 ''Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai.'' ; My wife/husband/child is sick. : 妻・旦那・子供が病気です。 ''Tsuma/danna/kodomo ga byōki desu.'' ; Please call an ambulance. : 救急車を呼んで下さい。 ''Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.'' ; I need first aid. : 応急手当をして下さい。 ''Ōkyū teate o shite kudasai.'' ; I need to go to the emergency room. : 救急室に行かなければなりません。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanakereba narimasen.''<br />shorter: 救急室に行かないと。 ''Kyūkyūshitsu ni ikanai to.'' ; How long will it take to get better? : 治るのにどの位かかりますか？ ''Naoru no ni dono kurai kakarimasu ka?'' ; Where is a pharmacy? : 薬局はどこですか？ ''Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?'' ====Allergies==== ; I'm allergic to ... . : 私は ... アレルギーです。 ''Watashi wa ... arerugii desu.'' ; antibiotics : 抗生物質 ''kōsei busshitsu'' ; aspirin : アスピリン ''asupirin'' ; codeine : コデイン ''kodein'' ; dairy products : 乳製品 ''nyūseihin'' ; food coloring : 人工着色料 ''jinkō chakushokuryō'' ; fungus : 菌類 ''kinrui'' ; MSG : 味の素 ''ajinomoto'' ; mushrooms : キノコ ''kinoko'' ; peanuts : ピーナッツ ''pīnattsu'' ; penicillin : ペニシリン ''penishirin'' ; pollen : 花粉 ''kafun'' ; seafood : 魚介類 ''gyokairui'' ; sesame : ゴマ ''goma'' ; shellfish : 貝類 ''kairui'' ; tree nuts, fruits or berries : 木の実 ''kinomi'' ; wheat : 小麦 ''komugi'' ====Explaining symptoms==== {{infobox|Body parts|; head : 頭 ''atama'' ; face: 顔 ''kao'' ; eyes: 目 ''me'' ; ears: 耳 ''mimi'' ; nose: 鼻 ''hana'' ; throat: 喉 ''nodo'' ; chin: 顎 ''ago'' ; neck : 首 ''kubi'' ; shoulders: 肩 ''kata'' ; chest: 胸 ''mune'' ; waist: 腰 ''koshi'' ; arms: 腕 ''ude'' ; wrists: 手首 ''tekubi'' ; fingers: 指 ''yubi'' ; hands: 手 ''te'' ; elbow: 肘 ''hiji'' ; buttocks: (お)尻 ''(o)shiri'' ; thigh: 腿 ''momo'' ; knee: 膝 ''hiza'' ; legs, foot: 足 ''ashi''}} ; ... hurts. : ... が痛い。''... ga itai.'' ; Feeling unwell. : 気分が悪い。 ''Kibun ga warui.'' ; Having a fever. : 熱があります。''Netsu ga arimasu.'' ; Coughing a lot. : 咳がでます。''Seki ga demasu.'' ; Feeling listless. : 体がだるい。''Karada ga darui.'' ; Feeling nauseated. : 吐き気がします。''Hakike ga shimasu.'' ; Feeling dizzy. : めまいがします。 ''Memai ga shimasu.'' ; Having the chills. : 寒気がします。''Samuke ga shimasu.'' ; Swallowed something. : 何かを呑んでしまいました。 ''Nanika o nonde shimaimashita.'' ; Bleeding. : 出血です。 ''Shukketsu desu.'' ; Broken bone. : 骨折です。''Kossetsu desu.'' ; He/she is unconscious. : 意識不明です。''Ishiki fumei desu.'' ; Burned. : 火傷です。 ''Yakedo desu.'' ; Trouble breathing. : 呼吸困難です。''Kokyū konnan desu.'' ; Heart attack. : 心臓発作です。''Shinzō hossa desu.'' ; Vision worsened. : 視力が落ちました。''Shiryoku ga ochimashita.'' ; Cannot hear well. : 耳がよく聞こえません。''Mimi ga yoku kikoemasen.'' ; Nose bleeds a lot. : 鼻血がよくでます。''Hanaji ga yoku demasu.'' ====Extreme weather==== Japan has more than its fair share of natural disasters. ; Blizzard : 吹雪 (''fubuki'') ; Earthquake : 地震 (''jishin'') ; Flood : 洪水 (''kōzui'') ; Landslide : 地滑り (''jisuberi'') ; Tsunami : 津波 (''tsunami'') ; Typhoon : 台風 (''taifū'') ; Volcano eruption : 噴火 (''funka'') ===Numbers=== While Arabic (Western) numerals are employed for most uses in Japan, you will occasionally still spot Japanese numerals at eg. markets and the menus of fancy restaurants. The characters used are nearly identical to Chinese numerals, and like [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]], Japanese uses groups of 4 digits, not 3. "One million" is thus 百万 (''hyaku-man''), literally "hundred ten-thousands". There are both Japanese and Chinese readings for most numbers, but presented below are the more commonly used Chinese readings. Note that, due to superstition (''shi'' also means "death"), 4 and 7 typically use the Japanese readings ''yon'' and ''nana'' instead. {{infobox|Down for the count|When counting objects, Japanese uses special '''counter''' words. For example, "two ''bottles of'' beer" is ビール２本 ''biiru nihon'', where ''ni'' is "two" and ''-hon'' means "bottles". Unlike in English, where counter words are often optional or non-existent, in Japanese they're mandatory whenever you count something (e.g. 車２台 ''kuruma ni-dai'', two cars; 台 ''dai'' counts machines). Alas, the list of possible counters is vast, but some useful ones include: ; small roundish objects (apples, sweets) : 個 ''-ko'' ; people : 人 ''-nin'' , 名 ''-mei'' (polite), 名様 ''-meisama'' (humble polite; use for others, but not yourself) ; animals : 匹 ''-hiki, -biki, -piki'' ; flat objects (papers, tickets) : 枚 ''-mai'' ; long objects (bottles, pens): 本 ''-hon, -bon, -pon'' ; cups, glasses: 杯 ''-hai, -bai, -pai'' ; nights of a stay : 泊 ''-haku, -paku'' ; years (age) : 歳 ''-sai'' Note how many counters change form depending on the previous number: one, two, three glasses are ''ippai'', ''nihai'', ''sanbai'' respectively. There are also a few exceptions: one person and two people are ''hitori'' and ''futari''. 20 years old is usually pronounced ''hatachi''. You'll still be understood if you get these wrong though. For numbers from one to nine, an old counting system is often used which applies to virtually any object you may want to count, without the need to attach a specific counter: ; 1 : 一つ ''hitotsu'' ; 2 : 二つ ''futatsu'' ; 3 : 三つ ''mittsu'' ; 4 : 四つ ''yottsu'' ; 5 : 五つ ''itsutsu'' ; 6 : 六つ ''muttsu'' ; 7 : 七つ ''nanatsu'' ; 8 : 八つ ''yattsu'' ; 9 : 九つ ''kokonotsu'' ; 10 : 十 ''tou'' It is always a good idea to use a specific counter whenever possible, but using the generic numbers above is often equally acceptable. This system is rarely used anymore for numbers greater than nine.}} Where they exist, the character(s) after the slash are used in financial contexts, such as when writing cheques and printing banknotes. ; 0 : ゼロ (''zero'') or 〇 (''maru'') / 零 (''rei'') in finance ; 1 : 一 / 壱 (''ichi'') ; 2 : 二 / 弐 (''ni'') ; 3 : 三 / 参 (''san'') ; 4 : 四 (''yon'' or ''shi'') ; 5 : 五 (''go'') ; 6 : 六 (''roku'') ; 7 : 七 (''nana'' or ''shichi'') ; 8 : 八 (''hachi'') ; 9 : 九 (''kyū'') ; 10 : 十 / 拾 (''jū'') ; 11 : 十一 / 拾壱 (''jū-ichi'') ; 12 : 十二 / 拾弐 (''jū-ni'') ; 13 : 十三 / 拾参 (''jū-san'') ; 14 : 十四 / 拾四 (''jū-yon'') ; 15 : 十五 / 拾五 (''jū-go'') ; 16 : 十六 / 拾六 (''jū-roku'') ; 17 : 十七 / 拾七 ( ''jū-nana'') ; 18 : 十八 / 拾八 (''jū-hachi'') ; 19 : 十九 / 拾九 (''jū-kyū''/''jū-ku'') ; 20 : 二十 / 弐拾 (''ni-jū'') ; 21 : 二十一 / 弐拾壱 (''ni-jū-ichi'') ; 22 : 二十二 / 弐拾弐 (''ni-jū-ni'') ; 23 : 二十三 / 弐拾参 (''ni-jū-san'') ; 30 : 三十 / 参拾 (''san-jū'') ; 40 : 四十 / 四拾 (''yon-jū'') ; 50 : 五十 / 五拾 (''go-jū'') ; 60 : 六十 / 六拾 (''roku-jū'') ; 70 : 七十 / 七拾 (''nana-jū'') ; 80 : 八十 / 八拾 (''hachi-jū'') ; 90 : 九十 / 九拾 (''kyū-jū'') ; 100 : 百 (''hyaku'') ; 200 : 二百 / 弐百 (''nihyaku'') ; 300 : 三百 / 参百 (''sambyaku'') ; 600 : 六百 (''roppyaku'') ; 800 : 八百 (''happyaku'') ; 1000 : 千 (''sen'') ; 2000 : 二千 / 弐千 (''ni-sen'') ; 3000 : 三千 / 参千 (''san-zen'') ; 10,000 : 一万 / 壱万 (''ichi-man'') ; 1,000,000 : 百万 (''hyaku-man'') ; 100,000,000 : 一億 / 壱億 (''ichi-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000 : 十億 / 拾億 (''jū-oku'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : 一兆 / 壱兆 (''itchō'') ; 0.5 : 〇・五 (''rei ten go'') ; 0.56 : 〇・五六 (''rei ten go-roku'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : _____番 (''____ ban'') ; half : 半分 (''hambun'') ; less (few) : 少ない (''sukunai'') ; more (many) : 多い (''ōi'') ===Time=== ; now : 今 (''ima'') ; later : 後で (''atode'') ; before : 前に (''mae ni'') ; before ___ : ___ の前に ('' ___ no mae ni'') ; morning : 朝 (''asa'') (colloquial) / 午前 (''gozen'') (formal) ; noon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''o-hiru'') / 正午 (''shōgo'') ; afternoon : 昼 (''hiru'' or ''hiruma'') (colloquial) / 午後 (''gogo'') (formal) ; evening before sunset: 夕方 (''yūgata'') ; night or after sunset: 夜 (''yoru'') ; midnight or past 12AM: 真夜中 (''mayonaka'') ====Clock time==== Clock times are formed as Chinese numeral plus 時 ''ji'', for example, ''goji'' 5時/五時 for five o'clock. The exception is four o'clock which is pronounced ''yoji'' (四時) instead of ''shiji''. You will be understood if you simply substitute ''gozen'' 午前 for "AM" and ''gogo'' 午後 for PM, although other time qualifiers like 朝 ''asa'' for morning and 夜 ''yoru'' for night may be more natural. The 24-hour clock is also commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules. TV schedules occasionally use a modified 24-hour clock, with late night showtimes counted from the previous day, e.g. Monday at 26:00 indicates '''Tuesday''' at 2:00 AM. ; six o'clock in the morning : 朝6時 (''asa rokuji'') ; nine o'clock AM : 午前9時 (''gozen kuji'') ; noon : 正午 (''shōgo'') ; one o'clock PM : 午後1時 (''gogo ichiji.'') ; two o'clock PM : 午後2時 (''gogo niji'') ; midnight : 夜12時 (''yoru jūniji''), 零時 / 0時 (''rēji''), 24時(''nijū yo ji'') ====Duration==== Confusingly, the Japanese words for "N days" (long) and "Nth day" are the same, so eg. 二日 ''futsuka'' means both "two days" and "the second day of the month". (See [[#Days of the month]] for the full list.) You can tag on -間 ''kan'' at the end, eg. ''futsukakan'' 二日間, to clarify that you mean "two days long". The exception is 一日, which is read ''ichinichi'' to mean "one day/all day", but ''tsuitachi'' to mean "first day". Also note that 一日間 ''ichinichikan'' is not used, and the term for a duration of one day is simply 一日 ''ichinichi''. ; _____ minute(s) : _____ 分 (''fun'' or ''pun'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ 時間 (''jikan'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ 日間 (''nichikan'' or ''(k)kakan'', see note above, except for 一日 (one day)) ; _____ week(s) : _____ 週間 (''shūkan'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ ヶ月 (''kagetsu'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ 年間 (''nenkan'') ====Days==== ; today : 今日 (''kyō'') ; yesterday : 昨日 (''kinō'') ; the day before yesterday : おととい (''ototoi'') ; tomorrow : 明日 (''ashita'') (colloquial) / 明日 (''asu'') (formal) ; the day after tomorrow : あさって (''asatte'') ; _____ days after tomorrow: _____ 日後 (''nichigo'' or ''(k)kago'', see note above) ; this week : 今週 (''konshū'') ; last week : 先週 (''senshū'') ; next week : 来週 (''raishū'') =====Days of the week===== The days of the week are named after the sun, the moon and the five elements of Chinese philosophy. ; Sunday : 日曜日 (''nichiyōbi''), abbreviated 日 (''nichi'') ; Monday : 月曜日 (''getsuyōbi''), abbreviated 月 (''getsu'') ; Tuesday : 火曜日 (''kayōbi''), abbreviated 火 (''ka'') ; Wednesday : 水曜日 (''suiyōbi''), abbreviated 水 (''sui'') ; Thursday : 木曜日 (''mokuyōbi''), abbreviated 木 (''moku'') ; Friday : 金曜日 (''kin'yōbi''), abbreviated 金 (''kin'') ; Saturday : 土曜日 (''doyōbi''), abbreviated 土 (''do'') ====Days of the month==== The 1st through the 10th of the month have special names: ; First day of the month :1日 (''tsu'itachi'') ; Second day of the month : 2日 (''futsuka'') ; Third day of the month : 3日 (''mikka'') ; Fourth day of the month : 4日 (''yokka'') ; Fifth day of the month : 5日 (''itsuka'') ; Sixth day of the month : 6日 (''mu'ika'') ; Seventh day of the month : 7日 (''nanoka'') ; Eighth day of the month : 8日 (''yōka'') ; Ninth day of the month : 9日 (''kokonoka'') ; Tenth day of the month : 10日 (''tōka'') The other days of the month are more orderly, just add the suffix ''-nichi'' to the ordinal number. Note that 14, 20, and 24 deviate from this pattern. ; Eleventh day of the month : 11日 (''jū'ichinichi'') ; Fourteenth day of the month : 14日 (''jū'yokka'') ; Twentieth day of the month : 20日 (''hatsuka'') ; Twenty-fourth day of the month : 24日 (''nijū'yokka'') ====Months==== Months are very orderly in Japanese, just add the suffix ''-gatsu'' to the Sino-Japanese ordinal number. ; January : 1月 (''ichigatsu'') ; February : 2月 (''nigatsu'') ; March : 3月 (''sangatsu'') ; April : 4月 (''shigatsu'') ; May : 5月 (''gogatsu'') ; June : 6月 (''rokugatsu'') ; July : 7月 (''shichigatsu'') ; August : 8月 (''hachigatsu'') ; September : 9月 (''kugatsu'') ; October : 10月 (''jūgatsu'') ; November : 11月 (''jūichigatsu'') ; December : 12月 (''jūnigatsu'') ====Seasons==== ;Spring : 春 (''haru'') ;Summer : 夏 (''natsu'') ;Rainy season : 梅雨 (''tsuyu'', ''bai'u'') ;Autumn : 秋 (''aki'') ;Winter : 冬 (''fuyu'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in year/month/day (day of week) format, with markers: 2007年3月21日(火) In Japanese, the year is read as an ordinary number with exception of "9 as the last digit". 1999 was "one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine", ''sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū ku nen''). It can sometimes be abbreviated to the last two digits (i.e. "ninety-nine", ''kyū-jū ku nen''), while pronouncing it ''kyū-jū '''kyū nen''''' refers to "for the duration of 99 years", rather the year.) Note that '''Imperial era years''', based on the name and duration of the current Emperor's reign, are also frequently used. 2020 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to '''Reiwa 2''' 令和2年, which may be abbreviated as "R2" or 令2. Dates like "02/03/24" (Reiwa 2, March 24) are also occasionally seen. Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, and Heisei are used by elderly people or popular on signboards at historical sights. To convert the year into Gregorian calendar: ; Reiwa 令和 (1 May 2019 &ndash;) : add 2018 to the year in Reiwa, i.e. ''Reiwa 3 nen '' 令和3年 is 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. ; Heisei 平成 (8 January 1989 &ndash; 30 April 2019) : minus 12 from the year in Heisei and add 2000, i.e. ''Heisei 12 nen'' 平成12年 is 2000 in Gregorian calendar. ; Shōwa 昭和 (25 December 1926 &ndash; 7 January 1989) : plus 1925 to the year in Shōwa, i.e. ''Shōwa 45 nen'' 昭和45年 is 1970 in Gregorian calendar. ; Taishō 大正 (30 July 1912 &ndash; 25 December 1926) : plus 1911 to the year in Taishō, i.e. ''Taishō 9 nen'' 大正9年 is 1920 in Gregorian calendar. ; Meiji 明治 (28 October 1868 &ndash; 30 July 1912) : minus 33 from the year in Meiji and add 1900, i.e. ''Meiji 33 nen'' 明治33年 is 1900 in Gregorian calendar. ===Colors=== Many of the English words for colors are widely used and understood by almost all Japanese. These are indicated after the slash. Note that some Japanese colors are normally suffixed with ''-iro'' (色) to distinguish between the color and the object. For example, 茶 ''cha'' means "tea", but 茶色 ''chairo'' means "tea-color" → "brown". ; black : 黒 / ブラック (''kuro / burakku'') ; white : 白 / ホワイト (''shiro / howaito'') ; gray : 灰(色) / グレー (''hai(iro) / gurē'') ; red : 赤 / レッド (''aka / reddo'') ; blue : 青 / ブルー (''ao / burū'') ; yellow : 黄(色) / イエロー (''ki(iro) / ierō'') ; green : 緑 / グリーン (''midori / guriin'') ; orange : 橙 / オレンジ (''daidai / orenji'') ; purple : 紫 / パープル (''murasaki / pāpuru'') ; pink : 桃(色) / ピンク (''momo(iro) / pinku'') ; brown : 茶(色) / ブラウン (''cha(iro) / buraun'') ; silver : 銀(色) / シルバー (''gin(iro) / sirubā'') ; gold : 金(色) / ゴールド (''kin(iro) / gōrudo'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; bus : バス (''basu'') ; train : 電車 (''densha'') ; metro / subway : 地下鉄 (''chikatetsu'') ; tram / streetcar : 路面電車 (''romendensha'') ; light rail : ライトレール (''raito rēru'') ; bullet train : 新幹線 (''shinkansen'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : _____ まで一枚お願いします。(''_____ made ichimai onegaishimasu.'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : この電車・バスはどこ行きですか? (''Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desu ka?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ 行きの電車・バスはどこですか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desu ka?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : この電車・バスは _____ に止まりますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa _____ ni tomarimasu ka?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ 行きの電車・バスは何時に出発しますか? (''_____ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : この電車・バスは何時に _____ に着きますか? (''Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni _____ ni tsukimasu ka?'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____? : _____ はどちらですか? (''_____ wa dochira desu ka?'') ; ...the train station? : 駅...? (''eki...'') ; ...the bus station? : バス停...? (''basu tei...'') ; ...the airport? : 空港...? (''kūkō...'') ; ...downtown? : 街の中心...? (''machi no chūshin...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ユースホステル...? (''yūsu hosuteru...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : _____ ホテル...? (''hoteru...'') ; ...the _____ embassy/consulate? : _____大使館/領事館...? (''_____ taishikan/ryōjikan...'') ; Where are there a lot of _____ : _____が多い所はどこですか? (''_____ga ooi tokoro wa doko desu ka?'') ; ...lodgings? : 宿...? (''yado...'') ; ...restaurants? : レストラン...? (''resutoran...'') ; ...bars? : バー...? (''baa...'') ; ...sites to see? : 見物...? (''mimono...'') ; Where is _____? : _____はどこですか? (''_____ wa doko desu ka?'') ; Is it far from here? : ここから遠いですか? (''Koko kara tooi desu ka?'') ; Please show me on the map. : 地図で指して下さい。 (''Chizu de sashite kudasai.'') ; street : 道 (''michi'') ; Turn left. : 左へ曲がってください。 (''Hidari e magatte kudasai.'') ; Turn right. : 右へ曲がってください。(''Migi e magatte kudasai.'') ; left : 左 (''hidari'') ; right : 右 (''migi'') ; in front of the _____ : _____の前 (''_____ no mae'') ; behind the _____ : _____の後ろ (''_____ no ushiro'') ; straight ahead : まっすぐ (''massugu'') ; towards the _____ : _____ へ向かって (''e mukatte'') ; past the _____ : _____ の先 (''no saki'') ; before the _____ : _____ の前 (''no mae'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____が目印です。 (''ga mejirushi desu.'') ; intersection : 交差点 (''kōsaten'') ; traffic light : 信号　(''shingou'') ; inside : 中 (''naka'') ; outside : 外 (''soto'') ; north : 北 (''kita'') ; south : 南 (''minami'') ; east : 東 (''higashi'') ; west : 西 (''nishi'') ; uphill : 上り (''nobori''), also used for trains heading towards Tokyo ; downhill : 下り (''kudari''), also used for trains coming from Tokyo ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : タクシー! (''takushī!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____までお願いします。 (''_____ made onegaishimasu.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ までいくらですか? (''_____ made ikura desu ka'') ; Take me there, please. : そこまでお願いします。 (''soko made onegaishimasu.'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : 空いてる部屋ありますか? (''Aiteru heya arimasu ka?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : 一人・二人用の部屋はいくらですか? (''Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Is the room Japanese/Western style? : 和室/洋室ですか？ (''Washitsu/yōshitsu desu ka?'') ; Does the room come with... : 部屋は ... 付きですか? (''Heya wa ___ tsuki desu ka?'') ; ...bedsheets? : シーツ...? (''shītsu...'') ; ...a bathroom? : 風呂場...? (''furoba...'') ; ...a telephone? : 電話...? (''denwa...'') ; ...a TV? : テレビ? (''terebi...'') ; May I see the room first? : 部屋を見てもいいですか? (''Heya o mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : もっと[静かな]部屋ありますか? (''Motto [shizuka na] heya arimasu ka?'') ; ...bigger? : 広い...? (''hiroi...'') ; ...cleaner? : きれいな...? (''kirei na...'') ; ...cheaper? : 安い...? (''yasui...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、これで良いです。(''Hai, kore de ii desu.'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ 晩泊まります。(''____ ban tomarimasu.'') ; Do you know another place to stay? : 他の宿はご存知ですか? (''Hoka no yado wa gozonji desu ka?'') ; Do you have [a safe?] : [金庫]ありますか? (''[Kinko] arimasu ka?'') ; ...lockers? : 戸棚...? (''todana...?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : 朝食・夕食は付きますか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa tsukimasu ka?'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : 朝食・夕食は何時ですか? (''Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desu ka?'') ; Please clean my room. : 部屋を掃除してください。 (''Heya o sōji shite kudasai.'') ; Please wake me at _____. : _____ に起こしてください。 (''____ ni okoshite kudasai.'') ; I want to check out. : チェックアウトです。(''Chekku auto (check out) desu.'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : アメリカ/オーストラリア/カナダドルは使えますか? (''Amerika/ōsutoraria/kanada doru wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : イギリスポンドは使えますか？ (''Igirisu pondo wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : クレジットカードは使えますか？ (''Kurejitto kaado (credit card) wa tsukaemasu ka?'') ; Can you change money for me? : お金両替できますか？ (''Okane ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : お金はどこで両替できますか？ (''Okane wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : トラベラーズチェックを両替できますか？ (''Torabarāsu chekku (traveler's check) wo ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : トラベラーズチェックはどこで両替できますか？ (''Torabarāzu chekku (traveler's check) wa doko de ryōgae dekimasu ka?'') ; What is the exchange rate? : 為替レートはいくらですか？(''Kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM はどこにありますか？ (''ATM wa doko ni arimasuka?'') ===Eating=== {{infobox|What are they yelling at me?|Most Japanese restaurants show their appreciation for customers by loudly greeting them in unison. Expect to hear the following: ; ''Irasshai!'' or ''Irasshaimase!'' : "Come on in!", said when a customer walks in. You're not expected to respond in any way, just take a seat. ; ''Arigatō gozaimashita!'' : "Thank you very much!", said when a customer leaves. If your meal was good, thank the chef or staff with ''Gochisōsama deshita'' when leaving, and you'll get an extra-hearty thank you in return!}} ; I'm hungry. : お腹がすきました。 (''Onaka ga sukimashita.'') ; A table for one person/two people, please. : 一人・二人です。 (''Hitori/futari desu.'') ; Please bring a menu. : メニューを下さい。 (''Menu wo kudasai.'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : 調理場を見てもいいですか？ (''Chōriba wo mite mo ii desu ka?'') ; Is there a house specialty? : お勧めはありますか？ (''O-susume wa arimasu ka?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : この辺の名物はありますか？ (''Kono hen no mēbutsu wa arimasu ka?'') ; Please choose for me. : お任せします。 (''O-makase shimasu.'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ベジタリアンです。 (''Bejitarian desu.'') ; I don't eat pork. : 豚肉はだめです。 (''Butaniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat beef. : 牛肉はだめです。(''Gyūniku wa dame desu.'') ; I don't eat raw fish. : 生の魚はだめです。(''Nama no sakana wa dame desu.'') ; Please do not use too much oil. : 油を控えて下さい。(''Abura wo hikaete kudasai.'') ; fixed-price meal : 定食 (''teishoku'') ; à la carte : 一品料理 (''ippinryōri'') ; breakfast : 朝食 (''chōshoku'') / 朝ご飯 (''asagohan'') ; lunch : 昼食 (''chūshoku'') / 昼ご飯　(''hirugohan'') ; light meal/snack : 軽食 (''keishoku'') / おやつ (''oyatsu'') ; supper : 夕食 (''yūshoku'') / 晩ご飯 (''bangohan'') ; Please bring _____. : _____ を下さい。(''_____ wo kudasai.'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : _____が入ってるものを下さい。 (''____ ga haitteru mono wo kudasai.'') ; chicken : 鶏肉 (''toriniku'') / チキン (''chikin'') ; beef : 牛肉 (''gyūniku'') / ビーフ (''bīfu'') ; pork : 豚肉 (''butaniku'') / ポーク (''pōku'') ; mutton : マトン (''maton'') / 羊肉 (''yōniku'') ; lamb : ラム(肉) (''ramu(-niku)'') / 子羊 (''kohitsuji'') ; fish : 魚 (''sakana'') ; ham : ハム (''hamu'') ; sausage : ソーセージ (''sōsēji'') ; cheese : チーズ (''chīzu'') ; eggs : 卵 / 玉子 (''tamago'') ; salad : サラダ (''sarada'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (新鮮な)野菜 ('' (shinsen-na) yasai'') ; (fresh) fruit : (新鮮な)果物 ('' (shinsen-na) kudamono'') ; bread : パン (''pan'') ; toast : トースト (''tōsuto'') ; noodles : 麺類 (''menrui'') ; pasta : パスタ (''pasuta'') ; cooked rice : ご飯 (''gohan'') ; raw rice : 米 (''kome'') ; soup : スープ : (''sūpu'') ; beans : 豆 (''mame'') ; May I have a glass/cup of _____? : _____ を一杯下さい。 (''____ wo ippai kudasai.'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : _____ を一本下さい。 (''_____ wo ippon kudasai.'') ; coffee : コーヒー (''kōhī'') ; green tea : 緑茶(''ryokucha'') / お茶 (''ocha'') ; black tea : 紅茶 (''kōcha'') ; juice : ジュース(''jūsu'') / 果汁 (''kajū'') ; milk : ミルク (''miruku'') / 牛乳 (''gyūnyū'') (The latter specifically refers to cow's milk.) ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; beer : ビール (''bīru'') ; red/white wine : 赤/白ワイン (''aka/shiro wain'') ; Do you have _____? : _____ はありますか? (''_____ wa arimasu ka?'') ; chopsticks : お箸 (''o-hashi'') ; fork : フォーク (''fōku'') ; spoon : スプーン (''supūn'') ; sugar : 砂糖 (''satō'') ; salt : 塩 (''shio'') ; black pepper : 胡椒 (''koshō'') ; soy sauce : 醤油 (''shōyu'') ; ashtray : 灰皿 (''haizara'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : 済みません (''sumimasen'') ; (when starting a meal) : いただきます。(itadakimasu) ; It was delicious. (when finishing a meal) : ご馳走さまでした。 (''Gochisōsama deshita.'') ; Please clear the plates. : お皿を下げてください。 (''Osara o sagete kudasai.'') ; The check, please. : お勘定お願いします。 (''O-kanjo onegaishimasu.'') / 会計お願いします。 (''Kaikei onegaishimasu'') ===On the phone=== ; Telephone : 電話 ''denwa'' ; Mobile phone : 携帯(電話)　''kētai''(denwa) ; Telephone number : 電話番号 ''denwa bangō'' ; Phone book : 電話帳 ''denwa chō'' ; Answering machine : 留守番電話 ''rusuban denwa'' ; Hello (only on the phone) : もしもし ''moshi moshi'' ; May I speak to ... . : ... をお願いします。''... wo onegaishimasu.'' ; Is ... there? : ... はいらっしゃいますか？ ''... wa irasshaimasu ka?'' ; Who is calling? : どなたですか？ ''Donata desu ka?'' ; One moment, please. : ちょっとお待ちください。 ''Chotto omachi kudasai.'' ; ... is not here right now. : ... は今いません。 ''... wa ima imasen.'' ; I will call you again later. : 後でまた電話します。 ''Ato de mata denwa shimasu.'' ; I got the wrong number. : 間違えました。 ''Machigaemashita.'' ; The line is busy. : 話し中です。 ''Hanashichū desu.'' ; What is your phone number? : 電話番号は何番ですか？ ''Denwa bangō wa nanban desu ka?'' ===Bars=== {{infobox|Sake talk|Sake, known in Japanese as 日本酒 ''nihonshu'', has a vocabulary all its own. Here is a brief introduction. ; ''atsukan'' : 熱燗 Heated sake. Recommended only in winter with cheap sake. ; ''choko'' : ちょこ A tiny gulp-sized ceramic cup for sake. ; ''hiya, reishu'' : 冷や, 冷酒 Chilled sake. The way to drink better sake. ; ''isshōbin'' : 一升瓶 The standard sake bottle, containing 10 ''gō'', ie. 1.8 liters. ; ''ichigō'' : 一合 The standard measure for servings of sake, around 180 milliliters. ; ''nurukan'' : ぬる燗 Heated sake in luke warm temperature below 40C. Recommended for any season with average sake. ; ''masu'' : 升 A square wooden box traditionally used to drink chilled sake, also contains one ''gō''. Drink from the corner. Also used as a "spiller" to overflow your glass of ''hiya'' as a compliment. You can prevent to spill by sipping with the masu placed on the table. ; ''tokkuri'' : 徳利 A small ceramic jug used to pour sake, contains around one or two ''gō/gōs'' }} ; Do you serve alcohol? : お酒ありますか? (''O-sake arimasu ka?'') ; Is there table service? : テーブルサービスありますか? (''Tēburu sābisu arimasu ka?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ビール一杯・二杯下さい。(''Biiru ippai/nihai kudasai.'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : 赤・白ワイン一杯下さい。(''Aka/shiro wain ippai kudasai.'') ; A mug (of beer), please. : (ビールの)ジョッキ下さい。(''(Bīru no) jokki kudasai.'') ; A bottle, please. : ビン下さい。 (''Bin kudasai.'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ と _____ 下さい。(''_____ to _____ kudasai.'') ; sake : 日本酒 (''nihonshu'') ; Japanese liquor : 焼酎 (''shōchū'') ; whiskey : ウイスキー (''uisukii'') ; vodka : ウォッカ (''wokka'') ; rum : ラム (''ramu'') ; water : 水 (''mizu'') ; club soda : ソーダ (''sōda'') ; tonic water : トニックウォーター (''tonikku wōtā'') ; orange juice : オレンジジュース (''orenji jūsu'') ; cola (''soda'') : コーラ (''kōra'') ; with ice : オンザロック (''onzarokku (on the rocks)'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : おつまみありますか? (''O-tsumami arimasu ka?'') ; One more, please. : もう一つください。 (''Mō hitotsu kudasai.'') ; Another round, please. : みんなに同じものを一杯ずつください。 (''Minna ni onaji mono o ippai zutsu kudasai.'') ; When is closing time? : 閉店は何時ですか? (''Heiten wa nanji desuka?'') ===Shopping=== {{infobox|O, honorable prefix!|Nearly any Japanese word can be prefixed with the respectful tags ''o-'' (お) or ''go-'' (ご or 御), often translated with the unwieldy four-syllable word "honorable". A few you might expect &mdash; ''o-tōsan'' (お父さん) is "honorable father", and a few you might not &mdash; ''o-shiri'' (お尻) is "honorable buttocks". Most of the time, they're used to emphasize that the speaker is referring to the listener, so if someone enquires if after your honorable health (お元気 ''o-genki'') it's proper to strip off the honorific and reply that you are merely ''genki''. However, for some words like ''gohan'' (ご飯) "rice" and ''ocha'' (お茶) "tea", the prefix is inseparable and should always be used. In this phrasebook, the prefix is separated with a hyphen if it's optional (''o-kane''), and joined to the word if it's mandatory (''oisha''). }} ; Do you have this in my size? : 私のサイズでありますか？ (''Watashi no saizu de arimasu ka?'') ; How much is this? : いくらですか？ (''Ikura desu ka?'') ; That's too expensive. : 高過ぎます。 (''Takasugimasu.'') ; Would you take _____? : _____円(で)はどうですか？ (''_____ yen (de) wa dō desu ka?'') ; expensive : 高い (''takai'') ; cheap : 安い (''yasui'') ; I can't afford it. : そんなにお金を持っていません。 (''Sonna ni okane wo motteimasen.'') ; I don't want it. : 要りません。 (''Irimasen.'') ; You're cheating me, aren't you? : 騙してるでしょう？ (''Damashiteru deshō?'') '''Use with caution!''' ; I'm not interested. : 興味ありません。 (''Kyōmi arimasen.'') ; OK, I'll take it. : はい、それにします。 (''Hai, sore ni shimasu.'') ; Can I have a bag? : 袋を貰えますか？ (''Fukuro o moraemasu ka?'') or 袋をください (''Fukuro o kudasai'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : 海外へ発送出来ますか？ (''Kaigai e hassō dekimasu ka?'') ; I need... : ___が欲しいです。 (''____ ga hoshii desu.'') ; ...spectacles. : 眼鏡 (''megane'') ; ...toothpaste. : 歯磨き粉 (''hamigakiko'') ; ...a toothbrush. : 歯ブラシ (''ha-burashi'') ; ...tampons. : タンポン (''tampon'') ; ...soap. : 石鹸 (''sekken'') ; ...shampoo. : シャンプー (''shampū'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : 鎮痛剤 (''chintsūzai'') ; ...cold medicine. : 風邪薬 (''kazegusuri'') ; ...stomach medicine. : 胃腸薬 (''ichōyaku'') ; ...a razor. : 剃刀 (''kamisori'') ; ...an umbrella. : 傘 (''kasa'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : 日焼け止め (''hiyakedome'') ; ...a postcard. : 葉書 (''hagaki'') ; ...postage stamps. : 切手 (''kitte'') ; ...batteries. : 電池 (''denchi'') ; ...writing paper. : 紙 (''kami'') ; ...a pen. : ペン (''pen'') ; ...a pencil. : 鉛筆 (''empitsu'') ; ...English-language books. : 英語の本 (''eigo no hon'') ; ...English-language magazines. : 英語の雑誌 (''eigo no zasshi'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : 英字新聞 (''ēji shinbun'') ; ...a Japanese-English dictionary. : 和英辞典 (''waē jiten'') ; ...an English-Japanese dictionary. : 英和辞典 (''ēwa jiten'') ===Family=== ; Are you married? : 結婚していますか? (''Kekkon shiteimasu ka?'') ; I am married. : 結婚しています。 (''Kekkon shiteimasu.'') ; I am single. : 独身です。 (''Dokushin desu'') ; Do you have brothers and sisters? : 兄弟はいますか? (''Kyōdai wa imasu ka?'') ; Do you have children? : 子供はいますか? (''Kodomo wa imasu ka?'') ====Talking about your own family==== {{infobox|Family ties|In Japanese, it's always important to use less respectful terms for your own family and more respectful terms for another's family. Note also that the words for older/younger brother/sister are different.}} ; Father : 父 (''chichi'') ; Mother : 母 (''haha'') ; Older Brother : 兄 (''ani'') ; Older Sister : 姉 (''ane'') ; Younger Brother : 弟 (''otōto'') ; Younger Sister : 妹 (''imōto'') ; Grandfather : 祖父 (''sofu'') ; Grandmother : 祖母 (''sobo'') ; Uncle : 叔父/伯父 (''oji'') ; Aunt : 叔母/伯母 (''oba'') ; Husband : 夫 (''otto'') / 主人 (''shujin'') ; Wife : 妻 (''tsuma'') / 家内 (''kanai'') ; Son : 息子 (''musuko'') ; Daughter : 娘 (''musume'') ; Grandchild : 孫　(''mago'') ====Talking about another's family==== ; Father : お父さん (''otōsan'') ; Mother : お母さん (''okāsan'') ; Older Brother : お兄さん (''onīsan'') ; Older Sister : お姉さん (''onēsan'') ; Younger Brother : 弟さん (''otōtosan'') ; Younger Sister : 妹さん (''imōtosan'') ; Grandfather : おじいさん (''ojīsan'') ; Grandmother : おばあさん (''obāsan'') ; Uncle : おじさん (''ojisan'') ; Aunt : おばさん (''obasan'') ; Husband : ご主人 (''goshujin'') ; Wife : 奥さん (''okusan'') ; Son : 息子さん (''musukosan'') ; Daughter : お嬢さん (''ojōsan'') ; Grandchild : お孫さん　(''omagosan'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : レンタカーお願いします。 (''Rentakā (rent-a-car) onegaishimasu.'') 0:01 ; Can I get insurance? : 保険入れますか? (''Hoken hairemasu ka?'') 0:12 ; Do you have a driver's license? : 免許証を持っていますか? (''Menkyoshō wo motteimasu ka?'') 0:38 ; stop (''on a street sign'') : 止まれ／とまれ (''tomare'') 0:40 ; one way : 一方通行 (''ippō tsūkō'') 0:51 ; caution : 徐行 (''jokō'') 1:05 ; road blocked : 通行止め (''tsūkōdome'') 1:16 ; no parking : 駐車禁止 (''chūsha kinshi'') 1:20 ; speed limit : 制限速度 (''seigen sokudo'') 1:23 ; gas (''petrol'') station : ガソリンスタンド (''gasorin sutando'') 1:40 ; petrol : ガソリン (''gasorin'') 52:33 ; diesel : 軽油/ディーゼル (''keiyu / diizeru'') 1:02:31 ===Authority=== In Japan, you can legally be incarcerated for twenty-three (23) days before you are charged, but you do have the right to see a lawyer after the first 48 hours of detention. Note that if you sign a confession, you ''will'' be convicted. ; I haven't done anything (wrong). : 何も(悪いことを)していません。(''Nani mo (warui koto wo) shiteimasen.'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : 誤解でした。 (''Gokai deshita.'') ; Where are you taking me? : どこへ連れて行くのですか？ (''Doko e tsurete yukuno desu ka?'') ; Am I under arrest? : 私は逮捕されてるのですか？ (''Watashi wa taiho sareteruno desu ka?'') ; I am a citizen of ____. : ____　の国民です。 (''____ no kokumin desu.'') ; I want to meet with the ____ embassy. : ____ 大使館と会わせて下さい。 (''____ taishikan to awasete kudasai.'') ; I want to meet with a lawyer. : 弁護士と会わせて下さい。(''Bengoshi to awasete kudasai.'') ; Can it be settled with a fine? : 罰金で済みますか？ (''Bakkin de sumimasu ka?'')<br>Note: You can say this to a traffic cop, but bribery is highly unlikely to work in Japan. ===Typical Japanese expressions=== {{infobox|Four syllable words|If words can be shortened, Japanese will inevitably shorten them. Two by two syllables is often the sweet spot, and sometimes it's hard to guess where those came from. ; コンビニ ''konbini'' : → コンビニエンスストア ''konbiniensu sutoa'', convenience store. ; デジカメ ''deji kame'' : → デジタルカメラ ''dejitaru kamera'', a digital camera. ; パソコン ''pasokon'' : → パーソナルコンピューター ''pāsonaru konpyūtā'', a personal computer. ノート ''nōto'' stands for notebooks. ; プリクラ ''purikura'' : → プリントクラブ ''purinto kurabu'' or "print club". A sort of extremely flashy photo booth and a favourite pastime for many. ; パチスロ ''pachi suro'' : → パチンコ＆スロット ''pachinko & surotto'', locations everywhere offering the number one Japanese gambling game ''pachinko'' and traditional slot machines. ; リモコン ''rimokon'' : → リモートコントロール ''rimōto kontorōru'', remote control ; ケイワイ ''kei wai'' : → 空気読めない '''''k'''ūki '''y'''omenai'', "can't read the air", meaning an unperceptive person who can't read between the lines/can't keep up with a conversation. }} ; そうですね。 ''Sō desu ne.'' : "That's how it is, isn't it?"<br />General agreement. Especially old people can be heard going ''sō desu ne'' back and forth quite a few times. ; （大変）お待たせしました。 ''(Taihen) omataseshimashita.'' : "I have made you wait (terribly) long."<br />Used as an excuse after any amount of downtime, even just seconds. Often also used as a starter to get things going again. ; お疲れさまでした。 ''Otsukaresama deshita.'' : "It's been honorably tiresome."<br />To colleagues in the sense of "you gave it all, good work", but more generally at the end of almost any activity. ; 頑張って！ ''Ganbatte!'': "Give it your best!"<br />Meant to be encouraging and motivating. '''頑張れ！ ''Ganbare!''''' in stronger cheering. ; いただきます。 ''Itadakimasu.'' : "I will receive."<br />To yourself before starting to eat or when accepting something offered to you. ; 失礼します。 ''Shitsurei shimasu.'' : "I will trouble you." or "I will be impolite."<br />When entering your superiors room or an unfamiliar house, when trying to get someone's attention or generally when interrupting someone. ; 失礼しました。 ''Shitsurei shimashita.'' : "I have troubled you." or "Excuse my impoliteness."<br />When leaving your superiors room or an unfamiliar house or generally as "Sorry to have bothered you, carry on." ; 大丈夫。 ''Daijōbu.'' : "It is alright."<br />For general reassurance. Used with ''desu ka?'' to inquire if something or somebody is alright. ; 凄い！ ''Sugoi!'' : "Great!", "Incredible!"<br />Very popular amongst girls and greatly overused. ; 可愛い！ ''Kawaii!'' : "How cute!"<br />See ''sugoi''. ; ええぇ〜 ''Eee~'' : "Reallyyyyyyy~?"<br />Almost a standard reaction to any kind of news. Can be lengthened indefinitely and is hence useful to stall for time when thinking about a real answer. ; ウソ！ ''Uso!'' : "Lie!"<br />Doesn't necessarily accuse one of lying, usually used in the sense of "Seriously?!" ===Honorifics=== Japanese makes extensive use of honorific language (敬語 ''keigo'') when talking to people of higher status. Keigo is famously difficult to master and even Japanese salespeople often need to take special courses to learn to speak correctly. As a foreigner, you will generally not be expected to use keigo, but it is very commonly used in situations like salespeople talking to customers and public announcements, so having at least passive familiarity with the most common ''keigo'' verbs and constructs will come in very useful. ====Respectful form==== When talking to someone of higher status than yourself, it is important to use a respectful form (尊敬語 ''sonkeigo'') when talking about the other person. Generally, this follows the pattern お～になる(''o ~ ni naru''), where ～ represents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to read, 読む(''yomu''), basic polite form 読みます(''yomimasu'') becomes お読みになる(''o-yomi-ni-naru''). The ''naru'' at the end follows the normal conjugation patterns for ''naru'', most commonly becoming ''narimasu'' (present) or ''narimashita'' (past). The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes ご覧になる (''goran-ni-naru''). *To eat/drink: 食べる/飲む becomes 召し上がる (''meshi-agaru''). *To come/go/be at a place: 来る/行く/いる becomes いらっしゃる (''irassharu''). (basic polite form いらっしゃいます ''irasshaimasu'' and '''not''' いらっしゃります) *To know: 知る becomes ご存知だ (''gozonji-da''). *To give (to yourself): くれる becomes 下さる (''kudasaru''). (basic polite form 下さいます ''kudasaimasu'' and '''not''' 下さります) *To do: する becomes なさる (''nasaru''). (basic polite form なさいます ''nasaimasu'' and '''not''' なさります) *To say: 言う becomes おっしゃる (''ossharu'') (basic polite form おっしゃいます ''osshaimasu'' and '''not''' おっしゃります) ====Humble form==== When talking about yourself to someone of higher status than you, it is important to put yourself down by using a humble form (謙遜語 ''kensongo''). Generally this follows the pattern お～する (''o ~ suru''), where ～ reprents the stem of the basic polite form: eg. to borrow, 借りる(''kariru''), basic polite form 借ります (''karimasu'') becomes お借りする (''o-kari-suru''). The ''suru'' at the end follows the usual conjugation pattern of ''suru'', most commonly becoming ''shimasu'' (present) or ''shimashita'' (past); for an extra helping of humility, the verb 致す ''itasu'' > 致します ''itashimasu'' can be substituted. The main exceptions are listed below: *To see: 見る becomes 拝見する (''haiken-suru''). *To come/go: 来る/行く becomes 参る (''mairu''). *To eat/drink/receive: 食べる/飲む/もらう becomes いただく (''itadaku'') *To give: あげる becomes さし上げる (''sashi-ageru''). *To do: する becomes 致す (''itasu'') *To know: 知る becomes 存じる (''zonjiru'') *To say: 言う becomes 申し上げる (''mōshi-ageru'') *My name is: いう becomes 申す (''mōsu'') ====Polite form==== The third type of keigo is called simply "polite language", or ''teineigo'' (丁寧語). Whereas respectful and humble language refer to the ''subject'' (you and I), ''teineigo'' is used to simply imply respect to the ''listener''. An example: ; りんごをご覧になりますか？ ''Ringo wo goran ni narimasuka?'' : Can '''you see''' the apple? (''respectful'') ; りんごを拝見します。 ''Ringo wo haiken shimasu.'' : '''I see''' the apple. (''humble'') ; 彼もりんごを見ます。 ''Kare mo ringo wo mimasu.'' : '''He also sees''' the apple. (''polite'') In fact, the ''desu'' copula and the ''-masu'' form taught to beginning students of Japanese are both examples of ''teineigo''. A few verbs and adjectives have special ''teineigo'' forms: ; to be : ''aru'' (ある) → ''gozaimasu'' (ございます) ; to die : ''shinu'' (死ぬ) → ''nakunaru'' (亡くなる) ; good : ''ii/yoi'' (いい/良い) → ''yoroshii'' (よろしい) ===Country and territory names=== Country and territory names in Japanese are generally borrowed from their English names and written in katakana. The names of languages are generally formed by adding 語 (''go'') to the end of the country name. Some of the main exceptions are as follows: ;日本 ''Nihon/Nippon'' , 日本国 ''Nihon-koku'': Japan ;中国 ''Chūgoku'' : China (or, confusingly, [[Chugoku|Western Honshu]]) ;台湾 ''Taiwan'' : Taiwan ;香港 ''Honkon'': Hong Kong ;韓国 ''Kankoku'' : South Korea ;北朝鮮 ''Kitachōsen'' : North Korea ;ドイツ ''Doitsu'' : Germany ;イギリス ''Igirisu'', 英国 ''Eikoku'' (written) : United Kingdom ;インド ''Indo'' : India ;タイ ''Tai'' : Thailand ;フランス ''Furansu'' : France ;イタリア ''Itaria'' : Italy ;イスラエル ''Isuraeru'' : Israel ;アメリカ ''Amerika'', 米国 ''Beikoku'' (written) : United States of America (not the whole American continent) ;南アフリカ ''Minami-afurika'' : South Africa ;オランダ ''Oranda'' : The Netherlands ;ベルギー　''Berugī'' : Belgium ;ハンガリー ''Hangarī'' : Hungary ;エチオピアー ''Echiopia'' : Ethiopia ;アラブ首長国連邦 ''Arabu-shuchōkoku-rempō'' : United Arab Emirates ;豪州 ''Gōshū'' , オーストラリア ''Ōsutoraria'' : Australia ==Learning more== For those who want proof of their proficiency in Japanese, there is the [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test] (JLPT, 日本語能力試験), which is endorsed by the Japanese government, and serves as the Japanese-language equivalent of the TOEFL and IELTS. The test is conducted at 5 levels, with level N5 requiring only a basic level of proficiency to pass, and N1 requiring near-native proficiency. Only reading and listening is tested, and there is no oral examination. Many private Japanese-language courses are geared towards preparing students for this exam. * [http://www.edrdg.org/cgi-bin/wwwjdic/wwwjdic WWWJDIC] &mdash; English-Japanese-English dictionary including sentence translation, kanji lookup and place/personal name dictionary * [http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar] &mdash; Comprehensive online/printable grammar guide building up from casual Japanese using first principles (as opposed to working sideways from polite phrasebook Japanese) * [http://japanese.lingualift.com/ Japanese LinguaLift] &mdash; Learn, review, and practice Japanese in one easy to use package. * [http://www.l-lingo.com/en/learn-japanese/index.html L-Lingo Japanese] &mdash; A free 40 lesson online learn Japanese application * [http://www.manythings.org/japanese/ Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Language Study Materials] &mdash; A collection of online study aids and quizzes * [http://www.japanesepod101.com Learn Japanese by listening] &mdash; Some Japanese lessons in mp3. * [http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/japanese-phrases/ Listen to the pronunciation of Japanese Phrases] &mdash; Audio Pronunciation of Japanese Phrases. * [http://learnjapanese.lcweblink.info/ Learn to speak Japanese - One at a Time] &mdash; Daily Japanese lessons. * [http://jisho.org/ Jisho.org] &mdash; Another English-Japanese-English dictionary, but, with a deceptively powerful bookmarklet to assist reading kanji on websites. * [http://www.denshi-jisho.com/ Denshi Jisho] The best resource for Japanese electronic dictionaries * [https://www.lingualift.com/blog/best-japanese-learning-resources/ 100 top resources to learn Japanese] * '''Remembering the Kanji 1''' by James W. Heisig (1977) &mdash; Extremely well-known book detailing just the ''meanings'' of most kanji and mnemonics to assist with retaining those meanings. Follow-up texts cover Chinese ''onyomi'' readings and all that again for less common naming kanji. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide Channel Voice}} tbmk1sltweypxostwgyinw81uim23jb 0 16490 4506612 4477245 2022-08-23T05:36:28Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mena-asia_default_banner.jpg}} '''Jorepokhri''' is in the [[Darjeeling Hills]] of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. ==Get in== It's in the Darjeeling district, between Mirik and Ghum. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. The nearest airport is Bagdogra. Hired cars are available from NJP and Siliguri. ==Get around== ==See== *'''Kangchenjunga Peak''' of the Himalayan Range. *'''Salamandar Project.''' * {{see | name=Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.750998 | long=88.255703 | directions= | phone=+91 97759 47171 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary | wikidata=Q6277572 | lastedit=2017-12-10 | content=Habitat of some high-altitude animals like Himalayan Salamander. }} ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== The only place to stay is the DGHC Lodge. It has 2 suites and 2 double bedrooms. Another 21 rooms are under construction. The dormitory is under maintenance. Food is available at reasonable cost. Reservation can be made from the following places: :[1] DGHC Tourism, Bhanu Sarani, Darjeeling Mall. Ph: 0354-2254214. :[2] DGHC Tourist Reception Centre, Tenging Norgay Road, Siliguri. Ph: 0353-2518680. :[3] DGHC Counter, 4 Shakespear Sarani, Kolkata. Ph: 033 2821715. ==Go next== Sukhiapokhri. Township Darjeeling is around 21 km. Ghum 13.5 km, [[Siliguri]] 85 km, Mirik 23 km, [[Lepchajagat]] is 5.5 km. {{outlinecity}} {{IsPartOf|Darjeeling Hills}} {{geo|26.757|88.257|zoom=14}} 3vcwojh8trqk4fo39y8ybd27eyry7zc 0 16752 4506194 4505541 2022-08-22T12:22:35Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mena-asia_default_banner.jpg}} '''Kalyani''' is a city in [[Nadia]] district of [[West Bengal]], India. ==Understand== Kalyani was a brainchild of the great visionary Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the second Chief Minister of the state. ==Get in== ===By plane=== The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. ===By car=== After taking the Jessore Road (NH 34) from the airport, go to the north to [[Madhyamgram]]. When you reach Madhyamgram Crossing turn left and go straight to [[Ghola]]. Once you crossed the railway flyover and get to the Sodepur road ask for the Kalyani Expressway. It nearly 1 km before the Ghola Police Station. At the Kalyani expressway junction you have to turn to right and go along with the road. You will get a toll booth in [[Barrackpur]], just follow the road and it will take you to Kalyani. On the way you will cross a bridge over railway tracks. A little after this bridge you will come to a crossing, take right turn from this crossing and you are in Kalyani. Which crossing you need to take depends on where you intend to go. Once you are across the bridge on Railway tracks, you would see a Petrol pump and the Hotel Aquatic Palace a little down the Expressway, immediately after this the road to your Right will lead you into the Indian Oil Complex or if you keep going further you would get the connector to the road leading you to Gandhi Memorial Hospital The Next crossing if you turn Right you would reach the UIC wires limited, JIS College of Engineering, and Kalyani A-Block via Sub-block A-11 and the JNM Hospital and Medical college. The Next crossing a little up the way to your left would take you into Kalyani B-Block, Kalyani Lake Park. The Next crossing is a distinctively large one, and you would see an overhead water tank to your right, if you are here you have reached the Budhdha Park, and pretty much nearing the end of Kalyani. The road to your right will lead you all the way to the Kalyani Ghoshpara Station, and you cross the Kalyani Central Model School, the B.T College, the Central Park, the ITI More, on your way to the Ghoshpara Station. ===By train=== If you want to go by train, you can easily go by boarding from Sealdah Station or Dumdum Junction Station. The trains that go to Kalyani are: Kalyani Simanta Local, Ranaghat Local, Krishnanagar City Local, Shantipur Local, Gede local, Lalgola Fast Passenger, etc. The Scheduled Train journey is approximately 1hr 05mins from Sealdah Station to Kalyani Main Station. But it's good to be aware that owing to the numerous junctions (Dumdum, Barrackpore, Naihati) and adding to the wait for Express and or Goods Trains switching from the Sealdah line to Howrah Line via the Naihati-Bandel connection, it would take you generally 1hr30 to 1hr 45min on a regular normal day. All above mentioned locals except for the Kalyani Simanta Local would drop you off at Kalyani Main Station. This is located in A-Block. This is the place to get down if you are going to the Gandhi Memorial Hospital or Julien Day School, also you are well connected to the B-Block through autorickshaws, taking you to destinations as JNM Hospital, Central Park, ITI more and also to Tribeni across the river into Hooghly. Bus facilities are also available in the form of Route 37, that starts from the Kalyani Main Station and circles Kalyani on the outer route via JNM Hospital, ITI more, Picnic garden, Central Park, Budhdha Park and then goes into Kanchrapara. There is also the Tribeni-Gayeshpur minibus connectivity to help you on your way. The Kalyani Simanta Local takes the Branch line which takes you deeper into Kalyani, the stations on your way in would be Kalyani Silpanchal (connecting you to the Industrial Area and the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital, also known as JNM Hospital and ''panchso bed''or 500 beds in local terms. This is also the nearest Station if you intend to go to the Springdale School. The Next Stop is Kalyani Ghoshpara, your stop if you are headed to the Kalyani University or the law College. The final destination on this route is Kalyani Simanta, which is nearer to the training center for SIPRD, Rural development center and the BSNL Training Center. Also the once favorite, Kalyani Picninc Garden is just a few minutes from here. * {{go | name=Kalyani railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q30645223 | lastedit=2020-10-07 | content=Main station }} ==Get around== {{Mapframe}} ==See== * {{see | name=Ishwar Gupta Setu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.967363 | long=88.407664 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q24938418 | lastedit=2022-07-10 | content= }} * {{see | name=Botanical Garden | alt= | url= | email= | address=NH-34 Connector, Block A1 | lat=22.9701 | long=88.46553 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Central Park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.97482 | long=88.43443 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{do | name=Jubilee Park | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gayespur | lat=22.9566 | long=88.4881 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{do | name=Kalyani Picnic Garden | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.98247 | long=88.42391 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Kalyani Picnic Garden - Kalyani - Nadia 2017-02-05 5189.JPG | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content=You can enjoy a day long picnic here. It is at the western end of Congress road that leads straight from Kalyani main station. Good for group picnics. Carry utensils and cook food here, but keep clean and don't litter. }} * {{do | name=Kalyani Stadium | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.9748 | long=88.44867 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16632635 | lastedit=2022-07-10 | content= }} *{{do | name=Lake Park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.97251 | long=88.44355 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Kalyani Lake 01.JPG | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ===Events=== * {{do | name=Kalyani Mela | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annual | price= | content=An event worth visiting. }} * '''Kuler Pather Mela''' - (Pothwari Drama). * {{do | name=Sati mayer mela | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near ghosh para station, the easiest way to go there is by train, board Kalyani Simanta local and get down at Kalyani ghoshpara station, you may go by bus, auto or rickshaw from Kalyni mail station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annual | price= | content=A religious gathering. }} ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Kalyani | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q109296597 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | name=University of Kalyani | alt= | url=https://www.klyuniv.ac.in/ | email= | address= | lat=22.986179 | long=88.446445 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7247886 | lastedit=2022-07-10 | content= }} ==Buy== Jute stuff and other hand made utensils and decors are available in extremely cheap prices. * {{buy | name=Gol Bazar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gayespur | lat=22.95807 | long=88.49526 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content= }} ==Eat== ==Drink== *{{sleep | name=Aquatic Palace | url= | email= | address=Kalyani Highway, near JIS College of Engineering | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Where you can have a toast of cool or hot drinks in the ambiance of aquatic peace and beauty... }} *{{drink | name=Cafe Adda | alt=kalyani central park | url= | email= | address=Kalyani | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Anurag Guest House | url= | email= | address=Near ITI more | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Nice Decent place to receive your guests, AC , Non-Ac rooms Available }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Aquatic Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kanchrapara | lat=22.956474 | long=88.452335 | directions=along Barrackpore-Kalyani Expressway, near J.I.S College of Engineering | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | image=Hotel Aquatic Palace at Kalyani.jpg | lastedit=2019-04-09 | content= }} ==Go next== {{geo|22.975000|88.434444}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{outlinecity}} {{Merge|Kolkata/Northern fringes|See [[Talk:Kolkata]]}} 81oqokr5siqwjf893dbdif1avzrfhcc 0 17145 4506634 4182887 2022-08-23T06:35:05Z 154.160.1.16 wikitext text/x-wiki 4506635 4506634 2022-08-23T06:35:49Z 154.160.1.16 wikitext text/x-wiki 4506816 4506635 2022-08-23T11:53:46Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/154.160.1.16|154.160.1.16]] ([[User talk:154.160.1.16|talk]]) to last version by [[User:Neils51|Neils51]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Bayanaul National Park-banner.jpg|caption=Bayanaul National Park}} The '''Kazakhstani North''' is comprised of the provinces of Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and Akmola. You will find the new capital of the country here, as well as most of the country's major industrial cities. The Kazakhstani North also is home to most of Kazakhstan's large Russian ethnic minority. Make no mistake, here you are moving out of [[Central Asia]] and into cold, cold [[Siberia]]. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Aksu]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; a medium-sized coal city, also home to a large power plant *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nur-Sultan]]|wikidata=Q1520}} (formerly ''Astana'') &mdash; the national capital *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ekibastuz]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; a big coal city, home to the world's biggest open-cast coal field, and former home to gulag prisoner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kokshetau]]|wikidata=Q490643}} &mdash; the administrative center of Akmola Region *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kostanay]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; one of the few cities in the north of any touristic interest, with an attractive, unique mosque, several memorials, and some hotels that cater to people other than energy-sector businessmen *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Pavlodar]]|wikidata=Q486282}} &mdash; the oldest Russian city in the country, founded in 1720, closed until 1992 for its military significance in tank production, and home to one very impressive mosque, as well as other interesting Orthodox churches and various memorials *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Petropavl]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; another former Russian fort town, now the center of the North Kazakhstan Province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Rudny]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; an iron-mining city ==Other destinations== *{{listing|name=[[Bayanaul National Park]]|wikidata=Q1817735|wikipedia=Bayanaul National Park}} *{{marker|name=[[Burabay National Park]]|wikidata=Q4099294}} &mdash; The little Switzerland is a spot you don't want to miss when travelling to Kazakhstan. Only a few hours by train from Astana, hotels are very demanded in summer and an early booking is necessary. Camping can be done without any problem as the nature is quite wild as of July 2008. However, the place has been chosen as a tourist resort and in the next few years it might lose its untamed appearance. *{{marker|name=[[Naurzum State Nature Reserve]]|wikidata=Q1571825}} , Kostanay Province. Together with Korgalzhyn (below), this nature reserve comprises the '''Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan''' [[UNESCO World Heritage list|UNESCO World Heritage site]]. Both contain wetlands on the steppe which serve as a rare habitat for a diverse range of bird species, many of them endangered, as well as various other steppe flora and fauna. *{{marker|name=[[Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve]]|wikidata=Q1046294}} , Aqmola Province. Korgalzhyn stands out from Naurzum for its very popular pink flamingo population. ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== {{IsPartOf|Kazakhstan}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|51.86|70.40|zoom=6}} tk1w6n7bo8b4mibkg2bzctvnudh759h 4506817 4506816 2022-08-23T11:54:12Z Ibaman 195012 Protected "[[Kazakhstani North]]": Target page for a block evading user ([Edit=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (expires 11:54, 23 September 2022 (UTC)) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Bayanaul National Park-banner.jpg|caption=Bayanaul National Park}} The '''Kazakhstani North''' is comprised of the provinces of Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and Akmola. You will find the new capital of the country here, as well as most of the country's major industrial cities. The Kazakhstani North also is home to most of Kazakhstan's large Russian ethnic minority. Make no mistake, here you are moving out of [[Central Asia]] and into cold, cold [[Siberia]]. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Aksu]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; a medium-sized coal city, also home to a large power plant *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nur-Sultan]]|wikidata=Q1520}} (formerly ''Astana'') &mdash; the national capital *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ekibastuz]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; a big coal city, home to the world's biggest open-cast coal field, and former home to gulag prisoner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kokshetau]]|wikidata=Q490643}} &mdash; the administrative center of Akmola Region *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kostanay]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; one of the few cities in the north of any touristic interest, with an attractive, unique mosque, several memorials, and some hotels that cater to people other than energy-sector businessmen *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Pavlodar]]|wikidata=Q486282}} &mdash; the oldest Russian city in the country, founded in 1720, closed until 1992 for its military significance in tank production, and home to one very impressive mosque, as well as other interesting Orthodox churches and various memorials *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Petropavl]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; another former Russian fort town, now the center of the North Kazakhstan Province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Rudny]]|wikidata=}} &mdash; an iron-mining city ==Other destinations== *{{listing|name=[[Bayanaul National Park]]|wikidata=Q1817735|wikipedia=Bayanaul National Park}} *{{marker|name=[[Burabay National Park]]|wikidata=Q4099294}} &mdash; The little Switzerland is a spot you don't want to miss when travelling to Kazakhstan. Only a few hours by train from Astana, hotels are very demanded in summer and an early booking is necessary. Camping can be done without any problem as the nature is quite wild as of July 2008. However, the place has been chosen as a tourist resort and in the next few years it might lose its untamed appearance. *{{marker|name=[[Naurzum State Nature Reserve]]|wikidata=Q1571825}} , Kostanay Province. Together with Korgalzhyn (below), this nature reserve comprises the '''Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan''' [[UNESCO World Heritage list|UNESCO World Heritage site]]. Both contain wetlands on the steppe which serve as a rare habitat for a diverse range of bird species, many of them endangered, as well as various other steppe flora and fauna. *{{marker|name=[[Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve]]|wikidata=Q1046294}} , Aqmola Province. Korgalzhyn stands out from Naurzum for its very popular pink flamingo population. ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== {{IsPartOf|Kazakhstan}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|51.86|70.40|zoom=6}} tk1w6n7bo8b4mibkg2bzctvnudh759h 0 17174 4506648 4486215 2022-08-23T07:50:52Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Go next */ Eskişehir wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== Kutahya is known for its '''hot springs and hamams'''. Visit the hot springs and have a bath. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Tahya Otel | url= | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 2262010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Across from the old bus station, a comfortable, clean and modern mid-priced hotel. }} == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} iz7n6m0sfxrsar85o8923iks415yi5f 4506652 4506648 2022-08-23T07:58:07Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Updated listing for Qtahya Otel - practical info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== Kutahya is known for its '''hot springs and hamams'''. Visit the hot springs and have a bath. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms, cleaning erratic. }} == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} 2mmogulq3wjter7b2yjxeqkomiexkw7 4506654 4506652 2022-08-23T08:03:49Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Hilton Garden Hotel wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== Kutahya is known for its '''hot springs and hamams'''. Visit the hot springs and have a bath. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} fqz5l0jgc0oq926h3cf131zjowr5wjk 4506656 4506654 2022-08-23T08:10:49Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Gulpalas Otel wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== Kutahya is known for its '''hot springs and hamams'''. Visit the hot springs and have a bath. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} e23xrbcwrcfn7g8jgng7z7oxw9e3lt2 4506660 4506656 2022-08-23T08:16:46Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Menderes Otel wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== Kutahya is known for its '''hot springs and hamams'''. Visit the hot springs and have a bath. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} fzfh5xtjjjwbqkxqpvksjkb494mgawe 4506663 4506660 2022-08-23T08:20:24Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Cinili Otel wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== Kutahya is known for its '''hot springs and hamams'''. Visit the hot springs and have a bath. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} eq1c6ltlf7bf1ihcxrb9me8uin0hxed 4506664 4506663 2022-08-23T08:24:09Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Sleep */ Spa hotel looks closed wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== Kutahya is known for its '''hot springs and hamams'''. Visit the hot springs and have a bath. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} 2vyudr9vcbpaz0sdtsu8zzq9msnom63 4506684 4506664 2022-08-23T08:53:38Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Do */ football wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41713 | long=29.97572 | directions=800 m from the Vazo—walk along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 200 m past the end of its pedestrianized part, marked by the dervish statue in the middle of the road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | content=While nothing much fascinating, you could visit here just for the sake of a visit—or perhaps so you could tick it off from the list of the historic Turkish mosques visited. Contrary to what might be assumed by some visitors, the mosque was ''not'' built by the Germiyanid dynasty, but rather by the Ottoman sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt, in an interim era when the Germiyanid Kingdom was taken by the Ottomans. Tamerlane, after beating Beyazıt, and taking him captive in the Battle of [[Ankara]] in 1402, freed all the new possessions of his rival, and it took almost three decades that Kütahya was re-incorporated into the Ottoman State again, and that was only after the last reign of the Germiyanid dynasty, who had no sons, had voluntarily donated his land to the Ottomans after his death. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} 6citxjp411yhjth8ssfyvkl66rvntnf 4506694 4506684 2022-08-23T09:18:40Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Updated listing for Great Mosque - practical info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41684 | long=29.97614 | directions=just next to the Great Mosque; see above for directions | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | content=This is a small museum housing various findings from the surrounding region, aged neolithic down to the Byzantine era, with the most impressive one being a marble sarcophagus excavated at [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]], with highly detailed carvings around it. In the surrounding walls of the centre room, as well as in the accompanying rooms, you'll find various marble Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae (notice those human-like artefacts, which have "eyes" on them—should have been produced after a certain stage in spiritual evolution was passed). The museum building itself was converted from the Vacidiye Madrasah (Islamic academy), built by the Germiyan family. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} kbybosky2obptm3wbcqq0j33kjghwm0 4506699 4506694 2022-08-23T09:30:51Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Updated listing for Museum of Archaeology - practical info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt=Arkeoloji Müzesi | url= | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 5 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=south flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 224 0785 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Adult 15 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is housed in a former madrasah, built in 1314. It exhibits findings from the neolithic to the Byzantine era - the most impressive is the richly decorated marble sarcophagus from Aizanoi. There are also Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Tile Museum | alt=Çini Müzesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41743 | long=29.97514 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q20476793 | content= }} *{{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} 6l4avw9vtlxkzhvcuxg9731sdnr74e1 4506705 4506699 2022-08-23T09:43:23Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Tile Museum wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|39.4190|29.9853|zoom=14|height=350|width=500}} While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 5 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=south flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 224 0785 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Adult 15 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is housed in a former madrasah built in 1314. It exhibits findings from the neolithic to the Byzantine era - the most impressive is the richly decorated marble sarcophagus from Aizanoi. There are also Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae. }} * {{see | name=Çini Museum | alt= | url=https://kutahya.ktb.gov.tr/TR-69423/cini-muzesi.html | email= | address=Gediz Cd 10 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=north flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 223 6990 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-19:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q20476793 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Tile museum, in what was the soup-kitchen associated with the mosque. Attractive work, some medieval (including the tomb of the founder, Yakup Çelebi) but much is modern. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} 1pu94edhqb6cucibc2geoi9db0o9iwk 4506706 4506705 2022-08-23T09:44:04Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Get around */ move map higher wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. ==Get in== ===By bus=== Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. ===By train=== ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 5 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=south flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 224 0785 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Adult 15 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is housed in a former madrasah built in 1314. It exhibits findings from the neolithic to the Byzantine era - the most impressive is the richly decorated marble sarcophagus from Aizanoi. There are also Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae. }} * {{see | name=Çini Museum | alt= | url=https://kutahya.ktb.gov.tr/TR-69423/cini-muzesi.html | email= | address=Gediz Cd 10 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=north flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 223 6990 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-19:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q20476793 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Tile museum, in what was the soup-kitchen associated with the mosque. Attractive work, some medieval (including the tomb of the founder, Yakup Çelebi) but much is modern. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} c3wetfjv4x3hx06ys74s1b1yyhqbi5g 4506707 4506706 2022-08-23T09:46:05Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Get in */ move map here wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. == Get in == {{mapframe | 39.420 | 29.985 | height=400 | width=500 | zoom=14 }} === By bus === Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. === By train === ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 5 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=south flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 224 0785 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Adult 15 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is housed in a former madrasah built in 1314. It exhibits findings from the neolithic to the Byzantine era - the most impressive is the richly decorated marble sarcophagus from Aizanoi. There are also Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae. }} * {{see | name=Çini Museum | alt= | url=https://kutahya.ktb.gov.tr/TR-69423/cini-muzesi.html | email= | address=Gediz Cd 10 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=north flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 223 6990 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-19:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q20476793 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Tile museum, in what was the soup-kitchen associated with the mosque. Attractive work, some medieval (including the tomb of the founder, Yakup Çelebi) but much is modern. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://rodosto.hu/tr/kutahya.html | email= | address= | lat=39.41668 | long=29.97362 | directions=1,100 m from the Vazo—further into the old town from the Great Mosque/Museum of Archaeology, through Gediz Caddesi behind the mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6056682 | content=A renovated 18th-century mansion in which the Hungarian freedom leader Lajos Kossuth lived between 1850 and 1851 during his exile (and hence, the ''Hungarian'' house). A good excuse to take a look inside a historic Kütahya house. }} * {{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} m6lpo7ln7j5ym9vb5535t2a040tkk55 4506730 4506707 2022-08-23T10:08:35Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Updated listing for Hungarian House - practical info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. == Get in == {{mapframe | 39.420 | 29.985 | height=400 | width=500 | zoom=14 }} === By bus === Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. === By train === ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 5 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=south flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 224 0785 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Adult 15 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is housed in a former madrasah built in 1314. It exhibits findings from the neolithic to the Byzantine era - the most impressive is the richly decorated marble sarcophagus from Aizanoi. There are also Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae. }} * {{see | name=Çini Museum | alt= | url=https://kutahya.ktb.gov.tr/TR-69423/cini-muzesi.html | email= | address=Gediz Cd 10 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=north flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 223 6990 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-19:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q20476793 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Tile museum, in what was the soup-kitchen associated with the mosque. Attractive work, some medieval (including the tomb of the founder, Yakup Çelebi) but much is modern. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG|thumb|300px|Kossuth's House]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://www.kutahya.gov.tr/macar-misafirlerimiz-macar-milli-kahramani-lajos-kossuth-kutahyada-yeni | email= | address=Gediz Cd 27 | lat=39.4167 | long=29.9736 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6214 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Free | wikidata=Q6056682 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Lajos Kossuth became leader of Hungary in the 1840s, but his bid for independence from Austria was defeated after the Russians marched in, and he fled into exile. He lived in this mansion 1850 / 1851, later living in the US, Britain and Italy. The two-storey wooden mansion has been restored to period and dislays his life and times. }} * {{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} en9nxqc068glcg7fb57k7u6ydgvr4mr 4506749 4506730 2022-08-23T10:17:13Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ geology museum wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. == Get in == {{mapframe | 39.420 | 29.985 | height=400 | width=500 | zoom=14 }} === By bus === Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. === By train === ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. ==See== [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazon sarcophagus, excavated at Aizanoi, and now in display in the Archaeology Museum]] * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 5 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=south flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 224 0785 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Adult 15 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is housed in a former madrasah built in 1314. It exhibits findings from the neolithic to the Byzantine era - the most impressive is the richly decorated marble sarcophagus from Aizanoi. There are also Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae. }} * {{see | name=Çini Museum | alt= | url=https://kutahya.ktb.gov.tr/TR-69423/cini-muzesi.html | email= | address=Gediz Cd 10 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=north flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 223 6990 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-19:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q20476793 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Tile museum, in what was the soup-kitchen associated with the mosque. Attractive work, some medieval (including the tomb of the founder, Yakup Çelebi) but much is modern. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG | thumb | 300px | Hungarian House ]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://www.kutahya.gov.tr/macar-misafirlerimiz-macar-milli-kahramani-lajos-kossuth-kutahyada-yeni | email= | address=Gediz Cd 27 | lat=39.4167 | long=29.9736 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6214 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Free | wikidata=Q6056682 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Lajos Kossuth became leader of Hungary in the 1840s, but his bid for independence from Austria was defeated after the Russians marched in, and he fled into exile. He lived in this mansion 1850 / 1851, later living in the US, Britain and Italy. The two-storey wooden mansion has been restored to period and dislays his life and times. }} * {{see | name=Geology Museum | alt= | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/jeoloj-muzes | email= | address=Şengül Sk 26 | lat= | long= | directions=a block south of Hungarian House | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is in an ancient hamam. It displays minerals and is mostly about Turkey's mining industry. }} * {{see | name=Germiyan Street | alt=Germiyan Caddesi | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.42183 | long=29.97909 | directions=600 metres from the Vazo—walk west along Adnan Menderes Blv; there is also a traffic sign in the Vazo pointing the correct way | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored, two-, or three-storey Ottoman-era mansions, that look somewhat more elegant than [[Eskişehir]]'s Odunpazarı district. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} iahnihfcmdvbkroh9b9y6xc19xu321o 4506766 4506749 2022-08-23T10:27:26Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Germiyan Cd wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=From the interior of the Green Mosque}} '''Kütahya''' is a town in the [[Central Anatolia]] region of [[Turkey]]. Known for its colored tiles, ''Kütahya Faience'', the town also serves as a base for visiting the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in '''[[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi]]''', which are amongst the best preserved Roman ruins in the country. ==Understand== [[File:Vacidiye medreses.JPG|thumb|300px|The Vacidiye Madrasah, a Germiyanid building, now hosts the Archaeology Museum]] For the better part of the last millenium or so, Kütahya, which has its ancient roots in '''Kotiaion''' ("the city of Kotys", Kotys being a war goddess in Paleo-Balkan mythology) was an important city of the surrounding region. In the 14th and the early 15th centuries, it was the seat of the '''Germiyanid''' (''Germiyanoğulları''), one of the Turkic petty kingdoms that rose to power after Anatolia was overrun by the Mongol hordes in the 13th century and the central authority of Seljuks disappeared as a result. Of the more powerful ones of such principalities, the Germiyanid land was later annexed into the Ottoman state, which itself started as a neighbouring frontier principality to north, in 1429. Regardless, Kütahya kept its prominence, and for a long time, more than four centuries, was the capital city of the Ottoman ''eyalet'' of Anatolia, which covered more or less half of what is today Asian Turkey. However, the luck of Kütahya ran out with the coming of the age of steam and trains. For laying out their new route from [[Istanbul]] into Anatolia and beyond, the engineers understandably favoured the open steppes in the north to the mountain fastness that Kütahya resides on. The location of the following railroad-related industries to [[Eskişehir]] sealed the deal, and assured that Kütahya should now take a backseat to its northern neighbour's regional prominency, as Eskişehir sparkled Kütahya waned. Today, it has 215,000 residents, and modern heavy industry (for many years Kütahya was rated as having the worst air quality in the country, although things seem to get better nowadays). It continues its traditional trade of '''tilemaking'''. Kütahya could be considered as one of the bigger cities in Turkey. However, there is still something of a rural mentality, and, although the local '''Dumlupınar University''' is slowly changing this, any visitor can expect to be welcomed with some sort of curiosity. ===Orientation=== [[File:Çini vazo kütahya.jpg|thumb|300px|"The Vase" at night]] The focal point of the city, the usual starting point for any direction, is {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4192|long=29.9853|name=Zafer Meydanı}} ("Victory Square"), referred to by most everyone as '''''Vazo''''' ("the Vase"); not hard to understand, as at the centre of the large traffic roundabout in the square stands a big, tiled vase. (If you need a handy landmark but can't immediately locate the relatively low-lying vase, look for the '''clock tower''' instead, which rises close to the eastern side of the square.) The quarters of the officialdom, the fairly non-descript building of the province governership (''Valilik''), and the kitschy, faux Ottoman-arched building of the town council (''Belediye'') covered with tiles all over its façade rest on the western and eastern edges of the square respectively, and all the main streets converge here: '''Atatürk Bulvarı''' which leads north (bus company offices, and tile shops), eventually transforming into the main highway to [[Eskişehir]]; '''Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Bulvarı''' (formerly and still commonly '''İstasyon Caddesi''', "Station Street") which leads northeast to the '''train station'''; and the pedestrianized '''Cumhuriyet Caddesi''' ("Republic Street", a.k.a. ''Sevgi Yolu'', "Love Walk", a name it shares with many other pedestrianized streets in western Turkey, presumably after one such street in [[Izmir]]), which is the main drag of the city where locals go for shopping or simply for a stroll, which leads into the '''old town''' in the southwest. The other main roads that lead away from the square are '''Adnan Menderes Bulvarı''' towards west and '''Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı''' towards east. == Get in == {{mapframe | 39.420 | 29.985 | height=400 | width=500 | zoom=14 }} === By bus === Kütahya is well connected by bus. Buses leave almost every 45 minutes for [[Istanbul]] (six hours) and [[Bursa]] (three hours). More than a dozen buses depart daily for [[Ankara]] (five hours) from where easy connections are available to points in Eastern Turkey. There are several buses daily to [[Antalya]] (eight hours) with connections to points along the coast. Buses from nearby [[Eskişehir]] are very frequent, cost 10 TL one-way, and take slightly more than an hour (you can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on their scheduled departure, though, especially if the bus does not have its terminus in either of these cities, but simply making a stop on its longer route instead—say, for example, from Ankara to Uşak). [[File:Cinlili Mosque.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tile Mosque]] The main {{marker|type=go|lat=39.4425|long=30.0058|name=bus station}} of Kütahya (not ''otogar'' as elsewhere in Turkey, but ''çinigar'', the "tile station", named after the most popular local produce that you will come across so often and at so unexpected locations while in Kütahya) is 4 km north of the city centre, on the highway to Eskişehir. Free ''servis'' minibuses, which depart from behind the building (enter from the gates at where the buses draw, and exit from the gates right on the opposite side), take passengers to the city centre, covering the route in about 15 minutes. The terminus for the ''servis'' minibuses of Kütahyalılar (a local bus company which connects with Eskişehir, and possibly with many other cities) is an office of them on Atatürk Blv, very close to the ''Vazo'' (it's a very convenient location where you can buy your ticket and take the connecting minibus to the bus station upon leaving Kütahya). The site of the old ''çinigar'', a more convenient 800 metres north of the ''Vazo'' on Atatürk Blv, is now an empty lot (save for its retaining gate covered with tilework), and is called ''eski garaj'' ("the old depot"), which might be useful for, say, asking directions. === By train === ''Izmir Mavi'' runs daily from [[Ankara]] at 19:00 via [[Eskişehir]] at 22:15 to reach Kütahya at 23:30. It trundles on south overnight via Tavansanli, [[Balıkesir]], Soma, [[Akhisar]] and [[Manisa]] to arrive at [[Izmir]] Basmane at 09:30. The northbound train leaves Izmir at 18:00 to reach Kütahya at 04:00, Eskişehir at 05:30 and Ankara at 08:30. ''Ege Ekspresi'' runs daily from [[Izmir]] at 06:30, taking 9½ hours via Manisa, [[Akhisar]], Soma, [[Balıkesir]] and Tavsanli; the southbound train to Izmir leaves Kütahya around 09:30. The ''Pamukkale Ekspresi'' runs daily from Eskişehir around 10:30 to reach Kütahya at 12:00 and continues south via [[Afyonkarahisar]] and [[Sandikli]] to [[Denizli]], arriving near 19:00. The northbound train leaves Denizli before 08:00 to reach Kütahya around 14:30 and Eskişehir around 16:00. {{marker | type=go | name=Kütahya railway station | lat=39.420 | long=30.000 }}, elegantly tiled, is 1 km east of city centre, at the end of Abdurrahman Kara Ağa Blvd, across the main highway D650. ===By car=== The highway '''D650''', one of the major north-south highways in Turkey, connects the city with '''D200''', a major west-east highway in the north, directly linking to Eskişehir, and also to [[Bursa]] via [[Bozüyük]] with another branch. North of Bozüyük, D650 is the main highway to [[Istanbul]]. There is also another road from Bursa, through the mountains and the town of Tavşanlı, branching off from D200 at [[İnegöl]], but this would surely take longer to complete than the other route mentioned above. D650 north of the city has separated directions all along it, and passes through some remarkable rocky canyons reminiscent of the [[Southwest (United States of America)|American Southwest]], as well as beside the elongated dam lake on the River Porsuk. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Zafer Havalimanı | alt={{IATA|KZR}} Victory Airport | url=http://www.zafer.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=39.1114 | long=30.13 | directions=45 km southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zafer Airport | wikidata=Q3916615 | content=The airport has flights from both Istanbul airports: from {{IATA|IST}} by [http://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], and from {{IATA|SAW}} by [http://www.flypgs.com/ Pegasus]. }} '''''Havaş'' buses''' connect the airport to Kütahya, departing 25 minutes after each flight arrives. They stop at the university, and at their office near the ''Vazo'' on the way before terminating at the bus station [http://www.havas.net/en/OurServices/BusServicesAndCarParkingFacilities/ServicePoints/Pages/Kutahya.aspx]. ==Get around== While the city has a fleet of private minibuses of various colours (red, green and blue), and yellow city buses, the average traveller won't feel a pressing need to use them, as most of the sights and useful locations are near each other and walking around is easy enough: while the city is surrounded by mountains, it's positioned on a flat ground, so you won't have to climb up and down too much, unless you decide to ascend to the castle. == See == [[File:Kutahya archaeological museum 8836.jpg | thumb | 300px | Amazon sarcophagus from Aizanoi ]] * {{marker | name=Germiyan Street | type=see | lat=39.4218 | long=29.9791 }} is the best preserved part of old town, a cobbled alley lined by tastefully restored Ottoman-era mansions. * {{see | name=Great Mosque | alt=Ulu Cami | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/ulu-cam873994 | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 2 | lat=39.4171 | long=29.9757 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6312 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | image=Kütahya ulu cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470665 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This began construction under Beyazıt the Thunderbolt and was completed in 1401, and rebuilt in the late 19th century. It's a spacious, mostly simple interior, but with elegant tiles around the mihrab. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Archaeology | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sultanbağı Cd 5 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=south flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 224 0785 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Adult 15 TL | wikipedia=Kütahya Archaeology Museum | image=Vacidiye giriş.JPG | wikidata=Q20471303 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is housed in a former madrasah built in 1314. It exhibits findings from the neolithic to the Byzantine era - the most impressive is the richly decorated marble sarcophagus from Aizanoi. There are also Byzantine gravestones, coins, earthen pots and amphorae. }} * {{see | name=Çini Museum | alt= | url=https://kutahya.ktb.gov.tr/TR-69423/cini-muzesi.html | email= | address=Gediz Cd 10 | lat=NA | long=NA | directions=north flank of Great Mosque | phone=+90 274 223 6990 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-19:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q20476793 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Tile museum, in what was the soup-kitchen associated with the mosque. Attractive work, some medieval (including the tomb of the founder, Yakup Çelebi) but much is modern. }} [[File:Kossuth Museum.JPG | thumb | 300px | Hungarian House ]] * {{see | name=Hungarian House | alt=Macar Evi | url=http://www.kutahya.gov.tr/macar-misafirlerimiz-macar-milli-kahramani-lajos-kossuth-kutahyada-yeni | email= | address=Gediz Cd 27 | lat=39.4167 | long=29.9736 | directions= | phone=+90 274 223 6214 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30 | price=Free | wikidata=Q6056682 | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Lajos Kossuth became leader of Hungary in the 1840s, but his bid for independence from Austria was defeated after the Russians marched in, and he fled into exile. He lived in this mansion 1850 / 1851, later living in the US, Britain and Italy. The two-storey wooden mansion has been restored to period and dislays his life and times. }} * {{see | name=Geology Museum | alt= | url=https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kutahya/gezilecekyer/jeoloj-muzes | email= | address=Şengül Sk 26 | lat= | long= | directions=a block south of Hungarian House | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=This is in an ancient hamam. It displays minerals and is mostly about Turkey's mining industry. }} * {{see | name=Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.4188 | long=29.9701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6022256 | content=Looming high above Kütahya on a rocky hill to the west of the old town, this Byzantine citadel has a modern rotating restaurant added later in. }} * {{see | name=Tile Mosque | alt=Çinili Cami | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.41180 | long=29.99028 | directions=southeast of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Kütahya çinili cami.JPG | wikidata=Q20470671 | content=Out of the traditional centre of the city, this mosque built in 1973 emulates the [[Central Asia]]n architecture with its deep blue/turquoise tiles covering ''all'' of its exterior valls, dome and minaret. }} ==Do== * '''Hot springs and hamams:''' this is a geothermal area. * '''Football:''' Kütahyaspor plays soccer in TFF Third League, Turkey's fourth tier. Their home ground is Dumlupınar Stadium (capacity 11,500), 500 m southeast of town centre. ==Buy== [[File:Kütahya porcelain shop.jpg|thumb|275px|Inside a tile shop]] Yes, ''tiles''. Kütahya is famous nationwide for its '''tiles''' (''çini''), a distinction it shares with the town of [[Iznik|İznik]] several hundred kilometres to north since the 16th century, when the Ottoman sultan Selim the Grim imported the art by resettling a number of tilemakers from [[Tabriz]] after his victory over [[Iran|Persia]] in the battle of Chaldiran. (It's no coincidence that this happened after the highly delicate [[China|Chinese]] pottery became a favourite of dynasty members after the throne was moved to [[Istanbul]] in the mid-15th century.) While the İznik pottery was favoured for its ''quality'' in numerous mosques and palaces across Turkey and the [[Middle East]], the faience of Kütahya conquered the markets with its ''quantity'' and continue to do so, given the earthenware of İznik is now mostly a thing of the past. Check out the row of '''shops''' just north of the ''Vazo'', at the beginning of Atatürk Blv; it seems basically similar stuff is on sale, and none deserves an especial mention, so just pick one. Prices start at 5 TL for a ceramic coffee cup decorated with local and traditional motifs (as they are fired to relatively lower temperatures than vitrified tiles, tend to be less stronger) to 130 TL for a beautiful mid-sized vase, in various colours and shapes. Remember to [[haggle]]: you can shave 10-15% off the price. If you have your own transporr, you may also want to take a look in the '''Çiniciler Çarşısı''' ("Tile Bazaar") off the highway, between the city centre and the bus station, and the line of big stores on both sides of the highway to Eskişehir, 5 km or so out of the city. They might offer the same selection for a cheaper rate. Gürallar: a name that you will see often both in central shops and also at the highway warehouses, and is known to be a bit more expensive than others. ===Banks=== There are banks and ATMs along Cumhuriyet Caddesi. ==Eat== As far as '''local specialities''' are concerned, there is not much to recommend, so you are falling back into the usual Turkish eat-out menu of ''döner''s and kebabs. *At the '''small eatery''' near the entrance of Atatürk Blv, very close to the office of the Kütahyalılar bus company, ask for ''tavuk dürüm''—a quick, savoury, and filling bite of chicken ''döner'', rolled inside a tasty and thick wrap, with a going rate of just 2 TL (add 0.50 TL on the top of that for an accompanying cup of ''ayran''). The place looks clean (and the food is prepared right in front of your eyes), and the clientele looks to be consisting of locals, so there should be no problems considering the hygiene. There might be other places offering the same dish. * {{eat | name=Fesleğen Restoran | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/feslegenrestoran/ | email= | address=Servi, Merkez Sk. No:29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+90 274 231 43 43 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=Serves some tasteful regional fare like basil kebabs and soups. }} ==Drink== == Sleep == * {{sleep | name=Gülpalas Otel | alt= | url=http://www.gulpalas.com/tr | email= | address=Zafer Meydani | lat= | long= | directions=south side of main square | phone=+90 533 602 8157 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clean friendly central hotel. }} * '''[https://www.ciniliotelkutahya.com/ Çinili Otel 2]''' is a very basic place next to Gülpalas. * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eskgigi-hilton-garden-inn-kutahya/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 21 | lat= | long= | directions=just north of main square | phone=+90 274 229 5555 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 1500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Central modern hotel, clean and comfy. }} * {{sleep | name=Qtahya Otel | alt= | url=https://www.qtahyaotel.com/ | email= | address=Atatürk Bulvarı 56 | lat=39.4253 | long=29.9905 | directions= | phone=+90 274 226 2010 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 600 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Basic hotel, small rooms smelling of cigarettes, cleaning erratic. }} * {{sleep | name=Kütahya Menderes Otel | alt= | url=https://www.kutahyamenderesotel.com/ | email= | address=Menderes Cd 71 | lat=39.4256 | long=29.9720 | directions= | phone=+90 274 333 2225 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double 500 TL | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good value at this family-oriented hotel 1 km from main square. }} * '''[https://www.nehirtermal.com/ Nehir Termal]''' is a spa hotel, west edge of town on Şair Ali Pesendi Cd. It wasn't open in 2022. == Connect == Kütahya and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == [[File:Aizanoi, Turkey (38490661395).jpg|thumb|300px|The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi]] * [[Çavdarhisar|Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar)]] — since you are this close, sparing at least half a day to pay a visit to the spectacular Temple of Zeus in this ancient city is definitely worthwhile. * [[Afyonkarahisar]] — another traditional and conservative city in the region, also complete with its historic houses and hilltop castle, Afyonkarahisar may be a good break on your journey south to [[Antalya]] or southeast to [[Konya]] to taste a bit of its culinary offers—including heavily spiced bacon (''sucuk'') and ''ekmek kadayıfı'' (a sandwich of soft bread-like doughs washed in sweet syrup with cream inbetween)—if not for anything else. * [[Eskişehir]] is a university city and transport hub with a small preserved old quarter. {{routebox | image1=D650-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=N | majorl1=Ends at [[File:D010-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Akçakoca|E]]) | minorl1=[[Osmaneli]] ← Junction [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] ([[Bursa | Kestel]]|W]] / [[Eskişehir|E]]) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Antalya]] | minorr1=[[Afyonkarahisar]] | image2=D230-TR.svg | imagesize2=35 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Edremit]] | minorl2=[[Balıkesir]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E90-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr2='''[[Eskişehir]]''' | image3=D240-TR.svg | imagesize3=35 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bergama]] | minorl3=[[Çavdarhisar]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=Ends at [[File:D650-TR.svg|35px]] | minorr3= }} {{geo|39.4167|29.9833}} {{IsPartOf|Central Anatolia}} {{usablecity}} b101j8agsjkogz85pd8iymhxddi0ygm 0 17302 4506491 3699502 2022-08-23T02:34:12Z Dale Arnett 737490 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Kentucky Appalachians Paint Creek at Paintsville.jpg}} '''Kentucky Appalachians''' is the region where [[Kentucky]], a proud country state, gets country. The wild mountainous areas are more what you would expect from [[West Virginia]], and Kentucky's famous national Poet Laureates Robert Penn Warner and Jesse Stuart call these mountains home. ==Understand== The name "Kentucky Appalachians" is used only by the state government for tourism promotion. Locals consider this region to be the northern part of the '''Eastern Coalfield''' or '''Eastern Kentucky''', with the state-designated [[Daniel Boone Country]] as its southern part. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ashland (Kentucky)|Ashland]]|wikidata=Q725562}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Catlettsburg]]|wikidata=Q2942981}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Morehead]]|wikidata=Q1904491}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Paintsville]]|wikidata=Q1012330}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Pikeville]]|wikidata=Q2855088}} ==Other destinations== *{{marker|name=[[Carter Caves State Resort Park]]|wikidata=Q5047138}} *{{marker|name=[[Greenbo State Resort Park]]|wikidata=Q5603715}} ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kentucky}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|37.99|-82.83|zoom=9}} o5ejo829c0nlclx9qjnvbdkmnp66a0t 0 17351 4506419 4495708 2022-08-22T20:44:43Z 2A00:23A8:4C35:7701:F478:F9BB:29CC:F3D3 /* Sleep */ Added listing for Fern Howe Guest House - New wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Keswick banner.jpg|caption=A panoramic view of Keswick}} [[Image:Keswick-view-from-Latrigg.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Keswick viewed from Latrigg]] '''Keswick''' is the northern tourist hub of the [[Lake District National Park]] and is a favourite base for serious walkers and climbers, artists and photographers, and anyone who enjoys mountain and lake scenery. A thriving town of individual shops, including many selling outdoor equipment, art galleries, delis, cafes, restaurants and pubs, Keswick is a great place to collapse at the end of a long walk and eat a hearty meal. It also has many attractions to occupy visitors on a rainy day when heading up into the hills is not the thing to do. Keswick sits under the shadow of England's fourth-highest mountain, Skiddaw, and it lies at the head of the Borrowdale valley with Derwentwater lake reaching the edge of town. ==Get in== Trains to Keswick were axed back in the 1970s so you either have to drive, cycle, walk or get a bus. You could walk part of the way along the former railway line from Penrith. There is a regular bus service from [[Penrith]] train station to Keswick. Driving is fast: Keswick is 17 miles (25 km) along the partially dualled A66 trunk road from the M6 motorway at Penrith. Parking space is at a premium on busy days. There are a couple of pay-and-display car parks in the town centre, and another close to the lakeside, with plenty of free on-street parking further from the centre. A free but time-limited disc-parking scheme is in operation on some roads, often allowing two hours' free parking. ==Get around== {{mapframe|54.6004|-3.1342|zoom=14}} Within town, distances are short so walking is easy. Buses run all over the Lake District from Keswick and these can make a good way to get out to or back from a day's walking destination. The '''[http://www.keswick-launch.co.uk/ Keswick Launch]''' water taxis run on Derwentwater with both clockwise and anticlockwise routes serving seven jetties around the lake. [[Image:Keswick.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Thirlmere, a lake on the way to Keswick]] ==See== * {{see | name=Derwent Pencil Museum | alt= | url=http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/ | email= | address=Southey Works | lat=54.60389 | long=-3.14190 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 73626 | tollfree= | hours=9:30AM-5PM, closed on 25th & 26th December and 1st of January | price=Adult £4.95 | wikipedia=Derwent Pencil Museum | image=The Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick - geograph.org.uk - 1578972.jpg | wikidata=Q5193935 | content=A museum documenting 350 years of pencil making, situated next to the factory. Graphite was first discovered in nearby Borrowdale, hence the factory is here. Also includes the world's largest coloured pencil. }} * {{see | name=Keswick Museum & Art Gallery | alt= | url=http://keswickmuseum.org.uk/ | email= | address=Station Road, CA12 4NF | lat=54.60297 | long=-3.13292 | directions=In Fitz Park, just North of the river. | phone=+44 17687 73263 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM | price=£4.95 | wikipedia=Keswick Museum and Art Gallery | image=Keswick Museum and Art Gallery.jpg | wikidata=Q6395279 | content=A Victorian museum (refurbished in 2014) with an assorted permanent collection and temporary displays. }} * {{see | name=Keswick Brewery Tours | alt= | url=http://keswickbrewery.co.uk/ | email=info@keswickbrewery.co.uk | address=Brewery Lane, CA12 5BY | lat=54.60147 | long=-3.13608 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 80700 | tollfree= | hours=F Sa at 11AM and 2PM, booking recommended | price=£10 | content=Small brewery of cask and bottled ales, established in 2006. Shop open M-F 10AM-3PM. }} * {{see | name=Mirehouse House and Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.mirehouse.co.uk | email=info@mirehouse.com | address= | lat=54.64269 | long=-3.18736 | directions=Mirehouse is 3 miles north of Keswick on the A591 | phone=+44 17687 72287 | tollfree= | hours=Apr - Oct: gardens daily 10AM-5PM, house W Sa Su 1:30-4:30PM | price=House & gardens £8.50, gardens only £4.00 | wikipedia=Mirehouse | wikidata=Q6873094 | lastedit=2017-10-16 | content=Mirehouse was built in 1666, with several later alterations. The lakeside gardens include Cumbrian fruit trees and woodland playgrounds. The [http://www.theoldsawmill.co.uk/ Old Sawmill Tearoom] is open 10AM-4:30PM all year, except winter Wed. }} * {{see | name=Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum | alt= | url=https://www.threlkeldquarryandminingmuseum.co.uk/ | email= | address=Threlkeld CA12 4TT | lat=54.613 | long=-3.047 | directions=off A66 three miles east of Keswick | phone=+44 17687 79747 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, also M during school holidays | price=Adult £7.50, child £4.00 | wikipedia=Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum | lastedit=2022-04-27 | content=Most of the site is from 1870, when granite was quarried to use as railway ballast. Propelled by either a steam or diesel heritage locomotive, tour carriages leave from below the museum and go past a mine entrance, then ascend past a workshop and an area containing many industrial machines. Further above the tour stops for a break of 5-10 minutes. Here evidence of quarrying can be seen as well as associated shovelling equipment. The locomotive then brings passengers back to the starting point. Additionally, there is a small indoor museum with a wealth of information on local mining. }} ==Do== '''Walk... walk.. . walk...''' Hikers can walk onto the surrounding hills (known locally as '''fells''' - a word dating from Viking times) or into the nearby valleys straight from the town, with more options opening up if you use the Keswick Launch, a car, or the local buses. * The easiest walk locally is the ten-minute level stroll along the lakeshore to '''Friar's Crag''' viewpoint, looking down the lake deep into Borrowdale. Start at the end of Lake Road by the theatre. * '''A circuit of the lake''' can be done but involves a bit of road-walking. The ferries can be used to shorten the walk as necessary. * '''Skiddaw''' is Keswick's own mountain. The walking path leaves from the back of town and ascends this 3,000-foot hill, the fourth-highest in England. The walk is straightforward, just a little long for non-walkers. First you pass the smaller Latrigg, then along a well-worn path up the grassy slopes. The summit is a long undulating dome with four tops. * {{do | name=Catbells | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=54.56835 | long=-3.17066 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5051616 | lastedit=2021-07-17 | content=is the most-climbed of the local fells. This is because it looks great from the lake shore in town, and looks close and easy. Many people take the ferry over to the jetty at Hawse End and take the pleasant walk through the woods then onto the hillside for the easy ascent. However, it is also the hill with the most injuries, because people tackle it in trainers or sandals, then have problems on a section of smooth-worn rock. For an alternative (quieter) route, when the path crossed the lane by the cattle grid, take the small lane to the right of the hill toward Skelgill Farm, and continue the gently ascending path into the Newlands Valley, then head left and uphill to reach the summit ridge after the summit of Catbells. You can then backtrack along the ridge to the summit. People most often descend from this dip on the ridge, down to the side of the lake, then either walk along the lakeshore or catch a ferry back to Keswick from the jetty at Brandlehow. }} *Take a '''scenic drive.''' If you can't walk then at least drive around from Borrowdale. A trip over the Honister Pass to [[Buttermere]] is well worth the effort returning over either Newlands Pass or Whinlatter Pass for spectacular views. *'''Keswick leisure pool''' is on the site of the old railway station. *'''[http://theatrebythelake.co.uk/ Theatre by the Lake]''' is an attractive theatre at the end of Lake Road by the Lakeside car park. It is open all the year round and is particularly popular in the summer months when it runs a series of plays in repertory. The main theatre puts on three productions during the summer which run on consecutive nights throughout the season. Similarly there is a small studio theatre which also runs a three production repertory system. It is professional theatre of a high standard and has Dame Judi Dench as one of its patrons. The theatre building is modern and comfortable with good refreshment facilities and a small shop. *'''[https://keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/ Keswick Mountain Festival]''' has outdoor activities and live music in May. ==Buy== Outdoor gear. All the big high-street outdoor shops are represented in Keswick, so you'll be spoilt for choice if you need any clothing or equipment for walking, climbing, or camping (just don't forget to spend some time ''using'' it!) * {{buy | name=Booths | alt= | url=https://www.booths.co.uk/store/keswick/ | email= | address=Tithebarn Street, CA12 5EA | lat=54.60206 | long=-3.14120 | directions=at the west end of he main street, next the bus stance | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 8AM - 9PM, Su 10AM - 4PM | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Medium sized upmarket supermarket, which also has a small selection of souvenirs and outdoor stuff. }} * {{buy | name=George Fisher | alt= | url=http://www.georgefisher.co.uk | email= | address=2 Borrowdale Rd, CA12 5DA | lat=54.59896 | long=-3.13654 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 9AM (W 10AM) - 5:30PM, Su 10:30AM - 4:30PM | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Large outdoor equipment shop with a cafe. Website has a webcam giving a live view down Lake Rd. }} * {{buy | name=Packhorse Court Shopping Centre | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=54.60087 | long=-3.13625 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Small outdoor shopping centre, with a good [http://keswickcheesedeli.co.uk/ cheese shop], and [https://sweettreatsinkeswick.co.uk Sweet Treats] which has a large selection of loose boiled sweets. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Lakeland Toys And Hobbies | alt= | url=https://www.lakelandtoysandhobbies.co.uk/ | email= | address=10 Museum Square, CA12 5DZ | lat=54.60121 | long=-3.13928 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-07-05 | content=Toys, camouflage hunting clothing and some value walking kit. }} ==Eat== Pretty much all of the pubs in the area offer traditional pub food at lunch and dinner time. With so much sheep farming in the surrounding hills, '''roast lamb''' is a favourite local dish, as is '''Borrowdale trout'''. '''Cumberland sausage''' is a speciality throughout Cumbria. Beyond pub grub there are plenty of restaurants - such as the '''Red Fort''' and '''Taste of Bengal''' (Indian), the '''Loose Box''' (Italian, so named as it is the former stables of one of the hotels), or the '''Golden Hills''' (Chinese). * {{eat | name=Cafe Bar 26 | alt= | url=http://www.cafebar26.co.uk/ | email= | address=26 Lake Road | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=The Square Orange | alt= | url=http://www.thesquareorange.co.uk/ | email= | address=20 St John's St | lat=54.59995 | long=-3.13605 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Woodstone | alt= | url=http://www.woodstonerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=St John's St | lat=54.59981 | long=-3.13557 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 73523 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Pizza £10. | content=Pizza and steak restaurant. Good food, but service can be slow. Booking advisable at weekends. }} * {{eat | name=Old Keswickian | alt= | url= | email= | address=5 Market Square | lat=54.60041 | long=-3.13675 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Fish and chip shop with sit down area. }} ==Drink== '''The Dog & Gun''', '''The Oddfellows Arms''' and the '''Bank Tavern''' are among the more popular of Keswick's traditional pubs, all offering a good range of real ales. The modern and stylish '''Cafe Bar 26''', '''Sweeney's''' and '''The Square Orange''' offer a welcome change to the traditional. Live music is very popular in Keswick. The Oddfellows on the main street has music every night of various quality. The Square Orange on St Johns Street and Cafe Bar 26 on Lake Road have music every Thursday, both worth a visit. Sweeney's on Lake Road has live music every Friday and Saturday. '''The Loft''' on the main square is the town's only night club, with the vibe of a bad school disco with alcohol. However, a late-night drink is available at other venues such as the locals' favourite, The Queens '''Back Bar''', or '''Rumours''', the local dive bar. * {{drink | name=Dog & Gun | alt= | url= | email= | address=2 Lake Road, CA12 5BT | lat=54.60023 | long=-3.13680 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=The Oddfellows Arms | alt= | url= | email= | address=19 Main St. | lat=54.60060 | long=-3.13740 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Jennings pub with meals at lunchtime. }} * {{drink | name=Bank Tavern | alt= | url=http://www.banktavern.co.uk | email= | address=47 Main St. | lat=54.60142 | long=-3.13848 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Jennings pub with meals. }} * {{drink | name=The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas | alt=JD Wetherspoon | url=https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/cumbria/the-chief-justice-of-the-common-pleas-keswick | email= | address=2 Bank Street | lat=54.60192 | long=-3.13761 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 773561 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 8AM - midnight or 1AM | price= | lastedit=2017-10-16 | content=Large chain pub with food until 11PM. }} ==Sleep== Keswick has many, many bed-and-breakfasts. Stanger Street and Bank Street just east of the bus station are good places to start, or the grid of streets around Southey Street, Helvellyn Street and Eskin Street just back from the riverside, or try the visitor information centre in the Moot Hall in the main square. Note that very few B&Bs in Keswick have a car park. During high season or weekends, reservations are strongly recommended. Try the Keswick Tourism Association site for finding accommodation [http://www.keswick.org/]. *{{sleep | name=Keswick Youth Hostel | url=http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/keswick | email= | address=Station Road, CA12 5LH | lat=54.6019 | long=-3.1344 | directions= | phone=+44 870 770 5894 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=In a nice setting in the town by the river. }} *{{sleep | name=Denton House independent hostel | url=http://www.dentonhouse-keswick.co.uk/ | email= | address=Penrith Road, CA12 4JW | lat=54.60337 | long=-3.12591 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 75351 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Independent hostel catering for groups including stag weekends. }} *{{sleep | name=Borrowdale Youth Hostel | url=http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/borrowdale | email= | address=Barrow House, Borrowdale, CA12 5XE | lat=54.5178 | long=-3.1525 | directions= | phone=+44 845 371 9624 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From £13 pppn | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * Camp at sites in town, or a mile away at Castlerigg Farm, or at the nearby village of Braithwaite, or at Hollows Farm in Borrowdale. * Lots of inns and guesthouses in the countryside around. * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Dalegarth House | alt= | url=https://dalegarth-house.co.uk/ | email= | address=Portinscale, Keswick CA12 5RQ | lat=54.602 | long=-3.161 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 777817 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £100 | lastedit=2020-08-09 | content=Pleasant B&B in Edwardian house a mile west of town. Open Mar to mid-Dec, no children under 11 or dogs. }} * {{sleep | name=Cottage in the Wood | url=https://www.thecottageinthewood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Magic Hill, Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite CA12 5TW | lat=54.609 | long=-3.222 | directions=On B5292 | phone=+44 1768 778409 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Half Board double £210 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2020-07-04 | content=Excellent restaurant with 9 rooms on Whinlatter Pass. No children under 10 or dogs. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Leathes Head Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.leatheshead.co.uk/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5UY | lat=54.550 | long=-3.148 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 777247 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £100 | lastedit=2020-07-05 | content=Charming country house in great valley setting, but service and comfort lapsed in early 2020. Open Feb-Dec, no children under 15. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Borrowdale Gates | alt= | url=https://borrowdale-gates.com/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5UQ | lat=54.549 | long=-3.159 | directions=off B5289 | phone=+44 1768 777204 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2020-08-13 | content=Upscale country house hotel in quiet woodlands. Open Feb-Dec. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hazel Bank | alt= | url=https://hazelbankhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5XB | lat=54.525 | long=-3.144 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 777248 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £150 | lastedit=2020-07-05 | content=This Victorian country house hotel earns rave reviews for style, service and cuisine. Open Feb-Nov, no children under 16 or dogs. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Royal Oak | alt= | url=https://www.royaloakhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5XB | lat= | long= | directions=on B5289 below Hazel Bank | phone=+44 1768 777214 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £150 | lastedit=2020-08-19 | content=Dog-friendly pub in 18th-century farmhouse has comfy rooms and a good restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Lyzzick Hall | alt= | url=http://lyzzickhall.co.uk/ | email= | address=Udderskiddaw CA12 4PY | lat=54.626 | long=-3.165 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 772277 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £180 | lastedit=2020-08-09 | content=Charming hotel and restaurant in mid-Victorian house, open Feb-Dec. }} * {{sleep | name=Fern Howe Guest House | alt= | url=https://www.fernhowe.co.uk/ | email=contact@fernhowe.co.uk | address=Fern Howe, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5SZ | lat=54.60528 | long=3.19097 | directions= | phone=017687 22268 | tollfree= | checkin=10:00 | checkout=16:00 | price=£58.50-£145 | image=https://www.fernhowe.co.uk/ | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Family run guest house located in Braithwaite, Keswick, providing high quality bed and breakfast accommodation in the Lake District National Park. }} == Connect == Keswick has 4G from all UK carriers. As of March 2022, 5G has not reached this area. == Go next == * Head to the southern part of the Lakes via [[Grasmere]] to [[Ambleside]], [[Coniston]], [[Hawkshead]] or [[Windermere]]. * Go back to civilisation via [[Penrith]], a nice small town which is less touristy than the Lake District proper. Has a ruined castle, the nearest McDonald's to Lakeland, a mainline railway station and a motorway junction. * Head west to [[Cockermouth]] for a tour of Jennings Brewery. * Head west for the coast around Workington, Maryport, or Silloth on the Solway Firth with views across to Scotland. * Head north to [[Carlisle]], a city with a cathedral and castle, then cross the border into Scotland at [[Gretna]]. * Or go deeper into the Lakes via Borrowdale to Buttermere. {{geo|54.5999|-3.1293}} {{usablecity}} {{IsPartOf|Cumbria}} qovdh5ulb46sooe7p6x91xplmzdthi2 4506433 4506419 2022-08-22T21:45:20Z AlasdairW 1812 /* Sleep */ Updated listing for Fern Howe Guest House wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Keswick banner.jpg|caption=A panoramic view of Keswick}} [[Image:Keswick-view-from-Latrigg.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Keswick viewed from Latrigg]] '''Keswick''' is the northern tourist hub of the [[Lake District National Park]] and is a favourite base for serious walkers and climbers, artists and photographers, and anyone who enjoys mountain and lake scenery. A thriving town of individual shops, including many selling outdoor equipment, art galleries, delis, cafes, restaurants and pubs, Keswick is a great place to collapse at the end of a long walk and eat a hearty meal. It also has many attractions to occupy visitors on a rainy day when heading up into the hills is not the thing to do. Keswick sits under the shadow of England's fourth-highest mountain, Skiddaw, and it lies at the head of the Borrowdale valley with Derwentwater lake reaching the edge of town. ==Get in== Trains to Keswick were axed back in the 1970s so you either have to drive, cycle, walk or get a bus. You could walk part of the way along the former railway line from Penrith. There is a regular bus service from [[Penrith]] train station to Keswick. Driving is fast: Keswick is 17 miles (25 km) along the partially dualled A66 trunk road from the M6 motorway at Penrith. Parking space is at a premium on busy days. There are a couple of pay-and-display car parks in the town centre, and another close to the lakeside, with plenty of free on-street parking further from the centre. A free but time-limited disc-parking scheme is in operation on some roads, often allowing two hours' free parking. ==Get around== {{mapframe|54.6004|-3.1342|zoom=14}} Within town, distances are short so walking is easy. Buses run all over the Lake District from Keswick and these can make a good way to get out to or back from a day's walking destination. The '''[http://www.keswick-launch.co.uk/ Keswick Launch]''' water taxis run on Derwentwater with both clockwise and anticlockwise routes serving seven jetties around the lake. [[Image:Keswick.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Thirlmere, a lake on the way to Keswick]] ==See== * {{see | name=Derwent Pencil Museum | alt= | url=http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/ | email= | address=Southey Works | lat=54.60389 | long=-3.14190 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 73626 | tollfree= | hours=9:30AM-5PM, closed on 25th & 26th December and 1st of January | price=Adult £4.95 | wikipedia=Derwent Pencil Museum | image=The Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick - geograph.org.uk - 1578972.jpg | wikidata=Q5193935 | content=A museum documenting 350 years of pencil making, situated next to the factory. Graphite was first discovered in nearby Borrowdale, hence the factory is here. Also includes the world's largest coloured pencil. }} * {{see | name=Keswick Museum & Art Gallery | alt= | url=http://keswickmuseum.org.uk/ | email= | address=Station Road, CA12 4NF | lat=54.60297 | long=-3.13292 | directions=In Fitz Park, just North of the river. | phone=+44 17687 73263 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM | price=£4.95 | wikipedia=Keswick Museum and Art Gallery | image=Keswick Museum and Art Gallery.jpg | wikidata=Q6395279 | content=A Victorian museum (refurbished in 2014) with an assorted permanent collection and temporary displays. }} * {{see | name=Keswick Brewery Tours | alt= | url=http://keswickbrewery.co.uk/ | email=info@keswickbrewery.co.uk | address=Brewery Lane, CA12 5BY | lat=54.60147 | long=-3.13608 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 80700 | tollfree= | hours=F Sa at 11AM and 2PM, booking recommended | price=£10 | content=Small brewery of cask and bottled ales, established in 2006. Shop open M-F 10AM-3PM. }} * {{see | name=Mirehouse House and Gardens | alt= | url=http://www.mirehouse.co.uk | email=info@mirehouse.com | address= | lat=54.64269 | long=-3.18736 | directions=Mirehouse is 3 miles north of Keswick on the A591 | phone=+44 17687 72287 | tollfree= | hours=Apr - Oct: gardens daily 10AM-5PM, house W Sa Su 1:30-4:30PM | price=House & gardens £8.50, gardens only £4.00 | wikipedia=Mirehouse | wikidata=Q6873094 | lastedit=2017-10-16 | content=Mirehouse was built in 1666, with several later alterations. The lakeside gardens include Cumbrian fruit trees and woodland playgrounds. The [http://www.theoldsawmill.co.uk/ Old Sawmill Tearoom] is open 10AM-4:30PM all year, except winter Wed. }} * {{see | name=Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum | alt= | url=https://www.threlkeldquarryandminingmuseum.co.uk/ | email= | address=Threlkeld CA12 4TT | lat=54.613 | long=-3.047 | directions=off A66 three miles east of Keswick | phone=+44 17687 79747 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, also M during school holidays | price=Adult £7.50, child £4.00 | wikipedia=Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum | lastedit=2022-04-27 | content=Most of the site is from 1870, when granite was quarried to use as railway ballast. Propelled by either a steam or diesel heritage locomotive, tour carriages leave from below the museum and go past a mine entrance, then ascend past a workshop and an area containing many industrial machines. Further above the tour stops for a break of 5-10 minutes. Here evidence of quarrying can be seen as well as associated shovelling equipment. The locomotive then brings passengers back to the starting point. Additionally, there is a small indoor museum with a wealth of information on local mining. }} ==Do== '''Walk... walk.. . walk...''' Hikers can walk onto the surrounding hills (known locally as '''fells''' - a word dating from Viking times) or into the nearby valleys straight from the town, with more options opening up if you use the Keswick Launch, a car, or the local buses. * The easiest walk locally is the ten-minute level stroll along the lakeshore to '''Friar's Crag''' viewpoint, looking down the lake deep into Borrowdale. Start at the end of Lake Road by the theatre. * '''A circuit of the lake''' can be done but involves a bit of road-walking. The ferries can be used to shorten the walk as necessary. * '''Skiddaw''' is Keswick's own mountain. The walking path leaves from the back of town and ascends this 3,000-foot hill, the fourth-highest in England. The walk is straightforward, just a little long for non-walkers. First you pass the smaller Latrigg, then along a well-worn path up the grassy slopes. The summit is a long undulating dome with four tops. * {{do | name=Catbells | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=54.56835 | long=-3.17066 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5051616 | lastedit=2021-07-17 | content=is the most-climbed of the local fells. This is because it looks great from the lake shore in town, and looks close and easy. Many people take the ferry over to the jetty at Hawse End and take the pleasant walk through the woods then onto the hillside for the easy ascent. However, it is also the hill with the most injuries, because people tackle it in trainers or sandals, then have problems on a section of smooth-worn rock. For an alternative (quieter) route, when the path crossed the lane by the cattle grid, take the small lane to the right of the hill toward Skelgill Farm, and continue the gently ascending path into the Newlands Valley, then head left and uphill to reach the summit ridge after the summit of Catbells. You can then backtrack along the ridge to the summit. People most often descend from this dip on the ridge, down to the side of the lake, then either walk along the lakeshore or catch a ferry back to Keswick from the jetty at Brandlehow. }} *Take a '''scenic drive.''' If you can't walk then at least drive around from Borrowdale. A trip over the Honister Pass to [[Buttermere]] is well worth the effort returning over either Newlands Pass or Whinlatter Pass for spectacular views. *'''Keswick leisure pool''' is on the site of the old railway station. *'''[http://theatrebythelake.co.uk/ Theatre by the Lake]''' is an attractive theatre at the end of Lake Road by the Lakeside car park. It is open all the year round and is particularly popular in the summer months when it runs a series of plays in repertory. The main theatre puts on three productions during the summer which run on consecutive nights throughout the season. Similarly there is a small studio theatre which also runs a three production repertory system. It is professional theatre of a high standard and has Dame Judi Dench as one of its patrons. The theatre building is modern and comfortable with good refreshment facilities and a small shop. *'''[https://keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/ Keswick Mountain Festival]''' has outdoor activities and live music in May. ==Buy== Outdoor gear. All the big high-street outdoor shops are represented in Keswick, so you'll be spoilt for choice if you need any clothing or equipment for walking, climbing, or camping (just don't forget to spend some time ''using'' it!) * {{buy | name=Booths | alt= | url=https://www.booths.co.uk/store/keswick/ | email= | address=Tithebarn Street, CA12 5EA | lat=54.60206 | long=-3.14120 | directions=at the west end of he main street, next the bus stance | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 8AM - 9PM, Su 10AM - 4PM | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Medium sized upmarket supermarket, which also has a small selection of souvenirs and outdoor stuff. }} * {{buy | name=George Fisher | alt= | url=http://www.georgefisher.co.uk | email= | address=2 Borrowdale Rd, CA12 5DA | lat=54.59896 | long=-3.13654 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 9AM (W 10AM) - 5:30PM, Su 10:30AM - 4:30PM | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Large outdoor equipment shop with a cafe. Website has a webcam giving a live view down Lake Rd. }} * {{buy | name=Packhorse Court Shopping Centre | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=54.60087 | long=-3.13625 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Small outdoor shopping centre, with a good [http://keswickcheesedeli.co.uk/ cheese shop], and [https://sweettreatsinkeswick.co.uk Sweet Treats] which has a large selection of loose boiled sweets. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Lakeland Toys And Hobbies | alt= | url=https://www.lakelandtoysandhobbies.co.uk/ | email= | address=10 Museum Square, CA12 5DZ | lat=54.60121 | long=-3.13928 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-07-05 | content=Toys, camouflage hunting clothing and some value walking kit. }} ==Eat== Pretty much all of the pubs in the area offer traditional pub food at lunch and dinner time. With so much sheep farming in the surrounding hills, '''roast lamb''' is a favourite local dish, as is '''Borrowdale trout'''. '''Cumberland sausage''' is a speciality throughout Cumbria. Beyond pub grub there are plenty of restaurants - such as the '''Red Fort''' and '''Taste of Bengal''' (Indian), the '''Loose Box''' (Italian, so named as it is the former stables of one of the hotels), or the '''Golden Hills''' (Chinese). * {{eat | name=Cafe Bar 26 | alt= | url=http://www.cafebar26.co.uk/ | email= | address=26 Lake Road | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=The Square Orange | alt= | url=http://www.thesquareorange.co.uk/ | email= | address=20 St John's St | lat=54.59995 | long=-3.13605 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Woodstone | alt= | url=http://www.woodstonerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=St John's St | lat=54.59981 | long=-3.13557 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 73523 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Pizza £10. | content=Pizza and steak restaurant. Good food, but service can be slow. Booking advisable at weekends. }} * {{eat | name=Old Keswickian | alt= | url= | email= | address=5 Market Square | lat=54.60041 | long=-3.13675 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Fish and chip shop with sit down area. }} ==Drink== '''The Dog & Gun''', '''The Oddfellows Arms''' and the '''Bank Tavern''' are among the more popular of Keswick's traditional pubs, all offering a good range of real ales. The modern and stylish '''Cafe Bar 26''', '''Sweeney's''' and '''The Square Orange''' offer a welcome change to the traditional. Live music is very popular in Keswick. The Oddfellows on the main street has music every night of various quality. The Square Orange on St Johns Street and Cafe Bar 26 on Lake Road have music every Thursday, both worth a visit. Sweeney's on Lake Road has live music every Friday and Saturday. '''The Loft''' on the main square is the town's only night club, with the vibe of a bad school disco with alcohol. However, a late-night drink is available at other venues such as the locals' favourite, The Queens '''Back Bar''', or '''Rumours''', the local dive bar. * {{drink | name=Dog & Gun | alt= | url= | email= | address=2 Lake Road, CA12 5BT | lat=54.60023 | long=-3.13680 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=The Oddfellows Arms | alt= | url= | email= | address=19 Main St. | lat=54.60060 | long=-3.13740 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Jennings pub with meals at lunchtime. }} * {{drink | name=Bank Tavern | alt= | url=http://www.banktavern.co.uk | email= | address=47 Main St. | lat=54.60142 | long=-3.13848 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-10 | content=Jennings pub with meals. }} * {{drink | name=The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas | alt=JD Wetherspoon | url=https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/cumbria/the-chief-justice-of-the-common-pleas-keswick | email= | address=2 Bank Street | lat=54.60192 | long=-3.13761 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 773561 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 8AM - midnight or 1AM | price= | lastedit=2017-10-16 | content=Large chain pub with food until 11PM. }} ==Sleep== Keswick has many, many bed-and-breakfasts. Stanger Street and Bank Street just east of the bus station are good places to start, or the grid of streets around Southey Street, Helvellyn Street and Eskin Street just back from the riverside, or try the visitor information centre in the Moot Hall in the main square. Note that very few B&Bs in Keswick have a car park. During high season or weekends, reservations are strongly recommended. Try the Keswick Tourism Association site for finding accommodation [http://www.keswick.org/]. *{{sleep | name=Keswick Youth Hostel | url=http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/keswick | email= | address=Station Road, CA12 5LH | lat=54.6019 | long=-3.1344 | directions= | phone=+44 870 770 5894 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=In a nice setting in the town by the river. }} *{{sleep | name=Denton House independent hostel | url=http://www.dentonhouse-keswick.co.uk/ | email= | address=Penrith Road, CA12 4JW | lat=54.60337 | long=-3.12591 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 75351 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Independent hostel catering for groups including stag weekends. }} *{{sleep | name=Borrowdale Youth Hostel | url=http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/borrowdale | email= | address=Barrow House, Borrowdale, CA12 5XE | lat=54.5178 | long=-3.1525 | directions= | phone=+44 845 371 9624 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From £13 pppn | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * Camp at sites in town, or a mile away at Castlerigg Farm, or at the nearby village of Braithwaite, or at Hollows Farm in Borrowdale. * Lots of inns and guesthouses in the countryside around. * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Dalegarth House | alt= | url=https://dalegarth-house.co.uk/ | email= | address=Portinscale, Keswick CA12 5RQ | lat=54.602 | long=-3.161 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 777817 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £100 | lastedit=2020-08-09 | content=Pleasant B&B in Edwardian house a mile west of town. Open Mar to mid-Dec, no children under 11 or dogs. }} * {{sleep | name=Cottage in the Wood | url=https://www.thecottageinthewood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Magic Hill, Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite CA12 5TW | lat=54.609 | long=-3.222 | directions=On B5292 | phone=+44 1768 778409 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Half Board double £210 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2020-07-04 | content=Excellent restaurant with 9 rooms on Whinlatter Pass. No children under 10 or dogs. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Leathes Head Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.leatheshead.co.uk/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5UY | lat=54.550 | long=-3.148 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 777247 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £100 | lastedit=2020-07-05 | content=Charming country house in great valley setting, but service and comfort lapsed in early 2020. Open Feb-Dec, no children under 15. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Borrowdale Gates | alt= | url=https://borrowdale-gates.com/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5UQ | lat=54.549 | long=-3.159 | directions=off B5289 | phone=+44 1768 777204 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £200 | lastedit=2020-08-13 | content=Upscale country house hotel in quiet woodlands. Open Feb-Dec. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hazel Bank | alt= | url=https://hazelbankhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5XB | lat=54.525 | long=-3.144 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 777248 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £150 | lastedit=2020-07-05 | content=This Victorian country house hotel earns rave reviews for style, service and cuisine. Open Feb-Nov, no children under 16 or dogs. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Royal Oak | alt= | url=https://www.royaloakhotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Borrowdale CA12 5XB | lat= | long= | directions=on B5289 below Hazel Bank | phone=+44 1768 777214 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £150 | lastedit=2020-08-19 | content=Dog-friendly pub in 18th-century farmhouse has comfy rooms and a good restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Lyzzick Hall | alt= | url=http://lyzzickhall.co.uk/ | email= | address=Udderskiddaw CA12 4PY | lat=54.626 | long=-3.165 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 772277 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £180 | lastedit=2020-08-09 | content=Charming hotel and restaurant in mid-Victorian house, open Feb-Dec. }} * {{sleep | name=Fern Howe Guest House | alt= | url=https://www.fernhowe.co.uk/ | email=contact@fernhowe.co.uk | address=Fern Howe, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5SZ | lat=54.60528 | long=-3.19097 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 22268 | tollfree= | checkin=10:00 | checkout=16:00 | price=£58.50-£145 | image=https://www.fernhowe.co.uk/ | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Family run guest house located in Braithwaite, Keswick, providing high quality bed and breakfast accommodation in the Lake District National Park. }} == Connect == Keswick has 4G from all UK carriers. As of March 2022, 5G has not reached this area. == Go next == * Head to the southern part of the Lakes via [[Grasmere]] to [[Ambleside]], [[Coniston]], [[Hawkshead]] or [[Windermere]]. * Go back to civilisation via [[Penrith]], a nice small town which is less touristy than the Lake District proper. Has a ruined castle, the nearest McDonald's to Lakeland, a mainline railway station and a motorway junction. * Head west to [[Cockermouth]] for a tour of Jennings Brewery. * Head west for the coast around Workington, Maryport, or Silloth on the Solway Firth with views across to Scotland. * Head north to [[Carlisle]], a city with a cathedral and castle, then cross the border into Scotland at [[Gretna]]. * Or go deeper into the Lakes via Borrowdale to Buttermere. {{geo|54.5999|-3.1293}} {{usablecity}} {{IsPartOf|Cumbria}} bfebcqyzp1zo2wjzw5v1pvjzneaw8hm 0 18582 4506397 4458950 2022-08-22T19:26:25Z The dog2 35982 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Kyoto Imperial Palace gate Wikivoyage banner.jpg|caption=Kyoto Imperial Palace gate|unesco=yes}} [[Image:Nijo Castle.jpg|thumb|250px|Ninomaru Palace, Nijō Castle]] '''Central Kyoto''' encompasses the urban heart of Japan's former imperial capital. From the carefully tended gardens and stately buildings of the Imperial Palace in the north to the massive, ultra-modern showpiece structure of Kyoto Station in the south, this district has a bit of everything that makes [[Kyoto]] what it is today: a marbled mix of old and new, of immeasurably ancient traditions and fast-paced modernity. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|35.003|135.757|zoom=13}} [[Image:KyotoStation2871.jpg|thumb|250px|Inside Kyoto Station]] Kyoto's extensive rail, subway, and bus networks can all be accessed through the city's main transportation hub: the gargantuan glass-and-steel structure of '''Kyoto Station''' (京都駅, ''Kyōto-eki'') – an outstanding piece of architecture that's worth seeing in itself (see below). ===By train=== Kyoto Station is a major stop on the '''Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line'''. From the station, travellers arriving by shinkansen (or by other railway lines) can easily access the city's municipal subway and bus systems. ===By subway=== Central Kyoto is served by two intersecting subway lines. [http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/subway.html] The north-south '''Karasuma Line''' (which stops at Kyoto Station) and the west-east '''Tōzai Line''' link up at Karasuma-Oike Station near the city centre. ===By bus=== Several important bus routes (covering not only Central Kyoto but other parts of the city as well) start and end at the '''Kyōto-eki-mae''' terminal - which, as the name indicates, is right in front of Kyoto Station. Take the station's Karasuma/North exit and you'll see the bus terminal, which is divided into four boarding platforms (from A to D) and has signs in English identifying key stops on each route. For detailed route information, pick up a copy of the helpful "Bus Navi" leaflet from the information centre near the terminal. ==See== Central Kyoto is a mix of museums, religious heritage sites, contemporary shopping and office buildings. Note that museums are limited in their non-Japanese offerings when it comes to labels and guides. Most religious sites close by 17:00 daily. This is often an area that surprises tourists &mdash; many come to Kyoto expecting tradition, and are often surprised to find contemporary life humming along as it does in most medium and big cities, except in Kyoto &mdash; it's alongside real tradition. *{{see | name=Shinsen-en Garden | alt=神泉苑 | url=http://www.shinsenen.org/ | email= | address=167 Monzen-cho, Nakagyo-ku | lat=35.011382 | long=135.748369 | directions= | phone=+81 75 821-1466 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-22:00 | price=Free | content=Although cherry blossom-viewing and festivals can be seen all over Japan today, Shinsen-en Garden is where the very first organized cherry blossom viewing festival took place.}} [[File:NinomaruGarden.jpg|thumb|250px|Ninomaru Garden, Nijō Castle]] * {{see | name=Nijō Castle | alt=二条城 nijō-jō | url=http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/w_heritage/17/ | email= | address=541 Nijojo-cho, Horikawa-nishiiru, Nijo-dori, Nakagyo-ku | lat=35.014167 | long=135.7475 | directions=Tozai Subway Line to Nijojo Mae | phone=+81 75 841-0096 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:45-16:00 (Gate closes at 17:00) | price=¥600 for adults; ¥350 for students, ¥200 for children | wikidata=Q1013399| wikipedia=Nijō Castle | content=Certainly one of the highlights of Kyoto, with fine gardens and splendid centuries-old structures. The castle was built by the Tokugawa shoguns to serve as the shogun's residence in Kyoto. After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle served as an imperial residence before being converted to a museum and opened to the public. The series of ornately-decorated reception rooms within the Ninomaru Palace complex is particularly impressive, and known for its "nightingale floors" - wooden flooring which makes bird-like squeaking sounds when stepped on so as to give advance warning when someone was approaching. From the empty base of the donjon that once overlooked the innermost section of the fortress (known as the Honmaru), you can get good views over parts of the castle compound and the wider city beyond. The donjon and original Honmaru Palace burnt down in two separate fires; the current Honmaru Palace was originally part of a prince's residence, and moved to its current location in the Meiji Period (late 19th century). Unlike the Ninomaru Palace, the Honmaru Palace is not open to the public, though visitors may walk in the honmaru garden and view the exterior of the palace up close. See also [[Japanese castles]]. }} * {{see | name=Nijō-Jinya | alt=条城陣屋 | url=http://nijyojinya.net/English.html | email=info_isckyoto@yh-kyoto.or.jp | address=Just south of Nijo Castle | lat=35.010282 | long=135.748658 | directions= | phone=+81 75 381-6487 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-16:00 | price= | content=A private residence, Nijo-Jinya is a former samurai house. Tours discuss the roles of samurai and the dangers experienced during that time period. The house features unique trap doors and escape routes used by samurai and former residents to escape fires and attacks. Guided tours are available in Japanese by a family member of the current residents. You are welcome to bring an interpreter.}} * {{see | name=The Museum of Kyoto | alt=京都文化博物館, kyōto bunka hakubutsukan; 通称, bunpaku | url=http://www.bunpaku.or.jp/en/ | email= | address=Sanjo Takakura, Nakagyo-ku | lat=35.009389 | long=135.762333 | directions=Kyoto City Subway to "Karasuma Oike Station".Hankyu Railway to "Karasuma Station" or Keihan Line to "Sanjo Station". | phone=+81 75-222-0888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-19:30 (until 18:00 during special events) | price=Adults: ¥500; students: ¥400; children: free. For special exhibits: adults: ¥1400; students: ¥1000; children: ¥500 | image=Museum of Kyoto 20101204-002.jpg | wikidata=Q11375592 | content=The museum features many ancient artifacts relating to Kyoto life and history. It has an expansive ancient ceramics collection. }} * {{see | name=Kyoto International Manga Museum | alt=京都国際マンガミュージアム, Kyōto Kokusai Manga Myūjiamu | url=https://www.kyotomm.jp/en/ | email= | address=Kinbuki cho 452, Nagakyō-ku | lat=35.010807 | long=135.760009 | directions=Tozai line to Karasuma Oike, exit 2. Buses 15, 51, 61, 62, and 63 | phone=+81-75-254-7414 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-18:00 (entry until 17:30) | price=Adults: ¥800; students: ¥300; children: ¥100 | content=Housed in an old elementary school building, the museum holds over 300,000 manga-related items ranging from rare Meiji-era publications to the works of contemporary artists. One of its main attractions is the so-called "Wall of Manga": a vast collection of some 50,000 volumes arranged on shelves running along the building's corridors. Much of the collection is in Japanese, but there is a sizeable selection of manga translated into various foreign languages (including English) on the ground floor. Visitors are welcome to pick out and read anything they choose from the "Wall of Manga" (although the books can't be checked out for offsite reading), which explains the large numbers of children and young adults that throng the museum - and the large Astroturf field just outside where people can read the manga of their choosing. The museum also hosts special temporary exhibitions and other manga-related events. Closed Wednesdays and national holidays. }} * {{see | name=Nishi Honganji | alt=西本願寺; “Western Temple of the Original Vow” | url=http://www.hongwanji.or.jp/english/ | email= | address=60 Horikawa-dōri Hanaya-chō Kudaru Honganji Monzen-machi, Shimogyō-ku | lat=34.991778 | long=135.751694 | directions=From Kyoto Station, walk 15 min. northwest | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sep Oct Mar Apr 05:30–17:30; May-Aug 05:30–18:00; Nov-Feb 06:00–17:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q1146038| wikipedia=Nishi Hongan-ji | content=One of many [[World Heritage Site]]s in Kyoto, Nishi Honganji is one of two temple complexes of the Buddhist sect, Jōdo Shinshū (the other being Higashi Honganji). It was founded in 1602, and has gates dating back to 1573. }} * {{see | name=Higashi Honganji | alt=東本願寺 Higashi Honganji; Eastern Temple of the Original Vow | url=http://www.higashihonganji.or.jp/english/ | email= | address=Karasuma Shichi-jō Agaru, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto 600-8505 | lat=34.99143 | long=135.75854 | directions=Karasuma Shichijō bus stop or Gojō Station via Karasuma subway. Accessible also from Kyoto Station | phone=+81-75-371-9181 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mar–Oct 05:50-17:30; Nov–Feb 06:20AM-16:30 | price=Free | wikidata=Q910281| wikipedia=Higashi Hongan-ji | content=Higashi Honganji was established in 1602 by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu when he split the Shin sect in two (Nishi Honganji being the other) in order to diminish its power. Today it is the headquarters of the Ōtani branch of Jōdo Shin-shū. The Founder’s Hall (Goei-dō) is said to be the second-largest wooden structure in Japan. With a capacity for 5,000 people, it's majestic. Check out the massive coil of hair rope, donated by a group of female devotees and used to haul the massive timbers for the reconstruction of the temple in the 1880s. }} * {{see | name=Shōseien Garden | alt=渉成園; Kikoku-tei; Karatachi tei | url=http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/temples/m_shoseien/ | email= | address=300 higashitamamizu-chō, Shimojyuzuyamachi-dōri Aidanochō-higashiru, Shimogyō-ku | lat=34.991395 | long=135.763238 | directions=two blocks east of Hingashi Hongaji; bus stop: Kawaramachi Shōmen | phone=+81 75-371-9210 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-16:00 (last entry 15:30) | price=Free | content=Shosei-en Garden was commissioned by Prince Minamoto no Tōru. He designed the Ingetsu Pond to resemble the Shiogama Coast in [[Miyagi Prefecture]]. During the Tokugawa Period the garden was given to Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, restoring the old sections and adding on to the garden. It's a stroll garden with buildings dating back to the 19th century. }} [[Image:Cherry blossoms at Toji Temple, Kyoto.jpg|thumb|Cherry blossoms at Tō-ji Temple]] * {{see | name=Tō-ji | alt=東寺 Tō-ji; East Temple; Kyō-ō-gokoku-ji (教王護国寺) | url=http://www.toji.or.jp/ | email= | address=Kujyomachi, Minami-ku | lat=34.980556 | long=135.747778 | directions=Kintetsu Kyoto Line to Toji Station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:30-17:30 (until 16:30 from mid-September to mid-March) | price=Admission to grounds free; Kondō & Treasure Hall ¥500; Pagoda ¥800 | wikidata=Q1046403| wikipedia=Tō-ji | content=An impressive complex of Buddhist temple buildings, this site features the tallest pagoda in Japan. Bright colors decorate the interior of many buildings on the site, and Buddhist sculptures compliment the color choices. The grounds include a relaxing garden, and cherry blossoms. The Kōbō-san market fair is held here on the 21st of every month. }} * {{see | name=Kyoto Tower | alt=京都タワー Kyōto-tawā | url=https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/kyoto-tower/en/ | email= | address=Karasuma-dōri Shichijō-sagaru, Shimogyō-ku | lat=34.9875 | long=135.759167 | directions=City Bus to "Kyoto"; JR Line, Subway Karasuma Line or Kintetsu Line to "Kyoto"; it is just in front of Kyoto station | phone=+81 75-361-3215 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-20:30 | price=Free to visit lobby & hotel, charge for going to the top: adults: ¥770; students: ¥620; teens: ¥520;, children: ¥150 | wikidata=Q1201304| wikipedia=Kyoto Tower | content=A source of bitterness of locals due to its futuristic feel, which counteracts the historic feel the city is known for, the Kyoto Tower is an overpriced viewing tower where you can observe Kyoto's urban sprawl at its finest. There is also a hotel and banquet hall at the tower. }} * {{see | name=Mibu-dera | alt=壬生寺 | url=http://www.mibudera.com/eng/ | email=mibudera@kyoto.zaq.ne.jp | address=Bojo-dori Bukkouji Kita-iru, Nakagyo-ku | lat=35.0016 | long=135.743339 | directions=10 min walk from Hankyu Line to Omiya | phone=+81 75-841-3381 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:30-17:30 | price=Main grounds free; garden & museum ¥100 | content=Founded in 991 CE, Mibu-dera is a Buddhist temple. The temple has Setsubun celebrations in February which draws large crowds. It's free to visit the grounds, however, a small museum and garden have an admission fee. }} * {{see | name=Kyoto Station | alt=京都駅 | url=http://www.kyoto-station-building.co.jp/map_en/index.html | email= | address= | lat=34.985458 | long=135.757756 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | wikidata=Q801046| wikipedia=Kyōto Station | content=Even if you are not travelling by train, it is worth spending an hour or so wandering around the station, which is an outstanding example of modern architecture. The station, with its futurist architecture designed by Hiroshi Hara, opened in 1997 to commemorate Kyoto's 1,200th anniversary. There are two tourist information centers in the building on the 2nd and 9th floors. Take the main escalator or stairs to the top where there is a rooftop garden with views over the city, and if you have a head for heights, walk across the skywalk on the 11th floor. }} ===Imperial Park=== The '''Imperial Park''' is a large, peaceful area in the centre of Kyoto, centred around the '''Imperial Palace'''. The palaces are only open to visitors on free guided tours, and bookings must be made at the Imperial Household Agency, online or in their office to the west of the palace complex. If you're in Kyoto for an extended amount of time, the park can make for a very pleasant afternoon, and it's large enough to let you forget the noise of the city outside the walls. It's home to 50,000 trees, including cherry, plum and peach tree orchards (mostly in the northern section). * {{see | name=Kyoto Imperial Palace | alt=京都御所 Kyōto-gosho | url=http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/kyoto.html | email= | address= | lat=35.024113 | long=135.762163 | directions=A 5-10 minute walk south from the Imadegawa subway station, Karasuma subway line | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=English tours M-F at 10:00 and 14:00 (by appointment only) | price=Free | wikidata=Q1202239| wikipedia=Kyoto Imperial Palace | content=The palace is a reconstruction (dating from 1855), though the Emperor doesn't spend much time there, ''and'' the guided tour doesn't enter the palace buildings, only peeking at them from the outside, but nevertheless, it provides interesting insight into the lives of the Imperial Court and it's the only Imperial site in Kyoto that offers English guides. Show up an hour before the tour at the Imperial Household Agency building (west of Kyoto Imperial Palace), and they'll let you join if there's space, or make a booking for another day if there isn't. If you don't want to chance it, advance bookings can also be made online through the Imperial Household Agency's official website [http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/]. }} * {{see | name=Sentō Imperial Palace | alt=仙洞御所 Sentō-gosho | url=http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/sento.html | email= | address= | lat=35.021516 | long=135.765262 | directions=within the grounds of Kyoto's Imperial Park | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q909444| wikipedia=Sentō Imperial Palace | content=This palace is one of the most competitive for reservations, because this is the palace where the Imperial family stays when in Kyoto. }} ==Do== [[Image:Kyoto Nishijin Textile show.jpg|thumb|250px|Kimono fashion show, Nishijin Textile Center]] *{{do | name=Nishijin Textile Center | alt=西陣 | url=http://nishijin.or.jp/eng/ | email= | address=Horikawa-Imadegawa | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+81 75-451-9231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Weaving costs ¥1800 adult (¥1500 for students) and dressing up as a geisha costs ¥10000 | content=While visitors may just go to the museum to see the history of Nishijin Textiles, you may also want to try dressing up as a geisha or trying your hand at weaving. You need reservations for each activity, and separate fees are charged for each activity. }} * {{do | name=Kyoto Butoh-kan | alt=Butoh-kan | url=http://butohkan.jp | email=info@butohkan.jp | address=Tsukinukecho 135, Nakagyoku, Kyoto 604-8202 | lat=35.009312 | long=135.757597 | directions=just west of Karasuma Oike Subway stop | phone=+81 75-254-6520 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Thursdays 18:00 and 20:00 | price=¥3000 | wikidata=Q1018001| wikipedia=Butoh | lastedit=2016-10-17 | content=In the heart of the city is located the Butoh-kan, the world's first theatre devoted to weekly performances of the elusive dance of Butoh. Performances are by world-famous Butoh dancer Tenko Ima, every Thursday at 18:00 and 20:00. She is accompanied by live Shamisen music. The "theatre" is an ancient plaster storehouse, so the atmosphere is vivid and intimate, because there are only eight seats per show. }} ==Buy== The city's main shopping district is centered on '''the intersection of Shijō-dōri and Kawaramachi-dōri''', a short distance from the Kamo River and a manageable walk away from the neighbouring Gion district in [[Kyoto/Higashiyama|Higashiyama]]. Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyū Line puts you right in the heart of the action, within easy reach of three major department stores and a wide assortment of other shopping options. For electronics, head up to Teramachi and turn left; for clothes boutiques, including your chance at finding the ''perfect'' Engrish t-shirt, turn right into the covered arcade portion of Teramachi and Shinkyōgoku, which runs parallel. Specific places worth checking out include the following: * {{buy | name=Kōbō-san Market | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tō-ji, 1 Kujō-chō, Minami-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Early morning till around 16:30 | price= | content=On the 21st of each month, Tō-ji hosts a large flea market on and around the temple grounds. It's like a one-day festival, with long rows of food vendors joining an odd assortment of sellers &mdash; everything from elegant Japanese crafts and rare plants to piles of old postcards, photos, movie posters, and appliances from decades past. }} * {{buy | name=Gallery Gado | alt= | url=http://www.gado.jp | email= | address=27 Miyashiki-cho Hirano, Kitaku | lat= | long= | directions=on Kinukake no Michi, near Kinkakuji | phone= +81 75-464-1655 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-18:00 | price=Postcard-sized prints &yen;800, medium-sized prints &yen;2000-3000, large prints for more | content=Gallery Gado sells modern woodblock prints (''ukiyo-e'') with traditional themes. The gallery also has catalogs of the work of artists who are maintaining this art form. All prints are authentic woodblock prints. }} * {{buy | name=Junkudo | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=8th floor of BAL building on Kawaramachi-dori between Shijo Street and Sanjo Street | phone= +81 75-253-6460 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=daily 11:00-20:00 | price= | content=A huge bookstore with big selection of English books and magazines. }} * {{buy | name=Nishiki Market | alt= | url=http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/ | email= | address=Nishikikoji-dori and Takakura-dori | lat=35.005028 | long=135.766139 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nishiki Market | image=Nishiki ichiba kyoto.jpg | wikidata=Q11650434 | lastedit=2018-11-19 | content=An enclosed traditional shopping street, expensive but full of interesting shops and products, including great souvenirs and snacks. It runs east-west, a block north of Shijo-dori, and at its eastern end it connects to '''Teramachi-dori''', another, newer shopping street that runs north-south. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== *'''Musashi Sushi''': one of the oldest kaitenzushiya (conveyor belt sushi) restaurants in Kyoto, it is directly across from Kappa Sushi at the corner of Sanjo/Kawaramachi. All of the sushi is handmade, though it may take a while to see something new float by. Fortunately, the seats surround the chefs, so you can request whatever you want if you don't see something you like. Price: ¥137 per plate (usually 2 pieces per plate). *'''Kappa Sushi''' is a chain kaitenzushiya (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant on the corner of Sanjo and Kawaramachi at the entrance to the Shinkyogoku/Teramachi covered mall. Lots of variety and cheap prices, but the sushi isn't handmade &mdash; machines are used to cut the rice and fish. Price: ¥100 per plate (usually 2 pieces per plate). *'''Mr. Young Men''' is a pleasantly grubby okonomiyaki restaurant downtown, at the corner of Shijo and the covered shopping street of Teramachi. Basic English menus are available. A basic dish of Osaka-style okonomiyaki will run about ¥800, although a few variations (including a bizarre cheese and potato version) are available for about the same price. *'''Hati Hati''' is an Indonesian restaurant on Kiyamachi, near Takoyakushi. It has great food and atmosphere, but it's occasionally converted into a bar and a performance space for local bands and DJs at night on weekends. For really late night food on Kiyamachi, there is a cheap, open-air '''falafel''' cafe a couple doors down from Hati Hati that never seems to close. *'''Donguri''' is a cheap yet very nice okonomiyaki restaurant on the Northwest corner of Kawaramachi and Shijo. It's a sub-level place so it might take a bit to find it. It is next to the Excelsior Coffee; if you walk past The Body Shop you went too far. It's about ¥500 yen for an okonomiyaki and about ¥300-500 for a namachuu (mid sized mug of beer). Expect to pay ¥800-900 in the evening. Great place for a date or nicer evening. *'''Kappa Sushi (on Pontocho)''' is a reasonably-priced (for fresh sushi) restaurant. They have an English menu which is, unfortunately, inferior to the Japanese menu. Specials change daily, but are generally on the pricey side. Sit at the sushi bar, and eat well-apportioned nigiri off of banana leaves with your fingers. Not a bad place to try real o-toro for ¥800 a plate. * '''efish''' 798-1 Nishihashizume-cho +81 075-361-3069 (''near the Idemetsu gas station, across the river from Keihan Gogo 京阪五条 station''. Open every day, 11:00 to 23:00 (until 22:00 in the winter). This cafe, tucked away down a hidden side street, has a trendy ambiance and river views. For lunch, try the okra curry (¥850) or soup and bread set (¥650). [http://www.shinproducts.com] * {{eat | name=Shofukutei | alt=昭福亭 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-12-19 | content=One person udon nabe for ¥1000. Green soba or udon noodles for as cheap as ¥400. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Shishin Samurai Cafe & Bar | alt= | url=http://www.universalpeace.co.jp/shi-shin.html | email= | address=230-1 Kamimyoukakuji-cho Nakagyo-ku | lat=35.013092 | long=135.757308 | directions= | phone= +81 75 231-5155 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-M 12:00-23:00 | price= | content=The place proclaims that an increase of food production, food self-sufficiency, and the decrease of food waste can prevent war. This cafe serves local Japanese foods as much as possible to increase food self-sufficiency and sustainability. In addition this cafe uses 5% of its gross sales to aid homeless people and orphans who are suffering from a lack of food. Furthermore, this cafe aims to reintroduce declining Japanese traditional customs and keep these traditions alive. Also, this cafe plans to hold lectures, discussions and forums concerning peace and food sustainability (please, note different menu items during cafe and bar times). }} * {{eat | name=Siam | alt=シャム | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=on Marutamachi-dori about 100 m east of Nishioji-dori | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Th-Tu 11:30-15:30, 18:00-21:00 | price= | content=A tiny but wonderful Thai curry restaurant. The food is delicious, reasonably priced and spice levels are indicated on the menu. Relax in a soft-lit room decorated with exotic paintings from Bali, while the friendly staff prepare your meal right in front of you. An English menu available. }} * {{eat | name=Fuka | alt=麩嘉 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=west of the Imperial Palace and just a bit south of the Kyoto Prefectural Office | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-17:00 | price= | content=This old shop makes the best nama-fu (wheat gluten filled with sweet bean paste) in Kyoto and supplies many sweet shops and restaurants throughout the city. There might not be enough supplies to sell over the counter, so it is best to arrive early. }} * {{eat | name=Tengu | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=underground with an entrance near the corner of Sanjo/Kawaramachi | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A chain izakaya offering their own beer and good shared food with occasional seasonal specials. }} * {{eat | name=Anil | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=6F Daini Kanko Building on Kiyamachi | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A nice Nepalese restaurant with a great atmosphere and awesome food. The dahl, cheese nan and momo dumplings are highly recommended. }} * {{eat | name=Torikizoku | alt=鳥貴族 | url=http://www.torikizoku.co.jp/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=18:00-late | price=All food/drink &yen;300 each | content=Torikizoku is the most popular yakitori chain in Kansai. There are several locations in Kyoto - most convenient for travellers is in Kawaramachi/Shijo, just before the bridge, or between sanjo and shijo, on kiyachou-dori. The yakitori is delicious, comes in generous serves and is very cheap. It's very popular with both locals and expats, and is always busy. Try to come before 19:30 to secure seats. Look for the Japanese characters on the distinctive yellow and red sign. }} * {{eat | name=Scorpione Kichiu | alt= | url= | email= | address=140-18 Saitocho, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=Kawaramachi or Gion Shijo stops | phone=+81 75-354-9517 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Contemporary Italian food with an open kitchen and outdoor dining on the river. Attentive service with small but filling portions. Offers set meals lunches (¥2300 average) and dinners (¥5300-7900). Ala carte is available as well, however, a ¥1000 charge is added to eat head that purchases ala carte. Wine, beer, and cocktails available. }} * {{eat | name=Apollo | alt= | url=http://www.kyo-apollo.jp/ | email= | address=Rokakku-dori | lat=35.00738 | long=135.76304 | directions=Rokakku-dori 2 blocks east of Karasuma-doritel | phone=+81 75-212-2233 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=17:00-00:00 (last order 23:00) | price=¥150-3200 (latter is set plate) | content=If hipster izakaya didn't exist before, Apollo has invented it. Izakaya style with a clean, laid back environment consisting more of hip and arty locals instead of an older "regulars" crowd. Beautiful interior with a center garden and private dining rooms, or you can sit at the bar or in the more casual tables upstairs. Chefs prepare a mix of salads, grilled foods and fried foods from seasonal regional ingredients. House speciality is a pork gyoza. Affordable, cool and laid back. }} * {{eat | name=Tuzuri | alt=綴 | url=http://tuzuri-kyoto.com/ | email= | address=Matsubara Dori, just west of Karasuma | lat=34.998905 | long=135.759185 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-04 | content=Quiet Japanese place specialising in hamburger patties. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Pontochō | alt=先斗町 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=a narrow lane running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of the Kamo River | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of Kyoto's most traditional nightlife districts, the restaurants here run the gamut for super-exclusive geisha houses to common yakitori bars. Many have pleasant open-air riverside terraces. Rule of thumb is, any establishment with a menu and prices outside is OK, but others are best skipped. }} * {{eat | name=Mishima-tei | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=If you have a yearning for ''sukiyaki'', and your pockets are deep, you must visit Mishima-tei at the junction of Teramachi-dori and Sanjo-dori. Here you will be bowed in and shown to your own private tatami room by your personal kimono-clad hostess. There, having helped you to order, she will prepare your ''sukiyaki'' feast on the hotplate set between you. Order the "premium beef", and the richly marbled meat will just melt in your mouth, and require almost no chewing whatsoever: it is delectable – and it should be since two of you will spend around &yen;25,000 in less than an hour on 360 grams of beef and a few vegetables! (For the cost-shy, there is a 'tourist set' on the menu which results in a bill of about &yen;13,600 for 2. }} ==Drink== Kyoto is a more sleepy town compared its neighbours like [[Osaka]] and [[Kobe]]. Bars range from "girlie bars" to a select few bars that cater to ''gaijin'' and their friends to local watering holes. The best bars in Kyoto are often less noticeable. When heading out for a drink, look for bars in Central and Eastern Kyoto with little or no signage. You can always pop your head in the door to take a look at the crowd and vibe. Fixing a nice mix is a good way to feel comfortable, and bartenders usually do their best to make you feel welcome by attempting some conversation if they know a bit of English. However, you can also enjoy a drink in the corner while observing the locals and pay up after a drink. Some places might charge a fee of ¥500-1000. Beer and sake are common place in most bars. Wine is rarer, and often overpriced and mediocre. Mixed drinks are also common, and at many bars you'll find local liqueurs you can't find anywhere else. There are little to no nightclubs and a small selection of live music venues in Kyoto. The local government has cut back on nightclubs and girlie bars to keep a more calm, safe and relaxed environment in the historic city. However, Gion still serves as a major entertainment district, and if you arrive early enough (before 18:00) you might see a geisha wandering off to an appointment in Gion. * {{drink | name=Ing | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Sapporo sells at &yen;600 each shareable bottle | content=No night in Kyoto is complete without the requisite after hours visit to all-night Ing (a.k.a., "Box Bar," or "the office"). Proprietor Hako-san will keep bringing you the booze, and he's happy to join you for a drink when offered. Food there is always an option - tofu salad & potato pizza are good for the price (&yen;600). Get ready for Rolling Stones, competitive Jenga, sharing tables with odd drunk people, and clothes permanently soaked in smoke. Good luck finding it. If you see '''Hamid's Falafel''' you're on the right track. Ing is on the second floor of a building slightly south of Hamid's. }} * {{drink | name=Sake Bar Yoramu | alt=酒ＢＡＲよらむ | url=http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/index_eng.html | email=yoram@sakebar-yoramu.com | address=Nijo-dori east of Karasuma | lat= | long= | directions=Marutamachi and Karasuma-Oike subway stations | phone=+81-75-213-1512 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 18:00-00:00, closed first Sunday of the month | price= | content=From the unusual to the standard, this sake bar has both an impressive selection of traditional Japanese rice wine. Even more impressive is the barkeep and owner, who's from Israel, who can translate your preferences in wine into sake. Well-aged sake is available, busting the myth that sake does not age. Traditionally-brewed sake ranging from slightly cloudy to yogurt-like may also be available. }} *{{drink | name=Nikki's Bar | url= | email= | address=Nishi-Kiyamachi 804 Daini Kankou Building | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=20:00-05:00 | price=¥700 | content=This is a nice little bar ran by a gregarious Nepalese guy named Nikki. It's got a great bunch of regulars and new customers are always warmly welcomed. It's just north of Hamid's Kebab shop. Mixed drinks and beer run &yen;700 per drink and shots are &yen;500. It's a little hard to find because it's on the 8th floor. If you can't find it ask the folks working at Hamid's. }} *{{drink | name=Sugar Trip | url=http://www.sugar-trip.com/ | email= | address=Rokkaku Building2F 236 Yamasaki-cho Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=on Rokkaku-dori a few blocks south of the intersection with O | phone=+81 75-211-1145 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Original cocktails sell for ¥700-750, Smoothie cocktails for ¥900, Beer for ¥650-700, tonic ¥700 | content=A ritsy cocktail bar with a variety of drinks from the standard beers to champaigne and cava. Most people come for one of the many cocktail varieties that this bar is famous for. }} *{{drink | name=A bar | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+81 75-213-2129 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=¥550 Yebisu | content=A hard-to-find (on 2nd floor) izakaya close to the Shijo/Kiyamachi corners, makes a great start to the evening. Food is good and reasonable - daily sashimi specials and fried goods, especially. You share long tables with foreigners and locals alike; a friendly thing to do would be to pour beers for your neighbors and Suei-san, the proprietor. }} *{{drink | name=Pub Africa | url= | email= | address=KyotoRokkaku Terrace Bld 1F | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+81 75-255 4518 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Although many think this is an Africa-themed bar, there is nothing very African about it. If there's a football match from home that you need to catch, they'll show it here, and they have cheap Asahi jugs. Beers half off during Happy Hour. Also, their fooseball table is very well kept. Across from the Hub, infra. }} [[File:Garden from K Bar in Kyoto - Sarah Stierch.jpg|thumb|A view of the garden outside of K-ya in Kyoto, Japan.]] * {{drink | name=K-ya | alt=K Bar, Bar K | url= | email= | address=105 Yaoya-cho, Gokomachi-nishiiru, Rokkaku-dori, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+81 75-241-0489 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Classy beautiful off the beaten path bar that caters to locals more than tourists. The owner is one of Japan's best bartenders. Staff wear tux's ala Rainbow Room in New York. The vibe is upscale yet casual. It overlooks a beautiful Japanese garden. Cocktails range from classics like Moscow Mule to their own specialities. Tasty amuse bouche come with each round of drinks. Service is wonderful. }} * {{drink | name=Milan's Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/110460828994014/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-04-07 | content=A fun little bar tucked away down a back alley on the west side of the canal. The alley is just south of Karaoke Paradise, and the sign for Milan's read just Mil-N Bar. Located on the 2nd floor, it's a cozy, cave-like interior, but Milan, the Nepalese proprietor, is gregarious and always has a funny tale to tell. }} ===British and Irish pubs=== These are popular with foreign tourists looking for a "closer to home" connection and with locals wanting to meet them. * {{drink | name=The Hub | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=on the small streets connecting Kiyamachi to Kawaramachi | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Lots of TVs for sports, cheap beer (¥700/pint) (especially with a ¥500 membership) and more expensive imports; food, however, is mediocre. This is basically the headquarters for English-speaking tourists and gaijin residents for happy hour. Happy hour (17:00-19:00) discounts cocktails only. If you want some inside information about where to go, where to eat, what to see, etc., ask a group here. One of the larger bars in Kyoto, it is a popular spot for happy hours and goodbye parties. The real draw is the football, darts tournaments, and, upstairs in the back, the pool table.}} * {{drink | name=McLoughlin's | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=on Kiyamachi between Sanjo and Nijo | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Main courses starting at ¥1,200 | content=Presided over by the most amiable owner/chef Tadg McLoughlin. Quality beers, domestic and foreign (including microbrews). The staff are friendly and speak English. Live music on weekends. Giant screen TV (Mr. McLoughlin being a rugby fanatic), darts, foosball and a great view of east Kyoto. Happy hours are 17:00-20:00.}} ==Sleep== The great majority of Kyoto's accommodations can be found here. Staying closer to Kyoto Station provides immediate access to the Shinkansen and the hub of the city [[Kyoto#By bus 2|bus network]]; closer to Karasuma-Oike puts you in the midst of downtown and closer to the [[Kyoto/Higashiyama|Gion]]. They're only minutes apart by subway, making the choice merely a matter of personal convenience. ===Budget=== ====Internet and manga cafés==== *{{sleep | name=Topscafé | url=http://www.topsnet.co.jp | email= | address=Hachijo street | lat=34.98385 | long=135.75948 | directions=south-east of Kyoto JR station, a 5-min walk, near willerexpress bus stop | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Night starts at ¥1620 + member card. Internet hour starts at ¥516 + member card. Member card ¥200, vip: +¥216 for pack, ¥129/15-min overtime | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Popeye media cafe | alt= | url=http://www.mediacafe.jp/company/shop/shijoukawaramachi.html | email= | address= | lat=35.00415 | long=135.76850 | directions=between Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae station/Honno-ji and Sanjo-dori, just near catholic cathedral and Royal Hotel and Spa, bus stop Kawaramachi-sanjo 4/17/205 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=No member card. Night starts at ¥880/1100. Internet hour starts at ¥280. Shower extra ¥100 if cafeteria (included in other case), ¥100 for towel rent | content=The most famous one. Cafeteria seats are OK, but it is better to use two if sleeping. }} ====Hostels==== * {{sleep | name=Guest House Kyoto Inn | alt= | url=http://www.guesthouse-kyoto.jp | email= | address=15, Sujaku Shokaicho, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=an 8-min walk south from Tambaguchi station or 10-min bus ride from Kyoto station | phone=+81 75 681-2282 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=15:00-21:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=¥3000 | lastedit= | content=Opened November 2016. Very new and clean guesthouse where you can feel at home. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staffs who can speak good English. Comfy beds with curtain on the bottom bunk. Smooth Wi-Fi access, tea and coffee, computer and dryer use, left luggage service are all free. Enough number of toilets and showers with soap, well equipped kitchen. Air-conditioned dorms. }} * {{sleep | name=JAM Hostel | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/jamhostel/?ref=br_rs | email= | address=Tokiwacho170 Higashiyama | lat=35.00489 | long=135.77245 | directions=at the corner of Gion-Shijo station at the Keihan line | phone=+81-75 201-3374 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=15:00-22:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Dorms from ¥2,100, laundry, fast and free Wi-Fi, common area with bar | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hirano's B&B Kyoto | url=http://www.geocities.jp/hiranosguest_house/ | email=hr_hirohira12@yahoo.co.jp | address=38 Nakano-cho Oshikoji-sagaru, Shinmachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 3-min walk west from the Karasuma-Oike subway station | phone=+81 75256-3081 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=¥4,000 single, ¥3,500/person for two, includes breakfast | checkin= | checkout= | content=A quiet and intimate B&B (three guest rooms), near Nijo Castle. Guests experience being at home with a Japanese family.}} * {{sleep | name=J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse | alt= | url=http://kyoto.j-hoppers.com/ | email= | address=51-2, Nakagoryo-cho, Higashikujo, Minami-ku | lat=34.97948 | long=135.76137 | directions=an 8-min walk south from Kyoto Station, near Kujo subway station | phone=+81 75 681-2282 (SKYPE:jhoppers) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=15:00-22:00 | checkout=08:00-11:00 | price=Dormitory bed &yen;2500 | content=A clean backpackers hostel. Rental (worn-out) bikes ¥500/day, Internet ¥300/hour. No curfew; up-to-date local information by local staff. }} * {{sleep | name=K's House Kyoto | alt= | url=http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/ | email=info@kshouse.jp | address=418 Nayacho, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku | lat=34.98977 | long=135.76491 | directions=a 9-min walk east from JR Kyoto Station along Shichijo-dori, 4-min walk from Keihan Line Shichijo Station | phone=+81 75-342-2444 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-342-2440 | checkin=15:00-22:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=Dormitory room from &yen;2400, twin/double/triple room from &yen;3100, single room from &yen;3800 (prices per person, additional &yen;300 during high season) | content=Opened in November 2003, this clean, foreigner-friendly hostel with English speaking staff has amenities like internet access and kitchens. The hostel itself can be difficult to find, as it is located down a narrow street off the main road. }} * {{sleep | name=Khaosan Kyoto Guesthouse | url=http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/kyoto/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=kyoto@khaosan-tokyo.com | address=568 Nakanocho, Bukkoji-agaru, Teramachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku | lat=36.655258 | long=138.186462 | directions=a 1-min walk south from Hankyu-line Kawaramachi Station, exit 10 | phone=+81 75-201-4063 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=10 beds Dorm room, ¥2000; 6 beds Mix(female) Dorm ¥2200; Twin (Double bed)Private room ¥5600(2 person); 4 beds mix dorm, ¥2500. | checkin=15:00-21:00 | checkout=08:00-11:00 | content=Opened November 2010. Staff are very friendly and they provide heaps of local information. No curfew, free (but somewhat slow) Wi-Fi access, free tea and coffee available at Japanese style living room. }} * {{sleep | name=Kyoto Cheapest Inn | alt=Hostel Kyotokko | url=http://kyoto.cheapest-inn.com/ | email= | address=783 Sabamatsu-cho, Marutamachi Omiya-Dori, Kamigyo-ku. | lat=35.0172 | long=135.7482 | directions=at the south-east of the cross road named Marutamachi Matsuyacho; near Nijo Castle, 1-3 min walk from bus stop Horikawa Marutamachi, a 7-min walk northeast from JR Nijo station | phone=+81 75-821-3323 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Dorms from ¥2200−2500, private rooms, ¥7800. Discounts common in winter | content=Credit cards accepted, English available, sheets included. Free wifi, computer use. Long stay discount. Additional charges for various services - use of printer or fax, changing sheets more frequently, etc. Bike rental (¥500/day) }} * {{sleep | name=Mosaic Hostel | alt= | url=http://mosaichostel.jp/mosaic-hostel-kyoto/ | email=info@mosaichostel.jp | address=4-1 Nishikujo Kasugacho, Minami-ku | lat=34.980335 | long=135.755239 | directions= | phone=+81 756720511 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=15:00–03:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=Bunks from ¥3,000 | lastedit=2018-11-19 | content=Not a party hostel by any means, but has a friendly, social vibe, which seems to be encouraged by the free dinners they provide some days. The dorms are capsule-style, meaning that your bunk is enclosed in a capsule with walls on either side and a curtain at your feet, which makes the dorms quiet and feel much more private than your typical hostel. Each capsule has a little panel that lets in natural light in the morning, so make sure you have a sleeping mask if you want to sleep past sunrise. Big lockers, helpful staff, and they provide free slippers, earplugs, toothbrushes, and so on if you forgot them. }} * {{sleep | name=Sandal Wood Hostel | url= | email=Sandal_Wood26@Live.jp | address=2F 32-2 Ttakada-Cho, Saiin, Ukyou-ku | lat= | long= | directions=bus from JR Kyoto Station, right in front of the Daikokuya Super Market; a 5-minute walk to the Saiin Metro Station | phone=+81 75-585-7052 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=No curfew | price=Air-conditioned dorms are of ¥2700 per night | checkin=12:00 | checkout= | content= New hostel with friendly, English-speaking staff. Guests are always greeted with an unlimited amount of either ice cold water, hot coffee, or iced coffee. It is not uncommon for the hosts to offer plates of fruits and nuts during nights in. Free WiFi, towel use, washer and dryer, common room, left luggage service. }} * {{sleep | name=Tomato Guesthouse | url=http://pascon.gozaru.jp/enindex.html | email= | address=135 Shimizu, Nishi-iru Shiokoji-Horikawa, Shimogyou-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 7-min walk west from Kyoto Station | phone=+81 75-203-8228 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Dorm &yen;2200, private singles &yen;3600−&yen;3900 | checkin=16:00-21:00 | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Tour Club | url=http://www.kyotojp.com/ | email=tourclub@kyotojp.com | address=362 Momijicho, Higashinakasuji, Shomensagaru, Shimogyo-ku | lat=34.99068 | long=135.75439 | directions=a 9-min walk northwest from Kyoto Station | phone=+81 75-353-6968 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Double en-suite &yen;3490 per person, quad en-suite &yen;2,930 per person, dorm beds &yen;2450 per person | checkin= | checkout= | content=A friendly, clean hostel with both dorm and private rooms. There is a beautiful zen garden and traditional Japanese-living room with a small library of local travel information. Free wifi, coffee and tea and the chance to try on a kimono. Air-con, bicycle rental, coin operated internet terminals and laundry are also available. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Uronza Guesthouse | alt= | url=http://www.uronza.com | email=reservation@uronza.com | address=427 Yohoji-cho Shimogyo-ku | lat=35.00201 | long=135.75286 | directions= | phone=+81 75-341-3226 | tollfree= | checkin=16:00-22:00 | checkout=11:00 | hours=closed in August| price=From ¥4000 | content=A guesthouse offering Japanese and Western-style rooms in a traditional wooden house built in 1897, with no air-conditioning. Read the house rules before booking. }} ====Hotels, minshuku & ryokan==== * {{sleep | name=B&B Keiko | alt= | url=http://www.guesthouse-keiko.jp/ | email=bbkeikokyoto@gmail.com | address=576-1 Matsumotocho, Ebisugawa Agaru, Gokomachi, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=just south of Imperial Palace Park, west of Teramachi Street, 20 min by bus from Kyoto Station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=¥5000 per person per night (¥6000 in peak seasons) | content=A traditional, 80-year-old house with two tatami mat rooms. Shared bath. Short walk to shops and restaurants. Highly rated by reviewers. Free wi-fi throughout. }} * {{sleep | name=Crossroads | url=http://www.rose.sannet.ne.jp/c-inn/ | email= | address=45-14 Ebisu Banba-cho, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 20-min walk west of Kyoto Station, or #205 bus to Ume Koji Koen-mae then a 2-min walk northwest | phone=+81 75-354-3066 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-354-3022 | hours= | price=Three rooms: one person ¥4000, two persons ¥7350, three persons ¥10,400 | checkin=16:00 | checkout=10:00 | content=A ryokan with shared shower & toilet facilities. 23:00 curfew. }} * {{sleep | name=Econo Inn Discount Hotel | url=http://www.econo-inn-kyoto.com/en/ | email= | address=67 Hirai-cho, Kawaramachi-Gojo Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 15-min walk northwest from Kyoto Station, or just south of Kawaramachi-Gojo stop on buses 4, 17, 205 | phone=+81 75-343-6660 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-343-6667 | hours= | price=Sliding rate scale depending on length of stay: singles go from &yen;5880 for one night down to &yen;3880 for 21 nights or more; a few small short-term singles range start at &yen;3780 | checkin=15:00-23:00 | checkout=11:00 | content=Western-style private singles, doubles, and triples. All rooms have a bath unit, air-conditioner and TV. Caters more to long-term stays. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Iida | alt=ホテル飯田 | url=http://www.hotel-iida.co.jp/en/ | email= | address=717 Shiokoji-agaru, Akezu-dori, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=3 min northeast of Kyoto Station | phone=+81 75-341-3256 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-351-3051 | hours= | price=Singles &yen;5250-7875 (Japanese), &yen;6300-7875 (Western); doubles &yen;8400-14,700; triples &yen;12,600-23,625 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Mostly Japanese style rooms, with a few Western rooms, both varieties with or without private bath. }} * {{sleep | name=Ikoi-no-Ie | alt=憩の家 | url= | email= | address=885 Ushitora-cho, Rokujo-dori, Shinmachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 12-15 min walk northwest from Kyoto Station, 5 min west from Gojo subway station | phone=+81 75-354-8081 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-354-8068 | hours= | price=Singles with shared bath &yen;4750, private bath &yen;7600; doubles &yen;7600-8400 shared, &yen;9600-11,000 private; triples &yen;9600 shared, &yen;12,000-&yen;13,500 private; quad &yen;15,000 private | checkin=by arrangement | checkout=11:00 | content=All non-smoking rooms, some en-suite. The ground floor rooms near the lobby can be noisy. LAN ports in most rooms. }} * {{sleep | name=Palace Side Hotel | url= | email= | address=Karasuma Shimodachiuri Agaru, Kamigyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 3-min walk north from Marutamachi subway station K07 | phone=+81 75-415-8887 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-415-8889 | hours= | price=Singles &yen;6000-7000, twin &yen;9000-9800, doubles &yen;9800 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=11:00 | content=It's exactly where the name suggests: across the street from the Kyoto Imperial Palace and park, on Karasuma (near the intersection with Marutamachi). It's a Western-style hotel reminiscent of a much more expensive hotel that could use a good scrubbing. The staff speak fluent English, and the front desk is always open, as are computers with Internet access in the lobby. It's often used by academic groups from nearby universities, though, so advance reservations should be made. There are discounts for stays of three or more nights. }} * {{sleep | name=Ryokan Hiraiwa | alt=旅館平岩 | url= | email= | address=314 Hayao-cho, Kaminokuchi-agaru, Ninomiyacho-dori, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 15-min walk northeast from Kyoto Station, or take buses #17 or #205 from pier A2 to Kawaramachi-Shomen, the third stop | phone=+81 75-351-6748 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Singles &yen;4200-5250, doubles &yen;8400 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A self-proclaimed ryokan (really a minshuku) catering almost entirely to the foreign market, in an old Japanese house plastered with English signs, warnings and tips. All rooms are Japanese style. Traditional breakfast is available for an extra charge. Shared bathrooms or a public bath half a block away. But it's cheap (&yen;4200 for a single, &yen;8400 for a double, breakfast not included) and reasonably friendly, though opinions beyond that vary widely. Slightly inconveniently located halfway between the station and the center of town (it's bit of a hike to either). }} * {{sleep | name=Ryokan Kyoraku | url=http://www.ryokankyoraku.jp/en.index.html | email= | address=231 Kogawa-cho, Shichijo-agaru, Akezu-dori, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 6-min walk north from Kyoto Station | phone=+81 75-371-7161 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-371-1260 | hours= | price=Singles &yen;5200-6000 with shared bath, &yen;6000-6600 private; doubles &yen;9200-10,200 shared, &yen;11,000-12,300 private; triples &yen;13,800-15,200 shared, &yen;16,000-17,700 private | checkin=15:00-22:00 | checkout=10:00 | content= 14 Japanese-style rooms (half with private bath, half without) and two Western-style double rooms (both with private bath). 23:00 curfew. }} * {{sleep | name=Ryokan Yuhara | url= | email= | address=188 Kagiyacho, Shomen-agaru, Kiyamachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 15-min walk northeast from Kyoto Station | phone=+81 75-371-9583 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-371-9580 | hours= | price=Singles/doubles/triples ¥5,250/9,660/14,490 per room with shared bath, no meals included | checkin=15:00 | checkout=10:00 | content=Japanese style rooms, shared bath, sink in room. Very nice rooms, very clean, very friendly. 23:00 curfew. }} * {{sleep | name=Station Ryokan Seiki | alt= | url=http://www.hotelseiki.com/ | email= | address=24-5, Kitakarasuma-cho, Higashikujo, Minami-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 5-min walk south from Kyoto Station | phone=+81 75-682-0444 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-682-0171 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Singles &yen;5500, doubles &yen;8000-9000, triples &yen;12,000-13,000 | content=Shabby building, but the staff is friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Super Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo | url=http://www.superhotel.co.jp/en/s_hotels/karasuma.html | email= | address=Karasuma Dori, Gojo Kudaru, Osaka Machi 396-3 | lat= | long= | directions=a 10-min walk from Kyoto Station, or at exit 8 of Gojo subway station | phone=+81 75-343-9000 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-343-9001 | hours= | price=Singles &yen;6090 (&yen;5040 off season, &yen;7140 peak season); doubles &yen;7140-8180-9240 | checkin=15:00-00:00 | checkout=10:00 | content=A Japanese budget hotel chain. All rates include tax and breakfast. }} *{{sleep | name=Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo-Karasuma | url=http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00040/index.html | email= | address=393, Gojo-Karasumasho Karasuma-dori Matsubara-sagaru Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 15-min walk north from Kyoto Station, a 3-min walk from Gojo subway station, exit 2 | phone=+81 75 344-1045 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75 344-1047 | hours= | price=Singles ¥6,200, doubles ¥7,200, triples ¥8,200 | checkin=16:00 | checkout=10:00 | content=A Japanese budget hotel chain. Good value for twin rooms. Online reservations showing vacancies & bookings available on all sites, enter as "General Guest" if you do not have membership. Two other locations nearby, at [http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00027/index.html Shijo-Omiya] and [http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00053/index.html Shijo-Karasuma], with similar prices.}} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Gimmond Hotel | alt=2 min. walk east from Karasuma-Oike subway station | url=http://www.gimmond.co.jp/kyoto/english/e_index.html | email= | address=Takakura-Oike-dori, Nakagyo-ku | lat=35.010543 | long=135.762224 | directions= | phone=+81 75-221-4111 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-221-8250 | checkin=13:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=Including taxes and fees: Singles &yen;9,586−10,741, doubles &yen;16,170, twin rooms &yen;16,747−23,100 | content=A foreigner-friendly hotel, neat and tidy, downtown near City Hall. Discount for Internet booking. For breakfast one has the choice between American or Japanese. }} * {{sleep | name=Hearton Hotel Kyoto | alt= | url=http://www.hearton.co.jp/ | email= | address=Higashi no Toin Dori Oike Agaru, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=2 min northeast of Karasuma-Oike subway station, exit 1 | phone=+81 75-222-1300 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-222-1313 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Single &yen;11,000, twin &yen;22,400 | content=Mid range, Western-style hotel located downtown. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Monterey Kyoto | url=http://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/htl/kyoto/ | email= | address=3 Jyo Minami Karasuma-dori, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=west side of Karusuma, south of Sanjo | phone=+81 75-251-7111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Singles range from ¥10000 and doubles from ¥15000. Suites available. | checkin=14:00 | checkout=11:00 | content=Japanese chain of boutique hotels. A 5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike station. A quick walk towards the heart of the city where restaurants and bars are located. Rates are best on their website, versus discount travel sites. The hotel has a spa, a chapel (Christian churches aren't common in Japan, so this makes up for it), and three restaurants (bar, French and Japanese). Decor is contemporary with a British revival twist. The hotel can use a good clean up, but the location is good. Free Wi-Fi for guests and visitors. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Sugicho | url=http://www.hotel-kyoto.jp/ | email=sugicho@kyoto-ryokan.jp | address=172 Moriyamacho, Oike-agaru, Tominokoji, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 5-min walk east from Karasuma-Oike subway station | phone=+81 75-241-0106 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-221-7271 | hours= | price=Standard plan around ¥9,450−¥18,900, Limited plan around ¥3,900−77,350 | checkin=16:00 | checkout=10:00 | content=Mostly Japanese-style rooms, with a few Western. Breakfast and dinner available. Adjacent to Kyoto Gyoen and the Nishiki Markets. }} * {{sleep | name=Kyoto Garden Hotel | url=http://www.kyoto-gardenhotel.co.jp/index.html | email=office@kyoto-gardenhotel.co.jp | address=Muromachi-dori, Oike Minamiiru, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=about 1 min west of Karasuma-Oike subway station (Karasuma subway line), exit 4-1 | phone=+81 75-255-2000 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-255-2389 | hours= | price=Single ¥9240, double ¥12,600−13,650, twin ¥14,700−16,800, triple ¥19,950 | checkin=15:00 | checkout=10:00 | content=Downtown location; a short walk away from the Kyoto International Manga Museum, a long (but manageable) walk away from Nijo Castle. All rooms are non-smoking. Guests with their own LAN-enabled laptops/netbooks can get internet access in their rooms free of charge; just borrow a connection kit from the front desk. Actual rates vary depending on the time of year and discounts/special offers are available for online bookings. }} * {{sleep | name=Kyoto Tower Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/tower_hotel/en/ | email= | address=Karasuma-dori Shichijo-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 1-min walk north from JR Kyoto Station, immediately across the street | phone=+81 75-361-3212 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-343-5645 | checkin=13:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=Kyoto Tower: Singles &yen;8,000−14,500, twin &yen;16,000−31,000. Annex and Dai-Ni: &yen;6,500−11,500, twin &yen;14,000−19,800 | content=Foreigner-friendly hotel, and the location across the street from JR Kyoto Station is impossible to miss. The same company operates two additional hotels nearby: the '''Kyoto Tower Hotel Annex''', a few blocks northwest, and the '''Kyoto Dai-Ni Tower Hotel''', east of the station. }} * {{sleep | name=Ryokan Shimizu | url=http://www.kyoto-shimizu.net/ | email= | address=644 Wakamiya Agaru Shichijo, Shimogyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=a 5-min walk northwest from Kyoto Station, near Nishi-Honganji | phone=+81 75-371-5538 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-371-5539 | hours= | price=&yen;6,000/person (&yen;5,000 during winter), higher near holidays | checkin= | checkout= | content=A modern ryokan which is welcoming to foreign visitors. The owners can speak some English. En-suite facilities are provided and a Japanese breakfast is available. There is a communal Japanese bath facility. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel San Crane | alt= | url=http://www.sancrane.com/en/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=264 Daigo-cho | lat=34.996467 | long=135.758405 | directions=near Gojo subway station, or a 20-minute walk from Kyoto station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-04 | content=Comfortable hotel a bit away from the main station. }} * {{sleep | name=Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto | alt= | url=http://www.citadines.com/en/japan/kyoto/citadines-karasuma-gojo-kyoto/index.html | email=enquiry.kyoto@the-ascott.com | address=432 Matsuya-cho Gojo-dori Karasuma- Higashiiru Shimogyo-ku | lat=34.996603 | long=135.760711 | directions= | phone=+81-75 352 8900 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-16 | content=This apart-hotel offers studio and one-bedroom apartments. It also conducts certain residents' programmes. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Kyoto Hotel Okura | url=http://www.kyotohotel.co.jp/khokura/english/ | email= | address=Kawaramachi-Oike, Nakagyo-ku | lat= | long= | directions=at Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Subway Station, exit T12 | phone=+81 75-211-5111 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-254-2529 | hours= | price=&yen;19,000 for a single, through &yen;49,000 for a double-occupancy corner room; top-floor suites climb higher still | checkin=13:00 | checkout=11:00 | content=A large, modern Western-style hotel downtown. }} * {{sleep | name=New Miyako Hotel | alt=新都ホテル | url=http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/english/ | email= | address=17 Nishikujo-Inmachi, Minami-ku | lat= | long= | directions=across the street from the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station | phone=+81 75-661-7111 | tollfree= | fax=+81 75-661-7135 | hours= | price=&yen;11,550 singles through &yen;57,750 suites, tax included | checkin=13:00 | checkout=11:00 | content=The largest hotel in Kyoto with over 700 rooms, and the prices to match: starting at &yen;10,000 for singles and &yen;21,000 for doubles. Located immediately south of Kyoto station. If you get a room facing north, you'll be able to see the bullet trains coming in and out of the station, as well as the glass windows from the exterior of the Isetan department store that seem to reflect the sky if the weather conditions are just right. The slightly more expensive south wing opened in 2005. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | name=Japan National Tourism Board: Central Kyoto | alt= | url=http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/kyoto/centralkyoto.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== *[[Kyoto/Arashiyama|Arashiyama]] (Western Kyoto) *[[Kyoto/Higashiyama|Higashiyama]] (Eastern Kyoto) *[[Kyoto/North|North Kyoto]] *[[Kyoto/South|South Kyoto]] *[[Uji]] {{routebox | image1=Tokaido Shinkansen icon.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Osaka/North|Shin Osaka]] | minorl1= | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Nagoya]] | minorr1=[[Maibara]] | image2=JR Tokaido icon.png | imagesize2=100 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Osaka/Kita|Osaka]] | minorl2=[[Suita]] ← [[Ibaraki]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Omihachiman|Omi Hachiman]] | minorr2='''[[Otsu]]''' | image3=JR San-in icon.png | imagesize3=100 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Toyooka]] | minorl3=[[Fukuchiyama]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=END | minorr3= | image4=Number prefix Randen Arashiyama mainline.png | imagesize4=30 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Kyoto/Arashiyama|Arashiyama]] | minorl4=[[Kyoto/Arashiyama|Uzumasa-Kōryūji]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=END | minorr4= | image5=Subway KyotoKarasuma.png | imagesize5=30 | directionl5=N | majorl5=[[Kyoto/North|Kokusaikaikannmae]] | minorl5=[[Kyoto/North|Kitaōji]] | directionr5=S | majorr5=[[Uji|Okubo]] | minorr5=[[Kyoto/South|Takeda]] → into [[File:KintetsuLogo.svg|30px]] | image6=Subway KyotoTozai.png | imagesize6=30 | directionl6=W | majorl6=[[Kyoto/Arashiyama|Uzumasa Tenjingawa]] | minorl6= | directionr6=E | majorr6=[[Uji|Rokujizō]] | minorr6=[[Kyoto/Higashiyama|Yamashina]] | image7=Subway KyotoTozai.png | imagesize7=30 | directionl7=W | majorl7=↑ | minorl7= | directionr7=E | majorr7=[[Otsu|Hamaotsu]] | minorr7=[[Kyoto/Higashiyama|Misasagi]] → into [[File:Number prefix Otsu lines.png|30px]] }} {{geo|34.98715|135.75979}} {{IsPartOf|Kyoto}} {{usabledistrict}} lvfdj752bhn4wrb031gqmt80bfrpzkw 0 19089 4506497 4504752 2022-08-23T02:58:47Z OhanaUnited 76122 /* Work */ add warning wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Laos banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Hermetically sealed during much of the outbreak, Laos reopened to all visitors in May 2022. Proof of vaccination ''or'' a recent negative ART test are required, but quarantine is not. More information: * [https://www.covid19.gov.la/index.php Official site] (in Lao) * [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/coronavirus UK government advice] * [https://la.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ US Embassy updates] |lastedit=2022-05-10}} '''[https://www.tourismlaos.org/ Laos]''' (ເມືອງລາວ ''mư̄ang lāo'') is the only landlocked nation in [[Southeast Asia]]. It was once a [[France|French]] colony and it is one of the few remaining communist states in the world, espousing Marxism-Leninism as its main political ideology. The term "communist state" may have negative connotations in some parts of the world, but you may want to think twice; many Laotians (60-70%) are practicing Buddhists, the Laotian government actively encourages foreign investment in Laos, your words and actions are not heavily regulated and monitored compared to [[North Korea|other parts of the world]], and tourism is encouraged and promoted. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population. There are numerous hill tribes in Laos; many of them are found in the various foothills and mountains of the country and their settlements continue to remain untouched and protected. Almost 150 distinct ethnic groups call Laos home. Although the country is not usually on most travellers' lists, tourism has been on the rise since the 1990s, and the country continues to attract millions of tourists each year. Laotians are known for their hospitality and relaxed attitude to life, and you can expect to be treated with immense respect as a visitor. The country has a lot to offer. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap = Laos Regions Map.png | regionmapsize = 450px | regionmaptext = Map of Laos with regions colour-coded | region1name=[[Northern Laos]] | region1color=#b697b6 | region1items=[[Ban Nalan Trail]], [[Houay Xai]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Ngoi Neua]], [[Muang Long]], [[Muang Ngeun]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Nong Khiaw]], [[Pakbeng]], [[Vieng Phoukha]] | region1description=Hilltribe villages, mountains, and the remarkably charming former capital | region2name=[[Central Laos]] | region2color=#88c391 | region2items=[[Plain of Jars]], [[Paksan]], [[Phonsavan]], [[Tha Khaek]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Vieng Xai]], [[Vientiane]] | region2description=Southeast Asia's sleepiest capital city and rural countryside | region3name=[[Southern Laos]] | region3color=#73a7ce | region3items=[[Champasak]], [[Pakse]], [[Savannakhet]], [[Si Phan Don]] | region3description=The Mekong flatlands, more mountains, and the area least-visited by tourists }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b697b6|title=[[Northern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14206446}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#88c391|title=[[Central Laos]]|wikidata=Q14210500}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#73a7ce|title=[[Southern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14234718}} == Cities == <!-- capital city on top, other cities below in alphabetical order. Maximum of 9 cities. --> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vientiane]]|wikidata=Q9326}} — the still sleepy capital on the banks of the Mekong River * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Huay Xai]]|wikidata=Q717371}} — in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Namtha]]|wikidata=Q660793}} — capital of the north, known for its trekking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Prabang]]|wikidata=Q190165}} — a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Muang Xay]]|wikidata=Q1026957}} — also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multi-ethnic province of Oudomxay * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakbeng]]|wikidata=Q2667457}} — halfway point on the overnight slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakse]]|wikidata=Q383622}} — gateway to the Wat Phu ruins and the "four thousand islands" (Si Phan Don) * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Savannakhet]]|wikidata=Q750443}} — in the south on the Mekong, connected by bridge to Mukdahan in Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tha Khaek]]|wikidata=Q1018701}} — a popular base for exploring Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Ban Nalan Trail]]|wikidata=Q14205117}} — a two-day ecotourism trek in the north of Laos * {{marker|name=[[Bolaven Plateau]]|wikidata=Q891266}} — highland with waterfalls, jungles and farmland * {{marker|name=[[Champasak]]|wikidata=Q334888}} — Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Angkor-style Khmer temples * {{marker|name=[[Nong Khiaw]]|wikidata=Q14227026}} — beautiful karst cliffs where you can discover hilltribe villages, kayak, bike ride or just hang out * {{marker|name=[[Plain of Jars]]|wikidata=Q870258}} — Iron Age cemetery sites near Phonsavan; also one of the main locations to learn about the "Secret War". * {{marker|name=[[Si Phan Don]]|wikidata=Q1319369}} — the "four thousand islands" are nestled within the Mekong near the Cambodian border * {{marker|name=[[Vang Vieng]]|wikidata=Q1012615}} — backpacker hangout for exploring limestone caves and tubing on the Nam Song river * {{marker|name=[[Vieng Xai]]|wikidata=Q2523307}} — remote cultural oasis and symbolic cradle of Marxism; see the caves where the Pathet Lao leaders ran their operations in defiance of the West == Understand == {{quickbar|location=LocationLaos.png}} {{infobox|Lao or Laos?|The people call themselves Lao and the language is Lao, so where did that "s" come from? The answer seems to be a mistranslation from French: somebody read ''royaume des Laos'' ("kingdom of the Lao people") as ''royaume de Laos'' ("kingdom of Laos"), and the name stuck. The official name, however, is '''Lao PDR''' and, should you have any incoming mail, using it will increase the odds of it passing the censors.}} The '''Lao People's Democratic Republic''' (ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ) ('''Lao PDR''') is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the most sparsely populated. Unlike most countries in Asia, the country has not undergone a major industrialisation and modernisation period; as result, lifestyle remains mostly rural and there are no large cities. An adjective often applied to Laos is "forgotten", but contrary to what advertised by travel agencies, it is hard to say this applies to tourism as well: Laos gets only 20% fewer international visitors than the [[Philippines]], which has a population 15 times bigger than that of Laos. Travelers lured by the prospect of visiting an untouched "Shangri-la" are likely to be disappointed; in fact, cities like [[Luang Prabang]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Vang Vieng]] are very tourist-oriented. On the other hand, Laos can be extremely rewarding for those who are instead drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of Laos is the famous "Lao PDR" - ''Lao-Please Don't Rush''. === History === {{seealso|Indochina Wars}} Laos is squeezed between vastly larger neighbors. It was created as an entity in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of '''Lan Xang''' ("Million Elephants"). The kingdom began as a [[Cambodia|Khmer]] vassal state. After a succession dispute, the kingdom split in three in 1694, and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1885. The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam, and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. It was briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, and a three-decade-long conflict was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted full independence in 1953, the war continued between a variety of factions, with the Communist and North Vietnam-allied '''Pathet Lao''' struggling to overthrow the French-aligned monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973), this alliance led the United States to dump 1.9 million tons of bombs on Laos, mostly in the northeast stronghold of the Pathet Lao: as a comparison 2.2 million tonnes were dropped on Europe by all sides during World War II. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six-century-old monarchy. The royal family was arrested and sent to reeducation camps, where most of them died by the 1980s, though some of the royals would escape to France and establish a government-in-exile, where they remain to this day. Closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws and admission into ASEAN in 1997. Due to its landlocked location and difficult terrain, Laos has long been deeply impoverished due to the difficulty of building infrastructure. However, in the 21st century, Laos has developed a close relationship with [[China]], who have invested substantially in infrastructure projects in the country. This improvement in infrastructure has led to tremendous economic growth, with more than 80% of the Lao people now living above the poverty line. Despite being just one hour by air from the hustle and bustle of [[Bangkok]], life in Laos has continued in much the same way it has for hundreds of years, although things are now slowly beginning to change. In the mid-1990s the government reversed its stance on tourism, and then declared 1998 "Visit Laos Year". Since then, tourism in Laos has been rising every year. In 2021, Laos and [[China]] completed the construction of a semi-high-speed rail linking [[Kunming]] to [[Vientiane]], with an extension to [[Bangkok]] already under construction, and talks of extending the line possibly all the way to [[Singapore]]. The rail connection is expected to have a dramatic impact on the country whenever cross-border travel resume; Kunming itself has a population 8 times bigger than Vientiane, and in fact, comparable to the entire population of Laos, while the province of [[Yunnan]] as a whole has a population about 7 times bigger than the population of Laos. It is likely that the face of tourism in the country will drastically change, and the word "forgotten" used to describe Laos will become a forgotten memory itself. === Culture === [[Image:WatThatLuang Landscape.JPG|thumb|400px|Pha That Luang, [[Vientiane]] - the national symbol of Laos]] Despite its small population, Laos has 49 ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three-quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao-Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone-Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung-Loumien language with 2 tribes, and Tibeto-Chinese language represented by 7 tribes. Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of [[Vientiane#See|Pha That Luang]], has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the '''baci''' (also ''baasi'') ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant's body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby, or other significant events. Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive ''phaa sin'', a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic minorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese-style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western-style and only don the ''phaa biang'' sash on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays women often wear Western-style clothing, though the "phaa sin" is still the mandatory attire in government offices, not only for those who work there but also for Lao women who are visiting. === Climate === Laos has three distinct seasons. The '''hot season''' is from Mar-May, when temperatures can soar as high as 40°C and the humidity makes it feel like 50°C. The slightly cooler '''wet season''' is from May-Oct, when temperatures are around 30°C, tropical downpours are frequent (especially Jul-Aug), and some years the Mekong floods. The '''dry season''' from Nov-Mar, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15°C (or even to zero in the mountains at night), is "high season". However, towards the end of the dry season, the northern parts of Laos &mdash; basically everything north of Luang Prabang &mdash; can become very '''hazy''' due to farmers burning fields and fires in the forests. == Get in == [[File:Visa policy of Laos.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Laos, with countries in blue, green and purple having visa-free access; and countries in gold having visa on arrival]] {{VisaRestriction|Entry '''will be refused''' to the following: people who are thought to have "degraded" the country and people who cannot prove that they have the funds to cover their stay. }} ===Visas=== Visas are not required by citizens of: [[Brunei]] and [[Myanmar]] (14 days), [[Japan]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Switzerland]] (15 days), [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mongolia]], [[Philippines]], [[Russia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Korea]], [[Thailand]] and [[Vietnam]] (30 days).<br> The [http://www.mofa.gov.la website of the foreign ministry] does not prove too helpful in obtaining up-to-date visa information. But the [http://www.tourismlaos.org website of Tourism Laos] provides more useful information on this topic. ====Visa on arrival==== A visa on arrival is available to most nationalities entering at the airports in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Savannakhet]]. These land border crossings offer visa on arrival: Boten (China); Houay Xay, Nam Ngeun, Kenthao, Vientiane, Thakhet, Savannakhet, Vangtao (Thailand) which includes all friendship bridges; Ban Leui, Nam Kan, Nam Phao, Dan Savanh (Vietnam); and Veun Kham (Cambodia). One passport photo is required although you may be able to pay a US$1 fee for your passport photo to be scanned upon arrival. As of May 2022, the price is US$40 for all except the following nationalities (the list excludes countries not eligible for visa on arrival and those with a visa exemption for at least 30 days): * China: US$20 * Sweden: US$31 * Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States: US$35 * India, Nepal, Sri Lanka: US$40 * Canada: US$42 Paying in Thai baht (1500 baht ~ US$47 in Jan 2019) is possible too, but the mark-up means that travellers should try to bring U.S. dollars. While Lao kip are usually not accepted for the visa fee, border staff does make exceptions sometimes, however at a bad rate. A US$1 "out of office hours/overtime" surcharge at the Friendship Bridge in [[Vientiane]], and a small possibly 10 baht to US$1 entry stamp fee might also be charged. ====Visa from the embassy==== [[File:Laos entry.JPG|thumb|Entry stamp]] Visas can be obtained in advance from [https://www.visalaos.com/ Lao embassies or consulates]. The fee varies by nationality and by embassy; US$40 is common, although can be as high as US$63 (in Kuala Lumpur). Processing times also vary; 2-3 days is typical, though you may be able to pay an extra small amount (around US$5) to receive the visa in as little as one hour. In [[Phnom Penh]] the travel agencies can arrange the visa the same day (but may charge as much as US$58) while getting it from the embassy takes a few days. Getting a visa from the embassy in Bangkok costs around 1,400 baht for most nationalities, plus 200 baht more for "same day" processing. ''It's cheaper and quicker to get a visa at the border''. ====Visa extension==== Entry permit extensions (sometimes referred to as "visa extensions") are available from the Immigration Department in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]] or [[Tha Khaek]], the Police Station in [[Pakse]], and possibly other cities. Extensions are not possible in Laos' second city, [[Savannakhet]], although you can do a border run from there to Thailand to get a new 30-day visa. The cost is US$2.50 per day plus a small "form fee" ranging between 5,000 kip (Pakse) to 30,000 kip (Vientiane). The process is very easy; turn up in the early morning with your passport and one photo; fill in a form (in Luang Prabang they do this for you) and come back in the afternoon to collect your passport with an extension stamp in it. If you do this in the late morning or later in the day, your passport will be ready the following day. If you want to extend for longer than two weeks and are near the Thai border, it can be more cost effective to nip over the border (entry to Thailand is free for most Western nationalities) and return immediately to get a new 30-day Lao visa since ''a 30-day visa extension costs US$75''. === By plane === [[File:VIENTIANE WATTAY AIRPORT LAOS FEB 2012 (6985451899).jpg|thumb|Vientiane International Airport]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Vientiane International Airport | alt={{IATA|VTE}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=17.988333 | long=102.563333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Wattay International Airport | image=Wattay Intl Airport Vientiane Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q221279 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Luang Prabang International Airport | alt={{IATA|LPQ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.898612 | long=102.1625 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Luang Prabang International Airport | image=LuangPrabangAirportAirside.jpg | wikidata=Q1077327 | content= }} Those two international airports are served by national carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] and a few others, including [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways], [http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways] (Luang Prabang only) and [http://www.vietnamairlines.com Vietnam Airlines]. Some seats on flights of Vietnam Airlines are reserved for Lao Airlines (codesharing/better price). * {{listing | type=go | name=[[Pakse]] International Airport | alt={{IATA|PKZ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=15.133889 | long=105.781944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pakse International Airport | image=Pakxe Airport Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q1432294 | content=The third international airport, with flights from Siem Reap (Vientiane&ndash;Pakse&ndash;Siem Reap by Lao Airlines) and from [[Ho Chi Minh City]]. SilkAir has regular service from Singapore to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. There are also regular round trip flights from Vientiane to Kunming, PDR and Incheon, South Korea on Lao Airlines and other carriers. }} Low-cost carriers [http://www.airasia.com AirAsia] flies to Vientiane from [[Kuala Lumpur]] three times a week, and offers daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang. Another cheap option for getting to Vientiane is to fly to [[Udon Thani]] in [[Thailand]] with discount airlines Nok Air or Air Asia and connect to [[Nong Khai]] and the Friendship Bridge via shuttle service directly from the airport (40 minutes); from here, Vientiane is {{km|17}} away. === By train === ==== From China ==== A new railway line from [[Kunming]], [[China]] to Vientiane opened in December 2021. Passing through [[Pu'er]], [[Jinghong]], [[Mengla]] and crossing the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]], the line serves [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Muang Nga]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Muang Kasi]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Phonhong]] and Vientiane on the Laotian side. Due to the COVID situation, as of December 2021 there are no cross-border passenger services yet. Once operational, the passenger train will be able to run at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, covering the distance from Kunming to Vientiane in 8-10 hours. ==== From Thailand ==== There is a bridge across the Mekong from the Thai town of [[Nong Khai]] to Thanaleng near [[Vientiane]]. There are two shuttle services per direction per day, with one timed to connect to the night trains from [[Bangkok]]. Visa on arrival is available when crossing the border by train. The train is ''not'' a very attractive option because the railway station is in the middle of nowhere, however, there are shuttle buses to take you the rest of the way. An extension of the aforementioned Kunming-Vientiane railway line onward to Bangkok is under construction, which will make the line to Thanaleng obsolete when completed in 2028. === By land === Most '''border crossings open for foreigners''', with an indication where visas on arrival can be issued, are listed on the web site of the [http://www.tourismlaos.org/ National Tourism Administration]. This list is unfortunately incomplete. ====[[Cambodia]]==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Operators for buses going from Cambodia to Southern Laos will ask passengers for (at least) an additional US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee to facilitate the border crossing. Not agreeing to the extra charge and attempting to obtain the visa independently may result in being abandoned at the border; all bus companies are involved since non-cooperation would likely see them being denied to cross and thus hurt their business. See further below for more information.}} Visa on arrival for Laos is available when entering from Cambodia overland, with an official "Visa on Arrival" office incorporated into the checkpoint. The nearest Cambodian town is [[Stung Treng]], and the border is a 60- to 90-minute bus ride away. The border is lightly used, with almost no onward public transport available once you passed through immigration, therefore it may be wise to book transport all the way to [[Ban Nakasang]] or [[Pakse]] depending on your destination. If you're buying a ticket from a destination in Cambodia to one in Laos (the most common being Siem Reap/Phnom Penh to Don Det) and you want the border crossing to be as trouble-free as possible, accept that you will have to pay an additional fee that usually isn't lower than US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee applicable to your nationality, current as of 2019. Not including possible mark-ups for the visa, the charge consists of: * $2 stamp fee on the Lao side * $2 stamp fee on the Cambodian side * $1 assistance fee for the facilitator as he gets the Lao visa and entry stamp for you This is the best case scenario: the "assistance fee" may also be $2 depending on the bus company used, and/or the facilitator will demand a higher total to account for the inflated visa price. While you can decline to use a facilitator, you will nevertheless be asked for the unofficial fees by the immigration officials, as the facilitator merely collects them on their behalf to "speed up the process". '''It is possible to at least circumvent the unofficial fees on the Cambodian side''' – several reports on the net suggest that the Cambodian officials are quick to give in if you refuse to pay the fee; it seems easiest if you can convince them that you simply don't have any dollars left. Little public information exists for the Lao side. The officials may or may not try to overcharge you for the visa on arrival. For Canadians, this can oddly result in paying ''less'' than the official price of US$42. One traveller reported that officials, at least on one occasion, seemed to use US$30 (the official price for most eligible nationalities) as the baseline for passports from Western countries, but then asked a Canadian citizen for US$35 instead. Whatever your nationality, do make sure you know what visa price applies to your passport before you hop on the bus to this border. Furthermore it is unknown whether one can refuse to pay the inflated visa fee (if applicable), the unofficial stamp fee, be successful ''and'' be still able to find onward transport to Ban Nakasang, [[Cambodia#Laos|although this definitely works the other way round]] (coming from Laos, going to Cambodia). Getting held up by not paying will likely see your bus leave without you. For those who want to stand their ground and don't mind possibly having to wait for a few hours in order to beat corruption, there is an option worth trying: Book your transport with any operator to the border only, ideally from Stung Treng with a departure in the morning to have time on your side. Enquire with travel agencies or online to book your ''separate'' onward transport from the border going North, and make sure it only leaves two to three hours after your arrival at the border. Alternatively, if you're feeling the stars are aligned in your favour, you may be able to catch a minivan or tuk-tuk that some travellers use to get independently to the border from the Lao side; it's unlikely to happen after lunchtime though. Another pitfall of the journey to the border is that you will often have four changes of bus (number depending on your origin – some vehicles are small minibuses where passengers have to sit on each other's laps), and hours spent driving to remote guesthouses to pick up backpackers. [https://www.asiavantransfer.com/ Asia Van Transfer] (AVT) was set up by a foreign expat and has built a good reputation for not letting passengers wait unnecessarily, not letting them change vehicles and also not overbooking seats, but this means they're also a bit pricier; also, they cannot drive into Laos. If your luggage has been sent in a bus you are not on, because of "lack of space", it will sometimes disappear. The "King of Bus Company" is known to do this. ====[[China]]==== The land crossing between [[Mengla]] (Yunnan) and [[Boten]] (Laos) is open to foreigners and visa on arrival is possible or you can get in advance at the Lao consulate in [[Kunming]]. Daily bus service operates from Mengla to [[Luang Namtha]] and [[Udomxai]]. Buses from Mengla to Luang Namtha leave from the North bus station. The first bus leaves around 08:00 and costs about ¥40. Generally speaking, it is not possible for independent travellers to cross from China to Laos via the Mekong River, not least because there's a chunk of Myanmar in the middle and the Lao checkpoint at [[Xieng Kok]] does not issue visas on arrival. Travel agents in China, including [http://www.chinadam.com Panda Travel], run irregular cruises from [[Jinghong]] (China) via [[Chiang Saen]] (Thailand) to [[Huay Xai]] (Laos), but schedules are erratic and prices expensive. ====[[Myanmar]]==== The Myanmar-Lao friendship bridge connects [[Shan State]] in Myanmar with [[Luang Namtha|Luang Namtha Province]] in Laos. ====[[Thailand]]==== There are eight border crossings open to all between Thailand and Laos. From north to south: [[File:Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.JPG|thumb|The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]] * [[Huay Xai]]/[[Chiang Khong]]: Using the fourth Friendship Bridge is the usual overland route to Luang Prabang, easy bus connections to [[Chiang Rai]] and points beyond on the Thai side. * [[Ban Pangmon]]/[[Ban Huak]]: Located on a remote mountainous road. If you want to travel overland from [[Chiang Mai]] to [[Hanoi]] overland via Laos, this is one possible route. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Muang Ngeun]]/[[Huay Kon]]: Visa on arrival. 40 km from [[Pak Beng]]. * [[Nam Hueng]]/[[Tha Li]]: Easily reached via [[Loei]] on the Thai side, but 378 km of dirt road away from [[Luang Prabang]]. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Vientiane]]/[[Nong Khai]]: The first Friendship Bridge and the busiest of crossing of them all. Direct trains from Bangkok now available. * [[Paksan]]/[[Bueng Kan]]: '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Tha Khaek]]/[[Nakhon Phanom]]: The third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Savannakhet]]/[[Mukdahan]]: The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Vang Tao]]/[[Chong Mek]]: On the route from [[Pakse]] to [[Ubon Ratchathani]]. ====[[Vietnam]]==== There are at least six border crossings that can be used by foreigners. These include: * Donsavanh - Lao Bao - to Savannakhet * Keo Nua Pass * Lak Sao - to Khammouan Province * Nam Can - to [[Plain of Jars]] * Na Meo - to [[Sam Neua]] * Tay Trang - to Muang Khua and [[Nong Khiaw]] (close to [[Dien Bien Phu]], the site of a famous battle where the French were defeated by Vietnamese independence fighters) * Bo Y (nearest town on Vietnamese side being Ngoc Hoi and on Lao side Attapeu) ====By motorbike from Vietnam==== The border crossing on a Vietnamese motorbike at Tay Trang is very easy and straightforward. You arrive after going over some hills at the Vietnamese border where very friendly guys handle your case easily and with no hassle. You fill out the form for "temporary export of a vehicle", show them the Vietnamese registration card for the bike (which is usually in the owners name) and pay US$10. Then you proceed to the police, show the papers to them and get the exit stamp. You then have to drive for 6 km over the mountains to get to the Lao checkpoint. There some not-so-friendly border guards there who expect you to pay 5,000 kip for general fees and 25,000 kip for importing a vehicle. They fill out the form themselves. == Get around == Travel within Laos has historically been slow, often painful and sometimes dangerous, but the 2021 opening of a railway spanning the northern half of the country and the ongoing construction of a parallel expressway is set to shake things up. Nevertheless, if travelling off the beaten track, allow plenty of leeway in your schedule for the near-inevitable delays, cancellations and breakdowns. === By plane === [[File:Lao Airlines ATR 72-212A; RDPL-34175@BKK;30.07.2011 613cx (6041831739).jpg|thumb|A Lao Airlines ATR 72 aircraft]] State carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] has a near-monopoly on domestic flights. They managed a 13-year accident-free streak until an October 2013 crash near Pakse resulted in 49 fatalities, the country’s deadliest air disaster. The fairly comprehensive network is by far the fastest and, relatively speaking, the safest way of reaching many parts of the country, although the new train line (see below) now offers some real competition. As of 2013, the popular [[Vientiane]]-[[Luang Prabang]] route costs about US$101 (one-way full fare for foreigners), but covers in 40 minutes what would take you at least ten to twelve hours by bus (but only two hours by train - see below). Several planes a day. Tickets can be bought on-line or at any travel agency. Flights to more remote destinations are flown on the Xian MA60, a Chinese copy of the Soviet An-24, and are frequently cancelled without warning if the weather is bad or not enough passengers show up. Lao Airlines also flies 14-passenger Cessnas from Vientiane to [[Phongsali]], [[Sam Neua]] and [[Sainyabuli]] (''Xayabouly'') several times a week. These airfields are all rudimentary and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat if weather is less than perfect. ===By train=== [[File:2021-12-03_China-Laos-Eisenbahn.jpg|thumb|EMU high-speed train at Vang Vieng station]] The first railway in Laos, a Chinese-built line crossing the northern half of the country from the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]] via [[Muang Xay]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Vientiane]] opened in December 2021. Both electric/high-speed (EMU) and ordinary trains operate, with the EMU services at up to 160 km/h per hour, making this by far the most comfortable way to travel. As of 2022, there is one high-speed "C" train and one normal "K" train per daily running the length of the line, with one additional high-speed service to Luang Prabang only. Sample travel times and fares in kip: {| ! From !! To !! Travel time !! EMU<br/>1st class !! EMU</br>2nd class !! Ordinary |- | Vientiane || Vang Vieng || 1 hour || 86,000 || 56,000 || 40,000 |- | Vientiane || Luang Prabang || 2 hours || 313,000 || 198,000 || 140,000 |- | Vientiane || Boten || 3.5 hours || 529,000 || 333,000 || 238,000 |} The railway is very popular, and demand always exceeds capacity. The easiest way to buy tickets is to go through a travel agency, who will handle all the paperwork for a service charge of around $4/ticket. [https://discoverlaos.today/promotion/train-ticketing Discover Laos] has a good reputation and can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. If you wish to try your luck, a new ticket office opened in Vientiane Center on February 2022, where you can purchase tickets for trains up to 3 days in advance. As of February 2022, only tickets to Boten, Muang Xai and Luang Prabang can be bought at the Vientiane Center office, while tickets for all other destinations can only be bought at the station. The Vientiane Center office also does not accept cash payments, and payments can only be made using a UnionPay credit card, Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay or Alipay, or the OnePay mobile payment platform of local Lao bank BCEL. Despite all this hassle, you may still end up empty-handed, as scalpers frequently buy up all the tickets. If you're in a pinch, try your luck at the train station, as unsold same day tickets may reappear in the inventory. === By road === {{infobox|VIP, minibus or car?|Minibuses are quicker and more expensive, however that doesn't mean they are necessarily better. A typical '''VIP Bus''' is just an old bus by Western standards (generally retired Chinese tour buses), and may be more prone to breakdowns, but they usually have more leg room which can make a long journey much more comfortable. VIP buses also include a bottle of water, a snack, and a stop for lunch/dinner. Both types are usually air conditioned (though it doesn't always work). Even more expensive, but certainly the most convenient, is a rented car with driver. A car with a driver will cost around US$95 per day. Some can even drive over the border to Thailand, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The cars can be arranged at tour agencies, tourist hotels and car rental companies. The cars are new, so they're reliable. They have the bonus of your being able to stop the car at any time for photos, nosing around a village or just stretching your legs.}} The main routes connecting [[Vientiane]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Savannakhet]] are sealed, and the transport options on these roads include bus, minibus, and converted truck. The first expressway in Laos now connects Vientiane to Vang Vieng and is slowly being extended north towards Luang Prabang, but the full length to the Chinese border will not be ready until the 2030s. A good source of bus timetables, including some basic town maps, can be found at [http://hobomaps.com/ hobomaps.com] Some common routes through Laos include: * [[Vientiane]] to [[Vang Vieng]] – now connected by a direct 113&nbsp;km expressway, less than 1.5 hours by direct VIP bus * [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Luang Prabang]] – amazing scenery through the mountains, at the cost of a long 8-hour trip full of curves. * [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Phonsavan]] - minibus: a cramped 7-hour trip, so arrive early to get good seats as near the front as possible; beautiful views so secure a window seat if possible. Bus is 8 hours. * [[Phonsavan]] to [[Sam Neua]] - converted pickup truck: beautiful views but lots of hills and bends, hence possible nausea * [[Sam Neua]] to [[Muang Ngoi]] - minivan: a 12-hour trip along a horrible road; good views and a necessary evil, but fun if you're prepared to get a few knocks and talk to some Lao people who are, after all, in the same boat * [[Muang Ngoi]] to [[Luang Namtha]] - Minivan: 10-hour trip (Oudomxay); OK road, much travelled by backpackers * [[Luang Namtha]] to [[Huay Xai]] - once a muddy nightmare, now rebuilt and one of the best roads in Laos, 3-4 hours * [[Paksan]] to [[Phonsavan]] - there is a new road between Borikham and Tha Thom. In Tha Thom there is a guesthouse with 8 rooms. The forest between Borikham and Tha Thom is still in a very good condition, but it's a dirt road. Since most of the forest in Laos has gone this is one of the last roads surrounded by primary forest. There are substantial road works being undertaken by the Vietnamese between Paksan and Phonsavan and there can be some fairly long delays along the way. Even though the trip is only a couple of hundred kilometres it can take 16-20 hr to traverse this section. [[Image:Vientiane Jumbo.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Jumbo in [[Vientiane]]]] Local transport (less than 20 km) in Laos consists of tuk-tuks, jumbos, and sky labs, motorised three or four wheelers. A jumbo should cost no more than 20,000 kip for short journeys of 1-5 km. The main ride-hailing app is '''[https://loca.la/ LOCA]'''. You can pay by cash or use a credit card to pay through the app. You can now also travel the entire length of the country using a fully guided "hop on hop off" bus service provided by [http://www.straytravel.asia/ Stray Travel]. This is the only guided hop on hop off bus in Southeast Asia. '''Women''' should be aware that often during lengthy bus or minibus trips there is no opportunity to go to the toilet during breaks, so it may be advisable to wear a wide skirt. ==== By songthaew ==== A '''songthaew''' (ສອງແຖວ) is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side &mdash; hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards. Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses, and generally are the most economical way to travel shorter distances. There also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price before embarking. ==== By tuk-tuk/jumbo ==== The names '''tuk-tuk''' and '''jumbo''' are used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built, others are partially based on motorcycle components. A tuk-tuk organisation in Vientiane controls the prices that tourists are expected to pay for point to point destinations. The rates are negotiable, and you should agree on the price prior to getting on the tuk tuk. The current rates can be found here: [http://spotonlaos.com/place/tuktuk/ Tuk Tuk Prices in Vientiane] ==== By motorbike ==== Motorbike travel in Laos is not without risks but the rewards of truly independent travel are great. There are several rental shops in Vientiane, [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Tha Khaek]], but bike rentals in other parts of the country may be scarce. The quality of machines varies from shop to shop so you need to fully inspect it before you head out on the road. There are many good roads and many paved ones and touring Laos is done easily. There are a variety of bikes available in Laos, depending on which town and rental shop you go to. Some available include the Honda Baja or XR 250 dual-purpose bikes, Ko Lao 110 cc and the usual Honda Win/Dream 110 ccs. Helmets are not only mandatory in the country but a valuable item in a place where traffic rules are made up by the minute. Police have been cracking down on people who do not have a motorcycle licence, so expect to pay a fine if caught without one. Petrol costs 9,000 kip/L (diesel 8,000 kip/L) as of Mar 2020. ==== By bicycle ==== Cycling is a great option with quiet roads. Laos offers wonderful remote areas to discover, little traveled roads, friendly people and even some companies providing cycling tours with the help of professional guides all over the country. The more time people seem to spend in Laos the more they seem to like the quiet travel mood and the opportunity to actually be in contact with the people along the way. Good maps are available about the roads in Laos and all major routes are with good roads. In normal distances you find simple guest houses and in all major towns better choices and restaurant. Food is not a problem as long as you remember to carry some stuff with you. Tropical fruits and noodle soup are the standards. There are a number of local operators running a wide selection of guided mountain biking tours through Laos. If you travel on your own, there are very few proper bike shops outside of Vientiane. but also for bikes with 28-inch wheels you might have a hard time. Bring your equipment with you and make sure you get contact details from a supplier, perhaps in Thailand. === By boat === Boats along the Mekong and its tributaries are useful shortcuts for the horrible roads, although as the road network improves river services are slowly drying up, and many of the remaining services only run in the wet season, when the Mekong floods and becomes more navigable. [[Huay Xai]] on the border with [[Thailand]] to [[Luang Prabang]] and travel south of [[Pakse]] are the main routes still in use. There are so-called ''slow boats'' and '''speedboats''' - the latter being tiny lightweight craft equipped with powerful motors that literally skid across the water at high speeds. ==== By slow boat ==== Many people go from Chiang Khong in [[Thailand]] via the border town of Houai Xai down the Mekong to the marvelous city of [[Luang Prabang]]. The ride takes two days and is very scenic. Apart from that, it is a floating backpacker ghetto with no (good) food sold, cramped, and hot. By the second day, the novelty has worn off. Recommended to bring a good (long) read, something soft for the wooden benches and patience. Slow boats generally stop in the village of [[Pakbeng]] for the night. Some boat packages will include accommodation, although this is usually at an inflated rate. By arranging a hotel in the town, it is easy to get a lower price. Most shops in Pakbeng shut down at about 22:00, so expect to get a good sleep before the second day's boat ride. This is also a good place to stock up on supplies. The boats have considerably improved. They now have soft used car seats, and serve pre-fab food, which is not great, but certainly sufficient. ==== By speedboat ==== [[File:Bootsfahrt auf dem Nam Ou Fluss.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|Speedboat barreling down the Nam Ou river]] An attractive choice for some, with a 6-hour ride from [[Huay Xai]] to [[Luang Prabang]], as compared to the two-day trip on the slow boat, but not for the faint of heart. Expect to be crammed into a modified canoe made for 4, with 10 other people, along with all the luggage somehow packed in. Expect to sit on the floor of the canoe, as there are no seats, with your knees against your chin for the full 6 hours. Expect an incredibly loud engine inches behind your head. Expect the engine to break a few times, and stops for delays to fix it. That being said, when this ride finally ends, if you make it with no trouble, you will never be happier to get to Luang Prabang. Stories of small, overloaded speedboats sinking or hitting driftwood are common, but if you are a good swimmer, take comfort in the fact that you can see both shores throughout the entire trip. So, as you see, choosing between the slow boat and the speedboat is a hard call, based mostly upon your comfort level; would you prefer a slow unpleasant trip, or a much faster, but more dangerous unpleasant trip. Either way, the scenery along the way is gorgeous and unexploited, and Luang Prabang is an incredible city, worth a thousand of these journeys. Though helpful in saving time, speedboats are not without danger: built to carry 8 passengers, they are often overloaded; the engine noise is well above a healthy level, which could be a serious hazard to your ears, especially if you are on the boat for a long time. It also causes considerable noise pollution, scaring wildlife and spoiling the peaceful river life. Fatalities resulting from capsize due to incautious maneuvering, or hitting floating logs or hidden rocks, have been reported but some claim and are exaggerated by competing slow boat owners. However, the vast majority of speedboat users have no serious problems. If you are taller than the average Laotian are a bit claustrophobic and/or have inflexible leg muscles you are guaranteed an extremely uncomfortable experience for several endless hours. Suggestions for those who decide to take the risk: * get one of the front seats as they allow you to stretch your legs and are far from the noisy motor * wear helmets and life jackets; reconsider your journey if these are not provided * bring a coat in the cold season, the strong wind can make you feel cold even at temperatures of 25 °C. * bring earplugs * protect water-sensitive equipment as you might get wet. == Talk == [[Image:WatThatLuang Sign.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Lao script]] {{seealso|Lao phrasebook}} The official language of Laos is '''[[Lao phrasebook|Lao]]''' (ພາສາລາວ ''pháa-sǎa láo''), a tonal language closely related to [[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]. The Thai dialect spoken in the northeastern [[Isaan]] region of Thailand, historically a part of greater Laos, is in fact identical to Lao. '''[[French phrasebook|French]]''', a legacy of the colonial days, is spoken by the elderly and is taught in schools in Laos, but its use is gradually being supplanted by English. French is often used in government and commerce, and French is often used to transliterate Lao words. '''English''' is gradually becoming popular, but proficiency in the language is generally poor. Try to speak slowly and carefully so that people can understand you. In some tourist areas, you can expect to come across school children who are eager to practice their English skills with you. They may, after a conversation, ask you to sign a form or pose for a photo with you as proof that this conversation took place. '''[[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]''' is widely understood by Laotians, largely because Thai media is popular in the country. If you are a speaker of [[Thai]], you should have no problems getting around independently and picking up the language easily. There are two main ways to turn the Lao script into the Latin alphabet: either '''French-style''' spellings like ''Houeisay'', or '''English-style''' spellings like ''Huay Xai''. While government documents seem to prefer the French style, the English spellings are becoming more common. The latter is used on Wikivoyage. Two quick pronunciation tips: [[Vientiane]] is actually pronounced "Wiang Chan", and the letter ''x'' is ''always'' read as an "s". Like in neighboring [[Thailand]], local pronunciation of the English word "twenty" often causes confusion by sounding a lot like "seventy". ==See== Unlike neighboring [[Thailand]] or [[Vietnam]], Laos never underwent a massive economic development, neither during colonisation nor even after the liberalisation of the Communist economy. As result, one key attraction of Laos is that most of the country, including the capital [[Vientiane]], retains a relaxed, laid back feel with minimal presence of modern architecture or international brands and food chains. How much longer this will last is open to much speculation, but meanwhile, it makes it a truly special and unique country to visit. ===Natural attractions=== [[Image:Sea of Clouds Ody.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The mountains of Oudomxay Province in Northern Laos]] The term wilderness is much misused, but it can truly be applied to much of Laos. The mighty Mekong river and its tributaries together create perhaps the single most important geographic feature of the country. Its meandering path in [[Northern Laos|the North]] has created some of the most stunning limestone karsts anywhere on earth. The backpacker-central town of [[Vang Vieng]] is a commonly used base for exploring the karsts. Further north, the terrain becomes more hilly, and the jungle less explored. [[Luang Namtha]] is the far-northern town which makes the best base for those visitors who really want to see the truly remote Lao wilderness, and directly experience the lifestyles of the various hill tribes in this region. In direct contrast to Northern Laos, the Mekong delta lowlands in [[Southern Laos|the South]] are perfectly flat. [[Si Phan Don]] (''four thousand islands'') is a great base for experiencing what is surely the most chilled and relaxed region anywhere in Asia. Experiencing local village life, taking it all in and doing absolutely nothing should be the aim here. There are though some wonderful river-based sights, including the largest falls anywhere in Southeast Asia. If you are lucky you might get a close-up view of a Mekong pink dolphin. ===Cultural attractions=== [[Image:WatSen.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Wat Sen at [[Luang Prabang]]]] In this most Buddhist of nations, it is no surprise that temples are a key attraction. In the capital city of [[Vientiane]], the three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. There are numerous other beautiful temples which on their own make a stay in the capital city vital for any visitor to Laos. The ''whole'' of the ancient capital of [[Luang Prabang]] is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Befitting that status, it is a unique city. Beautifully preserved gilded temples with their attendant orange-robed monks mold almost seamlessly with traditional wooden Lao houses and grand properties from the French colonial era. Spotlessly clean streets with a thriving café culture on the banks of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, complete the picture of a city which is almost too pleasant to be true. [[Image:PlainOfJarsView.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The [[Plain of Jars]] near [[Phonsavan]]]] The [[Plain of Jars]] is a megalithic archaeological landscape dating from the Iron Age. Thousands of stone jars are scattered over a large area of the low foothills near [[Phonsavan]]. The main archaeological theory is that the jars formed part of Iron Age burial rituals in the area, but this is by no means proven, and a great deal of mystery remains. The area suffered tragic damage from American bombing during the Secret War of the 1960s, and much UXO remains uncleared. When that process is complete it is very likely this will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wat Phu is a ruined Hindu Khmer temple complex in [[Champasak]] province. It dates from the 12th century and visitors who have been to [[Angkor Wat]] will notice the similarities. [[Image:WatPhouwholesite.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Wat Phu, [[Champasak]]]] ===Recent history=== The town of [[Vieng Xai]] provides a striking insight in the recent history of not only Laos, but the whole of Indochina. In 1964, the US began intensive bombing of the Lao communist movement – Pathet Lao – bases in Xieng Khouang. Under much bombardment, the Pathet Lao moved east to Vieng Xai and established their headquarters in the limestone karst cave networks around the town. A whole 'Hidden City' was established which supported around 20,000 people. During nine years of almost constant American bombing, the Pathet Lao sheltered in these caves, and lived in a largely subterranean environment. Schools, hospitals and markets as well as government ministries, a radio station, a theatre and military barracks were all hidden in the caves. After the 1973 ceasefire, Vieng Xai briefly became the capital of Laos, before that function was moved to Vientiane in 1975. There are formal daily tours of the caves, as well as other evidence of that era in the town. == Do == * {{do | name=Herbal Sauna | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-11-14| content=One Laotian experience definitely worth trying is the herbal sauna. Often run by temples, these are simple-looking affairs, often just a rickety bamboo shack with a stove and a pipe of water on one side, usually open only in the evenings. The procedure for a visit is usually:<br />Enter and pay first. The going rate is around 10,000 kip, plus around 40,000 kip if you want a massage afterward.<br />Go to the changing room, take off your clothes and wrap yourself up in a sarong which is usually provided.<br />Keeping yourself modestly sarong-clad, head over to the shower or water bucket in one corner and wash up.<br />Plunge into the sauna room itself. It will be dark, hot and steamy inside, with intense herbal scents of lemongrass and whatever the sauna master is cooking up that day, and you will soon start to sweat profusely.<br />When you've had your fill, head outside, sip on a little weak tea and marvel at how the tropical heat of the day now feels cool and refreshing.<br />Repeat at will. }} * {{do | name=Hiking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hiking in mountainous [[Northern Laos]] is popular, and this often includes homestays in minority tribe villages. The main hub for this is [[Luang Namtha]] where the two day [[Ban Nalan Trail]] is especially notable. The route goes through the Nam Ha National Protected Area, and involves staying in Khmu villages. Other hiking hubs include [[Oudomxay]], south of Luang Namtha, and [[Pakse]] in southern Laos. }} * {{do | name=Kayaking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Can be arranged in a wide number of locations. The ambitious traveller could kayak the Mekong between [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. }} * {{do | name=Rock Climbing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The limestone karst formations in [[Northern Laos]] are ideal for rock climbing. [[Vang Vieng]] is the main rock-climbing centre but climbs are also possible further north at [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} * {{do | name=Tubing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Floating down the river on a large inflatable tube is one of the attractions of the SE Asia backpacker circuit. The hugely popular stretch of the Nam Song at [[Vang Vieng]] is lined with bars that lure you and your tube in with ziplines, water slides, loud music, buckets of terrible local whiskey, and unlimited Beerlao. After numerous tourist deaths, crackdowns on Vang Vieng tubing were announced in Aug 2012. Since then, many river bars have been closed down along with their flying foxes and rope swings. Tubing is still possible, but it's now a lot quieter. Whether this is a long or short-term result is still to be seen. Tubing can also be found in other locations around Laos including [[Si Phan Don]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} == Buy == ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Lao kip | currencyCodeAfter=&nbsp;kip | date=March 2022 | USD=11,000 | EUR=12,000 | GBP=15,000 | AUD=8,000 | CNY=1,800 | THB=334 | VND=5036 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/lak-lao-or-laotian-kip XE.com]}}The Lao currency is the '''kip''', demoted by the symbol "'''₭'''" (ISO code: '''LAK'''). Wikivoyage articles will use ''kip'' to denote the currency. Kip is convertible at banks in neighboring countries. It is possible to exchange to and from kip at Vientiane airport (opens at 09:00) and there is a Lao bank that exchanges at the Nong Khai-Vientiane land border (straight and right of the Visa on Arrival desk). The largest note is 100,000 kip and rather uncommon (although you may get some from the ATM). Notes in common circulation are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kip. Withdrawing the maximum of 1,000,000 kip from an ATM could result in 20 50,000-kip notes. This makes carrying large quantities of kip quite inconvenient. ====Foreign currencies==== Although less common than in the past, US dollars will sometimes be accepted, although usually at about 5–10% less than the official rate. Thai baht may be accepted in many areas near the border, notably Vientiane. In remote places, only kip is accepted and no ATMs will be available, so plan ahead. More touristy places and banks also accept the euro. So if you're from one of the euro countries, bring some just in case. This could be cheaper than changing your euros into baht or US dollars and then into kip. ====ATMs==== There are many ATMs in Vientiane, and they have also appeared in other major cities including Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet, Tha Khaek, Pakse and Luang Namtha. [http://www.bcellaos.com/ BCEL], the largest bank, accepts Visa/Cirrus and MasterCard/Maestro, but surcharges of 20,000 kip (Mar 2020) often apply. However, BCEL ATMs allow you to withdraw up to 1.5 million kip at once. Expats living in Vientiane routinely get cash from ATMs in Nong Khai or Udon Thani in Thailand, where the maximum per transaction is mostly 20,000 baht, or ten times what you'll get in Laos. ====Cash advance==== Many banks, travel agents and guest houses will allow you to take out cash from a credit card as a cash advance. This usually occurs by withdrawing the money in US dollars from the card as a cash advance; the card issuer will usually charge a fee (about 3%), the Lao bank involved will charge about 3%, and then the agent providing the cash advance might or might not charge another 3%, and then the amount is converted from US dollars to kip at an unfavourable rate, costing another 5% or so. Thus, these transactions are much more expensive than the typical charge for withdrawing cash from ATMs in other countries. Getting a cash advance in US dollars and changing it to kip might save money compared to bringing euros with you to Laos. ====Cash==== The use of ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, holidays, etc. A few visitors have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to continue their travels. Always bring some cash. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns. ====Money exchange==== Banks give good rates, and private exchange booths are common in the major tourist areas. However, euros get pretty bad rates compared to US dollars when exchanged in Laos. ===Shopping hours=== Many shops start an hour's lunch break at noon, and some maintain the (now abolished) official French two-hour break. Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, except restaurants and many shops. === Costs === Prices tend to be lower in Laos than in neighboring countries, though standards might be lower as well. Prices are lower in smaller towns and villages than in tourist centers like [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. A budget of US$40 a day is a good rule of thumb, though it's possible to get by on far less. Excluding transport costs, living on US$15/day isn't difficult. A basic room with shared bath can be as little as US$6 in [[Vang Vieng]] or as much as US$10-15 in [[Vientiane]] or [[Luang Prabang]]. Meals are usually under US$5 for even the most elaborate Lao, Thai or Vietnamese dishes (Western food is more expensive), and plain local dishes cost US$2-3. A local bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng costs US$5; a VIP bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang costs 160,000 kip; the slow boat from [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Huay Xai]] costs US$25. Unlike in Thailand, access to temples in Luang Prabang is not free, but typically costs 10,000 kip. In Vientiane only the more famous temples charge an entry fee. For some products Laos is more expensive than Thailand and Cambodia as most goods, petrol, and food is imported from Thailand and Vietnam, and because most people have the bad habit (especially tuk-tuk drivers) of considering US$1 as 10,000 kip, where in fact it's about 9,000 kip. Remember this in bargaining with tuk-tuk drivers and when shopping in markets. Outside of tourist centres, rooms can be found for US$2.50, and even at Si Phan Don for US$5/night. Large noodle soups are around US$2, and a typical price for large bottles of Beerlao is 10,000 kip. ===What to buy=== Typical Lao dresses in cheap machine-made fabric can be made to order. Expect to pay around US$5 for the fabric and US$2 for labour. Handmade Lao silk is one of the most attractive things to buy. The talat sao (Morning Market) in Vientiane has dozens of small shops selling 100% handmade silk scarves or wall hangings from US$5 upwards depending on quality, intricacy of design and size. Beware cheap synthetic fabrics sold as silk imported from China and Vietnam. Be careful also of "antique silk" as there is very little available, but new fabric can be made to look old and worn. Still attractive, but don't pay more than US$30-50. In markets, always bargain: it is expected, but keep smiling. == Eat == [[Image:LaoFood StickyRicePapayaSalad.JPG|thumb|Clockwise from top right: ''Tam maak hung'' papaya salad, sticky rice in a ''tip khao'' basket and fresh lettuce leaves]] [[Image:LaoFood LarbNeua.JPG|thumb|Minty, chilli-laden goodness: ''laap neua'' beef salad]] Lao food is very similar to that eaten in the northeastern [[Isaan#Eat|Isaan]] region of Thailand: very spicy, more often bitter than sweet, and using lots of fresh herbs and vegetables served raw. Some of the raw vegetables can be used to cool your mouth when the chilis are overwhelming. Rice is the staple carbohydrate. The standard kind is '''sticky rice''' (ເຂົ້າໜຽວ ''khao niaow''), eaten by hand from small baskets called ''tip khao''. Using your right hand, never your left, pinch off a bit, roll into a ball, dip and munch away. The national dish is '''''laap''''' (ລາບ, also ''larb''), a "salad" of minced meat mixed with herbs, spices, lime juice and, more often than not, blistering amounts of chili. Unlike Thai ''larb'', the Lao version can use raw meat (''dip'') instead of cooked meat (''suk''), and if prepared with seafood makes a tasty, if spicy, carpaccio. Another Lao invention is '''''tam maak hung''''' (ຕໍາຫມາກຫຸ່ງ), the spicy green papaya salad known as ''som tam'' in Thailand, but which the Lao like to dress with fermented crab (ປູດອງ ''pudem'') and a chunky, intense fish sauce called '''''pa daek''''' (ປາແດກ), resulting in a stronger flavour than the milder, sweeter Thai style. Other popular dishes include ''ping kai'', spicy grilled chicken, and ''mok pa'', fish steamed in a banana leaf. Laos also boasts a range of local desserts. '''Kanom kok''' is a small, spherical pudding made from coconut milk, tapioca and ground rice. '''Sang kaya mayru''' is a pumpkin filled with a sweet custard and then steamed. The pumpkin itself is also sweet, and the resulting mixture can be quite delicious. Sticky rice with mango or durian is also a popular snack. In addition to purely Lao food, culinary imports from other countries are common. ''Khao jii pat-te'', French baguettes stuffed with pâté, and ''foe'' (pho) noodles from China are both ubiquitous snacks particularly popular at breakfast. ''Foe'' can refer to thin rice noodles (Vietnamese pho), and to the wide flat noodles that would be called ''guay tiow'' in Thailand. == Drink == [[Image:Mekong BeerGarden.JPG|thumb|Sunset and Beerlao by the Mekong, [[Vientiane]]]] The national drink of Laos is the ubiquitous and tasty '''Beerlao''', made with Laotian jasmine rice and one of the few Lao exports. It maintains an almost mythical status among travellers and beer aficionados. The yellow logo with its tiger-head silhouette can be seen everywhere, and a large 640 ml bottle shouldn't cost more than 10,000 to 15,000 kip in restaurants. It's available in three versions: original (5%), dark (6.5%) and light (2.9%). The brewery claims they have 99% market share. Rice spirit, known as '''lao-lao''', is everywhere and at less than US$0.30 per 750 ml bottle is the cheapest way to get drunk. Beware, as quality and distilling standards vary wildly. Lao '''coffee''' (''kaafeh'') is recognised to be of very high quality. It's grown on the Bolaven Plateau in the south; the best brand is ''Lao Mountain Coffee''. Unlike Thai coffees, Lao coffee is not flavoured with ground tamarind seed. To make sure you aren't fed overpriced Nescafé instead, be sure to ask for ''kaafeh thung''. By default in lower end establishments, ''kaafeh lao'' comes with sugar and condensed milk; black coffee is ''kaafeh dam'', coffee with milk (but often non-dairy creamer) is ''kaafeh nom''. Fresh '''coconut juice''' is delicious, and '''soymilk''' at convenience stores is surprisingly tasty, nutritious, and inexpensive. There is not much nightlife outside of Vientiane and Vang Vieng. To have a beer in some places, simply visit a restaurant. However, some areas may be so laid-back that they will expect you to keep track of what you have drunk, with the odd guest house asking how much you have drunk during your stay upon check out. == Sleep == Accommodation options outside the Mekong Valley's main tourist spots are limited to basic hotels and guesthouses, but there are many budget and mid-priced hotels and guesthouses and quite a few fancy hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Pakse has the Champasak Palace. == Work == {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud and illegal remote gambling are rampant in Laos. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Cambodia on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Cambodia organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''''illegal organ transplantation'''''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are also targeted. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapons to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Local authorities and the police in Cambodia may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from uninvolved higher authorities or your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Cambodia. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-19 }} Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour). One of the most interesting ways to get to know a country, and which has become increasingly popular, is to '''volunteer'''. ==Stay safe== {{Warningbox|There are 78 million unexploded bombs and grenades in Laos as a result of bombing by the USA during the Laotian Civil War and Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s. Do not touch any loose metal items and be particularly careful in areas that were controlled by North Vietnam during the war. |lastedit=}} Laos in general is a safe country, in part because crime is punished to a significant extent by the government. This said, petty crime remains a concern. === Corruption === {{see also|Corruption and bribery}} Corruption is a huge problem in Laos. According to Transparency International, Laos is the second most corrupt country in [[South East Asia]]. Given how the police earn very low salaries, it's not uncommon for them to routinely target, harass, or intimidate people for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to them. Should you be stopped for any reason, '''do not argue or fight back, even if you've not done anything wrong'''; simply pay the bribe and be on your way. === Authorities === '''The police are woefully ineffective'''. Their response to crimes is severely limited by bureaucracy, inadequate training, corruption, and a lackluster justice system. If you're the victim of a crime, it's not unheard of to not be taken seriously by the authorities. In addition, expect little to no help if you're not fluent in [[Lao]]. In accordance with the law, you are required to have an identification document on you at all times, and the police have the legal right to ask you for it. If they ask you for it, just give it to them. Failing to produce an identity document on request will result in a heavy fine. As obvious as it may sound, always behave respectfully to law enforcement authorities, even if they happen to be highly corrupt. === Relationships with Laotian nationals === True to its nature as a communist country, the Laotian government dictates how foreigners should interact with the locals. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of Laotian nationals without permission from the government. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of their family members without permission from the government. * Sexual contact and cohabitation between a Lao national and a foreigner is '''illegal''' unless they are married. * Foreigners are not allowed to invite someone of the opposite sex to their hotel room. * '''Adultery is illegal in Laos'''. It is punishable by up to '''a year of imprisonment''' and a fine. If you've been accused of adultery, know that you and your partner will be prosecuted. * If you are thinking about getting serious (i.e. marriage or engagement) with a Laotian citizen, you are required to submit a formal application to the authorities. Not doing so can result in heavy penalties. If you have married a Laotian national outside of Laos, you must have your marriage certificate authenticated at a Laotian embassy before travelling to Laos. === LGBT travellers === '''Homosexuality''' is legal in Laos. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples may be tolerated in large cities like [[Vientiane]], but in smaller towns, homosexuality remains taboo, especially among the Hmong people. === Illegal substances === {{Warningbox|The Lao PDR penal code '''penalises illegal substances severely'''. Depending on the circumstances, you can expect to face lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, or at worst, execution. |uk = https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/safety-and-security |us = https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Laos.html |lastedit=16-02-2022}} Laos is at the center of the illegal drug trade; therefore, the country has a '''huge problem''' with illegal substances. At some point during the 1990s, it was believed the country was the largest opium producer in the world. Although the government has done a lot to stamp out the illegal drug trade, the country's remote geography and high level of corruption mean that the issue is difficult to fully and adequately control. Expected to be treated with '''no leniency''' if you have been accused of being involved in illegal substances. The following tips will come in handy: * '''Never leave your food or drinks unattended''', and always be careful when someone gives you food or a drink. * '''Be wary of "special" or "happy items" in restaurants'''; such dishes may contain opiates. === Traffic conditions === Although Laotian traffic laws are strict (at least on paper), driving by the majority of Laotians is ''wild and reckless''. Speeding, reckless passing, and failure to obey traffic laws are common, as is driving under the influence. In the event you end up in a car accident, '''do not flee the scene'''. It is punishable by up to '''three years''' in prison and a '''fine up to 10,000,000 Kip'''. Attempting to flee the scene is also unwise. === Politics === According the Laotian Penal Code, it is '''illegal''' to "conduct propaganda" against the government and the country, i.e. directing any form of criticism to the government and/or the country. Doing so is punishable by up to '''five years in prison''' and a '''very hefty fine'''. Also, you should know that if the authorities feel you have '''[https://immigration.gov.la/prohibition/ "disgraced"]''' the country, you will '''not be allowed''' to leave. Foreigners '''are not exempted''' from this law; in 2012, a Swiss NGO director was '''deported and banished''' from the country after she published a letter openly criticising the government. === Miscellaneous === * '''Landmines or unexploded ordnance''' left over from the Vietnam War maim or kills hundreds of people every year as Laos is the most bombed country in history. Almost all of these occur in the eastern and northern parts of the country, especially near the border with Vietnam. Never enter areas marked as minefields and travel only on paved roads and well-worn paths. If you are unsure of which areas are safe, ask the locals. * '''Fake products''' are very common. Laos is one place where Chinese or Thai companies dump sub-standard products. Similar to Myanmar, there are few if any laws preventing such trade. == Stay healthy == Parts of Laos have a good deal of '''malaria''' so anti-malarials are recommended if visiting those areas for an extended period, but check with health professionals: there is a high incidence of drug-resistant parasites in Laos. Other mosquito-borne diseases, such as '''dengue''', can be life-threatening, so make sure you bring at least 25% DEET insect repellent and ensure that you sleep with mosquito protection like nets or at least a fan. Vientiane seems to be malaria-free but not dengue-free. The mosquitoes that are active during the day carry dengue and those that are active in the evening carry malaria. 25% DEET insect repellents are almost impossible to find in Laos, so bring some from your home country. The usual precautions regarding food and water are needed. '''[[Tap water]]''' is not drinkable anywhere in Laos, but bottled water is cheap and widely available. In Laos, most bottled water is simply treated tap water, and some brands sterilise their water better than others. Tiger Head is recommended, which is made by the Laos Brewing Company (of Beerlao fame), costing 5-6000 kip. Roadside water kiosks that let you cheaply fill your own bottle with filtered water (as are common in Thailand and Malaysia) are not present in Laos. Vientiane has several medical clinics are associated with European embassies, and there are several private hospitals in [[Vientiane]] that are run to Western standards. Otherwise, you probably have to go to Thailand for better treatment of serious injuries and illnesses. Udon Thani and Chiang Mai are generally recommended; they're only a few hours away, depending on your location in Laos. Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai might have suitable clinics, as well, and there's Bangkok, of course. Expatriates in Laos probably have the best information; the more upscale hotels can be good resources, as well. Travel insurance that includes cover for medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Remember: if you can't afford travel insurance, then you can't afford to travel. ===HIV=== Laos had a population HIV rate of 0.3% in 2020. == Respect == [[File:Savannakhet, Wat Sainyaphum 022.JPG|thumb|Wat Sainyaphum temple, [[Savannakhet]]]] {{infobox|Naming conventions|Similar to neighbouring Thailand, most Lao people follow the Western naming convention of a given name followed by a family name. However, unlike in most Western countries, Lao people almost never address each other using their last names, the default form of address is to use a title plus one's given name, even in the most formal situations. The most common titles in Lao are ''Thao'' or ''Nai'' for men, and ''Nang'' or ''Sao'' for women. As such, the current prime minister of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh would be addressed as ''Thao Phankham'' or ''Nai Phankham'' in Lao, and "Mr. Phankham" in English.}} Dress respectfully (long trousers, sleeved shirts) when visiting temples and take your shoes off before entering temple buildings and private houses. As with other Buddhist countries, showing the soles of your feet is very poor manners. Never touch any person on the head. Despite prevalent cheap alcohol, being drunk is considered disrespectful and a loss of face. Things in Laos happen slowly and rarely as scheduled. Keep your cool, as the natives will find humour in any tourist showing anger. They will remain calm, and venting your anger will make everybody involved lose face and is certainly not going to expedite things, particularly if dealing with government bureaucracy. '''Swastikas''' are commonly seen at Buddhist temples. They are regarded as a sacred symbol, and have no connection to Nazism or anti-Semitism whatsoever. ===Buddhist monks=== As in neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos, meaning that respect for monks is part of Lao life and that monks take their duties seriously. Monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by women. Therefore, women should place any offerings on a piece of cloth on the ground in front of a monk so he can pick it up. Monks are also forbidden from accepting or touching money, and offering money to a monk is considered to be disrespectful in the local culture. Should you wish to donate, you should only offer food to the monk. "Monks" who hang out at tourist spots soliciting donations, or those that accept money, are imposters. Monks are also not allowed to eat solid food after noon, and will stop gathering alms before then. Some undertake a vow of silence, and will not answer you even if they can speak English. It is best not to compel them to stand next to you for a photograph, or try to start a conversation if they seem reluctant. ==Connect== Laos phone numbers have the format <code>+856 20 654 321</code> where "856" is the country code for Laos. Numbers starting with 20 are mobile numbers, while all others are landlines. *Laos Country Code is "+856". *International Call Prefix is "00". *Laos Call Prefix is "0". *Laos articles here use the convention "+856 xx xxxxxx" except for emergency numbers which use local format with leading zero, "0xx xxxxxx" '''Internet cafés''' can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow and cafe staffs have less knowledge. The most reliable connections are in [[Vientiane]], and usually cost around 100 kip/minute, with the cheapest offering 4,000 kip/hour. However, Internet security is not guaranteed and computer viruses are abundant. In most cases, '''Wi-Fi''' is the best option. Most Western-style cafés offer free Wi-Fi-access for customers. Most accommodations, even budget places in [[Vientiane]], offer free Wi-Fi. '''Mobile phone''' usage in Laos has mushroomed, with four competing GSM operators. Two of these offer roaming services. Calling people on the same network is always cheaper than calling another network, but there is no clear market leader. Tourist and expats tend to prefer TPlus or M-phone (Laotel), while locals use any of the four networks. * '''[http://www.laotel.com/ Lao Telecom]''' has agreements with some 30 international networks. See [http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/roa_lash.shtml roaming with Lao Telecom]. * '''[http://tplus.la/ TPlus (formerly known as Beeline)] {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}}''' has agreements with over 100 International phone networks. Another popular choice, they also have low-cost international rate of 2000 kip/minute to many countries, if you buy their SIM card and dial "177" instead of "+". * '''[http://www.etllao.com/ ETL Mobile]''' is known to have better coverage in rural and remote parts of Laos. However, in Laos "better" certainly does not mean "everywhere". * '''Unitel''' is also available. It offers 5GB/30&day plans for 50,000 kip plus 30,000 kip for the SIM card (Mar 2020). Local prepaid SIM cards can be purchased in various shops and stores, including at the airport in [[Vientiane]] (walk through to the Domestic Terminal to find a shop selling snacks and Unitel SIMs), without any paperwork. * '''Tourist SIM:''' Since 2022, travellers can pre-order a tourist SIM card prior to their trip and get it deliver to their hotel or Airbnb in Vientiane using Internet in Laos [https://internetlaos.com/order-tourist-sim-laos online platform]. As another option, there is Thai coverage close to the Thai border (including a significant part of Vientiane), and Thai SIM cards and top-up cards can be bought in Laos; in addition, DeeDial International Call Cards are available. Thus, if you already have a Thai number, you can use the generally cheaper Thai network and/or avoid buying one more SIM. In addition, with the advent of cheap "neighboring country" roaming packages from the "big three" carriers in Thailand (AIS, dtac, and True all have 99 baht/2GB data roaming packages for Laos valid for varying periods) means that Thai SIMs are cheap to use even away from the Thai coverage area and can be helpful in other ways (for example, a True SIM will roam on Unitel, TPlus, and Lao Telecom, while a dtac SIM will roam on ''all four'' Lao networks, which given the lower roaming pricing these days, can be worth the premium over a local SIM limited to one network). '''Postal service''' in Laos is slow, but generally reliable. Other paid options such as FedEx, DHL, and EMS exist in various locations. Though these services are much more expensive, they are more reliable. {{geo|18.2|104|zoom=7}} {{isPartOf|Southeast Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} fdihbdr72vvpbwab97v39ei0hq3wb1l 4506498 4506497 2022-08-23T02:59:24Z OhanaUnited 76122 /* Work */ + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Laos banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Hermetically sealed during much of the outbreak, Laos reopened to all visitors in May 2022. Proof of vaccination ''or'' a recent negative ART test are required, but quarantine is not. More information: * [https://www.covid19.gov.la/index.php Official site] (in Lao) * [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/coronavirus UK government advice] * [https://la.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ US Embassy updates] |lastedit=2022-05-10}} '''[https://www.tourismlaos.org/ Laos]''' (ເມືອງລາວ ''mư̄ang lāo'') is the only landlocked nation in [[Southeast Asia]]. It was once a [[France|French]] colony and it is one of the few remaining communist states in the world, espousing Marxism-Leninism as its main political ideology. The term "communist state" may have negative connotations in some parts of the world, but you may want to think twice; many Laotians (60-70%) are practicing Buddhists, the Laotian government actively encourages foreign investment in Laos, your words and actions are not heavily regulated and monitored compared to [[North Korea|other parts of the world]], and tourism is encouraged and promoted. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population. There are numerous hill tribes in Laos; many of them are found in the various foothills and mountains of the country and their settlements continue to remain untouched and protected. Almost 150 distinct ethnic groups call Laos home. Although the country is not usually on most travellers' lists, tourism has been on the rise since the 1990s, and the country continues to attract millions of tourists each year. Laotians are known for their hospitality and relaxed attitude to life, and you can expect to be treated with immense respect as a visitor. The country has a lot to offer. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap = Laos Regions Map.png | regionmapsize = 450px | regionmaptext = Map of Laos with regions colour-coded | region1name=[[Northern Laos]] | region1color=#b697b6 | region1items=[[Ban Nalan Trail]], [[Houay Xai]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Ngoi Neua]], [[Muang Long]], [[Muang Ngeun]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Nong Khiaw]], [[Pakbeng]], [[Vieng Phoukha]] | region1description=Hilltribe villages, mountains, and the remarkably charming former capital | region2name=[[Central Laos]] | region2color=#88c391 | region2items=[[Plain of Jars]], [[Paksan]], [[Phonsavan]], [[Tha Khaek]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Vieng Xai]], [[Vientiane]] | region2description=Southeast Asia's sleepiest capital city and rural countryside | region3name=[[Southern Laos]] | region3color=#73a7ce | region3items=[[Champasak]], [[Pakse]], [[Savannakhet]], [[Si Phan Don]] | region3description=The Mekong flatlands, more mountains, and the area least-visited by tourists }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b697b6|title=[[Northern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14206446}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#88c391|title=[[Central Laos]]|wikidata=Q14210500}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#73a7ce|title=[[Southern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14234718}} == Cities == <!-- capital city on top, other cities below in alphabetical order. Maximum of 9 cities. --> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vientiane]]|wikidata=Q9326}} — the still sleepy capital on the banks of the Mekong River * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Huay Xai]]|wikidata=Q717371}} — in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Namtha]]|wikidata=Q660793}} — capital of the north, known for its trekking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Prabang]]|wikidata=Q190165}} — a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Muang Xay]]|wikidata=Q1026957}} — also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multi-ethnic province of Oudomxay * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakbeng]]|wikidata=Q2667457}} — halfway point on the overnight slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakse]]|wikidata=Q383622}} — gateway to the Wat Phu ruins and the "four thousand islands" (Si Phan Don) * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Savannakhet]]|wikidata=Q750443}} — in the south on the Mekong, connected by bridge to Mukdahan in Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tha Khaek]]|wikidata=Q1018701}} — a popular base for exploring Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Ban Nalan Trail]]|wikidata=Q14205117}} — a two-day ecotourism trek in the north of Laos * {{marker|name=[[Bolaven Plateau]]|wikidata=Q891266}} — highland with waterfalls, jungles and farmland * {{marker|name=[[Champasak]]|wikidata=Q334888}} — Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Angkor-style Khmer temples * {{marker|name=[[Nong Khiaw]]|wikidata=Q14227026}} — beautiful karst cliffs where you can discover hilltribe villages, kayak, bike ride or just hang out * {{marker|name=[[Plain of Jars]]|wikidata=Q870258}} — Iron Age cemetery sites near Phonsavan; also one of the main locations to learn about the "Secret War". * {{marker|name=[[Si Phan Don]]|wikidata=Q1319369}} — the "four thousand islands" are nestled within the Mekong near the Cambodian border * {{marker|name=[[Vang Vieng]]|wikidata=Q1012615}} — backpacker hangout for exploring limestone caves and tubing on the Nam Song river * {{marker|name=[[Vieng Xai]]|wikidata=Q2523307}} — remote cultural oasis and symbolic cradle of Marxism; see the caves where the Pathet Lao leaders ran their operations in defiance of the West == Understand == {{quickbar|location=LocationLaos.png}} {{infobox|Lao or Laos?|The people call themselves Lao and the language is Lao, so where did that "s" come from? The answer seems to be a mistranslation from French: somebody read ''royaume des Laos'' ("kingdom of the Lao people") as ''royaume de Laos'' ("kingdom of Laos"), and the name stuck. The official name, however, is '''Lao PDR''' and, should you have any incoming mail, using it will increase the odds of it passing the censors.}} The '''Lao People's Democratic Republic''' (ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ) ('''Lao PDR''') is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the most sparsely populated. Unlike most countries in Asia, the country has not undergone a major industrialisation and modernisation period; as result, lifestyle remains mostly rural and there are no large cities. An adjective often applied to Laos is "forgotten", but contrary to what advertised by travel agencies, it is hard to say this applies to tourism as well: Laos gets only 20% fewer international visitors than the [[Philippines]], which has a population 15 times bigger than that of Laos. Travelers lured by the prospect of visiting an untouched "Shangri-la" are likely to be disappointed; in fact, cities like [[Luang Prabang]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Vang Vieng]] are very tourist-oriented. On the other hand, Laos can be extremely rewarding for those who are instead drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of Laos is the famous "Lao PDR" - ''Lao-Please Don't Rush''. === History === {{seealso|Indochina Wars}} Laos is squeezed between vastly larger neighbors. It was created as an entity in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of '''Lan Xang''' ("Million Elephants"). The kingdom began as a [[Cambodia|Khmer]] vassal state. After a succession dispute, the kingdom split in three in 1694, and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1885. The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam, and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. It was briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, and a three-decade-long conflict was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted full independence in 1953, the war continued between a variety of factions, with the Communist and North Vietnam-allied '''Pathet Lao''' struggling to overthrow the French-aligned monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973), this alliance led the United States to dump 1.9 million tons of bombs on Laos, mostly in the northeast stronghold of the Pathet Lao: as a comparison 2.2 million tonnes were dropped on Europe by all sides during World War II. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six-century-old monarchy. The royal family was arrested and sent to reeducation camps, where most of them died by the 1980s, though some of the royals would escape to France and establish a government-in-exile, where they remain to this day. Closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws and admission into ASEAN in 1997. Due to its landlocked location and difficult terrain, Laos has long been deeply impoverished due to the difficulty of building infrastructure. However, in the 21st century, Laos has developed a close relationship with [[China]], who have invested substantially in infrastructure projects in the country. This improvement in infrastructure has led to tremendous economic growth, with more than 80% of the Lao people now living above the poverty line. Despite being just one hour by air from the hustle and bustle of [[Bangkok]], life in Laos has continued in much the same way it has for hundreds of years, although things are now slowly beginning to change. In the mid-1990s the government reversed its stance on tourism, and then declared 1998 "Visit Laos Year". Since then, tourism in Laos has been rising every year. In 2021, Laos and [[China]] completed the construction of a semi-high-speed rail linking [[Kunming]] to [[Vientiane]], with an extension to [[Bangkok]] already under construction, and talks of extending the line possibly all the way to [[Singapore]]. The rail connection is expected to have a dramatic impact on the country whenever cross-border travel resume; Kunming itself has a population 8 times bigger than Vientiane, and in fact, comparable to the entire population of Laos, while the province of [[Yunnan]] as a whole has a population about 7 times bigger than the population of Laos. It is likely that the face of tourism in the country will drastically change, and the word "forgotten" used to describe Laos will become a forgotten memory itself. === Culture === [[Image:WatThatLuang Landscape.JPG|thumb|400px|Pha That Luang, [[Vientiane]] - the national symbol of Laos]] Despite its small population, Laos has 49 ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three-quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao-Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone-Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung-Loumien language with 2 tribes, and Tibeto-Chinese language represented by 7 tribes. Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of [[Vientiane#See|Pha That Luang]], has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the '''baci''' (also ''baasi'') ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant's body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby, or other significant events. Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive ''phaa sin'', a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic minorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese-style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western-style and only don the ''phaa biang'' sash on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays women often wear Western-style clothing, though the "phaa sin" is still the mandatory attire in government offices, not only for those who work there but also for Lao women who are visiting. === Climate === Laos has three distinct seasons. The '''hot season''' is from Mar-May, when temperatures can soar as high as 40°C and the humidity makes it feel like 50°C. The slightly cooler '''wet season''' is from May-Oct, when temperatures are around 30°C, tropical downpours are frequent (especially Jul-Aug), and some years the Mekong floods. The '''dry season''' from Nov-Mar, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15°C (or even to zero in the mountains at night), is "high season". However, towards the end of the dry season, the northern parts of Laos &mdash; basically everything north of Luang Prabang &mdash; can become very '''hazy''' due to farmers burning fields and fires in the forests. == Get in == [[File:Visa policy of Laos.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Laos, with countries in blue, green and purple having visa-free access; and countries in gold having visa on arrival]] {{VisaRestriction|Entry '''will be refused''' to the following: people who are thought to have "degraded" the country and people who cannot prove that they have the funds to cover their stay. }} ===Visas=== Visas are not required by citizens of: [[Brunei]] and [[Myanmar]] (14 days), [[Japan]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Switzerland]] (15 days), [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mongolia]], [[Philippines]], [[Russia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Korea]], [[Thailand]] and [[Vietnam]] (30 days).<br> The [http://www.mofa.gov.la website of the foreign ministry] does not prove too helpful in obtaining up-to-date visa information. But the [http://www.tourismlaos.org website of Tourism Laos] provides more useful information on this topic. ====Visa on arrival==== A visa on arrival is available to most nationalities entering at the airports in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Savannakhet]]. These land border crossings offer visa on arrival: Boten (China); Houay Xay, Nam Ngeun, Kenthao, Vientiane, Thakhet, Savannakhet, Vangtao (Thailand) which includes all friendship bridges; Ban Leui, Nam Kan, Nam Phao, Dan Savanh (Vietnam); and Veun Kham (Cambodia). One passport photo is required although you may be able to pay a US$1 fee for your passport photo to be scanned upon arrival. As of May 2022, the price is US$40 for all except the following nationalities (the list excludes countries not eligible for visa on arrival and those with a visa exemption for at least 30 days): * China: US$20 * Sweden: US$31 * Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States: US$35 * India, Nepal, Sri Lanka: US$40 * Canada: US$42 Paying in Thai baht (1500 baht ~ US$47 in Jan 2019) is possible too, but the mark-up means that travellers should try to bring U.S. dollars. While Lao kip are usually not accepted for the visa fee, border staff does make exceptions sometimes, however at a bad rate. A US$1 "out of office hours/overtime" surcharge at the Friendship Bridge in [[Vientiane]], and a small possibly 10 baht to US$1 entry stamp fee might also be charged. ====Visa from the embassy==== [[File:Laos entry.JPG|thumb|Entry stamp]] Visas can be obtained in advance from [https://www.visalaos.com/ Lao embassies or consulates]. The fee varies by nationality and by embassy; US$40 is common, although can be as high as US$63 (in Kuala Lumpur). Processing times also vary; 2-3 days is typical, though you may be able to pay an extra small amount (around US$5) to receive the visa in as little as one hour. In [[Phnom Penh]] the travel agencies can arrange the visa the same day (but may charge as much as US$58) while getting it from the embassy takes a few days. Getting a visa from the embassy in Bangkok costs around 1,400 baht for most nationalities, plus 200 baht more for "same day" processing. ''It's cheaper and quicker to get a visa at the border''. ====Visa extension==== Entry permit extensions (sometimes referred to as "visa extensions") are available from the Immigration Department in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]] or [[Tha Khaek]], the Police Station in [[Pakse]], and possibly other cities. Extensions are not possible in Laos' second city, [[Savannakhet]], although you can do a border run from there to Thailand to get a new 30-day visa. The cost is US$2.50 per day plus a small "form fee" ranging between 5,000 kip (Pakse) to 30,000 kip (Vientiane). The process is very easy; turn up in the early morning with your passport and one photo; fill in a form (in Luang Prabang they do this for you) and come back in the afternoon to collect your passport with an extension stamp in it. If you do this in the late morning or later in the day, your passport will be ready the following day. If you want to extend for longer than two weeks and are near the Thai border, it can be more cost effective to nip over the border (entry to Thailand is free for most Western nationalities) and return immediately to get a new 30-day Lao visa since ''a 30-day visa extension costs US$75''. === By plane === [[File:VIENTIANE WATTAY AIRPORT LAOS FEB 2012 (6985451899).jpg|thumb|Vientiane International Airport]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Vientiane International Airport | alt={{IATA|VTE}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=17.988333 | long=102.563333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Wattay International Airport | image=Wattay Intl Airport Vientiane Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q221279 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Luang Prabang International Airport | alt={{IATA|LPQ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.898612 | long=102.1625 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Luang Prabang International Airport | image=LuangPrabangAirportAirside.jpg | wikidata=Q1077327 | content= }} Those two international airports are served by national carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] and a few others, including [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways], [http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways] (Luang Prabang only) and [http://www.vietnamairlines.com Vietnam Airlines]. Some seats on flights of Vietnam Airlines are reserved for Lao Airlines (codesharing/better price). * {{listing | type=go | name=[[Pakse]] International Airport | alt={{IATA|PKZ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=15.133889 | long=105.781944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pakse International Airport | image=Pakxe Airport Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q1432294 | content=The third international airport, with flights from Siem Reap (Vientiane&ndash;Pakse&ndash;Siem Reap by Lao Airlines) and from [[Ho Chi Minh City]]. SilkAir has regular service from Singapore to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. There are also regular round trip flights from Vientiane to Kunming, PDR and Incheon, South Korea on Lao Airlines and other carriers. }} Low-cost carriers [http://www.airasia.com AirAsia] flies to Vientiane from [[Kuala Lumpur]] three times a week, and offers daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang. Another cheap option for getting to Vientiane is to fly to [[Udon Thani]] in [[Thailand]] with discount airlines Nok Air or Air Asia and connect to [[Nong Khai]] and the Friendship Bridge via shuttle service directly from the airport (40 minutes); from here, Vientiane is {{km|17}} away. === By train === ==== From China ==== A new railway line from [[Kunming]], [[China]] to Vientiane opened in December 2021. Passing through [[Pu'er]], [[Jinghong]], [[Mengla]] and crossing the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]], the line serves [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Muang Nga]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Muang Kasi]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Phonhong]] and Vientiane on the Laotian side. Due to the COVID situation, as of December 2021 there are no cross-border passenger services yet. Once operational, the passenger train will be able to run at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, covering the distance from Kunming to Vientiane in 8-10 hours. ==== From Thailand ==== There is a bridge across the Mekong from the Thai town of [[Nong Khai]] to Thanaleng near [[Vientiane]]. There are two shuttle services per direction per day, with one timed to connect to the night trains from [[Bangkok]]. Visa on arrival is available when crossing the border by train. The train is ''not'' a very attractive option because the railway station is in the middle of nowhere, however, there are shuttle buses to take you the rest of the way. An extension of the aforementioned Kunming-Vientiane railway line onward to Bangkok is under construction, which will make the line to Thanaleng obsolete when completed in 2028. === By land === Most '''border crossings open for foreigners''', with an indication where visas on arrival can be issued, are listed on the web site of the [http://www.tourismlaos.org/ National Tourism Administration]. This list is unfortunately incomplete. ====[[Cambodia]]==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Operators for buses going from Cambodia to Southern Laos will ask passengers for (at least) an additional US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee to facilitate the border crossing. Not agreeing to the extra charge and attempting to obtain the visa independently may result in being abandoned at the border; all bus companies are involved since non-cooperation would likely see them being denied to cross and thus hurt their business. See further below for more information.}} Visa on arrival for Laos is available when entering from Cambodia overland, with an official "Visa on Arrival" office incorporated into the checkpoint. The nearest Cambodian town is [[Stung Treng]], and the border is a 60- to 90-minute bus ride away. The border is lightly used, with almost no onward public transport available once you passed through immigration, therefore it may be wise to book transport all the way to [[Ban Nakasang]] or [[Pakse]] depending on your destination. If you're buying a ticket from a destination in Cambodia to one in Laos (the most common being Siem Reap/Phnom Penh to Don Det) and you want the border crossing to be as trouble-free as possible, accept that you will have to pay an additional fee that usually isn't lower than US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee applicable to your nationality, current as of 2019. Not including possible mark-ups for the visa, the charge consists of: * $2 stamp fee on the Lao side * $2 stamp fee on the Cambodian side * $1 assistance fee for the facilitator as he gets the Lao visa and entry stamp for you This is the best case scenario: the "assistance fee" may also be $2 depending on the bus company used, and/or the facilitator will demand a higher total to account for the inflated visa price. While you can decline to use a facilitator, you will nevertheless be asked for the unofficial fees by the immigration officials, as the facilitator merely collects them on their behalf to "speed up the process". '''It is possible to at least circumvent the unofficial fees on the Cambodian side''' – several reports on the net suggest that the Cambodian officials are quick to give in if you refuse to pay the fee; it seems easiest if you can convince them that you simply don't have any dollars left. Little public information exists for the Lao side. The officials may or may not try to overcharge you for the visa on arrival. For Canadians, this can oddly result in paying ''less'' than the official price of US$42. One traveller reported that officials, at least on one occasion, seemed to use US$30 (the official price for most eligible nationalities) as the baseline for passports from Western countries, but then asked a Canadian citizen for US$35 instead. Whatever your nationality, do make sure you know what visa price applies to your passport before you hop on the bus to this border. Furthermore it is unknown whether one can refuse to pay the inflated visa fee (if applicable), the unofficial stamp fee, be successful ''and'' be still able to find onward transport to Ban Nakasang, [[Cambodia#Laos|although this definitely works the other way round]] (coming from Laos, going to Cambodia). Getting held up by not paying will likely see your bus leave without you. For those who want to stand their ground and don't mind possibly having to wait for a few hours in order to beat corruption, there is an option worth trying: Book your transport with any operator to the border only, ideally from Stung Treng with a departure in the morning to have time on your side. Enquire with travel agencies or online to book your ''separate'' onward transport from the border going North, and make sure it only leaves two to three hours after your arrival at the border. Alternatively, if you're feeling the stars are aligned in your favour, you may be able to catch a minivan or tuk-tuk that some travellers use to get independently to the border from the Lao side; it's unlikely to happen after lunchtime though. Another pitfall of the journey to the border is that you will often have four changes of bus (number depending on your origin – some vehicles are small minibuses where passengers have to sit on each other's laps), and hours spent driving to remote guesthouses to pick up backpackers. [https://www.asiavantransfer.com/ Asia Van Transfer] (AVT) was set up by a foreign expat and has built a good reputation for not letting passengers wait unnecessarily, not letting them change vehicles and also not overbooking seats, but this means they're also a bit pricier; also, they cannot drive into Laos. If your luggage has been sent in a bus you are not on, because of "lack of space", it will sometimes disappear. The "King of Bus Company" is known to do this. ====[[China]]==== The land crossing between [[Mengla]] (Yunnan) and [[Boten]] (Laos) is open to foreigners and visa on arrival is possible or you can get in advance at the Lao consulate in [[Kunming]]. Daily bus service operates from Mengla to [[Luang Namtha]] and [[Udomxai]]. Buses from Mengla to Luang Namtha leave from the North bus station. The first bus leaves around 08:00 and costs about ¥40. Generally speaking, it is not possible for independent travellers to cross from China to Laos via the Mekong River, not least because there's a chunk of Myanmar in the middle and the Lao checkpoint at [[Xieng Kok]] does not issue visas on arrival. Travel agents in China, including [http://www.chinadam.com Panda Travel], run irregular cruises from [[Jinghong]] (China) via [[Chiang Saen]] (Thailand) to [[Huay Xai]] (Laos), but schedules are erratic and prices expensive. ====[[Myanmar]]==== The Myanmar-Lao friendship bridge connects [[Shan State]] in Myanmar with [[Luang Namtha|Luang Namtha Province]] in Laos. ====[[Thailand]]==== There are eight border crossings open to all between Thailand and Laos. From north to south: [[File:Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.JPG|thumb|The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]] * [[Huay Xai]]/[[Chiang Khong]]: Using the fourth Friendship Bridge is the usual overland route to Luang Prabang, easy bus connections to [[Chiang Rai]] and points beyond on the Thai side. * [[Ban Pangmon]]/[[Ban Huak]]: Located on a remote mountainous road. If you want to travel overland from [[Chiang Mai]] to [[Hanoi]] overland via Laos, this is one possible route. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Muang Ngeun]]/[[Huay Kon]]: Visa on arrival. 40 km from [[Pak Beng]]. * [[Nam Hueng]]/[[Tha Li]]: Easily reached via [[Loei]] on the Thai side, but 378 km of dirt road away from [[Luang Prabang]]. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Vientiane]]/[[Nong Khai]]: The first Friendship Bridge and the busiest of crossing of them all. Direct trains from Bangkok now available. * [[Paksan]]/[[Bueng Kan]]: '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Tha Khaek]]/[[Nakhon Phanom]]: The third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Savannakhet]]/[[Mukdahan]]: The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Vang Tao]]/[[Chong Mek]]: On the route from [[Pakse]] to [[Ubon Ratchathani]]. ====[[Vietnam]]==== There are at least six border crossings that can be used by foreigners. These include: * Donsavanh - Lao Bao - to Savannakhet * Keo Nua Pass * Lak Sao - to Khammouan Province * Nam Can - to [[Plain of Jars]] * Na Meo - to [[Sam Neua]] * Tay Trang - to Muang Khua and [[Nong Khiaw]] (close to [[Dien Bien Phu]], the site of a famous battle where the French were defeated by Vietnamese independence fighters) * Bo Y (nearest town on Vietnamese side being Ngoc Hoi and on Lao side Attapeu) ====By motorbike from Vietnam==== The border crossing on a Vietnamese motorbike at Tay Trang is very easy and straightforward. You arrive after going over some hills at the Vietnamese border where very friendly guys handle your case easily and with no hassle. You fill out the form for "temporary export of a vehicle", show them the Vietnamese registration card for the bike (which is usually in the owners name) and pay US$10. Then you proceed to the police, show the papers to them and get the exit stamp. You then have to drive for 6 km over the mountains to get to the Lao checkpoint. There some not-so-friendly border guards there who expect you to pay 5,000 kip for general fees and 25,000 kip for importing a vehicle. They fill out the form themselves. == Get around == Travel within Laos has historically been slow, often painful and sometimes dangerous, but the 2021 opening of a railway spanning the northern half of the country and the ongoing construction of a parallel expressway is set to shake things up. Nevertheless, if travelling off the beaten track, allow plenty of leeway in your schedule for the near-inevitable delays, cancellations and breakdowns. === By plane === [[File:Lao Airlines ATR 72-212A; RDPL-34175@BKK;30.07.2011 613cx (6041831739).jpg|thumb|A Lao Airlines ATR 72 aircraft]] State carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] has a near-monopoly on domestic flights. They managed a 13-year accident-free streak until an October 2013 crash near Pakse resulted in 49 fatalities, the country’s deadliest air disaster. The fairly comprehensive network is by far the fastest and, relatively speaking, the safest way of reaching many parts of the country, although the new train line (see below) now offers some real competition. As of 2013, the popular [[Vientiane]]-[[Luang Prabang]] route costs about US$101 (one-way full fare for foreigners), but covers in 40 minutes what would take you at least ten to twelve hours by bus (but only two hours by train - see below). Several planes a day. Tickets can be bought on-line or at any travel agency. Flights to more remote destinations are flown on the Xian MA60, a Chinese copy of the Soviet An-24, and are frequently cancelled without warning if the weather is bad or not enough passengers show up. Lao Airlines also flies 14-passenger Cessnas from Vientiane to [[Phongsali]], [[Sam Neua]] and [[Sainyabuli]] (''Xayabouly'') several times a week. These airfields are all rudimentary and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat if weather is less than perfect. ===By train=== [[File:2021-12-03_China-Laos-Eisenbahn.jpg|thumb|EMU high-speed train at Vang Vieng station]] The first railway in Laos, a Chinese-built line crossing the northern half of the country from the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]] via [[Muang Xay]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Vientiane]] opened in December 2021. Both electric/high-speed (EMU) and ordinary trains operate, with the EMU services at up to 160 km/h per hour, making this by far the most comfortable way to travel. As of 2022, there is one high-speed "C" train and one normal "K" train per daily running the length of the line, with one additional high-speed service to Luang Prabang only. Sample travel times and fares in kip: {| ! From !! To !! Travel time !! EMU<br/>1st class !! EMU</br>2nd class !! Ordinary |- | Vientiane || Vang Vieng || 1 hour || 86,000 || 56,000 || 40,000 |- | Vientiane || Luang Prabang || 2 hours || 313,000 || 198,000 || 140,000 |- | Vientiane || Boten || 3.5 hours || 529,000 || 333,000 || 238,000 |} The railway is very popular, and demand always exceeds capacity. The easiest way to buy tickets is to go through a travel agency, who will handle all the paperwork for a service charge of around $4/ticket. [https://discoverlaos.today/promotion/train-ticketing Discover Laos] has a good reputation and can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. If you wish to try your luck, a new ticket office opened in Vientiane Center on February 2022, where you can purchase tickets for trains up to 3 days in advance. As of February 2022, only tickets to Boten, Muang Xai and Luang Prabang can be bought at the Vientiane Center office, while tickets for all other destinations can only be bought at the station. The Vientiane Center office also does not accept cash payments, and payments can only be made using a UnionPay credit card, Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay or Alipay, or the OnePay mobile payment platform of local Lao bank BCEL. Despite all this hassle, you may still end up empty-handed, as scalpers frequently buy up all the tickets. If you're in a pinch, try your luck at the train station, as unsold same day tickets may reappear in the inventory. === By road === {{infobox|VIP, minibus or car?|Minibuses are quicker and more expensive, however that doesn't mean they are necessarily better. A typical '''VIP Bus''' is just an old bus by Western standards (generally retired Chinese tour buses), and may be more prone to breakdowns, but they usually have more leg room which can make a long journey much more comfortable. VIP buses also include a bottle of water, a snack, and a stop for lunch/dinner. Both types are usually air conditioned (though it doesn't always work). Even more expensive, but certainly the most convenient, is a rented car with driver. A car with a driver will cost around US$95 per day. Some can even drive over the border to Thailand, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The cars can be arranged at tour agencies, tourist hotels and car rental companies. The cars are new, so they're reliable. They have the bonus of your being able to stop the car at any time for photos, nosing around a village or just stretching your legs.}} The main routes connecting [[Vientiane]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Savannakhet]] are sealed, and the transport options on these roads include bus, minibus, and converted truck. The first expressway in Laos now connects Vientiane to Vang Vieng and is slowly being extended north towards Luang Prabang, but the full length to the Chinese border will not be ready until the 2030s. A good source of bus timetables, including some basic town maps, can be found at [http://hobomaps.com/ hobomaps.com] Some common routes through Laos include: * [[Vientiane]] to [[Vang Vieng]] – now connected by a direct 113&nbsp;km expressway, less than 1.5 hours by direct VIP bus * [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Luang Prabang]] – amazing scenery through the mountains, at the cost of a long 8-hour trip full of curves. * [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Phonsavan]] - minibus: a cramped 7-hour trip, so arrive early to get good seats as near the front as possible; beautiful views so secure a window seat if possible. Bus is 8 hours. * [[Phonsavan]] to [[Sam Neua]] - converted pickup truck: beautiful views but lots of hills and bends, hence possible nausea * [[Sam Neua]] to [[Muang Ngoi]] - minivan: a 12-hour trip along a horrible road; good views and a necessary evil, but fun if you're prepared to get a few knocks and talk to some Lao people who are, after all, in the same boat * [[Muang Ngoi]] to [[Luang Namtha]] - Minivan: 10-hour trip (Oudomxay); OK road, much travelled by backpackers * [[Luang Namtha]] to [[Huay Xai]] - once a muddy nightmare, now rebuilt and one of the best roads in Laos, 3-4 hours * [[Paksan]] to [[Phonsavan]] - there is a new road between Borikham and Tha Thom. In Tha Thom there is a guesthouse with 8 rooms. The forest between Borikham and Tha Thom is still in a very good condition, but it's a dirt road. Since most of the forest in Laos has gone this is one of the last roads surrounded by primary forest. There are substantial road works being undertaken by the Vietnamese between Paksan and Phonsavan and there can be some fairly long delays along the way. Even though the trip is only a couple of hundred kilometres it can take 16-20 hr to traverse this section. [[Image:Vientiane Jumbo.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Jumbo in [[Vientiane]]]] Local transport (less than 20 km) in Laos consists of tuk-tuks, jumbos, and sky labs, motorised three or four wheelers. A jumbo should cost no more than 20,000 kip for short journeys of 1-5 km. The main ride-hailing app is '''[https://loca.la/ LOCA]'''. You can pay by cash or use a credit card to pay through the app. You can now also travel the entire length of the country using a fully guided "hop on hop off" bus service provided by [http://www.straytravel.asia/ Stray Travel]. This is the only guided hop on hop off bus in Southeast Asia. '''Women''' should be aware that often during lengthy bus or minibus trips there is no opportunity to go to the toilet during breaks, so it may be advisable to wear a wide skirt. ==== By songthaew ==== A '''songthaew''' (ສອງແຖວ) is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side &mdash; hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards. Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses, and generally are the most economical way to travel shorter distances. There also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price before embarking. ==== By tuk-tuk/jumbo ==== The names '''tuk-tuk''' and '''jumbo''' are used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built, others are partially based on motorcycle components. A tuk-tuk organisation in Vientiane controls the prices that tourists are expected to pay for point to point destinations. The rates are negotiable, and you should agree on the price prior to getting on the tuk tuk. The current rates can be found here: [http://spotonlaos.com/place/tuktuk/ Tuk Tuk Prices in Vientiane] ==== By motorbike ==== Motorbike travel in Laos is not without risks but the rewards of truly independent travel are great. There are several rental shops in Vientiane, [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Tha Khaek]], but bike rentals in other parts of the country may be scarce. The quality of machines varies from shop to shop so you need to fully inspect it before you head out on the road. There are many good roads and many paved ones and touring Laos is done easily. There are a variety of bikes available in Laos, depending on which town and rental shop you go to. Some available include the Honda Baja or XR 250 dual-purpose bikes, Ko Lao 110 cc and the usual Honda Win/Dream 110 ccs. Helmets are not only mandatory in the country but a valuable item in a place where traffic rules are made up by the minute. Police have been cracking down on people who do not have a motorcycle licence, so expect to pay a fine if caught without one. Petrol costs 9,000 kip/L (diesel 8,000 kip/L) as of Mar 2020. ==== By bicycle ==== Cycling is a great option with quiet roads. Laos offers wonderful remote areas to discover, little traveled roads, friendly people and even some companies providing cycling tours with the help of professional guides all over the country. The more time people seem to spend in Laos the more they seem to like the quiet travel mood and the opportunity to actually be in contact with the people along the way. Good maps are available about the roads in Laos and all major routes are with good roads. In normal distances you find simple guest houses and in all major towns better choices and restaurant. Food is not a problem as long as you remember to carry some stuff with you. Tropical fruits and noodle soup are the standards. There are a number of local operators running a wide selection of guided mountain biking tours through Laos. If you travel on your own, there are very few proper bike shops outside of Vientiane. but also for bikes with 28-inch wheels you might have a hard time. Bring your equipment with you and make sure you get contact details from a supplier, perhaps in Thailand. === By boat === Boats along the Mekong and its tributaries are useful shortcuts for the horrible roads, although as the road network improves river services are slowly drying up, and many of the remaining services only run in the wet season, when the Mekong floods and becomes more navigable. [[Huay Xai]] on the border with [[Thailand]] to [[Luang Prabang]] and travel south of [[Pakse]] are the main routes still in use. There are so-called ''slow boats'' and '''speedboats''' - the latter being tiny lightweight craft equipped with powerful motors that literally skid across the water at high speeds. ==== By slow boat ==== Many people go from Chiang Khong in [[Thailand]] via the border town of Houai Xai down the Mekong to the marvelous city of [[Luang Prabang]]. The ride takes two days and is very scenic. Apart from that, it is a floating backpacker ghetto with no (good) food sold, cramped, and hot. By the second day, the novelty has worn off. Recommended to bring a good (long) read, something soft for the wooden benches and patience. Slow boats generally stop in the village of [[Pakbeng]] for the night. Some boat packages will include accommodation, although this is usually at an inflated rate. By arranging a hotel in the town, it is easy to get a lower price. Most shops in Pakbeng shut down at about 22:00, so expect to get a good sleep before the second day's boat ride. This is also a good place to stock up on supplies. The boats have considerably improved. They now have soft used car seats, and serve pre-fab food, which is not great, but certainly sufficient. ==== By speedboat ==== [[File:Bootsfahrt auf dem Nam Ou Fluss.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|Speedboat barreling down the Nam Ou river]] An attractive choice for some, with a 6-hour ride from [[Huay Xai]] to [[Luang Prabang]], as compared to the two-day trip on the slow boat, but not for the faint of heart. Expect to be crammed into a modified canoe made for 4, with 10 other people, along with all the luggage somehow packed in. Expect to sit on the floor of the canoe, as there are no seats, with your knees against your chin for the full 6 hours. Expect an incredibly loud engine inches behind your head. Expect the engine to break a few times, and stops for delays to fix it. That being said, when this ride finally ends, if you make it with no trouble, you will never be happier to get to Luang Prabang. Stories of small, overloaded speedboats sinking or hitting driftwood are common, but if you are a good swimmer, take comfort in the fact that you can see both shores throughout the entire trip. So, as you see, choosing between the slow boat and the speedboat is a hard call, based mostly upon your comfort level; would you prefer a slow unpleasant trip, or a much faster, but more dangerous unpleasant trip. Either way, the scenery along the way is gorgeous and unexploited, and Luang Prabang is an incredible city, worth a thousand of these journeys. Though helpful in saving time, speedboats are not without danger: built to carry 8 passengers, they are often overloaded; the engine noise is well above a healthy level, which could be a serious hazard to your ears, especially if you are on the boat for a long time. It also causes considerable noise pollution, scaring wildlife and spoiling the peaceful river life. Fatalities resulting from capsize due to incautious maneuvering, or hitting floating logs or hidden rocks, have been reported but some claim and are exaggerated by competing slow boat owners. However, the vast majority of speedboat users have no serious problems. If you are taller than the average Laotian are a bit claustrophobic and/or have inflexible leg muscles you are guaranteed an extremely uncomfortable experience for several endless hours. Suggestions for those who decide to take the risk: * get one of the front seats as they allow you to stretch your legs and are far from the noisy motor * wear helmets and life jackets; reconsider your journey if these are not provided * bring a coat in the cold season, the strong wind can make you feel cold even at temperatures of 25 °C. * bring earplugs * protect water-sensitive equipment as you might get wet. == Talk == [[Image:WatThatLuang Sign.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Lao script]] {{seealso|Lao phrasebook}} The official language of Laos is '''[[Lao phrasebook|Lao]]''' (ພາສາລາວ ''pháa-sǎa láo''), a tonal language closely related to [[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]. The Thai dialect spoken in the northeastern [[Isaan]] region of Thailand, historically a part of greater Laos, is in fact identical to Lao. '''[[French phrasebook|French]]''', a legacy of the colonial days, is spoken by the elderly and is taught in schools in Laos, but its use is gradually being supplanted by English. French is often used in government and commerce, and French is often used to transliterate Lao words. '''English''' is gradually becoming popular, but proficiency in the language is generally poor. Try to speak slowly and carefully so that people can understand you. In some tourist areas, you can expect to come across school children who are eager to practice their English skills with you. They may, after a conversation, ask you to sign a form or pose for a photo with you as proof that this conversation took place. '''[[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]''' is widely understood by Laotians, largely because Thai media is popular in the country. If you are a speaker of [[Thai]], you should have no problems getting around independently and picking up the language easily. There are two main ways to turn the Lao script into the Latin alphabet: either '''French-style''' spellings like ''Houeisay'', or '''English-style''' spellings like ''Huay Xai''. While government documents seem to prefer the French style, the English spellings are becoming more common. The latter is used on Wikivoyage. Two quick pronunciation tips: [[Vientiane]] is actually pronounced "Wiang Chan", and the letter ''x'' is ''always'' read as an "s". Like in neighboring [[Thailand]], local pronunciation of the English word "twenty" often causes confusion by sounding a lot like "seventy". ==See== Unlike neighboring [[Thailand]] or [[Vietnam]], Laos never underwent a massive economic development, neither during colonisation nor even after the liberalisation of the Communist economy. As result, one key attraction of Laos is that most of the country, including the capital [[Vientiane]], retains a relaxed, laid back feel with minimal presence of modern architecture or international brands and food chains. How much longer this will last is open to much speculation, but meanwhile, it makes it a truly special and unique country to visit. ===Natural attractions=== [[Image:Sea of Clouds Ody.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The mountains of Oudomxay Province in Northern Laos]] The term wilderness is much misused, but it can truly be applied to much of Laos. The mighty Mekong river and its tributaries together create perhaps the single most important geographic feature of the country. Its meandering path in [[Northern Laos|the North]] has created some of the most stunning limestone karsts anywhere on earth. The backpacker-central town of [[Vang Vieng]] is a commonly used base for exploring the karsts. Further north, the terrain becomes more hilly, and the jungle less explored. [[Luang Namtha]] is the far-northern town which makes the best base for those visitors who really want to see the truly remote Lao wilderness, and directly experience the lifestyles of the various hill tribes in this region. In direct contrast to Northern Laos, the Mekong delta lowlands in [[Southern Laos|the South]] are perfectly flat. [[Si Phan Don]] (''four thousand islands'') is a great base for experiencing what is surely the most chilled and relaxed region anywhere in Asia. Experiencing local village life, taking it all in and doing absolutely nothing should be the aim here. There are though some wonderful river-based sights, including the largest falls anywhere in Southeast Asia. If you are lucky you might get a close-up view of a Mekong pink dolphin. ===Cultural attractions=== [[Image:WatSen.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Wat Sen at [[Luang Prabang]]]] In this most Buddhist of nations, it is no surprise that temples are a key attraction. In the capital city of [[Vientiane]], the three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. There are numerous other beautiful temples which on their own make a stay in the capital city vital for any visitor to Laos. The ''whole'' of the ancient capital of [[Luang Prabang]] is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Befitting that status, it is a unique city. Beautifully preserved gilded temples with their attendant orange-robed monks mold almost seamlessly with traditional wooden Lao houses and grand properties from the French colonial era. Spotlessly clean streets with a thriving café culture on the banks of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, complete the picture of a city which is almost too pleasant to be true. [[Image:PlainOfJarsView.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The [[Plain of Jars]] near [[Phonsavan]]]] The [[Plain of Jars]] is a megalithic archaeological landscape dating from the Iron Age. Thousands of stone jars are scattered over a large area of the low foothills near [[Phonsavan]]. The main archaeological theory is that the jars formed part of Iron Age burial rituals in the area, but this is by no means proven, and a great deal of mystery remains. The area suffered tragic damage from American bombing during the Secret War of the 1960s, and much UXO remains uncleared. When that process is complete it is very likely this will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wat Phu is a ruined Hindu Khmer temple complex in [[Champasak]] province. It dates from the 12th century and visitors who have been to [[Angkor Wat]] will notice the similarities. [[Image:WatPhouwholesite.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Wat Phu, [[Champasak]]]] ===Recent history=== The town of [[Vieng Xai]] provides a striking insight in the recent history of not only Laos, but the whole of Indochina. In 1964, the US began intensive bombing of the Lao communist movement – Pathet Lao – bases in Xieng Khouang. Under much bombardment, the Pathet Lao moved east to Vieng Xai and established their headquarters in the limestone karst cave networks around the town. A whole 'Hidden City' was established which supported around 20,000 people. During nine years of almost constant American bombing, the Pathet Lao sheltered in these caves, and lived in a largely subterranean environment. Schools, hospitals and markets as well as government ministries, a radio station, a theatre and military barracks were all hidden in the caves. After the 1973 ceasefire, Vieng Xai briefly became the capital of Laos, before that function was moved to Vientiane in 1975. There are formal daily tours of the caves, as well as other evidence of that era in the town. == Do == * {{do | name=Herbal Sauna | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-11-14| content=One Laotian experience definitely worth trying is the herbal sauna. Often run by temples, these are simple-looking affairs, often just a rickety bamboo shack with a stove and a pipe of water on one side, usually open only in the evenings. The procedure for a visit is usually:<br />Enter and pay first. The going rate is around 10,000 kip, plus around 40,000 kip if you want a massage afterward.<br />Go to the changing room, take off your clothes and wrap yourself up in a sarong which is usually provided.<br />Keeping yourself modestly sarong-clad, head over to the shower or water bucket in one corner and wash up.<br />Plunge into the sauna room itself. It will be dark, hot and steamy inside, with intense herbal scents of lemongrass and whatever the sauna master is cooking up that day, and you will soon start to sweat profusely.<br />When you've had your fill, head outside, sip on a little weak tea and marvel at how the tropical heat of the day now feels cool and refreshing.<br />Repeat at will. }} * {{do | name=Hiking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hiking in mountainous [[Northern Laos]] is popular, and this often includes homestays in minority tribe villages. The main hub for this is [[Luang Namtha]] where the two day [[Ban Nalan Trail]] is especially notable. The route goes through the Nam Ha National Protected Area, and involves staying in Khmu villages. Other hiking hubs include [[Oudomxay]], south of Luang Namtha, and [[Pakse]] in southern Laos. }} * {{do | name=Kayaking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Can be arranged in a wide number of locations. The ambitious traveller could kayak the Mekong between [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. }} * {{do | name=Rock Climbing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The limestone karst formations in [[Northern Laos]] are ideal for rock climbing. [[Vang Vieng]] is the main rock-climbing centre but climbs are also possible further north at [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} * {{do | name=Tubing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Floating down the river on a large inflatable tube is one of the attractions of the SE Asia backpacker circuit. The hugely popular stretch of the Nam Song at [[Vang Vieng]] is lined with bars that lure you and your tube in with ziplines, water slides, loud music, buckets of terrible local whiskey, and unlimited Beerlao. After numerous tourist deaths, crackdowns on Vang Vieng tubing were announced in Aug 2012. Since then, many river bars have been closed down along with their flying foxes and rope swings. Tubing is still possible, but it's now a lot quieter. Whether this is a long or short-term result is still to be seen. Tubing can also be found in other locations around Laos including [[Si Phan Don]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} == Buy == ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Lao kip | currencyCodeAfter=&nbsp;kip | date=March 2022 | USD=11,000 | EUR=12,000 | GBP=15,000 | AUD=8,000 | CNY=1,800 | THB=334 | VND=5036 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/lak-lao-or-laotian-kip XE.com]}}The Lao currency is the '''kip''', demoted by the symbol "'''₭'''" (ISO code: '''LAK'''). Wikivoyage articles will use ''kip'' to denote the currency. Kip is convertible at banks in neighboring countries. It is possible to exchange to and from kip at Vientiane airport (opens at 09:00) and there is a Lao bank that exchanges at the Nong Khai-Vientiane land border (straight and right of the Visa on Arrival desk). The largest note is 100,000 kip and rather uncommon (although you may get some from the ATM). Notes in common circulation are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kip. Withdrawing the maximum of 1,000,000 kip from an ATM could result in 20 50,000-kip notes. This makes carrying large quantities of kip quite inconvenient. ====Foreign currencies==== Although less common than in the past, US dollars will sometimes be accepted, although usually at about 5–10% less than the official rate. Thai baht may be accepted in many areas near the border, notably Vientiane. In remote places, only kip is accepted and no ATMs will be available, so plan ahead. More touristy places and banks also accept the euro. So if you're from one of the euro countries, bring some just in case. This could be cheaper than changing your euros into baht or US dollars and then into kip. ====ATMs==== There are many ATMs in Vientiane, and they have also appeared in other major cities including Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet, Tha Khaek, Pakse and Luang Namtha. [http://www.bcellaos.com/ BCEL], the largest bank, accepts Visa/Cirrus and MasterCard/Maestro, but surcharges of 20,000 kip (Mar 2020) often apply. However, BCEL ATMs allow you to withdraw up to 1.5 million kip at once. Expats living in Vientiane routinely get cash from ATMs in Nong Khai or Udon Thani in Thailand, where the maximum per transaction is mostly 20,000 baht, or ten times what you'll get in Laos. ====Cash advance==== Many banks, travel agents and guest houses will allow you to take out cash from a credit card as a cash advance. This usually occurs by withdrawing the money in US dollars from the card as a cash advance; the card issuer will usually charge a fee (about 3%), the Lao bank involved will charge about 3%, and then the agent providing the cash advance might or might not charge another 3%, and then the amount is converted from US dollars to kip at an unfavourable rate, costing another 5% or so. Thus, these transactions are much more expensive than the typical charge for withdrawing cash from ATMs in other countries. Getting a cash advance in US dollars and changing it to kip might save money compared to bringing euros with you to Laos. ====Cash==== The use of ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, holidays, etc. A few visitors have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to continue their travels. Always bring some cash. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns. ====Money exchange==== Banks give good rates, and private exchange booths are common in the major tourist areas. However, euros get pretty bad rates compared to US dollars when exchanged in Laos. ===Shopping hours=== Many shops start an hour's lunch break at noon, and some maintain the (now abolished) official French two-hour break. Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, except restaurants and many shops. === Costs === Prices tend to be lower in Laos than in neighboring countries, though standards might be lower as well. Prices are lower in smaller towns and villages than in tourist centers like [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. A budget of US$40 a day is a good rule of thumb, though it's possible to get by on far less. Excluding transport costs, living on US$15/day isn't difficult. A basic room with shared bath can be as little as US$6 in [[Vang Vieng]] or as much as US$10-15 in [[Vientiane]] or [[Luang Prabang]]. Meals are usually under US$5 for even the most elaborate Lao, Thai or Vietnamese dishes (Western food is more expensive), and plain local dishes cost US$2-3. A local bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng costs US$5; a VIP bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang costs 160,000 kip; the slow boat from [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Huay Xai]] costs US$25. Unlike in Thailand, access to temples in Luang Prabang is not free, but typically costs 10,000 kip. In Vientiane only the more famous temples charge an entry fee. For some products Laos is more expensive than Thailand and Cambodia as most goods, petrol, and food is imported from Thailand and Vietnam, and because most people have the bad habit (especially tuk-tuk drivers) of considering US$1 as 10,000 kip, where in fact it's about 9,000 kip. Remember this in bargaining with tuk-tuk drivers and when shopping in markets. Outside of tourist centres, rooms can be found for US$2.50, and even at Si Phan Don for US$5/night. Large noodle soups are around US$2, and a typical price for large bottles of Beerlao is 10,000 kip. ===What to buy=== Typical Lao dresses in cheap machine-made fabric can be made to order. Expect to pay around US$5 for the fabric and US$2 for labour. Handmade Lao silk is one of the most attractive things to buy. The talat sao (Morning Market) in Vientiane has dozens of small shops selling 100% handmade silk scarves or wall hangings from US$5 upwards depending on quality, intricacy of design and size. Beware cheap synthetic fabrics sold as silk imported from China and Vietnam. Be careful also of "antique silk" as there is very little available, but new fabric can be made to look old and worn. Still attractive, but don't pay more than US$30-50. In markets, always bargain: it is expected, but keep smiling. == Eat == [[Image:LaoFood StickyRicePapayaSalad.JPG|thumb|Clockwise from top right: ''Tam maak hung'' papaya salad, sticky rice in a ''tip khao'' basket and fresh lettuce leaves]] [[Image:LaoFood LarbNeua.JPG|thumb|Minty, chilli-laden goodness: ''laap neua'' beef salad]] Lao food is very similar to that eaten in the northeastern [[Isaan#Eat|Isaan]] region of Thailand: very spicy, more often bitter than sweet, and using lots of fresh herbs and vegetables served raw. Some of the raw vegetables can be used to cool your mouth when the chilis are overwhelming. Rice is the staple carbohydrate. The standard kind is '''sticky rice''' (ເຂົ້າໜຽວ ''khao niaow''), eaten by hand from small baskets called ''tip khao''. Using your right hand, never your left, pinch off a bit, roll into a ball, dip and munch away. The national dish is '''''laap''''' (ລາບ, also ''larb''), a "salad" of minced meat mixed with herbs, spices, lime juice and, more often than not, blistering amounts of chili. Unlike Thai ''larb'', the Lao version can use raw meat (''dip'') instead of cooked meat (''suk''), and if prepared with seafood makes a tasty, if spicy, carpaccio. Another Lao invention is '''''tam maak hung''''' (ຕໍາຫມາກຫຸ່ງ), the spicy green papaya salad known as ''som tam'' in Thailand, but which the Lao like to dress with fermented crab (ປູດອງ ''pudem'') and a chunky, intense fish sauce called '''''pa daek''''' (ປາແດກ), resulting in a stronger flavour than the milder, sweeter Thai style. Other popular dishes include ''ping kai'', spicy grilled chicken, and ''mok pa'', fish steamed in a banana leaf. Laos also boasts a range of local desserts. '''Kanom kok''' is a small, spherical pudding made from coconut milk, tapioca and ground rice. '''Sang kaya mayru''' is a pumpkin filled with a sweet custard and then steamed. The pumpkin itself is also sweet, and the resulting mixture can be quite delicious. Sticky rice with mango or durian is also a popular snack. In addition to purely Lao food, culinary imports from other countries are common. ''Khao jii pat-te'', French baguettes stuffed with pâté, and ''foe'' (pho) noodles from China are both ubiquitous snacks particularly popular at breakfast. ''Foe'' can refer to thin rice noodles (Vietnamese pho), and to the wide flat noodles that would be called ''guay tiow'' in Thailand. == Drink == [[Image:Mekong BeerGarden.JPG|thumb|Sunset and Beerlao by the Mekong, [[Vientiane]]]] The national drink of Laos is the ubiquitous and tasty '''Beerlao''', made with Laotian jasmine rice and one of the few Lao exports. It maintains an almost mythical status among travellers and beer aficionados. The yellow logo with its tiger-head silhouette can be seen everywhere, and a large 640 ml bottle shouldn't cost more than 10,000 to 15,000 kip in restaurants. It's available in three versions: original (5%), dark (6.5%) and light (2.9%). The brewery claims they have 99% market share. Rice spirit, known as '''lao-lao''', is everywhere and at less than US$0.30 per 750 ml bottle is the cheapest way to get drunk. Beware, as quality and distilling standards vary wildly. Lao '''coffee''' (''kaafeh'') is recognised to be of very high quality. It's grown on the Bolaven Plateau in the south; the best brand is ''Lao Mountain Coffee''. Unlike Thai coffees, Lao coffee is not flavoured with ground tamarind seed. To make sure you aren't fed overpriced Nescafé instead, be sure to ask for ''kaafeh thung''. By default in lower end establishments, ''kaafeh lao'' comes with sugar and condensed milk; black coffee is ''kaafeh dam'', coffee with milk (but often non-dairy creamer) is ''kaafeh nom''. Fresh '''coconut juice''' is delicious, and '''soymilk''' at convenience stores is surprisingly tasty, nutritious, and inexpensive. There is not much nightlife outside of Vientiane and Vang Vieng. To have a beer in some places, simply visit a restaurant. However, some areas may be so laid-back that they will expect you to keep track of what you have drunk, with the odd guest house asking how much you have drunk during your stay upon check out. == Sleep == Accommodation options outside the Mekong Valley's main tourist spots are limited to basic hotels and guesthouses, but there are many budget and mid-priced hotels and guesthouses and quite a few fancy hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Pakse has the Champasak Palace. == Work == {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud and illegal remote gambling are rampant in Laos. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Laos or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Cambodia organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''''illegal organ transplantation'''''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are also targeted. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapons to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Local authorities and the police in Cambodia may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from uninvolved higher authorities or your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Cambodia. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-19 }} Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour). One of the most interesting ways to get to know a country, and which has become increasingly popular, is to '''volunteer'''. ==Stay safe== {{Warningbox|There are 78 million unexploded bombs and grenades in Laos as a result of bombing by the USA during the Laotian Civil War and Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s. Do not touch any loose metal items and be particularly careful in areas that were controlled by North Vietnam during the war. |lastedit=}} Laos in general is a safe country, in part because crime is punished to a significant extent by the government. This said, petty crime remains a concern. === Corruption === {{see also|Corruption and bribery}} Corruption is a huge problem in Laos. According to Transparency International, Laos is the second most corrupt country in [[South East Asia]]. Given how the police earn very low salaries, it's not uncommon for them to routinely target, harass, or intimidate people for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to them. Should you be stopped for any reason, '''do not argue or fight back, even if you've not done anything wrong'''; simply pay the bribe and be on your way. === Authorities === '''The police are woefully ineffective'''. Their response to crimes is severely limited by bureaucracy, inadequate training, corruption, and a lackluster justice system. If you're the victim of a crime, it's not unheard of to not be taken seriously by the authorities. In addition, expect little to no help if you're not fluent in [[Lao]]. In accordance with the law, you are required to have an identification document on you at all times, and the police have the legal right to ask you for it. If they ask you for it, just give it to them. Failing to produce an identity document on request will result in a heavy fine. As obvious as it may sound, always behave respectfully to law enforcement authorities, even if they happen to be highly corrupt. === Relationships with Laotian nationals === True to its nature as a communist country, the Laotian government dictates how foreigners should interact with the locals. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of Laotian nationals without permission from the government. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of their family members without permission from the government. * Sexual contact and cohabitation between a Lao national and a foreigner is '''illegal''' unless they are married. * Foreigners are not allowed to invite someone of the opposite sex to their hotel room. * '''Adultery is illegal in Laos'''. It is punishable by up to '''a year of imprisonment''' and a fine. If you've been accused of adultery, know that you and your partner will be prosecuted. * If you are thinking about getting serious (i.e. marriage or engagement) with a Laotian citizen, you are required to submit a formal application to the authorities. Not doing so can result in heavy penalties. If you have married a Laotian national outside of Laos, you must have your marriage certificate authenticated at a Laotian embassy before travelling to Laos. === LGBT travellers === '''Homosexuality''' is legal in Laos. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples may be tolerated in large cities like [[Vientiane]], but in smaller towns, homosexuality remains taboo, especially among the Hmong people. === Illegal substances === {{Warningbox|The Lao PDR penal code '''penalises illegal substances severely'''. Depending on the circumstances, you can expect to face lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, or at worst, execution. |uk = https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/safety-and-security |us = https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Laos.html |lastedit=16-02-2022}} Laos is at the center of the illegal drug trade; therefore, the country has a '''huge problem''' with illegal substances. At some point during the 1990s, it was believed the country was the largest opium producer in the world. Although the government has done a lot to stamp out the illegal drug trade, the country's remote geography and high level of corruption mean that the issue is difficult to fully and adequately control. Expected to be treated with '''no leniency''' if you have been accused of being involved in illegal substances. The following tips will come in handy: * '''Never leave your food or drinks unattended''', and always be careful when someone gives you food or a drink. * '''Be wary of "special" or "happy items" in restaurants'''; such dishes may contain opiates. === Traffic conditions === Although Laotian traffic laws are strict (at least on paper), driving by the majority of Laotians is ''wild and reckless''. Speeding, reckless passing, and failure to obey traffic laws are common, as is driving under the influence. In the event you end up in a car accident, '''do not flee the scene'''. It is punishable by up to '''three years''' in prison and a '''fine up to 10,000,000 Kip'''. Attempting to flee the scene is also unwise. === Politics === According the Laotian Penal Code, it is '''illegal''' to "conduct propaganda" against the government and the country, i.e. directing any form of criticism to the government and/or the country. Doing so is punishable by up to '''five years in prison''' and a '''very hefty fine'''. Also, you should know that if the authorities feel you have '''[https://immigration.gov.la/prohibition/ "disgraced"]''' the country, you will '''not be allowed''' to leave. Foreigners '''are not exempted''' from this law; in 2012, a Swiss NGO director was '''deported and banished''' from the country after she published a letter openly criticising the government. === Miscellaneous === * '''Landmines or unexploded ordnance''' left over from the Vietnam War maim or kills hundreds of people every year as Laos is the most bombed country in history. Almost all of these occur in the eastern and northern parts of the country, especially near the border with Vietnam. Never enter areas marked as minefields and travel only on paved roads and well-worn paths. If you are unsure of which areas are safe, ask the locals. * '''Fake products''' are very common. Laos is one place where Chinese or Thai companies dump sub-standard products. Similar to Myanmar, there are few if any laws preventing such trade. == Stay healthy == Parts of Laos have a good deal of '''malaria''' so anti-malarials are recommended if visiting those areas for an extended period, but check with health professionals: there is a high incidence of drug-resistant parasites in Laos. Other mosquito-borne diseases, such as '''dengue''', can be life-threatening, so make sure you bring at least 25% DEET insect repellent and ensure that you sleep with mosquito protection like nets or at least a fan. Vientiane seems to be malaria-free but not dengue-free. The mosquitoes that are active during the day carry dengue and those that are active in the evening carry malaria. 25% DEET insect repellents are almost impossible to find in Laos, so bring some from your home country. The usual precautions regarding food and water are needed. '''[[Tap water]]''' is not drinkable anywhere in Laos, but bottled water is cheap and widely available. In Laos, most bottled water is simply treated tap water, and some brands sterilise their water better than others. Tiger Head is recommended, which is made by the Laos Brewing Company (of Beerlao fame), costing 5-6000 kip. Roadside water kiosks that let you cheaply fill your own bottle with filtered water (as are common in Thailand and Malaysia) are not present in Laos. Vientiane has several medical clinics are associated with European embassies, and there are several private hospitals in [[Vientiane]] that are run to Western standards. Otherwise, you probably have to go to Thailand for better treatment of serious injuries and illnesses. Udon Thani and Chiang Mai are generally recommended; they're only a few hours away, depending on your location in Laos. Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai might have suitable clinics, as well, and there's Bangkok, of course. Expatriates in Laos probably have the best information; the more upscale hotels can be good resources, as well. Travel insurance that includes cover for medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Remember: if you can't afford travel insurance, then you can't afford to travel. ===HIV=== Laos had a population HIV rate of 0.3% in 2020. == Respect == [[File:Savannakhet, Wat Sainyaphum 022.JPG|thumb|Wat Sainyaphum temple, [[Savannakhet]]]] {{infobox|Naming conventions|Similar to neighbouring Thailand, most Lao people follow the Western naming convention of a given name followed by a family name. However, unlike in most Western countries, Lao people almost never address each other using their last names, the default form of address is to use a title plus one's given name, even in the most formal situations. The most common titles in Lao are ''Thao'' or ''Nai'' for men, and ''Nang'' or ''Sao'' for women. As such, the current prime minister of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh would be addressed as ''Thao Phankham'' or ''Nai Phankham'' in Lao, and "Mr. Phankham" in English.}} Dress respectfully (long trousers, sleeved shirts) when visiting temples and take your shoes off before entering temple buildings and private houses. As with other Buddhist countries, showing the soles of your feet is very poor manners. Never touch any person on the head. Despite prevalent cheap alcohol, being drunk is considered disrespectful and a loss of face. Things in Laos happen slowly and rarely as scheduled. Keep your cool, as the natives will find humour in any tourist showing anger. They will remain calm, and venting your anger will make everybody involved lose face and is certainly not going to expedite things, particularly if dealing with government bureaucracy. '''Swastikas''' are commonly seen at Buddhist temples. They are regarded as a sacred symbol, and have no connection to Nazism or anti-Semitism whatsoever. ===Buddhist monks=== As in neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos, meaning that respect for monks is part of Lao life and that monks take their duties seriously. Monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by women. Therefore, women should place any offerings on a piece of cloth on the ground in front of a monk so he can pick it up. Monks are also forbidden from accepting or touching money, and offering money to a monk is considered to be disrespectful in the local culture. Should you wish to donate, you should only offer food to the monk. "Monks" who hang out at tourist spots soliciting donations, or those that accept money, are imposters. Monks are also not allowed to eat solid food after noon, and will stop gathering alms before then. Some undertake a vow of silence, and will not answer you even if they can speak English. It is best not to compel them to stand next to you for a photograph, or try to start a conversation if they seem reluctant. ==Connect== Laos phone numbers have the format <code>+856 20 654 321</code> where "856" is the country code for Laos. Numbers starting with 20 are mobile numbers, while all others are landlines. *Laos Country Code is "+856". *International Call Prefix is "00". *Laos Call Prefix is "0". *Laos articles here use the convention "+856 xx xxxxxx" except for emergency numbers which use local format with leading zero, "0xx xxxxxx" '''Internet cafés''' can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow and cafe staffs have less knowledge. The most reliable connections are in [[Vientiane]], and usually cost around 100 kip/minute, with the cheapest offering 4,000 kip/hour. However, Internet security is not guaranteed and computer viruses are abundant. In most cases, '''Wi-Fi''' is the best option. Most Western-style cafés offer free Wi-Fi-access for customers. Most accommodations, even budget places in [[Vientiane]], offer free Wi-Fi. '''Mobile phone''' usage in Laos has mushroomed, with four competing GSM operators. Two of these offer roaming services. Calling people on the same network is always cheaper than calling another network, but there is no clear market leader. Tourist and expats tend to prefer TPlus or M-phone (Laotel), while locals use any of the four networks. * '''[http://www.laotel.com/ Lao Telecom]''' has agreements with some 30 international networks. See [http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/roa_lash.shtml roaming with Lao Telecom]. * '''[http://tplus.la/ TPlus (formerly known as Beeline)] {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}}''' has agreements with over 100 International phone networks. Another popular choice, they also have low-cost international rate of 2000 kip/minute to many countries, if you buy their SIM card and dial "177" instead of "+". * '''[http://www.etllao.com/ ETL Mobile]''' is known to have better coverage in rural and remote parts of Laos. However, in Laos "better" certainly does not mean "everywhere". * '''Unitel''' is also available. It offers 5GB/30&day plans for 50,000 kip plus 30,000 kip for the SIM card (Mar 2020). Local prepaid SIM cards can be purchased in various shops and stores, including at the airport in [[Vientiane]] (walk through to the Domestic Terminal to find a shop selling snacks and Unitel SIMs), without any paperwork. * '''Tourist SIM:''' Since 2022, travellers can pre-order a tourist SIM card prior to their trip and get it deliver to their hotel or Airbnb in Vientiane using Internet in Laos [https://internetlaos.com/order-tourist-sim-laos online platform]. As another option, there is Thai coverage close to the Thai border (including a significant part of Vientiane), and Thai SIM cards and top-up cards can be bought in Laos; in addition, DeeDial International Call Cards are available. Thus, if you already have a Thai number, you can use the generally cheaper Thai network and/or avoid buying one more SIM. In addition, with the advent of cheap "neighboring country" roaming packages from the "big three" carriers in Thailand (AIS, dtac, and True all have 99 baht/2GB data roaming packages for Laos valid for varying periods) means that Thai SIMs are cheap to use even away from the Thai coverage area and can be helpful in other ways (for example, a True SIM will roam on Unitel, TPlus, and Lao Telecom, while a dtac SIM will roam on ''all four'' Lao networks, which given the lower roaming pricing these days, can be worth the premium over a local SIM limited to one network). '''Postal service''' in Laos is slow, but generally reliable. Other paid options such as FedEx, DHL, and EMS exist in various locations. Though these services are much more expensive, they are more reliable. {{geo|18.2|104|zoom=7}} {{isPartOf|Southeast Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} jxjf05je5gl7x97drgukc3u9s5olt0q 4506501 4506498 2022-08-23T03:00:01Z OhanaUnited 76122 /* Work */ date wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Laos banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Hermetically sealed during much of the outbreak, Laos reopened to all visitors in May 2022. Proof of vaccination ''or'' a recent negative ART test are required, but quarantine is not. More information: * [https://www.covid19.gov.la/index.php Official site] (in Lao) * [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/coronavirus UK government advice] * [https://la.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ US Embassy updates] |lastedit=2022-05-10}} '''[https://www.tourismlaos.org/ Laos]''' (ເມືອງລາວ ''mư̄ang lāo'') is the only landlocked nation in [[Southeast Asia]]. It was once a [[France|French]] colony and it is one of the few remaining communist states in the world, espousing Marxism-Leninism as its main political ideology. The term "communist state" may have negative connotations in some parts of the world, but you may want to think twice; many Laotians (60-70%) are practicing Buddhists, the Laotian government actively encourages foreign investment in Laos, your words and actions are not heavily regulated and monitored compared to [[North Korea|other parts of the world]], and tourism is encouraged and promoted. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population. There are numerous hill tribes in Laos; many of them are found in the various foothills and mountains of the country and their settlements continue to remain untouched and protected. Almost 150 distinct ethnic groups call Laos home. Although the country is not usually on most travellers' lists, tourism has been on the rise since the 1990s, and the country continues to attract millions of tourists each year. Laotians are known for their hospitality and relaxed attitude to life, and you can expect to be treated with immense respect as a visitor. The country has a lot to offer. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap = Laos Regions Map.png | regionmapsize = 450px | regionmaptext = Map of Laos with regions colour-coded | region1name=[[Northern Laos]] | region1color=#b697b6 | region1items=[[Ban Nalan Trail]], [[Houay Xai]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Ngoi Neua]], [[Muang Long]], [[Muang Ngeun]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Nong Khiaw]], [[Pakbeng]], [[Vieng Phoukha]] | region1description=Hilltribe villages, mountains, and the remarkably charming former capital | region2name=[[Central Laos]] | region2color=#88c391 | region2items=[[Plain of Jars]], [[Paksan]], [[Phonsavan]], [[Tha Khaek]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Vieng Xai]], [[Vientiane]] | region2description=Southeast Asia's sleepiest capital city and rural countryside | region3name=[[Southern Laos]] | region3color=#73a7ce | region3items=[[Champasak]], [[Pakse]], [[Savannakhet]], [[Si Phan Don]] | region3description=The Mekong flatlands, more mountains, and the area least-visited by tourists }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b697b6|title=[[Northern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14206446}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#88c391|title=[[Central Laos]]|wikidata=Q14210500}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#73a7ce|title=[[Southern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14234718}} == Cities == <!-- capital city on top, other cities below in alphabetical order. Maximum of 9 cities. --> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vientiane]]|wikidata=Q9326}} — the still sleepy capital on the banks of the Mekong River * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Huay Xai]]|wikidata=Q717371}} — in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Namtha]]|wikidata=Q660793}} — capital of the north, known for its trekking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Prabang]]|wikidata=Q190165}} — a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Muang Xay]]|wikidata=Q1026957}} — also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multi-ethnic province of Oudomxay * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakbeng]]|wikidata=Q2667457}} — halfway point on the overnight slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakse]]|wikidata=Q383622}} — gateway to the Wat Phu ruins and the "four thousand islands" (Si Phan Don) * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Savannakhet]]|wikidata=Q750443}} — in the south on the Mekong, connected by bridge to Mukdahan in Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tha Khaek]]|wikidata=Q1018701}} — a popular base for exploring Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Ban Nalan Trail]]|wikidata=Q14205117}} — a two-day ecotourism trek in the north of Laos * {{marker|name=[[Bolaven Plateau]]|wikidata=Q891266}} — highland with waterfalls, jungles and farmland * {{marker|name=[[Champasak]]|wikidata=Q334888}} — Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Angkor-style Khmer temples * {{marker|name=[[Nong Khiaw]]|wikidata=Q14227026}} — beautiful karst cliffs where you can discover hilltribe villages, kayak, bike ride or just hang out * {{marker|name=[[Plain of Jars]]|wikidata=Q870258}} — Iron Age cemetery sites near Phonsavan; also one of the main locations to learn about the "Secret War". * {{marker|name=[[Si Phan Don]]|wikidata=Q1319369}} — the "four thousand islands" are nestled within the Mekong near the Cambodian border * {{marker|name=[[Vang Vieng]]|wikidata=Q1012615}} — backpacker hangout for exploring limestone caves and tubing on the Nam Song river * {{marker|name=[[Vieng Xai]]|wikidata=Q2523307}} — remote cultural oasis and symbolic cradle of Marxism; see the caves where the Pathet Lao leaders ran their operations in defiance of the West == Understand == {{quickbar|location=LocationLaos.png}} {{infobox|Lao or Laos?|The people call themselves Lao and the language is Lao, so where did that "s" come from? The answer seems to be a mistranslation from French: somebody read ''royaume des Laos'' ("kingdom of the Lao people") as ''royaume de Laos'' ("kingdom of Laos"), and the name stuck. The official name, however, is '''Lao PDR''' and, should you have any incoming mail, using it will increase the odds of it passing the censors.}} The '''Lao People's Democratic Republic''' (ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ) ('''Lao PDR''') is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the most sparsely populated. Unlike most countries in Asia, the country has not undergone a major industrialisation and modernisation period; as result, lifestyle remains mostly rural and there are no large cities. An adjective often applied to Laos is "forgotten", but contrary to what advertised by travel agencies, it is hard to say this applies to tourism as well: Laos gets only 20% fewer international visitors than the [[Philippines]], which has a population 15 times bigger than that of Laos. Travelers lured by the prospect of visiting an untouched "Shangri-la" are likely to be disappointed; in fact, cities like [[Luang Prabang]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Vang Vieng]] are very tourist-oriented. On the other hand, Laos can be extremely rewarding for those who are instead drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of Laos is the famous "Lao PDR" - ''Lao-Please Don't Rush''. === History === {{seealso|Indochina Wars}} Laos is squeezed between vastly larger neighbors. It was created as an entity in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of '''Lan Xang''' ("Million Elephants"). The kingdom began as a [[Cambodia|Khmer]] vassal state. After a succession dispute, the kingdom split in three in 1694, and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1885. The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam, and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. It was briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, and a three-decade-long conflict was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted full independence in 1953, the war continued between a variety of factions, with the Communist and North Vietnam-allied '''Pathet Lao''' struggling to overthrow the French-aligned monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973), this alliance led the United States to dump 1.9 million tons of bombs on Laos, mostly in the northeast stronghold of the Pathet Lao: as a comparison 2.2 million tonnes were dropped on Europe by all sides during World War II. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six-century-old monarchy. The royal family was arrested and sent to reeducation camps, where most of them died by the 1980s, though some of the royals would escape to France and establish a government-in-exile, where they remain to this day. Closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws and admission into ASEAN in 1997. Due to its landlocked location and difficult terrain, Laos has long been deeply impoverished due to the difficulty of building infrastructure. However, in the 21st century, Laos has developed a close relationship with [[China]], who have invested substantially in infrastructure projects in the country. This improvement in infrastructure has led to tremendous economic growth, with more than 80% of the Lao people now living above the poverty line. Despite being just one hour by air from the hustle and bustle of [[Bangkok]], life in Laos has continued in much the same way it has for hundreds of years, although things are now slowly beginning to change. In the mid-1990s the government reversed its stance on tourism, and then declared 1998 "Visit Laos Year". Since then, tourism in Laos has been rising every year. In 2021, Laos and [[China]] completed the construction of a semi-high-speed rail linking [[Kunming]] to [[Vientiane]], with an extension to [[Bangkok]] already under construction, and talks of extending the line possibly all the way to [[Singapore]]. The rail connection is expected to have a dramatic impact on the country whenever cross-border travel resume; Kunming itself has a population 8 times bigger than Vientiane, and in fact, comparable to the entire population of Laos, while the province of [[Yunnan]] as a whole has a population about 7 times bigger than the population of Laos. It is likely that the face of tourism in the country will drastically change, and the word "forgotten" used to describe Laos will become a forgotten memory itself. === Culture === [[Image:WatThatLuang Landscape.JPG|thumb|400px|Pha That Luang, [[Vientiane]] - the national symbol of Laos]] Despite its small population, Laos has 49 ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three-quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao-Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone-Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung-Loumien language with 2 tribes, and Tibeto-Chinese language represented by 7 tribes. Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of [[Vientiane#See|Pha That Luang]], has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the '''baci''' (also ''baasi'') ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant's body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby, or other significant events. Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive ''phaa sin'', a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic minorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese-style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western-style and only don the ''phaa biang'' sash on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays women often wear Western-style clothing, though the "phaa sin" is still the mandatory attire in government offices, not only for those who work there but also for Lao women who are visiting. === Climate === Laos has three distinct seasons. The '''hot season''' is from Mar-May, when temperatures can soar as high as 40°C and the humidity makes it feel like 50°C. The slightly cooler '''wet season''' is from May-Oct, when temperatures are around 30°C, tropical downpours are frequent (especially Jul-Aug), and some years the Mekong floods. The '''dry season''' from Nov-Mar, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15°C (or even to zero in the mountains at night), is "high season". However, towards the end of the dry season, the northern parts of Laos &mdash; basically everything north of Luang Prabang &mdash; can become very '''hazy''' due to farmers burning fields and fires in the forests. == Get in == [[File:Visa policy of Laos.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Laos, with countries in blue, green and purple having visa-free access; and countries in gold having visa on arrival]] {{VisaRestriction|Entry '''will be refused''' to the following: people who are thought to have "degraded" the country and people who cannot prove that they have the funds to cover their stay. }} ===Visas=== Visas are not required by citizens of: [[Brunei]] and [[Myanmar]] (14 days), [[Japan]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Switzerland]] (15 days), [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mongolia]], [[Philippines]], [[Russia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Korea]], [[Thailand]] and [[Vietnam]] (30 days).<br> The [http://www.mofa.gov.la website of the foreign ministry] does not prove too helpful in obtaining up-to-date visa information. But the [http://www.tourismlaos.org website of Tourism Laos] provides more useful information on this topic. ====Visa on arrival==== A visa on arrival is available to most nationalities entering at the airports in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Savannakhet]]. These land border crossings offer visa on arrival: Boten (China); Houay Xay, Nam Ngeun, Kenthao, Vientiane, Thakhet, Savannakhet, Vangtao (Thailand) which includes all friendship bridges; Ban Leui, Nam Kan, Nam Phao, Dan Savanh (Vietnam); and Veun Kham (Cambodia). One passport photo is required although you may be able to pay a US$1 fee for your passport photo to be scanned upon arrival. As of May 2022, the price is US$40 for all except the following nationalities (the list excludes countries not eligible for visa on arrival and those with a visa exemption for at least 30 days): * China: US$20 * Sweden: US$31 * Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States: US$35 * India, Nepal, Sri Lanka: US$40 * Canada: US$42 Paying in Thai baht (1500 baht ~ US$47 in Jan 2019) is possible too, but the mark-up means that travellers should try to bring U.S. dollars. While Lao kip are usually not accepted for the visa fee, border staff does make exceptions sometimes, however at a bad rate. A US$1 "out of office hours/overtime" surcharge at the Friendship Bridge in [[Vientiane]], and a small possibly 10 baht to US$1 entry stamp fee might also be charged. ====Visa from the embassy==== [[File:Laos entry.JPG|thumb|Entry stamp]] Visas can be obtained in advance from [https://www.visalaos.com/ Lao embassies or consulates]. The fee varies by nationality and by embassy; US$40 is common, although can be as high as US$63 (in Kuala Lumpur). Processing times also vary; 2-3 days is typical, though you may be able to pay an extra small amount (around US$5) to receive the visa in as little as one hour. In [[Phnom Penh]] the travel agencies can arrange the visa the same day (but may charge as much as US$58) while getting it from the embassy takes a few days. Getting a visa from the embassy in Bangkok costs around 1,400 baht for most nationalities, plus 200 baht more for "same day" processing. ''It's cheaper and quicker to get a visa at the border''. ====Visa extension==== Entry permit extensions (sometimes referred to as "visa extensions") are available from the Immigration Department in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]] or [[Tha Khaek]], the Police Station in [[Pakse]], and possibly other cities. Extensions are not possible in Laos' second city, [[Savannakhet]], although you can do a border run from there to Thailand to get a new 30-day visa. The cost is US$2.50 per day plus a small "form fee" ranging between 5,000 kip (Pakse) to 30,000 kip (Vientiane). The process is very easy; turn up in the early morning with your passport and one photo; fill in a form (in Luang Prabang they do this for you) and come back in the afternoon to collect your passport with an extension stamp in it. If you do this in the late morning or later in the day, your passport will be ready the following day. If you want to extend for longer than two weeks and are near the Thai border, it can be more cost effective to nip over the border (entry to Thailand is free for most Western nationalities) and return immediately to get a new 30-day Lao visa since ''a 30-day visa extension costs US$75''. === By plane === [[File:VIENTIANE WATTAY AIRPORT LAOS FEB 2012 (6985451899).jpg|thumb|Vientiane International Airport]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Vientiane International Airport | alt={{IATA|VTE}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=17.988333 | long=102.563333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Wattay International Airport | image=Wattay Intl Airport Vientiane Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q221279 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Luang Prabang International Airport | alt={{IATA|LPQ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.898612 | long=102.1625 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Luang Prabang International Airport | image=LuangPrabangAirportAirside.jpg | wikidata=Q1077327 | content= }} Those two international airports are served by national carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] and a few others, including [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways], [http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways] (Luang Prabang only) and [http://www.vietnamairlines.com Vietnam Airlines]. Some seats on flights of Vietnam Airlines are reserved for Lao Airlines (codesharing/better price). * {{listing | type=go | name=[[Pakse]] International Airport | alt={{IATA|PKZ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=15.133889 | long=105.781944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pakse International Airport | image=Pakxe Airport Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q1432294 | content=The third international airport, with flights from Siem Reap (Vientiane&ndash;Pakse&ndash;Siem Reap by Lao Airlines) and from [[Ho Chi Minh City]]. SilkAir has regular service from Singapore to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. There are also regular round trip flights from Vientiane to Kunming, PDR and Incheon, South Korea on Lao Airlines and other carriers. }} Low-cost carriers [http://www.airasia.com AirAsia] flies to Vientiane from [[Kuala Lumpur]] three times a week, and offers daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang. Another cheap option for getting to Vientiane is to fly to [[Udon Thani]] in [[Thailand]] with discount airlines Nok Air or Air Asia and connect to [[Nong Khai]] and the Friendship Bridge via shuttle service directly from the airport (40 minutes); from here, Vientiane is {{km|17}} away. === By train === ==== From China ==== A new railway line from [[Kunming]], [[China]] to Vientiane opened in December 2021. Passing through [[Pu'er]], [[Jinghong]], [[Mengla]] and crossing the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]], the line serves [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Muang Nga]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Muang Kasi]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Phonhong]] and Vientiane on the Laotian side. Due to the COVID situation, as of December 2021 there are no cross-border passenger services yet. Once operational, the passenger train will be able to run at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, covering the distance from Kunming to Vientiane in 8-10 hours. ==== From Thailand ==== There is a bridge across the Mekong from the Thai town of [[Nong Khai]] to Thanaleng near [[Vientiane]]. There are two shuttle services per direction per day, with one timed to connect to the night trains from [[Bangkok]]. Visa on arrival is available when crossing the border by train. The train is ''not'' a very attractive option because the railway station is in the middle of nowhere, however, there are shuttle buses to take you the rest of the way. An extension of the aforementioned Kunming-Vientiane railway line onward to Bangkok is under construction, which will make the line to Thanaleng obsolete when completed in 2028. === By land === Most '''border crossings open for foreigners''', with an indication where visas on arrival can be issued, are listed on the web site of the [http://www.tourismlaos.org/ National Tourism Administration]. This list is unfortunately incomplete. ====[[Cambodia]]==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Operators for buses going from Cambodia to Southern Laos will ask passengers for (at least) an additional US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee to facilitate the border crossing. Not agreeing to the extra charge and attempting to obtain the visa independently may result in being abandoned at the border; all bus companies are involved since non-cooperation would likely see them being denied to cross and thus hurt their business. See further below for more information.}} Visa on arrival for Laos is available when entering from Cambodia overland, with an official "Visa on Arrival" office incorporated into the checkpoint. The nearest Cambodian town is [[Stung Treng]], and the border is a 60- to 90-minute bus ride away. The border is lightly used, with almost no onward public transport available once you passed through immigration, therefore it may be wise to book transport all the way to [[Ban Nakasang]] or [[Pakse]] depending on your destination. If you're buying a ticket from a destination in Cambodia to one in Laos (the most common being Siem Reap/Phnom Penh to Don Det) and you want the border crossing to be as trouble-free as possible, accept that you will have to pay an additional fee that usually isn't lower than US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee applicable to your nationality, current as of 2019. Not including possible mark-ups for the visa, the charge consists of: * $2 stamp fee on the Lao side * $2 stamp fee on the Cambodian side * $1 assistance fee for the facilitator as he gets the Lao visa and entry stamp for you This is the best case scenario: the "assistance fee" may also be $2 depending on the bus company used, and/or the facilitator will demand a higher total to account for the inflated visa price. While you can decline to use a facilitator, you will nevertheless be asked for the unofficial fees by the immigration officials, as the facilitator merely collects them on their behalf to "speed up the process". '''It is possible to at least circumvent the unofficial fees on the Cambodian side''' – several reports on the net suggest that the Cambodian officials are quick to give in if you refuse to pay the fee; it seems easiest if you can convince them that you simply don't have any dollars left. Little public information exists for the Lao side. The officials may or may not try to overcharge you for the visa on arrival. For Canadians, this can oddly result in paying ''less'' than the official price of US$42. One traveller reported that officials, at least on one occasion, seemed to use US$30 (the official price for most eligible nationalities) as the baseline for passports from Western countries, but then asked a Canadian citizen for US$35 instead. Whatever your nationality, do make sure you know what visa price applies to your passport before you hop on the bus to this border. Furthermore it is unknown whether one can refuse to pay the inflated visa fee (if applicable), the unofficial stamp fee, be successful ''and'' be still able to find onward transport to Ban Nakasang, [[Cambodia#Laos|although this definitely works the other way round]] (coming from Laos, going to Cambodia). Getting held up by not paying will likely see your bus leave without you. For those who want to stand their ground and don't mind possibly having to wait for a few hours in order to beat corruption, there is an option worth trying: Book your transport with any operator to the border only, ideally from Stung Treng with a departure in the morning to have time on your side. Enquire with travel agencies or online to book your ''separate'' onward transport from the border going North, and make sure it only leaves two to three hours after your arrival at the border. Alternatively, if you're feeling the stars are aligned in your favour, you may be able to catch a minivan or tuk-tuk that some travellers use to get independently to the border from the Lao side; it's unlikely to happen after lunchtime though. Another pitfall of the journey to the border is that you will often have four changes of bus (number depending on your origin – some vehicles are small minibuses where passengers have to sit on each other's laps), and hours spent driving to remote guesthouses to pick up backpackers. [https://www.asiavantransfer.com/ Asia Van Transfer] (AVT) was set up by a foreign expat and has built a good reputation for not letting passengers wait unnecessarily, not letting them change vehicles and also not overbooking seats, but this means they're also a bit pricier; also, they cannot drive into Laos. If your luggage has been sent in a bus you are not on, because of "lack of space", it will sometimes disappear. The "King of Bus Company" is known to do this. ====[[China]]==== The land crossing between [[Mengla]] (Yunnan) and [[Boten]] (Laos) is open to foreigners and visa on arrival is possible or you can get in advance at the Lao consulate in [[Kunming]]. Daily bus service operates from Mengla to [[Luang Namtha]] and [[Udomxai]]. Buses from Mengla to Luang Namtha leave from the North bus station. The first bus leaves around 08:00 and costs about ¥40. Generally speaking, it is not possible for independent travellers to cross from China to Laos via the Mekong River, not least because there's a chunk of Myanmar in the middle and the Lao checkpoint at [[Xieng Kok]] does not issue visas on arrival. Travel agents in China, including [http://www.chinadam.com Panda Travel], run irregular cruises from [[Jinghong]] (China) via [[Chiang Saen]] (Thailand) to [[Huay Xai]] (Laos), but schedules are erratic and prices expensive. ====[[Myanmar]]==== The Myanmar-Lao friendship bridge connects [[Shan State]] in Myanmar with [[Luang Namtha|Luang Namtha Province]] in Laos. ====[[Thailand]]==== There are eight border crossings open to all between Thailand and Laos. From north to south: [[File:Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.JPG|thumb|The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]] * [[Huay Xai]]/[[Chiang Khong]]: Using the fourth Friendship Bridge is the usual overland route to Luang Prabang, easy bus connections to [[Chiang Rai]] and points beyond on the Thai side. * [[Ban Pangmon]]/[[Ban Huak]]: Located on a remote mountainous road. If you want to travel overland from [[Chiang Mai]] to [[Hanoi]] overland via Laos, this is one possible route. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Muang Ngeun]]/[[Huay Kon]]: Visa on arrival. 40 km from [[Pak Beng]]. * [[Nam Hueng]]/[[Tha Li]]: Easily reached via [[Loei]] on the Thai side, but 378 km of dirt road away from [[Luang Prabang]]. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Vientiane]]/[[Nong Khai]]: The first Friendship Bridge and the busiest of crossing of them all. Direct trains from Bangkok now available. * [[Paksan]]/[[Bueng Kan]]: '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Tha Khaek]]/[[Nakhon Phanom]]: The third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Savannakhet]]/[[Mukdahan]]: The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Vang Tao]]/[[Chong Mek]]: On the route from [[Pakse]] to [[Ubon Ratchathani]]. ====[[Vietnam]]==== There are at least six border crossings that can be used by foreigners. These include: * Donsavanh - Lao Bao - to Savannakhet * Keo Nua Pass * Lak Sao - to Khammouan Province * Nam Can - to [[Plain of Jars]] * Na Meo - to [[Sam Neua]] * Tay Trang - to Muang Khua and [[Nong Khiaw]] (close to [[Dien Bien Phu]], the site of a famous battle where the French were defeated by Vietnamese independence fighters) * Bo Y (nearest town on Vietnamese side being Ngoc Hoi and on Lao side Attapeu) ====By motorbike from Vietnam==== The border crossing on a Vietnamese motorbike at Tay Trang is very easy and straightforward. You arrive after going over some hills at the Vietnamese border where very friendly guys handle your case easily and with no hassle. You fill out the form for "temporary export of a vehicle", show them the Vietnamese registration card for the bike (which is usually in the owners name) and pay US$10. Then you proceed to the police, show the papers to them and get the exit stamp. You then have to drive for 6 km over the mountains to get to the Lao checkpoint. There some not-so-friendly border guards there who expect you to pay 5,000 kip for general fees and 25,000 kip for importing a vehicle. They fill out the form themselves. == Get around == Travel within Laos has historically been slow, often painful and sometimes dangerous, but the 2021 opening of a railway spanning the northern half of the country and the ongoing construction of a parallel expressway is set to shake things up. Nevertheless, if travelling off the beaten track, allow plenty of leeway in your schedule for the near-inevitable delays, cancellations and breakdowns. === By plane === [[File:Lao Airlines ATR 72-212A; RDPL-34175@BKK;30.07.2011 613cx (6041831739).jpg|thumb|A Lao Airlines ATR 72 aircraft]] State carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] has a near-monopoly on domestic flights. They managed a 13-year accident-free streak until an October 2013 crash near Pakse resulted in 49 fatalities, the country’s deadliest air disaster. The fairly comprehensive network is by far the fastest and, relatively speaking, the safest way of reaching many parts of the country, although the new train line (see below) now offers some real competition. As of 2013, the popular [[Vientiane]]-[[Luang Prabang]] route costs about US$101 (one-way full fare for foreigners), but covers in 40 minutes what would take you at least ten to twelve hours by bus (but only two hours by train - see below). Several planes a day. Tickets can be bought on-line or at any travel agency. Flights to more remote destinations are flown on the Xian MA60, a Chinese copy of the Soviet An-24, and are frequently cancelled without warning if the weather is bad or not enough passengers show up. Lao Airlines also flies 14-passenger Cessnas from Vientiane to [[Phongsali]], [[Sam Neua]] and [[Sainyabuli]] (''Xayabouly'') several times a week. These airfields are all rudimentary and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat if weather is less than perfect. ===By train=== [[File:2021-12-03_China-Laos-Eisenbahn.jpg|thumb|EMU high-speed train at Vang Vieng station]] The first railway in Laos, a Chinese-built line crossing the northern half of the country from the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]] via [[Muang Xay]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Vientiane]] opened in December 2021. Both electric/high-speed (EMU) and ordinary trains operate, with the EMU services at up to 160 km/h per hour, making this by far the most comfortable way to travel. As of 2022, there is one high-speed "C" train and one normal "K" train per daily running the length of the line, with one additional high-speed service to Luang Prabang only. Sample travel times and fares in kip: {| ! From !! To !! Travel time !! EMU<br/>1st class !! EMU</br>2nd class !! Ordinary |- | Vientiane || Vang Vieng || 1 hour || 86,000 || 56,000 || 40,000 |- | Vientiane || Luang Prabang || 2 hours || 313,000 || 198,000 || 140,000 |- | Vientiane || Boten || 3.5 hours || 529,000 || 333,000 || 238,000 |} The railway is very popular, and demand always exceeds capacity. The easiest way to buy tickets is to go through a travel agency, who will handle all the paperwork for a service charge of around $4/ticket. [https://discoverlaos.today/promotion/train-ticketing Discover Laos] has a good reputation and can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. If you wish to try your luck, a new ticket office opened in Vientiane Center on February 2022, where you can purchase tickets for trains up to 3 days in advance. As of February 2022, only tickets to Boten, Muang Xai and Luang Prabang can be bought at the Vientiane Center office, while tickets for all other destinations can only be bought at the station. The Vientiane Center office also does not accept cash payments, and payments can only be made using a UnionPay credit card, Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay or Alipay, or the OnePay mobile payment platform of local Lao bank BCEL. Despite all this hassle, you may still end up empty-handed, as scalpers frequently buy up all the tickets. If you're in a pinch, try your luck at the train station, as unsold same day tickets may reappear in the inventory. === By road === {{infobox|VIP, minibus or car?|Minibuses are quicker and more expensive, however that doesn't mean they are necessarily better. A typical '''VIP Bus''' is just an old bus by Western standards (generally retired Chinese tour buses), and may be more prone to breakdowns, but they usually have more leg room which can make a long journey much more comfortable. VIP buses also include a bottle of water, a snack, and a stop for lunch/dinner. Both types are usually air conditioned (though it doesn't always work). Even more expensive, but certainly the most convenient, is a rented car with driver. A car with a driver will cost around US$95 per day. Some can even drive over the border to Thailand, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The cars can be arranged at tour agencies, tourist hotels and car rental companies. The cars are new, so they're reliable. They have the bonus of your being able to stop the car at any time for photos, nosing around a village or just stretching your legs.}} The main routes connecting [[Vientiane]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Savannakhet]] are sealed, and the transport options on these roads include bus, minibus, and converted truck. The first expressway in Laos now connects Vientiane to Vang Vieng and is slowly being extended north towards Luang Prabang, but the full length to the Chinese border will not be ready until the 2030s. A good source of bus timetables, including some basic town maps, can be found at [http://hobomaps.com/ hobomaps.com] Some common routes through Laos include: * [[Vientiane]] to [[Vang Vieng]] – now connected by a direct 113&nbsp;km expressway, less than 1.5 hours by direct VIP bus * [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Luang Prabang]] – amazing scenery through the mountains, at the cost of a long 8-hour trip full of curves. * [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Phonsavan]] - minibus: a cramped 7-hour trip, so arrive early to get good seats as near the front as possible; beautiful views so secure a window seat if possible. Bus is 8 hours. * [[Phonsavan]] to [[Sam Neua]] - converted pickup truck: beautiful views but lots of hills and bends, hence possible nausea * [[Sam Neua]] to [[Muang Ngoi]] - minivan: a 12-hour trip along a horrible road; good views and a necessary evil, but fun if you're prepared to get a few knocks and talk to some Lao people who are, after all, in the same boat * [[Muang Ngoi]] to [[Luang Namtha]] - Minivan: 10-hour trip (Oudomxay); OK road, much travelled by backpackers * [[Luang Namtha]] to [[Huay Xai]] - once a muddy nightmare, now rebuilt and one of the best roads in Laos, 3-4 hours * [[Paksan]] to [[Phonsavan]] - there is a new road between Borikham and Tha Thom. In Tha Thom there is a guesthouse with 8 rooms. The forest between Borikham and Tha Thom is still in a very good condition, but it's a dirt road. Since most of the forest in Laos has gone this is one of the last roads surrounded by primary forest. There are substantial road works being undertaken by the Vietnamese between Paksan and Phonsavan and there can be some fairly long delays along the way. Even though the trip is only a couple of hundred kilometres it can take 16-20 hr to traverse this section. [[Image:Vientiane Jumbo.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Jumbo in [[Vientiane]]]] Local transport (less than 20 km) in Laos consists of tuk-tuks, jumbos, and sky labs, motorised three or four wheelers. A jumbo should cost no more than 20,000 kip for short journeys of 1-5 km. The main ride-hailing app is '''[https://loca.la/ LOCA]'''. You can pay by cash or use a credit card to pay through the app. You can now also travel the entire length of the country using a fully guided "hop on hop off" bus service provided by [http://www.straytravel.asia/ Stray Travel]. This is the only guided hop on hop off bus in Southeast Asia. '''Women''' should be aware that often during lengthy bus or minibus trips there is no opportunity to go to the toilet during breaks, so it may be advisable to wear a wide skirt. ==== By songthaew ==== A '''songthaew''' (ສອງແຖວ) is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side &mdash; hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards. Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses, and generally are the most economical way to travel shorter distances. There also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price before embarking. ==== By tuk-tuk/jumbo ==== The names '''tuk-tuk''' and '''jumbo''' are used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built, others are partially based on motorcycle components. A tuk-tuk organisation in Vientiane controls the prices that tourists are expected to pay for point to point destinations. The rates are negotiable, and you should agree on the price prior to getting on the tuk tuk. The current rates can be found here: [http://spotonlaos.com/place/tuktuk/ Tuk Tuk Prices in Vientiane] ==== By motorbike ==== Motorbike travel in Laos is not without risks but the rewards of truly independent travel are great. There are several rental shops in Vientiane, [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Tha Khaek]], but bike rentals in other parts of the country may be scarce. The quality of machines varies from shop to shop so you need to fully inspect it before you head out on the road. There are many good roads and many paved ones and touring Laos is done easily. There are a variety of bikes available in Laos, depending on which town and rental shop you go to. Some available include the Honda Baja or XR 250 dual-purpose bikes, Ko Lao 110 cc and the usual Honda Win/Dream 110 ccs. Helmets are not only mandatory in the country but a valuable item in a place where traffic rules are made up by the minute. Police have been cracking down on people who do not have a motorcycle licence, so expect to pay a fine if caught without one. Petrol costs 9,000 kip/L (diesel 8,000 kip/L) as of Mar 2020. ==== By bicycle ==== Cycling is a great option with quiet roads. Laos offers wonderful remote areas to discover, little traveled roads, friendly people and even some companies providing cycling tours with the help of professional guides all over the country. The more time people seem to spend in Laos the more they seem to like the quiet travel mood and the opportunity to actually be in contact with the people along the way. Good maps are available about the roads in Laos and all major routes are with good roads. In normal distances you find simple guest houses and in all major towns better choices and restaurant. Food is not a problem as long as you remember to carry some stuff with you. Tropical fruits and noodle soup are the standards. There are a number of local operators running a wide selection of guided mountain biking tours through Laos. If you travel on your own, there are very few proper bike shops outside of Vientiane. but also for bikes with 28-inch wheels you might have a hard time. Bring your equipment with you and make sure you get contact details from a supplier, perhaps in Thailand. === By boat === Boats along the Mekong and its tributaries are useful shortcuts for the horrible roads, although as the road network improves river services are slowly drying up, and many of the remaining services only run in the wet season, when the Mekong floods and becomes more navigable. [[Huay Xai]] on the border with [[Thailand]] to [[Luang Prabang]] and travel south of [[Pakse]] are the main routes still in use. There are so-called ''slow boats'' and '''speedboats''' - the latter being tiny lightweight craft equipped with powerful motors that literally skid across the water at high speeds. ==== By slow boat ==== Many people go from Chiang Khong in [[Thailand]] via the border town of Houai Xai down the Mekong to the marvelous city of [[Luang Prabang]]. The ride takes two days and is very scenic. Apart from that, it is a floating backpacker ghetto with no (good) food sold, cramped, and hot. By the second day, the novelty has worn off. Recommended to bring a good (long) read, something soft for the wooden benches and patience. Slow boats generally stop in the village of [[Pakbeng]] for the night. Some boat packages will include accommodation, although this is usually at an inflated rate. By arranging a hotel in the town, it is easy to get a lower price. Most shops in Pakbeng shut down at about 22:00, so expect to get a good sleep before the second day's boat ride. This is also a good place to stock up on supplies. The boats have considerably improved. They now have soft used car seats, and serve pre-fab food, which is not great, but certainly sufficient. ==== By speedboat ==== [[File:Bootsfahrt auf dem Nam Ou Fluss.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|Speedboat barreling down the Nam Ou river]] An attractive choice for some, with a 6-hour ride from [[Huay Xai]] to [[Luang Prabang]], as compared to the two-day trip on the slow boat, but not for the faint of heart. Expect to be crammed into a modified canoe made for 4, with 10 other people, along with all the luggage somehow packed in. Expect to sit on the floor of the canoe, as there are no seats, with your knees against your chin for the full 6 hours. Expect an incredibly loud engine inches behind your head. Expect the engine to break a few times, and stops for delays to fix it. That being said, when this ride finally ends, if you make it with no trouble, you will never be happier to get to Luang Prabang. Stories of small, overloaded speedboats sinking or hitting driftwood are common, but if you are a good swimmer, take comfort in the fact that you can see both shores throughout the entire trip. So, as you see, choosing between the slow boat and the speedboat is a hard call, based mostly upon your comfort level; would you prefer a slow unpleasant trip, or a much faster, but more dangerous unpleasant trip. Either way, the scenery along the way is gorgeous and unexploited, and Luang Prabang is an incredible city, worth a thousand of these journeys. Though helpful in saving time, speedboats are not without danger: built to carry 8 passengers, they are often overloaded; the engine noise is well above a healthy level, which could be a serious hazard to your ears, especially if you are on the boat for a long time. It also causes considerable noise pollution, scaring wildlife and spoiling the peaceful river life. Fatalities resulting from capsize due to incautious maneuvering, or hitting floating logs or hidden rocks, have been reported but some claim and are exaggerated by competing slow boat owners. However, the vast majority of speedboat users have no serious problems. If you are taller than the average Laotian are a bit claustrophobic and/or have inflexible leg muscles you are guaranteed an extremely uncomfortable experience for several endless hours. Suggestions for those who decide to take the risk: * get one of the front seats as they allow you to stretch your legs and are far from the noisy motor * wear helmets and life jackets; reconsider your journey if these are not provided * bring a coat in the cold season, the strong wind can make you feel cold even at temperatures of 25 °C. * bring earplugs * protect water-sensitive equipment as you might get wet. == Talk == [[Image:WatThatLuang Sign.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Lao script]] {{seealso|Lao phrasebook}} The official language of Laos is '''[[Lao phrasebook|Lao]]''' (ພາສາລາວ ''pháa-sǎa láo''), a tonal language closely related to [[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]. The Thai dialect spoken in the northeastern [[Isaan]] region of Thailand, historically a part of greater Laos, is in fact identical to Lao. '''[[French phrasebook|French]]''', a legacy of the colonial days, is spoken by the elderly and is taught in schools in Laos, but its use is gradually being supplanted by English. French is often used in government and commerce, and French is often used to transliterate Lao words. '''English''' is gradually becoming popular, but proficiency in the language is generally poor. Try to speak slowly and carefully so that people can understand you. In some tourist areas, you can expect to come across school children who are eager to practice their English skills with you. They may, after a conversation, ask you to sign a form or pose for a photo with you as proof that this conversation took place. '''[[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]''' is widely understood by Laotians, largely because Thai media is popular in the country. If you are a speaker of [[Thai]], you should have no problems getting around independently and picking up the language easily. There are two main ways to turn the Lao script into the Latin alphabet: either '''French-style''' spellings like ''Houeisay'', or '''English-style''' spellings like ''Huay Xai''. While government documents seem to prefer the French style, the English spellings are becoming more common. The latter is used on Wikivoyage. Two quick pronunciation tips: [[Vientiane]] is actually pronounced "Wiang Chan", and the letter ''x'' is ''always'' read as an "s". Like in neighboring [[Thailand]], local pronunciation of the English word "twenty" often causes confusion by sounding a lot like "seventy". ==See== Unlike neighboring [[Thailand]] or [[Vietnam]], Laos never underwent a massive economic development, neither during colonisation nor even after the liberalisation of the Communist economy. As result, one key attraction of Laos is that most of the country, including the capital [[Vientiane]], retains a relaxed, laid back feel with minimal presence of modern architecture or international brands and food chains. How much longer this will last is open to much speculation, but meanwhile, it makes it a truly special and unique country to visit. ===Natural attractions=== [[Image:Sea of Clouds Ody.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The mountains of Oudomxay Province in Northern Laos]] The term wilderness is much misused, but it can truly be applied to much of Laos. The mighty Mekong river and its tributaries together create perhaps the single most important geographic feature of the country. Its meandering path in [[Northern Laos|the North]] has created some of the most stunning limestone karsts anywhere on earth. The backpacker-central town of [[Vang Vieng]] is a commonly used base for exploring the karsts. Further north, the terrain becomes more hilly, and the jungle less explored. [[Luang Namtha]] is the far-northern town which makes the best base for those visitors who really want to see the truly remote Lao wilderness, and directly experience the lifestyles of the various hill tribes in this region. In direct contrast to Northern Laos, the Mekong delta lowlands in [[Southern Laos|the South]] are perfectly flat. [[Si Phan Don]] (''four thousand islands'') is a great base for experiencing what is surely the most chilled and relaxed region anywhere in Asia. Experiencing local village life, taking it all in and doing absolutely nothing should be the aim here. There are though some wonderful river-based sights, including the largest falls anywhere in Southeast Asia. If you are lucky you might get a close-up view of a Mekong pink dolphin. ===Cultural attractions=== [[Image:WatSen.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Wat Sen at [[Luang Prabang]]]] In this most Buddhist of nations, it is no surprise that temples are a key attraction. In the capital city of [[Vientiane]], the three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. There are numerous other beautiful temples which on their own make a stay in the capital city vital for any visitor to Laos. The ''whole'' of the ancient capital of [[Luang Prabang]] is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Befitting that status, it is a unique city. Beautifully preserved gilded temples with their attendant orange-robed monks mold almost seamlessly with traditional wooden Lao houses and grand properties from the French colonial era. Spotlessly clean streets with a thriving café culture on the banks of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, complete the picture of a city which is almost too pleasant to be true. [[Image:PlainOfJarsView.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The [[Plain of Jars]] near [[Phonsavan]]]] The [[Plain of Jars]] is a megalithic archaeological landscape dating from the Iron Age. Thousands of stone jars are scattered over a large area of the low foothills near [[Phonsavan]]. The main archaeological theory is that the jars formed part of Iron Age burial rituals in the area, but this is by no means proven, and a great deal of mystery remains. The area suffered tragic damage from American bombing during the Secret War of the 1960s, and much UXO remains uncleared. When that process is complete it is very likely this will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wat Phu is a ruined Hindu Khmer temple complex in [[Champasak]] province. It dates from the 12th century and visitors who have been to [[Angkor Wat]] will notice the similarities. [[Image:WatPhouwholesite.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Wat Phu, [[Champasak]]]] ===Recent history=== The town of [[Vieng Xai]] provides a striking insight in the recent history of not only Laos, but the whole of Indochina. In 1964, the US began intensive bombing of the Lao communist movement – Pathet Lao – bases in Xieng Khouang. Under much bombardment, the Pathet Lao moved east to Vieng Xai and established their headquarters in the limestone karst cave networks around the town. A whole 'Hidden City' was established which supported around 20,000 people. During nine years of almost constant American bombing, the Pathet Lao sheltered in these caves, and lived in a largely subterranean environment. Schools, hospitals and markets as well as government ministries, a radio station, a theatre and military barracks were all hidden in the caves. After the 1973 ceasefire, Vieng Xai briefly became the capital of Laos, before that function was moved to Vientiane in 1975. There are formal daily tours of the caves, as well as other evidence of that era in the town. == Do == * {{do | name=Herbal Sauna | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-11-14| content=One Laotian experience definitely worth trying is the herbal sauna. Often run by temples, these are simple-looking affairs, often just a rickety bamboo shack with a stove and a pipe of water on one side, usually open only in the evenings. The procedure for a visit is usually:<br />Enter and pay first. The going rate is around 10,000 kip, plus around 40,000 kip if you want a massage afterward.<br />Go to the changing room, take off your clothes and wrap yourself up in a sarong which is usually provided.<br />Keeping yourself modestly sarong-clad, head over to the shower or water bucket in one corner and wash up.<br />Plunge into the sauna room itself. It will be dark, hot and steamy inside, with intense herbal scents of lemongrass and whatever the sauna master is cooking up that day, and you will soon start to sweat profusely.<br />When you've had your fill, head outside, sip on a little weak tea and marvel at how the tropical heat of the day now feels cool and refreshing.<br />Repeat at will. }} * {{do | name=Hiking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hiking in mountainous [[Northern Laos]] is popular, and this often includes homestays in minority tribe villages. The main hub for this is [[Luang Namtha]] where the two day [[Ban Nalan Trail]] is especially notable. The route goes through the Nam Ha National Protected Area, and involves staying in Khmu villages. Other hiking hubs include [[Oudomxay]], south of Luang Namtha, and [[Pakse]] in southern Laos. }} * {{do | name=Kayaking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Can be arranged in a wide number of locations. The ambitious traveller could kayak the Mekong between [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. }} * {{do | name=Rock Climbing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The limestone karst formations in [[Northern Laos]] are ideal for rock climbing. [[Vang Vieng]] is the main rock-climbing centre but climbs are also possible further north at [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} * {{do | name=Tubing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Floating down the river on a large inflatable tube is one of the attractions of the SE Asia backpacker circuit. The hugely popular stretch of the Nam Song at [[Vang Vieng]] is lined with bars that lure you and your tube in with ziplines, water slides, loud music, buckets of terrible local whiskey, and unlimited Beerlao. After numerous tourist deaths, crackdowns on Vang Vieng tubing were announced in Aug 2012. Since then, many river bars have been closed down along with their flying foxes and rope swings. Tubing is still possible, but it's now a lot quieter. Whether this is a long or short-term result is still to be seen. Tubing can also be found in other locations around Laos including [[Si Phan Don]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} == Buy == ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Lao kip | currencyCodeAfter=&nbsp;kip | date=March 2022 | USD=11,000 | EUR=12,000 | GBP=15,000 | AUD=8,000 | CNY=1,800 | THB=334 | VND=5036 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/lak-lao-or-laotian-kip XE.com]}}The Lao currency is the '''kip''', demoted by the symbol "'''₭'''" (ISO code: '''LAK'''). Wikivoyage articles will use ''kip'' to denote the currency. Kip is convertible at banks in neighboring countries. It is possible to exchange to and from kip at Vientiane airport (opens at 09:00) and there is a Lao bank that exchanges at the Nong Khai-Vientiane land border (straight and right of the Visa on Arrival desk). The largest note is 100,000 kip and rather uncommon (although you may get some from the ATM). Notes in common circulation are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kip. Withdrawing the maximum of 1,000,000 kip from an ATM could result in 20 50,000-kip notes. This makes carrying large quantities of kip quite inconvenient. ====Foreign currencies==== Although less common than in the past, US dollars will sometimes be accepted, although usually at about 5–10% less than the official rate. Thai baht may be accepted in many areas near the border, notably Vientiane. In remote places, only kip is accepted and no ATMs will be available, so plan ahead. More touristy places and banks also accept the euro. So if you're from one of the euro countries, bring some just in case. This could be cheaper than changing your euros into baht or US dollars and then into kip. ====ATMs==== There are many ATMs in Vientiane, and they have also appeared in other major cities including Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet, Tha Khaek, Pakse and Luang Namtha. [http://www.bcellaos.com/ BCEL], the largest bank, accepts Visa/Cirrus and MasterCard/Maestro, but surcharges of 20,000 kip (Mar 2020) often apply. However, BCEL ATMs allow you to withdraw up to 1.5 million kip at once. Expats living in Vientiane routinely get cash from ATMs in Nong Khai or Udon Thani in Thailand, where the maximum per transaction is mostly 20,000 baht, or ten times what you'll get in Laos. ====Cash advance==== Many banks, travel agents and guest houses will allow you to take out cash from a credit card as a cash advance. This usually occurs by withdrawing the money in US dollars from the card as a cash advance; the card issuer will usually charge a fee (about 3%), the Lao bank involved will charge about 3%, and then the agent providing the cash advance might or might not charge another 3%, and then the amount is converted from US dollars to kip at an unfavourable rate, costing another 5% or so. Thus, these transactions are much more expensive than the typical charge for withdrawing cash from ATMs in other countries. Getting a cash advance in US dollars and changing it to kip might save money compared to bringing euros with you to Laos. ====Cash==== The use of ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, holidays, etc. A few visitors have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to continue their travels. Always bring some cash. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns. ====Money exchange==== Banks give good rates, and private exchange booths are common in the major tourist areas. However, euros get pretty bad rates compared to US dollars when exchanged in Laos. ===Shopping hours=== Many shops start an hour's lunch break at noon, and some maintain the (now abolished) official French two-hour break. Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, except restaurants and many shops. === Costs === Prices tend to be lower in Laos than in neighboring countries, though standards might be lower as well. Prices are lower in smaller towns and villages than in tourist centers like [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. A budget of US$40 a day is a good rule of thumb, though it's possible to get by on far less. Excluding transport costs, living on US$15/day isn't difficult. A basic room with shared bath can be as little as US$6 in [[Vang Vieng]] or as much as US$10-15 in [[Vientiane]] or [[Luang Prabang]]. Meals are usually under US$5 for even the most elaborate Lao, Thai or Vietnamese dishes (Western food is more expensive), and plain local dishes cost US$2-3. A local bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng costs US$5; a VIP bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang costs 160,000 kip; the slow boat from [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Huay Xai]] costs US$25. Unlike in Thailand, access to temples in Luang Prabang is not free, but typically costs 10,000 kip. In Vientiane only the more famous temples charge an entry fee. For some products Laos is more expensive than Thailand and Cambodia as most goods, petrol, and food is imported from Thailand and Vietnam, and because most people have the bad habit (especially tuk-tuk drivers) of considering US$1 as 10,000 kip, where in fact it's about 9,000 kip. Remember this in bargaining with tuk-tuk drivers and when shopping in markets. Outside of tourist centres, rooms can be found for US$2.50, and even at Si Phan Don for US$5/night. Large noodle soups are around US$2, and a typical price for large bottles of Beerlao is 10,000 kip. ===What to buy=== Typical Lao dresses in cheap machine-made fabric can be made to order. Expect to pay around US$5 for the fabric and US$2 for labour. Handmade Lao silk is one of the most attractive things to buy. The talat sao (Morning Market) in Vientiane has dozens of small shops selling 100% handmade silk scarves or wall hangings from US$5 upwards depending on quality, intricacy of design and size. Beware cheap synthetic fabrics sold as silk imported from China and Vietnam. Be careful also of "antique silk" as there is very little available, but new fabric can be made to look old and worn. Still attractive, but don't pay more than US$30-50. In markets, always bargain: it is expected, but keep smiling. == Eat == [[Image:LaoFood StickyRicePapayaSalad.JPG|thumb|Clockwise from top right: ''Tam maak hung'' papaya salad, sticky rice in a ''tip khao'' basket and fresh lettuce leaves]] [[Image:LaoFood LarbNeua.JPG|thumb|Minty, chilli-laden goodness: ''laap neua'' beef salad]] Lao food is very similar to that eaten in the northeastern [[Isaan#Eat|Isaan]] region of Thailand: very spicy, more often bitter than sweet, and using lots of fresh herbs and vegetables served raw. Some of the raw vegetables can be used to cool your mouth when the chilis are overwhelming. Rice is the staple carbohydrate. The standard kind is '''sticky rice''' (ເຂົ້າໜຽວ ''khao niaow''), eaten by hand from small baskets called ''tip khao''. Using your right hand, never your left, pinch off a bit, roll into a ball, dip and munch away. The national dish is '''''laap''''' (ລາບ, also ''larb''), a "salad" of minced meat mixed with herbs, spices, lime juice and, more often than not, blistering amounts of chili. Unlike Thai ''larb'', the Lao version can use raw meat (''dip'') instead of cooked meat (''suk''), and if prepared with seafood makes a tasty, if spicy, carpaccio. Another Lao invention is '''''tam maak hung''''' (ຕໍາຫມາກຫຸ່ງ), the spicy green papaya salad known as ''som tam'' in Thailand, but which the Lao like to dress with fermented crab (ປູດອງ ''pudem'') and a chunky, intense fish sauce called '''''pa daek''''' (ປາແດກ), resulting in a stronger flavour than the milder, sweeter Thai style. Other popular dishes include ''ping kai'', spicy grilled chicken, and ''mok pa'', fish steamed in a banana leaf. Laos also boasts a range of local desserts. '''Kanom kok''' is a small, spherical pudding made from coconut milk, tapioca and ground rice. '''Sang kaya mayru''' is a pumpkin filled with a sweet custard and then steamed. The pumpkin itself is also sweet, and the resulting mixture can be quite delicious. Sticky rice with mango or durian is also a popular snack. In addition to purely Lao food, culinary imports from other countries are common. ''Khao jii pat-te'', French baguettes stuffed with pâté, and ''foe'' (pho) noodles from China are both ubiquitous snacks particularly popular at breakfast. ''Foe'' can refer to thin rice noodles (Vietnamese pho), and to the wide flat noodles that would be called ''guay tiow'' in Thailand. == Drink == [[Image:Mekong BeerGarden.JPG|thumb|Sunset and Beerlao by the Mekong, [[Vientiane]]]] The national drink of Laos is the ubiquitous and tasty '''Beerlao''', made with Laotian jasmine rice and one of the few Lao exports. It maintains an almost mythical status among travellers and beer aficionados. The yellow logo with its tiger-head silhouette can be seen everywhere, and a large 640 ml bottle shouldn't cost more than 10,000 to 15,000 kip in restaurants. It's available in three versions: original (5%), dark (6.5%) and light (2.9%). The brewery claims they have 99% market share. Rice spirit, known as '''lao-lao''', is everywhere and at less than US$0.30 per 750 ml bottle is the cheapest way to get drunk. Beware, as quality and distilling standards vary wildly. Lao '''coffee''' (''kaafeh'') is recognised to be of very high quality. It's grown on the Bolaven Plateau in the south; the best brand is ''Lao Mountain Coffee''. Unlike Thai coffees, Lao coffee is not flavoured with ground tamarind seed. To make sure you aren't fed overpriced Nescafé instead, be sure to ask for ''kaafeh thung''. By default in lower end establishments, ''kaafeh lao'' comes with sugar and condensed milk; black coffee is ''kaafeh dam'', coffee with milk (but often non-dairy creamer) is ''kaafeh nom''. Fresh '''coconut juice''' is delicious, and '''soymilk''' at convenience stores is surprisingly tasty, nutritious, and inexpensive. There is not much nightlife outside of Vientiane and Vang Vieng. To have a beer in some places, simply visit a restaurant. However, some areas may be so laid-back that they will expect you to keep track of what you have drunk, with the odd guest house asking how much you have drunk during your stay upon check out. == Sleep == Accommodation options outside the Mekong Valley's main tourist spots are limited to basic hotels and guesthouses, but there are many budget and mid-priced hotels and guesthouses and quite a few fancy hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Pakse has the Champasak Palace. == Work == {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud and illegal remote gambling are rampant in Laos. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Laos or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Cambodia organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''''illegal organ transplantation'''''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are also targeted. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapons to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Local authorities and the police in Cambodia may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from uninvolved higher authorities or your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Cambodia. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour). One of the most interesting ways to get to know a country, and which has become increasingly popular, is to '''volunteer'''. ==Stay safe== {{Warningbox|There are 78 million unexploded bombs and grenades in Laos as a result of bombing by the USA during the Laotian Civil War and Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s. Do not touch any loose metal items and be particularly careful in areas that were controlled by North Vietnam during the war. |lastedit=}} Laos in general is a safe country, in part because crime is punished to a significant extent by the government. This said, petty crime remains a concern. === Corruption === {{see also|Corruption and bribery}} Corruption is a huge problem in Laos. According to Transparency International, Laos is the second most corrupt country in [[South East Asia]]. Given how the police earn very low salaries, it's not uncommon for them to routinely target, harass, or intimidate people for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to them. Should you be stopped for any reason, '''do not argue or fight back, even if you've not done anything wrong'''; simply pay the bribe and be on your way. === Authorities === '''The police are woefully ineffective'''. Their response to crimes is severely limited by bureaucracy, inadequate training, corruption, and a lackluster justice system. If you're the victim of a crime, it's not unheard of to not be taken seriously by the authorities. In addition, expect little to no help if you're not fluent in [[Lao]]. In accordance with the law, you are required to have an identification document on you at all times, and the police have the legal right to ask you for it. If they ask you for it, just give it to them. Failing to produce an identity document on request will result in a heavy fine. As obvious as it may sound, always behave respectfully to law enforcement authorities, even if they happen to be highly corrupt. === Relationships with Laotian nationals === True to its nature as a communist country, the Laotian government dictates how foreigners should interact with the locals. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of Laotian nationals without permission from the government. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of their family members without permission from the government. * Sexual contact and cohabitation between a Lao national and a foreigner is '''illegal''' unless they are married. * Foreigners are not allowed to invite someone of the opposite sex to their hotel room. * '''Adultery is illegal in Laos'''. It is punishable by up to '''a year of imprisonment''' and a fine. If you've been accused of adultery, know that you and your partner will be prosecuted. * If you are thinking about getting serious (i.e. marriage or engagement) with a Laotian citizen, you are required to submit a formal application to the authorities. Not doing so can result in heavy penalties. If you have married a Laotian national outside of Laos, you must have your marriage certificate authenticated at a Laotian embassy before travelling to Laos. === LGBT travellers === '''Homosexuality''' is legal in Laos. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples may be tolerated in large cities like [[Vientiane]], but in smaller towns, homosexuality remains taboo, especially among the Hmong people. === Illegal substances === {{Warningbox|The Lao PDR penal code '''penalises illegal substances severely'''. Depending on the circumstances, you can expect to face lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, or at worst, execution. |uk = https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/safety-and-security |us = https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Laos.html |lastedit=16-02-2022}} Laos is at the center of the illegal drug trade; therefore, the country has a '''huge problem''' with illegal substances. At some point during the 1990s, it was believed the country was the largest opium producer in the world. Although the government has done a lot to stamp out the illegal drug trade, the country's remote geography and high level of corruption mean that the issue is difficult to fully and adequately control. Expected to be treated with '''no leniency''' if you have been accused of being involved in illegal substances. The following tips will come in handy: * '''Never leave your food or drinks unattended''', and always be careful when someone gives you food or a drink. * '''Be wary of "special" or "happy items" in restaurants'''; such dishes may contain opiates. === Traffic conditions === Although Laotian traffic laws are strict (at least on paper), driving by the majority of Laotians is ''wild and reckless''. Speeding, reckless passing, and failure to obey traffic laws are common, as is driving under the influence. In the event you end up in a car accident, '''do not flee the scene'''. It is punishable by up to '''three years''' in prison and a '''fine up to 10,000,000 Kip'''. Attempting to flee the scene is also unwise. === Politics === According the Laotian Penal Code, it is '''illegal''' to "conduct propaganda" against the government and the country, i.e. directing any form of criticism to the government and/or the country. Doing so is punishable by up to '''five years in prison''' and a '''very hefty fine'''. Also, you should know that if the authorities feel you have '''[https://immigration.gov.la/prohibition/ "disgraced"]''' the country, you will '''not be allowed''' to leave. Foreigners '''are not exempted''' from this law; in 2012, a Swiss NGO director was '''deported and banished''' from the country after she published a letter openly criticising the government. === Miscellaneous === * '''Landmines or unexploded ordnance''' left over from the Vietnam War maim or kills hundreds of people every year as Laos is the most bombed country in history. Almost all of these occur in the eastern and northern parts of the country, especially near the border with Vietnam. Never enter areas marked as minefields and travel only on paved roads and well-worn paths. If you are unsure of which areas are safe, ask the locals. * '''Fake products''' are very common. Laos is one place where Chinese or Thai companies dump sub-standard products. Similar to Myanmar, there are few if any laws preventing such trade. == Stay healthy == Parts of Laos have a good deal of '''malaria''' so anti-malarials are recommended if visiting those areas for an extended period, but check with health professionals: there is a high incidence of drug-resistant parasites in Laos. Other mosquito-borne diseases, such as '''dengue''', can be life-threatening, so make sure you bring at least 25% DEET insect repellent and ensure that you sleep with mosquito protection like nets or at least a fan. Vientiane seems to be malaria-free but not dengue-free. The mosquitoes that are active during the day carry dengue and those that are active in the evening carry malaria. 25% DEET insect repellents are almost impossible to find in Laos, so bring some from your home country. The usual precautions regarding food and water are needed. '''[[Tap water]]''' is not drinkable anywhere in Laos, but bottled water is cheap and widely available. In Laos, most bottled water is simply treated tap water, and some brands sterilise their water better than others. Tiger Head is recommended, which is made by the Laos Brewing Company (of Beerlao fame), costing 5-6000 kip. Roadside water kiosks that let you cheaply fill your own bottle with filtered water (as are common in Thailand and Malaysia) are not present in Laos. Vientiane has several medical clinics are associated with European embassies, and there are several private hospitals in [[Vientiane]] that are run to Western standards. Otherwise, you probably have to go to Thailand for better treatment of serious injuries and illnesses. Udon Thani and Chiang Mai are generally recommended; they're only a few hours away, depending on your location in Laos. Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai might have suitable clinics, as well, and there's Bangkok, of course. Expatriates in Laos probably have the best information; the more upscale hotels can be good resources, as well. Travel insurance that includes cover for medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Remember: if you can't afford travel insurance, then you can't afford to travel. ===HIV=== Laos had a population HIV rate of 0.3% in 2020. == Respect == [[File:Savannakhet, Wat Sainyaphum 022.JPG|thumb|Wat Sainyaphum temple, [[Savannakhet]]]] {{infobox|Naming conventions|Similar to neighbouring Thailand, most Lao people follow the Western naming convention of a given name followed by a family name. However, unlike in most Western countries, Lao people almost never address each other using their last names, the default form of address is to use a title plus one's given name, even in the most formal situations. The most common titles in Lao are ''Thao'' or ''Nai'' for men, and ''Nang'' or ''Sao'' for women. As such, the current prime minister of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh would be addressed as ''Thao Phankham'' or ''Nai Phankham'' in Lao, and "Mr. Phankham" in English.}} Dress respectfully (long trousers, sleeved shirts) when visiting temples and take your shoes off before entering temple buildings and private houses. As with other Buddhist countries, showing the soles of your feet is very poor manners. Never touch any person on the head. Despite prevalent cheap alcohol, being drunk is considered disrespectful and a loss of face. Things in Laos happen slowly and rarely as scheduled. Keep your cool, as the natives will find humour in any tourist showing anger. They will remain calm, and venting your anger will make everybody involved lose face and is certainly not going to expedite things, particularly if dealing with government bureaucracy. '''Swastikas''' are commonly seen at Buddhist temples. They are regarded as a sacred symbol, and have no connection to Nazism or anti-Semitism whatsoever. ===Buddhist monks=== As in neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos, meaning that respect for monks is part of Lao life and that monks take their duties seriously. Monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by women. Therefore, women should place any offerings on a piece of cloth on the ground in front of a monk so he can pick it up. Monks are also forbidden from accepting or touching money, and offering money to a monk is considered to be disrespectful in the local culture. Should you wish to donate, you should only offer food to the monk. "Monks" who hang out at tourist spots soliciting donations, or those that accept money, are imposters. Monks are also not allowed to eat solid food after noon, and will stop gathering alms before then. Some undertake a vow of silence, and will not answer you even if they can speak English. It is best not to compel them to stand next to you for a photograph, or try to start a conversation if they seem reluctant. ==Connect== Laos phone numbers have the format <code>+856 20 654 321</code> where "856" is the country code for Laos. Numbers starting with 20 are mobile numbers, while all others are landlines. *Laos Country Code is "+856". *International Call Prefix is "00". *Laos Call Prefix is "0". *Laos articles here use the convention "+856 xx xxxxxx" except for emergency numbers which use local format with leading zero, "0xx xxxxxx" '''Internet cafés''' can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow and cafe staffs have less knowledge. The most reliable connections are in [[Vientiane]], and usually cost around 100 kip/minute, with the cheapest offering 4,000 kip/hour. However, Internet security is not guaranteed and computer viruses are abundant. In most cases, '''Wi-Fi''' is the best option. Most Western-style cafés offer free Wi-Fi-access for customers. Most accommodations, even budget places in [[Vientiane]], offer free Wi-Fi. '''Mobile phone''' usage in Laos has mushroomed, with four competing GSM operators. Two of these offer roaming services. Calling people on the same network is always cheaper than calling another network, but there is no clear market leader. Tourist and expats tend to prefer TPlus or M-phone (Laotel), while locals use any of the four networks. * '''[http://www.laotel.com/ Lao Telecom]''' has agreements with some 30 international networks. See [http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/roa_lash.shtml roaming with Lao Telecom]. * '''[http://tplus.la/ TPlus (formerly known as Beeline)] {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}}''' has agreements with over 100 International phone networks. Another popular choice, they also have low-cost international rate of 2000 kip/minute to many countries, if you buy their SIM card and dial "177" instead of "+". * '''[http://www.etllao.com/ ETL Mobile]''' is known to have better coverage in rural and remote parts of Laos. However, in Laos "better" certainly does not mean "everywhere". * '''Unitel''' is also available. It offers 5GB/30&day plans for 50,000 kip plus 30,000 kip for the SIM card (Mar 2020). Local prepaid SIM cards can be purchased in various shops and stores, including at the airport in [[Vientiane]] (walk through to the Domestic Terminal to find a shop selling snacks and Unitel SIMs), without any paperwork. * '''Tourist SIM:''' Since 2022, travellers can pre-order a tourist SIM card prior to their trip and get it deliver to their hotel or Airbnb in Vientiane using Internet in Laos [https://internetlaos.com/order-tourist-sim-laos online platform]. As another option, there is Thai coverage close to the Thai border (including a significant part of Vientiane), and Thai SIM cards and top-up cards can be bought in Laos; in addition, DeeDial International Call Cards are available. Thus, if you already have a Thai number, you can use the generally cheaper Thai network and/or avoid buying one more SIM. In addition, with the advent of cheap "neighboring country" roaming packages from the "big three" carriers in Thailand (AIS, dtac, and True all have 99 baht/2GB data roaming packages for Laos valid for varying periods) means that Thai SIMs are cheap to use even away from the Thai coverage area and can be helpful in other ways (for example, a True SIM will roam on Unitel, TPlus, and Lao Telecom, while a dtac SIM will roam on ''all four'' Lao networks, which given the lower roaming pricing these days, can be worth the premium over a local SIM limited to one network). '''Postal service''' in Laos is slow, but generally reliable. Other paid options such as FedEx, DHL, and EMS exist in various locations. Though these services are much more expensive, they are more reliable. {{geo|18.2|104|zoom=7}} {{isPartOf|Southeast Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} opcymiebs6669xv7oxdqbzcavbybihe 4506647 4506501 2022-08-23T07:41:57Z Roovinn 2243809 /* Work */ This is a Hong-Kong specific issue, I think. If you think it is relevant for this section, revert. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Laos banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Hermetically sealed during much of the outbreak, Laos reopened to all visitors in May 2022. Proof of vaccination ''or'' a recent negative ART test are required, but quarantine is not. More information: * [https://www.covid19.gov.la/index.php Official site] (in Lao) * [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/coronavirus UK government advice] * [https://la.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ US Embassy updates] |lastedit=2022-05-10}} '''[https://www.tourismlaos.org/ Laos]''' (ເມືອງລາວ ''mư̄ang lāo'') is the only landlocked nation in [[Southeast Asia]]. It was once a [[France|French]] colony and it is one of the few remaining communist states in the world, espousing Marxism-Leninism as its main political ideology. The term "communist state" may have negative connotations in some parts of the world, but you may want to think twice; many Laotians (60-70%) are practicing Buddhists, the Laotian government actively encourages foreign investment in Laos, your words and actions are not heavily regulated and monitored compared to [[North Korea|other parts of the world]], and tourism is encouraged and promoted. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population. There are numerous hill tribes in Laos; many of them are found in the various foothills and mountains of the country and their settlements continue to remain untouched and protected. Almost 150 distinct ethnic groups call Laos home. Although the country is not usually on most travellers' lists, tourism has been on the rise since the 1990s, and the country continues to attract millions of tourists each year. Laotians are known for their hospitality and relaxed attitude to life, and you can expect to be treated with immense respect as a visitor. The country has a lot to offer. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap = Laos Regions Map.png | regionmapsize = 450px | regionmaptext = Map of Laos with regions colour-coded | region1name=[[Northern Laos]] | region1color=#b697b6 | region1items=[[Ban Nalan Trail]], [[Houay Xai]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Ngoi Neua]], [[Muang Long]], [[Muang Ngeun]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Nong Khiaw]], [[Pakbeng]], [[Vieng Phoukha]] | region1description=Hilltribe villages, mountains, and the remarkably charming former capital | region2name=[[Central Laos]] | region2color=#88c391 | region2items=[[Plain of Jars]], [[Paksan]], [[Phonsavan]], [[Tha Khaek]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Vieng Xai]], [[Vientiane]] | region2description=Southeast Asia's sleepiest capital city and rural countryside | region3name=[[Southern Laos]] | region3color=#73a7ce | region3items=[[Champasak]], [[Pakse]], [[Savannakhet]], [[Si Phan Don]] | region3description=The Mekong flatlands, more mountains, and the area least-visited by tourists }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b697b6|title=[[Northern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14206446}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#88c391|title=[[Central Laos]]|wikidata=Q14210500}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#73a7ce|title=[[Southern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14234718}} == Cities == <!-- capital city on top, other cities below in alphabetical order. Maximum of 9 cities. --> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vientiane]]|wikidata=Q9326}} — the still sleepy capital on the banks of the Mekong River * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Huay Xai]]|wikidata=Q717371}} — in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Namtha]]|wikidata=Q660793}} — capital of the north, known for its trekking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Prabang]]|wikidata=Q190165}} — a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Muang Xay]]|wikidata=Q1026957}} — also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multi-ethnic province of Oudomxay * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakbeng]]|wikidata=Q2667457}} — halfway point on the overnight slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakse]]|wikidata=Q383622}} — gateway to the Wat Phu ruins and the "four thousand islands" (Si Phan Don) * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Savannakhet]]|wikidata=Q750443}} — in the south on the Mekong, connected by bridge to Mukdahan in Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tha Khaek]]|wikidata=Q1018701}} — a popular base for exploring Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Ban Nalan Trail]]|wikidata=Q14205117}} — a two-day ecotourism trek in the north of Laos * {{marker|name=[[Bolaven Plateau]]|wikidata=Q891266}} — highland with waterfalls, jungles and farmland * {{marker|name=[[Champasak]]|wikidata=Q334888}} — Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Angkor-style Khmer temples * {{marker|name=[[Nong Khiaw]]|wikidata=Q14227026}} — beautiful karst cliffs where you can discover hilltribe villages, kayak, bike ride or just hang out * {{marker|name=[[Plain of Jars]]|wikidata=Q870258}} — Iron Age cemetery sites near Phonsavan; also one of the main locations to learn about the "Secret War". * {{marker|name=[[Si Phan Don]]|wikidata=Q1319369}} — the "four thousand islands" are nestled within the Mekong near the Cambodian border * {{marker|name=[[Vang Vieng]]|wikidata=Q1012615}} — backpacker hangout for exploring limestone caves and tubing on the Nam Song river * {{marker|name=[[Vieng Xai]]|wikidata=Q2523307}} — remote cultural oasis and symbolic cradle of Marxism; see the caves where the Pathet Lao leaders ran their operations in defiance of the West == Understand == {{quickbar|location=LocationLaos.png}} {{infobox|Lao or Laos?|The people call themselves Lao and the language is Lao, so where did that "s" come from? The answer seems to be a mistranslation from French: somebody read ''royaume des Laos'' ("kingdom of the Lao people") as ''royaume de Laos'' ("kingdom of Laos"), and the name stuck. The official name, however, is '''Lao PDR''' and, should you have any incoming mail, using it will increase the odds of it passing the censors.}} The '''Lao People's Democratic Republic''' (ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ) ('''Lao PDR''') is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the most sparsely populated. Unlike most countries in Asia, the country has not undergone a major industrialisation and modernisation period; as result, lifestyle remains mostly rural and there are no large cities. An adjective often applied to Laos is "forgotten", but contrary to what advertised by travel agencies, it is hard to say this applies to tourism as well: Laos gets only 20% fewer international visitors than the [[Philippines]], which has a population 15 times bigger than that of Laos. Travelers lured by the prospect of visiting an untouched "Shangri-la" are likely to be disappointed; in fact, cities like [[Luang Prabang]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Vang Vieng]] are very tourist-oriented. On the other hand, Laos can be extremely rewarding for those who are instead drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of Laos is the famous "Lao PDR" - ''Lao-Please Don't Rush''. === History === {{seealso|Indochina Wars}} Laos is squeezed between vastly larger neighbors. It was created as an entity in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of '''Lan Xang''' ("Million Elephants"). The kingdom began as a [[Cambodia|Khmer]] vassal state. After a succession dispute, the kingdom split in three in 1694, and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1885. The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam, and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. It was briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, and a three-decade-long conflict was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted full independence in 1953, the war continued between a variety of factions, with the Communist and North Vietnam-allied '''Pathet Lao''' struggling to overthrow the French-aligned monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973), this alliance led the United States to dump 1.9 million tons of bombs on Laos, mostly in the northeast stronghold of the Pathet Lao: as a comparison 2.2 million tonnes were dropped on Europe by all sides during World War II. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six-century-old monarchy. The royal family was arrested and sent to reeducation camps, where most of them died by the 1980s, though some of the royals would escape to France and establish a government-in-exile, where they remain to this day. Closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws and admission into ASEAN in 1997. Due to its landlocked location and difficult terrain, Laos has long been deeply impoverished due to the difficulty of building infrastructure. However, in the 21st century, Laos has developed a close relationship with [[China]], who have invested substantially in infrastructure projects in the country. This improvement in infrastructure has led to tremendous economic growth, with more than 80% of the Lao people now living above the poverty line. Despite being just one hour by air from the hustle and bustle of [[Bangkok]], life in Laos has continued in much the same way it has for hundreds of years, although things are now slowly beginning to change. In the mid-1990s the government reversed its stance on tourism, and then declared 1998 "Visit Laos Year". Since then, tourism in Laos has been rising every year. In 2021, Laos and [[China]] completed the construction of a semi-high-speed rail linking [[Kunming]] to [[Vientiane]], with an extension to [[Bangkok]] already under construction, and talks of extending the line possibly all the way to [[Singapore]]. The rail connection is expected to have a dramatic impact on the country whenever cross-border travel resume; Kunming itself has a population 8 times bigger than Vientiane, and in fact, comparable to the entire population of Laos, while the province of [[Yunnan]] as a whole has a population about 7 times bigger than the population of Laos. It is likely that the face of tourism in the country will drastically change, and the word "forgotten" used to describe Laos will become a forgotten memory itself. === Culture === [[Image:WatThatLuang Landscape.JPG|thumb|400px|Pha That Luang, [[Vientiane]] - the national symbol of Laos]] Despite its small population, Laos has 49 ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three-quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao-Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone-Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung-Loumien language with 2 tribes, and Tibeto-Chinese language represented by 7 tribes. Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of [[Vientiane#See|Pha That Luang]], has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the '''baci''' (also ''baasi'') ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant's body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby, or other significant events. Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive ''phaa sin'', a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic minorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese-style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western-style and only don the ''phaa biang'' sash on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays women often wear Western-style clothing, though the "phaa sin" is still the mandatory attire in government offices, not only for those who work there but also for Lao women who are visiting. === Climate === Laos has three distinct seasons. The '''hot season''' is from Mar-May, when temperatures can soar as high as 40°C and the humidity makes it feel like 50°C. The slightly cooler '''wet season''' is from May-Oct, when temperatures are around 30°C, tropical downpours are frequent (especially Jul-Aug), and some years the Mekong floods. The '''dry season''' from Nov-Mar, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15°C (or even to zero in the mountains at night), is "high season". However, towards the end of the dry season, the northern parts of Laos &mdash; basically everything north of Luang Prabang &mdash; can become very '''hazy''' due to farmers burning fields and fires in the forests. == Get in == [[File:Visa policy of Laos.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Laos, with countries in blue, green and purple having visa-free access; and countries in gold having visa on arrival]] {{VisaRestriction|Entry '''will be refused''' to the following: people who are thought to have "degraded" the country and people who cannot prove that they have the funds to cover their stay. }} ===Visas=== Visas are not required by citizens of: [[Brunei]] and [[Myanmar]] (14 days), [[Japan]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Switzerland]] (15 days), [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mongolia]], [[Philippines]], [[Russia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Korea]], [[Thailand]] and [[Vietnam]] (30 days).<br> The [http://www.mofa.gov.la website of the foreign ministry] does not prove too helpful in obtaining up-to-date visa information. But the [http://www.tourismlaos.org website of Tourism Laos] provides more useful information on this topic. ====Visa on arrival==== A visa on arrival is available to most nationalities entering at the airports in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Savannakhet]]. These land border crossings offer visa on arrival: Boten (China); Houay Xay, Nam Ngeun, Kenthao, Vientiane, Thakhet, Savannakhet, Vangtao (Thailand) which includes all friendship bridges; Ban Leui, Nam Kan, Nam Phao, Dan Savanh (Vietnam); and Veun Kham (Cambodia). One passport photo is required although you may be able to pay a US$1 fee for your passport photo to be scanned upon arrival. As of May 2022, the price is US$40 for all except the following nationalities (the list excludes countries not eligible for visa on arrival and those with a visa exemption for at least 30 days): * China: US$20 * Sweden: US$31 * Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States: US$35 * India, Nepal, Sri Lanka: US$40 * Canada: US$42 Paying in Thai baht (1500 baht ~ US$47 in Jan 2019) is possible too, but the mark-up means that travellers should try to bring U.S. dollars. While Lao kip are usually not accepted for the visa fee, border staff does make exceptions sometimes, however at a bad rate. A US$1 "out of office hours/overtime" surcharge at the Friendship Bridge in [[Vientiane]], and a small possibly 10 baht to US$1 entry stamp fee might also be charged. ====Visa from the embassy==== [[File:Laos entry.JPG|thumb|Entry stamp]] Visas can be obtained in advance from [https://www.visalaos.com/ Lao embassies or consulates]. The fee varies by nationality and by embassy; US$40 is common, although can be as high as US$63 (in Kuala Lumpur). Processing times also vary; 2-3 days is typical, though you may be able to pay an extra small amount (around US$5) to receive the visa in as little as one hour. In [[Phnom Penh]] the travel agencies can arrange the visa the same day (but may charge as much as US$58) while getting it from the embassy takes a few days. Getting a visa from the embassy in Bangkok costs around 1,400 baht for most nationalities, plus 200 baht more for "same day" processing. ''It's cheaper and quicker to get a visa at the border''. ====Visa extension==== Entry permit extensions (sometimes referred to as "visa extensions") are available from the Immigration Department in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]] or [[Tha Khaek]], the Police Station in [[Pakse]], and possibly other cities. Extensions are not possible in Laos' second city, [[Savannakhet]], although you can do a border run from there to Thailand to get a new 30-day visa. The cost is US$2.50 per day plus a small "form fee" ranging between 5,000 kip (Pakse) to 30,000 kip (Vientiane). The process is very easy; turn up in the early morning with your passport and one photo; fill in a form (in Luang Prabang they do this for you) and come back in the afternoon to collect your passport with an extension stamp in it. If you do this in the late morning or later in the day, your passport will be ready the following day. If you want to extend for longer than two weeks and are near the Thai border, it can be more cost effective to nip over the border (entry to Thailand is free for most Western nationalities) and return immediately to get a new 30-day Lao visa since ''a 30-day visa extension costs US$75''. === By plane === [[File:VIENTIANE WATTAY AIRPORT LAOS FEB 2012 (6985451899).jpg|thumb|Vientiane International Airport]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Vientiane International Airport | alt={{IATA|VTE}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=17.988333 | long=102.563333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Wattay International Airport | image=Wattay Intl Airport Vientiane Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q221279 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Luang Prabang International Airport | alt={{IATA|LPQ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.898612 | long=102.1625 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Luang Prabang International Airport | image=LuangPrabangAirportAirside.jpg | wikidata=Q1077327 | content= }} Those two international airports are served by national carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] and a few others, including [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways], [http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways] (Luang Prabang only) and [http://www.vietnamairlines.com Vietnam Airlines]. Some seats on flights of Vietnam Airlines are reserved for Lao Airlines (codesharing/better price). * {{listing | type=go | name=[[Pakse]] International Airport | alt={{IATA|PKZ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=15.133889 | long=105.781944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pakse International Airport | image=Pakxe Airport Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q1432294 | content=The third international airport, with flights from Siem Reap (Vientiane&ndash;Pakse&ndash;Siem Reap by Lao Airlines) and from [[Ho Chi Minh City]]. SilkAir has regular service from Singapore to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. There are also regular round trip flights from Vientiane to Kunming, PDR and Incheon, South Korea on Lao Airlines and other carriers. }} Low-cost carriers [http://www.airasia.com AirAsia] flies to Vientiane from [[Kuala Lumpur]] three times a week, and offers daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang. Another cheap option for getting to Vientiane is to fly to [[Udon Thani]] in [[Thailand]] with discount airlines Nok Air or Air Asia and connect to [[Nong Khai]] and the Friendship Bridge via shuttle service directly from the airport (40 minutes); from here, Vientiane is {{km|17}} away. === By train === ==== From China ==== A new railway line from [[Kunming]], [[China]] to Vientiane opened in December 2021. Passing through [[Pu'er]], [[Jinghong]], [[Mengla]] and crossing the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]], the line serves [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Muang Nga]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Muang Kasi]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Phonhong]] and Vientiane on the Laotian side. Due to the COVID situation, as of December 2021 there are no cross-border passenger services yet. Once operational, the passenger train will be able to run at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, covering the distance from Kunming to Vientiane in 8-10 hours. ==== From Thailand ==== There is a bridge across the Mekong from the Thai town of [[Nong Khai]] to Thanaleng near [[Vientiane]]. There are two shuttle services per direction per day, with one timed to connect to the night trains from [[Bangkok]]. Visa on arrival is available when crossing the border by train. The train is ''not'' a very attractive option because the railway station is in the middle of nowhere, however, there are shuttle buses to take you the rest of the way. An extension of the aforementioned Kunming-Vientiane railway line onward to Bangkok is under construction, which will make the line to Thanaleng obsolete when completed in 2028. === By land === Most '''border crossings open for foreigners''', with an indication where visas on arrival can be issued, are listed on the web site of the [http://www.tourismlaos.org/ National Tourism Administration]. This list is unfortunately incomplete. ====[[Cambodia]]==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Operators for buses going from Cambodia to Southern Laos will ask passengers for (at least) an additional US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee to facilitate the border crossing. Not agreeing to the extra charge and attempting to obtain the visa independently may result in being abandoned at the border; all bus companies are involved since non-cooperation would likely see them being denied to cross and thus hurt their business. See further below for more information.}} Visa on arrival for Laos is available when entering from Cambodia overland, with an official "Visa on Arrival" office incorporated into the checkpoint. The nearest Cambodian town is [[Stung Treng]], and the border is a 60- to 90-minute bus ride away. The border is lightly used, with almost no onward public transport available once you passed through immigration, therefore it may be wise to book transport all the way to [[Ban Nakasang]] or [[Pakse]] depending on your destination. If you're buying a ticket from a destination in Cambodia to one in Laos (the most common being Siem Reap/Phnom Penh to Don Det) and you want the border crossing to be as trouble-free as possible, accept that you will have to pay an additional fee that usually isn't lower than US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee applicable to your nationality, current as of 2019. Not including possible mark-ups for the visa, the charge consists of: * $2 stamp fee on the Lao side * $2 stamp fee on the Cambodian side * $1 assistance fee for the facilitator as he gets the Lao visa and entry stamp for you This is the best case scenario: the "assistance fee" may also be $2 depending on the bus company used, and/or the facilitator will demand a higher total to account for the inflated visa price. While you can decline to use a facilitator, you will nevertheless be asked for the unofficial fees by the immigration officials, as the facilitator merely collects them on their behalf to "speed up the process". '''It is possible to at least circumvent the unofficial fees on the Cambodian side''' – several reports on the net suggest that the Cambodian officials are quick to give in if you refuse to pay the fee; it seems easiest if you can convince them that you simply don't have any dollars left. Little public information exists for the Lao side. The officials may or may not try to overcharge you for the visa on arrival. For Canadians, this can oddly result in paying ''less'' than the official price of US$42. One traveller reported that officials, at least on one occasion, seemed to use US$30 (the official price for most eligible nationalities) as the baseline for passports from Western countries, but then asked a Canadian citizen for US$35 instead. Whatever your nationality, do make sure you know what visa price applies to your passport before you hop on the bus to this border. Furthermore it is unknown whether one can refuse to pay the inflated visa fee (if applicable), the unofficial stamp fee, be successful ''and'' be still able to find onward transport to Ban Nakasang, [[Cambodia#Laos|although this definitely works the other way round]] (coming from Laos, going to Cambodia). Getting held up by not paying will likely see your bus leave without you. For those who want to stand their ground and don't mind possibly having to wait for a few hours in order to beat corruption, there is an option worth trying: Book your transport with any operator to the border only, ideally from Stung Treng with a departure in the morning to have time on your side. Enquire with travel agencies or online to book your ''separate'' onward transport from the border going North, and make sure it only leaves two to three hours after your arrival at the border. Alternatively, if you're feeling the stars are aligned in your favour, you may be able to catch a minivan or tuk-tuk that some travellers use to get independently to the border from the Lao side; it's unlikely to happen after lunchtime though. Another pitfall of the journey to the border is that you will often have four changes of bus (number depending on your origin – some vehicles are small minibuses where passengers have to sit on each other's laps), and hours spent driving to remote guesthouses to pick up backpackers. [https://www.asiavantransfer.com/ Asia Van Transfer] (AVT) was set up by a foreign expat and has built a good reputation for not letting passengers wait unnecessarily, not letting them change vehicles and also not overbooking seats, but this means they're also a bit pricier; also, they cannot drive into Laos. If your luggage has been sent in a bus you are not on, because of "lack of space", it will sometimes disappear. The "King of Bus Company" is known to do this. ====[[China]]==== The land crossing between [[Mengla]] (Yunnan) and [[Boten]] (Laos) is open to foreigners and visa on arrival is possible or you can get in advance at the Lao consulate in [[Kunming]]. Daily bus service operates from Mengla to [[Luang Namtha]] and [[Udomxai]]. Buses from Mengla to Luang Namtha leave from the North bus station. The first bus leaves around 08:00 and costs about ¥40. Generally speaking, it is not possible for independent travellers to cross from China to Laos via the Mekong River, not least because there's a chunk of Myanmar in the middle and the Lao checkpoint at [[Xieng Kok]] does not issue visas on arrival. Travel agents in China, including [http://www.chinadam.com Panda Travel], run irregular cruises from [[Jinghong]] (China) via [[Chiang Saen]] (Thailand) to [[Huay Xai]] (Laos), but schedules are erratic and prices expensive. ====[[Myanmar]]==== The Myanmar-Lao friendship bridge connects [[Shan State]] in Myanmar with [[Luang Namtha|Luang Namtha Province]] in Laos. ====[[Thailand]]==== There are eight border crossings open to all between Thailand and Laos. From north to south: [[File:Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.JPG|thumb|The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]] * [[Huay Xai]]/[[Chiang Khong]]: Using the fourth Friendship Bridge is the usual overland route to Luang Prabang, easy bus connections to [[Chiang Rai]] and points beyond on the Thai side. * [[Ban Pangmon]]/[[Ban Huak]]: Located on a remote mountainous road. If you want to travel overland from [[Chiang Mai]] to [[Hanoi]] overland via Laos, this is one possible route. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Muang Ngeun]]/[[Huay Kon]]: Visa on arrival. 40 km from [[Pak Beng]]. * [[Nam Hueng]]/[[Tha Li]]: Easily reached via [[Loei]] on the Thai side, but 378 km of dirt road away from [[Luang Prabang]]. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Vientiane]]/[[Nong Khai]]: The first Friendship Bridge and the busiest of crossing of them all. Direct trains from Bangkok now available. * [[Paksan]]/[[Bueng Kan]]: '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Tha Khaek]]/[[Nakhon Phanom]]: The third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Savannakhet]]/[[Mukdahan]]: The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Vang Tao]]/[[Chong Mek]]: On the route from [[Pakse]] to [[Ubon Ratchathani]]. ====[[Vietnam]]==== There are at least six border crossings that can be used by foreigners. These include: * Donsavanh - Lao Bao - to Savannakhet * Keo Nua Pass * Lak Sao - to Khammouan Province * Nam Can - to [[Plain of Jars]] * Na Meo - to [[Sam Neua]] * Tay Trang - to Muang Khua and [[Nong Khiaw]] (close to [[Dien Bien Phu]], the site of a famous battle where the French were defeated by Vietnamese independence fighters) * Bo Y (nearest town on Vietnamese side being Ngoc Hoi and on Lao side Attapeu) ====By motorbike from Vietnam==== The border crossing on a Vietnamese motorbike at Tay Trang is very easy and straightforward. You arrive after going over some hills at the Vietnamese border where very friendly guys handle your case easily and with no hassle. You fill out the form for "temporary export of a vehicle", show them the Vietnamese registration card for the bike (which is usually in the owners name) and pay US$10. Then you proceed to the police, show the papers to them and get the exit stamp. You then have to drive for 6 km over the mountains to get to the Lao checkpoint. There some not-so-friendly border guards there who expect you to pay 5,000 kip for general fees and 25,000 kip for importing a vehicle. They fill out the form themselves. == Get around == Travel within Laos has historically been slow, often painful and sometimes dangerous, but the 2021 opening of a railway spanning the northern half of the country and the ongoing construction of a parallel expressway is set to shake things up. Nevertheless, if travelling off the beaten track, allow plenty of leeway in your schedule for the near-inevitable delays, cancellations and breakdowns. === By plane === [[File:Lao Airlines ATR 72-212A; RDPL-34175@BKK;30.07.2011 613cx (6041831739).jpg|thumb|A Lao Airlines ATR 72 aircraft]] State carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] has a near-monopoly on domestic flights. They managed a 13-year accident-free streak until an October 2013 crash near Pakse resulted in 49 fatalities, the country’s deadliest air disaster. The fairly comprehensive network is by far the fastest and, relatively speaking, the safest way of reaching many parts of the country, although the new train line (see below) now offers some real competition. As of 2013, the popular [[Vientiane]]-[[Luang Prabang]] route costs about US$101 (one-way full fare for foreigners), but covers in 40 minutes what would take you at least ten to twelve hours by bus (but only two hours by train - see below). Several planes a day. Tickets can be bought on-line or at any travel agency. Flights to more remote destinations are flown on the Xian MA60, a Chinese copy of the Soviet An-24, and are frequently cancelled without warning if the weather is bad or not enough passengers show up. Lao Airlines also flies 14-passenger Cessnas from Vientiane to [[Phongsali]], [[Sam Neua]] and [[Sainyabuli]] (''Xayabouly'') several times a week. These airfields are all rudimentary and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat if weather is less than perfect. ===By train=== [[File:2021-12-03_China-Laos-Eisenbahn.jpg|thumb|EMU high-speed train at Vang Vieng station]] The first railway in Laos, a Chinese-built line crossing the northern half of the country from the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]] via [[Muang Xay]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Vientiane]] opened in December 2021. Both electric/high-speed (EMU) and ordinary trains operate, with the EMU services at up to 160 km/h per hour, making this by far the most comfortable way to travel. As of 2022, there is one high-speed "C" train and one normal "K" train per daily running the length of the line, with one additional high-speed service to Luang Prabang only. Sample travel times and fares in kip: {| ! From !! To !! Travel time !! EMU<br/>1st class !! EMU</br>2nd class !! Ordinary |- | Vientiane || Vang Vieng || 1 hour || 86,000 || 56,000 || 40,000 |- | Vientiane || Luang Prabang || 2 hours || 313,000 || 198,000 || 140,000 |- | Vientiane || Boten || 3.5 hours || 529,000 || 333,000 || 238,000 |} The railway is very popular, and demand always exceeds capacity. The easiest way to buy tickets is to go through a travel agency, who will handle all the paperwork for a service charge of around $4/ticket. [https://discoverlaos.today/promotion/train-ticketing Discover Laos] has a good reputation and can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. If you wish to try your luck, a new ticket office opened in Vientiane Center on February 2022, where you can purchase tickets for trains up to 3 days in advance. As of February 2022, only tickets to Boten, Muang Xai and Luang Prabang can be bought at the Vientiane Center office, while tickets for all other destinations can only be bought at the station. The Vientiane Center office also does not accept cash payments, and payments can only be made using a UnionPay credit card, Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay or Alipay, or the OnePay mobile payment platform of local Lao bank BCEL. Despite all this hassle, you may still end up empty-handed, as scalpers frequently buy up all the tickets. If you're in a pinch, try your luck at the train station, as unsold same day tickets may reappear in the inventory. === By road === {{infobox|VIP, minibus or car?|Minibuses are quicker and more expensive, however that doesn't mean they are necessarily better. A typical '''VIP Bus''' is just an old bus by Western standards (generally retired Chinese tour buses), and may be more prone to breakdowns, but they usually have more leg room which can make a long journey much more comfortable. VIP buses also include a bottle of water, a snack, and a stop for lunch/dinner. Both types are usually air conditioned (though it doesn't always work). Even more expensive, but certainly the most convenient, is a rented car with driver. A car with a driver will cost around US$95 per day. Some can even drive over the border to Thailand, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The cars can be arranged at tour agencies, tourist hotels and car rental companies. The cars are new, so they're reliable. They have the bonus of your being able to stop the car at any time for photos, nosing around a village or just stretching your legs.}} The main routes connecting [[Vientiane]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Savannakhet]] are sealed, and the transport options on these roads include bus, minibus, and converted truck. The first expressway in Laos now connects Vientiane to Vang Vieng and is slowly being extended north towards Luang Prabang, but the full length to the Chinese border will not be ready until the 2030s. A good source of bus timetables, including some basic town maps, can be found at [http://hobomaps.com/ hobomaps.com] Some common routes through Laos include: * [[Vientiane]] to [[Vang Vieng]] – now connected by a direct 113&nbsp;km expressway, less than 1.5 hours by direct VIP bus * [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Luang Prabang]] – amazing scenery through the mountains, at the cost of a long 8-hour trip full of curves. * [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Phonsavan]] - minibus: a cramped 7-hour trip, so arrive early to get good seats as near the front as possible; beautiful views so secure a window seat if possible. Bus is 8 hours. * [[Phonsavan]] to [[Sam Neua]] - converted pickup truck: beautiful views but lots of hills and bends, hence possible nausea * [[Sam Neua]] to [[Muang Ngoi]] - minivan: a 12-hour trip along a horrible road; good views and a necessary evil, but fun if you're prepared to get a few knocks and talk to some Lao people who are, after all, in the same boat * [[Muang Ngoi]] to [[Luang Namtha]] - Minivan: 10-hour trip (Oudomxay); OK road, much travelled by backpackers * [[Luang Namtha]] to [[Huay Xai]] - once a muddy nightmare, now rebuilt and one of the best roads in Laos, 3-4 hours * [[Paksan]] to [[Phonsavan]] - there is a new road between Borikham and Tha Thom. In Tha Thom there is a guesthouse with 8 rooms. The forest between Borikham and Tha Thom is still in a very good condition, but it's a dirt road. Since most of the forest in Laos has gone this is one of the last roads surrounded by primary forest. There are substantial road works being undertaken by the Vietnamese between Paksan and Phonsavan and there can be some fairly long delays along the way. Even though the trip is only a couple of hundred kilometres it can take 16-20 hr to traverse this section. [[Image:Vientiane Jumbo.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Jumbo in [[Vientiane]]]] Local transport (less than 20 km) in Laos consists of tuk-tuks, jumbos, and sky labs, motorised three or four wheelers. A jumbo should cost no more than 20,000 kip for short journeys of 1-5 km. The main ride-hailing app is '''[https://loca.la/ LOCA]'''. You can pay by cash or use a credit card to pay through the app. You can now also travel the entire length of the country using a fully guided "hop on hop off" bus service provided by [http://www.straytravel.asia/ Stray Travel]. This is the only guided hop on hop off bus in Southeast Asia. '''Women''' should be aware that often during lengthy bus or minibus trips there is no opportunity to go to the toilet during breaks, so it may be advisable to wear a wide skirt. ==== By songthaew ==== A '''songthaew''' (ສອງແຖວ) is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side &mdash; hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards. Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses, and generally are the most economical way to travel shorter distances. There also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price before embarking. ==== By tuk-tuk/jumbo ==== The names '''tuk-tuk''' and '''jumbo''' are used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built, others are partially based on motorcycle components. A tuk-tuk organisation in Vientiane controls the prices that tourists are expected to pay for point to point destinations. The rates are negotiable, and you should agree on the price prior to getting on the tuk tuk. The current rates can be found here: [http://spotonlaos.com/place/tuktuk/ Tuk Tuk Prices in Vientiane] ==== By motorbike ==== Motorbike travel in Laos is not without risks but the rewards of truly independent travel are great. There are several rental shops in Vientiane, [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Tha Khaek]], but bike rentals in other parts of the country may be scarce. The quality of machines varies from shop to shop so you need to fully inspect it before you head out on the road. There are many good roads and many paved ones and touring Laos is done easily. There are a variety of bikes available in Laos, depending on which town and rental shop you go to. Some available include the Honda Baja or XR 250 dual-purpose bikes, Ko Lao 110 cc and the usual Honda Win/Dream 110 ccs. Helmets are not only mandatory in the country but a valuable item in a place where traffic rules are made up by the minute. Police have been cracking down on people who do not have a motorcycle licence, so expect to pay a fine if caught without one. Petrol costs 9,000 kip/L (diesel 8,000 kip/L) as of Mar 2020. ==== By bicycle ==== Cycling is a great option with quiet roads. Laos offers wonderful remote areas to discover, little traveled roads, friendly people and even some companies providing cycling tours with the help of professional guides all over the country. The more time people seem to spend in Laos the more they seem to like the quiet travel mood and the opportunity to actually be in contact with the people along the way. Good maps are available about the roads in Laos and all major routes are with good roads. In normal distances you find simple guest houses and in all major towns better choices and restaurant. Food is not a problem as long as you remember to carry some stuff with you. Tropical fruits and noodle soup are the standards. There are a number of local operators running a wide selection of guided mountain biking tours through Laos. If you travel on your own, there are very few proper bike shops outside of Vientiane. but also for bikes with 28-inch wheels you might have a hard time. Bring your equipment with you and make sure you get contact details from a supplier, perhaps in Thailand. === By boat === Boats along the Mekong and its tributaries are useful shortcuts for the horrible roads, although as the road network improves river services are slowly drying up, and many of the remaining services only run in the wet season, when the Mekong floods and becomes more navigable. [[Huay Xai]] on the border with [[Thailand]] to [[Luang Prabang]] and travel south of [[Pakse]] are the main routes still in use. There are so-called ''slow boats'' and '''speedboats''' - the latter being tiny lightweight craft equipped with powerful motors that literally skid across the water at high speeds. ==== By slow boat ==== Many people go from Chiang Khong in [[Thailand]] via the border town of Houai Xai down the Mekong to the marvelous city of [[Luang Prabang]]. The ride takes two days and is very scenic. Apart from that, it is a floating backpacker ghetto with no (good) food sold, cramped, and hot. By the second day, the novelty has worn off. Recommended to bring a good (long) read, something soft for the wooden benches and patience. Slow boats generally stop in the village of [[Pakbeng]] for the night. Some boat packages will include accommodation, although this is usually at an inflated rate. By arranging a hotel in the town, it is easy to get a lower price. Most shops in Pakbeng shut down at about 22:00, so expect to get a good sleep before the second day's boat ride. This is also a good place to stock up on supplies. The boats have considerably improved. They now have soft used car seats, and serve pre-fab food, which is not great, but certainly sufficient. ==== By speedboat ==== [[File:Bootsfahrt auf dem Nam Ou Fluss.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|Speedboat barreling down the Nam Ou river]] An attractive choice for some, with a 6-hour ride from [[Huay Xai]] to [[Luang Prabang]], as compared to the two-day trip on the slow boat, but not for the faint of heart. Expect to be crammed into a modified canoe made for 4, with 10 other people, along with all the luggage somehow packed in. Expect to sit on the floor of the canoe, as there are no seats, with your knees against your chin for the full 6 hours. Expect an incredibly loud engine inches behind your head. Expect the engine to break a few times, and stops for delays to fix it. That being said, when this ride finally ends, if you make it with no trouble, you will never be happier to get to Luang Prabang. Stories of small, overloaded speedboats sinking or hitting driftwood are common, but if you are a good swimmer, take comfort in the fact that you can see both shores throughout the entire trip. So, as you see, choosing between the slow boat and the speedboat is a hard call, based mostly upon your comfort level; would you prefer a slow unpleasant trip, or a much faster, but more dangerous unpleasant trip. Either way, the scenery along the way is gorgeous and unexploited, and Luang Prabang is an incredible city, worth a thousand of these journeys. Though helpful in saving time, speedboats are not without danger: built to carry 8 passengers, they are often overloaded; the engine noise is well above a healthy level, which could be a serious hazard to your ears, especially if you are on the boat for a long time. It also causes considerable noise pollution, scaring wildlife and spoiling the peaceful river life. Fatalities resulting from capsize due to incautious maneuvering, or hitting floating logs or hidden rocks, have been reported but some claim and are exaggerated by competing slow boat owners. However, the vast majority of speedboat users have no serious problems. If you are taller than the average Laotian are a bit claustrophobic and/or have inflexible leg muscles you are guaranteed an extremely uncomfortable experience for several endless hours. Suggestions for those who decide to take the risk: * get one of the front seats as they allow you to stretch your legs and are far from the noisy motor * wear helmets and life jackets; reconsider your journey if these are not provided * bring a coat in the cold season, the strong wind can make you feel cold even at temperatures of 25 °C. * bring earplugs * protect water-sensitive equipment as you might get wet. == Talk == [[Image:WatThatLuang Sign.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Lao script]] {{seealso|Lao phrasebook}} The official language of Laos is '''[[Lao phrasebook|Lao]]''' (ພາສາລາວ ''pháa-sǎa láo''), a tonal language closely related to [[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]. The Thai dialect spoken in the northeastern [[Isaan]] region of Thailand, historically a part of greater Laos, is in fact identical to Lao. '''[[French phrasebook|French]]''', a legacy of the colonial days, is spoken by the elderly and is taught in schools in Laos, but its use is gradually being supplanted by English. French is often used in government and commerce, and French is often used to transliterate Lao words. '''English''' is gradually becoming popular, but proficiency in the language is generally poor. Try to speak slowly and carefully so that people can understand you. In some tourist areas, you can expect to come across school children who are eager to practice their English skills with you. They may, after a conversation, ask you to sign a form or pose for a photo with you as proof that this conversation took place. '''[[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]''' is widely understood by Laotians, largely because Thai media is popular in the country. If you are a speaker of [[Thai]], you should have no problems getting around independently and picking up the language easily. There are two main ways to turn the Lao script into the Latin alphabet: either '''French-style''' spellings like ''Houeisay'', or '''English-style''' spellings like ''Huay Xai''. While government documents seem to prefer the French style, the English spellings are becoming more common. The latter is used on Wikivoyage. Two quick pronunciation tips: [[Vientiane]] is actually pronounced "Wiang Chan", and the letter ''x'' is ''always'' read as an "s". Like in neighboring [[Thailand]], local pronunciation of the English word "twenty" often causes confusion by sounding a lot like "seventy". ==See== Unlike neighboring [[Thailand]] or [[Vietnam]], Laos never underwent a massive economic development, neither during colonisation nor even after the liberalisation of the Communist economy. As result, one key attraction of Laos is that most of the country, including the capital [[Vientiane]], retains a relaxed, laid back feel with minimal presence of modern architecture or international brands and food chains. How much longer this will last is open to much speculation, but meanwhile, it makes it a truly special and unique country to visit. ===Natural attractions=== [[Image:Sea of Clouds Ody.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The mountains of Oudomxay Province in Northern Laos]] The term wilderness is much misused, but it can truly be applied to much of Laos. The mighty Mekong river and its tributaries together create perhaps the single most important geographic feature of the country. Its meandering path in [[Northern Laos|the North]] has created some of the most stunning limestone karsts anywhere on earth. The backpacker-central town of [[Vang Vieng]] is a commonly used base for exploring the karsts. Further north, the terrain becomes more hilly, and the jungle less explored. [[Luang Namtha]] is the far-northern town which makes the best base for those visitors who really want to see the truly remote Lao wilderness, and directly experience the lifestyles of the various hill tribes in this region. In direct contrast to Northern Laos, the Mekong delta lowlands in [[Southern Laos|the South]] are perfectly flat. [[Si Phan Don]] (''four thousand islands'') is a great base for experiencing what is surely the most chilled and relaxed region anywhere in Asia. Experiencing local village life, taking it all in and doing absolutely nothing should be the aim here. There are though some wonderful river-based sights, including the largest falls anywhere in Southeast Asia. If you are lucky you might get a close-up view of a Mekong pink dolphin. ===Cultural attractions=== [[Image:WatSen.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Wat Sen at [[Luang Prabang]]]] In this most Buddhist of nations, it is no surprise that temples are a key attraction. In the capital city of [[Vientiane]], the three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. There are numerous other beautiful temples which on their own make a stay in the capital city vital for any visitor to Laos. The ''whole'' of the ancient capital of [[Luang Prabang]] is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Befitting that status, it is a unique city. Beautifully preserved gilded temples with their attendant orange-robed monks mold almost seamlessly with traditional wooden Lao houses and grand properties from the French colonial era. Spotlessly clean streets with a thriving café culture on the banks of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, complete the picture of a city which is almost too pleasant to be true. [[Image:PlainOfJarsView.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The [[Plain of Jars]] near [[Phonsavan]]]] The [[Plain of Jars]] is a megalithic archaeological landscape dating from the Iron Age. Thousands of stone jars are scattered over a large area of the low foothills near [[Phonsavan]]. The main archaeological theory is that the jars formed part of Iron Age burial rituals in the area, but this is by no means proven, and a great deal of mystery remains. The area suffered tragic damage from American bombing during the Secret War of the 1960s, and much UXO remains uncleared. When that process is complete it is very likely this will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wat Phu is a ruined Hindu Khmer temple complex in [[Champasak]] province. It dates from the 12th century and visitors who have been to [[Angkor Wat]] will notice the similarities. [[Image:WatPhouwholesite.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Wat Phu, [[Champasak]]]] ===Recent history=== The town of [[Vieng Xai]] provides a striking insight in the recent history of not only Laos, but the whole of Indochina. In 1964, the US began intensive bombing of the Lao communist movement – Pathet Lao – bases in Xieng Khouang. Under much bombardment, the Pathet Lao moved east to Vieng Xai and established their headquarters in the limestone karst cave networks around the town. A whole 'Hidden City' was established which supported around 20,000 people. During nine years of almost constant American bombing, the Pathet Lao sheltered in these caves, and lived in a largely subterranean environment. Schools, hospitals and markets as well as government ministries, a radio station, a theatre and military barracks were all hidden in the caves. After the 1973 ceasefire, Vieng Xai briefly became the capital of Laos, before that function was moved to Vientiane in 1975. There are formal daily tours of the caves, as well as other evidence of that era in the town. == Do == * {{do | name=Herbal Sauna | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-11-14| content=One Laotian experience definitely worth trying is the herbal sauna. Often run by temples, these are simple-looking affairs, often just a rickety bamboo shack with a stove and a pipe of water on one side, usually open only in the evenings. The procedure for a visit is usually:<br />Enter and pay first. The going rate is around 10,000 kip, plus around 40,000 kip if you want a massage afterward.<br />Go to the changing room, take off your clothes and wrap yourself up in a sarong which is usually provided.<br />Keeping yourself modestly sarong-clad, head over to the shower or water bucket in one corner and wash up.<br />Plunge into the sauna room itself. It will be dark, hot and steamy inside, with intense herbal scents of lemongrass and whatever the sauna master is cooking up that day, and you will soon start to sweat profusely.<br />When you've had your fill, head outside, sip on a little weak tea and marvel at how the tropical heat of the day now feels cool and refreshing.<br />Repeat at will. }} * {{do | name=Hiking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hiking in mountainous [[Northern Laos]] is popular, and this often includes homestays in minority tribe villages. The main hub for this is [[Luang Namtha]] where the two day [[Ban Nalan Trail]] is especially notable. The route goes through the Nam Ha National Protected Area, and involves staying in Khmu villages. Other hiking hubs include [[Oudomxay]], south of Luang Namtha, and [[Pakse]] in southern Laos. }} * {{do | name=Kayaking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Can be arranged in a wide number of locations. The ambitious traveller could kayak the Mekong between [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. }} * {{do | name=Rock Climbing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The limestone karst formations in [[Northern Laos]] are ideal for rock climbing. [[Vang Vieng]] is the main rock-climbing centre but climbs are also possible further north at [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} * {{do | name=Tubing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Floating down the river on a large inflatable tube is one of the attractions of the SE Asia backpacker circuit. The hugely popular stretch of the Nam Song at [[Vang Vieng]] is lined with bars that lure you and your tube in with ziplines, water slides, loud music, buckets of terrible local whiskey, and unlimited Beerlao. After numerous tourist deaths, crackdowns on Vang Vieng tubing were announced in Aug 2012. Since then, many river bars have been closed down along with their flying foxes and rope swings. Tubing is still possible, but it's now a lot quieter. Whether this is a long or short-term result is still to be seen. Tubing can also be found in other locations around Laos including [[Si Phan Don]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} == Buy == ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Lao kip | currencyCodeAfter=&nbsp;kip | date=March 2022 | USD=11,000 | EUR=12,000 | GBP=15,000 | AUD=8,000 | CNY=1,800 | THB=334 | VND=5036 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/lak-lao-or-laotian-kip XE.com]}}The Lao currency is the '''kip''', demoted by the symbol "'''₭'''" (ISO code: '''LAK'''). Wikivoyage articles will use ''kip'' to denote the currency. Kip is convertible at banks in neighboring countries. It is possible to exchange to and from kip at Vientiane airport (opens at 09:00) and there is a Lao bank that exchanges at the Nong Khai-Vientiane land border (straight and right of the Visa on Arrival desk). The largest note is 100,000 kip and rather uncommon (although you may get some from the ATM). Notes in common circulation are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kip. Withdrawing the maximum of 1,000,000 kip from an ATM could result in 20 50,000-kip notes. This makes carrying large quantities of kip quite inconvenient. ====Foreign currencies==== Although less common than in the past, US dollars will sometimes be accepted, although usually at about 5–10% less than the official rate. Thai baht may be accepted in many areas near the border, notably Vientiane. In remote places, only kip is accepted and no ATMs will be available, so plan ahead. More touristy places and banks also accept the euro. So if you're from one of the euro countries, bring some just in case. This could be cheaper than changing your euros into baht or US dollars and then into kip. ====ATMs==== There are many ATMs in Vientiane, and they have also appeared in other major cities including Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet, Tha Khaek, Pakse and Luang Namtha. [http://www.bcellaos.com/ BCEL], the largest bank, accepts Visa/Cirrus and MasterCard/Maestro, but surcharges of 20,000 kip (Mar 2020) often apply. However, BCEL ATMs allow you to withdraw up to 1.5 million kip at once. Expats living in Vientiane routinely get cash from ATMs in Nong Khai or Udon Thani in Thailand, where the maximum per transaction is mostly 20,000 baht, or ten times what you'll get in Laos. ====Cash advance==== Many banks, travel agents and guest houses will allow you to take out cash from a credit card as a cash advance. This usually occurs by withdrawing the money in US dollars from the card as a cash advance; the card issuer will usually charge a fee (about 3%), the Lao bank involved will charge about 3%, and then the agent providing the cash advance might or might not charge another 3%, and then the amount is converted from US dollars to kip at an unfavourable rate, costing another 5% or so. Thus, these transactions are much more expensive than the typical charge for withdrawing cash from ATMs in other countries. Getting a cash advance in US dollars and changing it to kip might save money compared to bringing euros with you to Laos. ====Cash==== The use of ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, holidays, etc. A few visitors have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to continue their travels. Always bring some cash. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns. ====Money exchange==== Banks give good rates, and private exchange booths are common in the major tourist areas. However, euros get pretty bad rates compared to US dollars when exchanged in Laos. ===Shopping hours=== Many shops start an hour's lunch break at noon, and some maintain the (now abolished) official French two-hour break. Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, except restaurants and many shops. === Costs === Prices tend to be lower in Laos than in neighboring countries, though standards might be lower as well. Prices are lower in smaller towns and villages than in tourist centers like [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. A budget of US$40 a day is a good rule of thumb, though it's possible to get by on far less. Excluding transport costs, living on US$15/day isn't difficult. A basic room with shared bath can be as little as US$6 in [[Vang Vieng]] or as much as US$10-15 in [[Vientiane]] or [[Luang Prabang]]. Meals are usually under US$5 for even the most elaborate Lao, Thai or Vietnamese dishes (Western food is more expensive), and plain local dishes cost US$2-3. A local bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng costs US$5; a VIP bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang costs 160,000 kip; the slow boat from [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Huay Xai]] costs US$25. Unlike in Thailand, access to temples in Luang Prabang is not free, but typically costs 10,000 kip. In Vientiane only the more famous temples charge an entry fee. For some products Laos is more expensive than Thailand and Cambodia as most goods, petrol, and food is imported from Thailand and Vietnam, and because most people have the bad habit (especially tuk-tuk drivers) of considering US$1 as 10,000 kip, where in fact it's about 9,000 kip. Remember this in bargaining with tuk-tuk drivers and when shopping in markets. Outside of tourist centres, rooms can be found for US$2.50, and even at Si Phan Don for US$5/night. Large noodle soups are around US$2, and a typical price for large bottles of Beerlao is 10,000 kip. ===What to buy=== Typical Lao dresses in cheap machine-made fabric can be made to order. Expect to pay around US$5 for the fabric and US$2 for labour. Handmade Lao silk is one of the most attractive things to buy. The talat sao (Morning Market) in Vientiane has dozens of small shops selling 100% handmade silk scarves or wall hangings from US$5 upwards depending on quality, intricacy of design and size. Beware cheap synthetic fabrics sold as silk imported from China and Vietnam. Be careful also of "antique silk" as there is very little available, but new fabric can be made to look old and worn. Still attractive, but don't pay more than US$30-50. In markets, always bargain: it is expected, but keep smiling. == Eat == [[Image:LaoFood StickyRicePapayaSalad.JPG|thumb|Clockwise from top right: ''Tam maak hung'' papaya salad, sticky rice in a ''tip khao'' basket and fresh lettuce leaves]] [[Image:LaoFood LarbNeua.JPG|thumb|Minty, chilli-laden goodness: ''laap neua'' beef salad]] Lao food is very similar to that eaten in the northeastern [[Isaan#Eat|Isaan]] region of Thailand: very spicy, more often bitter than sweet, and using lots of fresh herbs and vegetables served raw. Some of the raw vegetables can be used to cool your mouth when the chilis are overwhelming. Rice is the staple carbohydrate. The standard kind is '''sticky rice''' (ເຂົ້າໜຽວ ''khao niaow''), eaten by hand from small baskets called ''tip khao''. Using your right hand, never your left, pinch off a bit, roll into a ball, dip and munch away. The national dish is '''''laap''''' (ລາບ, also ''larb''), a "salad" of minced meat mixed with herbs, spices, lime juice and, more often than not, blistering amounts of chili. Unlike Thai ''larb'', the Lao version can use raw meat (''dip'') instead of cooked meat (''suk''), and if prepared with seafood makes a tasty, if spicy, carpaccio. Another Lao invention is '''''tam maak hung''''' (ຕໍາຫມາກຫຸ່ງ), the spicy green papaya salad known as ''som tam'' in Thailand, but which the Lao like to dress with fermented crab (ປູດອງ ''pudem'') and a chunky, intense fish sauce called '''''pa daek''''' (ປາແດກ), resulting in a stronger flavour than the milder, sweeter Thai style. Other popular dishes include ''ping kai'', spicy grilled chicken, and ''mok pa'', fish steamed in a banana leaf. Laos also boasts a range of local desserts. '''Kanom kok''' is a small, spherical pudding made from coconut milk, tapioca and ground rice. '''Sang kaya mayru''' is a pumpkin filled with a sweet custard and then steamed. The pumpkin itself is also sweet, and the resulting mixture can be quite delicious. Sticky rice with mango or durian is also a popular snack. In addition to purely Lao food, culinary imports from other countries are common. ''Khao jii pat-te'', French baguettes stuffed with pâté, and ''foe'' (pho) noodles from China are both ubiquitous snacks particularly popular at breakfast. ''Foe'' can refer to thin rice noodles (Vietnamese pho), and to the wide flat noodles that would be called ''guay tiow'' in Thailand. == Drink == [[Image:Mekong BeerGarden.JPG|thumb|Sunset and Beerlao by the Mekong, [[Vientiane]]]] The national drink of Laos is the ubiquitous and tasty '''Beerlao''', made with Laotian jasmine rice and one of the few Lao exports. It maintains an almost mythical status among travellers and beer aficionados. The yellow logo with its tiger-head silhouette can be seen everywhere, and a large 640 ml bottle shouldn't cost more than 10,000 to 15,000 kip in restaurants. It's available in three versions: original (5%), dark (6.5%) and light (2.9%). The brewery claims they have 99% market share. Rice spirit, known as '''lao-lao''', is everywhere and at less than US$0.30 per 750 ml bottle is the cheapest way to get drunk. Beware, as quality and distilling standards vary wildly. Lao '''coffee''' (''kaafeh'') is recognised to be of very high quality. It's grown on the Bolaven Plateau in the south; the best brand is ''Lao Mountain Coffee''. Unlike Thai coffees, Lao coffee is not flavoured with ground tamarind seed. To make sure you aren't fed overpriced Nescafé instead, be sure to ask for ''kaafeh thung''. By default in lower end establishments, ''kaafeh lao'' comes with sugar and condensed milk; black coffee is ''kaafeh dam'', coffee with milk (but often non-dairy creamer) is ''kaafeh nom''. Fresh '''coconut juice''' is delicious, and '''soymilk''' at convenience stores is surprisingly tasty, nutritious, and inexpensive. There is not much nightlife outside of Vientiane and Vang Vieng. To have a beer in some places, simply visit a restaurant. However, some areas may be so laid-back that they will expect you to keep track of what you have drunk, with the odd guest house asking how much you have drunk during your stay upon check out. == Sleep == Accommodation options outside the Mekong Valley's main tourist spots are limited to basic hotels and guesthouses, but there are many budget and mid-priced hotels and guesthouses and quite a few fancy hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Pakse has the Champasak Palace. == Work == Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour). One of the most interesting ways to get to know a country, and which has become increasingly popular, is to '''volunteer'''. ==Stay safe== {{Warningbox|There are 78 million unexploded bombs and grenades in Laos as a result of bombing by the USA during the Laotian Civil War and Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s. Do not touch any loose metal items and be particularly careful in areas that were controlled by North Vietnam during the war. |lastedit=}} Laos in general is a safe country, in part because crime is punished to a significant extent by the government. This said, petty crime remains a concern. === Corruption === {{see also|Corruption and bribery}} Corruption is a huge problem in Laos. According to Transparency International, Laos is the second most corrupt country in [[South East Asia]]. Given how the police earn very low salaries, it's not uncommon for them to routinely target, harass, or intimidate people for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to them. Should you be stopped for any reason, '''do not argue or fight back, even if you've not done anything wrong'''; simply pay the bribe and be on your way. === Authorities === '''The police are woefully ineffective'''. Their response to crimes is severely limited by bureaucracy, inadequate training, corruption, and a lackluster justice system. If you're the victim of a crime, it's not unheard of to not be taken seriously by the authorities. In addition, expect little to no help if you're not fluent in [[Lao]]. In accordance with the law, you are required to have an identification document on you at all times, and the police have the legal right to ask you for it. If they ask you for it, just give it to them. Failing to produce an identity document on request will result in a heavy fine. As obvious as it may sound, always behave respectfully to law enforcement authorities, even if they happen to be highly corrupt. === Relationships with Laotian nationals === True to its nature as a communist country, the Laotian government dictates how foreigners should interact with the locals. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of Laotian nationals without permission from the government. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of their family members without permission from the government. * Sexual contact and cohabitation between a Lao national and a foreigner is '''illegal''' unless they are married. * Foreigners are not allowed to invite someone of the opposite sex to their hotel room. * '''Adultery is illegal in Laos'''. It is punishable by up to '''a year of imprisonment''' and a fine. If you've been accused of adultery, know that you and your partner will be prosecuted. * If you are thinking about getting serious (i.e. marriage or engagement) with a Laotian citizen, you are required to submit a formal application to the authorities. Not doing so can result in heavy penalties. If you have married a Laotian national outside of Laos, you must have your marriage certificate authenticated at a Laotian embassy before travelling to Laos. === LGBT travellers === '''Homosexuality''' is legal in Laos. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples may be tolerated in large cities like [[Vientiane]], but in smaller towns, homosexuality remains taboo, especially among the Hmong people. === Illegal substances === {{Warningbox|The Lao PDR penal code '''penalises illegal substances severely'''. Depending on the circumstances, you can expect to face lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, or at worst, execution. |uk = https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/safety-and-security |us = https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Laos.html |lastedit=16-02-2022}} Laos is at the center of the illegal drug trade; therefore, the country has a '''huge problem''' with illegal substances. At some point during the 1990s, it was believed the country was the largest opium producer in the world. Although the government has done a lot to stamp out the illegal drug trade, the country's remote geography and high level of corruption mean that the issue is difficult to fully and adequately control. Expected to be treated with '''no leniency''' if you have been accused of being involved in illegal substances. The following tips will come in handy: * '''Never leave your food or drinks unattended''', and always be careful when someone gives you food or a drink. * '''Be wary of "special" or "happy items" in restaurants'''; such dishes may contain opiates. === Traffic conditions === Although Laotian traffic laws are strict (at least on paper), driving by the majority of Laotians is ''wild and reckless''. Speeding, reckless passing, and failure to obey traffic laws are common, as is driving under the influence. In the event you end up in a car accident, '''do not flee the scene'''. It is punishable by up to '''three years''' in prison and a '''fine up to 10,000,000 Kip'''. Attempting to flee the scene is also unwise. === Politics === According the Laotian Penal Code, it is '''illegal''' to "conduct propaganda" against the government and the country, i.e. directing any form of criticism to the government and/or the country. Doing so is punishable by up to '''five years in prison''' and a '''very hefty fine'''. Also, you should know that if the authorities feel you have '''[https://immigration.gov.la/prohibition/ "disgraced"]''' the country, you will '''not be allowed''' to leave. Foreigners '''are not exempted''' from this law; in 2012, a Swiss NGO director was '''deported and banished''' from the country after she published a letter openly criticising the government. === Miscellaneous === * '''Landmines or unexploded ordnance''' left over from the Vietnam War maim or kills hundreds of people every year as Laos is the most bombed country in history. Almost all of these occur in the eastern and northern parts of the country, especially near the border with Vietnam. Never enter areas marked as minefields and travel only on paved roads and well-worn paths. If you are unsure of which areas are safe, ask the locals. * '''Fake products''' are very common. Laos is one place where Chinese or Thai companies dump sub-standard products. Similar to Myanmar, there are few if any laws preventing such trade. == Stay healthy == Parts of Laos have a good deal of '''malaria''' so anti-malarials are recommended if visiting those areas for an extended period, but check with health professionals: there is a high incidence of drug-resistant parasites in Laos. Other mosquito-borne diseases, such as '''dengue''', can be life-threatening, so make sure you bring at least 25% DEET insect repellent and ensure that you sleep with mosquito protection like nets or at least a fan. Vientiane seems to be malaria-free but not dengue-free. The mosquitoes that are active during the day carry dengue and those that are active in the evening carry malaria. 25% DEET insect repellents are almost impossible to find in Laos, so bring some from your home country. The usual precautions regarding food and water are needed. '''[[Tap water]]''' is not drinkable anywhere in Laos, but bottled water is cheap and widely available. In Laos, most bottled water is simply treated tap water, and some brands sterilise their water better than others. Tiger Head is recommended, which is made by the Laos Brewing Company (of Beerlao fame), costing 5-6000 kip. Roadside water kiosks that let you cheaply fill your own bottle with filtered water (as are common in Thailand and Malaysia) are not present in Laos. Vientiane has several medical clinics are associated with European embassies, and there are several private hospitals in [[Vientiane]] that are run to Western standards. Otherwise, you probably have to go to Thailand for better treatment of serious injuries and illnesses. Udon Thani and Chiang Mai are generally recommended; they're only a few hours away, depending on your location in Laos. Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai might have suitable clinics, as well, and there's Bangkok, of course. Expatriates in Laos probably have the best information; the more upscale hotels can be good resources, as well. Travel insurance that includes cover for medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Remember: if you can't afford travel insurance, then you can't afford to travel. ===HIV=== Laos had a population HIV rate of 0.3% in 2020. == Respect == [[File:Savannakhet, Wat Sainyaphum 022.JPG|thumb|Wat Sainyaphum temple, [[Savannakhet]]]] {{infobox|Naming conventions|Similar to neighbouring Thailand, most Lao people follow the Western naming convention of a given name followed by a family name. However, unlike in most Western countries, Lao people almost never address each other using their last names, the default form of address is to use a title plus one's given name, even in the most formal situations. The most common titles in Lao are ''Thao'' or ''Nai'' for men, and ''Nang'' or ''Sao'' for women. As such, the current prime minister of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh would be addressed as ''Thao Phankham'' or ''Nai Phankham'' in Lao, and "Mr. Phankham" in English.}} Dress respectfully (long trousers, sleeved shirts) when visiting temples and take your shoes off before entering temple buildings and private houses. As with other Buddhist countries, showing the soles of your feet is very poor manners. Never touch any person on the head. Despite prevalent cheap alcohol, being drunk is considered disrespectful and a loss of face. Things in Laos happen slowly and rarely as scheduled. Keep your cool, as the natives will find humour in any tourist showing anger. They will remain calm, and venting your anger will make everybody involved lose face and is certainly not going to expedite things, particularly if dealing with government bureaucracy. '''Swastikas''' are commonly seen at Buddhist temples. They are regarded as a sacred symbol, and have no connection to Nazism or anti-Semitism whatsoever. ===Buddhist monks=== As in neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos, meaning that respect for monks is part of Lao life and that monks take their duties seriously. Monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by women. Therefore, women should place any offerings on a piece of cloth on the ground in front of a monk so he can pick it up. Monks are also forbidden from accepting or touching money, and offering money to a monk is considered to be disrespectful in the local culture. Should you wish to donate, you should only offer food to the monk. "Monks" who hang out at tourist spots soliciting donations, or those that accept money, are imposters. Monks are also not allowed to eat solid food after noon, and will stop gathering alms before then. Some undertake a vow of silence, and will not answer you even if they can speak English. It is best not to compel them to stand next to you for a photograph, or try to start a conversation if they seem reluctant. ==Connect== Laos phone numbers have the format <code>+856 20 654 321</code> where "856" is the country code for Laos. Numbers starting with 20 are mobile numbers, while all others are landlines. *Laos Country Code is "+856". *International Call Prefix is "00". *Laos Call Prefix is "0". *Laos articles here use the convention "+856 xx xxxxxx" except for emergency numbers which use local format with leading zero, "0xx xxxxxx" '''Internet cafés''' can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow and cafe staffs have less knowledge. The most reliable connections are in [[Vientiane]], and usually cost around 100 kip/minute, with the cheapest offering 4,000 kip/hour. However, Internet security is not guaranteed and computer viruses are abundant. In most cases, '''Wi-Fi''' is the best option. Most Western-style cafés offer free Wi-Fi-access for customers. Most accommodations, even budget places in [[Vientiane]], offer free Wi-Fi. '''Mobile phone''' usage in Laos has mushroomed, with four competing GSM operators. Two of these offer roaming services. Calling people on the same network is always cheaper than calling another network, but there is no clear market leader. Tourist and expats tend to prefer TPlus or M-phone (Laotel), while locals use any of the four networks. * '''[http://www.laotel.com/ Lao Telecom]''' has agreements with some 30 international networks. See [http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/roa_lash.shtml roaming with Lao Telecom]. * '''[http://tplus.la/ TPlus (formerly known as Beeline)] {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}}''' has agreements with over 100 International phone networks. Another popular choice, they also have low-cost international rate of 2000 kip/minute to many countries, if you buy their SIM card and dial "177" instead of "+". * '''[http://www.etllao.com/ ETL Mobile]''' is known to have better coverage in rural and remote parts of Laos. However, in Laos "better" certainly does not mean "everywhere". * '''Unitel''' is also available. It offers 5GB/30&day plans for 50,000 kip plus 30,000 kip for the SIM card (Mar 2020). Local prepaid SIM cards can be purchased in various shops and stores, including at the airport in [[Vientiane]] (walk through to the Domestic Terminal to find a shop selling snacks and Unitel SIMs), without any paperwork. * '''Tourist SIM:''' Since 2022, travellers can pre-order a tourist SIM card prior to their trip and get it deliver to their hotel or Airbnb in Vientiane using Internet in Laos [https://internetlaos.com/order-tourist-sim-laos online platform]. As another option, there is Thai coverage close to the Thai border (including a significant part of Vientiane), and Thai SIM cards and top-up cards can be bought in Laos; in addition, DeeDial International Call Cards are available. Thus, if you already have a Thai number, you can use the generally cheaper Thai network and/or avoid buying one more SIM. In addition, with the advent of cheap "neighboring country" roaming packages from the "big three" carriers in Thailand (AIS, dtac, and True all have 99 baht/2GB data roaming packages for Laos valid for varying periods) means that Thai SIMs are cheap to use even away from the Thai coverage area and can be helpful in other ways (for example, a True SIM will roam on Unitel, TPlus, and Lao Telecom, while a dtac SIM will roam on ''all four'' Lao networks, which given the lower roaming pricing these days, can be worth the premium over a local SIM limited to one network). '''Postal service''' in Laos is slow, but generally reliable. Other paid options such as FedEx, DHL, and EMS exist in various locations. Though these services are much more expensive, they are more reliable. {{geo|18.2|104|zoom=7}} {{isPartOf|Southeast Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} awxt76zkcn3u7zljf5ab3qloh3tyz7e 4506733 4506647 2022-08-23T10:09:33Z SHB2000 2248002 Undo revision 4506647 by [[Special:Contributions/Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]])it was added per [[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub#Notice: Wide-area warning issued for Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Laos banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Hermetically sealed during much of the outbreak, Laos reopened to all visitors in May 2022. Proof of vaccination ''or'' a recent negative ART test are required, but quarantine is not. More information: * [https://www.covid19.gov.la/index.php Official site] (in Lao) * [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/coronavirus UK government advice] * [https://la.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ US Embassy updates] |lastedit=2022-05-10}} '''[https://www.tourismlaos.org/ Laos]''' (ເມືອງລາວ ''mư̄ang lāo'') is the only landlocked nation in [[Southeast Asia]]. It was once a [[France|French]] colony and it is one of the few remaining communist states in the world, espousing Marxism-Leninism as its main political ideology. The term "communist state" may have negative connotations in some parts of the world, but you may want to think twice; many Laotians (60-70%) are practicing Buddhists, the Laotian government actively encourages foreign investment in Laos, your words and actions are not heavily regulated and monitored compared to [[North Korea|other parts of the world]], and tourism is encouraged and promoted. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population. There are numerous hill tribes in Laos; many of them are found in the various foothills and mountains of the country and their settlements continue to remain untouched and protected. Almost 150 distinct ethnic groups call Laos home. Although the country is not usually on most travellers' lists, tourism has been on the rise since the 1990s, and the country continues to attract millions of tourists each year. Laotians are known for their hospitality and relaxed attitude to life, and you can expect to be treated with immense respect as a visitor. The country has a lot to offer. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap = Laos Regions Map.png | regionmapsize = 450px | regionmaptext = Map of Laos with regions colour-coded | region1name=[[Northern Laos]] | region1color=#b697b6 | region1items=[[Ban Nalan Trail]], [[Houay Xai]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Ngoi Neua]], [[Muang Long]], [[Muang Ngeun]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Nong Khiaw]], [[Pakbeng]], [[Vieng Phoukha]] | region1description=Hilltribe villages, mountains, and the remarkably charming former capital | region2name=[[Central Laos]] | region2color=#88c391 | region2items=[[Plain of Jars]], [[Paksan]], [[Phonsavan]], [[Tha Khaek]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Vieng Xai]], [[Vientiane]] | region2description=Southeast Asia's sleepiest capital city and rural countryside | region3name=[[Southern Laos]] | region3color=#73a7ce | region3items=[[Champasak]], [[Pakse]], [[Savannakhet]], [[Si Phan Don]] | region3description=The Mekong flatlands, more mountains, and the area least-visited by tourists }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b697b6|title=[[Northern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14206446}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#88c391|title=[[Central Laos]]|wikidata=Q14210500}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#73a7ce|title=[[Southern Laos]]|wikidata=Q14234718}} == Cities == <!-- capital city on top, other cities below in alphabetical order. Maximum of 9 cities. --> * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vientiane]]|wikidata=Q9326}} — the still sleepy capital on the banks of the Mekong River * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Huay Xai]]|wikidata=Q717371}} — in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Namtha]]|wikidata=Q660793}} — capital of the north, known for its trekking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Luang Prabang]]|wikidata=Q190165}} — a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Muang Xay]]|wikidata=Q1026957}} — also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multi-ethnic province of Oudomxay * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakbeng]]|wikidata=Q2667457}} — halfway point on the overnight slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pakse]]|wikidata=Q383622}} — gateway to the Wat Phu ruins and the "four thousand islands" (Si Phan Don) * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Savannakhet]]|wikidata=Q750443}} — in the south on the Mekong, connected by bridge to Mukdahan in Thailand * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tha Khaek]]|wikidata=Q1018701}} — a popular base for exploring Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Ban Nalan Trail]]|wikidata=Q14205117}} — a two-day ecotourism trek in the north of Laos * {{marker|name=[[Bolaven Plateau]]|wikidata=Q891266}} — highland with waterfalls, jungles and farmland * {{marker|name=[[Champasak]]|wikidata=Q334888}} — Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Angkor-style Khmer temples * {{marker|name=[[Nong Khiaw]]|wikidata=Q14227026}} — beautiful karst cliffs where you can discover hilltribe villages, kayak, bike ride or just hang out * {{marker|name=[[Plain of Jars]]|wikidata=Q870258}} — Iron Age cemetery sites near Phonsavan; also one of the main locations to learn about the "Secret War". * {{marker|name=[[Si Phan Don]]|wikidata=Q1319369}} — the "four thousand islands" are nestled within the Mekong near the Cambodian border * {{marker|name=[[Vang Vieng]]|wikidata=Q1012615}} — backpacker hangout for exploring limestone caves and tubing on the Nam Song river * {{marker|name=[[Vieng Xai]]|wikidata=Q2523307}} — remote cultural oasis and symbolic cradle of Marxism; see the caves where the Pathet Lao leaders ran their operations in defiance of the West == Understand == {{quickbar|location=LocationLaos.png}} {{infobox|Lao or Laos?|The people call themselves Lao and the language is Lao, so where did that "s" come from? The answer seems to be a mistranslation from French: somebody read ''royaume des Laos'' ("kingdom of the Lao people") as ''royaume de Laos'' ("kingdom of Laos"), and the name stuck. The official name, however, is '''Lao PDR''' and, should you have any incoming mail, using it will increase the odds of it passing the censors.}} The '''Lao People's Democratic Republic''' (ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ) ('''Lao PDR''') is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the most sparsely populated. Unlike most countries in Asia, the country has not undergone a major industrialisation and modernisation period; as result, lifestyle remains mostly rural and there are no large cities. An adjective often applied to Laos is "forgotten", but contrary to what advertised by travel agencies, it is hard to say this applies to tourism as well: Laos gets only 20% fewer international visitors than the [[Philippines]], which has a population 15 times bigger than that of Laos. Travelers lured by the prospect of visiting an untouched "Shangri-la" are likely to be disappointed; in fact, cities like [[Luang Prabang]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Vang Vieng]] are very tourist-oriented. On the other hand, Laos can be extremely rewarding for those who are instead drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of Laos is the famous "Lao PDR" - ''Lao-Please Don't Rush''. === History === {{seealso|Indochina Wars}} Laos is squeezed between vastly larger neighbors. It was created as an entity in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of '''Lan Xang''' ("Million Elephants"). The kingdom began as a [[Cambodia|Khmer]] vassal state. After a succession dispute, the kingdom split in three in 1694, and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1885. The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam, and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. It was briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, and a three-decade-long conflict was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted full independence in 1953, the war continued between a variety of factions, with the Communist and North Vietnam-allied '''Pathet Lao''' struggling to overthrow the French-aligned monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973), this alliance led the United States to dump 1.9 million tons of bombs on Laos, mostly in the northeast stronghold of the Pathet Lao: as a comparison 2.2 million tonnes were dropped on Europe by all sides during World War II. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six-century-old monarchy. The royal family was arrested and sent to reeducation camps, where most of them died by the 1980s, though some of the royals would escape to France and establish a government-in-exile, where they remain to this day. Closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws and admission into ASEAN in 1997. Due to its landlocked location and difficult terrain, Laos has long been deeply impoverished due to the difficulty of building infrastructure. However, in the 21st century, Laos has developed a close relationship with [[China]], who have invested substantially in infrastructure projects in the country. This improvement in infrastructure has led to tremendous economic growth, with more than 80% of the Lao people now living above the poverty line. Despite being just one hour by air from the hustle and bustle of [[Bangkok]], life in Laos has continued in much the same way it has for hundreds of years, although things are now slowly beginning to change. In the mid-1990s the government reversed its stance on tourism, and then declared 1998 "Visit Laos Year". Since then, tourism in Laos has been rising every year. In 2021, Laos and [[China]] completed the construction of a semi-high-speed rail linking [[Kunming]] to [[Vientiane]], with an extension to [[Bangkok]] already under construction, and talks of extending the line possibly all the way to [[Singapore]]. The rail connection is expected to have a dramatic impact on the country whenever cross-border travel resume; Kunming itself has a population 8 times bigger than Vientiane, and in fact, comparable to the entire population of Laos, while the province of [[Yunnan]] as a whole has a population about 7 times bigger than the population of Laos. It is likely that the face of tourism in the country will drastically change, and the word "forgotten" used to describe Laos will become a forgotten memory itself. === Culture === [[Image:WatThatLuang Landscape.JPG|thumb|400px|Pha That Luang, [[Vientiane]] - the national symbol of Laos]] Despite its small population, Laos has 49 ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three-quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao-Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone-Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung-Loumien language with 2 tribes, and Tibeto-Chinese language represented by 7 tribes. Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of [[Vientiane#See|Pha That Luang]], has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the '''baci''' (also ''baasi'') ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant's body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby, or other significant events. Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive ''phaa sin'', a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic minorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese-style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western-style and only don the ''phaa biang'' sash on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays women often wear Western-style clothing, though the "phaa sin" is still the mandatory attire in government offices, not only for those who work there but also for Lao women who are visiting. === Climate === Laos has three distinct seasons. The '''hot season''' is from Mar-May, when temperatures can soar as high as 40°C and the humidity makes it feel like 50°C. The slightly cooler '''wet season''' is from May-Oct, when temperatures are around 30°C, tropical downpours are frequent (especially Jul-Aug), and some years the Mekong floods. The '''dry season''' from Nov-Mar, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15°C (or even to zero in the mountains at night), is "high season". However, towards the end of the dry season, the northern parts of Laos &mdash; basically everything north of Luang Prabang &mdash; can become very '''hazy''' due to farmers burning fields and fires in the forests. == Get in == [[File:Visa policy of Laos.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Laos, with countries in blue, green and purple having visa-free access; and countries in gold having visa on arrival]] {{VisaRestriction|Entry '''will be refused''' to the following: people who are thought to have "degraded" the country and people who cannot prove that they have the funds to cover their stay. }} ===Visas=== Visas are not required by citizens of: [[Brunei]] and [[Myanmar]] (14 days), [[Japan]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Switzerland]] (15 days), [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mongolia]], [[Philippines]], [[Russia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Korea]], [[Thailand]] and [[Vietnam]] (30 days).<br> The [http://www.mofa.gov.la website of the foreign ministry] does not prove too helpful in obtaining up-to-date visa information. But the [http://www.tourismlaos.org website of Tourism Laos] provides more useful information on this topic. ====Visa on arrival==== A visa on arrival is available to most nationalities entering at the airports in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Savannakhet]]. These land border crossings offer visa on arrival: Boten (China); Houay Xay, Nam Ngeun, Kenthao, Vientiane, Thakhet, Savannakhet, Vangtao (Thailand) which includes all friendship bridges; Ban Leui, Nam Kan, Nam Phao, Dan Savanh (Vietnam); and Veun Kham (Cambodia). One passport photo is required although you may be able to pay a US$1 fee for your passport photo to be scanned upon arrival. As of May 2022, the price is US$40 for all except the following nationalities (the list excludes countries not eligible for visa on arrival and those with a visa exemption for at least 30 days): * China: US$20 * Sweden: US$31 * Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States: US$35 * India, Nepal, Sri Lanka: US$40 * Canada: US$42 Paying in Thai baht (1500 baht ~ US$47 in Jan 2019) is possible too, but the mark-up means that travellers should try to bring U.S. dollars. While Lao kip are usually not accepted for the visa fee, border staff does make exceptions sometimes, however at a bad rate. A US$1 "out of office hours/overtime" surcharge at the Friendship Bridge in [[Vientiane]], and a small possibly 10 baht to US$1 entry stamp fee might also be charged. ====Visa from the embassy==== [[File:Laos entry.JPG|thumb|Entry stamp]] Visas can be obtained in advance from [https://www.visalaos.com/ Lao embassies or consulates]. The fee varies by nationality and by embassy; US$40 is common, although can be as high as US$63 (in Kuala Lumpur). Processing times also vary; 2-3 days is typical, though you may be able to pay an extra small amount (around US$5) to receive the visa in as little as one hour. In [[Phnom Penh]] the travel agencies can arrange the visa the same day (but may charge as much as US$58) while getting it from the embassy takes a few days. Getting a visa from the embassy in Bangkok costs around 1,400 baht for most nationalities, plus 200 baht more for "same day" processing. ''It's cheaper and quicker to get a visa at the border''. ====Visa extension==== Entry permit extensions (sometimes referred to as "visa extensions") are available from the Immigration Department in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]] or [[Tha Khaek]], the Police Station in [[Pakse]], and possibly other cities. Extensions are not possible in Laos' second city, [[Savannakhet]], although you can do a border run from there to Thailand to get a new 30-day visa. The cost is US$2.50 per day plus a small "form fee" ranging between 5,000 kip (Pakse) to 30,000 kip (Vientiane). The process is very easy; turn up in the early morning with your passport and one photo; fill in a form (in Luang Prabang they do this for you) and come back in the afternoon to collect your passport with an extension stamp in it. If you do this in the late morning or later in the day, your passport will be ready the following day. If you want to extend for longer than two weeks and are near the Thai border, it can be more cost effective to nip over the border (entry to Thailand is free for most Western nationalities) and return immediately to get a new 30-day Lao visa since ''a 30-day visa extension costs US$75''. === By plane === [[File:VIENTIANE WATTAY AIRPORT LAOS FEB 2012 (6985451899).jpg|thumb|Vientiane International Airport]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Vientiane International Airport | alt={{IATA|VTE}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=17.988333 | long=102.563333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Wattay International Airport | image=Wattay Intl Airport Vientiane Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q221279 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Luang Prabang International Airport | alt={{IATA|LPQ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.898612 | long=102.1625 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Luang Prabang International Airport | image=LuangPrabangAirportAirside.jpg | wikidata=Q1077327 | content= }} Those two international airports are served by national carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] and a few others, including [http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways], [http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways] (Luang Prabang only) and [http://www.vietnamairlines.com Vietnam Airlines]. Some seats on flights of Vietnam Airlines are reserved for Lao Airlines (codesharing/better price). * {{listing | type=go | name=[[Pakse]] International Airport | alt={{IATA|PKZ}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=15.133889 | long=105.781944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Pakse International Airport | image=Pakxe Airport Laos.jpg | wikidata=Q1432294 | content=The third international airport, with flights from Siem Reap (Vientiane&ndash;Pakse&ndash;Siem Reap by Lao Airlines) and from [[Ho Chi Minh City]]. SilkAir has regular service from Singapore to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. There are also regular round trip flights from Vientiane to Kunming, PDR and Incheon, South Korea on Lao Airlines and other carriers. }} Low-cost carriers [http://www.airasia.com AirAsia] flies to Vientiane from [[Kuala Lumpur]] three times a week, and offers daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang. Another cheap option for getting to Vientiane is to fly to [[Udon Thani]] in [[Thailand]] with discount airlines Nok Air or Air Asia and connect to [[Nong Khai]] and the Friendship Bridge via shuttle service directly from the airport (40 minutes); from here, Vientiane is {{km|17}} away. === By train === ==== From China ==== A new railway line from [[Kunming]], [[China]] to Vientiane opened in December 2021. Passing through [[Pu'er]], [[Jinghong]], [[Mengla]] and crossing the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]], the line serves [[Luang Namtha]], [[Muang Xay]], [[Muang Nga]], [[Luang Prabang]], [[Muang Kasi]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Phonhong]] and Vientiane on the Laotian side. Due to the COVID situation, as of December 2021 there are no cross-border passenger services yet. Once operational, the passenger train will be able to run at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, covering the distance from Kunming to Vientiane in 8-10 hours. ==== From Thailand ==== There is a bridge across the Mekong from the Thai town of [[Nong Khai]] to Thanaleng near [[Vientiane]]. There are two shuttle services per direction per day, with one timed to connect to the night trains from [[Bangkok]]. Visa on arrival is available when crossing the border by train. The train is ''not'' a very attractive option because the railway station is in the middle of nowhere, however, there are shuttle buses to take you the rest of the way. An extension of the aforementioned Kunming-Vientiane railway line onward to Bangkok is under construction, which will make the line to Thanaleng obsolete when completed in 2028. === By land === Most '''border crossings open for foreigners''', with an indication where visas on arrival can be issued, are listed on the web site of the [http://www.tourismlaos.org/ National Tourism Administration]. This list is unfortunately incomplete. ====[[Cambodia]]==== {{infobox|Scam alert|Operators for buses going from Cambodia to Southern Laos will ask passengers for (at least) an additional US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee to facilitate the border crossing. Not agreeing to the extra charge and attempting to obtain the visa independently may result in being abandoned at the border; all bus companies are involved since non-cooperation would likely see them being denied to cross and thus hurt their business. See further below for more information.}} Visa on arrival for Laos is available when entering from Cambodia overland, with an official "Visa on Arrival" office incorporated into the checkpoint. The nearest Cambodian town is [[Stung Treng]], and the border is a 60- to 90-minute bus ride away. The border is lightly used, with almost no onward public transport available once you passed through immigration, therefore it may be wise to book transport all the way to [[Ban Nakasang]] or [[Pakse]] depending on your destination. If you're buying a ticket from a destination in Cambodia to one in Laos (the most common being Siem Reap/Phnom Penh to Don Det) and you want the border crossing to be as trouble-free as possible, accept that you will have to pay an additional fee that usually isn't lower than US$5 on top of the visa-on-arrival fee applicable to your nationality, current as of 2019. Not including possible mark-ups for the visa, the charge consists of: * $2 stamp fee on the Lao side * $2 stamp fee on the Cambodian side * $1 assistance fee for the facilitator as he gets the Lao visa and entry stamp for you This is the best case scenario: the "assistance fee" may also be $2 depending on the bus company used, and/or the facilitator will demand a higher total to account for the inflated visa price. While you can decline to use a facilitator, you will nevertheless be asked for the unofficial fees by the immigration officials, as the facilitator merely collects them on their behalf to "speed up the process". '''It is possible to at least circumvent the unofficial fees on the Cambodian side''' – several reports on the net suggest that the Cambodian officials are quick to give in if you refuse to pay the fee; it seems easiest if you can convince them that you simply don't have any dollars left. Little public information exists for the Lao side. The officials may or may not try to overcharge you for the visa on arrival. For Canadians, this can oddly result in paying ''less'' than the official price of US$42. One traveller reported that officials, at least on one occasion, seemed to use US$30 (the official price for most eligible nationalities) as the baseline for passports from Western countries, but then asked a Canadian citizen for US$35 instead. Whatever your nationality, do make sure you know what visa price applies to your passport before you hop on the bus to this border. Furthermore it is unknown whether one can refuse to pay the inflated visa fee (if applicable), the unofficial stamp fee, be successful ''and'' be still able to find onward transport to Ban Nakasang, [[Cambodia#Laos|although this definitely works the other way round]] (coming from Laos, going to Cambodia). Getting held up by not paying will likely see your bus leave without you. For those who want to stand their ground and don't mind possibly having to wait for a few hours in order to beat corruption, there is an option worth trying: Book your transport with any operator to the border only, ideally from Stung Treng with a departure in the morning to have time on your side. Enquire with travel agencies or online to book your ''separate'' onward transport from the border going North, and make sure it only leaves two to three hours after your arrival at the border. Alternatively, if you're feeling the stars are aligned in your favour, you may be able to catch a minivan or tuk-tuk that some travellers use to get independently to the border from the Lao side; it's unlikely to happen after lunchtime though. Another pitfall of the journey to the border is that you will often have four changes of bus (number depending on your origin – some vehicles are small minibuses where passengers have to sit on each other's laps), and hours spent driving to remote guesthouses to pick up backpackers. [https://www.asiavantransfer.com/ Asia Van Transfer] (AVT) was set up by a foreign expat and has built a good reputation for not letting passengers wait unnecessarily, not letting them change vehicles and also not overbooking seats, but this means they're also a bit pricier; also, they cannot drive into Laos. If your luggage has been sent in a bus you are not on, because of "lack of space", it will sometimes disappear. The "King of Bus Company" is known to do this. ====[[China]]==== The land crossing between [[Mengla]] (Yunnan) and [[Boten]] (Laos) is open to foreigners and visa on arrival is possible or you can get in advance at the Lao consulate in [[Kunming]]. Daily bus service operates from Mengla to [[Luang Namtha]] and [[Udomxai]]. Buses from Mengla to Luang Namtha leave from the North bus station. The first bus leaves around 08:00 and costs about ¥40. Generally speaking, it is not possible for independent travellers to cross from China to Laos via the Mekong River, not least because there's a chunk of Myanmar in the middle and the Lao checkpoint at [[Xieng Kok]] does not issue visas on arrival. Travel agents in China, including [http://www.chinadam.com Panda Travel], run irregular cruises from [[Jinghong]] (China) via [[Chiang Saen]] (Thailand) to [[Huay Xai]] (Laos), but schedules are erratic and prices expensive. ====[[Myanmar]]==== The Myanmar-Lao friendship bridge connects [[Shan State]] in Myanmar with [[Luang Namtha|Luang Namtha Province]] in Laos. ====[[Thailand]]==== There are eight border crossings open to all between Thailand and Laos. From north to south: [[File:Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.JPG|thumb|The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]] * [[Huay Xai]]/[[Chiang Khong]]: Using the fourth Friendship Bridge is the usual overland route to Luang Prabang, easy bus connections to [[Chiang Rai]] and points beyond on the Thai side. * [[Ban Pangmon]]/[[Ban Huak]]: Located on a remote mountainous road. If you want to travel overland from [[Chiang Mai]] to [[Hanoi]] overland via Laos, this is one possible route. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Muang Ngeun]]/[[Huay Kon]]: Visa on arrival. 40 km from [[Pak Beng]]. * [[Nam Hueng]]/[[Tha Li]]: Easily reached via [[Loei]] on the Thai side, but 378 km of dirt road away from [[Luang Prabang]]. '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Vientiane]]/[[Nong Khai]]: The first Friendship Bridge and the busiest of crossing of them all. Direct trains from Bangkok now available. * [[Paksan]]/[[Bueng Kan]]: '''No visa on arrival'''. * [[Tha Khaek]]/[[Nakhon Phanom]]: The third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Savannakhet]]/[[Mukdahan]]: The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. * [[Vang Tao]]/[[Chong Mek]]: On the route from [[Pakse]] to [[Ubon Ratchathani]]. ====[[Vietnam]]==== There are at least six border crossings that can be used by foreigners. These include: * Donsavanh - Lao Bao - to Savannakhet * Keo Nua Pass * Lak Sao - to Khammouan Province * Nam Can - to [[Plain of Jars]] * Na Meo - to [[Sam Neua]] * Tay Trang - to Muang Khua and [[Nong Khiaw]] (close to [[Dien Bien Phu]], the site of a famous battle where the French were defeated by Vietnamese independence fighters) * Bo Y (nearest town on Vietnamese side being Ngoc Hoi and on Lao side Attapeu) ====By motorbike from Vietnam==== The border crossing on a Vietnamese motorbike at Tay Trang is very easy and straightforward. You arrive after going over some hills at the Vietnamese border where very friendly guys handle your case easily and with no hassle. You fill out the form for "temporary export of a vehicle", show them the Vietnamese registration card for the bike (which is usually in the owners name) and pay US$10. Then you proceed to the police, show the papers to them and get the exit stamp. You then have to drive for 6 km over the mountains to get to the Lao checkpoint. There some not-so-friendly border guards there who expect you to pay 5,000 kip for general fees and 25,000 kip for importing a vehicle. They fill out the form themselves. == Get around == Travel within Laos has historically been slow, often painful and sometimes dangerous, but the 2021 opening of a railway spanning the northern half of the country and the ongoing construction of a parallel expressway is set to shake things up. Nevertheless, if travelling off the beaten track, allow plenty of leeway in your schedule for the near-inevitable delays, cancellations and breakdowns. === By plane === [[File:Lao Airlines ATR 72-212A; RDPL-34175@BKK;30.07.2011 613cx (6041831739).jpg|thumb|A Lao Airlines ATR 72 aircraft]] State carrier [http://www.laoairlines.com Lao Airlines] has a near-monopoly on domestic flights. They managed a 13-year accident-free streak until an October 2013 crash near Pakse resulted in 49 fatalities, the country’s deadliest air disaster. The fairly comprehensive network is by far the fastest and, relatively speaking, the safest way of reaching many parts of the country, although the new train line (see below) now offers some real competition. As of 2013, the popular [[Vientiane]]-[[Luang Prabang]] route costs about US$101 (one-way full fare for foreigners), but covers in 40 minutes what would take you at least ten to twelve hours by bus (but only two hours by train - see below). Several planes a day. Tickets can be bought on-line or at any travel agency. Flights to more remote destinations are flown on the Xian MA60, a Chinese copy of the Soviet An-24, and are frequently cancelled without warning if the weather is bad or not enough passengers show up. Lao Airlines also flies 14-passenger Cessnas from Vientiane to [[Phongsali]], [[Sam Neua]] and [[Sainyabuli]] (''Xayabouly'') several times a week. These airfields are all rudimentary and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat if weather is less than perfect. ===By train=== [[File:2021-12-03_China-Laos-Eisenbahn.jpg|thumb|EMU high-speed train at Vang Vieng station]] The first railway in Laos, a Chinese-built line crossing the northern half of the country from the Chinese border at [[Mohan]]/[[Boten]] via [[Muang Xay]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Vientiane]] opened in December 2021. Both electric/high-speed (EMU) and ordinary trains operate, with the EMU services at up to 160 km/h per hour, making this by far the most comfortable way to travel. As of 2022, there is one high-speed "C" train and one normal "K" train per daily running the length of the line, with one additional high-speed service to Luang Prabang only. Sample travel times and fares in kip: {| ! From !! To !! Travel time !! EMU<br/>1st class !! EMU</br>2nd class !! Ordinary |- | Vientiane || Vang Vieng || 1 hour || 86,000 || 56,000 || 40,000 |- | Vientiane || Luang Prabang || 2 hours || 313,000 || 198,000 || 140,000 |- | Vientiane || Boten || 3.5 hours || 529,000 || 333,000 || 238,000 |} The railway is very popular, and demand always exceeds capacity. The easiest way to buy tickets is to go through a travel agency, who will handle all the paperwork for a service charge of around $4/ticket. [https://discoverlaos.today/promotion/train-ticketing Discover Laos] has a good reputation and can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. If you wish to try your luck, a new ticket office opened in Vientiane Center on February 2022, where you can purchase tickets for trains up to 3 days in advance. As of February 2022, only tickets to Boten, Muang Xai and Luang Prabang can be bought at the Vientiane Center office, while tickets for all other destinations can only be bought at the station. The Vientiane Center office also does not accept cash payments, and payments can only be made using a UnionPay credit card, Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay or Alipay, or the OnePay mobile payment platform of local Lao bank BCEL. Despite all this hassle, you may still end up empty-handed, as scalpers frequently buy up all the tickets. If you're in a pinch, try your luck at the train station, as unsold same day tickets may reappear in the inventory. === By road === {{infobox|VIP, minibus or car?|Minibuses are quicker and more expensive, however that doesn't mean they are necessarily better. A typical '''VIP Bus''' is just an old bus by Western standards (generally retired Chinese tour buses), and may be more prone to breakdowns, but they usually have more leg room which can make a long journey much more comfortable. VIP buses also include a bottle of water, a snack, and a stop for lunch/dinner. Both types are usually air conditioned (though it doesn't always work). Even more expensive, but certainly the most convenient, is a rented car with driver. A car with a driver will cost around US$95 per day. Some can even drive over the border to Thailand, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The cars can be arranged at tour agencies, tourist hotels and car rental companies. The cars are new, so they're reliable. They have the bonus of your being able to stop the car at any time for photos, nosing around a village or just stretching your legs.}} The main routes connecting [[Vientiane]], [[Vang Vieng]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Savannakhet]] are sealed, and the transport options on these roads include bus, minibus, and converted truck. The first expressway in Laos now connects Vientiane to Vang Vieng and is slowly being extended north towards Luang Prabang, but the full length to the Chinese border will not be ready until the 2030s. A good source of bus timetables, including some basic town maps, can be found at [http://hobomaps.com/ hobomaps.com] Some common routes through Laos include: * [[Vientiane]] to [[Vang Vieng]] – now connected by a direct 113&nbsp;km expressway, less than 1.5 hours by direct VIP bus * [[Vang Vieng]] to [[Luang Prabang]] – amazing scenery through the mountains, at the cost of a long 8-hour trip full of curves. * [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Phonsavan]] - minibus: a cramped 7-hour trip, so arrive early to get good seats as near the front as possible; beautiful views so secure a window seat if possible. Bus is 8 hours. * [[Phonsavan]] to [[Sam Neua]] - converted pickup truck: beautiful views but lots of hills and bends, hence possible nausea * [[Sam Neua]] to [[Muang Ngoi]] - minivan: a 12-hour trip along a horrible road; good views and a necessary evil, but fun if you're prepared to get a few knocks and talk to some Lao people who are, after all, in the same boat * [[Muang Ngoi]] to [[Luang Namtha]] - Minivan: 10-hour trip (Oudomxay); OK road, much travelled by backpackers * [[Luang Namtha]] to [[Huay Xai]] - once a muddy nightmare, now rebuilt and one of the best roads in Laos, 3-4 hours * [[Paksan]] to [[Phonsavan]] - there is a new road between Borikham and Tha Thom. In Tha Thom there is a guesthouse with 8 rooms. The forest between Borikham and Tha Thom is still in a very good condition, but it's a dirt road. Since most of the forest in Laos has gone this is one of the last roads surrounded by primary forest. There are substantial road works being undertaken by the Vietnamese between Paksan and Phonsavan and there can be some fairly long delays along the way. Even though the trip is only a couple of hundred kilometres it can take 16-20 hr to traverse this section. [[Image:Vientiane Jumbo.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Jumbo in [[Vientiane]]]] Local transport (less than 20 km) in Laos consists of tuk-tuks, jumbos, and sky labs, motorised three or four wheelers. A jumbo should cost no more than 20,000 kip for short journeys of 1-5 km. The main ride-hailing app is '''[https://loca.la/ LOCA]'''. You can pay by cash or use a credit card to pay through the app. You can now also travel the entire length of the country using a fully guided "hop on hop off" bus service provided by [http://www.straytravel.asia/ Stray Travel]. This is the only guided hop on hop off bus in Southeast Asia. '''Women''' should be aware that often during lengthy bus or minibus trips there is no opportunity to go to the toilet during breaks, so it may be advisable to wear a wide skirt. ==== By songthaew ==== A '''songthaew''' (ສອງແຖວ) is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side &mdash; hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards. Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses, and generally are the most economical way to travel shorter distances. There also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price before embarking. ==== By tuk-tuk/jumbo ==== The names '''tuk-tuk''' and '''jumbo''' are used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built, others are partially based on motorcycle components. A tuk-tuk organisation in Vientiane controls the prices that tourists are expected to pay for point to point destinations. The rates are negotiable, and you should agree on the price prior to getting on the tuk tuk. The current rates can be found here: [http://spotonlaos.com/place/tuktuk/ Tuk Tuk Prices in Vientiane] ==== By motorbike ==== Motorbike travel in Laos is not without risks but the rewards of truly independent travel are great. There are several rental shops in Vientiane, [[Luang Prabang]], [[Pakse]] and [[Tha Khaek]], but bike rentals in other parts of the country may be scarce. The quality of machines varies from shop to shop so you need to fully inspect it before you head out on the road. There are many good roads and many paved ones and touring Laos is done easily. There are a variety of bikes available in Laos, depending on which town and rental shop you go to. Some available include the Honda Baja or XR 250 dual-purpose bikes, Ko Lao 110 cc and the usual Honda Win/Dream 110 ccs. Helmets are not only mandatory in the country but a valuable item in a place where traffic rules are made up by the minute. Police have been cracking down on people who do not have a motorcycle licence, so expect to pay a fine if caught without one. Petrol costs 9,000 kip/L (diesel 8,000 kip/L) as of Mar 2020. ==== By bicycle ==== Cycling is a great option with quiet roads. Laos offers wonderful remote areas to discover, little traveled roads, friendly people and even some companies providing cycling tours with the help of professional guides all over the country. The more time people seem to spend in Laos the more they seem to like the quiet travel mood and the opportunity to actually be in contact with the people along the way. Good maps are available about the roads in Laos and all major routes are with good roads. In normal distances you find simple guest houses and in all major towns better choices and restaurant. Food is not a problem as long as you remember to carry some stuff with you. Tropical fruits and noodle soup are the standards. There are a number of local operators running a wide selection of guided mountain biking tours through Laos. If you travel on your own, there are very few proper bike shops outside of Vientiane. but also for bikes with 28-inch wheels you might have a hard time. Bring your equipment with you and make sure you get contact details from a supplier, perhaps in Thailand. === By boat === Boats along the Mekong and its tributaries are useful shortcuts for the horrible roads, although as the road network improves river services are slowly drying up, and many of the remaining services only run in the wet season, when the Mekong floods and becomes more navigable. [[Huay Xai]] on the border with [[Thailand]] to [[Luang Prabang]] and travel south of [[Pakse]] are the main routes still in use. There are so-called ''slow boats'' and '''speedboats''' - the latter being tiny lightweight craft equipped with powerful motors that literally skid across the water at high speeds. ==== By slow boat ==== Many people go from Chiang Khong in [[Thailand]] via the border town of Houai Xai down the Mekong to the marvelous city of [[Luang Prabang]]. The ride takes two days and is very scenic. Apart from that, it is a floating backpacker ghetto with no (good) food sold, cramped, and hot. By the second day, the novelty has worn off. Recommended to bring a good (long) read, something soft for the wooden benches and patience. Slow boats generally stop in the village of [[Pakbeng]] for the night. Some boat packages will include accommodation, although this is usually at an inflated rate. By arranging a hotel in the town, it is easy to get a lower price. Most shops in Pakbeng shut down at about 22:00, so expect to get a good sleep before the second day's boat ride. This is also a good place to stock up on supplies. The boats have considerably improved. They now have soft used car seats, and serve pre-fab food, which is not great, but certainly sufficient. ==== By speedboat ==== [[File:Bootsfahrt auf dem Nam Ou Fluss.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|Speedboat barreling down the Nam Ou river]] An attractive choice for some, with a 6-hour ride from [[Huay Xai]] to [[Luang Prabang]], as compared to the two-day trip on the slow boat, but not for the faint of heart. Expect to be crammed into a modified canoe made for 4, with 10 other people, along with all the luggage somehow packed in. Expect to sit on the floor of the canoe, as there are no seats, with your knees against your chin for the full 6 hours. Expect an incredibly loud engine inches behind your head. Expect the engine to break a few times, and stops for delays to fix it. That being said, when this ride finally ends, if you make it with no trouble, you will never be happier to get to Luang Prabang. Stories of small, overloaded speedboats sinking or hitting driftwood are common, but if you are a good swimmer, take comfort in the fact that you can see both shores throughout the entire trip. So, as you see, choosing between the slow boat and the speedboat is a hard call, based mostly upon your comfort level; would you prefer a slow unpleasant trip, or a much faster, but more dangerous unpleasant trip. Either way, the scenery along the way is gorgeous and unexploited, and Luang Prabang is an incredible city, worth a thousand of these journeys. Though helpful in saving time, speedboats are not without danger: built to carry 8 passengers, they are often overloaded; the engine noise is well above a healthy level, which could be a serious hazard to your ears, especially if you are on the boat for a long time. It also causes considerable noise pollution, scaring wildlife and spoiling the peaceful river life. Fatalities resulting from capsize due to incautious maneuvering, or hitting floating logs or hidden rocks, have been reported but some claim and are exaggerated by competing slow boat owners. However, the vast majority of speedboat users have no serious problems. If you are taller than the average Laotian are a bit claustrophobic and/or have inflexible leg muscles you are guaranteed an extremely uncomfortable experience for several endless hours. Suggestions for those who decide to take the risk: * get one of the front seats as they allow you to stretch your legs and are far from the noisy motor * wear helmets and life jackets; reconsider your journey if these are not provided * bring a coat in the cold season, the strong wind can make you feel cold even at temperatures of 25 °C. * bring earplugs * protect water-sensitive equipment as you might get wet. == Talk == [[Image:WatThatLuang Sign.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Lao script]] {{seealso|Lao phrasebook}} The official language of Laos is '''[[Lao phrasebook|Lao]]''' (ພາສາລາວ ''pháa-sǎa láo''), a tonal language closely related to [[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]. The Thai dialect spoken in the northeastern [[Isaan]] region of Thailand, historically a part of greater Laos, is in fact identical to Lao. '''[[French phrasebook|French]]''', a legacy of the colonial days, is spoken by the elderly and is taught in schools in Laos, but its use is gradually being supplanted by English. French is often used in government and commerce, and French is often used to transliterate Lao words. '''English''' is gradually becoming popular, but proficiency in the language is generally poor. Try to speak slowly and carefully so that people can understand you. In some tourist areas, you can expect to come across school children who are eager to practice their English skills with you. They may, after a conversation, ask you to sign a form or pose for a photo with you as proof that this conversation took place. '''[[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]''' is widely understood by Laotians, largely because Thai media is popular in the country. If you are a speaker of [[Thai]], you should have no problems getting around independently and picking up the language easily. There are two main ways to turn the Lao script into the Latin alphabet: either '''French-style''' spellings like ''Houeisay'', or '''English-style''' spellings like ''Huay Xai''. While government documents seem to prefer the French style, the English spellings are becoming more common. The latter is used on Wikivoyage. Two quick pronunciation tips: [[Vientiane]] is actually pronounced "Wiang Chan", and the letter ''x'' is ''always'' read as an "s". Like in neighboring [[Thailand]], local pronunciation of the English word "twenty" often causes confusion by sounding a lot like "seventy". ==See== Unlike neighboring [[Thailand]] or [[Vietnam]], Laos never underwent a massive economic development, neither during colonisation nor even after the liberalisation of the Communist economy. As result, one key attraction of Laos is that most of the country, including the capital [[Vientiane]], retains a relaxed, laid back feel with minimal presence of modern architecture or international brands and food chains. How much longer this will last is open to much speculation, but meanwhile, it makes it a truly special and unique country to visit. ===Natural attractions=== [[Image:Sea of Clouds Ody.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The mountains of Oudomxay Province in Northern Laos]] The term wilderness is much misused, but it can truly be applied to much of Laos. The mighty Mekong river and its tributaries together create perhaps the single most important geographic feature of the country. Its meandering path in [[Northern Laos|the North]] has created some of the most stunning limestone karsts anywhere on earth. The backpacker-central town of [[Vang Vieng]] is a commonly used base for exploring the karsts. Further north, the terrain becomes more hilly, and the jungle less explored. [[Luang Namtha]] is the far-northern town which makes the best base for those visitors who really want to see the truly remote Lao wilderness, and directly experience the lifestyles of the various hill tribes in this region. In direct contrast to Northern Laos, the Mekong delta lowlands in [[Southern Laos|the South]] are perfectly flat. [[Si Phan Don]] (''four thousand islands'') is a great base for experiencing what is surely the most chilled and relaxed region anywhere in Asia. Experiencing local village life, taking it all in and doing absolutely nothing should be the aim here. There are though some wonderful river-based sights, including the largest falls anywhere in Southeast Asia. If you are lucky you might get a close-up view of a Mekong pink dolphin. ===Cultural attractions=== [[Image:WatSen.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Wat Sen at [[Luang Prabang]]]] In this most Buddhist of nations, it is no surprise that temples are a key attraction. In the capital city of [[Vientiane]], the three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. There are numerous other beautiful temples which on their own make a stay in the capital city vital for any visitor to Laos. The ''whole'' of the ancient capital of [[Luang Prabang]] is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Befitting that status, it is a unique city. Beautifully preserved gilded temples with their attendant orange-robed monks mold almost seamlessly with traditional wooden Lao houses and grand properties from the French colonial era. Spotlessly clean streets with a thriving café culture on the banks of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, complete the picture of a city which is almost too pleasant to be true. [[Image:PlainOfJarsView.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The [[Plain of Jars]] near [[Phonsavan]]]] The [[Plain of Jars]] is a megalithic archaeological landscape dating from the Iron Age. Thousands of stone jars are scattered over a large area of the low foothills near [[Phonsavan]]. The main archaeological theory is that the jars formed part of Iron Age burial rituals in the area, but this is by no means proven, and a great deal of mystery remains. The area suffered tragic damage from American bombing during the Secret War of the 1960s, and much UXO remains uncleared. When that process is complete it is very likely this will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wat Phu is a ruined Hindu Khmer temple complex in [[Champasak]] province. It dates from the 12th century and visitors who have been to [[Angkor Wat]] will notice the similarities. [[Image:WatPhouwholesite.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Wat Phu, [[Champasak]]]] ===Recent history=== The town of [[Vieng Xai]] provides a striking insight in the recent history of not only Laos, but the whole of Indochina. In 1964, the US began intensive bombing of the Lao communist movement – Pathet Lao – bases in Xieng Khouang. Under much bombardment, the Pathet Lao moved east to Vieng Xai and established their headquarters in the limestone karst cave networks around the town. A whole 'Hidden City' was established which supported around 20,000 people. During nine years of almost constant American bombing, the Pathet Lao sheltered in these caves, and lived in a largely subterranean environment. Schools, hospitals and markets as well as government ministries, a radio station, a theatre and military barracks were all hidden in the caves. After the 1973 ceasefire, Vieng Xai briefly became the capital of Laos, before that function was moved to Vientiane in 1975. There are formal daily tours of the caves, as well as other evidence of that era in the town. == Do == * {{do | name=Herbal Sauna | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-11-14| content=One Laotian experience definitely worth trying is the herbal sauna. Often run by temples, these are simple-looking affairs, often just a rickety bamboo shack with a stove and a pipe of water on one side, usually open only in the evenings. The procedure for a visit is usually:<br />Enter and pay first. The going rate is around 10,000 kip, plus around 40,000 kip if you want a massage afterward.<br />Go to the changing room, take off your clothes and wrap yourself up in a sarong which is usually provided.<br />Keeping yourself modestly sarong-clad, head over to the shower or water bucket in one corner and wash up.<br />Plunge into the sauna room itself. It will be dark, hot and steamy inside, with intense herbal scents of lemongrass and whatever the sauna master is cooking up that day, and you will soon start to sweat profusely.<br />When you've had your fill, head outside, sip on a little weak tea and marvel at how the tropical heat of the day now feels cool and refreshing.<br />Repeat at will. }} * {{do | name=Hiking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hiking in mountainous [[Northern Laos]] is popular, and this often includes homestays in minority tribe villages. The main hub for this is [[Luang Namtha]] where the two day [[Ban Nalan Trail]] is especially notable. The route goes through the Nam Ha National Protected Area, and involves staying in Khmu villages. Other hiking hubs include [[Oudomxay]], south of Luang Namtha, and [[Pakse]] in southern Laos. }} * {{do | name=Kayaking | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Can be arranged in a wide number of locations. The ambitious traveller could kayak the Mekong between [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. }} * {{do | name=Rock Climbing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The limestone karst formations in [[Northern Laos]] are ideal for rock climbing. [[Vang Vieng]] is the main rock-climbing centre but climbs are also possible further north at [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} * {{do | name=Tubing | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Floating down the river on a large inflatable tube is one of the attractions of the SE Asia backpacker circuit. The hugely popular stretch of the Nam Song at [[Vang Vieng]] is lined with bars that lure you and your tube in with ziplines, water slides, loud music, buckets of terrible local whiskey, and unlimited Beerlao. After numerous tourist deaths, crackdowns on Vang Vieng tubing were announced in Aug 2012. Since then, many river bars have been closed down along with their flying foxes and rope swings. Tubing is still possible, but it's now a lot quieter. Whether this is a long or short-term result is still to be seen. Tubing can also be found in other locations around Laos including [[Si Phan Don]], [[Nong Khiaw]] and [[Mung Ngoi]]. }} == Buy == ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Lao kip | currencyCodeAfter=&nbsp;kip | date=March 2022 | USD=11,000 | EUR=12,000 | GBP=15,000 | AUD=8,000 | CNY=1,800 | THB=334 | VND=5036 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/lak-lao-or-laotian-kip XE.com]}}The Lao currency is the '''kip''', demoted by the symbol "'''₭'''" (ISO code: '''LAK'''). Wikivoyage articles will use ''kip'' to denote the currency. Kip is convertible at banks in neighboring countries. It is possible to exchange to and from kip at Vientiane airport (opens at 09:00) and there is a Lao bank that exchanges at the Nong Khai-Vientiane land border (straight and right of the Visa on Arrival desk). The largest note is 100,000 kip and rather uncommon (although you may get some from the ATM). Notes in common circulation are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kip. Withdrawing the maximum of 1,000,000 kip from an ATM could result in 20 50,000-kip notes. This makes carrying large quantities of kip quite inconvenient. ====Foreign currencies==== Although less common than in the past, US dollars will sometimes be accepted, although usually at about 5–10% less than the official rate. Thai baht may be accepted in many areas near the border, notably Vientiane. In remote places, only kip is accepted and no ATMs will be available, so plan ahead. More touristy places and banks also accept the euro. So if you're from one of the euro countries, bring some just in case. This could be cheaper than changing your euros into baht or US dollars and then into kip. ====ATMs==== There are many ATMs in Vientiane, and they have also appeared in other major cities including Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet, Tha Khaek, Pakse and Luang Namtha. [http://www.bcellaos.com/ BCEL], the largest bank, accepts Visa/Cirrus and MasterCard/Maestro, but surcharges of 20,000 kip (Mar 2020) often apply. However, BCEL ATMs allow you to withdraw up to 1.5 million kip at once. Expats living in Vientiane routinely get cash from ATMs in Nong Khai or Udon Thani in Thailand, where the maximum per transaction is mostly 20,000 baht, or ten times what you'll get in Laos. ====Cash advance==== Many banks, travel agents and guest houses will allow you to take out cash from a credit card as a cash advance. This usually occurs by withdrawing the money in US dollars from the card as a cash advance; the card issuer will usually charge a fee (about 3%), the Lao bank involved will charge about 3%, and then the agent providing the cash advance might or might not charge another 3%, and then the amount is converted from US dollars to kip at an unfavourable rate, costing another 5% or so. Thus, these transactions are much more expensive than the typical charge for withdrawing cash from ATMs in other countries. Getting a cash advance in US dollars and changing it to kip might save money compared to bringing euros with you to Laos. ====Cash==== The use of ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, holidays, etc. A few visitors have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to continue their travels. Always bring some cash. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns. ====Money exchange==== Banks give good rates, and private exchange booths are common in the major tourist areas. However, euros get pretty bad rates compared to US dollars when exchanged in Laos. ===Shopping hours=== Many shops start an hour's lunch break at noon, and some maintain the (now abolished) official French two-hour break. Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, except restaurants and many shops. === Costs === Prices tend to be lower in Laos than in neighboring countries, though standards might be lower as well. Prices are lower in smaller towns and villages than in tourist centers like [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vientiane]]. A budget of US$40 a day is a good rule of thumb, though it's possible to get by on far less. Excluding transport costs, living on US$15/day isn't difficult. A basic room with shared bath can be as little as US$6 in [[Vang Vieng]] or as much as US$10-15 in [[Vientiane]] or [[Luang Prabang]]. Meals are usually under US$5 for even the most elaborate Lao, Thai or Vietnamese dishes (Western food is more expensive), and plain local dishes cost US$2-3. A local bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng costs US$5; a VIP bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang costs 160,000 kip; the slow boat from [[Luang Prabang]] to [[Huay Xai]] costs US$25. Unlike in Thailand, access to temples in Luang Prabang is not free, but typically costs 10,000 kip. In Vientiane only the more famous temples charge an entry fee. For some products Laos is more expensive than Thailand and Cambodia as most goods, petrol, and food is imported from Thailand and Vietnam, and because most people have the bad habit (especially tuk-tuk drivers) of considering US$1 as 10,000 kip, where in fact it's about 9,000 kip. Remember this in bargaining with tuk-tuk drivers and when shopping in markets. Outside of tourist centres, rooms can be found for US$2.50, and even at Si Phan Don for US$5/night. Large noodle soups are around US$2, and a typical price for large bottles of Beerlao is 10,000 kip. ===What to buy=== Typical Lao dresses in cheap machine-made fabric can be made to order. Expect to pay around US$5 for the fabric and US$2 for labour. Handmade Lao silk is one of the most attractive things to buy. The talat sao (Morning Market) in Vientiane has dozens of small shops selling 100% handmade silk scarves or wall hangings from US$5 upwards depending on quality, intricacy of design and size. Beware cheap synthetic fabrics sold as silk imported from China and Vietnam. Be careful also of "antique silk" as there is very little available, but new fabric can be made to look old and worn. Still attractive, but don't pay more than US$30-50. In markets, always bargain: it is expected, but keep smiling. == Eat == [[Image:LaoFood StickyRicePapayaSalad.JPG|thumb|Clockwise from top right: ''Tam maak hung'' papaya salad, sticky rice in a ''tip khao'' basket and fresh lettuce leaves]] [[Image:LaoFood LarbNeua.JPG|thumb|Minty, chilli-laden goodness: ''laap neua'' beef salad]] Lao food is very similar to that eaten in the northeastern [[Isaan#Eat|Isaan]] region of Thailand: very spicy, more often bitter than sweet, and using lots of fresh herbs and vegetables served raw. Some of the raw vegetables can be used to cool your mouth when the chilis are overwhelming. Rice is the staple carbohydrate. The standard kind is '''sticky rice''' (ເຂົ້າໜຽວ ''khao niaow''), eaten by hand from small baskets called ''tip khao''. Using your right hand, never your left, pinch off a bit, roll into a ball, dip and munch away. The national dish is '''''laap''''' (ລາບ, also ''larb''), a "salad" of minced meat mixed with herbs, spices, lime juice and, more often than not, blistering amounts of chili. Unlike Thai ''larb'', the Lao version can use raw meat (''dip'') instead of cooked meat (''suk''), and if prepared with seafood makes a tasty, if spicy, carpaccio. Another Lao invention is '''''tam maak hung''''' (ຕໍາຫມາກຫຸ່ງ), the spicy green papaya salad known as ''som tam'' in Thailand, but which the Lao like to dress with fermented crab (ປູດອງ ''pudem'') and a chunky, intense fish sauce called '''''pa daek''''' (ປາແດກ), resulting in a stronger flavour than the milder, sweeter Thai style. Other popular dishes include ''ping kai'', spicy grilled chicken, and ''mok pa'', fish steamed in a banana leaf. Laos also boasts a range of local desserts. '''Kanom kok''' is a small, spherical pudding made from coconut milk, tapioca and ground rice. '''Sang kaya mayru''' is a pumpkin filled with a sweet custard and then steamed. The pumpkin itself is also sweet, and the resulting mixture can be quite delicious. Sticky rice with mango or durian is also a popular snack. In addition to purely Lao food, culinary imports from other countries are common. ''Khao jii pat-te'', French baguettes stuffed with pâté, and ''foe'' (pho) noodles from China are both ubiquitous snacks particularly popular at breakfast. ''Foe'' can refer to thin rice noodles (Vietnamese pho), and to the wide flat noodles that would be called ''guay tiow'' in Thailand. == Drink == [[Image:Mekong BeerGarden.JPG|thumb|Sunset and Beerlao by the Mekong, [[Vientiane]]]] The national drink of Laos is the ubiquitous and tasty '''Beerlao''', made with Laotian jasmine rice and one of the few Lao exports. It maintains an almost mythical status among travellers and beer aficionados. The yellow logo with its tiger-head silhouette can be seen everywhere, and a large 640 ml bottle shouldn't cost more than 10,000 to 15,000 kip in restaurants. It's available in three versions: original (5%), dark (6.5%) and light (2.9%). The brewery claims they have 99% market share. Rice spirit, known as '''lao-lao''', is everywhere and at less than US$0.30 per 750 ml bottle is the cheapest way to get drunk. Beware, as quality and distilling standards vary wildly. Lao '''coffee''' (''kaafeh'') is recognised to be of very high quality. It's grown on the Bolaven Plateau in the south; the best brand is ''Lao Mountain Coffee''. Unlike Thai coffees, Lao coffee is not flavoured with ground tamarind seed. To make sure you aren't fed overpriced Nescafé instead, be sure to ask for ''kaafeh thung''. By default in lower end establishments, ''kaafeh lao'' comes with sugar and condensed milk; black coffee is ''kaafeh dam'', coffee with milk (but often non-dairy creamer) is ''kaafeh nom''. Fresh '''coconut juice''' is delicious, and '''soymilk''' at convenience stores is surprisingly tasty, nutritious, and inexpensive. There is not much nightlife outside of Vientiane and Vang Vieng. To have a beer in some places, simply visit a restaurant. However, some areas may be so laid-back that they will expect you to keep track of what you have drunk, with the odd guest house asking how much you have drunk during your stay upon check out. == Sleep == Accommodation options outside the Mekong Valley's main tourist spots are limited to basic hotels and guesthouses, but there are many budget and mid-priced hotels and guesthouses and quite a few fancy hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Pakse has the Champasak Palace. == Work == {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud and illegal remote gambling are rampant in Laos. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Laos or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Cambodia organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''''illegal organ transplantation'''''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are also targeted. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapons to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Local authorities and the police in Cambodia may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from uninvolved higher authorities or your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Cambodia. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour). One of the most interesting ways to get to know a country, and which has become increasingly popular, is to '''volunteer'''. ==Stay safe== {{Warningbox|There are 78 million unexploded bombs and grenades in Laos as a result of bombing by the USA during the Laotian Civil War and Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s. Do not touch any loose metal items and be particularly careful in areas that were controlled by North Vietnam during the war. |lastedit=}} Laos in general is a safe country, in part because crime is punished to a significant extent by the government. This said, petty crime remains a concern. === Corruption === {{see also|Corruption and bribery}} Corruption is a huge problem in Laos. According to Transparency International, Laos is the second most corrupt country in [[South East Asia]]. Given how the police earn very low salaries, it's not uncommon for them to routinely target, harass, or intimidate people for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to them. Should you be stopped for any reason, '''do not argue or fight back, even if you've not done anything wrong'''; simply pay the bribe and be on your way. === Authorities === '''The police are woefully ineffective'''. Their response to crimes is severely limited by bureaucracy, inadequate training, corruption, and a lackluster justice system. If you're the victim of a crime, it's not unheard of to not be taken seriously by the authorities. In addition, expect little to no help if you're not fluent in [[Lao]]. In accordance with the law, you are required to have an identification document on you at all times, and the police have the legal right to ask you for it. If they ask you for it, just give it to them. Failing to produce an identity document on request will result in a heavy fine. As obvious as it may sound, always behave respectfully to law enforcement authorities, even if they happen to be highly corrupt. === Relationships with Laotian nationals === True to its nature as a communist country, the Laotian government dictates how foreigners should interact with the locals. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of Laotian nationals without permission from the government. * Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the homes of their family members without permission from the government. * Sexual contact and cohabitation between a Lao national and a foreigner is '''illegal''' unless they are married. * Foreigners are not allowed to invite someone of the opposite sex to their hotel room. * '''Adultery is illegal in Laos'''. It is punishable by up to '''a year of imprisonment''' and a fine. If you've been accused of adultery, know that you and your partner will be prosecuted. * If you are thinking about getting serious (i.e. marriage or engagement) with a Laotian citizen, you are required to submit a formal application to the authorities. Not doing so can result in heavy penalties. If you have married a Laotian national outside of Laos, you must have your marriage certificate authenticated at a Laotian embassy before travelling to Laos. === LGBT travellers === '''Homosexuality''' is legal in Laos. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples may be tolerated in large cities like [[Vientiane]], but in smaller towns, homosexuality remains taboo, especially among the Hmong people. === Illegal substances === {{Warningbox|The Lao PDR penal code '''penalises illegal substances severely'''. Depending on the circumstances, you can expect to face lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, or at worst, execution. |uk = https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/safety-and-security |us = https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Laos.html |lastedit=16-02-2022}} Laos is at the center of the illegal drug trade; therefore, the country has a '''huge problem''' with illegal substances. At some point during the 1990s, it was believed the country was the largest opium producer in the world. Although the government has done a lot to stamp out the illegal drug trade, the country's remote geography and high level of corruption mean that the issue is difficult to fully and adequately control. Expected to be treated with '''no leniency''' if you have been accused of being involved in illegal substances. The following tips will come in handy: * '''Never leave your food or drinks unattended''', and always be careful when someone gives you food or a drink. * '''Be wary of "special" or "happy items" in restaurants'''; such dishes may contain opiates. === Traffic conditions === Although Laotian traffic laws are strict (at least on paper), driving by the majority of Laotians is ''wild and reckless''. Speeding, reckless passing, and failure to obey traffic laws are common, as is driving under the influence. In the event you end up in a car accident, '''do not flee the scene'''. It is punishable by up to '''three years''' in prison and a '''fine up to 10,000,000 Kip'''. Attempting to flee the scene is also unwise. === Politics === According the Laotian Penal Code, it is '''illegal''' to "conduct propaganda" against the government and the country, i.e. directing any form of criticism to the government and/or the country. Doing so is punishable by up to '''five years in prison''' and a '''very hefty fine'''. Also, you should know that if the authorities feel you have '''[https://immigration.gov.la/prohibition/ "disgraced"]''' the country, you will '''not be allowed''' to leave. Foreigners '''are not exempted''' from this law; in 2012, a Swiss NGO director was '''deported and banished''' from the country after she published a letter openly criticising the government. === Miscellaneous === * '''Landmines or unexploded ordnance''' left over from the Vietnam War maim or kills hundreds of people every year as Laos is the most bombed country in history. Almost all of these occur in the eastern and northern parts of the country, especially near the border with Vietnam. Never enter areas marked as minefields and travel only on paved roads and well-worn paths. If you are unsure of which areas are safe, ask the locals. * '''Fake products''' are very common. Laos is one place where Chinese or Thai companies dump sub-standard products. Similar to Myanmar, there are few if any laws preventing such trade. == Stay healthy == Parts of Laos have a good deal of '''malaria''' so anti-malarials are recommended if visiting those areas for an extended period, but check with health professionals: there is a high incidence of drug-resistant parasites in Laos. Other mosquito-borne diseases, such as '''dengue''', can be life-threatening, so make sure you bring at least 25% DEET insect repellent and ensure that you sleep with mosquito protection like nets or at least a fan. Vientiane seems to be malaria-free but not dengue-free. The mosquitoes that are active during the day carry dengue and those that are active in the evening carry malaria. 25% DEET insect repellents are almost impossible to find in Laos, so bring some from your home country. The usual precautions regarding food and water are needed. '''[[Tap water]]''' is not drinkable anywhere in Laos, but bottled water is cheap and widely available. In Laos, most bottled water is simply treated tap water, and some brands sterilise their water better than others. Tiger Head is recommended, which is made by the Laos Brewing Company (of Beerlao fame), costing 5-6000 kip. Roadside water kiosks that let you cheaply fill your own bottle with filtered water (as are common in Thailand and Malaysia) are not present in Laos. Vientiane has several medical clinics are associated with European embassies, and there are several private hospitals in [[Vientiane]] that are run to Western standards. Otherwise, you probably have to go to Thailand for better treatment of serious injuries and illnesses. Udon Thani and Chiang Mai are generally recommended; they're only a few hours away, depending on your location in Laos. Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai might have suitable clinics, as well, and there's Bangkok, of course. Expatriates in Laos probably have the best information; the more upscale hotels can be good resources, as well. Travel insurance that includes cover for medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Remember: if you can't afford travel insurance, then you can't afford to travel. ===HIV=== Laos had a population HIV rate of 0.3% in 2020. == Respect == [[File:Savannakhet, Wat Sainyaphum 022.JPG|thumb|Wat Sainyaphum temple, [[Savannakhet]]]] {{infobox|Naming conventions|Similar to neighbouring Thailand, most Lao people follow the Western naming convention of a given name followed by a family name. However, unlike in most Western countries, Lao people almost never address each other using their last names, the default form of address is to use a title plus one's given name, even in the most formal situations. The most common titles in Lao are ''Thao'' or ''Nai'' for men, and ''Nang'' or ''Sao'' for women. As such, the current prime minister of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh would be addressed as ''Thao Phankham'' or ''Nai Phankham'' in Lao, and "Mr. Phankham" in English.}} Dress respectfully (long trousers, sleeved shirts) when visiting temples and take your shoes off before entering temple buildings and private houses. As with other Buddhist countries, showing the soles of your feet is very poor manners. Never touch any person on the head. Despite prevalent cheap alcohol, being drunk is considered disrespectful and a loss of face. Things in Laos happen slowly and rarely as scheduled. Keep your cool, as the natives will find humour in any tourist showing anger. They will remain calm, and venting your anger will make everybody involved lose face and is certainly not going to expedite things, particularly if dealing with government bureaucracy. '''Swastikas''' are commonly seen at Buddhist temples. They are regarded as a sacred symbol, and have no connection to Nazism or anti-Semitism whatsoever. ===Buddhist monks=== As in neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos, meaning that respect for monks is part of Lao life and that monks take their duties seriously. Monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by women. Therefore, women should place any offerings on a piece of cloth on the ground in front of a monk so he can pick it up. Monks are also forbidden from accepting or touching money, and offering money to a monk is considered to be disrespectful in the local culture. Should you wish to donate, you should only offer food to the monk. "Monks" who hang out at tourist spots soliciting donations, or those that accept money, are imposters. Monks are also not allowed to eat solid food after noon, and will stop gathering alms before then. Some undertake a vow of silence, and will not answer you even if they can speak English. It is best not to compel them to stand next to you for a photograph, or try to start a conversation if they seem reluctant. ==Connect== Laos phone numbers have the format <code>+856 20 654 321</code> where "856" is the country code for Laos. Numbers starting with 20 are mobile numbers, while all others are landlines. *Laos Country Code is "+856". *International Call Prefix is "00". *Laos Call Prefix is "0". *Laos articles here use the convention "+856 xx xxxxxx" except for emergency numbers which use local format with leading zero, "0xx xxxxxx" '''Internet cafés''' can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow and cafe staffs have less knowledge. The most reliable connections are in [[Vientiane]], and usually cost around 100 kip/minute, with the cheapest offering 4,000 kip/hour. However, Internet security is not guaranteed and computer viruses are abundant. In most cases, '''Wi-Fi''' is the best option. Most Western-style cafés offer free Wi-Fi-access for customers. Most accommodations, even budget places in [[Vientiane]], offer free Wi-Fi. '''Mobile phone''' usage in Laos has mushroomed, with four competing GSM operators. Two of these offer roaming services. Calling people on the same network is always cheaper than calling another network, but there is no clear market leader. Tourist and expats tend to prefer TPlus or M-phone (Laotel), while locals use any of the four networks. * '''[http://www.laotel.com/ Lao Telecom]''' has agreements with some 30 international networks. See [http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/roa_lash.shtml roaming with Lao Telecom]. * '''[http://tplus.la/ TPlus (formerly known as Beeline)] {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}}''' has agreements with over 100 International phone networks. Another popular choice, they also have low-cost international rate of 2000 kip/minute to many countries, if you buy their SIM card and dial "177" instead of "+". * '''[http://www.etllao.com/ ETL Mobile]''' is known to have better coverage in rural and remote parts of Laos. However, in Laos "better" certainly does not mean "everywhere". * '''Unitel''' is also available. It offers 5GB/30&day plans for 50,000 kip plus 30,000 kip for the SIM card (Mar 2020). Local prepaid SIM cards can be purchased in various shops and stores, including at the airport in [[Vientiane]] (walk through to the Domestic Terminal to find a shop selling snacks and Unitel SIMs), without any paperwork. * '''Tourist SIM:''' Since 2022, travellers can pre-order a tourist SIM card prior to their trip and get it deliver to their hotel or Airbnb in Vientiane using Internet in Laos [https://internetlaos.com/order-tourist-sim-laos online platform]. As another option, there is Thai coverage close to the Thai border (including a significant part of Vientiane), and Thai SIM cards and top-up cards can be bought in Laos; in addition, DeeDial International Call Cards are available. Thus, if you already have a Thai number, you can use the generally cheaper Thai network and/or avoid buying one more SIM. In addition, with the advent of cheap "neighboring country" roaming packages from the "big three" carriers in Thailand (AIS, dtac, and True all have 99 baht/2GB data roaming packages for Laos valid for varying periods) means that Thai SIMs are cheap to use even away from the Thai coverage area and can be helpful in other ways (for example, a True SIM will roam on Unitel, TPlus, and Lao Telecom, while a dtac SIM will roam on ''all four'' Lao networks, which given the lower roaming pricing these days, can be worth the premium over a local SIM limited to one network). '''Postal service''' in Laos is slow, but generally reliable. Other paid options such as FedEx, DHL, and EMS exist in various locations. Though these services are much more expensive, they are more reliable. {{geo|18.2|104|zoom=7}} {{isPartOf|Southeast Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} opcymiebs6669xv7oxdqbzcavbybihe 0 19835 4506224 4506148 2022-08-22T13:02:40Z LPfi 79572 undid: why would [[Wayang]] be called Welsh, add when it has been created wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Phrasebooks Banner.jpg}} '''Phrasebooks''' are works compiling a list of useful words and phrases in a foreign language alongside their translation, used mainly by people travelling abroad. They also provide useful information about the language and culture of the destination area, in order to allow the reader to get by easier in situations that could arise in the destination. Wikivoyage has dozens of digital phrasebooks that you can use on the internet, download to your favourite device for offline use, or print onto paper. == Understand == [[File:Phrase book.jpg|thumb|A French-Russian paper phrasebook.]] Learning a language can take months or years, but real-world travel plans for leisure or [[Business travel|business]] often don't allow you the necessary time. That's where a phrasebook becomes useful. Phrasebooks are not grammar guides, dictionaries nor language courses. Rather, they are an aid to help you understand and say specific words and phrases, with a focus on everyday conversation and on scenarios that typically occur during a temporary stay in another country or region. They are usually divided into thematic chapters according to the purpose of communication, such as how to greet someone, how to ask for food, how to buy something, and how to ask for help. Sometimes they can be accompanied by a digital support with audio files to practise pronunciation and ease listening comprehension. Most phrasebooks include an explanatory guide to the language's writing system, phonology and pronunciation. Some also touch on aspects of the native culture, or include an elementary grammar guide or reference index. A good phrasebook will thus allow you to deal with most common situations that arise during temporary travel, without needing to have an interpreter escort you. Electronic phrasebooks have the additional virtue of being as light and easy to carry as your device. But if your [[reasons to travel|reason for travelling]] is for longer-term purposes such as [[studying abroad|studying]], [[working abroad|working]] or [[retiring abroad]], your phrasebook will only get you so far. In these situations, it is best to properly learn the local language. == Prepare == === Choosing a suitable phrasebook === [[File:World regional languages map.svg|right|thumb |500x500px|Although it's impossible to learn every language, getting a handle on important phrases from about a dozen will take you most places in the world.]] First, you have to determine '''which language''' you'll be focusing on for your trip; check out the 'Talk' section of the article for your destination country or region. Most likely, the language you'll want a phrasebook for will be the local language (or a variety of that language) spoken in the destination. However, some places have a dominant language that may be non-native or with colonial origins that a large percentage of the local population understands as a second language. Examples of these include Hindi in India, or French in parts of Africa. Such languages are often easier to find complete and useful phrasebooks for, whereas the true native language may be considered "obscure" in your home country. Yet, for a more authentic travel experience, to truly understand the local culture, or if you simply want to leave your comfort zone, it may be better to choose a phrasebook for the local language. Once you’ve chosen a language, you have to find the most suitable storage format for your phrasebook, according to your trip and destination. If the place you’re visiting is somewhere a high-speed internet connection is practically taken for granted, it is a good idea to choose the '''digital format'''. As long as you have internet, you can access an unlimited number of phrasebooks you want through the device and keep them updated. By contrast, paper books are static and can only become outdated. Digital phrasebooks can even include audio files to practise your listening and speaking skills. When travelling in countries where the connection is poor, you can still use your device, although it's advisable to download an '''offline copy''' of the target phrasebook beforehand. The [[Wikivoyage:Kiwix|Kiwix project]], a static version of Wikivoyage that can be used offline, is one option. In very remote destinations without reliable access to power sockets, it is better to bring a phrasebook in '''paperback format''' or to '''print out''' your digital phrasebook ahead of time. === Practice makes perfect === Before you even leave home, it’s a great idea to read through the phrasebook of your target language. This will allow you to become familiar with its contents and layout, to memorise the most important phrases and to start practising and assimilating the pronunciation, if possible with the help of an audiobook. You’ll also get advance warning of what useful words and phrases are ''not'' in the phrasebook, while you still have the opportunity to source additional material. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to learn at an effective pace. It’s much easier to memorise five new words a day for a month than it is to learn a whole phrasebook while sitting in departures. The more prepared you are before you arrive in your destination, the lower the chances you’ll find yourself desperately rummaging through your phrasebook while a local impatiently waits for you to say something intelligible. == Language phrasebooks == The following sections list the foreign language phrasebooks that are available on Wikivoyage. For more general information on language and travel, including tips for where few locals speak your language, see [[Talk]]. A few languages are very widely used throughout the world and are listed first. All other languages are listed under the continent where they are most closely identified. If you are not sure which languages are spoken in the country you plan to visit, see the "Talk" section of the article for that country. Phrasebooks are coded according to their level of completion and overall quality­ as outlined at [[Project:Phrasebook status|Phrasebook status]]: {{Phrasebook-status|stub}} &mdash; stub {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} &mdash; outline {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} &mdash; usable {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} &mdash; guide {{Phrasebook-status|star}} &mdash; star === World === {{Plainlist|style={{column-width|18em;}}|1= * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]] (Modern Standard) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]] (Mandarin) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[French phrasebook|French]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[German phrasebook|German]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]] (or Hindustani) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Malay phrasebook|Malay]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Persian phrasebook|Persian]] (or Farsi) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|star}} [[Russian phrasebook|Russian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]] (or Castilian) * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Swahili phrasebook|Swahili]] (or Kiswahili) }} === Africa === {{Plainlist|style={{column-width|18em;}}|1= * {{Phrasebook-status|stub}} [[Afan Oromo phrasebook|Afan Oromo]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Afrikaans phrasebook|Afrikaans]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]] (Modern Standard) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Amharic phrasebook|Amharic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Bambara phrasebook|Bambara]] (or Bamanankan) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Berber phrasebook|Berber]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Chadian Arabic phrasebook|Chadian Arabic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Chibemba phrasebook|Chibemba]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Dawro phrasebook|Dawro]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Dogon phrasebook|Dogon]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Egyptian Arabic phrasebook|Egyptian Arabic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Ewe phrasebook|Ewe]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[French phrasebook|French]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Fulfulde phrasebook|Fulfulde]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[German phrasebook|German]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Guinea-Bissau Creole phrasebook|Guinea-Bissau Creole]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Igbo phrasebook|Igbo]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Krio phrasebook|Krio]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Luganda phrasebook|Luganda]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Malagasy phrasebook|Malagasy]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Mooré phrasebook|Mooré]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Moroccan Arabic phrasebook|Moroccan Arabic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Nyanja phrasebook|Nyanja]] (or Chewa) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sango phrasebook|Sango]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sesotho phrasebook|Sesotho]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Seychellois Creole phrasebook|Seychellois Creole]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Somali phrasebook|Somali]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Swahili phrasebook|Swahili]] (or Kiswahili) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Swazi phrasebook|Swazi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Tashelhit phrasebook|Tashelhit]] (or Shilha) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tigrinya phrasebook|Tigrinya]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tsonga phrasebook|Tsonga]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tswana phrasebook|Tswana]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Tumbuka phrasebook|Tumbuka]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Tunisian Arabic phrasebook|Tunisian Arabic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Twi phrasebook|Twi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Wolof phrasebook|Wolof]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Xhosa phrasebook|Xhosa]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Zarma phrasebook|Zarma]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Zulu phrasebook|Zulu]] }} === Asia === {{Plainlist|style={{column-width|18em;}}|1= * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Ainu phrasebook|Ainu]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Amdo Tibetan phrasebook|Amdo Tibetan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]] (Modern Standard) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Akeanon phrasebook|Akeanon]] (or Aklanon) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Assamese phrasebook|Assamese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Balinese phrasebook|Balinese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Balochi phrasebook|Balochi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]] (or Bangla) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Bikol phrasebook|Bikol]] (or Central Bikol) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Bumthangkha phrasebook|Bumthangkha]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Burmese phrasebook|Burmese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Burushaski phrasebook|Burushaski]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Cantonese phrasebook|Cantonese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Capiznon phrasebook|Capiznon]] (or Capiceño) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Cebuano phrasebook|Cebuano]] (or Bisayan) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Chavacano phrasebook|Chavacano]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]] (Mandarin) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Chittagonian phrasebook|Chittagonian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Cocos Malay phrasebook|Cocos Malay]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Dari phrasebook|Dari]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Dhivehi phrasebook|Dhivehi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Dogri phrasebook|Dogri]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Dzongkha phrasebook|Dzongkha]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Filipino phrasebook|Filipino]] (or Tagalog) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[French phrasebook|French]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Gujarati phrasebook|Gujarati]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Hainanese phrasebook|Hainanese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Hakka phrasebook|Hakka]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Hebrew phrasebook|Hebrew]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Hiligaynon phrasebook|Hiligaynon]] (or Ilonggo) * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Iban phrasebook|Iban]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Ilocano phrasebook|Ilocano]] (or Iluko) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Ivatan phrasebook|Ivatan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Javanese phrasebook|Javanese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Jordanian Arabic phrasebook|Jordanian Arabic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Kannada phrasebook|Kannada]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Kapampangan phrasebook|Kapampangan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Kashmiri phrasebook|Kashmiri]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Kayan phrasebook|Kayan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Kazakh phrasebook|Kazakh]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Khmer phrasebook|Khmer]] (or Cambodian) * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Kinaray-a phrasebook|Kinaray-a]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Konkani phrasebook|Konkani]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Kurdish phrasebook|Kurdish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Kyrgyz phrasebook|Kyrgyz]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Ladakhi phrasebook|Ladakhi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Ladino phrasebook|Ladino]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Lao phrasebook|Lao]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Lebanese Arabic phrasebook|Lebanese Arabic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Madurese phrasebook|Madurese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Maithili phrasebook|Maithili]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Majhi phrasebook|Majhi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Malay phrasebook|Malay]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Malayalam phrasebook|Malayalam]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Manado Malay phrasebook|Manado Malay]] (or Minahasa Malay) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Manchu phrasebook|Manchu]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Manipuri phrasebook|Manipuri]] (or Meitei) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Mindong phrasebook|Mindong]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Minnan phrasebook|Minnan]] (or Hokkien/Taiwanese) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Mongolian phrasebook|Mongolian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Nepali phrasebook|Nepali]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Odia phrasebook|Odia]] (or Oriya) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Ossetian phrasebook|Ossetian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Pandan Bikol phrasebook|Pandan Bikol]] (or Northern Catanduanes Bikol) * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Pangasinan phrasebook|Pangasinan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Pashto phrasebook|Pashto]] (or Pushtu) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Penan phrasebook|Penan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Persian phrasebook|Persian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Punjabi phrasebook|Punjabi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Rinconada phrasebook|Rinconada]] (or Rinconada Bikol) * {{Phrasebook-status|star}} [[Russian phrasebook|Russian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Ryukyuan phrasebook|Ryukyuan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sakha phrasebook|Sakha]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sanskrit phrasebook|Sanskrit]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sambal phrasebook|Sambal]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Saraiki phrasebook|Saraiki]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sasak phrasebook|Sasak]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Savji phrasebook|Savji]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Wu phrasebook|Shanghainese]] (or Wu Chinese) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sharchopkha phrasebook|Sharchopkha]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sherpa phrasebook|Sherpa]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sindhi phrasebook|Sindhi]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Sinhala phrasebook|Sinhala]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sundanese phrasebook|Sundanese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Sylheti phrasebook|Sylheti]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tajik phrasebook|Tajik]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tamang phrasebook|Tamang]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Tamil phrasebook|Tamil]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tatar phrasebook|Tatar]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Tausug phrasebook|Tausug]] (or Bahasa Sūg) * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Telugu phrasebook|Telugu]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Teochew phrasebook|Teochew]] (or Chiuchao) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tetum phrasebook|Tetum]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Thai phrasebook|Thai]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Thami phrasebook|Thami]] (or Thangmi) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tibetan phrasebook|Tibetan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tulu phrasebook|Tulu]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Turkish phrasebook|Turkish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Turkmen phrasebook|Turkmen]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tuvan phrasebook|Tuvan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Udmurt phrasebook|Udmurt]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Urdu phrasebook|Urdu]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Uyghur phrasebook|Uyghur]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Uzbek phrasebook|Uzbek]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Vietnamese phrasebook|Vietnamese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Waray phrasebook|Waray]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yaeyama phrasebook|Yaeyama]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yiddish phrasebook|Yiddish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yonaguni phrasebook|Yonaguni]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Zaza phrasebook|Zaza]] (or Zazaki) }} === Europe === {{Plainlist|style={{column-width|18em;}}|1= * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Abkhaz phrasebook|Abkhaz]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Arberesh phrasebook|Arberesh]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Armenian phrasebook|Armenian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Aromanian phrasebook|Aromanian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Azerbaijani phrasebook|Azerbaijani]] (or Azeri) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Bashkir phrasebook|Bashkir]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Basque phrasebook|Basque]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Belarusian phrasebook|Belarusian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Bosnian phrasebook|Bosnian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Breton phrasebook|Breton]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Bulgarian phrasebook|Bulgarian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Catalan phrasebook|Catalan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Chechen phrasebook|Chechen]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Circassian phrasebook|Circassian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Corsican phrasebook|Corsican]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Croatian phrasebook|Croatian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Czech phrasebook|Czech]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Danish phrasebook|Danish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Dutch Low Saxon phrasebook|Dutch Low Saxon]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Estonian phrasebook|Estonian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Faroese phrasebook|Faroese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Finnish phrasebook|Finnish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[French phrasebook|French]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Galician phrasebook|Galician]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Georgian phrasebook|Georgian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[German phrasebook|German]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Greek phrasebook|Greek]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Hungarian phrasebook|Hungarian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Icelandic phrasebook|Icelandic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Irish phrasebook|Irish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Italian phrasebook|Italian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Kalmyk phrasebook|Kalmyk]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Karachay-Balkar phrasebook|Karachay-Balkar]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Ladino phrasebook|Ladino]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Latvian phrasebook|Latvian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Lithuanian phrasebook|Lithuanian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Low German phrasebook|Low German]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Luxembourgish phrasebook|Luxembourgish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Macedonian phrasebook|Macedonian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Maltese phrasebook|Maltese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Manx Gaelic phrasebook|Manx Gaelic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Montenegrin phrasebook|Montenegrin]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Norwegian phrasebook|Norwegian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Piedmontese phrasebook|Piedmontese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Polish phrasebook|Polish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Provençal phrasebook|Provençal]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Romanian phrasebook|Romanian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|star}} [[Russian phrasebook|Russian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Saami phrasebook|Saami]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Samogitian phrasebook|Samogitian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Scottish Gaelic phrasebook|Scottish Gaelic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Serbian phrasebook|Serbian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Slovak phrasebook|Slovak]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Slovenian phrasebook|Slovenian]] (or Slovene) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Swiss-German phrasebook|Swiss-German]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tatar phrasebook|Tatar]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Turkish phrasebook|Turkish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Welsh phrasebook|Welsh]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[West Frisian phrasebook|West Frisian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yiddish phrasebook|Yiddish]] }} === North America === {{Plainlist|style={{column-width|18em;}}|1= * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[French phrasebook|French]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Greenlandic phrasebook|Greenlandic]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Haitian Creole phrasebook|Haitian Creole]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Inuktitut phrasebook|Inuktitut]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Jamaican Patois phrasebook|Jamaican Patois]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Navajo phrasebook|Navajo]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Papiamento phrasebook|Papiamento]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yiddish phrasebook|Yiddish]] }} === Oceania === {{Plainlist|style={{column-width|18em;}}|1= * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Adnymathanha phrasebook|Adnymathanha]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Australian Kriol phrasebook|Australian Kriol]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Bislama phrasebook|Bislama]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Carolinian phrasebook|Carolinian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Chamorro phrasebook|Chamorro]] (or Chamoru) * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Chinese phrasebook|Chinese]] (Mandarin) * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Cocos Malay phrasebook|Cocos Malay]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Eastern Arrernte phrasebook|Eastern Arrernte]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Fijian phrasebook|Fijian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[French phrasebook|French]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Hawaiian phrasebook|Hawaiian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Māori phrasebook|Māori]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Malay phrasebook|Malay]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Marshallese phrasebook|Marshallese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Mirning phrasebook|Mirning]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Nauruan phrasebook|Nauruan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Niuean phrasebook|Niuean]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Norfuk/Pitkern phrasebook|Norfuk/Pitkern]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Pijin phrasebook|Pijin]] (Solomon Islands Pidgin) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Pitjantjatjara phrasebook|Pitjantjatjara]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Samoan phrasebook|Samoan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tahitian phrasebook|Tahitian]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tetum phrasebook|Tetum]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tokelauan phrasebook|Tokelauan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|usable}} [[Tok Pisin phrasebook|Tok Pisin]] (or New Guinea Pidgin) * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tongan phrasebook|Tongan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Torres Strait Creole phrasebook|Torres Strait Creole]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Tuvaluan phrasebook|Tuvaluan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yolŋu phrasebook|Yolŋu]] }} === South America === {{Plainlist|style={{column-width|18em;}}|1= * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Brazilian Portuguese phrasebook|Brazilian Portuguese]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[French phrasebook|French]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Quechua phrasebook|Quechua]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Sranan phrasebook|Sranan]] * {{Phrasebook-status|guide}} [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]] * {{Phrasebook-status|outline}} [[Yiddish phrasebook|Yiddish]] }} == Other phrasebooks == === Special purpose === Some special purpose lists of phrases are also available. * [[Hitchhiking phrasebook]] === Scriptbooks === These special "phrasebooks" are for people interested in learning to read or write a complex script. * [[Learning Devanagari]] == See also == * [[Talk]]: about language and travel * [[English language varieties]] :* [[Australian slang]] * [[Project:Requests for phrasebooks|Requests for phrasebooks]]: if you need a phrasebook for a language not listed here that still does not have its own article. You can also start the book yourself if you speak the language in question, but make sure to base it on our [[Wikivoyage:Phrasebook article template|Phrasebook article template]] * If you need more than a phrasebook, you can consider looking for other resources in the other Wikimedia sister projects: ** On [[:b:|Wikibooks]] there could be textbooks and grammar guides ** On [[:wikt:|Wiktionary]] there could be definitions, explanations or examples of usage of words, or also lists of related words ** On [[:v:|Wikiversity]] there could be courses or researches about the language ** On [[:w:|Wikipedia]] there could be encyclopedic articles about the language, its history and spread, and other related topics. {{Title-Index page}} {{related|Talk}} aysuqmn5cjxnfhgtqatuw96bbboajxu 0 19859 4506559 4497552 2022-08-23T04:37:59Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* United States of America */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Literary travel''' is a form of tourism centered on great works of literature, literary movements, the literature surrounding cultural and political movements, or beloved authors. Just pick your favorite writer and do a little research: they all lived somewhere! ==World== * ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]'' by Jules Verne ==Americas== ===[[Argentina]]=== Anyone in [[Buenos Aires]] might look out for places associated with Jorge Luis Borges. ===[[Brazil]]=== A huge country with a wide host of major giant writers widely scattered apart. Jorge Amado comes from [[Bahia]] and writes mostly about [[Salvador]] with its huge bay and [[Ilhéus]] with its cocoa plantations. José de Alencar comes from [[Fortaleza]], Paulo Leminski from [[Curitiba]], father Érico and son Luis Fernando Verissimo from [[Porto Alegre]], Guimarães Rosa from inner [[Minas Gerais]] and a whole lot of them from the former capital [[Rio de Janeiro]]. In Ipanema, check out Vinicius de Moraes street, named after the poet who was drinking with songwriter Antonio Carlos Jobim at a bar, when a gorgeous blonde passed by. Together they seized the inspiration and wrote "The Girl from Ipanema". The bar is still there, renamed "Garota de Ipanema". As for the girls, Jobim once remarked wisely "...as you get older, they keep getting prettier and prettier...." ===[[Canada]]=== [[File:Anne of Green Gables museum actor (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Anne of Green Gables museum actor|Anne of Green Gables museum actor]] Any little Anne can visit the actual [[Prince Edward Island National Park|Green Gables]] in [[Cavendish (Prince Edward Island)|Cavendish]], [[Prince Edward Island]]; visitors come from as far afield as [[Japan]]. [[Stratford (Ontario)|Stratford]] and [[Niagara-on-the-Lake]] are known for their live performances of Shakespeare and Shaw respectively, despite the real [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] being in the [[United Kingdom]]. Statues paying homage to "Winnie", the real life inspiration for A.A. Milne's ''Winnie the Pooh'', stand in [[Winnipeg]]'s Assiniboine Park and in her hometown of [[White River (Ontario)]] Various sites in Canada and the [[United States of America|US]] recall Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' and the [[Underground Railroad]] era, including the home of Rev. Josiah Henson (Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site in Dresden, [[Chatham-Kent]]), the First Parish Church in [[Brunswick (Maine)]], the author's home (Harriet Beecher Stowe House & Library in [[Hartford]], Connecticut, USA), a Harriet Beecher-Stowe House in [[Cincinnati]] and the author's grave site in [[Andover (Massachusetts)]]. ===[[Colombia]]=== Gabriel García Márquez set ''Chronicle of a Death Foretold'' in the beautiful city of [[Santa Cruz de Mompox]]. If you're a big fan, go to his birthplace at [[Aracataca]], the inspiration for Macondo. ===[[Nicaragua]]=== The proud home of Rubén Darío whose birthplace has since been named in his honor. León, a longtime home of the poet, hosts a museum dedicated to his legacy. Another treasure of Nicaraguan folklore is "El Güegüense" a work of popular theater pitting native wit against Spanish might. The 1979 Nicaraguan revolution and subsequent civil war also produced quite a bit of poetry and music with names like Ernesto Cardenal, Gioconda Belli and the Mejia Godoy brothers known the world around. Cardenal spent large parts of his life on [[Solentiname]]. ===[[United States of America]]=== [[File:Welcome to Aberdeen cropped.jpg|300px|thumbnail| Nirvana fans: [[Aberdeen (Washington)|Aberdeen, Washington]] invites you to 'Come as you are.']] Fans of Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" might want to visit [[Concord (Massachusetts)|Concord, Massachusetts]]. Essex County in [[Northeast Massachusetts]] is often the setting of H. P. Lovecraft's works, whose followers refer to the area as "Miskatonic County" (after a fictional river in the region) or "Lovecraft Country". You won't find the Headless Horseman in [[Sleepy Hollow]], but you can find Washington Irving's grave there. Travelers to [[Hartford]] can visit the Mark Twain House and Museum and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Library; Mark Twain (whose real name was Samuel Clemens) fans can also visit his boyhood village of [[Hannibal]] on the [[Mississippi River]]. Head west in the footsteps of the Beats, or follow [[Route 66]] like the Joads in ''Grapes of Wrath''. You can find Cannery Row in [[Monterey (California)|Monterey, California]]; nearby are many places dedicated to the memory of John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. There are several sites related to "the book" (''Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'', the non-fiction novel by John Berendt) in [[Savannah]], particularly Forsythe Park. In [[Houston]], fans of Morton Feldman can visit the actual Rothko Chapel. Fans of the ''Friday Night Lights'' franchise may be interested in Ratliff Stadium in [[Odessa (Texas)|Odessa, Texas]], the home stadium of the city's two high schools—one of them being Permian High, whose 1988 season was the subject of both the book that spawned the franchise and the later film. [[Alaska]] has its share of literary spots too. Fans of Jack London must visit [[Skagway]]. Those who read the bestseller ''Into The Wild'' by Jon Krakauer, about the exploits of Christopher McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, would want to visit [[Denali National Park]], near [[Talkeetna]]. The [[Old West]] has many stories. Fans of George R. R. Martin's ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', the book series on which the hit television series ''[[Game of Thrones tourism|Game of Thrones]]'' was based, may wish to visit [[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]], where the author resides and owns a cinema in which he occasionally screens episodes of the TV series. Martin's alma mater, [https://www.northwestern.edu/ Northwestern University], in [[Evanston]], [[Illinois]], is one of the premier universities in United States with a beautifully landscaped lakeside campus. Its journalism school, of which Martin is a graduate, is also widely regarded as one of the top journalism schools in the country. ==Europe== ===[[Cyprus]]=== Locals believe that the Othello Castle, part of the city walls of [[Famagusta]] in [[Northern Cyprus]], is the setting of Shakespearean tragedy of the same name, although the text does not name any specific locations on the island. ===[[Czech Republic]]=== Although [[Prague]] is a Czech-speaking city and the capital of the Czech Republic, as the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia it was under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchy, which also ruled the Austro-Hungarian empire until 1918, and for much of its history was a majority German-speaking city. As such, Prague has historically been home to many of the leading authors of German literature, with perhaps the most notable being Franz Kafka, who is known for his literary works such as '''The Metamorphosis''' (''Die Verwandlung'') and '''The Trial''' (''Der Process''). Other notable German authors who were based in Prague included Max Brod, Franz Werfel and Rainer Maria Rilke. ===[[Denmark]]=== This Nordic country's national author is Hans Christian Andersen. The city of [[Odense]] is the author's birthplace and home. As well as a museum and a memorial gardens, the author of famous works such as '''The Little Mermaid''' (''Den lille havfrue''), '''The Ugly Duckling''' (''Den grimme ælling'') and '''The Snow Queen''' (''Snedronningen'') is commemorated by statues, parades and annual events. Suffice to say, Odenseanere are immensely proud of their local legend. Kronborg Castle in [[Elsinore]] is famous as the setting of Shakespeare's ''Hamlet''. ===[[France]]=== [[Paris]] has no shortage of literary sites, especially on the Left Bank and Montparnasse. Paris's answer to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is the Comédie-Française, also known as the Théâtre-Français — and what a ripe subject for comparison and contrast! After paying your respect to the Lost Generation at Gertrude Stein's salon at 27 rue De Fleurs (and maybe also Natalie Clifford Barney's modestly titled Literary Salon of the Greats at 20 rue Jacob), you can shop in their footsteps at Shakespeare and Company or drink in their shadows at les Deus Magots, la Closerie des Lilas, or le Café de Flore. (A more contemporary version is l’Autre Café.) If you don't find Quasimodo in the ruins of Notre-Dame de Paris, visit Victor Hugo's house at 6 Place des Vosges, or enjoy the Basque cuisine at L’Auberge Etchegorry at 41 Rue de la Croulebarb, where he used to enjoy the Cabaret de Madame Grégoire. Or party like Arthur Miller at Brasserie Wepler (14 Place de Clichy). There is also the famed '''Palais Garnier''', which was the setting of the Gaston Leroux's ''Le Fantôme de l'Opéra'', which in turn inspired the hit West End [[musical]] ''The Phantom of the Opera''. For contemporary poetry readings, check out La Maison Poésie, close to the Pompidou Centre, or, especially if you want to hear the empire write back, Culture Rapide. No bibliophile should leave Paris without a visit to the one-of-a-kind bookstore Tea and Tattered Pages, or the reading room in the back of Le Fumoir. At Musée de la vie romantique you can find out almost anything you'd want to know about George Sand; the Hôtel de Lauzun on the Île St. Louis inspired Baudelaire to write ''Les Fleurs du Mal'' - what effect will it have on you? Search for lost time viewing Proust's bedroom at the Musée Carnavalet, or, if the touristy morbidity doesn't offend you, visit the Cimetière de Montparnasse to find the graves of many of your favorite authors, including Baudelaire, Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Or else look for the wallpaper that killed Oscar Wilde at l’Hôtel in the 6th Arrondissement, though you might prefer to enjoy the literary kitsch at the Apostrophe Hotel, or sleep where your heroes did at l’Hôtel Pont Royal. If you seek to join their ranks, you can consider joining a writing workshop with [http://www.pariscafewriting.com/ Paris Café Writing]. When you win your own Nobel Prize, celebrate like Camus did, at La Coupole (102 Boulevard du Montparnasse). Evidently there are even ''Da Vinci Code'' themed tours! Even if that's not your thing, you might enjoy eating in the restaurant at Nicolas Flamel's house at 52 rue de Montmorency, the oldest stone house in Paris. The [[Loire Valley]]: there could be no better place to read Alexandre Dumas or Charles Perrault. Honoré de Balzac, a native of [[Tours]], wrote and set some of his novels there too. Other buildings in the Touraine inspired settings in Balzac's work. Around [[Rouen]] you can find places claiming to have associations with ''Madame Bovary'', and a museum dedicated to Gustav Flaubert in the home where he was born. The medieval ''Play of Daniel'' was composed in [[Beauvais]]. ===[[Germany]]=== Admirers of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller cannot be excused for missing [[Weimar]]. One of the most successful German language authors of all times was Karl May, whose heroes Winnetou, Kara Ben Nemsi and Old Shatterhand have accompanied many a German growing up for over a century now. Over 200 million copies of his books have been sold, half of which in Germany. He died and spent most of his life in [[Radebeul]], [[Saxony]], a suburb of [[Dresden]]. His former house in Radebeul has been turned into a museum and it is a must visit for any fan of his works. His works are still performed live in places such as [[Bad Segeberg]] in [[Schleswig Holstein]] or [[Rathen]] in [[Saxon Switzerland]] [[Berlin]] has inspired many works of literature and other forms of art - from David Bowie to Alfred Döblin's "Berlin Alexanderplatz" and including a vibrant cultural scene to this day, Berlin is a place to be inspired and retrace the inspiration of others Germany was also home to the Brothers Grimm, whose collection of fairy tales has many stories that continue to enchant children around the world today. The German Tourism Board's recommended '''Fairy Tale Route''' takes people to places where the Brothers Grimm lived, and to places where their fairy tales were set in. Besides fairy tales, they also produced a dictionary for the German language that was ground-breaking not only for German linguistics but for the field as a whole. ===[[Ireland]]=== Fans of James Joyce will want to walk ''Ulysses'' in Dublin, especially on Bloom's Day (16 June). The diehards will even go to [[Ithaka]]. You know who you are. In general, Joyce's work is filled with detailed references to Dublin, often enabling the reader to trace the whereabouts of his characters on a map with surprising accuracy. Of course the city has changed since the early twentieth century but [[James Joyce's Dublin]] can still be discovered ===[[Italy]]=== Like E. M. Forster's characters in ''A Room With a View'', you'll want to look down on the tourists around you who do not share your refined tastes! You might demonstrate your snobby superiority taking a walking tour of Dante Alighieri's [[Florence]], or contemplating the complexities of Brumel's "Nuper rosarum flores" under Brunelleschi's Dome. Thomas Mann's writings made a lot of people wish to die in [[Venice]]. [[Naples]] was home to Giambattista Basile, whose ''Pentamerone'' (Neapolitan: ''Lo cunto de li cunti'') was one of the earliest fairy tale collections to have been published. And, of course there's [[Rome]], one of the most written-about cities on the planet. ===[[Norway]]=== Perhaps Norway's most internationally renowned literary figure is famous playwright Henrik Ibsen, best known for ''Peer Gynt'', which was scored by the great composer Edvard Grieg. [[Skien]], where he was born, and [[Oslo]], where he spent his final years, have museums dedicated to his life. ===[[Portugal]]=== [[Lisbon]] has a special cherish for the two greatest national poets, Luís de Camões aka Camoens (1524/5? – 1580) and Fernando Pessoa (1888 – 1935). Both are buried at the venerable Hieronymites Monastery in Belém, a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Camões Square, centered by his statue on a column, is the gateway to the Baixa neighborhood and its traditional nightlife, and some memorials to Pessoa, at places where he lived and drinked, are actually steps away. In [[Cascais]], there's an amazing rocky seashore spot named Boca do Inferno ("Hell's Mouth"). It's worth looking for a marble plaque remembering the occasion when Pessoa helped his English friend Aleister Crowley fake his suicide in 1930. ===[[Romania]]=== The undead must visit Castle [[Bran]] in [[Transylvania]] and other sites associated with the Dracula legends of Bram Stoker. ===[[Russia]]=== In [[Saint Petersburg]], you'll want to take "Raskolnikov's Murder Walk", described in '''Crime and Punishment''' (''Преступление и наказание'') by Fyodor Dostoevsky. If you have really read the book, it's easily realized, starting at Sennaya Ploschad ("Haymarket Square") metro station — Fyodor Mikhailovich lived in this area. Afterwards, go visit his grave in Tikhvin Cemetery (inside the Alexander Nevski Monastery, 3 metro stops away), alongside the ones of Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovski, Modest Mussorgski, Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov and most other Russian music giants. Another worthy option is to visit '''The Bronze Horseman''' (''Медный всадник'') statue of Peter the Great, the city's prime monument at its [[Saint Petersburg/Center|Center]]'s urban focal point, and also the theme and title of one of the most important poems of the Russian language, written by Alexander Pushkin. Later, take fresh flowers to the poet's infamous duel site, in a park on the city's [[Saint Petersburg/North|northern part]]. In [[Moscow]], you can take a tour of sites from Mikhail Bulgakov's '''Master and Margarita''' (''Ма́стер и Маргари́та'') and his tomb at Novodevichy Cemetery (where you'll find also Anton Chekhov, Nikolai Gogol, Vladimir Maiakovski, Dmitrii Shostakovich and many others). Moscow, St. Petersburg, [[Stavropol Krai|Pyatigorsk]], [[Ekaterinburg]], [[Elista]] in [[Kalmykia]] and [[Odessa]] in [[Ukraine]] feature monuments to the classic comedic novel '''The Twelve Chairs''' (''Двенадцать стульев'') and its suave con-man Ostap Bender, aka "The Smooth Operator". Near [[Tula]] is Yasnaya Polyana, where Leo Tolstoy wrote ''War and Peace'' (''Война́ и мир'') and ''Anna Karenina'' (''Анна Каренина''). Pushkin is buried in his family estate in [[Pushkinskie Gory]] near [[Pskov]]. Truly hardy adventurous travellers may consider retracing Chekhov's steps to [[Sakhalin]] Island and back, or even going to [[Magadan]] to pay homage to Alexander Solzhenitsyn's writings about the Gulag Archipelago. ===[[Slovenia]]=== [[Kobarid]] was the site of the Battle of Caporetto, which Ernest Hemingway described in ''A Farewell to Arms''. ===[[Spain]]=== In March 2015 the grave of renowned writer Miguel de Cervantes was discovered. His best known work ''Don Quijote'' is set in [[Castile-La Mancha|La Mancha]] and some landscapes in this part of Spain still look like the descriptions in the book. Cervantes was born in [[Alcalá de Henares]] in 1547; the city preserves his birth house, and renamed after him its main square, a fine sight. The other Spanish writing giant of the Baroque age, playwright and poet Lope de Vega, whose sheer volume of literary output is greatly larger than Cervantes', is buried inside San Sebastian church on [[Madrid]]'s Calle de Atocha. Any Anglophone who runs with the bulls in [[Pamplona]] (or even thinks of it) follow the footsteps of Brett and Jake in Ernest Hemingway's ''The Sun Also Rises''. The sites of the Spanish Civil War of course inspired writers domestic but especially foreign, including luminaries like Hemingway and George Orwell. ===[[Sweden]]=== The '''Millennium Tour''' in [[Stockholm]], inspired by Stieg Larsson's novel series; see [[Nordic Noir]]. Astrid Lindgren is one of the most-read writer of children's books; see [[Astrid Lindgren tourism]]. Her works come to life at '''Junibacken''' at [[Stockholm/Djurgården|Djurgården in Stockholm]], as well as '''Astrid Lindgrens värld''' in [[Vimmerby]]. ''[[Nils Holgersson's wonderful journey across Sweden|The Wonderful Adventures of Nils]]'' by the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf tells the story about the boy Nils who is magically shrinked, and joins a flock of wild geese on their migration across Sweden. It was intended to teach school children Swedish geography, but also doubles as a great travel log and a great story! In 1909 Selma Lagerlöf became the first female Nobel Prize in Literature laurate. ===[[United Kingdom]]=== [[File:Alice, Llandudno (geograph 3163936).jpg|thumb|alt=Alice statue, Alice trail, Llandudno, Wales|Alice statue, Alice trail, Llandudno, Wales]] ''[[Literary London]] gets its own page on Wikivoyage.'' True Chaucerian pilgrims should leave London by the road to [[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]], while lovers of the Bard may wish to drop into William Shakespeare's home in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]]. Anyone who ever longed to have their own bodice ripped by Rochester or Heathcliff would want to visit [[Brontë Country]] in West Yorkshire. If you're not afraid of Virginia Woolf, visit Monk's House in [[East Sussex]]. Or search for King Arthur and Merlin in [[Tintagel]] and [[Glastonbury]]. Besides what you'd find in London, [[Broadstairs]] is dedicated to Dickens. [[Swansea]] and neighbouring [[Carmarthenshire]] are all about Dylan Thomas. And setting aside all prejudice, [[Hampshire]] is the proud home of Jane Austen; see [[Jane Austen tourism]]. Perhaps more of us would prefer to visit [[Hartfield]] in [[Ashdown Forest]], the setting of the Winnie the Pooh stories, or [[Cumbria]] where various sites associated with Beatrix Potter can be found. If you can't get enough of talking animals larking about in boats, head to ''Wind in the Willows'' country, a tranquil stretch of the Thames straddling [[Berkshire]] and [[Oxfordshire]]. Statues remembering Robin Hood, H.G. Wells' Martian tripods, Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan stand respectively in [[Nottingham]], [[Woking]], [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Baker Street]] and [[South Kensington|Kensington Gardens]]. Wee sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beasties; look no further than [[Dumfries]] &ndash; Robert Burns' House competes for visitors with nearby [[Ayr (Scotland)|Alloway]]'s Robert Burns' Birthplace. Over in [[Edinburgh/Old Town|Edinburgh]], Burns is celebrated alongside Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson in the Writers' Museum. The capital's [[Edinburgh/New Town|Princes Street]] even has a monument celebrating Scott's achievements in putting his hometown on the literary map, a tradition which continues to this day with the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival. In [[Devon]] is the little village of Bigbury-on-Sea, where Agatha Christie fans can find the Burgh Island Hotel, inspiration for ''And Then There Were None'' and ''Evil Under the Sun''. Looking for a crime? The room named for her will set you back 450 quid. The more theatrically inclined could instead stay in the Noël Coward room. While you're in the area, a trip up to [[Dartmoor National Park|Dartmoor]] may prove to be your last, if you come face to face with the Hound of the Baskervilles. Should you survive, a hop over to Bram Stoker's [[Whitby |Whitby]] ([[North Yorkshire]]) might finish you off. As if Britain weren't mythical enough, many of its landscapes have inspired fantasy worlds. [[Shropshire]]'s bucolic hills look as though they may be home to J.R.R. Tolkien's hobbits, while [[Telford|the Wrekin]] is a Lonely Mountain by any other name, but the true Arthurian land of Albion is [[Wales]]. Lewis Carroll's surroundings of [[Cheshire]] and [[Oxford]] were once weird enough to influence his hallucinogenic creation of Wonderland. [[Dorset]] doubles for Thomas Hardy's "Wessex", [[Northern Ireland]] is a more doable trip than Narnia or Westeros (but the scenery is just as good), and anyone wishing to get to Hogwarts need only board a train at [[London/Camden|King's Cross station]]. Please, no Muggles. Another popular destination for literary tourists is the city of [[Oxford]], home to the famous '''[http://www.ox.ac.uk/ University of Oxford]''' which produced many world-renowned authors of the fantasy genre such as Lewis Carroll (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), C.S. Lewis (''The Chronicles of Narnia''), J.R.R. Tolkien (''[[Lord of the Rings tourism|The Lord of the Rings]]'') and Philip Pullman (''His Dark Materials''). Tolkien and Lewis were part of a group of writers known as '''The Inklings''', which met regularly at a pub known as the '''[https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/southeast/theeagleandchildoxford Eagle and Child]''' ==Asia and Oceania== ===[[China]]=== On the other side of the world, lovers of ''The Dream of the Red Chamber'' (红楼梦) will want to spend a few hours contemplating the Garden of the Humble Administrator in [[Suzhou]], and anyone who knows ''The True Story of Ah Q'' (阿Q正传) might want to visit [[Hangzhou]], where Lu Xun was imprisoned. The city of [[Huai'an]] was the birthplace of the Ming Dynasty author Wu Cheng'en, who wrote ''Journey to the West'' (西游记), one of China's four great novels. His former residence has been preserved and converted into a museum. ===[[India]]=== Fans of the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore will enjoy [[Santiniketan]], and readers of Rudyard Kipling will want to check out the places where [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim|Kim]] is supposed to have roamed. ===[[Japan]]=== Aspiring novelists might find inspiration at Ishiyamadera Temple in [[Otsu]], where Murasaki Shikibu is believed to have written (or at least begun to write) ''The Tale of Genji''. Then take the [[Narrow Road to the Deep North]]. ===[[South Korea]]=== [[File:Korea-Haeinsa-Tripitaka Koreana-01.jpg|250px|thumbnail| The Tripitaka Koreana in storage at Haeinsa.]] [[Gayasan Mountain National Park]] includes Haeinsa Temple, where the ''Tripitaka Koreana'', a landmark in woodblock printing, is held. [[Tongyeong]] is often visited because it is the setting of ''Land'' by Park Kyeong-Ni. ===[[Turkey]]=== [[Image:Perapalas old.jpg|thumb|Pera Palace Hotel in 1900]] [[Troy (Turkey)|Troy]] is the scene of the ''Iliad'', the first known work of Greek literature. Orhan Pamuk's "The Museum of Innocence" actually exists in the [[Istanbul/Galata|Beyoğlu]] district of [[Istanbul]]. Agatha Christie's 1934 novel ''Murder on the Orient Express'' was written in the [[Istanbul/Galata#Splurge_2|Pera Palace Hotel]] in Istanbul, then a [[grand old hotel]] serving rail passengers at the southern terminus of the main [[Paris]]-Istanbul ''[[Orient Express]]'' (1883-1962) route. The hotel maintains Christie's room as a memorial to the author. Those looking for Yaşar Kemal's Çukurova of greedy landlords, noble outlaws, landless peasants, and involuntary nomad-cum-farmers will probably want to spend some time in the [[Cilician Plains]]. ==Africa== ===[[Egypt]]=== The oldest literary work ever is called ''The Maxims of Ptah Hotep''. The author, a wise and not-so-famous vizier, was buried in a tomb that nowadays is more famous than himself, at [[Saqqara]]. Naguib Mahfouz, the only Arab writer to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1988), was born in [[Cairo]]. His most famous work, ''The Cairo Trilogy'', depicts the lives of three generations of different families in Cairo from World War I until after the 1952 military coup that overthrew King Farouk. His classic novel ''Midaq Alley'' is wholly ambiented in a tiny space inside the [[Cairo/Islamic Cairo|Khan El Kalili]] bazaar. ===[[South Africa]]=== About 145 km outside of [[Durban]], Alan Paton fans can find Ixopo, and look for the lovely road that runs from there into the hills. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the famed ''Lord of the Rings'' books, was born in [[Bloemfontein]], though there is surprisingly little commemorating him in his city of birth. ==Stay safe== Visit the "stay safe" sections of the Wikivoyage places for wherever you go, and remember that just because your favorite authors chain-smoked or enjoyed some absinth dreams doesn't mean you should! (If you must read and walk, read [http://entertainment.time.com/2012/06/06/a-book-lovers-guide-to-reading-and-walking-at-the-same-time A Book Lover's Guide to Reading and Walking at the Same Time!]) ==See also== *[[Fiction tourism]] *[[Harry Potter tourism]] *[[Music]] *[[Philosophy tourism]] * [[Religion and spirituality]]: [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]], [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Judaism]], [[Holy Land]] * [[Travel writing]] {{PartOfTopic|Fiction tourism}} {{outlinetopic}} noewq4ypz49rkn3t23klu464mdv51ey 4506577 4506559 2022-08-23T04:49:31Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* United States of America */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Literary travel''' is a form of tourism centered on great works of literature, literary movements, the literature surrounding cultural and political movements, or beloved authors. Just pick your favorite writer and do a little research: they all lived somewhere! ==World== * ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]'' by Jules Verne ==Americas== ===[[Argentina]]=== Anyone in [[Buenos Aires]] might look out for places associated with Jorge Luis Borges. ===[[Brazil]]=== A huge country with a wide host of major giant writers widely scattered apart. Jorge Amado comes from [[Bahia]] and writes mostly about [[Salvador]] with its huge bay and [[Ilhéus]] with its cocoa plantations. José de Alencar comes from [[Fortaleza]], Paulo Leminski from [[Curitiba]], father Érico and son Luis Fernando Verissimo from [[Porto Alegre]], Guimarães Rosa from inner [[Minas Gerais]] and a whole lot of them from the former capital [[Rio de Janeiro]]. In Ipanema, check out Vinicius de Moraes street, named after the poet who was drinking with songwriter Antonio Carlos Jobim at a bar, when a gorgeous blonde passed by. Together they seized the inspiration and wrote "The Girl from Ipanema". The bar is still there, renamed "Garota de Ipanema". As for the girls, Jobim once remarked wisely "...as you get older, they keep getting prettier and prettier...." ===[[Canada]]=== [[File:Anne of Green Gables museum actor (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Anne of Green Gables museum actor|Anne of Green Gables museum actor]] Any little Anne can visit the actual [[Prince Edward Island National Park|Green Gables]] in [[Cavendish (Prince Edward Island)|Cavendish]], [[Prince Edward Island]]; visitors come from as far afield as [[Japan]]. [[Stratford (Ontario)|Stratford]] and [[Niagara-on-the-Lake]] are known for their live performances of Shakespeare and Shaw respectively, despite the real [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] being in the [[United Kingdom]]. Statues paying homage to "Winnie", the real life inspiration for A.A. Milne's ''Winnie the Pooh'', stand in [[Winnipeg]]'s Assiniboine Park and in her hometown of [[White River (Ontario)]] Various sites in Canada and the [[United States of America|US]] recall Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' and the [[Underground Railroad]] era, including the home of Rev. Josiah Henson (Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site in Dresden, [[Chatham-Kent]]), the First Parish Church in [[Brunswick (Maine)]], the author's home (Harriet Beecher Stowe House & Library in [[Hartford]], Connecticut, USA), a Harriet Beecher-Stowe House in [[Cincinnati]] and the author's grave site in [[Andover (Massachusetts)]]. ===[[Colombia]]=== Gabriel García Márquez set ''Chronicle of a Death Foretold'' in the beautiful city of [[Santa Cruz de Mompox]]. If you're a big fan, go to his birthplace at [[Aracataca]], the inspiration for Macondo. ===[[Nicaragua]]=== The proud home of Rubén Darío whose birthplace has since been named in his honor. León, a longtime home of the poet, hosts a museum dedicated to his legacy. Another treasure of Nicaraguan folklore is "El Güegüense" a work of popular theater pitting native wit against Spanish might. The 1979 Nicaraguan revolution and subsequent civil war also produced quite a bit of poetry and music with names like Ernesto Cardenal, Gioconda Belli and the Mejia Godoy brothers known the world around. Cardenal spent large parts of his life on [[Solentiname]]. ===[[United States of America]]=== [[File:Welcome to Aberdeen cropped.jpg|300px|thumbnail| Nirvana fans: [[Aberdeen (Washington)|Aberdeen, Washington]] invites you to 'Come as you are.']] Fans of Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" might want to visit [[Concord (Massachusetts)|Concord, Massachusetts]]. Essex County in [[Northeast Massachusetts]] is often the setting of H. P. Lovecraft's works, whose followers refer to the area as "Miskatonic County" (after a fictional river in the region) or "Lovecraft Country". You won't find the Headless Horseman in [[Sleepy Hollow]], but you can find Washington Irving's grave there. Travelers to [[Hartford]] can visit the Mark Twain House and Museum and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Library; Mark Twain (whose real name was Samuel Clemens) fans can also visit his boyhood village of [[Hannibal]] on the [[Mississippi River]]. Head west in the footsteps of the Beats, or follow [[Route 66]] like the Joads in ''Grapes of Wrath''. You can find Cannery Row in [[Monterey (California)|Monterey, California]]; nearby are many places dedicated to the memory of John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. There are several sites related to "the book" (''Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'', the non-fiction novel by John Berendt) in [[Savannah]], particularly Forsythe Park. In [[Houston]], fans of Morton Feldman can visit the actual Rothko Chapel. Fans of the ''Friday Night Lights'' franchise may be interested in Ratliff Stadium in [[Odessa (Texas)|Odessa, Texas]], the home [[American football|football]] stadium of the city's two high schools—one of them being Permian High, whose 1988 football season was the subject of both the book that spawned the franchise and the later film. [[Alaska]] has its share of literary spots too. Fans of Jack London must visit [[Skagway]]. Those who read the bestseller ''Into The Wild'' by Jon Krakauer, about the exploits of Christopher McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, would want to visit [[Denali National Park]], near [[Talkeetna]]. The [[Old West]] has many stories. Fans of George R. R. Martin's ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', the book series on which the hit television series ''[[Game of Thrones tourism|Game of Thrones]]'' was based, may wish to visit [[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]], where the author resides and owns a cinema in which he occasionally screens episodes of the TV series. Martin's alma mater, [https://www.northwestern.edu/ Northwestern University], in [[Evanston]], [[Illinois]], is one of the premier universities in United States with a beautifully landscaped lakeside campus. Its journalism school, of which Martin is a graduate, is also widely regarded as one of the top journalism schools in the country. ==Europe== ===[[Cyprus]]=== Locals believe that the Othello Castle, part of the city walls of [[Famagusta]] in [[Northern Cyprus]], is the setting of Shakespearean tragedy of the same name, although the text does not name any specific locations on the island. ===[[Czech Republic]]=== Although [[Prague]] is a Czech-speaking city and the capital of the Czech Republic, as the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia it was under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchy, which also ruled the Austro-Hungarian empire until 1918, and for much of its history was a majority German-speaking city. As such, Prague has historically been home to many of the leading authors of German literature, with perhaps the most notable being Franz Kafka, who is known for his literary works such as '''The Metamorphosis''' (''Die Verwandlung'') and '''The Trial''' (''Der Process''). Other notable German authors who were based in Prague included Max Brod, Franz Werfel and Rainer Maria Rilke. ===[[Denmark]]=== This Nordic country's national author is Hans Christian Andersen. The city of [[Odense]] is the author's birthplace and home. As well as a museum and a memorial gardens, the author of famous works such as '''The Little Mermaid''' (''Den lille havfrue''), '''The Ugly Duckling''' (''Den grimme ælling'') and '''The Snow Queen''' (''Snedronningen'') is commemorated by statues, parades and annual events. Suffice to say, Odenseanere are immensely proud of their local legend. Kronborg Castle in [[Elsinore]] is famous as the setting of Shakespeare's ''Hamlet''. ===[[France]]=== [[Paris]] has no shortage of literary sites, especially on the Left Bank and Montparnasse. Paris's answer to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is the Comédie-Française, also known as the Théâtre-Français — and what a ripe subject for comparison and contrast! After paying your respect to the Lost Generation at Gertrude Stein's salon at 27 rue De Fleurs (and maybe also Natalie Clifford Barney's modestly titled Literary Salon of the Greats at 20 rue Jacob), you can shop in their footsteps at Shakespeare and Company or drink in their shadows at les Deus Magots, la Closerie des Lilas, or le Café de Flore. (A more contemporary version is l’Autre Café.) If you don't find Quasimodo in the ruins of Notre-Dame de Paris, visit Victor Hugo's house at 6 Place des Vosges, or enjoy the Basque cuisine at L’Auberge Etchegorry at 41 Rue de la Croulebarb, where he used to enjoy the Cabaret de Madame Grégoire. Or party like Arthur Miller at Brasserie Wepler (14 Place de Clichy). There is also the famed '''Palais Garnier''', which was the setting of the Gaston Leroux's ''Le Fantôme de l'Opéra'', which in turn inspired the hit West End [[musical]] ''The Phantom of the Opera''. For contemporary poetry readings, check out La Maison Poésie, close to the Pompidou Centre, or, especially if you want to hear the empire write back, Culture Rapide. No bibliophile should leave Paris without a visit to the one-of-a-kind bookstore Tea and Tattered Pages, or the reading room in the back of Le Fumoir. At Musée de la vie romantique you can find out almost anything you'd want to know about George Sand; the Hôtel de Lauzun on the Île St. Louis inspired Baudelaire to write ''Les Fleurs du Mal'' - what effect will it have on you? Search for lost time viewing Proust's bedroom at the Musée Carnavalet, or, if the touristy morbidity doesn't offend you, visit the Cimetière de Montparnasse to find the graves of many of your favorite authors, including Baudelaire, Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Or else look for the wallpaper that killed Oscar Wilde at l’Hôtel in the 6th Arrondissement, though you might prefer to enjoy the literary kitsch at the Apostrophe Hotel, or sleep where your heroes did at l’Hôtel Pont Royal. If you seek to join their ranks, you can consider joining a writing workshop with [http://www.pariscafewriting.com/ Paris Café Writing]. When you win your own Nobel Prize, celebrate like Camus did, at La Coupole (102 Boulevard du Montparnasse). Evidently there are even ''Da Vinci Code'' themed tours! Even if that's not your thing, you might enjoy eating in the restaurant at Nicolas Flamel's house at 52 rue de Montmorency, the oldest stone house in Paris. The [[Loire Valley]]: there could be no better place to read Alexandre Dumas or Charles Perrault. Honoré de Balzac, a native of [[Tours]], wrote and set some of his novels there too. Other buildings in the Touraine inspired settings in Balzac's work. Around [[Rouen]] you can find places claiming to have associations with ''Madame Bovary'', and a museum dedicated to Gustav Flaubert in the home where he was born. The medieval ''Play of Daniel'' was composed in [[Beauvais]]. ===[[Germany]]=== Admirers of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller cannot be excused for missing [[Weimar]]. One of the most successful German language authors of all times was Karl May, whose heroes Winnetou, Kara Ben Nemsi and Old Shatterhand have accompanied many a German growing up for over a century now. Over 200 million copies of his books have been sold, half of which in Germany. He died and spent most of his life in [[Radebeul]], [[Saxony]], a suburb of [[Dresden]]. His former house in Radebeul has been turned into a museum and it is a must visit for any fan of his works. His works are still performed live in places such as [[Bad Segeberg]] in [[Schleswig Holstein]] or [[Rathen]] in [[Saxon Switzerland]] [[Berlin]] has inspired many works of literature and other forms of art - from David Bowie to Alfred Döblin's "Berlin Alexanderplatz" and including a vibrant cultural scene to this day, Berlin is a place to be inspired and retrace the inspiration of others Germany was also home to the Brothers Grimm, whose collection of fairy tales has many stories that continue to enchant children around the world today. The German Tourism Board's recommended '''Fairy Tale Route''' takes people to places where the Brothers Grimm lived, and to places where their fairy tales were set in. Besides fairy tales, they also produced a dictionary for the German language that was ground-breaking not only for German linguistics but for the field as a whole. ===[[Ireland]]=== Fans of James Joyce will want to walk ''Ulysses'' in Dublin, especially on Bloom's Day (16 June). The diehards will even go to [[Ithaka]]. You know who you are. In general, Joyce's work is filled with detailed references to Dublin, often enabling the reader to trace the whereabouts of his characters on a map with surprising accuracy. Of course the city has changed since the early twentieth century but [[James Joyce's Dublin]] can still be discovered ===[[Italy]]=== Like E. M. Forster's characters in ''A Room With a View'', you'll want to look down on the tourists around you who do not share your refined tastes! You might demonstrate your snobby superiority taking a walking tour of Dante Alighieri's [[Florence]], or contemplating the complexities of Brumel's "Nuper rosarum flores" under Brunelleschi's Dome. Thomas Mann's writings made a lot of people wish to die in [[Venice]]. [[Naples]] was home to Giambattista Basile, whose ''Pentamerone'' (Neapolitan: ''Lo cunto de li cunti'') was one of the earliest fairy tale collections to have been published. And, of course there's [[Rome]], one of the most written-about cities on the planet. ===[[Norway]]=== Perhaps Norway's most internationally renowned literary figure is famous playwright Henrik Ibsen, best known for ''Peer Gynt'', which was scored by the great composer Edvard Grieg. [[Skien]], where he was born, and [[Oslo]], where he spent his final years, have museums dedicated to his life. ===[[Portugal]]=== [[Lisbon]] has a special cherish for the two greatest national poets, Luís de Camões aka Camoens (1524/5? – 1580) and Fernando Pessoa (1888 – 1935). Both are buried at the venerable Hieronymites Monastery in Belém, a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Camões Square, centered by his statue on a column, is the gateway to the Baixa neighborhood and its traditional nightlife, and some memorials to Pessoa, at places where he lived and drinked, are actually steps away. In [[Cascais]], there's an amazing rocky seashore spot named Boca do Inferno ("Hell's Mouth"). It's worth looking for a marble plaque remembering the occasion when Pessoa helped his English friend Aleister Crowley fake his suicide in 1930. ===[[Romania]]=== The undead must visit Castle [[Bran]] in [[Transylvania]] and other sites associated with the Dracula legends of Bram Stoker. ===[[Russia]]=== In [[Saint Petersburg]], you'll want to take "Raskolnikov's Murder Walk", described in '''Crime and Punishment''' (''Преступление и наказание'') by Fyodor Dostoevsky. If you have really read the book, it's easily realized, starting at Sennaya Ploschad ("Haymarket Square") metro station — Fyodor Mikhailovich lived in this area. Afterwards, go visit his grave in Tikhvin Cemetery (inside the Alexander Nevski Monastery, 3 metro stops away), alongside the ones of Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovski, Modest Mussorgski, Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov and most other Russian music giants. Another worthy option is to visit '''The Bronze Horseman''' (''Медный всадник'') statue of Peter the Great, the city's prime monument at its [[Saint Petersburg/Center|Center]]'s urban focal point, and also the theme and title of one of the most important poems of the Russian language, written by Alexander Pushkin. Later, take fresh flowers to the poet's infamous duel site, in a park on the city's [[Saint Petersburg/North|northern part]]. In [[Moscow]], you can take a tour of sites from Mikhail Bulgakov's '''Master and Margarita''' (''Ма́стер и Маргари́та'') and his tomb at Novodevichy Cemetery (where you'll find also Anton Chekhov, Nikolai Gogol, Vladimir Maiakovski, Dmitrii Shostakovich and many others). Moscow, St. Petersburg, [[Stavropol Krai|Pyatigorsk]], [[Ekaterinburg]], [[Elista]] in [[Kalmykia]] and [[Odessa]] in [[Ukraine]] feature monuments to the classic comedic novel '''The Twelve Chairs''' (''Двенадцать стульев'') and its suave con-man Ostap Bender, aka "The Smooth Operator". Near [[Tula]] is Yasnaya Polyana, where Leo Tolstoy wrote ''War and Peace'' (''Война́ и мир'') and ''Anna Karenina'' (''Анна Каренина''). Pushkin is buried in his family estate in [[Pushkinskie Gory]] near [[Pskov]]. Truly hardy adventurous travellers may consider retracing Chekhov's steps to [[Sakhalin]] Island and back, or even going to [[Magadan]] to pay homage to Alexander Solzhenitsyn's writings about the Gulag Archipelago. ===[[Slovenia]]=== [[Kobarid]] was the site of the Battle of Caporetto, which Ernest Hemingway described in ''A Farewell to Arms''. ===[[Spain]]=== In March 2015 the grave of renowned writer Miguel de Cervantes was discovered. His best known work ''Don Quijote'' is set in [[Castile-La Mancha|La Mancha]] and some landscapes in this part of Spain still look like the descriptions in the book. Cervantes was born in [[Alcalá de Henares]] in 1547; the city preserves his birth house, and renamed after him its main square, a fine sight. The other Spanish writing giant of the Baroque age, playwright and poet Lope de Vega, whose sheer volume of literary output is greatly larger than Cervantes', is buried inside San Sebastian church on [[Madrid]]'s Calle de Atocha. Any Anglophone who runs with the bulls in [[Pamplona]] (or even thinks of it) follow the footsteps of Brett and Jake in Ernest Hemingway's ''The Sun Also Rises''. The sites of the Spanish Civil War of course inspired writers domestic but especially foreign, including luminaries like Hemingway and George Orwell. ===[[Sweden]]=== The '''Millennium Tour''' in [[Stockholm]], inspired by Stieg Larsson's novel series; see [[Nordic Noir]]. Astrid Lindgren is one of the most-read writer of children's books; see [[Astrid Lindgren tourism]]. Her works come to life at '''Junibacken''' at [[Stockholm/Djurgården|Djurgården in Stockholm]], as well as '''Astrid Lindgrens värld''' in [[Vimmerby]]. ''[[Nils Holgersson's wonderful journey across Sweden|The Wonderful Adventures of Nils]]'' by the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf tells the story about the boy Nils who is magically shrinked, and joins a flock of wild geese on their migration across Sweden. It was intended to teach school children Swedish geography, but also doubles as a great travel log and a great story! In 1909 Selma Lagerlöf became the first female Nobel Prize in Literature laurate. ===[[United Kingdom]]=== [[File:Alice, Llandudno (geograph 3163936).jpg|thumb|alt=Alice statue, Alice trail, Llandudno, Wales|Alice statue, Alice trail, Llandudno, Wales]] ''[[Literary London]] gets its own page on Wikivoyage.'' True Chaucerian pilgrims should leave London by the road to [[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]], while lovers of the Bard may wish to drop into William Shakespeare's home in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]]. Anyone who ever longed to have their own bodice ripped by Rochester or Heathcliff would want to visit [[Brontë Country]] in West Yorkshire. If you're not afraid of Virginia Woolf, visit Monk's House in [[East Sussex]]. Or search for King Arthur and Merlin in [[Tintagel]] and [[Glastonbury]]. Besides what you'd find in London, [[Broadstairs]] is dedicated to Dickens. [[Swansea]] and neighbouring [[Carmarthenshire]] are all about Dylan Thomas. And setting aside all prejudice, [[Hampshire]] is the proud home of Jane Austen; see [[Jane Austen tourism]]. Perhaps more of us would prefer to visit [[Hartfield]] in [[Ashdown Forest]], the setting of the Winnie the Pooh stories, or [[Cumbria]] where various sites associated with Beatrix Potter can be found. If you can't get enough of talking animals larking about in boats, head to ''Wind in the Willows'' country, a tranquil stretch of the Thames straddling [[Berkshire]] and [[Oxfordshire]]. Statues remembering Robin Hood, H.G. Wells' Martian tripods, Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan stand respectively in [[Nottingham]], [[Woking]], [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Baker Street]] and [[South Kensington|Kensington Gardens]]. Wee sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beasties; look no further than [[Dumfries]] &ndash; Robert Burns' House competes for visitors with nearby [[Ayr (Scotland)|Alloway]]'s Robert Burns' Birthplace. Over in [[Edinburgh/Old Town|Edinburgh]], Burns is celebrated alongside Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson in the Writers' Museum. The capital's [[Edinburgh/New Town|Princes Street]] even has a monument celebrating Scott's achievements in putting his hometown on the literary map, a tradition which continues to this day with the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival. In [[Devon]] is the little village of Bigbury-on-Sea, where Agatha Christie fans can find the Burgh Island Hotel, inspiration for ''And Then There Were None'' and ''Evil Under the Sun''. Looking for a crime? The room named for her will set you back 450 quid. The more theatrically inclined could instead stay in the Noël Coward room. While you're in the area, a trip up to [[Dartmoor National Park|Dartmoor]] may prove to be your last, if you come face to face with the Hound of the Baskervilles. Should you survive, a hop over to Bram Stoker's [[Whitby |Whitby]] ([[North Yorkshire]]) might finish you off. As if Britain weren't mythical enough, many of its landscapes have inspired fantasy worlds. [[Shropshire]]'s bucolic hills look as though they may be home to J.R.R. Tolkien's hobbits, while [[Telford|the Wrekin]] is a Lonely Mountain by any other name, but the true Arthurian land of Albion is [[Wales]]. Lewis Carroll's surroundings of [[Cheshire]] and [[Oxford]] were once weird enough to influence his hallucinogenic creation of Wonderland. [[Dorset]] doubles for Thomas Hardy's "Wessex", [[Northern Ireland]] is a more doable trip than Narnia or Westeros (but the scenery is just as good), and anyone wishing to get to Hogwarts need only board a train at [[London/Camden|King's Cross station]]. Please, no Muggles. Another popular destination for literary tourists is the city of [[Oxford]], home to the famous '''[http://www.ox.ac.uk/ University of Oxford]''' which produced many world-renowned authors of the fantasy genre such as Lewis Carroll (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), C.S. Lewis (''The Chronicles of Narnia''), J.R.R. Tolkien (''[[Lord of the Rings tourism|The Lord of the Rings]]'') and Philip Pullman (''His Dark Materials''). Tolkien and Lewis were part of a group of writers known as '''The Inklings''', which met regularly at a pub known as the '''[https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/southeast/theeagleandchildoxford Eagle and Child]''' ==Asia and Oceania== ===[[China]]=== On the other side of the world, lovers of ''The Dream of the Red Chamber'' (红楼梦) will want to spend a few hours contemplating the Garden of the Humble Administrator in [[Suzhou]], and anyone who knows ''The True Story of Ah Q'' (阿Q正传) might want to visit [[Hangzhou]], where Lu Xun was imprisoned. The city of [[Huai'an]] was the birthplace of the Ming Dynasty author Wu Cheng'en, who wrote ''Journey to the West'' (西游记), one of China's four great novels. His former residence has been preserved and converted into a museum. ===[[India]]=== Fans of the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore will enjoy [[Santiniketan]], and readers of Rudyard Kipling will want to check out the places where [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim|Kim]] is supposed to have roamed. ===[[Japan]]=== Aspiring novelists might find inspiration at Ishiyamadera Temple in [[Otsu]], where Murasaki Shikibu is believed to have written (or at least begun to write) ''The Tale of Genji''. Then take the [[Narrow Road to the Deep North]]. ===[[South Korea]]=== [[File:Korea-Haeinsa-Tripitaka Koreana-01.jpg|250px|thumbnail| The Tripitaka Koreana in storage at Haeinsa.]] [[Gayasan Mountain National Park]] includes Haeinsa Temple, where the ''Tripitaka Koreana'', a landmark in woodblock printing, is held. [[Tongyeong]] is often visited because it is the setting of ''Land'' by Park Kyeong-Ni. ===[[Turkey]]=== [[Image:Perapalas old.jpg|thumb|Pera Palace Hotel in 1900]] [[Troy (Turkey)|Troy]] is the scene of the ''Iliad'', the first known work of Greek literature. Orhan Pamuk's "The Museum of Innocence" actually exists in the [[Istanbul/Galata|Beyoğlu]] district of [[Istanbul]]. Agatha Christie's 1934 novel ''Murder on the Orient Express'' was written in the [[Istanbul/Galata#Splurge_2|Pera Palace Hotel]] in Istanbul, then a [[grand old hotel]] serving rail passengers at the southern terminus of the main [[Paris]]-Istanbul ''[[Orient Express]]'' (1883-1962) route. The hotel maintains Christie's room as a memorial to the author. Those looking for Yaşar Kemal's Çukurova of greedy landlords, noble outlaws, landless peasants, and involuntary nomad-cum-farmers will probably want to spend some time in the [[Cilician Plains]]. ==Africa== ===[[Egypt]]=== The oldest literary work ever is called ''The Maxims of Ptah Hotep''. The author, a wise and not-so-famous vizier, was buried in a tomb that nowadays is more famous than himself, at [[Saqqara]]. Naguib Mahfouz, the only Arab writer to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1988), was born in [[Cairo]]. His most famous work, ''The Cairo Trilogy'', depicts the lives of three generations of different families in Cairo from World War I until after the 1952 military coup that overthrew King Farouk. His classic novel ''Midaq Alley'' is wholly ambiented in a tiny space inside the [[Cairo/Islamic Cairo|Khan El Kalili]] bazaar. ===[[South Africa]]=== About 145 km outside of [[Durban]], Alan Paton fans can find Ixopo, and look for the lovely road that runs from there into the hills. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the famed ''Lord of the Rings'' books, was born in [[Bloemfontein]], though there is surprisingly little commemorating him in his city of birth. ==Stay safe== Visit the "stay safe" sections of the Wikivoyage places for wherever you go, and remember that just because your favorite authors chain-smoked or enjoyed some absinth dreams doesn't mean you should! (If you must read and walk, read [http://entertainment.time.com/2012/06/06/a-book-lovers-guide-to-reading-and-walking-at-the-same-time A Book Lover's Guide to Reading and Walking at the Same Time!]) ==See also== *[[Fiction tourism]] *[[Harry Potter tourism]] *[[Music]] *[[Philosophy tourism]] * [[Religion and spirituality]]: [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]], [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Judaism]], [[Holy Land]] * [[Travel writing]] {{PartOfTopic|Fiction tourism}} {{outlinetopic}} 8wql59tltciohlw9ktdwilfkasxgm8z 0 20053 4506341 4504743 2022-08-22T17:33:28Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Crime */ So basically, everywhere. Remove per [[WV:XL]]. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|London Thames Sunset panorama - Feb 2008 banner.jpg|dotm=yes|caption=London's burningː Tower Bridge at sunset.|disambig=yes|origin=-0.5,0}} {{COVID-19 box|Face coverings are recommended (unless exempt) on public transport, in shops and other venues. You may be asked to wear one at some events and venues. For the most up-to-date information: *[https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus UK Government coronavirus portal] *[https://www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus Greater London Authority coronavirus portal] *[https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ NHS] |lastedit=2022-02-24}} [[File:Routemaster RM871.jpg|thumb|260px|Historical Routemaster double-decker bus outside St Paul's cathedral]] {{printDistricts}} Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, '''[http://www.visitlondon.com/ London]''' is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of [[England]], and of the wider [[United Kingdom]], it is also the largest city in Western [[Europe]]. Situated on the River Thames in [[South East (England)|South-East England]], '''Greater London''' has an official population of a little over 8 million, but the estimate of between 12 and 14 million people in the greater metropolitan area better reflects its size and importance. Considered one of the world's leading "global cities", London remains an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade. ==Districts== The name "London" used to refer only to the once-walled "Square Mile" of the original Roman (and later medieval) city (confusingly called the "[[London/City of London|City of London]]" or just "The City"). Today, London has taken on a much larger meaning to include all of the vast central parts of the modern metropolis, with the city having absorbed numerous surrounding towns and villages over the centuries, including large portions of the surrounding "home counties", one of which - Middlesex - being completely consumed by the growing metropolis. The term Greater London embraces Central London together with all the outlying suburbs that lie in one continuous urban sprawl within the lower Thames Valley. Though densely populated, London retains large swathes of green parkland and open space, even within the city centre. '''Greater London''' is most of the area surrounded by the M25 orbital motorway, and consists of 32 London Boroughs and the City of London that, together with the office of the Mayor of London, form the basis for London's local government. The Mayor of London is elected by London residents and should not be confused with the Lord Mayor of the City of London. The names of several boroughs, such as [[London/Westminster|Westminster]] or [[London/Camden|Camden]], are well-known, others less so, such as [[London/Wandsworth|Wandsworth]] or [[London/Southwark-Lewisham|Lewisham]]. This traveller's guide to London recognises cultural, functional and social districts of varying type and size: ===Central London=== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Central London districts map.png | regionmaptext=Central London | regionmapsize=429px | region1name=[[London/Bloomsbury|Bloomsbury]] | region1color=#d1888f | region1items=''British Museum, Cartoon Museum, Foundling Museum, University College London, Wellcome Collection'' | region1description= Vibrant historic district made famous by a group of turn-of-the-century writers. It is now the location of numerous historic homes, and oasis-like squares fringed by elegant buildings. | region2name=[[London/City of London|City of London]] | region2color=#bc75a4 | region2items=''Bank of England, Museum of London, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral'' | region2description= The City is where London originally developed within the Roman city walls and is a city in its own right, separate from the rest of London. It is now one of the most important financial centres in the world, and an area where modern skyscrapers stand next to medieval churches on ancient street layouts. | region3name=[[London/Covent Garden|Covent Garden]] | region3color=#73a3c3 | region3items=''Covent Garden Piazza, London Transport Museum, Royal Opera House'' | region3description= One of the main shopping and entertainment districts, and part of London's West End Theatreland. | region5name=[[London/Holborn-Clerkenwell|Holborn-Clerkenwell]] | region5color=#7ed561 | region5items=''Hatton Garden, Inns of Court, Royal Courts of Justice, Sadler's Wells, Somerset House'' | region5description= Buffer zone between the West End and the City of London financial district, and the home of English Common Law. | region6name=[[London/Leicester Square|Leicester Square]] | region6color=#dde390 | region6items=''National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square'' | region6description= A West End district that is the centre of London's Theatreland, features UK and world cinema premieres and is also home to the city's Chinatown. | region7name=[[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Mayfair-Marylebone]] | region7color=#be9ebe | region7items=''London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Regent's Park, Royal Academy of Arts, Wallace Collection'' | region7description=Some extremely well-heeled districts of west central London with London's primary shopping streets, among them Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Savile Row. | region8name=[[London/Notting Hill-North Kensington|Notting Hill-North Kensington]] | region8color=#adaacb | region8items=''Design Museum, Holland Park, Museum of Brands, Portobello Road Market'' | region8description=Lively fruit and antiques market, interesting history, the world famous carnival and a very ethnically diverse population | region9name=[[London/Paddington-Maida Vale|Paddington-Maida Vale]] | region9color=#94c59a | region9items=''Abbey Road, Little Venice, Lord's Cricket Ground'' | region9description=Largely residential district of northwest central London with lots of mid-range accommodation, famous for its canal and houseboats. | region10name=[[London/Soho|Soho]] | region10color=#dca65b | region10items=''Carnaby Street, Soho Square'' | region10description=Dense concentration of highly fashionable restaurants, cafés, clubs and jazz bars, as well as London's gay village all mixed in with a cluster of sex shops and seedier adult entertainment venues. | region11name=[[London/South Bank|South Bank]] | region11color=#aba475 | region11items=''Borough Market, British Film Institute, London Eye, National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, The Shard'' | region11description=This was historically the location of the activities frowned upon by the Puritans who exiled theatre, cock-fighting and bear fights from the original walled City of London to the other side of the Thames. | region12name=[[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|South Kensington-Chelsea]] | region12color=#86a7ac | region12items=''Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum'' | region12description=An extremely well-heeled inner London district with famous department stores, Hyde Park, many museums and the King's Road. | region13name=[[London/Westminster|Westminster]] | region13color=#a6c57b | region13items=''Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Horse Guards, Houses of Parliament, Tate Britain, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral'' | region13description=The seat of government and an almost endless list of historical and cultural sights. Relax in one of two beautiful Royal parks, Green Park and St James's Park }} ===Inner London=== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Inner London districts map.png | regionmapsize=429px | regionmaptext=Inner London | region1name=[[London/Camden|Camden]] | region1color=#c9b0a6 | region1items=''British Library, Camden Town Markets, Jewish Museum, King's Cross and St Pancras International stations'' | region1description=A diverse area of north London that includes eclectic Camden Town, a hub of alternative fashion and youth-oriented markets. | region2name=[[London/East End|East End]] | region2color=#a194d0 | region2items=''Brick Lane, Columbia Road Flower Market, Docklands, Museum of Childhood, Petticoat Lane Market, Spitalfields Market'' | region2description=A traditional working class heartland of inner London to the east of The City, made famous by countless movies and TV shows. Once the stalking ground of Jack the Ripper, now home to hipster-y bars, art galleries and parks, and an extremely diverse population. | region3name=[[London/Greenwich|Greenwich]] | region3color=#bbdf95 | region3items=''Air Line cable car, Maritime Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Royal Observatory, The O2 Arena'' | region3description=On the pretty southern banks of the Thames is an area with strong links to Britain's seafaring heritage and breathtaking views across to Canary Wharf. | region4name=[[London/Hackney|Hackney]] | region4color=#d09494 | region4items=''Hackney Empire, London Fields, Museum of the Home, Victoria Park'' | region4description=Hackney has become fashionable and is home to a thriving arts scene as well as many trendy cafés, bars, and pubs. | region5name=[[London/Hammersmith and Fulham|Hammersmith and Fulham]] | region5color=#ded888 | region5items=''Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, Fulham Palace, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Westfield White City'' | region5description=Well-heeled Thames-side borough in west London which is a hotbed for professional football and diverse shopping experiences. | region6name=[[London/Hampstead|Hampstead]] | region6color=#9392c3 | region6items=''Freud Museum, Highgate Cemetery, Keats House, Kenwood House, Primrose Hill'' | region6description=Literary north London and the wonderful open spaces of Hampstead Heath. | region7name=[[London/Islington|Islington]] | region7color=#d0ca94 | region7items=''Arsenal FC'' | region7description=Area to the north of Clerkenwell that has undergone huge gentrification since 1990. | region8name=[[London/Lambeth|Lambeth]] | region8color=#a789ab | region8items=''Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Palace, The Old Vic, The Oval Cricket Ground'' | region8description=A diverse multicultural district to the south of the River Thames; includes LGBT-friendly '''Vauxhall''', more middle class '''Clapham''' and the Caribbean flavours of '''Brixton'''. | region9name=[[London/Southwark-Lewisham|Southwark-Lewisham]] | region9color=#d980cc | region9items=''Crystal Palace Park, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Horniman Museum'' | region9description=Inner southern districts of London; traditionally residential, with a large melting pot of communities. The area retains some leftfield, quirky attractions. You can find a restaurant from just about any ethnic group in the world. | region10name=[[London/Wandsworth|Wandsworth]] | region10color=#9dab89 | region10items=''Battersea Park, Battersea Power Station, Clapham Common, London Wetland Centre'' | region10description=Grand Thames-side areas and open green parks to the north, and dense housing to the south. }} ===Outer London=== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Outer London districts.png | regionmaptext=Greater London map showing the Outer London districts. | regionmapsize=432px | region1name=[[London/Richmond-Kew|Richmond-Kew]] | region1color=#7b8ca3 | region1items=''Bushy Park, Hampton Court Palace, National Archives, Richmond Park, Royal Botanic Gardens, Twickenham Stadium'' | region1description=Leafy Thames-side scenery with a semi-rural feel which is helped by the presence of major parkland and numerous large aristocratic residences. | region2name=[[London/Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] | region2color=#ebb76f | region2items=''All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, New Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum'' | region2description=Home to the annual tennis Championships and wombling Wimbledon Common. | region3name=[[London/North|North]] | region3color=#aec2cf | region3items=''Alexandra Palace, Highgate Wood, Neasden Temple, RAF Museum, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Wembley Stadium'' | region3description=Largely made up of lush green middle-class suburbs, many of which were formerly part of the counties of Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire before being absorbed into Greater London. | region4name=[[London/South|South]] | region4color=#d8b1d9 | region4items=''Chessington World of Adventures, Chislehurst Caves, Down House'' | region4description=Containing many commuter suburbs formerly belonging to the counties Kent and Surrey with housing in varying styles, as well as the buzzing urban centres of '''Sutton''', '''Kingston upon Thames''', '''Croydon''' and '''Bromley'''. | region5name=[[London/East|East]] | region5color=#c6b49a | region5items=''City Airport, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, West Ham United FC, Westfield Stratford City'' | region5description=Originally part of the county of Essex, taking in former industrial areas on the upper Thames Estuary, while to the northeast lies the gateway to the affluent Epping Forest area. | region6name=[[London/West|West]] | region6color=#c0cdb6 | region6items=''Chiswick House, Heathrow Airport, Musical Museum, Osterley Park, Syon Park'' | region6description=Taking in much of the ancient English county of Middlesex (which many local residents still identify with rather than "London") and former parts of Buckinghamshire. }} ==Understand== [[image:London Tower01.jpg|thumb|300px|The Tower of London]] {{quote|When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford|author=Samuel Johnson}} ===History=== Settlements have existed on the site of London since well before Roman times, with evidence of Bronze Age and Celtic inhabitants. The Roman city of ''Londinium'', established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in the year 43, formed the basis for the modern city (some isolated Roman period remains are still to be seen within the City). After the end of Roman rule in 410 and a short-lived decline, London experienced a gradual revival under the Anglo-Saxons, as well as the Norsemen, and emerged as a great medieval trading city, eventually replacing [[Winchester (England)|Winchester]] as the royal capital of England. This paramount status for London was confirmed when William the Conqueror, a Norman, built the [[London/City of London#See|Tower of London]] after the conquest in 1066 and was crowned King of England in [[London/Westminster|Westminster]]. London went from strength to strength with the rise of England to first European then global prominence, and the city became a great centre of culture, government and industry. London's long association with the theatre, for example, can be traced back to the English renaissance (witness the [http://rosetheatre.org.uk Rose Theatre] and great playwrights like [[London/South Bank#Do|Shakespeare]] who made London their home). With the rise of Britain to supreme maritime power in the 18th and 19th centuries (see [[Industrial Britain]]) and the possessor of the largest global empire, London became an imperial capital and drew people and influences from around the world to become, for many years, the largest city in the world. England's royal family has, over the centuries, added much to the London scene for today's traveller: the [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone#See|Albert Memorial]], [[London/Westminster#See|Buckingham Palace]], [[London/Notting Hill-North Kensington|Kensington Palace]], [[London/South Kensington-Chelsea#See|Royal Albert Hall]], [[London/City of London#Do|Tower of London]], [[London/West|Kew Palace]] and [[London/Westminster#See|Westminster Abbey]] being prominent examples. Despite the decline of the British Empire, and suffering during the [[World War II in Europe|Second World War]] when London was heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe in the Blitz, the city remains a top-tier world city: a global centre of culture, finance, and learning. Today London is easily the largest city in the United Kingdom, eight times larger than the second largest, [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]], and ten times larger than the third, [[Glasgow]], and dominates the economic, political and social life of the nation. It's full of excellent bars, galleries, museums, parks and theatres. It is also the most culturally and ethnically diverse part of the country, and arguably of the whole of Europe as well, making it a great multicultural city to visit. Samuel Johnson famously said, "when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life". Whether you are interested in ancient history, modern art, opera or underground raves, London has it all. ===The City and Westminster=== [[File:Clock Tower - Palace of Westminster, London - September 2006-2.jpg|thumb|The Elizabeth Tower is the iconic tower that is home to the bell known as 'Big Ben']] If you ask a Londoner where the centre of London is, you are likely to get a wry smile. This is because historically London was two cities: a commercial city and a separate government capital. The commercial capital was the [[London/City of London|City of London]]. This had a dense population and all the other pre-requisites of a medieval city: walls, a castle (The Tower of London), a cathedral (St Paul's), a semi-independent City government, a port and a bridge across which all trade was routed so Londoners could make money (London Bridge). About an hour upstream (on foot or by boat) around a bend in the river was the government capital ([[London/Westminster|Westminster]]). This had a church for crowning the monarch (Westminster Abbey) and palaces. As each palace was replaced by a larger one, the previous one was used for government, first the Palace of Westminster (better known as the Houses of Parliament), then Whitehall, then Buckingham Palace. The two were linked by a road called The "Strand", the old English word for "riverbank". London grew both west and east. The land to the west of the City (part of the parish of Westminster) was prime farming land ([[London/Covent Garden|Covent Garden]] and [[London/Soho|Soho]] for example) and made good building land. The land to the east was flat, marshy and cheap, good for cheap housing and industry, and later for docks. Also the wind blows 3 days out of 4 from west to east, and the Thames (into which the sewage went) flows from west to east. So the [[London/Leicester Square|West End]] was up-wind and up-market, the [[London/East End|East End]] was where people worked for a living. Modern-day London in these terms is a two-centre city, with the area in between known confusingly as the West End. ===Climate=== {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 8 | febhigh = 10 | marhigh = 13 | aprhigh = 16 | mayhigh = 19 | junhigh = 22 | julhigh = 24 | aughigh = 24 | sephigh = 20 | octhigh = 16 | novhigh = 12 | dechigh = 8 | janlow = 2 | feblow = 2 | marlow = 4 | aprlow = 5 | maylow = 8 | junlow = 11 | jullow = 13 | auglow = 14 | seplow = 11 | octlow = 8 | novlow = 5 | declow = 3 | janprecip = 52 | febprecip = 34 | marprecip = 42 | aprprecip = 45 | mayprecip = 47 | junprecip = 53 | julprecip = 38 | augprecip = 47 | sepprecip = 57 | octprecip = 62 | novprecip = 52 | decprecip = 54 | description = See the 5 day forecast for London at the [https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcpvj0v07 Met Office] }} [[Image:London Eye.JPG|thumb|300px|right|The view over the River Thames towards Westminster from the London Eye]] Despite having perhaps a fair reputation for being unsettled, London enjoys a mild climate on average. As much as one in three days on average will bring rain, though sometimes for only a short period. In some years, 2012 and 2018 being examples, there was no rain for a number of weeks. The fact that Londoners would find this remarkable should be an indication to visitors from drier climates of what they may be in for! Extreme weather is rare. Occasionally there may be heavy rain that can bring localised flooding or strong winds that may down trees and damage roofs, but overall you are unlikely to encounter anything too lively. ===== Winter ===== Winter in London is mild compared to nearby continental European cities due to both the presence of the Gulf Stream and the urban heat effect. The average daily maximum temperature is 8°C (46°F) in December and January. The coldest temperature recorded in London stands at −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) and was recorded at Northolt during January 1962, but this occurred during one of the coldest winters ever experienced in the UK. Daylight hours decrease after the Summer Solstice, with darkness falling at 15:00 in December. Days continue to be short until March when sunset starts to occur after 19:00. Snow does occur, usually a few times a year but rarely heavily (a few years being exceptions such as the winters of 2009 and 2010, with temperatures dipping down to sub-zeros regularly). Snow in London can be crippling, as seen at the end of 2010. Just 7&nbsp;cm (3&nbsp;in) of snow will cause trains to stop running, airports to see significant delays, and the postal service to come to a halt. London is a city which does not cope well with snow; walkways, stairs, and streets will not be cleared by shovels or ploughs. The streets will be salted/gritted, but will remain slick and snow/slush covered until the sun melts it away. This is due to a lack of widespread snow-clearing infrastructure as the city does not often see snow. ===== Spring ===== Spring in the capital can be something of a weather rollercoaster with big variations in temperature day by day. It can be a very wet time of year, but the increases in day length from March onwards and steady temperature increases as the season progresses can make it a pleasant time to visit. Days can be mild and warm, but the temperature will often dip at night as the sun's warmth dissipates. The beginning of spring in March can be as cold as winter, so be sure to bring something warm to wear! ===== Summer ===== Summer is perhaps the best season for tourists as it has long daylight hours as well as mild to warm temperatures. The average daily high temperatures in July and August are around 24°C (75°F). The highest temperature ever seen in London stands at 38.1°C (100.6°F), which was recorded on 10 August 2003 at Kew Gardens. Humidity across the city can increase and stay high over the course of several days and nights, leading to unexpectedly muggy conditions. Also, upon occasion, clouds of dust from storms in the Sahara desert can be blown across Europe and lead to increases in pollution levels. Despite the increased warmth, the weather in summer can be variable. Occasional prolonged instances of rain and unexpected dips in temperature can occur. If you're coming during the summer it is still advised to dress in layers and bring some waterproofs! ===== Autumn ===== Autumn in London can vary from year to year: In some years September and October can see temperatures not far below those seen in summer due to a phenomenon known as an "Indian summer", but in other years the temperature can decrease rapidly to winter levels and stay there. Autumn tends to be the wettest and windiest season but, again, this can vary from year to year. Day length at the beginning of autumn is near that of summer, meaning that a September trip can still be as easy to plan as an August one as there's plenty of daylight to work with. Mid-autumn is a wonderful time to wander one of London's many tree-filled parks as the leaves fade from green to gold. Another benefit of a September trip is that children return to school at the beginning of the month, meaning that some tourist attractions are quieter. It's best to see autumn in London as being like a box of chocolates: You never know what you're going to get! ===Tourist information centres=== London has no centrally located tourist information centre. The City of London Information Centre, as the last remaining information centre in any of the Central London boroughs, is now the only impartial, face-to-face source of tourist information in Central London. It is located in St. Paul's Churchyard, next to St. Paul's Cathedral, and is open Fridays & Saturdays 10AM–4PM (check the website for updates). * {{listing | name=City of London Information Centre | alt= | url=https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/city-information-centre | email= | address=St. Paul's Churchyard, EC4M 8BX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7332 3456 | tollfree= | hours=F-Sa: 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content= }} There is no office for tourist information for the UK or for England. However, as of 2022, Transport for London maintains four small visitor centres at certain arrival points ([https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/getting-around-london/visitor-centres see TfL website]) which offer advice on key attractions, how to travel on the TfL network, buying tickets, etc. * {{listing | name=Piccadilly Circus | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Piccadilly Circus Tube station | phone= | tollfree= | hours=F-Sa: 9AM-4:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Victoria Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=opposite platform 8 at Victoria rail station | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa: 9AM-4:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content= }} * {{listing | name=King's Cross & St Pancras International | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Kings Cross & St Pancras Tube station | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa: 9AM-4:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Liverpool Street | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Liverpool Street Tube station | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Th: 9AM-4:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content= }} ==Talk== As one would expect of the capital of England, English is the main language spoken in London. Accents, however, do vary from '''Received Pronunication''' (RP), also known as the '''Queen's English''', that is spoken by the upper-class residents of Westminster, to the distinctive '''Cockney''' accent spoken by the working-class residents of the East End. As London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world that is home to immigrants from all over the former [[British Empire]], a new accent, known as '''Multicultural London English''' (MLE) has developed among younger Londoners who grew up with this cultural diversity. MLE has a Cockney base, but also incorporates noticeable influences from South Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, and is often regarded as the most representative accent of modern British society. Many languages from all around the world are spoken by first generation immigrants in London. For instance, [[Chinese phrasebook|Mandarin]] and [[Cantonese phrasebook|Cantonese]] are commonly spoken in Chinatown and other neighbourhoods with large numbers of ethnic Chinese residents, and numerous South Asian languages such as [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]], [[Urdu phrasebook|Urdu]], [[Punjabi phrasebook|Punjabi]] and [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]] are spoken among the various South Asian communities. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|51.48|-0.12|zoom=8}} {{Mapshapes|Q20075}} <!-- Underground --> {{Mapshapes|Q746021}} <!-- Overground --> ===By plane=== [[Image:London airport links map.png|240px|thumb|Summary map of rail connections to London airports]] London receives more flights than any other city in the world. It is served by six airports ({{IATA|LON}} for all airports). Travelling between the city and the airports is made relatively easy by the many public transport links. If transiting through London, check the arrival and departure airports carefully as transfers across the city may be quite time consuming. Other regional UK airports are conveniently accessible from London. They offer a growing number of budget flights, which may be faster, depending on where in London your destination is. Avoid changing money at the airports - their exchange rates are poor. You can probably use your bank card or get cash from an ATM to pay for the ride into town. If you have pounds sterling from a previous trip, beware that UK banknotes may have changed, see [[United Kingdom#Money]] for details. [http://nationalexpress.com/ National Express] offers direct inter-airport coach service between Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton at least hourly. Heathrow-Gatwick takes around 65 min (from £20). Services between Stansted and Luton run every two hours. It's essential to allow leeway, as London's motorways are often congested to the point of gridlock. Some of these coaches have toilets on board. ====London Heathrow==== [[Image:Heathrow rail links.png|thumb|220px|Rail and Tube lines go to different terminals at Heathrow]] {{main|Heathrow Airport}} {{go | name=Heathrow Airport | alt={{IATA|LHR}} | url=https://www.heathrow.com/ | email= | address= | lat=51.47146 | long=-0.45351 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q8691 | content=London's largest airport and the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger movements, with services available from most major airports world-wide. More than 77 million passengers used Heathrow Airport during the period of Jul 2016 to Jun 2017. }} Here's a quick summary of transport options from Heathrow to central London: * {{go | name=Fastest: Heathrow Express rail | alt= | url=https://heathrowexpress.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Paddington Station - Heathrow 1, 2, 3 & 5 | phone=+44 845 600 1515 | tollfree= | hours=Every 15 min, journey time 15 min | price=One way, adult prices: from £5.50 (90-day advance purchase, depending on the travel date), £22 (if purchased online), and £25 (purchased at the station). Round trip is £37. Contactless & Oyster are accepted, but not Travelcards | wikipedia=Heathrow Express | wikidata=Q1540080 | lastedit=2021-11-06 | content=These trains terminate at London Paddington. They are often not the fastest way to a final destination elsewhere in London. }} * {{go | name=Second fastest: Elizabeth Line | alt=Formerly Heathrow Connect and TfL Rail | url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/tfl-rail/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Paddington Station - Heathrow 2, 3, 4 & 5 | phone=+44 845 678 6975 | tollfree= | hours= | price=One way £10.40 (off peak)/£11.10 (peak). Contactless and Oyster are accepted, as well as Travelcards covering Zone 6 | wikipedia=Elizabeth line | wikidata=Q111297173 | lastedit=2021-11-06 | content=Requires a change for Terminal 5. Same route as Heathrow Express but stops at several stations to London Paddington so journey is 25 minutes and trains less frequent. TfL trains are poorly marked at the airport and at Paddington. Ask a TfL attendant how to get to the train from the airport. For the return trip, the train leaves from Paddington platform 12. }} * {{go | name=Cheapest: London Underground (Piccadilly line) | alt= | url=https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/route/piccadilly/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 845 330 9880 | tollfree= | hours=Every few minutes, journey time ~1 hour, depending on your destination | price=One way £3.30 (off-peak) to £5.30 (peak). Contactless and Oyster are accepted, as well as Travelcards covering Zone 6 | wikidata=Q207689 | lastedit=2021-11-06 | content=For the cheapest single fare ask for an ''[[London#Get around|Oyster]]'' card (£5 refundable deposit), or use a [[London#Contactless payment cards|contactless card]]. A Zone 1-6 Travelcard is valid. Trains for central London M-Sa 05:12-23:45; Su 05:12-23:28. When travelling from central London, some Piccadilly trains don't go to the airport. During the day trains are at least every 10 minutes and usually more frequent. Weekend engineering works can result in replacement buses being run in place of the trains - [https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-dlr-overground/status/ check with the Transport for London website beforehand]. }} * {{listing | name=London Bus N9 | alt=Heathrow Airport to Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=midnight-5AM | price=Flat fare of £1.50, accepts Oyster Card or Contactless Credit/Debit, but not cash | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content=Operates a service roughly following the Piccadilly Line into central London. Buses depart every 20 minutes and take ~1 hr 15 min to reach central London depending on traffic. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Taxi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A taxi ("black cab") from Heathrow to central London will cost £45-60. You may wish to consider taking a taxi if you have a lot of baggage or small children. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Pre-booked Mini Cab | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A booked sedan transfer from Heathrow to central London will cost £39-44. The fare is fixed, regardless of traffic conditions or route. There are dozens of companies serving Heathrow, just google 'heathrow minicab'. Once booked, the driver will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name in the arrivals area. Tipping when using minicabs is not required, although it is certainly welcome. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Also: to South London | alt= | url=http://southwesttrains.co.uk/SWTrains/TravelInformation/Network/_HeathrowFelthamBusLink.htm | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 845 748 4950 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=£2 single | content=Bus 285 or taxi to Feltham railway station (20 min) then a train to London Waterloo on the [[London/South Bank|South Bank]] or Clapham Junction in [[London/South|South West London]]. Bus X26 is an express route calling at Hatton Cross, Teddington Broad St., Kingston Wood St., Kingston Cromwell Rd., New Malden Fountain, Worcester Park, Queen Victoria, Cheam Broadway, Sutton Police Station, Carshalton High St., Wallington Green, East Croydon & West [[Croydon]] St Michaels bus station. Zone 1-6 Travelcard valid on all London buses and trains. }} * '''[https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking Airport Parking]'''. Heathrow Terminal 5 Parking. ====London Gatwick==== {{main|Gatwick Airport}} {{go | name=Gatwick Airport | alt={{IATA|LGW}} | url=http://www.gatwickairport.com/ | email= | address= | lat=51.1565 | long=-0.1634 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q8703 | lastedit=2015-11-09 | content=London's second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. It is split into a ''North Terminal'' and ''South Terminal''. The two terminals are linked by a free shuttle train (5 minutes). The British Rail train station is located in the South Terminal. }} Transport options into central London: * {{listing | type=go | name=By rail: Gatwick Express | url=http://gatwickexpress.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 845 850 1530 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Every 15 min, journey time 30-35 min | price=One way £19.90, round trip £33.20, for the cheapest fare visit their website | content=To London Victoria. Travelcard not valid. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By rail: Southern Railway | url=http://southernrailway.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 845 127 2920 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=At least every 15 min, journey time 35-40 min | price=Much cheaper than Gatwick Express - £13.50 (cheaper if booked in advance) | content=To London Victoria via Clapham Junction (same route as ''Gatwick Express'' - but with intermediate stops). }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By rail: Thameslink | url=http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 871 200 2233 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Much cheaper than Gatwick Express - about £10 (they occasionally have advance tickets priced at half that) | content=To London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, St Pancras International, Luton Airport and further north. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By bus: easyBus | alt= | url=http://easybus.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Every 15-20 min, journey time 60-90 min | price=One-way prices start from £2. Book online | content=To Earl's Court/West Brompton. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By bus: National Express | url=http://nationalexpress.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Every 30 min, journey time 75-110 min | price=One-way prices start from £7. Book online | content=To London Victoria. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By Minicab | url=http://www.superminicab.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7505 616915 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Journey time 90-120 min | price=~ £70 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By car | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content={{mi|29}}. Follow the M23 (London), then the A23 (Central London). }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By cycle | url=http://sustrans.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=There is a long-distance cycle path into Central London, but as it involves an indirect route, going over the North Downs and through South-East London, it will likely be quite a ride. For adventurous people. }} ====London Stansted==== {{main|London Stansted Airport}} [[File:Stansted Airport Main Entrance - geograph.org.uk - 321201.jpg|thumb|The terminal at Stansted Airport]] {{go | name=Stansted Airport | alt={{IATA|STN}} | url=https://www.stanstedairport.com/ | email= | address=Bassingbourn Rd, Stansted CM24 1QW | lat=51.885 | long=0.235 | directions=Located just off the M11 motorway by exiting at Junction 8a if approaching from the London side or Junction 8 from the Cambridge side, then follow the directional signs to the airport. | phone=+44 808 169 7031 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q8709 | lastedit=2019-04-26 | content=London's third airport is {{mi|30}} northeast of the city halfway to [[Cambridge (England) | Cambridge]]. It's dominated by the low-cost airlines, especially [http://ryanair.com Ryanair], with lots of flights from continental Europe but little beyond or within the UK. The easiest way to reach it is by train, on the frequent [http://stanstedexpress.com Stansted Express] from Liverpool Street Station, taking 50 min and costing £18 (March 2019). From some parts of the city it's cheaper and just as quick to take the Underground to Tottenham Hale and join the Express there. There are also buses from Victoria, Liverpool Street, Stratford, King's Cross and other parts of London, taking up to 2 hours and costing £10 (March 2019). For more on flights, transport, and tips on using the terminal, see the main article about the airport. }} ====London Luton==== {{go | name=London Luton Airport | alt={{IATA|LTN}} | url=http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/ | email= | address= | lat=51.8794 | long=-0.3760 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q8712 | lastedit=2019-04-18 | content=London's fourth airport, 35 miles north of the city, is a major hub for the budget airlines [http://easyjet.com easyJet], [http://ryanair.com Ryanair] and [http://wizzair.com Wizz Air], and for charter flights by [http://www.tui.co.uk/ Tui]. This means it particularly feels the peaks and troughs of holiday travel: Easter here can be chaotic. Most flights are from elsewhere in Europe, plus a few from Tel Aviv, the Gulf states and Red Sea resorts. UK flights are from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Belfast. See below for transport, and allow extra time because there is major construction work (as of Nov 2021). Consider printing your boarding pass even if it's on your phone, as mobile/Wifi coverage is scratchy within the terminal building. }} '''Transport to & from London''' is described below. For transport between airport and Luton and other nearby towns, and to other London airports, see '''[[Luton]]'''. '''By rail''' takes an hour altogether. The airport station is '''Luton Airport Parkway''' a mile from the terminal, linked by shuttle bus. There are Thameslink [http://nationalrail.co.uk/ trains] to central London every 10-15 min daytime and hourly through the night. They reach London St Pancras within 30 min, mostly continuing across the city to Blackfriars, London Bridge, Brighton and other places in Kent. (Slow trains take 40 min.) Single fare £15-18, return £26. The shuttle bus costs £2.40 single or £3.80 return and can be paid by cash or contactless. If your ticket is to or from "Luton Airport" rather than Parkway, it's already included in the price. Coming out from London, the train will be bound for Luton town (the next stop down the line) or Bedford. Oyster cards are ''not'' valid for this station, so use contactless or buy a ticket. If you fancy saving the bus fare, you can walk from Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport, with fully-paved footpaths the whole way. The quickest way is to use the Platform 4 exit (Kimpton Road) and proceed along Airport Way (1 mile exactly, 20 min). '''By bus''' takes 90 min, more in rush hour, but may be quicker than train for destinations in north London. The bus station is just outside Arrivals. '''[http://www.greenline.co.uk/ Green Line]''' Bus 757 runs between to London Victoria every 30 mins daytime and hourly through the night. Stops include Brent Cross, Finchley Road and Baker Street. Tickets online are £11 single, £17 return valid 3 months; or pay the driver. '''[http://nationalexpress.com/ National Express]''' Bus A1 runs to London Victoria, stopping at Golders Green, Frognal, Finchley Rd, St Johns Wood, Baker St and Marble Arch. It runs every 20 min daytime, hourly through the night. Bus A2 runs to London Paddington via the same stops. Demand-led pricing, with low online "teaser" fares, but real-world fares are similar to Greenline. '''By car:''' all the major rental agencies have desks in arrivals, pre-book online for best deals and to ensure availability. There's a mix of on-airport and off-site parking nearby, though access is clogged by construction work. For London and the south, follow signs along A1081 to join M1 at jcn 11, and from there it's 10 min to the M25 junction. Continue on M1 for Brents Cross and city centre or join M25 for east or west; depending on traffic it'll take between 90 min and the rest of your life. ====London City Airport==== [[File:London City Airport Zwart.jpg|thumb|London City Airport]] {{go | name=London City Airport | alt={{IATA|LCY}} | url=http://www.londoncityairport.com/ | email= | address= | lat=51.5038 | long=0.0495 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q8982 | lastedit=2021-11-06 | content=London's fifth largest airport. A commuter airport 11&nbsp;km (6.9 miles) east of the City's financial district and a short distance from Canary Wharf. It specialises in short-haul business flights from other major European cities. There are also routes from holiday destinations including [[Ibiza]], [[Malaga]], [[Mallorca]], and [[Nice]]. }}. Plane tickets are marginally more expensive than London's other airports. But you may find that this can be your cheapest London airport to fly to, especially if you add in transfer costs from outlying airports. The airport has its own station on the Woolwich Arsenal branch of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Minimum check-in time for most airlines is around 30 minutes, with some offering 15-minute check-in deadlines. Queues for security can be long at peak business times. Touchdown to the DLR (including taxi, disembarkation, immigration, and baggage reclaim) can be as fast at 5 minutes, although 15 minutes is normal. To get to the city centre the following options exist: * {{listing | type=go | name=By Docklands Light Railway (DLR) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Travelcard valid | content=The DLR runs to Bank, Stratford, and Canary Wharf stations, among others. You can change to the London Underground's Jubilee line at Canning Town which heads to Canary Wharf and then on into central London. }} **''For further information about the DLR, see this article's [[London#Get around|Get around]] section.'' * {{listing | type=go | name=By taxi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Journey time approximately 30 min | price=£20-35 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=By car | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content={{mi|6}}. Journeys can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour depending on traffic. Follow signs for The City (A13). }} ====London Southend Airport==== * {{listing | type=go | name=London Southend Airport | alt={{IATA|SEN}} | url=http://www.southendairport.com/ | email=enquiries@stobartair.com | address= | lat=51.570278 | long=0.693333 | directions= | phone=+44 1702 608100 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=London Southend Airport | image=Southend Airport terminal building 02.jpg | wikidata=Q1415441 | content=[[Southend]] airport receives flights from a small range of seasonal destinations in Southern Europe with easyJet. The airport has its own railway station "Southend Airport", and is served by trains to Liverpool Street, via [[London/East|Stratford]] by trains 17 hours a day. There are up to 8 trains an hour, depending on the time of day. The station is 200 m from the terminal building. A journey time of 55-65 min. Travelcard not valid. If you're driving into Central London, follow signs for London (A127), then (A130), and finally (A13). }} ===By train=== : ''Wikivoyage has a guide to [[Rail travel in Great Britain]]'' London is the hub of the British rail network - every major city in mainland Britain has a frequent train service to the capital, and most of the smaller, provincial cities and large towns also have a direct rail connection to London of some sort - although the frequency and quality of service can vary considerably from place to place. Rail fares to London vary enormously from very cheap to prohibitively expensive - the golden rules are to book Advance tickets for a particular train time, don't travel into the city on Friday afternoons and Sundays, and avoid leaving buying tickets until the day of travel. There are three basic types of ticket, which are summarised below. Much of the advice applies to rail travel in general within the United Kingdom. * '''Anytime''' - travel on any train, any operator at any time, returning within one month with few restrictions. Very expensive however - on a long distance journey from Northern England or Scotland for example - an Anytime return ticket to London won't leave you with any change out of £250! * '''Off-peak''' - travel on certain trains within a specific time-frame; again returning within one month. Typically this excludes anything that arrives into London during the morning rush hour (before 10:00 typically), or any train which departs during evening rush hour (16:30-18:30). Weekends generally carry no restrictions on the use of Off-Peak tickets. There are however, a monumentally complex number of exceptions for which Off-Peak tickets are and aren't valid which are barely fathomable to the British, never mind overseas visitors. If you are in any doubt at all about the validity of an Off-Peak ticket, ask a guard at the station or a ticket office ''before'' getting on a train - as on-train conductors can be notoriously unforgiving. '''Super Off-Peak''' tickets have further restrictions on the time at which they can be used and differ depending on the train operator. Again, ask at the ticket office or the guard ''before'' boarding the train. * '''Advance''' - travel on a specific day and train time, booked up to 12 weeks in advance either in person at a railway station, over the telephone, or online. Two Advance single tickets for the outward and return legs of the journey are generally cheaper than the Off-Peak return ticket. Better deals can often be had by going directly to the train operator's website. The earlier you book, the more you save - you can get down to as little as £12 one-way from Scotland for example, but these tickets are non-refundable, and cannot be used on anything other than the date, train time and operator that is printed on the reservation. Go on any other train and get caught and you will be obliged to pay the ''Anytime'' fare for the journey you are making - which, as we've said before, is hideously expensive! The local and commuter rail companies within the London and Home Counties area also have a bewildering array of special fares which are all in essence, variations of the Off-Peak ticket and are far too detailed to cover here - go directly to the website of the operator concerned for more information. If you only intend to use trains within the Greater London boundary, then the '''Oyster Card''' (explained below) is by far the easiest and cheapest option to use. Seats can be reserved for free on all long-distance trains to London - the reservation is always issued automatically with an Advance ticket, and with most Off-Peak and Anytime tickets bought on-line. If, for whatever reason you hold an Anytime or Off-Peak ticket and there is no seat reservation coupon, then it is highly recommended you get one from any railway station ticket office - if you want to avoid camping out in the vestibule for all or part of the journey! First Class is available on all long distance services to London, the standard of service varies from operator to operator, but in general you get a wider, more comfortable seat, free tea/coffee for the duration of the journey, and some sort of complimentary catering service. If can be great value if you get an Advance first-class fare, but it is extremely expensive otherwise, and to be honest - not really worth it. You can pay a Weekend supplement (generally £15-20) to sit in the first class section of the train on Saturdays and Sundays, - useful if the service you are on is hideously overcrowded - but you don't get the same catering service as during the week. If you are the holder of a [http://www.britrail.net/ Britrail] pass, things are simpler - reservations are not required. However, if you wish to be guaranteed a seat, rather than standing for a lengthy journey (trains can be very busy, especially at peak times) then you can make a seat reservation at any station. If you intend to use the overnight Sleeper trains to London, you will have to pay a berth supplement for every member of your party - provided there is berth availability on the train. ====Eurostar==== London St Pancras International station receives high-speed trains (operated by '''[http://eurostar.com Eurostar]''') from [[Paris]] (2 hr 15 min), [[Disneyland Paris]] (4 hr 21 min, most journeys require a change of train at Lille station), [[Brussels]] (1 hr 50 min), [[Amsterdam]] (3 hr 55 min), and a selection of [[France|French]] cities. It dives under the sea for 35&nbsp;km (22&nbsp;mi) via the Channel Tunnel. Despite being considered a significant part of the route, the train only passes through the Channel Tunnel for about half an hour and most of your journey will be spent above ground whizzing through the countryside. There are airport-style security checks prior to boarding. Although they're not as strict, leave ample time before your train departs for your belongings and yourself to be scanned and for your passport to be checked. Eurostar advises its customers to be at the security check at least 90 minutes ahead of departure for standard class, due to extra border controls caused by COVID restrictions and Brexit. Like all train services various fares are available depending on the time of day and how far you book in advance. There are three classes of ticket available: Business Premier (the most expensive), Standard Premier, and Standard. Seats are available both with tables and without and it's recommended to book far in advance if you require a table. If you are on a train direct to Disneyland Paris then Disney cast members will come through and speak to you about having your luggage transferred to your hotel so you can go pretty much straight into the parks. There are through tickets available even for places not served by Eurostar, for example [http://www.bahn.de Deutsche Bahn] offers tickets from any station in Germany to London with the final part of the trip on Eurostar at special prices from €59.90. ====Main London terminals==== [[File:Major railway stations of London map.svg|thumb|300px|Terminal stations of London.]] For domestic train services, there are 12 main line [http://nationalrail.co.uk/ ''National Rail''] terminals. With the exception of Fenchurch Street (Tube: Tower Hill) all of these stations are also on the London Underground with most being on the Circle line. When purchasing a ticket to or from London via National Rail's website you will normally just select "London (All Stations)" and the system will figure out which ones you can use. Clockwise starting at Paddington, major National Rail stations are: * {{go | name=London Paddington | alt= | url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/passengers/our-stations/london-paddington/ | email= | address=[[London/Paddington-Maida_Vale|Paddington-Maida Vale]] | lat=51.515556 | long=-0.175833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q214788 | lastedit=2020-11-30 | content=Serves South West England and [[Wales]] including Slough, [[Maidenhead]], [[Reading (England)|Reading]], [[Oxford]], [[Bath (England)|Bath]], [[Bristol]], [[Taunton (England)|Taunton]], [[Exeter]], [[Plymouth (England)|Plymouth]] and [[Cardiff]] and [[Swansea]]. Also the Central London terminus of the Heathrow Airport Express, and suburban rail services from [[Reading (England)|Reading]], [[Slough]] and parts of West London [[London/West|West London]]. }} * {{go | name=London Marylebone | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/MYB.aspx | email= | address=[[London/Marylebone|Marylebone]] | lat=51.522222 | long=-0.163056 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q649419 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves some north western suburban stations such as [[Amersham]], Harrow on the Hill and Wembley Stadium. Also serves [[Aylesbury]], [[High Wycombe]], [[Banbury]], [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] and the city of [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]]. It is much cheaper but slightly slower to take a train from Marylebone to Birmingham instead of a train from London Euston. }} * {{go | name=London Euston | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/EUS.aspx | email= | address=[[London/Camden|Camden]] | lat=51.5284 | long=-0.1331 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q800751 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves the Midlands, north-west England and west Scotland: [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]], [[Manchester]], [[Liverpool]], [[Chester]], Oxenholme [[Lake District National Park|Lake District]], [[Carlisle]], [[Glasgow]], and [[Holyhead]] for connecting ferries to/from both the [[Ireland|Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]]. Sleeper trains to Scotland leave from Euston. }} * {{go | name=London St. Pancras International | alt={{IATA|QQS}} | url=http://stpancras.com/ | email= | address=[[London/Camden|Camden]] | lat=51.53 | long=-0.125278 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q720102 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves [[Avignon]], [[Brussels]], [[Calais]], [[Lille]], [[Lyon]], [[Marseille]], [[Paris]] and [[Disneyland Paris]] on the European continent, as well as Luton Airport, Bedford, Brighton, [[Gatwick Airport]], several destinations in [[Kent]] and the [[East Midlands]]: [[Leicester]], [[Nottingham]], [[Derby]] and [[Sheffield]] back in the UK. }} * {{go | name=London King's Cross | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/KGX.aspx | email= | address=[[London/Camden|Camden]] | lat=51.530889 | long=-0.123306 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q219867 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves [[East Anglia]], north-east England and east Scotland: [[Cambridge (England)|Cambridge]], [[Doncaster]], [[Leeds]], [[York]], [[Kingston Upon Hull|Kingston upon Hull]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[Edinburgh]] and [[Aberdeen]]. Platform 9¾ from the Harry Potter books is marked with a special sign and a trolley half-pushed through the wall, although platform 9 is in the fairly unpleasant metallic extension used by Cambridge trains. }} * {{go | name=London Liverpool Street | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/LST.aspx | email= | address=[[London/City_of_London|City of London]] | lat=51.5186 | long=-0.0813 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q801124 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves [[East Anglia]]: [[Ipswich (England)|Ipswich]] and [[Norwich]]. Also the Central London terminus of the Stansted Airport Express. }} <!-- * {{marker|type=go|name=London Moorgate|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/MOG.aspx|lat=51.518189|long=-0.088717}}, serves some northern suburbs. --> * {{go | name=London Fenchurch Street | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/FST.aspx | email= | address=[[London/City_of_London|City of London]] | lat=51.511667 | long=-0.078611 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q800753 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves commuter towns north of the Thames estuary to [[Southend]]. }} * {{marker|type=go|name=London Bridge|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/LBG.aspx|wikidata=Q801125}}, {{marker|type=go|name=London Cannon Street|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/CST.aspx|wikidata=Q800615}}, {{marker|type=go|name=London Waterloo East|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/WAE.aspx|wikidata=Q685952}} and {{marker|type=go|name=London Charing Cross|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/CHX.aspx|wikidata=Q801128}}, serve south and south east London and England: [[Brighton (England)|Brighton]], [[Dover (England)|Dover]], [[Eastbourne]], [[Hastings (England)|Hastings]] and [[Ramsgate]]. * {{go | name=London Blackfriars | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/BFR.aspx | email= | address=[[London/City_of_London|City of London]] | lat=51.511667 | long=-0.103056 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q284195 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves Gatwick Airport and Brighton. }} * {{go | name=London Waterloo | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/WAT.aspx | email= | address=[[London/South_Bank|South Bank]] | lat=51.5031 | long=-0.1132 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q795691 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves south west London and southern England: [[Portsmouth]], [[Winchester (England)|Winchester]], [[Southampton]], [[Bournemouth]], [[Weymouth]], [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and Exeter. }} * {{go | name=London Victoria | alt= | url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/VIC.aspx | email= | address=[[London/Westminster|Westminster]] | lat=51.495005 | long=-0.143577 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q985210 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Serves south east London, Kent and Sussex Brighton, Dover, [[Eastbourne]], [[Hastings (England)|Hastings]] and [[Ramsgate]]. Also the Central London terminus of the Gatwick Airport Express. }} ===By coach=== Most international and domestic long distance coach (U.S. English: bus) services arrive at and depart from a complex of coach stations off Buckingham Palace Road in [[London/Westminster|Westminster]] close to London Victoria rail station. Virtually all services operate from {{marker|type=go|name=London Victoria Coach Station|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/coaches/victoria-coach-station|wikidata=Q279459}}, which has separate arrival and departure buildings. Some services by smaller operators may use the {{marker|type=go|name=Green Line Coach Station|url=|wikidata=Q5602825}} nearby. Listed below are the main coach operators. It is strongly recommended to book your travel in advance: fares can be much cheaper (even a day or two can make all the difference) and you avoid ticket office queues and potentially sold-out coaches. All large and many smaller coach operators allow passengers to show tickets on their mobile phone, and all will allow passengers to print tickets at home. ==== Domestic ==== * {{listing | name=National Express | url=http://nationalexpress.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 870 580 8080 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= By far the largest domestic coach operator and operates services throughout Great Britain. Fares are fairly low (although usually higher than Megabus): especially when booked in advance via the web. |alt=|wikidata=|wikipedia=|image=|lastedit=2017-06-30}} * {{listing | name=Megabus | url=http://uk.megabus.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 141 352 4444 (answered by Citylink) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Operates budget coach services between London and various other UK cities, and even to get to Inverness in the [[Scotland|Scottish]] Highlands. Fares are demand responsive but can be very cheap (£1.50 if you book far enough in advance). |alt=|wikidata=|wikipedia=|image=|lastedit=2017-06-30}} ==== International ==== * {{listing | name=Eurolines | url=http://eurolines.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 870 514 3219 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= An associate company of National Express, it runs coach services between London and various cities in [[Northern Ireland]], the [[Ireland|Republic of Ireland]] and continental Europe (with direct services extending as far as [[Bucharest]] in Romania). |alt=|wikidata=|wikipedia=|image=|lastedit=2017-06-30}} * {{Listing|name=Flixbus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+49 30 300 137 300|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2017-06-30|content=A German bus company which in 2016 took over Megabus services to and from continental Europe. Services from Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne.}} * {{Listing|name=OUIBUS|alt=|url=http://ouibus.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2017-06-30|content=A coach company owned by the SNCF (French Railways), competing on the routes from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. They offer newer coaches with plug sockets, Wi-Fi and reserved seating (which is especially useful for those travelling as a couple or group).}} * {{Listing|name=Sindbad|alt=|url=http://www.sindbad.pl/en|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+48 77 443 44 44|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2017-06-30|content=Coach services from cities throughout Poland from Victoria Coach Station.}} * {{Listing|name=RegioJet|alt=|url=https://www.regiojet.cz/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+420 841 101 101|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2017-06-30|content=(formerly Student Agency) A Czech operator with a daily service from Prague, departing from the Green Line Coach Station.}} ===By car=== London is the hub of the UK's road network and is easy to reach by car, even if driving into the centre of the city is definitely not recommended. Comparatively few people drive into (or anywhere near) the centre of London. The infamous M25 ring road did not earn its irreverent nicknames "The Road to Hell" and "Britain's biggest car park" for nothing. The road is heavily congested at most times of the day, and is littered with automatically variable speed limits which are enforced with speed cameras. Despite the controversial "congestion charge", driving a car anywhere near the centre of London remains a nightmare with crowded roads, impatient drivers and extortionate parking charges (if you can find a space in the first place, that is!) From Monday through Friday, though, parking in the City of London is free after 18:30; after 13:30 on Saturday and all day Sunday. Drivers can also use shared parking services such as [https://www.yourparkingspace.co.uk/ YourParkingSpace], [http://www.parkonmydrive.com/ Parkonmydrive] or [http://www.parkingspacerentals.co.uk/ Parkingspacerentals] to secure a parking space when none is available. ====Renting a car==== It is not necessary or advisable to travel by car within most of London, so one should only be considered for trips outside of or to the outer edges of the city. Even for these trips, you will likely find public transport to be cheaper and easier. Pay-as-you-go car rental companies operating around London include '''[https://www.drive-now.com/gb/en/london DriveNow]''', '''[http://www.sixt.co.uk/car-hire/united-kingdom/london Sixt]''' , '''[http://carclubs.org.uk/ Car Clubs]''' and '''[http://www.seasoncars.com Season Car Hire]'''. ====Roads==== Greater London is encircled by the '''M25 orbital motorway''', from which nearly all the major trunk routes to Scotland, Wales and the rest of England radiate. The most important are listed below. * '''M1:''' The main route to/from the North, leading from the East Midlands, Yorkshire and terminating at Leeds. Most importantly, Britain's longest motorway - the M6 - branches from the M1 at Rugby, leading to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, the Lake District and onwards to the Scottish border and ultimately Glasgow. * '''A1/A1(M)''' The A1 is the original, historic "Great North Road" between England and Scotland's capital cities and has largely been converted to motorway standard; it runs up the eastern side of Great Britain through Peterborough, York, Newcastle and continues north through Northumberland and the Scottish Borders to Edinburgh. * '''M40/A40:''' Arrives in London from a north westerly direction, linking the city with Oxford and providing an additional link from Birmingham. * '''M4:''' The principal route to/from the West - leading to Bath, Bristol, and cities in South Wales (Cardiff and Swansea). It is also the main route towards Heathrow Airport. * '''M3:''' The main route to London from the shipping port of Southampton. * '''M2/M20''': Together, these motorways are the main link to the coastal ferry (and Channel Tunnel) ports of Dover and Folkestone from Continental Europe. * '''M11''': The M11 connects Stansted Airport and Cambridge to London and terminates on the north-eastern periphery of the city. '''A roads''' are major roads which can vary in scale from local routes to major thoroughfares. * '''A10''': Begins at the Monument in central London and heads north through Islington, Hackney, Haringey, Enfield and then out of London into Hertfordshire and onto Cambridge. Connects to the M25 in Enfield. * '''A13''': Links central and east London with south Essex, terminating at Shoeburyness. It's one of two main roads, the other being the A127, that link London to the seaside resort of [[Southend-on-Sea]]. The road begins in Aldgate before passing through Limehouse, the Isle of Dogs, Canning Town, Silvertown, East Ham (where it connects with the A406), Dagenham, and Rainham (where it connects with the M25) where it heads out into Essex. =====A406 and A205===== The North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205) are two roads that are connected at the east end of the circle in North Woolwich by the Woolwich Free Ferry. The ferry runs approximately every 10–15 minutes and is free of charge, but has limited space and can get very busy at peak times. The ferry stops running after 22:00, so at night it's advisable to travel through Docklands and use the Blackwall Tunnel instead. * '''A406''' (North Circular Road): The A406 is a major road that passes through north London connecting east and west. It is a dual carriageway for most of its length and has direct connections with the M4, M40, M1 and M11 motorways as well as numerous other A roads. It is one of the main routes to '''[https://www.brentcross.co.uk/ Brent Cross Shopping Centre]''' and Wembley Stadium. * '''A205''' (South Circular Road): While the A406 is mostly a fast purpose-built road, the A205 was not fully built and instead incorporated local roads of varying width. Due to this it can become heavily congested, as well as having some notoriety with local people. The road picks up where the A406 terminates at the opposite end of the Woolwich Ferry and passes through Woolwich, Catford, Dulwich, Clapham, Wandsworth and Richmond. It re-joins the A406 at the Chiswick Roundabout. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|51.4762|-0.1016|height=280|width=350|zoom=9|show=mask,go|name=Map of Greater London}} {{Mapshape|type=page|wikicommons=London_Districts.map}} {{Mapshapes|Q20075}} <!--Tube--> {{Mapshapes|Q746021}} <!--Overground, not including East London Line for some reason--> <!--DLR, Tramlink, and TfL Rail don't display either--> The main travel options in summary are: *'''[[#By bus 2|By bus]]''': This is the cheapest and usually the best way to get around London as a tourist: on most of the Underground, you won't see anything! *'''[[#By Underground|By Tube / Underground]]''': 11 lines cover the central area and suburbs, run by TfL. *'''[[#By Overground|By Overground]]''' and the '''Elizabeth Line''': Urban rail systems, part of TfL's network. *'''[[#By train 2|By National Rail]]''': A complex network of suburban rail services, privately run and not part of the TfL network, although all operators now accept Oyster payments within Greater London. *'''[[#By_DLR|By Docklands Light Railway (DLR)]]''': An automatic metro system running from the City to East London via the Docklands, run by TfL. *'''[[#By_foot|By foot]]''': In central London, walking to the next Tube station often takes around 10 minutes, and is a more scenic choice than going underground. The street layout can be confusing, so a street map is essential; map and travel apps for smartphones and tablets are incredibly useful and many stations have central London printed maps for £2. *'''[[#By_boat|By boat]]''': Both commuter ferries run by TfL and pleasure cruises ply along the River Thames. Some services accept Oyster cards, but special fares apply, so check before you travel. *'''[[#By_bicycle|By bicycle]]''': There are hire bicycles (known to Londoners as "Boris Bikes" after former London mayor Boris Johnson) operated by TfL available for pick up in inner London. You will need a credit or debit card with a PIN. If you bring your own bike, there are plenty of cycle lanes and traffic is normally considerate. *'''[[#By_tram_(Tramlink)|By tram (Tramlink)]]''': A tram service that operates only in southern suburbs around Croydon, Wimbledon and Bromley. Run by TfL. ===By public transport=== [[File:London_Underground_Overground_DLR_Crossrail_map_zone.svg|thumb|1100px|Transport for London's rail network: the Tube, Overground, DLR, Trams, TfL Rail. The non-TfL National Rail network is not shown]] {{infobox|Transport maps|London is the home of the famous Tube map, and TfL produces some excellent maps to help you get around: * '''[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf Tube map]''', showing Underground, Overground, DLR, TfL Rail, Tramlink and cable car. * '''[https://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf Rail and Tube map]''', showing every rail service in Greater London. * '''[http://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-night-tube-map.pdf Night Tube map]''', showing which Tube and Overground lines run all night on Fridays and Saturdays. * Bus maps include '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/maps_/bus-spider-maps "spider maps"]''' by route and borough and a simplified map showing '''[http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf key bus routes and visitor attractions]''' in central London. * '''[http://content.tfl.gov.uk/river-services-map.pdf River buses]''' - great if you're near the Thames. * '''[http://content.tfl.gov.uk/toilets-map.pdf Toilets on the Tube]''' - a map of every TfL station with a public lavatory. }} London has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world. Despite residents' perpetual (and sometimes justified) grumbling about unreliability, public transport is often the best option for getting anywhere for visitors and residents alike. In central London use a combination of the transport options listed below - and check your map: in many cases, you can easily walk from one place to another or use the buses. Public transportation shuts down early on Christmas Eve, and all day on Christmas Day. '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/ Transport for London (TfL)]''' is a government organisation responsible for all public transport. Their website contains maps plus an excellent '''[http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk journey planner]'''. TfL publishes a useful [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/london-visitor-guide.pdf 'coping guide'] specially designed for travellers who wish to use public transport during their visit to London. TfL also offers a 24-hour travel information line, charged at a premium rate: tel +44 843 222 1234 (or text 60835) for suggestions on getting from A to B, and for up to the minute information on how services are running. Fortunately for visitors (and indeed residents) there is a single ticketing system, Oyster, which enables travellers to switch between modes of transport on one ticket. You must have a '''valid ticket''' at all times when travelling by bus, tram or train in London. If you can't show a valid ticket or a validated Oyster card you will have to pay a Penalty Fare, which is usually £40 (increased to £80 if it isn't paid within 21 days). ''Always'' buy your ticket before you get on the train. If using an Oyster Card, ensure that you touch in and out on a yellow reader before and after travelling by Tube or train, even if there are no barriers or they are left open. There are four types of tickets you can buy: the Oyster card (a contactless electronic smartcard), Travelcards (which exist both in paper form or can be loaded on your Oyster card), contactless debit or credit cards, and paper tickets. Paper tickets are significantly more expensive than paying by Oyster card or contactless card. ====Oyster cards==== [[File:Oyster Card.jpg|thumb|Oyster Card]] '''[http://oyster.tfl.gov.uk Oyster]''' is a contactless electronic smartcard run by Transport for London. Unless you have a contactless credit or debit card, Oyster is the most cost-effective option if you plan to be in London for any more than a couple of days, or if you intend to make return visits to the city: the savings quickly recover the initial purchase cost. You can buy an Oyster card from any Tube station for a deposit of £5. You can "top up" an Oyster card with electronic funds at ticket machines or shops displaying the "Oyster" logo. This money is then deducted according to where you travel. The cost of a single trip using the Oyster card is considerably less than buying a single paper ticket with cash. Prices vary depending on the distance travelled, whether by bus or Tube, and on the time of day. You can also add various electronic seven-day, 1 month and longer-period Travelcards onto an Oyster, and the card is simply validated each time you use it. The deposit is ''[https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/replacements-and-refunds/oyster-pay-as-you-go-credit-no-longer-needed fully refundable]''; if you have less than £10 credit on your card, you can claim an instant refund of the credit and deposit at some ticket machines after 48 hours of purchase of your Oyster card. Station staff will assist you if necessary. However, your Oyster card, and the credit on it, never expires, so keep it around in case you return to London. Be prepared to give your signature on receipts or even show ID for refunds over a few pounds. You can sign up for [https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/using-your-online-account contactless and Oyster account]. This will allow you to track your journeys and make refund claims for incomplete journeys. '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card Visitor Oyster card]''' is a version of the normal Oyster card targeted to travellers. This version of the Oyster card can be purchased from some travel agents outside London and overseas or ordered by mail. This card can also be sent back to TfL by mail after a trip to London to claim a refund for the unused balance. Visitor Oyster cards come pre-charged with pay-as-you-go credit: in increments from £10 to £50. The card itself costs £5 plus postage. With a Visitor Oyster card you can also get [https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/experience-london/special-offers some discounts] in various venues across the city. If you have a '''National Railcard''', such as the 16-25 Railcard or the Senior Railcard, you can register this with your Oyster card at a Tube station (members of staff near ticket machines can do this) to receive a 33% discount on off-peak pay-as-you-go fares. =====Validity of your Oyster===== Oyster is valid on all red London buses, and almost all trains in London: a list of destinations is available on the [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf London Tube and Rail Services map]. Oyster is ''not'' valid on buses or trains outside London: if you need to travel beyond the stations on the map, you will have to pay for a paper ticket. Oyster is also not accepted on long-distance coaches, tour buses, or charter buses. Also, Oyster ''cannot'' be used on the Heathrow Express. The following table summarises the validity of the different tickets you can use on Oyster. For most tourists, the Tube, trains, and buses are the only transport you will use, but Oyster is not valid at all on airport express trains to Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted or Southend. However, Oyster ''is'' valid on the Piccadilly Underground line to Heathrow Airport. {| class="wikitable" |- ! ! bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |Bus ! bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |Tram ! bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |London Underground ! bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |London Overground ! bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |National Rail<br><small>(within London)</small> ! bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |DLR ! bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |Airport Express trains |- | bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |'''Pay-as-you-go''' | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FFB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#FEB5B5" |no |- | bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |'''Travelcard''' | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#FEB5B5" |no |- | bgcolor="#EBEBEB" |'''Bus & Tram pass''' | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#B5FEB5" |yes | bgcolor="#FEB5B5" |no | bgcolor="#FEB5B5" |no | bgcolor="#FEB5B5" |no | bgcolor="#FEB5B5" |no | bgcolor="#FEB5B5" |no |} =====Using your Oyster===== [[File:Oyster-Reader.jpg|thumb|Oyster card reader]] When using your Oyster card to travel, make sure the reader is displaying an orange light, then place it flat against the reader. A single beep and a green light mean your card has been accepted, and you can proceed. Two beeps and a red light mean your card has not been accepted. Take the card off the reader, wait for the orange light, and try again; if this continues to happen, ask for help from a member of staff. Don't try to insert your Oyster card into the slot at the ticket gates! When getting on '''any kind of train''', you must touch your Oyster card on the yellow circular reader ''at the start and end of your journey''. At stations with ticket gates, these readers will be on the right-hand side of the gates. In the outlying parts of the city there are no entry or exit gates at some stations. In this case, the readers are on free-standing cabinets next to entrances/exits. Failing to touch out when you leave a station will result in you being charged a '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/maximum-fares maximum fare]''' for your journey, since the system doesn't know which station you left from. The maximum fare is between £5.40 and £14.20, and depends on the station where you started your journey. Usually you will not need to touch your Oyster card on a reader when '''changing trains'''. However, some stations have ''pink Oyster'' "route validators" on the platforms: if you are getting off one train and getting onto another at one of these stations, touch your Oyster on the pink reader so that the system charges you the right fare for the route you have taken. There are a few other situations where you might have to touch out when changing trains. When using a London '''bus or a tram''', touch in ''once'' when getting on. ''Don't'' touch out when you get off the bus or you will be charged twice. Most buses have their Oyster reader next to the driver. Trams and some buses have Oyster readers on poles next to the doors. You can make a '''change to another bus or a tram''' [https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares/bus-and-tram-fares#on-this-page-0 free of charge] during one hour. You'll still have to touch your Oyster on the 2nd bus or tram, but no money will be deducted then. Like with bus journeys, fare caps apply to Tube, DLR, and zone 1-6 travel on National Rail services. If you use a combination of Tube, zone 1-6 railway, and bus journeys in a day, the Tube's fare caps (based on the farthest zone you travelled to) will apply to all your journeys for that day. Contactless credit or debit cards or other RFID identity '''cards may interfere with your Oyster''' if you keep them in the same wallet. This usually results in an error message but may mean you get charged the full fare from your contactless credit or debit card instead. Be careful standing near the readers on some buses - they are often quite sensitive and may read your card from several centimetres away, even if you did not intend this. It is best to remove the card from the wallet or purse it is in. =====Pay-as-you-go (PrePay) with your Oyster===== You can top up your Oyster card with cash at any Tube station ticket machine or ticket office (you can use a credit card if it has a PIN) with Oyster pay-as-you-go, also known as PrePay. Money is then deducted from your Oyster card each time you travel. When travelling by train, the fare is calculated based on where you started and ended your journey. ''Pay-as-you-go is much cheaper than paying by cash for each journey.'' For instance, a cash fare on the Tube in Zone 1 costs £4.70, while with an Oyster Card it costs £2.40. Bus fares are flat and you will be charged the same fare every time you get on the bus, regardless of distance. The amount of Oyster credit deducted from your card in one day is capped at the cost of the equivalent day Travelcard for the journeys you have made. This means that on a day-to-day basis, you will always get the best fares when using Oyster pay-as-you-go. If you travel by bus only, your total fares are capped at £4.40 each day: this makes bus travel very good value in central London if you are making lots of journeys. ====Travelcards==== A [https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/how-to-pay-and-where-to-buy-tickets-and-oyster/travelcards-and-group-tickets Travelcard] gives you unlimited travel on trains within the relevant zones, and unlimited travel on all red London buses, even outside the zones of your Travelcard. You can have your Travelcard loaded onto your Oyster, or you can have it as a paper ticket. For periods longer than 7 days, you will usually need to register your Oyster card or provide some form of photographic I.D. Especially for the Zone 1-2 tickets, the paper Day Travelcard is substantially more expensive than the maximum Oyster fare, Therefore, an Oyster card will generally offer much better value. <!-- (£12 vs. £6.40). --> For an up-to-date and comprehensive list of fares, see [https://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/ TfL's website]. <!-- The prices below are adult prices and were correct as of 2018 : {| class="wikitable" |- ! Zones !! Day Travelcard !! Day Travelcard (off-peak) !! 7 Day Travelcard !! Monthly Travelcard !! Annual Travelcard |- | 1-2 || £12.70 || £12.70 || £34.10 || £131.00 || £1,364 |- | 1-4 || £12.70 || £12.70 || £49.00 || £188.20 || £1,960 |- | 1-6 || £18.10 || £12.70 || £62.30 || £239.30 || £2,492 |} --> If you are using Oyster and travel beyond the zones of your Travelcard, you will be charged an extension fare from your pay-as-you-go credit when you touch out at your destination. If you are using a paper Travelcard and need to travel beyond your zones, you have to get off at the boundary of your last valid zone and buy a ticket for the rest of your journey. ====Contactless payment cards==== Contactless credit/debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay can be used to [https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless/what-are-contactless-payment-cards pay fares] anywhere Oyster is accepted. Most Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus or American Express cards issued outside the UK are accepted. Some pre-paid cards may work as well. Some cards such as Visa contactless cards issued in the United States will not work. When you enter a station or get on the bus, touch the card against the yellow validation reader as if it were an Oyster card. The price is the same as with an Oyster card. The price per day is automatically capped at the price of a day ticket. You also avoid the queues at ticket machines, the £5 deposit for an Oyster card, and you never have to top it up. A Travelcard can not be loaded onto a contactless card. The same card cannot be used by two or more different passengers. Using a contactless card as a visitor from abroad may be tricky though. Your bank may ask for additional confirmations, so TfL may suspend accepting a card until you release a pending payment. Also sometimes you may end up with an unfinished journey even though you've touched an exit gate probably because a card may require a bit longer to process after a gate is opened. Keep your card at a reader until the gate opens fully. You can sign up for a [https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/using-your-online-account contactless and Oyster account] to check for these issues. ====Paper tickets==== It's still possible to pay for a journey by a [https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/ways-to-pay/paper-tickets?intcmp=11507 paper single or return ticket]. However, this only makes sense if you take perhaps two to three journeys on public transport during your trip to London as they cost significantly more (roughly double the cost) in comparison with the other means of payment. Day Travelcards, One-Day Bus & Tram passes and season tickets can also be purchased in paper. ===By Underground=== [[Image:Central London tube map.png|thumb|450px|Geographic Central London Underground map]] [[File:Euston Square tube station MMB 01.jpg|thumb|London Underground stations are identified with signs like these, and Overground stations have a similar symbol with an orange circle. [[Rail travel in the United Kingdom|National Rail]] stations have a different "double-arrow" symbol.]] The '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/tube/ London Underground]''', known popularly as '''the Tube''' due to its tube-like tunnels drilled through the London clay, is a network of 11 lines which criss-cross London in one of the largest underground rail networks in the world. It was also the first: the oldest section, from Paddington to Farringdon, opened as the Metropolitan Railway in 1863. The Tube is an easy method of transport even for new visitors to London and is equivalent to subway and metro systems in other world cities. The routes operated by the London Underground fall into 2 broad types: the older "sub-surface" lines, encompassing the Metropolitan, District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, date from the 19th century. The "deep level" routes were largely constructed in the early-to-mid-20th century. The sub-surface lines are usually accessed by walking down a short set of stairs, whereas the deep-level lines are accessed by a complicated network of escalators or lifts. It is the deep lines which are served by the iconic tube-shaped trains which, despite their small size, can only just fit through the tunnels. However, the deep-level trains do not have air conditioning, which can make them unbearably hot in the summer. Each line has stations with interesting architectural and artistic features typical of the era they were opened. As you travel around the network, look out for Victorian finery, Edwardian glazed tiles, smooth Art Deco symmetry, and striking modern masterpieces. Various conservation pieces are also present, such as the heritage 1900s station name roundel sign at Caledonian Road on the westbound platform. Trains on most days and on most lines run from around 05:30 to around 01:00. They are usually the fastest way to travel in London, the only problem being the relative expense and the fact that they can get extremely crowded during rush hours (07:30-10:00 and 16:30-19:00). There is no air conditioning on the deep-level trains. [http://tfl.gov.uk TfL's website] has a page notifying of tracking delays, closures, and planned engineering works, which you should check if you plan to travel on a Saturday or a Sunday, when entire lines may be shut down due to engineering works. If you're travelling around central London then taking the Tube for just one stop can be a waste of time. For example, to travel between Leicester Square and Covent Garden stations takes over 10 minutes on the Tube, despite the two stations being only a few minutes walk apart. This is especially true since the walk from a Tube station entrance to the platform at some central stations can be extensive. The Tube map also gives no information on London's extensive bus network, or any of its National Rail network except for Thameslink. For more information see the [[#By foot|'By foot' section]]. ====Night Tube==== The [https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/tube-improvements/what-we-are-doing/night-tube?cid=nighttube '''Night Tube'''], introduced in 2016, is a limited 24-hour Tube service that operates on certain lines on Fridays and Saturdays. Night Tube fares are the same as the off-peak fares during the day. Day Travelcards are valid on the day they were issued (using the date printed on the card) and for journeys starting before 4:30AM the following day. For example, if you buy a Day Travelcard at 11AM on Friday, you can use it until 4:29AM on the following Saturday. Daily capping on Oyster cards and contactless payment cards also applies. As of April 2022, the Night Tube runs on the following lines (it ''used'' to run on some other lines, but this has been curtailed due to the coronavirus). Also note that until June 2022, there are strikes that can affect the Night Tube service for the Central and Victoria lines, which the former likely to be more severe. * '''Central line''': Trains run approximately every 10 minutes between White City and Leytonstone, and approximately every 20 minutes on the Ealing Broadway to White City, and Leytonstone to Loughton/Hainault sections. There is no service between North Acton and West Ruislip, Loughton and Epping, and Woodford and Hainault. * '''Victoria line''': Trains run every 10 minutes on average along the entire line. * '''London Overground:''' Trains run every 15-20 minutes on average between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate. ====Ticketing==== Travel on the Tube system will always require the purchase of a ticket or the use of an Oyster card or contactless payment card if you have one; fare evasion is treated as a serious matter and will get you a fine. Single tickets are charged at two rates, depending on the payment method. Cash fares and single Oyster fares are zonal, Zones 1-2 being between any two stations in those zones. There are additional fares payable for zones beyond 9, but these are mostly outside what is considered London. Paper travelcards valid for 1 day or 7 days are also available and can also be used on buses, National Rail trains, the DLR and Croydon Tramlink - however there is a capping feature for contactless and Oyster cards (which guarantees a strict upper bound on the fare you pay for a day and a week) which means that a paper travelcard is unnecessary and costlier. Almost all stations have automatic ticket barriers. If you pay by Oyster card or a contactless payment card, just tap your card against the yellow pad to open the barriers (ensure that you do this upon both entrance and exit). If you have a paper ticket, insert it face-up into the slot on the front of the machine, and remove it from the top to enter the station. If you have a single ticket it will be retained at the exit gate. If you have luggage or if your ticket is rejected there is normally a staffed gate as well. Paper tickets can be purchased from vending machines in the station's ticket hall. The touchscreen machines have instructions in multiple languages, offer a greater choice of ticket and accept bills and credit/debit cards (if your card has no embedded microchip, you cannot use these machines; these machines do not support contactless). You can also add Oyster pay-as-you-go credit on many mainline ticket vending machines in London. If you have a national train ticket, which involves travelling across London (e.g. [[Brighton_(England)|Brighton]] to [[Darlington]]), you may be able to travel on the Tube across London, from one London terminus to another. If your train ticket has "Any permitted †" (with the dagger symbol) written in the "Route" section (at the bottom of the ticket), then you are able to travel on the Tube without buying another ticket. These can be used at the ticket barriers in the same way as the paper tickets described above. ====Navigation==== All lines are identified by name (e.g. Circle line, Central line, Piccadilly line). Many lines have multiple branches rather than running point-to-point, so always check the train's destination (which is shown on the front of the train and the platform indicator screens, and will be broadcast on the train's PA). Some branches, such as the District line to High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia) stations, run as shuttles and require a transfer onto the "main line". Signs can be seen to be vague, especially if you are unfamiliar with what compass point direction (e.g. northbound) you're travelling in, as these are most often given rather than destinations. A person new to the Tube can become very frustrated trying to work out where a particular connection at a particular station is found. Each station is staffed by at least two personnel at all times who can advise you on your route and full system maps are on the walls of every platform and ticket office. Additionally, on every platform, there are individual line maps showing all the stations served by trains calling at that platform. Google Maps is another handy tool. The Tube is made up of 11 lines each bearing a traditional name and a standard colour on the Tube map. You can change between lines at interchange stations (providing you stay within the zones shown on your ticket). Since the Tube map is well designed it is very easy to work out how to get between any two stations, and since each station is clearly signed it is easy to work out when to exit your train. The Tube map is a diagram and not a scaled map, making it misleading for determining the relative distance between stations as it makes central stations appear further apart and somewhat out of place - the most distant reaches of the Metropolitan Line for example are almost 64&nbsp;km (40&nbsp;mi) from the centre of the city. Tube maps are freely available from any station, most tourist offices, and are prominently displayed in stations. The [https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/track/national-rail National Rail map] showing National Rail services is displayed as a large poster at most Tube stations. Direction signs for the platforms indicate the geographical direction of the line, ''not'' the last stop of the line. It is always advisable to carry a pocket Tube map to help you with this. The '''Northern line''' has two routes through central London which split at Euston and rejoin at Kennington (the latter is closed until May 2022 due to upgrades at Bank). One (the Charing Cross Branch) runs through the West End, while the other route runs via the City of London (called the Bank branch, or the City branch). It is fairly easy to work out which way your train is going; check the signs above the platform, and on the front of the train. The train's destination and central branch will also be announced on board, for example "This train is for Edgware, via Charing Cross." The London Underground has connections to all terminals at Heathrow (including Terminals 4 & 5) and most major London rail termini, with the exception of Fenchurch Street. Interchange hubs are also served, (such as Farringdon, Elephant & Castle, Harrow & Wealdstone and Stratford. ====Onboard==== Be considerate of your fellow passengers as best you can. Pushing and rushing are seen as extremely rude - there's not much need to run for a Tube train unless it's the very last one of the day! Also, trying to strike up a conversation with strangers is seen as peculiar and will instantly mark you out as a tourist. Despite having a reputation as being aloof Londoners are usually happy to help out if you have a problem, but otherwise they'd rather you didn't try to be overly familiar. In some cases (particularly for the sub-surface lines), the tube doors have buttons on the outside. They normally come to use if a train is waiting for over 45 seconds, as the doors will automatically close to conserve energy. ''If'' the train isn't ready to depart (which is easy to check - if the button isn't illuminated, the train is ready to depart), pressing the button will open the doors. ====Crime, safety, and accidents==== When using the escalators, '''always stand on the right''' to allow people in a hurry to pass. Drinking alcohol or smoking anywhere on the London Underground is illegal. Crime levels on the Tube are comparable to but typically lower than in many other subway systems, and traveller advice about watching luggage and valuables is reasonable. The Tube system is covered by an extensive CCTV system, although it is not advised to be reliant on this fact when travelling. The London Underground considers its safety record to be a matter of professional honour, major incidents being incredibly rare (despite the media attention they generate). Front-line staff are well trained for emergencies and will follow well-rehearsed procedures. In addition, front-line staff are generally appreciative of traveller vigilance, if concerns are politely expressed. If you notice something that concerns you please speak to a member of staff or a British Transport Police officer. =====Getting help===== On the wall of the platforms (or freestanding on outdoor platforms) there will be a round, white device labelled "Help Point" with one or two buttons and a fire alarm. Press the green button to alert staff to an emergency and press the blue button to ask for non-urgent assistance. If you see smoke or fire always use the fire alarm first. ======On the train====== On Tube trains you will notice that there is a red handle you can pull to alert the driver to a serious incident or accident occurring on the train. If the train is in a tunnel the alarm should only be used in dire emergencies that require immediate attention, as pulling the alarm will activate the train's brakes. In practice, when the alarm is activated, a driver will move the train forward into the next station where help can be obtained. Therefore, the alarms should only be used in stations if possible as passengers will then be able to escape the train quickly if needed. TfL advise travellers to carefully consider their usage of the passenger alarm and, if suitable, leave the train at the next station and seek help from station staff instead. Because trains on the London Underground are run close together any delays can have serious knock-on effects for the rest of the service. In contrast, train drivers vary in their opinion as to when the alarm should be used: Consensus tends to be that if it's something you would run down the train to tell the driver then the alarm should definitely be used. =====Lost items===== Owing to a heightened security climate, and a history of political violence targeting the Tube, unattended baggage may be treated as a suspect or explosive device and may be destroyed. Lost items (if not destroyed) will end up at the '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/lost-property Lost Property Office]''' and will be stored for 3 months. You will need to fill in a form online describing your lost item and TfL will contact you if it is found. There is a charge for recovery of most items, however some items (e.g. Laptops) have higher fees. {{anchor|By bus 2}} ===By bus=== [[Image:Bus stop - london.JPG|thumb|100px|Bus stop]] London's iconic red '''Routemaster''' buses, which are recognised the world over, were withdrawn from regular service in 2005. Although a heritage service was continued on portions of two routes, this ceased in 2019. Routemasters are still used for tours and private parties. Buses are generally quicker than taking the Tube for shorter (less than a couple of stops on the Tube) trips, and out of central London you're likely to be closer to a bus stop than a Tube station. Most buses in London are very frequent (at least every ten minutes) and are accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. Buses also have a flat rate fare which stays the same no matter how far you travel. You will need to pay the fare again if you board a different bus, although the Hopper fare allows you to take as many buses as you like in 62 minutes and only pay for the first one. Over 5 million bus trips are made each weekday; with over 700 different bus routes you are never far from a bus. Each bus stop has a sign listing the routes that stop there and bus routes are identified by numbers and sometimes letters. Buses have very clear ''blinds'' on the front, with their route number and their destination. Transport for London produces all [https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/bus?intcmp=40401 Bus route maps]. ====Using the bus==== {{infobox| Bus tips|* Buses can accelerate and brake very fast so always grab hold of one of the handrails if standing. * If you are taking a pram/buggy with you, you must be prepared to fold it and carry your child if the bus is crowded or if a wheelchair user needs to get on the bus. * Smoking and drinking alcohol is not allowed on buses. Non-alcoholic drinks and most food is fine, but be considerate: fast food is often smelly and leaves a mess. * No standing on the upper deck or stairs. * Don't speak to the driver or try to get their attention when the bus is moving unless it is an emergency. * Some buses terminate early and don't run the full length of the route. Always check the destination blind on the front of the bus, and if in doubt, ask the driver or the conductor. Drivers will ''usually'' announce a change in the bus's destination. * If your bus terminates early and you have paid using Oyster or contactless debit/credit card, ask the driver for a '''continuation ticket''', sometimes called a transfer ticket. This will allow you to board another bus of the same route number to reach your destination without paying again.}} When you see your bus approaching, '''signal clearly to the driver''' that you intend to get on their bus: the way to do this is to stick your hand out, with an open palm. The driver will indicate and pull into the stop. Always wait for people to get off the bus before you enter. Most buses have '''two doors'''. Form an orderly queue at the front door: when you reach the driver, touch your Oyster or contactless card on the reader or show them your Travelcard or pass (importantly, cash is ''not'' accepted). Some buses are worked by the "New Routemaster": you can get on this bus at any of its three doors, as long as you touch in your Oyster or contactless card as soon as you board. It should be noted that unlike the Tube, you are allowed to use an Oyster card which has zero (but not negative) or insufficient balance - this will cause the balance to be negative (the machines will flash an "Emergency fare charged" message which is the same as the normal fare); however, you must then recharge before the card can be used again. If you are a wheelchair user, you should indicate as normal, and wait by the second door from the front. The driver will activate the wheelchair ramp for you to use. Most buses have a system that provides visual and audible announcements of the bus's destination at every stop, the stops, and nearby landmarks. When you are nearing your stop, press one of the red "STOP" buttons on the handrails '''once only'''. You'll hear a bell, or a buzzer, and the words "Bus Stopping" will appear on the destination screen. Get off the bus using the middle or rear door. There is also a blue "stop" button by the wheelchair space - this indicates to the driver that the wheelchair ramp is required at the next stop. Finally, '''always watch out for moving traffic''', cyclists and pedestrians, when you get off the bus. ====Fares==== It is '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/cash-free-buses not possible to buy tickets on the bus]''' so you must have a valid Travelcard, Oyster card or contactless credit or debit card before you get on. Alternatively, tickets may be purchased from most newsagents in London, or from ticket machines at certain central London stops. The adult bus fare is £1.65; discounts are available to holders of certain cards that must be applied for in advance. Unlike on the Tube, you are charged for each bus you travel on. If you change buses then you will normally be charged a new bus fare up to the daily/weekly price cap. However, the [https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares/bus-and-tram-fares#on-this-page-0 '''Hopper fare'''] allows you to make unlimited bus or tram journeys for the price of one if you use an Oyster card or contactless payment method. All of your journeys must be made within an hour of touching in on the first bus or tram you are travelling on and you must also use the same Oyster or contactless card for the other journeys. =====Oyster===== If you have a seven-day, monthly or yearly Travelcard or Bus and Tram Pass on your Oyster, that includes free bus travel across all of London, even outside the zones of your Travelcard (buses aren't subject to zones). You still must touch in when you get on the bus, but you won't be charged. If you do not have a Travelcard, the fare is taken from your Oyster pay as you go credit as soon as you touch in when you get on the bus. Daily bus and tram travel is "capped", so you generally won't pay more than an equivalent travelcard. Unlike the Tube, you are allowed to use an Oyster card which has zero (but not negative) or insufficient balance - this will cause the balance to be negative (the machines will flash an "Emergency fare charged" message which is the same as the normal fare); however, you must then recharge before the card can be used again. Touch your Oyster on the reader as soon as you get on the bus or you may be liable to a Penalty Fare or prosecution. =====Contactless credit, debit or prepaid cards===== You can also pay for with most contactless debit, credit or prepaid Visa, MasterCard/Maestro or American Express cards. You touch the card flat against the reader, like you would with an Oyster card, but your account is charged instead. Some foreign-issued cards will not work for contactless payment. The total charges for that day are calculated and taken out of your account overnight. As with Oyster, you are charged for each bus fare, up to a cap each day. In addition, a weekly price cap applies from Monday to Sunday. See [[#Contactless payment cards|above]] for further information on contactless payment. =====Concessions===== Children aged 10 and under travel for free on the bus when accompanied by an adult. Children between the ages of 11 and 15 must touch in using a Zip card, yet journeys are still free on buses. If they do not have a Zip card they must pay the full fare using an adult Oyster or contactless card. 16-18 Student Oyster cards (only available to students studying in London) go up to age 18 and journeys are still free. Residents of England who have an ENCTS free bus pass (for the elderly or disabled) also get free travel: simply show your pass to the driver or conductor. ====Night buses==== {{infobox|Night bus hints|*While Britons on public transport are normally a model of reserve, those using night buses have a bit of a reputation for loud and rowdy behaviour. Their passengers are often people who have been having a good time in central London's clubs and bars; particularly true on buses leaving central London between 01:00 and 03:00. While the buses are normally quite safe, if this is a concern for you, consider taking a pre-booked minicab instead, or failing that stand on the lower deck of the bus nearest the driver. *'''Always call out to the driver if you are pickpocketed, threatened or attacked.'''}} Standard bus services run from around 06:00-00:30. Around half past midnight the network changes to the vast night bus network of well over 100 routes stretching all over the city. There are two types of night buses: 24-hour routes and N-prefixed routes. 24-hour services keep the same number as during the day and will run exactly the same route, such as the number 88, for example. N-prefixed routes are generally very similar to their day-route, but may take a slightly different route or are extended to serve areas that are further out. For example, the 29 bus goes from Trafalgar Square to Wood Green during the day; however, the N29 bus goes from Trafalgar Square to Wood Green and then continues to Enfield. Night buses run at a 30-minute frequency at minimum, with many routes at much higher frequencies up to every 5 minutes. Prices stay the same, and daily Travelcards are valid until 04:29 the day after they were issued, so can be used on night buses. Most bus stops will have night bus maps with all the buses to and from that local area on it, although it is good to check on the TfL website beforehand, which also has all those maps easily available. ===By DLR=== '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr/ Docklands Light Railway (DLR)]''' is a dedicated light rail network operating in [[London/East|East London]], connecting with the Tube network at Bank, Tower Gateway (close to Tower Hill station), Canning Town, Heron Quays (close to Canary Wharf Tube station), and Stratford. As the trains operate automatically, it can be quite exciting - especially for children - to sit at the front and look out through the window, whilst feeling as though one is driving the train oneself. The DLR runs above ground on much of its route, and travels through many scenic parts of London, including the Docklands area where most of London's skyscrapers are located. The DLR can be a little confusing as the routes are not easily distinguished, however there are network maps on the train and the platform. Check the displays on the platform which will show you the destination and the wait for the next three trains, and also check the destination displays on the front and side of the train and listen for announcements. At busy times, some trains do not run the full length of the route. In this instance you should take the first train, listen for announcements, and change where necessary. Be extra careful at '''Canning Town''' station as it is very busy and the line divides into two sections - one heading to Woolwich Arsenal and the other heading to Beckton. Always check the destination on the front of the train before getting on, especially at off-peak times when there may not be a return train for a good few minutes if you end up on the wrong branch. ====Ticketing==== Unlike on the Tube, most DLR stations do not have ticket gates (except for Bank and Stratford). Also, unlike the Tube, you ''do'' need to push the buttons to open the doors. You can top up an Oyster card, buy a Travelcard or buy a paper ticket (at a substantial premium) from the ticket machines at the station. Most stations are unstaffed, so if you want to pay by cash then make sure you have plenty of change! As there are no gates, when travelling by Oyster you must always remember to touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end. Even if you are changing to the Underground at Canary Wharf/Heron Quays, you must still touch in/out at the DLR station: the system will recognise that you have made an interchange between the two stations and treat it as part of the same journey. ===By train=== : ''Wikivoyage has a guide to [[Rail travel in Great Britain]], with information applicable to the National Rail system within London.'' The British railway system is known as '''National Rail''' (although some older signs still refer to it as "British Rail"). London's suburban rail services are operated by several private companies under tightly-written government contracts, and mostly run in the south of the city away from the main tourist sights. Only one line (Thameslink) runs through central London - on a north-south axis between London Bridge or Blackfriars stations, and the underground level of St Pancras main line station. There is no one central station - instead, there are twelve mainline stations dotted around the edge of the central area, and most are connected by the Circle line (except Euston, Fenchurch Street and those south of the river like Waterloo and London Bridge). Most visitors will not need to use National Rail services except for a few specific destinations such as Wimbledon, Hampton Court, Kew Gardens (Kew Bridge station), Windsor Castle, Greenwich, or the airports, or indeed if they are intending to visit other destinations in the UK. It's important to know that the quickest route between two stations is often a combination of the Tube as well as National Rail trains. For instance, if you are going from central London to Wimbledon, it will usually be much quicker to go to Waterloo and take the first Wimbledon train (around 15 minutes, maximum) rather than take the District line, which can take up to 45 minutes. Your pay-as-you-go Oyster card is valid in London zones 1-9 (and some extensions), but not beyond, so be careful — if you want to travel beyond the London zones you will need to buy a paper ticket from the ticket office at the station. If you travel beyond the London zones with no valid ticket, you will be charged a Penalty Fare (on National Rail services this is usually £20), you will have to buy another ticket for the remainder of your journey, and you will also be charged the maximum Oyster fare because you didn't touch out. This adds up to a lot, so be careful and make sure you plan your journey! If in doubt, ask at the ticket office. Importantly, there are stations where contactless payment ''but not'' Oyster is accepted - watch out for them. There are express trains to and from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. Tickets are often sold at a substantial premium, so you may want to consider taking the slightly slower 'stopping' services instead: for instance, an Anytime single from Victoria to Gatwick costs more on the Gatwick Express, then when marked "Route Southern Only"—taking a Southern train to Gatwick is only eight minutes longer. '''Oyster cards are only valid''' to Heathrow when travelling by Tube or TfL Rail, to Gatwick by National Rail (including Gatwick Express), and to City by DLR. To all other airports, and when using the Heathrow Express, they are not valid. Don't throw your ticket away until you're out of the station at your destination! Many stations have ticket gates which you will need to put your ticket through to exit; also, you need to retain all the parts of your ticket throughout your journey, as a member of railway staff may need to see it. ===By Overground=== {{infobox|Overground hints|* Beware of [[pickpockets]]. Don't openly display your phone, wallet and other valuables. * Drinking alcohol or smoking anywhere on the Overground is illegal. * Always stand '''well behind''' the yellow line painted on the platform. At some stations on the North London and West London lines freight trains run in the gap between Overground trains - because these trains are not stopping they can travel through stations at speed. Turbulence from these trains is dangerous. * Most Overground trains have "walk-through" carriages with no doors separating each car. If the train is busy, try moving to the other end or towards the centre. * Give up your seat to the elderly and those less able to stand, especially if the seat is labelled "Priority Seat." These seats are a slightly different shade of orange than most seats. * '''The doors on the Overground will not open automatically.''' Wait for the button to light up and start beeping, then push it to open the train doors. * Trains will usually run every 15 minutes or less, and more frequently on busy routes. * Do not use flash photography or tripods when taking photographs. A camera flash can distract train drivers and tripods are not safe on the platform. }} In common parlance, Londoners may refer to travelling by "overground", meaning going by National Rail (as opposed to going by Underground). However, only '''London Overground''' is a Transport for London rail service, which serves most boroughs of the capital. Oyster cards are accepted. Trains will usually run a minimum frequency of every fifteen minutes, and some stations have a considerably more frequent service. The trains have big windows allowing for great "urban scenic" views. The Overground appears on the Tube map as a double orange line. TfL also produces a [http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-overground-network-map.pdf map only showing Overground services]. At many stations, trains leaving from the same platform will go to different destinations, so listen carefully for announcements and always check the destination on the front of the train. The Overground can be a great way to avoid changing trains in central London by skirting around the centre. It's also well-connected: you can frequently change for Underground trains, other Overground destinations, or for mainline National Rail services from Stratford, Clapham Junction and Watford Junction. ===By the Elizabeth Line=== The Elizabeth Line (known as Crossrail before and during construction) is London's newest railway line, having opened in May 2022 after a long series of delays. It appears on the Tube map as a double purple line. The newly-built central section runs from Paddington to Abbey Wood - other sections using existing track run from Paddington to Heathrow Airport and Reading, and Liverpool Street to Shenfield; these are to be joined up to the central section later. The Elizabeth Line is comparable to the RER in Paris: compared to the Underground, it has longer and faster trains that stop less frequently. With the exception of Ilford station, it is fully wheelchair-accessible and the trains are air-conditioned. ===By Tramlink=== The Tramlink network is centred on [[London/South|Croydon]], where it runs on street-level tracks around the Croydon Loop, providing transit to an area not well-served by the Tube or National Rail. Route 3 (Wimbledon to New Addington - green on the Tramlink map) is the most frequent service, running every 7 or 8 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 15 minutes at all other times. Beckenham is served by Routes 1 and 2 (yellow and red on the Tramlink map), which terminate at Elmers End and Beckenham Junction respectively. All services travel around the Loop via West Croydon and run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 30 minutes at all other times. Between Arena and Sandilands, these two services serve the same stops. ===On foot=== [[File:Look Right1.jpg|thumb|150px|A reminder on the streets of London to "Look Right" when you cross the road]] London is a surprisingly compact city, making it a walker's delight. In many instances, walking is the quickest method of transport between two points. Because Britain drives on the left hand side of the road, for most foreign visitors it can be all too easy to forget that traffic will come at you from the opposite direction than you are used to when crossing a street - for this reason '''remember to look right when you cross the road'''. If you are using a pedestrian crossing, don't think it's safe to risk it, even if you can't see any traffic coming: Wait for the green man to appear and then cross quickly and carefully. Some pedestrian crossings now have countdown timers to indicate how long it will be safe to cross for. Particularly on Central London's busiest streets, it is easy to spot native Londoners as they weave in and out of the large crowds at fast speed; tourists who cannot will stand out. Make sure you're aware of your surroundings when in London—Londoners are usually very considerate, but a group of tourists standing in the middle of the pavement can be a major annoyance! Try standing to the side of busy pavements and footpaths, especially if you're with a group. ====Walking alternatives to the Tube==== In some instances it can be faster to walk some or all of your intended route instead of taking the Tube. By looking at a map you'll notice that some central London Tube stations are a lot closer together than the Tube map would make you believe. TfL have [http://content.tfl.gov.uk/walking-tube-map-journey-times.pdf produced a map detailing the walking time and number of steps between various popular stations.] Here are some more specific instructions for some of the stations that you are likely to use as a tourist: * '''Leicester Square station''' - '''Covent Garden station''': Come out of the station with the Hippodrome casino behind you. Cross Charing Cross Road and walk up Cranbourn Street. Walk straight over at the junction and continue onto Long Acre. Walk straight up Long Acre to arrive at Covent Garden station. '''Approximate walking time:''' 5 minutes * '''Holborn station - Covent Garden station:''' Exit the station onto Kingsway, opposite a large Sainsbury's shop (if you exit onto High Holborn opposite a McDonald's - turn left, and round the corner). Cross Kingsway (this is a very busy road), and turn left on the other side. Take the second right (by a Starbucks) onto Great Queen Street. Walk straight, crossing over Drury Lane onto Long Acre. Continue on Long Acre, crossing over Endell Street/Bow Street. Covent Garden station will be on your left. '''Approximate walking time:''' 10 minutes. * '''Embankment station''' - '''Waterloo station''': Come out of the station onto Victoria Embankment, walk up the stairs and head across the River Thames using the Hungerford Bridge. At the other end of the bridge keep walking straight and away from the River Thames. Follow the railway line. You will come to some blue metal work and a walkway underneath the railway line called Sutton Walk. Follow this, cross the road and Waterloo station is ahead of you. '''Approximate walking time:''' 15 minutes * '''Westminster station''' - '''Waterloo station''': Come out of the station and head across the River Thames using Westminster Bridge. Keep heading straight until you come to a junction. Turn left and walk down York Road. Stay on York Road until you come to a railway bridge. Waterloo station will be on your right. '''Approximate walking time:''' 15 minutes * '''Green Park station''' - '''Hyde Park Corner station''': Come out of Green Park station onto the road. This is Piccadilly. Walk west along Piccadilly following the edge of Green Park. When you come to a roundabout head straight across it. Hyde Park Corner station will be on your right. '''Approximate walking time:''' 10 minutes * '''Queensway - Bayswater''': Turn to the left when exiting the station and keep walking. This is a good route if you want to quickly change to a different Tube line but not change at Notting Hill Gate. '''Approximate walking time:''' 1 minute =====Oxford Circus station===== Oxford Circus station can become extremely busy on weekday evenings and, if convenient, it is worth walking to other Tube stations. * '''Oxford Circus station''' - '''Bond Street station''': Head west along Oxford Street from the road junction. You should see the London College of Fashion and BHS. Keep walking west and you will come to Bond Street station. '''Approximate walking time:''' 10 minutes. * '''Oxford Circus station''' - '''Tottenham Court Road station''': At the road junction, head east along Oxford Street heading past Topshop. Keep walking past H&M and McDonald's and you will eventually see a skyscraper called Centre Point. Continue heading straight and Tottenham Court Road station is on the road junction here. '''Approximate walking time:''' 25 minutes. *'''Oxford Circus - Piccadilly Circus''' '''station:''' At the road junction, head south along Regent Street to pass many big name brands, including Apple and Hamleys. Just after the road curves round to the left, you should be at Piccadilly Circus. '''Approximate walking time:''' 10 minutes. ===By bicycle=== {{infobox| Cycling in the United Kingdom|*'''Cycling on the pavement (sidewalk) is illegal''', except where a cycle route has been designated by signs or painted lines. *When cycling on roads, you must ride on the left with other vehicles. *You must have working front and rear lights during hours of darkness. Flashing LED lights are legal. Reflective clothing is always a good idea at night. *Helmets are not compulsory for cyclists in the United Kingdom, and their effectiveness is as much a matter of debate here as anywhere else. In London, many cyclists, especially those seen in rush hour, also wear filter masks, but their efficacy is even more disputed. *It is illegal to jump through a red light for cyclists as well as motorists. Advance stop lines at traffic lights allow cyclists to wait ahead of other traffic at red lights. In practice, most car drivers ignore this and occupy the cycle space when waiting at lights. *When approaching a zebra crossing you should always take care and watch for pedestrians waiting to cross the road. You ''must'' be prepared to slow down or stop to allow them to cross [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203 as detailed in Rule 195 of the Highway Code]. '''If someone is on a crossing already, you must stop as a car or other vehicle would and allow them to cross safely - weaving around pedestrians may frighten them and lead to an accident!''' The rules for cyclists are available in the British Government publication [http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/Cyclists/index.htm The Highway Code] }} Due to the expense of other forms of transport and the compactness of central London, [[cycling]] is a tempting option. Free cycle maps can usually be obtained from your local Tube station or bike shop. Most major roads in London will have a bus lane which is restricted to buses, taxis and bicycles. There are also many signposted cycle routes and cycle lanes, but the kind of contiguous cycle lane network found in many other European cities does not exist. The safest option is to stick to minor residential roads where traffic can be surprisingly calm outside rush hours. Critical Mass London is a cycling advocacy group which meets for regular rides through central London at 18:00 on the last Friday of each month. Rides start from the southern end of Waterloo Bridge. The [http://lcc.org.uk London Cycling Campaign] is an advocacy group for London cyclists. With active local groups in most of the city's boroughs, it is recognised by local and regional government as the leading voice for cycling in the capital. Normally a cyclist should keep to the left of the lane when cycling on a road with traffic, to allow faster-moving traffic to overtake. However, it is legal for a cycle to dominate a lane by maintaining a central road position like any other vehicle. This will make you unpopular with any traffic behind you but it is recommended in London on approach to right-hand turns at junctions. Making a right-hand turn from the normal left-position means crossing the lane of traffic, which may often ignore you and any turn signals you might have been using, leading to potential accidents. ====Taking bikes on trains==== Permission to take bikes on trains is very limited in London due to overcrowding. Non-folding bikes can be taken only on limited sections of the Tube network, mostly only on the above-ground sections outside peak hours. For this reason, folding bicycles are becoming increasingly popular. Most ''National Rail'' operators allow bicycles outside peak hours. ====Bicycle hire==== London offers a bicycle hire scheme known as '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles Santander Cycles]''', operated by Transport for London. They are colloquially referred to as "Boris Bikes" after Boris Johnson, as they were introduced during his period as mayor of London. Docking stations can be found across Central London and slightly further out into areas such as Brixton, the Docklands, Hammersmith, and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The bikes, all coloured a distinctive red, can be unlocked at any hire dock and then ridden to wherever you want. After each journey the bike must be returned to a docking station on the network by locking the bike into the rack and receiving confirmation via a green light. You pay via a credit or debit card and two payment plans exist: daily and yearly. A £2 daily plan (as of October 2020) gives access to the system for an unlimited number of rides for 24 hours. A fee for the first 30 minutes of each ride is included in the initial payment. For every other 30 minutes above that it costs extra £2. A yearly plan costs £90 for a full year. The [https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/community Santander Cycles app] shows where bikes are available and can be used to make the hiring process faster, although sometimes the app doesn't show a journey as finished even if the bike was successfully docked back at a station. If in doubt it's better to check your [https://web.santandercycles.tfl.gov.uk/account/activity activity log] at the official site. The Santander bikes' main competitor is '''[https://www.li.me/locations/uk Lime]''', whose fleet of electric bikes can be parked almost anywhere in much of Inner London, not just at docking stations. Download the app and set up a payment method first, then use your phone to scan a bike and unlock it. Rides are £1 plus £0.15 per minute (February 2021). ====Cycle ways==== '''Cycle lanes''' provide on-road and off -road routes. The network is not comprehensive, and on the road lanes vary in quality and size (normally 1-2 m wide). Some are indicated just with an stencilled image of a bike on the road. If the line between the traffic lane and cycle lane is solid, then vehicles may sometimes enter the space. A dashed line indicates a recommended cycle lane and motorists may make use of this road space, but it's recommended that they don't. London's '''[https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes-and-maps/cycleways cycleways]''' connect destinations across the capital, and include "cycle superhighways" and "quietways". '''Cycle Superhighways''' run into central London from outer London and across the capital. They are designed to provide safe, fast routes for cyclists who commute and are painted blue to indicate where they are. Some are segregated from the road but some may be on the main carriageway. '''Quietways''' link key destinations in the capital but utilise side streets, waterways and parks instead of busy roads. The '''towpaths''' in north London along the Grand Union Canal and Regent's Canal, and in London's parks and other green areas, provide a traffic-free cycle path through the capital. The Grand Union canal connects Paddington to Camden and the Regent's Canal connects Camden to Islington, Mile End and Limehouse in east London. It takes about 30-40 minutes to cycle from Paddington station to Islington along the towpaths. '''[https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/cycling-faqs Pedestrians have priority]''' on towpaths - slow down and respect their right of the way! ===By taxi=== [[File:A TX4 Taxi at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5.jpg|thumb|London Cab]] London has two types of taxis: the famous '''black cab''', and so-called '''minicabs'''. Black cabs are the only ones licensed to "ply for hire" (i.e. pick people up off the street), while minicabs are more accurately described as "private hire vehicles" and need to be pre-booked. The famous '''black cab''' of London (not always black!) can be hailed from the kerb or found at one of the many designated taxi ranks. It is possible to book black cabs by phone, for a fee, but if you are in central London it will usually be quicker to hail one from the street. Their amber TAXI light will be on if they are available. Drivers must pass a rigorous exam of central London's streets, known as 'The Knowledge', to be licensed to drive a black cab. This means they can supposedly navigate you to almost any London street without reference to a map. They are a cheap transport option if there are five passengers as they do not charge extras, and many view them as an essential experience for any visitor to London. Black cabs charge by distance and by the minute, are non-smoking, and have a minimum charge of £3.00 (as of 2019). Tipping is not mandatory in either taxis or minicabs, despite some drivers' expectations - use your discretion. If you like the service you may tip. If the ride has been uncomfortable or unsafe, or if the driver was rude, don't. Most Londoners will simply round up to the nearest pound. Taxis are required by law to take you wherever you choose (within Greater London) if their TAXI light is on when you hail them. However some, especially older drivers, dislike leaving the centre of town, or going south of the River Thames. A good way to combat being left at the side of the curb is to open the back door, or even get into the cab, before stating your destination. '''Minicabs''' are normal cars which are licensed hire vehicles that you need to book by phone or at a minicab office. They generally charge a fixed fare for a journey, best agreed before you get in the car. Minicabs are usually cheaper than black cabs, although this is not necessarily the case for short journeys. Licensed minicabs display a Transport For London (TfL) Licence - usually in the front window. One of the features of the license plate is a blue version of the famous London Transport "roundel". A list of licensed minicab operators can be found at [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/taxiprivatehire/default.aspx TfL Cabwise]. TfL operate a service called [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/taxisandminicabs/taxis/default.aspx Cabwise], which will determine your location and provide three local, licensed cab numbers. If you have an iPhone or an Android smartphone, you can use the Cabwise application (search your platform's app store) or text '''CAB''' to 60835 (be careful - this might not work from some phones!) You can also use an app such as [https://uk.mytaxi.com/welcome mytaxi], which allows you to summon a black cab to your location and will provide a map and approximate wait time for your taxi to arrive. Most railway stations will also be able to provide a list of good local cab firms (many will display this outside the station, even after the last train of the night has gone.) Some areas in London are poorly served by black cabs, particularly late at night. This has led to illegal minicabs operating, who are just opportunistic people with a car, looking to make some "fast" money. Some of these illegal operators can be fairly aggressive in their attempts to find customers, and it's now barely possible to walk late at night through any part of London with a modicum of night-life without being approached. If you've booked a "licensed" minicab to collect you from a venue, the driver or operator should be able to give you additional details, (an example being the phone-number you booked them from), to confirm they are legitimate. You should '''avoid''' minicabs touting for business off the street and either take a black cab, book a licensed minicab by telephone, or take a night bus. Not only is it 'illegal' for unlicensed minicabs to ply for trade on the street, these illegal cabs are also regularly unsafe, with a risk of robbery or assault <!-- (with women assaulted every week by illegal minicab operators (11 per month).--> a possibility, given that the operators of such illegal minicabs are in no way checked or vetted for past offences. Always remember: '''if it's not licensed and it's not pre-booked, it's just a stranger's car. Never get into an un-booked minicab.''' '''[https://www.uber.com/cities/london Uber]''' is available in London and generally charge cheaper fares than black cabs, although higher "surge" prices are charged at times of high demand. Vehicles can only be booked via the smartphone app. ===By car=== Londoners who drive will normally take public transport in the centre; follow their example. Unless you have a disability, there is no good reason whatsoever to drive a car in central London. Driving in central London is a slow, frustrating, expensive and often unnecessary activity. There are many sorts of automatic enforcement cameras and it is difficult and expensive to park. Driving outside of central London is easier, but traffic can still be an issue and most tourists won't head out that far unless they have a reason. For those with disabilities driving can be much more convenient than using public transport. If disabled and a resident of a member state of the EU then two cars can be permanently registered, for free, for the Congestion Charge. There's a '''speed limit''' of 20 mph (32 km/h) on most roads inside the Central London Congestion Charge zone, and several boroughs have borough-wide 20 limits. Limits elsewhere follow UK norms; see [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Speed limits]] for details. ====Congestion Charge==== Driving into central London on weekdays during daylight hours incurs a hefty charge called the Congestion Charge with very few exemptions. Rental cars also attract the charge. Cameras and mobile units record and identify the number plates and registration details of all vehicles entering the charging zone with high accuracy. The '''[https://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge Central London Congestion Charge]''' M-F 07:00-18:00 (excluding public holidays) attracts a fee of £11.50 if paid the '''same day''', or £14 if paid on the next charging day. Numerous payment options exist: by phone, online, at convenience stores displaying the red 'C' logo in the window, and by voucher. Failure to pay the charge by midnight the next charging day incurs a hefty automatic fine of £130 (£65 if paid within 2 weeks). There are additional charges and penalties for vehicles not meeting certain emissions standards. ====Traffic==== Despite the Congestion Charge, London - like most major cities - continues to experience traffic snarls. These are, of course, worse on weekdays during peak commuting hours (i.e. between 07:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00). At these times public transport (and especially the Tube) usually offers the best alternative for speed and reduced hassle. ====Parking==== One good tip is, that outside advertised restricted hours (usually on a Sunday), parking on a ''single'' yellow line is permissible. Parking on a red line or a ''double'' yellow line is never permissible and heavily enforced. Find and read the parking restrictions carefully! Parking during weekdays and on Saturday can also mean considerable expense in parking fees (fees and restrictions are ignored at your extreme financial peril). Issuing fines, clamping and/or towing vehicles (without warning!) has become a veritable new industry for borough councils staffed by armies of traffic wardens. Also watch out for marked parking bays as these ''always'' have restrictions. Many are "Resident Parking Only" between certain hours and you will be fined if you park during these hours without a permit. Some bays also have restrictions on how long you can park in them for and these can be confusing. If in doubt: Don't park! If you are driving to your destination then it's safest to find a dedicated private car park nearby. These may be eye-wateringly expensive, but parking on the roads is a lottery with low odds of you winning. Two large car park operators are '''[https://www.ncp.co.uk/search/results/?keyword=london&show=carParks NCP]''' and '''[https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/ Q-Park]'''. ====Motorcycles and scooters==== Motorcycles and scooters are fairly common in London as they can pass stationary cars, can usually be parked for free, and are exempt from the Congestion Charge. Scooters and bikes with automatic transmission are much more preferable - a manually-geared racing bike is completely impractical unless you have excellent clutch control (although it has to be said you will see plenty of them being ridden aggressively by motorcycle couriers and locals as it can be the fastest way to get around!) Likewise to bicycles, car drivers can sometimes show disregard to anyone on two wheels and larger vehicles have an unwritten priority so take care when crossing junctions. Helmets are mandatory. Parking for bikes is usually free - there are designated motorcycle-parking areas on some side-streets and some multi-level car parks will have bike parking on the ground level. ===By boat=== [[Image:Tower Millennium Pier 2.jpg|thumb|300px|A river bus at Tower Millennium Pier]] London is now promoting a network of river bus and pleasure cruise services along the River Thames from Hampton Court in the west to Woolwich Arsenal in the east. [http://tfl.gov.uk/river London River Services] (part of Transport for London) manages regular commuter boats and a network of piers all along the river and publishes timetables and [https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/river?intcmp=29736 river maps] similar to the famous Tube map. While boat travel may be slower and a little more expensive than Tube travel, it offers an extremely pleasant way to cross the city with unrivalled views of the London skyline. Sailing under Tower Bridge is an unforgettable experience. Boats are operated by private companies and they have a separate ticketing system from the rest of London transport; however if you have a Travelcard you get a 33% discount on most boat tickets. Many boat operators offer their own one-day ticket - ask at the pier kiosks. Generally, tickets from one boat company are not valid on other operators' services. Oyster cards can be used as payment for the 'Clipper'-styled commuter services but not for tour boats. [[Image:MM Canary Wharf view from Greenwich Observatory.jpg|thumb|300px|The view from Greenwich Observatory which is easily reached by boat services plying the Thames]] All the central London sights in Westminster and the South Bank tourist attractions are easily accessible by boat as are: {| class="wikitable" |- | *Hampton Court Palace *Greenwich *Shakespeare’s Globe *Tate Galleries | *London Dungeon *London Eye *Tower of London | *Tower Bridge *St. Katharine Docks *Millennium Dome/The O2 | *Ham House *Kew Gardens *HMS Belfast |} Consider a trip along an old Victorian canal through the leafy suburbs of North London. The [http://www.londonwaterbus.com/ London Waterbus Company] runs scheduled services (more in summer, fewer in winter) from Little Venice to Camden Lock with a stop at the London Zoo (pick up only). The 45-minute trip along Regent's Canal is a delightful way to travel. ===By skate=== Inline skating on roads and pavements (sidewalks) is completely legal, except in the "square-mile" of the [[London/City of London|City of London]]. Roads are not the greatest but easily skateable. Central London drivers are more used to skaters than those in the outskirts. ===By cable car=== The '''[http://www.emiratesairline.co.uk/ Emirates Air Line]''' is a cable car that runs across the River Thames in east London giving panoramic views of the surrounding area and beyond. The Air Line connects the Greenwich Peninsula on the south bank (near The O2) and the Royal Docks on the north bank (near the ExCeL Exhibition Centre), with the Greenwich Peninsula terminal connecting to North Greenwich Tube station on the Jubilee line and the Royal Docks terminal connecting to Royal Victoria DLR station. Although it is part of the TfL network and uses Oyster cards, the Air Line is mostly a tourist attraction and is therefore at its quietest during the week. It tends to be busiest when there is a large event on at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre or a popular concert on at The O2. The Emirates Air Line service sometimes finishes earlier than the Tube and DLR. If you are travelling to The O2 for an event that finishes late, you should have an alternative means in mind for getting back across the river. ====Operating hours==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! '''Day''' !! '''2 October''' to '''31 March''' !! '''1 April''' to '''30 June''' !! '''1 July to 1 October''' |- | Monday to Thursday || 07:00-21:00 || 07:00-22:00 || 07:00-23:00 |- | Friday || 07:00-23:00 || 07:00-23:00 || 07:00-23:00 |- | Saturday and Bank Holidays || 08:00-23:00 || 08:00-23:00 || 08:00-23:00 |- | Sunday || 09:00-21:00 || 09:00-22:00 || 09:00-23:00 |} ==See== {{quote| I have sailed the world, beheld its wonders<br/> From the [[Çanakkale|Dardanelles]] to the mountains of [[Peru]]<br/> But there's no place like London! |author=Stephen Sondheim|source=''Sweeney Todd''}} {{infobox|London with children|London can be stressful with kids - check [[London with children]] for slightly less stressful sightseeing. However, it is a breeze with children over 7.}} {{infobox|Transport for London Itineraries|Feeling overwhelmed? Not sure how to begin planning your trip? Transport for London have produced their own [https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/experience-london/itineraries useful list of itineraries for tourists]. They include famous landmarks and iconic transport icons on their various public transport networks, among others.}} London is a huge city, so all individual listings are in the appropriate [[London#Districts|district]] articles and only an overview is presented here. ===Landmarks=== [[File:Buckingham Palace, London, England, 24Jan04.jpg|thumb|280px|Buckingham Palace]] * '''Buckingham Palace'''. The London residence of the Queen, in [[London/Westminster|Westminster]]. Open for tours during the summer months only (in 2022 - from Jul 22 to Sep 30; tickets - https://tickets.rct.uk/product/date), but a must-see sight even if you don't go in. (Tube: Green Park). Changing of the Guard spans three locations: Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks, and usually begins at 10:43 (check https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html for details). * '''London Eye'''. The world's fourth-largest observation wheel, situated on the [[London/South Bank#See|South Bank]] of the Thames with magnificent views over London. (Tube: Waterloo) * '''Marble Arch''' is a white Carrara marble monument designed by John Nash. It is located in the middle of a huge traffic island at one of the busiest intersections in central London where Oxford Street meets Park Lane in [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Mayfair]]. (Tube: Marble Arch) * '''[[London/Leicester Square|Piccadilly Circus]]''' is one of the most photographed sights in London. The Shaftesbury Memorial, topped by the statue of Anteros (now popularly identified as Eros), stands proudly in the middle of Piccadilly Circus while the north eastern side is dominated by a huge, iconic neon advertising hoarding. Occasionally there will be scaffolding or fencing around the Eros statue in order to protect it during times when large crowds are anticipated. (Tube: Piccadilly Circus) [[Image:St Paul's Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 455405.jpg|thumb|250px|right|St Paul's Cathedral]] * '''St Paul's Cathedral''', also in [[London/City of London|the City]], is Sir Christopher Wren's great accomplishment, built after the 1666 Great Fire of London - the great dome is still seated in majesty over The City. A section of the dome has such good acoustics that it forms a "Whispering Gallery". There is also a viewing area that offers views of the surrounding area including the Millennium Bridge that lies nearby. (Tube: St Paul's) [[File:Tower_Bridge_from_South_Bank.jpg|alt=|thumb|280x280px|Tower Bridge from South Bank]] * '''Tower Bridge'''. The iconic 19th century bridge located by the Tower of London near [[London/City of London|the City]]. It is decorated with high towers featuring a drawbridge. The public are allowed access to the interior of the bridge via the '''Tower Bridge Exhibition''', tickets for which can be purchased on the [https://www.gammabookings.com/TowerBridgeBookings/booktickets.aspx?eid=0005 website] or at the bridge. (Tube: Tower Hill) * '''Tower of London'''. Situated just south east of [[London/City of London|the City]], is London's original royal fortress by the Thames. It is over 900 years old, contains the Crown Jewels, is guarded by Beefeaters, and is a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|World Heritage]] site. It is also considered by many to be the most haunted building in the world. If you are interested in that sort of thing its definitely somewhere worth visiting. Sometimes there are guided ghost walks of the building. You can even have a good meal in one of the buildings on the property. (Tube: Tower Hill) * '''[[London/Leicester Square|Trafalgar Square]]'''. Home of Nelson's Column and the lions, and once a safe haven for London's pigeons until the introduction of hired birds of prey. The "Fourth Plinth" has featured a succession of artworks since 1999. Overlooked by the National Gallery, it's the nearest London has to a "centre", and has been pedestrianised. (Tube: Charing Cross) * '''Westminster Abbey''' and the '''Palace of Westminster''', including the '''Elizabeth Tower''' (the clock tower commonly known by the name of its bell, '''Big Ben''') and the '''Houses of Parliament''', in [[London/Westminster|Westminster]]. The seat of the United Kingdom parliament and [[UNESCO World Heritage List|World Heritage]] site, as well as setting for royal coronations since 1066, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The Palace of Westminster is open to the public only for viewing parliamentary debates, tours of the building are available in July – August when Parliament is away on summer recess. Westminster Abbey also has a restaurant and a café that both serve good food. (Tube: Westminster) * '''30 St Mary Axe''' or '''The Gherkin''', a peculiarly-shaped 180&nbsp;m (590&nbsp;ft) building in the City. There is no public access to the building itself but it [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Leadenhall+St,+London/@51.5146733,-0.0808881,3a,90y,118.15h,99.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sfni4l_YnZYhAd0Azi2W9XA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dfni4l_YnZYhAd0Azi2W9XA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D100%26h%3D80%26yaw%3D196.42006%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x4876034d6b89e435:0x8790f1ed372227bc can be viewed from the roads and small paved areas directly in front of and behind the building]. Security guards can be overzealous in this area and you may be asked to move on or stop taking photographs if you are doing so (although this may seem overbearing, it is private land and they can ask you to leave if they wish). Commanding views of this building can also be obtained from public roads near the site such as [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5135079,-0.0816176,3a,75y,58.75h,108.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sKu4DlQkuqxvUG_7wldnLJw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Leadenhall Street]. Of minor interest to history fans is an [http://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/roman-girl inscription on Bury Street dedicated to a young Roman girl who was found buried here by archaeologists in 1995]. Her remains were moved to the Museum of London while the Gherkin was being constructed, and were reburied in 2007 at the original site. (Tube: Aldgate) * '''The Shard'''. A futuristic triangular skyscraper in [[London/South Bank|South Bank]] that dominates the London skyline and is the tallest building in the UK. There is a viewing deck on the 72nd floor that is open to the public, tickets for which must be booked via the website. There are also restaurants and the expensive luxury hotel [http://www.shangri-la.com/london/shangrila/about/ Shangri-La] on the lower floors. (Tube: London Bridge) *'''The Walkie-Talkie / 20 Fenchurch Street,''' although it has been voted as one of London's ugliest skyscrapers, has a large rooftop garden which affords great views over the Thames and south side of the river. This garden is free to visit, however, it is necessary to [https://skygarden.london/booking book] well in advance due to high demand, especially in the summer months. (Tube: Monument) === Museums and galleries === [[File:Natural_History_Museum_Hintze_Hall.jpg|alt=|thumb|280x280px|Natural History Museum, Hintze Hall]] Central London hosts an outstanding collection of world-class museums and galleries, several of truly iconic status. Even better, London is unique among global capitals in that the majority of the museums have no entrance charges, allowing visitors to make multiple visits with ease. Special or temporary exhibitions usually attract an admission charge. London museums and galleries with no general admission charge (free entry!) include: *[[London/Bloomsbury|British Museum]] (Tube: Holborn)—a treasure trove of world cultures from across the ages, on par with the Paris Louvre and New York's Metropolitan Museum *[[London/Leicester Square|National Gallery]] (Tube: Charing Cross)—houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries *[[London/Leicester Square|National Portrait Gallery]] (Tube: Charing Cross) *[[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Victoria and Albert Museum]] (Tube: South Kensington) *[[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Natural History Museum]] (Tube: South Kensington) *[[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Science Museum]] (Tube: South Kensington) *[[London/South Bank|Tate Modern]] (Tube: Southwark, Blackfriars) *[[London/Westminster|Tate Britain]] (Tube: Pimlico) *[[London/Marylebone|Wallace Collection]] (Tube: Marble Arch) Aside from these world famous establishments, there is an almost unbelievable number of minor museums in London covering a very diverse range of subjects. The British Government lists over 240 genuine museums in the city. A few notable examples: * [[London/Covent Garden#Q1541098|London Transport Museum]] (Tube: Covent Garden) * [[London/City of London#Q917820|Museum of London]] (Tube: Barbican or St. Paul's) * [[London/East End#Q2904846|Museum of London Docklands]] (DLR: West India Quay) *The Royal Museums [[London/Greenwich|Greenwich]]: (DLR: Cutty Sark) **Royal Observatory **National Maritime Museum **Cutty Sark ===Parks=== [[File:Fale London 93.jpg|thumb|270px|right|St James's Park in central London]] The "green lungs" of London are the '''many parks''', great and small, scattered throughout the city including [[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Hyde Park]], [[London/Westminster|St James Park]] and [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Regent's Park]]. Most of the larger parks have their origins in royal estates and hunting grounds and are still owned by the Crown, despite their public access. * [[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Hyde Park and adjoining Kensington Gardens]] make up a huge open space in central London and are very popular for picnics. Within Kensington Gardens, the Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Playground is a free playground for young children featuring a huge wood pirate ship. (Tube: High Street Kensington, Marble Arch, Green Park or Hyde Park Corner) * [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Regent's Park]] is a wonderful open park in the northern part of central London. (Tube: Camden Town, Regent's Park) * [[London/Westminster|St James's Park]] has charming and romantic gardens ideal for picnics and for strolling around. St. James's Park is situated between Buckingham Palace on the west and Horse Guards Parade on the east. * [[London/Hampstead|Hampstead Heath]] is a huge open green space in north London. It's not a tended park as such and is remarkably wild for a metropolitan city location. The views from the Parliament Hill area of the heath overlooking the city skyline are quite stunning. (Tube: Hampstead, Overground: Hampstead Heath, Gospel Oak) * [[London/Richmond-Kew|Richmond Park]] is a huge green space, with a thriving deer population. Excellent place for cycling. (Tube: Richmond then Bus 371) * [[London/Richmond-Kew|Bushy Park]], near to Hampton Court Palace, is the second-largest park in London. More low-key than its larger cousin, Richmond Park, it too has a large deer population. Bushy Park contains numerous ponds, bridleways, two allotments, and at its northern edge, the National Physical Laboratory. *[[London/Notting Hill-North Kensington|Holland Park]] is a public park in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in west London. It covers about 22 hectares and contains two Japanese gardens - the Kyoto Garden (1991) and Fukushima Memorial Garden (2012), a youth hostel, a children's playground, squirrels and peacocks. The closest Tube station is Holland Park on the Central line. ===Itineraries=== * [[London South Bank Walk]] * [[Walk the London Wall]] *For a selection of walks across London, look at [[London on foot]]. [[Image:Blue plaque Charles de Gaulle.jpg|thumb|right|250px|One of more than 800 Blue Plaques throughout London]] ===Blue Plaques=== English Heritage runs the [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/ Blue Plaques] programme in London. Blue Plaques celebrate great figures of the past and the buildings that they inhabited. These are among the most familiar features of the capital’s streetscape and adorn the façades of buildings across the city. Since the first plaque was erected in 1867, the number has grown steadily and there are now more than 800. Recipients are as diverse as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sigmund Freud, Charles de Gaulle, Jimi Hendrix and Karl Marx. Look out for these around the city. ===London Pass=== Whereas some London museums offer free entry, some other top London attractions are ridiculously expensive. For example, entry to Westminster Abbey costs £20 per person (adult), and entry to the Tower is £21.50 per adult if bought online (2017). These prices can be sometimes mitigated by a purchase of London Pass, which needs to be done at the [http://www.londonpass.com London Pass website]. The pass comes in several varieties and gives access to over 60 attractions, including both Westminster Abbey and the Tower. For example, a day pass costs £62 for an adult (2017). The best strategy, if one wants to visit several expensive high-profile attractions, is to buy a day pass and to try visiting all of them in the same day. This requires some advanced planning and will not give you much time at each place you visit - for example, it can take an hour on public transport to travel between the Tower of London and London Zoo. ==Do== London is a huge city, so all individual listings are in the appropriate [[London#Districts|district]] articles. To make the most of the city's tremendous cultural offerings (performing arts, museums, exhibitions, clubs, eateries and numerous others), visitors will do well to pick up a copy of a cultural magazine like ''Time Out London'' (available at most corner shops and newsagents) which gives detailed information and critiques on what's around town including show times and current attractions. The [http://www.timeout.com/london/ Time Out London website] also has major shows listed. There is also apps available, although the print version tends to be more detailed. ===Live music=== London is one of the best cities in the world for concerts, spanning from new musical trends to well-known bands. Between huge concert facilities and small pubs, there are hundreds of venues that organise and promote live music every week. Many concerts, especially in smaller or less known places are free, so there is plenty of choice even for tourists on a budget. London has long been a launchpad for alternative movements, from the mods of the 1960s, punks of the 70s, new romantics of the 80s, the Britpop scene of the 90s, and the indie rock movement spearheaded by The Libertines and their ilk. It has one of the world's most lively live music scenes: any band heading a British, European or World tour will play London, not to mention the local talent. London's music scene is incredibly diverse, covering all genres of music from electro-jazz to death-metal, and all sizes of bands, from the U2s and Rolling Stones of the world to one man bands who disband after their first gig. This diversity is reflected in prices. As a rough guide: £20 and up for 'top 40' bands in arena-sized venues, £10 and up for established bands in mid-sized venues, £6 or more for up-and-coming bands and club nights in smaller venues, £5 and up for new bands in bars and pubs. London has hundreds of venues spread out over the city and the best way to know what's going on where is to browse online ticket agencies, ''Music Magazine'''s gig directories and bands' social media pages. A few areas which have higher concentrations of pubs and venues than others. Kilburn in North West London has long been known as an Irish area; though their numbers have somewhat declined, a visit to a local pub will show their influence remains today. === Theatre === The West End, especially the areas concentrated around Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Shaftesbury Avenue and Haymarket, is one of the world's premier destinations for theatre, including musical theatre. Covent Garden has the only actor-sponsored school in the city, the [http://www.actorscentre.co.uk/ Actors Centre], which also gave way to the [http://londonactingnetwork/forum/ London Acting Network], a London acting community support group. In the centre of Leicester Square there is an official half-price '''TKTS''' booth. Be wary of other ticket offices -including those claiming to be the "Official Half-Price Ticket Office" - as these may have higher prices, and have been known to sell fake tickets. For up-to-date listings see the weekly magazine ''[http://timeout.com/london Time Out]'' or check the [http://officiallondontheatre.co.uk/london_shows/ Official London Theatre] site. The South Bank is another area well known for world class theatre, and is home to the National Theatre and the Globe Theatre, the latter of which is London's only thatched building and an attraction in itself. Each Globe performance has over 700 £5 tickets. London's theatre scene outside of these two main districts is known as "the Fringe". Several of the larger and more established fringe theatres are an excellent way to see top quality productions of plays that may move to the West End, but at lower than West End prices. The most significant of these are: * {{do | name=The Royal Court | url=http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Nearest Tube is Sloane Square | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This theatre specialises in new writing, and productions that have transferred to great acclaim include ''Enron'' by Lucy Prebble and ''Jerusalem'' by Jez Butterworth, which had long runs in the West End and on Broadway. }} * {{do | name=The Menier Chocolate Factory | url=https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com/Online/default.asp | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Short walk from London Bridge station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This small theatre adjacent to Borough Market has done spectacularly well with revivals of musicals, including ''Sunday in the Park with George'' and ''A Little Night Music'' both by Stephen Sondheim and which ran in the West End and on Broadway. }} * {{do | name=The Lyric Theatre | url=http://www.lyric.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@lyric.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Short walk from Hammersmith Tube station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Not to be confused with its West End namesake this fascinating theatre comprises a Victorian interior transplanted into a modern office building. It offers a mix of modern interpretations of Shakespeare, musicals (''Spring Awakening'' was a notable success) and plays that reflect the multicultural nature of its location, in particular serving the Asian and Afro-Caribbean populations of West London. }} ===Other things to do=== [[File:Buckingham Palace (Guard).006 - London.JPG|thumbnail|A Guardsman on duty at Buckingham Palace]] *Take a walk through London's '''Royal Parks'''. A good walk would start at Paddington station, and head through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park (passing Buckingham Palace) and St James's Park before crossing Trafalgar Square and the River Thames to the [[London/South Bank|South Bank]] and Waterloo station. At a strolling pace this walk would take half a day, with plenty of places to stop, sit, drink, and eat en route. * {{do | name=Watch a film | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As well as the world-famous blockbuster cinemas in the West End, London has a large number of superb art house cinemas. In the summer months, there are often outdoor screenings at various venues, such as Somerset House and in some of the large parks. }} * '''Watch football:''' London has over a dozen professional soccer clubs, plus '''Wembley Stadium''' the national stadium, hosting internationals (including Euro 2020, postponed to 2021) and the finals of club competitions, notably the FA Cup and the league playoffs. As of 2021, London has six clubs in the Premier League, the top tier of English football: Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) and West Ham United. In the second tier, the Championship, are Fulham, Millwall and Queens Park Rangers (QPR). In the third tier, League One, are Charlton Athletic and AFC Wimbledon; and in the fourth tier, League Two, is Leyton Orient. Other clubs slug it out in the lower leagues, semi-professional going on amateur. International and top club matches need booking in advance, but at smaller clubs just turn up and pay at the gate. Never ever pay a scalper for a ticket, it's illegal and what he's selling probably isn't valid at the turnstile, and with so much choice it's a buyer's market. At bottom-end clubs there's actually a risk that you might be begged to strip off and take the field to make up an eleven. Hackney & Walthamstow marshes have football teams and playing fields the way Xanadu had caverns measureless to man, with a thin drizzle blowing in off a sunless sea. * '''Watch rugby union,''' 15-a-side. Internationals are played at '''Twickenham''' west of the city - the Six Nations games are likely to sell out. Three London teams play in the Premiership, the top tier of club rugby in England: Harlequins, London Irish and Saracens. You'll see famous international players in these club fixtures. * '''Rugby League World Cup Finals''' are held in England 15 Oct - 19 Nov 2022, postponed from 2021. Matches will be played at Copper Box Arena in London Stratford, and in another dozen cities, with the final at Manchester Old Trafford. * {{do | name=Watch tennis at Wimbledon | alt= | url=http://www.wimbledon.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=The Championships, Wimbledon | image=Wimbledon Court 1.jpg | wikidata=Q41520 | content=Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is widely considered the most prestigious. Naturally it is a regular feature on the tennis calendar. London goes "tennis crazy" for two weeks when the competition commences in late June and early July. One of the greatest traditions of this event is to eat strawberries and cream with sugar. }}(Tube: Southfields) * '''Watch cricket''' at the Oval (Lambeth) or Lord's (St Johns). Both host county and Test matches (i.e. internationals, lasting up to 5 days). * {{do | name=Open House London Weekend | url=http://openhouse.org.uk | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Explore many of the city's most interesting buildings during the London Open House Weekend - usually held on the third weekend of September. During this single weekend, several hundred buildings which are not normally open to the public are opened up. See website for details of buildings opening in any given year - some buildings have to be pre-booked in advance - book early for the popular ones! }} * '''Winter skating.''' During the winter months multiple outdoor ice rinks pop up across London. Considered by some to be somewhat overpriced and overcrowded, they nonetheless have multiplied, easing congestion and increasing competition. Most charge from £10-12 (adults) for an hour on the ice, including skate hire. See the district articles for the [[London/City of London#Do|City of London]], [[London/East End#Do|East End]] and [[London/Leicester Square#Do|Leicester Square]]. * '''Summer skating.''' In summer (and also in winter, for the more dedicated) there is also a thriving roller skating (on inline and traditional "quad" skates) scene in London, catering to many disciplines including street hockey, freestyle slalom, dance, general recreational skating (including three weekly marshalled group street skates) and speed skating. This mostly centres around Hyde Park (on the Serpentine Road) and Kensington Gardens (by the Albert Memorial). See the district articles for [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone#Do|Mayfair-Marylebone]] and [[London/South#Do|South West London]]. *{{do | name=Bus and river tours | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=If you don't feel like splashing out on one of the commercial bus tours, you can make your own bus tour by buying an [[London#Get around|'''Oyster''']] card and spending some time riding around London on the top deck of standard London buses. Of course you don't get the open air or the commentary, but the views are very similar. You will likely get lost but that is half the fun; if that worries you then go for a commercial tour. One tour, for instance, can be obtained from the London Pass. There is a website for this company. Essentially what it does is sell a 24-hour ticket to use the company's buses to see the essential sites of London and a boat tour on the Thames (with the same ticket) provides a river tour of some of metropolitan London. Taking a tour like this is a good way to spend much of a first day in London, so you can decide what you want to see up close later. Commercial tours are also the only remaining way to ride a vintage red '''routemaster bus''' through the city streets. }} *'''[http://www.insider-london.co.uk/ Insider London]''' deliver a range of unique alternative London walking tours. Tours include [http://www.insider-london.co.uk/london-graffiti-artists-walking-tours/ London Street Art], [http://www.insider-london.co.uk/tours/london-underground-and-tube-tour/ London Underground], [http://www.insider-london.co.uk/sustainable-green-building-london-tours-2/ Sustainable Architecture], [http://www.insider-london.co.uk/weird-london-murders-walking-tours/ Death and Debauchery] and [http://www.insider-london.co.uk/bespoke-london-walking-tours/ bespoke tours], as well as pub and architecture tours. * '''Photography'''. Buildings such as museums, churches and art galleries will display their own guidelines clearly. In many public buildings the use of tripods and flash are not permitted. *'''[https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/hidden-london Hidden London]'''. A series of tours run by the London Transport Museum exploring the hidden depths of the Underground, including abandoned stations and tunnels; plus there are visits to TfL's famous art deco headquarters (55 Broadway) and "access all areas" inside looks at operational stations such as Charing Cross and Euston. Demand is high for what is quite a restricted annual programme, and you can purchase a maximum of four tickets per tour. Adults: £41.50, concession: £36.50. This ticket includes a day pass to the LT Museum, to be used within a month of the event date, and gives you a 10% discount on all merchandise bought at the museum shop or online within the same period. *'''NFL International Series'''. NFL ([[American Football]]) games held in Wembley and Twickenham Stadiums. In the upcoming 2017 season, two games will be played at Wembley and two at Twickenham. Usually held on Sunday evenings or afternoons between October and December of each year. ==Learn== {{infobox|Universities in London|London attracts more students from overseas than any other city in the world and is home to a huge variety of academic institutions. Its universities include some of the oldest and most prestigious in the world. The '''[http://www.london.ac.uk/ University of London]''' is a federal university system with many constituent colleges, though for all practical purposes each constituent college operates as a separate university. '''[http://lse.ac.uk London School of Economics and Political Science]''' is located on the boundary of Covent Garden and Holborn in Westminster, 18 Nobel Prize winners and 50 world leaders have studied here. The School offers a well-regarded lecture programme that is open to the public. Speakers have included Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama and Paul Krugman. Event schedule and ticket information available from the LSE website. '''[http://ucl.ac.uk University College London]''' academic research is cited more than any other university in the UK, and its courses are regarded as among the best in Britain. The campus is located just north of the British Museum in the literary area of Bloomsbury. Notable alumni include Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander Graham Bell and the British philosopher Jeremy Bentham, whose mummified body is on display at the school in a wooden cabinet called the "auto-icon". '''[http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/ Imperial College London]''' is the UK's leading university specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine. The campus is located in a beautiful area of South Kensington, surrounded by numerous cultural institutions including the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Notable alumni include Sir Alexander Fleming, Thomas Henry Huxley, and H.G. Wells. Others include '''[http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx King's College London]''', '''[http://www.soas.ac.uk/ School of Oriental and African Studies]''' (SOAS), '''[http://qmul.ac.uk/ Queen Mary, University of London]''', '''[http://london.edu London Business School]''', '''[https://www.mdx.ac.uk/ University of Middlesex]''' and the '''[http://www.westminster.ac.uk/ University of Westminster]''' }} ===Learn English=== London is a natural place to learn and improve spoken and written English. There are a huge range of options, from informal language exchange services to evening classes and formal language schools. There are unaccredited schools charging hefty fees and offering qualifications that are viewed as worthless. If choosing a course from a privately-run school or college, it is important to ensure the institution is accredited by the British Council. Some links to British Council accredited schools: * {{listing | name=Linguaenglish London | url=http://www.lingualearnenglish.com/uk/english-school.php?id=1 | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Lingua London is a family-run English language school and has been teaching English only courses in London for over 10 years. }} * [https://liteschool.co.uk Lite Regal International School]. Lite Regal International School has since 1993 been offering English Language in London and Cambridge and they offer IELTS and all the Cambridge English Examinations for all levels. * {{listing | name=Rose of York | alt= | url=http://www.roseofyork.com | email=hello@roseofyork.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7580 9888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-12-21 | content=Rose of York has been teaching English language courses for over 28 years and they offer full-time, intensive or part-time English courses }} ==Work== London is one of the world's leading financial centres and so professional services is the main area of employment. It is best to check with recruiters and staffing agencies. London is hugely popular as a working holiday destination - work in bars and the hospitality industry is relatively easy to find. Wages are generally higher in London than the rest of the UK, in part due to the addition of London weighting, although the cost of living is higher still. ==Buy== ===Money=== London, like the rest of the UK, uses the British pound sterling. Retail prices for most items, with a few exceptions, always include VAT (at 20%). Visa and MasterCard/Maestro are the two most commonly-accepted debit/credit cards, although most large shops will also accept American Express. If your card does not have a microchip (for Chip & PIN) some machines (for instance, at Tube stations) will be unable to read your card. Some shops may ask you for additional identification, especially in relation to high-value items, or items that are under age-related restrictions. Most shops no longer accept personal cheques. Contactless or NFC-enabled Visa and MasterCard cards can also be used for purchases of usually up to £20 in lieu of Chip & Pin, even on London Underground fare gates and buses. '''£50''' notes are not often used in everyday transactions and most shops will not accept them. When exchanging money at a bureau de change make sure to ask for £5, £10 and £20 notes only. The Bank of England's [https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes guide to bank notes] may be of use. London and England are some of the worst places to '''exchange money'''. Included fees (in the exchange rate) of up to 50% are not uncommon. Do not get fooled by the ''no commission'' statement that many bureaux de change make. This is a trick and actually a blunt lie because the exchange rates are just made so bad so that they cover for any necessary commissions. So, how do you identify a decent exchange rate? Basically, the spread between the buy and sell rate tells you what is the fee (divided by 2, actually)&mdash;anything above 10% is a rip-off, 5% is good, 1% is excellent but forget about it in the UK. You are better off withdrawing money from ATMs here. ===Shopping=== London has a justified reputation for being one of the world's most expensive cities. But if you do your homework beforehand, there are ways to limit the damage, and prices for basic items are in general not as exorbitant as in the likes of Oslo, Reykjavik, Zurich or Sydney. [[File:Harrods (London).jpg|thumb|Harrods]] London is one of the world's most fashion-conscious cities: it has an abundance of clothing shops from the flagship stores of [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Oxford Street]] to the tiny boutiques of [[Brick Lane]]. Though not particularly known for bargain shopping, nearly anything you could possibly want to buy is available in London. During major sales, such as the annual Boxing Day sale after Christmas, and Black Friday in late November (an event imported from the U.S.), you price for some items are lowered by up to 70%, meaning that it is possible to find bargains for genuine luxury-branded goods if you are there at the right time. In Central London, the main shopping district is the West End (Bond Street, Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Regent Street). On Thursdays many West End stores close later than normal (7-8PM). * '''[[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Oxford Street]]'''. Main shopping street, home to flagship branches of all the major British high street retailers in one go including [http://selfridges.co.uk/ Selfridges], [http://johnlewis.com John Lewis] (includes a food hall), [http://marksandspencer.com Marks & Spencer] and other department stores. It is best to shop here in the morning as the street becomes increasingly busy during the day. (Tube: Oxford Circus) * '''[[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Regent Street]]''' (between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus). Includes such gems as Hamleys, considered to be London's flagship toy store spread out on seven levels, the iconic luxury department store [http://www.libertylondon.com/ Liberty], and the London Apple Store. (Tube: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus) * '''[[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Bond Street]]'''. Some of the world's most luxurious designer stores such as Cartier, D&G, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and Versace. (Tube: Bond Street) * '''[[London/Bloomsbury|Tottenham Court Road]]'''. Contains some of the world's most luxurious designer interior stores such as Heals. (Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street) * '''[[London/Covent Garden|Covent Garden]]'''. Fashionable area home to quaint outlets and relatively expensive designer stores. Around Seven Dials, chains include Adidas Originals, All Saints, Carhartt, Fred Perry, G Star Raw and Stussy. For shoes, head for Neal Street. Also found here is the London Transport Museum whose gift shop has some of the best souvenirs in the city (old maps, vintage Tube posters, etc.) London's second Apple Store is located here as well. (Tube: Covent Garden) * '''[[London/Leicester Square|Charing Cross Road]]''' (near Covent Garden). Traditionally a book lover's haven, it still has the giant general bookstore Foyles, and a few specialist and antiquarian shops survive south of Cambridge Circus and on the side streets to the east. (Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, or Charing Cross) * '''[[London/Leicester Square|Piccadilly]]''' (near Piccadilly Circus). Home to the luxury department store [https://www.fortnumandmason.com/ Fortnum & Mason]. * '''Denmark Street''' (at the north end of Charing Cross Road near Tottenham Court Road station). Also known as Tin-Pan Alley, this is a music lover's paradise with an amazing array of music shops, bars and clubs in one short street. (Tube: Tottenham Court Road) * '''[[London/Soho|Soho]]'''. Offers alternative music and clothes. Now home to Chappell of Bond Street's historic music shop. (Tube: Oxford Circus) * '''[[London/Camden|Camden Town]]'''. Alternative clothing and other alternative shopping, popular with teenagers and young adults. Has the headquarters for Cyberdog - a large shop which sells clothing and accessories for the club and rave scene. Camden Lock Market is also worth a visit to see independent artists plying their wares. (Tube: Camden Town) * '''[[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Chelsea]]'''. The King's Road is noted for fashion, homeware and children's clothing. On Wednesday many stores close late. (Tube: South Kensington) * '''[[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Knightsbridge]]'''. Department stores include the world-famous [http://harrods.com/ Harrods] (includes a food hall) and [http://www.harveynichols.com/ Harvey Nichols]. On Wednesday many stores close late. (Tube: Knightsbridge) * '''[[London/Kensington-Chelsea|Beauchamp Place]]'''. Shop where royalty and celebrities shop! One of the world's most unique and famous streets. It is known as one of London’s most fashionable and distinctive streets, housing some of the best known names in London fashion, interspersed with trendy restaurants, jewellers and speciality shops including [http://fortunyshop.com Fortuny]. (Tube: Knightsbridge) * '''[[London/Westminster|Westminster]]'''. Some of the world's most famous shirts are made on Jermyn Street. Savile Row is home to some of the world's best men's bespoke tailors including Henry Poole, Gieves & Hawkes, H. Huntsman & Sons, and Dege & Skinner. (Tube: Westminster) * '''Westfield London''' in Shepherd's Bush is one of the two largest shopping mall complexes in Greater London. It is served by the London Overground and the Underground. It is easiest to get here via public transport, but there is reasonable car parking space available. (Tube: Shepherd's Bush) * '''Westfield Stratford City''' in Stratford is a large shopping mall complex located on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There is ample car parking and you can also park here to access the park. This Westfield is easier to access by car due to its close proximity to the A12 road. (Tube/DLR: Stratford) ===Markets=== [[London/South Bank|Borough Market]] is a great (if expensive) [http://boroughmarket.org.uk/ food market], offering fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, meat, fish, and so on, much of it organic. The market opens Th-Sa. Many stalls offer freshly made fast food on the spot for lunch; from ostrich burgers to falafel, most tastes are catered for. (Tube: London Bridge) [[London/City of London|Old Spitalfields Market]] is an excellent [http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com market for clothes] from up-and-coming designers, records, housewares, food, and all things trendy. (Tube: Liverpool Street) Also be sure to check out [[London/East End|Brick Lane Market]], [[London/Greenwich|Greenwich Market]] and [[London/Notting Hill-North Kensington|Portobello Road Market]]. ===Tax-free=== Tax-free shops in airports are not strong in variety, prices are equal to London, and they close rather early as well. Shop listings at airport web sites can help to plan your tax-free (vs traditional) shopping. In the evening allow an extra half hour as closing hours are not always strictly respected. Nevertheless, tax-free (at the airport) does not mean cheaper. Prices are determined by the shop owner at their own discretion, and due to the large crowds, high shop rents, and free marketing there is no real reason why anyone should offer prices below average. Also, often goods sold here have different sizes than in regular stores, making it harder to compare. Furthermore, tax-free shops mostly only offer expensive brands and no cheap non-brand stuff, like simple sun glasses. Either way, you are better off doing your shopping somewhere else. Nevertheless, a different matter is '''tax reclaim'''. Many big department stores in central London have an information booth where they can give you the paperwork needed to reclaim tax on purchases made at the store when you get to the airport. ==Eat== For suggestions of specific restaurants have a look into the [[London#Central London|district articles]]. {{eatpricerange|Below £15|£15-50|£50+}} It is a huge task for a visitor to find the "right place" to eat in London - with the "right atmosphere", at the "right price" - largely because, as in any big city, there are literally thousands of venues from which to choose, ranging from fast food joints, pubs, and mainstream chains all the way up to some of the most exclusive restaurants in the world which attract the kind of clientele that don't need to ask the price. Sorting the good from the bad isn't easy, but London has something to accommodate all budgets and tastes. As London is one of the world's most multicultural cities, it is possible to find virtually every cuisine from around the world here if you look hard enough. Following is a rough guide to what you might get, should you fancy eating out: {{infobox|Smoking Ban|Smoking is illegal in all enclosed and indoor public spaces in the UK.}} * '''Up to £6''' - you can get a good English pub or cafeteria breakfast with a rack of bacon, beans in tomato sauce, egg, sausage, orange juice and coffee or tea. Most pubs stop this offer at 11:00, but there are literally hundreds of backstreet cafes (colloquially known as "greasy spoons") which will serve this sort of food all day. Most supermarket chains offer a "meal deal", consisting of a sandwich, a drink and a bag of crisps or fruit for £3-4 together, while buying the sandwich only can be the same price. If you are going to be on a budget for several days, the supermarkets are a good option. * '''£8''' - will buy you a couple of sandwiches and a soft drink, some takeaway fish and chips, or a fast food meal. There are also mostly Chinese restaurants which serve an all-you-can-eat buffet for around this price. These are dotted about the West End and it is well worth asking a member of public or a shopkeeper where the nearest one is. These restaurants make much of their revenue on drinks although these are usually still moderately priced. The food while not being of the finest standard is usually very tasty and the range of dishes available is excellent. There are literally thousands of so-called takeaways in London and are a cheap alternative to a restaurant meal. Check with your hotel management if they allow food deliveries before ordering in. Most takeaways offer some form of seating, but this is usually very limited. * '''£6-10''' - will get you a good pub meal and drink or a good Chinese/Indian/Italian/Thai/Vietnamese buffet. Many pubs have a buy-one-get-one-free offer, and you can either order two main dishes for yourself or bring a friend. * '''£15''' - some more expensive French, Mediterranean and international restaurants do cheaper two or three course lunch menus. * '''£25''' - offers you a lot more choice. You can have a good meal, half a bottle of wine and change for the tube home. There are plenty of modest restaurants that cater for this bracket. * '''£50 (to almost any amount!)''' - with more money to spend you can pick some of the city's finer restaurants. It may be a famous chef (like Michel Roux, Jr, or Gordon Ramsay) or simply a place that prides itself on using the finest ingredients. Worth the splurge to impress a special someone. These establishments often need to be booked well in advance, and most will enforce a dress code of some sort, like '''Rules''' of Covent Garden, the oldest restaurant still extant. Prices inevitably become inflated at venues closest to major tourist attractions - beware the so-called tourist traps. The worst tourist trap food, in the opinion of many Londoners, is served at the various steak houses (Angus Steak House, Aberdeen Steak House, etc. - they are all dotted around the West End and near the main train stations). Londoners wouldn't dream of eating here - you shouldn't either! Notorious areas for inflated menu prices trading on travellers' gullibility and lack of knowledge are the streets around the British Museum, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. Even the major fast food chains charge a premium in their West End outlets - so watch out. Pubs in the touristy areas of London are usually a poor choice for food although there are some brilliant "gastro-pubs" hidden away. In general, avoid all pubs that have graphic-designed and printed menus. Look around you - see any locals tucking in? No? - then you shouldn't either. The other rule to follow when avoiding poor food is the same as in any other part of Europe - is the menu available in multiple languages? If yes then start running! [[File:Kappacasein Grilled Cheese.jpg|thumb|Kappacasein cheese toastie from Borough Market]] In the suburbs, the cost of eating out is reduced drastically. Particularly in large ethnic communities, there is a competitive market which stands to benefit the consumer. In East London for example, the vast number of chicken shops means that a deal for 2 pieces of chicken, chips (fries) and a drink shouldn't cost you more than £3 especially on '''[[Brick Lane]]'''. Brick Lane is also known for being home to London's version of the '''beigel''' (spelt "bagel" in the United States and Canada, but pronounced the same way), with '''Brick Lane Beigel Bake''' and '''Britain's First & Best Beigel Shop''' being among the sole remnants of what was once a thriving Jewish community in the neighbourhood. Both shops are also known for their '''salt beef''', London's version of Jewish-style cured meats, and a popular filling in their beigel sandwiches. Another good (and cheap) lunch option is a chicken or lamb doner (gyro) at many outlets throughout the city, though meat quality is often poor. For more authentic Cockney food, try '''pie and mash''', which originates from the working-class in the East End. Usually minced beef and cold water pastry pie served with mashed potato, mushy peas and "liquor" gravy, it tastes a lot better than it sounds. Some of the best pie houses are '''M. Manze''' in Peckham or '''F. Cooke''' in Hackney Broadway Market. Water Souchet and London Particular (green-pea and ham) are classic Cockney soups, though hard to find on menus. For those game, '''jellied eels''', pickled-cockles and whelks are all traditional London seafood. It's people's experiences in these kind of places that gives Britain a bad name for food! The [[South Bank]]'s '''Borough Market''' offers wholesale produce as well as individual stalls that sell small bites and drinks for a casual and cheap meal. '''Kappacasein Dairy''' has a popular stand in the market famous for their grilled cheese which has earned the praise of Giada De Laurentiis and Ruth Reichl. Of course, the quintessential British dish '''fish and chips''' is widely available in London, but the standards can be pretty disappointing in the tourist trap pubs. The best-rated fish and chips shops in London are generally located in the suburbs, away from all the tourist fare in central London. For hamburgers, local chain '''[https://www.burgerandlobster.com/ Burger & Lobster]''' is an excellent choice for gourmet burgers. Tipping may also be different than what you're used to. All meals include the 20% VAT tax and some places include a service fee (10-12%). The general rule is to leave a tip for table service, unless there's already a service charge added or unless the service has been notably poor. The amount tipped is generally in the region of 10%, but if there's a figure between 10-15% which would leave the bill at a conveniently round total, many would consider it polite to tip this amount. Tipping for counter service, or any other form of service, is unusual - but some choose to do so if a tips container is provided. ===Restaurant streets=== While central London is full of restaurants and cafes, there are some areas where the majority of diners are Londoners, rather than tourists, and in general you will get a much more pleasant, better value, and less crowded eating experience than you will find in the West End. These places are best visited in the evenings. * '''Clapham Junction''' is not just a train station, but also home to many good restaurants and bars, in particular on Lavender Hill and Battersea Rise. (Overground: Clapham Junction) * '''Drummond Street''' in the Euston area has a fine mix of Indian restaurants - a short walk from Euston railway station. (Tube: Euston) * '''High Street Croydon''' Croydon is derided by most Londoners, however this suburban gem of a road has at least 30 decent restaurants, including three Argentinians, a South African curryhouse, a couple of fancy modern European brassieres, and just about every other type of cuisine you can think of. (Overground: East Croydon) * '''[[London/Hammersmith|Kings Street]]''' extends on to Chiswick High Road from Hammersmith Tube Station and is one long road of a choice of restaurants at very reasonable prices, some bargain mentions are the Thai restaurants offering two course lunch for £7. Nearby Shepherds bush is about a 15 minute walk and is alive with bars and pubs in the evening. (Tube: Hammersmith) * '''Lordship Lane''' in East Dulwich provides a good selection of European restaurants and a few award winning gastropubs. (train: East Dulwich) * '''Upper Street''' in Islington has dozens of excellent restaurants, popular with young professionals. (Tube: Highbury & Islington, Angel). * '''Wardour Street''', in Soho, is full of nice cafes and restaurants. (Tube: Piccadilly Circus) ===Restaurant areas=== As one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities, you can find restaurants serving food cuisine from nearly every country, some of it as good as, if not better than in the countries of origin. Indian food in London is especially famous and there is hardly a district without at least one notable Indian restaurant. London also has excellent options for Chinese, in particular Cantonese food; local chain '''[https://www.royalchinagroup.co.uk/ Royal China]''' is an excellent option if you are looking for high-end fine dining dim sum. If you are looking for other particular regional foods these tend to be clustered in certain areas and ''some'' examples are: * [[London/East End|Brick Lane]] in [[London/East End|the East End]] is famous for Bangladeshi curries. (Overground: Shoreditch High Street) * [[London/Lambeth|Brixton]] for African/Caribbean. (Tube: Brixton) * Chinatown just off [[London/Leicester Square|Leicester Square]] for Chinese. (Tube: Leicester Square) * Edgware Road in [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Marylebone]] and [[London/Paddington-Maida Vale|Paddington]] is popular for Middle Eastern cuisine. (Tube: Edgware Road, Paddington) * Drummond Street (just behind Euston railway station in the [[London/Camden]] district) has lots of vegetarian restaurants - mostly Indian. (Tube: Euston) * [[London/North|Finsbury Park]] and Green Lanes, for Greek, Turkish, and Cypriot. (Tube: Finsbury Park/Manor House; Overground: Harringay Green Lanes) * [[London/North|Golders Green]] for Jewish fare. (Tube: Golders Green) * [[London/East End|Kingsland Road]] for good cheap Vietnamese. * [[London/Tooting|Tooting]], East Ham, [[London/Wembley|Wembley]] and Southall for authentic and cheap Indian eateries including South Indian restaurants serving hot pongal, dosas, idlis and other South Indian "tiffin" items. * [[London/Paddington-Maida Vale|Bayswater]] for Chinese, including the famous Four Seasons roast duck. (Tube: Bayswater, Queensway) * [[London/Lambeth|Lambeth]] between the South Bank and Brixton for Portuguese, Brazilian and diverse Latin American restaurants. (Tube: Kennington, Stockwell, Vauxhall) Other nationalities are equally represented and randomly dotted all over London. It is usually wisest to eat in restaurants on main thoroughfares rather than on quiet backstreets. ===Fast food and chains=== Like other capitals in the world, London has the usual array of fast food outlets. Sandwich shops are the most popular places to buy lunch, and there are a lot of places to choose from including the ubiquitous Pret a Manger. Some Italian-style sandwich shops have a very good reputation and you can identify them easily by looking at the long queues at lunchtime. If all else fails, central London has lots of mini-supermarkets operated by the big British supermarket chains (e.g., Sainsbury's, Tesco) where you can pick up a pre-packed sandwich. Fast food with an Asian flair is easy to find throughout the city, with lots of Busaba Eathai, Wagamama, and Yo! Sushi locations throughout the city. Nando's, a popular pseudo-Portuguese restaurant chain, has spicy peri-peri style grilled chicken. For burgers, GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) has been joined by other franchises such as Byron and Haché. ===Vegetarian and vegan=== London has plenty of vegetarian and vegan restaurants many of them championing organic foodstuffs, and a quick search in Google will produce plenty of ideas, so you never have to see a piece of cooked meat all week. If you are dining with carnivorous friends most restaurants will cater for vegetarians and will have at least a couple of dishes on the menu. Indian/Bangladeshi restaurants are generally fruitful, as they have plenty of traditional dishes. Good Indian/Bangladeshi options can be found in the Brick Lane area of Spitalfields or further afield in East Ham, Tooting Broadway, and Southall. These also tend to be very cheap eats with authentically prepared dishes with a true local ambience. There are also many vegetarian Thai buffet places where you can eat fake meat in tooth-achingly sweet sauces for under £5. These can be found on Greek Street and Old Compton Street in [[London/Soho|Soho]] and [[London/Islington|Islington High Street]]. Mildred's is a great veggie chain with a handful of locations around London. If you're interested in vegan versions of classic British dishes, try "fish" and chips from Sutton and Sons in [[London/Hackney|Hackney]], and various cafes offer veggie interpretations of a full English breakfast. ===Religious=== Due to the mix of cultures and religions, many London restaurants cater well for religious dietary requirements. The most common signs are for Halal and Kosher meat, from burger joints to nice restaurants. There are lots of Halal restaurants and shops all over London including Whitechapel Rd and Brick Lane in [[London/East End|the East End]], [[London/Paddington-Maida Vale|Bayswater, Edgware Rd and Paddington]] and in many parts of [[London/North|north London]]. There are plenty of Kosher restaurants in [[London/North|Golders Green]], [[London/North|Edgware]] and [[London/North|Stamford Hill]] along with some central delis such as on Charing Cross Road. ===Convenience stores and supermarkets=== Convenience stores such as Tesco Metro, Sainsbury's Central/Local, Budgens, Costcutter, SPAR, Co-op, and privately-run "corner shops" will sell pre-made sandwiches, snacks, alcohol, cigarettes, drinks, etc. Most are open from 05:00-23:00 although some, such as Tesco Metro or convenience stores located at petrol stations, may open 24 hours (some will stop selling alcohol after a certain time). Whistlestop convenience stores, usually found in or around train stations, are notoriously overpriced and should be avoided. If using a petrol station convenience store late at night (i.e. after 23:00) the store will be locked and you should order and pay through the external service window. ====Supermarkets==== Although Tesco, Sainsbury's and other supermarkets run smaller stores in central London, full-size superstores, including Morrisons and ASDA, are rare in the city centre - with the exception of the Sainsbury's in Pimlico - and you will usually have to take a 15-20 minute Tube ride to reach one. The closest large stores to central London are: * The '''[http://storelocator.asda.com/store/isle-of-dogs ASDA]''' store close to Crossharbour DLR Station on the Lewisham line. This is about a 15-minute ride from Bank station or at the end of the 135 24-hour bus route. * The '''[https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/303 Morrisons]''' in Chalk Farm close to Chalk Farm and Camden Town Tube stations. Bus route 27 runs directly to the store. * The '''[http://www.tesco.com/storeLocator/default.asp?bID=3205 Tesco]''' in the Surrey Quays shopping centre which is next to Canada Water station on the Jubilee line - about 10–15 minutes from the centre of town. * There are larger '''Sainsbury's''' stores in [https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/0009/pimlico Pimlico] (Tube: Victoria) and also [https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/0460/whitechapel Whitechapel] (Tube: Whitechapel) and [https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/0649/camden Camden Town] (Tube: Camden Town). Pimlico is in Travelcard Zone 1 while the latter stores are in Travelcard Zone 2. *There are a few '''Lidl''' Stores near Central London, including Finsbury Park and Camden. Lidl is a budget supermarket. '''[https://www.marksandspencer.com/ Marks & Spencer]''', an upmarket retailer, also operate food halls branded as "Simply Food". They can be found [https://www.marksandspencer.com/s/store-listing across central London]. The smaller stores, such as those found in train stations, tend to focus mostly on ready-to-eat food such as sandwiches, drinks, snacks, and also essentials such as bread and milk. ==Drink== London is home to a great many pubs, bars and nightclubs. The online city guide ''[http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/ View London]'' and the weekly magazine ''[http://www.timeout.com/london Time Out]'' tell what's going in London's night life, as well as cultural events in general. ===Pubs and bars=== London is an expensive place and your drink is likely to cost more than its equivalent elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Expect to pay around £4 for a pint of lager or Guinness (or around £3.50 for a pint of ale) in an average pub. As with restaurants, pubs close to major tourist attractions cash in on travellers' gullibility so be on your guard for the tourist traps where higher prices are not unheard of. Despite this however it ''is'' still possible to find a sub-£3 pint in central London - it takes some determination. If you're looking to save money and meet travellers then pub crawls are guided tours that run nightly in central London. You'll save the ticket price on the savings you get from discounted drink deals and what you would have spent on club entry. The "1 Big Night Out" pub crawl is the biggest operator and starts from near Leicester Square Tube station. Many local pubs, especially those run by chains like Wetherspoons and Scream, tend to be more reasonably priced with good drink promotions on weekday nights and during the day. As with the rest of the UK, chain pubs abound which Londoners tend to avoid like the plague. A good place to get cheap beer is at any one of the [http://www.jamesgretton.co.uk/samuelsmiths/#/London Sam Smith pubs] found across Central London, including Soho and the City. In the [[London/Bloomsbury|Bloomsbury area]], check out '''The Court''' (near the north end of Tottenham Court Road) and '''The Rocket''' (Euston Road). Both are fairly cheap, given that they cater for students of the adjacent University College London. Directly opposite the [[London/Bloomsbury|British Library]] is '''The Euston Flyer''', popular with locals and commuters alike given its close proximity to [[London/Camden|St Pancras International]] railway station. Classier bars and pubs can be much more expensive. However, the cost of alcohol drops significantly the further away you go from the centre ([[London/West|West London]] tends to be an exception, with prices pretty much the same as the centre). For a more reasonably priced (but brilliant) cocktail bar than you'll find in the central and West End areas '''Lost Society''' in [[Clapham]] on Lavender Hill, cocktails here cost around £7-8 each. Two historic London breweries are Young's and Fullers. Young's was founded in [[London/Wandsworth|Wandsworth]] in 1831 (but has relocated to [[Bedford]]) and nowadays it has 123 pubs in central London alone. '''The Founder's Arms''' next to the Tate Modern on the river embankment, is one of the brewery's most well-known establishments with a great view of the River Thames. Fullers was founded a bit later in 1845 at Chiswick (where you can take a most enjoyable tour of the brewery, including beer-tasting) and the jewel in its crown is probably the Grade I listed '''Old Bank Of England''' on [[London/Holborn-Clerkenwell|Fleet Street]], thanks to its breath-taking interiors. Fuller's flagship beer is the famous 'London Pride', however to try a truly authentic Cockney pint, ask at bars if they serve a seldom seen now '''porter''', a dark style of beer originating in London in the 18th century, similar but less heavy than a '''stout'''. For a different taste, try a '''gin and tonic'''. It's hard to say which pub in London is truly the oldest but it's easy to find contenders for the title. Many pubs were destroyed in the Great Fire of London – indeed, Samuel Pepys supposedly watched the disaster from the comfort of '''the Anchor''' in [[London/South Bank|Borough]]. Pubs were rebuilt on sites that claimed to have been working pubs since the 13th century. '''Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese''' in [[London/Holborn-Clerkenwell|Fleet Street]] is on the site of an old monastery and its cellar dates back to the 13th century. The '''Princess Louise''' and '''Cittie of Yorke''' are two lovely pubs close by along High Holborn with interesting decor; as is the '''Jerusalem Tavern''' of Farringdon, a converted Georgian coffee shop, which sells the Norfolk beer, St. Peters. '''The Royal Oak''' of Borough, is another pub which is the only representative of an out-of-town brewery in London, that of Harvey's of Lewes. The food is fantastic as is the atmosphere. Those interested in London's historic and literary connections can't miss '''The Spaniard's Inn''' in [[London/Hampstead|Hampstead]]. Dick Turpin is said to have been born here; John Keats and Charles Dickens both drank here; it's mentioned in Dickens' ''The Pickwick Papers ''and Bram Stoker's ''Dracula''. The Goose at [[London/Lewisham|Catford]], was reputedly a favourite hole of Karl Marx. For the best view in the city, try pubs on the banks of the Thames. The [[London/South Bank|South Bank]] has lots of good bars with views of iconic bridges and buildings. One lesser-known cocktail bar sits in the OXO Tower, which is a secret that most tourists walk by every day. Heading towards [[London/Southwark|Bermondsey]], pub crowds become a little less touristy. For something historic try the ''Prospect of Whitby''' in Wapping which has been on its site since 1520 and claims to be the world’s oldest riverside tavern. If you're after gastropubs, you may like to visit London's first, '''The Eagle''', in [[London/Holborn-Clerkenwell|Clerkenwell]], established in 1991. You can also try ''Time Out''{{'}}s favourite newcomer, '''The Princess Victoria''' on Uxbridge Road, [[London/Hammersmith and Fulham|Shepherd's Bush]]. The "Bermondsey Beer mile" is home to many craft breweries which are open in the middle of the day most Saturdays. Situated under the railway arches on lines going to London Bridge, these quaint breweries are home to high quality beer at cheap to average London prices (~£2 per half). Best places include Kernel Brewery and Brew by Numbers. Wine buffs can enjoy the famous '''Davys''' wine bars that dot the city. The company, established in 1870, import wines and own over thirty bars in the centre. Other big names in wine include the Michelin-starred '''Cellar Gascon''' and '''Vinoteca''', both in [[London/City of London|Smithfield]]. For a posh wine tasting experience, there is '''Vinopolis''' by Borough Market, though a tour price will be as eye-watering as the produce sampled. Big hotels, such as The Langham, The Dorchester and The Ritz, and upmarket clubs around [[London/Leicester Square|Leicester Square]] and [[London/Soho|Soho]] are reliable bets for a date at the bar. The Connaught Hotel in [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Mayfair-Marylebone]] boasts its house bar, plus the ''Time Out'' magazine favourite, The Coburg. Still in Mayfair, The Polo Bar at The Westbury is very intimate. You can rely on most up-and-running bars to offer a short cocktail menu and there are also bars that position themselves as cocktail specialists. ===Nightclubs=== Nightlife is an integral part of London life and there are countless nightclubs in and around Central London with music to suit even the most eclectic of tastes. Districts in London tend to specialize in different types of music. The [[London/Holborn-Clerkenwell|Farringdon/Hoxton/Shoreditch area]] has many clubs playing drum and bass, techno, house and trance music and is home to the superclub Fabric. The clubs in this area are often home to the world's top DJs and attract a lively, hip and friendly crowd. Big name drum and bass, house and techno DJs also appear at clubs scattered around Kings Cross (Egg, Scala), Elephant (Ministry of Sound, Corsica Studios), Southwark (Cable), Whitechapel (Rhythm Factory), or at mixed nights at the Vauxhall clubs. Nights are also hosted in disused Hackney warehouses or south London car parks. The area around [[London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Mayfair]] is home to the more upmarket clubs in London. This area attracts a rather more showy crowd who love to flaunt what they have and is a must go to celebrity spot. Beware that drinks are ridiculously expensive and many clubs operate a guestlist-only policy. Music played here is often of the commercial chart, funky house, hip hop and R&B genre. Notable clubs include China White, Luxx, Maddox, Jalouse, Funky Buddha, Whisky Mist, Mahiki, No 5 Cavendish Square, Embassy, Vendome and Maya. Nightclubs around the [[London/Leicester Square|Leicester Square]] area hold the same music policy, but are rather more accessible, with numerous club and pub crawl promoters scattered around the area offering deals on entry. Notable clubs are Cafe De Paris, 1 Big Night Out pub crawl, Penthouse, Sound, Tiger Tiger, Zoo bar and Ruby Blue. The [[London/Camden|Camden]] area is home to clubs which play Indie, metal and rock music and notably the Electric Ballroom, the world-famous Koko (Fridays) and Underworld. Camden clubs are mostly shut (or empty) on the weekdays. In South London, London's Afro-Caribbean centre [[Brixton]] is home to numerous venues with all kinds of music, including a particular presence in reggae, ska, afrobeat, hiphop, and dubstep. There are also venues in Peckham and New Cross. ===Gay and lesbian=== London has a vibrant gay environment with countless bars, clubs and events in almost every district in the city. The nucleus of London's gay scene is undoubtedly Old Compton St and the surrounding area in [[London/Soho|Soho]] but over the last couple of years [[London/Lambeth|Vauxhall]] has seen a boom in Gay venues. You will find that many areas, particularly in [[London/Camden|Camden Town]] and [[London/East End|Shoreditch]], that straight bars will have a mixed clientele. To find out what is going on during your visit, you can check: * {{drink | name=qxmagazine.com | alt= | url=http://qxmagazine.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A weekly magazine that comprehensively covers the London gay scene with handy night by night listings available on-line and in print }} * {{drink | name=Boyz Magazine | alt= | url=http://boyz.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Which is published fortnightly and is freely available at most London gay venues, and contains listings of everything that is happening in all the major clubs in London and the South East. }} '''[http://prideinlondon.org/ Gay Pride]''' is held every year in June with a parade and street parties. The choice of places to go sometimes seems to be unmanageable. * {{listing | name=London Gay and Lesbian Switchboard | alt=LLGS | url=http://llgs.org.uk | email=admin@llgs.org.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7837 7324 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This voluntary service has been operating since ''1974'' and as well as providing counselling they offer an incredibly thorough information service about Gay events, accommodation and businesses in London. }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under £70|£70 to £140|Over £140}} London has hundreds of options for accommodation to suit all budgets from hostels through historic bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), mainstream chain hotels and apartments all the way to some of the most exclusive luxury hotels in the world such as The Savoy, The Ritz and Claridges where a stay in a top suite will cost upwards of £1,000 per night. The average cost of hotel accommodation in London is higher than in any other major British city. Prices invariably become inflated close to major sporting tournaments (such as the London Marathon, Wimbledon or major England football/rugby fixtures), or other important events taking place in the city - so it pays to plan your trip around such occasions or book your accommodation well in advance. In general, most people tend to stay within "Zone 1" of the underground, however do your research carefully - sometimes being that extra five minutes away from a station can make the difference in cost and quality of local food and drinking options. In any case, you can always catch a bus anyway - by far the best way to see the city and get about generally. If you stay outside of Zone 1, TfL's [https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/urban-planning-and-construction/planning-with-webcat/webcat?lat=51.50136&lon=-0.14189&type=Tim&locationId=ChIJtV5bzSAFdkgRpwLZFPWrJgo&input=Buckingham+Palace%2C+London%2C+UK&selectedCompareType=&selectedCompareValue=&travelTimeInterval=15&zoomLevel=13&places=&places=Travel+times&scenario=Base+Year&mode=All&timeOfDay=AM&direction=Average travel time map] shows which locations have good public transport. ===Hotels=== Your budget will have a lot to do with what part of London you will want to stay in. Tourist-standard prices range from £20-200 per person per night. Expect smaller than average rooms especially at the low end of this range. As a general rule, expect to pay between £75 and £150 per night for a two- or three-star hotel in the central area of the city. Many of the big name chain hotels now offer substantial discounts (with rates often down as low as £30-£50 per room per night) if you book well in advance, but the drawback is that you have to pay the full amount upfront at the time of booking and there are no refunds if you cancel. The heart of the West End is the most expensive place to stay and most hotels are either four- or five-star and most will command a hefty price premium. [[London/City of London|The City]] and [[London/Docklands|Canary Wharf]] can also be very expensive during the week, as they rely heavily on the captive business market, but prices often drop dramatically over the weekend when the business travel dries up. Booking there can be a good way of getting into a higher standard of accommodation than you could otherwise afford. However, much of the City becomes a ghost town over the weekend, and you will find that few bars and restaurants are open away from the main tourist attractions. Be exceptionally careful regarding the big "budget" hotel chains such as Premier Inn and Travelodge; prices for their London hotels (in contrast to elsewhere) can often meet or exceed those of other, better quality hotels, so it cannot just be assumed that you will get a good deal from them. Some of Travelodge's City of London hotels especially are of ''shockingly'' poor quality for the prices they charge. A top tip, however, is to always check the likes of LondonTown.com, Expedia and LateRooms as well as the hotel's own website since there are often deals to be had which can reduce the costs significantly. The extra cost of getting around is probably not significant compared to savings made by staying in a hotel further out near an Underground or railway station. Always be sure though to check where the closest Tube station is to your hotel. Staying further out will be cheaper but when travelling in allow 1-2 min per Tube stop (near the centre), around 2-3 min per stop (further out) and 5-10 min per line changes. This can easily total up to a 1 hour journey if there is a walk at each end. There are many hotels close to transport hub stations such as Stratford, Greenwich, Ealing Broadway, Wimbledon and East Croydon. A more imaginative alternative could be to stay in a nearby town with quick and easy train travel to London. For example, lively [[Brighton (England)|Brighton]] (otherwise known as 'London by Sea') is only an hour away, but your budget will go much further and there are excellent accommodation options. Some of the better value options are to be found in the following central districts: * [[London/Bloomsbury|Bloomsbury]]. Relatively quiet district with a wide range of accommodation, and has enjoyed a surge in popularity following Eurostar's move to St Pancras International station. Cartwright Gardens features a dozen small B&Bs in historic houses. Many budget options are located on Argyle Square (just off the Euston Road). Gets a little seedy towards and beyond King's Cross railway station. * [[London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Earl's Court and West Kensington]] in west central London. Budget and modest accommodation as well as good 4-star hotels. Be careful with the cheapest accommodation in this area though as it will likely be very seedy indeed. * [[London/Paddington-Maida Vale|Paddington and Bayswater]] in north west central London. Has undergone a lot of change largely resulting from the Heathrow Express train coming into Paddington station. Good hotels can be found in the immediate area of the station and in quieter spots a short walk away as well as in the traditional mid-range accommodation area further south in Bayswater. * [[London/Westminster|Westminster]]. Lots of small B&Bs around the back of Victoria railway station in the Pimlico area. A slightly left-field option is to check the '''[http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/ Landmark Trust]''', a building preservation charity who purchase notable old buildings in the UK, renovate and run them as holiday lettings. An interesting approach to saving old buildings for sure. ===Hostels=== Not necessarily as unpleasant as you may think, and as long as you don't mind sharing with others, they are the most cost-effective option and also offer breakfast, and kitchens for self-catering. There are independent hostels throughout the city which are listed in the relevant district articles. In the summer season, many of the colleges and universities in Central London open up their '''student halls of residence''' as hotels during vacations, at usually much lower rates than proper hotels, but expect very basic facilities (e.g. communal bathrooms, no catering facilities), but you will get the personal privacy that you don't get in hostels for not very much more cost. ===Apartments=== Some apartment-hotels offer good value accommodation for those travelling in a group - often better quality than many hotels but at a cheaper individual rate per person. Capsule-style crash spaces are just arriving, but they are only in central locations. Short-term apartment or flat rentals are an attractive option for many travellers to London, and there are innumerable agencies offering them, almost all of them nowadays through the internet. A key consideration for renting a short term flat is if you are visiting in a large group or a family. In such cases a short stay in London can be more affordable compared to staying in a hotel. Your best protection is to deal only with London apartment rental agencies which have been recommended by independent sources you feel you can trust, and to deal only with those that accept confirmations via credit card. Additional option in this sector is serviced apartments for stays longer from 2 weeks, the price between £60 to £150 and the apartments are a hybrid between hotels and apartments, including cleaning and desk services. ===Alternative accommodation === Travellers can choose from a variety of homestay styles such as home-swapping (lovehomeswap.com), living in a temporarily vacated room (anyfriendofours.com) or the high end version where companies specialize in homestays with full hotel services such as housekeeping and concierge (viveunique.com). Most of the time these options are safe but it is important that guests and homeowners take equal precaution to ensure their valuables are safeguarded. Homeowners should always provide guests with terms and conditions of their live-in house rules to ensure there are no mishaps and both parties are at ease. This new trend allows guests to enjoy a less touristy version of London as most of these homes will be in residential areas which each have their own unique charm and experiences. ===Holiday rentals=== Hotels are generally expensive in London when compared with other European cities. As a result the city has a vast amount of self-catering accommodation on offer. Many of them are apartments in various central areas of the capital. Well established local sites include '''[http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/ Holidaylettings.co.uk]''', '''[http://www.spaceaparthotel.com/ Space Apart Hotel]''', '''[http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/ Owners Direct], [https://www.Stay.com stay.com]''' and '''[http://www.alphaholidaylettings.com Alpha Holiday Lettings]'''. If you are looking to stay in just a room or part of the property, '''[http://www.airbnb.co.uk Airbnb]''' matches holidaymakers with hosts who only rent out part of their homes. ==Connect== ===Wi-Fi access=== London is unfortunately not noted for free public wifi access - although the number of hotspots is continuing to grow. * {{listing | name=O2 Free Hotspots | url=http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/46647/o2-provides-free-london-wifi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content= O2 offers free wifi around London's busiest streets including parts of Oxford Street and Regent Street. Click on the link to see the map. }} * {{listing | name=Online-4-Free.com | url=http://online-4-free.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content=One of the most promising (it seems) for traveller-frequented areas, a service that provides blanket coverage along the banks of the River Thames (and some surrounding streets) from Millbank down to Greenwich Pier, and a small "cloud" in Holborn - the free service asks only that you view a short advertisement every half hour to get 256 kbit/s (higher rates and ad-free come at a small charge). }} * {{listing | name=Tate Modern | url=http://tate.org.uk/modern/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offering free wifi for a trial period. }} * {{listing | name=British Library | url=http://bl.uk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers free internet access throughout the library with registration. }} * {{listing | name=Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre | url=http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers free unencrypted wifi throughout the building without registration. }} * {{listing | name=Apple Store Regent St | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Tube:Oxford Circus | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Apple Store on Regent Street offers free wifi and has a theatre at the back of the first floor where you can sit and spend an hour or two. }} * {{listing | name=London Underground | alt= | url=http://my.virginmedia.com/wifi/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Virgin Media offers wifi access at Tube stations. Some mobile phone networks offer free access, otherwise you have to pay. }} *Free wifi is also available in many cafes, and the following chain outlets: McDonald's, Pret A Manger, JD Wetherspoon pubs, Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero, Starbucks. ==Stay safe== In an emergency, telephone "999" (or "112"). This number connects to Police, Ambulance and Fire/Rescue services. You will be asked which of these three services you require before being connected to the relevant operator. [[File:Met Police Blue Lamp.jpg|A Traditional 'Blue Lamp' outside a Police Station in London|200px|thumb|right]] London has one of the oldest police forces in the world, The [http://content.met.police.uk Metropolitan Police Service], and on the whole, London is a safe place to visit and explore. Alongside the regular Police, there are over 4,000 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) that provide a highly visible presence on the streets and can deal with low-level crime. Normal precautions for the safe keeping of your personal possessions, as you would in any other city, are suggested. ===Crime=== Like many big cities, London has a variety of social problems, especially begging, drug abuse and theft (mobile phones are a favourite, often snatched by fast-moving moped riders). The Metropolitan Police have placed significant resources in combating street level crime. Working in conjunction with borough councils, they have brought the level of theft and [[pickpockets|pickpocketing]] in major retail areas in London to a manageable level. Pickpocketing in London is not as rampant as in other major European cities, though it still pays to be vigilant and take the usual precautions in securing your valuables. Street gang culture is a growing problem in London as with many other cities in England. While most groups of youngsters are not likely to present any danger to tourists, some people feel the need to be slightly more vigilant in certain areas, especially certain outer suburbs. Violent crime is in general not common, and typically occurs in impoverished neighbourhoods that tourists are unlikely to wander into by accident. ==== Main precautions to take ==== * '''Keep valuables out of sight''': Many crimes are opportunistic - a lot of mobile phones are snatched from restaurant tables. By keeping items such as cash and mobile phones out of sight theft can easily be prevented. Don't flash your cash unnecessarily! * '''Keep bags zipped up and close to your body''': If your bag is hanging open it's like putting up a flashing neon sign saying "Steal from me!" Use zips and inside pockets to secure items wherever possible. Never leave valuables such as mobile phones, wallets, or travel documents in an outside section of your bag. * '''Be aware of your surroundings''': Before using your mobile phone have a look around you. Put your back against something solid such as a wall or window so you can't be approached from behind. If you're in a train or Tube station try to use your phone before leaving as all stations have CCTV. Constantly look around you even if you are in a busy area. '''Don't walk and talk/text!''' ==== Late at night ==== If you're planning to go out late at night and are worried about safety then try to frequent crowded areas such as the West End. There are always plenty of people on the street, even at 04:00. Generally, outside central London, the south, and east suburban areas are considered more dangerous, notably [[London/Lambeth|Brixton]], [[London/Southwark-Lewisham|Peckham]] and [[London/Hackney|Hackney]], although some parts of north-west London such as [[London/North|Harlesden]] and [[London/Camden|northern Camden]] are also known trouble spots. The main problem throughout London to various degrees is drunken behaviour, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights and after football matches. Loud and rowdy behaviour is to be expected and fights and acts of aggression also occur. If you are harassed, it is best to simply ignore and walk away from those concerned. Trouble spots can be expected around popular drinking locations such as [[London/Soho|Soho]] and in various suburban centres. === Scams and cons === London has a large number of con artists around, all trying to convince you to hand over your money one way or another. In general, you should ''never'' give cash or your bank/credit card detail to people on the street no matter how genuine they seem. '''Cash machine/ATM scams''': Most usage of these machines is perfectly safe, but there are various ways that thieves can either obtain your card or your cash when using an ATM. It is always safest to withdraw cash using a machine inside a bank, but street machines are usually more convenient. Before inserting your card visually check the machine for anything that looks odd. Thieves sometimes install cameras above the pin pad. If things look OK then reach out and wiggle the slot where you insert your card - if the slot's loose, don't put your card in, as there may be a device installed to trap your card. All good? OK, is there anyone standing too close to you or hovering nearby? If so, perhaps cancel the transaction and go elsewhere. If everything's good then go ahead! When obtaining your cash and retrieving your card hover your hand over the slot to be ready to grab them as soon as they come out. Is anyone trying to distract you? Don't let them and leave swiftly. If you notice anything odd about a cash machine or people nearby then phone the police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or report it to the premises the machine is attached to. Don't try to remove any devices yourself. '''Cup and ball game''': This variant of a scam dating back into antiquity is perhaps the most common and is frequently seen on the busier pedestrian bridges such as Westminster Bridge. A person will lay out a mat with three cups on it. They will pretend to hide a ball under one of the cups, move the cups around, and then ask you to place a bet on where the ball-containing cup has landed. There is no ball - the con artist will have spirited it away! This con always has people acting as lookouts in the crowd and they will pretend to win every now and again so it looks like the game is winnable. Also beware if you are just stopping to watch as you could be pick-pocketed! The best defence is to walk straight past these events and not engage at all. If you have a mobile phone/cellphone that works in the UK [http://www.police.uk/contact/101/ you can phone the police on 101] (the non-emergency equivalent to 999) and report them, but it is advised to move away to do this as you may be harassed by the con artist or their lookouts if they overhear you. '''Overzealous street performers''': Most street performers are happy to just do their thing, let you watch, and then you can throw them a few coins if you liked the show. However, some street performers will actively grab and harass passers-by in order to get attention and money. They may forcefully pose with you and ask you to take a photograph and then demand money for the photo opportunity. They may also take this opportunity while you're distracted to pick-pocket you. Don't engage with any street performer who is pushy or forceful - try and walk away, or call out "Get off me!" or "No!" and draw attention to yourself if you can't escape easily. Again, you can report these bogus street performers on the 101 number as above. '''Tissue sellers on trains''': Beggars will get onto a train and place tissues on the seats with a note begging for money. They want you to feel pity for them and buy the tissues, but this is an organised scam and the money goes towards criminal enterprises. If you see this happening on a train don't buy the tissues and ignore anyone who asks you for money for them. If you're above ground you can text the British Transport Police on [http://www.btp.police.uk/61016_text_service1.aspx 61016] to report it. '''"Clip joint"''': Every night, [[London/Soho|Soho]] presents a particular danger: the "clip joint". The usual targets of these establishments are lone male tourists. Usually, an attractive woman will casually befriend the victim and recommend a local bar or even a club that has a "show". The establishment will be near-desolate, and, even if the victim has only a drink or two, the bill will run to hundreds of pounds. If payment is not immediately provided, the bouncers will lock the "patrons" inside and take it by force or take them to an ATM and stand over them while they extract the cash. To be safe, if a woman you just met suggests you a place, try to recommend a different bar. If she insists on hers then walk away and do not listen to her suggestions. Sometimes this con trick takes place when someone is lured into a private club with the promise of something perhaps more than a drink (like a "private show" or sex for a small amount of money). A "hostess fee" will appear on the bill for several hundred pounds, even though there has been nothing more than polite conversation. '''"Stress tests"''': If anyone offers you a free "stress test", they are likely trying to recruit you into the Church of Scientology. The best option is to walk away or just say "''No thank you''" politely, as people are commonly harassed into giving personal details. '''Needing money for phone/train tickets/the bus/et al.''': Someone will approach you asking for money for public transport. They will claim that they have lost their Travelcard or that it has been damaged somehow. Most people upon losing their Travelcard will seek aid at a train station and not approach random strangers! Another variant of this scam exists wherein a man or woman will ask for change so they can make a call at a phone box. Occasionally a person with a very convincing fake injury will ask for money so that they can get a taxi to hospital, strangely refusing the offer of you calling an ambulance or the police for them as you would do for most injured people in the street. Ignore them. '''Ticket machine scam''': One of the most popular scams in London is the ticket machine scam: While buying a ticket at a train station someone will approach you and act as if they want to help you buy the right ticket. In reality, they will wait until your money is in the machine, then lean across, cancel the transaction and pocket your cash. Say "No thanks" politely - you know what ticket you want to buy! '''Selling/asking for a donation for "lucky heather"''': This scam, usually operated by women, involves someone handing you "lucky heather" (a small flower usually wrapped in foil) and then either trying to sell it to you or asking for a monetary donation. They will come up with a vague charity ("money for sick children", "money for orphaned babies", and so on) and show you a purse full of supposed "donations". If you are handed one of these flowers either hand it back or drop it on the ground and leave. Be aware that you if you take the flower and leave without "donating" you could be chased and harassed by the people involved in the scam. ===Street collections=== Although not illegal, London is a known hotspot for charity collectors, some of whom can be extremely persuasive in trying to obtain a donation; therefore they have earned the name "charity muggers" or "chuggers". If you do not want to donate, be polite but forceful, and under no circumstances provide any form of bank details. Larger charities ask their collectors to have specific and verifiable identification. ===Transport=== Don't take illegal minicabs (see Get around for details). No Minicabs are allowed to ply for trade on the street, and any doing this should be avoided. Travelling on the lower deck of a night bus is generally safer, as there are more passengers around, and you are visible to the bus driver. If you have been the victim of crime on the railways or the London Underground you should report the crime as soon as possible to the British Transport Police who have an office in most major train and Tube stations. If you have been a victim of crime in the City of London you should report the crime to the City of London Police. Elsewhere, you should report your crime as normal to the Metropolitan Police. If you've lost an item on the Underground, Overground or Docklands Light Railway, in a licensed black cab, or on a red London bus then you should contact the [https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/lost-property TfL Lost Property Office] as soon as possible. If an item is lost or misplaced on other transport services in London, the relevant service operator should be contacted. Bank, credit and debit cards, when found, are securely destroyed. Contact your bank immediately if you lose these on a transport service. ==Stay healthy== The UK's '''National Health Service''' (NHS) will provide '''emergency''' treatment for anyone in the UK, irrespective of whether they reside in the UK, but if you are not a UK resident you will be expected to make a contribution (up to the entire cost) towards such treatment. Travel insurance is essential. You can find NHS services near you [http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx here]. ===Emergencies=== For a ''serious'' medical emergency (unconsciousness, stroke, heart attack, heavy bleeding, broken bones, etc.) dial '''999''' or '''112''' and ask for an ambulance. These numbers are free of charge from any telephone. When you call, the operator will ask for details about the patients and your location; answering these questions will not delay help. As emergency response is prioritised in London the operator needs to know what resources they need to use and how quickly you need them. London's ambulance coverage is excellent with highly trained and friendly staff. For instances of major trauma there is also [https://londonsairambulance.co.uk/our-service '''London's Air Ambulance'''], two helicopters that can deliver an advanced trauma team within minutes to anywhere in London. At night the helicopters do not fly and a rapid response car is dispatched instead. Emergencies can also be dealt with at most NHS hospitals with an '''A & E''' (Accident & Emergency) department. In A & E, be prepared to wait for a long time (the average is 4 hours) during busy periods before being given treatment if your medical complaint is not too serious. For less serious problems, try a GP's ("General Practitioner", or family doctor) surgery, [http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Urgent%20Care/LocationSearch/0 Urgent Care Centre], or a high-street pharmacist. ====Major hospitals==== Major A & E hospitals in London are: *'''Charing Cross Hospital''', Fulham Palace Rd, Hammersmith, W6 8RF *'''Chelsea & Westminster Hospital''', 369 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, SW10 9TR *'''St George's Hospital''', Blackshaw Road, Tooting, SW17 0QT *'''Homerton University Hospital''', Homerton Row, Homerton, E9 6SR *'''King's College Hospital''', Denmark Hill, SE5 9RS *'''University Lewisham Hospital''', High St, SE13 6LH *'''Queen Elizabeth Hospital''', Stadium Road, Woolwich, SE18 4QH *'''Royal Free Hospital''', 23 East Heath Rd, Hampstead, NW3 1DU *'''The Royal London Hospital''', Whitechapel, E1 1BB *'''St Marys NHS Trust''', Praed St, Paddington, W2 1NY *'''St Thomas' Hospital''', Lambeth Palace Rd, South Bank, SE1 7EH *'''University College London Hospitals NHS Trust''', 25 Grafton Way, Bloomsbury, WC1E 6DB *'''Whittington Hospital''', Highgate Hill, Archway, N19 5NF ===General medical advice=== For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the 24 hour NHS Direct service on 111. Treatment for non-emergency conditions, or for hospital admissions resulting from emergencies, is normally free for people holding a European Health Insurance card (EHIC) issued by most European governments, or certain other countries [http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074379 listed here]. In the absence of such a card you would be well advised to get private travel health insurance. At large organised events, and in many theatre productions, basic medical assistance and first aid is provided through the support of organisations such as St John Ambulance or the stewards for the event. ====Pharmacies==== Pharmacies (often referred to as "chemists") are [http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Pharmacy/LocationSearch/10 found across London], with chains such as '''Lloyds Pharmacy''' and '''Boots''' being prevalent. Many independent pharmacies also exist. Most large supermarkets also have pharmacy counters, although these do not stock some of the stronger remedies. Unlike other European countries pharmacies in the UK are not often marked by prominent neon "green cross" signs. Pharmacists are also able to offer advice on many health problems and recommend medicines that might help. For certain remedies (for example stronger painkillers) you may have to ask at the counter, as for regulatory reasons these can only be sold by pharmacists under strict protocols. Don't be alarmed if the pharmacist asks some basic diagnostic questions or for your ID. ==Cope== ===Finding a toilet=== Need to spend a penny? Some businesses allow people to use their facilities without purchasing anything, others reserve them for customers only. '''[https://www.toiletmap.org.uk/ The Great British Public Toilet Map]''' attempts to map publicly-accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. All the [[#Main London terminals|main London rail terminals]] now have free toilets, although cleanliness can vary. Transport for London have produced a '''[https://content.tfl.gov.uk/toilets-map.pdf map of stations on their network with a toilet]'''. Where a pictogram is black, this indicates that lavatories are outside the gateline (thus open to all), while red pictograms mark toilets which are inside the gateline so only accessible to passengers or those willing to pay to touch in and out. Finally, the presence of an asterisk tells you whether a fee is charged for use of the facilities. For fact fans: the Central line has the most stations with toilets, at 29, and the Piccadilly line is close behind with 28. However, the sheer length of these lines and the number of stations skew the figures. Therefore, the lines with the greatest proportion of stations with loos and thus those lines which are best for regular customers are the Metropolitan line with 27 toilets out of a total of 34 stations (or 79% coverage), and the Jubilee line with 21 comfort areas across 27 stations (77%). As a shuttle between two of the busiest stations on the network, the Waterloo and City line naturally hits 100% loo coverage, and with its name you'd be disappointed if it didn't. By contrast, passengers should be prepared to cross their legs on the Docklands Light Railway, as across a network of 45 stations, a paltry 6 have toilets. ===Embassies and High Commissions=== London is a good place to get visas, being home to the fourth largest number of diplomatic missions in the world. Some embassies have a separate consular section for issuing visas, passports, notary services, etc., found in a different location from the chancery. It is advised to check their website or call them ahead of time if you need these services. The major English-speaking countries' embassies are marked on the dynamic map at the top of the article; to locate them, click the green number next to their flag. {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" ! [[Diplomatic missions]] ! list&nbsp; |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Afghanistan}} {{listing | name=Afghanistan | alt= | url=http://afghanistanembassy.org.uk | email=ea@afghanistanembassy.org.uk | address=31 Princes Gate, SW7 1QQ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7589-8891 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Albania}} {{listing | name=Albania | alt= | url=http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/united-kingdom/en | email=embassy.london@mfa.gov.al | address=33 St. George's Drive, SW1V 4DG | lat=51.4907 | long=-0.144028 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7828-8897 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q13036975 | lastedit=2022-02-07 | content= }} * {{flag|Algeria}} {{listing | name=Algeria | alt= | url=http://algerianembassy.org.uk | email=info@algerianembassy.org.uk | address=1-3 Riding House Street, W1W 7DR | lat=51.518274 | long=-0.142603 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7221-7800 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16208157 | lastedit=2022-02-07 | content= }} * {{flag|Andorra}} {{listing | name=Andorra | alt= | url= | email=andorra.embassyuk@btopenworld.com | address=63 Westover Road, SW18 2RF | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8874-4806 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Angola}} {{listing | name=Angola | alt= | url=http://angola.org.uk | email=embassy@angola.org.uk | address=22 Dorset Street, W1U 6QY | lat=51.5192 | long=-0.158028 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7299-9850 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16251282 | lastedit=2022-02-07 | content= }} * {{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}} {{listing | name=Antigua and Barbuda | alt= | url=https://antigua-barbuda.com/ | email=Highcommission@antigua-barbuda.com | address=45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7258-0070 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Argentina}} {{listing | name=Argentina | alt= | url=http://argentine-embassy-uk.org/ | email=info@argentine-embassy-uk.org | address=65 Brook Street, W1K 4AH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7318-1300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Armenia}} {{listing | name=Armenia | alt= | url=http://www.uk.mfa.am | email=armembassyuk@mfa.am | address=25A Cheniston Gardens, W8 6TG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7938-5435 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | alt= | url=http://uk.embassy.gov.au/ | email= | address=Australia House, Strand, WC2B 4LA | lat=51.5129 | long=-0.115722 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7379-4334 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=High Commission of Australia, London | image=Australia House - geograph.org.uk - 680485.jpg | wikidata=Q12252353 | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Austria}} {{listing | name=Austria | alt= | url=http://bmeia.gv.at/london/ | email=london-ob@bmeia.gv.at | address=18 Belgrave Mews West, SW1X 8HU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7344-3250 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Azerbaijan}} {{listing | name=Azerbaijan | alt= | url=http://london.mfa.gov.az/ | email=london@mission.mfa.gov.az | address=4 Kensington Court, W8 5DL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7938-3412 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|the Bahamas}} {{listing | name=Bahamas | alt= | url=http://www.bahamashclondon.net/ | email=information@bahamashclondon.net | address=10 Chesterfield Street, W1J 5JL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7408-4488 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Bahrain}} {{listing | name=Bahrain | alt= | url=http://www.bahrainembassy.co.uk | email=information@bahrainembassy.co.uk | address=30 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8QB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7201-9170 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Bangladesh}} {{listing | name=Bangladesh | alt= | url=http://bhclondon.org.uk | email=info@bhclondon.org.uk | address=28 Queens Gate, SW7 5JA | lat=51.49620 | long=-0.17971 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7584-0081, +44 20 7584-0084 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Barbados}} {{listing | name=Barbados | alt= | url=http://foreign.gov.bb | email=london@foreign.gov.bb | address=1 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3ND | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7631-4975 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Belarus}} {{listing | name=Belarus | alt= | url=http://uk.mfa.gov.by/en/ | email=uk.london@mfa.gov.by | address=6 Kensington Court, W8 5DL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7937-3288 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium | alt= | url=http://unitedkingdom.diplomatie.belgium.be/en | email=london@diplobel.fed.be | address=17 Grosvenor Crescent, SW1X 7EE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7470-3700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Belize}} {{listing | name=Belize | alt= | url=http://belizehighcommission.co.uk/ | email=info@belizehighcommission.co.uk | address=3F 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7723-3603 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Benin}} {{listing | name=Benin | alt= | url=http://beninconsulate.co.uk/ | email=beninconsulate@hotmail.co.uk | address=Millennium Business Centre, Humber Road, NW2 6DW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8830 8612 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Bhutan}} {{listing | name=Bhutan | alt= | url= | email=rutland.michael@gmail.com | address=Windacres, Warren Road, Guildford, GU1 3HG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1483 538189 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=[[Guildford]] is a town {{mi|32}} south-west of London. }} * {{flag|Bolivia}} {{listing | name=Bolivia | alt= | url=http://www.bolivianembassy.co.uk/ | email=embol@bolivianembassy.co.uk | address=106 Eaton Square, SW1W 9AD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-4255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} {{listing | name=Bosnia and Herzegovina | alt= | url=http://bhembassy.co.uk/ | email=embassy@bhembassy.co.uk | address=5-7 Lexham Gardens, W8 5JJ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7373-0867 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Botswana}} {{listing | name=Botswana | alt= | url= | email=bohico@gov.bw | address=6 Stratford Place, W1C 1AY | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7499-0031 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | alt= | url=http://brazil.org.uk/ | email=info.london@itamaraty.gov.br | address=14-16 Cockspur Street, W1K 7AT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7747-4500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Brunei}} {{listing | name=Brunei | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/uk-london/SitePages/Home.aspx | email=london.uk@mfa.gov.bn | address=19/20 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7581-0521 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Bulgaria}} {{listing | name=Bulgaria | alt= | url=http://bulgarianembassy-london.org/ | email=consular@bulgarianembassy.org.uk | address=186-188 Queen's Gate, SW7 5HL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7584-9433 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Burundi}} {{listing | name=Burundi | alt= | url=https://www.burundiembassy.org.uk/ | email=info@burundiembassy.org.uk | address=Uganda House (2nd floor), 58-59 Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7930 4958 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content= }} * {{flag|Cambodia}} {{listing | name=Cambodia | alt= | url=http://cambodianembassy.org.uk {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=cambodianembassy@btconnect.com | address=64 Brondesbury Park, NW6 7AT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8451-7850 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Cameroon}} {{listing | name=Cameroon | alt= | url=http://cameroonhighcommission.co.uk | email=info@cameroonhighcommission.co.uk | address=84 Holland Park, W11 3SB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7727-0771 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | alt= | url=http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/index.aspx?lang=eng | email=LDN.publicaffairs@international.gc.ca | address=Canada House, Trafalgar Square, SW1Y 5BJ | lat=51.5077 | long=-0.1291 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7258-6600 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom | image=Canada House.jpg | wikidata=Q13589963 | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Chile}} {{listing | name=Chile | alt= | url=http://chileabroad.gov.cl/reino-unido/ | email= | address=37-41 Old Queen Street, SW1H 9JA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7222-2361 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China | alt= | url=http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk | email=zj_uk@mfa.gov.cn | address=49-51 Portland Place, W1B 1JL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 220 7299-4049 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=''Also handles Hong Kong and Macau visas.'' }} * {{flag|Colombia}} {{listing | name=Colombia | alt= | url=http://londres.consulado.gov.co/ | email=clondres@cancilleria.gov.co | address=Westcott House, 35 Portland Place, W1B 1AE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7637-9893 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|the Democratic Republic of the Congo}} {{listing | name=Congo (Democratic Republic) | alt= | url=http://www.ambardc.london/ | email=info@ambardc-londres.gouv.cd | address=45-49 Great Portland Street, W1W 7LD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7278-9825 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Republic of the Congo}} {{listing | name=Congo-Brazzaville | alt=Honorary consulate | url=http://consulateofthecongobrazzaville.webs.com/ | email=rcbuk11@gmail.com | address=Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, WC2A 1PN | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7278-9825 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Costa Rica}} {{listing | name=Costa Rica | alt= | url=http://costaricanembassy.co.uk | email=info@costaricanembassy.co.uk | address=14 Lancaster Gate, W2 3LH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7706-8844 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Cote d'Ivoire}} {{listing | name=Côte d'Ivoire | alt= | url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?orgid=5314 | email= | address=2 Upper Belgrave Street, SW1X 8BJ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-6991 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Croatia}} {{listing | name=Croatia | alt= | url=http://uk.mvp.hr | email=croemb.london@mvep.hr | address=21 Conway Street, W1T 6BN | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7387 202 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Cuba}} {{listing | name=Cuba | alt= | url=http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/united-kingdom/embassy-cuba-united-kingdom | email=secembajador@uk.embacuba.cu | address=167 High Holborn, WC1V 6PA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7240-2488, +44 20 7240-7463 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:30-12:30 and 14:00-16:00. No consular services after 12:30 | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Cyprus}} {{listing | name=Cyprus | alt= | url=https://cyprusinuk.com/ | email=cyprusinuk@mfa.gov.cy | address=13 St James's Square, SW1Y 4LB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7321-4100 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|the Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Czech Republic | alt= | url=http://www.mzv.cz/london/en | email=london@embassy.mzv.cz | address=26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QY | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7243-1115 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Denmark}} {{listing | name=Denmark | alt= | url=http://storbritannien.um.dk/ | email=lonamb@um.dk | address=55 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SR | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7333-0200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Dominica}} {{listing | name=Dominica | alt= | url=http://dominicahighcommission.co.uk | email=info@dominicahighcommission.co.uk | address=1 Collingham Gardens, SW5 0HW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7370-5194 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Dominican Republic}} {{listing | name=Dominican Republic | alt= | url=http://dominicanembassy.org.uk | email=pa@dominicanembassy.org.uk | address=8 Gloucester Square, W2 2TJ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7262 6856 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Ecuador}} {{listing | name=Ecuador | alt= | url=http://reinounido.embajada.gob.ec/ | email=eecugranbretania@cancilleria.gob.ec | address=Flat 3b, 3 Hans Crescent, SW1X 0LS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7590 2501, +44 20 7590 2507 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name=Egypt | alt= | url=http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/ | email= | address=2 Lowndes Street, SW1X 9ET | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235 9777 | tollfree= | fax=+44 20 7235 5684 | hours=9AM - 5:30PM | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=Email via [http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/Contact_us.php online contact form]. }} * {{flag|El Salvador}} {{listing | name=El Salvador | alt= | url=http://embajadareinounido.rree.gob.sv/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=elsalvador.embassy@gmail.com | address=8 Dorset Square, NW1 6PU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7224-9800 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Equatorial Guinea}} {{listing | name=Equatorial Guinea | alt= | url=http://embassyofequatorialguinea.co.uk/ | email= | address=13 Park Place, SW1A 1LP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7499-6867 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=Email via [http://embassyofequatorialguinea.co.uk/contact/ online contact form] {{dead link|December 2020}} }} * {{flag|Eritrea}} {{listing | name=Eritrea | alt= | url= | email= | address=96 White Lion Street, N1 9PF | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7713-0096 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Estonia}} {{listing | name=Estonia | alt= | url=https://london.mfa.ee/ | email=london@mfa.ee | address=Queen's Gate Terrace, SW7 5PJ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7589 3428 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Ethiopia}} {{listing | name=Ethiopia | alt= | url=http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk | email= | address=17 Princes Gate, SW7 1PZ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7589-7212 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=Email via [https://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/contact/ online contact form]. }} * {{flag|Eswatini}} {{listing | name=Eswatini (Swaziland) | alt= | url=http://www.gov.sz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=456&Itemid=270 | email=enquiries@swaziland.org.uk | address=20 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6LB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7630-6611 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Fiji}} {{listing | name=Fiji | alt= | url=http://fijihighcommission.org.uk | email=mail@fijihighcommission.org.uk | address=34 Hyde Park Gate, SW7 5DN | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7584-3661 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finland | alt= | url=http://finemb.org.uk | email=consulate.lon@formin.fi | address=38 Chesham Place, SW1X 8HW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7838-6200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=France | alt= | url=https://uk.ambafrance.org/-Consulate-in-London- | email= | address=6a Cromwell Place, SW7 2EW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 845 7300 118 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=Email via [https://uk.ambafrance.org/Contact-us-21735 online contact form]. Consular section. The main embassy is at 58 Knightsbridge. }} * {{flag|Gabon}} {{listing | name=Gabon | alt= | url=http://www.gabonembassyuk.co.uk/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=gabonembassyuk@gmail.com | address=27 Elvaston Place, SW7 5NL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7823-9986 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Gambia}} {{listing | name=Gambia | alt= | url=http://gambiahcuk.com/ | email=info@gambiaembassy.org.uk | address=92 Ledbury Road, W11 2AH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7229 8066 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Georgia}} {{listing | name=Georgia | alt= | url=http://uk.mfa.gov.ge/default.aspx?sec_id=2117&lang=2 | email=london.con@mfa.gov.ge | address=4 Russell Gardens, W14 8EZ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7348-1942 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany | alt= | url=https://uk.diplo.de/ | email= | address=23 Belgrave Square / Chesham Place, SW1X 8PZ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7824-1300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=Email via [https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/home-kontakt-channel online contact form] }} * {{flag|Ghana}} {{listing | name=Ghana | alt= | url=http://ghanahighcommissionuk.com | email=myquery@ghanahighcommissionuk.com | address=13 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7201-5900 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | alt= | url=http://greekembassy.org.uk | email=consulate@greekembassy.org.uk | address=1A Holland Park, W11 3TP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7229-3850 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Grenada}} {{listing | name=Grenada | alt= | url=http://grenada-highcommission.co.uk.websitebuilder.prositehosting.co.uk/ | email=office@grenada-highcommission.co.uk | address=The Chapel, Archel Road, W14 9QH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7385-4415 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Guatemala}} {{listing | name=Guatemala | alt= | url=http://www.reinounido.minex.gob.gt/Home/Home.aspx | email=info@embaguate.com | address=105a Westbourne Grove, W2 4UW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7221 7448 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Guinea}} {{listing | name=Guinea | alt= | url=http://www.embassyofguinea.co.uk/ | email=contact@embassyofguinea.co.uk | address=2nd Floor, 239 Old Marylebone Road, NW1 5QT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+44 20 3752 6626 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Guyana}} {{listing | name=Guyana | alt= | url=http://www.guyanahclondon.co.uk/ | email=guyanahc1@btconnect.com | address=3 Palace Court, Bayswater Road, W2 4LP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7229-7684 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Haiti}} {{listing | name=Haiti | alt= | url= | email=info.haitiuk@diplomatie.ht | address=21 Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2TH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7404 7857 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content= }} * {{flag|the Vatican City}} {{listing | name=Holy See | alt= | url=http://www.cbcew.org.uk/CBCEW-Home/The-Bishops/Apostolic-Nuncio-to-Great-Britain | email= | address=54 Parkside, SW19 5NE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8944-7189 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content=Apostolic Nunciature to Great Britain. }} * {{flag|Honduras}} {{listing | name=Honduras | alt= | url=https://www.hondurasembassyuk.co.uk/ | email=hondurasuk@lineone.net | address=136 Baker Street, W1U 6UD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7486-4880 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Hungary}} {{listing | name=Hungary | alt= | url=https://london.mfa.gov.hu/eng | email=mission.lon@mfa.gov.hu | address=35 Eaton Place, SW1X 8BY | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7201-3440 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Iceland}} {{listing | name=Iceland | alt= | url=https://www.iceland.is/iceland-abroad/uk | email=icemb.london@utn.stjr.is | address=2A Hans Street, SW1X 0JE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7259-3999 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India | alt= | url=https://www.hcilondon.gov.in/ | email= | address=India House, Aldwych, WC2B 4NA | lat=51.51250 | long=-0.11838 | directions= | phone=+44 20 8629-5950 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=High Commission of India to the United Kingdom | wikidata=Q16842991 | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Indonesia}} {{listing | name=Indonesia | alt= | url=http://indonesianembassy.org.uk | email=kbri@btconnect.com | address=30 Great Peter Street, SW1P 2BU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7499-7661 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Iran}} {{listing | name=Iran | alt= | url=https://uk.mfa.gov.ir/en | email=iranemb.lon@mfa.gov.ir | address=16 Prince's Gate, SW7 1PT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7225 4208 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Iraq}} {{listing | name=Iraq | alt= | url=https://www.mofa.gov.iq/london/en/ | email= | address=3 Elvaston Place, SW7 5QH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7590-9220 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Ireland}} {{listing | name=Ireland | alt= | url=https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/ | email= | address=17 Grosvenor Place, SW1X 7HR | lat=51.5004 | long=-0.149778 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-2171 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Embassy of Ireland, London | image=Irish embassy in London.JPG | wikidata=Q15379291 | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Israel}} {{listing | name=Israel | alt= | url=http://embassies.gov.il/london/Pages/default.aspx | email= | address=2 Palace Green, W8 4QB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7957-9500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content=Email via [http://embassies.gov.il/london/AboutTheEmbassy/Pages/contact-us.aspx online contact form] }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | alt= | url=http://www.amblondra.esteri.it/ambasciata_londra/en/ | email=ambasciata.londra@esteri.it | address=14 Three Kings' Yard, W1K 4EH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7312-2200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Jamaica}} {{listing | name=Jamaica | alt= | url=http://www.jhcuk.org/ | email=jamhigh@jhcuk.com | address=1-2 Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BZ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7823-9911 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | alt= | url=http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp | email=info@ld.mofa.go.jp | address=101-104 Piccadilly, W1J 7JT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7465-6500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Jordan}} {{listing | name=Jordan | alt= | url=http://jordanembassy.org.uk/ | email=london@fm.gov.jo | address=6 Upper Phillimore Gardens, W8 7HA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7937-3685 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Kazakhstan}} {{listing | name=Kazakhstan | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.kz/en/london | email=london@mfa.kz | address=125 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5EA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 925 1757 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Kenya}} {{listing | name=Kenya | alt= | url=http://kenyahighcom.org.uk/ | email=info@kenyahighcom.org.uk | address=45 Portland Place, W1B 1AS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7636-2371 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Kosovo}} {{listing | name=Kosovo | alt= | url=http://www.kosovoembassy.org.uk/ | email=embassy.uk@rks-gov.net | address=8 John Street, WC1N 2ES | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7405-1010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Kuwait}} {{listing | name=Kuwait | alt= | url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?searchletter=g&orgid=5333 | email= | address=2 Albert Gate, SW1X 7JU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7590-3400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Kyrgyzstan}} {{listing | name=Kyrgyzstan | alt= | url=http://kyrgyz-embassy.org.uk | email=mail@kyrgyz-embassy.org.uk | address=119 Crawford Street, W1U 6BJ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 3865-1994 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Laos}} {{listing | name=Laos | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/LaoEmbassyLondon/ | email= | address=49 Porchester Terrace, W2 3TS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7402 3770 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=No email; message through Facebook }} * {{flag|Latvia}} {{listing | name=Latvia | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/london/ | email=embassy.uk@mfa.gov.lv | address=45 Nottingham Place, W1U 5LY | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7312 0041 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Lebanon}} {{listing | name=Lebanon | alt= | url=http://lebaneseembassyuk.org/ | email=lebanonconsulate@btconnect.com | address=21 Palace Gardens Mews, W8 4RB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7229-7265 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Lesotho}} {{listing | name=Lesotho | alt= | url=http://lesotholondon.org.uk | email=lhc@lesotholondon.org.uk | address=7 Chesham Place, SW1X 8HN | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-5686 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Liberia}} {{listing | name=Liberia | alt= | url=http://embassyofliberia.org.uk | email=info@embassyofliberia.org.uk | address=23 Fitzroy Square, W1T 6EW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7388-5489 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Libya}} {{listing | name=Libya | alt= | url=http://english.libyanembassy.org/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=15 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LY | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7201-8280 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content=Email via [http://english.libyanembassy.org/?page_id=57 online contact form] {{dead link|December 2020}}. }} | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Liechtenstein}} {{listing | name=Liechtenstein| alt= | url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/united-kingdom/en/home/services/liechtenstein.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content=Obtain services from the Embassy of Switzerland. }} * {{flag|Lithuania}} {{listing | name=Lithuania | alt= | url=https://uk.mfa.lt/ | email=amb.uk@urm.lt | address=2 Bessborough Gardens, SW1V 2JE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7592 2840 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Luxembourg}} {{listing | name=Luxembourg | alt= | url=http://londres.mae.lu/en | email=londres.amb@mae.etat.lu | address=27 Wilton Crescent, SW1X 8SD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-6961 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Macedonia}} {{listing | name=Macedonia | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/MKDinUK/ | email=london@mfa.gov.mk | address=75-83 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6PE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7976-0535 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Madagascar}} {{listing | name=Madagascar | alt= | url=http://www.madagascar-consulate.org/embassies-world.html | email= | address=307A, 10 Greycoat Place, SW1P 1SB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content=Closed, and without ambassador. The [[Paris#Embassies|Madagascar embassy]] in [[Paris]] serves British and Madagascar citizens but is reportedly difficult to contact. }} * {{flag|Malawi}} {{listing | name=Malawi | alt= | url=http://www.malawihighcommission.co.uk/ | email=malawihighcommission@btconnect.com | address=36 John Street, WC1N 2AT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7421 6010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Malaysia}} {{listing | name=Malaysia | alt= | url=http://www.kln.gov.my/web/gbr_london/home | email=mwlondon@kln.gov.my | address=52 Bedford Row, WC1R 4LR | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7242 4308 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Maldives}} {{listing | name=Maldives | alt= | url=http://maldiveshighcommission.org | email= | address=22 Nottingham Place, W1U 5NJ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7224-2135 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Mali}} {{listing | name=Mali | alt= | url=http://www.mali-consulate.org.uk/ | email=info@mali-consulate.org.uk | address=22-24 Norland Road, W11 4TR | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 3764 7547 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content=Honorary consulate }} * {{flag|Malta}} {{listing | name=Malta | alt= | url=https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Embassies/Hc_London/Pages/Hc-London.aspx | email=maltahighcommission.london@gov.mt | address=36-38 Piccadilly, W1J OLE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7292-4800 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Mauritania}} {{listing | name=Mauritania | alt= | url=http://www.mauritanianembassy.org.uk/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=info@mauritanianembassy.org.uk | address=Carlyle House, 235-237 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1EJ| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7233 6158 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content= }} * {{flag|Mauritius}} {{listing | name=Mauritius | alt= | url=https://mauritius-london.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx | email=londonhc@mail.gov.mu | address=32/33 Elvaston Place, SW7 5NW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7581-0294 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Mexico}} {{listing | name=Mexico | alt= | url=https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/index.php/en/ | email=mexuk@sre.gob.mx | address=16 St George Street, W1S 1FD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7499-8586 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Moldova}} {{listing | name=Moldova | alt= | url=http://britania.mfa.gov.md | email=embassy.london@mfa.md | address=5 Dolphin Square, Edensor Road, W4 2ST | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8995-6818 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Monaco}} {{listing | name=Monaco | alt= | url=https://embassy-to-uk.gouv.mc/ | email= | address=7, Upper Grosvenor Street, W1K 2LX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7318 1081 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=Email via website }} * {{flag|Mongolia}} {{listing | name=Mongolia | alt= | url=http://embassyofmongolia.co.uk | email=office@embassyofmongolia.co.uk | address=8 Kensington Court, W8 5DL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7937-0150 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Montenegro}} {{listing | name=Montenegro | alt= | url=https://www.visit-montenegro.com/tourism/visas-and-montenegro-embassy/ | email=unitedkingdom@mfa.gov.me | address=18 Callcott Street, W8 7SU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7727 6007 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} * {{flag|Morocco}} {{listing | name=Morocco | alt= | url=http://www.moroccanembassylondon.org.uk/en/indexD.asp | email=ambalondres@maec.gov.ma | address=49 Queens Gate Gardens SW7 5 NE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7581-5001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Mozambique}} {{listing | name=Mozambique | alt= | url=http://www.mozambiquehighcommission.org.uk/ | email=sectorconsular@mozambiquehc.co.uk | address=21 Fitzroy Square, W1T 6EL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7383-3800 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Myanmar}} {{listing | name=Myanmar | alt= | url=http://www.londonmyanmarembassy.com/ | email=consular@londonmyanmarembassy.com | address=19a Charles Street, W1J 5DX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7499-4340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Namibia}} {{listing | name=Namibia | alt= | url=http://www.namibiahc.org.uk/ | email=info@namibiahc.org.uk | address=6 Chandos Street, W1G 9LU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7636-6244 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Nepal}} {{listing | name=Nepal | alt= | url=http://uk.nepalembassy.gov.np/ | email=consular@nepembassy.org.uk | address=12a Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7229-1594 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|the Netherlands}} {{listing | name=Netherlands | alt= | url=https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/united-kingdom/about-us/embassy-in-london | email=lon@minbuza.nl | address=38 Hyde Park Gate, SW7 5DP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7590-3200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|New Zealand}} {{listing | name=New Zealand | alt= | url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/united-kingdom/new-zealand-high-commission/ | email=aboutnz@newzealandhc.org.uk | address=80 Haymarket, SW1Y 4TQ | lat=51.5077 | long=-0.1318 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7930-8422 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=High Commission of New Zealand, London | image=New Zealand House, Haymarket, London.jpg | wikidata=Q5755096 | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Nicaragua}} {{listing | name=Nicaragua | alt= | url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?searchletter=g&orgid=5186 | email=embaniclondon@btconnect.com | address=58-60 Kensington Church Street, W8 4DB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7938-2373 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Nigeria}} {{listing | name=Nigeria | alt= | url=http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/ | email=hc@nigeriahc.org.uk | address=9 Northumberland Ave, WC2N 5BX | lat=51.506671 | long=-0.125377 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7839-1244 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=High Commission of Nigeria, London | image=High Commission of Nigeria, London 3.jpg | wikidata=Q16843027 | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|North Korea}} {{listing | name=North Korea | alt=Democratic People's Republic of Korea | url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?searchletter=e&orgid=5332| email=prkinfo@yahoo.com | address=73 Gunnersbury Avenue, W5 4LP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8992 4965 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Norway | alt= | url=https://www.norway.no/en/uk | email=emb.london@mfa.no | address=25 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8QD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7591-5500 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Oman}} {{listing | name=Oman | alt= | url=http://omancao.org.uk/en/ {{dead link|June 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address=167 Queen's Gate, SW7 5HE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7225-0001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Pakistan}} {{listing | name=Pakistan | alt= | url=http://www.phclondon.org/main/ | email=phclondon@phclondon.org | address=35-36 Lowndes Square, SW1X 9JN | lat=51.4995 | long=-0.158833 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7664-9200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=High Commission of Pakistan, London | image=High Commission for Pakistan, London 01.JPG | wikidata=Q16843032 | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Palestine}} {{listing | name=Palestine | alt= | url=http://palmissionuk.org/ | email=info@palmissionuk.org | address=5 Galena Road, W6 0LT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8563-0008 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Panama}} {{listing | name=Panama | alt= | url=http://www.panamaconsul.co.uk/ | email=panama1@btconnect.com | address=40 Hertford Street, W1J 7SH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7493-4646 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} {{listing | name=Papua New Guinea | alt= | url=http://pnghighcomm.org.uk | email=info@pnghighcomm.org.uk | address=14 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4AR | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7930-0922 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Paraguay}} {{listing | name=Paraguay | alt= | url=http://paraguayembassy.co.uk | email=consular@paraguayembassy.co.u | address=344 Kensington High Street, W14 8NS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7610-4180 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Peru}} {{listing | name=Peru | alt= | url=http://peruembassy-uk.com | email=postmaster@peruembassy-uk.com | address=52 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235 3802 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|the Philippines}} {{listing | name=Philippines | alt= | url=http://londonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ | email=embassy@philemb.co.uk | address=6-11 Suffolk Street, SW1Y 4HG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7451-1780 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Poland}} {{listing | name=Poland | alt= | url=http://london.mfa.gov.pl/en | email=london@msz.gov.pl | address=47 Portland Place, W1B 1JH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7291-3520 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Portugal}} {{listing | name=Portugal | alt= | url=https://www.londres.embaixadaportugal.mne.pt/en/ | email=londres@mne.pt | address=11 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-5331 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Qatar}} {{listing | name=Qatar | alt= | url=https://london.embassy.qa/ | email=london@mofa.gov.qa | address=1 South Audley St, W1K 1NB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7493-2200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | alt= | url=http://londra.mae.ro/en | email=londra@mae.ro | address=Arundel House, 4 Palace Green, W8 4QD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7602-7328, +44 20 7602-9833, +44 20 7603-6694 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-03 | content= }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | alt= | url=http://www.rusemb.org.uk/ | email=info@rusemb.org.uk | address=13 Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7229-2666, +44 20 3668-7474 (Consular Section ) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content=Consular Section is next door at 5 Kensington Palace Gardens }} * {{flag|Rwanda}} {{listing | name=Rwanda | alt= | url=http://rwandahc.org/ | email=uk@rwandahc.org | address=120-122 Seymour Place, W1H 1NR | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7224-9832 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} {{listing | name=Saint Kitts and Nevis | alt= | url=http://www.stkittsnevisuk.com/ | email=info@sknhc.co.uk | address=10 Kensington Court, W8 5DL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7937-9718 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Saint Lucia}} {{listing | name=Saint Lucia | alt= | url=http://www.govt.lc/diplomatic-representatives | email=hcslu@govt.lc | address=1 Collingham Gardens, SW5 0HW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7370-7123 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} {{listing | name=Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | alt= | url=http://www.svghighcom.co.uk/ | email=office@svghighcom.co.uk | address=10 Kensington Court, W8 5DL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7460-1256 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|San Marino}} {{listing | name=San Marino | alt= | url=http://www.esteri.sm/on-line/en/home/diplomatic-and-consular-corps/consular-representations-of-san-marino/scheda1000142.html | email=consolato.londra.sm@gmail.com | address=162, Sloane Street, SW1X 9BS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1268 292 443 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content= }} * {{flag|São Tomé and Príncipe}} {{listing | name=São Tomé and Príncipe | alt= | url=https://www.saotomeislands.com/embassies.html | email= | address=22 Lainson Street, SW18 5RS| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8877 9186 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=Honorary consulate }} * {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} {{listing | name=Saudi Arabia | alt= | url=http://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/uk/EN/ | email=ukemb@mofa.gov.sa | address=30 Charles Street, W1J 5DZ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7917-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Senegal}} {{listing | name=Senegal | alt= | url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?searchletter=g&orgid=5236 | email=senegalembassy@hotmail.co.uk | address=39 Marloes Road, W8 6LA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7938-4048, +44 20 7937-7237 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Serbia}} {{listing | name=Serbia | alt= | url=http://www.london.mfa.gov.rs/ | email=embassy.london@mfa.rs | address=28 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8QB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235 9049 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Seychelles}} {{listing | name=Seychelles | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.sc/static.php?filter=10&content_id=24 | email=office@seychelleshcl.co.uk | address=130/132 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9SA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7730 2046 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Sierra Leone}} {{listing | name=Sierra Leone | alt= | url=http://www.slhc-uk.org/ | email=info@slhc-uk.org | address=41 Eagle Street, WC1R 4TL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7404-0140 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gov.sg/london | email=singhc_lon@sgmfa.gov.sg | address=9 Wilton Crescent, SW1X 8SP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-8315 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Slovakia}} {{listing | name=Slovakia | alt= | url=https://www.mzv.sk/web/londyn-en | email=emb.london@mzv.sk | address=25 Kensington Palace Gdns | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7313-6470 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Slovenia}} {{listing | name=Slovenia | alt= | url=http://www.london.embassy.si/ | email=sloembassy.london@gov.si | address=17 Dartmouth Street, SW1H 9BL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7222-5700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Solomon Islands}} {{listing | name=Solomon Islands | alt= | url= | email= | address=Room 229-230, Greycoat Place, SW1P 1SB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 3776 0128 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=Email through contact form on website. }} * {{flag|South Africa}} {{listing | name=South Africa | alt= | url=http://southafricahouseuk.com/ | email=london.info@dirco.gov.za | address=Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DP | lat=51.5082 | long=-0.1269 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7451-7299 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=High Commission of South Africa, London | image=South Africa House (5821890252).jpg | wikidata=Q12060051 | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=South Korea | alt=Republic of Korea | url=http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/gb-en/index.do | email=koreanembinuk@mofa.go.kr | address=60 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6AJ | lat= | long=| directions= | phone=+44 20 7227 5500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content= }} * {{flag|South Sudan}} {{listing | name=South Sudan | alt= | url=http://embrss.org.uk/ | email=info@embrss.org.uk | address=3-8 Bolsover Street, W1W 6AB | lat= | long=| directions= | phone=+44 20 7339 3052 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=Consular section. Main embassy is at 259-269 Old Marylebone Road }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | alt= | url=http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/LONDRES/en/Pages/Inicio.aspx | email=emb.londres@maec.es | address=39 Chesham Place, SW1X 8SB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7235-5555 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Sri Lanka}} {{listing | name=Sri Lanka | alt= | url=https://srilankahc.uk/ | email=mail@slhc-london.co.uk | address=13 Hyde Park Gardens, W2 2LU | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7262-1841 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Sudan}} {{listing | name=Sudan | alt= | url=http://sudan-embassy.co.uk/ | email=info@sudan-embassy.co.uk | address=3 Cleveland Row, SW1A 1DD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 783-8080 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content= }} * {{flag|Suriname}} {{listing | name=Suriname | alt= | url=http://www.honoraryconsul.info/ | email=ajethu@honoraryconsul.info | address=127 Pier House, 31 Cheyne Walk, SW3 5HG | lat= | long=| directions= | phone=+44 7768 196 326 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=Honorary consulate }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Sweden | alt= | url=http://www.swedenabroad.com/london | email=ambassaden.london@gov.se | address=11 Montagu Place, W1H 2AL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7917-6400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland | alt= | url=http://www.eda.admin.ch/london | email=lon.vertretung@eda.admin.ch | address=16-18 Montagu Place, W1H 2BQ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7616-6000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Syria}} {{listing | name=Syria | alt= | url=http://syremb.com/ | email= | address=8 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7245-9012 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content=Email via [http://syremb.com/ online contact form] }} * {{flag|Taiwan}} {{listing | name=Taiwan | alt=Taipei Representative Office|urlhttp://www.roc-taiwan.org/UK/ | url=https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk/ | email=gbr@mofa.gov.tw | address=50 Grosvenor Gardens, SW1W 0EB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7881-2650 | tollfree= | fax=+44 20 7730-3139 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-02-28 | content= }} * {{flag|Tajikistan}} {{listing | name=Tajikistan | alt= | url=http://tajembassy.org.uk/ | email=tajemblondon@mfa.tj | address=3 Shortlands, W6 8DA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 3609-8788 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Tanzania}} {{listing | name=Tanzania | alt= | url=https://tzhc.uk/ | email=Ubalozi@tzhc.uk | address=3 Stratford Place, W1C 1AS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7569-1470 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Thailand}} {{listing | name=Thailand | alt= | url=http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en | email=rtelondon@thaiembassyuk.org.uk | address=29-30 Queen's Gate, SW7 5JB | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7589-2944 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Togo}} {{listing | name=Togo | alt= | url=https://togoembassylondon.com/ | email=contact@togoembassylondon.com | address=Units 3, 7 & 8 Lysander Mews, Lysander Grove, N19 3QP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 20 7263 7522 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Tonga}} {{listing | name=Tonga | alt= | url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?orgid=5405 | email=office@tongahighcom.co.uk | address=36 Molyneux Street, W1H 5BQ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7724-5828 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{listing | name=Trinidad and Tobago | alt= | url=https://foreign.gov.tt/missions-consuls/tt-missions-abroad/diplomatic-missions/high-commission-london-united-kingdom/ | email=hclondon@foreign.gov.tt | address=42 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8NT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7245-9351 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Tunisia}} {{listing | name=Tunisia | alt= | url=http://www.at-londres.diplomatie.gov.tn/ | email=London@tunisianembassy.co.uk | address=29 Prince's Gate, SW7 1QG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7584-8117 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Turkey}} {{listing | name=Turkey | alt= | url=http://londra.bk.mfa.gov.tr/Mission | email= | address=Rutland Lodge, 3 Rutland Gardens, SW7 1BW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7393-0202 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content=Email via [http://www.mfa.gov.tr/contact-us.en.mfa online contact form]. Consulate. The main embassy is at 43 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PA. }} * {{flag|Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus}} {{listing | name=Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus | alt= | url=http://londra.mfa.gov.ct.tr/en/ | email= | address=29 Bedford Square, WC1B 3ED | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7631-1920 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-01 | content=london@mfa.gov.ct.tr }} * {{flag|Turkmenistan}} {{listing | name=Turkmenistan | alt= | url=https://uk.tmembassy.gov.tm/en | email=tkm-embassy-uk@btconnect.com | address=131 Holland Park Avenue, W11 4UT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7610-5239 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Tuvalu}} {{listing | name=Tuvalu | alt= | url=https://www.un.int/tuvalu/tuvalu/embassies | email=tuvaluconsulate@netscape.net | address=230 Worple Road, SW20 8RH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 8879 0985 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=Honorary consulate }} * {{flag|Uganda}} {{listing | name=Uganda | alt= | url=https://london.mofa.go.ug/ | email=admin@ugandahighcommission.co.uk | address=Uganda House, 58-59 Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7839-5783 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Ukraine}} {{listing | name=Ukraine | alt= | url=http://uk.mfa.gov.ua/en | email=emb_gb@mfa.gov.ua | address=60 Holland Park, W11 3SJ | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7727-6312 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|the United Arab Emirates}} {{listing | name=United Arab Emirates | alt= | url=https://www.mofa.gov.ae/EN/DiplomaticMissions/Embassies/London/Pages/home.aspx | email=LondonEmb.Info@mofaic.gov.ae | address=1-2 Grosvenor Crescent, SW1X 7EE | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7581-1281 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|the United States}} {{listing | name=United States | alt= | url=https://uk.usembassy.gov | email= | address=33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US | lat=51.4826 | long=-0.1317 | directions= | phone=+44 20 7499-9000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Embassy of the United States, London | image=American Eagle on the London Embassy.jpg | wikidata=Q5369960 | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Uruguay}} {{listing | name=Uruguay | alt= | url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?searchletter=e&orgid=5252 | email=emburuguay@emburuguay.org.uk | address=150 Brompton Road, SW3 1HX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7937-4170 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Uzbekistan}} {{listing | name=Uzbekistan | alt= | url=http://uzbekembassy.org {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=info@uzbekembassy.org | address=41 Holland Park, W11 3RP | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7229-7679 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Venezuela}} {{listing | name=Venezuela | alt= | url=http://reinounido.embajada.gob.ve/ | email= | address=56 Grafton Way, W1T 5DL | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7387-6727 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content=Consular Section. The main embassy is at 1 Cromwell Road, SW7 2HW }} * {{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | name=Vietnam | alt= | url=http://vietnamembassy.org.uk | email=consular@vietnamembassy.org.uk | address=12-14 Victoria Road, W8 5RD | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7937-1912 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Yemen}} {{listing | name=Yemen | alt= | url=https://www.yemenembassy.co.uk/ | email=consularsection@yemenembassy.co.uk | address=57 Cromwell Road, SW7 2ED | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7584-6607 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Zambia}} {{listing | name=Zambia | alt= | url=http://zambiahc.org.uk/ | email=info@zambiahc.org.uk | address=2 Palace Gate, W8 5NG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7589-6655 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Zimbabwe}} {{listing | name=Zimbabwe | alt= | url=http://www.zimlondon.gov.zw/ | email= | address=429 Strand, WC2R 0JR | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 20 7836-7755 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-22 | content= }} |} ==Go next== ===England=== ====Day-trips==== * [[Aylesbury]] - Historic market town. * [[Berkhamsted]] - Historic market town. Features the ruined castle of William the Conqueror, canal-side pubs, and Ashridge Forest. * [[Bournemouth]] - Large beach resort on the edge of the [[New Forest]], with seven miles of golden sand. * [[Brighton (England)|Brighton]] - Fashionable beach town that is arguably Europe's gay capital. * [[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]] - Site of the foremost cathedral in England, constructed during the 12th-15th centuries. * [[Eastbourne]] - A leafy seaside resort town of Victorian architecture, with a lovely pier and bandstand. Famous for [[Beachy Head]] chalk cliffs, and a popular viewing platform. * [[Hastings (England)|Hastings]] - Picturesque seaside town famous for the battle of 1066, where small fishing boats are launched directly from the beach. * [[Hemel Hempstead]] - A small town dating back to the 8th century, home to the UK's largest indoor ski slope. * [[Henley-on-Thames]] - A quaint and typical English town on the river, great for walks, rowing and sailing. Home to the famous boating Regatta in summer. * [[Lewes]] - Delightful mid-Sussex town, with a picturesque brewery and the famous Guy Fawkes festival in November. * [[Maidstone]] - County town of [[Kent]], known as the Garden of England. * [[Margate]], [[Broadstairs]], and [[Ramsgate]] - A trio of seaside resorts of the Isle of Thanet in [[Kent]]. * [[Rochester (England)|Rochester]] - A favourite town of Charles Dickens with loads of history in the form of a medieval cathedral and castle. Nearby [[Chatham (England)|Chatham]] has a strong naval heritage. * [[Portsmouth]] - Home of the Royal Navy and of real interest to nautical enthusiasts. Also offers access to the [[Isle of Wight]]. * [[Southend-on-Sea]] - An [[Essex (England)|Essex]] seaside town with pebble and sand beaches, fairground rides, arcades, and the longest pier in the world. Make sure to grab yourself a delicious Rossi ice cream - a local delicacy since 1932. * [[Shaftesbury]] - A small, beautiful [[Dorset]] town, one of the oldest in Britain. * [[St Albans]] - Small, quaint cathedral city with Roman heritage; home to Verulamium Museum and Verulamium Park. * [[Stonehenge]] - Among the most famous landmarks in England. The mysterious stone ring was built thousands of years ago, today it is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Best visited in combination with a trip to nearby city [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], where you can also visit the 13th-century cathedral with the highest spire in the country. * [[Winchester (England)|Winchester]] - Former capital of England and attractive cathedral city with lots to see. * [[Windsor and Eton]] - Nearby Thames-side towns with magnificent royal castle, its extensive estate,, and one of Britain's most prestigious private schools. ====Further afield==== * [[Bath (England)|Bath]] - Well-heeled spa city with ancient Roman bathhouse and spectacular Georgian and Regency architecture. * [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] - Boasts many events, pubs and clubs, and shopping opportunities. * [[Cambridge (England)|Cambridge]] - Gothic university colleges and chapels, and punting on the river. * [[Manchester]] - The second most visited city in England. * [[Oxford]] - The "city of dreaming spires", with dozens of fascinating university colleges and museums to visit. * [[Shrewsbury (Shropshire)|Shrewsbury]] - A very traditional town full of medieval black and white timber-framed buildings along winding, steep, narrow streets set on the River Severn. * The [[South Downs]] National Park - Beautiful, rolling chalk hills for a day's stroll or longer hikes. ===Abroad=== Eurostar high-speed trains from St Pancras station make the following continental cities tempting next stops from the British capital: * [[Lille]] - 1 hr 20 min to northern France's post-industrial gem. * [[Brussels]] - 2 hr to the home of Tintin, moules-frites, and the European Union. * [[Paris]] - 2 hr 15 min to the city of Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. * [[Disneyland Paris]] - 2 hr 40 min to the Magic Kingdom. * [[Rotterdam]] - 3 hr to the Netherlands' modern, multicultural commercial centre. * [[Amsterdam]] - 3 hr 40 min to the Dutch capital's canals, museums and red light district. ===By air=== London has '''ultra-low-cost flights''' to many European countries including the [[Canary Islands]], to [[Morocco]] and [[Israel]]. (updated May 2022) {{routebox | image1=UK-Motorway-M1.svg | imagesize1=50 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Leeds]] | minorl1=[[LTN|Luton Airport]] | directionr1=S | minorr1= | majorr1=END | image2=UK-Motorway-M3.svg | imagesize2=50 | directionl2=NE | majorl2=END | minorl2= | directionr2=SW | minorr2=[[Winchester (England)|Winchester]] | majorr2=[[Southampton]] | image3=UK-Motorway-M4.svg | imagesize3=50 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Bristol]] | minorl3=[[Heathrow Airport]] | directionr3=E | minorr3= | majorr3=END | image4=UK-Motorway-M11.svg | imagesize4=50 | directionl4=N | majorl4=[[Cambridge (England)|Cambridge]] | minorl4=[[Stansted Airport]] | directionr4=S | minorr4= | majorr4=END | image5=UK-Motorway-M20.svg | imagesize5=50 | directionl5=NW | majorl5=END | minorl5= | directionr5=SE | minorr5=[[Maidstone]] | majorr5=[[Folkestone#Q5413870|Channel Tunnel]] | image6=UK-Motorway-M23.svg | imagesize6=50 | directionl6=N | majorl6=END | minorl6= | directionr6=S | minorr6=[[Gatwick Airport]] | majorr6=[[Brighton]] | image7=UK-Motorway-M40.svg | imagesize7=50 | directionl7=NW | majorl7=[[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] | minorl7=[[High Wycombe]] | directionr7=SE | minorr7= | majorr7=END }} {{routebox | image1=UK road A1.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Peterborough]] | minorl1=[[Potters Bar]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=END | minorr1= | image2=UK road A2.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=NW | majorl2=END | minorl2= | directionr2=SE | majorr2=[[Dover (England)|Dover]] | minorr2=[[Gravesend]] | image3=UK road A3.svg | imagesize3=40 | directionl3=NE | majorl3=END | minorl3= | directionr3=SW | majorr3=[[Portsmouth]] | minorr3=[[Guildford]] | image4=UK road A4.svg | imagesize4=40 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Reading (England)|Reading]] | minorl4=[[Heathrow Airport]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=END | minorr4= | image5=UK road A5.svg | imagesize5=40 | directionl5=NW | majorl5=[[St Albans]] | minorl5=[[Watford]] | directionr5=SE | majorr5=END | minorr5= | image6=UK road A10.svg | imagesize6=40 | directionl6=N | majorl6=[[Cambridge (England)|Cambridge]] | minorl6=[[Hertford]] | directionr6=S | majorr6=END | minorr6= | image7=UK road A12.svg | imagesize7=40 | directionl7=NE | majorl7=[[Chelmsford (England)|Chelmsford]] | minorl7=[[Brentwood (England)|Brentwood]] | directionr7=SW | majorr7=END | minorr7= | image8=UK_road_A41.svg | imagesize8=40 | directionl8=NW | majorl8=[[Aylesbury]] | minorl8=[[Watford]] | directionr8=SE | minorr8= | majorr8=END }} {{related|Literary London}} {{related|London with children}} {{IsPartOf|England}} {{geo|51.5086|-0.1264|zoom=13}} {{guidecity}} 51n0abmh93znrlwt6m616lx3ewytcc4 0 20394 4506582 4506044 2022-08-23T05:01:14Z Rosspotter 2274401 /* By ferry */ Updated listing for Bowen Island (Snug Cove) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Vancouver banner Lions gate bridge sunset.jpg|caption=The Lions Gate Bridge at sunset}} The '''Lower Mainland''' is in [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. The official [https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver-coast-mountains/ tourist information site] calls the area "Vancouver, Coast and Mountains". The term "lower mainland" has different meanings; for some people it is equivalent to "Greater Vancouver", while others include everything out to [[Abbotsford]] or [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] in the east, and [[Squamish]] or [[Whistler]] in the north. Here we use it to describe the area from Vancouver in the west to Hope in the east, and from the American border in the south, to the town of [[Whistler]] and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] in the north. ==Regions== <!-- [[Image:RegionMapJuly4.jpg|thumb|300px|Regions of the Lower Mainland]] : This map is out of date, replace with a new map when it's ready --> {{Regionlist | regionmap=lower mainland.png | regionmaptext=Cities and regions in the Lower Mainland | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Vancouver]] | region1color=#578e86 | region1items= | region1description=A beautiful, vibrant city with diverse neighbourhoods, a very multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city — and the political core of the Lower Mainland and economic core of the province. | region2name=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]] | region2color=#d56d76 | region2items= | region2description=A series of towns north of the Fraser River and east of the Pitt River, all fairly urban and defined by their relationship to Vancouver. This region includes [[Burnaby]] and [[New Westminster]]; the Tri-Cities of [[Coquitlam]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Port Moody]] ("PoCoMo"); and [[Anmore]] and [[Belcarra]] villages. | region3name=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3items= | region3description=The area between the Fraser River and the US border, where much of the Lower Mainland's population growth and suburban sprawl takes place. It includes the towns of [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], and [[White Rock]]. | region4name=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]] | region4color=#d09440 | region4items= | region4description=Where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. The mountains provide attractions like Grouse Mountain. At the west of the North Shore is Horseshoe Bay, ferry terminal to the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]. | region5name=[[Fraser Valley]] | region5color=#71b37b | region5items= | region5description=The Fraser River, which gives the valley its name, is the world's greatest salmon producing river, and a focus for the region's economy, transportation and culture. The valley also has lush fertile farmland, which contributes a large portion of the local produce. The towns of [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], and [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] are transforming from agricultural to suburb. [[Abbotsford]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] remain closer to their agricultural roots, but are also transforming. | region6name=[[Sea to Sky]] | region6color=#8a84a3 | region6items= | region6description=The region stretches from the [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]], up the east side of Howe Sound to [[Squamish]], the gateway to BC's magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from Vancouver to [[Whistler]], one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours. Further in is [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]. The area is rich with archaeological sites and historical lore of the Salish Indians. | region7name=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] | region7color=#d5dc76 | region7items= | region7description=North-west of Vancouver, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, the region is named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many people, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find this the perfect destination. }} <!-- {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#578e86|title=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238164}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238166}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d09440|title=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]]|wikidata=Q7056651}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Fraser Valley]]|wikidata=Q3554074}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Sea to Sky]]|wikidata=Q7439799}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]|wikidata=Q1477253}} --> ==Cities== [[File:Hope, BC - Hope Memorial Park 03.jpg|right|thumb|Hope Memorial Park]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} — a major regional town with a commercial airport, and a hub of agriculture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hope (British Columbia) | Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} — gateway to British Columbia's interior and the eastern end of the Fraser Valley * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]]|wikidata=Q557643}} — home to a Catholic Mission that can be toured * {{marker|type=city|name=[[New Westminster]]|wikidata=Q876122}} — a small town that never grew up, it has a nice riverfront promenade and beautiful old neighbourhoods * {{marker|type=city|name=[[North Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q1001626}} — playground for the outdoor-minded: miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]]|wikidata=Q236837}} — home to a large Chinese immigrant population and Vancouver International Airport * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Surrey (British Columbia)| Surrey]]|wikidata=Q390583}} — the second biggest city in British Columbia, after Vancouver, with a large South Asian community * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} — a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}} — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round ==Other destinations== [[File:Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi (DSCF1821).jpg|right|thumb|Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi]] * {{marker|name=[[Bowen Island]]|wikidata=Q895413}} — a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, that draws tourists to wander the shops and explore the parks and natural areas * {{marker|name=[[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1143621}} — a rugged wonderland set amid the Coast Mountains ==Understand== This area is home to '''Greater Vancouver''', the largest metropolitan area west of [[Toronto]]. It is also home to the mainly agricultural '''Fraser Valley''', the outdoor playground of the '''Whistler''' environs and the laid back vacation area termed the Sunshine Coast. ==Talk== The ''de facto'' language is English. Chinese (especially Cantonese and Mandarin) is the second most-spoken language in the city and there are sizable immigrant communities who speak other languages, such as Punjabi. Though there are few French speakers in British Columbia, Canada is officially bi-lingual so Canadian Government offices may offer services in French. ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Primary airport:''' *[[Vancouver International Airport|'''Vancouver International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YVR}}) is the hub airport for the Lower Mainland with frequent direct flights from other points in [[British Columbia]], major cities across [[Canada]] and the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Asia]], and several major cities in [[Europe]]. Frequent direct flights are also available from [[Mexico]] and [[Australia]], increasing during Canada's winter. Direct flights are not available from [[South America]] or [[Africa]]. '''Secondary airports:''' * [[Abbotsford#By plane|'''Abbotsford International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YXX}}), about {{km|60}} east of Vancouver in [[Abbotsford]], handles mostly domestic and low-cost carrier flights. With an arranged ride, you can be in and out of this airport in under 10 min (with no checked in baggage). * '''[[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|BLI}}), across the border in Washington State, serves mainly as a launching point for budget-minded Canadian travelers vacationing in the U.S.: excellent service from [[Hawaii]] and [[Las Vegas]], but few other useful connections. Also offers connecting service through [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. '''Further away:''' * '''[[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|SEA}}) can be a dramatically less expensive option than buying a direct flight from YVR or YXX. A U.S. visa may be required and could take some time to procure. ===By car=== ==== From Washington state ==== To cross this international border, you need an international travel document: a passport, a NEXUS card (see below), a US Passport Card, or certain US and Canadian "Enhanced ID" Drivers Licences. There are five land border crossing points into the Lower Mainland region (Canadian name | US name | location), which operate 24 hours per day and have dedicated NEXUS card holder lanes unless otherwise noted: *'''Surrey (Douglas/Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | '''Blaine (Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]/[[White Rock|White Rock, BC]] (Hwy 99) – [[Blaine|Blaine, WA]] (I-5) *'''Pacific Highway''' | '''Blaine (Pacific&nbsp;Highway)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey, BC]] (Hwy 15) – Blaine, WA (WA-543) *'''Aldergrove''' | '''Lynden''' | [[Aldergrove|Aldergrove, BC]] (Hwy 13) – [[Lynden|Lynden, WA]] (WA-539, the Guide Meridian) - open daily 8AM to midnight, NEXUS lane to United States only *'''Huntingdon''' | '''Sumas''' | [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford, BC]] (Hwy 11) – [[Sumas|Sumas, WA]] (WA-9) *'''Boundary Bay''' | '''Point Roberts''' | [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta, BC]] (56th St) – [[Point Roberts|Point Roberts, WA]] (Tyee Drive) - Point Roberts is on a peninsula. It is typically only reached from Canada and from other areas of the United States via this border crossing. There are often lengthy lineups at the border, in either direction. During summer and long weekends, waits at the border can exceed three hours during peak times. You can see current wait time forecasts for both directions on the [https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html Canada Border Services Agency website], and for US-bound traffic on the [https://bwt.cbp.gov/ US Customs and Border Protection website]. ====From other places in [[British Columbia]]==== {{see also|Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies}} Most major highways from interior British Columbia converge at [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], {{km|143}} east of Vancouver, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west into Vancouver. ===== Via [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] ===== Three major highways enter the Lower Mainland at Hope. * Highway 1 ([[Trans-Canada Highway]]) connects to Hope from [[Alberta]] via [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Salmon Arm]], [[Kamloops]], and [[Cache Creek]]. It intersects Highway 97 at [[Cache Creek]], which travels to the [[Northern British Columbia]] communities such as [[Prince George]]. * Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) an east-west route that connects to Alberta via [[Osoyoos]] in the [[Okanagan]], and [[Castlegar]] and [[Cranbrook]] in the [[Kootenays]]. * Highway 5 ([[Coquihalla Highway]]) is the main highway and the most travelled route entering the Lower Mainland via Hope, as it is generally the fastest route to follow to reach the Lower Mainland, including from Alberta, Kamloops, and [[Kelowna]]. From October 1 to April 1, vehicles on all three of the highways require snow tires, or mud and slush tires. On all three of these routes, there are portions with and without cell phone service. ===== Via [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton, BC]] ===== Highway 99 provides an alternate access to the Lower Mainland from Highway 97, about 10 km north of Cache Creek. However, north of [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] the route is a narrow, isolated, mountain road, which generally lacks cell phone service. ===By bus=== The [[Lower Mainland]], especially [[Vancouver]] is well served by bus service. Most bus routes terminate in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station. Within the Lower Mainland: *{{listing|name=Epic Rides|alt=|url=https://epicrides.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-349-1234|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$24 one way or $35 return|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Year-round direct bus between [[Whistler]] and [[Vancouver]].}} * {{Listing|name=Perimeter Transportation|url=https://www.perimeterbus.com|phone=+1 604-717-6600|tollfree=+1-877-717-6606|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Whistler]] hotels via [[Squamish]] and downtown [[Vancouver]] to [[Vancouver International Airport]]. }} * {{Listing|name=YVR Skylynx|url=https://yvrskylynx.com/|email=info@yvrskylynx.com|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and in downtown Vancouver|phone=+1-604-326-1616|lastedit=2022-04-05|content=Operates a daily bus route between [[Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Whistler]] with stops in [[Vancouver]] (Pacific Central Station and downtown) and [[Squamish]].}} From [[Vancouver Island]]: * {{listing|name=BC Ferries Connector|alt=Wilson's Transportation Group|url=https://bcfconnector.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-250-475-3235|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Route between [[Victoria]] and [[Vancouver]]. The bus crosses on BC Ferries route Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay).}} From British Columbia Interior and other provinces (stops with "(AR)" require advanced reservation): *{{listing|name=Adventure Charters|alt=|url=https://www.adventurecharters.ca/|email=info@adventurecharters.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Scott Road SkyTrain station in Surrey|phone=+1 250-305-2251|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week bus service between [[Prince George]] and [[Surrey]] with stops in [[Quesnel]], [[Williams Lake]], [[100 Mile House]], Clinton, [[Cache Creek]], [[Lytton]], [[Boston_Bar_(British_Columbia)|Boston Bar]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Abbotsford]].}} *{{go|name=Ebus|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1 877-769-3287|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Travels daily between [[Kamloops]] and [[Vancouver]], and [[Kelowna]] and Vancouver on two separate routes. Both routes have stops in [[Merritt]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]]. Travel times to Vancouver from Kamloops is 4.5-4.75 hours, from Kelowna is 5.5 hours, from Hope is 2.5 hours, and from Abbotsford is 1.25 hours.}} *{{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week service between [[Kaslo]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Ainsworth_Hot_Springs-Balfour|Balfour]], [[Nelson_(British_Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Castlegar]], [[Christina Lake]], [[Grand_Forks_(British_Columbia)|Grand Forks]], [[Greenwood (British Columbia)|Greenwood]], Rock Creek, [[Osoyoos]], [[Keremeos]], [[Princeton_(British_Columbia)|Princeton]], [[Manning Provincial Park]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Langley_(British_Columbia)|Langley]], and [[New Westminster]]. This service provider also offers a weekly route between Kalso and [[Calgary]] via Nelson.}} *{{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], and [[Winnipeg]].}} From [[United States of America|United States]] (crossing the border at the Pacific Highway Crossing): * {{listing|name=Cantrail|alt=Amtrak Thruway|url=https://www.cantrail.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-604-294-5541|tollfree=+1-877-940-5561|fax=|hours=|price=$40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Seattle's King St Station (Amtrak railway station) via Richmond. Terminates at Pacific Central Station. }} * {{listing|name=FlixBus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and Waterfront station (SkyTrain Expo Line and Canada Line)|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-05-24|content=Bus service between Vancouver and [[Seattle]] including stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Some trips also stop at [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. Travel time to Vancouver (at Pacific Central Station) from Seattle is 4-4.5 hours and from Bellingham is 2 hours. Travel time is an additional 15 minutes for travel to Waterfront station.}} *{{listing|name=Quick Coach|alt=|url=https://www.quickcoach.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Canada Place Pier @ 999 Canada Place|phone=+1-604-940-4428|tollfree=+1-800-665-2122|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Seattle Tacoma International Airport|SeaTac Airport]] via downtown [[Seattle]], [[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham Airport]], Surrey, Richmond. Stops at hotels in downtown Vancouver. }} *{{listing|name=Greyhound Lines (USA)|alt=|url=https://www.greyhound.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1 214-849-8100|tollfree=+1-800-231-2222|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Portland via Seattle, [[Everett]], [[Mount Vernon_(Washington)|Mt Vernon]], Bellingham, and [[Coquitlam]]. Some trips start from Seattle.|type=listing}} [[File:CN Rail Station - VIA Rail Station.JPG|thumb|Pacific Central Station]]Taking the train to the Lower Mainland is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. All trains, except The Rocky Mountaineer terminate at: * {{listing|name=Pacific Central Station|url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/rockies-and-pacific/vancouver|address=1150 Station Street, Vancouver, BC|lat=49.273862|long=-123.097934|directions=East of Downtown Vancouver off Main Street|wikipedia=Pacific Central Station|wikidata=Q1327751|lastedit=2022-06-30|content=All trains arrive at this station. From there, it is a short taxi ride into the [[Vancouver/CBD-Yaletown|central business area]], or you can pick up the SkyTrain at the Main St/Science World station two blocks away.|type=go}} Taking the train is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. Rail options within Canada: * {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates train routes across [[Canada]]. Operates ''[[The Canadian]]'' up to three trips per week between [[Toronto]] and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]], [[Winnipeg]], [[Portage la Prairie]], [[Saskatoon]], [[Edmonton]], [[Jasper]], and [[Kamloops]]. This route can offer a scenic view of the [[Canadian Rockies]], depending on the train schedule, as the train operates day and night. This service connects with another route that travels between Jasper and [[Prince Rupert]].}} * {{go|name=Rocky Mountaineer|alt=|url=https://www.rockymountaineer.com/|email=|address=1755 Cottrell St|lat=49.2686|long=-123.08593|directions=Stops at its own station 1.5 km from Pacific Central Station. From Pacific Central Station, head east on Terminal Ave and south on Cottrell St.|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-460-3200|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates the [[Rocky Mountaineer]] luxury tourist train routes between [[Vancouver]] and [[Banff]], [[Calgary]] and [[Jasper]] three times a week from April to October. This route offers a scenic view of the Canadian Rockies and only operates during the daytime.}} {{Seealso|Rail travel in Canada}} Rail options from [[United States of America]]: * {{Listing|name=Amtrak|url=https://www.amtrak.com/home|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-215-856-7924|tollfree=+1-800-872-7245|lastedit=2022-03-31|content='''[[Amtrak Cascades]]''' runs a twice daily service between [[Seattle]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]], [[Mount Vernon (Washington)|Mount Vernon]], and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Additional service to Seattle by Cantrail bus (see 'By bus' in the above), operating as the ''Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach''. Connections to additional '''[[Amtrak|Amtrak trains]]''' are in [[Seattle#By train|Seattle]]}} Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], travel by train is [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/amtrak-return-to-service-1.6252614 suspended] as of March 2022, and travellers will use Amtrak's bus option to reach Vancouver. ===By ferry=== The following two ferry terminals are serviced by '''[https://www.bcferries.com BC Ferries]''' in the Greater [[Vancouver]] area of the Lower Mainland and all ferries serving these terminals carry both vehicles and passengers: *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)|lat=49.3754|long=-123.2717}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]] (Departure Bay), [[Bowen Island]] (Snug Cove) and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] (Langdale). [https://www.translink.ca/ Translink] provides public transit at a stop a block away from the terminal to some areas of Bowen Island. *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Tsawwassen)|lat=49.0073|long=-123.1306}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]], [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] on [[Vancouver Island]], and to several of the [[Southern Gulf Islands]] (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, Saltspring). Other Lower Mainland terminals serviced by BC Ferries: * {{listing | name=Bowen Island (Snug Cove) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. }} * {{Listing|name=Sunshine Coast (Langdale)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay). [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit from the terminal to [[Sechelt]] via [[Gibsons]].}} * {{Listing|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Saltery Bay)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Sunshine Coast]] (Earls Cove). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Westview)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Routes from [[Comox]] (Little River) on [[Vancouver Island]] and Texada Island (Blubber Bay). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to [[Powell River]] and Texada Island. Through a transfer in Powell River, riders can reach [[Lund]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at the Comox (Little River)] terminal, to reach [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} * {{Listing|name=Texada Island|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=[[Comox]] Little River on [[Vancouver Island]] and Routes from [[Powell River]] (Westview). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to parts of Texada Island and to [[Powell River]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at Comox (Little River)] terminal to [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} Real-time remaining vehicle capacity available on ferry trips is available on BC Ferries' website and on some highway signs heading toward the terminals. One most routes, reservations are available for travelers crossing with vehicles. At times during the year, reservations may be required between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands. Otherwise reservations are never required, but are recommended for vehicles during peak travel times, such as late June to early September and long weekends. Reservation rates vary depending on how long they are made in advance of the sailing and start at $10. Long term parking is available from BC ferries at some terminals: West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal and [https://parkandgo.ca/ Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go]), Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo (Departure Bay and Duke Point), and Sunshine Coast (Langdale). The price of parking varies per terminal. Expect to pay $18-19 per day at BC Ferry Terminals in the Lower Mainland (2022). Other terminals may charge less. Real-time remaining parking capacity is available on BC Ferries website. ==Get around== Depending on how much you want to see, there may be a number of ways to get around the Lower Mainland. === Public transit === '''TransLink''' Within Vancouver and many of its suburbs, the '''[https://www.translink.ca TransLink]''' public transit system can get you to most places. TransLink extends from [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]] and [[Bowen Island]] to the north-west, to [[Delta]] in the south-west, to [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] in the south-east, to [[Maple Ridge]] in the north-east. SkyTrain rail rapid transit connects [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[New Westminster]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], and [[Vancouver]]. In the remainder of British Columbia including other areas of the Lower Mainland, where public transit is available, it is offered by [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit]. '''Connections between the [[Fraser Valley]] and TransLink''' * Translink's Westcoast Express offers weekday service between [[Vancouver]] and [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], heading westbound during the morning rush hour and eastbound during the afternoon rush hour. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=66 bus 66] offers express bus service between [[Burnaby]] and [[Chilliwack]] including stops in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] and [[Abbotsford]]. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=21 bus 21] offers local bus service between [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] to [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford.]] '''The Fraser Valley''' Public transit within the Fraser Valley connects between communities including: * [[Abbotsford]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/home BC Transit] * [[Chilliwack]], [[Harrison Hot Springs]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (including Agassiz) - [https://www.bctransit.com/chilliwack/home BC Transit] '''The Sea to Sky Corridor''' BC transit runs public transit systems in the following locations in the Sea to Sky corridor of the Lower Mainland, though they cannot be reached public transit (and, where necessary by BC Ferries) from [[Vancouver]]: * [[Squamish]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/squamish/home BC Transit] * [[Whistler]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/whistler/home BC Transit] * [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/pemberton-valley/home BC Transit]. Note that a bus route travels to Whistler. '''The Sunshine Coast''' Public transit on the Sunshine Coast in separated into two systems, which do not have connections with each other. * [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] - [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit including to [[Sechelt]] and [[Gibsons]]. It is possible to reach [[Vancouver]] using public transit by connecting via BC Ferries. * [[Powell River]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] No public transit crosses the border with Washington State in the United States, though it is possible to travel solely by public transit as buses terminate within blocks of the Sumas-Huntingdon Border Crossing between [[Abbotsford]] and [[Sumas]]. Theoretically, using public transit alone, a person could travel from [[Qualicum Beach]] to [[Olympia (Washington)|Olympia]] via [[Vancouver]] and [[Seattle]], though the trip would take multiple days. === Driving === The most convenient means of getting around the region is by car. Car rentals are readily available throughout the region. Major highways in the Lower Mainland: * Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) is the main thoroughfare, travelling from [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal to the interior of BC via [[North Vancouver]], [[Vancouver]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam|Coquitlam,]] [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]. * Highway 7 travels from Vancouver to Hope via Burnaby, Coquitlam, [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], and [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (Agassiz). * Highway 17 travels from the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]] to Surrey. * Highway 91 is a freeway connecting [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], New Westminster, Delta, and Surrey. * Highway 99 begins at the [[Washington (state)|US border]] Canada in Surrey, where it meets Interstate 5 , then it continues north to Delta, Richmond, and Vancouver, then toward British Columbia's interior via North Vancouver, West Vancouver, [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Squamish]], [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] and [[Whistler]]. * Highway 101 connects the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] from Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]], via [[Gibsons|Gibsons,]] [[Sechelt]], and [[Powell River]]. === By small plane === A number of small airlines operate float planes from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Whistler. These are more expensive than other options, but are faster and more scenic. See also: [[Vancouver#Floatplanes and heliport|Vancouver - Floatplanes and heliport]] === By ferry === Some coastal parts of the Lower Mainland (Sunshine Coast and [[Bowen Island]]) can only be accessed by boat. [https://www.bcferries.com/ BC Ferries] provides ferry services to these areas and visitors can walk on or take their car. See '''Get In''' under '''By ferry''' above. ==See== [[File:Granville Island 02.jpg|right|thumb|Vancouver from Granville Island]] For many people, [[Vancouver]] will be the starting point for a trip to the Lower Mainland. It's a city glass towers well supplied with beaches and picturesque mountains in the distance. Close to its downtown, you can walk the seawall around its huge Stanley Park, and then to lots of sushi and other Asian restaurants, a public art gallery, and an aquarium. Vancouver's suburbs are accessible by Skytrain and other transit, and offer a wide array of shopping, more sprawling parks, and many interesting historical site. The [[Sea to Sky Highway]] offers spectacular scenery — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the highway. [[File:Princess Louisa Inlet.jpg|right|thumb|Princess Louisa Inlet]] You'll need a boat or a plane, though, to see the [[Sunshine Coast]]'s Princess Louisa Inlet, one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km-long fjord ending in the inlet. In [[Whistler]], the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the local First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions. ==Do== There is so much do and see in the Lower Mainland, the following are only suggestions based on the regions. Greater [[Vancouver]], home to Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and many more. To see all the sights, take a day tour to become familiar with all the sights. There are a number of sightseeing companies who run trips daily. And also the public transportation is also any easy way to see everything and get into the surrounding communities. You also can't miss out on the dining experiences, you name it and there is a restaurant in Vancouver to serve it. With award winning and internationally known restaurants, there is always something new to try. In the [[Fraser Valley]], you are entering into an amazing region which has plenty of stops to fill your stomach. Here you can find a number of award winning wineries and family owned farms. You can sample the fresh fruits and vegetables at a number of stands along the highway or pop into a local restaurant and have a wild salmon dish. You can spend the day driving from each community or you can make a whole weekend of it. The valley offers a great opportunity to relax in the warm waters of [[Harrison Hot Springs]]. [[File:Between layers of fog (16261226716).jpg|right|thumb|Skiing at Whistler]] Whatever you do while visiting the [[Sea to Sky]] region, it will most likely involve some form of adventure outdoors. Here you will find some of the best golfing, skiing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. You can head up to the vibrant [[Whistler]] village or find your own mountain paradise. The [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] is your place to relax. Now relaxing means different things to everyone, this could mean sitting on your private B&B patio watching the sunset, or bobbing up and down while waiting for the fish below to take a bit of your bait, but whatever your image of relaxation it is found on the Sunshine Coast. Take a drive up the Sunshine Coast Highway and stop off at the galleries and farmer's markets to pick up some local goodies. But don't bother looking at your watch because here time is no of a concern. === Hiking === Regardless of what part of the Lower Mainland you are in, there will be hiking opportunities, ranging in length and amount of elevation gain. [https://www.vancouvertrails.com/ Vancouver Trails] has information about over 200 trails around the Lower Mainland, especially more popular trails. Book stores in the region will generally have several different books in stock focused on describing local hiking trails. ==Eat == The Lower Mainland is the scene of a quickly exploding food and wine revolution! Adjectives like diverse, fresh, delicious, unique don't even begin to describe the true nature of the region's bounty. World class cuisine from every corner of the globe is readily available throughout the region. West Coast cuisine shares the bill with Asian Fusion, Sushi, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vegetarian, Chinese, Thai, French, Fish & Chips, Micro Breweries and Fruit Wineries. Naturally, the region is so close to the Pacific Ocean that it provides a steady supply of the freshest of the fresh seafood. The catch of the day graces the plates of restaurants with famous BC salmon, halibut, cod, crab, scallops and oysters. Prepared simply, fantastically or fantastically simple...enjoy your 'catch of the day' in a fine dining establishment, a trendy eatery, a casual pub or right on the docks. Farm fresh is a phrase heard repeatedly in the Lower Mainland. Just east of Vancouver is the Fraser Valley, a lush picturesque and productive valley which is home to a multitude of farms working diligently to deliver produce from the farm directly to the plate or to the visitor. Find fresh fruit and vegetables in season, farm-raised meat and eggs and extra special treats like home made jams and jellies. ==Drink== The [[Fraser Valley]] has become a popular wine touring destination. Domaine de Chaberton Winery, a fixture in the beautiful south Langley countryside, has been joined by a number of other wineries (Township 7, Fort Wine Company, Glenugie Winery, Lotusland Vineyards and the Blue Heron Fruit Winery), all within a short drive of each other and from any location in the region. You can be in wine country in less than one hour drive from downtown Vancouver!The Lower Mainland also has some of the best tap water in the world. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== *The immense and beautiful [[Vancouver Island]] lies off the shore of the Lower Mainland. Offering numerous recreational opportunities, it is accessed by one of four BC Ferries routes from the Lower Mainland. *The [[Thompson-Okanagan]] region lies northeast of the Lower Mainland. *Extending north along the coast is the beautiful [[North Coast-Nechako|North Coast]]. *The US state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]] lies to the south. {{geo|49.66|-122.91|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|British Columbia}} {{usableregion}} 44rlpqtk20kbmgkmhrm0vrma2ws8lg6 4506583 4506582 2022-08-23T05:01:31Z Rosspotter 2274401 /* By ferry */ Updated listing for Sunshine Coast (Langdale) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Vancouver banner Lions gate bridge sunset.jpg|caption=The Lions Gate Bridge at sunset}} The '''Lower Mainland''' is in [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. The official [https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver-coast-mountains/ tourist information site] calls the area "Vancouver, Coast and Mountains". The term "lower mainland" has different meanings; for some people it is equivalent to "Greater Vancouver", while others include everything out to [[Abbotsford]] or [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] in the east, and [[Squamish]] or [[Whistler]] in the north. Here we use it to describe the area from Vancouver in the west to Hope in the east, and from the American border in the south, to the town of [[Whistler]] and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] in the north. ==Regions== <!-- [[Image:RegionMapJuly4.jpg|thumb|300px|Regions of the Lower Mainland]] : This map is out of date, replace with a new map when it's ready --> {{Regionlist | regionmap=lower mainland.png | regionmaptext=Cities and regions in the Lower Mainland | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Vancouver]] | region1color=#578e86 | region1items= | region1description=A beautiful, vibrant city with diverse neighbourhoods, a very multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city — and the political core of the Lower Mainland and economic core of the province. | region2name=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]] | region2color=#d56d76 | region2items= | region2description=A series of towns north of the Fraser River and east of the Pitt River, all fairly urban and defined by their relationship to Vancouver. This region includes [[Burnaby]] and [[New Westminster]]; the Tri-Cities of [[Coquitlam]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Port Moody]] ("PoCoMo"); and [[Anmore]] and [[Belcarra]] villages. | region3name=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3items= | region3description=The area between the Fraser River and the US border, where much of the Lower Mainland's population growth and suburban sprawl takes place. It includes the towns of [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], and [[White Rock]]. | region4name=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]] | region4color=#d09440 | region4items= | region4description=Where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. The mountains provide attractions like Grouse Mountain. At the west of the North Shore is Horseshoe Bay, ferry terminal to the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]. | region5name=[[Fraser Valley]] | region5color=#71b37b | region5items= | region5description=The Fraser River, which gives the valley its name, is the world's greatest salmon producing river, and a focus for the region's economy, transportation and culture. The valley also has lush fertile farmland, which contributes a large portion of the local produce. The towns of [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], and [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] are transforming from agricultural to suburb. [[Abbotsford]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] remain closer to their agricultural roots, but are also transforming. | region6name=[[Sea to Sky]] | region6color=#8a84a3 | region6items= | region6description=The region stretches from the [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]], up the east side of Howe Sound to [[Squamish]], the gateway to BC's magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from Vancouver to [[Whistler]], one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours. Further in is [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]. The area is rich with archaeological sites and historical lore of the Salish Indians. | region7name=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] | region7color=#d5dc76 | region7items= | region7description=North-west of Vancouver, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, the region is named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many people, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find this the perfect destination. }} <!-- {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#578e86|title=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238164}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238166}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d09440|title=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]]|wikidata=Q7056651}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Fraser Valley]]|wikidata=Q3554074}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Sea to Sky]]|wikidata=Q7439799}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]|wikidata=Q1477253}} --> ==Cities== [[File:Hope, BC - Hope Memorial Park 03.jpg|right|thumb|Hope Memorial Park]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} — a major regional town with a commercial airport, and a hub of agriculture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hope (British Columbia) | Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} — gateway to British Columbia's interior and the eastern end of the Fraser Valley * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]]|wikidata=Q557643}} — home to a Catholic Mission that can be toured * {{marker|type=city|name=[[New Westminster]]|wikidata=Q876122}} — a small town that never grew up, it has a nice riverfront promenade and beautiful old neighbourhoods * {{marker|type=city|name=[[North Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q1001626}} — playground for the outdoor-minded: miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]]|wikidata=Q236837}} — home to a large Chinese immigrant population and Vancouver International Airport * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Surrey (British Columbia)| Surrey]]|wikidata=Q390583}} — the second biggest city in British Columbia, after Vancouver, with a large South Asian community * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} — a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}} — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round ==Other destinations== [[File:Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi (DSCF1821).jpg|right|thumb|Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi]] * {{marker|name=[[Bowen Island]]|wikidata=Q895413}} — a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, that draws tourists to wander the shops and explore the parks and natural areas * {{marker|name=[[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1143621}} — a rugged wonderland set amid the Coast Mountains ==Understand== This area is home to '''Greater Vancouver''', the largest metropolitan area west of [[Toronto]]. It is also home to the mainly agricultural '''Fraser Valley''', the outdoor playground of the '''Whistler''' environs and the laid back vacation area termed the Sunshine Coast. ==Talk== The ''de facto'' language is English. Chinese (especially Cantonese and Mandarin) is the second most-spoken language in the city and there are sizable immigrant communities who speak other languages, such as Punjabi. Though there are few French speakers in British Columbia, Canada is officially bi-lingual so Canadian Government offices may offer services in French. ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Primary airport:''' *[[Vancouver International Airport|'''Vancouver International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YVR}}) is the hub airport for the Lower Mainland with frequent direct flights from other points in [[British Columbia]], major cities across [[Canada]] and the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Asia]], and several major cities in [[Europe]]. Frequent direct flights are also available from [[Mexico]] and [[Australia]], increasing during Canada's winter. Direct flights are not available from [[South America]] or [[Africa]]. '''Secondary airports:''' * [[Abbotsford#By plane|'''Abbotsford International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YXX}}), about {{km|60}} east of Vancouver in [[Abbotsford]], handles mostly domestic and low-cost carrier flights. With an arranged ride, you can be in and out of this airport in under 10 min (with no checked in baggage). * '''[[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|BLI}}), across the border in Washington State, serves mainly as a launching point for budget-minded Canadian travelers vacationing in the U.S.: excellent service from [[Hawaii]] and [[Las Vegas]], but few other useful connections. Also offers connecting service through [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. '''Further away:''' * '''[[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|SEA}}) can be a dramatically less expensive option than buying a direct flight from YVR or YXX. A U.S. visa may be required and could take some time to procure. ===By car=== ==== From Washington state ==== To cross this international border, you need an international travel document: a passport, a NEXUS card (see below), a US Passport Card, or certain US and Canadian "Enhanced ID" Drivers Licences. There are five land border crossing points into the Lower Mainland region (Canadian name | US name | location), which operate 24 hours per day and have dedicated NEXUS card holder lanes unless otherwise noted: *'''Surrey (Douglas/Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | '''Blaine (Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]/[[White Rock|White Rock, BC]] (Hwy 99) – [[Blaine|Blaine, WA]] (I-5) *'''Pacific Highway''' | '''Blaine (Pacific&nbsp;Highway)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey, BC]] (Hwy 15) – Blaine, WA (WA-543) *'''Aldergrove''' | '''Lynden''' | [[Aldergrove|Aldergrove, BC]] (Hwy 13) – [[Lynden|Lynden, WA]] (WA-539, the Guide Meridian) - open daily 8AM to midnight, NEXUS lane to United States only *'''Huntingdon''' | '''Sumas''' | [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford, BC]] (Hwy 11) – [[Sumas|Sumas, WA]] (WA-9) *'''Boundary Bay''' | '''Point Roberts''' | [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta, BC]] (56th St) – [[Point Roberts|Point Roberts, WA]] (Tyee Drive) - Point Roberts is on a peninsula. It is typically only reached from Canada and from other areas of the United States via this border crossing. There are often lengthy lineups at the border, in either direction. During summer and long weekends, waits at the border can exceed three hours during peak times. You can see current wait time forecasts for both directions on the [https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html Canada Border Services Agency website], and for US-bound traffic on the [https://bwt.cbp.gov/ US Customs and Border Protection website]. ====From other places in [[British Columbia]]==== {{see also|Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies}} Most major highways from interior British Columbia converge at [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], {{km|143}} east of Vancouver, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west into Vancouver. ===== Via [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] ===== Three major highways enter the Lower Mainland at Hope. * Highway 1 ([[Trans-Canada Highway]]) connects to Hope from [[Alberta]] via [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Salmon Arm]], [[Kamloops]], and [[Cache Creek]]. It intersects Highway 97 at [[Cache Creek]], which travels to the [[Northern British Columbia]] communities such as [[Prince George]]. * Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) an east-west route that connects to Alberta via [[Osoyoos]] in the [[Okanagan]], and [[Castlegar]] and [[Cranbrook]] in the [[Kootenays]]. * Highway 5 ([[Coquihalla Highway]]) is the main highway and the most travelled route entering the Lower Mainland via Hope, as it is generally the fastest route to follow to reach the Lower Mainland, including from Alberta, Kamloops, and [[Kelowna]]. From October 1 to April 1, vehicles on all three of the highways require snow tires, or mud and slush tires. On all three of these routes, there are portions with and without cell phone service. ===== Via [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton, BC]] ===== Highway 99 provides an alternate access to the Lower Mainland from Highway 97, about 10 km north of Cache Creek. However, north of [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] the route is a narrow, isolated, mountain road, which generally lacks cell phone service. ===By bus=== The [[Lower Mainland]], especially [[Vancouver]] is well served by bus service. Most bus routes terminate in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station. Within the Lower Mainland: *{{listing|name=Epic Rides|alt=|url=https://epicrides.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-349-1234|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$24 one way or $35 return|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Year-round direct bus between [[Whistler]] and [[Vancouver]].}} * {{Listing|name=Perimeter Transportation|url=https://www.perimeterbus.com|phone=+1 604-717-6600|tollfree=+1-877-717-6606|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Whistler]] hotels via [[Squamish]] and downtown [[Vancouver]] to [[Vancouver International Airport]]. }} * {{Listing|name=YVR Skylynx|url=https://yvrskylynx.com/|email=info@yvrskylynx.com|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and in downtown Vancouver|phone=+1-604-326-1616|lastedit=2022-04-05|content=Operates a daily bus route between [[Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Whistler]] with stops in [[Vancouver]] (Pacific Central Station and downtown) and [[Squamish]].}} From [[Vancouver Island]]: * {{listing|name=BC Ferries Connector|alt=Wilson's Transportation Group|url=https://bcfconnector.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-250-475-3235|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Route between [[Victoria]] and [[Vancouver]]. The bus crosses on BC Ferries route Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay).}} From British Columbia Interior and other provinces (stops with "(AR)" require advanced reservation): *{{listing|name=Adventure Charters|alt=|url=https://www.adventurecharters.ca/|email=info@adventurecharters.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Scott Road SkyTrain station in Surrey|phone=+1 250-305-2251|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week bus service between [[Prince George]] and [[Surrey]] with stops in [[Quesnel]], [[Williams Lake]], [[100 Mile House]], Clinton, [[Cache Creek]], [[Lytton]], [[Boston_Bar_(British_Columbia)|Boston Bar]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Abbotsford]].}} *{{go|name=Ebus|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1 877-769-3287|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Travels daily between [[Kamloops]] and [[Vancouver]], and [[Kelowna]] and Vancouver on two separate routes. Both routes have stops in [[Merritt]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]]. Travel times to Vancouver from Kamloops is 4.5-4.75 hours, from Kelowna is 5.5 hours, from Hope is 2.5 hours, and from Abbotsford is 1.25 hours.}} *{{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week service between [[Kaslo]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Ainsworth_Hot_Springs-Balfour|Balfour]], [[Nelson_(British_Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Castlegar]], [[Christina Lake]], [[Grand_Forks_(British_Columbia)|Grand Forks]], [[Greenwood (British Columbia)|Greenwood]], Rock Creek, [[Osoyoos]], [[Keremeos]], [[Princeton_(British_Columbia)|Princeton]], [[Manning Provincial Park]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Langley_(British_Columbia)|Langley]], and [[New Westminster]]. This service provider also offers a weekly route between Kalso and [[Calgary]] via Nelson.}} *{{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], and [[Winnipeg]].}} From [[United States of America|United States]] (crossing the border at the Pacific Highway Crossing): * {{listing|name=Cantrail|alt=Amtrak Thruway|url=https://www.cantrail.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-604-294-5541|tollfree=+1-877-940-5561|fax=|hours=|price=$40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Seattle's King St Station (Amtrak railway station) via Richmond. Terminates at Pacific Central Station. }} * {{listing|name=FlixBus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and Waterfront station (SkyTrain Expo Line and Canada Line)|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-05-24|content=Bus service between Vancouver and [[Seattle]] including stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Some trips also stop at [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. Travel time to Vancouver (at Pacific Central Station) from Seattle is 4-4.5 hours and from Bellingham is 2 hours. Travel time is an additional 15 minutes for travel to Waterfront station.}} *{{listing|name=Quick Coach|alt=|url=https://www.quickcoach.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Canada Place Pier @ 999 Canada Place|phone=+1-604-940-4428|tollfree=+1-800-665-2122|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Seattle Tacoma International Airport|SeaTac Airport]] via downtown [[Seattle]], [[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham Airport]], Surrey, Richmond. Stops at hotels in downtown Vancouver. }} *{{listing|name=Greyhound Lines (USA)|alt=|url=https://www.greyhound.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1 214-849-8100|tollfree=+1-800-231-2222|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Portland via Seattle, [[Everett]], [[Mount Vernon_(Washington)|Mt Vernon]], Bellingham, and [[Coquitlam]]. Some trips start from Seattle.|type=listing}} [[File:CN Rail Station - VIA Rail Station.JPG|thumb|Pacific Central Station]]Taking the train to the Lower Mainland is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. All trains, except The Rocky Mountaineer terminate at: * {{listing|name=Pacific Central Station|url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/rockies-and-pacific/vancouver|address=1150 Station Street, Vancouver, BC|lat=49.273862|long=-123.097934|directions=East of Downtown Vancouver off Main Street|wikipedia=Pacific Central Station|wikidata=Q1327751|lastedit=2022-06-30|content=All trains arrive at this station. From there, it is a short taxi ride into the [[Vancouver/CBD-Yaletown|central business area]], or you can pick up the SkyTrain at the Main St/Science World station two blocks away.|type=go}} Taking the train is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. Rail options within Canada: * {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates train routes across [[Canada]]. Operates ''[[The Canadian]]'' up to three trips per week between [[Toronto]] and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]], [[Winnipeg]], [[Portage la Prairie]], [[Saskatoon]], [[Edmonton]], [[Jasper]], and [[Kamloops]]. This route can offer a scenic view of the [[Canadian Rockies]], depending on the train schedule, as the train operates day and night. This service connects with another route that travels between Jasper and [[Prince Rupert]].}} * {{go|name=Rocky Mountaineer|alt=|url=https://www.rockymountaineer.com/|email=|address=1755 Cottrell St|lat=49.2686|long=-123.08593|directions=Stops at its own station 1.5 km from Pacific Central Station. From Pacific Central Station, head east on Terminal Ave and south on Cottrell St.|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-460-3200|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates the [[Rocky Mountaineer]] luxury tourist train routes between [[Vancouver]] and [[Banff]], [[Calgary]] and [[Jasper]] three times a week from April to October. This route offers a scenic view of the Canadian Rockies and only operates during the daytime.}} {{Seealso|Rail travel in Canada}} Rail options from [[United States of America]]: * {{Listing|name=Amtrak|url=https://www.amtrak.com/home|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-215-856-7924|tollfree=+1-800-872-7245|lastedit=2022-03-31|content='''[[Amtrak Cascades]]''' runs a twice daily service between [[Seattle]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]], [[Mount Vernon (Washington)|Mount Vernon]], and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Additional service to Seattle by Cantrail bus (see 'By bus' in the above), operating as the ''Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach''. Connections to additional '''[[Amtrak|Amtrak trains]]''' are in [[Seattle#By train|Seattle]]}} Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], travel by train is [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/amtrak-return-to-service-1.6252614 suspended] as of March 2022, and travellers will use Amtrak's bus option to reach Vancouver. ===By ferry=== The following two ferry terminals are serviced by '''[https://www.bcferries.com BC Ferries]''' in the Greater [[Vancouver]] area of the Lower Mainland and all ferries serving these terminals carry both vehicles and passengers: *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)|lat=49.3754|long=-123.2717}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]] (Departure Bay), [[Bowen Island]] (Snug Cove) and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] (Langdale). [https://www.translink.ca/ Translink] provides public transit at a stop a block away from the terminal to some areas of Bowen Island. *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Tsawwassen)|lat=49.0073|long=-123.1306}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]], [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] on [[Vancouver Island]], and to several of the [[Southern Gulf Islands]] (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, Saltspring). Other Lower Mainland terminals serviced by BC Ferries: * {{listing | name=Bowen Island (Snug Cove) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. }} * {{listing | name=Sunshine Coast (Langdale) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit from the terminal to [[Sechelt]] via [[Gibsons]]. }} * {{Listing|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Saltery Bay)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Sunshine Coast]] (Earls Cove). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Westview)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Routes from [[Comox]] (Little River) on [[Vancouver Island]] and Texada Island (Blubber Bay). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to [[Powell River]] and Texada Island. Through a transfer in Powell River, riders can reach [[Lund]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at the Comox (Little River)] terminal, to reach [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} * {{Listing|name=Texada Island|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=[[Comox]] Little River on [[Vancouver Island]] and Routes from [[Powell River]] (Westview). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to parts of Texada Island and to [[Powell River]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at Comox (Little River)] terminal to [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} Real-time remaining vehicle capacity available on ferry trips is available on BC Ferries' website and on some highway signs heading toward the terminals. One most routes, reservations are available for travelers crossing with vehicles. At times during the year, reservations may be required between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands. Otherwise reservations are never required, but are recommended for vehicles during peak travel times, such as late June to early September and long weekends. Reservation rates vary depending on how long they are made in advance of the sailing and start at $10. Long term parking is available from BC ferries at some terminals: West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal and [https://parkandgo.ca/ Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go]), Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo (Departure Bay and Duke Point), and Sunshine Coast (Langdale). The price of parking varies per terminal. Expect to pay $18-19 per day at BC Ferry Terminals in the Lower Mainland (2022). Other terminals may charge less. Real-time remaining parking capacity is available on BC Ferries website. ==Get around== Depending on how much you want to see, there may be a number of ways to get around the Lower Mainland. === Public transit === '''TransLink''' Within Vancouver and many of its suburbs, the '''[https://www.translink.ca TransLink]''' public transit system can get you to most places. TransLink extends from [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]] and [[Bowen Island]] to the north-west, to [[Delta]] in the south-west, to [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] in the south-east, to [[Maple Ridge]] in the north-east. SkyTrain rail rapid transit connects [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[New Westminster]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], and [[Vancouver]]. In the remainder of British Columbia including other areas of the Lower Mainland, where public transit is available, it is offered by [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit]. '''Connections between the [[Fraser Valley]] and TransLink''' * Translink's Westcoast Express offers weekday service between [[Vancouver]] and [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], heading westbound during the morning rush hour and eastbound during the afternoon rush hour. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=66 bus 66] offers express bus service between [[Burnaby]] and [[Chilliwack]] including stops in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] and [[Abbotsford]]. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=21 bus 21] offers local bus service between [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] to [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford.]] '''The Fraser Valley''' Public transit within the Fraser Valley connects between communities including: * [[Abbotsford]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/home BC Transit] * [[Chilliwack]], [[Harrison Hot Springs]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (including Agassiz) - [https://www.bctransit.com/chilliwack/home BC Transit] '''The Sea to Sky Corridor''' BC transit runs public transit systems in the following locations in the Sea to Sky corridor of the Lower Mainland, though they cannot be reached public transit (and, where necessary by BC Ferries) from [[Vancouver]]: * [[Squamish]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/squamish/home BC Transit] * [[Whistler]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/whistler/home BC Transit] * [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/pemberton-valley/home BC Transit]. Note that a bus route travels to Whistler. '''The Sunshine Coast''' Public transit on the Sunshine Coast in separated into two systems, which do not have connections with each other. * [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] - [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit including to [[Sechelt]] and [[Gibsons]]. It is possible to reach [[Vancouver]] using public transit by connecting via BC Ferries. * [[Powell River]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] No public transit crosses the border with Washington State in the United States, though it is possible to travel solely by public transit as buses terminate within blocks of the Sumas-Huntingdon Border Crossing between [[Abbotsford]] and [[Sumas]]. Theoretically, using public transit alone, a person could travel from [[Qualicum Beach]] to [[Olympia (Washington)|Olympia]] via [[Vancouver]] and [[Seattle]], though the trip would take multiple days. === Driving === The most convenient means of getting around the region is by car. Car rentals are readily available throughout the region. Major highways in the Lower Mainland: * Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) is the main thoroughfare, travelling from [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal to the interior of BC via [[North Vancouver]], [[Vancouver]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam|Coquitlam,]] [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]. * Highway 7 travels from Vancouver to Hope via Burnaby, Coquitlam, [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], and [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (Agassiz). * Highway 17 travels from the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]] to Surrey. * Highway 91 is a freeway connecting [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], New Westminster, Delta, and Surrey. * Highway 99 begins at the [[Washington (state)|US border]] Canada in Surrey, where it meets Interstate 5 , then it continues north to Delta, Richmond, and Vancouver, then toward British Columbia's interior via North Vancouver, West Vancouver, [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Squamish]], [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] and [[Whistler]]. * Highway 101 connects the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] from Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]], via [[Gibsons|Gibsons,]] [[Sechelt]], and [[Powell River]]. === By small plane === A number of small airlines operate float planes from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Whistler. These are more expensive than other options, but are faster and more scenic. See also: [[Vancouver#Floatplanes and heliport|Vancouver - Floatplanes and heliport]] === By ferry === Some coastal parts of the Lower Mainland (Sunshine Coast and [[Bowen Island]]) can only be accessed by boat. [https://www.bcferries.com/ BC Ferries] provides ferry services to these areas and visitors can walk on or take their car. See '''Get In''' under '''By ferry''' above. ==See== [[File:Granville Island 02.jpg|right|thumb|Vancouver from Granville Island]] For many people, [[Vancouver]] will be the starting point for a trip to the Lower Mainland. It's a city glass towers well supplied with beaches and picturesque mountains in the distance. Close to its downtown, you can walk the seawall around its huge Stanley Park, and then to lots of sushi and other Asian restaurants, a public art gallery, and an aquarium. Vancouver's suburbs are accessible by Skytrain and other transit, and offer a wide array of shopping, more sprawling parks, and many interesting historical site. The [[Sea to Sky Highway]] offers spectacular scenery — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the highway. [[File:Princess Louisa Inlet.jpg|right|thumb|Princess Louisa Inlet]] You'll need a boat or a plane, though, to see the [[Sunshine Coast]]'s Princess Louisa Inlet, one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km-long fjord ending in the inlet. In [[Whistler]], the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the local First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions. ==Do== There is so much do and see in the Lower Mainland, the following are only suggestions based on the regions. Greater [[Vancouver]], home to Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and many more. To see all the sights, take a day tour to become familiar with all the sights. There are a number of sightseeing companies who run trips daily. And also the public transportation is also any easy way to see everything and get into the surrounding communities. You also can't miss out on the dining experiences, you name it and there is a restaurant in Vancouver to serve it. With award winning and internationally known restaurants, there is always something new to try. In the [[Fraser Valley]], you are entering into an amazing region which has plenty of stops to fill your stomach. Here you can find a number of award winning wineries and family owned farms. You can sample the fresh fruits and vegetables at a number of stands along the highway or pop into a local restaurant and have a wild salmon dish. You can spend the day driving from each community or you can make a whole weekend of it. The valley offers a great opportunity to relax in the warm waters of [[Harrison Hot Springs]]. [[File:Between layers of fog (16261226716).jpg|right|thumb|Skiing at Whistler]] Whatever you do while visiting the [[Sea to Sky]] region, it will most likely involve some form of adventure outdoors. Here you will find some of the best golfing, skiing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. You can head up to the vibrant [[Whistler]] village or find your own mountain paradise. The [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] is your place to relax. Now relaxing means different things to everyone, this could mean sitting on your private B&B patio watching the sunset, or bobbing up and down while waiting for the fish below to take a bit of your bait, but whatever your image of relaxation it is found on the Sunshine Coast. Take a drive up the Sunshine Coast Highway and stop off at the galleries and farmer's markets to pick up some local goodies. But don't bother looking at your watch because here time is no of a concern. === Hiking === Regardless of what part of the Lower Mainland you are in, there will be hiking opportunities, ranging in length and amount of elevation gain. [https://www.vancouvertrails.com/ Vancouver Trails] has information about over 200 trails around the Lower Mainland, especially more popular trails. Book stores in the region will generally have several different books in stock focused on describing local hiking trails. ==Eat == The Lower Mainland is the scene of a quickly exploding food and wine revolution! Adjectives like diverse, fresh, delicious, unique don't even begin to describe the true nature of the region's bounty. World class cuisine from every corner of the globe is readily available throughout the region. West Coast cuisine shares the bill with Asian Fusion, Sushi, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vegetarian, Chinese, Thai, French, Fish & Chips, Micro Breweries and Fruit Wineries. Naturally, the region is so close to the Pacific Ocean that it provides a steady supply of the freshest of the fresh seafood. The catch of the day graces the plates of restaurants with famous BC salmon, halibut, cod, crab, scallops and oysters. Prepared simply, fantastically or fantastically simple...enjoy your 'catch of the day' in a fine dining establishment, a trendy eatery, a casual pub or right on the docks. Farm fresh is a phrase heard repeatedly in the Lower Mainland. Just east of Vancouver is the Fraser Valley, a lush picturesque and productive valley which is home to a multitude of farms working diligently to deliver produce from the farm directly to the plate or to the visitor. Find fresh fruit and vegetables in season, farm-raised meat and eggs and extra special treats like home made jams and jellies. ==Drink== The [[Fraser Valley]] has become a popular wine touring destination. Domaine de Chaberton Winery, a fixture in the beautiful south Langley countryside, has been joined by a number of other wineries (Township 7, Fort Wine Company, Glenugie Winery, Lotusland Vineyards and the Blue Heron Fruit Winery), all within a short drive of each other and from any location in the region. You can be in wine country in less than one hour drive from downtown Vancouver!The Lower Mainland also has some of the best tap water in the world. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== *The immense and beautiful [[Vancouver Island]] lies off the shore of the Lower Mainland. Offering numerous recreational opportunities, it is accessed by one of four BC Ferries routes from the Lower Mainland. *The [[Thompson-Okanagan]] region lies northeast of the Lower Mainland. *Extending north along the coast is the beautiful [[North Coast-Nechako|North Coast]]. *The US state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]] lies to the south. {{geo|49.66|-122.91|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|British Columbia}} {{usableregion}} 58zrvr7qgkjwke7ijy5gfr2zba4hbji 4506584 4506583 2022-08-23T05:02:26Z Rosspotter 2274401 formating issue wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Vancouver banner Lions gate bridge sunset.jpg|caption=The Lions Gate Bridge at sunset}} The '''Lower Mainland''' is in [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. The official [https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver-coast-mountains/ tourist information site] calls the area "Vancouver, Coast and Mountains". The term "lower mainland" has different meanings; for some people it is equivalent to "Greater Vancouver", while others include everything out to [[Abbotsford]] or [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] in the east, and [[Squamish]] or [[Whistler]] in the north. Here we use it to describe the area from Vancouver in the west to Hope in the east, and from the American border in the south, to the town of [[Whistler]] and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] in the north. ==Regions== <!-- [[Image:RegionMapJuly4.jpg|thumb|300px|Regions of the Lower Mainland]] : This map is out of date, replace with a new map when it's ready --> {{Regionlist | regionmap=lower mainland.png | regionmaptext=Cities and regions in the Lower Mainland | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Vancouver]] | region1color=#578e86 | region1items= | region1description=A beautiful, vibrant city with diverse neighbourhoods, a very multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city — and the political core of the Lower Mainland and economic core of the province. | region2name=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]] | region2color=#d56d76 | region2items= | region2description=A series of towns north of the Fraser River and east of the Pitt River, all fairly urban and defined by their relationship to Vancouver. This region includes [[Burnaby]] and [[New Westminster]]; the Tri-Cities of [[Coquitlam]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Port Moody]] ("PoCoMo"); and [[Anmore]] and [[Belcarra]] villages. | region3name=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3items= | region3description=The area between the Fraser River and the US border, where much of the Lower Mainland's population growth and suburban sprawl takes place. It includes the towns of [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], and [[White Rock]]. | region4name=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]] | region4color=#d09440 | region4items= | region4description=Where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. The mountains provide attractions like Grouse Mountain. At the west of the North Shore is Horseshoe Bay, ferry terminal to the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]. | region5name=[[Fraser Valley]] | region5color=#71b37b | region5items= | region5description=The Fraser River, which gives the valley its name, is the world's greatest salmon producing river, and a focus for the region's economy, transportation and culture. The valley also has lush fertile farmland, which contributes a large portion of the local produce. The towns of [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], and [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] are transforming from agricultural to suburb. [[Abbotsford]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] remain closer to their agricultural roots, but are also transforming. | region6name=[[Sea to Sky]] | region6color=#8a84a3 | region6items= | region6description=The region stretches from the [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]], up the east side of Howe Sound to [[Squamish]], the gateway to BC's magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from Vancouver to [[Whistler]], one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours. Further in is [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]. The area is rich with archaeological sites and historical lore of the Salish Indians. | region7name=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] | region7color=#d5dc76 | region7items= | region7description=North-west of Vancouver, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, the region is named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many people, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find this the perfect destination. }} <!-- {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#578e86|title=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238164}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238166}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d09440|title=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]]|wikidata=Q7056651}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Fraser Valley]]|wikidata=Q3554074}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Sea to Sky]]|wikidata=Q7439799}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]|wikidata=Q1477253}} --> ==Cities== [[File:Hope, BC - Hope Memorial Park 03.jpg|right|thumb|Hope Memorial Park]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} — a major regional town with a commercial airport, and a hub of agriculture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hope (British Columbia) | Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} — gateway to British Columbia's interior and the eastern end of the Fraser Valley * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]]|wikidata=Q557643}} — home to a Catholic Mission that can be toured * {{marker|type=city|name=[[New Westminster]]|wikidata=Q876122}} — a small town that never grew up, it has a nice riverfront promenade and beautiful old neighbourhoods * {{marker|type=city|name=[[North Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q1001626}} — playground for the outdoor-minded: miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]]|wikidata=Q236837}} — home to a large Chinese immigrant population and Vancouver International Airport * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Surrey (British Columbia)| Surrey]]|wikidata=Q390583}} — the second biggest city in British Columbia, after Vancouver, with a large South Asian community * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} — a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}} — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round ==Other destinations== [[File:Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi (DSCF1821).jpg|right|thumb|Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi]] * {{marker|name=[[Bowen Island]]|wikidata=Q895413}} — a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, that draws tourists to wander the shops and explore the parks and natural areas * {{marker|name=[[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1143621}} — a rugged wonderland set amid the Coast Mountains ==Understand== This area is home to '''Greater Vancouver''', the largest metropolitan area west of [[Toronto]]. It is also home to the mainly agricultural '''Fraser Valley''', the outdoor playground of the '''Whistler''' environs and the laid back vacation area termed the Sunshine Coast. ==Talk== The ''de facto'' language is English. Chinese (especially Cantonese and Mandarin) is the second most-spoken language in the city and there are sizable immigrant communities who speak other languages, such as Punjabi. Though there are few French speakers in British Columbia, Canada is officially bi-lingual so Canadian Government offices may offer services in French. ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Primary airport:''' *[[Vancouver International Airport|'''Vancouver International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YVR}}) is the hub airport for the Lower Mainland with frequent direct flights from other points in [[British Columbia]], major cities across [[Canada]] and the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Asia]], and several major cities in [[Europe]]. Frequent direct flights are also available from [[Mexico]] and [[Australia]], increasing during Canada's winter. Direct flights are not available from [[South America]] or [[Africa]]. '''Secondary airports:''' * [[Abbotsford#By plane|'''Abbotsford International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YXX}}), about {{km|60}} east of Vancouver in [[Abbotsford]], handles mostly domestic and low-cost carrier flights. With an arranged ride, you can be in and out of this airport in under 10 min (with no checked in baggage). * '''[[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|BLI}}), across the border in Washington State, serves mainly as a launching point for budget-minded Canadian travelers vacationing in the U.S.: excellent service from [[Hawaii]] and [[Las Vegas]], but few other useful connections. Also offers connecting service through [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. '''Further away:''' * '''[[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|SEA}}) can be a dramatically less expensive option than buying a direct flight from YVR or YXX. A U.S. visa may be required and could take some time to procure. ===By car=== ==== From Washington state ==== To cross this international border, you need an international travel document: a passport, a NEXUS card (see below), a US Passport Card, or certain US and Canadian "Enhanced ID" Drivers Licences. There are five land border crossing points into the Lower Mainland region (Canadian name | US name | location), which operate 24 hours per day and have dedicated NEXUS card holder lanes unless otherwise noted: *'''Surrey (Douglas/Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | '''Blaine (Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]/[[White Rock|White Rock, BC]] (Hwy 99) – [[Blaine|Blaine, WA]] (I-5) *'''Pacific Highway''' | '''Blaine (Pacific&nbsp;Highway)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey, BC]] (Hwy 15) – Blaine, WA (WA-543) *'''Aldergrove''' | '''Lynden''' | [[Aldergrove|Aldergrove, BC]] (Hwy 13) – [[Lynden|Lynden, WA]] (WA-539, the Guide Meridian) - open daily 8AM to midnight, NEXUS lane to United States only *'''Huntingdon''' | '''Sumas''' | [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford, BC]] (Hwy 11) – [[Sumas|Sumas, WA]] (WA-9) *'''Boundary Bay''' | '''Point Roberts''' | [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta, BC]] (56th St) – [[Point Roberts|Point Roberts, WA]] (Tyee Drive) - Point Roberts is on a peninsula. It is typically only reached from Canada and from other areas of the United States via this border crossing. There are often lengthy lineups at the border, in either direction. During summer and long weekends, waits at the border can exceed three hours during peak times. You can see current wait time forecasts for both directions on the [https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html Canada Border Services Agency website], and for US-bound traffic on the [https://bwt.cbp.gov/ US Customs and Border Protection website]. ====From other places in [[British Columbia]]==== {{see also|Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies}} Most major highways from interior British Columbia converge at [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], {{km|143}} east of Vancouver, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west into Vancouver. ===== Via [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] ===== Three major highways enter the Lower Mainland at Hope. * Highway 1 ([[Trans-Canada Highway]]) connects to Hope from [[Alberta]] via [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Salmon Arm]], [[Kamloops]], and [[Cache Creek]]. It intersects Highway 97 at [[Cache Creek]], which travels to the [[Northern British Columbia]] communities such as [[Prince George]]. * Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) an east-west route that connects to Alberta via [[Osoyoos]] in the [[Okanagan]], and [[Castlegar]] and [[Cranbrook]] in the [[Kootenays]]. * Highway 5 ([[Coquihalla Highway]]) is the main highway and the most travelled route entering the Lower Mainland via Hope, as it is generally the fastest route to follow to reach the Lower Mainland, including from Alberta, Kamloops, and [[Kelowna]]. From October 1 to April 1, vehicles on all three of the highways require snow tires, or mud and slush tires. On all three of these routes, there are portions with and without cell phone service. ===== Via [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton, BC]] ===== Highway 99 provides an alternate access to the Lower Mainland from Highway 97, about 10 km north of Cache Creek. However, north of [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] the route is a narrow, isolated, mountain road, which generally lacks cell phone service. ===By bus=== The [[Lower Mainland]], especially [[Vancouver]] is well served by bus service. Most bus routes terminate in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station. Within the Lower Mainland: *{{listing|name=Epic Rides|alt=|url=https://epicrides.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-349-1234|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$24 one way or $35 return|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Year-round direct bus between [[Whistler]] and [[Vancouver]].}} * {{Listing|name=Perimeter Transportation|url=https://www.perimeterbus.com|phone=+1 604-717-6600|tollfree=+1-877-717-6606|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Whistler]] hotels via [[Squamish]] and downtown [[Vancouver]] to [[Vancouver International Airport]]. }} * {{Listing|name=YVR Skylynx|url=https://yvrskylynx.com/|email=info@yvrskylynx.com|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and in downtown Vancouver|phone=+1-604-326-1616|lastedit=2022-04-05|content=Operates a daily bus route between [[Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Whistler]] with stops in [[Vancouver]] (Pacific Central Station and downtown) and [[Squamish]].}} From [[Vancouver Island]]: * {{listing|name=BC Ferries Connector|alt=Wilson's Transportation Group|url=https://bcfconnector.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-250-475-3235|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Route between [[Victoria]] and [[Vancouver]]. The bus crosses on BC Ferries route Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay).}} From British Columbia Interior and other provinces (stops with "(AR)" require advanced reservation): *{{listing|name=Adventure Charters|alt=|url=https://www.adventurecharters.ca/|email=info@adventurecharters.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Scott Road SkyTrain station in Surrey|phone=+1 250-305-2251|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week bus service between [[Prince George]] and [[Surrey]] with stops in [[Quesnel]], [[Williams Lake]], [[100 Mile House]], Clinton, [[Cache Creek]], [[Lytton]], [[Boston_Bar_(British_Columbia)|Boston Bar]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Abbotsford]].}} *{{go|name=Ebus|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1 877-769-3287|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Travels daily between [[Kamloops]] and [[Vancouver]], and [[Kelowna]] and Vancouver on two separate routes. Both routes have stops in [[Merritt]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]]. Travel times to Vancouver from Kamloops is 4.5-4.75 hours, from Kelowna is 5.5 hours, from Hope is 2.5 hours, and from Abbotsford is 1.25 hours.}} *{{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week service between [[Kaslo]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Ainsworth_Hot_Springs-Balfour|Balfour]], [[Nelson_(British_Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Castlegar]], [[Christina Lake]], [[Grand_Forks_(British_Columbia)|Grand Forks]], [[Greenwood (British Columbia)|Greenwood]], Rock Creek, [[Osoyoos]], [[Keremeos]], [[Princeton_(British_Columbia)|Princeton]], [[Manning Provincial Park]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Langley_(British_Columbia)|Langley]], and [[New Westminster]]. This service provider also offers a weekly route between Kalso and [[Calgary]] via Nelson.}} *{{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], and [[Winnipeg]].}} From [[United States of America|United States]] (crossing the border at the Pacific Highway Crossing): * {{listing|name=Cantrail|alt=Amtrak Thruway|url=https://www.cantrail.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-604-294-5541|tollfree=+1-877-940-5561|fax=|hours=|price=$40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Seattle's King St Station (Amtrak railway station) via Richmond. Terminates at Pacific Central Station. }} * {{listing|name=FlixBus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and Waterfront station (SkyTrain Expo Line and Canada Line)|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-05-24|content=Bus service between Vancouver and [[Seattle]] including stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Some trips also stop at [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. Travel time to Vancouver (at Pacific Central Station) from Seattle is 4-4.5 hours and from Bellingham is 2 hours. Travel time is an additional 15 minutes for travel to Waterfront station.}} *{{listing|name=Quick Coach|alt=|url=https://www.quickcoach.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Canada Place Pier @ 999 Canada Place|phone=+1-604-940-4428|tollfree=+1-800-665-2122|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Seattle Tacoma International Airport|SeaTac Airport]] via downtown [[Seattle]], [[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham Airport]], Surrey, Richmond. Stops at hotels in downtown Vancouver. }} *{{listing|name=Greyhound Lines (USA)|alt=|url=https://www.greyhound.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1 214-849-8100|tollfree=+1-800-231-2222|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Portland via Seattle, [[Everett]], [[Mount Vernon_(Washington)|Mt Vernon]], Bellingham, and [[Coquitlam]]. Some trips start from Seattle.|type=listing}} [[File:CN Rail Station - VIA Rail Station.JPG|thumb|Pacific Central Station]]Taking the train to the Lower Mainland is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. All trains, except The Rocky Mountaineer terminate at: * {{listing|name=Pacific Central Station|url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/rockies-and-pacific/vancouver|address=1150 Station Street, Vancouver, BC|lat=49.273862|long=-123.097934|directions=East of Downtown Vancouver off Main Street|wikipedia=Pacific Central Station|wikidata=Q1327751|lastedit=2022-06-30|content=All trains arrive at this station. From there, it is a short taxi ride into the [[Vancouver/CBD-Yaletown|central business area]], or you can pick up the SkyTrain at the Main St/Science World station two blocks away.|type=go}} Taking the train is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. Rail options within Canada: * {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates train routes across [[Canada]]. Operates ''[[The Canadian]]'' up to three trips per week between [[Toronto]] and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]], [[Winnipeg]], [[Portage la Prairie]], [[Saskatoon]], [[Edmonton]], [[Jasper]], and [[Kamloops]]. This route can offer a scenic view of the [[Canadian Rockies]], depending on the train schedule, as the train operates day and night. This service connects with another route that travels between Jasper and [[Prince Rupert]].}} * {{go|name=Rocky Mountaineer|alt=|url=https://www.rockymountaineer.com/|email=|address=1755 Cottrell St|lat=49.2686|long=-123.08593|directions=Stops at its own station 1.5 km from Pacific Central Station. From Pacific Central Station, head east on Terminal Ave and south on Cottrell St.|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-460-3200|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates the [[Rocky Mountaineer]] luxury tourist train routes between [[Vancouver]] and [[Banff]], [[Calgary]] and [[Jasper]] three times a week from April to October. This route offers a scenic view of the Canadian Rockies and only operates during the daytime.}} {{Seealso|Rail travel in Canada}} Rail options from [[United States of America]]: * {{Listing|name=Amtrak|url=https://www.amtrak.com/home|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-215-856-7924|tollfree=+1-800-872-7245|lastedit=2022-03-31|content='''[[Amtrak Cascades]]''' runs a twice daily service between [[Seattle]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]], [[Mount Vernon (Washington)|Mount Vernon]], and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Additional service to Seattle by Cantrail bus (see 'By bus' in the above), operating as the ''Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach''. Connections to additional '''[[Amtrak|Amtrak trains]]''' are in [[Seattle#By train|Seattle]]}} Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], travel by train is [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/amtrak-return-to-service-1.6252614 suspended] as of March 2022, and travellers will use Amtrak's bus option to reach Vancouver. ===By ferry=== The following two ferry terminals are serviced by '''[https://www.bcferries.com BC Ferries]''' in the Greater [[Vancouver]] area of the Lower Mainland and all ferries serving these terminals carry both vehicles and passengers: *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)|lat=49.3754|long=-123.2717}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]] (Departure Bay), [[Bowen Island]] (Snug Cove) and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] (Langdale). [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink] provides public transit at a stop a block away from the terminal to some areas of Bowen Island. *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Tsawwassen)|lat=49.0073|long=-123.1306}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]], [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] on [[Vancouver Island]], and to several of the [[Southern Gulf Islands]] (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, Saltspring). Other Lower Mainland terminals serviced by BC Ferries: * {{listing | name=Bowen Island (Snug Cove) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. }} * {{listing | name=Sunshine Coast (Langdale) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit from the terminal to [[Sechelt]] via [[Gibsons]]. }} * {{Listing|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Saltery Bay)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Sunshine Coast]] (Earls Cove). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Westview)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Routes from [[Comox]] (Little River) on [[Vancouver Island]] and Texada Island (Blubber Bay). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to [[Powell River]] and Texada Island. Through a transfer in Powell River, riders can reach [[Lund]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at the Comox (Little River)] terminal, to reach [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} * {{Listing|name=Texada Island|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=[[Comox]] Little River on [[Vancouver Island]] and Routes from [[Powell River]] (Westview). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to parts of Texada Island and to [[Powell River]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at Comox (Little River)] terminal to [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} Real-time remaining vehicle capacity available on ferry trips is available on BC Ferries' website and on some highway signs heading toward the terminals. One most routes, reservations are available for travelers crossing with vehicles. At times during the year, reservations may be required between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands. Otherwise reservations are never required, but are recommended for vehicles during peak travel times, such as late June to early September and long weekends. Reservation rates vary depending on how long they are made in advance of the sailing and start at $10. Long term parking is available from BC ferries at some terminals: West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal and [https://parkandgo.ca/ Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go]), Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo (Departure Bay and Duke Point), and Sunshine Coast (Langdale). The price of parking varies per terminal. Expect to pay $18-19 per day at BC Ferry Terminals in the Lower Mainland (2022). Other terminals may charge less. Real-time remaining parking capacity is available on BC Ferries website. ==Get around== Depending on how much you want to see, there may be a number of ways to get around the Lower Mainland. === Public transit === '''TransLink''' Within Vancouver and many of its suburbs, the '''[https://www.translink.ca TransLink]''' public transit system can get you to most places. TransLink extends from [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]] and [[Bowen Island]] to the north-west, to [[Delta]] in the south-west, to [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] in the south-east, to [[Maple Ridge]] in the north-east. SkyTrain rail rapid transit connects [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[New Westminster]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], and [[Vancouver]]. In the remainder of British Columbia including other areas of the Lower Mainland, where public transit is available, it is offered by [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit]. '''Connections between the [[Fraser Valley]] and TransLink''' * Translink's Westcoast Express offers weekday service between [[Vancouver]] and [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], heading westbound during the morning rush hour and eastbound during the afternoon rush hour. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=66 bus 66] offers express bus service between [[Burnaby]] and [[Chilliwack]] including stops in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] and [[Abbotsford]]. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=21 bus 21] offers local bus service between [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] to [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford.]] '''The Fraser Valley''' Public transit within the Fraser Valley connects between communities including: * [[Abbotsford]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/home BC Transit] * [[Chilliwack]], [[Harrison Hot Springs]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (including Agassiz) - [https://www.bctransit.com/chilliwack/home BC Transit] '''The Sea to Sky Corridor''' BC transit runs public transit systems in the following locations in the Sea to Sky corridor of the Lower Mainland, though they cannot be reached public transit (and, where necessary by BC Ferries) from [[Vancouver]]: * [[Squamish]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/squamish/home BC Transit] * [[Whistler]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/whistler/home BC Transit] * [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/pemberton-valley/home BC Transit]. Note that a bus route travels to Whistler. '''The Sunshine Coast''' Public transit on the Sunshine Coast in separated into two systems, which do not have connections with each other. * [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] - [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit including to [[Sechelt]] and [[Gibsons]]. It is possible to reach [[Vancouver]] using public transit by connecting via BC Ferries. * [[Powell River]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] No public transit crosses the border with Washington State in the United States, though it is possible to travel solely by public transit as buses terminate within blocks of the Sumas-Huntingdon Border Crossing between [[Abbotsford]] and [[Sumas]]. Theoretically, using public transit alone, a person could travel from [[Qualicum Beach]] to [[Olympia (Washington)|Olympia]] via [[Vancouver]] and [[Seattle]], though the trip would take multiple days. === Driving === The most convenient means of getting around the region is by car. Car rentals are readily available throughout the region. Major highways in the Lower Mainland: * Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) is the main thoroughfare, travelling from [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal to the interior of BC via [[North Vancouver]], [[Vancouver]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam|Coquitlam,]] [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]. * Highway 7 travels from Vancouver to Hope via Burnaby, Coquitlam, [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], and [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (Agassiz). * Highway 17 travels from the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]] to Surrey. * Highway 91 is a freeway connecting [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], New Westminster, Delta, and Surrey. * Highway 99 begins at the [[Washington (state)|US border]] Canada in Surrey, where it meets Interstate 5 , then it continues north to Delta, Richmond, and Vancouver, then toward British Columbia's interior via North Vancouver, West Vancouver, [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Squamish]], [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] and [[Whistler]]. * Highway 101 connects the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] from Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]], via [[Gibsons|Gibsons,]] [[Sechelt]], and [[Powell River]]. === By small plane === A number of small airlines operate float planes from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Whistler. These are more expensive than other options, but are faster and more scenic. See also: [[Vancouver#Floatplanes and heliport|Vancouver - Floatplanes and heliport]] === By ferry === Some coastal parts of the Lower Mainland (Sunshine Coast and [[Bowen Island]]) can only be accessed by boat. [https://www.bcferries.com/ BC Ferries] provides ferry services to these areas and visitors can walk on or take their car. See '''Get In''' under '''By ferry''' above. ==See== [[File:Granville Island 02.jpg|right|thumb|Vancouver from Granville Island]] For many people, [[Vancouver]] will be the starting point for a trip to the Lower Mainland. It's a city glass towers well supplied with beaches and picturesque mountains in the distance. Close to its downtown, you can walk the seawall around its huge Stanley Park, and then to lots of sushi and other Asian restaurants, a public art gallery, and an aquarium. Vancouver's suburbs are accessible by Skytrain and other transit, and offer a wide array of shopping, more sprawling parks, and many interesting historical site. The [[Sea to Sky Highway]] offers spectacular scenery — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the highway. [[File:Princess Louisa Inlet.jpg|right|thumb|Princess Louisa Inlet]] You'll need a boat or a plane, though, to see the [[Sunshine Coast]]'s Princess Louisa Inlet, one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km-long fjord ending in the inlet. In [[Whistler]], the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the local First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions. ==Do== There is so much do and see in the Lower Mainland, the following are only suggestions based on the regions. Greater [[Vancouver]], home to Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and many more. To see all the sights, take a day tour to become familiar with all the sights. There are a number of sightseeing companies who run trips daily. And also the public transportation is also any easy way to see everything and get into the surrounding communities. You also can't miss out on the dining experiences, you name it and there is a restaurant in Vancouver to serve it. With award winning and internationally known restaurants, there is always something new to try. In the [[Fraser Valley]], you are entering into an amazing region which has plenty of stops to fill your stomach. Here you can find a number of award winning wineries and family owned farms. You can sample the fresh fruits and vegetables at a number of stands along the highway or pop into a local restaurant and have a wild salmon dish. You can spend the day driving from each community or you can make a whole weekend of it. The valley offers a great opportunity to relax in the warm waters of [[Harrison Hot Springs]]. [[File:Between layers of fog (16261226716).jpg|right|thumb|Skiing at Whistler]] Whatever you do while visiting the [[Sea to Sky]] region, it will most likely involve some form of adventure outdoors. Here you will find some of the best golfing, skiing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. You can head up to the vibrant [[Whistler]] village or find your own mountain paradise. The [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] is your place to relax. Now relaxing means different things to everyone, this could mean sitting on your private B&B patio watching the sunset, or bobbing up and down while waiting for the fish below to take a bit of your bait, but whatever your image of relaxation it is found on the Sunshine Coast. Take a drive up the Sunshine Coast Highway and stop off at the galleries and farmer's markets to pick up some local goodies. But don't bother looking at your watch because here time is no of a concern. === Hiking === Regardless of what part of the Lower Mainland you are in, there will be hiking opportunities, ranging in length and amount of elevation gain. [https://www.vancouvertrails.com/ Vancouver Trails] has information about over 200 trails around the Lower Mainland, especially more popular trails. Book stores in the region will generally have several different books in stock focused on describing local hiking trails. ==Eat == The Lower Mainland is the scene of a quickly exploding food and wine revolution! Adjectives like diverse, fresh, delicious, unique don't even begin to describe the true nature of the region's bounty. World class cuisine from every corner of the globe is readily available throughout the region. West Coast cuisine shares the bill with Asian Fusion, Sushi, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vegetarian, Chinese, Thai, French, Fish & Chips, Micro Breweries and Fruit Wineries. Naturally, the region is so close to the Pacific Ocean that it provides a steady supply of the freshest of the fresh seafood. The catch of the day graces the plates of restaurants with famous BC salmon, halibut, cod, crab, scallops and oysters. Prepared simply, fantastically or fantastically simple...enjoy your 'catch of the day' in a fine dining establishment, a trendy eatery, a casual pub or right on the docks. Farm fresh is a phrase heard repeatedly in the Lower Mainland. Just east of Vancouver is the Fraser Valley, a lush picturesque and productive valley which is home to a multitude of farms working diligently to deliver produce from the farm directly to the plate or to the visitor. Find fresh fruit and vegetables in season, farm-raised meat and eggs and extra special treats like home made jams and jellies. ==Drink== The [[Fraser Valley]] has become a popular wine touring destination. Domaine de Chaberton Winery, a fixture in the beautiful south Langley countryside, has been joined by a number of other wineries (Township 7, Fort Wine Company, Glenugie Winery, Lotusland Vineyards and the Blue Heron Fruit Winery), all within a short drive of each other and from any location in the region. You can be in wine country in less than one hour drive from downtown Vancouver!The Lower Mainland also has some of the best tap water in the world. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== *The immense and beautiful [[Vancouver Island]] lies off the shore of the Lower Mainland. Offering numerous recreational opportunities, it is accessed by one of four BC Ferries routes from the Lower Mainland. *The [[Thompson-Okanagan]] region lies northeast of the Lower Mainland. *Extending north along the coast is the beautiful [[North Coast-Nechako|North Coast]]. *The US state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]] lies to the south. {{geo|49.66|-122.91|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|British Columbia}} {{usableregion}} h0hde2z6s4hznvkupb9ka7jhsbzkim9 4506587 4506584 2022-08-23T05:11:08Z Rosspotter 2274401 amend wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Vancouver banner Lions gate bridge sunset.jpg|caption=The Lions Gate Bridge at sunset}} The '''Lower Mainland''' is in [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. The official [https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver-coast-mountains/ tourist information site] calls the area "Vancouver, Coast and Mountains". The term "lower mainland" has different meanings; for some people it is equivalent to "Greater Vancouver", while others include everything out to [[Abbotsford]] or [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] in the east, and [[Squamish]] or [[Whistler]] in the north. Here we use it to describe the area from Vancouver in the west to Hope in the east, and from the American border in the south, to the town of [[Whistler]] and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] in the north. ==Regions== <!-- [[Image:RegionMapJuly4.jpg|thumb|300px|Regions of the Lower Mainland]] : This map is out of date, replace with a new map when it's ready --> {{Regionlist | regionmap=lower mainland.png | regionmaptext=Cities and regions in the Lower Mainland | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Vancouver]] | region1color=#578e86 | region1items= | region1description=A beautiful, vibrant city with diverse neighbourhoods, a very multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city — and the political core of the Lower Mainland and economic core of the province. | region2name=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]] | region2color=#d56d76 | region2items= | region2description=A series of towns north of the Fraser River and east of the Pitt River, all fairly urban and defined by their relationship to Vancouver. This region includes [[Burnaby]] and [[New Westminster]]; the Tri-Cities of [[Coquitlam]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Port Moody]] ("PoCoMo"); and [[Anmore]] and [[Belcarra]] villages. | region3name=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3items= | region3description=The area between the Fraser River and the US border, where much of the Lower Mainland's population growth and suburban sprawl takes place. It includes the towns of [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], and [[White Rock]]. | region4name=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]] | region4color=#d09440 | region4items= | region4description=Where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. The mountains provide attractions like Grouse Mountain. At the west of the North Shore is Horseshoe Bay, ferry terminal to the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]. | region5name=[[Fraser Valley]] | region5color=#71b37b | region5items= | region5description=The Fraser River, which gives the valley its name, is the world's greatest salmon producing river, and a focus for the region's economy, transportation and culture. The valley also has lush fertile farmland, which contributes a large portion of the local produce. The towns of [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], and [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] are transforming from agricultural to suburb. [[Abbotsford]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] remain closer to their agricultural roots, but are also transforming. | region6name=[[Sea to Sky]] | region6color=#8a84a3 | region6items= | region6description=The region stretches from the [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]], up the east side of Howe Sound to [[Squamish]], the gateway to BC's magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from Vancouver to [[Whistler]], one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours. Further in is [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]. The area is rich with archaeological sites and historical lore of the Salish Indians. | region7name=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] | region7color=#d5dc76 | region7items= | region7description=North-west of Vancouver, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, the region is named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many people, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find this the perfect destination. }} <!-- {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#578e86|title=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238164}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238166}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d09440|title=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]]|wikidata=Q7056651}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Fraser Valley]]|wikidata=Q3554074}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Sea to Sky]]|wikidata=Q7439799}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]|wikidata=Q1477253}} --> ==Cities== [[File:Hope, BC - Hope Memorial Park 03.jpg|right|thumb|Hope Memorial Park]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} — a major regional town with a commercial airport, and a hub of agriculture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hope (British Columbia) | Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} — gateway to British Columbia's interior and the eastern end of the Fraser Valley * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]]|wikidata=Q557643}} — home to a Catholic Mission that can be toured * {{marker|type=city|name=[[New Westminster]]|wikidata=Q876122}} — a small town that never grew up, it has a nice riverfront promenade and beautiful old neighbourhoods * {{marker|type=city|name=[[North Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q1001626}} — playground for the outdoor-minded: miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]]|wikidata=Q236837}} — home to a large Chinese immigrant population and Vancouver International Airport * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Surrey (British Columbia)| Surrey]]|wikidata=Q390583}} — the second biggest city in British Columbia, after Vancouver, with a large South Asian community * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} — a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}} — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round ==Other destinations== [[File:Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi (DSCF1821).jpg|right|thumb|Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi]] * {{marker|name=[[Bowen Island]]|wikidata=Q895413}} — a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, that draws tourists to wander the shops and explore the parks and natural areas * {{marker|name=[[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1143621}} — a rugged wonderland set amid the Coast Mountains ==Understand== This area is home to '''Greater Vancouver''', the largest metropolitan area west of [[Toronto]]. It is also home to the mainly agricultural '''Fraser Valley''', the outdoor playground of the '''Whistler''' environs and the laid back vacation area termed the Sunshine Coast. ==Talk== The ''de facto'' language is English. Chinese (especially Cantonese and Mandarin) is the second most-spoken language in the city and there are sizable immigrant communities who speak other languages, such as Punjabi. Though there are few French speakers in British Columbia, Canada is officially bi-lingual so Canadian Government offices may offer services in French. ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Primary airport:''' *[[Vancouver International Airport|'''Vancouver International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YVR}}) is the hub airport for the Lower Mainland with frequent direct flights from other points in [[British Columbia]], major cities across [[Canada]] and the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Asia]], and several major cities in [[Europe]]. Frequent direct flights are also available from [[Mexico]] and [[Australia]], increasing during Canada's winter. Direct flights are not available from [[South America]] or [[Africa]]. '''Secondary airports:''' * [[Abbotsford#By plane|'''Abbotsford International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YXX}}), about {{km|60}} east of Vancouver in [[Abbotsford]], handles mostly domestic and low-cost carrier flights. With an arranged ride, you can be in and out of this airport in under 10 min (with no checked in baggage). * '''[[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|BLI}}), across the border in Washington State, serves mainly as a launching point for budget-minded Canadian travelers vacationing in the U.S.: excellent service from [[Hawaii]] and [[Las Vegas]], but few other useful connections. Also offers connecting service through [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. '''Further away:''' * '''[[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|SEA}}) can be a dramatically less expensive option than buying a direct flight from YVR or YXX. A U.S. visa may be required and could take some time to procure. ===By car=== ==== From Washington state ==== To cross this international border, you need an international travel document: a passport, a NEXUS card (see below), a US Passport Card, or certain US and Canadian "Enhanced ID" Drivers Licences. There are five land border crossing points into the Lower Mainland region (Canadian name | US name | location), which operate 24 hours per day and have dedicated NEXUS card holder lanes unless otherwise noted: *'''Surrey (Douglas/Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | '''Blaine (Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]/[[White Rock|White Rock, BC]] (Hwy 99) – [[Blaine|Blaine, WA]] (I-5) *'''Pacific Highway''' | '''Blaine (Pacific&nbsp;Highway)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey, BC]] (Hwy 15) – Blaine, WA (WA-543) *'''Aldergrove''' | '''Lynden''' | [[Aldergrove|Aldergrove, BC]] (Hwy 13) – [[Lynden|Lynden, WA]] (WA-539, the Guide Meridian) - open daily 8AM to midnight, NEXUS lane to United States only *'''Huntingdon''' | '''Sumas''' | [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford, BC]] (Hwy 11) – [[Sumas|Sumas, WA]] (WA-9) *'''Boundary Bay''' | '''Point Roberts''' | [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta, BC]] (56th St) – [[Point Roberts|Point Roberts, WA]] (Tyee Drive) - Point Roberts is on a peninsula. It is typically only reached from Canada and from other areas of the United States via this border crossing. There are often lengthy lineups at the border, in either direction. During summer and long weekends, waits at the border can exceed three hours during peak times. You can see current wait time forecasts for both directions on the [https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html Canada Border Services Agency website], and for US-bound traffic on the [https://bwt.cbp.gov/ US Customs and Border Protection website]. ====From other places in [[British Columbia]]==== {{see also|Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies}} Most major highways from interior British Columbia converge at [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], {{km|143}} east of Vancouver, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west into Vancouver. ===== Via [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] ===== Three major highways enter the Lower Mainland at Hope. * Highway 1 ([[Trans-Canada Highway]]) connects to Hope from [[Alberta]] via [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Salmon Arm]], [[Kamloops]], and [[Cache Creek]]. It intersects Highway 97 at [[Cache Creek]], which travels to the [[Northern British Columbia]] communities such as [[Prince George]]. * Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) an east-west route that connects to Alberta via [[Osoyoos]] in the [[Okanagan]], and [[Castlegar]] and [[Cranbrook]] in the [[Kootenays]]. * Highway 5 ([[Coquihalla Highway]]) is the main highway and the most travelled route entering the Lower Mainland via Hope, as it is generally the fastest route to follow to reach the Lower Mainland, including from Alberta, Kamloops, and [[Kelowna]]. From October 1 to April 1, vehicles on all three of the highways require snow tires, or mud and slush tires. On all three of these routes, there are portions with and without cell phone service. ===== Via [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton, BC]] ===== Highway 99 provides an alternate access to the Lower Mainland from Highway 97, about 10 km north of Cache Creek. However, north of [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] the route is a narrow, isolated, mountain road, which generally lacks cell phone service. ===By bus=== The [[Lower Mainland]], especially [[Vancouver]] is well served by bus service. Most bus routes terminate in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station. Within the Lower Mainland: *{{listing|name=Epic Rides|alt=|url=https://epicrides.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-349-1234|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$24 one way or $35 return|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Year-round direct bus between [[Whistler]] and [[Vancouver]].}} * {{Listing|name=Perimeter Transportation|url=https://www.perimeterbus.com|phone=+1 604-717-6600|tollfree=+1-877-717-6606|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Whistler]] hotels via [[Squamish]] and downtown [[Vancouver]] to [[Vancouver International Airport]]. }} * {{Listing|name=YVR Skylynx|url=https://yvrskylynx.com/|email=info@yvrskylynx.com|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and in downtown Vancouver|phone=+1-604-326-1616|lastedit=2022-04-05|content=Operates a daily bus route between [[Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Whistler]] with stops in [[Vancouver]] (Pacific Central Station and downtown) and [[Squamish]].}} From [[Vancouver Island]]: * {{listing|name=BC Ferries Connector|alt=Wilson's Transportation Group|url=https://bcfconnector.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-250-475-3235|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Route between [[Victoria]] and [[Vancouver]]. The bus crosses on BC Ferries route Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay).}} From British Columbia Interior and other provinces (stops with "(AR)" require advanced reservation): *{{listing|name=Adventure Charters|alt=|url=https://www.adventurecharters.ca/|email=info@adventurecharters.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Scott Road SkyTrain station in Surrey|phone=+1 250-305-2251|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week bus service between [[Prince George]] and [[Surrey]] with stops in [[Quesnel]], [[Williams Lake]], [[100 Mile House]], Clinton, [[Cache Creek]], [[Lytton]], [[Boston_Bar_(British_Columbia)|Boston Bar]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Abbotsford]].}} *{{go|name=Ebus|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1 877-769-3287|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Travels daily between [[Kamloops]] and [[Vancouver]], and [[Kelowna]] and Vancouver on two separate routes. Both routes have stops in [[Merritt]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]]. Travel times to Vancouver from Kamloops is 4.5-4.75 hours, from Kelowna is 5.5 hours, from Hope is 2.5 hours, and from Abbotsford is 1.25 hours.}} *{{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week service between [[Kaslo]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Ainsworth_Hot_Springs-Balfour|Balfour]], [[Nelson_(British_Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Castlegar]], [[Christina Lake]], [[Grand_Forks_(British_Columbia)|Grand Forks]], [[Greenwood (British Columbia)|Greenwood]], Rock Creek, [[Osoyoos]], [[Keremeos]], [[Princeton_(British_Columbia)|Princeton]], [[Manning Provincial Park]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Langley_(British_Columbia)|Langley]], and [[New Westminster]]. This service provider also offers a weekly route between Kalso and [[Calgary]] via Nelson.}} *{{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], and [[Winnipeg]].}} From [[United States of America|United States]] (crossing the border at the Pacific Highway Crossing): * {{listing|name=Cantrail|alt=Amtrak Thruway|url=https://www.cantrail.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-604-294-5541|tollfree=+1-877-940-5561|fax=|hours=|price=$40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Seattle's King St Station (Amtrak railway station) via Richmond. Terminates at Pacific Central Station. }} * {{listing|name=FlixBus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and Waterfront station (SkyTrain Expo Line and Canada Line)|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-05-24|content=Bus service between Vancouver and [[Seattle]] including stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Some trips also stop at [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. Travel time to Vancouver (at Pacific Central Station) from Seattle is 4-4.5 hours and from Bellingham is 2 hours. Travel time is an additional 15 minutes for travel to Waterfront station.}} *{{listing|name=Quick Coach|alt=|url=https://www.quickcoach.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Canada Place Pier @ 999 Canada Place|phone=+1-604-940-4428|tollfree=+1-800-665-2122|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Seattle Tacoma International Airport|SeaTac Airport]] via downtown [[Seattle]], [[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham Airport]], Surrey, Richmond. Stops at hotels in downtown Vancouver. }} *{{listing|name=Greyhound Lines (USA)|alt=|url=https://www.greyhound.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1 214-849-8100|tollfree=+1-800-231-2222|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Portland via Seattle, [[Everett]], [[Mount Vernon_(Washington)|Mt Vernon]], Bellingham, and [[Coquitlam]]. Some trips start from Seattle.|type=listing}} [[File:CN Rail Station - VIA Rail Station.JPG|thumb|Pacific Central Station]]Taking the train to the Lower Mainland is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. All trains, except The Rocky Mountaineer terminate at: * {{listing|name=Pacific Central Station|url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/rockies-and-pacific/vancouver|address=1150 Station Street, Vancouver, BC|lat=49.273862|long=-123.097934|directions=East of Downtown Vancouver off Main Street|wikipedia=Pacific Central Station|wikidata=Q1327751|lastedit=2022-06-30|content=All trains arrive at this station. From there, it is a short taxi ride into the [[Vancouver/CBD-Yaletown|central business area]], or you can pick up the SkyTrain at the Main St/Science World station two blocks away.|type=go}} Taking the train is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. Rail options within Canada: * {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates train routes across [[Canada]]. Operates ''[[The Canadian]]'' up to three trips per week between [[Toronto]] and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]], [[Winnipeg]], [[Portage la Prairie]], [[Saskatoon]], [[Edmonton]], [[Jasper]], and [[Kamloops]]. This route can offer a scenic view of the [[Canadian Rockies]], depending on the train schedule, as the train operates day and night. This service connects with another route that travels between Jasper and [[Prince Rupert]].}} * {{go|name=Rocky Mountaineer|alt=|url=https://www.rockymountaineer.com/|email=|address=1755 Cottrell St|lat=49.2686|long=-123.08593|directions=Stops at its own station 1.5 km from Pacific Central Station. From Pacific Central Station, head east on Terminal Ave and south on Cottrell St.|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-460-3200|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates the [[Rocky Mountaineer]] luxury tourist train routes between [[Vancouver]] and [[Banff]], [[Calgary]] and [[Jasper]] three times a week from April to October. This route offers a scenic view of the Canadian Rockies and only operates during the daytime.}} {{Seealso|Rail travel in Canada}} Rail options from [[United States of America]]: * {{Listing|name=Amtrak|url=https://www.amtrak.com/home|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-215-856-7924|tollfree=+1-800-872-7245|lastedit=2022-03-31|content='''[[Amtrak Cascades]]''' runs a twice daily service between [[Seattle]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]], [[Mount Vernon (Washington)|Mount Vernon]], and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Additional service to Seattle by Cantrail bus (see 'By bus' in the above), operating as the ''Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach''. Connections to additional '''[[Amtrak|Amtrak trains]]''' are in [[Seattle#By train|Seattle]]}} Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], travel by train is [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/amtrak-return-to-service-1.6252614 suspended] as of March 2022, and travellers will use Amtrak's bus option to reach Vancouver. ===By ferry=== {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates ferry routes connecting coastal communities in British Columbia. The ferries carry vehicles and passengers.}} The main two ferry terminals in the Greater [[Vancouver]] area of the Lower Mainland are the following: *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)|lat=49.3754|long=-123.2717}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]] (Departure Bay), [[Bowen Island]] (Snug Cove) and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] (Langdale). [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink] provides public transit at a stop a block away from the terminal to some areas of Bowen Island. *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Tsawwassen)|lat=49.0073|long=-123.1306}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]], [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] on [[Vancouver Island]], and to several of the [[Southern Gulf Islands]] (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, Saltspring). Other Lower Mainland terminals serviced by BC Ferries: * {{listing | name=[[Bowen Island]] (Snug Cove) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. }} * {{listing | name=[[Sunshine Coast]] (Langdale) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit from the terminal to [[Sechelt]] via [[Gibsons]]. }} * {{Listing|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=[[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Sunshine Coast]] (Earls Cove). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Westview)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Routes from [[Comox]] (Little River) on [[Vancouver Island]] and Texada Island (Blubber Bay). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to [[Powell River]] and Texada Island. Through a transfer in Powell River, riders can reach [[Lund]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at the Comox (Little River)] terminal, to reach [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} * {{Listing|name=Texada Island|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=[[Comox]] Little River on [[Vancouver Island]] and Routes from [[Powell River]] (Westview). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to parts of Texada Island and to [[Powell River]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at Comox (Little River)] terminal to [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} Real-time remaining vehicle capacity available on ferry trips is available on BC Ferries' website and on some highway signs heading toward the terminals. One most routes, reservations are available for travelers crossing with vehicles. At times during the year, reservations may be required between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands. Otherwise reservations are never required, but are recommended for vehicles during peak travel times, such as late June to early September and long weekends. Reservation rates vary depending on how long they are made in advance of the sailing and start at $10. Long term parking is available from BC ferries at some terminals: West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal and [https://parkandgo.ca/ Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go]), Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo (Departure Bay and Duke Point), and Sunshine Coast (Langdale). The price of parking varies per terminal. Expect to pay $18-19 per day at BC Ferry Terminals in the Lower Mainland (2022). Other terminals may charge less. Real-time remaining parking capacity is available on BC Ferries website. ==Get around== Depending on how much you want to see, there may be a number of ways to get around the Lower Mainland. === Public transit === '''TransLink''' Within Vancouver and many of its suburbs, the '''[https://www.translink.ca TransLink]''' public transit system can get you to most places. TransLink extends from [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]] and [[Bowen Island]] to the north-west, to [[Delta]] in the south-west, to [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] in the south-east, to [[Maple Ridge]] in the north-east. SkyTrain rail rapid transit connects [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[New Westminster]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], and [[Vancouver]]. In the remainder of British Columbia including other areas of the Lower Mainland, where public transit is available, it is offered by [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit]. '''Connections between the [[Fraser Valley]] and TransLink''' * TransLink's Westcoast Express offers weekday service between [[Vancouver]] and [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], heading westbound during the morning rush hour and eastbound during the afternoon rush hour. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=66 bus 66] offers express bus service between [[Burnaby]] and [[Chilliwack]] including stops in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] and [[Abbotsford]]. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=21 bus 21] offers local bus service between [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] to [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford.]] '''The Fraser Valley''' Public transit within the Fraser Valley connects between communities including: * [[Abbotsford]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/home BC Transit] * [[Chilliwack]], [[Harrison Hot Springs]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (including Agassiz) - [https://www.bctransit.com/chilliwack/home BC Transit] '''The Sea to Sky Corridor''' BC transit runs public transit systems in the following locations in the Sea to Sky corridor of the Lower Mainland, though they cannot be reached public transit (and, where necessary by BC Ferries) from [[Vancouver]]: * [[Squamish]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/squamish/home BC Transit] * [[Whistler]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/whistler/home BC Transit] * [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/pemberton-valley/home BC Transit]. Note that a bus route travels to Whistler. '''The Sunshine Coast''' Public transit on the Sunshine Coast in separated into two systems, which do not have connections with each other. * [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] - [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit including to [[Sechelt]] and [[Gibsons]]. It is possible to reach [[Vancouver]] using public transit by connecting via BC Ferries. * [[Powell River]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] No public transit crosses the border with Washington State in the United States, though it is possible to travel solely by public transit as buses terminate within blocks of the Sumas-Huntingdon Border Crossing between [[Abbotsford]] and [[Sumas]]. Theoretically, using public transit alone, a person could travel from [[Qualicum Beach]] to [[Olympia (Washington)|Olympia]] via [[Vancouver]] and [[Seattle]], though the trip would take multiple days. === Driving === The most convenient means of getting around the region is by car. Car rentals are readily available throughout the region. Major highways in the Lower Mainland: * Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) is the main thoroughfare, travelling from [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal to the interior of BC via [[North Vancouver]], [[Vancouver]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam|Coquitlam,]] [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]. * Highway 7 travels from Vancouver to Hope via Burnaby, Coquitlam, [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], and [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (Agassiz). * Highway 17 travels from the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]] to Surrey. * Highway 91 is a freeway connecting [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], New Westminster, Delta, and Surrey. * Highway 99 begins at the [[Washington (state)|US border]] Canada in Surrey, where it meets Interstate 5 , then it continues north to Delta, Richmond, and Vancouver, then toward British Columbia's interior via North Vancouver, West Vancouver, [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Squamish]], [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] and [[Whistler]]. * Highway 101 connects the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] from Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]], via [[Gibsons|Gibsons,]] [[Sechelt]], and [[Powell River]]. === By small plane === A number of small airlines operate float planes from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Whistler. These are more expensive than other options, but are faster and more scenic. See also: [[Vancouver#Seaplane|Vancouver - Seaplanet]] === By ferry === Some coastal parts of the Lower Mainland ([[Sunshine Coast|Sunshine Coas]]<nowiki/>t and [[Bowen Island]]) can only be accessed by boat. [https://www.bcferries.com/ BC Ferries] provides ferry services to these areas and visitors can walk on or take their car. See '''Get In''' under '''By ferry''' above. ==See== [[File:Granville Island 02.jpg|right|thumb|Vancouver from Granville Island]] For many people, [[Vancouver]] will be the starting point for a trip to the Lower Mainland. It's a city glass towers well supplied with beaches and picturesque mountains in the distance. Close to its downtown, you can walk the seawall around its huge Stanley Park, and then to lots of sushi and other Asian restaurants, a public art gallery, and an aquarium. Vancouver's suburbs are accessible by Skytrain and other transit, and offer a wide array of shopping, more sprawling parks, and many interesting historical site. The [[Sea to Sky Highway]] offers spectacular scenery — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the highway. [[File:Princess Louisa Inlet.jpg|right|thumb|Princess Louisa Inlet]] You'll need a boat or a plane, though, to see the [[Sunshine Coast]]'s Princess Louisa Inlet, one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km-long fjord ending in the inlet. In [[Whistler]], the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the local First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions. ==Do== There is so much do and see in the Lower Mainland, the following are only suggestions based on the regions. Greater [[Vancouver]], home to Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and many more. To see all the sights, take a day tour to become familiar with all the sights. There are a number of sightseeing companies who run trips daily. And also the public transportation is also any easy way to see everything and get into the surrounding communities. You also can't miss out on the dining experiences, you name it and there is a restaurant in Vancouver to serve it. With award winning and internationally known restaurants, there is always something new to try. In the [[Fraser Valley]], you are entering into an amazing region which has plenty of stops to fill your stomach. Here you can find a number of award winning wineries and family owned farms. You can sample the fresh fruits and vegetables at a number of stands along the highway or pop into a local restaurant and have a wild salmon dish. You can spend the day driving from each community or you can make a whole weekend of it. The valley offers a great opportunity to relax in the warm waters of [[Harrison Hot Springs]]. [[File:Between layers of fog (16261226716).jpg|right|thumb|Skiing at Whistler]] Whatever you do while visiting the [[Sea to Sky]] region, it will most likely involve some form of adventure outdoors. Here you will find some of the best golfing, skiing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. You can head up to the vibrant [[Whistler]] village or find your own mountain paradise. The [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] is your place to relax. Now relaxing means different things to everyone, this could mean sitting on your private B&B patio watching the sunset, or bobbing up and down while waiting for the fish below to take a bit of your bait, but whatever your image of relaxation it is found on the Sunshine Coast. Take a drive up the Sunshine Coast Highway and stop off at the galleries and farmer's markets to pick up some local goodies. But don't bother looking at your watch because here time is no of a concern. === Hiking === Regardless of what part of the Lower Mainland you are in, there will be hiking opportunities, ranging in length and amount of elevation gain. [https://www.vancouvertrails.com/ Vancouver Trails] has information about over 200 trails around the Lower Mainland, especially more popular trails. Book stores in the region will generally have several different books in stock focused on describing local hiking trails. ==Eat == The Lower Mainland is the scene of a quickly exploding food and wine revolution! Adjectives like diverse, fresh, delicious, unique don't even begin to describe the true nature of the region's bounty. World class cuisine from every corner of the globe is readily available throughout the region. West Coast cuisine shares the bill with Asian Fusion, Sushi, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vegetarian, Chinese, Thai, French, Fish & Chips, Micro Breweries and Fruit Wineries. Naturally, the region is so close to the Pacific Ocean that it provides a steady supply of the freshest of the fresh seafood. The catch of the day graces the plates of restaurants with famous BC salmon, halibut, cod, crab, scallops and oysters. Prepared simply, fantastically or fantastically simple...enjoy your 'catch of the day' in a fine dining establishment, a trendy eatery, a casual pub or right on the docks. Farm fresh is a phrase heard repeatedly in the Lower Mainland. Just east of Vancouver is the Fraser Valley, a lush picturesque and productive valley which is home to a multitude of farms working diligently to deliver produce from the farm directly to the plate or to the visitor. Find fresh fruit and vegetables in season, farm-raised meat and eggs and extra special treats like home made jams and jellies. ==Drink== The [[Fraser Valley]] has become a popular wine touring destination. Domaine de Chaberton Winery, a fixture in the beautiful south Langley countryside, has been joined by a number of other wineries (Township 7, Fort Wine Company, Glenugie Winery, Lotusland Vineyards and the Blue Heron Fruit Winery), all within a short drive of each other and from any location in the region. You can be in wine country in less than one hour drive from downtown Vancouver!The Lower Mainland also has some of the best tap water in the world. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== *The immense and beautiful [[Vancouver Island]] lies off the shore of the Lower Mainland. Offering numerous recreational opportunities, it is accessed by one of four BC Ferries routes from the Lower Mainland. *The [[Thompson-Okanagan]] region lies northeast of the Lower Mainland. *Extending north along the coast is the beautiful [[North Coast-Nechako|North Coast]]. *The US state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]] lies to the south. {{geo|49.66|-122.91|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|British Columbia}} {{usableregion}} cvnvujkafzspnzi0lk4am66cnd5xqkb 4506595 4506587 2022-08-23T05:22:23Z Rosspotter 2274401 amend wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Vancouver banner Lions gate bridge sunset.jpg|caption=The Lions Gate Bridge at sunset}} The '''Lower Mainland''' is in [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. The official [https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver-coast-mountains/ tourist information site] calls the area "Vancouver, Coast and Mountains". The term "lower mainland" has different meanings; for some people it is equivalent to "Greater Vancouver", while others include everything out to [[Abbotsford]] or [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] in the east, and [[Squamish]] or [[Whistler]] in the north. Here we use it to describe the area from Vancouver in the west to Hope in the east, and from the American border in the south, to the town of [[Whistler]] and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] in the north. ==Regions== <!-- [[Image:RegionMapJuly4.jpg|thumb|300px|Regions of the Lower Mainland]] : This map is out of date, replace with a new map when it's ready --> {{Regionlist | regionmap=lower mainland.png | regionmaptext=Cities and regions in the Lower Mainland | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Vancouver]] | region1color=#578e86 | region1items= | region1description=A beautiful, vibrant city with diverse neighbourhoods, a very multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city — and the political core of the Lower Mainland and economic core of the province. | region2name=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]] | region2color=#d56d76 | region2items= | region2description=A series of towns north of the Fraser River and east of the Pitt River, all fairly urban and defined by their relationship to Vancouver. This region includes [[Burnaby]] and [[New Westminster]]; the Tri-Cities of [[Coquitlam]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Port Moody]] ("PoCoMo"); and [[Anmore]] and [[Belcarra]] villages. | region3name=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]] | region3color=#b383b3 | region3items= | region3description=The area between the Fraser River and the US border, where much of the Lower Mainland's population growth and suburban sprawl takes place. It includes the towns of [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], and [[White Rock]]. | region4name=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]] | region4color=#d09440 | region4items= | region4description=Where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. The mountains provide attractions like Grouse Mountain. At the west of the North Shore is Horseshoe Bay, ferry terminal to the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]. | region5name=[[Fraser Valley]] | region5color=#71b37b | region5items= | region5description=The Fraser River, which gives the valley its name, is the world's greatest salmon producing river, and a focus for the region's economy, transportation and culture. The valley also has lush fertile farmland, which contributes a large portion of the local produce. The towns of [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], and [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] are transforming from agricultural to suburb. [[Abbotsford]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] remain closer to their agricultural roots, but are also transforming. | region6name=[[Sea to Sky]] | region6color=#8a84a3 | region6items= | region6description=The region stretches from the [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]], up the east side of Howe Sound to [[Squamish]], the gateway to BC's magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from Vancouver to [[Whistler]], one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours. Further in is [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]. The area is rich with archaeological sites and historical lore of the Salish Indians. | region7name=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] | region7color=#d5dc76 | region7items= | region7description=North-west of Vancouver, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, the region is named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many people, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find this the perfect destination. }} <!-- {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#578e86|title=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Vancouver eastern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238164}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b383b3|title=[[Vancouver southern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q14238166}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d09440|title=[[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]]|wikidata=Q7056651}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#71b37b|title=[[Fraser Valley]]|wikidata=Q3554074}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Sea to Sky]]|wikidata=Q7439799}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]|wikidata=Q1477253}} --> ==Cities== [[File:Hope, BC - Hope Memorial Park 03.jpg|right|thumb|Hope Memorial Park]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} — a major regional town with a commercial airport, and a hub of agriculture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hope (British Columbia) | Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} — gateway to British Columbia's interior and the eastern end of the Fraser Valley * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]]|wikidata=Q557643}} — home to a Catholic Mission that can be toured * {{marker|type=city|name=[[New Westminster]]|wikidata=Q876122}} — a small town that never grew up, it has a nice riverfront promenade and beautiful old neighbourhoods * {{marker|type=city|name=[[North Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q1001626}} — playground for the outdoor-minded: miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]]|wikidata=Q236837}} — home to a large Chinese immigrant population and Vancouver International Airport * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Surrey (British Columbia)| Surrey]]|wikidata=Q390583}} — the second biggest city in British Columbia, after Vancouver, with a large South Asian community * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} — a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}} — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round ==Other destinations== [[File:Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi (DSCF1821).jpg|right|thumb|Panorama Ridge seen from above Lake Garibaldi]] * {{marker|name=[[Bowen Island]]|wikidata=Q895413}} — a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, that draws tourists to wander the shops and explore the parks and natural areas * {{marker|name=[[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1143621}} — a rugged wonderland set amid the Coast Mountains ==Understand== This area is home to '''Greater Vancouver''', the largest metropolitan area west of [[Toronto]]. It is also home to the mainly agricultural '''Fraser Valley''', the outdoor playground of the '''Whistler''' environs and the laid back vacation area termed the Sunshine Coast. ==Talk== The ''de facto'' language is English. Chinese (especially Cantonese and Mandarin) is the second most-spoken language in the city and there are sizable immigrant communities who speak other languages, such as Punjabi. Though there are few French speakers in British Columbia, Canada is officially bi-lingual so Canadian Government offices may offer services in French. ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Primary airport:''' *[[Vancouver International Airport|'''Vancouver International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YVR}}) is the hub airport for the Lower Mainland with frequent direct flights from other points in [[British Columbia]], major cities across [[Canada]] and the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Asia]], and several major cities in [[Europe]]. Frequent direct flights are also available from [[Mexico]] and [[Australia]], increasing during Canada's winter. Direct flights are not available from [[South America]] or [[Africa]]. '''Secondary airports:''' * [[Abbotsford#By plane|'''Abbotsford International Airport''']] ({{IATA|YXX}}), about {{km|60}} east of Vancouver in [[Abbotsford]], handles mostly domestic and low-cost carrier flights. With an arranged ride, you can be in and out of this airport in under 10 min (with no checked in baggage). * '''[[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|BLI}}), across the border in Washington State, serves mainly as a launching point for budget-minded Canadian travelers vacationing in the U.S.: excellent service from [[Hawaii]] and [[Las Vegas]], but few other useful connections. Also offers connecting service through [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. '''Further away:''' * '''[[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|SEA}}) can be a dramatically less expensive option than buying a direct flight from YVR or YXX. A U.S. visa may be required and could take some time to procure. ===By car=== ==== From Washington state ==== To cross this international border, you need an international travel document: a passport, a NEXUS card (see below), a US Passport Card, or certain US and Canadian "Enhanced ID" Drivers Licences. There are five land border crossing points into the Lower Mainland region (Canadian name | US name | location), which operate 24 hours per day and have dedicated NEXUS card holder lanes unless otherwise noted: *'''Surrey (Douglas/Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | '''Blaine (Peace&nbsp;Arch)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]/[[White Rock|White Rock, BC]] (Hwy 99) – [[Blaine|Blaine, WA]] (I-5) *'''Pacific Highway''' | '''Blaine (Pacific&nbsp;Highway)''' | [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey, BC]] (Hwy 15) – Blaine, WA (WA-543) *'''Aldergrove''' | '''Lynden''' | [[Aldergrove|Aldergrove, BC]] (Hwy 13) – [[Lynden|Lynden, WA]] (WA-539, the Guide Meridian) - open daily 8AM to midnight, NEXUS lane to United States only *'''Huntingdon''' | '''Sumas''' | [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford, BC]] (Hwy 11) – [[Sumas|Sumas, WA]] (WA-9) *'''Boundary Bay''' | '''Point Roberts''' | [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta, BC]] (56th St) – [[Point Roberts|Point Roberts, WA]] (Tyee Drive) - Point Roberts is on a peninsula. It is typically only reached from Canada and from other areas of the United States via this border crossing. There are often lengthy lineups at the border, in either direction. During summer and long weekends, waits at the border can exceed three hours during peak times. You can see current wait time forecasts for both directions on the [https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html Canada Border Services Agency website], and for US-bound traffic on the [https://bwt.cbp.gov/ US Customs and Border Protection website]. ====From other places in [[British Columbia]]==== {{see also|Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies}} Most major highways from interior British Columbia converge at [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], {{km|143}} east of Vancouver, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west into Vancouver. ===== Via [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]] ===== Three major highways enter the Lower Mainland at Hope. * Highway 1 ([[Trans-Canada Highway]]) connects to Hope from [[Alberta]] via [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Salmon Arm]], [[Kamloops]], and [[Cache Creek]]. It intersects Highway 97 at [[Cache Creek]], which travels to the [[Northern British Columbia]] communities such as [[Prince George]]. * Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) an east-west route that connects to Alberta via [[Osoyoos]] in the [[Okanagan]], and [[Castlegar]] and [[Cranbrook]] in the [[Kootenays]]. * Highway 5 ([[Coquihalla Highway]]) is the main highway and the most travelled route entering the Lower Mainland via Hope, as it is generally the fastest route to follow to reach the Lower Mainland, including from Alberta, Kamloops, and [[Kelowna]]. From October 1 to April 1, vehicles on all three of the highways require snow tires, or mud and slush tires. On all three of these routes, there are portions with and without cell phone service. ===== Via [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton, BC]] ===== Highway 99 provides an alternate access to the Lower Mainland from Highway 97, about 10 km north of Cache Creek. However, north of [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] the route is a narrow, isolated, mountain road, which generally lacks cell phone service. ===By bus=== The [[Lower Mainland]], especially [[Vancouver]] is well served by bus service. Most bus routes terminate in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station. Within the Lower Mainland: *{{listing|name=Epic Rides|alt=|url=https://epicrides.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-349-1234|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$24 one way or $35 return|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Year-round direct bus between [[Whistler]] and [[Vancouver]].}} * {{Listing|name=Perimeter Transportation|url=https://www.perimeterbus.com|phone=+1 604-717-6600|tollfree=+1-877-717-6606|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Whistler]] hotels via [[Squamish]] and downtown [[Vancouver]] to [[Vancouver International Airport]]. }} * {{Listing|name=YVR Skylynx|url=https://yvrskylynx.com/|email=info@yvrskylynx.com|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and in downtown Vancouver|phone=+1-604-326-1616|lastedit=2022-04-05|content=Operates a daily bus route between [[Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Whistler]] with stops in [[Vancouver]] (Pacific Central Station and downtown) and [[Squamish]].}} From [[Vancouver Island]]: * {{listing|name=BC Ferries Connector|alt=Wilson's Transportation Group|url=https://bcfconnector.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-250-475-3235|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Route between [[Victoria]] and [[Vancouver]]. The bus crosses on BC Ferries route Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay).}} From British Columbia Interior and other provinces (stops with "(AR)" require advanced reservation): *{{listing|name=Adventure Charters|alt=|url=https://www.adventurecharters.ca/|email=info@adventurecharters.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Scott Road SkyTrain station in Surrey|phone=+1 250-305-2251|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week bus service between [[Prince George]] and [[Surrey]] with stops in [[Quesnel]], [[Williams Lake]], [[100 Mile House]], Clinton, [[Cache Creek]], [[Lytton]], [[Boston_Bar_(British_Columbia)|Boston Bar]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Abbotsford]].}} *{{go|name=Ebus|alt=|url=https://myebus.ca|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1 877-769-3287|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Travels daily between [[Kamloops]] and [[Vancouver]], and [[Kelowna]] and Vancouver on two separate routes. Both routes have stops in [[Merritt]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey_(British_Columbia)|Surrey]]. Travel times to Vancouver from Kamloops is 4.5-4.75 hours, from Kelowna is 5.5 hours, from Hope is 2.5 hours, and from Abbotsford is 1.25 hours.}} *{{listing|name=Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service|alt=|url=https://mountainmanmikes.ca/|email=info@mountainmanmikes.ca|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-778-382-7729|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-19|content=Twice per week service between [[Kaslo]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Ainsworth_Hot_Springs-Balfour|Balfour]], [[Nelson_(British_Columbia)|Nelson]], [[Castlegar]], [[Christina Lake]], [[Grand_Forks_(British_Columbia)|Grand Forks]], [[Greenwood (British Columbia)|Greenwood]], Rock Creek, [[Osoyoos]], [[Keremeos]], [[Princeton_(British_Columbia)|Princeton]], [[Manning Provincial Park]], [[Hope_(British_Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Langley_(British_Columbia)|Langley]], and [[New Westminster]]. This service provider also offers a weekly route between Kalso and [[Calgary]] via Nelson.}} *{{go|name=Rider Express|alt=|url=https://riderexpress.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-833-583-3636|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-02|content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], [[Revelstoke]], [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], and [[Winnipeg]].}} From [[United States of America|United States]] (crossing the border at the Pacific Highway Crossing): * {{listing|name=Cantrail|alt=Amtrak Thruway|url=https://www.cantrail.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-604-294-5541|tollfree=+1-877-940-5561|fax=|hours=|price=$40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Seattle's King St Station (Amtrak railway station) via Richmond. Terminates at Pacific Central Station. }} * {{listing|name=FlixBus|alt=|url=https://www.flixbus.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and Waterfront station (SkyTrain Expo Line and Canada Line)|phone=|tollfree=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2022-05-24|content=Bus service between Vancouver and [[Seattle]] including stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Some trips also stop at [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]. Travel time to Vancouver (at Pacific Central Station) from Seattle is 4-4.5 hours and from Bellingham is 2 hours. Travel time is an additional 15 minutes for travel to Waterfront station.}} *{{listing|name=Quick Coach|alt=|url=https://www.quickcoach.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Canada Place Pier @ 999 Canada Place|phone=+1-604-940-4428|tollfree=+1-800-665-2122|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Seattle Tacoma International Airport|SeaTac Airport]] via downtown [[Seattle]], [[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bellingham Airport]], Surrey, Richmond. Stops at hotels in downtown Vancouver. }} *{{listing|name=Greyhound Lines (USA)|alt=|url=https://www.greyhound.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1 214-849-8100|tollfree=+1-800-231-2222|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From Portland via Seattle, [[Everett]], [[Mount Vernon_(Washington)|Mt Vernon]], Bellingham, and [[Coquitlam]]. Some trips start from Seattle.|type=listing}} [[File:CN Rail Station - VIA Rail Station.JPG|thumb|Pacific Central Station]]Taking the train to the Lower Mainland is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. All trains, except The Rocky Mountaineer terminate at: * {{listing|name=Pacific Central Station|url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/rockies-and-pacific/vancouver|address=1150 Station Street, Vancouver, BC|lat=49.273862|long=-123.097934|directions=East of Downtown Vancouver off Main Street|wikipedia=Pacific Central Station|wikidata=Q1327751|lastedit=2022-06-30|content=All trains arrive at this station. From there, it is a short taxi ride into the [[Vancouver/CBD-Yaletown|central business area]], or you can pick up the SkyTrain at the Main St/Science World station two blocks away.|type=go}} Taking the train is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. Rail options within Canada: * {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates train routes across [[Canada]]. Operates ''[[The Canadian]]'' up to three trips per week between [[Toronto]] and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]], [[Winnipeg]], [[Portage la Prairie]], [[Saskatoon]], [[Edmonton]], [[Jasper]], and [[Kamloops]]. This route can offer a scenic view of the [[Canadian Rockies]], depending on the train schedule, as the train operates day and night. This service connects with another route that travels between Jasper and [[Prince Rupert]].}} * {{go|name=Rocky Mountaineer|alt=|url=https://www.rockymountaineer.com/|email=|address=1755 Cottrell St|lat=49.2686|long=-123.08593|directions=Stops at its own station 1.5 km from Pacific Central Station. From Pacific Central Station, head east on Terminal Ave and south on Cottrell St.|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-460-3200|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates the [[Rocky Mountaineer]] luxury tourist train routes between [[Vancouver]] and [[Banff]], [[Calgary]] and [[Jasper]] three times a week from April to October. This route offers a scenic view of the Canadian Rockies and only operates during the daytime.}} {{Seealso|Rail travel in Canada}} Rail options from [[United States of America]]: * {{Listing|name=Amtrak|url=https://www.amtrak.com/home|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station|phone=+1-215-856-7924|tollfree=+1-800-872-7245|lastedit=2022-03-31|content='''[[Amtrak Cascades]]''' runs a twice daily service between [[Seattle]] and Vancouver with stops in [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]], [[Mount Vernon (Washington)|Mount Vernon]], and [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]. Additional service to Seattle by Cantrail bus (see 'By bus' in the above), operating as the ''Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach''. Connections to additional '''[[Amtrak|Amtrak trains]]''' are in [[Seattle#By train|Seattle]]}} Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], travel by train is [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/amtrak-return-to-service-1.6252614 suspended] as of March 2022, and travellers will use Amtrak's bus option to reach Vancouver. ===By ferry=== {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates vehicle ferry routes connecting coastal communities in British Columbia.}} The main two ferry terminals in the Greater [[Vancouver]] area of the Lower Mainland are the following: *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)|lat=49.3754|long=-123.2717}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]] (Departure Bay), [[Bowen Island]] (Snug Cove) and the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] (Langdale). [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink] provides public transit at a stop a block away from the terminal to some areas of Bowen Island. *{{marker|type=go|name=Vancouver (Tsawwassen)|lat=49.0073|long=-123.1306}} has routes from [[Nanaimo]], [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] on [[Vancouver Island]], and to several of the [[Southern Gulf Islands]] (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, Saltspring). Other Lower Mainland terminals serviced by BC Ferries: * {{listing | name=[[Bowen Island]] (Snug Cove) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. }} * {{listing | name=[[Sunshine Coast]] (Langdale) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-08 | content=Route from [[Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal. [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit from the terminal to [[Sechelt]] via [[Gibsons]]. }} * {{Listing|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=[[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Route from [[Sunshine Coast]] (Earls Cove). No public transit is available.}} * {{Listing|name=Powell River (Westview)|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=Routes from [[Comox]] (Little River) on [[Vancouver Island]] and Texada Island (Blubber Bay). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to [[Powell River]] and Texada Island. Through a transfer in Powell River, riders can reach [[Lund]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at the Comox (Little River)] terminal, to reach [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} * {{Listing|name=Texada Island|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=[[Comox]] Little River on [[Vancouver Island]] and Routes from [[Powell River]] (Westview). [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] provides public transit at the terminal to parts of Texada Island and to [[Powell River]]. Public transit is [https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/home available at Comox (Little River)] terminal to [[Comox]] and [[Courtenay]]. Through a transfer in Courtenay, riders can reach [[Cumberland]].}} Real-time remaining vehicle capacity available on ferry trips is available on BC Ferries' website and on some highway signs heading toward the terminals. One most routes, reservations are available for travelers crossing with vehicles. At times during the year, reservations may be required between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands. Otherwise reservations are never required, but are recommended for vehicles during peak travel times, such as late June to early September and long weekends. Reservation rates vary depending on how long they are made in advance of the sailing and start at $10. Long term parking is available from BC ferries at some terminals: West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal and [https://parkandgo.ca/ Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go]), Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo (Departure Bay and Duke Point), and Sunshine Coast (Langdale). The price of parking varies per terminal. Expect to pay $18-19 per day at BC Ferry Terminals in the Lower Mainland (2022). Other terminals may charge less. Real-time remaining parking capacity is available on BC Ferries website. ==Get around== Depending on how much you want to see, there may be a number of ways to get around the Lower Mainland. === Public transit === '''TransLink''' Within Vancouver and many of its suburbs, the '''[https://www.translink.ca TransLink]''' public transit system can get you to most places. TransLink extends from [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]] and [[Bowen Island]] to the north-west, to [[Delta]] in the south-west, to [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] in the south-east, to [[Maple Ridge]] in the north-east. SkyTrain rail rapid transit connects [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[New Westminster]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], and [[Vancouver]]. In the remainder of British Columbia including other areas of the Lower Mainland, where public transit is available, it is offered by [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit]. '''Connections between the [[Fraser Valley]] and TransLink''' * TransLink's Westcoast Express offers weekday service between [[Vancouver]] and [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], heading westbound during the morning rush hour and eastbound during the afternoon rush hour. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=66 bus 66] offers express bus service between [[Burnaby]] and [[Chilliwack]] including stops in [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] and [[Abbotsford]]. * BC Transit [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=21 bus 21] offers local bus service between [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]] to [[Abbotsford|Abbotsford.]] '''The Fraser Valley''' Public transit within the Fraser Valley connects between communities including: * [[Abbotsford]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/home BC Transit] * [[Chilliwack]], [[Harrison Hot Springs]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (including Agassiz) - [https://www.bctransit.com/chilliwack/home BC Transit] '''The Sea to Sky Corridor''' BC transit runs public transit systems in the following locations in the Sea to Sky corridor of the Lower Mainland, though they cannot be reached public transit (and, where necessary by BC Ferries) from [[Vancouver]]: * [[Squamish]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/squamish/home BC Transit] * [[Whistler]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/whistler/home BC Transit] * [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/pemberton-valley/home BC Transit]. Note that a bus route travels to Whistler. '''The Sunshine Coast''' Public transit on the Sunshine Coast in separated into two systems, which do not have connections with each other. * [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] - [https://bctransit.com/sunshine-coast/home BC Transit] provides public transit including to [[Sechelt]] and [[Gibsons]]. It is possible to reach [[Vancouver]] using public transit by connecting via BC Ferries. * [[Powell River]] - [https://www.bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit] No public transit crosses the border with Washington State in the United States, though it is possible to travel solely by public transit as buses terminate within blocks of the Sumas-Huntingdon Border Crossing between [[Abbotsford]] and [[Sumas]]. Theoretically, using public transit alone, a person could travel from [[Qualicum Beach]] to [[Olympia (Washington)|Olympia]] via [[Vancouver]] and [[Seattle]], though the trip would take multiple days. === Driving === The most convenient means of getting around the region is by car. Car rentals are readily available throughout the region. Major highways in the Lower Mainland: * Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) is the main thoroughfare, travelling from [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal to the interior of BC via [[North Vancouver]], [[Vancouver]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam|Coquitlam,]] [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Abbotsford]], [[Chilliwack]], and [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]. * Highway 7 travels from Vancouver to Hope via Burnaby, Coquitlam, [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[Mission (British Columbia)|Mission]], and [[Kent (British Columbia)|Kent]] (Agassiz). * Highway 17 travels from the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]] to Surrey. * Highway 91 is a freeway connecting [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], New Westminster, Delta, and Surrey. * Highway 99 begins at the [[Washington (state)|US border]] Canada in Surrey, where it meets Interstate 5 , then it continues north to Delta, Richmond, and Vancouver, then toward British Columbia's interior via North Vancouver, West Vancouver, [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Squamish]], [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]] and [[Whistler]]. * Highway 101 connects the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] from Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]], via [[Gibsons|Gibsons,]] [[Sechelt]], and [[Powell River]]. === By small plane === A number of small airlines operate float planes from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Whistler. These are more expensive than other options, but are faster and more scenic. See also: [[Vancouver#Seaplane|Vancouver - Seaplanet]] === By ferry === Some coastal parts of the Lower Mainland ([[Sunshine Coast|Sunshine Coas]]<nowiki/>t and [[Bowen Island]]) can only be accessed by boat. [https://www.bcferries.com/ BC Ferries] provides ferry services to these areas and visitors can walk on or take their car. See '''Get In''' under '''By ferry''' above. ==See== [[File:Granville Island 02.jpg|right|thumb|Vancouver from Granville Island]] For many people, [[Vancouver]] will be the starting point for a trip to the Lower Mainland. It's a city glass towers well supplied with beaches and picturesque mountains in the distance. Close to its downtown, you can walk the seawall around its huge Stanley Park, and then to lots of sushi and other Asian restaurants, a public art gallery, and an aquarium. Vancouver's suburbs are accessible by Skytrain and other transit, and offer a wide array of shopping, more sprawling parks, and many interesting historical site. The [[Sea to Sky Highway]] offers spectacular scenery — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the highway. [[File:Princess Louisa Inlet.jpg|right|thumb|Princess Louisa Inlet]] You'll need a boat or a plane, though, to see the [[Sunshine Coast]]'s Princess Louisa Inlet, one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km-long fjord ending in the inlet. In [[Whistler]], the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the local First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions. ==Do== There is so much do and see in the Lower Mainland, the following are only suggestions based on the regions. Greater [[Vancouver]], home to Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and many more. To see all the sights, take a day tour to become familiar with all the sights. There are a number of sightseeing companies who run trips daily. And also the public transportation is also any easy way to see everything and get into the surrounding communities. You also can't miss out on the dining experiences, you name it and there is a restaurant in Vancouver to serve it. With award winning and internationally known restaurants, there is always something new to try. In the [[Fraser Valley]], you are entering into an amazing region which has plenty of stops to fill your stomach. Here you can find a number of award winning wineries and family owned farms. You can sample the fresh fruits and vegetables at a number of stands along the highway or pop into a local restaurant and have a wild salmon dish. You can spend the day driving from each community or you can make a whole weekend of it. The valley offers a great opportunity to relax in the warm waters of [[Harrison Hot Springs]]. [[File:Between layers of fog (16261226716).jpg|right|thumb|Skiing at Whistler]] Whatever you do while visiting the [[Sea to Sky]] region, it will most likely involve some form of adventure outdoors. Here you will find some of the best golfing, skiing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. You can head up to the vibrant [[Whistler]] village or find your own mountain paradise. The [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] is your place to relax. Now relaxing means different things to everyone, this could mean sitting on your private B&B patio watching the sunset, or bobbing up and down while waiting for the fish below to take a bit of your bait, but whatever your image of relaxation it is found on the Sunshine Coast. Take a drive up the Sunshine Coast Highway and stop off at the galleries and farmer's markets to pick up some local goodies. But don't bother looking at your watch because here time is no of a concern. === Hiking === Regardless of what part of the Lower Mainland you are in, there will be hiking opportunities, ranging in length and amount of elevation gain. [https://www.vancouvertrails.com/ Vancouver Trails] has information about over 200 trails around the Lower Mainland, especially more popular trails. Book stores in the region will generally have several different books in stock focused on describing local hiking trails. ==Eat == The Lower Mainland is the scene of a quickly exploding food and wine revolution! Adjectives like diverse, fresh, delicious, unique don't even begin to describe the true nature of the region's bounty. World class cuisine from every corner of the globe is readily available throughout the region. West Coast cuisine shares the bill with Asian Fusion, Sushi, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vegetarian, Chinese, Thai, French, Fish & Chips, Micro Breweries and Fruit Wineries. Naturally, the region is so close to the Pacific Ocean that it provides a steady supply of the freshest of the fresh seafood. The catch of the day graces the plates of restaurants with famous BC salmon, halibut, cod, crab, scallops and oysters. Prepared simply, fantastically or fantastically simple...enjoy your 'catch of the day' in a fine dining establishment, a trendy eatery, a casual pub or right on the docks. Farm fresh is a phrase heard repeatedly in the Lower Mainland. Just east of Vancouver is the Fraser Valley, a lush picturesque and productive valley which is home to a multitude of farms working diligently to deliver produce from the farm directly to the plate or to the visitor. Find fresh fruit and vegetables in season, farm-raised meat and eggs and extra special treats like home made jams and jellies. ==Drink== The [[Fraser Valley]] has become a popular wine touring destination. Domaine de Chaberton Winery, a fixture in the beautiful south Langley countryside, has been joined by a number of other wineries (Township 7, Fort Wine Company, Glenugie Winery, Lotusland Vineyards and the Blue Heron Fruit Winery), all within a short drive of each other and from any location in the region. You can be in wine country in less than one hour drive from downtown Vancouver!The Lower Mainland also has some of the best tap water in the world. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== *The immense and beautiful [[Vancouver Island]] lies off the shore of the Lower Mainland. Offering numerous recreational opportunities, it is accessed by one of four BC Ferries routes from the Lower Mainland. *The [[Thompson-Okanagan]] region lies northeast of the Lower Mainland. *Extending north along the coast is the beautiful [[North Coast-Nechako|North Coast]]. *The US state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]] lies to the south. {{geo|49.66|-122.91|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|British Columbia}} {{usableregion}} hv3xqk85cg6deon9unsyocut6umxbal 0 22103 4506398 4505449 2022-08-22T19:28:11Z Martinvl 212484 Undo revision 4505449 by [[Special:Contributions/LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) Replacement sentence leaves reader asking "so what does this mean?". The original sentence provided the answer wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Imperial units.jpg|ftt=yes}} Almost all countries in the world use the '''metric system''', officially known as the '''International System of Units (SI)'''. Before the introduction of the metric system, there was no worldwide standard in measurements, and every geographic region or country used their own system. Some of these historic measurement systems are still in use, for example variations of the old '''English system''' (or its descendants '''U.S. customary''' and the '''imperial system''') of weights and measures survive in various forms in the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Bahamas]], [[Ireland]], [[Canada]] and [[Liberia]], while [[Myanmar]] still plows its own furrow. In all these countries except for the U.S., the metric system is widely understood. In the U.S., you'll find the metric system only used in scientific, military, and most medical contexts, while in the UK and Canada, usage is more mixed. In scientific usage, the metric system is used exclusively in all countries of the world. Some countries that are officially metric use non-standard units in everyday speech. While most of them are "metricated" (e.g. a German ''Pfund'' ("pound") being exactly 500 grams or a Dutch ''ons'' ("ounce") being exactly 100 grams), some are not, and the vague definitions of what exactly is meant by a "pound" or a ''vara'' ("rod", a Latin American unit of distance, somewhere between 0.8 and 1.1 m) give you a sense of the confusion that led to the introduction of the metric system in the first place. Canada is also officially fully metricated, though imperial units continue to be widely used by Anglophone Canadians in daily conversation. Ireland switched to metric beginning in the 1970s and is now fully metric in daily use, though the imperial system still survives to varying extents in colloquial usage. In the rest of the Anglosphere ([[Australia]], [[Guyana]], [[New Zealand]] or [[South Africa]]), imperial units won't get you anywhere. Some special uses still apply non-metric units almost globally (such as ''inches'' for bicycles and television sets, ''feet'' in aviation, and ''knots'' and ''nautical miles'' in maritime contexts and aviation), although few are of interest to the average traveller. Since use of the metric system is taught in schools in science classes, younger generations in most of the world exclusively know metric units, and historic units gradually die out. When traveling in [[the Netherlands]] for example, the elderly may still use ''ons'' (ounce) in spoken language meaning 100 grams, but teenagers won't have any idea what they are talking about. The most notable exception to this rule is the United States, where metric units are virtually unknown to the average person in the street, and would likely only be understood if you are lucky enough to meet a doctor or scientist. Exceptions exist in fields where particular units are well established. Jewelers typically measure the weight of diamonds in ''carat'' (which is 0.2 g), so entering a shop and asking for a diamond ring of 2.4 g will definitely raise some eyebrows. Seafarers and aviators use nautical miles and knots. An example from everyday life is the energy contained in food, which is traditionally measured in ''calories''. Food items will often list the value in ''kcal'' (kilocalories) and metric unit kJ (kilojoules) side by side. There are so many historic units that listing them all on this page would be nearly impossible, and of limited use to the traveler. The goal here is to list the most commonly used historic units and their conversions to metric equivalents to give the traveler a rough idea of quantity. Not all the conversions below are exact, even though the "=" is used. ==Temperature== {{infobox|A Celsius poem|Zero is freezing<br> 10 is not<br> 20 is warm<br> and 30 is hot}} {| style="text-align:right; border:solid gray 1px; margin-bottom:3em; margin:1em auto; padding:3px;" ! °C !! °F !! |- | 40 || 104 | style="text-align:center; border-left:solid red 5px" | sweltering |- | 35 || 95 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:solid orange 5px" | very hot |- | 30 || 86 |- | 28 || 83 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:solid yellow 5px" | hot |- | 25 || 77 |- | 23 || 73 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:solid yellowgreen 5px" | warm |- | 20 || 68 |- | 18 || 64 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:solid lightgreen 5px" | mild |- | 15 || 59 |- | 10 || 50 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:solid lightblue 5px" | cool |- | 5 || 41 |- | '''0''' || '''32''' | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:dotted blue 5px" | cold |- | −5 || 23 |- | −10 || 14 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:solid blue 5px" | very cold |- | '''−18''' || '''0''' |- | −25 || −13 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; border-left:solid grey 5px" | frigid |- | −40 || −40 |} Temperature is among the most relevant of quantities for travellers. Thirty degrees in one scale (i.e. Fahrenheit) is really cold whereas in another scale (i.e Celsius or Centigrade), it can be very hot. Therefore, it is pretty useful to know the equivalents between the two scales, especially if you're from the US or one of the few other countries to use Fahrenheit. For everyday applications (e.g. weather), you can approximate with very simple math. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, double the number and add 30. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 30 and divide in half. The exact formulas are similar, but are harder to calculate in your head: :<math>Fahrenheit = {(} Celsius \times {1.8} {)} + {32}</math> or :<math>Fahrenheit = {(} Celsius \times {9 \over 5} {)} + {32}</math> And to go the other direction: :<math>Celsius = { {(} Fahrenheit - {32} {)} \over {1.8} }</math> or :<math>Celsius = { {(} Fahrenheit - {32} {)} } \times { 5 \over {9} }</math> <br clear=all> <!--Is the scientific conversion really within the scope of a travel guide?--> ===Comparisons=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Celsius !! Fahrenheit !! |- | 100°C || 212°F || Water boils |- | 55°C || 131°F || Hot tap water |- | 37°C || 98.6°F || Human body temperature (±0.5°C or ±0.9°F) |- | 20°C || 68°F || Room temperature |- | 4°C || 40°F || Refrigerator |- | 0°C || 32°F || Water freezes |- | −18°C || 0°F || Freezer |- | −40°C || −40°F || Forty below zero!<br />Mercury freezes and mercury thermometers stop working. Only temperature Fahrenheit and Celsius have in common. |- | −273°C || −459°F || Absolute zero |} ==Length and distance== The standard metric unit of length is the meter (spelled as "metre" in all of the English-speaking world except for the U.S. and Phillipines). [[File:US National Length Meter.JPG|thumb|A closeup of the National Prototype Meter Bar No. 27, given to the U.S. by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in 1889]] <!--- need table of millimeter to inches equivalences appropriate for monthly rainfall amounts here --> * 1 inch (1" (U.S.), 1" or 1 in (UK and Ireland)) = 2.54&nbsp;cm (exact) * 1 foot (1' (U.S.), 1' or 1 ft (UK and Ireland)) = 12 inches = 30&nbsp;cm * 1 yard (1 yd) = 3 feet = 90&nbsp;cm ** Yards are not used as frequently as miles, feet, and inches in the U.S., though they are regularly seen on road signs in the UK. Americans mostly know that a meter is "about a yard", and that yards are used in some sports. * 1 mile (1 mi) = 1,760 yards = 1.6&nbsp;km, or 1&nbsp;km = 0.6 miles ** For mental arithmetic, this gives several useful conversions that are fairly accurate: *** 3 miles = 5&nbsp;km (off by 5%) *** 5 miles = 8&nbsp;km *** 6 miles = 10&nbsp;km (off by 5%) *** 10 miles = 16&nbsp;km * 1 nautical mile = 1.852 km (not used in normal conversation, but standard in air and sea navigation; the "knot", used for speeds in those contexts, is 1 nautical mile per hour). Rounding the nautical mile to 2 km is surprisingly accurate (off by 7.4%). * 1 furlong = 1/8 miles = 220 yards = 201.168&nbsp;m (rarely used in daily life outside of [[Myanmar]], but often used in [[horse racing]]) * There are also other miles, such as the Scandinavian "mil", which is 10 km. German explorers deliberately misleading local leaders on Prussian miles versus English miles (with the former being much larger and unknown to the locals) also played some role in the early colonial history of [[Namibia]] === Comparisons === [[File:Kilometre definition.svg|thumb|The kilometre was originally defined as 1/10,000 of the distance between the North Pole and the Equator measured along the Paris meridian.]] * A credit card is about 0.75 mm thick * 1&nbsp;cm (centimeter) is the width of an average fingernail. * 1 foot is, unsurprisingly, the length of an average man's foot ''in shoes''. 1 foot is slightly more than the long side of a sheet of paper (U.S. letter or A4). * Most adults are between 1.5 and 2 meters tall. * The average person walks 5&nbsp;km/h or 3 miles/hour (without heavy luggage). At that speed, 1&nbsp;km takes 12-15 minutes, and 1 mile takes 20 minutes. * Ten yards are a little less than a yard shy of ten meters. An [[American Football|American football]] field is exactly 100 yards from end zone to end zone, with each end zone being 10 yards deep. In Canadian football, the field is exactly 110 yards between end zones, and the end zones are 20 yards deep. * [[Denver]] (Colorado), [[Johannesburg]] (South Africa) and Volcán Concepción on [[Ometepe]] are roughly at one mile (5280&nbsp;ft or 1600&nbsp;m) altitude. [[Chamonix]] town and [[Katoomba]] are both about a kilometer (3300&nbsp;ft or 1000&nbsp;m) above sea level. Everest is about 8,848&nbsp;m (29,031&nbsp;ft) above sea level while most long-haul passenger airliners fly at an altitude of 9,000&nbsp;m (30,000&nbsp;ft) to 10,500&nbsp;m (35,000&nbsp;ft) above sea level. * Human heights in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Ireland are commonly given in feet and inches, stylized as 6'3" (pronounced as "six three", or "six foot three" when the context is unclear), which would be 190.5 centimeters. The same height could also be stylized "6 ft 3 in". * A marathon is run over 42.195&nbsp;kilometers, or 26&nbsp;miles and 385&nbsp;yards. * The maximum speed limit for legacy rail lines in Germany that the signaling technology allows is 160 km/h or roughly 100 mph * 100 km/h is around 60 mph — in many parts of the world this is the speed limit on highways * Despite what you may have heard, the average length of a step is ''not'' a meter or a yard, an error that likely originates from counting both feet. Step lengths of adults usually fall in the range of 60 to 80 centimeters - on the parade ground, a soldier's pace is 75 cm (30 in). When running, the step grows to be above a meter. ==Driving== Outside the United States, the United Kingdom, Belize and many small territories that are within the Anglo-American sphere of influence, most measurements related to driving are in metric units. ===Driving speed=== [[File:Flickr - Nicholas T - Enduring.jpg|thumb|upright|This speedometer displays mph on the outer circle, and km/h on the inner circle.]] The speed limits in most countries are quoted in kilometres per hour (km/h). The principal exceptions are the United States, Liberia, the United Kingdom and many Caribbean countries, which all use miles per hour (mph). Americans who take their cars to Canada or Mexico and Britons who take their cars to Ireland or the European continent often need to convert between mph and km/h while driving. Many (but not all) modern cars in these countries have both mph and km/h scales on their speedometers. Some cars that use an LED display for a speedometer can change between mph and km/h by changing a setting. If not, an easy conversion is to remember the sequence. <gallery heights="50" widths="50"> File:Vienna_Convention_road_sign_C14-V1-20.svg File:Vienna_Convention_road_sign_C14-V1-30.svg File:Vienna_Convention_road_sign_C14-V1-50.svg File:Vienna_Convention_road_sign_C14-V1-80.svg File:Vienna_Convention_road_sign_C14-V1-130.svg </gallery> This sequence means that *20 mph ≈ 30 km/h *30 mph ≈ 50 km/h *50 mph ≈ 80 km/h *80 mph ≈ 130 km/h The symbol for "kilometres per hour" is "km/h", used in most countries regardless of how it is written in full in the local language – for example the Italians use "km/h" even though the Italian for "kilometres per hour" is "chilometri all'ora". The few exceptions are in places such as Malaysia which use "km/j" (with the j that stands for ''jam'', the Malay word for hour) although it is unlikely to cause much confusion. ===Tyre pressure=== [[File:France road sign CE26.svg|thumb|French road sign]] Historically, in the English-speaking world, tyre pressure was measured in psi (pounds per square inch), while elsewhere it was measured in kilograms [weight] per square centimetre or in atmospheres (bars). With the advent of SI in 1960, the kilopascal has increasingly been used for tyre pressure. The relationship between these various units is :1 bar = 100 kPa = 98 kgf/cm² = 14.7 psi This table gives common tyre pressures for motor cars. {| class="wikitable" |+ Pressure equivalents |- !kPa!!bar!!kgf/cm²!!psi |- style="text-align:center;" |140 || 1.4 || 1.43 || 20.6 |- style="text-align:center;" |160 || 1.6 || 1.63 || 23.5 |- style="text-align:center;" |180 || 1.8 || 1.83 || 26.5 |- style="text-align:center;" |200 || 2 || 2.04 || 29.4 |- style="text-align:center;" |220 || 2.2 || 2.24 || 32.3 |- style="text-align:center;" |240 || 2.4 || 2.45 || 35.3 |- style="text-align:center;" |260 || 2.6 || 2.65 || 38.2 |} ===Fuel consumption=== [[File:Bensapumppu Neste Oil Express 1.JPG|thumb|Petrol pump in Finland]] Traditionally fuel consumption in the United Kingdom and the United States was quoted in miles per gallon, but since the two countries had different gallons, the figures are not comparable. The conversion between the two is :mpg_UK = 1.2 mpg_US. Some countries that use the metric system quote fuel consumption in km/L, a direct conversion from mpg. The conversion factors are :1 km/L = 2.35 mpg_US = 2.82 mpg_UK Most countries that use the metric system quote fuel consumption in L/100&nbsp;km. Since this the inverse of mpg, a high figure quoted in L/100&nbsp;km is equivalent to a low figure in mpg and vice-versa. The conversion relationship is: :1 L/100 km = 235/mpg_US = 282/mpg_UK Since there is an inverse relationship, there exists a value where the fuel consumption in L/100&nbsp;km is numerically identical to the value in mpg. The values (different for US and UK gallons) are: :15.33 L/100 km = 15.33 mpg_US :16.79 L/100 km = 16.79 mpg_UK {| class="wikitable" |+ Fuel consumption equivalents |- |style= "text-align:center;" colspan="4" |This is a two-way table based on the first (bold) column.<br>The data in the first row tells us:<br/>4 L/100km = 70.5 mpg_UK = 58.5 mpg_US = 25 km/L<br/>4 mpg_UK = 70.5 L/100 km<br/>4 mpg_US = 58.8 L/100 km<br/>4 km/L = 25 k/L |- style="text-align:center;" ! L/100 km !! mpg_UK !! mpg_US !! km/L |- style="text-align:center;" | '''4''' || 70.5 || 58.8 || 25 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''5''' || 56.4 || 47 || 20 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''6''' || 47 || 39.2 || 16.6 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''7''' || 40.3 || 33.6 || 14.3 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''8''' || 35.3 || 29.4 || 12.5 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''10''' || 28.2 || 23.5 || 10 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''12''' || 23.5 || 19.6 || 8.3 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''14''' || 20.1 || 16.8 || 7.1 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''16''' || 17.6 || 14.7 || 6.2 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''18''' || 15.7 || 13.1 || 5.6 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''20''' || 14.1 || 11.8 || 5 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''22''' || 12.8 || 10.7 || 4.5 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''24''' || 11.8 || 9.8 || 4.2 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''26''' || 10.8 || 9 || 3.8 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''28''' || 10.1 || 8.4 || 3.6 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''30''' || 9.4 || 7.8 || 3.3 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''35''' || 8.1 || 6.7 || 2.9 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''40''' || 7.1 || 5.9 || 2.5 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''45''' || 6.3 || 5.2 || 2.2 |- style="text-align:center;" | '''50''' || 5.6 || 4.7 || 2 |} ==Weight== [[File:Tomatos Price Per Pound.jpg|thumb|USA tomatoes: $2.49 per pound (≈ $5.49 per kilogram)]] * 1&nbsp;kilogram (1 kg) ≈ 2.2 pounds * 1 ounce (1 oz) ≈ 28.35 grams * 1 pound (1 lb) = 16 ounces ≈ 454 grams * 1 stone (1 st) = 14 pounds ≈ 6.35 kg (used in the UK and Ireland) Some food in some countries is sold per 100 g (hectogram), i.e. about ¼ lb or 4 oz. A ''Troy ounce'', customarily used only for precious metals and gemstones, is approximately 31.1 grams. The ''jin'' (斤) or catty, a Chinese unit of weight, was traditionally approximately 600 grams, though in mainland [[China]] it is now exactly 500 grams. The jin was traditionally divided into 16 ''liang'' (兩) or taels, though in modern China it is now 10 liang. In [[Germany]] and [[France]] the pound (''Pfund'' or ''livre'') likewise nowadays refers to a weight of exactly 500 g. Both the U.S. and the UK have their own version of the hundredweight (cwt) and the ton (t). The imperial hundredweight is 8 stone (112 pounds), while the U.S. hundredweight is 100 pounds, and a ton is 20 hundredweights in both systems. This means that the U.S. ton is 2000 pounds (about 907.18 kg), while the imperial ton is 160 stone (2240 pounds, about 1016.05 kg). The metric ton (UK: "tonne") is 1000 kg. ==Surface area== * 1 square inch (in²) ≈ 6.5 square centimeters (cm²). * 1 square meter (m²) ≈ 11 square feet * 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000&nbsp;m² ≈ 2.5 acres * 1 square kilometer (km²) = 100 ha ≈ 0.4 square miles. In [[Greece]], 1000m² is called ''stremma''. ===Comparisons=== * An association football (soccer) pitch is roughly one hectare in area. * In the U.S., two of that country's states are often used for nation-sized objects, depending on the area being compared: ** [[Rhode Island]], the smallest state by area, has a surface area of 1,214 square miles or 3,140 square kilometers. ** [[Texas]], the largest by area of the contiguous states, has a surface area of 268,601 square miles or 695,670 square kilometers. * [[Wales]], commonly used for such comparisons in the UK, has an area of 8,023 square miles or 20,779 km². ==Volume== [[File:Volles Pint-Glas.jpg|thumb|upright|A full pint glass (568 mL)]] The standard metric unit of volume is the liter (spelled as "litre" in all of the English-speaking world except for the U.S.). Many things, however, are measured in mL (milliliters) or equivalently in cc (cubic centimeters). Roughly, a teaspoon is 5mL and a fluid ounce (depending on the system) is a little under 30mL. In both the U.S. and imperial systems, 4 quarts = 1 gallon and 2 pints = 1 quart '''but''' the U.S. pint is divided into 16 fluid ounces while the imperial pint is divided into 20 fluid ounces. An imperial gallon is 4.55&nbsp;litres and a U.S. gallon is 3.79&nbsp;liters while an imperial fluid ounce is 28.125&nbsp;mL and a U.S. fluid ounce is 29.5&nbsp;mL. For car and motorcycle engines, displacement is usually given in cc or in liters. American cars used to have their displacement measured in cubic inches, but car manufacturers switched to liters in the early 1980s. 1000cc or one liter is 61 cubic inches. Large amounts of liquids are sometimes measured in hectoliters equivalent to hundred liters or in cubic meters equivalent to a thousand liters. A small brewery might e.g. state their beer production to be below 100 hectoliters while a municipal water service will likely bill you in cubic meters. For very large volumes, the U.S. also uses acre-feet (approx 1233&nbsp;m³). ===Comparisons=== * 1 L of water weighs 1 kg at 4°C. Since many liquids (milk, orange juice) are sold in liter containers, it is easy to judge 1 L or 1 kg. * 1 L is equivalent to a cube 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. * One U.S. pint of water weighs one pound * One Imperial gallon of water weighs ten pounds * One fluid ounce of water weighs one ounce * 1 cubic meter (1 m³) = 1000 liters. 1 m³ of water weighs 1,000 kg = 1 tonne. * In Europe and many parts of Canada, wine is usually sold in 750 mL (0.75 L) bottles (occasionally 700 mL or 1 L). * 12 fl. oz. (common size for beer bottles in the Americas) is roughly equivalent to 355 milliliters, more or less the same as a "small" European beer at 333 mL (a third of a liter) * One imperial pint (a common serving size for draught beer in the UK, Ireland and Canada) is 568.26125 milliliters (exactly) or roughly 10% more than a big (or regular depending on whom you ask) "continental" European beer at 500 mL. * The fuel tank on a small family car (e.g. Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla) typically has a capacity of 50 L or 13 US gallons. * One acre-foot (in the U.S. commonly cited as a rough estimate for a family's yearly water needs) is equivalent to roughly 1233 m³ ==Wind speed== Wind speed is usually given in m/s, knots, km/h or mph, depending on country and context. 1 m/s = 2 knots (exactly in this context). 1 knot is 1 nautical mile per hour, which is about 1.15 mph. For km/h: divide by two to get knots (actually 1.852) or mph (actually 1.609), by four (3.6) to get m/s. The Beaufort scale was in wide use before, and winds are still often classified according to it. Here is a rough conversion table<!-- based on w:Beaufort scale and w:Saffir–Simpson scale -->. {| class="wikitable" |+ Wind speed |- ! Bf !! name !! m/s !! knots !! mph !! km/h !! Warning !! comments |- | 0 || calm || < 0.3 || < 1 || < 1 || < 1 || || |- | 1 || light air || 0.3–1.5 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 1–5 || || |- | 2 || light breeze || 1.6–3.3 || 4–6 || 4–7 || 6–11 || || |- | 3 || gentle breeze || 3.4–5 || 7–10 || 8–12 || 12–19 || || |- | 4 || moderate breeze || 6–8 || 11–16 || 13–18 || 20–28 || || Dust and snow is blown into the air |- | 5 || fresh breeze || 8–11 || 17–21 || 19–24 || 29–38 || || Walking against the wind arduous |- | 6 || strong breeze || 11–14 || 22–27 || 25–31 || 39–49 || rowspan=2| '''small craft advisory''' || |- | 7 || near gale || 14–17 || 28–33 || 32–38 || 50–61 || |- | 8 || (fresh) gale || 17–21 || 34–40 || 39–46 || 62–74 || rowspan=2| '''gale warning''' || Walking in open spaces awkward |- | 9 || strong gale || 21–24 || 41–47 || 47–54 || 75–88 || Roof tiles can be blown down |- | 10 || storm || 25–28 || 48–55 || 55–63 || 89–102 || rowspan=2| '''storm warning''' || Big trees derooted |- | 11 || violent storm || 29–32 || 56–63 || 64–72 || 103–117 || Large forest areas blown down |- | 12 || hurricane force || 33+ || 64+ || 73+ || 118+ || '''hurricane force warning''' || Big objects in the air, windows crashed |} [[Hurricanes]] have their own scale. The scale below only applies to hurricanes originating in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Saffir-Simpson scale !! m/s !! knots !! mph !! km/h !! Comment |- | category one || 33–42 || 64–82 || 74–95 || 119–153 || |- | category two || 43–49 || 83–95 || 96–110 || 154–177 || |- | category three || 50–58 || 96–112 || 111–129 || 178–208 || |- | category four || 58–70 || 113–136 || 130–156 || 209–251 || |- | category five || 70+ || 137+ || 157+ || 252+ || |} ==Precipitation== Rainfall is often measured in inches in the United States, but in most other countries in the world it is measured in millimetes or in litres per square metre. One inch of rain is equal to 25.4&nbsp;mm rain, while millimtres of rain and litres of rain per square meter are numerically identical. Snow depth is usually measured in feet and inches in the United States but in centimetres (or metres if it is deep) elsewhere in the world. ==Power and energy== The SI unit for power is watt (W), where 1 W = 1 V · 1 A. The SI unit for energy is joule (J), where 1 J = 1 W · 1 s. The alternative units are horsepower (hp) and calories (cal), both still used in some contexts even in countries where metric units dominate. Often thousands of watts, joules and calories are used; particularly in a dietary context, "calories" is often used for what scientists would call "kilocalories". Electrical energy usage is sometimes measured in kilowatt-hours, where 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ. Horsepower is an approximation of what power a horse can deliver on average in long-time work, such as pumping water out of a mine, as measured by James Watt. The horsepower has several definitions (depending on what units they are based on), the main ones being the mechanical or imperial horsepower (about 0.746 kW) and the metric horsepower (about 0.735 kW). For engines the figures vary also depending on what power is measured: to what extent friction in the motor and transmission as well as other factors are included. One calorie is defined as the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. A human needs about 2,000 or 2,600 kcal i.e. 8,400 or 10,900 kJ a day (woman/man), with everyday activities and walking 2–5 km (1.5–3 mi). The figures vary significantly with age, weight and activity. * 1 hp = 0.735 kW ≈ 3/4 kW (2% off) *: or 0.746 kW ≈ 3/4 kW (0.5% off) * 1 kW = 1.360 hp (metric) *: or 1.341 hp (imperial) * 1 kcal ≈ 4.2 kJ ≈ 4 kJ (<5% off) * 1 kJ ≈ 0.24 kcal ≈ 1/4 kcal ==Metric units== The metric system uses prefixes to indicate a multiple or fraction of a base unit (i.e. metre, gram, litre, etc.). The most common prefixes are listed below. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Prefix !! Multiplier |- | tera- (T) || 1,000,000,000,000 (trillion) |- | giga- (G) || 1,000,000,000 (billion) |- | mega- (M) || 1,000,000 (million) |- | kilo- (k) || 1,000 (thousand) |- | hecto- (h) || 100 (hundred) |- | deca- (da) || 10 (ten) |- | deci- (d) || 0.1 (tenth) |- | centi- (c) || 0.01 (hundredth) |- | milli- (m) || 0.001 (thousandth) |- | micro- (μ) || 0.000001 (millionth) |- | nano- (n) || 0.000000001 (billionth) |} == Miscellaneous == If you prefer not to do any maths at all, there are websites and apps that may be of use. For instance, major weather websites and apps have an option to allow you to display the relevant measures (e.g. temperature, wind speeds) in metric or imperial units. Smartphones have internal apps that help you convert between metric and imperial measurements. == See also == * [[Clothing sizes]] {{PartOfTopic|Concerns}} {{guidetopic}} aish0gynywjk986wjc2brziuuj8ydds 0 23100 4506755 4504167 2022-08-23T10:23:27Z Zblace 113974 /* Go next */ small corections wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[File:Mostar Old Town Panorama 2007.jpg|thumb|450px|Old town of Mostar]] '''[http://www.mostar.ba/ Mostar] ''' is a city in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. Much of the city has been rebuilt and visitors might be surprised to see that this formerly war-torn city is a lively and beautiful destination once again, particularly the area within and around the old town. However, many visible signs of Mostar's troubled history in the 1990s remain. ==Understand == It used to be one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country, and today it suffers geographical division of ethnic groups. The city was the most heavily bombed of any Bosnian city during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the breakup of Yugoslavia. At the beginning of the war, air strikes destroyed many important buildings and structures, including the cultural and spiritual icon: the Old Bridge (Stari Most), which is a {{UNESCO}}. Mostar has been most famous for this beautiful historic Ottoman-style bridge, which spanned the Neretva river in what is considered the historic centre of the city. Through combined efforts with the international community, rebuilding of the Old Bridge was completed in 2004, almost 11 years after its destruction, using some of its original stones recovered from the Neretva river. ==Get in== ===By bus=== * {{listing|type=go | name=Mostar Main (east) bus station | alt=Autobuska stanica Mostar | url= | email= | address=Maršala Tita | lat=43.34822 | long=17.81362 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2015-10-05 | content=The main transit terminal for buses and trains, located on eastern part of Mostar, close to Carinski bridge and University of Dzemal BIjedic. }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Mostar (west) bus station | alt=Mostar - zapad | url= | email= | address=Vukovarska | lat=43.3517 | long=17.7986 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:00-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2015-10-05 | content=Bus station in northwestern part of Mostar }} ====From [[Sarajevo]]==== There are many buses (first at 06:00, last at 19:55 - approx. 1 per hour) from Sarajevo to Mostar. There are also many buses from Mostar to Sarajevo (first at 06:00, last at 18:15 - approx. 1 per hour). Journey takes 2½ hours and costs 17-20 KM (depends on bus company). Timetable is available [http://autoprevoz.ba/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=25&lang=bs here], but not all buses are listed. ====Other destinations==== [http://www.autobusni-kolodvor.com/en/timetable.aspx Bus timetables are online], but not all connections are listed. Frequent buses run between Mostar and [[Ploče]], [[Dubrovnik]] (2 per day, 3-4 hours, 30 KM), [[Split]] (4 hours, 125 [[Croatia#Money|Croatian kuna]]), [[Zagreb]], [[Podgorica]], [[Jajce]] (3½-4 hours, 19 KM), [[Banja Luka]], [[Belgrade]] (2 per day) and most cities in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. The stop in Mostar for the bus from [[Podgorica]], which continues to [[Banja Luka]], is several kilometres from the city centre on an expressway. A taxi from there costs 10 KM. ===By train=== * {{listing|type=go | name=Mostar train station | alt= Željeznička stanica Mostar| url= | email= | address=Maršala Tita | lat=43.34897| long=17.81364 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-05 | content=Platforms are opened 30 minutes before train departure. }} ====From [[Sarajevo]]==== There are two trains daily from Sarajevo to Čapljina via Mostar, leaving Sarajevo in the morning and in the afternoon. In the other direction, there's an early morning train from Čapljina around 06:00 and around 16:00. Schedules can be found the website of '''[http://www.zfbh.ba ZFBH]'''. The scenery on the train between Sarajevo and Mostar is stunning, passing through rugged terrain with a series of tunnels, U-turns and viaducts. It is much more picturesque, as well as cheaper, to travel between these cities by train rather than by bus. One way ticket costs 11 KM (October 2017) and has to be purchased at least 5 minutes before the scheduled departures. ====From [[Croatia]]==== There is no longer connection between [[Ploče]] and Mostar. There is also no direct connection between [[Zagreb]] and Mostar, so you need to change in Sarajevo. There is a regular bus connection from [[Dubrovnik]] for 126 kunas (October 2017). ===By car=== Mostar is easily reachable from Western Europe via [[Croatia]]. From, [[Zagreb]] take the A1 (green signs for [[Karlovac]], [[Split]] and [[Dubrovnik]]). There is a border crossing Nova Sela - Bijača, and the motorway continues in Herzegovina until the end at [[Međugorje]]. Then just follow the signs to Mostar on the remaining 30 or so kilometres of two-lane road. There are plans build a motorway all the way to Mostar, but this might take several more years. From [[Sarajevo]] it's a two-hour scenic drive through the Neretva river valley. This route is also planned to be upgraded to a motorway. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Mostar International Airport | alt=Međunarodna zračna luka - Aerodrom Mostar | url=http://www.mostar-airport.ba/ | email= | address=Ortiješ bb, PP 04 | lat=43.2904 | long=17.8367 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mostar Airport | wikidata=Q1432098 | lastedit=2015-10-05 | content=({{IATA|OMO}}) is in the village of Ortiješ, 7.5&nbsp;km south southeast of Mostar's railway station. There are seasonal flights to destinations in [[Italy]] including [[Rome]], [[Naples]], [[Bari]] and [[Bologna]], as well as [[Dublin]] and [[Katowice]] from summer 2022. }} ==Get around== {{mapframe|43.342|17.807|zoom=14}} ==See== [[Image:Mostar-Old Town-1-08.JPG|thumb|The old town in Mostar]] [[Image:Crooked Bridge Mostar.jpg|thumb|A smaller (Crooked) bridge in Mostar's old town]] * {{see | name=The Old Bridge | alt=Stari Most | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.33723 | long=17.81503 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=24/7 | price=Free | wikidata=Q188528| wikipedia=Stari Most | image=Stari_Most22.jpg | lastedit=2017-08-29 | content=The original bridge built by the Turks in 1566 was destroyed in 1993, but rebuilt in 2004. The bridge is the highlight of Mostar and is a {{UNESCO}}. The main site in Mostar, if not Bosnia. The bridge is 21 m high and you will frequently see members of the Mostar Diving Club dive off the bridge. It is customary to give the divers a few marks after they make the jump. }} * {{see | name=Old Bridge Museum | alt= | url=http://www.turizam.mostar.ba/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97%3Amuzej-starog-mosta-&catid=62%3Amuzeji-i-galerije&Itemid=416&lang=en | email= | address= | lat=43.33728 | long=17.81528 | directions=next to the Old Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=5 KM | wikidata=Q6941108| wikipedia=Museum of the Old Bridge | lastedit=2017-08-29 | content=Includes exhibits on the history of the bridge, a panoramic view from the top, and entrance into the excavations below, along with a video detailing the reconstruction of the bridge. It opened in 2006, commemorating the second anniversary of the bridge's reconstruction. }} [[File:Mostar-Muslibegovica kuca - muzeum.jpg|thumb|Muslibegovića House]] * {{see | name=Muslibegovića House | alt=Muslibegovića kuća| url=http://www.muslibegovichouse.com/ | email= | address= | lat=43.34168 | long=17.81635 | directions=located near the Karađoz Bey’s Mosque | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open for visitors 15 April – 15 October from 10:00-18:00 | price= 4 KM | content=Constructed 300 years ago, it is considered the most beautiful Ottoman period house in the Balkans. The house comprises separate quarters for women (women’s courtyard – haremluk) and men (men’s courtyard – selamluk). Unlike earlier architectural styles, this is a four-storey house built around the centre. Double-arched entrance with the central pillar reveals Mediterranean influence. The house is a preserved authentic monumental structure along with items and documents providing an insight into the life of a wealthy bey family from the time. In addition to museum exhibition, visitors are invited to take traditional beverages and biscuits, or spend a night. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Herzegovina | alt=Muzej Hercegovine | url=http://www.muzejhercegovine.com | email= | address= | lat=43.33895 | long=17.81595 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-16:00 | price=5 KM | content=Has a small collection of photographs from various phases of Mostar history, including a small exhibit on a native son who was Prime Minister of Yugoslavia for 6 years. Also shows an excellent video on the recent history of the Old Bridge. }} * {{see | name=Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque | alt=Koski Mehmed-pašina džamija | url= | email= | address=Mala Tepa 16 | lat=43.33866 | long=17.81473 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Entry: 7 KM, with minaret access: 14 KM | wikidata=Q19951166 | lastedit=2017-08-29 | content=Small but pretty Ottoman mosque built in 1618 that was destroyed during the war but rebuilt with Turkish financial support. Climb the minaret for spectacular views over the town. Ascending the minaret is not recommended to those with claustrophobia, but the 192 step climb rewards with a superlative view of the Old Bridge. }} * {{see | name=Karađoz Bey Mosque | alt=Karađoz-begova džamija | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.34124 | long=17.81369 | directions=Old town | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Entry: 3 KM, with minaret access: 5 KM | wikidata=Q1729060 | content=Ottoman mosque built in 1557; central mosque of Mostar. }} * {{see | name=Cemetery | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.3415 | long=17.81361 | directions=next to Karađoz Bey Mosque in the Old town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A park turned into a cemetery in 1993 when the dead needed a place to be buried and other cemeteries were inaccessible due to the war. }} * {{see | name=Ottoman house |alt=Bišćevića kuća| url= | email= | address=Bišćevića Street | lat=43.34053 | long= 17.81305 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=4 KM | content=An Ottoman house, where you only can see the few rooms in upstairs. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Watch locals dive off the Old Bridge | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.33774| long= 17.81519 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Members of the Mostar Diving Club will dive off the bridge into the emerald green waters, but first they will try to collect some money from tourists. Do not attempt this yourself. The waters of river are at a constant 12°C, and going suddenly from 30°C to 12°C can cause a heart attack among even the fittest. The young local men diving would hose themselves down first in order to lower their body temperature before diving. The best place to watch this is below Old Bridge on shore of Neretva river. }} * {{do | name=Walk Along the Former Front-line | url= | email= | address=on Bulevar Revolucije | lat=43.33886 | long=17.80925 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Here, in 1993 the city was divided between Croats on the west and Bosniaks on the eastern side. It is a surreal and sobering experience to see the bombed-out buildings which still stand in this area only 5 m from the division. }} *'''Drink Bosnian coffee'''. Don't let anyone tell you that Bosnian coffee is the same as Turkish coffee. Instead, let the good people of Cafe de Alma (Rade Bitange not far from the bridge) educate you about this distinct way of preparing coffee. They are the only roasters in town and they are passionate about preserving this tradition. The café will serve your coffee in a traditional coffee set, plus a Turkish delight to sweeten your drink, all for €1, 2 KM or 8 Croatian kunas. Before you drink your coffee, the staff will explain to you how it is prepared and how best to enjoy it. ==Buy== The Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark ('''KM''' or BAM) is pegged to the euro at a rate of €1 = 1.95583 KM. Shops and restaurants will accept euros at a 1:2 rate with the Bosnian convertible mark. Croatian kuna are also widely accepted in Mostar, with 4:1 rate to KM. Numerous banks have their affiliates and ATMs across the city. Most restaurants in the Old Town will accept cards and there is an ATM next to tourist company across Restaurant Kulluk and Europa. From 2016, fast and free Wi-Fi provided by TGM is available in the vicinity of the Stari Most (Old Bridge). ==Eat== ===Budget=== ====Around the Old Bridge==== * {{eat | name=National Restaurant Ćevabdžinica Tima - Irma | url=http://www.cevabdzinica-tima.com/ | email= | address=Onešćukova bb | lat=43.3371939 | long= 17.8140521| directions=Old Town | phone=+387 62 958 539 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Ćevapčići: €3 | lastedit= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Konoba Taurus | alt= | url= | email= | address=Onešćukova b.b. | lat=43.3369190 | long=17.8130795 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=}} * {{eat | name=Behar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jusovina | lat=43.3368425 | long=17.8136441 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=}} * {{eat | name=Moon Star Caffe & Pizzeria | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rade Bitange bb | lat=43.3373755 | long=17.8140300 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=}} * {{eat | name=Rota | alt= | url= | email= | address=Onešćukova 7 | lat=43.3371778 | long=17.8143629 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=}} ====Around the Karađoz Bey Mosque==== * {{eat | name=Aščinica "Saray" | url= https://www.facebook.com/AscinicaSaray | email= | address=Karađozbegova 3 | lat=43.3413620 | long= 17.8143029 | directions= | phone=+387 62 322 962 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From 1 KM | content=A great place to have cheap and good dishes. Prices range from €2.5 to €6 for a big meal. }} ====Around the Meppas Mall==== * {{eat | name=Grill Bruno | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kralja Tvrtka 7 | lat=43.3466104 | long= 17.8044340 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=}} ====Around the Must Musala bridge==== * {{eat | name= Grill Centar Mostar| alt= | url= | email= | address=BA, Braće Fejića | lat=43.3437842 | long= 17.8124626 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=}} * {{eat | name=Ćevabdžinica kod Bahre | alt= | url= | email= | address=Trg Musala | lat=43.3446478 | long= 17.8117752 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=}} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Roma | url= | email= | address=Stjepana Radića 21 | lat= | long= | directions=near Mercator shopping centre, not far from Zrinjski stadium | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-01 | content=Great pizza. }} * {{eat | name=Aleksa | alt=Club Aleksa | url= | email= | address=Ljubića 7 | lat= | long= | directions=in front of the hotel Bristol there is the little Ljubića Street, Aleksa is at the end of the street, on the left | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Restaurant and café with a terrace on the river. Is also the seat of Club Aleksa, in the name of the Mostarian poet. Local food and pleasant atmosphere. }} * {{eat | name=Dado | url= | email= | address=Trg 1. maja bb | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+387 36 552 043 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€9 for 3-course meal including wine | content=Delicious traditional Bosnian fare. }} * {{eat | name=Hindin Han | url= | email= | address=Jusovina bb | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+387 36 581 054 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Highly recommended, although service is slow. }} * {{eat | name=Kulluk | alt= | url=http://www.kulluk.ba/ | email= | address=Kurluk 1, with direct view on Stari Most | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+387 36 551 716 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-24 | content=Great view overlooking the Stari Most. }} * {{eat | name=Labirint | url=http://www.bristol.ba/labirint/home.html | email= | address=Kujundžiluk bb | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Great view overlooking the Stari Most. Part of Hotel Bristol. }} * {{eat | name=Nacionalni Restoran M&M | url=https://www.restoran-mm.com | email= | address=Mostarskog bataljona 11 | lat= | long= | directions=across the Hotel Bristol | phone=+387 36 558-900 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=5-20 KM | content=Decent mixed grill. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Veranda | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=In the Biosphere Shopping Centre | phone=+387 36 512 245 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== Plenty of bars and cafés in the Old Town. * {{drink | name=OKC Abrašević | alt=Omladinski kulturni centar "Abrašević" | url=http://www.okcabrasevic.org/ | email= | address=Alekse Šantića 25 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar with alternative concerts and other art events, founded on the former front line of the last civil war. There is a small book-exchange on the second storey. }} * {{drink | name=Ali Baba's Cave | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This bar has drinks and hookah; the ambiance is great as the lounge was built directly in a cavern. You won't be able to miss it while walking around the bazaar in Mostar's Old Town, as there is loud music emanating from the entrance. }} *{{drink | name=Black Dog Pub | url= | email= | address= Jusovina 5| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily, 16:00-midnight | price=Draught beer 3-5 KM | content=Fantastic pub with a great atmosphere and lots of locals, tucked away beside the Radobolja river. Charming building with a terrace and the odd live band playing. }} *{{drink | name=Studio Lounge | url= | email= | address=M. Balorde | lat= | long= | directions=Old town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An open-air bar on top of a high building with jazzy/world music and a great view over the town. Sometimes live bands; keep your eyes open for posters when walking in the Old town. }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=GuestHouse Taso | url=http://www.GuesthouseTaso.com/ | email= | address=M. TITA 187 | lat= | long= | directions=3-min walk from Old Town | phone=+387 61 523 149 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€11 dorm; €22 private double | checkin= | checkout= | content=Free Wi-Fi, tours around Mostar. Free pick up service 24 hr. }} * {{sleep | name=Hostel Golden Bridge | alt= | url= | email= | address=45 Mladena Balorde | lat= | long= | directions=From bus/train station intersection, turn left 300 m down Mladena | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Dorms €7-9 | lastedit=2017-09-22 | content=Small hostel with a family atmosphere, staffed by the outrageous Stephan, kitchen, parking, Wifi. Thoroughly recommended. }} * {{sleep | name=Hostel Majda's Rooms |alt=| url=https://www.facebook.com/HostelMajdasMostar/ | email=majdasofra@yahoo.com | address=Pere Lažetića 9 | lat= | long= | directions=5-minute walk from the bus station | phone=+387 61 382940, +387 61 382941 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | hours= | price=Dorm bed: €10 |lastedit=2016-09-08| content=This is the first hostel in Mostar. The owner, Majda, is very friendly and will bend over backwards to accommodate you, suggest restaurants, bars, sights and day trips. Free internet, TV, kitchen, linen. Homecooked breakfast and coffee for free every morning. A city tour is offered. }} * {{sleep | name=Hostel Miturno | url= | email= | address=Braće Fejića 67 | lat= | long= | directions=situated on the left bank of river Neretva, 50 m away from the fruit market overlooking the Old Bridge | phone=+387 61 209 388 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€11 dorm; €20 private | checkin= | checkout= | content=Cool clean hostel in the Old town. Free Wi-Fi, staff speaks very good English. }} * {{sleep | name=Zdrava Hrana | url=http://www.zdrava-hrana.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near the center | phone=+387 61 628 933, +387 61 272 525 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Dorm bed: €10; Single: 30 KM; Double: 50 KM | checkin= | checkout= | content=Apartment and hostel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hostel Nina | url=http://www.hostelnina.ba/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=close to the old city, 200&nbsp;m away from the Old Bridge | phone=+387 61 382 743 or +387 61 817 196 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€10-15 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Clean hostel in the Old town. Free internet, staff speak very good English. Free pick up from the bus/train station can be arranged. In their own bar on the Old bridge you can taste local drinks for local prices; first round is always on the house if you are a guest of the hostel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hostel Bojo, bed & breakfast | alt= | url=http://www.cheaphostelmostar.com/ | email=hostelbojo@gmail.com | address=Braće Šehovića 11 | lat=43.3305 | long=17.8165 | directions=close to the Old Town area, 500&nbsp;m away, on right bank from the river in area called Donja Mahala | phone=+387 61 218 311 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=€11 | content=In the pedestrian zone of Mostar centre, about 500&nbsp; m from the Old Town, Hostel Bojo offers air-conditioned rooms with lockers for each bed, free Wi-Fi and free breakfast. Guests can use the shared garden's seating area with free barbecue facilities. Has a common room with cable TV, and guests are welcome to use a shared fully equipped kitchen with dining area. A shared bathroom with shower and hairdryers are available. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Bevanda | alt= | url=http://bevanda.ba/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=at Balinovac | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= Mostar's only luxurious four-star hotel. It's in a quiet area with beautiful nature and a river running under hotel, yet it's not more than 15 minutes walk from the historical centre of the city. The hotel has a capacity of 28 rooms and two luxurious apartments. All rooms have access to a mini bar, Pay TV, internet adapter and balcony. There are both rooms for smokers and non-smokers. Here you will find a big restaurant, café, and a huge terrace outside lying on the river Radobolja. Also a hotel garage as well as outside parking are available. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Bristol | url=https://www.bristol.ba | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=right side of the Musala bridge | phone=+387 36 500-100 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= 45 rooms, a restaurant, and two conference rooms. The rooms have air-conditioning, telephone, new bathrooms and satellite TV. The restaurant has a capacity of 150 seats inside and outside. The Musala square across Neretva and Korzo Street in front of the hotel are two of the most frequented places in the city, which gives this hotel something extra. }} * {{sleep | name=Biba | alt=Mostar Old Bridge View Villas | url=https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Hotel/Apartments-Old-Bridge-Mostar-627812010671463/ | email= | address=Ismeta Pihe Krese 11 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+387 62 688 624 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Three furnished two bedroom apartments with terraces on Neretva River directly over looking the Mostar Old Bridge. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Deny Mostar | url=http://www.mdmostar.com/ | email= | address=Kapetanovina 1 | lat= | long= | directions=In a centre of the Old town just 50 m from the Old bridge | phone=+387 36 578-317 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=11:30 | content=10 rooms with air-con, cable TV, bathroom with shower, balcony with a view on the Old town and Old bridge, restaurant closed type, parking and internet wireless connection which is free of charge for guests. }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Demadino | url=https://m.facebook.com/MotelDemadino | email= | address=Muje Bjelavca 5 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+387 63 170 582 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€48 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Spotlessly clean. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Emen | url=http://www.motel-emen.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Old Town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=6 rooms. Free internet. }} * {{sleep | name=Oscar Pansion Summer Garden | url= | email= | address=Onešćukova 33 | lat= | long= | directions=10&nbsp;m from the bridge | phone=+387 61 823 649 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= Rooms are very clean, with television and air-conditioning and the price is surprisingly low. }} * {{sleep | name=Pansion Anja Mostar | url=http://www.pansion-anja.com/de | email= | address=Gojka Vukovića 102c | lat= | long= | directions=2 min from bridge on major road | phone=+387 62 339 318 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€15 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Rooms are quiet and spacious, equipped with TV and balcony. Bathroom spotless, owner Marijana friendly and with good English. }} * {{sleep | name=Shangri-La Bed and Breakfast | url=http://www.shangrila.com.ba/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near the Old Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=All rooms with TV, internet, air-con, bath. Parking provided. }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Sann | url=http://www.villasann.com/ | email= | address=Lacina 14 | lat= | long= | directions=2 minute walk from the main east Mostar bus stop. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= The Old Bridge is just 10 minutes by walking. Private parking for guests at a fee. }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Sara | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sasarogina br. 4 | lat= | long= | directions=From the station head to the bridge and turn left just before reaching it; continue for about 3 min down the street | phone=+387 36 55 59 40 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Dorm bed: €10; double: €25 | content=Nice location, decent beds. Rooms on the second floor have the quickest access to the terrace with a view of the city and the hills. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Pellegrino | alt= | url=https://pellegrino.ba | email= | address=Braće Fejića 1 | lat= | long= | directions=10 minutes walking from the Old Bridge | phone=+387 62 969000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=€68 | content=More of an apartment complex than a hotel. Excellent breakfast. }} ==Go next== [[Image:Pocitelj Castle.JPG|thumb|Ancient Stjepan-grad fort (Počitelj in Čapljina) near Mostar]] ===Day trips=== Many of these areas are hard to reach with public transport; however, transfers with bigger taxi companies are cheap (somewhat controlled) and several agencies such as [http://www.herzegdaytours.com/ Herzeg Day Tours] offer guided tours. * {{marker|type=vicinity|wikidata=Q994359|name=Počitelj}} - a well-preserved walled town (municipality of [[Čapljina]]) dating back to 1383 that is 35&nbsp;km south of Mostar. It is reachable by public transport by taking yellow bus #41 towards Čapljina for around 30 minutes. Excellent view of the Neretva River. During the Middle Ages, Počitelj was the administrative centre and centre of governance of county Dubrava župa. The town has a few small restaurants, coffee shops and street vendors selling local grown fruits and souvenirs most of the year. *{{marker|type=vicinity|wikidata=Q1277723|name=Blagaj}} - a village 12&nbsp;km southeast of Mostar. It is reachable by public bus 10/11/12 in 20-25 minutes (2.1 KM, stops in Španski trg in front of the Gimnazija). The bus may leave from the road opposite the main station, not the bus station itself. At Blagaj, a karst river flows out of a mountain. It's very beautiful, with deep blue water. A historic tekke is built into the cliff. Women must wear headscarves to enter the tekke. Trout are farmed in the river, and several excellent restaurants serve trout with seating on the riverbank. There is an impressive ancient fort with amazing views on top of the mountain. Follow the road past the village's old town and then ask where the trail starts, or just follow the road (keep right) to where the road swerves left (you'll see several ancient gravestones) and you'll find the path on your right. The trail is about 2&nbsp;km. There are numerous campsites in Blagaj directly adjacent to the Buna river. Velagićevina (the Velagić family House) was built in 17th century and is a beautiful example of the Ottoman residential architecture, a one-storey structure with typically extended porches. In the vicinity there are also old flour mills that were powered by the strong Buna River. There are two guesthouses including [http://www.velagomed.ba/ Ottoman Villa Velagomed Hotel] {{dead link|December 2020}}. * {{marker|type=vicinity|wikidata=Q94950|name=[[Međugorje]]}}, 25&nbsp;km from Mostar, is exceptionally popular among catholic pilgrims due to an alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to youths in the town. Buses depart from the bus station every few hours. * {{marker|type=vicinity|wikidata=Q1026587|name=Stolac}} - an old Ottoman town with the medieval cemetery of '''Radimlja''' (Nekropola Radimlja), the Illyrian site of '''Daorson''' and the palaeolithic cave painting at the '''Badanj Cave''' (Pećina Badanj). * {{marker|type=vicinity|wikidata=Q37472|name=Kravica}} Waterfall gorge, 25 km north of Mostar, is popular for outdoor sports such as biking, hiking, canyoning and climbing. The Drežanka River is a tributary of the Neretva, and the two rivers join in an artificial hydropower lake. Take a bus in the direction of Drežnica; there are buses which go to the end of the gorge, Gornja Drežnica. Or take the train in the direction of Sarajevo and get off at train stop Drežnica, approx. 30 min. There are several camp sites and basic accommodation, although you will need your own sporting equipment. ===Further destinations=== * [[Ploče]], [[Croatia]] - is the nearest seaside town to Mostar, and is easily accessible with numerous daily buses and weekend trains in summer. Beaches are nicest for swimming north of the city, especially further on Baćina lakes and on east at delta of Neretva river. * [[Čapljina]] - is closest town between Mostar and [[Metkovića]] first town across border to Croatia, known for old town Počitelj and Mogorjelo with Roman archeological site (villa rustica). * [[Međugorje]] - as international pilgrimage for Roman-catholics from all over the world * [[Jablanica]] - town between Mostar and [[Konjic]], home to Dugopolje necropolis and bridge monument from WW2. * [[Sarajevo]] - as main and biggest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina {{geo|43.3333|17.8000}} {{isPartOf|Herzegovina}} {{usablecity}} {{related|UNESCO World Heritage List}} 5q95xxfl10mq076l3wbek3d7m7m557j 0 23443 4506309 4501686 2022-08-22T16:39:48Z V.P.knocker 2275084 No edit summary wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mumbai banner Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.jpg|dotm=yes}} {{redirect|Bombay}} {{printDistricts}} '''Mumbai''' ([[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]]: मुंबई, [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]: मुम्बई) ([http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/ state tourism office]), a cosmopolitan metropolis, earlier known as '''Bombay''', is the largest city in [[India]] and the capital of the state [[Maharashtra]]. Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven islands on the [[Konkan]] coastline which over time were joined to form the island city of Bombay. The island was in turn joined with the neighbouring island of Salsette to form ''Greater Bombay''. The city has an estimated metropolitan population of 21 million (2011), making it one of the world's most populous cities. Mumbai is undoubtedly the commercial capital of India and is one of the predominant port cities in the country. Mumbai's nature as the most eclectic and cosmopolitan Indian city is symbolised in the presence of ''[[Bollywood]]'' within the city, the centre of the globally-influential Hindi film and TV industries. It is also home to India's largest slum population and the iconic Gateway of India built on the waterfront of Mumbai Harbour during the British Raj. The name Bombay comes from Bom Bahia ("the good bay" in Portuguese), a name given by explorer Francis Almeida. Mumbai is named after goddess Mumba devi of the Koli community. ==Districts== {{mapshapes|Q3273422}} <!-- Local --> {{mapshapes|Q3530568}} <!-- Monorail --> {{mapshapes|Q646414}} <!-- Metro --> {{Regionlist | regionmap=Mumbai travel map.svg | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Mumbai/South|South Mumbai]] | region1color=#4F93C0 | region1items=Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, Marine Lines, Tardeo | region1description= The oldest areas of Mumbai, and is considered the heart of this commercial capital of India. The richest neighbourhoods in the country are here, which command among the highest property rates in the world. Real estate prices in South Mumbai are comparable to those in Manhattan. This is the primary tourist area of Mumbai and home to most of city’s museums, art galleries, bars, upscale restaurants and the Gateway of India. | region2name=[[Mumbai/South Central|South Central Mumbai]] | region2color=#71B37B | region2items=Byculla, Parel, Worli, Prabhadevi, Dadar | region2description=Used to be Mumbai's industrial heartland, but went into decline when the industries did. Now this area has been revamped into a white-collar office location. Home to Mumbai's only zoo, the Worli sea face, and the temple to what people consider the city's guardian deity. As you move north, it changes into a nice middle-class locality. | region3name=[[Mumbai/North Central|North Central Mumbai]] | region3color=#D56D76 | region3items=Dharavi, Matunga, Vadala, Sion, Mahim | region3description=Primarily an upper middle-class area, except for Dharavi, which contains [[Asia| Asia's]] second largest slum. This area developed immediately after India's independence, because of a wave of immigration. Part of the migrants were refugees from the partition. | region4name=[[Mumbai/Western Suburbs|West Mumbai]] | region4color=#AC5C91 | region4items=Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Juhu, Vile Parle, Andheri, Versova | region4description=Is home to those who want to have a more peaceful surrounding. It has few beaches. Home to a large Christian community and the city's most famous church. This is also where the city's domestic and international airports are. | region5name=[[Mumbai/Central Suburbs|East Mumbai (Central Suburbs)]] | region5color=#B383B3 | region5items=Kurla, Vidyavihar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjur Marg, Bhandup, Mulund, Powai, Thane, Bhiwandi, Dombivli, Kalyan | region5description=This is a middle class bastion. Mulund and Ghatkopar are home to predominantly middle and upper middle class populace, many from the entrepreneurial Gujarati community. Thane was inhabited with people of the Agri and Koli communities, and their villages still exist today as "Chendani Koliwada", "Kopari Goan", and "Uthalsar". It also includes Majiwade, Balkum, Dhokali, Kolshet, Wadavli, and others. In 1825, when the British explored their newly annexed territories in Bassein, they discovered that Thane was inhabited primarily by Roman Catholics, who are both native and Portuguese, and that the latter was virtually indistinguishable[citation needed] from the former in skin color and custom. The local villagers, like Kolis (fishermen), are converted into indigenous Catholics mostly from villages of Chendani, Koliwada, and Majiwada. The Agri and Koli community people had their own culture.[citation needed] Some of the upper class East Indian families in the Khatri ward of Thane still speak Portuguese. | region6name=[[Mumbai/Harbour suburbs|Harbour Suburbs]] | region6color=#D5DC76 | region6items=Chembur, Mankhurd, Govandi, Trombay | region6description=Before the development of [[Navi Mumbai]] as a satellite town of Bombay, this area used to be known only for the existence of an atomic research centre. Now this is known for being on the way to Navi Mumbai. | region7name=[[Mumbai/Northwest|North Mumbai]] | region7color=#B5D29F | region7items=Manori, Jogeshwari, Borivali, Gorai, Dahisar | region7description=Has some beaches that are not dirty. Other than this, it is just another victim of Bombay's vast urban sprawl. Contains the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Mumbai's oldest heritage sites: the Kanheri, Mahakali, Jogeshwari, and Mandapeshwar rock-cut temples dating from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. The Global Vipassana Pagoda is a notable monument in Gorai. The pagoda is claimed to serve as a monument of peace and harmony. This monument was inaugurated by Pratibha Patil, the President of India in 2009. It is in the north of Mumbai in an area called Gorai and is built on donated land on a peninsula between Gorai creek and the Arabian Sea. Essel world, India's largest amusement park is also found on the Gorai island, beside the global vipassana pagoda. }} {{infobox|Western and Central, East and West|A visitor to Mumbai's suburbs will quickly learn that the suburbs are divided into "Western" and "Central". You will also hear of a "West" side and an "East" side. Here is a quick explanation for the confused. * The Western and Central suburbs are named after the local railway lines that serve the respective areas. The Western and Central Railways are rail lines that serve the western and central parts of ''India''. Both have their headquarters in Mumbai. The Harbour Line is a feeder line that connects the harbour areas to the Central and Western lines. It also provides connectivity to the Northeastern suburbs of Mumbai and onwards to [[Navi Mumbai]]. Most of these areas do not lie anywhere close to an harbour. * Almost all localities in Mumbai have a "West" side and an "East" side. "West" means west of the railway line and "East" means east of the railway line. For example, Mulund (West) means that the area is to the west of the Mulund railway station. In addresses, West and East are abbreviated, i.e. Mulund(W) and Mulund(E).}} Mumbai is a city built in successive waves of migrations. The neighbourhoods acquired their character from the communities that settled there first. These neighbourhoods are too numerous to list and there is no commonly accepted way to group these neighbourhoods into larger districts. But roughly, from the south to the north, this is how the city developed. ==Understand== [[File:Thane Creek and Elephanta Island 03-2016 - img14 Elephanta Caves.jpg|thumb|240px|Carvings at the [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]]] Mumbai is a bustling, diverse metropolis with a flair of its own. The entrepreneurial spirit and pulsing pace of life provides a sharp contrast to much of the rest of India. ===Name=== There has been much debate regarding the original name of the city. Some say the current name of the city Mumbai is the original name; and is an eponym derived from "Mumba", the name of the local Hindu goddess Mumbadevi, and "Aai", meaning "mother" in Marathi. Others claim Bombay was an anglicised version of Bom Bahia, a name given by the Portuguese to mean "Beautiful Bay" and later made popular by the British as the name of the Bombay state. The name was officially changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995. Although Bombay and Mumbai are both used, people who explicitly use "Bombay" are generally non-Marathi speakers whereas "Mumbai" proponents primarily speak Marathi. In the West, Mumbai has become more commonly accepted in order to avoid controversy. The city is also fondly called आमची मुंबई ("our Mumbai"). ===History=== Though the seven islands that now make up the city have a long recorded history like any other place in India, their journey to form the city of Mumbai really started in 1498, when the Portuguese took them over from the Sultan of Gujarat. They built a settlement, forts, and churches (including the strange looking Portuguese Church that stands to this day). However, they could not make much of their possession and the seven islands were handed over to England in 1661 as part of the dowry of Catherine de Braganza when she married Charles II of England. He wasn't very interested in the islands either, and he leased them to the British East India Company for £10 a year in 1668. The East India Company built the docks, the trading posts, and the fort that would form the nerve centre of the city. They also started off the long process of reclaiming land and joining the islands, an activity which went on until the 1960s. The port attracted industries, and the entrepreneurial communities like the Parsis, Gujaratis, and Marwaris (from Rajasthan) migrated and set up trading companies and factories in the late 19th century. Industries attracted migrant labor from different parts of the country. The successive waves of migration shaped the character of the city and its neighborhoods. The city that owes its existence to the efforts of the British was also the birthplace of the Indian National Congress, which played an overwhelmingly important role in the independence movement. The city whose mills were built by industrialists from across the country is the capital of Maharashtra state, which was carved on linguistic lines for [[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]] speakers. In the 1980s, high labour costs and unrest forced the closure of many textile mills and the city went into a decline from which it started recovering only in the late 1990s. The high population put a strain on the infrastructure. The rail and road network underwent a steady improvement over the 1990s, but because of the magnitude of the task, the roads seemed to be perennially under construction. Mumbai has now reinvented itself as a hub for the service industry. In January 1993, in the wake of the destruction of the Babri Mosque in [[Ayodhya]], a wave of riots swept the city, with over 1,000 people killed, the vast majority of whom were Muslims. Relations between the city's various ethnic groups have been tense ever since, with several terrorist outrages (see [[#Stay safe]]) adding fuel to the fire. ===Culture and attitudes=== Mumbai is the most cosmopolitan city in India. In comparison with the rest of the country, the city is quite liberal. With a regular influx of immigrants from rest of India, the citizens, popularly known as 'Mumbaikers', have shown remarkable tolerance towards other cultures, making it a true cultural melting pot. However this tolerance has sometimes bowed under external pressures. Between the 60s and 80s, there was resentment about the non-Marathi speakers taking away jobs. The 1991 and 1993 riots between Hindus and Muslims did affect this spirit; however, the city managed to recover from these, once again proudly highlighting true 'spirit of Mumbai'. ===Climate=== {{Climate|maxprecip=900 | units = Metric | janhigh = 31 | febhigh = 31 | marhigh = 33 | aprhigh = 33 | mayhigh = 33 | junhigh = 32 | julhigh = 30 | aughigh = 29 | sephigh = 30 | octhigh = 33 | novhigh = 33 | dechigh = 32 | janlow = 16 | feblow = 17 | marlow = 21 | aprlow = 24 | maylow = 26 | junlow = 26 | jullow = 25 | auglow = 25 | seplow = 24 | octlow = 23 | novlow = 21 | declow = 18 | janprecip = 1 | febprecip = 2 | marprecip = 0 | aprprecip = 1 | mayprecip = 13 | junprecip = 574 | julprecip = 868 | augprecip = 553 | sepprecip = 356 | octprecip = 78 | novprecip = 15 | decprecip = 3 | janh2o = | febh2o = | marh2o = | aprh2o = | mayh2o = | junh2o = | julh2o = | augh2o = | seph2o = | octh2o = | novh2o = | dech2o = | description = source [http://www.imdmumbai.gov.in/ Indian Meteorological Department] }} Mumbai has three main seasons — summer, monsoon, and winter (milder summer). The best time to visit is during the winter between October and February. Humidity is also less during the winter, when the climate is pleasant; the minimum temperature is 17°C and the maximum is 30-31°C. Summer is from March to May, with highs in the low to mid 30s (roughly 80-90°F). It is hot and humid during this time. June to September is the monsoon season when the city is lashed by heavy rains. The city gets flooded two or three times and normal life gets disrupted during this season. Climate is humid pretty much throughout the year because the city rests on the coast. ==Get in== ===By plane === Mumbai has excellent connectivity with most of the major cities around the world, including, New York, London, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur to name a few. If you are flying from Europe it is generally cheaper to fly from London, and there are many frequent flights available. All domestic sectors are linked to Mumbai, making it the second busiest hub in the country next to Delhi. [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 114 Airport international terminal interior.jpg|thumb| Interior of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (International Terminal)]] Mumbai's {{marker|type=go|name=[[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport]]|lat=19.099748|long=72.874990}} ({{IATA|BOM}}) is one of India's busiest airports and one of the main international gateways to the country. Many international airlines such as [https://www.aeroflot.com/ru-en Aeroflot], [http://www.airchina.com/index.shtml Air China], [https://www.airfrance.com/indexCom_en.html Air France], [https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/?type=e All Nippon Airways], [https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_in/ British Airways], [https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US.html Cathay Pacific], [https://www.delta.com/ Delta], [https://www.elal.com/en/USA/Pages/default.aspx El Al], [https://www.emirates.com/English/ Emirates], [https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/us Ethiopian Airlines], [https://www.flydubai.com/en/ flydubai], [https://www.klm.com/ KLM Royal Dutch], [https://www.koreanair.com/global/en.html Korean Air], [https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/us/en.html Malaysia Airlines], [https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/homepage Lufthansa], [https://www.qatarairways.com/en-us/homepage.html Qatar Airways], [https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/home#/book/bookflight Singapore Airlines], [https://www.swiss.com/us/en Swiss International Air Lines], [http://www.thaiair.com/ Thai Airways], [https://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], [https://www.united.com/en/us United], and [https://www.virginatlantic.com/us/en Virgin Atlantic] fly into Mumbai. Low-cost carriers such as [http://www.airasia.com Air Asia] also fly to the city. ===By boat === Many travel organizations offer cruises from Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai to Mumbai. Ferries from Ferry Wharf allow cheap access to islands and beaches in the vicinity of the city and the [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]. ===By train === : ''Wikivoyage has a guide to [[Rail travel in India]]'' {{infobox|Railways in India|The first commercial railway service began on 16th April 1853 at 3:35PM on its first run between VT (now the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and Thane.}} Trains arrive in Mumbai from all over India. The Central line serves connectivity to [[Southern India]], [[Eastern India]], and parts of North India. The key stations are {{marker|type=listing|name=Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, CST [CSTM] (formerly Victoria Terminus, known just as VT)|lat=18.9407 | long=72.8355}}, {{marker|type=listing|name=Dadar Terminus [DR] (for Central Line) and [DDR] (for Western Line)|lat=19.0187 | long=72.8433}}, and {{marker|type=listing|name=Lokmanya Tilak Terminus [LTT] (formerly called Kurla Terminus)| lat=19.0699 | long=72.8917}}. The Western line connects to the [[Western India|Western states]] of [[Gujarat]], [[Rajasthan]], and some parts of North India. The main termini are {{marker|type=listing|name=Mumbai Central [BCT]|lat=18.9700 | long=72.8194}} and {{marker|type=listing|name=Bandra Terminus [BDTS]|lat=19.0645 | long=72.8411}}. The [http://www.konkanrailway.com Konkan Railway] (which is a separately administered and newly built line) travels through the picturesque Konkan coast of Maharastra and is a good way to travel from [[Goa]] and [[Mangalore]], coastal resort areas to the South. The Dadar Terminus is the destination for the line. For trains to other Indian cities, the main reservation offices are at Churchgate, Mumbai Central, and Bandra on the Western line and CST and Dadar on Central line. There are special ticket windows and quotas for foreign tourists. For bookings and tariffs on train tickets to anywhere in India from Mumbai, visit [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ Indian railway's website]. To travel unlimited on the Mumbai you can use[https://www.irctchelp.in/2018/12/mumbai-local-train-tourist-ticket-pass.html Mumbai Local Tourist Ticket] provided by the Indian Railways. The [http://www.the-maharajas.com/ Maharajas' Express] is a luxury train that will take you to Delhi. ===By car=== National highway numbers 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 17, and the Mumbai-Pune expressway radiate from the city providing links to all parts of the country. The road conditions are generally better than in the rest of India. The comfortable airconditioned blue cabs are available to Pune and Ahmednagar-Nashik from opposite Asiad Bus Termina in Dadar and Lakhamsi Nappoo Rd near Dadar east railway station respectively. Distances from various cities to Mumbai are: * '''From other states''': [[Ahmedabad]] ({{km|524}}, 10 hr), [[Bangalore]] ({{km|982}}), [[Chennai]] ({{km|1334}}), [[Kochi]] ({{km|1427}}), [[Goa]] ({{km|583}}, 11 hr), [[Hyderabad]] ({{km|711}}, 14 hr), [[Mangalore]] ({{km|892}}), [[New Delhi]] ({{km|1402}}) * '''From Maharashtra State''': [[Amravati]] ({{km|669}}), [[Ahmednagar]] ({{km|254}}), [[Nagpur]] ({{km|824}}), [[Pune]] ({{km|151}}, 2½-3 hr) ===By bus=== Mumbai is well served by buses from destinations inside India. * '''Asiad Bus Service''' The bus terminal, popularly known as 'Asiad Bus Terminal' on Ambedkar Rd in Dadar east is another hub from where buses travel to Pune at regular frequency of 15 minutes to 1 hour. Buses vary in comfort from ordinary to luxury with airconditioning. Other routes available are Mumbai - Satara, Mumbai - Nasik. The easiest way to reach the terminal is to cross over using pedestrian foot bridge to Dadar East from the Dadar Terminus and walk straight all the way (less than 5 mins) to Ambedkar Rd. * '''Private Buses''' There also exist numerous private bus operators who operate a large number of services from/to Mumbai from most major cities like [[Udaipur]], [[Ajmer]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Vadodara]], [[Surat]], [[Indore]], [[Nashik]], [[Aurangabad]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Belgaum]], [[Hubli]], [[Bangalore]], [[Mangalore]], [[Trichur]] and [[Goa]]. For [[Pune]], buses depart every 10 minutes. Crawford Market, Dadar T.T., Sion, Chembur and Borivili are the main starting points. Some of the reliable private operators are - National,Neeta, Sharma, VRL, Konduskar, Dolphin, Paulo and Southern Travels. * {{listing | name=ST Buses | alt= MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2307 4272 (Mumbai Central), +91 22 2307 6622 (Mumbai Central), +91 22 2422 9905 (Parel), +91 22 2413 6835 (Dadar) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Operates services to Mumbai from various cities in Maharashtra. Mumbai Central is the most important Terminus in the city. All major cities in Maharashtra and nearby states are connected through Mumbai Central Terminus. The other important ST depots are at Parel, Nehru Nagar-Kurla, and Borivali. You can get buses for all over Maharashtra from these depots. But from Mumbai Central you would get buses any time as well as other State Transport buses. Quality varies. }} ==Get around== Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to and from their workplace due to the lack of parking spaces, traffic bottlenecks, and generally poor road conditions, especially in the monsoon. However, do ride in a taxi and auto at least once in the city. If you are not used to Indian roads, an auto-rickshaw ride can be a heart-stopping, death-defying, laws-of-physics-bending. Feel real adventure in a vehicle that feels like it might fall apart at a speed over {{convert|30|km/h}} with a driver who thinks he's Schumacher. For travelling using public transport, you can download the m-Indicator app for [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobond.mindicator Android] and [https://apps.apple.com/in/app/m-indicator/id593278253 iPhone]. It contains useful information about bus and train routes, which can help you plan your commute. * '''TMT''' (Thane Municipal Transport) operates services in the [[Thane]] city and areas around it. * The '''MSRTC''' (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation), commonly known as ST, operates services from selected points in the city to the extended suburbs. From Dadar, services to Navi Mumbai and Panvel and from Borivali to Thane being the most prominent. Numerous other important routes are also covered in the MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) by the MSRTC. * '''NMMT''' (Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport) operates services in Navi Mumbai Area, and a few points around. They also have services from Mulund in Greater Mumbai. * '''KDMT''' (Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Transport) operates in the Kalyan-Dombivali Area with a few connections to Navi Mumbai. Another option is to book bus tickets online from [http://www.redbus.in/ Redbus] or [https://www.myticketbuddy.com myticketbuddy], both of which have a choice of a number of large private bus operators all over India. ===By taxi=== ====Black & Yellow Top Taxi ==== Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Most taxis in Mumbai are small-medium sized Fiat cars (non air-conditioned), painted black-and-yellow (black on lower body and yellow on roof). The legal maximum limit on the number of passengers in a taxi is 4, excluding the driver. You can hail a cab off the streets. However, many are quite rickety, dirty, and carry mechanical fare meters that could be tampered at times. All taxis should have electronic meters which are somewhat tamper-proof. If you encounter a mechanical meter post that date, you can put up a complaint to the closest traffic police cop. Also, according to law, a black-and-yellow taxi driver cannot refuse a fare. If a driver does refuse, a threat to complain to the nearest cop usually does the trick. If you have extra pieces of luggage, the boot (trunk) of the taxi will not provide sufficient space - one large suitcase is all that will fit there. Hiring a taxi with a top carrier will be better. Top carriers can accommodate up to three large suitcases. Before starting the journey, ensure that the luggage is securely fastened to the carrier. Generally, the only way to call for the standard taxi is to hail one on the street. This will not be a problem if you are within downtown Mumbai (i.e. [[Mumbai/North Central|North Central Mumbai]] and below). If you are in the suburbs, it will be difficult to find a taxi as they have been out-competed by the cheaper auto-rickshaws. The maximum number of passengers allowed for a trip officially is four — three in the back seat and one in the front. Seat belts are not mandatory for taxi passengers and most standard black and yellow taxis will not even have them installed, though expect them in the branded ones. ====Blue & White Top Taxi ==== The Blue and White (B/W) Taxis are premium public Taxis which are the air-conditioned version of the Black and Yellow (B/Y) Taxis. All the rules of the B/Y taxis apply to the B/W taxis too, except that the B/W taxis are air-conditioned. Moreover the fare of the B/W taxis is 20% higher than the B/Y taxis. This is the premium expected for the air-conditioned, which is really helpful for tourists and travellers who are not accustomed to the heat and pollution of Mumbai. Moreover, all the B/W taxis ply with electronic meters, unlike the B/Y taxis. Since the fare of the B/W is at a premium, the common folks usually do not prefer to travel by the B/W taxis, and is primarily used by tourists or business travelers. For the lack of demand, the lack of supply is also expected. The taxis ply frequently, but are not easily available on all locations. You can always expect them to be available at tourist hot-spots like railway stations, airports, premium hotels, top tourist spots, etc. If you are not travelling through either of the above locations, and you need the air-conditioned comfort, but do not want to go look for a taxi, it is suggested that you move to the next section. ====Private taxis==== If you want a comfortable, air-conditioned ride at a small surcharge of 25 percent over normal taxis '''it's best to travel by branded cab services''' that operate at government-approved tariffs. These services operate modern fleets with well trained drivers. You can get them at 30–60 minutes notice, they are clean, air-conditioned, equipped with digital, tamper-proof meters, punctual, honest, and GPS-equipped-monitored, which makes them far secure at any time. If you're using a mobile phone, you receive an SMS with the driver's name, mobile number and car number 30 minutes before scheduled departure. There is a 25% night surcharge (midnight-5AM). Some can be booked online. Follow the queue system to board a taxi. Quite frequently, tourists and new visitors are mobbed by unscrupulous taxi drivers. Most drivers are honest, but the dishonest ones tend to cluster around railway stations and airports where they can more easily find suckers. Unless you are taking a prepaid taxi, always ask taxis to go by the meter. At the start of the journey, ensure that the meter is visible and shows the flag-down fare/meter reading. '''Transportation network taxis''' Mumbai is also served by various transportation network organisations. A lot of tourists and locals alike use services like Uber and Ola Cabs to commute in and around Mumbai. Make sure to read the tariffs in these before you pay. While most of these services do accept cash, a lot of them can also be linked to online wallet services like Paytm; as such, overcharging is rarely a risk. ==== Tourist traps ==== One of the common scams is to charge the night fare rate during daytime. You should be careful and read the heading before paying. In some cards, the night fare is red in color and the daytime fare is black in color. The night charges are only applicable if you board the vehicle during the night hours (midnight to 5 AM). If you had boarded the vehicle before midnight, and your journey is finishing after midnight, you are not liable to pay night charges. Similarly, if you board the vehicle before 5 AM and you finish after 5 AM, you are liable to pay night charges. Sometimes, auto-rickshaw drivers charge the taxi fare and even show you a tariff card which is used for taxi fare computation. You can download m-indicator app which is available in Play Store and iTunes App Store. This app carries latest taxi fares, auto fares, bus services details and local train time table. ===By auto-rickshaw=== Auto-rickshaws are only allowed to operate beyond Bandra in the western suburbs and beyond Sion in the central suburbs. They are not issued licenses in the downtown areas. Before departing, ensure that the meter is visible and shows the flag-down reading as 1.00 (on a mechanical meter). If the number is higher, insist that the driver flags it down once again. The minimum fare is ₹21. The meter remains at 1.00 for the first {{km|1.6}} and every 0.10 movement indicates approx 200 m (i.e. 1.50 for every {{km|0.2}}). Every auto driver is supposed to carry a valid RTO approved meter tariff card. You can check this tariff card before paying. The meter also keeps ticking if you are waiting and/or are stuck in traffic. It's quite handy to have a copy of the meter card issued by The Mumbai Traffic Police. All of this applies to mechanical meters, not digital meters. Newer digital meters have started becoming common from 2012 onwards, and they show the exact fare, so there is no need to convert via the tariff card. Auto-rickshaws are slower than cars and have terrible suspensions. Pregnant ladies are most ''strongly advised'' not to travel by auto-rickshaws since the combination of rash driving, poor suspensions, and horrible road conditions have quite often led to serious complications. The auto-rickshaw is a slow and uncomfortable vehicle and not recommended for very long distances. ===By bus=== The [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region]] around Mumbai is fast developing into a major conurbation. If you need to get to the surrounding cities of [[Thane]], [[Navi Mumbai]] or [[Kalyan]], bus services are available. '''[http://www.bestundertaking.com Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport]''' (known as '''BEST''') provides efficient and comprehensive services connecting up all places of the city and the suburbs. Some services also link the city with the extended suburbs like Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Mira-Bhayandar areas. Seats are almost always occupied. There are bus stops all over the city. There is usually a crowd and queue. You have to get in through the rear entrance and off at the front. Tickets are issued by a uniformed "conductor" after you get in. Special seats are marked for "Ladies", "Senior Citizens", "Handicapped", "Expectant Women", and "Women with infants". They can get in from the front. Buses run from 5AM to midnight. Selected routes run beyond these timings, but much less often. Average frequency between buses ranges from five to 30 min depending on the route. Fares are reasonable and buses can be travelled during peak hours, unlike trains which are far too crowded. Some trunk routes do get extremely crowded however. Peak hours also have traffic snarls which may depend on the area traversed and the state of the roads. {{infobox|What connects ''Electric supply'' and Transport?|BEST got into transport by starting a tram company. Now, of course, it runs buses that run on diesel & CNG, not electricity. The company is still in charge of electricity distribution for South and Central Mumbai.}} Buses are numbered and the final destination is marked on the front in Marathi and on the side in English. Generally, buses around the city and trunk routes would be in the 1-199 series. Buses in the western suburbs would be the 200 series while those plying in the central and eastern suburbs would be in the 300 and 400 series. Services to Navi, Mumbai are in the 500 series and buses to the Mira-Bhayander area are in the 700 series. BEST has introduced the "Daily Pass" (Cost ₹50, valid on all BEST non-AC buses; Cost ₹60, valid on all BEST buses, including Air-conditioned bus routes). BEST has launched its app "[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dimts.best.bestapplication BEST Prawas]" for Android, which contains features like live tracking of buses and ETA of buses. You can also purchase BEST bus tickets and passes using the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ridlr ridlr] app for Android. ===By train=== [[File:Mumbai Metropolitan Railway Schematic Map (simplified).svg|thumb|250px|Schematic map of Mumbai's suburban railway routes]] [[File:Rapid transit map of Mumbai.jpg|thumb|400x400px|Topological map of Mumbai's public transport system]] ====Suburban rail network==== Most people travel in Mumbai using the ''Suburban Rail Network'' commonly referred to as "Locals". Mumbai has an extensive network, with three lines — the Western Line, the Central Main Line, and the Harbour Line. *Mumbai is a linear city and the Western Line travels from Churchgate to Dahanu Road via Mumbai's Western Suburbs. The Western line provides North-South connectivity. *The Central Main Line travels from Mumbai CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), aka VT Victoria Terminus to [[Kalyan]] via Mumbai's Central Suburbs and [[Thane]], with some services running beyond to Karjat, Khopoli, and Kasara. The interchange point between the Western Line and the Central Line is Dadar. *The Harbour Line has a common stretch between Mumbai CST (aka VT Victoria Terminus) and Vadala. The harbour line splits into two spurs, the main one running to Mumbai's Eastern Suburbs and Navi Mumbai, up to Panvel. The Interchange point of this line with the Central Main Line is at Kurla. The other spur of the Harbour Line runs up to Mahim on the Western Line and runs parallel up to Andheri. The interchange stations with the Western line are Bandra and Andheri. Trains on all lines start operations after 4AM and close operations between midnight and 1AM. Second class travel is very cheap. However, it is advisable to buy first class tickets as the economy class is extremely crowded. First Class can be quite expensive and if four people are travelling together, a taxi might be better. There would always be queues and it would be advisable to buy coupon booklets. Coupon booklets punching machines are available at all stations and the best thing is you will not have to stand in a huge line to buy a booklet. Another option is to buy a Smart card for Railways. It helps you maintain balance like any a gift card with an option to refill it once it goes below the limit. Smart card outlets to buy tickets are available on all stations. They are touch screen based and you can simply follow the instructions to buy a ticket for the right path. If you are a tourist, you can buy a 'Tourist Ticket'. It costs ₹275 and you can travel in first class compartments of all the three lines during the entire day. Ensure the location of the first class compartment before the train arrives. You may ask fellow passengers or the vendors at the various food stalls. An easier way to spot the location of the First class compartment is to check the station walls painted with red and yellow slant stripes. Avoid using local trains during rush hour (first class or otherwise). Rush hour is 8:30–10:30AM towards CST and Churchgate and 5:30PM–8:30PM in the opposite direction. If you are traveling during rush hour, don't stand near railway track as you will get swamped by frantic. Take no offense if you are pushed and shoved about, as passengers jostle for a spot. As you near your exit station, ensure that you are as close as possible to the train door, as experienced commuters, will be begin the mad run to be first on, or off, the car before the car comes to a full stop. If you stand any chance of getting on/off before the train depart, you must be equally aggressive in your focus to exit/enter, remember no one will take offense if you make contact with others, as you wriggle by. Last, but not least, exiting/entering a train before it comes to a full stop is not something to be taken lightly, one misstep can send a person onto the rails with an amazing ease! Leave the stunts to the experienced locals. There are special coaches for women on both classes. These are designated by green and yellow slant stripes, spot these stripes on the station walls and you'll know where the ladies compartment is. These are generally less crowded and safer. But very late at night, it might actually be safer to travel by the general coach than the first-class women's coach, as the latter may be absolutely empty except for you. From 11:15PM-6:30PM the ladies compartment towards the northern end is open to general public. Sometimes they have a cop guarding the coaches, but sometimes they won't. Use your judgment. ====Mumbai Metro==== The Mumbai Metro connects the western suburbs to the eastern suburbs. Line 1 runs from Versova to Ghatkopar with interchange options available at Andheri (Western Line) And Ghatkopar (Central Line) Railway Station. The travel time is 20 minutes. You can purchase Mumbai Metro tickets from your smartphone using the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ridlr ridlr] app. ====Mumbai Monorail==== Mumbai has India's first monorail, it has one line and eighteen stations throughout the city. The fare is between ₹5 and ₹11 depends on your destination station. ===By ferry=== These are a few intra-city ferry services: * '''Gateway of India to [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]''' Fast boats and Catamarans operated by private operators. These are moderately priced. This is only way to get to [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]. * '''Gorai (Borivali) to Gorai Beach''' Low cost ferry connecting Gorai Beach/Esselworld. * '''Marve Jetty (Malad) to Manori Jetty''' Cheap ferry (by BEST) connecting Manori and Gorai. Also services for Esselworld (Amusement Park). * '''Versova (Andheri) to Madh Jetty''' Cheap ferry connecting Madh/Erangal/Aksa/Marve. ===By car=== Travel agents and hotels can arrange private chauffeur driven cars to provide services. Expensive by comparison with taxis, they are the most trusted, secure, and comfortable way to travel around the city. Driving in Mumbai can be difficult, because of poor driver discipline, but chauffeur driven services are very reasonable. These can be arranged by travel companies or online from the countries of origin. Car rental agencies also have services in Mumbai. ==Talk== Mumbai is India's melting pot — a confluence of people from various parts of India, but dominant are people from the west, then north, and followed by the south. '''[[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]]''' is the state and city official language used by State Government agencies, municipal authorities, and the local police, and also the first language of most locals. However, being one of India's largest cities and main commercial centre, Mumbai is now also home to migrants from other parts of India who do not speak Marathi. A local variant of '''[[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]''', with strong Bollywood influence, called Bambaiya Hindi serves as the "lingua franca" and although almost everyone can understand standard Hindi, you may get an interesting reply from some. Most educated locals will be well versed in Marathi, Hindi and English. English is widely used in the corporate world and in banking and trading. At most places, you will be able to get by with Hindi and English, as most people you will encounter can communicate in broken English at the very least. However expect to hear more regional languages including '''[[Gujarati]]'''. ==See== {{infobox|The game of names|The names of Mumbai's monuments tell us the story of which way political winds were blowing when they were built. In the late 19th century the British named everything after their Queen, so we had Victoria terminus, Victoria Gardens, and the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute (built in 1887 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty's coronation). In the early 20th century, they named everything after the Prince of Wales. After independence the colonial names could not be retained of course, so they were renamed. Depending on whether the city was suffering from bouts of nationalistic pride or Marathi pride at that time, they were named after either Jawaharlal Nehru (the first Prime Minister of India) or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (King Shivaji, who founded the Maratha Empire in the 17th century). Often, they were named after Shivaji's mother, Jijabai. The advantage of this was that using Veermata Jijabai ("Courageous mother Jijabai") for a place that was earlier named for Victoria maintains the same abbreviation, so "Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute" (formerly Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute) is still VJTI. For a traveller, the practical problem would be that many places have multiple names. Multiple places are named after Nehru, Shivaji, or Jijabai, so you need to be careful about specifying which place you need to get to. Few important names changes to remember are: * 'Victoria Terminus' is now 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus' * 'Jacob Circle' is now 'Saat Rasta' or 'Sant Gaadge Maharaj Chowk' * 'King's Circle' is now 'Maheshwari Udyyan' * 'Kurla Terminus' is now 'Lokmanya Tilak Terminus' }} There is a lot to see in Mumbai, but the typical "tourist" sights are concentrated in [[Mumbai/South|South Mumbai]]. By Indian standards, Mumbai is a young city and much of the land comprising the city did not exist until it was claimed from the sea over three centuries ago. It is therefore, a pleasant surprise to find rock cut caves such as the Elephanta, Kanheri, and Mahakali within city limits. ===Colonial buildings=== [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 40 Bombay High Court.jpg|thumb|Bombay High Court, a Victorian Gothic building]] The British built a magnificent city within the walls of Fort St. George, which lies at the southern extremity of the city. Some fine examples of the Gothic revival, Neo-classical style and Indo-Saracenic style are seen within this area. To get the best [South Mumbai] experience, stroll around the wide streets of the area right from Churchgate to Colaba. These areas are all beautifully planned and have wide and clean pavements unlike the rest of the city. Famous monuments to be seen in this area are the Gateway of India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) building, the Municipal Corporation and Police Headquarters and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sanghralaya (formerly, the Prince Of Wales museum). The famous Taj Mahal Hotel is opposite the Gateway of India. The Mumbai University buildings and the High Court are also excellent examples of colonial architecture in the city. There are a lot of other modern structures to look at in this area. The area known as Marine Drive (right from Chowpatty beach to NCPA) is home to a large number of buildings built in the Art Deco style. Mumbai is second only to Miami in the number of Art Deco buildings. some famous buildings in this style are the Eros and Regal cinemas. The Art Deco and Gothic buildings were added to the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]] in 2018. ===Museums and galleries=== [[File:Nehru Centre 11.jpg|250px|right|thumb|alt=Nehru Centre|Nehru Science Centre]] Some of the India's most famous museums and art galleries are found here. The Kala Ghoda area in South Mumbai teems with them, particularly the [http://www.csmvs.in/ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya] (Prince of Wales Museum), and the [http://ngmaindia.gov.in/ngma_mumbai.asp National Gallery of Modern Art]. Once again, most of them are concentrated in South Mumbai. Also worth planning a visit is Jehangir Art Gallery, also at Kala Ghoda, displays changing exhibits by notable artists. The plaza next to the gallery also regularly displays exhibits of various artists. In Nehru Complex in Worli is Nehru Centre Art Gallery at Worli is a gallery dedicated to young and promising talent along with established artists. Also within the complex is a permanent exposition, Discovery of India, which attempts to cover every aspect of artistic, intellectual and philosophical attainment of India through ages. The exposition spreads across 14 galleries and reflects true identity of the country. On the other end of the complex, Nehru Science Centre - which has a separate entrance from Mahalaxmi race course road, has a permanent exhibition on 'interactive and exciting' science related exhibits highlighting science principles in fun yet educational way. ===Beaches=== Mumbai isn't known for beaches because they have immensely filthy water! Mumbai has a few beaches, including one in the downtown area. But they aren't that great and the water off Mumbai's coast is extraordinarily dirty. The relatively better ones are in the [[Mumbai/Northwest|Northwest Mumbai]] area. However, they are a great place to see how the locals spend their Sunday evenings, with various food and game stalls. There are other beaches to be found such as the Girgaon Chowpatty (the cleanest one) in South Mumbai, Juhu beach in the western suburbs and Aksa Beach in Malad. The currents don't seem strong, but particularly in the rains, lots of people die from drowning, so avoid getting in the water (especially at Aksa Beach). A word of advice to women: Mumbai beaches are not the kind you can wear swimsuits to, particularly two-pieces. [[File:Faluda at Juhu Beach, Mumbai.jpg|thumbnail|Faludha stall at Juhu beach, Mumbai]] ===Zoos, parks and gardens=== Mumbai has a justified reputation as a concrete jungle, but there are some nice pockets of greenery within the city. It is also one of the rare metropolises to have an entire national park within its borders. (Borivali national park also known as [http://www.borivlinationalpark.com/ Sanjay Gandhi National Park]). You will not visit Mumbai for them, but if you are already here, they make a nice escape from the din and bustle. It also houses the ancient Kanheri Caves crafted out of rocky cliffs, which dates back 2,400 years. The city zoo (Veermata Jijabai Udyan) is in Byculla and is a colonial relic which is surprisingly well-preserved. The animals may look rather emaciated, but the sheer diversity of trees on this lush zoo is worth a trip. Some city parks are very well-maintained and combine history as well. The "Hanging Gardens" on Malabar Hill offers stunning vistas of the Marine Drive. Opposite the Hanging Gardens, there is another park which is known as Kamla Nehru Park, famous for the striking shoe-shaped structure which has been filmed in various Bollywood movies Further in South Mumbai, the Mumbai Port Trust Garden, is another hidden gem. This is set off a small side street off the Colaba Causeway {{km|2–3}} south of the main section. Attractive views of the port, the naval yards and sunset. In central Mumbai, there are the Five Gardens. Mainly used by walkers in the morning, it is a mess in the evenings. But the gardens encircle some historic, art deco residences. ===Markets and crowds=== Mumbai is probably worth visiting just for its street markets, the hustle of vendors, and the madness of the crowds. Good places are Bandra, Khar and Andheri. If you came to Mumbai and didn't give visit to the highly dense and crowded markets, it means you didn't meet the real Mumbai. Hawkers and street shoppers don't ask for any legal permission and then set their stalls at the places where they see maximum footfall. From electronics items to fresh food, you can get everything at railway platforms, subway and mains streets. ===Modern buildings and malls=== Once the British left, the zeal to wipe away the traces of colonial rule was, unfortunately, not matched by the enthusiasm to build a new city that matched the grandeur of the British-era buildings. Now, while the shabbiness of the socialist era is thankfully being replaced by architecture with an eye on aesthetics, the new malls, multiplexes, and office buildings that are coming up are indistinguishable from those anywhere else in the world. Still, they are worth a look, especially if you want to have a look at India's success story. Skyscrapers exceeding 60 stories now dominate the skyline. For long, Inorbit Mall was the only mall offering a lot of variety for shoppers. Palladium, built within the High Street Phoenix, broke the monopoly of Inorbit Mall. From state of the art interiors to international brands, the Palladium has everything. The new Infiniti Mall (Infinity 2) in Malad also has lots of foreign brands and is one of the biggest malls in the suburbs. Nirmal Lifestyles Mall in Mulund and Metro Junction Mall in Kalyan are two of the largest malls in Mumbai. In the central suburbs, they are quite popular in the city. Powai is a modern central Mumbai suburb with European looks. Powai houses the Indian Institute of Technology and is built around fabulous lake. Most of the construction is in a township format and is privately built. It houses twenty top of the line restaurants, two large convenience stores, a handful of coffee shops and entertainment areas. Initially built as an upmarket self-contained township, Powai has now grown into a business process outsourcing hub in Mumbai. The township reflects both characteristics; you will often find families shopping and twenty somethings hanging out in tables next to each other. ===Religious places=== Mumbai has temples, mosques, churches, Parsi agiaries, and even a few synagogues reflecting the diversity of its citizens. While these are naturally of interest if you are a believer, some, like the Portuguese church at Dadar are worth visiting just for their unique architecture. Siddhivinayak temple of Mumbai is very famous. It is in Dadar and you can easily get a taxi to go to the temple from the Dadar railway station. The city also boasts of Jewish places of worship predominantly in the area called Byculla, but also in South Mumbai. In this area the three prominent Jewish groups of Mumbai lived. They were Baghdadi Jews, Bene Israelis and the locals who had converted over a period of time and lived in the hinterland. There are two very beautiful Hare Krishna (ISKCON) temples that are significant tourist attractions. One is in Hare Krishna land, Juhu, Andheri and the other in South Mumbai, near Gandhi's house. Both have Govinda's pure vegetarian restaurants at the premises. Most tourists appreciate the peaceful experience in the temple. The Islamic Research Foundation of Zakir Naik is in South Central Mumbai near Dongri. Is popular with people of all faiths. It hosts a vast library of books from all world religions and is a great place to hangout and know about Islamic culture. Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most visited places in Mumbai. The Dargah Sharief is built on a tiny islet 500 metres from the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, in the vicinity of Worli. People from different religion and places visit this places. More than 80,000 people visit dargah every week. One notable monument in the northwest suburbs of Mumbai is the [http://www.globalpagoda.org Global Vipassana Pagoda], Gorai, Mumbai. It is a meditation centre that can seat 8,000 people. Vipassana literally means mediation, and the centre runs 10-day meditation courses and 1 day mega courses on Sundays. The courses are free of cost but you would have to register for them in advance on their website. ==Do== There is a lot to do in Mumbai, but lack of space means that for outdoorsy activities, you need to head north, often outside city limits. In the Northwestern suburbs and Thane, you will find opportunities for water sports like [http://www.drishtiadventures.com/ H2O] at Girgaum Chowpatty. There are two golf courses in the city, the more famous one in [http://www.bpgc-golf.com/home.htm Chembur] in the Harbour suburbs. Mumbai has a vibrant theatre scene with plays in many languages including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi. While South Mumbai has frequent performances, the best organised theatre effort is at Prithvi theatre, Juhu in the Western Suburbs. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy [[Indian classical music]] and dance. While not a patch on the ''Sabhas'' of Chennai, you will find frequent performances of Carnatic music in Shanmukhananda Hall, Matunga in the South Central suburbs. Mumbai is also usually the first stop for Western pop and rock stars visiting India, which they usually do when they are over 50. The Rock scene is very good in Mumbai. These are very safe to go to and are recommended for rock fans. Most bands cover heavy metal acts like Pantera, Six feet under, and Slipknot. To try to find places with specific music tastes try asking students outside Mumbai's colleges. Western classical music performances are rarer. However most classical music performances along with other art forms are regularly performed at [http://www.ncpamumbai.com/ NCPA] and [http://ncpamumbai.com/venue/tata-theatre Tata Theatre], both next to the narrow strip at Nariman Point. * '''Sanjay Gandhi National Park''' (previously named Borivili National Park), or go for Flamingo watching in Chembur (check with Bombay Natural History Society for further info). * '''Chowpati Jayenge Bhel Puri Khayenge'''; as it says in the lyrics of one of the Bollywood movie song, go to beaches (specially in the evenings) and enjoy local favourite 'Bhel Puri' while the sun sets in the Arabian sea. * '''Take a harbour cruise'''; cruises from Gateway of India leave every 30 min daily except during the monsoon season (Jun-Sep). * '''Dabba wallahs''' are a group of couriers in Mumbai who move two million household lunchboxes every day in a complicated system of delivery. * '''Enjoy theatre & performances'''; Mumbai offers unlimited opportunities to theatre lovers and there are regular shows in theatres across the city. Check newspapers on latest shows as well as performances at prominent halls such as Prithvi Theatre, NCPA, Tata Theatre. * '''Experience Bollywood'''; plan a trip to Film City in Goregaon and enjoy the first hand experience of Bollywood shooting * '''Get crowded''', and try catching suburban trains at peak times. You are warned though. * {{do | name=Join for heritage walks | alt= | url=http://www.bombayheritagewalks.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=organised by two architects, these walks take you around various historic and architecturally significant areas of the city. Walks are organised on the third Sunday of every month (with a break from June through August for the monsoons) and the route varies each time. The walks last around 2 hours. Discounted rates for students and the physically challenged. }} * '''Poonawallas Breeders Multimillion'''; on the last Sunday of February, the glitterati of Mumbai dress up for the Ascot of Mumbai at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. With High Tea, amazing hats, and hundreds of ordinary punters staking their little all on the outside chance, this is the event to attend in Mumbai so try to cage a ticket if you happen to visit around then. * '''Pub Hopping''', The number and variety of Pubs in the city allow for an enthralling Pub Hopping opportunity. * '''Taj private yacht'''; if you can afford it, rent the Taj's private yacht (has two sun decks and three bedrooms) for a cruise around the Mumbai harbour. * '''Take A Dip at Water World''' * '''Take a morning walk on Juhu beach''' [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 52 Dharavi near Mahim Junction.jpg|thumb|Mumbai slums]] * '''Temples'''; there are so many religious places around in the city (both old and new) that one can plan a day long itinerary on that. Start with Mahalkshmi Temple, Banganga Temple, Siddhi Vinayak, Afghan Church, Mahim Church, Haji Ali... the list will get really long. * '''Visit Essel World''' * '''Visit museums and art galleries''' [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 46 evening at Marine Drive.jpg|thumb|Marine Drive]] * '''Walk along Marine Drive'''; also known as ''Queen's Necklace'', this beachside promenade is worth a ride. A walk can be planned from Girgaon Chowpati (Girgaon beach) all the way up to Nariman Point. Be careful and avoid this area during heavy rains. * '''Watch a Movie'''; you are in the land of Bollywood. Expect whistles and clapping by crowd in admiration of their celebrities on the screen, except at multiplexes as this occurs at single-screen movie theatres. Most of the cinema halls run both 'popular and new' Bollywood as well as Hollywood movies and some even screen ones in regional languages. Some of the popular Hollywood screening cinema halls in South Mumbai are Eros opposite Churchgate, Metro on M.G.Road, Regal in Colaba, Sterling next to CST Station, and New Excelsior in Fort. With the rise of malls and multiplexes, the nearest cinema is unlikely to be more than a stone's throw away, even in the suburbs. Check out newspaper listing to get the list of latest screenings. * '''Watch Cricket for Free'''; cricket has a national games stature in India, and Mumbaiites revere that every day of the year. Azad Maidan (Azad ground) near C.S.T. Railway station, ground opposite to Ruia College in Matunga and Shivaji Park in Dadar west are some of the best places to witness the cricket fever for free. You may be even lucky to witness ongoing game of cricket on some of the empty streets of Mumbai. ===Festivals=== While many religious festivals are celebrated by people in Mumbai, a few of these are essentially public and social occasions, where the traveller can participate. ==== Organised festivals and events ==== * {{do | name=Banganga Festival | alt= | url=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=(Jan) The musical festival is organised by Maharashtra Tourism (MTDC) annually at Banganga Tank on Malabar Hill. }} * {{do | name=Elephanta Festival | alt= | url=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=(March) Organised by Maharashtra Tourism, the festival of music and dance at [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]] has in the past festivals have seen performances by renowned artists like Alarmel Valli, Sanjeev Abhyankar, and Ananda Shankar and traditional Koli dances as well as traditional food. 7PM-10PM (Ferries start at 4PM) }} * {{do | name=Kala Ghoda Festival | alt= | url=http://www.kalaghodaassociation.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The arts and crafts festival is held in the last week of Jan or first week of Feb annually in the historic precinct of Kala ghoda in Mumbai. }} * '''Mumbai Festival''' (Jan) Sample the vibrant culture of the city. The festival covers theater, sports, fashion, food, and shopping. * '''Mumbai Wine Fest''' (Feb) Wine connoisseurs of the city gather to sample wines, enjoy the culinary delights while soaking in the cultural extravaganza put up at Kala Ghoda. ====Religious festivals==== *'''Christmas''' (Dec) This is characterised by midnight (nowadays held around 8-9PM on Christmas Eve due to restrictions on loud speakers) masses in churches and is usually followed by a number of private parties all across the city. * '''Diwali''' (Oct/Nov) Festival of Lights. Start of New Year and opening of new accounts. Worshiping of Goddess Laxmi. Participate in the fireworks and view the bright lights. * '''Ganesh Chaturthi''' (Aug/Sep) is one of Mumbai's most important and colorful festivals. During the 10 day celebration, Lord Ganesh is worshiped in millions of homes. See the colourful processions and participate in them, the biggest of which is on the last day of the celebrations where the largest idol is brought to Chowpatty for immersion in the wee-small hours of the morning and can vary depending on the crowd and pace of travel from Lal Bagh to the beach. The Lalbaug, Parel, Matunga and Dadar areas represent some of the best large scale decorations. On the last day of the festival, processions are carried out to bid bye to the loved deity in the sea. These presentations are colourful and carry a celebration fever. The best places to watch them are Girgaon and Dadar chowpati (beach) or the main roads such as Ambedkar road from where the processions are carried out. * '''Janmashtami''' (Jul/Aug) Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna. Earthen pots full of curd are strung high up across the streets. Young men stand on top of one another to form a human pyramid and attempt to break the pots. * '''Mt. Mary's Feast''' (Sep) The feast in honor of Our Lady of the Mount is celebrated with great solemnity at St. Mary's Church, Bandra. A week long Bandra fair is held during this time attracting huge crowds. * '''Navratri''' (Sep/Oct) is a 10 day festival, where nine of the nights are spent in worship and entire Mumbai swings to the rhythm of Garba and Raas dances of Gujarati community. * '''Ramadan-Eid''' Muslim festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Marked by feasting at many places. Non-Muslims can also join in. ===Sports=== Mumbai inherits the cricket fever justifiably and has 3 of the finest Crickets stadiums namely Brabourne Stadium (Churchgate), Wankhede Stadium (Marine Lines) and D.Y.Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai). Several of international cricket matches and domestic championships such as IPL have been played in these stadiums. Watch out for upcoming cricket stadium to join the cricket frenzy crowd. Apart from these, Ruia College, Shivaji Park, Azad Maidan, Marine Lines are some of the places where live cricket action can be seen for free. Alternatively if you are a football fan, you may want to visit Cooperage Football ground (Colaba) for a local league match. For swimming enthusiasists, Mahatma Gandhi Swimming Pool (Dadar W) is the place to visit. For horse racing, head straight to Mahalakshmi Race Course (Mahalakshmi). Powai hosts some of the finest Golf fields. For others there are many sport activities including Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton which can be practised at various clubs. Gyms are plenty and can be easily found. ==Learn== <!-- If there are opportunities for travellers to study in this city -- from language to cooking classes up to full university courses -- add that here. Please favour variety. Not every yoga institute has to be listed here. Try to add other activities that a traveler might find interesting to learn. --> {{seeDistricts}} * '''Cricket''' - As cricket is like religion in India, many youngsters travel to Mumbai from different corners of India to get professional training in Cricket academies and educational institutes. * '''Film & TV production''' - The craze of Bollywood attracts many people to try their luck in Mumbai. The city hosts many big film production houses and studios. Most of the big film producers and directors belong to this city and they have opened several training institutions to attract new talent. * '''Indian classical music''' - The origins of Indian classical music are found in Vedas and the metropolitan city, Mumbai has been continuing the tradition. Most of the die- hard Indian classical music lovers operate training classes to pass on their talent to young generation. * '''Indian cooking''' - Mumbai is real heaven for food lovers as one can get variety of food here. Food lovers not only love tasting variety of food but they also serve food to others by preserving their cooking talent. Many professional and amateur cook lovers offer free as well as paid classes to passionate learners. * '''Yoga''' - Being highly busy city in India, the Mumbai people try to revive their life by taking part in different Yoga activities. In their rush schedule, Mumbaikars try to spend some time doing Yoga as they know role of these activities in their life. ==Work== Nariman Point and Fort are the commercial hubs of the city and the most sought-after destinations. There is a significant expatriate population working in the banks and financial services industries. Bandra-Kurla region is up-coming, but remains less desirable. The advertising industry is a prominent industry in Mumbai. Many of the top advertising companies such as Lintas, O&M, Saatchi & Saatchi, Contract, and Trikaya Grey have their offices in the city. A good idea to make quick money is to work part-time in a BPO or a call centre most of which are concentrated at Mindspace, Malad(W) and Hiranandani Gardens (Powai). Only suitable for English speakers. Foreigners can also earn a quick buck as extras in Bollywood films. Bring a book as there is a lot of time spent sitting around, so it's not something to do for the money. Normally you won't have to look for them as they will be asking tourists near Leopold's or your hotel manager may ask you when you book in. ==Buy== Visa, Master cards and Indian RuPay cards are widely accepted in the city shops. Many shopping establishments also accept American Express, Diners and host of other cards. However, some of the small shops or family-run shops may not accept these cards and some handy cash can be of help here. ATMs are widely available and many debit cards accepted as well. If you have an Indian bank account or credit card, you may not need to carry too much of cash. If you are a foreigner, it is a good idea to carry some cash to avoid charges while using your credit or debit card. Many stores and websites have started accepting payments using mobile wallets and Unified Payment Interface (UPI). Some of the popular payment apps are Paytm, Google Pay (formerly known as Tez), PhonePe, BHIM and Amazon Pay. In general, costs in Mumbai are higher than the rest of India, though they are still much lower by Western standards. {{seeDistricts}} The shopping experience in the city is a study in contrasts. At the lower end of the spectrum are street vendors. Existing at the borderline of legality, entire streets have been given over to these hawkers and in many places it is impossible to walk on the footpaths, because they have blocked the way. On the other hand, these vendors often give you a great bargain though you will have to haggle a lot and be careful about what to buy. There's nothing like taking a local along to shop for you. Some famous shopping streets are: * {{buy | image= | name=Bhuleshwar Market | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kika St, Bhuleshwar | lat= | long= | directions=From [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Charni Road Railway Station take first road to south "Babasaheb Jaykar Marg" approximately {{km|1.3}} East | phone= | hours= | price= | content=for fruits and vegetables }} * {{buy | name=Chor bazaar | alt=Thief Market | url= | email= | address=Bhandarwada Ln | lat=18.960319 | long=72.827079 | directions= Get down at the [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Grant Road station on the Western Line. The market is on the east side of the station - | phone=| hours= | price= | content=Chor Bazar which literally translates to "Thief Market" is a colloquial term used to refer a place selling stolen items. It consists of number of interconnecting by-lanes with street vendors hawking a wide variety of items from antiques to shoes to car accessories etc. The place can be quite a surprise for the number and type of items on sale. A great place to spot bargains, and bargaining is a must. Shop with a keen eye: look out for fakes or second hand items that are shoddily repaired and can be passed out for a quick buck. Don’t carry too many items like money / jewellery / watches on you when visit the market. Keep it to bare essentials and keep an eye on your belongings. There is a very good chance that you may get robbed since locals are apt at spotting first time shoppers. }} * {{buy | name=Colaba Causeway | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lala Nigam Rd | lat=18.91766 | long=72.82829| directions=It is very close to the Gateway of India about {{km|1}} south | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=is filled with tourists and locals. It is a place where you will be able to find many authentic Indian souvenirs, antiques, carpets and chandeliers. But foreigners will have to be very careful, as all these stores are road-side stalls. What may seem a good price that the person has quoted to you, it will actually be a rip off. Do not settle for anything more than one-fourth the quoted price. If they refuse a price just walk away and they will call you back quoting a lower price. Normally, the more you buy, the less you will have to pay for each individual item. }} * {{buy | image=Crawford Market.png | name=Crawford Market | alt=Marathi: क्रॉफर्ड मार्केट, officially Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Market, Marathi: महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले मंडई | url= | email= | address=Central Line? Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area | lat=18.947414 | long=72.83471 | directions= It is within 10 minutes walking distancenorth from the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus. - West of the J.J. flyover at a busy intersection. | phone=| hours= | price= | content=Earlier it was the major wholesale trading market for fruits & vegetables. Now it houses shops selling imported items such as food, cosmetics, household and gift items. The market was designed by British architect William Emerson, in Norman and Flemish architectural styles. The friezes on the outside entrance depicting Indian farmers, and the stone fountains inside, were designed by Lockwood Kipling, father of novelist Rudyard Kipling. The market covers an area of 22,471 m², of which 5,515 m² is occupied by the building itself. The structure was built using coarse buff coloured Kurla stone, with redstone from Bassein. It has a 15 m high skylight awning designed to allow the sunlight brighten up the marketplace. }} * {{buy | image= | name=Dadar (W) Flower Market | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gurunanak Marg? Tulsi Pipe Road, | lat=19.02052 | long=72.84310 | directions=Opposite Dadar Train Station | phone= | hours=early morning | price= | content=Visit early morning to see colourful and wholesale flower market in action }} * '''Family-run shops''', Or one could do shopping at family-run shops, where the items are behind the counter and one has to ask the salesperson to get items from the list. The traditional way to buy sarees or jewellery is to go to a shop where you sit on a bedspread laid out on the floor and the salespeople bring out their wares one-by-one until you make a decision. Shops like Bharat Kshetra in Dadar have scaled this model up to such an extent that they have a two-storied complex where you can do the same. * {{buy | name=Fashion Street | alt= | url= | email= | address=Fort district, Mahatma Gandhi Rd? | lat=18.93626 | long=72.83097 | directions=from [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Chruchgate Station start walking towards Flora Fountain make a left turn and its a block down | phone= | hours= | price= | content=Popular place buy cheap clothes. Bargaining/haggling skills are a must. Offer to pay 1/4 of the asking price or less and then work upwards. }} * {{buy | image= | name=Mangaldas Market | alt= | url= | email= | address=Janjikar St | lat=18.94816 | long=72.83241| directions=From Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus approximately {{km|0.5}} NW | phone= | hours= closed on Sundays? | price= | content= for silk and cloth }} * '''Shopping Malls''', Mumbai has been experiencing a boom in malls in the past few years. You can combine your shopping, dining out, and watching movies all in one place. * {{buy | image=Batata Vada.jpg | name=Zaveri Bazaar | alt=Marathi: झवेरी बाजार | url= | email= | address=Bhuleshwar Road, | lat=18.951808 | long=72.830697| directions=Just north of Crawford Market, - [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Marine Lines station approximately {{km|1.0}} West | phone= | hours= | price= | content=Best known jewellery Market, all at one place. }} ===What to buy=== * '''Antiques & second hand items''', Visit Chor Bazar for the best options and bargains * '''Burlingtons''', in the Taj is a tailor specializing in Indian outfits. Buy some material and get some clothes made up by a tailor. It's an incredibly cheap way to get quality made-to-measure clothes. Usually only takes a couple of days. * '''Carpets, rugs and shawls''' * '''Cotton clothes''', Mumbai is great place to buy quality and cheaper cotton clothes. Amongst many notable shops and brands, Cottonworld is a place to look out for. * '''Dhoop''', (translates into Sunshine or Incense) A quaint, stylist store where you can find really interesting quality crafts and home accessories. On the corner of Union Park, Near Olive, Off Carter Road in Bandra. * '''Indian musical instruments''', Indian music has its own set of musical instruments such as Tabla, Harmonium, straight Flute that it relies upon. These can be brought at various music shops scattered across the city. Some well known shops are L.M.Furtado, Ghaisas & Bros. * '''Khadi clothing''', Khadi is an authentic Indian variety of home spun cotton. Mahatma Gandhi advocated the use of khadi as a form of satyagraha against the use of foreign goods and a form of rural self-employment for India during the pre-independence days. Check out the Khadi Gram Udyog Bhavan at 286, DN Road, Near the Mumbai GPO & Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It is run by the [http://kgvs.org.in/ Khadi Gramudyog Vikas Samiti] which is an umbrella organization started by the Mahatma himself which today has evolved into a government registered unit promoting the use of khadi. A good place to buy souvenirs including khadi Indian flags. These are similar in type to the ones used during the freedom struggle. It also houses other forms of fabrics like pure cotton wool, and silk. Some of the items make use of natural straw. Also offer a collection of handmade paper products. * '''Kurties and tunics'''', a must have in India. Linkin Laado has a wide range of classy kurties, fushion ethnic wear and exquisite dress materials in most sought after pure fabrics such as muls, cottons, maheshwari and chanderi silk in hand block prints and intrinsic chikankari work. The shop is at Link Square Mall, Shop No. F5, Opposite KFC, Above Croma, Linking Road, Bandra West. * '''Leather jackets''', go to the main road in Dharavi. You can fit yourself with a leather jacket (they stitch it for you) of leather you pick. Usually takes just one day to get it. * '''Luxury retail''', Mumbai has witnessed a massive boom in luxury retail. All the brands you can buy in any other major city are available there. * '''Pashmina''', cheap stuff is everywhere and decent shawls in every hue can be purchased at various markups in any hotel arcade. High-quality items in unusual colors and unique designs require more searching. The "pashminas" sold on Colaba Causeway are not anywhere close to pashmina. * '''Sarees''', the best place to buy them is Dadar (both east and west). The place is buzzing 12 months a year. On Sundays the crowd can be maddening for outsiders. Good shops to buy Sarees are Dadar Emporium, Lazaree, Roop Sangam. On N C Kelkar Road and Ranade Road you can buy almost everything a woman needs. Bargain hard. * '''Traditional clothing & handicrafts''', State government operated emporiums such as those for Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir. sell state specific items of clothing and handicrafts. These are in places around South Mumbai or the shopping arcades of Five Star Hotels. There is also a Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Emporium near the Gateway of India beside the Tendulkar's restaurant. The items on display include embroidered clothing, carvings, paintings, sculptures etc. and are reasonably priced. Amongst the private labels, [http://www.fabindia.com/index.asp Fabindia] is a must visit for its variety of kurtas [tunics], salwars, pyjamas, churidars & dupattas. They also offer bedspreads, cushion covers, decorative pillows, quilts, table linens, home furniture etc. Just like the government owned emporiums, Fabindia operates on a cottage industries model where products are hand crafted by artisans and sourced from villages across India. Good quality, smart colours, trendy designs but prices are a bit on the high side. Shops are found across Mumbai. ===Bookshops=== {{SeeDistricts}} Mumbai has large number of organised bookshops. However it also has number of streetside second hand book shops or displays that give opportunity to come across rare collections. Many of these roadside book shops can be prominently found, among many, near Flora Fountain, Maheshwari Udyyan (former King's Circle) and Dadar west market. If you are somewhere in the western suburbs (santacruz,juhu etc.) Granth on juhu road could be a good bet to find the book you are looking for. The Crossword chain of book shops has an outlet in most malls around the city, as well as the main store in Kemp's Corner. ===Tourist traps=== In a place without clearly displayed price tags (and sometimes even in places with), you will get charged about 3-4 times as much as a local if you seem like a tourist. Take a local with you if you're going to local markets to haggle. Haggling is much louder and ruder in India than elsewhere. Don't be afraid to haggle things down to 1/4 of the asking price. And most importantly remember that almost all stores that sell carpets, jewelry, handicrafts, etc. pay huge amounts of commission (25% up to even 50%!) to the cab drivers, hence avoid tourist taxis, cabs, etc. Another thing to remember is not to haggle just for the fun of it. The shopkeepers may take offence if you don't buy an item after they have agreed to your price. One of the places that you can trust is The World Trade Centre (in Cuffe Parade, near Hotel Taj President). Besides being the only World Trade Centre in Mumbai, this place has an amazing range of exquisite carpets, handicrafts, shawls, etc. with reputed government approved stores and state emporiums too. Ask for receipts everywhere, including bars, and check what you have been charged for. Don't ever accept a guide offer or escort of somebody from the street: You will certainly get conned. If some place (including taxis, restaurants, shops, etc.) claims it doesn't have change (this is highly unlikely), insist they get change from a neighbouring shop. ===Groceries=== In addition to the local grocery stores which can be found on most of the streets, there are new additions to the city in the form of new big and small supermarkets and hypermarkets where you can get all the food items you need. Some of them are [https://www.bigbazaar.com/ Big Bazaar], [http://hypercityindia.com/ Hypercity], DMart, Spinach Local, Apna Bazaar. If you are looking for exotic fruits and vegetables then try [http://www.naturesbasket.co.in/ Natures Basket]. ==Eat== [[File:The Mumbai Thali.jpg|thumbnail|The Mumbai lunch consists of white rice, vegetable fries, dhal fries, onion, yoghurt and pooris. ]] {{movetodistrict}} The dining experience at an upscale restaurant in Mumbai is more or less the same as anywhere else in the world. You can find cuisine from the Middle East, Western Europe, North America and China easily. But to get a real flavour of what's unique to Mumbai, you will have to go a little lower down the scale and experience the street food and Irani cafes. Since March 2015, beef is banned in Maharashtra, and therefore in Mumbai. Therefore, it is uncommon to find beef served in restaurants. For individual restaurants and other places to eat, go to the individual district pages. Don't leave Mumbai without trying: * Alphonso Mangoes during summer season * As many different kinds of chaat (Bhelpuri, Pav Bhaji etc.) as your stomach can handle * Bread Maska (Bread & Butter) from an Irani Cafe * Goan seafood * Maharashtrian,Gujrati,Managlorean special and Kerala Thali * Indian Chinese * Indian sweets- milky, delicious concoctions (try the kulfi falooda at Badshah's in Crawford market) * Kebab rolls, Pattis, Keema ** Particularly late-night at Bade Miyaan's behind the Taj near Colaba Causeway (also if the lights are off in order to avoid bribing the cops, do still try and approach it as it is likely to still be serving) * Kingfisher Blue beer (not common in eateries, but only most "wine shops" (liquor stores) * South Indian food from an Udupi restaurant * Vada pav (the Indian veg burger): known to be the dish of Mumbai ===Speciality restaurants=== Popular search engines to find easily restaurants include [http://www.justdial.com Justdial], [http://www.asklaila.com/Mumbai/ AskLaila] and [http://www.dizylocal.com/mumbai DizyLocal]. The search engines shall provide the address, contact details, and user ratings (if available) of the specific eatery (if name is provided), or list of eatery catering to the specialty (e.g. Seafood, Pubs, Chinese Food, etc.) depending on the location suggested (e.g. Worli, Bandra, South Mumbai, etc.). * ''' Seafood''', Apurva (Fort right off Horniman Circle). If you want to eat some authentic Indian (Konkan) sea food you must visit the Bharat Excellensea. It is next to the Horniman Circle and the Reserve Bank of India. It is becoming pretty expensive. In the slightly higher price range, Trishna (at Kala Ghoda in Fort) and Mahesh Lunch Home (also in Fort) are very popular among both locals and tourists. North-Western *'''Peshawari''', Andheri, (''at Maratha Sheraton''). Its sister restaurant Bukhara in Delhi has been recognised as the best Indian restaurant around the world. Try tandoori jhinga, the kebab platter, sikandari raan (leg of lamb), and mangoes and ice cream (only during summers), Kebab Corner (Hotel Intercontinental), Copper Chimney (Worli) Khyber (Kala Ghoda), and Kareem's Malad Link Road in Malad W. ==== International Cuisine ==== * ''' Chinese''', India Jones, (''Hilton Towers Mumbai''), Mainland China (Saki Naka), Ling's Pavilion (Colaba), Golden Dragon (Taj Mahal Hotel), Great Wall (Renaissance), Spices (JW Marriott), China Gate (Bandra), China White (Bandra). Bandra offers a range of Chinese Restaurants. Royal China at VT (behind Sterling Cinema serves some of the best DimSum the city has to offer). The new CG83 at Kemps corner is brilliant and the signature restaurant of Nelson Wang. Also new is Henry Thams. The food is brilliant as are the prices, however the bar is much more popular than the restaurant. * ''' Combination Oriental''', India Jones (''Hilton Towers Mumbai''), Pan Asian (at Maratha Sheraton), Seijo, and Soul Dish (Bandra), Joss (Kala Ghoda) has some of the best East Asian food in the country and at moderate prices (compared to hotels). San Qi at the Four Seasons (Worli) combines East Asian and South Asian cuisine quite well. * ''' Italian''', Shatranj Nepoli (''Bandra, Union Park''), Little Italy (Juhu next to Maneckji Cooper school), Don Giovanni's (Juhu, opposite JW Marriott), Mezzo Mezzo (at the JW Marriott), Vetro (at The Oberoi, Mumbai), Celini (at the Grand Hyatt), Mangi Ferra (Juhu), Taxi(Colaba), Spaghetti Kitchen (Phoenix Mills, Parel). * ''' Japanese''', Wasabi by Morimoto (''Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba'') is Mumbai's best and most expensive restaurant, but Japanese food is on the menus of most Pan Asian restaurants like Tiffin (The Oberoi, Mumbai), Pan Asian (Maratha Sheraton), India Jones (Hilton Towers Mumbai), and Spices (JW Marriott), Origami (Atria Mall Worli). Also Japengo Cafe at CR2 Mall in Nariman Point serves up some sushi. Tetsuma, adjacent to Prive (probably best nightclub in town) serves an average sushi but other dishes are worth a try. Best to go there for a cocktail and a few starters. 'Tian cafe' at Juhu is also a good place for sushi. *'''Lebanese Food''', Picadilly, at Colaba Causeway, the only restaurant in the city serving Lebanese food. Alcohol is not served. * '''Parsi''', Their ancestors originating from Iran, the Parsis are a special community of people that one would associate Mumbai with. Parsi food is based on ancient Persian cooking. Go to Brittania at Ballard Estate or Jimmy Boy close to Horniman Circle. * '''Sushi''', Sushi Café (Santa Cruz West). A cosy little place. The decor, including the furniture, is all-white. You get chunks of white rice rolled with fresh fish and vegetables. They also do home delivery all over Mumbai. Sushi Café, Shop No. 1, Ground Floor, Sainara Building, corner of North Avenue and Linking Road, Santa Cruz (West), Tel: 98336-50503, www.sushicafemumbai.com. ===International brands === * {{eat | name=California Pizza Kitchen | alt= | url= | email= | address=3 North Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Maker Maxity, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East). }} * '''Chili's''', Central Avenue Road, Powai, Ventura Building, Hiranandani Business Park. * '''Cinnabon''', (''next to Basilico''), Pali Naka, Bandra (West). * '''Ruby Tuesday''', shop No. 20, 2nd Floor, Inorbit mall, Malad (West) or at Shop No. 31, CR 2 Mall, Nariman Point, Mumbai OR Nirmal Lifestyle, Lbs Marg, Mulund West. * '''Starbucks Coffee''', Behind Taj Hotel, Near Gateway of India. * '''T.G.I.F''', Palladium mall,Phoenix High Street,Lower Parel or Infiniti Mall,New Link Road,Oshiwara,Andheri(West). ==== Regional Indian ==== * '''Bengali''', Oh! Calcutta at Tardeo * {{eat | name=Cafe | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leopold-Cafe/112207345458725 | email= | address= | lat=18.914195 | long=72.824131 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Leopold Cafe | wikidata=Q153072 | content=Leopold and Cafe Mondegar (both near Regal Cinema, Colaba) are great places to while away time, eat cheap, and get a beer. Mocha (chain) is popular with the younger crowd. Deliciae, the dessert cafe which has some of the best desserts in town, next to Olive Restaurant in Khar. }} * '''Fusion''', Zenzi (Waterfield Road, Bandra), Out of the Blue ( Pali Hill, Bandra). * '''General Indian''', Sheetal Bukhara, Great Punjab (both in Bandra). More in Bandra. * '''Goan, Coastal''', Goa Portuguesa (Mahim) near Hinduja Hospital. New and a must try is Casa Soul Fry (opposite Bombay University in town) which serves up Goan Cuisine. * '''Goan Cuisine''', Casa Soul Fry opposite to Bombay University in town * '''Gujarati Thalis''', Chetana at Kala Ghoda, Thacker's at Marine Drive, and Rajdhani (multiple locations) * '''Kashmiri''', Poush at Andheri * '''Lounge''', Olive (Bandra), Rain (Juhu), Indigo. * '''Mumbai Street Food''', To experience the tastes and flavors of typical Mumbai chaat, and yet not expose oneself to the dangers of unhygienic street food, check out Vitthal's Restaurant on one of the lanes opposite Sterling Cinema (C.S.T.), but make sure you have a strong stomach. Vithal Bhelwalla (not the Vithal restaurant which is copycat) near VT station (behind Macdonald's) is a safe option. * '''Punjabi''', Himalaya Restaurant in Sion(E), Preetam's Dhaba at Dadar(E) and Urban Tadka at Mulund * '''Speciality Deli''', Indigo Deli (Colaba), Gourmet Shoppe (The Oberoi Shopping Arcade), Moshe's (Cuffe Parade), Cafe Basilico. * '''South Indian''', Dakshin (Maratha Sheraton) and Woodlands (Juhu) * '''24X7 Coffee Shops''', Trattoria (Taj President), Frangipani (Hilton Towers Mumbai), Vista (Taj Land's End, Bandra), Hornby's Pavilion (ITC Grand Central), Lotus Cafe (JW Marriott), basically all the big hotels have one. More coffee shops in Bandra. * '''Vegetarian''', Swati Snacks (Tardeo, opposite Bhatia Hospital) a gem of a restaurant, it does not take bookings and the waiting during peak meal times is usually 45 minutes every day of the week! Little Italy on Juhu Tara Road (Jugu), Andheri West opp. Fame Adlabs multiplex, Malad (above croma), New Yorkers on Marine Drive Opp chowpatty; Creame Center on Linking Road, Bandra near Shopper's Stop and also on Marine Drive opp chowpatty; Statua at Nariman point opp. Maker Chambers. Relish (Hotel Samrat — Churchgate). Excellent vegetarian cuisine from around the world. ===Street food stalls=== [[File:Mumbai-vada.jpg|thumbnail|Batata Vadas are a favorite of the Mumbai street food stalls]] Songs have been written about Mumbai's street food and you will find that the hype is justified. You will find them at every street corner, but they are concentrated in beaches and around railway stations. * '''Bhelpuri stalls''', Selling what in the rest of India would be called ''chaat''. In Mumbai itself, the term chaat is rarely used. * '''Bhurji''', Either Egg bhurji or Paneer bhurji, a mash of eggs and chopped tomato, onion, chili, and lots of oil. Eaten on the side with some pav. Try the Maker Chamber area (near Crossroads 2, Nariman Point). * '''Chinese food stalls''', You'll find them at many places, but they are particularly concentrated near Dadar railway station. They all have a typical Indian twist added to it, which is why it is frequently called "Indian Chinese". Although it is great tasting, the hygiene of these places leaves a lot to be desired. * '''Rolls''', Essentially different meat and cheese grilled and served with some Roti and spice, these are cheap and cheerful for anyone with a stomach that can handle it. They are known to be spicy so always ask them to make it mild. Try Ayubs (Kala Ghoda), Bade Miyan (behind Taj and near Colaba Causeway), Khao Gulli (Food Lane, near Mahim Hindu Gymkhana), or Kareems (Bandra). All are particularly busy after a night of heavy drinking. * '''Sandwich stands''', Uniquely developed in Mumbai, you won't find anything like it anywhere else in India or the world. * '''Vada pav stands''', Fried potato stuffed in yeasty bread. Developed to provide nourishment to mill-workers in Mumbai's burgeoning mills. Now they are found everywhere, particularly in the railway stations. This is a Mumbai specialty. In Vile Parle (West), try the one off S.V Road near Irla across from Goklibai School. One of the most popular ones are opposite Mithibai College which is about 15 mins walk from Vile Parle Station. Also try the one outside Grant Road Station and Churchgate Station. '''Tip''': cheap and tasty food stalls are concentrated around the city's colleges. Street stall food in India is fantastic, and very cheap. However, do consider well what you are putting in your mouth. Almost certainly the water used is non-potable, street vendors don't seem to understand much about hygiene or hand-washing, and food safety standards are low, with flies buzzing over everything. Even locals steer clear of street food during the monsoons, when diseases run rampant. If the stall seems very clean, and if it clearly states that it is using Aquaguard or mineral water, go for it. ===Authentic Marathi cuisine=== {{SeeDistricts}} Mumbai, being home to large ethnic Marathi community, has its share of notable restaurants that offer authentic Marathi cuisine. Most offer both snacks and regular dining. Some of the snacks to check out are Sabudana Wada, Batata Wada, Missal, Kanda Poha, Uppit (or Upma), Shira, Alu Wadi, Thalipith, Zunka Bhakari,ghavane (neer dosa) and many more. Two notable appetisers are Kokam Sarbat and Solkadhi which are best enjoyed during hot summers. People say that many of these authentic Marathi restaurants are finding it difficult to survive competitions with other modern or fast food typed restaurants, but you will find Gajali, Malvan Kinara, Sindhudurg and many more have retained their own charm and clientele. ===Udupi restaurants=== {{SeeDistricts}} Mangalorians(and udupi) forms the highest tourist populations of Mumbai,and both the cities have almost same culture and architecture. "Udupi" restaurants (or "hotels") are everywhere. They bear the name of the town of [[Udupi]] in Karnataka, but do not be misled into thinking that they specialise in the cuisine of Udupi. They serve pretty much everything, and that is their specialty. Usually strictly vegetarian, these restaurants were opened by migrants from the district of [[Dakshina Kannada]] in [[Karnataka]] (of which Udupi is a part), to satisfy the palates of other migrants from the district. Over time, they gained popularity as places to have [[Southern India|South Indian]] food. As the tastes of their customers evolved, so to did their menus, so much that now you can find Mughlai, Indian Chinese, Bhelpuri, and other chaats in addition to South Indian stuff. Amazingly, some places serve imitations of pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches too! They are fast food joints and sit-down restaurants combined. The reason to visit them is not to experience fine gourmet dining, but to have cheap, passably tasty and fairly hygienic food. There is no easy way to identify an Udupi restaurant; they are not a chain of restaurants and they may not have "Udupi" in their name, so you will have to ask. Matunga(Central line) has the best south Indian fare in Mumbai. There are few restaurants which could well be heritage sites as they are more than 50 years old and still retain their old world charm(and furniture). ===Irani cafes=== {{SeeDistricts}} Irani cafe's are Persian styled cafes opened by 19th century Persian migrants from Iran. These cafes have a unique lazy atmosphere, display of day-to-day accessories including toothpastes behind the cashier, soaps and what nots(specially targeted at bachelor crowds) and furniture. Most of these cafes were at the corner of the road or building and were chosen spots by commuters to spend time. It was quite a usual sight to find people spending hours reading newspaper over a cup of tea for hours in these places. Sadly the new restaurants and fast food culture has almost removed these cafes from the maps, though few notables like '''Kyani & Co.''' and '''Olympia''' remain. The joints are best known for their "Irani Chai", "Bun-Maska/Maska Pav" (bread and butter) and Egg Omelette. Also are popular their assorted snacks, like Kheema-na-Patice, samosas, mava-na-cakes, etc. One of the best dish which is almost always on the menu is Kheema (prepared from ground meat) and pav (bread). Don't miss the Mawa Cake at Merwan & Co, a bustling Irani cafe next to Grant Road station and be there before 9AM when the delicious cakes tend to run out. ===Thalis=== If you order a thali (translated as "plate"), you get a complete meal arranged on your plate, with a roti or chappati, rice, and many different varieties of curries and curd. Ordering a thali is a popular option when you are hungry and in a hurry as it is usually served blazingly fast. Most mid-level restaurants have a thali on the menu, at least during lunch hours. Occasionally, they are "unlimited", which means that some of the items are all-you-can-eat. The waiters serve them at your table. Of course, you find many varieties of them, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. There is the South Indian thali. The "North Indian" thali translates to Mughlai or Punjabi. Do try Gujarati or Rajasthani thalis if you can find them. They are sinfully filling and tasty. Rajdhani (At Crawford Market) serves up thalis in the Rajasthani style while Aram (near Mahim Church, Mahim), Ramanayak Udipi (At Matunga Station, east) serves up thalis in South Indian style and Shree Thakker Bhojanalaya (off Kalbadevi Road) do filling and fabulous Gujarati thalis. ===Fast food chains=== Western fast food chains like McDonalds, Subway, Pizza hut, Dominos, Kentucky Fried Chicken etc. have many outlets all over the city. But if you are a weary Westerner looking for the taste of the familiar, be warned that all of them have rather heavily Indianised their menus, so you will find the stuff there as exotic as you found Bambaiyya food. There are chains serving Indian food such as [https://jumboking.co.in/ Jumbo King] whose menu includes vada and lassi. [http://www.barista.co.in Barista], [http://www.cafecoffeeday.com Cafe Coffee Day], and [http://www.smokinjoespizza.com/ Smokin' Joe's] are all Indian chains, although they don't serve Indian food. While Barista and Cafe Coffee Day, as their names suggest, serve coffee and pastries, Smokin' Joe's serves decent pizzas and is headquartered in Carmichael Rd, Mumbai. International coffee chains like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Aromas have outlets in Mumbai. Naturals is a chain of ice cream stores that serves up tasty and unconventional flavours of ice creams. Try their tender coconut or the coffee walnut ice creams. Its main branch is in Juhu in the Western suburbs (hence the tagline - 'Ice cream of Juhu Scheme'), but it has franchises at many places including Marine Drive, Bandra, Nepean sea road, etc. Naturals is also famous for its seasonal "Sitaphal" or Custard Apple Ice-cream. Baskins-Robbins is an international ice cream chain having its presence throughout the city. Also there are a number of shops in malls amongst other places which serve Italian Gelato icecream. Try the sumptuous creamy crepes and omelets at Crepe Station, Bandra. Its owned by a famous Bollywood actor, Dino Morea. ===What to eat=== Asking a local for suggestions is a fun way to try new things. Here are a few suggestions: [[File:Curry - Indian cuisine.jpg|thumb|250px|Indian Cuisine]] * '''Bhel Puri''' & '''sev puri''', A classic Mumbai concoction, bhel-puri (or bhel for short) comprises mostly of puffed rice and assorted spices with a few chutneys. You can specify whether you want it spicy or bland and the vendor will make it for you. It is quite tasty and again ought to be had off the streets to get the real flavour. Most people like to flock to Juhu beach to try this out. * '''Hapus (Alphonso) mangoes''', A must try, if you happen to be in Mumbai in the summers. * '''Indian-Chinese''', Nothing like regular Chinese. For a typical Bambaiyya flavour, try the '''Chinese Bhelpuri!'''. * '''Mewad ice cream''', If you happen to be in Mumbai, it is recommended you avoid ice creams from the famous and expensive parlors and try out the cheap Mewad ice cream stalls. They are a lovely treat at their price and provide a lot of options. The vendors are found everywhere across the streets, but avoid those who appear unhygienic. * '''Pani Puri''', The vendor hands you a plate. Next he takes a puri (it looks like a golf ball, but brown in colour), makes a small hole in it, and dips the puri into two jars. These jars contain water, one tangy on a tamarind base and the other spicy on a mint base. He tops it off with some condiments and places the puri on your plate. You pick it with your hand and pop the whole thing into your mouth. To avoid stomach problems only buy from vendors using packaged water. * '''Pav Bhaji''', Part of the street food culture, this is mashed vegetables cooked in spices, topped with butter and served piping hot with pav. Widely available. * '''Vada Pav''', the vada is a mashed potato patty. Pav is a kind of bread that has its roots in Mumbai. (The word comes from the Portuguese word "pão", for bread). The potato patty is sandwiched in the bread. Liberal helpings of three kinds of chutneys are added to the sandwich to make a tasty snack. It is widely available on the streets and generally costs around ₹6 a piece. If you feel uncomfortable with the hygiene of a particular stall, avoid it. In that case eating at, [http://www.jumboking.co.in/ Jumbo King Vada Pav] outlets, found almost at all train stations in the city, is a hygienic and safer option. * '''Variations of world cuisine''' such as Tandoori Chicken Pizzas, the Bombay Masala Pizza or McAloo Tikki burgers. ===Tipping=== Tipping is not expected, but would be appreciated. However, if a place includes service charges on the bill, you don't need to leave an extra tip. Note the difference between service tax and service charges. Service tax goes to Government and not to the staff. ==Drink== ===Pubs & bars === {{seeDistricts}} {{infobox|Drinking & driving|Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered as a serious offence in India. In the event of an accident the law deals with drink-drive offenders with severity. The punishment is a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months. The driving license is suspended for at least six months.}} A police crackdown (June 2012) on many popular bar and clubs is underway, so be cautious when visiting lower to mid range bars. Mumbai is one of the most liberal cities in India when it comes to attitudes to alcohol. Bars exist at virtually every street corner and many of them advertise themselves as "family" bars and restaurants, which indicates that they are primarily restaurants where one can also have a drink. Other places are primarily bars, some of them might be sleazy. In South Mumbai and in the Western suburbs, you are likely to find many places where foreigners hang out. Mumbai is much more accepting of women drinking than the rest of India. A woman ordering a drink is unlikely to raise eyebrows even in mid-range bars, though if you are alone, you might need to look out for your safety. Nightlife in Mumbai spans the gamut from performances at five star hotels to discos. Dance bars which involve young, fully clothed women dancing mostly to Hindi film and pop music, have been shut down by the government for "corrupting the morals" of those who frequent those places. While the state high court has ruled that the crackdown was illegal, it will be a while before they open again as there are some technicalities involved to be sorted out. In Mumbai, alcohol is much more easily available than many cities in India. === LGBT options=== There is already a lively late night, if somewhat subterranean, scene for gays, as well as social and political networks. However, you need to do your homework before arriving, as LGBT gathering spaces and organizations are not published or available at local newsstands. However, Bombay Dost (Bombay Friends) the only magazine catering to the community, after 7 years of running was closed and relaunched in 2009. Much of Mumbai's LGBT scene is coordinated using social networking sites and groups. Use extreme caution; robberies, hustlers, and even police entrapment are not unheard of. === Coffee shops=== There many coffee shops in and around Mumbai. Try the '''[http://www.cafecoffeeday.com/ Cafe Coffee Day]''' and '''[http://www.barista.co.in Barista]''' chains. Also, three Starbucks stores were opened in Mumbai in late 2012, and more are likely to follow. These are the best around town and also serve some pretty neat coffee for cheap. There's the '''Cafe Mocha''' chain of coffee shops which also serve fruit flavoured hookas — South Asian smoking pipes. If a small coffee and cookies place is what you are looking for, try '''Theobroma''', it has an outlet at Cusrow Baug in Colaba. Those looking for a more native form of coffee can try the filter coffee, a milky coffee with origins from South India, from any Udupi restaurant. ==Sleep== [[File:Taj Mahal Palace Hotel at night.jpg|thumb|250px|Taj Mahal Hotel at night]] {{seeDistricts}} It is very difficult to find good budget hotels in Mumbai. If you are a tourist or a business traveller, you may have to stay in South Mumbai, which is where both the business district and the touristy areas are. Lack of space means that even the cheapest hotel charges stratospheric tariffs. The state of public transport and traffic means that it is not really a good choice to stay anywhere else. In any case, things aren't much better if you are looking for hotels close to the airport. You should be looking at the [[Mumbai/Western Suburbs#Sleep|Western Suburbs]] in that case. There are many guest houses at Colaba, where you find most of budget foreign travellers stay. Other budget hotels are found near railway stations, such as Dadar or Santa cruz, but most of them are absolute dumps. One safe and economical place to stay in Mumbai is the YMCA. Reasonably priced accommodations are available at the Colaba, Bombay Central, Andheri, and CBD Belapur Branches. One inexpensive alternative is to live with a local family as a paying guest. A list of available families can be obtained from the Government of India tourist office (+91 22 2220 7433) opposite Churchgate train station. On the other hand, if money is of no object, you can stay at the Taj in Colaba (the oldest in India), the Leela Kempinski, the ITC Grand Maratha, or the JW Marriott Mumbai, Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre. Hotel listings are in the district pages. ===Camping=== Whether you want to hang around with your close friends, spend some time with your family or wan to get away from concrete jungle, you an find plethora of places nearby Mumbai. Camping can be done safely on spots such as: * '''Kaas Lake''' - on the Kaas Plateau (known for its flowers) * '''[[Lonavala]]''' - hill station in Pune District ** '''Rajmachi''' - near Lonavala and two famous forts ** '''Tungarli Lake''' - near Lonavala ** '''Valvan Lake''' - site of Valvan Dam in Lonavala * '''Mahableshwar''' - the source of the Krishna River (Satara District) * '''[[Matheran]]''' - hill station (Raigad District) * '''[[Panchgani]]''' - small city (Satara District) * '''Kashid & Phansad''' - location of Phansad Bird Sanctuary ==Connect== === Landlines === The area code for Mumbai is "22" (prefix "+91", if you are calling from outside India). Phone numbers are eight digits long, but on occasion you will find a seven digit number listed. That is probably an old listing. They made the changeover from seven to eight digits a few years back, when they allowed private service providers to offer telephone. Just prefix a "2" to the number and it should work just fine. === Pay phones === Phone booths can be found all over the city. Though they are coin operated, there is usually someone to run the place. (Typically the phones are attached to a roadside shop.) You need to keep putting ₹1 coins into the slot to extend the talk time, so keep a change of ₹1 coins handy with you. The person running the booth will usually have them. If you find a booth marked STD/ISD, you can call internationally or anywhere within the country. Fees will be charged according to the time spent and a meter runs to keep track of your time. You pay when you have finished your call. Often it is difficult to find one that is open early in the morning or late at night. === Mobile phones === Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are many service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are The [http://www.mumbai.mtnl.net.in MTNL], Vodafone Idea (Vi), [http://www.airtelworld.com/ Airtel], [http://dolphin.mumbai.mtnl.net.in/ Dolphin], Reliance Jio, and [http://www.tataindicom.com/ Tata Indicom]. It might be a good idea to buy a cell phone and use one of those prepaid plans to get yourself connected while you are in the city. All mobile numbers are 10 digits long and begin with a "9", "8" or "7". Do not dial the city prefix for mobile numbers. If you don't get through to a mobile number, try adding a "0" before you dial it. Due to security threats, in order to purchase a SIM card you will need to provide formal identification. === Cybercafes === Cybercafes are found on virtually every street corner and the rates are quite low. They have probably not kept pace with advances in hardware or software, also data security could be an issue. As a precaution, change your password after you use it at a cybercafe or do private/incognito browsing. === WiFi === Finding WiFi will be difficult in many parts of Mumbai, however, nearly all railway stations have been upgraded with 'RailWire' WiFi powered by Google that lets you browse for 45 mins at 5-10 Mbps speeds. RailWire WiFi requires you to authenticate with your mobile number and OTP. WiFi is also available at most hotels and restaurants. Airport WiFi is provided by Vodafone Idea. === Postal & courier services === * '''[http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ Indian Postal service]''' * '''Private courier companies''' **'''[http://www.dhl.co.in/publish/in/en.high.html DHL]''' ** '''[http://www.ups.com/content/in/en/index.jsx UPS]''', ** '''[http://www.tnt.com/express/en_in/site/home.html TNT]''', [http://www.dtdc.biz/ DTDC] etc. The Indian Postal service's head office is housed at GPO, a magnificent colonial architecture on its own; next to the C.S.T. railway station. The other main branch office can be found at Dadar (E) on Ambedkar Rd. ==Stay safe== Unlike other parts of the country, especially Delhi where rape is prevalent, crime is rare, except for possibly common crime like pickpocketing. Violent crime in Mumbai is more or less like any other large Indian city. It is best to err on the side of safety and act according to your local environment. Here are a few basic safety tips: * Keep your money and credit cards safe at all times. Always carry some cash as many places won't take cards. * Do not openly display ₹500 and ₹2,000 notes in public. The available currency notes are ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500 and ₹2,000 and the available coins for tender are ₹1, ₹2, ₹5 and ₹10. Beware of someone giving you currency notes of any other denomination (though it is very unlikely; as they would have to be exchanged with the Reserve Bank of India; the central bank of India). The Indian government demonetised the old ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency notes in November 2016. *Travelling in Mumbai is generally safe at any time of the day or night. The risks primarily run if you are not aware of the fares and fare calculations (only applicable to non-electronic and non-prepaid meters). If you travel alone, especially in night, then always see the meter by yourself and then pay the fare. If you are alone, sit in front so that you can see the meter. * There have been cases where Kaali-Peeli (Black-Yellow) Taxi drivers con people, mostly tourists, by taking longer routes, charging extra for luggage, tampering with the meter and fooling the passenger by exchanging ₹500 with a ₹100 note within fraction of seconds and making the passenger believe that he/she has handed over a ₹100 note. Thus, in order to avoid getting fooled, prefer app based taxi services like Ola and Uber for commuting. * Beware of pickpockets on buses and trains. Do not put your wallet or other valuables in outside pockets of your bag, such that someone may be able to slip it out without your noticing. * Also beware of mobile, chain, or bag snatchers who operate in densely populated places, such as railway stations, busy roads, and traffic signals. * Women traveling by train, especially on off-peak routes should travel in the second class where at least a few co-passengers are also found. * Women (especially Westerners) should avoid crowded places, you might well get groped. Cases of men pinching or touching women are common in crowded public places, including nicer nightspots. Create a scene if this does happen to you, there will be enough people around that will come to your defence. In general, in Mumbai, if you are ever worried about your safety, make a loud scene. It is an extremely crowded city, and somebody is always around and willing to help. * Women should never ever take lifts from strangers. Western women tourists should note that if they visit a disco or pub in Mumbai or India, don't take lifts or even get too friendly with strangers. You will almost certainly get conned, if not worse. Many Indian men presume that if you're foreign you must be easy. * Don't ever let an auto or taxi you are traveling in pick up any more people, or pull over before your final destination. * Police can sometimes be almost as shady as criminals in Mumbai. At night, women should ensure if they are ever stopped by police, there needs to be a female police officer present or they are well within their rights in demanding the presence of a woman cop. * Think twice about eating food that has not been thoroughly heated. This may be especially true if you're eating street food. ===Emergency numbers=== * {{listing | name=Mumbai Police | alt= | url=http://www.mumbaipolice.org | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=100 (Mumbai Police Control Room), 1090 (Police Infoline), +91 22 22026636 (D. G. Control)| tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Mumbai Police | alt= | url=http://www.mumbaipolice.org | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 22625020 (Mumbai Police Head Quarter), +91 22 28854643 (North Control), +91 22 25233588 (East Control), +91 22 26457900 (West Control), +91 22 23089855 (South Div.), +91 22 23750909 (Central Div) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Traffic Police | alt= | url=http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 22 24937746 (Traffic Control), +91 22 30403040 (Traffic Helpline) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} ====Railways==== * {{listing | name=Churchgate | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 22017420 }} * {{listing | name=C.S.T | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 22622685 }} * {{listing | name=Central Rly. C.S.T. | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 22620173 }} * {{listing | name=Western Rly. Central | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 23070197 }} ==== Airport ==== * {{listing | name=Santacruz Airport | phone=+91 22 26156600 }} * {{listing | name=Sahar Terminal (NIPTC) | phone=+91 22 26829000 }} * {{listing | name=Air India Enquiry | phone=+91 22 22796666 }} ==== Air Ambulance==== * {{listing | name=Domestic/International | url=http://www.vibha.info/ | phone=+91 9821150889 }} * {{listing | name=Fire Station | phone=101, +91 22 23076111,+91 22 23086181,+91 22 2306112,+91 22 2306113 }} * {{listing | name=Coast Guard | phone=+91 22 24376133, +91 22 24371932 }} ==Stay healthy== * '''Food''' As elsewhere in India, be careful with what you eat. Outside of major tourist hotels and restaurants, stay away from raw leafy vegetables, egg-based dressings like mayonnaise and minced meat are particularly risky. In short, stick to boiled, baked, fried, or peeled goods. * '''Water''' Opinions on tap water vary, but most visitors choose to stick to the bottled stuff. Large bottles of water can be purchased at a very low cost. When buying water from street vendors, make sure the lid is sealed: there have been cases of bottles being filled with tap water and sold as new. * '''Fitness''' Numerous fitness centers exist throughout the city. Many exercise facilities and spas offer 24-hour memberships for visitors, and are a popular way to unwind after a long day of touring in Mumbai. * '''Smog''' can reach unhealthful levels, especially during the dry season. This, coupled with the summer heat and humidity can make spending time outdoors quite unpleasant. ==Cope== === Maps === * '''City Map''', Eicher has an excellent city-map of Mumbai with detailed listings. Familiarise yourself with it before you begin, or alternatively trace your route on it. * '''BEST Route Map''', Thanks to the density of bus routes in the city, the map is quite hard to decipher. Although bus routes are listed in the itinerary, you may have to find out about a few others if you plan to mix/match the order of the sights. People are very helpful in general. Check the BEST Route Finder for detailed information on the routes. The map is available at news stands. You can also download the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dimts.best.bestapplication BEST Prawas] app on Android. ===Newspapers=== Local newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day to day updates about the city. The city has number of newspapers and other publication that list local happenings. ''[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ The Times of India]'' has a supplement called ''Bombay Times''. There are also other papers like ''[http://www.asianage.com The Asian Age]'', ''[http://www.dnaindia.com DNA]'', ''[http://indianexpress.com/ Indian Express]'', ''[http://www.hindustantimes.com Hindustan Times]'' and ''[http://www.freepressjournal.in Free Press Journal]''. For the business updates, check ''[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com Economic Times]''. There are three very good local city tabloids called ''[http://www.mid-day.com Mid-Day]'', ''[http://www.mumbaimirror.com Mumbai Mirror]'', and ''Afternoon''. These papers are city focused and cover a lot of gossip, local news, and have plenty of entertainment listings. One could refer to these papers for any specific activity. In addition, ''Time Out'' now has an excellent Mumbai edition each month which can be picked up on street bookshops. It is a little more eclectic than the others listed here. All of these papers have information on arts, dance, eating out, food festivals, events, exhibitions, lectures, movies, theatre listings, concerts, seminars, and workshops. There are also many local newspapers in regional languages such as ''[http://www.loksatta.com Lok Satta]'' (Marathi), ''[http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com Maharashtra Times]'' (Marathi), ''[http://www.saamna.com Saamna]'' (Marathi), ''[http://www.navakal.com Navakal]'' (Marathi), ''Janmabhoomi'' (Gujarati), ''[http://www.bombaysamachar.com Mumbai Samachar]'' (Gujarati) and ''[http://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com Navbharat Times]'' (Hindi) which cater to local and regional interests and tastes. ===Radio=== There are 12 radio stations in Mumbai, with nine broadcasting on the FM band, and three All India Radio stations broadcasting on the AM band. Mumbai also has access to commercial radio providers such as Sirius and XM. ===Animal hospital=== *{{listing | name=Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals | alt=Locally this hospital is known as 'Bail Ghoda (Bull Horse) Hospital. The Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is also Headquartered there. Their ambulance rushes in answer to any call of distress to animals. | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Parel | phone=+91 22 24135285-24135434-24137518 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Diagnostic centre=== List of Major Diagnostic, health care and Polyclinics: * {{listing | name=Soningra Polyclinic | alt= | url= | email= | address=B - Helal Bldg, Dr. Mascarenhas Rd, Mazgaon | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 23715963, +91 22 2749662 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Since 1984, catering the nation since last 25 years effectively and efficiently. }} * {{listing | name=Super Religare Laboratories Limited | alt=formerly Ranbaxy SRL | url=http://srldiagnostic.co.in | email= | address=Plot 113, St 145 MIDC Andheri (E) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 28237333, +91 22 30811111-99 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2019-04-13| content=Largest clinical reference laboratory network in India and in South East Asia. }} * {{listing | name=Wellspring | alt= | url=http://www.wellspring.in/ | email= | address=Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Near A to Z Industrial Estate, Off Worli Naka, Lower Parel(W) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Another premier diagnostic laboratory owned by the Piramal group. Along with the above they have other centers as well throughout the city. }} ===24 hour chemist=== *{{listing | name=Parel Chemist | url= | email= | address=Opp. Wadia Maternity Hospital, Parel | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 4131299, +91 22 24129751 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{listing | name=Mumbai Medico | url= | email= | address=Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 23086641 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Foreign missions=== {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | *{{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url= | email= | address=36 Maker Chambers VI, 220 Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 66692000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Argentina}} {{listing | name= Argentina | url=http://cgmum.cancilleria.gov.ar | email= | address=Chander Mukhi Building, 10th Floor "A", Nariman Point | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2287 1381 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Afghanistan}} {{listing | name= Afghanistan | url= | email= | address=115 Next To Governor's Gate, Walkeshwar Road, Malabar Hill, | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2363 3777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium | url=http://diplomatie.belgium.be/india/ | email= | address=TCG Financial Centre, 7th floor, C-53, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E) - Mumbai 400051 | lat=19.06442 | long=72.86498| directions=From Kurla station {{km|2.5}} West | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | alt= | url=http://mumbai.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/ | email= | address=Units 113 & 114, Free Press House, 11F, Free Press Journal Marg,Nariman Point | lat=18.92374 | long=72.82379 | directions= | phone=+91 22 2283 4467, +91 22 2283 4469, +91 9820686143 (Mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | url= | email= | address=Fort House, 6F, 221 Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 6749 4444 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 6749 4454 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China | url=http://mumbai.china-consulate.org/eng/ | email=chinaconsul_mum_in@mfa.gov.cn | address=9F, Hoechst House, 193 Backbay Reclamation, Nariman Point | lat=18.92339 | long=72.82347 | directions= | phone=+91 22 5632 4303-4-5 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 56324302 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Czech Republic | url= | email= | address=5 G, Marcopia, Dr G Deshmukh Marg, Cumballa Hill, Pedder Rd, Cumballa Hill, | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2351 8456| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Djibouti}} {{listing | name=Djibouti | url= | email= | address=15, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2285 3750-52| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name= Egypt | url= | email= | address=Bhagwanlal Indrajit Rd, Teen Batti, Malabar Hill, | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|France}} {{listing | name=France | url=http://www.consulfrance-bombay.org/ | email= | address=Hoechst House, 7F, Nariman Point | lat=18.92609 | long=72.81976 | directions=next to National Centre of the Performing Arts (N.C.P.A.) | phone=+91 22 6669 4000 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 66694066 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany Visa and Consular Department| url=http://www.mumbai.diplo.de/ | email= | address=Arcadia Bldg, Ground Floor, Nariman Point | lat=18.92498 | long=72.82072 | directions= | phone=+91 22 2280 7385 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2284 2184 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany Consulate General| alt=Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Generalkonsulat | url=http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/05__Mumbai/Mumbai.html | email= | address=Hoechst House, 10th Floor, 193 Backbay Reclamation (Vinay K Shah Marg), Nariman Point, | lat=18.92530 | long=72.82116 | directions=| phone=+91 22 2283 2422 | fax=+91 22 2202 5493| hours=M-F 9AM-midnight | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | url= | email=jertony@yahoo.com | address=Baharestan, 30/A, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 660 7852 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 6606446 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Indonesia}} {{listing | name=Indonesia | alt= | url=https://www.kemlu.go.id/mumbai/en/default.aspx | email=kjrimumb@bom3.vsnl.net.in | address=19 Altamount Rd, Cumballa Hill | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2351 1678, +91 22 2353 0940, +91 22 2353 0900 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | url=http://www.consmumbai.esteri.it | email= | address=Kanchanjunga 1F, 72 G.Deshmukh Marg | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 23804071 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2387 4074 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Iran}} {{listing | type=listing | name=Iran | alt= | url=https://www.iranianvisa.com/iranian-consulate-in-mumbai-india/ | email= | address=47, 1st Floor, Swapna Lok, Nepeansea Road, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 6688 7070 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Israel}} {{listing | name= Israel | url=http://embassies.gov.il/mumbai | email= | address=Marathon Futurex 1301, A Wing N M Joshi Marg,, Lower Parel, NM Joshi Marg, BDD Chawl, Lower Parel | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 6160 0507 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=South Korea | url=http://ind-mumbai.mofa.go.kr/english/as/ind-mumbai/main/index.jsp | email= | address=Kanchanjunga Bldg., 9th floor, 72 Peddar Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2388 6743| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Kuwait}} {{listing | name=Kuwait | url= | email= | address=Vaswani Mansions, Flat No. 1 & 2, 120, Dinsha Vachha Rd| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 22-2287 1897 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | url=http://www.mumbai.in.emb-japan.go.jp/en/index.html | email= | address=1 M. L. Dahanukar Marg, Cumballa Hill | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2351 7101 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2351 7120 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Malaysia}} {{listing | name=Malaysia | url=http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/mumbai | email= | address=4-B, 4F, Notan Plaza, Turner Rd, Bandra(W) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2645 5751, +91 22 2645 5752 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} {{listing | name=Saudi Arabia | url= | email= | address=Maker Tower “F”, 4F, Cuffe Parade, Colaba | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 22156001, +91 22 2215 6002, +91 22 2215 6003 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2215 6006 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | url=http://www.mfa.gov.sg/mumbai/ | email= | address=152, 14F, Maker Chambers IV 222, Jamnalal Bajaj Rd, Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 22043205-22043209 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2285 5812 (For visa matters only) or +91 22 2204 3203 (For non-visa matters) | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Thailand}} {{listing | name=Thailand | url= | email= | address=General, 1F, Dalamal House Jamnalal Bajaj Marg, Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2281 0808 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 22810808 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|the United Arab Emirates}} {{listing | name=United Arab Emirates | url= | email= | address=7 Jolly Maker, Apartment #1 Cuffe Parade, Colaba | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2218 3021 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 22180986 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|the United Kingdom}} {{listing | type=listing | name=United Kingdom | alt= | url=http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/en/ | email= | address=Maker Chambers IV Second Floor, 222 Jamnalal Bajaj Road, Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 56502222, +91 98 2000 0343 (Emergency Duty Officer) | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 6650 2324 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|the United States}} {{listing | type=listing | name=United States | alt= | url=https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/mumbai/ | email=MumbaiACS@state.gov | address=Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Rd | lat=19.06534 | long=72.86811 | directions=from Kurla station {{km|2.2}} West | phone=+91 22 2363 3611 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2363 0350 | hours= | price= | image=Department of state.svg | phoneextra=U.S. citizens 24-hr emergencies +91 22 2363 3611 ext 0 | content=- Established in 1838. Former the consulate functioned from Wankaner House, later renamed Lincoln House, at Breach Candy in south Mumbai since 1950. (The consular residence was Washington House on Altamount Road). The building, declared as a heritage site, is an erstwhile palace of Maharaja Vakaner. The palace was handed over to the U.S. consulate by the Maharaja to raise funds to pay off his taxes, after India became independent. In 2002, the consulate shifted its office to northern suburbs owing to security reasons. }} *{{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | type=listing | name=Vietnam | alt= | url=https://india-consulate.org.vn/ | email= | address=B-603, Oberoi Chambers, New Link Rd, Andheri(W) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2673 6688 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2673 6633 | hours= | price= | content= }} |} ==Go next== * [[Ambarnath]] ({{km|55}} NE - take a train to here) &mdash; See the Lord Shiva Temple (16th century) * [[Chiplun]] ({{km|290}} S, on Konkan railway route between Khed & Ratnagiri Stns) &mdash; Here are the Chiveli Vagheshwari Temple and the Pandavas Caves * [[Ratnagiri]] ({{km|300}} S, 6-7 hr journey in train from Mumbai, same comfortable using a (A/c & Non A/c) bus) &mdash; Ratnadurga Sea Fort, Thebaw Pagoda Palace * [[Rajapur]] (directions={{km|350}} S, 8.5 hr) &mdash; Visit the Yeshwantgad, an island fortification * '''[[Thane (district)|Thane District]]''' &mdash; to the north of Mumbai; has beaches and mountains ** [[Badlapur]] ({{km|50}} NE - to get in is by Local Trains (EMU), hourly) &mdash; Fort, Water Park ** [[Dombivli]] ({{km|30}} NE; 40 min in a fast train from CST to reach 'Kopar Stn.', by bus ~1 hr 30 min) ** [[Kalyan]] ({{km|60}} NE; by train towards Karjat or Kasara would reach Kalyan in around 45-55&nbsp;min) - Visit the Fort ** '''[[Navi Mumbai]]''' &mdash; also called New Bombay; go here to the see ''Belapur Fort ruins'' ** [[Thane|Thane City]] (N {{km|40}}) &mdash; also called ''Lake City'' due to the 30 lakes in and around the city * '''[[Raigad]]''' &mdash; district of Maharashtra lies just south of Mumbai. It is famous for its beaches and forts. You can get there by road or by ferry from Mumbai. The important ferry routes are: ** Ferry Wharf, Mazagaon, Mora ([[Uran]]). ** Ferry Wharf, Mazagaon, Rewas (near [[Mandwa]]). These are in budget range. ** Gateway of India, Rewas. Fast boats and Catamarans operated by private operators. Service approximately every two hours, suspended during the monsoon season, i.e. May-Oct. From Rewas, take a bus or car to [[Alibag]]. * '''Hill Stations''' &mdash; following are some of the hill stations that can be weekend gateways from Mumbai: ** [[Matheran]] ({{km|102}}, 1.5 hr) &mdash; can be reached both by road and by train. For train option, take a suburban train to Neral and take hour long toy train to reach Matheran top. Alternatively it can be climbed ** [[Lonavala]] ({{km|111.5}}, 1.5 hr) &mdash; best reached by road. Suburban trains do not ply to Lonavala, and may need to exchange train at Karjat or take en route long distance train ** [[Khandala]] ({{km|101}}, 1.5 hr) &mdash; check Lonavala ** [[Dapoli]]| ({{km|200}} S - by bus) -is a popular hill station also beaches, historical temples, caves and forts scattered around **[[Mahabaleshwar]] ({{km|242}}, 7 hr) &mdash; best reached by road *Lots of nearby destinations can be reached by short flights: [[Goa]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Karachi]] and [[Rajkot]], to name a few. {{routebox | image1=NH48-IN.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Vadodara]] | minorl1=[[Surat]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Pune]] | minorr1= [[Navi Mumbai]] }} {{isPartOf|Konkan}} {{geo|19.0318|72.8487|zoom=11}} {{usablecity}} l0x620pzfwqqda5yk5jnl3wf7929g93 4506316 4506309 2022-08-22T16:55:41Z Ibaman 195012 unneeded. Undo revision 4506309 by [[Special:Contributions/V.P.knocker|V.P.knocker]] ([[User talk:V.P.knocker|talk]]) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mumbai banner Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.jpg|dotm=yes}} {{redirect|Bombay}} {{printDistricts}} '''Mumbai''' ([[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]]: मुंबई, [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]: मुम्बई) ([http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/ state tourism office]), a cosmopolitan metropolis, earlier known as '''Bombay''', is the largest city in [[India]] and the capital of the state [[Maharashtra]]. Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven islands on the [[Konkan]] coastline which over time were joined to form the island city of Bombay. The island was in turn joined with the neighbouring island of Salsette to form ''Greater Bombay''. The city has an estimated metropolitan population of 21 million (2011), making it one of the world's most populous cities. Mumbai is undoubtedly the commercial capital of India and is one of the predominant port cities in the country. Mumbai's nature as the most eclectic and cosmopolitan Indian city is symbolised in the presence of ''[[Bollywood]]'' within the city, the centre of the globally-influential Hindi film and TV industries. It is also home to India's largest slum population and the iconic Gateway of India built on the waterfront of Mumbai Harbour during the British Raj. The name Bombay comes from Bom Bahia ("the good bay" in Portuguese), a name given by explorer Francis Almeida. Mumbai is named after goddess Mumba devi of the Koli community. ==Districts== {{mapshapes|Q3273422}} <!-- Local --> {{mapshapes|Q3530568}} <!-- Monorail --> {{mapshapes|Q646414}} <!-- Metro --> {{Regionlist | regionmap=Mumbai travel map.svg | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region1name=[[Mumbai/South|South Mumbai]] | region1color=#4F93C0 | region1items=Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, Marine Lines, Tardeo | region1description= The oldest areas of Mumbai, and is considered the heart of this commercial capital of India. The richest neighbourhoods in the country are here, which command among the highest property rates in the world. Real estate prices in South Mumbai are comparable to those in Manhattan. This is the primary tourist area of Mumbai and home to most of city’s museums, art galleries, bars, upscale restaurants and the Gateway of India. | region2name=[[Mumbai/South Central|South Central Mumbai]] | region2color=#71B37B | region2items=Byculla, Parel, Worli, Prabhadevi, Dadar | region2description=Used to be Mumbai's industrial heartland, but went into decline when the industries did. Now this area has been revamped into a white-collar office location. Home to Mumbai's only zoo, the Worli sea face, and the temple to what people consider the city's guardian deity. As you move north, it changes into a nice middle-class locality. | region3name=[[Mumbai/North Central|North Central Mumbai]] | region3color=#D56D76 | region3items=Dharavi, Matunga, Vadala, Sion, Mahim | region3description=Primarily an upper middle-class area, except for Dharavi, which contains [[Asia| Asia's]] second largest slum. This area developed immediately after India's independence, because of a wave of immigration. Part of the migrants were refugees from the partition. | region4name=[[Mumbai/Western Suburbs|West Mumbai]] | region4color=#AC5C91 | region4items=Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Juhu, Vile Parle, Andheri, Versova | region4description=Is home to those who want to have a more peaceful surrounding. It has few beaches. Home to a large Christian community and the city's most famous church. This is also where the city's domestic and international airports are. | region5name=[[Mumbai/Central Suburbs|East Mumbai (Central Suburbs)]] | region5color=#B383B3 | region5items=Kurla, Vidyavihar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjur Marg, Bhandup, Mulund, Powai, Thane, Bhiwandi, Dombivli, Kalyan | region5description=This is a middle class bastion. Mulund and Ghatkopar are home to predominantly middle and upper middle class populace, many from the entrepreneurial Gujarati community. Thane was inhabited with people of the Agri and Koli communities, and their villages still exist today as "Chendani Koliwada", "Kopari Goan", and "Uthalsar". It also includes Majiwade, Balkum, Dhokali, Kolshet, Wadavli, and others. In 1825, when the British explored their newly annexed territories in Bassein, they discovered that Thane was inhabited primarily by Roman Catholics, who are both native and Portuguese, and that the latter was virtually indistinguishable[citation needed] from the former in skin color and custom. The local villagers, like Kolis (fishermen), are converted into indigenous Catholics mostly from villages of Chendani, Koliwada, and Majiwada. The Agri and Koli community people had their own culture.[citation needed] Some of the upper class East Indian families in the Khatri ward of Thane still speak Portuguese. | region6name=[[Mumbai/Harbour suburbs|Harbour Suburbs]] | region6color=#D5DC76 | region6items=Chembur, Mankhurd, Govandi, Trombay | region6description=Before the development of [[Navi Mumbai]] as a satellite town of Bombay, this area used to be known only for the existence of an atomic research centre. Now this is known for being on the way to Navi Mumbai. | region7name=[[Mumbai/Northwest|North Mumbai]] | region7color=#B5D29F | region7items=Manori, Jogeshwari, Borivali, Gorai, Dahisar | region7description=Has some beaches that are not dirty. Other than this, it is just another victim of Bombay's vast urban sprawl. Contains the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Mumbai's oldest heritage sites: the Kanheri, Mahakali, Jogeshwari, and Mandapeshwar rock-cut temples dating from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. The Global Vipassana Pagoda is a notable monument in Gorai. The pagoda is claimed to serve as a monument of peace and harmony. This monument was inaugurated by Pratibha Patil, the President of India in 2009. It is in the north of Mumbai in an area called Gorai and is built on donated land on a peninsula between Gorai creek and the Arabian Sea. Essel world, India's largest amusement park is also found on the Gorai island, beside the global vipassana pagoda. }} {{infobox|Western and Central, East and West|A visitor to Mumbai's suburbs will quickly learn that the suburbs are divided into "Western" and "Central". You will also hear of a "West" side and an "East" side. Here is a quick explanation for the confused. * The Western and Central suburbs are named after the local railway lines that serve the respective areas. The Western and Central Railways are rail lines that serve the western and central parts of ''India''. Both have their headquarters in Mumbai. The Harbour Line is a feeder line that connects the harbour areas to the Central and Western lines. It also provides connectivity to the Northeastern suburbs of Mumbai and onwards to [[Navi Mumbai]]. Most of these areas do not lie anywhere close to an harbour. * Almost all localities in Mumbai have a "West" side and an "East" side. "West" means west of the railway line and "East" means east of the railway line. For example, Mulund (West) means that the area is to the west of the Mulund railway station. In addresses, West and East are abbreviated, i.e. Mulund(W) and Mulund(E).}} Mumbai is a city built in successive waves of migrations. The neighbourhoods acquired their character from the communities that settled there first. These neighbourhoods are too numerous to list and there is no commonly accepted way to group these neighbourhoods into larger districts. But roughly, from the south to the north, this is how the city developed. ==Understand== [[File:Thane Creek and Elephanta Island 03-2016 - img14 Elephanta Caves.jpg|thumb|240px|Carvings at the [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]]] Mumbai is a bustling, diverse metropolis with a flair of its own. The entrepreneurial spirit and pulsing pace of life provides a sharp contrast to much of the rest of India. ===Name=== There has been much debate regarding the original name of the city. Some say the current name of the city Mumbai is the original name; and is an eponym derived from "Mumba", the name of the local Hindu goddess Mumbadevi, and "Aai", meaning "mother" in Marathi. Others claim Bombay was an anglicised version of Bom Bahia, a name given by the Portuguese to mean "Beautiful Bay" and later made popular by the British as the name of the Bombay state. The name was officially changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995. Although Bombay and Mumbai are both used, people who explicitly use "Bombay" are generally non-Marathi speakers whereas "Mumbai" proponents primarily speak Marathi. In the West, Mumbai has become more commonly accepted in order to avoid controversy. The city is also fondly called आमची मुंबई ("our Mumbai"). ===History=== Though the seven islands that now make up the city have a long recorded history like any other place in India, their journey to form the city of Mumbai really started in 1498, when the Portuguese took them over from the Sultan of Gujarat. They built a settlement, forts, and churches (including the strange looking Portuguese Church that stands to this day). However, they could not make much of their possession and the seven islands were handed over to England in 1661 as part of the dowry of Catherine de Braganza when she married Charles II of England. He wasn't very interested in the islands either, and he leased them to the British East India Company for £10 a year in 1668. The East India Company built the docks, the trading posts, and the fort that would form the nerve centre of the city. They also started off the long process of reclaiming land and joining the islands, an activity which went on until the 1960s. The port attracted industries, and the entrepreneurial communities like the Parsis, Gujaratis, and Marwaris (from Rajasthan) migrated and set up trading companies and factories in the late 19th century. Industries attracted migrant labor from different parts of the country. The successive waves of migration shaped the character of the city and its neighborhoods. The city that owes its existence to the efforts of the British was also the birthplace of the Indian National Congress, which played an overwhelmingly important role in the independence movement. The city whose mills were built by industrialists from across the country is the capital of Maharashtra state, which was carved on linguistic lines for [[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]] speakers. In the 1980s, high labour costs and unrest forced the closure of many textile mills and the city went into a decline from which it started recovering only in the late 1990s. The high population put a strain on the infrastructure. The rail and road network underwent a steady improvement over the 1990s, but because of the magnitude of the task, the roads seemed to be perennially under construction. Mumbai has now reinvented itself as a hub for the service industry. In January 1993, in the wake of the destruction of the Babri Mosque in [[Ayodhya]], a wave of riots swept the city, with over 1,000 people killed, the vast majority of whom were Muslims. Relations between the city's various ethnic groups have been tense ever since, with several terrorist outrages (see [[#Stay safe]]) adding fuel to the fire. ===Culture and attitudes=== Mumbai is the most cosmopolitan city in India. In comparison with the rest of the country, the city is quite liberal. With a regular influx of immigrants from rest of India, the citizens, popularly known as 'Mumbaikers', have shown remarkable tolerance towards other cultures, making it a true cultural melting pot. However this tolerance has sometimes bowed under external pressures. Between the 60s and 80s, there was resentment about the non-Marathi speakers taking away jobs. The 1991 and 1993 riots between Hindus and Muslims did affect this spirit; however, the city managed to recover from these, once again proudly highlighting true 'spirit of Mumbai'. ===Climate=== {{Climate|maxprecip=900 | units = Metric | janhigh = 31 | febhigh = 31 | marhigh = 33 | aprhigh = 33 | mayhigh = 33 | junhigh = 32 | julhigh = 30 | aughigh = 29 | sephigh = 30 | octhigh = 33 | novhigh = 33 | dechigh = 32 | janlow = 16 | feblow = 17 | marlow = 21 | aprlow = 24 | maylow = 26 | junlow = 26 | jullow = 25 | auglow = 25 | seplow = 24 | octlow = 23 | novlow = 21 | declow = 18 | janprecip = 1 | febprecip = 2 | marprecip = 0 | aprprecip = 1 | mayprecip = 13 | junprecip = 574 | julprecip = 868 | augprecip = 553 | sepprecip = 356 | octprecip = 78 | novprecip = 15 | decprecip = 3 | janh2o = | febh2o = | marh2o = | aprh2o = | mayh2o = | junh2o = | julh2o = | augh2o = | seph2o = | octh2o = | novh2o = | dech2o = | description = source [http://www.imdmumbai.gov.in/ Indian Meteorological Department] }} Mumbai has three main seasons — summer, monsoon, and winter (milder summer). The best time to visit is during the winter between October and February. Humidity is also less during the winter, when the climate is pleasant; the minimum temperature is 17°C and the maximum is 30-31°C. Summer is from March to May, with highs in the low to mid 30s (roughly 80-90°F). It is hot and humid during this time. June to September is the monsoon season when the city is lashed by heavy rains. The city gets flooded two or three times and normal life gets disrupted during this season. Climate is humid pretty much throughout the year because the city rests on the coast. ==Get in== ===By plane === Mumbai has excellent connectivity with most of the major cities around the world, including, New York, London, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur to name a few. If you are flying from Europe it is generally cheaper to fly from London, and there are many frequent flights available. All domestic sectors are linked to Mumbai, making it the second busiest hub in the country next to Delhi. [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 114 Airport international terminal interior.jpg|thumb| Interior of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (International Terminal)]] Mumbai's {{marker|type=go|name=[[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport]]|lat=19.099748|long=72.874990}} ({{IATA|BOM}}) is one of India's busiest airports and one of the main international gateways to the country. Many international airlines such as [https://www.aeroflot.com/ru-en Aeroflot], [http://www.airchina.com/index.shtml Air China], [https://www.airfrance.com/indexCom_en.html Air France], [https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/?type=e All Nippon Airways], [https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_in/ British Airways], [https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US.html Cathay Pacific], [https://www.delta.com/ Delta], [https://www.elal.com/en/USA/Pages/default.aspx El Al], [https://www.emirates.com/English/ Emirates], [https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/us Ethiopian Airlines], [https://www.flydubai.com/en/ flydubai], [https://www.klm.com/ KLM Royal Dutch], [https://www.koreanair.com/global/en.html Korean Air], [https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/us/en.html Malaysia Airlines], [https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/homepage Lufthansa], [https://www.qatarairways.com/en-us/homepage.html Qatar Airways], [https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/home#/book/bookflight Singapore Airlines], [https://www.swiss.com/us/en Swiss International Air Lines], [http://www.thaiair.com/ Thai Airways], [https://www.turkishairlines.com/ Turkish Airlines], [https://www.united.com/en/us United], and [https://www.virginatlantic.com/us/en Virgin Atlantic] fly into Mumbai. Low-cost carriers such as [http://www.airasia.com Air Asia] also fly to the city. ===By boat === Many travel organizations offer cruises from Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai to Mumbai. Ferries from Ferry Wharf allow cheap access to islands and beaches in the vicinity of the city and the [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]. ===By train === : ''Wikivoyage has a guide to [[Rail travel in India]]'' {{infobox|Railways in India|The first commercial railway service began on 16th April 1853 at 3:35PM on its first run between VT (now the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and Thane.}} Trains arrive in Mumbai from all over India. The Central line serves connectivity to [[Southern India]], [[Eastern India]], and parts of North India. The key stations are {{marker|type=listing|name=Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, CST [CSTM] (formerly Victoria Terminus, known just as VT)|lat=18.9407 | long=72.8355}}, {{marker|type=listing|name=Dadar Terminus [DR] (for Central Line) and [DDR] (for Western Line)|lat=19.0187 | long=72.8433}}, and {{marker|type=listing|name=Lokmanya Tilak Terminus [LTT] (formerly called Kurla Terminus)| lat=19.0699 | long=72.8917}}. The Western line connects to the [[Western India|Western states]] of [[Gujarat]], [[Rajasthan]], and some parts of North India. The main termini are {{marker|type=listing|name=Mumbai Central [BCT]|lat=18.9700 | long=72.8194}} and {{marker|type=listing|name=Bandra Terminus [BDTS]|lat=19.0645 | long=72.8411}}. The [http://www.konkanrailway.com Konkan Railway] (which is a separately administered and newly built line) travels through the picturesque Konkan coast of Maharastra and is a good way to travel from [[Goa]] and [[Mangalore]], coastal resort areas to the South. The Dadar Terminus is the destination for the line. For trains to other Indian cities, the main reservation offices are at Churchgate, Mumbai Central, and Bandra on the Western line and CST and Dadar on Central line. There are special ticket windows and quotas for foreign tourists. For bookings and tariffs on train tickets to anywhere in India from Mumbai, visit [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ Indian railway's website]. To travel unlimited on the Mumbai you can use[https://www.irctchelp.in/2018/12/mumbai-local-train-tourist-ticket-pass.html Mumbai Local Tourist Ticket] provided by the Indian Railways. The [http://www.the-maharajas.com/ Maharajas' Express] is a luxury train that will take you to Delhi. ===By car=== National highway numbers 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 17, and the Mumbai-Pune expressway radiate from the city providing links to all parts of the country. The road conditions are generally better than in the rest of India. The comfortable airconditioned blue cabs are available to Pune and Ahmednagar-Nashik from opposite Asiad Bus Termina in Dadar and Lakhamsi Nappoo Rd near Dadar east railway station respectively. Distances from various cities to Mumbai are: * '''From other states''': [[Ahmedabad]] ({{km|524}}, 10 hr), [[Bangalore]] ({{km|982}}), [[Chennai]] ({{km|1334}}), [[Kochi]] ({{km|1427}}), [[Goa]] ({{km|583}}, 11 hr), [[Hyderabad]] ({{km|711}}, 14 hr), [[Mangalore]] ({{km|892}}), [[New Delhi]] ({{km|1402}}) * '''From Maharashtra State''': [[Amravati]] ({{km|669}}), [[Ahmednagar]] ({{km|254}}), [[Nagpur]] ({{km|824}}), [[Pune]] ({{km|151}}, 2½-3 hr) ===By bus=== Mumbai is well served by buses from destinations inside India. * '''Asiad Bus Service''' The bus terminal, popularly known as 'Asiad Bus Terminal' on Ambedkar Rd in Dadar east is another hub from where buses travel to Pune at regular frequency of 15 minutes to 1 hour. Buses vary in comfort from ordinary to luxury with airconditioning. Other routes available are Mumbai - Satara, Mumbai - Nasik. The easiest way to reach the terminal is to cross over using pedestrian foot bridge to Dadar East from the Dadar Terminus and walk straight all the way (less than 5 mins) to Ambedkar Rd. * '''Private Buses''' There also exist numerous private bus operators who operate a large number of services from/to Mumbai from most major cities like [[Udaipur]], [[Ajmer]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Vadodara]], [[Surat]], [[Indore]], [[Nashik]], [[Aurangabad]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Belgaum]], [[Hubli]], [[Bangalore]], [[Mangalore]], [[Trichur]] and [[Goa]]. For [[Pune]], buses depart every 10 minutes. Crawford Market, Dadar T.T., Sion, Chembur and Borivili are the main starting points. Some of the reliable private operators are - National,Neeta, Sharma, VRL, Konduskar, Dolphin, Paulo and Southern Travels. * {{listing | name=ST Buses | alt= MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2307 4272 (Mumbai Central), +91 22 2307 6622 (Mumbai Central), +91 22 2422 9905 (Parel), +91 22 2413 6835 (Dadar) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Operates services to Mumbai from various cities in Maharashtra. Mumbai Central is the most important Terminus in the city. All major cities in Maharashtra and nearby states are connected through Mumbai Central Terminus. The other important ST depots are at Parel, Nehru Nagar-Kurla, and Borivali. You can get buses for all over Maharashtra from these depots. But from Mumbai Central you would get buses any time as well as other State Transport buses. Quality varies. }} ==Get around== Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to and from their workplace due to the lack of parking spaces, traffic bottlenecks, and generally poor road conditions, especially in the monsoon. However, do ride in a taxi and auto at least once in the city. If you are not used to Indian roads, an auto-rickshaw ride can be a heart-stopping, death-defying, laws-of-physics-bending. Feel real adventure in a vehicle that feels like it might fall apart at a speed over {{convert|30|km/h}} with a driver who thinks he's Schumacher. For travelling using public transport, you can download the m-Indicator app for [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobond.mindicator Android] and [https://apps.apple.com/in/app/m-indicator/id593278253 iPhone]. It contains useful information about bus and train routes, which can help you plan your commute. * '''TMT''' (Thane Municipal Transport) operates services in the [[Thane]] city and areas around it. * The '''MSRTC''' (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation), commonly known as ST, operates services from selected points in the city to the extended suburbs. From Dadar, services to Navi Mumbai and Panvel and from Borivali to Thane being the most prominent. Numerous other important routes are also covered in the MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) by the MSRTC. * '''NMMT''' (Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport) operates services in Navi Mumbai Area, and a few points around. They also have services from Mulund in Greater Mumbai. * '''KDMT''' (Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Transport) operates in the Kalyan-Dombivali Area with a few connections to Navi Mumbai. Another option is to book bus tickets online from [http://www.redbus.in/ Redbus] or [https://www.myticketbuddy.com myticketbuddy], both of which have a choice of a number of large private bus operators all over India. ===By taxi=== ====Black & Yellow Top Taxi ==== Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Most taxis in Mumbai are small-medium sized Fiat cars (non air-conditioned), painted black-and-yellow (black on lower body and yellow on roof). The legal maximum limit on the number of passengers in a taxi is 4, excluding the driver. You can hail a cab off the streets. However, many are quite rickety, dirty, and carry mechanical fare meters that could be tampered at times. All taxis should have electronic meters which are somewhat tamper-proof. If you encounter a mechanical meter post that date, you can put up a complaint to the closest traffic police cop. Also, according to law, a black-and-yellow taxi driver cannot refuse a fare. If a driver does refuse, a threat to complain to the nearest cop usually does the trick. If you have extra pieces of luggage, the boot (trunk) of the taxi will not provide sufficient space - one large suitcase is all that will fit there. Hiring a taxi with a top carrier will be better. Top carriers can accommodate up to three large suitcases. Before starting the journey, ensure that the luggage is securely fastened to the carrier. Generally, the only way to call for the standard taxi is to hail one on the street. This will not be a problem if you are within downtown Mumbai (i.e. [[Mumbai/North Central|North Central Mumbai]] and below). If you are in the suburbs, it will be difficult to find a taxi as they have been out-competed by the cheaper auto-rickshaws. The maximum number of passengers allowed for a trip officially is four — three in the back seat and one in the front. Seat belts are not mandatory for taxi passengers and most standard black and yellow taxis will not even have them installed, though expect them in the branded ones. ====Blue & White Top Taxi ==== The Blue and White (B/W) Taxis are premium public Taxis which are the air-conditioned version of the Black and Yellow (B/Y) Taxis. All the rules of the B/Y taxis apply to the B/W taxis too, except that the B/W taxis are air-conditioned. Moreover the fare of the B/W taxis is 20% higher than the B/Y taxis. This is the premium expected for the air-conditioned, which is really helpful for tourists and travellers who are not accustomed to the heat and pollution of Mumbai. Moreover, all the B/W taxis ply with electronic meters, unlike the B/Y taxis. Since the fare of the B/W is at a premium, the common folks usually do not prefer to travel by the B/W taxis, and is primarily used by tourists or business travelers. For the lack of demand, the lack of supply is also expected. The taxis ply frequently, but are not easily available on all locations. You can always expect them to be available at tourist hot-spots like railway stations, airports, premium hotels, top tourist spots, etc. If you are not travelling through either of the above locations, and you need the air-conditioned comfort, but do not want to go look for a taxi, it is suggested that you move to the next section. ====Private taxis==== If you want a comfortable, air-conditioned ride at a small surcharge of 25 percent over normal taxis '''it's best to travel by branded cab services''' that operate at government-approved tariffs. These services operate modern fleets with well trained drivers. You can get them at 30–60 minutes notice, they are clean, air-conditioned, equipped with digital, tamper-proof meters, punctual, honest, and GPS-equipped-monitored, which makes them far secure at any time. If you're using a mobile phone, you receive an SMS with the driver's name, mobile number and car number 30 minutes before scheduled departure. There is a 25% night surcharge (midnight-5AM). Some can be booked online. Follow the queue system to board a taxi. Quite frequently, tourists and new visitors are mobbed by unscrupulous taxi drivers. Most drivers are honest, but the dishonest ones tend to cluster around railway stations and airports where they can more easily find suckers. Unless you are taking a prepaid taxi, always ask taxis to go by the meter. At the start of the journey, ensure that the meter is visible and shows the flag-down fare/meter reading. '''Transportation network taxis''' Mumbai is also served by various transportation network organisations. A lot of tourists and locals alike use services like Uber and Ola Cabs to commute in and around Mumbai. Make sure to read the tariffs in these before you pay. While most of these services do accept cash, a lot of them can also be linked to online wallet services like Paytm; as such, overcharging is rarely a risk. ==== Tourist traps ==== One of the common scams is to charge the night fare rate during daytime. You should be careful and read the heading before paying. In some cards, the night fare is red in color and the daytime fare is black in color. The night charges are only applicable if you board the vehicle during the night hours (midnight to 5 AM). If you had boarded the vehicle before midnight, and your journey is finishing after midnight, you are not liable to pay night charges. Similarly, if you board the vehicle before 5 AM and you finish after 5 AM, you are liable to pay night charges. Sometimes, auto-rickshaw drivers charge the taxi fare and even show you a tariff card which is used for taxi fare computation. You can download m-indicator app which is available in Play Store and iTunes App Store. This app carries latest taxi fares, auto fares, bus services details and local train time table. ===By auto-rickshaw=== Auto-rickshaws are only allowed to operate beyond Bandra in the western suburbs and beyond Sion in the central suburbs. They are not issued licenses in the downtown areas. Before departing, ensure that the meter is visible and shows the flag-down reading as 1.00 (on a mechanical meter). If the number is higher, insist that the driver flags it down once again. The minimum fare is ₹21. The meter remains at 1.00 for the first {{km|1.6}} and every 0.10 movement indicates approx 200 m (i.e. 1.50 for every {{km|0.2}}). Every auto driver is supposed to carry a valid RTO approved meter tariff card. You can check this tariff card before paying. The meter also keeps ticking if you are waiting and/or are stuck in traffic. It's quite handy to have a copy of the meter card issued by The Mumbai Traffic Police. All of this applies to mechanical meters, not digital meters. Newer digital meters have started becoming common from 2012 onwards, and they show the exact fare, so there is no need to convert via the tariff card. Auto-rickshaws are slower than cars and have terrible suspensions. Pregnant ladies are most ''strongly advised'' not to travel by auto-rickshaws since the combination of rash driving, poor suspensions, and horrible road conditions have quite often led to serious complications. The auto-rickshaw is a slow and uncomfortable vehicle and not recommended for very long distances. ===By bus=== The [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region]] around Mumbai is fast developing into a major conurbation. If you need to get to the surrounding cities of [[Thane]], [[Navi Mumbai]] or [[Kalyan]], bus services are available. '''[http://www.bestundertaking.com Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport]''' (known as '''BEST''') provides efficient and comprehensive services connecting up all places of the city and the suburbs. Some services also link the city with the extended suburbs like Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Mira-Bhayandar areas. Seats are almost always occupied. There are bus stops all over the city. There is usually a crowd and queue. You have to get in through the rear entrance and off at the front. Tickets are issued by a uniformed "conductor" after you get in. Special seats are marked for "Ladies", "Senior Citizens", "Handicapped", "Expectant Women", and "Women with infants". They can get in from the front. Buses run from 5AM to midnight. Selected routes run beyond these timings, but much less often. Average frequency between buses ranges from five to 30 min depending on the route. Fares are reasonable and buses can be travelled during peak hours, unlike trains which are far too crowded. Some trunk routes do get extremely crowded however. Peak hours also have traffic snarls which may depend on the area traversed and the state of the roads. {{infobox|What connects ''Electric supply'' and Transport?|BEST got into transport by starting a tram company. Now, of course, it runs buses that run on diesel & CNG, not electricity. The company is still in charge of electricity distribution for South and Central Mumbai.}} Buses are numbered and the final destination is marked on the front in Marathi and on the side in English. Generally, buses around the city and trunk routes would be in the 1-199 series. Buses in the western suburbs would be the 200 series while those plying in the central and eastern suburbs would be in the 300 and 400 series. Services to Navi, Mumbai are in the 500 series and buses to the Mira-Bhayander area are in the 700 series. BEST has introduced the "Daily Pass" (Cost ₹50, valid on all BEST non-AC buses; Cost ₹60, valid on all BEST buses, including Air-conditioned bus routes). BEST has launched its app "[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dimts.best.bestapplication BEST Prawas]" for Android, which contains features like live tracking of buses and ETA of buses. You can also purchase BEST bus tickets and passes using the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ridlr ridlr] app for Android. ===By train=== [[File:Mumbai Metropolitan Railway Schematic Map (simplified).svg|thumb|250px|Schematic map of Mumbai's suburban railway routes]] [[File:Rapid transit map of Mumbai.jpg|thumb|400x400px|Topological map of Mumbai's public transport system]] ====Suburban rail network==== Most people travel in Mumbai using the ''Suburban Rail Network'' commonly referred to as "Locals". Mumbai has an extensive network, with three lines — the Western Line, the Central Main Line, and the Harbour Line. *Mumbai is a linear city and the Western Line travels from Churchgate to Dahanu Road via Mumbai's Western Suburbs. The Western line provides North-South connectivity. *The Central Main Line travels from Mumbai CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), aka VT Victoria Terminus to [[Kalyan]] via Mumbai's Central Suburbs and [[Thane]], with some services running beyond to Karjat, Khopoli, and Kasara. The interchange point between the Western Line and the Central Line is Dadar. *The Harbour Line has a common stretch between Mumbai CST (aka VT Victoria Terminus) and Vadala. The harbour line splits into two spurs, the main one running to Mumbai's Eastern Suburbs and Navi Mumbai, up to Panvel. The Interchange point of this line with the Central Main Line is at Kurla. The other spur of the Harbour Line runs up to Mahim on the Western Line and runs parallel up to Andheri. The interchange stations with the Western line are Bandra and Andheri. Trains on all lines start operations after 4AM and close operations between midnight and 1AM. Second class travel is very cheap. However, it is advisable to buy first class tickets as the economy class is extremely crowded. First Class can be quite expensive and if four people are travelling together, a taxi might be better. There would always be queues and it would be advisable to buy coupon booklets. Coupon booklets punching machines are available at all stations and the best thing is you will not have to stand in a huge line to buy a booklet. Another option is to buy a Smart card for Railways. It helps you maintain balance like any a gift card with an option to refill it once it goes below the limit. Smart card outlets to buy tickets are available on all stations. They are touch screen based and you can simply follow the instructions to buy a ticket for the right path. If you are a tourist, you can buy a 'Tourist Ticket'. It costs ₹275 and you can travel in first class compartments of all the three lines during the entire day. Ensure the location of the first class compartment before the train arrives. You may ask fellow passengers or the vendors at the various food stalls. An easier way to spot the location of the First class compartment is to check the station walls painted with red and yellow slant stripes. Avoid using local trains during rush hour (first class or otherwise). Rush hour is 8:30–10:30AM towards CST and Churchgate and 5:30PM–8:30PM in the opposite direction. If you are traveling during rush hour, don't stand near railway track as you will get swamped by frantic. Take no offense if you are pushed and shoved about, as passengers jostle for a spot. As you near your exit station, ensure that you are as close as possible to the train door, as experienced commuters, will be begin the mad run to be first on, or off, the car before the car comes to a full stop. If you stand any chance of getting on/off before the train depart, you must be equally aggressive in your focus to exit/enter, remember no one will take offense if you make contact with others, as you wriggle by. Last, but not least, exiting/entering a train before it comes to a full stop is not something to be taken lightly, one misstep can send a person onto the rails with an amazing ease! Leave the stunts to the experienced locals. There are special coaches for women on both classes. These are designated by green and yellow slant stripes, spot these stripes on the station walls and you'll know where the ladies compartment is. These are generally less crowded and safer. But very late at night, it might actually be safer to travel by the general coach than the first-class women's coach, as the latter may be absolutely empty except for you. From 11:15PM-6:30PM the ladies compartment towards the northern end is open to general public. Sometimes they have a cop guarding the coaches, but sometimes they won't. Use your judgment. ====Mumbai Metro==== The Mumbai Metro connects the western suburbs to the eastern suburbs. Line 1 runs from Versova to Ghatkopar with interchange options available at Andheri (Western Line) And Ghatkopar (Central Line) Railway Station. The travel time is 20 minutes. You can purchase Mumbai Metro tickets from your smartphone using the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ridlr ridlr] app. ====Mumbai Monorail==== Mumbai has India's first monorail, it has one line and eighteen stations throughout the city. The fare is between ₹5 and ₹11 depends on your destination station. ===By ferry=== These are a few intra-city ferry services: * '''Gateway of India to [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]''' Fast boats and Catamarans operated by private operators. These are moderately priced. This is only way to get to [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]]. * '''Gorai (Borivali) to Gorai Beach''' Low cost ferry connecting Gorai Beach/Esselworld. * '''Marve Jetty (Malad) to Manori Jetty''' Cheap ferry (by BEST) connecting Manori and Gorai. Also services for Esselworld (Amusement Park). * '''Versova (Andheri) to Madh Jetty''' Cheap ferry connecting Madh/Erangal/Aksa/Marve. ===By car=== Travel agents and hotels can arrange private chauffeur driven cars to provide services. Expensive by comparison with taxis, they are the most trusted, secure, and comfortable way to travel around the city. Driving in Mumbai can be difficult, because of poor driver discipline, but chauffeur driven services are very reasonable. These can be arranged by travel companies or online from the countries of origin. Car rental agencies also have services in Mumbai. ==Talk== Mumbai is India's melting pot — a confluence of people from various parts of India, but dominant are people from the west, then north, and followed by the south. '''[[Marathi phrasebook|Marathi]]''' is the state and city official language used by State Government agencies, municipal authorities, and the local police, and also the first language of most locals. However, being one of India's largest cities and main commercial centre, Mumbai is now also home to migrants from other parts of India who do not speak Marathi. A local variant of '''[[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]]''', with strong Bollywood influence, called Bambaiya Hindi serves as the "lingua franca" and although almost everyone can understand standard Hindi, you may get an interesting reply from some. Most educated locals will be well versed in Marathi, Hindi and English. English is widely used in the corporate world and in banking and trading. At most places, you will be able to get by with Hindi and English, as most people you will encounter can communicate in broken English at the very least. However expect to hear more regional languages including [[Gujarati]]. ==See== {{infobox|The game of names|The names of Mumbai's monuments tell us the story of which way political winds were blowing when they were built. In the late 19th century the British named everything after their Queen, so we had Victoria terminus, Victoria Gardens, and the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute (built in 1887 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty's coronation). In the early 20th century, they named everything after the Prince of Wales. After independence the colonial names could not be retained of course, so they were renamed. Depending on whether the city was suffering from bouts of nationalistic pride or Marathi pride at that time, they were named after either Jawaharlal Nehru (the first Prime Minister of India) or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (King Shivaji, who founded the Maratha Empire in the 17th century). Often, they were named after Shivaji's mother, Jijabai. The advantage of this was that using Veermata Jijabai ("Courageous mother Jijabai") for a place that was earlier named for Victoria maintains the same abbreviation, so "Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute" (formerly Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute) is still VJTI. For a traveller, the practical problem would be that many places have multiple names. Multiple places are named after Nehru, Shivaji, or Jijabai, so you need to be careful about specifying which place you need to get to. Few important names changes to remember are: * 'Victoria Terminus' is now 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus' * 'Jacob Circle' is now 'Saat Rasta' or 'Sant Gaadge Maharaj Chowk' * 'King's Circle' is now 'Maheshwari Udyyan' * 'Kurla Terminus' is now 'Lokmanya Tilak Terminus' }} There is a lot to see in Mumbai, but the typical "tourist" sights are concentrated in [[Mumbai/South|South Mumbai]]. By Indian standards, Mumbai is a young city and much of the land comprising the city did not exist until it was claimed from the sea over three centuries ago. It is therefore, a pleasant surprise to find rock cut caves such as the Elephanta, Kanheri, and Mahakali within city limits. ===Colonial buildings=== [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 40 Bombay High Court.jpg|thumb|Bombay High Court, a Victorian Gothic building]] The British built a magnificent city within the walls of Fort St. George, which lies at the southern extremity of the city. Some fine examples of the Gothic revival, Neo-classical style and Indo-Saracenic style are seen within this area. To get the best [South Mumbai] experience, stroll around the wide streets of the area right from Churchgate to Colaba. These areas are all beautifully planned and have wide and clean pavements unlike the rest of the city. Famous monuments to be seen in this area are the Gateway of India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) building, the Municipal Corporation and Police Headquarters and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sanghralaya (formerly, the Prince Of Wales museum). The famous Taj Mahal Hotel is opposite the Gateway of India. The Mumbai University buildings and the High Court are also excellent examples of colonial architecture in the city. There are a lot of other modern structures to look at in this area. The area known as Marine Drive (right from Chowpatty beach to NCPA) is home to a large number of buildings built in the Art Deco style. Mumbai is second only to Miami in the number of Art Deco buildings. some famous buildings in this style are the Eros and Regal cinemas. The Art Deco and Gothic buildings were added to the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]] in 2018. ===Museums and galleries=== [[File:Nehru Centre 11.jpg|250px|right|thumb|alt=Nehru Centre|Nehru Science Centre]] Some of the India's most famous museums and art galleries are found here. The Kala Ghoda area in South Mumbai teems with them, particularly the [http://www.csmvs.in/ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya] (Prince of Wales Museum), and the [http://ngmaindia.gov.in/ngma_mumbai.asp National Gallery of Modern Art]. Once again, most of them are concentrated in South Mumbai. Also worth planning a visit is Jehangir Art Gallery, also at Kala Ghoda, displays changing exhibits by notable artists. The plaza next to the gallery also regularly displays exhibits of various artists. In Nehru Complex in Worli is Nehru Centre Art Gallery at Worli is a gallery dedicated to young and promising talent along with established artists. Also within the complex is a permanent exposition, Discovery of India, which attempts to cover every aspect of artistic, intellectual and philosophical attainment of India through ages. The exposition spreads across 14 galleries and reflects true identity of the country. On the other end of the complex, Nehru Science Centre - which has a separate entrance from Mahalaxmi race course road, has a permanent exhibition on 'interactive and exciting' science related exhibits highlighting science principles in fun yet educational way. ===Beaches=== Mumbai isn't known for beaches because they have immensely filthy water! Mumbai has a few beaches, including one in the downtown area. But they aren't that great and the water off Mumbai's coast is extraordinarily dirty. The relatively better ones are in the [[Mumbai/Northwest|Northwest Mumbai]] area. However, they are a great place to see how the locals spend their Sunday evenings, with various food and game stalls. There are other beaches to be found such as the Girgaon Chowpatty (the cleanest one) in South Mumbai, Juhu beach in the western suburbs and Aksa Beach in Malad. The currents don't seem strong, but particularly in the rains, lots of people die from drowning, so avoid getting in the water (especially at Aksa Beach). A word of advice to women: Mumbai beaches are not the kind you can wear swimsuits to, particularly two-pieces. [[File:Faluda at Juhu Beach, Mumbai.jpg|thumbnail|Faludha stall at Juhu beach, Mumbai]] ===Zoos, parks and gardens=== Mumbai has a justified reputation as a concrete jungle, but there are some nice pockets of greenery within the city. It is also one of the rare metropolises to have an entire national park within its borders. (Borivali national park also known as [http://www.borivlinationalpark.com/ Sanjay Gandhi National Park]). You will not visit Mumbai for them, but if you are already here, they make a nice escape from the din and bustle. It also houses the ancient Kanheri Caves crafted out of rocky cliffs, which dates back 2,400 years. The city zoo (Veermata Jijabai Udyan) is in Byculla and is a colonial relic which is surprisingly well-preserved. The animals may look rather emaciated, but the sheer diversity of trees on this lush zoo is worth a trip. Some city parks are very well-maintained and combine history as well. The "Hanging Gardens" on Malabar Hill offers stunning vistas of the Marine Drive. Opposite the Hanging Gardens, there is another park which is known as Kamla Nehru Park, famous for the striking shoe-shaped structure which has been filmed in various Bollywood movies Further in South Mumbai, the Mumbai Port Trust Garden, is another hidden gem. This is set off a small side street off the Colaba Causeway {{km|2–3}} south of the main section. Attractive views of the port, the naval yards and sunset. In central Mumbai, there are the Five Gardens. Mainly used by walkers in the morning, it is a mess in the evenings. But the gardens encircle some historic, art deco residences. ===Markets and crowds=== Mumbai is probably worth visiting just for its street markets, the hustle of vendors, and the madness of the crowds. Good places are Bandra, Khar and Andheri. If you came to Mumbai and didn't give visit to the highly dense and crowded markets, it means you didn't meet the real Mumbai. Hawkers and street shoppers don't ask for any legal permission and then set their stalls at the places where they see maximum footfall. From electronics items to fresh food, you can get everything at railway platforms, subway and mains streets. ===Modern buildings and malls=== Once the British left, the zeal to wipe away the traces of colonial rule was, unfortunately, not matched by the enthusiasm to build a new city that matched the grandeur of the British-era buildings. Now, while the shabbiness of the socialist era is thankfully being replaced by architecture with an eye on aesthetics, the new malls, multiplexes, and office buildings that are coming up are indistinguishable from those anywhere else in the world. Still, they are worth a look, especially if you want to have a look at India's success story. Skyscrapers exceeding 60 stories now dominate the skyline. For long, Inorbit Mall was the only mall offering a lot of variety for shoppers. Palladium, built within the High Street Phoenix, broke the monopoly of Inorbit Mall. From state of the art interiors to international brands, the Palladium has everything. The new Infiniti Mall (Infinity 2) in Malad also has lots of foreign brands and is one of the biggest malls in the suburbs. Nirmal Lifestyles Mall in Mulund and Metro Junction Mall in Kalyan are two of the largest malls in Mumbai. In the central suburbs, they are quite popular in the city. Powai is a modern central Mumbai suburb with European looks. Powai houses the Indian Institute of Technology and is built around fabulous lake. Most of the construction is in a township format and is privately built. It houses twenty top of the line restaurants, two large convenience stores, a handful of coffee shops and entertainment areas. Initially built as an upmarket self-contained township, Powai has now grown into a business process outsourcing hub in Mumbai. The township reflects both characteristics; you will often find families shopping and twenty somethings hanging out in tables next to each other. ===Religious places=== Mumbai has temples, mosques, churches, Parsi agiaries, and even a few synagogues reflecting the diversity of its citizens. While these are naturally of interest if you are a believer, some, like the Portuguese church at Dadar are worth visiting just for their unique architecture. Siddhivinayak temple of Mumbai is very famous. It is in Dadar and you can easily get a taxi to go to the temple from the Dadar railway station. The city also boasts of Jewish places of worship predominantly in the area called Byculla, but also in South Mumbai. In this area the three prominent Jewish groups of Mumbai lived. They were Baghdadi Jews, Bene Israelis and the locals who had converted over a period of time and lived in the hinterland. There are two very beautiful Hare Krishna (ISKCON) temples that are significant tourist attractions. One is in Hare Krishna land, Juhu, Andheri and the other in South Mumbai, near Gandhi's house. Both have Govinda's pure vegetarian restaurants at the premises. Most tourists appreciate the peaceful experience in the temple. The Islamic Research Foundation of Zakir Naik is in South Central Mumbai near Dongri. Is popular with people of all faiths. It hosts a vast library of books from all world religions and is a great place to hangout and know about Islamic culture. Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most visited places in Mumbai. The Dargah Sharief is built on a tiny islet 500 metres from the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, in the vicinity of Worli. People from different religion and places visit this places. More than 80,000 people visit dargah every week. One notable monument in the northwest suburbs of Mumbai is the [http://www.globalpagoda.org Global Vipassana Pagoda], Gorai, Mumbai. It is a meditation centre that can seat 8,000 people. Vipassana literally means mediation, and the centre runs 10-day meditation courses and 1 day mega courses on Sundays. The courses are free of cost but you would have to register for them in advance on their website. ==Do== There is a lot to do in Mumbai, but lack of space means that for outdoorsy activities, you need to head north, often outside city limits. In the Northwestern suburbs and Thane, you will find opportunities for water sports like [http://www.drishtiadventures.com/ H2O] at Girgaum Chowpatty. There are two golf courses in the city, the more famous one in [http://www.bpgc-golf.com/home.htm Chembur] in the Harbour suburbs. Mumbai has a vibrant theatre scene with plays in many languages including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi. While South Mumbai has frequent performances, the best organised theatre effort is at Prithvi theatre, Juhu in the Western Suburbs. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy [[Indian classical music]] and dance. While not a patch on the ''Sabhas'' of Chennai, you will find frequent performances of Carnatic music in Shanmukhananda Hall, Matunga in the South Central suburbs. Mumbai is also usually the first stop for Western pop and rock stars visiting India, which they usually do when they are over 50. The Rock scene is very good in Mumbai. These are very safe to go to and are recommended for rock fans. Most bands cover heavy metal acts like Pantera, Six feet under, and Slipknot. To try to find places with specific music tastes try asking students outside Mumbai's colleges. Western classical music performances are rarer. However most classical music performances along with other art forms are regularly performed at [http://www.ncpamumbai.com/ NCPA] and [http://ncpamumbai.com/venue/tata-theatre Tata Theatre], both next to the narrow strip at Nariman Point. * '''Sanjay Gandhi National Park''' (previously named Borivili National Park), or go for Flamingo watching in Chembur (check with Bombay Natural History Society for further info). * '''Chowpati Jayenge Bhel Puri Khayenge'''; as it says in the lyrics of one of the Bollywood movie song, go to beaches (specially in the evenings) and enjoy local favourite 'Bhel Puri' while the sun sets in the Arabian sea. * '''Take a harbour cruise'''; cruises from Gateway of India leave every 30 min daily except during the monsoon season (Jun-Sep). * '''Dabba wallahs''' are a group of couriers in Mumbai who move two million household lunchboxes every day in a complicated system of delivery. * '''Enjoy theatre & performances'''; Mumbai offers unlimited opportunities to theatre lovers and there are regular shows in theatres across the city. Check newspapers on latest shows as well as performances at prominent halls such as Prithvi Theatre, NCPA, Tata Theatre. * '''Experience Bollywood'''; plan a trip to Film City in Goregaon and enjoy the first hand experience of Bollywood shooting * '''Get crowded''', and try catching suburban trains at peak times. You are warned though. * {{do | name=Join for heritage walks | alt= | url=http://www.bombayheritagewalks.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=organised by two architects, these walks take you around various historic and architecturally significant areas of the city. Walks are organised on the third Sunday of every month (with a break from June through August for the monsoons) and the route varies each time. The walks last around 2 hours. Discounted rates for students and the physically challenged. }} * '''Poonawallas Breeders Multimillion'''; on the last Sunday of February, the glitterati of Mumbai dress up for the Ascot of Mumbai at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. With High Tea, amazing hats, and hundreds of ordinary punters staking their little all on the outside chance, this is the event to attend in Mumbai so try to cage a ticket if you happen to visit around then. * '''Pub Hopping''', The number and variety of Pubs in the city allow for an enthralling Pub Hopping opportunity. * '''Taj private yacht'''; if you can afford it, rent the Taj's private yacht (has two sun decks and three bedrooms) for a cruise around the Mumbai harbour. * '''Take A Dip at Water World''' * '''Take a morning walk on Juhu beach''' [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 52 Dharavi near Mahim Junction.jpg|thumb|Mumbai slums]] * '''Temples'''; there are so many religious places around in the city (both old and new) that one can plan a day long itinerary on that. Start with Mahalkshmi Temple, Banganga Temple, Siddhi Vinayak, Afghan Church, Mahim Church, Haji Ali... the list will get really long. * '''Visit Essel World''' * '''Visit museums and art galleries''' [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 46 evening at Marine Drive.jpg|thumb|Marine Drive]] * '''Walk along Marine Drive'''; also known as ''Queen's Necklace'', this beachside promenade is worth a ride. A walk can be planned from Girgaon Chowpati (Girgaon beach) all the way up to Nariman Point. Be careful and avoid this area during heavy rains. * '''Watch a Movie'''; you are in the land of Bollywood. Expect whistles and clapping by crowd in admiration of their celebrities on the screen, except at multiplexes as this occurs at single-screen movie theatres. Most of the cinema halls run both 'popular and new' Bollywood as well as Hollywood movies and some even screen ones in regional languages. Some of the popular Hollywood screening cinema halls in South Mumbai are Eros opposite Churchgate, Metro on M.G.Road, Regal in Colaba, Sterling next to CST Station, and New Excelsior in Fort. With the rise of malls and multiplexes, the nearest cinema is unlikely to be more than a stone's throw away, even in the suburbs. Check out newspaper listing to get the list of latest screenings. * '''Watch Cricket for Free'''; cricket has a national games stature in India, and Mumbaiites revere that every day of the year. Azad Maidan (Azad ground) near C.S.T. Railway station, ground opposite to Ruia College in Matunga and Shivaji Park in Dadar west are some of the best places to witness the cricket fever for free. You may be even lucky to witness ongoing game of cricket on some of the empty streets of Mumbai. ===Festivals=== While many religious festivals are celebrated by people in Mumbai, a few of these are essentially public and social occasions, where the traveller can participate. ==== Organised festivals and events ==== * {{do | name=Banganga Festival | alt= | url=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=(Jan) The musical festival is organised by Maharashtra Tourism (MTDC) annually at Banganga Tank on Malabar Hill. }} * {{do | name=Elephanta Festival | alt= | url=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=(March) Organised by Maharashtra Tourism, the festival of music and dance at [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta Caves]] has in the past festivals have seen performances by renowned artists like Alarmel Valli, Sanjeev Abhyankar, and Ananda Shankar and traditional Koli dances as well as traditional food. 7PM-10PM (Ferries start at 4PM) }} * {{do | name=Kala Ghoda Festival | alt= | url=http://www.kalaghodaassociation.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The arts and crafts festival is held in the last week of Jan or first week of Feb annually in the historic precinct of Kala ghoda in Mumbai. }} * '''Mumbai Festival''' (Jan) Sample the vibrant culture of the city. The festival covers theater, sports, fashion, food, and shopping. * '''Mumbai Wine Fest''' (Feb) Wine connoisseurs of the city gather to sample wines, enjoy the culinary delights while soaking in the cultural extravaganza put up at Kala Ghoda. ====Religious festivals==== *'''Christmas''' (Dec) This is characterised by midnight (nowadays held around 8-9PM on Christmas Eve due to restrictions on loud speakers) masses in churches and is usually followed by a number of private parties all across the city. * '''Diwali''' (Oct/Nov) Festival of Lights. Start of New Year and opening of new accounts. Worshiping of Goddess Laxmi. Participate in the fireworks and view the bright lights. * '''Ganesh Chaturthi''' (Aug/Sep) is one of Mumbai's most important and colorful festivals. During the 10 day celebration, Lord Ganesh is worshiped in millions of homes. See the colourful processions and participate in them, the biggest of which is on the last day of the celebrations where the largest idol is brought to Chowpatty for immersion in the wee-small hours of the morning and can vary depending on the crowd and pace of travel from Lal Bagh to the beach. The Lalbaug, Parel, Matunga and Dadar areas represent some of the best large scale decorations. On the last day of the festival, processions are carried out to bid bye to the loved deity in the sea. These presentations are colourful and carry a celebration fever. The best places to watch them are Girgaon and Dadar chowpati (beach) or the main roads such as Ambedkar road from where the processions are carried out. * '''Janmashtami''' (Jul/Aug) Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna. Earthen pots full of curd are strung high up across the streets. Young men stand on top of one another to form a human pyramid and attempt to break the pots. * '''Mt. Mary's Feast''' (Sep) The feast in honor of Our Lady of the Mount is celebrated with great solemnity at St. Mary's Church, Bandra. A week long Bandra fair is held during this time attracting huge crowds. * '''Navratri''' (Sep/Oct) is a 10 day festival, where nine of the nights are spent in worship and entire Mumbai swings to the rhythm of Garba and Raas dances of Gujarati community. * '''Ramadan-Eid''' Muslim festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Marked by feasting at many places. Non-Muslims can also join in. ===Sports=== Mumbai inherits the cricket fever justifiably and has 3 of the finest Crickets stadiums namely Brabourne Stadium (Churchgate), Wankhede Stadium (Marine Lines) and D.Y.Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai). Several of international cricket matches and domestic championships such as IPL have been played in these stadiums. Watch out for upcoming cricket stadium to join the cricket frenzy crowd. Apart from these, Ruia College, Shivaji Park, Azad Maidan, Marine Lines are some of the places where live cricket action can be seen for free. Alternatively if you are a football fan, you may want to visit Cooperage Football ground (Colaba) for a local league match. For swimming enthusiasists, Mahatma Gandhi Swimming Pool (Dadar W) is the place to visit. For horse racing, head straight to Mahalakshmi Race Course (Mahalakshmi). Powai hosts some of the finest Golf fields. For others there are many sport activities including Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton which can be practised at various clubs. Gyms are plenty and can be easily found. ==Learn== <!-- If there are opportunities for travellers to study in this city -- from language to cooking classes up to full university courses -- add that here. Please favour variety. Not every yoga institute has to be listed here. Try to add other activities that a traveler might find interesting to learn. --> {{seeDistricts}} * '''Cricket''' - As cricket is like religion in India, many youngsters travel to Mumbai from different corners of India to get professional training in Cricket academies and educational institutes. * '''Film & TV production''' - The craze of Bollywood attracts many people to try their luck in Mumbai. The city hosts many big film production houses and studios. Most of the big film producers and directors belong to this city and they have opened several training institutions to attract new talent. * '''Indian classical music''' - The origins of Indian classical music are found in Vedas and the metropolitan city, Mumbai has been continuing the tradition. Most of the die- hard Indian classical music lovers operate training classes to pass on their talent to young generation. * '''Indian cooking''' - Mumbai is real heaven for food lovers as one can get variety of food here. Food lovers not only love tasting variety of food but they also serve food to others by preserving their cooking talent. Many professional and amateur cook lovers offer free as well as paid classes to passionate learners. * '''Yoga''' - Being highly busy city in India, the Mumbai people try to revive their life by taking part in different Yoga activities. In their rush schedule, Mumbaikars try to spend some time doing Yoga as they know role of these activities in their life. ==Work== Nariman Point and Fort are the commercial hubs of the city and the most sought-after destinations. There is a significant expatriate population working in the banks and financial services industries. Bandra-Kurla region is up-coming, but remains less desirable. The advertising industry is a prominent industry in Mumbai. Many of the top advertising companies such as Lintas, O&M, Saatchi & Saatchi, Contract, and Trikaya Grey have their offices in the city. A good idea to make quick money is to work part-time in a BPO or a call centre most of which are concentrated at Mindspace, Malad(W) and Hiranandani Gardens (Powai). Only suitable for English speakers. Foreigners can also earn a quick buck as extras in Bollywood films. Bring a book as there is a lot of time spent sitting around, so it's not something to do for the money. Normally you won't have to look for them as they will be asking tourists near Leopold's or your hotel manager may ask you when you book in. ==Buy== Visa, Master cards and Indian RuPay cards are widely accepted in the city shops. Many shopping establishments also accept American Express, Diners and host of other cards. However, some of the small shops or family-run shops may not accept these cards and some handy cash can be of help here. ATMs are widely available and many debit cards accepted as well. If you have an Indian bank account or credit card, you may not need to carry too much of cash. If you are a foreigner, it is a good idea to carry some cash to avoid charges while using your credit or debit card. Many stores and websites have started accepting payments using mobile wallets and Unified Payment Interface (UPI). Some of the popular payment apps are Paytm, Google Pay (formerly known as Tez), PhonePe, BHIM and Amazon Pay. In general, costs in Mumbai are higher than the rest of India, though they are still much lower by Western standards. {{seeDistricts}} The shopping experience in the city is a study in contrasts. At the lower end of the spectrum are street vendors. Existing at the borderline of legality, entire streets have been given over to these hawkers and in many places it is impossible to walk on the footpaths, because they have blocked the way. On the other hand, these vendors often give you a great bargain though you will have to haggle a lot and be careful about what to buy. There's nothing like taking a local along to shop for you. Some famous shopping streets are: * {{buy | image= | name=Bhuleshwar Market | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kika St, Bhuleshwar | lat= | long= | directions=From [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Charni Road Railway Station take first road to south "Babasaheb Jaykar Marg" approximately {{km|1.3}} East | phone= | hours= | price= | content=for fruits and vegetables }} * {{buy | name=Chor bazaar | alt=Thief Market | url= | email= | address=Bhandarwada Ln | lat=18.960319 | long=72.827079 | directions= Get down at the [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Grant Road station on the Western Line. The market is on the east side of the station - | phone=| hours= | price= | content=Chor Bazar which literally translates to "Thief Market" is a colloquial term used to refer a place selling stolen items. It consists of number of interconnecting by-lanes with street vendors hawking a wide variety of items from antiques to shoes to car accessories etc. The place can be quite a surprise for the number and type of items on sale. A great place to spot bargains, and bargaining is a must. Shop with a keen eye: look out for fakes or second hand items that are shoddily repaired and can be passed out for a quick buck. Don’t carry too many items like money / jewellery / watches on you when visit the market. Keep it to bare essentials and keep an eye on your belongings. There is a very good chance that you may get robbed since locals are apt at spotting first time shoppers. }} * {{buy | name=Colaba Causeway | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lala Nigam Rd | lat=18.91766 | long=72.82829| directions=It is very close to the Gateway of India about {{km|1}} south | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=is filled with tourists and locals. It is a place where you will be able to find many authentic Indian souvenirs, antiques, carpets and chandeliers. But foreigners will have to be very careful, as all these stores are road-side stalls. What may seem a good price that the person has quoted to you, it will actually be a rip off. Do not settle for anything more than one-fourth the quoted price. If they refuse a price just walk away and they will call you back quoting a lower price. Normally, the more you buy, the less you will have to pay for each individual item. }} * {{buy | image=Crawford Market.png | name=Crawford Market | alt=Marathi: क्रॉफर्ड मार्केट, officially Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Market, Marathi: महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले मंडई | url= | email= | address=Central Line? Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area | lat=18.947414 | long=72.83471 | directions= It is within 10 minutes walking distancenorth from the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus. - West of the J.J. flyover at a busy intersection. | phone=| hours= | price= | content=Earlier it was the major wholesale trading market for fruits & vegetables. Now it houses shops selling imported items such as food, cosmetics, household and gift items. The market was designed by British architect William Emerson, in Norman and Flemish architectural styles. The friezes on the outside entrance depicting Indian farmers, and the stone fountains inside, were designed by Lockwood Kipling, father of novelist Rudyard Kipling. The market covers an area of 22,471 m², of which 5,515 m² is occupied by the building itself. The structure was built using coarse buff coloured Kurla stone, with redstone from Bassein. It has a 15 m high skylight awning designed to allow the sunlight brighten up the marketplace. }} * {{buy | image= | name=Dadar (W) Flower Market | alt= | url= | email= | address=Gurunanak Marg? Tulsi Pipe Road, | lat=19.02052 | long=72.84310 | directions=Opposite Dadar Train Station | phone= | hours=early morning | price= | content=Visit early morning to see colourful and wholesale flower market in action }} * '''Family-run shops''', Or one could do shopping at family-run shops, where the items are behind the counter and one has to ask the salesperson to get items from the list. The traditional way to buy sarees or jewellery is to go to a shop where you sit on a bedspread laid out on the floor and the salespeople bring out their wares one-by-one until you make a decision. Shops like Bharat Kshetra in Dadar have scaled this model up to such an extent that they have a two-storied complex where you can do the same. * {{buy | name=Fashion Street | alt= | url= | email= | address=Fort district, Mahatma Gandhi Rd? | lat=18.93626 | long=72.83097 | directions=from [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Chruchgate Station start walking towards Flora Fountain make a left turn and its a block down | phone= | hours= | price= | content=Popular place buy cheap clothes. Bargaining/haggling skills are a must. Offer to pay 1/4 of the asking price or less and then work upwards. }} * {{buy | image= | name=Mangaldas Market | alt= | url= | email= | address=Janjikar St | lat=18.94816 | long=72.83241| directions=From Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus approximately {{km|0.5}} NW | phone= | hours= closed on Sundays? | price= | content= for silk and cloth }} * '''Shopping Malls''', Mumbai has been experiencing a boom in malls in the past few years. You can combine your shopping, dining out, and watching movies all in one place. * {{buy | image=Batata Vada.jpg | name=Zaveri Bazaar | alt=Marathi: झवेरी बाजार | url= | email= | address=Bhuleshwar Road, | lat=18.951808 | long=72.830697| directions=Just north of Crawford Market, - [[Image:Mumbai Suburban Railway Logo.svg|18px]]: Marine Lines station approximately {{km|1.0}} West | phone= | hours= | price= | content=Best known jewellery Market, all at one place. }} ===What to buy=== * '''Antiques & second hand items''', Visit Chor Bazar for the best options and bargains * '''Burlingtons''', in the Taj is a tailor specializing in Indian outfits. Buy some material and get some clothes made up by a tailor. It's an incredibly cheap way to get quality made-to-measure clothes. Usually only takes a couple of days. * '''Carpets, rugs and shawls''' * '''Cotton clothes''', Mumbai is great place to buy quality and cheaper cotton clothes. Amongst many notable shops and brands, Cottonworld is a place to look out for. * '''Dhoop''', (translates into Sunshine or Incense) A quaint, stylist store where you can find really interesting quality crafts and home accessories. On the corner of Union Park, Near Olive, Off Carter Road in Bandra. * '''Indian musical instruments''', Indian music has its own set of musical instruments such as Tabla, Harmonium, straight Flute that it relies upon. These can be brought at various music shops scattered across the city. Some well known shops are L.M.Furtado, Ghaisas & Bros. * '''Khadi clothing''', Khadi is an authentic Indian variety of home spun cotton. Mahatma Gandhi advocated the use of khadi as a form of satyagraha against the use of foreign goods and a form of rural self-employment for India during the pre-independence days. Check out the Khadi Gram Udyog Bhavan at 286, DN Road, Near the Mumbai GPO & Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It is run by the [http://kgvs.org.in/ Khadi Gramudyog Vikas Samiti] which is an umbrella organization started by the Mahatma himself which today has evolved into a government registered unit promoting the use of khadi. A good place to buy souvenirs including khadi Indian flags. These are similar in type to the ones used during the freedom struggle. It also houses other forms of fabrics like pure cotton wool, and silk. Some of the items make use of natural straw. Also offer a collection of handmade paper products. * '''Kurties and tunics'''', a must have in India. Linkin Laado has a wide range of classy kurties, fushion ethnic wear and exquisite dress materials in most sought after pure fabrics such as muls, cottons, maheshwari and chanderi silk in hand block prints and intrinsic chikankari work. The shop is at Link Square Mall, Shop No. F5, Opposite KFC, Above Croma, Linking Road, Bandra West. * '''Leather jackets''', go to the main road in Dharavi. You can fit yourself with a leather jacket (they stitch it for you) of leather you pick. Usually takes just one day to get it. * '''Luxury retail''', Mumbai has witnessed a massive boom in luxury retail. All the brands you can buy in any other major city are available there. * '''Pashmina''', cheap stuff is everywhere and decent shawls in every hue can be purchased at various markups in any hotel arcade. High-quality items in unusual colors and unique designs require more searching. The "pashminas" sold on Colaba Causeway are not anywhere close to pashmina. * '''Sarees''', the best place to buy them is Dadar (both east and west). The place is buzzing 12 months a year. On Sundays the crowd can be maddening for outsiders. Good shops to buy Sarees are Dadar Emporium, Lazaree, Roop Sangam. On N C Kelkar Road and Ranade Road you can buy almost everything a woman needs. Bargain hard. * '''Traditional clothing & handicrafts''', State government operated emporiums such as those for Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir. sell state specific items of clothing and handicrafts. These are in places around South Mumbai or the shopping arcades of Five Star Hotels. There is also a Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Emporium near the Gateway of India beside the Tendulkar's restaurant. The items on display include embroidered clothing, carvings, paintings, sculptures etc. and are reasonably priced. Amongst the private labels, [http://www.fabindia.com/index.asp Fabindia] is a must visit for its variety of kurtas [tunics], salwars, pyjamas, churidars & dupattas. They also offer bedspreads, cushion covers, decorative pillows, quilts, table linens, home furniture etc. Just like the government owned emporiums, Fabindia operates on a cottage industries model where products are hand crafted by artisans and sourced from villages across India. Good quality, smart colours, trendy designs but prices are a bit on the high side. Shops are found across Mumbai. ===Bookshops=== {{SeeDistricts}} Mumbai has large number of organised bookshops. However it also has number of streetside second hand book shops or displays that give opportunity to come across rare collections. Many of these roadside book shops can be prominently found, among many, near Flora Fountain, Maheshwari Udyyan (former King's Circle) and Dadar west market. If you are somewhere in the western suburbs (santacruz,juhu etc.) Granth on juhu road could be a good bet to find the book you are looking for. The Crossword chain of book shops has an outlet in most malls around the city, as well as the main store in Kemp's Corner. ===Tourist traps=== In a place without clearly displayed price tags (and sometimes even in places with), you will get charged about 3-4 times as much as a local if you seem like a tourist. Take a local with you if you're going to local markets to haggle. Haggling is much louder and ruder in India than elsewhere. Don't be afraid to haggle things down to 1/4 of the asking price. And most importantly remember that almost all stores that sell carpets, jewelry, handicrafts, etc. pay huge amounts of commission (25% up to even 50%!) to the cab drivers, hence avoid tourist taxis, cabs, etc. Another thing to remember is not to haggle just for the fun of it. The shopkeepers may take offence if you don't buy an item after they have agreed to your price. One of the places that you can trust is The World Trade Centre (in Cuffe Parade, near Hotel Taj President). Besides being the only World Trade Centre in Mumbai, this place has an amazing range of exquisite carpets, handicrafts, shawls, etc. with reputed government approved stores and state emporiums too. Ask for receipts everywhere, including bars, and check what you have been charged for. Don't ever accept a guide offer or escort of somebody from the street: You will certainly get conned. If some place (including taxis, restaurants, shops, etc.) claims it doesn't have change (this is highly unlikely), insist they get change from a neighbouring shop. ===Groceries=== In addition to the local grocery stores which can be found on most of the streets, there are new additions to the city in the form of new big and small supermarkets and hypermarkets where you can get all the food items you need. Some of them are [https://www.bigbazaar.com/ Big Bazaar], [http://hypercityindia.com/ Hypercity], DMart, Spinach Local, Apna Bazaar. If you are looking for exotic fruits and vegetables then try [http://www.naturesbasket.co.in/ Natures Basket]. ==Eat== [[File:The Mumbai Thali.jpg|thumbnail|The Mumbai lunch consists of white rice, vegetable fries, dhal fries, onion, yoghurt and pooris. ]] {{movetodistrict}} The dining experience at an upscale restaurant in Mumbai is more or less the same as anywhere else in the world. You can find cuisine from the Middle East, Western Europe, North America and China easily. But to get a real flavour of what's unique to Mumbai, you will have to go a little lower down the scale and experience the street food and Irani cafes. Since March 2015, beef is banned in Maharashtra, and therefore in Mumbai. Therefore, it is uncommon to find beef served in restaurants. For individual restaurants and other places to eat, go to the individual district pages. Don't leave Mumbai without trying: * Alphonso Mangoes during summer season * As many different kinds of chaat (Bhelpuri, Pav Bhaji etc.) as your stomach can handle * Bread Maska (Bread & Butter) from an Irani Cafe * Goan seafood * Maharashtrian,Gujrati,Managlorean special and Kerala Thali * Indian Chinese * Indian sweets- milky, delicious concoctions (try the kulfi falooda at Badshah's in Crawford market) * Kebab rolls, Pattis, Keema ** Particularly late-night at Bade Miyaan's behind the Taj near Colaba Causeway (also if the lights are off in order to avoid bribing the cops, do still try and approach it as it is likely to still be serving) * Kingfisher Blue beer (not common in eateries, but only most "wine shops" (liquor stores) * South Indian food from an Udupi restaurant * Vada pav (the Indian veg burger): known to be the dish of Mumbai ===Speciality restaurants=== Popular search engines to find easily restaurants include [http://www.justdial.com Justdial], [http://www.asklaila.com/Mumbai/ AskLaila] and [http://www.dizylocal.com/mumbai DizyLocal]. The search engines shall provide the address, contact details, and user ratings (if available) of the specific eatery (if name is provided), or list of eatery catering to the specialty (e.g. Seafood, Pubs, Chinese Food, etc.) depending on the location suggested (e.g. Worli, Bandra, South Mumbai, etc.). * ''' Seafood''', Apurva (Fort right off Horniman Circle). If you want to eat some authentic Indian (Konkan) sea food you must visit the Bharat Excellensea. It is next to the Horniman Circle and the Reserve Bank of India. It is becoming pretty expensive. In the slightly higher price range, Trishna (at Kala Ghoda in Fort) and Mahesh Lunch Home (also in Fort) are very popular among both locals and tourists. North-Western *'''Peshawari''', Andheri, (''at Maratha Sheraton''). Its sister restaurant Bukhara in Delhi has been recognised as the best Indian restaurant around the world. Try tandoori jhinga, the kebab platter, sikandari raan (leg of lamb), and mangoes and ice cream (only during summers), Kebab Corner (Hotel Intercontinental), Copper Chimney (Worli) Khyber (Kala Ghoda), and Kareem's Malad Link Road in Malad W. ==== International Cuisine ==== * ''' Chinese''', India Jones, (''Hilton Towers Mumbai''), Mainland China (Saki Naka), Ling's Pavilion (Colaba), Golden Dragon (Taj Mahal Hotel), Great Wall (Renaissance), Spices (JW Marriott), China Gate (Bandra), China White (Bandra). Bandra offers a range of Chinese Restaurants. Royal China at VT (behind Sterling Cinema serves some of the best DimSum the city has to offer). The new CG83 at Kemps corner is brilliant and the signature restaurant of Nelson Wang. Also new is Henry Thams. The food is brilliant as are the prices, however the bar is much more popular than the restaurant. * ''' Combination Oriental''', India Jones (''Hilton Towers Mumbai''), Pan Asian (at Maratha Sheraton), Seijo, and Soul Dish (Bandra), Joss (Kala Ghoda) has some of the best East Asian food in the country and at moderate prices (compared to hotels). San Qi at the Four Seasons (Worli) combines East Asian and South Asian cuisine quite well. * ''' Italian''', Shatranj Nepoli (''Bandra, Union Park''), Little Italy (Juhu next to Maneckji Cooper school), Don Giovanni's (Juhu, opposite JW Marriott), Mezzo Mezzo (at the JW Marriott), Vetro (at The Oberoi, Mumbai), Celini (at the Grand Hyatt), Mangi Ferra (Juhu), Taxi(Colaba), Spaghetti Kitchen (Phoenix Mills, Parel). * ''' Japanese''', Wasabi by Morimoto (''Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba'') is Mumbai's best and most expensive restaurant, but Japanese food is on the menus of most Pan Asian restaurants like Tiffin (The Oberoi, Mumbai), Pan Asian (Maratha Sheraton), India Jones (Hilton Towers Mumbai), and Spices (JW Marriott), Origami (Atria Mall Worli). Also Japengo Cafe at CR2 Mall in Nariman Point serves up some sushi. Tetsuma, adjacent to Prive (probably best nightclub in town) serves an average sushi but other dishes are worth a try. Best to go there for a cocktail and a few starters. 'Tian cafe' at Juhu is also a good place for sushi. *'''Lebanese Food''', Picadilly, at Colaba Causeway, the only restaurant in the city serving Lebanese food. Alcohol is not served. * '''Parsi''', Their ancestors originating from Iran, the Parsis are a special community of people that one would associate Mumbai with. Parsi food is based on ancient Persian cooking. Go to Brittania at Ballard Estate or Jimmy Boy close to Horniman Circle. * '''Sushi''', Sushi Café (Santa Cruz West). A cosy little place. The decor, including the furniture, is all-white. You get chunks of white rice rolled with fresh fish and vegetables. They also do home delivery all over Mumbai. Sushi Café, Shop No. 1, Ground Floor, Sainara Building, corner of North Avenue and Linking Road, Santa Cruz (West), Tel: 98336-50503, www.sushicafemumbai.com. ===International brands === * {{eat | name=California Pizza Kitchen | alt= | url= | email= | address=3 North Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Maker Maxity, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East). }} * '''Chili's''', Central Avenue Road, Powai, Ventura Building, Hiranandani Business Park. * '''Cinnabon''', (''next to Basilico''), Pali Naka, Bandra (West). * '''Ruby Tuesday''', shop No. 20, 2nd Floor, Inorbit mall, Malad (West) or at Shop No. 31, CR 2 Mall, Nariman Point, Mumbai OR Nirmal Lifestyle, Lbs Marg, Mulund West. * '''Starbucks Coffee''', Behind Taj Hotel, Near Gateway of India. * '''T.G.I.F''', Palladium mall,Phoenix High Street,Lower Parel or Infiniti Mall,New Link Road,Oshiwara,Andheri(West). ==== Regional Indian ==== * '''Bengali''', Oh! Calcutta at Tardeo * {{eat | name=Cafe | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leopold-Cafe/112207345458725 | email= | address= | lat=18.914195 | long=72.824131 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Leopold Cafe | wikidata=Q153072 | content=Leopold and Cafe Mondegar (both near Regal Cinema, Colaba) are great places to while away time, eat cheap, and get a beer. Mocha (chain) is popular with the younger crowd. Deliciae, the dessert cafe which has some of the best desserts in town, next to Olive Restaurant in Khar. }} * '''Fusion''', Zenzi (Waterfield Road, Bandra), Out of the Blue ( Pali Hill, Bandra). * '''General Indian''', Sheetal Bukhara, Great Punjab (both in Bandra). More in Bandra. * '''Goan, Coastal''', Goa Portuguesa (Mahim) near Hinduja Hospital. New and a must try is Casa Soul Fry (opposite Bombay University in town) which serves up Goan Cuisine. * '''Goan Cuisine''', Casa Soul Fry opposite to Bombay University in town * '''Gujarati Thalis''', Chetana at Kala Ghoda, Thacker's at Marine Drive, and Rajdhani (multiple locations) * '''Kashmiri''', Poush at Andheri * '''Lounge''', Olive (Bandra), Rain (Juhu), Indigo. * '''Mumbai Street Food''', To experience the tastes and flavors of typical Mumbai chaat, and yet not expose oneself to the dangers of unhygienic street food, check out Vitthal's Restaurant on one of the lanes opposite Sterling Cinema (C.S.T.), but make sure you have a strong stomach. Vithal Bhelwalla (not the Vithal restaurant which is copycat) near VT station (behind Macdonald's) is a safe option. * '''Punjabi''', Himalaya Restaurant in Sion(E), Preetam's Dhaba at Dadar(E) and Urban Tadka at Mulund * '''Speciality Deli''', Indigo Deli (Colaba), Gourmet Shoppe (The Oberoi Shopping Arcade), Moshe's (Cuffe Parade), Cafe Basilico. * '''South Indian''', Dakshin (Maratha Sheraton) and Woodlands (Juhu) * '''24X7 Coffee Shops''', Trattoria (Taj President), Frangipani (Hilton Towers Mumbai), Vista (Taj Land's End, Bandra), Hornby's Pavilion (ITC Grand Central), Lotus Cafe (JW Marriott), basically all the big hotels have one. More coffee shops in Bandra. * '''Vegetarian''', Swati Snacks (Tardeo, opposite Bhatia Hospital) a gem of a restaurant, it does not take bookings and the waiting during peak meal times is usually 45 minutes every day of the week! Little Italy on Juhu Tara Road (Jugu), Andheri West opp. Fame Adlabs multiplex, Malad (above croma), New Yorkers on Marine Drive Opp chowpatty; Creame Center on Linking Road, Bandra near Shopper's Stop and also on Marine Drive opp chowpatty; Statua at Nariman point opp. Maker Chambers. Relish (Hotel Samrat — Churchgate). Excellent vegetarian cuisine from around the world. ===Street food stalls=== [[File:Mumbai-vada.jpg|thumbnail|Batata Vadas are a favorite of the Mumbai street food stalls]] Songs have been written about Mumbai's street food and you will find that the hype is justified. You will find them at every street corner, but they are concentrated in beaches and around railway stations. * '''Bhelpuri stalls''', Selling what in the rest of India would be called ''chaat''. In Mumbai itself, the term chaat is rarely used. * '''Bhurji''', Either Egg bhurji or Paneer bhurji, a mash of eggs and chopped tomato, onion, chili, and lots of oil. Eaten on the side with some pav. Try the Maker Chamber area (near Crossroads 2, Nariman Point). * '''Chinese food stalls''', You'll find them at many places, but they are particularly concentrated near Dadar railway station. They all have a typical Indian twist added to it, which is why it is frequently called "Indian Chinese". Although it is great tasting, the hygiene of these places leaves a lot to be desired. * '''Rolls''', Essentially different meat and cheese grilled and served with some Roti and spice, these are cheap and cheerful for anyone with a stomach that can handle it. They are known to be spicy so always ask them to make it mild. Try Ayubs (Kala Ghoda), Bade Miyan (behind Taj and near Colaba Causeway), Khao Gulli (Food Lane, near Mahim Hindu Gymkhana), or Kareems (Bandra). All are particularly busy after a night of heavy drinking. * '''Sandwich stands''', Uniquely developed in Mumbai, you won't find anything like it anywhere else in India or the world. * '''Vada pav stands''', Fried potato stuffed in yeasty bread. Developed to provide nourishment to mill-workers in Mumbai's burgeoning mills. Now they are found everywhere, particularly in the railway stations. This is a Mumbai specialty. In Vile Parle (West), try the one off S.V Road near Irla across from Goklibai School. One of the most popular ones are opposite Mithibai College which is about 15 mins walk from Vile Parle Station. Also try the one outside Grant Road Station and Churchgate Station. '''Tip''': cheap and tasty food stalls are concentrated around the city's colleges. Street stall food in India is fantastic, and very cheap. However, do consider well what you are putting in your mouth. Almost certainly the water used is non-potable, street vendors don't seem to understand much about hygiene or hand-washing, and food safety standards are low, with flies buzzing over everything. Even locals steer clear of street food during the monsoons, when diseases run rampant. If the stall seems very clean, and if it clearly states that it is using Aquaguard or mineral water, go for it. ===Authentic Marathi cuisine=== {{SeeDistricts}} Mumbai, being home to large ethnic Marathi community, has its share of notable restaurants that offer authentic Marathi cuisine. Most offer both snacks and regular dining. Some of the snacks to check out are Sabudana Wada, Batata Wada, Missal, Kanda Poha, Uppit (or Upma), Shira, Alu Wadi, Thalipith, Zunka Bhakari,ghavane (neer dosa) and many more. Two notable appetisers are Kokam Sarbat and Solkadhi which are best enjoyed during hot summers. People say that many of these authentic Marathi restaurants are finding it difficult to survive competitions with other modern or fast food typed restaurants, but you will find Gajali, Malvan Kinara, Sindhudurg and many more have retained their own charm and clientele. ===Udupi restaurants=== {{SeeDistricts}} Mangalorians(and udupi) forms the highest tourist populations of Mumbai,and both the cities have almost same culture and architecture. "Udupi" restaurants (or "hotels") are everywhere. They bear the name of the town of [[Udupi]] in Karnataka, but do not be misled into thinking that they specialise in the cuisine of Udupi. They serve pretty much everything, and that is their specialty. Usually strictly vegetarian, these restaurants were opened by migrants from the district of [[Dakshina Kannada]] in [[Karnataka]] (of which Udupi is a part), to satisfy the palates of other migrants from the district. Over time, they gained popularity as places to have [[Southern India|South Indian]] food. As the tastes of their customers evolved, so to did their menus, so much that now you can find Mughlai, Indian Chinese, Bhelpuri, and other chaats in addition to South Indian stuff. Amazingly, some places serve imitations of pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches too! They are fast food joints and sit-down restaurants combined. The reason to visit them is not to experience fine gourmet dining, but to have cheap, passably tasty and fairly hygienic food. There is no easy way to identify an Udupi restaurant; they are not a chain of restaurants and they may not have "Udupi" in their name, so you will have to ask. Matunga(Central line) has the best south Indian fare in Mumbai. There are few restaurants which could well be heritage sites as they are more than 50 years old and still retain their old world charm(and furniture). ===Irani cafes=== {{SeeDistricts}} Irani cafe's are Persian styled cafes opened by 19th century Persian migrants from Iran. These cafes have a unique lazy atmosphere, display of day-to-day accessories including toothpastes behind the cashier, soaps and what nots(specially targeted at bachelor crowds) and furniture. Most of these cafes were at the corner of the road or building and were chosen spots by commuters to spend time. It was quite a usual sight to find people spending hours reading newspaper over a cup of tea for hours in these places. Sadly the new restaurants and fast food culture has almost removed these cafes from the maps, though few notables like '''Kyani & Co.''' and '''Olympia''' remain. The joints are best known for their "Irani Chai", "Bun-Maska/Maska Pav" (bread and butter) and Egg Omelette. Also are popular their assorted snacks, like Kheema-na-Patice, samosas, mava-na-cakes, etc. One of the best dish which is almost always on the menu is Kheema (prepared from ground meat) and pav (bread). Don't miss the Mawa Cake at Merwan & Co, a bustling Irani cafe next to Grant Road station and be there before 9AM when the delicious cakes tend to run out. ===Thalis=== If you order a thali (translated as "plate"), you get a complete meal arranged on your plate, with a roti or chappati, rice, and many different varieties of curries and curd. Ordering a thali is a popular option when you are hungry and in a hurry as it is usually served blazingly fast. Most mid-level restaurants have a thali on the menu, at least during lunch hours. Occasionally, they are "unlimited", which means that some of the items are all-you-can-eat. The waiters serve them at your table. Of course, you find many varieties of them, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. There is the South Indian thali. The "North Indian" thali translates to Mughlai or Punjabi. Do try Gujarati or Rajasthani thalis if you can find them. They are sinfully filling and tasty. Rajdhani (At Crawford Market) serves up thalis in the Rajasthani style while Aram (near Mahim Church, Mahim), Ramanayak Udipi (At Matunga Station, east) serves up thalis in South Indian style and Shree Thakker Bhojanalaya (off Kalbadevi Road) do filling and fabulous Gujarati thalis. ===Fast food chains=== Western fast food chains like McDonalds, Subway, Pizza hut, Dominos, Kentucky Fried Chicken etc. have many outlets all over the city. But if you are a weary Westerner looking for the taste of the familiar, be warned that all of them have rather heavily Indianised their menus, so you will find the stuff there as exotic as you found Bambaiyya food. There are chains serving Indian food such as [https://jumboking.co.in/ Jumbo King] whose menu includes vada and lassi. [http://www.barista.co.in Barista], [http://www.cafecoffeeday.com Cafe Coffee Day], and [http://www.smokinjoespizza.com/ Smokin' Joe's] are all Indian chains, although they don't serve Indian food. While Barista and Cafe Coffee Day, as their names suggest, serve coffee and pastries, Smokin' Joe's serves decent pizzas and is headquartered in Carmichael Rd, Mumbai. International coffee chains like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Aromas have outlets in Mumbai. Naturals is a chain of ice cream stores that serves up tasty and unconventional flavours of ice creams. Try their tender coconut or the coffee walnut ice creams. Its main branch is in Juhu in the Western suburbs (hence the tagline - 'Ice cream of Juhu Scheme'), but it has franchises at many places including Marine Drive, Bandra, Nepean sea road, etc. Naturals is also famous for its seasonal "Sitaphal" or Custard Apple Ice-cream. Baskins-Robbins is an international ice cream chain having its presence throughout the city. Also there are a number of shops in malls amongst other places which serve Italian Gelato icecream. Try the sumptuous creamy crepes and omelets at Crepe Station, Bandra. Its owned by a famous Bollywood actor, Dino Morea. ===What to eat=== Asking a local for suggestions is a fun way to try new things. Here are a few suggestions: [[File:Curry - Indian cuisine.jpg|thumb|250px|Indian Cuisine]] * '''Bhel Puri''' & '''sev puri''', A classic Mumbai concoction, bhel-puri (or bhel for short) comprises mostly of puffed rice and assorted spices with a few chutneys. You can specify whether you want it spicy or bland and the vendor will make it for you. It is quite tasty and again ought to be had off the streets to get the real flavour. Most people like to flock to Juhu beach to try this out. * '''Hapus (Alphonso) mangoes''', A must try, if you happen to be in Mumbai in the summers. * '''Indian-Chinese''', Nothing like regular Chinese. For a typical Bambaiyya flavour, try the '''Chinese Bhelpuri!'''. * '''Mewad ice cream''', If you happen to be in Mumbai, it is recommended you avoid ice creams from the famous and expensive parlors and try out the cheap Mewad ice cream stalls. They are a lovely treat at their price and provide a lot of options. The vendors are found everywhere across the streets, but avoid those who appear unhygienic. * '''Pani Puri''', The vendor hands you a plate. Next he takes a puri (it looks like a golf ball, but brown in colour), makes a small hole in it, and dips the puri into two jars. These jars contain water, one tangy on a tamarind base and the other spicy on a mint base. He tops it off with some condiments and places the puri on your plate. You pick it with your hand and pop the whole thing into your mouth. To avoid stomach problems only buy from vendors using packaged water. * '''Pav Bhaji''', Part of the street food culture, this is mashed vegetables cooked in spices, topped with butter and served piping hot with pav. Widely available. * '''Vada Pav''', the vada is a mashed potato patty. Pav is a kind of bread that has its roots in Mumbai. (The word comes from the Portuguese word "pão", for bread). The potato patty is sandwiched in the bread. Liberal helpings of three kinds of chutneys are added to the sandwich to make a tasty snack. It is widely available on the streets and generally costs around ₹6 a piece. If you feel uncomfortable with the hygiene of a particular stall, avoid it. In that case eating at, [http://www.jumboking.co.in/ Jumbo King Vada Pav] outlets, found almost at all train stations in the city, is a hygienic and safer option. * '''Variations of world cuisine''' such as Tandoori Chicken Pizzas, the Bombay Masala Pizza or McAloo Tikki burgers. ===Tipping=== Tipping is not expected, but would be appreciated. However, if a place includes service charges on the bill, you don't need to leave an extra tip. Note the difference between service tax and service charges. Service tax goes to Government and not to the staff. ==Drink== ===Pubs & bars === {{seeDistricts}} {{infobox|Drinking & driving|Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered as a serious offence in India. In the event of an accident the law deals with drink-drive offenders with severity. The punishment is a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months. The driving license is suspended for at least six months.}} A police crackdown (June 2012) on many popular bar and clubs is underway, so be cautious when visiting lower to mid range bars. Mumbai is one of the most liberal cities in India when it comes to attitudes to alcohol. Bars exist at virtually every street corner and many of them advertise themselves as "family" bars and restaurants, which indicates that they are primarily restaurants where one can also have a drink. Other places are primarily bars, some of them might be sleazy. In South Mumbai and in the Western suburbs, you are likely to find many places where foreigners hang out. Mumbai is much more accepting of women drinking than the rest of India. A woman ordering a drink is unlikely to raise eyebrows even in mid-range bars, though if you are alone, you might need to look out for your safety. Nightlife in Mumbai spans the gamut from performances at five star hotels to discos. Dance bars which involve young, fully clothed women dancing mostly to Hindi film and pop music, have been shut down by the government for "corrupting the morals" of those who frequent those places. While the state high court has ruled that the crackdown was illegal, it will be a while before they open again as there are some technicalities involved to be sorted out. In Mumbai, alcohol is much more easily available than many cities in India. === LGBT options=== There is already a lively late night, if somewhat subterranean, scene for gays, as well as social and political networks. However, you need to do your homework before arriving, as LGBT gathering spaces and organizations are not published or available at local newsstands. However, Bombay Dost (Bombay Friends) the only magazine catering to the community, after 7 years of running was closed and relaunched in 2009. Much of Mumbai's LGBT scene is coordinated using social networking sites and groups. Use extreme caution; robberies, hustlers, and even police entrapment are not unheard of. === Coffee shops=== There many coffee shops in and around Mumbai. Try the '''[http://www.cafecoffeeday.com/ Cafe Coffee Day]''' and '''[http://www.barista.co.in Barista]''' chains. Also, three Starbucks stores were opened in Mumbai in late 2012, and more are likely to follow. These are the best around town and also serve some pretty neat coffee for cheap. There's the '''Cafe Mocha''' chain of coffee shops which also serve fruit flavoured hookas — South Asian smoking pipes. If a small coffee and cookies place is what you are looking for, try '''Theobroma''', it has an outlet at Cusrow Baug in Colaba. Those looking for a more native form of coffee can try the filter coffee, a milky coffee with origins from South India, from any Udupi restaurant. ==Sleep== [[File:Taj Mahal Palace Hotel at night.jpg|thumb|250px|Taj Mahal Hotel at night]] {{seeDistricts}} It is very difficult to find good budget hotels in Mumbai. If you are a tourist or a business traveller, you may have to stay in South Mumbai, which is where both the business district and the touristy areas are. Lack of space means that even the cheapest hotel charges stratospheric tariffs. The state of public transport and traffic means that it is not really a good choice to stay anywhere else. In any case, things aren't much better if you are looking for hotels close to the airport. You should be looking at the [[Mumbai/Western Suburbs#Sleep|Western Suburbs]] in that case. There are many guest houses at Colaba, where you find most of budget foreign travellers stay. Other budget hotels are found near railway stations, such as Dadar or Santa cruz, but most of them are absolute dumps. One safe and economical place to stay in Mumbai is the YMCA. Reasonably priced accommodations are available at the Colaba, Bombay Central, Andheri, and CBD Belapur Branches. One inexpensive alternative is to live with a local family as a paying guest. A list of available families can be obtained from the Government of India tourist office (+91 22 2220 7433) opposite Churchgate train station. On the other hand, if money is of no object, you can stay at the Taj in Colaba (the oldest in India), the Leela Kempinski, the ITC Grand Maratha, or the JW Marriott Mumbai, Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre. Hotel listings are in the district pages. ===Camping=== Whether you want to hang around with your close friends, spend some time with your family or wan to get away from concrete jungle, you an find plethora of places nearby Mumbai. Camping can be done safely on spots such as: * '''Kaas Lake''' - on the Kaas Plateau (known for its flowers) * '''[[Lonavala]]''' - hill station in Pune District ** '''Rajmachi''' - near Lonavala and two famous forts ** '''Tungarli Lake''' - near Lonavala ** '''Valvan Lake''' - site of Valvan Dam in Lonavala * '''Mahableshwar''' - the source of the Krishna River (Satara District) * '''[[Matheran]]''' - hill station (Raigad District) * '''[[Panchgani]]''' - small city (Satara District) * '''Kashid & Phansad''' - location of Phansad Bird Sanctuary ==Connect== === Landlines === The area code for Mumbai is "22" (prefix "+91", if you are calling from outside India). Phone numbers are eight digits long, but on occasion you will find a seven digit number listed. That is probably an old listing. They made the changeover from seven to eight digits a few years back, when they allowed private service providers to offer telephone. Just prefix a "2" to the number and it should work just fine. === Pay phones === Phone booths can be found all over the city. Though they are coin operated, there is usually someone to run the place. (Typically the phones are attached to a roadside shop.) You need to keep putting ₹1 coins into the slot to extend the talk time, so keep a change of ₹1 coins handy with you. The person running the booth will usually have them. If you find a booth marked STD/ISD, you can call internationally or anywhere within the country. Fees will be charged according to the time spent and a meter runs to keep track of your time. You pay when you have finished your call. Often it is difficult to find one that is open early in the morning or late at night. === Mobile phones === Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are many service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are The [http://www.mumbai.mtnl.net.in MTNL], Vodafone Idea (Vi), [http://www.airtelworld.com/ Airtel], [http://dolphin.mumbai.mtnl.net.in/ Dolphin], Reliance Jio, and [http://www.tataindicom.com/ Tata Indicom]. It might be a good idea to buy a cell phone and use one of those prepaid plans to get yourself connected while you are in the city. All mobile numbers are 10 digits long and begin with a "9", "8" or "7". Do not dial the city prefix for mobile numbers. If you don't get through to a mobile number, try adding a "0" before you dial it. Due to security threats, in order to purchase a SIM card you will need to provide formal identification. === Cybercafes === Cybercafes are found on virtually every street corner and the rates are quite low. They have probably not kept pace with advances in hardware or software, also data security could be an issue. As a precaution, change your password after you use it at a cybercafe or do private/incognito browsing. === WiFi === Finding WiFi will be difficult in many parts of Mumbai, however, nearly all railway stations have been upgraded with 'RailWire' WiFi powered by Google that lets you browse for 45 mins at 5-10 Mbps speeds. RailWire WiFi requires you to authenticate with your mobile number and OTP. WiFi is also available at most hotels and restaurants. Airport WiFi is provided by Vodafone Idea. === Postal & courier services === * '''[http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ Indian Postal service]''' * '''Private courier companies''' **'''[http://www.dhl.co.in/publish/in/en.high.html DHL]''' ** '''[http://www.ups.com/content/in/en/index.jsx UPS]''', ** '''[http://www.tnt.com/express/en_in/site/home.html TNT]''', [http://www.dtdc.biz/ DTDC] etc. The Indian Postal service's head office is housed at GPO, a magnificent colonial architecture on its own; next to the C.S.T. railway station. The other main branch office can be found at Dadar (E) on Ambedkar Rd. ==Stay safe== Unlike other parts of the country, especially Delhi where rape is prevalent, crime is rare, except for possibly common crime like pickpocketing. Violent crime in Mumbai is more or less like any other large Indian city. It is best to err on the side of safety and act according to your local environment. Here are a few basic safety tips: * Keep your money and credit cards safe at all times. Always carry some cash as many places won't take cards. * Do not openly display ₹500 and ₹2,000 notes in public. The available currency notes are ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500 and ₹2,000 and the available coins for tender are ₹1, ₹2, ₹5 and ₹10. Beware of someone giving you currency notes of any other denomination (though it is very unlikely; as they would have to be exchanged with the Reserve Bank of India; the central bank of India). The Indian government demonetised the old ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency notes in November 2016. *Travelling in Mumbai is generally safe at any time of the day or night. The risks primarily run if you are not aware of the fares and fare calculations (only applicable to non-electronic and non-prepaid meters). If you travel alone, especially in night, then always see the meter by yourself and then pay the fare. If you are alone, sit in front so that you can see the meter. * There have been cases where Kaali-Peeli (Black-Yellow) Taxi drivers con people, mostly tourists, by taking longer routes, charging extra for luggage, tampering with the meter and fooling the passenger by exchanging ₹500 with a ₹100 note within fraction of seconds and making the passenger believe that he/she has handed over a ₹100 note. Thus, in order to avoid getting fooled, prefer app based taxi services like Ola and Uber for commuting. * Beware of pickpockets on buses and trains. Do not put your wallet or other valuables in outside pockets of your bag, such that someone may be able to slip it out without your noticing. * Also beware of mobile, chain, or bag snatchers who operate in densely populated places, such as railway stations, busy roads, and traffic signals. * Women traveling by train, especially on off-peak routes should travel in the second class where at least a few co-passengers are also found. * Women (especially Westerners) should avoid crowded places, you might well get groped. Cases of men pinching or touching women are common in crowded public places, including nicer nightspots. Create a scene if this does happen to you, there will be enough people around that will come to your defence. In general, in Mumbai, if you are ever worried about your safety, make a loud scene. It is an extremely crowded city, and somebody is always around and willing to help. * Women should never ever take lifts from strangers. Western women tourists should note that if they visit a disco or pub in Mumbai or India, don't take lifts or even get too friendly with strangers. You will almost certainly get conned, if not worse. Many Indian men presume that if you're foreign you must be easy. * Don't ever let an auto or taxi you are traveling in pick up any more people, or pull over before your final destination. * Police can sometimes be almost as shady as criminals in Mumbai. At night, women should ensure if they are ever stopped by police, there needs to be a female police officer present or they are well within their rights in demanding the presence of a woman cop. * Think twice about eating food that has not been thoroughly heated. This may be especially true if you're eating street food. ===Emergency numbers=== * {{listing | name=Mumbai Police | alt= | url=http://www.mumbaipolice.org | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=100 (Mumbai Police Control Room), 1090 (Police Infoline), +91 22 22026636 (D. G. Control)| tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Mumbai Police | alt= | url=http://www.mumbaipolice.org | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 22625020 (Mumbai Police Head Quarter), +91 22 28854643 (North Control), +91 22 25233588 (East Control), +91 22 26457900 (West Control), +91 22 23089855 (South Div.), +91 22 23750909 (Central Div) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Traffic Police | alt= | url=http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 22 24937746 (Traffic Control), +91 22 30403040 (Traffic Helpline) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} ====Railways==== * {{listing | name=Churchgate | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 22017420 }} * {{listing | name=C.S.T | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 22622685 }} * {{listing | name=Central Rly. C.S.T. | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 22620173 }} * {{listing | name=Western Rly. Central | alt= | url= | email= | phone=+91 22 23070197 }} ==== Airport ==== * {{listing | name=Santacruz Airport | phone=+91 22 26156600 }} * {{listing | name=Sahar Terminal (NIPTC) | phone=+91 22 26829000 }} * {{listing | name=Air India Enquiry | phone=+91 22 22796666 }} ==== Air Ambulance==== * {{listing | name=Domestic/International | url=http://www.vibha.info/ | phone=+91 9821150889 }} * {{listing | name=Fire Station | phone=101, +91 22 23076111,+91 22 23086181,+91 22 2306112,+91 22 2306113 }} * {{listing | name=Coast Guard | phone=+91 22 24376133, +91 22 24371932 }} ==Stay healthy== * '''Food''' As elsewhere in India, be careful with what you eat. Outside of major tourist hotels and restaurants, stay away from raw leafy vegetables, egg-based dressings like mayonnaise and minced meat are particularly risky. In short, stick to boiled, baked, fried, or peeled goods. * '''Water''' Opinions on tap water vary, but most visitors choose to stick to the bottled stuff. Large bottles of water can be purchased at a very low cost. When buying water from street vendors, make sure the lid is sealed: there have been cases of bottles being filled with tap water and sold as new. * '''Fitness''' Numerous fitness centers exist throughout the city. Many exercise facilities and spas offer 24-hour memberships for visitors, and are a popular way to unwind after a long day of touring in Mumbai. * '''Smog''' can reach unhealthful levels, especially during the dry season. This, coupled with the summer heat and humidity can make spending time outdoors quite unpleasant. ==Cope== === Maps === * '''City Map''', Eicher has an excellent city-map of Mumbai with detailed listings. Familiarise yourself with it before you begin, or alternatively trace your route on it. * '''BEST Route Map''', Thanks to the density of bus routes in the city, the map is quite hard to decipher. Although bus routes are listed in the itinerary, you may have to find out about a few others if you plan to mix/match the order of the sights. People are very helpful in general. Check the BEST Route Finder for detailed information on the routes. The map is available at news stands. You can also download the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dimts.best.bestapplication BEST Prawas] app on Android. ===Newspapers=== Local newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day to day updates about the city. The city has number of newspapers and other publication that list local happenings. ''[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ The Times of India]'' has a supplement called ''Bombay Times''. There are also other papers like ''[http://www.asianage.com The Asian Age]'', ''[http://www.dnaindia.com DNA]'', ''[http://indianexpress.com/ Indian Express]'', ''[http://www.hindustantimes.com Hindustan Times]'' and ''[http://www.freepressjournal.in Free Press Journal]''. For the business updates, check ''[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com Economic Times]''. There are three very good local city tabloids called ''[http://www.mid-day.com Mid-Day]'', ''[http://www.mumbaimirror.com Mumbai Mirror]'', and ''Afternoon''. These papers are city focused and cover a lot of gossip, local news, and have plenty of entertainment listings. One could refer to these papers for any specific activity. In addition, ''Time Out'' now has an excellent Mumbai edition each month which can be picked up on street bookshops. It is a little more eclectic than the others listed here. All of these papers have information on arts, dance, eating out, food festivals, events, exhibitions, lectures, movies, theatre listings, concerts, seminars, and workshops. There are also many local newspapers in regional languages such as ''[http://www.loksatta.com Lok Satta]'' (Marathi), ''[http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com Maharashtra Times]'' (Marathi), ''[http://www.saamna.com Saamna]'' (Marathi), ''[http://www.navakal.com Navakal]'' (Marathi), ''Janmabhoomi'' (Gujarati), ''[http://www.bombaysamachar.com Mumbai Samachar]'' (Gujarati) and ''[http://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com Navbharat Times]'' (Hindi) which cater to local and regional interests and tastes. ===Radio=== There are 12 radio stations in Mumbai, with nine broadcasting on the FM band, and three All India Radio stations broadcasting on the AM band. Mumbai also has access to commercial radio providers such as Sirius and XM. ===Animal hospital=== *{{listing | name=Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals | alt=Locally this hospital is known as 'Bail Ghoda (Bull Horse) Hospital. The Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is also Headquartered there. Their ambulance rushes in answer to any call of distress to animals. | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Parel | phone=+91 22 24135285-24135434-24137518 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Diagnostic centre=== List of Major Diagnostic, health care and Polyclinics: * {{listing | name=Soningra Polyclinic | alt= | url= | email= | address=B - Helal Bldg, Dr. Mascarenhas Rd, Mazgaon | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 23715963, +91 22 2749662 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Since 1984, catering the nation since last 25 years effectively and efficiently. }} * {{listing | name=Super Religare Laboratories Limited | alt=formerly Ranbaxy SRL | url=http://srldiagnostic.co.in | email= | address=Plot 113, St 145 MIDC Andheri (E) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 28237333, +91 22 30811111-99 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2019-04-13| content=Largest clinical reference laboratory network in India and in South East Asia. }} * {{listing | name=Wellspring | alt= | url=http://www.wellspring.in/ | email= | address=Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Near A to Z Industrial Estate, Off Worli Naka, Lower Parel(W) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Another premier diagnostic laboratory owned by the Piramal group. Along with the above they have other centers as well throughout the city. }} ===24 hour chemist=== *{{listing | name=Parel Chemist | url= | email= | address=Opp. Wadia Maternity Hospital, Parel | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 4131299, +91 22 24129751 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{listing | name=Mumbai Medico | url= | email= | address=Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 23086641 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Foreign missions=== {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | *{{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url= | email= | address=36 Maker Chambers VI, 220 Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 66692000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Argentina}} {{listing | name= Argentina | url=http://cgmum.cancilleria.gov.ar | email= | address=Chander Mukhi Building, 10th Floor "A", Nariman Point | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2287 1381 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Afghanistan}} {{listing | name= Afghanistan | url= | email= | address=115 Next To Governor's Gate, Walkeshwar Road, Malabar Hill, | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2363 3777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium | url=http://diplomatie.belgium.be/india/ | email= | address=TCG Financial Centre, 7th floor, C-53, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E) - Mumbai 400051 | lat=19.06442 | long=72.86498| directions=From Kurla station {{km|2.5}} West | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | alt= | url=http://mumbai.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/ | email= | address=Units 113 & 114, Free Press House, 11F, Free Press Journal Marg,Nariman Point | lat=18.92374 | long=72.82379 | directions= | phone=+91 22 2283 4467, +91 22 2283 4469, +91 9820686143 (Mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | url= | email= | address=Fort House, 6F, 221 Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 6749 4444 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 6749 4454 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China | url=http://mumbai.china-consulate.org/eng/ | email=chinaconsul_mum_in@mfa.gov.cn | address=9F, Hoechst House, 193 Backbay Reclamation, Nariman Point | lat=18.92339 | long=72.82347 | directions= | phone=+91 22 5632 4303-4-5 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 56324302 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Czech Republic | url= | email= | address=5 G, Marcopia, Dr G Deshmukh Marg, Cumballa Hill, Pedder Rd, Cumballa Hill, | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2351 8456| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Djibouti}} {{listing | name=Djibouti | url= | email= | address=15, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=+91 22 2285 3750-52| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name= Egypt | url= | email= | address=Bhagwanlal Indrajit Rd, Teen Batti, Malabar Hill, | lat=| long=| directions= | phone=| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|France}} {{listing | name=France | url=http://www.consulfrance-bombay.org/ | email= | address=Hoechst House, 7F, Nariman Point | lat=18.92609 | long=72.81976 | directions=next to National Centre of the Performing Arts (N.C.P.A.) | phone=+91 22 6669 4000 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 66694066 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany Visa and Consular Department| url=http://www.mumbai.diplo.de/ | email= | address=Arcadia Bldg, Ground Floor, Nariman Point | lat=18.92498 | long=72.82072 | directions= | phone=+91 22 2280 7385 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2284 2184 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany Consulate General| alt=Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Generalkonsulat | url=http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/05__Mumbai/Mumbai.html | email= | address=Hoechst House, 10th Floor, 193 Backbay Reclamation (Vinay K Shah Marg), Nariman Point, | lat=18.92530 | long=72.82116 | directions=| phone=+91 22 2283 2422 | fax=+91 22 2202 5493| hours=M-F 9AM-midnight | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | url= | email=jertony@yahoo.com | address=Baharestan, 30/A, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 660 7852 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 6606446 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Indonesia}} {{listing | name=Indonesia | alt= | url=https://www.kemlu.go.id/mumbai/en/default.aspx | email=kjrimumb@bom3.vsnl.net.in | address=19 Altamount Rd, Cumballa Hill | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2351 1678, +91 22 2353 0940, +91 22 2353 0900 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | url=http://www.consmumbai.esteri.it | email= | address=Kanchanjunga 1F, 72 G.Deshmukh Marg | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 23804071 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2387 4074 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Iran}} {{listing | type=listing | name=Iran | alt= | url=https://www.iranianvisa.com/iranian-consulate-in-mumbai-india/ | email= | address=47, 1st Floor, Swapna Lok, Nepeansea Road, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 6688 7070 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Israel}} {{listing | name= Israel | url=http://embassies.gov.il/mumbai | email= | address=Marathon Futurex 1301, A Wing N M Joshi Marg,, Lower Parel, NM Joshi Marg, BDD Chawl, Lower Parel | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 6160 0507 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=South Korea | url=http://ind-mumbai.mofa.go.kr/english/as/ind-mumbai/main/index.jsp | email= | address=Kanchanjunga Bldg., 9th floor, 72 Peddar Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2388 6743| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Kuwait}} {{listing | name=Kuwait | url= | email= | address=Vaswani Mansions, Flat No. 1 & 2, 120, Dinsha Vachha Rd| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +91 22-2287 1897 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | url=http://www.mumbai.in.emb-japan.go.jp/en/index.html | email= | address=1 M. L. Dahanukar Marg, Cumballa Hill | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2351 7101 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2351 7120 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Malaysia}} {{listing | name=Malaysia | url=http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/mumbai | email= | address=4-B, 4F, Notan Plaza, Turner Rd, Bandra(W) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2645 5751, +91 22 2645 5752 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} {{listing | name=Saudi Arabia | url= | email= | address=Maker Tower “F”, 4F, Cuffe Parade, Colaba | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 22156001, +91 22 2215 6002, +91 22 2215 6003 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2215 6006 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | url=http://www.mfa.gov.sg/mumbai/ | email= | address=152, 14F, Maker Chambers IV 222, Jamnalal Bajaj Rd, Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 22043205-22043209 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2285 5812 (For visa matters only) or +91 22 2204 3203 (For non-visa matters) | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Thailand}} {{listing | name=Thailand | url= | email= | address=General, 1F, Dalamal House Jamnalal Bajaj Marg, Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2281 0808 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 22810808 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|the United Arab Emirates}} {{listing | name=United Arab Emirates | url= | email= | address=7 Jolly Maker, Apartment #1 Cuffe Parade, Colaba | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2218 3021 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 22180986 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|the United Kingdom}} {{listing | type=listing | name=United Kingdom | alt= | url=http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/en/ | email= | address=Maker Chambers IV Second Floor, 222 Jamnalal Bajaj Road, Nariman Point | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 56502222, +91 98 2000 0343 (Emergency Duty Officer) | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 6650 2324 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|the United States}} {{listing | type=listing | name=United States | alt= | url=https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/mumbai/ | email=MumbaiACS@state.gov | address=Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Rd | lat=19.06534 | long=72.86811 | directions=from Kurla station {{km|2.2}} West | phone=+91 22 2363 3611 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2363 0350 | hours= | price= | image=Department of state.svg | phoneextra=U.S. citizens 24-hr emergencies +91 22 2363 3611 ext 0 | content=- Established in 1838. Former the consulate functioned from Wankaner House, later renamed Lincoln House, at Breach Candy in south Mumbai since 1950. (The consular residence was Washington House on Altamount Road). The building, declared as a heritage site, is an erstwhile palace of Maharaja Vakaner. The palace was handed over to the U.S. consulate by the Maharaja to raise funds to pay off his taxes, after India became independent. In 2002, the consulate shifted its office to northern suburbs owing to security reasons. }} *{{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | type=listing | name=Vietnam | alt= | url=https://india-consulate.org.vn/ | email= | address=B-603, Oberoi Chambers, New Link Rd, Andheri(W) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 22 2673 6688 | tollfree= | fax=+91 22 2673 6633 | hours= | price= | content= }} |} ==Go next== * [[Ambarnath]] ({{km|55}} NE - take a train to here) &mdash; See the Lord Shiva Temple (16th century) * [[Chiplun]] ({{km|290}} S, on Konkan railway route between Khed & Ratnagiri Stns) &mdash; Here are the Chiveli Vagheshwari Temple and the Pandavas Caves * [[Ratnagiri]] ({{km|300}} S, 6-7 hr journey in train from Mumbai, same comfortable using a (A/c & Non A/c) bus) &mdash; Ratnadurga Sea Fort, Thebaw Pagoda Palace * [[Rajapur]] (directions={{km|350}} S, 8.5 hr) &mdash; Visit the Yeshwantgad, an island fortification * '''[[Thane (district)|Thane District]]''' &mdash; to the north of Mumbai; has beaches and mountains ** [[Badlapur]] ({{km|50}} NE - to get in is by Local Trains (EMU), hourly) &mdash; Fort, Water Park ** [[Dombivli]] ({{km|30}} NE; 40 min in a fast train from CST to reach 'Kopar Stn.', by bus ~1 hr 30 min) ** [[Kalyan]] ({{km|60}} NE; by train towards Karjat or Kasara would reach Kalyan in around 45-55&nbsp;min) - Visit the Fort ** '''[[Navi Mumbai]]''' &mdash; also called New Bombay; go here to the see ''Belapur Fort ruins'' ** [[Thane|Thane City]] (N {{km|40}}) &mdash; also called ''Lake City'' due to the 30 lakes in and around the city * '''[[Raigad]]''' &mdash; district of Maharashtra lies just south of Mumbai. It is famous for its beaches and forts. You can get there by road or by ferry from Mumbai. The important ferry routes are: ** Ferry Wharf, Mazagaon, Mora ([[Uran]]). ** Ferry Wharf, Mazagaon, Rewas (near [[Mandwa]]). These are in budget range. ** Gateway of India, Rewas. Fast boats and Catamarans operated by private operators. Service approximately every two hours, suspended during the monsoon season, i.e. May-Oct. From Rewas, take a bus or car to [[Alibag]]. * '''Hill Stations''' &mdash; following are some of the hill stations that can be weekend gateways from Mumbai: ** [[Matheran]] ({{km|102}}, 1.5 hr) &mdash; can be reached both by road and by train. For train option, take a suburban train to Neral and take hour long toy train to reach Matheran top. Alternatively it can be climbed ** [[Lonavala]] ({{km|111.5}}, 1.5 hr) &mdash; best reached by road. Suburban trains do not ply to Lonavala, and may need to exchange train at Karjat or take en route long distance train ** [[Khandala]] ({{km|101}}, 1.5 hr) &mdash; check Lonavala ** [[Dapoli]]| ({{km|200}} S - by bus) -is a popular hill station also beaches, historical temples, caves and forts scattered around **[[Mahabaleshwar]] ({{km|242}}, 7 hr) &mdash; best reached by road *Lots of nearby destinations can be reached by short flights: [[Goa]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Karachi]] and [[Rajkot]], to name a few. {{routebox | image1=NH48-IN.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Vadodara]] | minorl1=[[Surat]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Pune]] | minorr1= [[Navi Mumbai]] }} {{isPartOf|Konkan}} {{geo|19.0318|72.8487|zoom=11}} {{usablecity}} goplh9fp7p6rgmgf0ke3si47h3sm6s1 0 23541 4506373 964893 2022-08-22T18:37:11Z Sbb1413 2217354 Changed redirect target from [[Murshidabad]] to [[Central Bengal]] wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Central Bengal]] 56g9sdwwzyg5c6i541dtfto91bx2j5k 0 23598 4506499 4504181 2022-08-23T02:59:40Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Bagan (Myanmar) banner Sunset.jpg|caption=The temples of Bagan at dawn}} {{Warningbox|In November 2021, there was a significant increase in the level of violence with many deaths, injuries and arrests. Explosions and attacks have occurred in Yangon and other parts of the country. There are reports of significant military movements in several regions of the country. Conflict can escalate quickly. There have been widespread detentions, including of foreigners. Many governments advise against travelling to areas of Myanmar including Rakhine, Shan and Kachin states because of civil unrest and armed conflict. Foreigners in Dawei, Laung Lone and Thayet Chaung townships in the Tanintharyi region have been instructed to leave for their own safety. A military coup took place on 1 February 2021, and a state of emergency has been declared for up to a year. Intermittent communication outages have been observed. New tourist visa applications and international flights have been suspended, but are expected to resume early in 2022. Protests and demonstrations are met with deadly force. Looting and misconduct by both protesters and security forces are also widespread. A curfew is imposed from 20:00-04:00. Mainland Chinese visitors should be extra careful due to hostility from protesters, and should avoid speaking Mandarin in public. Avoid facilities and vehicles linked to security forces and military administration, monitor local media closely, and keep in regular contact with your embassy. |australia=http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/south-east/Pages/myanmar.aspx |nz=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/myanmar |canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/myanmar |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar |us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burma-travel-advisory.html |lastedit=2022-01-08 }} {{warningbox | '''Human trafficking warning:''' Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling and narcotics manufacturing are rampant in Myanmar, particularly in [[Northern Myanmar]] that are held outside of the Burmese government. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Myanmar or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs out of Myanmar, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Myanmar. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-19 }} '''[https://tourism.gov.mm/ Myanmar]''' (မြန်မာ ''myanma''), or '''Burma''' is a country in [[Southeast Asia]]. Once a part of the [[British Raj]], Myanmar was a closed dictatorship during the late-20th century. With democratic reforms during the 2010s, and the 2021 military coup, the country's future is uncertain. The astounding Buddhist architecture and deep jungles were long out of reach for most travellers. == Regions == {{Regionlist | regionmap=Burma Regions Map.png | regionmapsize=425px | region1name=[[Southern Myanmar]] | region1items=''Ayeyarwady, Bago, Yangon'' | region1color=#CAA7C9 | region1description=The lowlands of the Irrawaddy Delta with the largest city and former capital Yangon. | region2name=[[Central Myanmar]] | region2items=''Magway, Mandalay, Naypyitaw'' | region2color=#E5B775 | region2description=Mandalay, historical and archaeological sites and cool hill towns. | region3name=[[Western Myanmar]] | region3items=''Rakhine, Chin'' | region3color=#A4C78A | region3description=Remote mountainous regions and some lovely beaches on the Bay of Bengal. | region4name=[[Northern Myanmar]] | region4items=''Sagaing, Kachin'' | region4color=#d17c82 | region4description=A huge, fractious region including the southern reaches of the Himalayas and many tribes. | region5name=[[Eastern Myanmar]] | region5items=''Shan, Kayah'' | region5color=#76AED2 | region5description=The infamous Golden Triangle and a bewildering number of ethnic groups. | region6name=[[Southeastern Myanmar]] | region6items=''Tanintharyi, Mon, Kayin'' | region6color=#DDE28E | region6description=The southern coastal stretch bordering Thailand with a vast number of offshore islands. }} == Cities == * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Naypyidaw]]|wikidata=Q37400}} (''formerly Pyinmana'') — newly designated capital of the country * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bago (Myanmar)|Bago]]|wikidata=Q800122}} (''formerly Pegu'') — historic city near Yangon full of wonderful Buddhist sights * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kawthaung]]|wikidata=Q978611}} — beach town in the far south which is as much like Thailand as Myanmar gets * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mandalay]]|wikidata=Q185518}} — former capital of the Konbaung Dynasty built around the Mandalay Royal Palace and main commercial centre of Upper Myanmar * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mawlamyine]]|wikidata=Q685941}} (''Moulmein'') — capital of Mon State and the third largest city * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pyin U Lwin]]|wikidata=Q1360318}} (''Maymyo'') — cool town which is a wonderful former British colonial hill station * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taunggyi]]|wikidata=Q1075566}} — capital of Shan State in the heart of the Golden Triangle * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Twante]]|wikidata=Q7857423}} — a delta town that is famous for pottery * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Yangon]]|wikidata=Q37995}} (''formerly Rangoon'') — the economic centre, known for its pagodas and colonial architecture == Other destinations == * [[Bagan]] — an archaeological zone with thousands of ancient pagodas near the banks of the Irrawaddy River, and a {{UNESCO}} * [[Inle Lake]] — a large shallow lake good for beautiful boat trips, visiting floating villages inhabited by the Intha people, hiking, and also a source of excellent silk * [[Kengtung]] — between [[Mong La]] (on the border with China) and [[Tachileik]] (on the border with Thailand) in the Golden Triangle, known for the ''Ann'' (black teeth people) and ''Akha'' tribes and trekking * [[Kyaiktiyo]] — a gold-gilded rock sitting atop a cliff and a major pilgrimage site * [[Mount Popa]] — an extinct volcano regarded as the Mount Olympus of Myanmar, a green oasis high above the hot plains and an easy day trip from Bagan * [[Mrauk U]] — former capital of the Rakhine Kingdom, with many ancient pagodas that serve as a reminder of that era * [[Ngapali]] — beach resort in western [[Rakhine State]], spilling into the Bay of Bengal * [[Ngwe Saung]] — longest stretch of beach in Ayeyarwaddy (English: Irrawaddy) Division, white sandy beach and crystal clear water are the features of Ngwe Saung Beach * [[Pyay]] — a town on the Irrawaddy River midway between Yangon and Bagan, known for its archaeological site ''Sri Kittara'', the ancient Pyu capital from 2 to 9 CE * [[Pathein]] — a river town in the Irrawaddy delta, known for manufacture of umbrellas, gateway to Chuang Tha and Ngwe Saung Beaches == Understand == {{quickbar|location=LocationMyanmar.png}} === History === Like most of Southeast Asia's countries, Myanmar's people and history is a glorious mishmash of settlers and invaders from all fronts. The Mon and the Pyu are thought to have come from [[India]], while the now dominant Bamar (Burmese) migrated through [[Tibet]] and, by 849, had founded a powerful kingdom centred on [[Bagan]]. For the next millennium, the Burmese empire grew through conquests of [[Thailand]] ([[Ayutthaya]]) and India ([[Manipur]]), and shrank under attacks from [[China]] and internal rebellions. [[File:Bago, Myanmar (Burma) - panoramio (44).jpg|thumb|Resting Buddha statue in Bago]] Eventually, [[United Kingdom|Britain]] conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire, and the king was exiled to [[Ratnagiri]] in what is today [[India]]. Like in their other colonies, the British maintained control partly thought a "divide and conquer" strategy, in which they deliberately stoked tensions between different ethnic and religious groups, resulting in ethnic and religious conflicts that have never been resolved. It was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate colony. During the Second World War, Burma was a major battleground as the Allies fought the Japanese for dominance over Asia. The [[Burma Road]] was built to get supplies to China. The Thailand-Burma railway (the so-called "Death Railway") from [[Kanchanaburi]] in Thailand over the River Kwai to Burma was built by the Japanese using forced labour &mdash; Allied prisoners-of-war, indentured Thai labourers, Burmese people and other Southeast Asians. They had to work in appalling conditions and a great number of them died (estimated at 80,000) during construction of the railway. Large parts of Western Burma, particularly the hilly areas bordering India and the city of [[Mandalay]], were severely damaged during the war. While the Burmese independence fighters led by '''General Aung San''' initially cooperated with the Japanese to oust the British, with the Japanese promising to grant independence to Burma in exchange, it soon became apparent that the Japanese promises of independence were empty. The Japanese occupation was even more brutal than the British colonisation, and many Burmese were killed, such as in the Kalagong massacre. General Aung San subsequently switched allegiance and helped the British win Burma back from the Japanese. General Aung San subsequently led negotiations with the British for Burmese independence after the end of World War II, and the British agreed in 1947 to grant independence to Burma the following year, though General Aung San himself was assassinated later in the year and never lived to see his dream come true. Independence from the British under the name '''Union of Burma''' was finally attained on 4 January 1948, and till this day, General Aung San is regarded by most Burmese people to be their father of independence. The new union brought together various states defined by ethnic identity, many of whom had centuries-long histories of autonomy from and struggles against each other. In the interest of securing their collective independence from Britain, the tribes reached an agreement to submit to collective governance—with power sharing among the ethnicities and states—for ten years, after which each tribe would be afforded the right to secede from the union. The terms of this "Pinlon Agreement" were enshrined in the 1947/1948 constitution of the new Union of Burma. The new central government of the nation quickly worked to consolidate its power, marginalising and angering tribal leaders and setting off more than a decade of armed conflict. In 1961, more than 200 ethnic leaders from the Shan people, Kachin people, Red Karen, Karen people, Chin peoples, Mon people and Rakhine people met with ethnic Bamar (Burmese) central government authorities to draft a new form of government which would ensure the tribes both autonomy and self-determination within a federal system. The new government was never formed. Nevertheless, up until Ne Win's coup in 1962, Burma was regarded as one of the most developed and fastest growing economies in Asia, and widely touted as a contender to be the next Japan. Military leader General Ne Win led a coup d'état which ousted the democratically elected government in 1962, and installed himself as leader. General Ne Win dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Under Ne Win's rule, widespread corruption and nepotism led the Burmese economy into a downward spiral from which it has never fully recovered. Pro-democracy demonstrations in 1988 were violently crushed, with general Saw Maung taking over in a coup and installing the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to rule the country, now renamed '''Myanmar'''. Multiparty legislative elections were held in 1990, with the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory (392 of 489 seats). But SLORC refused to hand over power, instead placing NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi (daughter of national hero Aung San) under house arrest, which she has endured for 14 of the last 20 years. Today Myanmar, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. What was once one of the richest and most developed countries in Asia has since slumped into poverty due to widespread corruption. The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalise price controls after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism," but had to reinstate subsidised prices on staples in the face of food riots, upon which the democracy movement grafted its agenda. The government called out troops and the rioters were defiant until the monks intervened: standing between both sides, they told everyone to go home and they did. The riots caused overseas development assistance to cease and the government subsequently nullified the results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the government's attack in May 2003 on Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy, the [[USA]] imposed new economic sanctions against Myanmar, including bans on imports of products from Myanmar and on provision of financial services by US citizens. The summer of 2007 was marked by demonstrations against the military government which were again brutally suppressed. The demonstrations started in August, apparently in an uncoordinated manner, as a protest against a stiff hike in the price of petrol, but morphed into a more serious challenge to the government after three monks were beaten at a protest march in the town of [[Pakokku]]. The monks demanded an apology but none was forthcoming and soon processions of monks with begging bowls held upside down filled many cities (including [[Sittwe]], [[Mandalay]] and [[Yangon]]). Yangon, particularly the area around Sule Pagoda in the downtown area, became the centre of these protests. While the monks marched, and many ordinary citizens came out in support of the monks, the world watched as pictures, videos, and blogs flooded the Internet. However, the government soon suppressed the protests by firing on crowds, arresting monks and closing monasteries, and temporarily shut down Internet communications with the rest of the world. This led the US, [[Australia]], [[Canada]] and the [[European Union]] to impose additional sanctions, some targeting the families and finances of the military leaders. [[File:Aung San Suu Kyi December 2011 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Aung San Suu Kyi]] Following elections in 2010, Burma began a process of liberalisation that has led to a reduction or removal of sanctions by many nations including the United States. In 2012, Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to the Burmese parliament and allowed to travel to Europe and North America. Censorship of foreign and local news was also suspended. In November 2015, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in the nationwide legislative elections and Htin Kyaw, a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, became president. In April 2016, Aung San Suu Kyi took office as State Counsellor, a post equivalent to prime minister, making her Myanmar's ''de facto'' head of government. In February 2021, the military once again took power in a coup. Country-wide mass protests and a civil disobedience movement sprung up in the aftermath; protests were brutally crushed as the army killed hundreds of NLD supporters and democratic activists. Thousands of NLD and other pro-democracy politicians and community leaders have been arrested. Peaceful protests still occur sporadically while other groups of protesters have taken up arms against the military regime. ===Culture=== Myanmar's culture is largely a result of Indian influences intertwined with local traditions and Chinese influences. This can be seen in the various stupas and temples throughout the country, which bear a distinct resemblance to those in northern India. As in neighbouring [[Thailand]], Theravada Buddhism is the single largest religion. 88% of the population follows these Buddhist practices, and even some of the most remote villages will have a temple for people to pray at. Other religions which exist in smaller numbers include Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Animism and ancestor worship can also be found around the country, especially in the more distant, hill tribe regions. One pre-Buddhist tradition that survives in Myanmar is the worship of the '''''Nats''''', or traditional Burmese spirits, and you will see many spirit houses throughout the countries dedicated to their worship. Following the spread of Theravada Buddhism, the worship of the Nats was incorporated into Burmese Buddhism, and they are today regarded as subordinates of the Buddha. ===People=== The dominant ethnic group in Myanmar is known as the Bamar, from which the original English name of the country, Burma, was derived. Besides the Bamar, Myanmar is also home to many minority ethnic groups and nationalities which have their own distinct cultures and languages. In addition to the native ethnic minorities, Myanmar is also home to ethnic Chinese and Indians whose ancestors migrated to Myanmar during the colonial period, most visible in the cities of Yangon and Mandalay. Myanmar is divided into fourteen administrative divisions, seven regions and seven states; generally speaking, the regions are Bamar-dominated, while the states are dominated by the respective ethnic minorities. The government has been condemned by other nations for violence against the Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine State, which borders on Bangladesh. The government does not recognise them as citizens of Myanmar, but instead claims they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, a narrative embraced by the vast majority of Burmese despite the Rohingya's presence in Rakhine going back generations. Forced to flee to Bangladesh in large numbers, where they are also regarded as foreigners, many have lost their lives trying to seek refuge and work in Malaysia. Generally speaking, most Burmese people are incredibly friendly and polite, and will do their best to make you feel welcome in their country. ===Politics=== Myanmar, officially the '''Republic of the Union of Myanmar''' (ပြည်ထောင်​စု သမ္မတ မြန်မာ​နိုင်​ငံတော်), is a presidential republic, with the president, who is appointed by the legislature, serving as both head of state and ''de jure'' head of government. He and his cabinet form the executive branch. The legislature is composed of the bicameral ''Pyidaungsu Hluttaw'' (Assembly of the Union), consisting of an upper ''Amyotha Hluttaw'' (House of Nationalities), and a lower ''Pyithu Hluttaw'' (House of Representatives). While a majority of the members of the legislature are popularly elected by the people, a quarter the seats are reserved for appointees from the military. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a majority of seats in the 2015 election. As she is constitutionally barred from the presidency (by virtue of having married a foreigner), she has since served as the ''de facto'' head of government in the role of State Counsellor. As of February 2021, Myanmar is ruled by a military dictatorship. === Climate === Myanmar is considered to have 3 seasons. The hot season is usually from Mar–Apr. Temperatures then cool off during the rainy season from May–Oct. The peak tourism season is the cool season from Nov–Feb. Temperatures can climb as high as 36°C in Yangon in the hot season while in the cool season, noontime temperatures are usually a more bearable 32°C, with night temperatures falling to around 19°C. Mandalay is slightly cooler in the cool season, with temperatures falling as low as 13°C, while temperatures in the hot season can go as high as 37°C. Generally, Lower Myanmar, the area around Yangon, receives more rainfall than the drier Upper Myanmar (around Mandalay). In the highlands such as [[Inle Lake]] and [[Pyin U Lwin]], winter temperatures can fall below 10°C at night, while daytime temperatures tend to be very pleasant. Even in the summer, temperatures rarely climb above 32°C. Near the Indian border in [[Kachin State]], there are permanently snow-capped mountains. === Read === [[File:Haridaung-Mrauk U-Aussicht-06-Pagoden im Dunst-gje.jpg|thumb|View of Mrauk U]] * ''From the Land of the Green Ghosts'' by Pascal Khoo Thwe. A Cambridge-educated writer gives a touching account of his growing up as a Paduang-Hilltribe-Guyand in the difficult political environment before becoming a rebel. ({{ISBN|0007116829}}) * ''The Glass Palace'' by Amitav Ghosh. A novel that spans a century, from British conquest to the modern day. A compelling account of how a family adapted to the changing times; provides much insight into Burmese culture. * ''The River of Lost Footsteps'' by Thant Myint-U. Easily the most accessible history of Myanmar available. Read it before you go and you will marvel at how the once great and rich cities (like Martaban, Syriam, and Mrauk-U) have become the dingy and smoky villages of today. ({{ISBN|0374163421}}) * ''The Trouser People'' by Andrew Marshall. The author follows in the footsteps of Victorian explorer, Sir George Scott. This book looks at lost British heritage as well as the Burmese tragedies occurring in the present. ({{ISBN|0140294457}}) === Holidays === * 4 January: Independence Day * January: Kayin New Year Day - 1st waxing of Pyatho * 12 February: Union Day * March: Full Moon Day of Tabaung * 27 March: Armed Forces Day * April: Thingyan (Burmese New Year) — the most important festival in Myanmar, in which people splash water at each other. Also known as the Water Festival, and similar to Songkran in neighbouring Thailand * May: Full Moon Day of Kason * July: Full Moon Day of Waso * October: Full Moon Day of Thadingyut * 19 July: Martyrs Day * November: National Day - 10 st waning of the moon of Tazaungmon * 25 December: Christmas Day === Units of measure === {{See also|Metric and Imperial equivalents}} Since 2013, Myanmar has begun adopting the '''metric system''' (SI), which is now used for weather reports, petrol prices, and speed limits, and ''new'' road signs. However, much usage of '''imperial system''' and the traditional '''Burmese units of measurement''' persist. Old road signs may use miles and miles per hour, and government websites inconsistently convert Burmese units to metric or Imperial. == Talk == {{see also|Burmese phrasebook}} The official language of Myanmar is '''[[Burmese phrasebook|Burmese]]''' (မြန်မာစကား ''mien ma za ga'') (known by the government as Myanmar), a Sino-Tibetan language related to Chinese and hence tonal (word pitch matters) and analytic (most words are one syllable long). It is written using the Burmese script, based on the ancient Pali script. Bilingual signs (English and Burmese) are available in most tourist spots. Numbers often are also written in Burmese script. Much vocabulary is derived from another ancient languages of Pali (at the time of Buddha) and [[Sanskrit phrasebook|Sanskrit]]. There are also many other ethnic groups in Myanmar such as the Mon, Shan, Pa-O, Rohingya and many others who continue to speak their own languages. There is also a sizeable ethnic Chinese community who speak [[Chinese phrasebook|Mandarin]] and/or various Chinese dialects. In Yangon, most of the Chinese are descendants from migrants from Fujian and Guangdong, and hence speak mainly [[Minnan phrasebook|Hokkien]] or Taishanese, while in Mandalay, the Chinese are mostly descendants of migrants from Yunnan, and mainly speak the Yunnan dialect of Mandarin. Some areas are also home to various ethnic Indian communities who continue to speak various Indian languages. Myanmar is a former British colony and many Burmese understand at least some rudimentary English. Most well-educated upper class Burmese speak English fluently, while any educated Burmese will know at least the basics. Hotel and airline staff, as well as people working in the tourism industry generally speak a good level of English. == Get in == [[File:Visa policy of Myanmar.png|thumb|450px|Visa policy of Myanmar]] ===''Entry requirements''=== The visa situation in Myanmar is changing quickly and this has caused confusion even among immigration staff, and many guides and official websites are out of date. Check Wikipedia for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Myanmar visa policy]. ====Visa-free==== Such entry is available for citizens of [[Brunei]], [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Laos]], [[Philippines]], [[Thailand]], [[South Korea]], [[Japan]] and [[Vietnam]] for a stay of up to 14 days for '''entry by air only'''. Citizens of [[Singapore]] may enter Myanmar without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days regardless of point or mode of entry. These visa-exemptions are strictly not extendable. All other travelers are required to apply for a visa in advance. ====E-Visa==== [http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/ E-Visa] are available for visitors from many countries, including most Western countries for US$50/tourist and US$70/business travelers (as of Jan 2020) through the [http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/ Myanmar Immigration's web-site], which take 3 days to process. However, there is also an express tourist e-Visa service available on the governments website for US$56 (rather the standard US$50) taking 24 hr (though sometimes just a few hours). Check the e-Visa website for details on which nationalities this is available for. The visa is valid for 28 day for stays beginning up to 90 days from the date of issue, and is single entry only. In order to apply, you will need to upload a passport-sized colour photo, and payment which is only accepted by credit card. Permitted entry points are: Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport, Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, and the land borders at Tachileik, Myawaddy, Kawthaung, Tamu and Rih Khaw Dar. Tourist visas are valid for 3 months. The visa is valid for a stay of up to four weeks (from date of entry), although you can overstay if you are willing to pay a US$3 a day fee upon departure. Employment is ''not'' allowed on a tourist visa, and working runs you the risk of being arrested and deported. Successful applicants will also be issued an "Arrival Form", which will be stapled into your passport and must be presented on arrival in Myanmar, along with your passport containing the visa sticker. ====Visa on arrival==== As of October 2019, [http://www.mip.gov.mm/on-arrival-visa/ visas on arrival] are available for tourist and business visitors of some nationalities at Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw airports. You must bring two passport-sized colour photos, and a letter of invitation from the company sponsoring your visa (for business visas). There is still some confusion at airports about this because official resources are not being updated to match changes but most tourists are not experiencing difficult- if you experience any insist you are eligible for a visa and ask for a senior staff member. ====Visa at an embassy or consulate==== You can apply for all kinds of visas in a Myanmar embassy or consulate in many capitals and large cities around the world. See specific details like contacts, hours, etc. there&mdash;especially for [[Bangkok#Embassies|Bangkok]] and [[Chiang Mai#Consulates|Chiang Mai]] in Thailand, [[Delhi#Cope|Delhi]] in India, [[Hong Kong#Consulates|Hong Kong]] in China, and [[Washington, D.C.#Embassies|Washington D.C.]] in the US. Generally the visa application requires a completed visa form (available from the Myanmar embassy), a completed arrival form (again, from the embassy), a photocopy of the photo page from your passport, two passport-sized photos, and the applicable fee. === By plane === Myanmar's main international airport is located at '''[[Yangon]]''', the largest city and main economic centre. There are regular scheduled flights from Yangon to many major Asian cities. For travellers from outside the region, the easiest way to get into Myanmar will be to catch a flight from either [[Singapore]] or [[Bangkok]], both of which have large overseas Burmese populations, and are served by several daily flights into Yangon. Myanmar also has a second international airport at '''[[Mandalay]]''', which is served by several flights from Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Singapore. For a current list of airlines and destinations, see [http://www.yangonairportonline.com/destinations-and-airlines.aspx Airport of Yangon] {{dead link|December 2020}}. The two main international airlines based out of Yangon are flag carrier '''[http://flymna.com/ Myanmar National Airines]''' and privately owned '''[http://www.maiair.com/ Myanmar Airways International]'''. ===By land=== Myanmar has land borders with five countries: China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos. Foreigners are free to travel overland from Thailand into the Burmese heartland provided their Burmese visa is in order. Entering Myanmar from the other land border crossings, though, is a different story. At the very least, you must apply for special permits in advance, and you may need to join a guided tour in order for the permit to be granted. ====Thailand==== Four border crossings exist between Myanmar and [[Thailand]] at [[Tachileik]]/[[Mae Sai]], [[Myawaddy]]/[[Mae Sot]], [[Ban Phunamron]]/[[Htee Kee]] and [[Kawthoung]]/[[Ranong]]. All four border crossings are open to foreigners, and there are no restrictions on foreigners travelling into the Burmese heartland from the latter three. From Tachileik, travel beyond Keng Tung is not possible overland unless you are on a guided tour with a special permit. No visa-on-arrival is available though, so ensure that your Thai (if required) and Burmese visas are in order. The Myanmar E-Visa is accepted at all those land crossings except for Htee Kee for entry, and you may exit at all four border crossings with it. ====China==== Foreigners can enter Myanmar at [[Lashio]], [[China]] via [[Ruili]] (in [[Yunnan]]), although a permit (as well as a visa) and a guide are needed. You will most likely need to join an organized tour. As of Apr 2009, it is impossible for foreigners to cross over from Ruili, even for the day, without first getting a visa in Kunming, e.g., for a tour group. Crossing in the opposite direction is more difficult to arrange and details are uncertain; however, it's possible to fly from [[Mandalay]] to [[Kunming]], and there's even a Chinese consulate that issues visas in Mandalay. ====India==== A land border crossing exists between [[India]] and Myanmar at Moreh/[[Tamu]] and is open to tourists who have vehicles and who are on foot or who have tours. This border is in politically unstable territory and there have been protests and two bomb blasts in the Indian town of Moreh (Oct 2019) which briefly closed the border. Tourists are generally advised not to loiter in Moreh, especially late at night- and to stay in Tamu on the Myanmar side if possible. It is no longer required to have a permit to visit the Indian state of [[Manipur]] which borders Myanmar. An MTT permit used to be required to enter or leave Myanmar at [[Tamu]]. As of May 2019 an MTT permit is no longer required to enter Myanmar at [[Tamu]].&mdash;see [[Tamu#Get in|personal report]]. ====Laos==== The Myanmar-Lao friendship bridge connects [[Shan State]] in Myanmar with [[Luang Namtha|Luang Namtha Province]] in [[Laos]]. ====Bangladesh==== It is not feasible to cross the border between Myanmar and [[Bangladesh]] independently. == Get around == Myanmar's infrastructure is in poor shape. Travel to certain regions is prohibited; for others, special permits must be obtained, and a guide/interpreter/minder may be mandatory - although whether these "guides" accompany you to look after you, or to keep you from going to places the government doesn't want you to see, is a question best discussed elsewhere. However, travel between the main tourist sites, such as Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and Yangon, is fairly straightforward. ===Restricted areas=== Much of Myanmar is closed to foreign travellers, and many land routes to far-flung areas are also closed (for example, to [[Mrauk U]], [[Kalewa]], [[Putao]], [[Kengtung]]). Due to longstanding ethnic conflicts, many ethnic minority areas are controlled by armed separatist groups and remain outside the control of the central government. Thus, while travellers can travel freely in the Bamar-majority Burmese heartland, travel tends to be restricted or circumscribed in ethnic minority areas. In theory, any tourist can apply for a permit to visit any restricted area or to travel on any restricted land route. In practice, it is unlikely that any such permit will be issued in a reasonable amount of time, or at all. Permit requests can be made locally in some cases (for example, requests for the land route to [[Kalewa]] can be made in [[Shwebo]]) but, in most cases, the request has to be made in [[Yangon]]. Requests to visit restricted areas must be made at the [http://myanmartravelsandtours.com/ MTT (Myanmar Travel and Tours)] office in Yangon (Number 77–91, Sule Pagoda Rd, Yangon). Applications for local permits can often be made at a local MTT office or at a police station. Local permits are available only for the following places & routes: *[[Kengtung]] - [[Tachilek]]. This used to be straightforward but the availability is now uncertain. *[[Mrauk U]] Chin/Zomi village tours. Easily available in Mrauk U, but must visit with a guide. Your hotel or a local tour company can arrange this for you. *[[Myitkyina]] - [[Indawgyi Lake]]. Easily available in Myitkyina but must travel with a guide. Your hotel or a local tour company can arrange this for you. *[[Shwebo]] - [[Kalewa]]. A permit is necessary if going by road. It is uncertain whether one is required if going by boat. *[[Pa-O Self-Administered Zone]] in [[Shan State]] (including the Kakku Pagodas). Available in [[Taunggyi]], but must be accompanied by a local Pa-O guide. Your hotel or a local tour company can arrange this. All other permits must be obtained in Yangon. Permits for some places, such as Putao, are obtainable but need to be applied for well in advance Myanmar is not [[North Korea]], and you are free to walk around, go to shops and interact with the locals. However, with many of the more far flung places, and places restricted to foreigners, it is better to arrange your internal visa in advance. Companies that can help with internal visas: *[http://www.asiatours.net Asia Tours] *[http://www.mrmyanmartravel.com Mr Myanmar Travel] *[http://www.remoteasia.com Remote Asia Travel] *[http://www.travelmyanmar.com Travel Myanmar] ===By plane=== {| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" |+ '''Sample fares between important destinations (through local tourist agency)''' ! From !! To !! Approximate fare |- | [[Yangon]] || [[Mandalay]] || US$95 |- | [[Yangon]] || [[Bagan]] || US$85 |- | [[Bagan]] || [[Heho]] || US$65 |- | [[Heho]] || [[Yangon]] || US$85 |} The poor state of Myanmar's roads and railways make flying by far the least uncomfortable option when travelling long distances. Flag carrier '''[https://www.flymna.com/ Myanmar National Airlines]''' operates a network of domestic flights to many destinations across Myanmar from its hub in Yangon International Airport. Long known for its poor safety record, it has improved dramatically with the purchase of newer aircraft, and these days compares favourably with many of the private airlines in terms of both service and safety. There are also several private airlines operating domestic flights from Yangon. The private airline companies are usually on time, and even depart early (10-20 min), so be on time and reconfirm your flight and flight time 1–2 days before departure. Sometimes the itinerary might be altered some days before departure (meaning that you will still fly to your final destination on the scheduled time, but with an added or removed in between stop, e.g., Yangon-Bagan becomes Yangon-Mandalay-Bagan). This usually only affects your arrival time. En route stops have only 10-20 min ground time, and if it is not your final destination, you can stay inside the plane during the stop. All domestic flight from Yangon depart from Terminal 3, while international flights depart from Terminals 1 & 2. When taking a taxi from downtown to the airport, mention to the driver that you are on a domestic flight so you'll not end up in the wrong terminal. ===By train=== {| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" |+ '''Train travel times/fares between destinations''' ! From !! To !! Time || Ordinary || Upper || Sleeper |- | [[Yangon]] || [[Mandalay]] || 16 hr || 4,600&nbsp;kyat || 9,300&nbsp;kyat || 13,000&nbsp;kyat |- | [[Yangon]] || [[Kyaiktiyo]] || 6 hr || 1,200&nbsp;kyat || 2,500&nbsp;kyat || None |- | [[Mandalay]] || [[Pyin U Lwin]] || 4 hr || 550&nbsp;kyat || 1,200&nbsp;kyat || None |- | [[Pyin U Lwin]] || [[Hsipaw]] || 7 hr || 1,200&nbsp;kyat || 2,750&nbsp;kyat || None |- | [[Pyin U Lwin]] || [[Lashio]] || 16 hr || 1,900&nbsp;kyat || 4,400&nbsp;kyat || None |} Myanmar has an extensive and ancient rail network. Trains are slow, noisy, rocking left and right, leaving extremely punctual but then often delay on the trip. Electrical blackouts are becoming rare but nonetheless never assume that air conditioners, fans or the electrical supply itself will be working throughout the whole journey. Most trains have upper class and ordinary class. Ordinary class has wide open windows, benches and can be packed with locals transporting their goods. Upper class has upholstered chairs, fans and is less crowded. Be careful putting your head out of the window as it is very likely to be hit by a branch. Vegetation grows so close to the tracks that you normally find a good amount of shredded leaves on the seats. Tickets are cheap and tourists pay the same price as locals. Tourists still cannot buy tickets on the train. At smaller stations, you may have to seek the stationmaster or use an interpreter to buy a ticket. Your passport is required when purchasing. A journey on a train is a great way to see the country and meet people. The rail journey from [[Mandalay]], up hairpin bends to [[Pyin U Lwin]], and then across the mountains and the famous bridge at Gokteik, is one of the great railway journeys of the world. Trains in lower Mandalay, Yangon-Pathein and Yangon-Mawlymaing, are little communities of their own with hawkers selling everything imaginable. Sleepers are available on many overnight express trains, although in the high season you may want to reserve a few days in advance. Tickets go on sale three days in advance. At some stations there is a separate counter for advance bookings, or even a separate building (e.g., in Yangon). Food service is available on the express in both directions between Yangon and Mandalay. Except for the new bridge and rail line that connects [[Mawlamyine]] to points on the west side of the Salween River, the rail network is exactly the way it was in British times. The most used line is the 325km line from Yangon to Mandalay with several trains a day. It is the only double line in Myanmar, and also the only one that is competitive in time with buses. The fastest trains take 15 hr for the 385km run, an effective rate of 25km/hour. A second line connects Yangon with Pyay, 9 hr for the 175&nbsp;km journey, with a branch heading off into the delta region town of Pathein. These tracks, the earliest constructed, are in poor shape. With the construction of the bridge across the Salween, it is now possible to go by train from Yangon to Mawlamyine, 8 hr for the 200km journey, and on to Ye and Dawei. From Mandalay, trains continue on to Myitkyina in Kachin State, 350km in 24 hr, and to Lashio. There are also rail connections between Yangon-Bagan and Mandalay-Bagan, but bus or ferry are better alternatives: the 175km from Mandalay to Bagan takes 10 hours. There is railway service between Yangon-Bagan. 16 hr, first class US$30, upper class US$40, sleeper US$50. (check new prices) Train tickets cannot be paid in dollars any more, and the government has abandoned the former dual-pricing structure that saw tourists pay inflated prices. === By boat === There is also a large river ferry network. Both are to a large extent run by the government, although there are now some private ferry services. The trip from Mandalay to Bagan takes the better part of a day, from Bagan to Yangon is several days. === By bus === {| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" |+ ''' Bus travel times/fares between destinations''' ! From !! To !! Time || Kyat |- | [[Yangon]] || [[Mandalay]] || 11 hr || 10,400 |- | [[Yangon]] || [[Bagan]] || 10 hr || 12,000 |- | [[Yangon]] || [[Kyaiktiyo]] || 4 hr || 6,000 |- | [[Mandalay]] || [[Pyin U Lwin]] || 2 hr || 1,500 |- | [[Mandalay]] || [[Hsipaw]] || 5.5 hr || 4,500 |} Buses of all types ply the roads of Myanmar. Luxury (relatively speaking) buses do the Mandalay-Yangon run while lesser vehicles can get travellers to other places. Fares are reasonable and in kyat and buses are faster than the trains. Many long-distance buses assign seats, so it is best to book seats at least a day in advance. Because the roads are bad, avoid the rear of the bus and try to sit as far up front as you can. Long-distance buses also have an extra jump seat that blocks the aisle and, because it is not well secured to the chassis, can be uncomfortable (which also means that there is no such thing as a side seat where taller people can stretch their legs). A window near the front of the bus is always the best option. Even budget travellers will find themselves buying more tickets via their hotel or an agency rather than going to the bus company to buy it directly. Their offices are often located far from any tourist place and the cost of going there and back will most likely exceed the commission your hotel will get for selling you the ticket. Shop around and compare prices before buying your ticket as some vendors include a free pick-up from your hotel. A bus ticket scam seems to be popular in Yangon. While many make a stopover in Bago, they are told at their guesthouse or at the bus station it's not possible to buy tickets there in the direction to Mandalay. In a country where everything might be possible when it comes to transport, some people fall for this. Actually, this is not the case and tracking back to Yangon for a bus ticket up north is not necessary at all. Bago has a bus terminal with several bus offices. Buying your ticket at Bago might be slightly cheaper (depending upon your bargaining skills) and gives you more freedom for the rest of your journey. The adjoining table summarises travel times and approximate fares between important tourist destinations in Myanmar. Most bus fares have gone up with the fuel price rises, so the fares listed are rough estimates. === By pick-up === Old pick-up trucks run everywhere in Myanmar, cheaply ferrying men, women, children, and monks from one place to another. The rear of the truck is converted into a canvas-covered sitting area with three benches, one on each side and one running along the centre of the truck (some smaller trucks have only two rows), and the running board is lowered and fixed into place providing room for six or more people to stand on (holding on to the truck frame). Pick-ups are ubiquitous in Myanmar and every town has a central point somewhere from where they depart to places both near and far. Tourists who go off the beaten track will find them indispensable because often the only alternative is an expensive taxi or private car. The basics of pickups are fairly straightforward, wait till it is reasonably full before heading out. On well-travelled routes (Mandalay-Pyin U Lwin, for example), they fill up quickly and the journey is quick. On less well-travelled routes ([[Bhamo]]-[[Katha]], for example), passengers arrive (early, usually around 06:00), mark their place, and then hang around drinking tea and chatting until the truck fills up. When the pick-up does get moving, it may linger or go out of its way in the hope of picking up more passengers. The inside of a pick-up can be hot and uncomfortable. Passengers, packed in like sardines, face away from the windows (which are tiny) and into the truck. Standing on the running board can be tiring and tough on the arms. The window side seat next to the driver is very comfortable and well-worth the little extra that you have to pay, so it is best to go early and reserve that seat. === By car === [[File:20160729 traffic in Mandalay 5761.jpg|thumb|Busy street in Mandalay]] You can hire a private car and driver at reasonable rates to tour independently. The licensed guides at Schwedagon Paya in Yangon can arrange to have a driver with a car meet you at your hotel. Another way is to arrange for a car through a travel agency, though it can be quite expensive. You can "test" the driver and the car by driving around the city for 10 or 15 minutes. If you are satisfied, a departure date and time and per diem rates (inclusive of petrol) can be negotiated. Some guides are willing to travel with you to serve as interpreters. Traffic moves on the right in Myanmar, but confusingly, Myanmar has a mixture of left- and right-hand-drive cars, with the majority of vehicles being right-hand-drive as a result of being second-hand imports from Japan or Thailand. Road travel to tourist destinations is generally safe, although some roads may be rough. Highways are often 2-lane, and cars often pass one another recklessly. That being said, driving habits are not quite as aggressive as say, [[Vietnam]]. Allow two days to drive from Yangon to Bagan in fair weather. Pyay is a good stopover point. Allow a day to drive from Bagan to Inle Lake. In cities, it is considered illegal to cross an amber light without stopping. Despite having crossed 3/4 of the way, you will be required to stop in the middle of the road and make your way back in reverse! Accidents and fatalities are common. Night-time road travel is not recommended, and medical facilities are limited in rural areas. At government hospitals, bribes may be required for services. Make sure needles are new or carry your own. HIV is a major problem in Myanmar. ===By taxi=== All taxis (and by extension all vehicles for transport of people and goods) have red/white licence plates, while private vehicles have a black/white. Tourist agency-owned cars have a blue/white licence plate. Ride-hailing services like Taxify, Bolt, etc. do not operate in Myanmar. === By motorbike === In Yangon, riding motorcycles is illegal. Mandalay's streets, on the other hand, are filled with both. === By bicycle === In many places you can easily rent a bicycle for about 1,500 kyat per day to move around in your own pace: Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake === On foot === Cars and pedestrians may not follow the established rules, and crossing the road can be difficult. Drivers will almost never yield to pedestrians, even on striped pedestrian crossings. ==See== [[File:InleRowing.jpg|300px|thumb|Leg rowing, Inle Lake]] Myanmar has not been a popular destination in Southeast Asia as visitors have been largely deterred by the country's volatile politics and restrictions placed on travel. But the political and travel situation has been improving notably since 2015. The country is a true, unspoiled treasure trove, and should capture the imagination of anyone interested in culture and history. Walking around [[Yangon]] brings you back to the time of 19th-century British colonial rule. Sparkling-clean parks and temples stand side by side decayed colonial-style buildings and deep potholes. Its cultural and religious attractions, like the '''Shwedagon Pagoda''', add to the city's feel of exoticism, as do the smiles of the locals. Every street corner brings something new—and a short ferry over the river even gives you a glimpse of rural life in the country. Cities of cultural and historical interest close to Yangon are [[Bago (Myanmar)|Bago]] with its Buddhist sights, the delta town of [[Twante]] known for its pottery, and the pilgrimage site of [[Kyaiktiyo]] with its gold-gilded rock balancing precariously over a cliff. It's definitely worth it to further explore the Bamar heartland. Unfortunately some outer fringes of the country are off-limits to foreigners, but it's always worth checking the latest situation with people on the ground as things move so fast that the Internet rarely if ever has correct information. [[File:Maymyo also known as Pyin Oo Lwin (14703742020).jpg|thumb|Pyin U Lwin]] The former city of [[Bagan]] is a gem, and gives a glimpse of what life in the 11th and 12th centuries here must have been like. Marco Polo described it as the "gilded city alive with tinkling bells and the swishing sounds of monks' robes". It is the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world. [[Mrauk U]] is a sleepy village today but its crumbling pagodas and temples remind of the early modern period, when it was the capital city of an empire involved in extensive maritime trade with Portuguese, Dutch, French and Arab traders. Within a daytrip from [[Mandalay]] is [[Inwa]], another former capital where ruins remain to remind visitors of its former glory. Also don't miss [[Pyin U Lwin]], a former British hill station with somewhat cooler temperatures. The country has its fair share of '''natural attractions'''. [[Inle Lake]] is popular with backpackers, and it is one of the few places that is starting to feel like a tourist trap. Still, a trip to Myanmar is not complete without a boat trip on the lake. It has a unique vibe with tribes living in stilt houses and paddling their traditional wooden boats with one leg. The country's long southwestern coastline also has a few '''beaches''', such as [[Chaung Tha]] and [[Ngapali]]. If you visit outside of the traditional holiday season, you might just have a beautiful white sand beach for yourself. ==Do== Myanmar is an excellent country for '''trekking'''. [[Kalaw]] is a centre for trekking, and has miles and miles of trails through mountains and hill tribe villages. [[Kengtung]] is also known for its hiking paths to hill tribe villages, while [[Hsipaw]] has some great treks to waterfalls. '''Birdwatching''' can be done around [[Inle Lake]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Myanmar kyat | currencyCodeAfter=&nbsp;kyat | date=January 2022 | EUR=2,000 | GBP=2,400 | INR=25 | THB=50 | USD=1,650 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/mmk-burmese-kyat]}} {{infobox|Currency Games |Myanmar is still predominantly a cash economy. However, ATMs are widespread. In a misguided attempt to fight rampant black marketeering, the Myanmar government has a habit of ''declaring notes to be worthless'': this happened first in 1964. In 1985, the 20, 50, and 100 kyat notes were withdrawn again and replaced with new kyat notes in the unusual denominations of 25, 35, and 75, possibly chosen because of dictator Ne Win's predilection for numerology; the 75-kyat note was introduced on his 75th birthday. In 1987, the government demonetized the 25, 35, and 75 kyat notes with no prior warning, rendering some 75% of the country's currency worthless. A new series of 15, 45, and 90-kyat notes was issued, incorporating Ne Win's favourite number 9. The resulting economic disturbances led to serious riots and eventually the 1989 coup by General Saw Maung. The post-coup notes come in more normal denominations from 1–1,000 kyat, and this time the old ones remain legal tender, so far.}} Myanmar's currency is the '''kyat''', pronounced "chat". Prices may be shown locally using the abbreviation of '''K''' (singular or plural) or '''Ks''' (plural) either before or after the amount and depending very much on who is doing the sign writing. The ISO abbreviation is '''MMK'''. Wikivoyage articles will use ''kyat'' to denote the currency. ''Pya'' are coins, and are rarely seen since their value has become increasingly insignificant with even the largest 50 pya coin worth less than US$0.001. You may also come across 20, 10, 5, and 1 ''kyat'' and 50 ''pya'' banknotes. They are valid but rarely found and best held onto as souvenirs. Older banknotes in strange denominations are sold to tourists and, while typically genuine, are rarely if ever valuable. The notes of 50 kyat, 100 kyat, 200 kyat, and 500 kyat are usually in a horrible condition, but are generally accepted when making small purchases. The 1,000 kyat notes are slightly better. When exchanging money, check that the banknotes you receive are in a generally good condition. If the exchange gives you kyat notes in horrible condition, you can ask them to exchange them for notes in better condition. Dispose of remaining kyat before leaving. Outside of Myanmar, kyat is almost worthless but do make nice souvenirs. Kyat cannot be legally exchanged abroad, though money changers in places with large overseas Burmese populations such as [[Singapore]] will often exchange anyway, but at terrible rates. Kyat can be exchanged on departure from Yangon Airport at decent rates. ====US dollars==== {{infobox|Is it safe?|So, you're travelling around carrying hundreds, if not thousands, of US dollars stuffed into your pockets in a country where most people subsist on a few dollars a day. Everyone around you knows that if they could get their hands on the money in your pockets, they will be rich for life. What, you may ask, are the odds that someone will try to relieve you of your money? The answer: almost nil. There have been very few instances of a tourist being mugged and only the rare cases of pilfering. Myanmar is an extremely safe country for travellers. Some say it is because of the nature of the people. Others say it is because the punishment for robbing from a foreigner is draconian, whilst others say it is because of Buddhism, which prohibits people from taking what is not given.}} Foreigners are no longer required to pay in US dollars for hotels, tourist attractions, rail and air tickets, ferry travel and for bus tickets. As of 2015, foreign currency instability and the weakening kyat means that many venues will state prices in US dollars, even though it is illegal to do so. Expat restaurants still often quote in US dollars despite actions from the Central Bank prohibiting excess dollar usage. It is illegal for a Myanmar citizen to accept (or hold) US dollars without a licence, but this law is mostly ignored and US dollars are generally accepted. Never insist, though, because it may be dangerous for the receiver. Bring very clean, unfolded US dollars (or they will not be accepted by hotels, restaurants and money changers). Even small imperfections can be cause to reject a US banknote. Keep all US dollars in impeccable condition, and do not fold them. If you do end up with a few, try using them for purchases rather than exchange, or try to exchange them in a few different places. ====ATMs==== There are plenty of ATMs all across the country accepting international Visa and MasterCard. The bigger and more touristic the place the more ATMs it has. Smaller tourist destinations also have ATMs (Bagu, Hpa-An, etc.), but not so many. Make sure to carry a buffer outside of major tourist hotspots. If an ATM does not work, try the next one. Usual withdrawal limit is 300,000 kyat with a processing fee of 5,000 kyat. In case you run out of money, ask your taxi driver to drive you to the CB Bank ATM. '''Note''': Your bank may refuse to process ATM transactions with some/all banks in Myanmar, even if the ATM accepts Visa or Mastercard. Check with your bank prior to entering the country. ====Credit cards==== Upmarket tourist places (hotels, agencies, restaurants) are accepting credit cards (and will surcharge accordingly). So you can even pay with mastercard in a store in the middle of Inle Lake for purchases value more than US$100. But nonetheless paper money is the only way to pay in most places. Beside the ATMs, there are places (e.g. hotels in Yangon) where cash can be obtained with a credit card (''cash advance''), but the rates are extremely uncompetitive (with premiums certainly no lower than around 7%, and with quotes of 30% and more frequently reported). Also, they may need to see your passport to process the transaction. For US citizens, it is also possible to receive funds from friends or relatives in an emergencies through the US Embassy. ====Money exchange==== The foreign currency of choice in Myanmar is the US dollar, though you can readily also exchange euros and Singapore dollars in Yangon and Mandalay, but perhaps not beyond. Other options are the Chinese Yuan and Thai Baht. The best rates are in Yangon and Mandalay. Major foreign currencies need to be in good condition—other currencies like rupees and baht are often accepted even if worn out. Currency controls have been relaxed, and banks no longer exchange foreign currencies at the ridiculous rate they used to. Most banks accept US dollars, euros and Chinese yuan. Singapore dollars and Thai baht can also be changed at some of the larger banks. Especially on holidays and Sundays, all your necessary money should be changed at the airport as banks in town are closed. Money changers offer significantly lower rates (5-10% lower) for changing US dollars and euros. The most hassle-free option is to change all your required money at the airport, depending on the rate to change it back. Look around different banks for the best exchange rate. Be sure to bring a mix of foreign denominations when visiting Myanmar because money changers will sometimes not give change and smaller notes (in good condition) are useful for some entry fees and transport. Even though, larger bills give the best exchange rates at banks. Ensure that foreign notes are: * Unmarked – No stamps, anti-counterfeit pen, ink or any other mark on them at all. Pencil can be removed with a good eraser, but any permanent marks will greatly decrease a note's value and ability to be exchanged. * Fresh, crisp and as close to brand new as possible – Moneychangers have been known to reject notes just for being creased and/or lightly worn. * Undamaged – No tears, missing bits, holes, repairs or anything of that sort. * Preferably of the new design, with the larger portrait, and the multiple-colour prints. Although, old-style US$1 are still commonly traded. * For US$100 bills, have no serial numbers starting "CB". This is because they are associated with a counterfeit "superbill" which was in circulation some time ago. '''Scams''': * There are a number of tricks and scams running around Myanmar trapping tourists who are carrying US dollars. Sometimes, guesthouses or traders will try and pass you damaged or nonexchangeable bills in change. Always inspect all notes when making a purchase and request that the vendor swap any notes you think you will have trouble using down the track—this is perfectly acceptable behaviour for both vendors and customers, so don't be shy. * Some money changers will also attempt sleight of hand tricks to either swap your good banknotes for damaged, or lower denomination notes. Other reports suggest that the kyats may be counted and then somehow, some disappear from the table during the transaction. For example, after going through an elaborate counting process for piles of ten 1,000 kyat notes, some money changers will pull some notes out as they count the piles of ten. * When changing money, be sure that, after any money is counted, it is not touched by anyone until the deal is sealed. Also do not allow your dollars to be removed from your sight until all is agreed; in fact, it is not even necessary to pull out your US dollars until your are paying for the kyats you received. It sounds extreme, but ending up in a country where you cannot access whatever savings you have, and having a good portion of your budget rendered useless (until you get to more relaxed changers in Bangkok) can really put a dampener on your plans. ====Travellers cheques==== Travellers cheques are '''not accepted''' in Myanmar. The only exception might be some especially shady money changer, but be prepared to pay an astronomical commission (30% is not uncommon). ===Shopping=== ====Tipping==== Tipping is generally not practised by the Burmese themselves. However, given widespread poverty in the country, tips are certainly appreciated if you have been provided with exemplary service. Tips that are charged to a credit card almost never make it to the service staff, so if you wish to tip, make sure you hand it over in cash to the person who served you. ====Costs==== Despite being less developed, Myanmar is expensive compared to other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand or Vietnam. This is particularly true of hotel prices in the main tourists areas, as demand far outstrips supply. Similarly, the lack of competition from budget airlines has also made domestic flights rather expensive. [[File:Maymyo also known as Pyin Oo Lwin (14703766279).jpg|thumb|Night market in Pyin U Lwin]] It's not possible to be comfortable on less than US$25/day (May 2013). Foreigners will likely be charged fees, including video camera, camera, entrance, parking and zone fees. Most managed tourist site charge for carrying cameras of any sort into the area. Double rooms with private bathroom are nearly always more than US$20, in Yangon a double room without bathroom costs US$20. Dorm beds are around US$10 (or US$8 if you accept to loose a lot of value) (Sep 2015). While you cannot save on accommodation, you can save on food. Street food can get as low as US$0.30 for 2 small curries with 2 Indian breads, US$1 for a normal (vegetarian) dish. Even in touristy places like Bagan dishes cost under US$1 (vegetarian) and US$2 (meat). A draught Myanmar beer (5%) is around 600 kyat, a bottle of Myanmar beer (650 ml) is around 1,700 kyat, a bottle of Mandalay beer (6.5%, 650 ml) around 1,200 kyat. ====What to buy==== * '''Antiques''' – Purchasing antiquities and antiques in Myanmar is at best a legal gray area with the 2015 passage of the new Antiquities Law, and often illegal for any item over 100 years old. Penalties include prison and fines. It is recommended to avoid purchasing antiques as a tourist, unless you're willing to get an export permit from the Ministry of Culture on your way out and you have enough knowledge to avoid the fakes. Replicas and fakes are rife in Bogyoke market and other anitque stores frequented by tourists. It is against the law to export religious antiques (manuscripts, Buddhas, etc.) * '''Art''' – The Myanmar Art market has exploded, with local artists' works going for good values in Yangon and Mandalay. Visit the numerous galleries in Yangon to get a feel for available works. Art is often related to Buddhism and the difficult socio-political situation, as well as more traditional Victorian-influenced subjects like markets, old women smoking cigars, tribal members, and monks. There is a lot of cheap/mass-painted and derivative works at Bogyoke Market. * '''Gemstones''' – Myanmar is a significant source of jade, rubies and sapphires (the granting of a licence to the French over the ruby mines in [[Mogok]] was one of the causes leading to the Third Burmese War) and these can be obtained at a fraction of what it would cost in the West. There are a lot of fakes for sale amid the genuine stuff and, unless you know your gems, buy from an official government store or risk being cheated. Bogoyoke Aung San Market and the Myanmar Gems Museum in [[Yangon]] has many licensed shops and is generally a safe place for the purchase of these stones. The jade market in [[Mandalay]] is also worth a visit, where most of the jade is brought from the mines to be sold to merchants, and you can observe merchants haggling over the prices of both raw jade and various jade items in all stages of the production process, but make sure you do your homework before buying or you risk getting ripped off. * '''Lacquerware''' – A popular purchase, which is made into bowls, cups, vases, tables and various items, and is available almost anywhere. The traditional centre of lacquerware production is [[Bagan]] in [[Central Myanmar]], and most tours include a stop at one of the local lacquerware factories where you can purchase one of these. Beware of fraudulent lacquer ware, though, which is poorly made, but looks authentic. As a guide, the stiffer the lacquer, the poorer the quality; the more you can bend and twist it, the finer the quality. * '''Tapestries''' – Known as ''kalaga'', or ''shwe chi doe''. There is a long tradition of weaving tapestries in Burma. These are decorated with gold and silver thread and sequins and usually depict tales from the Buddhist scriptures (the ''jatakas'') or other non-secular objects from Burmese Buddhism (mythical animals, the ''hintha'', and the ''kalong'' are also popular subjects). The tapestry tradition is dying out but many are made for tourists and are available in Mandalay and Yangon. Burmese tapestries don't last long, so be warned if someone tries to sell you an antique ''shwe chi doe''! * '''Textiles''' – Textiles in Myanmar are stunning. Each region and each ethnic group has its own style. Chin fabrics are particularly stunning. They are handwoven in intricate geometric patterns, often in deep reds and mossy greens and white. They can be quite pricey, perhaps US$20 for the cloth to make a longyi (sarong). ==Eat== [[File:Outdoor café, Yangon, Myanmar.jpg|thumb|Outdoor café in Yangon]] Burmese food is influenced by that of India and China, yet unique. Apart from Burmese food, other ethnic traditional foods such as Shan food, Rakhine food, and Myeik food are also distinct. Rice is at the core of Burmese food, and good vegetarian food is widely available. Burmese food is often extremely pungent. Similar to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, '''fish sauce''' (ငံပြာရည် ''ngan bya yay'') is a very popular condiment in Myanmar, and is used to flavour many dishes. Food is inexpensive at most restaurants (priced at 500–3,000 kyat per item at most local restaurants, but can go as high as 8,000 kyat at posh restaurants). There are many up-market restaurants in Yangon and Mandalay. The majority of low-to-mid-priced restaurants use a cheap blend of palm oil for cooking. This oil may be unhealthy, and common roadside restaurants should be avoided if you are at the slightest risk for hypertension, heart disease, or other fat- or cholesterol-related conditions. Higher class restaurants may use peanut oil instead. Specific dishes include: [[File:Chapati and mutton curry.JPG|thumb|Chapati and mutton curry]] * '''Curry''' &ndash; Burmese people have a very different definition of curry than other countries. It is very spicy compared to Indian and Thai options, and although you may find it served at room temperature in cheaper restaurants, in a typical Burmese home all curry dishes are served hot. Burmese curry does not contain coconut milk, unlike its other SE Asian counterparts, and has a large quantity of onion or tomato depending on region and cook's preference. Myanmar is the highest per-capita consumer of onions in the world. Quite often Burmese curries are cooked with lots of oil, much more than other regional curries. * '''Samosa thoke''' (samosa salad) &ndash; A popular street dish of chickpeas, potatoes, tomato, cabbage, mint and a smashed samosa. * '''Mohinga''' (pronounced ''mo-HIN-ga'') &ndash; A dish of rice vermicelli with fish chowder, usually accompanied by coriander and chili powder. Its taste can range from sweet to spicy, and is usually eaten at breakfast. It is considered by many to be the national dish, and is widely available throughout the country, albeit in different styles in different regions. * '''Mote lin-mayar''' (Couples snacks) &ndash; Small tiny pancakes with chives, chickpeas or quail eggs. * '''Sticky rice''' &ndash; Served plain or with turmeric or black rice * '''Nan Gyi Thoke''' (pronounced ''nan gyi thou'') &ndash; A special dish of rice noodle salad with chicken sauce. It is mostly eaten in mid-Myanmar. * '''Onnokauswe''' (pronounced ''oun-NO-kao-sui'') &ndash; A dish of thicker noodles in a thick soup of coconut milk with chicken. It is served with a variety of condiments accompanying it, ranging from fried fruit fritters to solidified duck blood. "Khao soi"("noodle" in Shan), often found on the streets of Chiang Mai, is derived from this Burmese counterpart. It is also comparable to the spicier laksa often found in peninsular SE countries like Malaysia and Singapore. * '''Shan food''' &ndash; The Shan are an ethnic group who inhabit Shan State around Inle lake, near the Thai border. Their food is marvelous. It can be found in Yangon easily. :* '''Shan tofu''' &ndash; Made with mung beans instead of soya beans these yellow blocks are served fried or in a cold noodle salad. :* '''Laphet thote''' (pronounced ''la-peh THOU'') &ndash; A salad of fermented tea leaves and a variety of fried nuts. It is commonly mixed with sliced lettuce, and is eaten with rice. * '''Chinese food''' &ndash; Available in most cities and usually authentic, if plain. * '''Kachin food''' &ndash; Mainly available in Kachin State, though a number of Kachin restaurants can be found in Yangon and Mandalay. Kachin food is less oily and uses less MSG than Burmese food, and you may find it a good alternative if Burmese curries are not to your liking. == Drink == '''Tap water''' in Myanmar is not safe to drink, however factory-made ice in restaurants and other shops is OK. '''Bottled water''' is readily available. You can also safely drink from the many clay jars dotted around the country, or find safe drinking water in temples. Just look for the large steel tanks with cups tied to the spigots. Water in the clay jars is filtered and many Myanmar people use them. Owners of the jars fill them up with water as a way to make merit. Similar to Chinese tea, ''Yenwejan'' is usually provided free at restaurant tables. While not flavourful, it is boiled water, and so safe to drink (do not drink plain water - even in restaurants - unless it is bottled water). Dried tea leaves similar to Laphet thote's tea leaves (except these are wet) are added to the boiled water to give ''Yenwejan'' Be sure to order it with Laphet thote (Customary/Good combination). '''Milk tea''' is also widely available in the local markets but beware: the Burmese like their milk teas very, very sweet. '''Alcohol''' is frowned upon by conservative Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, but consumed widely, mostly among men. Myanmar Beer is most popular in the country. Other variants, including Mandalay Beer exist. However, many of such companies are government-owned and/or have links to the drug trade. '''Toddy juice''' (''ta-YEI'') is popular in central Myanmar, and is made from fermented palm sugar. An alcoholic drink popular in the Shan State is '''Shwe le maw''', and is reportedly very strong. It is also possible to buy full strength Beer Chang imported from Thailand; exports to most countries are not nearly as strong. Beware of alcoholic drinks served in the far northern states. The locals refer to it as '''alcohol which does not burn''' when lit, and it is widely suspected to be an opiate concoction rather than a fermented beverage. There are a lot of nightclubs, including those attached to the five star hotels (e.g. Grand Plaza), and also local entertainment centres (e.g. JJs, Asia plaza). === Teahouses === [[File:Myanmar Tea House Food.jpg|thumb|Tea and snacks at a tea house]] Teahouses are important places of social gathering and popular throughout the country. They look like restaurants but if you watch closely you will notice that people are drinking a lot of Chinese tea (free), light brown tea and are mainly snacking. Some teahouses also offer simple dishes as fried rice or noodles. Once seated they will expect you to order coffee but that's not what you should go for as it is almost always instant coffee. Order tea, a type of black tea with milk that differ in strength and sweetness: *''bone mahn'': balanced *''cho seh'': sweet *''kyaw p'daung'': sweeter *''pan brown'': bitter and sweet *''jah hseent'': light, with milk, not strong *''pancho'': strong *''bow hseent'': less strong *''noe hseent dee'': milk tea without sugar You will completely mispronounce the tea names (second and sixth are relatively easy) and people might not get what you want at all since it's rare for foreigners to order these teas. So it's better to ask your hotel or any local speaking English to write down the names in Burmese. Since you are a foreigner they will assume that you want your tea ''sheh'' - special - which means it will come with condensed milk. It's also possible to order a ''tankie'' and so the tea will come in a big pot. A simple cup of tea costs 200-400 kyat. Small snacks like samosas, cakes or sweet balls are readily available at the table. If not, ask. At the end you will only pay for the number of pieces eaten. Foodies should check out the type of snacks before deciding on a teahouse. It is not impolite at all to bring your own food as long as you order at least something. == Sleep == [[File:Sule-Pagoda by-Night.jpg|thumb|Night in Yangon]] Myanmar has good hotel accommodation, particularly in major cities and the main tourist areas, though prices are substantially higher than in [[Thailand]] or [[Vietnam]]. Rooms with attached bath are available for under US$10 everywhere except in Yangon and with shared bath for anywhere from US$3–6 in most places. Almost every hotel licensed for foreigners has running hot water (though, in remote areas, availability may be restricted to certain hours of the day). Hotels, with a few exceptions, are usually clean. At the budget end, sheets and blankets may be threadbare and the rooms may be poorly ventilated. A few low-end hotels, particularly in Yangon and other large cities, specialize in cubicle rooms, small single rooms with no windows which, while cheap and clean, are not for the claustrophobic. Rates are quoted as single/double, but the rooms are usually the same whether one person or two stay in the room, making good hotels a real bargain if travelling as a couple. Except at the top-end, breakfast is always included in the price of the room. The tourism boom in Myanmar has left its infrastructure struggling to cope with the increased numbers of visitors. Hotel rooms tend to sell out really fast, and those in popular tourist destinations often sell out months in advance. As a result of the lack of supply, prices have also increased substantially. You should make your hotel bookings well in advance of your planned trip to Myanmar in order not to be stranded when you arrive. Myanmar has a problem providing enough electricity to its people and power supply is severely restricted everywhere. In many places, electricity may be available only for a few hours each evening or, in some cases, only every alternate evening. If you don't want to spend your nights without a fan or air conditioning, ask if the hotel has a generator (most mid-priced hotels do). On generator nights, the air conditioning in your room may not work (the price is usually lower as well). Even if a hotel has a generator, there is no guarantee that it will be used to provide you electricity at the times you require, so be ready for blackouts at any time of day or night. Major tourist hotels in Yangon and Mandalay have near-uninterrupted electricity supply, but can cost anywhere from US$80–300 per night. At the top-end, Myanmar has some excellent hotels including one or two great ones (The Strand in Yangon and Kandawgyi Palace Hotel in Yangon). The Myanmar government runs many hotels, including some beautiful colonial era ones (though not the two listed in the previous sentence). A percentage of all accommodation payments goes to the government, no matter where you choose to stay, and it is not possible to run a successful business in Myanmar without some relationship or payment arrangement with the military. == Work == Work in Myanmar for foreigners is hard to come by. NGOs and other aid groups operate in the capital and remote rural areas but may require specific skill sets to hire you. Another option is European and Asian companies, mostly operating on a small scale. Teaching English is feasible in private schools but many foreigners have reported unreasonable contracts, such as withholding pay and refusing to pay those who resign early. The education ministry only hires citizens with teaching certification. If you would like to work and assist Burmese refugees certain NGOs work in neighbouring [[Thailand]]. == Stay safe == === Crime === The government punishes crime, particularly against tourists, severely; as a result, as far as crime and personal safety go, Myanmar is extremely safe for tourists, and it is generally safe to walk on the streets alone at night. In fact, you are less likely to be a victim of crime in Myanmar than in [[Thailand]] or [[Malaysia]]. However, as with anywhere else, little crime does not mean no crime and it is still no excuse to ditch your common sense. As a foreigner, the most common crime you should be worried about is petty theft, so keep your belongings secured. Physical and verbal harassment towards foreigners is uncommon, even on urban walks near bars. Since 2005, [[Yangon]] and [[Mandalay]] have seen a barely perceptible rise in the very low level of street robberies. There were isolated bombings in 2005 in Mandalay and Yangon, and in 2006 in [[Bago (Myanmar)|Bago]]. ===Begging=== Despite traditional taboos against it, [[begging]] has become a major problem in the main tourist areas such as [[Bago (Myanmar)|Bago]] and [[Bagan]]. Children and "mothers" carrying babies are often the ones who beg as they are more effective at soliciting pity. Most beggars are part of larger begging syndicates or just after easy money, as tourists are usually seen to be rich. In addition, the poor can always obtain food for free from the nearest monastery if they can't afford to pay for it, so begging is not necessary for their survival. If you choose to give, note that most Burmese earn only US$40 a month doing manual labour and so giving US$1 to a beggar is ''very'' generous. ===Fake monks=== Theravada Buddhism is the main religion in Myanmar, and it is customary for monks to go on alms rounds in the morning. Unfortunately, there are also many bogus monks who hang out around the main tourist attractions preying on unsuspecting visitors. Alms rounds are solely for the purpose of collecting food: genuine monks are forbidden from accepting, or even touching money. Monks are forbidden from eating after noon, and are also not allowed to sell items or use high pressure tactics to solicit donations. Authentic monks are often found in single file lines with their alms bowls. If you see a single monk requesting money from foreigners he is a fraud. === Corruption === Myanmar is one of the world's most corrupt countries. Officials and other civil servants may discreetly ask you for a bribe, or invent issues (missing forms, closed offices, etc.) in order to get you to suggest one. Pretending not to understand or asking to speak to a superior may work. However, white visitors are rarely targeted, while those of Asian descent (including South Asians and East Asians) may be forced to give bribes, but the brunt of the problem hits normal Burmese. Westerners are very rarely asked for bribes, although most bribes are a US dollar or less, and requested by people earning as little as US$30/month. === Driving conditions === The poor road infrastructure, and a mixture of extremely ancient vehicles on the country's roads are all what best describe the road conditions. However, driving habits are not very aggressive compared to say, [[Vietnam]], which does make the safety of the roads comfortable for almost everyone. Although rare, youths sometimes compete against each other on the roads, which has led to some casualties over the past few years. Bus drivers are among the worst dangers, although this is somewhat less of an issue since 2010 due to new, very harsh penalties imposed on bus drivers involved in accidents. Surprisingly, Burma has a mixture of both right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles, with the majority being right-hand drive but driving is generally done on the right side of the roads. Unless you have experience driving in countries with poorly disciplined drivers and very shabby vehicles, avoid driving in Burma. === Civil conflict === Various insurgent groups continue to operate in the '''Mon, and Chin (Zomi), states''' of Myanmar, along the Thai and Chinese borders. Travel to these regions generally requires a government permit. The government also sometimes restricts travel to '''Kayah State, Rakhine State, and Kachin State''' due to insurgent activity. However travel is entirely unrestricted to the districts of Yangon, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Mandalay, and Magwe. Some areas that have been reported as closed have become open without notice, and areas previously regarded as open can become closed with no warning. In addition, local immigration offices may have their own interpretations of regulations. === Politics === [[File:Propaganda, Myanmar 2.jpg|thumb|"Tatmadaw [Armed Forces] and the people in eternal unity. Anyone attempting to divide them is our enemy."]] Myanmar is again under strong military rule as it was from 1962 - 2012, with a reputation for repressing dissent, as in the case of the house arrest of democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi. There used to be more than 1,500 political prisoners (sentences of 65 years and hard labor in remote camps were given to leaders of the Saffron Revolution), although some have been released. When in Myanmar, abstain from political activities and don't insult the government. Discuss politics, if you must, with people who have had time to get a feel for you. The danger, however, is primarily posed to those you speak with, so let them lead the conversation. Also, realize that many phone lines are tapped. And if you absolutely must wave a democracy banner on the street, you'll simply find yourself on the next outbound flight. Between 2012-2020, liberty in general increased under the new government. A few politically critical articles have been published in government newspapers and a satirical film deriding the government's film censorship policy has been released, neither of which would have been possible in 2010. Returning visitors to Myanmar may find that locals have become ever so slightly more open to discussions regarding politics. However, under any circumstances avoid doing things that might make the military or police feel uncomfortable, such as taking pictures of police and police buildings or vehicles. == Stay healthy == Hygiene in Myanmar may seem terrible to the average Westerner but it is possible to stay healthy with some basic precautions such as prophylactic medication, care choosing food and water, and antibacterial ointment. '''Never drink [[tap water]]'''. Restaurants are legally required to use ice made and sold by bottled water companies, so ordering ice is usually safe in major places. Always drink bottled water and check that the cap is sealed on, not simply screwed on. Diseases such as [[dengue fever]], [[Japanese encephalitis]] and [[malaria]] are endemic. Drug-resistant strains of malaria and tuberculosis are common in many areas. Hepatitis vaccinations are highly recommended and the cholera oral vaccine is worthwhile. At the dinner table, Burmese use a spoon and fork, or their fingers when this is more convenient. You might feel better rinsing all of them before meals. Antibacterial wipes or alcohol hand-rub is a good idea at regular intervals. As in many developing countries: "if you can't fry, roast, peel or boil it - then forget it". ===HIV=== The rate of HIV infection in Myanmar is high by Western and Asian standards (0.7% of the population in 2019). ===Healthcare=== Myanmar's healthcare system is poorly funded. If you should fall sick in Myanmar, you can visit the doctor in major cities for minor ailments. However, for more serious medical care, hospital conditions tend to be unsanitary and there is often a shortage of medical supplies. The only hospital that comes close to modern developed standards is Pun Hlaing Hospital, a privately owned hospital which is in a remote township of Yangon called Hlaing Thar Yar, and one should expect very high expenses there. Most of the hospitals are government owned, which means poorly funded. Most of the government officials and rich locals go to [[Thailand]] or [[Singapore]] for more serious medical treatment and hospitalisation, and you will be better off doing so too. Make sure you get travel insurance as arranging to be airlifted in an emergency is rather costly. Some travel books and websites still list a clinic operated by the Australian Embassy in Yangon, however this clinic closed in 2018. There is a well-regarded [https://myanmarmix.com/en/directory/international-sos-clinic-yangon international medical clinic] at the Inya Lake Hotel in Yangon for consulting, testing, radiology and minor surgery. == Respect == {{infobox|Naming conventions|Unlike in many other cultures, there is generally no concept of a family name, patronymic or matronymic in Burmese culture, and most individuals only have a given name. For example, the current President, '''Htin Kyaw''', only has a given name with no family name, patronymic or matronymic, and would be addressed as Mr Htin Kyaw by most English speakers. Often, a Burmese honorific, usually '''U''' (ဦး) for men or '''Daw''' (ဒေါ်) for women, may be added to the beginning of the name, so he may be addressed as ''U Htin Kyaw''.}} [[File:Mrauk U - 0002.jpg|thumb|400px|[[Mrauk U]], the old capital of Rakhine in Myanmar]] Modest clothing is highly appreciated everywhere except nightclubs, and practically required in religious places such as pagodas, temples and monasteries (of which there are thousands). Miniskirts, shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed in consecrated areas, where you also have to remove your footwear, so loafers and flip-flops that you can slip on and off at the entrance are preferable. Myanmar has some of the most stunning temples in Asia and you will be tempted to visit more than you think. Burmese people generally do not engage in public display of affection, even among married couples, and it is generally considered distasteful and should be avoided. Both men and women wear a ''longyi'', a sort of sarong sold everywhere, and it is not unusual to see Caucasian foreigners walking around in them. They are wrapped in different ways for men and women, so find out how to tie yours. If you turn up at a temple in inappropriate dress, you can always rent a longyi for a pittance. When giving and receiving '''business cards''', always use your right hand, with your left hand supporting your right elbow. As the left hand is traditionally reserved for dirty things, handling business cards with it is considered to be very rude. Tourists of Caucasian descent are commonly referred to as ''bo'', which translates to "officer", a linguistic relic of colonization. Address elders with ''U'' (pronounced "oo", as in s'''oo'''n) or "Uncle" for men, and ''Daw'' or "Auntie" for women. Generally speaking, despite the common negative perception of the government, most ordinary Burmese people are incredibly friendly and polite as long as you respect their local customs. Customer service is in general very good (some say better than in [[Thailand]]) but customer service staff are invariably poorly paid, so you might wish to tip service staff generously to ensure your money goes into the right hands. ===Politics=== Avoid discussing relations with the Rohingya and the ongoing ethnic cleansing as this is a very sensitive and emotive issue that can potentially escalate into a confrontation. The vast majority of Burmese people regard the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh who have no right to be in Myanmar, and their Muslim religion is seen by many as a threat to Buddhism. Most Burmese people are offended when the Rohingya are referred to as such, and will insist that you use the term "Bengali" to refer to them instead. Also tread carefully when discussing relations with [[China]]. Even though both the military junta and Aung San Suu Kyi had developed close relationships with China and invited Chinese investment in Myanmar's infrastructure, this is opposed by many pro-Western activists. Anti-China sentiments have intensified since the 2021 military coup, as most opponents of the coup believe that it was orchestrated by the Chinese government. ===Religion=== Similar to neighboring Thailand, you will often see monks collecting alms in the streets in the morning (they are not allowed to eat after noon). Buddhism is taken very seriously in Myanmar, and it is customary for Burmese men to spend time living as a monk at least once in their childhood, and once more in adulthood. Their customs are similar to those of monks in Thailand. Most notably, they are not allowed to come into physical contact with the opposite sex, so women should be careful not to touch their hands if offering a donation. In addition, monks are also not allowed to touch money. Should you wish to donate to a monk, you should only offer food, as offering money to a monk is considered to be disrespectful. Donations to monks have to be spontaneous, and monks are forbidden from approaching people to request alms, and neither do they hang out in tourist areas waiting for tourist donations. If you see a monk accepting monetary donations, or hanging out at popular tourist spots waiting for donations, he is bogus. Avoid tee shirts or tattoos with images of Buddhas or Buddhist imagery, which is considered highly disrespectful and illegal. Tourists have been arrested and sentenced to imprisonment for violating this rule. Give generously at temples and monasteries but women are not allowed into some sacred areas—actually the restriction should cover only women in menstruation, but since it would be rude to ask and unthinkable to verify, they keep all ladies out. Remember that monks are not allowed to touch money, so all temple donations should be put into the designated temple donation boxes, and not offered directly to the monks. You can also purchase little squares of gold leaf to apply to consecrated statues. Always remove your footwear before you enter any temple compounds, as not doing so is a major faux pas; it is also illegal. When praying or paying respects, it is important to ensure that the *soles* of your feet do not point towards the Buddha or anyone else. However, statues are arranged so that won't happen unless you get acrobatic about it. Tuck your feet underneath you when kneeling at shrines and temples. Swastikas are commonly seen at Buddhist temples and are regarded as a sacred symbol. They do not represent Nazism or anti-Semitism. ==Connect== === Telephone === Country Code: +95 International Call Prefix: 00 Phone numbers in Myanmar have the format <code>+95 1 234-5678</code> where "95" is the country code for Myanmar, the next one, two, three or four digits are the area code and the remaining 6, 7 or 8 digits are the "local" part of the subscriber number. You can buy GSM/4G sim cards at International airports or any convenience store. Standard sim card costs around 1500 Ks. Some operators may offer special sim for tourists. There are 4 mobile operators in Myanmar, MPT (Government+KDDI), Telenor, Ooredoo and MyTel (Military+VietTel). MPT in the largest in Myanmar in terms of network coverage and user. Operators offer similar price plans. Generally, standard plan offers voice calls for 20 Ks - 25Ks/min, SMS at 15 Ks - 20 Ks/message. Pay as you go data plan offers around 7 Ks/MB but specific data plan will offer around 1000 Ks/GB or cheaper. Prices for IDD and roaming service vary depending on the operators and destination countries. If you are going to use in urban area only for local call and data, there is not much difference between operators. If you are going to visit remote area, please check which operator is available at there. If you are going to use IDD or roaming, you may wisely choose by checking offering price at their websites. === Mail === International mail out of Myanmar is reportedly quite efficient, despite what some hotels might tell you. As elsewhere, there is always a risk if you send valuables as ordinary parcels. Use EMS for fast, and relatively cheap international parcels. === Internet === Country's telecommunication sector was revolutionized in 2013 and speed is steadily increasing and price become cheaper. As of 2020, free Wi-fi is available at almost every Hotels. Unlike other countries, Myanmar hugely rely on 4G Internet than cable or Wi-fi. Surprisingly, Yangon has 4th-fastest 4G speeds in East Asia despite the fact that it had slowest speeds in Asia before 2013. Seamless 4G Internet is available in every city, town and along major highway roads. Even a small village is likely to be covered with at least 3G Internet unless it is in highly remote or armed conflict area. Data costs are around 1000 kyat ($0.8)/GB. There are also cheaper fancy data plans depending on operators. MPT is largest mobile operator and Telenor is second. 4G sim cards are available at International airports and any convenience store. With the extended coverage of 4G and smart phones, once dominant Internet cafes are getting out of business and turn into gaming stations. In case of you need to access Internet urgently, you can use at those gaming stations but extensive file downloading is not welcome for it can effect their gaming experience. Facebook and Viber are the most used apps and services in Myanmar. {{isPartOf|Southeast Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|22|96|zoom=5}} ps345c5umcxzdvccsbgxe4bgvn6itam 0 23600 4506507 4504214 2022-08-23T03:01:50Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Myawaddy street (cropped).jpg}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling and narcotics manufacturing are rampant in [[Northern Myanmar]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Myanmar or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs out of Myanmar, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Myanmar. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} '''Myawaddy''' or Myawadi (Burmese မြဝတီမြို့) is a border town in [[Myanmar]]. The [[Mae Sot]] (Thailand) - Myawaddy border crossing is the main overland entry point for foreigners wishing to get from [[Bangkok]] to [[Yangon]] or [[Thailand]] to Myanmar in general, and vice-versa. [[Image:Myawaddypagodas.jpg|thumb|240px|Pagodas by Buddhist temple in Myawaddy]] == Understand == At some point, this is expected to be a full international border crossing as part of the Asian Highway Network route AH1 which will connect [[Tokyo]] in [[Japan]] with the border between [[Turkey]] and [[Bulgaria]]. In July 2015, the part between Kawkareik and Myawaddy opened. Myawaddy is a moderately popular destination for tourists and expats in Thailand who want to make a "visa run", i.e. get a new Thai entry permit stamp by making a short visit to another country. Many western foreigners receive a 30-day entry permit when re-entering Thailand. Other nationalities even receive 90 days. However, for western foreigners no visa-on-arrival is available on the Myanmar side. The time in Myanmar is 30 minutes earlier than in Thailand, and the traffic drives on the right. == Get in == [[Image:The_road_to_Myawaddy_through_the_Dawna_Mountains_37.jpg|thumb|right|350px|On the Myanmar side of the border]] There are several buses daily from [[Hpa-an]] (Pa-an) and [[Mawlamyine]] (Moulmein) to Myawaddy, as well as a few buses from [[Yangon]] (12 hr). Shared taxi from Hpa-An is 8,000 kyat and takes 2½ to 3 hours. From the Thai town of [[Mae Sot]], take a [[Thailand#Songthaew|songthaew]] or other transport to the border crossing at the '''Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge''' over the Moei River; Myawaddy is immediately on the other side of the bridge. The ride from Mae Sot is between 20 by Songthaew. Foreigners must have a visa for Myanmar prior to entry. It can be obtained in [[Bangkok]] within a day when applying in the morning, or simply online. The border opens between 06:00 and 18:00. The border crossing is hassle free: remember the name of the city you are going to and the name of an address you will stay in, so the crossing may be a bit faster. [[Image:The_road_to_Myawaddy_through_the_Dawna_Mountains_11.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Onward travel beyond Myawaddy in the not so distant past]] == Get around == Myawaddy is centred on the wide strip of highway that leads from the Friendship Bridge through town and is small enough to be explored easily on foot; alternatively, ubiquitous red bicycle rickshaws go everywhere. == See == * {{see | name=Shwe Myint Wan (the Golden Pagoda) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.689026 | long=98.508045 | directions=2-3 minutes from the border checkpoint by rickshaw | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2020-02-15| content=Very picturesque site with several big Buddha images enshrined on its grounds, one of which is a replica of the golden Buddha image of Mahamuni Temple in Mandalay. Locals claim that this pagoda is more than 1,000 years old. }} * {{see | name=Myikyaungon Temple (the Crocodile Temple) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.682490 | long=98.506251 | directions=6-7 minutes from the border checkpoint by rickshaw | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Very unusual temple on the back of a gigantic crocodile statue. There is also a library on top, but women do not have access. An anti-clockwise series of pictures explains the life of Buddha. }} * {{see | name=Giant Standing Buddha | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.681494 | long=98.501439 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This complex houses a 20-m-high standing Buddha and a large golden bell shared tower. }} * {{see | name=Kyan Khinn Monestry | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.688270 | long=98.511663 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} There are more temples with big pagodas a bit away from the town centre and in neighbouring villages. With decent transport the following are accessible: * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.679651 | long=98.505605}} * {{see | name=Pagoda & field of status | lat=16.676486 | long=98.505034 | content=Buddha images more than a hundred similar sitting behind this sight.}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.671630 | long=98.499906}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Circle of posts | lat=16.678442 | long=98.488571}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Circle of little pagodas | lat=16.679210 | long=98.485100}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.676147 | long=98.481761}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Little pagoda | lat=16.674687 | long=98.482555}} * {{see | name=Hill pagoda | lat=16.672458 | long=98.480675 | content=This temple is on a hill that is a 200-m-walk from the previous one. It also has a big pagoda and gives a good view of the surrounding area.}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.678598 | long=98.480024}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.678583 | long=98.478624}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Water hole | lat=16.679789 | long=98.478715}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Stadium like Place of Worship | lat=16.680822 | long=98.478183}} == Do == {{do | name=Market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.688287 | long=98.510563 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Afternoon & early evening | price= | content=Explore this single street market of 2 km length and its side roads for an authentic Myanmar. }} == Buy == Although Thai baht used to be accepted in Myawaddy (as written in many places online and in guidebooks) this is no longer the case. There are ATMs that can be used to withdraw kyat. In addition, there are many money changers along the road right after the border post, but be cautious and double check. {{do | name=Myawaddy Complex | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.696008 | long=98.498359 | directions= | phone=+66 36 288 867 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Casino and duty-free shops. }} == Eat == There are many restaurants and shops around along the street towards the border. == Drink == == Sleep == There are several guesthouses and small hotels, but be sure to call or book ahead since not every accommodation in Myanmar is available or licensed to tourists. * {{sleep | name=Hotel Lawka | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotellawkamyawaddy/ | email= | address=Chit Kyi Yay Lane | lat=16.686074 | long=98.498801 | directions= | phone+95 58 51330, +95 9 31223727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Myawaddy Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Chit kyi yay Road | lat=16.687626 | long=98.509272 | directions=750 m from the border post | phone=+95 58 50519, +95 9 252 636527 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$22-30 | content=Rooms are clean and reasonable. Including breakfast and a restaurant.}} == Go next == * You can cross the border to [[Mae Sot]] in [[Thailand]]. * There are several buses daily from Myawaddy to [[Hpa-an]] (Pa-an) and [[Mawlamyine]] (Moulmein) for about 5,000 kyat. Depending on when you arrive, it will be easier or necessary to take a private taxi (for about 10,000 kyat. After passing the customs office, you will be approached by taxi drivers or their ''friends'' who speak English. Depending on the route, the ride will take about 3-5 hours including stops. A proper road is under construction. * The bus to [[Yangon]] leaves at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00, takes 12 hr and costs about 13,000 kyat. {{RelatedWikipedia|AH1|rel=y}} {{IsPartOf|Southeastern Myanmar}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|16.687778|98.508333}} nozj2cidr4v1o22tj38i1k9dmzfbzp3 4506512 4506507 2022-08-23T03:04:25Z OhanaUnited 76122 /* Buy */ Updated listing for Myawaddy Complex wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Myawaddy street (cropped).jpg}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling and narcotics manufacturing are rampant in [[Northern Myanmar]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Myanmar or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs out of Myanmar, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Myanmar. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} '''Myawaddy''' or Myawadi (Burmese မြဝတီမြို့) is a border town in [[Myanmar]]. The [[Mae Sot]] (Thailand) - Myawaddy border crossing is the main overland entry point for foreigners wishing to get from [[Bangkok]] to [[Yangon]] or [[Thailand]] to Myanmar in general, and vice-versa. [[Image:Myawaddypagodas.jpg|thumb|240px|Pagodas by Buddhist temple in Myawaddy]] == Understand == At some point, this is expected to be a full international border crossing as part of the Asian Highway Network route AH1 which will connect [[Tokyo]] in [[Japan]] with the border between [[Turkey]] and [[Bulgaria]]. In July 2015, the part between Kawkareik and Myawaddy opened. Myawaddy is a moderately popular destination for tourists and expats in Thailand who want to make a "visa run", i.e. get a new Thai entry permit stamp by making a short visit to another country. Many western foreigners receive a 30-day entry permit when re-entering Thailand. Other nationalities even receive 90 days. However, for western foreigners no visa-on-arrival is available on the Myanmar side. The time in Myanmar is 30 minutes earlier than in Thailand, and the traffic drives on the right. == Get in == [[Image:The_road_to_Myawaddy_through_the_Dawna_Mountains_37.jpg|thumb|right|350px|On the Myanmar side of the border]] There are several buses daily from [[Hpa-an]] (Pa-an) and [[Mawlamyine]] (Moulmein) to Myawaddy, as well as a few buses from [[Yangon]] (12 hr). Shared taxi from Hpa-An is 8,000 kyat and takes 2½ to 3 hours. From the Thai town of [[Mae Sot]], take a [[Thailand#Songthaew|songthaew]] or other transport to the border crossing at the '''Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge''' over the Moei River; Myawaddy is immediately on the other side of the bridge. The ride from Mae Sot is between 20 by Songthaew. Foreigners must have a visa for Myanmar prior to entry. It can be obtained in [[Bangkok]] within a day when applying in the morning, or simply online. The border opens between 06:00 and 18:00. The border crossing is hassle free: remember the name of the city you are going to and the name of an address you will stay in, so the crossing may be a bit faster. [[Image:The_road_to_Myawaddy_through_the_Dawna_Mountains_11.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Onward travel beyond Myawaddy in the not so distant past]] == Get around == Myawaddy is centred on the wide strip of highway that leads from the Friendship Bridge through town and is small enough to be explored easily on foot; alternatively, ubiquitous red bicycle rickshaws go everywhere. == See == * {{see | name=Shwe Myint Wan (the Golden Pagoda) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.689026 | long=98.508045 | directions=2-3 minutes from the border checkpoint by rickshaw | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2020-02-15| content=Very picturesque site with several big Buddha images enshrined on its grounds, one of which is a replica of the golden Buddha image of Mahamuni Temple in Mandalay. Locals claim that this pagoda is more than 1,000 years old. }} * {{see | name=Myikyaungon Temple (the Crocodile Temple) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.682490 | long=98.506251 | directions=6-7 minutes from the border checkpoint by rickshaw | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Very unusual temple on the back of a gigantic crocodile statue. There is also a library on top, but women do not have access. An anti-clockwise series of pictures explains the life of Buddha. }} * {{see | name=Giant Standing Buddha | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.681494 | long=98.501439 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This complex houses a 20-m-high standing Buddha and a large golden bell shared tower. }} * {{see | name=Kyan Khinn Monestry | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.688270 | long=98.511663 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} There are more temples with big pagodas a bit away from the town centre and in neighbouring villages. With decent transport the following are accessible: * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.679651 | long=98.505605}} * {{see | name=Pagoda & field of status | lat=16.676486 | long=98.505034 | content=Buddha images more than a hundred similar sitting behind this sight.}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.671630 | long=98.499906}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Circle of posts | lat=16.678442 | long=98.488571}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Circle of little pagodas | lat=16.679210 | long=98.485100}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.676147 | long=98.481761}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Little pagoda | lat=16.674687 | long=98.482555}} * {{see | name=Hill pagoda | lat=16.672458 | long=98.480675 | content=This temple is on a hill that is a 200-m-walk from the previous one. It also has a big pagoda and gives a good view of the surrounding area.}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.678598 | long=98.480024}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Pagoda | lat=16.678583 | long=98.478624}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Water hole | lat=16.679789 | long=98.478715}} * {{marker | type=see | name=Stadium like Place of Worship | lat=16.680822 | long=98.478183}} == Do == {{do | name=Market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.688287 | long=98.510563 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Afternoon & early evening | price= | content=Explore this single street market of 2 km length and its side roads for an authentic Myanmar. }} == Buy == Although Thai baht used to be accepted in Myawaddy (as written in many places online and in guidebooks) this is no longer the case. There are ATMs that can be used to withdraw kyat. In addition, there are many money changers along the road right after the border post, but be cautious and double check. {{buy | name=Myawaddy Complex | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=16.696008 | long=98.498359 | directions= | phone=+66 36 288 867 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Casino and duty-free shops. }} == Eat == There are many restaurants and shops around along the street towards the border. == Drink == == Sleep == There are several guesthouses and small hotels, but be sure to call or book ahead since not every accommodation in Myanmar is available or licensed to tourists. * {{sleep | name=Hotel Lawka | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/hotellawkamyawaddy/ | email= | address=Chit Kyi Yay Lane | lat=16.686074 | long=98.498801 | directions= | phone+95 58 51330, +95 9 31223727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Myawaddy Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Chit kyi yay Road | lat=16.687626 | long=98.509272 | directions=750 m from the border post | phone=+95 58 50519, +95 9 252 636527 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$22-30 | content=Rooms are clean and reasonable. Including breakfast and a restaurant.}} == Go next == * You can cross the border to [[Mae Sot]] in [[Thailand]]. * There are several buses daily from Myawaddy to [[Hpa-an]] (Pa-an) and [[Mawlamyine]] (Moulmein) for about 5,000 kyat. Depending on when you arrive, it will be easier or necessary to take a private taxi (for about 10,000 kyat. After passing the customs office, you will be approached by taxi drivers or their ''friends'' who speak English. Depending on the route, the ride will take about 3-5 hours including stops. A proper road is under construction. * The bus to [[Yangon]] leaves at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00, takes 12 hr and costs about 13,000 kyat. {{RelatedWikipedia|AH1|rel=y}} {{IsPartOf|Southeastern Myanmar}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|16.687778|98.508333}} tdstgehximrrsc49u5itsq0w1bkcnp3 0 23707 4506342 4506136 2022-08-22T17:34:36Z The dog2 35982 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nagoya-banner-new.jpg|dotm=yes}} : ''For the city in Batam, Indonesia, see [[Nagoya (Indonesia)]].'' [http://www.city.nagoya.jp/en/index.html '''Nagoya''' (名古屋)] is the capital and largest city of [[Aichi]] prefecture, in the [[Chubu]] region of [[Honshu]]. ==Understand== The hub of the Aichi region, Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after [[Tokyo]], [[Yokohama]], and [[Osaka]] and one of the nation's major economic centers. In terms of manufacturing, as home to auto-making giants Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors, Nagoya is to Japan what [[Detroit]] is to the [[United States]] &mdash; which, along with having been completely flattened during World War II, also explains why it's not one of Japan's top tourist draws as most tourists just zip through on the bullet train on their way between Tokyo and Kyoto. But if you do decide to stick around, there are plenty of car-related attractions, a restored castle, an ancient shrine, and a surprisingly happening nightlife. ===History=== [[File:Nagoya Castle 7.jpg|thumb|Nagoya Castle]] [[File:Jorakuden1.jpg|thumb|Honmaru Palace]] Now a modern metropolis, Nagoya gets its name from an old manor called ''Nagono'' which was built in the area in the 12th century. The manor prospered for two hundred years, and people began to refer to the area by the manor's name. Over time, the pronunciation of the Chinese characters in the name "Nagono" shifted to "Nagoya", by which the city is now known. Three famous local figures later helped to put Nagoya firmly on the map of Japan. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu all hailed from around Nagoya, and all shared the ambitious goal of unifying Japan under one government. Tokugawa finally succeeded in 1603 after winning in the Battle of Sekigahara, and established the Tokugawa Shogunate, which would rule Japan for the next 250 years. Soon after uniting the country, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle for his son. He then ordered the people of nearby Kiyosu (on the outskirts of Nagoya) to move to the area around the castle, and a town soon came into being. Cotton, ceramics and lumber were the main industries sustaining the town as it grew into a small city. Following Japan's opening to the world during the Meiji era, Nagoya rapidly industrialized and established transportation links with the rest of Japan that would allow it to easily export its goods. During World War I, Nagoya became known for its foundries as well as its machinery and heavy industry exports, which would continue to grow throughout the 1930s. The 1920s marked the beginnings of the automotive industry in Nagoya, which continues in importance to the current day. At the heart of the industry is the Toyota Motor Corporation. Starting from humble beginnings as a loom-making company, Toyota entered into the automobile business in the 1930s. It now stands as the world's largest automaker, and continues to dominate the local economy along with the car-making giants Honda and Mitsubishi. During World War II, much of Nagoya's manufacturing infrastructure turned to the production of military goods, making it a prime target for bombing raids. Almost 25% of the city was destroyed during the war, with almost half the population fleeing to the countryside to avoid the attacks. The end of the war marked a new start for Nagoya. Car-friendly wide streets and boulevards were bulldozed through the rubble of war, making for the city of today. Nagoya now ranks as one of the nation's economic powerhouses, and is home to the head offices of Toyota Motor Corporation, Brother Industries, Daido Steel, Makita, Denso Corporation, INAX, Suzuki Motor, Honda Motor, Noritake, NGK Insulators, Olympus Optical, Yamaha and many others. Unlike other parts of Japan, which borrowed heavily for elaborate and expensive public works projects in the bubble years of the 1980s, ''kechi'' ("miserly") Nagoya held to a pay-as-you-go philosophy, and has not been as adversely affected by the post-bubble recession as other major centers. The booming economy has also brought many foreigners to the area, and the region now hosts a thriving community of Japanese-descent Brazilian immigrants, who help to keep the wheels of the local economy spinning. With its strong economy and growing population, Nagoya is a city to watch in the coming years. ===Climate=== Nagoya's climate varies greatly throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 4°C (39.2°F) in January to a high of 27°C (80.6°F) in August. The city is known for its incredibly hot and humid summers like many cities in Japan, with high temperatures routinely surpassing 30°C (86°F) in August, so those with an aversion to heat would be better off visiting in the milder temperatures of the spring or autumn. ===Orientation=== While divided into 16 wards or ''ku'' (区), the focal points of this sprawling agglomeration are '''Nagoya Station''' (名古屋駅) to the north, '''Sakae''' (栄) to the east and '''Kanayama''' (金山) to the south. ===Tourist information=== * {{listing | name=Nagoya Convention and Visitors Bureau | url=http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/icenter/ | email= | address=Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry Bldg. 11F, 2-10-19 Sakae, Naka-ku | lat=35.16555 | long=136.89877 | directions= | phone=+81 52 202-1143 (Tourism Dept) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Operates three tourist information centers across the city: }} ** {{listing | name=Nagoya Station Tourist Information | url=http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/icenter/#a0006359 | email= | address=1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.17115 | long=136.88333 | directions=JR Nagoya Station Central Concourse (towards Sakura-dori side) | phone=+81 52-541-4301 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-571-1669 | hours=Daily 09:00-19:00, closed Dec 29-Jan 1 | price= | content= }} ** {{listing | name=Kanayama Tourist Information | url=http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/icenter/#a0006360 | email= | address=LOOP Kanayama 1F, 1-17-18 Kanayama, Naka-ku | lat=35.14385 | long=136.90046 | directions=at the N exit of Kanayama Station. | phone=+81 52-323-0161 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-323-0162 | hours=Daily 09:00-20:00, closed Dec 29-Jan 1 | price= | content= }} ** {{listing | name=Sakae Tourist Information | url=http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/icenter/#a0006361 | email= | address=Oasis 21 B1F, 1-11-1, Higashisakura, Higashi-ku | lat=35.17091 | long=136.90953 | directions=by subway, get off at Sakae Station and take exit 4A; in Oasis 21 underground shopping concourse. | phone=+81 52-963-5252 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-963-5262 | hours=Daily 10:00-20:00 | price= | content= }} ==Get in== ===By plane=== {{infobox|Not arriving via Centrair Airport?|*If you happen to arrive in Japan at Osaka's [[Kansai International Airport]], Nagoya can be reached in two hours by taking the ''Haruka'' limited express train to Shin-Osaka station, then changing to the Tokaido Shinkansen. *A few air flights operate daily from Tokyo's [[Narita Airport]] to Centrair Airport, for the benefit of international passengers. Otherwise, Nagoya is three hours away by taking the ''Narita Express'' limited express train to Tokyo's Shinagawa station, then changing to the Tokaido Shinkansen.}} [[File:Chubu Centerair international Airport , 中部国際空港 - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|Mall beyond the check-in counters at Chubu Centrair international Airport]] * {{listing | type=go | name=[[Chubu Centrair International Airport]] | alt=中部国際空港 Chūbu Kokusai Kūkō, {{IATA|NGO}} | url=http://www.centrair.jp/ | email= | address= | lat=34.858333 | long=136.805278 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Chubu Centrair International Airport | image=Chubu Central Airport aerial view.jpg | wikidata=Q679345 | content=[[Japan]]'s third major international gateway is on an artificial island 30 minutes south from the center of town. Facilities include two hotels, restaurants, a shopping concourse, and an ''onsen'' spa with views of the runways. }} The best way of connecting between Centrair Airport and central Nagoya is the '''Meitetsu Airport Line'''. The fastest trains are the all-reserved "μSKY" trains, which depart for Nagoya every 30 minutes. The journey takes 28 minutes at a cost of ¥1230. Slower Limited Express trains offer first class (reserved) and ordinary class (non-reserved) seating and take 37 minutes for the run to Nagoya - the standard fare is ¥870. Japan Rail Passes are not valid for the Meitetsu, though you can exchange your rail pass voucher at either the airport or at Nagoya station. '''Buses''' run hourly from Centrair Airport to the Meitetsu Bus Terminal, taking about 1 hr 20 min at a cost of ¥1200. The bus also stops at a few major hotels, including the Nagoya Tokyu, Nagoya Kanko and Hilton Nagoya. For large groups, Tsubame Airport Limousine offers private '''van service''' between Nagoya and Centrair Airport. Vans seat between six and nine passengers, and the cost for the service depends on the destination. As an example, trips to Nakamura-ku, where Nagoya Station is located, cost ¥12000. Slightly more expensive than the van is a '''taxi'''. A trip to Nagoya station will run ¥15000-16000. ====Nagoya Airport==== [[File:Nagoya Airport 20160410A.JPG|thumb|Nagoya Airport in Komaki]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Nagoya Airport | alt=also known as '''Komaki Airport''', {{IATA|NKM}} | url=http://www.nagoya-airport-bldg.co.jp/en/ | email= | address= | lat=35.255 | long=136.924444 | directions=to the north of the city | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nagoya Airfield | image=Nagoya airfiled201304.JPG | wikidata=Q1322497 | content=While all other companies have moved to Chubu, regional flights by [http://www.fujidream.co.jp/ Fuji Dream Airline] still use the old [http://www.nagoya-airport-bldg.co.jp/en/ Nagoya Airport] ({{IATA|NKM}}). Flights are available to a number of domestic destinations: [[Aomori]], [[Iwate]], [[Niigata]], [[Kochi (Shikoku)|Kochi]], [[Fukuoka]], [[Kitakyushu]], [[Kumamoto]], and [[Yamagata]]. Most flights are code-shared with Japan Airlines. Shuttle buses connect to Nagoya station in 30 minutes for ¥700. }} ===By train=== [[File:Hikari shinkansen arriving at Nagoya JR station.jpg|thumb|Nagoya Train Station]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Nagoya Station | alt=名古屋駅 Nagoya-eki | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.170772 | long=136.881603 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nagoya Station | wikidata=Q49381 | lastedit=2020-06-14 | content=Nagoya Station is the confluence of all the major train lines and long-distance passenger bus services in the city. Underground and adjacent to the JR train station are the stations of the Nagoya Railway (Meitetsu Nagoya) and the Kintetsu Railway (Kintetsu Nagoya) }} ====Shinkansen==== Nagoya is along the Tokaido Shinkansen route between [[Tokyo]], [[Kyoto]] and [[Osaka]]. To the west are [[Gifu]] and [[Kyoto]], and to the east are [[Hamamatsu]] and [[Shizuoka]]. The fastest service on the Tokaido Shinkansen is the ''Nozomi''. With the Nozomi you can travel from Tokyo in 1 hr 40 min (¥11090), Kyoto in 35 min (¥5800) and Shin-Osaka in 50 min (¥6560). Users of the Japan Rail Pass '''cannot''' use the ''Nozomi'', but can use the slightly slower ''Hikari'' services that run through Nagoya twice every hour. The all-stations ''Kodama'' services operate to/from Tokyo twice per hour. Thru ''Nozomi'' trains from western Japan reach Nagoya from [[Okayama]] (1 hr 40 min, ¥11290), [[Hiroshima]] (2 hr 20 min, ¥14230) and Hakata station in [[Fukuoka]] (3 hr 20 min, ¥18540). If using the slower ''Hikari'' or ''Sakura'' you will need to change trains at least once, either at Okayama, Shin-Kobe, or Shin-Osaka. Note that while there are three direct ''Hikari'' trains that leave Nagoya in the morning towards Hiroshima and Fukuoka, there are no such direct ''Hikari'' trips from these cities to Nagoya. If you wish to sacrifice travel speed for savings, you can take advantage of the [https://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/english/ '''Puratto (Platt) Kodama Ticket'''], which offers a discount for Kodama services if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat and a coupon for a free drink (including beer) which can be redeemed at a "Kiosk" convenience counter inside the station. With this ticket a trip to Nagoya costs ¥8300 from Tokyo (3 hr; 2 trains per hour), ¥4300 from Kyoto (1 hr; 1 train per hour) and ¥4400 from Shin-Osaka (1 hr 15 min; 1 train per hour). A few early-morning Kodama trains cannot be used with this ticket. Discounted tickets can also be purchased in advance through Japan Railways' official '''[https://smart-ex.jp/en/ SmartEX App]''', available in English and other languages - look for ''Hayatoku'' fares. ====Limited Express Services==== Nagoya serves as the terminal point for the hourly ''Wide View Shinano'', a JR Chuo Line limited express train to the mountain resort town of [[Nagano]] (3 hr) via [[Matsumoto]] (2 hr). The ''Wide View Hida'' JR Takayama Line limited express connects Nagoya with [[Takayama]] (2 hr 30 min), with some runs continuing to [[Toyama]] (4 hr). Local trains (which can be used with the [[Seishun 18 Ticket]]) take about 6 hours from Tokyo (¥6260), 2 hr 15 min from Kyoto (¥2590) and 2 hr 45 min from Osaka (¥3350). Several train transfers are required, and travel times do not include rest stops. Nagoya is also served by the [http://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/ '''Meitetsu''' (名鉄)] and [http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/index.html '''Kintetsu''' (近鉄)] private railways. If coming to Nagoya from [[Osaka]], a travel option that comes cheaper than the Shinkansen is a Kintetsu limited express service called the ''Urban Liner'' (アーバンライナー), which runs from Osaka-Namba station. The Urban Liner departs at 0 and 30 minutes past the hour, covering the journey in about 2 hr 15 min at a cost of ¥4260. (The shinkansen, by comparison, makes the run from Shin-Osaka to Nagoya in under an hour for ¥6560.) Japan Rail Passes are not valid for the Urban Liner. ===By bus=== {{Mapframe|35.185556|136.898611|zoom=12}} {{Mapshapes|Q1144874}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q6810427|type=geoline|stroke=#7fc342|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=0.7|title=Meietsu Toyota Line}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q6788786|type=geoline|stroke=#ffc0cb|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=0.7|title=Meietsu Komaki Line}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q6810411|type=geoline|stroke=#ff0000|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=0.7|title=Meietsu Inuyama Line}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q911774|type=geoline|stroke=#00008b|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=0.7|title=Aonami Line}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1329642|type=geoline|stroke=#00008b|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=0.7|title=Linimo}} Many day and overnight buses run to Nagoya from other locations throughout Japan. They can be cheaper than the shinkansen or local trains. Some of the main bus operators include Nagoya-based [http://www.meitetsu-bus.co.jp/english/index.html '''Meitetsu Bus'''] and '''[https://www.jrtbinm.co.jp.e.aom.hp.transer.com/ JR Tokai Bus]''' {{dead link|December 2020}}, along with '''[http://willerexpress.com/en/ Willer Express]'''. In addition to major cities such as [[Tokyo]], [[Kyoto]], [[Osaka]] and [[Kobe]], highway buses run from places including [[Mount Fuji]], [[Kanazawa]], [[Takaoka]], [[Toyama]], [[Takayama]], [[Matsumoto]], [[Nagano]], [[Niigata]], [[Sendai]], [[Fukushima]], [[Hiroshima]], [[Okayama]], [[Shikoku]] and [[Kyushu]]. Most buses will pick up and discharge passengers around Nagoya station, either near the station's shinkansen exit or at the nearby [https://www.meitetsu-bus.co.jp/english/reserved/access.html Meitetsu Bus Center]. An exception is Willer Express, which will use either Sasashima Live south of Nagoya station or Noritake 1-chome west of Nagoya station. Buses between Tokyo and Nagoya are very frequent. Direct trips take 5-6 hours, but some trips could take up to nine hours depending on the route and stops. Buses charge in the range of ¥3500-5000 for daytime trips and ¥4000-6500 for overnight trips. Discounted fares are sometimes available based on the date of purchase. Many buses also operate from the [[Kansai]] region: Meishin Expressway buses leave several times per hour, operating from Kyoto (2 hr 30 min, ¥2550), Osaka (3 hr, ¥3000) and Kobe (4 hr 15 min, ¥3400). A few buses also travel from [[Nara]] (2 hr 30 min, ¥2550). Discounts are given on round-trip purchases. Willer Express bus journeys can be booked online in English, and Willer's '''Japan Bus Pass''' is valid on all of their routes with some exceptions. Willer also sells tickets for Meitetsu Bus and other bus operators on their website, but these trips are not valid with Willer's Japan Bus Pass. Both the Willer and Meitetsu buses leave from the '''Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal''' (''Busta Shinjuku''), above the JR tracks at Shinjuku Station, which is served by many of Japan's highway bus operators. JR Bus reservations can be made in English through their '''[https://www.kousokubus.net/JpnBus/en Kousoku Bus Net]''' web site. You can also make reservations in train stations at the same "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket windows used to reserve seats on trains. Buses depart from '''Tokyo Station''' - Yaesu Exit (八重洲口) and from ''Busta Shinjuku''. ===By boat=== [[File:Meiko West Bridge 20160910C.jpg|thumb|SS Ishikari traveling under the Meiko West Bridge]] * {{listing | type=go | name=Taiheiyo Ferry | alt=太平洋フェリー Taiheiyō Feri | url=http://www.taiheiyo-ferry.co.jp/english | email= | address=Ferry Terminal, 40 Sorami-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya | lat=35.060063 | long=136.845063 | directions= | phone=+81 52-398-1023 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Taiheiyō Ferry | wikidata=Q11443966 | lastedit=2020-06-14 | content=Offers overnight car ferries from [[Sendai]] (21 hr 40 min) and [[Tomakomai]] in southern [[Hokkaido]] (40 hr) on the SS Ishikari and SS Kitakami from the [http://www.nptc.co.jp/en/ferry/ Nagoya Ferry Terminal]. }} ====Ferry Port Access==== A Meitetsu shuttle bus to the ferry is available from the downtown Meitetsu Bus Center (名鉄バスセンター) next to Nagoya Station. The bus departs from platform 22 on the 4th floor at 17:20 and arrives at the ferry terminal at around 17:55 (Adults: ¥550 Children: ¥280). The ferry terminal is also accessible by train and city bus. Take the Aonami line (あおなみ線 ''Aonami-sen'') south to Noseki stn (野跡駅). From there, you can board a city bus bound for the Feri futo (フェリーふ頭) bus stop (takes 7 to 10 mins). More details are available on the [https://www.taiheiyo-ferry.co.jp/english/koro/nagoya.html Taiheiyo Ferry access page]. ==Get around== Nagoya is a big automotive industry center, and it shows. The street network is extensive and even downtown locations can be easily reached by car. On the downside, trains and subways are less convenient than in Tokyo or Kansai, and more expensive. If you're travelling with a JR Rail Pass, the train network doesn't have many stations in the city and you'll probably find yourself using the bus or subway a lot, something your pass won't cover. ===By subway=== [[File:Nagoya Subway Network.png|thumb|Map of Nagoya City Subway]] There are 5 main subway lines: * The red '''Sakuradōri Line''' (桜通線) curves southwest from Nagoya Station. * The purple '''Meijō Line''' (名城線) runs in a loop around the eastern side of the city, connecting Sakae and Kanayama. * The '''Meikō Line''' (名港線) spur branches from Kanayama to Nagoya Port. * The yellow '''Higashiyama Line''' (東山線) connects Nagoya, Fushimi, Sakae, and [[Fujigaoka]]. * The blue '''Tsurumai Line''' (鶴舞線) connects Fushimi and Osu Kannon, then goes south. Subways run every several minutes between about 05:30 until about 00:30AM. Fares range from ¥200 to ¥320. One day passes can be bought for ¥600 (bus), ¥760 (subway), and ¥870 (bus & subway). On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays you can also take advantage of the cheaper ''Donichi-Eco-Kippu'' (ドニチエコきっぷ) one-day subway ticket which offers unlimited subway travel for ¥620. This pass is available from ticket machines, or can be purchased in person from a station employee at the ticket gate. City transportation one day passes also offer discounted entry at various attractions in Nagoya, including Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Museum. Wi-Fi access is available in most subway stations. More information about public transportation in Nagoya can be found on the official website of the [http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/english/index.html Nagoya Transportation Bureau]. ===By taxi=== [[File:Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture - Japan (14087552478).jpg|thumb|Taxis in Nagoya]] Taxis are a viable option in this car city, especially as the '''basic fee is only ¥480'''. The catch is that the basic fee only takes you 1.3&nbsp;km compared to 2&nbsp;km in most other parts of Japan. But for shorter distances within the city, a taxi is not only much more convenient than descending to those dark, unappealing subway stations, but also as cheap as the subway if there are at least two of you. ===By bicycle=== Most parts of central Nagoya were built on landfill just above sea level, making it a relatively flat city and seemingly easy to traverse by bicycle. However, downtown Nagoya is also known throughout Japan for its wide streets, fast moving traffic and crazy drivers. So it's no surprise that you will find most of the city's cyclists (especially mothers riding with young children and the elderly) riding on the sidewalk. Riding on the sidewalk is legal on most city streets in Japan (unless marked). However, the sidewalks can be bumpy, crowded and far from ideal for two-wheeled transport - leading an increasing number of riders to brave the city's roads. {{cautionbox|On wide roads, there are often parked cars in the left lane that force you to merge right into faster traffic. Be sure to signal whenever changing lanes and look behind and to the right for quickly approaching cars. If merging to the right is not safe, it is sometimes safer to get on the sidewalk rather than risking life and limb on the street with cars that may not yield. Beware especially of taxis, as they may make stops in front of you without much warning.}} Secondary roads can be more enjoyable to ride and there are some major roads with protected cycling lanes - although these are rare and sometimes seem to have been designed without rhyme or reason. Cyclists have also been known to park their bicycles on some of the lesser sidewalk-adjacent "paths" downtown, making them largely impassible. ====Parking==== Bicycle parking near train and subway stations is strictly limited to designated and (usually paid) areas. Paid locking bike racks with fare collection machines are common and most charge around ¥100 for a day's worth of parking. There is also usually a window of free parking time (15-30 minutes) for cyclists making brief stops. Near the main train stations there are also attended and unattended indoor areas to park with short term and long term facilities. Be sure not to park in one of the long term facilities by mistake, as you will probably be fined more than it costs to park in a short-term area. ====Cycle sharing==== Nagoya has two cycle sharing companies: [https://www.cariteco-bike.com/ Cariteco Bike] (run by the Meitetsu train company) and [https://www.sakaeminami.jp/special_derachari.php Derachari], which was established by a local merchants' association. Both require returning bicycles to the nearest docking station. As of May 2020, there are relatively few docking stations - which are mostly concentrated around Nagoya Station and Sakae. Both services offer registration and information only in Japanese, so they are probably not a practical option for most visitors with limited Japanese ability. ====Tours==== * {{listing | type=do | name=Nagoya Adventure Cycle | alt= | url=https://nagoyaadventurecycle.wixsite.com/website? | email=nagoyaadventurecycle@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=tours meet just outside Exit 4 of Kurokawa Station on the Nagoya City Subway Meijo Line | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=¥5,500-8,500 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-05-03 | content=Offers cycle rentals and tours of Nagoya in English. }} ==See== [[File:Atsuta Shrine.jpg|thumb|Atsuta Jingū]] [[File:Noritake garden2.jpg|thumb|Noritake Garden with its old factory]] [[File:Toyotasangyoukinen8.JPG|thumb|Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology]] [[File:Osukannon.jpg|thumb|Ōsu Kannon]] *{{see | name=Port of Nagoya Aquarium | alt=名古屋港水族館 Nagoya-kō-suizoukan | url=http://www.nagoyaaqua.jp/ | email= | address= | lat=35.0906 | long=136.8782 | directions=a short walk from Subway Nagoyakō Stn. (Meikō line) | phone=+81 52 654-7080 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:30-17:00 (until 20:00 Jul 21-Aug 31) | price=Adults ¥2,000 | wikipedia=Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium | image=Nagoya Port Aquarium 01.JPG | wikidata=Q7231211 | content=(site in Japanese) Large aquarium featuring a number of different marine environments, including killer whales. }} *{{see | name=Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology | alt=トヨタ産業技術記念館 Toyota-sangyō-gijutsu-kinenkan | url=http://www.tcmit.org/english/ | email= | address=4-1-35 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi-ku | lat=35.1832 | long=136.876 | directions=3 minute walk from Meitetsu Sako Stn (Nagoya line), 10-minute walk from exit 2, Subway: Kamejima Station (Higashiyama Line) | phone=+81 52-551-6115 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30), (restaurant open until 21:00), closed M (Tu if M is a holiday), New Year's holidays | price=Adults ¥500, Jr. & Sr. high school students: ¥300, Elem. School Students: ¥200 | wikipedia=Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology | image=Toyotasangyoukinen1.JPG | wikidata=Q7830774 | content=Built on the site of one of Toyota's original loom factories, this museum tells the story of the Toyota corporation, from its beginnings as an industrial loom manufacturer to its transformation into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. Includes large loom machinery and car display halls as well as a hands-on "Technoland" with interactive science exhibits. Museum also includes a library, video library with personal viewing booths, restaurant, cafe, and gift shop. Displays, brochures, and audioguides available in English and several other languages. Barrier-free access for disabled visitors. Freespot Wi-Fi access available. }} *{{see | name=Nagoya City Art Museum | alt=名古屋市美術館 Nagoya-shi-bijutsukan | url=http://www.art-museum.city.nagoya.jp/en | email= | address=2-17-25 Sakae, Naka-ku | lat=35.163889 | long=136.901111 | directions=8 min on foot S of Fushimi stn (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Line), exit 5 | phone=+81 52-212-0001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th Sa Su 09:30-17:00, F 09:30-20:00 (last admission 30 min before closing), closed M (Tu when M is a national holiday), Dec 29-Jan 3 | price=Permanent collection: adults ¥300, students over 16 ¥200, under 15 free | wikidata=Q469573 | content=Collection of 2,000 works including pieces by Modigliani, Laurencin, and Utrillo, as well as those of local artists, such as Takanori Ogisu and Tamiji Kitagawa. }} * {{see | name=Nagoya Castle | alt=名古屋城 Nagoya-jō | url=http://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_english/index.html | email= | address= | lat=35.185555 | long=136.898611 | directions=Subway: Shiyakusho Stn (Meijo line); 5 min walk from exit 7 | phone=+81 52-231-1700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:00-16:30, closed Dec 29-Jan 1 | price=Adults ¥500, Jr. high school students and younger free | wikidata=Q648629 | content=Trumpeted as a famous landmark, particularly the two golden carp (金の鯱 ''kin-no-shachi'') on the roof. The original castle was home to Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's famous warlords. Largely destroyed during World War II, the main keep was rebuilt in concrete in 1959, but is being demolished to make way for a more faithful reconstruction using traditional materials and methods. The ''honmaru goten'', the main palace of the castle's lords, was reconstructed using traditional materials and methods in 2018. Free English tours with volunteer English-speaking Japanese guides are sometimes available. See also [[Japanese castles]]. }} * {{see | name=Atsuta Shrine | alt=熱田神宮 ''Atsuta Jingū'' | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.1275 | long=136.908333 | directions=Jingūmae station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q482065 | content=This shrine houses the sacred ''Kusanagi no mitsurugi'' (草薙神剣) sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan &mdash; but unfortunately nobody but the emperor and a few high priests get to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds though and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year. }} * {{see | name=Shirotori Garden | alt=白鳥庭園, ''Shirotori Teien'' | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.125878 | long=136.900898 | directions=Jingūnishi station, located relatively near Atsuta Shrine | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Adults ¥300, middle-schoolers and younger free | image=Sirotoriteien.JPG | wikidata=Q11580565 | content=In this Japanese garden you can see and feed koi fish in large ponds, take a look at the tea ceremony house, and also view the beautiful waterfall. On spring the plum trees bloom beautifully and on autumn you can enjoy the night illumination. }} * {{see | name=Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts | alt=名古屋ボストン美術館 Nagoya-bosuton-bijutsukan | url=https://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/traveling/nagoya | email= | address=1-1-1 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku | lat=35.14268 | long=136.9 | directions=next to Kanayama station | phone=+81 52-684-0786 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-F 10:00-19:00, Sa Su holidays 10:00-17:00, closed M | price=Student/adult admission: ¥300/400 for the general collection, ¥900/1200 for special exhibits | wikipedia=Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts | image=Nagoya Boston Museum of Fine Arts.JPG | wikidata=Q6958940 | content=Like any world-class art museum, the MFA in Boston, USA has far more in its archives than it can reasonably display. This sister institution is one way to make the most of the extensive collection. }} * {{see | name=Nittai-ji Temple | alt=覚王山日泰寺, kakuōzan nittai-ji | url=http://www.nittaiji.jp/sodo/senmon/e_index.html | email= | address=nittai-ji, 1-1 Hōhōchō, Chikusa-ku | lat=35.171667 | long=136.955278 | directions= | phone=+81 52-751-2121 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nittai-ji | image=Nittaiji 01.jpg | wikidata=Q3342235 | content=Among the 165,000 m² of temple grounds is the 15 meter Gandhara-style Taian Pagoda, which houses '''relics of the Buddha''' that were presented to Japan by the king of Thailand. Unlike any other temple in Japan, Nittai-ji does not belong to a particular sect, and is instead managed by a different sect every 3 years. }} * {{see | name=Shirakawa Park | alt=白川公園, shirakawa-kōen | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.163992 | long=136.900022 | directions=south of Fushimi subway station | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Northwest Entrance of Shirakawa Park in Nagoya, Aichi.JPG | wikidata=Q11579701 | content=Beautiful trees, Nagoya Science and Modern Art Museums. }} * {{see | name=Tokugawa Art Museum | alt=徳川美術館 | url=http://www.tokugawa-art-museum.jp/ | email= | address=1017, Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku | lat=35.183692 | long=136.933189 | directions= 10 minutes on foot from the South exit of JR Ōzone stn; (JR Chuo line), or a 15-minute walk from exit 3 of Ōzone Subway Station (Meijo line) | phone=+81 52-935-6262 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30) | price= | wikipedia=Tokugawa Art Museum | wikidata=Q3077236 | content=Displays some treasures of the Tokugawa family. Located next door to the beautiful [https://www.tokugawaen.aichi.jp/english/index.html Tokugawa-en] Japanese gardens (additional admission charge required). }} * {{see | name=Kōshō-ji Temple | alt=興正寺 | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.140556 | long=136.9625 | directions=5 min walk from Subway Yagoto stn (Meijo, Tsurumai lines) | phone=+81 52-832-2801 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kōshō-ji, Nagoya | image=Koshoji Yagoto Nagoya 3.JPG | wikidata=Q3201314 | content=Koshoji Temple was established in the 17th century by the Tokugawa family. The temple hosts the annual "1,000 Lantern Festival." There are numerous restaurants and universities surrounding the Koshoji Temple area. }} * {{see | name=Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine | alt=城山八幡宮, shiroyama hachiman-gū | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.1675 | long=136.959722 | directions=5 min walk uphill N of Motoyama stn (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Shiroyama Hachimangū | image=Shiroyama6.JPG | wikidata=Q3482375 | content=Formerly the Suemori Castle, the present day Shrine hosts festivals that feature Japanese dance and music. }} * {{see | name=Tōgan-ji Temple | alt=桃巌寺 | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.1613 | long=136.965 | directions=Motoyama stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dating back to the 16th century, this temple features a statue of the seated Buddha and has many ties to Hindu religion, particularly a temple honoring the Goddess Saraswati, who is honored in a Benzaiten Festival every May 7–8. Toganji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand. }} * {{see | name=Nagoya City Science Museum | alt=名古屋市科学館, Nagoya-shi Kagakukan | url=http://www.ncsm.city.nagoya.jp/en/ | email= | address= | lat=35.1647722 | long=136.8996667 | directions=Fushimi stn., exit 5 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:30-17:00; closed Monday, third Friday every month, and Dec 29-Jan 3 | price=¥400 (¥800 incl. planetarium) | content=Located in the city centre, this museum houses loads of interactive exhibitions and a planetarium. It's mostly geared towards children and there is very little information in English, although they offer a guide app. }} *{{see | name=Arako Kannon Temple | alt=荒子観音 | url= | email= | address=Arako-cho, Nakagawa-ku | lat=35.1365694 | long=136.8582250 | directions=SE of Takabata subway station (Higashiyama line); walk S from the major crossroads with Yagumo-dori; follow the sign to reach the temple, which is a few hundred meters down the street, on the S side | phone=+81 52-361-1778 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This small temple is the oldest building in Nagoya, with original construction on the site dating from the Heian Period (8th century). Despite several fires which destroyed older portions of the temple, the Tahoto pagoda on site remains intact after 472 years. }} *{{see | name=Ōsu Kannon Temple | alt=大須観音 | url=http://www.ohsu.co.jp/kan_e.html | email= | address=21-47 Osu 2-chome, Naka-ku | lat=35.1598 | long=136.9 | directions=S of Osu Kannon subway stn. (Tsurumai line), exit 2 | phone=+81 52-231-6525 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Founded in the Kamakura era (1192-1333), this temple was moved to its current location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The present main temple on the site was reconstructed in 1970. Check out the main hall or buy an お守り (omamori) charm in the gift shop for good luck. The grounds in front of the temple are host to a small flea market twice every month. }} * {{see | name=Fujigaoka | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.1822 | long=137.0220 | directions=by train, 65 min from the airport (¥1400); using the Higashiyama (yellow) subway line, it's 26 min from Nagoya Station and 21 minutes to Sakae -- it is the last stop on this line | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-05-09 | content=Fujigaoka is known for its cherry blossoms (sakura) trees in the spring lining the streets. It is close to the site of the [[Wikivoyage:Past events/Expo 2005|2005 World Expo]] held in [[Nagakute]], a 15-min linear motor car (Linimo) train ride from Fujigaoka station. This quaint little area at the edge of town has a plethora of shops, boutiques, patisseries and coffee shops. They also hold a market the 3rd Sunday of every month. }} * {{see | name=Ghibli Park | alt=ジブリパーク | url=https://ghibli-park.jp/en/ | email= | address= within Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, 1533-1 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute, Aichi | lat=35.1726 | long=137.089 | directions=Take Higashiyama line subway to Nagoya Fujigaoka Station. From Fujigaoka station, take Linimo (maglev train) to Aichikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen station The Linimo ride is 13 minutes | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10AM-5PM on weekdays; 9AM to 5PM on Sat./Sun./Holidays; Closed on Tuesdays (or otherwise noted) | price=Adults: ¥1,000-4,500; Children (4 yr-6th grade): ¥500-2,250; Infants (3 yr or younger): Free | lastedit=2022-08-21 | content=Opening on November 1, 2022. This phase I opening will include three areas; “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse,” “Hill of Youth,” and “Dondoko Forest.” Phase II and III openings are planned for upcoming years including "Valley of Witches" and "Mononoke Village." This is not an amusement park with big attractions or rides. It's a place to discover the wonders of Studio Ghibli where you can stroll through themed play areas, indoor and outdoor galleries, cinemas, and restaurants. Advance ticket purchases and reservations are required. }} ===Sakae=== [[File:Nagoya TV Tower.jpg|thumb|Nagoya TV Tower viewed from Oasis 21]] *{{see | name=Nagoya TV Tower | alt=名古屋テレビ塔 Nagoya-terebi-tō | url=http://www.nagoya-tv-tower.co.jp/index.html | email= | address=Hisaya-ōdōri kōen, Naka-ku | lat=35.1724 | long=136.908 | directions=Subway: Hisaya Odori Station (Meijo line/Sakura-dori line) | phone=+81 52-971-8546 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-961-0561 | hours=Daily 10:00-21:00 | price=Adults: ¥500, children ¥250 | content=Standing 180 meters tall, the Nagoya TV Tower is Japan's oldest - predating even the Tokyo Tower. Take an elevator to the 100-m-high sky balcony for great views of Hisaya-odori park and Sakae. Under the tower is a small terrace with tables and a number of small food stands. }} * {{see | name=Hisaya-Odori Park | alt=久屋大通公園, hisaya-ōdōri kōen | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.1687083 | long=136.9083833 | directions=Sakae or Hisaya-Odori subway exits | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2020-11-26| content=Nice trees and fountains, Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. On weekend afternoons and evenings, local musicians set up in and around the park and strut their stuff for the passers-by. Shops and restaurants can be found around the area as well. }} *{{see | name=Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art | alt=愛知県美術館 Aichi-ken-bijutsukan | url=http://www-art.aac.pref.aichi.jp/eng/index.html | email= | address=Aichi Arts Center, 10F, 1-13-2 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku | lat=35.1711500 | long=136.9113083 | directions=3-min walk via Oasis 21 park from Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) or Sakaemachi station (Meitetsu Seto Line) | phone=+81 52-971-5511 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Th Sa Su 10:00-18:00; F 10:00-20:00 (last admission: 30 min before closing), closed M (or Tu if M is a public holiday), Dec 28-Jan 3 | price=Permanent collection: ¥500; high-school/college students: ¥300; high-school groups, junior high-school students, children 12 and under, disabled visitors and escorts: free | content=Collection features international and Japanese 20th century art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, Max Ernst, German Expressionists, Surrealists, and postwar US artists. Japanese collection features the art of Yuichi Takahashi, Ryuzaburo Umehara, Sotaro Yasui, Taikan Yokoyama, and Shunso Hishida. Two private collections donated to the museum also include Edo-period paintings and traditional crafts. }} ==Do== * Ride the gold and white '''[http://www.ncvb.or.jp/routebus/en/info/index.html Nagoya Sightseeing Bus ''Me-Guru'']''' past many of the city's main attractions. Operates T-Su. Offers hop-on-hop-off hourly service Tu-F from 09:30-17:30, and Sa Su every half hour. Closed M, year-end holidays. Daypass: adults ¥500, children ¥250. (includes discount on featured attractions). Single ride: adults ¥200, children ¥100. Daypasses may be purchased getting on the bus. 1-day transport passes also accepted. * Catch a traditional Japanese ''Noh'' play at the '''Nagoya Noh Theatre'''. (''Subway: Shiyakusho stn.'') * Go for a jog (or a walk) around beautiful '''Meijo Park''' (名城公園 ''Meijo Koen''), one of Nagoya's largest green spaces, and take in the great view of Nagoya Castle (''Subway: Meijo-Koen station, Meijo line''). Showers and lockers available. * '''Higashiyama Park''' (東山公園 ''Higashiyama-koen''). (''Higashiyama-koen station''). Features a zoo, conservatory, monorail, roller coasters, "sky tower" and a great deal of open space. ===Events=== [[File:Sumo, Nagoya - 22.jpg|thumb|Nagoya Sumo Tournament]] [[File:Nagoyamatsuri7.JPG|thumb|Nagoya matsuri]] [[File:Tokugawaendashizoroe1.JPG|thumb|Tsutsui-chō/Dekimachi tennōsai]] * {{do | name=Nagoya Sumo Tournament | alt=大相撲名古屋場所 Oo-sumou-Nagoya-bashou | url=http://www.chunichi.co.jp/event/sumo/ | email= | address=Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, 1-1 Ninomaru, Naka-ku | lat=35.1830861 | long=136.9025611 | directions=a short walk from Shiyakusho stn. (Meijo Line) | phone=+81 52-221-0737 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52 221-0739 | hours=15 days mid-July | price= | content=Watch the big boys of Japanese sumo battle it out in Nagoya. An annual tradition. Tickets are generally available at the counter unless it is the first or last day. Ticket prices start at ¥3,200 and up. The cheapest seats are fine for first-time sumo watchers and are not much worse than the ¥4,700 seats. }} * {{do | name=Osu Summer Festival | alt=大須夏祭り Osu Natsu-matsuri | url=http://www.osu.co.jp/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Short walk from Osu Kannon Stn (Tsurumai line) exit 1 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Yearly street festival held in the shopping streets around Osu Kannon temple. Featuring live stage performances, street performers, Brazilian samba parade and cosplay parade. }} * {{do | name=World Cosplay Summit | alt=世界コスプレサミット ''Sekai-kosupure-samitto'' | url=http://www.worldcosplaysummit.jp/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Parade: Osu Kannon (Tsurumai line) exit 1, World Cosplay Championship: Oasis 21, Sakae stn. exit 4A | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An ''otaku's'' dream come true. Watch as anime fans from around the world dress up as their favorite characters and parade around the streets of Nagoya. The Summit culminates with the World Cosplay Championship (世界コスプレチャンピオンシップ ''Sekai-kosupure-championshippu''), pitting teams from a number of countries as they show off their costumes and perform stage shows. Cheer on your nation's entry or just stare in wonderment at the strangeness of it all. }} * {{do | name=Nagoya Castle Summer Night Festival | alt=名古屋城宵まつり Nagoya-jo-yoi-matsuri | url=https://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/event/detail/113/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Nagoya Castle, Subway: Shiyakusho stn. | phone=+81 52-231-1700 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-201-3646 | hours= | price=¥500, ¥400 if wearing a yukata, free for middle-school students and younger | content=A traditional-style summer festival, complete with lanterns, numerous styles of traditional ''bon-odori'' (盆踊り ) circle dancing (to honour family ancestors), festival stalls, and a beer garden under an illuminated Nagoya castle. }} ===Movies=== * {{do | name=Midland Square Cinemas | alt=ミッドランドスクエア・シネマ | url=http://www.midland-sq-cinema.jp/cgi-bin/pc/index.cgi | email= | address=Midland Square Bldg. 5F, Meieki 4 chome 7-1, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.16988 | long=136.88520 | directions=across from JR Nagoya Stn. (Subway: Nagoya Stn.) | phone=+81 52-527-8808 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=On the 5th floor of the towering Midland Square building, this complex boasts 7 screens with stadium seating, and shows a range of popular Hollywood and Japanese mainstream movies. }} * {{do | name=109 Cinemas Nagoya | url=http://www.109cinemas.net/nagoya/ | email= | address=La Vamo Sasashima 2F, 4-60-14 Hiraike-cho, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.16264 | long=136.88480 | directions=13-min walk south of JR Nagoya stn. or 5-minute walk from Sasashima Raibu stn (JR Aonami line) | phone=+81 52 541-3109 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Located in a relatively new entertainment complex, this large movie theater contains 10 cinemas with stadium seating and shows a mix of Hollywood and mainstream Japanese films. }} * {{do | name=Nagoya Cinémathèque | alt=名古屋シネマテーク | url=http://cineaste.jp/ | email=nagoya@cineaste.jp | address=Imaike Star Bldg. 2F, Imaike 1 chome 6-13, Chikusa-ku | lat=35.16879 | long=136.93503 | directions= W of Imaike subway station (Subway: Higashiyama, Sakura-dori lines). Exit via subway exit 9 and turn 180 degrees to face the Nakaya bakery (中屋パン) . Walk towards the bakery and turn left onto the side street running in front of it. Continue down the side street for two blocks. The Imaike Star building is on the corner of the second block. Climb the stairs to the second floor | phone=+81 52-733-3959 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of Nagoya's smallest theatres (with only 40 seats), the Cinémathèque shows a mix of foreign and art films (Japanese subtitles only), and contains a small cinema shop. }} * {{do | name=Meien Cinesalon | alt=Meien Kogekijou 名演小劇場 | url=http://meien.info | email= | address=Higashi-sakura 2 chome 23-7, Higashi-ku | lat=35.17028 | long=136.91551 | directions=E of Sakae subway stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines.) Exit via Sakae stn. exit 5 and continue E towards Nagoya highway overpass. Cross the street under the overpass and continue past the GS gas station. The Meien Cinesalon is on the right-hand side of the street. | phone=+81 52-931-1701 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-931-8588 | hours= | price= | content=Downtown movie theatre showing foreign and Japanese art films (Subtitles in Japanese only.) }} ===Sports=== [http://www.dragons.jp/ The '''Chūnichi Dragons''' (中日ドラゴンズ　''Chūnichi-doragonzu'') ], winners of the 2007 Japan Series, play in the Central League of Japanese Professional Baseball. Check out one of their games at the '''[http://www.nagoya-dome.co.jp/ Nagoya Dome]''' (Japanese) in Ōzone, northeast of downtown. (''15 min walk E of JR Ōzone stn. (Chūō line) via S exit, Subway: Nagoya-dome-mae-yada (Meijō line)'') ==Buy== ===Shopping areas=== [[File:Osu1.JPG|thumb|Ōsu Shopping Arcade]] * {{buy | name=Ōsu Shopping Arcade | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.15899 | long=136.90342 | directions=subway Ōsu Kannon exit 2 (''straight ahead one block, turn left into the temple grounds and go straight on through the gravelled temple area'') | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-29 | content=A series of old style shopping arcades packed with mom-and-pop stores, ¥100 shops, traditional crafts, used computers and a fantastic range of clothing stores. There is a little bit of everything. Ōsu is the shopping area and Osu Kannon the temple just to the west side. In fact, the shopping area extends from Ōsu Kannon temple in the west to Banshō-ji　(万松寺) temple and Ōtsu-dōri　street (大津通り) in the east. Outside of the main shopping arcade, there are also a number of streets with a wide array of different specialty shops. }} **'''Akamon-dōri''' (赤門通り) is known for the bright red banners hung along the street, and hosts a variety of stereo and electronics stores as well as used record shops. On the 28th of every month, Daikō-in temple (大光院) hosts a small temple festival (縁日 ''ennichi'') on Akamon-dori with traditional street food stalls and lots of burning incense. **'''Ōtsu-dōri''' (大津通り) 　marks the eastern boundary of the Ōsu shopping area. On the lively stretch of Otsu-dori north of Kamimaezu subway station you will find the Ōsu 301 Building (大須301). The building is known for its small dragon sculpture and Chinese theme, and contains a number of small shops. Continuing north on Ōtsu-dōri, you will also find the small but funky Gatten-shōchi (合点承知) building, a mini-mall featuring fashion accessories, food stands, and various fortune tellers. [[File:Ferris Wheel at Sakae.jpg|thumb|Ferris Wheel at Sakae]] * '''Sakae''' offers good department store shopping, restaurants and night-life. Take a walk atop the rooftop promenade of the Oasis 21 shopping arcade and get a nice view of the TV Tower. ===Books=== * {{buy | name=Maruzen | alt=丸善 | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.16720 | long=136.90564 | directions=Subway: Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo Lines). Next to the Maruei department store | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-19:00 | price= | content=Offers a reasonable selection of English books, magazines, and newspapers on the 3rd floor, including travel guidebooks, maps, a wide array of books on Japan, and Japanese language study materials. }} * {{buy | name=Sanseido Books | url= | email= | address=11F, JR Central Towers above JR Nagoya Station | lat=35.17216 | long=136.88287 | directions=Subway: Nagoya stn (Sakura-dori, Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines). From inside the station, walk towards the Sakura-dori exit and turn right before the exit. You will see a bank of express elevators. Board an express elevator to the 12th floor. Exit the elevator and head towards the open area with windows overlooking Nagoya. You will notice an escalator descending to Sanseido Books on the 11th floor. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers a corner with English books, magazines and newspapers. Features books on Japan plus a decent selection of current nonfiction titles and business books. A small selection of guidebooks are also available. }} ===Electronics=== Best bets for cameras and electronics include '''Bic Camera''', a massive 5 story camera and electronics megastore across the street from Nagoya station (on the Taikō-dōri side). Ōsu Market also has a number of large and small electronics shops, including '''Goodwill''' (computers and peripherals - ''otaku'' culture fans will also want to check out the maid cafe in the basement), '''DOS Para''' and others. Unfortunately, some of the electronics shops in Osu (such as Goodwill) are not located on the main shopping streets, and you may have to ask around to find them. There are also two '''Eiden''' electronics superstores located in Fushimi and near JR Ōzone stn on the JR Chūō Line. ==Eat== [[File:Misokatsu Teishoku 20200328-02.jpg|thumb|Misokatsu]] [[File:Hitsumabushi1.jpg|thumb|Hitsumabushi]] Nagoya is big on ''miso'', a sauce made from fermented soybeans and grain. The preferred style is red miso (赤味噌 ''akamiso''), fermented up to two years for a stronger taste than the usual "white" miso, with Hatchō miso (八丁味噌) particularly famous. Classic Nagoya dishes include: * ''misokatsu'' (味噌カツ), fried pork cutlet with a rich miso sauce * ''miso nikomi udon'' (味噌煮込みうどん), a thick miso and chicken stew perfect for winter * ''tenmusu'' (天むす), shrimp ''tempura'' wrapped up in rice and dried seaweed and turned into a handy portable package * ''tebasaki'' (手羽先), fried chicken wings marinated in a sweet sauce * ''kishimen'' (きしめん), a flat, broad type of ''udon'' wheat noodle often served in a miso or soy sauce broth. Available in most ''restaurant-gai'' in shopping centres or close to major railway stations. * ''ankake supa(=spaghetti)'' (あんかけスパ), spaghetti with a starchy gravy-like tomato-based sauce with a kick of black pepper. Often with onions, green peppers, and ham, bacon, or sausage. * ''hitsumabushi'' (ひつまぶし), an eel dish served with rice in a small box. It can be eaten three ways: first, just the eel and rice; second, with green onions and nori, and third, with tea or soup stock poured over it. * ''uirō'' (外郎), a confectionery made out of rice flour and sugar; a little firmer than gelatin but not as sticky as mochi. Many different flavors are available, including red bean (小豆 ''azuki'') and green tea (抹茶 ''matcha'') . ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Café de Metro | alt= | url= | email= | address=1F Kanayama station (''North Exit'') | lat=35.14414 | long=136.90134 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-25 | content=Serves up basic curry and ''donburi'' dishes, including a decent misokatsu, for ¥480 with coffee/tea, or ¥680 with miso soup and pickles. }} * {{eat | name=Jerry's UNO | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.15832 | long=136.90445 | directions=Located near Fureai Plaza in the Osu shopping district, to the giant ''manekineko'' statue's left (your right if you are facing the statue) | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-25 | content=It's a nice little taco shop that will run you about ¥500 per taco. They also have a nice selection of international beers. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Yabaton | alt= | url= | email= | address=Osu, 3−6-18 | lat=35.1616771 | long=136.9062466 | directions=SW of Yabacho subway stn. (Meijo line) | phone=+81 52-252-8810 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-21:00 | price=¥1200-1800 | content=The place to try another Nagoya specialty - ''misokatsu'', pork cutlet with red miso. The standard set is ''teppan tonkatsu'', and it comes to your table on a sizzling hotplate over a bed of shredded cabbage; then a special person performs the ritual of drowning it in sauce. If you're really hungry, go for the ''waraji'' (straw sandals) - a huge portion of pork loin flattened before frying so that it overhangs the plate (sometimes it'll come cut in half, as two cutlets). From the subway station, go under the highway overpass and look for the building with the sumo champion pig stenciled on its side, to your right. This is the head store; there are five more around the city, including two at the Nagoya station. }} * {{eat | name=Desperados | alt= | url=http://www.dosdesperados.com/index.asp | email= | address=Fujimatsu Building 2 FL, 1-8-11 Shinsakae, Naka-ku | lat=35.16838 | long=136.91833 | directions=Located SW of Shinsakae subway stn. (Higashiyama line) | phone=+81 52-264-0663 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Th 18:00-01:00, F Sa 18:00-02:00 (kitchen closes at midnight) Closed Su | price= | content=Tex-mex restaurant and bar operated by Mexican-born and American-raised owner Rudy and his wife Takako. Features a variety of Mexican dishes and a selection of premium tequilas. }} * {{eat | name=La Marmite | alt=ラ・マルミット | url=https://www.facebook.com/La-Marmite-551902354827496/?rf=208022589257772 | email= | address=ALA Daikan-cho Bldg. 1F, 40-18 Daikan-cho, Higashi-ku | lat=35.17442 | long=136.92341 | directions=Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5-minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street | phone=+81 52-937-7474 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su lunch 11:30-14:00, cafe time 15:00-17:00, dinner 18:00-22:30; closed M | price=¥4,000-5,000 | content=French bistro operated by long time expat chef Jean-Luc Ravion, (member, Culinary Academy of France). Offers home-made ham, sausages and other traditional French food. Wine from the Loire also available. }} ===Splurge=== Nagoya's ''nouveaux riche'' are catered for by several luxury department stores and many first-class restaurants, which are sometimes difficult find for auto-less tourists. * {{eat | name=Antica Roma | alt= | url=http://www.anticaroma.jp/ | email=info@anticaroma.jp | address=Daikancho 39-18, Higashi-ku | lat=35.17448 | long=136.92212 | directions=Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5 minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street | phone=+81 52-930-2770 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-930-2771 | hours=Cafe 14:00-16:00 (Terrazza, Pizzeria); dinner 17:30-23:30 (last order 22:30) | price=The course menus start at ¥4,000, the pizzas at ¥1,500, a half-bottle of house wine is ¥2,500 | content=Excellent high-class Italian food (like seafood risotto, broccoli pasta or herb-stuffed pork rolls), but also delicious oven-baked pizzas. All this in three superbly furnished rooms. The main room is baroque-style with chandeliers and has not only a live pianist, but also a '''live opera singer''' every night (dress code for this room). }} * {{eat | name=Garden Restaurant Tokugawa-en | alt=ガーデンレストラン徳川園 | url=https://gr-tokugawa.zetton.co.jp/?utm_source=googlemb&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=website | email=info@gr-tokugawa.jp | address=1001 Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku | lat=35.18431 | long=136.93216 | directions=10 min. walk from South Exit of JR Ozone Station (JR Chuo line). 15 min. walk from Exit 3 of Ozone Subway Station (Meijo line). | phone=+81 52-932-7887 | tollfree= | hours=Restaurant: 11:00-14:00 (last order), 17:00-22:30 (last order). Bar & Lounge 10:00-17:00, 19:00-00:00 | price=¥10,000-15,000 | content=This eatery serves Japanese-French cuisine with views of the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens located next door. }} ==Drink== [[File:Night view of Sakae, Nagoya, Aichi 20150124-1.JPG|thumb|Night view of Sakae, Nagoya, Aichi]] Around Nagoya station, there are a lot of places for cheap drinking. Sakae is the big nightlife district, in a loose triangle formed by the Sakae, Yaba-cho and Osu Kannon stations. Sakae has a large red light district as well, but as with most of Japan, there's no sense of danger so don't worry about drifting around. There are countless izakayas around Kanayama station, both cheap chains and more upscale places. If the bar and club scene is not for you, try '''Nagoya Friends''' and their bimonthly international parties. Always a dynamic mix of foreigners and Japanese. At the party it's all you can drink and eat (~¥3000). *{{drink | name=Serge Gen's Restaurant Group Nagoya | alt= | url=https://nishiki.gensg.jp/4F/ | email= | address=Address: 11-26 Nishiki 3-Chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 460-0003 | lat=35.17057 | long=136.90223 | directions= | phone=+81 52-209-2333 | tollfree= | hours=11:00-03:00 | price=¥3000 | content=Five top-quality restaurants in the heart of Nagoya, Japan. From Italian cafe, Yakiniku, Sushi, to catered party events. }} ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Shooters | alt= | url=http://www.shooters-nagoya.com | email=info@shooters-nagoya.com | address=Pola Building 2F, Sakae 2-9-26, Naka-ku | lat=35.16659 | long=166.89806 | directions=S of Fushimi subway stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines) exit 5 | phone=+81 52-202-7077 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Th 17:00-02:00, F 17:00-05:00, Sa 11:30-05:00, Su 11:30-01:00 | price= | content=An American sports bar that attracts a mixed crowd with live music on Sundays. }} * {{drink | name=Yama-chan | alt=山ちゃん | url=http://www.yamachan.co.jp/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=35 locations in and around Nagoya | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=(Japanese) Known for its ''tebasaki'' (手羽先) fried chicken wings (one of Nagoya's specialties), this seemingly ubiquitous chain of izakayas is one of Nagoya's favorites. English menu available. }} * {{drink | name=Cigar Club Kanou | alt= | url=http://www.cigarclub-kanou.com | email= | address=Montesharine Bldg. 1F, Sakae 1 chome 10-30, Naka-ku | lat=35.16616 | long=136.89522 | directions=Located near Fushimi Stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Lines). Exit via exit 7 and continue W to the Hilton Hotel. Turn left in front of the Hilton and continue S. The bar is on the left side of the street. | phone=+81 52-231-5534 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-231-5534 | hours=Tu-Sa 16:30-01:00 | price= | content=Near the Hilton hotel, Cigar Club Kanou offers food, drink and a wide array of cigars (with a walk-in humidor.) }} * {{drink | name=The Hub | alt= | url=http://www.pub-hub.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This nationwide chain of affordable British-style pubs has two locations across the city, offering cocktails, bar food/pub grub, an English menu and some basic service in English. }} ** {{drink | name=Sakae | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ark Building 1F, 3-22-7, Nishiki, Naka-ku | lat=35.16942 | long=136.90406 | directions=3-min walk from Sakae subway stn. exit 8; W of the Kokusai hotel | phone=+81 52-962-8682 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su-Th 16:00-01:00, F Sa and day before holiday 16:00-05:00. Happy hour daily 16:00-19:00 | price= | content= }}, ** {{drink | name=Nagoya Station Area (Meieki) | alt= | url= | email= | address=M-san Dainingu Biru 1F, Meieki 3-15-11, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.17274 | long=136.88450 | directions=2 min walk E of Nagoya Station (Sakura Dori side); N of the Royal Park Inn Nagoya | phone=+81 52-533-4882 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Th 12:00-00:00, F 13:00-02:00, Sa 17:00-02:00, Su and holidays 17:00-23:30. Happy hour daily 17:00-19:00 | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Shinchan | alt=しんちゃん | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-25 | content=This is a chain izakaya located all around Nagoya. They sell great chicken wings and mugs of beer for 320 yen. }} ** {{drink | name=Kanayama | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.14319 | long=136.90286 | directions=Washington Hotel plaza 2nd floor | phone=+81 120-29-5688 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} ** {{drink | name=Sakae | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.16805 | long=136.90326 | directions=A few doors away from iD Bar | phone=+81 120-77-1868 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} ====Sakae==== * {{drink | name=The Red Rock | alt= | url=http://www.theredrock.jp/ | email= | address=Aster Plaza Bldg. 2F, 4-14-6 Sakae, Naka-ku | lat=35.1677 | long=136.91014 | directions=Subway: Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines), directly behind the Chunichi Building, a short walk SE of Sakae subway exit 13 | phone=+81 52-262-7893 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 17:30-03:00, Su 11:30-02:00 | price= | content=An Australian pub. Free Wi-fi, internet terminal access with food or drink purchase. Offers weekly Sunday brunch (11:30-16:00) and Thursday trivia night (20:30-23:00). }} ===Nightclubs=== Nagoya has some good clubs. A lot of the DJs who play Tokyo also pass through Nagoya. Many of the most popular clubs are located in '''Sakae''' and '''Shin-sakae-machi''' (just east of Sakae and south of the Naka ward office). Be aware that even on week-ends, on less popular nights, clubs empty or even close early (02:00-03:00) in Nagoya. This is a sharp contrast to Tokyo, where most people come by train and have to stick around for good or for bad until the first train in the morning. In auto-city Toyota, however, many people come by car; they can and will go home early if they are bored. '''Gay and Lesbian''' dance events are held monthly by the {{marker|type=drink|name=Nagoya Metro Club|lat=35.16966|long=136.91630}} at LOVER: z across from the CBC-TV building in Shinsakae-machi. * {{drink | name=Maverick | alt= | url=https://mavericknagoya.jp/ | email= | address= | lat=35.17058 | long=136.90521 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=In Fushimi, it attracts foreigners and Japanese for weekend dance events. Entry fee is usually ¥2000-3000, with a couple of drinks included. }} ====Sakae==== * {{listing | type=drink | name=ID club | alt= | url=http://www.idcafe.info/ | email= | address=3-1-15 Sakae, Naka-ku | lat=35.16802 | long=136.90326 | directions= | phone=+81 52-251-0382 | tollfree= | hours=Th-Su 20:00-closing (closed at 01:00 on a Friday night) | price=Entry M-Th ¥1000 (2 drinks), F ¥2000 (4 drinks), Sa ¥3000 (4 drinks), Su ¥2000 (4 drinks) | content=The most popular and well-known club in Nagoya. Nagoya's largest club, 5 different floors of style and music. R & B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Hard House, All Mix, 1970s & 80s disco. }} * {{drink | name=STEPS | alt= | url=http://www.steps-nagoya.net/ | email= | address=Hasegawa Bldg. 2F, 3-2-29 Sakae, Naka-ku | lat=35.16770 | long=136.90370 | directions=close to subway Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) opposite ID Cafe, around 100 m S of Sakae Tokyu Inn Hotel on the left | phone=+81 52-242-7544 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 18:00-06:00, closed Su | price= | content=Food and drinks from ¥500 including pasta, hamburgers, and steak dishes. TVs covering live sports events. Music from noon with DJs, occasional live music. Hip Hop, Reggae, R&B. }} * {{drink | name=Club JB's | alt= | url=http://www.club-jbs.jp/ | email= | address= | lat=35.16815 | long=136.91160 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Another good Nagoya club, around the corner from Club Daughter. }} * {{drink | name=Club Mago | alt= | url=http://www.club-mago.co.jp/ | email= | address= | lat=35.16932 | long=136.92044 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Shin-Sakae on the basement level of the Flex-building. Great for house, techno, electro-clash, progressive house. ¥2500-3000 cover. }} * {{drink | name=Jazz Inn Lovely | alt= | url=http://www.jazzinnlovely.com/ | email=info@jazzinnlovely.com | address=1-10-15 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku | lat=35.17261 | long=136.91014 | directions=Subway: Hisaya-odori stn. (Sakura-dori, Meijo lines). Exit the subway for | phone=+81 52-951-6085 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 18:00-03:00 | price=Cover charge varies per artist. From ¥1500 to ¥5000 | content=Jazz club featuring Japanese and international jazz artists. }} * {{drink | name=Club Quattro Nagoya | alt=クラブクアトロ Kurabu-kuatoro | url=http://www.club-quattro.com/access_nago.html | email= | address=Nagoya Parco Department Store East Building (東館 ''Higashi-kan''), 8F, 3-29-1 Sakae, Naka-ku | lat=35.16371 | long=136.90833 | directions=Subway: Yaba-cho stn. (Meijo line); in the east building of the Parco Department Store | phone=+81 52-264-8211 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Concerts in early evening (17:30-20:00 start) | price=Ticket price varies per artist | content=One of Nagoya's main live houses, featuring a wide array of Japanese and international rock and pop music acts. }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Kyoya Ryokan | alt=京屋旅館 | url=http://kyoya.to/e/ | email= | address=2-11-4 Habashita | lat=35.17822 | long=136.89167 | directions= near Meido-cho, where the North-South freeway joins with the East-West counterpart. English directions supplied by the hostel are unclear; best advice is to grab a map from the tourist center. Kyoya is labelled. About a 15-minute walk from JR Nagoya station | phone=+81 52-571-2588 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-571-2580 | checkin=15:00 | checkout=10:00 | price=Dorm beds from ¥2500 | content=Awesome ryokan-style hostel with a great vibe. Offers internet access, air conditioning, and security lockers. The hostel has a nice garden in the background and an onsen-style bath. }} * {{sleep | name=Toyoko Inn | alt=東横イン | url=http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=16:00 | checkout=10:00 | price= | content=The popular no-frills Toyoko Inn chain operates six hotels in Nagoya. Toyoko Inn Club members can check in from 15:00. }} :* {{sleep | name=Nagoya Marunouchi | alt=名古屋丸の内 | url=http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00025/index.html | email= | address=1-4-20 Marunochi, Naka-ku | lat=35.17645 | long=136.89577 | directions=2-minute walk from No. 8 exit of Marunochi Station on the Tsurumai and Sakura-Dori Subway Lines | phone=+81 52-223-1045 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-223-1046 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Singles &yen;5800-6300, doubles &yen;6800-7800, twins &yen;7800. Weekly rate &yen;5000 per night | content= }} :* {{sleep | name=Nagoya Nishiki | alt=名古屋錦 | url=http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00013/index.html | email= | address=3-9-3 Nishiki, Naka-ku | lat=35.17224 | long=136.90342 | directions=5-minute walk from No. 4 exit of Hisaya Odori Station on the Sakuradori Subway Line | phone=+81 52-953-1045 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-951-2045 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Singles &yen;6000, doubles/twins &yen;8000 | content= }} :* {{sleep | name=Nagoya-eki Sakuradori-guchi Honkan | alt=名古屋駅桜通口本館 | url=http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00022/index.html | email= | address=3-16-1 Meieki, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.17365 | long=136.88559 | directions=5-minute walk from Sakura-dori Exit of JR Nagoya Station | phone=+81 52-571-1045 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-561-1046 | hours= | price=Singles &yen;5900-6300, doubles/twins &yen;8300 | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} :* {{sleep | name=Nagoya-eki Shinkansen-guchi | alt=名古屋駅新幹線口 | url=http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00094/index.html | email= | address=7-16 Tsubaki-cho, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.16954 | long=136.87971 | directions=3-minute walk from Taiko-Dori (Shinkansen) Exit of JR Nagoya Station | phone=+81 52-453-1047 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-453-1046 | hours= | price=Singles &yen;6300-6380, doubles &yen;7300, twins &yen;8300 | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} :* {{sleep | name=Nagoya Shin Sakae-machi | alt=名古屋新栄町 | url=http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00207/index.html | email= | address=2-22-21 Higashi-Sakura, Naka-ku | lat=35.16990 | long=136.91647 | directions=6 minute walk from Shin Sakae-machi Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line | phone=+81 52-934-1045 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-934-1046 | hours= | price=Singles &yen;5800-6300, doubles &yen;7000-7800, twins &yen;7800 | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Sauna and Capsule Fuji Sakae | alt= | url=http://fto.co.jp/english | email= | address=3-22-31, Nishiki, Naka-Ku Nagoya-Shi | lat=35.1691204 | long=136.9034699 | directions=very close to Sakae station | phone=+81 52-962-5711 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=¥3200 | content=Huge capsule hotel right in the middle of Sakae. Excellent spa facilities, clean and cheap. Booking online might be a problem; look it up on a map and just show up. Credit cards accepted. Very limited English understood. Larger hand luggage can be kept by the hotel staff. Fridays and Saturdays might mean no vacancies and a higher price. If you want to experience a real capsule hotel not targeted to foreign tourists this is a very good one to try. Only males allowed, no tattoos. If you are body conscious and fear being naked around other people including some female staff, then you should avoid the spa/onsen. Later checkout than usual at capsules (1PM). Wi-Fi everywhere. No electrical sockets in capsule. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=APA Hotel Nagoya Nishiki | alt= | url=http://www.apahotel.com/hotel/toukai/01_nagoyanishiki/ | email= | address=3-15-30 Nishiki, Chuo-ku | lat=35.17128 | long=136.90735 | directions=Sakae subway station, exit 2, one block forward | phone=+81 52-953-5111 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-951-7269 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=This business hotel is in the middle of the Sakae dining and shopping district. The rooms are comparatively clean and the staff speaks English; internet access is included. ¥9800/single. }} * {{sleep | name=Daiichi Fuji Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=13-17 Tsubaki-cho, Naka-ku | lat=35.16893 | long=136.87965 | directions=Nagoya train station, Shinkansen side, cross street 1 block south of Bic Camera, pass one alley, then turn left | phone=+81 52-452-1111 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-452-1762 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=This business hotel is a few blocks from train station on a street lined with business hotels. The rooms are very small; internet access is included if you have an Ethernet cable. ¥6200/single, ¥9450/twin. }} * {{sleep | name=Meitetsu Inn Nagoya Kanayama | alt=名鉄イン名古屋金山 | url=https://www.m-inn.com/en/hotel/ | email= | address=1-11-7 Kanayama, Naka-ku | lat=35.14527 | long=136.90076 | directions=Kanayama subway station, exit 6. Turn right at Daiei, left at Coco, look for the blue-and-white Japanese sign | phone=+81 52-324-3434 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-324-3435 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=This business hotel was built in 2005 and has very clean rooms; in-room internet access and breakfast is included. The staff has some limited English ability. ¥6800/10,800/13,000 for single/small double/double. }} * {{sleep | name=Mielparque-Nagoya | alt= | url=http://www.mielparque.jp/nagoya/en/ | email= | address=3-16-16 Aoi, Higashi-ku | lat=35.17123 | long=136.92889 | directions=Chikusa subway station, exit 1, right across the street | phone=+81 52-937-3535 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-937-3673 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=In-room internet access. The staff has some limited English ability. Large breakfast buffet, Western & Japanese, ¥1,000/adult, ¥800/child, 07:00-09:30. Rooms: ¥6,300 single, ¥12,390/15,540 twin for two/three, ¥23,520/29,400 Japanese-style for three/five. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Marriott Associa Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ngodt-nagoya-marriott-associa-hotel/ | email= | address=Nagoya Station | lat=35.17084 | long=136.88293 | directions=directly above Takashimaya Department Store | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=A 3-minute walk from a Nozomi Shinkansen train to a well-marked elevator portal takes you to the 15th floor check-in level. This often-full five-star hotel (¥20,000-70,000/night) is equipped with ten good restaurants, which tend to be jammed, but the adjacent office tower also has more than 20 restaurants on two levels ranging from inexpensive noodle eateries to high-end sushi places. Note that if you have a concierge room reservation, you need to go to the concierge level (35th floor) to check in. Rooms are extremely clean and comfortable. }} * {{sleep | name=Nagoya Kanko Hotel | alt=名古屋観光ホテル | url=http://www.nagoyakankohotel.co.jp/en/ | email= | address=19-30, Nishiki 1-chome, Naka-ku | lat=35.16878 | long=136.89552 | directions=Fushimi station, exits 8, 9 or 10, 2-minute walk | phone=+81 52-231-7711 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-231-7719 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Founded in 1936 as the Nagoya State Guest and still going strong. Rooms from standard (¥15,015) to suite (¥346,500). Free parking. }} ===Rental=== * {{sleep | name=Freebell Apartments | alt= | url=https://www.freebell.co.jp/ | email= | address= | lat=35.17667 | long=136.88012 | directions=Exit Nagoya Station Sakura-dori side entrance and turn left. Continue past the post office. The building will be on your left | phone=+81 52-571-5055 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Provides monthly furnished and non-furnished apartments for a range of budgets. Popular with longer-term visitors seeking to avoid the hefty deposits required by traditional Japanese landlords. }} ==Cope== [[File:Nagoya International Center Building01.JPG|thumb|Nagoya International Center]] * {{listing | name=Nagoya International Center | alt=名古屋国際センター Nagoya kokusai sentaa | url=http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/ | email=info@nic-nagoya.or.jp | address=1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.17281 | long=136.89019 | directions=Subway: Sakura-dori line, Kokusai Center stn. | phone=+81 52-581-0100 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-19:00; closed M, Dec 29-Jan 3, 2nd Su of Aug and Feb | price=free | content=This city-run center for newcomers to Nagoya provides useful information about upcoming local events through their free monthly publication ''The [http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/ Nagoya Calendar]'' (available at numerous locations around the city) and offers various multilingual services for foreigners on longer stays or taking up residence in the city. Their headquarters near Nagoya Station also includes a lending library with books on numerous topics in English and other languages. }} ===Banking=== As elsewhere in Japan, ATM machines at post offices and 7-Elevens allow international cash withdrawals. ====Foreign exchange==== * {{listing | name=Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank Foreign Exchange Shop | alt=三菱東京UFJ銀行外貨両替ショップ笹島店 Mitsubishi-Tokyo-UFJ-Gaika-ryougai-shoppu-sasajima-ten | url= | email= | address=1-2-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku | lat=35.16866 | long=136.84441 | directions=1st flr. of Nagoya station near the Meitetsu Bus Terminal | phone=+81 52-541-6330 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10:00-19:30, Sa Su holidays 10:00-17:00, Dec 30: 10:00-15:00. Closed Dec 31-Jan 3 | price= | content=(Website in Japanese). }} ===Consulates=== * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | alt=ブラジル総領事館 Burajiru-souryoujikan | url=http://nagoia.itamaraty.gov.br/ | email=cg.nagoia@itamaraty.gov.br | address=Shirakawa Daihachi Bldg 2F, 1-10-29 Marunouchi, Naka-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+81 52-222-1077, +81 52-222-1078, +81 90-3483-6949 (Emergency), +81 80-6637-6131 (Emergency) | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-222-1079 | hours= M-F 09:00-13:00 | price= | content=Provides consular services for Brazilians and issues Brazilian visas for foreign visitors to Brazil }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | alt=カナダ領事館 Kanada-ryoujikan | url=http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/offices-bureaux/nagoya.aspx?lang=eng | email=ngoya@international.gc.ca | address=Nakato Marunouchi Bldg 6F, 3-17-6 Marunouchi, Naka-ku | lat= | long= | directions=Subway Hisaya-odori stn (Meijo, Sakura-dori lines) Exit 1. Walk 2 blocks N on Otsu-dori to Uonotana-dori. The consulate is at the intersection of Otsu-dori and Uonotana-dori and directly across the street from Circle K convenience store | phone=+81 52-972-0450 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-972-0453 | hours= | price= | content=Offering limited consular services for Canadians in Nagoya. }} * {{flag|United States}} {{listing | name=United States | alt=アメリカ領事館 Amerika-ryoujikan | url=https://jp.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/nagoya/ | email= | address=Nagoya Kokusai Center Bldg 6F, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku | lat= | long= | directions=Subway Kokusai Center (Sakura-dori line) | phone=+81 52-581-4501 | tollfree= | fax=+81 52-581-3190 | hours= | price= | content=Doesn't provide American citizen services. For those, contact the consulate in [[Osaka]] or the embassy in [[Tokyo]]. }} ===Radio stations=== * '''[http://zip-fm.co.jp/ ZIP FM 77.8]''' (site in Japanese) Broadcasts ''Global Voice Weekend Magic'' a ten-minute long program in English on daily life and events in the Nagoya area for earlybirds at 5:40AM on Saturdays and Sundays. ===Publications=== *'''''[http://www.centraljapan.jp/ Avenues: Voices of Central Japan]''''' Quarterly magazine featuring articles on local history and culture, reviews of attractions, events, restaurants and bars. Available free at International Center and for a fee at Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae. *'''''[https://www.seekjapan.jp/ Japanzine]''''' Monthly tabloid-style magazine published in Nagoya featuring a section on local events, concerts, job listings, and a restaurant/bar map and guide. Available free at numerous businesses catering to foreign residents, and at Maruzen bookstore in Sakae. *'''''RAN Magazine''''' A magazine focused on life in Nagoya and the city's culture and arts scene. Features articles on a wide array of topics. Available online and for free at businesses catering to foreigners around the Nagoya area. *'''''[http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/ Nagoya Calendar]''''' Monthly magazine featuring event information, daily-living advice, movie & TV listings, and a community bulletin board. Available free at International Center, the Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae, and several subway stations. *'''''[http://www.et-people.com/ ET People]''''' Small monthly magazine aimed at English learners. Offers restaurant/bar map and listings in English. Available free at numerous bars and restaurants around the city. Like other major cities in Japan, you can also pick up the (Tokyo-centric) English dailies '''''[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ The Japan Times]''''' and '''''[http://the-japan-news.com/ Japan News]''''' (by the Yomiuri Shimbun) at selected bookstores and convenience stores around the city (or read them for free at the International Center library). ==Go next== [[File:Inuyamajo3.JPG|thumb|Inuyama Castle]] [[File:Tsushimatennosai1.JPG|thumb|Owari Tsushima Tennōsai(eve)]] [[File:Kōrankei.jpg|thumb|Asuke]] * [[Inuyama]], with its picturesque castle, kinky fertility shrines, and nearby Meiji Village, is a short day trip from the city. From [http://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/ Meitetsu Nagoya station] next to Nagoya station, there are express trains (around a 30-minute ride) to Inuyama station or Inuyamayuen station. From either station, Inuyama castle is about a 20-minute walk to the west and is on the south side of the river. The entrance is on the south side of the castle grounds. * [[Gifu]] - Visit Gifu castle (take a bus from the train station). Ride the cable car up the mountain (or hike), feed the squirrels (they jump on your arm and eat from your hand), visit the museum, enjoy the amazing view from the top of the castle. See the Nagaragawa fireworks display during the summer festival. * Tokoname, on the first express train stop from Nagoya airport, is a ceramic centre dating back from the 9th-century Heian period. The old town by the hill next to the train station features streets decorated with industrial ceramic pieces and pottery shops with pottery displays inside old brick furnaces. * [[Okazaki]] - Take in the castle, tour the miso factory and enjoy the fresh suburban air. * [[Ise]], home to Japan's holiest shrine, is within striking distance. * [[Tsushima (Aichi)|Tsushima]] - Visit Tenno River park in the spring to see amazing cherry blossoms and wisteria. * [[Tajimi]] - Visit Eihoji Zen Temple. A beautiful walk down to the river. Be sure to see the bamboo grove (takebayashi). * [[Hida-Takayama]] - Check out the Edo-era atmosphere of this famous historic town. * [[Kiso Valley]] - Walk the historic Nakasendo highway, an old post road running through the valley's beautiful green hills and well-preserved towns. === Hiking === * [[Asuke]], where you can visit the Korankei Gorge and enjoy the changing of leaves in autumn and blossoms in spring. * [[Gujo Hachiman]], an idyllic town where 80% of Japan's plastic food replicas are created. * [[Magome]] to [[Tsumago]], a nice hike between the two historic villages in the Nagiso/Nakatsugawa area. * [[Tadachi]], a nice hike along many waterfalls. * [[Yoro]] - Waterfalls, fancy onsen and Japan's most bizarre park. {{routebox | image1=Tokaido Shinkansen icon.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Osaka]] | minorl1=[[Gifu|Gifu-Hashima]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tokyo]] | minorr1=Mikawa-Anjō → [[Toyohashi]] | image2=JR Chuo icon.png | imagesize2=100 | directionl2=W | majorl2=END | minorl2= | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Shiojiri]] | minorr2=[[Kiso Valley|Kiso Fukushima]] | image3=JR Kansai icon.png | imagesize3=100 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Nara]] | minorl3=[[Kuwana]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=END | minorr3= | image4=JR Tokaido icon.png | imagesize4=100 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Gifu]] | minorl4=[[Ichinomiya]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Hamamatsu]] | minorr4=[[Okazaki]] | image5=NP-NH.png | imagesize5=30 | directionl5=W | majorl5=[[Inuyama]] | minorl5=into [[File:NP-IY.png|30px]] ← Kiyosu | directionr5=E | majorr5=[[Toyohashi]] | minorr5=[[Okazaki]] | image6=Chuo Expwy Route Sign.svg | imagesize6=100 | directionl6=W | majorl6=END | minorl6= | directionr6=E | majorr6=[[Tokyo]] | minorr6=[[Tajimi]] | image7=Higashi-Meihan Expwy Route Sign.svg | imagesize7=100 | directionl7=W | majorl7=[[Kameyama]] | minorl7=[[Kuwana]] ← Yatomi | directionr7=E | majorr7=END | minorr7= | image8=Isewangan Expwy Route Sign.svg | imagesize8=100 | directionl8=W | majorl8=[[Yokkaichi]] | minorl8=[[Kuwana|Kuwana-Minami]] | directionr8=E | majorr8=[[Toyota]] | minorr8= | image9=Meishin Expwy Route Sign.svg | imagesize9=100 | directionl9=W | majorl9=[[Kyoto]] | minorl9=[[Ichinomiya]] | directionr9=E | majorr9=END | minorr9= | image10=Tomei Expwy Route Sign.svg | imagesize10=100 | directionl10=W | majorl10=END | minorl10= | directionr10=E | majorr10=[[Tokyo]] | minorr10=[[Toyota]] }} {{isPartOf|Aichi}} {{geo|35.181389|136.906111|zoom=11}} {{guidecity}} {{related|UNESCO_Creative_Cities}} l6gol5q53cfn7njaei14cetn74ifa94 0 24413 4506276 4105318 2022-08-22T15:09:57Z Ground Zero 1423298 Update, copyedit, [[WV:tdf]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=New Ulm}} '''[http://www.newulm.com New Ulm]''' is a prosperous small city in [[Southern Minnesota]]. It is the seat of Brown County, and had population of 14,000 in 2020. The people of New Ulm are very proud of their German heritage, and commemorate it year round with parades, parties, and holiday celebrations. ==Understand== ===Visitor information=== * {{listing | name=New Ulm Visitor Center | alt= | url=http://www.newulm.com/ | email= | address=1 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-463-9856 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=auto}} {{Mapshape}} New Ulm is located at the intersection of US Route 14 and Minnesota State Highway 15. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=August Schell Brewing Company - Brewery Tours | alt= | url=http://www.schellsbrewery.com | email=schells@schellsbrewery.com | address=1860 Schell Road | lat=44.289387 | long=-94.449880 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-770-5020 | fax=+1 507-359-9119 | hours=call for hours | price=$5 per person (under 12 free) | content= }} [[File:Brown Cty His Soc.jpg|thumb|300px|Home of the Brown County Historical Society, in New Ulm ]] * {{see | name=Brown County Historical Society | url=http://www.browncountyhistorymnusa.org/ | email=BCHS@BrownCountyHistoryMNUSA.org | address=2 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-233-2616 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-1068 | hours=M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa 1-5PM | price=$3 for adults, students and members free | content= }} * {{see | name=Hermann Monument | url=http://www.newulmweb.com/citylights/hermann.html {{dead link|August 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content= }} * {{see | name=Martin Luther College | url=http://www.mlc-wels.edu/home | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-8221 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-8224 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Town Team Baseball | url=http://www.minnesotabaseball.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== * '''Festivals''' - there are a number of additional events, but these are the four most popular, as reported by the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce: ** Oktoberfest - this is an observance of the traditional German holiday. Activities include public entertainment, music, beer tasting, German food and horse drawn trolleys. ** Bavarian Blast - this is another German-themed party in the downtown area. It is centered around German Park and George's Ballroom. ** Bockfest - hosted by August Schell Brewing Company, this is a winter festival with (what else) a German beer theme. ** Fasching - this festival features German food, beverages, music, and craft activities. * '''Sightseeing''' - the Chamber of Commerce has a Visitor Center that can set you up with maps, an itinerary, or even a guided tour. * '''Dining''' - see below * '''Explore History''' - New Ulm has preserved its history and the story of the immigrants who founded the town. You can explore preserved buildings, documents, and artifacts all over town. Check with the Brown County Historical Societ to get started. * {{do | name=Flandrau State Park | url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== New Ulm has the full range of shopping options, including "big-box," regional, boutique, and souvenir shopping. Browse the charming and quaint midwestern downtown or cruise the commercial streets and you'll find what you're looking for. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Perkins Restaurant and Bakery | url= | email= | address=1727 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-6688 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Applebees Neighborhood Grill | url= | email= | address=410 20th Street South | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2775 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Burger King | url= | email= | address=1922 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-1268 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Carl's Corner | url= | email= | address=100 Center Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4241 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dairy Queen | url= | email= | address=1501 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-9229 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Otto's Feierhaus & Bierstube | url= | email= | address=2101 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-5300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Pioneer College Caterers Inc. | url= | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Taco Bell | url= | email= | address=707 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Cornerstone Coffee | url= | email= | address=213 South Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-5552 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Domino's Pizza | url= | email= | address=315 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7711 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=George's Fine Steaks & Spirits | url= | email= | address=301 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-7440 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Godfather's Pizza | url= | email= | address=1627 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4863 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Veigel's Kaiserhoff | url= | email= | address=221 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2071 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Papa Murphy's Take & Bake | url= | email= | address=1612 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-3939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Plaza Garibaldi | url= | email= | address=1707 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7073 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn New Ulm | url= | email= | address=2102 S. Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = | tollfree=+1-877-276-1817 | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Microtel Inn & Suites New Ulm | url= | email= | address=424 20th South Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=2pm | checkout=11am | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Super 8 Motel | url= | email= | address=1901 South Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=3pm | checkout=11am | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=US 14.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Brookings (South Dakota)|Brookings]] | minorl1=[[Walnut Grove (Minnesota)|Walnut Grove]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Rochester (Minnesota)|Rochester]] | minorr1=[[Mankato]] | image2=MN-15.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Saint Cloud (Minnesota)|Saint Cloud]] | minorl2=Hutchinson | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Fairmont (Minnesota)|Fairmont]] | minorr2=Jct [[St. James (Minnesota)|W]] [[File:MN-60.svg|18px]] [[Mankato|E]] → [[Truman]] }} {{geo|44.31250|-94.46056}} {{isPartOf|Southern Minnesota}} {{outlinecity}} ersymqksc4j883pukgjnl9kkwwumz52 4506280 4506276 2022-08-22T15:17:08Z Ground Zero 1423298 Add text adapted from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Ulm,_Minnesota&oldid=1105696547 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=New Ulm}} '''[http://www.newulm.com New Ulm]''' is a prosperous small city in [[Southern Minnesota]]. It is the seat of Brown County, and had population of 14,000 in 2020. The people of New Ulm are very proud of their German heritage, and commemorate it year round with parades, parties, and holiday celebrations. ==Understand== ===Visitor information=== * {{listing | name=New Ulm Visitor Center | alt= | url=http://www.newulm.com/ | email= | address=1 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-463-9856 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=auto}} {{Mapshape}} New Ulm is located at the intersection of US Route 14 and Minnesota State Highway 15. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=August Schell Brewing Company - Brewery Tours | alt= | url=http://www.schellsbrewery.com | email=schells@schellsbrewery.com | address=1860 Schell Road | lat=44.289387 | long=-94.449880 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-770-5020 | fax=+1 507-359-9119 | hours=call for hours | price=$5 per person (under 12 free) | content= }} [[Image:NewUlmTower.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The Glockenspiel bell tower]] * {{see | name=Glockenspiel in Schonlau Park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=New Ulm's ''glockenspiel'' is one of the world's few free-standing carillon clock towers. It stands {{ft|45}} high, and its largest bourdon (bell weighs {{lb|595}} while the total weight of the bells is {{ton|2}}. The bells chime the time of day in Westminster style. }} [[File:Brown Cty His Soc.jpg|thumb|300px|Home of the Brown County Historical Society, in New Ulm ]] * {{see | name=Brown County Historical Society | url=http://www.browncountyhistorymnusa.org/ | email=BCHS@BrownCountyHistoryMNUSA.org | address=2 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-233-2616 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-1068 | hours=M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa 1-5PM | price=$3 for adults, students and members free | content= }} * {{see | name=Hermann Monument | url=http://www.newulmweb.com/citylights/hermann.html {{dead link|August 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content= }} * {{see | name=Martin Luther College | url=http://www.mlc-wels.edu/home | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-8221 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-8224 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Town Team Baseball | url=http://www.minnesotabaseball.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== * '''Festivals''' - there are a number of additional events, but these are the four most popular, as reported by the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce: ** Oktoberfest - this is an observance of the traditional German holiday. Activities include public entertainment, music, beer tasting, German food and horse drawn trolleys. ** Bavarian Blast - this is another German-themed party in the downtown area. It is centered around German Park and George's Ballroom. ** Bockfest - hosted by August Schell Brewing Company, this is a winter festival with (what else) a German beer theme. ** Fasching - this festival features German food, beverages, music, and craft activities. * '''Sightseeing''' - the Chamber of Commerce has a Visitor Center that can set you up with maps, an itinerary, or even a guided tour. * '''Dining''' - see below * '''Explore History''' - New Ulm has preserved its history and the story of the immigrants who founded the town. You can explore preserved buildings, documents, and artifacts all over town. Check with the Brown County Historical Societ to get started. * {{do | name=Flandrau State Park | url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== New Ulm has the full range of shopping options, including "big-box," regional, boutique, and souvenir shopping. Browse the charming and quaint midwestern downtown or cruise the commercial streets and you'll find what you're looking for. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Perkins Restaurant and Bakery | url= | email= | address=1727 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-6688 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Applebees Neighborhood Grill | url= | email= | address=410 20th Street South | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2775 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Burger King | url= | email= | address=1922 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-1268 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Carl's Corner | url= | email= | address=100 Center Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4241 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dairy Queen | url= | email= | address=1501 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-9229 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Otto's Feierhaus & Bierstube | url= | email= | address=2101 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-5300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Pioneer College Caterers Inc. | url= | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Taco Bell | url= | email= | address=707 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Cornerstone Coffee | url= | email= | address=213 South Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-5552 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Domino's Pizza | url= | email= | address=315 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7711 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=George's Fine Steaks & Spirits | url= | email= | address=301 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-7440 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Godfather's Pizza | url= | email= | address=1627 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4863 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Veigel's Kaiserhoff | url= | email= | address=221 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2071 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Papa Murphy's Take & Bake | url= | email= | address=1612 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-3939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Plaza Garibaldi | url= | email= | address=1707 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7073 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn New Ulm | url= | email= | address=2102 S. Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = | tollfree=+1-877-276-1817 | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Microtel Inn & Suites New Ulm | url= | email= | address=424 20th South Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=2pm | checkout=11am | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Super 8 Motel | url= | email= | address=1901 South Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=3pm | checkout=11am | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=US 14.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Brookings (South Dakota)|Brookings]] | minorl1=[[Walnut Grove (Minnesota)|Walnut Grove]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Rochester (Minnesota)|Rochester]] | minorr1=[[Mankato]] | image2=MN-15.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Saint Cloud (Minnesota)|Saint Cloud]] | minorl2=Hutchinson | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Fairmont (Minnesota)|Fairmont]] | minorr2=Jct [[St. James (Minnesota)|W]] [[File:MN-60.svg|18px]] [[Mankato|E]] → [[Truman]] }} {{geo|44.31250|-94.46056}} {{isPartOf|Southern Minnesota}} {{outlinecity}} 4use0zknt6af78risirscy837rl1o5p 4506283 4506280 2022-08-22T15:22:48Z Ground Zero 1423298 Add listing wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=New Ulm}} '''[http://www.newulm.com New Ulm]''' is a prosperous small city in [[Southern Minnesota]]. It is the seat of Brown County, and had population of 14,000 in 2020. The people of New Ulm are very proud of their German heritage, and commemorate it year round with parades, parties, and holiday celebrations. ==Understand== ===Visitor information=== * {{listing | name=New Ulm Visitor Center | alt= | url=http://www.newulm.com/ | email= | address=1 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-463-9856 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=auto}} {{Mapshape}} New Ulm is located at the intersection of US Route 14 and Minnesota State Highway 15. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=August Schell Brewing Company - Brewery Tours | alt= | url=http://www.schellsbrewery.com | email=schells@schellsbrewery.com | address=1860 Schell Road | lat=44.289387 | long=-94.449880 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-770-5020 | fax=+1 507-359-9119 | hours=call for hours | price=$5 per person (under 12 free) | content= }} [[Image:NewUlmTower.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The Glockenspiel bell tower]] * {{see | name=Glockenspiel in Schonlau Park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=New Ulm's ''glockenspiel'' is one of the world's few free-standing carillon clock towers. It stands {{ft|45}} high, and its largest bourdon (bell weighs {{lb|595}}, while the total weight of the bells is {{lb|4000}}. The bells chime the time of day in Westminster style. }} [[File:Brown Cty His Soc.jpg|thumb|300px|Home of the Brown County Historical Society, in New Ulm ]] * {{see | name=Brown County Historical Society | url=http://www.browncountyhistorymnusa.org/ | email=BCHS@BrownCountyHistoryMNUSA.org | address=2 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-233-2616 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-1068 | hours=M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa 1-5PM | price=$3 for adults, students and members free | content= }} * {{see | name= Minnesota Music Hall of Fame | alt= | url=https://mnmusichalloffame.org/ | email= | address=27 Broadway St. N at First North St | lat= | long= | directions=next to the library | phone= +1 507-354-7305| tollfree= | hours=Apr-Oct: Th-Sa 10AM-2PM | price=$6 | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Exhibits about Minnesota musicians including Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Prince, Eddie Cochran, Bobby Vee, Ervin Wolfe, John Denver, Whoopee John Wilfahrt, Harold Loeffelmacher, Earl Schmidt, Wally Pikal and the Andrews Sisters. It also explores the popularity of polka music in rural Minnesota. }} * {{see | name=Hermann Monument | url=http://www.newulmweb.com/citylights/hermann.html {{dead link|August 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content= }} * {{see | name=Martin Luther College | url=http://www.mlc-wels.edu/home | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-8221 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-8224 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Town Team Baseball | url=http://www.minnesotabaseball.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== * '''Festivals''' - there are a number of additional events, but these are the four most popular, as reported by the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce: ** Oktoberfest - this is an observance of the traditional German holiday. Activities include public entertainment, music, beer tasting, German food and horse drawn trolleys. ** Bavarian Blast - this is another German-themed party in the downtown area. It is centered around German Park and George's Ballroom. ** Bockfest - hosted by August Schell Brewing Company, this is a winter festival with (what else) a German beer theme. ** Fasching - this festival features German food, beverages, music, and craft activities. * '''Sightseeing''' - the Chamber of Commerce has a Visitor Center that can set you up with maps, an itinerary, or even a guided tour. * '''Dining''' - see below * '''Explore History''' - New Ulm has preserved its history and the story of the immigrants who founded the town. You can explore preserved buildings, documents, and artifacts all over town. Check with the Brown County Historical Societ to get started. * {{do | name=Flandrau State Park | url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== New Ulm has the full range of shopping options, including "big-box," regional, boutique, and souvenir shopping. Browse the charming and quaint midwestern downtown or cruise the commercial streets and you'll find what you're looking for. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Perkins Restaurant and Bakery | url= | email= | address=1727 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-6688 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Applebees Neighborhood Grill | url= | email= | address=410 20th Street South | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2775 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Burger King | url= | email= | address=1922 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-1268 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Carl's Corner | url= | email= | address=100 Center Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4241 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dairy Queen | url= | email= | address=1501 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-9229 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Otto's Feierhaus & Bierstube | url= | email= | address=2101 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-5300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Pioneer College Caterers Inc. | url= | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Taco Bell | url= | email= | address=707 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Cornerstone Coffee | url= | email= | address=213 South Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-5552 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Domino's Pizza | url= | email= | address=315 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7711 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=George's Fine Steaks & Spirits | url= | email= | address=301 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-7440 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Godfather's Pizza | url= | email= | address=1627 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4863 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Veigel's Kaiserhoff | url= | email= | address=221 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2071 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Papa Murphy's Take & Bake | url= | email= | address=1612 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-3939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Plaza Garibaldi | url= | email= | address=1707 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7073 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn New Ulm | url= | email= | address=2102 S. Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = | tollfree=+1-877-276-1817 | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Microtel Inn & Suites New Ulm | url= | email= | address=424 20th South Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=2pm | checkout=11am | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Super 8 Motel | url= | email= | address=1901 South Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=3pm | checkout=11am | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=US 14.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Brookings (South Dakota)|Brookings]] | minorl1=[[Walnut Grove (Minnesota)|Walnut Grove]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Rochester (Minnesota)|Rochester]] | minorr1=[[Mankato]] | image2=MN-15.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Saint Cloud (Minnesota)|Saint Cloud]] | minorl2=Hutchinson | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Fairmont (Minnesota)|Fairmont]] | minorr2=Jct [[St. James (Minnesota)|W]] [[File:MN-60.svg|18px]] [[Mankato|E]] → [[Truman]] }} {{geo|44.31250|-94.46056}} {{isPartOf|Southern Minnesota}} {{outlinecity}} gvca67ov6hhy0f4p1n0hbysy9kr7c4k 4506285 4506283 2022-08-22T15:25:21Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* See */ update wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=New Ulm}} '''[http://www.newulm.com New Ulm]''' is a prosperous small city in [[Southern Minnesota]]. It is the seat of Brown County, and had population of 14,000 in 2020. The people of New Ulm are very proud of their German heritage, and commemorate it year round with parades, parties, and holiday celebrations. ==Understand== ===Visitor information=== * {{listing | name=New Ulm Visitor Center | alt= | url=http://www.newulm.com/ | email= | address=1 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-463-9856 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=auto}} {{Mapshape}} New Ulm is located at the intersection of US Route 14 and Minnesota State Highway 15. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=August Schell Brewing Company - Brewery Tours | alt= | url=http://www.schellsbrewery.com | email=schells@schellsbrewery.com | address=1860 Schell Road | lat=44.289387 | long=-94.449880 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-770-5020 | fax=+1 507-359-9119 | hours=call for hours | price=$10 per person (under 12 free) | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content= }} [[Image:NewUlmTower.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The Glockenspiel bell tower]] * {{see | name=Glockenspiel in Schonlau Park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=New Ulm's ''glockenspiel'' is one of the world's few free-standing carillon clock towers. It stands {{ft|45}} high, and its largest bourdon (bell weighs {{lb|595}}, while the total weight of the bells is {{lb|4000}}. The bells chime the time of day in Westminster style. }} [[File:Brown Cty His Soc.jpg|thumb|300px|Home of the Brown County Historical Society, in New Ulm ]] * {{see | name=Brown County Historical Society | url=http://www.browncountyhistorymnusa.org/ | email=BCHS@BrownCountyHistoryMNUSA.org | address=2 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-233-2616 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-1068 | hours=M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa 1-5PM | price=$3 for adults, students and members free | content= }} * {{see | name= Minnesota Music Hall of Fame | alt= | url=https://mnmusichalloffame.org/ | email= | address=27 Broadway St. N at First North St | lat= | long= | directions=next to the library | phone= +1 507-354-7305| tollfree= | hours=Apr-Oct: Th-Sa 10AM-2PM | price=$6 | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Exhibits about Minnesota musicians including Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Prince, Eddie Cochran, Bobby Vee, Ervin Wolfe, John Denver, Whoopee John Wilfahrt, Harold Loeffelmacher, Earl Schmidt, Wally Pikal and the Andrews Sisters. It also explores the popularity of polka music in rural Minnesota. }} * {{see | name=Hermann Monument | url=http://www.newulmweb.com/citylights/hermann.html {{dead link|August 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content= }} * {{see | name=Martin Luther College | url=http://www.mlc-wels.edu/home | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-8221 | tollfree= | fax=+1 507-354-8224 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Town Team Baseball | url=http://www.minnesotabaseball.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== * '''Festivals''' - there are a number of additional events, but these are the four most popular, as reported by the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce: ** Oktoberfest - this is an observance of the traditional German holiday. Activities include public entertainment, music, beer tasting, German food and horse drawn trolleys. ** Bavarian Blast - this is another German-themed party in the downtown area. It is centered around German Park and George's Ballroom. ** Bockfest - hosted by August Schell Brewing Company, this is a winter festival with (what else) a German beer theme. ** Fasching - this festival features German food, beverages, music, and craft activities. * '''Sightseeing''' - the Chamber of Commerce has a Visitor Center that can set you up with maps, an itinerary, or even a guided tour. * '''Dining''' - see below * '''Explore History''' - New Ulm has preserved its history and the story of the immigrants who founded the town. You can explore preserved buildings, documents, and artifacts all over town. Check with the Brown County Historical Societ to get started. * {{do | name=Flandrau State Park | url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== New Ulm has the full range of shopping options, including "big-box," regional, boutique, and souvenir shopping. Browse the charming and quaint midwestern downtown or cruise the commercial streets and you'll find what you're looking for. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Perkins Restaurant and Bakery | url= | email= | address=1727 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-6688 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Applebees Neighborhood Grill | url= | email= | address=410 20th Street South | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2775 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Burger King | url= | email= | address=1922 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-1268 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Carl's Corner | url= | email= | address=100 Center Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4241 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Dairy Queen | url= | email= | address=1501 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-9229 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Otto's Feierhaus & Bierstube | url= | email= | address=2101 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-5300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Pioneer College Caterers Inc. | url= | email= | address=1995 Luther Court | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Taco Bell | url= | email= | address=707 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Cornerstone Coffee | url= | email= | address=213 South Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-5552 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Domino's Pizza | url= | email= | address=315 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7711 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=George's Fine Steaks & Spirits | url= | email= | address=301 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-7440 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Godfather's Pizza | url= | email= | address=1627 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-354-4863 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Veigel's Kaiserhoff | url= | email= | address=221 North Minnesota Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-2071 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Papa Murphy's Take & Bake | url= | email= | address=1612 South Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-3939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Plaza Garibaldi | url= | email= | address=1707 North Broadway Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 507-359-7073 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn New Ulm | url= | email= | address=2102 S. Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = | tollfree=+1-877-276-1817 | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Microtel Inn & Suites New Ulm | url= | email= | address=424 20th South Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=2pm | checkout=11am | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Super 8 Motel | url= | email= | address=1901 South Broadway | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=3pm | checkout=11am | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=US 14.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Brookings (South Dakota)|Brookings]] | minorl1=[[Walnut Grove (Minnesota)|Walnut Grove]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Rochester (Minnesota)|Rochester]] | minorr1=[[Mankato]] | image2=MN-15.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Saint Cloud (Minnesota)|Saint Cloud]] | minorl2=Hutchinson | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Fairmont (Minnesota)|Fairmont]] | minorr2=Jct [[St. James (Minnesota)|W]] [[File:MN-60.svg|18px]] [[Mankato|E]] → [[Truman]] }} {{geo|44.31250|-94.46056}} {{isPartOf|Southern Minnesota}} {{outlinecity}} 05l0gkd0kmpys84wikqo27vo76nsj4d 0 24590 4506230 4504070 2022-08-22T13:16:34Z Bello Na'im 2257748 Nigeria population wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nigeria banner Eyo Festival in Lagos.jpg|caption=Costumed dancers, Eyos, viewed from above at Lagos' Eyo Festival}} '''[https://nigeria.gov.ng/ Nigeria]''' ([[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]: ''Najeriya'', [[Igbo phrasebook|Igbo]]: ''Naíjíríà'', [[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]: ''Nàìjíríà'') is a large country in equatorial [[West Africa]]. Often regarded as the "Giant of [[Africa]]", Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. the Population is projected to trend around 210.87 Million in 2021 and 215.87 Million in 2022, according to our econometric models. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the country is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages. The Hausa are the largest ethnic group, who make up more than 30% of the population. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims (who are mostly found in the north and make up between 50-53% of the population) and Christians (who are mostly found in the south). The majority of Nigerian Muslims are Sunni Muslims, and the majority of Nigerian Christians are Protestants. Nigeria has the fifth largest Muslim population in the world, and the sixth largest Christian population in the world. Nigeria does have its fair share of political and social problems, but don't let that deter you; the country is endowed with a plethora of appealing tourist attractions, incredibly friendly, jovial, and sociable people, and delicious food, and travel provides you the chance to experience and explore one of the most fascinatingly diverse countries on the planet. There's lots to do and see in Nigeria. ==Regions== {{mapshape|wikidata=Q509300,Q503928,Q503932,Q836645,Q464953,Q387745,Q429908|type=geoshape|fill=#7CD1A0|title=[[North Central Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682777,Q463959,Q376241,Q130626,Q503936,Q337514|type=geoshape|fill=#608860|title=[[North East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q145793,Q503941,Q748523,Q657821,Q682571,Q878284,Q682691|type=geoshape|fill=#bcd7a8|title=[[North West Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q842939,Q3817714,Q506808,Q117714,Q320852|type=geoshape|fill=#67be73 |title=[[South East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682704,Q503910,Q503923,Q739676,Q532153,Q424388|type=geoshape|fill=#8cb3ad|title=[[South South Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q503905,Q682721,Q836654,Q836657,Q815913,Q534917|type=geoshape|fill=#70993c|title=[[South West Nigeria]]}} {{Regionlist | regionmap=Nigeria English Wikivoyage regions map.png | regionmaptext=Map of Nigeria | regionmapsize=400px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region4name=[[North Central Nigeria]] | region4color=#67be73 | region4items=[[Benue State|Benue]], [[Kogi State|Kogi]], [[Kwara State|Kwara]], [[Nasarawa State|Nasarawa]], [[Niger State]], [[Plateau State|Plateau]], [[North Central Nigeria#Cities|Federal Capital Territory]] | region4description= | region6name=[[North East Nigeria]] | region6color=#608860 | region6items=[[Adamawa State|Adamawa]], [[Bauchi State|Bauchi]], [[Borno State|Borno]], [[Gombe State|Gombe]], [[Taraba State|Taraba]], [[Yobe State|Yobe]] | region6description= | region5name=[[North West Nigeria]] | region5color=#bcd7a8 | region5items=[[Jigawa State|Jigawa]], [[Kaduna State|Kaduna]], [[Kano]], [[Katsina State|Katsina]], [[Kebbi State|Kebbi]], [[Sokoto State|Sokoto]], [[Zamfara State|Zamfara]] | region5description= | region3name=[[South East Nigeria]] | region3color=#7CD1A0 | region3items=[[Abia State|Abia]], [[Anambra State|Anambra]], [[Ebonyi State|Ebonyi]], [[South East Nigeria#Cities|Enugu]], [[Imo State|Imo]] | region3description=The region that contains the five Igbo speaking states of Nigeria with a population of over twenty million, which contains large mineral deposits and natural resources. | region2name=[[South South Nigeria]] | region2color=#8cb3ad | region2items=[[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]], [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]], [[Cross River State|Cross River]], [[Rivers State|Rivers]], [[Delta State|Delta]], [[Edo State|Edo]] | region2description= | region1name=[[South West Nigeria]] | region1color=#70993c | region1items=[[Ekiti State|Ekiti]], [[Lagos State|Lagos]], [[Ogun State|Ogun]], [[Ondo State|Ondo]], [[Osun State|Osun]], [[Oyo State|Oyo]] | region1description=The most significant section of Nigeria, with the country's largest city, [[Lagos]] }} ==Cities== [[File:Pitakwa.jpg|thumb|[[Port Harcourt]]]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abuja]]|wikidata=Q3787}} &mdash; the capital, with beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Benin City]]|wikidata=Q320704}} &mdash; city of the Edo people and rich cultural state * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Calabar]]|wikidata=Q844091}} &mdash; oil region, with the world's highest concentration of butterflies in the surrounding regions * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Enugu]]|wikidata=Q465022}} &mdash; the coal city * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Ibadan]]|wikidata=Q183298}} &mdash; geographically the largest city in [[Africa]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kano]]|wikidata=Q182984}} &mdash; important Hausa city, commercial hub of the north * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lagos City|Lagos]]|wikidata=Q8673}} &mdash; second most populous city in Africa, former colonial capital and huge commercial hub, economic capital of Nigeria * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Osogbo]]|wikidata=Q868203}} &mdash; home of the Sacred Grove of Osun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Harcourt]]|wikidata=Q217432}} &mdash; capital of [[Rivers State]] and largest city in the oil-rich region, primarily belonging to the Ikwerre ==Other destinations== [[File:Zumarock.jpg|thumbnail|[[Abuja#Q229624|Zuma Rock]]]] * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Agbokim Waterfalls]]|wikidata=Q25067051}} — a seven-part waterfalls in an area of tropical rainforest. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Chad Basin National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107090}} — inside the old Kanem-Borno Empire (present-day Borno and the Yobe states). * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cross River National Park]]|wikidata=Q3015318}} — primary moist tropical rainforests in the north and central parts, with mangrove swamps on the coastal zones. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Gashaka Gumti National Park ]]|wikidata=Q1495137}} — Nigeria’s largest national park, near the border with Cameroon * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kainji National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473988}} — a protected savannah in North Central Nigeria * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kamuku National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107175}} — protects typical Savannah vegetation with easy viewing of wildlife and landscape * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Okomu National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107161}} — part of a rainforest ecosystem that is the habitat for many vulnerable species of flora and fauna. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Old Oyo National Park]]|wikidata= |lat=8.667|long=3.983}} – named after the Oyo Empire this large park combines archaeological, cultural and historical aspects. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yankari National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473112}} — the largest wildlife park in Nigeria is home to several natural warm springs. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationNigeria.png}} ===History=== ====The pre-colonial era==== The Nok culture of northern Nigeria flourished between 1000 BC and 500 AD producing life-sized terracotta figures which are some of the earliest known sculptures in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tiv culture in the north central region of Nigeria dates to 6 BC. Some of the famous bronze terracotta sculpture heads from this culture have been shown around the world. In the northern part of the country, Kano and Katsina have recorded history which dates back to around 999. The kingdoms of Ifẹ and Oyo in the western block of Nigeria became prominent about 700–900 and 1400 respectively. The Yoruba mythology believes that Ile-Ife is the source of the human race and that it predates any other civilization. Another prominent kingdom in south western Nigeria was the Kingdom of Benin whose power lasted between the 15th and 19th century. Their dominance reached as far as the well known city of Eko, later named Lagos by the Portuguese. [[Benin City]], the capital of the Kingdom of Benin, grew into one of the most impressive cities in pre-colonial Africa, with its city walls said to be four times the length of the Great Wall of China. However, little of its former glory remains as it was razed to the ground during the British invasion in 1897, with only one building surviving the invasion. Its artworks were looted by the British and can now be seen in the British Museum and various museums in Europe and the United States. In southeastern Nigeria the Kingdom of Nri of the Igbo people flourished from around the 10th century until 1911 and the city of Nri is considered to be the foundation of Igbo culture. In northeastern Nigeria, the Kanem Empire ruled from the 8th century to 1376 and was succeeded by the Bornu Empire, which was a powerful Islamic monarchy until it was defeated by the Fulani in the early 19th century. The first Hausa kingdom was ruled by a queen, Amina, in the 11th century. Hausa kingdoms, based in what's now northern Nigeria, flourished from the 15th to 18th centuries, before eventually being defeated by the Fulani, who proclaimed the Sokoto Caliphate in 1809. The Sokoto Caliphate ruled for less than 100 years before being abolished by the British. Although the Bornu Empire, Sokoto Caliphate and Kingdom of Benin were eventually absorbed into British Nigeria, the descendants of the rulers retained their titles and influence through the colonial period and maintain them to this day. ====Colonial era==== [[File:CHAINS USED DURING THE SLAVE TRADE. SLAVE RELICS MUSEUM, BADAGRY.JPG|thumb|Chains at the Slave Relics Museum in Badagry]] Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to begin trade in Nigeria, and called the main port Lagos after the Portuguese town of Lagos, in Algarve. This name stuck on with more European trade with the region. The Europeans traded with the ethnicities of the coast and also established a trade in slaves which affected many Nigerian ethnicities. Following the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the British expanded trade with the Nigerian interior. In 1885 British claims to a West African sphere of influence received international recognition and in the following year the Royal Niger Company was chartered. In 1900 the company's territory came under the control of the British government, which moved to consolidate its hold over the area of modern Nigeria. On January 1, 1901 Nigeria became a British protectorate (northern and southern protectorates) and part of the [[British Empire]]. In 1914 the northern protectorate and the southern protectorate under the colonial rule were merged forming one single entity named "Nigeria". meaning: Niger [river Niger] area. The name "Nigeria" was given by the wife of the British Governor-General in charge of the country - Sir Lord Lugard. Following World War II, in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence, successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self-government on a representative and increasingly federal basis. By the middle of the 20th century, the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa. ====Post-independence==== On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom. In 1961, the neighbouring British Cameroon was split into two, with Northern Cameroons becoming part of Nigeria, and Southern Cameroons becoming part of [[Cameroon]]. As was the habit of colonialists during that era, no attention was paid to the fact that the "protectorates" suddenly and quite chaotically merged hundreds of distinct and autonomous ethnicities, or to the fact that some communities were ripped apart by the sudden construction of boundaries that never existed before. There was never a truly developed sense of singular Nigerian identity. In part, it was this disequilibrium which set the stage in 1966 for several successive military coups. The Northern coup, which was mostly motivated by ethnic and religious reasons, was a bloodbath of both military officers and civilians, especially those of Igbo extraction. The violence against the Igbo increased their desire for autonomy and protection from the military's wrath. By May 1967, the Eastern Region had declared itself an independent state called the Republic of Biafra and the 30-month Nigerian Civil War began. More than one million people died, many of them starving to death before Biafra was defeated. During the oil boom of the 1970s, Nigeria joined OPEC and billions of dollars generated by production in the oil-rich Niger Delta flowed into the coffers of the Nigerian state. However, increasing corruption and graft at all levels of government squandered most of these earnings. Nigeria re-achieved democracy in 1999 and although the elections which brought Obasanjo to power in 1999 and again in 2003 were condemned as unfree and unfair, Nigeria has shown marked improvements in attempts to tackle government corruption and to hasten development. Ethnic violence over the lack of profit-sharing with residents of the oil-producing Niger Delta region and inadequate infrastructures are some of the current issues in the country, which is the top oil-producing country in Africa. ===Climate=== [[File:Kaduna River, Kaduna (Nigeria), 2007.JPG|thumb|Kaduna River]] Varies; equatorial in the south, tropical in the centre, arid in the north. Natural hazards include periodic droughts and flooding. Tornadoes and hurricanes are rare because they typically are weak at this stage and travel west of the Atlantic. ===Terrain=== Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in the southeast, plains in the north. The Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea. The highest point is Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m. ===People=== Nigeria is the continent's most populous nation and the world's 7th most populous. The people of Nigeria are generally nice, with some even engaging you with conversations. As the Giant of Africa, Nigeria has more than 500 ethnic groups with different languages and customs. The largest ethnic groups — '''Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani/Hausa''' '''and Tiv''' — comprise more than 75% of the population. They have strong religious beliefs and respect for the elders is a must-do. ===Holidays=== * '''New Year's Day''' (January 1) * '''Easter''' (Good Friday and Easter Monday, according to the Western Christian tradition) * '''Workers day''' (May 1) * '''Children's Day''' (May 27) * '''Democracy Day''' (May 29) * '''Eid al-Adha''' * '''Eid al-Fitr''', marking the end of Ramadan * '''Eid al-Maulid''', Prophet Muhammad's birthday * '''Independence Day''' (October 1) * '''Christmas''' (December 25) * '''Boxing Day''' (December 26) ==Talk== The official language of Nigeria is '''English'''. The Nigerian dialect of English can be surprisingly different from other forms of English. Many (though certainly not all) Nigerians speak with thick local accents, which means that non-native English speakers may have difficulty understanding them. Native speakers of English may also have some difficulty understanding Nigerians as Nigerians have a unique way of speaking. You'll immediately realise that Nigerians don't pronounce the letter "r" in the middle of words (e.g. "start" is pronounced as "staht", "journey" is pronounced as "johnny"), the ending "-er" is pronounced as "ah" (e.g. "paper" is pronounced as "pay-pah"), and vowels in the middle of words are not usually pronounced (e.g. "medicine" is pronounced as "med-sin"). Understanding Nigerian English will take some time to get accustomed to, especially if you are not a frequent traveller to [[Africa]]. On a side note, you should know that many consider the Nigerian accent to be one of the [https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/sexy-accents/index.html most wonderful accents in the world]. '''Nigerian Pidgin''', a pidgin derived from English, is mostly used in informal conversations. '''[[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]''' is the second most spoken language in Nigeria, thanks to the fact that the Hausa make up 30-40% of the population in Nigeria. '''[[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]''' is spoken by nearly 42 million Nigerians and you are likely to find a Yoruba speaker in Southwestern Nigeria. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Nigeria.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Nigeria{{legend|#DA0906|Nigeria}}{{legend|#028951|Visa-free}}{{legend|#F27F33|Visa on arrival}}]] ===Entry requirements=== {{disclaimerbox|If you need more reliable information on visas and how to enter the country, it is recommended that you contact consular officials at your local Nigerian embassy.}} Nigeria isn't a country you can just waltz into. There are few visa-free arrangements in place, and almost everyone requires a visa to enter the country unless they're citizens of [https://www.ecowas.int/ Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)]. To apply for a Nigerian visa, go to [https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/pages/welcome this website]. You should only apply for a Nigerian visa in the country in which you're located. For tourist visas, you must present the following: A valid passport, a completed visa application form, two passport-sized photographs, a letter of invitation (a hotel reservation may suffice), proof you have funds to cover your travels in Nigeria, and proof you have paid for the visa application. Once that's done, you must schedule an interview with consular officials at the Nigerian embassy. Normally they will ask you questions about your intention to visit the country. If this is your first-ever visa interview, there's nothing to fear or be intimidated of; always assume the consular officials are looking for a reason to allow you in, not keep you out. Nigerian visas are notorious for being '''very expensive''' for nationals of certain countries. If you're a citizen of the [[United States]], you will normally be charged '''US$160''' to apply for a Nigerian visa. Citizens of [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]] have the highest visa fee requirements (they are charged '''US$253''' to apply for any type of visa), whereas citizens of African nations are charged much less. Plan and prepare accordingly if your country is on the "high fee" list. ===By plane=== [[File:Lagos Airport Iwelumo-5.jpg|thumb|Lagos International Airport]] *International airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt. Arik and Bellview Airlines make local and international flights (to other African countries and [[London]]), Aero to other African countries. Air Nigeria (formerly Virgin Nigeria) has ceased operations. Arik Air plies these routes. *Several European airlines fly to Nigeria: British Airways (London Heathrow - Abuja, Lagos), Virgin Atlantic (London Heathrow - Lagos), KLM ([[Amsterdam]] - Abuja, Lagos, Kano), Air France ([[Paris]]-Charles de Gaulle - Lagos), Turkish Airline ([[Istanbul]] - Lagos), Lufthansa ([[Frankfurt]] - Abuja, Lagos), Iberia Airlines ([[Madrid]] - Lagos) * US Based Delta Air Lines operates five non-stop flights a week from [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] to Lagos using a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, as well as nonstop service from New York to Abuja three times per week using a wide-body Boeing 767-300. * United Airlines formerly operated non-stop service from Houston Bush-Intercontinental to Lagos. *Other inter-continental airlines fly to Lagos. They include: China Southern Airlines ([[Beijing]], [[Dubai]]), Emirates (Dubai), Middle East Airlines ([[Beirut]]), Qatar Airways ([[Doha]]). *There are African companies: South African Airlines from Johannesburg, Egypt Air from [[Cairo]], Ethiopian Airlines from [[Addis Ababa]], Kenya Airways from [[Nairobi]], Afriqya Airways from [[Tripoli]]. *Besides these, there are other airlines (in addition to VNA and Bellview) that operate domestic and regional flights to places like [[Abidjan]], [[Accra]], [[Banjul]], [[Conakry]], [[Dakar]], [[Douala]], [[Freetown]], [[Johannesburg]], [[Libreville]], [[Monrovia]]. *There are also airports in most states of the federation and local air travel is widespread. ===By train=== There are no international passenger services to Nigeria. ===By boat=== Transport by boat isn't widespread unless you venture into the riverine areas of Nigeria. ==Get around== [[File:An okada rider with two passengers in lagos, nigeria.jpg|thumb|Okada with two passengers]] It would be best to travel around in your own car or a hired one (with a driver) but there are various other modes of transport. The road systems in Nigeria are relatively poor compared with North America or Europe, but often still passable. The "okada" (motorcycle) is not for the faint-hearted (there used to be no helmets but as a law the rider is required to have two helmets for himself and a passenger, although very few okada riders adhere to this rule.) and should only be used for short distance journeys. "Okadas" will get you to where you want to go quickly and you will get there in one piece. In Lagos, there are lots of buses and taxis. There are two main types of buses, the ''molue'' (an old 911 Mercedes Benz truck turned into school-like bus and the ''danfo'' (a Volkswagen Kombi bus turned into an eight-seater minibus). Most smaller cities have more taxis than buses, and they are quite affordable. For travelling from one city to another, you go to the "motor park", find the taxi that's going to your destination, and wait until it "fills up". The price is fixed, you don't have to negotiate. Some drivers may have a risky driving style however - practically this means that the only rule consistently adhered to (by cars, not necessarily motorcycles), is keeping to the right. ===By car=== Driving in Nigeria (especially Lagos) is somewhat unique, vaguely resembling driving in Cairo. If mastered, you should however be able to cope in most other countries. While driving in Abuja is relatively decent due to regularly maintained roads, it still doesn't compare with roads in more developed countries. Many roads are bad, but there are rarely any major accidents, you just have to strap your seatbelts in and enjoy the ride. Expect potholes of every size, and that, except on the highway, people will drive on the wrong side to avoid potholes or other bad patches of road. Sometimes entire roads are non-existent, so be prepared for anything. It is advisable to keep your distance from lorries or large vehicles, as many are driven without side-view mirrors, fully functional breaks, and most dangerous of all, securely strapped/attached cargo. Grass or branches on the road means there is a broken down vehicle ahead of you, be careful. If you are white, get used to Nigerians shouting at you as you pass by. It will be something like "Oyibo", "Oniocha", "MBakara", "Bature" or "white man". It all means the same, they are just telling you to smile as you pass. Self-driving for short-term visitors unfamiliar with the roads, especially in Lagos, is by no means advisable and could actually be quite foolish, perhaps even dangerous. You could easily wander into an area or a road block set by local gangs. If you choose to rent a car, it will come with a driver familiar with the area and style of driving, which is the easier and safer option. Police may try to take fiscal advantage of you as a foreigner. If you wish to drive yourself it is advisable to stick to the rules, as you will be an easy target for police officers to "fine". These are not real fines, they are payable directly to the officer in cash - without a ticket or a receipt. Even if you obey the traffic rules, police will find some petty reason - like not indicating your intention to drive straight. Should you be pulled over, do not give your license, as you will then lose all bargaining power when negotiating the "fine", which could easily be a maximum of all the visible cash you have on you at the time. Rather, carry a copy of the license and hand that over, or show your license through your window. Also, do not let the police get into your car. They are not really dangerous, but it could get expensive and certainly annoying. However, if you just don't pay and remain calm, it only costs time. They have no real power over you. [[File:Petrol station in Ilorin Kwara Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Petrol station with attendants]] Especially over weekends and festive times, it is common practice for police, especially in the richer areas of Lagos, to flag you down and wish you happy weekend/holiday/Christmas/Easter/sunny weather/trip to work. In this case, you did nothing wrong and they do not intend to "fine" you, but are rather asking for a tip. If you insistently yet politely refuse to give something, they will eventually let you go. Just wish them a nice weekend/holiday/etc. too. If you work for a big company in Nigeria, you will usually have a company driver to drive you around, thereby avoiding the above mentioned problems to a large extent. He can arrange a local driver's license for you should the need arise without a driving test or proof of foreign license. Nigeria is not part of the most standard international Road Traffic Convention and as such will require a special International Driving Permit (valid only for driving in Nigeria, Somalia and Iraq) (if you do not want to get the Nigerian license), not the normal one applicable to almost all other countries in the world. The last Saturday of the month is Sanitation Day in Lagos and Kano, when the locals clean their premises. While it is not illegal to be out on the street between 7–10M, due to the higher than usual presence of police officers and road check points, most Nigerians choose to restrict their movements until after 10AM. Should you be caught at this time, you may be taken away by the police to perform some "public sanitation" duty, like mowing lawns, etc. === By train === After having being abandoned for a long time, rehabilitation of rail services in Nigeria are finally in full swing. Helped by Chinese investment several new lines are expected to open in the next few years while older lines are renovated. While still much slower than flying, it is now possible to travel across the country by train. [http://nrc.gov.ng/ '''Nigeria Railway Corporation'''] is the sole operator, this might however change as the government mulls liberalization of the railway sector. Lagos and Abuja now have almost daily connections with cities in the interior of Nigeria such as Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna, with Lagos even offering a once-weekly [[sleeper trains|sleeper service]] all the way north to Kano. The [[Lagos-Ibadan Railway]] provides high-speed service from Lagos via Abeokuta to Ibadan. ===By plane=== Arik and Aero Contractors have scheduled domestic connections with modern aircraft and reasonable prices. Their websites are user-friendly and well updated. In Lagos, the two domestic terminals, while next to each other, are about 4-5 km (of road which would not be wise to walk if you don't know the place) from the international terminal, and you would therefore need a taxi to get from the one to the other, should you wish to transfer from an international flight to a domestic one. ===By bus=== Getting around is relatively easy, except that there could be delays due to traffic jams within most major cities. There are multitudes of coaches and buses that will take you to any part of Nigeria you wish (ABC Transport Services is well known for its services among others). Lagos state government also operates a transit system (BRT buses) which serves the Lagos metropolis. ===By taxi=== Ride-hailing is available in Nigeria and the following are the most anticipated providers: * {{listing | type=go | name=Bolt | alt= | url=https://bolt.eu | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Includes many towns. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Uber | alt= | url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Works in Abuja and Lagos. }} ==See== [[File:Enugu.jpg|thumb|Enugu landscape]] [[File:Kanogate2.jpg|thumb|New Gate to the palace of the Emir of [[Zaria]]]] *[[Lagos]]: There are different beach fronts, like Oniru Beach, Landmark Beach, Badagry Beach, Tarkwa bay Beach. *Lekki (suburb of Lagos): Lekki Conservation Center - a nice little fenced-off and interesting tropical rainforest reserve with wooden walkways, located on the outskirts of the city on the Lekki Express Way, just before the second toll gate. Lekki Beach, Eleko Beach *Plateau: Hiking and sightseeing the Riyom rocks. *Enugu: Hiking the old coal mines, and cultural events, e.g. New yam and atilogwu dancers. *Calabar: Harbour where you can get boat rides, a nice cinema, sit-out parks and slave monuments in the Marina Resort located in Calabar; also there is Tinapa, a little drive outside the city. *Obudu: Small town a few hours to the north from Calabar very close to the Cameroon border - rent a car from Calabar airport (comes with driver) and ask the driver to take you there via Tinapa. This is a cool mountain escape with a nice resort (Obudu Mountain Resort) on the mountain (the president also has a weekend home there). They have some forest walks, hiking, one of the longest cable cars in the world and very nice pristine swimming pools with fountains available. *Imo: Igbo Ukwu Shrine, if you are interested in Nigerian art. *The old walled cities of Kano, Katsina and Zaria. *Oyo: Palace of Alaafin, traditional markets and Calabash carvers. *Taraba: Tourist attractions like Mambilla plateau (highest point in the country). *Machina: A town with its annual cultural festival which takes place in March featuring cultural events such as traditional wrestling and horse racing. *Argungu: A small town with its annual fishing festival that occurs three days with approximately 35,000 fishermen catching fish in the murky waters. *Abuja: The capital, one of the most beautiful African cities has many tourists attractions including The [[Abuja|Zuma rock]], [[Abuja|Millenium park]] and lots of rolling hills. ==Do== '''Nollywood''' is a huge film industry based in Nigeria. By the early 2010s, Nigeria was producing more films than any country other than India, and the value of production was third after the U.S. and India. Nollywood films are enjoyed around the world. With diverse cultures in Nigeria, the Nigerian film industry isn't language biased: movies are shot in English, Yoruba, [[Igbo]], [[Hausa]], Edo, and other 300 Nigerian languages. There are cinemas in most cities and large towns where you can experience this important side of Nigerian culture. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Nigerian naira | currencyCode=₦ | date=January 2022 | USD=410 | EUR=470 | GBP=560 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/ngn-nigerian-naira XE.com] }} Nigeria's currency is '''naira''' (symbol: '''₦''', ISO 4217 code: '''NGN'''). Banknotes circulate in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 and inflation typically runs in double figures. It is advised to cash all your naira back into another currency at the airport before you leave Nigeria. The rate is irrelevant, as the naira is not worth that much outside Nigeria. Naira bills/coins may be of interest to currency collectors, but other than that, they will be nothing more than colourful souvenirs of your trip. Banks will change foreign currency to naira, but usually not the other way around, even though you are a foreigner. You would therefore need to use the Bureaux de Change at the International terminal or the new Domestic terminal or street vendors to get foreign currency should you end up with unused naira at the end of your trip. A safe place to change in Victoria Island is in the tourist market of Eko Hotel in Victoria Island. If the Bureaux de Change at the airport are closed, the car park outside the International terminal is full of street vendors only willing to change money from any major currency. When dealing with these street vendors, keep the money you are buying fully visible until the deal is finished (i.e. don't put into handbag and later discover it is wrong and then try and bargain) and count carefully with them, as they tend to try and short-change you with a note or two, especially when you change foreign currency into naira (which is a thick bundle of small notes), but with necessary vigilance are generally fine. Street vendors are also plentiful at the main land borders to change naira into CFA francs (XOF (Benin and Niger side) or XAF (Cameroon side)) if need be. XOF and XAF are freely and easily convertible to and from euros at a rate of 655.957 (sometimes with a small commission) when you are in the French countries. Changing large bills of US dollars or euros will give a better rate with professional money changers, such as on the currency exchange market near Lagos Domestic Airport. This is a walled enclosure with a large number of money changers, which is primarily used by local nationals. If you have a Visa card, you can withdraw money from Standard Chartered Bank ATMs in Lagos - Aromire St, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja & Ajose Adeogun St in Victoria Island Branch, Abuja and Port Harcourt (in Naira) and ATMs of some other banks with "Visa" stickers on them, like GT Bank, UBA, and Zenith. This will save you a lot of stress carrying large sums of money and it is secured. [[File:Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market Kano.jpg|thumb|Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market, [[Kano]]]] On Abuja and Lagos International Airport money can be withdrawn from ATMs. On Lagos International there are several ATMs, several may not function at all times. On Lagos Domestic Terminal there is also a functioning ATM in the domestic terminal on the 1st floor. Usually this a quiet ATM which also is very private and secure. MasterCard/Maestro users can also withdraw money from ATMs at several branches of Zenith Bank and GT Bank. Some ATMs of Ecobank, First Bank and Intercontinental Bank also allow for MasterCard/Maestro cards. Look for the red ATM sign outside, or ask the on-site security officer at any branch. Also look for Ecobank, they have a branch within the premises of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Visa is however a safer option if you are visiting the French countries around Nigeria as well, as MasterCard/Maestro is close to useless in these countries. If you do use an ATM, be aware of the risks of card cloning. This a problem with the airport ATMs which do not have a security guard watching over them. Check your statements regularly after using your card and alert your bank to any suspicious activity. Nigeria is on an active drive to become a cash-less society, and as such, more and more hotels, restaurant and shops (all the bigger ones at least) accept major credit cards (Visa being the preferred one - but ask first, there is both "local Visa" and "international Visa" - and MasterCard). Diners Club and Amex are almost universally useless in Nigeria. When paying by card, take the usual precautions (watch how they swipe, don't let the card out of your sight, etc.) ===Bargaining=== At markets, you are supposed to [[haggle]] for your goods (a notable exception is bread: its price is fixed). As a general rule, the real price is about half the price that was first asked. The seller may exaggerate the price when he or she thinks that you are a rich tourist ignorant of the real price. After agreeing on a price, don't walk away without buying; this is considered very rude. Shops like supermarkets and restaurants will typically charge fixed prices. Fresh products and Western-style sit-in restaurants are quite expensive, with it not being uncommon to pay US$75 for a dinner per person. ==Eat== [[File:Afang Soup.jpg|thumb|Afang soup]] {{main|Nigerian cuisine}} There are many types of traditional cuisine to enjoy. For example: afang soup, okra soup, owo soup and starch in the Niger Delta, plantain (fried, boiled, roasted), pepper soup, amala, eba, efo, pounded yam (iyan - Yoruba for "pounded yam", pronounced " ee-yarn" ), jollof rice, ground nut soup, ogbono soup, isi ewu (goat's head stew), egusi soup, suya (kebab), moin moin, ewedu, gbegiri soup (beans soup), edikangikong, ground-rice, puff-puff, chin chin, ikokore, owerri soup (ofe owerri), which is the most expensive African soup in Nigeria. Not to forget 404 pepper soup - it will make you act like "Oliver Twist." You must realise that 404 means "dog meat." And yes, it can only be found in certain parts of the country because in the west it is seen as barbaric. For the less adventurous traveller, there are loads of "foreign" restaurants in Lagos, e.g. Sky Bar and the grill at Eco Hotel, Churasco's, Lagoon and Fusion all three next to each other (all-you-can-eat Brazilian grill, Indian and Sushi respectively) with a nice view of the lagoon, Piccolo Mondo, Manuella's Residence (great Italian Pizza from Manuella the Italian lady), Bungalow (close to Coschari's BMW in VI) - good sports bar, grill and Sushi, great Sunday buffet at Radisson Blu. Chocolate Royal is a nice family restaurant with excellent ice cream selection (including ice cream cakes) and pastries in VI. Inside Chocolate Royal is an Oriental restaurant called Métisse. Bottles in VI is a grill and Mexican restaurant. And there are loads more flavours from every corner of the world. Just Google and ask taxi to take you there. Outside Lagos and to a lesser extent Abuja, Western food will tend to disappear, with "Jollof Rice and fried chicken" being a "safe" option if you are not adventurous. Fried plantains, shawarma and chicken suya are some of the best options if you are craving some street food. These are often sold by locals at the roadside. Foreign restaurants are expensive and you can prepare for a bill of at least $50 to $75 or even $100 per head for main course. If this is too much, try the Syrian Club in Ikoyi (turn North - away from the water) at the Mobil filling station in Awolowo Road (the night club street) in Ikoyi, continue a few blocks and on your left you will see the Syrian mosque, turn in the gate just after the mosque and the Syrian Club will be on your right on the inside of the premises with nice Lebanese/Syrian flair at very affordable (for Lagos) prices in an outdoor setting. If you are a new expat living in Lagos, do yourself a favour and acquaint yourself early on with the following more expensive, foreign-owned, but well worth it, smaller specialist shops in VI selling all the delicacies and nice imported red meats that foreigners long for in and that Shoprite, Park and Shop, Next, and Goodie's (the main supermarkets) may not stock: 1. Deli's on Akin Adesola (the main road leading to Bar Beach), 2. L'Epicérie across the road from Mega Plaza and 3. La Pointe on Kofo Abayomi Street (close to the Brazilian Embassy/Consulate) and not easy to spot. Knowing these places will significantly improve your coping ability in the first couple of months. ==Drink== *Nigeria is one of the places where Guinness is brewed outside of Ireland. And they do it pretty well, although it's not the same product. The Guinness brand (with logo and copyrights where they should be) is also used to brew both an alcohol-free malt version of the black stuff, and an extra strong (about 7.5%) version of Guinness in Kenya (in the case of the latter) and Tanzania (in the case of the former). *Beer is a big business in Nigeria, although the move toward evangelism and Islamic law is making its mark. Lagos is relatively unaffected due to its cosmopolitan nature. Heineken, Star, Harp, Gulder and other international beers are available. *Malt beverages (non alcoholic) are very common in Nigeria. *The other cheap drink of choice is gin, which is locally made. It may contain toxic methanol due to lack of quality control, so steer clear. Other drinks to consider include: palm wine, wine, zobo (red soft drink, is a tea of dried roselle flowers), kunun, kai kai (also called ogogoro). The northern states have implemented Sharia (Islamic) law, which means that alcohol is prohibited. Ironically, the only places where you can drink a beer in these states are the police staff bars and the army barracks, because these are institutions under federal law. Beer is available in Kano, in restaurants managed by foreign or Christian people, Chinese restaurants, and/or French cafes. For a real night out, go to the Sabongari area of the old town. Plenty of bars around that stay open till very late. Many do decent food as well. Sabongari is also the place to buy alcoholic drinks and there are plenty stores open late into the night. Some hotels in Kano are "dry", however in Tahir Guest Palace the staff will be quite happy to buy you a few bottles of beer for you in your room (all rooms have large fridges). ==Sleep== Almost all hotels in Nigeria require you to pay before you get your key. This applies even to the Sheraton and the Hilton. Typically you are requested to pay 125% of the room rate and you will be refunded when settling the bill at your departure. If you stay more than one night you need to keep the credit up. However, paying this deposit by credit card can leave you open to subsequent fraudulent use of your details. ==Learn== There are lots of private and public primary (elementary) and secondary (high) schools. It is worth it to organize a trip to whatever institution of learning you are interested in as this would give you a personal perspective on what facilities are available in your school of interest. There is a nationwide, standardized common entrance exam for students wishing to go into secondary schools, after they have completed their primary schooling. To gain admission into the universities (both public and private universities are in every state of the federation including the FCT), a prospective student has to sit for and successfully pass the UME (Universities Matriculation Examination) which is administered by JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board). Also, individual universities regularly screen prospective candidates to make sure they are up to par for university-level work. ==Work== [[File:Lagos (Nigeria).jpg|thumb|Lagos skyline]] Working in Nigeria can be a very positive experience. Nigerian organizations tend to operate like small families, taking in newcomers with open arms and avoiding the coolness and sterility that often characterize the Western professional work environment. For instance, don't even think about coming into the office in the morning without greeting each of your colleagues. Even if you don't, be sure that they will go out of their way to greet you and inquire about your well-being. It is hard to make generalizations about a country with 140 million inhabitants, but some Nigerians have a work ethic that would put most Westerners to shame. An eight-hour day (not including lunch) seems to be the norm, though it's not uncommon for people to stay late into the night and even come in for a few hours on weekends. Depending on the organization, a foreigner may be able to avoid this, but one should be prepared to work beyond the standard 35-40 hr work week. The notion of "African time" applies very much to the work environment in Nigeria. Meetings are regularly held later than scheduled and often take longer than necessary. Although Nigerians will unabashedly admit to their habitual tardiness, rarely does one see efforts to correct this behavior. The higher one's position, the later one may arrive at a meeting. On top of that, starting the meeting before the important people arrive is very rude--a common principle shared with many Western countries. When dealing with foreign organizations, Nigerians will often make some efforts to correct this behaviour, for some Nigerians are aware that their conception of punctuality is not shared by all. Those who are used to the strict North American conception of political correctness at the office may be shocked by the more liberal inter-sexual relations in the Nigerian workplace. Mild sexual jokes are common in meetings and in the office in general, though usually good natured and harmless. A white person working in an all-Nigerian workplace should also be prepared to frequently be reminded of their skin tone, though never in a nasty way. This can become tiresome, but Nigerians are generally very friendly. They use the term "Oyibo" (white man in Yoruba) or "Bature" (white man in Hausa) as a form of affection. The use of professional titles in written and verbal form is very common in Nigeria. Expect to address your boss as Sir, Doctor, Colonel, etc., and avoid using the first name of a superior unless given permission to do so. Being a foreigner, you will be forgiven for any faux pas, but it is always best to err on the side of caution and politeness. The mobile phone (cell phone) is an essential tool for virtually all urban - and most rural - Nigerians. Because of the many local networks, many people have two or even three "handsets", each on a different network. Anyone doing business in the country for more than a few days should consider having a mobile phone. ==Stay safe== {{quote|This is Nigeria<br>...<br>Police station dey close by 6<br>Security reason o<br>...<br>This is Nigeria<br>Look at my nation o<br>SARS stop me for road any explanation you go talk am for station o|author=Falz (local rapper)|source=''This is Nigeria''}} Nigerian crime levels are fairly high, particularly in [[Lagos]]. The far north eastern regions of Nigeria is troubled by the Boko Haram jihadist group which is known for its attacks on non-Muslims and taking the law into their own hands. This Islamist group is also known for its harsh interpretation of sharia law which includes flogging. Boko Haram attacks Christians and proselytizers so avoid traveling to the north east in large groups. The US State Department and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to this area, while Global Affairs Canada recommends against non-essential travel to Nigeria (other than Abuja, Calabar and Lagos) because of the risks of terrorism, and recommends practising special health precautions because of the risk of contracting [[malaria]]. The Niger Delta area is '''unsafe for tourists'''. There is continual low-level violence between government and militant groups, and there have been several kidnappings of foreign oil workers. === Corruption === Corruption in general is '''systemic and endemic''' in Nigeria. Transparency International ranks Nigeria as one of the most corrupt nations on the planet. In 2012, it was believed that Nigeria has lost a total of $400 billion to corruption since independence. The police are notorious for being highly corrupt and woefully ineffective, and the locals do not trust them at all. Nigerians have to pay the police to get reliable assistance for anything. Cronyism and nepotism are common in the police force, and police officers routinely target, harass, extort, and intimidate people, including locals, for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to corrupt officials. === Authorities === Police corruption and misconduct is endemic in Nigeria. The '''Special Anti-Robbery Squad''', tasked to combat violent property crimes, is notorious for abusing their power. If you are stopped by the police for anything, always remain respectful, but be firm. Do not be tempted to argue or fight back with a police officer, even if you haven't done anything wrong. ===LGBT travellers=== Homosexual sex acts are '''illegal'''. LGBT travellers should take extra caution when travelling to Nigeria, especially in the North, where sharia law implementation can be strict. Both gays and lesbians can be executed, but are more likely to be imprisoned. In fact, a law that has been wildly popular among Muslim and Christian Nigerians alike has made it a crime to know that someone is homosexual and not report it to the authorities. ==Stay healthy== Travellers to Nigeria are required to vaccinate themselves against yellow fever, preferably 10 days before arrival in Nigeria. As malaria is prevalent, malaria pills and mosquito nets are also recommended. Polio vaccination in Nigeria is intermittent and there is a high rate of infection in the North.<!--The global crisis of corona virus has hit Nigeria since February 2020 making it the third country in Africa to have the disease. --> '''[[Water]]''' is sold in different sizes (sachet and bottle). The bottled water and other soft drinks are safe. It is approx ₦150 for a big bottle (June 2021). The cheap "pure water" sold in plastic bags is cheaper but not as "pure" as Eva water, a brand by Coca Cola Company, or Nestle water by Nestle Nigeria. Do not buy water that does not have NAFDAC registration printed on the bottle. It is advisable to purchase bottled water from convenience stores rather than by the roadside. These upscale convenience stores usually purchase their supplies directly from the suppliers. For the latest traveller's health information pertaining to Nigeria, including advisories and recommendations, visit the [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nigeria.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nigeria] destination website. ==Respect== {{ramadandates}} Some of the country's languages have different ways for someone to address someone older than themselves. Handing things over to people, especially adults and people older than you, with your left hand is considered an insult. You don't cross or jump over someone's legs if they are sitting with the legs extended out. It's considered bad luck. Avoid shaking hands with elders and older people in non-Igbo villages. It's disrespectful to do that. Bowing down a little and kneeling or genuflecting for women or prostrating by men (especially among the Yoruba) is the normal thing to do. You may not need to do it either, but just show some form of respect when greeting older people. You can get away with not doing that in big cities or urban areas; they are less traditional there. When entering a house in the predominantly Muslim north, you have to let them know in advance that you are visiting so that the women can prepare (cover themselves up). Some Islamic customs require women to cover their hair and bodies to other men and this is practised in the North. Knock on the door and wait to be answered before going in. They will ask you to wait while the women are informed. Wait patiently. ==Connect== The country code for Nigeria is 234. Dialing out from Nigeria: you will need to dial the International Code, followed by the phone digit numbers. Dialing into Nigeria: callers use +234 followed by the phone digit numbers. There is also a company in Nigeria called [http://elixirworldwide.com Elixir Communication Worldwide] that offers mobile phones for the blind and visually challenged. All the mobile operators have a roaming agreement with other mobile operators around the world. The leading zero in area codes and similar prefixes is for domestic calls. It is not dialled when using the country code. Mobile phone service providers: * {{listing | name=Airtel (Bharti Airtel) | alt=Formerly Zain, Celtel | url=https://www.airtel.com.ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *444#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyAirtel App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=MTN | alt= | url=http://www.mtnonline.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *131#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, MyMTN App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=9mobile | alt=former Etisalat | url=https://9mobile.com.ng/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *222#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, My9Mobile App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=Glo | alt=Globalcom | url=https://www.gloworld.com/ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *777#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyGlo app postpaid plans. 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE. Mobile money. Network with lowest offerings for airtime and data. }} ==Go next== * Travel north to [[Niger]], and into the Sahara Desert. * Travel east to [[Cameroon]], for some mountain climbing. * Travel west to [[Benin]], the best way out when travelling to Europe overland. * Travel northeast to [[Chad]]. {{outlinecountry}} {{isPartOf|West_Africa}} {{geo|9|8|zoom=6}} q7hd8px46c379clbe8oujueqlflr2j0 4506232 4506230 2022-08-22T13:18:52Z Bello Na'im 2257748 Correction wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nigeria banner Eyo Festival in Lagos.jpg|caption=Costumed dancers, Eyos, viewed from above at Lagos' Eyo Festival}} '''[https://nigeria.gov.ng/ Nigeria]''' ([[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]: ''Najeriya'', [[Igbo phrasebook|Igbo]]: ''Naíjíríà'', [[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]: ''Nàìjíríà'') is a large country in equatorial [[West Africa]]. Often regarded as the "Giant of [[Africa]]", Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. The Population is projected to trend around 210.87 Million in 2021 and 215.87 Million in 2022, according to our econometric models. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the country is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages. The Hausa are the largest ethnic group, who make up more than 30% of the population. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims (who are mostly found in the north and make up between 50-53% of the population) and Christians (who are mostly found in the south). The majority of Nigerian Muslims are Sunni Muslims, and the majority of Nigerian Christians are Protestants. Nigeria has the fifth largest Muslim population in the world, and the sixth largest Christian population in the world. Nigeria does have its fair share of political and social problems, but don't let that deter you; the country is endowed with a plethora of appealing tourist attractions, incredibly friendly, jovial, and sociable people, and delicious food, and travel provides you the chance to experience and explore one of the most fascinatingly diverse countries on the planet. There's lots to do and see in Nigeria. ==Regions== {{mapshape|wikidata=Q509300,Q503928,Q503932,Q836645,Q464953,Q387745,Q429908|type=geoshape|fill=#7CD1A0|title=[[North Central Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682777,Q463959,Q376241,Q130626,Q503936,Q337514|type=geoshape|fill=#608860|title=[[North East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q145793,Q503941,Q748523,Q657821,Q682571,Q878284,Q682691|type=geoshape|fill=#bcd7a8|title=[[North West Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q842939,Q3817714,Q506808,Q117714,Q320852|type=geoshape|fill=#67be73 |title=[[South East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682704,Q503910,Q503923,Q739676,Q532153,Q424388|type=geoshape|fill=#8cb3ad|title=[[South South Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q503905,Q682721,Q836654,Q836657,Q815913,Q534917|type=geoshape|fill=#70993c|title=[[South West Nigeria]]}} {{Regionlist | regionmap=Nigeria English Wikivoyage regions map.png | regionmaptext=Map of Nigeria | regionmapsize=400px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region4name=[[North Central Nigeria]] | region4color=#67be73 | region4items=[[Benue State|Benue]], [[Kogi State|Kogi]], [[Kwara State|Kwara]], [[Nasarawa State|Nasarawa]], [[Niger State]], [[Plateau State|Plateau]], [[North Central Nigeria#Cities|Federal Capital Territory]] | region4description= | region6name=[[North East Nigeria]] | region6color=#608860 | region6items=[[Adamawa State|Adamawa]], [[Bauchi State|Bauchi]], [[Borno State|Borno]], [[Gombe State|Gombe]], [[Taraba State|Taraba]], [[Yobe State|Yobe]] | region6description= | region5name=[[North West Nigeria]] | region5color=#bcd7a8 | region5items=[[Jigawa State|Jigawa]], [[Kaduna State|Kaduna]], [[Kano]], [[Katsina State|Katsina]], [[Kebbi State|Kebbi]], [[Sokoto State|Sokoto]], [[Zamfara State|Zamfara]] | region5description= | region3name=[[South East Nigeria]] | region3color=#7CD1A0 | region3items=[[Abia State|Abia]], [[Anambra State|Anambra]], [[Ebonyi State|Ebonyi]], [[South East Nigeria#Cities|Enugu]], [[Imo State|Imo]] | region3description=The region that contains the five Igbo speaking states of Nigeria with a population of over twenty million, which contains large mineral deposits and natural resources. | region2name=[[South South Nigeria]] | region2color=#8cb3ad | region2items=[[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]], [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]], [[Cross River State|Cross River]], [[Rivers State|Rivers]], [[Delta State|Delta]], [[Edo State|Edo]] | region2description= | region1name=[[South West Nigeria]] | region1color=#70993c | region1items=[[Ekiti State|Ekiti]], [[Lagos State|Lagos]], [[Ogun State|Ogun]], [[Ondo State|Ondo]], [[Osun State|Osun]], [[Oyo State|Oyo]] | region1description=The most significant section of Nigeria, with the country's largest city, [[Lagos]] }} ==Cities== [[File:Pitakwa.jpg|thumb|[[Port Harcourt]]]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abuja]]|wikidata=Q3787}} &mdash; the capital, with beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Benin City]]|wikidata=Q320704}} &mdash; city of the Edo people and rich cultural state * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Calabar]]|wikidata=Q844091}} &mdash; oil region, with the world's highest concentration of butterflies in the surrounding regions * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Enugu]]|wikidata=Q465022}} &mdash; the coal city * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Ibadan]]|wikidata=Q183298}} &mdash; geographically the largest city in [[Africa]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kano]]|wikidata=Q182984}} &mdash; important Hausa city, commercial hub of the north * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lagos City|Lagos]]|wikidata=Q8673}} &mdash; second most populous city in Africa, former colonial capital and huge commercial hub, economic capital of Nigeria * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Osogbo]]|wikidata=Q868203}} &mdash; home of the Sacred Grove of Osun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Harcourt]]|wikidata=Q217432}} &mdash; capital of [[Rivers State]] and largest city in the oil-rich region, primarily belonging to the Ikwerre ==Other destinations== [[File:Zumarock.jpg|thumbnail|[[Abuja#Q229624|Zuma Rock]]]] * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Agbokim Waterfalls]]|wikidata=Q25067051}} — a seven-part waterfalls in an area of tropical rainforest. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Chad Basin National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107090}} — inside the old Kanem-Borno Empire (present-day Borno and the Yobe states). * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cross River National Park]]|wikidata=Q3015318}} — primary moist tropical rainforests in the north and central parts, with mangrove swamps on the coastal zones. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Gashaka Gumti National Park ]]|wikidata=Q1495137}} — Nigeria’s largest national park, near the border with Cameroon * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kainji National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473988}} — a protected savannah in North Central Nigeria * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kamuku National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107175}} — protects typical Savannah vegetation with easy viewing of wildlife and landscape * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Okomu National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107161}} — part of a rainforest ecosystem that is the habitat for many vulnerable species of flora and fauna. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Old Oyo National Park]]|wikidata= |lat=8.667|long=3.983}} – named after the Oyo Empire this large park combines archaeological, cultural and historical aspects. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yankari National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473112}} — the largest wildlife park in Nigeria is home to several natural warm springs. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationNigeria.png}} ===History=== ====The pre-colonial era==== The Nok culture of northern Nigeria flourished between 1000 BC and 500 AD producing life-sized terracotta figures which are some of the earliest known sculptures in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tiv culture in the north central region of Nigeria dates to 6 BC. Some of the famous bronze terracotta sculpture heads from this culture have been shown around the world. In the northern part of the country, Kano and Katsina have recorded history which dates back to around 999. The kingdoms of Ifẹ and Oyo in the western block of Nigeria became prominent about 700–900 and 1400 respectively. The Yoruba mythology believes that Ile-Ife is the source of the human race and that it predates any other civilization. Another prominent kingdom in south western Nigeria was the Kingdom of Benin whose power lasted between the 15th and 19th century. Their dominance reached as far as the well known city of Eko, later named Lagos by the Portuguese. [[Benin City]], the capital of the Kingdom of Benin, grew into one of the most impressive cities in pre-colonial Africa, with its city walls said to be four times the length of the Great Wall of China. However, little of its former glory remains as it was razed to the ground during the British invasion in 1897, with only one building surviving the invasion. Its artworks were looted by the British and can now be seen in the British Museum and various museums in Europe and the United States. In southeastern Nigeria the Kingdom of Nri of the Igbo people flourished from around the 10th century until 1911 and the city of Nri is considered to be the foundation of Igbo culture. In northeastern Nigeria, the Kanem Empire ruled from the 8th century to 1376 and was succeeded by the Bornu Empire, which was a powerful Islamic monarchy until it was defeated by the Fulani in the early 19th century. The first Hausa kingdom was ruled by a queen, Amina, in the 11th century. Hausa kingdoms, based in what's now northern Nigeria, flourished from the 15th to 18th centuries, before eventually being defeated by the Fulani, who proclaimed the Sokoto Caliphate in 1809. The Sokoto Caliphate ruled for less than 100 years before being abolished by the British. Although the Bornu Empire, Sokoto Caliphate and Kingdom of Benin were eventually absorbed into British Nigeria, the descendants of the rulers retained their titles and influence through the colonial period and maintain them to this day. ====Colonial era==== [[File:CHAINS USED DURING THE SLAVE TRADE. SLAVE RELICS MUSEUM, BADAGRY.JPG|thumb|Chains at the Slave Relics Museum in Badagry]] Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to begin trade in Nigeria, and called the main port Lagos after the Portuguese town of Lagos, in Algarve. This name stuck on with more European trade with the region. The Europeans traded with the ethnicities of the coast and also established a trade in slaves which affected many Nigerian ethnicities. Following the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the British expanded trade with the Nigerian interior. In 1885 British claims to a West African sphere of influence received international recognition and in the following year the Royal Niger Company was chartered. In 1900 the company's territory came under the control of the British government, which moved to consolidate its hold over the area of modern Nigeria. On January 1, 1901 Nigeria became a British protectorate (northern and southern protectorates) and part of the [[British Empire]]. In 1914 the northern protectorate and the southern protectorate under the colonial rule were merged forming one single entity named "Nigeria". meaning: Niger [river Niger] area. The name "Nigeria" was given by the wife of the British Governor-General in charge of the country - Sir Lord Lugard. Following World War II, in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence, successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self-government on a representative and increasingly federal basis. By the middle of the 20th century, the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa. ====Post-independence==== On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom. In 1961, the neighbouring British Cameroon was split into two, with Northern Cameroons becoming part of Nigeria, and Southern Cameroons becoming part of [[Cameroon]]. As was the habit of colonialists during that era, no attention was paid to the fact that the "protectorates" suddenly and quite chaotically merged hundreds of distinct and autonomous ethnicities, or to the fact that some communities were ripped apart by the sudden construction of boundaries that never existed before. There was never a truly developed sense of singular Nigerian identity. In part, it was this disequilibrium which set the stage in 1966 for several successive military coups. The Northern coup, which was mostly motivated by ethnic and religious reasons, was a bloodbath of both military officers and civilians, especially those of Igbo extraction. The violence against the Igbo increased their desire for autonomy and protection from the military's wrath. By May 1967, the Eastern Region had declared itself an independent state called the Republic of Biafra and the 30-month Nigerian Civil War began. More than one million people died, many of them starving to death before Biafra was defeated. During the oil boom of the 1970s, Nigeria joined OPEC and billions of dollars generated by production in the oil-rich Niger Delta flowed into the coffers of the Nigerian state. However, increasing corruption and graft at all levels of government squandered most of these earnings. Nigeria re-achieved democracy in 1999 and although the elections which brought Obasanjo to power in 1999 and again in 2003 were condemned as unfree and unfair, Nigeria has shown marked improvements in attempts to tackle government corruption and to hasten development. Ethnic violence over the lack of profit-sharing with residents of the oil-producing Niger Delta region and inadequate infrastructures are some of the current issues in the country, which is the top oil-producing country in Africa. ===Climate=== [[File:Kaduna River, Kaduna (Nigeria), 2007.JPG|thumb|Kaduna River]] Varies; equatorial in the south, tropical in the centre, arid in the north. Natural hazards include periodic droughts and flooding. Tornadoes and hurricanes are rare because they typically are weak at this stage and travel west of the Atlantic. ===Terrain=== Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in the southeast, plains in the north. The Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea. The highest point is Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m. ===People=== Nigeria is the continent's most populous nation and the world's 7th most populous. The people of Nigeria are generally nice, with some even engaging you with conversations. As the Giant of Africa, Nigeria has more than 500 ethnic groups with different languages and customs. The largest ethnic groups — '''Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani/Hausa''' '''and Tiv''' — comprise more than 75% of the population. They have strong religious beliefs and respect for the elders is a must-do. ===Holidays=== * '''New Year's Day''' (January 1) * '''Easter''' (Good Friday and Easter Monday, according to the Western Christian tradition) * '''Workers day''' (May 1) * '''Children's Day''' (May 27) * '''Democracy Day''' (May 29) * '''Eid al-Adha''' * '''Eid al-Fitr''', marking the end of Ramadan * '''Eid al-Maulid''', Prophet Muhammad's birthday * '''Independence Day''' (October 1) * '''Christmas''' (December 25) * '''Boxing Day''' (December 26) ==Talk== The official language of Nigeria is '''English'''. The Nigerian dialect of English can be surprisingly different from other forms of English. Many (though certainly not all) Nigerians speak with thick local accents, which means that non-native English speakers may have difficulty understanding them. Native speakers of English may also have some difficulty understanding Nigerians as Nigerians have a unique way of speaking. You'll immediately realise that Nigerians don't pronounce the letter "r" in the middle of words (e.g. "start" is pronounced as "staht", "journey" is pronounced as "johnny"), the ending "-er" is pronounced as "ah" (e.g. "paper" is pronounced as "pay-pah"), and vowels in the middle of words are not usually pronounced (e.g. "medicine" is pronounced as "med-sin"). Understanding Nigerian English will take some time to get accustomed to, especially if you are not a frequent traveller to [[Africa]]. On a side note, you should know that many consider the Nigerian accent to be one of the [https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/sexy-accents/index.html most wonderful accents in the world]. '''Nigerian Pidgin''', a pidgin derived from English, is mostly used in informal conversations. '''[[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]''' is the second most spoken language in Nigeria, thanks to the fact that the Hausa make up 30-40% of the population in Nigeria. '''[[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]''' is spoken by nearly 42 million Nigerians and you are likely to find a Yoruba speaker in Southwestern Nigeria. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Nigeria.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Nigeria{{legend|#DA0906|Nigeria}}{{legend|#028951|Visa-free}}{{legend|#F27F33|Visa on arrival}}]] ===Entry requirements=== {{disclaimerbox|If you need more reliable information on visas and how to enter the country, it is recommended that you contact consular officials at your local Nigerian embassy.}} Nigeria isn't a country you can just waltz into. There are few visa-free arrangements in place, and almost everyone requires a visa to enter the country unless they're citizens of [https://www.ecowas.int/ Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)]. To apply for a Nigerian visa, go to [https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/pages/welcome this website]. You should only apply for a Nigerian visa in the country in which you're located. For tourist visas, you must present the following: A valid passport, a completed visa application form, two passport-sized photographs, a letter of invitation (a hotel reservation may suffice), proof you have funds to cover your travels in Nigeria, and proof you have paid for the visa application. Once that's done, you must schedule an interview with consular officials at the Nigerian embassy. Normally they will ask you questions about your intention to visit the country. If this is your first-ever visa interview, there's nothing to fear or be intimidated of; always assume the consular officials are looking for a reason to allow you in, not keep you out. Nigerian visas are notorious for being '''very expensive''' for nationals of certain countries. If you're a citizen of the [[United States]], you will normally be charged '''US$160''' to apply for a Nigerian visa. Citizens of [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]] have the highest visa fee requirements (they are charged '''US$253''' to apply for any type of visa), whereas citizens of African nations are charged much less. Plan and prepare accordingly if your country is on the "high fee" list. ===By plane=== [[File:Lagos Airport Iwelumo-5.jpg|thumb|Lagos International Airport]] *International airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt. Arik and Bellview Airlines make local and international flights (to other African countries and [[London]]), Aero to other African countries. Air Nigeria (formerly Virgin Nigeria) has ceased operations. Arik Air plies these routes. *Several European airlines fly to Nigeria: British Airways (London Heathrow - Abuja, Lagos), Virgin Atlantic (London Heathrow - Lagos), KLM ([[Amsterdam]] - Abuja, Lagos, Kano), Air France ([[Paris]]-Charles de Gaulle - Lagos), Turkish Airline ([[Istanbul]] - Lagos), Lufthansa ([[Frankfurt]] - Abuja, Lagos), Iberia Airlines ([[Madrid]] - Lagos) * US Based Delta Air Lines operates five non-stop flights a week from [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] to Lagos using a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, as well as nonstop service from New York to Abuja three times per week using a wide-body Boeing 767-300. * United Airlines formerly operated non-stop service from Houston Bush-Intercontinental to Lagos. *Other inter-continental airlines fly to Lagos. They include: China Southern Airlines ([[Beijing]], [[Dubai]]), Emirates (Dubai), Middle East Airlines ([[Beirut]]), Qatar Airways ([[Doha]]). *There are African companies: South African Airlines from Johannesburg, Egypt Air from [[Cairo]], Ethiopian Airlines from [[Addis Ababa]], Kenya Airways from [[Nairobi]], Afriqya Airways from [[Tripoli]]. *Besides these, there are other airlines (in addition to VNA and Bellview) that operate domestic and regional flights to places like [[Abidjan]], [[Accra]], [[Banjul]], [[Conakry]], [[Dakar]], [[Douala]], [[Freetown]], [[Johannesburg]], [[Libreville]], [[Monrovia]]. *There are also airports in most states of the federation and local air travel is widespread. ===By train=== There are no international passenger services to Nigeria. ===By boat=== Transport by boat isn't widespread unless you venture into the riverine areas of Nigeria. ==Get around== [[File:An okada rider with two passengers in lagos, nigeria.jpg|thumb|Okada with two passengers]] It would be best to travel around in your own car or a hired one (with a driver) but there are various other modes of transport. The road systems in Nigeria are relatively poor compared with North America or Europe, but often still passable. The "okada" (motorcycle) is not for the faint-hearted (there used to be no helmets but as a law the rider is required to have two helmets for himself and a passenger, although very few okada riders adhere to this rule.) and should only be used for short distance journeys. "Okadas" will get you to where you want to go quickly and you will get there in one piece. In Lagos, there are lots of buses and taxis. There are two main types of buses, the ''molue'' (an old 911 Mercedes Benz truck turned into school-like bus and the ''danfo'' (a Volkswagen Kombi bus turned into an eight-seater minibus). Most smaller cities have more taxis than buses, and they are quite affordable. For travelling from one city to another, you go to the "motor park", find the taxi that's going to your destination, and wait until it "fills up". The price is fixed, you don't have to negotiate. Some drivers may have a risky driving style however - practically this means that the only rule consistently adhered to (by cars, not necessarily motorcycles), is keeping to the right. ===By car=== Driving in Nigeria (especially Lagos) is somewhat unique, vaguely resembling driving in Cairo. If mastered, you should however be able to cope in most other countries. While driving in Abuja is relatively decent due to regularly maintained roads, it still doesn't compare with roads in more developed countries. Many roads are bad, but there are rarely any major accidents, you just have to strap your seatbelts in and enjoy the ride. Expect potholes of every size, and that, except on the highway, people will drive on the wrong side to avoid potholes or other bad patches of road. Sometimes entire roads are non-existent, so be prepared for anything. It is advisable to keep your distance from lorries or large vehicles, as many are driven without side-view mirrors, fully functional breaks, and most dangerous of all, securely strapped/attached cargo. Grass or branches on the road means there is a broken down vehicle ahead of you, be careful. If you are white, get used to Nigerians shouting at you as you pass by. It will be something like "Oyibo", "Oniocha", "MBakara", "Bature" or "white man". It all means the same, they are just telling you to smile as you pass. Self-driving for short-term visitors unfamiliar with the roads, especially in Lagos, is by no means advisable and could actually be quite foolish, perhaps even dangerous. You could easily wander into an area or a road block set by local gangs. If you choose to rent a car, it will come with a driver familiar with the area and style of driving, which is the easier and safer option. Police may try to take fiscal advantage of you as a foreigner. If you wish to drive yourself it is advisable to stick to the rules, as you will be an easy target for police officers to "fine". These are not real fines, they are payable directly to the officer in cash - without a ticket or a receipt. Even if you obey the traffic rules, police will find some petty reason - like not indicating your intention to drive straight. Should you be pulled over, do not give your license, as you will then lose all bargaining power when negotiating the "fine", which could easily be a maximum of all the visible cash you have on you at the time. Rather, carry a copy of the license and hand that over, or show your license through your window. Also, do not let the police get into your car. They are not really dangerous, but it could get expensive and certainly annoying. However, if you just don't pay and remain calm, it only costs time. They have no real power over you. [[File:Petrol station in Ilorin Kwara Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Petrol station with attendants]] Especially over weekends and festive times, it is common practice for police, especially in the richer areas of Lagos, to flag you down and wish you happy weekend/holiday/Christmas/Easter/sunny weather/trip to work. In this case, you did nothing wrong and they do not intend to "fine" you, but are rather asking for a tip. If you insistently yet politely refuse to give something, they will eventually let you go. Just wish them a nice weekend/holiday/etc. too. If you work for a big company in Nigeria, you will usually have a company driver to drive you around, thereby avoiding the above mentioned problems to a large extent. He can arrange a local driver's license for you should the need arise without a driving test or proof of foreign license. Nigeria is not part of the most standard international Road Traffic Convention and as such will require a special International Driving Permit (valid only for driving in Nigeria, Somalia and Iraq) (if you do not want to get the Nigerian license), not the normal one applicable to almost all other countries in the world. The last Saturday of the month is Sanitation Day in Lagos and Kano, when the locals clean their premises. While it is not illegal to be out on the street between 7–10M, due to the higher than usual presence of police officers and road check points, most Nigerians choose to restrict their movements until after 10AM. Should you be caught at this time, you may be taken away by the police to perform some "public sanitation" duty, like mowing lawns, etc. === By train === After having being abandoned for a long time, rehabilitation of rail services in Nigeria are finally in full swing. Helped by Chinese investment several new lines are expected to open in the next few years while older lines are renovated. While still much slower than flying, it is now possible to travel across the country by train. [http://nrc.gov.ng/ '''Nigeria Railway Corporation'''] is the sole operator, this might however change as the government mulls liberalization of the railway sector. Lagos and Abuja now have almost daily connections with cities in the interior of Nigeria such as Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna, with Lagos even offering a once-weekly [[sleeper trains|sleeper service]] all the way north to Kano. The [[Lagos-Ibadan Railway]] provides high-speed service from Lagos via Abeokuta to Ibadan. ===By plane=== Arik and Aero Contractors have scheduled domestic connections with modern aircraft and reasonable prices. Their websites are user-friendly and well updated. In Lagos, the two domestic terminals, while next to each other, are about 4-5 km (of road which would not be wise to walk if you don't know the place) from the international terminal, and you would therefore need a taxi to get from the one to the other, should you wish to transfer from an international flight to a domestic one. ===By bus=== Getting around is relatively easy, except that there could be delays due to traffic jams within most major cities. There are multitudes of coaches and buses that will take you to any part of Nigeria you wish (ABC Transport Services is well known for its services among others). Lagos state government also operates a transit system (BRT buses) which serves the Lagos metropolis. ===By taxi=== Ride-hailing is available in Nigeria and the following are the most anticipated providers: * {{listing | type=go | name=Bolt | alt= | url=https://bolt.eu | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Includes many towns. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Uber | alt= | url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Works in Abuja and Lagos. }} ==See== [[File:Enugu.jpg|thumb|Enugu landscape]] [[File:Kanogate2.jpg|thumb|New Gate to the palace of the Emir of [[Zaria]]]] *[[Lagos]]: There are different beach fronts, like Oniru Beach, Landmark Beach, Badagry Beach, Tarkwa bay Beach. *Lekki (suburb of Lagos): Lekki Conservation Center - a nice little fenced-off and interesting tropical rainforest reserve with wooden walkways, located on the outskirts of the city on the Lekki Express Way, just before the second toll gate. Lekki Beach, Eleko Beach *Plateau: Hiking and sightseeing the Riyom rocks. *Enugu: Hiking the old coal mines, and cultural events, e.g. New yam and atilogwu dancers. *Calabar: Harbour where you can get boat rides, a nice cinema, sit-out parks and slave monuments in the Marina Resort located in Calabar; also there is Tinapa, a little drive outside the city. *Obudu: Small town a few hours to the north from Calabar very close to the Cameroon border - rent a car from Calabar airport (comes with driver) and ask the driver to take you there via Tinapa. This is a cool mountain escape with a nice resort (Obudu Mountain Resort) on the mountain (the president also has a weekend home there). They have some forest walks, hiking, one of the longest cable cars in the world and very nice pristine swimming pools with fountains available. *Imo: Igbo Ukwu Shrine, if you are interested in Nigerian art. *The old walled cities of Kano, Katsina and Zaria. *Oyo: Palace of Alaafin, traditional markets and Calabash carvers. *Taraba: Tourist attractions like Mambilla plateau (highest point in the country). *Machina: A town with its annual cultural festival which takes place in March featuring cultural events such as traditional wrestling and horse racing. *Argungu: A small town with its annual fishing festival that occurs three days with approximately 35,000 fishermen catching fish in the murky waters. *Abuja: The capital, one of the most beautiful African cities has many tourists attractions including The [[Abuja|Zuma rock]], [[Abuja|Millenium park]] and lots of rolling hills. ==Do== '''Nollywood''' is a huge film industry based in Nigeria. By the early 2010s, Nigeria was producing more films than any country other than India, and the value of production was third after the U.S. and India. Nollywood films are enjoyed around the world. With diverse cultures in Nigeria, the Nigerian film industry isn't language biased: movies are shot in English, Yoruba, [[Igbo]], [[Hausa]], Edo, and other 300 Nigerian languages. There are cinemas in most cities and large towns where you can experience this important side of Nigerian culture. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Nigerian naira | currencyCode=₦ | date=January 2022 | USD=410 | EUR=470 | GBP=560 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/ngn-nigerian-naira XE.com] }} Nigeria's currency is '''naira''' (symbol: '''₦''', ISO 4217 code: '''NGN'''). Banknotes circulate in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 and inflation typically runs in double figures. It is advised to cash all your naira back into another currency at the airport before you leave Nigeria. The rate is irrelevant, as the naira is not worth that much outside Nigeria. Naira bills/coins may be of interest to currency collectors, but other than that, they will be nothing more than colourful souvenirs of your trip. Banks will change foreign currency to naira, but usually not the other way around, even though you are a foreigner. You would therefore need to use the Bureaux de Change at the International terminal or the new Domestic terminal or street vendors to get foreign currency should you end up with unused naira at the end of your trip. A safe place to change in Victoria Island is in the tourist market of Eko Hotel in Victoria Island. If the Bureaux de Change at the airport are closed, the car park outside the International terminal is full of street vendors only willing to change money from any major currency. When dealing with these street vendors, keep the money you are buying fully visible until the deal is finished (i.e. don't put into handbag and later discover it is wrong and then try and bargain) and count carefully with them, as they tend to try and short-change you with a note or two, especially when you change foreign currency into naira (which is a thick bundle of small notes), but with necessary vigilance are generally fine. Street vendors are also plentiful at the main land borders to change naira into CFA francs (XOF (Benin and Niger side) or XAF (Cameroon side)) if need be. XOF and XAF are freely and easily convertible to and from euros at a rate of 655.957 (sometimes with a small commission) when you are in the French countries. Changing large bills of US dollars or euros will give a better rate with professional money changers, such as on the currency exchange market near Lagos Domestic Airport. This is a walled enclosure with a large number of money changers, which is primarily used by local nationals. If you have a Visa card, you can withdraw money from Standard Chartered Bank ATMs in Lagos - Aromire St, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja & Ajose Adeogun St in Victoria Island Branch, Abuja and Port Harcourt (in Naira) and ATMs of some other banks with "Visa" stickers on them, like GT Bank, UBA, and Zenith. This will save you a lot of stress carrying large sums of money and it is secured. [[File:Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market Kano.jpg|thumb|Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market, [[Kano]]]] On Abuja and Lagos International Airport money can be withdrawn from ATMs. On Lagos International there are several ATMs, several may not function at all times. On Lagos Domestic Terminal there is also a functioning ATM in the domestic terminal on the 1st floor. Usually this a quiet ATM which also is very private and secure. MasterCard/Maestro users can also withdraw money from ATMs at several branches of Zenith Bank and GT Bank. Some ATMs of Ecobank, First Bank and Intercontinental Bank also allow for MasterCard/Maestro cards. Look for the red ATM sign outside, or ask the on-site security officer at any branch. Also look for Ecobank, they have a branch within the premises of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Visa is however a safer option if you are visiting the French countries around Nigeria as well, as MasterCard/Maestro is close to useless in these countries. If you do use an ATM, be aware of the risks of card cloning. This a problem with the airport ATMs which do not have a security guard watching over them. Check your statements regularly after using your card and alert your bank to any suspicious activity. Nigeria is on an active drive to become a cash-less society, and as such, more and more hotels, restaurant and shops (all the bigger ones at least) accept major credit cards (Visa being the preferred one - but ask first, there is both "local Visa" and "international Visa" - and MasterCard). Diners Club and Amex are almost universally useless in Nigeria. When paying by card, take the usual precautions (watch how they swipe, don't let the card out of your sight, etc.) ===Bargaining=== At markets, you are supposed to [[haggle]] for your goods (a notable exception is bread: its price is fixed). As a general rule, the real price is about half the price that was first asked. The seller may exaggerate the price when he or she thinks that you are a rich tourist ignorant of the real price. After agreeing on a price, don't walk away without buying; this is considered very rude. Shops like supermarkets and restaurants will typically charge fixed prices. Fresh products and Western-style sit-in restaurants are quite expensive, with it not being uncommon to pay US$75 for a dinner per person. ==Eat== [[File:Afang Soup.jpg|thumb|Afang soup]] {{main|Nigerian cuisine}} There are many types of traditional cuisine to enjoy. For example: afang soup, okra soup, owo soup and starch in the Niger Delta, plantain (fried, boiled, roasted), pepper soup, amala, eba, efo, pounded yam (iyan - Yoruba for "pounded yam", pronounced " ee-yarn" ), jollof rice, ground nut soup, ogbono soup, isi ewu (goat's head stew), egusi soup, suya (kebab), moin moin, ewedu, gbegiri soup (beans soup), edikangikong, ground-rice, puff-puff, chin chin, ikokore, owerri soup (ofe owerri), which is the most expensive African soup in Nigeria. Not to forget 404 pepper soup - it will make you act like "Oliver Twist." You must realise that 404 means "dog meat." And yes, it can only be found in certain parts of the country because in the west it is seen as barbaric. For the less adventurous traveller, there are loads of "foreign" restaurants in Lagos, e.g. Sky Bar and the grill at Eco Hotel, Churasco's, Lagoon and Fusion all three next to each other (all-you-can-eat Brazilian grill, Indian and Sushi respectively) with a nice view of the lagoon, Piccolo Mondo, Manuella's Residence (great Italian Pizza from Manuella the Italian lady), Bungalow (close to Coschari's BMW in VI) - good sports bar, grill and Sushi, great Sunday buffet at Radisson Blu. Chocolate Royal is a nice family restaurant with excellent ice cream selection (including ice cream cakes) and pastries in VI. Inside Chocolate Royal is an Oriental restaurant called Métisse. Bottles in VI is a grill and Mexican restaurant. And there are loads more flavours from every corner of the world. Just Google and ask taxi to take you there. Outside Lagos and to a lesser extent Abuja, Western food will tend to disappear, with "Jollof Rice and fried chicken" being a "safe" option if you are not adventurous. Fried plantains, shawarma and chicken suya are some of the best options if you are craving some street food. These are often sold by locals at the roadside. Foreign restaurants are expensive and you can prepare for a bill of at least $50 to $75 or even $100 per head for main course. If this is too much, try the Syrian Club in Ikoyi (turn North - away from the water) at the Mobil filling station in Awolowo Road (the night club street) in Ikoyi, continue a few blocks and on your left you will see the Syrian mosque, turn in the gate just after the mosque and the Syrian Club will be on your right on the inside of the premises with nice Lebanese/Syrian flair at very affordable (for Lagos) prices in an outdoor setting. If you are a new expat living in Lagos, do yourself a favour and acquaint yourself early on with the following more expensive, foreign-owned, but well worth it, smaller specialist shops in VI selling all the delicacies and nice imported red meats that foreigners long for in and that Shoprite, Park and Shop, Next, and Goodie's (the main supermarkets) may not stock: 1. Deli's on Akin Adesola (the main road leading to Bar Beach), 2. L'Epicérie across the road from Mega Plaza and 3. La Pointe on Kofo Abayomi Street (close to the Brazilian Embassy/Consulate) and not easy to spot. Knowing these places will significantly improve your coping ability in the first couple of months. ==Drink== *Nigeria is one of the places where Guinness is brewed outside of Ireland. And they do it pretty well, although it's not the same product. The Guinness brand (with logo and copyrights where they should be) is also used to brew both an alcohol-free malt version of the black stuff, and an extra strong (about 7.5%) version of Guinness in Kenya (in the case of the latter) and Tanzania (in the case of the former). *Beer is a big business in Nigeria, although the move toward evangelism and Islamic law is making its mark. Lagos is relatively unaffected due to its cosmopolitan nature. Heineken, Star, Harp, Gulder and other international beers are available. *Malt beverages (non alcoholic) are very common in Nigeria. *The other cheap drink of choice is gin, which is locally made. It may contain toxic methanol due to lack of quality control, so steer clear. Other drinks to consider include: palm wine, wine, zobo (red soft drink, is a tea of dried roselle flowers), kunun, kai kai (also called ogogoro). The northern states have implemented Sharia (Islamic) law, which means that alcohol is prohibited. Ironically, the only places where you can drink a beer in these states are the police staff bars and the army barracks, because these are institutions under federal law. Beer is available in Kano, in restaurants managed by foreign or Christian people, Chinese restaurants, and/or French cafes. For a real night out, go to the Sabongari area of the old town. Plenty of bars around that stay open till very late. Many do decent food as well. Sabongari is also the place to buy alcoholic drinks and there are plenty stores open late into the night. Some hotels in Kano are "dry", however in Tahir Guest Palace the staff will be quite happy to buy you a few bottles of beer for you in your room (all rooms have large fridges). ==Sleep== Almost all hotels in Nigeria require you to pay before you get your key. This applies even to the Sheraton and the Hilton. Typically you are requested to pay 125% of the room rate and you will be refunded when settling the bill at your departure. If you stay more than one night you need to keep the credit up. However, paying this deposit by credit card can leave you open to subsequent fraudulent use of your details. ==Learn== There are lots of private and public primary (elementary) and secondary (high) schools. It is worth it to organize a trip to whatever institution of learning you are interested in as this would give you a personal perspective on what facilities are available in your school of interest. There is a nationwide, standardized common entrance exam for students wishing to go into secondary schools, after they have completed their primary schooling. To gain admission into the universities (both public and private universities are in every state of the federation including the FCT), a prospective student has to sit for and successfully pass the UME (Universities Matriculation Examination) which is administered by JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board). Also, individual universities regularly screen prospective candidates to make sure they are up to par for university-level work. ==Work== [[File:Lagos (Nigeria).jpg|thumb|Lagos skyline]] Working in Nigeria can be a very positive experience. Nigerian organizations tend to operate like small families, taking in newcomers with open arms and avoiding the coolness and sterility that often characterize the Western professional work environment. For instance, don't even think about coming into the office in the morning without greeting each of your colleagues. Even if you don't, be sure that they will go out of their way to greet you and inquire about your well-being. It is hard to make generalizations about a country with 140 million inhabitants, but some Nigerians have a work ethic that would put most Westerners to shame. An eight-hour day (not including lunch) seems to be the norm, though it's not uncommon for people to stay late into the night and even come in for a few hours on weekends. Depending on the organization, a foreigner may be able to avoid this, but one should be prepared to work beyond the standard 35-40 hr work week. The notion of "African time" applies very much to the work environment in Nigeria. Meetings are regularly held later than scheduled and often take longer than necessary. Although Nigerians will unabashedly admit to their habitual tardiness, rarely does one see efforts to correct this behavior. The higher one's position, the later one may arrive at a meeting. On top of that, starting the meeting before the important people arrive is very rude--a common principle shared with many Western countries. When dealing with foreign organizations, Nigerians will often make some efforts to correct this behaviour, for some Nigerians are aware that their conception of punctuality is not shared by all. Those who are used to the strict North American conception of political correctness at the office may be shocked by the more liberal inter-sexual relations in the Nigerian workplace. Mild sexual jokes are common in meetings and in the office in general, though usually good natured and harmless. A white person working in an all-Nigerian workplace should also be prepared to frequently be reminded of their skin tone, though never in a nasty way. This can become tiresome, but Nigerians are generally very friendly. They use the term "Oyibo" (white man in Yoruba) or "Bature" (white man in Hausa) as a form of affection. The use of professional titles in written and verbal form is very common in Nigeria. Expect to address your boss as Sir, Doctor, Colonel, etc., and avoid using the first name of a superior unless given permission to do so. Being a foreigner, you will be forgiven for any faux pas, but it is always best to err on the side of caution and politeness. The mobile phone (cell phone) is an essential tool for virtually all urban - and most rural - Nigerians. Because of the many local networks, many people have two or even three "handsets", each on a different network. Anyone doing business in the country for more than a few days should consider having a mobile phone. ==Stay safe== {{quote|This is Nigeria<br>...<br>Police station dey close by 6<br>Security reason o<br>...<br>This is Nigeria<br>Look at my nation o<br>SARS stop me for road any explanation you go talk am for station o|author=Falz (local rapper)|source=''This is Nigeria''}} Nigerian crime levels are fairly high, particularly in [[Lagos]]. The far north eastern regions of Nigeria is troubled by the Boko Haram jihadist group which is known for its attacks on non-Muslims and taking the law into their own hands. This Islamist group is also known for its harsh interpretation of sharia law which includes flogging. Boko Haram attacks Christians and proselytizers so avoid traveling to the north east in large groups. The US State Department and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to this area, while Global Affairs Canada recommends against non-essential travel to Nigeria (other than Abuja, Calabar and Lagos) because of the risks of terrorism, and recommends practising special health precautions because of the risk of contracting [[malaria]]. The Niger Delta area is '''unsafe for tourists'''. There is continual low-level violence between government and militant groups, and there have been several kidnappings of foreign oil workers. === Corruption === Corruption in general is '''systemic and endemic''' in Nigeria. Transparency International ranks Nigeria as one of the most corrupt nations on the planet. In 2012, it was believed that Nigeria has lost a total of $400 billion to corruption since independence. The police are notorious for being highly corrupt and woefully ineffective, and the locals do not trust them at all. Nigerians have to pay the police to get reliable assistance for anything. Cronyism and nepotism are common in the police force, and police officers routinely target, harass, extort, and intimidate people, including locals, for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to corrupt officials. === Authorities === Police corruption and misconduct is endemic in Nigeria. The '''Special Anti-Robbery Squad''', tasked to combat violent property crimes, is notorious for abusing their power. If you are stopped by the police for anything, always remain respectful, but be firm. Do not be tempted to argue or fight back with a police officer, even if you haven't done anything wrong. ===LGBT travellers=== Homosexual sex acts are '''illegal'''. LGBT travellers should take extra caution when travelling to Nigeria, especially in the North, where sharia law implementation can be strict. Both gays and lesbians can be executed, but are more likely to be imprisoned. In fact, a law that has been wildly popular among Muslim and Christian Nigerians alike has made it a crime to know that someone is homosexual and not report it to the authorities. ==Stay healthy== Travellers to Nigeria are required to vaccinate themselves against yellow fever, preferably 10 days before arrival in Nigeria. As malaria is prevalent, malaria pills and mosquito nets are also recommended. Polio vaccination in Nigeria is intermittent and there is a high rate of infection in the North.<!--The global crisis of corona virus has hit Nigeria since February 2020 making it the third country in Africa to have the disease. --> '''[[Water]]''' is sold in different sizes (sachet and bottle). The bottled water and other soft drinks are safe. It is approx ₦150 for a big bottle (June 2021). The cheap "pure water" sold in plastic bags is cheaper but not as "pure" as Eva water, a brand by Coca Cola Company, or Nestle water by Nestle Nigeria. Do not buy water that does not have NAFDAC registration printed on the bottle. It is advisable to purchase bottled water from convenience stores rather than by the roadside. These upscale convenience stores usually purchase their supplies directly from the suppliers. For the latest traveller's health information pertaining to Nigeria, including advisories and recommendations, visit the [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nigeria.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nigeria] destination website. ==Respect== {{ramadandates}} Some of the country's languages have different ways for someone to address someone older than themselves. Handing things over to people, especially adults and people older than you, with your left hand is considered an insult. You don't cross or jump over someone's legs if they are sitting with the legs extended out. It's considered bad luck. Avoid shaking hands with elders and older people in non-Igbo villages. It's disrespectful to do that. Bowing down a little and kneeling or genuflecting for women or prostrating by men (especially among the Yoruba) is the normal thing to do. You may not need to do it either, but just show some form of respect when greeting older people. You can get away with not doing that in big cities or urban areas; they are less traditional there. When entering a house in the predominantly Muslim north, you have to let them know in advance that you are visiting so that the women can prepare (cover themselves up). Some Islamic customs require women to cover their hair and bodies to other men and this is practised in the North. Knock on the door and wait to be answered before going in. They will ask you to wait while the women are informed. Wait patiently. ==Connect== The country code for Nigeria is 234. Dialing out from Nigeria: you will need to dial the International Code, followed by the phone digit numbers. Dialing into Nigeria: callers use +234 followed by the phone digit numbers. There is also a company in Nigeria called [http://elixirworldwide.com Elixir Communication Worldwide] that offers mobile phones for the blind and visually challenged. All the mobile operators have a roaming agreement with other mobile operators around the world. The leading zero in area codes and similar prefixes is for domestic calls. It is not dialled when using the country code. Mobile phone service providers: * {{listing | name=Airtel (Bharti Airtel) | alt=Formerly Zain, Celtel | url=https://www.airtel.com.ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *444#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyAirtel App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=MTN | alt= | url=http://www.mtnonline.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *131#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, MyMTN App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=9mobile | alt=former Etisalat | url=https://9mobile.com.ng/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *222#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, My9Mobile App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=Glo | alt=Globalcom | url=https://www.gloworld.com/ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *777#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyGlo app postpaid plans. 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE. Mobile money. Network with lowest offerings for airtime and data. }} ==Go next== * Travel north to [[Niger]], and into the Sahara Desert. * Travel east to [[Cameroon]], for some mountain climbing. * Travel west to [[Benin]], the best way out when travelling to Europe overland. * Travel northeast to [[Chad]]. {{outlinecountry}} {{isPartOf|West_Africa}} {{geo|9|8|zoom=6}} 57z4ftrifdioxnbriu9pnjqnt67c2yj 4506242 4506232 2022-08-22T13:31:44Z Ibaman 195012 unneeded. Also, [[1st|1st person prose]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nigeria banner Eyo Festival in Lagos.jpg|caption=Costumed dancers, Eyos, viewed from above at Lagos' Eyo Festival}} '''[https://nigeria.gov.ng/ Nigeria]''' ([[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]: ''Najeriya'', [[Igbo phrasebook|Igbo]]: ''Naíjíríà'', [[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]: ''Nàìjíríà'') is a large country in equatorial [[West Africa]]. Often regarded as the "Giant of [[Africa]]", Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the country is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages. The Hausa are the largest ethnic group, who make up more than 30% of the population. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims (who are mostly found in the north and make up between 50-53% of the population) and Christians (who are mostly found in the south). The majority of Nigerian Muslims are Sunni Muslims, and the majority of Nigerian Christians are Protestants. Nigeria has the fifth largest Muslim population in the world, and the sixth largest Christian population in the world. Nigeria does have its fair share of political and social problems, but don't let that deter you; the country is endowed with a plethora of appealing tourist attractions, incredibly friendly, jovial, and sociable people, and delicious food, and travel provides you the chance to experience and explore one of the most fascinatingly diverse countries on the planet. There's lots to do and see in Nigeria. ==Regions== {{mapshape|wikidata=Q509300,Q503928,Q503932,Q836645,Q464953,Q387745,Q429908|type=geoshape|fill=#7CD1A0|title=[[North Central Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682777,Q463959,Q376241,Q130626,Q503936,Q337514|type=geoshape|fill=#608860|title=[[North East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q145793,Q503941,Q748523,Q657821,Q682571,Q878284,Q682691|type=geoshape|fill=#bcd7a8|title=[[North West Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q842939,Q3817714,Q506808,Q117714,Q320852|type=geoshape|fill=#67be73 |title=[[South East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682704,Q503910,Q503923,Q739676,Q532153,Q424388|type=geoshape|fill=#8cb3ad|title=[[South South Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q503905,Q682721,Q836654,Q836657,Q815913,Q534917|type=geoshape|fill=#70993c|title=[[South West Nigeria]]}} {{Regionlist | regionmap=Nigeria English Wikivoyage regions map.png | regionmaptext=Map of Nigeria | regionmapsize=400px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region4name=[[North Central Nigeria]] | region4color=#67be73 | region4items=[[Benue State|Benue]], [[Kogi State|Kogi]], [[Kwara State|Kwara]], [[Nasarawa State|Nasarawa]], [[Niger State]], [[Plateau State|Plateau]], [[North Central Nigeria#Cities|Federal Capital Territory]] | region4description= | region6name=[[North East Nigeria]] | region6color=#608860 | region6items=[[Adamawa State|Adamawa]], [[Bauchi State|Bauchi]], [[Borno State|Borno]], [[Gombe State|Gombe]], [[Taraba State|Taraba]], [[Yobe State|Yobe]] | region6description= | region5name=[[North West Nigeria]] | region5color=#bcd7a8 | region5items=[[Jigawa State|Jigawa]], [[Kaduna State|Kaduna]], [[Kano]], [[Katsina State|Katsina]], [[Kebbi State|Kebbi]], [[Sokoto State|Sokoto]], [[Zamfara State|Zamfara]] | region5description= | region3name=[[South East Nigeria]] | region3color=#7CD1A0 | region3items=[[Abia State|Abia]], [[Anambra State|Anambra]], [[Ebonyi State|Ebonyi]], [[South East Nigeria#Cities|Enugu]], [[Imo State|Imo]] | region3description=The region that contains the five Igbo speaking states of Nigeria with a population of over twenty million, which contains large mineral deposits and natural resources. | region2name=[[South South Nigeria]] | region2color=#8cb3ad | region2items=[[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]], [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]], [[Cross River State|Cross River]], [[Rivers State|Rivers]], [[Delta State|Delta]], [[Edo State|Edo]] | region2description= | region1name=[[South West Nigeria]] | region1color=#70993c | region1items=[[Ekiti State|Ekiti]], [[Lagos State|Lagos]], [[Ogun State|Ogun]], [[Ondo State|Ondo]], [[Osun State|Osun]], [[Oyo State|Oyo]] | region1description=The most significant section of Nigeria, with the country's largest city, [[Lagos]] }} ==Cities== [[File:Pitakwa.jpg|thumb|[[Port Harcourt]]]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abuja]]|wikidata=Q3787}} &mdash; the capital, with beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Benin City]]|wikidata=Q320704}} &mdash; city of the Edo people and rich cultural state * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Calabar]]|wikidata=Q844091}} &mdash; oil region, with the world's highest concentration of butterflies in the surrounding regions * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Enugu]]|wikidata=Q465022}} &mdash; the coal city * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Ibadan]]|wikidata=Q183298}} &mdash; geographically the largest city in [[Africa]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kano]]|wikidata=Q182984}} &mdash; important Hausa city, commercial hub of the north * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lagos City|Lagos]]|wikidata=Q8673}} &mdash; second most populous city in Africa, former colonial capital and huge commercial hub, economic capital of Nigeria * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Osogbo]]|wikidata=Q868203}} &mdash; home of the Sacred Grove of Osun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Harcourt]]|wikidata=Q217432}} &mdash; capital of [[Rivers State]] and largest city in the oil-rich region, primarily belonging to the Ikwerre ==Other destinations== [[File:Zumarock.jpg|thumbnail|[[Abuja#Q229624|Zuma Rock]]]] * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Agbokim Waterfalls]]|wikidata=Q25067051}} — a seven-part waterfalls in an area of tropical rainforest. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Chad Basin National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107090}} — inside the old Kanem-Borno Empire (present-day Borno and the Yobe states). * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cross River National Park]]|wikidata=Q3015318}} — primary moist tropical rainforests in the north and central parts, with mangrove swamps on the coastal zones. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Gashaka Gumti National Park ]]|wikidata=Q1495137}} — Nigeria’s largest national park, near the border with Cameroon * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kainji National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473988}} — a protected savannah in North Central Nigeria * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kamuku National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107175}} — protects typical Savannah vegetation with easy viewing of wildlife and landscape * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Okomu National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107161}} — part of a rainforest ecosystem that is the habitat for many vulnerable species of flora and fauna. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Old Oyo National Park]]|wikidata= |lat=8.667|long=3.983}} – named after the Oyo Empire this large park combines archaeological, cultural and historical aspects. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yankari National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473112}} — the largest wildlife park in Nigeria is home to several natural warm springs. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationNigeria.png}} ===History=== ====The pre-colonial era==== The Nok culture of northern Nigeria flourished between 1000 BC and 500 AD producing life-sized terracotta figures which are some of the earliest known sculptures in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tiv culture in the north central region of Nigeria dates to 6 BC. Some of the famous bronze terracotta sculpture heads from this culture have been shown around the world. In the northern part of the country, Kano and Katsina have recorded history which dates back to around 999. The kingdoms of Ifẹ and Oyo in the western block of Nigeria became prominent about 700–900 and 1400 respectively. The Yoruba mythology believes that Ile-Ife is the source of the human race and that it predates any other civilization. Another prominent kingdom in south western Nigeria was the Kingdom of Benin whose power lasted between the 15th and 19th century. Their dominance reached as far as the well known city of Eko, later named Lagos by the Portuguese. [[Benin City]], the capital of the Kingdom of Benin, grew into one of the most impressive cities in pre-colonial Africa, with its city walls said to be four times the length of the Great Wall of China. However, little of its former glory remains as it was razed to the ground during the British invasion in 1897, with only one building surviving the invasion. Its artworks were looted by the British and can now be seen in the British Museum and various museums in Europe and the United States. In southeastern Nigeria the Kingdom of Nri of the Igbo people flourished from around the 10th century until 1911 and the city of Nri is considered to be the foundation of Igbo culture. In northeastern Nigeria, the Kanem Empire ruled from the 8th century to 1376 and was succeeded by the Bornu Empire, which was a powerful Islamic monarchy until it was defeated by the Fulani in the early 19th century. The first Hausa kingdom was ruled by a queen, Amina, in the 11th century. Hausa kingdoms, based in what's now northern Nigeria, flourished from the 15th to 18th centuries, before eventually being defeated by the Fulani, who proclaimed the Sokoto Caliphate in 1809. The Sokoto Caliphate ruled for less than 100 years before being abolished by the British. Although the Bornu Empire, Sokoto Caliphate and Kingdom of Benin were eventually absorbed into British Nigeria, the descendants of the rulers retained their titles and influence through the colonial period and maintain them to this day. ====Colonial era==== [[File:CHAINS USED DURING THE SLAVE TRADE. SLAVE RELICS MUSEUM, BADAGRY.JPG|thumb|Chains at the Slave Relics Museum in Badagry]] Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to begin trade in Nigeria, and called the main port Lagos after the Portuguese town of Lagos, in Algarve. This name stuck on with more European trade with the region. The Europeans traded with the ethnicities of the coast and also established a trade in slaves which affected many Nigerian ethnicities. Following the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the British expanded trade with the Nigerian interior. In 1885 British claims to a West African sphere of influence received international recognition and in the following year the Royal Niger Company was chartered. In 1900 the company's territory came under the control of the British government, which moved to consolidate its hold over the area of modern Nigeria. On January 1, 1901 Nigeria became a British protectorate (northern and southern protectorates) and part of the [[British Empire]]. In 1914 the northern protectorate and the southern protectorate under the colonial rule were merged forming one single entity named "Nigeria". meaning: Niger [river Niger] area. The name "Nigeria" was given by the wife of the British Governor-General in charge of the country - Sir Lord Lugard. Following World War II, in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence, successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self-government on a representative and increasingly federal basis. By the middle of the 20th century, the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa. ====Post-independence==== On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom. In 1961, the neighbouring British Cameroon was split into two, with Northern Cameroons becoming part of Nigeria, and Southern Cameroons becoming part of [[Cameroon]]. As was the habit of colonialists during that era, no attention was paid to the fact that the "protectorates" suddenly and quite chaotically merged hundreds of distinct and autonomous ethnicities, or to the fact that some communities were ripped apart by the sudden construction of boundaries that never existed before. There was never a truly developed sense of singular Nigerian identity. In part, it was this disequilibrium which set the stage in 1966 for several successive military coups. The Northern coup, which was mostly motivated by ethnic and religious reasons, was a bloodbath of both military officers and civilians, especially those of Igbo extraction. The violence against the Igbo increased their desire for autonomy and protection from the military's wrath. By May 1967, the Eastern Region had declared itself an independent state called the Republic of Biafra and the 30-month Nigerian Civil War began. More than one million people died, many of them starving to death before Biafra was defeated. During the oil boom of the 1970s, Nigeria joined OPEC and billions of dollars generated by production in the oil-rich Niger Delta flowed into the coffers of the Nigerian state. However, increasing corruption and graft at all levels of government squandered most of these earnings. Nigeria re-achieved democracy in 1999 and although the elections which brought Obasanjo to power in 1999 and again in 2003 were condemned as unfree and unfair, Nigeria has shown marked improvements in attempts to tackle government corruption and to hasten development. Ethnic violence over the lack of profit-sharing with residents of the oil-producing Niger Delta region and inadequate infrastructures are some of the current issues in the country, which is the top oil-producing country in Africa. ===Climate=== [[File:Kaduna River, Kaduna (Nigeria), 2007.JPG|thumb|Kaduna River]] Varies; equatorial in the south, tropical in the centre, arid in the north. Natural hazards include periodic droughts and flooding. Tornadoes and hurricanes are rare because they typically are weak at this stage and travel west of the Atlantic. ===Terrain=== Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in the southeast, plains in the north. The Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea. The highest point is Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m. ===People=== Nigeria is the continent's most populous nation and the world's 7th most populous. The people of Nigeria are generally nice, with some even engaging you with conversations. As the Giant of Africa, Nigeria has more than 500 ethnic groups with different languages and customs. The largest ethnic groups — '''Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani/Hausa''' '''and Tiv''' — comprise more than 75% of the population. They have strong religious beliefs and respect for the elders is a must-do. ===Holidays=== * '''New Year's Day''' (January 1) * '''Easter''' (Good Friday and Easter Monday, according to the Western Christian tradition) * '''Workers day''' (May 1) * '''Children's Day''' (May 27) * '''Democracy Day''' (May 29) * '''Eid al-Adha''' * '''Eid al-Fitr''', marking the end of Ramadan * '''Eid al-Maulid''', Prophet Muhammad's birthday * '''Independence Day''' (October 1) * '''Christmas''' (December 25) * '''Boxing Day''' (December 26) ==Talk== The official language of Nigeria is '''English'''. The Nigerian dialect of English can be surprisingly different from other forms of English. Many (though certainly not all) Nigerians speak with thick local accents, which means that non-native English speakers may have difficulty understanding them. Native speakers of English may also have some difficulty understanding Nigerians as Nigerians have a unique way of speaking. You'll immediately realise that Nigerians don't pronounce the letter "r" in the middle of words (e.g. "start" is pronounced as "staht", "journey" is pronounced as "johnny"), the ending "-er" is pronounced as "ah" (e.g. "paper" is pronounced as "pay-pah"), and vowels in the middle of words are not usually pronounced (e.g. "medicine" is pronounced as "med-sin"). Understanding Nigerian English will take some time to get accustomed to, especially if you are not a frequent traveller to [[Africa]]. On a side note, you should know that many consider the Nigerian accent to be one of the [https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/sexy-accents/index.html most wonderful accents in the world]. '''Nigerian Pidgin''', a pidgin derived from English, is mostly used in informal conversations. '''[[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]''' is the second most spoken language in Nigeria, thanks to the fact that the Hausa make up 30-40% of the population in Nigeria. '''[[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]''' is spoken by nearly 42 million Nigerians and you are likely to find a Yoruba speaker in Southwestern Nigeria. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Nigeria.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Nigeria{{legend|#DA0906|Nigeria}}{{legend|#028951|Visa-free}}{{legend|#F27F33|Visa on arrival}}]] ===Entry requirements=== {{disclaimerbox|If you need more reliable information on visas and how to enter the country, it is recommended that you contact consular officials at your local Nigerian embassy.}} Nigeria isn't a country you can just waltz into. There are few visa-free arrangements in place, and almost everyone requires a visa to enter the country unless they're citizens of [https://www.ecowas.int/ Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)]. To apply for a Nigerian visa, go to [https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/pages/welcome this website]. You should only apply for a Nigerian visa in the country in which you're located. For tourist visas, you must present the following: A valid passport, a completed visa application form, two passport-sized photographs, a letter of invitation (a hotel reservation may suffice), proof you have funds to cover your travels in Nigeria, and proof you have paid for the visa application. Once that's done, you must schedule an interview with consular officials at the Nigerian embassy. Normally they will ask you questions about your intention to visit the country. If this is your first-ever visa interview, there's nothing to fear or be intimidated of; always assume the consular officials are looking for a reason to allow you in, not keep you out. Nigerian visas are notorious for being '''very expensive''' for nationals of certain countries. If you're a citizen of the [[United States]], you will normally be charged '''US$160''' to apply for a Nigerian visa. Citizens of [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]] have the highest visa fee requirements (they are charged '''US$253''' to apply for any type of visa), whereas citizens of African nations are charged much less. Plan and prepare accordingly if your country is on the "high fee" list. ===By plane=== [[File:Lagos Airport Iwelumo-5.jpg|thumb|Lagos International Airport]] *International airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt. Arik and Bellview Airlines make local and international flights (to other African countries and [[London]]), Aero to other African countries. Air Nigeria (formerly Virgin Nigeria) has ceased operations. Arik Air plies these routes. *Several European airlines fly to Nigeria: British Airways (London Heathrow - Abuja, Lagos), Virgin Atlantic (London Heathrow - Lagos), KLM ([[Amsterdam]] - Abuja, Lagos, Kano), Air France ([[Paris]]-Charles de Gaulle - Lagos), Turkish Airline ([[Istanbul]] - Lagos), Lufthansa ([[Frankfurt]] - Abuja, Lagos), Iberia Airlines ([[Madrid]] - Lagos) * US Based Delta Air Lines operates five non-stop flights a week from [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] to Lagos using a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, as well as nonstop service from New York to Abuja three times per week using a wide-body Boeing 767-300. * United Airlines formerly operated non-stop service from Houston Bush-Intercontinental to Lagos. *Other inter-continental airlines fly to Lagos. They include: China Southern Airlines ([[Beijing]], [[Dubai]]), Emirates (Dubai), Middle East Airlines ([[Beirut]]), Qatar Airways ([[Doha]]). *There are African companies: South African Airlines from Johannesburg, Egypt Air from [[Cairo]], Ethiopian Airlines from [[Addis Ababa]], Kenya Airways from [[Nairobi]], Afriqya Airways from [[Tripoli]]. *Besides these, there are other airlines (in addition to VNA and Bellview) that operate domestic and regional flights to places like [[Abidjan]], [[Accra]], [[Banjul]], [[Conakry]], [[Dakar]], [[Douala]], [[Freetown]], [[Johannesburg]], [[Libreville]], [[Monrovia]]. *There are also airports in most states of the federation and local air travel is widespread. ===By train=== There are no international passenger services to Nigeria. ===By boat=== Transport by boat isn't widespread unless you venture into the riverine areas of Nigeria. ==Get around== [[File:An okada rider with two passengers in lagos, nigeria.jpg|thumb|Okada with two passengers]] It would be best to travel around in your own car or a hired one (with a driver) but there are various other modes of transport. The road systems in Nigeria are relatively poor compared with North America or Europe, but often still passable. The "okada" (motorcycle) is not for the faint-hearted (there used to be no helmets but as a law the rider is required to have two helmets for himself and a passenger, although very few okada riders adhere to this rule.) and should only be used for short distance journeys. "Okadas" will get you to where you want to go quickly and you will get there in one piece. In Lagos, there are lots of buses and taxis. There are two main types of buses, the ''molue'' (an old 911 Mercedes Benz truck turned into school-like bus and the ''danfo'' (a Volkswagen Kombi bus turned into an eight-seater minibus). Most smaller cities have more taxis than buses, and they are quite affordable. For travelling from one city to another, you go to the "motor park", find the taxi that's going to your destination, and wait until it "fills up". The price is fixed, you don't have to negotiate. Some drivers may have a risky driving style however - practically this means that the only rule consistently adhered to (by cars, not necessarily motorcycles), is keeping to the right. ===By car=== Driving in Nigeria (especially Lagos) is somewhat unique, vaguely resembling driving in Cairo. If mastered, you should however be able to cope in most other countries. While driving in Abuja is relatively decent due to regularly maintained roads, it still doesn't compare with roads in more developed countries. Many roads are bad, but there are rarely any major accidents, you just have to strap your seatbelts in and enjoy the ride. Expect potholes of every size, and that, except on the highway, people will drive on the wrong side to avoid potholes or other bad patches of road. Sometimes entire roads are non-existent, so be prepared for anything. It is advisable to keep your distance from lorries or large vehicles, as many are driven without side-view mirrors, fully functional breaks, and most dangerous of all, securely strapped/attached cargo. Grass or branches on the road means there is a broken down vehicle ahead of you, be careful. If you are white, get used to Nigerians shouting at you as you pass by. It will be something like "Oyibo", "Oniocha", "MBakara", "Bature" or "white man". It all means the same, they are just telling you to smile as you pass. Self-driving for short-term visitors unfamiliar with the roads, especially in Lagos, is by no means advisable and could actually be quite foolish, perhaps even dangerous. You could easily wander into an area or a road block set by local gangs. If you choose to rent a car, it will come with a driver familiar with the area and style of driving, which is the easier and safer option. Police may try to take fiscal advantage of you as a foreigner. If you wish to drive yourself it is advisable to stick to the rules, as you will be an easy target for police officers to "fine". These are not real fines, they are payable directly to the officer in cash - without a ticket or a receipt. Even if you obey the traffic rules, police will find some petty reason - like not indicating your intention to drive straight. Should you be pulled over, do not give your license, as you will then lose all bargaining power when negotiating the "fine", which could easily be a maximum of all the visible cash you have on you at the time. Rather, carry a copy of the license and hand that over, or show your license through your window. Also, do not let the police get into your car. They are not really dangerous, but it could get expensive and certainly annoying. However, if you just don't pay and remain calm, it only costs time. They have no real power over you. [[File:Petrol station in Ilorin Kwara Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Petrol station with attendants]] Especially over weekends and festive times, it is common practice for police, especially in the richer areas of Lagos, to flag you down and wish you happy weekend/holiday/Christmas/Easter/sunny weather/trip to work. In this case, you did nothing wrong and they do not intend to "fine" you, but are rather asking for a tip. If you insistently yet politely refuse to give something, they will eventually let you go. Just wish them a nice weekend/holiday/etc. too. If you work for a big company in Nigeria, you will usually have a company driver to drive you around, thereby avoiding the above mentioned problems to a large extent. He can arrange a local driver's license for you should the need arise without a driving test or proof of foreign license. Nigeria is not part of the most standard international Road Traffic Convention and as such will require a special International Driving Permit (valid only for driving in Nigeria, Somalia and Iraq) (if you do not want to get the Nigerian license), not the normal one applicable to almost all other countries in the world. The last Saturday of the month is Sanitation Day in Lagos and Kano, when the locals clean their premises. While it is not illegal to be out on the street between 7–10M, due to the higher than usual presence of police officers and road check points, most Nigerians choose to restrict their movements until after 10AM. Should you be caught at this time, you may be taken away by the police to perform some "public sanitation" duty, like mowing lawns, etc. === By train === After having being abandoned for a long time, rehabilitation of rail services in Nigeria are finally in full swing. Helped by Chinese investment several new lines are expected to open in the next few years while older lines are renovated. While still much slower than flying, it is now possible to travel across the country by train. [http://nrc.gov.ng/ '''Nigeria Railway Corporation'''] is the sole operator, this might however change as the government mulls liberalization of the railway sector. Lagos and Abuja now have almost daily connections with cities in the interior of Nigeria such as Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna, with Lagos even offering a once-weekly [[sleeper trains|sleeper service]] all the way north to Kano. The [[Lagos-Ibadan Railway]] provides high-speed service from Lagos via Abeokuta to Ibadan. ===By plane=== Arik and Aero Contractors have scheduled domestic connections with modern aircraft and reasonable prices. Their websites are user-friendly and well updated. In Lagos, the two domestic terminals, while next to each other, are about 4-5 km (of road which would not be wise to walk if you don't know the place) from the international terminal, and you would therefore need a taxi to get from the one to the other, should you wish to transfer from an international flight to a domestic one. ===By bus=== Getting around is relatively easy, except that there could be delays due to traffic jams within most major cities. There are multitudes of coaches and buses that will take you to any part of Nigeria you wish (ABC Transport Services is well known for its services among others). Lagos state government also operates a transit system (BRT buses) which serves the Lagos metropolis. ===By taxi=== Ride-hailing is available in Nigeria and the following are the most anticipated providers: * {{listing | type=go | name=Bolt | alt= | url=https://bolt.eu | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Includes many towns. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Uber | alt= | url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Works in Abuja and Lagos. }} ==See== [[File:Enugu.jpg|thumb|Enugu landscape]] [[File:Kanogate2.jpg|thumb|New Gate to the palace of the Emir of [[Zaria]]]] *[[Lagos]]: There are different beach fronts, like Oniru Beach, Landmark Beach, Badagry Beach, Tarkwa bay Beach. *Lekki (suburb of Lagos): Lekki Conservation Center - a nice little fenced-off and interesting tropical rainforest reserve with wooden walkways, located on the outskirts of the city on the Lekki Express Way, just before the second toll gate. Lekki Beach, Eleko Beach *Plateau: Hiking and sightseeing the Riyom rocks. *Enugu: Hiking the old coal mines, and cultural events, e.g. New yam and atilogwu dancers. *Calabar: Harbour where you can get boat rides, a nice cinema, sit-out parks and slave monuments in the Marina Resort located in Calabar; also there is Tinapa, a little drive outside the city. *Obudu: Small town a few hours to the north from Calabar very close to the Cameroon border - rent a car from Calabar airport (comes with driver) and ask the driver to take you there via Tinapa. This is a cool mountain escape with a nice resort (Obudu Mountain Resort) on the mountain (the president also has a weekend home there). They have some forest walks, hiking, one of the longest cable cars in the world and very nice pristine swimming pools with fountains available. *Imo: Igbo Ukwu Shrine, if you are interested in Nigerian art. *The old walled cities of Kano, Katsina and Zaria. *Oyo: Palace of Alaafin, traditional markets and Calabash carvers. *Taraba: Tourist attractions like Mambilla plateau (highest point in the country). *Machina: A town with its annual cultural festival which takes place in March featuring cultural events such as traditional wrestling and horse racing. *Argungu: A small town with its annual fishing festival that occurs three days with approximately 35,000 fishermen catching fish in the murky waters. *Abuja: The capital, one of the most beautiful African cities has many tourists attractions including The [[Abuja|Zuma rock]], [[Abuja|Millenium park]] and lots of rolling hills. ==Do== '''Nollywood''' is a huge film industry based in Nigeria. By the early 2010s, Nigeria was producing more films than any country other than India, and the value of production was third after the U.S. and India. Nollywood films are enjoyed around the world. With diverse cultures in Nigeria, the Nigerian film industry isn't language biased: movies are shot in English, Yoruba, [[Igbo]], [[Hausa]], Edo, and other 300 Nigerian languages. There are cinemas in most cities and large towns where you can experience this important side of Nigerian culture. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Nigerian naira | currencyCode=₦ | date=January 2022 | USD=410 | EUR=470 | GBP=560 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/ngn-nigerian-naira XE.com] }} Nigeria's currency is '''naira''' (symbol: '''₦''', ISO 4217 code: '''NGN'''). Banknotes circulate in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 and inflation typically runs in double figures. It is advised to cash all your naira back into another currency at the airport before you leave Nigeria. The rate is irrelevant, as the naira is not worth that much outside Nigeria. Naira bills/coins may be of interest to currency collectors, but other than that, they will be nothing more than colourful souvenirs of your trip. Banks will change foreign currency to naira, but usually not the other way around, even though you are a foreigner. You would therefore need to use the Bureaux de Change at the International terminal or the new Domestic terminal or street vendors to get foreign currency should you end up with unused naira at the end of your trip. A safe place to change in Victoria Island is in the tourist market of Eko Hotel in Victoria Island. If the Bureaux de Change at the airport are closed, the car park outside the International terminal is full of street vendors only willing to change money from any major currency. When dealing with these street vendors, keep the money you are buying fully visible until the deal is finished (i.e. don't put into handbag and later discover it is wrong and then try and bargain) and count carefully with them, as they tend to try and short-change you with a note or two, especially when you change foreign currency into naira (which is a thick bundle of small notes), but with necessary vigilance are generally fine. Street vendors are also plentiful at the main land borders to change naira into CFA francs (XOF (Benin and Niger side) or XAF (Cameroon side)) if need be. XOF and XAF are freely and easily convertible to and from euros at a rate of 655.957 (sometimes with a small commission) when you are in the French countries. Changing large bills of US dollars or euros will give a better rate with professional money changers, such as on the currency exchange market near Lagos Domestic Airport. This is a walled enclosure with a large number of money changers, which is primarily used by local nationals. If you have a Visa card, you can withdraw money from Standard Chartered Bank ATMs in Lagos - Aromire St, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja & Ajose Adeogun St in Victoria Island Branch, Abuja and Port Harcourt (in Naira) and ATMs of some other banks with "Visa" stickers on them, like GT Bank, UBA, and Zenith. This will save you a lot of stress carrying large sums of money and it is secured. [[File:Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market Kano.jpg|thumb|Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market, [[Kano]]]] On Abuja and Lagos International Airport money can be withdrawn from ATMs. On Lagos International there are several ATMs, several may not function at all times. On Lagos Domestic Terminal there is also a functioning ATM in the domestic terminal on the 1st floor. Usually this a quiet ATM which also is very private and secure. MasterCard/Maestro users can also withdraw money from ATMs at several branches of Zenith Bank and GT Bank. Some ATMs of Ecobank, First Bank and Intercontinental Bank also allow for MasterCard/Maestro cards. Look for the red ATM sign outside, or ask the on-site security officer at any branch. Also look for Ecobank, they have a branch within the premises of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Visa is however a safer option if you are visiting the French countries around Nigeria as well, as MasterCard/Maestro is close to useless in these countries. If you do use an ATM, be aware of the risks of card cloning. This a problem with the airport ATMs which do not have a security guard watching over them. Check your statements regularly after using your card and alert your bank to any suspicious activity. Nigeria is on an active drive to become a cash-less society, and as such, more and more hotels, restaurant and shops (all the bigger ones at least) accept major credit cards (Visa being the preferred one - but ask first, there is both "local Visa" and "international Visa" - and MasterCard). Diners Club and Amex are almost universally useless in Nigeria. When paying by card, take the usual precautions (watch how they swipe, don't let the card out of your sight, etc.) ===Bargaining=== At markets, you are supposed to [[haggle]] for your goods (a notable exception is bread: its price is fixed). As a general rule, the real price is about half the price that was first asked. The seller may exaggerate the price when he or she thinks that you are a rich tourist ignorant of the real price. After agreeing on a price, don't walk away without buying; this is considered very rude. Shops like supermarkets and restaurants will typically charge fixed prices. Fresh products and Western-style sit-in restaurants are quite expensive, with it not being uncommon to pay US$75 for a dinner per person. ==Eat== [[File:Afang Soup.jpg|thumb|Afang soup]] {{main|Nigerian cuisine}} There are many types of traditional cuisine to enjoy. For example: afang soup, okra soup, owo soup and starch in the Niger Delta, plantain (fried, boiled, roasted), pepper soup, amala, eba, efo, pounded yam (iyan - Yoruba for "pounded yam", pronounced " ee-yarn" ), jollof rice, ground nut soup, ogbono soup, isi ewu (goat's head stew), egusi soup, suya (kebab), moin moin, ewedu, gbegiri soup (beans soup), edikangikong, ground-rice, puff-puff, chin chin, ikokore, owerri soup (ofe owerri), which is the most expensive African soup in Nigeria. Not to forget 404 pepper soup - it will make you act like "Oliver Twist." You must realise that 404 means "dog meat." And yes, it can only be found in certain parts of the country because in the west it is seen as barbaric. For the less adventurous traveller, there are loads of "foreign" restaurants in Lagos, e.g. Sky Bar and the grill at Eco Hotel, Churasco's, Lagoon and Fusion all three next to each other (all-you-can-eat Brazilian grill, Indian and Sushi respectively) with a nice view of the lagoon, Piccolo Mondo, Manuella's Residence (great Italian Pizza from Manuella the Italian lady), Bungalow (close to Coschari's BMW in VI) - good sports bar, grill and Sushi, great Sunday buffet at Radisson Blu. Chocolate Royal is a nice family restaurant with excellent ice cream selection (including ice cream cakes) and pastries in VI. Inside Chocolate Royal is an Oriental restaurant called Métisse. Bottles in VI is a grill and Mexican restaurant. And there are loads more flavours from every corner of the world. Just Google and ask taxi to take you there. Outside Lagos and to a lesser extent Abuja, Western food will tend to disappear, with "Jollof Rice and fried chicken" being a "safe" option if you are not adventurous. Fried plantains, shawarma and chicken suya are some of the best options if you are craving some street food. These are often sold by locals at the roadside. Foreign restaurants are expensive and you can prepare for a bill of at least $50 to $75 or even $100 per head for main course. If this is too much, try the Syrian Club in Ikoyi (turn North - away from the water) at the Mobil filling station in Awolowo Road (the night club street) in Ikoyi, continue a few blocks and on your left you will see the Syrian mosque, turn in the gate just after the mosque and the Syrian Club will be on your right on the inside of the premises with nice Lebanese/Syrian flair at very affordable (for Lagos) prices in an outdoor setting. If you are a new expat living in Lagos, do yourself a favour and acquaint yourself early on with the following more expensive, foreign-owned, but well worth it, smaller specialist shops in VI selling all the delicacies and nice imported red meats that foreigners long for in and that Shoprite, Park and Shop, Next, and Goodie's (the main supermarkets) may not stock: 1. Deli's on Akin Adesola (the main road leading to Bar Beach), 2. L'Epicérie across the road from Mega Plaza and 3. La Pointe on Kofo Abayomi Street (close to the Brazilian Embassy/Consulate) and not easy to spot. Knowing these places will significantly improve your coping ability in the first couple of months. ==Drink== *Nigeria is one of the places where Guinness is brewed outside of Ireland. And they do it pretty well, although it's not the same product. The Guinness brand (with logo and copyrights where they should be) is also used to brew both an alcohol-free malt version of the black stuff, and an extra strong (about 7.5%) version of Guinness in Kenya (in the case of the latter) and Tanzania (in the case of the former). *Beer is a big business in Nigeria, although the move toward evangelism and Islamic law is making its mark. Lagos is relatively unaffected due to its cosmopolitan nature. Heineken, Star, Harp, Gulder and other international beers are available. *Malt beverages (non alcoholic) are very common in Nigeria. *The other cheap drink of choice is gin, which is locally made. It may contain toxic methanol due to lack of quality control, so steer clear. Other drinks to consider include: palm wine, wine, zobo (red soft drink, is a tea of dried roselle flowers), kunun, kai kai (also called ogogoro). The northern states have implemented Sharia (Islamic) law, which means that alcohol is prohibited. Ironically, the only places where you can drink a beer in these states are the police staff bars and the army barracks, because these are institutions under federal law. Beer is available in Kano, in restaurants managed by foreign or Christian people, Chinese restaurants, and/or French cafes. For a real night out, go to the Sabongari area of the old town. Plenty of bars around that stay open till very late. Many do decent food as well. Sabongari is also the place to buy alcoholic drinks and there are plenty stores open late into the night. Some hotels in Kano are "dry", however in Tahir Guest Palace the staff will be quite happy to buy you a few bottles of beer for you in your room (all rooms have large fridges). ==Sleep== Almost all hotels in Nigeria require you to pay before you get your key. This applies even to the Sheraton and the Hilton. Typically you are requested to pay 125% of the room rate and you will be refunded when settling the bill at your departure. If you stay more than one night you need to keep the credit up. However, paying this deposit by credit card can leave you open to subsequent fraudulent use of your details. ==Learn== There are lots of private and public primary (elementary) and secondary (high) schools. It is worth it to organize a trip to whatever institution of learning you are interested in as this would give you a personal perspective on what facilities are available in your school of interest. There is a nationwide, standardized common entrance exam for students wishing to go into secondary schools, after they have completed their primary schooling. To gain admission into the universities (both public and private universities are in every state of the federation including the FCT), a prospective student has to sit for and successfully pass the UME (Universities Matriculation Examination) which is administered by JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board). Also, individual universities regularly screen prospective candidates to make sure they are up to par for university-level work. ==Work== [[File:Lagos (Nigeria).jpg|thumb|Lagos skyline]] Working in Nigeria can be a very positive experience. Nigerian organizations tend to operate like small families, taking in newcomers with open arms and avoiding the coolness and sterility that often characterize the Western professional work environment. For instance, don't even think about coming into the office in the morning without greeting each of your colleagues. Even if you don't, be sure that they will go out of their way to greet you and inquire about your well-being. It is hard to make generalizations about a country with 140 million inhabitants, but some Nigerians have a work ethic that would put most Westerners to shame. An eight-hour day (not including lunch) seems to be the norm, though it's not uncommon for people to stay late into the night and even come in for a few hours on weekends. Depending on the organization, a foreigner may be able to avoid this, but one should be prepared to work beyond the standard 35-40 hr work week. The notion of "African time" applies very much to the work environment in Nigeria. Meetings are regularly held later than scheduled and often take longer than necessary. Although Nigerians will unabashedly admit to their habitual tardiness, rarely does one see efforts to correct this behavior. The higher one's position, the later one may arrive at a meeting. On top of that, starting the meeting before the important people arrive is very rude--a common principle shared with many Western countries. When dealing with foreign organizations, Nigerians will often make some efforts to correct this behaviour, for some Nigerians are aware that their conception of punctuality is not shared by all. Those who are used to the strict North American conception of political correctness at the office may be shocked by the more liberal inter-sexual relations in the Nigerian workplace. Mild sexual jokes are common in meetings and in the office in general, though usually good natured and harmless. A white person working in an all-Nigerian workplace should also be prepared to frequently be reminded of their skin tone, though never in a nasty way. This can become tiresome, but Nigerians are generally very friendly. They use the term "Oyibo" (white man in Yoruba) or "Bature" (white man in Hausa) as a form of affection. The use of professional titles in written and verbal form is very common in Nigeria. Expect to address your boss as Sir, Doctor, Colonel, etc., and avoid using the first name of a superior unless given permission to do so. Being a foreigner, you will be forgiven for any faux pas, but it is always best to err on the side of caution and politeness. The mobile phone (cell phone) is an essential tool for virtually all urban - and most rural - Nigerians. Because of the many local networks, many people have two or even three "handsets", each on a different network. Anyone doing business in the country for more than a few days should consider having a mobile phone. ==Stay safe== {{quote|This is Nigeria<br>...<br>Police station dey close by 6<br>Security reason o<br>...<br>This is Nigeria<br>Look at my nation o<br>SARS stop me for road any explanation you go talk am for station o|author=Falz (local rapper)|source=''This is Nigeria''}} Nigerian crime levels are fairly high, particularly in [[Lagos]]. The far north eastern regions of Nigeria is troubled by the Boko Haram jihadist group which is known for its attacks on non-Muslims and taking the law into their own hands. This Islamist group is also known for its harsh interpretation of sharia law which includes flogging. Boko Haram attacks Christians and proselytizers so avoid traveling to the north east in large groups. The US State Department and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to this area, while Global Affairs Canada recommends against non-essential travel to Nigeria (other than Abuja, Calabar and Lagos) because of the risks of terrorism, and recommends practising special health precautions because of the risk of contracting [[malaria]]. The Niger Delta area is '''unsafe for tourists'''. There is continual low-level violence between government and militant groups, and there have been several kidnappings of foreign oil workers. === Corruption === Corruption in general is '''systemic and endemic''' in Nigeria. Transparency International ranks Nigeria as one of the most corrupt nations on the planet. In 2012, it was believed that Nigeria has lost a total of $400 billion to corruption since independence. The police are notorious for being highly corrupt and woefully ineffective, and the locals do not trust them at all. Nigerians have to pay the police to get reliable assistance for anything. Cronyism and nepotism are common in the police force, and police officers routinely target, harass, extort, and intimidate people, including locals, for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to corrupt officials. === Authorities === Police corruption and misconduct is endemic in Nigeria. The '''Special Anti-Robbery Squad''', tasked to combat violent property crimes, is notorious for abusing their power. If you are stopped by the police for anything, always remain respectful, but be firm. Do not be tempted to argue or fight back with a police officer, even if you haven't done anything wrong. ===LGBT travellers=== Homosexual sex acts are '''illegal'''. LGBT travellers should take extra caution when travelling to Nigeria, especially in the North, where sharia law implementation can be strict. Both gays and lesbians can be executed, but are more likely to be imprisoned. In fact, a law that has been wildly popular among Muslim and Christian Nigerians alike has made it a crime to know that someone is homosexual and not report it to the authorities. ==Stay healthy== Travellers to Nigeria are required to vaccinate themselves against yellow fever, preferably 10 days before arrival in Nigeria. As malaria is prevalent, malaria pills and mosquito nets are also recommended. Polio vaccination in Nigeria is intermittent and there is a high rate of infection in the North.<!--The global crisis of corona virus has hit Nigeria since February 2020 making it the third country in Africa to have the disease. --> '''[[Water]]''' is sold in different sizes (sachet and bottle). The bottled water and other soft drinks are safe. It is approx ₦150 for a big bottle (June 2021). The cheap "pure water" sold in plastic bags is cheaper but not as "pure" as Eva water, a brand by Coca Cola Company, or Nestle water by Nestle Nigeria. Do not buy water that does not have NAFDAC registration printed on the bottle. It is advisable to purchase bottled water from convenience stores rather than by the roadside. These upscale convenience stores usually purchase their supplies directly from the suppliers. For the latest traveller's health information pertaining to Nigeria, including advisories and recommendations, visit the [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nigeria.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nigeria] destination website. ==Respect== {{ramadandates}} Some of the country's languages have different ways for someone to address someone older than themselves. Handing things over to people, especially adults and people older than you, with your left hand is considered an insult. You don't cross or jump over someone's legs if they are sitting with the legs extended out. It's considered bad luck. Avoid shaking hands with elders and older people in non-Igbo villages. It's disrespectful to do that. Bowing down a little and kneeling or genuflecting for women or prostrating by men (especially among the Yoruba) is the normal thing to do. You may not need to do it either, but just show some form of respect when greeting older people. You can get away with not doing that in big cities or urban areas; they are less traditional there. When entering a house in the predominantly Muslim north, you have to let them know in advance that you are visiting so that the women can prepare (cover themselves up). Some Islamic customs require women to cover their hair and bodies to other men and this is practised in the North. Knock on the door and wait to be answered before going in. They will ask you to wait while the women are informed. Wait patiently. ==Connect== The country code for Nigeria is 234. Dialing out from Nigeria: you will need to dial the International Code, followed by the phone digit numbers. Dialing into Nigeria: callers use +234 followed by the phone digit numbers. There is also a company in Nigeria called [http://elixirworldwide.com Elixir Communication Worldwide] that offers mobile phones for the blind and visually challenged. All the mobile operators have a roaming agreement with other mobile operators around the world. The leading zero in area codes and similar prefixes is for domestic calls. It is not dialled when using the country code. Mobile phone service providers: * {{listing | name=Airtel (Bharti Airtel) | alt=Formerly Zain, Celtel | url=https://www.airtel.com.ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *444#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyAirtel App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=MTN | alt= | url=http://www.mtnonline.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *131#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, MyMTN App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=9mobile | alt=former Etisalat | url=https://9mobile.com.ng/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *222#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, My9Mobile App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=Glo | alt=Globalcom | url=https://www.gloworld.com/ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *777#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyGlo app postpaid plans. 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE. Mobile money. Network with lowest offerings for airtime and data. }} ==Go next== * Travel north to [[Niger]], and into the Sahara Desert. * Travel east to [[Cameroon]], for some mountain climbing. * Travel west to [[Benin]], the best way out when travelling to Europe overland. * Travel northeast to [[Chad]]. {{outlinecountry}} {{isPartOf|West_Africa}} {{geo|9|8|zoom=6}} bkyx5d1ipsbnkjmk7gsuoo1293i0ia1 4506254 4506242 2022-08-22T13:47:17Z Ground Zero 1423298 I think it is worth mentioning if we are going to say it is the most populous, but we don't need all of the details for a travel guide wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nigeria banner Eyo Festival in Lagos.jpg|caption=Costumed dancers, Eyos, viewed from above at Lagos' Eyo Festival}} '''[https://nigeria.gov.ng/ Nigeria]''' ([[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]: ''Najeriya'', [[Igbo phrasebook|Igbo]]: ''Naíjíríà'', [[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]: ''Nàìjíríà'') is a large country in equatorial [[West Africa]]. Often regarded as the "Giant of [[Africa]]", Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with about 216 million people in 2022. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the country is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages. The Hausa are the largest ethnic group, who make up more than 30% of the population. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims (who are mostly found in the north and make up between 50-53% of the population) and Christians (who are mostly found in the south). The majority of Nigerian Muslims are Sunni Muslims, and the majority of Nigerian Christians are Protestants. Nigeria has the fifth largest Muslim population in the world, and the sixth largest Christian population in the world. Nigeria does have its fair share of political and social problems, but don't let that deter you; the country is endowed with a plethora of appealing tourist attractions, incredibly friendly, jovial, and sociable people, and delicious food, and travel provides you the chance to experience and explore one of the most fascinatingly diverse countries on the planet. There's lots to do and see in Nigeria. ==Regions== {{mapshape|wikidata=Q509300,Q503928,Q503932,Q836645,Q464953,Q387745,Q429908|type=geoshape|fill=#7CD1A0|title=[[North Central Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682777,Q463959,Q376241,Q130626,Q503936,Q337514|type=geoshape|fill=#608860|title=[[North East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q145793,Q503941,Q748523,Q657821,Q682571,Q878284,Q682691|type=geoshape|fill=#bcd7a8|title=[[North West Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q842939,Q3817714,Q506808,Q117714,Q320852|type=geoshape|fill=#67be73 |title=[[South East Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q682704,Q503910,Q503923,Q739676,Q532153,Q424388|type=geoshape|fill=#8cb3ad|title=[[South South Nigeria]]}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q503905,Q682721,Q836654,Q836657,Q815913,Q534917|type=geoshape|fill=#70993c|title=[[South West Nigeria]]}} {{Regionlist | regionmap=Nigeria English Wikivoyage regions map.png | regionmaptext=Map of Nigeria | regionmapsize=400px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | region4name=[[North Central Nigeria]] | region4color=#67be73 | region4items=[[Benue State|Benue]], [[Kogi State|Kogi]], [[Kwara State|Kwara]], [[Nasarawa State|Nasarawa]], [[Niger State]], [[Plateau State|Plateau]], [[North Central Nigeria#Cities|Federal Capital Territory]] | region4description= | region6name=[[North East Nigeria]] | region6color=#608860 | region6items=[[Adamawa State|Adamawa]], [[Bauchi State|Bauchi]], [[Borno State|Borno]], [[Gombe State|Gombe]], [[Taraba State|Taraba]], [[Yobe State|Yobe]] | region6description= | region5name=[[North West Nigeria]] | region5color=#bcd7a8 | region5items=[[Jigawa State|Jigawa]], [[Kaduna State|Kaduna]], [[Kano]], [[Katsina State|Katsina]], [[Kebbi State|Kebbi]], [[Sokoto State|Sokoto]], [[Zamfara State|Zamfara]] | region5description= | region3name=[[South East Nigeria]] | region3color=#7CD1A0 | region3items=[[Abia State|Abia]], [[Anambra State|Anambra]], [[Ebonyi State|Ebonyi]], [[South East Nigeria#Cities|Enugu]], [[Imo State|Imo]] | region3description=The region that contains the five Igbo speaking states of Nigeria with a population of over twenty million, which contains large mineral deposits and natural resources. | region2name=[[South South Nigeria]] | region2color=#8cb3ad | region2items=[[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]], [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]], [[Cross River State|Cross River]], [[Rivers State|Rivers]], [[Delta State|Delta]], [[Edo State|Edo]] | region2description= | region1name=[[South West Nigeria]] | region1color=#70993c | region1items=[[Ekiti State|Ekiti]], [[Lagos State|Lagos]], [[Ogun State|Ogun]], [[Ondo State|Ondo]], [[Osun State|Osun]], [[Oyo State|Oyo]] | region1description=The most significant section of Nigeria, with the country's largest city, [[Lagos]] }} ==Cities== [[File:Pitakwa.jpg|thumb|[[Port Harcourt]]]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Abuja]]|wikidata=Q3787}} &mdash; the capital, with beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Benin City]]|wikidata=Q320704}} &mdash; city of the Edo people and rich cultural state * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Calabar]]|wikidata=Q844091}} &mdash; oil region, with the world's highest concentration of butterflies in the surrounding regions * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Enugu]]|wikidata=Q465022}} &mdash; the coal city * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Ibadan]]|wikidata=Q183298}} &mdash; geographically the largest city in [[Africa]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kano]]|wikidata=Q182984}} &mdash; important Hausa city, commercial hub of the north * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lagos City|Lagos]]|wikidata=Q8673}} &mdash; second most populous city in Africa, former colonial capital and huge commercial hub, economic capital of Nigeria * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Osogbo]]|wikidata=Q868203}} &mdash; home of the Sacred Grove of Osun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Harcourt]]|wikidata=Q217432}} &mdash; capital of [[Rivers State]] and largest city in the oil-rich region, primarily belonging to the Ikwerre ==Other destinations== [[File:Zumarock.jpg|thumbnail|[[Abuja#Q229624|Zuma Rock]]]] * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Agbokim Waterfalls]]|wikidata=Q25067051}} — a seven-part waterfalls in an area of tropical rainforest. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Chad Basin National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107090}} — inside the old Kanem-Borno Empire (present-day Borno and the Yobe states). * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cross River National Park]]|wikidata=Q3015318}} — primary moist tropical rainforests in the north and central parts, with mangrove swamps on the coastal zones. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Gashaka Gumti National Park ]]|wikidata=Q1495137}} — Nigeria’s largest national park, near the border with Cameroon * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kainji National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473988}} — a protected savannah in North Central Nigeria * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kamuku National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107175}} — protects typical Savannah vegetation with easy viewing of wildlife and landscape * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Okomu National Park]]|wikidata=Q1107161}} — part of a rainforest ecosystem that is the habitat for many vulnerable species of flora and fauna. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Old Oyo National Park]]|wikidata= |lat=8.667|long=3.983}} – named after the Oyo Empire this large park combines archaeological, cultural and historical aspects. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yankari National Park]]|wikidata=Q1473112}} — the largest wildlife park in Nigeria is home to several natural warm springs. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationNigeria.png}} ===History=== ====The pre-colonial era==== The Nok culture of northern Nigeria flourished between 1000 BC and 500 AD producing life-sized terracotta figures which are some of the earliest known sculptures in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tiv culture in the north central region of Nigeria dates to 6 BC. Some of the famous bronze terracotta sculpture heads from this culture have been shown around the world. In the northern part of the country, Kano and Katsina have recorded history which dates back to around 999. The kingdoms of Ifẹ and Oyo in the western block of Nigeria became prominent about 700–900 and 1400 respectively. The Yoruba mythology believes that Ile-Ife is the source of the human race and that it predates any other civilization. Another prominent kingdom in south western Nigeria was the Kingdom of Benin whose power lasted between the 15th and 19th century. Their dominance reached as far as the well known city of Eko, later named Lagos by the Portuguese. [[Benin City]], the capital of the Kingdom of Benin, grew into one of the most impressive cities in pre-colonial Africa, with its city walls said to be four times the length of the Great Wall of China. However, little of its former glory remains as it was razed to the ground during the British invasion in 1897, with only one building surviving the invasion. Its artworks were looted by the British and can now be seen in the British Museum and various museums in Europe and the United States. In southeastern Nigeria the Kingdom of Nri of the Igbo people flourished from around the 10th century until 1911 and the city of Nri is considered to be the foundation of Igbo culture. In northeastern Nigeria, the Kanem Empire ruled from the 8th century to 1376 and was succeeded by the Bornu Empire, which was a powerful Islamic monarchy until it was defeated by the Fulani in the early 19th century. The first Hausa kingdom was ruled by a queen, Amina, in the 11th century. Hausa kingdoms, based in what's now northern Nigeria, flourished from the 15th to 18th centuries, before eventually being defeated by the Fulani, who proclaimed the Sokoto Caliphate in 1809. The Sokoto Caliphate ruled for less than 100 years before being abolished by the British. Although the Bornu Empire, Sokoto Caliphate and Kingdom of Benin were eventually absorbed into British Nigeria, the descendants of the rulers retained their titles and influence through the colonial period and maintain them to this day. ====Colonial era==== [[File:CHAINS USED DURING THE SLAVE TRADE. SLAVE RELICS MUSEUM, BADAGRY.JPG|thumb|Chains at the Slave Relics Museum in Badagry]] Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to begin trade in Nigeria, and called the main port Lagos after the Portuguese town of Lagos, in Algarve. This name stuck on with more European trade with the region. The Europeans traded with the ethnicities of the coast and also established a trade in slaves which affected many Nigerian ethnicities. Following the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the British expanded trade with the Nigerian interior. In 1885 British claims to a West African sphere of influence received international recognition and in the following year the Royal Niger Company was chartered. In 1900 the company's territory came under the control of the British government, which moved to consolidate its hold over the area of modern Nigeria. On January 1, 1901 Nigeria became a British protectorate (northern and southern protectorates) and part of the [[British Empire]]. In 1914 the northern protectorate and the southern protectorate under the colonial rule were merged forming one single entity named "Nigeria". meaning: Niger [river Niger] area. The name "Nigeria" was given by the wife of the British Governor-General in charge of the country - Sir Lord Lugard. Following World War II, in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence, successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self-government on a representative and increasingly federal basis. By the middle of the 20th century, the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa. ====Post-independence==== On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom. In 1961, the neighbouring British Cameroon was split into two, with Northern Cameroons becoming part of Nigeria, and Southern Cameroons becoming part of [[Cameroon]]. As was the habit of colonialists during that era, no attention was paid to the fact that the "protectorates" suddenly and quite chaotically merged hundreds of distinct and autonomous ethnicities, or to the fact that some communities were ripped apart by the sudden construction of boundaries that never existed before. There was never a truly developed sense of singular Nigerian identity. In part, it was this disequilibrium which set the stage in 1966 for several successive military coups. The Northern coup, which was mostly motivated by ethnic and religious reasons, was a bloodbath of both military officers and civilians, especially those of Igbo extraction. The violence against the Igbo increased their desire for autonomy and protection from the military's wrath. By May 1967, the Eastern Region had declared itself an independent state called the Republic of Biafra and the 30-month Nigerian Civil War began. More than one million people died, many of them starving to death before Biafra was defeated. During the oil boom of the 1970s, Nigeria joined OPEC and billions of dollars generated by production in the oil-rich Niger Delta flowed into the coffers of the Nigerian state. However, increasing corruption and graft at all levels of government squandered most of these earnings. Nigeria re-achieved democracy in 1999 and although the elections which brought Obasanjo to power in 1999 and again in 2003 were condemned as unfree and unfair, Nigeria has shown marked improvements in attempts to tackle government corruption and to hasten development. Ethnic violence over the lack of profit-sharing with residents of the oil-producing Niger Delta region and inadequate infrastructures are some of the current issues in the country, which is the top oil-producing country in Africa. ===Climate=== [[File:Kaduna River, Kaduna (Nigeria), 2007.JPG|thumb|Kaduna River]] Varies; equatorial in the south, tropical in the centre, arid in the north. Natural hazards include periodic droughts and flooding. Tornadoes and hurricanes are rare because they typically are weak at this stage and travel west of the Atlantic. ===Terrain=== Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in the southeast, plains in the north. The Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea. The highest point is Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m. ===People=== Nigeria is the continent's most populous nation and the world's 7th most populous. The people of Nigeria are generally nice, with some even engaging you with conversations. As the Giant of Africa, Nigeria has more than 500 ethnic groups with different languages and customs. The largest ethnic groups — '''Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani/Hausa''' '''and Tiv''' — comprise more than 75% of the population. They have strong religious beliefs and respect for the elders is a must-do. ===Holidays=== * '''New Year's Day''' (January 1) * '''Easter''' (Good Friday and Easter Monday, according to the Western Christian tradition) * '''Workers day''' (May 1) * '''Children's Day''' (May 27) * '''Democracy Day''' (May 29) * '''Eid al-Adha''' * '''Eid al-Fitr''', marking the end of Ramadan * '''Eid al-Maulid''', Prophet Muhammad's birthday * '''Independence Day''' (October 1) * '''Christmas''' (December 25) * '''Boxing Day''' (December 26) ==Talk== The official language of Nigeria is '''English'''. The Nigerian dialect of English can be surprisingly different from other forms of English. Many (though certainly not all) Nigerians speak with thick local accents, which means that non-native English speakers may have difficulty understanding them. Native speakers of English may also have some difficulty understanding Nigerians as Nigerians have a unique way of speaking. You'll immediately realise that Nigerians don't pronounce the letter "r" in the middle of words (e.g. "start" is pronounced as "staht", "journey" is pronounced as "johnny"), the ending "-er" is pronounced as "ah" (e.g. "paper" is pronounced as "pay-pah"), and vowels in the middle of words are not usually pronounced (e.g. "medicine" is pronounced as "med-sin"). Understanding Nigerian English will take some time to get accustomed to, especially if you are not a frequent traveller to [[Africa]]. On a side note, you should know that many consider the Nigerian accent to be one of the [https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/sexy-accents/index.html most wonderful accents in the world]. '''Nigerian Pidgin''', a pidgin derived from English, is mostly used in informal conversations. '''[[Hausa phrasebook|Hausa]]''' is the second most spoken language in Nigeria, thanks to the fact that the Hausa make up 30-40% of the population in Nigeria. '''[[Yoruba phrasebook|Yoruba]]''' is spoken by nearly 42 million Nigerians and you are likely to find a Yoruba speaker in Southwestern Nigeria. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Nigeria.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Nigeria{{legend|#DA0906|Nigeria}}{{legend|#028951|Visa-free}}{{legend|#F27F33|Visa on arrival}}]] ===Entry requirements=== {{disclaimerbox|If you need more reliable information on visas and how to enter the country, it is recommended that you contact consular officials at your local Nigerian embassy.}} Nigeria isn't a country you can just waltz into. There are few visa-free arrangements in place, and almost everyone requires a visa to enter the country unless they're citizens of [https://www.ecowas.int/ Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)]. To apply for a Nigerian visa, go to [https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/pages/welcome this website]. You should only apply for a Nigerian visa in the country in which you're located. For tourist visas, you must present the following: A valid passport, a completed visa application form, two passport-sized photographs, a letter of invitation (a hotel reservation may suffice), proof you have funds to cover your travels in Nigeria, and proof you have paid for the visa application. Once that's done, you must schedule an interview with consular officials at the Nigerian embassy. Normally they will ask you questions about your intention to visit the country. If this is your first-ever visa interview, there's nothing to fear or be intimidated of; always assume the consular officials are looking for a reason to allow you in, not keep you out. Nigerian visas are notorious for being '''very expensive''' for nationals of certain countries. If you're a citizen of the [[United States]], you will normally be charged '''US$160''' to apply for a Nigerian visa. Citizens of [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]] have the highest visa fee requirements (they are charged '''US$253''' to apply for any type of visa), whereas citizens of African nations are charged much less. Plan and prepare accordingly if your country is on the "high fee" list. ===By plane=== [[File:Lagos Airport Iwelumo-5.jpg|thumb|Lagos International Airport]] *International airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt. Arik and Bellview Airlines make local and international flights (to other African countries and [[London]]), Aero to other African countries. Air Nigeria (formerly Virgin Nigeria) has ceased operations. Arik Air plies these routes. *Several European airlines fly to Nigeria: British Airways (London Heathrow - Abuja, Lagos), Virgin Atlantic (London Heathrow - Lagos), KLM ([[Amsterdam]] - Abuja, Lagos, Kano), Air France ([[Paris]]-Charles de Gaulle - Lagos), Turkish Airline ([[Istanbul]] - Lagos), Lufthansa ([[Frankfurt]] - Abuja, Lagos), Iberia Airlines ([[Madrid]] - Lagos) * US Based Delta Air Lines operates five non-stop flights a week from [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] to Lagos using a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, as well as nonstop service from New York to Abuja three times per week using a wide-body Boeing 767-300. * United Airlines formerly operated non-stop service from Houston Bush-Intercontinental to Lagos. *Other inter-continental airlines fly to Lagos. They include: China Southern Airlines ([[Beijing]], [[Dubai]]), Emirates (Dubai), Middle East Airlines ([[Beirut]]), Qatar Airways ([[Doha]]). *There are African companies: South African Airlines from Johannesburg, Egypt Air from [[Cairo]], Ethiopian Airlines from [[Addis Ababa]], Kenya Airways from [[Nairobi]], Afriqya Airways from [[Tripoli]]. *Besides these, there are other airlines (in addition to VNA and Bellview) that operate domestic and regional flights to places like [[Abidjan]], [[Accra]], [[Banjul]], [[Conakry]], [[Dakar]], [[Douala]], [[Freetown]], [[Johannesburg]], [[Libreville]], [[Monrovia]]. *There are also airports in most states of the federation and local air travel is widespread. ===By train=== There are no international passenger services to Nigeria. ===By boat=== Transport by boat isn't widespread unless you venture into the riverine areas of Nigeria. ==Get around== [[File:An okada rider with two passengers in lagos, nigeria.jpg|thumb|Okada with two passengers]] It would be best to travel around in your own car or a hired one (with a driver) but there are various other modes of transport. The road systems in Nigeria are relatively poor compared with North America or Europe, but often still passable. The "okada" (motorcycle) is not for the faint-hearted (there used to be no helmets but as a law the rider is required to have two helmets for himself and a passenger, although very few okada riders adhere to this rule.) and should only be used for short distance journeys. "Okadas" will get you to where you want to go quickly and you will get there in one piece. In Lagos, there are lots of buses and taxis. There are two main types of buses, the ''molue'' (an old 911 Mercedes Benz truck turned into school-like bus and the ''danfo'' (a Volkswagen Kombi bus turned into an eight-seater minibus). Most smaller cities have more taxis than buses, and they are quite affordable. For travelling from one city to another, you go to the "motor park", find the taxi that's going to your destination, and wait until it "fills up". The price is fixed, you don't have to negotiate. Some drivers may have a risky driving style however - practically this means that the only rule consistently adhered to (by cars, not necessarily motorcycles), is keeping to the right. ===By car=== Driving in Nigeria (especially Lagos) is somewhat unique, vaguely resembling driving in Cairo. If mastered, you should however be able to cope in most other countries. While driving in Abuja is relatively decent due to regularly maintained roads, it still doesn't compare with roads in more developed countries. Many roads are bad, but there are rarely any major accidents, you just have to strap your seatbelts in and enjoy the ride. Expect potholes of every size, and that, except on the highway, people will drive on the wrong side to avoid potholes or other bad patches of road. Sometimes entire roads are non-existent, so be prepared for anything. It is advisable to keep your distance from lorries or large vehicles, as many are driven without side-view mirrors, fully functional breaks, and most dangerous of all, securely strapped/attached cargo. Grass or branches on the road means there is a broken down vehicle ahead of you, be careful. If you are white, get used to Nigerians shouting at you as you pass by. It will be something like "Oyibo", "Oniocha", "MBakara", "Bature" or "white man". It all means the same, they are just telling you to smile as you pass. Self-driving for short-term visitors unfamiliar with the roads, especially in Lagos, is by no means advisable and could actually be quite foolish, perhaps even dangerous. You could easily wander into an area or a road block set by local gangs. If you choose to rent a car, it will come with a driver familiar with the area and style of driving, which is the easier and safer option. Police may try to take fiscal advantage of you as a foreigner. If you wish to drive yourself it is advisable to stick to the rules, as you will be an easy target for police officers to "fine". These are not real fines, they are payable directly to the officer in cash - without a ticket or a receipt. Even if you obey the traffic rules, police will find some petty reason - like not indicating your intention to drive straight. Should you be pulled over, do not give your license, as you will then lose all bargaining power when negotiating the "fine", which could easily be a maximum of all the visible cash you have on you at the time. Rather, carry a copy of the license and hand that over, or show your license through your window. Also, do not let the police get into your car. They are not really dangerous, but it could get expensive and certainly annoying. However, if you just don't pay and remain calm, it only costs time. They have no real power over you. [[File:Petrol station in Ilorin Kwara Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Petrol station with attendants]] Especially over weekends and festive times, it is common practice for police, especially in the richer areas of Lagos, to flag you down and wish you happy weekend/holiday/Christmas/Easter/sunny weather/trip to work. In this case, you did nothing wrong and they do not intend to "fine" you, but are rather asking for a tip. If you insistently yet politely refuse to give something, they will eventually let you go. Just wish them a nice weekend/holiday/etc. too. If you work for a big company in Nigeria, you will usually have a company driver to drive you around, thereby avoiding the above mentioned problems to a large extent. He can arrange a local driver's license for you should the need arise without a driving test or proof of foreign license. Nigeria is not part of the most standard international Road Traffic Convention and as such will require a special International Driving Permit (valid only for driving in Nigeria, Somalia and Iraq) (if you do not want to get the Nigerian license), not the normal one applicable to almost all other countries in the world. The last Saturday of the month is Sanitation Day in Lagos and Kano, when the locals clean their premises. While it is not illegal to be out on the street between 7–10M, due to the higher than usual presence of police officers and road check points, most Nigerians choose to restrict their movements until after 10AM. Should you be caught at this time, you may be taken away by the police to perform some "public sanitation" duty, like mowing lawns, etc. === By train === After having being abandoned for a long time, rehabilitation of rail services in Nigeria are finally in full swing. Helped by Chinese investment several new lines are expected to open in the next few years while older lines are renovated. While still much slower than flying, it is now possible to travel across the country by train. [http://nrc.gov.ng/ '''Nigeria Railway Corporation'''] is the sole operator, this might however change as the government mulls liberalization of the railway sector. Lagos and Abuja now have almost daily connections with cities in the interior of Nigeria such as Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna, with Lagos even offering a once-weekly [[sleeper trains|sleeper service]] all the way north to Kano. The [[Lagos-Ibadan Railway]] provides high-speed service from Lagos via Abeokuta to Ibadan. ===By plane=== Arik and Aero Contractors have scheduled domestic connections with modern aircraft and reasonable prices. Their websites are user-friendly and well updated. In Lagos, the two domestic terminals, while next to each other, are about 4-5 km (of road which would not be wise to walk if you don't know the place) from the international terminal, and you would therefore need a taxi to get from the one to the other, should you wish to transfer from an international flight to a domestic one. ===By bus=== Getting around is relatively easy, except that there could be delays due to traffic jams within most major cities. There are multitudes of coaches and buses that will take you to any part of Nigeria you wish (ABC Transport Services is well known for its services among others). Lagos state government also operates a transit system (BRT buses) which serves the Lagos metropolis. ===By taxi=== Ride-hailing is available in Nigeria and the following are the most anticipated providers: * {{listing | type=go | name=Bolt | alt= | url=https://bolt.eu | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Includes many towns. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Uber | alt= | url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-09 | content=Works in Abuja and Lagos. }} ==See== [[File:Enugu.jpg|thumb|Enugu landscape]] [[File:Kanogate2.jpg|thumb|New Gate to the palace of the Emir of [[Zaria]]]] *[[Lagos]]: There are different beach fronts, like Oniru Beach, Landmark Beach, Badagry Beach, Tarkwa bay Beach. *Lekki (suburb of Lagos): Lekki Conservation Center - a nice little fenced-off and interesting tropical rainforest reserve with wooden walkways, located on the outskirts of the city on the Lekki Express Way, just before the second toll gate. Lekki Beach, Eleko Beach *Plateau: Hiking and sightseeing the Riyom rocks. *Enugu: Hiking the old coal mines, and cultural events, e.g. New yam and atilogwu dancers. *Calabar: Harbour where you can get boat rides, a nice cinema, sit-out parks and slave monuments in the Marina Resort located in Calabar; also there is Tinapa, a little drive outside the city. *Obudu: Small town a few hours to the north from Calabar very close to the Cameroon border - rent a car from Calabar airport (comes with driver) and ask the driver to take you there via Tinapa. This is a cool mountain escape with a nice resort (Obudu Mountain Resort) on the mountain (the president also has a weekend home there). They have some forest walks, hiking, one of the longest cable cars in the world and very nice pristine swimming pools with fountains available. *Imo: Igbo Ukwu Shrine, if you are interested in Nigerian art. *The old walled cities of Kano, Katsina and Zaria. *Oyo: Palace of Alaafin, traditional markets and Calabash carvers. *Taraba: Tourist attractions like Mambilla plateau (highest point in the country). *Machina: A town with its annual cultural festival which takes place in March featuring cultural events such as traditional wrestling and horse racing. *Argungu: A small town with its annual fishing festival that occurs three days with approximately 35,000 fishermen catching fish in the murky waters. *Abuja: The capital, one of the most beautiful African cities has many tourists attractions including The [[Abuja|Zuma rock]], [[Abuja|Millenium park]] and lots of rolling hills. ==Do== '''Nollywood''' is a huge film industry based in Nigeria. By the early 2010s, Nigeria was producing more films than any country other than India, and the value of production was third after the U.S. and India. Nollywood films are enjoyed around the world. With diverse cultures in Nigeria, the Nigerian film industry isn't language biased: movies are shot in English, Yoruba, [[Igbo]], [[Hausa]], Edo, and other 300 Nigerian languages. There are cinemas in most cities and large towns where you can experience this important side of Nigerian culture. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Nigerian naira | currencyCode=₦ | date=January 2022 | USD=410 | EUR=470 | GBP=560 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/ngn-nigerian-naira XE.com] }} Nigeria's currency is '''naira''' (symbol: '''₦''', ISO 4217 code: '''NGN'''). Banknotes circulate in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 and inflation typically runs in double figures. It is advised to cash all your naira back into another currency at the airport before you leave Nigeria. The rate is irrelevant, as the naira is not worth that much outside Nigeria. Naira bills/coins may be of interest to currency collectors, but other than that, they will be nothing more than colourful souvenirs of your trip. Banks will change foreign currency to naira, but usually not the other way around, even though you are a foreigner. You would therefore need to use the Bureaux de Change at the International terminal or the new Domestic terminal or street vendors to get foreign currency should you end up with unused naira at the end of your trip. A safe place to change in Victoria Island is in the tourist market of Eko Hotel in Victoria Island. If the Bureaux de Change at the airport are closed, the car park outside the International terminal is full of street vendors only willing to change money from any major currency. When dealing with these street vendors, keep the money you are buying fully visible until the deal is finished (i.e. don't put into handbag and later discover it is wrong and then try and bargain) and count carefully with them, as they tend to try and short-change you with a note or two, especially when you change foreign currency into naira (which is a thick bundle of small notes), but with necessary vigilance are generally fine. Street vendors are also plentiful at the main land borders to change naira into CFA francs (XOF (Benin and Niger side) or XAF (Cameroon side)) if need be. XOF and XAF are freely and easily convertible to and from euros at a rate of 655.957 (sometimes with a small commission) when you are in the French countries. Changing large bills of US dollars or euros will give a better rate with professional money changers, such as on the currency exchange market near Lagos Domestic Airport. This is a walled enclosure with a large number of money changers, which is primarily used by local nationals. If you have a Visa card, you can withdraw money from Standard Chartered Bank ATMs in Lagos - Aromire St, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja & Ajose Adeogun St in Victoria Island Branch, Abuja and Port Harcourt (in Naira) and ATMs of some other banks with "Visa" stickers on them, like GT Bank, UBA, and Zenith. This will save you a lot of stress carrying large sums of money and it is secured. [[File:Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market Kano.jpg|thumb|Medicinal herbs at Kurmi Market, [[Kano]]]] On Abuja and Lagos International Airport money can be withdrawn from ATMs. On Lagos International there are several ATMs, several may not function at all times. On Lagos Domestic Terminal there is also a functioning ATM in the domestic terminal on the 1st floor. Usually this a quiet ATM which also is very private and secure. MasterCard/Maestro users can also withdraw money from ATMs at several branches of Zenith Bank and GT Bank. Some ATMs of Ecobank, First Bank and Intercontinental Bank also allow for MasterCard/Maestro cards. Look for the red ATM sign outside, or ask the on-site security officer at any branch. Also look for Ecobank, they have a branch within the premises of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Visa is however a safer option if you are visiting the French countries around Nigeria as well, as MasterCard/Maestro is close to useless in these countries. If you do use an ATM, be aware of the risks of card cloning. This a problem with the airport ATMs which do not have a security guard watching over them. Check your statements regularly after using your card and alert your bank to any suspicious activity. Nigeria is on an active drive to become a cash-less society, and as such, more and more hotels, restaurant and shops (all the bigger ones at least) accept major credit cards (Visa being the preferred one - but ask first, there is both "local Visa" and "international Visa" - and MasterCard). Diners Club and Amex are almost universally useless in Nigeria. When paying by card, take the usual precautions (watch how they swipe, don't let the card out of your sight, etc.) ===Bargaining=== At markets, you are supposed to [[haggle]] for your goods (a notable exception is bread: its price is fixed). As a general rule, the real price is about half the price that was first asked. The seller may exaggerate the price when he or she thinks that you are a rich tourist ignorant of the real price. After agreeing on a price, don't walk away without buying; this is considered very rude. Shops like supermarkets and restaurants will typically charge fixed prices. Fresh products and Western-style sit-in restaurants are quite expensive, with it not being uncommon to pay US$75 for a dinner per person. ==Eat== [[File:Afang Soup.jpg|thumb|Afang soup]] {{main|Nigerian cuisine}} There are many types of traditional cuisine to enjoy. For example: afang soup, okra soup, owo soup and starch in the Niger Delta, plantain (fried, boiled, roasted), pepper soup, amala, eba, efo, pounded yam (iyan - Yoruba for "pounded yam", pronounced " ee-yarn" ), jollof rice, ground nut soup, ogbono soup, isi ewu (goat's head stew), egusi soup, suya (kebab), moin moin, ewedu, gbegiri soup (beans soup), edikangikong, ground-rice, puff-puff, chin chin, ikokore, owerri soup (ofe owerri), which is the most expensive African soup in Nigeria. Not to forget 404 pepper soup - it will make you act like "Oliver Twist." You must realise that 404 means "dog meat." And yes, it can only be found in certain parts of the country because in the west it is seen as barbaric. For the less adventurous traveller, there are loads of "foreign" restaurants in Lagos, e.g. Sky Bar and the grill at Eco Hotel, Churasco's, Lagoon and Fusion all three next to each other (all-you-can-eat Brazilian grill, Indian and Sushi respectively) with a nice view of the lagoon, Piccolo Mondo, Manuella's Residence (great Italian Pizza from Manuella the Italian lady), Bungalow (close to Coschari's BMW in VI) - good sports bar, grill and Sushi, great Sunday buffet at Radisson Blu. Chocolate Royal is a nice family restaurant with excellent ice cream selection (including ice cream cakes) and pastries in VI. Inside Chocolate Royal is an Oriental restaurant called Métisse. Bottles in VI is a grill and Mexican restaurant. And there are loads more flavours from every corner of the world. Just Google and ask taxi to take you there. Outside Lagos and to a lesser extent Abuja, Western food will tend to disappear, with "Jollof Rice and fried chicken" being a "safe" option if you are not adventurous. Fried plantains, shawarma and chicken suya are some of the best options if you are craving some street food. These are often sold by locals at the roadside. Foreign restaurants are expensive and you can prepare for a bill of at least $50 to $75 or even $100 per head for main course. If this is too much, try the Syrian Club in Ikoyi (turn North - away from the water) at the Mobil filling station in Awolowo Road (the night club street) in Ikoyi, continue a few blocks and on your left you will see the Syrian mosque, turn in the gate just after the mosque and the Syrian Club will be on your right on the inside of the premises with nice Lebanese/Syrian flair at very affordable (for Lagos) prices in an outdoor setting. If you are a new expat living in Lagos, do yourself a favour and acquaint yourself early on with the following more expensive, foreign-owned, but well worth it, smaller specialist shops in VI selling all the delicacies and nice imported red meats that foreigners long for in and that Shoprite, Park and Shop, Next, and Goodie's (the main supermarkets) may not stock: 1. Deli's on Akin Adesola (the main road leading to Bar Beach), 2. L'Epicérie across the road from Mega Plaza and 3. La Pointe on Kofo Abayomi Street (close to the Brazilian Embassy/Consulate) and not easy to spot. Knowing these places will significantly improve your coping ability in the first couple of months. ==Drink== *Nigeria is one of the places where Guinness is brewed outside of Ireland. And they do it pretty well, although it's not the same product. The Guinness brand (with logo and copyrights where they should be) is also used to brew both an alcohol-free malt version of the black stuff, and an extra strong (about 7.5%) version of Guinness in Kenya (in the case of the latter) and Tanzania (in the case of the former). *Beer is a big business in Nigeria, although the move toward evangelism and Islamic law is making its mark. Lagos is relatively unaffected due to its cosmopolitan nature. Heineken, Star, Harp, Gulder and other international beers are available. *Malt beverages (non alcoholic) are very common in Nigeria. *The other cheap drink of choice is gin, which is locally made. It may contain toxic methanol due to lack of quality control, so steer clear. Other drinks to consider include: palm wine, wine, zobo (red soft drink, is a tea of dried roselle flowers), kunun, kai kai (also called ogogoro). The northern states have implemented Sharia (Islamic) law, which means that alcohol is prohibited. Ironically, the only places where you can drink a beer in these states are the police staff bars and the army barracks, because these are institutions under federal law. Beer is available in Kano, in restaurants managed by foreign or Christian people, Chinese restaurants, and/or French cafes. For a real night out, go to the Sabongari area of the old town. Plenty of bars around that stay open till very late. Many do decent food as well. Sabongari is also the place to buy alcoholic drinks and there are plenty stores open late into the night. Some hotels in Kano are "dry", however in Tahir Guest Palace the staff will be quite happy to buy you a few bottles of beer for you in your room (all rooms have large fridges). ==Sleep== Almost all hotels in Nigeria require you to pay before you get your key. This applies even to the Sheraton and the Hilton. Typically you are requested to pay 125% of the room rate and you will be refunded when settling the bill at your departure. If you stay more than one night you need to keep the credit up. However, paying this deposit by credit card can leave you open to subsequent fraudulent use of your details. ==Learn== There are lots of private and public primary (elementary) and secondary (high) schools. It is worth it to organize a trip to whatever institution of learning you are interested in as this would give you a personal perspective on what facilities are available in your school of interest. There is a nationwide, standardized common entrance exam for students wishing to go into secondary schools, after they have completed their primary schooling. To gain admission into the universities (both public and private universities are in every state of the federation including the FCT), a prospective student has to sit for and successfully pass the UME (Universities Matriculation Examination) which is administered by JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board). Also, individual universities regularly screen prospective candidates to make sure they are up to par for university-level work. ==Work== [[File:Lagos (Nigeria).jpg|thumb|Lagos skyline]] Working in Nigeria can be a very positive experience. Nigerian organizations tend to operate like small families, taking in newcomers with open arms and avoiding the coolness and sterility that often characterize the Western professional work environment. For instance, don't even think about coming into the office in the morning without greeting each of your colleagues. Even if you don't, be sure that they will go out of their way to greet you and inquire about your well-being. It is hard to make generalizations about a country with 140 million inhabitants, but some Nigerians have a work ethic that would put most Westerners to shame. An eight-hour day (not including lunch) seems to be the norm, though it's not uncommon for people to stay late into the night and even come in for a few hours on weekends. Depending on the organization, a foreigner may be able to avoid this, but one should be prepared to work beyond the standard 35-40 hr work week. The notion of "African time" applies very much to the work environment in Nigeria. Meetings are regularly held later than scheduled and often take longer than necessary. Although Nigerians will unabashedly admit to their habitual tardiness, rarely does one see efforts to correct this behavior. The higher one's position, the later one may arrive at a meeting. On top of that, starting the meeting before the important people arrive is very rude--a common principle shared with many Western countries. When dealing with foreign organizations, Nigerians will often make some efforts to correct this behaviour, for some Nigerians are aware that their conception of punctuality is not shared by all. Those who are used to the strict North American conception of political correctness at the office may be shocked by the more liberal inter-sexual relations in the Nigerian workplace. Mild sexual jokes are common in meetings and in the office in general, though usually good natured and harmless. A white person working in an all-Nigerian workplace should also be prepared to frequently be reminded of their skin tone, though never in a nasty way. This can become tiresome, but Nigerians are generally very friendly. They use the term "Oyibo" (white man in Yoruba) or "Bature" (white man in Hausa) as a form of affection. The use of professional titles in written and verbal form is very common in Nigeria. Expect to address your boss as Sir, Doctor, Colonel, etc., and avoid using the first name of a superior unless given permission to do so. Being a foreigner, you will be forgiven for any faux pas, but it is always best to err on the side of caution and politeness. The mobile phone (cell phone) is an essential tool for virtually all urban - and most rural - Nigerians. Because of the many local networks, many people have two or even three "handsets", each on a different network. Anyone doing business in the country for more than a few days should consider having a mobile phone. ==Stay safe== {{quote|This is Nigeria<br>...<br>Police station dey close by 6<br>Security reason o<br>...<br>This is Nigeria<br>Look at my nation o<br>SARS stop me for road any explanation you go talk am for station o|author=Falz (local rapper)|source=''This is Nigeria''}} Nigerian crime levels are fairly high, particularly in [[Lagos]]. The far north eastern regions of Nigeria is troubled by the Boko Haram jihadist group which is known for its attacks on non-Muslims and taking the law into their own hands. This Islamist group is also known for its harsh interpretation of sharia law which includes flogging. Boko Haram attacks Christians and proselytizers so avoid traveling to the north east in large groups. The US State Department and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to this area, while Global Affairs Canada recommends against non-essential travel to Nigeria (other than Abuja, Calabar and Lagos) because of the risks of terrorism, and recommends practising special health precautions because of the risk of contracting [[malaria]]. The Niger Delta area is '''unsafe for tourists'''. There is continual low-level violence between government and militant groups, and there have been several kidnappings of foreign oil workers. === Corruption === Corruption in general is '''systemic and endemic''' in Nigeria. Transparency International ranks Nigeria as one of the most corrupt nations on the planet. In 2012, it was believed that Nigeria has lost a total of $400 billion to corruption since independence. The police are notorious for being highly corrupt and woefully ineffective, and the locals do not trust them at all. Nigerians have to pay the police to get reliable assistance for anything. Cronyism and nepotism are common in the police force, and police officers routinely target, harass, extort, and intimidate people, including locals, for bribes. As a foreigner, you may be seen as a "walking wallet" to corrupt officials. === Authorities === Police corruption and misconduct is endemic in Nigeria. The '''Special Anti-Robbery Squad''', tasked to combat violent property crimes, is notorious for abusing their power. If you are stopped by the police for anything, always remain respectful, but be firm. Do not be tempted to argue or fight back with a police officer, even if you haven't done anything wrong. ===LGBT travellers=== Homosexual sex acts are '''illegal'''. LGBT travellers should take extra caution when travelling to Nigeria, especially in the North, where sharia law implementation can be strict. Both gays and lesbians can be executed, but are more likely to be imprisoned. In fact, a law that has been wildly popular among Muslim and Christian Nigerians alike has made it a crime to know that someone is homosexual and not report it to the authorities. ==Stay healthy== Travellers to Nigeria are required to vaccinate themselves against yellow fever, preferably 10 days before arrival in Nigeria. As malaria is prevalent, malaria pills and mosquito nets are also recommended. Polio vaccination in Nigeria is intermittent and there is a high rate of infection in the North.<!--The global crisis of corona virus has hit Nigeria since February 2020 making it the third country in Africa to have the disease. --> '''[[Water]]''' is sold in different sizes (sachet and bottle). The bottled water and other soft drinks are safe. It is approx ₦150 for a big bottle (June 2021). The cheap "pure water" sold in plastic bags is cheaper but not as "pure" as Eva water, a brand by Coca Cola Company, or Nestle water by Nestle Nigeria. Do not buy water that does not have NAFDAC registration printed on the bottle. It is advisable to purchase bottled water from convenience stores rather than by the roadside. These upscale convenience stores usually purchase their supplies directly from the suppliers. For the latest traveller's health information pertaining to Nigeria, including advisories and recommendations, visit the [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nigeria.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nigeria] destination website. ==Respect== {{ramadandates}} Some of the country's languages have different ways for someone to address someone older than themselves. Handing things over to people, especially adults and people older than you, with your left hand is considered an insult. You don't cross or jump over someone's legs if they are sitting with the legs extended out. It's considered bad luck. Avoid shaking hands with elders and older people in non-Igbo villages. It's disrespectful to do that. Bowing down a little and kneeling or genuflecting for women or prostrating by men (especially among the Yoruba) is the normal thing to do. You may not need to do it either, but just show some form of respect when greeting older people. You can get away with not doing that in big cities or urban areas; they are less traditional there. When entering a house in the predominantly Muslim north, you have to let them know in advance that you are visiting so that the women can prepare (cover themselves up). Some Islamic customs require women to cover their hair and bodies to other men and this is practised in the North. Knock on the door and wait to be answered before going in. They will ask you to wait while the women are informed. Wait patiently. ==Connect== The country code for Nigeria is 234. Dialing out from Nigeria: you will need to dial the International Code, followed by the phone digit numbers. Dialing into Nigeria: callers use +234 followed by the phone digit numbers. There is also a company in Nigeria called [http://elixirworldwide.com Elixir Communication Worldwide] that offers mobile phones for the blind and visually challenged. All the mobile operators have a roaming agreement with other mobile operators around the world. The leading zero in area codes and similar prefixes is for domestic calls. It is not dialled when using the country code. Mobile phone service providers: * {{listing | name=Airtel (Bharti Airtel) | alt=Formerly Zain, Celtel | url=https://www.airtel.com.ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *444#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyAirtel App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=MTN | alt= | url=http://www.mtnonline.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *131#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, MyMTN App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=9mobile | alt=former Etisalat | url=https://9mobile.com.ng/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *222#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, Easy recharge. Me2U, My9Mobile App Postpaid plans. 2G 3G 4G LTE. }} * {{listing | name=Glo | alt=Globalcom | url=https://www.gloworld.com/ng | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-17 | content=Services include pay and recharge with post-paid, prepaid, data bundle and recharge with easy options *777#. Voice and data with voice, data and devices, home broadband (Wi-Fi) devices. VAS with support, easy recharge. Me2U, MyGlo app postpaid plans. 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE. Mobile money. Network with lowest offerings for airtime and data. }} ==Go next== * Travel north to [[Niger]], and into the Sahara Desert. * Travel east to [[Cameroon]], for some mountain climbing. * Travel west to [[Benin]], the best way out when travelling to Europe overland. * Travel northeast to [[Chad]]. {{outlinecountry}} {{isPartOf|West_Africa}} {{geo|9|8|zoom=6}} og8jbgyeu76fs972vy80d4h0ij621a1 0 24820 4506328 4504959 2022-08-22T17:16:48Z Travel Avenger 2275209 /* History */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Grand Canyon-banner2.jpg|The Grand Canyon|caption=Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, United States of America}} '''North America''' is the third largest continent, with the diversity to show for it. Weather ranges from icy [[Greenland]] to tropical beaches of the [[Caribbean]], and an incredible array of national parks and preserves show off huge canyons, breathtaking mountains, ancient forests, and [[North American wildlife|fascinating wildlife]]. Every part of the continent has a complex and mixed cultural heritage, shaped by [[Indigenous peoples of North America|indigenous peoples]], colonization, and waves of immigration. ==Regions== North America consists of three large nations and one large island territory that covers most of its area. They are [[Canada]], the [[United States of America]] (U.S.), [[Mexico]] and [[Greenland]]. There are also seven smaller nations at its southern extreme (collectively known as [[Central America]]), around two dozen island nations and territories of various sizes in the [[Caribbean]], and one isolated French territory off the Canadian Atlantic coast. Although the Central American and the Caribbean regions are part of the North American continent, they are commonly listed separately from their larger neighbors to the north and hence the distinctive region names for cultural and geographical reasons. {{Worldimagemap/Northamericaimagemap}} {{Regionlist | regionmap= | regionmaptext= | regionmapsize= | region1name=[[Canada]] | region1color=#b383b3 | region1items= | region1description=The Great White North certainly has vast expanses of unspoiled wilderness, but it also features some of the world's most modern, cosmopolitan cities. | region2name=[[Caribbean]] | region2color=#ffd0d0 | region2items=[[Bahamas]], [[Cuba]], [[Jamaica]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Haiti]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Lesser Antilles]], etc. | region2description=White sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and laid-back island culture make the Caribbean one of the world's top vacation spots. | region3name=[[Central America]] | region3color=#d56d76 | region3items=[[Belize]], [[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Nicaragua]], and [[Panama]] | region3description=The seven nations of this isthmus connecting North and South America blend elements of both American continents; you'll find bustling cities, ancient jungle ruins, and a Spanish-tinged culture. | region4name=[[Greenland]] | region4color=#d5dc76 | region4items= | region4description=A self-governing country that's a part of the Kingdom of [[Denmark]], the world's largest non-continental island is full of of stark landscapes and [[midnight sun]]. In summer, the land comes alive when flowers burst out of the tundra. | region5name=[[Mexico]] | region5color=#71b37b | region5items= | region5description=Mexico is a big tourist attraction for sun-seekers, naturalists, ecotourists and historians; the former flock to Mexico's tropical beaches, while the latter will find everything from Mayan ruins to Spanish colonial history. | region6name=[[United States of America]] | region6color=#68a9c4 | region6items= | region6description=One of the largest, most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations on Earth includes some of the world's most famous cities, [[United States National Parks|natural parks]] of unspeakable beauty, and virtually everything in between. }} ===Non-Caribbean territories=== * [[Bermuda]] &mdash; overseas territory of the [[United Kingdom]]. * [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] &mdash; overseas territory of [[France]]. ==Cities== [[File:NYC wideangle south from Top of the Rock.jpg|thumb|270px|Concrete canyons below New York skyscrapers]] <!-- this list is limited to nine cities. please discuss on the article's talk page before making any changes --> * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Havana]]|lat=23.1332|long=-82.3594}} &mdash; the capital of [[Cuba]] is famous for its cigars, its strong Hispanic-[[Caribbean]] culture, and its legendary nightlife. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Kingston (Jamaica)|Kingston]]|lat=17.9711|long=-76.7929}} &mdash; the capital of [[Jamaica]] and the Centre of Afro-Caribbean culture, it is cosmopolitan, diverse and the home of Reggae. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Los Angeles]]|lat=34.0556|long=-118.2456}} &mdash; [[Hollywood]] and movie stars; mountains and beaches; and lots of traffic. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Mexico City]]|lat=19.43278|long=-99.13329}} &mdash; the capital city of [[Mexico]], the third-largest city in the world is chock-full of museums, centuries-old architecture, modern amenities... and people. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[New York City]]|lat=40.7131|long=-74.0070}} &mdash; the Big Apple is the center of North American commerce and culture, immortalized in film and song alike. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Panama City]]|lat=8.96988|long=-79.53636}} &mdash; the capital of [[Panama]], a friendly city sitting at the nexus between two continents. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Toronto]]|lat=43.6702|long=-79.3868}} &mdash; Canada's largest city, a cosmopolitan mosaic with ethnic enclaves and cultural attractions galore. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|lat=49.28249|long=-123.11832}} &mdash; a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, where you can go skiing and sit on the beach all in the same day. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Washington, D.C.]]|lat=38.8952|long=-77.0366}} &mdash; the capital of the [[United States]], with many cultural and historical attractions. <!-- this list is limited to nine cities. please discuss on the article's talk page before making any changes --> ==Other destinations== [[File:Tikalas.jpg|thumb|330px|Grand Mayan ruins at Tikal, Guatemala]] <!-- this list is limited to nine items. please discuss on the article's talk page before making any changes --> * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Banff National Park]]|lat=51.4836|long=-115.9691}} — Canada's first national park is also one of its largest. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Chichen Itza]]|lat=20.6830|long=-88.5687}} — the largest of the archaeological cities of the pre-Columbian [[Maya civilization]] in the [[Yucatán and the South|Yucatán Peninsula]] of Mexico. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Corcovado National Park]]|lat=8.5532|long=-83.5778}} — very biologically diverse national park in Costa Rica. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Grand Canyon]]|lat=36.0968|long=-112.0984}} — a massive canyon in [[Arizona]], carved over several million years. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Niagara Falls]]|lat=43.0778|long=-79.0741}} — three grandiose waterfalls on the border between the United States and Canada. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Teotihuacan]]|lat=19.69304|long=-98.84586}} — the 'city of the gods', with some of the largest ancient pyramids in the world. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Tikal]]|lat=17.22203|long=-89.62366}} — an archaeological site in Guatemala, one of the largest and most important of the ancient Mayan cities. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Walt Disney World]]|lat=28.4052|long=-81.5822}} — the flagship of Disney's worldwide theme park network, near [[Orlando]], [[Florida]]. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Yellowstone National Park]]|lat=44.4607|long=-110.8282}} — the world's first national park is also home to most of its geysers and an amazing concentration of animals. ==Understand== [[File:July 2012 Rainbow Over Niagara Falls Aerial View (7673532324).jpg|thumb|300px|Niagara Falls straddles the border between Canada and the United States]] North America is the third largest continent, with a surface area of 24,221,490 km² (9,351,969 sq mi), in the northern hemisphere, between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean and to the north of [[South America]]. North America's highest point is [[Alaska]]'s [[Denali]], which rises to {{m|6,194}} above sea level. ===History=== {{seealso|North American history}} The [[indigenous cultures of North America]], also called '''Native Americans''', '''Indians''' or '''First Nations''' arrived in Alaska before 10,000&nbsp;BC, and have populated virtually all parts of North America. Except a short-lived [[Vikings and the Old Norse|Viking colony]] around AD&nbsp;1000, the Americas were isolated from the rest of the world until the [[voyages of Columbus]] from 1492, and the subsequent wave of colonization, where first [[Spain]], and later [[France]], the [[British Empire]] and the [[Russian Empire]] seized parts of the continent. The [[Caribbean]] was divided between several European countries; in addition to the aforementioned, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark had island colonies. The [[United States]] became independent in 1776, was the first country outside the United Kingdom to industrialize (see [[American Industry Tour]]), expanded westwards during the 19th century to dominate the continent (see [[Old West]]), and became the world's undisputed dominant power by the middle of the 20th century. [[Haiti]] was the second country in the Americas to achieve its independence in part as a result of the most successful slave revolt in recorded history. ===Climate=== {{seealso|Winter in North America}} North America stretches across all climate zones. Much of [[Greenland]], [[Alaska]] and [[northern Canada]] are in the '''[[Arctic]]''', with [[cold weather|cold or cool weather]] all year round, and few inhabitants. Most of [[Canada]]'s land area is '''[[boreal]]''', with short summers and long winter; most Canadians live in the '''temperate''' zone, which makes up southern Canada and most of the United States. Here you can find cosmopolitan and interesting world cities and relatively easily accessible national parks for friends of nature and wildlife. The southern and southwestern United States, as well as northern Mexico, is in the '''sub-tropical''' zone. Southern [[Mexico]], [[Central America]] and the [[Caribbean]] are '''tropical''', with warm weather year-round. ==Get in== ===By plane=== You can get into major cities in the [[USA]] and [[Canada]] by direct flights from all the other inhabited continents. Latin American carriers fly directly between [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]] and from [[Europe]] you can fly directly to many of the [[Caribbean]] islands. The cheapest flights and most destinations will be to the United States. If you [[Avoiding travel through the United States|do not wish to travel through the US]] to get to your destination, there is service offered to major airports such as Mexico City, Panama City and [[Punta Cana]] from major European and South American hubs. Flying is the fastest and cheapest way to get to North America. ===By boat=== It is possible to travel across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by [[Freighter travel|freight]] or [[Cruise ships|cruise]] ship, but these cruises tend to be quite expensive compared to flying (and infrequent). There are ferries from the northern rim of [[South America]] to [[Central America]] and to the [[Caribbean]]. There is still one old style [[ocean liner]] connecting [[New York City]] to [[Southampton]], UK, though. So if you have both time and money and want to arrive in style as in the old days, it can certainly be done. ===Overland=== Even if the Americas are physically connected, there are no roads or railroads between [[Panama]] and [[Colombia]]. It is possible but hopelessly dangerous to hike through the {{km|100}} of jungle at the [[Darien Gap]]; if you want to take your vehicle with you, you need to take the ferry. ==Get around== [[File:BelleAméricaine 12 cropped.JPG|thumb|270px|Classic car in Old Havana]] ===By plane=== Because population centers are often widely spaced, most long-range travel is by air, with an extensive network of major hubs and smaller regional airports, usually supplemented with car rental services to cover local travel when you arrive at your destination (see "By car"). The cheapest fares are between major cities, so you may have to drive a few hours on each end of the trip to get to and from the airports. ===By bus=== There is prolific long-range bus service across most of the U.S. and Canada, but travel times are excessively long (often substantially longer than a direct trip in a personal vehicle) and stations tend to be poorly maintained and even more poorly secured. Intercity buses generally travel only among significant cities, never to remote locations, and are limited or unavailable outside of business hours. While there are major national and regional bus operators in the U.S., the withdrawal of the only national bus operator in Canada resulted in numerous regional bus companies providing service instead. Bus routes are typically not timed to enable rapid transfers between the various bus operators in Canada and most operators do not operate routes overnight. Information about available intercity regional bus operators in Canada are listed under the specific region or city. In [[Mexico#By bus 2|Mexico]], by contrast, bus service is extensive and a common way to get around. In Central America, buses are the backbone of local transportation, as car ownership remains low and both domestic flights and railways have only a niche role, if any. If you want to meet the locals, hop on a [[chicken bus]] and enjoy the bumpy ride. The following companies operate buses extensively in North America: * {{listing | name=Greyhound Lines | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 214 849-8966 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-29 | content=Greyhound serves over 3,800 locations throughout the U.S. and cross-border services from the U.S. into Canada and Mexico. It also operates (Southeastern Texas) and '''Cruceros USA''' (California & Arizona in the U.S. and Baja California Norte & Sonora in Mexico) brands in different parts of the U.S. Most towns have Greyhound service to them, but only 1 or 2 trips a day. }} * {{listing | name=Megabus | alt=Coach USA | url=https://us.megabus.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-29 | content=Besides having its own distinctive buses, Megabus is absorbing the buses of Coach USA and Coach Canada and rebranding them as "Megabus". [https://ca.megabus.com/ Megabus] operates in Canada, mainly in southern Ontario. Megabus is a popular brand in Great Britain and North America. It operates under different brands for intercity, commuter, airport shuttles, university shuttle and charter services in different localities in the USA. }} * {{go | name=Grupo Estrella Blanca (White Star) | alt= | url=https://estrellablanca.com.mx/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+52 55 5729-0807 | tollfree=01800-507-5500 (Mexico) | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-30 | content=It also operates the '''TNS (Transportes Norte de Sonora), [https://chihuahuenses.com.mx/ Chihuahuanese], Pacifico, Oriente, TF (Tranporte Frontera), Estrella Blanca, Conexion, Rapidos de Cuauhtemoc and Valle de Guadiana''' within Mexico and '''[https://autobusesamericanos.com.mx/ Autobus Americanos]''' as a joint venture with Greyhound Lines for cross border travel between the U.S. and Mexico. As the largest bus company they serve much of the northern & northwestern states of Aguascaliente, Baja California Norte, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Districto Federal (DF), Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayrit, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora and Zacatecas states, up to the US border. It sells tickets for onward travel to the United States from the border on Greyhound (and vice versa). }} * {{go | name=Grupo Senda | alt= | url=https://ticket.gruposenda.com/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Rivals the above serving Aguascaliente, Colima, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco,Michocoan, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas states in Mexico and into the US. From the border it offers services to the southeastern and central U.S. states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. It also operates the '''[https://www.turimex.com/en/ Turimex]''' (in the U.S.) and '''[https://transportesdelnorte.com.mx/en/ Del Norte]''' bus lines. }} * {{go | name=ADO | alt=Autobuses Del Oriente | url=https://www.ado.com.mx/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+52 55 5133-5133 | tollfree=01800-009-9090 | hours= | price= | content=It operates the '''ADO, ADO GL, AU (Autobus Unidos), OCC (Omnibus Cristobal Colon), and Platino''' bus lines, and the '''[https://www.miescape.mx/ Mi Escape]''' booking site in Mexico. It is a major bus company serving the eastern and southeastern part of the country towards the Guatemalan border in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, Tabasco, and the Yucatan Peninsula (Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche). It offers a once-daily trip to/from [[Belize City]] via [[Chetumal#By_bus|Chetumal]] from Cancun and Merida and connecting service with '''[https://www.ticabus.com/ Tica Bus]''' and '''King Quality''' in [[Tapachula]] for onward travel to/from Central America. }} * {{listing | name=Tica Bus | alt= | url=https://www.ticabus.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-29 | content=Tica Bus is the major bus line serving all the major cities in all of Central America except Belize from Tapachula down to Panama City, Panama. }} Between these major bus lines, it is ''possible'' to travel by bus across and between the three biggest countries in North America and seven smaller ones in Central America. In addition to the above, there are numerous other companies and local drivers' unions (more in Mexico & Central America) operating buses locally, regionally or even across longer distances as well. See "By bus" in the article for a particular country, state/province, region and/or locality for more. Most locations from small towns up to large cities have bus service within a town or to neighboring towns. The quality of service varies, but how late and often it runs roughly corresponds with city size. ===By car=== Most travel in Canada, the United States, and Mexico is by personal vehicle. Almost all highways in Canada and the United States are well maintained, with amenities such as gas, food, and lodging ranging from adequate to very convenient. If you experience an emergency that endangers your life, safety, or property, you will be able to dial 911 from a compatible cell phone on almost any major highway and reach an operator at any time. Vehicle and medical insurance issued in either Canada or the U.S. is usually valid in the other, though the wise traveler will confirm with their insurer. Canada and U.S. insurance coverage in Mexico is sometimes limited or not honored. Again, the wise traveler will confirm with their insurer. Car rental agencies are available at almost every airport. Normally, a valid driver's license and a major credit card or cash deposit are required. Rentals are sometimes restricted for drivers under age 25. Many agencies offer short term insurance and additional coverage. In much of western Alaska and almost all of Greenland, no major highways connect towns and cities. If roads do exist, they do not usually have the same standards as roads in the rest of North America. ===By train=== [[File:Bow-river-banff-np.jpg|thumb|The Trans-Canada Railroad travels through areas that are hard to get to by other means of transportation, like this view of [[Banff National Park]].]] Although it once held much of the continent together, and remains useful for local travel in many metro areas, intercity train travel now ranges from relatively convenient in the Northeast Corridor, to manageable in [[California]], around [[Chicago]], and parts of southeastern Canada, to sparse in other parts of the continent. If you prefer to travel by rail, it's still possible (depending on where you go) but is slower and sometimes more expensive than air travel for long distances. Among the areas with most frequent service is the US Northeast Corridor which links [[Washington, D.C.]] to [[Boston]] with frequent stops in intermediate cities such as [[Baltimore]], [[Philadelphia]], [[New York City]], [[New Haven]], and [[Providence]]. There is at least hourly service in this corridor from 4AM to 1AM. In Canada, the heavily-populated [[Windsor-Quebec corridor]] has several trains daily which compare favorably in speed to freeway travel, although the cost to put one passenger on the train often exceeds that of intercity bus or of the fuel to travel by car. In communities off the beaten track, often the rails have simply been removed and the former rights-of-way used as bicycle, snowmobile or nature trails. There are no railways remaining on [[Prince Edward Island]] or the island of [[Newfoundland]]. Most private intercity rail carriers have abandoned passenger service as unprofitable, leaving ''de facto'' federally-owned entities such as '''[[Amtrak]]''' (in the US) and '''[https://www.viarail.ca VIA Rail]''' (in Canada) to operate the services that remain. Short commuter train runs are often regionally or municipally operated in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. See [[Rail travel in Canada]] and [[Rail travel in the United States]]. Compared to Europe and [[East Asia]], speed is low and frequencies are sparse, but the views and the comfort may make up for it. Indeed, on the spectacular routes some trains traverse in North America, the journey does indeed become the destination. [[High speed rail]] is if anything in its infancy, with only the [[Boston]] to [[Washington, DC]] Northeast corridor qualifying for even a generous definition, but several projects are either planned or under construction throughout the U.S. In Mexico and Central America passenger trains are nominal at best (Like '''[https://chepe.mx/en/ the Chihuahua al Pacifico Line]''' through the [[Copper Canyon]]) and non-existent at worst (in most places). There are however some [[tourist trains]], and various Central American countries as well as Mexico have actively considered whether to build a new freight or passenger rail line. Economic developments and - in the case of Mexico - a sharp drop in oil prices have at the very least postponed these plans for now, so don't hold your breath. ===By ship=== ====On the sea==== [[File:Labadee beach and cruise ship cropped.jpg|thumb|300px|A mammoth cruise ship stopping by [[Labadee]] in Haiti]] The cruise industry is a large industry in some parts of North America, and cruises to places such as [[Bermuda]] and the [[West Indies]] are readily available, as they are to parts of [[Mexico]]. Cruises are offered as tours, and, if your travel begins or ends at a port in the United States, you generally must embark or disembark either at the same port or in a different country at the other end of the cruise. (This is due to cabotage laws.) The exception is if the line is owned and staffed by Americans, using American-built ships. (Most cruise lines are multinational operations.) Generally, cruises stop at a given port for only a few hours, so this method of travel may be inconvenient for people who want to stay longer at a port. Some locations, such as [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Alaska]], San Francisco, New York City and Boston, have ferry service, allowing trips to various locations in or near them. ====On lakes and rivers==== North America contains a number of large bodies of fresh water, be it the [[Great Lakes]] between Canada and the USA or the various rivers traversing the continent and most of them are used extensively to ferry goods and people. [[Cruising on small craft]] certainly is an option in the US, as it is the country with the longest inland waterways in the world. Canada similarly offers a huge number of options for owners or renters of small craft. In the less developed corners of Central America, some places are or were reachable by boat only or the waterway remains one of the more comfortable and faster ways to get there. [[Ometepe]] in Lake Nicaragua for instance only got an airport in 2014, but given flight schedules and the view from the boat, most will still want to arrive on the water. Places that are deeper in the jungle or otherwise off the beaten path may be best accessed by boat and some ferries (e.g. between El Salvador and Nicaragua or between Honduras and Belize) will spare you a roundabout route overland. ===By foot=== If you find yourself in a large city, like [[New York City|New York]], walking might be the best way to get around because of the large amount of traffic that many large cities have. There are many sidewalks and footpaths to take in less populated areas. For the dedicated long-distance hikers the [[Continental Divide Trail]] and the [[Pacific Crest Trail]] are United States National Scenic Trails running thousands of miles between [[Mexico]] and [[Canada]] through some of the most mountainous and rugged areas of North America. ===By public transport=== While cities such as [[Managua]] are a traffic nightmare and the buses are neither all that fast nor all that comfortable (they're cheap, though), others such as [[Panama City]] have built modern metros in the 21st century that are very popular with tourists and locals. Almost all self-respecting cities of a certain size in Canada and the USA have some form of metro or light rail to get you around at least downtown. [[Mexico City]] has the second biggest metro by ridership in the Americas (after [[New York City]]). Many cities were built with automobiles in mind and outside of the downtown core you may be lucky if a bus even comes your way once an hour on weekdays, even in places as big as [[Dallas]]. Touring the [[United States without a car]] is a particular challenge though doable with advance planning and careful choice of destinations. ===By bike=== While there is hardly any traditional "bicycle culture" in most places (outside of recreational cycling, that is), there are new "bike-share" programs in many cities in the USA as well as Mexico City and Canada. While primarily aimed at locals, travelers can usually sign up as well (provided they have a credit card and/or passport). In more rural regions with a tradition of recreational cycling, you may very well get traditional bike rental by the day or week. Some cities have an emerging cyclist culture and joining up in a "critical mass" ride is a good way to meet the locals and get into contact with the local cycling scene. Cycling is certainly on the rise in many cities of the continent, but even the most bike friendly places like [[Portland (Oregon)|Portland]], Oregon, are a far cry from the like of Copenhagen or Amsterdam in terms of bike culture. ==Talk== The three major languages of North America are English, [[Spanish]] and [[French]]. The United States and Canada are majority-English-speaking countries. English is also spoken in many Caribbean nations and Belize. A Creole variety of English is spoken by a minority along much of the Caribbean coast of Central America as well as on some Caribbean islands, most notably [[Jamaican Patois phrasebook|Jamaican Patois]], but it will take some getting used to and may be unintelligible to second language speakers of English. Mexico, the majority of Central America (mostly the Pacific side) and portions of the Caribbean are majority-Spanish-speaking. Spanish is also spoken as a mother tongue by a minority of people and second language by others in many parts of the United States. French plays a substantial role in Canada — especially [[Quebec]], but also parts of [[Ontario]], [[Manitoba]], and [[New Brunswick]] — and a role in other places, especially the Caribbean (though in some countries a French creole is more common, such as [[Haitian Creole]] in [[Haiti]]). [[Dutch]] is spoken on islands in the southern Caribbean that used to be part of the [[Netherlands Antilles]]. Numerous indigenous languages are spoken by Native Americans and the Inuit peoples of North America including Greenland. There are some isolated communities where only a few people speak anything but their indigenous language, and in Mexico, Nahuatl and Maya languages are having a revival of sorts. [[Danish]] is spoken along with [[Greenlandic]] in Greenland. Generally, English proficiency tends to be poor in the Spanish- and French-speaking parts of the continent, though people who work in the tourism industry, as well as business people who regularly deal with foreign clients, often speak at least conversational English. ==See== [[File:Wapta Falls 2008.JPG|thumb|270px|Gorgeous mountain landscapes in [[British Columbia]] ]] <!-- DO NOT list individual hotels or attractions here. Please read [[Wikivoyage:Where you can stick it]] --> The range of things to see in North America is enormous. There is spectacular natural scenery ranging from mountains and tundra to deserts and tropical rain forests. The [[Rocky Mountains]] (Rockies) are the continent's largest mountain range, running from northern Canada to the southwestern United States, continuing into Mexico as the Sierra Madre ranges and Mexican Altiplano and on to Central America, making up the northern part of the American Cordillera. The Rockies contain some of the world's most visited national parks including the famous [[Yellowstone National Park|Yellowstone]]. North American cities like [[New York City]], [[Chicago]], and Washington, DC are home to some of the world's finest museums. Stunning architecture can be found from [[Panama City]] to [[Montreal]]. [[North American wildlife]], with iconic species such as the grizzly, the bison, the mustang and the bald eagle, is an attraction in itself. The tropics belong to another biogeographic region; see [[Central and South American wildlife]]. Some of the best '''scenic areas''' include: *The [[Appalachian Mountains]], stretching from [[Quebec]] to the [[Appalachia]] region of the [[Southern United States]]. *The [[Pacific Coast Highway]] along the cost of [[California]]. *The [[Rocky Mountains]] (including Yellowstone and [[Banff National Park|Banff]] national parks, among others). *The [[Everglades National Park|Everglades]], a massive wetland in [[Florida]]. *[[Niagara Falls]] on the Canada-USA frontier between [[Lake Erie|Lakes Erie]] and [[Lake Ontario|Ontario]. *The [[Grand Canyon]], one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and the [[Colorado River]] in [[Northern Arizona]]. *The beaches and fishing villages of the East Coast, from [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] to the [[Carolina]]<nowiki/>s. *The "Inside Passage" between [[Vancouver Island]] and the coast of mainland British Columbia. ===Cultural and historical themes=== * [[American Civil War]]. * [[Pioneer Villages]]. * [[Postwar United States|Cold War]]. ===Itineraries=== {{seealso|North America itineraries}}. * The [[Alaska Highway]] (and the [[Driving between the contiguous United States and the Alaska Highway|and various routes that lead to it]]) * [[Dalton Highway]]. * [[El Camino Real]]. * [[Route 66]]. * [[Underground Railroad]]. * [[Trans-Canada Highway]]. * [[Panama City|Panama Canal]]. * [[Ruta del Tránsito]] – the old interoceanic route through [[Nicaragua]] that was a main travel thoroughfare prior to the transcontinental railroad. ==Buy== [[File:Catrinas 2011.jpg|thumb|270px|Figures for the [[Day of the Dead]] in Mexico]] Usually, you can buy large ranges of clothing and lots of electronics. North America is known for manufacturing lots of electronics, such as Apple, Hewlett Packard (HP) and Dell, which are all major electronics manufacturers from North America. Many North American cities have famous shopping districts such as 5th Avenue in [[New York City]], Rodeo Drive in [[Beverly Hills]], and the [[Along the Magnificent Mile|Magnificent Mile]] in [[Chicago]]. Downtown shopping districts have spawned some of the world's most famous retailers including '''Macy's''', '''Bloomingdale's''', and '''Neiman Marcus'''. Many tourists enjoy shopping at the biggest shopping mall in the United States, the Mall of America. It's located in [[Bloomington (Minnesota)|Bloomington]], [[Minnesota]], a suburb of [[Minneapolis]]. As well as having an amazing number of stores, you'll also find a multi-screen movie theater, an amusement park, and many restaurants--including both sit-down and fast-food. Also, the West Edmonton Mall in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] is a popular destination having once been the world's largest mall. ==Eat== {{see also|Chain restaurants in the United States and Canada|Fast food in the United States and Canada}} Since the United States was heavily populated by pioneering peoples and global immigration, the diversity of [[American cuisine|its cuisine]] is immense. Many cosmopolitan cities (Chicago, New York, [[San Francisco]], and [[Las Vegas]] to name a few) have a broad array of dining options to offer tourists. These cities attract both famous chefs from around the world serving world-class fare in Michelin starred restaurants, as well as enclaves of various ethnic groups offering inexpensive regional cuisines from their homelands. Foreign cuisines have been adapted in many ways to suit American palates and use local ingredients; for instance, the United States and Canada have [[Pizza in the United States and Canada|several distinctive variations of pizza]]. Canadian food, like that of the U.S., varies from region to region and is heavily influenced by its immigrant culture. Broadly speaking, you should think seafood on the coasts, meat and potatoes in the center of the country, and pretty much anything you can think of in the cosmopolitan major cities. '''Poutine''', French fries covered in cheese curd and gravy, may be the nation's favorite fast food snack. The Caribbean is known for its seafood and specialties like '''Jerk chicken'''. While [[Mexican food|Mexican]] influence extends into the cuisine of Northern Central America, countries like Nicaragua or Costa Rica have their own distinct flavor, based mostly upon rice and beans that together make up ''gallo pinto'' (also known as ''casamiento'' in other parts of Central America), a staple food that you will eat at least once during any visit, no matter how short. ==Drink== [[File:Salsa performers in New York.jpg|thumb|270px|Salsa dancers in New York]] Europeans used to mock American beers for their lack of diversity and flavor. Anyone still mocking should really look again. While a light beer can still be enjoyed in hot regions on sandy beaches, the U.S. has microbreweries dotting the country. Major concentrations of microbreweries can be found in [[New England]], the [[Pacific Northwest]], [[Colorado]], and Northern California. The diversity of beers is now enormous and most beer-lovers will find at least one or two to their liking. Mexico is known for the lighter beers (Corona, Dos Equis, Pacifico) that go well with their cuisine and warm climate, although darker options are also available. The lighter beers are also more common in southern areas and the Caribbean, though many of these areas also have special non-beer options (regional types of rum are quite diverse, for example). Canada and the U.S. have various wine regions and variants which have become internationally recognized and respected. Try the ice wine from Ontario and you will never forget the clean, clear beauty that is extracted from the frozen grape. The US has become the fourth largest wine making region in the world, with California producing roughly 90% of that volume. A trip to San Francisco should be accompanied by a drive through the famous [[Napa Valley]], although if the crowds deter you, you can easily enjoy lovely wineries a few hours south along the [[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]] of California (add a stop at Hearst Castle) or beautiful Pinot Noirs in [[Oregon]]. Upstate New York ([[Finger Lakes]] region) is another major wine producing region. Again, the immigrant influx to North America brought with it culturally diverse methods of alcohol production. Regional drinks and types of liquors abound. Beverages in the southern regions will often be mixed with tropical fruits; and of course, Mexico is famous for fermentation techniques with the agave plant (Tequila, anyone?). Rums abound in Southern areas of Mexico as well as Central America and the Caribbean, and have much diversity in methods of production. Cocktails made with gin and vodkas have undergone a renaissance in the U.S. and Canada, evoking memories of old movie stars from days gone by. And of course, who has not heard of the Mint Julep from [[Kentucky]], or the Hurricane from New Orleans. As with all cultures, there will be sports bars with large television screens and avid fans. If this is something you enjoy, be certain to check the season and game times to see when the next [[Ice hockey in North America|hockey]], [[American football|(American) football]], soccer (association football), basketball, or [[Baseball in the United States|baseball]] game is on and join the noisemaking. North America is the birthplace of another drinking trend that is spreading throughout the world: the '''Fake Irish Pub'''. These establishments will usually be decorated with knickknacks from [[Ireland]] and may even have an authentic looking 19th century interior. Sometimes the interior is actually imported from a real Irish pub that has gone out of business. The bar menu almost always consists of Guinness, Harp, and Jameson. Fake Irish pubs may seem tacky to those who have been to the real thing, but they are a genuine part of the landscape in the U.S. and Canada and are often among the most popular bars in town. If you're in a major American city on St. Patrick's Day, a visit to one of these establishments is a must. [[File:St. Anthony Parade at Mardi Gras Panorama Band 2010.jpg|thumb|270px|Jazz, dancing, marching, and general revelry at [[New Orleans Mardi Gras]]]] Drinking ages vary by country. In the U.S., a government-issued ID, demonstrating its holder is 21 or above, is required to purchase or consume alcohol. Availability to purchase will vary as well; some states issue liquor licenses more broadly allowing you to find alcohol in many shops and stores (California, Washington); while others may only be purchased in state run shops ([[Utah]]), or licensed bars and restaurants. In Mexico, the drinking age is 18, sending many young US border residents into the casinos and nightclubs on weekends. In Canada, the drinking age (18 or 19) will vary by territory and province. The drinking age is 18 throughout Central America, though enforcement certainly varies. ==Sleep== Hostels are available in the cities, though often in less desirable locations. If hostels are your usual lodging choice, consider options such as the YMCA or a cheap hotel. Independent hotels and international and regional hotel chains are widespread across both Canada and the USA. Most hotel chains have free smart phone apps to make it easy to schedule and keep up with travel itinerary while on the road. In these countries, as well as major tourist regions of Mexico and the Caribbean, high-speed internet service is typically available, though sometime at an additional fee. Hotel chains also offer reward programs and bonuses for frequent travelers, as do some of the online options. Bed and breakfasts are available in many cities and other popular tourist destinations. Camping spots are widely available, generally along highways or near lakes and rivers, many require a small fee, so read signs and inquire. In more populated U.S. national parks ([[Yosemite]], Grand Canyon, Yellowstone) camping and accommodations within the parks will often need booking up to 12 months in advance. You may also experience challenges with accommodations at the small hotels just outside the parks during high seasons. To really experience life in the United States, a small bed and breakfast is the way to go! Bed and breakfasts, which are usually run by the owners who live on the property, will give you a better feel of what it's like to "be an American". Many of these owners have traveled widely, read widely and have knowledge of their area to guide you to those unique experiences in the United States. ==Stay safe== Police and other emergency services are widely available most anywhere throughout the United States and Canada as well as most areas of Mexico and usually have fast response times. In the United States, Canada and Mexico, police and other first responders can be summoned in an emergency by dialing 9-1-1 on a compatible phone. Safety varies widely from place to place, so see the appropriate article on the region of interest. Like anywhere, remember to practice good common sense safety procedures and you should be fine. Many places in North America are occasionally affected by [[severe weather]]. Since mountain ranges run from north to south, storms can bring dramatic temperature changes. [[Cold weather]] is a seasonal concern in parts of the continent; see [[winter in North America]]. ==Stay healthy== '''[[Tap water]]''' is usually safe to drink in Canada and the United States. While hardly present in dogs in the USA, rabies is a concern when bitten in Central America or a bat in the US. As '''rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms show''' (there is only one case of symptomatic rabies being survived by a human documented in the medical record) have a rabies vaccination before you head out and '''get to a doctor as soon as possible if you are bitten'''. '''Tropical diseases''' such as [[dengue]] and [[malaria]] are endemic to much of Central America, especially rural areas and the Caribbean side. If you want to go to Panama you will need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. The '''[[Zika virus]]''' has spread through much of Central America, but it is advisable to check official government advisories and individual country guides on Wikivoyage before you go, as the situation can vary drastically between or even within countries. Zika is particularly dangerous to the unborn and thus pregnant women might want to postpone travel to affected areas. ==Connect== [[Mobile telephone]] frequencies in the Americas (ITU region 2) differ from most of the rest of the world, with 850&nbsp;MHz/1900&nbsp;MHz being the most common frequencies in North America for GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers) and 3G UMTS/WCDMA/HSPA (AT&T, Bell/Telus, Rogers). A few new entrants, regional carriers and higher-speed data services use 1700&nbsp;MHz or 2100&nbsp;MHz. You should check if your phone operates on the North American frequencies - if it's a quad-band cell phone it probably will, at least for GSM (a few also support North American 3G bands). If it doesn't you won't be able to call, receive calls, or send or receive messages while in North America. As a further wrinkle, North America was one of the few to widely use CDMA (a 2G system still supported by Sprint and Verizon stateside, but now abandoned in Canada). CDMA is not GSM compatible; CDMA handsets are not required to provide a removable SIM card. It is therefore common for North Americans to have to replace the entire handset (and not just a SIM) when switching to a new provider, even within the same country. {{usablecontinent}} {{related|Rail_travel_in_North_America}} {{related|Cheap_airline_travel_in_North_America}} {{related|Rail_travel_in_the_United_States}} {{related|Rail_travel_in_Canada}} {{related|Driving_in_Mexico}} {{related|Avoiding_travel_through_the_United_States}} {{geo|47|-105|zoom=4}} 4xnp6daj6jvbz9b6twu0megv1a3lcgw 4506332 4506328 2022-08-22T17:21:14Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Travel Avenger|Travel Avenger]] ([[User talk:Travel Avenger|talk]]) to last version by [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Grand Canyon-banner2.jpg|The Grand Canyon|caption=Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, United States of America}} '''North America''' is the third largest continent, with the diversity to show for it. Weather ranges from icy [[Greenland]] to tropical beaches of the [[Caribbean]], and an incredible array of national parks and preserves show off huge canyons, breathtaking mountains, ancient forests, and [[North American wildlife|fascinating wildlife]]. Every part of the continent has a complex and mixed cultural heritage, shaped by [[Indigenous peoples of North America|indigenous peoples]], colonization, and waves of immigration. ==Regions== North America consists of three large nations and one large island territory that covers most of its area. They are [[Canada]], the [[United States of America]] (U.S.), [[Mexico]] and [[Greenland]]. There are also seven smaller nations at its southern extreme (collectively known as [[Central America]]), around two dozen island nations and territories of various sizes in the [[Caribbean]], and one isolated French territory off the Canadian Atlantic coast. Although the Central American and the Caribbean regions are part of the North American continent, they are commonly listed separately from their larger neighbors to the north and hence the distinctive region names for cultural and geographical reasons. {{Worldimagemap/Northamericaimagemap}} {{Regionlist | regionmap= | regionmaptext= | regionmapsize= | region1name=[[Canada]] | region1color=#b383b3 | region1items= | region1description=The Great White North certainly has vast expanses of unspoiled wilderness, but it also features some of the world's most modern, cosmopolitan cities. | region2name=[[Caribbean]] | region2color=#ffd0d0 | region2items=[[Bahamas]], [[Cuba]], [[Jamaica]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Haiti]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Lesser Antilles]], etc. | region2description=White sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and laid-back island culture make the Caribbean one of the world's top vacation spots. | region3name=[[Central America]] | region3color=#d56d76 | region3items=[[Belize]], [[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Nicaragua]], and [[Panama]] | region3description=The seven nations of this isthmus connecting North and South America blend elements of both American continents; you'll find bustling cities, ancient jungle ruins, and a Spanish-tinged culture. | region4name=[[Greenland]] | region4color=#d5dc76 | region4items= | region4description=A self-governing country that's a part of the Kingdom of [[Denmark]], the world's largest non-continental island is full of of stark landscapes and [[midnight sun]]. In summer, the land comes alive when flowers burst out of the tundra. | region5name=[[Mexico]] | region5color=#71b37b | region5items= | region5description=Mexico is a big tourist attraction for sun-seekers, naturalists, ecotourists and historians; the former flock to Mexico's tropical beaches, while the latter will find everything from Mayan ruins to Spanish colonial history. | region6name=[[United States of America]] | region6color=#68a9c4 | region6items= | region6description=One of the largest, most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations on Earth includes some of the world's most famous cities, [[United States National Parks|natural parks]] of unspeakable beauty, and virtually everything in between. }} ===Non-Caribbean territories=== * [[Bermuda]] &mdash; overseas territory of the [[United Kingdom]]. * [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] &mdash; overseas territory of [[France]]. ==Cities== [[File:NYC wideangle south from Top of the Rock.jpg|thumb|270px|Concrete canyons below New York skyscrapers]] <!-- this list is limited to nine cities. please discuss on the article's talk page before making any changes --> * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Havana]]|lat=23.1332|long=-82.3594}} &mdash; the capital of [[Cuba]] is famous for its cigars, its strong Hispanic-[[Caribbean]] culture, and its legendary nightlife. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Kingston (Jamaica)|Kingston]]|lat=17.9711|long=-76.7929}} &mdash; the capital of [[Jamaica]] and the centre of Afro-Caribbean culture, it is cosmopolitan, diverse and the home of Reggae. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Los Angeles]]|lat=34.0556|long=-118.2456}} &mdash; [[Hollywood]] and movie stars; mountains and beaches; and lots of traffic. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Mexico City]]|lat=19.43278|long=-99.13329}} &mdash; the capital city of [[Mexico]], the third-largest city in the world is chock-full of museums, centuries-old architecture, modern amenities... and people. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[New York City]]|lat=40.7131|long=-74.0070}} &mdash; the Big Apple is the center of North American commerce and culture, immortalized in film and song alike. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Panama City]]|lat=8.96988|long=-79.53636}} &mdash; the capital of [[Panama]], a friendly city sitting at the nexus between two continents. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Toronto]]|lat=43.6702|long=-79.3868}} &mdash; Canada's largest city, a cosmopolitan mosaic with ethnic enclaves and cultural attractions galore. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Vancouver]]|lat=49.28249|long=-123.11832}} &mdash; a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, where you can go skiing and sit on the beach all in the same day. * {{Marker|type=city|name=[[Washington, D.C.]]|lat=38.8952|long=-77.0366}} &mdash; the capital of the [[United States]], with many cultural and historical attractions. <!-- this list is limited to nine cities. please discuss on the article's talk page before making any changes --> ==Other destinations== [[File:Tikalas.jpg|thumb|330px|Grand Mayan ruins at Tikal, Guatemala]] <!-- this list is limited to nine items. please discuss on the article's talk page before making any changes --> * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Banff National Park]]|lat=51.4836|long=-115.9691}} — Canada's first national park is also one of its largest. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Chichen Itza]]|lat=20.6830|long=-88.5687}} — the largest of the archaeological cities of the pre-Columbian [[Maya civilization]] in the [[Yucatán and the South|Yucatán Peninsula]] of Mexico. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Corcovado National Park]]|lat=8.5532|long=-83.5778}} — very biologically diverse national park in Costa Rica. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Grand Canyon]]|lat=36.0968|long=-112.0984}} — a massive canyon in [[Arizona]], carved over several million years. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Niagara Falls]]|lat=43.0778|long=-79.0741}} — three grandiose waterfalls on the border between the United States and Canada. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Teotihuacan]]|lat=19.69304|long=-98.84586}} — the 'city of the gods', with some of the largest ancient pyramids in the world. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Tikal]]|lat=17.22203|long=-89.62366}} — an archaeological site in Guatemala, one of the largest and most important of the ancient Mayan cities. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Walt Disney World]]|lat=28.4052|long=-81.5822}} — the flagship of Disney's worldwide theme park network, near [[Orlando]], [[Florida]]. * {{Marker|type=other|name=[[Yellowstone National Park]]|lat=44.4607|long=-110.8282}} — the world's first national park is also home to most of its geysers and an amazing concentration of animals. ==Understand== [[File:July 2012 Rainbow Over Niagara Falls Aerial View (7673532324).jpg|thumb|300px|Niagara Falls straddles the border between Canada and the United States]] North America is the third largest continent, with a surface area of 24,221,490 km² (9,351,969 sq mi), in the northern hemisphere, between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean and to the north of [[South America]]. North America's highest point is [[Alaska]]'s [[Denali]], which rises to {{m|6,194}} above sea level. ===History=== {{seealso|North American history}} The [[indigenous cultures of North America]], also called '''Native Americans''', '''Indians''' or '''First Nations''' arrived in Alaska before 10,000&nbsp;BC, and have populated virtually all parts of North America. Except a short-lived [[Vikings and the Old Norse|Viking colony]] around AD&nbsp;1000, the Americas were isolated from the rest of the world until the [[voyages of Columbus]] from 1492, and the subsequent wave of colonization, where first [[Spain]], and later [[France]], the [[British Empire]] and the [[Russian Empire]] seized parts of the continent. The [[Caribbean]] was divided between several European countries; in addition to the aforementioned, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark had island colonies. The [[United States]] became independent in 1776, was the first country outside the United Kingdom to industrialize (see [[American Industry Tour]]), expanded westwards during the 19th century to dominate the continent (see [[Old West]]), and became the world's undisputed dominant power by the middle of the 20th century. [[Haiti]] was the second country in the Americas to achieve its independence in part as a result of the most successful slave revolt in recorded history. ===Climate=== {{seealso|Winter in North America}} North America stretches across all climate zones. Much of [[Greenland]], [[Alaska]] and [[northern Canada]] are in the '''[[Arctic]]''', with [[cold weather|cold or cool weather]] all year round, and few inhabitants. Most of [[Canada]]'s land area is '''[[boreal]]''', with short summers and long winter; most Canadians live in the '''temperate''' zone, which makes up southern Canada and most of the United States. Here you can find cosmopolitan and interesting world cities and relatively easily accessible national parks for friends of nature and wildlife. The southern and southwestern United States, as well as northern Mexico, is in the '''sub-tropical''' zone. Southern [[Mexico]], [[Central America]] and the [[Caribbean]] are '''tropical''', with warm weather year round. ==Get in== ===By plane=== You can get into major cities in the [[USA]] and [[Canada]] by direct flights from all the other inhabited continents. Latin American carriers fly directly between [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]] and from [[Europe]] you can fly directly to many of the [[Caribbean]] islands. The cheapest flights and most destinations will be to the United States. If you [[Avoiding travel through the United States|do not wish to travel through the US]] to get to your destination, there is service offered to major airports such as Mexico City, Panama City and [[Punta Cana]] from major European and South American hubs. Flying is the fastest and cheapest way to get to North America. ===By boat=== It is possible to travel across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by [[Freighter travel|freight]] or [[Cruise ships|cruise]] ship, but these cruises tend to be quite expensive compared to flying (and infrequent). There are ferries from the northern rim of [[South America]] to [[Central America]] and to the [[Caribbean]]. There is still one old style [[ocean liner]] connecting [[New York City]] to [[Southampton]], UK, though. So if you have both time and money and want to arrive in style as in the old days, it can certainly be done. ===Overland=== Even if the Americas are physically connected, there are no roads or railroads between [[Panama]] and [[Colombia]]. It is possible but hopelessly dangerous to hike through the {{km|100}} of jungle at the [[Darien Gap]]; if you want to take your vehicle with you, you need to take the ferry. ==Get around== [[File:BelleAméricaine 12 cropped.JPG|thumb|270px|Classic car in Old Havana]] ===By plane=== Because population centers are often widely spaced, most long-range travel is by air, with an extensive network of major hubs and smaller regional airports, usually supplemented with car rental services to cover local travel when you arrive at your destination (see "By car"). The cheapest fares are between major cities, so you may have to drive a few hours on each end of the trip to get to and from the airports. ===By bus=== There is prolific long-range bus service across most of the U.S. and Canada, but travel times are excessively long (often substantially longer than a direct trip in a personal vehicle) and stations tend to be poorly maintained and even more poorly secured. Intercity buses generally travel only among significant cities, never to remote locations, and are limited or unavailable outside of business hours. While there are major national and regional bus operators in the U.S., the withdrawal of the only national bus operator in Canada resulted in numerous regional bus companies providing service instead. Bus routes are typically not timed to enable rapid transfers between the various bus operators in Canada and most operators do not operate routes overnight. Information about available intercity regional bus operators in Canada are listed under the specific region or city. In [[Mexico#By bus 2|Mexico]], by contrast, bus service is extensive and a common way to get around. In Central America, buses are the backbone of local transportation, as car ownership remains low and both domestic flights and railways have only a niche role, if any. If you want to meet the locals, hop on a [[chicken bus]] and enjoy the bumpy ride. The following companies operate buses extensively in North America: * {{listing | name=Greyhound Lines | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 214 849-8966 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-29 | content=Greyhound serves over 3,800 locations throughout the U.S. and cross-border services from the U.S. into Canada and Mexico. It also operates (Southeastern Texas) and '''Cruceros USA''' (California & Arizona in the U.S. and Baja California Norte & Sonora in Mexico) brands in different parts of the U.S. Most towns have Greyhound service to them, but only 1 or 2 trips a day. }} * {{listing | name=Megabus | alt=Coach USA | url=https://us.megabus.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-29 | content=Besides having its own distinctive buses, Megabus is absorbing the buses of Coach USA and Coach Canada and rebranding them as "Megabus". [https://ca.megabus.com/ Megabus] operates in Canada, mainly in southern Ontario. Megabus is a popular brand in Great Britain and North America. It operates under different brands for intercity, commuter, airport shuttles, university shuttle and charter services in different localities in the USA. }} * {{go | name=Grupo Estrella Blanca (White Star) | alt= | url=https://estrellablanca.com.mx/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+52 55 5729-0807 | tollfree=01800-507-5500 (Mexico) | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-30 | content=It also operates the '''TNS (Transportes Norte de Sonora), [https://chihuahuenses.com.mx/ Chihuahuanese], Pacifico, Oriente, TF (Tranporte Frontera), Estrella Blanca, Conexion, Rapidos de Cuauhtemoc and Valle de Guadiana''' within Mexico and '''[https://autobusesamericanos.com.mx/ Autobus Americanos]''' as a joint venture with Greyhound Lines for cross border travel between the U.S. and Mexico. As the largest bus company they serve much of the northern & northwestern states of Aguascaliente, Baja California Norte, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Districto Federal (DF), Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayrit, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora and Zacatecas states, up to the US border. It sells tickets for onward travel to the United States from the border on Greyhound (and vice versa). }} * {{go | name=Grupo Senda | alt= | url=https://ticket.gruposenda.com/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Rivals the above serving Aguascaliente, Colima, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco,Michocoan, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas states in Mexico and into the US. From the border it offers services to the southeastern and central U.S. states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. It also operates the '''[https://www.turimex.com/en/ Turimex]''' (in the U.S.) and '''[https://transportesdelnorte.com.mx/en/ Del Norte]''' bus lines. }} * {{go | name=ADO | alt=Autobuses Del Oriente | url=https://www.ado.com.mx/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+52 55 5133-5133 | tollfree=01800-009-9090 | hours= | price= | content=It operates the '''ADO, ADO GL, AU (Autobus Unidos), OCC (Omnibus Cristobal Colon), and Platino''' bus lines, and the '''[https://www.miescape.mx/ Mi Escape]''' booking site in Mexico. It is a major bus company serving the eastern and southeastern part of the country towards the Guatemalan border in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, Tabasco, and the Yucatan Peninsula (Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche). It offers a once-daily trip to/from [[Belize City]] via [[Chetumal#By_bus|Chetumal]] from Cancun and Merida and connecting service with '''[https://www.ticabus.com/ Tica Bus]''' and '''King Quality''' in [[Tapachula]] for onward travel to/from Central America. }} * {{listing | name=Tica Bus | alt= | url=https://www.ticabus.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-29 | content=Tica Bus is the major bus line serving all the major cities in all of Central America except Belize from Tapachula down to Panama City, Panama. }} Between these major bus lines it is ''possible'' to travel by bus across and between the three biggest countries in North America and seven smaller ones in Central America. In addition to the above, there are numerous other companies and local drivers' unions (more in Mexico & Central America) operating buses locally, regionally or even across longer distances as well. See "By bus" in the article for a particular country, state/province, region and/or locality for more. Most locations from small towns up to large cities have bus service within a town or to neighboring towns. The quality of service varies, but how late and often it runs roughly corresponds with city size. ===By car=== Most travel in Canada, the United States, and Mexico is by personal vehicle. Almost all highways in Canada and the United States are well maintained, with amenities such as gas, food, and lodging ranging from adequate to very convenient. If you experience an emergency that endangers your life, safety, or property, you will be able to dial 911 from a compatible cell phone on almost any major highway and reach an operator at any time. Vehicle and medical insurance issued in either Canada or the U.S. is usually valid in the other, though the wise traveller will confirm with their insurer. Canada and U.S. insurance coverage in Mexico is sometimes limited or not honored. Again, the wise traveler will confirm with their insurer. Car rental agencies are available at almost every airport. Normally, a valid driver's license and a major credit card or cash deposit are required. Rentals are sometimes restricted for drivers under age 25. Many agencies offer short term insurance and additional coverage. In much of western Alaska and almost all of Greenland, no major highways connect towns and cities. If roads do exist, they do not usually have the same standards as roads in the rest of North America. ===By train=== [[File:Bow-river-banff-np.jpg|thumb|The Trans-Canada Railroad travels through areas that are hard to get to by other means of transportation, like this view of [[Banff National Park]].]] Although it once held much of the continent together, and remains useful for local travel in many metro areas, intercity train travel now ranges from relatively convenient in the Northeast Corridor, to manageable in [[California]], around [[Chicago]], and parts of southeastern Canada, to sparse in other parts of the continent. If you prefer to travel by rail, it's still possible (depending on where you go), but is slower and sometimes more expensive than air travel for long distances. Among the areas with most frequent service is the US Northeast Corridor which links [[Washington, D.C.]] to [[Boston]] with frequent stops in intermediate cities such as [[Baltimore]], [[Philadelphia]], [[New York City]], [[New Haven]], and [[Providence]]. There is at least hourly service in this corridor from 4AM to 1AM. In Canada, the heavily-populated [[Windsor-Quebec corridor]] has several trains daily which compare favorably in speed to freeway travel, although the cost to put one passenger on the train often exceeds that of intercity bus or of the fuel to travel by car. In communities off the beaten track, often the rails have simply been removed and the former rights-of-way used as bicycle, snowmobile or nature trails. There are no railways remaining on [[Prince Edward Island]] or the island of [[Newfoundland]]. Most private intercity rail carriers have abandoned passenger service as unprofitable, leaving ''de facto'' federally-owned entities such as '''[[Amtrak]]''' (in the US) and '''[https://www.viarail.ca VIA Rail]''' (in Canada) to operate the services that remain. Short commuter train runs are often regionally or municipally operated in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. See [[Rail travel in Canada]] and [[Rail travel in the United States]]. Compared to Europe and [[East Asia]], speed is low and frequencies are sparse, but the views and the comfort may make up for it. Indeed on the spectacular routes some trains traverse in North America, the journey does indeed become the destination. [[High speed rail]] is if anything in its infancy, with only the [[Boston]] to [[Washington, DC]] Northeast corridor qualifying for even a generous definition, but several projects are either planned or under construction throughout the U.S. In Mexico and Central America passenger trains are nominal at best (Like '''[https://chepe.mx/en/ the Chihuahua al Pacifico Line]''' through the [[Copper Canyon]]) and non-existent at worst (in most places). There are however some [[tourist trains]], and various Central American countries as well as Mexico have actively considered whether to build a new freight or passenger rail line. Economic developments and - in the case of Mexico - a sharp drop in oil prices have at the very least postponed these plans for now, so don't hold your breath. ===By ship=== ====On the sea==== [[File:Labadee beach and cruise ship cropped.jpg|thumb|300px|A mammoth cruise ship stopping by [[Labadee]] in Haiti]] The cruise industry is a large industry in some parts of North America, and cruises to places such as [[Bermuda]] and the [[West Indies]] are readily available, as they are to parts of [[Mexico]]. Cruises are offered as tours, and, if your travel begins or ends at a port in the United States, you generally must embark or disembark either at the same port or in a different country at the other end of the cruise. (This is due to cabotage laws.) The exception is if the line is owned and staffed by Americans, using American-built ships. (Most cruise lines are multinational operations.) Generally, cruises stop at a given port for only a few hours, so this method of travel may be inconvenient for people who want to stay longer at a port. Some locations, such as [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Alaska]], San Francisco, New York City and Boston, have ferry service, allowing trips to various locations in or near them. ====On lakes and rivers==== North America contains a number of large bodies of fresh water, be it the [[Great Lakes]] between Canada and the USA or the various rivers traversing the continent and most of them are used extensively to ferry goods and people. [[Cruising on small craft]] certainly is an option in the US, as it is the country with the longest inland waterways in the world. Canada similarly offers a huge number of options for owners or renters of small craft. In the less developed corners of Central America, some places are or were reachable by boat only or the waterway remains one of the more comfortable and faster ways to get there. [[Ometepe]] in Lake Nicaragua for instance only got an airport in 2014, but given flight schedules and the view from the boat, most will still want to arrive on the water. Places that are deeper in the jungle or otherwise off the beaten path may be best accessed by boat and some ferries (e.g. between El Salvador and Nicaragua or between Honduras and Belize) will spare you a roundabout route overland. ===By foot=== If you find yourself in a large city, like [[New York City|New York]], walking might be the best way to get around because of the large amount of traffic that many large cities have. There are many sidewalks and footpaths to take in less populated areas. For the dedicated long-distance hikers the [[Continental Divide Trail]] and the [[Pacific Crest Trail]] are United States National Scenic Trails running thousands of miles between [[Mexico]] and [[Canada]] through some of the most mountainous and rugged areas of North America. ===By public transport=== While cities such as [[Managua]] are a traffic nightmare and the buses are neither all that fast nor all that comfortable (they're cheap, though), others such as [[Panama City]] have built modern metros in the 21st century that are very popular with tourists and locals. Almost all self-respecting cities of a certain size in Canada and the USA have some form of metro or light rail to get you around at least downtown. [[Mexico City]] has the second biggest metro by ridership in the Americas (after [[New York City]]). Many cities were built with automobiles in mind and outside of the downtown core you may be lucky if a bus even comes your way once an hour on weekdays, even in places as big as [[Dallas]]. Touring the [[United States without a car]] is a particular challenge though doable with advance planning and careful choice of destinations. ===By bike=== While there is hardly any traditional "bicycle culture" in most places (outside of recreational cycling, that is), there are new "bike-share" programs in many cities in the USA as well as Mexico City and Canada. While primarily aimed at locals, travelers can usually sign up as well (provided they have a credit card and/or passport). In more rural regions with a tradition of recreational cycling, you may very well get traditional bike rental by the day or week. Some cities have an emerging cyclist culture and joining up in a "critical mass" ride is a good way to meet the locals and get into contact with the local cycling scene. Cycling is certainly on the rise in many cities of the continent, but even the most bike friendly places like [[Portland (Oregon)|Portland]], Oregon, are a far cry from the like of Copenhagen or Amsterdam in terms of bike culture. ==Talk== The three major languages of North America are English, [[Spanish]] and [[French]]. The United States and Canada are majority-English-speaking countries. English is also spoken in many Caribbean nations and Belize. A Creole variety of English is spoken by a minority along much of the Caribbean coast of Central America as well as on some Caribbean islands, most notably [[Jamaican Patois phrasebook|Jamaican Patois]], but it will take some getting used to and may be unintelligible to second language speakers of English. Mexico, the majority of Central America (mostly the Pacific side) and portions of the Caribbean are majority-Spanish-speaking. Spanish is also spoken as a mother tongue by a minority of people and second language by others in many parts of the United States. French plays a substantial role in Canada — especially [[Quebec]], but also parts of [[Ontario]], [[Manitoba]], and [[New Brunswick]] — and a role in other places, especially the Caribbean (though in some countries a French creole is more common, such as [[Haitian Creole]] in [[Haiti]]). [[Dutch]] is spoken on islands in the southern Caribbean that used to be part of the [[Netherlands Antilles]]. Numerous indigenous languages are spoken by Native Americans and the Inuit peoples of North America including Greenland. There are some isolated communities where only a few people speak anything but their indigenous language, and in Mexico, Nahuatl and Maya languages are having a revival of sorts. [[Danish]] is spoken along with [[Greenlandic]] in Greenland. Generally, English proficiency tends to be poor in the Spanish- and French-speaking parts of the continent, though people who work in the tourism industry, as well as business people who regularly deal with foreign clients, often speak at least conversational English. ==See== [[File:Wapta Falls 2008.JPG|thumb|270px|Gorgeous mountain landscapes in [[British Columbia]] ]] <!-- DO NOT list individual hotels or attractions here. Please read [[Wikivoyage:Where you can stick it]] --> The range of things to see in North America is enormous. There is spectacular natural scenery ranging from mountains and tundra to deserts and tropical rain forests. The [[Rocky Mountains]] (Rockies) are the continent's largest mountain range, running from northern Canada to the southwestern United States, continuing into Mexico as the Sierra Madre ranges and Mexican Altiplano and on to Central America, making up the northern part of the American Cordillera. The Rockies contain some of the world's most visited national parks including the famous [[Yellowstone National Park|Yellowstone]]. North American cities like [[New York City]], [[Chicago]], and Washington, DC are home to some of the world's finest museums. Stunning architecture can be found from [[Panama City]] to [[Montreal]]. [[North American wildlife]], with iconic species such as the grizzly, the bison, the mustang and the bald eagle, is an attraction in itself. The tropics belong to another biogeographic region; see [[Central and South American wildlife]]. Some of the best '''scenic areas''' include: *The [[Appalachian Mountains]], stretching from [[Quebec]] to the [[Appalachia]] region of the [[Southern United States]]. *The [[Pacific Coast Highway]] along the cost of [[California]]. *The [[Rocky Mountains]] (including Yellowstone and [[Banff National Park|Banff]] national parks, among others). *The [[Everglades National Park|Everglades]], a massive wetland in [[Florida]]. *[[Niagara Falls]] on the Canada-USA frontier between [[Lake Erie|Lakes Erie]] and [[Lake Ontario|Ontario]. *The [[Grand Canyon]], one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and the [[Colorado River]] in [[Northern Arizona]]. *The beaches and fishing villages of the East Coast, from [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] to the [[Carolina]]<nowiki/>s. *The "Inside Passage" between [[Vancouver Island]] and the coast of mainland British Columbia. ===Cultural and historical themes=== * [[American Civil War]]. * [[Pioneer Villages]]. * [[Postwar United States|Cold War]]. ===Itineraries=== {{seealso|North America itineraries}}. * The [[Alaska Highway]] (and the [[Driving between the contiguous United States and the Alaska Highway|and various routes that lead to it]]) * [[Dalton Highway]]. * [[El Camino Real]]. * [[Route 66]]. * [[Underground Railroad]]. * [[Trans-Canada Highway]]. * [[Panama City|Panama Canal]]. * [[Ruta del Tránsito]] – the old interoceanic route through [[Nicaragua]] that was a main travel thoroughfare prior to the transcontinental railroad. ==Buy== [[File:Catrinas 2011.jpg|thumb|270px|Figures for the [[Day of the Dead]] in Mexico]] Usually, you can buy large ranges of clothing and lots of electronics. North America is known for manufacturing lots of electronics, such as Apple, Hewlett Packard (HP) and Dell, which are all major electronics manufacturers from North America. Many North American cities have famous shopping districts such as 5th Avenue in [[New York City]], Rodeo Drive in [[Beverly Hills]], and the [[Along the Magnificent Mile|Magnificent Mile]] in [[Chicago]]. Downtown shopping districts have spawned some of the world's most famous retailers including '''Macy's''', '''Bloomingdale's''', and '''Neiman Marcus'''. Many tourists enjoy shopping at the biggest shopping mall in the United States, the Mall of America. It's located in [[Bloomington (Minnesota)|Bloomington]], [[Minnesota]], a suburb of [[Minneapolis]]. As well as having an amazing number of stores, you'll also find a multi-screen movie theater, an amusement park, and many restaurants--including both sit-down and fast-food. Also, the West Edmonton Mall in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] is a popular destination having once been the world's largest mall. ==Eat== {{see also|Chain restaurants in the United States and Canada|Fast food in the United States and Canada}} Since the United States was heavily populated by pioneering peoples and global immigration, the diversity of [[American cuisine|its cuisine]] is immense. Many cosmopolitan cities (Chicago, New York, [[San Francisco]], and [[Las Vegas]] to name a few) have a broad array of dining options to offer tourists. These cities attract both famous chefs from around the world serving world-class fare in Michelin starred restaurants, as well as enclaves of various ethnic groups offering inexpensive regional cuisines from their homelands. Foreign cuisines have been adapted in many ways to suit American palates and use local ingredients; for instance, the United States and Canada have [[Pizza in the United States and Canada|several distinctive variations of pizza]]. Canadian food, like that of the U.S., varies from region to region and is heavily influenced by its immigrant culture. Broadly speaking, you should think seafood on the coasts, meat and potatoes in the center of the country, and pretty much anything you can think of in the cosmopolitan major cities. '''Poutine''', french fries covered in cheese curd and gravy, may be the nation's favorite fast food snack. The Caribbean is known for its seafood and specialties like '''Jerk chicken'''. While [[Mexican food|Mexican]] influence extends into the cuisine of Northern Central America, countries like Nicaragua or Costa Rica have their own distinct flavor, based mostly upon rice and beans that together make up ''gallo pinto'' (also known as ''casamiento'' in other parts of Central America), a staple food that you will eat at least once during any visit, no matter how short. ==Drink== [[File:Salsa performers in New York.jpg|thumb|270px|Salsa dancers in New York]] Europeans used to mock American beers for their lack of diversity and flavor. Anyone still mocking should really look again. While a light beer can still be enjoyed in hot regions on sandy beaches, the U.S. has microbreweries dotting the country. Major concentrations of microbreweries can be found in [[New England]], the [[Pacific Northwest]], [[Colorado]], and Northern California. The diversity of beers is now enormous and most beer-lovers will find at least one or two to their liking. Mexico is known for the lighter beers (Corona, Dos Equis, Pacifico) that go well with their cuisine and warm climate, although darker options are also available. The lighter beers are also more common in southern areas and the Caribbean, though many of these areas also have special non-beer options (regional types of rum are quite diverse, for example). Canada and the U.S. have various wine regions and variants which have become internationally recognized and respected. Try the ice wine from Ontario and you will never forget the clean, clear beauty that is extracted from the frozen grape. The US has become the fourth largest wine making region in the world, with California producing roughly 90% of that volume. A trip to San Francisco should be accompanied by a drive through the famous [[Napa Valley]], although if the crowds deter you, you can easily enjoy lovely wineries a few hours south along the [[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]] of California (add a stop at Hearst Castle) or beautiful Pinot Noirs in [[Oregon]]. Upstate New York ([[Finger Lakes]] region) is another major wine producing region. Again, the immigrant influx to North America brought with it culturally diverse methods of alcohol production. Regional drinks and types of liquors abound. Beverages in the southern regions will often be mixed with tropical fruits; and of course, Mexico is famous for fermentation techniques with the agave plant (Tequila, anyone?). Rums abound in Southern areas of Mexico as well as Central America and the Caribbean, and have much diversity in methods of production. Cocktails made with gin and vodkas have undergone a renaissance in the U.S. and Canada, evoking memories of old movie stars from days gone by. And of course, who has not heard of the Mint Julep from [[Kentucky]], or the Hurricane from New Orleans. As with all cultures, there will be sports bars with large television screens and avid fans. If this is something you enjoy, be certain to check the season and game times to see when the next [[Ice hockey in North America|hockey]], [[American football|(American) football]], soccer (association football), basketball, or [[Baseball in the United States|baseball]] game is on and join the noisemaking. North America is the birthplace of another drinking trend that is spreading throughout the world: the '''Fake Irish Pub'''. These establishments will usually be decorated with nicknacks from [[Ireland]] and may even have an authentic looking 19th century interior. Sometimes the interior is actually imported from a real Irish pub that has gone out of business. The bar menu almost always consists of Guinness, Harp, and Jameson. Fake Irish pubs may seem tacky to those who have been to the real thing, but they are a genuine part of the landscape in the U.S. and Canada and are often among the most popular bars in town. If you're in a major American city on St. Patrick's Day, a visit to one of these establishments is a must. [[File:St. Anthony Parade at Mardi Gras Panorama Band 2010.jpg|thumb|270px|Jazz, dancing, marching, and general revelry at [[New Orleans Mardi Gras]]]] Drinking ages vary by country. In the U.S., a government-issued ID, demonstrating its holder is 21 or above, is required to purchase or consume alcohol. Availability to purchase will vary as well; some states issue liquor licenses more broadly allowing you to find alcohol in many shops and stores (California, Washington); while others may only be purchased in state run shops ([[Utah]]), or licensed bars and restaurants. In Mexico, the drinking age is 18, sending many young US border residents into the casinos and nightclubs on weekends. In Canada, the drinking age (18 or 19) will vary by territory and province. The drinking age is 18 throughout Central America, though enforcement certainly varies. ==Sleep== Hostels are available in the cities, though often in less desirable locations. If hostels are your usual lodging choice, consider options such as the YMCA or a cheap hotel. Independent hotels and international and regional hotel chains are widespread across both Canada and the USA. Most hotel chains have free smart phone apps to make it easy to schedule and keep up with travel itinerary while on the road. In these countries, as well as major tourist regions of Mexico and the Caribbean, high-speed internet service is typically available, though sometime at an additional fee. Hotel chains also offer reward programs and bonuses for frequent travelers, as do some of the online options. Bed and breakfasts are available in many cities and other popular tourist destinations. Camping spots are widely available, generally along highways or near lakes and rivers, many require a small fee, so read signs and inquire. In more populated U.S. national parks ([[Yosemite]], Grand Canyon, Yellowstone) camping and accommodations within the parks will often need booking up to 12 months in advance. You may also experience challenges with accommodations at the small hotels just outside the parks during high-seasons. To really experience life in the United States, a small bed and breakfast is the way to go! Bed and breakfasts, which are usually run by the owners who live on the property, will give you a better feel of what it's like to "be an American". Many of these owners have traveled widely, read widely and have knowledge of their area to guide you to those unique experiences in the United States. ==Stay safe== Police and other emergency services are widely available most anywhere throughout the United States and Canada as well as most areas of Mexico and usually have fast response times. In the United States, Canada and Mexico, police and other first responders can be summoned in an emergency by dialing 9-1-1 on a compatible phone. Safety varies widely from place to place, so see the appropriate article on the region of interest. Like anywhere, remember to practice good common sense safety procedures and you should be fine. Many places in North America are occasionally affected by [[severe weather]]. Since mountain ranges run from north to south, storms can bring dramatic temperature changes. [[Cold weather]] is a seasonal concern in parts of the continent; see [[winter in North America]]. ==Stay healthy== '''[[Tap water]]''' is usually safe to drink in Canada and the United States. While hardly present in dogs in the USA, rabies is a concern when bitten in Central America or a bat in the US. As '''rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms show''' (there is only one case of symptomatic rabies being survived by a human documented in the medical record) have a rabies vaccination before you head out and '''get to a doctor as soon as possible if you are bitten'''. '''Tropical diseases''' such as [[dengue]] and [[malaria]] are endemic to much of Central America, especially rural areas and the Caribbean side. If you want to go to Panama you will need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. The '''[[Zika virus]]''' has spread through much of Central America, but it is advisable to check official government advisories and individual country guides on Wikivoyage before you go, as the situation can vary drastically between or even within countries. Zika is particularly dangerous to the unborn and thus pregnant women might want to postpone travel to affected areas. ==Connect== [[Mobile telephone]] frequencies in the Americas (ITU region 2) differ from most of the rest of the world, with 850&nbsp;MHz/1900&nbsp;MHz being the most common frequencies in North America for GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers) and 3G UMTS/WCDMA/HSPA (AT&T, Bell/Telus, Rogers). A few new entrants, regional carriers and higher-speed data services use 1700&nbsp;MHz or 2100&nbsp;MHz. You should check if your phone operates on the North American frequencies - if it's a quad-band cell phone it probably will, at least for GSM (a few also support North American 3G bands). If it doesn't you won't be able to call, receive calls, or send or receive messages while in North America. As a further wrinkle, North America was one of the few to widely use CDMA (a 2G system still supported by Sprint and Verizon stateside, but now abandoned in Canada). CDMA is not GSM compatible; CDMA handsets are not required to provide a removable SIM card. It is therefore common for North Americans to have to replace the entire handset (and not just a SIM) when switching to a new provider, even within the same country. {{usablecontinent}} {{related|Rail_travel_in_North_America}} {{related|Cheap_airline_travel_in_North_America}} {{related|Rail_travel_in_the_United_States}} {{related|Rail_travel_in_Canada}} {{related|Driving_in_Mexico}} {{related|Avoiding_travel_through_the_United_States}} {{geo|47|-105|zoom=4}} 9952i7h7kl8e7a884g8eu3l96aln2eo 0 24845 4506614 4502648 2022-08-23T05:38:36Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Regions */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Darjeeling banner.jpg}} [[File:Buxa Tiger Reserve forest 2014.jpg|thumb|The Buxa Hills viewed from Jayanti forest]] '''North Bengal''' is a region in the northern part of [[West Bengal]]. It acts as a gateway to [[North-Eastern India]]. It is known for its wide range of animals and forests. It houses many ancient landmarks of historical significance. It is well-known for its tea gardens, especially Darjeeling Tea. There are many cities which have interesting histories. It is one of the most important rice producing regions of the country. ==Regions== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|title=[[Darjeeling Hills]]|type=geoshape|fill={{stdColor|t1}}|wikidata=Q1134759,Q28769140}} {{mapshape|title=[[Plains (North Bengal)|Plains]]|type=geoshape|fill={{stdColor|t2}}|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} {{Regionlist |region1name=[[Darjeeling Hills]] |region1color={{stdColor|t1}} |region1description=The [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] area of West Bengal. |region2name=The [[Plains (North Bengal)|Plains]] |region2color={{stdColor|t2}} |region2description= The lush green area with historical landmarks. The rich culture of North Bengal can be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. }} ==Cities== * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Darjeeling]] | lat=27.0500 |long=88.2667 | image=Tea_plantation_Darjeeling.JPG |wikidata=Q169997}} &mdash; a beautiful hill station and centre of a major tea growing area * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town at the border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] *{{Marker|type=city|name=[[Kalimpong]]|wikidata=Q500877}} - a popular hill station, known for its orchids, cheese, and schools * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; a city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Siliguri]] | lat=26.7265 |long=88.4152 | image=Siliguri_view.jpg |wikidata=Q5087}} &mdash; the largest city in North Bengal and a major commercial and shopping hub. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | lat=26.550556 |long= 89.379722 | image=Elephant_safari.jpg }} &mdash; a wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | lat=26.8498 |long=88.8622 | image= }} &mdash; richly populated by many types of wildlife * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage site near Malda town *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | lat=26.6385 |long=89.2853 | image=Elephant_safari.jpg }} &mdash; a national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Mirik]] | lat=26.887 |long=88.187 | image= |wikidata=Q2733296}} &mdash; a picturesque and fertile hill station in the Darjeeling Hills * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | lat=26.7500 |long=89.3500 | image= |wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Kurseong]] | lat= |long= | image= |wikidata=Q1025634}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town with memories of the Toy Train * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Panitanki]] | image= |wikidata=Q25341396}} &mdash; a village and popular border crossing on the Indian side of the Nepalese border. ==Understand== North Bengal was historically called '''Gaur''' or '''Gour''', but that region included certain districts or areas such as Rangpur and Rajshahi, which are now in [[Bangladesh]]. The total area has a distinctiveness in the matter of the dialects spoken, the folk culture and life styles. Far away from the madding crowds of the metropolis, it has a quietness of its own. Standing at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, it gradually slopes down to the alluvial plains of the Ganges, the Padma and the Jamuna. The Ganges flows circumventing the Rajmahal Hills and the Brahmaputra around the Garo Hills. Other turbulent rivers originate in North Bengal and flow down to the plains. It is the land of the mountain-climbing Sherpas and other people with some distinctiveness of their own. Certain Muslim-dominated areas have their own traditions. It has been home to the famous one-horned rhino and numerous other species of animals and birds. With improvement in communication links, the inflow of tourists into North Bengal is increasing. It is a wonderful land waiting to be explored properly by inquisitive tourists. ==Talk== Like all other parts of [[West Bengal]], [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]] is widely spoken in this region. [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]] and English is also popular in this region. You are likely to find a [[Hindi phrasebook|Hindi]] or an English speaker in any part of the region. ==Get in== === By plane === One of the two airports serving the region is the Bagdogra International Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}). The number of flights operating from Bagdogra has increased substantially and the airport has links with most major Indian cities - [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Chennai]], [[Kolkata]] and [[Guwahati]]. In addition, a number of airlines operate connecting flights to and from [[Paro]], while Druk Air offers bi-weekly direct flights to the Thai capital [[Bangkok]]. There is another airport at Cooch Behar ({{IATA|COH}}), but no airline flies to Cooch Behar at this moment. ===By train=== North Bengal is well connected to all regions of India through the wide network of railways. There are many railway stations in the region providing easy mobility. The largest railway stations are listed below- * {{go | name=Alipurduar Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15179363 | lastedit=2022-01-30 | content= Situated in one of the most important rail routes in the region. }} * {{go | name=New Cooch Behar Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7006691 | lastedit=2022-01-27 | content=Main railway station of [[Cooch Behar]], operates as a junction point for more than four rail routes. }} * {{listing|type=go | name=New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11790860 | lastedit=2022-01-27 | content= The most busiest railway station in the region as it is located in the doorstep of the railway routes to [[North-Eastern India]]. }} ===By car=== Road travel is efficient in this region. There are many highways connecting North Bengal to different parts of the country. Most road networks to North-Eastern India pass through this region. There are state highways that provide easy transport to places within the state of West Bengal. The State Highway 12 (''SH-12'') connects most of North Bengal. All major national highway systems connecting [[North-Eastern India]] with mainland [[India]] pass through this region. ==Get around== ===By electric rickshaw=== All the cities have electric rickshaw (or e-rickshaw) facilities. E-rickshaw operators can charge huge fares on seeing a tourist. Usually, e-rickshaw rides are short and cost ₹10-15 per person (as of 2022). ===By train=== [[File:Darjeeling Toy Train at Batasia Loop.jpg|thumb|Train at the Batasia Loop.]] Railway is a great way to get between cities. On many routes, the railways are the fastest and cheapest way to get around. All the railway stations in this region are well connected to each other. The rail system is efficient, if not always on schedule. Major trains to [[Delhi]] and [[Kolkata]] run daily in this region. ===By bus=== Bus services in this region are offered by [http://www.nbstc.in/ North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC)], operating daily bus services to all the cities and villages. The prices are very low and for long distances, online booking can also be done. ===By car=== There are highways connecting the cities and other adjacent states. There is almost no traffic but sometimes during the festival season, you might find some traffic. All villages are connected via paved roads. You are required to pay toll taxes at various points on the highway. Charges may vary depending on the type of vehicle. A quick way to wirelessly and automatically pay it is through [https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/netc-fastag/product-overview FASTag]. ==See== {{Movetocity}} [[File:Cooch Behar Palace alias Victor Jubilee Palace of Cooch Behar Town at Cooch Behar district in West Bengal 20.jpg|thumb|The Cooch Behar Palace]] North Bengal is known for its lush green forests, natural wonders and numerous landmarks of historical significance. Some popular spots are: * {{Listing|type=see|name=Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve|address=Buxa Forest, West Bengal 736123|lat=26.551898591380223|long=89.53570166250677|lastedit=2021-12-18|content=A wildlife park in Alipurduar. Popularly known for its elephants}} * {{Listing|type=see|name=Buxa Tiger Reserve|address=Buxa Forest, Buxa, West Bengal 735226|lat=26.653952879141034|long=89.55044662909273|lastedit=2021-12-18|content=Buxa Tiger Reserve is near Alipurduar in the eastern [[Dooars]].}} * {{see| name= Cooch Behar Palace| alt= Rajbari| url= http://coochbehar.gov.in/Htmfiles/rajbari_exclusive.html| email= circlekolkata.asi@gov.in| address= Bus Terminus, Kesab Rd| lat= 26.3286| long=89.4381| directions= the main road of the city starts here.| phone= +91 89020 14983| tollfree= +91 358 222 7348| hours=Sa-Th 10AM-5PM (closed Friday) | price=| lastedit= 2022-01-13| content= This is the main attraction of [[Cooch Behar]].|wikipedia=Cooch Behar Palace|wikidata=Q5166812}} * {{See|name=Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary|alt=Rasikbil|url=https://wbfdc.net/|email=bookings@wbfdc.com|address=Rasikbill|lat=26.4160|long=89.7348|phone=+91 76040 44479|hours=M-Sa 11AM-4PM (closed Sunday)|lastedit=2022-01-17|content=A bird sanctuary with many other animals like tigers, monkeys, deers, crocodiles and snakes.|image=Rasikbil bird Sanctuary in Cooch Behar District 3.jpg|wikipedia=Rasikbil|wikidata=Q7295050}} *{{listing | type=see| name=Batashiya Loop | alt= | url= | email=| address= | lat=27.01670 | long=88.24709 | directions=| phone= | tollfree= |hours= | price=| wikidata=Q4868648| content=Batashiya Loop is a place where the legendary toy train makes a loop.}} * {{see| name=Tiger Hill| lat=26.99568 |long=88.28491|content=You can get a nice golden view when the first rays of the sun touch Mount Kanchenjunga. You need to get up at 3AM to reach this place on time.}} * {{listing | type=see| name=Deolo Park | alt= | url= | email=|address= | lat=27.0892469 | long=88.5009798 | directions= On the way to [[Kalimpong]]| phone= | tollfree=| hours= | price=| lastedit=2019-08-12| content=Deolo Park is situated on a hill which provides the most sweeping panoramic views and also has a guesthouse.}} * {{see| name=Coronation Bridge | alt=Sevoke Bridge | url= | email=| address= | lat=26.9028 | long=88.4731 | directions=at Sevoke, about 23 km from the city on way to [[Gangtok]]/[[Kalimpong]] and [[Dooars]] on the National Highway 31.| phone= | tollfree= | fax=| hours= | price=| wikipedia=Coronation Bridge | image=Bridge_at_Teesta.jpg | wikidata=Q5172206| content=You can see the turbulent Teesta roaring below.}} * {{see| name=Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary| alt=Kulick Bird Sanctuary | url=http://uttardinajpur.nic.in/tourism.html | email=| address= | lat=25.637 | long=88.121 | directions=It is located 4 km north from the centre of Raiganj town| phone= | tollfree= | fax=| hours= | price=| content=Several types of migratory birds arrive here each year from South Asian countries and coastal regions.}} [[File:Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel, Dr. Graham's Homes, Kalimpong, West Bengal Side.jpg|thumb|The Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel in Kalimpong.]] ==Do== This region is a highly active economic zone. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and forests to visit. Some of the popular ones are [[Gorumara National Park]], Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Chilapata Forest. Paragliding is available in [[Dello]] providing breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape. Festival seasons from November-March attract many tourists. The Ras Mela in [[Cooch Behar]] is a famous event. Apart from these, there are many historical places to discover. You can also hike up hills. One great hiking location is Buxa Fort. Every city has parks that are well equipped with recreational types of equipment. The Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway is a heritage railway service from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to Darjeeling. It operates on a meter gauge line and offers panoramic views while climbing up the mountains. ==Eat== [[File:Luchi&alurdom.jpg|thumbnail|Traditional Bengali breakfast comprising of luchis with alur dom, dal and sandesh.]] You can find the same regional cuisine as in the entire [[West Bengal]]. Fish is widely eaten and can be found in every restaurant. Typical breakfast items include ''luchi with alur dom'' (puffed chapati with potato curry). There are many snacks popular in this region. Some of the most popular evening snacks include ''singara'' (samosa) and ''chop'' (fried blob of veg or non-veg patty). Apart from these, you can get almost all kinds of food found in the country. Even one can get Chinese, Thai and Continental food easily. Mughlai dishes are very popular here. ==Drink== There are many bars in every city that serve alcoholic drinks. Apart from this, diet cokes, soft drinks and refreshers can be found at any local store. Locals usually prefer tea and coffee with Darjeeling tea being the most popular. ==Stay safe== There is a low crime rate in this area. Thefts in crowded areas can be seen. The weather here is mostly clear. During monsoon, there are heavy isolated thunderstorms. [[Altitude sickness]] can be a problem for some people in high-altitude areas. ==Go next== *'''[[Phuentsholing]]''' is a border town in southern [[Bhutan]] and is the administrative seat of Chukha District. *'''[[Kakarbhitta]]''' is a border town in the south-eastern part of [[Nepal]] bordering Panitanki in [[Darjeeling]]. *'''Changrabandha''' is a border town between India and the Lalmonirhat District of [[Bangladesh]]. {{geo|26.02|88.73|zoom=8}} {{IsPartOf|West Bengal}} {{usableregion}} {{hasDocent|2006nishan178713}} 7o16sflr0gnusrvyzcu6q4zpkfvzofb 0 25071 4506508 4504180 2022-08-23T03:02:50Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mena-asia_default_banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling and narcotics manufacturing are rampant in Northern Myanmar. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Myanmar or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs out of Myanmar, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Myanmar. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} '''Northern Myanmar''' is a region of [[Myanmar]]. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q847289, Q140646}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Myitkyina]]|wikidata=Q1062370}} &ndash; The capital of the Kachin State. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Sagaing]]|wikidata=Q1018173}} &ndash; The capital of the Sagaing Region. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bhamo]]|wikidata=Q854791}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Indawgyi]]|wikidata=Q3056649}} &ndash; A lake and nature reserve. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kalay]]|wikidata=Q3129405}} &ndash; Township near [[Tamu]] (for [[India]]). * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Katha]]|wikidata=Q3428825}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Laiza]]|wikidata=Q6474228}} &ndash; Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) headquarters, bordering [[China]] * {{marker|type=city|name=Laja Yang|wikidata=Q6474253}} — an important village on the way to the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina via Bhamo Hwy, about 20 km from Laiza. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mai Ja Yang]]|wikidata=Q64007180}} &ndash; A rebel-run casino-laden border boom town. Although it seems that the casino has been converted to a university now. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Monywa]]|wikidata=Q1360304}} &ndash; A town famous for its two huge statues of Buddha and a golden pagoda. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Putao]]|wikidata=Q3132856}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tamu]]|wikidata=Q3514896}} &ndash; The border town and gateway to [[India|India's]] [[Manipur]] state. ==Other destinations== * {{listing | name=Indawgyi Lake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q3056649 | lastedit=2019-05-24 | content=Seasonal lake and weekend area known for bird watching. }} ==Understand== Kachin State has been ''de facto'' independent from central government's control since 1962, when the '''Kachin Independence Organization''' (KIO) unilaterally seceded from the Union of Myanmar. A peace deal struck in 1994 after a government army offensive made the arrangement more or less permanent, with the KIO-controlled area formalized as '''Kachin State Special Region #1''', although KIO promptly split up into squabbling factions and the internal situation remains precarious at best. Unlike much of predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, the Kachin people are predominantly Christian. ==Talk== In Special Region #1, [[Chinese phrasebook|Mandarin]] will get you a lot further than Burmese (or English). ==Get in== Getting in depends on where you're going. For access to government-controlled areas like the capital [[Myitkyina]], there are direct flights from [[Yangon]], although the adventurous may also opt to travel by train from [[Mandalay]] (24-30 hours). For the rebel-controlled north, you'll either have to battle your way through massive bureaucracy to secure permits, or take the easier way by entering via [[China]]. ==Get around== Myitsone (Mali Zup), a confluence of the Mali and Nmai Rivers, a naturally splendid hangout. ==See== [[File:BawbawgyiPaya.jpg|thumbnail|Bawbawgyi Pagoda at Sri Ksetra]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Pyu Ancient Cities | alt=Pyu city-states | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q1627675 | lastedit=2019-05-24 | content=A [[world heritage site]] made up of several ruins around Northern Myanmar, some of them older than 2,000 years. }} ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Myanmar}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|25.24|96.15|zoom=6}} 8ni704jey89qa05qk9l7hweol60tigz 0 25220 4506601 4506045 2022-08-23T05:26:21Z Rosspotter 2274401 add info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|West Vancouver banner ambleside beach2.jpg|pgname=North Shore}} [[File:Tugboat in front of North Vancouver.jpg|thumb|300px|Grouse Mountain in Vancouver's North Shore]] The '''North Shore''' (of Burrard Inlet) is a local regional grouping of northern suburban areas of [[Vancouver]] where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. The mountains provide attractions like the '''Grouse Mountain''' ski resort. At the west end of the North Shore is '''Horseshoe Bay''', ferry terminal to the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] and Vancouver Island. ==Understand== [[File:Vancouver area map.png|thumb|300px|The North Shore encompasses West Vancouver and North Vancouver in this area map]] The first European settlers started to arrive in the North Shore in the 1860s, attracted by the logging potential of its old growth forests. The lumber, in turn, was attractive to ship builders and a ship building industry was born that would be important to the region for decades. The settlement grew and by 1891 the residents had organized and incorporated the '''District of North Vancouver''', which covered the entire region from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. "North Vancouver" was chosen as the name so potential real estate investors would better know where their land was. Most of the early settlement and industry focused on what is now considered Lower and Central Lonsdale. Property owners in this area felt they could do better if they separated from the District, so the '''City of North Vancouver''' was incorporated in 1907, taking with it the municipal hall, the ferry connections to [[Vancouver]] and most of the business and industry in the North Shore. Meanwhile, people living west of the Capilano River were becoming anxious that the increasing industry in the North Shore would affect them. This led to the incorporation of the '''District of West Vancouver''' in 1912 to preserve the residential nature of the area. Although all of this happened more than 100 years ago and the borders of the three municipalities are invisible to anyone except local politicians and municipal government employees, the structure of government and the interests that were important in their creation continue to shape the community. West Vancouver has the wealthiest people and the most expensive real estate in the country, a dwindling stock old rental high rise buildings along the waterfront and Park Royal, a successful and growing shopping center featuring many of the world's luxury brands, on land that it leases from the Squamish First Nation. Its separation from the other two municipalities is more obvious due to the coincidence of the Capilano River with most of the boundary between it and the District of North Vancouver. There is also the fact that, as with most wealthy enclaves, the residential property tax rate is 40% lower than other municipalities in the region. The boundary between the City and District of North Vancouver has no correlation to any feature of the local geography. It exists only because it demarcated the extent of the lands owned in 1907 by the developers that got the provincial government to create a municipality dedicated to getting their properties developed for sale while avoiding the burden of maintaining roads and bridges to homesteaders in the district. True to its roots, the city has always been more development-friendly. Its 12-km² footprint is the urban core of North Vancouver and the hub for many of the commercial and non-profit activities that serve all of North Vancouver and is connected by a 12-minute Seabus ride to downtown Vancouver. Over 80% of the population lives in high rise or multi-family developments and approximately half of the 50,000 residents are renters. The 160 km² of the district entirely surrounds the city and much higher proportion of its 90,000 residents live in single family homes. This is changing as the District Council has been pursuing a policy of densification around 'town centers' in addition to an urban core, which is for practical purposes the city. Its commercial base is of a similar size to the city but spread out more across the community. Industrial activity is also split relatively evenly with the district likely to grow as a major federal government funded ship building program gets underway on the grounds of Seaspan, one of its major waterfront employers. The North Shore is distinguished by its world class recreation and tourist attractions made possible by mountains that are the iconic background to most pictures of the City of Vancouver. Early recreational enthusiasts from Vancouver and elsewhere would brave ferry rides and long treks up the local mountains to go skiing or hiking. Over the years, parks were set aside, trails cut and ski areas built to make it more accessible. The ski areas became Olympic venues for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. The mountain trails are cherished and convenient escape routes for city dwellers into nature in addition to being home to world-class mountain biking and trail running events. The year round gondola service at Grouse Mountain provides thousands of fitness devotees a ride back down after exhausting themselves running or walking up the 2.9 km length and 800 meter elevation of the 'Grouse Grind'. Every North Shore mountain has a peak that invites hiking and climbing. Each valley in-between has a recreational opportunity in the lake or river that will be protected by a park created to make it available for the enjoyment of residents and tourists alike. The most accessible and visitor friendly of these is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Much of the terrain across the North Shore is challenging and can be dangerous, which has resulted in a very active local Search & Rescue organization. The owners of the Capilano Suspension Bridge have taken the historical necessity of spanning the deepest and most dangerous of the North Shore river canyons with a long suspension bridge and turned it into a world class tourism destination and a safe way for the first time visitor to view the spectacular scenery while at the same time getting an introduction to the region and its history. While it is an increasingly attractive destination for tourists it remains a very attractive place to live for people that value the natural recreation and lifestyle options it offers. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lions Bay]]|wikidata=Q43465}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[North Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q1001626}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[West Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q991329}} ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bowen Island]]|wikidata=Q895413}} ==Get in== Most people will enter the North Shore from [[Vancouver]] by road or through the Translink system. {{infobox|Lions Gate Bridge|The Lions Gate Bridge is a Vancouver landmark linking the city with the North Shore across Burrard Inlet. Similar in style to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, it was built in 1937-38 in large part to help develop land owned by the Guinness family (of beer fame) in West Vancouver. Although the family sold their land in the 1950s, a link remains in the decorative lighting they donated for the bridge in 1986. The bridge is three lanes with sidewalks on either side for walking or cycling. The centre lane is controlled by traffic signals, so it alternates direction depending on the traffic conditions. The bridge is best avoided during rush hour (if you're in a car, at least) but otherwise provides a more scenic entrance (or exit) to the North Shore than the larger Second Narrows Bridge.}} ===By car=== If you're coming from [[Vancouver]], you enter the North Shore by either '''Highway 1''' (Trans Canada Highway) across the '''Second Narrows Bridge''' into North Vancouver or by '''Highway 99''' across the '''Lion's Gate Bridge''' into West Vancouver. Visitors travelling '''south on Highway 99''' from [[Squamish]] or [[Whistler]] will arrive in the North Shore just above Horseshoe Bay. ===By public transit=== The '''[https://www.translink.bc.ca TransLink]''' bus system connects both North and West Vancouver with the rest of the TransLink system in Vancouver and its surrounding suburbs. Going to the North Shore means crossing a fare zone boundary so a ticket to/from [[Vancouver]], [[Burnaby]] or [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]] will cost {{translink|2}} and a ticket to/from [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]] will cost {{translink|3}}. TransLink also provides a ferry option to get to the North Shore, called the '''SeaBus'''. This is a passenger only ferry that goes from '''Waterfront Station''' in Downtown Vancouver to '''Lonsdale Quay''' in North Vancouver. A ticket or transfer used on a bus or the Skytrain is also accepted on the Seabus. The '''SeaBus''' runs every 15 minutes until 6:45PM M-F and 10AM - 6:15PM on Saturdays. It runs every half hour at all other times. The SeaBus operates from about 6AM to 1:20AM, with shorter hours on Sunday. A schedule is available on the TransLink's website. ===By boat=== {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates vehicle ferry routes connecting coastal communities in British Columbia.}} Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal in West Vancouver has three routes servicing it, including to [[Bowen Island]], the [[Sunshine Coast]], and [[Nanaimo]] on[[Vancouver Island]]. See [[West Vancouver#By boat|West Vancouver]] for details. ==Get around== It is convenient to get around the North Shore by driving or taking the bus. There is also a variety of hiking and biking trails. The bus service is mostly aimed at getting people downtown so travelling from one part of the North Shore to another may involve a transfer. However, it is possible to reach many of the attractions by bus. There is excellent service between the SeaBus and many of the attractions on the North Shore, such as the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge or the Grouse Mountain Skyride. Parking is quite plentiful and usually free on the North Shore. The City of North Vancouver has talked about installing meters around Lonsdale Avenue, but so far nothing has been done. ===By road=== Two provincial highways -- Hwy #1 and Hwy #99 -- cross the North Shore and provide main thoroughfares for getting around it. Hwy 1, or the '''Upper Levels Highway''', runs east-west from the Second Narrows Bridge in North Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. '''Hwy 99''' runs north-south through West Vancouver from Horseshoe Bay to the Lions Gate Bridge. Another major street that runs east-west, roughly parallel to the waterfront, is the combination of '''Marine Drive - 3rd St - Cotton Rd - Main Street''' (roughly one street but different names in different spots). '''Lonsdale Avenue''' runs north-south through middle of the City of North Vancouver, while '''Capilano Road''' and '''Taylor Way''' provide access from the northern parts of the cities to the Lions Gate Bridge. Many shops, restaurants and businesses are located along Marine Drive and Lonsdale Avenue. ===By public transit=== The North Shore bus system is built around the three hubs of '''Park Royal''' in West Van, '''Lonsdale Quay''' in North Van and '''Phibbs Exchange''' in North Van. Buses run between each of these hubs and out to the various attractions and parts of the region (e.g., Grouse Mountain, Horseshoe Bay, Deep Cove, etc.). Park Royal and Lonsdale Quay have buses that connect with [[Vancouver/CBD-Yaletown|downtown Vancouver]] while Phibbs Exchange has buses that connect with [[Vancouver]] and [[Burnaby]]. Travel within the North Shore on the bus system is considered one zone and costs $2.50. Taking the bus outside of the North Shore will be two or three zone travel and will cost more ($3.75 or $5, depending on the destination), unless it is a weekday after 6:30PM or a weekend/holiday (when all zones are $2.50). If you are a student (in some cases a valid student ID will be requested) then the fare for one zone is $2.50. If it is after 6PM or a weekend/holiday then the fare will be $1.75 regardless of zones crossed. West Vancouver has '''Blue Buses''' with a distinctive appearance, but they take the same transfers and fares that the other Translink buses in Greater Vancouver do. ===By bike=== For those who want a good workout (there are a lot of hills), there are many designated bike routes on the North Shore. Generally, they are well signed and on quieter streets, but do not always have bike lanes marked on the pavement. A map is available from the Translink website. ===Villages in the North Shore=== [[File:North Vancouver from canada place.JPG|thumb|The waterfront of Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver]] It is common to see references to areas like Deep Cove and Horseshoe Bay when books, websites, locals, etc., talk about the North Shore. These areas are like village centers within the city, but are not big enough to be districts. They include: * '''[http://www.deepcovebc.com/ Deep Cove]''' is nestled below Mount Seymour next to Indian Arm and is a great area to relax and enjoy the scenery. Very busy on the weekends in summer, it has a number of small shops, restaurants, parks, canoe/kayak rentals and hiking. Or you can grab some takeaways, sit on the grass and watch everyone play around you. Deep Cove is reached by taking the Dollarton Highway exit from Hwy 1 (first exit after crossing the Second Narrows Bridge) and following it until it ends or by bus #212 or #211. * '''Lynn Valley''' lies north of Highway 1 near Lynn Creek and is focused on Lynn Valley Road (exit 19 on Hwy 1 or by bus #228, #229, #210 or #255). It includes shops and restaurants plus two regional parks with hiking and swimming opportunities. It is also home to the North Vancouver archives and boasts a new Library and plaza designed to give the community a central meeting place. * '''Lower Lonsdale''' refers to the lower portion of Lonsdale Ave and the waterfront around '''Lonsdale Quay'''. Parts of it were previously used for industry and ship building, but it is now being converted to condo towers, shops and restaurants. Lower Lonsdale can be reached by heading south on Lonsdale Ave from Hwy 1 (exit 18) or on the SeaBus (and many other bus routes) via Lonsdale Quay. * '''Edgemont Village''' is a two block strip of small shops and restaurants in the District of North Vancouver. To drive there, head north from the Westview exit on Highway 1 (exit 17), turn left at Queens Ave and then turn right at Edgemont Rd. Alternatively, head north on Capilano Road and turn right onto Ridgewood. Bus service is provided by the #232 from Lonsdale or the #246. * '''[http://www.amblesidevillage.ca/ Ambleside Village]''' is in West Vancouver across the harbor from Stanley Park. It has many shops and restaurants, plus a park and beach. To get to Ambleside from the Lions Gate Bridge, take Marine Drive west and drive past Park Royal Shopping Center. From Highway 1, take the 15th Street exit. Further west along Marine Drive is '''[http://www.dundaravevillage.ca/ Dundarave]''', another village along the waterfront. Like Ambleside, it has shop and restaurants (although on a smaller scale), and there is a park with a small beach and pier that provides views across the harbor to Stanley Park and UBC. * '''Horseshoe Bay''' is a small village with a picturesque setting amongst the mountains that line Howe Sound. It also marks the end of Highway 1 and the start of the Sea-to-Sky highway, as well as having a BC Ferries terminal, so it provides both transportation and sightseeing opportunities. There are a small number of shops and restaurants and a couple of parks. A live web cam view [http://www.westvancouver.com/webcams/hbaycam/] of the bay shows all the marine traffic and BC Ferries ships as they travel in and out of the area. ==See== [[File:Lynn canyon bridge.jpg|thumb|Lynn Canyon suspension bridge]] * See (or take a walk) on the '''Capilano Suspension Bridge''' (fee) or '''Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge''' (free) in [[North Vancouver]] * Look up at tall trees or gaze out at Point Atkinson Lighthouse at '''Lighthouse Park''' in [[West Vancouver]] * Wander around the market, learn about [[North Vancouver|North Vancouver's]] shipbuilding history or take in the view at '''Lonsdale Quay''' * Visit one of the many local '''parks and gardens''' ==Do== [[Image:Grouse_Mountain_Gondola.JPG|thumb|250px|right|The Grouse Mountain Skyride in action]] * Ride the Skyride to the top of '''Grouse Mountain''' to see the city laid out below you. Or take part in one of the many activities like zip line, skiing, skating and hiking. * Rent a canoe or kayak in '''Deep Cove''' and paddle around. * '''Hike''', there's no shortage of options. For something close, choices range from paved and flat West Vancouver Seawall to the outdoor stairmaster of the Grouse Grind. The more adventurous can head to the provincial parks or [[Lions Bay]] to hike the mountains. * The North Shore is world famous amongst mountain bikers as one of the best places to '''mountain bike'''. More information is available from the [http://nsmba.ca/ North Shore Mountain Bike Association]. ==Eat== If you're looking to buy your own food, there are plenty of grocery stores (Safeway, Save-on-Foods, Superstore, IGA) scattered across the North Shore. There are also a number of smaller stores that sell produce (Kin's Market is one chain), as does the market at Lonsdale Quay. The North Shore has a large number of restaurants serving a variety of tastes. Generally, if you drive along Marine Drive or Lonsdale Avenue you won't have a problem finding a restaurant. A selection of restaurants is below. *{{eat | name=Osaka Supermarket | url=http://www.tntsupermarket.com | email= | address=Park Royal Mall South | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=If you are looking for fresh food & grocery, it's a great place to shop! Lots of fresh selection for daily needs, great price & even live seafood! The hot food & sushi section is amazing! }} ==Drink== Nightlife options on the North Shore are limited. Clubbing is pretty much non-existent (you have to go to [[Vancouver]] to find night clubs), but there are a number of good neighbourhood pubs. Coffee, of course, is as ubiquious here as it is in Vancouver. ==Stay safe== When hiking in the mountains here, do not go beyond your abilities or provisions. Stay on well marked trails and leave plenty of time to get back to the trailhead before night fall which happens quite quickly in the dense forest. Many hikers have to get rescued every weekend from the trails in the summer. Most of these are unnecessary rescues where tourists were completely unprepared and got lost on the trails. There are a lot of black bears around in the summer. Be Bear aware when hiking around the North Shore areas. ==Go next== Northward on '''Hwy 99''' takes you through the [[Sea to Sky]] region, which offers varied outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, rock climbing and camping. It also takes you to the resort area of [[Whistler]], with its nightlife, fine dining and a wide variety of activities that will keep you busy regardless of what season it is. [[Vancouver Island]] is a 1 hr 35 minute ferry ride away via '''BC Ferries''' and the '''Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal'''. Arriving in [[Nanaimo]], you can head down island to [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]], the capital of British Columbia, or across the island to [[Tofino]], where you can go whale-watching, surf and storm-watch. The [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] is another getaway destination, with the same mountains and water scenery but a slower pace. It is accessed by a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{geo|49.357|-123.169|zoom=12}} kfvoxo7caa4juno1stn3s1kl3of4c4w 4506625 4506601 2022-08-23T06:07:15Z SHB2000 2248002 ([[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:Jon Harald Søby/diffedit|diffedit]]) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|West Vancouver banner ambleside beach2.jpg|pgname=North Shore}} [[File:Tugboat in front of North Vancouver.jpg|thumb|300px|Grouse Mountain in Vancouver's North Shore]] The '''North Shore''' (of Burrard Inlet) is a local regional grouping of northern suburban areas of [[Vancouver]] where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. The mountains provide attractions like the '''Grouse Mountain''' ski resort. At the west end of the North Shore is '''Horseshoe Bay''', ferry terminal to the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] and Vancouver Island. ==Understand== [[File:Vancouver area map.png|thumb|300px|The North Shore encompasses West Vancouver and North Vancouver in this area map]] The first European settlers started to arrive in the North Shore in the 1860s, attracted by the logging potential of its old growth forests. The lumber, in turn, was attractive to ship builders and a ship building industry was born that would be important to the region for decades. The settlement grew and by 1891 the residents had organized and incorporated the '''District of North Vancouver''', which covered the entire region from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. "North Vancouver" was chosen as the name so potential real estate investors would better know where their land was. Most of the early settlement and industry focused on what is now considered Lower and Central Lonsdale. Property owners in this area felt they could do better if they separated from the District, so the '''City of North Vancouver''' was incorporated in 1907, taking with it the municipal hall, the ferry connections to [[Vancouver]] and most of the business and industry in the North Shore. Meanwhile, people living west of the Capilano River were becoming anxious that the increasing industry in the North Shore would affect them. This led to the incorporation of the '''District of West Vancouver''' in 1912 to preserve the residential nature of the area. Although all of this happened more than 100 years ago and the borders of the three municipalities are invisible to anyone except local politicians and municipal government employees, the structure of government and the interests that were important in their creation continue to shape the community. West Vancouver has the wealthiest people and the most expensive real estate in the country, a dwindling stock old rental high rise buildings along the waterfront and Park Royal, a successful and growing shopping center featuring many of the world's luxury brands, on land that it leases from the Squamish First Nation. Its separation from the other two municipalities is more obvious due to the coincidence of the Capilano River with most of the boundary between it and the District of North Vancouver. There is also the fact that, as with most wealthy enclaves, the residential property tax rate is 40% lower than other municipalities in the region. The boundary between the City and District of North Vancouver has no correlation to any feature of the local geography. It exists only because it demarcated the extent of the lands owned in 1907 by the developers that got the provincial government to create a municipality dedicated to getting their properties developed for sale while avoiding the burden of maintaining roads and bridges to homesteaders in the district. True to its roots, the city has always been more development-friendly. Its 12-km² footprint is the urban core of North Vancouver and the hub for many of the commercial and non-profit activities that serve all of North Vancouver and is connected by a 12-minute Seabus ride to downtown Vancouver. Over 80% of the population lives in high rise or multi-family developments and approximately half of the 50,000 residents are renters. The 160 km² of the district entirely surrounds the city and much higher proportion of its 90,000 residents live in single family homes. This is changing as the District Council has been pursuing a policy of densification around 'town centers' in addition to an urban core, which is for practical purposes the city. Its commercial base is of a similar size to the city but spread out more across the community. Industrial activity is also split relatively evenly with the district likely to grow as a major federal government funded ship building program gets underway on the grounds of Seaspan, one of its major waterfront employers. The North Shore is distinguished by its world class recreation and tourist attractions made possible by mountains that are the iconic background to most pictures of the City of Vancouver. Early recreational enthusiasts from Vancouver and elsewhere would brave ferry rides and long treks up the local mountains to go skiing or hiking. Over the years, parks were set aside, trails cut and ski areas built to make it more accessible. The ski areas became Olympic venues for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. The mountain trails are cherished and convenient escape routes for city dwellers into nature in addition to being home to world-class mountain biking and trail running events. The year round gondola service at Grouse Mountain provides thousands of fitness devotees a ride back down after exhausting themselves running or walking up the 2.9 km length and 800 meter elevation of the 'Grouse Grind'. Every North Shore mountain has a peak that invites hiking and climbing. Each valley in-between has a recreational opportunity in the lake or river that will be protected by a park created to make it available for the enjoyment of residents and tourists alike. The most accessible and visitor friendly of these is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Much of the terrain across the North Shore is challenging and can be dangerous, which has resulted in a very active local Search & Rescue organization. The owners of the Capilano Suspension Bridge have taken the historical necessity of spanning the deepest and most dangerous of the North Shore river canyons with a long suspension bridge and turned it into a world class tourism destination and a safe way for the first time visitor to view the spectacular scenery while at the same time getting an introduction to the region and its history. While it is an increasingly attractive destination for tourists it remains a very attractive place to live for people that value the natural recreation and lifestyle options it offers. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lions Bay]]|wikidata=Q43465}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[North Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q1001626}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[West Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q991329}} ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bowen Island]]|wikidata=Q895413}} ==Get in== Most people will enter the North Shore from [[Vancouver]] by road or through the Translink system. {{infobox|Lions Gate Bridge|The Lions Gate Bridge is a Vancouver landmark linking the city with the North Shore across Burrard Inlet. Similar in style to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, it was built in 1937-38 in large part to help develop land owned by the Guinness family (of beer fame) in West Vancouver. Although the family sold their land in the 1950s, a link remains in the decorative lighting they donated for the bridge in 1986. The bridge is three lanes with sidewalks on either side for walking or cycling. The centre lane is controlled by traffic signals, so it alternates direction depending on the traffic conditions. The bridge is best avoided during rush hour (if you're in a car, at least) but otherwise provides a more scenic entrance (or exit) to the North Shore than the larger Second Narrows Bridge.}} ===By car=== If you're coming from [[Vancouver]], you enter the North Shore by either '''Highway 1''' (Trans Canada Highway) across the '''Second Narrows Bridge''' into North Vancouver or by '''Highway 99''' across the '''Lion's Gate Bridge''' into West Vancouver. Visitors travelling '''south on Highway 99''' from [[Squamish]] or [[Whistler]] will arrive in the North Shore just above Horseshoe Bay. ===By public transit=== The '''[https://www.translink.bc.ca TransLink]''' bus system connects both North and West Vancouver with the rest of the TransLink system in Vancouver and its surrounding suburbs. Going to the North Shore means crossing a fare zone boundary so a ticket to/from [[Vancouver]], [[Burnaby]] or [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]] will cost {{translink|2}} and a ticket to/from [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]] will cost {{translink|3}}. TransLink also provides a ferry option to get to the North Shore, called the '''SeaBus'''. This is a passenger only ferry that goes from '''Waterfront Station''' in Downtown Vancouver to '''Lonsdale Quay''' in North Vancouver. A ticket or transfer used on a bus or the Skytrain is also accepted on the Seabus. The '''SeaBus''' runs every 15 minutes until 6:45PM M-F and 10AM - 6:15PM on Saturdays. It runs every half hour at all other times. The SeaBus operates from about 6AM to 1:20AM, with shorter hours on Sunday. A schedule is available on the TransLink's website. ===By boat=== {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates vehicle ferry routes connecting coastal communities in British Columbia.}} Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal in West Vancouver has three routes servicing it, including to [[Bowen Island]], the [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]], and [[Nanaimo]] on[[Vancouver Island]]. See [[West Vancouver#By boat|West Vancouver]] for details. ==Get around== It is convenient to get around the North Shore by driving or taking the bus. There is also a variety of hiking and biking trails. The bus service is mostly aimed at getting people downtown so travelling from one part of the North Shore to another may involve a transfer. However, it is possible to reach many of the attractions by bus. There is excellent service between the SeaBus and many of the attractions on the North Shore, such as the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge or the Grouse Mountain Skyride. Parking is quite plentiful and usually free on the North Shore. The City of North Vancouver has talked about installing meters around Lonsdale Avenue, but so far nothing has been done. ===By road=== Two provincial highways -- Hwy #1 and Hwy #99 -- cross the North Shore and provide main thoroughfares for getting around it. Hwy 1, or the '''Upper Levels Highway''', runs east-west from the Second Narrows Bridge in North Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. '''Hwy 99''' runs north-south through West Vancouver from Horseshoe Bay to the Lions Gate Bridge. Another major street that runs east-west, roughly parallel to the waterfront, is the combination of '''Marine Drive - 3rd St - Cotton Rd - Main Street''' (roughly one street but different names in different spots). '''Lonsdale Avenue''' runs north-south through middle of the City of North Vancouver, while '''Capilano Road''' and '''Taylor Way''' provide access from the northern parts of the cities to the Lions Gate Bridge. Many shops, restaurants and businesses are located along Marine Drive and Lonsdale Avenue. ===By public transit=== The North Shore bus system is built around the three hubs of '''Park Royal''' in West Van, '''Lonsdale Quay''' in North Van and '''Phibbs Exchange''' in North Van. Buses run between each of these hubs and out to the various attractions and parts of the region (e.g., Grouse Mountain, Horseshoe Bay, Deep Cove, etc.). Park Royal and Lonsdale Quay have buses that connect with [[Vancouver/CBD-Yaletown|downtown Vancouver]] while Phibbs Exchange has buses that connect with [[Vancouver]] and [[Burnaby]]. Travel within the North Shore on the bus system is considered one zone and costs $2.50. Taking the bus outside of the North Shore will be two or three zone travel and will cost more ($3.75 or $5, depending on the destination), unless it is a weekday after 6:30PM or a weekend/holiday (when all zones are $2.50). If you are a student (in some cases a valid student ID will be requested) then the fare for one zone is $2.50. If it is after 6PM or a weekend/holiday then the fare will be $1.75 regardless of zones crossed. West Vancouver has '''Blue Buses''' with a distinctive appearance, but they take the same transfers and fares that the other Translink buses in Greater Vancouver do. ===By bike=== For those who want a good workout (there are a lot of hills), there are many designated bike routes on the North Shore. Generally, they are well signed and on quieter streets, but do not always have bike lanes marked on the pavement. A map is available from the Translink website. ===Villages in the North Shore=== [[File:North Vancouver from canada place.JPG|thumb|The waterfront of Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver]] It is common to see references to areas like Deep Cove and Horseshoe Bay when books, websites, locals, etc., talk about the North Shore. These areas are like village centers within the city, but are not big enough to be districts. They include: * '''[http://www.deepcovebc.com/ Deep Cove]''' is nestled below Mount Seymour next to Indian Arm and is a great area to relax and enjoy the scenery. Very busy on the weekends in summer, it has a number of small shops, restaurants, parks, canoe/kayak rentals and hiking. Or you can grab some takeaways, sit on the grass and watch everyone play around you. Deep Cove is reached by taking the Dollarton Highway exit from Hwy 1 (first exit after crossing the Second Narrows Bridge) and following it until it ends or by bus #212 or #211. * '''Lynn Valley''' lies north of Highway 1 near Lynn Creek and is focused on Lynn Valley Road (exit 19 on Hwy 1 or by bus #228, #229, #210 or #255). It includes shops and restaurants plus two regional parks with hiking and swimming opportunities. It is also home to the North Vancouver archives and boasts a new Library and plaza designed to give the community a central meeting place. * '''Lower Lonsdale''' refers to the lower portion of Lonsdale Ave and the waterfront around '''Lonsdale Quay'''. Parts of it were previously used for industry and ship building, but it is now being converted to condo towers, shops and restaurants. Lower Lonsdale can be reached by heading south on Lonsdale Ave from Hwy 1 (exit 18) or on the SeaBus (and many other bus routes) via Lonsdale Quay. * '''Edgemont Village''' is a two block strip of small shops and restaurants in the District of North Vancouver. To drive there, head north from the Westview exit on Highway 1 (exit 17), turn left at Queens Ave and then turn right at Edgemont Rd. Alternatively, head north on Capilano Road and turn right onto Ridgewood. Bus service is provided by the #232 from Lonsdale or the #246. * '''[http://www.amblesidevillage.ca/ Ambleside Village]''' is in West Vancouver across the harbor from Stanley Park. It has many shops and restaurants, plus a park and beach. To get to Ambleside from the Lions Gate Bridge, take Marine Drive west and drive past Park Royal Shopping Center. From Highway 1, take the 15th Street exit. Further west along Marine Drive is '''[http://www.dundaravevillage.ca/ Dundarave]''', another village along the waterfront. Like Ambleside, it has shop and restaurants (although on a smaller scale), and there is a park with a small beach and pier that provides views across the harbor to Stanley Park and UBC. * '''Horseshoe Bay''' is a small village with a picturesque setting amongst the mountains that line Howe Sound. It also marks the end of Highway 1 and the start of the Sea-to-Sky highway, as well as having a BC Ferries terminal, so it provides both transportation and sightseeing opportunities. There are a small number of shops and restaurants and a couple of parks. A live web cam view [http://www.westvancouver.com/webcams/hbaycam/] of the bay shows all the marine traffic and BC Ferries ships as they travel in and out of the area. ==See== [[File:Lynn canyon bridge.jpg|thumb|Lynn Canyon suspension bridge]] * See (or take a walk) on the '''Capilano Suspension Bridge''' (fee) or '''Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge''' (free) in [[North Vancouver]] * Look up at tall trees or gaze out at Point Atkinson Lighthouse at '''Lighthouse Park''' in [[West Vancouver]] * Wander around the market, learn about [[North Vancouver|North Vancouver's]] shipbuilding history or take in the view at '''Lonsdale Quay''' * Visit one of the many local '''parks and gardens''' ==Do== [[Image:Grouse_Mountain_Gondola.JPG|thumb|250px|right|The Grouse Mountain Skyride in action]] * Ride the Skyride to the top of '''Grouse Mountain''' to see the city laid out below you. Or take part in one of the many activities like zip line, skiing, skating and hiking. * Rent a canoe or kayak in '''Deep Cove''' and paddle around. * '''Hike''', there's no shortage of options. For something close, choices range from paved and flat West Vancouver Seawall to the outdoor stairmaster of the Grouse Grind. The more adventurous can head to the provincial parks or [[Lions Bay]] to hike the mountains. * The North Shore is world famous amongst mountain bikers as one of the best places to '''mountain bike'''. More information is available from the [http://nsmba.ca/ North Shore Mountain Bike Association]. ==Eat== If you're looking to buy your own food, there are plenty of grocery stores (Safeway, Save-on-Foods, Superstore, IGA) scattered across the North Shore. There are also a number of smaller stores that sell produce (Kin's Market is one chain), as does the market at Lonsdale Quay. The North Shore has a large number of restaurants serving a variety of tastes. Generally, if you drive along Marine Drive or Lonsdale Avenue you won't have a problem finding a restaurant. A selection of restaurants is below. *{{eat | name=Osaka Supermarket | url=http://www.tntsupermarket.com | email= | address=Park Royal Mall South | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=If you are looking for fresh food & grocery, it's a great place to shop! Lots of fresh selection for daily needs, great price & even live seafood! The hot food & sushi section is amazing! }} ==Drink== Nightlife options on the North Shore are limited. Clubbing is pretty much non-existent (you have to go to [[Vancouver]] to find night clubs), but there are a number of good neighbourhood pubs. Coffee, of course, is as ubiquious here as it is in Vancouver. ==Stay safe== When hiking in the mountains here, do not go beyond your abilities or provisions. Stay on well marked trails and leave plenty of time to get back to the trailhead before night fall which happens quite quickly in the dense forest. Many hikers have to get rescued every weekend from the trails in the summer. Most of these are unnecessary rescues where tourists were completely unprepared and got lost on the trails. There are a lot of black bears around in the summer. Be Bear aware when hiking around the North Shore areas. ==Go next== Northward on '''Hwy 99''' takes you through the [[Sea to Sky]] region, which offers varied outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, rock climbing and camping. It also takes you to the resort area of [[Whistler]], with its nightlife, fine dining and a wide variety of activities that will keep you busy regardless of what season it is. [[Vancouver Island]] is a 1 hr 35 minute ferry ride away via '''BC Ferries''' and the '''Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal'''. Arriving in [[Nanaimo]], you can head down island to [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]], the capital of British Columbia, or across the island to [[Tofino]], where you can go whale-watching, surf and storm-watch. The [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] is another getaway destination, with the same mountains and water scenery but a slower pace. It is accessed by a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{geo|49.357|-123.169|zoom=12}} eudlm7zvivv99lvrcixc9x1d74rcydr 0 25303 4506281 4506118 2022-08-22T15:17:42Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ statue pic from Wikipedia wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a cluster of accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could conceive vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontal - what mighty force could do this? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{see | name=Knockan Crag Visitor Centre | alt= | url=http://www.knockan-crag.co.uk/ | email= | address= |lat=58.0336 | long=-5.0713 | directions=13 miles north of [[Ullapool]] on the A835 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-16 | content=is situated in the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, all managed by Scottish Natural Heritage [http://www.snh.org.uk/]. The Visitor Centre focuses on the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault responsible for the build up of the Caledonian Mountains. In the Rock Room the Moine Thrust and other geological features are well explained, and there are trails with various explanatory boards that takes the visitor along the Moine Thrust. The Visitor Centre is always open. There is no shop or catering, but there are toilets. In summertime, there is sometimes a Ranger who can explain more about the geology. }} * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. ==Do== [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg|thumb|Bone Caves]] ====Hiking==== Many hikes can be made in the Geopark. Challenging walks are the ascent of Conival and Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. ====Bird watching==== The geopark as a great variety of birds. One of the best places is the Handa Island Bird Reserve which in the right time of year can host up to 100,000 breeding seabirds, such as puffins, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes. Handa Island can only be reached by [http://www.handa-ferry.com/index.html open ferry] from the hamlet of Tarbet. ====Rock climbing==== Generally the best rock climbing is on the Torridonian Sandstone. Excellent rock climbing can be found on the sea cliffs near Reiff, on the Coigach Peninsula. Climbs on Stac Pollaidh are also well-known, but probably the best known climbs are on the sea-stacks of Am Buachaille and The Old Man of Stoer. Good climbs on Lewisian Gneiss can be found around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard there are some good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. The best source of information is the climbers guide "The Northern Hihglands" published by the Scottish Mountaineering Club, available in outdoor shops throughout Scotland. ====Caving==== Smoo Cave near Durness is a huge cave entrance, widened by coastal erosion. In summertime, a small boat tour can be made deeper in the cave. Challenging caves - for experienced cavers only - are near Inchandamph and Elphin. ====Fishing==== Fishing for trout is possible in many lochs, but permits are needed! Try the Inchnadamph Hotel. ====Golf==== A 9-hole golf course overlooking the Atlantic is at Durness; visitors are welcome. For info see website of the [http://www.durnessgolfclub.org Durness Golf Club]. ====Organised activities==== *'''Guided walks''' are organised by the Countryside Rangers during the summer months. See [https://www.facebook.com/ASCCountrysideRangers/?fref=ts] for details or check out the Visitor centres / Tourist Information centres at Lochinver or Durness. *'''Walking holidays''' There are local trekking companies that organise walking holidays in and around the geopark: [http://www.nwfrontiers.com/ North West Frontiers]. The "Nor' West Trek" organised by North West frontiers crosses the entire Geopark in a six-day trek. Both companies use local tour guides with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna, history and geology. *'''Outdoor activitites''' Outdoor activity holidays for adults, families and youngsters are organised by [http://www.ridgway-adventure.co.uk/ Ridgway Adventure]. Activities include sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and orienteering. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} nl5biruz3lfp82mcu7qnvsnzxek0ua0 4506284 4506281 2022-08-22T15:24:48Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Knockan Crag condense, listing is in Achiltibuie wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a cluster of accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. ==Do== [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg|thumb|Bone Caves]] ====Hiking==== Many hikes can be made in the Geopark. Challenging walks are the ascent of Conival and Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. ====Bird watching==== The geopark as a great variety of birds. One of the best places is the Handa Island Bird Reserve which in the right time of year can host up to 100,000 breeding seabirds, such as puffins, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes. Handa Island can only be reached by [http://www.handa-ferry.com/index.html open ferry] from the hamlet of Tarbet. ====Rock climbing==== Generally the best rock climbing is on the Torridonian Sandstone. Excellent rock climbing can be found on the sea cliffs near Reiff, on the Coigach Peninsula. Climbs on Stac Pollaidh are also well-known, but probably the best known climbs are on the sea-stacks of Am Buachaille and The Old Man of Stoer. Good climbs on Lewisian Gneiss can be found around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard there are some good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. The best source of information is the climbers guide "The Northern Hihglands" published by the Scottish Mountaineering Club, available in outdoor shops throughout Scotland. ====Caving==== Smoo Cave near Durness is a huge cave entrance, widened by coastal erosion. In summertime, a small boat tour can be made deeper in the cave. Challenging caves - for experienced cavers only - are near Inchandamph and Elphin. ====Fishing==== Fishing for trout is possible in many lochs, but permits are needed! Try the Inchnadamph Hotel. ====Golf==== A 9-hole golf course overlooking the Atlantic is at Durness; visitors are welcome. For info see website of the [http://www.durnessgolfclub.org Durness Golf Club]. ====Organised activities==== *'''Guided walks''' are organised by the Countryside Rangers during the summer months. See [https://www.facebook.com/ASCCountrysideRangers/?fref=ts] for details or check out the Visitor centres / Tourist Information centres at Lochinver or Durness. *'''Walking holidays''' There are local trekking companies that organise walking holidays in and around the geopark: [http://www.nwfrontiers.com/ North West Frontiers]. The "Nor' West Trek" organised by North West frontiers crosses the entire Geopark in a six-day trek. Both companies use local tour guides with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna, history and geology. *'''Outdoor activitites''' Outdoor activity holidays for adults, families and youngsters are organised by [http://www.ridgway-adventure.co.uk/ Ridgway Adventure]. Activities include sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and orienteering. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} jevf59yrkmw9yaay5se4o5v56l5xt0n 4506399 4506284 2022-08-22T19:30:58Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Torridon sandstone wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a cluster of accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. ==Do== [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg|thumb|Bone Caves]] ====Hiking==== Many hikes can be made in the Geopark. Challenging walks are the ascent of Conival and Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. ====Bird watching==== The geopark as a great variety of birds. One of the best places is the Handa Island Bird Reserve which in the right time of year can host up to 100,000 breeding seabirds, such as puffins, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes. Handa Island can only be reached by [http://www.handa-ferry.com/index.html open ferry] from the hamlet of Tarbet. ====Rock climbing==== Generally the best rock climbing is on the Torridonian Sandstone. Excellent rock climbing can be found on the sea cliffs near Reiff, on the Coigach Peninsula. Climbs on Stac Pollaidh are also well-known, but probably the best known climbs are on the sea-stacks of Am Buachaille and The Old Man of Stoer. Good climbs on Lewisian Gneiss can be found around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard there are some good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. The best source of information is the climbers guide "The Northern Hihglands" published by the Scottish Mountaineering Club, available in outdoor shops throughout Scotland. ====Caving==== Smoo Cave near Durness is a huge cave entrance, widened by coastal erosion. In summertime, a small boat tour can be made deeper in the cave. Challenging caves - for experienced cavers only - are near Inchandamph and Elphin. ====Fishing==== Fishing for trout is possible in many lochs, but permits are needed! Try the Inchnadamph Hotel. ====Golf==== A 9-hole golf course overlooking the Atlantic is at Durness; visitors are welcome. For info see website of the [http://www.durnessgolfclub.org Durness Golf Club]. ====Organised activities==== *'''Guided walks''' are organised by the Countryside Rangers during the summer months. See [https://www.facebook.com/ASCCountrysideRangers/?fref=ts] for details or check out the Visitor centres / Tourist Information centres at Lochinver or Durness. *'''Walking holidays''' There are local trekking companies that organise walking holidays in and around the geopark: [http://www.nwfrontiers.com/ North West Frontiers]. The "Nor' West Trek" organised by North West frontiers crosses the entire Geopark in a six-day trek. Both companies use local tour guides with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna, history and geology. *'''Outdoor activitites''' Outdoor activity holidays for adults, families and youngsters are organised by [http://www.ridgway-adventure.co.uk/ Ridgway Adventure]. Activities include sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and orienteering. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} ld373hwyjyn5o51ww2hscz77i13bhvi 4506400 4506399 2022-08-22T19:43:21Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Rock climbing */ location of these routes wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a cluster of accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. ==Do== [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg|thumb|Bone Caves]] ====Hiking==== Many hikes can be made in the Geopark. Challenging walks are the ascent of Conival and Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. ====Bird watching==== The geopark as a great variety of birds. One of the best places is the Handa Island Bird Reserve which in the right time of year can host up to 100,000 breeding seabirds, such as puffins, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes. Handa Island can only be reached by [http://www.handa-ferry.com/index.html open ferry] from the hamlet of Tarbet. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. ====Caving==== Smoo Cave near Durness is a huge cave entrance, widened by coastal erosion. In summertime, a small boat tour can be made deeper in the cave. Challenging caves - for experienced cavers only - are near Inchandamph and Elphin. ====Fishing==== Fishing for trout is possible in many lochs, but permits are needed! Try the Inchnadamph Hotel. ====Golf==== A 9-hole golf course overlooking the Atlantic is at Durness; visitors are welcome. For info see website of the [http://www.durnessgolfclub.org Durness Golf Club]. ====Organised activities==== *'''Guided walks''' are organised by the Countryside Rangers during the summer months. See [https://www.facebook.com/ASCCountrysideRangers/?fref=ts] for details or check out the Visitor centres / Tourist Information centres at Lochinver or Durness. *'''Walking holidays''' There are local trekking companies that organise walking holidays in and around the geopark: [http://www.nwfrontiers.com/ North West Frontiers]. The "Nor' West Trek" organised by North West frontiers crosses the entire Geopark in a six-day trek. Both companies use local tour guides with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna, history and geology. *'''Outdoor activitites''' Outdoor activity holidays for adults, families and youngsters are organised by [http://www.ridgway-adventure.co.uk/ Ridgway Adventure]. Activities include sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and orienteering. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} pvuw12x965z800uue62zyzfdivde7bf 4506401 4506400 2022-08-22T19:47:07Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Caving */ condense wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a cluster of accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. ==Do== [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg|thumb|Bone Caves]] ====Hiking==== Many hikes can be made in the Geopark. Challenging walks are the ascent of Conival and Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. ====Bird watching==== The geopark as a great variety of birds. One of the best places is the Handa Island Bird Reserve which in the right time of year can host up to 100,000 breeding seabirds, such as puffins, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes. Handa Island can only be reached by [http://www.handa-ferry.com/index.html open ferry] from the hamlet of Tarbet. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. ====Fishing==== Fishing for trout is possible in many lochs, but permits are needed! Try the Inchnadamph Hotel. ====Golf==== A 9-hole golf course overlooking the Atlantic is at Durness; visitors are welcome. For info see website of the [http://www.durnessgolfclub.org Durness Golf Club]. ====Organised activities==== *'''Guided walks''' are organised by the Countryside Rangers during the summer months. See [https://www.facebook.com/ASCCountrysideRangers/?fref=ts] for details or check out the Visitor centres / Tourist Information centres at Lochinver or Durness. *'''Walking holidays''' There are local trekking companies that organise walking holidays in and around the geopark: [http://www.nwfrontiers.com/ North West Frontiers]. The "Nor' West Trek" organised by North West frontiers crosses the entire Geopark in a six-day trek. Both companies use local tour guides with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna, history and geology. *'''Outdoor activitites''' Outdoor activity holidays for adults, families and youngsters are organised by [http://www.ridgway-adventure.co.uk/ Ridgway Adventure]. Activities include sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and orienteering. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} 8eiiabale3o3nznyk0xojghnorstqux 4506405 4506401 2022-08-22T19:53:15Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Villages */ weblink Scourie accommodation pending a better home wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a [https://scouriehotel.com/ hotel], [https://www.scouriecampsitesutherland.com/ campsite] and other accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. ==Do== [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg|thumb|Bone Caves]] ====Hiking==== Many hikes can be made in the Geopark. Challenging walks are the ascent of Conival and Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. ====Bird watching==== The geopark as a great variety of birds. One of the best places is the Handa Island Bird Reserve which in the right time of year can host up to 100,000 breeding seabirds, such as puffins, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes. Handa Island can only be reached by [http://www.handa-ferry.com/index.html open ferry] from the hamlet of Tarbet. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. ====Fishing==== Fishing for trout is possible in many lochs, but permits are needed! Try the Inchnadamph Hotel. ====Golf==== A 9-hole golf course overlooking the Atlantic is at Durness; visitors are welcome. For info see website of the [http://www.durnessgolfclub.org Durness Golf Club]. ====Organised activities==== *'''Guided walks''' are organised by the Countryside Rangers during the summer months. See [https://www.facebook.com/ASCCountrysideRangers/?fref=ts] for details or check out the Visitor centres / Tourist Information centres at Lochinver or Durness. *'''Walking holidays''' There are local trekking companies that organise walking holidays in and around the geopark: [http://www.nwfrontiers.com/ North West Frontiers]. The "Nor' West Trek" organised by North West frontiers crosses the entire Geopark in a six-day trek. Both companies use local tour guides with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna, history and geology. *'''Outdoor activitites''' Outdoor activity holidays for adults, families and youngsters are organised by [http://www.ridgway-adventure.co.uk/ Ridgway Adventure]. Activities include sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and orienteering. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} dxmybvnj65l4k9w6m4hxwuzrmj7c7iq 4506406 4506405 2022-08-22T19:56:13Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ Handa Island wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a [https://scouriehotel.com/ hotel], [https://www.scouriecampsitesutherland.com/ campsite] and other accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Handa Island''' just north of Scourie is a Torridonian sandstone sea-stack and bird reserve, reached by a short but bouncy ferry ride. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. ==Do== [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg|thumb|Bone Caves]] ====Hiking==== Many hikes can be made in the Geopark. Challenging walks are the ascent of Conival and Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. ====Bird watching==== The geopark as a great variety of birds. One of the best places is the Handa Island Bird Reserve which in the right time of year can host up to 100,000 breeding seabirds, such as puffins, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes. Handa Island can only be reached by [http://www.handa-ferry.com/index.html open ferry] from the hamlet of Tarbet. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. ====Fishing==== Fishing for trout is possible in many lochs, but permits are needed! Try the Inchnadamph Hotel. ====Golf==== A 9-hole golf course overlooking the Atlantic is at Durness; visitors are welcome. For info see website of the [http://www.durnessgolfclub.org Durness Golf Club]. ====Organised activities==== *'''Guided walks''' are organised by the Countryside Rangers during the summer months. See [https://www.facebook.com/ASCCountrysideRangers/?fref=ts] for details or check out the Visitor centres / Tourist Information centres at Lochinver or Durness. *'''Walking holidays''' There are local trekking companies that organise walking holidays in and around the geopark: [http://www.nwfrontiers.com/ North West Frontiers]. The "Nor' West Trek" organised by North West frontiers crosses the entire Geopark in a six-day trek. Both companies use local tour guides with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna, history and geology. *'''Outdoor activitites''' Outdoor activity holidays for adults, families and youngsters are organised by [http://www.ridgway-adventure.co.uk/ Ridgway Adventure]. Activities include sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and orienteering. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} 6ld7lxj00uyfunfvtzdzi0ikosqi9tu 4506407 4506406 2022-08-22T20:01:41Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Do */ non-geo stuff is on village pages wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a [https://scouriehotel.com/ hotel], [https://www.scouriecampsitesutherland.com/ campsite] and other accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Handa Island''' just north of Scourie is a Torridonian sandstone sea-stack and bird reserve, reached by a short but bouncy ferry ride. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. == Do == [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg | thumb | 300px | Bone Caves ]] * '''Hiking:''' ascents include Conival, Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. * And see individual villages for golf, fishing, kayaking and other activities. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} 589qhvv3uw42g56mdxbta5939yb7zfo 4506410 4506407 2022-08-22T20:04:52Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Villages */ see these for Eat etc wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} : See these pages for where to eat, drink and sleep in the park: * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a [https://scouriehotel.com/ hotel], [https://www.scouriecampsitesutherland.com/ campsite] and other accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Handa Island''' just north of Scourie is a Torridonian sandstone sea-stack and bird reserve, reached by a short but bouncy ferry ride. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. == Do == [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg | thumb | 300px | Bone Caves ]] * '''Hiking:''' ascents include Conival, Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. * And see individual villages for golf, fishing, kayaking and other activities. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== See the articles about the following communities inside the park [[Achiltibuie]], [[Lochinver]], [[Kinlochbervie]], [[Durness]], [[The Summer Isles]]. Also see [[Ullapool]] which is near the southern edge of the park. * {{sleep | name=Scourie Hotel | alt= | url=http://scouriehotel.com/ | email= | address=Scourie | lat=58.352297 | long= -5.152411 | directions= | phone=+44 1971 502396 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-04-18 | content= }} ===Camping=== There are campsites at Scourie and at [[Durness]], both on the coast. ==Stay safe== The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} 6a036edefuhu2mmsm66depw9bfri577 4506412 4506410 2022-08-22T20:05:50Z Grahamsands 2164467 Eat etc not needed on this page wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} : See these pages for where to eat, drink and sleep in the park: * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a [https://scouriehotel.com/ hotel], [https://www.scouriecampsitesutherland.com/ campsite] and other accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Handa Island''' just north of Scourie is a Torridonian sandstone sea-stack and bird reserve, reached by a short but bouncy ferry ride. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. == Do == [[File:Scotland Inchnadamph Bone Caves.jpg | thumb | 300px | Bone Caves ]] * '''Hiking:''' ascents include Conival, Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. * And see individual villages for golf, fishing, kayaking and other activities. == Stay safe == The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} 4g0wt4hcs2kj1utmeln36gcporjg080 4506413 4506412 2022-08-22T20:15:47Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Do */ Handa Island pic from W Commons wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} : See these pages for where to eat, drink and sleep in the park: * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a [https://scouriehotel.com/ hotel], [https://www.scouriecampsitesutherland.com/ campsite] and other accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing when the sun rose and turned them to stone ]] * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Handa Island''' just north of Scourie is a Torridonian sandstone sea-stack and bird reserve, reached by a short but bouncy ferry ride. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. == Do == [[File:Felsnadel auf Handa Island.JPG | thumb | 300px | Rock needle on Handa Island ]] * '''Hiking:''' ascents include Conival, Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. * And see individual villages for golf, fishing, kayaking and other activities. == Stay safe == The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} jw52zzwahjn57hwvw0a77lq2bndw8kj 4506415 4506413 2022-08-22T20:20:46Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ handa correction wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North West Highlands Geopark banner Old Man of Stoer.jpg|caption=A Detail of the Old Man of Stoer|unesco=yes}} '''[http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ North West Highlands Geopark]''' is a [[UNESCO Geopark]] situated in the north west of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The c. {{km2|2000}} Geopark has coastal cliffs, beaches, mountains caves and waterfalls and a variety of unique geological features. == Understand == [[File:Hebridean_Terrane.png | thumb | 300px | Bedrock of the Geopark ]] The North West Highlands Geopark is a European and UNESCO Geopark. A geopark is a region with a great geological heritage and various ways by which the geology is explained to the visitor, for instance by visitor centres or geological trails. 81 European Geoparks have been endorsed by UNESCO. See the website of the [http://www.europeangeoparks.org European Geopark Network] for other European Geoparks. ===History=== The area was awarded geopark status in 2004. ===Landscape=== The North West Highlands Geopark is a geological wonderland: the rocks range from the 3 billion year old Lewisian Gneiss to the Torridonian Sandstone which makes up the spectacular mountains such as Ben More Coigach, Suilven and Quinag. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. For geologists, however, the most famous feature is the Moine Thrust, a large geological fault that attests to the vast forces that built the Caledonian Mountain Range, some 400 million years ago. Much more recently, during the Ice Age, vast glaciers sculpted the mountains and valleys as we see them today. The geological history and the way that geological processes shaped the landscape is explained in various visitor centres and road side panels. The visitor can also learn more on guided walks during the summer months. ===Flora and fauna=== In common with much of the highlands, much of the area has a relatively thin layer of soil on top of rock. The main vegetation is heater and grass, with few trees. There are some areas of peat bog (marsh). ===Climate=== == Villages == {{mapframe | 58.250 | -5.100 | height=600 | width=500 | zoom=9 }} : See these pages for where to eat, drink and sleep in the park: * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Ullapool]] | lat=57.900 | long=-5.160 }} has accommodation, amenities and ferries to Stornoway. * '''[[Achiltibuie]]''' is a village west along a lane off the main road. Go that way for boat trips to the [[Summer Isles]]. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Lochinver]] | lat=58.148 | long=-5.240 }} is a fishing village on a loop of road from Ardvreck Castle beneath the peaks of Suilven. * {{marker | type=city | name=Kylesku | wikidata=Q2677883}}: ''Caolas'' or "Kyles" means straits, crossed until 1984 by a ferry but now spanned by an elegant bridge. * {{marker | type=city | name=Scourie | lat=58.3519 | long=-5.1510}} further up the coast has a [https://scouriehotel.com/ hotel], [https://www.scouriecampsitesutherland.com/ campsite] and other accommodation. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Kinlochbervie]] | wikidata=Q1018558}} is a small harbour village. * {{marker | type=city | name=[[Durness]] | lat=58.570 | long=-4.747 }} is where you turn onto the north coast. == Get in == [[Inverness]] is the primary transport hub for the north of Scotland. It has an airport with domestic and a few international flights, trains and buses from the south, and car hire. Roads from the south and from the northern Highlands all converge here. [[Ullapool]] is a secondary hub, with buses from Inverness connecting with ferries to Stornoway on Lewis. Local buses run from here up the northwest coast but are sparse, typically just one a day. ==Fees and permits== There are no entry fees or formalities. == Get around == You need wheels - a car gets you out of the wind, rain and midges. See individual villages for times of the daily bus. == See == * '''Gneiss''' is the bedrock of this region and of the Western Isles. The term applies to many rocks metamorphosed by volcanic heat and pressure, with a characteristic wavy banded appearance, and in these parts it means the Lewisian Gneiss formed from granite 3 billion years ago. In the Western Isles that's pretty much all you get, so you might suppose the island of Lewis is named after the gneiss not vice versa. Where the rock lies flat, as it's impervious it doesn't drain, and peat bogs build up. Where it's contoured there are gnarly heights and crags, even worse grazing than the soggy flatlands. * '''Torridonian sandstone''' was laid down just over a billion years ago, in three waves of deposition "unconformably" on top of a gneiss surface scraped bare of intermediate rocks. There's a small area north around Durness, the main area is from Lochinver down to Ullapool, and a third is south of the geopark through Torridon to Sleat. It forms sharp ridges, such as Suilven towards Lochinver. Some peaks (such as Foinaven and Arkle above Laxford Bridge) are capped with quartzite, so they glisten like snow when sunlit. [[File:Two geologists (sculpture), Knockan Crag information centre (geograph 5529666 by Jim Barton).jpg | thumb | 300px | These geologists were still arguing at daybreak and they were turned to stone ]] * '''Moine Thrust:''' about 400 million years ago, Iapetus Ocean closed up, and the continents of Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia collided, with tumult and upheaval almost as fierce as that between factions of 19th century geologists trying to understand the results. Very old Cambrian rock layers to the southeast were shoved up and over younger layers to the northwest, with an override up to 50 km wide. This overturned the Victorian theory of rock layers simply building up, with the youngest on top. They could accept vertical shifts but to shift so far horizontally - what mighty force could do that? As plate tectonics were unknown, geologists supposed that the earth was cooling, shrinking and wrinkling. The entire thrust zone runs for 120 miles / 190 km from Loch Eribol near Durness on the north coast to Sleat on Skye, and technically "Moine Thrust" means just the earliest and easternmost of a series of fractures and thrusts. What you visit is areas such as Knockan Crag, where the results are readily seen on the surface and in the sharp ridges above. Land further east is also displaced but lies flat above deeply buried layers, is less obviously scenic, and not part of the geopark. * {{marker | name=[[Achiltibuie#See | Knockan Crag]] | type=see | lat=58.0338 | long=-5.0711 }}, 13 miles north of Ullapool on A835, is the best place to see the Thrust. The visitor centre has interpretive displays and short walking trails. * {{marker | name=[[Lochinver#See | Bone Caves]] | type=see | lat=58.1082 | long=-4.9405 }} are along A837, three miles south of Inchnadamph and the road junction for Lochinver or Kylesku. Reached by a 40 min hike from the car park, they're four karstic caverns in the mountainside where many animal bones were found, mostly 47,000 year-old reindeer but there was also lynx and bear. The caves have been used for human burial but weren't regularly occupied, so that's not the explanation for the bones; they probably washed in. The area is free to access 24 hours. The trail is a loop suitable for older children and dogs but you'll get filthy after rainfall. You can delve into the caves for a few yards only. Deeper within the mountain is the Uamh an Claonaite cave system, 2.868 km / 1.782 miles long, for experienced cavers only. * '''Handa Island''' just north of Scourie is a bird reserve with Torridonian sandstone sea-stacks, reached by a short but bouncy ferry ride. * '''Durness''' is in a small area of limestone. Smoo Cave is a curious hybrid, where a sea cave has become connected to a karstic cave. You need a guide to reach the karstic section (the best of it), and other caves hereabouts are only for experienced cavers. * '''Stac Fada Crater''' is thought to lie somewhere beneath the Minch, but its debris is widely scattered. A very large astro-lump piled into Earth some 1177 ± 5 million years ago, causing a 145,000 megaton blast with destruction over a radius of hundreds of miles. == Do == [[File:Felsnadel auf Handa Island.JPG | thumb | 300px | Rock needle on Handa Island ]] * '''Hiking:''' ascents include Conival, Ben More Assynt, Foinaven and Suilven. * '''Rock climbing''' is generally best on the Torridonian Sandstone, for instance Stac Pollaidh and the sea cliffs of Reiff both around Achiltbuie, the sea-stack of Am Buachaille near Kinlochbervie, and The Old Man of Stoer north of Lochinver. For Lewisian gneiss climb around Kinlochbervie and Sheigra. In Strath Dionard east of Kinlochbervie there are good climbs on quartzite. None of the climbing routes have bolts or pegs, so all protection must be placed by the climber. See [https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/outdoor-climbing/where-to-go Mountaineering Scotland] for more. * '''Caving:''' Smoo Cave near Durness is the only show cave. Those for the experienced are the systems behind the Bone Caves of Inchandamph and Elphin. * And see individual villages for golf, fishing, kayaking and other activities. == Stay safe == The main risk is being caught out in the open in bad weather and not being suitably equipped. The weather can change rapidly. For walks of any length take the following: *good footwear: paths are often wet and boggy *waterproof jacket and trousers *warm clothing: a spare fleece or jumper, gloves and a hat *and always tell someone responsible where you're going. Note that in large areas there is no mobile phone reception. == Go next == * [[Thurso]] near the northeast tip of the mainland is in the "flow" country of Caithness, with crumbling castles and soggy heath. * [[North Coast 500]] is a motoring itinerary around the far north of Scotland, looping from Inverness through Ullapool, Durness and Thurso. * The [[Orkney Islands]], a 90 min ferry ride from Thurso, are a complete contrast: bright red sandstone, with cliffs and stacks such as Old Man of Hoy, and the best prehistoric sites in Britain. * The [[Shetland Islands]] north of Orkney are a geopark. They're low-lying and treeless. * [[Loch Ness]] fills the Great Glen, the fault line that can be traced from Shetland to Inverness, Fort William, Islay and Donegal. * [[Fort William]] is near Ben Nevis and a geopark. * [[Cairngorms National Park]] spans several regions but is easiest to explore from [[Aviemore]] on its west flank. * [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] is near the big cities and gets busy on fine weekends. {{geo|58.117|-5.133|zoom=9}} {{IsPartOf|Caithness and Sutherland}} {{outlinepark}} nm7zqz02ao0f63alemzlmmaqih9yjoz 0 25344 4506279 4344263 2022-08-22T15:15:43Z Graham87 41792 /* Dialects */ copyedit wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Skibotn banner.jpg}} '''Norwegian''' (''norsk'') is the language spoken in [[Norway]]. It's closely related to [[Danish phrasebook|Danish]] and [[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]], and most speakers of the three languages can understand each other without much difficulty. Norwegian is historically closely related to Icelandic and Faroese, but is no longer mutually intelligible with them as it has diverged too much during the last millennium. Norwegian is also related to Dutch and German, and Old Norse had quite a lot of influence on English. ==Understand== [[File:Äʹvv sign 2.jpg|thumb|Sign in Norwegian, Sami and Finnish. Norwegian is unrelated to Sami and Finnish, but closely related to Swedish and Danish.]] [[File:InfoSigns-Espevaer.jpg|thumb|Sign with many words easily understandable in English: Bank=bank, butikk=shop (from boutique), kabelferge=cabel ferry, skule=school, kafe=cafe.]] Written Norwegian is very close to Danish and phrasebooks for the two languages can largely be used interchangeably (noting some systematic differences in spelling). Almost all of Norway's 5 million citizens speak Norwegian, while most Norwegians also speak reasonably good English; and some know languages like French, German and Spanish from school or ones like Polish, Russian, Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Somali because of immigrant roots. The Sami language is the second official language of Norway and used by some municipal administrations primarily in Finnmark. Sami speakers also speak Norwegian. Except for some adopted words, the Sami language is completely unrelated to Norwegian. Sami is written with the Latin alphabet with some diacritics added. Norwegian is written with the "standard Latin alphabet" (identical to the English alphabet) and three additional vowels ("Æ"/"æ", "Ø"/"ø" and "Å"/"å"; respectively added in that order to the end of the other 26 letters; the alphabet is identical to that of Danish). Some of these letters are used very rarely (notably "c", "w" and "x"), often because they may only be found in loanwords, or that they are disfavoured in comparison to more archaic or newer spellings. Like in English, diacritic marks are relatively rare (traits like the dot over the "i" and the circle above the "å" aren't considered diacritics, but as parts of distinct letters); the most common occurrence of them is the use of an acute accent with the final "e" in words of French origin where stress is to be put on that "e", such as in "idé" (idea), allé (avenue) and kafé (café). Because Norwegian is a Germanic language, getting a grasp of some basics shouldn't be too hard if you already speak English, German and/or Dutch. ===False friends=== While the Danish and Norwegian vocabularies are almost identical, Swedish is easy to understand for Norwegians because of similar pronunciation. Norwegian and Swedish does however have many differences in vocabulary including "false friends". Swedes in Norway and Norwegians in Sweden often pick up local words to avoid confusion. For instance when a Swede says "rolig" that means "funny, amusing", whereas the Norwegian word "rolig" means "calm, quiet". In Sweden "semester" is vacation, whereas in Norway "semester" is spring or autumn part of school year (as in English). Danish "frokost" means lunch, but Norwegian "frokost" is "breakfast". When Swedes ask for "glass" they want ice cream, whereas "glass" in Norwegian means glass (as in windows) or drinkware. There are a number of false friends in English and Norwegian. Many false friends in Norwegian will be recognisable to those who speak German, Low German, or Dutch, as they tend to have cognates with similar meanings in those languages. [[File:Iron Hill Brewery Light Lager (cropped2).jpg|thumb|A (light) lager is called "pilsner" or simply "pils" in Norwegian. If you ask for beer ("øl") or a pint ("halvliter") you most likely get a lager. The Norwegian word "lager" however means storage or warehouse.]] ====Shopping and dining==== For instance Norwegian "varehus" is a department store or shopping mall, whereas English "warehouse" translates to Norwegian "lager". The type of beer called "lager" in English is basically "pilsner" in Norwegian. Norwegian "koking" means "boiling", not cooking; English "cooking" instead translates as "lage mat" (prepare food). Norwegian "full" means drunk, whereas English "full" (after a good meal) translates as "mett". English "feast" is a grand meal, but Norwegian "fest" is a party (often with heavy drinking) or a formal celebration. Whipped cream is simply called "krem" in Norwegian, whereas the raw material (cream) is "fløte". The Norwegian word for pig, "gris", is pronounced as "grease" (fat or fatty lubricant). Norwegian "biff" is a steak, whereas Norwegian "steik/stek" is a roast. Grocery stores are called "dagligvareforretning" (literally "everyday products store") or simply "butikk" (general word for store, whereas "boutique" has the same meaning as in English). Grocery stores are also called "kolonial" because they sold products from European overseas colonies.<!--Whose colonies? Norway's colonies were all (ant)arctic wildernesses. Answer: Denmark-Norway had colonies i India and West Indies, but colonial refers to "exotic" products such as tea, coffee and sugar.--> Norwegian "truse" means short underwear (knickers, panties), whereas trousers (covering the legs to the ancle) are "bukse" in Norwegian. ====Miscellaneous==== Norwegian "storm" means whole gale (very strong winds below hurricane strength) and "snøstorm" is used informally (that is, not by the met office) about strong wind transporting snow horizontally. Weather forecast about "snø" (snow) means snowfall or snowstorm. Norwegian "time" (pronounced "teame") means "hour", whereas English "time" is "tid" in Norwegian. Norwegian "fart" means "speed" and "prikk" means dot or point. Norwegian "fag" is a neutral word that means trade, craft or vocation. Another funny word is Norwegian "gift", which can mean either married or poison (toxic is "giftig"), whereas English "gift" (present) translates as "gave, presang". Norwegian "mugg" is a form of mold or mildew, whereas "mugge" is a jug and "krus" corresponds to English "mug". When Norwegians mention "the state" ("staten"), they mean the government. Whereas the country as a whole is "landet" (the land) or more formally "riket" (the realm or the kingdom). Norwegian "fabrikk" corresponds to English "factory", whereas "fabric" can be translated to Norwegian "stoff, tekstil". "Stoff" may on the other hand also mean drugs (illegal substance), subject matter or matter in physics. A Norwegian "gang" is a corridor or hallway, not a criminal organisation. The word "okkupere" (occupy) is in Norwegian used only in the context of military occupation, whereas a chair or a toilet is "opptatt" (taken). The Norwegian verb "realisere" means to make something come true or to fulfil a potential, whereas English "to realise" (understand and accept) translates as "forstå" and "innse". Norwegian "aktuell" means current or of interest at the moment, and does not correspond to "actual". Similarly, "eventuell" means possible or alternatively and does not correspond to English "eventual" (subsequent, final). Norwegian "hjem" (or "heim") is more than the English "home" a concept<!--a concept meaning what?-->: an apartment or house where people live is a "bolig". [[File:Hydration break jugs at Bishop's Stortford Cricket Club, Hertfordshire.jpg|thumb|An English jug (for instance with lemonade) are Norwegian "mugge".]] Norwegian "ansvar" means responsibility, whereas English "answer" corresponds to "svar, respons". Norwegian "argument" only means reasoning or logic supporting an opinion, English "argument" translates as "diskusjon, krangel". Norwegian "resept" is a prescription for medication. Norwegian use the same word, "sikkerhet", for security and safety. Norwegian "gå" resembles English "go" but should be translated as "walk". ===Grammar and syntax=== Norwegian '''grammar''' and syntax is similar to English and relatively easy compared to German. For example, the role of a word is determined by its place in the syntax, rather than by morphology. Norwegian basically only has two grammatical cases: nominative and genitive. Genitive differs from nominative by an "s" at the end of the noun – like in English, but without the apostrophe. Verbs are not conjugated according to person. Adjectives are (like in English) placed before the noun. Norwegian has three grammatical genders, and nouns are inflected according to their grammatical gender, though many Norwegians use only two genders, both in speech and writing. Regular plural forms of nouns are formed with the suffix "-er", or just "-r" if the noun ends in an "e" (examples: "en katt, katter" = "a cat, cats"; "et bilde, bilder" = "a picture, pictures") and instead of using a definite article like English "the", Norwegian uses suffixes for this as well, along the same lines as how plurals are made (examples: "katten, kattene" = "the cat, the cats"; "bildet, bildene" = "the picture, the pictures"). ===Dialects=== Although modern Norwegian is relatively easy to understand and practice at a superficial level, learning perfect fluent Norwegian is exceptionally difficult, for several reasons. The most important one is that there is a wide range of '''dialects''' in Norwegian, which could differ significantly from the standard written form. Differences among dialects are much more than accents and slight differences in pronunciation. Some dialects are almost like different languages and these differences have 1000 year old roots. Due to the country's geography, being extremely long and narrow and sparsely populated with mountains and other obstacles, these dialects have had the opportunity to survive and develop over time. Dialects are important in Norway and based on them, locals are often able to pinpoint exactly where a person is from. In the middle ages ''Norse'' (old Norwegian) was spoken in Norway, Iceland and parts of the British isles. In Iceland the old Norse is largely retained while Norwegian has changed substantially, heavily influenced by Danish and low German. The dialect of Bergen is in particular influenced by low German. Dialects in western Norway are most similar to Icelandic. For instance West Norway dialects have retained more frequent use of diphthongs, for instance "ei" in stein (stone) or "au" in laurdag (saturday) is pronounced as one sound. In Trøndelag and Nordland there is widespread apocope whereby the last syllable of many words is not pronounced. For instance "what" is in East Norway "hva" pronounced almost like in English ("wha"), whereas in West and North Norway it is something like "qua" or "qa". Foreign visitors may note the marked difference in melody: In western Norway pitch is high-to-low, whereas in eastern Norway pitch is low-to-high. Unlike most European languages Norwegian is a pitch-accent language and to foreigners may appear as "singing" and the "melody" differs by dialect. The meaning of some words depends on the pitch, a feature that is very difficult to capture for the untrained ear. Pronunciation of R is one of the most distinct dialect differences. A powerful guttural R is the trademark of Bergen and surroundings, and variants are used along the South-West area from Bergen to Kristiansand. North of Sognefjorden a powerful rolling R (or trilled R) is used instead, similar to Spanish or Scottish. In the western areas R is usually a very distinct sound. In East Norway the R is a less powerful sound and are in some areas similar to L. Unique among European languages is the voiced retroflex flap, known as ''fat L'', found in East Norway and Trøndelag, and otherwise primarily known from the Indian subcontinent and Japan. There is no standard spoken Norwegian, and it is fully socially accepted (even highly regarded) to use your local dialect whatever the context or situation. Politicians and news reporters all do this. Norwegian has a number of idioms, many of which are used regularly but hardly make any sense to an outsider (they just have to be learned). Many idioms originate from playwright Henrik Ibsen, from the ancient sagas (compiled by Icelander Snorre Sturlason), or from the Bible, as well as from popular culture. The weak Norwegian verbs could also have one of five different endings. ===Written Norwegian=== [[File:NO road sign 808.317B.svg|thumb|"Gjelder ikke" = does not apply to]] There are two official variations of ''written'' Norwegian: '''Bokmål''' and '''Nynorsk'''. The differences are small, but important to a lot of Norwegians. Bokmål is by far the most common, and evolved from Danish. Nynorsk is a reconstructed standard written form, developed by Ivar Aasen, a teacher and linguist. Aasen travelled through most of the country, except for the eastern parts, because he felt those parts had been too heavily influenced by the Danish language and, in some border areas, by Swedish. Between 1848 and 1855, Aasen published grammar, lexicon, dialect samples, and a set of readings as he developed Nynorsk (then called ''landsmål''). A summary of the language situation can be found at [http://odin.dep.no/odin/engelsk/norway/history/032005-990497/index-dok000-b-n-a.html odin.dep.no] {{dead link|December 2020}}. The language issue is touchy because of its connections with different partly historical political stances. In 2003, approximately 15% of primary school pupils were in school districts that taught Nynorsk as the primary written standard. While Norwegian and English have a lot in common (such as basic, everyday words and syntax), in Norwegian words, nouns in particular, are '''compounded''' at will to create new words. In written Norwegian the hyphen is generally not used to compound words. This system can just like in German produce very long nouns, or long names of places. New words are created constantly and may never be included in a dictionary because they are too local or quickly disused. Because the hyphen is not used, understanding compound nouns (including proper nouns) often requires proficiency in Norwegian. ===Key takeaways=== [[File:Norwegian-road-sign-376 1.png|thumb|18 means 6 in the afternoon. "over 1 time" = more than 1 hour.]] '''Numbers, time and dates''': Norwegian uses comma as the decimal sign, for instance 12,000 means 12 (specified with three decimal places) not 12 thousand, whereas 12.000 means 12 thousand. Norwegians use both the 24 and 12 hour time system, the former finding more use in writing, the latter in spoken context. Norwegians do not use PM/AM to indicate morning or afternoon. Dates can be abbreviated in a number of ways, but the order is always DAY-MONTH-YEAR, for instance 12.07.08 is July 12, 2008. In Norwegian ''morgen'' corresponds to English ''early morning'' and is the time when people usually get up. The hours until high noon is called ''formiddag'' (literally "before noon"). Norwegian ''kveld'' more or less corresponds to english ''evening'' but lasts until common bed time or near midnight. The time when most are in bed is ''natt'', typically from around 11 PM or later. Because of the highly variable daylight and midnight sun, time of day can not easily be related to sunrise and sunset. Notable features: * Unlike some Germanic neighbours, in Norwegian the definite article is postfixed (a suffix) while the indefinite article is a separate word like in English (a house = et hus; the house = huset). * Verbs are not conjugated according to the person. * Capital letters are reserved for names of persons or places as well as the beginning of sentences; names of weekdays and months are not capitalized. * Norwegian has three letters not found in English: æ, ø, å (more below) * Norwegian has fewer French/Latin words than English, but still enough "international" words (usually adopted from English, French, Latin or Greek), understandable for most visitors. For instance: information = informasjon, telephone = telefon, post = post, tourist = turist, police = politi. * Unlike English, Norwegian words are '''compounded to form new nouns'''. There is in principle no limit to the number of new nouns that can be created, only the most common ones are found in dictionaries or phrasebooks without being "decomposed". * Unlike Swedish, Danish and Dutch, which have merged the male and female genders into a "common" gender, but similar to German and Icelandic, Norwegian retains all 3 grammatical genders from proto-Germanic for its nouns (male, female and neuter). Like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter. * Norwegians tend to have more clear and direct way of speaking than in many other European countries. Niceties like "please", "how are you", "excuse me" and "sorry" are used sparingly ("please" does not translate to Norwegian). But it is important to say "thank you" after a meal or a good party. As most adult Norwegians are able to speak English, don't be surprised if you are replied to in English even if you attempt to start a conversation in Norwegian. If you really wish to practise your Norwegian, simply let the other person know, and they will usually oblige and be encouraging about it. ==Pronunciation Guide== Norwegian spelling is pretty simple and regular (compared to, say, English), but like most real languages, it is unfortunately not completely regular. ===Vowels=== Each vowel can be pronounced either as "long" or "short". A "short" vowel will almost always be followed by a double consonant (i.e. two similar consonants, such as ll or tt). A long vowel is not. For example, in Norwegian "it" will be pronounced as in ''eet'', whereas "itt" will be pronounced as English ''it''. <small>(There are some exceptions to this rule: if the consonant is followed by another consonant, it does not always need to be doubled to make the vowel short.)</small> The Norwegian vowels are pronounced in almost the same way as in German. The Norwegian alphabet has three letters more than the English alphabet, vowels æ (Æ), ø (Ø), and å (Å). Here's the full list: ; a : like 'a' in "father" ; e : like 'e' in "where" (but like æ if it is followed by an 'r') (some exceptions, see below) ; i (''short'') : like 'i' in "pin" ; i (''long'') : like 'ee' in green ; o (''short'') : mostly like 'o' in how the British say "Ox", rendering it a short 'å'; but in a few cases simply a short "oo", just like a short 'u' ; o (''long'') : similar to a common pronunciation of 'oo' in "fool" or "cool" ; u : (''long'') like the "oo" in "shoot" or "ou" in a possible rendering of "route" ; u : (''short'') same sound as a long 'o' only short (much like the English "put") ; y : like 'i' in "pin" (but narrower; y doesn't correspond to any sound in English. English speakers may have difficulty distinguishing Norwegian's i and y. It's similar to German ü or French u.) Halfway between "ee" and "ewwww". ; æ : like 'a' in "mad"; almost always long. A short "ær" sound is spelled 'er'. ; ø : like 'u' as in "burn" ("bu:n"). One starts with e and rounds one's lips to produce ø. ; å : like 'o' as in "lord" (Note: in older texts or names written as "aa"); it is long unless followed by a double consonant. The letters 'o' and 'u' may give you the most trouble. Some examples to help clarify: :''egg'' (egg or edge) has a short "e" because of the double consonant; :''elg'' (moose) also has a short "e"; the 'lg' qualifying as a doubling; :''ed'' (oath) has a long "e"; :''er'' (is) has a long "æ", as does ''her'' (here) and ''der'' (there). :''erke'' (arch) has a short "ær"; :''eller'' (or) starts with a short "e" and ends in a short unaccented 'er' where the "e" is reduced to a short "uh" -- "EL-uhr"; :''fil'' (file) has a long 'i' ("ee" in English); :''fille'' (rag) has a short 'i'; :''komme'' (come) has a short "å" sound ("aw!"); :''for'' (for) also has a short "å" sound; therefore - :''fôr'' (animal feed or food) is often given the ^ accent to convey its long "oo"; :''mor'' (mother), ''jord'' (earth), and ''sol'' (sun) all have a long "oo" (the 'd' in ''jord'' is silent); :''hjort'' (deer) has a short "å" sound; :''onkel'' (uncle) has a short "oo" very similar to a Scouse pronunciation; :''kum'' (manhole) has a short "oo" just like 'onkel' (an '-mm' ending is not allowed); :''jul'' (Christmas) has a long 'u' ("ewww"); :''ugle'' (owl) has a short 'u' (like "ewh!"); :''ære'' (honor/honour) has a long 'æ' :Some exceptions: The following words have a long "e" despite the 'er' convention: ::''ber'', ''ler'', ''ser'', ''skjer'', ''ter'' -- note that these are present-tense forms of verbs that end in -e: ''be'', ''le'', ''se'', ''skje'', ''te''. ::''flere'' and ''mer'' also have a long "e" (not "æ"). ===Consonants=== ; b : like 'b' in "book" ; c : like 'c' in "cat" (mostly foreign words, no function in Norwegian) ; ch: same as 'k' or 'kk' (Christian = "kristian", Bache = "bakke"; but in loanwords usually like in English, as in "chips" ("chips")), rarely used ; d : like 'd' in "dog", silent at end of syllable or at end of word. (In eastern dialects d, t, and n are pronounced with the tongue touching the front teeth, producing a "flatter" sound than in English) ; f : like 'f' in "face" ; fj : as in "fjord" ; g : like 'g' in "good", but like 'y' in "yes" before i or j, silent at the end of some words ; h : like 'h' in "hat", ''silent before j or v'' ; j : like 'y' in "yes" ; k : like 'k' in "keep", but like 'ch' in German "ich" before i or j {{IPA|[ç]}} ; l : like 'l' in "late" (some variation, see below) ; m : like 'm' in "mouse" ; n : like 'n' in "nice" ; p : like 'p' in "push" ; q : like 'q' in "quick" (mostly foreign words, generally not used in Norwegian) ; r : like 'tt' in "kitty" (many different variations ranging from Spanish to French sounding, in west Norway typically powerfully and distinctly pronounced. In Bergen and Stavanger regions the guttural R as in France and the Netherlands, further the rolling R as in Spanish.) ; s : like 's' in "sun" (but in eastern Norway, followed by an 'l' or following an 'r', it becomes "sh") ; t : like 't' in "top"; silent at the end of the word "det" and in determinate neuter nouns (e.g. "huset") ; rt : a quick rap of the tongue, starting with the tip upward behind the hard palate (start saying "tch" but stop before you get to the "sh"); no native English equivalent (but heard in some Indian accents) ; v : like 'v' in "viper" ; w : most often, like 'v'; the letter only appears in proper names (e.g., Waldemar, Wenche, or the unit Watt); other than that, it may appear in foreign loan words and names where the pronunciation generally follows the original language (see below for more examples) ; x : like 'x' in "box" (mostly foreign words, rarely used in Norwegian); words with this sound are generally spelled with 'ks' ('x' has no real function in Norwegian) ; z : like 'z' in "zipper" (officially), but usually pronounced like 's' in "sun" (mostly foreign words, no function in Norwegian) '''More on the letter L:''' There are three basic ways of pronouncing the letter 'L'. Generally speaking, if you stick with #1 or #2 below, you will never be misunderstood. #3 typically appears in eastern dialects but even there it may be considered informal and is avoided by many. The consonants b, f, g, k, and p, plus the vowel 'ø' take either L #1 or #3 as outlined further below, and the vowel 'å' takes L #2 or #3. (Note that this is an unofficial numbering.) :'''L #1:''' a thin-sounding 'l' where the tip of the tongue is on the hard part of the palate, not touching the front teeth, and slightly farther back than in English; :'''L #2:''' a thicker, flatter sounding 'l' with the tip of the tongue firmly against the back of the front teeth; :'''L #3:''' a flap of the tongue with the tip farther back in the mouth than with an 'r'. (Some dialects use a 4th pronunciation where the middle of the tongue is on the soft palate; as a novice you should probably disregard this) '''L #1''' is what you will hear in the beginning of words: ''Lillehammer'', ''lakk'', ''lese'', ''ligge'', ''lomme'', ''løpe''... : - after 'i' and 'y' (both short and long): ''ille'', ''spill'', ''vil'', ''vill'', ''hvil'', ''fil'', ''fille'', ''fyll'', ''fylle'', ''syl'', ''sylte''... : - after short 'u': ''full'', ''gull'', ''hull'', ''kull'', ''null'', ''pulje'', ''tull'', ''rulle''... : - after 'e': ''fjell'', ''fjel'', ''sel'', ''tele'', ''telefon'', ''vel''... : - after short 'yk': ''sykle'', ''Myklebost''... : - after 'g' or 'k' if followed by a long 'e': ''glede'', ''klebe''... : - after 't': ''atlas'', ''Atle'' : - after 'd': ''middel'', ''midler'', ''seddel'', ''sedler''... : - after 'r' (the 'r' becomes silent): ''farlig'', ''Berlin'', ''berlinerkrans'', ''særlig'', ''herlig''... : - after some 'ø's (long or short): ''føle'', ''følge'', ''føll'', ''sølv'', ''Sølve''... : - after 's' (note that the 's' then becomes "sh" in Eastern Norwegian): ::''slag'', ''slakk'', ''slepe'', ''slegge'', ''slik'', ''slikke'', ''slips'', ''slott'', ''sluke'', ''slukke'', ''slutte'', ''slør'', ''slåss'', ''rasle'', ''rusle'', ''vesle''... : - in the words ''vafler'', ''vaflene'' (plural of ''vaffel'') and ''gafler'', ''gaflene'' (pl. of ''gaffel'') '''L #2''' is heard after 'a' (short or long): ''ball'', ''sal'', ''tall'', ''falle'', ''gal'', ''kalle''... : - after all short "å" sounds, including the short 'o' which is like "å": ''Dolly'', ''Holmenkollen'', ''olje'', ''rolle'', ''troll'', ''volleyball''... : - after long 'å': ''bål'', ''mål'', ''Pål'', ''stål'', ''Ståle'', ''stråle'', ''såle''... '''L #3 is applied somewhat irregularly''' but is often heard after long 'u': ''jul'', ''fugl'' (the 'g' is silent here), ''smule'', ''bule''... : - after some long 'o's (single syllable words or unaccented second syllable): ''bol'', ''gol'', ''skole'', ''sol'', ''sole'', ''stol'', ''stoler''... : - after some long 'ø's: ''høl'', ''søle'', ''Bøler'', ''pøl'', ''døl'', ''fjøl'', ''køl'', ''møl''... : - after short vowel + 'g': ''øgle'', ''trygle'', ''ugle'' (the 'g' is not silent), ''smugle'', ''juggel'' (the 'u' is short and the 'e' unaccented)... : - after short vowel + 'k': ''nøkler'', ''tråkle'' : - and after b, most f's, g's, k's, and p's : ''blad'', ''bli'', ''bly'', ''blå'', ''fly'', ''flue'', ''glad''... ::''blekk'', ''flagg'', ''flink'', ''fløte'', ''gløppe'', ''glass'', ''klippe'' (meaning "to cut"), ''klubb'', ''klump'', ''plukke'', ''plagg'', ''plass''... : '''(all of the preceding examples of L #3 can also take L #1)''' : - after 'æ': ''pæle'', ''sæle'', ''fjæl'', ''gæli'', ''tæl'', ''tæle'' ::(these never take L #1 but are rather replaced by other forms that do: ''pele'', ''sele'', ''fjel'', ''galt'', ''tel'', ''tele'') : - in the word 'dårlig' : - '''overlapping the use of L #2 for the following words''' (i.e. you may hear either one, with little or no consistency): :''mål'', ''måle'', ''kål'', ''såle'', ''stål'' (but not the name Ståle), ''trål'', ''tråle'', ''tral'', ''tåle'', ''påle'' (but not the name Pål) :'''Certain factors have a softening effect on the 'l' in 'kl' and 'pl' combinations'''. Look for long 'a' or 'o', words of non-Germanic origin, or stress on the second or third syllable. The following examples all have L #1 and should never take L #3: :''klar'', ''klarinett'', ''klassisk'', ''klor'', ''kloroform'', ''plassére'', ''plast'', ''plastikk''... ::'''The vowel 'i' influences 'f', 'k', and 'p' in the same way and usually gives them L #1 (although L #3 is sometimes heard):''' ::''flid'', ''flittig'', ''klima'', ''klippe'' (meaning "cliff"), ''plikt''... ::Some words that belong in '''"high society"''' are ideally given L #1 in the eastern dialects even if conventional wisdom would expect L #3: ''flygel'', ''klimpre'' :'''The following words usually have L #1 even in eastern dialects:''' ''glede'', ''gløde'', ''nitroglyserin'', ''globoid'' '''More on the letter W:''' "Watt" as a unit is pronounced like "vatt" but the name James Watt would still be pronounced as in English; "William" can sound like "Villiam" or the English "William" depending on his nationality; "Wien", being (linguistically) German, is pronounced "veen". ===Diphthongs and letter combinations=== ; ei : like 'a' in Cockney or Australian pronunciation of "babe" (æ-i) ; ai : like 'i' in "pine" (a-i) ; au : similar to 'ow' in "how" (æ-u) ; oi : like 'oy' in "boy" (å-y) ; øy : like the 'u' in "burn" followed by the 'y' in "yet" (ø-y) ; sj : like 'sh' in "shirt" ; skj : like 'sh' in "shirt" ; kj : like 'ch' in "church" ; hj : like 'y' in "yes" ; gj : like 'y' in "yes" ; hv : like 'v' in "victory" ; lj : the 'l' is silent if in the beginning of a word (e.g. "ljå": "yo") ; gn : like 'in' in "rain" ; aa : old form of 'å' The letter 'j' often disappears if either of the letter combinations 'skj', 'kj' or 'gj' are used in front of diphthongs. There is also a convention that the letter 'j' cannot be followed by an 'i' or 'y'. Examples: ::''skøyte'' (skate) is pronounced "shøite"; ::''kylling'' (chicken) is pronounced "chylling"; ::''kiste'' (coffin) is pronounced "chisste"; ::''gi'' (to give) is pronounced "yee" [note that 'gir' as the present tense of "gi" is pronounced "yeer" but the word for "gear" is still pronounced "geer" even though it is also spelled 'gir'] ===Exceptions=== ; de :(the bokmål word, meaning "they") : like "dee" in "deer" (just as a whole word) ; De : (meaning "you" in a formal setting): same pronunciation as 'de' ; jeg :(the bokmål word, meaning "I") : like "Ya" in "Yale" or "yay" ; og :(the bokmål and nynorsk word for "and") : the 'g' is silent if the word is unstressed (thus pronounced the same as "å"); "awg" if stressed.<br />[Note that many Norwegians struggle with the grammatical difference between "å" and "og" because of their similar pronunciation] ==Phrase list== [[File:Røyking og all bruk av ild forbudt.JPG|thumb|"Smoking and all use of fire forbidden" (petrol station sign)]] [[File:Bakke kirke – Covid-info.jpg|thumb|"Church of Norway. Important Message" (restrictions on church attendance during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic)]] ===Basics=== Bokmål, followed by nynorsk: ; Good morning. : God morgen. (''goo moh-ohrn'') - God morgon. ("Go' Morgon") ::Basically applies to early morning. ; Good evening. : God kveld. (''goo kvel'') ; Good night (''to sleep'') : God natt. (''goo naht'')(with a short 'a') ; Hello. (''formal'') : God dag. <br>This greeting that can be used at most occasions (except funerals) and times of day. ; Hello. (''informal'') : Hei. (''hay'')("hæy") ; How are you? : Hvordan går det? (''voord-ahn gawr deh?'') Korleis går det? ("kor-læis gohr deh') ::Note: Not used among strangers. This question is not a nicety for Norwegian. ; Fine, thank you. : (Jo) takk, bare bra. (''yoo tak, bar-e brah'') (Jau) takk, bærre brah ("Jauh tak, bere brah") ; What is your name? : Hva heter du? (''Vah he-ter du'') Kva heiter du? ("Kvah hæi-ter du") ; My name is ______ . : Jeg heter ______ . (''yei he:h-t'r _____ .'') Eg heiter ("eg hei-ter") ; Nice to meet you. : Hyggelig å treffe deg. (''Hygg-e-li å treff-e dei'') Hyggjeleg å møte deg ("Hyggj-eleg å mø-te deg") ; Please. : Vær så snill. (''...'')(you may hear "væh shaw snil") (Meaning "be so kind")<br /> Not used nearly as often as in English. It can also be considered as to plead, you do not take something for granted. ; Yes. : Ja. (''ya'') ; Yes (in reply/opposition to a ''no'' in a discussion). : Jo. (''yoo'') Jau. ("Ja-u") ; No. : Nei. (''naye'')("næi") ; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : Unnskyld (meg). (''Unn-shill mei'') Orsak meg ("Or-sak meg") ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : Unnskyld (meg). (''Unn-shill mei'') Orsak meg ("Or-sak meg") ; I'm sorry. (''for a slight mistake'') : Beklager (''be-klag-er'') Beklagar ("Be-kla-gar") ; I'm sorry. (''I really didn't mean it'') : Jeg beklager så mye (''Jei be-klag-er så mye'') Eg er lei for det ("Eg er leih for det") ; I'm sorry. : Jeg er lei meg. (''Jei ær lei mei'') Eg er lei meg ("Eg er leih megh")<br>Not used nearly as often as in English, this sincerely means you are sorry, or can even be interpreted to mean you are sad (usually not associated with guilt). ; Goodbye : Ha det bra! (''Ha de bra'') Farvel ("far-vel") ; Goodbye (''informal'') :Ha det! (''Ha-de'') ; It was nice seeing/meeting you. Goodbye. : (bm) Det var hyggelig å treffe deg. Ha det bra! (''De var hygg-e-li å treff-e dæi. Ha de bra!'') (nn) Det var hyggjeleg å treffe deg. Ha det bra! (''De var hyg-yeh-lehg aw treff-eh dehg. Hah deh bra!'') ; I can't speak Norwegian. : Jeg snakker ikke norsk. (''Jei snakk-er ikk-e nåsjk'') Eg snakkar ikkje norsk. ; I only know a little Norwegian. : Jeg kan bare litt norsk (''Jei kan ba-re litt nåsjk'') Eg kan berre litt norsk. ; Excuse me, do you speak English? : Unnskyld, snakker du engelsk? (''Unn-skyll, snakker du eng-elsk?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Er det noen/nokon som kan snakke engelsk her? (''Ær de no-en såm kann snakk-e eng-elsk hær?'') ; Help! : Hjelp! (''Yelp!'') ; Good morning. : God morgen/morgon. (''Go må-årn'')<br>See ''hello'' above ; Good evening. : God kveld. (''Go kvell'')<br>See ''hello'' above ; Good night. :God natt. (''Go natt'')<br>Never used as a greeting, unless you want to make a joke. This is potentially troublesome. If you must greet someone at night, use ''Hallo'', ''Hei'', or ''Hyggelig å møte deg'' (Nice to meet you), ''God kveld'' (good evening) or even ''God dag'' (even though it's in the middle of night). ; Good night (''to sleep'') : God natt. (''Go natt'') ::Note: Used when separating and going to bed. ; I don't understand (you). : Jeg forstår [deg] ikke/ikkje. (''Jei forst-år [dei] ikk-e'') ; I'll translate [https://translate.google.no/ through Google] : Jeg/eg skal oversette/omsetje via Google.<br>: '''Note:''' Only if the conversation is completely stuck! ; Where is the toilet/bathroom? : Hvor/Kvar er toalettet? (''Vor ær toa-lett-et?'') ; May I get a cup of coffee? : Kunne jeg/eg få en kopp kaffe? (''Kuh-ne jæi få æn kåpp kaffæ''?)<br>This is the usual way to order something you take for granted. (If it is uncertain whether you get something, add ''"væh shaw snill"'' [please]) ; May I borrow your pen? : Kunne jeg/eg låne pennen din? (''Kuhn-ne jæi lå-ne pennen din?'') ; May I get the bill, (please)? : Kunne jeg/eg få regningen/rekningen, (takk)?<br />Note: In this context, it is common practice to end the question with "takk" ("thanks") instead of "vær så snill" ("please"). ; Are there any good sights in the area? : Finnes/Finst det noen/nokon gode severdigheter/sjåverdegheiter i området? (''Fin-nes deh non god-he seværdi-het-er i åm-råde'') ; You are not Norwegian unless you know five names for different textures of snow : Man/Ein er ikke/ikkje norsk med mindre man/ein kan navngi/namngje fem typar snø. (''Mann ær ikke nåshk me mindre mann kann navnji femm typ-er snø'') ; Are they joking about these prices? : Skal jeg/eg tolke disse/dei her prisene/prisane som en/ein spøk? (''Skall jei tålke dis-se pris-ene såmm en spøk'') ; Where can I purchase a viking helmet? : Hvor/Kvar kan jeg/eg kjøpe en/ein vikinghjelm? (''Vohr kann jei ch[German: Chemie]ø-pe en vi-kingyelm'') ; Does this bus take me to Hafrsfjord? : Kjører denne bussen til Hafrsfjord? (''ch[German: Chemie]ører den-ne buss-en til Hafrs-fjoord?'') ===Thanks=== ; Thanks. : Takk (''...'') ; Thank you so much : Mange takk (''...'') ; Thank you very much. : Tusen takk (''...'') ; Thank you (personally). : Takk/mange takk/tusen takk skal du ha (''...'') '''Note:''' In Norway it is also common to say "thank you for today/this evening" when you part - "takk for i dag/ i kveld" to say you have enjoyed the experience. You also say "thank you for last time" "takk for sist" when you meet them again, or preferably "thanks for yesterday" "takk for i gaar" if it was indeed yesterday. It will be considered rude if you don't say "thank you for the meal" "takk for maten" if someone served you a meal (this does not apply in restaurants or if you have bought a meal) You also say "thank you for having me over" "takk for meg" when leavig the house of someone. "thank you for now" " takk for naa" is a nice way of saying you enjoyed your time and will return some time. ; You're welcome. : Vær så god (''væ-shaw-go'') : Another expression, almost synonymous, that occurs after thanking for foods or drinks may be velbekomme (''Wellbacomma'') ; My pleasure. : Bare hyggelig (''Bar-e hygg-e-li''), Berre hyggjeleg ("ber-e hyg-eleg") ===Problems=== ; Leave me alone (please). : Kan du (være så snill å) la meg være alene. (''...'')<br>Note: ''være så snill å'' means ''be so kind as to'', directly translated, but there are no direct replacement for please. The English word is sometimes used if said imparatively or beggingly. ; Don't touch me! : Ikke rør meg! (''...'') ; I'll call the police. : Jeg ringer politiet. (''...'')<br>Note: This really means dial the police on the phone. Since there aren't many street cops in Norway, if it's really an emergency, it would make more sense to simply cry ''Hjelp!'' (Help), and hope a random person will come to your rescue. The emergency phone number in Norway is 112. ; Police! : Politi! (''...'')<br>See above... ; Stop! Thief! : Stopp tyven! (''...'') ; Fire! : Brann! (''...'') <br />or '''it's burning!''' : Det brenner! (''dæ brennar'') : '''Note''' that in Norwegian there are several expressions that mean fire. Fire alarm/fire alert: Brannalarm/brannvarsling, open fire: åpen '''ild''', get on fire: få '''fyr''' på, camp fire: leir'''bål'''. ; Call the fire brigade! : Ring brannvesenet! (''...'') : '''Note:''' emergency phone number in Norway is 110. ; Call for an ambulance! : Ring etter en ambulanse!/Ring en-en-tre! (''...'') : '''Note:''' emergency phone number in Norway is 113. ; I need your help. : Jeg trenger din hjelp. (''...'')<br>Might sound too strong. See below for a more reasonable alternative... ; May I ask you for a little assistance? : Kan jeg spørre deg om litt hjelp ; It's an emergency. : Det er et nødstilfelle. (''...'') ; I'm lost. : Jeg har gått meg bort. (''...'')<br>Even though this is under the ''problems'' section, this phrase comes out sounding like you have wandered the woods for days without food or rest, having no idea where you are or where to go (in which case it would be obvious anyway). Either that, or you're 5 year old, in which case getting lost from your parents is equally serious. See below for a more reasonable alternative. More neutral is "Jeg har gått meg vill" ; Can you tell me where I am? : Kan du si meg hvor jeg er? (''...'') ; Can you tell me the way to ___? : Kan du si meg veien til ___? (''...'') ; I lost my ___. : Jeg har mistet ___ [min (sg. m./f.)/mitt (sg. neu.)/mine (pl.)]. (''...'')<br>While almost any kind of carry-on item can be called bag in English, in Norwegian it means a duffle bag. You usually have to be more specific, here are a few alternatives, as part of this sentence, you should also read the part in parenthesis to get the grammar right. * luggage = baggasje(n) * all the clothes = alle klærne * suitcase = koffert(en) * backpack = ryggsekk(en) * duffle bag = bag(en) * shoulder bag = skulderveske(-a) * handbag = håndveske(-a) * plastic bag = plastikkpose(n) * computer bag = data bag(en) * passport = pass(et) * money/cash =penger/kontanter * ticket = billett(en) * wallet = lommebok(a) * credit card = kreditkort(et) * cell phone = mobiltelefon(en) * charging cable for the cell phone = ladeledningen til mobiltelefonen * key/key card/keyring = nøkkel(en)/nøkkelkort(et)/nøkkelknippe(-et) * glasses = briller * sunglasses = solbriller * umbrella = paraply(en) * jacket = jakke (-a) * shirt / t shirt = skjorte (-a)/t-skjorte (-a) * knit sweater = strikkegenser(en) * trousers = bukser * skirt = skjørt * briefs = truser * stockings = strømper * shoe = sko * booties/boots = støvletter/støvler * headgear = lue (-a) * gloves = hansker * scarf = skjerf(et) * child/children = barn(et)/barn(a) (I certainly hope not) ; I'm sick/ill. : Jeg er sjuk. (''...'') ; Is it contagious? : Er det smittsomt? (''...'') ; Is a sanitary napkin/face mask advisable here? : Er det tilrådelig å bruke munnbind her? (''...'') ; I've been injured. : Jeg har blitt skadd. (''...'') ; I've contracted an injuriy. : Jeg har fått en skade. (''...'') ; I need a doctor. : Jeg trenger (å få treffe) en lege. (''...'') ; May I borrow your phone? : Kan jeg få låne telefonen din? (''...'') ===Numbers=== ; 0 : null (''...'') ; 1 : en/ein (''..'') ; 2 : to (''...'') ; 3 : tre (''...'') ; 4 : fire (''...'') ; 5 : fem (''femm'') ; 6 : seks (''sekks'') ; 7 : sju (''...'')<br>Another variant (below) also in common use. New system ; 7 : syv (''...'')<br>Another variant (above) is slightly more common in some age groups and geographical regions. Old system ; 8 : åtte (''...'') ; 9 : ni (''...'') ; 10 : ti (''...'') ; 11 : elleve (''ell-ve'') ; 12 : tolv (''tåll'') ; 13 : tretten (''...'') ; 14 : fjorten (''...'') ; 15 : femten (''...'') ; 16 : seksten (''seis-ten'') ; 17 : sytten (''søtt-en'') ; 18 : atten (''...'') ; 19 : nitten (''...'') ; 20 : tjue (''kju-e'')<br>Note: Used in new counting system (see below) ; 20 : tyve (''...'')<br>Note: Used in old counting system (see below) ====21 and on==== Larger numbers than twenty can be written several ways in Norwegian. Sometimes each word is written separately. Sometimes hyphens are used. And sometimes, the whole number is written as one large word; there are two ways of counting from 21-99. =====New counting system===== The ''new'' counting is what most people use nowadays. And probably what they would consider using to someone having problems understanding. This is what you should learn. ; 21 : tjue en (''kju-e en'') ; 22 : tjue to (''...'') ; 23 : tjue tre (''...'') =====Old counting system===== The ''old'' counting system is slightly more illogical, but still quite a few people use it. Its popularity increases with the age of the speaker. Most people will probably revert to the new counting system if they realize the speaker is not fluent in Norwegian, but here it is for completeness (In English this system has been used in the past, but a change analogous to the ''new'' system in Norwegian occurred a long time ago, so few realise this now, although the reminders exist in the ''teen'' numbers and the ''Four and twenty blackbirds'' nursery rhyme). ; 21 : en og tyve (''en å tyv-e'') ; 22 : to og tyve (''to å tyv-e'') ; 23 : tre og tyve (''...'') ; 30 : tredve (old system) ; 30 : tretti (''...'') (new system) =====Regardless of counting system===== ; 40 : førti (''...'') ; 50 : femti (''...'') ; 60 : seksti (''...'') ; 70 : sytti (''...'') ; 80 : åtti (''...'') ; 90 : nitti (''...'') ; 100 : (ett) hundre (''...'') ; 121 : (ett) hundre og 21 (''100 å 21'') ; 200 : to hundre (''...'') ; 300 : tre hundre (''...'') ; 1000 : ett tusen (''...'') ; 1021 : ett tusen og 21 (''ett tu-sen å 21'') ; 1100 : ett tusen ett hundre / elleve hundre (''ett tu-sen ett hun-dre / ell-ve hun-dre'') ; 1121 : ett tusen ett hundre og 21 (''...'') ; 2000 : to-tusen (''...'') ; 1,000,000 : en million (''en milli-on'') ; 1,000,000,000 : en milliard ; 1,000,000,000,000 : en billion ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : nummer _____ (tog, buss, etc) (''nomm-er'') ; half : halv (''hall'') ; less : mindre (''minn-dre'') ; more : mer (''...'') ===Time=== ; now : nå (''...'') ; later : seinere (''...'') ; before : tidligere (''tid-li-ere'') ; early morning : morgen (''må-årn'') ; morning: formiddag (until noon) ; afternoon : ettermiddag (''...'') ; evening : kveld (''kvell'') ; night : natt (''...'') ====Clock time==== Note that whenever you say one o'clock, you use ''ett'' instead of ''en''. =====24h system===== The simplest way to say time is to use the 24 hour system. ; 08.00 : klokka åtte null null (''...'') ; 19.37 : klokka nitten tretti sju (''..'') ; 01.01 : klokka ett null en (''...'') =====12 hour system===== There is no universal AM/PM usage in norway. If people are not familiar enough with English to understand you saying the time in English, they will probably not understand AM or PM either. To disambiguate time, you can look at the section called ''Time'' (morning, evening, etc). It can be hard to choose the correct preposition/grammar to use for these (which depends a lot on context, past, future, etc), so the easiest is to simply append it after having said the time. The clock-hour can be divided as follows ; 10.00 : klokka 10 (''...'') ; 10.05 : fem over 10 (''femm åv-er ti'') ; 10.10 : ti over 10 (''...'') ; 10.15 : kvart over 10 (''...'') ; 10.20 : ti på halv 11 (''...'') ; 10.25 : fem på halv 11 (''...'') ; 10.30 : halv 11 (''hall 11'') ; 10.35 : fem over halv 11 (''...'') ; 10.40 : ti over halv 11 (''...'') ; 10.45 : kvart på 11 (''...'') ; 10.50 : ti på 11 (''...'') ; 10.55 : fem på 11 (''...'') ====Duration==== ; _____ minute(s) : _____ minutt(er) (''...'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ time(r) (''...'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ dag(er) (''...'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ uke(r) (''...'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ måned(er) (''må-ned/månt-er'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ år (''...'') ====Days==== ; the day before yesterday : overigår (åverigår) / forrigårs (fårrigårs) ; yesterday : i går (''igår'') ; today : i dag (''idag'') ; tomorrow : i morgen (usually ''i måern'', but occasionally "i mårrgenn") ; the day after tomorrow : overimorgen (usually ''åverimåern'', but occasionally "åverimårrgenn") ; this week : denne uka (''...'') ; last week : forrige uke (''fårr-je u-ke'') ; next week : neste uke (''...'') ; Sunday : søndag (''...'')<br>(The week begins on a Monday in Norway, and days are not capitalised) ; Monday : mandag (''...'') ; Tuesday : tirsdag (in Nynorsk: "tysdag") (''...'') ; Wednesday : onsdag (''...'') ; Thursday : torsdag (''...'') ; Friday : fredag (''...'') ; Saturday : lørdag (in Nynorsk: "laurdag") (''...'') ====Months==== ; January : januar (''...'') ; February : februar (''...'') ; March : mars (''...'') ; April : april (''...'') ; May : mai (''...'') ; June : juni (''...'') ; July : juli (''...'') ; August : august (''...'') ; September : september (''...'') ; October : oktober (''...'') ; November : november (''...'') ; December : desember (''...'') ====Writing Time and Date==== ; Jan 5. 1979 : 5. jan. 1979 ; Jan 5. 1979 : 5/1-1979 ===Colors/colours=== [[File:Rainbow icon.svg|right]] ; black : svart (''...'')<br />Note: svart may in some contexts mean dirty ; black : sort (''...'')<br>Note: mostly archaic, the color of black ; white : hvit (''vit'') or kvit (''kvit'') ; gray/grey : grå (''...'') ; red : rød (''rø'') or raud ; blue : blå (''...'') ; yellow : gul (''...'') ; green : grønn (''...'') ; orange : orange (''o-ransj'') ; purple/violet : lilla/fiolett (''...'') ; brown : brun (''...'') ; pink : rosa (''...'') ; brigth : lys (''...'') ; dark : mørk (''...'') ===Weather conditions=== [[File:Weather-Showers-Storms-Sunny-Periods.png|right|48px]] ; warm : varm/varmt (''...'') ; cold : kald/kaldt (''...'') ; freezing : iskald/iskaldt (''...'') ; sunny : sol (''...'') ; rain : regn (''...'') ; snow : snø (...) ; slippery : glatt (''...'') ; icy : isete (''...'') ; windy : vind (''...'') ; strong wind : kratig vind (''...'') ; troubled sea : urolig sjø (''...'') ; blowing snow : snøfokk (''...'') ===Directions=== [[File:Compass icon matte.svg|right|48px]] ; How do I get to _____ ?:Hvordan kommer jeg meg til _____ ? (''...'') ; ...the train station? : ...togstasjonen? (''...'') ; ...the bus stop? : ...bussholdeplassen? (''...'') ; ...the bus terminal? : ...bussterminalen? (''...''), rutebilstasjonen? (''...'') ; ...the airport? : ...flyplassen? (''...'') ; ...the ferry terminal? : ...fergeleiet? (''...'') ; ...downtown? : ...sentrum? (''...'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...ungdomsherberget? (''...'')<br> ; ...the _____ hotel? :... _____ hotell? (''...'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy/consulate? : ...den amerikanske/kanadiske/australske/britiske ambassade/konsulat? (''...'') ; Where are there (a lot) of... : Hvor kan jeg finne (mange)... (''...'') ; ...hotels? : ...hoteller? (''...'') ; ...restaurants? : ...restauranter? (''res-tu-rang-er'') ; ...bars? : ...barer? (''...'') ; ...sites to see? : ...turistattraksjoner? (''tu-rist-att-rak-sjo-ner'') ; Can you show me ____ on the map? : Kan du vise meg ___ på kartet? (''...'') ; street : gate (''ga-tæ'') ; road : vei/veg (''vay/veeg'') ; Turn left. : Snu til venstre. (''...'') ; Turn right. : Snu til høyre. (''...'') ; left : venstre (''venn-stre'') ; right : høyre (''høy-re'') ; straight ahead : rett fram/rett framover (''...'') ; towards the _____ : mot _____ (''...'') ; past the _____ : forbi _____ (''...'') ; before the _____ : rett før _____ (''...'') ; Watch for the _____. : Se etter _____. (''...'') ; intersection : kryss (''...'') ; roundabout : rundkjøring (''runn-kjø-ring'') ; north : nord (''nor'') ; south : sør (''...'') ; east : øst (''...'') ; west : vest (''...'') ; uphill : oppover(bakke) (''åpp-åv-er-bakk-e'') ; downhill : nedover(bakke) (''ned-åv-er-bakk-e'') ===Driving=== [[File:Car with Driver-Silhouette.svg|right|48px]] {{moreinfo|driving and traffic rules in Norway|Driving in Norway}} ; car : bil (''beel'') ; electric car : elbil (''...'') ; truck : lastebil (''...'') ; trailer : vogntog (''...'') ; motorcykel : motorsykkel (''...'') ; driver license : førerkort (''...'') ; No parking. : Parkering forbudt. ; I want to rent a car. : Kan jeg få leie en bil? (''...'') ; Can I get insurance? : Kan jeg få forsikring? (''...'') ; Can you help me, please? : Kan du hjelpe meg? (''...'') ; May I help you with your vehicle? : Skal jeg hjelpe deg med bilen? (''...'') ; I'm stuck : Jeg sitter fast (''...'') ; I need road side assistance. : Jeg trenger bilberging. (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 204.svg|20px]] stop (''on a street sign'') : stop (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 526.3.svg|20px]] [[File:302 0.png|20px]] one way : enveiskjørt/enveiskjøring (''...'') ; '''For directions''', see above. ; [[File:NO road sign 202.svg|20px]] yield : vikeplikt (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 124.svg|20px]] junction : veikryss (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 132.svg|20px]] traffic light (intersections) : lyskryss (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 406.svg|20px]] roundabout : rundkjøring (''runn-kjø-ring'') ; [[File:Norwegian-road-sign-723.66.svg|20px]] detour : omkjøring (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 372.svg|20px]] no parking : parkering forbudt (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 370.svg|20px]] stop banned : stopp forbudt (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 362.50.svg|20px]] speed limit : fartsgrense (''...'') ; [[File:Norwegian-road-sign-560-Opplysningstavle.svg|20px]] [[File:Norwegian-road-sign-792.31.png|20px]] toll plaza : bomstasjon (''...'') ; [[File:Norwegian-road-sign-765.0.svg|20px]] toll road : bomvei (''...'') ; [[File:NO road sign 610.1.svg|20px]] gas (''petrol'') station : bensinstasjon (''...'') ; plug-in station : ladestasjon (''...'') ; petrol : bensin (''...'') ; diesel : diesel (''...'') ; credit card machine : kortautomat (''...'') ===Public transportation=== [[File:Airplane silhouette S.png|right|48px]] ; Aircraft : Fly (''...'') ; Airport : Lufthavn/lufthamn (''...'') ; Airfield : Flyplass (''...'') ====Boat==== [[File:BSicon FERRY.svg|right|48px]] ; Ferry : Ferge/ferje (''...'') ; Car ferry : Bilferge/bilferje (''...'') ; Ferry Terminal : fergeleie/ferjeleie (''...'') ; Liner (vessel) : Rutebåt (''...'') ; Port : Havn/hamn (''...'') ====Bus and Train==== [[File:Emoji u1f689.svg|right|48px]] ; Bus : Buss (''...'') ; Train : Tog (''...'') <br />all vehicles on a rail track, except a tram (= trikk(en)) ; (Train) car : Vogn(a) ; Bus stop : Holdeplass (''...'') ; Tram stop : Trikkeholdeplass (''...'') ; Light rail stop : Bybaneholdeplass (''...'') ; Railway station : Jernbanestasjon (''...'') ; Subway station : T-banestasjon (''...'') ; Where is the nearest ______ (stop / station)? : Hvor er nærmeste ______ (holdeplass / stasjon)? ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Hvor mye koster en billett til _____? (''...'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Kan jeg få en billett til _____. (''...'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Hvor går dette toget/denne bussen? (''...'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Hvor finner jeg toget/bussen til _____? (''...'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Stopper dette toget/denne bussen i _____? (''...'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Når reiser toget/bussen til _____? (''...'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Når kommer vi fram til _____? (''...'') ====Taxi==== [[File:Ic local taxi 48px.svg|right|48px]] ; Taxi! : Taxi! (''...'')<br>Cultural note: Shouting or whistling for a taxi is considered rude in Norway, and drivers are likely to ignore you if you do. Wave your hand at, phone, order online or simply walk up to one with a lighted sign on the roof. ; Can you book a taxi for me, please? : Kan du bestille en taxi til meg? ; Take me to _____, please. : Kan du kjøre meg til _____. (''...'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Hvor mye vil det koste å kjøre til _____? (''...'')<br>Note: Unless it's a really long (several hours) and thus ridiculously expensive drive where you can make a special deal with the driver, it's gonna cost as much as the meter shows. Expect an approximate reply if any. ; Take me there, please. : Kan du kjøre meg dit? (''...'') ===Lodging=== [[File:Norwegian road sign (modified).png|right|48px]] ; Campsite : Campingplass (''...'') ; Cabin : Hytte(r) (''...'') ; Youth hostel : Ungdomsherberge (''...'') ; Hotel : Hotell (''...'') ; Do you have any rooms available? : Har du noen ledige rom? (''...'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Hvor mye koster et enkelt/dobbelt-rom? (''...'') ; Are bedsheets included in the price? : Er sengetøy inkludert i prisen? (''...'') ; I would like some bedsheets : Kan jeg få med sengetøy? (''...'') ; I don't need/I bring my own bedsheets : Jeg trenger ikke/Jeg har mitt eget sengetøy (''...'') ; Does the room come with... : Har rommet ... (''...'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...eget bad? (''...'') ; ...a telephone? : ...egen telefon? (''...'') ; ...free wireless internet (Wi-Fi)? : ...gratis trådløst internett (Wi-Fi)? (''...'') ; ...a TV? : ...TV? (''te-ve'') ; May I see the room first? : Kan jeg få se rommet først? (''...'') ; Do you have anything _____? : Har du et _____ rom? (''...'') ; ...quieter : ...mer stille (''...'') ; ...bigger : ...større (''...'') ; ...cleaner : ...renere (''...'')<br> ; ...cheaper : ...billigere? (''...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : OK, jeg tar det. (''o-kå, jei tar de'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Jeg blir her _____ natt/netter. (''...'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Har du et annet hotell å foreslå? (''...'') ; Do you have a safe? : Har du en safe? (''har du en seif'') ; Do you have a locker? : Har du ett låsbart skap? (''...'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Er frokost/middag inkludert? (''...'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Når er det frokost/middag? (''...'') ; Please clean my room. : Kan du vaske rommet mitt. (''...'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Kan du vekke meg klokka _____? (''...'') ; I want to check out. : Kan jeg få sjekke ut nå?. (''...'') ===Money=== [[File:Norwegian-road-sign-792.13.gif|right|48px]] ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Godtar du amerikanske/australske/kanadiske dollar? (''...'') ; Do you accept (British) pounds? : Godtar du (britiske) pund? (''Go-tar du brit-isk-e punn'') ; Do you accept euros : Godtar du Euro? ; Do you accept credit cards? : Godtar du kredittkort? (''...'') ; Can you change money for me? : Kan du hjelpe meg å veksle penger? (''...'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Hvor kan jeg få vekslet penger? (''...'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Kan du veksle en reisesjekk for meg? (''...'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Hvor kan jeg få vekslet reisesjekker? (''...'') ; What is the exchange rate for ___? : Hva er valutakursen for ___? (''...'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Hvor er nærmeste minibank? (''...'')<br>ATM = minibank ===Eating=== [[File:Emojione BW 1F37D.svg|right|48px]] ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Kan jeg få et bord for en/to personer? (''...'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Kan jeg får se på menyen? (''...'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Kan jeg få se kjøkkenet? (''...'')<br>Note: This is usually a grave insult. If you feel that bad about eating there, go somewhere else instead. ; Is there a house specialty? : Hva er spesialiteten deres? (''...'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Er det en lokal rett jeg bør smake på? (''...'') ; I'm glutenintolerant. : Jeg er glutenintolerant / Jeg har cøliaki (''...'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Jeg er vegetarianer. (''...'') ; I don't eat pork. : Jeg spiser ikke svinekjøtt. (''...'') ; I only eat kosher food. : If this is a concern, try another country. Shechita is forbidden in Norway, and meat needs to be specially imported. Try to order fresh fish ("fersk fisk") or something vegetarian instead. Tell the waiter you are an orthodox jew ("ortodoks jøde"), and try to reach an understanding. You ''will'' have to compromise, as you can't expect the cook to keep a separate set of pans/knives/etc just for you. If it is a large expensive restaurant, they might be able to do so, but if you are very pedantic about this, you should prepare your own food from carefully selected food in grocery shops. ; I'm on a diet. Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : Jeg slanker meg. Kan jeg få så lite fett som mulig? (mindre olje/smør/fett) (''...'') ; fixed-price meal : dagens rett (''...'') ; a la carté : a la carté (''...'') ; breakfast : frokost (''...'') ; lunch :lunsj (''...'') ; tea (''meal'') : kaffe og kaker (''...'')<br>The Norwegian equivalent of tea as a meal is kaffe og kaker – coffee and cakes. You could of course still order tea, if you prefer that. ; supper : middag (''...'') ; main course : hovedrett (''...'') ; I would like _____. : Kan jeg få _____. (''...'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Jeg vil ha en rett med _____. (''...'') ; chicken : kylling (''kjyll-ing'') ; beef : oksekjøtt (''...'') ; fish : fisk (''...'') ; ham : skinke (''...'') ; sausage : pølse (''...'') ; cheese : ost (''...'') ; eggs : egg (''...'') ; hard boiled egg/soft boiled egg : hardkokt egg/bløtkokt egg ; fried eggs : speilegg (''...'') ; scrambled eggs : eggerøre (''...'') ; salad : salat (''...'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (ferske) grønnsaker (''...'') ; (fresh) fruit : (fersk) frukt (''...'') ; bread : brød (''...'') ; toast : ristet brød (''...'') ; noodles : nudler (''...'') ; rice : ris (''...'') ; potatoes (boiled/french fries/baked/grated/fried/small) :poteter (kokte/pommes frites/bakte/gratinerte/stekte/små) ; beans : bønner (''...'') ; onion : løk/lauk (''...'') ; garlic : hvitløk/kvitlauk (''...'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : Kan jeg få et glass _____? (''...'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : Kan jeg få en kopp _____? (''...'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Kan jeg få en flaske _____? (''...'') ; coffee : kaffe (''...'') ; tea (''drink'') : te (''...'') ; juice : juice (''jus'') ; cream : fløte/fløyte ; milk : melk/mjølk ; low-fat milk : lettmelk/lettmjølk<br>In Norway, two types are sold - lettmelk/lettmjølk and ekstra lettmelk/ekstra lettmjølk ; skimmed milk : skummet melk/skumma mjølk ; sour/cultured milk : surmelk/surmjølk, kulturmelk, kefir. ; (bubbly) water : farris (''...'') ; soft drink : brus (''...'') ; water : vann (''...'') ; beer : øl (''...'') ; red/white wine : rødvin/hvitvin (''rø-vin/vit-vin'') ; May I have some _____? : Kan jeg få litt _____? (''...'') ; cutlery : bestikk (''...'') ; knife/spoon/fork : kniv/skje/gaffel (''...'') ; plate : tallerken (''...'') ; sugar : sukker (''...'') ; salt : salt (''...'') ; (black) pepper : (sort) pepper (''...'') ; butter : smør (''...'') ; margarine : margarin (''...'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Unnskyld, kelner? (''...'') ; I'm finished. : Jeg er ferdig. (''...'') ; It was delicious. : Det smakte utmerket. (''...'') ; Please clear the plates. : Kan du ta med tallerknene. (''...'') ; The check, please. : Kan jeg få regningen?. (''...'') ===Bars=== [[File:Emojione BW 1F37A.svg|right|48px]] ; Do you serve alcohol? : Serverer dere alkohol? (''...'') ; Is there table service? : Kommer dere til bordene? (''...'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Kan jeg få en/to øl? (''...'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Kan jeg få et/to glass rødvin/hvitvin? (''...'') ; A pint, please. : Kan jeg få en halvliter? (''hall-i-ter'') : '''Note:''' Then you get a lager (pilsner draft beer). ; In a bottle, please. : Kan jeg få det på flaske? (''...'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : Kan jeg få _____ og _____? (''...'') ; whiskey : whiskey (''...'') ; vodka : vodka (''...'') ; rum : rom (''romm'') ; water : vann (''...'') ; club soda : club soda (''...'') ; tonic water : tonic (''...'') ; orange juice :appelsinjuice (''app-el-sin jus'') ; Coke (''soda'') : Cola (''brus'') (''...'') ; alcohol-free : alkoholfritt (''...'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Har du noe barsnacks? (''...'') ; One more, please. : Kan jeg få en til?. (''...'') ; Another round, please. : En runde til! (''...'') ; Cheers! : Skål! (''Scawl'') ; When is closing time? : Når stenger dere? (''...'') ===Shopping=== [[File:Ic shopping cart 48px.svg|right|48px]] ; Do you have this in my size? : Har du denne i min størrelse? (''...'') ; How much is this(that)? : Hvor mye koster denne(den)? (''...'') ; That's too expensive. : Det er for dyrt. (''...'') ; Would you take _____? : Ville du godtatt _____? (''...'')<br>Note: Bargaining or haggling prices will in most cases get you nothing but puzzled looks and/or angry vendors. The price is on the tag, and unless the item you want is damaged or highly overpriced (higher than usual in Norway) haggling will usually not get you anywhere. ; expensive : dyrt (''...'') ; sale : salg ; special offer : tilbud ; discount : rabatt ; cheap : billig (''...'') ; I can't afford it. : Jeg har desverre ikke råd. (''...'') ; I don't want it. : Nei, jeg trenger den ikke. (''...'') ; (I think) You're cheating me. : (Jeg tror) Du lurer meg. (''...'')<br>This is what you would say right before you call the police. ; I'm not interested. :Dessverre, jeg er ikke interessert. (..) ; OK, I'll take it. : OK, jeg tar den. (''...'') ; Can I have a bag? : Kan jeg få en pose? (''...'') ; Do you ship to ____? : Kan du sende ting til ___? (''...'') ; I need... : Jeg trenger... (''...'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...tannkrem, tannpasta. (''...'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...en tannbørste. (''tann-bøsj-te'') ; ...tampons. : ...tamponger. (''...'') ; ...soap. : ...såpe. (''...'') ; ...shampoo. : ...shampoo. (''sjam-po'') ; ...ointment : ...salve. (''sal-ve'') ; ...lip balm : ...leppepomade. (''leppe-po-madæ'') ; ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) :...smertestillende. (f.eks Paracet eller Ibux) (''...'') ; ...cold medicine. : ...hostesaft. (''...'')<br>translates back to ''cough lemonade''. If that doesn't come close to what you need, go to a doctor. ; ...stomach medicine. :... noe mot dårlig mage.<br>Go to a drugstore (Norwegian: "apotek"), or doctor (Norwegian: "lege"), and explain your condition. ; ...a razor. : ...en barberhøvel. (''...'') ; ...an umbrella. : ...en paraply. (''...'') ; ...sunscreen lotion : ...solkrem (''...'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...sunblock. (''...'') ; ...a postcard. :...et postkort. (''...'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...frimerker. (''...'') ; ...batteries. : ...batterier. (''...'') ; ...writing paper. : ...skrivepapir/brevpapir. (''...'') ; ...a pen. : ...en penn. (''...'') ; ...English-language books. : ...engelske bøker. (''...'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...engelske blader. (''...'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...en engelsk avis. (''...'') ; ...an English-Norwegian dictionary. : ...en engelsk-norsk ordbok. (''...'') ===Authority=== [[File:Noto Emoji Lollipop 1f46e.svg|right|48px]] ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Jeg har ikke gjort noe galt. (''...'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : Det var en misforståelse. (''...'') ; I'm sorry. : Jeg beklager. (''...'') ; What am I accused of? : Hva er jeg beskyldt for? (''...'') ; I have been subjected to a crime myself : Jeg har selv blitt utsatt for en forbrytelse (''...'') ; Where are you taking me? : Hvor tar dere meg? (''...'') ; Am I under arrest? : Er jeg arrestert? (''...'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Jeg er en amerikansk/australsk/britisk/kanadisk statsborger. (''...'') ; I demand to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. :Jeg forlanger å få snakke med den amerikanske/australske/britiske/kanadiske ambassade / det amerikanske/australske/britiske/kanadiske konsulat (''...'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Jeg vil ha en advokat. (''...'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Kan jeg bare betale boten nå? (''...'')<br>Note: Usually you can't. That would mean bribery was accepted. One exception; public transportation in Oslo (maybe elsewhere too) if you forgot to buy a ticket. {{guidephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} nchrarcszetbh73cxarar9j8sinycri 0 25482 4506624 4488366 2022-08-23T06:07:04Z 36.65.141.110 /* Get around */ Added listing for Nusa Penida Tour wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Banner Nusa Penida turtle.jpg}} '''Nusa Penida''' is the largest of [[Southeastern Islands|three islands]] off the south eastern coast of [[Bali]], the others being [[Nusa Lembongan]] and [[Nusa Lembongan#Nusa Ceningan|Nusa Ceningan]]. ==Understand== [[Image:Snorkeling site - Nusa Penida.jpg‎|thumb|right|350px|Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida]] With an area of 247 km², Nusa Penida is much larger than the better known [[Nusa Lembongan]]. However, tourist infrastructure is not as advanced as Lembongan. It is an island of outstanding natural rugged beauty. The north shore is the most densely populated part of the island and is where most tourism is based. This is also where the beaches are and where the seaweed farms are. Seaweed farming started on the island in the 1980s as a way for locals to get an income. Sadly prices are declining and so is production. Most locals still derive their income from subsistence farming. The west and south side of the island is carpeted with limestone cliffs and magnificent views but not many beaches that can be accessed by land. Due to a lack of natural fresh water, little is grown or produced on Nusa Penida outside of the rain season, and even a lot of produce comes in by boat. Nusa Penida has also become an unofficial bird sanctuary for endangered Balinese and Indonesian bird species, including the critically endangered Bali Starling (''Leucopsar rothschildi''). In 2004 the [http://www.fnpf.org/ Friends of the National Park Foundation] (FNPF) started an introduction program onto Nusa Penida of the near-extinct Bali Starling. The waters around Nusa Penida are part of a marine park authority (MPA) and are home to diverse corals and fishes. Nusa Penida is part of the coral triangle which is a massive area renowned to be "the amazon of the sea" as it provides habit for the many fishes to breed in. Nusa Penida is renowned as one of the best diving sites in the world and is also home to the giant manta ray and mola mola (oceanic sunfish). ==Get in== [[Image:Bali-NusaPenida-Map.png|thumb|right|500px|Map of Nusa Penida]] The only way to get to Nusa Penida is by boat. ===From Bali=== ====Speedboats==== Nusa Penida is about 30 min away from the east coast of Bali by speedboat. Operators and timings change constantly, but local booking engines [https://skypenida.com/route Skypenida] and [https://12go.asia/en/travel/bali/nusa-penida 12go] offer reasonably up-to-date schedules and online booking options. Most leave from [[Sanur]] port (''Sanur Beach Pelabuhan Rakyat'') and head to one of the many ports on the north coast &mdash; check carefully to see where you'll end up. The boats are cramped, occasionally unsafe, and depending on the tides you can expect to get wet boarding and disembarking, so dress accordingly! * {{listing | name=Angel Billabong |alt=| url= | email= | address=Sanur to Banjar Nyuh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 853 333 99175 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= 07:00| price=One-way fare Rp 150,000/person and return Rp 300,000/person. Depending on who is staffing the ticket desk, they will ask for much more but stand your ground. Locals pay Rp 100,000 |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2017-01-20| content=Angel billabong have 10 total departure time start from 07:00. 5 times a day from Sanur and 5 times also from Nusa Penida. }} * {{listing | name=Caspla Bali Boat |alt=| url=https://baliseaview.com/ | email= | address=Sanur to Buyuk | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 7912299 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=One way fare Rp 125,000/person and return Rp 250,000/person |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2017-01-20| content=Speed boat service, 3 times daily to Nusa Penida. Scheduled departure from Sanur Beach at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:30. Departure from Buyuk, Nusa Penida at 08:00, 12:30 and 16:00. }} * {{listing | name=Idola Express|alt=| url=https://www.idolaexpress.com/boat | email= | address=Sanur to Sampalan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 878 62251815 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=| }} * {{listing | name=Starfish Fast Cruise|alt=| url=https://starfishfastcruise.com/ | email= | address=Sanur to various ports | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=| }} ====Ferries==== You can catch the daily public roll-on, roll-off ferry (large boat that includes vehicles) from [[Padang Bai]]. The ro-ro departs twice a day from either direction. It is slower but much cheaper than the fast boats. In November 2017 only one departure a day at 10:00. Tickets can be bought from 09:00 in a Building called "Loket" for Rp 31,000 per adult. The boat departs between 10:30 and 13:00, depending on the quantity of passengers (Oct 2018). ====Day cruises==== The vast majority of visitors to Nusa Penida do so on '''day trip cruises''', returning to Bali for the night. All the speedboat operators listed earlier also offer tours, but there are a few dedicated cruise operators as well. * {{go | name=Quicksilver | alt= | url=https://quicksilver-bali.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=US$120/60 adult/child | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-27 | content=Runs daily cruises from Benoa Harbour in [[Bali]] to their monstrous pontoon which floats off Toyapakeh. The trip includes watersport activities centred on the pontoon. }} ===From Nusa Lembongan=== *'''Public boats''' depart daily at 06:00 close to the suspension bridge between [[Nusa Lembongan]] and Nusa Ceningan and run to Toyapakeh or Buyuk Harbour in northern Nusa Penida. There are also services from the Jungut Batu area of Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida. *'''Charter boats''' are available, departing from and arriving at the same area as the public boats. If you are staying on Nusa Lembongan, ask at your hotel. If not, go to the shoreline close to Yellow Bridge or to the beach at Jungut Batu and ask around amongst the boatmen. Rates certainly vary but expect to pay around Rp 300,000. ==Get around== Renting a motorcycle is the most practical option, and this will cost you about Rp 70,000. Look for vendors in Toyopakeh and Sampalan (or more likely, they will find you!) Car rentals are available but very expensive (about Rp 650,000 per day). Some visitors from Nusa Lembongan arrive with rented pushbikes - make sure you get permission to take the bike off Nusa Lembongan first. You should note that roads in Nusa Penida are rough, hilly away from the north coast, and in remote areas no more than stone-strewn tracks. Local public transport is in small old bemos or on the back of a truck. These vehicles ply the north coast road with some regularity, but elsewhere on the island do not bank on anything. * {{go | name=Nusa Penida Tour | alt= | url=https://www.natanusapenida.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==See== There are many quiet and secluded white sand beaches along the north and northwest coasts of Nusa Penida. Other geographical highlights include limestone caves, spectacular high coastal cliffs with karst formations and offshore pinnacles in the south and east, and rugged hill tops in the high centre. *{{see | name=Crystal Bay | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sakti | lat=-8.7155 | long=115.4594 | directions=take the only small road which heads west from the main road at Sakti village and keep going until you hit the coast | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-04-26 | content=A stunning white sand beach at Banjar Penida west of Sakti village on the north western coast facing Nusa Ceningan. Perfect clear waters and excellent snorkelling. Lovely white sand beach and a great place for a picnic. A truly idyllic spot and you are likely to have it to yourself apart for the odd local villager and maybe a diveboat offshore. }} [[Image:Nusa Penida 03.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The rugged beauty of the south coast of Nusa Penida; the high point in the far background is Puncak Mundi]] *{{see | name=Pura Goa Giri Putri / Goa Karang Sari | alt=Giri Putri Cave Temple / Karangsari or Karangsari Cave | url= | email= | address=Karangsari / Suana | lat=-8.70881 | long=115.58606 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 5,000 to hire a sarong, and a temple donation of Rp 20,000 or so | lastedit=2017-01-17 | content=Large limestone caves on the east coast about 4 km north of Suana village, near the village of Karangsari. The entrance is a short, vertical climb from the road level, and leads ot the temple; you will need to be suitably clad in a sarong (can be rented for Rp 5,000 from the shop at the roadside), sign the visitor book, and make a donation. Of great religious and cultural significance, there are Hindu and Buddhist temples and worshippers may be present. Photography is allowed. Along with bats, various cave insects, and whipscorpions, the cave is the only known habitat in the world of two species of freshwater crab, ''Karstama emdi'' and ''Karstarma balicum''. Both crab species are critically endangered and threatened by the increasing development of the cave for worship and tourists. }} *{{see | name=Pura Ped | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ped village | lat=-8.6779 | long=115.5161 | directions=at Ped village on the main north coast road between Toyapakeh and Sampalan | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=An extremely important temple to the Balinese Hindus many of whom make an annual pilgrimage to Nusa Penida specifically to pray here. Worth a visit especially at full moon for the ceremony which goes on into the night. Entry in full ceremonial dress (sarong and sash) for both men and women is required. }} *{{see | name=Puncak Mundi | alt=Mundi Hill | url= | email= | address=Klumpu | lat=-8.732 | long=115.524 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=The highest point of Nusa Penida at some 521 metres above sea level. Great views from here. This area is also home to now defunct alternative energy facility with wind turbines and a solar panel farm. Puncak Mundi temple perches high on the hill. }} *{{see | name=Pura Batu Medahu and Pura Batu Kuning | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7299 | long=115.6023 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Two interesting and stunningly located temples on the east coast road south of Suana. Instead of taking the main road from Suana heading south west, continue on the coast road towards the tiny village of Semaya. You will come to the two temples (Pura Batu Madan first) after about 1.5 km and before you reach Semaya. }} *{{see | name=Broken Beach & Angel Billabong | alt=Pasih Uug | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7334 | long=115.4492 | directions=in the southwest, walking distance from Angels Billabong | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=Stunning views from cliff tops show off the natural hole that encompasses Broken Beach. You can enter the infinity pool at low tide, but for safety reasons please do not enter at high tide when waves are crashing over the edge. }} *{{see | name=Tembeling Rainforest & Spring | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7707 | long=115.4948 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=The whole southern coast of Nusa Penida has spectacular, high white limestone cliffs which will simply take your breath away. Tembeling rainforest showcases the last remnants of rainforest that covered the island many years ago. Green, leafy and cool there are also two natural springs that you can bathe in. Continue your walk down to the beach for spectacular views. }} * {{see | name=Peguyangan Spring | alt=Peguyangan Waterfall | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7813 | long=115.5195 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-01-11 | content=Set on the south side of the island the spring is at the bottom of 700 blue stairs. The spring at the bottom is small but the scenery on the way down and at the bottom is magnificent. Wear proper shoes as footings can be a little precarious. This climb down and up is not for everyone especially those that do not like heights as the steps are set at the side of the cliff. }} * {{see | name=Atuh Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Pejukutan | lat=-8.7734 | long=115.6218 | directions= | phone=+62 818-793-913 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=At the east side of the island Atuh beach welcomes the sun first every morning. Walk along magnificent limestone cliff tops and if you are up for a bit of exercise climb down the steps to the beautiful white sand beach. A photographer's delight. Food and refreshments are available, and there is good snorkelling for small fishes. }} * {{see | name=Suwehan Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tanglad | lat=-8.7953 | long=115.6035 | directions= | phone=+62 822-3617-6345 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Set in the south east corner of the island, Suwehan is one of the most remote beaches. The steps down (and up!) are a little strenuous but worth it for the beautiful, secluded white sand beach and magnificent scenery. The beach is not necessarily swimmable, depending on tides. The scenic drive to Suwehan takes one through farming communities, although the road is poor and quite steep in parts. }} * {{see | name=Kelingking Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bunga Mekar Village | lat=-8.75 | long=115.474 | directions= | phone=+62 818-793-913 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-15 | content=A hidden beach in the village of Bunga Mekar, with nice views over the hills. The sight features a limestone headland covered in green, against the deep blue waters of the ocean. This unique formation is reminiscent of a Tyrannosaurus Rex head, hence its nickname ‘T-Rex Bay’. The secluded beach itself is down a rugged 400 m cliffside hike, recommended only for the fit and adventurous. }} * {{do | name=Diamond Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Pejukutan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q78336550 | lastedit=2019-11-29 | content=A beautiful beach. }} ==Do== [[Image:Nusa Penida 01.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A typical offshore pinnacle on the rugged south coast of Nusa Penida]] This is a wild, rugged and largely untamed island which offers plenty to those with an adventurous spirit. '''Trekking and mountain-biking''' are rewarding with amazing coastline views. The terrain away from the coast is hilly rising to nearly 521m and the vista back to Bali is stunning. Camping is a wise option for those who really want to explore this wild island away from the populated northern coast. '''Absorb the culture'''. The native people are Hindu as in Bali. Locals speak Nusa Penidan, an ancient dialect of Balinese no longer heard elsewhere, younger locals speak Bahasa Indonesia also. The architecture and dance is also distinct to the island. There is also a Muslim village situated in Toyapakeh on the north west shore which faces Nusa Lembongan. '''Birdwatchers''' who find themselves with the opportunity to visit Nusa Penida should know that a thriving population of the superb white-tailed tropicbirds breeds on the south and southeastern cliffs of the island. Keep your eyes peeled. Nusa Penida has been designated an island-wide bird sanctuary by Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF). Various endangered Indonesian bird species have been released onto the island, including the Bali Starling, Java Sparrow, Mitchell's Lorrikeet, Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. ===Island & snorkelling tours=== Tour the 200-km² island or snorkel with giant mantas and dive with mola mola. There are various tour operators on the island that will take you on private guided tours by car or scooter as you prefer. Packages can be tailor made to suit your budget and time schedule. * {{listing | name=Nusa Penida Snorkeling | alt= | url=https://www.natanusapenida.com/tour-nusa-penida-1-hari-snorkeling | email=hi@natanusapenida.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62818793913 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-22 | content= }} ===Diving=== Nusa Penida is best known as a world class diving destination. There are more than 20 identified dive sites around the island, the most notable including Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Toyapakeh, Suana Bay and Malibu Point. The rich waters around the three islands support no less than 247 species of coral and 562 species of fish. Many dive operators based in Bali and neighbouring Nusa Lembongan offer specific dive trips to Nusa Penida. Special attractions include fabulous Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish) in season and large Manta Rays year round. Mola Mola are migratory fish and most likely from July to October although sightings are reported all year round. There is diving available here for beginners but most of the dives require a decent level of experience as currents are strong and unpredictable. '''Freediving''' the rich waters around the island is one of the most satisfying ways of exploring the underwater world. Several locations provide great opportunities to see the abundant corral and marine life. Going with a knowledgeable operator is important as the currents around the island are quite strong and in places unpredictable. Fancy to see sharks in Malibu point or dive with Mantas away from the snorkeling hotspots? Take a course with one of the freediving schools and learn more about your hidden abilities to dive deep without a tank. ===Dive operators=== *'''[https://www.facebook.com/NusaPenidaWatersportDiveCentre/ Nusa Penida Watersport]''' +62 822 3681 4935 Locally owned and operated with a really good reputation. They have PADI certified instructors and also do snorkelling trips. * '''Octopus Dive''', Ped *{{do | name=Penida Dive Resort | url= | email= | address=Toyapakeh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37077590 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A Czech-run dive centre located on Nusa Penida. |alt=|lastedit=2017-01-20}} *{{listing | type=do | name=Purple Dive Penida | alt= | url=http://www.purpledivepenida.com | email=info@purpledivepenida.com | address=Jln Raya Ped | lat=-8.6763 | long=115.5397 | directions= | phone=+6281339986262 | tollfree= | hours=7am-6pm | price= | lastedit=2019-12-18 | content=PADI Dive Center }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua Penida | alt= | url=https://www.diving-penida.com/ | email=divingpenida@gmail.com | address=Jl Raya PED, Buyuk | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 812 37779099 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-11 | content= }} '''Freediving''' * {{do | name=Freedive Nusa | alt= | url=http://www.freedivenusa.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 821 47417679 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=SSI & Molchanovs certified and led by one of only three instructor trainers in Indonesia. One minute walk to the home reef and regular guided trips including freediving gear. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Apnea Penida | alt= | url=https://apneapenida.com/ | email=info@apneapenida.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 821 46815129 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Offers a variety of freediving classes suitable for any level of experience from total beginner to instructor. Also provides coaching and training sessions, freediving trips, and yoga classes. Offers courses from Apnea Total, AIDA, and Molchanovs. }} ==Buy== There are two ATMs in Sampalan, one for Visa and one for MasterCard, there is one ATM is in Toyapakeh. However, it's best to bring enough rupiah with you just in case the ATMs are out of order. ==Eat== There are simple local warungs on Nusa Penida and since 2016, there are a few great western style places for a meal, music and sunset drink. ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=BFC | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Fried Chicken. }} ===Mid-Range=== * {{eat | name=The Gallery | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves all day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Dapur Nusa | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves fresh grilled fish. }} * {{eat | name=Warung Jungle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves seafood. }} * {{eat | name=Warung Tu Pande | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves western and Indonesian dishes. }} ==Sleep== Most holiday accommodation is to be found between Toyapakeh and Sampalan although accommodation is opening up in other areas too. Visitors wishing to explore the remote, rugged areas of the island in the high centre and south may be able to find informal accommodation with a local family by asking a head of village (''Kepala Desa''). The only other alternative away from the north coast is camping. *{{sleep | name=Friends of National Parks (FNPF) | url= | email= | address=Ped | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 977978 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=FNPF's centre offers simple accommodation. |alt=|lastedit=2017-01-20}} *{{sleep | name=Losmen Trang | url= | email= | address=Toyapakeh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 852 37643649 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Rooms are on the beachfront in Toyapakeh |alt=|lastedit=2017-01-20}} *'''Penginapan Jose Homestay''', Toyapakeh. 6 rooms located right on beach road in Toyapakeh. Great views and affordable. *'''Ari La Casa''', Toyapakeh. *'''Namaste Bungalows''', thatched bungalows, Sakti Village, on the way to Crystal Bay. *'''Bintang Bungalows''', thatched bungalows, Sakti Village. Locally owned. *'''Coco Resort''', thatched bungalows, Sakti Village. *'''Full Moon Bungalows''', Ped *{{sleep | name=Nusa Garden Bungalows | alt= | url=http://nusa-penida.info/ | email=andriec.as@gmail.com | address=Sampalan | lat= | long= | directions=near the hospital on the main road | phone=+62 812 39901421 (WatsApp & Tel) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=Bungalows set across a nice garden complex are decorated in Balinese style, a 5-minute walk to the beach. The staff are very sociable and are happy to take guests to various interesting parts of the island (temples/waterfalls etc). Free Wi-Fi. }} *{{sleep | name=Ring Sameton Inn | url=http://www.ringsameton-nusapenida.com | email=info@ringsameton-nusapenida.com | address=Ped near FNPF | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 7853464, +62 821 46763612, +62 813 37985141, +62 813 51542596 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 7853465 | hours= | price= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=13:00 | content=12 A/C rooms with hot-cold water shower/satellite LCD TV/restaurant/24 hr security, laundry service, wide parking area and garden. }} * {{sleep | name=Rumah Pohon "Tree House" | alt= | url=https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15876025 | email=andriec.as@gmail.com | address=banjar pelilit - Atuh | lat=-8.778578 | long=115.616836 | directions= | phone=+6281239901421 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=10:00 | price=Rp 300,000 | image= | lastedit=2016-11-21 | content= }} * '''Mae Mae Beach House''', Kutampi. * '''Caspla Bali Beach Club''', Buyuk * '''Nusa Penida Beach Club''', Buyuk * {{sleep | name=Hostel Nusa Penida | alt= | url= | email=nusapenidahotels@gmail.com | address=Br. Sampalan, Batununggul | lat=-8.675228 | long=115.559366 | directions=near the hospital on the main road, on the territory Nusa Garden Bungalow | phone=+6281239901421 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=13:00 | checkout=10:00 | price=From Rp 85,000 | lastedit=2017-09-24 | content=Nice place, free Wi-fi, with a restaurant serving European food. }} ==Connect== *International phone operators: 101 *International Direct Dialing prefix: 001, 007, or 008. Directory inquiries * 108 from a landline or 0361-108 from a mobile phone. Wi-fi - there are more and more places offering free Wi-fi but connection speed and reliability is still not fast as people would like. ==Go next== The best advice is to get out from one of the northern points in the same way as you came in. A boat to [[Nusa Lembongan]] and then onward to [[Bali]] or [[Lombok]] is recommended. To get to Lombok or other points east you will have to travel to Padang Bai and connect with boats there. {{geo|-8.7333|115.5333}} {{isPartOf|Southeastern Islands}} {{Guidecity}} dhtl88gcmansz4w3eabdd7wd5v5l1r8 4506812 4506624 2022-08-23T11:50:40Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/36.65.141.110|36.65.141.110]] ([[User talk:36.65.141.110|talk]]) to last version by [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Banner Nusa Penida turtle.jpg}} '''Nusa Penida''' is the largest of [[Southeastern Islands|three islands]] off the south eastern coast of [[Bali]], the others being [[Nusa Lembongan]] and [[Nusa Lembongan#Nusa Ceningan|Nusa Ceningan]]. ==Understand== [[Image:Snorkeling site - Nusa Penida.jpg‎|thumb|right|350px|Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida]] With an area of 247 km², Nusa Penida is much larger than the better known [[Nusa Lembongan]]. However, tourist infrastructure is not as advanced as Lembongan. It is an island of outstanding natural rugged beauty. The north shore is the most densely populated part of the island and is where most tourism is based. This is also where the beaches are and where the seaweed farms are. Seaweed farming started on the island in the 1980s as a way for locals to get an income. Sadly prices are declining and so is production. Most locals still derive their income from subsistence farming. The west and south side of the island is carpeted with limestone cliffs and magnificent views but not many beaches that can be accessed by land. Due to a lack of natural fresh water, little is grown or produced on Nusa Penida outside of the rain season, and even a lot of produce comes in by boat. Nusa Penida has also become an unofficial bird sanctuary for endangered Balinese and Indonesian bird species, including the critically endangered Bali Starling (''Leucopsar rothschildi''). In 2004 the [http://www.fnpf.org/ Friends of the National Park Foundation] (FNPF) started an introduction program onto Nusa Penida of the near-extinct Bali Starling. The waters around Nusa Penida are part of a marine park authority (MPA) and are home to diverse corals and fishes. Nusa Penida is part of the coral triangle which is a massive area renowned to be "the amazon of the sea" as it provides habit for the many fishes to breed in. Nusa Penida is renowned as one of the best diving sites in the world and is also home to the giant manta ray and mola mola (oceanic sunfish). ==Get in== [[Image:Bali-NusaPenida-Map.png|thumb|right|500px|Map of Nusa Penida]] The only way to get to Nusa Penida is by boat. ===From Bali=== ====Speedboats==== Nusa Penida is about 30 min away from the east coast of Bali by speedboat. Operators and timings change constantly, but local booking engines [https://skypenida.com/route Skypenida] and [https://12go.asia/en/travel/bali/nusa-penida 12go] offer reasonably up-to-date schedules and online booking options. Most leave from [[Sanur]] port (''Sanur Beach Pelabuhan Rakyat'') and head to one of the many ports on the north coast &mdash; check carefully to see where you'll end up. The boats are cramped, occasionally unsafe, and depending on the tides you can expect to get wet boarding and disembarking, so dress accordingly! * {{listing | name=Angel Billabong |alt=| url= | email= | address=Sanur to Banjar Nyuh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 853 333 99175 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= 07:00| price=One-way fare Rp 150,000/person and return Rp 300,000/person. Depending on who is staffing the ticket desk, they will ask for much more but stand your ground. Locals pay Rp 100,000 |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2017-01-20| content=Angel billabong have 10 total departure time start from 07:00. 5 times a day from Sanur and 5 times also from Nusa Penida. }} * {{listing | name=Caspla Bali Boat |alt=| url=https://baliseaview.com/ | email= | address=Sanur to Buyuk | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 7912299 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=One way fare Rp 125,000/person and return Rp 250,000/person |wikipedia=|wikidata=|lastedit=2017-01-20| content=Speed boat service, 3 times daily to Nusa Penida. Scheduled departure from Sanur Beach at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:30. Departure from Buyuk, Nusa Penida at 08:00, 12:30 and 16:00. }} * {{listing | name=Idola Express|alt=| url=https://www.idolaexpress.com/boat | email= | address=Sanur to Sampalan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 878 62251815 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=| }} * {{listing | name=Starfish Fast Cruise|alt=| url=https://starfishfastcruise.com/ | email= | address=Sanur to various ports | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=| }} ====Ferries==== You can catch the daily public roll-on, roll-off ferry (large boat that includes vehicles) from [[Padang Bai]]. The ro-ro departs twice a day from either direction. It is slower but much cheaper than the fast boats. In November 2017 only one departure a day at 10:00. Tickets can be bought from 09:00 in a Building called "Loket" for Rp 31,000 per adult. The boat departs between 10:30 and 13:00, depending on the quantity of passengers (Oct 2018). ====Day cruises==== The vast majority of visitors to Nusa Penida do so on '''day trip cruises''', returning to Bali for the night. All the speedboat operators listed earlier also offer tours, but there are a few dedicated cruise operators as well. * {{go | name=Quicksilver | alt= | url=https://quicksilver-bali.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=US$120/60 adult/child | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-27 | content=Runs daily cruises from Benoa Harbour in [[Bali]] to their monstrous pontoon which floats off Toyapakeh. The trip includes watersport activities centred on the pontoon. }} ===From Nusa Lembongan=== *'''Public boats''' depart daily at 06:00 close to the suspension bridge between [[Nusa Lembongan]] and Nusa Ceningan and run to Toyapakeh or Buyuk Harbour in northern Nusa Penida. There are also services from the Jungut Batu area of Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida. *'''Charter boats''' are available, departing from and arriving at the same area as the public boats. If you are staying on Nusa Lembongan, ask at your hotel. If not, go to the shoreline close to Yellow Bridge or to the beach at Jungut Batu and ask around amongst the boatmen. Rates certainly vary but expect to pay around Rp 300,000. ==Get around== Renting a motorcycle is the most practical option, and this will cost you about Rp 70,000. Look for vendors in Toyopakeh and Sampalan (or more likely, they will find you!) Car rentals are available but very expensive (about Rp 650,000 per day). Some visitors from Nusa Lembongan arrive with rented pushbikes - make sure you get permission to take the bike off Nusa Lembongan first. You should note that roads in Nusa Penida are rough, hilly away from the north coast, and in remote areas no more than stone-strewn tracks. Local public transport is in small old bemos or on the back of a truck. These vehicles ply the north coast road with some regularity, but elsewhere on the island do not bank on anything. ==See== There are many quiet and secluded white sand beaches along the north and northwest coasts of Nusa Penida. Other geographical highlights include limestone caves, spectacular high coastal cliffs with karst formations and offshore pinnacles in the south and east, and rugged hill tops in the high centre. *{{see | name=Crystal Bay | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sakti | lat=-8.7155 | long=115.4594 | directions=take the only small road which heads west from the main road at Sakti village and keep going until you hit the coast | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-04-26 | content=A stunning white sand beach at Banjar Penida west of Sakti village on the north western coast facing Nusa Ceningan. Perfect clear waters and excellent snorkelling. Lovely white sand beach and a great place for a picnic. A truly idyllic spot and you are likely to have it to yourself apart for the odd local villager and maybe a diveboat offshore. }} [[Image:Nusa Penida 03.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The rugged beauty of the south coast of Nusa Penida; the high point in the far background is Puncak Mundi]] *{{see | name=Pura Goa Giri Putri / Goa Karang Sari | alt=Giri Putri Cave Temple / Karangsari or Karangsari Cave | url= | email= | address=Karangsari / Suana | lat=-8.70881 | long=115.58606 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 5,000 to hire a sarong, and a temple donation of Rp 20,000 or so | lastedit=2017-01-17 | content=Large limestone caves on the east coast about 4 km north of Suana village, near the village of Karangsari. The entrance is a short, vertical climb from the road level, and leads ot the temple; you will need to be suitably clad in a sarong (can be rented for Rp 5,000 from the shop at the roadside), sign the visitor book, and make a donation. Of great religious and cultural significance, there are Hindu and Buddhist temples and worshippers may be present. Photography is allowed. Along with bats, various cave insects, and whipscorpions, the cave is the only known habitat in the world of two species of freshwater crab, ''Karstama emdi'' and ''Karstarma balicum''. Both crab species are critically endangered and threatened by the increasing development of the cave for worship and tourists. }} *{{see | name=Pura Ped | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ped village | lat=-8.6779 | long=115.5161 | directions=at Ped village on the main north coast road between Toyapakeh and Sampalan | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=An extremely important temple to the Balinese Hindus many of whom make an annual pilgrimage to Nusa Penida specifically to pray here. Worth a visit especially at full moon for the ceremony which goes on into the night. Entry in full ceremonial dress (sarong and sash) for both men and women is required. }} *{{see | name=Puncak Mundi | alt=Mundi Hill | url= | email= | address=Klumpu | lat=-8.732 | long=115.524 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=The highest point of Nusa Penida at some 521 metres above sea level. Great views from here. This area is also home to now defunct alternative energy facility with wind turbines and a solar panel farm. Puncak Mundi temple perches high on the hill. }} *{{see | name=Pura Batu Medahu and Pura Batu Kuning | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7299 | long=115.6023 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Two interesting and stunningly located temples on the east coast road south of Suana. Instead of taking the main road from Suana heading south west, continue on the coast road towards the tiny village of Semaya. You will come to the two temples (Pura Batu Madan first) after about 1.5 km and before you reach Semaya. }} *{{see | name=Broken Beach & Angel Billabong | alt=Pasih Uug | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7334 | long=115.4492 | directions=in the southwest, walking distance from Angels Billabong | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=Stunning views from cliff tops show off the natural hole that encompasses Broken Beach. You can enter the infinity pool at low tide, but for safety reasons please do not enter at high tide when waves are crashing over the edge. }} *{{see | name=Tembeling Rainforest & Spring | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7707 | long=115.4948 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=The whole southern coast of Nusa Penida has spectacular, high white limestone cliffs which will simply take your breath away. Tembeling rainforest showcases the last remnants of rainforest that covered the island many years ago. Green, leafy and cool there are also two natural springs that you can bathe in. Continue your walk down to the beach for spectacular views. }} * {{see | name=Peguyangan Spring | alt=Peguyangan Waterfall | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.7813 | long=115.5195 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-01-11 | content=Set on the south side of the island the spring is at the bottom of 700 blue stairs. The spring at the bottom is small but the scenery on the way down and at the bottom is magnificent. Wear proper shoes as footings can be a little precarious. This climb down and up is not for everyone especially those that do not like heights as the steps are set at the side of the cliff. }} * {{see | name=Atuh Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Pejukutan | lat=-8.7734 | long=115.6218 | directions= | phone=+62 818-793-913 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=At the east side of the island Atuh beach welcomes the sun first every morning. Walk along magnificent limestone cliff tops and if you are up for a bit of exercise climb down the steps to the beautiful white sand beach. A photographer's delight. Food and refreshments are available, and there is good snorkelling for small fishes. }} * {{see | name=Suwehan Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tanglad | lat=-8.7953 | long=115.6035 | directions= | phone=+62 822-3617-6345 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Set in the south east corner of the island, Suwehan is one of the most remote beaches. The steps down (and up!) are a little strenuous but worth it for the beautiful, secluded white sand beach and magnificent scenery. The beach is not necessarily swimmable, depending on tides. The scenic drive to Suwehan takes one through farming communities, although the road is poor and quite steep in parts. }} * {{see | name=Kelingking Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bunga Mekar Village | lat=-8.75 | long=115.474 | directions= | phone=+62 818-793-913 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-05-15 | content=A hidden beach in the village of Bunga Mekar, with nice views over the hills. The sight features a limestone headland covered in green, against the deep blue waters of the ocean. This unique formation is reminiscent of a Tyrannosaurus Rex head, hence its nickname ‘T-Rex Bay’. The secluded beach itself is down a rugged 400 m cliffside hike, recommended only for the fit and adventurous. }} * {{do | name=Diamond Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address=Pejukutan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q78336550 | lastedit=2019-11-29 | content=A beautiful beach. }} ==Do== [[Image:Nusa Penida 01.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A typical offshore pinnacle on the rugged south coast of Nusa Penida]] This is a wild, rugged and largely untamed island which offers plenty to those with an adventurous spirit. '''Trekking and mountain-biking''' are rewarding with amazing coastline views. The terrain away from the coast is hilly rising to nearly 521m and the vista back to Bali is stunning. Camping is a wise option for those who really want to explore this wild island away from the populated northern coast. '''Absorb the culture'''. The native people are Hindu as in Bali. Locals speak Nusa Penidan, an ancient dialect of Balinese no longer heard elsewhere, younger locals speak Bahasa Indonesia also. The architecture and dance is also distinct to the island. There is also a Muslim village situated in Toyapakeh on the north west shore which faces Nusa Lembongan. '''Birdwatchers''' who find themselves with the opportunity to visit Nusa Penida should know that a thriving population of the superb white-tailed tropicbirds breeds on the south and southeastern cliffs of the island. Keep your eyes peeled. Nusa Penida has been designated an island-wide bird sanctuary by Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF). Various endangered Indonesian bird species have been released onto the island, including the Bali Starling, Java Sparrow, Mitchell's Lorrikeet, Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. ===Island & snorkelling tours=== Tour the 200-km² island or snorkel with giant mantas and dive with mola mola. There are various tour operators on the island that will take you on private guided tours by car or scooter as you prefer. Packages can be tailor made to suit your budget and time schedule. * {{listing | name=Nusa Penida Snorkeling | alt= | url=https://www.natanusapenida.com/tour-nusa-penida-1-hari-snorkeling | email=hi@natanusapenida.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62818793913 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-22 | content= }} ===Diving=== Nusa Penida is best known as a world class diving destination. There are more than 20 identified dive sites around the island, the most notable including Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Toyapakeh, Suana Bay and Malibu Point. The rich waters around the three islands support no less than 247 species of coral and 562 species of fish. Many dive operators based in Bali and neighbouring Nusa Lembongan offer specific dive trips to Nusa Penida. Special attractions include fabulous Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish) in season and large Manta Rays year round. Mola Mola are migratory fish and most likely from July to October although sightings are reported all year round. There is diving available here for beginners but most of the dives require a decent level of experience as currents are strong and unpredictable. '''Freediving''' the rich waters around the island is one of the most satisfying ways of exploring the underwater world. Several locations provide great opportunities to see the abundant corral and marine life. Going with a knowledgeable operator is important as the currents around the island are quite strong and in places unpredictable. Fancy to see sharks in Malibu point or dive with Mantas away from the snorkeling hotspots? Take a course with one of the freediving schools and learn more about your hidden abilities to dive deep without a tank. ===Dive operators=== *'''[https://www.facebook.com/NusaPenidaWatersportDiveCentre/ Nusa Penida Watersport]''' +62 822 3681 4935 Locally owned and operated with a really good reputation. They have PADI certified instructors and also do snorkelling trips. * '''Octopus Dive''', Ped *{{do | name=Penida Dive Resort | url= | email= | address=Toyapakeh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37077590 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A Czech-run dive centre located on Nusa Penida. |alt=|lastedit=2017-01-20}} *{{listing | type=do | name=Purple Dive Penida | alt= | url=http://www.purpledivepenida.com | email=info@purpledivepenida.com | address=Jln Raya Ped | lat=-8.6763 | long=115.5397 | directions= | phone=+6281339986262 | tollfree= | hours=7am-6pm | price= | lastedit=2019-12-18 | content=PADI Dive Center }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua Penida | alt= | url=https://www.diving-penida.com/ | email=divingpenida@gmail.com | address=Jl Raya PED, Buyuk | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 812 37779099 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-11 | content= }} '''Freediving''' * {{do | name=Freedive Nusa | alt= | url=http://www.freedivenusa.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 821 47417679 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=SSI & Molchanovs certified and led by one of only three instructor trainers in Indonesia. One minute walk to the home reef and regular guided trips including freediving gear. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Apnea Penida | alt= | url=https://apneapenida.com/ | email=info@apneapenida.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 821 46815129 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Offers a variety of freediving classes suitable for any level of experience from total beginner to instructor. Also provides coaching and training sessions, freediving trips, and yoga classes. Offers courses from Apnea Total, AIDA, and Molchanovs. }} ==Buy== There are two ATMs in Sampalan, one for Visa and one for MasterCard, there is one ATM is in Toyapakeh. However, it's best to bring enough rupiah with you just in case the ATMs are out of order. ==Eat== There are simple local warungs on Nusa Penida and since 2016, there are a few great western style places for a meal, music and sunset drink. ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=BFC | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Fried Chicken. }} ===Mid-Range=== * {{eat | name=The Gallery | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves all day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Dapur Nusa | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves fresh grilled fish. }} * {{eat | name=Warung Jungle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves seafood. }} * {{eat | name=Warung Tu Pande | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-01-27 | content=Serves western and Indonesian dishes. }} ==Sleep== Most holiday accommodation is to be found between Toyapakeh and Sampalan although accommodation is opening up in other areas too. Visitors wishing to explore the remote, rugged areas of the island in the high centre and south may be able to find informal accommodation with a local family by asking a head of village (''Kepala Desa''). The only other alternative away from the north coast is camping. *{{sleep | name=Friends of National Parks (FNPF) | url= | email= | address=Ped | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 977978 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=FNPF's centre offers simple accommodation. |alt=|lastedit=2017-01-20}} *{{sleep | name=Losmen Trang | url= | email= | address=Toyapakeh | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 852 37643649 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Rooms are on the beachfront in Toyapakeh |alt=|lastedit=2017-01-20}} *'''Penginapan Jose Homestay''', Toyapakeh. 6 rooms located right on beach road in Toyapakeh. Great views and affordable. *'''Ari La Casa''', Toyapakeh. *'''Namaste Bungalows''', thatched bungalows, Sakti Village, on the way to Crystal Bay. *'''Bintang Bungalows''', thatched bungalows, Sakti Village. Locally owned. *'''Coco Resort''', thatched bungalows, Sakti Village. *'''Full Moon Bungalows''', Ped *{{sleep | name=Nusa Garden Bungalows | alt= | url=http://nusa-penida.info/ | email=andriec.as@gmail.com | address=Sampalan | lat= | long= | directions=near the hospital on the main road | phone=+62 812 39901421 (WatsApp & Tel) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-20 | content=Bungalows set across a nice garden complex are decorated in Balinese style, a 5-minute walk to the beach. The staff are very sociable and are happy to take guests to various interesting parts of the island (temples/waterfalls etc). Free Wi-Fi. }} *{{sleep | name=Ring Sameton Inn | url=http://www.ringsameton-nusapenida.com | email=info@ringsameton-nusapenida.com | address=Ped near FNPF | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 7853464, +62 821 46763612, +62 813 37985141, +62 813 51542596 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 7853465 | hours= | price= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=13:00 | content=12 A/C rooms with hot-cold water shower/satellite LCD TV/restaurant/24 hr security, laundry service, wide parking area and garden. }} * {{sleep | name=Rumah Pohon "Tree House" | alt= | url=https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15876025 | email=andriec.as@gmail.com | address=banjar pelilit - Atuh | lat=-8.778578 | long=115.616836 | directions= | phone=+6281239901421 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=10:00 | price=Rp 300,000 | image= | lastedit=2016-11-21 | content= }} * '''Mae Mae Beach House''', Kutampi. * '''Caspla Bali Beach Club''', Buyuk * '''Nusa Penida Beach Club''', Buyuk * {{sleep | name=Hostel Nusa Penida | alt= | url= | email=nusapenidahotels@gmail.com | address=Br. Sampalan, Batununggul | lat=-8.675228 | long=115.559366 | directions=near the hospital on the main road, on the territory Nusa Garden Bungalow | phone=+6281239901421 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=13:00 | checkout=10:00 | price=From Rp 85,000 | lastedit=2017-09-24 | content=Nice place, free Wi-fi, with a restaurant serving European food. }} ==Connect== *International phone operators: 101 *International Direct Dialing prefix: 001, 007, or 008. Directory inquiries * 108 from a landline or 0361-108 from a mobile phone. Wi-fi - there are more and more places offering free Wi-fi but connection speed and reliability is still not fast as people would like. ==Go next== The best advice is to get out from one of the northern points in the same way as you came in. A boat to [[Nusa Lembongan]] and then onward to [[Bali]] or [[Lombok]] is recommended. To get to Lombok or other points east you will have to travel to Padang Bai and connect with boats there. {{geo|-8.7333|115.5333}} {{isPartOf|Southeastern Islands}} {{Guidecity}} mzshphytdd9tcdym8n5n9evvzsfs785 0 25664 4506569 4357347 2022-08-23T04:45:30Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* See */ Ratliff Stadium wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=Odessa}} '''Odessa''' is a city of 120,000 people (2018) in [[Big Bend Country|West Texas]], {{mile|20}} west of its sister city, [[Midland (Texas)|Midland]]. Much of the major industry in the area is oil- and gas-related. As such, the Midland/Odessa area is colloquially known as the petroplex. Many of the attractions you will find in the area are in Midland, so if you're visiting Odessa, the Midland article deserves a look as well. It's also notable as the fountainhead for the ''Friday Night Lights'' media franchise, which began with a 1990 book that explored football at the city's Permian High School, later followed by a movie that was mostly faithful to the book, and then a TV series that was a looser adaptation. [[File:Pumpjacks in Texas.JPG|thumb|Pumpjacks in Texas]] ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=auto}} ===By car=== Odessa is at the junction of US Highway 385 and Interstate 20 in West Texas. Heading east on I-20 will take you through cities like [[Abilene]] on your way to [[Dallas]]/[[Fort Worth]]. Heading west on I-20 takes you through some of the most barren parts of Texas at {{mph|80}} (the fastest speed limit in the U.S.) on your way to [[El Paso]]. Going south on 385 will take you to [[Big Bend National Park]], while heading north on US 385 will take you through the [[Texas Panhandle]]. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Midland/Odessa International Airport | alt={{IATA|MAF}} | url=http://flymaf.com | email= | address=9506 Laforce Blvd | lat=31.9425 | long=-102.201944 | directions=Ten miles east of Odessa. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3566524 | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content=Southwest Airlines is the only mainline airline service to the area. It provides direct flights from Dallas-Love, [[Houston]]-Hobby, [[Las Vegas]] and [[Albuquerque]]. United Express provides service from [[Denver]] and Houston-Intercontinental, and American Eagle provides service from [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]]. }} ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound Bus Lines | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=10300 Younger Rd, Midland, TX | lat= | long= | directions=at airport complex | phone=+1 432 332-5711 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} ==Get around== * '''[http://www.ez-rider.org/ EZRider]''', 8007 E Highway 80, {{phone|+1 432 561-9990}}. Odessa and Midland have a shared bus system that does travel between cities. Inter-city routes serving Midland International and both cities are available. There are 6 bus routes that serve Odessa, and each bus route runs once hourly. Fares for adults 19+ are $1.25, children 6-18 and students with a valid ID are $1.00, seniors 60+ and people with disabilities are $0.60 and children 5 and under are Free. Monthly passes and Paratransit are available too. EZRider runs M-F 6:15AM-7:10PM and Sa 6:15AM-6:10PM. ==See== * {{see | name=Ector Theater | alt= | url=https://www.theector.com/ | email= | address=500 N Texas Ave | lat=31.84931 | long=-102.36826 | directions=at 5th St | phone=+1 432-227-0103 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-29 | content=A renovated 1951 classic movie theater that shows classic movies and showcases live music. In downtown Odessa. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ellen Noel Art Museum | alt= | url=https://www.noelartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=4909 E University Blvd | lat=31.8823 | long=-102.3203 | directions=from Interstate 20- Take Exit 121 and head north on Loop 338 to University Ave.; take a left on to University; museum will be on right near next stop light | phone=+1 432-550-9696 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 2-5PM | price=Free, donations accepted | content=There is a permanent collection and rotating exhibits. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Jack Ben Rabbit | alt=World's Largest Jackrabbit | url= | email= | address=802 North Sam Houston | lat=31.84974 | long=-102.37441 | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-7871 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | content=The largest jackrabbit in the world, a 10-foot-tall statue that is the unofficial mascot of the region. }} * {{see | name=Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery | url=https://www.utpb.edu/academics/colleges/arts-sciences/departments/art/nancy-fyfe-cardozier-gallery/index | email= | address=UT Permian Basin Campus | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-552-3288 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Student and Art Faculty shows are presented here on a semi-regular basis. Artwork may be purchased and starving college students will be very appreciative. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Presidential Museum and Leadership Library | alt= | url=https://shepperdinstitute.com/presidential-archives/ | email= | address=4919 East University Blvd | lat=31.8827 | long=-102.319 | directions= | phone=+1 432-363-PRES | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM | price=Adults $8, students $5 | wikidata=Q7241452 | content=This museum suffered from its move from downtown. There is a permanent exhibit of memorabilia from each presidency, however it is not nearly as vast as it was. There has also been the addition of George W. Bush's childhood home onto the grounds. }} * {{see | name=Pecos Depot | url= | email= | address=2140 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-337-4142 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The old rail depot from [[Pecos (Texas)|Pecos]], built in 1892 and moved to Odessa in 1950. The depot is part of the Barn Door Steakhouse. }} * {{see | name=Ratliff Stadium | url= | email= | address=| lat=31.920556 | long=-102.364722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This football stadium, owned by the school district that serves Odessa and surrounding Ector County, hosts both of the city's (and district's) two high schools, Odessa High and Permian High, since it opened in 1982, and became UT Permian Basin's home field in 2015. As Permian's home field, it's basically the wellspring for the ''Friday Night Lights'' franchise; the original book was about Permian's 1988 season, and much of the game action in the 2004 film was shot at the stadium. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Stonehenge Odessa | alt= | url= | email= | address=UT Permian Basin Campus | lat=31.8919 | long=-102.326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7619222 | content=A full-size replica of the original neolithic [[Stonehenge]] site. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=White-Pool House | alt= | url=https://www.whitepoolhouse.com/ | email= | address=112 East Murphy St | lat=31.841667 | long=-102.364167 | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-4072 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa 10AM-3PM | price=Free | wikipedia=White–Pool House | wikidata=Q1674056 | content=Turn-of-the-century home with rotating exhibits on various aspects of West Texas life. }} [[File:Stonehenge at University of Texas at the Permian Basin Picture 1851.jpg|thumb|Stonehenge at University of Texas at the Permian Basin Picture 1851]] ==Do== * {{do | name=Globe of the Great Southwest | alt=The Globe Theatre | url=https://www.odessa.edu/community/GlobeTheateratOdessaCollege/index.html | email= | address=2308 Shakespeare Rd | lat=31.8639 | long=-102.382 | directions= | phone=+1 432-332-1586 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3772353 | content=Full-sized reproduction of the Globe Theatre of [[London]]. Various productions throughout the year. In addition there is a replica of the Anne Hathaway Cottage which Shakespeare built for his love. }} ==Buy== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Music City Mall | alt= | url=http://www.musiccitymall.net/ | email= | address=4101 E. 42nd St | lat=31.895 | long=-102.339 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM | price= | wikidata=Q6941482 |lastedit=2019-12-28| content=3 anchor tenants (JC Penney, Dillard's, and Burlington Coat Factory), an 11-screen movie theater, an indoor ice rink, local CBS affiliate, carousel and food court. }} * {{buy | name=Winwood Town Center | url= | email= | address=3801 E. 42nd St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This is a strip mall at the busiest intersection in Odessa. Stores include H.E.B., Big 5 Sporting Goods, Ross Dress for Less, GameStop, Hastings, Target and Office Depot. }} ==Eat== Due to its proximity to Mexico, Odessa has quite a bit of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex. Most of these authentic restaurants are found off the beaten path, but are usually well worth the trip. ===Budget=== Many chain restaurants have set up shop in Odessa. It's not hard to find a McDonald's or Burger King. * {{eat | name=Filipino Cuisine Odessa- "The House of Sizzlers" | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/filipinocuisineodessaTX/ | email= | address=1351 E. 8th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-552-8726 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM | price=$ | content=Some delightful pancit and lumpia here. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory | alt= | url=http://www.rosascafe.com/ | email= | address=4945 E. 42nd Street; 1310 E. 8th.; 1701 West County Road | lat=31.89479 | long=-102.33516 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th 10AM-11PM F Sa 10AM-midnight | price= | content=Rosa's is a favorite among locals. The restaurant started in this area before spreading out all over Texas. Try the Fajitas and the tortillas made in the restaurant. There is a window into the kitchen where you can watch the tortillas being made. }} * {{eat | name=Bush's Chicken | url=http://www.bushschicken.com/ | email= | address=1627 E. 8th St.; 2701 Andrews Hwy.; 3901 N. Grandview Ave.; 1705 W County Rd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10AM-10PM | price= | content=Bush's Chicken has a strong following amongst locals. Be sure to try their Tender Rolls. }} * {{eat | name=Fajitas and More | url= | email= | address=620 East 8th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-1948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Delicious authentic Mexican food. }} * {{eat | name=El Taco Tako | url= | email= | address=718 W. Clements St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-5731 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Yet another local Mexican food restaurant. Very popular amongst locals. }} * {{eat | name=Keith's Hamburger Station | url= | email= | address=4324 Andrews Hwy. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-368-0950 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Much of the menu consists of Southern and Homestyle cooking, such as chicken strips, steak fingers, mashed potatoes, and fried catfish. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Big Daddy's Catfish and Chicken | url= | email= | address=1121 E. 42nd St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-363-8010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Southern cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Mi Piaci | url= | email= | address=2607 N. Grandview Ave. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-362-8060 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Italian cuisine. The owners of the restaurant are from Albania and create an authentic experience when eating at their restaurant. Most plates are around $10, but if you're on a budget, or want something simple, try the pizza. The Mi Piaci pizza is probably some of the best in town, and certainly the best pizza by a locally owned restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Ajuua's | url=https://www.facebook.com/ajuuasodessatx/ | email= | address=2100 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-580-8477 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ajuua's serves authentic Tex-Mex in a sit-down atmosphere. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=The Barn Door and Pecos Depot Steakhouse | alt= | url= | email= | address=2140 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 337-4142 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Barn Door is probably the most reputable and high-class restaurant in town. The food is typical steakhouse fare. }} ==Drink== *{{drink | name=Zucchi's Sports Bar & Grill | alt= | url= | email= | address=1541 John Ben Shepperd Pkwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 550-4755 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western | alt= | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/surestay-plus/odessa | email= | address=110 West I-20 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 337-3006 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 332-1956 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$62 (Dec 2021) | content=Very bunker-like. }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn | alt= | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/odessa-texas/days-inn-odessa-tx/overview | email= | address=520 S JBS Pkwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 333-9400 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$83 (Dec 2021) | content=Continental breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mafod-fairfield-inn-and-suites-odessa/ | email= | address=3933 JBS Parkway | lat=31.88956 | long=-102.33357 | directions= | phone=+1 432 363-1900 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 363-0094 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=MCM Grande & Fundome | alt= | url=https://www.mcmgrandeodessa.com/ | email= | address=6201 E. Business Loop-20 | lat=31.87769 | long=-102.30626 | directions= | phone=+1 432 362-2311 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 362-9810 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$74 (Dec 2021) | content=Free airport shuttle. Waterslides to go along with indoor pool and miniature golf. }} ===Splurge=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=MCM Eleganté | alt= | url=https://www.mcmeleganteodessa.com/ | email= | address=5200 E. University Blvd | lat=31.88229 | long=-102.31427 | directions= | phone=+1 432 368-5885 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 362-8958 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$85 (Dec 2021) | content=It's like a mini hotel tower. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | type=listing | name=Odessa Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=31.84715 | long=-102.36629 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Ector County Library | alt= | url=https://ector.lib.tx.us/ | email=webmaster@ector.lib.tx.us | address=321 W 5th St | lat=31.84626 | long=-102.37198 | directions= | phone=+1-432-332-0633 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} ==Go next== *'''Odessa Meteor Crater''' - Exit from I-20 10 miles southwest of town (''take exit 108 and drive 3 miles south, following the signs''). This National Natural Landmark is the third biggest crater in the country and sixth in the world. Self-paced tours available 9AM-5PM daily. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Free. {{routebox | image1=I-20.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=Jct [[El Paso|W]] [[File:I-10.svg|18px]] [[Fort Stockton|E]] | minorl1=[[Monahans]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Abilene]] | minorr1=[[Midland (Texas)|Midland]] | image2=US 385.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Hereford (Texas)|Hereford]] | minorl2=[[Brownfield]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Big Bend National Park|Big Bend]] | minorr2=[[Fort Stockton]] }} {{geo|31.8633|-102.3656}} {{isPartOf|Permian Basin}} {{usablecity}} pb0kt8tw511om2w0jagolmgwnia7ii0 4506570 4506569 2022-08-23T04:45:56Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=Odessa}} '''Odessa''' is a city of 120,000 people (2018) in [[Big Bend Country|West Texas]], {{mile|20}} west of its sister city, [[Midland (Texas)|Midland]]. Much of the major industry in the area is oil- and gas-related. As such, the Midland/Odessa area is colloquially known as the petroplex. Many of the attractions you will find in the area are in Midland, so if you're visiting Odessa, the Midland article deserves a look as well. It's also notable as the fountainhead for the ''Friday Night Lights'' media franchise, which began with a 1990 book that explored football at the city's Permian High School, later followed by a movie that was mostly faithful to the book, and then a TV series that was a looser adaptation. [[File:Pumpjacks in Texas.JPG|thumb|Pumpjacks in Texas]] ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=auto}} ===By car=== Odessa is at the junction of US Highway 385 and Interstate 20 in West Texas. Heading east on I-20 will take you through cities like [[Abilene]] on your way to [[Dallas]]/[[Fort Worth]]. Heading west on I-20 takes you through some of the most barren parts of Texas at {{mph|80}} (the fastest speed limit in the U.S.) on your way to [[El Paso]]. Going south on 385 will take you to [[Big Bend National Park]], while heading north on US 385 will take you through the [[Texas Panhandle]]. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Midland/Odessa International Airport | alt={{IATA|MAF}} | url=http://flymaf.com | email= | address=9506 Laforce Blvd | lat=31.9425 | long=-102.201944 | directions=Ten miles east of Odessa. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3566524 | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content=Southwest Airlines is the only mainline airline service to the area. It provides direct flights from Dallas-Love, [[Houston]]-Hobby, [[Las Vegas]] and [[Albuquerque]]. United Express provides service from [[Denver]] and Houston-Intercontinental, and American Eagle provides service from [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]]. }} ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound Bus Lines | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=10300 Younger Rd, Midland, TX | lat= | long= | directions=at airport complex | phone=+1 432 332-5711 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} ==Get around== * '''[http://www.ez-rider.org/ EZRider]''', 8007 E Highway 80, {{phone|+1 432 561-9990}}. Odessa and Midland have a shared bus system that does travel between cities. Inter-city routes serving Midland International and both cities are available. There are 6 bus routes that serve Odessa, and each bus route runs once hourly. Fares for adults 19+ are $1.25, children 6-18 and students with a valid ID are $1.00, seniors 60+ and people with disabilities are $0.60 and children 5 and under are Free. Monthly passes and Paratransit are available too. EZRider runs M-F 6:15AM-7:10PM and Sa 6:15AM-6:10PM. ==See== * {{see | name=Ector Theater | alt= | url=https://www.theector.com/ | email= | address=500 N Texas Ave | lat=31.84931 | long=-102.36826 | directions=at 5th St | phone=+1 432-227-0103 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-29 | content=A renovated 1951 classic movie theater that shows classic movies and showcases live music. In downtown Odessa. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ellen Noel Art Museum | alt= | url=https://www.noelartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=4909 E University Blvd | lat=31.8823 | long=-102.3203 | directions=from Interstate 20- Take Exit 121 and head north on Loop 338 to University Ave.; take a left on to University; museum will be on right near next stop light | phone=+1 432-550-9696 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 2-5PM | price=Free, donations accepted | content=There is a permanent collection and rotating exhibits. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Jack Ben Rabbit | alt=World's Largest Jackrabbit | url= | email= | address=802 North Sam Houston | lat=31.84974 | long=-102.37441 | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-7871 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | content=The largest jackrabbit in the world, a 10-foot-tall statue that is the unofficial mascot of the region. }} * {{see | name=Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery | url=https://www.utpb.edu/academics/colleges/arts-sciences/departments/art/nancy-fyfe-cardozier-gallery/index | email= | address=UT Permian Basin Campus | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-552-3288 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Student and Art Faculty shows are presented here on a semi-regular basis. Artwork may be purchased and starving college students will be very appreciative. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Presidential Museum and Leadership Library | alt= | url=https://shepperdinstitute.com/presidential-archives/ | email= | address=4919 East University Blvd | lat=31.8827 | long=-102.319 | directions= | phone=+1 432-363-PRES | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM | price=Adults $8, students $5 | wikidata=Q7241452 | content=This museum suffered from its move from downtown. There is a permanent exhibit of memorabilia from each presidency, however it is not nearly as vast as it was. There has also been the addition of George W. Bush's childhood home onto the grounds. }} * {{see | name=Pecos Depot | url= | email= | address=2140 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-337-4142 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The old rail depot from [[Pecos (Texas)|Pecos]], built in 1892 and moved to Odessa in 1950. The depot is part of the Barn Door Steakhouse. }} * {{see | name=Ratliff Stadium | url= | email= | address=| lat=31.920556 | long=-102.364722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This football stadium, owned by the school district that serves Odessa and surrounding Ector County, has hosted both of the city's (and district's) high schools, Odessa High and Permian High, since it opened in 1982, and became UT Permian Basin's home field in 2015. As Permian's home field, it's basically the wellspring for the ''Friday Night Lights'' franchise; the original book was about Permian's 1988 season, and much of the game action in the 2004 film was shot at the stadium. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Stonehenge Odessa | alt= | url= | email= | address=UT Permian Basin Campus | lat=31.8919 | long=-102.326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7619222 | content=A full-size replica of the original neolithic [[Stonehenge]] site. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=White-Pool House | alt= | url=https://www.whitepoolhouse.com/ | email= | address=112 East Murphy St | lat=31.841667 | long=-102.364167 | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-4072 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa 10AM-3PM | price=Free | wikipedia=White–Pool House | wikidata=Q1674056 | content=Turn-of-the-century home with rotating exhibits on various aspects of West Texas life. }} [[File:Stonehenge at University of Texas at the Permian Basin Picture 1851.jpg|thumb|Stonehenge at University of Texas at the Permian Basin Picture 1851]] ==Do== * {{do | name=Globe of the Great Southwest | alt=The Globe Theatre | url=https://www.odessa.edu/community/GlobeTheateratOdessaCollege/index.html | email= | address=2308 Shakespeare Rd | lat=31.8639 | long=-102.382 | directions= | phone=+1 432-332-1586 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3772353 | content=Full-sized reproduction of the Globe Theatre of [[London]]. Various productions throughout the year. In addition there is a replica of the Anne Hathaway Cottage which Shakespeare built for his love. }} ==Buy== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Music City Mall | alt= | url=http://www.musiccitymall.net/ | email= | address=4101 E. 42nd St | lat=31.895 | long=-102.339 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM | price= | wikidata=Q6941482 |lastedit=2019-12-28| content=3 anchor tenants (JC Penney, Dillard's, and Burlington Coat Factory), an 11-screen movie theater, an indoor ice rink, local CBS affiliate, carousel and food court. }} * {{buy | name=Winwood Town Center | url= | email= | address=3801 E. 42nd St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This is a strip mall at the busiest intersection in Odessa. Stores include H.E.B., Big 5 Sporting Goods, Ross Dress for Less, GameStop, Hastings, Target and Office Depot. }} ==Eat== Due to its proximity to Mexico, Odessa has quite a bit of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex. Most of these authentic restaurants are found off the beaten path, but are usually well worth the trip. ===Budget=== Many chain restaurants have set up shop in Odessa. It's not hard to find a McDonald's or Burger King. * {{eat | name=Filipino Cuisine Odessa- "The House of Sizzlers" | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/filipinocuisineodessaTX/ | email= | address=1351 E. 8th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-552-8726 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM | price=$ | content=Some delightful pancit and lumpia here. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory | alt= | url=http://www.rosascafe.com/ | email= | address=4945 E. 42nd Street; 1310 E. 8th.; 1701 West County Road | lat=31.89479 | long=-102.33516 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th 10AM-11PM F Sa 10AM-midnight | price= | content=Rosa's is a favorite among locals. The restaurant started in this area before spreading out all over Texas. Try the Fajitas and the tortillas made in the restaurant. There is a window into the kitchen where you can watch the tortillas being made. }} * {{eat | name=Bush's Chicken | url=http://www.bushschicken.com/ | email= | address=1627 E. 8th St.; 2701 Andrews Hwy.; 3901 N. Grandview Ave.; 1705 W County Rd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10AM-10PM | price= | content=Bush's Chicken has a strong following amongst locals. Be sure to try their Tender Rolls. }} * {{eat | name=Fajitas and More | url= | email= | address=620 East 8th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-1948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Delicious authentic Mexican food. }} * {{eat | name=El Taco Tako | url= | email= | address=718 W. Clements St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-5731 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Yet another local Mexican food restaurant. Very popular amongst locals. }} * {{eat | name=Keith's Hamburger Station | url= | email= | address=4324 Andrews Hwy. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-368-0950 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Much of the menu consists of Southern and Homestyle cooking, such as chicken strips, steak fingers, mashed potatoes, and fried catfish. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Big Daddy's Catfish and Chicken | url= | email= | address=1121 E. 42nd St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-363-8010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Southern cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Mi Piaci | url= | email= | address=2607 N. Grandview Ave. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-362-8060 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Italian cuisine. The owners of the restaurant are from Albania and create an authentic experience when eating at their restaurant. Most plates are around $10, but if you're on a budget, or want something simple, try the pizza. The Mi Piaci pizza is probably some of the best in town, and certainly the best pizza by a locally owned restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Ajuua's | url=https://www.facebook.com/ajuuasodessatx/ | email= | address=2100 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-580-8477 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ajuua's serves authentic Tex-Mex in a sit-down atmosphere. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=The Barn Door and Pecos Depot Steakhouse | alt= | url= | email= | address=2140 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 337-4142 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Barn Door is probably the most reputable and high-class restaurant in town. The food is typical steakhouse fare. }} ==Drink== *{{drink | name=Zucchi's Sports Bar & Grill | alt= | url= | email= | address=1541 John Ben Shepperd Pkwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 550-4755 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western | alt= | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/surestay-plus/odessa | email= | address=110 West I-20 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 337-3006 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 332-1956 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$62 (Dec 2021) | content=Very bunker-like. }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn | alt= | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/odessa-texas/days-inn-odessa-tx/overview | email= | address=520 S JBS Pkwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 333-9400 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$83 (Dec 2021) | content=Continental breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mafod-fairfield-inn-and-suites-odessa/ | email= | address=3933 JBS Parkway | lat=31.88956 | long=-102.33357 | directions= | phone=+1 432 363-1900 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 363-0094 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=MCM Grande & Fundome | alt= | url=https://www.mcmgrandeodessa.com/ | email= | address=6201 E. Business Loop-20 | lat=31.87769 | long=-102.30626 | directions= | phone=+1 432 362-2311 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 362-9810 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$74 (Dec 2021) | content=Free airport shuttle. Waterslides to go along with indoor pool and miniature golf. }} ===Splurge=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=MCM Eleganté | alt= | url=https://www.mcmeleganteodessa.com/ | email= | address=5200 E. University Blvd | lat=31.88229 | long=-102.31427 | directions= | phone=+1 432 368-5885 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 362-8958 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$85 (Dec 2021) | content=It's like a mini hotel tower. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | type=listing | name=Odessa Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=31.84715 | long=-102.36629 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Ector County Library | alt= | url=https://ector.lib.tx.us/ | email=webmaster@ector.lib.tx.us | address=321 W 5th St | lat=31.84626 | long=-102.37198 | directions= | phone=+1-432-332-0633 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} ==Go next== *'''Odessa Meteor Crater''' - Exit from I-20 10 miles southwest of town (''take exit 108 and drive 3 miles south, following the signs''). This National Natural Landmark is the third biggest crater in the country and sixth in the world. Self-paced tours available 9AM-5PM daily. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Free. {{routebox | image1=I-20.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=Jct [[El Paso|W]] [[File:I-10.svg|18px]] [[Fort Stockton|E]] | minorl1=[[Monahans]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Abilene]] | minorr1=[[Midland (Texas)|Midland]] | image2=US 385.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Hereford (Texas)|Hereford]] | minorl2=[[Brownfield]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Big Bend National Park|Big Bend]] | minorr2=[[Fort Stockton]] }} {{geo|31.8633|-102.3656}} {{isPartOf|Permian Basin}} {{usablecity}} bsii3sg7jk2pcxcw7lkov186m15hilb 4506572 4506570 2022-08-23T04:46:57Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=Odessa}} '''Odessa''' is a city of 120,000 people (2018) in [[Big Bend Country|West Texas]], {{mile|20}} west of its sister city, [[Midland (Texas)|Midland]]. Much of the major industry in the area is oil- and gas-related. As such, the Midland/Odessa area is colloquially known as the petroplex. Many of the attractions you will find in the area are in Midland, so if you're visiting Odessa, the Midland article deserves a look as well. It's also notable as the fountainhead for the ''Friday Night Lights'' media franchise, which began with a 1990 book that explored football at the city's Permian High School, later followed by a movie that was mostly faithful to the book, and then a TV series that was a looser adaptation. [[File:Pumpjacks in Texas.JPG|thumb|Pumpjacks in Texas]] ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=auto}} ===By car=== Odessa is at the junction of US Highway 385 and Interstate 20 in West Texas. Heading east on I-20 will take you through cities like [[Abilene]] on your way to [[Dallas]]/[[Fort Worth]]. Heading west on I-20 takes you through some of the most barren parts of Texas at {{mph|80}} (the fastest speed limit in the U.S.) on your way to [[El Paso]]. Going south on 385 will take you to [[Big Bend National Park]], while heading north on US 385 will take you through the [[Texas Panhandle]]. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Midland/Odessa International Airport | alt={{IATA|MAF}} | url=http://flymaf.com | email= | address=9506 Laforce Blvd | lat=31.9425 | long=-102.201944 | directions=Ten miles east of Odessa. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3566524 | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content=Southwest Airlines is the only mainline airline service to the area. It provides direct flights from Dallas-Love, [[Houston]]-Hobby, [[Las Vegas]] and [[Albuquerque]]. United Express provides service from [[Denver]] and Houston-Intercontinental, and American Eagle provides service from [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]]. }} ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound Bus Lines | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=10300 Younger Rd, Midland, TX | lat= | long= | directions=at airport complex | phone=+1 432 332-5711 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} ==Get around== * '''[http://www.ez-rider.org/ EZRider]''', 8007 E Highway 80, {{phone|+1 432 561-9990}}. Odessa and Midland have a shared bus system that does travel between cities. Inter-city routes serving Midland International and both cities are available. There are 6 bus routes that serve Odessa, and each bus route runs once hourly. Fares for adults 19+ are $1.25, children 6-18 and students with a valid ID are $1.00, seniors 60+ and people with disabilities are $0.60 and children 5 and under are Free. Monthly passes and Paratransit are available too. EZRider runs M-F 6:15AM-7:10PM and Sa 6:15AM-6:10PM. ==See== * {{see | name=Ector Theater | alt= | url=https://www.theector.com/ | email= | address=500 N Texas Ave | lat=31.84931 | long=-102.36826 | directions=at 5th St | phone=+1 432-227-0103 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-29 | content=A renovated 1951 classic movie theater that shows classic movies and showcases live music. In downtown Odessa. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ellen Noel Art Museum | alt= | url=https://www.noelartmuseum.org/ | email= | address=4909 E University Blvd | lat=31.8823 | long=-102.3203 | directions=from Interstate 20- Take Exit 121 and head north on Loop 338 to University Ave.; take a left on to University; museum will be on right near next stop light | phone=+1 432-550-9696 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 2-5PM | price=Free, donations accepted | content=There is a permanent collection and rotating exhibits. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Jack Ben Rabbit | alt=World's Largest Jackrabbit | url= | email= | address=802 North Sam Houston | lat=31.84974 | long=-102.37441 | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-7871 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | content=The largest jackrabbit in the world, a 10-foot-tall statue that is the unofficial mascot of the region. }} * {{see | name=Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery | url=https://www.utpb.edu/academics/colleges/arts-sciences/departments/art/nancy-fyfe-cardozier-gallery/index | email= | address=UT Permian Basin Campus | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-552-3288 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Student and Art Faculty shows are presented here on a semi-regular basis. Artwork may be purchased and starving college students will be very appreciative. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Presidential Museum and Leadership Library | alt= | url=https://shepperdinstitute.com/presidential-archives/ | email= | address=4919 East University Blvd | lat=31.8827 | long=-102.319 | directions= | phone=+1 432-363-PRES | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM | price=Adults $8, students $5 | wikidata=Q7241452 | content=This museum suffered from its move from downtown. There is a permanent exhibit of memorabilia from each presidency, however it is not nearly as vast as it was. There has also been the addition of George W. Bush's childhood home onto the grounds. }} * {{see | name=Pecos Depot | url= | email= | address=2140 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-337-4142 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The old rail depot from [[Pecos (Texas)|Pecos]], built in 1892 and moved to Odessa in 1950. The depot is part of the Barn Door Steakhouse. }} * {{see | name=Ratliff Stadium | url= | email= | address=| lat=31.920556 | long=-102.364722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This football stadium, owned by the school district that serves Odessa and surrounding Ector County, has hosted both of the city's (and district's) high schools, Odessa High and Permian High, since it opened in 1982, and became UT Permian Basin's home field in 2015. As Permian's home field, it's basically the wellspring for the ''Friday Night Lights'' franchise; the original book was about Permian's 1988 season, and much of the game action in the 2004 film (a fairly close adaptation) was shot at the stadium. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Stonehenge Odessa | alt= | url= | email= | address=UT Permian Basin Campus | lat=31.8919 | long=-102.326 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7619222 | content=A full-size replica of the original neolithic [[Stonehenge]] site. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=White-Pool House | alt= | url=https://www.whitepoolhouse.com/ | email= | address=112 East Murphy St | lat=31.841667 | long=-102.364167 | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-4072 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa 10AM-3PM | price=Free | wikipedia=White–Pool House | wikidata=Q1674056 | content=Turn-of-the-century home with rotating exhibits on various aspects of West Texas life. }} [[File:Stonehenge at University of Texas at the Permian Basin Picture 1851.jpg|thumb|Stonehenge at University of Texas at the Permian Basin Picture 1851]] ==Do== * {{do | name=Globe of the Great Southwest | alt=The Globe Theatre | url=https://www.odessa.edu/community/GlobeTheateratOdessaCollege/index.html | email= | address=2308 Shakespeare Rd | lat=31.8639 | long=-102.382 | directions= | phone=+1 432-332-1586 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3772353 | content=Full-sized reproduction of the Globe Theatre of [[London]]. Various productions throughout the year. In addition there is a replica of the Anne Hathaway Cottage which Shakespeare built for his love. }} ==Buy== * {{listing | type=buy | name=Music City Mall | alt= | url=http://www.musiccitymall.net/ | email= | address=4101 E. 42nd St | lat=31.895 | long=-102.339 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM | price= | wikidata=Q6941482 |lastedit=2019-12-28| content=3 anchor tenants (JC Penney, Dillard's, and Burlington Coat Factory), an 11-screen movie theater, an indoor ice rink, local CBS affiliate, carousel and food court. }} * {{buy | name=Winwood Town Center | url= | email= | address=3801 E. 42nd St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This is a strip mall at the busiest intersection in Odessa. Stores include H.E.B., Big 5 Sporting Goods, Ross Dress for Less, GameStop, Hastings, Target and Office Depot. }} ==Eat== Due to its proximity to Mexico, Odessa has quite a bit of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex. Most of these authentic restaurants are found off the beaten path, but are usually well worth the trip. ===Budget=== Many chain restaurants have set up shop in Odessa. It's not hard to find a McDonald's or Burger King. * {{eat | name=Filipino Cuisine Odessa- "The House of Sizzlers" | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/filipinocuisineodessaTX/ | email= | address=1351 E. 8th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-552-8726 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM | price=$ | content=Some delightful pancit and lumpia here. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory | alt= | url=http://www.rosascafe.com/ | email= | address=4945 E. 42nd Street; 1310 E. 8th.; 1701 West County Road | lat=31.89479 | long=-102.33516 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th 10AM-11PM F Sa 10AM-midnight | price= | content=Rosa's is a favorite among locals. The restaurant started in this area before spreading out all over Texas. Try the Fajitas and the tortillas made in the restaurant. There is a window into the kitchen where you can watch the tortillas being made. }} * {{eat | name=Bush's Chicken | url=http://www.bushschicken.com/ | email= | address=1627 E. 8th St.; 2701 Andrews Hwy.; 3901 N. Grandview Ave.; 1705 W County Rd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10AM-10PM | price= | content=Bush's Chicken has a strong following amongst locals. Be sure to try their Tender Rolls. }} * {{eat | name=Fajitas and More | url= | email= | address=620 East 8th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-1948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Delicious authentic Mexican food. }} * {{eat | name=El Taco Tako | url= | email= | address=718 W. Clements St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-333-5731 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Yet another local Mexican food restaurant. Very popular amongst locals. }} * {{eat | name=Keith's Hamburger Station | url= | email= | address=4324 Andrews Hwy. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-368-0950 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Much of the menu consists of Southern and Homestyle cooking, such as chicken strips, steak fingers, mashed potatoes, and fried catfish. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Big Daddy's Catfish and Chicken | url= | email= | address=1121 E. 42nd St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-363-8010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Southern cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Mi Piaci | url= | email= | address=2607 N. Grandview Ave. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-362-8060 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Italian cuisine. The owners of the restaurant are from Albania and create an authentic experience when eating at their restaurant. Most plates are around $10, but if you're on a budget, or want something simple, try the pizza. The Mi Piaci pizza is probably some of the best in town, and certainly the best pizza by a locally owned restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Ajuua's | url=https://www.facebook.com/ajuuasodessatx/ | email= | address=2100 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432-580-8477 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ajuua's serves authentic Tex-Mex in a sit-down atmosphere. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=The Barn Door and Pecos Depot Steakhouse | alt= | url= | email= | address=2140 Andrews Hwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 337-4142 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Barn Door is probably the most reputable and high-class restaurant in town. The food is typical steakhouse fare. }} ==Drink== *{{drink | name=Zucchi's Sports Bar & Grill | alt= | url= | email= | address=1541 John Ben Shepperd Pkwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 550-4755 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western | alt= | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/surestay-plus/odessa | email= | address=110 West I-20 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 337-3006 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 332-1956 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$62 (Dec 2021) | content=Very bunker-like. }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn | alt= | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/odessa-texas/days-inn-odessa-tx/overview | email= | address=520 S JBS Pkwy | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 432 333-9400 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$83 (Dec 2021) | content=Continental breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mafod-fairfield-inn-and-suites-odessa/ | email= | address=3933 JBS Parkway | lat=31.88956 | long=-102.33357 | directions= | phone=+1 432 363-1900 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 363-0094 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=MCM Grande & Fundome | alt= | url=https://www.mcmgrandeodessa.com/ | email= | address=6201 E. Business Loop-20 | lat=31.87769 | long=-102.30626 | directions= | phone=+1 432 362-2311 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 362-9810 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$74 (Dec 2021) | content=Free airport shuttle. Waterslides to go along with indoor pool and miniature golf. }} ===Splurge=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=MCM Eleganté | alt= | url=https://www.mcmeleganteodessa.com/ | email= | address=5200 E. University Blvd | lat=31.88229 | long=-102.31427 | directions= | phone=+1 432 368-5885 | tollfree= | fax=+1 432 362-8958 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$85 (Dec 2021) | content=It's like a mini hotel tower. }} ==Connect== * {{listing | type=listing | name=Odessa Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=31.84715 | long=-102.36629 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Ector County Library | alt= | url=https://ector.lib.tx.us/ | email=webmaster@ector.lib.tx.us | address=321 W 5th St | lat=31.84626 | long=-102.37198 | directions= | phone=+1-432-332-0633 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-28 | content= }} ==Go next== *'''Odessa Meteor Crater''' - Exit from I-20 10 miles southwest of town (''take exit 108 and drive 3 miles south, following the signs''). This National Natural Landmark is the third biggest crater in the country and sixth in the world. Self-paced tours available 9AM-5PM daily. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Free. {{routebox | image1=I-20.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=Jct [[El Paso|W]] [[File:I-10.svg|18px]] [[Fort Stockton|E]] | minorl1=[[Monahans]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Abilene]] | minorr1=[[Midland (Texas)|Midland]] | image2=US 385.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Hereford (Texas)|Hereford]] | minorl2=[[Brownfield]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Big Bend National Park|Big Bend]] | minorr2=[[Fort Stockton]] }} {{geo|31.8633|-102.3656}} {{isPartOf|Permian Basin}} {{usablecity}} e9g5o4yme5ktfhqecaypn5c3yttkle3 0 25977 4506452 4472937 2022-08-23T00:04:35Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15 to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though southside of Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 and go north on the 15. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{listing | type=go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.06980 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} 655wv14somscejdhkhy5eckc1carzmp 4506453 4506452 2022-08-23T00:06:51Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15 to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though southside of Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{listing | type=go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.06980 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} jwzxrlsmh89vbc7qwrlk1z8tamc1u91 4506454 4506453 2022-08-23T00:11:00Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15, through Riverside, to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though southside of Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] '''Riverside Freeway''' connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 (at Exit 45) and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 (Exit 51) and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{listing | type=go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.06980 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} 2fgeub8l8o3nahjc2wn62x7u0o5bv57 4506456 4506454 2022-08-23T00:14:21Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By bus */ Updated listing for Hoang Express wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15, through Riverside, to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though southside of Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] '''Riverside Freeway''' connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 (at Exit 45) and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 (Exit 51) and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.0698 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} pk0taza0ngsezzvjg1z9awhz9wry99n 4506457 4506456 2022-08-23T00:23:59Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15, through Riverside, to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though southside of Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 66.svg|22px]] & [[File:US_66_(historic).svg|22px]] '''W Foothill Blvd'' goes east-west does through Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga, north of Ontario, but it does not go through Ontario. From W Foothill Blvd, there are multiple north south roads between Benson and I-15 one can take (go south on) to get into Ontario. * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] '''Riverside Freeway''' connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 (at Exit 45) and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 (Exit 51) and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.0698 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} e39nkr592kx2aly4kxjq0t6v055htyv 4506458 4506457 2022-08-23T00:24:28Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15, through Riverside, to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though southside of Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 66.svg|22px]] & [[File:US_66_(historic).svg|22px]] '''W Foothill Blvd''' goes east-west does through Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga, north of Ontario, but it does not go through Ontario. From W Foothill Blvd, there are multiple north south roads between Benson and I-15 one can take (go south on) to get into Ontario. * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] '''Riverside Freeway''' connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 (at Exit 45) and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 (Exit 51) and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.0698 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} 5154lsgmfq6ohy6v3ej444fftff42yv 4506459 4506458 2022-08-23T00:25:49Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15, through Riverside, to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though southside of Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 66.svg|22px]] & [[File:US_66_(historic).svg|22px]] '''W Foothill Blvd''' goes east-west does through Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga, north of Ontario, which does not go through Ontario. From W Foothill Blvd, there are multiple north south roads between N Benson Ave and I-15 one can take (go south on) to get into Ontario. * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] '''Riverside Freeway''' connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 (at Exit 45) and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 (Exit 51) and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.0698 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} 7rm922da9arty2whl8cvogpwe4f9w6g 4506460 4506459 2022-08-23T00:28:14Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. Likewise, one can also go eastbound on California State Route 60 (SR 60) which goes east-west along the south side of town. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15, through Riverside, to SR 60 at exit 106, or the next one up at I-10 at exit 109. Travel westbound on SR 60 or I-10 to get to Ontario. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 66.svg|22px]] & [[File:US_66_(historic).svg|22px]] '''W Foothill Blvd''' goes east-west does through Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga, north of Ontario, which does not go through Ontario. From W Foothill Blvd, there are multiple north south roads between N Benson Ave and I-15 one can take (go south on) to get into Ontario. * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] '''Riverside Freeway''' connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to [[Torrance]] through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 (at Exit 45) and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 (Exit 51) and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.0698 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} 2p5zd7nqsmpr7fja3yao17y6bsmspcd 4506461 4506460 2022-08-23T00:37:28Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ontario_Cali_Banner.jpg|pgname=Ontario}} '''Ontario''' is in [[San Bernardino County]] and the [[Southern California]] region of [[California]], more than 35 miles (50 km) east of [[Los Angeles]]. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX) and the main airport serving the [[Inland Empire]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape}} ===By plane=== *{{listing | type=go | name=Ontario International Airport | alt={{IATA|ONT}} | url=http://www.flyontario.com | email= | address=1923 East Avion Street | lat=34.056111 | long=-117.601111 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-2700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ontario International Airport | image=Ontariointlairport1.jpg | wikidata=Q949831 |lastedit=2019-09-04| content=The regional airport for commercial flights serving the [[Inland Empire]] and the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. It is less busy and quieter than LAX. The airport is {{mi|2}} east of Ontario's Business District off of I-10 at the Archibald Ave/Ontario Airport (Exit #55/55A) and the Haven Ave (Exit #56) exits. }} There are two terminals for commercial flights, numbered 2 & 4: :*'''Terminal 1''': The {{marker|type=go|name=Bobe Hope USO | url=http://bobhopeuso.org/ | lat=34.05915 | long=-117.60950}} is in the (old) Terminal 1 building for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. The {{marker|type=go|name=International Arrivals terminal| url= | lat=34.06082 | long=-117.60335}} is in a separate building next to Terminal 1 for arrivals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Taiwan. There is a free shuttle bus from the old terminal 1 and international arrivals to Terminals 2 & 4. :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 2| lat= | long=}}: [https://www.flyaha.com/ aha!], Avianca (Gate 202); Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air (Gates 205 & 206), Delta/Delta Connection (Gates 207-209); Frontier (Gate 210 & 211); JetBlue, United/United Express (Gates 201-203); Volaris (Gate 207); China Airlines (Gate 212) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Terminal 4| lat= | long=}}: American/American Eagle (Gates 408 & 410); Hawaiian (Gate 401) and Southwest (Gates 401-407) :*{{marker|type=go|name=Car Rental Terminal|url=http://www.flyontario.com/parking-transport/rental-cars |lat=34.0604 | long=-117.5774}} ... at 3450 E Airport Dr in the NE Corner of the airport grounds at E Airport Dr & N Haven. From Terminals 2 & 4 there is a frequent and free shuttle bus going over to the consolidated car rental terminal to pick up a rental car. If renting from Fox they will send their shuttle to pick up customers at the consolidated car rental terminal instead of the airline terminals. For a better rate on car rentals it is best to shop around and reserve a car online or over the phone prior to arrival. A private car is a convenient way to get around locally and for going out to remote locales such as [[Joshua Tree]]. By public transit, [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-61/ OmniTrans Rt#61] goes east and west between Fontana Metrolink Station and Pomona Transit Center (via Civic Center, Airport, Ontario Mills). The bus stops for the #61 bus are located at the far right (east) next to Terminals 2 & 4 where the access road merges into the main E Terminal Way, past the taxi stands. The [https://omnitrans.org/routes/route-81/ #81] bus goes north and south connecting Chaffey College to the East Ontario Metrolink Station along Haven Ave (via Ontario Mills Mall). It passes by the Airport at S Haven & Airport Dr and does NOT go to the airport terminals. Bus stops are along Haven Dr, SW & NE of its intersection with Airport Dr. ===By car=== Ontario is located along Interstate 10 (I-10), west of the Interstate 10 & 15 junction, approximately 37 mi east of Los Angeles (39 min), 24 mi (25 min) west of San Bernardino, 71 mi (1 hr) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (off of Interstate 15): * [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''San Bernardino Freeway''' Inerstate 10 connects Los Angles to Coachella Valley (Palrm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through Ontario and San Bernardino. Ontario is accessed from exits 49 ("Central Ave") through 59 ("Etiwanda Ave") along I-10. Ontario does not have a clearly defined downtown except the neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Euclid Ave & Holt Blvd, as that is where city hall and other city government functions are located at. To get there, exit off at the Euclid Ave (California State Route 83)/Upland off-ramp at exit 51 and go south along Euclid Ave to Holt Blvd. There are 9 exits into Ontario from I-10. * [[File:I-15.svg|22px]] From San Diego, go northbound on I-15, through Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 103 ("Limonite Ave") through 110 ("4th St") along I-15. There are six exits into Ontario from I-15. * [[File:California 60.svg|22px]] '''Pomona Freeway''' connects from Los Angeles to [[Beaumont_(California)|Beumont]] where it merges into I-10, though Ontario and Riverside. Ontario is accessed from exits 34 ("Mountain Ave") through 41 ("Milliken Ave/Hamner Ave"). * [[File:California 66.svg|22px]] & [[File:US_66_(historic).svg|22px]] '''W Foothill Blvd''' goes east-west does through Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga, north of Ontario, which does not go through Ontario. From W Foothill Blvd, there are multiple north south roads between N Benson Ave and I-15 one can take (go south on) to get into Ontario. * [[File:California 83.svg|22px]] '''Euclid Ave''' goes north-south through Ontario between Old US Route 66 in Upland to CA-71 south of town. From the junction of CA-81 and 71, one can continue south to get to * [[File:California 91.svg|22px]] '''Riverside Freeway''' connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to [[Torrance]] through [[Santa Ana_(California)|Santa Ana]] and [[Anaheim]] in [[Orange County]]. Getting to Ontario one can exit off of the 91 via the 71 (at Exit 45) and 83 (Euclid Ave) or continue to the 15 (Exit 51) and go north on the 15 to the 10 or 60. ===By train=== Ontario has two train stations. {{marker|type=go|name=East Ontario station|lat=34.039977|long=-117.579559}} is served daily by the Metrolink ''Riverside Line'', connecting with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. {{marker|type=go|name=Ontario Amtrak|lat=34.061627|long=-117.649604}} sees trains just three times a week, when the ''Sunset Limited'' between Los Angeles and [[New Orleans]] (with through-cars towards [[Chicago]] on the ''Texas Eagle'') make a shot stop there. ===By bus=== * {{go | name=El Corre Caminos | alt= | url=https://elcorrecaminos.com/office/fontana/ | email= | address=(office) 16056 Valley Blvd Suite D, Fontana 92335 | lat=34.07047 | long=-117.45409 | directions=At strip mall NW of Valley Blvd & Citrus Av, north of Exit #63 of I-10 in Fontana. | phone=+1 909 428-8513 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 5:30AM to 6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-08-22 | content=Goes up to Fontana through Perris from San Ysidro (at the border) and Tijuana Airport. They also have an Ontario stop at 4th and Vineyard. Inquire for specific location(s) and appointments which may be required for pick-up and drop-off at 4th & Vineyard. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ontario-montclair-claremont-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) Moreno and Lindero Ave at 5060 Montclair Plaza Ln | lat=34.08852 | long=-117.69666 | directions=Bus will board north of the Montclair Place Mall on Moreno St (west of the intersection at Moreno St and Monte Vista Ave). The bus will be in front of the three benches located west of the utility post with the sign that says, “No Parking Between Signs”. | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Connects Los Angeles and Anaheim to Las Vegas and Phoenix through Ontario and Barstow }} * {{go | name=Greyhound & Cruceros-USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address=(Bus stop) Carl's Jr at 1625 E 4th St | lat=34.07771 | long=-117.61961 | directions=Carl's Jr at E 4th & N Baker, off of Exit 53 of I-10 | phone=+1 909 624-4564 | tollfree=+1 800 231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service terminal in [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] or [[Claremont_(California)#By bus|Claremont]] (888 S Indian Hill Blvd at Exit #47 of I-10). }} *{{go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/index.php?lang=en | email= | address=(Bus stop) Jack in the Box at 4351 Ontario Mills Pkwy | lat=34.0698 | long=-117.55805 | directions=along N Millikan Ave & Inland Empire SW of the Ontario Mills Mall parking lot | phone=+1 714 839-3500, +1 408 729-7885 | tollfree=+1 888 834-9336 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-07 | content=Travels between SoCal (El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). }} * {{go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address=(office) 1741 S Euclid | lat=34.04174 | long=-117.65031 | directions=Along east side of S Euclid (SR-83), between Francis & Maple. Door 'G' in north building of parking lot. | phone=+1 909 986-8372 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); to San Francisco Bay Area (Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco & Oakland); and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). They also have a depot in Fontana at 16803 Valley Blvd Suite C | content= }} See ''By bus'' under ''Get in'' of the [[San Bernardino#By bus|San Bernardino]] article for a list of additional bus and shuttle companies serving the area. ==Get around== [[image:Freeways, Ontario CA.jpg|300px|thumb|Aerial view of freeways, Ontario CA]] There are car rental agencies at the airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Museum of History and Art | alt= | url=http://www.ontarioca.gov/museum | email= | address=225 South Euclid Ave | lat=34.0622 | long=-117.6501 | directions=S Euclid Ave & E Transit St, one block north of Ontario Amtrak | phone=+1 909 983-3198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-Su noon-4PM | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Ontario Convention Center | alt= | url=http://www.ontariocc.org | email= | address=2000 E Convention Center Way | lat=34.065 | long=-117.6069 | directions=near airport at E Convention Center Way & Holt Blvd, north of the railroad tracks from airport | phone=+1 909 937-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-09-22 | content=The convention center hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year such as the NACAC Annual College Fair. It was also the filming location for ''Yes Man'' (2008) and ''Due Date'' (2010) and for various TV commercials. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Scandia | alt= | url=http://www.scandiafun.com/ontario/index.php | email= | address=1155 S. Wanamaker Ave | lat=34.0508 | long=-117.5515 | directions=Wanamaker Ave & E Wall St. E Jurupa St exit from I-15 in Ontario (Exit #108) | phone=+1 909 390-3092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Amusement park with rides and mini-golf. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=http://www.ontariomills.com/ | email= | address=1 Mills Circle | lat=34.0730 | long=-117.5514 | directions=NW of the I-10 & I-15 junction; go north on Millikan Ave from I-10 or go west on 4th Ave from I-15 | phone=+1 909 947-1981 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM | price= | content=One of the largest single-story malls on the West Coast, abundant in stores. }} ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== *{{sleep | name=Ayres Hotel and Suites - Ontario Convention Center | url=http://www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport/ | email= | address=1945 E. Holt Blvd. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-7778 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content=An upscale boutique hotel offering free hot breakfast, parking, wireless internet & shuttle service, in-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Country Inn | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05624.html | email= | address=2359 S Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 923-1887 | tollfree=+1-800-770-1887 | fax=+1 909 923-4504 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Innsuites Hotel & Suites Ontario | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05655.html | email= | address=3400 Shelby St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 466-9600 | tollfree=+1-800-642-2617 | fax=+1 909 941-1445 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Ontario Airport | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/content/best-western/en_US/booking-path/hotel-details.05343.html | email= | address=209 N Vineyard Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 937-6815 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=California Inn | url= | email=CaliforniaInn@Gmail.com | address=1150 North Grove Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 467-3788 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 983-1605 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Days Inn Ontario - Airport | alt= | url=http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/california/ontario/days-inn-ontario-airport/hotel-overview | email= | address=1405 E. 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 983-7411 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Fairfield Inn Ontario | url=http://www.fairfieldinnontario.com | email= | address=3201 East Centrelake Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 390-9855 | tollfree=+1-888-236-2427 | fax=+1 909 390-9835 | checkin=3PM | checkout=noon | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Express Rancho Cucamonga | url=http://www.ontarioairporthotel.com | email= | address=9589 Milliken Ave,Rancho Cucamonga | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 581-3846 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel 6 Ontario Airport | alt= | url=https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.ontario.4731.html | email= | address=1560 East 4th St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 984-2424 | tollfree= | fax=+1 909 984-7326 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Ontario Airport Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTCA | email= | address=2200 E Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 975-5000 | tollfree=+1-800-284-8811 | fax=+1 909 975-5050 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Ramada Ontario Airport Hotel | url=http://www.ontariocaliforniahotel.com/ | email= | address=1841 East G St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-988-0602 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi suites. }} *{{sleep | name=Red Roof Inn Ontario Airport | url=http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00216 | email= | address=1818 E. Holt Blvd | lat= | long= | directions=two blocks from Ontario Convention Center, at the entrance to the Ontario Airport | phone=+1 909-988-8466 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Residence Inn Ontario Airport | url=https://www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/ONTVY | email= | address=2025 Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-6788 | tollfree=+1-800-331-3131 | fax=+1 909 937-2462 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Rodeway Inn Ontario Mills Mall | alt= | url=https://www.choicehotels.com/california/ontario/rodeway-inn-hotels/ca816 | email= | address=4075 E. Guasti Rd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 909-390-8886 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Spacious rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet access and free local calls, Pay-Per-View movies. In-room microwave and refrigerator. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ontoa-sheraton-ontario-airport-hotel/ | email= | address=429 N Vineyard Ave | lat=34.068749 | long=-117.614864 | directions= | phone=+1 909 937-8000 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-11-09 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Ontario | alt= | url=http://www.hiontario.com | email= | address=2155 East Convention Center Way | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl1=[[Pomona]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Tucson]] | minorr1=[[Palm Springs]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[Upland]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[San Bernardino]] | minorr2=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | image3=I-15.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Barstow]] | minorl3=[[Rancho Cucamonga]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Diego]] | minorr3=[[Corona]] | image4=California 60.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl4=[[Chino]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=[[Riverside]] | minorr4=[[Rubidoux]] }} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|34.0528|-117.6278|zoom=13}} {{isPartOf|San Bernardino County}} s9uve0ugzd0irkw53s57u20r0heatu1 0 26799 4506335 4499186 2022-08-22T17:24:26Z 89.205.137.222 /* Vegetarian dining */ Restaurant Aquarius is permanently closed, according to Google Maps. wikitext text/x-wiki {{other uses}} {{pagebanner|Paris banner.jpg|dotm=yes|unesco=yes}} {{printDistricts}} [[Image:Paris, France.jpg|thumb|300px|The Eiffel Tower and the river Seine]] '''[http://www.parisinfo.com/ Paris]''', the cosmopolitan capital of [[France]], is one of the largest agglomerations in [[Europe]], with 2.2&nbsp;million people living in the dense (105&nbsp;km²) central city, 7 million people in the ''Métropole du Grand Paris'' (814 km²) and almost 12&nbsp;million people living in the metropolitan area. In the centre-north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the '''City of Light''' (''la Ville Lumière'') and '''Capital of Fashion''', it is home to some of the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as ''Chanel'', ''Christian Dior'', ''Yves Saint-Laurent'', ''Guerlain'', ''Lancôme'', ''L'Oréal'', and ''Clarins''. A large part of the city, including the banks of the Seine, is a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. The city has the second highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world (after [[Tokyo]], which is much larger) and contains numerous iconic landmarks such as the '''Eiffel Tower''', the '''Arc de Triomphe''', '''Notre-Dame de Paris''', the '''Louvre''', the '''Moulin Rouge''' and the '''Basilique du Sacré Cœur''', making it one of the most popular international tourist destinations in the world, with around 14 million tourists annually. ==Districts== The city of Paris itself is officially divided into 20 districts called ''arrondissements'', numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the centre of the city (which is known as ''Kilomètre Zéro'' and is located at the front of Notre Dame). ''Arrondissements'' are named according to their number. You might, for example, stay in the "5th", which would be written as ''5e'' in French. The 12th and 16th arrondissements include large parks: the ''Bois de Vincennes'' and the ''Bois de Boulogne'' respectively. The very best map you can get for Paris is called "''Paris Pratique par Arrondissement''" which you can buy for about €5 at any news stand. It makes navigating the city easy. The various tourist information centres and hotels in Paris also provide various city and metro maps for free and which contain all the essential details for a tourist. Each ''arrondissement'' has its own unique character and selection of attractions for the traveller: {{mapframe|48.85776|2.34010|width=450|height=400|zoom=12|staticmap=Wikivoyage_paris_map.svg|size=640px|show=mask,go}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q161741|fill=#69999f|title=[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q209549|fill=#69999f|title=[[Paris/2nd arrondissement|2nd arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q223140|fill=#69999f|title=[[Paris/3rd arrondissement|3rd arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q230127|fill=#69999f|title=[[Paris/4th arrondissement|4th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q238723|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Paris/5th arrondissement|5th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q245546|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Paris/6th arrondissement|6th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q259463|fill=#d5dc76|title=[[Paris/7th arrondissement|7th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q270230|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Paris/8th arrondissement|8th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q275118|fill=#d56d76|title=[[Paris/9th arrondissement|9th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q163948|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Paris/10th arrondissement|10th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q169293|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Paris/11th arrondissement|11th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q171689|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Paris/12th arrondissement|12th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q175129|fill=#ac5c91|title=[[Paris/13th arrondissement|13th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q187153|fill=#ac5c91|title=[[Paris/14th arrondissement|14th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q191066|fill=#ac5c91|title=[[Paris/15th arrondissement|15th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q194420|fill=#4f93c0|title=[[Paris/16th arrondissement|16th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q197297|fill=#4f93c0|title=[[Paris/17th arrondissement|17th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q200126|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Paris/18th arrondissement|18th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q204622|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Paris/19th arrondissement|19th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q210720|fill=#8a84a3|title=[[Paris/20th arrondissement|20th arr.]]}} {{Mapshape|type=page|wikicommons=La_Defense.map}} {{Mapshapes|Q50716}} <!--Metro--> {{mapshapes|Q1142114|stroke-width=2}} <!-- Tram --> {{Mapshapes|Q216125}} <!--Regional trains--> {{Regionlist | regionmap= | regionmaptext= | regionmapsize= | region1name=Central Paris | region1color=#69999f | region1items=[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st arr.]], [[Paris/2nd arrondissement|2nd arr.]], [[Paris/3rd arrondissement|3rd arr.]], [[Paris/4th arrondissement|4th arr.]] | region1description='''1e''': The geographical centre of Paris and a great starting point for travellers. The ''Musée du Louvre'', the ''Jardin des Tuileries'', ''Place Vendôme'', ''Les Halles'' shopping centre, ''Palais Royal'', ''Comédie-Française'', ''théatre du Châtelet'', ''Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel'', and the western half of ''Île de la Cité'' (Paris's largest island). '''2e''': The central business district of the city — the ''Bourse'' (the Paris Stock Exchange), ''Opéra-Comique'', ''Théâtre des Variétés'', ''Passage des Panoramas'', ''Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens'' and the former ''Bibliothèque Nationale'' are here. '''3e''': ''Archives Nationales'', ''Musée Carnavalet'', ''Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers'', ''Hôtel de Soubise'', the former ''Temple'' fortress, and the northern, quieter part of the ''Marais''. '''4e''': ''Notre-Dame de Paris'', the ''Hôtel de Ville'' (Paris city hall), ''Hôtel de Sully'', ''Beaubourg'', ''Rue des Rosiers'' and the Jewish Quarter, ''Le Marais'', ''Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville'', ''Mémorial de la Shoah'', ''Centre Georges Pompidou'', ''l'atelier Brancusi'', ''Place des Vosges'', ''Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal'', ''Saint-Jacques Tower'' and the Parisian island ''Île Saint-Louis'' as well as the eastern half of ''Île de la Cité''. | region2name=Left Bank | region2color=#d5dc76 | region2items=[[Paris/5th arrondissement|5th arr.]], [[Paris/6th arrondissement|6th arr.]], [[Paris/7th arrondissement|7th arr.]] | region2description='''5e''': This is the eastern part of the ''Quartier latin'' (Latin Quarter). ''Jardin des Plantes'', ''Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle'', ''Musée de Cluny'', the ''Panthéon'', ''La Sorbonne'', ''Montagne Sainte-Geneviève'', ''Église Saint-Séverin'', ''La Grande Mosquée'', ''Le Musée de l'AP-HP''. '''6e''': This contains the western part of the ''Quartier latin''. ''Jardin du Luxembourg'' as well as its ''Sénat'', ''Place Saint-Michel'', ''Église Saint-Sulpice'' and ''Saint-Germain-des-Prés''. '''7e''': ''Tour Eiffel'' and its ''Parc du Champ de Mars'', ''Les Invalides'', ''Musée d'Orsay'', ''Assemblée nationale'' and its subset administrations, ''École Militaire'', ''Musée du quai Branly'', and Parisian mega-store ''Le Bon Marché''. | region3name=Inner Paris | region3color=#d56d76 | region3items=[[Paris/8th arrondissement|8th arr.]], [[Paris/9th arrondissement|9th arr.]] | region3description='''8e''': ''Champs-Élysées'', ''Arc de Triomphe'', ''Place de la Concorde'', ''le Palais de l'Élysée'', ''Église de la Madeleine'',''Jacquemart-André Museum'', ''Gare Saint-Lazare'', ''Grand Palais'', ''Petit Palais'', and the western half of ''Boulevard Haussman''. '''9e''': ''Opéra Garnier'', ''Galeries Lafayette'', ''Musée Grévin'', ''Folies Bergère'', and the eastern half of ''Boulevard Haussman''. | region4name=East Paris | region4color=#71B37B | region4items=[[Paris/10th arrondissement|10th arr.]], [[Paris/11th arrondissement|11th arr.]], [[Paris/12th arrondissement|12th arr.]] | region4description='''10e''': ''Canal Saint-Martin'', ''Gare du Nord'', ''Gare de l'Est'', ''Porte Saint-Denis'', ''Porte Saint-Martin'', ''Passage Brady'', ''Passage du Prado'', and ''Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul''. '''11e''': The bars and restaurants of ''Rue Oberkampf'', ''Bastille'', ''Nation'', ''New Jewish Quarter'', ''Cirque d'Hiver'', and ''Église Saint-Ambroise''. '''12e''': ''Opéra Bastille'', ''Bercy'' Park and Village, ''AccorHotels Arena'', ''Promenade Plantée'', ''Quartier d'Aligre'', ''Gare de Lyon'', ''Cimetière de Picpus'', ''Viaduc des arts'', the ''Bois de Vincennes'', and the ''Zoo de Vincennes''. | region5name=South Paris | region5color=#ac5c91 | region5items=[[Paris/13th arrondissement|13th arr.]], [[Paris/14th arrondissement|14th arr.]], [[Paris/15th arrondissement|15th arr.]] | region5description='''13e''': ''Quartier Asiatique'' (Asian Quarter), ''Place d'Italie'', ''La Butte-aux-Cailles'', ''Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF)'', ''Gare d'Austerlitz'', ''Manufacture des Gobelins'', the ''Olympiades'', the ''Tolbiac'' district, ''Pitié-Salpêtrière'' hospital. '''14e''': ''Cimetière du Montparnasse'', ''Gare Montparnasse'', ''La Santé Prison'', ''Denfert-Rochereau'', ''Parc Montsouris'', ''Stade Charléty'', ''Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris'', and the public entrance to the catacombs. '''15e''': ''Tour Montparnasse'', ''Porte de Versailles'', ''Front de Seine'', ''La Ruche'', ''Parc André Citroën'', ''Aquaboulevard'' and quartiers ''Saint-Lambert'', ''Necker'', ''Grenelle'' and ''Javel''. | region6name=West Paris | region6color=#4f93c0 | region6items=[[Paris/16th arrondissement|16th arr.]], [[Paris/17th arrondissement|17th arr.]] | region6description='''16e''': ''Palais de Chaillot'', ''Musée de l'Homme'', the ''Bois de Boulogne'', ''Cimetière de Passy'', ''Parc des Princes'', ''Musée Marmottan-Monet'', ''Trocadéro'', ''Maison de la Radio'', and ''Avenue Foch''. '''17e''': ''Palais des Congrès'', ''Place de Clichy'', ''Parc Monceau'', ''Marché Poncelet'', and ''Square des Batignolles''. | region7name=Paris Hills | region7color=#8a84a3 | region7items=[[Paris/18th arrondissement|18th arr.]], [[Paris/19th arrondissement|19th arr.]], [[Paris/20th arrondissement|20th arr.]] | region7description='''18e''': ''Montmartre'', ''Pigalle'', ''Barbès'', ''Basilica of the Sacré Cœur'', ''Église Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre'', and ''Goutte d'Or'' can be found here. '''19e''': ''Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie'', ''Parc de la Villette'', ''Bassin de la Villette'', ''Parc des Buttes-Chaumont'', ''Cité de la Musique'', ''Canal de l'Ourcq'', and ''Canal Saint-Denis'' can be found here. '''20e''': ''Cimetière du Père-Lachaise'', ''Parc de Belleville'', and quartiers ''Belleville'' and ''Ménilmontant''. | region8name=[[Paris/La Défense|La Défense]] | region8color=#bdbd7b | region8items= | region8description=Although it is not officially part of the city, this skyscraper district on the western edge of town is on many visitors' must-see lists for its modern architecture and public art. }} Beyond Paris, the outlying suburbs are called ''[[Île-de-France|La Banlieue]]''. Schematically, those to the west of Paris ([[Neuilly-sur-Seine]], [[Boulogne-Billancourt]], [[Saint Cloud (France)|Saint Cloud]], [[Levallois]], [[Versailles]], Poissy) are wealthy residential communities, even if some more middle class suburbs can be found. Those to the north are poorer communities, and very ethnically diverse. Those to the south are a mix of rough and poor neighbourhoods alongside very affluent communities. Finally, those to the east are usually lower-middle class mingled with a few upper-middle class communities. ==Understand== Due to high expectations, a tight schedule, and large crowds and long lines at certain attractions during high season, the city might disappoint some visitors. Foreign visitors who have an idealized view of Paris might be shocked by the typical challenges of visiting any large city; crime, traffic noise, pollution, garbage, and relatively high costs. In the worst case, visitors might experience the ''Paris syndrome''; a psychological state of delusion. To enjoy the wonders of Paris, make realistic plans. The amounts of attractions and landmarks is overwhelming; visiting only the most famous ones (which can be overcrowded during major holidays) takes more than a week. The city also has more to offer for people who take time for a calm stroll along the backstreets. If your time in the city is short, be selective, and save some attractions for your next visit. ===History=== Paris started life as the Celto-Roman settlement of ''Lutetia'' on the Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine now occupied by the ''Cathédrale de Notre Dame''. It takes its present name from the name of the dominant Gallo-Celtic tribe in the region, the ''Parisii''. At least that's what the Romans called them, when they showed up in 52 BCE and established their city ''Lutetia'' on the left bank of the Seine, in what is now called the "Latin Quarter" in the [[Paris/5th arrondissement|5th arrondissement]]. The Romans held out here for as long as anywhere else in the Western Empire, but by 508 CE they were gone, replaced by '''Clovis of the Franks''', who is considered by the French to have been their first king. Clovis' descendants, aka the Carolingians, held onto the expanded Lutetian state for nearly 500 years through Viking raids and other calamities, which finally resulted in a forced move by most of the population back to the islands which had been the centre of the original Celtic village. The Capetian Duke of Paris was voted to succeed the last of the Carolingians as King of France, ensuring the city a premier position in the medieval world. Over the next several centuries Paris expanded onto the right bank into what was and is still called ''le Marais'' (The Marsh). Quite a few buildings from this time can be seen in the [[Paris/4th arrondissement|4th arrondissement]]. The medieval period also witnessed the founding of the Sorbonne. As the "University of Paris", it became one of the most important centres for learning in Europe—if not the whole world, for several hundred years. Most of the institutions that still constitute the University are found in the [[Paris/5th arrondissement|5th]], and [[Paris/13th arrondissement|13th arrondissements]]. In the late 18th century, there was a period of political and social upheaval in France and Europe, during which the French governmental structure, previously a monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of nationalism, citizenship, and inalienable rights. Notable events during and following the revolution were the storming of the Bastille [[Paris/4th arrondissement|4th arrondissements]], and the rise and fall of Napoleonic France. Out of the violent turmoil that was the French Revolution, sparked by the still known ''Passion des Français'', emerged the enlightened modern day France. The Paris of today was built long after the Capetian and later the Bourbon Kings of France made their mark on Paris with the ''Louvre'' and the ''Palais Royal'', both in the [[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st]]. In the 19th century, Baron von Hausmann set about reconstructing the city, by adding the long straight avenues and replacing many of the then existing medieval houses, with grander and more uniform buildings. [[File:Tour Eiffel Wikimedia Commons.jpg|thumb|210px|The Eiffel Tower]] New wonders arrived during ''La Belle Époque'', as the Parisian golden age of the late 19th century is known. Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, the first metro lines, most of the parks, and the streetlights (which are partly believed to have given the city its epithet "the city of light") all come from this period. Another source of the epithet comes from ''Ville Lumière'', a reference not only to the revolutionary electrical lighting system implemented in the streets of Paris, but also to the prominence and aura of ''Enlightenment'' the city gained in that era. The twentieth century was hard on Paris, but thankfully not as hard as it could have been. Both world wars took a heavy toll on the city's inhabitants, but at least Hitler's order to burn the city was ignored by the German General von Choltitz, who was quite possibly convinced by a Swedish diplomat that it would be better to surrender and be remembered as the saviour of Paris, rather than its destroyer. Following the war, the city recovered quickly at first, but slowed in the 1970s and 1980s when Paris began to experience some of the problems faced by big cities everywhere: pollution, housing shortages, and occasionally failed experiments in urban renewal. However, post-war Paris enjoyed considerable growth as a multi-cultural city, with new immigrants from all corners of the world, especially ''La Francophonie'', including most of [[North Africa|northern]] and [[West Africa|western Africa]] as well as [[Indochina]]. These immigrants brought their foods and music, both of which are of prime interest for many travellers. Immigration and multi-culturalism continues in the 21st century with a marked increase in the arrival of people from Latin America, especially [[Mexico]], [[Colombia]], and [[Brazil]]. In the late 1990s, it was hard to find good Mexican food in Paris, whereas today there are dozens of possibilities from lowly ''taquerias'' in the outer ''arrondissements'' to nice sit-down restaurants on the boulevards. Nevertheless, Paris remains a French city; bistros, baguettes, high-end fashion, art, accordions, Hausmann architecture, and all the stereotypes (whether good or bad) of France are alive and well in Paris. People from all over France flock to Paris for work, study, partying, and everything in between. After all, this IS the capital of France, so anything pertaining to France can be found here. The 21st century has also seen vast improvements in the general livability of Paris, with the mayor's office concentrating on reducing pollution and improving facilities for soft forms of transportation including a huge network of cycle paths, larger pedestrian districts and new metro lines. Visitors who normally arrive car-less are the beneficiaries of these policies as much as the Parisians themselves, although tensions and doubts have emerged over the actual benefits of those measures. ===Climate=== {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 7 | febhigh = 9 | marhigh = 12 | aprhigh = 16 | mayhigh = 20 | junhigh = 23 | julhigh = 25 | aughigh = 25 | sephigh = 22 | octhigh = 16 | novhigh = 11 | dechigh = 7 | janlow = 3 | feblow = 3 | marlow = 5 | aprlow = 8 | maylow = 11 | junlow = 14 | jullow = 16 | auglow = 17 | seplow = 14 | octlow = 9 | novlow = 6 | declow = 4 | janprecip = 54 | febprecip = 44 | marprecip = 49 | aprprecip = 53 | mayprecip = 65 | junprecip = 55 | julprecip = 63 | augprecip = 43 | sepprecip = 55 | octprecip = 60 | novprecip = 52 | decprecip = 59 }} Paris has an oceanic climate with moderately cold winters and warm summers. The moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean helps to temper temperature extremes in much of western Europe, including France. Even in January, the coldest month, temperatures nearly always exceed the freezing point with an average high of {{C|7}}. Snow is not common in Paris, although it can fall a few times per year. Most of Paris' precipitation comes in the form of light rain year-round. Summers in Paris are moderately warm and humid, with an average high of {{C|25}} during the mid-summer months. Occasional heat waves can push temperatures above {{C|30}} and rarely even reach {{C|35}}. Spring and fall are normally cool and wet. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Paris ({{IATA|PAR}}) is served by two international airports. ====Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy) ==== {{Main|Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport}} {{marker|type=go|name=Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport|url=http://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/homepage|lat=49.0098|long=2.5612|image=Terminal 1 of CDG Airport.jpg}} ({{IATA|CDG}}) is the main airport of the city. It is north of Paris and is connected by train, bus and taxi. ''For detailed information on arriving and departing Paris from this airport please consult the main article linked above.'' Transit Summary: The '''RER''' train line "B" connects CDG airport to central Paris and is the fastest and most economical option for most travellers. Signs in the airport will direct you to the platform. Self-serve electronic kiosks sell tickets. The kiosks provide service in multiple languages, including English. Some trains will stop at each station along the way to Paris. Express trains with fewer stops are available during off-peak hours. The stations Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau and Cité Universitaire are always served. Your ticket will allow you to transfer at one of the aforementioned stations to the Metro and other RER lines within Paris to complete your journey. The one-way trip costs €10.30 for adults, €7.20 for children aged 4–9, and free for children under 4. Another option is the '''[https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/airport-tickets RoissyBus]''' coach service that departs from all terminals and travels non-stop to Opéra (actually stops at Place Charles Garnier, and not on Place de l'Opéra itself) in Central Paris, within easy walking distance of several stations: ''Opéra'' for Métro Lines 3, 7, 8; ''Auber'' for RER Line A; ''Chaussée d'Antin'' or ''Havre-Caumartin'' for Métro Line 9. It offers great value if you're travelling with lots of luggage; as of April 2020, a one-way ticket is €12. The buses are frequent, departing every 15 min during the day and every 20-30 min in the evening. Journey time is typically 60 minutes, but can take longer in heavy traffic. If you arrive to CDG Airport at night you'll need a Noctilien bus to get to the city centre. The bus stops at all three terminals (in terminal 2F it will be the second level in the departure section, difficult to find, but it really exists). The bus leaves every 30 min after 00:30 (see ''[http://www.ratp.info/horaires/index.php?etape=choix_noct timetable]''). The buses you'll need are N140 and N143; the price is 2 T+ tickets (€4 if bought on board). ====Orly International Airport==== {{Main|Paris Orly Airport}} {{marker|type=go|name=Paris Orly Airport|url=http://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/homepage|lat=48.7294|long=2.3682|image=TC-DCD_(aircraft)_at_Orly_Airport,_Paris,_August_27th,_2016_(00).jpg}} ({{IATA|ORY}}), this older international airport is southwest of the city and is used mainly by Air France for domestic departures, and for several international departures, mostly towards destinations around the Mediterranean. It consists of two terminals: Terminal Sud (south) and Terminal Ouest (west) connected by light rail. The airport is connected with Paris by bus and light rail. ''For detailed information on arriving and departing Paris from this airport please consult the main article linked above.'' Orly is roughly 25-35 min from Paris via the '''OrlyBus''', which departs from Métro Denfert-Rochereau (line 6); the price is €8 (as of 2017). There are buses every 8-15 minutes from the Orly Sud (Platform 4) and it stops at Orly Ouest on its way to the city. Tickets can be bought at a counter near the baggage claim area or directly at the counter in Platform 4. The tickets need to be validated once on the bus. Another option is tramway T7 that takes you to the Métro Villejuif - Louis Aragon (Metro 7) in 30 min, but it stops on the way and is designed for commuters and not for travellers. Tramway T7 costs a single T+ (metro/bus/tram) ticket and runs every 10 min, stopping at airport level -1. Passes covering zones 1–4 are accepted, except that ''Tickets Jeunes'' are not valid on Orlybus. Via rail the airport can be reached by a southern branch of the RER-B line that heads from Paris in the direction of Massy-Palaiseau or Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse (''not'' Robinson). At Antony station RER-B line connects with the '''Orlyval''' light rail that carries passengers to both terminals of the airport. Orlyval runs every 4-7 min and costs €12.05 (as of 2019) for transfer to Paris, including connections to central area metro stations. The RER B from Antony runs through Paris to CDG. Public transport passes are ''not'' accepted on Orlyval (but ''Paris Visite'' is valid on Orlyval, and zone 1–3 passes are valid between Antony and Paris). ===== Connect ===== [http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/Onlineservices/WiFi/Default1.htm Wi-Fi Internet access] is provided free of charge. ====Beauvais (Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé)==== {{marker|type=go|name=Beauvais|url=https://www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/passengers/|lat=49.4594|long=2.1139|image=Cola en los mostradores de facturación del aeropuerto París Beauvais Tillé.jpg}} ({{IATA|BVA}}), north of the city, is a smaller regional airport that is used by some low-cost carriers such as [https://www.ryanair.com/ Ryanair] and WizzAir. The airport operates a shuttle service to the ''Métro'' at Porte Maillot station. Buses run as early as 06:00. Buses leave 20 min after each flight arrives, and a few hours before each flight departs. A schedule can be found on the [http://www.aeroportbeauvais.com/horaire_bus.php?lang=eng Beauvais Airport website]. The journey will take about an hour in good traffic conditions, and costs €17 each way; there is no reduced price for children over the age of 2 years. Unless you hire a car this is the most realistic way to head toward Paris. The alternative is a train service between Gare du Nord and Beauvais, and a connecting shuttle or taxi to the airport. This journey costs more and takes longer. Missing the shuttle bus could mean a taxi fare well over €100. ====Airline shuttles==== Air France operates shuttles between Charles de Gaulle and Paris (€17), Orly and Paris (€12) and between the two airports (€20). Discounts apply for young/group travellers and online bookers. If you have connecting Air France flights that land and depart from different airports, you would still generally need to fetch your luggage after landing, catch either the Air France shuttle or a taxi (readily available at all airports) to the other airport and check-in again. This altogether could take up to 2 hours, particularly if traffic is at its worst. It is also common to lose time during disembarking, as passengers often need to get off on the tarmac and get on buses which will take them to the terminal. Be sure you have sufficient time between flights to catch your connection. Check-in counters usually close 30 min before the flight departs, longer if flights are international. ===Private aviation=== [https://www.parisaeroport.fr/ '''Paris Le Bourget Airport'''] ({{IATA|LBG}}) is a 24-hour airport for private jets and business aviation 11 km northeast of Paris. Companies like [https://www.aircharteradvisors.com/ Air Charter Advisors] and [http://www.priorityjet.net/ Priority Jet] offer access to a variety of aircraft rentals based at Le Bourget. ===By train=== [[File:Gares de Paris.svg|thumb|The seven terminal stations of Paris]] [[File:Railway stations on departure from Paris map-en.svg|thumb|Map showing which areas of France and its near neighbours are served from which Parisian stations]] Paris is well connected to the rest of Europe by train. There are '''seven terminus stations''' in central Paris and although they are not all in the same district, they are all connected to the Metro and RER networks. You will probably want to know in advance at which station your train is arriving, so as to better choose a hotel and plan for transport within the city. *{{marker|type=go|name=Gare du Nord|lat=48.8807|long=2.3546|image=Paris Gare Du Nord Exterior.jpg}}, ([[Paris/10th arrondissement|10th]]), ''Métro: Gare du Nord'' - TGV trains to and from northern France (Lille, Amiens, Lens...), Thalys trains to [[Belgium]], the [[Netherlands]], and [[Germany]] (North Rhine-Westphalia), and Eurostar to the [[United Kingdom]] ([[London]]). *{{marker|type=go|name=Gare d'Austerlitz|lat=48.842|long=2.3658|image=Gare d'Austerlitz IMG 5887.jpg}}, ([[Paris/13th arrondissement|13th]]), ''Métro: Gare d'Austerlitz'' - regular trains to and from the center and southwest of France ([[Orléans]], [[Limoges]], [[Toulouse]] the long way) and the majority of night trains. *{{marker|type=go|name=Gare de l'Est|lat=48.8772|long=2.3593|image=Gare de l'Est Paris 2007 a6.jpg}}, ([[Paris/10th arrondissement|10th]]), ''Métro: Gare de l'Est'' - TGV to and from the Grand Est region (Strasbourg, Reims, Nancy, etc.), [[Luxembourg]], ICE/TGV to and from south Germany ([[Saarbrücken]], [[Kaiserslautern]], [[Mannheim]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Karlsruhe]], [[Stuttgart]], [[Augsburg]], and [[Munich]]), ÖBB Nightjet night trains to Germany ([[Karlsruhe]], [[Munich]]) and Austria ([[Salzburg]], [[Vienna]]) *{{marker|type=go|name=Gare de Lyon|lat=48.8443|long=2.3739|image=2192437358 51c98ca4b0 b Gare de Lyon.jpg}}, ([[Paris/12th arrondissement|12th]]), ''Métro: Gare de Lyon'' - regular and TGV trains to and from southern and eastern France: [[French Alps]], [[Marseille]], [[Lyon]], [[Dijon]], Switzerland ([[Basel]], [[Geneva]], [[Lausanne]], [[Bern]], [[Zurich]]), southwest Germany ([[Freiburg im Breisgau]]), and Italy ([[Turin]], [[Milan]]). *{{marker|type=go|name=Gare de Bercy|lat=48.83929|long=2.38283|image=Bâtiment-voyageurs de la gare de Bercy (1) par Cramos.JPG}}, ([[Paris/12th arrondissement|12th]]), ''Métro: Bercy''. Regular trains to [[Auvergne]] and [[Burgundy]]. *{{marker|type=go|name=Gare St Lazare|lat=48.8767|long=2.3249|image=Gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare 001.jpg}}, ([[Paris/8th arrondissement|8th]]) ''Métro: St-Lazare'' - trains to and from [[Basse-Normandie]], [[Haute-Normandie]]. *{{marker|type=go|name=Gare Montparnasse|lat=48.8402|long=2.3191|image=Gare-Montparnasse CRW 1569.jpg}}, ([[Paris/15th arrondissement|15th]]), ''Métro: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe'' - TGV and regular trains to and from the west and south-west of France ([[Tours]], [[Brest (France)|Brest]], [[Rennes]], [[Nantes]], [[Bordeaux]], [[Toulouse]] the fastest way, [[Hendaye]]). ''Gare Vaugirard'' is an extension of Gare Montparnasse. The [http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers '''SNCF''' (French national railway authority)] operates practically all trains within France excluding the Eurostar to London, the Thalys to Brussels and onward to the Netherlands and [http://www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml Germany], and some low-cost services such as Ouigo (although owned by the SNCF, it is considered as a separate brand). There are also a few local lines of high interest to tourists which are privately owned. All SNCF, Eurostar and Thalys tickets can be bought in railway stations, city offices and travel agencies (no surcharge). SNCF relies on travel agencies for selling tickets online, the main one being [https://www.sncf-connect.com/ SNCF Connect] and [https://www.thetrainline.com Trainline] (easier to use). You can also find tickets in online and physical travel agencies. You can book and buy tickets up to three months in advance. There are significant discounts if you book weeks ahead. Reduced ticket prices are different for each day and each train and can be used only on the train the reservation is for. Trains between Paris and south Germany (Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich) as well as the Marseille-Frankfurt TGV are jointly operated by SNCF and Deutsche Bahn, but each of the two operators will sell tickets at its own price! Make sure to check the price offered by each operator before you buy, or use Trainline since they automatically compare SNCF and DB prices. There are a number of different kinds of high-speed and normal trains: * '''TER''': The regional trains (''Train Express Régional''); cheapest tickets, though prices are variable on the time of day of departure (and the day of departure as well). TER are sometimes slower, stopping at almost all stations. TER tickets bought at the train station are valid two months from the date indicated on the ticket, as long as you travel in the right fare period ("période bleue", the cheapest, "période blanche", for high-demand hours). There is no seat reservation, so arrive early enough or you may have to travel without a seat. * '''Intercités''': A bundling of the former ''Intercités'', ''Téoz'', and ''Lunéa'' train categories. There are two kinds: the regular trains, which are priced the same as the TER and the trains you'll find yourself on if you have a [[Eurail]] or [[InterRail]] pass and don't want to pay extra for reservations, and the ''trains à réservation obligatoire'', which require a reservation and are priced differently from the regular ''Intercités'' trains. * '''Intercités de nuit''': Overnight trains from destinations to and from south of France, including [[Latour-de-Carol]], [[Lourdes]] and [[Cerbère]] via [[Toulouse]]. * '''TGV''': The world-famous French high-speed trains (''Trains à Grande Vitesse'') run very frequently to the southeast [[Nice]] (5-6 hr), Marseille (3 hr) and [[Avignon]] (2.5 hr), the east [[Geneva]] (3hr) or [[Lausanne]], [[Switzerland]], [[Dijon]] (1 hr 15 min) and [[Strasbourg]] (1 hr 45 min), the southwest [[Bordeaux]] (3 hr), the west [[Rennes]] (2 hr) and the north [[Lille]] (1 hr). Thalys to Brussels (1 hr 20 min) use almost identical trains. Reservations are obligatory. * '''ICE''': German [[high-speed train]]s, operating most services between Paris and [[Frankfurt]]. * '''Thalys''': A high-speed train service running daily to/from the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]]. Though it can be a bit expensive compared to normal trains, tickets can be cheap enough if you buy in advance. On-board service is usually very good. * '''IZY''': A subsidiary of Thalys, offering slower (~2 hr 15 min) but cheaper trains between Paris and Brussels. * '''Eurostar''': The Eurostar service connects Paris with [[London]] St. Pancras directly and [[Brussels]] indirectly, as well as many other destinations indirectly through the various west European rail services. Travel time between Paris Gare du Nord and [[London]] St Pancras International averages 2hr 15 min. Eurail and InterRail passes are ''not'' valid for this train, though pass holders can benefit from a reduced price. You must arrive at the station at least 90 minutes, and up to two hours, before the departure of the train to complete security and passport controls. * '''[http://www.ouigo.com/ Ouigo]''' - a subsidiary of SNCF running TGVs with a second class only layout intended and marketed as a lower cost service. '''Trenitalia''' operates high-speed '''Frecciarossa''' trains between Paris, Lyon, Chambéry, Modane, Turin, and Milan. Prices can be cheaper than SNCF, Trainline automatically compares both options. ====Transfer between train stations==== =====From Gare d'Austerlitz===== * Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare de Bercy (15 min): Bus 24 to École Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort. * Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare de l'Est (20 min): {{rint|paris|5}}, direction Bobigny. * Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare Montparnasse (25 min): {{rint|paris|10}} direction Boulogne, change at Odéon for {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge. Alternatively, Bus 91 to Montparnasse, get off at Gare Montparnasse for the ticket office, local trains and most long-distance-trains; get off at the last stop Montparnasse 2–gare TGV if your train leaves from gare de Vaugirard or to reach the front carriages of TGV trains. * Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare de Lyon: it's a 5- to 10-min walk (follow the signs). Alternatively, take Bus 91 in front of the station (on the same side of the street) towards Bastille and get off at Gare de Lyon–Diderot. * Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare du Nord (20 min): {{rint|paris|5}} direction Bobigny. * Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare Saint-Lazare (25 min): {{rint|paris|10}} direction Boulogne, change at Sèvres-Babylone for {{rint|paris|12}} direction Aubervilliers–Front Populaire; alternatively walk 10 min to Gare de Lyon then take {{rint|paris|14}} direction Gare Saint-Lazare. =====From Gare de l'Est===== * Gare de l'Est – Gare d'Austerlitz (20 min): {{rint|paris|5}} direction Place d'Italie. * Gare de l'Est - Gare de Bercy (25 min): {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge, stop at ''Châtelet'', then {{rint|paris|14}} direction Olympiades, stop at ''Bercy''. * Gare de l'Est - Gare de Lyon (20 min): {{rint|paris|5}} direction Place d'Italie, stop at ''Quai de la Rapee'' and follow pedestrian signs to Gare de Lyon. Alternatively, {{rint|paris|5}} in the same direction to ''Bastille'' and then {{rint|paris|1}} direction Château de Vincennes to Gare de Lyon. * Gare de l'Est - Gare du Nord (8 min): {{rint|paris|5}} direction Bobigny or Metro 4 direction Porte de Clignancourt. By foot, it is also about 8 minutes, but you will have to climb set of stairs. * Gare de l'Est - Gare Montparnasse (30 min): {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge. * Gare de l'Est – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 min): RER E direction Haussman–Saint-Lazare; alternatively (less walking, but more stairs) {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge, change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for {{rint|paris|3}} direction Pont de Levallois–Bécon. =====From Gare de Lyon===== * Gare de Lyon – Gare d'Austerlitz: it's a 5- to 10-minute walk (follow the signs). Alternatively, take bus 91 towards Montparnasse. * Gare de Lyon - Gare de Bercy (15 mins): A free shuttle runs between the two every half hour if you have a SNCF train ticket including a transfer between these two stations. Alternatively, {{rint|paris|14}} direction Olympiades to Bercy. * Gare de Lyon - Gare de l'Est (25 mins): {{rint|paris|14}} to Chatelet, direction St. Lazare followed by {{rint|paris|4}} direction Porte de Clignancourt. * Gare de Lyon - Gare Montparnasse (30 min): Bus 91 to Gare Montparnasse. Another option is {{rint|paris|14}} to Chatelet, direction St. Lazare followed by {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge. * Gare de Lyon - Gare du Nord (20 min): RER A direction Saint-Germain-en-Laye/Cergy Le Haut/Poissy to ''Châtelet Les Halles'' and then RER B direction Aéroport Charles de Gaulle/Mitry Claye to ''Gare du Nord'' (on the other side of the platform); if the RER A is not working take RER D heading to ''Orry la Ville'' or ''Creil''; both will go to Gare du Nord . * Gare de Lyon – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 mins): {{rint|paris|14}} direction Saint-Lazare. =====From Gare Montparnasse===== * Gare Montparnasse – Gare d'Austerlitz (25 min): {{rint|paris|4}} direction Porte de Clignancourt, change at Odéon for {{rint|paris|10}} direction Austerlitz. Alternatively, take Bus 91 (a little faster unless it gets caught in traffic). * Gare Montparnasse - Gare de Lyon (30 min): {{rint|paris|4}} to Chatelet, direction Porte de Clignancourt followed by {{rint|paris|14}} direction Olympiades * Gare Montparnasse - Gare du Nord OR Gare de I'Est (30 min): {{rint|paris|4}} direction Porte de Clignancourt * Gare Montparnasse – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 min): {{rint|paris|13}} direction Asnières/Genevilliers or Saint-Denis. ({{rint|paris|12}} is also a possibility but requires a long walk from the Montparnasse train station to the northern half of the metro station. It is a good option when coming from the shopping area near boulevard Montparnasse.) =====From Gare du Nord===== * Gare du Nord – Gare d'Austerlitz (20 min): {{rint|paris|5}} direction Place d'Italie. * Gare du Nord - Gare de Bercy (25 min): Follow the directions for Gare de Lyon, then switch to {{rint|paris|14}} direction Olympiades to ''Bercy''. * Gare du Nord - Gare de l'Est (8 min): {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge. By foot, it is also about 8 minutes, but you will have to descend a set of stairs. * Gare du Nord - Gare de Lyon (20 min): RER D direction Melun/Malesherbes; alternatively, if the RER D is not operational, RER B direction Robinson/Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse to Châtelet Les Halles and then RER A direction Marne-la-Vallée/Boissy-Saint-Léger to Gare de Lyon (this change only involves getting off the RER B train and getting on the RER A train on the other side of the same platform) * Gare du Nord - Gare Montparnasse (30 min): {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge * Gare du Nord – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 min): RER E direction Haussman–Saint-Lazare; alternatively (slower, less walking, but more stairs) {{rint|paris|4}} direction Mairie de Montrouge, change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for {{rint|paris|3}} direction Pont de Levallois–Bécon. =====From Gare Saint-Lazare===== * Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare d'Austerlitz (25 min): {{rint|paris|12}} direction Mairie d'Issy, change at Sèvres-Babylone for {{rint|paris|10}} direction Austerlitz; alternatively {{rint|paris|14}} direction Olympiades to Gare de Lyon, then cross the Seine river to Gare d'Austerlitz (10 min walk). * Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare de Bercy (20 min): {{rint|paris|14}} direction Olympiades. * Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare de l'Est (15 min): RER E direction Chelles–Gournay, Villiers-sur-Marne or Tournan; alternatively (less walking, but more stairs) {{rint|paris|3}} direction Gallieni and change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for {{rint|paris|4}} direction Porte de Clignancourt. * Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare de Lyon (15 min): {{rint|paris|14}} direction Olympiades. * Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare Montparnasse (15 min): {{rint|paris|13}} direction Châtillon–Montrouge. ({{rint|paris|12}} is also a possibility but requires a long walk from the Montparnasse train station to the northern half of the metro station. It is a good option when coming from the shopping area near boulevard Montparnasse.) * Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare du Nord (15 min): RER E direction Chelles–Gournay, Villiers-sur-Marne or Tournan; alternatively (slower, less walking, but more stairs) {{rint|paris|3}} direction Gallieni and change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for {{rint|paris|4}} direction Porte de Clignancourt. =====From Gare de Bercy===== For most train stations, take the {{rint|paris|14}} to Gare de Lyon and follow the directions given from Gare de Lyon. * Gare de Bercy – Gare d'Austerlitz (15 min): bus 24 towards gare Saint-Lazare. ===By bus=== While domestic bus lines were tightly regulated until 2015, the similar experience in Germany, where [[Intercity buses in Germany|Intercity buses]] were deregulated in 2013, have lead to a heavily competitive and fast growing market. Companies that serve Paris are: *{{listing | type=go | name=Blablacar Bus | alt=OUIBUS | url=https://www.blablacar.fr/bus | email= | address=48 bis Boulevard de Bercy, 75012 Paris | lat=48.83835 | long=2.38258 | directions=Next to Gare de Bercy at the southside | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2022-03-07| content=A subsidiary of the SNCF, offering routes between Paris and London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Milan, Turin, along with other cities and towns in France. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.fr/bus/paris | email=service@flixbus.com | address= | lat=48.83606 | long=2.37965 | directions=Next to Quai de Bercy, access through the Parc de Bercy. | phone=+49 30 300 137 300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=| lastedit=2019-02-10 | content= Originally a German company, they serve many routes in and out of Paris, both domestic and international with destinations in Germany, Belgium or even London. Note that although their main hub is Bercy Seine, some buses also go to other places in Paris. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Regiojet | alt= | url=https://www.regiojet.com/ | email=info@regiojet.com | address=bus stop along Rue du Faubourg near Château-Landon Metro stop | lat=48.87839 | long=2.36179 | directions=Next Gare de l'Est | phone=+420 222 222 221 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-07-02 | content=A Czech company, offers connections to Paris from Prague and via Prague from Berlin and other cities. Good service and economical. }} ===By car=== Several ''autoroutes'' (expressway, motorway) link Paris with the rest of France: {{European road|FR|A|1}} and {{European road|FR|A|3}} to the north, {{European road|FR|A|5}} and {{European road|FR|A|6}} to the south, {{European road|FR|A|4}} to the east and {{European road|FR|A|13}} and {{European road|FR|A|10}} to the west. Not surprisingly, traffic jams are significantly worse during French school holidays. The multi-lane highway around Paris, called the ''Périphérique'' (BP), is probably preferable to driving through the center. Another beltway nearing completion; ''L'A86'' (also {{European road|FR|A|186}} and A286) loops around Paris about 10&nbsp;km further out from the ''Périphérique''. A third, incomplete beltway is much further out and called ''La Francilienne'' (N104). It is advised not to drive within Paris and to be wary in the metropolitan area. It is better to drive to a suburban train station with a parking lot and then use the train to continue your trip throughout Paris. Most of Paris' roads were created long before the invention of automobiles. Traffic inside the city tends to be heavy, especially at rush hour; driving, however, may be rather easy and efficient in the evening. Parking is also difficult. Furthermore, the medieval nature of parts of the city's street system makes it very confusing, and traffic will almost never allow one to stop or slow down to get one's bearings. If you are unfamiliar with the streets and still insist on driving in the city, make sure you have a navigator in the passenger seat with you. In Paris, there are many car rental agencies offering a large number and wide range of vehicles for rental. Additionally, there are numerous car rental agencies located off-site which provide free airport transfers from their location and may offer lower prices well. ==Get around== The best and cheapest way to get around Paris is on foot, and secondly, using the Metro which is €1.90 for a one-way trip of any length. ===On foot=== {{Infobox|Paris walking 101|To get a great orientation of the city on foot while seeing many of Paris' major sights, you can do a West to East walk along the [[Axe Historique]] from the Arc de Triomphe to Île de la Cité (Notre Dame). This walk takes about 1-2 hours without any stops. Start at the top of the Champs Elysées (at the Arc de Triomphe) and begin walking down the Champs Elysées towards Place ('square') de la Concorde. *On the way towards the obelisk on the square, you'll see the major stores and restaurants of Paris' most famous avenue. *Once you've passed the main shopping area, you'll see the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais to your right. *At Place de la Concorde, you'll be able to see many of Paris' major monuments around you. In front of you is the Tuileries, behind you is the Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, behind you to your right is the Tour Eiffel and Musee d'Orsay, and finally, to your left is the Madeleine. *Continue straight ahead and enter the Tuileries Gardens passing by fountains, flowers, and lovers in the park. *As you continue straight ahead, and out of the garden, you'll see the pyramid entrance to the Louvre directly in front of you. *With the pyramid directly in front of you, and the Tuileries directly behind you, turn to your right and walk towards the Seine. *Now you can walk along the Seine (eastwards) until you reach Pont Neuf. Cross Pont Neuf and walk through the Latin Quarter, cross the river again to reach Notre Dame cathedral on Ile de la Cité.}} Walking in Paris is one of the great pleasures of visiting the City of Light. It is possible to cross the entire city in only a few hours, but only if you can somehow keep yourself from stopping at numerous cafés and shops. In fact within a few years walking combined with biking and the ''Metro'' may be the only way to get around the very centre of Paris as plans develop to reduce access to cars in the city centre. The smartest travellers take advantage of the walk-ability of this city, and stay above ground as much as possible. A metro ride of less than 2 stops is probably best avoided since walking will take about the same amount of time and you'll be able to see more of the city. That said, pay attention to the Métro stations that you may pass by on your journey; the Métro network is very dense within the city and the lines are virtually always located directly underneath major boulevards, so if you become lost it is easy to regain your bearings by walking along a major boulevard until you find a Métro station. You may have heard of the hazard of walking into dog droppings in Paris. The problem is now virtually nonexistent due to fines as high as €180 and extensive street cleaning operations. It's always fun to experience the city by foot, and there are numerous walking tours around Paris, whether self-guided (with the help of a guidebook or online guide) or with a touring guide (booked through your travel agency or hotel). The city is best explored by foot, and some of the most marvelous memories you will have of Paris is walking through secret found places. Pedestrian call buttons at crosswalks are activated by pressing the button underneath the call button box. ===By Métro=== Paris has an excellent underground train system, known as the ''Métro'' (short for ''Chemin de fer métropolitain'', Metropolitan Railway). Although you will probably take the RER subway train from the airport to Paris, don't be confused: [[w:RER|RER]] is a French-language acronym that translates to "Regional Express Network," and is mostly used by commuters. Look for the Métro stations, marked with a large "M" sign or with an old-styled sign saying "Métropolitain". [[File:Carte Métro de Paris.jpg|thumb|250px|Schematic plan of the Métro, Dec. 2012]] ==== Using the métro and the suburban train ==== There are 16 Métro lines (''lignes'') (''1''-''14'', ''3bis'', and ''7bis'') on which trains travel all day at intervals of a few minutes. The service starts on each end of every line at 05:30, and the last metro arrives on each end at 01:15 (service ends an hour later on Friday and Saturday nights, and the day before a holiday), stopping at all stations on the line. Some lines have rare trains that terminate at an intermediate station; if that happens, get off the train with the rest of the crowd and board the next train on the same track or on the other side of the platform (the driver will usually make an announcement in French). Lines 7 and 13 have a fork, so if you take line 13 north of ''La Fourche'' or line 7 south of ''Maison Blanche'', make sure to board the train for the correct destination which is indicated by a lit arrow on the sign in the middle of the platform and on colour-coded binders in each carriage. Times for trains can be seen on an electronic scroll board above the platform. Scheduled times for first and last trains are posted in each station on the centre sign. Generally, except for early and late hours, travellers should not worry about specific Metro train times; just get to your station and take the next train. Trains usually come 2–3 minutes apart during rush hour and 5–10 minutes apart during other times, depending on the line. The lines are named according to the names of their terminal stations (the end of the line). If you ask the locals about directions, they will answer something like: take line number ''n'' towards "end station 1", change at "station", take the line ''nn'' towards "end station 2" etc. The lines are also colour-coded. Changing metro lines might be difficult at times for visitors travelling to or from the airport or train stations with heavy luggage or those with impaired mobility, especially at major metro intersections. Moving from one platform to another generally involves walking up and down multiple flights of stairs. Very few stations have elevators (only the newest line 14 is wheelchair-accessible at all stations). Only the busiest ones have escalators. It might be a good idea to check out the bus routes and timings and see if one can find a convenient bus connection. [[File:SIEL - RER B - Prochains trains.JPG|thumb|Next trains on RER B]]In addition, there are five commuter train lines that cross Paris: [[w:RER A|RER A]], [[w:RER B|B]], [[w:RER C|C]], [[w:RER D|D]], and [[w:RER E|E]]. RER trains run at intervals varying from about 3 minutes (RER A) to 6 minutes (RER D), and stop at every station '''within''' Paris. The rest of the regional network, called "Transilien", departs from the main train stations (Lyon for line R, Est for line P, Nord for lines H and K, St-Lazare for lines J and L, Montparnasse for line N) and La Défense (line U). Trains can run up to every 5 minutes during rush hour, and you will never have to wait for more than 1 hour between two trains, even on the least served lines in the evening or on the weekend. Do note that the Transilien is marginally less crowded than the RER and even the Metro. [[File:RER A - Gare Noisiel.JPG|thumb|Information on service OKRE (Last stop Torcy)]]RER and Transilien will stop at every station within Paris (zone 1), but may skip stations outside Paris, so if you're going to the suburbs make sure your RER stops where you need! Information about the stops to be made by the next incoming train is presented on a separate board also hanging from the ceiling. Four letter codes (KRIN, DIPA, TORE, etc.) are used for the RER and Transilien trains; the first letter indicates the station where the train terminates, and the other three indicate the route and stops. Each line has its own nomenclature. You can look up what these codes mean on information panels in the station, but the easiest and fastest way is often to check the information screens along the platforms. The Métro and RER move staggering numbers of people into, out of, and around Paris (6.75 million people per day on average), and most of the time in reasonable comfort. Certain lines, however, are operating at or near capacity, sometimes being so full that you'll have to let one or two trains pass before being able to board. If you can help it, avoid Métro lines 1, 4, and 13 and RER line A and B during rush hours as these are the most congested lines in the system. [[w:RATP|RATP]] [http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_5000/accueil/ (website)] is responsible for most public transport including metro, buses, and about half of the RER A and B. The rest of the RER, as well as Transilien, is operated by [[w:SNCF|SNCF]]. However, both companies take the same tickets, so the difference is of little interest for most people except in case of strikes (RATP may strike without SNCF doing so or the other way round). ==== Fares ==== [[File:Ticket t+ stif Paris 2017.jpg|thumb|A ''ticket t'' allows you to use Paris métro network, as well as bus and tramway lines. RER access is authorized within Paris city only.]] A single ticket, '''ticket t+''', allows you to either: *Make a metro/RER trip, with as many connections as you want between them, during 2 hours, as long as you don't exit the network (there are a few exceptions: to transfer between RER C and the métro at Javel (with métro line 10), at Musée d'Orsay (with métro line 12 at Assemblée Nationale or Solférino), at Avenue Henri-Martin (with métro line 9 at Rue de la Pompe), and at Pont de l'Alma (with métro line 9 at Alma-Marceau), you need to exit and cross the street but you can reuse the same ticket). While you can reach any metro station (regardless of its zone), you're only allowed to reach RER stations that are within zone 1 (Paris). *Make a bus/tram trip, with as many connections as you want between them, during 90 minutes (between the first and last validation), regardless of the "zones" system. You need to validate your ticket every time you get on a new bus or tram. Please note that tickets purchased on a bus for €2 are not valid for connections; those are single ride only. If you need to transfer to another bus, you need to buy a new ticket. Roissybus and Orlybus are exceptions, and cannot be used with a ticket t+. It costs €1.90, or €2 if bought on board of the bus (you can not buy a ticket inside of a tram). However, it is generally not advisable to buy tickets by the unit: instead, a ''carnet'' of ten tickets can be bought for {{multibuy_discount|€|14.90|10|1.9}} at any station. Tickets named ''tarif réduit'' may be purchased for children under the age of 10 but only in a carnet of 10 for €7.45. Tickets do not expire, but as they are magnetic, they should be kept away from some metallic objects such as coins. Beware that traveling outside the city centre without a valid RER ticket will get you fined, and the packs of inspectors who roam the system show no mercy to tourists pleading ignorance. In particular, the airports and the [[Versailles]] Palace are ''not'' within the city, and you'll need to purchase a more expensive RER ticket to get there (see [[#Get in|Get in]]). If you're going to the suburbs, an '''origine-destination''' ticket allows you to make a one-way trip on the exact route printed on the ticket (no matter which direction). Price is distance-based, with a capping at €5 (except to/from Charles-de-Gaulle airport). You can also buy packs of 10 (with a 20% discount), or single or packs of 10 "demi-tarif" tickets (for children aged 4–9, 50% discount for single tickets, 60% for packs of 10). If your ticket leaves from or goes to Paris, or includes a transfer "''via section urbaine''", you can also connect with other metro or RER lines prior to/after your main trip to/from the suburbs. For the following kind of tickets, you need to know that the Île-de-France region is divided into 5 concentric zones. Paris represents zone 1, all of Paris' immediate neighbours (including Vincennes and Saint-Denis) are in zone 2, La Défense is in zone 3, Orly and Versailles are in zone 4, and Fontainebleau, Provins, Disneyland and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport are in zone 5. The few stations outside Île-de-France that are served by the Transilien system are "''hors tarification Île-de-France''", meaning it is necessary to buy a special fare not affected by the zonal system. A one-day ticket, '''Mobilis''', allows you to make an unlimited number of trips between 00:00 and 23:59 on the date you wrote on the ticket, within the zones it is valid for, on bus, tram, metro (a zones 1-2 pass is valid for the whole metro network), RER, Transilien. You do need to write your name and the date of validity on it you've chosen before using it. Prices range from €7.50 (zones 1-2) to €17.80 (zones 1-5). It is ''not'' valid on Orlyval, but it is valid on other public-transport airport links (RER B, Roissybus, RER C, Orlybus) if the pass includes the appropriate zones. For travelers under the age of 26, there is a special ticket (''Jeunes Week-end'') that you can purchase for unlimited travel between 00:00 and 23:59 on the day written on the ticket on the weekends or holidays, on bus, tram, metro (a zones 1-2 pass is valid for the whole metro network), RER, Transilien.. The price varies depending on the zones you wish to cover (zones 1-3 is €4, zones 1-5 is €8.70, and zones 3-5 is €5.10). It is NOT valid from/to the airports on RER B, Roissybus, Orlybus, Orlyval (but it is valid on local links such as T7 and RER C to Orly and bus 350 or 351 to Roissy). The date and your name must be written on the ticket as for the Mobilis ticket described above. If you are staying a bit longer, you can buy a '''Navigo Découverte''' (''DAY-koo-VERT'') pass for €5 (you will need to write your name and put a photo on it, otherwise it will be considered as invalid), and load it with either a 1-week pass (€22.80 for all zones, will have to start on a Monday) or a monthly pass (€75.20 for all zones, will have to start on the 1st day of the month). You can choose between zones 2–3, 3–4, 3–5, 4–5, or "all zones", but most visitors of Paris will simply choose the "all zones" pass. Everything related to a "Navigo" pass is in purple (like the target for the pass in the turnstiles). You need to validate your Navigo every time you get on a bus or a tram as well. If you're not holding a "all zones" pass, weekend travel is free throughout the entire Île-de-France region for passengers holding a monthly or yearly Navigo pass, despite which zones are covered during the week. Navigo allows you to reach Orly (zone 4) or Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (zone 5) airports with any public transit line, except for Orlyval light-rail to Orly airport where it's not valid. There is now an option to load tickets directly to a compatable NFC smartphone, see [https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/tickets-fares/media/smartphone Île-de-France Mobilités website]. RATP and SNCF sell passes dedicated to tourists called '''[http://www.vianavigo.com/en/tickets-and-fares/tickets/the-pass-paris-visite/ Paris Visite]''', more expensive than the one they offer to locals, but they do include something more (a map, and some discounts on selected attractions). Depending on which attractions you consider visiting, it can be an attractive option... or not. Although not as good a deal for adults in most cases as the ''Mobilis'' or ''Navigo'', the Paris Visite passes might still be a bargain for kids of ages 4–11 for trips on Monday-Friday (when the Ticket jeunes is not valid), starting at €5.55 per day for travel within zones 1–3. The Navigo Easy contactless card can be purchased from staffed ticket offices for €2. At ticket offices or machines, it can be charged with T+ tickets purchased individually or as carnets, one-day Mobilis tickets, "jeunes week-end" tickets, and Roissybus and Orlybus journeys. It cannot be charged with point-to-point rail tickets for use outside the central zone. No ID or photograph is required. Keep your ticket or pass with you at all times as you may be checked. You will be cited and forced to pay on the spot if you do not have a ticket. The most likely spots for being checked are just behind the turnstiles at big métro stations or during métro line changes (''correspondances''). RATP agents may be present in the métro stations even on Sunday nights. Métro stations have both ticket windows and automatic vending machines. The majority of automatic vending machines do not take notes, only coins or European credit cards with a pin-encoded chip on the front. Therefore, to use either euro bills or a non-European credit card with a magnetic stripe, it is necessary to make the purchase from the ticket window. Some ticket vending machines do not give change, so use exact change or go to the ticket window. If you look at the vending machines closely, you may find one in the group that takes euro bills and will give change; these machines can be found at major or touristy stations such as Tuileries, Gare de Lyon or La Défense-Grande Arche. ==== Access ==== Some larger stations have secondary entrances, where there is no ticket booth. These are labelled ''voyageurs munis de billets'' (passengers with tickets). When entering the turnstile with a ticket or Navigo pass, it will only work once for that particular station and can only be reset if you use it at another station. Once you have passed your ticket or card, promptly move through the turnstile as it will not let you through if you attempt to use it again. {{Infobox|Avoid suburban charges|If you have any tickets or ''Navigo'' passes for zone 1-2 (''inside'' the Paris area, the lower rate), they allow you to use any metro station, regardless of its actual zone. For example if you want go to La Défense (zone 3) from Châtelet, you have to take the Métro (Line 1). You can take the RER A (and save a few minutes), but you have to pay an additional fare because of the zone system for RER.}} Each station displays a detailed map of the surrounding area with a street list and the location of buildings (monuments, schools, places of worship, etc.,) as well as exits for that particular metro. Maps are located on the platform if the station has several exits or near the exit if there is only one exit. Except for Métro 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, and 14, the doors will not open automatically. In such a case, there are handles or buttons located both inside and outside the train that you have to push or unlatch in order to open the door. Many locals may try to squeeze into the trains after the alarm has sounded to signal the closing of the doors. While one can occasionally pass through on lines with a driver, the automatic doors on Métro 1 and 14 will continue to close despite the presence of a limb or article of clothing. It is strongly advised to wait for the second train than to chance being caught between the doors. Strikes, breakdown and construction are regular occurrences on the Paris public transit system. Generally during a strike, the métro operates with reduced service and some suburban lines may stop operating altogether. Visit the [https://www.ratp.fr/en RATP] and [https://www.transilien.com/fr Transilien] websites for information on which routes are affected (beware that real-time traffic information and construction announcements are often available only on the French-language sites). ===By bus=== Since the Métro is primarily structured around a hub-and-spoke model, there are some journeys for which it can be quite inefficient, and in these cases, it is worth seeing if a direct bus route exists, despite the complexity of the bus network. A bus ride is also interesting if you want to see more of the city. All stops have a name and are clearly marked on the street. At complex intersections, stops usually have a situation map that lets you know where other lines stop and if applicable where to find a métro entrance. If more than one line stops, wave to the driver to let them know you want to board. All buses have a schematic map of the line on display with all stop names, bus connections and major street names. Electronic displays inside each bus tell riders its current position and what stops remain, but don't overly rely on them as they don't always work. The bus system uses the same single-ride tickets and ''Navigo'' as the Métro. A ticket is valid for 90min on buses (and tramways) after its first validation, except that you may not backtrack. Just put the ticket in the machine again when you change buses. You cannot buy a ticket from the bus driver, and SMS ticket can only be bought with a French mobile phone number. You can't use a single ticket for a combined métro+bus trip: if a ticket has been used in a bus, you can't use it in the métro, and vice versa. These same payment devices are also valid in the ''Noctilien'', the night bus. Night buses run regularly through the central hub at Chatelet to outlying areas of greater Paris. There is also a circle line connecting the main train stations. It pays to know one's ''Noctilien'' route ahead of time in case one misses the last Métro home. Women travellers should probably avoid taking the Noctilien on their own to destinations outside Paris. ===By boat=== [[File:Bateaux Mouches Paris 2011.jpg|thumb|A bateau mouche near the Pont Neuf]] There are several excellent boat services which make use of the Seine. As well as providing easy, cheap transport to much of central Paris, excellent photo opportunities abound. You can buy a day or 3 day ticket and hop on and off the boat as needed. The boats take a circular route from the Eiffel Tower, down past the Louvre, Notre Dame, botanical gardens then back up the other bank past Musée d'Orsay. [http://www.batobus.com/ Batobus] offers a regular shuttle service between the main tourist sights (closed Jan); other companies such as the famous [http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr Bateaux Mouches] offer sightseeing cruises. ===By bicycle=== {{Infobox|Directions|If you find yourself lost in the streets, a good idea is to find the nearest Hotel and ask the concierge for directions. Most speak English well. A simple "''Bonjour Monsieur / Madame, parlez-vous anglais?''" should suffice.}} Renting a bike is a very good alternative over driving or using public transport and an excellent way to see the sights. Riding a bike anywhere in the city is far safer for the moderately experienced cyclists than almost any town or city in the United States. The French are very cognizant of cyclists, almost to a point of reverence. Paris hasn't always been the easiest place to get around by bike, but that is no longer the case. The city government has taken a number of steps in strong support of improving the safety and efficiency of the urban cyclist as well, in establishing some separated bike lanes, but even more important a policy of allowing cyclists to share the ample bus lanes on most major boulevards. Paris also has many riversides which are perfect for cycling. The Paris bike network now counts over 150&nbsp;km of either unique or shared lanes for the cyclist. In addition, the narrower, medieval side streets of the central arrondissements make for rather scenic and leisurely cycling, especially during off-hours of the day when traffic is lighter. Do remember to bring a good map, since there is no grid plan to speak of and almost all of the smaller streets are one-way. While the streets of Paris are generally fairly easy on novice cyclists, there are some streets in the city that should be avoided by those who do not have sufficient urban cycling experience. Rue de Rivoli, Place de la Bastille, and Place de la Nation are particularly hairy, especially during weekdays and the Saturday evening rush, and should not be navigated by anyone not confident in their ability to cycle in heavy traffic. Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Place de l'Étoile, and voie Georges Pompidou (the lower-level express lanes along the banks of the Seine) should be avoided at all times. You can find an excellent map of the bike network called [https://api-site.paris.fr/images/72012 ''Paris à vélo - Le bon plan'']) at the information centre in the ''Hôtel de Ville''. *{{listing | name=Vélib' | alt= | url=https://www.velib-metropole.fr/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 76 49 12 34 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€5 per day, first half hour free |wikidata=|image=| lastedit=2019-02-10 | content=In January 2018, the original Vélib' was replaced by a new system called Vélib' Métropole, that encompasses an ever larger area than the previous one. At first there were some technical issues, but by the end of 2018 it seems like they were mostly resolved. Bikes include a screen showing eg. how long a bike has been rented. Some electric bikes are also available (for an extra fee). }} You can purchase the Vélib pass online. An app helps finding stations and available parking slots. Green Vélib bikes are normal bikes, blue Vélibs are ebikes. === By electric scooter === Like many cities, Paris was in 2018 more or less flooded with free-floating electric scooters which you can rent through an app. You'll find them whizzing around and standing nearly everywhere. Examples include [https://www.bird.co Bird] and [https://www.li.me Lime], but several other brands are also available. If you take one, make sure to park it in a place where it doesn't obstruct any other foot or motorized traffic. ===By scooter or motorbike=== Paris is an incredibly open city, with its many "Grands Boulevards" and monuments with large open spaces around make it a city perfect to be explored and viewed by scooter. Be warned that scooter/motorbike is by far the mode of transportation with the most casualties in Paris: half of victims of a collision were riding one, although they only account for about 2% of the traffic. When you're riding a scooter or motorbike in Paris, even if you see others doing so, it is not allowed to "lane-split" between the rows of cars waiting in traffic. At the red lights, even though a lot of scooter and motorbike drivers do not respect it, don't forget to pay attention to the bike designated area: you are not allowed to use them, and doing so is equivalent to failing to respect the red light (€135 fine). Parking-wise there are plenty of ''deux roues'' (two wheel) parking spots all over the city. Again, even though you may see plenty of scooters or motorbikes parked on the sidewalk, it is forbidden to do so. The city of Paris has dramatically increased the number of vehicles fined every day (€35), some of them even being towed away (at your own expenses). *{{do | name=Paris By Scooter | url=http://parisbyscooter.com/ | email=paris@parisbyscooter.com | address=(Scooter always delivered to your hotel) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 6 28 35 39 30 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-21:00 | price=From €60 | content=All Vespa scooter rentals and Paris guided City tours include the collect and picked up from, your hotel in Paris. }} *{{listing | name=Left Bank Scooters | url=http://www.leftbankscooters.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Scooter delivered to your hotel | phone=+33 6 78 12 04 24 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-20:00 | price=From €60 | content=Scooter rental that is delivered to, and picked up from, your hotel in Paris. All scooter are Vespas, 50cc or 125cc available. Must have a car license to rent the 50cc, and a motorcycle license to rent the 125cc.}} *{{listing | name=Ride'n'Smile | alt= | url=http://ridensmile.fr {{dead link|August 2020|December 2020}} | email=ridensmileparis@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Scooter delivered to your hotel | phone=+33 6 64 30 80 13 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-19:00 | price=From €39 | lastedit=2017-04-13 | content=City tours by 50cc Vespa scooters delivered and picked up from your hotel. Driving licence required for drivers. }} === On skates === Paris is a hub for city skating. This is due to the large, smooth surfaces offered by both the pavements and the roads. Skating on the pavement is legal all around Central Paris (zone 1) and its suburbs (zones 2+). ===By car=== In a word: '''don't'''. It is generally a very bad idea to rent a car to visit Paris. Traffic is very dense during the day, and parking is, on average, exceedingly difficult and expensive. This is especially true in areas surrounding points of interest, since many of these are in areas designed long before automobiles existed. A majority of Parisian households do not own cars, and many people who move to the city find themselves selling their cars within a month or two. That said, driving may be an option for going to some sights in the suburbs such as [[Vaux-le-Vicomte]] castle or the castle and city at [[Fontainebleau]], or for starting to other places in France. You may prefer to rent from a location outside Paris proper. Traffic rules in Paris are basically the same as elsewhere in France, with the exception of having to yield to incoming traffic on roundabouts. However, driving in dense traffic in Paris and suburbs during commute times, can be especially strenuous. Be prepared for traffic jams, cars changing lanes at short notice, and so on. Another issue is pedestrians, who tend to fearlessly jaywalk more in Paris than in other French cities. Be prepared for pedestrians crossing the street on red, and expect similar adventurous behaviour from cyclists. Remember that even if a pedestrian or cyclist crossed on red, if you hit him, you (in fact, your insurance) will have to bear civil responsibility for the damages, and possibly prosecution for failing to control your vehicle. Note that the speed limit in Paris is 30 km/h in almost every street, besides a few large avenues clearly marked as such. Paris has several beltway systems. There is a series of boulevards named after Napoleonic-era generals (''Boulevard Masséna'', ''Boulevard Ney'', and so forth), and collectively referred to as ''boulevard des maréchaux''. These are normal wide avenues, with traffic lights. Somewhat outside of this boulevard is the ''boulevard périphérique'', a freeway-style beltway. The ''périphérique intérieur'' is the inner lanes (going clockwise), the ''périphérique extérieur'' the outer lanes (going counter-clockwise). Despite the looks, the ''périphérique'' is not an ''autoroute'': the speed limit is 70 km/h and, very unusually, incoming traffic has the right of way, at least theoretically (presumably because, otherwise, nobody would be able to enter during rush hour). ===By taxi=== {{Infobox|To stop a taxi...|... watch the sign on the roof: if the wide sign is green, the cab is available, if it is red, the cab is busy, if it is off, the cab is off}} Taxis are comparatively cheap especially at night when there are no traffic jams to be expected. There are not as many as one would expect, and sometimes finding a taxi can be challenging. In the daytime, it is not always a good idea to take a taxi, as walking or taking the metro (''See: Métro'') will often be faster. If you know you will need one to get to the airport, or to a meeting, it is wise to book ahead by phone. Initial fare is €2.40 and the meter increases by around €1.10 each kilometer and around 50 cents each minute spent at red lights or in traffic jams. Fares are fixed by the city law and every driver complies to them. Fares vary according to the day of the week, the hour of the day and the area you're crossing. If you call a taxi, the meter starts when you call and not when you get in. You should expect a €5 to €10 fare on the meter when the taxi arrives after you call it. '''Remember''' if a taxi is near a 'taxi station', they're not supposed to pick you up ''except'' at the station where there may be people waiting for a taxi. Taxi stations are usually near train stations, big hotels, hospitals, large crossings. There are a number of services by which you can call for taxis or make a reservation in advance. The two largest fleet are Taxis G7 and Taxis Bleus: * {{listing | name=Taxis G7 | url=http://www.taxisg7.fr | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 47 39 47 39 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxis Bleus | url=http://www.taxis-bleus.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 891 70 10 10 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} As in many other cities a taxi can be difficult to stop; you may have to try several times. When you do get a taxi to stop, the driver will usually roll down his window to ask you where you want to go. If the driver can't (or doesn't want to) go where you want, he might tell you that he's near the end of his work day & can't possibly get you where you want before he has to go off-duty. There is a €6.40 minimum (2012) on all taxi rides, mandated by city law, but the meter does not show this amount, which can result in being asked to pay more than the metered amount on short rides. In Paris taxis are required by law to charge for the trip with a meter, charging a flat rate is illegal, except from/to Charles de Gaulle airport (€50 from the right bank of the Seine, €55 from the left bank) and Orly airport (€35 from the right bank, €30 from the left bank). Frequently the taxi driver will not want to drive you all the way to the doorstep, but will prefer to let you out a block or so away if there are one or more one-way streets to contend with. Try to look at this as a cost-savings rather than an inconvenience. You should pay while still seated in the cab as in New York and ''not'' through the front window London style. The driver will not let you sit in the front seat (unless there are 3 or 4 of you, which is a rare case usually expedited by more money). Taxi-drivers come in all types, some nice, some rude, some wanting to chat, some not. Smoking in taxis is generally not allowed, however it might be that the taxi driver himself wants a cigarette in which case the rule might become flexible. Many drivers prefer that you avoid using your cellphone during the ride; if you ''do have'' to, make an apologizing gesture & sound, and do make a '''short''' call. *A tip is included in the fare price; If you're especially satisfied with the service, you can give something (basically 10%), but you don't ''have'' to. *There is an extra charge for baggage handling. If for any reason you wish to file a complaint about a Paris taxi, take note of the taxi's number on the sticker on the left hand backseat window. Beware of illegal taxis (see the 'Stay Safe' section). === {{anchor|VTC}} By chauffeur (Limo) === Known as car services or livery cabs, these cars are not allowed to cruise the street or airports for fares. You need to book them before they can pick you up. They are flat rate rather than metered (''ask for the fare before getting in''), and There are two types of licence: the "Grande Remise" that allows the car & driver to pick-up & drop-off passengers anywhere in France, and the "carte verte" that allows pick-up & drop-off in the department or region where the company is based. The Grande Remise cars have a GR on their front plate. They provide more service than a normal cab. You can find two kind of cab: private and shared. * Shared shuttle: Have to share the shuttle with other customers. Can have delay since the shuttle need to pick up other customers and perhaps drop them off before you, cheaper than private shuttle. * Private shuttle: Will pick you up on-time and drop you off directly to the address specified while booked. ===With children=== * '''Metro and bus'''. The metro and buses are free for children under the age of 4. Older kids (4-9) can buy a ''carnet'' (a collection of 10 tickets) at half-price for discounted travel. Other passes, including the Paris-Vistes pass for unlimited travel over 1 to 5 days are also available at half-price for children below 9 years of age. * '''Taxis'''. Parisien taxis tend to be standard cars (sedans or minivans) so almost all strollers will need to be folded and placed in trunk. Be aware that taxi drivers are proud of their cars and keep them very clean and are not big fans of messy kids. * '''VTC'''. All strollers will need to be folded and placed in trunk. VTC provide you all the safety equipment for your children (baby seats and boosters) ==Talk== First and foremost, [[French]] (français) is of course the country's official language. Any native French person will speak French and it helps if you can speak a bit of it. In the parts of the city that tourists frequent the most (Tour Eiffel, Le Louvre, Champs-Elysées), the shopkeepers, information booth attendants, and other workers are likely to answer you in English, even if your French is advanced. These workers tend to deal with thousands of foreign-speaking tourists, and responding in English is often faster than repeating themselves in French. This is not the case for the rest of the city. {{Infobox|Reading up|Before you leave you may want to read a book like ''French or Foe'' by Polly Platt or ''Almost French'' by Sarah Turnbull — interesting, well-written records from English-speaking persons who live in France.}} For most Parisians, English is something they had to study in school, and thus seems a bit of a chore. People helping you out in English are making an extra effort, sometimes a considerable one. Parisians younger than 40 are much more likely to be fluent in English. Immigrants, often working in service jobs, are less likely (often, still struggling to learn French.) If it's your first time in France you will have some problems understanding what people are saying (even with prior education in French). Unlike most language education tapes, real French people often speak at varying speeds (Parisians do tend to speak fast), use slang, and swallow some letters. When attempting to speak French, do not be offended if people ask you to repeat, or seem not to understand you, as they are not acting out of snobbery. Keep your sense of humour, and if necessary, write down phrases or place names. And remember to speak slowly and clearly. Unless you have an advanced level and can at least sort of understand French movies, you should also assume that it will be difficult for people to understand what you are saying (imagine someone speaking English to you in an indiscernible accent, it's all the same). When in need of directions what you should do is this: find a younger person, or a person reading some book or magazine in English, who is obviously not in a hurry; say "hello" or "''bonjour''" (bon-zhor); start by asking if the person speaks English, "Parlez-vous anglais?" (Par-LAY voo on-glay?) even if the person can read something in English, speak slowly and clearly; write down place names if necessary. Smile a lot. Also, carry a map (preferably ''Paris par Arrondissement''); given the complexity of Paris streets it is difficult to explain how to find any particular address in any language, no matter how well you speak it. If anything, the person may have an idea as to the place you are looking for, but may not know exactly where it may be, so the map always helps. On the other hand, you will probably get the cold shoulder if you stop a random person in the métro (like, say, some middle-aged hurried person who has a train to take), fail to greet them and say "where is place X or street Y". Now, if you speak French, remember two '''magic phrases''': "Excusez-moi de vous déranger" [ex-kuh-zay mwuh duh voo day-rawn-ZHAY] ("Sorry to bother you") and "Pourriez-vous m'aider?" [por-EE-AY voo may-DAY] ("Could you help me?") especially in shops; politeness will work wonders. It is considered polite to always say "bonjour" (in the day) or "bonsoir" (at night) to employees when entering any type of shop even if you have no intention of buying anything. Upon leaving you should say "merci" to thank the shopkeeper for allowing you to browse and say "bonne journée" (bun zhur-nay) or "bonne soirée" (bun swa-ray) to wish them a good day or evening. "Bonne nuit" is only used when telling someone "goodnight" when going to bed. [[File:Pont des Arts, Paris.jpg|thumb|750px|center|The Pont des Arts (Bridge of the Arts) and just behind, the pont Neuf ("New Bridge", but actually the oldest in Paris) and the île de la Cité.]] ==See== {{Mapframe|48.86473|2.33362|width=600|zoom=12||show=mask,see,do}} {{Mapshapes|Q50716}} {{Mapshapes|Q216125}} The listings below are just some '''highlights''' of things that you really should see if you can during your visit to Paris. '''Detailed information''' can be found on each individual district page (click on the name of the sight). ===Landmarks=== <!-- Just quick teasers here on the main Paris article. Only the following information should be added below: - Link to the detailed district listings via Wikidata ID's - Location lat/long (for the dynamic map) - Image (for the dynamic map) - Short and interesting description of sight All other relevant information can be found by clicking on the link to the district listing--> * {{see | name=[[Paris/7th arrondissement#Q243|Eiffel Tower]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.858 | long=2.2953 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Tour Eiffel Wikimedia Commons.jpg | wikidata= | content=No other monument better symbolizes Paris.<!-- keep this concise: put details in the real listing in the 7th --> }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/8th arrondissement#Q64436|Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.8738 | long=2.295 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Paris July 2011-30.jpg | wikidata= | content=The Arc de Triomphe exudes grandeur and offers a central view of the city.<!-- keep this concise: put details in the real listing in the 8th --> }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/8th arrondissement#Q550|Champs-Élysées]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.86967 | long=2.30786 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe.jpg | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-06-13 | content=Widely regarded to be one of the most recognizable avenues in the world }} [[File:Notre-Dame de Paris, South view 20140131 1.jpg|thumb|Notre Dame de Paris]] * {{listing | type=see | name=[[Paris/4th arrondissement#Q2981|Notre Dame Cathedral]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.853 | long=2.3498 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Impressive [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] cathedral that was the inspiration for Victor Hugo's novel ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame''. Closed indefinitely due to the fire that occurred on 15 April 2019. }} [[Image:The white church Sacre Coeur at the Montmartre hill in northern Paris.jpg|thumb|170px|Sacré Coeur]] * {{see | name=[[Paris/18th arrondissement#Q28785|Sacré Coeur]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.886694 | long=2.343 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Sacre Coeur Parijs.JPG | wikidata= | content=A church perched on top of the highest point in Paris. Behind the church is the artists' area, in front are spectacular views of the whole city. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/9th arrondissement#Q187840|Opera Garnier]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.871944 | long=2.331667 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Paris Opera full frontal architecture, May 2009.jpg | wikidata= | content=Masterpiece of theatre architecture of the 19th century built by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 housing the Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV. }} [[File:DJJ 1 Catacombes de Paris.jpg|thumb|A few of the 6 millions bodies in the Catacombes de Paris]] * {{see | name=[[Paris/14th arrondissement#Q28924|Catacombes de Paris]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.83397 | long=2.33245 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Catacombes de Paris.JPG | wikidata= | content=Used to store the exhumed bones from the overflowing Paris cemetery. The bones of more than 6 million bodies lie here. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/La Défense#Q216357|Grande Arche de la Défense]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.892778 | long=2.235833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Paris - Blick vom großen Triumphbogen.jpg | wikidata= | content=A modern office-building variant of the Arc de Triomphe. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=[[Paris/5th arrondissement#Q188856|Panthéon]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.846111 | long=2.345833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Panthéon Paris 2.jpg | content=Underneath, the final resting place for the great heroes of the French Republic including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie; above, a marvellous view of the city. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/20th arrondissement#Q311|Père-Lachaise Cemetery]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.861944 | long=2.394167 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Père-Lachaise - entrée principale 01.jpg | wikidata= | content=Unlike any cemetery in the world. Ornate grave stones, monuments set among tree lined lanes. See the graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frédéric Chopin, among many others. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement#Q193193|Sainte-Chapelle]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.855369 | long=2.345028 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Sainte chapelle superior.jpg | wikidata= | content=Exquisite stained glass chapel. More beautiful interior than the gloomy Notre Dame Cathedral.<!-- keep this concise: put details in the real listing in the 1st --> }} ===Museums and galleries=== All national museums and monuments are free for all every first Sunday of the month. <!-- Just quick teasers here on the main Paris article. Only the following information should be added below: - Link to the detailed district listings via Wikidata ID's - Location lat/long (for the dynamic map) - Image (for the dynamic map) - Short and interesting description of sight All other relevant information can be found by clicking on the link to the district listing--> [[File:LouvreParis.jpg|thumb|Louvre Museum, and the Pyramid by architect I.M. Pei]] * {{see | name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement#Q19675|The Louvre]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.861089 | long=2.33575 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=| image=Louvre 2007 02 24 c.jpg | wikidata= | content=One of the finest museums in the world of art and culture. Home of the Mona Lisa and innumerable others. Enormous building and collection, plan at least two visits.<!-- keep this concise: put details in the real listing in the 1st --> }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/7th arrondissement#Q23402|Musée d'Orsay]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.86 | long=2.326389 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=MuseeOrsay 20070324.jpg | wikidata= | content=Incredible collection housed in a former railway station. Works by the great artists of the 19th century (1848-1914) including Monet's "Blue Water Lilies, Renoir's "Bal du moulin de la Galette", van Gogh's "Bedroom in Arles", Whistler's "The Artists Mother", etc. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/7th arrondissement#Q650519|Rodin Museum]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.855356 | long=2.315819 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Musee Rodin.jpg | wikidata= | content=Collection and archives dedicated to the sculptor Auguste Rodin, in a charming home with garden. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/3rd arrondissement#Q743206|Picasso Museum]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.859731 | long=2.362439 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Hôtel Salé.JPG | wikidata= | content=Contains the master's own collection. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/16th arrondissement#Q1327886|Musée Marmottan-Monet]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.859361 | long=2.2675 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Musée Marmottan Paris.JPG | wikidata= | content=Over 300 paintings of Claude Monet. Also, the works of Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. "Impression Soleil Levant" by Monet is on display. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement#Q726781|Musée de l'Orangerie]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.863833 | long=2.32225 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | content=[Jardin des Tuileries] Houses "The Water Lilies" (or "Nymphéas") - a 360 degree depiction of Monet's flower garden at Giverny. Also, impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings by Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoir, Rousseau, Soutine, Sisley and others. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/6th arrondissement#Q1782606|Musée Delacroix]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.8546 | long=2.3354 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Delacroix Museum - The Studio from the Garden, Paris, sof2011.JPG | wikidata= | content=Housed in the home of painter Eugène Delacroix. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/4th arrondissement#Q178065|Centre Georges Pompidou]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.860653 | long=2.352411 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=| wikidata= | content=The museum of modern art. The building and adjoining Stravinsky Fountain are attractions in themselves. }} [[Image:L'Eglise du Dome.JPG|thumb|right|l'Eglise du Dome, church of Les Invalides, site of Napoleon's tomb]] * {{see | name=[[Paris/7th arrondissement#Q188977|Les Invalides]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.855 | long=2.3125 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Hôtel des Invalides - 20150801 16h09 (10630).jpg | wikidata= | content=Very impressive museum of arms and armor from the Middle Ages to today. Also contains the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/5th arrondissement#Q1124095|Musée National Du Moyen Âge]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.850556 | long=2.343333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Hotel de cluny entrance.jpg | wikidata= | content=A medieval museum exhibiting the five "The Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries, housed in a part Roman, part medieval building. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement#Q1319378|Musée des Arts Décoratifs]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.862783 | long=2.334108 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Musee des arts decoratifs.jpg | wikidata= | content=Showcasing eight centuries of French savoir-faire. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/3rd arrondissement#Q640447|Carnavalet]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.8575 | long=2.362222 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Carnavalet CorpsLogis.JPG | content=Museum of Paris history; exhibitions are permanent and free (closed for renovation until end 2019).<!-- keep this concise: put details in the real listing in the 3rd --> }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/19th arrondissement#Q1094338|Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie - La Villette]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.895556 | long=2.388056 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=VBRITTO-cite-sciences-2.jpg | wikidata= | content=Science museum primarily for children. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/4th arrondissement#Q479218|Mémorial de la Shoah]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.854846 | long=2.356196 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Murdesnoms.JPG | wikidata= | content=Paris's Holocaust Memorial Museum, in the heart of the Marais on rue Geoffroy l'Asnier. Free Entry, weekly guided tours. Second Sunday of the month there is a free tour in English. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/8th arrondissement#Q1165526|Jacquemart-Andre Museum]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.87543 | long=2.31055 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image=Musée Jacquemart André 2007 - Recoura.jpg | wikidata= | content=Private collection of French, Italian, Dutch masterpieces in a typical 19th-century mansion. }} * {{see | name=[[Paris/16th arrondissement#Q860994|Guimet Museum]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.86527777777778 | long=2.2938888888888886 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Musee Guimet P1190515.jpg | content=One of the largest collections outside Asia of Southeast Asian, Indian, Afghan, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art. }} [[File:The Moulin Rouge at night in rain.jpg|thumb|The Moulin Rouge at night in rain]] ===General tips=== Planning your visits: several sites have "choke points" that restrict the number of visitors that can flow through. These include: The Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle, and the catacombs<!-- and the steps to climb to the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral-->. To avoid lines, you should start your day by arriving at one of these sites at least 30 minutes before opening time. Otherwise, expect a wait of at least an hour. Most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday. Examples: the Louvre museum is closed on Tuesdays while the Orsay Museum is closed on Mondays. Be sure to check museum closing dates to avoid disappointment! Also, most ticket counters close 30-45 min before final closing. All national museums are open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month. However, this may mean long lines and crowded exhibits. Keep away from Paris during Easter week due to crowding. People have to queue up at the Eiffel Tower for several hours even early in the morning. However, this wait can be greatly reduced, if fit, by walking the first two levels, then buying an elevator ticket to the top. Entry to the permanent exhibitions at city-run museums is free at all times (admission is charged for temporary exhibitions). ===Sightseeing passes=== One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the [http://www.parismuseumpass.com/en/home.php ''Paris Museum Pass''], a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris (and the Palace of Versailles) and comes in 2-day (€52), 4-day (€66) and 6-day (€78) denominations (March 2022). These are ''consecutive'' days. The card allows you to jump lengthy queues, a big plus during tourist season when line can be extensive, and is available from participating museums, tourist offices, FNAC branches and all the main Métro and RER train stations. You will still need to pay to enter most special exhibitions. To avoid waiting in the first long queue to purchase the museum pass, stop to purchase your pass a day or more in advance after mid-day. The pass does not become active until your first museum or site visit when you write your start date. After that, the days covered are consecutive. Do not write your start date until you are certain you will use the pass that day and be careful to use the European date style as indicated on the card: day-month-year. Also consider the [http://www.parispass.com/ ''ParisPass''], a pre-paid entry card + queue jumping to 60 attractions including the Louvre, The Arc de Triomphe, as well as a river cruise and allows free metro & public transport travel. ==Do== ===Sports=== * {{do | name=[[Paris/16th arrondissement#Q43605|French Open]] | alt=Roland Garros | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.84716 | long=2.24924 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Roland Garros Stadium in 2007.jpg | content=One of the 4 Tennis Grand Slam tournaments. It is scheduled for two weeks from the last Sunday in May. The event, on clay courts, features the world’s top-ranked tennis players. }} * '''Football:''' {{marker | name=[[Paris/16th arrondissement#Q483020|Paris Saint-Germain]] | type=do | lat=48.8414 | long=2.2530 }} play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier, and often win it. But don't head for the central district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés! PSG play at Parc des Princes Stadium in the 16th arrondissement south of Bois de Boulogne. The club name derives from Saint-Germain-en-Laye 20 km west. : '''[https://parisfc.fr/ Paris FC]''' are the poor relations, playing in Ligue 2, at Stade Charléty on the ''peripherique'' in the 13th arrondissement. * {{do | name=[[Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)#Q13205|International Football & Rugby at the Stade de France]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.924438 | long=2.360104 | directions=in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, this stadium as its own railway station on RER Route D. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Finale Coupe de France 2010-2011 (Lille LOSC vs Paris SG PSG).jpg | content=France's national stadium has a capacity of 81,338, and also hosts concerts and various events. Some club teams often play here when their home stadium is unavailable. }} ===Events=== It seems like there's almost always something happening in Paris, with the possible exceptions of the school holidays in August and February, when about half of Parisians are to be found not in Paris, but in the South of France or the Alps respectively. The busiest season is probably the fall, from a week or so after ''la rentrée scolaire'' or "back to school" to around ''Noël'' (Christmas) theatres, cinemas and concert halls book their fullest schedule of the year. Good listings of current cultural events in Paris can be found in ''Pariscope'' or ''Officiel des spectacles'', weekly magazines listing all concerts, art exhibitions, films, stage plays and museums. Available from all kiosks. [https://www.timeout.com/paris/en Timeout] is a good option for tourists, who don't speak French. Even so, there are a couple of annual events in the winter, starting with a furniture and interior decorating trade fair called '''[http://www.maison-objet.com/ Maison & Object]''' in January. In February ''le nouvel an chinois'' ('''Chinese New Year''') is celebrated in Paris as it is in every city with a significant Chinese and Vietnamese population. There are parades in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements and especially in the ''Quartier Asiatique'' (Asian Quarter) in the 13th south of Place d'Italie. Also in February is the '''[http://www.rbs6nations.com/ Six Nations Rugby Tournament]''' which brings together France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy. The '''[https://www.salon-agriculture.com/ International Agricultural Show]''' (''Salon Internationale de l'Agriculture'') usually takes place over a week around the end of February/beginning of March at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. It is unmissable (not just for tourists but also French politicians wanting to appear in touch with rural France), and showcases large numbers of domestic animals as well as selling speciality food products from all over France and its former colonies in Africa. Particularly recommended are the food stalls from the overseas territories where you can try regional specialities that are hard to come by even in Metropolitan France, and they will often also have performances from folk musicians/dancers. It's usually advised to buy tickets in advance as the queues for entry can be long. The first of two Fashion weeks occurs in March: '''Spring Fashion Week''', giving designers a platform to present women's ''prêt-à-porter'' (ready to wear) collections for the following winter. In June, '''Rendez-vous au Jardin''' is an open house for many Parisian gardens, giving you a chance to meet real Parisian gardeners and see their creations. The '''[http://www.fetedelamusique.fr/ Fête de la Musique]''' celebrates the summer solstice (21 June) with this city-wide free musical knees-up. Finally on the 26th of June is the '''[http://www.gaypride.fr Gay Pride]''' parade, featuring probably the most sincere participation by the mayor's office of any such parade on the globe. The French national holiday '''Bastille Day''' on the 14th of July celebrates the storming of the infamous Bastille during the French Revolution. Paris hosts several spectacular events that day of which the best known is the '''Bastille Parade''' which is held on the Champs-Élysées at 10:00 and broadcast to pretty much the rest of Europe by television. The entire street will be crowded with spectators so arrive early. The '''Bastille Day Fireworks''' is an exceptional treat for travellers lucky enough to be in town on Bastille Day. The Office du Tourisme et des Congress de Paris recommends gathering in or around the ''champ de Mars'', the gardens of the Eiffel Tower. Also in July, '''[http://www.villette.com/ Cinema en Plein Air]''' is the annual outdoor cinema event that takes place at the Parc de la Villette, in the [[Paris/19th arrondissement|19th]] on Europe's largest inflatable screen. For most of the months of July and August, parts of both banks of the Seine are converted from expressway into an artificial beach for '''[https://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-paris/major-events/paris-plages Paris Plages]'''. Also in July the cycling race '''le Tour de France''' has a route that varies annually, however it always finishes on the last Sunday of July under the Arc de Triomphe. On the last full weekend in August, a world-class music festival '''[http://www.rockenseine.com/ Rock en Seine]''' draws international rock and pop stars to the ''[[Saint-Cloud (France)|Domaine national de Saint-Cloud]]'', just west of Paris. During mid-September DJs and (usually young) fans from across Europe converge on Paris for five or six days of dancing etc. culminating in the '''Techno parade''' - a parade whose route traces roughly from ''Place de la Bastille'' to the ''Sorbonne'', and around the same time the festival '''[http://www.jazzalavillette.com/ Jazz à la Villette]''' brings some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz from around the world. In the beginning of autumn the vine harvest fest takes place. The most famous is the [https://www.salutfromparis.com/montmartre-vineyard/ '''Fête des Vendanges''' de '''Montmartre'''], a food festival around the vine harvest of the Montmartre vineyard. The '''[http://www.paris.fr/ Nuit Blanche]''' transforms most of central Paris into a moonlit theme-park for an artsy all-nighter on the first Saturday of October, and '''[http://www.modeaparis.com Fashion Week]''' returns shortly thereafter showing off Women's ''Prêt-à-Porter'' collections for the following summer; as we've noted winter collections are presented in March. The third Thursday in November marks the release of '''[http://www.intowine.com/beaujolais2.html Le Beaujolais Nouveau]''' and the beginning of the Christmas season. This evening, the Christmas lights are lit in a ceremony on the ''Champs-Élysées'', often in the presence of hundreds (if not thousands) of people and many dignitaries, including the president of France. Unfortunately, there are no comprehensive event guides covering concerts, clubs, movies or special events. For theatre, movies and exhibitions pick up the ''Pariscope'' and ''L'officiel du Spectacle'', available at newsstands for €0.40. For (especially smaller, alternative) concerts pick up LYLO, a small, free booklet available in some bars and at FNAC. There is no user-friendly online version of these guides. ===Photography=== Paris is considered by many as the birthplace of photography, and while one may debate the correctness of this claim, there is no debate that Paris is today a photographer's dream. The French capital offers a spectacular array of photographic expositions and opportunities to the beginner and the pro alike. It has photogenic monuments (e.g., Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the obelisk at Concorde, and countless others); architecture (e.g., the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Museum of the Arab World) and urban street scenes (e.g., in the Marais, Montmartre and Belleville). When you tire of taking your own photos, visit one of the many institutions dedicated to photography. At these and other institutions, you can learn the about the rich history of Paris as the place of important developments in photography (e.g., the Daguerrotype) and as the home of many of the trade's great artists (e.g., Robert Doisneau, André Kertész, Eugene Atget and Henri Cartier-Bresson). * {{listing | type=do | name=Maison Européene de la Photographie | alt=La MEP | url=https://www.mep-fr.org/english/ | email= | address=5/7 Rue de Fourcy | lat=48.8551395| long=2.3567364| directions=Metro Saint-Paul, Pont Marie | phone= | tollfree= | hours=W-Su 11:00-20:00 | price=Admission €9 | wikipedia=/Maison_européenne_de_la_photographie | lastedit=2019-09-29 | content=Important center for contemporary photography with a large exposition area having three or four major expositions per year dedicated to contemporary photography. Housed in an updated ''hôtel particulier'' built in 1706. There is a large library, auditorium and café. Their archive houses over twenty thousand works of art. Admission is free every Wednesday from 17:00 to 20:00. }} *[http://www.jeudepaume.org/ '''Jeu de Paume'''], at the entrance of Tulerie Gardens, is one of the city's premier photography exhibition sites. *{{listing | type=do | name=Better Paris Photos | url=http://www.betterparisphotos.com/tours | email=register@betterparisphotos.com | address=32 Avenue de Suffren | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 6 74 04 21 84 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=By appointment, tours last from 4 hours | price=From €195/half day; €290/full day | content=Better Paris Photos offers instructional tours and workshops that combine hands-on learning of essential photographic techniques with guiding to, and commentary about, the most photogenic spots of Paris. Led by English-speaking photographers and instructors, these tours are open to all skill levels and interest. }} *'''Paris Photo,''' one of the world's most important art fairs, takes place in the autumn. ===Movies=== The ''Cinémas'' of Paris are (or at least should be) the envy of the movie-going world. Of course, like anywhere else you can see big budget first-run films from France and elsewhere. That though, is just the start. During any given week there are at least half-a-dozen film festivals going on, at which you can see the entire works of a given actor or director. Meanwhile, there are some older cult films like say, ''What's new Pussycat'' or ''Casino Royal'' which you can enjoy pretty much any day you wish. Many non-French movies are subtitled (called "''version originale''" "VO" or "VOstfr" as opposed to "VF" for version française). There are any number of ways to find out what's playing, but the most commonly used guide is ''Pariscope'', which you can find at newsstands for €0.70. Meanwhile, there are innumerable online guides which have information on "every" cinema in Paris. The [https://www.cinematheque.fr/ '''Cinemathèque française'''] and the [https://www.forumdesimages.fr/ '''Forum des Images'''] are the two public film institutions that organize retrospectives, exhibitions and festivals. ===Theatres=== The {{marker|type=do|name=[[Paris/9th arrondissement#Q187840|Paris Opera]]|lat=48.871944|long=2.331667|image=Paris Opera full frontal architecture, May 2009.jpg}}, as well as its associated ballet company, the Paris Opera Ballet, are considered to be among the premier classical performance companies in the world. If you are under 26, there is a flat rate of €10 for every private theatre of the town every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. This fare does not apply to public theatres nor opera. ===With children=== [[File:Paris Palais du Luxembourg façade&jardin 2014.jpg|thumb|Luxembourg Gardens and Palais du Luxembourg (Sénat) in April]][https://parismomes.fr/ Paris Mômes] is a Parisian cultural guide with children's activities and events that comes out several times a year. * '''Cité des enfants''' in the [[Paris/19th arrondissement|19th]], a museum for kids within the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, is interactive, fun, and educational. There are two separate sections for the 3-5 set and the 5-12 set. The tots section has simple exhibits designed to be pushed, prodded, and poked. The section for older kids is more sophisticated with scientific experiments and TV studios. Métro ''Porte de la Villete'' (7) * '''Jardin du Luxembourg''' in the [[Paris/6th arrondissement|6th]]. It would be counted as a travesty not to take your under 10 year old to the Jardin du Luxembourg, long a favourite with Parisian children. With its world famous merry-go-round, a pond for sail boats, a puppet theater, pony rides, chess players, children's playground, it has something for every kid (with comfortable chairs for weary parents thrown in!). The marionettes du Luxembourg, the puppet theatre, stages classic French puppet shows in French but should be easy to understand. There are numerous places for a snack. RER ''Luxembourg'' (B) or Métro ''Odéon'' (4, 10) *'''Parc des Buttes-Chaumont''' in the [[Paris/19th arrondissement|19th]]. Buttes-Chaumont is great for those with children that like to run, climb, and explore. Built on the site of an abandoned quarry, the park is roughly bowl-shaped with a 30-meter-tall peak situated in the middle of a pond at the park's center. There are trails up the rock, caves, waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and a small stone gazebo on the top of the rock with a 360-degree view. There is also a puppet theater and a playground. Métro ''Buttes-Chaumont'' (7bis), ''Botzaris'' (7bis), or ''Laumière'' (5) * '''Parc Zoologique''' in the [[Paris/12th arrondissement|12th]]. This zoo is different because of a 236-foot artificial mountain bang in its center. Take elevators to the top and enjoy the view or watch the mountain goats do their stuff on the sides. Lions, tigers, and everything designed to delight kids can be found in the zoo if the mountain doesn't do it for your kids. RER/Métro ''Gare d'Austerlitz'' (5, 10, C) * '''The Jardin d'Acclimatation''' in the [[Paris/16th arrondissement|16th]] has a number of rides, including pint-sized roller coasters suitable for children as young as three years, as well as a mini-zoo and the estimable ''Musée en Herbe''. Métro ''Les Sablons'' (1) *[https://www.parcfloraldeparis.com/fr '''The Parc Floral'''], in the Bois de Vincennes, has different themed playgrounds, ping pong tables and picnic areas. During winter the entrance is free. ==Learn== * {{listing | name=Alliance Française | alt= | url=http://www.alliancefr.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the world's largest schools of French language, the Paris Alliance Française has a wide variety of courses for a visitor to choose from.}} * {{listing | name=Ecole France Langue | alt= | url=http://www.france-langue.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=France Langue have a variety of different courses, starting as short as one week up to long-term tuition. Classes are taught entirely in French, with students (who come from all parts of the world) discouraged from speaking in their native languages at all during lessons. The emphasis is more on speaking and listening rather than on writing and grammar. The school is spread over a number of locations around Place Victor Hugo in the 16^e. }} * {{listing | name=Université Paris IV | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers 'scholastic' as well as 'university' courses for foreigners in French language and culture, which start at various times of year. }} * {{listing | name=American Graduate School in Paris | alt= | url=http://www.ags.edu/ | email=info@ags.edu | address=101, boul Raspail | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 47 20 00 94 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Graduate school in Paris specializing in international relations and business programs. Classes are taught in English with optional French classes. }} * {{listing | name=Franglish | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/events/franglish-paris/franglish-frenchenglish-language-exchange-in-paris/312205305907362/ | email=info@franglish.eu | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 7 60 47 30 20 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=French/English Language Exchange event in Paris, 3 times per week in some of the best venues across Paris. Practice your French while having a good time meeting locals. }} * {{listing | name=Schiller International University | alt= | url=https://www.schiller.edu/paris/ | email= | address=9 rue Yvart, 75015 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 45 38 56 01 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-06-25 | content= }} Paris is the seat of other places to learn about a variety of topics. * {{listing | name=The American Library in Paris | alt= | url=http://www.americanlibraryinparis.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=5 min walking from the Eiffel Tower | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A great place to visit in Paris is the American Library, this is a non-profit institution entirely dependent on donations in order to keep its doors open. Visitors can purchase a day pass or other short term memberships. The Library has Wi-Fi and if you have your laptop then you can access the internet for no charge other than the day pass to use the library. It has excellent books, current issues of American magazines, and the occasional celebrity patron. }} ====Culinary==== How better to get to know a culture than to learn the ins and outs of its native cuisine. After sampling your fair share of Macarons and Magret de Canard around Paris, you might enjoy taking an afternoon to learn how to make these delicacies yourself and take the recipes home with you. While there are many cooking schools around Paris, only a few offer classes in English. *{{do | name=Le Foodist | alt= | url=http://www.lefoodist.com/ | email=contact@lefoodist.com | address=59 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, Paris 75004 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 6 71 70 95 22 | tollfree= | hours=Register online, classes last 2-6 hours | price=Prices range from €35 for a Wine Tasting Initiation to €180 for a Market class | content=In the Latin Quarter, Le Foodist is an cooking school that offers French Cooking, Pastry and Baking Classes, Wine Tastings initiations, Food Tours and Hosted Gastronomic Dinners. Led by French Chefs, courses are made in English, small classes, with the ambition of teaching both the technique and the history of traditional french recipes. }} *{{do | name=Le Cordon Bleu Paris | url=http://www.lcbparis.com/index.cfm?fa=frontendmod.campushomepage&navigationid=44&setcampusid=1&setlangid=1/ | email=paris@cordonbleu.edu | address=8 Rue Léon Delhomme, Paris 75015 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 53 68 22 50 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 48 56 03 96 | content=Offering both long-term professional programs as well as short term hourly sessions, Le Cordon Bleu is one of the most famous culinary schools located in the heart of Paris. Le Cordon Bleu is considered to be the guardian of French culinary technique through its culinary programs that continue to preserve and pass on the mastery and appreciation of the culinary arts that have been the cornerstone of French gastronomy for over 500 years. }} *{{do | name=La Cuisine Paris | alt= | url=http://lacuisineparis.com/ | email=contact@lacuisineparis.com | address=80 Quai de L'Hôtel de Ville, Paris 75004 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 40 51 78 18 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Register online, classes last 2-4 hours | price=Prices range from €69 for a two hour Macaron class to €160 for a 4 hour Market class | content=La Cuisine Paris is an English-friendly culinary school located in the heart of Paris, right on the Seine that offers expert teaching of the essential techniques of cuisine française. Led by an international group of English-speaking chefs all trained in classic French cooking, these classes are open to all skill levels and tastes. }} ==Work== Work in Paris, especially for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, entails a very long and arduous process. Unless you possess one of a number of in-demand skills, it will almost certainly be necessary to obtain a job offer from an employer before arriving. Your employer, for their part, will have to have the offer approved by the relevant governmental authorities, as well. If you opt for unreported work, such as babysitting, you need not fret about going through the process to obtain a ''Carte de séjour'', i.e., a formal visitor's identity card. However, if you do choose a change in location, it is advisable to obtain a ''Carte de séjour'' prior to finding any job whatsoever, as the process can be longer than expected. A ''Carte de séjour'' is often necessary to open a bank account and the like, and by extension for accomplishing any number of other tasks involved in modern life, so unless you're very comfortable transacting everything in cash you should probably bite the bullet and keep things on the up-and-up. If you go to Paris for a conference, there's a very good chance you'll end up in a meeting or exhibiting at CNIT (Centre of New Industries and Technology). This conference and convention space is one of the oldest buildings in the La Defense area of Paris and still looks modern even though it's been eclipsed in height by surrounding buildings and hotels near the CNIT are mainly catered to those staying in the area on business. Remember, the city of Paris has a huge network of immigrants coming and going, and it is always great to tap into that network. The city holds a great abundance of work ready to be found, even if the search feels nerve-wracking at first. ==Buy== Paris is one of the great '''fashion''' centres of the Western world, up there with [[New York City|New York]], [[London]], and [[Milan]], making it a shopper's delight. While the Paris fashion scene is constantly evolving, the major shopping centres tend to be the same. High end couture can be found in the 8th arrondissement. In summer, there is nothing better than browsing the boutiques along Canal St-Martin, or strolling along the impressive arcades of the historic Palais-Royal, with beautifully wrapped purchases swinging on each arm. '''Le Marais''' is a mostly Jewish neighbourhood, most of the shops in Le Marais are open on Sundays. The stores in this area are intimate, boutique, "Parisian" style clothing stores. You will no doubt find something along each street, and it is always well worth the look. Other great areas to shop around in are around the area '''Sèvres Babylone''' (Métro Line 10 and Line 12). It is in this area you will find the Le Bon Marché [[Paris/7th arrondissement|7th]], particularly ''rue de Cherche Midi'' [[Paris/6th arrondissement|6th]]. The area boasts some of the major fashion houses (Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, etc.) and also has smaller private boutiques with handmade clothing. In the '''Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés''', you can find a handful of vintage clothing shops, carrying anything from couture early 20th century dresses, to 70s Chanel sunglasses. Walking along ''Boulevard Saint-Germain'', you will find major brands. However, if in search of eclectic finds, opt to walk the northern side of the Boulevard, especially along '''rue Saint André des Arts''', where you can always find a nice café to stop in. The area south of Saint-Germain is just as nice, and comes with a price tag to match. In the artsy quarters of 1 and 4, there are many bargains to be had, once again, if you are prepared to look. Souvenirs are easily found and can be fairly inexpensive as long as you don't buy from the tourist sites. For cheap books of French connection, try the University/Latin quarter as they sell books in all languages starting from half a euro each. ===Flea markets=== Paris has 3 main flea markets, all on the outskirts of the central city. The most famous of these is the '''Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen (Porte de Clignancourt)''' (Clignancourt Flea Market), ''Métro: Porte de Clignancourt'', in the [[Paris/18th arrondissement#Buy|18th]], a haven for lovers of antiques, second-hand goods, and retro fashion. The best days to go are Saturday and Sunday. There are particular times of the week when only antique collectors are allowed into the stalls, and there are also times of the day when the stall owners take their ''Parisian siesta'', and enjoy a leisurely cappuccino for an hour or so. The best times to visit the flea markets are in the spring and summertime, when the area is more vibrant. In and around the metro station, you may find the area a little wild, but still safe. The [https://www.salutfromparis.com/vanves-flea-market/ '''Marché aux Puce de Vanves'''] in the 14th arrondissement is open on Saturday and Sunday from 7h-14h. The closes metro station is Porte de Vanves. ===Musical instruments=== Rue de Rome, situated near Gare St. Lazare, is crowded with luthiers, brass and woodwind makers, piano sellers, and sheet music stores. Subway station Europe. The area south of the metro station Pigalle is also packed with music shops (more oriented towards guitars and drums). ===Artwork=== For art lovers, be sure to check out ''Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés'', which is renowned for its galleries, and it is impossible to turn a street without finding a gallery to cast your glance in. On Fridays, most open until late. Most even have the benefit of bottles of wine so you can wander in with your glass of wine and feel very ''artistique''. Great roads to walk along are ''rue de Seine'', ''rue Jacob'', ''rue des Beaux Arts'', ''Rue Bonaparte'', and ''Rue Mazarine''. Also, be sure to visit the historical district of ''Montparnasse'' and ''quartier Vavin'' where artists like Modigliani, Gauguin and Zadkine used to work. ==Eat== Paris is one of Europe's culinary centres, where the ''haute cuisine'' has flourished since at least the French revolution. It may however come as a surprise that Paris isn't considered the culinary capital of [[French cuisine]]; many people prefer the French cooking found in small rural restaurants, outside of the city, closer to the farms and with their focus on freshness and regional specialities. Even among French cities, Paris has long been considered by the French as second to [[Lyon]] for fine dining. There have been other challenges in the last 20 years or so as restaurateurs in places like [[San Francisco]] and [[Sydney]] briefly surpassed their Parisian fore bearers, again with an emphasis on freshness of ingredients but also borrowings from other cuisines. Parisian cooks didn't just rest on their laurels during this time, rather they travelled, taught, and studied, and together with Paris's own immigrant communities, have revitalized the restaurant trade. Today you can find hundreds of beautiful restaurants with thoughtful (or just trendy) interior design and well-planned and executed ''cartes'' and ''menus'' offering a creative ''mélange'' of French and exotic foreign cuisines. It's safe to say that Paris is once again catching up with or edging ahead of its ''Anglophone'' rivals. Of course there are also some traditional offerings, and for the budget conscious there are hundreds of traditional bistros, with their sidewalk ''terraces'' offering a choice of fairly simple (usually meat centred) meals for reasonable prices. For the uninitiated, it is unfortunately possible to have a uniformly poor dining experience during a stay in Paris, mainly because many attractions are situated in upscale areas of town, and that mass tourism attracts price gougers. It is frequent to hear of people complaining of very high Parisian prices for poor food and poor service, because they always tried to eat close to major tourist magnets. For good food and great service, try to go eat where the locals eat. Many restaurants are tiny and have tables close together - square metres are at a premium and understandably restaurateurs need to make the most of limited space. In some cases when the restaurant is crowded, you may have to sit beside strangers at the same table. If that does not appeal to you, go to a more upscale place where you will pay for the extra space. Trendy restaurants often require reservations weeks, if not months in advance. If you haven't planned far enough ahead, try to get a reservation for lunch which is generally easier and less expensive. For an easy-to-manage eating budget while in Paris, consider: breakfast or "petit déjeuner" at a restaurant, possibly in your hotel, consisting of some croissants, coffee, and maybe a piece of fruit. Get a 'walking lunch' from one of Paris' many food stands—a ''panino'' in the centre of the city, a crepe from a crepe stand, a felafel pita or take-out Chinese in the Marais. ''Traiteurs'' serving Chinese and/or Vietnamese food are ubiquitous in the city and good for a cheap lunch and many ''pâtisseries'' sell inexpensive coffee and sandwiches. All these are cheap (about the same as breakfast), easy, and allow you to maximize your sightseeing and walking time while enjoying delicious local or ethnic food. For dinner, stroll the streets at dusk and consider a €20-40 prix-fixe menu. This will get you 3 or 4 courses, possibly with wine, and an unhurried, candlelit, magical evening. If you alternate days like this with low-budget, self-guided eating (picnicking, snacking, street food) you will be satisfied without breaking the bank. If one of the aims of your trip to Paris is to indulge in its fine dining, though, the most cost-effective way to do this is to make the main meal of your day lunch. Virtually all restaurants offer a good prix-fixe deal. By complementing this with a bakery breakfast and a light self-catered dinner, you will be able to experience the best of Parisian food and still stick to a budget. ===Self-catering=== Budget travellers will be very pleased with the range and quality of products on offer at the open air markets (e.g. the biggest one on Boulevard Richard Lenoir (near the Bastille), Rue Mouffetard, Place Buci, Place de la Madeleine and over the Canal Saint-Martin in the [[Paris/11th arrondissement|11th]] or in any other arrondissement). If your accommodation has cooking facilities you're set, especially for wine and cheese, a decent bottle of French wine will set you back all of about €3-5, while the ''fairly good'' stuff starts at around €7. Bottles for less than €3 are not recommended. The small ''épiceries'' which open until late are more expensive than the ''supermarchés'' (Casino, Monoprix, Franprix, etc.) For wine, the price difference can be up to €2. Buy a baguette, some cheese and a good bottle of wine and join the Parisian youth for a ''pique-nique'' along the Seine (especially on the Île Saint-Louis) or along the Canal Saint-Martin. The finest food stores are Lafayette Gourmet in the Galeries Lafayette or La Grande Epicerie in the luxury department store Le Bon Marché. They are worth discovering. You will find a large variety of wines there, otherwise try wine stores (cavistes) that are present everywhere in the city, and sell all kind of good French wine that you won't find in a supermarket. The owners usually know their wines and will be happy to help you choose among their huge selection. Some also sell good food. You can search for one online or ask a local. There are also some "wine supermarkets" such as Nicolas or Le Relais de Bacchus (all over the city) that sell more common wines. ===Some specialities=== For '''seafood''' lovers, Paris is a great place to try ''moules frites'' (steamed mussels and French fries) (better in fall and winter), oysters, sea snails, and other delicacies. '''Meat''' specialties include venison (deer), boar, and other game (especially in the fall and winter hunting season), as well as French favourites such as lamb, veal, beef, and pork. ===Prices=== Eating out in Paris can be expensive. However don't believe people when they say you can't do Paris on the cheap - you can! The key is to stay away from the beaten tracks and the obviously expensive Champs Elysées. Around the lesser visited quarters especially, there are many cheap and yummy restaurants to be found. The area around Fontaine Saint-Michel, the fountain facing Notre Dame is crowded by particularly tasty places to eat, with good ambiance, cheap prices and excellent service, with the advantage of being very centric of many places of interest. The key is to order from the prix-fixe menu, and ''not'' off the A la Carte menu unless you want to pay an arm and a leg. In many places a three course meal can be found for about €15. This way you can sample the food cheaply and is usually more "French". Ask for "une carafe d'eau" (oon karaaf doe) to get free tap water. ===Kosher dining=== Paris has the largest number of Kosher restaurants in any European city. Walk up and down Rue des Rosiers to see the variety and choices available from Israeli, Sushi, Italian and others. You will also find a wide assortment of Kosher restaurants in the 9th arrondissement of Paris near the rue Richer and rue Cadet areas. See the district guides for examples. Kosher restaurants and snacks usually display a big orange rectangle on their front, which ensure clients that they are Beth din certified. ===Vegetarian dining=== <!-- please put individual restaurant listings in the appropriate arrondissement page --> For '''vegetarians''', eating traditional French food will require some improvisation, as it is heavily meat-based. That being said, it is far easier to be vegetarian in Paris than it is elsewhere in France. Paris has several excellent vegetarian restaurants, and many non-vegetarian restaurants will provide vegetarian dishes. When eating in a traditional restaurant, be careful before ordering dishes labelled as "vegetarian". Many French people presume that ''fish'' and ''seafood'' are vegetarian dishes. This is a widely spread misunderstanding all around the country. Additionally, French people tend to confuse "real" vegetarians with vegans. When explaining that you're a vegetarian that won't eat fish, people will often presume that you don't eat milk or egg-based products. Look for spots such as Le Grenier de Notre-Dame in the '''[[Paris/5th arrondissement|5th]]'''. The '''[[Paris/10th arrondissement|10th]]''' arrondissement also has quite a large variety of vegetarian restaurants, especially of Indian and East/South-East Asian fare. See the arrondissement pages for more listings. For fast food and snacks, you can always find a vegetarian sandwich or pizza, or indeed French tacos. Even a kebab shop can make you something with just cheese and salad, or perhaps falafel. And for healthier fare, it's not usually hard nowadays to find hipstery places that sell vegan poke bowls. There are also lots of Italian, Thai, Indian, and Mezo-American places where you will have little problem. The famous South Indian chain Saravana Bhavan have their branch near Gare Du Nord. In Rue des Rosiers (4th arrondissement) you can get delicious falafel in the many Jewish restaurants. Another place to look for falafel is on Rue Oberkampf (11th arrondissement). Take away falafel usually goes for €5 or less. Moroccan and Algerian cooking is common in Paris - vegetarian couscous is lovely. Another good option for vegetarians - are traiteurs, particularly around Ledru Rollin (down the road from Bastille) take away food where you can combine a range of different options such as pomme dauphinoise, dolmas, salads, vegetables, nice breads and cheeses and so on. Lebanese restaurants and snack shops abound as well, offering a number of vegetarian ''mezze'', or small plates. The stand-bys of course are hummas, falafel, and baba-ganouche (''caviar d'aubergine''). A good place to look for Lebanese is in the pedestrian zone around Les Halles and Beaubourg in the [[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st]] and [[Paris/4th arrondissement|4th]]. Also look out for banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) places, especially around Rue Mouffetard in the '''[[Paris/5th arrondissement|5th]]''', where you can often get a tofu banh mi for less than a fiver. ===Tourists and locals=== When you are looking for a restaurant in Paris, be wary of those where the staff speak English a bit too readily. These restaurants are usually geared towards tourists. It does make a difference in the staff's service and behaviour whether they expect you to return or not. Sometimes the advertised fixed price tourist menus (€10-15) are a good deal. If you're interested in the really good and more authentic stuff (and if you have learned some words of French) try one of the small bistros where the French go during lunch time. ==Drink== The bars scene in Paris really does have something for everyone. From bars which serve drinks in baby bottles, to ultra luxe clubs that require some name dropping, or card (black Amex) showing, and clubs where you can dance like no one's watching, (although they will be). To start your night out right, grab a drink or two in a ubiquitous dive bar, before burning up the dance floor and spreading some cash, at one of the trendy clubs. *'''Canal St Martin'''. Many cozy cafés and other drinking establishments abound around the ''Canal St Martin'' in the '''[[Paris/10th arrondissement|10th]]'''. *'''The Marais'''. The Marais has a large number of trendier new bars mostly in the '''[[Paris/4th arrondissement|4th]]''' and to a lesser extent the '''[[Paris/3rd arrondissement|3rd]]''' with a few old charmers tossed into the mix. A number of bars and restaurants in the Marais have a decidedly gay crowd, but are usually perfectly friendly to straights as well. Some seem to be more specifically aimed at up-and-coming hetero singles. *'''Bastille'''. There is a very active nightlife zone just to the northeast of Place de Bastille centered around ''rue de Lappe'', ''rue de la Roquette'', ''rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine'' (especially the amazing Club Barrio Latino) and ''rue de Charonne'' in the '''[[Paris/11th arrondissement|11th]]'''. Many of the bars closest to Bastille have either a North, Central, or South American theme, with a couple of Aussie places mixed in for good measure, and as you continue up ''rue de Charonne'' the cafés have more of a traditionally French but grungy feeling. *'''Quartier Latin - Odeon'''. If you're looking for the ''nouvelle vague'' (new wave) style, student and intellectual atmosphere of Paris in the 1960s and 70s, you'll find a lot of that (and more hip and chic) places in the quartier Latin and between place Odeon and the Seine. The neighbourhood is also home of many small artsy cinemas showing non-mainstream films and classics (check 'Pariscope' or 'l'officiel du spectacle' at any newspaper stand for the weekly programme). *'''Rue Mouffetard and environs'''. The area in the '''[[Paris/5th arrondissement|5th]]''' on the south side of the hill topped by the Panthéon has a little bit of everything for the nighthawk, from the classy cafés of Place de la Contrescarpe to an Irish-American dive bar just down the way to a hip, nearly hidden jazz café at the bottom of the hill. *'''Châtelet'''. In some ways the ''Marais'' starts here in the '''[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st]]''' between ''Les Halles'' and ''Hôtel de Ville'' but with between all of the tourists and the '''venerable Jazz clubs''' on ''rue des Lombards'' the area deserves some special attention. *'''Montmartre'''. You'll find any number of cozy cafés and other drinking establishments all around the ''Butte Montmartre'' in the '''[[Paris/18th arrondissement|18th]]''', especially check out ''rue des Abbesses'' near the ''Métro'' station of the same name. *'''Oberkampf-Ménilmontant'''. If you are wondering where to find the hipsters (''bobos'' for bohemian-bourgeois), then this is where to look. There are ''several'' clusters of grungy-hip bars all along ''rue Oberkampf'' in the '''[[Paris/11th arrondissement|11th]]''', and stretching well into the '''[[Paris/20th arrondissement|20th]]''' up the hill on ''rue de Ménilmontant''. It's almost like being in [[San Francisco]]'s [[San Francisco/Haight-Fillmore District|Haight-Fillmore]] district. *'''Bagnolet'''. There are a cluster of bar/restaurant/nightclubs along the southern end of the Père Lachaise cemetery in the [[Paris/20th arrondissement|20th]] including probably the best place in Paris for nightly local and touring punk rock. *'''Rues des Dames-Batignolles'''. Another good place to find the grungy-chic crowd is the northern end of the '''[[Paris/17th arrondissement|17th]]''' around ''rue des Dames'' and ''rue des Batignolles'', and if you decide you want something a little different Montmartre is just around the corner. *'''Port de Tolbiac'''. This previously deserted stretch of the river Seine in the '''[[Paris/13th arrondissement|13th]]''' was reborn as a center for nightlife (and Sunday-afternoon-life) a few years ago when an electronic music cooperative opened the '''Batofar'''. Nowadays there are a number of boats moored along the same ''quai'', including a boat with a Caribbean theme, and one with an Indian restaurant. *'''Saint Germain des Prés'''. This area has two of the most famous cafés in the world: Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, both catering to the tourists and the snobs who can afford their high prices. This part of the '''[[Paris/6th arrondissement|6th]]''' is where the Parisian café scene really started, and there still are hundreds of places to pull up to a table, order a glass, and discuss Sartre deep into the evening. For individual bar listings see the various Arrondissement pages under '''Drink'''. Of course there are lots of interesting places which are sort of off on their own outside of these clusters, including a few like the '''Hemingway Bar at the Ritz''' which are not to be missed in a serious roundup of Parisian drinking, so check out the listings even in those arrondissements we haven't mentioned above. Some nightclubs in Paris that are worth it: Folies Pigalle (pl. Pigalle, 18th, very trashy, €20), Rex Club (near one of the oldest cinemas on earth, the Grand Rex, house/electro, about €15). You might also want to try Cabaret (Palais Royal), Maison Blanche, le Baron (M Alma-Marceau). Remember when going out to dress to impress, you are in Paris! Torn clothing and sneakers are not accepted. The better you look, the more likely you will get past the random decisions of club bouncers. Also important to remember if male (or in a group of guys) that it will be more difficult to enter clubs; try to always have an equal male/female ratio. ==Sleep== === Hotels === Being often declared the most popular travel destination in the world, Paris has far over a thousand hotels to choose from, and even more in the surrounding [[Ile-de-France]] region. The choice may be overwhelming, but should be made carefully. There are huge differences in standards and location is key to make your stay in Paris enjoyable and time used well. Be prepared to pay the price for Paris' popularity - even the cheap hotels are relatively expensive. Despite the popularity with tourists, global hotel chains have relatively low penetration of the Parisian market. A notable exception is the French-based Accor, which boasts over 300 hotels in the Paris area, although with large swathes of central Paris largely uncovered. There is a fair amount of Best Westerns as well, but most international chains limit their presence to very few exclusive (and expensive) hotels in key locations. Travellers loyal to a particular brand may find their loyalty challenged, be forced to pay for it (rather than be rewarded) or unable to find their hotel brand of choice in Paris. Hotels in the central arrondissements tend to be expensive, although very cheap ones can also be found. With few exceptions, they tend to offer small rooms - be aware of the fact that the difference in price between hotels can translate into difference in service, facility and appointment levels, but not necessarily room size. Rooms of 12-16 square metres (which is roughly half of standard hotels rooms e.g. in the USA) are the norm in central Paris, regardless of hotel standards. Cheaper hotels in popular arrondissements tend to be older, less attractive properties, whose facilities and appointments may be very worn and outdated, far behind standards one would expect from the capital of all things pretty and fine. Even updated and restored hotels may exhibit wide variance in standards between room categories, and keep some of the rooms not refurbished or only minimally touched up to be able to offer attractive, eye-catching pricing for them and then upsell to more comfortable room categories. Always check out latest reviews, preferably with photos, to precisely determine what to expect from a given hotel and given room category. Hotels outside of the city centre, or even outside of the ''Peripherique'' and Paris itself, can be far cheaper and better value for money than ones in central Paris, while still having good transit links via metro or RER. That said, you should check thoroughly how far from the metro / RER station the given hotel is, and whether the connection to the POIs you want to visit is direct, quick and easy. Do also factor in the added cost of transportation to outer zones, as well as the time spent to travel to and from the city and obviously resulting limitations. Because of local preferences, a bathtub in the bathroom is a norm in most hotels, even if it means squeezing it into a very small bathroom, further limiting space. If you prefer a walk-in shower, you need to look for a hotel that specifically offers those (called "''douche italienne''" by the French), and you should generally look at newer, purpose-built properties. Paris hotels, almost without regard to category or price, observe high and low seasons. These differ slightly from one hotel to another, but usually the high season roughly corresponds to late spring and summer, and possibly a couple of weeks around the Christmas season. For individual hotel listings see the various [[#Districts|Arrondissement]] pages. <!-- please add individual hotel listings on the various Arrondissement pages --> === Apartment rentals === For those staying for a week or more, renting a furnished apartment might be a more comfortable and money-saving option, especially for 3 or more adults. Furnished apartments can differ considerably in location and quality, offer different accommodations and selections of appliances and kitchen features, or may be well-above street level with no elevator. Expect apartment sizes to be modest. Access to local public transport can also vary widely. So choose carefully only after getting a full description of an interesting property. Many websites will help you find rentals. Some do a more disciplined job of locating and describing properties and their locale. Most charge a commission of 10% or more; some offer insurance covering some risks. Some may offer a few apartments for shorter stays, usually at somewhat higher cost per day. In late-spring and summer months, desirable properties may be in short supply. If your plans are fairly firm for those periods, you would be wise to "reserve" a unit well in-advance. Owners will often ask for a non-refundable deposit of up to 50% of the total cost of your stay. Means of payment can range from money order to PayPal or (occasionally) charge card. (Take great care of how and with whom you share any charge card account number.) You should send no payment to any post office box or similarly anonymous place or account...even after exchanging e-mails with a purported owner; most are no more than "blind" scams to take your money. The city government has passed ordinances that require owners renting properties for short periods to collect a tax previously collected only by hotels. This substantial tax may not be collected by some owners, or may be demanded by them but not mentioned in their rates until you arrive. Tax enforcement and collection remain in a state of flux. Some agencies, rental brokers or web sites, that seem amicable, attractive or claim reputations, do not abide by French law to carefully vet and select landlords and apartments they offer for rent. There are a certain number of guarantees, which are required in France before renting an apartment, and an insurance policy, which aims at protecting the tenants during their stay. ==Stay safe== ===Crime=== Despite what many naysayers might say or believe, Paris is still a relatively safe city. This does not stop it from being plagued by petty [[crime]], especially [[pickpocketing]], and muggings. Scams, of which there are many, are also prevalent, though the police are slowly cracking down on them. While not common, purse snatchings do happen. Violent crime is rare. However, watch yourself at ATMs and other places where your cash may be visible. Keep your money and your wallet in your front pockets, and avoid ATMs that are open to the outside, especially at night. As a densely populated city with equally dense neighbourhoods, one would be remiss to generalise the safety of entire 'arrondissements' based on a few specific areas. Several arrondissements have their share of crime, however. The 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements are widely seen as the least safe areas of Paris, but safety levels vary dramatically from street to street. During the day, they're usually fine; you might have to watch out for pickpockets and scammers, but not much more. However, be on your guard at night. The 10th arrondissement (namely the areas bordering the 18th and 19th arrondissements) and the southeastern portion of the "périphérique" have also gained a reputation for being sketchy. Several of the inner suburbs of the metropolitan area (commonly referred to as the ''banlieues'') such as La Courneuve, [[Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)|Saint-Denis]], Sarcelles, and Pantin are notoriously 'rough' by European standards, and you should be cautious when visiting these places. Unrest in those areas has made global headline news (as did the somewhat heavy-handed reactions of various French governments). The police can be reached by phone by dialling 17. Not all police officers speak English, but those found around touristy areas almost always will. They are usually friendly and perfectly approachable should you have to. ==== Theft in public transit ==== The métro and RER are also a popular place for pickpockets. '''Hold things tightly and be aware of your surroundings.''' While trains are usually crowded, if someone is insisting and hovers over you, they are probably going through your pockets. It is important to know that a majority of these belong to a gang. These gangs usually use young children as young as seven, with groups of them going around the metro stations pickpocketing tourists and locals alike. If there is a group of three or more suspicious looking people, be careful of your belongings. This is a notable occurrence on Métro line 13, tramways, and the RER B. Common tactics are two of them blocking you as you try to board the subway, with two behind you quickly going through your bag. Seconds before the doors close, the two jump off, leaving you on the metro without even realizing what has happened. Take note of what locals do. If someone warns you to be careful, there are probably some suspicious types hoping to steal from you. Also be aware that phone-snatching is the most reported crime, and avoid using your cellphone on metro platforms and in the metro itself. Pickpockets are active on the rail link (RER B) from Charles de Gaulle airport to downtown Paris, which passes through the poor suburbs of Seine-Saint Denis. Try to take the trains which are nonstop between the airport and Paris proper (Gare du Nord) - EKLI/EKIL from Paris to CDG and KRIN/KROL from CDG to Paris. These are faster and are less crowded than the alternative. There have also been problems with thieves physically fighting people in order to steal their belongings. The most common targets are those with suitcases and backpacks, i.e. tourists. Thieves usually coin their acts with the closing of the doors. Newer trains have cameras everywhere, and thieves are much less likely to use them. Otherwise, stow luggage on the racks above the seat (which is not possible in newer trains) and hold on to your bags so no one can grab them and then run out. You are much less likely of being a victim if the train is crowded with locals headed to work, usually at rush hour. The train conductors are widely aware of these crimes and will usually wait a few seconds to leave the station after the doors have closed, just in case thieves have quickly jumped off with belongings. There are also emergency cords that one can pull if willing to chase after the attackers. People will usually be helpful and gladly call the police if you do not have a cell phone. ==== Theft in tourist hotspots ==== Pickpockets are most likely to be found working at crowded tourists hotspots, so keep your wallet and phone in your front pockets and hold your backpack tightly when in a crowd. A common place for phone/camera/wallet snatching is in tourist friendly dining areas scattered all over Paris where exposed outdoor tables are commonly right on busy sidewalks. Common practice by many Western tourists is to leave an aforementioned item of value on the table (most commonly a smartphone) in front of them. Some of the criminals, working in groups of three to five people, approach your table and shove what appears to be a survey directly under your nose thus blocking your view of your valuable. While the gang members are yelling in a foreign language another one will slip a hand below your view and take your item of value from the table. This occurs very quickly (less than five seconds) and the perpetrators disappear around the corner just as quick as they arrived. Key landmarks like the Louvre or the Eiffel tower have been plagued with gangs of pickpockets, which typically operate in groups of about five. As many as half a dozen of these gangs may be active at a particularly famous, crowded venue at any one time; occasionally there are fights between rival gangs of thieves. Asian visitors are often targeted due to a presumption that they are visiting from affluent nations. Venue staff have complained of being spat at, threatened, abused or assaulted by pickpocketing gangs; the Louvre closed briefly in 2013 (as did the Eiffel tower in 2015) due to worker protests of unsafe conditions due to criminal activity. Token attempts to deploy more police have not solved the problems.<!-- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32844573 --> ==== Scams ==== [[File:People at Montmartre "selling" trinkets.JPG|right|thumb|The men who will try to tie strings on your fingers]] At Sacré-Cœur, there are many men who will try to tie strings or bracelets on your finger (often called "string muggers"). Not only will they demand an obscene fee for the cheap trinkets (usually over €15), they will also try to pickpocket you or threaten you with force if you do not give them money. They are usually only at the base of the monument and can be avoided by taking the Funicular of Montmartre. Otherwise, you can quickly walk past them and ignore them, though they will readily grab people's arms and have even been known to target children of tourists. Yelling at them may cause unwanted attention and cause them to back off, but be careful. Sacré-Cœur appears to be the only area where they congregate, but they have been sighted also near the Eiffel Tower. Besides them, you will notice many people walking around with cheap trinkets at touristy areas, especially the Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum. They are generally not rude, but buying things from them is illegal and hurts small businesses. Of course, they bolt at the sight of the police, and you may end up in the middle of a stampede! Be careful around Barbès-Rochechouart and the bars near Moulin Rouge. A very common [[clip joint]] trick is played here which might cost you up to €500. The agents standing outside will force you to enter a bar and just have a look for 5 minutes. The moment you order a drink (about €5), a girl will approach you and start talking generally, and leave in 10–15 minutes. After a harmless conversation with the girls when you request a bill, you will encounter a charge of say €200-500 as 'service fees' for the services rendered by the girl! In case you resist paying, the bouncers will start intimidating you to try to extract money from your wallet. In such cases, threaten them that you are calling the police and informing the local embassy. Try to buy some time and start creating a ruckus. However, do not try to start a fight with the bouncers. This trick is common to many European big cities. One scam involves a "helpful" local buying a ticket for you. Normally, tourists buy 1-day, 3-day or longer Paris Visite passes. They would tell you that your single trip ticket has expired and bring you to the ticketing machine to purchase day passes. Then they would select the 3 day pass for adults (even though you may be a student) and deliberately show you the price on the screen. Everything else is in French so you would not understand a thing. They would proceed to purchase with a credit card and while entering the PIN code, get you to turn your back on them. They then sneakily change the ticket to a single trip ticket and ask for payment for a 3-day ticket from you. Unsuspecting tourists would pay the full sum thinking it is a 1-day or 3-day pass when it is only a useless ticket. Buy the tickets yourself to avoid situations like these, as machines are available in English and other languages. If you feel threatened, call the police and don't physically handle the ticket if they forcibly purchase without your agreement. Another common scam is found along the banks of the Seine river and involves a ring. This involves thieves "finding" a ring which they give to you. They then ask you if you own it. When you say no, they insist you keep it, saying it goes against their religion or they cannot wear rings. A few moments later, they ask you for money to buy something to eat, eventually following you and becoming more annoying. You can either yell at them or steer them towards an area where there are likely to be police present, at which point they will quickly run away. The most common scam (besides pickpocketing) that has taken over Paris by storm since June 2011 involves women coming up to tourists with pledge sheets. They pretend to be deaf people collecting money for one charity or another. Once you are distracted with the petition, an accomplice pickpockets you and takes your belongings. In addition, once you sign, they point to a thing that reads "minimum ten euro donation." While they may at first insist on this, shaking your head and walking away will usually make them pester someone else. Otherwise, simply waving them off and a loud no should make them give up. If they are in a large group, as is common, be careful of your belongings! This is a ploy to pickpocket you as you are surrounded by them. At this point, yelling for the police will make them disperse quickly. This is most commonly found around major tourist sites, but has also been a problem at Gare du Nord, though this has gotten much better. Never bet money on a 3-card game as you will always lose. This trick is played by con artists on some of the bridges on River Seine near the Eiffel Tower. It is a good idea to steer clear of the suburb of Seine Saint-Denis, as this suburb is known for its gangs and poverty, though there is of little interest to a tourists anyway (except the Basilique de Saint-Denis, but that is located near a métro station). You may want to avoid walking alone at night in the 18th and 19th arrondissements as well, as these can be a little shady at night. There is a large problem with youths from the depressed suburbs causing trouble with the police. If locals are moving away, it is most likely from a confrontation. While these groups rarely target people besides the police, be careful. Walk away from a situation that could lead to fights or worse. In general, remember to be aware of pickpockets, as they act by trying to distract you. Avoid showing off expensive phones or a lot of money in public transportation or in open areas. Put your things in a money belt or your front pockets, but never in the back pockets. ====Danger for identifiably Jewish people==== Beware if you are obviously Jewish, for example if you wear a kippa/yarmulke. Many people who are easily recognisable as Jewish have faced harassment or worse, primarily from that subset of Muslims from within and outside the Paris area who have violent feelings toward Jews. As a result, many of the local Jews no longer wear identifiably Jewish clothing or symbols (such as Star of David pendants) while walking on the street or taking public transportation. The French government is taking this threat very seriously, and in 2015 assigned thousands of soldiers to guard places throughout France that are considered likely to be in possible danger from terrorists, but there is only so much that can be done to protect people from violence on the street, so consider taking the advice of local Jews regarding your behavior. For example, if you wear a kippa, consider wearing it under a hat that is not identifiably Jewish, or if you find it unacceptable to be in a place where your appearance might put you in danger, consider postponing your trip or going elsewhere. ==Respect== Parisians have a reputation for being egocentric, rude and arrogant. While this is often only an inaccurate stereotype, the best way to get along in Paris still is to be on your best behavior, acting like someone who is "''bien élevé''" (well brought up). It will make getting about considerably easier. Parisians' abrupt exteriors will rapidly evaporate if you display some basic courtesies. A simple "''Bonjour, Madame''" when entering a shop, for example, or "''Excusez-moi''" when trying to get someone's attention, are very important; say "''Pardon''" or better "''je suis désolé''" if you bump into someone accidentally or make other mistakes. If you speak French or are using a phrasebook remember to always use the vous form when addressing someone you don't know; this may transform the surliest shop assistant into a smiling helper or the grumpiest inhabitant to a helpful citizen. Courtesy is extremely important in France (where the worst insult is to call someone "''mal élevé''", or "badly brought up"). If you only learn one long phrase in French a good one would be "''Excusez-moi de vous déranger, monsieur/madame, auriez-vous la gentillesse de m'aider?''" (pardon me for bothering you, sir/madam, would you have the kindness to help me?) - this level of extreme politeness is about the closest one can come to a magic wand for unlocking Parisian hospitality. If you know some French, try it! But remember, too, that Parisians have places to go and things to do, so if they have no time and don't answer you, don't take it personally. Many Parisians, given time, will go out of their way to help, especially if you make an effort to speak their language and act polite to them. Most foreigners tend to ignore two basic rules of courtesy in metro and train transport in Paris. If the carriage is full and you're sitting on a folding seat, you should consider standing up. If you stand next to the door, you are expected to get down to the platform at a stop so that people inside can find their way out. Once they have got out, you can go back. However, don't always expect that others will do the same for you and, if the train is full, get ready to get down with enough time in advance. In a corridor, when pushing a door, you are expected to hold it for the next person, so that it won't close abruptly. This rule is strictly observed in the metro, and quite commonly everywhere else. In addition, if you are traveling to or from the airport or train station and have luggage with you, make certain that you are not blocking the aisles in the train by leaving your bags on the floor. The RER B (which links both Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports to the city) has luggage racks above the seats (on the newer trains, there are no such racks above the seats, but racks dedicated to luggage in between some seats); it is best to use them so you do not block the path of a local who is getting off the train before the airport stop. On the métro and especially in the RER, don't take up extra seats with your luggage. There are luggage racks and spaces between the seats. There are hefty fines for littering in Paris, especially with dog droppings (often you'll find free plastic bags dispensers around parks or playgrounds). ==Connect== As of Sept 2021, Paris has 5G from all French carriers. Wifi is widely available in public places, transport, cafes and so on. One helpful thing about having official and numbered districts in Paris is that you can easily tell which arrondissement an address is in by its postal code, and can easily come up with the postal code for a Paris address if you know its arrondissement. The rule is just pre-pend 750 or 7500 to the front of the arrondissement number, with 75001 being the postal code for the 1st and 75011 being the postal code for the 11th, and so on. The 16th has two postal codes, 75016 for the portion south of Rue de Passy and 75116 to the north; all other arrondissements only have one postal code. Phone cards are available from most "tabacs" but make sure you know where you can use them when you buy them, as some places still sell the ''cartes cabines'' which are hard to use as ''cabines'' are rare. ==Cope== Famous for its status as "fashion capital", Paris isn't as conservative in dress as one might think. Parisians will tolerate all kinds of clothes as long as they're worn "avec style" (with style). That's why men do not usually wear shorts shorter than above the knee outside of sporting events: it is not considered indecent but may stand out from the locals; shorts are for "schoolboys and football players" only. ===Airlines=== * {{listing | name=Adria Airways | url=http://www.adria.si | email= | address=94 r Saint Lazare 75009 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00, Sa 09:00-12:00 | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Air France | url=http://www.airfrance.fr | email= | address=30 av Léon Gaumont 75985 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 36 54 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Air France Agence Opéra | url=http://www.airfrance.fr | email= | address=49 av Opéra 75002 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 36 54 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Air France Agence Jardin du Luxembourg | url=http://www.airfrance.fr | email= | address=4 pl Edmond Rostand 75006 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 36 54 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Air Tahiti Nui | url= | email= | address=28 bd St Germain 75005 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 825 02 42 02 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Croatia Airlines | url=http://www.croatiaairlines.fr | email= | address=Roissypôle Le Dôme Bât1 r de la Haye Tremblay en France BP 18913 95731 ROISSY CH DE GAULLE CEDEX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 48 16 40 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Delta Air Lines | url=http://www.delta.com | email= | address=2 r Robert Esnault Pelterie 75007 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 892 702 609 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Finnair (Compagnie Aérienne de Finlande) | url=http://www.finnair.fr | email= | address=Roissy Terminal 2D 95715 ROISSY CDG CEDEX | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 821 025 111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=LOT Polish Airlines | url= | email= | address=27 r Quatre Septembre 75002 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 800 10 12 24 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=open from Mon to Sun | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Qatar Airways | url= | email= | address=7 r Vignon 75008 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 55 27 80 80 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Royal Jordanian airlines | url=http://www.rj.com | email=partorj@rj.com | address=38 avenue des Champs Elysees Paris - 75008 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 42 65 99 02 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Royal Air Maroc | url= | email= | address=38 av Opéra 75002 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 820 821 821 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Royal Brunei Airlines | url= | email= | address=4 r Fbg Montmartre 75009 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 826 95 31 21 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }}´ * {{listing | name=Ryanair | url= | email= | address=Aéroport Beauvais - Tillé | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 892 68 20 64 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Saudi Arabian Airlines (Lignes Aériennes de l'Arabie Saoudite) | url= | email= | address=34 av George V 75008 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 820 20 05 05 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Singapore Airlines | alt= | url=https://www.singaporeair.com/en-fr/flights-from-paris-to-singapore | email= | address=43 r Boissière 75116 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 821 230 380 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Srilankan Airlines | url= | email= | address=113 r Réaumur 75002 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 42 97 43 44 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Syrian Arab Airlines | url= | email= | address=1 r Auber 75009 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 47 42 11 06 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=TAM Airlines | url= | email= | address=50 Ter r Malte 75011 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 53 75 20 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=TAP Portugal | url=http://www.flytap.fr | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 820 319 320 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Turkish Airlines | url=http://www.turkishairlines.fr | email=direction.paris@turkishairlines.fr | address=8 Place de l’Opera 75009 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 56 69 44 90 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 45 63 10 80 | hours=09:30-17:30 | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Vietnam Airlines | url= | email= | address=49 Avenue des Champs Élysées 75008 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 44 55 39 90 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Embassies=== * {{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url=http://www.france.embassy.gov.au | email= | address=4, rue Jean Rey, 75015 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 40 59 33 00 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 40 59 33 10 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Austria}} {{listing | name=Austria | alt= | url=http://www.bmeia.gv.at/botschaft/paris.html | email=paris-ob@bmeia.gv.at | address=6, rue Fabert 75007 Paris / consular office at 17, avenue de Villars, 75007 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 40 63 30 63, +33 1 40 63 30 90 (consular office) | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 45 55 63 65 | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Burundi}} {{listing | name=Burundi | alt= | url=http://www.ambassade-du-burundi.fr/ | email=ambabu.paris@orange.fr | address=10-12, rue de l'Orme, Quartier d'Amérique, 75019 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 45 20 60 61 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 45 20 02 54 | hours=M–Th 09:00–13:00 14:00–17:00, F 09:00–13:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-01-15 | content= }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | alt= | url=https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/france/ | email=PARISWEBMASTER@international.gc.ca | address=35, avenue Montaigne,75008 Paris | lat=48.872393055556 | long=2.3124016666667 | directions= | phone=+33 1 44 43 29 02 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 44 43 29 86 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q137798 | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China | url=http://www.amb-chine.fr | email=chinaemb_fr@mfa.gov.cn | address=111, avenue George V, 75008 Paris / consular office at 20, rue Washington 75008 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 49 52 19 50, +33 1 47 36 77 90 (consular office) | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 47 20 24 22, +33 1 47 36 34 46 (consular office) | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name=Egypt | url=http://www.mfa.gov.eg/french/embassies/Egyptian_Embassy_Paris/Pages/default.aspx | email=paris_emb@mfa.gov.eg | address=56, avenue d'Iéna, 75116 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 53678830 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 47230643 | hours=09:30-17:30 | price= | content= }} *{{flag|Ethiopia}} {{listing | name=Ethiopia | url=http://ethiopianembassy.fr/ | email=embeth@free.fr | address=35, avenue Charles Floquet, Quartier du Gros-Caillou, 75007 Paris | lat= | long= | directions=near Eiffel Tower, La Motte-Picquet-Grenelle metro station | phone=+33 1 47 83 25 05 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Tu Th–F 9:00–13:00 14:00-17:00, W 9:00–13:00 14:00–16:00 (visa request deposit on morning, withdrawal on afternoon) | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finland | url=http://www.finlande.fr| email=sanomat.par@formin.fi | address=place de Finlande, 75007 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 44 18 19 20 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 45 51 63 23 | hours=M-F 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:15 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | alt= | url=http://www.mfa.gr/france/fr/the-embassy/ | email=gremb.par@mfa.gr | address=17, rue Auguste Vacquerie, 75016 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 47 23 72 28, +33 1 47 23 98 92 (emergencies) | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 47 23 73 85 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India| url=https://www.eoiparis.gov.in/ | email=cons.paris@mea.gov.in | address=13-15 Rue Alfred Dehodencq, 75016 Paris| lat= | long= | directions=Nearest Metro is Pont de l'Alma | phone=+33 1 40 50 70 70 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 40 50 09 96 | hours= | price= | content=For emergency related to passport or other distress, Indians can call +33 1 64 83 40 063 }} * {{flag|Indonesia}} {{listing | name=Indonesia | url=http://www.amb-indonesie.fr | email= | address=47, rue Cortambert, 75116 Paris | lat= | long= | directions=Nearest Metro is La Muette on Line 9 | phone=+33 1 45 03 07 60 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 45 04 50 32 | hours=0900 to 1730 hours | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | url=http://www.fr.emb-japan.go.jp/ | email= | address=7, avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 48 88 62 00 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 42 27 50 81 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Madagascar}} {{listing | name=Madagascar | alt= | url=http://www.madagascar-consulate.org/embassies-world.html | email=info@ambassade-madagascar.fr | address=4, avenue Raphaël, 75016 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 45 04 62 11 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-04-27 | content= }} *{{Flag|Netherlands}} {{Listing|name=The Netherlands|alt=|url=https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/frankrijk/over-ons/ambassade-in-parijs|email=par@minbuza.nl|address=Rue Eblé 7-9, 75007 Paris|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+33 1 40 62 33 00|tollfree=|fax=+33 1 40 62 34 56|hours=Mo-Fr 9AM-5PM|price=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-11-20|content=}} * {{flag|Philippines}} {{listing | name=Philippines | alt= | url=http://parispe.dfa.gov.ph/ | email= | address=45, rue du Ranelagh / 4, Hameau de Boulainvilliers | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 44 14 57 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-06-25 | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | alt= | url=http://paris.mae.ro/en | email=paris@mae.ro | address=5, rue de l'Exposition | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 47 05 29 66 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 44 18 90 17 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-03 | content=Also covers as the embassy of Romania for [[Andorra]] and [[Monaco]]. }} * {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} {{listing | name=Saudi Arabia | url=http://www.saudiembassy.net | email=ambsaudi@club-internet.fr | address=5, avenue Hoche 75008 Paris / consulate at 29, rue des Graviers, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 56 79 40 00 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 56 79 40 01 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | alt= | url=http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Paris | email=emb.paris@maec.es | address=22, Avenue Marceau.- 75008 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 47 23 59 55 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 47 23 59 55 | hours=M-F 09:00-13:30, 15:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-01-14 | content= }} * {{flag|the Republic of China}} {{listing | name=Taiwan | alt=Taipei Representative Office | url=http://www.roc-taiwan.org/fr_fr/index.html | email=fra@boca.gov.tw | address=78, rue de l'Université, 75008 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 44 39 88 20 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 44 39 88 12 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=South Korea | alt= | url=http://fra.mofa.go.kr/worldlanguage/europe/fra/main/index.jsp | address=125, rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 01 47 53 01 01 | tollfree= | fax=+33 01 47 53 00 41 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Turkey}} {{listing | name=Turkey | url=http://paris.bk.mfa.gov.tr/ | email=consulat.paris@mfa.gov.tr | address= 16, avenue de Lamballe, 75016 Paris / consulate at 44, rue de Sèvres, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 47 12 30 30 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 47 12 30 50 | hours=08:30 -13:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|the United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom | alt= | url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-paris | email= | address=35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré, 75008 Paris | lat=48.8692 | long=2.31884 | directions= | phone=+33 1 44 51 31 00 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 44 51 32 34 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18794353 | lastedit=2020-10-04 | content= }} * {{flag|the United States}} {{listing | name=United States | alt= | url=https://fr.usembassy.gov/ | email= | address=2, avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris | lat=48.867778 | long=2.320556 | directions= | phone=+33 1 43 12 22 22 | tollfree= | fax=+33 1 42 66 97 83 | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q894836 | lastedit=2020-10-04 | content= }} * {{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | name=Vietnam | url=http://ambassade-vietnam.com/ | email=vnparis.fr@gmail.com | address=62, rue Boileau, 75016 Paris | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 44 14 64 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== * [[Chantilly]] - Wonderful 17th-century palace and gardens (and the birthplace of whipped cream). 25 min train ride from ''Gare du Nord'' * [[Chartres]] - The 12th-century cathedral of Notre Dame at Chartres is one of the highlights of [[Gothic architecture]]. 60-min train ride from ''Gare Montparnasse'' * [[Disneyland Paris]] - In the suburb of [[Marne-la-Vallée]], to the east of Paris, from where it can be reached by car, train, RER, or bus (the train/RER is probably your best bet). * [[Fontainebleau]] - A lovely historic town south of Paris (55.5&nbsp;km or 35&nbsp;mi). A favourite weekend getaway for Parisians, it is renowned for its large and scenic forest, and for its château. 35 min train ride from ''Gare de Lyon'' *Rambouillet - A royal palace surrounded by forest and historic town. * [[Giverny]] - The inspirational house and gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet are but a day-trip away. The gardens and its flowers are the most interesting part of the visit, so avoid rainy days. * [[Lille]] - By bus 3½ hr (€5) *The [[Loire Valley]] - a beautiful wine-making stretch of the river Loire that is chock full of renaissance châteaux, including [[Chambord]], as well as medieval cities such as [[Blois]], [[Orléans]] and [[Tours]]. Trains take 1&ndash;2½ hours from ''Gare Montparnasse'' and ''Gare d'Austerlitz''. * The [[Orient Express]], which historically ran Paris-[[Istanbul]], has been partially recreated as a seasonal luxury [[tourist train]], but tickets are not cheap. * [[Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)|Saint-Denis]] - On the northern edge of the metropolis, site of the ''Stade de France'' and St Denis Abbey, burial place of French royalty. * [[Versailles]] - On the southwestern edge of Paris, the site of the Sun King Louis XIV's magnificent palace. 20-40 min train ride by RER (line C) from central Paris. {{routebox | image4=Autoroute française 6a.svg | imagesize4=50px | directionl4=N | majorl4=ENDS AT PORTE DE GENTILLY | minorl4= | directionr4=S | minorr4=[[Orly Airport]] | majorr4=[[Image:Autoroute française 6.svg|Autoroute du Soleil|35px]] [[Lyon]] / [[Image:Autoroute française 10.svg|L'Aquitaine|40px]] [[Bordeaux]] [[Image:Tabliczka E5.svg|30px]] | image5=Autoroute française 13.svg | imagesize5=50px | directionl5=W | majorl5=[[Image:Tabliczka E5.svg|30px]] [[Rouen]] | minorl5=[[Boulogne-Billancourt]] | directionr5=E | minorr5= | majorr5=ENDS AT PORTE D'AUTEUIL | caption5=Autoroute de Normandie }} {{geo|48.856|2.351|zoom=12}} {{isPartOf|Île-de-France}} {{guidecity}} 233h9piquwygijvsw278gbf1a2bwfm9 0 27236 4506275 4448244 2022-08-22T15:07:51Z Ground Zero 1423298 Add population, [[WV:TDF]], formatting wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Penrith banner Castle.JPG|caption=Penrith Castle}} [[File:Robinson's School Middlegate Penrith - geograph.org.uk - 1560114.jpg|thumb|Robinson's School Middlegate - a museum]] '''Penrith''' is a small market town of 15,000 people (2011) in [[Cumbria]], to the north-east of the Lake District. ==Get in== ===By train=== *Penrith is located on the West Coast Mainline rail link. There are direct connections to London (3 hr), Edinburgh (1½ hr) and Glasgow (2 hr). ===By bus=== *There are direct bus services from Penrith to [[London]] and [[Scotland]], operated by [http://www.nationalexpress.com National Express]. *There are local buses, operated by [http://www.stagecoachbus.com Stagecoach], from [[Cockermouth]] via [[Keswick]] and [[Threlkeld]] in the northern [[Lake District National Park|Lake District]] every hour or two. ===By car=== *Penrith is on the M6 (junction 40) towards [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]], A66 from [[Workington]] to [[Grangetown]] and on the A6 from [[Luton]] to [[Carlisle]]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|54.663|-2.748|zoom=13}} The town can easily be explored on foot. ==See== [[File:Penrith Castle 2.JPG|thumb|Penrith Castle]] The town's appeal to visitors is somewhat limited to the many fine pubs, the supermarkets and the railway station. Penrith does however have some hidden historic gems, most imposingly, Penrith Castle. * {{see | name=Penrith Castle | alt= | url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/penrith-castle/ | email= | address= | lat=54.66196 | long=-2.75728 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=free | wikipedia=Penrith Castle | image=Penrith Castle 2.JPG | wikidata=Q2970199 | lastedit=2016-09-26 | content=Building of the castle' began in 1399, when William Strickland (later Bishop of Carlisle and Archbishop of Canterbury) added a stone wall to an earlier pele tower, primarily as a defence against the then frequent raids from the Scottish borders. The castle was improved over the next 70 years, becoming a royal fortress for Richard, Duke of Gloucester before he became King Richard III in 1483. The ruins that can be seen today date from about that time. The striking sandstone remains are situated in Castle Park, opposite Penrith railway station. }} * {{see | name=St. Andrew's Church | alt= | url=http://www.standrewspenrith.org.uk | email= | address= | lat=54.66414 | long=-2.75161 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=church often open during the day | price= | wikidata=Q7592357| wikipedia=St Andrew's Church, Penrith | image=The tower of St Andrew's Church Penrith - geograph.org.uk - 1561838.jpg | lastedit=2017-10-17 | content=The churchyard in the town contains the 'Giant's Thumb', a Norse cross dating from 920 AD erected as a memorial to his father by Owen Caesarius, King of Cumbria from 920 to 937 AD. There is a tradition that the 'Giant's Grave' is the grave of Owen himself. The four hogback stones surrounding the grave are said to represent wild boar he killed in nearby Inglewood Forest. The two Norse crosses are some 11 feet high. The tower dates from 1397, but the church was built in 1722 and has an interesting interior. The church cafe is open M-F 9:30AM - 2PM. }} * {{see | name=Penrith and Eden Museum | alt= | url=http://www.eden.gov.uk/museum | email= | address= | lat=54.66580 | long=-2.75419 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open all year: M-Sa 10AM-5PM; Apr-Oct: Su 11AM-4PM | price=free | lastedit=2016-09-26 | content=In Robinson's School in Middlegate. The school closed in 1971 after a long history dating back to 1670 and is now a combined tourist information centre and museum. }} * {{see | name=Brougham Castle | alt= | url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/brougham-castle/ | email= | address=Moor Lane, CA10 2AA | lat=54.65402 | long=-2.715583 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 862488 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Adults £4.00, children £2.40, concessions £3.60 | image=Brougham Castle from the north east.jpg | wikidata=Q2968700| wikipedia=Brougham Castle | content= }} * {{see | name=Acorn Bank | alt= | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/acorn-bank/ | email=acornbank@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Temple Sowerby, CA10 1SP | lat=54.646301 | long=-2.59228 | directions=8 miles east of Penrith | phone=+44 17683 61893 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4674543| wikipedia=Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill | content= }} ==Do== ==Buy== [[File:Sandgate, Penrith - geograph.org.uk - 1533071.jpg|thumb|Sandgate]] * {{buy | name=James & John Graham Grocers | alt= | url=http://www.jjgraham.co.uk | email= | address=6 - 7 Market Square, CA11 7BS | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Independent grocer established in 1793, with an excellent selection of cheeses and home baking. }} *There are three '''supermarkets''' near the station - Morrisons and Booths in Brunswick Road and Aldi in Ullswater Road. Sainsbury's is on the opposite side of the town centre. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Agricultural Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.the-agricultural-hotel.co.uk | email= | address= | lat=54.66313 | long=-2.75665 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Castlegate, CA11 7JE. Bar meals and Jennings real ales in this hotel near the station. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=The George | alt= | url=http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/georgehotel/index.php | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=In the town centre. }} * {{sleep | name=The North Lakes Hotel and Spa | alt= | url=http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/georgehotel/index.php | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=A four-star hotel on the edge of the town. }} * {{sleep | name=Howtown Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.howtown-hotel.co.uk/ | email= | address=Ullswater CA10 2ND | lat=54.568 | long=-2.863 | directions= | phone=+44 17684 86514 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £100 | lastedit=2020-06-06 | content=Charming hotel in old-fashioned style in converted farmhouse near the lake. Open Apr-Oct. }} * {{sleep | name=The House at Temple Sowerby | alt= | url=https://www.templesowerby.com/ | email= | address=Chapel St, Temple Sowerby CA10 1RZ | lat=54.637 | long=-2.603 | directions=off A66 | phone=+44 1768 361 578 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double from £140 | lastedit=2020-06-13 | content=Charming little hotel in 18th-century house, great dining. }} * {{sleep | name=Askham Hall | alt= | url=https://www.askhamhall.co.uk/ | email= | address=Askham CA10 2PF | lat=54.607 | long=-2.751 | directions= | phone=+44 1931 712350 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double from £150 | wikipedia=Askham Hall | lastedit=2020-06-13 | content=Glorious upscale pile, the 14th-century pele tower has been added to for 700 years so what you get now is the Countess of Lonsdale's 2012 makeover. Great comfort, service, ambience and dining. It's open mid-Feb to Dec and often booked for weddings. }} * {{sleep | name=Tebay Services Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.tebayserviceshotel.com/ | email= | address=Orton, Penrith CA10 3SB | lat=54.449 | long=-2.612 | directions=M6 between jcn 38 & 39 | phone=+44 15396 24351 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B double £85 | lastedit=2020-06-13 | content=Tebay services on M6 have always bucked the norm of bland functionality, and now this welcoming hotel takes the standard higher. Splendid restful place accessible both north- and southbound, once checked in you'll be blissfully unaware of the traffic hissing past. Open all year, child- and dog-friendly. }} * {{sleep | name=Gill Head Farm | alt= | url=https://www.gillheadfarm.co.uk/ | email= | address=Troutbeck CA11 0ST | lat=54.633 | long=-2.961 | directions= | phone=+44 17687 79953 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Tent £25 | lastedit=2021-04-01 | content=Quiet camping and caravan site open Apr-Nov. }} * {{sleep | name=George and Dragon | alt= | url=https://georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk/ | email= | address=Clifton CA10 2ER | lat=54.630 | long=-2.720 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 865381 | tollfree= | fax= | price=B&B double £100 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-13 | content=Atmospheric 18th-century coaching inn, dog-friendly, with good restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=The Quiet Site | alt= | url=https://thequietsite.co.uk/ | email= | address=Watermillock, Ullswater CA11 0LS | lat=54.6050 | long=-2.8834 | directions= | phone=+44 1768 486337 | tollfree= | fax= | price=Pod £80 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2022-05-12 | content=This charming spot up a back lane has "hobbit burrows" set into the hillside, glamping pods and "gingerbread house" cabins. Dog-friendly. }} * '''[https://www.cove-park.co.uk/ Cove Caravan & Camping Park]''' is next to the Quiet Site. ==Connect== Penrith has 4G from all UK carriers, though coverage varies on the outlying roads. As of April 2021, 5G has not reached this area. ==Go next== Just outside the town is Brougham Castle, which is much better preserved than Penrith Castle and is situated alongside the earth-works of a Roman Fort. The site was later taken by the Norman family of Vieuxpont to build their castle. The ruins, the stone keep, and service buildings can still be seen. Ullswater, the [[Eden Valley]] and the Rheged Centre are all very nearby. The neighbouring towns are [[Keswick]] to the west, [[Appleby-in-Westmorland]] to the south east, and the city of [[Carlisle]] to the north. {{routebox | image1=UK-Motorway-M6.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Glasgow]] | minorl1=[[Carlisle]] | directionr1=S | minorr1=[[Kendal (England)|Kendal]] | majorr1=[[Manchester]] | image2=UK_road_A6.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Carlisle]] | minorl2= | directionr2=S | minorr2= | majorr2=[[Kendal (England)|Kendal]] }} {{geo|54.6648|-2.7548}} {{outlinecity}} {{IsPartOf|Cumbria}} ovfxqis78opn5a9vxf4x8rqs8hutnby 0 27450 4506531 4503920 2022-08-23T03:26:24Z W4otn 2269599 /* Museums */ Started applying "See" templates to museums. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Philadelphia Broad Street night banner.jpg|caption=Night view of Philadelphia City Hall, looking north from Broad Street between Walnut and Locust Streets}} :''For ancient Philadelphia renowned for its role in early Christianity, see [[Alaşehir]].'' {{printDistricts}} [[File:Philadelphia Night Skyline (14146388982).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Philadelphia skyline]] [[Image:CIMG1532a.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|Rocky statue outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.]] '''[https://www.discoverphl.com/ Philadelphia]''', often referred to as '''Philly''', is known globally as the birthplace of American democracy. In Independence Hall but also in taverns and other locations around the city, the nation's founders planned and ultimately launched the American Revolution, which gave birth to the nation. The city is the largest in [[Pennsylvania]], the second largest in the Northeast megalopolis (behind [[New York City]]), and the sixth largest city in the [[United States]]. Visitors interested in U.S. history will also discover that it is a city of firsts: the first library (1731), first hospital (1751), first medical school (1765), first national capital (1774), first stock exchange (1790), first zoo (1874), and first business school (1881). Philadelphia sits adjacent to [[New Jersey]], on the west side of the Delaware River, and is only 15 miles from [[Delaware]]. The [[Philadelphia Region]], a metropolitan area known as the Delaware Valley with a population exceeding six million, is the nation's sixth and world's 67th largest metropolitan region. It encompasses counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and even [[Maryland]]. ==Districts== For most visitors, the focal point will be '''Center City''' and '''Old City''', which comprise the downtown section of Philadelphia. It is bounded by Vine St. to the north, the Delaware River to the east, South St. to the south, and the Schuylkill River to the west. The 2010 Center City residential population of 57,000 makes it the third most populated central business district in America, behind [[New York City]] and [[Chicago]]. Other popular districts to visit are '''West Philly''' and '''South Philly'''. {{Regionlist | regionmap=Philadelphia districts map2.png | regionmaptext= | regionmapsize=341px | region1name=[[Philadelphia/Center City East|Center City East]] | region1color=#ac5c91 | region1items= | region1description=Philadelphia's beautiful City Hall, the Convention Center, Chinatown, Washington Square West, the gay-friendly Gayborhood, and the Broad Street Arts Corridor. | region2name=[[Philadelphia/Center City West|Center City West]] | region2color=#d09440 | region2items= | region2description=West of Broad Street and City Hall, includes the art museum district, Rittenhouse Square, shopping resembling an outdoor mall with dining on Chestnut and Walnut Streets, and a good portion of the central business district with Philadelphia's tallest skyscrapers. | region3name=[[Philadelphia/Old City|Old City]] | region3color=#3650ea | region3items= | region3description=Philadelphia's oldest historic quarter, where the roots of American Independence began. It's between 6th Street and the Delaware River, and features Independence Mall and historical landmarks like the Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall, and Independence Hall. Also of significance are the art, design and fashion businesses and galleries, making Old City a vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhood with an 'old world' European aesthetic. Evening hours bring added excitement with great restaurants, bars and clubs. | region4name=[[Philadelphia/South|South Philly]] | region4color=#71b37b | region4items= | region4description=South Street, the Italian Market, the Sports Complex, endless cheap dive bars, and Philly cheesesteaks. | region5name=[[Philadelphia/North|North Philly]] | region5color=#b5d29f | region5items= | region5description=Working class neighborhoods, some of which are struggling with crime problems, but also the home of Temple University and Northern Liberties. | region6name=[[Philadelphia/West|West Philly]] | region6color=#d56d76 | region6items= | region6description=West of the Schuylkill River, includes University City comprising of University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University and its surrounding neighborhoods. | region7name=[[Philadelphia/Northwest|Northwest]] | region7color=#4fb7c0 | region7items= | region7description=The off-the-beaten-path northwestern reaches of the city, most notable for its middle-to-upper class residential neighborhoods of Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, East Falls and Mt. Airy. | region8name=[[Philadelphia/Northeast|Northeast]] | region8color=#69999f | region8items= | region8description=The far northeastern part of town, a residential yet multicultural area. }} ==Understand== [[File:Independence Hall.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Independence Hall, the birthplace of American democracy, at 520 Chestnut St.]] Philadelphia, often called the "Birthplace of America", is the birthplace of the country's modern democracy. Philly was founded by William Penn in 1681, and assumed its present-day shape and size in 1784 when [[Montgomery County (Pennsylvania)|Montgomery County]] was split off from Philadelphia. The city's name translates to "City of Brotherly Love" and it has been a seat of freedom since its inception; founded by Quakers, the colony promoted religious freedom among its residents in stark contrast to the [[England]] of the time. The definition of "Philadelphia" changed in 1854. Prior to that time, the term "Philadelphia" referred to what is today called "Center City", and what we today call "Philadelphia" was referred to as "Philadelphia County" (that term is still used today in legal and administrative contexts). For clarity's sake we will use modern terminology, though many people will refer to Center City as "Philadelphia" when referring to pre-1854 periods. ===History=== [[File:Goal in Walnut Street Philadelphia Birch's views plate 24 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|alt=Walnut Street, Philadelphia, c. 1800|Walnut St., c. 1800]] [[File:Liberty Bell 2008.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Liberty Bell, perhaps the most iconic symbol of American liberty, is on display for visitors at the Liberty Bell Center at 526 Market St.]] Known for its role in the American Revolutionary War, Philadelphia saw the convening of the Continental Congress as well as the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Shortly after the nation's inception took place in Philadelphia, Center City was named the nation's capital, a role it filled from 1790 until 1800, when [[Washington, D.C.]] took over. Prior to 1854, the city of Philadelphia only consisted roughly of what we now call Center City, extending east to west between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers and north to south between Vine and South Streets. Everything else was Philadelphia County and contained thirteen townships, six boroughs, and nine districts. The Act of Consolidation in 1854 consolidated all these areas within the city of Philadelphia, creating the boundaries you see today. Benjamin Franklin, probably Philadelphia's most famous resident, was responsible for the city's alternative title, the "new Athens." While Franklin's most famous experiment dealt with the conducting of electricity, he was also responsible for the country's first insurance company, the city's first public library and the first fire department; Franklin also played a great role in establishing the city's postal system and inventing new conveniences such as bifocal lenses and the Franklin Stove. Philadelphia has seen its skyline and its name in lights throughout the years in such famous films as the "Rocky" series (the statue from ''Rocky III'' still stands prominently outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art), and films like namesake ''Philadelphia'' and many of Philadelphia native M. Night Shyamalan's thrillers. The Liberty Bell is right in the center of Philadelphia inside of a pavilion near Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell is a major piece in Philly's history. It was rung to announce the news of the passage of the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 in Great Britain. John Sartain in his book, Reminiscences of a Very Old Man, claims the bell was cracked during this announcement: :"The final passage of the Emancipation Act by the British Parliament is linked to a bit of Philadelphia history. On receipt of the news in Philadelphia the Liberty Bell in the tower of the State House was rung, and cracked in the ringing. When I was up in the tower in 1830, two years after, viewing the cracked bell for the first time, Downing, who was then the custodian of Independence Hall, told me of it and remarked that the bell refused to ring for a British Act, even when the Act was a good one." ===People=== The Philadelphia area's 6.2 million inhabitants comprise a diverse group of almost every nationality. Philadelphia's primary cultural influences can be seen in its plethora of Irish pubs, the city's Italian Market, the Chinatown District, and the Reading Terminal which plays host to a diverse crowd of merchants — from first-generation European and Asian immigrants to the area's local Amish and Mennonite farmers. Compared to other major American cities, especially those in the Northeast, Philadelphia has a much smaller immigrant population; up until 1950 it was a magnet for European immigrants, with smaller African populations. But due to a sluggish economy, racial tensions, and the rising prominence of cities like New York, Boston, or even Atlanta, Philadelphia's immigrant population dwindled. Things have changed since the early 2000s however, with the area once again becoming an immigration gateway. Immigrants now flock from places as varied as China, India, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Ghana, Morocco, and Russia. ===Economy=== Philadelphia's economy is as diverse as the population that inhabits the city. In Old City, the 'Third Street Corridor', from 3rd and Chestnut Streets to Vine Street, is home to many locally owned businesses contributing to art, design and fashion industries. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the oldest one in America, has been in operation since 1790. In addition, the city is host to several Fortune 500 companies, including Comcast (the nation's largest cable television and broadband Internet provider), CIGNA insurance, Aramark, and Lincoln Financial Group. The largest private employers in the city are the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Temple University. In the region there are approximately 50 higher educational institutions making Philadelphia a large 'college town'. Dating back to the city's roots as the nation's first capital, the federal government's presence is also strong in Philadelphia. A U.S. Mint is near Philadelphia's historic district and the Philadelphia division of the Federal Reserve Bank is close to that. Thanks to this governmental presence the city plays host to a large number of prestigious law firms and is considered one of the nation's centers of law. The Pennsylvania Railroad, once the largest railroad company in the world, continues to influence Philadelphia's economy under the Amtrak name. Amtrak's second-busiest station, 30th Street Station, is on the west bank of the Schuylkill River and employs many Philadelphians in customer service, engineering, accounting, and IT jobs at the station. Many medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, and medical technology firms make their homes in and around Philadelphia, arguably making it the nation's healthcare capital. And numerous virtual commerce firms have made their home in the Philadelphia area, including QVC, Half.com (purchased by eBay), DuckDuckGo, and Monetate. ===Climate=== {{Climate | units = Imperial | janhigh = 39 | febhigh = 42 | marhigh = 51 | aprhigh = 63 | mayhigh = 73 | junhigh = 82 | julhigh = 87 | aughigh = 85 | sephigh = 78 | octhigh = 67 | novhigh = 55 | dechigh = 44 | janlow = 24 | feblow = 26 | marlow = 33 | aprlow = 43 | maylow = 53 | junlow = 62 | jullow = 68 | auglow = 66 | seplow = 59 | octlow = 47 | novlow = 38 | declow = 29 | janprecip = 3.2 | febprecip = 2.8 | marprecip = 3.7 | aprprecip = 3.4 | mayprecip = 3.6 | junprecip = 3.4 | julprecip = 4.2 | augprecip = 3.9 | sepprecip = 3.3 | octprecip = 2.7 | novprecip = 3.3 | decprecip = 3.3 | description = {{ForecastNOAA|Philadelphia|39.95383|-75.16245}} }} Philadelphia sits at the northernmost boundary of the humid subtropical climate zone; it has many features of a humid continental climate, and the climate has four seasons. Winters are cold and often snowy, but are rarely unbearable like in Boston or Chicago; temperatures usually hover around 32°F (0°C) during the colder months. Average annual snowfall is 24 inches (59 cm) which is spread out mainly from December to March, but the area is sometimes hit by devastating blizzards that can dump up to half that total or even more on the city in one day, such as in 1996 when a single storm dumped 30.7 inches (78 cm) of snow on the city in just a couple days. On the other hand, summers in Philadelphia are notoriously hot and humid, and conditions can get quite unpleasant when the air temperature is near 90°F (32°C) and humidity is high. Spring and fall are rather pleasant, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s °F (15°C-25°C). ==Talk== '''Colloquialisms''' For those who are unfamiliar with either the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast or even just Philadelphia regions, local lingo and enunciation can seem rather daunting. Older white working-class locals mostly speak with a distinctive accent, as does Philadelphia's African-American community; in fact, the latter is responsible for many modern-day slang words and expressions that have become ubiquitous in American culture. However, transplants, academics, other ethnic minorities (especially Asians), and Millennials now tend to speak with a more general American accent. With that said, most young people from the Philadelphia area - regardless of race - have made laudable efforts in keeping elements of the accent alive, most notably with regards to vowels and vocabulary. Here is a breakdown of Philadelphia's most popular local terms: * '''Wooder''' Water. This is seen as the ultimate giveaway that someone is from Philadelphia. * '''Youse (guys)''' You guys, you all. Second-person plural. (Can sound like /juːs/ (''yooce'') or /juːz/ (''yooze''.) * '''Water Ice''' A dessert served by local restaurants that features flavored slushy ice. Sometimes called Italian Ice. Pop's, near the corners of Oregon Avenue and Broad Street, is arguably the most popular. * '''Gravy''' This is tomato sauce, and is for the most part only used by those who are of Italian heritage. "Gravy" is usually prepared with meat including meatballs, sausage, and sometimes pork in order to give it flavor. * '''Coffee Regular''' (pronounced Caw-fee Reg-lar) Coffee with cream and sugar. * '''Jimmies''' Chocolate or rainbow colored candy sprinkled onto ice cream or cookies. * '''Steak''' Any sandwich in the cheesesteak family. An entire menu category at neighborhood pizza joints. * '''Hoagie''' Submarine sandwich. * '''Grinder''' A toasted hoagie. * '''Tomato pie''' Pizza crust with tomato sauce but no cheese (besides, perhaps, a little Parmesan). * '''Stromboli''' A sauceless pizza rolled up: like a calzone, but with mozzarella and without ricotta. * '''Jawn''' A substitute noun used as a placeholder for most things. * '''Strapper''' A fairly new term, used derogatorily to describe someone you do not like. ==Get in== [[File:Philadelphia International Airport.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Philadelphia International Airport, the city's primary airport and one of the nation's largest]] ===By plane=== * {{go | name=[[Philadelphia International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|PHL}} | url=http://www.phl.org/index.html | email=contactPHL@phl.org | address= | lat=39.871944 | long=-75.241111 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q512128 | lastedit=2018-09-24 | content=The largest airport in the [[Delaware Valley]], minutes from the city. It is served by taxis and the SEPTA Regional Rail Airport Line. The predominant carrier at PHL is American Airlines, which offers flights to destinations throughout the U.S., Canada, and a handful of European cities, as well as a some Latin American destinations. [http://www.southwest.com Southwest] has become American Airlines' main domestic competitor at PHL, and the two airlines constantly attempt to outbid each other's fares on many trunk routes. Air charter companies such as [http://monarchairgroup.com Monarch Air Group] and [http://mercuryjets.com Mercury Jets] fly a variety of private charter aircraft and jets, from charter luxury Gulfstream's down to economical piston twins for small groups and individuals. }} Taxis offer a flat rate of $28.50 from the airport to Center City. The Airport Line serves each terminal throughout the day until approximately midnight and takes about twenty minutes to travel between the airport and Center City Philadelphia, making stops at all major commuter tunnel stations: 30th Street Station (Amtrak), Suburban Station (Penn Center, City Hall) and Jefferson Station (formerly "Market East Station": East Market Street, The Fashion District, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal). Tickets for the Airport Line can be purchased on the train platform at a fare kiosk, the cost of the journey to center city is $6.75 at the kiosk or $6.50 (plus $4.95 initial fee) from a travel wallet on the SEPTA Key. Tickets purchased at ticket windows at stations in Center City cost $6.75. You can also buy a day pass for $13 valid on all regional rail trains after 9:30AM except into New Jersey either on board the train or at a ticket office. A family pass is available for $30; the same restrictions apply. Or, the #37 SEPTA bus stops at all terminals (Directly outside baggage claim) and goes into South Philadelphia, terminating at the Broad Street Line subway station "Snyder." The trip costs $2.50 cash exact change only or from the SEPTA key, payable to the driver. Alternatively, you can fly to '''[[Newark Liberty International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|EWR}}) or '''[https://www.bwiairport.com/ Baltimore-Washington International Airport]''' ({{IATA|BWI}}), each of which is connected by Amtrak to 30th Street Station (1 hr from EWR; 80 min from BWI). Other New York and Washington-area airports are less convenient. * {{go | name=Northeast Philadelphia Airport | alt={{IATA|PNE}} | url=https://www.phl.org/business/PNE | email= | address= | lat=40.081944 | long=-75.010556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2739991 | content=Philadelphia proper also has a general aviation airport which does not have scheduled commercial airline service. }} *'''[[Allentown#Get in|Lehigh Valley International Airport]]''' in [[Allentown]] is the best option for those traveling to the [[Lehigh Valley]], and is located roughly 60 miles north of Philadelphia. ===By train=== [[File:30th Street Station Philadelphia July 2016 002 edit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|30th Street Station at 2955 Market St.]] Philadelphia's {{marker|type=go|name=30th Street Station |url=https://www.amtrak.com/stations/phl |lat=39.955833 |long=-75.181944}} ({{IATA|ZFV}}) is a major hub along [[Rail travel in the United States|Amtrak]]'s Northeast Corridor and Keystone lines. Inbound trains from [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[New York City]] arrive at least once an hour during the day; some of them are high-speed ''Acela'' trains. Trains from [[Harrisburg]] arrive between 10-14 times daily, and trains from [[Pittsburgh]] arrive once each day. Amtrak also provides service to [[Vermont]], [[Virginia]], [[Charlotte]], and overnight service to [[Florida]] and [[New Orleans]]. Tickets on Amtrak with 30th Street Station as the origin or destination are also valid on SEPTA regional rail to/from Suburban and Jefferson (Market East) stations in Philadelphia Center City. For ongoing 30th Street Station is also a stop on the Market-Frankford subway line, and has a taxi rank, as well as cars from several rental agencies. It's also possible to get to Philadelphia from NYC via commuter rail. Using this method, one would take New Jersey Transit from New York Penn Station to [[Trenton]] and then transfer to the SEPTA Regional Rail Trenton Line. While this is about a third the price of Amtrak service from NYC, it is more than an hour slower; on the other hand, this is comparable to both the speed and price of an average bus trip from New York, with much more frequent journeys and a more comfortable trip. SEPTA Regional Rail lines (commuter rail) connect Philadelphia to its many suburbs. All regional rail lines stop at 30th St Station (at the upper level/SEPTA concourse), and at two stops in Center City (Suburban and Jefferson stations). The New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line connects 30th Street Station to [[Atlantic City]]. ===By car=== [[File:Walt Whitman Bridge EB 1 mi to US 130 NB-I-676.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|Walt Whitman Bridge, named for the American poet Walt Whitman, connects Philadelphia with Gloucester City and [[Camden (New Jersey)|Camden]], [[New Jersey]]]] Philadelphia is connected to neighboring cities by freeways: * The New Jersey Turnpike, running just outside Philadelphia in [[New Jersey]], is the main route to [[New York City]]. Strangely, there is no direct freeway connection between the cities - you will have to get off the Turnpike and go through a few traffic lights before getting on a Philadelphia freeway. * Interstate 95 continues south from Philadelphia to [[Baltimore]], [[Washington D.C.]], and the remainder of the East Coast, ending in [[Miami]]. * The Pennsylvania Turnpike traverses the state of Pennsylvania from east to west. The Northeast Extension of the Turnpike connects Philadelphia to the Poconos and Wilkes-Barre-Scranton. * Within the city, the main freeways are I-95 (north-south), I-76 (north-south within the city), and I-676 (east-west). Route 1 (also called the Roosevelt Expressway) connects Northeast Philadelphia to Center City. Several bridges across the Delaware River link Philadelphia to New Jersey. Of these bridges are Tacony Palmyra Bridge (Route 73), Betsy Ross Bridge (Route 90), Benjamin Franklin Bridge (US 30) and Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76). ===By bus=== [[File:NJT bus Philadelphia 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal at 1001 Filbert St. is the city's primary bus terminal]] Philadelphia is served by the Greyhound, Trailways, Bieber, and Peter Pan bus routes to cities across the U.S. The city is also served by a '''Chinatown Bus''' service, which began as a way to shuttle Chinese immigrant workers between various Chinatowns, but are now low-cost bus options for anyone looking to get in to Philadelphia from New York City or Washington, D.C. Although the buses are a bargain compared to corporate competitors like Greyhound, they are far from luxurious; they also use small terminals in both Chinatown districts, and have a poor reputation for safety, which can be daunting for less adventurous visitors. To compete against the Chinatown buses in the low-cost, low-frills bus market, corporate bus companies have started Megabus and BoltBus services. There are two main bus terminals. Greyhound operates the City's main bus terminal at 1001 Filbert Street in Center City. Megabus and BoltBus make curbside stops near 30th Street Station. * {{listing | name=Apex Bus | url=http://www.apexbus.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$20 one way, $35 round-trip (from NYC) | content=The NYC stop is at 88 E Broadway. The stop for Philadelphia is on 121 N 11th St. The ride is about 1½ hr. }} * {{listing | name=Today's Bus | url=http://www.todaysbus.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$12 each way (from NYC) | content=The NYC stop is at 28 Allen St. The stop for Philadelphia is on 121 N 11th St. No advance purchase is required. }} * {{listing | name=Megabus | alt= | url=http://www.megabus.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Provides service from NYC, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, State College, Harrisburg, Toronto, Buffalo, Boston, Richmond, and Hampton; fares start at $1 when ordered far enough in advance. Buses arrive and depart on the east side of Schuylkill Ave. between Chestnut and Walnut streets, a couple of blocks south of 30th street station. }} * {{listing | name=BoltBus | url=http://www.boltbus.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Provides service from NYC, Newark, and Boston; fares start at $1 when ordered far enough in advance. Free Wi-Fi. Buses arrive and depart from 30th and Market Sts., near 30th St. Station. }} If you buy tickets online, be sure to get on the right bus. Some companies trick you into taking the wrong bus and then charge you again. ===By boat=== The [http://riverlinkferry.org RiverLink and Freedom Ferry services] provide travel from Philadelphia to neighboring Camden, New Jersey, between April and September. The service provides direct service to Camden's Susquehanna Bank Center on the Waterfront, a popular concert venue for the Philadelphia area. Access to the other waterfront attractions, including an aquarium, is also provided by the ferry service. ==Get around== There are plenty of public transportation options to get around the downtown core of Philadelphia. Buses, trains, and trolleys gather at 30th St. Station and the 69th St. Transportation Center. Absolutely no smoking is allowed in any SEPTA Transit Station. SEPTA Staff, transit police officers, and even fellow riders will ask you to extinguish/dispose of tobacco before entering. Violators may be subject to fines, arrest, or even community service. ===By foot=== Philadelphia is one of America's most walkable cities. This has been taken advantage of and the city is marked extremely well by "Walk! Philadelphia" signs that are placed on each block, sometimes only several feet apart, that guide visitors toward shopping, dining, gallery perusing, cultural enjoyment, local must-sees and public transportation should it need to be taken. The city has two very walkable shopping districts as well as the walkable Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is home to many museums, including the Franklin Institute and the Museum of Art that was made famous in the "Rocky" movies. ===By bus=== [[File:SEPTA 8130 800px.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A SEPTA bus, part of one of the nation's largest public transportation systems]] '''[http://septa.org SEPTA Bus]'''. SEPTA runs an extensive bus network in Philadelphia. Buses are a convenient (if slow) method of getting almost anywhere within the city. On-time performance is relatively lacking especially in the suburbs, and it's bound to happen to you at least once in a weekend if you take the bus heavily. Frequencies are spotty in the outer suburbs so plan ahead. In Center City, bus routes will be fairly well documented on bus shelters, but in all other locations around Philadelphia, route maps and schedules will generally not be posted; in fact the stops or route markers may only be posted on a tree branch, so do your bus route research early. Seniors ride free with a Medicare Card or a Senior Citizen Transit ID Card. Fares can be paid with cash at $2.50 but passengers must have the exact amount as change will not be given. Tokens (to be discontinued on 30 April) will effectively reduce the cost of a single ride to $2.00 but must be bought in groups of 2 ($4), 5 ($10), or 10 ($20). Because tokens are discounted, you might want to buy tokens in bulk when given a chance; token purchases are most easily done at machines located in the busiest subway stations in Center City and at some convenience stores, but unfortunately, not all stations have token machines. SEPTA also has a reloadable chip Key Card which works like most other contactless SMART cards and the fares are the same as when a token is used ($2). SEPTA Key Cards are also available in selected locations. Passengers who require a transfer need to pay $1 on the first mode of transport they take (either through a deduction of their Key Card balance or payment of exact cash amount). '''[http://www.visitphilly.com/tours/philadelphia/phlash/ Phlash Bus]'''. Philadelphia has a seasonal (May-October) trolley bus for tourists called the Phlash. It runs in a 20-stop east-west circuit of major tourist locations, from the Museum of Art in the west to Penn's Landing in the east. It is $2 per ride or $5 for a one day pass. SEPTA pass and key card holders ride free, as do children ages 4 and under and seniors 65 and older. Look for the purple trolley bus or the winged purple & blue logo. ===By train=== The 69th St. Transportation Center and 30th St. Station are the main hubs of major commuter (regional) rail, subway rail and trolley lines. ====Commuter rail==== [[File:Silverliner IV-SEPTA-400-philadelphia-int-airport-22-6-2012-fws.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|SEPTA offers commuter service to Philadelphia's suburbs]] '''[http://www.septa.org SEPTA Regional Rail]''' regional commuter rail trains stop in Center City at underground commuter rail tunnels. The three major Center City stops, 30th Street Station, Suburban Station and Market East Station, serve most of the city's major attractions. Suburban Station is adjacent to near City Hall, the shopping district, the financial district, and many cultural attractions; Market East Station connects to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, shopping at The Gallery, and the Reading Terminal Market, a famous local marketplace. Traveling within Center City is considered a "Zone 1" fare and will cost $4.75 if purchased in advance and $6 if purchased on board the train. Seniors ride for $1. Fares to other destinations are up to $10. Between Temple University, the city center stations and University City, service is generally frequent enough that you won't need a schedule. Service in other areas tends to be about every half-hour, with more frequent service during peak hours. The Airport Line comes every 30 minutes daily from about 4:30AM to midnight, and Paoli/Thorndale Line (between Center City and Malvern) and Lansdale/Doylestown Line (between Center City and Lansdale) also have half-hourly service during the day on weekdays. The lightly used Cynwyd Line only comes Monday through Friday on an erratic, rush hour centered schedule. '''[http://www.njtransit.com New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line]''' provides service to suburbs in New Jersey and to Atlantic City. Service patterns are somewhat uneven; be sure to check the schedule online in advance. These trains pick up passengers from the Amtrak concourse at 30th Street Station. ====Subway==== [[File:Philadelphiasubway.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Philadelphia rapid transit map]] [[File:SEPTA AT&T (Pattison) station.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A Broad Street Line train]] [[File:MarketFrankfordLineTrain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A much less drab Market-Frankford line train]] [[File:SEPTA Route 34 trolley 9107.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A SEPTA trolley]] [[File:NorristownHSL2013USOPEN.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|The not-so-high-speed Norristown High-Speed Line serves some of Philadelphia's suburbs]] [[File:PATCO Rebuilt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|PATCO services New Jersey]] [http://www.septa.org SEPTA] operates two metro (subway/elevated) lines, and a "Subway-Surface" trolley line which crosses Center City in a tunnel but runs in the street elsewhere. Just like SEPTA buses, the cash fare is $2.50. '''Tokens are no longer sold by SEPTA, though they remain valid for use on bus, subway, and trolley.''' A subway ride also costs $2 if a SEPTA contactless Key Card is used. Seniors ride free with ID. '''Broad Street (Orange) Line''' (BSL) — referred to by locals as the "subway" — runs North-South underneath Broad Street, the main north-south arterial. It serves Temple University, City Hall, the Sports Stadium Complex and everywhere in between. The BSL also has a "spur" called the Broad-Ridge Spur that serves Chinatown and 8th & Market Sts. in Center City. At City Hall station, there are free transfers to the Market-Frankford Line and Subway-Surface Lines. Transfers from a subway to a bus or from a bus to a subway cost $1 and must be purchased when you pay for the first leg of your trip. This transfer is also required if transferring from the 8th St Ridge Avenue spur to the 8th St MFL station. '''Market-Frankford (Blue) Line''' (MFL) — referred to by locals as the "el" — follows Market St from 69th St east to 2nd St, then turns northeast to Frankford Transportation Center in Northeast Philadelphia. The line runs underground beneath Market Street from 2nd to 45th Streets, and is elevated elsewhere. An free interchange with the BSL is available at 15th St, and a paid interchange with the Broad-Ridge Spur at 8th St station. Paid interchanges with SEPTA's Regional Rail are available at 11th St, 15th St, and 30th St stations. At 30th St you can also board Amtrak intercity trains. '''Subway-Surface (Green/Trolley) Lines''' — referred to by locals as the "trolleys" — are a set of five streetcar lines: 10 (Lancaster), 11 (Woodland), 13 (Chester), 34 (Baltimore), and 36 (Elmwood). The other routes run along a different avenue in West Philadelphia, but all meet at a subway portal at 40 St. and Woodland Ave. (except the #10, which joins the subway at a portal at 36th St.) to run in a streetcar subway under the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University to 30 St., then under Market St. from 30 to Juniper St, near 13 St. The trolley shares 30th, 15th, and Juniper/13th St stations with the MFL, but is the only subway stopping at 19th and 22nd Sts along Market St. There is a free interchange between the lines at all three shared stations. A sixth trolley line, #15-Girard Avenue, runs through North Philly and uses refurbished vintage PCC streetcars. '''Norristown High Speed Line''' (Route 100) — this above-ground electric train service departs from the MFL's 69th Street terminal, and travels through suburbs in the main line to Norristown. Service comes about every 20 minutes, with more frequent service including express trains during peak hours. Stops are made on request only - to request a train to stop when standing on a platform (except at 69th Street, Ardmore Junction, and Norristown), you must press a button to activate a signal to stop the train. Otherwise, trains can blast through at up to 65 miles per hour, leaving you stranded. '''[http://www.ridepatco.org/ PATCO Hi-Speed Line]''' operated by the Delaware River Port Authority, travels between 16th and Locust Sts. past 8th and Market Sts. in Center City Philadelphia and Lindenwold Station in Southern New Jersey. PATCO runs underground in the city and rises above ground to cross over the Delaware River on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. It then runs underground in the center of Camden, then is above ground through the rest of its trip in New Jersey. There is no free interchange between SEPTA's subways or regional rail and the PATCO service, and SEPTA passes are not valid on PATCO; a discounted round-trip transfer to SEPTA can be purchased for $3.10 extra when buying a round trip from a New Jersey station to Philadelphia. The PATCO line is the easiest way to access Camden, NJ's waterfront attractions, including the Adventure Aquarium and the BB&T Pavilion at the Waterfront concert venue. Fares are based on the distance of travel. Those rates are as follows: *Lindenwold, Ashland & Woodcrest Stations and Philadelphia: $3.00 *Haddonfield, Westmont & Collingswood Stations and Philadelphia: $2.60 *Ferry Avenue (Camden) Station and Philadelphia: $2.25 *Travel within Pennsylvania, between Broadway and City Hall (Camden), and between PA and those two stations: $1.40 *Any other trip within New Jersey: $1.60 ===SEPTA one-day passes=== Passengers who wish to use a combination of SEPTA trolley, bus and subway around downtown Philadelphia may purchase a One-Day Convenience Pass. It costs $9 and may be purchased from the ticket booth at a SEPTA subway station. It can be purchased either as a paper pass or loaded into a SEPTA chip Key Card. Unlike other metropolitan transit systems, the one-day pass does not entitle the passenger to unlimited rides on the entire system and is limited to eight rides on the day it was first used. That said, it still effectively brings down the cost of each ride to $1.13 (compared to the standard fares of $2.00 to $2.50). To use the paper pass, just present it to the driver or station attendant at the fare gate who will punch in the current date and ride number (from 1 to 8) you have taken to indicate how many rides were already used. If the pass is loaded on a SEPTA Key Card, just tap the card against the reader you normally would. Transfers that require you to exit the station fare gates (including subway-to-bus transfers) will be counted against your ride allowance. The Convenience Pass is not valid on regional/commuter rail lines. However, SEPTA also offers the Independence Pass, which is a one day pass that is valid on all modes of transit, including the regional rail lines (except to Trenton and West Trenton, which are $5 extra each way). The Independence Pass cannot be used on Regional Rail trains arriving in Center City prior to 9:30AM on weekdays, with the exception of the Airport Line where it is valid at all times. The [http://www.septa.org/fares/pass/independence.html Independence Pass] costs $13 for an individual and $30 for a family. The Independence Pass does not have the 8-ride limit of the Convenience Pass. ===By taxi=== Taxis are regulated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority and display a medallion license on their hood. As a result, Go2Go does not serve Philadelphia and the surrounding area. All taxis are metered. Rates are $2.70 at flagfall and $2.30 per mile (1.6 km). There is also a variable gas surcharge. In July 2012 it was $1.15. For trips from the airport, a flat rate, including fuel surcharge, of $28.50 applies. An additional $1 per passenger ($3 maximum) after the first passenger will be charged on flat rate trips between the airport and Center City for those passengers over the age of 12. Tipping for good service is common. ===By ride-hailing services=== Ride-hailing services [https://www.uber.com/cities/philadelphia/ Uber] and [https://www.lyft.com/cities/philadelphia-pa Lyft] can be used to get around Philadelphia. ===By car=== Philadelphia is also home to [http://www.enterprisecarshare.com/?ctype=2 Enterprise Car Share] and Zipcar, where, after registering, you can book vehicles by the hour or day for significantly less than a rental car. Enterprise Car Share has vehicles including Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Beetle and Mini Cooper stationed at various locations called 'pods' around Philadelphia. You first book online, and then use your personal key to unlock the vehicle and away you go. Rental is $5.90-7.90 per hour, or approximately $50 for a full day, plus a few dollars booking fee and $0.09 per mile (1.6 km) traveled. ====Parking==== You can park at the ends of the subway lines for very little. Remember that Philadelphia is the center of a metro area of 6 million, so the roads are congested from early morning until the mid-evening, and parking is not cheap. Should you choose to bring a car, check with your hotel about parking in the city. Legal street parking is available but is very difficult to find close to Center City attractions or hotels. Secured parking garages can cost $10-35 per day or higher in some cases. In the historic district, there were several parking options under $20. Visitors should also be aware that the Philadelphia Parking Authority is renowned (even notorious) for its efficiency, and PPA parking enforcement personnel are as quick to write tickets as they are unlikely to yield to a violator's plea for leniency. Tickets that are not paid promptly quickly accumulate additional penalty fees. It is also worth mentioning that the only coins that the meters accept are dollar coins and quarters. Putting other coins in the meter will not give you extra time. Fortunately, depending on where you are in the city, a quarter can give you up to a half hour of parking. However, in such busy places such as Chinatown and Center City, a quarter can get you only eight minutes of parking. A new parking method has been brought about in the city -- although there are still parking meters throughout the city, some areas have a kiosk at which patrons can use bills or credit cards (not just quarters) to print a ticket which they leave on the dashboard. You can park and ride for $1 at AT&T Station (the southernmost stop on the Orange subway line) on Mondays through Fridays until 7PM, but you must get there before noon. ====Traffic==== [[File:Schuylkill Expressway Sept 2007.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Schuylkill Expressway, one of the city's main thoroughfares--and one of its most congested]] In terms of congestion Center City Philadelphia compares favorably to most large U.S. cities. Gridlock does occur, however, particularly during rush hour. Traffic generally moves at the slowest pace in the Chinatown neighborhood, on the numbered streets west of Broad and in the South St. and Old City areas on weekend evenings. Broad St. is typically only moderately congested. The most heavily-traveled roads in the area are I-95, I-676/I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway), which connects Center City to the various suburbs west of the city, and I-476 (the "Blue Route") which curves from the south to the northwest of Philadelphia, connecting I-95 with I-76 and, beyond that, the PA Turnpike. Rush-hour delays are common on all these roadways: During the morning rush-hour I-95 south-bound typically backs up between the Bridge St. and Girard Ave. exits; and eastbound I-76 typically jams from Gladwynne to 30th Street. During the evening rush-hour, I-95 usually slows from the Bridge Street to Academy Road exits. On I-676 and the west-bound Schuylkill, traffic can be stop-and-go from roughly Broad St. potentially all the way to the so-called "Conshohocken Curve," just east of the town of the same name, effectively doubling the time it normally takes to drive from Center City to the PA Turnpike entrance at King of Prussia. Anyone planning to drive through Philadelphia during either rush hours would do well to anticipate traffic conditions and plan accordingly. ===By trolley=== SEPTA operates 8 trolley lines including the 5 subway-surface branch lines and the two suburban trolley lines, numbered 101 and 102, that leave from the 69th Street terminal on the Market Frankford Line. In addition, the 15 line (running along Girard Ave.) has been renovated and vintage trolley cars are now in use on this route. Connections to this line can be made at either the Broad Street Line or Market-Frankford Line Girard Stations; a transfer should be purchased upon boarding the trolley or entering your origin subway station for $1 to avoid paying an additional fare when making the connection. Among its other uses, the 15 line provides the only rail link to the Philadelphia Zoo. SEPTA has also been studying whether to restore trolley service on former lines, as many miles of rail are still in place. ==See== [[File:A358, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Boathouse Row at night, 2009.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|Philadelphia's historic Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River]] Travelers planning to visit multiple attractions may benefit from '''[http://www.citypass.com/philadelphia Philadelphia CityPASS]''', which grants admission to 6 Philadelphia attractions within 9 days of first use for a much reduced rate and includes expedited entry in some cases. The included attractions are: THE Franklin Institute; Adventure Aquarium; Phila Trolley & the Big Bus Company, 24 hours of on-off privileges; Philadelphia Zoo; Option Ticket One with choice of either the Academy of Natural Sciences or the National Constitution Center and Option Ticket Two with choice of Please Touch Museum or Eastern State Penitentiary. [[A Weekend in Philly]] offers a detailed itinerary that includes several of these attractions. ===Public art=== Thanks to Philadelphia's innovative [http://www.muralarts.org Mural Arts Program], the city has a truly massive amount of art that can be seen without paying a dime or entering a single building. Originally designed to help stop graffiti and enliven the city's buildings, the Mural Arts Program has led to Philadelphia now having the largest collection of public art in the world, with over 3500 murals completed since its inception. There are [http://muralarts.org/tour tours] offered as well, from trolley or train tours to the mural-mile walking tour. Other public art of note includes the many glass mosaics found throughout the city; a sampling of this great public art can be seen on South St. east of Broad. Center city Philadelphia offers many public statue displays. "The Clothespin" is a sculpture by Claes Oldenburg that resembles a clothespin located just across from City Hall on West Market St. LOVE Park, serving as a terminus between City Hall and the museum-laden Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., features a famous LOVE statue that has come to represent the brotherly love that Philadelphia was founded on. The site once was the city's (and perhaps the nation's) most popular skating attraction until new legislation and remodeling efforts outlawed skating in the park. Just across the JFK Blvd. from City Hall at the Municipal Services Building, visitors can find many larger than life game pieces from popular board games as well as a statue of former mayor Frank Rizzo. More statues can be found throughout '''[http://www.fpaa.org Fairmount Park]''' along Kelly Dr. on east side of the Schuykill River. Sculptures by Remmington can be found on the path, while several sculptures by Alexander Milne Calder can be found in '''[http://www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org Laurel Hill Cemetery]''', which is just off the paved walking path. ===Museums=== [[File:Philadephia Museum of Art.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Philadelphia Museum of Art at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.]] {{See|name=Philadelphia Museum of Art|url=https://www.philamuseum.org/|email=visitorservices@philamuseum.org|address=2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway|lat=39.96581|long=-75.18121|phone=+1 215-763-8100|hours=Su, Mo, Th and Sa 10:00A - 5:00P; Fr 10:00A - 8:45P|lastedit=2022-08-23|content=}} {{See|name=Barnes Foundation|url=https://www.barnesfoundation.org/|address=2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway|lat=39.96061|long=-75.17268|phone=+1 215-278-7000|hours=Th-Mo 11:00A-5:00P|lastedit=2022-08-23}} {{See|name=The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University|url=https://ansp.org/|email=visitorservices@ansp.org|address=1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway|lat=39.95682|long=-75.17126|phone=+1 215-299-1019|hours=We-Su 10:00A - 5:00P|price=Adults $27; Children $23; Seniors, Military, and Students $24|lastedit=2022-08-23}} Center City West also hosts the '''Franklin Institute Science Museum''', '''Mutter Museum''', '''Rosenbach Museum & Library''' and '''Rodin Museum'''. The Rare Book department of the '''Free Library of Philadelphia''' is also worth a visit. [[Philadelphia/Center City East|Center City East]] is home to the '''African American Museum''', and '''Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History'''. [[Philadelphia/Old City|Old City]] is home to the '''National Museum of American Jewish History''' and '''Independence Seaport Museum'''. [[Philadelphia/West|West Philly]] is home to the '''Penn Museum''' (for archaeology) and the '''Please Touch Museum'''. ===Historic sites=== [[File:Eastern State Penitentiary aerial crop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Historic Eastern State Penitentiary at 2027 Fairmount Ave.]] [[File:City hall Philadelphia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Philadelphia City Hall at 1 Penn Square, constructed in 1894, as seen from S. Broad St.]] '''Independence National Historic Park''' is Philadelphia's signature historic site in the Old City. It features the '''Liberty Bell''', '''Independence Hall''', '''Constitution Hall''' (home of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution), and other historic buildings. '''Eastern State Penitentiary''' is billed as "America's Most Historic Prison." It is also the site of an annual Bastille Day recreation. In October, the notoriously haunted penitentiary is home to one of the city's most popular Halloween attractions: the "Terror Behind the Walls" haunted house. The '''Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site''' contains the former home of the famous American author of mystery and the macabre. The '''Fairmount Water Works''' features information on local watersheds as well as interpretive art. ===Parks=== [[File:LOVE Park Philly.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|LOVE Park at 16th St. and JFK Blvd. with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the background]] William Penn designed Philadelphia to have "five squares" of public, open space. Four of the five squares are now city parks, somewhat symmetrically located at the four corners of an imaginary square surrounding the very center of Center City. (The fifth square, at the very center of the city, is now occupied by City Hall.) '''Fairmount Park''' is a large park on both sides of the Schuykill River northwest of Center City. East Fairmount Park is home to the Smith Memorial Playground, Dell East Concerts, and a driving range. West Fairmount Park, much of which has been renamed the Centennial District, includes the Mann Music Center (where the Philadelphia Orchestra plays in summer), the Japanese Tea House, Please Touch Museum for kids in a restored Memorial Hall (from the nation's centennial celebration). '''LOVE Park''' is square near City Hall, known for its Robert Indiana "LOVE" sculpture, and for attracting skateboarders from around the world (but since 2002, a ban on skateboarding has been rigorously enforced). '''Spruce Street Harbor Park''' takes on a fairground atmosphere during summer nights, with colorful hammocks, floating gardens, trees adorned in colored lights, local craft beers, and food trucks from some of Philadelphia’s most popular restaurants. '''Rittenhouse Square''' (the southwest park in William Penn's original plan) sits among classic and classy Rittenhouse hotels and residences and attracts people from around the world. It is named after David Rittenhouse, a clockmaker and astronomer. '''Logan Square''' (northwest, better known as Logan Circle), named after William Penn's secretary James Logan, is the gateway to Fairmount Park and the Art Museum area. Until 1823, Logan Circle was an execution site as well as burial ground. In Logan Circle there is the Swann Memorial Fountain. '''Washington Square''' (the southeast park in William Penn's original plan) is near Independence Hall. It was also used as a burial ground and a potter's field. '''Franklin Square''' (northeast) is located on the outskirts of Chinatown at 6th and Race Streets. It is home to the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, has a Philadelphia-themed miniature golf course, two playgrounds, a fountain (new technology causes the water to shoot lower on rainy or windy days so bystanders do not become wet), and a gift shop. The center of '''City Hall''''s Square is a large compass in the ground. There are four archways leading into it. '''Penn Treaty Park''', in [[Philadelphia/North|North Philly]], is a small riverfront park. On this site William Penn famously entered into a treaty of peace with Tamanend, the Lenape Indian chief. The '''Philadelphia Zoo''', the first zoo in the United States, is located in [[Philadelphia/West|West Philly]]. '''Clark Park''', also in West Philly, maintains a busy events schedule with festivals, flea markets, theatrical performances, concerts and a year-round farmers’ market. ==Do== [[File:Aqua2007.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The Mummers Parade, held annually on New Year's Day since 1901]] ===Events=== *Every year, Philadelphia is host to the '''Philadelphia International Championship''', which is a 144-mi (232-km) bike race from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the hillside community of Manayunk, which is the site of the Manayunk Wall. The event has been run since 1984. The event usually takes place in early June. *The '''Philadelphia Marathon''' is also another annual event. This marathon race is held every 3rd Sunday in November. There are three races: the full marathon, half marathon and the "Rothman Institute 8k". *Every year in the beginning of July, an '''All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival''' is held down Penns Landing. $5, children under 6 free. *The '''Philadelphia Flower Show,''' one of the largest indoor flower shows in the world, is held every spring at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. *'''AIDS Walk Philly''' occurs every October. It is an 8.2-mi (13-km) walk that begins and ends at Eakins Oval (in front of the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum). The first walk started in 1987 and raised $33,000 that year. Since then, the event became annual. *The '''Mummers Parade''' is held each New Years Day. The first official parade took place on January 1, 1901. Local clubs (usually called New Years Associations) compete in one of four categories (Comics, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades). They prepare elaborate costumes and moveable scenery, which take months to complete. The parade of over 10,000 marchers travels approximately 3 miles northward on Broad Street, beginning in South Philadelphia and concluding near City Hall in Center City. *The '''Made In America Festival''' is an annual music festival taking place during Labor Day weekend on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. While rappers draw the biggest attention, bands from musical genres as diverse as free-jazz, metalcore, and pop are featured. *'''West Philly Porchfest''' is a beloved annual do-it-yourself music festival featuring free shows on porches all over West Philadelphia. *The '''Odunde''' festival takes over a dozen-block radius in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood on one Sunday every year in June. Hundreds of stalls and several musical stages celebrate Africa and the African diaspora. ===Theater and music=== Philadelphia prides itself on its wide variety of live performances, particularly for music. Venues can be found throughout [[Philadelphia/Center City East|Center City East]] and [[Philadelphia/Center City West|West]], [[Philadelphia/Old City|Old City]], [[Philadelphia/South|South Philly]] and the Northern Liberties/Fishtown districts of [[Philadelphia/South|North Philly]]. '''[http://www.r5productions.com R5 Productions]''' promotes smaller bands and affordable shows at several local venues. The '''Fringe Festival''', held every September, is a 4-week-long, city-wide celebration of innovation and creativity in contemporary performance. Each September, the Festival explodes into every nook and cranny of Philadelphia with more than 1,000 artistically daring performances. ===Sports=== [[File:Philly (45).JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|Lincoln Financial Field in [[South Philadelphia]], home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles]] [[File:Citizens Bank Park 2021.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Citizen's Bank Park in South Philadelphia, home of Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies]] [[File:Wells Fargo Center - 2019 OWL Grand Finals.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia, home to the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and NBA's Philadelphia 76ers]] Philadelphia takes its sports seriously and makes a legitimate claim to being the sports capital of the nation. As one of the largest metro areas in the U.S., Philadelphia has an extensive sport history and culture. However, whenever the topic of American sports comes up, one will soon notice that Philadelphia is seen with disgust and derision. This is the result of two preconceived notions: 1) Philadelphia sports teams have had very little luck competing for, let alone winning, championships, 2) Philadelphians have a reputation for being hard-nosed and passionate fans who joyfully engage in violent behavior. While these are certainly based in reality, you should not be deterred from enjoying yourself, far from it. In fact, Philly sports fans are often praised for their passion and in-depth knowledge of their teams and league rules, and few cities can boast crowds as electrifying as Philly. Having teams with volatile performances in all major sports will inevitably create fans that stick to their teams through thick and thin. * {{do | name=Philadelphia Phillies | alt= | url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q650840 | content=The city's hometown [[Baseball in the United States|baseball]] team. Founded in 1883, they are the oldest one name, one city franchise in all of professional sports. Since 2004 the team has played at Citizens Bank Park, a $350-million baseball-only facility in South Philadelphia that is among the best in the big leagues. The park is easily accessible on the subway and tickets start at $18. The food at the park was named as Best Ballpark Food in a survey of Food Network viewers in 2007. Keep your eye out for Dollar Dog Nights, where hot dogs are only $1. }} * {{do | name=Philadelphia Eagles | alt= | url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q219714 | lastedit=2018-07-24 | content=Philadelphia's divisive NFL team, and without a shadow of a doubt the most beloved by locals. The Eagles have played at Lincoln Financial Field, next door to Citizens Bank Park, since 2003. Known for their rabid and passionate fans, Eagles games routinely sell out, often before the season even starts. }} * {{do | name=Philadelphia 76ers | alt= | url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q138089 | content=The city's NBA team, playing at Wells Fargo Center, in the immediate vicinity of the two major stadiums. }} * {{do | name=Philadelphia Flyers | alt= | url=https://www.nhl.com/flyers | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q192083 | content=Hockey fans can also enjoy the city's NHL team, which shares Wells Fargo Center with the Sixers. }} * {{do | name=Philadelphia Union | alt= | url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q689874 | content=Members of Major League Soccer since 2010, the Union differ from Philly's other teams in the four biggest sports in North America in that they don't play in South Philly. Home games are played at Subaru Park, their soccer-specific stadium on the waterfront in the nearby suburb of Chester. The Union's reserve side, Philadelphia Union II, plays in the third-level MLS Next Pro at Subaru Park as well. }} * '''College sports''' – The Philadelphia area is also a mecca for college sports, especially men's basketball. One term you will often see or hear in the sports pages, talk shows, and general sports conversation is "Big 5". This refers to the heated men's basketball rivalry between five of the major universities in the area—Temple, Villanova, Saint Joseph's, Penn, and La Salle. **{{do | name=Temple Owls | alt= | url=http://www.owlsports.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3359016 | content=The sports teams of Temple University are in the American Athletic Conference. The football team, the city's only top-level NCAA Division I FBS program, shares Lincoln Financial Field with the Eagles. Temple men's basketball is a regular contender for conference honors. The school's best-known venue is the on-campus Liacouras Center, home to basketball. }} **{{do | name=Villanova Wildcats | alt= | url=http://www.villanova.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7930884 | content=Villanova University (often called "Nova"), a Catholic school in the Main Line suburb of Villanova, has the city's highest-profile college basketball program, a member of the rugged Big East Conference with national titles in 2016 and 2018. Since the Big East does not sponsor football, Nova plays that sport in the second-level Division I FCS as a member of CAA Football, a separate football league operated by the Colonial Athletic Association. Most of Villanova's venues are on campus, most notably Finneran Pavilion (basketball) and Villanova Stadium (football). However, high-profile basketball games are often played at the Wells Fargo Center. }} **{{do | name=Saint Joseph's Hawks | alt= | url=http://www.sjuhawks.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7401516 | content=Saint Joseph's University, like Villanova a Catholic institution, plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10). Basketball is the hot-button sport on campus—"Saint Joe's" has no football team. Basketball games are played on campus at Hagan Arena. While a part of the Big 5, it has an especially strong rivalry with Villanova, with their matchup locally called the "Holy War". }} **{{do | name=Penn Quakers | alt= | url=https://pennathletics.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q616428 | content=The Ivy League's Philadelphia outpost, the University of Pennsylvania, also enjoys a rich athletic tradition, especially in men's basketball. Historically, Penn and Princeton have dominated the league in that sport, though other schools have emerged as contenders. Penn boasts two of the most historic venues in American sports—the Palestra (basketball) and Franklin Field (football and track). The latter is also home to the historic Penn Relays track meet. }} **{{do | name=La Salle Explorers | alt= | url=http://www.goexplorers.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=La Salle Explorers | content=La Salle University is another Catholic institution in the A-10. Like Saint Joe's, it also has no football team. Basketball games are played on-campus at Tom Gola Arena. }} **{{do | name=Drexel Dragons | alt= | url=http://www.drexeldragons.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5307338 | content=Drexel University, a private secular institution, is something of an "odd man out" in the Philly sports landscape. Despite being literally next door to Penn, it is not part of the Big 5. Nonetheless, the Dragons enjoy a strong basketball rivalry with Penn, known as the Battle of 33rd Street—the teams' arenas are a mere three blocks apart along said street. The Dragons are members of the all-sports CAA, and like Villanova and Saint Joe's have no football team. Basketball games are played on campus at the Daskalaskis Athletic Center, often called "The DAC". }} ** In addition to the above, Philadelphia is the most common site of the '''[https://armynavygame.com Army–Navy Game]''', one of the most iconic events in college football. The game involves the teams of the country's two oldest service academies—the '''Army Black Knights''' of the United States Military Academy, and the '''Navy Midshipmen''' of the United States Naval Academy. The game is steeped in decades-old military traditions, and combines bitter competitiveness and mutual respect. Its date is now fixed as the second Saturday of December, the week after FBS conference championship games, making it the last game of the FBS regular season. When in Philly, the game is played at Lincoln Financial Field; it is scheduled for "The Linc" in 2022. ==Learn== [[File:Penn campus 2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university, was founded by Ben Franklin and is one of the world's most prestigious universities]] Philadelphia is rich with educational opportunities. The most prestigious university in the area is the Ivy League '''[http://www.upenn.edu University of Pennsylvania]'''. Other universities include '''Temple University''', '''[https://www.jefferson.edu Thomas Jefferson University]''', '''[http://www.drexel.edu Drexel University]''' with the only co-op program in the area, '''[http://www.lasalle.edu La Salle University]''' a major Catholic university, '''[http://www.sju.edu Saint Joseph's University]''' a Jesuit university, and '''[http://unitedlutheranseminary.edu/ United Lutheran Seminary]''' a divinity school; as well as [http://www.wts.edu "Westminster Theological Seminary"] in Glenside. The '''[http://www.ccp.edu Community College of Philadelphia]''' is Philadelphia's premier community college. Art schools include the '''[http://www.uarts.edu University of the Arts]''', one of the most prestigious art schools in America, '''[http://www.pafa.edu Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts]''', '''[http://www.moore.edu Moore College of Art and Design]''' an all-women college, '''[https://www.hussiancollege.edu Hussian College]''', and the '''[https://www.artinstitutes.edu/philadelphia Art Institute of Philadelphia]'''. Trade schools include '''[http://www.vinology.com The Wine School of Philadelphia]''' which offers professional sommelier & winemaking diplomas, along with [http://www.vinology.com wine tasting classes]. ==Work== Philadelphia's job market is ever-expanding both in the city and in its suburbs. The {{ft|975}} Comcast Center is a constant reminder of the economic revitalization of Philadelphia and of Comcast's presence in the city. Additionally, a Keystone Opportunity Zone over the Powelton Rail Yards adjacent to 30th St. Station promises a bright future for jobs and new office buildings in the city. ==Buy== [[File:Reading Terminal Market.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Reading Terminal Market at 1136 Arch St.]] [[File:Italian Market Vegetable Stand 3000px.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|South Philadelphia's Italian Market]] Philadelphia's [[Philadelphia/Old City|Old City]] has always been a center of commerce, and as Philadelphia grew to be a bigger city many shops and department stores were found on Market Street between Old City and City Hall. Two such landmark department stores on Market Street were Gimbels and Strawbridge & Clothiers, which faced increasing difficulty in competing against suburban department chains in the 20th century. In the 1970s, the '''Gallery at Market East''', an urban mall with Gimbels and Strawbridge & Clothiers as major anchors, opened to stem the tide of retailers fleeing the urban core to the regional shopping malls. Despite success in the first decade or so of operation, the Gallery remained unable to compete; Gimbels closed in 1986, while Strawbridge's closed in 2006 and now stands vacant. The rest of the mall offers mid-range stores catering to the city's working class population, and has a busy food court on the basement level, convenient for the 12,000 or so daily commuters who take the regional rail into the city. Just northwest of the Gallery is the '''Reading Terminal Market,''' a very successful indoor public market that opened in 1893 at the site of the Reading Railroad's headhouse terminal, now part of the Philadelphia Convention Center, after open-air sidewalk markets were closed down in the 1850s due to health and safety concerns. Some of the vendors have been in business for over a century, and sell produce, meats, chocolates, and a variety of other usually handmade foodstuffs and items. There are a lot of small restaurants and a section for Pennsylvania Dutch (or Amish) vendors. The high-end shopping district of [[Philadelphia/Center City West|Center City]] did eventually regain its footing in downtown Philadelphia starting in the 1980s and 1990s, and is along Chestnut Streets and Walnut Streets west of Broad Street to Rittenhouse Square, featuring national brands and boutiques, from the high-end Burberry, Tiffany and Diesel to locally-managed corporate Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. Chestnut Street also has a larger range of mid-range shops as well, with many ma-and-pa outfits in addition to bargain big-leaguers H&M and Daffy's, and extends from as far east as 11th Street to 22nd Streets. ''The Shoppes at Liberty Place'' is in Philadelphia's second-tallest building, and '''The Shops at the Bellevue''' is in a historic building on Broad Street. For a more unique flavor, there are shopping districts with its own distinct character. '''3rd Street Corridor''' in [[Philadelphia/Old City|Old City]] has the city's best in high-end, independent retailers for fashion, art and design. Landmark '''Sugarcube''' should not be missed for the fashion savvy. Beauty-goers will enjoy '''Moko''', an organic beauty studio along the corridor. '''Antique Row''', on Pine Street between 9th and 13th ([[Philadelphia/Center City East|Center City]]), is home to a mix of antique stores and local gift and craft boutiques. '''The Italian Market''' in [[Philadelphia/South|South Philly]] is an open-air street market with fresh produce and food; although it has been a predominantly Italian district, there is now a large infusion of Mexicans. '''Chinatown''' ([[Philadelphia/Center City East|Center City]]) is similar to many other similar Chinatowns in various U.S. cities, as an ethnic enclave of Asian American immigrants and residents. ==Eat== ''See the [[Philadelphia#Districts|Districts]] articles for specific listings.'' ===Cheesesteaks=== [[File:Cheesteak etiquitte.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A sign on how to order a cheesesteak at Pat's King of Steaks at 1237 E. Passyunk Ave.]] [[Image:philly_cheesesteak.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Cheesesteak with Provolone cheese and onions from Jim's Steak at 400 South St.]] No trip to Philadelphia is complete without trying the '''cheesesteak''', Philly's most famous homegrown food, a sandwich made of a fresh roll filled with grilled shaved beef and cheese (as well as onions, mushrooms, and other optional sides). The spiritual homes of the cheesesteak are '''[http://www.patskingofsteaks.com Pat's King of Steaks]''', where the cheesesteak was invented, and '''Geno's Steaks''', where they claim to have improved on Pat's version. They are across from each other in [[Philadelphia/South|South Philly]] at the intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue. There are many ways to order a cheesesteak. Some cheesesteaks are made with chopped steak (Pat's and Geno's), while others are made with sliced top-round (Steve's). While Cheez-Wiz is a local favorite, many people also enjoy American or Provolone cheese on their cheesesteaks. The way the cheese is served makes a huge difference. Some cheesesteak joints simply place the cheese on top to melt (Pat's and Geno's), while others, such as Steve's, ladle hot melted cheese on top, adding to the delicious grease from the meat. Any local will tell you as well that the most important part of the cheesesteak (or hoagie, for that matter) is the roll, which is why many have found it difficult to replicate the cheesesteak outside of the Philadelphia region. Many displaced Philadelphians who have started their own restaurants elsewhere have encountered trouble making authentic cheesesteaks, and import their rolls from the Philly area. Although Pat's and Geno's are the most famous cheesesteak joints, they are far from the best. There are many others to choose from, particularly in South Philadelphia—'''John's Roast Pork''' at Snyder and alley-street Weccacoe is considered by many locals to offer a standout. John's offers what sports radio 610 WIP's Cheesesteak Challenge called the best cheesesteak in the city, and an outstanding roast pork sandwich. It is common for people visiting John's to bring a friend and split a cheesesteak and a roast pork sandwich. Placing at #2 on the 610 cheesesteak list is '''Steve's Prince of Steaks''' in Northeast Philadelphia, which has 2 great locations. They also serve a delicious side of cheese fries, which can be had with wiz, American, or provolone. Many enjoy '''[http://www.jimssteaks.com Jim's Steaks]''' or '''[http://www.tonylukes.com Tony Luke's]'''. 'The Great Northeast' is also home to '''[https://www.joessteaks.com/ Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop]''', a delightful drug-store throwback on Torresdale Avenue near the Delaware River. No cheesesteak aficionado can call himself such without a visit to '''[https://dalessandros.com/ Dalessandro's Steaks]''' or Chubby's on Henry Avenue in the Roxborough section of Northwest Philadelphia (north of Manayunk and East Falls). One of this region's better steaks is found at takeout-only Sorrentino's on Cresson in Manayunk. Sonny's in Old City, on Market St between 3rd and 4th, also serves an excellent cheesesteak in a location close to Independence Hall. Philadelphia's other notable sandwich is roast pork which can be found at Dinic's in the [https://readingterminalmarket.org/ Reading Terminal Market], Tony Luke's, John's, or a Latin version at '''[http://www.hollyeats.com/PorkysPoint.htm Porky's Point]'''. Lastly, the city's best roast beef sandwich served on a locally baked Sarcone's roll is at '''[http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/8988604/philadelphia_pa/caffe_chicco.html#profileTab-reviews caffe chicco]'''. A caveat before ordering a cheesesteak, particularly at the often crowded Pat's and Geno's—know how to order. There is somewhat of a 'no soup for you' attitude at these busy and fast-service oriented establishments which can really make a tourist stand out. The way to order is as follows: It is assumed that you are going to order a cheesesteak, so unless you are not, don't specify this. First, say the type of cheese—only '''American''', '''provolone''', and '''whiz''' are generally available. Ask for Swiss at your own risk. The only condiment that is not available in a jar outside the stand will be fried onions; '''with''' (or ''"wit"'' in Philly parlance) or '''without''' ("witout") will specify your preference on the matter. So 'Whiz "Wit", Provolone "Witout",' etc. Not too complicated, and a straightforward way to have a nice local moment on your travels. ===Local and street food=== [[File:Wawa Market.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Wawa convenience stores are popular throughout Philadelphia and its suburbs]] You can also find cheesesteaks at [http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/ '''Reading Terminal Market'''] at 12th and Arch Sts. Here visitors will find many stands selling produce, meats, flowers, and baked goods. Reading Terminal Market is a good place to get lunch if you are in the area. The multitude of vendors and low prices provide plenty of options for a quick meal. It's also home to one of the city's best pretzels (Miller's). Philadelphia's most famous snack is the salted '''soft pretzel''', which, while shaped with the three holes like soft pretzels everywhere else, are distinctive in that they are flattened into a wide rectangle and are made in long chains in which the wide sides of the pretzels are attached. A person may typically buy two, three, or more attached pretzels at a convenience store or from a street vendor. The price is low, especially compared to national vendor brands sold in other cities and in malls. Unlike pretzels served in many other cities, Philly pretzels are not served hot, but at room temperature and often eaten with mustard. The most famous sweet snack is from the '''Tastykake''' brand. Their main factory is in the Navy Yard in far south Philly, so every flavor and type of TastyKake is sold in Philadelphia, and they are usually extra fresh, since they do not have to travel far to the retail outlet. Also unique to the area are '''[http://www.peanutchews.com Goldenberg's Peanut Chews]''', a bit-sized chocolate bar with a chewy peanut center. Originally developed as a high-energy ration bar during World War I, but still popular today! '''Scrapple''' is a favorite comfort food of native Philadelphians. Best described as a seasoned breakfast pork product, scrapple is of Pennsylvania Dutch origin and is made from pork by-products (you're better off not knowing exactly what's in it) and cornmeal, cooked into a thick pudding, formed into a loaf, sliced, and fried. You'll find it on the breakfast menu of many neighborhood diners in Philly. Ask for it very crispy. Some other Philly foods include Philadelphia Cream Cheese, water ice, and hoagies. The Kraft/Nabisco factory is in the far Northeast of Philadelphia at Byberry and Roosevelt Blvd. Drive by with your windows down and take a whiff! ''' Wawa''' is a chain of local convenience stores similar to 7-Eleven. They are most famous for their deli ordering terminals, which allow you to specify via a touch-screen monitor exactly what you want on a sandwich. Although locals refuse to consider Wawa's cheesesteaks as authentic, due to its use of ground beef rather than sliced or diced beef, the Wawa option is still delicious and you get to customize it with a wide range of options. Many stores also carry a respectably thick and doughy fresh soft pretzel at their counter. ===Fine dining=== Philadelphia has an extremely vibrant '''culinary scene''', with many young and enterprising new chefs coming to the City of Brotherly Love for its food-obsessed culture. Local restauranteurs such as '''[http://www.starr-restaurant.com Stephen Starr]''', '''[https://vetricucina.com/home/ Marc Vetri]''', Iron Chefs '''[http://www.morimotorestaurant.com Masaharu Morimoto]''' and '''[http://www.grg-mgmt.com Jose Garces]''', and others have become household names and food celebrities in their own right, transforming Philadelphia's food scene and exporting its concepts to other parts of the country. In part, the scene is bolstered by a culture of organic and sustainable foodstuffs coming from local farmers. ===BYOBs=== Pennsylvania's draconian liquor laws make it very expensive and inconvenient for restaurants to obtain liquor licenses. As a result, many restaurants—including some of the best—are '''BYOB''', that is, "Bring Your Own Bottle". These restaurants will advertise their BYOB-status, and will usually help you out by supplying corkscrews, glasses, or club soda, so long as you supply the beer, wine, or spirits. You'll have to pick wine or spirits up at a state-sponsored liquor store, or six-packs or individual beers from a neighborhood bar or bottle shop, which are good locations for finding a variety of craft beers. Convenience stores do not sell alcoholic beverages. Even if you don't drink, or don't want a drink, dining at a BYOB can pay off as the restaurant doesn't need to pay off a license and can charge a little less for the food. ==Drink== [[File:Chestnut Street at Night.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Chestnut St. at night]] [[File:McGillin's Olde Ale House exterior.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|McGillin's Olde Ale House at 1310 Drury St. in [[Philadelphia/Center City East|Center City East]]]] Because of the state of Pennsylvania's complicated liquor laws (which date from immediately after Prohibition and were designed, in the words of the governor at the time, to "discourage the purchase of alcoholic beverages by making it as inconvenient and expensive as possible"), supermarkets won't sell beer or spirits, although some small neighborhood convenience stores might. State-sponsored liquor stores are all over the place but don't sell beer, and beer distributors sell beer only in bulk and are scattered in inconvenient locations, and neither will be open late or on Sundays. Thus, even for locals, the most convenient way to get a drink is to find a local bar or restaurant with a liquor license. In part because of this complicated setup, Philadelphia has a visibly strong, public '''beer culture''', celebrated in events such as the annual summertime '''[http://www.phillybeerweek.org Philly Beer Week] {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}}''' or the '''[http://www.phillycraftbeerfest.com Philly Craft Beer Festival]''' in March. Local beers include '''Yuengling''', '''Yards''', or '''Troegs'''. Many bars will have a varied selection of beers you already know and love alongside ones you've never heard of. If you're ever stuck on a choice but don't want to look out of place, just ask for a '''"lager"''', which in Philly specifically means the Yuengling Traditional Lager, a pre-Prohibition style amber lager rather different from the mass-market pale lager you find elsewhere. You can also order a '''"Citywide Special"''', which is a shot of house whiskey with a can or bottle of light lager usually Pabst Blue Ribbon or Miller Lite. Primarily, most of the '''nightlife scene''' takes place in Center City ([[Philadelphia/Center City West|West]] and [[Philadelphia/Center City East|East]]) and in [[Philadelphia/Old City|Old City]]. The areas around Rittenhouse Square in [[Philadelphia/Center City West|Center City]], and Headhouse Square and Penn's Landing in [[Philadelphia/Old City|Old City]], are popular destinations that have a large concentration of bars and clubs, many of them attracting the hip, young, pretty people of the suburbs or the universities. Slightly further out, the rapidly-gentrifying [[Philadelphia/North|Northern Liberties]] district is another solid nightlife destination with more of a "yuppie" or "hipster" vibe. Yet another area that has a vibrant nightlife is the [http://www.manayunk.com/dining-a-nightlife?catid=4 Manayunk neighborhood] {{dead link|December 2020}}. However, bars can be found in just about every corner of Philadelphia, and nothing is more characteristic of Philly than the '''local bar''' as a default place for social gathering; every neighborhood's got one or two just around the corner, even if it's a dark, run-down dive without proper signage and a crowd of blue-collar regulars, or a new-but-looks-old pub attracting the yuppies with outdoor seating and live music. Any major street or well-known district is going to have its own selection of watering holes, and each of these establishments will cater to a crowd, whether it's students, sports fans, hipsters or clubbers. In particular, streets and neighborhoods with a notable collection of drinking locales, not including Center City, Old City or Northern Liberties, include University City and [[Philadelphia/West|West Philly]]; South Street and Passyunk Ave in [[Philadelphia/South|South Philly]]; and the [[Philadelphia/Center City West|Art Museum District]]. In the summer, the Center City District sponsors '''[https://phillyviews.com/complete-guide-center-city-sips/ Center City Sips]''', a downtown-wide Happy Hour every Wednesday from 5PM-7PM where many bars and restaurants all participate in drink specials: $2 beers, $3 wines and $4 cocktails, and usually some selection of food specials. ===Quizzo=== It's been said that Philadelphia invented, or at least popularized, the popular '''pub trivia''' event that is known here as '''[http://www.quizotrivia.com Quizzo]''', which are called by other various names such as "quiz nights" by the time they expanded to other parts of the United States. Philadelphia native Patrick Hines first began running Quizzo games at the New Deck Tavern in [[Philadelphia/West|University City]] in 1993 (though he spelled it with one 'z', as in "Quizo"), and began a second one at Fergie's Pub in [[Philadelphia/Center City East|Center City]] in 1995; there are now plenty of other bars running their own Quizzo nights throughout Philadelphia, and while Hines has moved to Ireland, he still writes the questions for several local bars. If you're able to find yourself in a game (you'll have to have a team and needlessly long and/or hilarious team name, or see if you can join one as a free agent) it's a fun way to spend a night, but be prepared to be completely left in the dust by trivia buffs who play regularly. ===Breweries=== *'''Philadelphia Brewing Company''' produces a variety of beers. If you can't make it to the brewery (or find it in a bar) you can pick up a sampler pack (24 bottles) for around $30 at a beer distributor. * {{drink | name=Yard's Brewing | alt= | url=http://yardsbrewing.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Produces a variety of beers, though notably Philadelphia Pale Ale, ESA (especially if you find this in cask format), and the ales of the revolution. Historically certified beers from recipes tied to Ben Franklin, Jefferson, and a porter named after Gen. Washington. Accessible via the Spring Garden Station on the Market Frankford el. }} ===Brewpubs=== *'''Earth Bread and Brewery''' - Known as much for their well made beer as they are for their bread and locally sourced food. *'''Dock Street Brewery''' - Two locations in West and South Philadelphia. Also famous for their pizza. *'''Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant''' - It's in the Manayunk neighborhood right on Main St. *'''Iron Hill Brewery''' - Local brewpub chain that has two locations within city limits, one in Chestnut Hill and one in Market East. ==Sleep== ===Hostels=== Philadelphia is home to two hostels within the city limits, both are affiliated with Hostelling International USA: *{{sleep | name=Apple Hostels of Philadelphia | url=http://www.applehostels.com | email=philly@applehostels.com | address=32 S Bank St, (Old City) | lat=39.94889 | long=-75.14528 | directions= | phone=+1 215 922-0222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Less than 3 blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, free wireless Internet (for travelers with laptops), free bed linens, no curfews, no lockouts. Affordable, clean hostel with loads of free activities, friendly & knowledgeable staff and plenty of outside tours you can book at the reception desk that's open 24 hours. }} *{{sleep | name=HI — Chamounix Mansion Hostel | url=http://www.philahostel.org | email= | address=3250 Chamounix Dr (West Fairmount Park) | lat=40.00377 | long=-75.19635 | directions= | phone=+1 215 878-3676 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=On a scenic bluff above the Schuylkill River and 45 minutes to downtown Philadelphia's cultural and historic attractions. Associated with Hostelling International }} ===Hotels=== There is a wide variety of hotels located in Philadelphia. Prices usually range from $100 to $200 a night, excluding weeks with major trade conventions. Center City is home to a wide variety of moderate and high end hotel chains that can be found in five main areas: *Convention Center: Loew's, Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Residences at the Marriott, Four Points, Hampton Inn, Le Meridien, Hilton Garden, Travelodge, Clarion Suites *Rittenhouse/West Market-Palomar, Latham, Rittenhouse hotel, Bellevue at Stratford, Ritz Carlton, Embassy Suites, Four Seasons, Crowne Plaza, Sofitel, Club Quarters, Windsor Suites, Westin *East of Broad/Washington Sq West-Doubletree, Alexander Inn, Independent Hotel, Holiday Inn, Rodeway Inn, Parker Spruce *Old City (near Independence Hall)-Sheraton Society hill, Penn's View, Comfort Inn, Hyatt, Omni, Holiday Inn, Best Western *Philadelphia International Airport in [[Philadelphia/South|South Philadelphia]] ==Connect== Philadelphia is thoroughly covered by all of the major American cellular telephone companies. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile phones will all receive full service in most parts of the city. As always, service indoors varies according to signal strength, phone brand, and the composition of the building itself. AT&T has contracted with SEPTA to provide wireless service in transit tunnels. ==Stay safe== There is no way to sugarcoat it, so let us cut to the chase: yes, Philadelphia has a massive crime problem. As early as the late 1980s it was bestowed the notorious moniker of 'Killadelphia'. Even to this day the city suffers from some of the worst crime rates in the USA. However, as a rule of thumb, it is important to know that the places visitors are likely to spend time in are safe and well policed, so be informed about places that are popular with tourists. ==== Neighborhoods ==== Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods have very low crime rates (some of the lowest in the country). Wealthier neighborhoods like Rittenhouse Square, Old City, and Society Hill, are safe, as are Northeast Philadelphia (for the most part), Northwest Philadelphia, the Art Museum Area, Chinatown, the Parkway, and Bella Vista. Some petty crimes (mostly pickpocketing) happen but much less often than the media suggest. South Philadelphia is generally safe, though certain parts should be avoided (especially those near I-95). On the flip side, other parts of the city struggle with rampant crime. The city's criminal activities are overwhelmingly concentrated in North Philadelphia (with the very notable exception of Temple University), far West Philadelphia (though this area has seen improvements), and Southwest Philadelphia. These areas are of little interest to tourists, but do be careful if you do end up venturing there. ==== Non-violent crimes & scams ==== Pickpocketing and scams are nowhere nearly as common in Philadelphia as they are in other cities, but the threat of being mugged or approached by unwanted individuals remains real, so keep an eye on your belongings. One known scam is being "photographed" by homeless men near the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Arts. ==== Driving ==== Be careful of traffic when crossing at major intersections—in Philadelphia, as in many major cities, one must always walk, cross, and drive defensively. The winding Schuylkill expressway provides some beautiful views, particularly around Boathouse Row, but do not try to enjoy them from your car; with the high speeds, the river on one side, and jagged rocks on the other, this is a sure way to cause an accident. ==== Sports ==== Although it is frequently blown out of proportion, Philadelphia sports fans have earned a reputation as a very passionate and notorious bunch. It is advised to be extra vigilant when attending a major sports match at the Sports Complex, particularly those who have the courage to wear the opposing team's gear in hostile territory. For these fans, it is best not to provoke the Philadelphia faithful and take their jabs in stride, as fans have been assaulted and even seriously injured in fights in and around the Sports Complex and around town. Be especially cautious if you are a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, any team from the New York City area (especially the Giants and Mets), Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Washington Capitals. ==== Philadelphia's suburbs ==== Whiles Philadelphia has a history of crime, the rest of the Delaware Valley is one of the safest metropolitan areas in the U.S., though certain locations like [[Camden (New Jersey)|Camden]] (across the Delaware river in New Jersey), [[Reading (Pennsylvania)|Reading]], [[Tinicum Township]], and [[Chester (Pennsylvania)|Chester]] have very high crime rates, so visitors should exercise caution when visiting these regions. ==Cope== ===Consulates=== * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium (Honorary) | url=http://unitedstates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/embassy-and-consulates/honorary-consulates/addresses | email=sjannetta@morganlewis.com | address=1701 Market St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 215 963-5092 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-06-24 | content= }} * {{flag|Denmark}} {{listing | name=Denmark (Honorary) | url=http://usa.um.dk/en/about-us/list-of-danish-honorary-consulates-in-the-us/list-of-honorary-consulates-on-the-east-coast/philadelphia-pennsylvania/ | email= kufflerj@whiteandwilliams.com | address=1650 Market Street, Suite 1800 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 215 864-7059 | tollfree= | fax=+1 215 864-7123 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=France (Honorary) | url=http://www.consulateoffrancephiladelphia.org/ | email=consulfrancais@yahoo.com | address=One Penn Center, 1617 JFK Blvd Suite 1500 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 215 557-2975 | tollfree= | fax=+1 215 557-2990 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany (Honorary) | url=http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/01__Consulate__Finder/HC/02__ABC/Afanassiev.html | email=honconsulphila@aol.com | address=One Penn Center, 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd Ste 340 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 215 568-5573 | tollfree= | fax=+1 215 665-0375 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Israel}} {{listing | name=Israel | url=http://embassies.gov.il/philadelphia/Pages/default.aspx | email=information@philadelphia.mfa.gov.il | address=1880 John F Kennedy Boulevard #1818 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 267 479-5800 | tollfree= | fax=+1 267 479-5855 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | url=http://www.consfiladelfia.esteri.it | email=urp.filadelfia@esteri.it | address=100 S 6th St, 1026 Public Ledger Bldg | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 215 592-7329 | tollfree= | fax=+1 215 592-9808 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Mexico}} {{listing | name=Mexico | url=https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/filadelfia/ | email= | address=111 S Independence Mall E, Bourse Bldg Ste 1010 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 215 922-4262 | tollfree= | fax=+1 215 923-7281 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Netherlands}} {{listing | name=Netherlands (Honorary) | alt= | url=https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/united-states/about-us/honorary-consulate-in-philadelphia | email=philadelphia@nlconsulate.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Norway (Honorary) | alt= | url=https://www.norway.no/en/usa/norway-usa/honorary-consulates/#Pennsylvania | email=norconsul@verizon.net | address=1735 Market Street | lat= | long= | directions=BNY Mellon Center, Suite 3750 | phone=+1 215 564 5708 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{flag|Portugal}} {{listing | name=Portugal (Honorary) | url=http://www.un.int/portugal/visainfo.htm | email= | address=7950 Loreto Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 215 745-2889 | tollfree= | fax=+1 215 745-2867 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Sweden (Honorary) | alt= | url=https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/usa-washington/ | email=philadelphia@consulateofsweden.org | address=Larson & Scheuritzel, Centre Square West, Suite 3510, 1500 Market Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 267 507-6174 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} ==Go next== [[File:Longwood 2011 09 02 0295 (6160246987).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The beautiful conservancy, fountains, and landscapes of Longwood Gardens can be found a little less than an hour's drive from Philly in [[Kennett Square]]]] ===Pennsylvania=== * '''[[Allentown]]''', Pennsylvania's third largest city, is rich in history, contributing to both the American Revolution and the nation's industrialization, and home of Dorney Park. * '''[[Doylestown (Pennsylvania)|Doylestown]]''' - browse world-class museums, including the renowned James A. Michener Art Museum, the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works, the Mercer Museum and Fonthill, a 44-room mansion featured on A&Es “America’s Castles.” * '''[[Gettysburg]]''', historic site of American Civil War. * '''[[Harrisburg]]''', Pennsylvania's state capital. * '''[[Hershey (Pennsylvania)|Hershey]]''', home of Hershey Park. * '''[[Kennett Square]]''', the site of the beautiful Longwood Gardens, featuring over a thousand acres of manicured landscapes and fountains. * '''[[King of Prussia]]''', edge city northwest of Philadelphia that is home to the King of Prussia Mall, which is the largest mall in the United States in terms of leasable retail space, with more than 400 stores. * '''[[Lancaster (Pennsylvania)|Lancaster]]''', home of Pennsylvania Amish. * '''[[Langhorne]]''', home of Sesame Place, a one of a kind theme park aimed towards toddlers, pre-school, and grade school children; approximately 30-45 minutes outside Philadelphia. * '''[[Lehigh Valley]]''', region of eastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey, equidistant from Philadelphia and New York City. * '''[[New Hope]]''', major shopping center north of Philadelphia. * '''[[Poconos and Endless Mountains]]''', home to some ski and other mountain resorts. * '''[[Valley Forge]]''', historic site of American Revolutionary War. * '''[[Washington Crossing Historical Park|Washington Crossing]]''', historic site of American Revolutionary War. * '''[[York (Pennsylvania)|York]]''', historic site of American Revolutionary War. ===New Jersey=== * '''[[Jersey Shore]]''', including [[Atlantic City]], [[Cape May]], [[Ocean City (New Jersey)|Ocean City]], and [[Wildwood (New Jersey)|Wildwood]]. Visiting the Jersey shore is referred to locally as "going down the shore." Atlantic City is home to the Borgata, Caesar's, and several other casinos. Cape May offers historical tours (and haunted tours!) of the town. And hey, it's a great way to cool off and unwind—and perhaps work off that cheesesteak! * '''[[Princeton]]''', New Jersey, home to Princeton University. ===Delaware=== * '''[[New Castle (Delaware)|New Castle]]''', south of Philadelphia, is a quiet, charming town. ===Elsewhere=== * '''[[New York City]]''' is 1 hour 20 minutes away via Amtrak and somewhat longer on a bus or via SEPTA to Trenton and then NJ Transit to New York Penn Station. Driving is very possible but not recommended, due to traffic and the hassle of parking in New York. * '''[[Washington, D.C.]],''' the capital of the United States, is 2 1/2 hours south on I-95 or more with traffic, or around 1 hour 40 minutes-2 hours 10 minutes on Amtrak. {{routebox | placename=Philadelphia (by long-distance rail) | image1=Amtrak Acela Express icon.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=SW | majorl1=[[Washington, D.C.]] | minorl1=[[Wilmington (Delaware)|Wilmington]] | directionr1=NE | majorr1=[[New York City]] | minorr1=[[Trenton]] | image2=Amtrak Cardinal icon.png | imagesize2=100 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Baltimore]] | minorl2=[[Wilmington (Delaware)|Wilmington]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[New York City]] | minorr2=[[Trenton]] | image3=Amtrak Crescent icon.png | imagesize3=65 | image3a=Amtrak Palmetto icon.png | imagesize3a=65 | image3b=Amtrak Silver Meteor icon.png | imagesize3b=65 | image3c=Amtrak Silver Star icon.png | imagesize3c=65 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[New 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4506441 4473857 2022-08-22T22:07:56Z 71.174.108.163 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Plymouth Massachusetts Banner.jpg|pgname=Plymouth|otbp=yes}} [[File:Plymouth Mayflower II.jpg|thumb|400px|The ''Mayflower II'' in Plymouth Harbor, which usually is flying the flag of [[Great Britian]], and [[England]].]] '''[https://seeplymouth.com/ Plymouth]''', [[Massachusetts]] is on the [[South Shore (Massachusetts)|South Shore]]. Known as "America's Hometown," Plymouth is most famous for being the final landing place of the Pilgrims who arrived on board the Mayflower in 1620, after storms lead them away from their desired settlement, the Hudson River. The settlement they established, Plimoth Colony, was one of the earliest successful settlements of Europeans in North America. In addition to its obvious historical draws, modern-day Plymouth is a picturesque seaside town with a bustling summer resident population who come back year after year to enjoy its beaches, ponds, and forests. Although summer is Plymouth's peak tourist season, spring (before Memorial Day) and fall (after Labor Day) can be excellent times to visit. These bumper seasons are less crowded and certainly more comfortable temperature-wise. Spring has mild temperatures and flowers in bloom, and fall has beautiful New England foliage, warm days with cool nights, and different events to explore, such as observing a cranberry harvest. ==Understand== In area, Plymouth is the largest town in the state of Massachusetts, covering about 100 square miles (259 km²). It had a population of about 61,000 in 2018. Although the center of tourist activity is in Plymouth's historic downtown and waterfront areas, the rest of the town is divided into many smaller villages such as Chiltonville, Manomet, Cedarville, North Plymouth, and West Plymouth. Although somewhat homogeneous on the surface, each village has its own unique characteristics which makes it worth venturing outside the harbor-side to visit. North Plymouth, for example, was once home to the Cordage Company, the largest rope-maker in the world. Cordage employed many Italian and Portuguese immigrants who settled in company housing in this part of town, which many of their descendants still proudly call home. The Holy Ghost Festa, a major holiday for Portuguese of Azorean descent, is still widely celebrated in North Plymouth each summer. Plymouth still has many residents who can trace their ancestry to the original Mayflower passengers and/or Native American tribes. Plymouth receives many visitors who are interested in researching their own colonial ancestry, and provides several key resources for doing so. The [https://www.themayflowersociety.org/visit/gsmd-library '''General Society of Mayflower Descendants Library'''] is the recognized authority on Pilgrim ancestry and has plenty of resources to assist you. [http://www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org/historygenealogy/ '''Plymouth Public Library'''] also maintains a large room dedicated to genealogy. [[Image:The Pilgrim Mother.jpg|thumb|250px|The Pilgrim Mother]] It should go without saying that Plymouth residents feel '''Thanksgiving Day''' belongs to them; after all, the holiday commemorates a feast shared by the surviving Mayflower passengers and local Native Americans following the Pilgrims' first harvest in 1621. Thanksgiving in Plymouth isn't celebrated that much differently than in most places, however: local activities include a morning parade through town and a local high school football game between cross-town rivals Plymouth North and Plymouth South. For tourists, Plimouth Plantation offers a Thanksgiving Dinner on location at their site with the opportunity to learn more about the facts and fictions surrounding the historical event. Since 1970, the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) have observed the [http://www.uaine.org/ '''National Day of Mourning'''] on Thanksgiving Day. Observance takes place annually at noon on Cole's Hill, acknowledging European settlement as the beginning of the genocide and forcible relocation of millions of Native Americans. As a final note, "Plimoth", the old English spelling, is sometimes used to denote a historic site (e.g. Plimoth Plantation), while town sites will be spelled with the modern spelling, "Plymouth" (e.g. Plymouth Town Hall). Keep this in mind to avoid confusion if you notice signage such as the exit marker on Route 3 that helpfully reads, "Plymouth / Plimoth Plantation." ==Get in== Plymouth makes an excellent day trip (or several days' trip) when exploring the [[Boston]], [[Providence]], or [[Cape Cod]] areas. ===By car=== Plymouth covers the entire southern end of Route 3, extending from Exit 7 along Route 44 to Exit 2 approaching [[Sagamore]] and the Cape Cod Canal. The historic section of Downtown Plymouth is accessed via Exit 6A. Metered parking is available downtown at both public lots and on street. The lots often have ticketing machines while street spots have individual meters. All parking fills up quickly during summer tourist season and during events such as festivals and parades. Get an early start or plan to do a lot of circling to find a spot. '''From Boston and points north''': Plymouth is about an hour south of Boston, Massachusetts via Interstate 93 South to Route 3 South. Traffic is notorious during weekday rush hours, especially in the summer months where Route 3 is congested with vacationers heading south past Plymouth towards Cape Cod. Travel in off-peak hours is strongly advised for an enjoyable and timely trip. Route 3A, a two-lane back road which runs parallel to Route 3 from Boston down through the [[South_Shore_(Massachusetts)| South Shore]] and directly through Plymouth, was the original road from Plymouth to Boston prior to the national highway system being built in the 1950s. Although quite scenic, it is a lengthy drive and not typically worth traveling the entire route. '''From Providence, Rhode Island and points west:''' Plymouth is connected to the west via Route 44, which runs into the western part of Plymouth through [[Carver]]. Major interstates to the west such as Interstate 95 connect somewhat haphazardly with Plymouth via I93/Route 3 on the more northern part of I95, and I495/Route 44 on the more southern end. '''From Cape Cod and points south:''' Plymouth connects to the Cape via Route 6 over the Sagamore Bridge, which turns into Route 3 North. It is also accessible via Route 28 on the Cape, which goes over the Bourne Bridge. From [[Bourne]], you can take Route 6 to connect to Route 3 North, or continue north on I495 to Route 44. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Plymouth Municipal Airport | alt={{IATA|PYM}} | url=http://www.pymairport.org/ | email= | address=246 South Meadow Road | lat=41.9089 | long=-70.7289 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Plymouth Municipal Airport (Massachusetts) | wikidata=Q7205833 | content=This airport is home to over 170 aircraft, most of which are one to ten seat, single or twin engine planes. Although the airport mainly serves pilot hobbyists and Cessna-style aircraft, Boston Med Flight, the State Police Air Wing, and the Plymouth County Fire Plane are also based there. }} For those who don't wish to pilot themselves into town, travelers arriving by plane usually land at Boston's [https://www.massport.com/logan-airport/ '''Logan International Airport'''] ({{IATA|BOS}}). Coach bus and MBTA rail connections can be made from Boston Logan to the Plymouth area. Other travelers may elect to arrive at Rhode Island's [http://www.pvdairport.com/ '''T.F. Green Airport'''] ({{IATA|PVD}}) as flights are often cheaper, but there are no direct public transit options to Plymouth from [[Warwick_(Rhode_Island)| Warwick]]. ===By train=== {{cautionbox|Commuter trains on the Plymouth/Kingston Line from Boston terminate in Kingston until July 2022.}} Commuter Rail service from Boston to Plymouth is available Monday-Sunday from [http://www.south-station.net/ '''South Station'''] terminal via the MBTA's [http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=OLCOLONY '''Plymouth/Kingston Line''']. Note that this train line diverges at its final stop, with some runs ending at the [[Kingston]] terminal, while others end at the Plymouth terminal in [http://www.cordagecc.com/ '''Cordage Park''']. Cordage Park is about a mile away from the downtown area, so it is advisable to plan for additional transit either by taxi or GATRA bus (see: Get Around) prior to departing. * {{go | name=Plymouth railway station | alt= | url=https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-PB-0356 | email= | address=385 Court Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7205757 | lastedit=2021-11-13 | content= }} ===By bus=== Motor coach service from Boston's South Station and Logan Airport to the exit 5 service plaza on Route 3 is available via the [http://www.p-b.com/ '''Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Co''']. The bus service continues south after the Plymouth stop to Cape Cod, and is used often by residents commuting into the city. Parking for the bus at the exit 5 plaza is free, and there is a McDonald's located at the exit 5 area, as well as an ATM and pay phones. The plaza is not a walkable distance to any particular location, however, so it is advisable to plan to take a GATRA bus or a taxi to your final destination. ===By boat=== Ferry service to Plymouth from [[Provincetown]] on Cape Cod is available via the [http://www.captjohn.com/fast-ferry-ptown/ '''Plymouth-Provincetown Fast Ferry''']. Seasonal ferry service runs June through September, seven days a week. The ferry departs and arrives in Plymouth at the state pier on Water Street in the heart of downtown Plymouth, and all downtown attractions and hotels are within walkable distance. ==Get around== {{mapframe|41.95194|-70.65722|zoom=13|layer=W}} The main tourism areas are all very walkable, especially if you are staying at one of the downtown or waterfront area hotels. The "Pilgrim Path" is similar in design to the [[Freedom Trail]] in Boston, taking you on a self-guided walking tour past most of the major historical sights downtown. The trail is designated by painted little Pilgrim hats along the sidewalk. You can pick up a pamphlet guide, ''Pilgrim Path, A Walk Through History'' at the [http://www.visit-plymouth.com/vic.asp%20Visitor%20Information%20Center '''Visitor Center'''] on Water St. There you can also speak with helpful staff, pick up local maps, and purchase postcards, cameras, and tour tickets. The downtown area also has a few, but not extensive, public transit options: * {{listing | name=GATRA Buses | alt= | url=http://www.gatra.org/index.php/routes/plymouth-area-link/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Best way to access different points in town, including the villages outside the downtown area via multiple routes. Wheelchair accessible. Runs daily; times vary based upon day of the week and the route. }} * {{listing | name=America's Hometown Trolley | alt= | url=http://www.p-b.com/ahs.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10AM-5PM | price= | content=Runs only during the summer tourist season. Offers an all-day hop on/hop off fare or one way trips. Route begins and ends at Plymouth Rock and loop includes Plimoth Plantation and Plymouth Beach, which are not easy to walk to. Loop also includes the John Carver Inn and the Best Western Cold Spring, which is convenient for visitors staying at those locations. }} Outside of downtown, a car remains the easiest way to travel between points of interest. Most visitors arrive in Plymouth via car, so this is not an issue, but if you are without a ride renting a car for the day is your best bet. Several car rental agencies are located in the downtown area. ==See== [[Image:PlymouthRockPortico.jpg|thumb|Portico over Plymouth Rock from Cole's Hill]] There are many historical sites in the downtown area within walking distance; the most popular are listed below. ===Exhibits and museums=== * {{see | name=Mayflower II and dockside exhibits | url=http://www.plimoth.org/what-see-do/mayflower-ii | email= | address=State Pier, Water St | lat=41.95981 | long=-70.66193 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=9AM-5PM | price=Tickets are sold packaged with Plimoth Plantation admission. Adults $28; Children $18; Senior Citizens $25 | content=A historically accurate, full-scale replica of the 17th-century vessel the Pilgrims arrived aboard. The reproduction was made in England using traditional shipbuilding methods in conjunction with Plimoth Plantation. Upon its completion, it set sail on April 20, 1957 from Plymouth, England across the Atlantic to Plymouth, Massachusetts, recreating the original voyage. }} * {{see | name=Old County Courthouse & Museum | url=http://www.seeplymouth.com/things-to-do/1749-court-house-and-museum | email= | address=Town Square | lat=41.95555 | long=-70.66472 | directions= | phone=+1 508 830-4075 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Built in 1749, the two-story wood frame building is believed to be the oldest wooden courthouse in the United States; it stands on the site of the first (1620) courthouse built by Plimoth Colony settlers, and may incorporate elements of a 1670 building. Vintage firetruck inside. }} * {{see | name=Pilgrim Hall Museum | url=http://www.pilgrimhall.org/ | email=pegbaker@pilgrimhall.org | address=75 Court St. (Rt. 3A) | lat=41.95912 | long=-70.66801 | directions=at Chison St. | phone=+1 508 746-1620 | tollfree= | fax=+1 508-747-4228 | hours= | price= | content=A gallery museum displaying the actual possessions of the Pilgrims as well as temporary exhibits related to Plymouth history. }} * {{see | name=Plimoth Grist Mill Museum | url=http://www.plimoth.org/what-see-do/plimoth-grist-mill | email= | address=6 Spring Ln | lat=41.95384 | long=-70.66555 | directions=off Summer St., a short walk away from the waterfront | phone=+1 508 747-4544 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Formerly known as the Jenny Grist Mill but now affiliated with Plimoth Plantation. An authentic working mill rebuilt on the site of the original 1636 mill. Tours and exhibits. }} * {{see | name=Plimoth Patuxet | alt= formerly Plimoth Plantation| url=http://www.plimoth.org/ | email= | address=137 Warren Ave | lat=41.93906 | long=-70.62602 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-1622 | tollfree= | hours=Mar 22-Nov 30 9AM-5:30PM | price= | wikidata=Q1839461 | content=A historical farm and educational site renowned among academic historians and history-recreation buffs alike. Includes a 1627 living history reenactment of early colonial life where visitors can roam the village, enter the homes, and interact with colonists who stay in character. If visiting in summer, find a Plantation employee to describe the various home garden plants and what they were used for - the explanations are fascinating! There is also a recreation of a Wampanoag homesite of the period staffed with interpreters who trace their ancestry to Native tribes, although they will speak with visitors as themselves rather than as characters. You can also visit a 17th century craft center and observe various clothing, candles, pottery, and other items being made by hand using traditional techniques. }} ===Historic homes=== * {{see | name=Harlow Old Fort House | alt= | url=https://plymouthantiquarian.org/historic-sites/harlow-house/ | email= | address=119 Sandwich St | lat=41.95194 | long=-70.65722 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-0012 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5658977 | lastedit=2021-10-10 | content=Built in 1677, the Harlow Old Fort House is one of the few remaining 17th century buildings in town. Tours and educational programs are offered seasonally. A series of festive special events is held at the site each year, including a range of craft demonstrations and the annual Pilgrim Breakfast. }} * {{see | name=Hedge House | alt= | url=https://plymouthantiquarian.org/historic-sites/hedge-house/ | email=director@plymouthantiquarian.org | address=126 Water St | lat=41.96027 | long=-70.66777 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-0012 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-10 | content=Formally called the Antiquarian Society House. Historic museum of a sea captain's house. Tours available by appointment and during special events. }} * {{see | name=Jabez Howland House | alt= | url=https://pilgrimjohnhowlandsociety.org/The_Jabez_Howland_House | email= | address=33 Sandwich St | lat=41.95444 | long=-70.66305 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-9590 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6110140 | lastedit=2021-10-10 | content=The oldest portion of this two-story wood frame house was built by Jacob Mitchell (son of Experience Mitchell) in 1667. The house was then purchased by Jabez Howland, son of Mayflower passengers John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley Howland. }} * {{see | name=Mayflower Society House | alt= | url=https://www.themayflowersociety.org/visit/mayflower-society-house | email= | address=4 Winslow St | lat=41.95813 | long=-70.663444 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-3188 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-3:30PM | price= | wikidata=Q6797226 | content=Run by the Society of Mayflower Descendants, tour a beautiful 1750s house and visit the authoritative library on Pilgrim genealogy. }} * {{see | name=Richard Sparrow House | alt= | url=http://www.sparrowhouse.com/SparrowMain.htm | email= | address=42 Summer St | lat=41.95416 | long=-70.66500 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-1240 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa 10AM-5PM | price= | wikidata=Q7329174 | lastedit=2020-10-13 | content=Built in 1640, it is the oldest surviving house in Plymouth. Displays and sells work of local artisan jewelry, pottery and more. }} ===Parks and monuments=== * {{see | name=Brewster Gardens and Town Brook | url=http://www.seeplymouth.com/beaches-and-parks/brewster-gardens | email= | address=11 Lincoln Street | lat=41.95560 | long=-70.662388 | directions=Enter around the back of the Plimoth Grist Mill and follow the path along Town Brook towards the waterfront, or start at the waterfront end to the left of Leyden Street | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content=Created in the early 1920s, the park covers the original garden plot that was granted to Elser William Brewster in 1620. Located in the park are several historical monuments, as well as a pretty nature walk along Town Brook, which originally supplied water to the colony. Events are held here often, including a rubber ducky race down the brook. }} [[Image:Burial Hill.jpg|thumb|300px|Burial Hill]] * {{see | name=Burial Hill Cemetery | alt= | url=https://www.plymouth-ma.gov/cemetery-and-crematory-management/pages/burial-hill-cemetery | email= | address=Behind First Church at the top of Leyden St | lat=41.95600 | long=-70.66600 | directions=climb steps to right of First Church; there is another entrance next to the John Carver Inn | phone=+1 508 830-4078 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikidata=Q4998797 | lastedit=2020-10-14 | content=One of the oldest cemeteries in America containing graves of several Mayflower passengers, many early settlers, and some interesting epitaphs. High spot with nice views of downtown and the harbor. }} * {{see | name=National Monument to the Forefathers | alt= | url= | email= | address=Allerton St | lat=41.96 | long=-70.676111 | directions=off Court Street | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Always open | price=Free | wikipedia=National Monument to the Forefathers | image=Monument to the Forefathers 1.jpg | wikidata=Q4343546 | content=Thought to be the world's largest solid granite monument, it stands over 80 ft (24 m) tall and was erected in 1889. The monument faces northeast towards Plymouth Harbor (and, roughly, towards Plymouth, England). }} * {{see | name=Plymouth Rock and Pilgrim Memorial State Park | alt= | url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/pilgrim-memorial-state-park.html | email= | address=Water St | lat=41.9585 | long=-70.662 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-5360 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Always available | price= | wikipedia=Pilgrim Memorial State Park | image=Plymouth Rock Monument.jpg | wikidata=Q7193943 | content=Pilgrim Memorial State Park commemorates the landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620 and contains several historical monuments, a craft shop run by Plimoth Plantation, and the portico enshrining Plymouth Rock itself. Locals will roll their eyes if you express disappointment with the fact that Plymouth Rock is, in fact, just a rock. "What did you expect?" is the reaction you are likely to receive. To be fair, the rock is small, with the year "1620" engraved on it as its only decoration. The rock was once much larger, weighing over 20,000 lb (9,100 kg). It was displayed at several different locations in town over several hundred years, but was broken in half by transport and several large pieces of it were taken or sold. A 40-lb. piece resides in the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Smaller pieces were reportedly chipped off and stolen as "souvenirs." The surviving Plymouth Rock is only 1/3 of the upper half of the original stone, so keep that in mind before passing judgement. }} ==Do== A calendar of events is maintained [http://www.seeplymouth.com/events/all '''Destination Plymouth County''']. ===Cultural activities=== * {{do | name=Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra | url=http://www.plymouthphil.org/ | email= | address=16 Court St | lat=41.95985 | long=-70.66861 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-8008 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Concert season runs from Sept-May with performances at Memorial Hall. The off season includes a July Fourth free concert on the waterfront, annual gala, and other events. }} * {{do | name=Priscilla Beach Theater | alt= | url=http://www.pbtheatre.org/ | email=info@PBTheatre.org | address=800 Rocky Hill Road | lat=41.93131 | long=-70.56660 | directions= | phone=+1 508 224-4888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The historic Priscilla Beach Theatre is the oldest barn theater still in operation in America. Founded by Dr. Franklin Trask in 1937, the theater quickly became one of the most respected schools of theater training in America. In its heyday, as many as 150 actors and actresses were in residence, including Paul Newman, Pat Carroll, Peter Gallagher, and Rob Reiner. Today the renovated theater performs professional summer stock plays and musicals and also offers classes and workshops for children and adults. Summer stock season runs from May-October. }} * {{do | name=Project Arts Free Concerts on the Waterfront | url=http://www.projectarts.com/ | email= | address= | lat=41.95783 | long=-70.66196 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Performances by various bands are given Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights outdoors during the summer near Plymouth Rock. }} ===Events=== * {{do | name=Cultural Survival Bazaar: A Festival of Native Arts and Culture | alt= | url= | email= | address=Plymouth Waterfront | lat=41.96113 | long=-70.66701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=For 35 years, the Cultural Survival Bazaars have brought together Indigenous artists and craftspeople from around the world. Brimming with colors, sounds, and art, the Bazaars are a celebration of the world's cultural diversity. Craft vendors, music performances, cultural food options. Typically held in July. }} * {{do | name=Bonfire Night | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.93106 | long=-70.55758 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Manomet village's annual July 3rd festival, celebrated by setting giant bonfires ablaze on Priscilla, White Horse, and Manomet beaches and amateur fireworks displays so numerous one might be convinced fireworks aren't illegal in Massachusetts (they are). This tradition dates back to the 1700s, and is not organized or sanctioned by the town past emergency services setting some limits in the 1990s: permits are now needed for the larger fires, attempts are made to confiscate fireworks, the beaches are patrolled by police on foot, by boat, and by helicopter, and White Horse Beach is cleared by police at 11PM. Despite earning a somewhat bad reputation after trouble-causing out-of-towners overran the parties in the 1990s, today's Bonfire Nights are relatively family-friendly and the town makes every effort to restrict the festivities to residents-only. The majority of the beaches are private and access to them is restricted anyway, and roads leading to and parking anywhere near the beach access points is blocked by police the day of the festival. If you want the chance to experience this unique local tradition, make friends with a local who lives in the area or secure a rental property with access to one of these beaches during this period. }} * {{do | name=Holy Ghost Festa | alt= | url= | email= | address=12 S Cherry Street | lat=41.96929 | long=-70.69293 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Holy Ghost Society celebrates the traditional Portuguese festival each summer with a procession through North Plymouth before and after morning Mass, followed by an afternoon of Portuguese food, auctions, folk dancing, and music at Holy Ghost Field. }} * {{do | name=Fourth of July Celebration | alt= | url=http://july4plymouth.com/ | email= | address= | lat=41.96111 | long=-70.66701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content=A parade through downtown in the morning is followed by activities on the Waterfront including food trucks, vendors, and The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra playing a free patriotic-themed concert. A fireworks display in the harbor occurs after dark. }} * {{do | name=Pirates Ashore in Plymouth | alt= | url=https://www.themayflowersociety.org/piratesashore | email= | address= | lat=41.95813 | long=-70.66342 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Annual May festival commemorating the visit of three pirate ships to Plymouth in May of 1646 as described in Governor William Bradford’s “Of Plimoth Plantation”. Musket and pike drills, sword fights, and pirate reenactors frolicking at the Mayflower Society House and around town. }} * {{do | name=Pilgrim Progress | alt= | url=http://www.plymrock.org/pilgrimprogress.php | email= | address= | lat=41.95619 | long=-70.66313 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Reenactment of a description of the Pilgrims walking to church given by Isaac DeRaisiers, a Dutch trader, in 1627. Costumed actors parade from the Mayflower Society House, down Water Street past Plymouth Rock, and up Leyden Street to Burial Hill. Organized by the Plymouth Rock Foundation and occurs on Friday evenings during the month of August and on Thanksgiving Day. }} * {{do | name=Plymouth Center for the Arts: Annual Juried Art Show | alt= | url=https://plymouthguild.org/ | email= | address=11 North Street | lat=41.95732 | long=-70.66410 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Held annually late September-October. Features an art stroll, live poetry performances, concerts, and viewing of the accepted entries and winners of the annual exhibition in painting, drawing, photography, and other media. Artwork submissions for the show are typically submitted in late August for review. Accepted entries are displayed in the show and considered for prizes. }} * {{do | name=Waterfront Festival | alt= | url=http://www.plymouthwaterfrontfestival.com | email= | address= | lat=41.96112 | long=-70.66700 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Annual weekend event held in mid-late August. Live shows, crafts, vendors, children's activities and more. }} ===History and food tours=== * {{do | name=Colonial Lantern Tours | url=http://www.lanterntours.com | email= | address= | lat=41.95475 | long=-70.66506 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-4161 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Regular tours Apr-Nov 7:30PM, Dec-Apr tours available upon advance reservation. | price= | content=90 minute guided walking history tour in downtown Plymouth, with lessons about the Pilgrims, Native Americans, statues, and monuments of the area. You also get to carry around a metal lantern. Tours depart from the John Carver Inn. }} * {{do | name=Dead of Night Ghost Tours | url=http://www.deadofnightghosttours.com/ | email= | address=31 North St | lat=41.95773 | long=-70.663448 | directions= | phone=+1 508-866-7171 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Twilight lantern tours through cemeteries and haunted historical areas. Scavenger hunt for the young and young at heart. }} * {{do | name=Lobster Tales Tours | url=http://www.lobstertalesinc.com/lobstering.html | email= | address=9 Town Wharf | lat=41.96214 | long=-70.666446 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-5342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Take a hands-on lobstering tour and learn how to haul the traps. }} * {{do | name=Mayflower Brewing Company | alt= | url=http://www.mayflowerbrewing.com/ | email=info@mayflowerbrewing.com | address=12 Resnik Road | lat=41.94932 | long=-70.71112 | directions= | phone=+1 508-746-2674 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Retail store and tastings available Wednesdays-Saturdays, Noon-8PM and Sunday noon-6PM; Brewery tours Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5:30PM }} *{{do | name=Pilgrim Belle History Cruises | url=http://www.pilgrimbellecruises.com | email= | address=Mayflower II State Pier, Plymouth | lat=41.9598 | long=-70.66193 | directions= | phone=+1 508-747-3434 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Cruise Plymouth Harbor aboard the Pilgrim Belle, a Mississippi-style paddlewheeler. Get a narrated account of this historic town and seaport and a mariner’s view of Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, Plymouth Beach, Clarks Island and Gurnet Lighthouse. Pilgrim history, maritime lore and fascinating information about commercial fishing & lobstering await you on this 1-hour-and-15-minute cruise. }} * {{do | name=Pirate Adventure Cruise Tour | url=http://www.plymouthcruises.com/pirate_cruise.shtml | email= | address=9 Town Wharf | lat=41.96214 | long=-70.666446 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-5342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A pirate themed adventure for kids on Plymouth Harbor. Hats, face paint, and the best part - sea battles with water cannons shooting at each other! Ideal for ages 4-11. }} ===Parks and beaches=== Plymouth is an excellent choice for a Cape Cod-style beach or camping/hiking vacation without the hassle of traveling down the Cape or to the western part of the state. Although many people visit Plymouth once for its history, those that come back summer after summer do so for its "get outside, get wet, get sandy, and have a blast" attitude during its short warm weather season. Most beaches in Plymouth are private with access allowed only to shoreline residents or neighborhood associations. The best way to access these beaches is by staying at a B&B or a cottage rental that comes with private beach access privileges. However, the public beaches are no worse in quality and only come with the relatively minor inconveniences of finding parking or sharing the beach with strangers. Ocean beaches are not the only option; it's said Plymouth has 365 ponds - "One for every day of the year!" as locals like to say - where swimmers can enjoy water temperatures that are a little kinder than the often frigid Northern Atlantic. * {{do | name=Myles Standish State Forest | alt= | url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/myles-standish-state-forest.html | email= | address= | lat=41.86755 | long=-70.66406 | directions=Take South Street and Long Pond Road (Rt. 3, Exit 5) for about 7 miles to Myles Standish State Forest. Enter state forest and follow signs to the pond. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Parking: $5 | wikidata=Q14715736 | content=Restrooms and lifeguard. }} * {{do | name=Ellisville Harbor State Park | alt= | url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/ellisville-harbor-state-park.html | email= | address=Route 3A | lat=41.84495 | long=-70.54172 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5366084 | content=18th-century farmstead, beachfront, salt marsh, rolling meadows, and red pine forest. Recreation activities include walking, bird watching, beach combing and sightseeing. }} * {{do | name=Fresh Pond Park | alt= | url=https://www.plymouthrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=11279 | email= | address= | lat=41.90358 | long=-70.55549 | directions=take Route 3A south to Bartlett Rd. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | content=Restrooms, lifeguards in summer. }} * {{do | name=Morton Park | alt= | url=http://www.plymouthrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=11276 | email= | address=Morton Park Road. | lat=41.93893 | long=-70.68934 | directions=from downtown take Summer Street west, go about 1.5 miles first street on left. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Parking fee: $5. $8 on weekends | content=Beach park on Billington Sea pond. Picnic tables, food, playground, lifeguards in summer. }} * {{do | name=Plymouth Long Beach | alt= | url=http://www.plymouth-ma.gov/marine-and-environmental-affairs/pages/long-beach-information | email= | address=1 Ryder Way | lat=41.94528 | long=-70.62619 | directions=from downtown head south on Route 3A about 2.5 miles; beach entrance on the left just before Bert's restaurant | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Parking: $10; $15 weekends | content=Lifeguards, restrooms, food. A beach ferry is available for transportion to and from the limited access beach; inquiries can be made at Plymouth Watersport, 24 Town Wharf, +1 508-747-1577. }} * {{do | name=White Horse Beach | alt= | url=http://whbeach.com/ | email= | address=Taylor Ave. | lat=41.93106 | long=-70.55758 | directions=take Rt. 3A south, go left at Rocky Hill Road; follow to end, take a left onto White Horse Road look for parking on right | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Parking: varies $2-$5 | content=Most of the beach is private but there is a public section. Public parking is very limited and most parking requires a resident sticker. Best option is to walk from local hotels or bed and breakfasts. Occasional ice cream truck, no restrooms or lifeguards. }} ===Outdoor sport=== ====Fishing and boating==== Saltwater fishing for bluefish and striped bass is excellent just off the coast of Plymouth in late summer and early fall. Cod, haddock, pollock, tuna, mackerel, flounder, tautog and smelt are also caught in the area. Many people simply cast off the jetty in the harbor or from local beaches, but boat rentals and bait are available at Town Wharf for fishing in the harbor area. Freshwater fishing is available in Plymouth's many ponds; Long Pond is stocked with trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass. Great Herring Pond has bass and pickerel. A concrete boat ramp is maintained at Long Pond. Some boats can also be launched at the very shallow south end of Great Herring Pond. Fishing is also possible throughout the Myles Standish State Forest in West Plymouth. [http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dmf/recreational-fishing/recreational-saltwater-permits.html '''Fishing permits'''] are required for recreational saltwater fishing and lobstering for those 16 years old and older. Several New England state permits also are valid in Massachusetts for saltwater fishing. Shellfishing is regulated by the town of Plymouth rather than the state; check the town's website for up-to-date requirements. If you want the experience without the hassle, several boating companies will take you out for deep sea fishing with no licenses required. [http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/hunting-fishing-wildlife-watching/fishing/ '''Fishing licenses'''] are required for freshwater fishing for those 15 years old and older. * {{do | name=Billington Sea Kayak | alt= | url=http://billingtonseakayak.com/ | email=dgray@billingtonseakayak.com | address=41 Branch Point Rd | lat=41.93856 | long=-70.67911 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-5644 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Kayaks: $35 single, $60 double. Paddleboard (SUP) $35, Canoe $60 | lastedit=2021-10-20 | content=Kayak and canoe rentals, free on-water demos every weekend throughout the season, and kayaking instruction taught by certified instructors on the freshwater Billington Sea. }} * {{do | name=Captain John Whale Watching and Deep Sea Fishing Tours | url=http://www.captjohn.com | email= | address=10 Town Wharf | lat=41.96197 | long=-70.66657 | directions= | phone=+1 508-746-2643 | tollfree=+1-800-242-2469 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Seeing the Captain John Boats come and go has been a staple sight in Plymouth harbor for decades. Most popular for deep sea fishing and whale watching. }} * {{do | name=Captain Tim Brady & Sons Charters and Tours | url=http://www.fishchart.com/ | email= | address=1 Town Wharf | lat=41.96149 | long=-70.66728 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-4809 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily, beginning 7:30AM | price= | content=Specializing in deep sea fishing and sport fishing charters. Also offers whale watching. }} * {{do | name=Plymouth Watersport And Charter Fishing | url=http://www.plymouthwatersport.com | email=info@plymouthwatersport.com | address=24 Town Wharf | lat=41.96236 | long=-70.66679 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-1577 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Take a cruise aboard the largest charter sportfishing boat in the harbor or rent skiffs, kayaks, paddle boats, X-treme racing boats, or jet skis for one to three people. }} ====Golfing==== Depending on who you talk to, Plymouth is a mecca for golf or overrun by golf courses. If you like to golf, you will have plenty of options to explore. * {{do | name=Atlantic Country Club | url=http://www.atlanticcountryclub.com/ | email= | address=450 Sandy Pond Rd, South Plymouth | lat=41.79721 | long=-70.59319 | directions= | phone=+1 508 759-6644 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$40-80 | content=18 championship holes over 187 acres. Par 72. }} * {{do | name=Crosswinds Golf Club | alt= | url=http://www.golfcrosswinds.com/ | email= | address=424 Long Pond Rd | lat= 41.88459 | long=-70.62479 | directions= | phone=+1 508 830-1199 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$20-55 | content=18 hole, 7056 yds, Par 72. }} * {{do | name=Pinehills Golf Club | alt= | url=http://www.pinehillsgolf.com/ | email= | address=54 Clubhouse Dr | lat=41.88583 | long=-70.59429 | directions= | phone=+1 508 209-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$55-120 | content=Comprehensive facilities with three golf schools. Jones Course, 36 hole, 7175 yds, Par 72. Nicklaus Course, 36 hole, 7243 yds, Par 72. }} * {{do | name=Southers Marsh Golf Club | alt= | url=http://www.southersmarsh.com/ | email= | address=30 Southers Marsh Ln | lat=41.89449 | long=-70.71100 | directions= | phone=+1 508 830-3535 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=18 hole, 4111 yds, Par 61. }} * {{do | name=Squirrel Run Country Club | alt= | url=http://www.golfatsquirrelrun.com/ | email= | address=32 Elderberry Dr | lat=41.93152 | long=-70.72233 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-5001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=18 hole, 2859 yds, Par 57. }} * {{do | name=Waverly Oaks Golf Club | alt= | url=http://www.waverlyoaksgolfclub.com/ | email= | address=444 Long Pond Rd | lat=41.88415 | long= -70.62412 | directions= | phone=+1 508 224-6700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Full practice facilities. Championship Course, 27 hole, 7114 yds, Par 72. Challenger Course, 27 hole, 2264 yds, Par 33. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Bramhall's Country Store | alt= | url=http://www.bramhallscountrystore.com/ | email= | address=2 Sandwich Road | lat=41.93731 | long=-70.63025 | directions= | phone=+1 508-746-1844 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A Chiltonville village staple, this family-owned store was founded in 1828 by the great-great-great-great grandfather of the store’s present day owners. The building was built in the 1750s and was one of the first post offices in the United States. A must-stop shop for local corn and other produce, also sells ice cream and seafood. Open seasonally. }} * {{buy | name=Kusmin Art Gallery | alt= | url=http://www.kusminarts.com | email=kusminarts@aol.com | address=One North Green St. | lat=41.95364 | long=-70.66162 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-9215 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W 10AM-5PM, Th noon-8PM; F Sa Su 11AM-4PM | price= | content=Nationally recognized watercolor artist specializing in Plymouth and Cape Cod scenes. }} * {{buy | name=Lobster Pound |alt=| url=http://www.manometlobsterpound.com/ | email= | address=252 Manomet Point Road | lat=41.92656 | long=-70.54012 | directions= | phone=+1 508 224-5700 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2018-03-01| content=A Manomet village staple, this tiny but well-loved seafood market on Manomet Point is famous for its pre-made lobster rolls and chowders, as well as its straight-off-the-boat locally caught seafood. Locals also visit for the views of Manomet Point; sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, and passing pods of whales or ships bring many an observer to visit. Any summer night during an approaching thunderstorm you will find half of the White Horse locals parked at the Lobster Pound to watch the natural light show over the water. Open seasonally. }} * {{buy | name=Village Landing Marketplace | url=http://www.villagelandingmarketplace.com/ | email= | address=170 Water Street | lat=41.96221 | long=-70.66945 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A cute outdoor shopping plaza with cobblestone paths, specialty shops and restaurants that are all locally owned and operated, and regular music concerts at the gazebo in season. Great for unique and non-tacky souvenirs. }} ==Eat== {{Eatpricerange | Under $15 | $15 - $30 | Over $30 }} Smoking is not permitted in restaurants unless outdoors. ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Blue Blinds Bakery | alt= | url= | email=info@blueblindsbakery.com | address=7 North St | lat=41.95719 | long=-70.66447 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Pastries, coffee & espresso, soups, and sandwiches. }} * {{eat | name=Blueberry Muffin | alt= | url=https://bluebmuffin.com/ | email= | address=2240 State Rd | lat=41.82171 | long=-70.55005 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-0462 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Cederville village's staple bakery and breakfast meetup spot. Also serves lunch. }} * {{eat | name=Carmen's Cafe Nicole | url=https://www.facebook.com/carmenscafenicole/ | email= | address=114 Water St | lat=41.96001 | long=-70.66592 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-4343 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Casual waterfront eatery with outdoor seating serving Mexican & American breakfasts & lunches. }} * {{eat | name=Gellar's | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/GellarsSnackBar/ | email= | address=506 State Road | lat=41.92453 | long= -70.57000 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The unofficial "town hall" of Manomet, operated by the Gellar family since the 1920s. Most famous for its ice cream, but also serves sandwiches, seafood, burgers, and other lunch staples. }} * {{eat | name=Lobster Hut | url=http://www.lobsterhutplymouth.com/ | email= | address=25 Town Wharf | lat= 41.96267 | long=-70.66741 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-2270 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Summer daily 11AM-9PM; winter daily 11AM-7PM | price=$5-15 | content=Fairgrounds type atmosphere, casual but decent seafood a stone's throw from the sea. Eat inside or out. If out, beware of hungry gulls. }} * {{eat | name=Rose and Vicki's | alt= | url=http://www.roseandvicki.com/Plymouth.htm | email= | address=747 State Road | lat=41.91422 | long=-70.55414 | directions= | phone=+1 508-224-3502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 9AM - 9PM | price= | content=Manomet's staple sub shop. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, pizza, bakery items, apps, party platters. Dine-in and delivery. }} * {{eat | name=Water Street Cafe | url=http://waterstreetcafeplymouth.com/ | email= | address=25 Water St | lat=41.95549 | long=-70.66133 | directions= | phone=+1 508-746-2050 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 5:30AM-3PM | price= | content=Winner of several Best Breakfast and Lunch awards. Large variety; homestyle feel. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=42 Degrees North Restaurant and Lounge | alt= | url=http://www.42degreesnorthrestaurant.com/ | email= | address=690 State Road | lat=41.91781 | long=-70.55788 | directions= | phone=+1 508 224-1500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Entree $15-30 | content= Specializes in seafood with a separate "Fish Market Menu" that has a variety of fresh fish that can be prepared to your specifications. Also serves regular dinner fare such as beef, pasta, chicken, soups and salads. Outdoor deck open seasonally. }} * {{eat | name=Blue-Eyed Crab Grille and Raw Bar | url=http://www.blue-eyedcrab.com/ {{dead link|June 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address=170 Water St | lat=41.96233 | long=-70.66898 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-6776 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su-Th 11:30AM–9PM, F Sa 11:30AM–10PM | price=Entrees $12-45 | content=Fresh seafood specials changing daily with a choice of toppings. Also miso salmon, rib eye steak, grilled jerk brick chicken, salads and burgers. Indoor and outdoor seating. Lunch and Dinner. }} * {{Eat|name=CJ's Bar and Grill|url=https://cjsbarandgrille.com/|email=Generalmanager@CJsbarandgrille.com|address=25 Summer St. |lat=41.95477|long=-70.66480|directions=Restaurant along with John Carver Inn and Spa|phone=+1 (508) 747-7405|hours=Sun-Tue 7AM-1PM, Wed-Sat 7AM-9PM|price=$15-$30|lastedit=2022-06-28|content=Traditional American comfort food.}} * {{eat | name=Dillon's Local | url=https://www.dillonslocalplymouth.com/ | email= | address=21 South Park Avenue | lat=41.96047 | long=-70.66854 | directions= | phone=+1 774-404-7913 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sat 11:30AM–1AM, Su 10AM–1AM | price=Entrees $12-26 | content=Family owned specializing in craft beer, cocktails, and locally-sourced food. Serves authentic Shepherd's pie! Voted Best Lunch Spot by South Shore Living 2017. }} * {{eat | name=Mama Mia's Restaurant & Pizzeria | url=https://mammamias.net/ | email= | address=122 Water St | lat=42.41522 | long= -71.03428 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-4670 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Long time local Italian favorite. Probably the best pizza on the South Shore or Cape. Family friendly. }} * {{eat | name=Sam Diego's Mexican Cookery & Bar | alt=51 Main Street | url=http://plymouth.samdiegos.com/ | email= | address= | lat=41.95681 | long=-70.66442 | directions= | phone=+1 508 747-0048 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:30AM-1AM | price=Entrees $8-18 | content=Mexican and Tex-Mex specialties and Southwestern specialty dishes. A great change of pace if you're getting tired of non-stop seafood and clam chowder. Kid's menu and family friendly. Bar upstairs quite popular with the younger crowd at night as it's open until 1AM (late by local standards). }} * {{eat | name=Surfside Smokehouse | url=http://surfsidesmokehouse.com| email= | address=14 Union St | lat=41.95643 | long=-70.66044 | directions= | phone=+1 508 927-4111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Entrees $12-27 | content= American BBQ and seafood; great for lunch or dinner. Kid's menu. Open seasonally. Eat indoors upstairs or join the more casual bar scene on the outside deck downstairs. Nice views of the marina. }} * {{eat | name=Waterfront Bar and Grille | alt= | url=http://plymouthwaterfront.com/ | email= | address=170 Water St | lat=41.96260 | long=-70.66939 | directions= | phone=+1 508-591-8393 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Entrees $17-35 | content=Lively upstairs bar scene with evening entertainment and a quiet downstairs dining room. El fresco dining is available on the outside deck upstairs and has a nice harbor view. }} * {{eat | name=Wood's Seafood Market and Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.woodsseafoods.com/ | email= | address= 15 Town Pier| lat=41.96218 | long=-70.66644 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-0261 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11AM-9PM | price=Entrees $5-22 | content=Fresh seafood in the rough with a fish market as well. Top notch clam chowder and fried whole clams made by Exec. Chef JMitch. Voted Editor's Choice for Massachusetts by Yankee Magazine's Travel Guide to New England. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Cafe Strega | url=http://www.cafestrega.com/ | email= | address=16 Main Street Ext. | lat=41.95538 | long=-70.66329 | directions= | phone=+1 508 732-9996 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Entrees $15-38 | content=Authentic Italian restaurant overlooking Brewster Gardens. }} *{{eat | name=East Bay Grille | url=http://www.eastbaygrille.com/ | email= | address=173 Water St | lat=41.96325 | long=-70.66833 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-9751 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Entrees $22-42 | content=Well-appointed New England fare: seafood, steaks, chowders, and the like with a waterside view. Patio dining available. Business casual dress code. }} *{{eat | name=Rye Tavern | url=https://www.ryetavern.org | email= | address=517 Old Sandwich Rd | lat=41.89471 | long=-70.59177 | directions= | phone=+1 508 591-7515 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rural restaurant in historic tavern building, specializing in "farm to table" dining. Highly variable seasonal menu with exceptional food quality, more reminiscent of Nantucket than Plymouth. Beautiful gardens out back. Great place for a romantic date, and easily the most upscale restaurant in town. Taking a drive down Old Sandwich Road is an adventure onto itself; road follows an ancient woodland path that connected Cape Cod to the mainland in pre-Mayflower days. }} ==Drink== Several of the more popular bars are already mentioned in the "eat" sections above as they are also quite excellent restaurants; Sam Diego's, Surfside Smokehouse's deck, Waterfront Bar and Grille, and several others have lively cocktail and beer crowds after dinner. Below are some additional options known more for their nightlife: * {{drink | name=1620 Wine Bar | url=http://1620winery.com/wine-bar/ | email= | address=170 Water Street | lat=41.96245 | long=-70.66916 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Patio wine bar on the waterfront. Fire pit, live entertainment. Special events such as Paint Nights. }} * {{drink | name=Black Raspberry Pub | url= | email= | address=36 Cordage Park Cir # 111 | lat=41.97838 | long=-70.68636 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Pub food, great drinks, pool tables, live entertainment. }} * {{drink | name=The Cabbyshack | url=http://www.cabbyshack.com | email= | address=30 Town Wharf | lat=41.96221 | long=-70.66734 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-5354 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Eat and or drink inside or out. Lively atmosphere on big outside decks. Popular with the motorcycle crowd. Entertainment most evenings. You would think this just couldn't be good as it appears as a tourist trap, but it is amazing. }} *{{drink | name=The Pillory Pub | url= | email= | address=72 Water St | lat=41.95868 | long=-70.66287 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Rocking chairs overlook the waterfront at this popular pub across from the Mayflower II. Great beer selection, pub food, friendly bartenders, chill atmosphere. }} * {{drink | name=T-Bones Road House | alt= | url=http://www.tbonesroadhouse.com/ | email= | address=22 Main St | lat=41.95616 | long= -70.66459 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Popular party spot for the young and single kids in town. Frequently has live music. }} ==Sleep== {{Sleeppricerange | Under $75 | $75 - $150 | Over $150 }} If you intend to visit during peak tourist season (Memorial Day-Labor Day) or over the Thanksgiving holiday, hotels can sell out far in advance. Be certain to plan ahead! ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Blue Spruce Motel | alt= | url=http://www.bluespruce-motel.com/ | email= | address=710 State Road | lat=41.91643 | long=-70.55584 | directions=in the Manomet village area on Route 3A | phone=+1 508 224-3990 | tollfree=+1-800-370-7080 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Motel rooms and townhouses. Outdoor pool, full kitchen and dining area in the townhouses. About a 15-minute drive into downtown Plymouth or 5 minute drive to White Horse Beach. }} * {{sleep | name=Bradford Inn and Suites | alt= | url=http://www.bradfordinnsuites.com/ | email= | address=98 Water St | lat=41.95935 | long=-70.66489 | directions=on the waterfront | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=On the waterfront in walking distance to major attractions, shops, and resturants. Fitness center and outdoor pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Ellis Haven Family Camping | url=http://www.ellishaven.com/ | email=campy531@aol.com | address=531 Federal Furnace Rd | lat=41.91288 | long= -70.71052 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-0803 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Private beach on freshwater lake, paddleboats, recreation center, minigolf, ball fields. Hot showers, laundry, 24-hour security, grocery store, restaurant, snack bar, sports bar. Your choice of sunny or shady sites. Full hookups, including cable TV. Furnished cabin rentals. Safari fields for group camping. }} * {{sleep | name=Sandy Pond Campground | url=http://www.sandypond.com | email=info@sandypond.com | address=834 Bourne Rd | lat=41.79268 | long=-70.60478 | directions= | phone=+1 508 759-9336 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=From tent sites to full hookups to cabins. Nice sandy beach on freshwater pond. Store, RV service, sports areas. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Best Western Plus Cold Spring | alt= | url=http://www.bwcoldspring.com/ | email= | address=180 Court St | lat=41.96472 | long=-70.67664 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | content=About a 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk to downtown. Motel with cottages, but nicely upkept. Heated outdoor pool, free WIFI, breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=By the Sea Bed and Breakfast | alt= | url=http://www.bytheseabedandbreakfast.com | email=bytheseabandb@aol.com | address=22 Winslow St | lat=41.95926 | long=-70.66421 | directions= | phone=+1 508 830-9643 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Great location overlooking the historic waterfront and Mayflower II. All suites have spectacular ocean views. The suites are air conditioned, have private entrances, private baths, TVs, and refrigerators. }} * {{sleep | name=Hilton Garden Inn | url=http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/?ctyhocn=PYMMAGI | email= | address=4 Home Depot Dr | lat=41.93215 | long=-70.65908 | directions= | phone=+1 508 830-0200 | tollfree= | fax=+1 508-830-0855 | hours= | price= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | content=Although it's in an outlet shop area, hotel is about an 8 minute drive to downtown and a 15-minute drive to Long Beach. Fitness center and heated indoor pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Pilgrim Sands Hotel on Long Beach | alt= | url=http://pilgrimsandshotel.com/ | email= | address=150 Warren Ave. | lat=41.94124 | long=-70.62014 | directions= | phone=+1 508-747-0900 | tollfree=+1-800-729-SANDS | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | content=About a 10-minute drive from downtown, but located right on the water with its own private beach, as well as an indoor/outdoor pool. Free WIFI and continental breakfast; all rooms non-smoking. }} * {{sleep | name=Pinewood Lodge Campground | url=http://www.pinewoodlodge.com/ | email= | address=190 Pinewood Rd. | lat=41.92232 | long=-70.73948 | directions= | phone=+1 508 746-3548 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=From tents to cabins to lakeside cottages available. Swimming, boating, fishing on freshwater pond. RV service on site, store, laundry, lounge, function hall. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor | alt= | url=http://www.hotel1620.com/ | email=acashin@hotel1620.com | address=180 Water St | lat=41.96178 | long=-70.67025 | directions= | phone=+1 508-747-4900 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Located in Village Landing Marketplace right on the waterfront, with easy access to downtown attractions, shops, and restaurants. Amenities include fitness center, indoor pool, free WIFI, laundry facilities, and business center. Non-smoking facility. }} * {{sleep | name=John Carver Inn and Spa | url=http://www.johncarverinn.com/ | email= | address=25 Summer St | lat=41.95475 | long=-70.66506 | directions= | phone=+1 508-746-7100 | tollfree=+1-800-274-1620 | fax=+1 508-746-8299 | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=A 3- to 5-minute walk to downtown Plymouth. Wireless internet and refrigerators in rooms, some rooms also have working fireplaces. Hotel includes Pilgrim Cove indoor theme pool with slides, waterfall, and cannons - great for kids! Other amenities include fitness gym, Beach Plum Spa, Waterfire Tavern, and Hearth & Kettle Restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Mirbeau Inn and Spa Pinehills | url=http://plymouth.mirbeau.com/ | email= | address=35 Landmark Drive | lat=41.88118 | long=-70.59808 | directions=in the Pinehills planned community | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=The inn is about a 15-minute drive from downtown and the Myles Standish State Forest. Built to resemble a French villa, its close to the Pinehills golf course as well as the Pinehills shops and restaurants. }} ==Stay safe== In Plymouth dial 911 if there is an emergency. This free call will summon police, medical, and fire services to assist you. Crime is relatively low for a town of Plymouth's size, but take the normal precautions and don't leave your belongings unattended in public spaces, such as public beaches. Plymouth has been a part of the region's larger opiate epidemic, but you are unlikely to encounter many drug-related problems in any of the major tourist areas. However, keep an eye out for spent hypodermic needles which can be found alongside roads or on beaches. Most beaches in Plymouth do not have lifeguards and many experience drastic tidal differences as sandbars are numerous. Follow the advice of locals and check tidal calendars before venturing off too far onto mudflats or long walks around bluffs - you may find yourself having to swim back when the beach disappears without much warning! Also take care when boating in the area; unexpected mudflats or large glacial rocks can be closer to the surface at certain tidal points, causing unassuming craft to run aground. Plymouth has, along with Cape Cod, experienced a drastic rise in great white sharks as the harbor seal population, which is their main source of food, has exploded. Sharks can appear close to shore along Plymouth beaches and have made encounters with some kayakers, though despite knocking them into the water no injuries have been reported. The best defense is to stay alert and understand that the sharks are much more interested in finding seals than hurting you. To avoid being confused for their food, avoid swimming in murky water or anywhere near where seals can be spotted jumping, swimming, or sunbathing. Often times you can hear the seals barking before seeing them. If you spot a shark, exit the water immediately. If at a public beach, follow any warnings given by lifeguards or warning flags which may be posted along the shore. ==Stay healthy== Plymouth has its own fully-equipped hospital, [http://www.bidplymouth.org/ '''Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital'''], which is the largest facility on the Cape end of the South Shore. Note that this facility was called the Jordan Hospital for over 100 years from its opening in 1901 until 2014. It is very common for locals to still refer to the hospital as "Jordan"; i.e. "They're taking him to Jordan," when referring to the Beth Israel facility. ==Connect== === Mail services === Plymouth is a large town with multiple post offices, and as such has multiple zip codes depending on the post office being used: * The main zip code for Plymouth is 02360, and refers to mail being directed to or from the town's central post office at 100 Long Pond Rd. * 02345 is the zip code used for P.O. boxes at the main village post office for Manomet, located at 12 Manomet Point Rd. * 02381 is the zip code used for P.O. boxes at Manomet's even smaller post office at 119 White Horse Rd on White Horse Beach. * 02362 is the zip code used for the village post office in North Plymouth, located at 283 Court St. === Computing and internet access === Computer, internet use, and wireless printing services are available via the [http://www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org/ '''Plymouth Public Library'''] system with day passes available for non-card holders. The main branch is located at 132 South Street and the Manomet branch is located at 12 Strand Avenue. ===Local news=== The local newspaper is the [http://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/ '''Old Colony Memorial'''], published every Wednesday and Saturday. You can find a copy at most convenience stores, and it is also often available at local hotels. ==Go next== *'''[[Boston]]''' is only about 45 minutes away by car or 30 minutes by commuter rail. Massachusetts' capital city has plenty of attractions for history buffs, such as the [[Freedom Trail]] and the USS Constitution. It is also a mecca for sports fans, and no trip is complete without a visit to [[Fenway Park]]. There are plenty of cultural attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Science, and on a beautiful day a stroll through Boston Public Garden and a ride on the Swan Boats is a must. Boston is also a major transport hub, and you can access both its international airport and train and bus connections to other major cities along the East Coast. *'''[[Cape Cod]]''', including the towns of [[Sandwich_(Massachusetts)| Sandwich]], [[Hyannis]], and [[Provincetown]] are all a relatively easy drive south from Plymouth, especially in off-peak travel hours. Provincetown can also be accessed from Plymouth by a daily ferry running seasonally from the harbor. The Cape is known for its beaches, and a visit to the [[Cape Cod National Seashore]] is highly recommended. *'''[[Martha's Vineyard]]''' and '''[[Nantucket]]''', Cape Cod's main islands, can both be accessed via ferry from Hyannis. *'''[[Providence]], Rhode Island''' is about 40 minutes away via car. Roger Williams Park and Zoo is a great place to visit and holds many annual events. An evening trip during one of its Waterfire celebrations is also worth experiencing; check out [http://waterfire.org/ Waterfire.org] for their annual schedule and to plan ahead. * [[From Plymouth to Hampton Roads]] is a 600-mile historical route through the colonial and antebellum United States. {{routebox | image1=MA Route 3.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Boston]] | minorl1=[[Kingston (Massachusetts)|Kingston]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=Ends at [[Image:US 6.svg|18px]] | minorr1=[[Sagamore]] | image2=US 44.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Providence]] | minorl2=[[Middleborough]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=END | minorr2= | image3=MA Route 3A.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Boston]] | minorl3=[[Kingston (Massachusetts)|Kingston]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=END | minorr3= | image4=MBTA Plymouth-Kingston icon.png | imagesize4=100 | directionl4=NW | majorl4=[[Boston]] | minorl4='''[[Halifax (Massachusetts)|Halifax]]''' | directionr4=SE | majorr4=END | minorr4= }} {{isPartOf|South Shore (Massachusetts)}} {{geo|41.95833|-70.66778}} {{guidecity}} bdbmbhaxt8auxyg8f8vovjwqir1q1j1 0 29534 4506770 4504751 2022-08-23T10:29:07Z TeO974 2275259 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Réunion banner Mountain scenery3.jpg}} {{Translate|fr|Île de la Réunion}} {{quickbar}} '''[https://en.reunion.fr/ Réunion]''' (French: ''La Réunion'') is a [[France|French]] overseas department located in the midst of the [[Islands of the Indian Ocean|Indian Ocean]], east of the island of [[Madagascar]] and 200 km to the south-west of [[Mauritius]], in [[East Africa]]. This enchanting destination is blessed with a tropical climate and beautiful volcanic landscapes, with its appeal being as much due to its white sandy beaches as its mountain scenery. Réunion used to be known as the Isle de Bourbon and Isle Bonaparte. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} [[File:Wikivoyage_Reunion_map_PNG.png|thumb|300px|Map of Réunion]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Denis (Réunion)|Saint-Denis]]|wikidata=Q47045}} — the capital of Reunion island * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Gilles (Réunion)|Saint-Gilles]]|wikidata=Q3462334}} — on the west coast, where all the white sand beaches are * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Leu]]|wikidata=Q1649363}} — a well-established city and surfing destination * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Pierre (Réunion)|Saint-Pierre]]|wikidata=Q249884}} — the second most important town of Reunion Island. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Etang-Salé]]|wikidata=Q1014771}} — a small town on the west coast with one of the black volcanic sand beaches * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Benoît]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q478215}} — where you can find the vanilla cooperative factory * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bras-Panon]]|lat=|long=|}} — The commune is a large producer of vanilla ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cilaos]]|wikidata=Q1014746}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Salazie]]|wikidata=Q1014778}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Mafate]]|wikidata=Q131830}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Takamaka|wikidata=Q7677125}} — location of the only water power plant of the island * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Plaine de Cafres]]|wikidata=Q3390994}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Réunion National Park]]|wikidata=Q550389}} ** {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cirque de Cilaos]]|wikidata=Q1093094}} ** {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Cirque de Mafate]]|wikidata=Q131830}} ** {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Piton de la Fournaise]]|wikidata=Q1049644}} ==Understand== === Climate === The island's climate is tropical. The time from September to mid-December is the best time to go, since rain is uncommon then, and temperatures are mild on the beaches as well as in the hills, so you can both hike in the mountains and enjoy the seashore without issues of humidity or heat. January to March is the rainy season, sometimes marked by cyclones. The island has two climatic zones: the greener windward side (east) that receives moist Indian ocean air, and the noticeably drier leeward side (west) shielded from the wet air by the mountainous landscape. === History === The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. Réunion became officially French territory in 1663. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration supplemented by influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar Indians gave the island its ethnic mix. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route. It remained a colony until 1946, when it became a ''département'' of the [[France|French]] Republic. Locals take great pride in marking the anniversary of the abolition of slavery (which happened on 20 December 1848), in a festival known locally as "La Fête Cafre" (a "cafre" being the name given to an indigenous dweller of the island, now widely used to address a friend). This gesture towards the past is still very much present in society today, and as such the word "slave" ("esclave") is a grave insult to a Réunionnais. Today, the population of Reunion is widely varied in terms of ethnic origin, which each group inheriting its respective traditions. ==Talk== '''[[French phrasebook|French]]''' is the official language of Réunion, although Creole is widely spoken. Everyone understands French, as it is the language of education, but few people understand English. French spoken with the local Reunion accent, intermingled with Creole, can be difficult to understand for native French speakers. Metropolitan French are locally nicknamed ''zoreilles'' ("ears") for their tendency not to understand and ask people to repeat. English speakers meet every Monday evening between 19:30 and 23:00 (including during holidays) at the Moda Bar, 75 rue Pasteur, in Saint-Denis. Infoline 0692 560220. If you speak English, it is a good way of sharing ones accent, culture and language to meet travelling and resident couch-surfers. Ten to twenty people attend each week. The bar allows people to bring take out food. See also: [http://www.creole.org/dictionnaire_creole.htm French/Creole dictionary] ==Get in== [[Image:RouteDesTamarins ViaducBernica.JPG|thumb|250px|Saint Paul viaduct along the ''Route des Tamarins'']] === Passport and visa === Although Reunion is an integral part of France, it is not part of the Schengen area, so it has its own immigration and visa rules. Citizens of Mauritius, for example, do not need a visa for short visits to Reunion but do need a visa to visit mainland France. === By plane === The main airport is '''Roland Garros International Airport''', near Saint-Denis ({{IATA|RUN}}). The vast majority of intercontinental flights arriving at Reunion come from mainland France, with a handful of other airports through the Indian Ocean. Airlines flying to Reunion are the following: * '''[http://www.airfrance.com Air France]''' operates direct flights between [[Paris Orly]] and Roland Garros. * '''[http://www.air-austral.com/ Air Austral]''' is the principal local airline, which serves numerous destinations in [[Africa]] and the [[Indian Ocean]] ([[South Africa]], [[Comoros]], [[Mauritius]], [[Madagascar]], [[Mayotte]] and the [[Seychelles]]), as well as [[Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport]]. Air Austral also offers transfers onto the TGV-Air service for various destinations within France, and the Thalys line from Paris towards Brussels. If coming from Asia, there exists a seasonal service from [[Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport]]. * '''Air Madagascar''' flies from Roland Garros to [[Antananarivo]], [[Antsiranana]], [[Nosy Be]]. Air Madagascar stops in at Roland Garros on its twice-weekly Antananarivo to Guangzhou, China, but does not have traffic rights to carry passengers between Saint-Denis and Guangzhou. * '''[http://www.corsair.fr/ Corsair]''' offers a weekly service to [[Paris Orly]], [[Lyon]], [[Marseille]] and [[Toulouse]]. * '''[http://www.airmauritius.com/ Air Mauritius]''' has multiple daily flights to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, [[Port Louis]], [[Mauritius]]. The trip is 45 minutes. * '''French Blue''' offers service to Paris-Orly. For travelers from North America, travel direct to Reunion can be very expensive (well over US$2000 in economy and booked months in advance!) due to a lack of competition and lack of codesharing agreements with Air Austral at Paris-CDG. The most affordable way to travel from North America to Reunion is to book a flight to Mauritius, then book a separate flight for about US$180-300 round-trip between Mauritius and Reunion, which are less than an hour apart by air. Mauritius is served by several major carriers, such as British Airways, Emirates, South African Airways, Turkish Airways, Air France (to Paris-CDG, rather than Paris-Orly), KLM (seasonal), Lufthansa (seasonal), and Austrian (seasonal), so fares are competitive at about US$1200-1800 and can involve shorter layovers. The small '''Pierrefonds Airport''' on the southwest side of the island near Saint-Pierre has daily flights to Mauritius on Air Austral and Air Mauritius, plus a seasonal Air Austral flight to [[Rodrigues]]. === By boat === * From Reunion, it is possible to reach [[Mauritius]] and [[Madagascar]] by boat. Two ferry services offer these routes, the Mauritius Pride and the Mauritius Trochetia. They are at 4, avenue du 14-Juillet 1789, 97420, Le Port, telephone: {{phone|+262 262 42 19 45}}.<!--price?--> * Throughout the year, a number of cruise liners dock on the island. More information should be sought through individual cruise companies. ==Get around== It is often said that Réunion has more than its fair share of cars, and it's true. At certain times, the road networks can become jam-packed with vehicles, but in order to overcome this, all a visitor needs to know is when to travel and how to travel. The national road (''route nationale'') which goes round the island is double-laned for each direction in many places. Other roads are usually paved, with one lane in each direction. There have been plans to build a railway to alleviate the traffic congestion, but as of 2018 those plans have been shelved. === By taxi === Hailing a taxi on the island is fairly expensive, especially when leaving the airport (expect to pay €15). === By bus === Intercity bus travel around the island is served by [http://carjaune.re Car Jaune] ("Yellow Bus", buses are easily recognisable by their yellow colour). There are 13 lines. Apart from these buses there are also local buses. Most of lines operate between {{time|06:00}} and {{time|18:00}}. * Car Jaune, Ligne B, from Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre and back, Par les Bas (via the coast). Operates approximately every 1½ hours. === By car === [[Image:Pont du Bras de la Plaine -1.jpg|thumb|250px|Bras de la Plaine Bridge crosses a gorge 110m above the river below]] {{main|Driving in Réunion}} There is one main road around the island (74 km of it is four-lane) and another road from Saint-Pierre to Saint-Benoit (''route des plaines'') through the interior of the island. Due to the volume of cars, traffic jams often occur so you should avoid travelling during peak times. Because of the volcano, the road is sometimes closed along the east side of the island. The four-lane highway between La Possession and Saint-Denis, known as the ''route du littoral'', runs between an unstable cliff and the sea. Because of the rain (mostly between December and March), this highway may be "basculée", that is switched to a two-lane road. Expect traffic jams in such circumstances. It is being replaced by a remarkable €1.7-billion, 5.4-km viaduct a few hundred metres off shore that is planned to open in 2020. The ''Route des Tamarins'' is an expressway linking [[Saint-Paul]] and [[Étang-Salé]] offering spectacular views of the coast. With its completion, a 4-lane divided highway now runs around three-fourths of the island. Do not underestimate driving times, even if the island seems small. The main roads, especially on the west coast, tend to jam; so do the streets of Saint Denis. The roads in the interior are mountain roads, some with many turns and steep slopes. Car hire is available. === On foot === [[Image:Maido.mafate.reunion.2012-34.JPG|thumb|250px|Mafate valley seen from Maido.]] Reunion Island has almost 1000 km of hiking trails, with an astonishing variety of landscapes for an island. The '''cirques''', '''plains''' and '''volcano''' have been classified as a french national natural park. The best hikes are probably in the '''Mafate cirque''' and on the '''volcano''' (see [[Piton de la Fournaise]]). The exceptional Mafate circus has no roads, and about 800 inhabitants. You can find hostings on main hiking places. ===By aircraft=== Some helicopter and airplane companies do scenic flights. These depart very early in the morning (in order to avoid clouds and fog at altitude). There are also some helicopter trips, e.g. to La Nouvelle in Mafate. == See == [[File:2015-05-27-LaReunion 0855-0171+Takamaka 08.JPG|thumb|South coast]] [[File:2015-05-27-LaReunion 0855-0171+Takamaka 09.JPG|thumb|South Coast near Saint Philippe]] ===[[Piton de la Fournaise]]=== The active volcano is located in the south of the island. Even the approach over the Plaine de Sable (sand plain) offers many visual highlights. Directly below the rim of the crater there is a parking lot with a magnificent view. From a safe distance, hikers can watch the activity of Mount Fire. Guided hikes to the best vantage points are offered on site by various agencies. Tours at sunset are particularly fascinating, since then the lava flows can be seen particularly well in the dark. You should not do these tours without a local guide, as the signposts of these 4-5 hour hikes are sometimes very difficult to see. But even when the volcano is not active, hikes of various lengths along the rim of the crater or the descent into the crater floor offer fascinating views. For the descent, however, you should have a head for heights, as the path winds very narrowly in zigzags towards the ground. Once at the bottom you can admire the mini cone "Leo Formica" and walk up to the "Church" (a colorful fault). If you have time and stamina, you can also climb the highest point of the actual volcano, and from there you have a magnificent panoramic view over the various lava flows to the sea. However, this should only be done when the weather is good and there is no volcanic activity (be sure to inquire at the information stand in the parking lot!). The weather changes very quickly and within an hour clouds can gather so thick that you can hardly find your way back. On the way back, make a stop at the "Maison du Volcan" (House of the Volcano) which has some fascinating video images of the last major eruptions. ==Do== [[Image:La Chapelle.jpg|thumb|250px|La Chapelle.]] Reunion is very much an island to be discovered through exploring its mountainous scenery and outdoor activities. The typical landforms of Réunion "Pitons, Cirques and Remparts of Reunion Island", have been inscribed on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]] and the world heritage covers more than 40% of the island. ===Hiking=== {{main|Hiking in Réunion}} Réunion has some very scenic well-developed hiking areas, and it is filled with numerous hiking stages and multi-day routes in different routes. The particularly interesting part is the rugged volcanic interior of the island with the two volcanic peaks and the three crater basins. ===Diving=== [[File:Sagaminopteron psychedelicum.JPG|thumb|A cephalaspid sea slug off the coast of Réunion]] [[File:Idole des Maures (Zanclus cornutus).jpg|thumb|A "Moorish idol" seen off the coast of Réunion]] There is also good diving off the coast of Reunion. ==Buy== ===Money=== [[File:Euro Series Banknotes (2019).jpg|right|thumb|200px|Euro banknotes]] {{exchange rate euros}} Reunion is part of the Eurozone, so as in many other [[European Union]] countries the currency used is the '''euro''' (symbol: '''€'''). It is compulsory, for the large majority of businesses, to post prices in windows. Hotels and restaurants must have their rates visible from outside. Most shops accept international credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) but most of them require a minimum amount for credit cards payments (usually €15). There is a good number of ATMs (called "gabier") which don't charge you for using them. === Shops === Most shops are closed on Sunday. Most of supermarkets are open M-Sa from 09:00 to 20:00. Some of them are open on Sunday morning. You can find traditional objects in some shops but it's often easier and cheaper to go to a market (marché). The market in Saint-Paul is famous and you'll also find fruits and vegetables: it gathers on Friday morning and afternoon and on Saturday morning. It's a good place to buy African traditional objects, such as Oware . === Gifts === Here are some ideas for gifts: * shirts; * rum; * spices; * local music; * book or dvd about volcano's last eruption ==Eat and drink== Thanks to its history, Reunionese cuisine is a mix between different cultures: French, Indian, Chinese & African Typical dishes are '''cari''' and '''rougail''' which are a meat or a fish cooked in a sauce and eaten with rice. [[File:2015-05-27-LaReunion 0855-0171+Takamaka 11.JPG|thumb|Typical menu card]] Depending on the season, many tropical fruits are available, like lychees (December), mangoes, pineapples (the Victoria types in Reunion are said to be the best in the world by the locals), bananas, papaya... At lunchtime, you can have many kinds of sandwiches and '''samosas''' in '''snack-bars''' (cheap but not very balanced, except for the spicy "achards sandwich"), and find restaurants easily (average of USD10-15). Other local specialties are ''bonbons piments'', which are spiced and salted fritters, ''piments farcis'', which are stuffed hot peppers, and ''bouchons''',''''' which are morsels of meat or fish that are surrounded by rice paste and steamed before being served with soy sauce. Réunionnais pastries are often quite thick and sweet. There are pastries made from sweet potatoes (''gâteaux patates'') and (for a bit of an adventure) manioc (''gâteaux manioc'') [[File:2015-06-05-LaReunion 1213-0717 02.JPG|thumb|rhom arrangé on Reunion (rum)]] Reunionese cuisine is quite safe, but ask for some dishes to ensure that they're not too spicy. The spice level is below that of much Indian cuisine. The main local drink is rum. The lowest quality rum is made from fermented cane sugar molasses and is not aged (thus its color is clear). It is often drunk as ''rhum arrangé'' - rum flavored by fruit and spices. ''Rhum arrangé'', being fruity and sugary, is easy to drink but beware of the high alcohol content! Higher quality rum is ''rhum agricole'', made from fermented cane sugar juice. It is either clear, or aged in oak barrels, giving it a brown colour. [[File:2015-06-05-LaReunion 1213-0717 01.JPG|thumb|The local beer on Reunion]] If you are looking for the most famous places, you will find them in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains on the west coast and in Saint-Pierre in the South. These are seaside resorts with many nightclubs and many trendy bars where you will have no trouble attending a Mayola show, or dancing the Sega. On St Denis, the pedestrian area laid out around the cathedral offers many restaurants and lively bars. On Sunday evening from {{time|18:00}}, the "rondavelles" by the sea offer free concerts, enough to end the week well around a cocktail or a local beer, around local "tapas": pepper candies, samosas, corks and other local spring rolls. ===Wine=== The traditional "wine of Cilaos" is a very sweet, quite rustic cooked wine. You will easily find some in the Cirque de Cilaos and along the roads, but not in supermarkets: the legality of this trade is debatable, but the gendarmes allow this tradition to continue. Since 2004, the "Chais de Cilaos" have been selling modern wines (three local wines and one table wine): sweet white, dry white, rosé and red. The cellars can be visited. Fans will go to Cilaos on the occasion of the lentil festival in November or for Saint-Vincent in February. You can buy some at the Cilaos tourist office. ==Sleep== There are many possible accommodation types in reunion: Ordinary hotels; privately run Gîtes d'Étape; Gîtes de Montagne are mountain cabins or lodges located in the central areas appropriate and operated by '''[http://www.reunion.fr/en/ Reunion Island Tourism Board]'''; youth hostels are operated by Auberge de jeunesse de la Réunion. There are five youth hostels at Réunion Island ; Hell Bourg, Bernica, Entre Deux, Saint Denis and Cilaos. ==Work== For European people coming from an EU country, working in Reunion is allowed without a visa or work permit. If you're from outside the EU, you will probably need a work permit. Check with the French Embassy in your country. Do not forget, though, that the unemployment rate is high. If you work in the health sector (doctor, nurse), it will be much easier. ==Stay safe== {{Warningbox|Shark attacks in Réunion have been increasing in frequency since 2011. The rate of death from shark attacks - 3.15 per million - is the highest in the world, over 2000 times higher than the rate in the US, and over four times higher than the second-highest rate (that of South Africa). All ocean swimmers are affected, even close to the shore - one attack took place less than twenty feet from shore. Nevertheless, some beaches, like the lagoon in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, are safe for swimmers and bathers. Enjoy the island's beautiful beaches, but always observe the warning signs posted.|lastedit=2019-05-20}} === Volcanic activity === From time to time the island experiences volcanic activity. However, this is nothing to worry about; the lava flows are fluid and slow moving, and they always go by the less-inhabited Southern part of the island. Alerts are always sent out, and authorities block roads that are covered by lava. === Cyclones === The season when cyclones generally occur is the Southern hemisphere's summer, from October to April. However, alerts are sent out by radio, and it's very hard to ''not'' hear about it. Should a cyclone occur during your visit, stay indoors during it. === Crime === Reunion is fairly safe - even safer than much of metropolitan France. Take common-sense precautions such as: *Don't walk around alone at night *Don't flaunt expensive cameras or jewellery *Don't resist in case of aggression Most crimes are family-related and alcohol-related The major attraction of Reunion is the stunning scenery, with impressive walks on cliffs and, obviously, the volcano. In some high altitude areas, especially the volcano, mid-day fog may really hamper orientation; also, temperatures may drop significantly. In foggy weather, do not stray from well-marked paths. Carry layered clothing. [[File:2015-05-27-LaReunion_0855-0171%2BTakamaka_10.JPG|thumb|harmless giant spiders]] ==Stay healthy== Unlike most tropical islands, Réunion hasn't had issues with malaria or infectious tropical disease for several decades. Travelers should still take precautions against mosquito bites; in 2005-6 the island had an outbreak of Chikungunya virus spread by tiger mosquitoes. Caution should be taken when spending time in the sun. High altitude areas may be scorchingly hot when the sun is high, and cold when it is foggy. You might not notice the sensation of sunburn forming if it's chilly out, so don't hesitate to cover up with light clothing even in the heat. It's advisable to bring your own sunscreen, as it's somewhat expensive on the island. Sanitary and medical facilities in Reunion are very good. As in the rest of France, French and EU residents get most of their health care costs covered by the compulsory health insurance plan (''sécurité sociale''). This plan does not cover nonresidents, who will be expected to pay full price. A travel health insurance is thus advised. Full price costs are significantly lower than in the United States. Visitors from [[European Union]] should bring an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) - obtained in their own country before departure. The E111 form is no longer valid. Ask for details at your local health care organisation. The major hospital is in Saint-Denis but there are various others in important cities. There are doctors in almost every village. Tap water is usually safe for consumption. Public sources of water are unsafe if labeled with "Eau non potable" (Water not drinkable). === Emergency phone numbers === * emergency services: 112 (which can be dialled by any mobile phone, even if not connected to a GSM network); * fire brigade: 18; * police station: 17; * specialised emergency medical service (called SAMU): 15. ===Cyclones=== During the cyclonic season (November to April), you should check cyclone warnings shown in newspapers or broadcast by the radio or TV. There are three states of warning: * Vigilance cyclonique (cyclone watch): risk of cyclones in more than 24 hours, you should buy in advance enough food and water as well as batteries and candles; * Alerte orange (orange alert): risk of a cyclone in the next 24 hours, schools are closed, try to avoid getting around; * Alerte rouge (red alert): risk of a cyclone in the next few hours, don't move from your home and avoid using the phone, stay calm. == Respect == Réunionnais people have a sense of nationalistic pride that may seem a little unusual or unexpected. It's an island phenomenon that's difficult to explain to people from the mainland. However much someone shouts about the island's superiority from the rooftops, don't be concerned about xenophobia. ==Connect== === Phones === Country code: 262 Dialing within Reunion: all numbers have 10 digits. Landlines begin by 0262 and mobile phones by 0692 and with 0693. Dialing to Reunion: international prefix + 262 + phone number without the first 0 (this leads to dial twice 262 which is normal). If you dial from mainland France, just use the 10-digit number. Dialing from Reunion: the international prefix is 00. Calling to a mobile phone is more expensive than to a landline. Number beginning by 0800 are free phone. Number beginning by 089 are premium-rate. When the new EU roaming regulations came into force, more EU-based mobile providers started offering roaming in Reunion. Many of them even treat Reunion the same as roaming in mainland France, so you can use your plan with no additional charge. Few out-of-EU mobile phone companies offer international roaming to Reunion, however, so double-check with your provider about availability and pricing before leaving. Your company should specifically state that they offer roaming to Reunion (or include it in their EU roaming allowances) since it has different mobile phone companies from mainland France (and as an outermost region of the EU, EU providers are not required to include it in their roaming allowances). If you have service from a provider in mainland France, specifically check that your plan covers the "DOM" (overseas departments). Alternatively, you should be able to get a Pay-as-you-go SIM card from various locations. There are three companies offering wireless services: [https://www.sfr.fr/ SFR (SRR)], [http://www.orange.re/ Orange Réunion], and [https://mobile.free.re/ Free Réunion]. As in mainland France, Free is the cheapest offer by far, at €9.99 a month for 50 GB and unlimited talk and text locally, to mainland France, and to landlines across Europe. === Post === La Poste, the French national mail carrier, is responsible for postal service on Réunion. Post offices are found in all cities. Post boxes are bright yellow. ==== Postage rates ==== Less than 20g (postcard, letter with one or two pages in a regular envelope - [https://www.laposte.fr/medias/sys_master/apache_synchronised/h02/hfd/28149030125598/COCL-Particuliers-Reunion.pdf as of 4 April 2022]): *France (including Overseas Territories ''DOM-TOM''), priority (airmail) letter: €1.43 *Rest of the World, international priority (airmail) letter: €1.70 The basic stamp for regular mail is red with the head of "Marianne" (the Republic logo). It does not state its euro value and can therefore be used even after a price increase. It is sold in all Post Offices, Bureaux de Tabacs (Tobacco sellers identified by a red lozenge) and postcard vendors. The latter may also carry other common stamps. In most Post Offices you will find an automatic machine (yellow) with a scale and a screen. Just put your mail on the scale, tell the machine (French or English) the destination, pay the indicated amount and the machine will deliver a printed stamp. === Parcels === Chronopost, UPS and DHL offer parcel services. {{outlineregion}} {{geo|-21.114444|55.532500|zoom=10}} {{isPartOf|East African Islands}} {{related|Islands of the Indian Ocean}} 91iud8p0c1chdhuqhwgfmtpl6093n83 0 29538 4506267 4505029 2022-08-22T14:33:11Z MuzikMachine 2162786 /* Go next */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Revelstoke banner.JPG}} '''[https://revelstoke.ca/ Revelstoke]''' is a city of 6,700 people (2016) in the [[Columbia-Rockies]] section of the [[Kootenays]] in British Columbia. ==Understand== [[File:Illecillewaet River Bridge.jpg|thumb|Illecillewaet River Bridge]] The city is on the banks of the Columbia River just south of the Revelstoke Dam and near its confluence with the Illecillewaet River. East of Revelstoke are the Selkirk Mountains and Glacier National Park, penetrated by Rogers Pass used by the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). South of the community down the Columbia River are the Arrow Lakes and the Kootenays. West of the city is Eagle Pass through the Monashee Mountains and the route to Shuswap Lake. Revelstoke's economy has traditionally been tied to the CPR, and it maintains a strong connection to that industry. However forestry, construction, tourism and retail have increased over the past decades. Today, telecommuters, freelancers, tech workers and entrepreneurs play an increasingly important role in Revelstoke's success. ===History=== Revelstoke was founded in the 1880s when the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was built through the area; mining was an important early industry. It was named Farwell, after a local land owner and surveyor. Until then, the spot was called the Second Crossing, to differentiate it from the first crossing of the Columbia River by the CPR at Donald. The city was named by the CPR in appreciation of Lord Revelstoke, head of the UK investment bank that saved the railway from bankruptcy in the summer of 1885 by buying the company's unsold bonds, enabling the railway to reach completion. The construction of the Trans-Canada Highway in 1962 further eased access to the region, and since then tourism has been an important feature of the local economy, with skiing having emerged as the most prominent attraction. Revelstoke BC is in prime black bear and grizzly bear habitat. Revelstoke holds the Canadian record for snowiest single winter. 2447 cm (80 feet) of snow fell on Mt. Copeland outside town during the winter of 1971-72. The townsite received 779 cm and snow levels were higher than many roofs around town by more than a few metres. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|50.998056|-118.195556|zoom=12}} ===By car=== Revelstoke is on the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] 1, midway between [[Calgary]] and [[Vancouver]]. It is most easily accessible by car. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Revelstoke Airport | alt={{IATA|YRV}} | url=http://www.csrd.bc.ca/services/revelstoke-airport | email= | address= | lat=50.9667 | long=-118.183 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Revelstoke Airport | wikidata=Q3912634 | content=Seasonal charter from Vancouver. }} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Rider Express | alt= | url=https://riderexpress.ca/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-833-583-3636 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-03-19 | content=Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between [[Calgary]] and [[Vancouver]] with stops in [[Canmore]], [[Banff]], [[Lake Louise]], [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], Revelstoke, [[Sicamous]], [[Salmon Arm]], Sorrento, Chase, [[Kamloops]], [[Merritt]], [[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]], [[Chilliwack]], [[Abbotsford]], and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]. Travel time to Revelstoke from Calgary is 5.5 hours, from Banff is 4 hours, from Lake Louise is 3.25 hours, from Golden is 1.5 hours, from Salmon Arm is 1.5 hours, from Kamloops is 3 hours, from Hope is 6 hours, from Abbotsford is 7 hours, and from Vancouver is 8.25 hours. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach [[Edmonton]], [[Regina]], [[Saskatoon]]. }} ==Get around== The small town size makes walking or biking sufficient for getting around much of the town. === By public transit === * {{Listing|name=BC Transit (Revelstoke Transit System)|url=https://www.bctransit.com/revelstoke/home|phone=+1-250-837-3888|lastedit=2022-04-09|content=Operates several bus routes within Revelstoke from Monday to Saturday.}} === By taxi === * {{Listing|name=Howard's Taxi|phone=+1 250-683-2733|lastedit=2022-07-29}} * {{Listing|name=Johnnie's Taxi|phone=+1 250-837-3000|lastedit=2022-07-29}} ==See== [[File:Revelstoke Railway Museum - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Revelstoke Railway Museum]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Revelstoke Railway Museum | alt= | url=http://www.railwaymuseum.com | email=railway@telus.net | address=719 Track St W | lat=51.004042 | long=-118.200436 | directions=near Victoria Rd & Long Ave | phone=+1 250 837 6060 | tollfree=+1-877-837-6060 | hours=May-Sep: 9AM-5PM daily; Oct-Apr: W-Sa noon-5PM | price= | content=Contains exhibits on the building of the railway, the workers involved and current operations. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=The Last Spike | alt= | url=https://www.railwaymuseum.com/the-last-spike | email= | address=Trans-Canada Highway, Craigellachie | lat= | long= | directions={{km|45}} west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1 | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Gift shop and info center open May-Oct | price= | wikidata=Q6494663 | lastedit=2019-06-10 | content=A plaque and display commemorate the site where the last spike in the Canadian Pacific (trans-continental) railway was hammered in. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=The Enchanted Forest | alt= | url=https://www.enchantedforestbc.com/ | email=info@enchantedforestbc.com | address= | lat=50.971969 | long=-118.565363 | directions=34 km west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1 | phone=+1 250-837-9477 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-09 | content=Opened to the public in 1960s, an interactive exhibit of over 350 jolly folk art figurines, BC’s tallest, grandest tree house that rises 50 feet (15 m) into the forest canopy, a giant cedar stump house, castle, dungeons and dragon. For kids of all ages. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Three Valley Gap | alt=3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town | url=https://www.3valley.com/ | email=hello@3valley.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=21 km west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1 | phone=+1 250-837-2109 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q7797889 | lastedit=2019-06-09 | content=3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town gives you the opportunity to relive the colourful pioneer days of the late 1800s. Gold fever brought thousands of fortune seekers to this part of the country in 1862. The gold rush was short-lived, leaving behind many abandoned buildings and towns, now known as Ghost Towns. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Revelstoke Dam | alt= | url=https://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/visitor-centres/revelstoke-visitor-centre.html | email=revelstoke@bchydro.com | address= | lat=51.04 | long=-118.2086 | directions=travel north for 3 km on Highway 23 North from the lights at the intersection of Highway 1 and 23 N | phone=+1 250 814 6697 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adult $8, child $7 | wikipedia=Revelstoke Dam | image=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revelstoke_Dam#/media/File:Aeriel_picture,_Revelstoke_Dam.jpg | lastedit=2021-08-10 | content=One of the most powerful hydro dams in BC, standing at 175 m (575 ft) tall. Holding the headwaters to the Columbia River. The Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre will remained closed for the remainder of 2021 due to COVID-19. No tours will be conducted and the building will be closed. }} ==Do== [[File:A day's skiing at spedtacular Mt Revelstoke - Noth Americas biggest vertical drop at 1713m (5620 ft) - the buried trees appear like snow ghosts - (28287747534).jpg|thumb|Revelstoke Mountain Resort]] * {{listing | type=do | name=Revelstoke Mountain Resort | alt=RMR | url=http://revelstokemountainresort.com | email= | address=2950 Camozzi Road | lat=50.95834 | long=-118.16370 | directions=heading south of downtown on Airport Way, left on Nichol Rd to the end, right on Camazoni Rd | phone=+1 250-814-0087 | tollfree=+1-866-373-4754 | hours=Winter season: 8:30AM-4PM | price=$129 winter, $25 summer | lastedit=2016-02-12 | content=As of 2019, summer and winter operations. '''Summer''': Western Canada's first "Pipe Mountain Coaster", lift assisted mountain biking and hiking. '''Winter''': RMR boasts the most lift accessed vertical in North America at 1,713 m (5,620 ft). RMR gets 12-18 m of snow yearly on 3,121 acres of fall line skiing, high alpine bowls, 13 areas of gladed terrain and more groomed terrain. There is a daylodge off of the first gondola stop that serves food and drinks, as well as a small restaurant at the top of the gondola also serving food and drinks. At the base of the ski hill are 2 restaurants, and lift ticket, gear sales and ski and snowboard rental services. }} ** The resort shuttle or hitchhiking are two popular alternatives for accessing the resort from town without a car.  The resort shuttle ($4 per trip, complimentary if staying at some accommodations) travels between the resort, and Columbia Park, downtown, Southside and Arrow Heights. * {{Do|name=[[Mount Revelstoke National Park]]|lat=51.0121|long=-118.1921|directions=Just northwest of the town|lastedit=2022-06-09}} * Revelstoke is home to four '''heli-skiing''' and two '''cat-skiing''' operations. * There are numerous '''backcountry skiing lodges''' in the area. * Revelstoke is also a major '''snowmobiling''' destination. * In the summer, '''mountain biking, rock climbing and kayaking''' are popular activities. ==Buy== [[File:Revelstoke BC - downtown.jpg|thumb|Revelstoke downtown]] For ladies' clothing, stop at Daspy Fashions in the Alpine Village Shopping Centre. Men can shop at Style Trend Clothiers in the downtown core. *{{buy | name=Universal Footwear | alt= | url= | email= | address=Alpine Mall | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250 837-3855 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM | price= | content=True local shopping experience, offering great selection and unparalleled customer service. Brands include Clarks, Ecco, Josef Siebel, El Naturalista, Ms Moo, Scarpa, Dunham, Nike and New Balance. }} *{{buy | name=Outabounds | alt=1st Street west | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Outabounds sports a rustic but relaxed atmosphere, with wood burl tables and cordovan leather couches. A great place for an après-ski. }} ==Eat== *{{eat | name=Woolsey Creek Restaurant | url= | email= | address=604 Second Street West | lat= | long= | directions=corner of Garden Street | phone = +1 250 837-5500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=5-10PM | price=$20 | content=Casual fine dinning with cozy atmosphere, Patio and fire places. Duck Confit, Jambalaya, chorizo pasta, Beef tenderloin, and a good selection of BC wines. }} *'''Frontier Restaurant''', Trans Canada Hwy #1, {{phone|+1 250 837-5119}}. Western-themed restaurant off the highway. Not the fastest, but good food, and a nice place to stop for lunch. ==Drink== *{{listing | type=drink | name=Traverse Nightclub | alt=1st Street west | url=http://www.traverserevy.ca/ | email= | address=310 First Street West, Revelstoke, BC | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=6PM-2AM | price= | lastedit=2020-04-12 | content=Traverse Nightclub is an EDM nightclub open in the Winter season. Live DJ's featured almost every weekend throughout the Winter. }} *{{drink | name=The Village Idiot | url= | email= | address=306 Mackenzie Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone =+1 250 837-6240 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A bar offering good food and drink and retro ski decor, ideal for après or dinner after a day on the mountain. Their homemade pizza is a highlight. }} *{{drink | name=The Last Drop Pub | url=http://www.thelastdroppub.ca {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=200 3rd St. West | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 250 837-2121 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-2AM | price= | content=Authentic British-style pub with 17 beers on tap and excellent food. Cozy up to the couches by the fireplace after day of skiing or stop in at night and check out whichever band is on stage. Live music 4 nights a week. }} ==Sleep== === Hotels & motels === * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Best Western Plus | alt= | url=https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.62126.html | email= | address=1925 Laforme Boulevard | lat=51.009885 | long=-118.219254 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-2043 | tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Coast Hillcrest Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/bc/revelstoke/coast-hillcrest-hotel/ | email= | address=2100 Oak Drive | lat=50.995307 | long=-118.162970 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-3322 | tollfree=+1 800-716-6199 | fax=+1 250-837-3340 | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=From $150 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content=Full-service hotel features two restaurants, outdoor Jacuzzi, game room, health spa, and fitness centre. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Monashee Lodge | alt= | url=https://www.monasheelodge.com/ | email= | address=1601 3 Street W | lat=51.007067 | long=-118.213865 | directions= | phone=+1 250-814-2553 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$99+ | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Ramada | alt=Ramada by Wyndham Revelstoke | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/revelstoke-british-columbia/ramada-revelstoke/overview | email= | address=1750 Trans Canada Highway | lat=51.009896 | long=-118.210826 | directions=Jct Hwy 1 & Hwy 23 north | phone=+1 250-837-4741 | tollfree=+1-800-854-9517 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=From $118 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Regent Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.regenthotel.ca/ | email=info@regenthotel.ca | address=112 1st Street E | lat=50.998476 | long=-118.194310 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-2107 | tollfree=+1-888-245-5523 | fax=+1 250-837-9669 | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $150 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content=Historic landmark hotel with boutique style rooms. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Revelstoke Lodge | alt= | url=https://www.revelstokelodge.com/ | email=innkeeper@revelstokelodge.com | address=601 1st Street W | lat=51.001928 | long=-118.201198 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-2181 | tollfree=+1-888-559-1979 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $129 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content=King Room or Queen Room with 2 Queen Beds. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sandman Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.sandmanhotels.com/locations/british-columbia/revelstoke/hotels/revelstoke-rev | email=reservations@sandman.ca | address=1901 Laforme Boulevard | lat=51.009937 | long=-118.218411 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-5271 | tollfree=+1-800-SANDMAN (726-3626) | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $105 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Super 8 | alt=Super 8 by Wyndham Revelstoke | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/revelstoke-british-columbia/super-8-revelstoke-bc/overview | email= | address=1700 Victoria Street W | lat=51.009336 | long=-118.213872 | directions= | phone=+1 250-984-7039 | tollfree=+1-800-454-3213 | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=From $109 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Swiss Chalet Motel | alt= | url=https://swisschaletmotel.com/ | email=questions@swisschaletmotel.com | address=1101 Victoria Road W | lat=51.005839 | long=-118.205480 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-4650 | tollfree=+1-877-837-4650 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$96-165 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=The Cube Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.cubehotel.ca/ | email=thecube@telus.net | address=311 Campbell Ave. | lat=50.9992 | long=-118.1988 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-4086 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $94/room | lastedit=2016-02-12 | content=Booking by the room. Offers kitchen, ski lift ticket discounts, complimentary breakfast, ski shuttle pass. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Explorers Society Hotel | alt= | url=https://explorers-society.com/ | email= | address=111 1st Street W | lat=50.998951 | long=-118.196029 | directions= | phone=+1 250-814-2565 | tollfree=+1-855-814-2565 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From $250 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content=Rooms are a blend of timeless style and modern design. 1911 brick, elegant woodwork, locally made furniture, artisan headboards, and warm textiles. Private rooftop lounge. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Stoke Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.stokehotel.ca/ | email=info@stokehotel.ca | address=1911 Fraser Drive | lat=51.008119 | long=-118.218776 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-5221 | tollfree=+1-877-837-5221 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content=Boutique hotel with unique design and humble Canadiana style. Pet friendly. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Three Valley Lake Chateau | alt= | url=https://www.3valley.com/ | email=hello@3valley.com | address=Three Valley Gap | lat= | long= | directions={{km|21}} west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1 | phone=+1 250-837-2109 | tollfree=+1-888-667-2109 | fax=+1 250-837-5220 | checkin=4PM | checkout=11AM | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q7797889 | lastedit=2019-06-09 | content=200 spacious rooms and suites each feature a private balcony or patio. 2019 season: Apr 30 - Oct 1. }} === Hostels === * {{sleep | name=Poppi's Guest House | alt= | url=http://poppis.ca/ | email= | address=313 First St. East | lat=50.99698 | long=-118.19239 | directions=South-east end of downtown | phone=+1 250-837-9192 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$60-110 double occupancy, season dependent | lastedit=2016-02-12 | content=Features 5 rooms with multiple beds with a home-like feeling. Pay by the room. Includes laundry machine, shuttle bus, boot driers, gear storage shed, kitchen, two common areas, computer, TV, Wi-Fi, some parking, and a room & ski lift ticket package deal. }} * {{sleep | name=Samesun Hostel | alt= | url=http://samesun.com/backpackers-hostels/revelstoke/ | email= | address=400 Second St. West | lat=50.99997 | long=-118.19920 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-877-972-6378 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$32 per dorm | lastedit=2016-02-12 | content= }} ===Camping=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Blanket Creek Provincial Park | alt= | url=http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/blanket_crk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions={{km|26}} south of Revelstoke on Hwy 23 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$28/night | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q4925158 | lastedit=2019-06-12 | content=105 vehicle accessible sites, 7 of these are doubles. There are no pull-through sites or tent pads, but tents can be placed on the campsite gravel pad. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Boulder Mountain Resort | alt= | url=https://bouldermountainresort.ca/ | email=info@bouldermountainresort.ca | address=3069 Trans-Canada Hwy | lat=50.991329 | long=-118.262313 | directions={{km|3.5}} west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1 | phone=+1 250-837-4420 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-12 | content=Offers full-service RV sites, "glamping", tenting, and modern cabins and suites with free fibre optic WI-FI. }} * {{sleep | name=Canyon Hot Springs | alt= | url=https://www.canyonhotsprings.com/ | email=camprevelstoke@gmail.com | address=Albert Canyon | lat=51.137037 | long=-117.858245 | directions={{km|35}} east of Revelstoke on Hwy 1, between Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks | phone=+1 250-837-2420 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content=200+ RV and tent sites, cabins, chalets, hot springs and pet friendly }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Lamplighter Campground | alt= | url=https://www.lamplightercampground.com/ | email=lamplightercampground@gmail.com | address=1760 Nixon Road | lat=51.000724 | long=-118.221000 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-3385 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Martha Creek Provincial Park | alt= | url=http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/martha_crk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions={{km|17}} north of Revelstoke on Hwy 23 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$28/night | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q6774377 | lastedit=2019-06-12 | content=46 vehicle accessible campsites, including 4 doubles. }} * {{sleep | name=Revelstoke Campground | alt=formerly Revelstoke KOA | url=http://revelstokecampground.com/ | email=camprevelstoke@gmail.com | address=2411 KOA Road | lat=50.992320 | long=-118.160062 | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-2085 | tollfree=+1-844-837-2085 | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-11 | content=177 RV and tent sites, cabins, chalets, pool and pet friendly }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Smokey Bear Campground Resort | alt= | url=http://smokey-bearcampground.com/ | email=smokeybear@rctvonline.net | address=3287 Weird Woods Road | lat=50.989396 | long=-118.278757 | directions={{km|5}} west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1 | phone=+1 250-837-9573 | tollfree=+1-800-710-9573 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Williamson Lake Campground | alt= | url=https://www.williamsonlakecampground.ca/ | email=williamsonslake@gmail.com | address=1817 Williamson's Lake Road | lat=50.967760 | long=-118.171654 | directions={{km|5}} south of downtown Revelstoke on 4th St/Airport Way | phone=+1 250-837-8806 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-12 | content=Full service campground on Williamson Lake; 42 campsites. }} ==Connect== Revelstoke has a variety of online community and tourist resources. * [http://www.cityofrevelstoke.com/ City of Revelstoke], official town website. * [http://list.thestoke.ca/ The Stoke List], Revys classifieds. * [http://www.revelstokecurrent.com/ The Revelstoke Current], a local news source. * [http://www.seerevelstoke.com/ seerevelstoke.com], a directory. ==Go next== The Trans Canada Hwy #1 east of Revelstoke continues on to the town of [[Golden (British Columbia)|Golden]], passing through [[Mount Revelstoke National Park]] and [[Glacier National Park (British Columbia)|Glacier National Park]] on its way. The Rogers Pass discovery centre is definitely worth visiting, as are the multitude of small hikes within the parks. {{routebox | image1=BC-1 (TCH).svg | imagesize1=22 | link1=Trans-Canada Highway | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Kamloops]] | minorl1=[[Sicamous]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Banff]] | minorr1=[[Mount Revelstoke National Park]] | image2=BC-23.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=END | minorl2=Mica Creek | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson]] via [[File:BC-6.svg|16px|link=]] | minorr2=ferry → [[Nakusp]] }} {{geo|50.998056|-118.195556}} {{IsPartOf|Columbia-Rockies}} {{Usablecity}} 3mki9guiznu4sqjere3awc6h5krlxcj 0 29556 4506436 4092587 2022-08-22T21:55:28Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* See */ times and dates per [[wv:tdf]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Banner - Lyon 2.jpg}} '''Greater Lyon''' is the region that surrounds the city of [[Lyon]] in south-eastern [[France]], consisting of the departments of '''Ain''', '''Loire''', and '''Rhône''' plus the '''Lyon Metropolis''', a "territorial collectivity" (''collectivité territoriale'') with the same powers as a department. The whole area is in the larger [[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]] region. [[File:SNCF TGV PSE Viaduc de Cize - Bolozon.jpg|thumb|Cize–Bolozon viaduct (combined rail and road bridge)]] ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q46130,Q12569,Q12736,Q3083,Q675501,Q528881}} ;Ain * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Divonne]]|wikidata=Q241575}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pérouges]]|wikidata=Q325826}} ;Loire * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Roanne]]|wikidata=Q3581}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Etienne]]|wikidata=Q42716}} ;Rhône * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Villefranche-sur-Saône]]|wikidata=}} ;Lyon Metropolis * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lyon]]|wikidata=Q456}} – Remains the administrative center of the Rhône department, despite no longer being a part of it. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bron]]|wikidata=}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Caluire-et-Cuire]]|wikidata=}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Priest]]|wikidata=}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vaulx-en-Velin]]|wikidata=}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Vénissieux]]|wikidata=}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Villeurbanne]]|wikidata=}} ==Other destinations== ==Understand== === Ain === '''Ain''' is a department named after the Ain River on the eastern edge of [[France]]. Being part of the region Rhône-Alpes and bordered by the rivers Saône and Rhône, the department of Ain enjoys a privileged situation. It has an excellent transport network (TGV, highways) and benefits from the proximity to the international airports of Lyon and Geneva. Ain is composed of four geographically different areas (Bresse, Dombes, Bugey and Pays de Gex) which – each with its own characteristics – contribute to the diversity and the dynamic economic development of the department. In the Bresse agriculture and agro-industry are dominated by the cultivation of cereals, cattle breeding, milk and cheese production as well as poultry farming. In the Dombes, pisciculture assumes greater importance as does viticulture in the Bugey. The high diversification of the department's industry is accompanied by a strong presence of the plastics sector in and around Oyonnax (so-called "Plastics Valley"). Due to its industrial character and a close-meshed tissue of small and medium enterprises, Ain ranks among the departments with the fastest growing economy in the country. Its unemployment rate lies far beneath the national and regional average. Besides the export-oriented SME's, several large enterprises with a leading position on national and international markets have settled in the department. Although looking toward the future, Ain nevertheless attaches great importance to its historical and cultural heritage, as illustrated by its cuisine (restaurant of Georges Blanc in Vonnas), its annual poultry competitions in the Bresse ("the three glorious") and its tourism (346 classified monuments such as the famous church of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse, 14 museums of France, eco-tourism and ski tourism). ===Rhône=== The '''Rhône''' department encompasses varied landscapes and can be divided into three major parts: * The Beaujolais hills in the north. * The Lyonnais hills in the west. * The mountains of Pilat in the south. The department Rhône-Loire was created in 1789, but was split in two in 1793. In 2015, Lyon and its immediate area were separated from the Rhône department. The Rhône department now has about 470,000 inhabitants. ===Lyon Metropolis=== The Lyon Metropolis, known in French as ''Métropole de Lyon'' (official) and ''Grand Lyon'' (unofficial), is the newest of France's department-level units. ==Talk== The language in the Rhône is of course French, but beware that Lyon has a famous drawl and singing and vocabulary idiosyncrasies: the sound "eu" would be added at the end of each word and pronounced addition of more closed in the rest of France. Some particular Lyonnais words * "gone": child * "fenotte": woman * "ficelle": funicular * "vogue": fair * "cagnard": sun * "allée": building entrance * "bouchon": restaurant ==Get in== [[File:TGV direction Nice à Part-Dieu.jpg|thumb|A TGV in Lyon Part-Dieu station]] See the [[Lyon]] article for more information on getting to the main city in the region. ===By plane=== Lyon's '''[http://www.lyon.aeroport.fr/ Saint-Exupéry Airport]''', some 25&nbsp;km east of Lyon, is a rapidly developing airport. It still hosts few intercontinental flights (Dubai, North Africa...), but can easily be reached via a European hub (Paris, London, Frankfurt...). Air France serves most airports in France and major European airports. EasyJet serves a number of destinations in Europe, including London, Berlin, Brussels, Rome, Edinburgh and Madrid, along with a few domestic destinations which are not easily reached by train (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nice). Most other major European airlines also operate flights between Lyon and their respective hubs. [[Grenoble]] airport ({{IATA|GNB}}) is actually about midway between Lyon and [[Grenoble]] and is served by some low-cost airlines. There are [http://www.agbus.fr bus services] to Lyon from there. Another possibility is to fly to [[Geneva]] ({{IATA|GVA}}), which can save you money if you use low-cost airlines. Then Lyon can be reached by train, but it takes about two hours (€21.50 for under 26s). Finally, an interesting option for intercontinental visitors may be to fly to [[Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris Charles de Gaulle airport]] (CDG) and take a TGV (high-speed train) to Lyon Part-Dieu station directly from the CDG train station. In some cases, this makes the journey faster and more convenient (no need to go from LYS to the city). Trains run every hour or so; be sure to buy an exchangeable ticket to be able to catch the first available train after you land. ===By train=== From the rest of France, train is generally the most convenient way to reach the region. Lyon is linked by TGV (fast trains) to [[Paris]] (two hours) and [[Marseille]] (1 hr 36 min). Many other domestic destinations are served directly, and there are several direct services to [[Brussels]] every day (4 hr). Other international destinations include [[Barcelona]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Basel]] and [[Geneva]]. As a general rule, TGVs to and from Paris serve both Perrache and Part-Dieu stations; other TGVs generally serve only Part-Dieu. Coming to Lyon from [[London]] by [http://www.eurostar.com/ Eurostar] may be interesting, and there are now direct trains from St Pancras International to Part-Dieu several times a week, with a journey time of 4hr 41 mins. ===By bus=== International bus services are operated by most major companies such as [http://eurolines.com Eurolines], Starshipper, Ouibus, Flixbus... and serve most major European cities. Buses usually stop at the Lyon Perrache bus station. === By car === Lyon is a major automotive hub for central and southern France: * A6 to the north — [[Paris]]. * A7 to the south — [[Marseille]], [[Nice]], [[Spain]], [[Italy]]. * A43 to the east — [[Grenoble]], the Alps, Northern Italy. * A47 and A89 to the west — Saint-Étienne, Clermont-Ferrand, Massif Central, west of France. * A42 to the northeast — Bourg-en-Bresse, [[Geneva]] ([[Switzerland]]), [[Germany]]. ===By bike=== You can access Lyon by bike using the [http://en.viarhona.com/ ViaRhôna] route, a 750km bike path linking Geneva to the Mediterranean coast along the Rhône river. ==Get around== Traffic can be heavy on the outskirts of Lyon. ==See== [[File:Place lazare goujon.jpg|thumb|Place Lazare Goujon à Villeurbanne: The town hall]] ===For winelovers=== * {{see | name=la maison du terroir beaujolais | alt= | url=http://lamaisonduterroirbeaujolais.com/?lang=en | email= | address=Place de l'Hôtel de ville, 69430 Beaujeu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mar-Dec: M-F 10:00 – 12:30, 14:00 – 18:00; Su holidays 10:00 – 12:30, 15:00 – 18:00 | price=€7 | lastedit=2016-10-06 | content=Visitor centre and tasting room }} * {{see | name=Espace Pierres Folles | alt=Crazy stones space | url=http://www.espace-pierres-folles.fr/ | email= | address=St-Jean-des-Vignes | lat=45.8795 | long=4.6758 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-06 | content=Geological and viticultural museum and botanic garden. }} * {{see | name=La Maison Des Beaujolais | alt= | url= | email= | address=441 Avenue de l'Europe, 69220 Saint-Jean-d'Ardières, France | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€7.90 for 1-hour tasting | lastedit=2016-10-06 | content=Wine tasting and restaurant. }} ===Lyon=== See detailed article on [[Lyon]]. The city of Lyon, with its exceptional historical site listed as Unesco World Heritage (one of the largest spaces with Bordeaux): * '''The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière''' * ''''The Gallo-Roman theaters''' (Odeon and Grand Theatre) * '''Cathedral of St. John''' , seat of the Primate of the Gauls. * The medieval and Renaissance district of '''Old Lyon'''' (cobbled streets and beautiful alleyways with) * The '''Lyon City Hall''' and the '''Palais Saint-Pierre''' (Museum of Fine Arts) looks over the most beautiful town square. * '''The National Opera.''' * '''The Hotel-Dieu''' * '''Place Bellecour''', the largest square and heart of the city with its center the equestrian statue of Louis XIV. * The numerous '''beautiful churches''' in all styles (Romanesque, Gothic, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque, classical, neoclassical, ...) (Lyon is one of the earliest centers of Christianity): St Nizier Church, St Paul, St Just, St Bruno des Chartreux, St. Polycarp, St. Martin d'Ainay, Pothin St, St Georges; Chapels of the Hotel-Dieu, St Thomas (Chapel of Our Lady of Fourvière), Trinidad particular. ===Museums and monuments of the Rhone=== [[File:Aqueduc du Gier-Chaponost-Plat de l'Air-Conduite sur arc.JPG|thumb|Roman aqueduct of Gier - Chaponost]] * ''''Roman aqueduct of Gier - Chaponost''' The longest aqueduct section of France. * '''The golden villages''': Oingt in particular. * '''The Notre-Dame des Marais''', the old district of Villefranche-sur-Saône. * '''Gallo-Roman Museum in St-Romain-en-Gal''' St-Romain-en-Gal One of the largest archaeological sites in the Gallo-Roman period in France. * '''Hôtel Dieu''' - 68 Republic Street, Belleville-sur-Saône Guided tours only. The Hôtel Dieu hospital presents history in the eighteenth century (surgical instruments, apothecary). * '''Castle of Corcelles - Corcelles-en-Beaujolais'''| Free visit M-Sa 10:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 18:30. Fortified castle of 13th-15th centuries. ==Do== Hiking The Rhône offers a multitude of opportunities for hiking, walking, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding. * '''Beaujolais''': circuits in the heart of the vineyards, through the villages of the region of the Golden stones or on the hills of the Monts du Beaujolais, including: :*the circuit peaks : golf 40 km through the Beaujolais wine :*the Green Route : footpath of 11 km of Belleville-sur-Saône in Beaujeu, connected to loops of cycling and discovery; accessible on foot, by bike, mountain biking, skating and the disabled. * '''Hills and mountains of Lyonnais''': trails through mountains and hills, orchards, along the Roman aqueducts or top of the line of peaks (Col de la Luère - St-Martin-en-Haut). * '''Lyon and surroundings''': possibilities of urban hiking in between hills and along the shores, in peri-urban parks (Miribel-Jonage, Lyon connected by a bike path; Lacroix-Laval) or in the Monts d'Or. * '''Pilat''': hiking in the heart of the Pilat Regional Natural Park, through the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhone or along the Rhone ==Eat== Lyon has been described as the '''world capital of gastronomy'''. There are many authentic '''"bouchons"''' (typical Lyonnais restaurants). ==Drink== [[File:Chateau de Bagnols en Beaujolais - Pigeonnier.jpg|thumb|A vineyard around the Chateau de Bagnols in Beaujolais]] The Rhône is well known for its wines. The department has three viticultural areas: * '''Beaujolais''' to the north. Known for Beaujolais Nouveau, its wines are less so: Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin à Vent, Régnié and Saint Amour. * '''Côtes du Rhône''' two wines are in the department: Côte Rôtie and Condrieu. * '''Coteaux du Lyonnais''' vineyards from the west Lyons. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== Neighbouring regions: * [[Isère]], [[Savoie]] and [[Haute-Savoie]] to the east * [[Auvergne]] to the west * [[Ardèche and Drôme]] to the south * [[Bourgogne-Franche-Comté]] to the north Cross-border: * [[Geneva]] in Switzerland {{outlineregion}} {{IsPartOf|Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes}} {{Geo|45.89|4.80|zoom=11}} m1o3i1awuf6xolfkehuiuj2tl752v19 0 30283 4506555 4455110 2022-08-23T04:33:36Z 103.176.224.62 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bannerrussianphrasebook.jpg|caption=Various signs in Udelnaya, a northern suburb of St.Petersburg|star=yes|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Russian language status and proficiency in the World.svg |thumb|Russian language distribution. {{legend|#000075|Official language}} {{legend|#007575|Widespread use (>30%)}}]] '''Russian''' (русский) is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Abkhazia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[South Ossetia]], and the unrecognized [[Transnistria]], [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]]. In countries lacking official designation for Russian, such as [[Ukraine]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the [[Baltic States]] (where schooling in Russian was mandatory under the Soviet regime), a solid majority of residents may speak it as a second language, and there are significant native-speaker minorities. However, due to its association with Soviet oppression, many residents in these countries may find it offensive to be addressed in Russian, and younger people will often prefer to speak English than Russian when communicating with foreigners. Likewise, a similar dynamic exists in many of the formerly communist countries of Europe such as [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Hungary]], in which Russian was a compulsory second language in schools under communist rule. Russian remains the ''lingua franca'' of choice throughout the former Soviet [[Central Asia]]n states, [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], where it is effectively the language of commerce, government, and travel (despite lacking official status). It is, to a lesser extent, an important language in [[Mongolia]], where it is a compulsory second language in schools, and is the most widely spoken foreign language. Russian has also become the third most widely spoken language in [[Israel]], owing to a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and other ex-Soviet countries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Russian was a compulsory second language in schools in the formerly communist central and eastern European countries, and may be spoken by older people who were schooled during the communist era. However, it has largely been supplanted by English since the fall of the iron curtain, and younger people are in general far more likely to speak English than Russian. Russian remains perhaps the most important Eurasian travel language because English is very rarely spoken throughout the Russophone countries. <br clear="all" /> ==Pronunciation guide== [[File:Russian alphabet.svg|thumb|200px|Russian print and cursive]] Consonants and vowels in Russian (and Slavic generally) are ''soft'' (palatalized) or ''hard''. Consonants are pronounced soft if followed by a soft vowel or the soft sign, else hard. Some consonants are always soft or always hard, regardless of the following vowel. One important note: the cursive Russian alphabet looks very different from the printed alphabet. The printed alphabet is rarely used when writing by hand. (The same goes to other Cyrillic-written languages.) On the upside, though, as a traveler, you are quite unlikely to have to read much handwritten Russian! ===Vowels=== ; a ah : like f'''a'''ther {{IPA|a}} ; e yeh : like '''ye'''sterday {{IPA|je}} ; ё yoh : like '''yo'''re {{IPA|jɵ}} ; и ee : like s'''ee'''n or mach'''i'''ne {{IPA|i}} ; o oh : like sc'''o'''re {{IPA|o}} ; у oo : like cart'''oo'''n {{IPA|u}} ; ы yh : like ros'''e'''s {{IPA|ɨ}} ; э eh : like '''e'''nd {{IPA|ɛ}} ; ю yoo : like '''Yu'''goslavia {{IPA|ju}} ; я yah : like '''ya'''cht {{IPA|ja}} Russian, like English, has something called vowel reduction, where the vowels take on different sounds if they are not in the stressed syllable of the word. The exact nature of this depends on the part of Russia one is located in, but generally (and abroad): * The letters е, ю, and я sound like their counterparts э, у, and а * The letter о sounds like the letter а * The letter а sounds like the English h'''u'''t {{IPA|ə or ɐ}} * The letter у sounds like the English b'''oo'''k {{IPA|ʊ}} * All other vowels tend to make the sound of English '''i'''ll {{IPA|ɪ}} However, when traveling, you generally don't need to worry about reduction. Pronouncing all vowels as if they were stressed will seem like over-enunciation to a native speaker, but you'll be perfectly understood. Unfortunately, '''ё''' is very often written as '''е''', which can cause problems for non-native speakers, since pronouncing one over the other can change the meaning of a word. Fortunately, books oriented toward beginners (like dictionaries, grammar books, literature for foreigners, etc.) always include the dots. ===Consonants=== ; б beh : like '''b'''oy {{IPA|b}} ; в veh : like '''v'''ery {{IPA|v}} ; г geh : like '''g'''o {{IPA|ɡ}}; in genitive (possessive) endings ого/его pronounced like в. E.g., "Dostoevsky's" = Достоевского (duh-stah-YEHV-skuh-vuh) ; д deh : like '''d'''o {{IPA|d}} ; ж zheh : like mea'''s'''ure {{IPA|ʐ}} ; з zeh : like '''z'''oo {{IPA|z}} ; й ee kratkoe ("short и") : like bo'''y''' {{IPA|j}} ; к kah : like '''k'''eep {{IPA|k}} ; л ell : like fee'''l''' {{IPA|ɫ}} ; м em : like see'''m''' {{IPA|m}} ; н en : like '''n'''oodle {{IPA|n}} ; п peh : like s'''p'''igot {{IPA|p}} ; р err : ''heavily'' rolled as in Spanish rr in pe'''rr'''o {{IPA|r}} ; с ess : like '''s'''eem {{IPA|s}} ; т teh : like s'''t'''op {{IPA|t}} ; ф eff : like '''F'''rench {{IPA|f}} ; х khah : like '''Ch'''anukkah, Scottish lo'''ch''', or German Ba'''ch''' {{IPA|x}} ; ц tseh : like boo'''ts''' {{IPA|t͡s}} ; ч cheh : like '''ch'''eap {{IPA|t͡ɕ}} ; ш sheh : like '''sh'''ot {{IPA|ʂ}} ; щ scheh : ш, but harsher {{IPA|ɕ}}. Don't worry about this too much, as you'll be understood in context. (Note that though щ is often transliterated as shch, it is ''not'' pronounced similar to "har'''sh ch'''oice"—there is no ch sound in this Russian consonant) The letter sequence сч sounds like щ, and ''not'' like English que'''sti'''on. Be careful of letters such as В, Н, or Р which resemble a Latin letter but represent a different sound; they can be especially confusing for beginners. When consonants are soft (they are either always soft, followed by a soft vowel, or have a soft sign), they become palatalized {{IPA|ʲ}}. See the soft sign below for more details. ===Signs=== In the Middle Ages, these two characters (known as the ''yer'') used to represent reduced vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but now they merely indicate whether the preceding consonant is palatalized ("soft") or not ("hard"). ; ъ ’’ : the hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is not palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would). Mostly used after prefixes ''v-'' ("in") and ''s-'' ("out"). For example: *съёмка (s-yom-kah) - making a film *Сёмка (syom-kah) - familiar form for Simon *въезд (v-yezd) - vehicular entrance (not vyezd). ; ь ’ : the soft sign - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would not) This means that the consonant is pronounced while sticking the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth while raising the middle of your tongue to your palate. You don't really need to worry about this - while there are pairs of words that differ only by palatalization (some examples follow), it can be very difficult for beginners and probably not worth the effort. If you are planning on being in a situation where you will be speaking Russian for a long period of time, it may be wise to practice this. As mentioned, palatalization also occurs before soft vowels. *полька (POL'-kah) - a female Polish person (also, the dance) *полка (POL-kah) - a shelf *уголь (OO-gol') - coal *угол (OO-gol) - corner *каньон (ka-NYON) - canyon *канон (ka-NON) - canon *кров (KROHF) - roof, slelter *кровь (KROHF') - blood ===Stress=== Although Russian is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every book and dictionary concerning the Russian language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable. The same rule applies for others that use the Cyrillic script such as [[Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian]] and [[Bulgarian phrasebook|Bulgarian]]. ==Grammar== Unless you intend to seriously study the language, learning Russian grammar on your trip is not realistic. But it can help to at least recognize that the following verb conjugations and noun/adjective declensions are used. *Russian nouns belong to one of three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. However, like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter. *The second person pronoun '''вы''' is the plural of '''ты''' and is also used, as in French, for '''polite address''' to one person. *Russian '''verbs and verb conjugation''' differ along three axes: :1) Verbs come in ''perfective'' and ''imperfective'' pairs (e.g., '''думать''' | '''подумать'''). Imperfective verbs indicate ongoing or uncompleted action; Perfective verbs indicated one-off or completed action. Conjugated perfective verbs are also used to indicated the future tense (future imperfective requires conjugation of the verb to be (быть) + imperfective infinitive). As a general rule (but only a very general rule), perfective verb forms are created by adding a prefix to the relevant imperfective verb. {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! style="background: #ffffff; color: #000000" height="17" | ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Singular ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Plural |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | 1st Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я думаю | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Мы думаем |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 2nd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Ты думаешь | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Вы думаете |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 3rd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Он думает | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Они думают |} :2) Verbs follow a simple pattern of temporal conjugation: past, present, and future, (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''думаю''' | '''подумаю'''). In the past tense, verbs also conjugate by gender, male, female, and neuter (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''подумала''' | '''подумало'''). :3) In the present and future tenses, pronouns can and are often omitted due to context; however, the same is hardly said in the past tense, as the latter changes according to gender (masculine, feminine and neutral) and number (singular and plural). (Example at right) <br clear="all" /> *'''Nouns and adjectives ''' have six '''cases''', depending on their general grammatical role in a sentence: :{| class="wikitable" ! style="background: #cedff2; color: #000000" height="17" | Case ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Nominative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Accusative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Genitive ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Dative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Prepositional ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Instrumental |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Use | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Subject of sentence | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Direct object | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Possessive (of) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Indirect object (to/for) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Location (at) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Instrumental (by/with) |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Example | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''Город''' красив | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я читал '''книгу''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Центр '''города''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я дал '''ему''' еду | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Музей '''в городе''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я шёл '''с ним''' |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Translation | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''The city''' is pretty | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I read the '''book''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Center '''of the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I gave '''him''' food | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | A museum '''in the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I walked '''with him''' |} ==Phrase list== ''See [[Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide]] for guidance on the phoneticizations below'' ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Открыто / Работает ; CLOSED : Закрыто / Не работает ; ENTRANCE : Вход ; EXIT : Выход ; PUSH : От себя ; PULL : К себе / На себя ; TOILET : Туалет ; MEN : М ; WOMEN : Ж ; NO ENTRANCE : Входа нет / Вход воспрещён ; [ENTRY] FORBIDDEN : Проход воспрещён / Проход закрыт ; PLEASE KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING : Без стука не входить ; NO SMOKING : Не курить ; DANGER - NO ENTRY! : Не влезай - убьёт!}} {{Infobox|How many names!|Russians take three names, a first name (имя), patronymic (отчество), and last name (фамилия). The unfamiliar patronymic is the name of one's father plus an ending of -ovich, -yevich, or -yich for men, -yevna, -ovna or -ichna for women. For example, if the father's name is Пётр (Peter), the patronymic would be Петрович (Petrovich) for a man, and Петровна (Petrovna) for a woman. To use someone's name informally, you can refer to them using the first or (less commonly) last name, while to do so formally would require either first name + patronymic, or a title + last name. For example, you can refer to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Президент Владимир Владимирович Путин) informally as Vladimir (if you know him personally) or just Putin. To refer to him more formally—and you generally should use the formal name in Russian—you would need to refer to him as Vladimir Vladimirovich or President Putin. Last names also vary based on gender, often with an "a" added to the end of the male last name for the female version. For instance, the wife of former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is known as Svetlana Medvedev'''a'''. But it gets even harder! Russians love diminutives, which are essentially nicknames or "shortenings," for just about everything, including names. Most names can be shortened into three or four variants—"cute" nicknames usually have an insert like -en'k, -echk, -ochk, -ushk, or -yush, like Sara → Sarochka (Сарочка) or Katya → Katyusha (Катюша). Obviously, you should avoid addressing people with these until you know them well. Here are some of the most common ones that might give you trouble:<br><br> '''Male names''' *Aleksander (Александр) → Sasha (Саша), Sanya (Саня), Shura (Шура) *Aleksei (Алексей) → Alyosha (Алёша), Lyosha (Лёша), Lyokha (Лёха) *Anatolii (Анатолий) → Tolya (Толя) *Vasilii (Василий) → Vasya (Вася) *Vladimir (Владимир) → Volodya (Володя), Vova (Вова) *Vladislav (Владислав) → Vlad (Влад), Vladik (Владик) *Gennadii (Геннадий) → Gena (Гена) *Georgii (Георгий) → Zhora (Жора), Gosha (Гоша) *Dmitrii (Дмитрий) → Dima (Дима), Mitya (Митя) *Evgenii (Евгений) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ivan (Иван) → Vanya (Ваня) *Konstantin (Константин) → Kostya (Костя) *Mikhail (Михаил) → Misha (Миша) *Nikolai (Николай) → Kolya (Коля) *Pavel (Павел) → Pasha (Паша), Pavlik (Павлик) *Pyotr (Пётр) → Petya (Петя) *Sergei (Сергей) → Seryozha (Серёжа), Seryoga (Серёга), Seryi (Серый) *Fyodor (Фёдор) → Fedya (Фе́дя) *Yurii (Юрий) → Yura (Юра) <br><br> '''Female names''' *Aleksandra (Александра) → Sasha (Саша) *Anastasiya (Анастасия) → Nastya (Настя) *Anna (Анна) → Anya (Аня) *Valeriya (Валерия) → Lera (Лера) *Viktoriya (Виктория) → Vika (Вика), Vita (Вита) *Evgeniya (Евгения) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ekaterina (Екатерина) → Katya (Катя) *Irina (Ирина) → Ira (Ира) *Lyubov (Любовь) → Lyuba (Люба) *Lyudmila (Людмила) → Lyuda (Люда), Lyucya (Люся) *Magdalina (Магдалина) → Magda (Магда) *Mariya (Мария) → Masha (Маша) *Nadezhda (Надежда) → Nadya (Надя) *Natasha (Наташа) → Tasha (Таша) *Oksana (Оксана) → Ksyusha (Ксюша), Ksenya (Ксеня) *Olga (Ольга) → Olya (Оля) *Svetlana (Светлана) → Sveta (Света) }} ; Hello. (''formal''):Здравствуйте. (''ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh'') (The first в is silent; sometimes considered bad luck to say this to the same person twice in one day.) [[File:Ru-здравствуйте.ogg]] ; Hello. (''informal''):Здравствуй. (''ZDRAHST-vooy'') [[File:Ru-здравствуй.ogg]] ; Hi.:Привет. (''pree-VYEHT'') [[File:Ru-привет.ogg]], Здорово. (''Zduh-ROH-vuh'') (Shorter version of the above greeting.) ; How are you?: Как дела? (''kahg dee-LAH?'') ; Fine, thank you.: Хорошо, спасибо. (''khah-rah-SHOH spah-SEE-buh'') ; What is your name?: Как Вас зовут? (''kahk vahs zah-VOOT?'') ; My name is ______ .: Меня зовут ______ . (''mee-NYAH zah-VOOT ___'') ; Nice to meet you.: Очень приятно. (''OH-cheen' pree-YAHT-nuh'') ; Please.:Пожалуйста. (''pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') [[File:Ru-пожалуйста.ogg]] ; Thank you.:Спасибо. (''spuh-SEE-buh'') [[File:Ru-спасибо.ogg]] ; You're welcome.:Не за что. (''NYEH-zuh-shtoh'') (Literally "It's nothing", can use "Пожалуйста" again) [[File:Ru-не за что.ogg]] ; Yes.:Да. (''dah'') [[File:Ru-да.ogg]] ; No.:Нет. (''nyeht'') [[File:Ru-нет.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''getting attention''):Извините. (''eez-vee-NEET-yeh'') [[File:Ru-извините.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon''): Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; I'm sorry.: Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; Goodbye:До свидания. (''duh svee-DAH-nyah.'') [[File:Ru-до свидания.ogg]] ; Goodbye (''informal''):Пока. (''pah-KAH'') [[File:Ru-пока.ogg]] ; I can't speak Russian [well].: Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (''yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH]'') ; Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? (''vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English?: Кто-нибудь здесь говорит по-английски? (''KTOH-nee-bood' zdyehs guh-vah-REET pah an-GLEES-kee?'') ; Help!: Помогите! (''puh-mah-GEE-tyeh!'') ; Look out!: Осторожно!! (''uhs-tah-ROH-zhnuh!'') ; Good morning.: Доброе утро. (''DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh'') ; Good evening.:Добрый вечер. (''DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr'') [[File:Ru-добрый вечер.ogg]] ; Good night (''to sleep''): Спокойной ночи! (''spah-KOY-nuy NOH-chee'') ; I don't understand.: Я не понимаю. (''yah nee puh-nee-MIGH-yoo'') ; I don't know.: Я не знаю. (''yah nee ZNAH-yoo'') ; I can't.: Я не могу. (''yah nee mah-GOO'') ; Where is the toilet?: Где туалет? (''gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?'') ; Good:Хороший (''khah-ROH-shee'') [[File:Ru-хороший.ogg]] ; Bad:Плохой (''plah-KHOY'') [[File:Ru-плохой.ogg]] ; Big:Большой (''bahl'-SHOY'') [[File:Ru-большой.ogg]] ; Small:Маленький (''MAH-leen-kee'') [[File:Ru-маленький.ogg]] ; Hot:Горячий (''gahr-YAH-chee'') [[File:Ru-горячий.ogg]] ; Cold:Холодный (''khah-LOHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-холодный.ogg]] ; Fast:Быстро (''BYH-struh'') [[File:Ru-быстро.ogg]] ; Slow:Медленно (''MYEHD-lee-nuh'') [[File:Ru-медленно.ogg]] ; Expensive:Дорогой (''duh-rah-GOY'') [[File:Ru-дорогой.ogg]] ; Cheap:Дешёвый (''dyee-SHYOH-vyh'') [[File:Ru-дешёвый.ogg]] ; Rich:Богатый (''bah-GAH-tyh'') [[File:Ru-богатый.ogg]] ; Poor:Бедный (''BYEHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-бедный.ogg]] ===Problems=== {{Infobox|Emergency numbers|In most areas, emergency telephone numbers are as follows: * 101 : Fire department * 102 : Police * 103 : Ambulance * 104 : Gas leaks It is essential to be able to provide emergency responders with your correct street address. Depending on how busy they are, and how serious the medical emergency appears, it may take from a few minutes to an hour for an ambulance to arrive.}} ; Leave me alone. : Отстань. (''aht-STAHN’!'') ; Don't touch me! : Не трогай меня! (''nee-TROH-guy mee-NYAH!'') ; I'll call the police! : Я вызову полицию! (''yah VYH-zah-voo poh-LEE-tsyh-yoo!'') ; Police!: Полиция! (''poh-LEE-tsyh-yah!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Держите вора! (''deer-ZHEE-tyeh VOH-rah!'') ; I need your help. : Мне нужна ваша помощь. (''mnyeh noozh-NAH VAH-shah POH-muhsh'') ; It's an emergency. : Это срочно!. (''EH-tuh SROHCH-nuh'') ; I'm lost. : Я заблудился/заблудилась - (m/f). (''yah zah-bloo-DEEL-suh / zah-bloo-DEE-luhs’'') In the examples below, the extra suffix (а) is for the feminine gender: ; I lost my bag. : Я потерял(а) свою сумку. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svah-YOOH SOOM-kooh'') ; I lost my wallet. : Я потерял(а) свой бумажник. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svoy boo-MAHZH-neek'') ; My things have been stolen. : Меня обокрали. (''me-NYAH oh-buh-KRAH-lee'') ; I'm sick. : Я болен (m.) / Я больна (f.) (''yah-BOH-leen (masculine) / yah-bahl’-NAH (feminine)'') ; I've been injured. : Я ранен(а) (''yah RAH-neen(-ah)'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Меня укусила собака (''me-NYAH oo-koo-SEE-lah suh-BAH-kuh'') ; I need a doctor. : Мне нужен врач. (''mnyeh NOO-zhyhn vrahch'') ; Please call an ambulance. : Пожалуйста, вызовите Скорую помощь. (''Puh-ZHAH-looy-stuh VYH-zaw-vee-teh SKAW-roo-yoo PAW-mushch'') ; Can I use your phone? : Можно от вас позвонить? (''MOH-zhnuh aht vahs puhz-vah-NEET’?'') :''(this can be used only for stationary phone, not for mobile. Asking a mobile phone from unknown person is generally not polite, as this is commonly done by con artists. In some cases a person may allow you to make a call from his cell phone to another cell phone number in the same province, but not to a landline phone number or to a non-local cell phone number.)'' ===Numbers=== Russian nouns have a dual form, used with 2, 3, and 4, as well as singular and plural. Singular quantities and any quantities that end in 1 (21, 301, etc.) use the nominative singular: одна минута, двадцать один час. Quantities 2&ndash;4 use the genitive singular: две минуты, три минуты, четыре минуты. Quantities greater than four use the genitive plural: пять минут, одиннадцать минут, тринадцать минут, etc. ; 0 :ноль/нуль (''nohl’''/''nool’'') ; 1 :один (''ah-DEEN'') ''m'', одна (''ahd-NAH'') ''f'', одно (''ahd-NOH'') ''n'' (one can say раз (raz) when counting something) ; 2 : два (''dvah'') ''mn'', две (''dvyeh'') ''f'' ; 3 : три (''tree'') ; 4 : четыре (''chee-TYH-ree'') ; 5 : пять (''pyaht’'') ; 6 : шесть (''shehst’'') ; 7 : семь (''syeem’'') ; 8 : восемь (''VOH-seem’'') ; 9 : девять (''DYEH-veet’'') ; 10 : десять (''DYEH-suht’'') ; 11 : одиннадцать (''ah-DEEN-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 12 : двенадцать (''dvee-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 13 : тринадцать (''tree-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 14 : четырнадцать (''chee-TYHR-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 15 : пятнадцать (''peet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 16 : шестнадцать (''shyhst-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 17 : семнадцать (''seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 18 : восемнадцать (''vuh-seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 19 : девятнадцать (''dee-veet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 20 : двадцать (''DVAHD-zuht’'') ; 21 : двадцать один (''DVAHD-zuht’ ah-DEEN'') ; 22 : двадцать два (''DVAHD-zuht’ dvah'') ; 23 : двадцать три (''DVAHD-zuht’ tree'') ; 30 : тридцать (''TREED-zuht’'') ; 40 : сорок (''SOH-ruhk'') ; 50 : пятьдесят (''pee-dee-SYAHT'') ; 60 : шестьдесят (''shyhs-dee-SYAHT'') ; 70 : семьдесят (''SYEM’-dee-syet'') ; 80 : восемьдесят (''VOH-seem-deeh-syet’'') ; 90 : девяносто (''dee-vee-NOH-stuh'') ; 100 : сто (''stoh'') ; 150 : полтораста (''puhl-tuh-RAHS-tuh'') ; 200 : двести (''DVYEH-stee'') ; 300 : триста (''TREE-stuh'') ; 400 : четыреста (''chee-TYHR-ee-stuh'') ; 500 : пятьсот(''peet-SOHT'') ; 1000 : тысяча (''TYH-see-chuh'') ; 2000 : две тысячи (''dvyeh TYH-see-chee'') ; 5000 : пять тысяч (''pyaht’ TYH-seech'') ; 1,000,000 : миллион (''mee-lee-OHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : миллиард (''mee-lee-ART'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : триллион (''tree-lee-OHN'') ; Number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : номер _____ (''NOH-meer'') ; half : половина (''puh-lah-VEE-nuh'') ; less : меньше (''MYEHN’-sheh'') ; more : больше (''BOHL’-sheh'') ===Time=== ; now : сейчас (''see-CHAHS'') ; later : позже (''POH-zhuh'') ; earlier : раньше (''RAHN’-shyeh'') ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (literally 'day') ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') ; night : ночь (''nohch'') ====Clock time==== ; What time is it? (formal) : Не подскажете, который час? (''nyee pahd-SKAH-zhy-tyee kah-TOHR-yh chahs'') ; What time is it? (informal) : Который сейчас час? (''kah-TOHR-yh see-CHAHS chahs'') ; one o'clock : час (''chahs'') ; two o'clock : два часа (''dvah chuh-SAH'') ; three o'clock : три часа (''TREE chuh-SAH'') ; four o'clock : четыре часа (''chee-TYHR-ree chuh-SA'') ; five o'clock : пять часов (''pyaht’ chuh-SOHV'') ; six o'clock : шесть часов (''shest’ chuh-SOHV'') ; seven o'clock : семь часов (''syem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; eight o'clock : восемь часов (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; nine o'clock : девять часов (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV'') ; ten o'clock : десять часов (''DYEH-syuht’ chuh-SOV'') ; eleven o'clock : одинадцать часов (''ah-DEEN-nad-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; twelve o'clock : двенадцать часов (''dvee-NAHD-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; noon : полдень (''POHL-dyehn’'') ; midnight : полночь (''POHL-nohch'') ; half an hour : полчаса (''pohl-chuh-SAH'') Russians do not use A.M. and P.M. Instead they divide the day up roughly as follows: ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.) ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) ; night : ночь (''nohch'') (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.) For example: ; 9 a.m. : девять часов утра (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV ooh-TRAH'') ; 8 p.m. : восемь часов вечера (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV VYEH-che-ruh'') ====Duration==== ''Note: Russian uses different endings depending on the quantity. The first is for quantities ending in one (e.g. 1, 21, 31), the second for quantities ending in 2&ndash;4 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24), and the third for quantities ending in 5&ndash;9 and zero, including the teens (e.g. 5, 10, 12, 20, 25).'' ; _____ minute : _____ минута/минуты/минут (''mee-NOOT-ah / mee-NOOT-yh / mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ час/часа/часов (''chahs / chuh-SAH / chuh-SOHF'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ день/дня/дней (''dyehn’ / dnyah / dnyay'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ неделя/недели/недель (''nee-DYEHL-yuh / nee-DYEHL-yee / nee-DYEHL’'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ месяц/месяца/месяцев (''MYEH-seets / MYEH-seets-ah / MYEH-seets-ohf'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ год/года/лет (''goht / GOH-duh / lyeht'') (лет also means "summers") ====Days==== ; today : сегодня (''see-VOHD-nyuh'') ; yesterday : вчера (''fcheeh-RAH'') ; tomorrow : завтра (''ZAHF-truh'') ; this week : на этой неделе (''nah EH-tuy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; last week : на прошлой неделе (''nah PROSH-luy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; next week : на следующей неделе (''nah SLYED-oo-yoo-shee nee-DYEHL-yeh'') ''Note: A Russian week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.'' ; Monday : понедельник (''puh-nee-DYEHL’-neek'') ; Tuesday : вторник (''VTOHR-neek'') ; Wednesday : среда (''sree-DAH'') ; Thursday : четверг (''cheet-VYEHRK'') ; Friday : пятница (''PYAHT-nee-tsuh'') ; Saturday : суббота (''soo-BOHT-uh'') ; Sunday : воскресенье (''vuhs-kree-SYEHN’-yuh'') ; work day : будний день, рабочий день; work days (Monday—Friday) : будни, рабочие дни ; rest days: выходные ====Months==== ; January : январь (''yeen-VAHR’'') ; February : февраль (''feev-RAHL’'') ; March : март (''mahrt'') ; April : апрель (''ahp-RYEHL’'') ; May : май (''migh'') ; June : июнь (''ee-YOON’'') ; July : июль (''ee-YOOL’'') ; August : август (''AHV-goost'') ; September : сентябрь (''seen-TYABR’'') ; October : октябрь (''ahk-TYABR’'') ; November : ноябрь (''nah-YABR’'') ; December : декабрь (''dee-KAHBR’'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written as '''day.month.year''' (where ''day'', ''month'' and ''year'' are numbers) or as '''day month year''' (where ''day'' and ''year'' are numbers and ''month'' is written in the genitive). E.g., May 24, 2009 should be writed as '''24.05.2009''' or as '''24 мая 2009 года'''. Times always use the 24-hour format, e.g., 5:20PM should be written as '''17:20'''. ===Colors=== ; black : чёрный (''CHOHR-nyh'') ; white : белый (''BYEH-lyh'') ; gray : серый (''SYEH-ryh'') ; red : красный (''KRAHS-nyh'') ; blue (dark-blue or navy): синий (''SEE-nyh'') ; blue (light-blue or cyan) : голубой (''guh-loo-BOY'') - use carefully; in Russian slang, this also means "homosexual"! ; yellow : жёлтый (''ZHOL-tyh'') ; green : зелёный (''zee-LYOH-nyh'') ; orange : оранжевый (''ah-RAHN-zhee-vy'') ; purple : фиолетовый (''fee-ah-LYET-uh-vyh'') ; brown : коричневый (''kah-REECH-nee-vyh'') ; pink : розовый (''ROH-zuh-vyh'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Сколько стоит билет в _____? (''SKOL’-kuh STOH-eet bee-LYEHT v _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Один билет в _____, пожалуйста. (''ah-DEEN bee-LYEHT v_____ puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? :Куда едет этот поезд/автобус? (''koo-DAH YEH-diht EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Где поезд/автобус до_____? (''gdyeh POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos duh _____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Этот поезд/автобус останавливается в _____? (''EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos uhs-tuh-NAHV-lee-vuh-eet-suh v _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Когда отходит поезд/автобус в _____ ? (''kahg-DAH aht-KHOH-deet POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos v _____?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Во сколько этот поезд/автобус приходит в_____? (''vah SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos pree-KHOH-deet v _____?'') ; Are you getting off (at the next stop)? : Вы выходите (на следующей остановке)? (''vyh vyh-HOH-dee-tye (nah SLYE-doosh-chey ah-stah-NOHF-kye) ?'') — this phrase is commonly said in public transport to a person in front of you if you need to get off a bus and it is difficult to get to the doors because many people stand near them. If a person who was told this phrase is going to get off a bus, he says Да, выхожу (''dah vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — Yes, I'm getting off. And you just go out after him. If he says Нет, не выхожу (''nyet nye vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — No, I'm not getting off, you should say Разрешите пройти (''rahz-ree-SHEE-tye prah-y-TEE'') — May I go through, the person will let you go out. ====Directions==== {{Infobox|Name changing|A lot of city, street, and other names changed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Sometimes for nationalist reasons in the former Soviet Republics, sometimes because the Soviet names seemed too weird and ideological, sometimes because names like "Stalin" no longer had such a good ring to them, and often because people wanted the old historic names back. This can present problems for travelers, especially when the street names have changed, and locals still sometimes refer to them by the old names. There isn't much to be done about this, but be sure to at least get your major city names straight: *Leningrad → [[Saint Petersburg]] (but the oblast is still Leningrad Oblast) *Stalingrad → [[Volgograd]] *Sverdlovsk → [[Yekaterinburg]] (but the oblast is still Sverdlovsk Oblast) *Ordzhonikidze → [[Vladikavkaz]] *Kalinin → [[Tver]] *Gorky → [[Nizhny Novgorod]] *Zagorsk → [[Sergiev Posad]] *Kuybyshev → [[Samara]] *Frunze → [[Bishkek]] *Stalinabad → [[Dushanbe]] *Alma-Ata → [[Almaty]] *Akmola → Astana → [[Nur-Sultan]] *Krasnovodsk → [[Turkmenbashi]] }} ; Where : где (''gdyeh'') ; Here : здесь (''zdyehs'') ; There : там (''tahm'') ; To where : куда (''koo-DAH'') ; To here : сюда (''syoo-DAH'') ; To there : туда (''too-DAH'') ; How do I get to _____ ? : Как добраться до_____ ? (''kahk dah-BRAH-tsuh duh ___?'') ; ...the train station? : ...вокзала? (''vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the bus station? : ...автовокзала? (''ahf-tuh-vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the airport? : ...аэропорта? (''ah-ehr-ah-POHR-tuh'') ; ...the Metro (subway) : ...метро (''mee-TROH'') ; ...downtown? : ...центра? (''TSEHN-truh'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...молодёжного общежития? (''muh-lah-DYOH-zhnuh-vuh ahp-shee-ZHYH-tee-yuh'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...гостиницы ______? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh'') e.g.: ; ...the Mosfilm hotel? : ...гостиницы Мосфильм? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh MOHS-feel’m'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...американского/канадского/австралийского/английского консульства? (''uh-mee-ree-KAHNS-kuh-vuh / kuh-NAHTS-kuh-vuh / uhfs-truh-LEES-kuh-vuh / ahng-LEES-kuh-vuh KOHN-sool’-stvuh'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Где есть много... (''gdyeh yehst’ MNOH-guh'') ; ...hotels? : ...гостиниц? (''gahs-TEE-neets?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ресторанов? (''rees-tah-RAHN-uhf?'') ; ...bars? : ...баров? (''BAHR-uhf'') ; ...sites to see? : ...достопримечательностей? (''duhs-tuh-pree-mee-CHAH-teel’-nuhs-tyay'') ; Where is a good, cheap... : Где хороший дешёвый... (''gdyeh khah-ROH-shyh dee-SHYOH-vyh'') ; ...restaurant? : ресторан? (''ree-stah-RAHN'') ; ...bar? : бар? (''bahr'') ; Please can you show me on the map? : Пожалуйста Вы можете показать на карте? (''puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh vyh MOH-zhyh-tee puh-kuh-ZAHT’ nuh KAHR-tyeh'') ; Is it far? : Далеко? (''dah-lee-KOH'') ; street : улица (''OO-lee-tsuh'') ; Turn left. : Поверните налево. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; Turn right. : Поверните направо. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-PRAH-vuh'') ; left : налево (''nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; right : направо (''nuh-PRAH-vuh...'') ; straight ahead : прямо (''PRYAH-muh'') ; towards the _____ : к _____ (''k'') ; past the _____ : мимо _____ (''MEEH-mah'') ; before the _____ : перед _____ (''PYEH-reet'') ; Watch for the _____. : Ищите _____. (''ee-SHEE-tyeh'') ; intersection : перекрёсток (''pee-ree-KRYOH-stuhk'') ; north : север (''SYEH-veer'') ; south : юг (''yook'') ; east : восток (''vahs-TOHK'') ; west : запад (''ZAH-puht'') ; uphill : вверх (''VVYEHR-kh'') ; downhill : вниз (''vnees'') ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : Такси! (''Tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Довезите меня до _____, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh mee-NYAH duh _____, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Сколько стоит доехать до ______? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet dah-YEH-khut’ duh ____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Довезите меня туда, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh meenyah too-DAH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; [Please] stop here. : Остановите здесь[, пожалуйста]. (''us-tuh-naw-VEE-tyeh zdes[, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh].'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : У вас есть свободные комнаты? (''oo vash YEHST’ svah-BOD-nyh-yeh KOHM-nuh-tyh'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Сколько стоит комната на одного человека/двух человек? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet KOM-nuh-tuh nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kuh / dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK '') ; Does the room come with... : В этой комнате есть... (''VEH-tuy KOHM-nuh-tyeh yest’...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...простыни? (''...PROHS-tee-nee'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...ванная? (''...VAHN-nah-yuh'') ; ...a telephone? : ...телефон? (''...tee-lee-FOHN'') ; ...a TV? : ...телевизор? (''...tee-lee-VEE-zuhr'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...холодильник ? (''...ho-luh-DIL-nik'') ; ...electric kettle? : ...электрический чайник ? (''...eh-lek-TREE-ches-kee CHI-nik'') ; May I see the room first? : Могу я сначала посмотреть комнату? (''mah-GOOH yah znuh-CHAH-luh puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ KOHM-nah-too'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : У вас есть что-нибудь потише? (''oo vah yehst’ CHTOH-nee-boot’ pah-TEE-shyh?'') ; ...bigger? : ...побольше? (''pah-BOHL’-shyh'') ; ...cleaner? : ...почище? (''pah-CHEE-sheh'') ; ...cheaper? : ...подешевле? (''puh-dee-SHEHV-lyeh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я беру. (''khah-rah-SHOH yah bee-ROO'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Я останусь на _____ ночь (ночи/ночей). (''yah ahs-TAH-noos’ nah _____ nohch’ (NOH-chee/nah-CHYAY'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Вы можете предложить другую гостиницу? (''vy MOH-zhee-te pred-la-ZHYHT’ droo-GOO-yoo gahs-TEE-nee-tsoo'') ; Do you have a safe? : У вас есть сейф? (''oo vahs yest’ syayf'') ; ...lockers? : ...индивидуальные сейфы? (''een-dee-vee-doo-AHL’-nyh-yeh SYAY-fee'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Завтрак/ужин включен? (''ZAHF-truhk / OO-zhyhn fklyoo-CHON'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Во сколько завтрак/ужин? (''vuh SKOHL’-kuh ZAH-ftruhk / OO-zhyhn'') ; Please clean my room. : Уберите в моей комнате, пожалуйста. (''oo-bee-REE-tyeh vmah-YAY KOHM-nuh-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Не могли бы вы разбудить меня в _____? (''nee mah-GLEE byh vyh rahz-boo-DEET’ mee-NYAH v _____? '') ; You have a bedbug infestation here. : У вас водятся клопы. (''oo VAS VAWD-yats-ya klaw-PYH'') ; I want to check out. : Дайте счёт. (''DIGH-tyeh shyoht'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Вы принимаете американские/австралийские/канадские доллары? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh uh-mee-ree-KAHN-skee-yeh / uhv-struh-LEE-skee-yeh / kuh-NAHD-skee-yeh DOH-luhr-yh'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Вы принимаете английские фунты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh ahn-GLEE-skee-yeh FOON-tyh'') ; Do you accept euro? : Вы принимаете евро? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh YEV-ruh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Вы принимаете кредитные карты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh kree-DEET-nyh-yeh KAHR-tyh'') ; Can you change money for me? : Не могли бы вы обменять мне деньги? (''nyeh mah-GLEE byh vyh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh DYEHN’-gee'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Где я могу обменять деньги? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ DYEHN’-gee'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Вы можете обменять мне дорожный чек? (''vyh MOH-zhyh-tyeh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Где я могу обменять дорожный чек? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Какой курс обмена? (''kah-KOY koors ahb-MYEHN-uh'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Где здесь банкомат? (''gdyeh zdyes’ bahn-kuh-MAHT'') ===Eating=== ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Столик на одного человека/двух человек, пожалуйста. (''STOH-leek nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Могу я посмотреть меню? (''mah-GOO yah puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ meen-YOO'''') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Я могу посмотреть на кухню? (''yah mah-GOO puh-smah-TRYEHT’ nah KOOKH-nee-yoo'') ; Is there a house specialty? : Какое у вас фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Какое у вас местное фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs myehst-NOY-yeh feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (''yah vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-eets/vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-kah'') ; I don't eat pork. : Я не ем свинину. (''yah nee yehm svee-NEEN-oo'') ; I don't eat beef. : Я не ем говядину. (''yah nee yehm gahv-YAH-deen-oo'') ; I only eat kosher food. : Я принимаю только кошерную пищу. (''yah pree-nee-MAH-yoo TOHL’-kuh kah-SHERH-noo-yoo PEE-shoo.'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Сделайте, пожалуйста, поменьше жира. (''SDYEH-ligh-tyeh, puh-zhahl-uh-stuh, pah-MYEHN'-shyh zhyh-RAH'') ; fixed-price meal : комплексный обед (''KOHM-plyehks-nyh ah-BYEHT'') ; à la carte : карта вин (''KAHR-tah veen'') ; breakfast : завтрак (''ZAHF-truhk'') ; lunch : обед (''ah-BYEHT'') ; tea (''meal'') : полдник (''POHLD-neek'') ; supper : ужин (''OO-zhyhn'') ; I want _____. : Я хочу _____. (''yah khah-CHOO'') (''use first form below'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Я хочу блюдо с _____. (''yah khah-CHOO BLYOO-duh s _____'') (''use second form'') ; chicken : курицу/ой (''KOO-reet-soo / KOO-reet-suy'') ; beef : говядину/ой (''gahv-YAH-dee-noo / gahv-YAH-dee-nuy'') ; fish : рыбу/ой (''RYH-boo / RYH-boy'') ; ham : свинину/ой (''svee-NEE-noo / svee-NEE-nuy'') ; veal : говядина (''gahv-YAH-deen-uh'') ; sausage : колбасу/ой (''kuhl-bah-SOO / kuhl-bah-SOY'') ; cheese : сыр/ом (''syhr / SYH-ruhm'') ; eggs : яйца/ами (''YIGH-tsah / YIGH-tsah-mee'') ; salad : салат/ом (''sah-LAHT / sah-LAHT-ohm'') ; potato : картофель (''kahr-TOH-fehl''') ; (fresh) vegetables : (свежие/ими) овощи/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee OH-vuh-shee/ uh-vuh-SHAH-mee'') ; tomato : помидор (''puh-mee-DOHR'') ; cabbage : капуста (''kah-POOS-tuh'') ; carrot : морковь (''mahr-KOHF'') ; beet : свёкла (''SVYOHL-kuh'') ; (fresh) fruit : (свежие/ими) фрукты/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee FROOK-tyh / FROOK-tuh-mee'') ; berries : ягоды (''YAH-guh-dyh'') ; strawberry : клубинка (''kloo-BEEN-kuh'') ; banana : банан (''bah-NAHN'') ; apple : яблоко (''YAH-bluh-kuh'') ; grapes : виноград (''vee-nah-GRAHD'') ; currants : смородина (''smah-ROH-dee-nuh'') ; orange : апельсин (''uh-peel-SEEN'') ; bread : хлеб/ом (''khlyep / KHLYEH-buhm'') ; toast : тост/ом (''tohst / TOHST-uhhm)'') ; noodles : лапша/ой (''LAHP-shuh / lahp-SHOY'') ; pasta : макароны/онами (''mah-kah-ROH-nyh / mah-kah-ROH-nah-mee'') ; rice : рис/ом (''rees / REE-suhm'') ; buckwheat : гречка/гречкой (''GRECH-kuh / GRECH-koy'') ; beans : фасоль/фасолью (''fah-SOHL’ / fah-SOHL-yoo'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, стакан _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, stah-KAHN _____?'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, чашку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, CHAHSH-koo'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, бутылку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, boo-TYHL-koo'') ; ...coffee : ...кофе (''KOH-feh'') ; ...tea (''drink'') : ...чая (''CHAH-yuh'') ; ...juice : ...сока (''SOH-kah'') ; ...(bubbly) water : ...минеральной воды (''mee-nee-RAHL'-nuy vah-DYH'') ; ...water : ...воды (''vah-DYH'') ; ...beer : ...пива (''PEE-vuh'') ; ...red/white wine : ...красного/белого вина (''KRAH-snuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; ...sparkling wine : ...шампанского (''shum-PAHN-skuh-guh'') ; ...vodka : ...водки (''VOT-kee'') ; May I have some _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста _____. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; ...salt : соль (''sohl’'') ; ...black pepper : чёрный перец (''CHYOHR-nyh PYEH-reets'') ; ...butter : масло (''MAHS-luh'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Официант!/Девушка! (''uh-fee-TSAHNT! / DYEH-voosh-kuh!'') The former is very polite and gender neutral, the latter only for female servers, and should not be used in a nice restaurant. ; I'm finished. : Я наелся/наелась. (''yah nah-YEHL-syuh/yah nah-YEH-las’'') ; It was delicious. : Это было великолепно. (''EH-tuh BYH-luh vyeh-lee-kah-LYEHP-nuh'') ; Please clear the plates. : Можете убрать со стола. (''MOH-zhyh-tyeh oo-BRAHT’ suh stuh-LAH'') ; The check, please. : Счёт, пожалуйста. (''shyoht, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ===Bars=== ; Do you serve alcohol? : Вы продаёте алкогольные напитки? (''VYH pruh-dah-YOH-tyeh ahl-kuh-GOHL’-nyh-yeh nah-PEET-kee?'') ; Is there table service? : Здесь есть официант? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ ah-fee-TSANT'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Будьте добры, одно пиво/два пива. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ad-noh PEE-vuh / dvah PEE-vah'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Будьте добры, бокал красного/белого вина. (''BOOT'-tyeh dah-BRYH, bah-KAHL KRAHZ-nuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; A bottle, please. : Будьте добры, одну бутылку. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ahd-NOO boo-TYHL-koo'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : Будьте добры, _____ (''hard liquor'') с _____ (''mixer'' in ablative form). (''...'') ; whiskey : виски (''VEE-skee'') ; vodka : водка (''VOHT-kah'') ; rum : ром (''rohm'') ; water : вода/ой (''vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; club soda : газированная/ой вода/ой (газировка/ой) (''guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuh-yuh / guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuy vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; tonic water : тоник/ом (''TOH-neek/TOH-neek-uhm'') ; orange juice : апельсиновый/ым сок/ом (''uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyh / uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyhm sohk / SOHK-uhm'') ; Coke (''soda'') : кола/ой (''лимонад/ом'') (''KOH-lah / KOH-luy'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Здесь есть буфет? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ boo-FYEHT'') ; One more, please. : Ещё одну, пожалуйста. (''yee-SHYOH ahd-NOOH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Another round, please. : Повторите, пожалуйста. (''puhf-tah-REEH-tye, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; When is closing time? : Когда вы закрываетесь? (''kahg-DAH vyh zuh-kryh-VAH-ee-tyehs’?'') ; I don't drink. : Я вообще не пью. (''yah vahb-SHYEH nee pyoo'') ; I'm an alcoholic. : Я алкоголик. (''yah ahl-kah-GOH-leek'') ; I cannot drink because of medication. : Мне нельзя пить из-за лекарства, которое я сейчас принимаю. (''mnyee neel-ZYAH peet' eez-zah lee-KAHRST-vuh kah-TOHR-uh-yuh yah see-CHAHS pree-nee-MAH-yoo'') ===Shopping=== ; Do you have this in my size? : У вас есть это моего размера? (''oo vahs yehst’ EH-tuh ma-ee-VOH rahz-MYEH-ruh'') ; How much is this? : Сколько это стоит? (''SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuh STOH-eet'') ; That's too expensive. : Это слишком дорого. (''EH-tuh SLEESH-kuhm DOH-ruh-guh'') ; Would you take _____? : Вы примете _____? (''vyh PREE-mee-tyeh _____?'') ; expensive : дорого (''DOH-ruh-guh'') ; cheap : дёшево (''DYOH-shyh-vuh'') ; I can't afford it. : Я не могу себе этого позволить. (''yah nee mah-GOOH see-BYEH EH-tuh-vuh paz-VOH-leet’'') ; I don't want it. : Я это не хочу. (''yah EH-tuh nee khah-CHOO'') ; You're cheating me. : Вы меня обманываете. (''vyh mee-NYAH ab-MAH-nyh-vah-ee-tyeh'') ; I'm not interested. : Мне это не интересно.. (''mnyeh EH-tuh nee een-tee-RYEHS-nuh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я возьму. (''khah-rah-SHOH, yah vahz’-MOO'') ; Can I have a bag? : Дайте, пожалуйста, пакет. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, pah-KYEHT'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : У вас есть доставка (за границу)? (''oo vahs yehst’ dahs-TAHF-kah (zah grah-NEET-sooh)'' ; Give me two ''(items of something)''. : Давайте две. (''dah-VIGH-tyeh DVYEH'') ; I need... : Мне нужен/нужна/нужно/нужны... (''mnyeh NOO-zhehn / nooh-ZHNAH / NOOZH-nuh / nooh-ZHNYH'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...зубная паста. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh PAHS-tuh'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...зубная щётка. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh SHYOHT-kuh'') ; ...tampons. : ...тампоны. (''tahm-POH-nyh'') ; ...soap. : ...мыло. (''MYH-luh'') ; ...shampoo. : ...шампунь. (''shahm-POON’'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...обезболивающее. (''ah-beez-BOH-lee-vah-yoo-shee-yeh'') ; ...cold medicine. : ...лекарство от простуды. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht prah-STOO-dyh'') ; ...stomach medicine. : ...лекарство от живота. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht zhyh-VOH-tuh'') ; ...a razor. : ...бритва. (''BREET-vuh'') ; ...an umbrella. : ...зонтик. (''ZOHN-teek'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...лосьон от загара. (''luhs’-YOHN ahd zah-GAH-ruh'') ; ...a postcard. : ...открытка. (''aht-KRYHT-kah'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...почтовые марки. (''pahtch-TOH-vyh-yeh MAHR-kee'') ; ...batteries. : ...батарейки. (''bah-tah-RAY-kee'') ; ...writing paper. : ...бумага. (''boo-MAH-guh'') ; ...a pen. : ...ручка. (''ROOCH-kuh'') ; ...English-language books. : ...книги на английском языке. (''KNEE-gee nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zee-KYEH'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...журналы на английском языке. (''zhoor-NAH-lyh nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...газета на английском языке. (''gah-ZYEH-tah nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') ; ...a Russian-English dictionary. : ...русско-английский словарь. (''ROO-skuh ahn-GLEE-skee slah-VAHR’'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : Я хочу взять машину напрокат. (''yah khah-CHOO vzyaht’ mah-SHYH-noo nuh-prah-KAHT'') 11:01 ; Can I get insurance? : Я могу взять страховку? (''yah mah-GOO vzyaht’ strah-KHOHF-koo'') 12:02 ; Stop (''on a street sign'') : СТОП (''stohp'') 13:32 ; One way : одностороннее движение (''uhd-nuh-stah-ROHN-nee-yeh dvee-ZHEH-nee-yeh'') 14:00 ; Yield : уступите дорогу (''oo-stoo-PEE-tyeh dah-ROH-goo'') 23:00 ; No parking : парковки нет (''pahr-KOHF-kee nyeht'') 23:22 ; Speed limit : ограничение скорости (''ah-grah-nee-CHEH-nyh-yeh SKOH-ruh-stee'') 45:26 ; Gas (''petrol'') station : (авто)заправка (''(AHF-tuh) zah-PRAHF-kuh'') 51:01 ; Petrol : бензин (''been-ZEEN'') 52:02 ; Diesel : ДТ (дизельное топливо) (''deh teh (DEE-zehl’-nuh-yeh TOH-plee-vuh'') 52:09 ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Я ничего плохого не делал(а). (''yah nee-chee-VOH plah-KHOH-vuh nee DYEH-luhl/luh-luh'') ; My papers are in order : Мои документы в порядке. (''muh-yee duh-koo-MYEHN-tyh fpahr-YAHD-kee'') (intonation must fall, otherwise you might be asking a question!) ; It was a misunderstanding. : Мы друг друга не поняли. (''myh droog DROO-guh nyee POHN-yuh-lee'') ; Take me to the police. : Везите меня в полицию. (''vee-ZEE-tyeh meen-YAH fpuh-LEE-tsyh-yuh'') ; Where are you taking me? : Куда вы меня везёте? (''koo-DAH vyh meen-YAH vee-ZYOH-tyeh?'') ::;To the police : К полиции. (''kpuh-LEE-tsyh'') ::;To my house : К моему дому. (''kmuh-yuh-MOO DOH-moo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Я арестован(а)? (''yah ah-ryees-TOH-vuhn/vuh-nah?'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Я гражданин/гражданка Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah grazh-dah-NEEN/grazh-DAHN-kah ah-MYEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh / vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Я хочу поговорить с посольством/консульством Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah khah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s pah-SOL’ST-vuhm / s KOHN-sool’-stvuhm ah-MEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh/ vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Я хочу поговорить с адвокатом. (''yah hah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s ahd-vuh-KAH-tuhm'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Я могу заплатить штраф сейчас? (''yah mah-GOO zah-plah-TEET’ shtrahf say-CHAHS?'') (This phrase indicates that you want to pay a bribe to get out of trouble.) ; I need a receipt : Мне нужна квитанция. (''mnyee noozh-NAH kvee-TAHN-tsyh-yuh'') (In the context of interactions with police, this phrase indicates that you aren't willing to pay a bribe.) {{starphrasebook}} {{related|Russia}} {{phrasebookguide}} f95chsniqrkywm90pohiefpgs21d5b7 4506563 4506555 2022-08-23T04:42:08Z 103.176.224.49 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bannerrussianphrasebook.jpg|caption=Various signs in Udelnaya, a northern suburb of St.Petersburg|star=yes|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Russian language status and proficiency in the World.svg |thumb|Russian language distribution. {{legend|#000075|Official language}} {{legend|#007575|Widespread use (>30%)}}]] '''Russian''' (русский) is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Abkhazia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[South Ossetia]], and the unrecognized [[Transnistria]], [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]]. In countries lacking official designation for Russian, such as [[Ukraine]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the [[Baltic States]] (where schooling in Russian was mandatory under the Soviet regime), a solid majority of residents may speak it as a second language, and there are significant native-speaker minorities. However, due to its association with Soviet oppression, many residents in these countries may find it offensive to be addressed in Russian, and younger people will often prefer to speak English than Russian when communicating with foreigners. Likewise, a similar dynamic exists in many of the formerly communist countries of Europe such as [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Hungary]], in which Russian was a compulsory second language in schools under communist rule. Russian remains the ''lingua franca'' of choice throughout the former Soviet [[Central Asia]]n states, [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], where it is effectively the language of commerce, government, and travel (despite lacking official status). It is, to a lesser extent, an important language in [[Mongolia]], where it is a compulsory second language in schools, and is the most widely spoken foreign language. Russian has also become the third most widely spoken language in [[Israel]], owing to a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and other ex-Soviet countries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Russian was a compulsory second language in schools in the formerly communist central and eastern European countries, and may be spoken by older people who were schooled during the communist era. However, it has largely been supplanted by English since the fall of the iron curtain, and younger people are in general far more likely to speak English than Russian. Russian remains perhaps the most important Eurasian travel language because English is very rarely spoken throughout the Russophone countries. <br clear="all" /> ==Pronunciation guide== [[File:Russian alphabet.svg|thumb|200px|Russian print and cursive]] Consonants and vowels in Russian (and Slavic generally) are ''soft'' (palatalized) or ''hard''. Consonants are pronounced soft if followed by a soft vowel or the soft sign, else hard. Some consonants are always soft or always hard, regardless of the following vowel. One important note: the cursive Russian alphabet looks very different from the printed alphabet. The printed alphabet is rarely used when writing by hand. (The same goes to other Cyrillic-written languages.) On the upside, though, as a traveler, you are quite unlikely to have to read much handwritten Russian! ===Vowels=== ; a ah : like f'''a'''ther {{IPA|a}} ; e yeh : like '''ye'''sterday {{IPA|je}} ; ё yoh : like '''yo'''re {{IPA|jɵ}} ; и ee : like s'''ee'''n or mach'''i'''ne {{IPA|i}} ; o oh : like sc'''o'''re {{IPA|o}} ; у oo : like cart'''oo'''n {{IPA|u}} ; ы yh : like ros'''e'''s {{IPA|ɨ}} ; э eh : like '''e'''nd {{IPA|ɛ}} ; ю yoo : like '''Yu'''goslavia {{IPA|ju}} ; я yah : like '''ya'''cht {{IPA|ja}} Russian, like English, has something called vowel reduction, where the vowels take on different sounds if they are not in the stressed syllable of the word. The exact nature of this depends on the part of Russia one is located in, but generally (and abroad): * The letters е, ю, and я sound like their counterparts э, у, and а * The letter о sounds like the letter а * The letter а sounds like the English h'''u'''t {{IPA|ə or ɐ}} * The letter у sounds like the English b'''oo'''k {{IPA|ʊ}} * All other vowels tend to make the sound of English '''i'''ll {{IPA|ɪ}} However, when traveling, you generally don't need to worry about reduction. Pronouncing all vowels as if they were stressed will seem like over-enunciation to a native speaker, but you'll be perfectly understood. Unfortunately, '''ё''' is very often written as '''е''', which can cause problems for non-native speakers, since pronouncing one over the other can change the meaning of a word. Fortunately, books oriented toward beginners (like dictionaries, grammar books, literature for foreigners, etc.) always include the dots. ===Consonants=== ; б beh : like '''b'''oy {{IPA|b}} ; в veh : like '''v'''ery {{IPA|v}} ; г geh : like '''g'''o {{IPA|ɡ}}; in genitive (possessive) endings ого/его pronounced like в. E.g., "Dostoevsky's" = Достоевского (duh-stah-YEHV-skuh-vuh) ; д deh : like '''d'''o {{IPA|d}} ; ж zheh : like mea'''s'''ure {{IPA|ʐ}} ; з zeh : like '''z'''oo {{IPA|z}} ; й ee kratkoe ("short и") : like bo'''y''' {{IPA|j}} ; к kah : like '''k'''eep {{IPA|k}} ; л ell : like fee'''l''' {{IPA|ɫ}} ; м em : like see'''m''' {{IPA|m}} ; н en : like '''n'''oodle {{IPA|n}} ; п peh : like s'''p'''igot {{IPA|p}} ; р err : ''heavily'' rolled as in Spanish rr in pe'''rr'''o {{IPA|r}} ; с ess : like '''s'''eem {{IPA|s}} ; т teh : like s'''t'''op {{IPA|t}} ; ф eff : like '''F'''rench {{IPA|f}} ; х khah : like '''Ch'''anukkah, Scottish lo'''ch''', or German Ba'''ch''' {{IPA|x}} ; ц tseh : like boo'''ts''' {{IPA|t͡s}} ; ч cheh : like '''ch'''eap {{IPA|t͡ɕ}} ; ш sheh : like '''sh'''ot {{IPA|ʂ}} ; щ scheh : ш, but harsher {{IPA|ɕ}}. Don't worry about this too much, as you'll be understood in context. (Note that though щ is often transliterated as shch, it is ''not'' pronounced similar to "har'''sh ch'''oice"—there is no ch sound in this Russian consonant) The letter sequence сч sounds like щ, and ''not'' like English que'''sti'''on. Be careful of letters such as В, Н, or Р which resemble a Latin letter but represent a different sound; they can be especially confusing for beginners. When consonants are soft (they are either always soft, followed by a soft vowel, or have a soft sign), they become palatalized {{IPA|ʲ}}. See the soft sign below for more details. ===Signs=== In the Middle Ages, these two characters (known as the ''yer'') used to represent reduced vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but now they merely indicate whether the preceding consonant is palatalized ("soft") or not ("hard"). ; ъ ’’ : the hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is not palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would). Mostly used after prefixes ''v-'' ("in") and ''s-'' ("out"). For example: *съёмка (s-yom-kah) - making a film *Сёмка (syom-kah) - familiar form for Simon *въезд (v-yezd) - vehicular entrance (not vyezd). ; ь ’ : the soft sign - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would not) This means that the consonant is pronounced while sticking the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth while raising the middle of your tongue to your palate. You don't really need to worry about this - while there are pairs of words that differ only by palatalization (some examples follow), it can be very difficult for beginners and probably not worth the effort. If you are planning on being in a situation where you will be speaking Russian for a long period of time, it may be wise to practice this. As mentioned, palatalization also occurs before soft vowels. *полька (POL'-kah) - a female Polish person (also, the dance) *полка (POL-kah) - a shelf *уголь (OO-gol') - coal *угол (OO-gol) - corner *каньон (ka-NYON) - canyon *канон (ka-NON) - canon *кров (KROHF) - roof, slelter *кровь (KROHF') - blood ===Stress=== Although Russian is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every book and dictionary concerning the Russian language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable. The same rule applies for others that use the Cyrillic script such as [[Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian]] and [[Bulgarian phrasebook|Bulgarian]]. ==Grammar== Unless you intend to seriously study the language, learning Russian grammar on your trip is not realistic. But it can help to at least recognize that the following verb conjugations and noun/adjective declensions are used. *Russian nouns belong to one of three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. However, like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter. *The second person pronoun '''вы''' is the plural of '''ты''' and is also used, as in French, for '''polite address''' to one person. *Russian '''verbs and verb conjugation''' differ along three axes: :1) Verbs come in ''perfective'' and ''imperfective'' pairs (e.g., '''думать''' | '''подумать'''). Imperfective verbs indicate ongoing or uncompleted action; Perfective verbs indicated one-off or completed action. Conjugated perfective verbs are also used to indicated the future tense (future imperfective requires conjugation of the verb to be (быть) + imperfective infinitive). As a general rule (but only a very general rule), perfective verb forms are created by adding a prefix to the relevant imperfective verb. {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! style="background: #ffffff; color: #000000" height="17" | ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Singular ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Plural |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | 1st Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я думаю | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Мы думаем |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 2nd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Ты думаешь | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Вы думаете |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 3rd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Он думает | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Они думают |} :2) Verbs follow a simple pattern of temporal conjugation: past, present, and future, (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''думаю''' | '''подумаю'''). In the past tense, verbs also conjugate by gender, male, female, and neuter (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''подумала''' | '''подумало'''). :3) In the present and future tenses, pronouns can and are often omitted due to context; however, the same is hardly said in the past tense, as the latter changes according to gender (masculine, feminine and neutral) and number (singular and plural). (Example at right) <br clear="all" /> *'''Nouns and adjectives ''' have six '''cases''', depending on their general grammatical role in a sentence: :{| class="wikitable" ! style="background: #cedff2; color: #000000" height="17" | Case ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Nominative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Accusative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Genitive ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Dative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Prepositional ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Instrumental |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Use | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Subject of sentence | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Direct object | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Possessive (of) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Indirect object (to/for) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Location (at) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Instrumental (by/with) |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Example | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''Город''' красив | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я читал '''книгу''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Центр '''города''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я дал '''ему''' еду | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Музей '''в городе''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я шёл '''с ним''' |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Translation | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''The city''' is pretty | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I read the '''book''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Center '''of the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I gave '''him''' food | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | A museum '''in the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I walked '''with him''' |} ==Phrase list== ''See [[Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide]] for guidance on the phoneticizations below'' ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Открыто / Работает ; CLOSED : Закрыто / Не работает ; ENTRANCE : Вход ; EXIT : Выход ; PUSH : От себя ; PULL : К себе / На себя ; TOILET : Туалет ; MEN : М ; WOMEN : Ж ; NO ENTRANCE : Входа нет / Вход воспрещён ; [ENTRY] FORBIDDEN : Проход воспрещён / Проход закрыт ; PLEASE KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING : Без стука не входить ; NO SMOKING : Не курить ; DANGER - NO ENTRY! : Не влезай - убьёт!}} {{Infobox|How many names!|Russians take three names, a first name (имя), patronymic (отчество), and last name (фамилия). The unfamiliar patronymic is the name of one's father plus an ending of -ovich, -yevich, or -yich for men, -yevna, -ovna or -ichna for women. For example, if the father's name is Пётр (Peter), the patronymic would be Петрович (Petrovich) for a man, and Петровна (Petrovna) for a woman. To use someone's name informally, you can refer to them using the first or (less commonly) last name, while to do so formally would require either first name + patronymic, or a title + last name. For example, you can refer to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Президент Владимир Владимирович Путин) informally as Vladimir (if you know him personally) or just Putin. To refer to him more formally—and you generally should use the formal name in Russian—you would need to refer to him as Vladimir Vladimirovich or President Putin. Last names also vary based on gender, often with an "a" added to the end of the male last name for the female version. For instance, the wife of former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is known as Svetlana Medvedev'''a'''. But it gets even harder! Russians love diminutives, which are essentially nicknames or "shortenings," for just about everything, including names. Most names can be shortened into three or four variants—"cute" nicknames usually have an insert like -en'k, -echk, -ochk, -ushk, or -yush, like Sara → Sarochka (Сарочка) or Katya → Katyusha (Катюша). Obviously, you should avoid addressing people with these until you know them well. Here are some of the most common ones that might give you trouble:<br><br> '''Male names''' *Aleksander (Александр) → Sasha (Саша), Sanya (Саня), Shura (Шура) *Aleksei (Алексей) → Alyosha (Алёша), Lyosha (Лёша), Lyokha (Лёха) *Anatolii (Анатолий) → Tolya (Толя) *Vasilii (Василий) → Vasya (Вася) *Vladimir (Владимир) → Volodya (Володя), Vova (Вова) *Vladislav (Владислав) → Vlad (Влад), Vladik (Владик) *Gennadii (Геннадий) → Gena (Гена) *Georgii (Георгий) → Zhora (Жора), Gosha (Гоша) *Dmitrii (Дмитрий) → Dima (Дима), Mitya (Митя) *Evgenii (Евгений) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ivan (Иван) → Vanya (Ваня) *Konstantin (Константин) → Kostya (Костя) *Mikhail (Михаил) → Misha (Миша) *Nikolai (Николай) → Kolya (Коля) *Pavel (Павел) → Pasha (Паша), Pavlik (Павлик) *Pyotr (Пётр) → Petya (Петя) *Sergei (Сергей) → Seryozha (Серёжа), Seryoga (Серёга), Seryi (Серый) *Fyodor (Фёдор) → Fedya (Фе́дя) *Yurii (Юрий) → Yura (Юра) <br><br> '''Female names''' *Aleksandra (Александра) → Sasha (Саша) *Anastasiya (Анастасия) → Nastya (Настя) *Anna (Анна) → Anya (Аня) *Valeriya (Валерия) → Lera (Лера) *Viktoriya (Виктория) → Vika (Вика), Vita (Вита) *Evgeniya (Евгения) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ekaterina (Екатерина) → Katya (Катя) *Irina (Ирина) → Ira (Ира) *Lyubov (Любовь) → Lyuba (Люба) *Lyudmila (Людмила) → Lyuda (Люда), Lyucya (Люся) *Magdalina (Магдалина) → Magda (Магда) *Mariya (Мария) → Masha (Маша) *Nadezhda (Надежда) → Nadya (Надя) *Natasha (Наташа) → Tasha (Таша) *Oksana (Оксана) → Ksyusha (Ксюша), Ksenya (Ксеня) *Olga (Ольга) → Olya (Оля) *Svetlana (Светлана) → Sveta (Света) }} ; Hello. (''formal''):Здравствуйте. (''ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh'') (The first в is silent; sometimes considered bad luck to say this to the same person twice in one day.) [[File:Ru-здравствуйте.ogg]] ; Hello. (''informal''):Здравствуй. (''ZDRAHST-vooy'') [[File:Ru-здравствуй.ogg]] ; Hi.:Привет. (''pree-VYEHT'') [[File:Ru-привет.ogg]], Здорово. (''Zduh-ROH-vuh'') (Shorter version of the above greeting.) ; How are you?: Как дела? (''kahg dee-LAH?'') ; Fine, thank you.: Хорошо, спасибо. (''khah-rah-SHOH spah-SEE-buh'') ; What is your name?: Как Вас зовут? (''kahk vahs zah-VOOT?'') ; My name is ______ .: Меня зовут ______ . (''mee-NYAH zah-VOOT ___'') ; Nice to meet you.: Очень приятно. (''OH-cheen' pree-YAHT-nuh'') ; Please.:Пожалуйста. (''pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') [[File:Ru-пожалуйста.ogg]] ; Thank you.:Спасибо. (''spuh-SEE-buh'') [[File:Ru-спасибо.ogg]] ; You're welcome.:Не за что. (''NYEH-zuh-shtoh'') (Literally "It's nothing", can use "Пожалуйста" again) [[File:Ru-не за что.ogg]] ; Yes.:Да. (''dah'') [[File:Ru-да.ogg]] ; No.:Нет. (''nyeht'') [[File:Ru-нет.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''getting attention''):Извините. (''eez-vee-NEET-yeh'') [[File:Ru-извините.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon''): Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; I'm sorry.: Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; Goodbye:До свидания. (''duh svee-DAH-nyah.'') [[File:Ru-до свидания.ogg]] ; Goodbye (''informal''):Пока. (''pah-KAH'') [[File:Ru-пока.ogg]] ; I can't speak Russian [well].: Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (''yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH]'') ; Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? (''vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English?: Кто-нибудь здесь говорит по-английски? (''KTOH-nee-bood' zdyehs guh-vah-REET pah an-GLEES-kee?'') ; Help!: Помогите! (''puh-mah-GEE-tyeh!'') ; Look out!: Осторожно!! (''uhs-tah-ROH-zhnuh!'') ; Good morning.: Доброе утро. (''DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh'') ; Good evening.:Добрый вечер. (''DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr'') [[File:Ru-добрый вечер.ogg]] ; Good night (''to sleep''): Спокойной ночи! (''spah-KOY-nuy NOH-chee'') ; I don't understand.: Я не понимаю. (''yah nee puh-nee-MIGH-yoo'') ; I don't know.: Я не знаю. (''yah nee ZNAH-yoo'') ; I can't.: Я не могу. (''yah nee mah-GOO'') ; Where is the toilet?: Где туалет? (''gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?'') ; Good:Хороший (''khah-ROH-shee'') [[File:Ru-хороший.ogg]] ; Bad:Плохой (''plah-KHOY'') [[File:Ru-плохой.ogg]] ; Big:Большой (''bahl'-SHOY'') [[File:Ru-большой.ogg]] ; Small:Маленький (''MAH-leen-kee'') [[File:Ru-маленький.ogg]] ; Hot:Горячий (''gahr-YAH-chee'') [[File:Ru-горячий.ogg]] ; Cold:Холодный (''khah-LOHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-холодный.ogg]] ; Fast:Быстро (''BYH-struh'') [[File:Ru-быстро.ogg]] ; Slow:Медленно (''MYEHD-lee-nuh'') [[File:Ru-медленно.ogg]] ; Expensive:Дорогой (''duh-rah-GOY'') [[File:Ru-дорогой.ogg]] ; Cheap:Дешёвый (''dyee-SHYOH-vyh'') [[File:Ru-дешёвый.ogg]] ; Rich:Богатый (''bah-GAH-tyh'') [[File:Ru-богатый.ogg]] ; Poor:Бедный (''BYEHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-бедный.ogg]] ===Problems=== {{Infobox|Emergency numbers|In most areas, emergency telephone numbers are as follows: * 101 : Fire department * 102 : Police * 103 : Ambulance * 104 : Gas leaks It is essential to be able to provide emergency responders with your correct street address. Depending on how busy they are, and how serious the medical emergency appears, it may take from a few minutes to an hour for an ambulance to arrive.}} ; Leave me alone. : Отстань. (''aht-STAHN’!'') ; Don't touch me! : Не трогай меня! (''nee-TROH-guy mee-NYAH!'') ; I'll call the police! : Я вызову полицию! (''yah VYH-zah-voo poh-LEE-tsyh-yoo!'') ; Police!: Полиция! (''poh-LEE-tsyh-yah!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Держите вора! (''deer-ZHEE-tyeh VOH-rah!'') ; I need your help. : Мне нужна ваша помощь. (''mnyeh noozh-NAH VAH-shah POH-muhsh'') ; It's an emergency. : Это срочно!. (''EH-tuh SROHCH-nuh'') ; I'm lost. : Я заблудился/заблудилась - (m/f). (''yah zah-bloo-DEEL-suh / zah-bloo-DEE-luhs’'') In the examples below, the extra suffix (а) is for the feminine gender: ; I lost my bag. : Я потерял(а) свою сумку. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svah-YOOH SOOM-kooh'') ; I lost my wallet. : Я потерял(а) свой бумажник. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svoy boo-MAHZH-neek'') ; My things have been stolen. : Меня обокрали. (''me-NYAH oh-buh-KRAH-lee'') ; I'm sick. : Я болен (m.) / Я больна (f.) (''yah-BOH-leen (masculine) / yah-bahl’-NAH (feminine)'') ; I've been injured. : Я ранен(а) (''yah RAH-neen(-ah)'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Меня укусила собака (''me-NYAH oo-koo-SEE-lah suh-BAH-kuh'') ; I need a doctor. : Мне нужен врач. (''mnyeh NOO-zhyhn vrahch'') ; Please call an ambulance. : Пожалуйста, вызовите Скорую помощь. (''Puh-ZHAH-looy-stuh VYH-zaw-vee-teh SKAW-roo-yoo PAW-mushch'') ; Can I use your phone? : Можно от вас позвонить? (''MOH-zhnuh aht vahs puhz-vah-NEET’?'') :''(this can be used only for stationary phone, not for mobile. Asking a mobile phone from unknown person is generally not polite, as this is commonly done by con artists. In some cases a person may allow you to make a call from his cell phone to another cell phone number in the same province, but not to a landline phone number or to a non-local cell phone number.)'' ===Numbers=== Russian nouns have a dual form, used with 2, 3, and 4, as well as singular and plural. Singular quantities and any quantities that end in 1 (21, 301, etc.) use the nominative singular: одна минута, двадцать один час. Quantities 2&ndash;4 use the genitive singular: две минуты, три минуты, четыре минуты. Quantities greater than four use the genitive plural: пять минут, одиннадцать минут, тринадцать минут, etc. ; 0 :ноль/нуль (''nohl’''/''nool’'') ; 1 :один (''ah-DEEN'') ''m'', одна (''ahd-NAH'') ''f'', одно (''ahd-NOH'') ''n'' (one can say раз (raz) when counting something) ; 2 : два (''dvah'') ''mn'', две (''dvyeh'') ''f'' ; 3 : три (''tree'') ; 4 : четыре (''chee-TYH-ree'') ; 5 : пять (''pyaht’'') ; 6 : шесть (''shehst’'') ; 7 : семь (''syeem’'') ; 8 : восемь (''VOH-seem’'') ; 9 : девять (''DYEH-veet’'') ; 10 : десять (''DYEH-suht’'') ; 11 : одиннадцать (''ah-DEEN-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 12 : двенадцать (''dvee-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 13 : тринадцать (''tree-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 14 : четырнадцать (''chee-TYHR-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 15 : пятнадцать (''peet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 16 : шестнадцать (''shyhst-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 17 : семнадцать (''seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 18 : восемнадцать (''vuh-seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 19 : девятнадцать (''dee-veet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 20 : двадцать (''DVAHD-zuht’'') ; 21 : двадцать один (''DVAHD-zuht’ ah-DEEN'') ; 22 : двадцать два (''DVAHD-zuht’ dvah'') ; 23 : двадцать три (''DVAHD-zuht’ tree'') ; 30 : тридцать (''TREED-zuht’'') ; 40 : сорок (''SOH-ruhk'') ; 50 : пятьдесят (''pee-dee-SYAHT'') ; 60 : шестьдесят (''shyhs-dee-SYAHT'') ; 70 : семьдесят (''SYEM’-dee-syet'') ; 80 : восемьдесят (''VOH-seem-deeh-syet’'') ; 90 : девяносто (''dee-vee-NOH-stuh'') ; 100 : сто (''stoh'') ; 150 : полтораста (''puhl-tuh-RAHS-tuh'') ; 200 : двести (''DVYEH-stee'') ; 300 : триста (''TREE-stuh'') ; 400 : четыреста (''chee-TYHR-ee-stuh'') ; 500 : пятьсот(''peet-SOHT'') ; 1000 : тысяча (''TYH-see-chuh'') ; 2000 : две тысячи (''dvyeh TYH-see-chee'') ; 5000 : пять тысяч (''pyaht’ TYH-seech'') ; 1,000,000 : миллион (''mee-lee-OHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : миллиард (''mee-lee-ART'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : триллион (''tree-lee-OHN'') ; Number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : номер _____ (''NOH-meer'') ; half : половина (''puh-lah-VEE-nuh'') ; less : меньше (''MYEHN’-sheh'') ; more : больше (''BOHL’-sheh'') ===Time=== ; now : сейчас (''see-CHAHS'') ; later : позже (''POH-zhuh'') ; earlier : раньше (''RAHN’-shyeh'') ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (literally 'day') ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') ; night : ночь (''nohch'') ====Clock time==== ; What time is it? (formal) : Не подскажете, который час? (''nyee pahd-SKAH-zhy-tyee kah-TOHR-yh chahs'') ; What time is it? (informal) : Который сейчас час? (''kah-TOHR-yh see-CHAHS chahs'') ; one o'clock : час (''chahs'') ; two o'clock : два часа (''dvah chuh-SAH'') ; three o'clock : три часа (''TREE chuh-SAH'') ; four o'clock : четыре часа (''chee-TYHR-ree chuh-SA'') ; five o'clock : пять часов (''pyaht’ chuh-SOHV'') ; six o'clock : шесть часов (''shest’ chuh-SOHV'') ; seven o'clock : семь часов (''syem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; eight o'clock : восемь часов (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; nine o'clock : девять часов (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV'') ; ten o'clock : десять часов (''DYEH-syuht’ chuh-SOV'') ; eleven o'clock : одинадцать часов (''ah-DEEN-nad-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; twelve o'clock : двенадцать часов (''dvee-NAHD-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; noon : полдень (''POHL-dyehn’'') ; midnight : полночь (''POHL-nohch'') ; half an hour : полчаса (''pohl-chuh-SAH'') Russians do not use A.M. and P.M. Instead they divide the day up roughly as follows: ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.) ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) ; night : ночь (''nohch'') (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.) For example: ; 9 a.m. : девять часов утра (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV ooh-TRAH'') ; 8 p.m. : восемь часов вечера (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV VYEH-che-ruh'') ====Duration==== ''Note: Russian uses different endings depending on the quantity. The first is for quantities ending in one (e.g. 1, 21, 31), the second for quantities ending in 2&ndash;4 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24), and the third for quantities ending in 5&ndash;9 and zero, including the teens (e.g. 5, 10, 12, 20, 25).'' ; _____ minute : _____ минута/минуты/минут (''mee-NOOT-ah / mee-NOOT-yh / mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ час/часа/часов (''chahs / chuh-SAH / chuh-SOHF'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ день/дня/дней (''dyehn’ / dnyah / dnyay'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ неделя/недели/недель (''nee-DYEHL-yuh / nee-DYEHL-yee / nee-DYEHL’'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ месяц/месяца/месяцев (''MYEH-seets / MYEH-seets-ah / MYEH-seets-ohf'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ год/года/лет (''goht / GOH-duh / lyeht'') (лет also means "summers") ====Days==== ; today : сегодня (''see-VOHD-nyuh'') ; yesterday : вчера (''fcheeh-RAH'') ; tomorrow : завтра (''ZAHF-truh'') ; this week : на этой неделе (''nah EH-tuy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; last week : на прошлой неделе (''nah PROSH-luy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; next week : на следующей неделе (''nah SLYED-oo-yoo-shee nee-DYEHL-yeh'') ''Note: A Russian week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.'' ; Monday : понедельник (''puh-nee-DYEHL’-neek'') ; Tuesday : вторник (''VTOHR-neek'') ; Wednesday : среда (''sree-DAH'') ; Thursday : четверг (''cheet-VYEHRK'') ; Friday : пятница (''PYAHT-nee-tsuh'') ; Saturday : суббота (''soo-BOHT-uh'') ; Sunday : воскресенье (''vuhs-kree-SYEHN’-yuh'') ; work day : будний день, рабочий день; work days (Monday—Friday) : будни, рабочие дни ; rest days: выходные ====Months==== ; January : январь (''yeen-VAHR’'') ; February : февраль (''feev-RAHL’'') ; March : март (''mahrt'') ; April : апрель (''ahp-RYEHL’'') ; May : май (''migh'') ; June : июнь (''ee-YOON’'') ; July : июль (''ee-YOOL’'') ; August : август (''AHV-goost'') ; September : сентябрь (''seen-TYABR’'') ; October : октябрь (''ahk-TYABR’'') ; November : ноябрь (''nah-YABR’'') ; December : декабрь (''dee-KAHBR’'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written as '''day.month.year''' (where ''day'', ''month'' and ''year'' are numbers) or as '''day month year''' (where ''day'' and ''year'' are numbers and ''month'' is written in the genitive). E.g., May 24, 2009 should be writed as '''24.05.2009''' or as '''24 мая 2009 года'''. Times always use the 24-hour format, e.g., 5:20PM should be written as '''17:20'''. ===Colors=== ; black : чёрный (''CHOHR-nyh'') ; white : белый (''BYEH-lyh'') ; gray : серый (''SYEH-ryh'') ; red : красный (''KRAHS-nyh'') ; blue (dark-blue or navy): синий (''SEE-nyh'') ; blue (light-blue or cyan) : голубой (''guh-loo-BOY'') - use carefully; in Russian slang, this also means "homosexual"! ; yellow : жёлтый (''ZHOL-tyh'') ; green : зелёный (''zee-LYOH-nyh'') ; orange : оранжевый (''ah-RAHN-zhee-vy'') ; purple : фиолетовый (''fee-ah-LYET-uh-vyh'') ; brown : коричневый (''kah-REECH-nee-vyh'') ; pink : розовый (''ROH-zuh-vyh'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Сколько стоит билет в _____? (''SKOL’-kuh STOH-eet bee-LYEHT v _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Один билет в _____, пожалуйста. (''ah-DEEN bee-LYEHT v_____ puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? :Куда едет этот поезд/автобус? (''koo-DAH YEH-diht EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Где поезд/автобус до_____? (''gdyeh POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos duh _____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Этот поезд/автобус останавливается в _____? (''EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos uhs-tuh-NAHV-lee-vuh-eet-suh v _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Когда отходит поезд/автобус в _____ ? (''kahg-DAH aht-KHOH-deet POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos v _____?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Во сколько этот поезд/автобус приходит в_____? (''vah SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos pree-KHOH-deet v _____?'') ; Are you getting off (at the next stop)? : Вы выходите (на следующей остановке)? (''vyh vyh-HOH-dee-tye (nah SLYE-doosh-chey ah-stah-NOHF-kye) ?'') — this phrase is commonly said in public transport to a person in front of you if you need to get off a bus and it is difficult to get to the doors because many people stand near them. If a person who was told this phrase is going to get off a bus, he says Да, выхожу (''dah vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — Yes, I'm getting off. And you just go out after him. If he says Нет, не выхожу (''nyet nye vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — No, I'm not getting off, you should say Разрешите пройти (''rahz-ree-SHEE-tye prah-y-TEE'') — May I go through, the person will let you go out. ====Directions==== {{Infobox|Name changing|A lot of city, street, and other names changed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Sometimes for nationalist reasons in the former Soviet Republics, sometimes because the Soviet names seemed too weird and ideological, sometimes because names like "Stalin" no longer had such a good ring to them, and often because people wanted the old historic names back. This can present problems for travelers, especially when the street names have changed, and locals still sometimes refer to them by the old names. There isn't much to be done about this, but be sure to at least get your major city names straight: *Leningrad → [[Saint Petersburg]] (but the oblast is still Leningrad Oblast) *Stalingrad → [[Volgograd]] *Sverdlovsk → [[Yekaterinburg]] (but the oblast is still Sverdlovsk Oblast) *Ordzhonikidze → [[Vladikavkaz]] *Kalinin → [[Tver]] *Gorky → [[Nizhny Novgorod]] *Zagorsk → [[Sergiev Posad]] *Kuybyshev → [[Samara]] *Frunze → [[Bishkek]] *Stalinabad → [[Dushanbe]] *Alma-Ata → [[Almaty]] *Akmola → Astana → [[Nur-Sultan]] *Krasnovodsk → [[Turkmenbashi]] }} ; Where : где (''gdyeh'') ; Here : здесь (''zdyehs'') ; There : там (''tahm'') ; To where : куда (''koo-DAH'') ; To here : сюда (''syoo-DAH'') ; To there : туда (''too-DAH'') ; How do I get to _____ ? : Как добраться до_____ ? (''kahk dah-BRAH-tsuh duh ___?'') ; ...the train station? : ...вокзала? (''vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the bus station? : ...автовокзала? (''ahf-tuh-vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the airport? : ...аэропорта? (''ah-ehr-ah-POHR-tuh'') ; ...the Metro (subway) : ...метро (''mee-TROH'') ; ...downtown? : ...центра? (''TSEHN-truh'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...молодёжного общежития? (''muh-lah-DYOH-zhnuh-vuh ahp-shee-ZHYH-tee-yuh'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...гостиницы ______? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh'') e.g.: ; ...the Mosfilm hotel? : ...гостиницы Мосфильм? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh MOHS-feel’m'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...американского/канадского/австралийского/английского консульства? (''uh-mee-ree-KAHNS-kuh-vuh / kuh-NAHTS-kuh-vuh / uhfs-truh-LEES-kuh-vuh / ahng-LEES-kuh-vuh KOHN-sool’-stvuh'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Где есть много... (''gdyeh yehst’ MNOH-guh'') ; ...hotels? : ...гостиниц? (''gahs-TEE-neets?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ресторанов? (''rees-tah-RAHN-uhf?'') ; ...bars? : ...баров? (''BAHR-uhf'') ; ...sites to see? : ...достопримечательностей? (''duhs-tuh-pree-mee-CHAH-teel’-nuhs-tyay'') ; Where is a good, cheap... : Где хороший дешёвый... (''gdyeh khah-ROH-shyh dee-SHYOH-vyh'') ; ...restaurant? : ресторан? (''ree-stah-RAHN'') ; ...bar? : бар? (''bahr'') ; Please can you show me on the map? : Пожалуйста Вы можете показать на карте? (''puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh vyh MOH-zhyh-tee puh-kuh-ZAHT’ nuh KAHR-tyeh'') ; Is it far? : Далеко? (''dah-lee-KOH'') ; street : улица (''OO-lee-tsuh'') ; Turn left. : Поверните налево. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; Turn right. : Поверните направо. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-PRAH-vuh'') ; left : налево (''nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; right : направо (''nuh-PRAH-vuh...'') ; straight ahead : прямо (''PRYAH-muh'') ; towards the _____ : к _____ (''k'') ; past the _____ : мимо _____ (''MEEH-mah'') ; before the _____ : перед _____ (''PYEH-reet'') ; Watch for the _____. : Ищите _____. (''ee-SHEE-tyeh'') ; intersection : перекрёсток (''pee-ree-KRYOH-stuhk'') ; north : север (''SYEH-veer'') ; south : юг (''yook'') ; east : восток (''vahs-TOHK'') ; west : запад (''ZAH-puht'') ; uphill : вверх (''VVYEHR-kh'') ; downhill : вниз (''vnees'') ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : Такси! (''Tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Довезите меня до _____, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh mee-NYAH duh _____, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Сколько стоит доехать до ______? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet dah-YEH-khut’ duh ____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Довезите меня туда, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh meenyah too-DAH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; [Please] stop here. : Остановите здесь[, пожалуйста]. (''us-tuh-naw-VEE-tyeh zdes[, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh].'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : У вас есть свободные комнаты? (''oo vash YEHST’ svah-BOD-nyh-yeh KOHM-nuh-tyh'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Сколько стоит комната на одного человека/двух человек? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet KOM-nuh-tuh nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kuh / dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK '') ; Does the room come with... : В этой комнате есть... (''VEH-tuy KOHM-nuh-tyeh yest’...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...простыни? (''...PROHS-tee-nee'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...ванная? (''...VAHN-nah-yuh'') ; ...a telephone? : ...телефон? (''...tee-lee-FOHN'') ; ...a TV? : ...телевизор? (''...tee-lee-VEE-zuhr'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...холодильник ? (''...ho-luh-DIL-nik'') ; ...electric kettle? : ...электрический чайник ? (''...eh-lek-TREE-ches-kee CHI-nik'') ; May I see the room first? : Могу я сначала посмотреть комнату? (''mah-GOOH yah znuh-CHAH-luh puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ KOHM-nah-too'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : У вас есть что-нибудь потише? (''oo vah yehst’ CHTOH-nee-boot’ pah-TEE-shyh?'') ; ...bigger? : ...побольше? (''pah-BOHL’-shyh'') ; ...cleaner? : ...почище? (''pah-CHEE-sheh'') ; ...cheaper? : ...подешевле? (''puh-dee-SHEHV-lyeh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я беру. (''khah-rah-SHOH yah bee-ROO'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Я останусь на _____ ночь (ночи/ночей). (''yah ahs-TAH-noos’ nah _____ nohch’ (NOH-chee/nah-CHYAY'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Вы можете предложить другую гостиницу? (''vy MOH-zhee-te pred-la-ZHYHT’ droo-GOO-yoo gahs-TEE-nee-tsoo'') ; Do you have a safe? : У вас есть сейф? (''oo vahs yest’ syayf'') ; ...lockers? : ...индивидуальные сейфы? (''een-dee-vee-doo-AHL’-nyh-yeh SYAY-fee'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Завтрак/ужин включен? (''ZAHF-truhk / OO-zhyhn fklyoo-CHON'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Во сколько завтрак/ужин? (''vuh SKOHL’-kuh ZAH-ftruhk / OO-zhyhn'') ; Please clean my room. : Уберите в моей комнате, пожалуйста. (''oo-bee-REE-tyeh vmah-YAY KOHM-nuh-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Не могли бы вы разбудить меня в _____? (''nee mah-GLEE byh vyh rahz-boo-DEET’ mee-NYAH v _____? '') ; You have a bedbug infestation here. : У вас водятся клопы. (''oo VAS VAWD-yats-ya klaw-PYH'') ; I want to check out. : Дайте счёт. (''DIGH-tyeh shyoht'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Вы принимаете американские/австралийские/канадские доллары? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh uh-mee-ree-KAHN-skee-yeh / uhv-struh-LEE-skee-yeh / kuh-NAHD-skee-yeh DOH-luhr-yh'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Вы принимаете английские фунты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh ahn-GLEE-skee-yeh FOON-tyh'') ; Do you accept euro? : Вы принимаете евро? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh YEV-ruh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Вы принимаете кредитные карты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh kree-DEET-nyh-yeh KAHR-tyh'') ; Can you change money for me? : Не могли бы вы обменять мне деньги? (''nyeh mah-GLEE byh vyh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh DYEHN’-gee'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Где я могу обменять деньги? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ DYEHN’-gee'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Вы можете обменять мне дорожный чек? (''vyh MOH-zhyh-tyeh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Где я могу обменять дорожный чек? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Какой курс обмена? (''kah-KOY koors ahb-MYEHN-uh'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Где здесь банкомат? (''gdyeh zdyes’ bahn-kuh-MAHT'') ===Eating=== ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Столик на одного человека/двух человек, пожалуйста. (''STOH-leek nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Могу я посмотреть меню? (''mah-GOO yah puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ meen-YOO'''') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Я могу посмотреть на кухню? (''yah mah-GOO puh-smah-TRYEHT’ nah KOOKH-nee-yoo'') ; Is there a house specialty? : Какое у вас фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Какое у вас местное фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs myehst-NOY-yeh feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (''yah vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-eets/vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-kah'') ; I don't eat pork. : Я не ем свинину. (''yah nee yehm svee-NEEN-oo'') ; I don't eat beef. : Я не ем говядину. (''yah nee yehm gahv-YAH-deen-oo'') ; I only eat kosher food. : Я принимаю только кошерную пищу. (''yah pree-nee-MAH-yoo TOHL’-kuh kah-SHERH-noo-yoo PEE-shoo.'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Сделайте, пожалуйста, поменьше жира. (''SDYEH-ligh-tyeh, puh-zhahl-uh-stuh, pah-MYEHN'-shyh zhyh-RAH'') ; fixed-price meal : комплексный обед (''KOHM-plyehks-nyh ah-BYEHT'') ; à la carte : карта вин (''KAHR-tah veen'') ; breakfast : завтрак (''ZAHF-truhk'') ; lunch : обед (''ah-BYEHT'') ; tea (''meal'') : полдник (''POHLD-neek'') ; supper : ужин (''OO-zhyhn'') ; I want _____. : Я хочу _____. (''yah khah-CHOO'') (''use first form below'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Я хочу блюдо с _____. (''yah khah-CHOO BLYOO-duh s _____'') (''use second form'') ; chicken : курицу/ой (''KOO-reet-soo / KOO-reet-suy'') ; beef : говядину/ой (''gahv-YAH-dee-noo / gahv-YAH-dee-nuy'') ; fish : рыбу/ой (''RYH-boo / RYH-boy'') ; ham : свинину/ой (''svee-NEE-noo / svee-NEE-nuy'') ; veal : говядина (''gahv-YAH-deen-uh'') ; sausage : колбасу/ой (''kuhl-bah-SOO / kuhl-bah-SOY'') ; cheese : сыр/ом (''syhr / SYH-ruhm'') ; eggs : яйца/ами (''YIGH-tsah / YIGH-tsah-mee'') ; salad : салат/ом (''sah-LAHT / sah-LAHT-ohm'') ; potato : картофель (''kahr-TOH-fehl''') ; (fresh) vegetables : (свежие/ими) овощи/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee OH-vuh-shee/ uh-vuh-SHAH-mee'') ; tomato : помидор (''puh-mee-DOHR'') ; cabbage : капуста (''kah-POOS-tuh'') ; carrot : морковь (''mahr-KOHF'') ; beet : свёкла (''SVYOHL-kuh'') ; (fresh) fruit : (свежие/ими) фрукты/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee FROOK-tyh / FROOK-tuh-mee'') ; berries : ягоды (''YAH-guh-dyh'') ; strawberry : клубинка (''kloo-BEEN-kuh'') ; banana : банан (''bah-NAHN'') ; apple : яблоко (''YAH-bluh-kuh'') ; grapes : виноград (''vee-nah-GRAHD'') ; currants : смородина (''smah-ROH-dee-nuh'') ; orange : апельсин (''uh-peel-SEEN'') ; bread : хлеб/ом (''khlyep / KHLYEH-buhm'') ; toast : тост/ом (''tohst / TOHST-uhhm)'') ; noodles : лапша/ой (''LAHP-shuh / lahp-SHOY'') ; pasta : макароны/онами (''mah-kah-ROH-nyh / mah-kah-ROH-nah-mee'') ; rice : рис/ом (''rees / REE-suhm'') ; buckwheat : гречка/гречкой (''GRECH-kuh / GRECH-koy'') ; beans : фасоль/фасолью (''fah-SOHL’ / fah-SOHL-yoo'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, стакан _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, stah-KAHN _____?'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, чашку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, CHAHSH-koo'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, бутылку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, boo-TYHL-koo'') ; ...coffee : ...кофе (''KOH-feh'') ; ...tea (''drink'') : ...чая (''CHAH-yuh'') ; ...juice : ...сока (''SOH-kah'') ; ...(bubbly) water : ...минеральной воды (''mee-nee-RAHL'-nuy vah-DYH'') ; ...water : ...воды (''vah-DYH'') ; ...beer : ...пива (''PEE-vuh'') ; ...red/white wine : ...красного/белого вина (''KRAH-snuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; ...sparkling wine : ...шампанского (''shum-PAHN-skuh-guh'') ; ...vodka : ...водки (''VOT-kee'') ; May I have some _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста _____. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; ...salt : соль (''sohl’'') ; ...black pepper : чёрный перец (''CHYOHR-nyh PYEH-reets'') ; ...butter : масло (''MAHS-luh'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Официант!/Девушка! (''uh-fee-TSAHNT! / DYEH-voosh-kuh!'') The former is very polite and gender neutral, the latter only for female servers, and should not be used in a nice restaurant. ; I'm finished. : Я наелся/наелась. (''yah nah-YEHL-syuh/yah nah-YEH-las’'') ; It was delicious. : Это было великолепно. (''EH-tuh BYH-luh vyeh-lee-kah-LYEHP-nuh'') ; Please clear the plates. : Можете убрать со стола. (''MOH-zhyh-tyeh oo-BRAHT’ suh stuh-LAH'') ; The check, please. : Счёт, пожалуйста. (''shyoht, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ===Bars=== ; Do you serve alcohol? : Вы продаёте алкогольные напитки? (''VYH pruh-dah-YOH-tyeh ahl-kuh-GOHL’-nyh-yeh nah-PEET-kee?'') ; Is there table service? : Здесь есть официант? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ ah-fee-TSANT'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Будьте добры, одно пиво/два пива. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ad-noh PEE-vuh / dvah PEE-vah'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Будьте добры, бокал красного/белого вина. (''BOOT'-tyeh dah-BRYH, bah-KAHL KRAHZ-nuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; A bottle, please. : Будьте добры, одну бутылку. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ahd-NOO boo-TYHL-koo'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : Будьте добры, _____ (''hard liquor'') с _____ (''mixer'' in ablative form). (''...'') ; whiskey : виски (''VEE-skee'') ; vodka : водка (''VOHT-kah'') ; rum : ром (''rohm'') ; water : вода/ой (''vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; club soda : газированная/ой вода/ой (газировка/ой) (''guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuh-yuh / guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuy vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; tonic water : тоник/ом (''TOH-neek/TOH-neek-uhm'') ; orange juice : апельсиновый/ым сок/ом (''uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyh / uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyhm sohk / SOHK-uhm'') ; Coke (''soda'') : кола/ой (''лимонад/ом'') (''KOH-lah / KOH-luy'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Здесь есть буфет? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ boo-FYEHT'') ; One more, please. : Ещё одну, пожалуйста. (''yee-SHYOH ahd-NOOH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Another round, please. : Повторите, пожалуйста. (''puhf-tah-REEH-tye, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; When is closing time? : Когда вы закрываетесь? (''kahg-DAH vyh zuh-kryh-VAH-ee-tyehs’?'') ; I don't drink. : Я вообще не пью. (''yah vahb-SHYEH nee pyoo'') ; I'm an alcoholic. : Я алкоголик. (''yah ahl-kah-GOH-leek'') ; I cannot drink because of medication. : Мне нельзя пить из-за лекарства, которое я сейчас принимаю. (''mnyee neel-ZYAH peet' eez-zah lee-KAHRST-vuh kah-TOHR-uh-yuh yah see-CHAHS pree-nee-MAH-yoo'') ===Shopping=== ; Do you have this in my size? : У вас есть это моего размера? (''oo vahs yehst’ EH-tuh ma-ee-VOH rahz-MYEH-ruh'') ; How much is this? : Сколько это стоит? (''SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuh STOH-eet'') ; That's too expensive. : Это слишком дорого. (''EH-tuh SLEESH-kuhm DOH-ruh-guh'') ; Would you take _____? : Вы примете _____? (''vyh PREE-mee-tyeh _____?'') ; expensive : дорого (''DOH-ruh-guh'') ; cheap : дёшево (''DYOH-shyh-vuh'') ; I can't afford it. : Я не могу себе этого позволить. (''yah nee mah-GOOH see-BYEH EH-tuh-vuh paz-VOH-leet’'') ; I don't want it. : Я это не хочу. (''yah EH-tuh nee khah-CHOO'') 31:13 36 Kitchen ; You're cheating me. : Вы меня обманываете. (''vyh mee-NYAH ab-MAH-nyh-vah-ee-tyeh'') 53:21 100 Channels ; I'm not interested. : Мне это не интересно.. (''mnyeh EH-tuh nee een-tee-RYEHS-nuh'') 11:20 ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я возьму. (''khah-rah-SHOH, yah vahz’-MOO'') 11:21 ; Can I have a bag? : Дайте, пожалуйста, пакет. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, pah-KYEHT'') 0:11 ; Do you ship (overseas)? : У вас есть доставка (за границу)? (''oo vahs yehst’ dahs-TAHF-kah (zah grah-NEET-sooh) 13:03'' ; Give me two ''(items of something)''. : Давайте две. (''dah-VIGH-tyeh DVYEH'') ; I need... : Мне нужен/нужна/нужно/нужны... (''mnyeh NOO-zhehn / nooh-ZHNAH / NOOZH-nuh / nooh-ZHNYH'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...зубная паста. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh PAHS-tuh'') 0:26 ; ...a toothbrush. : ...зубная щётка. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh SHYOHT-kuh'') 15:00 ; ...tampons. : ...тампоны. (''tahm-POH-nyh'') 52:02 ; ...soap. : ...мыло. (''MYH-luh'') 43:22 ; ...shampoo. : ...шампунь. (''shahm-POON’'') 43:32 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...обезболивающее. (''ah-beez-BOH-lee-vah-yoo-shee-yeh'') 53:03 74 Trash ; ...cold medicine. : ...лекарство от простуды. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht prah-STOO-dyh'') 34:04 ; ...stomach medicine. : ...лекарство от живота. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht zhyh-VOH-tuh'') 28:02 ; ...a razor. : ...бритва. (''BREET-vuh'') 32:53 ; ...an umbrella. : ...зонтик. (''ZOHN-teek'') 0:32 ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...лосьон от загара. (''luhs’-YOHN ahd zah-GAH-ruh'') 40:01 ; ...a postcard. : ...открытка. (''aht-KRYHT-kah'') 0:21 ; ...postage stamps. : ...почтовые марки. (''pahtch-TOH-vyh-yeh MAHR-kee'') 0:28 ; ...batteries. : ...батарейки. (''bah-tah-RAY-kee'') 57:22 6 Battery ; ...writing paper. : ...бумага. (''boo-MAH-guh'') 1:23 ; ...a pen. : ...ручка. (''ROOCH-kuh'') 50:22 ; ...English-language books. : ...книги на английском языке. (''KNEE-gee nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zee-KYEH'') 32:02 5342 Words ; ...English-language magazines. : ...журналы на английском языке. (''zhoor-NAH-lyh nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') 25:03 153 Words ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...газета на английском языке. (''gah-ZYEH-tah nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') 53:02 623 Words ; ...a Russian-English dictionary. : ...русско-английский словарь. (''ROO-skuh ahn-GLEE-skee slah-VAHR’'') 52:21 5342 Words ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : Я хочу взять машину напрокат. (''yah khah-CHOO vzyaht’ mah-SHYH-noo nuh-prah-KAHT'') 11:01 ; Can I get insurance? : Я могу взять страховку? (''yah mah-GOO vzyaht’ strah-KHOHF-koo'') 12:02 ; Stop (''on a street sign'') : СТОП (''stohp'') 13:32 ; One way : одностороннее движение (''uhd-nuh-stah-ROHN-nee-yeh dvee-ZHEH-nee-yeh'') 14:00 ; Yield : уступите дорогу (''oo-stoo-PEE-tyeh dah-ROH-goo'') 23:00 ; No parking : парковки нет (''pahr-KOHF-kee nyeht'') 23:22 ; Speed limit : ограничение скорости (''ah-grah-nee-CHEH-nyh-yeh SKOH-ruh-stee'') 45:26 ; Gas (''petrol'') station : (авто)заправка (''(AHF-tuh) zah-PRAHF-kuh'') 51:01 ; Petrol : бензин (''been-ZEEN'') 52:02 ; Diesel : ДТ (дизельное топливо) (''deh teh (DEE-zehl’-nuh-yeh TOH-plee-vuh'') 52:09 ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Я ничего плохого не делал(а). (''yah nee-chee-VOH plah-KHOH-vuh nee DYEH-luhl/luh-luh'') ; My papers are in order : Мои документы в порядке. (''muh-yee duh-koo-MYEHN-tyh fpahr-YAHD-kee'') (intonation must fall, otherwise you might be asking a question!) ; It was a misunderstanding. : Мы друг друга не поняли. (''myh droog DROO-guh nyee POHN-yuh-lee'') ; Take me to the police. : Везите меня в полицию. (''vee-ZEE-tyeh meen-YAH fpuh-LEE-tsyh-yuh'') ; Where are you taking me? : Куда вы меня везёте? (''koo-DAH vyh meen-YAH vee-ZYOH-tyeh?'') ::;To the police : К полиции. (''kpuh-LEE-tsyh'') ::;To my house : К моему дому. (''kmuh-yuh-MOO DOH-moo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Я арестован(а)? (''yah ah-ryees-TOH-vuhn/vuh-nah?'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Я гражданин/гражданка Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah grazh-dah-NEEN/grazh-DAHN-kah ah-MYEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh / vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Я хочу поговорить с посольством/консульством Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah khah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s pah-SOL’ST-vuhm / s KOHN-sool’-stvuhm ah-MEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh/ vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Я хочу поговорить с адвокатом. (''yah hah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s ahd-vuh-KAH-tuhm'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Я могу заплатить штраф сейчас? (''yah mah-GOO zah-plah-TEET’ shtrahf say-CHAHS?'') (This phrase indicates that you want to pay a bribe to get out of trouble.) ; I need a receipt : Мне нужна квитанция. (''mnyee noozh-NAH kvee-TAHN-tsyh-yuh'') (In the context of interactions with police, this phrase indicates that you aren't willing to pay a bribe.) {{starphrasebook}} {{related|Russia}} {{phrasebookguide}} bwft84lwx01d2rujrhu9yys02ma8udh 4506578 4506563 2022-08-23T04:55:52Z 103.176.224.49 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bannerrussianphrasebook.jpg|caption=Various signs in Udelnaya, a northern suburb of St.Petersburg|star=yes|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Russian language status and proficiency in the World.svg |thumb|Russian language distribution. {{legend|#000075|Official language}} {{legend|#007575|Widespread use (>30%)}}]] '''Russian''' (русский) is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Abkhazia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[South Ossetia]], and the unrecognized [[Transnistria]], [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]]. In countries lacking official designation for Russian, such as [[Ukraine]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the [[Baltic States]] (where schooling in Russian was mandatory under the Soviet regime), a solid majority of residents may speak it as a second language, and there are significant native-speaker minorities. However, due to its association with Soviet oppression, many residents in these countries may find it offensive to be addressed in Russian, and younger people will often prefer to speak English than Russian when communicating with foreigners. Likewise, a similar dynamic exists in many of the formerly communist countries of Europe such as [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Hungary]], in which Russian was a compulsory second language in schools under communist rule. Russian remains the ''lingua franca'' of choice throughout the former Soviet [[Central Asia]]n states, [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], where it is effectively the language of commerce, government, and travel (despite lacking official status). It is, to a lesser extent, an important language in [[Mongolia]], where it is a compulsory second language in schools, and is the most widely spoken foreign language. Russian has also become the third most widely spoken language in [[Israel]], owing to a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and other ex-Soviet countries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Russian was a compulsory second language in schools in the formerly communist central and eastern European countries, and may be spoken by older people who were schooled during the communist era. However, it has largely been supplanted by English since the fall of the iron curtain, and younger people are in general far more likely to speak English than Russian. Russian remains perhaps the most important Eurasian travel language because English is very rarely spoken throughout the Russophone countries. <br clear="all" /> ==Pronunciation guide== [[File:Russian alphabet.svg|thumb|200px|Russian print and cursive]] Consonants and vowels in Russian (and Slavic generally) are ''soft'' (palatalized) or ''hard''. Consonants are pronounced soft if followed by a soft vowel or the soft sign, else hard. Some consonants are always soft or always hard, regardless of the following vowel. One important note: the cursive Russian alphabet looks very different from the printed alphabet. The printed alphabet is rarely used when writing by hand. (The same goes to other Cyrillic-written languages.) On the upside, though, as a traveler, you are quite unlikely to have to read much handwritten Russian! ===Vowels=== ; a ah : like f'''a'''ther {{IPA|a}} ; e yeh : like '''ye'''sterday {{IPA|je}} ; ё yoh : like '''yo'''re {{IPA|jɵ}} ; и ee : like s'''ee'''n or mach'''i'''ne {{IPA|i}} ; o oh : like sc'''o'''re {{IPA|o}} ; у oo : like cart'''oo'''n {{IPA|u}} ; ы yh : like ros'''e'''s {{IPA|ɨ}} ; э eh : like '''e'''nd {{IPA|ɛ}} ; ю yoo : like '''Yu'''goslavia {{IPA|ju}} ; я yah : like '''ya'''cht {{IPA|ja}} Russian, like English, has something called vowel reduction, where the vowels take on different sounds if they are not in the stressed syllable of the word. The exact nature of this depends on the part of Russia one is located in, but generally (and abroad): * The letters е, ю, and я sound like their counterparts э, у, and а * The letter о sounds like the letter а * The letter а sounds like the English h'''u'''t {{IPA|ə or ɐ}} * The letter у sounds like the English b'''oo'''k {{IPA|ʊ}} * All other vowels tend to make the sound of English '''i'''ll {{IPA|ɪ}} However, when traveling, you generally don't need to worry about reduction. Pronouncing all vowels as if they were stressed will seem like over-enunciation to a native speaker, but you'll be perfectly understood. Unfortunately, '''ё''' is very often written as '''е''', which can cause problems for non-native speakers, since pronouncing one over the other can change the meaning of a word. Fortunately, books oriented toward beginners (like dictionaries, grammar books, literature for foreigners, etc.) always include the dots. ===Consonants=== ; б beh : like '''b'''oy {{IPA|b}} ; в veh : like '''v'''ery {{IPA|v}} ; г geh : like '''g'''o {{IPA|ɡ}}; in genitive (possessive) endings ого/его pronounced like в. E.g., "Dostoevsky's" = Достоевского (duh-stah-YEHV-skuh-vuh) ; д deh : like '''d'''o {{IPA|d}} ; ж zheh : like mea'''s'''ure {{IPA|ʐ}} ; з zeh : like '''z'''oo {{IPA|z}} ; й ee kratkoe ("short и") : like bo'''y''' {{IPA|j}} ; к kah : like '''k'''eep {{IPA|k}} ; л ell : like fee'''l''' {{IPA|ɫ}} ; м em : like see'''m''' {{IPA|m}} ; н en : like '''n'''oodle {{IPA|n}} ; п peh : like s'''p'''igot {{IPA|p}} ; р err : ''heavily'' rolled as in Spanish rr in pe'''rr'''o {{IPA|r}} ; с ess : like '''s'''eem {{IPA|s}} ; т teh : like s'''t'''op {{IPA|t}} ; ф eff : like '''F'''rench {{IPA|f}} ; х khah : like '''Ch'''anukkah, Scottish lo'''ch''', or German Ba'''ch''' {{IPA|x}} ; ц tseh : like boo'''ts''' {{IPA|t͡s}} ; ч cheh : like '''ch'''eap {{IPA|t͡ɕ}} ; ш sheh : like '''sh'''ot {{IPA|ʂ}} ; щ scheh : ш, but harsher {{IPA|ɕ}}. Don't worry about this too much, as you'll be understood in context. (Note that though щ is often transliterated as shch, it is ''not'' pronounced similar to "har'''sh ch'''oice"—there is no ch sound in this Russian consonant) The letter sequence сч sounds like щ, and ''not'' like English que'''sti'''on. Be careful of letters such as В, Н, or Р which resemble a Latin letter but represent a different sound; they can be especially confusing for beginners. When consonants are soft (they are either always soft, followed by a soft vowel, or have a soft sign), they become palatalized {{IPA|ʲ}}. See the soft sign below for more details. ===Signs=== In the Middle Ages, these two characters (known as the ''yer'') used to represent reduced vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but now they merely indicate whether the preceding consonant is palatalized ("soft") or not ("hard"). ; ъ ’’ : the hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is not palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would). Mostly used after prefixes ''v-'' ("in") and ''s-'' ("out"). For example: *съёмка (s-yom-kah) - making a film *Сёмка (syom-kah) - familiar form for Simon *въезд (v-yezd) - vehicular entrance (not vyezd). ; ь ’ : the soft sign - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would not) This means that the consonant is pronounced while sticking the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth while raising the middle of your tongue to your palate. You don't really need to worry about this - while there are pairs of words that differ only by palatalization (some examples follow), it can be very difficult for beginners and probably not worth the effort. If you are planning on being in a situation where you will be speaking Russian for a long period of time, it may be wise to practice this. As mentioned, palatalization also occurs before soft vowels. *полька (POL'-kah) - a female Polish person (also, the dance) *полка (POL-kah) - a shelf *уголь (OO-gol') - coal *угол (OO-gol) - corner *каньон (ka-NYON) - canyon *канон (ka-NON) - canon *кров (KROHF) - roof, slelter *кровь (KROHF') - blood ===Stress=== Although Russian is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every book and dictionary concerning the Russian language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable. The same rule applies for others that use the Cyrillic script such as [[Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian]] and [[Bulgarian phrasebook|Bulgarian]]. ==Grammar== Unless you intend to seriously study the language, learning Russian grammar on your trip is not realistic. But it can help to at least recognize that the following verb conjugations and noun/adjective declensions are used. *Russian nouns belong to one of three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. However, like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter. *The second person pronoun '''вы''' is the plural of '''ты''' and is also used, as in French, for '''polite address''' to one person. *Russian '''verbs and verb conjugation''' differ along three axes: :1) Verbs come in ''perfective'' and ''imperfective'' pairs (e.g., '''думать''' | '''подумать'''). Imperfective verbs indicate ongoing or uncompleted action; Perfective verbs indicated one-off or completed action. Conjugated perfective verbs are also used to indicated the future tense (future imperfective requires conjugation of the verb to be (быть) + imperfective infinitive). As a general rule (but only a very general rule), perfective verb forms are created by adding a prefix to the relevant imperfective verb. {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! style="background: #ffffff; color: #000000" height="17" | ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Singular ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Plural |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | 1st Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я думаю | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Мы думаем |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 2nd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Ты думаешь | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Вы думаете |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 3rd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Он думает | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Они думают |} :2) Verbs follow a simple pattern of temporal conjugation: past, present, and future, (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''думаю''' | '''подумаю'''). In the past tense, verbs also conjugate by gender, male, female, and neuter (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''подумала''' | '''подумало'''). :3) In the present and future tenses, pronouns can and are often omitted due to context; however, the same is hardly said in the past tense, as the latter changes according to gender (masculine, feminine and neutral) and number (singular and plural). (Example at right) <br clear="all" /> *'''Nouns and adjectives ''' have six '''cases''', depending on their general grammatical role in a sentence: :{| class="wikitable" ! style="background: #cedff2; color: #000000" height="17" | Case ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Nominative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Accusative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Genitive ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Dative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Prepositional ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Instrumental |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Use | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Subject of sentence | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Direct object | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Possessive (of) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Indirect object (to/for) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Location (at) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Instrumental (by/with) |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Example | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''Город''' красив | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я читал '''книгу''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Центр '''города''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я дал '''ему''' еду | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Музей '''в городе''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я шёл '''с ним''' |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Translation | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''The city''' is pretty | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I read the '''book''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Center '''of the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I gave '''him''' food | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | A museum '''in the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I walked '''with him''' |} ==Phrase list== ''See [[Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide]] for guidance on the phoneticizations below'' ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Открыто / Работает ; CLOSED : Закрыто / Не работает ; ENTRANCE : Вход ; EXIT : Выход ; PUSH : От себя ; PULL : К себе / На себя ; TOILET : Туалет ; MEN : М ; WOMEN : Ж ; NO ENTRANCE : Входа нет / Вход воспрещён ; [ENTRY] FORBIDDEN : Проход воспрещён / Проход закрыт ; PLEASE KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING : Без стука не входить ; NO SMOKING : Не курить ; DANGER - NO ENTRY! : Не влезай - убьёт!}} {{Infobox|How many names!|Russians take three names, a first name (имя), patronymic (отчество), and last name (фамилия). The unfamiliar patronymic is the name of one's father plus an ending of -ovich, -yevich, or -yich for men, -yevna, -ovna or -ichna for women. For example, if the father's name is Пётр (Peter), the patronymic would be Петрович (Petrovich) for a man, and Петровна (Petrovna) for a woman. To use someone's name informally, you can refer to them using the first or (less commonly) last name, while to do so formally would require either first name + patronymic, or a title + last name. For example, you can refer to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Президент Владимир Владимирович Путин) informally as Vladimir (if you know him personally) or just Putin. To refer to him more formally—and you generally should use the formal name in Russian—you would need to refer to him as Vladimir Vladimirovich or President Putin. Last names also vary based on gender, often with an "a" added to the end of the male last name for the female version. For instance, the wife of former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is known as Svetlana Medvedev'''a'''. But it gets even harder! Russians love diminutives, which are essentially nicknames or "shortenings," for just about everything, including names. Most names can be shortened into three or four variants—"cute" nicknames usually have an insert like -en'k, -echk, -ochk, -ushk, or -yush, like Sara → Sarochka (Сарочка) or Katya → Katyusha (Катюша). Obviously, you should avoid addressing people with these until you know them well. Here are some of the most common ones that might give you trouble:<br><br> '''Male names''' *Aleksander (Александр) → Sasha (Саша), Sanya (Саня), Shura (Шура) *Aleksei (Алексей) → Alyosha (Алёша), Lyosha (Лёша), Lyokha (Лёха) *Anatolii (Анатолий) → Tolya (Толя) *Vasilii (Василий) → Vasya (Вася) *Vladimir (Владимир) → Volodya (Володя), Vova (Вова) *Vladislav (Владислав) → Vlad (Влад), Vladik (Владик) *Gennadii (Геннадий) → Gena (Гена) *Georgii (Георгий) → Zhora (Жора), Gosha (Гоша) *Dmitrii (Дмитрий) → Dima (Дима), Mitya (Митя) *Evgenii (Евгений) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ivan (Иван) → Vanya (Ваня) *Konstantin (Константин) → Kostya (Костя) *Mikhail (Михаил) → Misha (Миша) *Nikolai (Николай) → Kolya (Коля) *Pavel (Павел) → Pasha (Паша), Pavlik (Павлик) *Pyotr (Пётр) → Petya (Петя) *Sergei (Сергей) → Seryozha (Серёжа), Seryoga (Серёга), Seryi (Серый) *Fyodor (Фёдор) → Fedya (Фе́дя) *Yurii (Юрий) → Yura (Юра) <br><br> '''Female names''' *Aleksandra (Александра) → Sasha (Саша) *Anastasiya (Анастасия) → Nastya (Настя) *Anna (Анна) → Anya (Аня) *Valeriya (Валерия) → Lera (Лера) *Viktoriya (Виктория) → Vika (Вика), Vita (Вита) *Evgeniya (Евгения) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ekaterina (Екатерина) → Katya (Катя) *Irina (Ирина) → Ira (Ира) *Lyubov (Любовь) → Lyuba (Люба) *Lyudmila (Людмила) → Lyuda (Люда), Lyucya (Люся) *Magdalina (Магдалина) → Magda (Магда) *Mariya (Мария) → Masha (Маша) *Nadezhda (Надежда) → Nadya (Надя) *Natasha (Наташа) → Tasha (Таша) *Oksana (Оксана) → Ksyusha (Ксюша), Ksenya (Ксеня) *Olga (Ольга) → Olya (Оля) *Svetlana (Светлана) → Sveta (Света) }} ; Hello. (''formal''):Здравствуйте. (''ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh'') (The first в is silent; sometimes considered bad luck to say this to the same person twice in one day.) [[File:Ru-здравствуйте.ogg]] ; Hello. (''informal''):Здравствуй. (''ZDRAHST-vooy'') [[File:Ru-здравствуй.ogg]] ; Hi.:Привет. (''pree-VYEHT'') [[File:Ru-привет.ogg]], Здорово. (''Zduh-ROH-vuh'') (Shorter version of the above greeting.) ; How are you?: Как дела? (''kahg dee-LAH?'') ; Fine, thank you.: Хорошо, спасибо. (''khah-rah-SHOH spah-SEE-buh'') ; What is your name?: Как Вас зовут? (''kahk vahs zah-VOOT?'') ; My name is ______ .: Меня зовут ______ . (''mee-NYAH zah-VOOT ___'') ; Nice to meet you.: Очень приятно. (''OH-cheen' pree-YAHT-nuh'') ; Please.:Пожалуйста. (''pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') [[File:Ru-пожалуйста.ogg]] ; Thank you.:Спасибо. (''spuh-SEE-buh'') [[File:Ru-спасибо.ogg]] ; You're welcome.:Не за что. (''NYEH-zuh-shtoh'') (Literally "It's nothing", can use "Пожалуйста" again) [[File:Ru-не за что.ogg]] ; Yes.:Да. (''dah'') [[File:Ru-да.ogg]] ; No.:Нет. (''nyeht'') [[File:Ru-нет.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''getting attention''):Извините. (''eez-vee-NEET-yeh'') [[File:Ru-извините.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon''): Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; I'm sorry.: Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; Goodbye:До свидания. (''duh svee-DAH-nyah.'') [[File:Ru-до свидания.ogg]] ; Goodbye (''informal''):Пока. (''pah-KAH'') [[File:Ru-пока.ogg]] ; I can't speak Russian [well].: Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (''yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH]'') ; Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? (''vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English?: Кто-нибудь здесь говорит по-английски? (''KTOH-nee-bood' zdyehs guh-vah-REET pah an-GLEES-kee?'') ; Help!: Помогите! (''puh-mah-GEE-tyeh!'') ; Look out!: Осторожно!! (''uhs-tah-ROH-zhnuh!'') ; Good morning.: Доброе утро. (''DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh'') ; Good evening.:Добрый вечер. (''DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr'') [[File:Ru-добрый вечер.ogg]] ; Good night (''to sleep''): Спокойной ночи! (''spah-KOY-nuy NOH-chee'') ; I don't understand.: Я не понимаю. (''yah nee puh-nee-MIGH-yoo'') ; I don't know.: Я не знаю. (''yah nee ZNAH-yoo'') ; I can't.: Я не могу. (''yah nee mah-GOO'') ; Where is the toilet?: Где туалет? (''gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?'') ; Good:Хороший (''khah-ROH-shee'') [[File:Ru-хороший.ogg]] ; Bad:Плохой (''plah-KHOY'') [[File:Ru-плохой.ogg]] ; Big:Большой (''bahl'-SHOY'') [[File:Ru-большой.ogg]] ; Small:Маленький (''MAH-leen-kee'') [[File:Ru-маленький.ogg]] ; Hot:Горячий (''gahr-YAH-chee'') [[File:Ru-горячий.ogg]] ; Cold:Холодный (''khah-LOHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-холодный.ogg]] ; Fast:Быстро (''BYH-struh'') [[File:Ru-быстро.ogg]] ; Slow:Медленно (''MYEHD-lee-nuh'') [[File:Ru-медленно.ogg]] ; Expensive:Дорогой (''duh-rah-GOY'') [[File:Ru-дорогой.ogg]] ; Cheap:Дешёвый (''dyee-SHYOH-vyh'') [[File:Ru-дешёвый.ogg]] ; Rich:Богатый (''bah-GAH-tyh'') [[File:Ru-богатый.ogg]] ; Poor:Бедный (''BYEHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-бедный.ogg]] ===Problems=== {{Infobox|Emergency numbers|In most areas, emergency telephone numbers are as follows: * 101 : Fire department * 102 : Police * 103 : Ambulance * 104 : Gas leaks It is essential to be able to provide emergency responders with your correct street address. Depending on how busy they are, and how serious the medical emergency appears, it may take from a few minutes to an hour for an ambulance to arrive.}} ; Leave me alone. : Отстань. (''aht-STAHN’!'') ; Don't touch me! : Не трогай меня! (''nee-TROH-guy mee-NYAH!'') ; I'll call the police! : Я вызову полицию! (''yah VYH-zah-voo poh-LEE-tsyh-yoo!'') ; Police!: Полиция! (''poh-LEE-tsyh-yah!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Держите вора! (''deer-ZHEE-tyeh VOH-rah!'') ; I need your help. : Мне нужна ваша помощь. (''mnyeh noozh-NAH VAH-shah POH-muhsh'') ; It's an emergency. : Это срочно!. (''EH-tuh SROHCH-nuh'') ; I'm lost. : Я заблудился/заблудилась - (m/f). (''yah zah-bloo-DEEL-suh / zah-bloo-DEE-luhs’'') In the examples below, the extra suffix (а) is for the feminine gender: ; I lost my bag. : Я потерял(а) свою сумку. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svah-YOOH SOOM-kooh'') ; I lost my wallet. : Я потерял(а) свой бумажник. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svoy boo-MAHZH-neek'') ; My things have been stolen. : Меня обокрали. (''me-NYAH oh-buh-KRAH-lee'') ; I'm sick. : Я болен (m.) / Я больна (f.) (''yah-BOH-leen (masculine) / yah-bahl’-NAH (feminine)'') ; I've been injured. : Я ранен(а) (''yah RAH-neen(-ah)'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Меня укусила собака (''me-NYAH oo-koo-SEE-lah suh-BAH-kuh'') ; I need a doctor. : Мне нужен врач. (''mnyeh NOO-zhyhn vrahch'') ; Please call an ambulance. : Пожалуйста, вызовите Скорую помощь. (''Puh-ZHAH-looy-stuh VYH-zaw-vee-teh SKAW-roo-yoo PAW-mushch'') ; Can I use your phone? : Можно от вас позвонить? (''MOH-zhnuh aht vahs puhz-vah-NEET’?'') :''(this can be used only for stationary phone, not for mobile. Asking a mobile phone from unknown person is generally not polite, as this is commonly done by con artists. In some cases a person may allow you to make a call from his cell phone to another cell phone number in the same province, but not to a landline phone number or to a non-local cell phone number.)'' ===Numbers=== Russian nouns have a dual form, used with 2, 3, and 4, as well as singular and plural. Singular quantities and any quantities that end in 1 (21, 301, etc.) use the nominative singular: одна минута, двадцать один час. Quantities 2&ndash;4 use the genitive singular: две минуты, три минуты, четыре минуты. Quantities greater than four use the genitive plural: пять минут, одиннадцать минут, тринадцать минут, etc. ; 0 :ноль/нуль (''nohl’''/''nool’'') ; 1 :один (''ah-DEEN'') ''m'', одна (''ahd-NAH'') ''f'', одно (''ahd-NOH'') ''n'' (one can say раз (raz) when counting something) ; 2 : два (''dvah'') ''mn'', две (''dvyeh'') ''f'' ; 3 : три (''tree'') ; 4 : четыре (''chee-TYH-ree'') ; 5 : пять (''pyaht’'') ; 6 : шесть (''shehst’'') ; 7 : семь (''syeem’'') ; 8 : восемь (''VOH-seem’'') ; 9 : девять (''DYEH-veet’'') ; 10 : десять (''DYEH-suht’'') ; 11 : одиннадцать (''ah-DEEN-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 12 : двенадцать (''dvee-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 13 : тринадцать (''tree-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 14 : четырнадцать (''chee-TYHR-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 15 : пятнадцать (''peet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 16 : шестнадцать (''shyhst-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 17 : семнадцать (''seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 18 : восемнадцать (''vuh-seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 19 : девятнадцать (''dee-veet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 20 : двадцать (''DVAHD-zuht’'') ; 21 : двадцать один (''DVAHD-zuht’ ah-DEEN'') ; 22 : двадцать два (''DVAHD-zuht’ dvah'') ; 23 : двадцать три (''DVAHD-zuht’ tree'') ; 30 : тридцать (''TREED-zuht’'') ; 40 : сорок (''SOH-ruhk'') ; 50 : пятьдесят (''pee-dee-SYAHT'') ; 60 : шестьдесят (''shyhs-dee-SYAHT'') ; 70 : семьдесят (''SYEM’-dee-syet'') ; 80 : восемьдесят (''VOH-seem-deeh-syet’'') ; 90 : девяносто (''dee-vee-NOH-stuh'') ; 100 : сто (''stoh'') ; 150 : полтораста (''puhl-tuh-RAHS-tuh'') ; 200 : двести (''DVYEH-stee'') ; 300 : триста (''TREE-stuh'') ; 400 : четыреста (''chee-TYHR-ee-stuh'') ; 500 : пятьсот(''peet-SOHT'') ; 1000 : тысяча (''TYH-see-chuh'') ; 2000 : две тысячи (''dvyeh TYH-see-chee'') ; 5000 : пять тысяч (''pyaht’ TYH-seech'') ; 1,000,000 : миллион (''mee-lee-OHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : миллиард (''mee-lee-ART'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : триллион (''tree-lee-OHN'') ; Number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : номер _____ (''NOH-meer'') ; half : половина (''puh-lah-VEE-nuh'') ; less : меньше (''MYEHN’-sheh'') ; more : больше (''BOHL’-sheh'') ===Time=== ; now : сейчас (''see-CHAHS'') ; later : позже (''POH-zhuh'') ; earlier : раньше (''RAHN’-shyeh'') ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (literally 'day') ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') ; night : ночь (''nohch'') ====Clock time==== ; What time is it? (formal) : Не подскажете, который час? (''nyee pahd-SKAH-zhy-tyee kah-TOHR-yh chahs'') ; What time is it? (informal) : Который сейчас час? (''kah-TOHR-yh see-CHAHS chahs'') ; one o'clock : час (''chahs'') ; two o'clock : два часа (''dvah chuh-SAH'') ; three o'clock : три часа (''TREE chuh-SAH'') ; four o'clock : четыре часа (''chee-TYHR-ree chuh-SA'') ; five o'clock : пять часов (''pyaht’ chuh-SOHV'') ; six o'clock : шесть часов (''shest’ chuh-SOHV'') ; seven o'clock : семь часов (''syem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; eight o'clock : восемь часов (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; nine o'clock : девять часов (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV'') ; ten o'clock : десять часов (''DYEH-syuht’ chuh-SOV'') ; eleven o'clock : одинадцать часов (''ah-DEEN-nad-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; twelve o'clock : двенадцать часов (''dvee-NAHD-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; noon : полдень (''POHL-dyehn’'') ; midnight : полночь (''POHL-nohch'') ; half an hour : полчаса (''pohl-chuh-SAH'') Russians do not use A.M. and P.M. Instead they divide the day up roughly as follows: ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.) ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) ; night : ночь (''nohch'') (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.) For example: ; 9 a.m. : девять часов утра (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV ooh-TRAH'') ; 8 p.m. : восемь часов вечера (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV VYEH-che-ruh'') ====Duration==== ''Note: Russian uses different endings depending on the quantity. The first is for quantities ending in one (e.g. 1, 21, 31), the second for quantities ending in 2&ndash;4 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24), and the third for quantities ending in 5&ndash;9 and zero, including the teens (e.g. 5, 10, 12, 20, 25).'' ; _____ minute : _____ минута/минуты/минут (''mee-NOOT-ah / mee-NOOT-yh / mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ час/часа/часов (''chahs / chuh-SAH / chuh-SOHF'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ день/дня/дней (''dyehn’ / dnyah / dnyay'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ неделя/недели/недель (''nee-DYEHL-yuh / nee-DYEHL-yee / nee-DYEHL’'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ месяц/месяца/месяцев (''MYEH-seets / MYEH-seets-ah / MYEH-seets-ohf'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ год/года/лет (''goht / GOH-duh / lyeht'') (лет also means "summers") ====Days==== ; today : сегодня (''see-VOHD-nyuh'') ; yesterday : вчера (''fcheeh-RAH'') ; tomorrow : завтра (''ZAHF-truh'') ; this week : на этой неделе (''nah EH-tuy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; last week : на прошлой неделе (''nah PROSH-luy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; next week : на следующей неделе (''nah SLYED-oo-yoo-shee nee-DYEHL-yeh'') ''Note: A Russian week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.'' ; Monday : понедельник (''puh-nee-DYEHL’-neek'') ; Tuesday : вторник (''VTOHR-neek'') ; Wednesday : среда (''sree-DAH'') ; Thursday : четверг (''cheet-VYEHRK'') ; Friday : пятница (''PYAHT-nee-tsuh'') ; Saturday : суббота (''soo-BOHT-uh'') ; Sunday : воскресенье (''vuhs-kree-SYEHN’-yuh'') ; work day : будний день, рабочий день; work days (Monday—Friday) : будни, рабочие дни ; rest days: выходные ====Months==== ; January : январь (''yeen-VAHR’'') ; February : февраль (''feev-RAHL’'') ; March : март (''mahrt'') ; April : апрель (''ahp-RYEHL’'') ; May : май (''migh'') ; June : июнь (''ee-YOON’'') ; July : июль (''ee-YOOL’'') ; August : август (''AHV-goost'') ; September : сентябрь (''seen-TYABR’'') ; October : октябрь (''ahk-TYABR’'') ; November : ноябрь (''nah-YABR’'') ; December : декабрь (''dee-KAHBR’'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written as '''day.month.year''' (where ''day'', ''month'' and ''year'' are numbers) or as '''day month year''' (where ''day'' and ''year'' are numbers and ''month'' is written in the genitive). E.g., May 24, 2009 should be writed as '''24.05.2009''' or as '''24 мая 2009 года'''. Times always use the 24-hour format, e.g., 5:20PM should be written as '''17:20'''. ===Colors=== ; black : чёрный (''CHOHR-nyh'') ; white : белый (''BYEH-lyh'') ; gray : серый (''SYEH-ryh'') ; red : красный (''KRAHS-nyh'') ; blue (dark-blue or navy): синий (''SEE-nyh'') ; blue (light-blue or cyan) : голубой (''guh-loo-BOY'') - use carefully; in Russian slang, this also means "homosexual"! ; yellow : жёлтый (''ZHOL-tyh'') ; green : зелёный (''zee-LYOH-nyh'') ; orange : оранжевый (''ah-RAHN-zhee-vy'') ; purple : фиолетовый (''fee-ah-LYET-uh-vyh'') ; brown : коричневый (''kah-REECH-nee-vyh'') ; pink : розовый (''ROH-zuh-vyh'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Сколько стоит билет в _____? (''SKOL’-kuh STOH-eet bee-LYEHT v _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Один билет в _____, пожалуйста. (''ah-DEEN bee-LYEHT v_____ puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? :Куда едет этот поезд/автобус? (''koo-DAH YEH-diht EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Где поезд/автобус до_____? (''gdyeh POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos duh _____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Этот поезд/автобус останавливается в _____? (''EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos uhs-tuh-NAHV-lee-vuh-eet-suh v _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Когда отходит поезд/автобус в _____ ? (''kahg-DAH aht-KHOH-deet POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos v _____?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Во сколько этот поезд/автобус приходит в_____? (''vah SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos pree-KHOH-deet v _____?'') ; Are you getting off (at the next stop)? : Вы выходите (на следующей остановке)? (''vyh vyh-HOH-dee-tye (nah SLYE-doosh-chey ah-stah-NOHF-kye) ?'') — this phrase is commonly said in public transport to a person in front of you if you need to get off a bus and it is difficult to get to the doors because many people stand near them. If a person who was told this phrase is going to get off a bus, he says Да, выхожу (''dah vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — Yes, I'm getting off. And you just go out after him. If he says Нет, не выхожу (''nyet nye vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — No, I'm not getting off, you should say Разрешите пройти (''rahz-ree-SHEE-tye prah-y-TEE'') — May I go through, the person will let you go out. ====Directions==== {{Infobox|Name changing|A lot of city, street, and other names changed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Sometimes for nationalist reasons in the former Soviet Republics, sometimes because the Soviet names seemed too weird and ideological, sometimes because names like "Stalin" no longer had such a good ring to them, and often because people wanted the old historic names back. This can present problems for travelers, especially when the street names have changed, and locals still sometimes refer to them by the old names. There isn't much to be done about this, but be sure to at least get your major city names straight: *Leningrad → [[Saint Petersburg]] (but the oblast is still Leningrad Oblast) *Stalingrad → [[Volgograd]] *Sverdlovsk → [[Yekaterinburg]] (but the oblast is still Sverdlovsk Oblast) *Ordzhonikidze → [[Vladikavkaz]] *Kalinin → [[Tver]] *Gorky → [[Nizhny Novgorod]] *Zagorsk → [[Sergiev Posad]] *Kuybyshev → [[Samara]] *Frunze → [[Bishkek]] *Stalinabad → [[Dushanbe]] *Alma-Ata → [[Almaty]] *Akmola → Astana → [[Nur-Sultan]] *Krasnovodsk → [[Turkmenbashi]] }} ; Where : где (''gdyeh'') ; Here : здесь (''zdyehs'') ; There : там (''tahm'') ; To where : куда (''koo-DAH'') ; To here : сюда (''syoo-DAH'') ; To there : туда (''too-DAH'') ; How do I get to _____ ? : Как добраться до_____ ? (''kahk dah-BRAH-tsuh duh ___?'') ; ...the train station? : ...вокзала? (''vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the bus station? : ...автовокзала? (''ahf-tuh-vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the airport? : ...аэропорта? (''ah-ehr-ah-POHR-tuh'') ; ...the Metro (subway) : ...метро (''mee-TROH'') ; ...downtown? : ...центра? (''TSEHN-truh'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...молодёжного общежития? (''muh-lah-DYOH-zhnuh-vuh ahp-shee-ZHYH-tee-yuh'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...гостиницы ______? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh'') e.g.: ; ...the Mosfilm hotel? : ...гостиницы Мосфильм? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh MOHS-feel’m'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...американского/канадского/австралийского/английского консульства? (''uh-mee-ree-KAHNS-kuh-vuh / kuh-NAHTS-kuh-vuh / uhfs-truh-LEES-kuh-vuh / ahng-LEES-kuh-vuh KOHN-sool’-stvuh'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Где есть много... (''gdyeh yehst’ MNOH-guh'') ; ...hotels? : ...гостиниц? (''gahs-TEE-neets?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ресторанов? (''rees-tah-RAHN-uhf?'') ; ...bars? : ...баров? (''BAHR-uhf'') ; ...sites to see? : ...достопримечательностей? (''duhs-tuh-pree-mee-CHAH-teel’-nuhs-tyay'') ; Where is a good, cheap... : Где хороший дешёвый... (''gdyeh khah-ROH-shyh dee-SHYOH-vyh'') ; ...restaurant? : ресторан? (''ree-stah-RAHN'') ; ...bar? : бар? (''bahr'') ; Please can you show me on the map? : Пожалуйста Вы можете показать на карте? (''puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh vyh MOH-zhyh-tee puh-kuh-ZAHT’ nuh KAHR-tyeh'') ; Is it far? : Далеко? (''dah-lee-KOH'') ; street : улица (''OO-lee-tsuh'') ; Turn left. : Поверните налево. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; Turn right. : Поверните направо. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-PRAH-vuh'') ; left : налево (''nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; right : направо (''nuh-PRAH-vuh...'') ; straight ahead : прямо (''PRYAH-muh'') ; towards the _____ : к _____ (''k'') ; past the _____ : мимо _____ (''MEEH-mah'') ; before the _____ : перед _____ (''PYEH-reet'') ; Watch for the _____. : Ищите _____. (''ee-SHEE-tyeh'') ; intersection : перекрёсток (''pee-ree-KRYOH-stuhk'') ; north : север (''SYEH-veer'') ; south : юг (''yook'') ; east : восток (''vahs-TOHK'') ; west : запад (''ZAH-puht'') ; uphill : вверх (''VVYEHR-kh'') ; downhill : вниз (''vnees'') ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : Такси! (''Tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Довезите меня до _____, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh mee-NYAH duh _____, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Сколько стоит доехать до ______? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet dah-YEH-khut’ duh ____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Довезите меня туда, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh meenyah too-DAH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; [Please] stop here. : Остановите здесь[, пожалуйста]. (''us-tuh-naw-VEE-tyeh zdes[, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh].'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : У вас есть свободные комнаты? (''oo vash YEHST’ svah-BOD-nyh-yeh KOHM-nuh-tyh'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Сколько стоит комната на одного человека/двух человек? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet KOM-nuh-tuh nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kuh / dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK '') ; Does the room come with... : В этой комнате есть... (''VEH-tuy KOHM-nuh-tyeh yest’...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...простыни? (''...PROHS-tee-nee'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...ванная? (''...VAHN-nah-yuh'') ; ...a telephone? : ...телефон? (''...tee-lee-FOHN'') ; ...a TV? : ...телевизор? (''...tee-lee-VEE-zuhr'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...холодильник ? (''...ho-luh-DIL-nik'') ; ...electric kettle? : ...электрический чайник ? (''...eh-lek-TREE-ches-kee CHI-nik'') ; May I see the room first? : Могу я сначала посмотреть комнату? (''mah-GOOH yah znuh-CHAH-luh puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ KOHM-nah-too'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : У вас есть что-нибудь потише? (''oo vah yehst’ CHTOH-nee-boot’ pah-TEE-shyh?'') ; ...bigger? : ...побольше? (''pah-BOHL’-shyh'') ; ...cleaner? : ...почище? (''pah-CHEE-sheh'') ; ...cheaper? : ...подешевле? (''puh-dee-SHEHV-lyeh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я беру. (''khah-rah-SHOH yah bee-ROO'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Я останусь на _____ ночь (ночи/ночей). (''yah ahs-TAH-noos’ nah _____ nohch’ (NOH-chee/nah-CHYAY'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Вы можете предложить другую гостиницу? (''vy MOH-zhee-te pred-la-ZHYHT’ droo-GOO-yoo gahs-TEE-nee-tsoo'') ; Do you have a safe? : У вас есть сейф? (''oo vahs yest’ syayf'') ; ...lockers? : ...индивидуальные сейфы? (''een-dee-vee-doo-AHL’-nyh-yeh SYAY-fee'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Завтрак/ужин включен? (''ZAHF-truhk / OO-zhyhn fklyoo-CHON'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Во сколько завтрак/ужин? (''vuh SKOHL’-kuh ZAH-ftruhk / OO-zhyhn'') ; Please clean my room. : Уберите в моей комнате, пожалуйста. (''oo-bee-REE-tyeh vmah-YAY KOHM-nuh-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Не могли бы вы разбудить меня в _____? (''nee mah-GLEE byh vyh rahz-boo-DEET’ mee-NYAH v _____? '') ; You have a bedbug infestation here. : У вас водятся клопы. (''oo VAS VAWD-yats-ya klaw-PYH'') ; I want to check out. : Дайте счёт. (''DIGH-tyeh shyoht'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Вы принимаете американские/австралийские/канадские доллары? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh uh-mee-ree-KAHN-skee-yeh / uhv-struh-LEE-skee-yeh / kuh-NAHD-skee-yeh DOH-luhr-yh'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Вы принимаете английские фунты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh ahn-GLEE-skee-yeh FOON-tyh'') ; Do you accept euro? : Вы принимаете евро? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh YEV-ruh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Вы принимаете кредитные карты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh kree-DEET-nyh-yeh KAHR-tyh'') ; Can you change money for me? : Не могли бы вы обменять мне деньги? (''nyeh mah-GLEE byh vyh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh DYEHN’-gee'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Где я могу обменять деньги? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ DYEHN’-gee'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Вы можете обменять мне дорожный чек? (''vyh MOH-zhyh-tyeh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Где я могу обменять дорожный чек? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Какой курс обмена? (''kah-KOY koors ahb-MYEHN-uh'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Где здесь банкомат? (''gdyeh zdyes’ bahn-kuh-MAHT'') ===Eating=== ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Столик на одного человека/двух человек, пожалуйста. (''STOH-leek nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Могу я посмотреть меню? (''mah-GOO yah puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ meen-YOO'''') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Я могу посмотреть на кухню? (''yah mah-GOO puh-smah-TRYEHT’ nah KOOKH-nee-yoo'') 0:01 ; Is there a house specialty? : Какое у вас фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') 0:15 ; Is there a local specialty? : Какое у вас местное фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs myehst-NOY-yeh feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') 0:23 ; I'm a vegetarian. : Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (''yah vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-eets/vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-kah'') 0:29 ; I don't eat pork. : Я не ем свинину. (''yah nee yehm svee-NEEN-oo'') 0:33 ; I don't eat beef. : Я не ем говядину. (''yah nee yehm gahv-YAH-deen-oo'') 0:40 ; I only eat kosher food. : Я принимаю только кошерную пищу. (''yah pree-nee-MAH-yoo TOHL’-kuh kah-SHERH-noo-yoo PEE-shoo.'') 0:56 ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Сделайте, пожалуйста, поменьше жира. (''SDYEH-ligh-tyeh, puh-zhahl-uh-stuh, pah-MYEHN'-shyh zhyh-RAH'') 1:02 ; fixed-price meal : комплексный обед (''KOHM-plyehks-nyh ah-BYEHT'') 1:13 ; à la carte : карта вин (''KAHR-tah veen'') 1:26 ; breakfast : завтрак (''ZAHF-truhk'') 1:40 ; lunch : обед (''ah-BYEHT'') 1:56 ; tea (''meal'') : полдник (''POHLD-neek'') 2:01 ; supper : ужин (''OO-zhyhn'') 2:09 ; I want _____. : Я хочу _____. (''yah khah-CHOO'') (''use first form below'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Я хочу блюдо с _____. (''yah khah-CHOO BLYOO-duh s _____'') (''use second form'') 2:30 ; chicken : курицу/ой (''KOO-reet-soo / KOO-reet-suy'') 2:50 ; beef : говядину/ой (''gahv-YAH-dee-noo / gahv-YAH-dee-nuy'') 3:01 ; fish : рыбу/ой (''RYH-boo / RYH-boy'') 3:40 ; ham : свинину/ой (''svee-NEE-noo / svee-NEE-nuy'') 4:04 ; veal : говядина (''gahv-YAH-deen-uh'') 4:50 ; sausage : колбасу/ой (''kuhl-bah-SOO / kuhl-bah-SOY'') 5:05 ; cheese : сыр/ом (''syhr / SYH-ruhm'') 5:06 ; eggs : яйца/ами (''YIGH-tsah / YIGH-tsah-mee'') 5:11 ; salad : салат/ом (''sah-LAHT / sah-LAHT-ohm'') 5:20 ; potato : картофель (''kahr-TOH-fehl''') 5:23 ; (fresh) vegetables : (свежие/ими) овощи/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee OH-vuh-shee/ uh-vuh-SHAH-mee'') 5:40 ; tomato : помидор (''puh-mee-DOHR'') 6:03 ; cabbage : капуста (''kah-POOS-tuh'') 6:50 ; carrot : морковь (''mahr-KOHF'') 7:02 ; beet : свёкла (''SVYOHL-kuh'') 7:13 ; (fresh) fruit : (свежие/ими) фрукты/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee FROOK-tyh / FROOK-tuh-mee'') 7:40 ; berries : ягоды (''YAH-guh-dyh'') 7:50 ; strawberry : клубинка (''kloo-BEEN-kuh'') 8:02 ; banana : банан (''bah-NAHN'') 8:16 ; apple : яблоко (''YAH-bluh-kuh'') 8:20 ; grapes : виноград (''vee-nah-GRAHD'') 8:19 ; currants : смородина (''smah-ROH-dee-nuh'') 8:20 ; orange : апельсин (''uh-peel-SEEN'') 8:30 ; bread : хлеб/ом (''khlyep / KHLYEH-buhm'') 8:40 ; toast : тост/ом (''tohst / TOHST-uhhm)'') 8:50 ; noodles : лапша/ой (''LAHP-shuh / lahp-SHOY'') 9:01 ; pasta : макароны/онами (''mah-kah-ROH-nyh / mah-kah-ROH-nah-mee'') 9:02 ; rice : рис/ом (''rees / REE-suhm'') 9:12 ; buckwheat : гречка/гречкой (''GRECH-kuh / GRECH-koy'') 9:20 ; beans : фасоль/фасолью (''fah-SOHL’ / fah-SOHL-yoo'') 9:30 ; May I have a glass of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, стакан _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, stah-KAHN _____?'') 11:01 ; May I have a cup of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, чашку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, CHAHSH-koo'') 11:05 ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, бутылку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, boo-TYHL-koo'') 12:02 ; ...coffee : ...кофе (''KOH-feh'') 13:14 ; ...tea (''drink'') : ...чая (''CHAH-yuh'') 14:06 ; ...juice : ...сока (''SOH-kah'') 15:44 ; ...(bubbly) water : ...минеральной воды (''mee-nee-RAHL'-nuy vah-DYH'') 20:01 ; ...water : ...воды (''vah-DYH'') 20:02 ; ...beer : ...пива (''PEE-vuh'') 20:10 ; ...red/white wine : ...красного/белого вина (''KRAH-snuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') 23:04 ; ...sparkling wine : ...шампанского (''shum-PAHN-skuh-guh'') 24:05 ; ...vodka : ...водки (''VOT-kee'') 25:04 ; May I have some _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста _____. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') 26:07 ; ...salt : соль (''sohl’'') 28:07 ; ...black pepper : чёрный перец (''CHYOHR-nyh PYEH-reets'') 29:12 ; ...butter : масло (''MAHS-luh'') 29:20 ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Официант!/Девушка! (''uh-fee-TSAHNT! / DYEH-voosh-kuh!'') The former is very polite and gender neutral, the latter only for female servers, and should not be used in a nice restaurant. 29:30 ; I'm finished. : Я наелся/наелась. (''yah nah-YEHL-syuh/yah nah-YEH-las’'') 29:40 ; It was delicious. : Это было великолепно. (''EH-tuh BYH-luh vyeh-lee-kah-LYEHP-nuh'') 29:50 ; Please clear the plates. : Можете убрать со стола. (''MOH-zhyh-tyeh oo-BRAHT’ suh stuh-LAH'') 30:01 ; The check, please. : Счёт, пожалуйста. (''shyoht, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') 31:02 ===Bars=== ; Do you serve alcohol? : Вы продаёте алкогольные напитки? (''VYH pruh-dah-YOH-tyeh ahl-kuh-GOHL’-nyh-yeh nah-PEET-kee?'') ; Is there table service? : Здесь есть официант? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ ah-fee-TSANT'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Будьте добры, одно пиво/два пива. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ad-noh PEE-vuh / dvah PEE-vah'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Будьте добры, бокал красного/белого вина. (''BOOT'-tyeh dah-BRYH, bah-KAHL KRAHZ-nuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; A bottle, please. : Будьте добры, одну бутылку. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ahd-NOO boo-TYHL-koo'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : Будьте добры, _____ (''hard liquor'') с _____ (''mixer'' in ablative form). (''...'') ; whiskey : виски (''VEE-skee'') ; vodka : водка (''VOHT-kah'') ; rum : ром (''rohm'') ; water : вода/ой (''vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; club soda : газированная/ой вода/ой (газировка/ой) (''guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuh-yuh / guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuy vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; tonic water : тоник/ом (''TOH-neek/TOH-neek-uhm'') ; orange juice : апельсиновый/ым сок/ом (''uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyh / uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyhm sohk / SOHK-uhm'') ; Coke (''soda'') : кола/ой (''лимонад/ом'') (''KOH-lah / KOH-luy'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Здесь есть буфет? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ boo-FYEHT'') ; One more, please. : Ещё одну, пожалуйста. (''yee-SHYOH ahd-NOOH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Another round, please. : Повторите, пожалуйста. (''puhf-tah-REEH-tye, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; When is closing time? : Когда вы закрываетесь? (''kahg-DAH vyh zuh-kryh-VAH-ee-tyehs’?'') ; I don't drink. : Я вообще не пью. (''yah vahb-SHYEH nee pyoo'') ; I'm an alcoholic. : Я алкоголик. (''yah ahl-kah-GOH-leek'') ; I cannot drink because of medication. : Мне нельзя пить из-за лекарства, которое я сейчас принимаю. (''mnyee neel-ZYAH peet' eez-zah lee-KAHRST-vuh kah-TOHR-uh-yuh yah see-CHAHS pree-nee-MAH-yoo'') ===Shopping=== ; Do you have this in my size? : У вас есть это моего размера? (''oo vahs yehst’ EH-tuh ma-ee-VOH rahz-MYEH-ruh'') ; How much is this? : Сколько это стоит? (''SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuh STOH-eet'') ; That's too expensive. : Это слишком дорого. (''EH-tuh SLEESH-kuhm DOH-ruh-guh'') ; Would you take _____? : Вы примете _____? (''vyh PREE-mee-tyeh _____?'') ; expensive : дорого (''DOH-ruh-guh'') ; cheap : дёшево (''DYOH-shyh-vuh'') ; I can't afford it. : Я не могу себе этого позволить. (''yah nee mah-GOOH see-BYEH EH-tuh-vuh paz-VOH-leet’'') ; I don't want it. : Я это не хочу. (''yah EH-tuh nee khah-CHOO'') 31:13 36 Kitchen ; You're cheating me. : Вы меня обманываете. (''vyh mee-NYAH ab-MAH-nyh-vah-ee-tyeh'') 53:21 100 Channels ; I'm not interested. : Мне это не интересно.. (''mnyeh EH-tuh nee een-tee-RYEHS-nuh'') 11:20 ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я возьму. (''khah-rah-SHOH, yah vahz’-MOO'') 11:21 ; Can I have a bag? : Дайте, пожалуйста, пакет. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, pah-KYEHT'') 0:11 ; Do you ship (overseas)? : У вас есть доставка (за границу)? (''oo vahs yehst’ dahs-TAHF-kah (zah grah-NEET-sooh) 13:03'' ; Give me two ''(items of something)''. : Давайте две. (''dah-VIGH-tyeh DVYEH'') ; I need... : Мне нужен/нужна/нужно/нужны... (''mnyeh NOO-zhehn / nooh-ZHNAH / NOOZH-nuh / nooh-ZHNYH'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...зубная паста. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh PAHS-tuh'') 0:26 ; ...a toothbrush. : ...зубная щётка. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh SHYOHT-kuh'') 15:00 ; ...tampons. : ...тампоны. (''tahm-POH-nyh'') 52:02 ; ...soap. : ...мыло. (''MYH-luh'') 43:22 ; ...shampoo. : ...шампунь. (''shahm-POON’'') 43:32 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...обезболивающее. (''ah-beez-BOH-lee-vah-yoo-shee-yeh'') 53:03 74 Trash ; ...cold medicine. : ...лекарство от простуды. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht prah-STOO-dyh'') 34:04 ; ...stomach medicine. : ...лекарство от живота. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht zhyh-VOH-tuh'') 28:02 ; ...a razor. : ...бритва. (''BREET-vuh'') 32:53 ; ...an umbrella. : ...зонтик. (''ZOHN-teek'') 0:32 ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...лосьон от загара. (''luhs’-YOHN ahd zah-GAH-ruh'') 40:01 ; ...a postcard. : ...открытка. (''aht-KRYHT-kah'') 0:21 ; ...postage stamps. : ...почтовые марки. (''pahtch-TOH-vyh-yeh MAHR-kee'') 0:28 ; ...batteries. : ...батарейки. (''bah-tah-RAY-kee'') 57:22 6 Battery ; ...writing paper. : ...бумага. (''boo-MAH-guh'') 1:23 ; ...a pen. : ...ручка. (''ROOCH-kuh'') 50:22 ; ...English-language books. : ...книги на английском языке. (''KNEE-gee nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zee-KYEH'') 32:02 5342 Words ; ...English-language magazines. : ...журналы на английском языке. (''zhoor-NAH-lyh nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') 25:03 153 Words ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...газета на английском языке. (''gah-ZYEH-tah nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') 53:02 623 Words ; ...a Russian-English dictionary. : ...русско-английский словарь. (''ROO-skuh ahn-GLEE-skee slah-VAHR’'') 52:21 5342 Words ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : Я хочу взять машину напрокат. (''yah khah-CHOO vzyaht’ mah-SHYH-noo nuh-prah-KAHT'') 11:01 ; Can I get insurance? : Я могу взять страховку? (''yah mah-GOO vzyaht’ strah-KHOHF-koo'') 12:02 ; Stop (''on a street sign'') : СТОП (''stohp'') 13:32 ; One way : одностороннее движение (''uhd-nuh-stah-ROHN-nee-yeh dvee-ZHEH-nee-yeh'') 14:00 ; Yield : уступите дорогу (''oo-stoo-PEE-tyeh dah-ROH-goo'') 23:00 ; No parking : парковки нет (''pahr-KOHF-kee nyeht'') 23:22 ; Speed limit : ограничение скорости (''ah-grah-nee-CHEH-nyh-yeh SKOH-ruh-stee'') 45:26 ; Gas (''petrol'') station : (авто)заправка (''(AHF-tuh) zah-PRAHF-kuh'') 51:01 ; Petrol : бензин (''been-ZEEN'') 52:02 ; Diesel : ДТ (дизельное топливо) (''deh teh (DEE-zehl’-nuh-yeh TOH-plee-vuh'') 52:09 ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Я ничего плохого не делал(а). (''yah nee-chee-VOH plah-KHOH-vuh nee DYEH-luhl/luh-luh'') ; My papers are in order : Мои документы в порядке. (''muh-yee duh-koo-MYEHN-tyh fpahr-YAHD-kee'') (intonation must fall, otherwise you might be asking a question!) ; It was a misunderstanding. : Мы друг друга не поняли. (''myh droog DROO-guh nyee POHN-yuh-lee'') ; Take me to the police. : Везите меня в полицию. (''vee-ZEE-tyeh meen-YAH fpuh-LEE-tsyh-yuh'') ; Where are you taking me? : Куда вы меня везёте? (''koo-DAH vyh meen-YAH vee-ZYOH-tyeh?'') ::;To the police : К полиции. (''kpuh-LEE-tsyh'') ::;To my house : К моему дому. (''kmuh-yuh-MOO DOH-moo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Я арестован(а)? (''yah ah-ryees-TOH-vuhn/vuh-nah?'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Я гражданин/гражданка Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah grazh-dah-NEEN/grazh-DAHN-kah ah-MYEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh / vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Я хочу поговорить с посольством/консульством Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah khah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s pah-SOL’ST-vuhm / s KOHN-sool’-stvuhm ah-MEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh/ vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Я хочу поговорить с адвокатом. (''yah hah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s ahd-vuh-KAH-tuhm'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Я могу заплатить штраф сейчас? (''yah mah-GOO zah-plah-TEET’ shtrahf say-CHAHS?'') (This phrase indicates that you want to pay a bribe to get out of trouble.) ; I need a receipt : Мне нужна квитанция. (''mnyee noozh-NAH kvee-TAHN-tsyh-yuh'') (In the context of interactions with police, this phrase indicates that you aren't willing to pay a bribe.) {{starphrasebook}} {{related|Russia}} {{phrasebookguide}} nud5czeolhletofar7hx7sxm4nb2n4h 4506581 4506578 2022-08-23T05:01:05Z 103.176.224.49 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bannerrussianphrasebook.jpg|caption=Various signs in Udelnaya, a northern suburb of St.Petersburg|star=yes|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Russian language status and proficiency in the World.svg |thumb|Russian language distribution. {{legend|#000075|Official language}} {{legend|#007575|Widespread use (>30%)}}]] '''Russian''' (русский) is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Abkhazia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[South Ossetia]], and the unrecognized [[Transnistria]], [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]]. In countries lacking official designation for Russian, such as [[Ukraine]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the [[Baltic States]] (where schooling in Russian was mandatory under the Soviet regime), a solid majority of residents may speak it as a second language, and there are significant native-speaker minorities. However, due to its association with Soviet oppression, many residents in these countries may find it offensive to be addressed in Russian, and younger people will often prefer to speak English than Russian when communicating with foreigners. Likewise, a similar dynamic exists in many of the formerly communist countries of Europe such as [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Hungary]], in which Russian was a compulsory second language in schools under communist rule. Russian remains the ''lingua franca'' of choice throughout the former Soviet [[Central Asia]]n states, [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], where it is effectively the language of commerce, government, and travel (despite lacking official status). It is, to a lesser extent, an important language in [[Mongolia]], where it is a compulsory second language in schools, and is the most widely spoken foreign language. Russian has also become the third most widely spoken language in [[Israel]], owing to a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and other ex-Soviet countries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Russian was a compulsory second language in schools in the formerly communist central and eastern European countries, and may be spoken by older people who were schooled during the communist era. However, it has largely been supplanted by English since the fall of the iron curtain, and younger people are in general far more likely to speak English than Russian. Russian remains perhaps the most important Eurasian travel language because English is very rarely spoken throughout the Russophone countries. <br clear="all" /> ==Pronunciation guide== [[File:Russian alphabet.svg|thumb|200px|Russian print and cursive]] Consonants and vowels in Russian (and Slavic generally) are ''soft'' (palatalized) or ''hard''. Consonants are pronounced soft if followed by a soft vowel or the soft sign, else hard. Some consonants are always soft or always hard, regardless of the following vowel. One important note: the cursive Russian alphabet looks very different from the printed alphabet. The printed alphabet is rarely used when writing by hand. (The same goes to other Cyrillic-written languages.) On the upside, though, as a traveler, you are quite unlikely to have to read much handwritten Russian! ===Vowels=== ; a ah : like f'''a'''ther {{IPA|a}} ; e yeh : like '''ye'''sterday {{IPA|je}} ; ё yoh : like '''yo'''re {{IPA|jɵ}} ; и ee : like s'''ee'''n or mach'''i'''ne {{IPA|i}} ; o oh : like sc'''o'''re {{IPA|o}} ; у oo : like cart'''oo'''n {{IPA|u}} ; ы yh : like ros'''e'''s {{IPA|ɨ}} ; э eh : like '''e'''nd {{IPA|ɛ}} ; ю yoo : like '''Yu'''goslavia {{IPA|ju}} ; я yah : like '''ya'''cht {{IPA|ja}} Russian, like English, has something called vowel reduction, where the vowels take on different sounds if they are not in the stressed syllable of the word. The exact nature of this depends on the part of Russia one is located in, but generally (and abroad): * The letters е, ю, and я sound like their counterparts э, у, and а * The letter о sounds like the letter а * The letter а sounds like the English h'''u'''t {{IPA|ə or ɐ}} * The letter у sounds like the English b'''oo'''k {{IPA|ʊ}} * All other vowels tend to make the sound of English '''i'''ll {{IPA|ɪ}} However, when traveling, you generally don't need to worry about reduction. Pronouncing all vowels as if they were stressed will seem like over-enunciation to a native speaker, but you'll be perfectly understood. Unfortunately, '''ё''' is very often written as '''е''', which can cause problems for non-native speakers, since pronouncing one over the other can change the meaning of a word. Fortunately, books oriented toward beginners (like dictionaries, grammar books, literature for foreigners, etc.) always include the dots. ===Consonants=== ; б beh : like '''b'''oy {{IPA|b}} ; в veh : like '''v'''ery {{IPA|v}} ; г geh : like '''g'''o {{IPA|ɡ}}; in genitive (possessive) endings ого/его pronounced like в. E.g., "Dostoevsky's" = Достоевского (duh-stah-YEHV-skuh-vuh) ; д deh : like '''d'''o {{IPA|d}} ; ж zheh : like mea'''s'''ure {{IPA|ʐ}} ; з zeh : like '''z'''oo {{IPA|z}} ; й ee kratkoe ("short и") : like bo'''y''' {{IPA|j}} ; к kah : like '''k'''eep {{IPA|k}} ; л ell : like fee'''l''' {{IPA|ɫ}} ; м em : like see'''m''' {{IPA|m}} ; н en : like '''n'''oodle {{IPA|n}} ; п peh : like s'''p'''igot {{IPA|p}} ; р err : ''heavily'' rolled as in Spanish rr in pe'''rr'''o {{IPA|r}} ; с ess : like '''s'''eem {{IPA|s}} ; т teh : like s'''t'''op {{IPA|t}} ; ф eff : like '''F'''rench {{IPA|f}} ; х khah : like '''Ch'''anukkah, Scottish lo'''ch''', or German Ba'''ch''' {{IPA|x}} ; ц tseh : like boo'''ts''' {{IPA|t͡s}} ; ч cheh : like '''ch'''eap {{IPA|t͡ɕ}} ; ш sheh : like '''sh'''ot {{IPA|ʂ}} ; щ scheh : ш, but harsher {{IPA|ɕ}}. Don't worry about this too much, as you'll be understood in context. (Note that though щ is often transliterated as shch, it is ''not'' pronounced similar to "har'''sh ch'''oice"—there is no ch sound in this Russian consonant) The letter sequence сч sounds like щ, and ''not'' like English que'''sti'''on. Be careful of letters such as В, Н, or Р which resemble a Latin letter but represent a different sound; they can be especially confusing for beginners. When consonants are soft (they are either always soft, followed by a soft vowel, or have a soft sign), they become palatalized {{IPA|ʲ}}. See the soft sign below for more details. ===Signs=== In the Middle Ages, these two characters (known as the ''yer'') used to represent reduced vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but now they merely indicate whether the preceding consonant is palatalized ("soft") or not ("hard"). ; ъ ’’ : the hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is not palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would). Mostly used after prefixes ''v-'' ("in") and ''s-'' ("out"). For example: *съёмка (s-yom-kah) - making a film *Сёмка (syom-kah) - familiar form for Simon *въезд (v-yezd) - vehicular entrance (not vyezd). ; ь ’ : the soft sign - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would not) This means that the consonant is pronounced while sticking the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth while raising the middle of your tongue to your palate. You don't really need to worry about this - while there are pairs of words that differ only by palatalization (some examples follow), it can be very difficult for beginners and probably not worth the effort. If you are planning on being in a situation where you will be speaking Russian for a long period of time, it may be wise to practice this. As mentioned, palatalization also occurs before soft vowels. *полька (POL'-kah) - a female Polish person (also, the dance) *полка (POL-kah) - a shelf *уголь (OO-gol') - coal *угол (OO-gol) - corner *каньон (ka-NYON) - canyon *канон (ka-NON) - canon *кров (KROHF) - roof, slelter *кровь (KROHF') - blood ===Stress=== Although Russian is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every book and dictionary concerning the Russian language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable. The same rule applies for others that use the Cyrillic script such as [[Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian]] and [[Bulgarian phrasebook|Bulgarian]]. ==Grammar== Unless you intend to seriously study the language, learning Russian grammar on your trip is not realistic. But it can help to at least recognize that the following verb conjugations and noun/adjective declensions are used. *Russian nouns belong to one of three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. However, like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter. *The second person pronoun '''вы''' is the plural of '''ты''' and is also used, as in French, for '''polite address''' to one person. *Russian '''verbs and verb conjugation''' differ along three axes: :1) Verbs come in ''perfective'' and ''imperfective'' pairs (e.g., '''думать''' | '''подумать'''). Imperfective verbs indicate ongoing or uncompleted action; Perfective verbs indicated one-off or completed action. Conjugated perfective verbs are also used to indicated the future tense (future imperfective requires conjugation of the verb to be (быть) + imperfective infinitive). As a general rule (but only a very general rule), perfective verb forms are created by adding a prefix to the relevant imperfective verb. {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! style="background: #ffffff; color: #000000" height="17" | ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Singular ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Plural |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | 1st Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я думаю | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Мы думаем |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 2nd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Ты думаешь | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Вы думаете |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 3rd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Он думает | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Они думают |} :2) Verbs follow a simple pattern of temporal conjugation: past, present, and future, (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''думаю''' | '''подумаю'''). In the past tense, verbs also conjugate by gender, male, female, and neuter (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''подумала''' | '''подумало'''). :3) In the present and future tenses, pronouns can and are often omitted due to context; however, the same is hardly said in the past tense, as the latter changes according to gender (masculine, feminine and neutral) and number (singular and plural). (Example at right) <br clear="all" /> *'''Nouns and adjectives ''' have six '''cases''', depending on their general grammatical role in a sentence: :{| class="wikitable" ! style="background: #cedff2; color: #000000" height="17" | Case ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Nominative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Accusative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Genitive ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Dative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Prepositional ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Instrumental |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Use | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Subject of sentence | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Direct object | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Possessive (of) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Indirect object (to/for) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Location (at) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Instrumental (by/with) |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Example | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''Город''' красив | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я читал '''книгу''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Центр '''города''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я дал '''ему''' еду | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Музей '''в городе''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я шёл '''с ним''' |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Translation | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''The city''' is pretty | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I read the '''book''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Center '''of the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I gave '''him''' food | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | A museum '''in the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I walked '''with him''' |} ==Phrase list== ''See [[Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide]] for guidance on the phoneticizations below'' ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Открыто / Работает ; CLOSED : Закрыто / Не работает ; ENTRANCE : Вход ; EXIT : Выход ; PUSH : От себя ; PULL : К себе / На себя ; TOILET : Туалет ; MEN : М ; WOMEN : Ж ; NO ENTRANCE : Входа нет / Вход воспрещён ; [ENTRY] FORBIDDEN : Проход воспрещён / Проход закрыт ; PLEASE KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING : Без стука не входить ; NO SMOKING : Не курить ; DANGER - NO ENTRY! : Не влезай - убьёт!}} {{Infobox|How many names!|Russians take three names, a first name (имя), patronymic (отчество), and last name (фамилия). The unfamiliar patronymic is the name of one's father plus an ending of -ovich, -yevich, or -yich for men, -yevna, -ovna or -ichna for women. For example, if the father's name is Пётр (Peter), the patronymic would be Петрович (Petrovich) for a man, and Петровна (Petrovna) for a woman. To use someone's name informally, you can refer to them using the first or (less commonly) last name, while to do so formally would require either first name + patronymic, or a title + last name. For example, you can refer to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Президент Владимир Владимирович Путин) informally as Vladimir (if you know him personally) or just Putin. To refer to him more formally—and you generally should use the formal name in Russian—you would need to refer to him as Vladimir Vladimirovich or President Putin. Last names also vary based on gender, often with an "a" added to the end of the male last name for the female version. For instance, the wife of former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is known as Svetlana Medvedev'''a'''. But it gets even harder! Russians love diminutives, which are essentially nicknames or "shortenings," for just about everything, including names. Most names can be shortened into three or four variants—"cute" nicknames usually have an insert like -en'k, -echk, -ochk, -ushk, or -yush, like Sara → Sarochka (Сарочка) or Katya → Katyusha (Катюша). Obviously, you should avoid addressing people with these until you know them well. Here are some of the most common ones that might give you trouble:<br><br> '''Male names''' *Aleksander (Александр) → Sasha (Саша), Sanya (Саня), Shura (Шура) *Aleksei (Алексей) → Alyosha (Алёша), Lyosha (Лёша), Lyokha (Лёха) *Anatolii (Анатолий) → Tolya (Толя) *Vasilii (Василий) → Vasya (Вася) *Vladimir (Владимир) → Volodya (Володя), Vova (Вова) *Vladislav (Владислав) → Vlad (Влад), Vladik (Владик) *Gennadii (Геннадий) → Gena (Гена) *Georgii (Георгий) → Zhora (Жора), Gosha (Гоша) *Dmitrii (Дмитрий) → Dima (Дима), Mitya (Митя) *Evgenii (Евгений) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ivan (Иван) → Vanya (Ваня) *Konstantin (Константин) → Kostya (Костя) *Mikhail (Михаил) → Misha (Миша) *Nikolai (Николай) → Kolya (Коля) *Pavel (Павел) → Pasha (Паша), Pavlik (Павлик) *Pyotr (Пётр) → Petya (Петя) *Sergei (Сергей) → Seryozha (Серёжа), Seryoga (Серёга), Seryi (Серый) *Fyodor (Фёдор) → Fedya (Фе́дя) *Yurii (Юрий) → Yura (Юра) <br><br> '''Female names''' *Aleksandra (Александра) → Sasha (Саша) *Anastasiya (Анастасия) → Nastya (Настя) *Anna (Анна) → Anya (Аня) *Valeriya (Валерия) → Lera (Лера) *Viktoriya (Виктория) → Vika (Вика), Vita (Вита) *Evgeniya (Евгения) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ekaterina (Екатерина) → Katya (Катя) *Irina (Ирина) → Ira (Ира) *Lyubov (Любовь) → Lyuba (Люба) *Lyudmila (Людмила) → Lyuda (Люда), Lyucya (Люся) *Magdalina (Магдалина) → Magda (Магда) *Mariya (Мария) → Masha (Маша) *Nadezhda (Надежда) → Nadya (Надя) *Natasha (Наташа) → Tasha (Таша) *Oksana (Оксана) → Ksyusha (Ксюша), Ksenya (Ксеня) *Olga (Ольга) → Olya (Оля) *Svetlana (Светлана) → Sveta (Света) }} ; Hello. (''formal''):Здравствуйте. (''ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh'') (The first в is silent; sometimes considered bad luck to say this to the same person twice in one day.) [[File:Ru-здравствуйте.ogg]] ; Hello. (''informal''):Здравствуй. (''ZDRAHST-vooy'') [[File:Ru-здравствуй.ogg]] ; Hi.:Привет. (''pree-VYEHT'') [[File:Ru-привет.ogg]], Здорово. (''Zduh-ROH-vuh'') (Shorter version of the above greeting.) ; How are you?: Как дела? (''kahg dee-LAH?'') ; Fine, thank you.: Хорошо, спасибо. (''khah-rah-SHOH spah-SEE-buh'') ; What is your name?: Как Вас зовут? (''kahk vahs zah-VOOT?'') ; My name is ______ .: Меня зовут ______ . (''mee-NYAH zah-VOOT ___'') ; Nice to meet you.: Очень приятно. (''OH-cheen' pree-YAHT-nuh'') ; Please.:Пожалуйста. (''pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') [[File:Ru-пожалуйста.ogg]] ; Thank you.:Спасибо. (''spuh-SEE-buh'') [[File:Ru-спасибо.ogg]] ; You're welcome.:Не за что. (''NYEH-zuh-shtoh'') (Literally "It's nothing", can use "Пожалуйста" again) [[File:Ru-не за что.ogg]] ; Yes.:Да. (''dah'') [[File:Ru-да.ogg]] ; No.:Нет. (''nyeht'') [[File:Ru-нет.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''getting attention''):Извините. (''eez-vee-NEET-yeh'') [[File:Ru-извините.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon''): Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; I'm sorry.: Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; Goodbye:До свидания. (''duh svee-DAH-nyah.'') [[File:Ru-до свидания.ogg]] ; Goodbye (''informal''):Пока. (''pah-KAH'') [[File:Ru-пока.ogg]] ; I can't speak Russian [well].: Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (''yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH]'') ; Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? (''vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English?: Кто-нибудь здесь говорит по-английски? (''KTOH-nee-bood' zdyehs guh-vah-REET pah an-GLEES-kee?'') ; Help!: Помогите! (''puh-mah-GEE-tyeh!'') ; Look out!: Осторожно!! (''uhs-tah-ROH-zhnuh!'') ; Good morning.: Доброе утро. (''DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh'') ; Good evening.:Добрый вечер. (''DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr'') [[File:Ru-добрый вечер.ogg]] ; Good night (''to sleep''): Спокойной ночи! (''spah-KOY-nuy NOH-chee'') ; I don't understand.: Я не понимаю. (''yah nee puh-nee-MIGH-yoo'') ; I don't know.: Я не знаю. (''yah nee ZNAH-yoo'') ; I can't.: Я не могу. (''yah nee mah-GOO'') ; Where is the toilet?: Где туалет? (''gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?'') ; Good:Хороший (''khah-ROH-shee'') [[File:Ru-хороший.ogg]] ; Bad:Плохой (''plah-KHOY'') [[File:Ru-плохой.ogg]] ; Big:Большой (''bahl'-SHOY'') [[File:Ru-большой.ogg]] ; Small:Маленький (''MAH-leen-kee'') [[File:Ru-маленький.ogg]] ; Hot:Горячий (''gahr-YAH-chee'') [[File:Ru-горячий.ogg]] ; Cold:Холодный (''khah-LOHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-холодный.ogg]] ; Fast:Быстро (''BYH-struh'') [[File:Ru-быстро.ogg]] ; Slow:Медленно (''MYEHD-lee-nuh'') [[File:Ru-медленно.ogg]] ; Expensive:Дорогой (''duh-rah-GOY'') [[File:Ru-дорогой.ogg]] ; Cheap:Дешёвый (''dyee-SHYOH-vyh'') [[File:Ru-дешёвый.ogg]] ; Rich:Богатый (''bah-GAH-tyh'') [[File:Ru-богатый.ogg]] ; Poor:Бедный (''BYEHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-бедный.ogg]] ===Problems=== {{Infobox|Emergency numbers|In most areas, emergency telephone numbers are as follows: * 101 : Fire department * 102 : Police * 103 : Ambulance * 104 : Gas leaks It is essential to be able to provide emergency responders with your correct street address. Depending on how busy they are, and how serious the medical emergency appears, it may take from a few minutes to an hour for an ambulance to arrive.}} ; Leave me alone. : Отстань. (''aht-STAHN’!'') ; Don't touch me! : Не трогай меня! (''nee-TROH-guy mee-NYAH!'') ; I'll call the police! : Я вызову полицию! (''yah VYH-zah-voo poh-LEE-tsyh-yoo!'') ; Police!: Полиция! (''poh-LEE-tsyh-yah!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Держите вора! (''deer-ZHEE-tyeh VOH-rah!'') ; I need your help. : Мне нужна ваша помощь. (''mnyeh noozh-NAH VAH-shah POH-muhsh'') ; It's an emergency. : Это срочно!. (''EH-tuh SROHCH-nuh'') ; I'm lost. : Я заблудился/заблудилась - (m/f). (''yah zah-bloo-DEEL-suh / zah-bloo-DEE-luhs’'') In the examples below, the extra suffix (а) is for the feminine gender: ; I lost my bag. : Я потерял(а) свою сумку. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svah-YOOH SOOM-kooh'') ; I lost my wallet. : Я потерял(а) свой бумажник. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svoy boo-MAHZH-neek'') ; My things have been stolen. : Меня обокрали. (''me-NYAH oh-buh-KRAH-lee'') ; I'm sick. : Я болен (m.) / Я больна (f.) (''yah-BOH-leen (masculine) / yah-bahl’-NAH (feminine)'') ; I've been injured. : Я ранен(а) (''yah RAH-neen(-ah)'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Меня укусила собака (''me-NYAH oo-koo-SEE-lah suh-BAH-kuh'') ; I need a doctor. : Мне нужен врач. (''mnyeh NOO-zhyhn vrahch'') ; Please call an ambulance. : Пожалуйста, вызовите Скорую помощь. (''Puh-ZHAH-looy-stuh VYH-zaw-vee-teh SKAW-roo-yoo PAW-mushch'') ; Can I use your phone? : Можно от вас позвонить? (''MOH-zhnuh aht vahs puhz-vah-NEET’?'') :''(this can be used only for stationary phone, not for mobile. Asking a mobile phone from unknown person is generally not polite, as this is commonly done by con artists. In some cases a person may allow you to make a call from his cell phone to another cell phone number in the same province, but not to a landline phone number or to a non-local cell phone number.)'' ===Numbers=== Russian nouns have a dual form, used with 2, 3, and 4, as well as singular and plural. Singular quantities and any quantities that end in 1 (21, 301, etc.) use the nominative singular: одна минута, двадцать один час. Quantities 2&ndash;4 use the genitive singular: две минуты, три минуты, четыре минуты. Quantities greater than four use the genitive plural: пять минут, одиннадцать минут, тринадцать минут, etc. ; 0 :ноль/нуль (''nohl’''/''nool’'') ; 1 :один (''ah-DEEN'') ''m'', одна (''ahd-NAH'') ''f'', одно (''ahd-NOH'') ''n'' (one can say раз (raz) when counting something) ; 2 : два (''dvah'') ''mn'', две (''dvyeh'') ''f'' ; 3 : три (''tree'') ; 4 : четыре (''chee-TYH-ree'') ; 5 : пять (''pyaht’'') ; 6 : шесть (''shehst’'') ; 7 : семь (''syeem’'') ; 8 : восемь (''VOH-seem’'') ; 9 : девять (''DYEH-veet’'') ; 10 : десять (''DYEH-suht’'') ; 11 : одиннадцать (''ah-DEEN-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 12 : двенадцать (''dvee-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 13 : тринадцать (''tree-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 14 : четырнадцать (''chee-TYHR-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 15 : пятнадцать (''peet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 16 : шестнадцать (''shyhst-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 17 : семнадцать (''seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 18 : восемнадцать (''vuh-seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 19 : девятнадцать (''dee-veet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 20 : двадцать (''DVAHD-zuht’'') ; 21 : двадцать один (''DVAHD-zuht’ ah-DEEN'') ; 22 : двадцать два (''DVAHD-zuht’ dvah'') ; 23 : двадцать три (''DVAHD-zuht’ tree'') ; 30 : тридцать (''TREED-zuht’'') ; 40 : сорок (''SOH-ruhk'') ; 50 : пятьдесят (''pee-dee-SYAHT'') ; 60 : шестьдесят (''shyhs-dee-SYAHT'') ; 70 : семьдесят (''SYEM’-dee-syet'') ; 80 : восемьдесят (''VOH-seem-deeh-syet’'') ; 90 : девяносто (''dee-vee-NOH-stuh'') ; 100 : сто (''stoh'') ; 150 : полтораста (''puhl-tuh-RAHS-tuh'') ; 200 : двести (''DVYEH-stee'') ; 300 : триста (''TREE-stuh'') ; 400 : четыреста (''chee-TYHR-ee-stuh'') ; 500 : пятьсот(''peet-SOHT'') ; 1000 : тысяча (''TYH-see-chuh'') ; 2000 : две тысячи (''dvyeh TYH-see-chee'') ; 5000 : пять тысяч (''pyaht’ TYH-seech'') ; 1,000,000 : миллион (''mee-lee-OHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : миллиард (''mee-lee-ART'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : триллион (''tree-lee-OHN'') ; Number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : номер _____ (''NOH-meer'') ; half : половина (''puh-lah-VEE-nuh'') ; less : меньше (''MYEHN’-sheh'') ; more : больше (''BOHL’-sheh'') ===Time=== ; now : сейчас (''see-CHAHS'') ; later : позже (''POH-zhuh'') ; earlier : раньше (''RAHN’-shyeh'') ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (literally 'day') ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') ; night : ночь (''nohch'') ====Clock time==== ; What time is it? (formal) : Не подскажете, который час? (''nyee pahd-SKAH-zhy-tyee kah-TOHR-yh chahs'') ; What time is it? (informal) : Который сейчас час? (''kah-TOHR-yh see-CHAHS chahs'') ; one o'clock : час (''chahs'') ; two o'clock : два часа (''dvah chuh-SAH'') ; three o'clock : три часа (''TREE chuh-SAH'') ; four o'clock : четыре часа (''chee-TYHR-ree chuh-SA'') ; five o'clock : пять часов (''pyaht’ chuh-SOHV'') ; six o'clock : шесть часов (''shest’ chuh-SOHV'') ; seven o'clock : семь часов (''syem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; eight o'clock : восемь часов (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; nine o'clock : девять часов (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV'') ; ten o'clock : десять часов (''DYEH-syuht’ chuh-SOV'') ; eleven o'clock : одинадцать часов (''ah-DEEN-nad-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; twelve o'clock : двенадцать часов (''dvee-NAHD-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; noon : полдень (''POHL-dyehn’'') ; midnight : полночь (''POHL-nohch'') ; half an hour : полчаса (''pohl-chuh-SAH'') Russians do not use A.M. and P.M. Instead they divide the day up roughly as follows: ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.) ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) ; night : ночь (''nohch'') (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.) For example: ; 9 a.m. : девять часов утра (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV ooh-TRAH'') ; 8 p.m. : восемь часов вечера (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV VYEH-che-ruh'') ====Duration==== ''Note: Russian uses different endings depending on the quantity. The first is for quantities ending in one (e.g. 1, 21, 31), the second for quantities ending in 2&ndash;4 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24), and the third for quantities ending in 5&ndash;9 and zero, including the teens (e.g. 5, 10, 12, 20, 25).'' ; _____ minute : _____ минута/минуты/минут (''mee-NOOT-ah / mee-NOOT-yh / mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ час/часа/часов (''chahs / chuh-SAH / chuh-SOHF'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ день/дня/дней (''dyehn’ / dnyah / dnyay'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ неделя/недели/недель (''nee-DYEHL-yuh / nee-DYEHL-yee / nee-DYEHL’'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ месяц/месяца/месяцев (''MYEH-seets / MYEH-seets-ah / MYEH-seets-ohf'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ год/года/лет (''goht / GOH-duh / lyeht'') (лет also means "summers") ====Days==== ; today : сегодня (''see-VOHD-nyuh'') ; yesterday : вчера (''fcheeh-RAH'') ; tomorrow : завтра (''ZAHF-truh'') ; this week : на этой неделе (''nah EH-tuy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; last week : на прошлой неделе (''nah PROSH-luy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; next week : на следующей неделе (''nah SLYED-oo-yoo-shee nee-DYEHL-yeh'') ''Note: A Russian week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.'' ; Monday : понедельник (''puh-nee-DYEHL’-neek'') ; Tuesday : вторник (''VTOHR-neek'') ; Wednesday : среда (''sree-DAH'') ; Thursday : четверг (''cheet-VYEHRK'') ; Friday : пятница (''PYAHT-nee-tsuh'') ; Saturday : суббота (''soo-BOHT-uh'') ; Sunday : воскресенье (''vuhs-kree-SYEHN’-yuh'') ; work day : будний день, рабочий день; work days (Monday—Friday) : будни, рабочие дни ; rest days: выходные ====Months==== ; January : январь (''yeen-VAHR’'') ; February : февраль (''feev-RAHL’'') ; March : март (''mahrt'') ; April : апрель (''ahp-RYEHL’'') ; May : май (''migh'') ; June : июнь (''ee-YOON’'') ; July : июль (''ee-YOOL’'') ; August : август (''AHV-goost'') ; September : сентябрь (''seen-TYABR’'') ; October : октябрь (''ahk-TYABR’'') ; November : ноябрь (''nah-YABR’'') ; December : декабрь (''dee-KAHBR’'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written as '''day.month.year''' (where ''day'', ''month'' and ''year'' are numbers) or as '''day month year''' (where ''day'' and ''year'' are numbers and ''month'' is written in the genitive). E.g., May 24, 2009 should be writed as '''24.05.2009''' or as '''24 мая 2009 года'''. Times always use the 24-hour format, e.g., 5:20PM should be written as '''17:20'''. ===Colors=== ; black : чёрный (''CHOHR-nyh'') ; white : белый (''BYEH-lyh'') ; gray : серый (''SYEH-ryh'') ; red : красный (''KRAHS-nyh'') ; blue (dark-blue or navy): синий (''SEE-nyh'') ; blue (light-blue or cyan) : голубой (''guh-loo-BOY'') - use carefully; in Russian slang, this also means "homosexual"! ; yellow : жёлтый (''ZHOL-tyh'') ; green : зелёный (''zee-LYOH-nyh'') ; orange : оранжевый (''ah-RAHN-zhee-vy'') ; purple : фиолетовый (''fee-ah-LYET-uh-vyh'') ; brown : коричневый (''kah-REECH-nee-vyh'') ; pink : розовый (''ROH-zuh-vyh'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Сколько стоит билет в _____? (''SKOL’-kuh STOH-eet bee-LYEHT v _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Один билет в _____, пожалуйста. (''ah-DEEN bee-LYEHT v_____ puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? :Куда едет этот поезд/автобус? (''koo-DAH YEH-diht EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Где поезд/автобус до_____? (''gdyeh POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos duh _____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Этот поезд/автобус останавливается в _____? (''EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos uhs-tuh-NAHV-lee-vuh-eet-suh v _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Когда отходит поезд/автобус в _____ ? (''kahg-DAH aht-KHOH-deet POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos v _____?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Во сколько этот поезд/автобус приходит в_____? (''vah SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos pree-KHOH-deet v _____?'') ; Are you getting off (at the next stop)? : Вы выходите (на следующей остановке)? (''vyh vyh-HOH-dee-tye (nah SLYE-doosh-chey ah-stah-NOHF-kye) ?'') — this phrase is commonly said in public transport to a person in front of you if you need to get off a bus and it is difficult to get to the doors because many people stand near them. If a person who was told this phrase is going to get off a bus, he says Да, выхожу (''dah vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — Yes, I'm getting off. And you just go out after him. If he says Нет, не выхожу (''nyet nye vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — No, I'm not getting off, you should say Разрешите пройти (''rahz-ree-SHEE-tye prah-y-TEE'') — May I go through, the person will let you go out. ====Directions==== {{Infobox|Name changing|A lot of city, street, and other names changed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Sometimes for nationalist reasons in the former Soviet Republics, sometimes because the Soviet names seemed too weird and ideological, sometimes because names like "Stalin" no longer had such a good ring to them, and often because people wanted the old historic names back. This can present problems for travelers, especially when the street names have changed, and locals still sometimes refer to them by the old names. There isn't much to be done about this, but be sure to at least get your major city names straight: *Leningrad → [[Saint Petersburg]] (but the oblast is still Leningrad Oblast) *Stalingrad → [[Volgograd]] *Sverdlovsk → [[Yekaterinburg]] (but the oblast is still Sverdlovsk Oblast) *Ordzhonikidze → [[Vladikavkaz]] *Kalinin → [[Tver]] *Gorky → [[Nizhny Novgorod]] *Zagorsk → [[Sergiev Posad]] *Kuybyshev → [[Samara]] *Frunze → [[Bishkek]] *Stalinabad → [[Dushanbe]] *Alma-Ata → [[Almaty]] *Akmola → Astana → [[Nur-Sultan]] *Krasnovodsk → [[Turkmenbashi]] }} ; Where : где (''gdyeh'') ; Here : здесь (''zdyehs'') ; There : там (''tahm'') ; To where : куда (''koo-DAH'') ; To here : сюда (''syoo-DAH'') ; To there : туда (''too-DAH'') ; How do I get to _____ ? : Как добраться до_____ ? (''kahk dah-BRAH-tsuh duh ___?'') ; ...the train station? : ...вокзала? (''vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the bus station? : ...автовокзала? (''ahf-tuh-vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the airport? : ...аэропорта? (''ah-ehr-ah-POHR-tuh'') ; ...the Metro (subway) : ...метро (''mee-TROH'') ; ...downtown? : ...центра? (''TSEHN-truh'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...молодёжного общежития? (''muh-lah-DYOH-zhnuh-vuh ahp-shee-ZHYH-tee-yuh'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...гостиницы ______? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh'') e.g.: ; ...the Mosfilm hotel? : ...гостиницы Мосфильм? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh MOHS-feel’m'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...американского/канадского/австралийского/английского консульства? (''uh-mee-ree-KAHNS-kuh-vuh / kuh-NAHTS-kuh-vuh / uhfs-truh-LEES-kuh-vuh / ahng-LEES-kuh-vuh KOHN-sool’-stvuh'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Где есть много... (''gdyeh yehst’ MNOH-guh'') ; ...hotels? : ...гостиниц? (''gahs-TEE-neets?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ресторанов? (''rees-tah-RAHN-uhf?'') ; ...bars? : ...баров? (''BAHR-uhf'') ; ...sites to see? : ...достопримечательностей? (''duhs-tuh-pree-mee-CHAH-teel’-nuhs-tyay'') ; Where is a good, cheap... : Где хороший дешёвый... (''gdyeh khah-ROH-shyh dee-SHYOH-vyh'') ; ...restaurant? : ресторан? (''ree-stah-RAHN'') ; ...bar? : бар? (''bahr'') ; Please can you show me on the map? : Пожалуйста Вы можете показать на карте? (''puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh vyh MOH-zhyh-tee puh-kuh-ZAHT’ nuh KAHR-tyeh'') ; Is it far? : Далеко? (''dah-lee-KOH'') ; street : улица (''OO-lee-tsuh'') ; Turn left. : Поверните налево. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; Turn right. : Поверните направо. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-PRAH-vuh'') ; left : налево (''nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; right : направо (''nuh-PRAH-vuh...'') ; straight ahead : прямо (''PRYAH-muh'') ; towards the _____ : к _____ (''k'') ; past the _____ : мимо _____ (''MEEH-mah'') ; before the _____ : перед _____ (''PYEH-reet'') ; Watch for the _____. : Ищите _____. (''ee-SHEE-tyeh'') ; intersection : перекрёсток (''pee-ree-KRYOH-stuhk'') ; north : север (''SYEH-veer'') ; south : юг (''yook'') ; east : восток (''vahs-TOHK'') ; west : запад (''ZAH-puht'') ; uphill : вверх (''VVYEHR-kh'') ; downhill : вниз (''vnees'') ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : Такси! (''Tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Довезите меня до _____, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh mee-NYAH duh _____, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Сколько стоит доехать до ______? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet dah-YEH-khut’ duh ____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Довезите меня туда, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh meenyah too-DAH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; [Please] stop here. : Остановите здесь[, пожалуйста]. (''us-tuh-naw-VEE-tyeh zdes[, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh].'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : У вас есть свободные комнаты? (''oo vash YEHST’ svah-BOD-nyh-yeh KOHM-nuh-tyh'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Сколько стоит комната на одного человека/двух человек? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet KOM-nuh-tuh nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kuh / dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK '') ; Does the room come with... : В этой комнате есть... (''VEH-tuy KOHM-nuh-tyeh yest’...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...простыни? (''...PROHS-tee-nee'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...ванная? (''...VAHN-nah-yuh'') ; ...a telephone? : ...телефон? (''...tee-lee-FOHN'') ; ...a TV? : ...телевизор? (''...tee-lee-VEE-zuhr'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...холодильник ? (''...ho-luh-DIL-nik'') ; ...electric kettle? : ...электрический чайник ? (''...eh-lek-TREE-ches-kee CHI-nik'') ; May I see the room first? : Могу я сначала посмотреть комнату? (''mah-GOOH yah znuh-CHAH-luh puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ KOHM-nah-too'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : У вас есть что-нибудь потише? (''oo vah yehst’ CHTOH-nee-boot’ pah-TEE-shyh?'') ; ...bigger? : ...побольше? (''pah-BOHL’-shyh'') ; ...cleaner? : ...почище? (''pah-CHEE-sheh'') ; ...cheaper? : ...подешевле? (''puh-dee-SHEHV-lyeh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я беру. (''khah-rah-SHOH yah bee-ROO'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Я останусь на _____ ночь (ночи/ночей). (''yah ahs-TAH-noos’ nah _____ nohch’ (NOH-chee/nah-CHYAY'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Вы можете предложить другую гостиницу? (''vy MOH-zhee-te pred-la-ZHYHT’ droo-GOO-yoo gahs-TEE-nee-tsoo'') ; Do you have a safe? : У вас есть сейф? (''oo vahs yest’ syayf'') ; ...lockers? : ...индивидуальные сейфы? (''een-dee-vee-doo-AHL’-nyh-yeh SYAY-fee'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Завтрак/ужин включен? (''ZAHF-truhk / OO-zhyhn fklyoo-CHON'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Во сколько завтрак/ужин? (''vuh SKOHL’-kuh ZAH-ftruhk / OO-zhyhn'') ; Please clean my room. : Уберите в моей комнате, пожалуйста. (''oo-bee-REE-tyeh vmah-YAY KOHM-nuh-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Не могли бы вы разбудить меня в _____? (''nee mah-GLEE byh vyh rahz-boo-DEET’ mee-NYAH v _____? '') ; You have a bedbug infestation here. : У вас водятся клопы. (''oo VAS VAWD-yats-ya klaw-PYH'') ; I want to check out. : Дайте счёт. (''DIGH-tyeh shyoht'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Вы принимаете американские/австралийские/канадские доллары? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh uh-mee-ree-KAHN-skee-yeh / uhv-struh-LEE-skee-yeh / kuh-NAHD-skee-yeh DOH-luhr-yh'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Вы принимаете английские фунты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh ahn-GLEE-skee-yeh FOON-tyh'') ; Do you accept euro? : Вы принимаете евро? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh YEV-ruh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Вы принимаете кредитные карты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh kree-DEET-nyh-yeh KAHR-tyh'') ; Can you change money for me? : Не могли бы вы обменять мне деньги? (''nyeh mah-GLEE byh vyh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh DYEHN’-gee'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Где я могу обменять деньги? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ DYEHN’-gee'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Вы можете обменять мне дорожный чек? (''vyh MOH-zhyh-tyeh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Где я могу обменять дорожный чек? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Какой курс обмена? (''kah-KOY koors ahb-MYEHN-uh'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Где здесь банкомат? (''gdyeh zdyes’ bahn-kuh-MAHT'') ===Eating=== ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Столик на одного человека/двух человек, пожалуйста. (''STOH-leek nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK'') 40:44 ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Могу я посмотреть меню? (''mah-GOO yah puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ meen-YOO'''') 52:22 ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Я могу посмотреть на кухню? (''yah mah-GOO puh-smah-TRYEHT’ nah KOOKH-nee-yoo'') 0:01 ; Is there a house specialty? : Какое у вас фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') 0:15 ; Is there a local specialty? : Какое у вас местное фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs myehst-NOY-yeh feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') 0:23 ; I'm a vegetarian. : Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (''yah vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-eets/vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-kah'') 0:29 ; I don't eat pork. : Я не ем свинину. (''yah nee yehm svee-NEEN-oo'') 0:33 ; I don't eat beef. : Я не ем говядину. (''yah nee yehm gahv-YAH-deen-oo'') 0:40 ; I only eat kosher food. : Я принимаю только кошерную пищу. (''yah pree-nee-MAH-yoo TOHL’-kuh kah-SHERH-noo-yoo PEE-shoo.'') 0:56 ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Сделайте, пожалуйста, поменьше жира. (''SDYEH-ligh-tyeh, puh-zhahl-uh-stuh, pah-MYEHN'-shyh zhyh-RAH'') 1:02 ; fixed-price meal : комплексный обед (''KOHM-plyehks-nyh ah-BYEHT'') 1:13 ; à la carte : карта вин (''KAHR-tah veen'') 1:26 ; breakfast : завтрак (''ZAHF-truhk'') 1:40 ; lunch : обед (''ah-BYEHT'') 1:56 ; tea (''meal'') : полдник (''POHLD-neek'') 2:01 ; supper : ужин (''OO-zhyhn'') 2:09 ; I want _____. : Я хочу _____. (''yah khah-CHOO'') (''use first form below'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Я хочу блюдо с _____. (''yah khah-CHOO BLYOO-duh s _____'') (''use second form'') 2:30 ; chicken : курицу/ой (''KOO-reet-soo / KOO-reet-suy'') 2:50 ; beef : говядину/ой (''gahv-YAH-dee-noo / gahv-YAH-dee-nuy'') 3:01 ; fish : рыбу/ой (''RYH-boo / RYH-boy'') 3:40 ; ham : свинину/ой (''svee-NEE-noo / svee-NEE-nuy'') 4:04 ; veal : говядина (''gahv-YAH-deen-uh'') 4:50 ; sausage : колбасу/ой (''kuhl-bah-SOO / kuhl-bah-SOY'') 5:05 ; cheese : сыр/ом (''syhr / SYH-ruhm'') 5:06 ; eggs : яйца/ами (''YIGH-tsah / YIGH-tsah-mee'') 5:11 ; salad : салат/ом (''sah-LAHT / sah-LAHT-ohm'') 5:20 ; potato : картофель (''kahr-TOH-fehl''') 5:23 ; (fresh) vegetables : (свежие/ими) овощи/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee OH-vuh-shee/ uh-vuh-SHAH-mee'') 5:40 ; tomato : помидор (''puh-mee-DOHR'') 6:03 ; cabbage : капуста (''kah-POOS-tuh'') 6:50 ; carrot : морковь (''mahr-KOHF'') 7:02 ; beet : свёкла (''SVYOHL-kuh'') 7:13 ; (fresh) fruit : (свежие/ими) фрукты/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee FROOK-tyh / FROOK-tuh-mee'') 7:40 ; berries : ягоды (''YAH-guh-dyh'') 7:50 ; strawberry : клубинка (''kloo-BEEN-kuh'') 8:02 ; banana : банан (''bah-NAHN'') 8:16 ; apple : яблоко (''YAH-bluh-kuh'') 8:20 ; grapes : виноград (''vee-nah-GRAHD'') 8:19 ; currants : смородина (''smah-ROH-dee-nuh'') 8:20 ; orange : апельсин (''uh-peel-SEEN'') 8:30 ; bread : хлеб/ом (''khlyep / KHLYEH-buhm'') 8:40 ; toast : тост/ом (''tohst / TOHST-uhhm)'') 8:50 ; noodles : лапша/ой (''LAHP-shuh / lahp-SHOY'') 9:01 ; pasta : макароны/онами (''mah-kah-ROH-nyh / mah-kah-ROH-nah-mee'') 9:02 ; rice : рис/ом (''rees / REE-suhm'') 9:12 ; buckwheat : гречка/гречкой (''GRECH-kuh / GRECH-koy'') 9:20 ; beans : фасоль/фасолью (''fah-SOHL’ / fah-SOHL-yoo'') 9:30 ; May I have a glass of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, стакан _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, stah-KAHN _____?'') 11:01 ; May I have a cup of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, чашку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, CHAHSH-koo'') 11:05 ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, бутылку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, boo-TYHL-koo'') 12:02 ; ...coffee : ...кофе (''KOH-feh'') 13:14 ; ...tea (''drink'') : ...чая (''CHAH-yuh'') 14:06 ; ...juice : ...сока (''SOH-kah'') 15:44 ; ...(bubbly) water : ...минеральной воды (''mee-nee-RAHL'-nuy vah-DYH'') 20:01 ; ...water : ...воды (''vah-DYH'') 20:02 ; ...beer : ...пива (''PEE-vuh'') 20:10 ; ...red/white wine : ...красного/белого вина (''KRAH-snuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') 23:04 ; ...sparkling wine : ...шампанского (''shum-PAHN-skuh-guh'') 24:05 ; ...vodka : ...водки (''VOT-kee'') 25:04 ; May I have some _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста _____. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') 26:07 ; ...salt : соль (''sohl’'') 28:07 ; ...black pepper : чёрный перец (''CHYOHR-nyh PYEH-reets'') 29:12 ; ...butter : масло (''MAHS-luh'') 29:20 ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Официант!/Девушка! (''uh-fee-TSAHNT! / DYEH-voosh-kuh!'') The former is very polite and gender neutral, the latter only for female servers, and should not be used in a nice restaurant. 29:30 ; I'm finished. : Я наелся/наелась. (''yah nah-YEHL-syuh/yah nah-YEH-las’'') 29:40 ; It was delicious. : Это было великолепно. (''EH-tuh BYH-luh vyeh-lee-kah-LYEHP-nuh'') 29:50 ; Please clear the plates. : Можете убрать со стола. (''MOH-zhyh-tyeh oo-BRAHT’ suh stuh-LAH'') 30:01 ; The check, please. : Счёт, пожалуйста. (''shyoht, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') 31:02 ===Bars=== ; Do you serve alcohol? : Вы продаёте алкогольные напитки? (''VYH pruh-dah-YOH-tyeh ahl-kuh-GOHL’-nyh-yeh nah-PEET-kee?'') ; Is there table service? : Здесь есть официант? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ ah-fee-TSANT'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Будьте добры, одно пиво/два пива. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ad-noh PEE-vuh / dvah PEE-vah'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Будьте добры, бокал красного/белого вина. (''BOOT'-tyeh dah-BRYH, bah-KAHL KRAHZ-nuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; A bottle, please. : Будьте добры, одну бутылку. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ahd-NOO boo-TYHL-koo'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : Будьте добры, _____ (''hard liquor'') с _____ (''mixer'' in ablative form). (''...'') ; whiskey : виски (''VEE-skee'') ; vodka : водка (''VOHT-kah'') ; rum : ром (''rohm'') ; water : вода/ой (''vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; club soda : газированная/ой вода/ой (газировка/ой) (''guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuh-yuh / guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuy vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; tonic water : тоник/ом (''TOH-neek/TOH-neek-uhm'') ; orange juice : апельсиновый/ым сок/ом (''uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyh / uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyhm sohk / SOHK-uhm'') ; Coke (''soda'') : кола/ой (''лимонад/ом'') (''KOH-lah / KOH-luy'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Здесь есть буфет? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ boo-FYEHT'') ; One more, please. : Ещё одну, пожалуйста. (''yee-SHYOH ahd-NOOH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Another round, please. : Повторите, пожалуйста. (''puhf-tah-REEH-tye, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; When is closing time? : Когда вы закрываетесь? (''kahg-DAH vyh zuh-kryh-VAH-ee-tyehs’?'') ; I don't drink. : Я вообще не пью. (''yah vahb-SHYEH nee pyoo'') ; I'm an alcoholic. : Я алкоголик. (''yah ahl-kah-GOH-leek'') ; I cannot drink because of medication. : Мне нельзя пить из-за лекарства, которое я сейчас принимаю. (''mnyee neel-ZYAH peet' eez-zah lee-KAHRST-vuh kah-TOHR-uh-yuh yah see-CHAHS pree-nee-MAH-yoo'') ===Shopping=== ; Do you have this in my size? : У вас есть это моего размера? (''oo vahs yehst’ EH-tuh ma-ee-VOH rahz-MYEH-ruh'') ; How much is this? : Сколько это стоит? (''SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuh STOH-eet'') ; That's too expensive. : Это слишком дорого. (''EH-tuh SLEESH-kuhm DOH-ruh-guh'') ; Would you take _____? : Вы примете _____? (''vyh PREE-mee-tyeh _____?'') ; expensive : дорого (''DOH-ruh-guh'') ; cheap : дёшево (''DYOH-shyh-vuh'') ; I can't afford it. : Я не могу себе этого позволить. (''yah nee mah-GOOH see-BYEH EH-tuh-vuh paz-VOH-leet’'') ; I don't want it. : Я это не хочу. (''yah EH-tuh nee khah-CHOO'') 31:13 36 Kitchen ; You're cheating me. : Вы меня обманываете. (''vyh mee-NYAH ab-MAH-nyh-vah-ee-tyeh'') 53:21 100 Channels ; I'm not interested. : Мне это не интересно.. (''mnyeh EH-tuh nee een-tee-RYEHS-nuh'') 11:20 ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я возьму. (''khah-rah-SHOH, yah vahz’-MOO'') 11:21 ; Can I have a bag? : Дайте, пожалуйста, пакет. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, pah-KYEHT'') 0:11 ; Do you ship (overseas)? : У вас есть доставка (за границу)? (''oo vahs yehst’ dahs-TAHF-kah (zah grah-NEET-sooh) 13:03'' ; Give me two ''(items of something)''. : Давайте две. (''dah-VIGH-tyeh DVYEH'') ; I need... : Мне нужен/нужна/нужно/нужны... (''mnyeh NOO-zhehn / nooh-ZHNAH / NOOZH-nuh / nooh-ZHNYH'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...зубная паста. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh PAHS-tuh'') 0:26 ; ...a toothbrush. : ...зубная щётка. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh SHYOHT-kuh'') 15:00 ; ...tampons. : ...тампоны. (''tahm-POH-nyh'') 52:02 ; ...soap. : ...мыло. (''MYH-luh'') 43:22 ; ...shampoo. : ...шампунь. (''shahm-POON’'') 43:32 ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...обезболивающее. (''ah-beez-BOH-lee-vah-yoo-shee-yeh'') 53:03 74 Trash ; ...cold medicine. : ...лекарство от простуды. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht prah-STOO-dyh'') 34:04 ; ...stomach medicine. : ...лекарство от живота. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht zhyh-VOH-tuh'') 28:02 ; ...a razor. : ...бритва. (''BREET-vuh'') 32:53 ; ...an umbrella. : ...зонтик. (''ZOHN-teek'') 0:32 ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...лосьон от загара. (''luhs’-YOHN ahd zah-GAH-ruh'') 40:01 ; ...a postcard. : ...открытка. (''aht-KRYHT-kah'') 0:21 ; ...postage stamps. : ...почтовые марки. (''pahtch-TOH-vyh-yeh MAHR-kee'') 0:28 ; ...batteries. : ...батарейки. (''bah-tah-RAY-kee'') 57:22 6 Battery ; ...writing paper. : ...бумага. (''boo-MAH-guh'') 1:23 ; ...a pen. : ...ручка. (''ROOCH-kuh'') 50:22 ; ...English-language books. : ...книги на английском языке. (''KNEE-gee nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zee-KYEH'') 32:02 5342 Words ; ...English-language magazines. : ...журналы на английском языке. (''zhoor-NAH-lyh nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') 25:03 153 Words ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...газета на английском языке. (''gah-ZYEH-tah nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') 53:02 623 Words ; ...a Russian-English dictionary. : ...русско-английский словарь. (''ROO-skuh ahn-GLEE-skee slah-VAHR’'') 52:21 5342 Words ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : Я хочу взять машину напрокат. (''yah khah-CHOO vzyaht’ mah-SHYH-noo nuh-prah-KAHT'') 11:01 ; Can I get insurance? : Я могу взять страховку? (''yah mah-GOO vzyaht’ strah-KHOHF-koo'') 12:02 ; Stop (''on a street sign'') : СТОП (''stohp'') 13:32 ; One way : одностороннее движение (''uhd-nuh-stah-ROHN-nee-yeh dvee-ZHEH-nee-yeh'') 14:00 ; Yield : уступите дорогу (''oo-stoo-PEE-tyeh dah-ROH-goo'') 23:00 ; No parking : парковки нет (''pahr-KOHF-kee nyeht'') 23:22 ; Speed limit : ограничение скорости (''ah-grah-nee-CHEH-nyh-yeh SKOH-ruh-stee'') 45:26 ; Gas (''petrol'') station : (авто)заправка (''(AHF-tuh) zah-PRAHF-kuh'') 51:01 ; Petrol : бензин (''been-ZEEN'') 52:02 ; Diesel : ДТ (дизельное топливо) (''deh teh (DEE-zehl’-nuh-yeh TOH-plee-vuh'') 52:09 ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Я ничего плохого не делал(а). (''yah nee-chee-VOH plah-KHOH-vuh nee DYEH-luhl/luh-luh'') ; My papers are in order : Мои документы в порядке. (''muh-yee duh-koo-MYEHN-tyh fpahr-YAHD-kee'') (intonation must fall, otherwise you might be asking a question!) ; It was a misunderstanding. : Мы друг друга не поняли. (''myh droog DROO-guh nyee POHN-yuh-lee'') ; Take me to the police. : Везите меня в полицию. (''vee-ZEE-tyeh meen-YAH fpuh-LEE-tsyh-yuh'') ; Where are you taking me? : Куда вы меня везёте? (''koo-DAH vyh meen-YAH vee-ZYOH-tyeh?'') ::;To the police : К полиции. (''kpuh-LEE-tsyh'') ::;To my house : К моему дому. (''kmuh-yuh-MOO DOH-moo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Я арестован(а)? (''yah ah-ryees-TOH-vuhn/vuh-nah?'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Я гражданин/гражданка Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah grazh-dah-NEEN/grazh-DAHN-kah ah-MYEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh / vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Я хочу поговорить с посольством/консульством Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah khah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s pah-SOL’ST-vuhm / s KOHN-sool’-stvuhm ah-MEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh/ vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Я хочу поговорить с адвокатом. (''yah hah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s ahd-vuh-KAH-tuhm'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Я могу заплатить штраф сейчас? (''yah mah-GOO zah-plah-TEET’ shtrahf say-CHAHS?'') (This phrase indicates that you want to pay a bribe to get out of trouble.) ; I need a receipt : Мне нужна квитанция. (''mnyee noozh-NAH kvee-TAHN-tsyh-yuh'') (In the context of interactions with police, this phrase indicates that you aren't willing to pay a bribe.) {{starphrasebook}} {{related|Russia}} {{phrasebookguide}} 5k2uqu81g94dxyekt10n8da3q50fv4z 4506806 4506581 2022-08-23T11:48:26Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/103.176.224.49|103.176.224.49]] ([[User talk:103.176.224.49|talk]]) to last version by [[User:103.176.224.62|103.176.224.62]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bannerrussianphrasebook.jpg|caption=Various signs in Udelnaya, a northern suburb of St.Petersburg|star=yes|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Russian language status and proficiency in the World.svg |thumb|Russian language distribution. {{legend|#000075|Official language}} {{legend|#007575|Widespread use (>30%)}}]] '''Russian''' (русский) is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Abkhazia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[South Ossetia]], and the unrecognized [[Transnistria]], [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]]. In countries lacking official designation for Russian, such as [[Ukraine]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the [[Baltic States]] (where schooling in Russian was mandatory under the Soviet regime), a solid majority of residents may speak it as a second language, and there are significant native-speaker minorities. However, due to its association with Soviet oppression, many residents in these countries may find it offensive to be addressed in Russian, and younger people will often prefer to speak English than Russian when communicating with foreigners. Likewise, a similar dynamic exists in many of the formerly communist countries of Europe such as [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Hungary]], in which Russian was a compulsory second language in schools under communist rule. Russian remains the ''lingua franca'' of choice throughout the former Soviet [[Central Asia]]n states, [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], where it is effectively the language of commerce, government, and travel (despite lacking official status). It is, to a lesser extent, an important language in [[Mongolia]], where it is a compulsory second language in schools, and is the most widely spoken foreign language. Russian has also become the third most widely spoken language in [[Israel]], owing to a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and other ex-Soviet countries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Russian was a compulsory second language in schools in the formerly communist central and eastern European countries, and may be spoken by older people who were schooled during the communist era. However, it has largely been supplanted by English since the fall of the iron curtain, and younger people are in general far more likely to speak English than Russian. Russian remains perhaps the most important Eurasian travel language because English is very rarely spoken throughout the Russophone countries. <br clear="all" /> ==Pronunciation guide== [[File:Russian alphabet.svg|thumb|200px|Russian print and cursive]] Consonants and vowels in Russian (and Slavic generally) are ''soft'' (palatalized) or ''hard''. Consonants are pronounced soft if followed by a soft vowel or the soft sign, else hard. Some consonants are always soft or always hard, regardless of the following vowel. One important note: the cursive Russian alphabet looks very different from the printed alphabet. The printed alphabet is rarely used when writing by hand. (The same goes to other Cyrillic-written languages.) On the upside, though, as a traveler, you are quite unlikely to have to read much handwritten Russian! ===Vowels=== ; a ah : like f'''a'''ther {{IPA|a}} ; e yeh : like '''ye'''sterday {{IPA|je}} ; ё yoh : like '''yo'''re {{IPA|jɵ}} ; и ee : like s'''ee'''n or mach'''i'''ne {{IPA|i}} ; o oh : like sc'''o'''re {{IPA|o}} ; у oo : like cart'''oo'''n {{IPA|u}} ; ы yh : like ros'''e'''s {{IPA|ɨ}} ; э eh : like '''e'''nd {{IPA|ɛ}} ; ю yoo : like '''Yu'''goslavia {{IPA|ju}} ; я yah : like '''ya'''cht {{IPA|ja}} Russian, like English, has something called vowel reduction, where the vowels take on different sounds if they are not in the stressed syllable of the word. The exact nature of this depends on the part of Russia one is located in, but generally (and abroad): * The letters е, ю, and я sound like their counterparts э, у, and а * The letter о sounds like the letter а * The letter а sounds like the English h'''u'''t {{IPA|ə or ɐ}} * The letter у sounds like the English b'''oo'''k {{IPA|ʊ}} * All other vowels tend to make the sound of English '''i'''ll {{IPA|ɪ}} However, when traveling, you generally don't need to worry about reduction. Pronouncing all vowels as if they were stressed will seem like over-enunciation to a native speaker, but you'll be perfectly understood. Unfortunately, '''ё''' is very often written as '''е''', which can cause problems for non-native speakers, since pronouncing one over the other can change the meaning of a word. Fortunately, books oriented toward beginners (like dictionaries, grammar books, literature for foreigners, etc.) always include the dots. ===Consonants=== ; б beh : like '''b'''oy {{IPA|b}} ; в veh : like '''v'''ery {{IPA|v}} ; г geh : like '''g'''o {{IPA|ɡ}}; in genitive (possessive) endings ого/его pronounced like в. E.g., "Dostoevsky's" = Достоевского (duh-stah-YEHV-skuh-vuh) ; д deh : like '''d'''o {{IPA|d}} ; ж zheh : like mea'''s'''ure {{IPA|ʐ}} ; з zeh : like '''z'''oo {{IPA|z}} ; й ee kratkoe ("short и") : like bo'''y''' {{IPA|j}} ; к kah : like '''k'''eep {{IPA|k}} ; л ell : like fee'''l''' {{IPA|ɫ}} ; м em : like see'''m''' {{IPA|m}} ; н en : like '''n'''oodle {{IPA|n}} ; п peh : like s'''p'''igot {{IPA|p}} ; р err : ''heavily'' rolled as in Spanish rr in pe'''rr'''o {{IPA|r}} ; с ess : like '''s'''eem {{IPA|s}} ; т teh : like s'''t'''op {{IPA|t}} ; ф eff : like '''F'''rench {{IPA|f}} ; х khah : like '''Ch'''anukkah, Scottish lo'''ch''', or German Ba'''ch''' {{IPA|x}} ; ц tseh : like boo'''ts''' {{IPA|t͡s}} ; ч cheh : like '''ch'''eap {{IPA|t͡ɕ}} ; ш sheh : like '''sh'''ot {{IPA|ʂ}} ; щ scheh : ш, but harsher {{IPA|ɕ}}. Don't worry about this too much, as you'll be understood in context. (Note that though щ is often transliterated as shch, it is ''not'' pronounced similar to "har'''sh ch'''oice"—there is no ch sound in this Russian consonant) The letter sequence сч sounds like щ, and ''not'' like English que'''sti'''on. Be careful of letters such as В, Н, or Р which resemble a Latin letter but represent a different sound; they can be especially confusing for beginners. When consonants are soft (they are either always soft, followed by a soft vowel, or have a soft sign), they become palatalized {{IPA|ʲ}}. See the soft sign below for more details. ===Signs=== In the Middle Ages, these two characters (known as the ''yer'') used to represent reduced vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but now they merely indicate whether the preceding consonant is palatalized ("soft") or not ("hard"). ; ъ ’’ : the hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is not palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would). Mostly used after prefixes ''v-'' ("in") and ''s-'' ("out"). For example: *съёмка (s-yom-kah) - making a film *Сёмка (syom-kah) - familiar form for Simon *въезд (v-yezd) - vehicular entrance (not vyezd). ; ь ’ : the soft sign - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would not) This means that the consonant is pronounced while sticking the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth while raising the middle of your tongue to your palate. You don't really need to worry about this - while there are pairs of words that differ only by palatalization (some examples follow), it can be very difficult for beginners and probably not worth the effort. If you are planning on being in a situation where you will be speaking Russian for a long period of time, it may be wise to practice this. As mentioned, palatalization also occurs before soft vowels. *полька (POL'-kah) - a female Polish person (also, the dance) *полка (POL-kah) - a shelf *уголь (OO-gol') - coal *угол (OO-gol) - corner *каньон (ka-NYON) - canyon *канон (ka-NON) - canon *кров (KROHF) - roof, slelter *кровь (KROHF') - blood ===Stress=== Although Russian is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every book and dictionary concerning the Russian language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable. The same rule applies for others that use the Cyrillic script such as [[Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian]] and [[Bulgarian phrasebook|Bulgarian]]. ==Grammar== Unless you intend to seriously study the language, learning Russian grammar on your trip is not realistic. But it can help to at least recognize that the following verb conjugations and noun/adjective declensions are used. *Russian nouns belong to one of three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. However, like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter. *The second person pronoun '''вы''' is the plural of '''ты''' and is also used, as in French, for '''polite address''' to one person. *Russian '''verbs and verb conjugation''' differ along three axes: :1) Verbs come in ''perfective'' and ''imperfective'' pairs (e.g., '''думать''' | '''подумать'''). Imperfective verbs indicate ongoing or uncompleted action; Perfective verbs indicated one-off or completed action. Conjugated perfective verbs are also used to indicated the future tense (future imperfective requires conjugation of the verb to be (быть) + imperfective infinitive). As a general rule (but only a very general rule), perfective verb forms are created by adding a prefix to the relevant imperfective verb. {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! style="background: #ffffff; color: #000000" height="17" | ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Singular ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Plural |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | 1st Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я думаю | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Мы думаем |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 2nd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Ты думаешь | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Вы думаете |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 3rd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Он думает | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Они думают |} :2) Verbs follow a simple pattern of temporal conjugation: past, present, and future, (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''думаю''' | '''подумаю'''). In the past tense, verbs also conjugate by gender, male, female, and neuter (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''подумала''' | '''подумало'''). :3) In the present and future tenses, pronouns can and are often omitted due to context; however, the same is hardly said in the past tense, as the latter changes according to gender (masculine, feminine and neutral) and number (singular and plural). (Example at right) <br clear="all" /> *'''Nouns and adjectives ''' have six '''cases''', depending on their general grammatical role in a sentence: :{| class="wikitable" ! style="background: #cedff2; color: #000000" height="17" | Case ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Nominative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Accusative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Genitive ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Dative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Prepositional ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Instrumental |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Use | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Subject of sentence | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Direct object | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Possessive (of) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Indirect object (to/for) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Location (at) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Instrumental (by/with) |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Example | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''Город''' красив | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я читал '''книгу''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Центр '''города''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я дал '''ему''' еду | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Музей '''в городе''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я шёл '''с ним''' |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Translation | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''The city''' is pretty | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I read the '''book''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Center '''of the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I gave '''him''' food | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | A museum '''in the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I walked '''with him''' |} ==Phrase list== ''See [[Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide]] for guidance on the phoneticizations below'' ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Открыто / Работает ; CLOSED : Закрыто / Не работает ; ENTRANCE : Вход ; EXIT : Выход ; PUSH : От себя ; PULL : К себе / На себя ; TOILET : Туалет ; MEN : М ; WOMEN : Ж ; NO ENTRANCE : Входа нет / Вход воспрещён ; [ENTRY] FORBIDDEN : Проход воспрещён / Проход закрыт ; PLEASE KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING : Без стука не входить ; NO SMOKING : Не курить ; DANGER - NO ENTRY! : Не влезай - убьёт!}} {{Infobox|How many names!|Russians take three names, a first name (имя), patronymic (отчество), and last name (фамилия). The unfamiliar patronymic is the name of one's father plus an ending of -ovich, -yevich, or -yich for men, -yevna, -ovna or -ichna for women. For example, if the father's name is Пётр (Peter), the patronymic would be Петрович (Petrovich) for a man, and Петровна (Petrovna) for a woman. To use someone's name informally, you can refer to them using the first or (less commonly) last name, while to do so formally would require either first name + patronymic, or a title + last name. For example, you can refer to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Президент Владимир Владимирович Путин) informally as Vladimir (if you know him personally) or just Putin. To refer to him more formally—and you generally should use the formal name in Russian—you would need to refer to him as Vladimir Vladimirovich or President Putin. Last names also vary based on gender, often with an "a" added to the end of the male last name for the female version. For instance, the wife of former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is known as Svetlana Medvedev'''a'''. But it gets even harder! Russians love diminutives, which are essentially nicknames or "shortenings," for just about everything, including names. Most names can be shortened into three or four variants—"cute" nicknames usually have an insert like -en'k, -echk, -ochk, -ushk, or -yush, like Sara → Sarochka (Сарочка) or Katya → Katyusha (Катюша). Obviously, you should avoid addressing people with these until you know them well. Here are some of the most common ones that might give you trouble:<br><br> '''Male names''' *Aleksander (Александр) → Sasha (Саша), Sanya (Саня), Shura (Шура) *Aleksei (Алексей) → Alyosha (Алёша), Lyosha (Лёша), Lyokha (Лёха) *Anatolii (Анатолий) → Tolya (Толя) *Vasilii (Василий) → Vasya (Вася) *Vladimir (Владимир) → Volodya (Володя), Vova (Вова) *Vladislav (Владислав) → Vlad (Влад), Vladik (Владик) *Gennadii (Геннадий) → Gena (Гена) *Georgii (Георгий) → Zhora (Жора), Gosha (Гоша) *Dmitrii (Дмитрий) → Dima (Дима), Mitya (Митя) *Evgenii (Евгений) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ivan (Иван) → Vanya (Ваня) *Konstantin (Константин) → Kostya (Костя) *Mikhail (Михаил) → Misha (Миша) *Nikolai (Николай) → Kolya (Коля) *Pavel (Павел) → Pasha (Паша), Pavlik (Павлик) *Pyotr (Пётр) → Petya (Петя) *Sergei (Сергей) → Seryozha (Серёжа), Seryoga (Серёга), Seryi (Серый) *Fyodor (Фёдор) → Fedya (Фе́дя) *Yurii (Юрий) → Yura (Юра) <br><br> '''Female names''' *Aleksandra (Александра) → Sasha (Саша) *Anastasiya (Анастасия) → Nastya (Настя) *Anna (Анна) → Anya (Аня) *Valeriya (Валерия) → Lera (Лера) *Viktoriya (Виктория) → Vika (Вика), Vita (Вита) *Evgeniya (Евгения) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ekaterina (Екатерина) → Katya (Катя) *Irina (Ирина) → Ira (Ира) *Lyubov (Любовь) → Lyuba (Люба) *Lyudmila (Людмила) → Lyuda (Люда), Lyucya (Люся) *Magdalina (Магдалина) → Magda (Магда) *Mariya (Мария) → Masha (Маша) *Nadezhda (Надежда) → Nadya (Надя) *Natasha (Наташа) → Tasha (Таша) *Oksana (Оксана) → Ksyusha (Ксюша), Ksenya (Ксеня) *Olga (Ольга) → Olya (Оля) *Svetlana (Светлана) → Sveta (Света) }} ; Hello. (''formal''):Здравствуйте. (''ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh'') (The first в is silent; sometimes considered bad luck to say this to the same person twice in one day.) [[File:Ru-здравствуйте.ogg]] ; Hello. (''informal''):Здравствуй. (''ZDRAHST-vooy'') [[File:Ru-здравствуй.ogg]] ; Hi.:Привет. (''pree-VYEHT'') [[File:Ru-привет.ogg]], Здорово. (''Zduh-ROH-vuh'') (Shorter version of the above greeting.) ; How are you?: Как дела? (''kahg dee-LAH?'') ; Fine, thank you.: Хорошо, спасибо. (''khah-rah-SHOH spah-SEE-buh'') ; What is your name?: Как Вас зовут? (''kahk vahs zah-VOOT?'') ; My name is ______ .: Меня зовут ______ . (''mee-NYAH zah-VOOT ___'') ; Nice to meet you.: Очень приятно. (''OH-cheen' pree-YAHT-nuh'') ; Please.:Пожалуйста. (''pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') [[File:Ru-пожалуйста.ogg]] ; Thank you.:Спасибо. (''spuh-SEE-buh'') [[File:Ru-спасибо.ogg]] ; You're welcome.:Не за что. (''NYEH-zuh-shtoh'') (Literally "It's nothing", can use "Пожалуйста" again) [[File:Ru-не за что.ogg]] ; Yes.:Да. (''dah'') [[File:Ru-да.ogg]] ; No.:Нет. (''nyeht'') [[File:Ru-нет.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''getting attention''):Извините. (''eez-vee-NEET-yeh'') [[File:Ru-извините.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon''): Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; I'm sorry.: Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; Goodbye:До свидания. (''duh svee-DAH-nyah.'') [[File:Ru-до свидания.ogg]] ; Goodbye (''informal''):Пока. (''pah-KAH'') [[File:Ru-пока.ogg]] ; I can't speak Russian [well].: Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (''yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH]'') ; Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? (''vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English?: Кто-нибудь здесь говорит по-английски? (''KTOH-nee-bood' zdyehs guh-vah-REET pah an-GLEES-kee?'') ; Help!: Помогите! (''puh-mah-GEE-tyeh!'') ; Look out!: Осторожно!! (''uhs-tah-ROH-zhnuh!'') ; Good morning.: Доброе утро. (''DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh'') ; Good evening.:Добрый вечер. (''DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr'') [[File:Ru-добрый вечер.ogg]] ; Good night (''to sleep''): Спокойной ночи! (''spah-KOY-nuy NOH-chee'') ; I don't understand.: Я не понимаю. (''yah nee puh-nee-MIGH-yoo'') ; I don't know.: Я не знаю. (''yah nee ZNAH-yoo'') ; I can't.: Я не могу. (''yah nee mah-GOO'') ; Where is the toilet?: Где туалет? (''gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?'') ; Good:Хороший (''khah-ROH-shee'') [[File:Ru-хороший.ogg]] ; Bad:Плохой (''plah-KHOY'') [[File:Ru-плохой.ogg]] ; Big:Большой (''bahl'-SHOY'') [[File:Ru-большой.ogg]] ; Small:Маленький (''MAH-leen-kee'') [[File:Ru-маленький.ogg]] ; Hot:Горячий (''gahr-YAH-chee'') [[File:Ru-горячий.ogg]] ; Cold:Холодный (''khah-LOHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-холодный.ogg]] ; Fast:Быстро (''BYH-struh'') [[File:Ru-быстро.ogg]] ; Slow:Медленно (''MYEHD-lee-nuh'') [[File:Ru-медленно.ogg]] ; Expensive:Дорогой (''duh-rah-GOY'') [[File:Ru-дорогой.ogg]] ; Cheap:Дешёвый (''dyee-SHYOH-vyh'') [[File:Ru-дешёвый.ogg]] ; Rich:Богатый (''bah-GAH-tyh'') [[File:Ru-богатый.ogg]] ; Poor:Бедный (''BYEHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-бедный.ogg]] ===Problems=== {{Infobox|Emergency numbers|In most areas, emergency telephone numbers are as follows: * 101 : Fire department * 102 : Police * 103 : Ambulance * 104 : Gas leaks It is essential to be able to provide emergency responders with your correct street address. Depending on how busy they are, and how serious the medical emergency appears, it may take from a few minutes to an hour for an ambulance to arrive.}} ; Leave me alone. : Отстань. (''aht-STAHN’!'') ; Don't touch me! : Не трогай меня! (''nee-TROH-guy mee-NYAH!'') ; I'll call the police! : Я вызову полицию! (''yah VYH-zah-voo poh-LEE-tsyh-yoo!'') ; Police!: Полиция! (''poh-LEE-tsyh-yah!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Держите вора! (''deer-ZHEE-tyeh VOH-rah!'') ; I need your help. : Мне нужна ваша помощь. (''mnyeh noozh-NAH VAH-shah POH-muhsh'') ; It's an emergency. : Это срочно!. (''EH-tuh SROHCH-nuh'') ; I'm lost. : Я заблудился/заблудилась - (m/f). (''yah zah-bloo-DEEL-suh / zah-bloo-DEE-luhs’'') In the examples below, the extra suffix (а) is for the feminine gender: ; I lost my bag. : Я потерял(а) свою сумку. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svah-YOOH SOOM-kooh'') ; I lost my wallet. : Я потерял(а) свой бумажник. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svoy boo-MAHZH-neek'') ; My things have been stolen. : Меня обокрали. (''me-NYAH oh-buh-KRAH-lee'') ; I'm sick. : Я болен (m.) / Я больна (f.) (''yah-BOH-leen (masculine) / yah-bahl’-NAH (feminine)'') ; I've been injured. : Я ранен(а) (''yah RAH-neen(-ah)'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Меня укусила собака (''me-NYAH oo-koo-SEE-lah suh-BAH-kuh'') ; I need a doctor. : Мне нужен врач. (''mnyeh NOO-zhyhn vrahch'') ; Please call an ambulance. : Пожалуйста, вызовите Скорую помощь. (''Puh-ZHAH-looy-stuh VYH-zaw-vee-teh SKAW-roo-yoo PAW-mushch'') ; Can I use your phone? : Можно от вас позвонить? (''MOH-zhnuh aht vahs puhz-vah-NEET’?'') :''(this can be used only for stationary phone, not for mobile. Asking a mobile phone from unknown person is generally not polite, as this is commonly done by con artists. In some cases a person may allow you to make a call from his cell phone to another cell phone number in the same province, but not to a landline phone number or to a non-local cell phone number.)'' ===Numbers=== Russian nouns have a dual form, used with 2, 3, and 4, as well as singular and plural. Singular quantities and any quantities that end in 1 (21, 301, etc.) use the nominative singular: одна минута, двадцать один час. Quantities 2&ndash;4 use the genitive singular: две минуты, три минуты, четыре минуты. Quantities greater than four use the genitive plural: пять минут, одиннадцать минут, тринадцать минут, etc. ; 0 :ноль/нуль (''nohl’''/''nool’'') ; 1 :один (''ah-DEEN'') ''m'', одна (''ahd-NAH'') ''f'', одно (''ahd-NOH'') ''n'' (one can say раз (raz) when counting something) ; 2 : два (''dvah'') ''mn'', две (''dvyeh'') ''f'' ; 3 : три (''tree'') ; 4 : четыре (''chee-TYH-ree'') ; 5 : пять (''pyaht’'') ; 6 : шесть (''shehst’'') ; 7 : семь (''syeem’'') ; 8 : восемь (''VOH-seem’'') ; 9 : девять (''DYEH-veet’'') ; 10 : десять (''DYEH-suht’'') ; 11 : одиннадцать (''ah-DEEN-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 12 : двенадцать (''dvee-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 13 : тринадцать (''tree-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 14 : четырнадцать (''chee-TYHR-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 15 : пятнадцать (''peet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 16 : шестнадцать (''shyhst-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 17 : семнадцать (''seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 18 : восемнадцать (''vuh-seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 19 : девятнадцать (''dee-veet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 20 : двадцать (''DVAHD-zuht’'') ; 21 : двадцать один (''DVAHD-zuht’ ah-DEEN'') ; 22 : двадцать два (''DVAHD-zuht’ dvah'') ; 23 : двадцать три (''DVAHD-zuht’ tree'') ; 30 : тридцать (''TREED-zuht’'') ; 40 : сорок (''SOH-ruhk'') ; 50 : пятьдесят (''pee-dee-SYAHT'') ; 60 : шестьдесят (''shyhs-dee-SYAHT'') ; 70 : семьдесят (''SYEM’-dee-syet'') ; 80 : восемьдесят (''VOH-seem-deeh-syet’'') ; 90 : девяносто (''dee-vee-NOH-stuh'') ; 100 : сто (''stoh'') ; 150 : полтораста (''puhl-tuh-RAHS-tuh'') ; 200 : двести (''DVYEH-stee'') ; 300 : триста (''TREE-stuh'') ; 400 : четыреста (''chee-TYHR-ee-stuh'') ; 500 : пятьсот(''peet-SOHT'') ; 1000 : тысяча (''TYH-see-chuh'') ; 2000 : две тысячи (''dvyeh TYH-see-chee'') ; 5000 : пять тысяч (''pyaht’ TYH-seech'') ; 1,000,000 : миллион (''mee-lee-OHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : миллиард (''mee-lee-ART'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : триллион (''tree-lee-OHN'') ; Number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : номер _____ (''NOH-meer'') ; half : половина (''puh-lah-VEE-nuh'') ; less : меньше (''MYEHN’-sheh'') ; more : больше (''BOHL’-sheh'') ===Time=== ; now : сейчас (''see-CHAHS'') ; later : позже (''POH-zhuh'') ; earlier : раньше (''RAHN’-shyeh'') ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (literally 'day') ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') ; night : ночь (''nohch'') ====Clock time==== ; What time is it? (formal) : Не подскажете, который час? (''nyee pahd-SKAH-zhy-tyee kah-TOHR-yh chahs'') ; What time is it? (informal) : Который сейчас час? (''kah-TOHR-yh see-CHAHS chahs'') ; one o'clock : час (''chahs'') ; two o'clock : два часа (''dvah chuh-SAH'') ; three o'clock : три часа (''TREE chuh-SAH'') ; four o'clock : четыре часа (''chee-TYHR-ree chuh-SA'') ; five o'clock : пять часов (''pyaht’ chuh-SOHV'') ; six o'clock : шесть часов (''shest’ chuh-SOHV'') ; seven o'clock : семь часов (''syem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; eight o'clock : восемь часов (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; nine o'clock : девять часов (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV'') ; ten o'clock : десять часов (''DYEH-syuht’ chuh-SOV'') ; eleven o'clock : одинадцать часов (''ah-DEEN-nad-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; twelve o'clock : двенадцать часов (''dvee-NAHD-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; noon : полдень (''POHL-dyehn’'') ; midnight : полночь (''POHL-nohch'') ; half an hour : полчаса (''pohl-chuh-SAH'') Russians do not use A.M. and P.M. Instead they divide the day up roughly as follows: ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.) ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) ; night : ночь (''nohch'') (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.) For example: ; 9 a.m. : девять часов утра (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV ooh-TRAH'') ; 8 p.m. : восемь часов вечера (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV VYEH-che-ruh'') ====Duration==== ''Note: Russian uses different endings depending on the quantity. The first is for quantities ending in one (e.g. 1, 21, 31), the second for quantities ending in 2&ndash;4 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24), and the third for quantities ending in 5&ndash;9 and zero, including the teens (e.g. 5, 10, 12, 20, 25).'' ; _____ minute : _____ минута/минуты/минут (''mee-NOOT-ah / mee-NOOT-yh / mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ час/часа/часов (''chahs / chuh-SAH / chuh-SOHF'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ день/дня/дней (''dyehn’ / dnyah / dnyay'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ неделя/недели/недель (''nee-DYEHL-yuh / nee-DYEHL-yee / nee-DYEHL’'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ месяц/месяца/месяцев (''MYEH-seets / MYEH-seets-ah / MYEH-seets-ohf'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ год/года/лет (''goht / GOH-duh / lyeht'') (лет also means "summers") ====Days==== ; today : сегодня (''see-VOHD-nyuh'') ; yesterday : вчера (''fcheeh-RAH'') ; tomorrow : завтра (''ZAHF-truh'') ; this week : на этой неделе (''nah EH-tuy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; last week : на прошлой неделе (''nah PROSH-luy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; next week : на следующей неделе (''nah SLYED-oo-yoo-shee nee-DYEHL-yeh'') ''Note: A Russian week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.'' ; Monday : понедельник (''puh-nee-DYEHL’-neek'') ; Tuesday : вторник (''VTOHR-neek'') ; Wednesday : среда (''sree-DAH'') ; Thursday : четверг (''cheet-VYEHRK'') ; Friday : пятница (''PYAHT-nee-tsuh'') ; Saturday : суббота (''soo-BOHT-uh'') ; Sunday : воскресенье (''vuhs-kree-SYEHN’-yuh'') ; work day : будний день, рабочий день; work days (Monday—Friday) : будни, рабочие дни ; rest days: выходные ====Months==== ; January : январь (''yeen-VAHR’'') ; February : февраль (''feev-RAHL’'') ; March : март (''mahrt'') ; April : апрель (''ahp-RYEHL’'') ; May : май (''migh'') ; June : июнь (''ee-YOON’'') ; July : июль (''ee-YOOL’'') ; August : август (''AHV-goost'') ; September : сентябрь (''seen-TYABR’'') ; October : октябрь (''ahk-TYABR’'') ; November : ноябрь (''nah-YABR’'') ; December : декабрь (''dee-KAHBR’'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written as '''day.month.year''' (where ''day'', ''month'' and ''year'' are numbers) or as '''day month year''' (where ''day'' and ''year'' are numbers and ''month'' is written in the genitive). E.g., May 24, 2009 should be writed as '''24.05.2009''' or as '''24 мая 2009 года'''. Times always use the 24-hour format, e.g., 5:20PM should be written as '''17:20'''. ===Colors=== ; black : чёрный (''CHOHR-nyh'') ; white : белый (''BYEH-lyh'') ; gray : серый (''SYEH-ryh'') ; red : красный (''KRAHS-nyh'') ; blue (dark-blue or navy): синий (''SEE-nyh'') ; blue (light-blue or cyan) : голубой (''guh-loo-BOY'') - use carefully; in Russian slang, this also means "homosexual"! ; yellow : жёлтый (''ZHOL-tyh'') ; green : зелёный (''zee-LYOH-nyh'') ; orange : оранжевый (''ah-RAHN-zhee-vy'') ; purple : фиолетовый (''fee-ah-LYET-uh-vyh'') ; brown : коричневый (''kah-REECH-nee-vyh'') ; pink : розовый (''ROH-zuh-vyh'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Сколько стоит билет в _____? (''SKOL’-kuh STOH-eet bee-LYEHT v _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Один билет в _____, пожалуйста. (''ah-DEEN bee-LYEHT v_____ puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? :Куда едет этот поезд/автобус? (''koo-DAH YEH-diht EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Где поезд/автобус до_____? (''gdyeh POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos duh _____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Этот поезд/автобус останавливается в _____? (''EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos uhs-tuh-NAHV-lee-vuh-eet-suh v _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Когда отходит поезд/автобус в _____ ? (''kahg-DAH aht-KHOH-deet POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos v _____?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Во сколько этот поезд/автобус приходит в_____? (''vah SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos pree-KHOH-deet v _____?'') ; Are you getting off (at the next stop)? : Вы выходите (на следующей остановке)? (''vyh vyh-HOH-dee-tye (nah SLYE-doosh-chey ah-stah-NOHF-kye) ?'') — this phrase is commonly said in public transport to a person in front of you if you need to get off a bus and it is difficult to get to the doors because many people stand near them. If a person who was told this phrase is going to get off a bus, he says Да, выхожу (''dah vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — Yes, I'm getting off. And you just go out after him. If he says Нет, не выхожу (''nyet nye vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — No, I'm not getting off, you should say Разрешите пройти (''rahz-ree-SHEE-tye prah-y-TEE'') — May I go through, the person will let you go out. ====Directions==== {{Infobox|Name changing|A lot of city, street, and other names changed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Sometimes for nationalist reasons in the former Soviet Republics, sometimes because the Soviet names seemed too weird and ideological, sometimes because names like "Stalin" no longer had such a good ring to them, and often because people wanted the old historic names back. This can present problems for travelers, especially when the street names have changed, and locals still sometimes refer to them by the old names. There isn't much to be done about this, but be sure to at least get your major city names straight: *Leningrad → [[Saint Petersburg]] (but the oblast is still Leningrad Oblast) *Stalingrad → [[Volgograd]] *Sverdlovsk → [[Yekaterinburg]] (but the oblast is still Sverdlovsk Oblast) *Ordzhonikidze → [[Vladikavkaz]] *Kalinin → [[Tver]] *Gorky → [[Nizhny Novgorod]] *Zagorsk → [[Sergiev Posad]] *Kuybyshev → [[Samara]] *Frunze → [[Bishkek]] *Stalinabad → [[Dushanbe]] *Alma-Ata → [[Almaty]] *Akmola → Astana → [[Nur-Sultan]] *Krasnovodsk → [[Turkmenbashi]] }} ; Where : где (''gdyeh'') ; Here : здесь (''zdyehs'') ; There : там (''tahm'') ; To where : куда (''koo-DAH'') ; To here : сюда (''syoo-DAH'') ; To there : туда (''too-DAH'') ; How do I get to _____ ? : Как добраться до_____ ? (''kahk dah-BRAH-tsuh duh ___?'') ; ...the train station? : ...вокзала? (''vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the bus station? : ...автовокзала? (''ahf-tuh-vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the airport? : ...аэропорта? (''ah-ehr-ah-POHR-tuh'') ; ...the Metro (subway) : ...метро (''mee-TROH'') ; ...downtown? : ...центра? (''TSEHN-truh'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...молодёжного общежития? (''muh-lah-DYOH-zhnuh-vuh ahp-shee-ZHYH-tee-yuh'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...гостиницы ______? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh'') e.g.: ; ...the Mosfilm hotel? : ...гостиницы Мосфильм? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh MOHS-feel’m'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...американского/канадского/австралийского/английского консульства? (''uh-mee-ree-KAHNS-kuh-vuh / kuh-NAHTS-kuh-vuh / uhfs-truh-LEES-kuh-vuh / ahng-LEES-kuh-vuh KOHN-sool’-stvuh'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Где есть много... (''gdyeh yehst’ MNOH-guh'') ; ...hotels? : ...гостиниц? (''gahs-TEE-neets?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ресторанов? (''rees-tah-RAHN-uhf?'') ; ...bars? : ...баров? (''BAHR-uhf'') ; ...sites to see? : ...достопримечательностей? (''duhs-tuh-pree-mee-CHAH-teel’-nuhs-tyay'') ; Where is a good, cheap... : Где хороший дешёвый... (''gdyeh khah-ROH-shyh dee-SHYOH-vyh'') ; ...restaurant? : ресторан? (''ree-stah-RAHN'') ; ...bar? : бар? (''bahr'') ; Please can you show me on the map? : Пожалуйста Вы можете показать на карте? (''puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh vyh MOH-zhyh-tee puh-kuh-ZAHT’ nuh KAHR-tyeh'') ; Is it far? : Далеко? (''dah-lee-KOH'') ; street : улица (''OO-lee-tsuh'') ; Turn left. : Поверните налево. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; Turn right. : Поверните направо. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-PRAH-vuh'') ; left : налево (''nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; right : направо (''nuh-PRAH-vuh...'') ; straight ahead : прямо (''PRYAH-muh'') ; towards the _____ : к _____ (''k'') ; past the _____ : мимо _____ (''MEEH-mah'') ; before the _____ : перед _____ (''PYEH-reet'') ; Watch for the _____. : Ищите _____. (''ee-SHEE-tyeh'') ; intersection : перекрёсток (''pee-ree-KRYOH-stuhk'') ; north : север (''SYEH-veer'') ; south : юг (''yook'') ; east : восток (''vahs-TOHK'') ; west : запад (''ZAH-puht'') ; uphill : вверх (''VVYEHR-kh'') ; downhill : вниз (''vnees'') ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : Такси! (''Tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Довезите меня до _____, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh mee-NYAH duh _____, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Сколько стоит доехать до ______? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet dah-YEH-khut’ duh ____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Довезите меня туда, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh meenyah too-DAH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; [Please] stop here. : Остановите здесь[, пожалуйста]. (''us-tuh-naw-VEE-tyeh zdes[, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh].'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : У вас есть свободные комнаты? (''oo vash YEHST’ svah-BOD-nyh-yeh KOHM-nuh-tyh'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Сколько стоит комната на одного человека/двух человек? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet KOM-nuh-tuh nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kuh / dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK '') ; Does the room come with... : В этой комнате есть... (''VEH-tuy KOHM-nuh-tyeh yest’...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...простыни? (''...PROHS-tee-nee'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...ванная? (''...VAHN-nah-yuh'') ; ...a telephone? : ...телефон? (''...tee-lee-FOHN'') ; ...a TV? : ...телевизор? (''...tee-lee-VEE-zuhr'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...холодильник ? (''...ho-luh-DIL-nik'') ; ...electric kettle? : ...электрический чайник ? (''...eh-lek-TREE-ches-kee CHI-nik'') ; May I see the room first? : Могу я сначала посмотреть комнату? (''mah-GOOH yah znuh-CHAH-luh puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ KOHM-nah-too'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : У вас есть что-нибудь потише? (''oo vah yehst’ CHTOH-nee-boot’ pah-TEE-shyh?'') ; ...bigger? : ...побольше? (''pah-BOHL’-shyh'') ; ...cleaner? : ...почище? (''pah-CHEE-sheh'') ; ...cheaper? : ...подешевле? (''puh-dee-SHEHV-lyeh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я беру. (''khah-rah-SHOH yah bee-ROO'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Я останусь на _____ ночь (ночи/ночей). (''yah ahs-TAH-noos’ nah _____ nohch’ (NOH-chee/nah-CHYAY'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Вы можете предложить другую гостиницу? (''vy MOH-zhee-te pred-la-ZHYHT’ droo-GOO-yoo gahs-TEE-nee-tsoo'') ; Do you have a safe? : У вас есть сейф? (''oo vahs yest’ syayf'') ; ...lockers? : ...индивидуальные сейфы? (''een-dee-vee-doo-AHL’-nyh-yeh SYAY-fee'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Завтрак/ужин включен? (''ZAHF-truhk / OO-zhyhn fklyoo-CHON'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Во сколько завтрак/ужин? (''vuh SKOHL’-kuh ZAH-ftruhk / OO-zhyhn'') ; Please clean my room. : Уберите в моей комнате, пожалуйста. (''oo-bee-REE-tyeh vmah-YAY KOHM-nuh-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Не могли бы вы разбудить меня в _____? (''nee mah-GLEE byh vyh rahz-boo-DEET’ mee-NYAH v _____? '') ; You have a bedbug infestation here. : У вас водятся клопы. (''oo VAS VAWD-yats-ya klaw-PYH'') ; I want to check out. : Дайте счёт. (''DIGH-tyeh shyoht'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Вы принимаете американские/австралийские/канадские доллары? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh uh-mee-ree-KAHN-skee-yeh / uhv-struh-LEE-skee-yeh / kuh-NAHD-skee-yeh DOH-luhr-yh'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Вы принимаете английские фунты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh ahn-GLEE-skee-yeh FOON-tyh'') ; Do you accept euro? : Вы принимаете евро? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh YEV-ruh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Вы принимаете кредитные карты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh kree-DEET-nyh-yeh KAHR-tyh'') ; Can you change money for me? : Не могли бы вы обменять мне деньги? (''nyeh mah-GLEE byh vyh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh DYEHN’-gee'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Где я могу обменять деньги? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ DYEHN’-gee'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Вы можете обменять мне дорожный чек? (''vyh MOH-zhyh-tyeh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Где я могу обменять дорожный чек? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Какой курс обмена? (''kah-KOY koors ahb-MYEHN-uh'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Где здесь банкомат? (''gdyeh zdyes’ bahn-kuh-MAHT'') ===Eating=== ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Столик на одного человека/двух человек, пожалуйста. (''STOH-leek nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Могу я посмотреть меню? (''mah-GOO yah puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ meen-YOO'''') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Я могу посмотреть на кухню? (''yah mah-GOO puh-smah-TRYEHT’ nah KOOKH-nee-yoo'') ; Is there a house specialty? : Какое у вас фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Какое у вас местное фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs myehst-NOY-yeh feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (''yah vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-eets/vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-kah'') ; I don't eat pork. : Я не ем свинину. (''yah nee yehm svee-NEEN-oo'') ; I don't eat beef. : Я не ем говядину. (''yah nee yehm gahv-YAH-deen-oo'') ; I only eat kosher food. : Я принимаю только кошерную пищу. (''yah pree-nee-MAH-yoo TOHL’-kuh kah-SHERH-noo-yoo PEE-shoo.'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Сделайте, пожалуйста, поменьше жира. (''SDYEH-ligh-tyeh, puh-zhahl-uh-stuh, pah-MYEHN'-shyh zhyh-RAH'') ; fixed-price meal : комплексный обед (''KOHM-plyehks-nyh ah-BYEHT'') ; à la carte : карта вин (''KAHR-tah veen'') ; breakfast : завтрак (''ZAHF-truhk'') ; lunch : обед (''ah-BYEHT'') ; tea (''meal'') : полдник (''POHLD-neek'') ; supper : ужин (''OO-zhyhn'') ; I want _____. : Я хочу _____. (''yah khah-CHOO'') (''use first form below'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Я хочу блюдо с _____. (''yah khah-CHOO BLYOO-duh s _____'') (''use second form'') ; chicken : курицу/ой (''KOO-reet-soo / KOO-reet-suy'') ; beef : говядину/ой (''gahv-YAH-dee-noo / gahv-YAH-dee-nuy'') ; fish : рыбу/ой (''RYH-boo / RYH-boy'') ; ham : свинину/ой (''svee-NEE-noo / svee-NEE-nuy'') ; veal : говядина (''gahv-YAH-deen-uh'') ; sausage : колбасу/ой (''kuhl-bah-SOO / kuhl-bah-SOY'') ; cheese : сыр/ом (''syhr / SYH-ruhm'') ; eggs : яйца/ами (''YIGH-tsah / YIGH-tsah-mee'') ; salad : салат/ом (''sah-LAHT / sah-LAHT-ohm'') ; potato : картофель (''kahr-TOH-fehl''') ; (fresh) vegetables : (свежие/ими) овощи/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee OH-vuh-shee/ uh-vuh-SHAH-mee'') ; tomato : помидор (''puh-mee-DOHR'') ; cabbage : капуста (''kah-POOS-tuh'') ; carrot : морковь (''mahr-KOHF'') ; beet : свёкла (''SVYOHL-kuh'') ; (fresh) fruit : (свежие/ими) фрукты/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee FROOK-tyh / FROOK-tuh-mee'') ; berries : ягоды (''YAH-guh-dyh'') ; strawberry : клубинка (''kloo-BEEN-kuh'') ; banana : банан (''bah-NAHN'') ; apple : яблоко (''YAH-bluh-kuh'') ; grapes : виноград (''vee-nah-GRAHD'') ; currants : смородина (''smah-ROH-dee-nuh'') ; orange : апельсин (''uh-peel-SEEN'') ; bread : хлеб/ом (''khlyep / KHLYEH-buhm'') ; toast : тост/ом (''tohst / TOHST-uhhm)'') ; noodles : лапша/ой (''LAHP-shuh / lahp-SHOY'') ; pasta : макароны/онами (''mah-kah-ROH-nyh / mah-kah-ROH-nah-mee'') ; rice : рис/ом (''rees / REE-suhm'') ; buckwheat : гречка/гречкой (''GRECH-kuh / GRECH-koy'') ; beans : фасоль/фасолью (''fah-SOHL’ / fah-SOHL-yoo'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, стакан _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, stah-KAHN _____?'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, чашку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, CHAHSH-koo'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, бутылку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, boo-TYHL-koo'') ; ...coffee : ...кофе (''KOH-feh'') ; ...tea (''drink'') : ...чая (''CHAH-yuh'') ; ...juice : ...сока (''SOH-kah'') ; ...(bubbly) water : ...минеральной воды (''mee-nee-RAHL'-nuy vah-DYH'') ; ...water : ...воды (''vah-DYH'') ; ...beer : ...пива (''PEE-vuh'') ; ...red/white wine : ...красного/белого вина (''KRAH-snuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; ...sparkling wine : ...шампанского (''shum-PAHN-skuh-guh'') ; ...vodka : ...водки (''VOT-kee'') ; May I have some _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста _____. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; ...salt : соль (''sohl’'') ; ...black pepper : чёрный перец (''CHYOHR-nyh PYEH-reets'') ; ...butter : масло (''MAHS-luh'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Официант!/Девушка! (''uh-fee-TSAHNT! / DYEH-voosh-kuh!'') The former is very polite and gender neutral, the latter only for female servers, and should not be used in a nice restaurant. ; I'm finished. : Я наелся/наелась. (''yah nah-YEHL-syuh/yah nah-YEH-las’'') ; It was delicious. : Это было великолепно. (''EH-tuh BYH-luh vyeh-lee-kah-LYEHP-nuh'') ; Please clear the plates. : Можете убрать со стола. (''MOH-zhyh-tyeh oo-BRAHT’ suh stuh-LAH'') ; The check, please. : Счёт, пожалуйста. (''shyoht, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ===Bars=== ; Do you serve alcohol? : Вы продаёте алкогольные напитки? (''VYH pruh-dah-YOH-tyeh ahl-kuh-GOHL’-nyh-yeh nah-PEET-kee?'') ; Is there table service? : Здесь есть официант? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ ah-fee-TSANT'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Будьте добры, одно пиво/два пива. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ad-noh PEE-vuh / dvah PEE-vah'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Будьте добры, бокал красного/белого вина. (''BOOT'-tyeh dah-BRYH, bah-KAHL KRAHZ-nuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; A bottle, please. : Будьте добры, одну бутылку. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ahd-NOO boo-TYHL-koo'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : Будьте добры, _____ (''hard liquor'') с _____ (''mixer'' in ablative form). (''...'') ; whiskey : виски (''VEE-skee'') ; vodka : водка (''VOHT-kah'') ; rum : ром (''rohm'') ; water : вода/ой (''vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; club soda : газированная/ой вода/ой (газировка/ой) (''guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuh-yuh / guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuy vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; tonic water : тоник/ом (''TOH-neek/TOH-neek-uhm'') ; orange juice : апельсиновый/ым сок/ом (''uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyh / uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyhm sohk / SOHK-uhm'') ; Coke (''soda'') : кола/ой (''лимонад/ом'') (''KOH-lah / KOH-luy'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Здесь есть буфет? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ boo-FYEHT'') ; One more, please. : Ещё одну, пожалуйста. (''yee-SHYOH ahd-NOOH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Another round, please. : Повторите, пожалуйста. (''puhf-tah-REEH-tye, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; When is closing time? : Когда вы закрываетесь? (''kahg-DAH vyh zuh-kryh-VAH-ee-tyehs’?'') ; I don't drink. : Я вообще не пью. (''yah vahb-SHYEH nee pyoo'') ; I'm an alcoholic. : Я алкоголик. (''yah ahl-kah-GOH-leek'') ; I cannot drink because of medication. : Мне нельзя пить из-за лекарства, которое я сейчас принимаю. (''mnyee neel-ZYAH peet' eez-zah lee-KAHRST-vuh kah-TOHR-uh-yuh yah see-CHAHS pree-nee-MAH-yoo'') ===Shopping=== ; Do you have this in my size? : У вас есть это моего размера? (''oo vahs yehst’ EH-tuh ma-ee-VOH rahz-MYEH-ruh'') ; How much is this? : Сколько это стоит? (''SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuh STOH-eet'') ; That's too expensive. : Это слишком дорого. (''EH-tuh SLEESH-kuhm DOH-ruh-guh'') ; Would you take _____? : Вы примете _____? (''vyh PREE-mee-tyeh _____?'') ; expensive : дорого (''DOH-ruh-guh'') ; cheap : дёшево (''DYOH-shyh-vuh'') ; I can't afford it. : Я не могу себе этого позволить. (''yah nee mah-GOOH see-BYEH EH-tuh-vuh paz-VOH-leet’'') ; I don't want it. : Я это не хочу. (''yah EH-tuh nee khah-CHOO'') ; You're cheating me. : Вы меня обманываете. (''vyh mee-NYAH ab-MAH-nyh-vah-ee-tyeh'') ; I'm not interested. : Мне это не интересно.. (''mnyeh EH-tuh nee een-tee-RYEHS-nuh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я возьму. (''khah-rah-SHOH, yah vahz’-MOO'') ; Can I have a bag? : Дайте, пожалуйста, пакет. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, pah-KYEHT'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : У вас есть доставка (за границу)? (''oo vahs yehst’ dahs-TAHF-kah (zah grah-NEET-sooh)'' ; Give me two ''(items of something)''. : Давайте две. (''dah-VIGH-tyeh DVYEH'') ; I need... : Мне нужен/нужна/нужно/нужны... (''mnyeh NOO-zhehn / nooh-ZHNAH / NOOZH-nuh / nooh-ZHNYH'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...зубная паста. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh PAHS-tuh'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...зубная щётка. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh SHYOHT-kuh'') ; ...tampons. : ...тампоны. (''tahm-POH-nyh'') ; ...soap. : ...мыло. (''MYH-luh'') ; ...shampoo. : ...шампунь. (''shahm-POON’'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...обезболивающее. (''ah-beez-BOH-lee-vah-yoo-shee-yeh'') ; ...cold medicine. : ...лекарство от простуды. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht prah-STOO-dyh'') ; ...stomach medicine. : ...лекарство от живота. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht zhyh-VOH-tuh'') ; ...a razor. : ...бритва. (''BREET-vuh'') ; ...an umbrella. : ...зонтик. (''ZOHN-teek'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...лосьон от загара. (''luhs’-YOHN ahd zah-GAH-ruh'') ; ...a postcard. : ...открытка. (''aht-KRYHT-kah'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...почтовые марки. (''pahtch-TOH-vyh-yeh MAHR-kee'') ; ...batteries. : ...батарейки. (''bah-tah-RAY-kee'') ; ...writing paper. : ...бумага. (''boo-MAH-guh'') ; ...a pen. : ...ручка. (''ROOCH-kuh'') ; ...English-language books. : ...книги на английском языке. (''KNEE-gee nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zee-KYEH'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...журналы на английском языке. (''zhoor-NAH-lyh nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...газета на английском языке. (''gah-ZYEH-tah nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') ; ...a Russian-English dictionary. : ...русско-английский словарь. (''ROO-skuh ahn-GLEE-skee slah-VAHR’'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : Я хочу взять машину напрокат. (''yah khah-CHOO vzyaht’ mah-SHYH-noo nuh-prah-KAHT'') 11:01 ; Can I get insurance? : Я могу взять страховку? (''yah mah-GOO vzyaht’ strah-KHOHF-koo'') 12:02 ; Stop (''on a street sign'') : СТОП (''stohp'') 13:32 ; One way : одностороннее движение (''uhd-nuh-stah-ROHN-nee-yeh dvee-ZHEH-nee-yeh'') 14:00 ; Yield : уступите дорогу (''oo-stoo-PEE-tyeh dah-ROH-goo'') 23:00 ; No parking : парковки нет (''pahr-KOHF-kee nyeht'') 23:22 ; Speed limit : ограничение скорости (''ah-grah-nee-CHEH-nyh-yeh SKOH-ruh-stee'') 45:26 ; Gas (''petrol'') station : (авто)заправка (''(AHF-tuh) zah-PRAHF-kuh'') 51:01 ; Petrol : бензин (''been-ZEEN'') 52:02 ; Diesel : ДТ (дизельное топливо) (''deh teh (DEE-zehl’-nuh-yeh TOH-plee-vuh'') 52:09 ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Я ничего плохого не делал(а). (''yah nee-chee-VOH plah-KHOH-vuh nee DYEH-luhl/luh-luh'') ; My papers are in order : Мои документы в порядке. (''muh-yee duh-koo-MYEHN-tyh fpahr-YAHD-kee'') (intonation must fall, otherwise you might be asking a question!) ; It was a misunderstanding. : Мы друг друга не поняли. (''myh droog DROO-guh nyee POHN-yuh-lee'') ; Take me to the police. : Везите меня в полицию. (''vee-ZEE-tyeh meen-YAH fpuh-LEE-tsyh-yuh'') ; Where are you taking me? : Куда вы меня везёте? (''koo-DAH vyh meen-YAH vee-ZYOH-tyeh?'') ::;To the police : К полиции. (''kpuh-LEE-tsyh'') ::;To my house : К моему дому. (''kmuh-yuh-MOO DOH-moo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Я арестован(а)? (''yah ah-ryees-TOH-vuhn/vuh-nah?'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Я гражданин/гражданка Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah grazh-dah-NEEN/grazh-DAHN-kah ah-MYEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh / vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Я хочу поговорить с посольством/консульством Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah khah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s pah-SOL’ST-vuhm / s KOHN-sool’-stvuhm ah-MEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh/ vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Я хочу поговорить с адвокатом. (''yah hah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s ahd-vuh-KAH-tuhm'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Я могу заплатить штраф сейчас? (''yah mah-GOO zah-plah-TEET’ shtrahf say-CHAHS?'') (This phrase indicates that you want to pay a bribe to get out of trouble.) ; I need a receipt : Мне нужна квитанция. (''mnyee noozh-NAH kvee-TAHN-tsyh-yuh'') (In the context of interactions with police, this phrase indicates that you aren't willing to pay a bribe.) {{starphrasebook}} {{related|Russia}} {{phrasebookguide}} f95chsniqrkywm90pohiefpgs21d5b7 4506808 4506806 2022-08-23T11:49:04Z Ibaman 195012 rv to last good version wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Bannerrussianphrasebook.jpg|caption=Various signs in Udelnaya, a northern suburb of St.Petersburg|star=yes|ftt=yes}} [[Image:Russian language status and proficiency in the World.svg |thumb|Russian language distribution. {{legend|#000075|Official language}} {{legend|#007575|Widespread use (>30%)}}]] '''Russian''' (русский) is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Abkhazia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[South Ossetia]], and the unrecognized [[Transnistria]], [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]]. In countries lacking official designation for Russian, such as [[Ukraine]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the [[Baltic States]] (where schooling in Russian was mandatory under the Soviet regime), a solid majority of residents may speak it as a second language, and there are significant native-speaker minorities. However, due to its association with Soviet oppression, many residents in these countries may find it offensive to be addressed in Russian, and younger people will often prefer to speak English than Russian when communicating with foreigners. Likewise, a similar dynamic exists in many of the formerly communist countries of Europe such as [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Hungary]], in which Russian was a compulsory second language in schools under communist rule. Russian remains the ''lingua franca'' of choice throughout the former Soviet [[Central Asia]]n states, [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], where it is effectively the language of commerce, government, and travel (despite lacking official status). It is, to a lesser extent, an important language in [[Mongolia]], where it is a compulsory second language in schools, and is the most widely spoken foreign language. Russian has also become the third most widely spoken language in [[Israel]], owing to a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and other ex-Soviet countries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Russian was a compulsory second language in schools in the formerly communist central and eastern European countries, and may be spoken by older people who were schooled during the communist era. However, it has largely been supplanted by English since the fall of the iron curtain, and younger people are in general far more likely to speak English than Russian. Russian remains perhaps the most important Eurasian travel language because English is very rarely spoken throughout the Russophone countries. <br clear="all" /> ==Pronunciation guide== [[File:Russian alphabet.svg|thumb|200px|Russian print and cursive]] Consonants and vowels in Russian (and Slavic generally) are ''soft'' (palatalized) or ''hard''. Consonants are pronounced soft if followed by a soft vowel or the soft sign, else hard. Some consonants are always soft or always hard, regardless of the following vowel. One important note: the cursive Russian alphabet looks very different from the printed alphabet. The printed alphabet is rarely used when writing by hand. (The same goes to other Cyrillic-written languages.) On the upside, though, as a traveler, you are quite unlikely to have to read much handwritten Russian! ===Vowels=== ; a ah : like f'''a'''ther {{IPA|a}} ; e yeh : like '''ye'''sterday {{IPA|je}} ; ё yoh : like '''yo'''re {{IPA|jɵ}} ; и ee : like s'''ee'''n or mach'''i'''ne {{IPA|i}} ; o oh : like sc'''o'''re {{IPA|o}} ; у oo : like cart'''oo'''n {{IPA|u}} ; ы yh : like ros'''e'''s {{IPA|ɨ}} ; э eh : like '''e'''nd {{IPA|ɛ}} ; ю yoo : like '''Yu'''goslavia {{IPA|ju}} ; я yah : like '''ya'''cht {{IPA|ja}} Russian, like English, has something called vowel reduction, where the vowels take on different sounds if they are not in the stressed syllable of the word. The exact nature of this depends on the part of Russia one is located in, but generally (and abroad): * The letters е, ю, and я sound like their counterparts э, у, and а * The letter о sounds like the letter а * The letter а sounds like the English h'''u'''t {{IPA|ə or ɐ}} * The letter у sounds like the English b'''oo'''k {{IPA|ʊ}} * All other vowels tend to make the sound of English '''i'''ll {{IPA|ɪ}} However, when traveling, you generally don't need to worry about reduction. Pronouncing all vowels as if they were stressed will seem like over-enunciation to a native speaker, but you'll be perfectly understood. Unfortunately, '''ё''' is very often written as '''е''', which can cause problems for non-native speakers, since pronouncing one over the other can change the meaning of a word. Fortunately, books oriented toward beginners (like dictionaries, grammar books, literature for foreigners, etc.) always include the dots. ===Consonants=== ; б beh : like '''b'''oy {{IPA|b}} ; в veh : like '''v'''ery {{IPA|v}} ; г geh : like '''g'''o {{IPA|ɡ}}; in genitive (possessive) endings ого/его pronounced like в. E.g., "Dostoevsky's" = Достоевского (duh-stah-YEHV-skuh-vuh) ; д deh : like '''d'''o {{IPA|d}} ; ж zheh : like mea'''s'''ure {{IPA|ʐ}} ; з zeh : like '''z'''oo {{IPA|z}} ; й ee kratkoe ("short и") : like bo'''y''' {{IPA|j}} ; к kah : like '''k'''eep {{IPA|k}} ; л ell : like fee'''l''' {{IPA|ɫ}} ; м em : like see'''m''' {{IPA|m}} ; н en : like '''n'''oodle {{IPA|n}} ; п peh : like s'''p'''igot {{IPA|p}} ; р err : ''heavily'' rolled as in Spanish rr in pe'''rr'''o {{IPA|r}} ; с ess : like '''s'''eem {{IPA|s}} ; т teh : like s'''t'''op {{IPA|t}} ; ф eff : like '''F'''rench {{IPA|f}} ; х khah : like '''Ch'''anukkah, Scottish lo'''ch''', or German Ba'''ch''' {{IPA|x}} ; ц tseh : like boo'''ts''' {{IPA|t͡s}} ; ч cheh : like '''ch'''eap {{IPA|t͡ɕ}} ; ш sheh : like '''sh'''ot {{IPA|ʂ}} ; щ scheh : ш, but harsher {{IPA|ɕ}}. Don't worry about this too much, as you'll be understood in context. (Note that though щ is often transliterated as shch, it is ''not'' pronounced similar to "har'''sh ch'''oice"—there is no ch sound in this Russian consonant) The letter sequence сч sounds like щ, and ''not'' like English que'''sti'''on. Be careful of letters such as В, Н, or Р which resemble a Latin letter but represent a different sound; they can be especially confusing for beginners. When consonants are soft (they are either always soft, followed by a soft vowel, or have a soft sign), they become palatalized {{IPA|ʲ}}. See the soft sign below for more details. ===Signs=== In the Middle Ages, these two characters (known as the ''yer'') used to represent reduced vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but now they merely indicate whether the preceding consonant is palatalized ("soft") or not ("hard"). ; ъ ’’ : the hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is not palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would). Mostly used after prefixes ''v-'' ("in") and ''s-'' ("out"). For example: *съёмка (s-yom-kah) - making a film *Сёмка (syom-kah) - familiar form for Simon *въезд (v-yezd) - vehicular entrance (not vyezd). ; ь ’ : the soft sign - used to indicate that the preceding consonant is palatalized (in a position where it otherwise would not) This means that the consonant is pronounced while sticking the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth while raising the middle of your tongue to your palate. You don't really need to worry about this - while there are pairs of words that differ only by palatalization (some examples follow), it can be very difficult for beginners and probably not worth the effort. If you are planning on being in a situation where you will be speaking Russian for a long period of time, it may be wise to practice this. As mentioned, palatalization also occurs before soft vowels. *полька (POL'-kah) - a female Polish person (also, the dance) *полка (POL-kah) - a shelf *уголь (OO-gol') - coal *угол (OO-gol) - corner *каньон (ka-NYON) - canyon *канон (ka-NON) - canon *кров (KROHF) - roof, slelter *кровь (KROHF') - blood ===Stress=== Although Russian is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every book and dictionary concerning the Russian language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable. The same rule applies for others that use the Cyrillic script such as [[Ukrainian phrasebook|Ukrainian]] and [[Bulgarian phrasebook|Bulgarian]]. ==Grammar== Unless you intend to seriously study the language, learning Russian grammar on your trip is not realistic. But it can help to at least recognize that the following verb conjugations and noun/adjective declensions are used. *Russian nouns belong to one of three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. However, like most other European languages but unlike English, inanimate objects are often assigned a gender other than neuter. *The second person pronoun '''вы''' is the plural of '''ты''' and is also used, as in French, for '''polite address''' to one person. *Russian '''verbs and verb conjugation''' differ along three axes: :1) Verbs come in ''perfective'' and ''imperfective'' pairs (e.g., '''думать''' | '''подумать'''). Imperfective verbs indicate ongoing or uncompleted action; Perfective verbs indicated one-off or completed action. Conjugated perfective verbs are also used to indicated the future tense (future imperfective requires conjugation of the verb to be (быть) + imperfective infinitive). As a general rule (but only a very general rule), perfective verb forms are created by adding a prefix to the relevant imperfective verb. {| class="wikitable" align="right" ! style="background: #ffffff; color: #000000" height="17" | ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Singular ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Plural |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | 1st Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я думаю | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Мы думаем |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 2nd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Ты думаешь | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Вы думаете |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | 3rd Person | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Он думает | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Они думают |} :2) Verbs follow a simple pattern of temporal conjugation: past, present, and future, (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''думаю''' | '''подумаю'''). In the past tense, verbs also conjugate by gender, male, female, and neuter (e.g., '''подумал''' | '''подумала''' | '''подумало'''). :3) In the present and future tenses, pronouns can and are often omitted due to context; however, the same is hardly said in the past tense, as the latter changes according to gender (masculine, feminine and neutral) and number (singular and plural). (Example at right) <br clear="all" /> *'''Nouns and adjectives ''' have six '''cases''', depending on their general grammatical role in a sentence: :{| class="wikitable" ! style="background: #cedff2; color: #000000" height="17" | Case ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Nominative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Accusative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Genitive ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Dative ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Prepositional ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Instrumental |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" | Use | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Subject of sentence | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Direct object | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Possessive (of) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Indirect object (to/for) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Location (at) | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Instrumental (by/with) |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Example | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''Город''' красив | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я читал '''книгу''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Центр '''города''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я дал '''ему''' еду | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Музей '''в городе''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Я шёл '''с ним''' |- ! style="background: #cedff2; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Translation | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | '''The city''' is pretty | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I read the '''book''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | Center '''of the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I gave '''him''' food | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | A museum '''in the city''' | style="background: #faf5ff; color: black;" | I walked '''with him''' |} ==Phrase list== ''See [[Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide]] for guidance on the phoneticizations below'' ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; OPEN : Открыто / Работает ; CLOSED : Закрыто / Не работает ; ENTRANCE : Вход ; EXIT : Выход ; PUSH : От себя ; PULL : К себе / На себя ; TOILET : Туалет ; MEN : М ; WOMEN : Ж ; NO ENTRANCE : Входа нет / Вход воспрещён ; [ENTRY] FORBIDDEN : Проход воспрещён / Проход закрыт ; PLEASE KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING : Без стука не входить ; NO SMOKING : Не курить ; DANGER - NO ENTRY! : Не влезай - убьёт!}} {{Infobox|How many names!|Russians take three names, a first name (имя), patronymic (отчество), and last name (фамилия). The unfamiliar patronymic is the name of one's father plus an ending of -ovich, -yevich, or -yich for men, -yevna, -ovna or -ichna for women. For example, if the father's name is Пётр (Peter), the patronymic would be Петрович (Petrovich) for a man, and Петровна (Petrovna) for a woman. To use someone's name informally, you can refer to them using the first or (less commonly) last name, while to do so formally would require either first name + patronymic, or a title + last name. For example, you can refer to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Президент Владимир Владимирович Путин) informally as Vladimir (if you know him personally) or just Putin. To refer to him more formally—and you generally should use the formal name in Russian—you would need to refer to him as Vladimir Vladimirovich or President Putin. Last names also vary based on gender, often with an "a" added to the end of the male last name for the female version. For instance, the wife of former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is known as Svetlana Medvedev'''a'''. But it gets even harder! Russians love diminutives, which are essentially nicknames or "shortenings," for just about everything, including names. Most names can be shortened into three or four variants—"cute" nicknames usually have an insert like -en'k, -echk, -ochk, -ushk, or -yush, like Sara → Sarochka (Сарочка) or Katya → Katyusha (Катюша). Obviously, you should avoid addressing people with these until you know them well. Here are some of the most common ones that might give you trouble:<br><br> '''Male names''' *Aleksander (Александр) → Sasha (Саша), Sanya (Саня), Shura (Шура) *Aleksei (Алексей) → Alyosha (Алёша), Lyosha (Лёша), Lyokha (Лёха) *Anatolii (Анатолий) → Tolya (Толя) *Vasilii (Василий) → Vasya (Вася) *Vladimir (Владимир) → Volodya (Володя), Vova (Вова) *Vladislav (Владислав) → Vlad (Влад), Vladik (Владик) *Gennadii (Геннадий) → Gena (Гена) *Georgii (Георгий) → Zhora (Жора), Gosha (Гоша) *Dmitrii (Дмитрий) → Dima (Дима), Mitya (Митя) *Evgenii (Евгений) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ivan (Иван) → Vanya (Ваня) *Konstantin (Константин) → Kostya (Костя) *Mikhail (Михаил) → Misha (Миша) *Nikolai (Николай) → Kolya (Коля) *Pavel (Павел) → Pasha (Паша), Pavlik (Павлик) *Pyotr (Пётр) → Petya (Петя) *Sergei (Сергей) → Seryozha (Серёжа), Seryoga (Серёга), Seryi (Серый) *Fyodor (Фёдор) → Fedya (Фе́дя) *Yurii (Юрий) → Yura (Юра) <br><br> '''Female names''' *Aleksandra (Александра) → Sasha (Саша) *Anastasiya (Анастасия) → Nastya (Настя) *Anna (Анна) → Anya (Аня) *Valeriya (Валерия) → Lera (Лера) *Viktoriya (Виктория) → Vika (Вика), Vita (Вита) *Evgeniya (Евгения) → Zhenya (Женя) *Ekaterina (Екатерина) → Katya (Катя) *Irina (Ирина) → Ira (Ира) *Lyubov (Любовь) → Lyuba (Люба) *Lyudmila (Людмила) → Lyuda (Люда), Lyucya (Люся) *Magdalina (Магдалина) → Magda (Магда) *Mariya (Мария) → Masha (Маша) *Nadezhda (Надежда) → Nadya (Надя) *Natasha (Наташа) → Tasha (Таша) *Oksana (Оксана) → Ksyusha (Ксюша), Ksenya (Ксеня) *Olga (Ольга) → Olya (Оля) *Svetlana (Светлана) → Sveta (Света) }} ; Hello. (''formal''):Здравствуйте. (''ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh'') (The first в is silent; sometimes considered bad luck to say this to the same person twice in one day.) [[File:Ru-здравствуйте.ogg]] ; Hello. (''informal''):Здравствуй. (''ZDRAHST-vooy'') [[File:Ru-здравствуй.ogg]] ; Hi.:Привет. (''pree-VYEHT'') [[File:Ru-привет.ogg]], Здорово. (''Zduh-ROH-vuh'') (Shorter version of the above greeting.) ; How are you?: Как дела? (''kahg dee-LAH?'') ; Fine, thank you.: Хорошо, спасибо. (''khah-rah-SHOH spah-SEE-buh'') ; What is your name?: Как Вас зовут? (''kahk vahs zah-VOOT?'') ; My name is ______ .: Меня зовут ______ . (''mee-NYAH zah-VOOT ___'') ; Nice to meet you.: Очень приятно. (''OH-cheen' pree-YAHT-nuh'') ; Please.:Пожалуйста. (''pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') [[File:Ru-пожалуйста.ogg]] ; Thank you.:Спасибо. (''spuh-SEE-buh'') [[File:Ru-спасибо.ogg]] ; You're welcome.:Не за что. (''NYEH-zuh-shtoh'') (Literally "It's nothing", can use "Пожалуйста" again) [[File:Ru-не за что.ogg]] ; Yes.:Да. (''dah'') [[File:Ru-да.ogg]] ; No.:Нет. (''nyeht'') [[File:Ru-нет.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''getting attention''):Извините. (''eez-vee-NEET-yeh'') [[File:Ru-извините.ogg]] ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon''): Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; I'm sorry.: Простите. (''prah-STEET-yeh'') ; Goodbye:До свидания. (''duh svee-DAH-nyah.'') [[File:Ru-до свидания.ogg]] ; Goodbye (''informal''):Пока. (''pah-KAH'') [[File:Ru-пока.ogg]] ; I can't speak Russian [well].: Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (''yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH]'') ; Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? (''vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English?: Кто-нибудь здесь говорит по-английски? (''KTOH-nee-bood' zdyehs guh-vah-REET pah an-GLEES-kee?'') ; Help!: Помогите! (''puh-mah-GEE-tyeh!'') ; Look out!: Осторожно!! (''uhs-tah-ROH-zhnuh!'') ; Good morning.: Доброе утро. (''DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh'') ; Good evening.:Добрый вечер. (''DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr'') [[File:Ru-добрый вечер.ogg]] ; Good night (''to sleep''): Спокойной ночи! (''spah-KOY-nuy NOH-chee'') ; I don't understand.: Я не понимаю. (''yah nee puh-nee-MIGH-yoo'') ; I don't know.: Я не знаю. (''yah nee ZNAH-yoo'') ; I can't.: Я не могу. (''yah nee mah-GOO'') ; Where is the toilet?: Где туалет? (''gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?'') ; Good:Хороший (''khah-ROH-shee'') [[File:Ru-хороший.ogg]] ; Bad:Плохой (''plah-KHOY'') [[File:Ru-плохой.ogg]] ; Big:Большой (''bahl'-SHOY'') [[File:Ru-большой.ogg]] ; Small:Маленький (''MAH-leen-kee'') [[File:Ru-маленький.ogg]] ; Hot:Горячий (''gahr-YAH-chee'') [[File:Ru-горячий.ogg]] ; Cold:Холодный (''khah-LOHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-холодный.ogg]] ; Fast:Быстро (''BYH-struh'') [[File:Ru-быстро.ogg]] ; Slow:Медленно (''MYEHD-lee-nuh'') [[File:Ru-медленно.ogg]] ; Expensive:Дорогой (''duh-rah-GOY'') [[File:Ru-дорогой.ogg]] ; Cheap:Дешёвый (''dyee-SHYOH-vyh'') [[File:Ru-дешёвый.ogg]] ; Rich:Богатый (''bah-GAH-tyh'') [[File:Ru-богатый.ogg]] ; Poor:Бедный (''BYEHD-nyh'') [[File:Ru-бедный.ogg]] ===Problems=== {{Infobox|Emergency numbers|In most areas, emergency telephone numbers are as follows: * 101 : Fire department * 102 : Police * 103 : Ambulance * 104 : Gas leaks It is essential to be able to provide emergency responders with your correct street address. Depending on how busy they are, and how serious the medical emergency appears, it may take from a few minutes to an hour for an ambulance to arrive.}} ; Leave me alone. : Отстань. (''aht-STAHN’!'') ; Don't touch me! : Не трогай меня! (''nee-TROH-guy mee-NYAH!'') ; I'll call the police! : Я вызову полицию! (''yah VYH-zah-voo poh-LEE-tsyh-yoo!'') ; Police!: Полиция! (''poh-LEE-tsyh-yah!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Держите вора! (''deer-ZHEE-tyeh VOH-rah!'') ; I need your help. : Мне нужна ваша помощь. (''mnyeh noozh-NAH VAH-shah POH-muhsh'') ; It's an emergency. : Это срочно!. (''EH-tuh SROHCH-nuh'') ; I'm lost. : Я заблудился/заблудилась - (m/f). (''yah zah-bloo-DEEL-suh / zah-bloo-DEE-luhs’'') In the examples below, the extra suffix (а) is for the feminine gender: ; I lost my bag. : Я потерял(а) свою сумку. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svah-YOOH SOOM-kooh'') ; I lost my wallet. : Я потерял(а) свой бумажник. (''yah puh-teer-YAHL(-ah) svoy boo-MAHZH-neek'') ; My things have been stolen. : Меня обокрали. (''me-NYAH oh-buh-KRAH-lee'') ; I'm sick. : Я болен (m.) / Я больна (f.) (''yah-BOH-leen (masculine) / yah-bahl’-NAH (feminine)'') ; I've been injured. : Я ранен(а) (''yah RAH-neen(-ah)'') ; I've been bitten by a dog. : Меня укусила собака (''me-NYAH oo-koo-SEE-lah suh-BAH-kuh'') ; I need a doctor. : Мне нужен врач. (''mnyeh NOO-zhyhn vrahch'') ; Please call an ambulance. : Пожалуйста, вызовите Скорую помощь. (''Puh-ZHAH-looy-stuh VYH-zaw-vee-teh SKAW-roo-yoo PAW-mushch'') ; Can I use your phone? : Можно от вас позвонить? (''MOH-zhnuh aht vahs puhz-vah-NEET’?'') :''(this can be used only for stationary phone, not for mobile. Asking a mobile phone from unknown person is generally not polite, as this is commonly done by con artists. In some cases a person may allow you to make a call from his cell phone to another cell phone number in the same province, but not to a landline phone number or to a non-local cell phone number.)'' ===Numbers=== Russian nouns have a dual form, used with 2, 3, and 4, as well as singular and plural. Singular quantities and any quantities that end in 1 (21, 301, etc.) use the nominative singular: одна минута, двадцать один час. Quantities 2&ndash;4 use the genitive singular: две минуты, три минуты, четыре минуты. Quantities greater than four use the genitive plural: пять минут, одиннадцать минут, тринадцать минут, etc. ; 0 :ноль/нуль (''nohl’''/''nool’'') ; 1 :один (''ah-DEEN'') ''m'', одна (''ahd-NAH'') ''f'', одно (''ahd-NOH'') ''n'' (one can say раз (raz) when counting something) ; 2 : два (''dvah'') ''mn'', две (''dvyeh'') ''f'' ; 3 : три (''tree'') ; 4 : четыре (''chee-TYH-ree'') ; 5 : пять (''pyaht’'') ; 6 : шесть (''shehst’'') ; 7 : семь (''syeem’'') ; 8 : восемь (''VOH-seem’'') ; 9 : девять (''DYEH-veet’'') ; 10 : десять (''DYEH-suht’'') ; 11 : одиннадцать (''ah-DEEN-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 12 : двенадцать (''dvee-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 13 : тринадцать (''tree-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 14 : четырнадцать (''chee-TYHR-nuhd-zuht’'') ; 15 : пятнадцать (''peet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 16 : шестнадцать (''shyhst-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 17 : семнадцать (''seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 18 : восемнадцать (''vuh-seem-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 19 : девятнадцать (''dee-veet-NAHD-zuht’'') ; 20 : двадцать (''DVAHD-zuht’'') ; 21 : двадцать один (''DVAHD-zuht’ ah-DEEN'') ; 22 : двадцать два (''DVAHD-zuht’ dvah'') ; 23 : двадцать три (''DVAHD-zuht’ tree'') ; 30 : тридцать (''TREED-zuht’'') ; 40 : сорок (''SOH-ruhk'') ; 50 : пятьдесят (''pee-dee-SYAHT'') ; 60 : шестьдесят (''shyhs-dee-SYAHT'') ; 70 : семьдесят (''SYEM’-dee-syet'') ; 80 : восемьдесят (''VOH-seem-deeh-syet’'') ; 90 : девяносто (''dee-vee-NOH-stuh'') ; 100 : сто (''stoh'') ; 150 : полтораста (''puhl-tuh-RAHS-tuh'') ; 200 : двести (''DVYEH-stee'') ; 300 : триста (''TREE-stuh'') ; 400 : четыреста (''chee-TYHR-ee-stuh'') ; 500 : пятьсот(''peet-SOHT'') ; 1000 : тысяча (''TYH-see-chuh'') ; 2000 : две тысячи (''dvyeh TYH-see-chee'') ; 5000 : пять тысяч (''pyaht’ TYH-seech'') ; 1,000,000 : миллион (''mee-lee-OHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : миллиард (''mee-lee-ART'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : триллион (''tree-lee-OHN'') ; Number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : номер _____ (''NOH-meer'') ; half : половина (''puh-lah-VEE-nuh'') ; less : меньше (''MYEHN’-sheh'') ; more : больше (''BOHL’-sheh'') ===Time=== ; now : сейчас (''see-CHAHS'') ; later : позже (''POH-zhuh'') ; earlier : раньше (''RAHN’-shyeh'') ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (literally 'day') ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') ; night : ночь (''nohch'') ====Clock time==== ; What time is it? (formal) : Не подскажете, который час? (''nyee pahd-SKAH-zhy-tyee kah-TOHR-yh chahs'') ; What time is it? (informal) : Который сейчас час? (''kah-TOHR-yh see-CHAHS chahs'') ; one o'clock : час (''chahs'') ; two o'clock : два часа (''dvah chuh-SAH'') ; three o'clock : три часа (''TREE chuh-SAH'') ; four o'clock : четыре часа (''chee-TYHR-ree chuh-SA'') ; five o'clock : пять часов (''pyaht’ chuh-SOHV'') ; six o'clock : шесть часов (''shest’ chuh-SOHV'') ; seven o'clock : семь часов (''syem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; eight o'clock : восемь часов (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV'') ; nine o'clock : девять часов (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV'') ; ten o'clock : десять часов (''DYEH-syuht’ chuh-SOV'') ; eleven o'clock : одинадцать часов (''ah-DEEN-nad-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; twelve o'clock : двенадцать часов (''dvee-NAHD-zut’ chuh-SOV'') ; noon : полдень (''POHL-dyehn’'') ; midnight : полночь (''POHL-nohch'') ; half an hour : полчаса (''pohl-chuh-SAH'') Russians do not use A.M. and P.M. Instead they divide the day up roughly as follows: ; morning : утро (''OOH-truh'') (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.) ; afternoon : день (''dyehn’'') (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) ; evening : вечер (''VYEH-chuhr'') (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) ; night : ночь (''nohch'') (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.) For example: ; 9 a.m. : девять часов утра (''DYEH-veet’ chuh-SOHV ooh-TRAH'') ; 8 p.m. : восемь часов вечера (''VOH-seem’ chuh-SOHV VYEH-che-ruh'') ====Duration==== ''Note: Russian uses different endings depending on the quantity. The first is for quantities ending in one (e.g. 1, 21, 31), the second for quantities ending in 2&ndash;4 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24), and the third for quantities ending in 5&ndash;9 and zero, including the teens (e.g. 5, 10, 12, 20, 25).'' ; _____ minute : _____ минута/минуты/минут (''mee-NOOT-ah / mee-NOOT-yh / mee-NOOT'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ час/часа/часов (''chahs / chuh-SAH / chuh-SOHF'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ день/дня/дней (''dyehn’ / dnyah / dnyay'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ неделя/недели/недель (''nee-DYEHL-yuh / nee-DYEHL-yee / nee-DYEHL’'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ месяц/месяца/месяцев (''MYEH-seets / MYEH-seets-ah / MYEH-seets-ohf'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ год/года/лет (''goht / GOH-duh / lyeht'') (лет also means "summers") ====Days==== ; today : сегодня (''see-VOHD-nyuh'') ; yesterday : вчера (''fcheeh-RAH'') ; tomorrow : завтра (''ZAHF-truh'') ; this week : на этой неделе (''nah EH-tuy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; last week : на прошлой неделе (''nah PROSH-luy nee-DYEHL-yee'') ; next week : на следующей неделе (''nah SLYED-oo-yoo-shee nee-DYEHL-yeh'') ''Note: A Russian week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.'' ; Monday : понедельник (''puh-nee-DYEHL’-neek'') ; Tuesday : вторник (''VTOHR-neek'') ; Wednesday : среда (''sree-DAH'') ; Thursday : четверг (''cheet-VYEHRK'') ; Friday : пятница (''PYAHT-nee-tsuh'') ; Saturday : суббота (''soo-BOHT-uh'') ; Sunday : воскресенье (''vuhs-kree-SYEHN’-yuh'') ; work day : будний день, рабочий день; work days (Monday—Friday) : будни, рабочие дни ; rest days: выходные ====Months==== ; January : январь (''yeen-VAHR’'') ; February : февраль (''feev-RAHL’'') ; March : март (''mahrt'') ; April : апрель (''ahp-RYEHL’'') ; May : май (''migh'') ; June : июнь (''ee-YOON’'') ; July : июль (''ee-YOOL’'') ; August : август (''AHV-goost'') ; September : сентябрь (''seen-TYABR’'') ; October : октябрь (''ahk-TYABR’'') ; November : ноябрь (''nah-YABR’'') ; December : декабрь (''dee-KAHBR’'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written as '''day.month.year''' (where ''day'', ''month'' and ''year'' are numbers) or as '''day month year''' (where ''day'' and ''year'' are numbers and ''month'' is written in the genitive). E.g., May 24, 2009 should be writed as '''24.05.2009''' or as '''24 мая 2009 года'''. Times always use the 24-hour format, e.g., 5:20PM should be written as '''17:20'''. ===Colors=== ; black : чёрный (''CHOHR-nyh'') ; white : белый (''BYEH-lyh'') ; gray : серый (''SYEH-ryh'') ; red : красный (''KRAHS-nyh'') ; blue (dark-blue or navy): синий (''SEE-nyh'') ; blue (light-blue or cyan) : голубой (''guh-loo-BOY'') - use carefully; in Russian slang, this also means "homosexual"! ; yellow : жёлтый (''ZHOL-tyh'') ; green : зелёный (''zee-LYOH-nyh'') ; orange : оранжевый (''ah-RAHN-zhee-vy'') ; purple : фиолетовый (''fee-ah-LYET-uh-vyh'') ; brown : коричневый (''kah-REECH-nee-vyh'') ; pink : розовый (''ROH-zuh-vyh'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; How much is a ticket to _____? : Сколько стоит билет в _____? (''SKOL’-kuh STOH-eet bee-LYEHT v _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Один билет в _____, пожалуйста. (''ah-DEEN bee-LYEHT v_____ puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Where does this train/bus go? :Куда едет этот поезд/автобус? (''koo-DAH YEH-diht EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Где поезд/автобус до_____? (''gdyeh POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos duh _____'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Этот поезд/автобус останавливается в _____? (''EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos uhs-tuh-NAHV-lee-vuh-eet-suh v _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Когда отходит поезд/автобус в _____ ? (''kahg-DAH aht-KHOH-deet POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos v _____?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Во сколько этот поезд/автобус приходит в_____? (''vah SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuht POH-eest / ahf-TOH-boos pree-KHOH-deet v _____?'') ; Are you getting off (at the next stop)? : Вы выходите (на следующей остановке)? (''vyh vyh-HOH-dee-tye (nah SLYE-doosh-chey ah-stah-NOHF-kye) ?'') — this phrase is commonly said in public transport to a person in front of you if you need to get off a bus and it is difficult to get to the doors because many people stand near them. If a person who was told this phrase is going to get off a bus, he says Да, выхожу (''dah vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — Yes, I'm getting off. And you just go out after him. If he says Нет, не выхожу (''nyet nye vyh-hah-ZHOO'') — No, I'm not getting off, you should say Разрешите пройти (''rahz-ree-SHEE-tye prah-y-TEE'') — May I go through, the person will let you go out. ====Directions==== {{Infobox|Name changing|A lot of city, street, and other names changed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Sometimes for nationalist reasons in the former Soviet Republics, sometimes because the Soviet names seemed too weird and ideological, sometimes because names like "Stalin" no longer had such a good ring to them, and often because people wanted the old historic names back. This can present problems for travelers, especially when the street names have changed, and locals still sometimes refer to them by the old names. There isn't much to be done about this, but be sure to at least get your major city names straight: *Leningrad → [[Saint Petersburg]] (but the oblast is still Leningrad Oblast) *Stalingrad → [[Volgograd]] *Sverdlovsk → [[Yekaterinburg]] (but the oblast is still Sverdlovsk Oblast) *Ordzhonikidze → [[Vladikavkaz]] *Kalinin → [[Tver]] *Gorky → [[Nizhny Novgorod]] *Zagorsk → [[Sergiev Posad]] *Kuybyshev → [[Samara]] *Frunze → [[Bishkek]] *Stalinabad → [[Dushanbe]] *Alma-Ata → [[Almaty]] *Akmola → Astana → [[Nur-Sultan]] *Krasnovodsk → [[Turkmenbashi]] }} ; Where : где (''gdyeh'') ; Here : здесь (''zdyehs'') ; There : там (''tahm'') ; To where : куда (''koo-DAH'') ; To here : сюда (''syoo-DAH'') ; To there : туда (''too-DAH'') ; How do I get to _____ ? : Как добраться до_____ ? (''kahk dah-BRAH-tsuh duh ___?'') ; ...the train station? : ...вокзала? (''vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the bus station? : ...автовокзала? (''ahf-tuh-vahg-ZAH-luh'') ; ...the airport? : ...аэропорта? (''ah-ehr-ah-POHR-tuh'') ; ...the Metro (subway) : ...метро (''mee-TROH'') ; ...downtown? : ...центра? (''TSEHN-truh'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...молодёжного общежития? (''muh-lah-DYOH-zhnuh-vuh ahp-shee-ZHYH-tee-yuh'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...гостиницы ______? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh'') e.g.: ; ...the Mosfilm hotel? : ...гостиницы Мосфильм? (''gahs-TEE-nee-tsyh MOHS-feel’m'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...американского/канадского/австралийского/английского консульства? (''uh-mee-ree-KAHNS-kuh-vuh / kuh-NAHTS-kuh-vuh / uhfs-truh-LEES-kuh-vuh / ahng-LEES-kuh-vuh KOHN-sool’-stvuh'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Где есть много... (''gdyeh yehst’ MNOH-guh'') ; ...hotels? : ...гостиниц? (''gahs-TEE-neets?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ресторанов? (''rees-tah-RAHN-uhf?'') ; ...bars? : ...баров? (''BAHR-uhf'') ; ...sites to see? : ...достопримечательностей? (''duhs-tuh-pree-mee-CHAH-teel’-nuhs-tyay'') ; Where is a good, cheap... : Где хороший дешёвый... (''gdyeh khah-ROH-shyh dee-SHYOH-vyh'') ; ...restaurant? : ресторан? (''ree-stah-RAHN'') ; ...bar? : бар? (''bahr'') ; Please can you show me on the map? : Пожалуйста Вы можете показать на карте? (''puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh vyh MOH-zhyh-tee puh-kuh-ZAHT’ nuh KAHR-tyeh'') ; Is it far? : Далеко? (''dah-lee-KOH'') ; street : улица (''OO-lee-tsuh'') ; Turn left. : Поверните налево. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; Turn right. : Поверните направо. (''puh-veer-NEE-tyeh nuh-PRAH-vuh'') ; left : налево (''nuh-LYEH-vuh'') ; right : направо (''nuh-PRAH-vuh...'') ; straight ahead : прямо (''PRYAH-muh'') ; towards the _____ : к _____ (''k'') ; past the _____ : мимо _____ (''MEEH-mah'') ; before the _____ : перед _____ (''PYEH-reet'') ; Watch for the _____. : Ищите _____. (''ee-SHEE-tyeh'') ; intersection : перекрёсток (''pee-ree-KRYOH-stuhk'') ; north : север (''SYEH-veer'') ; south : юг (''yook'') ; east : восток (''vahs-TOHK'') ; west : запад (''ZAH-puht'') ; uphill : вверх (''VVYEHR-kh'') ; downhill : вниз (''vnees'') ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : Такси! (''Tahk-SEE!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Довезите меня до _____, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh mee-NYAH duh _____, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Сколько стоит доехать до ______? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet dah-YEH-khut’ duh ____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Довезите меня туда, пожалуйста. (''duh-vee-ZEE-tyeh meenyah too-DAH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh.'') ; [Please] stop here. : Остановите здесь[, пожалуйста]. (''us-tuh-naw-VEE-tyeh zdes[, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh].'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : У вас есть свободные комнаты? (''oo vash YEHST’ svah-BOD-nyh-yeh KOHM-nuh-tyh'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Сколько стоит комната на одного человека/двух человек? (''SKOHL’-kuh STOH-eet KOM-nuh-tuh nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kuh / dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK '') ; Does the room come with... : В этой комнате есть... (''VEH-tuy KOHM-nuh-tyeh yest’...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...простыни? (''...PROHS-tee-nee'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...ванная? (''...VAHN-nah-yuh'') ; ...a telephone? : ...телефон? (''...tee-lee-FOHN'') ; ...a TV? : ...телевизор? (''...tee-lee-VEE-zuhr'') ; ...a refrigerator? : ...холодильник ? (''...ho-luh-DIL-nik'') ; ...electric kettle? : ...электрический чайник ? (''...eh-lek-TREE-ches-kee CHI-nik'') ; May I see the room first? : Могу я сначала посмотреть комнату? (''mah-GOOH yah znuh-CHAH-luh puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ KOHM-nah-too'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : У вас есть что-нибудь потише? (''oo vah yehst’ CHTOH-nee-boot’ pah-TEE-shyh?'') ; ...bigger? : ...побольше? (''pah-BOHL’-shyh'') ; ...cleaner? : ...почище? (''pah-CHEE-sheh'') ; ...cheaper? : ...подешевле? (''puh-dee-SHEHV-lyeh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я беру. (''khah-rah-SHOH yah bee-ROO'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Я останусь на _____ ночь (ночи/ночей). (''yah ahs-TAH-noos’ nah _____ nohch’ (NOH-chee/nah-CHYAY'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Вы можете предложить другую гостиницу? (''vy MOH-zhee-te pred-la-ZHYHT’ droo-GOO-yoo gahs-TEE-nee-tsoo'') ; Do you have a safe? : У вас есть сейф? (''oo vahs yest’ syayf'') ; ...lockers? : ...индивидуальные сейфы? (''een-dee-vee-doo-AHL’-nyh-yeh SYAY-fee'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Завтрак/ужин включен? (''ZAHF-truhk / OO-zhyhn fklyoo-CHON'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Во сколько завтрак/ужин? (''vuh SKOHL’-kuh ZAH-ftruhk / OO-zhyhn'') ; Please clean my room. : Уберите в моей комнате, пожалуйста. (''oo-bee-REE-tyeh vmah-YAY KOHM-nuh-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Не могли бы вы разбудить меня в _____? (''nee mah-GLEE byh vyh rahz-boo-DEET’ mee-NYAH v _____? '') ; You have a bedbug infestation here. : У вас водятся клопы. (''oo VAS VAWD-yats-ya klaw-PYH'') ; I want to check out. : Дайте счёт. (''DIGH-tyeh shyoht'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Вы принимаете американские/австралийские/канадские доллары? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh uh-mee-ree-KAHN-skee-yeh / uhv-struh-LEE-skee-yeh / kuh-NAHD-skee-yeh DOH-luhr-yh'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Вы принимаете английские фунты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh ahn-GLEE-skee-yeh FOON-tyh'') ; Do you accept euro? : Вы принимаете евро? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh YEV-ruh'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Вы принимаете кредитные карты? (''vyh pree-nee-MAH-ee-tyeh kree-DEET-nyh-yeh KAHR-tyh'') ; Can you change money for me? : Не могли бы вы обменять мне деньги? (''nyeh mah-GLEE byh vyh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh DYEHN’-gee'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Где я могу обменять деньги? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ DYEHN’-gee'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Вы можете обменять мне дорожный чек? (''vyh MOH-zhyh-tyeh uhb-meen-YAHT’ mnyeh dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Где я могу обменять дорожный чек? (''gdyeh yah mah-GOO uhb-meen-YAHT’ dah-ROHZH-nyh chyehk'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Какой курс обмена? (''kah-KOY koors ahb-MYEHN-uh'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Где здесь банкомат? (''gdyeh zdyes’ bahn-kuh-MAHT'') ===Eating=== ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Столик на одного человека/двух человек, пожалуйста. (''STOH-leek nah uhd-nah-VOH chee-lah-VYEH-kah/dvookh chee-lah-VYEHK'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Могу я посмотреть меню? (''mah-GOO yah puhs-mah-TRYEHT’ meen-YOO'''') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Я могу посмотреть на кухню? (''yah mah-GOO puh-smah-TRYEHT’ nah KOOKH-nee-yoo'') ; Is there a house specialty? : Какое у вас фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Какое у вас местное фирменное блюдо? (''kah-KOY-yeh oo vahs myehst-NOY-yeh feer-MYEHN-noy-yeh BLYOO-duh'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (''yah vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-eets/vee-gee-tuh-ree-YAHN-kah'') ; I don't eat pork. : Я не ем свинину. (''yah nee yehm svee-NEEN-oo'') ; I don't eat beef. : Я не ем говядину. (''yah nee yehm gahv-YAH-deen-oo'') ; I only eat kosher food. : Я принимаю только кошерную пищу. (''yah pree-nee-MAH-yoo TOHL’-kuh kah-SHERH-noo-yoo PEE-shoo.'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Сделайте, пожалуйста, поменьше жира. (''SDYEH-ligh-tyeh, puh-zhahl-uh-stuh, pah-MYEHN'-shyh zhyh-RAH'') ; fixed-price meal : комплексный обед (''KOHM-plyehks-nyh ah-BYEHT'') ; à la carte : карта вин (''KAHR-tah veen'') ; breakfast : завтрак (''ZAHF-truhk'') ; lunch : обед (''ah-BYEHT'') ; tea (''meal'') : полдник (''POHLD-neek'') ; supper : ужин (''OO-zhyhn'') ; I want _____. : Я хочу _____. (''yah khah-CHOO'') (''use first form below'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Я хочу блюдо с _____. (''yah khah-CHOO BLYOO-duh s _____'') (''use second form'') ; chicken : курицу/ой (''KOO-reet-soo / KOO-reet-suy'') ; beef : говядину/ой (''gahv-YAH-dee-noo / gahv-YAH-dee-nuy'') ; fish : рыбу/ой (''RYH-boo / RYH-boy'') ; ham : свинину/ой (''svee-NEE-noo / svee-NEE-nuy'') ; veal : говядина (''gahv-YAH-deen-uh'') ; sausage : колбасу/ой (''kuhl-bah-SOO / kuhl-bah-SOY'') ; cheese : сыр/ом (''syhr / SYH-ruhm'') ; eggs : яйца/ами (''YIGH-tsah / YIGH-tsah-mee'') ; salad : салат/ом (''sah-LAHT / sah-LAHT-ohm'') ; potato : картофель (''kahr-TOH-fehl''') ; (fresh) vegetables : (свежие/ими) овощи/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee OH-vuh-shee/ uh-vuh-SHAH-mee'') ; tomato : помидор (''puh-mee-DOHR'') ; cabbage : капуста (''kah-POOS-tuh'') ; carrot : морковь (''mahr-KOHF'') ; beet : свёкла (''SVYOHL-kuh'') ; (fresh) fruit : (свежие/ими) фрукты/ами (''(SVYEH-zhyh-yeh / SVYEH-zhyh-mee FROOK-tyh / FROOK-tuh-mee'') ; berries : ягоды (''YAH-guh-dyh'') ; strawberry : клубинка (''kloo-BEEN-kuh'') ; banana : банан (''bah-NAHN'') ; apple : яблоко (''YAH-bluh-kuh'') ; grapes : виноград (''vee-nah-GRAHD'') ; currants : смородина (''smah-ROH-dee-nuh'') ; orange : апельсин (''uh-peel-SEEN'') ; bread : хлеб/ом (''khlyep / KHLYEH-buhm'') ; toast : тост/ом (''tohst / TOHST-uhhm)'') ; noodles : лапша/ой (''LAHP-shuh / lahp-SHOY'') ; pasta : макароны/онами (''mah-kah-ROH-nyh / mah-kah-ROH-nah-mee'') ; rice : рис/ом (''rees / REE-suhm'') ; buckwheat : гречка/гречкой (''GRECH-kuh / GRECH-koy'') ; beans : фасоль/фасолью (''fah-SOHL’ / fah-SOHL-yoo'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, стакан _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, stah-KAHN _____?'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, чашку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, CHAHSH-koo'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста, бутылку _____? (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, boo-TYHL-koo'') ; ...coffee : ...кофе (''KOH-feh'') ; ...tea (''drink'') : ...чая (''CHAH-yuh'') ; ...juice : ...сока (''SOH-kah'') ; ...(bubbly) water : ...минеральной воды (''mee-nee-RAHL'-nuy vah-DYH'') ; ...water : ...воды (''vah-DYH'') ; ...beer : ...пива (''PEE-vuh'') ; ...red/white wine : ...красного/белого вина (''KRAH-snuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; ...sparkling wine : ...шампанского (''shum-PAHN-skuh-guh'') ; ...vodka : ...водки (''VOT-kee'') ; May I have some _____? : Дайте, пожалуйста _____. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; ...salt : соль (''sohl’'') ; ...black pepper : чёрный перец (''CHYOHR-nyh PYEH-reets'') ; ...butter : масло (''MAHS-luh'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Официант!/Девушка! (''uh-fee-TSAHNT! / DYEH-voosh-kuh!'') The former is very polite and gender neutral, the latter only for female servers, and should not be used in a nice restaurant. ; I'm finished. : Я наелся/наелась. (''yah nah-YEHL-syuh/yah nah-YEH-las’'') ; It was delicious. : Это было великолепно. (''EH-tuh BYH-luh vyeh-lee-kah-LYEHP-nuh'') ; Please clear the plates. : Можете убрать со стола. (''MOH-zhyh-tyeh oo-BRAHT’ suh stuh-LAH'') ; The check, please. : Счёт, пожалуйста. (''shyoht, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ===Bars=== ; Do you serve alcohol? : Вы продаёте алкогольные напитки? (''VYH pruh-dah-YOH-tyeh ahl-kuh-GOHL’-nyh-yeh nah-PEET-kee?'') ; Is there table service? : Здесь есть официант? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ ah-fee-TSANT'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Будьте добры, одно пиво/два пива. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ad-noh PEE-vuh / dvah PEE-vah'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Будьте добры, бокал красного/белого вина. (''BOOT'-tyeh dah-BRYH, bah-KAHL KRAHZ-nuh-vuh / BYEH-luh-vuh vee-NAH'') ; A bottle, please. : Будьте добры, одну бутылку. (''BOOT’-tyeh dah-BRYH, ahd-NOO boo-TYHL-koo'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : Будьте добры, _____ (''hard liquor'') с _____ (''mixer'' in ablative form). (''...'') ; whiskey : виски (''VEE-skee'') ; vodka : водка (''VOHT-kah'') ; rum : ром (''rohm'') ; water : вода/ой (''vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; club soda : газированная/ой вода/ой (газировка/ой) (''guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuh-yuh / guh-zee-ROH-vuhn-nuy vah-DAH / vah-DOY'') ; tonic water : тоник/ом (''TOH-neek/TOH-neek-uhm'') ; orange juice : апельсиновый/ым сок/ом (''uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyh / uh-peel’-SEE-nuh-vyhm sohk / SOHK-uhm'') ; Coke (''soda'') : кола/ой (''лимонад/ом'') (''KOH-lah / KOH-luy'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Здесь есть буфет? (''zdyehs’ yehst’ boo-FYEHT'') ; One more, please. : Ещё одну, пожалуйста. (''yee-SHYOH ahd-NOOH, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; Another round, please. : Повторите, пожалуйста. (''puhf-tah-REEH-tye, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh'') ; When is closing time? : Когда вы закрываетесь? (''kahg-DAH vyh zuh-kryh-VAH-ee-tyehs’?'') ; I don't drink. : Я вообще не пью. (''yah vahb-SHYEH nee pyoo'') ; I'm an alcoholic. : Я алкоголик. (''yah ahl-kah-GOH-leek'') ; I cannot drink because of medication. : Мне нельзя пить из-за лекарства, которое я сейчас принимаю. (''mnyee neel-ZYAH peet' eez-zah lee-KAHRST-vuh kah-TOHR-uh-yuh yah see-CHAHS pree-nee-MAH-yoo'') ===Shopping=== ; Do you have this in my size? : У вас есть это моего размера? (''oo vahs yehst’ EH-tuh ma-ee-VOH rahz-MYEH-ruh'') ; How much is this? : Сколько это стоит? (''SKOHL’-kuh EH-tuh STOH-eet'') ; That's too expensive. : Это слишком дорого. (''EH-tuh SLEESH-kuhm DOH-ruh-guh'') ; Would you take _____? : Вы примете _____? (''vyh PREE-mee-tyeh _____?'') ; expensive : дорого (''DOH-ruh-guh'') ; cheap : дёшево (''DYOH-shyh-vuh'') ; I can't afford it. : Я не могу себе этого позволить. (''yah nee mah-GOOH see-BYEH EH-tuh-vuh paz-VOH-leet’'') ; I don't want it. : Я это не хочу. (''yah EH-tuh nee khah-CHOO'') ; You're cheating me. : Вы меня обманываете. (''vyh mee-NYAH ab-MAH-nyh-vah-ee-tyeh'') ; I'm not interested. : Мне это не интересно.. (''mnyeh EH-tuh nee een-tee-RYEHS-nuh'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Хорошо, я возьму. (''khah-rah-SHOH, yah vahz’-MOO'') ; Can I have a bag? : Дайте, пожалуйста, пакет. (''DIGH-tyeh, puh-ZHAH-luh-stuh, pah-KYEHT'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : У вас есть доставка (за границу)? (''oo vahs yehst’ dahs-TAHF-kah (zah grah-NEET-sooh)'' ; Give me two ''(items of something)''. : Давайте две. (''dah-VIGH-tyeh DVYEH'') ; I need... : Мне нужен/нужна/нужно/нужны... (''mnyeh NOO-zhehn / nooh-ZHNAH / NOOZH-nuh / nooh-ZHNYH'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...зубная паста. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh PAHS-tuh'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...зубная щётка. (''ZOOB-nuh-yuh SHYOHT-kuh'') ; ...tampons. : ...тампоны. (''tahm-POH-nyh'') ; ...soap. : ...мыло. (''MYH-luh'') ; ...shampoo. : ...шампунь. (''shahm-POON’'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...обезболивающее. (''ah-beez-BOH-lee-vah-yoo-shee-yeh'') ; ...cold medicine. : ...лекарство от простуды. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht prah-STOO-dyh'') ; ...stomach medicine. : ...лекарство от живота. (''lee-KAHR-stvah aht zhyh-VOH-tuh'') ; ...a razor. : ...бритва. (''BREET-vuh'') ; ...an umbrella. : ...зонтик. (''ZOHN-teek'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...лосьон от загара. (''luhs’-YOHN ahd zah-GAH-ruh'') ; ...a postcard. : ...открытка. (''aht-KRYHT-kah'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...почтовые марки. (''pahtch-TOH-vyh-yeh MAHR-kee'') ; ...batteries. : ...батарейки. (''bah-tah-RAY-kee'') ; ...writing paper. : ...бумага. (''boo-MAH-guh'') ; ...a pen. : ...ручка. (''ROOCH-kuh'') ; ...English-language books. : ...книги на английском языке. (''KNEE-gee nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zee-KYEH'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...журналы на английском языке. (''zhoor-NAH-lyh nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...газета на английском языке. (''gah-ZYEH-tah nah ahn-GLEE-skuhm yuh-zyh-KYEH'') ; ...a Russian-English dictionary. : ...русско-английский словарь. (''ROO-skuh ahn-GLEE-skee slah-VAHR’'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : Я хочу взять машину напрокат. (''yah khah-CHOO vzyaht’ mah-SHYH-noo nuh-prah-KAHT'') ; Can I get insurance? : Я могу взять страховку? (''yah mah-GOO vzyaht’ strah-KHOHF-koo'') ; Stop (''on a street sign'') : СТОП (''stohp'') ; One way : одностороннее движение (''uhd-nuh-stah-ROHN-nee-yeh dvee-ZHEH-nee-yeh'') ; Yield : уступите дорогу (''oo-stoo-PEE-tyeh dah-ROH-goo'') ; No parking : парковки нет (''pahr-KOHF-kee nyeht'') ; Speed limit : ограничение скорости (''ah-grah-nee-CHEH-nyh-yeh SKOH-ruh-stee'') ; Gas (''petrol'') station : (авто)заправка (''(AHF-tuh) zah-PRAHF-kuh'') ; Petrol : бензин (''been-ZEEN'') ; Diesel : ДТ (дизельное топливо) (''deh teh (DEE-zehl’-nuh-yeh TOH-plee-vuh'') ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Я ничего плохого не делал(а). (''yah nee-chee-VOH plah-KHOH-vuh nee DYEH-luhl/luh-luh'') ; My papers are in order : Мои документы в порядке. (''muh-yee duh-koo-MYEHN-tyh fpahr-YAHD-kee'') (intonation must fall, otherwise you might be asking a question!) ; It was a misunderstanding. : Мы друг друга не поняли. (''myh droog DROO-guh nyee POHN-yuh-lee'') ; Take me to the police. : Везите меня в полицию. (''vee-ZEE-tyeh meen-YAH fpuh-LEE-tsyh-yuh'') ; Where are you taking me? : Куда вы меня везёте? (''koo-DAH vyh meen-YAH vee-ZYOH-tyeh?'') ::;To the police : К полиции. (''kpuh-LEE-tsyh'') ::;To my house : К моему дому. (''kmuh-yuh-MOO DOH-moo'') ; Am I under arrest? : Я арестован(а)? (''yah ah-ryees-TOH-vuhn/vuh-nah?'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Я гражданин/гражданка Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah grazh-dah-NEEN/grazh-DAHN-kah ah-MYEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh / vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Я хочу поговорить с посольством/консульством Америки/Австралии/Великобритании/Канады. (''yah khah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s pah-SOL’ST-vuhm / s KOHN-sool’-stvuhm ah-MEH-ree-kee / ahf-STRAH-lee-yeh/ vee-lee-kuh-bree-TAH-nee-yeh / kah-NAH-dyh'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Я хочу поговорить с адвокатом. (''yah hah-CHOO puh-guh-vah-REET s ahd-vuh-KAH-tuhm'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Я могу заплатить штраф сейчас? (''yah mah-GOO zah-plah-TEET’ shtrahf say-CHAHS?'') (This phrase indicates that you want to pay a bribe to get out of trouble.) ; I need a receipt : Мне нужна квитанция. (''mnyee noozh-NAH kvee-TAHN-tsyh-yuh'') (In the context of interactions with police, this phrase indicates that you aren't willing to pay a bribe.) {{starphrasebook}} {{related|Russia}} {{phrasebookguide}} lhip1ivl91olw2pbduaqe5actc65ajg 0 31521 4506450 4500227 2022-08-22T23:37:30Z 103.100.173.220 /* Eat */ Updated listing for Salt n Malt wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sanur boats.jpg}} '''Sanur''' is a town on the east coast of [[South Bali]]. [[Image:Bali-Sanur-Map.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of Sanur]] ==Understand== Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. Most hotels in Sanur are big, with spacious gardens. The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road. ==Get in== ===By car=== Sanur is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the [[Bali#By plane|Ngurah Rai International Airport]], and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp150,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur. If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from [[Kuta]] or [[Legian]], about 30 minutes from [[Seminyak]] or [[Ubud]] and 10 to 15 minutes from [[Denpasar]]. ===By bus=== Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from [[Denpasar]]'s Tegal terminal. The bus company [http://www.peramatour.com Perama] has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from [[Candidasa]], [[Kuta]], [[Lovina]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Ubud]]. There's also a bus service called Trans Sarbagita that runs the following route Terminal Batu Bulan (Gianyar) - Tohpati (DPS) - Sanur (DPS) - Kuta Central Park (Badung) - Jimbaran (Badung) - Nusa Dua (Badung). [http://kura2bus.com/ Kura-Kura Bus] is another bus company that passes through Sanur and other popular areas in Bali. ===By boat=== Boats from [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the [[Nusa Lembongan#Get in|Nusa Lembongan]] article. ==Get around== Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district. * {{listing | name=Bali Store Luggage | alt= | url=http://www.balistoreluggage.com/ | email=info@balistoreluggage.com | address=Gang Telagasari 3, Jalan Danau Tempe I | lat=-8.7012 | long=115.2459 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=You can store luggage here. }} ===On foot=== Walking in Sanur is pleasant. The pavement is about 2.5m wide along Sanur Beach, suitable for the senior citizens who frequent this town to avoid the loud nightlife in nearby Kuta. Rental bikes sometimes use the pavement, too, but no motorcycles do. ===By bicycle=== Sanur is possibly the most cycle friendly part of mainland Bali. It has some cycle lanes such as along Jalan Danau Tamblingan going south only (returning via the beach pathway north makes a nice loop ride). The long paved beach pathway allows bicycles as well as pedestrians but you need to cycle slowly giving way to pedestrians. There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle for the day. Along the beach it costs typically Rp50,000 per day. If you hire away from the beach area such as on or near Jalan Danau Tamblingan the price is cheaper, typically about Rp30,000 per day. ==See== This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the shopping and beach-related sights. [[Image:Bali Kite Festival (Padang Galak).jpg|thumb|300px|right|The annual kite festival at Padang Galak, Sanur]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Le Mayeur Museum | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Museum/Museum-Le-Mayeur-578239455528142/ | email= | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat=-8.6748 | long=115.2637 | directions=go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right | phone=+62 361 286201 | tollfree= | hours=Su-F 07:30-15:30 | price=Rp 10,000 | wikipedia=Le Mayeur Museum | wikidata=Q6507227 | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali's very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali's hidden treasures. }} * {{see | name=Mangrove Information Centre | alt=Mangrove Forest Suwung Kawuh | url= | email=micjica@indosat.net.id | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Suwung Kauh | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.1920 | directions=just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai | phone=+62 361 726969 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-18:00 | price=Rp 200,000 for foreigners, Rp 50,000 for locals | content=Visit the well-appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600-hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Pura Blanjong | alt=Blanjong Temple | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong | lat=-8.7058 | long=115.2544 | directions=just south of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the ''Prasati Blanjong''. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali's first formal government. This is Bali's oldest known artifact. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre | alt=Turtle Island | url=http://www.ioseaturtles.org/pom_detail.php?id=45 | email= | address= | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.236 | directions=about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass | phone=+62 813 3841 2716 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-17:00 daily | price=Donation | content=Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. }} As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5-km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options. ==Do== [[Image:Sanur Beach.JPG|300px|thumb|right|The paved beachfront path at the Sanur Hyatt, looking east]] Sanur's splendid paved beachfront '''cycle'''-path stretches some 5&nbsp;km from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. Some bikes are better maintained than others so you might want to test your hire-bike close to home for a while in case the pedals have a tendency to fall off. Bicycles typically cost per day about Rp 30,000 Rp if rented from town or Rp 50,000 if rented from along the beach. ===Diving=== Although the diving available around Sanur is not the best Bali has to offer, nearly all of Bali's most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield. * {{do | name=Atlantis Bali Diving | alt= | url=http://www.atlantis-bali-diving.com | email=info@atlantis-bali-diving.com | address=Jl .By Pass Ngurah Rai 96E | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284 131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5-star dive operator. English-, French-, German-, Spanish- and Indonesian-speaking instructors. }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua | alt= | url=https://baliaqua.com/ | email=info@baliaqua.com | address=Jl Sekar Waru No 1 | lat=-8.705743 | long=115.253178 | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 737 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=PADI 5* Dive center in the heart of Sanur. Full range of dive course in multiple languages. Daily fun dive trip all around Bali. Diving safaris from 3 to 13 days. }} * {{do | name=BIDP | alt=Bali International Diving Professionals | url=http://www.bidp-balidiving.com | email=info@bidp-balidiving.com | address=Jl. Blanjong I No. 333 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 759 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses including technical diving. }} * {{do | name=Blue Season Bali | url=http://www.baliocean.com | email=info@baliocean.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 69x | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270852 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=PADI Career Development Centre. Dive trips and safaris around Bali, and PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Also offers technical diving courses. Instruction offered in English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Indonesian. }} *{{do | name=Crystal Divers | alt= | url=http://crystal-divers.com/ | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 168 | lat=-8.6967 | long=115.2632 | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=7am - 9pm | price= | content=This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is available from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Offers PADI courses in Swedish, Danish, English, Indonesian, German, Japanese and Mandarin. }} *{{do | name=Diving Bali | url=http://www.divingbali.com | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282664 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. }} *{{do | name=Joe's Gone Diving Bali | alt= | url=https://www.joesgonediving.com | email=info@joesgonediving.com | address=Ngurah Rai Bypass 44A | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 3705262 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A professional, Dutch-owned PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering PADI dive courses, daily dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Courses are given in multiple languages. }} * {{do | name=Neptune Scuba Diving | alt=Neptune Diving Bali | url=https://neptunescubadiving.com | email=office@neptunescubadiving.com | address=Jl. Suka Merta, Sanur, Bali | lat=-8.70703 | long=115.24579 | directions= | phone=+62 361 4490568 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 07:00-19:00 | price=US$100 | lastedit=2019-01-15 | content=PADI 5-star IDC and Disabled Divers International dive resort. Offers fun dives, PADI certifications, snorkelling trips. }} === Surfing === Bali is one of the most famous surfing locations in the world and Sanur is one of the most famous surfing locations for intermediate surfers coming to Bali. With already well established surf schools located here, beginner, intermediate and even families can join these establishments for some surfing fun. === Festivals === * {{do | name=International Kite Festival | url= | email= | address=Padang Galak beach | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10&nbsp;m in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown. }} ===Laundry=== There are many places to do your laundry in Sanur. Most hotels provides they own laundry service, mostly with more expensive rates than local laundry rooms. Almost every street corner has a laundry service. * {{listing | name=Cinta Alam Organic Laundry |alt=| url= | email=cinta.alam.laundry@gmail.com | address=Jl. Batur Sari 44 | lat= | long= | directions=the end of Jl. Sekuta turn left 50 m left on side | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-20:00 | price=Rp 15,000/kg |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-04-12| content=High-quality laundry service without the use of harmful chemicals. You can choose an aromatherapy fragrance. Pick up and delivery is on request and free in the Sanur area. }} ===Spas=== A day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur. * {{do | name=Mandurah Spa | url=http://www.mandurahspa.com/ | email=info@mandurahspa.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361271502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=Puri Esthetic | url= | email= | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286542 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Watersports=== The more active could try one or more of the many '''watersports''' on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The '''surfing''' here is not great by Bali standards but there are reasonable breaks about 1 km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000. *{{do | name=Bali Kite Surfing School | url=http://www.bali-kitesurfing.org/kiteschool.html | email= | address=Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions=at the beach close to Mertasari temple | phone=+62 361 7899013 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=IKO certified kite surfing school. The lessons are conducted in a safe, user-friendly environment and lessons can be structured to suit individual needs. The school uses three specially designed rescue boats to keep a close eye on you. }} * {{do | name=Blue Oasis Beach Club | url=http://www.blueoasisbeachclub.com/ | email= | address=Sanur Beach | lat= | long= | directions=on the beach in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel | phone=+62 361 288011 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A specialist water sports centre which offers sea-kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as being a dive school. }} ==Buy== There are countless shops along Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the side streets leading from it. You will find everything from local t-shirts to Balinese handicrafts. * {{buy | name=Hardy's Grosir | url= | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan 193 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 28191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:30 daily | price= | content=This is Sanur's main supermarket, and a good place for stocking up on regular items. }} * {{buy | name=Gudang Keramik | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289363 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price= | content=This is the outlet for seconds of the famed Jengala Ceramics company (main showroom in [[Jimbaran]]). Their standards are very high and you may not notice why some of these items are classed as seconds. Some superb bargains to be had in everything from decorative vases to flatware. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Nogo Bali Ikat Centre | alt= | url= | email=info@nogobali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 104 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288765 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 08:30-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00 | price= | content=Specialises in the quality woven ikat fabrics from Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. If you are looking for cheapies, don't go here. You can purchase fabric by the piece, made up as clothing or homewares, and examine their impressive genuine antique collection. }} ===Markets=== At the northern end of Jalan Pungutan, just before it hits Jalan Danau Tamblingan, there is an art market, sometimes referred to as '''Sindhu Market'''. This is a one stop shop for all manner of Balinese handicrafts, sarongs, T-shirts and knock-offs such as sunglasses. A similar set up can be found at '''beachfront Art Market''' at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. Take the foot path leading north which weaves through a maze of stalls and the odd cafe. ==Eat== [[Image:Sanur.JPG|thumb|right|Typical Sanur cafe]] For very cheap local food try the '''Night Market''' at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan. *{{drink | name=Abian Boga Restaurant | url= | email= | address=Jl Kesuma Sari No 5 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284174 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price=Mains Rp 30,000-60,000 | content=Grilled seafood accompanied by a Balinese dance performance. Great service too with a local hotel pick up and drop off. }} * {{eat | name=The Bali Pub | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Hardys, opposite Circle K | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by a former Masterchef UK contestant. Serves Sunday roasts, steaks, western and Balinese dishes. Live music after 20:00. }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.cafebatujimbar.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287374 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=08:00-22:00 daily | content=Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee. }} * {{eat | name=Kayu Manis | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=north end of Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 289410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 40,000-70,000 per entree | content=Western and Asian fusion cuisine at great value prices. A favourite with both travellers for the price and foodies for the quality of the meals. }} * {{eat | name=Massimo | url=http://www.massimobali.com/ | email=massimosaccobali@gmail.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 228 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288942 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 100,000 per head | content=The superb home made gelato here is the ideal treat after a hot day wandering in Sanur. Also excellent pizzas and pastas at this authentic south Italian-owned and -run restaurant. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Smorgås Café | alt= | url=http://www.cafesmorgas.com | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289361 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Perhaps the best coffee shop in Sanur. Homemade sandwiches, pastry and quiche. Owned by Swedes and they make their own gravlax. }} * {{eat | name=Stiff Chilli | url=http://www.rjhgroup.com/stiffchilli.html | email=stiffchilli@rjhgroup.com | address=Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang Beach | lat= | long= | directions=right on the beach at the end of Jl Kesumasari | phone=+62 361 288371 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-23:00 daily | price=Most mains about Rp 50,000 | content=Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location. }} * {{eat | name=The Village | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 66 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285025 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=Rp 70,000-200,000 | content=Attached to the Griya Santrian Hotel, this is perhaps the best known upmarket eatery in Sanur. The food is slick Italian style and they do a reasonable job of creating a suitable atmosphere. Not a good as it was and certainly not cheap, but a decent option in a part of Bali not known for it high quality restaurants. Has an independent street front entrance, and you would not know it is attached to a hotel. }} * {{listing | name=Warung Blanjong | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso 78 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285613 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11:00-21:00 | price=Rp 30,000–70,000 mains | content=One of the best places to eat Balinese in Sanur. They are especially well known for their ''pepes be pashi'' (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), and the ''be siap betutu'' (chicken prepared similarly) is also good. Very much worth a visit. }} *{{eat | name=Fortune Cookie | url=http://www.fortunecookiebali.com | email= | address=Jl Sudamala 5 | lat= | long= | directions=bet. Danau poso & Mertasari | phone=+62 361 283342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-23:00 | price= | content=Healthy western-style Chinese Restaurant, no MSG, organic ingredients, they also have free delivery in Sanur. Popular with expats. }} * {{eat | name=The Fire Station | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/theFirestationBali/ | email=thefirestationbali@gmail.com | address=Jalan Danau Poso 108 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285 675 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 16:00-00:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Gastropub style food, cold beer and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Salt n Malt | alt=fish and chips | url= | email= | address=Jalan Wira No.14, Sanur | lat=-8.68196 | long=115.26038 | directions= | phone=+62 851-0079-7962 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-7PM | price=Rp 55k | lastedit=2019-09-05 | content=British style fish and chips made by the wife of a Londoner. Optional mushy peas. Short opening times and closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. }} ==Drink== There are ''lots'' of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan. ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Arena Sports Cafe | url= | email=arena@bali.com | address=Jl ByPass Ngurah Rai 115 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-23:00 | price= | content=Austrian owned and run sports bar and cafe. The beer is very cold, reasonably priced and this place is always busy. }} * {{drink | name=Nu Lazer Bar | alt= | url=http://www.nulazerbali.com | email=info@nulazerbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 82 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288807 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-03:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Shows all the English football, has friendly staff and also serves food. Live music in weekends. }} *{{drink | name=Maya's Coffee & Smoothie Bar | url=http://www.smoothienow.com | email=info@smoothienow.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions=100-150&nbsp;m from the beach and Inna Sindhu Beach hotel. | phone=+62 361 283889 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-19:00 | price= | content=Small coffee and smoothie bar serving Italian coffees, smoothies and fresh juices combined with a breakfast menu, lighter snacks, bakeries and pastries. Free Internet and Wi-Fi for customers. }} *{{drink | name=Manic Organic | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Excellent raw juices and smoothies- organic full menu available as well. They also have yoga upstairs daily. }} *{{drink | name=Angel's Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Sekar Waru | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Crystal Bar | alt= | url=http://www.crystal-divers.com | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jalan Tamblingan 168 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-08-29 | content=This little bar is found right on the street. They have a nice selection of drinks and snacks. In the back of the bar, they also have a dive shop and a hotel. Wednesday nights this place is packed with both divers and non-divers alike for quiz night. }} ===Coffee shops=== * {{drink | name=stujadipantai | alt= | url=https://www.instagram.com/stujadipantai/?hl=en| email= | address=Jl. Kusuma Sari No.4| lat=-8.707062 | long=115.262438 | directions= | phone=+62 813 880 61696 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=A coffee shop at Sanur beach. }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under US$25|US$25-95|Over US$95}} Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families. Hotels in Sanur are usually a distance apart, not as close together as Kuta hotels. Hotel price competition in Sanur is tame compared to [[Kuta]], which has a severe oversupply. ===Budget=== *{{sleep | name=Flashbacks | url=http://www.flashbacks-chb.com | email=bungalows@flashbacks-chb.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 185,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Good, clean budget accommodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 19:00-23:00. Airport pickup. }} *{{sleep | name=Kayu Sugih Guesthouse | url=http://kayusugihguesthouse.blogspot.co.id/ | email=kayusugih2002@ymail.com | address=Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.76 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282916 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 350,000 (Fan). US$10/daily surcharge in peak seasons: Jul-Aug and Dec-Jan | checkin= | checkout= | content=Has traditional beautiful garden, but no swimming pool. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kesumasari Beach Hotel | alt=Kesumasari Guest House | url= | email=info@natanhospitality.com | address=Jl Pantai Kesumasari, Semawang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 728771 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From about Rp 275,000 | content=On the beach with a spacious and well kept tropical garden and a swimming pool open until 22:00 daily. }} * {{sleep | name=Little Pond | alt= | url=http://www.littlepondbali.com | email= | address=19 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68564 | long=115.26244 | directions= | phone=+62 361 289 902 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 170,000 - 250,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Nice laidback homestay with a small pool. Good value basic rooms and can get full easily during peak season. }} *{{sleep | name=Cafe Locca Homestay | alt=Puri Anom Hostel | url=https://www.facebook.com/CafeLoccaHomestay/ | email= | address=Jl.Sudamala 8 | lat= | long= | directions=between Jl Danau Posso and Jl.Cemara turistic promenade, 7 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361 289 369 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Rp100,000 (A/C bed)-250.000 (private double air-con, fridge) | content=Clean new renovated rooms,mixed dorm (4-3 bed), private double room with minibar, free WiFi internet broadband. Spacious garden, public cable TV and DVD, kitchen with fridge and cooker, housekeeping daily, towels, toiletries and bedlinen provided. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Mango Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.oyorooms.com/id/104990/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=next to BNI bank | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 400,000 | content=Long established and well-known budget accommodation at the northern end of Sanur's main street. }} * {{sleep | name=Prima Cottage | url=http://www.primacottage.com | email=sales@primacottage.com | address=Jl Bumi Ayu 23 | lat= | long= | directions=close to Jl Tamblingan,10 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361286369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 350,000 (room, air-con, TV, fridge), Rp 450,000 (cottage) | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=Price includes Wi-Fi and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Ratna Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From Rp 350,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Price includes taxes and breakfast. Hotel rooms, a nice pool and very close to the beach. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Yulia 1 Homestay | alt= | url= | email= | address=38 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68634 | long=115.26240 | directions=next to Maybank | phone=+62 361 288089 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 250,000 - 500,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Comfortable and clean rooms are in a garden full of birds with a small pool. Wi-Fi and breakfast of fruit and toast, tea/coffee is included. You can save Rp 30,000 by refusing the included breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Ananda Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email=info@anandabeachhotel.com | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 300,000 | content=Good, clean budget accommodation located at Sanur Beach, about 100&nbsp;m from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and close to the boat boarding point for Nusa Lembongan. Airport pickup offered. }} *{{sleep | name=Baruna Hotel | alt= | url=http://barunahotel.com/ | email=info@barunahotel.com | address=Segara Ayu Sreet No. 3 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 414 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout=12:00 | price=From Rp 200,000 | content=Cozy framed complex with budget villas. Lots of details that capture your eyes. Very friendly staff, goes well beyond the call of duty. Rooms have hot water, air-com, fridge. Breakfast included. Decent sized pool. Free Wi-Fi. Small library with English, Dutch, German and Swedish literature. Highly recommended for families as well as the lonely traveller. 200&nbsp;m from the beach, 200 m from shopping street. }} *{{sleep | name=Smart Comfort Apartments | alt=Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.smartcomfortapartments.com/en/ | email=info@smartcomfortapartments.com | address=Jalan Pungutan, Gang Jasmin | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 271 070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp1,300,000 | content=A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony. }} * {{sleep | name=Gazebo Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.baligazebo.com/ | email= gazebosanur@windowslive.com | address=Jl.Danau Tamblingan No.35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 600,000 | content=A not-very-big beachfront hotel. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Natah Bale Villas | alt= | url=https://www.natahbalevilla.com/ | email= | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$95 | content=Each tradtional Balinese inspired villa in the compound features its own private entrance and open air living room, dining room as well as a fully equipped kitchen. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Peneeda View Beach Hotel | alt= | url=https://peneedaviewhotel.com/ | email=peneeda@indo.net.id | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 425 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$60 | content=A quiet, good value. A bungalow style hotel committed to quality, Located nearest to the beach. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Pondok Ayu Hotel | alt= | url=http://pondok-ayu.hotelsanur.net/en/ | email=information@pondok.com.au | address=Sanur | lat=-8.693553 | long=115.259639 | directions= | phone=+61 2 9533 5851 (Australia) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$70-90 | content=Small boutique hotel with personalised service. Includes a restaurant (Benno's) and a pool. Very quiet, suitable for families. }} * {{sleep | name=Sativa Sanur | url=http://www.sativahotels.com/sanur/ | email=info@sativahotels.com | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$60-90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Situated in between the beach and the main road, two levels of standard rooms are arranged around lush gardens and a swimming pool. The hotel is quiet, clean and has fine service in addition to a pleasant morning breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Sekuta Condo Suites | alt= | url=http://balipvbgroup.com/sekuta-condo-suites/ | email=pvb@dps.centrin.net.id | address=Jl Sekuta No12 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$50 | content=Each suite has its own living and dining room and fully-equipped kitchen. Facilities include The Cavern Bar, featuring Beatles memorabilia and a large swimming pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Shanti Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vilashantihotel.com/ | email=info@vilashantihotel.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan No 47/Jl Pantai Karang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 1,000,000 | content=On Sanur Beach. Restaurant, 24 hour room service, pool, laundry and safe deposit boxes. Note that this is not a villa despite the name. }} * {{sleep | name=Zen Villas | url= | email= | address=Jalan Kesari II No3b | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=This is a medium standard private villa rental complex in a good Sanur location not far from the Bali Hyatt. Managed by an Indonesian-Dutch couple. }} ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Bali Hyatt | alt= | url=https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/indonesia/hyatt-regency-bali/dpsbl | email=balihyatt.inquiries@hyattintl.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 28 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from US$125, $135 with breakfast | content=Large hotel with beachfront location. 5 restaurants, 5 bars, huge gardens and a village style spa. Mature grounds with some well established trees. }} * {{sleep | name=Dampati Villas | alt=A minute walk to famous Sunrise beach of Sanur | url=https://tjendanavillas.com/ | email=dampatirsv@tjendanavillas.com | address=Jalan Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288454 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$80-287 | content=Contemporary, spacious villas with two floors, outfitted with modern touch including private swimming pool, garden, living room, kitchen, bathroom amenities, satellite TV, AC, free Wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, in-dining, daily complimentary water and cleaning, etc. }} * {{sleep | name=Kayumanis Sanur Private Villa & Spa | alt=formerly Gangsa Private Villa | url=http://www.kayumanis.com/kayumanis-sanur-private-villa-and-spa/ | email=experience@kayumanis.com | address=Jl Tirta Akasa No. 28 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 260 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp7,000,000 | content=11 contemporary villas with private pool, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and 24-hour butler service. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel La Taverna | url=http://www.latavernahotel.com | email=latavern@latavernahotel.com | address=Jl Tamblingan 29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288497 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$80 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beachfront hotel with an old world Sanur charm. Rooms are simple but charming. Gardens pool and beachfront setting are amongst the best in Sanur. Good restaurant. }} *{{sleep | name=Mahagiri Villas Sanur | url=http://www.mahagirivillassanur.com | email=info@mahagirivillassanur.com | address=Jl Pungutan 31 | lat=-8.688848 | long=115.260869 | directions=near Sindhu beach | phone=+62 361 283939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from US$475 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom private villas. All have air-con and have private swimming pool, kitchen and living room }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Mahapala | url=http://www.villamahapala-bali.com | email=info@villamahapala-bali.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$325 | checkin= | checkout= | content=20 private villas each with their own plunge pools, massage bale and outdoor shower. The resort also has its own French fusion restaurant, a bar and full service spa. }} * {{sleep | name=Mercure Resort Sanur | url=http://mercuresanur.com | email= | address=Jl Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$122 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large resort on the beach towards the southern end of Sanur. 186 guest rooms, large beachfront restaurant, 3 bars and huge pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Parigata Resort and Spa | url=http://www.parigatahotelsbali.com | email=info@parigatahotelsbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 87 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286286 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$100 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A quiet, good value resort just off the main street. High quality in-house spa plus restaurant, bar and pool area. The same group also has an impressive complex of private villas in southern Sanur. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Santrian | url=http://www.santrian.com | email=purisantrian@santrian.com | address=Jl Cemara 35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beach front hotel in the quiet southern part of Sanur. Two pools, beach club and good dining facilities. Choose of regular rooms in the garden block, individual bungalows and some very smart suites. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Paradise Plaza | alt=formerly The Radisson Plaza Hotel | url=http://www.sanurparadise.com/ | email=reservation@sanurparadise.com | address=Jl Hang Tuah 46 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 281781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large hotel with numerous facilities including kid's club, in-house spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bars. Good convenient location with easy beach access. Has a nearby sister property which is all suites and apartments. Good family option. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Residence | url=http://www.sanurresidence.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Padang Galak, about 5 minutes north of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$180 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Three 3-bedroom villas located on the beach forming a 9-bedroom estate The villas were built for a large family and are normally rented in a block of at least 6 bedrooms thus giving exclusive use of the entire estate along with its private swimming pool. Fully staffed with cooks, maids and gardeners. }} * {{sleep | name=Segara Village Hotel | url=http://www.segaravillage.com/ | email=info@segaravillage.com | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$110 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Sprawling, refurbished 6-hectare resort complex with 5 distinct traditionally themed Balinese villages. 120 renovated rooms with balcony, private toilet and bath and other amenities. 3 swimming pools, tennis courts and massage services. }} * {{sleep | name=Stana Puri Gopa Hotel | url=http://www.purigopabali.com | email=info@purigopabali.com | address=Jl Kesumasari No 4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Traditional styled Balinese villas in a lush tropical garden. Private pool villas, restaurant, watersports activities, spa and modern meeting room facilities. Walking distance to the beach }} * {{sleep | name=Maya Sanur Resort & Spa | alt= | url=http://www.mayaresorts.com/sanur/en/ | email=info@mayasanur.com | address=Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 89M | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 8497800 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=A beachfront resort with 103 rooms, three swimming pools and a 158-meter divided lagoon. }} ==Connect== There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers. *{{buy | name=Sanur Internet Service | url=http://sanur.webs.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27 | lat= | long= | directions=next to Circle K | phone=+62 361 289 331 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 400/min | content=A comfortable and speedy internet cafe. Air-con, 2 seater sofa and equipped with 17-inch LCD monitors, head sets, scanner & printer. Free mineral water and helpful staff. }} ==Cope== Several nations have consulates in Sanur, including some with titles that confusingly include the words "in Denpasar". * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic for Bali and NTB | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pengembak 17 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286465 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 286408 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finnish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO BOX 91) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407,+62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=French Consular Agency in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari Gang 2 No 8, Banjang Tanjung | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285485 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=German Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pantai Karang No 17, Batujimbar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288535 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Royal Swedish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO Box 91 Denpasar) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407, +62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=UK Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari No 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270601 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== *Sanur is a good jumping off point for the nearby island of [[Nusa Lembongan]]. *If you are heading back to the southern tourist hotspots of [[Kuta]], [[Legian]] and [[Seminyak]], this will take about 20 minutes by car. [[Ubud]] is about 25 minutes in the opposite direction. {{Guidecity}} {{IsPartOf|South Bali}} {{geo|-8.683333|115.266667}} ihy5kj87364tsaj05li3xxcckmlw3ep 4506451 4506450 2022-08-22T23:39:06Z 103.100.173.220 /* Buy */ Added listing for Grand Lucky wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sanur boats.jpg}} '''Sanur''' is a town on the east coast of [[South Bali]]. [[Image:Bali-Sanur-Map.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of Sanur]] ==Understand== Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. Most hotels in Sanur are big, with spacious gardens. The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road. ==Get in== ===By car=== Sanur is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the [[Bali#By plane|Ngurah Rai International Airport]], and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp150,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur. If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from [[Kuta]] or [[Legian]], about 30 minutes from [[Seminyak]] or [[Ubud]] and 10 to 15 minutes from [[Denpasar]]. ===By bus=== Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from [[Denpasar]]'s Tegal terminal. The bus company [http://www.peramatour.com Perama] has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from [[Candidasa]], [[Kuta]], [[Lovina]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Ubud]]. There's also a bus service called Trans Sarbagita that runs the following route Terminal Batu Bulan (Gianyar) - Tohpati (DPS) - Sanur (DPS) - Kuta Central Park (Badung) - Jimbaran (Badung) - Nusa Dua (Badung). [http://kura2bus.com/ Kura-Kura Bus] is another bus company that passes through Sanur and other popular areas in Bali. ===By boat=== Boats from [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the [[Nusa Lembongan#Get in|Nusa Lembongan]] article. ==Get around== Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district. * {{listing | name=Bali Store Luggage | alt= | url=http://www.balistoreluggage.com/ | email=info@balistoreluggage.com | address=Gang Telagasari 3, Jalan Danau Tempe I | lat=-8.7012 | long=115.2459 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=You can store luggage here. }} ===On foot=== Walking in Sanur is pleasant. The pavement is about 2.5m wide along Sanur Beach, suitable for the senior citizens who frequent this town to avoid the loud nightlife in nearby Kuta. Rental bikes sometimes use the pavement, too, but no motorcycles do. ===By bicycle=== Sanur is possibly the most cycle friendly part of mainland Bali. It has some cycle lanes such as along Jalan Danau Tamblingan going south only (returning via the beach pathway north makes a nice loop ride). The long paved beach pathway allows bicycles as well as pedestrians but you need to cycle slowly giving way to pedestrians. There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle for the day. Along the beach it costs typically Rp50,000 per day. If you hire away from the beach area such as on or near Jalan Danau Tamblingan the price is cheaper, typically about Rp30,000 per day. ==See== This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the shopping and beach-related sights. [[Image:Bali Kite Festival (Padang Galak).jpg|thumb|300px|right|The annual kite festival at Padang Galak, Sanur]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Le Mayeur Museum | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Museum/Museum-Le-Mayeur-578239455528142/ | email= | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat=-8.6748 | long=115.2637 | directions=go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right | phone=+62 361 286201 | tollfree= | hours=Su-F 07:30-15:30 | price=Rp 10,000 | wikipedia=Le Mayeur Museum | wikidata=Q6507227 | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali's very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali's hidden treasures. }} * {{see | name=Mangrove Information Centre | alt=Mangrove Forest Suwung Kawuh | url= | email=micjica@indosat.net.id | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Suwung Kauh | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.1920 | directions=just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai | phone=+62 361 726969 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-18:00 | price=Rp 200,000 for foreigners, Rp 50,000 for locals | content=Visit the well-appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600-hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Pura Blanjong | alt=Blanjong Temple | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong | lat=-8.7058 | long=115.2544 | directions=just south of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the ''Prasati Blanjong''. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali's first formal government. This is Bali's oldest known artifact. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre | alt=Turtle Island | url=http://www.ioseaturtles.org/pom_detail.php?id=45 | email= | address= | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.236 | directions=about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass | phone=+62 813 3841 2716 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-17:00 daily | price=Donation | content=Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. }} As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5-km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options. ==Do== [[Image:Sanur Beach.JPG|300px|thumb|right|The paved beachfront path at the Sanur Hyatt, looking east]] Sanur's splendid paved beachfront '''cycle'''-path stretches some 5&nbsp;km from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. Some bikes are better maintained than others so you might want to test your hire-bike close to home for a while in case the pedals have a tendency to fall off. Bicycles typically cost per day about Rp 30,000 Rp if rented from town or Rp 50,000 if rented from along the beach. ===Diving=== Although the diving available around Sanur is not the best Bali has to offer, nearly all of Bali's most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield. * {{do | name=Atlantis Bali Diving | alt= | url=http://www.atlantis-bali-diving.com | email=info@atlantis-bali-diving.com | address=Jl .By Pass Ngurah Rai 96E | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284 131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5-star dive operator. English-, French-, German-, Spanish- and Indonesian-speaking instructors. }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua | alt= | url=https://baliaqua.com/ | email=info@baliaqua.com | address=Jl Sekar Waru No 1 | lat=-8.705743 | long=115.253178 | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 737 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=PADI 5* Dive center in the heart of Sanur. Full range of dive course in multiple languages. Daily fun dive trip all around Bali. Diving safaris from 3 to 13 days. }} * {{do | name=BIDP | alt=Bali International Diving Professionals | url=http://www.bidp-balidiving.com | email=info@bidp-balidiving.com | address=Jl. Blanjong I No. 333 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 759 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses including technical diving. }} * {{do | name=Blue Season Bali | url=http://www.baliocean.com | email=info@baliocean.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 69x | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270852 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=PADI Career Development Centre. Dive trips and safaris around Bali, and PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Also offers technical diving courses. Instruction offered in English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Indonesian. }} *{{do | name=Crystal Divers | alt= | url=http://crystal-divers.com/ | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 168 | lat=-8.6967 | long=115.2632 | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=7am - 9pm | price= | content=This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is available from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Offers PADI courses in Swedish, Danish, English, Indonesian, German, Japanese and Mandarin. }} *{{do | name=Diving Bali | url=http://www.divingbali.com | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282664 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. }} *{{do | name=Joe's Gone Diving Bali | alt= | url=https://www.joesgonediving.com | email=info@joesgonediving.com | address=Ngurah Rai Bypass 44A | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 3705262 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A professional, Dutch-owned PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering PADI dive courses, daily dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Courses are given in multiple languages. }} * {{do | name=Neptune Scuba Diving | alt=Neptune Diving Bali | url=https://neptunescubadiving.com | email=office@neptunescubadiving.com | address=Jl. Suka Merta, Sanur, Bali | lat=-8.70703 | long=115.24579 | directions= | phone=+62 361 4490568 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 07:00-19:00 | price=US$100 | lastedit=2019-01-15 | content=PADI 5-star IDC and Disabled Divers International dive resort. Offers fun dives, PADI certifications, snorkelling trips. }} === Surfing === Bali is one of the most famous surfing locations in the world and Sanur is one of the most famous surfing locations for intermediate surfers coming to Bali. With already well established surf schools located here, beginner, intermediate and even families can join these establishments for some surfing fun. === Festivals === * {{do | name=International Kite Festival | url= | email= | address=Padang Galak beach | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10&nbsp;m in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown. }} ===Laundry=== There are many places to do your laundry in Sanur. Most hotels provides they own laundry service, mostly with more expensive rates than local laundry rooms. Almost every street corner has a laundry service. * {{listing | name=Cinta Alam Organic Laundry |alt=| url= | email=cinta.alam.laundry@gmail.com | address=Jl. Batur Sari 44 | lat= | long= | directions=the end of Jl. Sekuta turn left 50 m left on side | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-20:00 | price=Rp 15,000/kg |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-04-12| content=High-quality laundry service without the use of harmful chemicals. You can choose an aromatherapy fragrance. Pick up and delivery is on request and free in the Sanur area. }} ===Spas=== A day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur. * {{do | name=Mandurah Spa | url=http://www.mandurahspa.com/ | email=info@mandurahspa.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361271502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=Puri Esthetic | url= | email= | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286542 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Watersports=== The more active could try one or more of the many '''watersports''' on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The '''surfing''' here is not great by Bali standards but there are reasonable breaks about 1 km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000. *{{do | name=Bali Kite Surfing School | url=http://www.bali-kitesurfing.org/kiteschool.html | email= | address=Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions=at the beach close to Mertasari temple | phone=+62 361 7899013 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=IKO certified kite surfing school. The lessons are conducted in a safe, user-friendly environment and lessons can be structured to suit individual needs. The school uses three specially designed rescue boats to keep a close eye on you. }} * {{do | name=Blue Oasis Beach Club | url=http://www.blueoasisbeachclub.com/ | email= | address=Sanur Beach | lat= | long= | directions=on the beach in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel | phone=+62 361 288011 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A specialist water sports centre which offers sea-kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as being a dive school. }} ==Buy== There are countless shops along Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the side streets leading from it. You will find everything from local t-shirts to Balinese handicrafts. * {{buy | name=Hardy's Grosir | url= | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan 193 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 28191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:30 daily | price= | content=This is Sanur's main supermarket, and a good place for stocking up on regular items. }} * {{buy | name=Gudang Keramik | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289363 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price= | content=This is the outlet for seconds of the famed Jengala Ceramics company (main showroom in [[Jimbaran]]). Their standards are very high and you may not notice why some of these items are classed as seconds. Some superb bargains to be had in everything from decorative vases to flatware. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Nogo Bali Ikat Centre | alt= | url= | email=info@nogobali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 104 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288765 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 08:30-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00 | price= | content=Specialises in the quality woven ikat fabrics from Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. If you are looking for cheapies, don't go here. You can purchase fabric by the piece, made up as clothing or homewares, and examine their impressive genuine antique collection. }} * {{buy | name=Grand Lucky | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=New big supermarket on the bypass. }} ===Markets=== At the northern end of Jalan Pungutan, just before it hits Jalan Danau Tamblingan, there is an art market, sometimes referred to as '''Sindhu Market'''. This is a one stop shop for all manner of Balinese handicrafts, sarongs, T-shirts and knock-offs such as sunglasses. A similar set up can be found at '''beachfront Art Market''' at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. Take the foot path leading north which weaves through a maze of stalls and the odd cafe. ==Eat== [[Image:Sanur.JPG|thumb|right|Typical Sanur cafe]] For very cheap local food try the '''Night Market''' at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan. *{{drink | name=Abian Boga Restaurant | url= | email= | address=Jl Kesuma Sari No 5 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284174 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price=Mains Rp 30,000-60,000 | content=Grilled seafood accompanied by a Balinese dance performance. Great service too with a local hotel pick up and drop off. }} * {{eat | name=The Bali Pub | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Hardys, opposite Circle K | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by a former Masterchef UK contestant. Serves Sunday roasts, steaks, western and Balinese dishes. Live music after 20:00. }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.cafebatujimbar.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287374 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=08:00-22:00 daily | content=Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee. }} * {{eat | name=Kayu Manis | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=north end of Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 289410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 40,000-70,000 per entree | content=Western and Asian fusion cuisine at great value prices. A favourite with both travellers for the price and foodies for the quality of the meals. }} * {{eat | name=Massimo | url=http://www.massimobali.com/ | email=massimosaccobali@gmail.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 228 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288942 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 100,000 per head | content=The superb home made gelato here is the ideal treat after a hot day wandering in Sanur. Also excellent pizzas and pastas at this authentic south Italian-owned and -run restaurant. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Smorgås Café | alt= | url=http://www.cafesmorgas.com | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289361 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Perhaps the best coffee shop in Sanur. Homemade sandwiches, pastry and quiche. Owned by Swedes and they make their own gravlax. }} * {{eat | name=Stiff Chilli | url=http://www.rjhgroup.com/stiffchilli.html | email=stiffchilli@rjhgroup.com | address=Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang Beach | lat= | long= | directions=right on the beach at the end of Jl Kesumasari | phone=+62 361 288371 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-23:00 daily | price=Most mains about Rp 50,000 | content=Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location. }} * {{eat | name=The Village | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 66 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285025 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=Rp 70,000-200,000 | content=Attached to the Griya Santrian Hotel, this is perhaps the best known upmarket eatery in Sanur. The food is slick Italian style and they do a reasonable job of creating a suitable atmosphere. Not a good as it was and certainly not cheap, but a decent option in a part of Bali not known for it high quality restaurants. Has an independent street front entrance, and you would not know it is attached to a hotel. }} * {{listing | name=Warung Blanjong | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso 78 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285613 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11:00-21:00 | price=Rp 30,000–70,000 mains | content=One of the best places to eat Balinese in Sanur. They are especially well known for their ''pepes be pashi'' (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), and the ''be siap betutu'' (chicken prepared similarly) is also good. Very much worth a visit. }} *{{eat | name=Fortune Cookie | url=http://www.fortunecookiebali.com | email= | address=Jl Sudamala 5 | lat= | long= | directions=bet. Danau poso & Mertasari | phone=+62 361 283342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-23:00 | price= | content=Healthy western-style Chinese Restaurant, no MSG, organic ingredients, they also have free delivery in Sanur. Popular with expats. }} * {{eat | name=The Fire Station | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/theFirestationBali/ | email=thefirestationbali@gmail.com | address=Jalan Danau Poso 108 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285 675 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 16:00-00:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Gastropub style food, cold beer and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Salt n Malt | alt=fish and chips | url= | email= | address=Jalan Wira No.14, Sanur | lat=-8.68196 | long=115.26038 | directions= | phone=+62 851-0079-7962 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-7PM | price=Rp 55k | lastedit=2019-09-05 | content=British style fish and chips made by the wife of a Londoner. Optional mushy peas. Short opening times and closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. }} ==Drink== There are ''lots'' of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan. ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Arena Sports Cafe | url= | email=arena@bali.com | address=Jl ByPass Ngurah Rai 115 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-23:00 | price= | content=Austrian owned and run sports bar and cafe. The beer is very cold, reasonably priced and this place is always busy. }} * {{drink | name=Nu Lazer Bar | alt= | url=http://www.nulazerbali.com | email=info@nulazerbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 82 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288807 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-03:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Shows all the English football, has friendly staff and also serves food. Live music in weekends. }} *{{drink | name=Maya's Coffee & Smoothie Bar | url=http://www.smoothienow.com | email=info@smoothienow.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions=100-150&nbsp;m from the beach and Inna Sindhu Beach hotel. | phone=+62 361 283889 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-19:00 | price= | content=Small coffee and smoothie bar serving Italian coffees, smoothies and fresh juices combined with a breakfast menu, lighter snacks, bakeries and pastries. Free Internet and Wi-Fi for customers. }} *{{drink | name=Manic Organic | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Excellent raw juices and smoothies- organic full menu available as well. They also have yoga upstairs daily. }} *{{drink | name=Angel's Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Sekar Waru | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Crystal Bar | alt= | url=http://www.crystal-divers.com | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jalan Tamblingan 168 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-08-29 | content=This little bar is found right on the street. They have a nice selection of drinks and snacks. In the back of the bar, they also have a dive shop and a hotel. Wednesday nights this place is packed with both divers and non-divers alike for quiz night. }} ===Coffee shops=== * {{drink | name=stujadipantai | alt= | url=https://www.instagram.com/stujadipantai/?hl=en| email= | address=Jl. Kusuma Sari No.4| lat=-8.707062 | long=115.262438 | directions= | phone=+62 813 880 61696 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=A coffee shop at Sanur beach. }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under US$25|US$25-95|Over US$95}} Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families. Hotels in Sanur are usually a distance apart, not as close together as Kuta hotels. Hotel price competition in Sanur is tame compared to [[Kuta]], which has a severe oversupply. ===Budget=== *{{sleep | name=Flashbacks | url=http://www.flashbacks-chb.com | email=bungalows@flashbacks-chb.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 185,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Good, clean budget accommodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 19:00-23:00. Airport pickup. }} *{{sleep | name=Kayu Sugih Guesthouse | url=http://kayusugihguesthouse.blogspot.co.id/ | email=kayusugih2002@ymail.com | address=Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.76 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282916 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 350,000 (Fan). US$10/daily surcharge in peak seasons: Jul-Aug and Dec-Jan | checkin= | checkout= | content=Has traditional beautiful garden, but no swimming pool. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kesumasari Beach Hotel | alt=Kesumasari Guest House | url= | email=info@natanhospitality.com | address=Jl Pantai Kesumasari, Semawang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 728771 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From about Rp 275,000 | content=On the beach with a spacious and well kept tropical garden and a swimming pool open until 22:00 daily. }} * {{sleep | name=Little Pond | alt= | url=http://www.littlepondbali.com | email= | address=19 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68564 | long=115.26244 | directions= | phone=+62 361 289 902 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 170,000 - 250,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Nice laidback homestay with a small pool. Good value basic rooms and can get full easily during peak season. }} *{{sleep | name=Cafe Locca Homestay | alt=Puri Anom Hostel | url=https://www.facebook.com/CafeLoccaHomestay/ | email= | address=Jl.Sudamala 8 | lat= | long= | directions=between Jl Danau Posso and Jl.Cemara turistic promenade, 7 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361 289 369 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Rp100,000 (A/C bed)-250.000 (private double air-con, fridge) | content=Clean new renovated rooms,mixed dorm (4-3 bed), private double room with minibar, free WiFi internet broadband. Spacious garden, public cable TV and DVD, kitchen with fridge and cooker, housekeeping daily, towels, toiletries and bedlinen provided. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Mango Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.oyorooms.com/id/104990/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=next to BNI bank | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 400,000 | content=Long established and well-known budget accommodation at the northern end of Sanur's main street. }} * {{sleep | name=Prima Cottage | url=http://www.primacottage.com | email=sales@primacottage.com | address=Jl Bumi Ayu 23 | lat= | long= | directions=close to Jl Tamblingan,10 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361286369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 350,000 (room, air-con, TV, fridge), Rp 450,000 (cottage) | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=Price includes Wi-Fi and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Ratna Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From Rp 350,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Price includes taxes and breakfast. Hotel rooms, a nice pool and very close to the beach. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Yulia 1 Homestay | alt= | url= | email= | address=38 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68634 | long=115.26240 | directions=next to Maybank | phone=+62 361 288089 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 250,000 - 500,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Comfortable and clean rooms are in a garden full of birds with a small pool. Wi-Fi and breakfast of fruit and toast, tea/coffee is included. You can save Rp 30,000 by refusing the included breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Ananda Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email=info@anandabeachhotel.com | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 300,000 | content=Good, clean budget accommodation located at Sanur Beach, about 100&nbsp;m from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and close to the boat boarding point for Nusa Lembongan. Airport pickup offered. }} *{{sleep | name=Baruna Hotel | alt= | url=http://barunahotel.com/ | email=info@barunahotel.com | address=Segara Ayu Sreet No. 3 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 414 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout=12:00 | price=From Rp 200,000 | content=Cozy framed complex with budget villas. Lots of details that capture your eyes. Very friendly staff, goes well beyond the call of duty. Rooms have hot water, air-com, fridge. Breakfast included. Decent sized pool. Free Wi-Fi. Small library with English, Dutch, German and Swedish literature. Highly recommended for families as well as the lonely traveller. 200&nbsp;m from the beach, 200 m from shopping street. }} *{{sleep | name=Smart Comfort Apartments | alt=Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.smartcomfortapartments.com/en/ | email=info@smartcomfortapartments.com | address=Jalan Pungutan, Gang Jasmin | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 271 070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp1,300,000 | content=A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony. }} * {{sleep | name=Gazebo Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.baligazebo.com/ | email= gazebosanur@windowslive.com | address=Jl.Danau Tamblingan No.35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 600,000 | content=A not-very-big beachfront hotel. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Natah Bale Villas | alt= | url=https://www.natahbalevilla.com/ | email= | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$95 | content=Each tradtional Balinese inspired villa in the compound features its own private entrance and open air living room, dining room as well as a fully equipped kitchen. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Peneeda View Beach Hotel | alt= | url=https://peneedaviewhotel.com/ | email=peneeda@indo.net.id | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 425 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$60 | content=A quiet, good value. A bungalow style hotel committed to quality, Located nearest to the beach. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Pondok Ayu Hotel | alt= | url=http://pondok-ayu.hotelsanur.net/en/ | email=information@pondok.com.au | address=Sanur | lat=-8.693553 | long=115.259639 | directions= | phone=+61 2 9533 5851 (Australia) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$70-90 | content=Small boutique hotel with personalised service. Includes a restaurant (Benno's) and a pool. Very quiet, suitable for families. }} * {{sleep | name=Sativa Sanur | url=http://www.sativahotels.com/sanur/ | email=info@sativahotels.com | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$60-90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Situated in between the beach and the main road, two levels of standard rooms are arranged around lush gardens and a swimming pool. The hotel is quiet, clean and has fine service in addition to a pleasant morning breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Sekuta Condo Suites | alt= | url=http://balipvbgroup.com/sekuta-condo-suites/ | email=pvb@dps.centrin.net.id | address=Jl Sekuta No12 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$50 | content=Each suite has its own living and dining room and fully-equipped kitchen. Facilities include The Cavern Bar, featuring Beatles memorabilia and a large swimming pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Shanti Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vilashantihotel.com/ | email=info@vilashantihotel.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan No 47/Jl Pantai Karang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 1,000,000 | content=On Sanur Beach. Restaurant, 24 hour room service, pool, laundry and safe deposit boxes. Note that this is not a villa despite the name. }} * {{sleep | name=Zen Villas | url= | email= | address=Jalan Kesari II No3b | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=This is a medium standard private villa rental complex in a good Sanur location not far from the Bali Hyatt. Managed by an Indonesian-Dutch couple. }} ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Bali Hyatt | alt= | url=https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/indonesia/hyatt-regency-bali/dpsbl | email=balihyatt.inquiries@hyattintl.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 28 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from US$125, $135 with breakfast | content=Large hotel with beachfront location. 5 restaurants, 5 bars, huge gardens and a village style spa. Mature grounds with some well established trees. }} * {{sleep | name=Dampati Villas | alt=A minute walk to famous Sunrise beach of Sanur | url=https://tjendanavillas.com/ | email=dampatirsv@tjendanavillas.com | address=Jalan Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288454 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$80-287 | content=Contemporary, spacious villas with two floors, outfitted with modern touch including private swimming pool, garden, living room, kitchen, bathroom amenities, satellite TV, AC, free Wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, in-dining, daily complimentary water and cleaning, etc. }} * {{sleep | name=Kayumanis Sanur Private Villa & Spa | alt=formerly Gangsa Private Villa | url=http://www.kayumanis.com/kayumanis-sanur-private-villa-and-spa/ | email=experience@kayumanis.com | address=Jl Tirta Akasa No. 28 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 260 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp7,000,000 | content=11 contemporary villas with private pool, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and 24-hour butler service. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel La Taverna | url=http://www.latavernahotel.com | email=latavern@latavernahotel.com | address=Jl Tamblingan 29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288497 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$80 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beachfront hotel with an old world Sanur charm. Rooms are simple but charming. Gardens pool and beachfront setting are amongst the best in Sanur. Good restaurant. }} *{{sleep | name=Mahagiri Villas Sanur | url=http://www.mahagirivillassanur.com | email=info@mahagirivillassanur.com | address=Jl Pungutan 31 | lat=-8.688848 | long=115.260869 | directions=near Sindhu beach | phone=+62 361 283939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from US$475 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom private villas. All have air-con and have private swimming pool, kitchen and living room }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Mahapala | url=http://www.villamahapala-bali.com | email=info@villamahapala-bali.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$325 | checkin= | checkout= | content=20 private villas each with their own plunge pools, massage bale and outdoor shower. The resort also has its own French fusion restaurant, a bar and full service spa. }} * {{sleep | name=Mercure Resort Sanur | url=http://mercuresanur.com | email= | address=Jl Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$122 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large resort on the beach towards the southern end of Sanur. 186 guest rooms, large beachfront restaurant, 3 bars and huge pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Parigata Resort and Spa | url=http://www.parigatahotelsbali.com | email=info@parigatahotelsbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 87 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286286 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$100 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A quiet, good value resort just off the main street. High quality in-house spa plus restaurant, bar and pool area. The same group also has an impressive complex of private villas in southern Sanur. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Santrian | url=http://www.santrian.com | email=purisantrian@santrian.com | address=Jl Cemara 35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beach front hotel in the quiet southern part of Sanur. Two pools, beach club and good dining facilities. Choose of regular rooms in the garden block, individual bungalows and some very smart suites. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Paradise Plaza | alt=formerly The Radisson Plaza Hotel | url=http://www.sanurparadise.com/ | email=reservation@sanurparadise.com | address=Jl Hang Tuah 46 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 281781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large hotel with numerous facilities including kid's club, in-house spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bars. Good convenient location with easy beach access. Has a nearby sister property which is all suites and apartments. Good family option. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Residence | url=http://www.sanurresidence.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Padang Galak, about 5 minutes north of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$180 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Three 3-bedroom villas located on the beach forming a 9-bedroom estate The villas were built for a large family and are normally rented in a block of at least 6 bedrooms thus giving exclusive use of the entire estate along with its private swimming pool. Fully staffed with cooks, maids and gardeners. }} * {{sleep | name=Segara Village Hotel | url=http://www.segaravillage.com/ | email=info@segaravillage.com | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$110 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Sprawling, refurbished 6-hectare resort complex with 5 distinct traditionally themed Balinese villages. 120 renovated rooms with balcony, private toilet and bath and other amenities. 3 swimming pools, tennis courts and massage services. }} * {{sleep | name=Stana Puri Gopa Hotel | url=http://www.purigopabali.com | email=info@purigopabali.com | address=Jl Kesumasari No 4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Traditional styled Balinese villas in a lush tropical garden. Private pool villas, restaurant, watersports activities, spa and modern meeting room facilities. Walking distance to the beach }} * {{sleep | name=Maya Sanur Resort & Spa | alt= | url=http://www.mayaresorts.com/sanur/en/ | email=info@mayasanur.com | address=Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 89M | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 8497800 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=A beachfront resort with 103 rooms, three swimming pools and a 158-meter divided lagoon. }} ==Connect== There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers. *{{buy | name=Sanur Internet Service | url=http://sanur.webs.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27 | lat= | long= | directions=next to Circle K | phone=+62 361 289 331 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 400/min | content=A comfortable and speedy internet cafe. Air-con, 2 seater sofa and equipped with 17-inch LCD monitors, head sets, scanner & printer. Free mineral water and helpful staff. }} ==Cope== Several nations have consulates in Sanur, including some with titles that confusingly include the words "in Denpasar". * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic for Bali and NTB | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pengembak 17 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286465 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 286408 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finnish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO BOX 91) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407,+62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=French Consular Agency in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari Gang 2 No 8, Banjang Tanjung | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285485 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=German Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pantai Karang No 17, Batujimbar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288535 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Royal Swedish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO Box 91 Denpasar) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407, +62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=UK Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari No 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270601 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== *Sanur is a good jumping off point for the nearby island of [[Nusa Lembongan]]. *If you are heading back to the southern tourist hotspots of [[Kuta]], [[Legian]] and [[Seminyak]], this will take about 20 minutes by car. [[Ubud]] is about 25 minutes in the opposite direction. {{Guidecity}} {{IsPartOf|South Bali}} {{geo|-8.683333|115.266667}} 0gj49cevh43qouv8dqly5qvdr4u814f 4506471 4506451 2022-08-23T01:46:07Z 103.100.173.220 /* Buy */ Updated listing for Grand Lucky wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sanur boats.jpg}} '''Sanur''' is a town on the east coast of [[South Bali]]. [[Image:Bali-Sanur-Map.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of Sanur]] ==Understand== Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. Most hotels in Sanur are big, with spacious gardens. The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road. ==Get in== ===By car=== Sanur is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the [[Bali#By plane|Ngurah Rai International Airport]], and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp150,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur. If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from [[Kuta]] or [[Legian]], about 30 minutes from [[Seminyak]] or [[Ubud]] and 10 to 15 minutes from [[Denpasar]]. ===By bus=== Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from [[Denpasar]]'s Tegal terminal. The bus company [http://www.peramatour.com Perama] has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from [[Candidasa]], [[Kuta]], [[Lovina]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Ubud]]. There's also a bus service called Trans Sarbagita that runs the following route Terminal Batu Bulan (Gianyar) - Tohpati (DPS) - Sanur (DPS) - Kuta Central Park (Badung) - Jimbaran (Badung) - Nusa Dua (Badung). [http://kura2bus.com/ Kura-Kura Bus] is another bus company that passes through Sanur and other popular areas in Bali. ===By boat=== Boats from [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the [[Nusa Lembongan#Get in|Nusa Lembongan]] article. ==Get around== Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district. * {{listing | name=Bali Store Luggage | alt= | url=http://www.balistoreluggage.com/ | email=info@balistoreluggage.com | address=Gang Telagasari 3, Jalan Danau Tempe I | lat=-8.7012 | long=115.2459 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=You can store luggage here. }} ===On foot=== Walking in Sanur is pleasant. The pavement is about 2.5m wide along Sanur Beach, suitable for the senior citizens who frequent this town to avoid the loud nightlife in nearby Kuta. Rental bikes sometimes use the pavement, too, but no motorcycles do. ===By bicycle=== Sanur is possibly the most cycle friendly part of mainland Bali. It has some cycle lanes such as along Jalan Danau Tamblingan going south only (returning via the beach pathway north makes a nice loop ride). The long paved beach pathway allows bicycles as well as pedestrians but you need to cycle slowly giving way to pedestrians. There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle for the day. Along the beach it costs typically Rp50,000 per day. If you hire away from the beach area such as on or near Jalan Danau Tamblingan the price is cheaper, typically about Rp30,000 per day. ==See== This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the shopping and beach-related sights. [[Image:Bali Kite Festival (Padang Galak).jpg|thumb|300px|right|The annual kite festival at Padang Galak, Sanur]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Le Mayeur Museum | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Museum/Museum-Le-Mayeur-578239455528142/ | email= | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat=-8.6748 | long=115.2637 | directions=go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right | phone=+62 361 286201 | tollfree= | hours=Su-F 07:30-15:30 | price=Rp 10,000 | wikipedia=Le Mayeur Museum | wikidata=Q6507227 | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali's very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali's hidden treasures. }} * {{see | name=Mangrove Information Centre | alt=Mangrove Forest Suwung Kawuh | url= | email=micjica@indosat.net.id | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Suwung Kauh | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.1920 | directions=just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai | phone=+62 361 726969 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-18:00 | price=Rp 200,000 for foreigners, Rp 50,000 for locals | content=Visit the well-appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600-hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Pura Blanjong | alt=Blanjong Temple | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong | lat=-8.7058 | long=115.2544 | directions=just south of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the ''Prasati Blanjong''. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali's first formal government. This is Bali's oldest known artifact. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre | alt=Turtle Island | url=http://www.ioseaturtles.org/pom_detail.php?id=45 | email= | address= | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.236 | directions=about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass | phone=+62 813 3841 2716 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-17:00 daily | price=Donation | content=Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. }} As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5-km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options. ==Do== [[Image:Sanur Beach.JPG|300px|thumb|right|The paved beachfront path at the Sanur Hyatt, looking east]] Sanur's splendid paved beachfront '''cycle'''-path stretches some 5&nbsp;km from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. Some bikes are better maintained than others so you might want to test your hire-bike close to home for a while in case the pedals have a tendency to fall off. Bicycles typically cost per day about Rp 30,000 Rp if rented from town or Rp 50,000 if rented from along the beach. ===Diving=== Although the diving available around Sanur is not the best Bali has to offer, nearly all of Bali's most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield. * {{do | name=Atlantis Bali Diving | alt= | url=http://www.atlantis-bali-diving.com | email=info@atlantis-bali-diving.com | address=Jl .By Pass Ngurah Rai 96E | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284 131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5-star dive operator. English-, French-, German-, Spanish- and Indonesian-speaking instructors. }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua | alt= | url=https://baliaqua.com/ | email=info@baliaqua.com | address=Jl Sekar Waru No 1 | lat=-8.705743 | long=115.253178 | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 737 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=PADI 5* Dive center in the heart of Sanur. Full range of dive course in multiple languages. Daily fun dive trip all around Bali. Diving safaris from 3 to 13 days. }} * {{do | name=BIDP | alt=Bali International Diving Professionals | url=http://www.bidp-balidiving.com | email=info@bidp-balidiving.com | address=Jl. Blanjong I No. 333 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 759 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses including technical diving. }} * {{do | name=Blue Season Bali | url=http://www.baliocean.com | email=info@baliocean.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 69x | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270852 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=PADI Career Development Centre. Dive trips and safaris around Bali, and PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Also offers technical diving courses. Instruction offered in English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Indonesian. }} *{{do | name=Crystal Divers | alt= | url=http://crystal-divers.com/ | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 168 | lat=-8.6967 | long=115.2632 | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=7am - 9pm | price= | content=This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is available from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Offers PADI courses in Swedish, Danish, English, Indonesian, German, Japanese and Mandarin. }} *{{do | name=Diving Bali | url=http://www.divingbali.com | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282664 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. }} *{{do | name=Joe's Gone Diving Bali | alt= | url=https://www.joesgonediving.com | email=info@joesgonediving.com | address=Ngurah Rai Bypass 44A | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 3705262 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A professional, Dutch-owned PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering PADI dive courses, daily dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Courses are given in multiple languages. }} * {{do | name=Neptune Scuba Diving | alt=Neptune Diving Bali | url=https://neptunescubadiving.com | email=office@neptunescubadiving.com | address=Jl. Suka Merta, Sanur, Bali | lat=-8.70703 | long=115.24579 | directions= | phone=+62 361 4490568 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 07:00-19:00 | price=US$100 | lastedit=2019-01-15 | content=PADI 5-star IDC and Disabled Divers International dive resort. Offers fun dives, PADI certifications, snorkelling trips. }} === Surfing === Bali is one of the most famous surfing locations in the world and Sanur is one of the most famous surfing locations for intermediate surfers coming to Bali. With already well established surf schools located here, beginner, intermediate and even families can join these establishments for some surfing fun. === Festivals === * {{do | name=International Kite Festival | url= | email= | address=Padang Galak beach | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10&nbsp;m in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown. }} ===Laundry=== There are many places to do your laundry in Sanur. Most hotels provides they own laundry service, mostly with more expensive rates than local laundry rooms. Almost every street corner has a laundry service. * {{listing | name=Cinta Alam Organic Laundry |alt=| url= | email=cinta.alam.laundry@gmail.com | address=Jl. Batur Sari 44 | lat= | long= | directions=the end of Jl. Sekuta turn left 50 m left on side | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-20:00 | price=Rp 15,000/kg |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-04-12| content=High-quality laundry service without the use of harmful chemicals. You can choose an aromatherapy fragrance. Pick up and delivery is on request and free in the Sanur area. }} ===Spas=== A day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur. * {{do | name=Mandurah Spa | url=http://www.mandurahspa.com/ | email=info@mandurahspa.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361271502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=Puri Esthetic | url= | email= | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286542 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Watersports=== The more active could try one or more of the many '''watersports''' on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The '''surfing''' here is not great by Bali standards but there are reasonable breaks about 1 km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000. *{{do | name=Bali Kite Surfing School | url=http://www.bali-kitesurfing.org/kiteschool.html | email= | address=Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions=at the beach close to Mertasari temple | phone=+62 361 7899013 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=IKO certified kite surfing school. The lessons are conducted in a safe, user-friendly environment and lessons can be structured to suit individual needs. The school uses three specially designed rescue boats to keep a close eye on you. }} * {{do | name=Blue Oasis Beach Club | url=http://www.blueoasisbeachclub.com/ | email= | address=Sanur Beach | lat= | long= | directions=on the beach in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel | phone=+62 361 288011 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A specialist water sports centre which offers sea-kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as being a dive school. }} ==Buy== There are countless shops along Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the side streets leading from it. You will find everything from local t-shirts to Balinese handicrafts. * {{buy | name=Hardy's Grosir | url= | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan 193 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 28191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:30 daily | price= | content=This is Sanur's main supermarket, and a good place for stocking up on regular items. }} * {{buy | name=Gudang Keramik | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289363 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price= | content=This is the outlet for seconds of the famed Jengala Ceramics company (main showroom in [[Jimbaran]]). Their standards are very high and you may not notice why some of these items are classed as seconds. Some superb bargains to be had in everything from decorative vases to flatware. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Nogo Bali Ikat Centre | alt= | url= | email=info@nogobali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 104 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288765 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 08:30-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00 | price= | content=Specialises in the quality woven ikat fabrics from Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. If you are looking for cheapies, don't go here. You can purchase fabric by the piece, made up as clothing or homewares, and examine their impressive genuine antique collection. }} * {{buy | name=Grand Lucky | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.6802 | long=115.2587 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=New big supermarket on the bypass. }} ===Markets=== At the northern end of Jalan Pungutan, just before it hits Jalan Danau Tamblingan, there is an art market, sometimes referred to as '''Sindhu Market'''. This is a one stop shop for all manner of Balinese handicrafts, sarongs, T-shirts and knock-offs such as sunglasses. A similar set up can be found at '''beachfront Art Market''' at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. Take the foot path leading north which weaves through a maze of stalls and the odd cafe. ==Eat== [[Image:Sanur.JPG|thumb|right|Typical Sanur cafe]] For very cheap local food try the '''Night Market''' at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan. *{{drink | name=Abian Boga Restaurant | url= | email= | address=Jl Kesuma Sari No 5 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284174 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price=Mains Rp 30,000-60,000 | content=Grilled seafood accompanied by a Balinese dance performance. Great service too with a local hotel pick up and drop off. }} * {{eat | name=The Bali Pub | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Hardys, opposite Circle K | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by a former Masterchef UK contestant. Serves Sunday roasts, steaks, western and Balinese dishes. Live music after 20:00. }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.cafebatujimbar.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287374 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=08:00-22:00 daily | content=Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee. }} * {{eat | name=Kayu Manis | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=north end of Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 289410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 40,000-70,000 per entree | content=Western and Asian fusion cuisine at great value prices. A favourite with both travellers for the price and foodies for the quality of the meals. }} * {{eat | name=Massimo | url=http://www.massimobali.com/ | email=massimosaccobali@gmail.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 228 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288942 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 100,000 per head | content=The superb home made gelato here is the ideal treat after a hot day wandering in Sanur. Also excellent pizzas and pastas at this authentic south Italian-owned and -run restaurant. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Smorgås Café | alt= | url=http://www.cafesmorgas.com | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289361 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Perhaps the best coffee shop in Sanur. Homemade sandwiches, pastry and quiche. Owned by Swedes and they make their own gravlax. }} * {{eat | name=Stiff Chilli | url=http://www.rjhgroup.com/stiffchilli.html | email=stiffchilli@rjhgroup.com | address=Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang Beach | lat= | long= | directions=right on the beach at the end of Jl Kesumasari | phone=+62 361 288371 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-23:00 daily | price=Most mains about Rp 50,000 | content=Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location. }} * {{eat | name=The Village | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 66 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285025 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=Rp 70,000-200,000 | content=Attached to the Griya Santrian Hotel, this is perhaps the best known upmarket eatery in Sanur. The food is slick Italian style and they do a reasonable job of creating a suitable atmosphere. Not a good as it was and certainly not cheap, but a decent option in a part of Bali not known for it high quality restaurants. Has an independent street front entrance, and you would not know it is attached to a hotel. }} * {{listing | name=Warung Blanjong | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso 78 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285613 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11:00-21:00 | price=Rp 30,000–70,000 mains | content=One of the best places to eat Balinese in Sanur. They are especially well known for their ''pepes be pashi'' (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), and the ''be siap betutu'' (chicken prepared similarly) is also good. Very much worth a visit. }} *{{eat | name=Fortune Cookie | url=http://www.fortunecookiebali.com | email= | address=Jl Sudamala 5 | lat= | long= | directions=bet. Danau poso & Mertasari | phone=+62 361 283342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-23:00 | price= | content=Healthy western-style Chinese Restaurant, no MSG, organic ingredients, they also have free delivery in Sanur. Popular with expats. }} * {{eat | name=The Fire Station | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/theFirestationBali/ | email=thefirestationbali@gmail.com | address=Jalan Danau Poso 108 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285 675 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 16:00-00:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Gastropub style food, cold beer and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Salt n Malt | alt=fish and chips | url= | email= | address=Jalan Wira No.14, Sanur | lat=-8.68196 | long=115.26038 | directions= | phone=+62 851-0079-7962 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-7PM | price=Rp 55k | lastedit=2019-09-05 | content=British style fish and chips made by the wife of a Londoner. Optional mushy peas. Short opening times and closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. }} ==Drink== There are ''lots'' of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan. ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Arena Sports Cafe | url= | email=arena@bali.com | address=Jl ByPass Ngurah Rai 115 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-23:00 | price= | content=Austrian owned and run sports bar and cafe. The beer is very cold, reasonably priced and this place is always busy. }} * {{drink | name=Nu Lazer Bar | alt= | url=http://www.nulazerbali.com | email=info@nulazerbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 82 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288807 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-03:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Shows all the English football, has friendly staff and also serves food. Live music in weekends. }} *{{drink | name=Maya's Coffee & Smoothie Bar | url=http://www.smoothienow.com | email=info@smoothienow.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions=100-150&nbsp;m from the beach and Inna Sindhu Beach hotel. | phone=+62 361 283889 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-19:00 | price= | content=Small coffee and smoothie bar serving Italian coffees, smoothies and fresh juices combined with a breakfast menu, lighter snacks, bakeries and pastries. Free Internet and Wi-Fi for customers. }} *{{drink | name=Manic Organic | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Excellent raw juices and smoothies- organic full menu available as well. They also have yoga upstairs daily. }} *{{drink | name=Angel's Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Sekar Waru | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Crystal Bar | alt= | url=http://www.crystal-divers.com | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jalan Tamblingan 168 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-08-29 | content=This little bar is found right on the street. They have a nice selection of drinks and snacks. In the back of the bar, they also have a dive shop and a hotel. Wednesday nights this place is packed with both divers and non-divers alike for quiz night. }} ===Coffee shops=== * {{drink | name=stujadipantai | alt= | url=https://www.instagram.com/stujadipantai/?hl=en| email= | address=Jl. Kusuma Sari No.4| lat=-8.707062 | long=115.262438 | directions= | phone=+62 813 880 61696 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=A coffee shop at Sanur beach. }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under US$25|US$25-95|Over US$95}} Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families. Hotels in Sanur are usually a distance apart, not as close together as Kuta hotels. Hotel price competition in Sanur is tame compared to [[Kuta]], which has a severe oversupply. ===Budget=== *{{sleep | name=Flashbacks | url=http://www.flashbacks-chb.com | email=bungalows@flashbacks-chb.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 185,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Good, clean budget accommodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 19:00-23:00. Airport pickup. }} *{{sleep | name=Kayu Sugih Guesthouse | url=http://kayusugihguesthouse.blogspot.co.id/ | email=kayusugih2002@ymail.com | address=Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.76 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282916 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 350,000 (Fan). US$10/daily surcharge in peak seasons: Jul-Aug and Dec-Jan | checkin= | checkout= | content=Has traditional beautiful garden, but no swimming pool. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kesumasari Beach Hotel | alt=Kesumasari Guest House | url= | email=info@natanhospitality.com | address=Jl Pantai Kesumasari, Semawang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 728771 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From about Rp 275,000 | content=On the beach with a spacious and well kept tropical garden and a swimming pool open until 22:00 daily. }} * {{sleep | name=Little Pond | alt= | url=http://www.littlepondbali.com | email= | address=19 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68564 | long=115.26244 | directions= | phone=+62 361 289 902 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 170,000 - 250,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Nice laidback homestay with a small pool. Good value basic rooms and can get full easily during peak season. }} *{{sleep | name=Cafe Locca Homestay | alt=Puri Anom Hostel | url=https://www.facebook.com/CafeLoccaHomestay/ | email= | address=Jl.Sudamala 8 | lat= | long= | directions=between Jl Danau Posso and Jl.Cemara turistic promenade, 7 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361 289 369 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Rp100,000 (A/C bed)-250.000 (private double air-con, fridge) | content=Clean new renovated rooms,mixed dorm (4-3 bed), private double room with minibar, free WiFi internet broadband. Spacious garden, public cable TV and DVD, kitchen with fridge and cooker, housekeeping daily, towels, toiletries and bedlinen provided. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Mango Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.oyorooms.com/id/104990/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=next to BNI bank | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 400,000 | content=Long established and well-known budget accommodation at the northern end of Sanur's main street. }} * {{sleep | name=Prima Cottage | url=http://www.primacottage.com | email=sales@primacottage.com | address=Jl Bumi Ayu 23 | lat= | long= | directions=close to Jl Tamblingan,10 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361286369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 350,000 (room, air-con, TV, fridge), Rp 450,000 (cottage) | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=Price includes Wi-Fi and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Ratna Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From Rp 350,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Price includes taxes and breakfast. Hotel rooms, a nice pool and very close to the beach. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Yulia 1 Homestay | alt= | url= | email= | address=38 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68634 | long=115.26240 | directions=next to Maybank | phone=+62 361 288089 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 250,000 - 500,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Comfortable and clean rooms are in a garden full of birds with a small pool. Wi-Fi and breakfast of fruit and toast, tea/coffee is included. You can save Rp 30,000 by refusing the included breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Ananda Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email=info@anandabeachhotel.com | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 300,000 | content=Good, clean budget accommodation located at Sanur Beach, about 100&nbsp;m from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and close to the boat boarding point for Nusa Lembongan. Airport pickup offered. }} *{{sleep | name=Baruna Hotel | alt= | url=http://barunahotel.com/ | email=info@barunahotel.com | address=Segara Ayu Sreet No. 3 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 414 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout=12:00 | price=From Rp 200,000 | content=Cozy framed complex with budget villas. Lots of details that capture your eyes. Very friendly staff, goes well beyond the call of duty. Rooms have hot water, air-com, fridge. Breakfast included. Decent sized pool. Free Wi-Fi. Small library with English, Dutch, German and Swedish literature. Highly recommended for families as well as the lonely traveller. 200&nbsp;m from the beach, 200 m from shopping street. }} *{{sleep | name=Smart Comfort Apartments | alt=Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.smartcomfortapartments.com/en/ | email=info@smartcomfortapartments.com | address=Jalan Pungutan, Gang Jasmin | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 271 070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp1,300,000 | content=A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony. }} * {{sleep | name=Gazebo Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.baligazebo.com/ | email= gazebosanur@windowslive.com | address=Jl.Danau Tamblingan No.35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 600,000 | content=A not-very-big beachfront hotel. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Natah Bale Villas | alt= | url=https://www.natahbalevilla.com/ | email= | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$95 | content=Each tradtional Balinese inspired villa in the compound features its own private entrance and open air living room, dining room as well as a fully equipped kitchen. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Peneeda View Beach Hotel | alt= | url=https://peneedaviewhotel.com/ | email=peneeda@indo.net.id | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 425 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$60 | content=A quiet, good value. A bungalow style hotel committed to quality, Located nearest to the beach. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Pondok Ayu Hotel | alt= | url=http://pondok-ayu.hotelsanur.net/en/ | email=information@pondok.com.au | address=Sanur | lat=-8.693553 | long=115.259639 | directions= | phone=+61 2 9533 5851 (Australia) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$70-90 | content=Small boutique hotel with personalised service. Includes a restaurant (Benno's) and a pool. Very quiet, suitable for families. }} * {{sleep | name=Sativa Sanur | url=http://www.sativahotels.com/sanur/ | email=info@sativahotels.com | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$60-90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Situated in between the beach and the main road, two levels of standard rooms are arranged around lush gardens and a swimming pool. The hotel is quiet, clean and has fine service in addition to a pleasant morning breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Sekuta Condo Suites | alt= | url=http://balipvbgroup.com/sekuta-condo-suites/ | email=pvb@dps.centrin.net.id | address=Jl Sekuta No12 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$50 | content=Each suite has its own living and dining room and fully-equipped kitchen. Facilities include The Cavern Bar, featuring Beatles memorabilia and a large swimming pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Shanti Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vilashantihotel.com/ | email=info@vilashantihotel.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan No 47/Jl Pantai Karang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 1,000,000 | content=On Sanur Beach. Restaurant, 24 hour room service, pool, laundry and safe deposit boxes. Note that this is not a villa despite the name. }} * {{sleep | name=Zen Villas | url= | email= | address=Jalan Kesari II No3b | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=This is a medium standard private villa rental complex in a good Sanur location not far from the Bali Hyatt. Managed by an Indonesian-Dutch couple. }} ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Bali Hyatt | alt= | url=https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/indonesia/hyatt-regency-bali/dpsbl | email=balihyatt.inquiries@hyattintl.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 28 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from US$125, $135 with breakfast | content=Large hotel with beachfront location. 5 restaurants, 5 bars, huge gardens and a village style spa. Mature grounds with some well established trees. }} * {{sleep | name=Dampati Villas | alt=A minute walk to famous Sunrise beach of Sanur | url=https://tjendanavillas.com/ | email=dampatirsv@tjendanavillas.com | address=Jalan Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288454 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$80-287 | content=Contemporary, spacious villas with two floors, outfitted with modern touch including private swimming pool, garden, living room, kitchen, bathroom amenities, satellite TV, AC, free Wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, in-dining, daily complimentary water and cleaning, etc. }} * {{sleep | name=Kayumanis Sanur Private Villa & Spa | alt=formerly Gangsa Private Villa | url=http://www.kayumanis.com/kayumanis-sanur-private-villa-and-spa/ | email=experience@kayumanis.com | address=Jl Tirta Akasa No. 28 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 260 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp7,000,000 | content=11 contemporary villas with private pool, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and 24-hour butler service. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel La Taverna | url=http://www.latavernahotel.com | email=latavern@latavernahotel.com | address=Jl Tamblingan 29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288497 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$80 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beachfront hotel with an old world Sanur charm. Rooms are simple but charming. Gardens pool and beachfront setting are amongst the best in Sanur. Good restaurant. }} *{{sleep | name=Mahagiri Villas Sanur | url=http://www.mahagirivillassanur.com | email=info@mahagirivillassanur.com | address=Jl Pungutan 31 | lat=-8.688848 | long=115.260869 | directions=near Sindhu beach | phone=+62 361 283939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from US$475 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom private villas. All have air-con and have private swimming pool, kitchen and living room }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Mahapala | url=http://www.villamahapala-bali.com | email=info@villamahapala-bali.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$325 | checkin= | checkout= | content=20 private villas each with their own plunge pools, massage bale and outdoor shower. The resort also has its own French fusion restaurant, a bar and full service spa. }} * {{sleep | name=Mercure Resort Sanur | url=http://mercuresanur.com | email= | address=Jl Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$122 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large resort on the beach towards the southern end of Sanur. 186 guest rooms, large beachfront restaurant, 3 bars and huge pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Parigata Resort and Spa | url=http://www.parigatahotelsbali.com | email=info@parigatahotelsbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 87 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286286 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$100 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A quiet, good value resort just off the main street. High quality in-house spa plus restaurant, bar and pool area. The same group also has an impressive complex of private villas in southern Sanur. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Santrian | url=http://www.santrian.com | email=purisantrian@santrian.com | address=Jl Cemara 35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beach front hotel in the quiet southern part of Sanur. Two pools, beach club and good dining facilities. Choose of regular rooms in the garden block, individual bungalows and some very smart suites. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Paradise Plaza | alt=formerly The Radisson Plaza Hotel | url=http://www.sanurparadise.com/ | email=reservation@sanurparadise.com | address=Jl Hang Tuah 46 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 281781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large hotel with numerous facilities including kid's club, in-house spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bars. Good convenient location with easy beach access. Has a nearby sister property which is all suites and apartments. Good family option. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Residence | url=http://www.sanurresidence.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Padang Galak, about 5 minutes north of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$180 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Three 3-bedroom villas located on the beach forming a 9-bedroom estate The villas were built for a large family and are normally rented in a block of at least 6 bedrooms thus giving exclusive use of the entire estate along with its private swimming pool. Fully staffed with cooks, maids and gardeners. }} * {{sleep | name=Segara Village Hotel | url=http://www.segaravillage.com/ | email=info@segaravillage.com | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$110 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Sprawling, refurbished 6-hectare resort complex with 5 distinct traditionally themed Balinese villages. 120 renovated rooms with balcony, private toilet and bath and other amenities. 3 swimming pools, tennis courts and massage services. }} * {{sleep | name=Stana Puri Gopa Hotel | url=http://www.purigopabali.com | email=info@purigopabali.com | address=Jl Kesumasari No 4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Traditional styled Balinese villas in a lush tropical garden. Private pool villas, restaurant, watersports activities, spa and modern meeting room facilities. Walking distance to the beach }} * {{sleep | name=Maya Sanur Resort & Spa | alt= | url=http://www.mayaresorts.com/sanur/en/ | email=info@mayasanur.com | address=Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 89M | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 8497800 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=A beachfront resort with 103 rooms, three swimming pools and a 158-meter divided lagoon. }} ==Connect== There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers. *{{buy | name=Sanur Internet Service | url=http://sanur.webs.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27 | lat= | long= | directions=next to Circle K | phone=+62 361 289 331 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 400/min | content=A comfortable and speedy internet cafe. Air-con, 2 seater sofa and equipped with 17-inch LCD monitors, head sets, scanner & printer. Free mineral water and helpful staff. }} ==Cope== Several nations have consulates in Sanur, including some with titles that confusingly include the words "in Denpasar". * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic for Bali and NTB | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pengembak 17 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286465 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 286408 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finnish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO BOX 91) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407,+62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=French Consular Agency in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari Gang 2 No 8, Banjang Tanjung | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285485 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=German Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pantai Karang No 17, Batujimbar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288535 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Royal Swedish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO Box 91 Denpasar) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407, +62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=UK Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari No 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270601 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== *Sanur is a good jumping off point for the nearby island of [[Nusa Lembongan]]. *If you are heading back to the southern tourist hotspots of [[Kuta]], [[Legian]] and [[Seminyak]], this will take about 20 minutes by car. [[Ubud]] is about 25 minutes in the opposite direction. {{Guidecity}} {{IsPartOf|South Bali}} {{geo|-8.683333|115.266667}} ekn2ikr83tmyock42xtto6brxkpo4ig 4506475 4506471 2022-08-23T01:49:26Z 103.100.173.220 /* Buy */ Updated listing for Grand Lucky Supermarket wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sanur boats.jpg}} '''Sanur''' is a town on the east coast of [[South Bali]]. [[Image:Bali-Sanur-Map.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of Sanur]] ==Understand== Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. Most hotels in Sanur are big, with spacious gardens. The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road. ==Get in== ===By car=== Sanur is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the [[Bali#By plane|Ngurah Rai International Airport]], and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp150,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur. If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from [[Kuta]] or [[Legian]], about 30 minutes from [[Seminyak]] or [[Ubud]] and 10 to 15 minutes from [[Denpasar]]. ===By bus=== Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from [[Denpasar]]'s Tegal terminal. The bus company [http://www.peramatour.com Perama] has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from [[Candidasa]], [[Kuta]], [[Lovina]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Ubud]]. There's also a bus service called Trans Sarbagita that runs the following route Terminal Batu Bulan (Gianyar) - Tohpati (DPS) - Sanur (DPS) - Kuta Central Park (Badung) - Jimbaran (Badung) - Nusa Dua (Badung). [http://kura2bus.com/ Kura-Kura Bus] is another bus company that passes through Sanur and other popular areas in Bali. ===By boat=== Boats from [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the [[Nusa Lembongan#Get in|Nusa Lembongan]] article. ==Get around== Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district. * {{listing | name=Bali Store Luggage | alt= | url=http://www.balistoreluggage.com/ | email=info@balistoreluggage.com | address=Gang Telagasari 3, Jalan Danau Tempe I | lat=-8.7012 | long=115.2459 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=You can store luggage here. }} ===On foot=== Walking in Sanur is pleasant. The pavement is about 2.5m wide along Sanur Beach, suitable for the senior citizens who frequent this town to avoid the loud nightlife in nearby Kuta. Rental bikes sometimes use the pavement, too, but no motorcycles do. ===By bicycle=== Sanur is possibly the most cycle friendly part of mainland Bali. It has some cycle lanes such as along Jalan Danau Tamblingan going south only (returning via the beach pathway north makes a nice loop ride). The long paved beach pathway allows bicycles as well as pedestrians but you need to cycle slowly giving way to pedestrians. There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle for the day. Along the beach it costs typically Rp50,000 per day. If you hire away from the beach area such as on or near Jalan Danau Tamblingan the price is cheaper, typically about Rp30,000 per day. ==See== This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the shopping and beach-related sights. [[Image:Bali Kite Festival (Padang Galak).jpg|thumb|300px|right|The annual kite festival at Padang Galak, Sanur]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Le Mayeur Museum | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Museum/Museum-Le-Mayeur-578239455528142/ | email= | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat=-8.6748 | long=115.2637 | directions=go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right | phone=+62 361 286201 | tollfree= | hours=Su-F 07:30-15:30 | price=Rp 10,000 | wikipedia=Le Mayeur Museum | wikidata=Q6507227 | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali's very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali's hidden treasures. }} * {{see | name=Mangrove Information Centre | alt=Mangrove Forest Suwung Kawuh | url= | email=micjica@indosat.net.id | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Suwung Kauh | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.1920 | directions=just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai | phone=+62 361 726969 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-18:00 | price=Rp 200,000 for foreigners, Rp 50,000 for locals | content=Visit the well-appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600-hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Pura Blanjong | alt=Blanjong Temple | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong | lat=-8.7058 | long=115.2544 | directions=just south of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the ''Prasati Blanjong''. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali's first formal government. This is Bali's oldest known artifact. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre | alt=Turtle Island | url=http://www.ioseaturtles.org/pom_detail.php?id=45 | email= | address= | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.236 | directions=about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass | phone=+62 813 3841 2716 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-17:00 daily | price=Donation | content=Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. }} As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5-km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options. ==Do== [[Image:Sanur Beach.JPG|300px|thumb|right|The paved beachfront path at the Sanur Hyatt, looking east]] Sanur's splendid paved beachfront '''cycle'''-path stretches some 5&nbsp;km from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. Some bikes are better maintained than others so you might want to test your hire-bike close to home for a while in case the pedals have a tendency to fall off. Bicycles typically cost per day about Rp 30,000 Rp if rented from town or Rp 50,000 if rented from along the beach. ===Diving=== Although the diving available around Sanur is not the best Bali has to offer, nearly all of Bali's most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield. * {{do | name=Atlantis Bali Diving | alt= | url=http://www.atlantis-bali-diving.com | email=info@atlantis-bali-diving.com | address=Jl .By Pass Ngurah Rai 96E | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284 131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5-star dive operator. English-, French-, German-, Spanish- and Indonesian-speaking instructors. }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua | alt= | url=https://baliaqua.com/ | email=info@baliaqua.com | address=Jl Sekar Waru No 1 | lat=-8.705743 | long=115.253178 | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 737 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=PADI 5* Dive center in the heart of Sanur. Full range of dive course in multiple languages. Daily fun dive trip all around Bali. Diving safaris from 3 to 13 days. }} * {{do | name=BIDP | alt=Bali International Diving Professionals | url=http://www.bidp-balidiving.com | email=info@bidp-balidiving.com | address=Jl. Blanjong I No. 333 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 759 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses including technical diving. }} * {{do | name=Blue Season Bali | url=http://www.baliocean.com | email=info@baliocean.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 69x | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270852 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=PADI Career Development Centre. Dive trips and safaris around Bali, and PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Also offers technical diving courses. Instruction offered in English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Indonesian. }} *{{do | name=Crystal Divers | alt= | url=http://crystal-divers.com/ | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 168 | lat=-8.6967 | long=115.2632 | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=7am - 9pm | price= | content=This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is available from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Offers PADI courses in Swedish, Danish, English, Indonesian, German, Japanese and Mandarin. }} *{{do | name=Diving Bali | url=http://www.divingbali.com | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282664 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. }} *{{do | name=Joe's Gone Diving Bali | alt= | url=https://www.joesgonediving.com | email=info@joesgonediving.com | address=Ngurah Rai Bypass 44A | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 3705262 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A professional, Dutch-owned PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering PADI dive courses, daily dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Courses are given in multiple languages. }} * {{do | name=Neptune Scuba Diving | alt=Neptune Diving Bali | url=https://neptunescubadiving.com | email=office@neptunescubadiving.com | address=Jl. Suka Merta, Sanur, Bali | lat=-8.70703 | long=115.24579 | directions= | phone=+62 361 4490568 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 07:00-19:00 | price=US$100 | lastedit=2019-01-15 | content=PADI 5-star IDC and Disabled Divers International dive resort. Offers fun dives, PADI certifications, snorkelling trips. }} === Surfing === Bali is one of the most famous surfing locations in the world and Sanur is one of the most famous surfing locations for intermediate surfers coming to Bali. With already well established surf schools located here, beginner, intermediate and even families can join these establishments for some surfing fun. === Festivals === * {{do | name=International Kite Festival | url= | email= | address=Padang Galak beach | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10&nbsp;m in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown. }} ===Laundry=== There are many places to do your laundry in Sanur. Most hotels provides they own laundry service, mostly with more expensive rates than local laundry rooms. Almost every street corner has a laundry service. * {{listing | name=Cinta Alam Organic Laundry |alt=| url= | email=cinta.alam.laundry@gmail.com | address=Jl. Batur Sari 44 | lat= | long= | directions=the end of Jl. Sekuta turn left 50 m left on side | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-20:00 | price=Rp 15,000/kg |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-04-12| content=High-quality laundry service without the use of harmful chemicals. You can choose an aromatherapy fragrance. Pick up and delivery is on request and free in the Sanur area. }} ===Spas=== A day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur. * {{do | name=Mandurah Spa | url=http://www.mandurahspa.com/ | email=info@mandurahspa.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361271502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=Puri Esthetic | url= | email= | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286542 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Watersports=== The more active could try one or more of the many '''watersports''' on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The '''surfing''' here is not great by Bali standards but there are reasonable breaks about 1 km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000. *{{do | name=Bali Kite Surfing School | url=http://www.bali-kitesurfing.org/kiteschool.html | email= | address=Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions=at the beach close to Mertasari temple | phone=+62 361 7899013 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=IKO certified kite surfing school. The lessons are conducted in a safe, user-friendly environment and lessons can be structured to suit individual needs. The school uses three specially designed rescue boats to keep a close eye on you. }} * {{do | name=Blue Oasis Beach Club | url=http://www.blueoasisbeachclub.com/ | email= | address=Sanur Beach | lat= | long= | directions=on the beach in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel | phone=+62 361 288011 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A specialist water sports centre which offers sea-kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as being a dive school. }} ==Buy== There are countless shops along Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the side streets leading from it. You will find everything from local t-shirts to Balinese handicrafts. * {{buy | name=Hardy's Grosir | url= | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan 193 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 28191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:30 daily | price= | content=This is Sanur's main supermarket, and a good place for stocking up on regular items. }} * {{buy | name=Gudang Keramik | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289363 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price= | content=This is the outlet for seconds of the famed Jengala Ceramics company (main showroom in [[Jimbaran]]). Their standards are very high and you may not notice why some of these items are classed as seconds. Some superb bargains to be had in everything from decorative vases to flatware. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Nogo Bali Ikat Centre | alt= | url= | email=info@nogobali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 104 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288765 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 08:30-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00 | price= | content=Specialises in the quality woven ikat fabrics from Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. If you are looking for cheapies, don't go here. You can purchase fabric by the piece, made up as clothing or homewares, and examine their impressive genuine antique collection. }} * {{buy | name=Grand Lucky Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.6802 | long=115.2587 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=New big supermarket on the bypass. }} ===Markets=== At the northern end of Jalan Pungutan, just before it hits Jalan Danau Tamblingan, there is an art market, sometimes referred to as '''Sindhu Market'''. This is a one stop shop for all manner of Balinese handicrafts, sarongs, T-shirts and knock-offs such as sunglasses. A similar set up can be found at '''beachfront Art Market''' at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. Take the foot path leading north which weaves through a maze of stalls and the odd cafe. ==Eat== [[Image:Sanur.JPG|thumb|right|Typical Sanur cafe]] For very cheap local food try the '''Night Market''' at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan. *{{drink | name=Abian Boga Restaurant | url= | email= | address=Jl Kesuma Sari No 5 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284174 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price=Mains Rp 30,000-60,000 | content=Grilled seafood accompanied by a Balinese dance performance. Great service too with a local hotel pick up and drop off. }} * {{eat | name=The Bali Pub | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Hardys, opposite Circle K | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by a former Masterchef UK contestant. Serves Sunday roasts, steaks, western and Balinese dishes. Live music after 20:00. }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.cafebatujimbar.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287374 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=08:00-22:00 daily | content=Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee. }} * {{eat | name=Kayu Manis | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=north end of Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 289410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 40,000-70,000 per entree | content=Western and Asian fusion cuisine at great value prices. A favourite with both travellers for the price and foodies for the quality of the meals. }} * {{eat | name=Massimo | url=http://www.massimobali.com/ | email=massimosaccobali@gmail.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 228 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288942 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 100,000 per head | content=The superb home made gelato here is the ideal treat after a hot day wandering in Sanur. Also excellent pizzas and pastas at this authentic south Italian-owned and -run restaurant. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Smorgås Café | alt= | url=http://www.cafesmorgas.com | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289361 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Perhaps the best coffee shop in Sanur. Homemade sandwiches, pastry and quiche. Owned by Swedes and they make their own gravlax. }} * {{eat | name=Stiff Chilli | url=http://www.rjhgroup.com/stiffchilli.html | email=stiffchilli@rjhgroup.com | address=Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang Beach | lat= | long= | directions=right on the beach at the end of Jl Kesumasari | phone=+62 361 288371 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-23:00 daily | price=Most mains about Rp 50,000 | content=Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location. }} * {{eat | name=The Village | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 66 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285025 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=Rp 70,000-200,000 | content=Attached to the Griya Santrian Hotel, this is perhaps the best known upmarket eatery in Sanur. The food is slick Italian style and they do a reasonable job of creating a suitable atmosphere. Not a good as it was and certainly not cheap, but a decent option in a part of Bali not known for it high quality restaurants. Has an independent street front entrance, and you would not know it is attached to a hotel. }} * {{listing | name=Warung Blanjong | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso 78 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285613 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11:00-21:00 | price=Rp 30,000–70,000 mains | content=One of the best places to eat Balinese in Sanur. They are especially well known for their ''pepes be pashi'' (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), and the ''be siap betutu'' (chicken prepared similarly) is also good. Very much worth a visit. }} *{{eat | name=Fortune Cookie | url=http://www.fortunecookiebali.com | email= | address=Jl Sudamala 5 | lat= | long= | directions=bet. Danau poso & Mertasari | phone=+62 361 283342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-23:00 | price= | content=Healthy western-style Chinese Restaurant, no MSG, organic ingredients, they also have free delivery in Sanur. Popular with expats. }} * {{eat | name=The Fire Station | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/theFirestationBali/ | email=thefirestationbali@gmail.com | address=Jalan Danau Poso 108 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285 675 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 16:00-00:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Gastropub style food, cold beer and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Salt n Malt | alt=fish and chips | url= | email= | address=Jalan Wira No.14, Sanur | lat=-8.68196 | long=115.26038 | directions= | phone=+62 851-0079-7962 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-7PM | price=Rp 55k | lastedit=2019-09-05 | content=British style fish and chips made by the wife of a Londoner. Optional mushy peas. Short opening times and closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. }} ==Drink== There are ''lots'' of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan. ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Arena Sports Cafe | url= | email=arena@bali.com | address=Jl ByPass Ngurah Rai 115 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-23:00 | price= | content=Austrian owned and run sports bar and cafe. The beer is very cold, reasonably priced and this place is always busy. }} * {{drink | name=Nu Lazer Bar | alt= | url=http://www.nulazerbali.com | email=info@nulazerbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 82 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288807 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-03:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Shows all the English football, has friendly staff and also serves food. Live music in weekends. }} *{{drink | name=Maya's Coffee & Smoothie Bar | url=http://www.smoothienow.com | email=info@smoothienow.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions=100-150&nbsp;m from the beach and Inna Sindhu Beach hotel. | phone=+62 361 283889 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-19:00 | price= | content=Small coffee and smoothie bar serving Italian coffees, smoothies and fresh juices combined with a breakfast menu, lighter snacks, bakeries and pastries. Free Internet and Wi-Fi for customers. }} *{{drink | name=Manic Organic | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Excellent raw juices and smoothies- organic full menu available as well. They also have yoga upstairs daily. }} *{{drink | name=Angel's Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Sekar Waru | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Crystal Bar | alt= | url=http://www.crystal-divers.com | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jalan Tamblingan 168 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-08-29 | content=This little bar is found right on the street. They have a nice selection of drinks and snacks. In the back of the bar, they also have a dive shop and a hotel. Wednesday nights this place is packed with both divers and non-divers alike for quiz night. }} ===Coffee shops=== * {{drink | name=stujadipantai | alt= | url=https://www.instagram.com/stujadipantai/?hl=en| email= | address=Jl. Kusuma Sari No.4| lat=-8.707062 | long=115.262438 | directions= | phone=+62 813 880 61696 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=A coffee shop at Sanur beach. }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under US$25|US$25-95|Over US$95}} Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families. Hotels in Sanur are usually a distance apart, not as close together as Kuta hotels. Hotel price competition in Sanur is tame compared to [[Kuta]], which has a severe oversupply. ===Budget=== *{{sleep | name=Flashbacks | url=http://www.flashbacks-chb.com | email=bungalows@flashbacks-chb.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 185,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Good, clean budget accommodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 19:00-23:00. Airport pickup. }} *{{sleep | name=Kayu Sugih Guesthouse | url=http://kayusugihguesthouse.blogspot.co.id/ | email=kayusugih2002@ymail.com | address=Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.76 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282916 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 350,000 (Fan). US$10/daily surcharge in peak seasons: Jul-Aug and Dec-Jan | checkin= | checkout= | content=Has traditional beautiful garden, but no swimming pool. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kesumasari Beach Hotel | alt=Kesumasari Guest House | url= | email=info@natanhospitality.com | address=Jl Pantai Kesumasari, Semawang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 728771 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From about Rp 275,000 | content=On the beach with a spacious and well kept tropical garden and a swimming pool open until 22:00 daily. }} * {{sleep | name=Little Pond | alt= | url=http://www.littlepondbali.com | email= | address=19 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68564 | long=115.26244 | directions= | phone=+62 361 289 902 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 170,000 - 250,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Nice laidback homestay with a small pool. Good value basic rooms and can get full easily during peak season. }} *{{sleep | name=Cafe Locca Homestay | alt=Puri Anom Hostel | url=https://www.facebook.com/CafeLoccaHomestay/ | email= | address=Jl.Sudamala 8 | lat= | long= | directions=between Jl Danau Posso and Jl.Cemara turistic promenade, 7 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361 289 369 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Rp100,000 (A/C bed)-250.000 (private double air-con, fridge) | content=Clean new renovated rooms,mixed dorm (4-3 bed), private double room with minibar, free WiFi internet broadband. Spacious garden, public cable TV and DVD, kitchen with fridge and cooker, housekeeping daily, towels, toiletries and bedlinen provided. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Mango Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.oyorooms.com/id/104990/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=next to BNI bank | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 400,000 | content=Long established and well-known budget accommodation at the northern end of Sanur's main street. }} * {{sleep | name=Prima Cottage | url=http://www.primacottage.com | email=sales@primacottage.com | address=Jl Bumi Ayu 23 | lat= | long= | directions=close to Jl Tamblingan,10 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361286369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 350,000 (room, air-con, TV, fridge), Rp 450,000 (cottage) | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=Price includes Wi-Fi and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Ratna Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From Rp 350,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Price includes taxes and breakfast. Hotel rooms, a nice pool and very close to the beach. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Yulia 1 Homestay | alt= | url= | email= | address=38 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68634 | long=115.26240 | directions=next to Maybank | phone=+62 361 288089 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 250,000 - 500,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Comfortable and clean rooms are in a garden full of birds with a small pool. Wi-Fi and breakfast of fruit and toast, tea/coffee is included. You can save Rp 30,000 by refusing the included breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Ananda Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email=info@anandabeachhotel.com | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 300,000 | content=Good, clean budget accommodation located at Sanur Beach, about 100&nbsp;m from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and close to the boat boarding point for Nusa Lembongan. Airport pickup offered. }} *{{sleep | name=Baruna Hotel | alt= | url=http://barunahotel.com/ | email=info@barunahotel.com | address=Segara Ayu Sreet No. 3 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 414 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout=12:00 | price=From Rp 200,000 | content=Cozy framed complex with budget villas. Lots of details that capture your eyes. Very friendly staff, goes well beyond the call of duty. Rooms have hot water, air-com, fridge. Breakfast included. Decent sized pool. Free Wi-Fi. Small library with English, Dutch, German and Swedish literature. Highly recommended for families as well as the lonely traveller. 200&nbsp;m from the beach, 200 m from shopping street. }} *{{sleep | name=Smart Comfort Apartments | alt=Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.smartcomfortapartments.com/en/ | email=info@smartcomfortapartments.com | address=Jalan Pungutan, Gang Jasmin | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 271 070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp1,300,000 | content=A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony. }} * {{sleep | name=Gazebo Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.baligazebo.com/ | email= gazebosanur@windowslive.com | address=Jl.Danau Tamblingan No.35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 600,000 | content=A not-very-big beachfront hotel. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Natah Bale Villas | alt= | url=https://www.natahbalevilla.com/ | email= | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$95 | content=Each tradtional Balinese inspired villa in the compound features its own private entrance and open air living room, dining room as well as a fully equipped kitchen. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Peneeda View Beach Hotel | alt= | url=https://peneedaviewhotel.com/ | email=peneeda@indo.net.id | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 425 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$60 | content=A quiet, good value. A bungalow style hotel committed to quality, Located nearest to the beach. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Pondok Ayu Hotel | alt= | url=http://pondok-ayu.hotelsanur.net/en/ | email=information@pondok.com.au | address=Sanur | lat=-8.693553 | long=115.259639 | directions= | phone=+61 2 9533 5851 (Australia) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$70-90 | content=Small boutique hotel with personalised service. Includes a restaurant (Benno's) and a pool. Very quiet, suitable for families. }} * {{sleep | name=Sativa Sanur | url=http://www.sativahotels.com/sanur/ | email=info@sativahotels.com | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$60-90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Situated in between the beach and the main road, two levels of standard rooms are arranged around lush gardens and a swimming pool. The hotel is quiet, clean and has fine service in addition to a pleasant morning breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Sekuta Condo Suites | alt= | url=http://balipvbgroup.com/sekuta-condo-suites/ | email=pvb@dps.centrin.net.id | address=Jl Sekuta No12 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$50 | content=Each suite has its own living and dining room and fully-equipped kitchen. Facilities include The Cavern Bar, featuring Beatles memorabilia and a large swimming pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Shanti Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vilashantihotel.com/ | email=info@vilashantihotel.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan No 47/Jl Pantai Karang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 1,000,000 | content=On Sanur Beach. Restaurant, 24 hour room service, pool, laundry and safe deposit boxes. Note that this is not a villa despite the name. }} * {{sleep | name=Zen Villas | url= | email= | address=Jalan Kesari II No3b | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=This is a medium standard private villa rental complex in a good Sanur location not far from the Bali Hyatt. Managed by an Indonesian-Dutch couple. }} ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Bali Hyatt | alt= | url=https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/indonesia/hyatt-regency-bali/dpsbl | email=balihyatt.inquiries@hyattintl.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 28 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from US$125, $135 with breakfast | content=Large hotel with beachfront location. 5 restaurants, 5 bars, huge gardens and a village style spa. Mature grounds with some well established trees. }} * {{sleep | name=Dampati Villas | alt=A minute walk to famous Sunrise beach of Sanur | url=https://tjendanavillas.com/ | email=dampatirsv@tjendanavillas.com | address=Jalan Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288454 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$80-287 | content=Contemporary, spacious villas with two floors, outfitted with modern touch including private swimming pool, garden, living room, kitchen, bathroom amenities, satellite TV, AC, free Wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, in-dining, daily complimentary water and cleaning, etc. }} * {{sleep | name=Kayumanis Sanur Private Villa & Spa | alt=formerly Gangsa Private Villa | url=http://www.kayumanis.com/kayumanis-sanur-private-villa-and-spa/ | email=experience@kayumanis.com | address=Jl Tirta Akasa No. 28 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 260 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp7,000,000 | content=11 contemporary villas with private pool, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and 24-hour butler service. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel La Taverna | url=http://www.latavernahotel.com | email=latavern@latavernahotel.com | address=Jl Tamblingan 29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288497 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$80 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beachfront hotel with an old world Sanur charm. Rooms are simple but charming. Gardens pool and beachfront setting are amongst the best in Sanur. Good restaurant. }} *{{sleep | name=Mahagiri Villas Sanur | url=http://www.mahagirivillassanur.com | email=info@mahagirivillassanur.com | address=Jl Pungutan 31 | lat=-8.688848 | long=115.260869 | directions=near Sindhu beach | phone=+62 361 283939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from US$475 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom private villas. All have air-con and have private swimming pool, kitchen and living room }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Mahapala | url=http://www.villamahapala-bali.com | email=info@villamahapala-bali.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$325 | checkin= | checkout= | content=20 private villas each with their own plunge pools, massage bale and outdoor shower. The resort also has its own French fusion restaurant, a bar and full service spa. }} * {{sleep | name=Mercure Resort Sanur | url=http://mercuresanur.com | email= | address=Jl Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$122 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large resort on the beach towards the southern end of Sanur. 186 guest rooms, large beachfront restaurant, 3 bars and huge pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Parigata Resort and Spa | url=http://www.parigatahotelsbali.com | email=info@parigatahotelsbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 87 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286286 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$100 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A quiet, good value resort just off the main street. High quality in-house spa plus restaurant, bar and pool area. The same group also has an impressive complex of private villas in southern Sanur. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Santrian | url=http://www.santrian.com | email=purisantrian@santrian.com | address=Jl Cemara 35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beach front hotel in the quiet southern part of Sanur. Two pools, beach club and good dining facilities. Choose of regular rooms in the garden block, individual bungalows and some very smart suites. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Paradise Plaza | alt=formerly The Radisson Plaza Hotel | url=http://www.sanurparadise.com/ | email=reservation@sanurparadise.com | address=Jl Hang Tuah 46 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 281781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large hotel with numerous facilities including kid's club, in-house spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bars. Good convenient location with easy beach access. Has a nearby sister property which is all suites and apartments. Good family option. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Residence | url=http://www.sanurresidence.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Padang Galak, about 5 minutes north of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$180 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Three 3-bedroom villas located on the beach forming a 9-bedroom estate The villas were built for a large family and are normally rented in a block of at least 6 bedrooms thus giving exclusive use of the entire estate along with its private swimming pool. Fully staffed with cooks, maids and gardeners. }} * {{sleep | name=Segara Village Hotel | url=http://www.segaravillage.com/ | email=info@segaravillage.com | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$110 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Sprawling, refurbished 6-hectare resort complex with 5 distinct traditionally themed Balinese villages. 120 renovated rooms with balcony, private toilet and bath and other amenities. 3 swimming pools, tennis courts and massage services. }} * {{sleep | name=Stana Puri Gopa Hotel | url=http://www.purigopabali.com | email=info@purigopabali.com | address=Jl Kesumasari No 4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Traditional styled Balinese villas in a lush tropical garden. Private pool villas, restaurant, watersports activities, spa and modern meeting room facilities. Walking distance to the beach }} * {{sleep | name=Maya Sanur Resort & Spa | alt= | url=http://www.mayaresorts.com/sanur/en/ | email=info@mayasanur.com | address=Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 89M | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 8497800 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=A beachfront resort with 103 rooms, three swimming pools and a 158-meter divided lagoon. }} ==Connect== There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers. *{{buy | name=Sanur Internet Service | url=http://sanur.webs.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27 | lat= | long= | directions=next to Circle K | phone=+62 361 289 331 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 400/min | content=A comfortable and speedy internet cafe. Air-con, 2 seater sofa and equipped with 17-inch LCD monitors, head sets, scanner & printer. Free mineral water and helpful staff. }} ==Cope== Several nations have consulates in Sanur, including some with titles that confusingly include the words "in Denpasar". * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic for Bali and NTB | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pengembak 17 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286465 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 286408 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finnish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO BOX 91) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407,+62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=French Consular Agency in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari Gang 2 No 8, Banjang Tanjung | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285485 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=German Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pantai Karang No 17, Batujimbar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288535 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Royal Swedish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO Box 91 Denpasar) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407, +62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=UK Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari No 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270601 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== *Sanur is a good jumping off point for the nearby island of [[Nusa Lembongan]]. *If you are heading back to the southern tourist hotspots of [[Kuta]], [[Legian]] and [[Seminyak]], this will take about 20 minutes by car. [[Ubud]] is about 25 minutes in the opposite direction. {{Guidecity}} {{IsPartOf|South Bali}} {{geo|-8.683333|115.266667}} ob8weq6sqk4rqfu4yg0tr7m6brf18x6 4506476 4506475 2022-08-23T01:51:57Z 103.100.173.220 /* Eat */ Added listing for McDonald's wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sanur boats.jpg}} '''Sanur''' is a town on the east coast of [[South Bali]]. [[Image:Bali-Sanur-Map.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of Sanur]] ==Understand== Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. Most hotels in Sanur are big, with spacious gardens. The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road. ==Get in== ===By car=== Sanur is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the [[Bali#By plane|Ngurah Rai International Airport]], and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp150,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur. If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from [[Kuta]] or [[Legian]], about 30 minutes from [[Seminyak]] or [[Ubud]] and 10 to 15 minutes from [[Denpasar]]. ===By bus=== Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from [[Denpasar]]'s Tegal terminal. The bus company [http://www.peramatour.com Perama] has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from [[Candidasa]], [[Kuta]], [[Lovina]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Ubud]]. There's also a bus service called Trans Sarbagita that runs the following route Terminal Batu Bulan (Gianyar) - Tohpati (DPS) - Sanur (DPS) - Kuta Central Park (Badung) - Jimbaran (Badung) - Nusa Dua (Badung). [http://kura2bus.com/ Kura-Kura Bus] is another bus company that passes through Sanur and other popular areas in Bali. ===By boat=== Boats from [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the [[Nusa Lembongan#Get in|Nusa Lembongan]] article. ==Get around== Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district. * {{listing | name=Bali Store Luggage | alt= | url=http://www.balistoreluggage.com/ | email=info@balistoreluggage.com | address=Gang Telagasari 3, Jalan Danau Tempe I | lat=-8.7012 | long=115.2459 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=You can store luggage here. }} ===On foot=== Walking in Sanur is pleasant. The pavement is about 2.5m wide along Sanur Beach, suitable for the senior citizens who frequent this town to avoid the loud nightlife in nearby Kuta. Rental bikes sometimes use the pavement, too, but no motorcycles do. ===By bicycle=== Sanur is possibly the most cycle friendly part of mainland Bali. It has some cycle lanes such as along Jalan Danau Tamblingan going south only (returning via the beach pathway north makes a nice loop ride). The long paved beach pathway allows bicycles as well as pedestrians but you need to cycle slowly giving way to pedestrians. There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle for the day. Along the beach it costs typically Rp50,000 per day. If you hire away from the beach area such as on or near Jalan Danau Tamblingan the price is cheaper, typically about Rp30,000 per day. ==See== This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the shopping and beach-related sights. [[Image:Bali Kite Festival (Padang Galak).jpg|thumb|300px|right|The annual kite festival at Padang Galak, Sanur]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Le Mayeur Museum | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Museum/Museum-Le-Mayeur-578239455528142/ | email= | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat=-8.6748 | long=115.2637 | directions=go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right | phone=+62 361 286201 | tollfree= | hours=Su-F 07:30-15:30 | price=Rp 10,000 | wikipedia=Le Mayeur Museum | wikidata=Q6507227 | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali's very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali's hidden treasures. }} * {{see | name=Mangrove Information Centre | alt=Mangrove Forest Suwung Kawuh | url= | email=micjica@indosat.net.id | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Suwung Kauh | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.1920 | directions=just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai | phone=+62 361 726969 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-18:00 | price=Rp 200,000 for foreigners, Rp 50,000 for locals | content=Visit the well-appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600-hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Pura Blanjong | alt=Blanjong Temple | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong | lat=-8.7058 | long=115.2544 | directions=just south of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the ''Prasati Blanjong''. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali's first formal government. This is Bali's oldest known artifact. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre | alt=Turtle Island | url=http://www.ioseaturtles.org/pom_detail.php?id=45 | email= | address= | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.236 | directions=about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass | phone=+62 813 3841 2716 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-17:00 daily | price=Donation | content=Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. }} As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5-km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options. ==Do== [[Image:Sanur Beach.JPG|300px|thumb|right|The paved beachfront path at the Sanur Hyatt, looking east]] Sanur's splendid paved beachfront '''cycle'''-path stretches some 5&nbsp;km from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. Some bikes are better maintained than others so you might want to test your hire-bike close to home for a while in case the pedals have a tendency to fall off. Bicycles typically cost per day about Rp 30,000 Rp if rented from town or Rp 50,000 if rented from along the beach. ===Diving=== Although the diving available around Sanur is not the best Bali has to offer, nearly all of Bali's most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield. * {{do | name=Atlantis Bali Diving | alt= | url=http://www.atlantis-bali-diving.com | email=info@atlantis-bali-diving.com | address=Jl .By Pass Ngurah Rai 96E | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284 131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5-star dive operator. English-, French-, German-, Spanish- and Indonesian-speaking instructors. }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua | alt= | url=https://baliaqua.com/ | email=info@baliaqua.com | address=Jl Sekar Waru No 1 | lat=-8.705743 | long=115.253178 | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 737 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=PADI 5* Dive center in the heart of Sanur. Full range of dive course in multiple languages. Daily fun dive trip all around Bali. Diving safaris from 3 to 13 days. }} * {{do | name=BIDP | alt=Bali International Diving Professionals | url=http://www.bidp-balidiving.com | email=info@bidp-balidiving.com | address=Jl. Blanjong I No. 333 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 759 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses including technical diving. }} * {{do | name=Blue Season Bali | url=http://www.baliocean.com | email=info@baliocean.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 69x | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270852 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=PADI Career Development Centre. Dive trips and safaris around Bali, and PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Also offers technical diving courses. Instruction offered in English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Indonesian. }} *{{do | name=Crystal Divers | alt= | url=http://crystal-divers.com/ | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 168 | lat=-8.6967 | long=115.2632 | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=7am - 9pm | price= | content=This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is available from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Offers PADI courses in Swedish, Danish, English, Indonesian, German, Japanese and Mandarin. }} *{{do | name=Diving Bali | url=http://www.divingbali.com | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282664 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. }} *{{do | name=Joe's Gone Diving Bali | alt= | url=https://www.joesgonediving.com | email=info@joesgonediving.com | address=Ngurah Rai Bypass 44A | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 3705262 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A professional, Dutch-owned PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering PADI dive courses, daily dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Courses are given in multiple languages. }} * {{do | name=Neptune Scuba Diving | alt=Neptune Diving Bali | url=https://neptunescubadiving.com | email=office@neptunescubadiving.com | address=Jl. Suka Merta, Sanur, Bali | lat=-8.70703 | long=115.24579 | directions= | phone=+62 361 4490568 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 07:00-19:00 | price=US$100 | lastedit=2019-01-15 | content=PADI 5-star IDC and Disabled Divers International dive resort. Offers fun dives, PADI certifications, snorkelling trips. }} === Surfing === Bali is one of the most famous surfing locations in the world and Sanur is one of the most famous surfing locations for intermediate surfers coming to Bali. With already well established surf schools located here, beginner, intermediate and even families can join these establishments for some surfing fun. === Festivals === * {{do | name=International Kite Festival | url= | email= | address=Padang Galak beach | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10&nbsp;m in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown. }} ===Laundry=== There are many places to do your laundry in Sanur. Most hotels provides they own laundry service, mostly with more expensive rates than local laundry rooms. Almost every street corner has a laundry service. * {{listing | name=Cinta Alam Organic Laundry |alt=| url= | email=cinta.alam.laundry@gmail.com | address=Jl. Batur Sari 44 | lat= | long= | directions=the end of Jl. Sekuta turn left 50 m left on side | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-20:00 | price=Rp 15,000/kg |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-04-12| content=High-quality laundry service without the use of harmful chemicals. You can choose an aromatherapy fragrance. Pick up and delivery is on request and free in the Sanur area. }} ===Spas=== A day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur. * {{do | name=Mandurah Spa | url=http://www.mandurahspa.com/ | email=info@mandurahspa.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361271502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=Puri Esthetic | url= | email= | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286542 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Watersports=== The more active could try one or more of the many '''watersports''' on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The '''surfing''' here is not great by Bali standards but there are reasonable breaks about 1 km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000. *{{do | name=Bali Kite Surfing School | url=http://www.bali-kitesurfing.org/kiteschool.html | email= | address=Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions=at the beach close to Mertasari temple | phone=+62 361 7899013 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=IKO certified kite surfing school. The lessons are conducted in a safe, user-friendly environment and lessons can be structured to suit individual needs. The school uses three specially designed rescue boats to keep a close eye on you. }} * {{do | name=Blue Oasis Beach Club | url=http://www.blueoasisbeachclub.com/ | email= | address=Sanur Beach | lat= | long= | directions=on the beach in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel | phone=+62 361 288011 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A specialist water sports centre which offers sea-kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as being a dive school. }} ==Buy== There are countless shops along Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the side streets leading from it. You will find everything from local t-shirts to Balinese handicrafts. * {{buy | name=Hardy's Grosir | url= | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan 193 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 28191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:30 daily | price= | content=This is Sanur's main supermarket, and a good place for stocking up on regular items. }} * {{buy | name=Gudang Keramik | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289363 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price= | content=This is the outlet for seconds of the famed Jengala Ceramics company (main showroom in [[Jimbaran]]). Their standards are very high and you may not notice why some of these items are classed as seconds. Some superb bargains to be had in everything from decorative vases to flatware. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Nogo Bali Ikat Centre | alt= | url= | email=info@nogobali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 104 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288765 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 08:30-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00 | price= | content=Specialises in the quality woven ikat fabrics from Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. If you are looking for cheapies, don't go here. You can purchase fabric by the piece, made up as clothing or homewares, and examine their impressive genuine antique collection. }} * {{buy | name=Grand Lucky Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.6802 | long=115.2587 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=New big supermarket on the bypass. }} ===Markets=== At the northern end of Jalan Pungutan, just before it hits Jalan Danau Tamblingan, there is an art market, sometimes referred to as '''Sindhu Market'''. This is a one stop shop for all manner of Balinese handicrafts, sarongs, T-shirts and knock-offs such as sunglasses. A similar set up can be found at '''beachfront Art Market''' at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. Take the foot path leading north which weaves through a maze of stalls and the odd cafe. ==Eat== [[Image:Sanur.JPG|thumb|right|Typical Sanur cafe]] For very cheap local food try the '''Night Market''' at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan. *{{drink | name=Abian Boga Restaurant | url= | email= | address=Jl Kesuma Sari No 5 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284174 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price=Mains Rp 30,000-60,000 | content=Grilled seafood accompanied by a Balinese dance performance. Great service too with a local hotel pick up and drop off. }} * {{eat | name=The Bali Pub | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Hardys, opposite Circle K | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by a former Masterchef UK contestant. Serves Sunday roasts, steaks, western and Balinese dishes. Live music after 20:00. }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.cafebatujimbar.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287374 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=08:00-22:00 daily | content=Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee. }} * {{eat | name=Kayu Manis | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=north end of Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 289410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 40,000-70,000 per entree | content=Western and Asian fusion cuisine at great value prices. A favourite with both travellers for the price and foodies for the quality of the meals. }} * {{eat | name=Massimo | url=http://www.massimobali.com/ | email=massimosaccobali@gmail.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 228 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288942 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 100,000 per head | content=The superb home made gelato here is the ideal treat after a hot day wandering in Sanur. Also excellent pizzas and pastas at this authentic south Italian-owned and -run restaurant. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Smorgås Café | alt= | url=http://www.cafesmorgas.com | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289361 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Perhaps the best coffee shop in Sanur. Homemade sandwiches, pastry and quiche. Owned by Swedes and they make their own gravlax. }} * {{eat | name=Stiff Chilli | url=http://www.rjhgroup.com/stiffchilli.html | email=stiffchilli@rjhgroup.com | address=Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang Beach | lat= | long= | directions=right on the beach at the end of Jl Kesumasari | phone=+62 361 288371 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-23:00 daily | price=Most mains about Rp 50,000 | content=Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location. }} * {{eat | name=The Village | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 66 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285025 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=Rp 70,000-200,000 | content=Attached to the Griya Santrian Hotel, this is perhaps the best known upmarket eatery in Sanur. The food is slick Italian style and they do a reasonable job of creating a suitable atmosphere. Not a good as it was and certainly not cheap, but a decent option in a part of Bali not known for it high quality restaurants. Has an independent street front entrance, and you would not know it is attached to a hotel. }} * {{listing | name=Warung Blanjong | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso 78 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285613 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11:00-21:00 | price=Rp 30,000–70,000 mains | content=One of the best places to eat Balinese in Sanur. They are especially well known for their ''pepes be pashi'' (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), and the ''be siap betutu'' (chicken prepared similarly) is also good. Very much worth a visit. }} *{{eat | name=Fortune Cookie | url=http://www.fortunecookiebali.com | email= | address=Jl Sudamala 5 | lat= | long= | directions=bet. Danau poso & Mertasari | phone=+62 361 283342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-23:00 | price= | content=Healthy western-style Chinese Restaurant, no MSG, organic ingredients, they also have free delivery in Sanur. Popular with expats. }} * {{eat | name=The Fire Station | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/theFirestationBali/ | email=thefirestationbali@gmail.com | address=Jalan Danau Poso 108 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285 675 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 16:00-00:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Gastropub style food, cold beer and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Salt n Malt | alt=fish and chips | url= | email= | address=Jalan Wira No.14, Sanur | lat=-8.68196 | long=115.26038 | directions= | phone=+62 851-0079-7962 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-7PM | price=Rp 55k | lastedit=2019-09-05 | content=British style fish and chips made by the wife of a Londoner. Optional mushy peas. Short opening times and closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. }} * {{eat | name=McDonald's | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Sanur has a long running McD's that can be a useful landmark due to its main road junction location. }} ==Drink== There are ''lots'' of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan. ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Arena Sports Cafe | url= | email=arena@bali.com | address=Jl ByPass Ngurah Rai 115 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-23:00 | price= | content=Austrian owned and run sports bar and cafe. The beer is very cold, reasonably priced and this place is always busy. }} * {{drink | name=Nu Lazer Bar | alt= | url=http://www.nulazerbali.com | email=info@nulazerbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 82 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288807 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-03:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Shows all the English football, has friendly staff and also serves food. Live music in weekends. }} *{{drink | name=Maya's Coffee & Smoothie Bar | url=http://www.smoothienow.com | email=info@smoothienow.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions=100-150&nbsp;m from the beach and Inna Sindhu Beach hotel. | phone=+62 361 283889 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-19:00 | price= | content=Small coffee and smoothie bar serving Italian coffees, smoothies and fresh juices combined with a breakfast menu, lighter snacks, bakeries and pastries. Free Internet and Wi-Fi for customers. }} *{{drink | name=Manic Organic | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Excellent raw juices and smoothies- organic full menu available as well. They also have yoga upstairs daily. }} *{{drink | name=Angel's Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Sekar Waru | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Crystal Bar | alt= | url=http://www.crystal-divers.com | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jalan Tamblingan 168 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-08-29 | content=This little bar is found right on the street. They have a nice selection of drinks and snacks. In the back of the bar, they also have a dive shop and a hotel. Wednesday nights this place is packed with both divers and non-divers alike for quiz night. }} ===Coffee shops=== * {{drink | name=stujadipantai | alt= | url=https://www.instagram.com/stujadipantai/?hl=en| email= | address=Jl. Kusuma Sari No.4| lat=-8.707062 | long=115.262438 | directions= | phone=+62 813 880 61696 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=A coffee shop at Sanur beach. }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under US$25|US$25-95|Over US$95}} Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families. Hotels in Sanur are usually a distance apart, not as close together as Kuta hotels. Hotel price competition in Sanur is tame compared to [[Kuta]], which has a severe oversupply. ===Budget=== *{{sleep | name=Flashbacks | url=http://www.flashbacks-chb.com | email=bungalows@flashbacks-chb.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 185,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Good, clean budget accommodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 19:00-23:00. Airport pickup. }} *{{sleep | name=Kayu Sugih Guesthouse | url=http://kayusugihguesthouse.blogspot.co.id/ | email=kayusugih2002@ymail.com | address=Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.76 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282916 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 350,000 (Fan). US$10/daily surcharge in peak seasons: Jul-Aug and Dec-Jan | checkin= | checkout= | content=Has traditional beautiful garden, but no swimming pool. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kesumasari Beach Hotel | alt=Kesumasari Guest House | url= | email=info@natanhospitality.com | address=Jl Pantai Kesumasari, Semawang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 728771 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From about Rp 275,000 | content=On the beach with a spacious and well kept tropical garden and a swimming pool open until 22:00 daily. }} * {{sleep | name=Little Pond | alt= | url=http://www.littlepondbali.com | email= | address=19 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68564 | long=115.26244 | directions= | phone=+62 361 289 902 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 170,000 - 250,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Nice laidback homestay with a small pool. Good value basic rooms and can get full easily during peak season. }} *{{sleep | name=Cafe Locca Homestay | alt=Puri Anom Hostel | url=https://www.facebook.com/CafeLoccaHomestay/ | email= | address=Jl.Sudamala 8 | lat= | long= | directions=between Jl Danau Posso and Jl.Cemara turistic promenade, 7 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361 289 369 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Rp100,000 (A/C bed)-250.000 (private double air-con, fridge) | content=Clean new renovated rooms,mixed dorm (4-3 bed), private double room with minibar, free WiFi internet broadband. Spacious garden, public cable TV and DVD, kitchen with fridge and cooker, housekeeping daily, towels, toiletries and bedlinen provided. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Mango Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.oyorooms.com/id/104990/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=next to BNI bank | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 400,000 | content=Long established and well-known budget accommodation at the northern end of Sanur's main street. }} * {{sleep | name=Prima Cottage | url=http://www.primacottage.com | email=sales@primacottage.com | address=Jl Bumi Ayu 23 | lat= | long= | directions=close to Jl Tamblingan,10 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361286369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 350,000 (room, air-con, TV, fridge), Rp 450,000 (cottage) | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=Price includes Wi-Fi and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Ratna Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From Rp 350,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Price includes taxes and breakfast. Hotel rooms, a nice pool and very close to the beach. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Yulia 1 Homestay | alt= | url= | email= | address=38 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68634 | long=115.26240 | directions=next to Maybank | phone=+62 361 288089 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 250,000 - 500,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Comfortable and clean rooms are in a garden full of birds with a small pool. Wi-Fi and breakfast of fruit and toast, tea/coffee is included. You can save Rp 30,000 by refusing the included breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Ananda Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email=info@anandabeachhotel.com | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 300,000 | content=Good, clean budget accommodation located at Sanur Beach, about 100&nbsp;m from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and close to the boat boarding point for Nusa Lembongan. Airport pickup offered. }} *{{sleep | name=Baruna Hotel | alt= | url=http://barunahotel.com/ | email=info@barunahotel.com | address=Segara Ayu Sreet No. 3 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 414 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout=12:00 | price=From Rp 200,000 | content=Cozy framed complex with budget villas. Lots of details that capture your eyes. Very friendly staff, goes well beyond the call of duty. Rooms have hot water, air-com, fridge. Breakfast included. Decent sized pool. Free Wi-Fi. Small library with English, Dutch, German and Swedish literature. Highly recommended for families as well as the lonely traveller. 200&nbsp;m from the beach, 200 m from shopping street. }} *{{sleep | name=Smart Comfort Apartments | alt=Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.smartcomfortapartments.com/en/ | email=info@smartcomfortapartments.com | address=Jalan Pungutan, Gang Jasmin | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 271 070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp1,300,000 | content=A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony. }} * {{sleep | name=Gazebo Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.baligazebo.com/ | email= gazebosanur@windowslive.com | address=Jl.Danau Tamblingan No.35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 600,000 | content=A not-very-big beachfront hotel. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Natah Bale Villas | alt= | url=https://www.natahbalevilla.com/ | email= | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$95 | content=Each tradtional Balinese inspired villa in the compound features its own private entrance and open air living room, dining room as well as a fully equipped kitchen. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Peneeda View Beach Hotel | alt= | url=https://peneedaviewhotel.com/ | email=peneeda@indo.net.id | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 425 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$60 | content=A quiet, good value. A bungalow style hotel committed to quality, Located nearest to the beach. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Pondok Ayu Hotel | alt= | url=http://pondok-ayu.hotelsanur.net/en/ | email=information@pondok.com.au | address=Sanur | lat=-8.693553 | long=115.259639 | directions= | phone=+61 2 9533 5851 (Australia) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$70-90 | content=Small boutique hotel with personalised service. Includes a restaurant (Benno's) and a pool. Very quiet, suitable for families. }} * {{sleep | name=Sativa Sanur | url=http://www.sativahotels.com/sanur/ | email=info@sativahotels.com | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$60-90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Situated in between the beach and the main road, two levels of standard rooms are arranged around lush gardens and a swimming pool. The hotel is quiet, clean and has fine service in addition to a pleasant morning breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Sekuta Condo Suites | alt= | url=http://balipvbgroup.com/sekuta-condo-suites/ | email=pvb@dps.centrin.net.id | address=Jl Sekuta No12 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$50 | content=Each suite has its own living and dining room and fully-equipped kitchen. Facilities include The Cavern Bar, featuring Beatles memorabilia and a large swimming pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Shanti Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vilashantihotel.com/ | email=info@vilashantihotel.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan No 47/Jl Pantai Karang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 1,000,000 | content=On Sanur Beach. Restaurant, 24 hour room service, pool, laundry and safe deposit boxes. Note that this is not a villa despite the name. }} * {{sleep | name=Zen Villas | url= | email= | address=Jalan Kesari II No3b | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=This is a medium standard private villa rental complex in a good Sanur location not far from the Bali Hyatt. Managed by an Indonesian-Dutch couple. }} ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Bali Hyatt | alt= | url=https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/indonesia/hyatt-regency-bali/dpsbl | email=balihyatt.inquiries@hyattintl.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 28 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from US$125, $135 with breakfast | content=Large hotel with beachfront location. 5 restaurants, 5 bars, huge gardens and a village style spa. Mature grounds with some well established trees. }} * {{sleep | name=Dampati Villas | alt=A minute walk to famous Sunrise beach of Sanur | url=https://tjendanavillas.com/ | email=dampatirsv@tjendanavillas.com | address=Jalan Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288454 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$80-287 | content=Contemporary, spacious villas with two floors, outfitted with modern touch including private swimming pool, garden, living room, kitchen, bathroom amenities, satellite TV, AC, free Wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, in-dining, daily complimentary water and cleaning, etc. }} * {{sleep | name=Kayumanis Sanur Private Villa & Spa | alt=formerly Gangsa Private Villa | url=http://www.kayumanis.com/kayumanis-sanur-private-villa-and-spa/ | email=experience@kayumanis.com | address=Jl Tirta Akasa No. 28 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 260 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp7,000,000 | content=11 contemporary villas with private pool, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and 24-hour butler service. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel La Taverna | url=http://www.latavernahotel.com | email=latavern@latavernahotel.com | address=Jl Tamblingan 29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288497 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$80 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beachfront hotel with an old world Sanur charm. Rooms are simple but charming. Gardens pool and beachfront setting are amongst the best in Sanur. Good restaurant. }} *{{sleep | name=Mahagiri Villas Sanur | url=http://www.mahagirivillassanur.com | email=info@mahagirivillassanur.com | address=Jl Pungutan 31 | lat=-8.688848 | long=115.260869 | directions=near Sindhu beach | phone=+62 361 283939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from US$475 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom private villas. All have air-con and have private swimming pool, kitchen and living room }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Mahapala | url=http://www.villamahapala-bali.com | email=info@villamahapala-bali.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$325 | checkin= | checkout= | content=20 private villas each with their own plunge pools, massage bale and outdoor shower. The resort also has its own French fusion restaurant, a bar and full service spa. }} * {{sleep | name=Mercure Resort Sanur | url=http://mercuresanur.com | email= | address=Jl Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$122 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large resort on the beach towards the southern end of Sanur. 186 guest rooms, large beachfront restaurant, 3 bars and huge pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Parigata Resort and Spa | url=http://www.parigatahotelsbali.com | email=info@parigatahotelsbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 87 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286286 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$100 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A quiet, good value resort just off the main street. High quality in-house spa plus restaurant, bar and pool area. The same group also has an impressive complex of private villas in southern Sanur. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Santrian | url=http://www.santrian.com | email=purisantrian@santrian.com | address=Jl Cemara 35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beach front hotel in the quiet southern part of Sanur. Two pools, beach club and good dining facilities. Choose of regular rooms in the garden block, individual bungalows and some very smart suites. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Paradise Plaza | alt=formerly The Radisson Plaza Hotel | url=http://www.sanurparadise.com/ | email=reservation@sanurparadise.com | address=Jl Hang Tuah 46 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 281781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large hotel with numerous facilities including kid's club, in-house spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bars. Good convenient location with easy beach access. Has a nearby sister property which is all suites and apartments. Good family option. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Residence | url=http://www.sanurresidence.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Padang Galak, about 5 minutes north of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$180 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Three 3-bedroom villas located on the beach forming a 9-bedroom estate The villas were built for a large family and are normally rented in a block of at least 6 bedrooms thus giving exclusive use of the entire estate along with its private swimming pool. Fully staffed with cooks, maids and gardeners. }} * {{sleep | name=Segara Village Hotel | url=http://www.segaravillage.com/ | email=info@segaravillage.com | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$110 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Sprawling, refurbished 6-hectare resort complex with 5 distinct traditionally themed Balinese villages. 120 renovated rooms with balcony, private toilet and bath and other amenities. 3 swimming pools, tennis courts and massage services. }} * {{sleep | name=Stana Puri Gopa Hotel | url=http://www.purigopabali.com | email=info@purigopabali.com | address=Jl Kesumasari No 4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Traditional styled Balinese villas in a lush tropical garden. Private pool villas, restaurant, watersports activities, spa and modern meeting room facilities. Walking distance to the beach }} * {{sleep | name=Maya Sanur Resort & Spa | alt= | url=http://www.mayaresorts.com/sanur/en/ | email=info@mayasanur.com | address=Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 89M | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 8497800 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=A beachfront resort with 103 rooms, three swimming pools and a 158-meter divided lagoon. }} ==Connect== There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers. *{{buy | name=Sanur Internet Service | url=http://sanur.webs.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27 | lat= | long= | directions=next to Circle K | phone=+62 361 289 331 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 400/min | content=A comfortable and speedy internet cafe. Air-con, 2 seater sofa and equipped with 17-inch LCD monitors, head sets, scanner & printer. Free mineral water and helpful staff. }} ==Cope== Several nations have consulates in Sanur, including some with titles that confusingly include the words "in Denpasar". * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic for Bali and NTB | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pengembak 17 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286465 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 286408 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finnish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO BOX 91) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407,+62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=French Consular Agency in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari Gang 2 No 8, Banjang Tanjung | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285485 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=German Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pantai Karang No 17, Batujimbar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288535 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Royal Swedish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO Box 91 Denpasar) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407, +62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=UK Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari No 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270601 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== *Sanur is a good jumping off point for the nearby island of [[Nusa Lembongan]]. *If you are heading back to the southern tourist hotspots of [[Kuta]], [[Legian]] and [[Seminyak]], this will take about 20 minutes by car. [[Ubud]] is about 25 minutes in the opposite direction. {{Guidecity}} {{IsPartOf|South Bali}} {{geo|-8.683333|115.266667}} 7tdly5e1e4jq0exx2en2sib1vsd4b6g 4506477 4506476 2022-08-23T01:53:08Z 103.100.173.220 /* Eat */ Updated listing for McDonald's wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sanur boats.jpg}} '''Sanur''' is a town on the east coast of [[South Bali]]. [[Image:Bali-Sanur-Map.png|thumb|right|300px|Map of Sanur]] ==Understand== Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. Most hotels in Sanur are big, with spacious gardens. The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road. ==Get in== ===By car=== Sanur is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the [[Bali#By plane|Ngurah Rai International Airport]], and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp150,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur. If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from [[Kuta]] or [[Legian]], about 30 minutes from [[Seminyak]] or [[Ubud]] and 10 to 15 minutes from [[Denpasar]]. ===By bus=== Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from [[Denpasar]]'s Tegal terminal. The bus company [http://www.peramatour.com Perama] has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from [[Candidasa]], [[Kuta]], [[Lovina]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Ubud]]. There's also a bus service called Trans Sarbagita that runs the following route Terminal Batu Bulan (Gianyar) - Tohpati (DPS) - Sanur (DPS) - Kuta Central Park (Badung) - Jimbaran (Badung) - Nusa Dua (Badung). [http://kura2bus.com/ Kura-Kura Bus] is another bus company that passes through Sanur and other popular areas in Bali. ===By boat=== Boats from [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the [[Nusa Lembongan#Get in|Nusa Lembongan]] article. ==Get around== Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district. * {{listing | name=Bali Store Luggage | alt= | url=http://www.balistoreluggage.com/ | email=info@balistoreluggage.com | address=Gang Telagasari 3, Jalan Danau Tempe I | lat=-8.7012 | long=115.2459 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=You can store luggage here. }} ===On foot=== Walking in Sanur is pleasant. The pavement is about 2.5m wide along Sanur Beach, suitable for the senior citizens who frequent this town to avoid the loud nightlife in nearby Kuta. Rental bikes sometimes use the pavement, too, but no motorcycles do. ===By bicycle=== Sanur is possibly the most cycle friendly part of mainland Bali. It has some cycle lanes such as along Jalan Danau Tamblingan going south only (returning via the beach pathway north makes a nice loop ride). The long paved beach pathway allows bicycles as well as pedestrians but you need to cycle slowly giving way to pedestrians. There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle for the day. Along the beach it costs typically Rp50,000 per day. If you hire away from the beach area such as on or near Jalan Danau Tamblingan the price is cheaper, typically about Rp30,000 per day. ==See== This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the shopping and beach-related sights. [[Image:Bali Kite Festival (Padang Galak).jpg|thumb|300px|right|The annual kite festival at Padang Galak, Sanur]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Le Mayeur Museum | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Museum/Museum-Le-Mayeur-578239455528142/ | email= | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat=-8.6748 | long=115.2637 | directions=go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right | phone=+62 361 286201 | tollfree= | hours=Su-F 07:30-15:30 | price=Rp 10,000 | wikipedia=Le Mayeur Museum | wikidata=Q6507227 | lastedit=2016-04-22 | content=This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali's very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali's hidden treasures. }} * {{see | name=Mangrove Information Centre | alt=Mangrove Forest Suwung Kawuh | url= | email=micjica@indosat.net.id | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Suwung Kauh | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.1920 | directions=just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai | phone=+62 361 726969 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-18:00 | price=Rp 200,000 for foreigners, Rp 50,000 for locals | content=Visit the well-appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600-hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Pura Blanjong | alt=Blanjong Temple | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong | lat=-8.7058 | long=115.2544 | directions=just south of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the ''Prasati Blanjong''. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali's first formal government. This is Bali's oldest known artifact. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre | alt=Turtle Island | url=http://www.ioseaturtles.org/pom_detail.php?id=45 | email= | address= | lat=-8.7237 | long=115.236 | directions=about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass | phone=+62 813 3841 2716 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-17:00 daily | price=Donation | content=Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. }} As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5-km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options. ==Do== [[Image:Sanur Beach.JPG|300px|thumb|right|The paved beachfront path at the Sanur Hyatt, looking east]] Sanur's splendid paved beachfront '''cycle'''-path stretches some 5&nbsp;km from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. Some bikes are better maintained than others so you might want to test your hire-bike close to home for a while in case the pedals have a tendency to fall off. Bicycles typically cost per day about Rp 30,000 Rp if rented from town or Rp 50,000 if rented from along the beach. ===Diving=== Although the diving available around Sanur is not the best Bali has to offer, nearly all of Bali's most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield. * {{do | name=Atlantis Bali Diving | alt= | url=http://www.atlantis-bali-diving.com | email=info@atlantis-bali-diving.com | address=Jl .By Pass Ngurah Rai 96E | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284 131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5-star dive operator. English-, French-, German-, Spanish- and Indonesian-speaking instructors. }} * {{do | name=Bali Aqua | alt= | url=https://baliaqua.com/ | email=info@baliaqua.com | address=Jl Sekar Waru No 1 | lat=-8.705743 | long=115.253178 | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 737 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=PADI 5* Dive center in the heart of Sanur. Full range of dive course in multiple languages. Daily fun dive trip all around Bali. Diving safaris from 3 to 13 days. }} * {{do | name=BIDP | alt=Bali International Diving Professionals | url=http://www.bidp-balidiving.com | email=info@bidp-balidiving.com | address=Jl. Blanjong I No. 333 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 759 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses including technical diving. }} * {{do | name=Blue Season Bali | url=http://www.baliocean.com | email=info@baliocean.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 69x | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270852 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=PADI Career Development Centre. Dive trips and safaris around Bali, and PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Also offers technical diving courses. Instruction offered in English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Indonesian. }} *{{do | name=Crystal Divers | alt= | url=http://crystal-divers.com/ | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 168 | lat=-8.6967 | long=115.2632 | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=7am - 9pm | price= | content=This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is available from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Offers PADI courses in Swedish, Danish, English, Indonesian, German, Japanese and Mandarin. }} *{{do | name=Diving Bali | url=http://www.divingbali.com | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282664 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Offers dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. }} *{{do | name=Joe's Gone Diving Bali | alt= | url=https://www.joesgonediving.com | email=info@joesgonediving.com | address=Ngurah Rai Bypass 44A | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 3705262 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A professional, Dutch-owned PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering PADI dive courses, daily dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Courses are given in multiple languages. }} * {{do | name=Neptune Scuba Diving | alt=Neptune Diving Bali | url=https://neptunescubadiving.com | email=office@neptunescubadiving.com | address=Jl. Suka Merta, Sanur, Bali | lat=-8.70703 | long=115.24579 | directions= | phone=+62 361 4490568 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 07:00-19:00 | price=US$100 | lastedit=2019-01-15 | content=PADI 5-star IDC and Disabled Divers International dive resort. Offers fun dives, PADI certifications, snorkelling trips. }} === Surfing === Bali is one of the most famous surfing locations in the world and Sanur is one of the most famous surfing locations for intermediate surfers coming to Bali. With already well established surf schools located here, beginner, intermediate and even families can join these establishments for some surfing fun. === Festivals === * {{do | name=International Kite Festival | url= | email= | address=Padang Galak beach | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10&nbsp;m in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown. }} ===Laundry=== There are many places to do your laundry in Sanur. Most hotels provides they own laundry service, mostly with more expensive rates than local laundry rooms. Almost every street corner has a laundry service. * {{listing | name=Cinta Alam Organic Laundry |alt=| url= | email=cinta.alam.laundry@gmail.com | address=Jl. Batur Sari 44 | lat= | long= | directions=the end of Jl. Sekuta turn left 50 m left on side | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-20:00 | price=Rp 15,000/kg |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-04-12| content=High-quality laundry service without the use of harmful chemicals. You can choose an aromatherapy fragrance. Pick up and delivery is on request and free in the Sanur area. }} ===Spas=== A day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur. * {{do | name=Mandurah Spa | url=http://www.mandurahspa.com/ | email=info@mandurahspa.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361271502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{do | name=Puri Esthetic | url= | email= | address=Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286542 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Watersports=== The more active could try one or more of the many '''watersports''' on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The '''surfing''' here is not great by Bali standards but there are reasonable breaks about 1 km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000. *{{do | name=Bali Kite Surfing School | url=http://www.bali-kitesurfing.org/kiteschool.html | email= | address=Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions=at the beach close to Mertasari temple | phone=+62 361 7899013 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=IKO certified kite surfing school. The lessons are conducted in a safe, user-friendly environment and lessons can be structured to suit individual needs. The school uses three specially designed rescue boats to keep a close eye on you. }} * {{do | name=Blue Oasis Beach Club | url=http://www.blueoasisbeachclub.com/ | email= | address=Sanur Beach | lat= | long= | directions=on the beach in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel | phone=+62 361 288011 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A specialist water sports centre which offers sea-kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as being a dive school. }} ==Buy== There are countless shops along Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the side streets leading from it. You will find everything from local t-shirts to Balinese handicrafts. * {{buy | name=Hardy's Grosir | url= | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan 193 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 28191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:30 daily | price= | content=This is Sanur's main supermarket, and a good place for stocking up on regular items. }} * {{buy | name=Gudang Keramik | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289363 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price= | content=This is the outlet for seconds of the famed Jengala Ceramics company (main showroom in [[Jimbaran]]). Their standards are very high and you may not notice why some of these items are classed as seconds. Some superb bargains to be had in everything from decorative vases to flatware. }} * {{listing | type=buy | name=Nogo Bali Ikat Centre | alt= | url= | email=info@nogobali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 104 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288765 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 08:30-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00 | price= | content=Specialises in the quality woven ikat fabrics from Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. If you are looking for cheapies, don't go here. You can purchase fabric by the piece, made up as clothing or homewares, and examine their impressive genuine antique collection. }} * {{buy | name=Grand Lucky Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.6802 | long=115.2587 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=New big supermarket on the bypass. }} ===Markets=== At the northern end of Jalan Pungutan, just before it hits Jalan Danau Tamblingan, there is an art market, sometimes referred to as '''Sindhu Market'''. This is a one stop shop for all manner of Balinese handicrafts, sarongs, T-shirts and knock-offs such as sunglasses. A similar set up can be found at '''beachfront Art Market''' at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. Take the foot path leading north which weaves through a maze of stalls and the odd cafe. ==Eat== [[Image:Sanur.JPG|thumb|right|Typical Sanur cafe]] For very cheap local food try the '''Night Market''' at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan. *{{drink | name=Abian Boga Restaurant | url= | email= | address=Jl Kesuma Sari No 5 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 284174 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-22:00 daily | price=Mains Rp 30,000-60,000 | content=Grilled seafood accompanied by a Balinese dance performance. Great service too with a local hotel pick up and drop off. }} * {{eat | name=The Bali Pub | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=just north of Hardys, opposite Circle K | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by a former Masterchef UK contestant. Serves Sunday roasts, steaks, western and Balinese dishes. Live music after 20:00. }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.cafebatujimbar.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287374 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=08:00-22:00 daily | content=Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee. }} * {{eat | name=Kayu Manis | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=north end of Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 289410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 40,000-70,000 per entree | content=Western and Asian fusion cuisine at great value prices. A favourite with both travellers for the price and foodies for the quality of the meals. }} * {{eat | name=Massimo | url=http://www.massimobali.com/ | email=massimosaccobali@gmail.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 228 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288942 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=About Rp 100,000 per head | content=The superb home made gelato here is the ideal treat after a hot day wandering in Sanur. Also excellent pizzas and pastas at this authentic south Italian-owned and -run restaurant. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Smorgås Café | alt= | url=http://www.cafesmorgas.com | email= | address=Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289361 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Perhaps the best coffee shop in Sanur. Homemade sandwiches, pastry and quiche. Owned by Swedes and they make their own gravlax. }} * {{eat | name=Stiff Chilli | url=http://www.rjhgroup.com/stiffchilli.html | email=stiffchilli@rjhgroup.com | address=Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang Beach | lat= | long= | directions=right on the beach at the end of Jl Kesumasari | phone=+62 361 288371 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-23:00 daily | price=Most mains about Rp 50,000 | content=Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location. }} * {{eat | name=The Village | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 66 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285025 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-22:00 daily | price=Rp 70,000-200,000 | content=Attached to the Griya Santrian Hotel, this is perhaps the best known upmarket eatery in Sanur. The food is slick Italian style and they do a reasonable job of creating a suitable atmosphere. Not a good as it was and certainly not cheap, but a decent option in a part of Bali not known for it high quality restaurants. Has an independent street front entrance, and you would not know it is attached to a hotel. }} * {{listing | name=Warung Blanjong | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Poso 78 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285613 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11:00-21:00 | price=Rp 30,000–70,000 mains | content=One of the best places to eat Balinese in Sanur. They are especially well known for their ''pepes be pashi'' (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), and the ''be siap betutu'' (chicken prepared similarly) is also good. Very much worth a visit. }} *{{eat | name=Fortune Cookie | url=http://www.fortunecookiebali.com | email= | address=Jl Sudamala 5 | lat= | long= | directions=bet. Danau poso & Mertasari | phone=+62 361 283342 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-23:00 | price= | content=Healthy western-style Chinese Restaurant, no MSG, organic ingredients, they also have free delivery in Sanur. Popular with expats. }} * {{eat | name=The Fire Station | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/theFirestationBali/ | email=thefirestationbali@gmail.com | address=Jalan Danau Poso 108 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285 675 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 16:00-00:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Gastropub style food, cold beer and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Salt n Malt | alt=fish and chips | url= | email= | address=Jalan Wira No.14, Sanur | lat=-8.68196 | long=115.26038 | directions= | phone=+62 851-0079-7962 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-7PM | price=Rp 55k | lastedit=2019-09-05 | content=British style fish and chips made by the wife of a Londoner. Optional mushy peas. Short opening times and closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. }} * {{eat | name=McDonald's | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.68237 | long=115.25945 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Sanur has a long running McD's that can be a useful landmark due to its main road junction location. }} ==Drink== There are ''lots'' of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan. ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Arena Sports Cafe | url= | email=arena@bali.com | address=Jl ByPass Ngurah Rai 115 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-23:00 | price= | content=Austrian owned and run sports bar and cafe. The beer is very cold, reasonably priced and this place is always busy. }} * {{drink | name=Nu Lazer Bar | alt= | url=http://www.nulazerbali.com | email=info@nulazerbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 82 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288807 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00-03:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=Shows all the English football, has friendly staff and also serves food. Live music in weekends. }} *{{drink | name=Maya's Coffee & Smoothie Bar | url=http://www.smoothienow.com | email=info@smoothienow.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions=100-150&nbsp;m from the beach and Inna Sindhu Beach hotel. | phone=+62 361 283889 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-19:00 | price= | content=Small coffee and smoothie bar serving Italian coffees, smoothies and fresh juices combined with a breakfast menu, lighter snacks, bakeries and pastries. Free Internet and Wi-Fi for customers. }} *{{drink | name=Manic Organic | url= | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Excellent raw juices and smoothies- organic full menu available as well. They also have yoga upstairs daily. }} *{{drink | name=Angel's Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Sekar Waru | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Crystal Bar | alt= | url=http://www.crystal-divers.com | email=info@crystal-divers.com | address=Jalan Tamblingan 168 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286737 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-08-29 | content=This little bar is found right on the street. They have a nice selection of drinks and snacks. In the back of the bar, they also have a dive shop and a hotel. Wednesday nights this place is packed with both divers and non-divers alike for quiz night. }} ===Coffee shops=== * {{drink | name=stujadipantai | alt= | url=https://www.instagram.com/stujadipantai/?hl=en| email= | address=Jl. Kusuma Sari No.4| lat=-8.707062 | long=115.262438 | directions= | phone=+62 813 880 61696 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-23:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=A coffee shop at Sanur beach. }} ==Sleep== {{sleeppricerange|Under US$25|US$25-95|Over US$95}} Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families. Hotels in Sanur are usually a distance apart, not as close together as Kuta hotels. Hotel price competition in Sanur is tame compared to [[Kuta]], which has a severe oversupply. ===Budget=== *{{sleep | name=Flashbacks | url=http://www.flashbacks-chb.com | email=bungalows@flashbacks-chb.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 185,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Good, clean budget accommodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 19:00-23:00. Airport pickup. }} *{{sleep | name=Kayu Sugih Guesthouse | url=http://kayusugihguesthouse.blogspot.co.id/ | email=kayusugih2002@ymail.com | address=Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.76 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 282916 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from Rp 350,000 (Fan). US$10/daily surcharge in peak seasons: Jul-Aug and Dec-Jan | checkin= | checkout= | content=Has traditional beautiful garden, but no swimming pool. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Kesumasari Beach Hotel | alt=Kesumasari Guest House | url= | email=info@natanhospitality.com | address=Jl Pantai Kesumasari, Semawang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 728771 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From about Rp 275,000 | content=On the beach with a spacious and well kept tropical garden and a swimming pool open until 22:00 daily. }} * {{sleep | name=Little Pond | alt= | url=http://www.littlepondbali.com | email= | address=19 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68564 | long=115.26244 | directions= | phone=+62 361 289 902 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 170,000 - 250,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Nice laidback homestay with a small pool. Good value basic rooms and can get full easily during peak season. }} *{{sleep | name=Cafe Locca Homestay | alt=Puri Anom Hostel | url=https://www.facebook.com/CafeLoccaHomestay/ | email= | address=Jl.Sudamala 8 | lat= | long= | directions=between Jl Danau Posso and Jl.Cemara turistic promenade, 7 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361 289 369 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=Rp100,000 (A/C bed)-250.000 (private double air-con, fridge) | content=Clean new renovated rooms,mixed dorm (4-3 bed), private double room with minibar, free WiFi internet broadband. Spacious garden, public cable TV and DVD, kitchen with fridge and cooker, housekeeping daily, towels, toiletries and bedlinen provided. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Mango Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.oyorooms.com/id/104990/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan | lat= | long= | directions=next to BNI bank | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 400,000 | content=Long established and well-known budget accommodation at the northern end of Sanur's main street. }} * {{sleep | name=Prima Cottage | url=http://www.primacottage.com | email=sales@primacottage.com | address=Jl Bumi Ayu 23 | lat= | long= | directions=close to Jl Tamblingan,10 min walk to beach | phone=+62 361286369 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 350,000 (room, air-con, TV, fridge), Rp 450,000 (cottage) | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=Price includes Wi-Fi and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Ratna Beach Hotel | url= | email= | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From Rp 350,000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Price includes taxes and breakfast. Hotel rooms, a nice pool and very close to the beach. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Yulia 1 Homestay | alt= | url= | email= | address=38 Jalan Danau Tamblingan | lat=-8.68634 | long=115.26240 | directions=next to Maybank | phone=+62 361 288089 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rp 250,000 - 500,000 | lastedit=2017-08-04 | content=Comfortable and clean rooms are in a garden full of birds with a small pool. Wi-Fi and breakfast of fruit and toast, tea/coffee is included. You can save Rp 30,000 by refusing the included breakfast. }} ===Mid-range=== *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Ananda Beach Hotel | alt= | url= | email=info@anandabeachhotel.com | address=Jl Hangtuah | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 300,000 | content=Good, clean budget accommodation located at Sanur Beach, about 100&nbsp;m from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and close to the boat boarding point for Nusa Lembongan. Airport pickup offered. }} *{{sleep | name=Baruna Hotel | alt= | url=http://barunahotel.com/ | email=info@barunahotel.com | address=Segara Ayu Sreet No. 3 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 414 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout=12:00 | price=From Rp 200,000 | content=Cozy framed complex with budget villas. Lots of details that capture your eyes. Very friendly staff, goes well beyond the call of duty. Rooms have hot water, air-com, fridge. Breakfast included. Decent sized pool. Free Wi-Fi. Small library with English, Dutch, German and Swedish literature. Highly recommended for families as well as the lonely traveller. 200&nbsp;m from the beach, 200 m from shopping street. }} *{{sleep | name=Smart Comfort Apartments | alt=Batu Jimbar | url=http://www.smartcomfortapartments.com/en/ | email=info@smartcomfortapartments.com | address=Jalan Pungutan, Gang Jasmin | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 271 070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp1,300,000 | content=A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony. }} * {{sleep | name=Gazebo Beach Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.baligazebo.com/ | email= gazebosanur@windowslive.com | address=Jl.Danau Tamblingan No.35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 600,000 | content=A not-very-big beachfront hotel. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Natah Bale Villas | alt= | url=https://www.natahbalevilla.com/ | email= | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 813 37536464 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$95 | content=Each tradtional Balinese inspired villa in the compound features its own private entrance and open air living room, dining room as well as a fully equipped kitchen. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Peneeda View Beach Hotel | alt= | url=https://peneedaviewhotel.com/ | email=peneeda@indo.net.id | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 425 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$60 | content=A quiet, good value. A bungalow style hotel committed to quality, Located nearest to the beach. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Pondok Ayu Hotel | alt= | url=http://pondok-ayu.hotelsanur.net/en/ | email=information@pondok.com.au | address=Sanur | lat=-8.693553 | long=115.259639 | directions= | phone=+61 2 9533 5851 (Australia) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$70-90 | content=Small boutique hotel with personalised service. Includes a restaurant (Benno's) and a pool. Very quiet, suitable for families. }} * {{sleep | name=Sativa Sanur | url=http://www.sativahotels.com/sanur/ | email=info@sativahotels.com | address=Jl Cemara | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287881 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$60-90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Situated in between the beach and the main road, two levels of standard rooms are arranged around lush gardens and a swimming pool. The hotel is quiet, clean and has fine service in addition to a pleasant morning breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Sekuta Condo Suites | alt= | url=http://balipvbgroup.com/sekuta-condo-suites/ | email=pvb@dps.centrin.net.id | address=Jl Sekuta No12 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 287727 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$50 | content=Each suite has its own living and dining room and fully-equipped kitchen. Facilities include The Cavern Bar, featuring Beatles memorabilia and a large swimming pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Shanti Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vilashantihotel.com/ | email=info@vilashantihotel.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan No 47/Jl Pantai Karang | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288 060 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp 1,000,000 | content=On Sanur Beach. Restaurant, 24 hour room service, pool, laundry and safe deposit boxes. Note that this is not a villa despite the name. }} * {{sleep | name=Zen Villas | url= | email= | address=Jalan Kesari II No3b | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$90 | checkin= | checkout= | content=This is a medium standard private villa rental complex in a good Sanur location not far from the Bali Hyatt. Managed by an Indonesian-Dutch couple. }} ===Splurge=== *{{sleep | name=Bali Hyatt | alt= | url=https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/indonesia/hyatt-regency-bali/dpsbl | email=balihyatt.inquiries@hyattintl.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Jl Danau Tamblingan | phone=+62 361 28 1234 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from US$125, $135 with breakfast | content=Large hotel with beachfront location. 5 restaurants, 5 bars, huge gardens and a village style spa. Mature grounds with some well established trees. }} * {{sleep | name=Dampati Villas | alt=A minute walk to famous Sunrise beach of Sanur | url=https://tjendanavillas.com/ | email=dampatirsv@tjendanavillas.com | address=Jalan Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288454 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$80-287 | content=Contemporary, spacious villas with two floors, outfitted with modern touch including private swimming pool, garden, living room, kitchen, bathroom amenities, satellite TV, AC, free Wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, in-dining, daily complimentary water and cleaning, etc. }} * {{sleep | name=Kayumanis Sanur Private Villa & Spa | alt=formerly Gangsa Private Villa | url=http://www.kayumanis.com/kayumanis-sanur-private-villa-and-spa/ | email=experience@kayumanis.com | address=Jl Tirta Akasa No. 28 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270 260 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From Rp7,000,000 | content=11 contemporary villas with private pool, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and 24-hour butler service. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel La Taverna | url=http://www.latavernahotel.com | email=latavern@latavernahotel.com | address=Jl Tamblingan 29 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288497 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$80 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beachfront hotel with an old world Sanur charm. Rooms are simple but charming. Gardens pool and beachfront setting are amongst the best in Sanur. Good restaurant. }} *{{sleep | name=Mahagiri Villas Sanur | url=http://www.mahagirivillassanur.com | email=info@mahagirivillassanur.com | address=Jl Pungutan 31 | lat=-8.688848 | long=115.260869 | directions=near Sindhu beach | phone=+62 361 283939 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=from US$475 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom private villas. All have air-con and have private swimming pool, kitchen and living room }} * {{sleep | name=Villa Mahapala | url=http://www.villamahapala-bali.com | email=info@villamahapala-bali.com | address=Jl Pantai Sindhu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$325 | checkin= | checkout= | content=20 private villas each with their own plunge pools, massage bale and outdoor shower. The resort also has its own French fusion restaurant, a bar and full service spa. }} * {{sleep | name=Mercure Resort Sanur | url=http://mercuresanur.com | email= | address=Jl Mertasari | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$122 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large resort on the beach towards the southern end of Sanur. 186 guest rooms, large beachfront restaurant, 3 bars and huge pool. }} * {{sleep | name=Parigata Resort and Spa | url=http://www.parigatahotelsbali.com | email=info@parigatahotelsbali.com | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 87 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286286 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$100 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A quiet, good value resort just off the main street. High quality in-house spa plus restaurant, bar and pool area. The same group also has an impressive complex of private villas in southern Sanur. }} * {{sleep | name=Puri Santrian | url=http://www.santrian.com | email=purisantrian@santrian.com | address=Jl Cemara 35 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Beach front hotel in the quiet southern part of Sanur. Two pools, beach club and good dining facilities. Choose of regular rooms in the garden block, individual bungalows and some very smart suites. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Paradise Plaza | alt=formerly The Radisson Plaza Hotel | url=http://www.sanurparadise.com/ | email=reservation@sanurparadise.com | address=Jl Hang Tuah 46 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 281781 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$95 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Large hotel with numerous facilities including kid's club, in-house spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bars. Good convenient location with easy beach access. Has a nearby sister property which is all suites and apartments. Good family option. }} * {{sleep | name=Sanur Residence | url=http://www.sanurresidence.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Padang Galak, about 5 minutes north of Sanur | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$180 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Three 3-bedroom villas located on the beach forming a 9-bedroom estate The villas were built for a large family and are normally rented in a block of at least 6 bedrooms thus giving exclusive use of the entire estate along with its private swimming pool. Fully staffed with cooks, maids and gardeners. }} * {{sleep | name=Segara Village Hotel | url=http://www.segaravillage.com/ | email=info@segaravillage.com | address=Jl Segara Ayu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=From US$110 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Sprawling, refurbished 6-hectare resort complex with 5 distinct traditionally themed Balinese villages. 120 renovated rooms with balcony, private toilet and bath and other amenities. 3 swimming pools, tennis courts and massage services. }} * {{sleep | name=Stana Puri Gopa Hotel | url=http://www.purigopabali.com | email=info@purigopabali.com | address=Jl Kesumasari No 4 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 289948 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Traditional styled Balinese villas in a lush tropical garden. Private pool villas, restaurant, watersports activities, spa and modern meeting room facilities. Walking distance to the beach }} * {{sleep | name=Maya Sanur Resort & Spa | alt= | url=http://www.mayaresorts.com/sanur/en/ | email=info@mayasanur.com | address=Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 89M | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 8497800 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | lastedit=2016-04-23 | content=A beachfront resort with 103 rooms, three swimming pools and a 158-meter divided lagoon. }} ==Connect== There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers. *{{buy | name=Sanur Internet Service | url=http://sanur.webs.com/ | email= | address=Jl Danau Tamblingan 27 | lat= | long= | directions=next to Circle K | phone=+62 361 289 331 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Rp 400/min | content=A comfortable and speedy internet cafe. Air-con, 2 seater sofa and equipped with 17-inch LCD monitors, head sets, scanner & printer. Free mineral water and helpful staff. }} ==Cope== Several nations have consulates in Sanur, including some with titles that confusingly include the words "in Denpasar". * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic for Bali and NTB | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pengembak 17 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 286465 | tollfree= | fax=+62 361 286408 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finnish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO BOX 91) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407,+62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=French Consular Agency in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari Gang 2 No 8, Banjang Tanjung | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 285485 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=German Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Pantai Karang No 17, Batujimbar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288535 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Royal Swedish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Segara Village Hotel, Jl Segara (PO Box 91 Denpasar) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 288407, +62 361 288231 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=UK Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl Mertasari No 2 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+62 361 270601 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== *Sanur is a good jumping off point for the nearby island of [[Nusa Lembongan]]. *If you are heading back to the southern tourist hotspots of [[Kuta]], [[Legian]] and [[Seminyak]], this will take about 20 minutes by car. [[Ubud]] is about 25 minutes in the opposite direction. {{Guidecity}} {{IsPartOf|South Bali}} {{geo|-8.683333|115.266667}} 2ak7d5smnp05qxcoik66xexiv3iw0qq 0 31602 4506442 4504093 2022-08-22T22:09:21Z Kondephy 95177 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Saranda banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} '''Sarandë''', the gateway to the southern [[Albania]], is a small town of about 33,000 inhabitants, situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea. The name Saranda derives from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Agioi Saranta (Forty Saints). In antiquity, Saranda was known as Onchesmus. Opposite the Greek island of [[Corfu]], Saranda is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and warm sea waters. Saranda typically has over 300 sunny days a year. Due to its location and warm weather, Saranda is one of the most attractive tourist towns on the [[Albanian Riviera]], where honeymooners traditionally spend their holidays. Fronting the sea and along the main promenade, there are some hotels and restaurants. Nearby [[Butrint]] is a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage site. ==Understand== * {{listing | name=Saranda Tourist Info Center | alt=Glass sphere building | url=http://www.sarandaweb.com | email= | address=Shetitorja Naim Frasheri | lat=39.8736 | long=20.0095 | directions=Near the Molo by the beach | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=There are two Tourist Info Centers (one yellow-domed building on the boardwalk, another more traditional office near the bus center). Both are excellent resources for bus timetables. An added bonus is that the employees speak good English. }} ==Get in== {{Mapframe|39.8755|20.0055|zoom=14}} ===By boat=== * {{listing | name=Ferry Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.871 | long=20.003 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} To the nearby Greek island of [[Corfu]] (New Port). The daily ferryboats are at 10:30; 13:00 and 16:30 (fewer out of season - check with the ticket office at the port). The 10:30 passage is a hydrofoil which takes about 25-45 minutes. The 16:30 is a car ferry. Corfu is one hour ahead of Albania. One way costs €19, return €38. ===By bus=== Buses to/from [[Tirana]] can be travelled with the bus lines, taxi vans or taxis. There are two itineraries: Tirana-Durres-Fieri-Vlora-Dhermi-Saranda or Tirana-Durresi-Fieri-Mallakastra-Tepelena-Gjirokastra-Saranda. If you travel through the Riviera (the first) you should pay more attention as the way is narrow. There is also a Tirana-Sarandë bus line by [http://www.rivierabus.com/ RivieraBus.com]. Their route connects all main Albanian resorts such as Durres, Vlore, Dhermi, Jale, Himara, Borsh and Sarandë. There are lines to/from [[Vlore]] that go through the Riviera or "Bregu" (a line of picturesque, gorgeous Mediterranean beaches and villages; Bregu is the summer hostel of the Prime Minister and President). The line from [[Gjirokaster]] to Tepelene, [[Fier]] and Tirana also passes Sarandë. - From Ioannina to Kakavi takes around 40 minutes by bus or taxi. When you reach Kakavi, you follow this itinerary: Kakavi-Gjirokaster-Jergucat-Qafe e Muzines-Sarandë. ===By car=== From [[Kosovo]] and [[North Macedonia]] follow this itinerary to reach Saranda: [[Struga]]-Qafe Thana-Librazhd-Elbasani-Rrogozhina-Fier and so on. It is connected with Greece by land: (i) By the border of Qafe Bota with [[Igoumenitsa]]; (ii) By the border of Kakavi with Ioannina The tourists, who come here from [[Greece]], reach the border of Kakavi in two ways: from [[Ioannina]] and Igoumenitsa. From Ioannina to Kakavi takes around 40 min. When you reach Kakavi, you follow this itinerary: Kakavi-Gjirokaster-Jergucat-Qafe e Muzines-Sarandë. Though Qafe-Bota, the itinerary is Igoumenitsa-Qafe Bote-Sarandë, but the roadway is narrower. A Greek '''taxi''' from Igoumenitsa costs 105€ (August 2022). Travellers report that there are KTEL busses on the Greek side (from the border to Igoumenitsa a Greek taxi is 40€). ===By air=== The idea of an airport in the village of Viron is of great interest, because it is only 5 km from Saranda. A facility is the urban service offered nowadays. ==Get around== The local bus from Sarandë center to Ksamil costs 150Lek (last updated 2022-08-18). It {{marker|type=go|name=starts | lat=39.87319|long=20.00248 }} at the roundabout behind the harbour and public beach (there's even a timetable hanging on a street light) but also stops few times on its way. It runs once per hour in both ways between 06:30 and 19:30. The same bus continues to Butrint. The SH81 road connecting Sarandë, Ksamil and Butrint is heavily congested in high season, especially around sunset when beach day trippers return from Ksamil to Sarandë. This affects not only the cars but also the busses and taxis. This means that a bus ride does not take significantly longer than taking a taxi or own car. ==See== [[File:Ksamil Beach.jpg|thumb|Beautiful and quiet beach at Ksamili]] * {{see | name=Ruins of a 5th-century synagogue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rruga Skënderbeu and Rruga Vangjel Pandi cnr | lat=39.87453 | long=20.0068 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{see | name=Synagogue | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{see | name=Ethnographic Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{see | name=Old Castle of Lekures at "Qafa e Gjashtes" (The Pass of Six) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=above Saranda | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=There is a nice outdoor restaurant within the castle from which you have panoramic views of Saranda Bay below, the inland mountains, the Butrint Lagoon and the island of Corfu on the Ionian Sea. }} ===Further afield=== [[File:Albania, Dhermi.jpg|thumb|Dhermi a gem of the Albanian Riviera]] * {{see | name=Borsh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.0625 | long=19.856667 | directions=35&nbsp;km north | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Borsh Albania Burg.JPG | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=a maritime village. }} [[File:Amphitheatre of Butrint 2009.jpg|thumb|Greco-Roman amphitheatre in Butrint]] * {{see | name=Butrint National Park and Archaeological Site | alt= | url=http://akzm.gov.al/?option=com_k2&view=item&id=114%3Anational-park-of-butrinti&Itemid=435&lang=us | email= | address=Butrint, Ksamil | lat=39.746111 | long=20.020278 | directions=just outside of Ksamil | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=1000ALL | wikidata=Q975250 | lastedit=2022-08-19 | content=This is an [[UNESCO World Heritage site]]. Butrint was an ancient city throughout Greek, Roman, bishopric and Byzantine periods. The city was finally abandoned during the Middle Ages perhaps due to the marsh surrounding and subsequent malaria epidemic. - Despite being one of the greatest classical cities of the Mediterranean, Butrint remains largely unknown. The current archaeological site includes an impressive Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine Basilica (the largest in the world after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), a Roman temple with mosaic floor, a beautifully carved lion's gate as well numerous constructions built throughout the periods. Furthermore, what you see is just 15 per cent of what lies beneath. As of summer of 2005, there is an international archaeological team performing excavations at Butrint which can be observed inside the park. Most of the sights are under tree shadows so you could go even in midday heat. As of August 2022, there are city buses that run to Butrint, via Ksamil, every hour on the half hour, from 06:30 until 19:30 (06:30, 8:30, 10:30...16:30). The same bus line runs from Butrint to Saranda, via Ksamil (100Lek), every hour on the half hour from 07:30 until 17:30 (07:30, 9:30, 11:30....19:30). Bus price is 100 lek per person (up to Ksamil) and can be picked up at the main Saranda bus station or across the street from Hotel Buntrinti. Butrint visitors should allocate approximately 2 hours to enjoy the site; archaeology fans will probably want closer to 3 hours. }} * {{see | image=Albania, Dhermi.jpg | name=[[Dhërmi]] beach| alt= | url= |lat=40.144|long=19.638|directions=65&nbsp;km north| content= — one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road, perfect for camping. }} * {{see | name=Ksamil beach | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.76667 | long=20 | directions=near Sarandë. The bus from Sarandë serves both Ksamili and Butrint. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Ksamil Beach.jpg | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=This village has a beautiful beach with several small islands you could swim to. Ksamili is now heavily developed, with a large number of partially-completed properties. An extraordinary sight is that some of these new buildings are toppling over; this is believed to be where buildings have gone up without permission, and the police have sabotaged the building by pulling out a couple of upright pillars, leaving the owner to clear up the damage. }} * {{see | name=[[Lukove]] beach|alt= |url= |lat=39.983333|long=19.916667|directions=20&nbsp;km north |content=&nbsp;- part of the Albanian Riviera, here is Kakome, one of the most beautiful Albanian beaches. As of July 2018 the road access to Kakome beach was blocked by closed gates with guards, apparently due to a construction project.}} * {{see | name=Syri i Kalter | alt=The Blue Eye | url= | email= | address=Delvinë District | lat=9.923611 | long=20.192778 | directions=25 min away by driving | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Water spring - a natural phenomenon. The clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than 50 m-deep pool. A great place to visit and relax. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Central Park|alt=Friendship Park, Parku Miqesia|url=|email=|address=Rruga Telat Noga & Rruga Onhezmi corner | lat=39.875031|long=20.007385| directions=| phone=|fax=|hours=|price=|content= }} * {{do | name=Sunset at Lekures| alt= | url= | email=| address= | lat= | long= | directions=| content=In the afternoon, when the sun is setting, you should go to Lekures, and watch the sun set, or you could go to the beach and relax with your friends or family while enjoying the beautiful sunset. Something else that you can do, when it’s not a really hot day is to go camping. If it’s not a hot day, camping would be a really good experience and also allow you to have a good time looking at the stars at night, and it would be a change from going to the beach. Another idea is to visit a new beach each day, such as one day “pllakat” the next day “manastiri” and so on.}} * After visiting Ali Pasha Tepelena Castle, you could go to the Pulbardha Beach and enjoy some great food and relax on the sandy beach. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Myrtaj Shop | alt=Market Vellezerit Myrtaj | url= | email=| address=Rruga Onhezmi | lat=39.875291 | long=20.006988 | directions=| phone= | tollfree= | fax=| hours= | price=| content=}} * Skenderbeu Cognac * Miniature bunker from alabaster * Albanische Mythologie book * Souvenirs made from sea shells in Ksamil * LLogara honey is a local speciality - it is sold by various merchants on the road. ==Eat== Sarandë is bustling with restaurants, cafes and bars. Fast food places offer a surprisingly cheap and tasty variety of options: €1 will usually get you a good souvlaki (usually pork) or a very nice crepe. Look out for yoghurt flavoured ice cream on the boardwalk, near the tourist info office. The [https://m.facebook.com/pages/Mare-Nostrum-Cusine/317655318368160 Mare Nostrum Cuisine] is a nice restaurant on the sea-front of Saranda, in the center. It has the reputation as one of the best places to eat in Saranda [http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g303165-d4318874-Reviews-Mare_Nostrum_cusine-Saranda_Vlore_County.html]. Great food and service but known to be a little more expensive than other restaurants. Fresh fish is abundant in Saranda and available at most restaurants. Establishments next to the sea and fishing ports provide the freshest fish but generally speaking good seafood can be had all around. ===Ksamil=== There are a few places you can eat in Ksamil. At least 4 restaurants in Ksamil are open year-round, but in the summer there are a lot more options and many are just seconds from the beach. Most serve either sea food or a mix of pizza, Greek dishes and heavy meat based fast food. ==Drink== Albanian raki, the local firewater. ==Sleep== ===Hostels=== *{{sleep | name=Hostel "Hasta La Vista" | alt= | url= | email= | address=location: Idriz Alidhima Street In Front of the Football Stadium Sarande | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=€10 | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=Hostel Hasta La Vista offers Reception 24/7 with 36 air-conditioned accommodations with blackout drapes/curtains. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary reliable high-speed wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Guests have access to shared bathrooms. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested. }} *{{sleep |name=Backpackers SR |alt=Tomi's Hostel| url=http://sites.google.com/site/backpackersrthebunker | email=sarandabackpackers@gmail.com| address=Rruga Mithat Hoxha Num 10, Lagja 4 Sarande, 7500 | lat=39.87050 | long=20.00219| directions=*Directions from Bus - From the bus stop walk downhill towards the sea, when you reach the promenade turn right on to Ionianet street and walk to the eucalyptus in the center of the road and turn left and 50 m on the right you will see a yellow and grey building No. 10. At the dark brown door, ring the bell (Tomi), a six-minute walk. *Directions from the Corfu ferry - Exit the customer area, walk up the ramp, turn right and 50 m in front you should see a yellow and grey building with an internet cafe on the ground floor. Look for the dark brown door to the left of the creppe shop. Ring the bell named Tomi. One minute walk.| phone=+355 694345426 |tollfree=| hours= | price=€11|fax=| checkin=9:00-23:00 | checkout=12:00|lastedit=2020-05-26| content=Centrally located in the heart of town, close to everything Saranda has to offer. Bus route 6 min walk, Corfu ferry 1 min, Bus st. to Ksamil/Butrint 1 min, Bus st. to Greece 2 min, beach in front of the hostel, the famous promenade (xhiro) on our doorstep, the farmers market, fresh fruits & vegs 1 min. Open year-round. 14 dorm beds in a new building. Free breakfast. Free wifi. Kitchen. Free Security lockers. Free linen & bedsheets. Free coffee and tea. Roof terrace. Beach BBQ dinners in front of the hostel in the summer. Run by Tomi, a local resident, who is such a nice and helpful guy. He will make you feel right at home by going out of his way to help you out. Knows lots of information about day trips to Butrint and the Blue Eye. }} *{{sleep | name=The Hairy Lemon Hostel | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/HairyLemonHostel/ | email=saranda@hairylemonhostel.com | address=Rruga Mitat Hoxha, 8th floor (lemon logo on door), Koder | lat=39.87117 | long=19.99574 | directions='''Directions:''' A taxi from the port costs €3. Otherwise, with your back to the Port turn left and continue on this coastal road (part tarmac and part dirt track) 1 km till you see a sign on the right: 'Pharmacy' and on the left 'Kasandro Restaurant' at the 'Apollonia Hotel' junction. Ask anyone along the coastal road for 'Apollonia Hotel'. From the map 'Andon Lapa Hotel' to 'Apollonia Hotel' is a 2-3 min walk. Above the 'Pharmacy' in the 10-storey lemon and orange building, look up to the 8th floor to see an Albanian flag hanging from their balcony. Go to the opposite side of this building to find the entrance. You can get a key to the building from the shop near the building entrance. Take the lift to the 8th floor. From the lift go left, and the 'Hairy Lemon' is behind the last door on the left | phone=+355 69 3559317, +355 69 889 9196 | tollfree= | checkin=12:00-23:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=€12 (€14 Jul-Aug) | lastedit=2020-05-26 | content=A small 18-bed hostel run by a great Irish lady. Has hot shower, laundry, free breakfast, 24-hour tea and coffee, internet, comfy bunks and a large balcony with great views of the beach and Corfu. }} * {{sleep | name=The Wallaby Hostel | alt= | url= | email=info@wallabyhostel.com | address=Rruga Pandeli Bocari, 9703 Sarandë | lat=39.877538 | long=20.007146 | directions= | phone=+355 69 333 4588 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00-0:00 | checkout=11:00 | price= | lastedit=2020-07-14 | content=Hostel run by two wacky Australian blokes. Reception's available 24/7 along with sociable staff. Games of beer pong are often had and the owners will take you out for pub crawls. }} ===Apartments=== *{{sleep | name=Holiday Apartments from locals|url= |email=| address=everywhere in and around Sarandë|directions=|phone=|price=|content=There are plenty of private houses, apartments offered by locals especially during the high season period. The accommodation offered ranges from low-budget to highly exclusive locations both for low and reasonably high prices. However, if you are traveling in a group of more than 2 people, it is worth considering. The apartments can usually accommodate up to 10 people and are much cheaper than a hotel. Furthermore, you can usually cook in the apartment and save some money. But make sure to book your accommodation in advance, since most of the apartments get booked out very fast. }} ===Hotels=== * {{sleep | name=Epirus Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Mitat Hoxha 2 | lat=39.87223 | long=19.99302 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=dbl €23 incl. breakfast | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Palma | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rruga Mitat Hoxha | lat=39.87004 | long=20.00212 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=sgl from €20 | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Porto Eda Hotel |url=http://www.portoeda.com/|email=info@portoeda.com|address=Rruga Jonianet| lat=39.87399| long=20.00828|directions=|phone=+355 69 2063480|fax=+355 85226696 | price=dbl €45|checkin= |checkout=|content=The simple. Mobile: +355 69 7233180}} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Aulona | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rruga Lefter Talo, nr.84 | lat=39.8753 | long=20.0103 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from €25 | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=Wi-Fi. }} * Hotel Kaonia, Rruga Jonianet, 22? Tel.+355 85 222600 * Hotel Ari, Rruga (street) Jonianet, 20, double from €40 * Villa Kanina, At Rruga Studenti and Rruga Sali Ceka corner +355 69 558 4338, dbl from €25 * {{sleep | name=Hotel New Heaven| alt= | url= | email=| address=Saranda Butrinti Road | lat=39.8693 | long=20.0143| directions=1 km from port| phone= | price=Dbl €30| checkin= | checkout=| content=Twenty rooms with a shower. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Butrinti | alt= | url=https://hotelbutrinti.com/ | email=hotelbutrinti@hotmail.com | address=Rruga Naim Frasheri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+355 69 20 57 360 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=This luxury five-star hotel is prohibitively expensive but very pretty. There are 87 rooms in total with many of them having beautiful views of the Ionian Sea. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Duraku | alt=Hotel Duraku | url=https://viladuraku.albania-al.com/en/ | email= | address=Rruga Naim Frashëri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+355 69 204 2156 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=The average cost of stay is 6,700 lek | content=Very comfortable and clean rooms, and the staff is very qualified. Free WiFi and private parking. Pets are not allowed. Languages spoken by the staff include English, Italian and Greek. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel ‘Dea’ | alt= | url= | email=hoteldea@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=1 km from the city center, walk along the road Sarand-Butrinti | phone=+355 69 2724043| fax=| price= | checkin= | checkout=| content=20 rooms, all with views on the sea, 3 large suites, a big swimming pool, bar, restaurant, reception and 24-hour private parking. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[File:Gjirokastra.jpg|thumb|Gjirokastër an [[UNESCO]] city]] * [[Albanian Riviera]] * Borsh (N 35&nbsp;km) a maritime village * [[Corfu]] in [[Greece]] is the island of grace and politeness. It lies opposite the coast of Epirus mainland and it is separated from Albania in the north part of it by a narrow strait of 1.5 sea miles. [http://www.corfu.gr/web/guest/home Corfu] is the capital of the seven Ionian Islands with an area of 592 km², it is the second largest island of the Ionian Islands, with a beautiful coastline of 217 km. Corfu is also the greenest island of all Greece. The impressive vegetation of the island consist mainly of olive and cypress trees * [[Dhërmi]] one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road, perfect for camping. * [[Gjirokastër]] (N {{km|55}})— another [[UNESCO]] city in the south, it is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city. * [[Korce]] (N {{km|245}} via Tepelene several miles from the Greek border) — this city is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape. * Ksamil — On the edge of the Butrint national park. An absolute gem [[File:PërmetAmFlussVjosai.JPG|thumb|Përmet]] * [[Përmet]] (NE {{km|110}} approximately {{km|30}} from the Greek border.) — Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Përmet is located in the Vjosa River Valley. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of wine and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look. Around it: Benjë, and Leusë villages * [[Pogradec]] (NE {{km|280}}) — Overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has experienced a revival. * [[Tepelene]] (N {{km|80}}) there is a ruined citadel occupying a point 300 m above the Vjosë river * Fir of Hotova National Park (NE {{km|120}} and {{km|15}} north of Permet) * [[Lukove]] part of the Albanian Riviera, here is Kakome, one of the most beautiful Albanian beaches * [[Vlorë]] (N {{km|120}}) lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here. * [[Vuno]] (N {{km|85}}) a small village a few kilometres north to the town of [[Himarë]] *[[Himarë]] ({{km|53}}) Greek/Albanian town on the seaside of the Albanian Riveria with beautiful beaches and an ancient old town {{geo|39.87556|20.00528}} {{IsPartOf|Coastal Albania}} {{outlinecity}} {{Related|UNESCO_World_Heritage_List}} tcc9o4f4a75akc2bfcstmwypyzrtxld 4506462 4506442 2022-08-23T00:52:38Z Ground Zero 1423298 Formatting. Thanks for the updates. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Saranda banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} '''Sarandë''', the gateway to the southern [[Albania]], is a small town of about 33,000 inhabitants, situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea. The name Saranda is derived from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Agioi Saranta (Forty Saints). In antiquity, Saranda was known as Onchesmus. Opposite the Greek island of [[Corfu]], Saranda is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and warm sea waters. Saranda typically has over 300 sunny days a year. Due to its location and warm weather, Saranda is one of the most attractive tourist towns on the [[Albanian Riviera]], where honeymooners traditionally spend their holidays. Fronting the sea and along the main promenade, there are some hotels and restaurants. Nearby [[Butrint]] is a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage site. ==Understand== * {{listing | name=Saranda Tourist Info Center | alt=Glass sphere building | url=http://www.sarandaweb.com | email= | address=Shetitorja Naim Frasheri | lat=39.8736 | long=20.0095 | directions=near the Molo by the beach | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=There are two Tourist Info Centers (one yellow-domed building on the boardwalk, another more traditional office near the bus center). Both are excellent resources for bus timetables. An added bonus is that the employees speak good English. }} ==Get in== {{Mapframe|39.8755|20.0055|zoom=14}} ===By boat=== * {{listing | name=Ferry Port | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.871 | long=20.003 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} To the nearby Greek island of [[Corfu]] (New Port). The daily ferryboats are at 10:30; 13:00 and 16:30 (fewer out of season - check with the ticket office at the port). The 10:30 passage is a hydrofoil which takes about 25-45 minutes. The 16:30 is a car ferry. Corfu is one hour ahead of Albania. One way costs €19, return €38. ===By bus=== Buses to/from [[Tirana]] can be travelled with the bus lines, taxi vans or taxis. There are two itineraries: Tirana-Durres-Fieri-Vlora-Dhermi-Saranda or Tirana-Durresi-Fieri-Mallakastra-Tepelena-Gjirokastra-Saranda. If you travel through the Riviera (the first) you should pay more attention as the way is narrow. There is also a Tirana-Sarandë bus line by [http://www.rivierabus.com/ RivieraBus.com]. Their route connects all main Albanian resorts such as Durres, Vlore, Dhermi, Jale, Himara, Borsh and Sarandë. There are lines to/from [[Vlore]] that go through the Riviera or "Bregu" (a line of picturesque, gorgeous Mediterranean beaches and villages; Bregu is the summer hostel of the Prime Minister and President). The line from [[Gjirokaster]] to Tepelene, [[Fier]] and Tirana also passes Sarandë. From Ioannina to Kakavi takes around 40 minutes by bus or taxi. When you reach Kakavi, you follow this itinerary: Kakavi-Gjirokaster-Jergucat-Qafe e Muzines-Sarandë. ===By car=== From [[Kosovo]] and [[North Macedonia]] follow this itinerary to reach Saranda: [[Struga]]-Qafe Thana-Librazhd-Elbasani-Rrogozhina-Fier and so on. It is connected with Greece by land: (i) By the border of Qafe Bota with [[Igoumenitsa]]; (ii) By the border of Kakavi with Ioannina. The tourists, who come here from [[Greece]], reach the border of Kakavi in two ways: from [[Ioannina]] and Igoumenitsa. From Ioannina to Kakavi takes around 40 min. When you reach Kakavi, you follow this itinerary: Kakavi-Gjirokaster-Jergucat-Qafe e Muzines-Sarandë. Though Qafe-Bota, the itinerary is Igoumenitsa-Qafe Bote-Sarandë, but the roadway is narrower. A Greek '''taxi''' from Igoumenitsa costs €105 (August 2022). Travellers report that there are KTEL busses on the Greek side (from the border to Igoumenitsa, a Greek taxi is €40). ===By air=== The idea of an airport in the village of Viron is of great interest, because it is only 5 km from Saranda. A facility is the urban service offered nowadays. ==Get around== The local bus from Sarandë center to Ksamil costs 150 lek (last updated 2022-08-18). It {{marker|type=go|name=starts | lat=39.87319|long=20.00248 }} at the roundabout behind the harbour and public beach (there's even a timetable hanging on a street light) but also stops few times on its way. It runs once per hour in both ways between 06:30 and 19:30. The same bus continues to Butrint. The SH81 road connecting Sarandë, Ksamil and Butrint is heavily congested in high season, especially around sunset when beach day trippers return from Ksamil to Sarandë. This affects not only the cars but also the busses and taxis. This means that a bus ride does not take significantly longer than taking a taxi or own car. ==See== [[File:Ksamil Beach.jpg|thumb|Beautiful and quiet beach at Ksamili]] * {{see | name=Ruins of a 5th-century synagogue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rruga Skënderbeu and Rruga Vangjel Pandi cnr | lat=39.87453 | long=20.0068 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{see | name=Synagogue | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{see | name=Ethnographic Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{see | name=Old Castle of Lekures at "Qafa e Gjashtes" (The Pass of Six) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=above Saranda | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=There is a nice outdoor restaurant within the castle from which you have panoramic views of Saranda Bay below, the inland mountains, the Butrint Lagoon and the island of Corfu on the Ionian Sea. }} ===Further afield=== [[File:Albania, Dhermi.jpg|thumb|Dhermi a gem of the Albanian Riviera]] * {{see | name=Borsh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.0625 | long=19.856667 | directions=35&nbsp;km north | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Borsh Albania Burg.JPG | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=a maritime village. }} [[File:Amphitheatre of Butrint 2009.jpg|thumb|Greco-Roman amphitheatre in Butrint]] * {{see | name=Butrint National Park and Archaeological Site | alt= | url=http://akzm.gov.al/?option=com_k2&view=item&id=114%3Anational-park-of-butrinti&Itemid=435&lang=us | email= | address=Butrint, Ksamil | lat=39.746111 | long=20.020278 | directions=just outside of Ksamil | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=1000 lek | wikidata=Q975250 | lastedit=2022-08-19 | content=This is an [[UNESCO World Heritage site]]. Butrint was an ancient city throughout Greek, Roman, bishopric and Byzantine periods. The city was finally abandoned during the Middle Ages perhaps due to the marsh surrounding and subsequent malaria epidemic. - Despite being one of the greatest classical cities of the Mediterranean, Butrint remains largely unknown. The current archaeological site includes an impressive Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine Basilica (the largest in the world after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), a Roman temple with mosaic floor, a beautifully carved lion's gate as well numerous constructions built throughout the periods. Furthermore, what you see is just 15 per cent of what lies beneath. Most of the sights are under tree shadows so you can go even in midday heat. As of August 2022, there are city buses that run to Butrint, via Ksamil, every hour on the half hour, from 06:30 until 19:30 (06:30, 8:30, 10:30...16:30). The same bus line runs from Butrint to Saranda, via Ksamil (100 lek), every hour on the half hour from 07:30 until 17:30 (07:30, 9:30, 11:30....19:30). Bus price is 100 lek per person (up to Ksamil) and can be picked up at the main Saranda bus station or across the street from Hotel Buntrinti. Butrint visitors should allocate approximately 2 hours to enjoy the site; archaeology fans will probably want closer to 3 hours. }} * {{see | image=Albania, Dhermi.jpg | name=[[Dhërmi]] beach| alt= | url= |lat=40.144|long=19.638|directions=65&nbsp;km north| content= — one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road, perfect for camping. }} * {{see | name=Ksamil beach | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.76667 | long=20 | directions=near Sarandë; the bus from Sarandë serves both Ksamili and Butrint | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Ksamil Beach.jpg | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=This village has a beautiful beach with several small islands you could swim to. Ksamili is now heavily developed, with a large number of partially-completed properties. An extraordinary sight is that some of these new buildings are toppling over; this is believed to be where buildings have gone up without permission, and the police have sabotaged the building by pulling out a couple of upright pillars, leaving the owner to clear up the damage. }} * {{see | name=[[Lukove]] beach|alt= |url= |lat=39.983333|long=19.916667|directions=20&nbsp;km north |content=&nbsp;- part of the Albanian Riviera, here is Kakome, one of the most beautiful Albanian beaches. As of July 2018 the road access to Kakome beach was blocked by closed gates with guards, apparently due to a construction project.}} * {{see | name=Syri i Kalter | alt=The Blue Eye | url= | email= | address=Delvinë District | lat=9.923611 | long=20.192778 | directions=25 min away by driving | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Water spring - a natural phenomenon. The clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than 50 m-deep pool. A great place to visit and relax. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Central Park|alt=Friendship Park, Parku Miqesia|url=|email=|address=Rruga Telat Noga & Rruga Onhezmi corner | lat=39.875031|long=20.007385| directions=| phone=|fax=|hours=|price=|content= }} * {{do | name=Sunset at Lekures| alt= | url= | email=| address= | lat= | long= | directions=| content=In the afternoon, when the sun is setting, you should go to Lekures, and watch the sun set, or you could go to the beach and relax with your friends or family while enjoying the beautiful sunset. Something else that you can do, when it’s not a really hot day is to go camping. If it’s not a hot day, camping would be a really good experience and also allow you to have a good time looking at the stars at night, and it would be a change from going to the beach. Another idea is to visit a new beach each day, such as one day “pllakat” the next day “manastiri” and so on.}} * After visiting Ali Pasha Tepelena Castle, you could go to the Pulbardha Beach and enjoy some great food and relax on the sandy beach. ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Myrtaj Shop | alt=Market Vellezerit Myrtaj | url= | email=| address=Rruga Onhezmi | lat=39.875291 | long=20.006988 | directions=| phone= | tollfree= | fax=| hours= | price=| content=}} * Skenderbeu Cognac * Miniature bunker from alabaster * Albanische Mythologie book * Souvenirs made from sea shells in Ksamil * LLogara honey is a local speciality - it is sold by various merchants on the road. ==Eat== Sarandë is bustling with restaurants, cafes and bars. Fast food places offer a surprisingly cheap and tasty variety of options: €1 will usually get you a good souvlaki (usually pork) or a very nice crepe. Look out for yoghurt flavoured ice cream on the boardwalk, near the tourist info office. The [https://m.facebook.com/pages/Mare-Nostrum-Cusine/317655318368160 Mare Nostrum Cuisine] is a nice restaurant on the sea-front of Saranda, in the center. It has the reputation as one of the best places to eat in Saranda [http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g303165-d4318874-Reviews-Mare_Nostrum_cusine-Saranda_Vlore_County.html]. Great food and service but known to be a little more expensive than other restaurants. Fresh fish is abundant in Saranda and available at most restaurants. Establishments next to the sea and fishing ports provide the freshest fish but generally speaking good seafood can be had all around. ===Ksamil=== There are a few places you can eat in Ksamil. At least 4 restaurants in Ksamil are open year-round, but in the summer there are a lot more options and many are just seconds from the beach. Most serve either sea food or a mix of pizza, Greek dishes and heavy meat based fast food. ==Drink== Albanian raki, the local firewater. ==Sleep== ===Hostels=== *{{sleep | name=Hostel "Hasta La Vista" | alt= | url= | email= | address=location: Idriz Alidhima Street In Front of the Football Stadium Sarande | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=€10 | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=Hostel Hasta La Vista offers Reception 24/7 with 36 air-conditioned accommodations with blackout drapes/curtains. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary reliable high-speed wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Guests have access to shared bathrooms. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested. }} *{{sleep |name=Backpackers SR |alt=Tomi's Hostel| url=http://sites.google.com/site/backpackersrthebunker | email=sarandabackpackers@gmail.com| address=Rruga Mithat Hoxha Num 10, Lagja 4 Sarande, 7500 | lat=39.87050 | long=20.00219| directions=*Directions from Bus - From the bus stop walk downhill towards the sea, when you reach the promenade turn right on to Ionianet street and walk to the eucalyptus in the center of the road and turn left and 50 m on the right you will see a yellow and grey building No. 10. At the dark brown door, ring the bell (Tomi), a six-minute walk. *Directions from the Corfu ferry - Exit the customer area, walk up the ramp, turn right and 50 m in front you should see a yellow and grey building with an internet cafe on the ground floor. Look for the dark brown door to the left of the creppe shop. Ring the bell named Tomi. One minute walk.| phone=+355 694345426 |tollfree=| hours= | price=€11|fax=| checkin=09:00-23:00 | checkout=12:00|lastedit=2020-05-26| content=Centrally located in the heart of town, close to everything Saranda has to offer. Bus route 6 min walk, Corfu ferry 1 min, Bus st. to Ksamil/Butrint 1 min, Bus st. to Greece 2 min, beach in front of the hostel, the famous promenade (xhiro) on our doorstep, the farmers market, fresh fruits & vegs 1 min. Open year-round. 14 dorm beds in a new building. Free breakfast. Free wifi. Kitchen. Free security lockers. Free linen & bedsheets. Free coffee and tea. Roof terrace. Beach BBQ dinners in front of the hostel in the summer. Run by Tomi, a local resident, who is such a nice and helpful guy. He will make you feel right at home by going out of his way to help you out. Knows lots of information about day trips to Butrint and the Blue Eye. }} *{{sleep | name=The Hairy Lemon Hostel | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/HairyLemonHostel/ | email=saranda@hairylemonhostel.com | address=Rruga Mitat Hoxha, 8th floor (lemon logo on door), Koder | lat=39.87117 | long=19.99574 | directions='''Directions:''' A taxi from the port costs €3. Otherwise, with your back to the Port turn left and continue on this coastal road (part tarmac and part dirt track) 1 km till you see a sign on the right: 'Pharmacy' and on the left 'Kasandro Restaurant' at the 'Apollonia Hotel' junction. Ask anyone along the coastal road for 'Apollonia Hotel'. From the map 'Andon Lapa Hotel' to 'Apollonia Hotel' is a 2-3 min walk. Above the 'Pharmacy' in the 10-storey lemon and orange building, look up to the 8th floor to see an Albanian flag hanging from their balcony. Go to the opposite side of this building to find the entrance. You can get a key to the building from the shop near the building entrance. Take the lift to the 8th floor. From the lift go left, and the 'Hairy Lemon' is behind the last door on the left | phone=+355 69 3559317, +355 69 889 9196 | tollfree= | checkin=12:00-23:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=€12 (€14 Jul-Aug) | lastedit=2020-05-26 | content=A small 18-bed hostel run by a great Irish lady. Has hot shower, laundry, free breakfast, 24-hour tea and coffee, internet, comfy bunks and a large balcony with great views of the beach and Corfu. }} * {{sleep | name=The Wallaby Hostel | alt= | url= | email=info@wallabyhostel.com | address=Rruga Pandeli Bocari, 9703 Sarandë | lat=39.877538 | long=20.007146 | directions= | phone=+355 69 333 4588 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00-0:00 | checkout=11:00 | price= | lastedit=2020-07-14 | content=Hostel run by two wacky Australian blokes. Reception's available 24/7 along with sociable staff. Games of beer pong are often had and the owners will take you out for pub crawls. }} ===Apartments=== *{{sleep | name=Holiday Apartments from locals|url= |email=| address=everywhere in and around Sarandë|directions=|phone=|price=|content=There are plenty of private houses, apartments offered by locals especially during the high season period. The accommodation offered ranges from low-budget to highly exclusive locations both for low and reasonably high prices. However, if you are traveling in a group of more than 2 people, it is worth considering. The apartments can usually accommodate up to 10 people and are much cheaper than a hotel. Furthermore, you can usually cook in the apartment and save some money. But make sure to book your accommodation in advance, since most of the apartments get booked out very fast. }} ===Hotels=== * {{sleep | name=Epirus Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Mitat Hoxha 2 | lat=39.87223 | long=19.99302 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=dbl €23 incl. breakfast | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Palma | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rruga Mitat Hoxha | lat=39.87004 | long=20.00212 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=sgl from €20 | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Porto Eda Hotel |url=http://www.portoeda.com/|email=info@portoeda.com|address=Rruga Jonianet| lat=39.87399| long=20.00828|directions=|phone=+355 69 2063480|fax=+355 85226696 | price=dbl €45|checkin= |checkout=|content=The simple. Mobile: +355 69 7233180}} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Aulona | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rruga Lefter Talo, nr.84 | lat=39.8753 | long=20.0103 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from €25 | lastedit=2021-07-31 | content=Wi-Fi. }} * Hotel Kaonia, Rruga Jonianet, 22? Tel.+355 85 222600 * Hotel Ari, Rruga (street) Jonianet, 20, double from €40 * Villa Kanina, At Rruga Studenti and Rruga Sali Ceka corner +355 69 558 4338, double from €25 * {{sleep | name=Hotel New Heaven| alt= | url= | email=| address=Saranda Butrinti Road | lat=39.8693 | long=20.0143| directions=1 km from port| phone= | price=Double €30| checkin= | checkout=| content=Twenty rooms with a shower. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Butrinti | alt= | url=https://hotelbutrinti.com/ | email=hotelbutrinti@hotmail.com | address=Rruga Naim Frasheri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+355 69 20 57 360 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=This luxury five-star hotel is prohibitively expensive but very pretty. There are 87 rooms in total with many of them having beautiful views of the Ionian Sea. }} * {{sleep | name=Vila Duraku | alt=Hotel Duraku | url=https://viladuraku.albania-al.com/en/ | email= | address=Rruga Naim Frashëri | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+355 69 204 2156 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=The average cost of stay is 6,700 lek | content=Very comfortable and clean rooms, and the staff is very qualified. Free WiFi and private parking. Pets are not allowed. Languages spoken by the staff include English, Italian and Greek. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel ‘Dea’ | alt= | url= | email=hoteldea@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=1 km from the city center, walk along the road Sarand-Butrinti | phone=+355 69 2724043| fax=| price= | checkin= | checkout=| content=20 rooms, all with views on the sea, 3 large suites, a big swimming pool, bar, restaurant, reception and 24-hour private parking. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== [[File:Gjirokastra.jpg|thumb|Gjirokastër an [[UNESCO]] city]] * [[Albanian Riviera]] * Borsh (N 35&nbsp;km) a maritime village * [[Corfu]] in [[Greece]] is the island of grace and politeness. It lies opposite the coast of Epirus mainland and it is separated from Albania in the north part of it by a narrow strait of 1.5 sea miles. [http://www.corfu.gr/web/guest/home Corfu] is the capital of the seven Ionian Islands with an area of 592 km², it is the second largest island of the Ionian Islands, with a beautiful coastline of 217 km. Corfu is also the greenest island of all Greece. The impressive vegetation of the island consist mainly of olive and cypress trees * [[Dhërmi]] one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road, perfect for camping. * [[Gjirokastër]] (N {{km|55}})— another [[UNESCO]] city in the south, it is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city. * [[Korce]] (N {{km|245}} via Tepelene several miles from the Greek border) — this city is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape. * Ksamil — On the edge of the Butrint national park. An absolute gem [[File:PërmetAmFlussVjosai.JPG|thumb|Përmet]] * [[Përmet]] (NE {{km|110}} approximately {{km|30}} from the Greek border.) — Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Përmet is located in the Vjosa River Valley. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of wine and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look. Around it: Benjë, and Leusë villages * [[Pogradec]] (NE {{km|280}}) — Overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has experienced a revival. * [[Tepelene]] (N {{km|80}}) there is a ruined citadel occupying a point 300 m above the Vjosë river * Fir of Hotova National Park (NE {{km|120}} and {{km|15}} north of Permet) * [[Lukove]] part of the Albanian Riviera, here is Kakome, one of the most beautiful Albanian beaches * [[Vlorë]] (N {{km|120}}) lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here. * [[Vuno]] (N {{km|85}}) a small village a few kilometres north to the town of [[Himarë]] *[[Himarë]] ({{km|53}}) Greek/Albanian town on the seaside of the Albanian Riveria with beautiful beaches and an ancient old town {{geo|39.87556|20.00528}} {{IsPartOf|Coastal Albania}} {{outlinecity}} {{Related|UNESCO_World_Heritage_List}} fjv544nlcpol866g3z2142co5qrh6oz 0 31985 4506606 4475089 2022-08-23T05:31:20Z Rosspotter 2274401 update info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Squamish top of chief 2 banner.jpg|caption=View of Howe Sound from the First Peak of the Chief}} The '''Sea to Sky''' region stretches from the [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]] up the east side of Howe Sound to [[Squamish]], the gateway to [[British Columbia]]'s magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99), which gives the region its name, clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from [[Vancouver]] to [[Whistler]], one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours. Further in is [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]. The area is rich with [[archaeological sites]] and historical lore of the Salish Indians. == Cities == [[File:Britannia Beach abandoned pier debris.jpg|right|thumb|Britannia Beach ]] Here are the communities in the region, listed as you encounter them heading north from Vancouver. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach]]|wikidata=Q43465}} — a string of communities along the eastern shore of Howe Sound * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Squamish]]|wikidata=Q1342280}} — the outdoor recreation capital of Canada, with rock climbing, hiking, white water, kiteboarding, and some eagles too. The gondola offers some great views of Howe Sound, the Chief and Squamish. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}} — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]|wikidata=Q1727611}} — gateway to some beautiful backcountry areas. Winter: ski & snowmobile. Summer: mountain bike on 200&nbsp;km of free trails. Paragliding, hiking, swimming at One Mile Lake's sandy beach, and hot springs. == Other destinations == * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q1143621}} — stellar hiking and camping amidst mountains and glacier-fed lakes ==Get in== [[Image:Sea to sky map.png|thumb|right|350px|Map of Sea-to-Sky region]] === By car === The only paved road in and out of the Sea to Sky region is '''Highway 99''', commonly referred to as the Sea-to-Sky Highway. It links the region with [[Vancouver]] in the south and [[Lillooet]] and Highways 97 and 1 in the north '''Sea To Sky Highway''' (Highway 99) is a beautiful but windy and, at times narrow, road. The highway was significantly upgraded and widened prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics and is now much safer compared to the past, when it had a slightly dangerous reputation, but care should still be taken when driving, especially in winter conditions. The section along Howe Sound between Vancouver and Whistler via Squamish is probably one of the most scenic routes to be found anywhere. Typical driving time from Vancouver to Whistler is 2-2½ hours. Winter tires are required on the Sea to Sky Highway from October 1 to March 31. There are a number of rideshare sites available [http://www.hitchwhistler.com] where you can find people to share the drive or find a ride for $0-20. If you have time go back the long way to Vancouver by the Dufffey Lake Road through Lillooet & Fraser Canyon: Fantastic Alpine Lakes the small "Marble Canyon", Semi-Arid Lillooet - long needle pines & sage brush: an extension of the Sonorian Desert, and the down the Fraser River back to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver's west coast marine Rain Forest. ===By bus=== * {{listing|name=Epic Rides|alt=|url=https://epicrides.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 604-349-1234|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$24 one way or $35 return|lastedit=2017-03-25|content=Year-round direct bus between [[Whistler]] and [[Vancouver]].}} * {{Listing|name=Perimeter Transportation|url=https://www.perimeterbus.com|phone=+1 604-717-6600|tollfree=+1-877-717-6606|lastedit=2021-03-08|content=From [[Whistler]] hotels via [[Squamish]] and downtown [[Vancouver]] to [[Vancouver International Airport]].}} * {{see |name=Landsea Tours & Charters |alt=Vancouver Tours |comment= |address=680 Industrial Ave., Vancouver |directions= |phone=+1 604 255-7272 |fax= |email=reservations@vancouvertours.com |url=https://www.vancouvertours.com |hours= |price= |lastedit=2022-06-30|lat= |long= |description=Roomy 14 passenger charter bus, Sightseeing of Squamish & Whistler, YVR airport service, transfers within Squamish. Can also book them through many Whistler Hotels. }} * {{Listing|name=YVR Skylynx|url=https://yvrskylynx.com/|email=info@yvrskylynx.com|directions=Stops at Pacific Central Station and in downtown Vancouver|phone=+1-604-326-1616|lastedit=2022-04-05|content=Operates a daily bus route between [[Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Whistler]] with stops in [[Vancouver]] (Pacific Central Station and downtown) and [[Squamish]].}} ===By taxi=== '''[http://www.resortcabs.com Whistler Resort Cabs]''', +1 604-938-1515, provides taxi service from Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport to Whistler for $255. RideBooker.com operates shuttles between Vancouver International Airport and Whistler. If a number of people are travelling together it is possible to go by Limo for $350-400 with room for between 6 and 10 people. === By plane === The nearest large airport is [[Vancouver International Airport]]. There are bus and limousine companies that provide direct shuttle service from the airport to [[Squamish]] and [[Whistler]], see "By bus" above. Car rental is also available at the airport (in winter, always request snow tires and inspect to confirm they were installed). Visitors arriving from the United States may find flying domestically to [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]] or [[Bellingham (Washington)#By plane|Bellingham International Airport]] and taking bus services across the border to be a cheaper option. The bus journey will be upwards of 5 hours. '''[https://quickcoach.com/ Quick Shuttle]''' offers bus services to those airports from Vancouver. Whistler and Pemberton both have small air facilities that handle a few regional chartered flights. === By train === * '''Rail: Lillooet - Shalalth - Seton Portage''' The 2 car passenger train provides, besides daily round trip service, limited service farther south to Ponderosa Ranch near D'Arcy & can be chartered to extend the Ponderosa Run to D'Arcy - 45 min North of Pemberton - at the head of Anderson Lake. Expect occasional minor delays by Mountain Goats &/or Big Horn Sheep. They scatter at sight of the '''CN''' freight trains on the '''BCR''' Line but show no fear of the 2 car self-propelled passenger cars. * The '''[[Rocky Mountaineer]]''' stops at Whistler on the ''Rainforest to Gold Rush'' route from Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler and [[Quesnel]]. ==Get around== Access to some provincial parks and recreation areas is by Forest Service Roads (FSRs). Care should be taken when driving on these roads as some of them are in rough condition (possibly 4x4 or All Wheel Drive only) and they may still be actively used by logging trucks. Many such roads are "radio-controlled" so having a CB Radio will help avoid serious accidents. Construction is under way to build the Sea to Sky Trail, a multi-use trail that will connect Pemberton to Squamish and make it easier to bike through the region. The trail will be gravel in parts however, so it is suitable for mountain bikes rather than road bikes. === By public transit === [https://www.bctransit/ BC Transit] operates bus services in [[Squamish]], [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]], and [[Whistler]], all which operate throughout the day. Bus service within Whistler is frequent. Bus service is available between Pemberton and Whistler, but otherwise is not available between cities. ==See== [[File:Trips 04 - Joffre Group - 02 (90976273).jpg|thumb|275px|Lower Joffre Lake]] The region's biggest attraction is '''the scenery''' — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the Sea to Sky Highway. Highlights include: * '''Shannon Falls''' drop 335 meters, making them the third tallest waterfall in the province. They are just south of [[Squamish]] and it is about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to a viewpoint at the bottom of the falls. * '''Brandywine Falls''' are located south of [[Whistler]]. It is about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to a lookout above the spectacular falls. * '''Nairn Falls''' are in [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]. The falls are 60 m high and accessed by a 10-20 minute walk from the parking lot. * '''Lower Joffre Lake''' is a beautiful turquoise alpine lake set against the backdrop of the Matier Glacier. It's northeast of Pemberton and is accessed by a five-minute walk from the parking lot. If you're looking for a more serious hike, continue on the trail to the Middle and Upper Joffre Lakes (it's 5.5 km) for more stunning views. * '''Garibaldi Lake''', in [[Garibaldi Provincial Park]] requires a 20 km round trip hike to see, but it's spectacular. If you're keen to learn about the region's history, a couple of museums are worth checking. The BC Museum of Mining in [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Britannia Beach]] is the site of an old copper mine and now has a number of exhibits and activities. In [[Whistler]], he Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions. ==Do== [[File:Beautiful clouds in Whistler (45866925295).jpg|right|thumb|Skiing at Whistler]] If you want to do something outdoors, the Sea to Sky region is your place to be. [[Whistler]] is home to the biggest '''ski resort''' in North America — Whistler-Blackcomb — with a season that lasts from Nov to May and glacier skiing in the summer. Starting in May (most years), Whistler mountain is converted into a mountain bike park where the lifts are used to transport riders and bikes up so they can get the full experience of biking down a mountain with a few jumps and obstacles along the way. Mountain bike trails (without the lifts) also exist throughout much of the region. '''Hiking''' is very popular and there are a range of trails from short fairly flat routes (Shannon Falls in [[Squamish]], Brandywine Falls near Whistler, Lower Joffre Lake outside of [[Pemberton (British Columbia)|Pemberton]]) to rigorous climbs up mountains (The Lions in [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Lions Bay]] and Wedge Mountain in [[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]) to the multiday options of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Some of the most rewarding hikes are The Stawamus Chief (Squamish), Garibaldi Lake (Garibaldi Provincial Park) and Upper Joffre Lake (Pemberton). The best book for information about hiking in this area (and all of the Lower Mainland) is '''103 Hikes of Southwestern British Columbia''' {{ISBN|1550547755}}. Squamish is renowned for '''rock climbing''' and has a number of routes and bouldering options in the town and nearby. Other adrenaline inducing activities include white water kayaking and rafting on the rivers between Squamish and Whistler, bungee jumping in Whistler and kiteboarding in Squamish. There's also an artificial reef for scuba diving in [[Lions Bay-Britannia Beach|Porteau Cove]]. On the less strenuous side, '''golf''' is popular with a number of courses throughout the region. Whistler has the largest number and most celebrated, with courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones Jr. There is also a course just north of Porteau Cove and two clubs in each of Squamish and Pemberton. ==Eat== You won't go hungry when visiting the Sea to Sky region, but the number of restaurants and the range of choice depends on where you are. [[Whistler]] has the widest array of restaurants and food options consistent with its status as a major resort. [[Squamish|Squamish's]] dining scene is lower profile but it does have a number of good café-style restaurants. It also has the largest number of fast food restaurants if you want or need something in a hurry. ==Drink== [[File:Whistler, 8 juin 2008, 2.jpg|right|thumb|Whistler village]] Suiting its young population and streams of visitors, Whistler has a large mix of bars, clubs and DJs to dance, drink or socialize the night away. During busy periods, expect line-ups at the popular spots but you may get a chance to party with a celebrity. At least one or two bars in town will usually have live music. A good source of information for current events and entertainment info' are the local papers: ''The Pique'' and ''The Question'' give Whistler and Pemberton Listings, and the ''Chief'' for Squamish. Squamish and Pemberton both have local bars and pubs. The scene is lower key than Whistler, with more character and less flash. ==Sleep== The Sea to Sky region has a full range of accommodation options. The higher end hotels and apartment/condo rentals are mostly in Whistler, with some cheaper options in Squamish and Pemberton. There are B&Bs in all three towns, but hostels are surprisingly under represented, with just a handful in Whistler. Camping is available in the provincial parks and recreation sites scattered throughout the region. For summer weekend, it's recommended to book in advance, early in the new year, as they sell out. Many of the sites are drive-in (Nairn Falls and Birkenhead Lake) although there are some spectacular campsites if you're willing to hike for a bit at parks like Garibaldi and Joffre Lakes. There are also many free, unmaintained forestry campsites, such as along Lillooet Lake and River. Be warned you could have your tranquility broken by loud yahoos. No matter how wild the party the cops won't come unless they are burning down the forest. Recommend these sites only in off season, while school is still in session. ==Stay safe== Weather can change quickly due to the rapid changes to elevation. Despite the upgrades to Highway 99, some sections remain steep and windy. They are often marked by lower maximum speed limits. ==Go next== * '''[[Fraser Canyon and Bridge River Country|Lillooet Country]]''' to the north is the gateway to the Cariboo. The [[Bridge River Valley]] has more camping, fishing and hiking. * '''[[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]''' - more laid back small towns and vacation areas {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{usableregion}} {{geo|49.9361|-123.1667|zoom=10}} mpws9l1dy2zpvfj57f84ytm7qhh72pk 0 32160 4506296 4427181 2022-08-22T15:47:57Z Max980301 106949 /* By subway */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Seoul_cityscape_banner.jpg}} {{printDistricts}} [[File:Korea-Seoul-Cheonggyecheon-2008-01.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Seoul/Jung#Q495437|Cheonggyecheon creek]] in central Seoul]] '''[https://english.visitseoul.net Seoul]''' (서울) is the capital of [[South Korea]]. With a municipal population of over 10.5 million, and a metropolitan population totaling over 20.5 million, Seoul is by far South Korea's largest city and one of East Asia's financial and cultural centers. A fascinating blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge digital technology, home to endless [[street food]] vendors and vast [[nightlife]] districts, an extraordinarily high-pressure educational system and serene [[Buddhist]] temples, a dynamic trend-setting youth culture and often crushing conformism, extraordinary architecture and endless monotonous rows of grey apartment buildings, Seoul is a city filled with stark contrasts, contradictions, and paradoxes. ==Districts== Administratively, Seoul is divided into 25 districts (구 ''gu''), each with an area and population comparable to a small city. The districts are then further subdivided into 522 sub-districts (동 ''dong''). The Han river splits the city into two halves: Gangbuk (강북), the northern, more historical half, and Gangnam (강남), the southern, wealthier and more modern half. The sheer size of the city means that travelers to Seoul will find it difficult to locate a true "center" of Seoul; instead, Seoul is almost more like a collection of cities that happen to be bunched together, each with their own central business and commercial districts. The two largest core areas are Jongno/Jung in the north, and Gangnam in the south. For travelers with more time, there are many more, smaller centers and districts to be explored, such as the island of Yeoui-do and the college district of Hongdae/Sinchon. For the typical traveler, it would be useful to divide the city into the following areas: {{Mapframe|37.56|126.98|width=570|height=520|zoom=11|show=mask,go|staticmap=Seoul_districts_png.png}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q36929|fill=#B383B3|title=[[Seoul/Jongno|Jongno (종로)]]}} <!-- Jongno-gu --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50441|fill=#D5DC76|title=[[Seoul/Jung|Jung (중)]]}} <!-- Jung-gu --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50408, Q50388|fill=#B5D29F|title=[[Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Seodaemun-Mapo (서대문/마포)]]}} <!-- Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50429|fill=#AC5C91|title=[[Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan (용산)]]}} <!-- Yongsan-gu --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50190, Q50356|fill=#8A84A3|title=[[Seoul/Yeongdeungpo-Guro|Yeongdeungpo-Guro (영등포 / 구로)]]}} <!-- Yeongdeungpo-Guro --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q20398, Q20395|fill=#D09440|title=[[Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho|Gangnam & Seocho (강남 / 서초)]]}} <!-- Gangnam-Seocho --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50415, Q50348|fill=#4F93C0|title=[[Seoul/Songpa|Songpa-Gangdong (송파 / 강동)]]}} <!-- Songpa-Gangdong --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50368, Q50412, Q50349, Q50374, Q50432|fill=#578E86|title=[[Seoul/North|North]]}} <!-- North --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50385, Q50353, Q50359|fill=#D56D76|title=[[Seoul/South|South]]}} <!-- South --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50444, Q50355, Q50411, Q50382|fill=#71B37B|title=[[Seoul/East|East]]}} <!-- East --> {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|wikidata=Q50192, Q50420|fill=#71E37F|title=[[Seoul/West|West]]}} <!-- West --> {{Mapshapes|Q16950}} <!-- Seoul Subway --> {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Seoul/Jongno|Jongno (종로)]] | region1color=#B383B3 | region1items=''Jongno-gu'' | region1description=The Joseon-era historical core of the city with the famous Joseon Palace, Gyeongbokgung. Bukchon has beautiful traditional Korean house and Insa-dong has the largest antiques market street in Seoul. Cheongyecheon has a renovated stream and park that runs through the heart of the downtown area. | region2name=[[Seoul/Jung|Jung (중)]] | region2color=#D5DC76 | region2items=''Jung-gu'' | region2description=This district makes up the other half of the historic core as well as the shopping districts of Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market. This area contains Seoul Station and Namsan Mountain, with the Seoul Tower at its summit. | region3name=[[Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Seodaemun-Mapo (서대문/마포)]] | region3color=#B5D29F | region3items=''Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu'' | region3description= These two districts lie immediately west of Jongro and Jung, and contain dozens of universities and colleges. As such, this area is home to some of Seoul's most active nightlife districts: Hongdae (홍대) and Sinchon (신촌). | region4name=[[Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan (용산)]] | region4color=#AC5C91 | region4items=''Yongsan-gu'' | region4description=Yongsan is home to the US Army Military Base as well as one of the huge Yongsan Electronics Market. This is also where you'll find Itaewon (이태원), perhaps the most culturally diverse area in Korea and home to dozens of restaurants featuring cuisine from the world over, numerous shops selling everything from custom-tailored suits to antiques, and several Western pubs and bars. | region5name=[[Seoul/Yeongdeungpo-Guro|Yeongdeungpo-Guro (영등포 / 구로)]] | region5color=#8A84A3 | region5items=''Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu'' | region5description=Covering Yeoui-do on the Han River as well as an area on the south side, this is often referred to as the 'Manhattan of Seoul'. Guro is one of the IT venture company clusters. | region6name=[[Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho|Gangnam & Seocho (강남 / 서초)]] | region6color=#D09440 | region6items=''Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu'' | region6description=Famed for 'Gangnam Style', this affluent area is the glitzy center of modern Seoul, home to hundreds of glass and steel skyscrapers, neon billboards, and some of the most expensive real estate in the country. | region7name=[[Seoul/Songpa|Songpa-Gangdong (송파 / 강동)]] | region7color=#4F93C0 | region7items=''Songpa-gu, Gangdong-gu'' | region7description=A residential district east of Gangnam where you'll find Lotte World, Olympic Park, Seoul (Jamsil) Sports Complex, and the Sincheon nightlife district. | region8name=[[Seoul/North|North]] | region8color=#578E86 | region8items=''Nowon-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Dobong-gu, Eunpyeong-gu'' | region8description=Northern area including Eunpyeong, Seongbuk, Gangbuk, Dobong and Nowon. Mt. Bukhansan and Mt. Dobongsan area. | region9name=[[Seoul/South|South]] | region9color=#D56D76 | region9items=''Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu, Geumcheon-gu'' | region9description=Area south of the Han river including Dongjak, Gwanak and Geumcheon. This is where you can enjoy fresh seafood at the huge Noryangjin fish market. | region10name=[[Seoul/East|East]] | region10color=#71B37B | region10items=''Jungnang-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Seongdong-gu, Dongdaemun-gu'' | region10description=Dongdaemun, Jungnang, Gwangjin, Seongdong with greenery and some interesting cultural sites. | region11name=[[Seoul/West|West]] | region11color=#71E37F | region11items=''Gangseo-gu, Yangcheon-gu'' | region11description=Western area south of the Han river and including Gangseo and Yangcheon }} ==Understand== :''"S.E.O.U.L. Call it with me, the beautiful world that makes my dreams come true!"'' <small>&mdash; The Seoul Song by Girls' Generation & Super Junior</small> [[File:Gangnam.jpg|thumb|Gangnam district by night]] With over 10 million people, a figure that doubles if you include neighboring cities and suburbs, Seoul is the largest city in South Korea and unquestionably the economic, political and cultural hub of the nation. By some measures it is the second largest urban agglomeration on the planet, after Greater [[Tokyo]]. Seoul has become a favourite with tourists from China, Japan and Southeast Asia, following the success of Korean pop culture. Aside from the native Korean, travelers will frequently overhear Japanese, Cantonese or Mandarin as well; many restaurants and stores, especially in the more touristy areas like Myeongdong, will have signs in Japanese and Chinese, as well as Korean and English. However, this travel destination, long popular amongst Asians, is still relatively unknown in the West and frequently passed over by Westerners for nearby [[Tokyo]], [[Kyoto]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Shanghai]] and [[Beijing]]. However, the traveler who does visit will not be disappointed. This sprawling metropolis is truly vast — though the casual traveler can see most of the main sites in a few days, a dedicated traveler could spend months exploring all the alleyways and far-off neighborhoods. As the capital of a country that has gone through massive development in the past sixty years, Seoul is constantly changing at an incredible pace, matched only by the mainland Chinese cities. This frantic pace of life is reflected everywhere — in Seoul's cutting-edge digital technology, in the millions of commuters rushing to work everyday in the world's third largest subway system, in one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the world, and in the thousands of high rises and apartment buildings still under construction. Considering all of this, one may be forgiven for forgetting that Seoul has a long history stretching far back into Korea's dynastic past. There is evidence for settlement in this area as far back as 18 BCE, but Seoul as the capital city of South Korea has a history dating back to the 14th century. Originally named Hanseong (한성; 漢城), the city was the capital of the Joseon Dynasty from 1392 to 1910. The Joseon Dynasty built most of Seoul's most recognisable landmarks, including the Five Grand Palaces and Namdaemun. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the city was renamed to its current name, Seoul. Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, Seoul has been the capital of South Korea. Occupied twice during the Korean War by Communist forces from the North, the city was extensively rebuilt and today is one of Asia's primary metropolises. Much of Seoul's infrastructure and facilities, such as the buildings, stadiums and transport systems, are exceptionally modern and clean. ===Orientation=== Seoul is a relatively well organized city covering over {{convert|600|km2}} with a population of around 10.5 million. It is a new modern city built on an ancient and shining history. The city is in the north-western portion of South Korea approximately {{km|40}} east of the Yellow Sea (황해 "Hwanghae") and 60 kilometers south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The city is roughly bisected by the Han River (한강 ''Hangang''), which runs east to west across the city. Seoul blurs seamlessly into its surrounding satellite cities and towns, most of which are also served by the Seoul metro. The largest of these is Incheon (to the west), the home of the metropolitan area's main airport and seaport. Other satellite cities include such as Ilsan (to the north), Bucheon (to the west) and Anyang (to the south). ===Climate=== {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 1.5 | febhigh = 4.7 | marhigh = 10.4 | aprhigh = 17.8 | mayhigh = 23.0 | junhigh = 27.1 | julhigh = 28.6 | aughigh = 29.6 | sephigh = 25.8 | octhigh = 19.8 | novhigh = 11.6 | dechigh = 4.3 | janlow = -5.9 | feblow = -3.4 | marlow = 1.6 | aprlow = 7.8 | maylow = 13.2 | junlow = 18.2 | jullow = 21.9 | auglow = 22.4 | seplow = 17.2 | octlow = 10.3 | novlow = 3.2 | declow = -3.2 | janprecip = 20.8 | febprecip = 25.0 | marprecip = 47.2 | aprprecip = 64.5 | mayprecip = 105.9 | junprecip = 133.2 | julprecip = 394.7 | augprecip = 364.2 | sepprecip = 169.3 | octprecip = 51.8 | novprecip = 52.5 | decprecip = 21.5 | description = Korea Meteorological Administration }} Seoul lies between a subtropical and a humid continental climate zones. November to April tend to be more continental, while warmer months are more subtropical with hot, humid summers. There are monsoon conditions in June and July and an average of 28 days of snow during winter. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Seoul ({{IATA|SEL}} for all airports) is served by two airports; Incheon International Airport serves most international flights, while Gimpo Airport primarily serves domestic flights, though it is also served by some international flights to China, Japan and Taiwan. ====Incheon Airport==== [[File:Incheon Airport.JPG|thumb|240px|Incheon Airport Terminal 1]] : ''Main article: [[Incheon International Airport]]'' Most visitors arrive via {{marker|type=go|name=[[Incheon International Airport]]|lat=37.4488|long=126.4513|image=Incheon_International_Airport.jpg}} ({{IATA|ICN}}) on [[Yeongjong Island]] in the neighboring city of [[Incheon]]. The '''[http://www.arex.or.kr/ A'REX]''' train link connects the airport to Seoul Station (for further connections to KTX high-speed services) and Gimpo Airport (most domestic flights), operating from 05:20 until 00:00. Two versions exist: express services to the city (every 40 minutes) take 43 minutes and cost ₩9,000 (with WiFi available on board); while commuter services (every 6 minutes) take 53 minutes and cost ₩3,700. The express train and the regular train leave from different platforms and have different ticket buying booths. The express service offers discounts to passengers with flight or train tickets for the same day, as well as returning passengers with a ticket issued within the past 15 days. If, however, you have a lot of luggage or are heading to southern parts of Seoul (e.g. Gangnam), the airport buses remain your best option. A taxi direct to Seoul will cost around ₩50,000/70,000 regular/deluxe. ====Gimpo Airport==== * {{listing | type=go | name=Gimpo Airport | alt=김포국제공항, {{IATA|GMP}} | url=http://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/main.do | email= | address= | lat=37.556944 | long=126.7975 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Gimpo International Airport | image=Gimpo airport.jpg | wikidata=Q482493 | content=Closer but older. Caters only to the shuttle services to [[Taipei]]-Songshan, [[Tokyo]]-[[Haneda Airport]], [[Osaka]]-Kansai, [[Beijing Capital International Airport]] and [[Shanghai]]-Hongqiao, as well as domestic flights within [[South Korea]], mostly to [[Jeju]]. }} Gimpo Airport is easily reached on the A'REX link from Seoul Station or Incheon Airport, as well as subway lines 5 and 9. All lines intersect Line 2 which runs in a large circle through Seoul. Line 9 (Gold Line), the first privately run subway line in Seoul, has express trains as well. Travelers coming into Seoul should first have detailed directions to their destination from the nearest station then consult the subway map before deciding on which line and route to take. All three lines cost ₩1,000-2,100 (depending on distance), while a taxi to central Seoul will run around ₩30,000. Discounts for subway fare are available with T-Money cards. ===By train=== [[File:Wongwt 首爾火車站 (16942638829).jpg|220px|thumb|right|Seoul Station]] Seoul is the northern terminus for most KTX high-speed train services. There are three main stations within city limits: * '''Seoul Station''' (서울역) for trains heading Southeast ([[Busan]], [[Pohang]], [[Daegu]], [[Daejeon]], [[Changwon]]) and few heading East ([[Pyeongchang]], [[Gangneung]], [[Donghae]]) depart here. Accessible via subway line 1, 4, Gyeongui-Jungang, as well as the AREX (from [[Incheon International Airport]] and [[Gimpo International Airport]]). The Gyeongui line uses a separate platform in the old station building(Culture Station 284). Some trains bound Southwest depart from Seoul station as well. * '''Yongsan Station''' (용산역) is the main terminus for trains heading Southwest ([[Mokpo]], [[Gwangju]], [[Daejeon]], [[Yeosu]]). Metro lines 1 and Gyeongui-Jungang pass through the station. Line 4 is at the nearby Sinyongsan station, about 150m away. * '''Cheongnyangni Station''' (청량리역) serves trains heading east, including all KTX trains bound for [[Pyeongchang]], [[Gangneung]], [[Donghae]], and [[Andong]]. Subway line 1 and Gyeongui-Jungang line stops here, with few trains from Suin-Bundang line and Gyeongchun line. * Some KTX trains heading south stop at Yeongdeungpo Station (영등포역, accessible via subway line 1), and some heading east stop at Sangbong Station(상봉역, accessible via subway line 7, Gyeongui-Jungang and Gyeongchun line). Train stopping at Yeongdeungpo takes longer because they use conventional tracks. Alternatively, the SRT, a private high-speed rail service, departs from '''Suseo Station''' (수서역) and reaches [[Busan]], [[Daegu]], [[Gwangju]], and [[Mokpo]]. It is also slightly cheaper than the KTX. Subway line 3 and Suin-Bundang line stop at the station. The subway system also serves as a commuter rail network for nearby cities and towns in [[Gyeonggi]]. ===By bus=== Every weekend approximately 2 million Seoulites leave the city, which goes a long way to explaining why the city has four major bus terminals. Destinations are not strictly divided by terminals(especially intercity buses), so check the exact terminal and schedule on the website([https://www.kobus.co.kr/main.do Express], [https://txbuse.t-money.co.kr/ Intercity]) * '''Seoul Express Bus Terminal''', (서울고속버스터미널), (''Metro Lines 3, 7, or 9, Express Bus Terminal stn''). Also known as '''Gangnam Terminal''' and '''Gyeongbu-Yeongdong Terminal''', this is the largest of them all and serves pretty much the entire country, but most services head Southeast (incl. [[Busan]], [[Daegu]], [[Daejeon]]). Lines Southwest to Jeolla, however, use the Central City/Honam Terminal right next door. For the most part there's no need to buy a ticket days in advance, except during the holidays. There's even a ticket window labeled "Tickets for Foreigners" where the attendant can speak English. Fare from Seoul-Busan is about ₩20,000 and buses come continuously throughout the day. Small restaurants and snacks are all throughout the station. Journeys longer than 2 hours typically will have a short stop at a rest area. Most buses are very comfortable and extremely safe. * '''Central City Terminal''', also known as '''Honam Terminal''', (''Metro Lines 3, 7 or 9, Express Bus Terminal stn''). Directly adjacent to the Express terminal, serves express buses heading Southeast to [[North Jeolla|North]] and [[South Jeolla]], [[South Chungcheong]], and some routes to [[Daejeon]] and [[North Chungcheong]]. * '''Dong Seoul Bus Terminal''', (동서울버스터미널), Gangbyeon stn (''Line 2''). Served mostly by intercity buses. Most intercity buses to [[Gangwon]] and other parts of Korea departs here. * '''Nambu Bus Terminal'''(남부터미널), Nambu Bus Terminal stn (''Line 3''). Served mostly by intercity buses. Most intercity buses to Southeast to [[North Jeolla|North]] and [[South Jeolla]] and other parts of Korea departs here. ===By boat=== There are ferry services to various points in [[China]] from the neighboring port city of [[Incheon]]. No services run from Japan to Seoul; many Koreans take the coach or KTX train to [[Busan]], where several ferry and hydrofoil options are available. ===By car=== No matter where in Korea you start your journey, there will be tolled expressways (Gosok Doro) and national highways (Gook Do) that lead to Seoul; the most important one is the Gyeongbu Expressway, linking Seoul with [[Busan]]. To avoid the daily traffic jam on the Gyeongbu Highway near Seoul, take Jungbu/2nd Jungbu, Seohaean, or Yongin-Seoul Expressway. ==Get around== Traffic jams are all too common in Seoul, so be careful on the streets and head underground when possible. Street and subway signage is usually written in English as well as Korean. ===By subway=== [[File:Seoul subway linemap_en.svg|thumb|400px|Seoul subway map]] In Seoul, you can visit most places by using the vast subway network. There are nine numbered lines plus a smattering of named suburban lines, all distinguished by different colors. All signs in the subway system are in Korean (both ''hangeul'' and if applicable, ''hanja'') and English, as well as Japanese and Mandarin in some stations. The signs leading to the platform for a particular direction of travel on a given subway line typically list the names of a number of stations in that direction. Stations each have a 3 digit number, but locals rarely make use of these numbers, and they're not on most subway maps, so don't rely on them. An English subway map can be found [http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/cyberStation.do?menuIdx=337 here]. Subway fares are based on the distance traveled, but the shortest ride costs ₩1,250 (base charge) plus a deposit of ₩500 for single-ride cards (refundable if you return the card at designated machines at each station). The base charge roughly covers up to {{km|10}} of the journey and ₩100 is added for every {{km|5}} beyond that. Cards can be purchased ''from vending machines only''. All vending machines accept coins and bills, up to ₩10,000 notes (and some ₩50,000 notes, but cash exchange machines are at each station). Hang onto your card until the end of your trip, as you'll need it to get out. Most of Seoul's automated card machines are equipped with touchscreen and full English support (along with Chinese and Japanese). If planning on using the Metro extensively or staying for more than a couple of days, you should consider purchasing a '''T-money''' stored value contactless smart card. You can buy this card from staffed desks at most subway stations, many newspaper kiosks near subway entrances, and convenience stores with the T-money logo. The most basic card costs ₩2,500, and cash can be added to the card as often as you like. When entering and leaving a subway turnstile, place the card on the reader (leaving it inside your purse or wallet is fine), and it will deduct the appropriate fare from the card. Using this card will allow you to save ₩100 on all transfers (these are common with Seoul's extensive subway system), and you can get all but ₩500 back if you have unused credit. Any value on the T-money card never expires. Credit refund up to ₩20,000 can be received in most convenience stores. Above ₩20,000 you can still get a refund, but the procedure is more complicated, so it's wise to keep your credit below that figure. Typically for most travellers staying less than a week in Seoul, purchasing this card may not be cheaper, but other factors should be considered: it can also be used for taxi fares, buses, storage lockers, pay phones, etc. The T-money card is far more convenient than buying per trip ticket. Using a transportation card is highly recommended if you wish to use it between subways and buses, simply for its ability to transfer for free since you will not have to pay for the basic fare twice for a single journey when using two modes of transport. Note that the subway does not operate late at night. If you're using the AREX in Seoul, you still need to buy a ticket or use the T-money card to enter the subway station area from which you reach the AREX platforms. You'll get a refund later on when you buy an AREX ticket. Here are some things to know when riding the subway. * Some stations have a similar names, so be sure to check the map and destination. For example, Sinchon subway station(Line 2) is located far from Sinchon rail station(Gyeongui-Jungang Line) and both are not transferrable. And Yangpyeong subway station(Line 5) is in Seoul, but Yangpyeong rail station(Gyeongui-Jungang Line) is located at Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do(about 50km away). * At the edge of the train car, there are specially marked seats for the elderly and disabled people. It is ''de facto'' mandatory to leave this seat for others, unless you really need them. Also, some trains have pink seats for pregnant women. * Some terminus stations and branch lines like the Gyeongui-Jungang Line between Gajwa and Seoul Station have very, very few trains, sometimes less than one per hour. Be sure to check the timetables beforehand. Also, the platform for Gyeongui-Jungang Line at Seoul Station is separated from the other lines, in the old station building. * There is also a separate class of commuter trains in Seoul. Lines 1, 4, 9, and several others do operate 'express (급행)' services. They are slightly faster, skipping several stops and passing normal service trains. No extra fees are required to use them. Line 1 also has a 'limited express (특급)' service, which makes even fewer stops. Same fare. * [http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/index.do?device=PC#; Seoul Metro] (Operator of lines 1 to 8) has some info on their [http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/themeList.do?menuIdx=636 'Theme Tour'] section. You can check the timetable there as well. ===By bus=== Seoul also has an extensive bus service. There are four different kinds of buses: yellow, green, blue, and red. Yellow buses have a short circuit usually around tourist areas. Green buses travel around neighborhoods and connect with the subway. Blue buses go across town, while red buses are intercity buses. Buses will only stop at designated bus stops and will not wait for indecisive travelers. Press the red buttons before your stop to let the driver know; some drivers will drive through stops if they see no one waiting at the stop, and no one has pressed the button. Adult fare is as follows: '''Cash''' &ndash; ₩1,200 '''T-Money Card''' &ndash; ₩1,050 By using a T-Money card, you can transfer between the bus and the subway for free up to 30 minutes after your last scan. That is to say, the base charge of ₩1,050 won't be charged twice. If, for example, you travel {{km|10}} by subway, transfer to a bus and travel a further {{km|5}}, ₩1,050 will be deducted once you leave the subway, nothing will be deducted when you enter a bus, but you will be deducted ₩100 for the extra {{km|5}} journey you made on the bus. If you do not tag the machine as you leave the bus, you will be charged the maximum fare possible for the route. ===By taxi=== [[File:20101018 kia k5 taxi 01.jpg|thumb|A KIA taxi]] Deluxe taxis are black with a yellow sign and are more expensive than regular taxis but provide better and more comfortable service. Regular taxis are silver. For the most part, regular taxi cabs have leather interiors and the drivers are nice—so, for many people, "regular" in Seoul might be "deluxe" in their hometown. It is easy to hail a taxi any time of the day or night along any relatively major Seoul street. You can call a deluxe taxi wherever you are by calling 3431–5100. Sometimes, you can find a visitor's guide taxi, a kind of deluxe taxi, the drivers of which know English and Japanese and can guide you around Seoul. As of March 2019, the basic fare for regular taxis is ₩3,800 (₩4,600 at night), with a surcharge of ₩100 applied according to time and distance. (The basic fare is up to {{km|2}}, plus ₩100 per 132 m.) In deluxe taxis, the basic fare is ₩6500 and the additional fare increases in increments of ₩200. (₩4500 basic fare for up to {{km|3}}, plus ₩200 per 151 m). International taxi drivers speak at least one foreign language (generally English) fluently. International taxis use the same basic fare as regular taxis, plus an additional 20%. If there is more than one passenger, and you are traveling only a short distance (like 1-2 metro stops) it is usually cheaper to catch a taxi than to take a bus or subway. In general, taxi drivers do not speak English or any other foreign language, so have your destination written in Korean to show to the taxi driver. It is also wise to get your hotel's business card in case you get lost. Some may even reject looking at a map so whenever possible, have the location written in Korean. All taxis advertise a free interpretation service that can be called if you need help. The phone number for the interpretation is on the window sticker of the back seats. Taxis that have an "On Base Authorized" sticker on the side, or a green sticker on their front bumper, are capable of entering US military bases in Seoul. These drivers are required to speak better English as part of their contract and may thus be easier for any English speaking tourists. All taxis in Seoul accept credit cards and T-money cards. However, drivers generally prefer that you pay cash, especially for shorter rides. You can also ask for your receipt ("Yeong-su-jeung" 영수증). As in any other city, there are some bad apples, and some drivers may take you the long way. Although the drivers often have a GPS device on the dashboard of their car, this is relatively meaningless if you do not know the area or cannot speak sufficient Korean to argue the point. In general, make sure the driver turns on the meter, get an idea of the cardinal direction of your destination (north, south, east, west), and use the interpretation service if you want to agree to a fare beforehand. However, there is often road construction or protests around Seoul, so sometimes a long route is necessary. If you suspect you are being ripped off, the most a non-Korean speaker can do is write down or take a picture of the driver's ID (above the glove box) and report the details to the company. ===By car=== [[File:Gangbyeonbukro in Rushhour 2.jpg|thumb|Rush hour on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro (lit. Riverside North Road) in Seoul]] Internationally known car rental companies can be found in Seoul; just be prepared for a driving challenge and long rush hours. In addition, parking spaces are hard, if not close to impossible to find, especially during peak hours. Therefore, unless you are planning to head out of the city, it is not advisable to rent a car and you are better off relying on the excellent public transport system instead. ===On bicycle === If you like cycling, there are many bike rental stations in Seoul (and other cities). Seoul City government operates [http://14.63.180.215:6060/main.do?lang=en Seoul Bike](nicknamed ''따릉이(Ttareungyi)''), and you can get around easily at little cost. There are many voucher options, but a day voucher is enough for most tourists. At the homepage or official app, purchase the voucher and receive the rental number. At the nearby rental spot, press the button on the bike you want to rent and type the digits. You have to return the bike to the rental station within 1 hour (2 hours if you bought the Premium voucher). You can rent it as many times as you want for 24 hours, as long as you return the bike for respective period of time. A regular voucher is ₩1,000 and a premium one is ₩2,000. When riding the bike, be sure to obey the traffic rules and try to wear a helmet. Read the warnings on the signage and ride with care. The official app shows the location of rental station and how many bikes are there, so plan your journey while knowing where to return. Naver map or Kakao map can show the bike roads and have a direction search option for bikes. If you know the Korean and sign up for them, you can use the weekly, monthly, and yearly option. Other than that, there are other private bike rentals at Han river park and Yeoido. === On foot=== Getting around in Seoul without a local escort (be it friend or cab driver) can be tricky, since this is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. While Seoul occupies less land than New York City, it can be more confusing. The major roads twist and turn, the various rail lines, rivers and mountains are obstacles and the smaller roads turn into a labyrinth of alleys. Most people will try to help you find your way around but often won't know themselves; best to familiarize yourself with some landmarks and the nearest subway stations. Learn the landmarks closest to where you are staying. The better-known landmarks in Seoul (such as the N Seoul Tower in the center of town) can prove helpful at times. A compass will still work when a GPS fails. Google maps are not that useful in South Korea, for security reasons. Use Naver map or Kakao map, since these support English. Once you know your immediate surroundings, you'll find that Seoul isn't such a huge place and the pedestrian approach can be an enriching experience. There's usually a subway stop within a ten-minute walk in any direction. And you can see the local map at the exit of the station. Whether on bicycle or foot, the best way to escape traffic is to learn the rivers and streams. Most of these waterways empty into the Han River or another tributary to the Han, so look to the direction of water flow at any creek; chances are, it's headed for the Han. The Han runs right through town, generally moving West (sometimes Southwest; sometimes Northwest), so knowing where you are in relation to the Han is helpful. The Han River as well as most streams are lined with massive parks that feature outdoor gymnasiums, multiple-lane bicycle paths, and 24-hour restrooms. Cars are generally not allowed. Pedestrian bridges on the smaller waterways are common. Also, numerous mountains with hiking trails can be found in the city. ==Talk== {{see also|Korean phrasebook}} As elsewhere in Korea, a grasp of basic [[Korean phrasebook|Korean]] will be helpful. If you plan on an extended visit, consider learning to read the Korean written script, hangeul. It takes very little time to pick up the basics, and it can be endlessly helpful. A quick (free) visit to the Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall beneath the Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square will give you an introduction to the Korean written language and some interactive exhibits to practice. Thirty minutes there will see you recognising and pronouncing some Korean words. Shops in major tourists areas, including Insadong, Myeongdong, and Itaewon, will probably have staff that speak at least some English, and some may have staff that speak Mandarin, Cantonese and/or Japanese. While all younger Koreans are required to study English in school, due to a lack of practice, proficiency is generally poor, and most residents of Seoul only know a few simple words and phrases. If lost, a useful tip is to write down your question in simple words and show it to someone young. That being said, it is still possible to get by using only English, though a basic grasp of Korean will make your trip much smoother. ==See== {{SeeDistricts}} [[File:Deoksugung-02.jpg|thumb|Deoksugung palace]][[File:Opening at night of Gyeongbokgung Palace.JPG|thumb|Opening at night of Gyeongbokgung Palace]][[File:Gwanghwamun(광화문).jpg|thumb|Gwanghwamun]]While Seoul today is mostly known as a super-modern mega-city that is home to skyscrapers, malls, and millions of electronic-mad Koreans, the city contains over 2,000 years of history. The city contains 4 UNESCO sites marking important monuments from its 505 years as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. Originally a walled city with {{ft|20}} stone walls and narrow lanes inside. Though many buildings were destroyed or damaged during the violent events of the first half of the 20th century, much of its historic core remains. So, anyone staying in Seoul should visit the many historical treasures the city has to offer, including the many [[Seoul/Jongno#Palaces|palaces]] and [[Seoul/Jongno#City Gates|city gates]] within the [[Seoul/Jongno|Jongno]] district. === Palaces, shrines, and walls of Joseon Dynasty and other traditional sites === Seoul has been a capital of Korea since the Joseon Dynasty. Starting from the Gyeongbokgung, many palaces were built for kings and royal family. The most important of them are called '''Five Grand Palaces''' (5대궁). [[Seoul/Jongno|'''Gyeongbokgung Palace''']] is the first and main palace, and holds the site of '''Joseon Palace Museum''' and '''Korean Folk Museum'''. The main gate of the palace, [[Seoul/Jongno|'''Gwanghwamun''']], and its plaza are the center of Seoul. [[Seoul/Jongno|'''Changdeokgung''']], one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sties, was the most favored palace of many Joseon Royal Family. It also has the beautiful garden named '''Secret Garden''' (Also was called 'Forbidden Garden'). [[Seoul/Jongno|'''Changgyeonggung''']] and [[Seoul/Jongno|'''Gyeonghuigung''']] are less famous due to extensive damage sustained after the fall of the Joseon Dynasty; Changgyeonggung was once a zoo, and Gyeonghuigung was once a high school. Finally, [[Seoul/Jung|'''Deoksugung''']] was used during the last years of the monarchy. It has a harmony of both traditional and western building design. All of these palaces have a thicker, more informative pamphlet for ₩500, which is worth the cost. * '''Gyeongbokgung Palace.''' In 1-91, Sejongno, Jongno-gu. The Gyeongbokgung, Which means "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.", was built in 1395 in Joseon Dynasty. It was the heart of Joseon Dynasty because the government ministry district was focused here. Even after it was razed by the Japanese during Hideyoshi invasions of 1592–1598, it was reconstructed in 1876, only for many buildings to be razed again by the Japanese during the occupation from 1910–1945. Nevertheless, Gyeongbokgung remains one of the most magnificent and historically most significant places in Seoul, and restoration to its pre-Japanese occupation state continues to be take place at a painstaking pace. It opens everyday except Tuesday. There is also a free guide tour for tourists every day (English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30). It is also good to take the opportunity of night opening, which is held a few days every a year, you have to reserve a place online. You can access the palace by subway (Gyeongbokgung Palace station Exit 5, Subway line 3) or Seoul City Tour Bus. There are several traditional spots in Seoul besides palaces. [[Seoul/Jongno|'''Jongmyo Shrine''']] is where the royal family of Joseon Dynasty is enshrined, and Jongmyo Jerye ceremony is held every year. [[Seoul/Jongno|'''Jogyesa Temple''']] and [[Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho|'''Bongeunsa Temple''']] are notable Buddhist temples for experiencing the Korean Buddhism. === Parks and mountains === Seoul is full of parks. Along the Han River (Hangang, 한강), there are '''Hangang Citizen's Park'''. It is in many districts, and each have a distinct spots. You can cycle along the river or buy a snack or souvenir at the night market. Among those, '''Banpo Hangang Park''' is most famous. You can see the fountain on the Banpo bridge, go to Some Sevit (an artificial floating island), or exercise at the Seorae island. There are several unique parks that were repurposed from other uses. [[Seoul/East|'''Seoul Forest''']] was changed from a racecourse to a park with deer and a greenhouse. [[Seoul/Songpa|'''Olympic Park''']] was built on ancient fortification walls, and holds many venues used in the 1988 Olympics. [[Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|'''Worldcup Park''']] was a landfill, but was turned into a large park with a soccer stadium, and is famous for silver grass. [[Seoul/Yeongdeungpo-Guro|'''Seonyudo Park''']] was a water filtration plant and was changed to ecological park above the remnants of old tanks and reservoirs. Other famous parks include [[Seoul/East|'''Children's Grand Park''']] and [[Seoul/North|'''Dream Forest''']]. Seoul is also surrounded by many mountains (san, 산). You can hike along the people and feel the nature in the middle of city. Notable mountains are [[Seoul/Yongsan|'''Namsan''']] (남산), [[Seoul/South|'''Gwanaksan''']] (관악산), [[Seoul/North|'''Bukhansan''']] (북한산), [[Seoul/North|'''Suraksan''']] (수락산). * {{see | name=Hangang Citizen's Park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Alongside the Han River through 13 districts - Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Gangdong, Ttukseom, Jamwon, Banpo, Ichon, Yeouido, Yanghwa, Mangwon, Seonyudo, Nanji, and Gangseojigu. You can see many people strolling or jogging along the trail paths, as well as in-line skaters, bicyclists, and soccer fields or basketball courts. Yeouido, Jamsil, and Ttukseom districts are especially popular because of the cruise services on the Han River. }} === Notable museums === Seoul has been a capital for more than 600 years, and has a lot of museums. The most important museum is definitely '''National Museum of Korea''' at Yongsan. This houses the highlight of 5,000 years of Korean history and its exquisite treasures. Other historical museums include '''National Museum of Korean Contemporary History''', '''National Folk Museum''', '''Joseon Palace Museum''' at Jongno. If you are fan of art, there are many art museums as well. '''Seoul Museum of Arts''' is near the city hall and is free. '''National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts''', which used to be at [[Gwacheon]], has a separate Seoul branch near Bukchon and inside the Duksugung Palace. '''Leeum Museum''' at Itaewon is one of the best private-owned museums in Korea, and the '''Dongdaemun Design Plaza''' hosts the exhibition from Kansong Museum. There are other interesting museums in the city; '''War memorial of Korea''' houses military armor and aircrafts, '''National Hangul Museum''' shows the history of Korean writing system, '''Seodaemun Prison''' preserves the actual prison used during the Japanese Colonization period. ==Do== {{SeeDistricts}} Watch the fashionable Seoulites shop and sip coffee in [[Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho|Gangnam]]. Explore the huge fresh fish market in [[Seoul/South|Noryangjin]] and enjoy fresh sashimi afterwards. Enjoy the nightlife in [[Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan]]. Go hiking in the mountains surrounding the city. They are at most 800 m (3,000&nbsp;ft), accessible by public transit and the trails range from easy to difficult. Mountains include Bukhan, Gwanak, Samseong and Inwang. (Mostly found in the [[Seoul/North|North of the city]]). If you do not like the mountain, walk along the Cheonggye Stream. Watch baseball, the national sport, at the Gocheok Sky Dome (Guro-gu, home to the Kiwoom Heroes) or the Jamsil Baseball Stadium (Songpa-gu, LG Twins and Doosan Bears). Watch the local football teams (FC Seoul, based at the World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu and Seoul E-land FC, based in the Olympic Stadium in Songpa-gu). ==Learn== ===Universities=== Seoul is home to many universities, including '''[http://www.snu.ac.kr Seoul National University]''', '''[http://www.yonsei.ac.kr Yonsei University]''' and '''[http://www.korea.ac.kr Korea University]''', the three most prestigious universities in Korea, with the former being Korea's uncontested number one university. There are opportunities for potential international and exchange students to enroll in these universities and live in Seoul for an extended period of time. Many of these universities also conduct Korean language classes for foreigners, including some 5-week long summer intensive programmes that might be useful for short-term visitors to learn the Korean language. ===Pottery=== Korean ceramics are known around the world for their simple beauty and unique designs. Visitors can learn how to make pottery at the National Museum of Korea and the pottery villages just outside of Seoul in Incheon and Yeoju. * {{do | name=National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관) | url=http://www.museum.go.kr | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Ichon Station, Exit 2. 10 minute walk | phone=+82 2 2077 9000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=For class times, inquire in advance | price= | content= }} ===Sports=== * {{listing | name=Taekwondo Gym | alt= | url=http://www.sangrokgym.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Work== There is an immense demand for EFL (''English as a Foreign Language'') instruction in Seoul. See the main [[South Korea#Work|South Korea]] article for details. However, the Seoul municipal government has decided to phase out foreign (''non-Korean'') teachers of English in all public schools. Although it has yet to be seen if this will succeed, it may have an effect on your options in Seoul. ==Buy== {{SeeDistricts}} [[File:Korean.clothes-Hanbok-01.jpg|thumb|Hanbok, traditional Korean dresses at Dongdaemun market]] ===Fashion=== Fashion shopping in Seoul isn't a mere industry, it's an art form. Trends often begin in University areas like '''Hongdae'''. Hongik University boasts Korea's most famous art school, thus fashion in this area is often influenced by the students' artistic sensibilities. The shops in this area feature funky, punky, boho, and vintage style. Ewha Women's University also has a big shopping area in front of its main gate, as do many of the Women's colleges. Many trends also originate here. There are even seamstresses who can help you make your own designs come to life. ===Duty free=== South Korea is a major shopping destination for Chinese and Japanese these days, with many dedicated duty-free shops available in Seoul. Korean Won, Japanese Yen and US dollars are accepted, along with major credit cards. Most shops have staff who can speak Japanese. There are duty-free shops in both the Incheon airport and the major department stores: Lotte, Shilla Hotel. There are other duty-free shops at Walkerhill Hotel, SKM DFS in COEX Mall. ==Eat== {{SeeDistricts}} {{eatpricerange|<₩15,000|₩15,000-35,000|>₩35,000}} Much of Korean social life revolves around food and the city is packed with restaurants, so you would have to be determined to starve to death in Seoul. This fate may still befall you if you insist on English menus and meals consisting only of easily identifiable, familiar ingredients, so see [[South Korea#Eat]] for a quick Korean menu reader. An alternative is to just point and eat, your hosts generally will accommodate. If you look in the right places, a good meal (lunch or dinner) including side dishes can cost ₩5,000 or less (try basements of large department stores). [[File:Street Vendors.JPG|thumb|Vendors selling Korean fast food in Gangnam.]] In addition to Korean food, Japanese restaurants in Seoul tend to be excellent, featuring excellent sushi and sashimi. Chinese restaurants exist, but are typically adapted to suit local preferences. There are a few Italian restaurants; these are generally excellent, with chefs trained in Italy, although flavors tend to be more or less Koreanized, with sugar in the garlic bread and meatballs. Bakeries are found throughout, including some of the common big chains. Seoul has plenty of budget places to eat. Everything from convenience store junk food and noodles to street stall food and lots of 24 hr Korean fast food restaurants. The 24-hour restaurants are great because they've usually got a wide variety of foods, including: mandu, odeng, ddeokbokki, naengmyeon, udong and ramyeon. Prices do vary from about ₩2,000-9,000 at these restaurants. Also open late into the night are Korean BBQ restaurants, which are everywhere in Seoul. These can be very cheap and are usually of good quality. Barbecue options usually are limited to pork and beef, and they often come with a smattering of side dishes. Korean BBQ is, in itself, an experience that makes you feel like a Seoulite. The larger department stores in the city have basement food courts that offer excellent food (not recommended if you care about atmosphere). Public trash bins around Seoul are rare. If you're eating street food, you can hand back leftover trash, like skewers, to the food vendors or throw it away in their trash bags. Some leave a box for trash in front of their stand. Other places to find trash bins are restrooms and convenience stores. ==Drink== {{SeeDistricts}} Seoul features a mind-bogglingly large array of nightspots catering to every taste and budget. '''Hongdae''' and '''Sinchon''' in [[Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Seodaemun-Mapo]] are Seoul's most active nightlife districts. '''Itaewon''' in [[Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan]] is Seoul's international district, with a wide variety of Western-styled venues to eat and drink. Since many foreigners congregate there, Itaewon remains somewhat of a niche nightlife area for Koreans interested in a more international scene. Much nightlife in Seoul revolves around soju. Soju is a traditional Korean spirit that comes in many varieties, including original and many kinds of fruit-flavored soju. ==Sleep== {{SeeDistricts}} Seoul has two unofficial backpacker districts, [[Seoul/Jongno|Jongno]] (Anguk/Sinseol-dong) to the northeast of the city and [[Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Hongdae-Sinchon]] out to the west. Within walking distance to Dongdaemun Market, Jongno is better located for sightseeing and can be reached directly from Incheon Airport on limousine buses or city bus 6002 to ''Sinseol-dong'' stop (₩9,000, 90 min). There are many budget accommodation places across Seoul. Hongdae, Itaewon, Myeongdong and Jongno (Hanok area) are traditional hot spots for Foreign Individual Travelers (FIT). Furthermore, Gangnam is emerging thanks to the huge success of the eponymous song. Hongdae, Sinchon area is in university area. Yonsei Univ., Ehwa woman's Univ., Hongik Univ. and Sogang Univ. are around this area. so there are many restaurants, bar, club and shopping center and easy to be reached from Incheon Airport by limousine bus and Arex (Airport express train) in 1 hour. [[Gangnam]] has a wide range of luxury with the Imperial Palace Hotel, the Park Hyatt Seoul and the Ritz-Carlton Seoul. Most points of interest are along subway lines 1, 2, 3, and 4. So it's best to reside somewhere near a station on one or two of those lines. ==Connect== Internet cafes known as '''PC bang''' (PC 방) (pr: pee-shee-bang) are ubiquitous in Seoul, and usually cost anywhere from ₩800-2,000/hr. [[File:Samsung K652V.jpg|thumb|A Korean keyboard using a Korean OS can type in English or Hangul.]]Most have printers at the front desk. These places cater chiefly to gamers, which translates into fairly fast computers, loud sound systems and large screens. Most PC Bangs have smoking sections. Typically, the computers run a Korean version of Windows 7 or 10 and use Internet Explorer and Chrome. Console gaming (Xbox 360, PS3) is widely available, and for those with proficiency in Korean language, you might also be able to enjoy a round of online gaming; the fantasy MMORPG ''Lineage'' was created in Korea and a slew of MMORPG titles not available anywhere else can be found here. Post offices are basically everywhere in Seoul, although many are hidden on smaller roads and alleys. If you cannot spot any post office nearby, it is good idea to visit university (most university has its own post office in it). The Korean postal insignia is orange and white. It can be spotted on post office signs. Most post offices sell boxes and packing materials. Even the smaller offices typically have at least one English-speaking member of staff. * {{listing | name=Seoul Central Post Office | alt=서울중앙우체국 | url= | email= | address=21-1 Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu | lat= | long= | directions=Line 4 Hoehyun stn exit #7 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-18:00 | price= | content=Also has a big philately section in basement. }} * {{listing | name=Gwanghwamun Post Office | alt=광화문우체국 | url= | email= | address=154-1 Seorin-dong, Jongno-gi | lat= | long= | directions=Line 5 Gwanghwanun stn | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-20:00 (and holidays) | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Seoul Gangnam Post Office | alt=서울강남우체국 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-13:00 | price= | content= }} Useful contact numbers are as follows: * {{listing | name=Police | alt= | phone=112 }} * {{listing | name=Fire Department | alt= | phone=119 }} * {{listing | name=Travel Information | alt= | phone=1330 }} * {{listing | name=City Information | alt= 다산콜센터 | phone=120 }} ==Stay safe== Seoul is a remarkably safe city given its size, comparable in safety to [[Hong Kong]] or [[Tokyo]]. Pickpocketing is not very common and violent crime is minimal, if not unheard of. If you happen to be a non-Korean male walking hand-in-hand with a Korean female, drunk older Korean men might give you a tongue lashing or occasionally worse. This is far less of a problem than it used to be. If you do end up in a fight, remember that Korean law is possibly different from your home country. You may not have legal protection just because someone else started the fight if the attacker ends up hurt. Do not try to use drones to take pictures in Seoul, because most of the city (especially north of Han river) is a restricted flight area. U.S. military personnel have a curfew 01:00-05:00 every day on the Korean Peninsula, although the curfew can be extended at very short notice. If you are a westerner, the American military police have the legal right to request to see your ID and arrest you if you cannot provide it. (''This is done to catch American military personnel breaking curfew.'') Unfortunately, crimes by American soldiers against Koreans do happen, and when they do they often receive a huge amount of national attention. If you are a westerner then you should exercise some extra care when such a case hits the media, although it is still highly unlikely you would be in any danger. [[File:2013-12-28 KCTU General Strike 1.jpg|thumb|250px|Protesters gathered in Seoul city hall plaza.]] '''Protesting''': Large scale demonstrations in Seoul against the government happen from time to time. Often they can result in violence where there are pitched battles between protesters and combat police. People do get seriously hurt, so try to avoid getting too close to the action. '''Fake monks''' have been known to operate in Seoul, notably around the Jogyesa temple. They are dressed as Buddhist monks requesting donations from people on the street in return for blessings, although they do not actually belong to any Buddhist order and just keep the cash for themselves. Actual monks would never seek donations in this manner. ==Cope== ===Language issues=== South Korea has undergone a major English language boom over the past 20 years. South Korean families are eager for their children to learn English and usually enroll them in private language schools. Seoul is probably the easiest place to talk to people in English, although most people will find conversation challenging. Often writing down simple questions in English is more effective. Many of the older generation have learned little or no English at all. A few tourist information centers dotted around Seoul are staffed by English speakers, but do not assume an English speaker will be available at most shops, sites and venues. English signage is visible everywhere in the city, from road signs to subway maps to shop posters. One exception is in buses where the route information is completely in Korean script. * {{listing | name=The Seoul Global Center | url=http://global.seoul.go.kr | email= | address=3rd Floor of the Seoul Press Center, 25 Taepyeongno 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 1688-0120 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Provides foreign language assistance with regard to public services, but also beyond including help with awkward coping necessities like purchasing a mobile phone. }} ===Medical=== Pharmacies are everywhere in Seoul. While most are labeled only in Korean, the signage and Hangul character is easy to recognize, 약. Most pharmacists speak some English. Pharmacists are not shy about asking about your symptoms and selling you what they think you need. * {{listing | name=Medical Referral Service | alt= | url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/service/living/medical-facilities/1-medical-service/ | email=medicalreferral@seoul.go.kr | address= | lat=NA | long=NA | directions= | phone=+82 10 4769-8212 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily | price= | content=Seoul provides an English-language hotline to assist with finding doctors and other medical services. }} Medical bills can be expensive, so make sure you have valid [[travel insurance]]. Some people with sensitive stomachs should use caution when dining in Korea as some of the local cuisine is heavily spiced with copious amounts of pepper and garlic. ===Air quality=== Air quality in Seoul is fine and improving. However, Seoul inhabitants sometimes wear different types of masks outdoors for allergies, smog and yellow dust storms (mostly in March–April). [[Mongolia]]n yellow dust storms were regarded as dangerous long before industrialisation began in Asia. Now these storms pick up trace amounts of toxins in the Chinese industry belt. Smog in Seoul is becoming less of a problem. In general, air quality has been improving since the early 2000s. Check the [http://www.kma.go.kr/eng/index.jsp Korean Meteorological Administration] for real-time weather info. ===Embassies=== South Korea hosts a large number of embassies in Seoul. {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Afghanistan}} {{listing | name=Afghanistan | alt= | url=http://afgembassyseoul.org/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=embassy@afghanistan.or.kr | address=27-2, Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 793-3535 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 795-2662 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Argentina}} {{listing | name=Argentina | urlhttp://ecore.cancilleria.gov.ar/en | email=ecore@mrecic.gov.ar | address=5F Choon Woo Bldg, 534 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 796-8144 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 792-5820 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url=http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au/seol/home.html | email=seoul-consular@dfat.gov.au | address=19F Kyobo Bldg, 1 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 2003-0100 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Austria}} {{listing | name=Austria | url=http://www.austria.or.kr/ | email=seoul-ob@bmaa.gv.at | address=Kyobo Bldg, Rm 1913 1-1, Jongno, 1-ga, Jongno-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 732-9071 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 732-9486 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Bangladesh}} {{listing | name=Bangladesh | url=http://www.bdembseoul.org/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=bdootseoul@kornet.net | address=310-22 Dongbinggo-dong, Youngsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 796-4056 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 790-5313 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium | url=http://countries.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/south_korea/ | email=seoul@diplobel.fed.be | address=737-10 Hannam-2 dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 749-0381 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 797-1688 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Bhutan}} {{listing | name=Bhutan | alt=Consulate | url= | email=hykmes@hanafos.com | address=123-5 Nonhyun-Dong, Kangnam-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 738-4970 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 738-4974 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | url= | email=braseul@kornet.net | address=4F-5F 141, IHN Gallery Bldg, Palpan-dong, Chongro-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3444-5961 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3444-4384 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Cambodia}} {{listing | name=Cambodia | url= | email=camboemb@korea.com | address=653-8 Hanan-dong | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3785-1040 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3785-1041 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | url=http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/index.aspx | email=seoul@international.gc.ca | address=16-1, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3783-6000 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3783-6239 | hours=M-F 08:00-11:45 and 12:45-16:30 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China | url=http://kr.china-embassy.org/ | email=chinaemb_kr@mfa.gov.cn | address=54 Hyoja-dong, Jongno-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 738-1038 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= ''Also handles Hong Kong and Macau visas.'' }} * {{flag|Czech Republic}} {{listing | name=Czech Republic | url=http://www.mzv.cz/seoul/en/index.html | email=seoul@embassy.mzv.cz | address=1-121 Sinmunno 2-ga, Jongno-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 725-6765 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 734-6452 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Denmark}} {{listing | name=Denmark | url=http://sydkorea.um.dk/ | email=selamb@um.dk | address=5F Namsong Bldg, 260-199 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 795-4187 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-0986 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Egypt}} {{listing | name=Egypt | url=http://www.mfa.gov.eg/Seoul_Emb | email=embassyegyptkorea@yahoo.com | address=46-1 Hannam-dong | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 749-0787 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 795-2588 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Ethiopia}} {{listing | name=Ethiopia | url= | email= | address=657-26 Hannam-dong, Yangsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 790-8927 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 790-8929 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Finland}} {{listing | name=Finland | url=http://www.finland.or.kr | email=sanomat.seo@formin.fi | address=18F Kyobo Bldg, 1 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 732-6737 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 723-4969 | hours=M-F 09:00-12:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=France | url=http://www.ambafrance-kr.org/ | email= | address=30 Hap-dong, Seodaemun-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3149-4300 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3149-4310 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany | url=http://www.seoul.diplo.de/ | email= | address=32, Jangmun-ro, Yongsan-gu| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2-748-4114 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2-748-4161 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | url= | email=gremb.sel@mfa.gr | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 729-1400 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 729-1402 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Hungary}} {{listing | name=Hungary | alt= | url=https://szoul.mfa.gov.hu/ | email=mission.sel@kum.hu | address=1-103, Dongbinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 792-2105 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 792-2109 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India | url=http://www.indembassy.or.kr/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=amb.seoul@mea.gov.in | address=37-3, Hannam Dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 798-4257 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-9534 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Indonesia}} {{listing | name=Indonesia | url=http://www.indonesiaseoul.org/indexs.php | email= | address=55 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 783-5675 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 780-4280 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Ireland}} {{listing | name=Ireland | alt= | url=https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/republic-of-korea/ | email=seoulembassy@dfa.ie | address=13F Leema Bldg, 146-1 Susong-dong, Jongro-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 721 7200 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 774 6458 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-14 | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | url=http://www.ambseoul.esteri.it/ambasciata_seoul | email=embassy.seoul@esteri.it | address=3F Ilshin Bldg #714 Hannam-2-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 796-0491 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 797-5560 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Jamaica}} {{listing | name=Jamaica | alt=Consulate | url=http://www.kr.emb-japan.go.jp/ | email=info@japanem.or.kr | address=Olympica Centre 5F, 828-10 Yeoksam-dong, Kangnam-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 555-4271 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 745-8545 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | url=http://www.kr.emb-japan.go.jp/ | email=info@japanem.or.kr | address=5-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 796-7387 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-0827 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Kenya}} {{listing | name=Kenya | url=http://www.kenya-embassy.or.kr/| email=info@kenya-embassy.or.kr | address=243-36, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3785-2903 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3785-2905 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Laos}} {{listing | name=Laos | url= | email=amphayk@hotmail.com | address=657-9 Hannam-Dong Yongsan-Gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 796-1713 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-1771 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Luxembourg}} {{listing | name=Luxembourg | alt=Consulate | url= | email=hoyc@kiswire.com | address=#475-9 Pyeongchang-dong, Jongro-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 316-6101 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 311-8650 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Malaysia}} {{listing | name=Malaysia | url=http://www.kln.gov.my/web/kor_seoul/home | email=malseoul@kln.gov.my | address=4-1 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 795-9203 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 794-5488 | hours= | price= | content= }} | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Mexico}} {{listing | name=Mexico | url=https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/corea/ | email= | address=33-6 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 798-1694 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 790-0939 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Mongolia}} {{listing | name=Mongolia | url=http://www.mongolembassy.com/ {{dead link|August 2020|December 2020}} | email= | address=33-5 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 794-1951 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 794-7605 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Myanmar}} {{listing | name=Myanmar | urlhttp://www.meseoul.org/ | email=myanmar@kotis.net | address=723-1, 724-1, Hannam-dong Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 792-3341 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-5570 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Nepal}} {{listing | name=Nepal | url=http://www.nepembseoul.gov.np/ | email=nepembseoul@yahoo.com | address=445-7, Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3789-9770 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 736-8848 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Netherlands}} {{listing | name=Netherlands | alt= | url=https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/south-korea/about-us/netherlands-embassy-in-seoul | email=seo@minbuza.nl | address=10F Jeong-dong Bldg, 15-5 Jeong-dong, Jung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 311-8600 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 311-8650 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|New Zealand}} {{listing | name=New Zealand | url=http://www.nzembassy.com/korea | email=nzembsel@kornet.net | address=8F Jeong Dong Bldg, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3701 7700 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3701 7701 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Nigeria}} {{listing | name=Nigeria | url=http://www.nigerianembassy.or.kr/ | email=chancery@nigerianembassy.or.kr | address=310-19 Dongbinggo-dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 797-2370 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-1848 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Norway | url=http://www.norway.or.kr/ | email=emb.seoul@mfa.no | address=13F Jeong-dong Bldg, Jung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 727-7100 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 727-7199 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Pakistan}} {{listing | name=Pakistan | url=http://www.norway.or.kr/ | email=emb.seoul@mfa.no | address=258-13 Itaewon 2-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 796-8252 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-0313 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Peru}} {{listing | name=Peru | url=http://www.embajada.pe/sites/corea/ {{dead link|June 2020|December 2020}} | email=embaperu@peruembassy.kr | address=Daeyungak Bldg Ste 2002, 25-5, Chungmuro 1-ga, Jung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 757-1735 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 757-1738 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Philippines}} {{listing | name=Philippines | alt= | url=http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/ | email=seoulpe@philembassy-seoul.com | address=5-1 Itaewon 2-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea 140-201 | lat=37.5683 | long=126.978 | directions=Maeul Bus No. 3 from behind Exit 1, Samgakji Station, go down at Gayarang, 1 stop before Grand Hyatt, 100m | phone=+82 2 796-7387 (to 89) | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 734-4528 | hours=09:00-15:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Poland}} {{listing | name=Poland | alt= | url=http://seul.mfa.gov.pl/en/ | email=seul.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl | address=70 Sagan-dong, Jongro-Gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 723-9681 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 723-9680 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Portugal}} {{listing | name=Portugal | url= | email=embport@chollian.net | address=2F 171, Wonseo-Dong, Chongno-Ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3675-2251 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3675-2250 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | alt= | url=http://seoul.mae.ro/en | email=seoul@mae.ro | address=50 Jangmun-ro, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 797 49 24, +82 2 790 37 18 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 794 31 14 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-03 | content= }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | url=http://www.russian-embassy.org | email=rusemb@uriel.net | address=34-16 Chong-dong, Chung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 318-2116 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 754-0417 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | url=http://www.mfa.gov.sg/seoul | email=singemb_seo@sgmfa.gov.sg | address=28F Seoul Finance Centre, 84 Taepyungro 1-ga Chung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 774-2464 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 773-2463 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Slovakia}} {{listing | name=Slovakia | url=http://www.mzv.sk/seoul | email=emb.seoul@mzv.sk | address=389-1, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 794-3981 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 794-3982 | hours=M W F 10:00-12:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Slovenia}} {{listing | name=Slovenia | alt=Consulate | url= | email=wbspike@chollian.net | address=Rm 402 Young Choice Bldg, 1359-46, Seo-cho 2-dong, Seocho-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 569-3535 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 569-2350 | hours=M W F 10:00-12:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|South Africa}} {{listing | name=South Africa | alt= | url=http://www.southafrica-embassy.or.kr/index_eng.php | email=general@southafrica-embassy.or.kr | address=1-37 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 792-4855 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 792-4856 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | url= | email=embespkr@mail.mae.es | address=726-52 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 794-3581 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 796-8207 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sri Lanka}} {{listing | name=Sri Lanka | alt= | url=http://www.slembassykorea.com/eng/ | email=lankaemb@kornet.net | address=Ste 2002 Kyobo Bldg, Chongno- 1 ka, Chongno-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 735-2966 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 737-9577 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Sweden | alt= | url=http://www.swedenabroad.com/Start____18413.aspx | email=embassy@swedemb.or.kr | address=8F Danam Bldg, 10 Sowol-ro, Jung-Gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3703-3700 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3703-3701 | hours=M-F 09:00-17:00; Consular affairs close at 11:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland | url=http://www.eda.admin.ch/seoul | email=seo.vertretung@eda.admin.ch | address=32-10, Songwol-dong, Jongno-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3703-3700 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 3703-3701 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Taiwan}} {{listing | name=Taiwan | alt=Taipei Mission in Korea | url=http://www.roc-taiwan.org/KR/ | email=kor@mofa.gov.tw | address=6F, Kwang Hwa Moon Bldg, 211 Sejong-ro, Chongro-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 399-2780 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Thailand}} {{listing | name=Thailand | url=http://www.thaiembassy.org/seoul/en/ | email=thaisel@mfa.go.th | address=653-7, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 790-2955 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 798-3448 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Tunisia}} {{listing | name=Tunisia | url= | email=taiwan@tmik.or.kr | address=7-13, Dongbinggo-dong, Yongsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 790-4334 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 790-4333 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} {{listing | name=United Arab Emirates | url= | email=seoul@mofa.gov.ae | address=5-5 Hannam-dong, Yougsan-ku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 790-3235 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 790-3238 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom | alt= | url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-seoul | email=Consular.Seoul@fco.gov.uk | address=Sejong-daero 19-gil 24, Seoul Jung-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 3210-5500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United States}} {{listing | name=United States | alt= | url=http://kr.usembassy.gov | email=seoul_acs@state.gov | address=188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 397-4114 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-11:00 and 13:00-15:00; Closed Wednesday afternoons | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | name=Vietnam | alt= | url=https://vnembassy-seoul.mofa.gov.vn | email=vietnamembassyseoul@gmail.com | address=123 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 720-5124, +82 2 725-2487 | tollfree= | fax=+82 2 720-4864 | hours= | price= | content= }} |} ==Go next== * The [[DMZ (Korea)|Korean Demilitarized Zone]] is the 'last frontier of the cold war', and is very close to Seoul. This includes the famous peace village of [[Panmunjeom]] where negotiations have taken place for the past 50 years. Many tour companies offer DMZ tours which is a day trip from Seoul, the highlight of which is a village lying in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. You cannot visit without booking with a tour company, and that some nationalities are not allowed to visit for security reasons while others (''including South Koreans and Chinese'') require additional procedures. * [[Gwacheon]] &mdash; connected by short metro ride, it is home to many attractions such as Seoul Grand Park, Seoul Zoo, MMCA Gwacheon, and Gwacheon National Science Museum. * [[Yeongjong Island]] &mdash; Beaches, hot springs and fresh sea breezes. * [[Yongin]] &mdash; south of Seoul, home to Everland, Korea's most popular theme park as well as the Korean Folk Village, where traditional Korean arts are regularly performed in a living museum of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as Yongin Daejanggeum Park, an outdoor set built by Korean television broadcaster MBC for the filming of period dramas. * [[Incheon]] &mdash; The place where U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed in the Korean War; it also has the biggest and oldest Chinatown in Korea. * [[Gapyeong]] &mdash; a popular weekend getaway, east of Seoul. A small town in the mountains of Gyeonggi-do, on the border of Gangwon-do. * [[Chuncheon]] &mdash; Filmed in many Korean dramas and movies and now accessible by subway from Seoul * [[Suwon]] &mdash; 30 km south of Seoul, the home of Hwaseong Fortress (화성), a UNESCO world heritage site. Subway line 1 can take you there in about one hour. Good for a half-day trip from Seoul. * [[Busan]] &mdash; take the KTX down to Busan to enjoy the beach in summer. Makes a nice change of pace from Seoul. {{routebox | image1=KTXGyeongbuLine.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=NW | majorl1=END | minorl1= | directionr1=SE | majorr1=[[Daejeon]] | minorr1=[[Gwangmyeong]] | image2=KTXHonamLine.png | imagesize2=100 | directionl2=NW | majorl2=END | minorl2= | directionr2=SE | majorr2=[[Daejeon|Seo-daejeon]] | minorr2=[[Suwon]] | image3=Seoul Metro route icon line 1.png | imagesize3=100 | directionl3=NE | majorl3=Kwangwoon University | minorl3= | directionr3=SE | majorr3=[[Cheonan]] | minorr3=Yongsan → [[Suwon]] | image4=Seoul Metro route icon line 1.png | imagesize4=100 | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[Incheon]] | minorl4= | directionr4=NE | majorr4=Soyosan | minorr4=[[Uijeongbu]] | directionl5=W | directionr5=NE | image6=Seoul Metro route icon AREX.png | imagesize6=100 | directionl6=W | majorl6=[[Incheon International Airport]] | minorl6=[[Incheon]] | directionr6=E | majorr6=END | minorr6= }} {{isPartOf|Gyeonggi}} {{geo|37.5663889|126.9997222|zoom=11}} {{usablecity}} 3tbgsbb1zkf3jdtitusdsst2r0mwoph 0 32609 4506217 4505377 2022-08-22T12:55:00Z SHB2000 2248002 moved mapmask to [[Template:Shoalhaven mapmask]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nelson_Beach_Banner.jpg}} The '''Shoalhaven''' is a large rural region in the state of [[New South Wales]] south of [[Sydney]]. ==Cities== {{Mapframe|-35.06 | long=|150.63|zoom=9}}{{Shoalhaven mapmask}}<!--{{mapshape|wikidata=Q15577,Q820286}}--> * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-34.776376|long=150.691524|zoom=11|name= [[Berry]]|image=|wikidata=Q4894752}} - Quaint town, very popular with tourists. * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.017|long=150.82|zoom=11|name= [[Currarong]]|image=|wikidata=Q21913476}} * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.053312|long=150.739507|zoom=11|name= [[Jervis Bay]]|image=|wikidata=Q764506}} including the towns of [[Huskisson]] and [[Vincentia]] * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.319563|long=150.436020|zoom=11 |name=[[Milton New South Wales)|Milton]]|image=|wikidata=Q1935843}} * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-34.878031|long=150.602719|zoom=11|name= [[Nowra]]|image=|wikidata=Q1343021}} * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.351163|long=150.461194|zoom=11|name= [[Ulladulla]]|image=|wikidata=Q649969}} - including the beachside community of Mollymook ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bimberamala National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q863415}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Budawang National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1000715}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bugong National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1002547}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Booderee National Park]]|wikidata=Q892951}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Conjola National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1126101}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Jervis Bay National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1582404}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Jerrawangala National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1687776}} * {{Marker|type=vicinity |lat=-34.731302|long=150.520083|zoom=11 |name= [[Kangaroo Valley]]|image=}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Morton National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1582579}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Seven Mile Beach National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1165069}} * {{Marker|type=vicinity |lat=-34.846446|long=150.742081|zoom=11 |name= Shoalhaven Heads|image=}} - Small coastal village. ==Understand== The Shoalhaven is, after Greater Sydney, the most popular tourist destination in New South Wales. The most well-known part of the Shoalhaven is the Jervis Bay area. The area is approximately 160km along the coastline, including 109 beaches, which allegedly possesses the whitest sand in the world, as well as pristine natural Australian bushland. The Shoalhaven area is home to numerous species of native Australian flora and fauna. ==Get in== Access to Nowra, the gateway of the Shoalhaven, is via the Princes Highway or via the train (note that this is the end of the line and there are NO train lines south of Bomaderry until you are well inside Victoria). The local bus connects you from the train station in Bomaderry to Stewart Place in Nowra. If the bus isn't around it is only a 10 minute walk across the bridge veering right at the Information Centre. For those who require the Nowra Information Centre is just over the bridge on the southern side on the left. Open 7 days. ==Get around== There is a public transport network available within the Shoalhaven area and you can find bus timetables at the train station and at Stewart Place. Stewart Place is also the stop for interstate buses travelling up and down the coast. The most well known of these is Premier Motor Service Rent a Cars at $48 per day are available to explore the adjacent coast through the Riverhaven Motel on the south side of the bridge. An indication of public transport costs in the area it is $9 one way for a bus ride to Huskinsson. ==See== Shoalhaven has some of the whitest beaches anywhere in the world, and is often fiercely competed with the [[Whitsundays Islands]], mostly in particular, [[Jervis Bay]] and [[Currarong]]. It may not compare with [[Cape Le Grand National Park]] in WA, but it's still very white. For those that are interested in planes and military aviation, the Fleet Air Arm Museum museum in [[Nowra]] may be of great interest displaying numerous aircrafts and helicopters such as the GAF Jindivik, which is a pilotless target aircraft. ==Do== * Visit one of the many beaches * Explore some of the tiny rural townships * Water sports on the Shoalhaven River ==Eat== There is a large variety of food you'll find in larger towns such as [[Nowra]], but outside of [[Nowra]], variety is almost non-existent. As most towns in the region are coastal or near-coastal, most towns will have at least one good fish and chips shop, usually near the town's most popular beach. ==Drink== {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|New South Wales}} {{geo|-35.116666666667|150.5|zoom=10}} 86ejc5c74tgl2yoawb3n9y6w0ukimb2 4506218 4506217 2022-08-22T12:55:33Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nelson_Beach_Banner.jpg}} The '''Shoalhaven''' is a large rural region in the state of [[New South Wales]] south of [[Sydney]]. ==Cities== {{Mapframe|-35.06 | long=|150.63|zoom=9}}<!--{{mapshape|wikidata=Q15577,Q820286}}--> * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-34.776376|long=150.691524|zoom=11|name= [[Berry]]|image=|wikidata=Q4894752}} - Quaint town, very popular with tourists. * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.017|long=150.82|zoom=11|name= [[Currarong]]|image=|wikidata=Q21913476}} * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.053312|long=150.739507|zoom=11|name= [[Jervis Bay]]|image=|wikidata=Q764506}} including the towns of [[Huskisson]] and [[Vincentia]] * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.319563|long=150.436020|zoom=11 |name=[[Milton New South Wales)|Milton]]|image=|wikidata=Q1935843}} * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-34.878031|long=150.602719|zoom=11|name= [[Nowra]]|image=|wikidata=Q1343021}} * {{Marker|type=city |lat=-35.351163|long=150.461194|zoom=11|name= [[Ulladulla]]|image=|wikidata=Q649969}} - including the beachside community of Mollymook ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bimberamala National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q863415}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Budawang National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1000715}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Bugong National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1002547}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Booderee National Park]]|wikidata=Q892951}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Conjola National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1126101}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Jervis Bay National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1582404}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Jerrawangala National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1687776}} * {{Marker|type=vicinity |lat=-34.731302|long=150.520083|zoom=11 |name= [[Kangaroo Valley]]|image=}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Morton National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1582579}} * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Seven Mile Beach National Park]]|image=|wikidata=Q1165069}} * {{Marker|type=vicinity |lat=-34.846446|long=150.742081|zoom=11 |name= Shoalhaven Heads|image=}} - Small coastal village. ==Understand== The Shoalhaven is, after Greater Sydney, the most popular tourist destination in New South Wales. The most well-known part of the Shoalhaven is the Jervis Bay area. The area is approximately 160km along the coastline, including 109 beaches, which allegedly possesses the whitest sand in the world, as well as pristine natural Australian bushland. The Shoalhaven area is home to numerous species of native Australian flora and fauna. ==Get in== Access to Nowra, the gateway of the Shoalhaven, is via the Princes Highway or via the train (note that this is the end of the line and there are NO train lines south of Bomaderry until you are well inside Victoria). The local bus connects you from the train station in Bomaderry to Stewart Place in Nowra. If the bus isn't around it is only a 10 minute walk across the bridge veering right at the Information Centre. For those who require the Nowra Information Centre is just over the bridge on the southern side on the left. Open 7 days. ==Get around== There is a public transport network available within the Shoalhaven area and you can find bus timetables at the train station and at Stewart Place. Stewart Place is also the stop for interstate buses travelling up and down the coast. The most well known of these is Premier Motor Service Rent a Cars at $48 per day are available to explore the adjacent coast through the Riverhaven Motel on the south side of the bridge. An indication of public transport costs in the area it is $9 one way for a bus ride to Huskinsson. ==See== Shoalhaven has some of the whitest beaches anywhere in the world, and is often fiercely competed with the [[Whitsundays Islands]], mostly in particular, [[Jervis Bay]] and [[Currarong]]. It may not compare with [[Cape Le Grand National Park]] in WA, but it's still very white. For those that are interested in planes and military aviation, the Fleet Air Arm Museum museum in [[Nowra]] may be of great interest displaying numerous aircrafts and helicopters such as the GAF Jindivik, which is a pilotless target aircraft. ==Do== * Visit one of the many beaches * Explore some of the tiny rural townships * Water sports on the Shoalhaven River ==Eat== There is a large variety of food you'll find in larger towns such as [[Nowra]], but outside of [[Nowra]], variety is almost non-existent. As most towns in the region are coastal or near-coastal, most towns will have at least one good fish and chips shop, usually near the town's most popular beach. ==Drink== {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|New South Wales}} {{geo|-35.116666666667|150.5|zoom=10}} {{Shoalhaven mapmask}} ln1u6uzytsmzxwnajr5qj1gzgk964w1 0 32735 4506502 4504177 2022-08-23T03:00:32Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sihanoukville banner.jpg|caption=|otbp=yes}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud and illegal remote gambling are rampant in Cambodia, particularly [[Sihanoukville]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Cambodia or nearby country on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Cambodia organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Local authorities and the police in Cambodia may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from uninvolved higher authorities or your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Cambodia. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-19 }} '''Sihanoukville''' (''Krong Preah Seihanu''), formerly '''Kompong Som''', is a seaside town in [[Cambodia]]. Formerly a laid-back beach destination, it has been transformed by Chinese investment and is now basically a giant construction site for Chinese resorts and [[gambling|casinos]]. For those not interested in gambling, it remains the launching point for beautiful islands nearby. [[Image:SokhaBeach.JPG|thumb|400px|Sokha Beach, the best in Sihanoukville]] == Understand == In a land with thousands of years of history, Sihanoukville is a colourful but tragic upstart. A joint French-Cambodian project carved a camp out of the jungle and started building the first deep-sea port in a newly independent [[Cambodia]]. Named ''Sihanoukville'' in 1964 after the ruling prince of Cambodia, the booming port and its golden beaches soon drew Cambodia's jet-setting elite, spawned the first Angkor brewery, and the modernist seven-story Independence Hotel which, claim locals, played host to Jacqueline Kennedy on her whirlwind tour of Cambodia in 1967. Alas, the party came to an abrupt end in 1970 when Sihanouk was deposed in a coup and Cambodia descended into civil war. The town, renamed ''Kompong Som'', soon fell on hard times. The victorious Khmer Rouge used the Independence Hotel for target practice and, after they hijacked an American container ship, the port was bombed by the U.S. Air Force. Even after Pol Pot's regime was driven from power, the bumpy highway to the capital was long notorious for banditry and the beaches stayed empty. Peace returned in 1993 following historic elections organised by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and in the ensuing ten years Sihanoukville was busy picking up the pieces. First visited only by a few intrepid backpackers, guide books still talk of walls pockmarked by bullets, but any signs of war are hard to spot in today's Sihanoukville, whose new symbol seems to be the construction site. The [[#Sleep|Independence Hotel]] is up and running again, more and more Khmers and expats have settled down to run bars and restaurants, and the knowledge of what the ''New York Times'' dubbed "Asia's next trendsetting beach" is starting to spread. Sihanoukville is a relatively new city (1950) and grew along with the steady growth of tourism, all the negative elements came along too. It is not safe, even for men, to walk alone on the beach after 21:00, there are plenty of glue+sniffing children and a lot of methamphetamine-smoking girls and boys and a price-fixing tuk-tuk cartel. Sihanoukville has been transformed by '''Chinese investment'''; a flood of Chinese tourists and construction workers have arrived to turn it into a Chinese resort city full of casinos. As of 2020, over 90% of businesses in Sihanoukville are Chinese-owned. As of September 2019, this town is one big Chinese construction site. Roads are gridlocked, around 90% of the signs are in Chinese (and maybe Khmer) and businesses are thronged with Chinese construction workers. It appears that this city will soon become an exclusively Chinese enclave. Also, it seems that the influx of Chinese immigrants caused the city waste management to fail, turning at least the city main square into a garbage dump. Until this construction phase is over, it is probably better to visit Sihanoukville only to change from bus to boat and visit nearby islands with unspoiled beaches instead. == Get in == === By plane === * {{listing | type=go | name=Sihanouk International Airport | alt={{IATA|KOS}} Sihanoukville Airport | url=https://kos.cambodia-airports.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=10.58 | long=103.636944 | directions=is 17 km to the east of the town, on the edge of Ream National Park | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sihanouk International Airport | wikidata=Q2113291 |lastedit=2019-09-22| content='''[http://www.cambodiaangkorair.com Cambodian Angkor Air]''' serves it. There are direct flights from [[Saigon]] in Vietnam and several Cambodian airports. Air Asia fly here from KL and Bangkok. There are also numerous flights from cities in China, serving the growing Chinese expat community. The airport is extremely small, unprepared for the influx of Chinese investments (and people). There is no place to sit on the landside (the landside is so small so that some of the check-in desks are outside). The only way to get from/to the airport seems to be taxi. You can arrange a taxi from hotels in the center for around US$15, if coming from the airport to the city, you have to haggle hard to get this price. }} === By train === Passenger services between Sihanoukville and the capital [[Phnom Penh]] via [[Takeo]] and [[Kampot]] runs at least four times per week. The service takes approximately 7 hours from [[Phnom Penh]] and 1½ hour from [[Kampot]]. Tickets are cheap and there is usually some air conditioned carriages on the train. * {{listing | type=go | name=Sihanoukville railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=10.643414 | long=103.515423 | directions=about 2½ km north of city centre | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-22 | content= }} === By bus === Frequent buses arrive in Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh (4-5 hr), Siem Reap (10-12 hr), Ho Chi Minh City (10-12 hr), and Bangkok. '''[https://ppsoryatransport.com.kh Phnom Penh Sorya Transport]''', '''GST Express''', and '''Mekong Express''' operate hourly bus services from [[Phnom Penh]], taking 3-5 hr and costing US$4.50-10, depending on the quality of the bus and the number of stops. The first bus leaves [[Phnom Penh]] at 07:00, the last at 17:45. All buses arrive and depart from the bus station near the Central Market. Tickets can be booked at the bus company offices, travel agencies, and many guesthouses. It is worth reserving a day in advance to be sure of a seat. National Rte 4 between [[Phnom Penh]] and Sihanoukville is one of Cambodia's best roads. '''Rith Mony''', '''Bun Thou''', and '''Virak Buntham Express''' operate daily air-conditioned minibus service leaving at 08:30 to/from the border with [[Thailand]] at [[Koh Kong]]/[[Hat Lek]], taking about 5 hr. "Local" and "tourist" minibuses service this route; they are always jam-packed, and the trip can be uncomfortable. "Local" service price depends on how much space you want (a whole seat, half a seat, or a space on the roof); foreigners can expect to pay around US$6-8. They will also typically have pickup in front of the offices on the main strip in town at 07:30, after which they simply drive over to the station to wait until the 08:30 departure time. You may be offered pickup at your hotel for a premium. Sometimes there are buses leaving at 14:00 but the service may be available only with suitable demand and ticket prices may be higher (~US$15). '''Virak Buntham Express''' offers a bus service from Ha Tien in Vietnam to Sihanoukville via the new Xa Xia/Prek Chak border post. From Ha Tien, there is a ferry to Phu Quoc Island, another popular tourist destination. This trip has become easy and straightforward. Visa on arrival for US$25 (550,000 dong), and bring a photo. === By taxi === A chartered taxi from [[Phnom Penh]]'s Central Market can make the trip in less than 3 hr and will around US$25-40 per car, depending on the petrol price of the day and the condition of the vehicle. You can reduce the price by sharing seats, but Khmers will squeeze as many as eight people into the car, including two in the drivers seat, so you may need to buy two seats for comfort. === By boat === There is no boat to/from [[Koh Kong]]/[[Hat Lek]] (the border crossing with [[Thailand]]) anymore. Modest numbers of cruise lines, e.g., Oceania, offer one-day port visits, usually along with more stops in Vietnam enroute to or from Bangkok. * {{listing | name=Marina | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/marinaoceania1/ | email= | address= | lat=10.667060772694528 | long=103.51156415386197 | directions= | phone=+855 69 367684 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Daily berthing, US$2 per meter | content=Opened in Oct 2013, a yacht marina for boats up to 25 m. On the breakwater (island Koh Prib) Sihanoukville port. Visa on arrival for boaters US$25 for 30 days. }} == Get around == {{mapframe|layer=W}} Distances between the beaches are too long to walk comfortably, but getting around is easy, as the roads are wide and bike taxis (''motodop'') are everywhere. The standard price is US$1 per trip, although expect to haggle at night or if the distance is long. They'll gladly pile on two people and their luggage too. For larger groups, car taxis can be called by phone (fixed US$5 to most places around town). There are dozens of the ubiquitous tuk-tuks around the new bus station and the accommodation areas. They are some of the most persistent and over-charging drivers in [[Cambodia]]; they have formed an "association" for price fixing - a trip to the bus station, US$2 in Phnom Penh, costs US$3 if your bus company pays but they charge US$6 if you arrive at the bus station and want to go to the beach. If you have decided where you will stay it can help to call for a pick up. Even if it's not free, it may save you some overcharging. The ride from the new bus station to Serendipity Beach should cost no more than US$3 during the day. Another great choice to get around is to rent a scooter. Haggle a bit and you can get it for US$4 a day or more depending on the season. Fuel is not very cheap (about US$1.25 per litre) but can be bought at many roadside shacks. However, as of 2009, renting scooters to foreigners is illegal, and the police may stop and fine you. [[Image:Sihanoukville Cityscape.JPG|thumb|240px|Central Sihanoukville]] == See == The town doesn't offer much to see. The main areas of Sihanoukville of interest to tourists are Serendipity Beach, Otres Beach, Victory Beach, and the various islands off the coast. ===Beaches=== The main reason to visit Sihanoukville is the beaches. They are not as crowded as many of those in [[Thailand]], but can be cramped on weekends and holidays. Like many beaches in [[Southeast Asia]], they are often covered in a lot of rubbish. *{{see | name=Independence Beach | alt=Also known as 7-chan beach after the seven-storey Independence Hotel | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=}} *{{see | name=Ochheuteal Beach | alt=​ឆ្នេរអូឈើទៀល - Chnay Occheuteal | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-09-20| content=A long narrow strip of white sand beach in Sangkat No 3. The northern section has now become known as Serendipity Beach, a beach popular with Western tourists, noted for small guesthouses right on the beach. There are around 30 beach huts serving good value meals and a wide selection of drinks, a golf course development at the south end, and a cluster of mid-range hotels and restaurants in the middle. Grass umbrellas, rentable beach chairs, and little drink huts line the beach from one end to the other. Further south along the beach in front of the golf course development, a number of budget backpacker-oriented bar/restaurant/beach hangouts have sprung up offering chairs, umbrellas, drinks and a chilled-out atmosphere. Expect noise and exhaust fumes though from the numerous 2-stroke jet skis in the area. Swimming can be dangerous and several tourists have been killed by jet skis.}} [[Image: Sihanouk_Ville_Ochheu_Teal_Beach01.jpg |thumb|Ochheuteal Beach - Sihanoukville]] *{{see | name=Otres Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=10.58144 | long=103.54567 | directions=SE of Serendipity and Ochheuteal Beaches | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-09-20| content=Amazing 4&nbsp;km long stretch of clean, white sands. Far less crowded and more relaxed than other beaches in Sihanoukville. Every season more and more beach bars and guesthouses pop up along the beach. Tourists will find accommodation in rooms or bungalows (prices ranging from US$5-30), e.g., Cinderella Beach Bungalows, Castaways Beach Bar and Bungalows. Like most of Sihanoukville's budget accommodation, no air-con is available in Otres Beach lodgings, except for the Secret Garden Resort, at the far end of "Old Otres" (Otres 2). Otres Beach is great place for lazy sunbathing, but other activities also available (catamarans, windsurfing, kayaks, various boat trips, bicycles.) Unlike Serendipity Beach, marijuana and marijuana-based baked goods are openly and safely smoked and sold at the beach side bars/guesthouses and on the beach itself, which is now attracting a young Western crowd to the area. A second part of Otres Beach about a 5-10 min tuk-tuk ride away, referred to as "Otres 2", has several guesthouses open and is beginning to attract tourists looking for an even less crowded beach than the relaxed main strip of Otres Beach. Otres 2 is far less developed and less crowded, but offers only minimal activities and locations. There are no stores of any kind in Otres 2, though in the main strip of Otres 1 there's a bank machine. Adjoining that on the road in from Occhuteal is a Khmer village with various stores and a few Khmer restaurants; with a small, modern convenience store on the side road out of the village that leads to and from Occhuteal. Otres has a different climate than Snooky; it may be sunny all day when downtown Sihanoukville and the other beaches are raining and flooding. It's also known in the area as having the best sunset, and people staying in closer beaches often drive out to watch it from there (with few vendors or other harassment unlike closer to the city). Otres is fairly large away from the beach; side roads lead to other areas inland, including along the small river that flows through the broad prairie that lies inland from the beach strip. Along it, another village lies, and a few small resorts, and during high season, a small public market with entertainment. There's a couple of resorts and bars there, including a funky westerner-run backpackery bar and stage, and another more modern one with dining room and also a stage. The river can be navigated by kayak, and fish from it is part of the menu among local Khmer. The beach at Otres is very shallow for a couple of hundred meters out, or more, depending on the tide. The bottom is soft sand and clean and when there are no waves very safe for children and novice swimmers. }} *{{see | name=Serendipity Beach | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Connected to Ochheuteal Beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Guesthouses and bar/restaurants right on the beach, open until the early hours. This beach is the most popular and typically has the greatest number of people on the beach.}} *{{see | name=Sokha Beach | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by Sokha Beach Resort. It is private, but you can access it by paying a couple dollars. You won't have many people begging or trying to sell you something here.}} *{{see | name=Victory Beach | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=S of the commercial port | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Plenty of budget accommodation nearby on Weather Station Hill. This beach is close to the seaport.}} ===Rivers=== The mangrove-lined Ou Trojak Jet River, Sihanoukville's longest river, runs from Otres Pagoda to Otres Beach. It is popular with both canoeists and anglers, and the lower section harbours a marina. Restaurants along the south bank of the river serve fresh seafood supplied by the local inshore fishing boats. ===Other=== * {{see | name=Kampong Pier Nup Lok | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=2&nbsp;km N of the commercial port | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The old fishing port. Offers some nice views.}} * {{see | name=[[Koh Rong]] (Monkey Island) | url=http://monkeyisland-kohrong.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$5-15 | content= Advertised all around Serendipity Beach, Koh Rong is a small island 2-3 hr away from Sihanoukville by ferry that offers a relaxed location away from the crowds, a long beach, a small jungle to trek, as well as a handful of bars, restaurants, and guesthouses on the beach covering an area of only about 2&nbsp;km. Ferries from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong leave 3-4 times daily from various docks and several different ferry companies in Sihanoukville. Ferries can be booked from any guesthouse or travel agent. Round trip tickets are sold for between US$5-15. A tourist may be quoted more for the ferry, but can be negotiated down, and should not pay more than US$15. Both dorm beds (US$7) and private rooms (US$15-30) are readily available on the island. Fishing, diving, and snorkelling are available as well at prices similar to the rest of Sihanoukville. Most places on Koh Rong run electricity on a generator and usually have electricity from sunset until midnight, though a few bars will run throughout the day and go until 04:00. Koh Rong does not have an ATM.}} * {{see | name=Ream National Park | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A wonderful mangrove nature reserve about a 30-min drive from Sihanoukville. Take a moto to park headquarters for US$2. From there, park rangers can arrange boat rides for US$40 per boat through the mangroves. The boats leave a few miles away just before the highway crosses the river, so don't send away your moto or taxi. Destination is an island where you can walk on a decaying boardwalk that leads to a viewing tower you may not climb due to decayed ladder. You have spend all your time watching your step so the walk (100 m, perhaps) is not worth taking. Call in advance. Hiking trail with ranger accompanying has been suspended as of November 2018 due to fallen trees on the trail that the park lacks money and manpower to clear.}} * {{see | name=Kbal Chhay Waterfall | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kbal Chhay Waterfalls, Ou Treh, Sihanoukville, Cambodia | lat=10.67477 | long=103.60886 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q24745| wikipedia=Kbal Chhay Waterfall | lastedit=2018-11-23 | content=A waterfall approximately 7 km from the city of Sihanoukville and then a further 9 km along a red dust track. Popular swimming area, families come to spend the day, many food stalls, rest houses and other facilities line the stream. The swimming is the attraction more than the waterfall so don't expect much nature at the stream. }} == Do == *{{do | name=The Cambodian Children's Painting Project | alt=CCPP | url=https://www.facebook.com/Cambodian-Childrens-Painting-Project-150201931678977/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=On Serendipity Beach Rd | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An NGO which works with impoverished Cambodian children. Together with volunteers, the children create art which is then sold to help support the children's families and the project itself. As part of the project children are provided with access to education, painting materials, sport activities, two meals a day, medical and dental assistance. Social workers are employed to work with the children's families. You can help by becoming a volunteer, donating painting materials, buying a painting, donating money or by holding an exhibition of the children's art. }} *{{do | name= Unique Spa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/UniqueSpaSihanoukville/?fref=ts | email= | address=Ochheuteal Street | lat= | long= | directions=Opposite Monkey Republic | phone=+855 98 513 009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Massages, nail care, body scrubs. }} * {{do | name=Scuba Diving | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=2 dive day trips US$59-85, overnight trips US$185-325 all inclusive | content=There are many islands off the Cambodian coast that have lots of coral and fish. All dive boats leave from the Sihanoukville port area. There are 4 PADI dive centres, one of which, [http://www.divecambodia.com Scuba Nation PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre], the pioneers of diving in Cambodia, provide comprehensive diving and snorkelling services, day trips, liveaboards, nitrox and a full range of PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Flexibility is the key: you can do training sessions while sightseeing in Phnom Penh, then finish with a liveaboard on the only custom made diving boats in Cambodia. [http://www.ecoseadive.com/ EcoSea Dive], offers SSI courses as well. There is also some shallow diving at Koh Tas some 10&nbsp;km from Sihanoukville, but it's mostly reserved for when the weather is too rough to get all the way to Koh Rung Sanloem. The best diving Cambodia has to offer are the overnight trips to the Koh Tang group, where large pelagics are seen regularly and visibility is double what you will find at the closer sites. }} * {{do | name=Snorkelling | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Possible around most of the islands, with the best snorkelling being at the further our islands for visibility, corals and fish. Many restaurants at Serendipity Beach advertise a snorkelling trip for US$15, but most are incapable of properly explaining what their offer includes. Most will boil down to the same trip organised by one of the travel agents which includes (simple) breakfast at the beach, a visit to two snorkelling spots and a 3-hr lunch break at [[Koh Russei]] (Bamboo Island). If you are serious about your snorkelling, you should consider going with one of the three scuba dive shops, to ensure you get proper gear.}} * {{do | name=Unspoiled Island Day Trip | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Sun-tours-cambodia-1724270524473088/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=US$15 | content=Finding a clean and unspoiled beach (apart from private Sokha Beach) is challenging in Sihanoukville, but can be found a couple of hours away on the island Koh Rong Saloem. Daily ferries can take you there in the morning or a one-day trips including snorkelling, fishing, lunch and light breakfast. This particular company takes its passengers to a deserted 5&nbsp;km strip of deserted beach. It's run by a very fun and entertaining German named Robert. There is also accommodation on the island at Lazy Beach. [https://www.facebook.com/ecoseadiver/ EcoSea Diving] offers overnight trips to Koh Rung Sanloem as well, where accommodation is in small basic cottages. Unfortunately there are a lot of sand flies on the island. Prepare to be bitten. }} == Buy == ===Banks and ATMs=== *'''ATMs''' can be found throughout the city. Downtown, there are ATMs from *'''ANZ Bank''' *'''Canadia Bank''' *'''Acleda Bank''' *'''May bank''' *'''ABA Bank''' *'''CIMB Bank''' *'''Union Commercial Bank''' *'''Cambodia Commercial Bank''' *'''UCB Bank'''. *There are also ATMs around the "Golden Lions", on Beach St, at CCS Hotel and one at the Golden Sands Hotel, Occheuteal Beach. There is also an ATM in Otres 1. *'''T E Lee Hong Money Exchange''' 7 Markara Street. ====Supermarkets and groceries==== There are several supermarkets in the town, plus a standard Cambodian market ('Psaa Leu'). * {{buy | name=Orange Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ekareach Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+855 34-933878 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:30-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Samudera Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ekareach Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:00-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content=There is a money exchange with in the Samudera supermarket. }} * {{buy | name=Lucky Ocean Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address=7 Ekareach Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+855 34-451155 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Psar Leu (Public Market) | alt= | url= | email= | address=7 Makara Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content=Low-priced fruit and vegetables. also sells home wares and clothing. }} == Eat == Along the beaches, especially at Ochheuteal Beach, there are many food stalls and some restaurants serving grilled, meat, chicken, and seafood with chips/fries and a beer for US$3-4. There are a good many restaurants in town as well. Sihanoukville has a surprisingly diverse set of cuisines. * {{eat | name=Cinderellas Coffee Shop | alt= | url=http://cinderella-cambodia.com/ferienanlage_007.htm | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Serendipity Beach Rd, opposite Monkey Republic | phone=+855 12 613380 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=Very pleasant coffee shop/cafe just off Ochheuteal Beach with comfortable indoor and terrace patio seating. Reasonably priced menu featuring Western, Korean, and Asian dishes. In addition to coffee there is beer, wine and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Sandan | alt= | url=http://tree-alliance.org/our-restaurants/sandan.php?mm=or&sm=sd | email= | address=Street 10311, one block south of 7 Makara Street | lat= | long= | directions=look for their brightly lit mango tree | phone=+855 98 454 400 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=A restaurant serving local flavors and Cambodian traditions with an 8 or 12 course dinner option if you prefer. }} * {{eat | name=Starfish Bakery & Cafe | alt= | url=http://tree-alliance.org/our-restaurants/sandan.php?mm=or&sm=sd | email= | address=Street 208 (100 m from junction with 7 Makara Street) (small street along side Samudera Supermarket) | lat= | long= | directions=will need a launch to Koh Rong Samloem island offshore | phone=+855 12 952 011 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 7AM-5:30PM | price= | lastedit= | content=Makes contribution to local charitable causes. }} * {{eat | name=Seapony Cafe | alt= | url=https://m.facebook.com/seaponybungalow/ | email= | address=#4 Seapony Lane M'Pai Bai Village, Koh Rong Samloem | lat= | long= | directions=will need a launch to Koh Rong Samloem island offshore | phone=+855 96 264 5541 | tollfree= | hours=W-M 8:30AM-3PM | price= | lastedit= | content=Serving up breakfast and lunch. }} == Drink == * '''Golden Lion Plaza''' at Occheteal Beach, 10 friendly bars in one street, but all are also used as spots for picking up prostitutes. * The trend on Serendipity Beach is to advertise a permanent happy hour, which usually implies cocktails for US$2-2.50 and draught Anchor beer for as little as US$0.50-0.75. Beer prices generally rise to US$1 at night with cocktails remaining US$2-2.50. ===Bars in town=== * {{drink | name=Captain Morgan | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Golden Lions Plaza | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open late | price= | content=Nice looking bar with friendly staff. Food and snacks.}} * {{drink | name=Star Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Downtown, behind Shell gas station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Extremely cold Anchor draught beer (happy hour US$0.50, rest of the day US$0.75). Friendly waitresses. Good pool table. Decent kitchen with Western-oriented menu. Popular Wednesday evening barbecue, US$2. }} == Sleep == [[Image: Koh Ta Kiev island (Cambodia).jpg |thumb|Koh Ta Kiev Island - tree houses on the beach (Cambodia)]] Accommodation ranges from basic guest houses on the beach to four-star resorts. There are plenty of guesthouses, however, the cheapest guesthouses directly on the beach frequently sell out. Reservations are necessary at peak times such as at New Year. Due the extensive construction works in the city, any list of accommodation might be outdated. As of Sep 2919, it seems that most of the hotels aim at Chinese clientele. ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Savannphoum | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=300m from Serendipity Beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$10 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A nice alternative for people wanting to stay close to rather than on the beach. Most of the guests are Khmer. Good cheap Khmer food, clean rooms, cheap scooter rentals. }} * {{sleep | name=TEN103 |alt=FORMERLY Jonty's Jungle Camp | url= | email=jonty@jontysjunglecamp.com | address=Koh Ta Kiev Island | lat= | long= | directions=call or e-mail in advance and you'll be picked up with the boat in Sihanoukville | phone=+855 92 502374 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$7-25 |lastedit=2016-09-20| content=Sleep in a tree house or in a hammock with a mosquito net. The facilities are very basic, but that's what makes the place so special. Koh Ta Kiev Island is full of unexplored jungle, lovely beaches, and almost no tourism.| | hours= }} *{{Sleep|name=Onederz Hostel Sihanoukville|alt=|url=https://onederz.com/sihanoukville/|email=|address=|lat=10.6111333|long=103.5238100|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|checkin=|checkout=|price=10USD per bed in dorm|lastedit=2019-09-22|content=Supposedly one of the last hostels in Sihanoukville. Features a small swimming pool and a bit overpriced Khmer food.}} === Mid-range === * {{sleep | name=Above Us Only Sky (Bar & Bungalows) | alt= | url=https://www.aboveusonlysky.asia/ | email=aboveusonlyskysihanoukville@gmail.com | address=Serendipity Beach | lat=10.606201 | long=103.520411 | directions=From Tranquility Guesthouse follow the beach in the quieter direction to 3 buildings further on | phone=+855 88 426 8030 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Spacious bungalows on a very quiet part of the beach. It has fan and air-conditioning rooms and a nice porch in front of the bungalow with comfortable chairs and couch and brilliant ocean view. Wi-Fi. There is also a nice little bar downstairs. No restaurant, but there are plenty nearby. }} * {{sleep | name=The Don Bosco Hotel School | url=https://m.facebook.com/donboscoguesthouse/ | email=reservation@donboscohotelschool.com | address=Phum 1 Sang Kat 2 | lat= | long= | directions=2.5&nbsp;km from Otres Beach | phone=+855-87919834 | tollfree= | fax=+855 34 933765 | hours= | price=US$30-60 including breakfast | checkin= | checkout= | content=Hotel in a lush garden with a swimming pool, air-conditioning, hot showers, and free Wi-Fi, pick-up and shuttle to the beaches and city. It is a training hotel to help young Cambodians learn a skill and find a job.}} * {{sleep | name=Sokha Beach Resort | url=http://www.sokhahotels.com/sihanoukville | email=reservations@sokhahotels.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Sokha Beach | phone=+855 34 935999 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Promotional rates: US$140-810 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=An international-class beach resort. Very bland and a bit rough around the edges, but the beach is gorgeous and hassle-free, and the resort is family-friendly with children swimming pools and playgrounds. Try their best Restaurant, Lemongrass, and "The Deck" Tapas Bar. 180° views of the gulf. }} === Splurge === * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Independence Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.darahotels.asia/independence-hotel-resort-spa | email= | address=St 2 Thnou, Sangkat 3 | lat=10.617542 | long=103.495254 | directions= | phone=+855 34 934 300 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$140, breakfast included | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-22 | content=A modernist concrete seven-story block on top of the cape and with great sea views, it has a pretty pool and attractive, expansive gardens. A nice touch are some black and white photographs of the hotel in its heyday. The best feature is the adjacent clean pale sand private beach which has crystal clear water and some big rocks, although this may be under development as the hotel are planning bungalows. Some distance from town. }} ==Stay safe== While violent crime is extremely rare, purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and petty theft are extremely common occurrences on and near Serendipity beach during both the day and night. Women should not carry purses containing anything valuable, and if possible should not carry any purse at all. Groups of young children often surround women leaving the beach bars at night, cut off their purses and run away. In addition, criminals on motorbikes will often grab a woman's purse and then drive off during both the day and night, dragging the woman behind them until they let go. The majority of this activity is confined to the Serendipity area and travellers to Otres Beach or the rest of Sihanoukville should be careful, but far less concerned about crime. ====Jet ski==== At least six tourists and one local boy were run over and killed at Ochheuteal Beach and Otres Beach by jet skis since Sep 2009. The number of tourists and locals injured by banana-boats and jet skis is unknown. In 2009 the police marked a swimmers-only area with buoys along most of the beach but the employees of the jet ski & banana-boat operators completely ignore it and keep showing off silly but very dangerous high speed stunts just meters from shore and in the middle of swimmers to hunt and attract customers. Complaints to the police are ignored. On weekends you will see many very drunk Cambodian tourists on jet skis, chasing each other inside the swimming zone and ignoring the simplest safety rules. At Serendipity, the northern end of Ochheuteal Beach, jet skiers race between the coral bommies, completely disregarding the safety of snorkellers, damaging and killing marine life with the oil in their exhausts. All but one jet ski are old models from the 1990s with 2-stroke engines. If three or four jet skies running at the same time, the whole beach stinks from the highly toxic exhaust fumes - not to mention the permanent chainsaw noise the beach is blasted with. If you want to enjoy a quiet, relaxed day on the beach, do not rent a jet ski and tell everybody about the danger – or go to one of the other beaches outside of town and pay US$3-5 for a one-way ride with a motodop. == Stay healthy == Medical services in Sihanoukville are very limited and basic. The best medical service is offered by the CT Clinic or Sihanoukville International Clinic. These are the only clinics trusted by expats who live in Sihanoukville. The public hospital should be avoided at all costs, as it is terrible. In case of major illness or injury evacuation is necessary. [http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/Countries/asia/cambodia_profile.pdf HIV/AIDS] is nowhere near as prevalent as it was, but the infection rate is still relatively high within certain high risk groups such as female sex workers. In 2016 the infection rate for brothel-based female sex workers was estimated to be 14.7%, but government initiatives have raised the rate of correct and consistent condom use to over 90%. However, many sex workers are now operating outside of brothels, so the rate could be significantly higher in this group. ==Connect== Sihanoukville's area code is 034. === Internet === There are many Internet cafes and some guesthouses and many hotels offer Internet access. Many now have Wi-Fi, some for free. === Post === The new main Post Office is near the Victory Park on the left hand side of the road as you go to Victory Hill. There is also a branch at the market downtown, but here you can only leave your postcards during office hours, as it does not feature an outdoor mailbox. === Consulates === * {{listing | name=Vietnamese Consulate | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=On Ekareach St | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 08:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00; Sa 08:00-12:00 | price=US$60 for a 30 day single entry visa (Feb 2015); US$80 for 30 day double entry (Feb 2014) | content=Issues 30-day tourist visas for pick up at 10:00 the next morning. In Feb 2014 applicants arriving after 12:00 are charged an additional US$5 to have their visas processed same day.}} == Go next == * [[Bokor National Park]] &ndash; An abandoned French hill station near [[Kampot]] which was a popular destination in the 1920s * [[Kampot]] * [[Kep]] * [[Koh Kong]] * [[Koh Rong]] * [[Koh Rung Sanloem]] * [[Koh Russei]] * [[Bangkok]] via [[Trat]] [[Thailand]] &ndash; Minibuses offer direct service for US$35 * [[Ko Chang]], [[Thailand]] &ndash; Minibuses offer direct service to the ferry crossing * [[Siem Reap]] &ndash; 12 hr by day or overnight bus. The price is US$17-18 (July 2015) and they will not negotiate (probably due to cartel). If you take the night bus, they will force you to sleep next to a stranger on a small single bed. If you are a big person they may force you to pay double. {{routebox | image1=CR_Southern_Line.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=E | majorl1=[[Phnom Penh]] | minorl1=[[Kampot]] | directionr1=W | majorr1=END | minorr1= }} {{guidecity}} {{geo|10.6333|103.5000}} {{isPartOf|Cardamom and Elephant Mountains}} 3xue1f5hfthdk68ouylae4mxhx8upsr 4506504 4506502 2022-08-23T03:01:08Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sihanoukville banner.jpg|caption=|otbp=yes}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud and illegal remote gambling are rampant in Cambodia, particularly [[Sihanoukville]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Cambodia or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Cambodia organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Local authorities and the police in Cambodia may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from uninvolved higher authorities or your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Cambodia. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} '''Sihanoukville''' (''Krong Preah Seihanu''), formerly '''Kompong Som''', is a seaside town in [[Cambodia]]. Formerly a laid-back beach destination, it has been transformed by Chinese investment and is now basically a giant construction site for Chinese resorts and [[gambling|casinos]]. For those not interested in gambling, it remains the launching point for beautiful islands nearby. [[Image:SokhaBeach.JPG|thumb|400px|Sokha Beach, the best in Sihanoukville]] == Understand == In a land with thousands of years of history, Sihanoukville is a colourful but tragic upstart. A joint French-Cambodian project carved a camp out of the jungle and started building the first deep-sea port in a newly independent [[Cambodia]]. Named ''Sihanoukville'' in 1964 after the ruling prince of Cambodia, the booming port and its golden beaches soon drew Cambodia's jet-setting elite, spawned the first Angkor brewery, and the modernist seven-story Independence Hotel which, claim locals, played host to Jacqueline Kennedy on her whirlwind tour of Cambodia in 1967. Alas, the party came to an abrupt end in 1970 when Sihanouk was deposed in a coup and Cambodia descended into civil war. The town, renamed ''Kompong Som'', soon fell on hard times. The victorious Khmer Rouge used the Independence Hotel for target practice and, after they hijacked an American container ship, the port was bombed by the U.S. Air Force. Even after Pol Pot's regime was driven from power, the bumpy highway to the capital was long notorious for banditry and the beaches stayed empty. Peace returned in 1993 following historic elections organised by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and in the ensuing ten years Sihanoukville was busy picking up the pieces. First visited only by a few intrepid backpackers, guide books still talk of walls pockmarked by bullets, but any signs of war are hard to spot in today's Sihanoukville, whose new symbol seems to be the construction site. The [[#Sleep|Independence Hotel]] is up and running again, more and more Khmers and expats have settled down to run bars and restaurants, and the knowledge of what the ''New York Times'' dubbed "Asia's next trendsetting beach" is starting to spread. Sihanoukville is a relatively new city (1950) and grew along with the steady growth of tourism, all the negative elements came along too. It is not safe, even for men, to walk alone on the beach after 21:00, there are plenty of glue+sniffing children and a lot of methamphetamine-smoking girls and boys and a price-fixing tuk-tuk cartel. Sihanoukville has been transformed by '''Chinese investment'''; a flood of Chinese tourists and construction workers have arrived to turn it into a Chinese resort city full of casinos. As of 2020, over 90% of businesses in Sihanoukville are Chinese-owned. As of September 2019, this town is one big Chinese construction site. Roads are gridlocked, around 90% of the signs are in Chinese (and maybe Khmer) and businesses are thronged with Chinese construction workers. It appears that this city will soon become an exclusively Chinese enclave. Also, it seems that the influx of Chinese immigrants caused the city waste management to fail, turning at least the city main square into a garbage dump. Until this construction phase is over, it is probably better to visit Sihanoukville only to change from bus to boat and visit nearby islands with unspoiled beaches instead. == Get in == === By plane === * {{listing | type=go | name=Sihanouk International Airport | alt={{IATA|KOS}} Sihanoukville Airport | url=https://kos.cambodia-airports.aero/ | email= | address= | lat=10.58 | long=103.636944 | directions=is 17 km to the east of the town, on the edge of Ream National Park | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sihanouk International Airport | wikidata=Q2113291 |lastedit=2019-09-22| content='''[http://www.cambodiaangkorair.com Cambodian Angkor Air]''' serves it. There are direct flights from [[Saigon]] in Vietnam and several Cambodian airports. Air Asia fly here from KL and Bangkok. There are also numerous flights from cities in China, serving the growing Chinese expat community. The airport is extremely small, unprepared for the influx of Chinese investments (and people). There is no place to sit on the landside (the landside is so small so that some of the check-in desks are outside). The only way to get from/to the airport seems to be taxi. You can arrange a taxi from hotels in the center for around US$15, if coming from the airport to the city, you have to haggle hard to get this price. }} === By train === Passenger services between Sihanoukville and the capital [[Phnom Penh]] via [[Takeo]] and [[Kampot]] runs at least four times per week. The service takes approximately 7 hours from [[Phnom Penh]] and 1½ hour from [[Kampot]]. Tickets are cheap and there is usually some air conditioned carriages on the train. * {{listing | type=go | name=Sihanoukville railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=10.643414 | long=103.515423 | directions=about 2½ km north of city centre | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-22 | content= }} === By bus === Frequent buses arrive in Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh (4-5 hr), Siem Reap (10-12 hr), Ho Chi Minh City (10-12 hr), and Bangkok. '''[https://ppsoryatransport.com.kh Phnom Penh Sorya Transport]''', '''GST Express''', and '''Mekong Express''' operate hourly bus services from [[Phnom Penh]], taking 3-5 hr and costing US$4.50-10, depending on the quality of the bus and the number of stops. The first bus leaves [[Phnom Penh]] at 07:00, the last at 17:45. All buses arrive and depart from the bus station near the Central Market. Tickets can be booked at the bus company offices, travel agencies, and many guesthouses. It is worth reserving a day in advance to be sure of a seat. National Rte 4 between [[Phnom Penh]] and Sihanoukville is one of Cambodia's best roads. '''Rith Mony''', '''Bun Thou''', and '''Virak Buntham Express''' operate daily air-conditioned minibus service leaving at 08:30 to/from the border with [[Thailand]] at [[Koh Kong]]/[[Hat Lek]], taking about 5 hr. "Local" and "tourist" minibuses service this route; they are always jam-packed, and the trip can be uncomfortable. "Local" service price depends on how much space you want (a whole seat, half a seat, or a space on the roof); foreigners can expect to pay around US$6-8. They will also typically have pickup in front of the offices on the main strip in town at 07:30, after which they simply drive over to the station to wait until the 08:30 departure time. You may be offered pickup at your hotel for a premium. Sometimes there are buses leaving at 14:00 but the service may be available only with suitable demand and ticket prices may be higher (~US$15). '''Virak Buntham Express''' offers a bus service from Ha Tien in Vietnam to Sihanoukville via the new Xa Xia/Prek Chak border post. From Ha Tien, there is a ferry to Phu Quoc Island, another popular tourist destination. This trip has become easy and straightforward. Visa on arrival for US$25 (550,000 dong), and bring a photo. === By taxi === A chartered taxi from [[Phnom Penh]]'s Central Market can make the trip in less than 3 hr and will around US$25-40 per car, depending on the petrol price of the day and the condition of the vehicle. You can reduce the price by sharing seats, but Khmers will squeeze as many as eight people into the car, including two in the drivers seat, so you may need to buy two seats for comfort. === By boat === There is no boat to/from [[Koh Kong]]/[[Hat Lek]] (the border crossing with [[Thailand]]) anymore. Modest numbers of cruise lines, e.g., Oceania, offer one-day port visits, usually along with more stops in Vietnam enroute to or from Bangkok. * {{listing | name=Marina | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/marinaoceania1/ | email= | address= | lat=10.667060772694528 | long=103.51156415386197 | directions= | phone=+855 69 367684 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Daily berthing, US$2 per meter | content=Opened in Oct 2013, a yacht marina for boats up to 25 m. On the breakwater (island Koh Prib) Sihanoukville port. Visa on arrival for boaters US$25 for 30 days. }} == Get around == {{mapframe|layer=W}} Distances between the beaches are too long to walk comfortably, but getting around is easy, as the roads are wide and bike taxis (''motodop'') are everywhere. The standard price is US$1 per trip, although expect to haggle at night or if the distance is long. They'll gladly pile on two people and their luggage too. For larger groups, car taxis can be called by phone (fixed US$5 to most places around town). There are dozens of the ubiquitous tuk-tuks around the new bus station and the accommodation areas. They are some of the most persistent and over-charging drivers in [[Cambodia]]; they have formed an "association" for price fixing - a trip to the bus station, US$2 in Phnom Penh, costs US$3 if your bus company pays but they charge US$6 if you arrive at the bus station and want to go to the beach. If you have decided where you will stay it can help to call for a pick up. Even if it's not free, it may save you some overcharging. The ride from the new bus station to Serendipity Beach should cost no more than US$3 during the day. Another great choice to get around is to rent a scooter. Haggle a bit and you can get it for US$4 a day or more depending on the season. Fuel is not very cheap (about US$1.25 per litre) but can be bought at many roadside shacks. However, as of 2009, renting scooters to foreigners is illegal, and the police may stop and fine you. [[Image:Sihanoukville Cityscape.JPG|thumb|240px|Central Sihanoukville]] == See == The town doesn't offer much to see. The main areas of Sihanoukville of interest to tourists are Serendipity Beach, Otres Beach, Victory Beach, and the various islands off the coast. ===Beaches=== The main reason to visit Sihanoukville is the beaches. They are not as crowded as many of those in [[Thailand]], but can be cramped on weekends and holidays. Like many beaches in [[Southeast Asia]], they are often covered in a lot of rubbish. *{{see | name=Independence Beach | alt=Also known as 7-chan beach after the seven-storey Independence Hotel | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=}} *{{see | name=Ochheuteal Beach | alt=​ឆ្នេរអូឈើទៀល - Chnay Occheuteal | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-09-20| content=A long narrow strip of white sand beach in Sangkat No 3. The northern section has now become known as Serendipity Beach, a beach popular with Western tourists, noted for small guesthouses right on the beach. There are around 30 beach huts serving good value meals and a wide selection of drinks, a golf course development at the south end, and a cluster of mid-range hotels and restaurants in the middle. Grass umbrellas, rentable beach chairs, and little drink huts line the beach from one end to the other. Further south along the beach in front of the golf course development, a number of budget backpacker-oriented bar/restaurant/beach hangouts have sprung up offering chairs, umbrellas, drinks and a chilled-out atmosphere. Expect noise and exhaust fumes though from the numerous 2-stroke jet skis in the area. Swimming can be dangerous and several tourists have been killed by jet skis.}} [[Image: Sihanouk_Ville_Ochheu_Teal_Beach01.jpg |thumb|Ochheuteal Beach - Sihanoukville]] *{{see | name=Otres Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=10.58144 | long=103.54567 | directions=SE of Serendipity and Ochheuteal Beaches | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-09-20| content=Amazing 4&nbsp;km long stretch of clean, white sands. Far less crowded and more relaxed than other beaches in Sihanoukville. Every season more and more beach bars and guesthouses pop up along the beach. Tourists will find accommodation in rooms or bungalows (prices ranging from US$5-30), e.g., Cinderella Beach Bungalows, Castaways Beach Bar and Bungalows. Like most of Sihanoukville's budget accommodation, no air-con is available in Otres Beach lodgings, except for the Secret Garden Resort, at the far end of "Old Otres" (Otres 2). Otres Beach is great place for lazy sunbathing, but other activities also available (catamarans, windsurfing, kayaks, various boat trips, bicycles.) Unlike Serendipity Beach, marijuana and marijuana-based baked goods are openly and safely smoked and sold at the beach side bars/guesthouses and on the beach itself, which is now attracting a young Western crowd to the area. A second part of Otres Beach about a 5-10 min tuk-tuk ride away, referred to as "Otres 2", has several guesthouses open and is beginning to attract tourists looking for an even less crowded beach than the relaxed main strip of Otres Beach. Otres 2 is far less developed and less crowded, but offers only minimal activities and locations. There are no stores of any kind in Otres 2, though in the main strip of Otres 1 there's a bank machine. Adjoining that on the road in from Occhuteal is a Khmer village with various stores and a few Khmer restaurants; with a small, modern convenience store on the side road out of the village that leads to and from Occhuteal. Otres has a different climate than Snooky; it may be sunny all day when downtown Sihanoukville and the other beaches are raining and flooding. It's also known in the area as having the best sunset, and people staying in closer beaches often drive out to watch it from there (with few vendors or other harassment unlike closer to the city). Otres is fairly large away from the beach; side roads lead to other areas inland, including along the small river that flows through the broad prairie that lies inland from the beach strip. Along it, another village lies, and a few small resorts, and during high season, a small public market with entertainment. There's a couple of resorts and bars there, including a funky westerner-run backpackery bar and stage, and another more modern one with dining room and also a stage. The river can be navigated by kayak, and fish from it is part of the menu among local Khmer. The beach at Otres is very shallow for a couple of hundred meters out, or more, depending on the tide. The bottom is soft sand and clean and when there are no waves very safe for children and novice swimmers. }} *{{see | name=Serendipity Beach | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Connected to Ochheuteal Beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Guesthouses and bar/restaurants right on the beach, open until the early hours. This beach is the most popular and typically has the greatest number of people on the beach.}} *{{see | name=Sokha Beach | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Owned by Sokha Beach Resort. It is private, but you can access it by paying a couple dollars. You won't have many people begging or trying to sell you something here.}} *{{see | name=Victory Beach | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=S of the commercial port | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Plenty of budget accommodation nearby on Weather Station Hill. This beach is close to the seaport.}} ===Rivers=== The mangrove-lined Ou Trojak Jet River, Sihanoukville's longest river, runs from Otres Pagoda to Otres Beach. It is popular with both canoeists and anglers, and the lower section harbours a marina. Restaurants along the south bank of the river serve fresh seafood supplied by the local inshore fishing boats. ===Other=== * {{see | name=Kampong Pier Nup Lok | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=2&nbsp;km N of the commercial port | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The old fishing port. Offers some nice views.}} * {{see | name=[[Koh Rong]] (Monkey Island) | url=http://monkeyisland-kohrong.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$5-15 | content= Advertised all around Serendipity Beach, Koh Rong is a small island 2-3 hr away from Sihanoukville by ferry that offers a relaxed location away from the crowds, a long beach, a small jungle to trek, as well as a handful of bars, restaurants, and guesthouses on the beach covering an area of only about 2&nbsp;km. Ferries from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong leave 3-4 times daily from various docks and several different ferry companies in Sihanoukville. Ferries can be booked from any guesthouse or travel agent. Round trip tickets are sold for between US$5-15. A tourist may be quoted more for the ferry, but can be negotiated down, and should not pay more than US$15. Both dorm beds (US$7) and private rooms (US$15-30) are readily available on the island. Fishing, diving, and snorkelling are available as well at prices similar to the rest of Sihanoukville. Most places on Koh Rong run electricity on a generator and usually have electricity from sunset until midnight, though a few bars will run throughout the day and go until 04:00. Koh Rong does not have an ATM.}} * {{see | name=Ream National Park | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A wonderful mangrove nature reserve about a 30-min drive from Sihanoukville. Take a moto to park headquarters for US$2. From there, park rangers can arrange boat rides for US$40 per boat through the mangroves. The boats leave a few miles away just before the highway crosses the river, so don't send away your moto or taxi. Destination is an island where you can walk on a decaying boardwalk that leads to a viewing tower you may not climb due to decayed ladder. You have spend all your time watching your step so the walk (100 m, perhaps) is not worth taking. Call in advance. Hiking trail with ranger accompanying has been suspended as of November 2018 due to fallen trees on the trail that the park lacks money and manpower to clear.}} * {{see | name=Kbal Chhay Waterfall | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kbal Chhay Waterfalls, Ou Treh, Sihanoukville, Cambodia | lat=10.67477 | long=103.60886 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q24745| wikipedia=Kbal Chhay Waterfall | lastedit=2018-11-23 | content=A waterfall approximately 7 km from the city of Sihanoukville and then a further 9 km along a red dust track. Popular swimming area, families come to spend the day, many food stalls, rest houses and other facilities line the stream. The swimming is the attraction more than the waterfall so don't expect much nature at the stream. }} == Do == *{{do | name=The Cambodian Children's Painting Project | alt=CCPP | url=https://www.facebook.com/Cambodian-Childrens-Painting-Project-150201931678977/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=On Serendipity Beach Rd | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An NGO which works with impoverished Cambodian children. Together with volunteers, the children create art which is then sold to help support the children's families and the project itself. As part of the project children are provided with access to education, painting materials, sport activities, two meals a day, medical and dental assistance. Social workers are employed to work with the children's families. You can help by becoming a volunteer, donating painting materials, buying a painting, donating money or by holding an exhibition of the children's art. }} *{{do | name= Unique Spa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/UniqueSpaSihanoukville/?fref=ts | email= | address=Ochheuteal Street | lat= | long= | directions=Opposite Monkey Republic | phone=+855 98 513 009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Massages, nail care, body scrubs. }} * {{do | name=Scuba Diving | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=2 dive day trips US$59-85, overnight trips US$185-325 all inclusive | content=There are many islands off the Cambodian coast that have lots of coral and fish. All dive boats leave from the Sihanoukville port area. There are 4 PADI dive centres, one of which, [http://www.divecambodia.com Scuba Nation PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre], the pioneers of diving in Cambodia, provide comprehensive diving and snorkelling services, day trips, liveaboards, nitrox and a full range of PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Flexibility is the key: you can do training sessions while sightseeing in Phnom Penh, then finish with a liveaboard on the only custom made diving boats in Cambodia. [http://www.ecoseadive.com/ EcoSea Dive], offers SSI courses as well. There is also some shallow diving at Koh Tas some 10&nbsp;km from Sihanoukville, but it's mostly reserved for when the weather is too rough to get all the way to Koh Rung Sanloem. The best diving Cambodia has to offer are the overnight trips to the Koh Tang group, where large pelagics are seen regularly and visibility is double what you will find at the closer sites. }} * {{do | name=Snorkelling | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Possible around most of the islands, with the best snorkelling being at the further our islands for visibility, corals and fish. Many restaurants at Serendipity Beach advertise a snorkelling trip for US$15, but most are incapable of properly explaining what their offer includes. Most will boil down to the same trip organised by one of the travel agents which includes (simple) breakfast at the beach, a visit to two snorkelling spots and a 3-hr lunch break at [[Koh Russei]] (Bamboo Island). If you are serious about your snorkelling, you should consider going with one of the three scuba dive shops, to ensure you get proper gear.}} * {{do | name=Unspoiled Island Day Trip | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Sun-tours-cambodia-1724270524473088/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=US$15 | content=Finding a clean and unspoiled beach (apart from private Sokha Beach) is challenging in Sihanoukville, but can be found a couple of hours away on the island Koh Rong Saloem. Daily ferries can take you there in the morning or a one-day trips including snorkelling, fishing, lunch and light breakfast. This particular company takes its passengers to a deserted 5&nbsp;km strip of deserted beach. It's run by a very fun and entertaining German named Robert. There is also accommodation on the island at Lazy Beach. [https://www.facebook.com/ecoseadiver/ EcoSea Diving] offers overnight trips to Koh Rung Sanloem as well, where accommodation is in small basic cottages. Unfortunately there are a lot of sand flies on the island. Prepare to be bitten. }} == Buy == ===Banks and ATMs=== *'''ATMs''' can be found throughout the city. Downtown, there are ATMs from *'''ANZ Bank''' *'''Canadia Bank''' *'''Acleda Bank''' *'''May bank''' *'''ABA Bank''' *'''CIMB Bank''' *'''Union Commercial Bank''' *'''Cambodia Commercial Bank''' *'''UCB Bank'''. *There are also ATMs around the "Golden Lions", on Beach St, at CCS Hotel and one at the Golden Sands Hotel, Occheuteal Beach. There is also an ATM in Otres 1. *'''T E Lee Hong Money Exchange''' 7 Markara Street. ====Supermarkets and groceries==== There are several supermarkets in the town, plus a standard Cambodian market ('Psaa Leu'). * {{buy | name=Orange Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ekareach Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+855 34-933878 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:30-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Samudera Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ekareach Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=07:00-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content=There is a money exchange with in the Samudera supermarket. }} * {{buy | name=Lucky Ocean Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address=7 Ekareach Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+855 34-451155 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:00-22:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Psar Leu (Public Market) | alt= | url= | email= | address=7 Makara Street | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=06:00-18:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-02-22 | content=Low-priced fruit and vegetables. also sells home wares and clothing. }} == Eat == Along the beaches, especially at Ochheuteal Beach, there are many food stalls and some restaurants serving grilled, meat, chicken, and seafood with chips/fries and a beer for US$3-4. There are a good many restaurants in town as well. Sihanoukville has a surprisingly diverse set of cuisines. * {{eat | name=Cinderellas Coffee Shop | alt= | url=http://cinderella-cambodia.com/ferienanlage_007.htm | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Serendipity Beach Rd, opposite Monkey Republic | phone=+855 12 613380 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=Very pleasant coffee shop/cafe just off Ochheuteal Beach with comfortable indoor and terrace patio seating. Reasonably priced menu featuring Western, Korean, and Asian dishes. In addition to coffee there is beer, wine and cocktails. }} * {{eat | name=Sandan | alt= | url=http://tree-alliance.org/our-restaurants/sandan.php?mm=or&sm=sd | email= | address=Street 10311, one block south of 7 Makara Street | lat= | long= | directions=look for their brightly lit mango tree | phone=+855 98 454 400 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=A restaurant serving local flavors and Cambodian traditions with an 8 or 12 course dinner option if you prefer. }} * {{eat | name=Starfish Bakery & Cafe | alt= | url=http://tree-alliance.org/our-restaurants/sandan.php?mm=or&sm=sd | email= | address=Street 208 (100 m from junction with 7 Makara Street) (small street along side Samudera Supermarket) | lat= | long= | directions=will need a launch to Koh Rong Samloem island offshore | phone=+855 12 952 011 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 7AM-5:30PM | price= | lastedit= | content=Makes contribution to local charitable causes. }} * {{eat | name=Seapony Cafe | alt= | url=https://m.facebook.com/seaponybungalow/ | email= | address=#4 Seapony Lane M'Pai Bai Village, Koh Rong Samloem | lat= | long= | directions=will need a launch to Koh Rong Samloem island offshore | phone=+855 96 264 5541 | tollfree= | hours=W-M 8:30AM-3PM | price= | lastedit= | content=Serving up breakfast and lunch. }} == Drink == * '''Golden Lion Plaza''' at Occheteal Beach, 10 friendly bars in one street, but all are also used as spots for picking up prostitutes. * The trend on Serendipity Beach is to advertise a permanent happy hour, which usually implies cocktails for US$2-2.50 and draught Anchor beer for as little as US$0.50-0.75. Beer prices generally rise to US$1 at night with cocktails remaining US$2-2.50. ===Bars in town=== * {{drink | name=Captain Morgan | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Golden Lions Plaza | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open late | price= | content=Nice looking bar with friendly staff. Food and snacks.}} * {{drink | name=Star Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Downtown, behind Shell gas station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Extremely cold Anchor draught beer (happy hour US$0.50, rest of the day US$0.75). Friendly waitresses. Good pool table. Decent kitchen with Western-oriented menu. Popular Wednesday evening barbecue, US$2. }} == Sleep == [[Image: Koh Ta Kiev island (Cambodia).jpg |thumb|Koh Ta Kiev Island - tree houses on the beach (Cambodia)]] Accommodation ranges from basic guest houses on the beach to four-star resorts. There are plenty of guesthouses, however, the cheapest guesthouses directly on the beach frequently sell out. Reservations are necessary at peak times such as at New Year. Due the extensive construction works in the city, any list of accommodation might be outdated. As of Sep 2919, it seems that most of the hotels aim at Chinese clientele. ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Savannphoum | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=300m from Serendipity Beach | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=US$10 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A nice alternative for people wanting to stay close to rather than on the beach. Most of the guests are Khmer. Good cheap Khmer food, clean rooms, cheap scooter rentals. }} * {{sleep | name=TEN103 |alt=FORMERLY Jonty's Jungle Camp | url= | email=jonty@jontysjunglecamp.com | address=Koh Ta Kiev Island | lat= | long= | directions=call or e-mail in advance and you'll be picked up with the boat in Sihanoukville | phone=+855 92 502374 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=US$7-25 |lastedit=2016-09-20| content=Sleep in a tree house or in a hammock with a mosquito net. The facilities are very basic, but that's what makes the place so special. Koh Ta Kiev Island is full of unexplored jungle, lovely beaches, and almost no tourism.| | hours= }} *{{Sleep|name=Onederz Hostel Sihanoukville|alt=|url=https://onederz.com/sihanoukville/|email=|address=|lat=10.6111333|long=103.5238100|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|checkin=|checkout=|price=10USD per bed in dorm|lastedit=2019-09-22|content=Supposedly one of the last hostels in Sihanoukville. Features a small swimming pool and a bit overpriced Khmer food.}} === Mid-range === * {{sleep | name=Above Us Only Sky (Bar & Bungalows) | alt= | url=https://www.aboveusonlysky.asia/ | email=aboveusonlyskysihanoukville@gmail.com | address=Serendipity Beach | lat=10.606201 | long=103.520411 | directions=From Tranquility Guesthouse follow the beach in the quieter direction to 3 buildings further on | phone=+855 88 426 8030 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Spacious bungalows on a very quiet part of the beach. It has fan and air-conditioning rooms and a nice porch in front of the bungalow with comfortable chairs and couch and brilliant ocean view. Wi-Fi. There is also a nice little bar downstairs. No restaurant, but there are plenty nearby. }} * {{sleep | name=The Don Bosco Hotel School | url=https://m.facebook.com/donboscoguesthouse/ | email=reservation@donboscohotelschool.com | address=Phum 1 Sang Kat 2 | lat= | long= | directions=2.5&nbsp;km from Otres Beach | phone=+855-87919834 | tollfree= | fax=+855 34 933765 | hours= | price=US$30-60 including breakfast | checkin= | checkout= | content=Hotel in a lush garden with a swimming pool, air-conditioning, hot showers, and free Wi-Fi, pick-up and shuttle to the beaches and city. It is a training hotel to help young Cambodians learn a skill and find a job.}} * {{sleep | name=Sokha Beach Resort | url=http://www.sokhahotels.com/sihanoukville | email=reservations@sokhahotels.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Sokha Beach | phone=+855 34 935999 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Promotional rates: US$140-810 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=An international-class beach resort. Very bland and a bit rough around the edges, but the beach is gorgeous and hassle-free, and the resort is family-friendly with children swimming pools and playgrounds. Try their best Restaurant, Lemongrass, and "The Deck" Tapas Bar. 180° views of the gulf. }} === Splurge === * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Independence Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.darahotels.asia/independence-hotel-resort-spa | email= | address=St 2 Thnou, Sangkat 3 | lat=10.617542 | long=103.495254 | directions= | phone=+855 34 934 300 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From US$140, breakfast included | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-22 | content=A modernist concrete seven-story block on top of the cape and with great sea views, it has a pretty pool and attractive, expansive gardens. A nice touch are some black and white photographs of the hotel in its heyday. The best feature is the adjacent clean pale sand private beach which has crystal clear water and some big rocks, although this may be under development as the hotel are planning bungalows. Some distance from town. }} ==Stay safe== While violent crime is extremely rare, purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and petty theft are extremely common occurrences on and near Serendipity beach during both the day and night. Women should not carry purses containing anything valuable, and if possible should not carry any purse at all. Groups of young children often surround women leaving the beach bars at night, cut off their purses and run away. In addition, criminals on motorbikes will often grab a woman's purse and then drive off during both the day and night, dragging the woman behind them until they let go. The majority of this activity is confined to the Serendipity area and travellers to Otres Beach or the rest of Sihanoukville should be careful, but far less concerned about crime. ====Jet ski==== At least six tourists and one local boy were run over and killed at Ochheuteal Beach and Otres Beach by jet skis since Sep 2009. The number of tourists and locals injured by banana-boats and jet skis is unknown. In 2009 the police marked a swimmers-only area with buoys along most of the beach but the employees of the jet ski & banana-boat operators completely ignore it and keep showing off silly but very dangerous high speed stunts just meters from shore and in the middle of swimmers to hunt and attract customers. Complaints to the police are ignored. On weekends you will see many very drunk Cambodian tourists on jet skis, chasing each other inside the swimming zone and ignoring the simplest safety rules. At Serendipity, the northern end of Ochheuteal Beach, jet skiers race between the coral bommies, completely disregarding the safety of snorkellers, damaging and killing marine life with the oil in their exhausts. All but one jet ski are old models from the 1990s with 2-stroke engines. If three or four jet skies running at the same time, the whole beach stinks from the highly toxic exhaust fumes - not to mention the permanent chainsaw noise the beach is blasted with. If you want to enjoy a quiet, relaxed day on the beach, do not rent a jet ski and tell everybody about the danger – or go to one of the other beaches outside of town and pay US$3-5 for a one-way ride with a motodop. == Stay healthy == Medical services in Sihanoukville are very limited and basic. The best medical service is offered by the CT Clinic or Sihanoukville International Clinic. These are the only clinics trusted by expats who live in Sihanoukville. The public hospital should be avoided at all costs, as it is terrible. In case of major illness or injury evacuation is necessary. [http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/Countries/asia/cambodia_profile.pdf HIV/AIDS] is nowhere near as prevalent as it was, but the infection rate is still relatively high within certain high risk groups such as female sex workers. In 2016 the infection rate for brothel-based female sex workers was estimated to be 14.7%, but government initiatives have raised the rate of correct and consistent condom use to over 90%. However, many sex workers are now operating outside of brothels, so the rate could be significantly higher in this group. ==Connect== Sihanoukville's area code is 034. === Internet === There are many Internet cafes and some guesthouses and many hotels offer Internet access. Many now have Wi-Fi, some for free. === Post === The new main Post Office is near the Victory Park on the left hand side of the road as you go to Victory Hill. There is also a branch at the market downtown, but here you can only leave your postcards during office hours, as it does not feature an outdoor mailbox. === Consulates === * {{listing | name=Vietnamese Consulate | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=On Ekareach St | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 08:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00; Sa 08:00-12:00 | price=US$60 for a 30 day single entry visa (Feb 2015); US$80 for 30 day double entry (Feb 2014) | content=Issues 30-day tourist visas for pick up at 10:00 the next morning. In Feb 2014 applicants arriving after 12:00 are charged an additional US$5 to have their visas processed same day.}} == Go next == * [[Bokor National Park]] &ndash; An abandoned French hill station near [[Kampot]] which was a popular destination in the 1920s * [[Kampot]] * [[Kep]] * [[Koh Kong]] * [[Koh Rong]] * [[Koh Rung Sanloem]] * [[Koh Russei]] * [[Bangkok]] via [[Trat]] [[Thailand]] &ndash; Minibuses offer direct service for US$35 * [[Ko Chang]], [[Thailand]] &ndash; Minibuses offer direct service to the ferry crossing * [[Siem Reap]] &ndash; 12 hr by day or overnight bus. The price is US$17-18 (July 2015) and they will not negotiate (probably due to cartel). If you take the night bus, they will force you to sleep next to a stranger on a small single bed. If you are a big person they may force you to pay double. {{routebox | image1=CR_Southern_Line.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=E | majorl1=[[Phnom Penh]] | minorl1=[[Kampot]] | directionr1=W | majorr1=END | minorr1= }} {{guidecity}} {{geo|10.6333|103.5000}} {{isPartOf|Cardamom and Elephant Mountains}} dgy5hnadp0p3miozv6pk31b6zga77y9 0 32765 4506610 4478907 2022-08-23T05:35:22Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Go next */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Siliguri view 19 (cropped).jpg}} [[File:Siliguri view.jpg|thumb|400px|Outskirts of Siliguri and the [[Darjeeling Hills]] beyond]] '''[http://www.siligurismc.in/ Siliguri]''' (Bengali: শিলিগুড়ি, Hindi: सिलीगुड़ी) is a major city in the [[North Bengal]] region of the [[India|Indian]] state of [[West Bengal]]. It spans the areas of the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. It is a liberal and cosmopolitan city that is known for its vibrant music scene and strong youth culture. Located on the banks of the Mahananda River and the Teesta River at the foothills of the [[Darjeeling Hills]], Siliguri is the third-largest urban agglomeration in [[West Bengal]]. It is known as the ''"Gateway of Northeast India"'' as it connects [[North-Eastern India]] with mainland [[India]] making it a major trading and transportation hub. The narrowest point on the Siliguri corridor is 20-22 km (12–14 mi). It borders [[Nepal]] on one side and [[Bangladesh]] on the other. ==Understand== Siliguri has a population of half a million (around one million for the entire metropolitan area), making it the third-largest city in West Bengal. With massive developments since the turn of the 21st century, the city has grown from a small regional town into one of the most important business centres in North Bengal. Sprawling and boisterous, it is a city whose periphery is dominated by modern condominiums, while the downtown is characterised by sprawling street markets, up-scale shops, and large shopping malls. Due to its position as a commercial hub and centre of learning, the city enjoys a sophistication and range of shopping usually only associated with metro cities. Furthermore, as it has attracted a large number of young Nepalese, Sikkimese, Tibetans, and Bhutanese, it has developed into one of India's most liberal and cosmopolitan cities that is known for its vibrant music scene and strong youth culture. Siliguri is the only city in West Bengal other than [[Kolkata]] to have a commercial airport and, perhaps due to the high concentration of colleges, institutes and private schools, the city has the highest literacy rates in the state. Traditionally, Siliguri has been known for the four 'T's — tourism, timber, tea and transport — and is the gateway to [[Darjeeling]], [[Sikkim]], [[Bhutan]] and [[North-Eastern India]]. ===Climate=== {{Climate |janhigh=23 |aprprecip=99 |octlow=21 |novlow=15 |declow=11 |janprecip=12 |febprecip=28 |marprecip=48 |mayprecip=300 |auglow=25 |junprecip=658 |julprecip=804 |augprecip=640 |sepprecip=549 |octprecip=156 |novprecip=25 |decprecip=20 |seplow=24 |jullow=25 |febhigh=25 |octhigh=30 |marhigh=29 |aprhigh=32 |mayhigh=32 |junhigh=31 |julhigh=31 |aughigh=32 |sephigh=31 |novhigh=27 |junlow=24 |dechigh=25 |units=Set units = Metric |janlow=10 |feblow=12 |marlow=15 |aprlow=20 |maylow=22 |description=Source: [[:w:Siliguri#Climate]]}} Siliguri has a warm summer, cool winters and a severe monsoon. In summer, the temperature varies from a minimum of 18-22 °C to a maximum of 26-32 °C. The temperature in summer sometimes exceeds 35 °C. On the other hand, the winter maximum temperature hovers around 20-24 °C, and the minimum drops 6-9 °C. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 16.1 °C. The minimum temperature in winter season sometimes drops 5 °C or below. On an average, Siliguri gets 3340 mm per year. Winters are mostly dry, with the summers being rainy. About 80% of the annual rainfall is felt between June to September, this period is known as monsoons or rainy season in the season cycle. Heavy showers are often felt in May, June, July, August and September. July is the wettest month (804 mm) and January is the driest month (12 mm). ==Get in== ===By train=== Siliguri has three railway stations: New Jalpaiguri (NJP), Siliguri Junction and Siliguri Town, of these New Jalpaiguri is the busiest, and is a 20- to 30-minute ride from the city centre. Although mostly servicing local routes, Siliguri Junction also has a few long distance trains including Mahananda Express (from [[New Delhi]]) and Kanchankanya Express (from [[Kolkata/North Kolkata|Sealdah]]). * {{listing|type=go | name=New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11790860 | lastedit=2020-10-10 | content= }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Siliguri Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7515061 | lastedit=2020-10-10 | content= }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Siliguri Town railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7515065 | lastedit=2020-10-10 | content= }} ===By bus=== Siliguri Bus Station is across the street from the Sher-e-Punjab Hotel on Hill Cart Road (Tenzing Norgay Road). * There are regular buses from [[Kolkata]]. The well-known and comfortable Siliguri Rocket, run by the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC), leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 8AM (₹245). Some private bus lines also ply the route. The 'Royal Cruiser' Volvo buses leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 9AM (₹745 AC/₹325 non-AC). * Under a joint understanding between Indian and Bangladeshi transport authority, there are regular bus services from [[Dhaka]], capital of [[Bangladesh]]. BRTC (Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation) buses leave Dhaka every night at 8PM and reach India-Bangladesh border at Changrabanda post at early morning. These buses will not cross the border and the passengers have to clear customs, walk a few hundred yards to cross the border and board the waiting Indian buses for another three-hour ride to Siliguri. The buses are air conditioned, very comfortable and depart on time. One-way fare from Dhaka to Siliguri is between USD 20 to 25, depending on conversion rates. * There is a regular bus service from [[Phuentsholing]], [[Bhutan]] and the Bhutanese border town of [[Jaigon]]. Buses from Phuentsholing leave at 7AM, 7:30AM, 8:15AM and 3PM daily, with the journey taking approximately four hours. *A direct deluxe service links Siliguri to [[Kathmandu]], with buses plying the route on alternate days. ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Bagdogra International Airport | alt={{IATA|IXB}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.681111 | long=88.328611 | directions=14 km from the heart of Siliguri | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bagdogra International Airport | image=Bagdogra International Airport.jpg | wikidata=Q2900847 | content=The number of flights operating from Bagdogra has increased substantially and the airport has links with most major Indian cities: [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Chennai]], Kolkata and [[Guwahati]]. In addition, a number of airlines operate connecting flights from [[Bangkok]], while Druk Air offers twice in a week direct flights to the Thai capital, which begin and terminate in [[Paro]] with a stop here. Taxis are available from the airport to Siliguri (approx ₹500), as well as to Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Phuentsholing. }} ==Get around== {{mapframe|26.789414|88.3612316|zoom=10}} [[File:Electric auto rickshaw in Siliguri.jpg|thumb|An electric rickshaw in Siliguri ]] Moving in and around Siliguri is cheap. There are e- Rickshaws, an efficient public bus service, and rental cars. App-based car services are also available on OLA Cabs and Uber, while shared e-rickshaws run on established routes, charging ₹10-15 per person (as of 2021) per journey. The core areas can be covered on foot and is very safe. ==See== [[File:Coronation Bridge, Sevok.jpg|thumb|Coronation Bridge, Sevok]] === Landmarks and parks === * {{see | name=Coronation Bridge | alt=Sevoke Bridge | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.9028 | long=88.4731 | directions=at Sevoke, about 23 km from the city on way to [[Gangtok]]/[[Kalimpong]] and Dooars on the National Highway 31.| phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Coronation Bridge | image=Bridge_at_Teesta.jpg | wikidata=Q5172206 | content=You can see the turbulent Teesta roaring below. }} * {{See|name=Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary|url=http://wbsfda.org/|email=wbsfdaecotourism@gmail.com|address=Hill Cart Rd, Sukna|lat=26.7970|long=88.3630|phone=+91 83370 66882|hours=Daily 6AM–4:30PM (Tuesday closed)|lastedit=2022-01-03|content=Forested reserve area with a wildlife park, birdwatching towers & an elephant migration area.}} *{{see | name=Madhuban Park| alt= | url= | email= | address= Sukna Forest | lat= 26.7894| long= 88.3297| directions= towards Darjeeling | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 6AM–7PM | price= | content= A spacious park known for its manicured lawns, pathways and children's play areas. }} *{{listing | type=see | name=Science City | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=26.7256 | long=88.3852 | directions=At Matigara | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=The campus has a museum, a planetarium and an Interpretation Centre that displays various type of flora. }} *{{see|name=Surya Sen Park|alt=|url=|email=|address=Janta Nagar|lat=26.7214|long=88.4232|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Daily 3-7PM |price=|lastedit=2017-10-16|content=A river runs along this park with kids’ rides, play equipment, shade trees & a miniature train. It also hosts many alternative energy exhibitions and picnic areas.}} === Monasteries === *{{listing | type=see | name=Buddha Mundir Monastery | alt= | url= | email= | address=Buddha Mundir Road, Salbari | lat=26.7662232 | long=88.4442565 | directions=Salibari | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A monastery established by the Nyingma yogi, Chatral Sangye Dorji Rinpoche }} * {{See|name=Ewan Buddhist Monastery|alt=|url=https://www.facebook.com/Ewam.India|email=|address=Junglee Mohal, Toribari Village, Behind Bengal Safari P.O P.S, Distt, Bhaktinagar, Salugara|lat=26.8024|long=88.4336|directions=|phone=+91 353 259 0264|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2019-08-30|content=A large Buddhist monastery in the Nyingma tradition}} * {{listing | type=see | name=Khordong Byangter Monastery | alt= | url=http://khordong-byangter.blogspot.tw/ | email= | address=Dhansara | lat=26.6668681 | long=88.3617536 | directions=on road to Darjeeling, near NJP Station | phone=+91 99330 62222 or +91 98320 49416 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A monastery is in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Accommodation available at the compound. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Iskcon Temple | alt= | url=https://www.iskconsiliguri.com/ | email= | address=Iskcon Rd, Ward 41, Haidar Par | lat=26.7291316 | long=88.4083123 | directions= | phone=+91 92316 84759 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as Hare Krishna Movement, manages the ISCKON temple, Siliguri. The temple houses many beautiful idols of Advaita Acharya, Lord Narasimha, Lord Chaitanya and many more. }} * {{see | name=Sed-Gyued Institute of Buddhist Studies |alt=| url= | email= | address=Salugara | lat= 26.7631| long= 88.4475| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=15 - 20 minutes from the downtown | price= |lastedit=2017-03-30| content= The institute was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1999, and belongs to the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The compound includes a 100-foot Tashi Gomang Stupa. }} * {{see | name= Sevoke Kali Mandir| alt= | url= | email= | address= NH10, near Coronation bridge | lat=26.9005| long= 88.4715| directions=at Sevoke | phone= +91 96477 77584| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= This is around 20 km from Siliguri, near the Coronation Bridge. This is a temple of goddess Kali, the goddess of destruction, and is considered very holy. People from far off places come here to pray and worship her. }} * {{see | name=Triratna Monastery |alt=| url= | email= | address=Salbari | lat= 26.7631| long= 88.4475| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=15 - 20 minutes' drive from downtown | price= |lastedit=2018-03-03| content= A monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism }} ==Do== There are many places in Siliguri to visit and spend some quality time. You can tour the city yourself by renting a bike or a car. There are many places to watch movies. You can also visit tea estates for a tour where you can see the serene and spacious tea farms in and around the city. There are many exhibitions and sport events around the city. [[File:Siliguri011.jpg|thumb|A dazzling array of sacred objects on sale by a local vendor]] * {{do | name= Dreamland Amusement Park| alt= | url= https://www.facebook.com/dreamlandslg | email= dreamland.slg@gmail.com | address= Ghoshpukur Canal Road, Fulbari | lat= 26.7091| long= 88.3830| directions= | phone= +91 97328 51000| tollfree= | fax= | hours= 10AM-7PM| price= | content= An amusement and theme park. }} * {{do | name=Savin Kingdom | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/savinkingdom2017/| email=gmsavinkingdom@gmail.com | address= Darjeeling More| lat=26.7396 | long=88.4031 | directions= | phone=+91 353 251 4228| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10:30AM-6PM | price= | lastedit=2016-10-19 | content=Dagapur (near Darjeeling More). An amusement and water park among tea plantations. }} * {{do | name=Triveni Camping | alt=Triveni Siliguri | url=https://www.trivenicamping.com/ | email=trivenicamping@gmail.com | address=Triveni, Teesta Bazar, West Bengal 734312 | lat= 27.0796| long= 88.4308| directions=Siliguri to Teesta Triveni distance is around 52 kms via NH10 | phone=+91 82409 78266 | tollfree= | hours=9AM - 8PM | price=₹1500 per person per night | lastedit=2021-10-07 | content=A confluence of two rivers, the river Rangeet with its deep green and crystal clear water, meets with the forceful mountain stream Teesta at a point called Teesta Triveni. }} ==Buy== [[File:Siliguri city centre.jpg|thumb|300px|Siliguri City Centre Mall]] Silguri sells its wares on three streets: Hill Cart Road, Bidhan Road and Sevoke Road. The former offers more traditional stores and is home to many of the city's hotels, Sevoke is home to several upscale shopping malls and is the centre of the city's banking, while Bidhan Road is primarily known for the street markets that span out from the thoroughfare. As the centre of a tea-growing area, Siliguri is an excellent place to pick up some Darjeeling and other brands of the leaf. ===Handicrafts=== * {{buy | name=Fab India | alt= | url=https://www.fabindia.com/ | email=fabindia.vegacircle@gmail.com | address=Shop No. 10, 1st Floor, Vega Circle Mall | lat= 26.7527| long= 88.4387| directions= | phone= +91 35325 40990| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM-9PM | price= | lastedit=2018-01-26 | content=Gifts and clothing store. }} * {{buy | name=Shree Buddha Handicrafts | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Shree-Buddha-Handicrafts-107752339324654/ | email= | address= Sevoke Road, Panitanki| lat= 26.7221| long= 88.4269| directions= | phone=+91 97333 29274 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-01-26 | content= A wholesaler and order supplier of Buddhist ritual handicrafts and other religious items. }} * {{buy | name=Tanias Collection | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bidhan Market | lat= 26.7187| long= 88.4254| directions= | phone=+91 98320 34561 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-01-26 | content=An eclectic mix of handcrafts, including religious statues. }} ===Tea=== *{{buy|name=Chai Chun|alt=|url=https://www.chaichuntea.com/|email=ch6@chaichun.in|address=GF, Planet Mall, Sevoke Road|directions=diagonally across from Cosmos|lat=26.7922|long=88.4229|phone=+91 93827 02318|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-01-30|content=A modern shop selling traditional Indian teas, flavoured teas, Indian oolong, and tea-making equipment and accessories.}} *{{buy|name=The Tea Cottage|alt=|url=https://theteacottage.business.site/|email=|address=Shivmandir, Military Road|directions=|lat=26.7222|long=88.3583|phone=+91 94345 54741|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-01-11|content=Excellent selection of Darjeeling and Assam teas at retail and wholesale prices.}} *{{buy|name=Siliguri Tea Auction Committee|alt=|url=http://www.siliguriteaauction.com/|email=info@siliguriteaauction.com|address=Mallaguri, Pradhan Nagar|directions=|lat=26.7351|long=88.4107|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Tu-Sa 9AM–5PM |price=|lastedit=2018-01-11|content=A place to make bulk purchases of Darjeeling and other locally grown teas.}} ===Malls=== [[File:Big-Baazar-Siliguri-1.JPG|thumb|Cosmos Mall]] * {{buy | name=City Centre | alt= The Uttorayon Township| url=http://siliguri.citycentremalls.in/ | email= | address= Matigara, NH-31| lat= 26.7246| long= 88.3950| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-21 | content=A huge mall offering major brands, international chain eateries, and live music events. }} * {{buy | name=City Mall | alt= | url=| email= | address= Service Road, Ward 13, Punjabi Para| lat= 26.7252| long= 88.4293| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-21 | content=Unassuming mall featuring local shops selling traditional clothing & jewelry, plus fast food. }} * {{buy | name=Cosmos Mall | alt= | url=http://www.cosmossiliguri.com/ | email=kamlesh.sahu@fmnl.in | address=Sevoke Road | lat= 26.7405| long= 88.4345| directions= | phone= +91 353 254 5143| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM–10PM | price= | lastedit=2017-01-21 | content=Mall with a Big Bazaar store, plus fashion, cosmetics & home retailers, eateries & frequent events. }} *{{Buy|name=Planet Mall |url=https://www.facebook.com/planetslg/ |address=Sevoke Road |lat=26.7397|long=88.4356|directions=vertically opposite Cosmos Mall |lastedit=2022-01-09 |content=A modern complex filled with pubs, restaurant, and cafes. A very happening place for the under 40s.}} * {{buy | name=Vega Circle Mall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/VegaCircleSiliguri/ | email=vega@vegacircle.com | address= Nimbu Basti| lat= 26.7523| long= 88.4390| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10:30AM–9PM | price= | lastedit=2017-01-21 | content=Home to an INOX movie theatre, hotel, and international stores, including a large branch of the well known London toy store, Hamleys. }} ===Street markets=== *{{buy | name=Bidhan Market | alt= | url= | email= | address= Ward 11, Hakim Para| directions= near the Kanchenjunga Stadium | lat= 26.7174| long=88.4253| phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily noon–9PM| price= |lastedit=2016-10-19| content= The oldest and largest street market in Siliguri, Bidhan Market meanders along streets and alleys and is particularly bustling and atmospheric at night. }} *{{buy | name=Hong Kong Market | alt= | url= | email= | address= 6, Satyajit Roy Colony Rd, Ward 41, Don Bosco Colony| directions= | lat= 26.7156| long= 88.4252| phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Tu-Su 9:30AM–9:30PM | price= |lastedit=2016-10-19| content=Lively, long-standing market for bargain clothing, electronics & cosmetics, plus food vendors. However, beware of duplicate items. Even items made in Delhi stamped with "Made in China" are being sold here. The actual price of the item will be 1/2 or 1/3rd of the price the shopkeeper asks. }} *{{buy | name=Seth Srilal Market | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/SethSrilalMarket/ | email= | address= Ward 11, Hakim Para| directions= | lat= 26.7161| long= 88.4235| phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily noon–9PM| price= |lastedit=2016-10-19| content=Buzzing market in the heart of the city, where you might get the best deals. Also famous for its Momo Gali (Momo Street). }} ==Eat== Due to the large number of Nepalese and Tibetans living in Siliguri, the city offers an excellent selection of authentic Tibetan and Nepali delicacies. In addition, there are also several good quality restaurants specializing in Western and Chinese cuisine as well as a considerable number of US fast food outlets. * {{eat | name=Badshah Biryani Hut | alt= | url= | email= | address=Opposite Kanchenjunga Stadium, Khudiram Pally Rd, Ward 11, Hakim Para | lat= 26.7144| long= 88.4258| directions= | phone= +91 81013 47809| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily noon–10:30PM | price= | content=Excellent Biriyani along with several other cuisines. }} * {{eat | name=Bedween Restaurant | alt= | url= https://www.swiggy.com/restaurants/bedween-restaurant-janta-nagar-siliguri-391124| email= | address=Bidhan Market, Old Bus Stand | lat= 26.7175| long= 88.42611| directions= | phone=+91 98323 71558| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM–10:30PM | price= | content=Known for its delicious Biryani. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Bhojohari Manna | alt=Hotel Golden Moments | url=http://bhojohorimanna.com/siliguri-menu.html | email= | address=143 Hill Cart Road | lat= 26.71180| long= 88.4255| directions= | phone= +91 94342 10011| tollfree= | hours= Daily noon–10PM | price= | content=Bengali cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=The Cinderella Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.cindrellahotels.com/ | email= | address=3rd Mile, Sevoke Road | lat= 26.7557| long= 88.4422| directions= | phone=+91 353 254 4130, +91 35325 47136 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content='''Amrapali''' - Vegetarian multi-cuisine restaurant, '''Recoil''' - Bar, '''Sizzler''' - discotheque for private parties, '''Patio''' - Roof-top restaurant-cum-bar. }} * {{eat | name= Havelli | alt= | url= https://www.swiggy.com/restaurants/haveli-khalpara-ward-6-siliguri-150407| email= | address= Hill Cart Road | lat= 26.7138| long= 88.4238| directions= | phone= +91 353 253 5013| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11AM–11PM | price= | content= An excellent restaurant for fish and mutton items. Also offers high standard Chinese and continental dishes. Cool decor. }} * {{eat | name= Hi Spirits Cafe and Pub| alt= | url= https://www.swiggy.com/restaurants/haveli-khalpara-ward-6-siliguri-150407| email= | address= 2nd floor City Centre, Uttorayon| lat= 26.7247| long= 88.3951| directions= | phone= +91 98320 59826| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily noon–11PM | price= | content= Low-key bar & restaurant in an unpretentious, no-frills ambience with Lebanese, Mexican, Chinese and Tibetan dishes cooked to a very high standard and live music }} * {{Eat|name=Indian Pagoda|url=https://www.swiggy.com/restaurants/indian-pagoda-chinese-restaurant-and-bar-sevoke-road-haidar-para-siliguri-150085|address=Top Plaza, Ground Floor, Sevoke Rd|lat=26.7287|long=88.4307|hours=Daily 10am–11pm|lastedit=2022-01-09|content=Contemporary space serving a typical menu of popular Indianised Chinese dishes.}} * {{eat | name=Kalpana Hotel Bengali Cuisines | alt= | url= | email= | address= Bidhan Market| lat= 26.7168| long= 88.4253| directions=Near Siliguri Town railway station | phone= +91 76796 38292| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM–9PM | price= | content=Bengali cuisine }} * {{eat | name=Kalpatru Pice Restaurant | alt= | url= | email= | address=Panitanki More, Sevoke Rd, Ashram Para, Hakim Para| lat= 26.7203| long= 88.4269| directions= | phone=+91 353 264 3479 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM–10:30PM | price= | content=Bengali cuisine }} * {{eat | name=Marina's Motel | alt= | url= http://www.marinasmotel.com/| email=reservationmarinas@gmail.com | address=Bihar More, Bagdogra | lat= 26.6989| long= 88.3164| directions= | phone=+91 96097 43399 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-01-08 | content=A serene motel in a colonial-style building with a furnished terrace and garden. Serves northern Indian and Chinese cuisine. Private dining available. }} * {{eat | name=Momo Gali | alt= | url= | email= | address=Seth Srilal Market | lat= 26.7157| long= 88.4237| directions=near Margaret School, within easy walking distance of Siliguri Bus Stand | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM-10PM| price= |lastedit=2016-10-19| content=A street of restaurants and stalls selling fantastic momos. }} * {{eat | name=Monarch Restaurant | url= https://www.zomato.com/siliguri/monarch-restaurant-janta-nagar/menu| email= | address=10 Sevoke Rd | lat= 26.7165| long= 88.4231| directions= | phone = +91 98320 62155 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 8AM–11:30PM | price= | content=Famous for Indian, Tandoori and Chinese dishes. }} * {{eat | name=New Zaika Biryani House | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hill Cart Road | lat= 26.7151| long= 88.4229| directions= | phone= +91 94346 89708 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 9AM–11:15PM | price= | content=Mughlai dishes }} *{{eat | name=Punjabi Kadhai | alt= | url=http://www.punjabikadhai.in | email=info@punjabikadhai.in | address=Sidhi Arcade, 2nd Mile, Sevoke Road | lat= 26.7306| long= 88.43093| directions= | phone=+91 98326 45678 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11AM–11:11PM | price= | content=Biryani, kebabs & other North Indian standards served in a casual, family-friendly rooftop setting. }} * {{eat | name=Sagar Family Restaurant| alt= | url=http://www.sagarfamilyslg.com/ | email=care@sagarfamilyslg.com | address=Golden Enclave Building, near Ravi Auto, 2nd Mile, Sevoke Road | lat= 26.7477| long= 88.4382| directions= | phone=+91 98320 77344 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 9AM to 11PM| price= | content=Relaxed option prepping regional & global fare including dosas, noodles, pizza, momos & curries. }} * {{eat | name=Sartaj | alt= | url= | email= | address=110/156, Hill Cart Rd| lat= 26.7133| long= 88.4242| directions= | phone=+91 94325 16825| tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM–10:45PM | price= | content=Good food, good ambience }} * {{eat | name=Steamy Moktu | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/SteamyMoktu/ | email=steamymoktusiliguri@gmail.com | address=94, Udham Singh Sarani, Ward 13, Punjabi Para | lat= 26.7397| long= 88.4351| directions= | phone=+91 80015 84124 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily noon–10PM | price= |lastedit=2018-04-19| content=Asian fusion restaurant, specializing in Thai and Chinese cuisine. Creative interior. }} * {{eat | name=Tai Wah Restaurant | alt= | url= https://taiwah-restaurant.business.site/| email= | address=Sri Bhavan building, ground floor, Hill Cart Road | lat= 26.7152| long= 88.4228| directions=opposite Century Park | phone=+91 353 243 6132 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Daily 11AM–10PM | price= | content=A standard menu of multicuisine meals in a restaurant with a homey, low-key ambience. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=The Palms | alt=Sinclairs | url=https://www.sinclairshotels.com/siliguri | email=siliguri@sinclairshotels.com | address= Ward 46, Pradhan Nagar| lat= 26.7345| long= 88.4109| directions= | phone=+91 97334 62777 | tollfree= 1800 120 267000 | hours=7:30AM to 11PM | price= | content=Also: O3 lounge bar, 5-10:30PM. }} * {{eat | name= Taste of Sikkim| alt= | url= https://www.swiggy.com/restaurants/taste-of-sikkim-pradhan-nagar-champasari-siliguri-151608| email= | address= 3rd Mile, Sevoke Road, Salugara Bazar, Salugara | lat= 26.7350| long= 88.4105| directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= Daily 10AM–10PM | price= | content= Simple and authentic Tibetan cuisine }} * {{eat | name= Viramma| alt= | url= https://viramma.com/siliguri/| email= | address= Viramma Resort, Dagapur | lat= 26.7446| long= 88.4016| directions= | phone= +91 353 251 2222| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= A dining area in a resort. }} ==Drink== [[File:Tashi Gomang stupa, Salugara 01.jpg|thumb|Tashi Gomang Stupa in Salugara]] === Coffee === As Siliguri is at the heart of a tea-growing area, it has traditionally been associated with tea. However, following the international trend, coffee culture has made inroads in the city and there are now numerous branches of cafe chains as well as a growing number of independent coffee shops in and around Siliguri. * {{Drink|name=Art O Adda Coffee House|alt=|url=https://www.facebook.com/artoaddacafe/|email=|address=189, Subhas Pally, Netaji Subhash Road, Subhas Pally|lat=26.7067|long=88.4381|directions=near Netaji Girls High School|phone=+91 86176 98119|tollfree=|fax=|hours=10AM-10PM daily|price=|lastedit=2021-02-07|content=A quirky, art-filled cafe. Cosy seating. Specialises in Chinese and street food.}} * {{Drink|name=Barista|alt=|url=http://barista.co.in/|email=information@barista.co.in|address=Vega Mall, Sevoke Rd|lat=26.7527|long=88.4390|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=10AM-10PM daily|price=|lastedit=2021-02-07|content=A café chain in a great shopping mall. Also offers quick snacks.}} *{{Drink|name=Cafe Bohemia|alt=|url=https://www.facebook.com/Cafe-Bohemia-Siliguri-370726620084327/|email=|address=Opp. Navjeevan Apartments, near Shiv Mandir, Shiv Mandir Road, Punjabi Para|lat=26.7254|long=88.4328|directions=|phone=+91 94344 96177|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Everyday 10AM-9:30PM|price=|lastedit=2019-08-11|content=Great coffee. Innovative snacks and meals. Rough brick walls. Live music.}} *{{drink|name=Café Coffee Day|alt=|url=https://www.cafecoffeeday.com/store-locator/west-bengal/siliguri/sevoke-road/inside-cosmos-mall|email=customercare@cafecoffeeday.com|address=Cosmos Mall, Sevoke Rd|lat= 26.7390|long=88.4343|directions=|phone=+91 353 320 1907|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=A coffee chain with great affordable coffee and its variants.}} *{{drink|name=Cafe Italiano|alt=|url=|email=|address=Vega Circle Mall, Salugara|lat=26.7524|long=88.4390|directions=|phone=|tollfree=1800 102 5093|fax=|hours=Daily 11AM-10PM |price=|lastedit=2018-06-18|content=Authentic Italian cuisine and high-quality coffee.}} * {{drink | name=Cuppa Java | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/cuppajavasiliguri/ | email= | address= 2nd Mile Sevoke Road| lat= 26.7526| long= 88.4397| directions= | phone=+91 74074 48000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-10:30PM | price= | lastedit=2018-01-27 | content=Coffee, international cuisine. }} *{{Drink|name=New York City Cafe|alt=|url=https://www.facebook.com/nycsiliguri/|email=|address=41 Khaprail Bazaar|lat=26.7704|long=88.3367|directions=|phone=+91 85974 35436|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-Sa 3-8PM, Su 3-9PM|price=|lastedit=2019-08-11|content=Great coffee. Specialises in fancy cakes}} *{{drink|name=Ovenly|alt=|url=https://www.facebook.com/ovenly.slg/|email=|address=Swamiji More, Nazrul Sarani, Ashrampara|lat=26.7185|long=88.43560|directions=|phone=+91 70014 45897|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Noon to midnight|price=|lastedit=2018-11-03|content=A small bakery-cafe specialising in custom-made cakes and pastries.}} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Panache | alt= | url=https://panache-cafe.business.site/ | email=panache.siliguri@gmail.com | address=1F, Planet Mall, Sevoke Road | lat= 26.7395| long= 88.4351| directions=opposite North City, diagonally across the road from Cosmos | phone=+91 97332 50863 | tollfree= |fax=| hours=M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Su 11AM-11PM | price= |wikidata=| lastedit=2018-01-27 | content=Excellent coffee, Lebanese and Indian cuisine. Free wifi. Good sound system. }} * {{drink|name=The Coffee Shop|alt=|url=https://www.facebook.com/TheCoffeeShopSiliguri/|email=|address=3F Vega Circle Mall, Salugara.|lat=26.7524|long=88.4385|directions=|phone=+91 89727 72026|tollfree=|fax=|hours=10AM-10PM|price=|lastedit=2018-08-22|content=Espresso based coffees, pastries, and pizza}} *{{listing | type=drink | name=The Haphazard Cafe | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/thehaphazardteam/ | email=thehaphazardcafe@gmail.com | address=3F, Planet Mall, Sevoke Road | lat= 26.7395| long= 88.4351| directions=opposite North City, diagonally across the road from Cosmos | phone=+91 79809 17609 | tollfree= | hours=10:30AM-10PM | price= | lastedit=2018-01-28 | content=A café offering excellent Persian/Parsi dishes. Free Wi-Fi. }} === Tea === * {{drink | name=Netaji Cabin | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Netaji-Cabin/268822163168864 | email= | address=Bidhan Market| lat= 26.7167| long= 88.4253| directions= | phone=+91 94342 47564 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=6AM-9:15PM | price= | lastedit=2022-01-11 | content=A traditional tea store with great breakfast menu. }} === Alcohol === [[File:Outside wall of pub on Sevoke Road.jpg|thumb|Outside wall of pub on Sevoke Road|300x300px]] With a young, educated, and liberal population, Siliguri enjoys a vibrant and lively pub scene. Planet Mall is the city's main watering hole, and there are a number of pubs and cafes throughout the mall. * {{listing | type=drink | name=Half Full | alt= | url=https://halffull.business.site/ | email= | address=3F, Planet Mall, Sevoke Road | lat= 26.73990| long= 88.4358| directions=diagonally across the road from Cosmos | phone=+91 35325 45886 | tollfree= | hours=noon-11PM | price= | lastedit=2022-01-18 | content=Upbeat bar & lounge featuring multicuisine fare, regular live music & sports screenings. }} * {{drink|name=Hashtag|alt=|url=http://www.hashtagpub.in/|email=|address=3F. Planet Mall, Sevoke Road|lat=26.7397|long=88.4355|directions=diagonally across the road from Cosmos|phone=+91 98320 99995|tollfree=|fax=|hours=noon-11:30PM|price=|lastedit=2017-10-06|content=European-style pub with live music, dancing, pizza, continental cuisine.}} * {{Drink|name=O3|alt=Sinclairs lounge|url=http://www.sinclairshotels.com/siliguri|email=siliguri@sinclairshotels.com|address=Ward 46, Pradhan Nagar|lat=26.7652|long=88.4097|phone=+91 97334 62777|tollfree=1800 120 267000|hours=7:30AM to 10:30PM|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Worth checking out for a nice evening drink and snacks.}} *{{drink|name=Open House Cafe|alt=|url=https://facebook.com/OpenHouseSiliguri/|email=|address=3rd Floor, Infinity Square, Sevoke Road|lat=26.7413|long=88.4351|directions=|phone=+91 96096 01818|tollfree=|fax=|hours=noon-11PM|price=|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Cocktails & global fast food are served in this casual resto-bar with live music.}} *{{listing | type=drink | name=Novus Tanzanite - Bar & Discotheque| alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/TanzaniteSiliguri | email= | address=3F. Central Park Building, Sevoke Road, 2nd Mile | lat= 26.7405| long= 88.4350| directions=Ahead of Cosmos Mall, before PC Mitral Bus Stand | phone=+91 70290 70290 | tollfree= | hours=Noon-11:55PM | price= | lastedit=2017-10-06 | content=Disco. Bar and restaurant. Sophisticated, urban décor. Good food. }} *{{drink|name=The Swedish Cafe and Pub|alt=The Swedish|url=|email=|address=2F Planet Mall, Sevoke Road|lat=26.7396|long=88.4361|directions=|phone=+91 91133 95783|tollfree=|fax=|hours=11AM–11:30PM |price=|lastedit=2018-12-11|content=A stylish pub that serves innovative meals, alcohol, and coffee}} *{{drink|name=Worth The Hype|alt=|url=https://worth-the-hype.business.site/|email=|address=B29, Planet Mall, Sevoke Road|lat=26.7396|long=88.4362|directions=opp North City|phone=+91 74070 45000|tollfree=|fax=|hours=noon–11:15PM |price=|lastedit=2018-12-11|content=Cafe and pub with chic interior, good selection of drinks, coffee and meals}} *{{drink|name=Zorb Discotheque and Lounge|alt=|url=https://www.facebook.com/ZORBIndia/|email=salujaresidency.siliguri@gmail.com|address=Saluja Residency, Level-1, Hill Cart Road|lat=26.7156|long=88.4237|directions=|phone=+91 98000 90100|tollfree=|fax=|hours=11AM-11PM|price=|lastedit=2017-11-15|content=Dance and night club, lounge, hookah lounge}} ==Sleep== Travelers using Siliguri as an overnight halt might like to consider their hotel options based on the convenience for traveling to their next destination. Bagdogra, Matigara, and Darjeeling More areas are convenient for Darjeeling, Kurseong (route 110), and the airport (route 327), while Salugara, 2nd or 3rd mile Sevoke Road addresses are good for Kalimpong, Gangtok, and Bhutan (route 10). === Budget === * {{sleep | name= Athithi Guest House| alt= | url= | email= | address= Hill Cart Road| lat= 26.7136 | long= 88.42406| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= A well-maintained hotel at low rates with AC and non-AC rooms. }} * {{sleep | name=Dewan's Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bhaktinagar| lat= 26.6853| long= 88.4443| directions= near New Jalpaiguri railway station | phone =+91 353 269 1452 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= A simple hotel outside New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station. After exiting station, turn into first alley on right (adjacent to the taxi parking lot). The hotel is at the end of the alley. }} * {{sleep | name=Himalayan Foothills Homestay | alt= | url=https://himalayan-foothills-homestay.business.site/ | email=himalayanfoothillshomestay@gmail.com | address=Kharagsingh Road | lat= 26.7178| long= 88.3553| directions=near Bagdogra Airport | phone=+91 94759 08908, +91 89180 79640, +91 91265 88308 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-01-05 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Golden Moments | alt= | url=http://www.hotelgoldenmoments.com/ | email= hotelgoldenmoments@gmail.com | address=143 Hill Cart Road | lat= 26.7117| long= 88.4255| directions=near Hasmi Chawk | phone=+91 353 253 5825, +91 92336 56407, +91 94340 07001 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Non-AC double room: ₹753-2249, AC double room: ₹942-2698 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Ranjit | alt= | url= | email= | address=44, Hill Cart Road, Mahanandapara | lat= 26.7134| long= 88.4240| directions= | phone=+91 353 243 1680, +91 353 252 4053 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name= Nine Ten Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address= Navin Sen Circle, Sevoke Road| lat= 26.7194 | long= 88.4247 | directions= near Gurdwara | phone= +91 353 2543539| tollfree= | fax= | price= up to ₹1,000| checkin= | checkout= noon | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sunakhari Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 26.7271| long= 88.4156| directions=from the Siliguir Junction train station, walk to the main road (Hill Cart Road), cross Hill Cart Road, turn left, walk one block to the Hotel Heritage, turn right at this hotel; walk one block; Sunakhari Lodge is on the corner | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-03-24 | content=Sunakhari Lodge has free Wi-Fi. Singles with shared bathroom start at ₹400, ₹500 with attached bathroom (March 2019). It is less than a ten-minute walk from the Siliguri Junction train station (not the New Jalpaiguri train station). }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Central Plaza | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 26.7321| long= 88.4110 | directions= | phone = +91 353 251 6119 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar. Located about five minute taxi ride from main bus station. Clean and acceptable facilities. ₹650 non A/C to ₹3,500 for suite. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Heritage | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar | lat= 26.7266 | long= 88.4151| directions= | phone =+91 98000 04488| tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Across from the city's main interstate bus station, Heritage is a well maintained and efficiently run hotel. ₹900 non A/C to ₹2,500 for suite. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Manila | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar | lat= 26.7265| long= 88.4152| directions= | phone =+91 353 251 9342 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Next to Hotel Heritage. ₹600 non A/C to ₹2,400 for suite. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Vinayak | alt= | url= | email= | address=35, Hill Cart Road | lat= 26.7291| long= 88.4143| directions=near Punjab National Bank | phone=+91 353 243 1130, +91 353 243 3154 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= noon| checkout= 11AM | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name= Marina's Motel| alt= | url= http://www.marinasmotel.com/home| email= | address= | directions =close to the IXB airport | lat= 26.6987| long= 88.3164 | phone= +91 97490 93020| tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Mainak Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address= Hill Cart Road, Pradhan Nagar.| lat= 26.7311| long= 88.4127 | directions= | phone =+91 353 251 2859 | tollfree= | fax= | price= Standard: single/double ₹1,200| checkin= | checkout= | content= Basic restaurant, but modern and smart rooms. }} * {{sleep | name=Sawasstika Eco Resort | alt= | url=http://sawasstikaecoresort.com/index.php | email= | address=Fulbari hat, Changrabandha Village, Fulbari | lat=26.7321 | long=88.4110 | directions=behind Narayana School | phone=+91 99333 33111, +91 90027 76070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Simple, but well equipped resort, outdoor baths, tea plantation, organic farm. }} ===Splurge=== Many of the modern, up-scale hotels are located on Sevoke Road (2nd-3rd mile), near Vega Circle Mall. [[File:Courtyard by Marriott, Siliguri, West Bengal.jpg|thumb|Courtyard by Marriott, Siliguri]] *{{sleep | name=Barsana Hotel | alt= | url=http://barsanahotels.com/ | email= | address= | lat= 26.7305| long= 88.3733 | directions= | phone = +91 353 257 16623 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Khaprail Road, Matigara. A beautiful hotel with all the modern amenities. Very reasonable as per the infrastructure and facilities. }} *{{sleep | name=Montana Vista | alt= | url=http://montanavista.in/ | email=frontdesk.montana@neotiahospitality.com | address=The Uttorayon Township, Matigara, NH-31|lat=26.7311|long=88.3989|directions= | phone= +91 94340 12737 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= A modern and chic hotel located among landscaped gardens. }} *{{sleep | type=sleep | name=Courtyard by Marriott | alt=Marriott | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ixbcy-courtyard-siliguri/ | email= | address=Hill Cart Road, Mallaguri | lat=26.7300782 | long=88.4106654 | directions=five minutes from Darjeeling More | phone=+91 353 666 6666 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-02-12 | content=A modern and chic hotel. Conveniently located for airport and city centre. Excellent service. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Cindrella | alt= | url=http://www.cindrellahotels.com | email= | address= | lat=26.7557 | long=88.4415 | directions= | phone=+91 353 254 4130, +91 353 254 7130 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=₹4,500 - 12,000 | content=A four-star hotel on Sevoke Road. Food is vegetarian only, but of a very high quality. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Sinclairs | alt= | url=https://www.sinclairshotels.com/siliguri | email= | address=Ward 46, Pradhan Nagar | lat=26.7339 | long=88.4109 | directions= | phone=+91 97334 62777 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A well-maintained hotel with good facilities. Located about a five minute taxi ride from main bus station. }} * {{sleep|name=Lemon Tree|alt=|url=https://www.lemontreehotels.com/lemon-tree-hotel/siliguri/hotel-siliguri.aspx|email=|address=Cresent Tower, 3rd Mile, Sevoke Road|lat=26.8367|long=88.3864|directions=|phone=+91 99117 01701|tollfree=|fax=|checkin=2PM|checkout=noon|price=|lastedit=2018-04-19|content=A well-maintained, modern hotel - convenient for airport and downtown.}} *{{Sleep|name=Mayfair Tea Resort|url=https://www.mayfairhotels.com/mayfairsiliguri/|email=reservations@mayfairhotels.com|lat=26.7720|long=88.3624|address=New Chumta More, Sukna|phone=+91 92375 00101|lastedit=2021-04-05|content=The 154-room Tudor-style building is set among thousands of acres of tea gardens. Among its special features, the five-star resort boasts Italian marble floors and four poster beds. Service and food are top quality.}} * {{sleep | name=Royal Sarovar Portico | alt= | url=http://sarovarhotels.com/siliguri-royal-sarovar-premiere.shtml | email=rsps@sarovarhotels.com | address= | lat= 26.7182| long= 88.4247| directions= | phone =+91 353 221 6999 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= |lastedit=2018-12-11| content=3rd Mile, Sevoke Road. A smart hotel on the outskirts of town. Convenient for Vega Circle and Cosmos Shopping Mall. Good views over the Darjeeling Hills. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Saluja Residency | alt= | url=http://www.salujahotels.com/ | email= | address=Hill Cart Road | lat=26.7135 | long=88.4241 | directions= | phone=+91 353 243 1682, +91 353 243 1683, +91 353 243 1701 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Non-AC ₹750-1050, AC ₹1500-1900, suites ₹3,600-4,900 | content=Business Centre is complete with all modern facilities like secretarial services, fax, Internet, e-mail, photocopying. }} *{{listing | type=sleep | name=Saffron Crest | alt= | url=http://hotelsaffroncrest.com/ | email= | address=2nd Mile, Sevoke Road, Salugara | lat=26.750243 | long=88.4358071 | directions=opp Forest Check Post | phone=+91 97324 42311 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-12-11 | content=A modern and well-maintained hotel. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Summit Milestone | alt= | url=https://www.summithotels.in/mount-milestone-hotel-banquets-siliguri/ | email= | address=Check Post, 2nd Mile, Sevoke Road | lat=26.748558 | long=88.4351969 | directions=opposite Bhakti Nagar Police Station | phone=+91 83888 77888 (reservations), +91 63 6637 0503 (front desk) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A lovely hotel with modern facilities and attentive and efficient staff. }} * {{sleep | name=Viramma Resort | alt= | url=http://www.viramma.com | email= | address=Hill Cart Road | lat=26.7440 | long=88.4020 | directions= | phone=+91 353 251 2222 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A luxury resort on the Darjeeling highway. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=The Vegabound Inn | alt= | url=http://thevegaboundinn.com/ | email= | address=Vega Circle (Orbit Mall), Sevoke Road | lat=26.7521989 | long=88.4367026 | directions= | phone=+91 353 254 5896, +91 81452 47070 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-27 | content= }} ==Stay safe == {{infobox|Tips and warnings ([[India#Respect]])|* Try to dress as normal as possible, especially for female-solo travellers just to avoid some unwanted attention. * '''Be extremely careful when discussing religion''' — Many people have liberal, open-minded attitudes towards religion, although there are some who have rigid, radical viewpoints. It would be unwise to engage in a deep discussion about religion unless you know the person well. '''Proselytisation''' is frowned upon by many people and will not be welcomed. * Racial relations have historically been complex, and you should exercise a degree of respect when discussing that. * The swastika symbol is a common sight in the city, and is considered a religious symbol of good luck for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is also fairly common for Indian parents to name their daughters "Swastika". There is no connection of this symbol to the Nazis. Jewish people have lived in India for thousands of years and have never faced any antisemitism. Drawing parallels between the Swastika and the Nazi Party, however, will not be appreciated.}} Siliguri is one of the safest large cities in India, and assaults on tourists are unheard of. Even domestic violence figures are some of the lowest in the entire country. Many first-time travellers find themselves falling victim to [[Common scams|scams and touts]]. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Do not blindly rely on the advice of taxi and auto drivers. If this is your first time to the city, do not openly admit it, as this will make you more vulnerable to touts. Carry your cash, passport, and cards in a secure money belt, with only enough cash for a few hours at a time in your wallet or other accessible place. Some recommend carrying an expendable wallet with a few ten-rupees notes in it in an obvious place such as your hip pocket as a decoy to ubiquitous [[pickpockets]]. Beware during the rush hours in bus terminals and railway stations as many pickpockets will try to get your belongings. If someone persuades you to get tickets from them, don't blindly trust them. Visit the official railway counters in the stations. It is recommended you book your tickets online prior travelling as the railway provides online booking services as well. If you're arriving after midnight, it is therefore highly advisable to have accommodation pre-booked and arrange pick-up from the bus terminal or station with your hotel, or at least have the phone number with you, so that should you get lost or caught in a sticky situation you have someone reliable to call up. If you are visibly drunk and you are on the streets, the police might detain you on sight. === Siliguri Metropolitan Police === [[File:Siliguri view 19.jpg|thumb|ISKCON Siliguri]] [https://siliguripc.wbpolice.gov.in/ Siliguri Metropolitan Police] is one of the most advanced police forces in [[North Bengal]]. There are police patrollers all around the city and can be asked for any help. * {{Listing|name=Bagdogra Police Station|url=https://siliguripc.wbpolice.gov.in/ps.html/14/bagdogra-police-station|email=bagdograps@gmail.com|address=Hospital more (PHC), Uttar Bagdogra|lat=26.7001|long=88.3152|phone=+91 353 255 1242|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Police station for Bagdogra.}} * {{Listing|name=Siliguri Police Station|url=https://siliguripc.wbpolice.gov.in/ps.html/12/siliguri-police-station|email=siliguripolicestationsmp@gmail.com|address=S.F. Road|lat=26.7050|long=88.4261|phone=+91 353 266 2101|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Police station for Siliguri Town.}} * {{Listing|name=Matigara Police Station|url=https://siliguripc.wbpolice.gov.in/ps.html/15/matigara-police-station|email=matigarapsspc@gmail.com|address=Ramkrishanapara, Matigara|lat=26.7206|long=88.3833|phone=+91 353 257 1472|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Police station for Matigara.}} * {{Listing|name=Bhaktinagar Police Station|url=https://siliguripc.wbpolice.gov.in/ps.html/17/bhaktinagar-police-station|email=bhaktinagarpolicestation@gmail.com|address=2nd Mile, Near Check Post, Sevoke Road|lat=26.7489|long=88.4388|phone=+91 353 254 3665|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Police station for Bhaktinagar.}} * {{Listing|name=Pradhannagar Police Station|url=https://siliguripc.wbpolice.gov.in/ps.html/16/pradhannagar-police-station|email=pdnpsspc@gmail.com|address=Champasari, Near Regulated Market, Ward No- 46|lat=26.7356|long=88.4138|phone=+91 353 251 0046|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Police station for Pradhannagar.}} * {{Listing|name=New Jalpaiguri Police Station|url=https://siliguripc.wbpolice.gov.in/ps.html/21/new-jalpaiguri-police-station|email=njpps.smp@gmail.com|address=Central colony, D-Block, Ward- 34|lat=26.6830|long=88.4244|phone=+91 353 269 1413|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Police station for New Jalpaiguri.}} ==Connect== Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are three major service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are [https://www.airtel.in/ Airtel], [https://www.myvi.in/ VI] (formerly Vodafone) and [https://www.jio.com/ Jio]. Airtel is the preferable one as it provides high quality calls and great internet speed all across the city. To call Siliguri from abroad you will need to dial the international prefix for your country, followed by India's country code +91. If you want to dial a landline no. from a mobile, then you have to add the area code of Siliguri, 0353 before the number. Internet services are unreliable in some parts of the city. Most stores have broadband connections. Both the railway stations have free high-speed Wi-fi services but you need an Indian mobile number to register and receive the One-time password. ===Emergency numbers=== Here are some emergency numbers in case you need any help. * {{listing | name=Emergency Number | phone=112 }} * {{listing | name=Police | phone=100 }} * {{listing | name=Fire Department | phone=101 }} * {{listing | name=Ambulance | phone=102 | content=or dial the nearest local hospital }} * {{listing | name=Women's Helpline | phone=1091 }} ==Cope== ===Newspapers=== Local newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day-to-day updates about the city. The city has number of newspapers and other publication that list local happenings. There are different options for newspapers including daily, weekly and bi-weekly. Some of the popular newspapers are [https://www.uttarbangasambad.in/ Uttarbanga Samvad], [https://bartamanpatrika.com/home Bartaman], [https://www.anandabazar.com/ Anando Bazaar Patrika] and [https://www.thestatesman.com/ The Statesman]. ===Rentals=== * {{listing | name=Darjeeling Bikes | alt=D | url=https://www.facebook.com/DarjeelingBikes/ | email=stttslg@gmail.com | address=Module 105, First Floor Webel IT Park, Phase – III Khaprail Road, Matigara | lat=26.728101 | long=88.372927 | directions=from Khaprile More take road going to Darjeeling and then first left | phone=+91 97343 77000 | tollfree=+91 97343 66000 | hours=8AM-8PM | price= | lastedit=2019-10-10 | content= Bike rental service in Siliguri. }} *{{listing | name=Darjeeling Riders | alt= | url=http://darjeelingriders.com/ | email=info@darjeelingriders.com | address=B35, Satellite Township, Dabgram | lat= 26.6671| long= 88.4206| directions= | phone=+91 95994 56385, +91 9734 000 411 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Bike rentals, specializing in tours to Bhutan, Darjeeling, and Sikkim }} === Money exchange === There are several banks that offer foreign exchange and ATM service. * {{Listing|name=EBIXCASH World Money|url=https://www.buyforex.com/|email=forex-care@ebixcash.com|address=75, Rampada Bhavan, Ground Floor, Near SBI, Mangaldeep Branch, Hill Cart Road|lat=26.7258|long=88.4231|directions=A few steps from Rampada Bhavan|phone=+91 89294 85250|hours=M-Sa 9:30AM –6PM |lastedit=2022-01-09|content=One of India's most trusted foreign exchanges. The branch provides good rates with no hidden charges.}} === Hospitals/clinics === ==== Ayurvedic medicine ==== * {{Listing|name=Aarogyaveda|url=https://aarogyaveda.justdial.com/|email=aarogyaveda27@gmail.com|address=Mallaguri, Lane, Hill Cart Rd,|lat=26.7315|long=88.4106|directions=opposite Hanuman mandir, Suryasen Colony|phone=+91 81720 77557|tollfree=+91 81012 38024|hours=M- Sa 1-2:30PM, 2:30-7PM, Sunday closed|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=An ayurvedic treatment centre offering natural care and treatment for illnesses.}} ==== Tibetan medicine ==== * {{Listing|name=Men-Tsee-Khang|url=http://www.men-tsee-khang.org/index2.htm|email=salugara@men-tsee-khang.org|address=Sevoke Road, Salugara|lat=26.7703|long=88.4421|phone=+91 92336 23874|hours=Sa-Tu 9AM–1PM, 2:30–5:30PM|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=A Tibetan medicine centre providing treatments to illnesses and astrological services.}} ==== Western medicine ==== * {{Listing|name=Desun Hospital|url=https://www.desunsiliguri.com/|email=desun@desunhospital.com|address=Beside Medical College|lat=26.6859|long=88.3960|phone=+91 90516 40000|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=A superspeciality hospital in Siliguri with modern equipments.}} * {{Listing|name=Neotia Getwel Healthcare|url=https://www.neotiagetwelsiliguri.com/|email=writetous.slg@neotiahealthcare.com|address=Uttorayon Township, Matigara|lat=26.7258|long=88.3935|phone=+91 353 660 3000|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=A state of the art hospital with modern amenities and facilities.}} * {{Listing|name=North Bengal Medical College and Hospital|url=https://nbmch.ac.in/|email=msvp@nbmch.ac.in|address=D-5 Quarter Sushruta Nagar|lat=26.6901|long=88.3842|phone=+91 95939 44414|hours=24hrs|lastedit=2022-01-11|content=Located in an old building, but known for its professional treatment.}} ==Go next == * '''[[Darjeeling]]''' &mdash; one of the oldest hill stations in India with interesting sites as well as trekking opportunities. * '''[[Dello]]''' &mdash; a small and peaceful Himalayan hamlet * '''[[Gangtok]]''' &mdash; this hill station is a popular site as a jumping-off point for treks, the home of the ''Banjhakri Falls'', views of surrounding mountains and friendly atmosphere. * '''[[Gompa Dara]]''' &mdash; a small village that is the site of ''Gompa Rock'' and meditation caves and the ''Ogyen Mindrol Samtenling'' (Buddhist monastery) * '''[[Jalpaiguri]]''' &mdash; headquarters of the Jalpaiguri Division is a city with many historical links to the past * '''[[Jaldapara]] &mdash;''' this national park is a 180-min drive from Siliguri. It's famous for its wildlife, in particular the Indian rhinoceros, bison, elephants, and peacocks. * '''[[Kalimpong]]''' &mdash; a small city with many gardens and religious sites. *'''[[Kathmandu]]'''. The Indian border town of [[Panitanki]] is around one hour from Siliguri. From there, it is 1.7 km to the Nepalese border town of [[Kakarbhitta]] (rickshaws available). Buses depart Kakarbhitta for Kathmandu (10 hours) from 3 to 6 PM. Direct Siliguri to Kathmandu deluxe bus service on alternate days, and North Bengal bus company service every Mon, Wed, and Fri - depart 3PM, ₹1,500 for the 11-hour journey. * '''[[Lava]]''' &mdash; a hamlet surrounded by beautiful natural forests. Home to the ''Lava Monastery'' and a spot to view Kanchenjunga peak at sunrise. * '''[[Loleygaon]]''' (Lolegaon) &mdash; a village noted for its ''Canopy Walk'', ''Jhandi Dhara Sunrise Point'', and ''Lolegaon View Point''. * '''[[Mirik]]''' &mdash; a hill station with scenic views and tea gardens. The town is home to Sumendu Lake, several religious sites, and the international Bokar Buddhist Meditation Centre. * '''[[Mangpoo]]''' &mdash; a small village (hill station) with beautiful views was once known for its medicinal plant cultivation. It was the site where poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote his famous poem ''Janmadine''. * '''[[Pelling]]''' &mdash; a small town ideal for nature walks and monastic treks. * '''[[Phuentsholing]] &mdash;''' Buses depart for Phuentsholing at 7:30 AM and 1:30 PM every day from opposite Golden Plaza on Burdwan Road (behind Air View More). Tickets are sold at a counter near the bus. There are more frequent Indian buses to the border town of [[Jaigaon]] from Siliguri Bus Station on Hill Cart Road. * '''[[Raiganj]]''' &mdash; visit the Raiganj Eco Park and the Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary. * '''[[Rishop]]''' &mdash; suitable for a one-day stint. There is no city/town life here, just a small village with spectacular views of the third largest mountain peak of the world (Kangchenjunga) and its range. {{routebox | placename=Siliguri (National Highway and Heritage Railway routes) | image1=NH10-IN.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Gangtok]] | minorl1=Sevoke | directionr1=S | majorr1=End | minorr1= | image2=NH110-IN.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Darjeeling]] | minorl2=[[Kurseong]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=End | minorr2= | image3=NH27-IN.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=Kishanganj | minorl3=Islampur | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Jalpaiguri]] | minorr3=[[Alipurduar]] | image4=Darjeeling Himalayan Railway icon.png | imagesize4=100 | directionl4=N | majorl4=[[Darjeeling]] | minorl4=[[Kurseong]] | directionr4=S | majorr4=End | minorr4= }} {{geo|26.72|88.42}} {{IsPartOf|Dooars}} {{guidecity}} h86ghy23t09wcdi3bup7vl52jc9wd3r 0 33371 4506794 4501455 2022-08-23T11:11:36Z SHB2000 2248002 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|SA banner 3.jpg}} [[File:Coriole Wines Vines.jpg|alt=|thumb|250px|Coriole vineyard. South Australia's wine industry is the largest in Australia.]] '''[http://www.southaustralia.com/ South Australia]''' is a state of Australia in the south of the country between Western Australia to the west and Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria to the east, and south of the Northern Territory and is the only state to border all the mainland states. South Australia isn't particularly known much, and is the least internationally significant state in mainland Australia, but has some world famous wine, and where most internationally famous Australian wine comes from. The state is somewhat a very varied state when it comes to perspective. Some people associate the state with the outback, some with culture, others with mining, and some with wine. ==Regions== South Australia covers a vast amount of area, from coastal towns to arid desert. The more settled areas are in the southeast of the state, hence the smaller regions around that area. {{Regionlist | regionmap=Australia South Australia map.png | region1name=[[Adelaide Region]] | region1color=#fec764 | region1items= | region1description=[[Adelaide]], the state's capital and its surrounds have plenty to offer for tourists and travellers. The [[Adelaide Hills]] surround Adelaide on the eastern side and have small villages with lots of history and lots of natural wonders. | region2name=[[Fleurieu Peninsula]] | region2color=#27a8e0 | region2items= | region2description=South of Adelaide, the gateway to Kangaroo Island and home to coastal villages where you can escape to. | region3name=[[Barossa Valley]] | region3color=#d394c1 | region3items= | region3description=The home of some of Australia's best wines, the Barossa Valley is the reason why many travel to South Australia. Besides wines, there's lots of history to see here too. | region4name=[[Yorke Peninsula]] | region4color=#e7cfe3 | region4items= | region4description=Where South Australians go for their holidays. Enjoy beaches, national parks, and more. | region5name=[[Murray and Mallee Riverland|Murray & Mallee]] | region5color=#c0d9ac | region5items= | region5description=The area surrounding the winding Murray River; South Australia's fruit-growing areas. | region6name=[[Kangaroo Island]] | region6color=#578e86 | region6items= | region6description=Off the coast of mainland Australia, Australia's third-biggest island contains a vast amount of natural beauty unique to this part of Australia. | region7name=[[Limestone Coast]] | region7color=#83c7ee | region7items= | region7description=The south-eastern part of the state, home to the city of [[Mount Gambier]]. Also home to the well-renowned wine region of [[Coonawarra]]. | region8name=[[Eyre Peninsula]] | region8color=#dfd5b9 | region8items= | region8description=Where 2,000 kilometres of coastline and spectacular scenery meets treeless plains and desert. Home to the cities of [[Port Lincoln]] and [[Whyalla]]. | region9name=[[Outback (South Australia)|Outback]] | region9color=#f7eeab | region9items= | region9description=The Flinders Ranges are home to Wilpena Pound, a spectacular natural amphitheatre and a great base for walking and exploring. The Southern Flinders Ranges extend down toward the east of the city of [[Port Augusta]] and include the 6,000 hectare Mount Remarkable National Park. In the north the Simpson Desert also presents its own adventures and opportunities. |regionmaptext=Colour coded map for South Australia's regions}} ==Cities== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Adelaide]]|wikidata=Q5112}} — the state capital *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Coober Pedy]]|wikidata=Q779188}} — opal mining and underground houses *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mount Gambier]]|wikidata=Q327348}} — in the south-east of the state, home to the famous Blue Lake *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Murray Bridge]]|wikidata=Q1641083}} — centre of South Australia's farming area *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Augusta]]|wikidata=Q606288}} — at the top of Spencer Gulf at the very east of the Eyre Peninsula, gateway to the Flinders Ranges *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Lincoln]]|wikidata=Q606268}} — at the bottom of the Eyre Peninsula and a good base for seeing this part of the state *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Oodnadatta]]|wikidata=Q1193414}} — desert frontier town, the old Ghan railway use to pass through here *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Victor Harbor]]|wikidata=Q1015796}} — coastal playground to the south of Adelaide *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Whyalla]]|wikidata=Q706029}} — mining town halfway down the Eyre Peninsula ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area]]|wikidata=Q19598165}} – this wilderness protection area has almost nothing for kilometres on end *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[The Coorong]]|wikidata=Q1129899}} — the mouth of the Murray River, the world's longest beach and a significant place for the local indigenous people *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Innamincka]]|wikidata=Q1663872}} – dry, desolate town, far from any civilization with less than 50 people, this town holds a secret gem *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Naracoorte Caves National Park]]|wikidata=Q1135796}} – UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the largest collections of mammalian fossils, most which are not seen anywhere outside Australia or New Guinea *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park]]|wikidata=Q927997}} – one of the most important reserves of [[Australasian wildlife]] and a dry lake that occasionally fills up *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park]]|wikidata=Q426073}} – the most visited park in South Australia's most iconic mountain range *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Great Australian Bight Marine Park]]| wikidata=Q1544205}} – home to Australia's largest sea lion populations and one of the most magnificent spots for whale watching ==Understand== [[File:Adelaide (16205578880).jpg|thumb|right|330px|The city of Adelaide is home to around 80% of the state's population.]] ===History=== South Australia's colonial history is a bit of a weird and unusual one, because unlike all other states of Australia, it was not a convict settlement, and all early European residents were free settlers, not convicts. Similarly, ''terra nullius'' was not claimed in South Australia, but it was recognised from the start that Aboriginal people had lived in South Australia for a long time. It was first split off from New South Wales and proclaimed a colony in 1834. Besides Great Britain, the white settlers in South Australia also hailed from many other parts of Europe, most notably Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland, Serbia and Albania. ===Geography=== South Australia covers a large territory in the lower middle part of the country, with a small population of 1.7 million. Of that population, around 80% live in the state capital of [[Adelaide]] and its surrounding areas. Most of the state is arid, although the southern part hosts a great deal of agriculture. With nearly 1.6 million people, however, the state comprises less than 10% of the Australian population and ranks fifth in population among the states and territories. However, the state covers a vast amount of land area, including some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of 983,482 square kilometres (379,725 sq mi), it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories. The state also includes Kangaroo Island, Australia's third largest island which lies off the coast of the mainland in the southeast of the state. South Australia is a state that has remained culturally vibrant throughout its history and is known for its festivals and fine produce. While South Australia is not the tourist magnet that its northern neighbour is, South Australia offers a different perspective on Australia from many of its different parts. With world-class wine and other produce, friendly people, unspoilt environment and a very relaxed pace of life, it offers the break in Australia that you may have been looking for. ===Time zone=== South Australia is half an hour behind the east coast cities. It is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). Daylight Savings time is 10 hr 30 minutes ahead and is observed from the first Sunday of October to the first Sunday of April the following year. The only exception is the western most village of Border Village, in where it follows UTC+08:45 and UTC+09:45 in the summer. ===Climate=== South Australia is too big of a state to exactly explain the climate of, but it's generally characterised by being a hot, and dry climate all year around. It ''rarely'' rains in South Australia, and snow is only found on Mt. Lofty – and that's not every winter. However, flooding can occur, often once every 10 or so years, and it's the only time when dry [[Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park|Lake Eyre]] fills up. ==Get in== === By plane === South Australia's main air gateway is '''Adelaide Airport''', ({{IATA|ADL}}), which has most domestic and all international flights direct into the state. International flights direct into Adelaide include those from [[Denpasar]] in [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], [[Kuala Lumpur]] in [[Malaysia]] and [[Auckland]] in [[New Zealand]]. There are regular domestic flights into Adelaide from all Australian capital cities and some interstate regional centres such as [[Mildura]] in Victoria, [[Broken Hill]], [[Kalgoorlie|Kalgoorlie-Boulder]] airport and [[Broome]] in Western Australia, [[Alice Springs]] and [[Darwin]] in the Northern Territory. '''Mount Gambier Airport''', ({{IATA|MGB}}) in the far south-east of the state has services from [[Melbourne]] in Victoria, flown by [http://www.rex.com.au/ Regional Express (REX)]. === By train === Adelaide is a hub for '''[http://www.gsr.com.au Great Southern Railways]''' which runs long-distance train services. Note that GSR's services are aimed at tourists and are a trip in themselves rather a means of transportation. All GSR's services pass through or depart from Adelaide. Train services include: * The '''Indian Pacific''', (between Perth & Sydney, normally once a week in each direction) * The '''Ghan''', (between Darwin & Adelaide, twice a week in each direction) * The '''Overland''', (between Melbourne & Adelaide, three times a week in each direction) From Adelaide, Brisbane can be accessed by the Indian Pacific to Sydney and changing for the [http://nswtrainlink.info XPT] service to Brisbane. To get to Cairns, you will need to change trains a second time in Brisbane, this time onto the [https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/railexperiences/ourtrains/spiritofqueensland Spirit of Queensland]. V/Line have a daily coach service from Adelaide connecting to the NSW Trainlink XPT Service in Albury to Sydney. ===By bus=== Interstate bus services are provided by [http://www.greyhound.com.au/ Greyhound Australia], [https://www.fireflyexpress.com.au Firefly] and [http://www.vline.com.au/ VLine], these services also serve multiple intrastate destinations on route. Transfers are available to Adelaide airport and Adelaide Parklands interstate rail terminal from the Adelaide Central Bus Station. {{infobox|Quarantine|You cannot bring fruit and vegetables into South Australia. There are disposal bins on roads and at airports, and checks are made - including dogs at airports and on trains and inspection stations on the roads. You will notice the signs and announcements. On-the-spot fines of around $400 are payable if you are caught with fruit or vegetables. The main routes from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia into the state have checkpoints where you may be asked to stop and have your vehicle searched. Officers have the power to seize any prohibited item.}} === By car === There are main road connections through to the other states and territories. The main routes are: *From New South Wales: :*via the '''Barrier Highway (A32)''', west of [[Broken Hill]] *Crossings from Victoria but are mainly used by motorists from NSW: :*via the '''Sturt Highway (A20)''', east of Yamba :*via the '''Mallee Highway (B12)''', east of Pinnaroo *From Victoria: :*via the '''Dukes Highway (A8)''', east of Bordertown :*via the '''Princes Highway (A1)''', east of Mount Gambier (coastal road) *From the Northern Territory: :*via the '''Stuart Highway (A87)''' *From Western Australia: :*via the '''Eyre Highway (A1)''' Note that South Australia has a very large land area with most settlements in the south-east of the state. Driving to the Northern Territory and Western Australia are very long drives. From Adelaide to Perth is 2,700&nbsp;km and will take at least 2 days, probably 3. It is the sort of trip that even most locals only do once or twice in their lifetime. Driving from Adelaide to Darwin is just over 3,000&nbsp;km and travels through some very remote parts of Australia. A minimum of 4 days is recommended. Sydney to Adelaide takes about 14-15 hours to drive, and Adelaide to Melbourne is around 8-11 hours depending on the route taken. Allow 2 days to admire the towns on the way. ===By ship=== Adelaide's '''Overseas Passenger Terminal''' is at Outer Harbor on the LeFevre Peninsula in the north of Adelaide. Visiting cruise ships often dock here. ==Get around== ===By car=== The state has a well developed highway system, however in the northern and western regions many roads are gravel or dirt roads and extra care must be taken, but very few actually drive these roads. The article on [[driving in Australia]] has some useful information and guidance. Road traffic laws and regulations, including speed limits, are vigorously policed in South Australia and visitors should familiarise themselves with the local conditions and requirements prior to planning a trip by road in South Australia. Though the state has a good network of highways, the state's freeway network (or expressway network) is well under par compared to other states, both in the metropolitan areas of Adelaide, and in regional South Australia. All up, it has less than 200 km of freeways, and all freeways are centred around Adelaide – for comparison, the length is comparable to tiny countries like Singapore or Cyprus. Due to the state's limited freeway network, there are only two major freeways that head well out of Adelaide: the M1 South Eastern Freeway towards the southeast of the state and towards Victoria but only for 70 km before it becomes a two-lane undivided highway (single carriageway) and the M2 Northern Expressway/A20 Sturt Highway northeast towards NSW and Mildura, and that too, only for around 65 km before it becomes a two-lane undivided highway. There is also a third road that is not exactly a freeway, but a four-lane undivided highway (dual carriageway): the A1 Port Wakefield Highway northwest from the outer north of Adelaide to [[Port Wakefield]] which is about 70 km. A third freeway, called the M2 Southern Expressway, runs for 18.5 km through the southern suburbs of Adelaide, and is useful for getting to [[Victor Harbor]] and [[Kangaroo Island]] but ends just before the Onkaparinga River. While the state's freeway network is limited, it shouldn't significantly affect your travel times. Outside the [[Fleurieu Peninsula]], nearly all roads have a speed limit of {{kmh|110}}, which is the same that you would find on freeways, and most roads have barely any traffic on them, so not going on a freeway does not necessarily mean you're going slower. ===By bus=== Statewide regional and intrastate routes are provided by several bus companies and they serve the Adelaide Hills, Mid and Far North, Mid North, Barossa, Murray Bridge, Eyre Peninsula and Far West, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, South East, Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula. *'''[http://www.premierstateliner.com.au Premier Stateliner]''' Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station, Ceduna on the west coast, [[Port Augusta]], [[Port Pirie]], [[Whyalla]], in the Iron Triangle, [[Port Lincoln]], [[Eyre Peninsula]], [[Murray Bridge]], Berri, Renmark, and Loxton in the Riverland, Keith, Bordertown, Kingston, [[Robe]], Millicent, Naracoorte and [[Mount Gambier]] in the South East, [[Victor Harbor]] and [[Goolwa]] on the [[Fleurieu Peninsula]]. *'''Link SA'''. Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station, [[Murray Bridge]], Mid Murray and [[Barossa Valley]] *'''Mid North Passenger Services''', (''operated by Yorke Peninsular Coaches''), [http://www.ypcoaches.com.au/]. Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station and destinations in the Mid North of the state including [[Clare (South Australia)|Clare]], Burra, Peterborough, Orroroo, Blyth, and Gladestone. *'''[http://www.ypcoaches.com.au/ Yorke Peninsula Coach Services]'''. Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station, throughout [[Yorke Peninsula]], Copper Coast, Balaklava, Mid North, Southern YP-Intertown, Upper North YP-Intertown, Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Peterborough. *'''VLine''', neighbouring [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]]'s bus and rail system also connects some South Australian centres, including Adelaide Central Bus Station, Adelaide Hills Bordertown, [[Broken Hill]] (NSW), Geranium, Murray Bridge, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Pinnaroo and Tailem Bend. ===By train=== The state is served by a limited passenger rail network with services only provided to limited stops within South Australia that fall on the interstate routes. Interstate services from Adelaide such as the Overland to [[Melbourne]] [http://www.railmaps.com.au/vicwest.htm railmaps], [[The Ghan]] to [[Alice Springs]] and [[Darwin]] and the [[Indian Pacific]] that links [[Perth]], Adelaide, [[Broken Hill]] and [[Sydney]] do stop to set down and pick up passengers at some regional centres on route on request. [http://www.gsr.com.au Great Southern Rail] operate all these services, {{phone|13 21 47 (in country only)}} or {{phone|+61 8 8213-4592}}. '''Adelaide Metro''' operate the suburban and local train and tram services in and around the capital city and details are available in the Adelaide [[Adelaide#Get-around|article]]. Several historic rail journeys are available. The '''SteamRanger''' preservation group in the Adelaide Hills has restored a number of steam and diesel locomotives for tourist services, and the '''Pichi Richi Railway''' based in Quorn operates on part of the former Central Australia Railway. * {{listing | name=SteamRanger Heritage Railway | alt= | url=http://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/ | email=bookings@steamranger.org.au | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+618 8263 5621 | tollfree=1300 655 991 | fax=+61 8 8391-1933 | hours=8:30AM-5:30PM, M-F, 9AM-5PM, Sat | price= | content=This historical society operates a number of different heritage steam and diesel hauled tourist trains between Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills, the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, Strathalbyn and the coastal holiday towns of Goolwa, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor. The trains run for up to 140 days a year and are operated by volunteers from the Australian Railway Historical Society, who are also responsible for maintenance of the rail line and the heritage locomotives and carriages. Cockle Train, Bugle Ranger and Strathlink services do not require pre-booking, and tickets can be purchased at the station on the day of travel. }} *'''The Cockle Train''' operates year-round between [[Goolwa]] and [[Victor Harbor]] along the route of Australia's first railway. It operates with a steam locomotive in school holidays, and historic diesel locomotives or railcars on all other weekends. *'''The Southern Encounter''' runs from Mount Barker to Victor Harbor during winter, utilising most of the remaining broad gauge branch from the main Adelaide to Melbourne line. *'''The Bugle Ranger''' runs from Mount Barker to Bugle Ranges using a Redhen railcar set. Services operate one Sunday each month from late April to October *'''The Highlander''' operates from Mount Barker to Strathalbyn using steam locomotives when possible. Operates on the second Sunday of each month from June until the end of November (excluding October). *'''StrathLink''', from Goolwa to Strathalbyn using a restored heritage "Brill" railcar. Operates during school holiday periods. * {{listing | name=Pichi Richi Railway Society | alt= | url= | email= | address=Railway Station, Railway Terrace Quorn | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+61 8 8648-6598 | tollfree=1800 440 101 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Historic railway and preservation society in the Mid North or South Australia. Phone the Quorn Railway Station. }} *'''Transcontinental''', Quorn to Woolshed Flat. After a brief stop, on to Port Augusta, arriving in time for lunch. There is ample time for a stroll around the nearby area, including a range of food outlets, before the 2:30PM departure back to Quorn. *'''Pichi Richi Explorer''', Quorn to Woolshed Flat (32&nbsp;km) and return. Uses a historic Barwell Bull railcar 106, built in 1928 that spent most of its working life based at [[Peterborough]] working services between Terowie and Quorn., as well as steam services during school holidays and long weekends using historic South Australian Railways carriages, some dating from the 19th century. *'''Afghan Express''' turns the clock back to the 1930s when the famous old Ghan travelled through the Pichi Richi Pass. Wherever possible, the Afghan Express uses distinctive timber-bodied carriages built in the late 1920s for the narrow gauge old Ghan train service, and restored old Ghan steam locomotive NM25. The Afghan Express is the name railwaymen gave to the passenger train that ran from Terowie to Oodnadatta, through Quorn, in 1923. ''Note'': The [http://www.natrailmuseum.org.au/ National Railway Museum] is the largest undercover railway museum in Australia and is situated in [[Adelaide|Port Adelaide]]. ===By plane=== Scheduled air services go to several major regional centres in South Australia. The main destinations are [[Port Lincoln]], [[Whyalla]], [[Port Augusta]], Ceduna, [[Mount Gambier]], [[Coober Pedy]] and [[Broken Hill]] (NSW). (note: many support services for Broken Hill in western New South Wales are supplied from South Australia) The two main regional operators in South Australia are [http://www.regionalexpress.com.au/ Rex Regional express] and [http://www.qantas.com.au QantasLink]. The state also has a General Aviation sector including charter operators and wet lease operators such as National Jet Systems ''[http://www.nationaljet.com.au Cobham]'' and other smaller operators that service the airline industry, private individuals, tourism and the fly-in, fly-out services for the mining, oil and gas production industries active in the state. '''Parafield Airport''' is the states principal ''general aviation'' airport. General aviation services including charter operations are operated from both Adelaide Airport ({{IATA|ADL}}) in West Beach and Parafield Airport in the suburb of Parafield, 18&nbsp;km north of the Adelaide Central business district (CBD) and adjacent to the Mawson Lakes campus of the University of South Australia. Parafield Airport is Adelaide's second airport and the fifth busiest airport in Australia by aircraft movements. ===By ship=== [[Fleurieu Peninsula]], [[Kangaroo Island]], [[Yorke Peninsula]] and [[Eyre Peninsula]] have, or have planned ferry operations. :*'''[http://www.sealink.com.au/ Sealink]''' to Kangaroo Island connects [[Cape Jervis]] on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Ferries carry cars and passengers. Bus links are provided to [[Adelaide]] on the mainland and to [[Kingscote]] on Kangaroo Island. :*'''SeaSA''', (''Sea SA Car & Passenger Ferries''), [http://www.seasa.com.au], ferry service between [[Wallaroo]] on Yorke Peninsula and [[Lucky Bay]] on Eyre Peninsula is again suspended. Check local guides. ===By bicycle=== South Australia has a vibrant bicycle culture and the capital city of Adelaide has many established cycle paths and bicycle travel networks and regional trails. Adelaide and regional cities have well stocked bicycle shops and many clubs and associations. In Adelaide the City Council provide at several locations. ===By taxi=== South Australia has a number of taxi companies that serve both the main city of Adelaide, regional cities and regional areas. [https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/other-forms-of-transport/taxis] ==See== [[Image:Remarkable Rocks KI.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island]] South Australia is home to [[Kangaroo Island]], an internationally renowned wildlife haven. It is also known for its wine. The [[Barossa Valley]] is Australia’s richest and best-known wine region. Premium wines, five-star restaurants and cellar doors abound among the hills and vineyards. Local winemakers include household names such as Seppelt, Penfolds and Peter Lehmann. South Australia also offers other world-class wine regions, including the [http://www.southaustralia.com/ClareValley.aspx Clare Valley], [[McLaren Vale]] and [[Coonawarra]]. Visit the world-heritage listed [[Naracoorte Caves]], or awesome [[Wilpena Pound]] in the Flinders Ranges – one of Australia's first official national landscapes. Swim with wild sea lions at Baird Bay on Eyre Peninsula and with dolphins at Glenelg, and cage dive with Great White Sharks at the Neptune Islands. South Australia is also known for its exciting events, like the international cycling race [http://www.tourdownunder.com.au Tour Down Under]. Lance Armstrong made it his comeback race in 2009. Adelaide hosts the Clipsal 500 [https://www.clipsal500.com.au/], a thrilling V8 race through a city circuit. The [http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au/home.aspx Adelaide Fringe] is an annual feast of comedy, music, theatre and fun. And the fabulous and captivating [https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/ Adelaide Festival of Arts] takes place every second year. In [[Adelaide]], South Australia's capital city, you will find stylish architecture, boutique shopping, sandy swimming beaches, fabulous arts events, nightlife, fine dining, and some of Australia's best café strips. It is easy to navigate your way around South Australia, with most of the regions just an hour or two drive from Adelaide. There are about 28 [[South Australian national parks]] in the state. Each protect something unique in their own right. ===Itineraries=== *Highways and tracks: :*[[Anne Beadell Highway]] :*[[Birdsville Track]] :*[[Eyre Highway]] :*[[Oodnadatta Track]] :*[[Stuart Highway]] :*[[Strzelecki Track]] ==Do== ===Diving=== {{main|Diving in South Australia}} While tropical dives sites like the Great Barrier Reef or those in Southeast Asia are more popular, those who are more adventurous should consider diving in South Australia, which offers some very good temperate dive sites. Those of particular interest include Rapid Bay, which home to leafy sea dragons, a type of seahorse which is only found in the temperate waters of Australia. ===Wine tasting=== South Australia is the largest wine producer among Australia's states, and it is known for some of the best wines in Australia. Wine regions in the state which are well known among wine connoisseurs include the [[Barossa Valley]], [[McLaren Vale]], [[Clare Valley]] and [[Coonawarra]]. ==Eat== South Australia has a good reputation for high quality fresh food and produce. The [http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/ Adelaide Central Market] is in the city centre just to the west of Victoria Square and has an enduring reputation for fresh market produce as well as cheeses, smallgoods, fresh seafood, fresh butchered as well as processed meats and a huge range of culinary specialty items bearing an Australian, European and Asian food heritage. The Central Market precinct is the location of Adelaide's small ''Chinatown'' and has many Asian food outlets and restaurants. Many cafes, restaurants and retail food outlets line the streets around the Market complex. The official opening of the Adelaide Central Market was on 22 January 1870. The Central Market was open on Tuesdays and Saturdays with 50 to 100 produce carts. The market sold vegetables, fruit, hay, fish and game meats. On 8 February 1900 the first stone was laid to build the current Central Market façade, which still stands today. In the same year a 40 metre veranda was added. * {{listing | name=Adelaide Central Market | url=http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au | email= | address=Between Gouger and Grote Streets, a little west of Victoria Square | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mon: closed, Tues: 7AM-5:30PM, Wed: 9AM-5:30PM, Thurs: 9AM-5:30PM, Fri: 7AM-9PM, Sat:7AM-3PM, Sun: closed | price= | content=The Central Market has over 80 stalls and is South Australia's most visited tourist attraction. }} The state produces citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, stone fruits such a nectarines, peaches and plums, apples, pears, and table grapes such as sultana and muscatel. Wheat, barley and oats are staple grain crops, legumes such as peas and many bean varieties are also produced. The state has an extensive market garden industry growing a wide range of vegetables in all seasons. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are grown near Adelaide and the state has a vibrant high quality olive oil industry. Seafood is both farmed in sea-water pens, grown in onshore tanks and caught in the wild by line fishing, trolling and trawling. South Australia has a well developed tuna, scale fish, oyster, crayfish (lobster) and abalone industry. The cold fresh waters of the Southern Ocean and the two gulfs has historically been bountiful but due to overfishing stringent controls have been brought to bear upon both commercial and recreational fishing. Historically, inland waterways such as the Murray river and the Coorong were also highly productive but have declined drastically due to environmental impacts and degradation. The state also has a highly developed viticulture and wine making tradition. The industry produces many wine varieties for local, national and international markets. South Australia also has a good reputation for rearing beef cattle for veal and beef meats, dairy production including milks, yoghurts, fresh and matured cheeses. The state has a strong history of sheep meat production including mutton and lamb. Local game meats include kangaroo and rabbits, which are wild harvested, normally in the mid-north and far north of the state. The poultry industry is well developed and provides both battery farm, free range and 'organic' eggs, chicken, ducks and turkeys. Adelaide especially has a good reputation for restaurant and cafe dining. Other areas, including the [[Clare Valley]], [[Barossa Valley]] and [[Kangaroo Island]] have strong regional cafe and restaurant industries that exploit the high quality fresh produce available in those areas. The ethnic culinary influences and production skills borne by many generations of immigration has helped the development of the food and produce industry in South Australia. Italian, Greek, Polish, German, Malaysian, Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants to the state have had particularly strong influence on the state's food culture. ==Drink== [[File:Limestone coast cab.jpg|left|thumb|A Cabernet Sauvignon from the Limestone Coast region.]] The legal drinking age is '''18 years'''. It is illegal either to purchase alcohol for yourself if you are under 18 years of age or to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is under 18 years of age. The only legally acceptable proof-of-age is an Australian drivers licence, state-issued proof-of-age card, [https://auspost.com.au/id-and-document-services/apply-for-a-keypass-id Keypass card] or a passport, and it would be wise to carry one if you want to purchase alcohol or tobacco and look under 25 - vendors will frequently ask for ID for anybody who looks to be 25 or younger. In South Australia, foreign drivers licences and foreign ID cards are '''NOT''' legally acceptable as proof of age documentation, and people who are unable to produce a passport or valid Australian ID will be refused service. Only actual ID documents will be accepted - photographs or photocopies will NOT be accepted. === Beer === * '''Coopers Beer''' is an icon of South Australia. It is often described as the biggest small brewery in Australia. It is still family-owned. All Coopers products claim to be made by "natural" methods. There is a range of products from crisp lager styles to dark stout. South Australian pubs will often have Coopers Pale Ale on tap, which while not as distinctive as a craft beer, certainly gives the beer aficionado a tasty beer option not widely available in other states. * '''West End''' is the local mass-produced lager, on tap just about everywhere. * '''Southwark Premium''' is also produced by mass-produced Lion Nathan, but at a smaller brewery in Thebarton. Arguably one of the best brews produced in Australia by the mega-brewers. Beer measures in South Australia are the '''schooner''' and the '''pint'''. A schooner is a smaller measure, known variously as a ''middy'' or a ''pot'' elsewhere in Australia. A pint isn't a pint at all, and is a larger size known as a ''schooner'' everywhere else in Australia. In most pubs in SA a ''pint of pale'' will return you a reasonable measure of Coopers Pale Ale. === Wine === South Australia is particularly known for its world-class [[wine]]s. Most wineries provide free tastings of their wines in expectation of a sale. Many also have restaurants on their properties where you can have lunch overlooking the vineyard. There is still one winery within the [[Adelaide]] metropolitan area, operated by Penfolds, which produces an expensive premium red wine, and is home to a posh fine dining restaurant. The following wine regions are of particular note: * [[Barossa Valley]] * [[Clare Valley]] * [[McLaren Vale]] * [[Coonawarra]] ==Stay safe== While South Australia is relatively safe, make sure you stay hydrated. It can get hot in the outback sometimes, and water is crucial. ==Go next== [[Image:SouthAustralianRoads.png|300px|thumb|right|Highways that connect to other Australian destinations.]] *'''Barrier Highway''' to [[Broken Hill]] and on to western [[New South Wales]] *'''Birdsville Track''' to [[Birdsville]] and on to [[Queensland]] and the [[Simpson Desert]] *'''[[Eyre Highway]]''' (A1) to the [[Nullarbor|Nullarbor Plain]], [[Eucla]] and on to [[Western Australia]] *'''[[Eyre Peninsula]]''' and on to the Great Australian Bight *'''Ouyen Highway''' to Victoria and on to [[Albury]]/[[Wodonga]] *'''Princes Highway''' (B1) to the southeast of the state, the [[Coonawarra]] wine region in the south east of the state, [[Mount Gambier]] and on to [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] *'''[[Stuart Highway]]''', [[Coober Pedy]] with its opal mining and underground houses, and on to [[Alice Springs]] and the [[Northern Territory]] *'''Sturt Highway''' (A87) and on to the [[Riverland]], [[Mildura]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] and [[New South Wales]] *'''Dukes Highway''' (A8) ''(Western Highway)'' to Bordertown and on to [[Ballarat]] and [[Melbourne]] *'''[[The Coorong]]''' at the mouth of the [[Murray River]] and on to the [[Limestone Coast]] including the [[Coonawarra]], [[Robe]] and [[Mount Gambier]] then on to the [[Great Ocean Road]] in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] *'''[[Kangaroo Island]]''', Australia's 3rd largest island, due south from Yorke Peninsula and accessed by aircraft from Adelaide or by ferry across the Backstairs passage from [[Cape Jervis]] on [[Fleurieu Peninsula]] {{guideregion}} {{geo|-30|135|zoom=6}} {{isPartOf|Australia}} 3bn3oye9vkzqscjeyq68py3do11bsm9 0 33450 4506187 4505999 2022-08-22T12:13:53Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Economy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner SE Bengal Dakshineswar temple.jpg}} '''Southeast Bengal''' is a region in [[West Bengal]], India, consisting of the districts of Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. ==Cities== {{mapframe|height=550|zoom=8}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q338425,Q2088496,Q2308319,Q1348,Q1143880,Q548518,Q1478937}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bangaon]]|wikidata=Q622612}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Chandannagar]] |wikidata=Q695591}} &mdash; A former French colony, famous for Jagaddhatri Puja and the immersion rally * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Diamond Harbour]]|wikidata=Q1264213}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Hooghly]] |wikidata=Q20099772}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Howrah]] |wikidata=Q205697}} &mdash; Kolkata's twin city, the second-largest in the state, with the largest railway complex in India * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Jaynagar Majilpur]]|wikidata=Q2330643}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Krishnanagar]] |wikidata=Q1006338}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Kalyani]] |wikidata=Q2734589}} &mdash; Satellite city of [[Kolkata]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Kolkata]] |wikidata=Q1348}} &mdash; also known as the "City of Joy", centre of Bengali culture, current capital of West Bengal and former capital of British India until 1911 * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Mayapur]] |wikidata=Q2606609}} &mdash; Religious centre, headquarters of ISKCON * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Nabadwip]] | wikidata= Q1006330}} &mdash; Temple city and heritage town * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Ranaghat]] |wikidata=Q2036954}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Serampore]] |wikidata=Q1815367}} &mdash; A former Danish colony * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taki]]|wikidata=Q3980318}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Thakurnagar]]|wikidata=Q7709440}} &mdash; ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Bakkhali]]|wikidata=Q4849475}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary]] | lat=23.581 |long=88.405 }} &mdash; Wildlife centre * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary]] | lat=23.10841 |long=88.67306 | image= }} &mdash; also known as the Parmadan Forest, a safe haven for a healthy population of nearly 250 deer * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Haridaspur]]|wikidata=Q60615066}} &mdash; a town on the Bangladeshi border * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Raichak]]|wikidata=Q7283698}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Rural Hooghly]] | lat=22.89 |long=88.02 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Rural Howrah]] | lat=22.47 |long=87.97 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Sagar Island]] | lat=21.73 |long=88.12 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Samukpota | wikidata=Q60623484}} — Known as a "Green Mall," this village offers an extensive collection of palm trees plus other plants, gardening tools, yoga instructions and South Indian food * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Sundarbans National Park]] | lat=21.945000 |long=88.895833 | image=Sunderbans_058.jpg }} &mdash; Wildlife sanctuary with Royal Bengal Tigers and deer found in forests and mangrove swamps * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Ukrah]]|wikidata=Q19894359}} (Nagarukhra) &mdash; ==Understand== [[File:Krishnanagar Palace.jpg|thumb|200px|Krishnanagar Palace, [[Krishnanagar]]]] [[File:Victoria Memorial By Saprativa.jpg|thumb|200px|Victoria Memorial, [[Kolkata]]]] The region's culture and food have elements left over by European colonists and merchants who have settled here since the 17th century. The western bank of the Hooghly River is called the "Little Europe of India" as the cities along the bank have their own fragrance of history and culture. However, at the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, [[Kolkata]] has been the major centre of rich culture, heritage and economy in Southeast Bengal since the British rule in India. Besides, it is also home to [[Mayapur]]-[[Nabadwip]], an important religious centre and [[Krishnanagar]], an important centre for culture and literature in medieval Bengal. ===Economy=== Southeast Bengal is the economic and transport hub of West Bengal, and the region is often called the gateway to Eastern India. It is the home to some of the busiest railway stations in India ([[Howrah]] Junction and [[Kolkata/North|Sealdah]] Junction) and the [[Kolkata/South|Port of Kolkata]]. Southeast Bengal contains a sizeable industrial belt along the Hooghly River. There are a number of industrial complexes, including one of the largest car manufacturing plants in India, the Hindustan Motors plant in Uttarpara. The once-flourishing manufacturing belt still has some units working well, but the industrial area is no longer in the pink of health and is often in the news for the wrong reasons. ===Geography=== Southeast Bengal is on the Indian half of the Ganges Delta. The region is known for its fertile fields, sub-tropical and mangrove forests, East Kolkata Wetlands and the maze of distributaries in the Sundarbans region. ==Talk== [[Bengali]] is the most widely used language but a sizable part of the population can converse in Hindi or Urdu. Most people understand basic English, even if they cannot speak it. ==Get in== ===By train=== The major railway stations are in [[Hooghly]], [[Howrah]] and [[Kolkata]]. ===By car=== The National Highway 16 (NH 16) and the National Highway 19 (NH 19) terminate at [[Dankuni]]. Both highways are part of the Golden Quadrilateral that connects four megacities of India. The NH 19 is also part of the Asian Highway 1 (AH 1) that continues further east to [[Bangladesh]] and eventually to [[Japan]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.jpg|thumb|200px|Howrah Bridge]] [[File:LAUNCH SAFARI IN SUNDARBON.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Sundarbans]]]] Southeast Bengal boasts numerous attractions, both natural and man-made. To see all the places worth visiting in this region, even a fortnight visit is arguably inadequate. That said, below are some highlights. ===Man-made attractions=== The '''Howrah Bridge''' and the '''Victoria Memorial''' are the two most prominent landmarks in [[Kolkata]]. Besides, the '''Bandel Church''', the '''Dakshineswar Temple''', the '''Hooghly Imambara''', the '''Kalighat Temple''', the '''Kapil Muni Temple''' and the '''Taraknath Temple''' are some of the most notable places of worship in this region. ===Natural attractions=== The '''Alipore Zoo''' in [[Kolkata]] and '''Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden''' in [[Howrah]] are the two natural attractions along the Hooghly River. However, adventure seekers should never miss the '''[[Sundarbans National Park|Sundarbans]]''', famous for Bengal Tigers and mangrove forests. ==Do== ==Eat== Southeast Bengal is a paradise for food lovers as street food is not only cheap but also safe in most of the region. One can try ''roshogolla'', a sweet meal associated with [[Kolkata]]. ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|West Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|22.5435|88.3342|zoom=9}} rfvqt7e1hcpevddiml3arlz1x6251ac 4506360 4506187 2022-08-22T18:24:01Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner SE Bengal Dakshineswar temple.jpg}} '''Southeast Bengal''' is a region in [[West Bengal]], India, consisting of the districts of Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. ==Cities== {{mapframe|height=550|zoom=8}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q338425,Q2088496,Q2308319,Q1348,Q1143880,Q548518,Q1478937}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bangaon]]|wikidata=Q622612}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Chandannagar]] |wikidata=Q695591}} &mdash; A former French colony, famous for Jagaddhatri Puja and the immersion rally * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Hooghly]] |wikidata=Q20099772}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Howrah]] |wikidata=Q205697}} &mdash; Kolkata's twin city, the second-largest in the state, with the largest railway complex in India * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Krishnanagar]] |wikidata=Q1006338}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Kalyani]] |wikidata=Q2734589}} &mdash; Satellite city of [[Kolkata]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Kolkata]] |wikidata=Q1348}} &mdash; also known as the "City of Joy", centre of Bengali culture, current capital of West Bengal and former capital of British India until 1911 * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Mayapur]] |wikidata=Q2606609}} &mdash; Religious centre, headquarters of ISKCON * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Nabadwip]] | wikidata= Q1006330}} &mdash; Temple city and heritage town * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Ranaghat]] |wikidata=Q2036954}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Serampore]] |wikidata=Q1815367}} &mdash; A former Danish colony * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taki]]|wikidata=Q3980318}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Thakurnagar]]|wikidata=Q7709440}} &mdash; ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Bakkhali]]|wikidata=Q4849475}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary]] | lat=23.581 |long=88.405 }} &mdash; Wildlife centre * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary]] | lat=23.10841 |long=88.67306 | image= }} &mdash; also known as the Parmadan Forest, a safe haven for a healthy population of nearly 250 deer * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Diamond Harbour]]|wikidata=Q1264213}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Haridaspur]]|wikidata=Q60615066}} &mdash; a town on the Bangladeshi border * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Jaynagar Majilpur]]|wikidata=Q2330643}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Raichak]]|wikidata=Q7283698}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Rural Hooghly]] | lat=22.89 |long=88.02 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Rural Howrah]] | lat=22.47 |long=87.97 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Sagar Island]] | lat=21.73 |long=88.12 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Samukpota | wikidata=Q60623484}} — Known as a "Green Mall," this village offers an extensive collection of palm trees plus other plants, gardening tools, yoga instructions and South Indian food * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Sundarbans National Park]] | lat=21.945000 |long=88.895833 | image=Sunderbans_058.jpg }} &mdash; Wildlife sanctuary with Royal Bengal Tigers and deer found in forests and mangrove swamps * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Ukrah]]|wikidata=Q19894359}} (Nagarukhra) &mdash; ==Understand== [[File:Krishnanagar Palace.jpg|thumb|200px|Krishnanagar Palace, [[Krishnanagar]]]] [[File:Victoria Memorial By Saprativa.jpg|thumb|200px|Victoria Memorial, [[Kolkata]]]] The region's culture and food have elements left over by European colonists and merchants who have settled here since the 17th century. The western bank of the Hooghly River is called the "Little Europe of India" as the cities along the bank have their own fragrance of history and culture. However, at the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, [[Kolkata]] has been the major centre of rich culture, heritage and economy in Southeast Bengal since the British rule in India. Besides, it is also home to [[Mayapur]]-[[Nabadwip]], an important religious centre and [[Krishnanagar]], an important centre for culture and literature in medieval Bengal. ===Economy=== Southeast Bengal is the economic and transport hub of West Bengal, and the region is often called the gateway to Eastern India. It is the home to some of the busiest railway stations in India ([[Howrah]] Junction and [[Kolkata/North|Sealdah]] Junction) and the [[Kolkata/South|Port of Kolkata]]. Southeast Bengal contains a sizeable industrial belt along the Hooghly River. There are a number of industrial complexes, including one of the largest car manufacturing plants in India, the Hindustan Motors plant in Uttarpara. The once-flourishing manufacturing belt still has some units working well, but the industrial area is no longer in the pink of health and is often in the news for the wrong reasons. ===Geography=== Southeast Bengal is on the Indian half of the Ganges Delta. The region is known for its fertile fields, sub-tropical and mangrove forests, East Kolkata Wetlands and the maze of distributaries in the Sundarbans region. ==Talk== [[Bengali]] is the most widely used language but a sizable part of the population can converse in Hindi or Urdu. Most people understand basic English, even if they cannot speak it. ==Get in== ===By train=== The major railway stations are in [[Hooghly]], [[Howrah]] and [[Kolkata]]. ===By car=== The National Highway 16 (NH 16) and the National Highway 19 (NH 19) terminate at [[Dankuni]]. Both highways are part of the Golden Quadrilateral that connects four megacities of India. The NH 19 is also part of the Asian Highway 1 (AH 1) that continues further east to [[Bangladesh]] and eventually to [[Japan]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.jpg|thumb|200px|Howrah Bridge]] [[File:LAUNCH SAFARI IN SUNDARBON.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Sundarbans]]]] Southeast Bengal boasts numerous attractions, both natural and man-made. To see all the places worth visiting in this region, even a fortnight visit is arguably inadequate. That said, below are some highlights. ===Man-made attractions=== The '''Howrah Bridge''' and the '''Victoria Memorial''' are the two most prominent landmarks in [[Kolkata]]. Besides, the '''Bandel Church''', the '''Dakshineswar Temple''', the '''Hooghly Imambara''', the '''Kalighat Temple''', the '''Kapil Muni Temple''' and the '''Taraknath Temple''' are some of the most notable places of worship in this region. ===Natural attractions=== The '''Alipore Zoo''' in [[Kolkata]] and '''Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden''' in [[Howrah]] are the two natural attractions along the Hooghly River. However, adventure seekers should never miss the '''[[Sundarbans National Park|Sundarbans]]''', famous for Bengal Tigers and mangrove forests. ==Do== ==Eat== Southeast Bengal is a paradise for food lovers as street food is not only cheap but also safe in most of the region. One can try ''roshogolla'', a sweet meal associated with [[Kolkata]]. ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|West Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|22.5435|88.3342|zoom=9}} 801z6hlxi66jyf1lkr4ziy9udxq9n2n 4506367 4506360 2022-08-22T18:31:45Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner SE Bengal Dakshineswar temple.jpg}} '''Southeast Bengal''' is a region in [[West Bengal]], India, consisting of the districts of Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. ==Cities== {{mapframe|height=550|zoom=8}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q338425,Q2088496,Q2308319,Q1348,Q1143880,Q548518,Q1478937}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bangaon]]|wikidata=Q622612}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Chandannagar]] |wikidata=Q695591}} &mdash; A former French colony, famous for Jagaddhatri Puja and the immersion rally * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Hooghly]] |wikidata=Q20099772}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Howrah]] |wikidata=Q205697}} &mdash; Kolkata's twin city, the second-largest in the state, with the largest railway complex in India * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Krishnanagar]] |wikidata=Q1006338}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Kalyani]] |wikidata=Q2734589}} &mdash; Satellite city of [[Kolkata]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Kolkata]] |wikidata=Q1348}} &mdash; also known as the "City of Joy", centre of Bengali culture, current capital of West Bengal and former capital of British India until 1911 * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Mayapur]] |wikidata=Q2606609}} &mdash; Religious centre, headquarters of ISKCON * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Nabadwip]] | wikidata= Q1006330}} &mdash; Temple city and heritage town * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Ranaghat]] |wikidata=Q2036954}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Serampore]] |wikidata=Q1815367}} &mdash; A former Danish colony * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taki]]|wikidata=Q3980318}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Thakurnagar]]|wikidata=Q7709440}} &mdash; ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Bakkhali]]|wikidata=Q4849475}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary]] | lat=23.581 |long=88.405 }} &mdash; Wildlife centre * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary]] | lat=23.10841 |long=88.67306 | image= }} &mdash; also known as the Parmadan Forest, a safe haven for a healthy population of nearly 250 deer * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Diamond Harbour]]|wikidata=Q1264213}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Haridaspur]]|wikidata=Q60615066}} &mdash; a town on the Bangladeshi border * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Jaynagar Majilpur]]|wikidata=Q2330643}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Raichak]]|wikidata=Q7283698}} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Rural Hooghly]] | lat=22.89 |long=88.02 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Rural Howrah]] | lat=22.47 |long=87.97 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Sagar Island]] | lat=21.73 |long=88.12 | image= }} &mdash; * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Samukpota | wikidata=Q60623484}} — Known as a "Green Mall," this village offers an extensive collection of palm trees plus other plants, gardening tools, yoga instructions and South Indian food * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Sundarbans National Park]] | lat=21.945000 |long=88.895833 | image=Sunderbans_058.jpg }} &mdash; Wildlife sanctuary with Royal Bengal Tigers and deer found in forests and mangrove swamps * {{marker|type=go|name=[[Ukrah]]|wikidata=Q19894359}} (Nagarukhra) &mdash; ==Understand== [[File:Krishnanagar Palace.jpg|thumb|200px|Krishnanagar Palace, [[Krishnanagar]]]] [[File:Victoria Memorial By Saprativa.jpg|thumb|200px|Victoria Memorial, [[Kolkata]]]] The region's culture and food have elements left over by European colonists and merchants who have settled here since the 17th century. The western bank of the Hooghly River is called the "Little Europe of India" as the cities along the bank have their own fragrance of history and culture. However, at the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, [[Kolkata]] has been the major centre of rich culture, heritage and economy in Southeast Bengal since the British rule in India. Besides, it is also home to [[Mayapur]]-[[Nabadwip]], an important religious centre and [[Krishnanagar]], an important centre for culture and literature in medieval Bengal. ===Economy=== Southeast Bengal is the economic and transport hub of West Bengal, and the region is often called the gateway to Eastern India. It is the home to some of the busiest railway stations in India ([[Howrah]] Junction and [[Kolkata/North|Sealdah]] Junction) and the [[Kolkata/South|Port of Kolkata]]. Southeast Bengal contains a sizeable industrial belt along the Hooghly River. There are a number of industrial complexes, including one of the largest car manufacturing plants in India, the Hindustan Motors plant in Uttarpara. The once-flourishing manufacturing belt still has some units working well, but the industrial area is no longer in the pink of health and is often in the news for the wrong reasons. ===Geography=== Southeast Bengal is on the Indian half of the Ganges Delta. The region is known for its fertile fields, sub-tropical and mangrove forests, East Kolkata Wetlands and the maze of distributaries in the Sundarbans region. ==Talk== [[Bengali]] is the most widely used language but a sizable part of the population can converse in Hindi or Urdu. Most people understand basic English, even if they cannot speak it. ==Get in== ===By train=== The major railway stations are in [[Hooghly]], [[Howrah]] and [[Kolkata]]. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 16 and 19 terminate at [[Dankuni]]. Both highways are part of the Golden Quadrilateral that connects four megacities of India. The NH 19 is also part of the Asian Highway 1 (AH 1) that continues further east to [[Bangladesh]] and eventually to [[Japan]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.jpg|thumb|200px|Howrah Bridge]] [[File:LAUNCH SAFARI IN SUNDARBON.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Sundarbans]]]] Southeast Bengal boasts numerous attractions, both natural and man-made. To see all the places worth visiting in this region, even a fortnight visit is arguably inadequate. That said, below are some highlights. ===Man-made attractions=== The '''Howrah Bridge''' and the '''Victoria Memorial''' are the two most prominent landmarks in [[Kolkata]]. Besides, the '''Bandel Church''', the '''Dakshineswar Temple''', the '''Hooghly Imambara''', the '''Kalighat Temple''', the '''Kapil Muni Temple''' and the '''Taraknath Temple''' are some of the most notable places of worship in this region. ===Natural attractions=== The '''Alipore Zoo''' in [[Kolkata]] and '''Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden''' in [[Howrah]] are the two natural attractions along the Hooghly River. However, adventure seekers should never miss the '''[[Sundarbans National Park|Sundarbans]]''', famous for Bengal Tigers and mangrove forests. ==Do== ==Eat== Southeast Bengal is a paradise for food lovers as street food is not only cheap but also safe in most of the region. One can try ''roshogolla'', a sweet meal associated with [[Kolkata]]. ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|West Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|22.5435|88.3342|zoom=9}} p4fgz9q0akwpsfd8rnp33lusqf9gd7q 0 33471 4506510 4504270 2022-08-23T03:03:12Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Southeastern_myanmar_banner_monks.jpg}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling and narcotics manufacturing are rampant in [[Northern Myanmar]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Myanmar or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs out of Myanmar, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Myanmar. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} '''Southeastern Myanmar''' is a region of [[Myanmar]]. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q843954,Q818742,Q495342}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bokepyin]]|wikidata=Q4938819}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Dawei]]|wikidata=Q1018167}} (''Tavoy''), the capital of [[Tanintharyi Division]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hpa-an]]|wikidata=Q1209404}} (''Pa-an''), the capital of [[Kayin State]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kawthoung]]|wikidata=Q978611}} (''Kawthaung, Victoria Point'') * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kyaikkami]]|wikidata=Q3200882}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kyaiktiyo]]|wikidata=Q6450666}} - home of the famous pagoda-on-a-boulder, balancing delicately over a cliff * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mawlamyine]]|wikidata=Q685941}} (''Moulmien''), the capital of [[Mon State]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mottama]]|wikidata=Q1950091}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Myawaddy]]|wikidata=Q615821}} - only accessible to foreigners from [[Mae Sot]] in [[Tak (province)|Tak Province]], [[North (Thailand)|northern Thailand]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Myeik]]|wikidata=Q1018163}} (''Mergui'') * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Payathonzu]]|wikidata=Q4385006}} - only accessible to foreigners via [[Three Pagodas Pass]] from [[Kanchanaburi (province)|Kanchanaburi Province]], [[Central Plains (Thailand)|central Thailand]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Thanbyuzayat]]|wikidata=Q5954345}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Thaton (Myanmar)|Thaton]]|wikidata=Q1209391}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Ye]]|wikidata=Q2528063}} ==Other destinations== ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Myanmar}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|14.41|98.04|zoom=6}} i21bh19phxpw0kxarybilgdr2y28xp3 0 33562 4506492 3699504 2022-08-23T02:39:22Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Understand */ This region name isn't locally used, though the state tourism agency does use it. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Southern Lakes Storefronts in downtown Campbellsville.jpg|pgname=Southern Lakes}} [[Kentucky]]'s '''Southern Lakes''' region is in the middle of the state's southern border with [[Tennessee]], and is home to Lake Cumberland. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Campbellsville (Kentucky)|Campbellsville]]|wikidata=Q774973}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Monticello (Kentucky)|Monticello]]|wikidata=Q2001583}} &mdash; the self proclaimed "Houseboat Capital of the World" *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Russell Springs]]|wikidata=Q2784505}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Albany (Kentucky)|Albany]]|wikidata=Q1003658}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jamestown (Kentucky)|Jamestown]]|wikidata=Q1976579}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Burkesville]]|wikidata=Q2928518}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Somerset (Kentucky)|Somerset]]|wikidata=Q2303714}} ==Other destinations== *{{marker|name=[[Lake Cumberland]]|wikidata=Q6475553}} *{{marker|name=[[Lake Cumberland State Resort Park]]|wikidata=Q6475556}} ==Understand== The term "Southern Lakes" is used for tourism promotion, but generally not by locals. The traditional local name for most of the region is '''Pennyrile''', taken from the local pronunciation of "pennyroyal", a plant common in the area. The far east of the "Southern Lakes", depending on the speaker, may overlap with the state tourism region of [[Daniel Boone Country]], which in turn is part of the region locally known as '''Eastern Kentucky''' or the '''Eastern Coalfield'''. "Pennyrile" still sees use, but in recent decades the term '''South Central Kentucky''' (which also includes most or all of the [[Caves and Lakes]] region, depending on the speaker) has been increasingly used for this area. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kentucky}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|36.98|-85.16|zoom=9}} 62f2w7x58jys3g13949d2k5k46f2cmw 0 33669 4506303 4504047 2022-08-22T16:15:04Z JRHorse 1921 /* Get in */ Immediate PCR testing for select arrivals until 9 September wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Korea Banner 2.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Eligible foreign nationals that have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including tourists, are exempt from South Korea's 7-day quarantine. See [[South Korea#Get in|Get in]] for more information.|lastedit=2022-04-01}} '''[https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/ South Korea]''' ([[Korean phrasebook|Korean]]: 한국, 韓國 ''Hanguk''), officially the '''Republic of Korea''' (대한민국, 大韓民國 ''Daehan Minguk''), is a country in [[East Asia]]. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. South Korea has emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and cemented its place as one of the world's major economic powers. Since the turn of the 21st century, South Korean pop culture has become enormously popular all over East Asia, making it a very popular tourist destination. ==Regions== South Korea is administratively divided into nine provinces, as listed below. The largest cities are separate entities from these provinces, but we include them in the most relevant province. {{Regionlist | regionmap=South Korea regions map merged.png | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Gyeonggi]] | region1color=#d1d782 | region1description=Surrounding [[Seoul]] and covered in its urban sprawl, and the [[Panmunjeom|Korean Demilitarised Zone]] close by. | region2name=[[Gangwon]] | region2color=#7eb587 | region2description=Natural wonderland with the [[Seoraksan National Park]], beaches and ski resorts. | region3name=[[North Chungcheong]] | region3color=#cd9c56 | region3description=A landlocked province filled with mountains and national parks. | region4name=[[South Chungcheong]] | region4color=#679da3 | region4description=Central western part of the country. The flat areas are made up of rice paddies. Point where main train lines and highways converge and known for its hot springs. | region5name=[[North Gyeongsang]] | region5color=#629bc0 | region5description=Largest province and richest area for historical and cultural sites, such as [[Andong]], [[Gyeongju]] and the islands of [[Ulleungdo]]. | region6name=[[South Gyeongsang]] | region6color=#b58db5 | region6description=Known for its gorgeous seaside cities and beaches where most Koreans take their summer holidays. | region7name=[[North Jeolla]] | region7color=#b7cfa4 | region7description=Noted for great food. | region8name=[[South Jeolla]] | region8color=#d17c82 | region8description=Lots of beautiful small islands and landscape, fantastic food (especially seafood along the coast) and good for fishing. | region9name=[[Jeju]] | region9color=#8f7fcf | region9description=South Korea's honeymoon island, created by a volcano. Great scenery with wildflowers and horseback riding. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d1d782|title=[[Gyeonggi]]|wikidata=Q20937}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#7eb587|title=[[Gangwon]]|wikidata=Q41071}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#cd9c56|title=[[North Chungcheong]]|wikidata=Q41066}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#679da3|title=[[South Chungcheong]]|wikidata=Q41070}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#629bc0|title=[[North Gyeongsang]]|wikidata=Q41154}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b58db5|title=[[South Gyeongsang]]|wikidata=Q41151}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b7cfa4|title=[[North Jeolla]]|wikidata=Q41157}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d17c82|title=[[South Jeolla]]|wikidata=Q41161}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8f7fcf|title=[[Jeju]]|wikidata=Q29151}} ==Cities== {{mapframe}} <!-- Keep this list limited to the 9 most important cities for tourists --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Seoul]]|url=|lat=37.566|long=126.966|wikidata=Q8684}} (서울) &mdash; the dynamic 600-year-old capital of South Korea, a fusion of the ancient and modern *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Busan]]|url=|lat=35.166|long=129.066|wikidata=Q16520}} (부산, 釜山) &mdash; the second largest city and a major port *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chuncheon]]|url=|lat=37.866|long=127.733|wikidata=Q42148}} (춘천, 春川) &mdash; capital city of Gangwon province, surrounded by lakes and mountains and known for local dishes, dakgalbi and makguksu *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Daegu]]|url=|lat=35.9|long=128.6|wikidata=Q20927}} (대구, 大邱) &mdash; a cosmopolitan city, rich with ancient traditions and sights *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Daejeon]]|url=|lat=36.351|long=127.385|wikidata=Q20921}} (대전, 大田) &mdash; a large and dynamic metropolis in Chungnam province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gwangju]]|url=|lat=35.166|long=126.916|wikidata=Q41283}} (광주, 光州) &mdash; the administrative and economic centre of the area, the largest city in the province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gyeongju]]|url=|lat=35.85|long=129.22|wikidata=Q42097}} (경주, 慶州) &mdash; the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Incheon]]|url=|lat=37.483|long=126.633|wikidata=Q20934}} (인천, 仁川) &mdash; second busiest port in the country, location of the country's largest international airport *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jeonju]]|url=|lat=35.82|long=127.15|wikidata=Q42140}} (전주, 全州) &mdash; once the spiritual capital of the Joseon Dynasty, now a leading center of the arts filled with museums, ancient Buddhist temples, and historical monuments ==Other destinations== <!-- Keep this list limited to the 9 most important other destinations for tourists --> *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Seoraksan National Park]]|url=|lat=38.125|long=128.416|wikidata=Q706310}} (설악산국립공원) &mdash; spread out over four cities and counties, the country's most renowned national park and mountain range *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Andong]]|url=|lat=36.567|long=128.716|wikidata=Q42116}} (안동시) &mdash; historically rich in Confucius traditions and home of living folk village *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ansan]]|url=|lat=37.316|long=126.833|wikidata=Q42117}} (안산시) &mdash; a city in Gyeonggi province on the coast of the Yellow Sea *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Panmunjeom]]|url=|lat=37.956|long=126.68|wikidata=Q495167}} (판문점) &mdash; the only tourist site in the world where the Cold War is still reality *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yeosu]]|url=|lat=34.733|long=127.733|wikidata=Q42125}} (여수시) &mdash; one of the country's most picturesque port cities especially at night. Famous for its seafood and beaches, you can visit some of the islands in Hallyeo Ocean Park with cruise or watch sunset from its fabulous Dolsan Bridge or romantic cafes near marinas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Jindo]]|url=|lat=34.483|long=126.261|wikidata=Q485651}} (진도) &mdash; commonly associated with the dog native to that area, the Jindo, every year people flock to the area to witness the parting of the sea and participate with the accompanying festivities *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ulleungdo]]|url=|lat=37.5|long=130.9|wikidata=Q41172}} (울릉도) &mdash; scenic remote island off the east coast of peninsula *{{Marker|type=vicinity |lat=37.561|long=128.487|zoom=11 |name=[[Pyeongchang]] |image=|wikidata=Q188624}} (평창군) &mdash; the host city of the [[Wikivoyage:Past_events/Pyeongchang_2018|2018 Winter Olympics]]. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationSouthKorea.png}} Positioned on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is a country of dazzling scenic landscapes and a mixed representation of centuries-old traditions and contemporary society. It boasts a recorded history extending more than 5,000 years. ===History=== ====Early history and founding of a nation==== {{seealso|Pre-modern Korea}} [[File:Korea-Daegu-Palgongsan-01.jpg|thumbnail|Daegu and the mountain Palgongsan]] Archeological finds of prehistoric toolmaking on the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]] date back to 70,000 BC, and the first pottery is found around 8000 BC. Comb-pattern pottery culture peaked around 3500&ndash;2000 BC. Legend has it that Korea began with the founding of '''Gojoseon''' (고조선, 古朝鮮, also called '''Ancient Chosun''') by the legendary Dangun in 2333 BC. Archaeological and contemporaneous written records of Gojoseon as a kingdom date back to around 7th&ndash;4th century BC. The Chinese Han Dynasty eventually defeated Gojoseon, and its territories were governed as four commanderies. The political chaos following the fall of the Han Dynasty in China allowed native tribes to regain control of Korea and led to the emergence of the '''Three Kingdoms of Korea''' (삼국시대, 三國時代), namely Goguryeo (고구려, 高句麗), Silla (신라, 新羅) and Baekje (백제, 百濟). Despite repeated attempts by China, namely the Sui Dynasty and later the Tang Dynasty, to conquer the Korean Peninsula, northern-based Goguryeo managed to repel them. Eventually, Goguryeo fell to a Silla-Tang alliance, which had earlier defeated Baekje, and unified Korea under the '''Silla Dynasty'''. A later invasion by the Tang was repelled by Silla forces, thus maintaining Korea's independence. The remnants of Goguryeo would go on to found another kingdom known as '''Balhae''' (발해, 渤海) in what is now [[Northeast China]], which would last until 926 AD when the Khitans conquered it. Unified Silla was replaced by the '''Goryeo Dynasty''' (고려, 高麗, also called '''Koryo'''), from which the modern name "Korea" derives. One highlight of the Goryeo dynasty was that in 1234 the world's first metal movable type was invented by a Korean named Choe Yun-ui (200 years before Gutenberg's printing press). Goryeo was replaced by the '''Joseon Dynasty''' (조선, 朝鮮, also called ''Chosun''), after a coup by one of its generals. The Joseon dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910, being one of the longest actively ruling dynasties in world history. During the early part of the Joseon dynasty, Korean technological inventions such as the world's first water clock, ironclad ship, and other innovations took place. During the rule of King Sejong the Great, the world's first rain gauge was invented, and the Korean alphabet, known as ''hangul'', was created. ====Japanese occupation and division==== [[File:JSA ConferenceRooms.JPG|thumbnail|The light blue conference rooms at the Joint Security Area of Panmunjeom]] Korea was invaded by the Japanese, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century, who was eventually defeated by an alliance between the Joseon dynasty and China's Ming dynasty. This defeat and the untimely death of Hideyoshi forced the Japanese to pull out of Korea. Later, Korea's status as an independent kingdom under the Chinese sphere of cultural influence (사대 ''sadae'') ended in 1895 after China's defeat in the Sino-Japanese War and the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Under the treaty's terms, China recognized the severing of the several centuries-old, nominal elder-younger brother relationship between China and Korea, bringing Japan the window of opportunity to force Korea into its growing sphere of influence. Although the elder-younger brother relationship between China and Joseon was a voluntary diplomatic formality assumed by Joseon's rulers to receive the benefits of advanced Chinese culture and trade, it was a symbolic victory for Japan to achieve the breakage of this link. It put Japan in a position to take possession of Korea without fear of Chinese intervention. In 1910, Imperial Japan annexed Korea, thus beginning a 35-year occupation of the country. Despite numerous armed rebellions, assassinations, intellectual and cultural resistance, suppression, a cultural assimilation policy that included forcing Koreans to take Japanese names and forbidding them to speak the Korean language allowed Japan to maintain control of the peninsula. During the occupation, the Japanese also forced many Korean women to serve as "comfort women" (i.e., sex slaves) in Japanese military brothels, which continues to be a major bone of contention in diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. After Imperial Japan's defeat in [[Pacific War|World War II]], Soviet forces occupied the northern half of Korea while U.S. forces occupied the southern half. North and South Korea each declared independence as separate states in 1948. Kim Il-Sung established a communist regime with the support of the Soviet Union in the north, and Syngman Rhee established a capitalist regime with the support of the United States in the south. After antagonism from both sides, North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, starting the [[Korean War]] which destroyed much of the country. The U.S. and other U.N. forces intervened on South Korea's side, while the Soviet Union and China supported the North. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone after the war had reached a stalemate with no significant territorial gains made by either side. However, as no peace treaty has ever been signed, the two Koreas officially remain at war, although without any ongoing combat. ====Republic of Korea==== Despite initially being economically outperformed by its northern rival, South Korea eventually emerged from the ashes of the Korean War. It achieved rapid economic growth starting in the 1960s under the iron-fisted rule of President Park Chung-hee. After Park was assassinated in 1979, a coup lead by Chun Doo-hwan established another military dictatorship in 1980 and suppressed democratic movements at that time, perhaps one of the most notorious event is the '''[[Gwangju]] massacre''' that caused at least 200 deaths among protesters. As one of the East Asian Tigers, the South Korean economy's industrialization and modernization efforts gained traction in the 1980s and 1990s. Per capita income rose to 20 times that of North Korea. In 1996, South Korea joined the OECD. Today, South Korea is an industrialized and developed economy with some of the world's leading high technology corporations, such as Samsung and LG. Demands for greater freedom of speech and human rights led to nationwide demonstrations that led to democratic elections in 1987, just prior to the South Korean capital of Seoul hosting the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. South Korea is now a liberal democracy and an economic powerhouse. The peace process with the North is still underway at a glacial pace, with little sign that the status quo will change anytime soon. In 2012 the country elected its first female president, Park Geun-hye. However, she was dramatically ejected from power in 2017 and subsequently convicted of corruption and abuse of power after widespread demonstrations over corruption that involved personal connections and Korea's largest corporations. The cultural phenomenon is known as the '''Korean Wave''' (한류 ''hallyu'') has swept most of Asia and many other parts of the world as South Korean film, television, music, food, and other aspects of culture have become popular. In 2012 Psy's Korean-language song "Gangnam Style" topped the charts in many Western countries. ===People=== [[Image:Namdaemun Buildings.JPG|thumb|240px|Namdaemun Gate, [[Seoul]]]] South Korea is a very homogeneous country, with nearly all native residents identifying themselves as ethnically Korean and speaking the Korean language. However, the demographics are changing, with immigrants having passed the one million mark for the first time in South Korean history. The most significant resident minority are the Chinese, numbering around 440,000, though the majority of them are Chinese citizens of Korean ethnicity. There are also workers from Mongolia, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world. A community of 20,000 English teachers from anglophone nations are spread out throughout the country. A long-standing 30,000 American military personnel are stationed here. South Korea's large and growing economy has attracted people from all over the world. Seoul's leading financial center has brought many financial workers from North America, Europe, and Japan. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world but also has one of the world's lowest birth rates (1.21 children per woman). Dealing with this very low birthrate will be one of the major problems for this country in the 21st century. Confucian attitudes about the importance of a male heir have led to a strongly skewed sex ratio, with about 112 men for every 100 women, encouraging many Korean men in rural areas to seek wives from other countries such as China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. About 85% of South Koreans live in urban areas. ===Government and politics=== South Korea is a full and relatively stable democracy, with executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government. Democracy began in 1948 but suffered frequent periods of military coups. The country has been a stable democracy since 1987, when the sixth republic was declared. The president is the head of state and is elected for one five-year term. Party composition and naming changes frequently in South Korean politics, although conservative, liberal, and progressive platforms are usually represented. In general, left-wing parties tend to support reconciliation and more cooperation with North Korea. In contrast, right-wing parties tend to support closer ties with the United States and taking a tougher stance against North Korea. Although the military remains a powerful force in Korean politics (not surprising given that Japan, China, and North Korea surround the country), it is widely considered that another military coup is very unlikely. ===Culture=== [[Image:Changdeokgung Bedchamber Detail.jpg|thumb|240px|Decoration of a royal palace, Changdeokgung, [[Seoul]]]] Having been in the cultural sphere of China for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences are evident in traditional Korean culture. Nevertheless, many fundamental differences remain, and Korea has retained a distinct cultural identity from its larger neighbor. Koreans are fiercely proud of their heritage and their resistance to outside domination. During the Joseon dynasty, Korea's dominant philosophy was a strict form of Confucianism, perhaps even more stringent than the Chinese original. People were separated into a rigid hierarchy, with the king at the apex, an elite of officials and warriors and a small group of nobility (양반 ''yangban'') below him, a middle class of petty civil servants (중인 ''chungin'') below them, and then a vast population of commoners (상민 ''sangmin'') at the bottom. The educated were superior to the uneducated, women served men, and everybody stuck to a defined role or faced severe consequences. Korea adopted its version of the imperial examination system invented by and used in China to select officials, creating somewhat of a premodern meritocracy for the government like its Chinese counterpart, though, unlike the Chinese version, the Korean version was largely restricted to the ''yangban'' and ''chungin'' classes. Buddhism was suppressed mainly due to the widespread corruption and greed of monks and temples during the waning stages of the Goryeo dynasty. While the Joseon dynasty ceased to exist in 1910, its legacy lives on in Korean culture: education and hard work are valued above all else, employees are expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women still struggle for equal treatment. Koreans believe that the things that set them the most apart from other Asian cultures are their cuisine, language, and Hangul script. Outsiders will note their extreme modernity, tempered by a well-developed artistic and architectural joyfulness. Nothing goes undecorated if it can be helped, and they have a knack for stylish interior design. South Korea also has a vibrant film and TV industry, and the country is one of only a few in the world where local films have a larger market share than Hollywood films. South Koreans firmly hold on to many ancient traditions that go back thousands of years, yet paradoxically, they are often obsessed with the latest technology. Consumer devices with amazing advanced technology developed in Korea are often several years ahead of the rest of the world. South Korea has a significant number of Christians (18% Protestants, 11% Roman Catholic) and Buddhists (23% practicing, 47% non-practicing), and churches can be found in the towns and temples, and monasteries on hills. Over a third of the country professes to follow no particular organized religion. However, most people (including Christians) are still strongly influenced by traditional Korean Buddhist and Confucian philosophies that seeped into the Korean cultural background. Islam and several religions of Korean origin also have a few followers in parts of the country. The game of [[Go]], called ''baduk'' in Korean, is a traditional pastime and some of the world's strongest players are Korean. ====Holidays==== {{CNYdates}} Korea's traditional holidays mostly follow the lunar calendar and therefore fall on different days each year from the perspective of the Western Gregorian calendar. The two biggest, Lunar New Year and ''Chuseok'', are family holidays where everybody returns to their hometowns ''en masse'' and all forms of transport are absolutely packed. It is worth planning your itinerary around these dates, as well as realizing that your best eating options may be noodle packets from a 7-Eleven! On the other holidays, you will not notice too much difference, however, all banks and government offices will be closed. [[File:Coloured lanterns at the Lotus Lantern Festival.jpg|thumbnail|On Buddha's birthday temples are decorated by colored lanterns]] *'''New Year's Day''' (신정 ''Sinjeong'') &mdash; January 1 *'''Lunar New Year''' (설날 ''Seollal'', also known as "Korean New Year" or 구정 ''Gujeong'') &mdash; 1st day of 1st lunar month (January&ndash;February) &mdash; Families gather together, eat traditional foods, especially ''tteokguk'' (떡국), and perform an ancestral service. The public holiday lasts for three days, which includes the eve and second day. Many shops and restaurants close for three days, so it is not ideal for visiting. *'''Independence Movement Day''' (삼일절 or 3·1절 ''Samiljeol'', lit. "3-1 Day") &mdash; March 1 &mdash; In commemoration of the March 1st resistance movement against the invading Japanese Imperial Army in 1919. *'''Children's Day''' (어린이날 ''Eorininal'') &mdash; 5 May *'''Buddha's Birthday''' (부처님 오신 날 ''Bucheonnim Osin Nal'' or 사월 초파일 ''Sawol Chopail'') &mdash; 8th day of the 4th lunar month (April&ndash;May) *'''Memorial Day''' (현충일 ''Hyeonchung-il'') &mdash; June 6 &mdash; Commemorates Koreans who gave their lives to the nation. *'''Constitution Day''' (제헌절 ''Jeheonjeol'') &mdash; July 17 *'''Liberation Day''' (광복절 ''Gwangbokjeol'') &mdash; August 15 &mdash; This day is actually the end of World War II with the official Japanese surrender to the Allied forces, which also meant Korea gaining independence after many decades of Japanese colonialism. *'''''Chuseok''''' (추석, often translated as "Korean Thanksgiving") &mdash; 15th day of 8th lunar month (September&ndash;October) &mdash; Koreans celebrate by eating traditional foods, notably a rice cake called ''songpyeon'' (송편) and playing folk games. The public holiday lasts for 3 days and much like Lunar New Year, everything shuts down which makes visiting rather boring. *'''National Foundation Day''' (개천절 ''Gaecheonjeol'') &mdash; October 3 &mdash; In celebration of the first formation of the nation of ancient Korea. *'''Hangul Day''' (한글날 ''Hangeulnal'') &mdash; October 9 &mdash; Anniversary for the Korean alphabet *'''Christmas''' (크리스마스 ''Keuriseumaseu'', 기독탄신일 ''Gidoktansinil'', or 성탄절 ''Seongtanjeol'') &mdash; December 25 &mdash; A significant holiday in South Korea, although it is mostly celebrated by young couples spending a romantic day together. Since a significant proportion (approximately 30%) of the country is Christian, there is no shortage of celebration in the thousands of churches whilst everyone else takes a well deserved rest at home. ===Climate=== {{Climate| units = Metric | janhigh = 1.6 | febhigh = 4.1 | marhigh = 10.2 | aprhigh = 17.6 | mayhigh = 22.8 | junhigh = 26.9 | julhigh = 28.8 | aughigh = 29.5 | sephigh = 25.6 | octhigh = 19.7 | novhigh = 11.5 | dechigh = 4.2 | janlow = −6.1 | feblow = −4.1 | marlow = 1.1 | aprlow = 7.3 | maylow = 12.6 | junlow = 17.8 | jullow = 21.8 | auglow = 22.1 | seplow = 16.7 | octlow = 9.8 | novlow = 2.9 | declow = −3.4 | janprecip = 22 | febprecip = 24 | marprecip = 46 | aprprecip = 77 | mayprecip = 102 | junprecip = 133 | julprecip = 328 | augprecip = 348 | sepprecip = 138 | octprecip = 49 | novprecip = 53 | decprecip = 25 | jansnow = | febsnow = | marsnow = | aprsnow = | maysnow = | junsnow = | julsnow = | augsnow = | sepsnow = | octsnow = | novsnow = | decsnow = | jansun = | febsun = | marsun = | aprsun = | maysun = | junsun = | julsun = | augsun = | sepsun = | octsun = | novsun = | decsun = | janh2o = | febh2o = | marh2o = | aprh2o = | mayh2o = | junh2o = | julh2o = | augh2o = | seph2o = | octh2o = | novh2o = | dech2o = | description = Data for Seoul. South Korea tends to have a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, and is affected by the East Asian monsoon. }} * '''Spring''' is an excellent time of year to be in Korea. The temperatures are warm, but not hot, and there's not too much rain either. However, spring is also when yellow dust storms blow over from China, making the air horrible to breathe. * '''Summer''' starts with a dreary rainy season (장마철 ''jangma-cheol'') in June and turns into a steambath in July-August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 35&nbsp;°C. Best avoided unless heading to the beaches. * '''Autumn''', starting in September, is perhaps the best time to be in Korea. Temperatures and humidity become more tolerable, fair days are common and the justly renowned '''fall colors''' make their appearance. * '''Winter''' is a good time to go skiing or hot-spring hopping, and the Korean invention of ''ondol'' (온돌, floor heating) helps defrost any parts that froze outside. However, January and February can be bone-biting cold due to Siberian winds from the north. The south of the country (including [[Busan]] and [[Jeju]]) are relatively mild compared to the north ([[Seoul]]) during this season. ===Electricity=== [[File:Schuko plug and socket annotated.png|180px|thumb|Power plug and socket used in South Korea]] South Korean households and hotels use the same dual round sockets for their electrical outlets as most of Continental Europe. Some hotels may provide an adapter for you to use; ask for one at the reception desk. South Korean electrical outlets accept appliances with a voltage rating of 220&nbsp;V at 60&nbsp;Hz. If your appliance has this rating that includes 220&nbsp;V (Such as 100-240&nbsp;V that most laptop chargers now accept), you will be able to use the appliance with only a plug adapter. If it falls below or above this rating, you must purchase a transformer or a voltage adapter before leaving your country. Some very old buildings and very new hotels and apartments are dual wired and have 110&nbsp;V outlets (identifiable by the smaller dual flat sockets) and the regular South Korean variety, built specifically to accommodate the Japanese and Americans. ===Read=== A long and complicated relationship between the Western world and the South Korean nation has led to a plethora of literature on the country. Books focused on Korean history: *''Battle for Korea: The Associated Press History of the Korean Conflict'' by Robert J. Dvorchak (1993) &mdash; Great journalistic photography accompanied by short descriptive narratives *''Korea Old and New: A History'' by Carter Eckert and Lee Ki-Baik (1991) &mdash; Simply stated writing, good overview of Korea's history *''Korea Witness: 135 Years of War, Crisis and New in the Land of the Morning Calm'' by Donald Kirk and Choe Sang Hun (2006) &mdash; Compilation of articles from foreign correspondents starting from 1871, notably from Jack London, a war correspondent from 1903&ndash;'04 *''True Stories of the Korean Comfort Women'' by Keith Howard (1996) &mdash; Unflinching look at the atrocities committed during the Imperial Japanese occupation period Books about Korean culture: *''The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies'' by Michael Breen (1999) &mdash; Anecdotal accounts and insights of a British journalist on the country he spends half the year in; informative and entertaining *''Social Change in Korea'' published by Jimoondang (2008) &mdash; Compilation of articles written by academic experts on Korea *''The Discovery of Korea: History-Nature-Cultural Heritages-Art-Tradition-Cities'' by Yoo Myeong-jong (2005) &mdash; Amazing scenic views on Korea ===Watch=== South Korea has a substantial film industry, considering the size of the country. Many films can give you a good background to the country, and almost all DVDs will have good English subtitles. The list below could include hundreds of films. However, the selection below will give you a good taste. *''Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War'' (태극기 휘날리며) &mdash; A story of two brothers serving as soldiers during the Korean War. *''Joint Security Area'' (공동경비구역) &mdash; A rather haunting movie about soldiers on opposite sides of the Demilitarized Zone who strike up a tenuous friendship. *''May 18'' (화려한 휴가) &mdash; Until 1987, South Korea was effectively a military dictatorship. This film is a historical drama set during the infamous [[Gwangju]] massacre when military dictator Chun Doo-hwan ordered the shooting of protesters in that city. *''5th Republic'' (제5공화국) &mdash; Another history TV drama covering Chun Doo-hwan's rise to power and administration. The drama portrays historical figures at that time well, and some scenes and quotes have since became memetic in neighbouring countries. *''Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring'' &mdash; A film set completely at an isolated lake in the mountains, which shows each season as a stage in the lives of a Buddhist monk and his adopted boy. *''Secret Sunshine'' (밀양) &mdash; A contemporary film about the nature of forgiveness set in the country town of [[Miryang]]. *''My Sassy Girl'' (엽기적인 그녀) &mdash; Romantic comedy that is often seen as a quintessential Korean movie experience, and especially well regarded by people from other Asian countries. *''The Host'' (괴물) &mdash; Monster horror film around the lives of a family in [[Seoul]]. A lot of footage of the Han river that flows through the middle of the city. *''Parasite'' (기생충) &mdash; Multi-award winning film tackling themes of class in Korea. ==Talk== [[Image:Sign Hangul.JPG|thumb|240px|Handwritten ''hangul'' in an advertisement]] {{seealso|Korean phrasebook}} South Koreans speak '''[[Korean phrasebook|Korean]]''', and knowing a few words of this will come in very handy. The language is rather drastically different from any Western language in its grammar, and pronunciation is rather difficult for the English speaker to get right (though not tonal). Depending on which part of the country you go to, different dialects are spoken, though standard Korean, which is based on the Seoul dialect, is understood and spoken by almost everyone. Most notably among the dialects, the '''Gyeongsang dialect''' spoken around [[Busan]] and [[Daegu]] is considered to be rather rough and aggressive compared to standard Korean, and the '''Jeju dialect''' spoken on [[Jeju]] Island is known for being almost incomprehensible to speakers of standard Korean. {{infobox|Differences between North and South Korean|Despite over 70 years of separation, the Korean language in both North Korea and South Korea is fundamentally the same. The main differences are the large number of English words that South Koreans have borrowed, whereas North Korean uses indigenous or Russian derived words instead. Descriptions of political and social structures are also entirely different as a direct result of the different ideological directions of both countries.}} The Korean writing system is deceptively simple. Although it looks at first glance to be as complex as Chinese or Japanese, it is a unique and simple alphabetic writing system called '''hangul''' (한글 ''hangeul'') where letters are stacked up into blocks that represent syllables. It was designed by a committee and look like simple lines, boxes, and little circles, but it is remarkably consistent, logical, and quick to pick up. A royal document from 1446 describing hangul said that "A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over; a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days." Learning to read hangul before you arrive in Korea will make traveling easier, as many signs and menus are written in hangul only. Further, the Korean words for many common products are often English loan words, but will be written in hangul, such as 주스 (''juseu'', "juice") or 컴퓨터 (''keompyuteo'', "computer"). If you can read hangul, you'll find surviving in Korea surprisingly easy. Many Korean words can also be written with much more complex Chinese characters, known as ''hanja'' (한자, 漢字) in Korean, and these are still occasionally mixed into text but are increasingly few and far between. Nowadays, hanja are mainly used for disambiguation if the meaning is ambiguous when written in hangul; in such instances, the hanja is usually written in parentheses next to the hangul. Hanja is also used to mark Korean chess pieces, newspaper headlines, and personal names on official documents. The transliteration of Korean words in Roman letters can be quite inconsistent, so don't be too surprised to see adjacent signs for ''Gwangalli'' and ''Kwanganri'' &mdash; it's the same place. In 2000, the government standardized the Revised Romanization system also used in Wikivoyage, but you will frequently encounter older McCune–Reischauer spellings and just plain weird spellings. Notably, words beginning with ''g'', ''d'', ''b'', ''j'' may be spelled with ''k'', ''t'', ''p'', ''ch'' instead, and the vowels ''eo '' and ''eu'' may be spelled ''o'' and ''u''. The letters ''l'', ''r'' and ''n'' also get swapped often, and the vowels ''i'' and ''u'' are sometimes written as ''ee'' and ''oo'' respectively. In foreign words imported into Korean, ''f'' turns into ''p'', so don't be too surprised by a cup of ''keopi'' ("coffee") or a round of ''golpeu'' ("golf"). Most South Koreans have taken '''English''' lessons as part of their education. However, due to lack of practice (and fear of mispronunciation), outside of major tourist attractions, hotels, and establishments catering specifically for foreigners, it is rare to find locals conversant in English. Reading and writing generally comes much easier. Many employees at airlines, hotels, and stores catering to international tourists are likely to speak at least basic English. A typical experience for Western travelers in South Korea is to be approached by children interested in practicing their English skills. They will often take a picture of you for their school class as proof that they really talked to you. Older folks may also still speak some [[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]]. The city of [[Busan]], being a short trip from [[Fukuoka]] in Japan, has more Japanese speakers per capita, and the dialect in Busan is more similar to Japanese in the same way that the Japanese dialect in Fukuoka also has a large Korean influence. However, many Koreans (especially older ones) still resent the Japanese for the atrocities committed during the occupation, so try not to address a Korean in Japanese unless you have no other choice. Thanks to the Korean Wave (''hallyu'') of Korean pop music and soap operas throughout East Asia, many shopkeepers in touristy areas speak some Japanese, Mandarin, or Cantonese. '''Korean Sign Language''' (한국 수화 언어 ''Hanguk Suhwa Eoneo'', or just 수화 ''suhwa'', "signing") is an official language of South Korea since 2016, equal in status with spoken Korean. It is mutually intelligible with Japanese and Taiwanese Sign Languages, but not with Chinese Sign Language, Auslan, American Sign Language, or others. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|All travelers. regardless of vaccination status, must take a PCR test for COVID-19 within 48 hours of departure or a supervised antigen test within 24 hours of departure to South Korea with a confirmed negative result in Korean or English. You must also register the test result & your entry using the ''[https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/biz/beffatstmnt/main.do Q-CODE system]'' and show the QR code upon arrival. All travelers must then take another PCR test within 1 day of arrival, and be recommended to do a rapid test within 6-7 days of arrival. For all short-term visitors arriving at Incheon, Gimhae and Jeju airports until 9 September 2022, PCR testing will be conducted upon arrival; such tests can be booked ahead using ''Q-CODE'' to save time. In addition to the above requirements, '''eligible travelers must still apply for a visa or K-ETA before travel''' (see below for more details).|lastedit=2022-08-22}} [[File:Visa policy of South Korea.svg|thumb|450px|Visa policy of South Korea{{legend|#ee161f|South Korea}} {{legend|#0b6628|Visa-free - 180 days}} {{legend|#1cb34b|Visa-free - 90 days}}{{legend|#b6e717|Visa-free - 60 days}}{{legend|#d9ec8a|Visa-free - 30 days}}{{legend|#adadad|Visa required}}]] === Entry requirements === *Citizens of [[Canada]] are allowed visa free entry for up to 180 days. *Citizens of the European Union (except [[Cyprus]], [[Portugal]], and French territory of [[New Caledonia]]), [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Australia]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Dominica]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Ecuador]], [[Egypt]], [[El Salvador]], [[Grenada]], [[Guatemala]], [[Haiti]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Iceland]], [[Israel]], [[Jamaica]], [[Japan]], [[Liberia]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Macau]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mexico]], [[Morocco]], [[New Zealand]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Norway]], [[Panama]], [[Peru]], [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Serbia]], [[Singapore]], [[Suriname]], [[Switzerland]], [[Taiwan]], [[Thailand]], [[Turkey]], the [[United States]]/[[American Samoa]] (Except [[Guam]]), [[Uruguay]], and [[Venezuela]] can visit visa free for up to 90 days. *Citizens from [[Lesotho]], [[Portugal]], and [[Russia]] can visit visa free for up to 60 days. *Citizens of [[Albania]], [[Andorra]], [[Argentina]], [[Bahrain]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Brunei]], [[Cyprus]], [[Eswatini]], [[Fiji]], [[Guam]], [[Guyana]], [[Honduras]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kiribati]], [[Kuwait]], the [[Marshall Islands]], [[Mauritius]], [[Monaco]], [[Montenegro]], [[Federated States of Micronesia|F.S. Micronesia]], [[Nauru]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Oman]], [[Palau]], [[Paraguay]], [[Qatar]], [[Samoa]], [[San Marino]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Seychelles]], [[South Africa]], [[Tonga]], [[Tunisia]], [[Tuvalu]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[Vatican City]] can stay visa free for up to 30 days. Those arriving from a country or territory with visa-free arrangements '''must use the [https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do K-ETA electronic travel authorization system]''' at least 72 hours before departure to South Korea. The electronic travel authorization costs ₩10,000 and is valid for two years. '''[[Jeju]]''' is an autonomous province with more relaxed entry conditions than the South Korean mainland, allowing visa-free entry for everybody ''except'' citizens of [[Afghanistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Cameroon]], [[Cuba]], [[Egypt]], [[Gambia]], [[Ghana]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Kosovo]], [[Myanmar]], [[Nepal]], [[Nigeria]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Palestine]], [[Pakistan]], [[Senegal]], [[Somalia]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Sudan]], [[Syria]], [[Uzbekistan]], and [[Yemen]] for up to 30 days. Subsequently leaving Jeju for the mainland will require you to have a visa for the rest of South Korea. South Korean immigration no longer stamps passports. Instead, visitors are given an entry slip with their terms of entry, and their entry and exit are recorded electronically. South Korea is really good at keeping electronic track of everyone coming and going, so do not overstay your visa. Violations will, at best, likely result in you being banned from re-entering, and prosecution is a possibility. Military personnel traveling under the U.S.–South Korea Status of Forces Agreement are not required to possess a passport for entry, provided they hold a copy of their travel orders and a military ID. Their dependents, however, must have a passport and A-3 visa. Most foreigners staying longer than 90 days must register with the authorities within 90 days of entry and obtain an Alien Registration Card. Contact your local authorities for further information. The Korean Immigration Service collects the biometric data (digital photos and fingerprints) of foreign visitors at ports of entry (international airports and seaports). Entry will be denied if any of these procedures is refused. Children under the age of 17 and foreign government and international organization officials and their accompanying immediate family members are exempt from this requirement. ===By plane=== South Korea has many international airports; however, only a few have scheduled services. South Korea has experienced an airport building frenzy over the last decade. Many large towns have dedicated functioning airports that handle only a handful of flights a week. *'''[[Incheon International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|ICN}}), about 1 hour west of [[Seoul]], is the country's largest airport and is served by many international airlines. There are many options for flying there from locations throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and even routes to South America and Africa. It is also frequently rated as "the best run and best designed airport in the world". There are direct inter-city buses that travel from just outside the international arrival hall to many locations throughout South Korea. The airport has a metro line (express AREX 43 min and all-stop subway 56 min) that goes directly to both Seoul&ndash;Gimpo airport and Seoul Station. * Seoul's '''Gimpo Airport''' ({{IATA|GMP}}) offers domestic flights to most South Korean cities, and the international "city shuttle" services from Tokyo&ndash;Haneda, Beijing, Shanghai&ndash;Hongqiao and Taipei&ndash;Songshan are quite convenient. It is more centrally located to Seoul than Incheon. You can connect from Incheon airport either by train or by limousine bus. *[[Busan]]'s '''[[Gimhae International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|PUS}}) has international connections from East and Southeast Asia, as well as Vladivostok, Guam, and Saipan. Gimhae also has a few flights a day directly to/from [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul&ndash;Incheon]], which is much more convenient than changing to Seoul&ndash;Gimpo airport after a long international flight. This service is intended for connecting passengers only and cannot be booked separately. The airport has a light rail line connecting Gimhae and West Busan. *'''[[Jeju]]''' ({{IATA|CJU}}) has flights from many South Korean cities and international flights from Kuala Lumpur and major Taiwanese, Japanese, and Chinese cities. The Seoul (Gimpo)&mdash;Jeju route is the busiest flight corridor in the world, and the island is well-served from other Korean airports. * Airports at [[Daegu]], Muan (close to [[Gwangju]] and [[Mokpo]]), [[Cheongju]] (close to [[Daejeon]] and Sejong), [[Yangyang]] also have international connections to major Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese airports. Flag carrier '''[https://www.koreanair.com Korean Air]''' (대한항공 ''Daehan Hanggong'') and '''[http://kr.flyasiana.com/C/en/main.do Asiana] ''' (아시아나 항공 ''Asiana Hanggong'') are the principal full-service carriers from South Korea that fly around the world. Korean airlines' safety records have improved dramatically since the 1990s, and they are now just as safe as any Western airline. Several low-cost airlines offer domestic flights to Jeju from every airport in South Korea and international flights across Asia. ===By train=== Although there is a train track connecting the Korail network with [[North Korea]] and a Korail station on the border, there is no train service. They are a political statement rather than a travel option. ===By boat=== The services listed here may change frequently, and English language websites may not be updated with the current information. Verify before traveling. [[File:JR Beetle2 2009.jpg|thumbnail|The Beetle hydrofoil from Japan]] [[Busan]]'s '''[http://www.busanpa.com/eng/Contents.do?mCode=MN0035 International Passenger Terminal]''' is the largest seaport in the country and offers ferry rides mostly to and from Japan. Two services run from Fukuoka to Busan, with the [http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/english/ JR Beetle] hydrofoil service managing the trip in just under three hours several times per day and the [http://www.koreaferry.kr/eng/ New Camelia] in 5.5 hours daily. All other links are slower overnight ferries, such as [http://www.pukwan.co.kr/ Pukwan Ferry Company]'s services from [[Shimonoseki]]. A Busan&ndash;[[Osaka]] ferry is operated by [http://panstarline.com Panstar Line Co., Ltd.]. There are also multiple services from nearby [[Tsushima]]. [[Incheon]]'s '''[http://www.icferry.or.kr/ International Ferry Terminal]''' (연안부두 ''Yeonan Budu'') has services from several cities in China, such as [[Weihai]], [[Dandong]], [[Qingdao]] and [[Tianjin]]. The largest operator is '''[http://www.jinchon.co.kr/ Jinchon]''', but Incheon Port has [https://www.icpa.or.kr/eng/ full listings on their website]. [[Pyeongtaek]] Port has several connections to cities in Shandong province, as well as cargo hopping options. There are multiple operators, but information is provided in the [https://www.pyeongtaek.go.kr/en/contents.do?mId=0503000000 port authority's website]. [[Gunsan]] '''International Passenger Terminal''' has daily ferry connections from Shidao in [[Shandong|Shandong province]] ([https://www.shidaoferry.com:450/ Korean website]). There are also weekly departures from [[Vladivostok]] and [[Sakaiminato]] to [[Donghae]] operated by [http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/main/main.asp DBS Cruise Ferry Co]. ===By land=== Due to the political and military situation with North Korea, '''entering South Korea overland is not possible'''. The border between North and South Korea is considered the most heavily fortified border in the world, and while some unauthorized crossings have occurred at the truce village of [[Panmunjeom]], an attempt to cross the border anywhere would risk your life and the lives of soldiers on both sides. ==Get around== South Korea is fairly compact, and you can get almost anywhere very fast by train. Boats and planes can get you to Jeju - the Seoul-Jeju route being the busiest air route in the world. Subways are available in most of the cities, including metropolitan Seoul. Larger cities have service or are developing subways. Travel by bus or taxi is readily available, although bus services are more economical. Because of stringent national security laws that mandate navigation processing be done on local servers, '''Google Maps does not give driving or walking directions in South Korea'''; it can also be not up to date for some regions, lacking information on recent infrastructure changes like bridges and such. The most common software used by locals are '''[https://map.naver.com/ Naver Map]''' and '''[https://www.kakaocorp.com/service/KakaoMap?lang=en KakaoMap]'''. While (as of 2020) their desktop versions are only available in Korean. Since the late 2010s, their mobile app versions are also available in English. They are very similar, and you can just read some reviews comparing those two if you query google for [https://www.google.com/search?q=comparison+kakao+map+naver+map comparison kakao map naver map]. ===Smart cards=== [[Seoul]]'s public transportation smart card is known as '''[https://www.t-money.co.kr/ncs/pct/tmnyintd/ReadFrgnKoreaTourCardEngIntd.dev T-money]''' (티머니 ''Ti-meoni'') card. This can be used on many local buses and subways throughout the country and some taxis. Fares and transfers up to 30 minutes are calculated automatically; tap on and tap off when riding on buses and trains. (In some buses in the countryside, you only need to tap on; watch locals to see what they do.) It even gives you a ₩100 discount on bus and subway rides, which is even more reason to use it. The card costs ₩4,000; it can be purchased at convenience stores displaying the T-money logo and at ticket vending machines in subway stations. You can get back your credit in cash afterward, less a ₩500 fee. Some retail shops may also accept payment by T-money. T-money is also usable on the public transportation systems in many other cities, so it is a good option for traveling around South Korea. Other cities may have their own public transportation smart cards as well, such as [[Busan]]'s '''[https://www.busanhanaro.com/ Hanaro Card]'''. Unlike T-money, these cards are often not usable outside their respective metropolitan areas, making them somewhat less useful for visitors unless you plan to only stay within that area. ===By plane=== [[File:Korean Air B737-86N (HL7556) at Daegu International Airport.jpg|thumbnail|right|Korean Air at Daegu airport]] South Korea is a relatively small country with a fast and efficient train service, so flying is not the fastest way to get places unless you are going to the island of [[Jeju]]. Nevertheless, plenty of airlines fly between the main cities at rates comparable to the KTX train. Most flights are with '''[http://www.koreanair.com/ Korean Air]''' or '''[http://www.flyasiana.com/ Asiana]''', however many new options exist with budget airlines such as '''[http://www.twayair.com T'way Air]''', '''[http://www.airbusan.com Air Busan]''', '''[https://www.eastarjet.com/ Eastar Jet]''', '''[http://www.jinair.com Jin Air]''' and '''[http://www.jejuair.net/ Jeju Air]''' (which despite the name also serves the busy Seoul&ndash;Gimpo to Busan route). Service is similar between full service and low-cost airlines on domestic flights; low-cost airlines offer free soft drinks and 15&nbsp;kg of checked luggage. ===By train=== [[Image:KTX-I Daejeon Station.jpg|240px|thumb|KTX train at Daejeon Station]] [[File:Mugunghwa-ho.jpg|thumb|Mugunghwa-ho]] National train operator '''[http://www.korail.go.kr Korail]''' ('''KR''') connects major cities in South Korea. A large amount of money has been plowed into the network, and trains are now competitive with buses and planes on speed and price, with high safety standards and a good deal of comfort. South Korea's flagship service is the high speed '''[[High-speed rail in South Korea|Korea Train eXpress]]''' ('''KTX''') with services from [[Seoul]] to [[Busan]], [[Yeosu]], [[Mokpo]], [[Masan]], and [[Gangneung]] (with new services opening all the time). The trains use French TGV technology and Korean technology to travel at more than 300&nbsp;km/h. The fastest non-stop trains travel between Busan and Seoul in just over two hours. There are vending machines on board that serve drinks and snacks and earphones, and cell phone chargers. <div style="float:right; margin-left:15px; margin-right:15px; text-align:center"> {| class="wikitable" |+ Seoul to Busan by train |- ! Type !! Time !! Price |- | KTX First Class || 2-2½ hr || ₩83,700 |- | KTX Standard || 2-2½ hr || ₩59,800 |- | ''ITX-Saemaeul'' (express) || 4 hr 45 min || ₩42,600 |- | ''Mugunghwa'' (semi-express) || 5½ hr || ₩28,600 |- |colspan=3|<small>All prices off-peak (M-Th), small surcharges apply for peak (F-Su)</small> |} </div> Non-KTX trains are poetically ranked as ''ITX-Saemaeul'' (ITX-새마을, "New Village"), ''Mugunghwa'' (무궁화, "Rose of Sharon", which is the national flower of Korea) and ''Tonggeun'' (통근, "commuter"), corresponding roughly to express, semi-express and local commuter services. All ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains can travel at up to 150&nbsp;km/h. ITX-Saemaeul trains are a little pricier than buses, while Mugunghwa are about 30% cheaper. However, ITX-Saemaeul trains are incredibly comfortable, having seats comparable to business class seats on airplanes. Since the introduction of the KTX, there are much fewer ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa services, but they are worth trying out. Tonggeun are cheapest of all, but long-distance, unairconditioned services have been phased out, and they're now limited to short regional commuter services in [[Gwangju]]. Also, there is a ''ITX-Cheongchun'' service between [[Seoul]] and [[Chuncheon]]. It's a special version of ITX at that line. Saemaeul and some Mugunghwa trains are equipped with power plugs on laptop seats. Smoking is not permitted on any Korean trains or stations (including open platforms). Tickets are much cheaper than in Japan but more expensive than other Asian countries — although the damage can be lowered by traveling on local trains rather than KTX. Buying tickets is fairly easy: self-service terminals accepting cash and credit cards are in multiple languages and are very simple to use. Station staff can usually speak basic English. Most stations are clean, modern, and have good signposting in Korean and English, and compared to China or Japan, Korea's rail system is very user-friendly. Pre-booking any train tickets a day prior (be they KTX, ''ITX-Saemaeul'', or ''Mugunghwa'') is recommended for weekend trips, as all trains can be booked up for hours on end. On Sunday in particular, all but local trains may regularly be completely booked up. If you don't reserve tickets in advance when departing busy hubs such as Seoul or Busan, you may see your options reduced to "unallocated seating" on the slowest local trains (sitting on the floor in the un-air-conditioned space ''between'' carriages, or standing in the toilet for much of the trip). You are, however, free to sit on any seat that seems free until someone with the ticket to that seat shows up. If you are confident in your Korean, you can ask to reserve seats on available sections and travel standing up the rest of the way. There are also tourist many trains that let you go to rural and scenic parts of Korea. [[Seoul]] also has an extensive commuter train network that smoothly interoperates with the massive subway system, and [[Busan]], [[Daejeon]], [[Daegu]], [[Gwangju]] and [[Incheon]] also have subway services. ====Korail Pass==== The '''[http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do Korail Pass]''' is a rail pass only for non-resident foreigners staying less than six months in Korea, allowing unlimited travel for a set period on any Korail train (including KTX) and including free seat reservation. The pass is ''not'' valid for first-class or sleeping cars, but you can upgrade for half the price if you wish. The pass must be purchased '''at least five days before travel''' (preferably before arrival in Korea). It's not cheap as it needs a substantial amount of travel (e.g., Seoul–Busan round trip) to pay off and severe limitations on usage apply during Korean holidays and peak travel periods, including Lunar New Year and ''Chuseok''. Prices as of May 2015 are for a 1-day pass ₩66,900, 3-day ₩93,100, 5-day ₩139,700, 7-day ₩168,400, and 10-day ₩194,400, with discounts for youth (age 13–25), students and groups. Joint '''KR/JR Passes''' between Korea and Japan also exist, however, considering how much of a discount the [[Rail travel in Japan#Japan Rail Pass|JR Pass]] offers, and how strikingly little the KR Pass does by comparison, it usually makes sense to just get the JR Pass. ====Rail cruises==== Korail Tourism Development provides a [[rail cruise]] called ''[http://www.korailtravel.com/en/Goods/pten_index.asp?PageUrl=PackageTours_04 Haerang]'', which enables the customers to travel to all the major sightseeing destinations in Korea with just one [[Tourist trains|luxury train]] ride. ===By bus=== [[File:Chunil Express Universe Xpress Noble.jpg|thumb|Express Bus]] [[File:Express Bus(Excellence Seating) Interior.jpg|thumb|Interior of Udeung buses]] Buses (버스 ''beoseu'') remain the main mode of national transport, connecting all cities and towns. They're frequent, punctual, and fast, sometimes dangerously so, so fasten the belts you'll often find in the seats. Korean buses don’t have toilets, and rest stops are not standard on trips of less than 2 hours, so think twice about that bottle of tea at the terminal. Unlike trains, bus terminal staff and drivers are less likely to speak or understand English, and even signage is often only in Korean. Having your destination written down in ''hangul'' will be helpful. There is a somewhat pointless division of long-distance buses into '''express buses''' (고속버스 ''gosok beoseu''), which use toll expressways and are thus slightly faster but also more expensive, and '''intercity buses''' (시외버스 ''si-oe beoseu''), which are a bit slower but go more places. Timetables, fares and tickets are available on their respective websites, which are [https://www.kobus.co.kr/main.do Kobus] and [https://txbuse.t-money.co.kr/ TxBus] respectively. Whichever one you pick, you'll need to choose in advance, since in larger cities they depart from different terminals. For additional comfort, look for ''udeung'' buses (우등 버스, glossed "Excellent" on the Kobus website) which have just three seats across instead of the usual four; these cost about 50% extra. However, some intercity buses use ''udeung'' buses without extra fares on highly competitive lines such as Seoul&ndash;Andong routes. In addition, local '''inner-city bus''' (시내버스 ''si-nae beoseu'') networks often connect directly neighboring cities, and Incheon Airport has its own dedicated network of [https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/tpt/busRouteList.do airport limousine buses]. ===By boat=== Ferry boats surround the peninsula and shuttle out to Korea's many islands. The main ports include [[Incheon]], [[Mokpo]], [[Pohang]], and [[Busan]]. The most popular destinations are [[Jeju]] and [[Ulleungdo]]. There is a daily service from Busan to Jeju. There are mostly undiscovered and scenic islands near [[Incheon]] that can seem almost deserted. ===By car=== An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be used to drive around South Korea. In general, road conditions are good in South Korea, and directional signs are in both Korean and English. Car rental rates start from ₩54,400/day for the smallest car with a week's rental. South Korea drives on the right in left-hand-drive cars. South Korea also follows the American practice of allowing cars to turn right at red lights as long as they (in theory) yield to pedestrians. In contrast, '''left turns on green lights are ''illegal''''' unless there is a blue sign pointing left saying 비보호 or green left arrow. If you are traveling in the big cities, especially Seoul or Busan, driving is not recommended as the roads often experience heavy traffic jams, and parking is expensive and difficult to find. Many drivers tend to get reckless under such conditions, weaving in and out of traffic. Drivers often try to speed past traffic lights when they are about to turn red, and several cars (including fully-loaded public transit buses) will typically run through lights after they have turned red, whether pedestrians are in the crosswalk or not. Koreans consider driving rules as guidelines only and don't expect to be punished for parking illegally or cutting through a red light. This means that if you want to drive, you will need to do so '''assertively''' by pushing yourself into an intersection and forcing other cars to yield. A GPS is highly recommended while navigating Seoul or Busan. Lanes end or turn into bus lanes with little to no warning, and it may not always be obvious where turns are allowed. A good rule of thumb is to '''stay in the middle lane''' as cars will often illegally park in the right lane while the left lane will become a turning lane with little warning. ===By taxi=== [[File:20110913 kia lotze taxi 01.jpg|thumbnail|Typical Korean Taxi]] Taxis are convenient, if a somewhat pricey way of getting around the cities, and are sometimes the only practical way of reaching a place. Even in the major cities, you are extremely unlikely to get an English-speaking taxi driver, so it will be necessary to have the name of your destination written in Korean to show your taxi driver. Likewise, get your hotel's business card to show the taxi driver in case you get lost. Although doing so is illegal, cab drivers, particularly the cheaper white cabs on busy Friday or Saturday nights, may deny service to short-distance fares. A very handy technique to counter this is to have your destination (hotel name, or the district (구 ''gu'') and neighborhood (동 ''dong''), in Korean of course) written in thick black ink on a large A4 sheet of paper and hold it to the traffic. Passing cab drivers responding to long-distance call outs, or with space in their cab in addition to an existing fare in that direction will often pick you up en route. In particular, when hailing a cab, ensure you follow the local custom and wave it over with your hand extended but all your fingers extended '''downwards''' and beckoning as opposed to upwards in the Western fashion (this style is reserved for animals). ==See== [[File:Korea-Boseong-Green.tea-02.jpg|thumb|Tea fields in Boseong]] [[File:Seomyeon, Busan.jpg|thumb|Busan by night]] [[File:Korea-Andong-Hahoe Folk Village-Man in hanbok drinking-01.jpg|thumb|A village man drinking tea in Hahoe Folk Village]] Asian tourists have long discovered South Korea as a prime shopping, culinary and sightseeing destination. It is a relatively new travel destination for the western world, but it has gained popularity fast. And for good reason, as South Korea offers a most pleasant combination of ancient Asian features and all the amenities you would expect from a modern, high-tech nation. Despite its compact size, it boasts a broad range of fine attractions, and excellent infrastructure makes getting around easy. * '''[[Seoul]]''' Most journeys begin in the nation's capital that never sleeps. This ancient place has seen centuries and wars come and go but seems to have come out stronger than ever. Popularly called the "Miracle on the Han River", it's one of the largest metropolitan economies in the world. It's the country's industrial epicenter, the birthplace of K-pop, a hotspot for South-Korean nightlife and fine dining and home to countless museums. The fabulous history and art collection of the '''National Museum of Korea''' (국립중앙박물관) reigns supreme and a visit there is a day well spent. The city has been rediscovering its historical treasures and improving city parks, adding to its charm. Downtown Seoul, where the '''old Joseon Dynasty city''' was, is where you'll find most of the '''palaces''', '''Gyeongbokgung''' (경복궁), '''Changdeokgung''' (창덕궁) and '''Gwanghwamun''' (광화문). It is surrounded by a '''Fortress Wall''', with the famous '''Namdaemun''', one of the eight gates, being perhaps the main attraction. The '''Banpo bridge''' (반포대교) turns into beautiful colours at night, and the '''Yeouido Island''' (여의도), apart from the famous 63 Building has splendid parks for rollerblading/biking. Other sights are the '''Secret Garden''' (비원), '''Seodaemun''' (서대문), or the '''Seoul Tower''' (서울타워) accompanied by the famous Teddy Bear Museum. To get away from the buzz, follow the locals to '''Cheonggyecheon''' (청계천), one of the urban renewal projects and a popular public recreation space, or enjoy an afternoon tea in a traditional teahouse in '''Insadong'''. * '''[[Busan]]''' is the country's second city and most significant port. Called the nation's summer capital, Koreans flock to this city's fine beaches, seafood restaurants and festivals. '''[[Haeundae]]''' beach (해운대) in Busan is the most famous in the country, with an atmosphere is comparable to southern France or California in the summer. * '''[[DMZ (Korea)|Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)]]''' On July 27th 1953, The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established as a cease-fire agreement with a boundary area of 2km between North and South Koreas. '''[[Panmunjeom]]''' aka Joint Security Area ('''JSA''') is the ‘truce village’ of the DMZ where tourists can view North and South Korea without much hostility. Here you can also enter one of the buildings that are located on the border aka Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which means you can actually cross into the North when entering those buildings. The border is indicated by a line where North and South Korean soldiers face each other coldly. The tour includes the nearby bridge of no return that used to be the main controlled crossing point between the countries. Also, the '''Third Tunnel of Aggression''', created by North Korea (1.7 km long, 2 m high and about 73m below ground), was discovered in 1978. This tunnel is not more than an hour or 44 km away from Seoul. * '''[[Seoul/North|Bukhansan]]''' is just a stone's throw north of Seoul and one of the most visited national parks in the world. Some 836 meters high, Mount Bukhansan is a major landmark visible from large parts of the city and the park is home to the beautiful '''Bukhansanseong Fortress'''. The popular hike to get up there is well worth it, as you'll be rewarded with great views of the metropolis. The country has over 20 national parks, mostly mountainous such as [[Seoraksan National Park]], but some also focus on marine and coastal nature. The lush green '''tea fields of [[Boseong]]''' offer an equally nice and peaceful get-a-way. * '''[[Jeju|Jeju Island]]''' If you don't mind the crowds, this volcanic and semi-tropical island offers a spectacular scenery and numerous natural sights, a relaxing and warm (especially in winter) atmosphere and plenty of activities. Don't miss the '''Lava tubes''', '''Seongsan Ilchubong''', '''Loveland''', and South Korea's highest mountain '''Hallasan''' (1,950 m). * '''[[North Jeolla|Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites]]''' is a World Heritage and home to a significant part of all the dolmen in the world. Apart from the impressive megalithic stones, it has brought forward a highly important collection of archaeological finds. * '''[[Gyeongju]]''' Once the nation's capital, it boasts numerous royal burial and World Heritage cultural sites, as well as relaxing resorts. * '''Folk villages''' If you'd like to see a bit of Korean folklore, '''Hahoe Folk Village''' near [[Andong]], [[Yangdong]], the living museum-like '''Korean Folk Village''' in [[Yongin]] or '''Hanok Village''' in [[Jeonju]] are among the best. * '''Festivals''' Korea is a country of festivals. No matter where you go, there's likely something happening close by. Watching or even joining in the bustling celebrations is often a fabulous and colorful experience. The '''[[Boryeong|Boryeong Mud Festival]]''' (보령머드축제) is a popular pick, when participants drench themselves in mud and take part in everything from mud wrestling to body painting. The nearby beach becomes something of a party apocalypse. * '''National Treasures''' South Korea retains multiple state-owned intangible treasures, which make them popular tourist attractions. ====Traditional arts==== Korea was traditionally home to two types of theatre: '''talchum''' (탈춤) and '''pansori''' (판소리). Talchum is a traditional type of dance performed by people wearing masks, often accompanied with singing. It originated in Hwanghae province in what is now North Korea, though it has since spread around the country. Traditional Hwanghae-style talchum is also performed in the South, often by North Korean refugees and their descendants. Pansori is a type of musical storytelling involving a storyteller and a drummer, with the storyteller usually expected to use their voices and facial expressions for dramatic effect. Following contact with Western styles of drama, pansori evolved into '''changgeuk''' (창극) in the early 20th century, which is essentially Korean opera, with actors and an accompanying orchestra. '''''Gisaeng''''' (기생) or ''kisaeng'' are the Korean equivalent of the Japanese geisha (or more accurately, courtesans known as ''oiran''), and were historically sex workers trained in the arts of poetry, calligraphy and music, entertaining clients with their skills and conversation. While the tradition has largely died out in modern South Korea, ''gisaeng'' are often featured in Korean historical dramas, and many of their traditional arts are now being revived. ==Do== [[File:Taekkyeon-taekkyon-01.jpg|thumbnail|Taekkyeon, one of Korea's older martial arts]] For a definite list of activities refer to individual cities. However, some of the best ones are: *'''Hiking''' With the country being covered in mountains, Korea is a fantastic destination with numerous [http://koreaclimbs.blogspot.kr hiking opportunities]. Try [[Jirisan National Park|Jirisan]] (지리산), [[Seoraksan National Park|Seoraksan]] (설악산) or go to South Korea's highest peak, the dormant volcano [[Hallasan]] on [[Jeju]] island. They offer great views, 1- to 3-day tracks, English sign posts/maps, huts (most of them heated), and can be organized easily. In autumn the leaves turn into beautiful colours, so the best seasons to go there are autumn and spring. *'''[[#Jjimjilbang|Jjimjilbang]]''' Koreans love saunas! If you can get past everyone being naked, then this is an excellent way to feel refreshed after a hard day sightseeing. Even small towns will have one. They can also be used to stay overnight — this is especially convenient if you missed to make a reservation for an accommodation, everything is full or you are looking for a cheap accommodation. Weekends are extremely busy with families. *'''Hot springs''' In common with their Japanese and Taiwanese neighbors, Koreans love their hot springs (온천, 溫泉 ''oncheon''), and resorts can be found throughout the country. Etiquette usually require bathers to be nude. Many places also have saunas connected. *'''Snowboarding/Skiing''' The [[Gangwon]] province offers ski decent opportunities in winter, which is very beautiful when it snows. See the [[Seoul]] guide for close to the city destinations, which you can reach by free public (ski) bus within 90 minutes. * '''Eat''' Perhaps you have had Korean BBQ in your home country. The reality of Korean food is so much more diverse and tasty. Try something new delicious every each day! (Seafood, meat or vegetarian) * '''Winter surfing''' Owing to local tidal conditions, the best surf is in the winter! [[Pohang]] and [[Busan]] are two places you can try this * '''Karaoke/Singing Rooms''' Noraebang (노래방) is the same as Japanese Karaoke palors, popular and hard to miss wherever you go in metropolitan cities. * '''[[Martial arts]]''' Learn martial arts such as the famous Taekwondo (태권도), Hapkido (합기도), and the dance-like martial art Taekkyeon (택견). You can also go and watch a competition or performance — for instance cultural festivals may feature traditional martial arts. * '''Temple Stay''' Spend a few days meditating and learning about Buddhism at a Korean monastery. * '''Water amusement parks''' are plentiful in the Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, such as Caribbean Bay in [[Yongin]], Ocean World in Hongcheon, with a more Ancient Egyptian setting, and Ocean 700 in Pyeongchang. Tourists and locals usually go there in the summer. * '''Yeondeunghoe''' is a traditional festival held during Buddha's birthday when the streets are hung with colorful lotus lanterns and can also involve celebratory parades. * The board game [[Go]], called ''baduk'' in Korean, is quite common and several of the world's top professional players are Korean. ===Sports=== '''Baseball''' was brought to Korea by American missionaries in 1904 and is the most popular sport in the country. Most cities have a team and the biggest are sponsored by the largest South Korean companies, and many South Korean players have become famous Major League Baseball players in the United States. The South Korean national baseball team is also regarded as one of the strongest in the world, finishing second at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. '''Soccer''' is becoming more important to South Korea over time, and is a sport shared by North and South. South Korea is one of the strongest teams in Asia and many of their players work for the top European clubs. The sport gained an incredible amount of short term popularity when the South Korean national team reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, and even today the country stops for World Cup matches. Unfortunately the enthusiasm for domestic and friendly international games is extremely low, and stadiums are usually mostly empty. Other popular sports include golf and basketball. Badminton, table tennis and bowling are also popular and facilities for the public are widely available in cities. Korean martial arts such as '''''taekwondo''''' (태권도) are also popular. Golf particularly has a strong following, with membership fees for Korea's top golf clubs being more expensive than those in neighboring Japan or the United States. Many of the world's top female golfers are from Korea or of Korean descent. '''Archery''' is also a popular sport, with South Korea dominating the archery events at the Olympics. As for winter sports, '''speed skating''' (especially short track) and '''figure skating''' are extremely popular due to the repeated success of South Korea in the Winter Olympics, with South Korea dominating the short track speed skating events. The city of [[Pyeongchang]] hosted the [[Wikivoyage:Past events/Pyeongchang 2018|2018 Winter Olympic Games]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=South Korean won | currencyCode=₩ | date=January 2022 | CNY=190 | EUR=1,400 | GBP=1,600 | JPY=1,000 | USD=1,200 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/krw-south-korean-won XE.com]}}[[File:Currency South Korea.jpg|thumbnail|South Korean bills and coins]]The currency of South Korea is the '''South Korean won''', denoted by '''₩''' (ISO code: '''KRW''') and written 원 (''won'') in the Korean language. Bills come in denominations of ₩1,000 (blue), ₩5,000 (red), ₩10,000 (green) and ₩50,000 (yellow). The ₩50,000 is very practical if you need to carry around a reasonable amount of cash, however it can be hard to use on goods or services with a value of less than ₩10,000. The ₩50,000 can be hard to find and often only provided by ATM's that display a picture of the yellow note on the outside. ₩100,000 "checks" are frequently used, and some of the checks go up to ₩10,000,000 in value. These checks are privately issued by banks and can be used instead of cash for larger purchases, such as hotel rooms. Coins mainly come in denominations of ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500. Very rare ₩1 and ₩5 coins do exist. Generally speaking it is rare to buy anything valued less than ₩100. ===Banking and payment=== '''Credit card''' acceptance at shops, hotels and other businesses on the other hand is very good, and all but the very cheapest restaurants and motels will accept Visa and MasterCard. Even small purchases such as ₩4,000 for a coffee are okay. This works well since credit cards have good exchange rates, however if you are using a foreign card then you should ensure with your bank that there isn't a fee for this foreign transaction. '''ATMs''' are ubiquitous, although using a foreign card with them is rather hit and miss, except for foreign bank ATMs like '''[http://www.citibank.co.kr/eng/index.jsp Citibank]'''. There are however many special '''global ATMs''' which accept foreign cards. They can generally be found at Shinhan/Jeju Bank, airports, in areas frequented by foreigners, in major cities, some subway stations, and in many Family Mart convenience stores — most of the time indicated by the "Foreign Cards" button on the screen. Some banks, such as Citibank, have a fee of ₩3,500 for foreign cards. '''Before heading to the countryside''' where foreign cards are less likely to be accepted, be sure to have cash or another source of money. '''T-money smart cards''' are an alternative source of payment accepted widely, especially for public transportation. (See ''[[#Smart cards|&sect; Smart cards]]''.) Some other cities have their own smart cards, and topping up T-money outside of Seoul can be a problem but at '''Shinhan/Jeju Bank''' it should always be possible. You may need to ask the local cashier for help due to the Korean-only menus/buttons. If you plan on staying in South Korea for a longer time, you'll probably want to set up a '''bank account''' at a Korean bank such as Woori Bank, which can then be used at the bank's ATMs throughout the country. (Even some non-local accounts can do this, e.g. Woori Bank accounts setup in China come with an ATM card that can be used with all its ATMs in South Korea.) Many banks will even allow you to open an account on a tourist visa, though the services you will be able to access will often be very limited. Some of the larger banks may have English-speaking staff on hand at their major branches. ===Costs=== South Korea is fairly expensive compared to most Asian countries, but is a little cheaper compared to other modern developed countries such as Japan and most Western countries. A frugal backpacker who enjoys eating, living and travelling Korean-style can easily squeeze by on under ₩60,000/day, but if you want top-class hotels and Western food even ₩200,000/day will not suffice. [[Seoul]] is more expensive than the rest of the country, and has become particularly expensive competing in many ways with [[Tokyo]], but this has eased since the financial crisis. ===Tipping=== Tipping is ''not'' expected anywhere in South Korea and is not practiced by Koreans. It could be considered an insult between Koreans as it is regarded as giving someone charity, although people generally know of American tipping culture and would be understanding of a foreigner doing this. Many hotels and a few tourist restaurants add 10% service charge on their bills. Bellhops, hotel maids, taxi drivers and bars frequented by Westerners will not reject any tips that you care to hand out. Restaurants sometimes provide complimentary food or drinks to customers as a sign of generosity or to reward customer loyalty. Colloquially, this is known as "service". ===Shopping=== [[File:Seoul namdaemun market 2005-08-07.jpg|thumbnail|Namdaemun market in Seoul]] At certain retail outlets with a "Tax Free Shopping" or a "Tax Refund Shopping" sign, you can obtain a voucher and get a large percentage of your taxes refunded. When you leave South Korea, go to customs and have it stamped then go to the "Global Refund Korea" or "Korea Tax Refund" counters near the duty-free shops. However to get a refund you must leave within 3 months of purchase. '''[[Bargaining]]''' is common at outdoor markets and applies to everything they may have to offer. However, do not state a specific monetary amount. Instead, say "''ssage juseyo''" (싸게 주세요, "Cheaper, please."). Doing this once or twice will suffice. However, you will rarely be discounted more than a few dollars. Korea is the '''ginseng''' (인삼 ''insam'') capital of the world. Widely considered to have medicinal properties, it can be found in special mountain areas throughout Korea. A thick black paste made from ginseng is popular, as is ginseng tea and various other products. There are many grades of ginseng, with the best grades potentially fetching millions of US dollars at auctions. A good place to check out the different types of ginseng would be Gyeongdong Herbal Medicine Market in [[Seoul]]. Visitors looking for '''traditional items''' to bring home can find a wide variety of choices. You can find a blue-jade celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty, handmade traditional costumes, paper kites and ceramic pieces that depict human emotions in their designs at the numerous markets and souvenir shops. Insadong in [[Seoul]] would be the first place to shop around. After a while one store might start to look like every other store but chances are you'll find what you need. Keeping up with the latest '''fashion''' trends, shoppers and boutique owners alike flock the streets and markets every weekend. Centered largely in Seoul with popular places such as Dongdaemun, Mok dong Rodeo Street and Myeong dong, fashion centers can be divided into two large categories; markets and department stores. Markets are affordable and each shop will have trendy similar type clothing that appeal to the masses. Also, be aware that you '''cannot''' try on most tops. So better to know your size before shopping there. Though department stores will have areas or floors that have discounted items, they are considered overpriced and catering mostly to an older, wealthier crowd. The traditional Korean garment known as the '''''hanbok''''' (한복), which is still worn by South Koreans for special occasions and historical re-enactments, and can be found in various garment markets. While a traditional hanbok requires visiting a specialist shop and customized fittings, making it rather expensive, more casual versions that are more practical for daily use and significantly cheaper can also be found. A popular place to get a traditional hanbok is the second floor of Gwangjang Market in [[Seoul]], where you can find many traditional hanbok tailors, each with a wide array of fabrics to choose from. When wearing a hanbok, it should always be wrapped left over right. For all things considered '''antique''', such as furniture, calligraphic works, ceramics and books, you can go to Jangangpyeong Antique Market in [[Seoul]]. '''Items over 50 years old cannot leave the country'''. Check with the Art and Antique Assessment Office at +82-32-740-2921. '''Electronics''' are widely available, especially in larger cities like Seoul and [[Busan]]. South Korea has most of the latest gadgets available in most Western countries and some that are not. In fact, when it comes to consumer technology, South Korea is probably second only to [[Japan]]. However, you would probably have to contend with having the instruction booklets and functions being written in Korean. [[File:LG 시네마 3D TV 새 모델 ‘소녀시대’ 영입.jpg|thumbnail|Girls' Generation, also known as SNSD, are one of the most popular K-pop groups]] '''K-pop''' is a large element of the Korean Wave (''hallyu'') phenomenon that took East Asia by storm at the beginning of the 21st century, so you might want to buy the latest Korean music CDs by popular K-pop singers and groups — and discover some of the less known. K-pop artistes are signed by talent agencies and record companies at a very young age, and typically train arduously for many years before they are allowed to debut. These days, K-pop singers are recruited not just from South Korea, but also from other East Asian countries, as well as Thailand and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. Controversially, aspiring K-pop artistes are made to sign contracts that give them little control over their private lives, often banning them from dating in order to maintain the illusion of "availability" to their fans. Most music is now consumed as digital downloads, but there are still some music shops selling CD's to be found. And if you want to see them '''live''', there is of course no better place for that than South Korea. '''K-dramas''' are massively popular in Asia and a boxed DVD set of a drama will certainly last you many rainy afternoons. Drama serials and movies sold in South Korea are for the Korean market and usually do not have subtitles, so check before buying; outside of Korea, you could likely buy the same media dubbed in another Asian language such as Cantonese or Mandarin. In addition, South Korea is in [[Regional coding|DVD region 3]], so discs bought here will work in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, but are generally not playable in most players in North America, Europe, mainland China, Japan or Australia. CDs and DVDs are not particularly popular anymore in South Korea, the younger generation having moved onto digital downloads some time ago. ==Eat== [[Image:Bibimbap Set.JPG|thumb|240px|Example of a Korean meal: ''bibimbap'' with (from left) pickles, ''eomuk jorim'' sauteed fishcake, ''kimchi'', ''pajeon'' pancake, a pot of ''gochujang'' and ''doenjang'' soup]] {{seealso|Korean cuisine}} Korean cuisine is becoming increasingly popular outside of Korea, especially in other parts of East Asia and the U.S. It can be an acquired taste, with lots of spicy and fermented dishes, but it's addictive once you get used to it and Korean food is definitely in a class of its own, mixing spicy chilies and copious amounts of garlic with delicate ingredients like raw fish. Although Korean food is quite low in fat, a fact attested to by the observation that very few South Koreans are overweight, those with sodium-limited diets should beware, as Korean cuisine can be heavy in salt. A Korean meal is centered around '''rice''' and '''soup''' and likely a fish or meat dish, invariably served with a vast assortment of '''small side dishes''' known as ''banchan'' (반찬). The humblest meal comes with three types while a royal banquet may well feature twenty types of banchan. In addition to kimchi, typical side dishes include bean sprouts (콩나물 ''kongnamul''), spinach (시금치 ''shigeumchi''), and small dried fish. The ubiquitous '''kimchi''' (김치 ''gimchi''), made from fermented cabbage and chili, accompanies nearly every meal and ranges from mild to roaringly spicy. In addition to the common cabbage type, kimchi can also be made from white radish (깍두기 ''ggakdugi''), cucumbers (오이 소박이 ''oi-sobagi''), chives (부추 김치 ''buchu gimchi'') or pretty much any vegetable that can be pickled. Many different dishes are made using kimchi for flavoring, and kimchi is served as a side dish as well. It is not uncommon to find Korean tourists carrying a stash of tightly packed kimchi when travelling abroad. Two more condiments found in almost every dish are '''''doenjang''''' (된장), a fermented soybean paste akin to Japanese ''miso'', and '''''gochujang''''' (고추장), a spicy chili paste. While many of these dishes can be found throughout Korea, every city also has its own regional specialties, such as ''dakgalbi'' (닭갈비) in the city of [[Chuncheon]]. A common perception among Koreans is that foreigners don't like '''spicy food''', so you might have to spend some time convincing people otherwise if you really want to eat something hot. And while Korean food undoubtedly has the neighboring bland-dieted Japanese and northern Chinese breathing fire, if you're accustomed to, say, Thai or Mexican food, you may wonder what the fuss is about. Foreign food restaurants are also popular, albeit usually with a Korean twist. Fried chicken has been adopted and many believe it better than the American original. Pizzas are also ubiquitous although you may wonder quite where the inspirations behind the toppings came from. Vietnamese and Mexican food appeals to Koreans as well. Japanese restaurants of all varieties are very common. Strangely enough, authentic Chinese food is somewhat hard to come by, and Koreans often think of Korean Chinese dishes such as ''jajangmyeon'' (자장면, noodles topped with a thick brown sauce, distantly related to a northern Chinese dish) with ''tangsuyuk'' (탕수육, sweet and sour pork) as Chinese dining. ===Etiquette=== [[File:Korean chopsticks.jpg|thumbnail|Chopsticks Korean style - made out of metal]] Korean utensils (수저 ''sujeo'') consist of a spoon (숟가락 ''sutgarak'') and '''chopsticks''' (젓가락 ''jeotgarak''). Unique in Asia, Koreans use chopsticks made of ''metal'', which don't burn when used over a hot grill and are easier to wash and reuse. Restaurants typically provide stainless steel chopsticks, which unfortunately for the chopstick learner, are very difficult to use! These thin and slippery sticks are not as easy as the wooden or plastic chopsticks but you'll still manage with some fumbling. '''Spoons''' are used to eat rice, soup, and porridge. (Koreans find it strange that their Asian neighbors eat rice with chopsticks.) ''Dongaseu'' (돈가스, Japanese-style ''tonkatsu'' or fried pork cutlet) is eaten with a fork and knife. Many Korean restaurants may also offer Western cutlery to a Westerner. When eating as a group, communal dishes will be placed in the center and everybody can chopstick what they want, but you'll still get individual portions of rice and soup. Unless you are eating royal cuisine, most dishes are served family style. In many traditional households, children were taught that it is '''impolite to speak during meals'''. Don't be surprised if there's complete silence while eating. People, particularly men, will use mealtimes to quickly eat up and move on to other things. This can be attributed to the short mealtimes during military service that most young Korean men must perform. Some etiquette pointers: * Do not leave chopsticks sticking upright in a dish, especially rice. This is only done when honoring the deceased. Similarly, a spoon sticking upright into a bowl of rice is also not a good sign. * Do not pick up your chopsticks or start eating until the eldest at the table has begun to eat. * Do not lift any plates or bowls off the table while eating, as Koreans consider this to be rude. * Do not make noises by hitting your utensils on the food bowls and plates. ===Restaurants=== Going hungry in South Korea would be difficult. Everywhere you turn, there is always somewhere to eat. Korean restaurants can be divided into a few categories: * '''''Bunsik''''' (분식) are snack eateries that have cheap, tasty food prepared quickly. * '''''Kogijip''''' (고기집), literally meaning "meat house", are where you'll find grilled meat dishes and fixings. * '''''Hoejip''''' (회집), "raw fish house", serve slices of fresh fish akin to Japanese ''sashimi'', known as ''hwe'' in Korean, and free side dishes. You'll normally find these restaurants cluttering the shores of any waterway. * '''''Hansik''''' (한식) serve the full-course Korean meal (한정식, ''hanjeongsik''), a Korean ''haute cuisine'' that originated with banquets given at the royal palace. Traditionally served all at once, restaurants today will serve courses separately. The meal starts with a cold appetizer and ''juk'' (죽, porridge). The main dish includes seasoned meat and vegetable dishes that can be either steamed, boiled, fried or grilled. After the meal, you are served traditional drinks such as ''sikhye'' or ''sujeonggwa''. * '''Department stores''' have two types of food areas: a food hall in the basement and full service restaurants on the top levels. The food hall areas have take-away as well as eat-in areas. The full service restaurants are more expensive, but typically have the advantage of picture menus and good ambience. ===Barbecues=== [[Image:Danyang_Galbigui.JPG|thumb|''Galbi'' on the grill and the fixings around it]] '''Korean barbecue''' is probably the most popular Korean dish for Westerners. In Korea, it's split into '''''bulgogi''''' (불고기, thin cuts of marinated meat), '''''galbi''''' (갈비, ribs, usually unmarinated), and a few other categories. In these, a charcoal brazier is placed in the middle of the table, and you cook your choice of meats, adding garlic to the brazier for spice. A popular way of eating it is to wrap the meat with a lettuce or perilla leaf, adding shredded green onion salad (파무침 ''pa-muchim''), raw or cooked garlic, shredded pickled radish (무채 ''muchae'') and ''ssamjang'' (쌈장, a sauce made from ''doenjang'', ''gochujang'', and other flavorings) to your liking. The cost of a barbecue meal depends largely on the meat chosen. In most Korean restaurants that serve meat, it is sold in units (usually 100 grams). Pork is by far the most common meat ordered; it's much cheaper than beef and according to diners tastier. You'll rarely see filet mignon; instead, common cuts of meat include ribs, unsalted pork bacon (삼겹살 ''samgyeopsal'') and chicken stir-fried with veggies and spicy sauce (닭갈비 ''dak-galbi''). Unmarinated meats tend to be higher quality, but in cheaper joints it's best to stick with the marinated stuff. ===Rice dishes=== '''''Bibimbap''''' (비빔밥) literally means "mixed rice", which is a pretty good description. It consists of a bowl of rice topped with vegetables and usually shreds of meat and an egg, which you mix up with your spoon, stirring in your preferred quantity of ''gochujang'', and then devour. Particularly tasty is '''''dolsot bibimbap''''' (돌솥비빔밥), served in a piping hot stone bowl (watch your fingers!) that cooks the rice to a crisp on the bottom and edges. Another healthy and tasty option is '''''gimbap''''' (김밥), sometimes dubbed "Korean sushi rolls". ''Gimbap'' contains rice, sesame seed, a Korean variety of spinach, pickled radish, and an optional meat such as minced beef or tuna, all neatly wrapped in dried seaweed, topped with sesame oil and sliced. A single roll makes a good snack or a whole meal depending on your appetite, and they travel well. What differentiates Korean ''gimbap'' and Japanese ''sushi'' is how they prepare rice: ''gimbap'' usually uses salt and sesame oil to flavor the rice, while ''sushi'' uses sugar and vinegar. Also, ''gimbap'' usually does not feature raw fish. More of a snack than a meal is ''tteokbokki'' (떡볶이), which resembles a pile of steaming intestines at first sight, but is actually rice cakes (떡, ''tteok'') in a sweet chili sauce that's much milder than it looks. ===Soups and stews=== [[File:Korean_chicken_soup-Samgyetang-01.jpg|thumb|''Samgyetang'' chicken soup with ginseng]] Soups are known as '''''guk''''' (국) or '''''tang''''' (탕), while '''''jjigae''''' (찌개) covers a wide variety of stews. The line is fuzzy, and a few dishes can be referred to with both (e.g. the fish soup-stew ''dongtae jjigae/dongtaetang''), but in general, ''jjigae'' are spicier and thicker while ''guk/tang'' are milder. Both are always eaten with plenty of white rice on the side. Common versions of ''jjigae'' include '''''doenjang jjigae''''' (된장찌개), made with ''doenjang'', vegetables and shellfish, and '''''gimchi jjigae''''' (김치찌개), made with — you guessed it — kimchi. '''''Sundubu jjigae''''' (순두부찌개) uses soft tofu as the main ingredient, usually with minced pork added, but there's also a seafood version called ''haemul sundubu jjigae'' (해물 순두부찌개) where the meat is replaced by shrimp, squid and the like. '''''Budae jjigae''''' (부대찌개) is an interesting type of Korean fusion food from the city of [[Uijeongbu]], where a US military base was located. Locals experimenting with American canned food like Spam, sausages, and pork and beans tried adding them into ''jjigae'', and while recipes vary, most of them involve large quantities of fiery kimchi. Most places will bring you a big pan of stew and put it on a gas stove in the middle of the table. Many like to put ''ramyeon'' noodles (라면 사리) in the stew, which is optional. Popular ''tang'' soups include '''''seolleongtang''''' (설렁탕), a milky white broth from ox bones and meat, '''''gamjatang''''' (감자탕), a stew of potatoes with pork spine and chilies, and '''''doganitang''''' (도가니탕), made from cow knees. One soup worth a special mention is '''''samgyetang''''' (삼계탕), which is a whole spring chicken stuffed with ginseng and rice. Thanks to the ginseng, it's often a little expensive, but the taste is quite mild. It's commonly eaten right before the hottest part of summer in warm broth in a sort of "eat the heat to beat the heat" tradition. ''Guk'' are mostly side dishes like the seaweed soup '''''miyeokguk''''' (미역국) and the dumpling soup '''''manduguk''''' (만두국), but a few like the scary-looking pork spine and ox blood soup '''''haejangguk''''' (해장국), a popular hangover remedy, are substantial enough to be a meal. ===Noodles=== [[File:Cold Buckwheat Noodle.jpg|thumb|''Naengmyeon'' cold buckwheat noodles]] Koreans love noodles, and the terms '''''kuksu''''' (국수) and '''''myeon''''' (면) span a vast variety of types available. They're often sold in fast-food noodle shops for as little as ₩3000. Wheat-based noodles are a staple of Korea. '''''Naengmyeon''''' (냉면) are a Korean specialty, originally from the [[North Korea|north]]. The thin, chewy buckwheat noodles served in ice-cold beef broth are a popular summer dish &mdash; although it's traditionally a winter food! They're also a classic way to end a heavy, meaty barbecue meal. The key to the dish is the broth (육수 ''yuksu''); the recipes of well known restaurants are usually closely guarded secrets. Generally comes in two distinct styles: [[Pyongyang]] ''mul naengmyeon'' with a clear broth, and [[Hamhung]] ''bibim naengmyeon'' with a spicy dressing and chewier potato noodles. '''''Japchae''''' (잡채) are yam noodles, which are fried along with some vegetables (commonly cabbage, carrots, onions) and sometimes beef or ''odeng'' (fishcake). '''''Mandu''''' (만두) dumplings are also very popular and are served up in steamed or fried as an accompaniment to other foods, or boiled in soup to make a whole meal. '''''Ramyeon''''' (라면) is Korea's variant of ramen, often served with — what else? — kimchi. Korean ''ramyeon'' is well known for its overall spiciness, at least when compared to Japanese ramen. The Shin Ramyun brand of instant noodles are exported to over 100 countries. '''''Jajangmyeon''''' (자장면) is considered to be Chinese food by Koreans, being somewhat related to northern Chinese ''zhájiàngmiàn'', a wheat noodle dish served with a black sauce that usually includes minced pork, onions, cucumber, and garlic. It's typically served at (what are liberally described as) Chinese restaurants. Its sauce contains some caramel and therefore makes the overall dish sweet. A popular combination is ''jajangmyeon'' with "Chinese" sweet and sour pork and chicken. Finally, '''''udong''''' (우동) are thick wheat noodles, akin to Japanese ''udon''. ===Seafood=== [[File:Korean cuisine-Hoe-03.jpg|thumbnail|Hoe]] Since Korea is a peninsula, you can find every type of '''seafood''' (해물 ''haemul''), eaten both cooked and raw. Restaurants where you pick your own fish &mdash; or bring it from the fish market next door &mdash; are popular, but can be very expensive depending on what you order. '''''Hoe''''' (회, pronounced roughly "hweh") is raw fish Korean-style (similar to sashimi), served with spicy ''cho-gochujang'' sauce (a mixture of ''gochujang'' and vinegar). '''''Chobap''''' (초밥) is raw fish with vinegared rice, similar to Japanese sushi. In both dishes, the bony parts not served raw are often made into a tasty but spicy soup called ''meuntang'' (매운탕). Another cooked specialty is '''''haemultang''''' (해물탕), a spicy red hotpot stew filled crab, shrimp, fish, squid, vegetables and noodles. Whale meat is available in a few restaurants in the cities and at festivals in smaller coastal towns, but is not easy to find and unlike Japan is not considered part of national culture. The city of [[Pohang]] has a long history of whaling, and its seafood market still openly offers whale. South Korea has outlawed whaling following the International Whaling Commission international moratorium in 1986, although makes an exception for whales caught by accident during regular fishing. Whale meat sourced from [[Japan]] has been sold in some restaurants, which is illegal (although the law is usually ignored). Whale restaurants are easy to identify, with pictures of whales on the outside leaving you in no doubt. If you choose to eat whale then you should understand that the species in question could be endangered and therefore a decision left to your own moral compass. ===Other=== ''Jeon'' (전), ''jijimi'' (지짐이), ''jijim'' (지짐), ''bindaetteok'' (빈대떡) and ''buchimgae'' (부침개) are all general terms for Korean-style '''pan-fried pancakes''', which can be made of virtually anything. '''''Pajeon''''' (파전) is a Korean-style pan-fried pancake laden with spring onions (파 ''pa''). '''''Haemul pajeon''''' (해물파전), which has seafood added, is particularly popular. '''''Saengseonjeon''''' (생선전) is made of small fillets of fish covered with egg and flour and then pan fried, and '''''nokdu bindaetteok''''' (녹두빈대떡) is made from ground mung bean and various vegetables and meat combined. If barbecued meat is not to your taste, then try Korean-style beef tartar, known as '''''yukhoe''''' (육회). Raw beef is finely shredded and then some sesame oil, sesame, pine nuts and egg yolk are added, plus soy and sometimes ''gochujang'' to taste. It's also occasionally prepared with raw tuna or even chicken instead. '''''Sundae''''' (순대, pron. "soon-deh") are Korean blood sausages made from a wide variety of ingredients, often including barley, potato noodles and pig blood. ''Sundae'' is very tasty in spicy sauce or soup. A squirmy delicacy is '''raw octopus''' (산낙지 ''sannakji'') &mdash; it's sliced to order, but keeps wiggling for another half hour as you try to remove its suction cups from your plate with your chopsticks. '''Sea squirts''' (멍게 ''meongge'') are at least usually killed before eating, but you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference as the taste has been memorably described as "rubber dipped in ammonia". {{infobox|Hound by the pound|Yes, it's true &mdash; Koreans eat '''dog'''. Although it is illegal in South Korea to sell dog meat for human consumption, in practice the ban is rarely enforced, and dog meat soup (보신탕 ''bosintang'' or 영양탕 ''yeongyangtang'') is often eaten for invigoration during the hottest days of summer. It is not regularly consumed as a common food item and is generally only sold in specialty dog restaurants, so you're unlikely to end up chewing on Snoopy by accident. It is most commonly consumed as a spicy soup or stew or as ''suyuk'' (수육), which is just meat boiled with spices to eliminate smell and make the meat tender. Due to the lack of legal recognition, the industry is completely unregulated, resulting in many issues around how the dogs are raised, butchered, and processed. Although dogs are generally no longer beaten to death to improve the taste, the conditions in which dogs are raised and butchered are often still inhumane. This is one intrinsic aspect of South Korean culture that South Koreans generally believe foreigners cannot hope to understand, and will rarely want to discuss with you. South Koreans are aware of Western attitudes towards dogs and will not try to make you eat any, although you'd probably gain a lot of respect from your Korean friends if you give it a try. If you are interested, it is best to ask your Korean friends to take you to such a restaurant since they rarely advertise. If you do make the effort, a bowl can go for under ₩10,000 and you'll find that dog tastes broadly like beef or veal, if perhaps a tad gamier. Most South Koreans do not eat dog meat regularly and these days more of them are considering dogs to be pets rather than food, with a growing number supportive of enforcing the ban on dog meat more strictly.}} ===Dietary restrictions=== Vegetarians will have a '''hard time''' in Korea. As in most of East Asia, "meat" is understood to be the flesh of land animals, so seafood is not considered meat. Spam can also be confused as not being meat, so be specific in explaining what you do not eat. If you ask for "no ''gogi'' (고기)" they will probably just cook as usual and pick out the big chunks of meat. One good phrase is to say you are "''chaesikjuwija''" (채식주의자), a person who only eats vegetables. This may prompt questions from the server, so be prepared! It is probably best to have a very explicit list of foods you do and do not eat in Korean on a card or piece of paper to show restaurant servers and cooks. (See ''[[Korean phrasebook#Eating|Korean phrasebook &sect; Eating]]''.) Or look for ''namul'' (나물), a variety of Korean-style edible grass and leaves dishes. Most stews will use fish stock, especially ''myeolchi'' (멸치, anchovy). This will be your bane, and outside of reputable vegetarian restaurants, you should ask if you are ordering any stews, hotpots, or casseroles. Spicy (red) kimchi will almost certainly have seafood, such as salted tiny shrimp, as an ingredient. Since it disappears into the brine, you will not be able to visually identify it. Another type of kimchi called ''mulgimchi'' (물김치, "water kimchi") is vegan, as it is simply salted in a clear, white broth with many different vegetables. If you are willing to eat something flavored with brine shrimp, then kimchi will certainly take you a long way in Korea. For '''lactose intolerant''' people, avoiding dairy products is straightforward as they are uncommon in traditional Korean cuisine. As per Korea's Buddhist tradition, '''vegans and vegetarians''' are perfectly safe at Korean temple cuisine (사찰음식 ''sachal eumsik'') restaurants, which uses no dairy, egg, or animal products, except perhaps honey. This cuisine has been in vogue, but it can be rather expensive. There is an increasing number of vegetarian restaurants in Korea — most are in the larger or medium-sized places. Some of these are run by Seventh-Day Adventists or Hindus. When out and about, the following vegetarian and vegan food is relatively easy to find and safe to order: * Many of the ''banchan'' side dishes served with most meals are vegetarian, although the kimchi usually is not. * ''Bibimbap'' (비빔밥) is a great vegan option of mixed rice and vegetables and found pretty much everywhere! Still, be careful because it is occasionally offered with ground beef, and often with a fried egg. * ''Somandu'' (소만두) are Korean dumplings with vegetable and glass noodle filling. Stay clear of almost any other kind of dumpling. * ''Japchae'' (잡채) are cold glass noodles in a vegetable broth, often with ice, but ensure that beef chunks are not added. Delicious in summer. * ''Gimbap'' (김밥) are Korean sushi rolls with rice and pickled vegetables, and can be found everywhere. There are many varieties, but you should look for the ones without Spam or fishcake in the middle. ==Drink== '''Drinkers rejoice''' &mdash; booze is cheap and Koreans are among the heaviest drinkers in the world. Due to the strict social norms in effect at the workplace, the drinking hall tends to be the only place where inhibitions can be released and personal relationships expressed. Significant business deals are closed not in the boardroom, but in the bar. Promotions, grants, and other business advancements are secured over drinks at singing rooms, late night raw fish restaurants, and restaurant-bars. Many Korean men are what would be considered heavy drinkers in the west, and as alcoholism is being recognized as an ailment, public moves have begun to attempt to curb alcohol intake. Don't be surprised to see businessmen in suits lying around sleeping it off, and be careful not to step in the puddles of vomit common on the sidewalks in the mornings. The drinking age in South Korea is '''19'''. ===Nightlife=== Compared to Western drinking habits, Koreans have adopted slightly different ways to enjoy their night out. Sure, you can find Western style bars easily, but going to a Korean style bar can be an interesting experience. '''Hofs''' (호프 ''hopeu'', from German ''Hof'', "court" or "yard" as in ''Hofbräuhaus'') are just normal beer places, which serve beer and side dishes. Customers are supposed to order some side dish to go along with their drinks at most drinking establishments in Korea. Due to growing competition, many hofs have started to install various gadgets for entertainment. '''Booking clubs''' are the Korean version of night clubs. What makes them interesting is the "booking" part of the name. It's basically a way to meet new people of the opposite sex by introduction of the waiters (who usually bring women to visit tables of men, but increasingly vice-versa). Booking clubs are slightly more expensive than normal bars and hofs, but can be extremely fun. These can be different from American-style clubs, in that in addition to a cover charge, you are pretty much expected to order booze and side dishes (which can be quite pricey in ₩200,000-₩500,000 range and up). But other than that, the dancing and atmosphere is about the same. One of the customary things to do at a booking club is to "dress-up" your table or booth by purchasing expensive liquors and fruit plates, which signals your "status" to the other patrons of the club (especially your gender of interest). Scotch whisky is especially marked up a great deal in Korea, so don't be surprised to pay very high prices for that innocuous bottle of Johnnie Walker. On the other hand, it is a better value overall to buy a bottle of liquor or a "liquor set" than to purchase drinks individually. On the other end of the spectrum, many locals go out to drink and eat with their friends at the many Korean grillhouses found throughout the city. It is not uncommon for people to consume several bottles of ''soju'' each, and mixing beer and hard liquor is encouraged. Group bonding over liquor and food is a cultural feature across South Korea. For those who love singing as well as drinking, '''karaoke''' is popular and therefore widely available in South Korea, where it's called '''''noraebang''''' (노래방). In addition to Korean songs, larger establishments may include some Chinese, Japanese and English songs. ===Etiquette=== There are a few etiquette rules to observe when drinking with Koreans. '''You're not supposed to fill your own glass'''; instead, keep an eye on others' glasses, fill them up when they become empty (but not before), and they'll return the favor. It's considered polite to use both hands when pouring for somebody and when receiving a drink, and to turn your head away from seniors when drinking. Younger people often have a difficult time refusing a drink from an older person, so be aware when asking someone younger than you if they want to drink more as they will often feel unable to say no to you. Of course, this works both ways. Oftentimes, if an older person feels you are not keeping up with the party, he may offer you his glass, which he will then fill and expect you to drink. It is considered polite to promptly return the empty glass and refill it. ===''Soju''=== [[File:Korean alcoholic beverage-Jeju Island-Hallasanmul soju-01.jpg|thumbnail|Soju]] The national drink of South Korea is '''''soju''''' (소주), a vodka-like alcoholic beverage (usually around 20% alcohol by volume). It's cheaper than any other drink &mdash; a 350&nbsp;mL bottle can cost slightly over ₩3,000 at bars (as little as ₩1,100 at convenience stores!) &mdash; and also strong. It's usually made by fermenting starch from rice, barley, corn, potato, sweet potato, etc., to produce pure alcohol which is then diluted with water and other flavors. The manufacturing process leaves in a lot of extraneous chemicals, so be prepared for a four-alarm hangover in the morning, even after drinking a comparatively small amount. Traditionally, soju was made by distilling rice wine and aging it, which created a smooth spirit of about 40%. This type of traditional soju can still be found, for example ''Andong Soju'' (안동 소주) &mdash; named after the town of [[Andong]] &mdash; and ''munbaeju'' (문배주). These can be expensive, but prices (and quality) vary considerably. Historically, there were numerous brewers throughout the country until late Chosun dynasty and before Japanese colonization. However, by the Japanese colonization and the oppressive and economy-obsessed government in the 1960-'70s, using '''rice''' for making wine or spirits was strictly prohibited. This eliminated most of the traditional brewers in the country, and Korea was left with a few large distilleries (Jinro 진로, Gyeongwol 경월, Bohae 보해, Bobae 보배, Sunyang 선양, etc.) that basically made "chemical soju". Brewery distribution and markets were regionalized, and until the 1990s it was difficult to find a Jinro soju anywhere else than Seoul (you would have to pay premium even if you found one), Gyeongwol soju outside Gangwon, or Sunyang outside Chungcheong. Also, there are soju cocktails such as "socol" (soju + Coke), ''ppyong-gari'' (soju + Pocari Sweat, a Japanese isotonic drink like flavorless Gatorade), ''so-maek'' (soju + beer), etc., all aimed at getting you drunk quicker and cheaper. ===Rice wine=== Traditional unfiltered rice wines in Korea are known as '''''takju''''' (탁주), literally "cloudy alcohol". In the most basic and traditional form, these are made by fermenting rice with ''nuruk'' (누룩), a mix of fungi and yeast that breaks down starch in rice into sugar and then alcohol over 3–5 days. Then this is strained, usually diluted to 4–6% and imbibed. However, as with the case of traditional soju, unless explicitly stated on the bottle most ''takju'' are made from wheat flour and other cheaper grains. '''''Makgeolli''''' (막걸리) is the simplest ''takju'', fermented once and then strained, while in '''''dongdongju''''' (동동주) more rice is added once or more during the fermentation to boost the alcohol content and the flavor. Typically you can find a couple of rice grains floating in ''dongdongju'' as a result. {{infobox|''Cheongju'' vs. ''sake''|There are two major differences between Korean and Japanese rice wine. The first is that Korean wine uses ''nuruk'', while Japanese wine uses ''koji''. While both can be considered yeasts, ''nuruk'' contains various kinds of fungi and other microorganisms, while in ''koji'' a more selected breed of fungi does its job. The treatment of rice is also different: traditionally rice for making ''cheongju'' is washed "a hundred times" (백세 ''paekse''), but for ''sake'', the rice is polished until the grain size is as little as 50% of its original size. Therefore, some people comment that in general ''cheongju'' tastes more complex and earthy, while ''sake'' tastes cleaner and sweeter.}} '''''Yakju''''' (약주) or '''''cheongju''''' (청주) is filtered rice wine, similar to the Japanese rice wine ''sake''. The fermentation of rice is sustained for about 2 weeks or longer, strained, and then is kept still to have the suspended particles settle out. The end result is the clear wine on top, with about 12–15% alcohol. Various recipes exist, which involve a variety of ingredients and when and how to add them accordingly. Popular brands include ''Baekseju'' (백세주) and ''Dugyeonju'' (두견주). Those with an interest in the wine production process and its history will want to visit the Traditional Korean Wine Museum in [[Jeonju]]. ===Ginseng wine=== One expensive but tasty type of alcohol you can find in Korea is '''Korean ginseng wine''' (인삼주 ''insamju''), which is believed to have medicinal properties and is particularly popular among the elderly. It is made by fermenting Korean ginseng, just as the name implies. ===Beer=== Western-style lagers are also quite popular in Korea, with the three big brands being '''Cass''', '''Hite''' (pronounced like "height") and '''OB''', all of which are rather light and watery and cost around ₩1,500 per bottle at a supermarket. Hofs serve pints of beer in the ₩2,000-5,000 range, although imported beers can be much more expensive. You are expected to order food as well, and may even get served grilled squid or similar Korean pub grub without ordering, for a charge of ₩10,000 or so. ===Tea=== Like their Asian neighbors, Koreans drink a lot of '''tea''' (차 ''cha''), most of it '''green tea''' (녹차 ''nokcha''). However, the label ''cha'' is applied to a number of other tealike drinks as well: * ''boricha'' (보리차), roasted barley tea, often served cold in summer, water substitute for many household * ''insamcha'' (인삼차), ginseng tea * ''oksusucha'' (옥수수차), roasted corn tea * ''yulmucha'' (율무차), a thick white drink made from a barley-like plant called Job's tears Like Chinese and Japanese teas, Korean teas are always drunk neat, without the addition of milk or sugar. However, Western-style milk tea is available at Western restaurants and the usual American fast-food chains. ===Coffee=== '''Coffee''' (커피 ''keopi'') has become widely available, especially from streetside vending machines that will pour you a cupful for as little as ₩300, usually sweet and milky, but there is often a plain option. '''Coffee shops''' can be seen virtually everywhere in the country. There are a large number of Korean chains such as Cafe Bene and Angel in Us. A coffee costs around ₩4,000. It is worth to hunt out independent coffee shops that take great pride in their coffee. Even in small countryside villages, the ubiquitous bread shop Paris Baguette will give you a decent latte for around ₩2,000. Foreign-owned coffee shops such as Starbucks tend to be much less common than their Korean counterparts. Aside from coffee, these cafes will usually sell food such as sandwiches, toasties, paninis and quesadillas as well as sweet options such as ''bingsu'' (Korean shaved ice), Korean-style toast, pastries and a wide variety of cakes, some even vegan. ===Other drinks=== Some other traditional drinks worth keeping an eye out for: * '''''Sikhye''''' (식혜), a very sweet, grainy rice drink served cold * '''''Sujeonggwa''''' (수정과), a sweet, cinnamon-y drink made from persimmons served cold ==Sleep== There's plenty of accommodation in all price brackets in South Korea. Prices in Seoul are typically about twice that of anywhere else in the country. Some higher-end hotels offer a choice of Western-style and Korean-style rooms. The main feature of Korean rooms is an elaborate floor-heating system known as '''''ondol''''' (온돌), where hot steam (or, these days, water or electricity) heats stone slabs under a layer of clay and oiled paper. There are no beds; instead, mattresses are laid directly on the floor. Other furniture is typically limited to some low tables (you're also expected to sit on the floor) and maybe a TV. ===Motels=== Some of the cheapest accommodation in South Korea are in what are called '''motels''' (모텔 ''motel'') or '''''yeogwan''''' (여관), but a more accurate name would be '''sex hotels'''. Since Koreans often live with parents and extended family, motels are generally very cheap hotels targeted at young couples aiming to spend personal time together, complete with plastic beds, occasionally vibrating, with strategically placed mirrors on the ceiling, as well as a VCR and a variety of appropriate videos. However for the budget traveller, they can simply be inexpensive lodging, with rates as low as ₩25,000/night. The easiest way to find a motel is to just look for the symbol "♨" and gaudy architecture, particularly near stations or highway exits. They're harder to find online, as they rarely if ever show up in English-language booking sites. In some motels picking your room is very easy, as there will be room numbers, lit pictures and prices on the wall. The lower price is for a "rest" (휴식 ''hyusik'') of 2–4 hours, while the higher price is the overnight rate. Press the button for the one you like, which will go dark, and proceed to check-in. You'll usually be expected to pay in advance, often to just a pair of hands behind a frosted glass window. English is rarely spoken, but the only word you need to know is ''sukbak'' (숙박, "staying"). You may or may not receive a key, but even if you don't, the staff can usually let you in and out on request &mdash; just don't lose your receipt! ===Hotels=== Full-service hotels can be found in all larger towns in Korea. Cheaper hotels blend into motels with rooms from ₩40,000, while three and four-star hotels are ₩100,000-200,000, and five-star luxury hotels can easily top ₩300,000. Outside peak season you can often get steep discounts from the rack rates, so be sure to ask when reserving. ===''Hanok''=== ''Hanok'' (한옥) are '''traditional Korean houses'''. Once considered to be old-fashioned and an impediment to modernization, many of these houses dating back to the Joseon dynasty are being renovated and opened to paying guests, operating similar to B&Bs or Japanese ''ryokan'' or ''minshuku''. Amenities range from very basic backpacker-style to over-the-top luxury, with prices to match. Higher-end establishments typically provide the option of having a traditional Korean dinner, as well as a choice of either Western or traditional Korean-style breakfast. Guests would usually sleep on mattresses on the floor. Hanok accommodations can typically be found in old towns such as Bukchon in [[Seoul]], as well as historical towns and cities such as [[Hahoe]] and [[Gyeongju]]. ===Hostels and guesthouses=== While not as common in South Korea as in other parts of Asia or the world, hostels and guesthouses can be found. Major cities, such as Seoul, will have a few dozen, while smaller cities may have a handful. Prices can vary widely, even within one hostel. In Seoul, mixed dorms average ₩15,000-25,000 per person; private rooms with a shared toilet and shower average ₩20,000-30,000 per person; and private ensuite rooms average ₩25,000-40,000 per person. Many hostels will have a common room with free TV, games, computers, and internet; some will have a public full kitchen and other amenities. ===''Minbak''=== In rural areas in and near national parks, you can find a '''''minbak''''' (민박). Most of these are just a room or two in someone's home — others are quite fancy and may be similar to motels/''yeogwan'' or hotels. Generally, they have ''ondol'' rooms with maybe a TV and that's about it. You don't usually get your own bathroom in your room, although some of the fancier ones do have an ''en suite.'' Minbak usually run around ₩20,000 off-season, though the price may go up quite a bit during high season. ===Homestay=== Very similar in concept to a minbak, these aren't limited to just rural areas or near national parks. Since the World Cup in 2002, many families around the country have opened their doors and hearts to foreigners looking for a good place to sleep and a breakfast included in the price. These can run between ₩30,000 and ₩35,000 per night. ===Pension=== A fancier and costly version of rural minbak. Most of them are European-style detached bungalows, equipped with private shower/bath, TV, air conditioner, private kitchen and camping grills. Pensions usually run around ₩60,000-150,000 off-season and over ₩200,000 peak season depending on the size of the house. Pensions near Seoul (Gyeonggi, Incheon) usually costs twice or more the price. ===''Jjimjilbang''=== [[File:Jjimjilbang-room.jpg|thumbnail|Inside a jjimjilbang]] For the budget traveller, '''public bath houses''' known as '''''jjimjilbang''''' (찜질방) can offer a great way to sleep, besides a relaxing bath and sauna. (Some Korean spas don't offer overnight stay, like the "Spa Land Centum City" in Busan, and some can be limited in time, like the "Dragon Hill Spa" in Seoul, but they are exceptions.) Entrance costs around ₩5,000-12,000, and includes a robe or T-shirts/shorts (for mixed facilities and sleeping hall) to wear. However, when you leave, you have to take everything with you and pay to get back in. The facilities can be expansive, including showers, public baths, restaurants, computer/video game rooms, a room with DVD movies, and a warm hall to sleep, mostly with mattresses and sometimes soft head rests available. These places are generally used by families or couples during the weekend, as well as Korean working men from the countryside on weekday evenings, but travellers are welcome. A jjimjilbang is no more awkward than any Western public bath — so go ahead. Usually two lockers are provided, one for the shoes (at the entrance) and one for your clothes and everything else (near the bath entrance). A very large backpack may not fit, although you can usually leave it at reception. ===Temples=== South Korea offers many '''temple stays''' in all parts of the country. The basic idea is that you stay for one or more days living with the monks and participating in some of their rituals. ''Jogye'' (조계사), Korea's largest Buddhist sect, runs a popular temple stay program where visitors get to spend 24 hours living at a Buddhist temple. Speaking Korean helps but is not necessary at some temples, but you will be expected to work at the temple and get up at 03:00 or 04:00 to participate in morning prayer. In exchange for three meals and a basic bed for the night, a donation of ₩50,000-80,000 is expected. Reservations are necessary and can be made at the [http://eng.templestay.com/ Temple Stay site] or via Korea Travel Phone (+82-2-1330). ==Learn== Education is taken ''very seriously'' in South Korea, often to the point of obsession, and the country is home to several world class universities. For a country that has limited natural resources, Koreans believe that the only way to become competitive in a global world is to absorb knowledge. This militant drive for educational excellence and success is exactly why South Korea became a developed country in less than a century. While this may sound impressive, the South Korean educational system does have its drawbacks. The brutally competitive nature of the system means that Koreans are faced with a lot of pressure from their parents and peers to succeed academically, and the system is often blamed for the country's high suicide rate and high underemployment rate. The most prestigious general universities, collectively known as SKY, are '''[http://www.useoul.edu/ Seoul National University (SNU)]''', '''[http://www.yonsei.ac.kr/ Yonsei University]''' and '''[http://www.korea.edu/ Korea University]''', the former of which is widely regarded as the undisputed number one university in South Korea. '''[https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/ Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)]''' and '''[http://postech.ac.kr/eng/ Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)]''' are regarded as the top universities specializing in science and engineering. ===Others=== [[File:Kukkiwon-gates-2010.jpg|thumbnail|Gate to Kukkiwon in Seoul, home of the World Taekwondo Academy]] * '''[http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/front/eng/main.action Taekwondo]''' (태권도 ''taegwondo'', literally "the way of kicking and punching") &mdash; The quintessential Korean martial art that is also an Olympic sport, and you can study at any of the numerous schools all over the country. * '''Cooking''' &mdash; Most major cities will offer Korean cooking classes to foreigners. ** '''Kimchi''' &mdash; Many tourist packages nowadays include learning how to make a Korean staple dish kimchi. * '''''Changgeuk''''' (창극) or '''''pansori''''' (판소리) &mdash; If you like music, this will be good for you. It's a unique traditional Korean form of singing. If you want to learn about pansori through film, ''Seopyeonje'' (서편제) (1993) would be an excellent choice. * '''Korean language''' &mdash; Seoul National University, Korea University, Sogang University, and Yonsei University (in [[Seoul]]) provide Korean language programs. You can meet people from all over the world while studying Korean. * '''Korean traditional dance''' &mdash; You can go to a dance studio and learn Korean traditional dance. You will wear ''hanbok'', Korean traditional clothes. * '''''[[Go|Baduk]]''''' (바둑) &mdash; Korean name for the ancient Chinese board game called Go in English and Japanese. Many Koreans play the game, and among them are some of the world's finest players. There are professional tournaments and even schools that specialize in baduk. * '''''Janggi''''' (장기) &mdash; Also known as Korean chess, a board game similar to Chinese chess, with which it shares its origins, though the rules of the two games have diverged significantly. ==Work== Working in Korea can be a great way to experience the country. For English teachers the hours and pay are reasonable, however for other professions bear in mind that South Korea has some of the '''longest working hours globally''', and '''frequent obligatory after-work drinking''' can be demanding. In addition, Korea isn't yet really set up to make entering the job market easy for foreigners. Reading and speaking [[Korean]] will definitely open up many more opportunities for you. Foreigners must obtain an '''Employment Visa''' in order to legally work in South Korea, and will usually require a company based in South Korea to sponsor your application. For prospective teachers the school will almost always arrange this on your behalf. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan may apply for a one year '''Working Holiday Visa''' which allows for short term employment whilst on holiday in Korea. After you have been living in South Korea continuously for 5 years, you may apply for '''permanent residency''', which allows you to live and work in South Korea indefinitely with no restrictions. Alternative routes to permanent residency are by investing a large amount of money in a local business, by marrying a South Korean citizen, or by obtaining a PhD in certain scientific fields. The application process is still complex even if you meet one of these criteria. Korean work culture is a lot more hierarchical and formal than what most Westerners are used to back home. Suits are standard business attire for men, while business dresses or skirts are obligatory for women, and modes of address at the workplace tend to be very formal. South Korean companies place a strong emphasis on group cohesiveness, meaning that the success of the company is a whole is a lot more emphasized than an individual's accomplishments. Employees are also expected to obey their bosses' instructions without question, and must usually get approval from their bosses before making any decisions. It is considered rude to not be at work when your boss is, which means arriving at work early before your boss does, and staying late until after your boss has left, and often working on weekends as well. Korean workers are also often expected to go out for food and drinks with their colleagues after work multiple times a week, which means getting home only when it is ''really'' late. === Teaching === Work as an '''[[Teaching English|English teacher]]''' is the most common type of work available to foreigners from English speaking countries, with the requirements of being able to speak English and a minimum level of education being a Bachelor's degree. Schools prefer native English speakers and many prefer North American accents. In most instances, native English speakers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are the only applicants that are usually considered. The main employer of native English speaking teachers are private academies called '''''hagwon''''' (학원). Many parents enroll their children in order to catch up or overtake their peers, and therefore scheduled classes are often in the evenings and Saturdays. People interested in these teaching positions often find them via professional recruiters. There are pros and cons to teaching ESL in the hagwon system. On the plus side the money can be quite good. As of 2016, the average monthly salary is approximately ₩2,000,000 and basic housing is usually provided. It's often possible to live comfortably on half of one's salary and to save the rest. On the negative side, hagwon are privately run and strictly for profit, and may only operate for a few years. As such it is important to research and evaluate each prospective employer before accepting an offer, since there are plenty of horror stories of unscrupulous academy owners and incompetent directors. Although you will have full employment rights in South Korea, there is practically very little you can do when an issue or dispute arises. The majority of English teachers have a good experience through the hagwon system. University employment is also possible. Those who have a graduate-level degree, preferably in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language), may find professional opportunities at the post secondary level preferable to teaching in private academies. {{infobox|Racial discrimination|South Korean employers tend to be more discriminatory towards non-white people, especially towards people of African and Indian ethnic origin. Although the official position is that all people are welcome, there are actually no laws related to racial discrimination in South Korea. This is largely based on economics; the stereotypical native English speaker is a white person, and many parents expect the teacher to look like that when they send their children to learn English. South Korean job applications usually require you to attach a photo of yourself, along with other information usually considered private in the western English speaking world such as height, weight and marital status. Many foreign non-white people are hired into hagwon, but be aware that there is a bias.}} Some of the best positions are in the public sector, although in Seoul and Busan, schools have been phasing out foreign English teachers and replacing them with English-speaking South Koreans. Still, year-long public school positions are available through the government-funded [http://epik.go.kr EPIK Program] in most provinces and the rapidly contracting GEPIK Program in Gyeonggi, with a few also handled by recruiter companies. Alternately, the TALK Program runs 6-month rural public school positions for non-graduates. For more information about teaching English in Korea through the private-sector, visit [http://eslcafe.com Eslcafe], [http://worknplay.co.kr Worknplay], [http://eslstarter.com Eslstarter] and [http://englishspectrum.com Englishspectrum]. For the public-sector, see the aforementioned EPIK program. Daejeon full-time public elementary school positions stand apart from most in the country in that they consist of multiple part-time support positions at different schools. Most public school and university positions start at the beginning of March or September, however these are the more desirable jobs and must be applied for months before the start date. South Korean Immigration is constantly changing the visa regulations for E-2 visa holders, so keep abreast of updates. === IT === South Korea is often promoted as the world's most wired country, and as such has a massive IT infrastructure. There is plenty of IT work if you can speak [[Korean]], although local rates are much lower than in western countries. === Engineering === South Korea has a lot of opportunities for engineers, and often doesn't have a requirement for Korean language. Port cities such as [[Busan]], [[Ulsan]] and [[Geoje]] have a demand for marine engineers. ==Stay safe== ===Crime=== South Korea is a very safe country, with reported crime rates much lower than in the U.S. and most European Union countries. Crime rates are comparable to other safe places such as [[Japan]], [[Singapore]] and [[Hong Kong]], and it is safe for women to walk around alone at night, even in the major cities. Violent crime is rare toward locals and tourists alike. For the most part, the only foreigners who encounter trouble in South Korea are drunken ones that provoke fights at bars or clubs. If you do happen to encounter any trouble, police stations are located in every district, usually in walking distance from subway entrances and bus stops. While most policemen won't understand English, they do have interpreters on-call that can assist you. ===Racism=== South Korea is a very ethnically homogeneous country, and for many South Koreans, this is a point of pride. Discrimination against non-Koreans is systemic and there is '''no anti-discrimination legislation''' whatsoever. Nevertheless South Korea is changing. As recently as 2000 it was not advisable for a foreign man to hold hands in public with a South Korean woman and today it is almost no issue at all. Any horror stories you hear should be taken in context of the positive changes that are happening. The reality is that white people will mostly get a free pass from experiencing much if any racial abuse. When applying for work in South Korea, especially in teaching positions, many employers prefer white people over other ethnicities. (This may be one of the reasons they ask for a picture on your application.) Darker skinned people do experience more problems, including being barred from saunas and bars. Most visitors to South Korea are extremely unlikely to encounter any problems at all. If you do experience racial abuse then you can call on the police to help, although realistically if no other offense has been committed then they will at most just try and reason with the abuser. People from North Korea also experience discrimination in society, partly out of suspicion (North Korea has sent assassins and spies disguised as refugees) and partly out of the difficulty to integrate themselves into a vastly different society. Ethnic Koreans from China are also often regarded poorly due to being associated with low economic status and crime. People from [[South East Asia]] are also discriminated against since most immigrant workers in low-paid jobs come from that region. ===Traffic=== [[File:Korean Sign - Vehicles Only and No Thoroughfare for Motorcycles 3.JPG|thumb|right|Motorcycles not in emergency service are banned from Expressways in South Korea.]] With one of the highest rates of traffic deaths, South Korean motorists will speed through pedestrian crossings, jump red lights and come within a hair-width distance to pedestrians and other cars alike. Even when the light turns red, drivers will not stop. Motorcyclists are particularly reckless weaving in and out on crowded sidewalks. It is up to you to avoid them. There is a lot of discussion about the reason for this, although it basically comes down to Koreans regarding traffic laws as guidelines that are nice ideas rather than rules to be obeyed. Pedestrian crosswalks stay green for a very short period of time. When the walk signal is flashing and you are still at the curb, '''do not cross'''. Instead, you should wait and be ready for the light to turn green. The moment it turns green, wait for about 3 to 5 seconds and see if other pedestrians start to cross, and if all the traffic has indeed stopped, ''then'' walk briskly to cross safely. It is safer to take underground passageways at busy intersections. Most mopeds prefer to weave through pedestrians rather than wait with the rest of the traffic. There are plenty of marked pedestrian crossings in Korea, and they are essentially ignored by all drivers. As a foreigner you can use them by stepping onto the crossing and directly staring down any approaching cars and they will usually yield. It is important for you to stay alert while crossing the roads. Taxis, buses, freight trucks, and delivery scooters are more likely to ignore traffic rules, since many of them are pressured to ignore rules by harsh timetables or their customers. ===Illegal taxis=== Illegal taxis are a problem and run even from the airport. Each Korean city has a different taxi scheme with a specific car color, so check out your destination city's taxi scheme before you arrive. At the airport, ignore anyone asking if you want a taxi at arrivals and head out to the official taxi rank. ===Civil unrest=== In the heart of the political center of [[Seoul]], near Gwanghwamun and City Hall, you may witness political activists of one sort or another in the city center and demonstrations can grow to tens of thousands. You'll have to use discretion as violence during political demonstrations can happen, often with water cannons and tear gas, and also large crowds may pose safety issues. Fighting is always between the demonstrators and police, and foreigners are not targeted. Also, South Korean legislation prohibits non-South Koreans from engaging in political activities. ===Local laws=== Ignorance of the law here is no excuse for breaking it and can even be seen as a reason for harsher punishment. They include heavy fines, lengthy jail sentences and immediate deportation. * Penalties concerning drug offenses may seem particularly harsh to Westerners * Submitting fraudulent documentation for obtaining visas * Giving somebody an English lesson without possessing the correct visa * Causing injury during a fight, even if you were not the one who instigated it South Korea has a draconian '''National Security Act''' (국가보안법, ''Gukga Boanbeop'') with regards to [[North Korea]] that restricts any unauthorized contact with that country or its citizens. Although it rarely applies to foreign visitors you should still be careful since being associated with any "anti-State group" (반국가단체 ''bangukga danche'') is a criminal offense. With this in mind, you should under no circumstances display any symbols that represent North Korea or be seen to '''praise''' (찬양 ''chanyang'') North Korean figures, in particular Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un, in public, websites or social media. Doing this as a joke is not in any way an excuse, and criminal convictions can incur a penalty of up to '''seven years in prison'''. Websites in North Korea or from North Korean-affiliated organizations are blocked from South Korea. In any case you should not attempt to access them since it could be regarded as a "communication" (통신 ''tongsin'') with an anti-State group. ===Gambling=== Gambling is illegal for South Korean citizens, although a limited number of casinos are available for foreigners only in [[Seoul]], [[Busan]] and [[Jeju]] island. You will need to bring your passport to enter these establishments. ===Wildlife=== [[File:Vespa mandarinia japonica s3.JPG|thumbnail|Asian Giant Hornet]] The '''Asian giant hornet''' (장수말벌, ''jangsu malbeol'') or "commander bee" is usually seen around summer time; it is about {{mm|40}} long and can sting repeatedly and painfully. A hornet defending its nest or feeding spot will make a clicking sound to warn away intruders; if you encounter one, retreat. If you are stung, receive prompt medical attention, as prolonged exposure to the venom could cause permanent injury or even death. There are very few other animals that can be dangerous in Korea. The Siberian tiger is sadly no longer found on the Korean Peninsula. Large wild boars can sometimes be found in forested areas and can be very dangerous if they attack. If you see a boar with piglets then keep well away since the mother will not hesitate to protect them. Large sharks including the great white and hammerhead are being sighted more frequently off the coast of South Korea. To date there has never been a recorded attack on swimmers, although a few abalone divers have been killed in the past 20 years. The most popular beaches are closely monitored, and this is unlikely to be a real risk to you. ===Natural hazards=== South Korea is considerably less prone to natural disasters than its neighbors. Earthquakes are rare occurrences, though minor ones occasionally occur in the southwest of the country. Tsunamis are a recognized hazard in coastal areas, although Japan's strategic position prevents most tsunamis from ever reaching Korea. While '''typhoons''' do not occur as often as in [[Japan]], [[Taiwan]] or the [[Philippines]], they are nevertheless an almost yearly occurrence, and are occasionally known to be deadly and cause major property damage. ===Homosexuality=== Although same-sex relationships are not recognized by the government, there are no laws against homosexuality in South Korea. Gay clubs and bars exist in the larger cities, though openly displaying your sexual orientation in public is still likely to be met with disapproval. South Korea has a large number of Evangelical Christians who generally strongly disapprove of homosexuality. Nevertheless, verbal and physical attacks against gay people are rare. Conversely, platonic displays of physical affection between same-sex friends are very common, particularly when alcohol has been consumed, and holding hands with a same-sex romantic partner may be viewed in this light. ===Conflict with North Korea=== An understandable concern about traveling to South Korea is the possibility of war. However, while war has remained a distinct possibility ever since the end of the Korean war over 60 years ago, the North Koreans appear to have become very skilled at saber-rattling and limited provocations that are never allowed to escalate into out-and-out warfare. This is not to say that miscalculations could not spiral out of control, but simply that the odd missile launch or loudly publicized border closure does not mean war is nigh. If a full scale war did break out between the North and South, it would almost certainly result in many casualties, military and civilian alike. If this were to happen when you are visiting Seoul, it would definitely be life-threatening. There was a great deal of brinkmanship following the appointment of Kim Jong-un as North Korea's leader, and open conflict seemed to become more likely. However, no big conflagration has broken out, and it is safe to say that the possibility of all-out war is very low, though it would be reasonable to weigh the risks when planning to visit South Korea. There isn't really much you can do to mitigate the risk of military action. Find out the contact details of your embassy, and be aware of the current situation when traveling. Most embassies will have an evacuation strategy for their nationals in the case of war. Also be aware that [[Seoul]]'s [[Incheon International Airport]] is relatively close to the North Korean border, so therefore it may not be advisable to run there looking for a flight out. ===Emergency numbers=== *Police: '''112''' *Fire and ambulance services: '''119''' Emergency-service English interpreters are available 24 hours a day. ==Stay healthy== {{infobox|Fan Death|An urban legend that is very prevalent in (and particular to) South Korea is the danger of '''fan death'''&mdash;that is, death occurring while sleeping in a room with an operating electric fan. Many Koreans accept it as fact without being able to provide a plausible explanation, though several theories have been floated (i.e. a vortex sucking the air out of your body is one of the more surprising ones). It may surprise you a great deal how seriously this is taken, with simple fans having elaborate safety settings. The correct explanation for this condition is straightforward '''hyperthermia''' (the body overheating), which sets in if the temperature and humidity are high, the sleeper is dehydrated, and a fan close by keeps evaporating the body's sweat. Eventually the body runs out of water due to sweat loss and becomes overheated. The risk is no greater in Korea than anywhere else with similar climate.}} South Korean healthcare is known for its excellence in both research and clinical medicine, and most towns will be able to offer a high quality of healthcare. The sheer number of hospitals and specialized clinics in the country will also offer you a greater amount of choice. Healthcare is subsidized by the government and is relatively cheap compared to most western countries. Expatriate workers who have the required medical insurance card will experience further discounts. South Korea also promotes [[medical tourism]] where quality operations can be had for a fraction of the price of many other developed countries. South Korea is especially known for having a thriving '''plastic surgery''' industry, and the vast majority of South Korean celebrities have undergone cosmetic surgery to one degree or another. It is also common for parents who can afford it to pay for their daughters to go under the knife to achieve the "perfect look". The downside is that seeing the top plastic surgeons is usually very expensive. Most South Korean doctors can communicate well in English, being the most highly educated in the country. (Indeed, many have achieved their medical qualifications in the United States.) However, you may find them a little difficult to understand due to their Korean accent, so do ask them to slow down and go through things with you clearly. On the other hand, nurses will very rarely speak much, if any, English. '''Traditional Chinese medicine''', along with traditional Korean medicine (한의학 ''hanuihak'' or 향약 ''hyangyak''), is highly regarded in South Korea and involves many traditional methods including acupuncture, heating and herbal medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has deep roots and practitioners must undergo strict government certification in order to practice. Typically Koreans use Oriental medicine for chronic ailments such as back pain and Western medicine for sudden injuries. Due to the holistic nature of Oriental medicine (i.e. treating the whole body rather than a specific ailment) it is very hard to measure its effectiveness, but nevertheless it is a widely trusted part of the Korean medical system. Western medicine, however, does not generally recognize the effectiveness of the procedures in Oriental medicine. [[File:YakPharmacy.jpg|thumb|A Korean pharmacy, with the word 약 (Yak) prominently displayed]] '''Pharmacies''' are available everywhere, and are indicated by one very large word '''약''' (''yak''). As hospitals in South Korea are not allowed to dispense take-home prescriptions there will almost always be a separate pharmacy available there. Although there are no official '''vaccinations''' that are required or recommended for visitors, Hepatitis A is known throughout the country and attacks the liver after the host ingests contaminated food or water. Once infected, time is the only cure. The [http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-HepA.aspx#362 Center for Disease Control] designates the prevalence of infection in South Korea to be ''intermediate''. A vaccine is available for Hepatitis A, so you might want to consider getting vaccinated before you travel to be safe. '''Tap water''' in South Korea is perfectly safe to drink, although you may want to follow the local habits of boiling and filtering if only to get rid of the chlorine smell. Bottled mineral water from [[Jeju]] Island is also very popular. Fresh mountain spring water is available directly in wells around the country (especially Buddhist monasteries), and although these are generally safe, the water has not been treated in any way and could be unsafe. '''Spring water''' Koreans are especially fond of drinking mountain spring water when hiking through mountains or at monasteries, although this water is completely untreated. If you see plastic (or metal) ladles provided that are obviously in use, then the water is probably safe. Some places in Korea have communal wells set up that supply fresh water, and in theory the local government will test from time to time in order to certify the safety. The certification (or warning) will be in Korean, so you may not know if a particular water source is safe. ==Cope== ===Media=== South Korea has several English language media sources for daily news and other information, such as the [http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr Yonhap News Agency]. Daily newspapers in English include the [http://english.hani.co.kr Hankyoreh], [http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp The Korea Times], [http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/index.asp The Korea Herald] and [http://english.chosun.com/ The Chosun Ilbo]. For television, there is an English-language channel called [http://www.arirang.co.kr/intro.asp Arirang TV] that is available throughout the world on some cable subscriptions. [http://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil/home.aspx AFN Korea] is available to U.S. military community or via cable. There are some English-language radio stations in South Korea such as TBS e-FM (101.3 FM) and AFN channel (1530 AM and 102.7 FM in Seoul). ==Respect== {{infobox|Naming conventions and modes of address|2=Korean names follow the East Asian order of '''family name followed by given name'''. Someone called 홍길동 (''Hong Gil Dong'') has the family name <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hong</span> and the given name Gil Dong. Koreans often, but not always, preserve their East Asian name order in English. However, many Koreans have an English nickname (which may simply be the initials of their given Korean name); when using it, they will use the Western name order. When addressing other people, Koreans generally use the other person's '''family and given name + ''-ssi'' (씨)''' for most situations. Addressing someone by just their given name is only done when addressing children of elementary school age or younger, and very close friends. Using just the family name is generally not done in Korea, as Koreans consider it to be condescending, since it implies that you are talking down to someone of a lower social status. (It would also be confusing, since nearly half of all Koreans have one of the three most common family names: Kim, Lee, or Park.) '''Ssi''' is the default suffix, but others you might encounter are: * ''-nim'' (님) — People above you, from bosses up to deities, as well as customers * ''-a/-ya'' (아/야) — Close friends, and junior family members * ''-gun'' (군) — Young boys * ''-yang'' (양) — Young girls To avoid being overly formal or familiar, stick with full name + ''-ssi'' unless the person tells you otherwise. In business settings, ''-ssi'' is often substituted with a job position/title, with the suffix ''-nim'' added to the back to the job position/title for people in a senior position to you. Often, the name is dropped altogether, so an employee may simply address his company's president as ''sajang-nim'' (사장님 "Honored Mr./Ms. President"). In English, it's okay to use just the family name, or family name plus initials of their given name. However, it's more proper to use their job title (even if it's a mouthful) than "Mr./Miss". Our example <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hong</span> Gil Dong from before might be called General Manager Hong, or General Manager G.D. Hong, or Mr. Hong if he's a low-level employee without a title. If unsure how to call someone, feel free to ask; even Koreans can get confused by it. They may also mix up the order of your name, referring to you as Mr. John or President Mary. (If your ''given'' name is Kim, to avoid confusion you may want to go by Kimberly/Kimball. If you're a Lee, you should perhaps use a different name.)}} Coming from a land of strict Confucian hierarchy and etiquette, Koreans are regarded as reserved and well-mannered. As a visitor, you will not be expected to know every nuance, but making an effort will certainly be appreciated. The further you are away from metropolitan areas the more conservative the people are. Nevertheless, most South Koreans are welcoming towards foreign tourists, and as long as you show a modicum of respect towards their culture, will do their best to make your visit a pleasant one. American visitors can expect a particularly warm welcome, as most South Koreans admire American culture. === Social etiquette and breaches === * Koreans '''bow''' to each other to show their respect when they meet. They may also shake hands. (When shaking hands, particularly with someone older, support your right arm with your left hand.) However, with people you know well, a quick nod of the head and a simple "''Annyeonghaseyo''" (안녕하세요, "Hello") should suffice. * It is very important to '''remove your shoes''' when entering many places in Korea. It is always expected that you take off your shoes in someone's home. It is also required in many good restaurants (especially family-run ones), smaller hospitals, medical clinics and dentists. Leave your shoes by the front door; indoor slippers may be provided. * Much like their neighbors, Koreans place a very strong emphasis on "saving face", thus communication is rather '''indirect'''. Gestures and facial expressions are not commonly used when conversing, which can give some the impression that Koreans are "stern". Unless you are in a position of seniority, you shouldn't beckon someone directly. * '''Direct personal questions''' are common. Koreans typically ask such questions to demonstrate interest in who you are. If you feel a question is too personal, simply give an indirect answer and move along. * '''Respect for elders''' is very important. It's considered ''rude manners'' to directly challenge someone older than you or who's in a position of authority. In public transportation, you are always expected to give up your seat to someone older than you. * When '''picking something up or taking something''' from somebody older, always use two hands. If you have to use one hand, you can simply support your right arm with your left hand. * South Korean households often have strict rules about '''recycling''': for example, one bin may be for paper only and another in the kitchen may be for food/drink containers. Each district in Korea has its own unique recycling scheme. Garbage bags must be purchased from a supermarket and must be of the type designated for your local district. * Never pour your own drink when dining with Koreans, but always take the initiative to pour for others. When dining with Koreans, the oldest or most senior should always eat first. * It is common to hear people talking loudly in restaurants, as a sign of being happy and enjoying the food. But always remember to act polite in front of older people especially at the table. Koreans think making a loud sound in front of older people is rude. === Things to avoid === '''Politics:''' * South Koreans in general have very strong nationalistic views and would view any criticism of their country with varying degrees of hostility. To avoid getting into the bad books of your hosts, it is advisable to praise the country, or at least avoid bringing up anything negative about it. * Although you may notice similarities between Korean culture and that of neighboring China and Japan, be aware that Koreans are fiercely proud of their unique culture and that you shouldn't go overboard making national comparisons. ** Cultural and historiographical disputes with China are a particularly sensitive issue, and South Koreans often accuse China of appropriating Korean history and culture. This is further complicated by the fact that China has a large ethnic Korean minority, and things came to a head when a representative of that community wore a hanbok at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, causing a massive outcry among the South Korean public and resulting in a diplomatic protest being filed against China by the South Korean government. In particular, China's nomination of the Complex of Goguryeo Tombs near [[Ji'an]] as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has caused deep anger among South Koreans. * '''Do not attempt to compliment North Korea''' in any way, even in jest. On the other hand, be careful not to go out of your way to be critical since they are still regarded as fellow Koreans, and you are a foreigner. === Business etiquette === '''Business cards''' (명함 ''myeongham'') in particular are treated very respectfully and formally. How you treat someone's business card is seen as representing how you will treat the person. Make sure to pack more than you'll need, as not having a business card to present is a serious faux pas. There's a lot of nuanced etiquette, but here are some basics: * When presenting a business card, orient it so it's readable by the person you're giving it to, and use both hands to present or receive one. Juniors give their cards to seniors first; people of equal rank can exchange simultaneously using your right hand to give yours and left hand to receive theirs. Take the time to read the card and confirm their name and job title. (Korean business cards are often bilingual, sometimes on opposite sides of the card.) * You can ask permission to write notes on the back of a card if you need to. It's disrespectful to fold a card or place it in your back pocket (where you'll sit on it!). Instead, you should arrange cards on the table (in order of seniority) to help you remember who's who. When it's time to leave, then you can pack the cards in a nice case to keep them pristine; if you don't have one, hold on to them until you're out of sight before pocketing them. ===National issues=== Given the long history of unwanted intervention in Korea by foreign nations, Koreans are understandably rather sensitive about '''political discussions'''. You should avoid discussing the following topics since they are never going to achieve anything but getting you onto someone's bad side: * [[Japan]]'s annexation and brutal colonization of Korea until 1945 * Japan's lack of sufficient recognition and apology over the sexual enslavement of Korean "comfort women" during World War II * Japan's territorial claims over the South Korean island of [[Dokdo]] * The Korean war and anything to do with [[North Korea]] * Bad behavior of individual members of the United States military stationed in South Korea * Any deference of the South Korean military towards the United States military * Any international sporting controversies where South Korean athletes are involved * Do not refer to the sea east of South Korea as the "Sea of Japan" (even though this is by far the most accepted name internationally). Always refer to it as the "East Sea" (동해 ''Donghae''). * The MV ''Sewol'' ferry disaster of April 2014. It is no exaggeration to say that the country was deeply traumatized by this incident, and many entertainment programs were cancelled over the following months. There is a lot of introspection going on around this, although as a foreigner your contributions may not be appreciated. Solidarity is shown with yellow ribbons so make sure you don't make jokes about the many ribbons when you see them. Should your hosts bring any such topics up, it is best to stay neutral and avoid any debates. Playing devil's advocate is really not appreciated in Korea. ===Religion=== Religion in South Korea has changed a great deal over time, with today's main religions of Buddhism and Christianity both having been oppressed over the past centuries. Today just under half of Koreans state that they have no religious affiliation. There are practically no tensions at all between the different groups, with religion being usually regarded as a personal choice. '''Buddhism''' was historically the main religion in Korea (albeit often suppressed in favor of Chinese Confucianism), and Buddhist temples are major tourist attractions throughout the country. As in [[India]], [[China]], and other countries there are Buddhist swastikas representing good luck on display at religious buildings. You will notice they are actually drawn in reverse to the one used in Nazi Germany, and they in no way represent antisemitism. When visiting Buddhist temples you should be respectful by not making too much noise, eating or drinking. South Korea has a high proportion of '''Christians''' (18% of the population are Protestant and 11% are Roman Catholic) and dozens of churches can be found in absolutely every major city. Protestants in South Korea tend to be strongly conservative and frequently highly evangelical, sending a large number of missionaries abroad (rivaling the United States in this regard). Catholics often combine elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Korean shamanism into their faith. South Korea is also home to a myriad of new religions based on Christianity (such as the Unification Church), which may be deemed as controversial or heresy by others. It is common for both strangers and acquaintances to ask you to come to their church, although offense will not usually be taken if you decline. '''Korean Shamanism''', also known as Muism, is the indigenous religion of the Korean people since ancient times. Although it is professed by less than 1% of South Koreans today, its practices and beliefs are known to most and to some extent still practiced by many people, having been incorporated into both Christian and Buddhist rituals. '''Confucianism''' was often promoted as the state religion during Korea's history, and although there are few adherents today the majority of Koreans will be familiar with its teachings and practices, and even today government officials are still required to sit Confucian examinations. ===Smoking=== While [[smoking]] in Korea is not quite as popular as in Japan or China, many Korean men and an increasing number of Korean women smoke, and it's fairly cheap compared to much of Europe and America. A pack of twenty costs around ₩5,000 and cigarettes can be bought from all convenience stores. Koreans favor mild cigarettes (around 6 mg tar) so Korean-made cigarettes may taste bland and flavorless compared to those from America or Europe, and even the Korean-produced Western cigarettes are much lighter than the originals (e.g., full-strength Marlboro Reds in Korea have only 8 mg tar, the same as Marlboro Lights in the U.S.). If you prefer stronger cigarettes it's wise to bring some duty-free cigarettes with you. Smoking is forbidden in public buildings, public transport and restaurants. Various establishments will tacitly allow smoking despite the ban, although they will never explicitly tell you that you can smoke, for fear of legal repercussions. Smoking in public is also banned, but this is largely unenforced and designated smoking areas are sparse. Female smokers may give a negative impression to some Koreans, as smoking is not considered feminine in Korea. ==Connect== ===By phone=== For calls to South Korea, the country code is '''+82'''. International dialing prefixes in South Korea vary by operator. ====Mobile phones==== {{see also|Mobile phones}} South Korea plans to shut down its last 2G network in 2021, so 2G (GSM or CDMA) mobile phones will not work. However, if you have a 3G phone with a 3G SIM card, you can probably roam onto the '''UMTS/W-CDMA 2100''' networks of KT or SK Telecom; check with your home operator before you leave to be sure. 4G LTE has been made available in Korea; again, check with your provider. While 5G is also becoming available, providers have only so far made it available to select postpaid plans or inbound roaming agreements; prepaid users purchasing a local SIM in South Korea will not have access to 5G (as of August 2021). The country has three service providers: '''[http://roaming.kt.com/eng/index.asp KT]''', '''[http://www.sktelecom.com/ SK Telecom]''' and '''[http://www.uplus.co.kr/cmg/engl/ouse/peos/RetrievePeOsRooming.hpi LG U+]'''. They offer prepaid mobile phone services ("pre-paid service" or "PPS"). Incoming calls are free. Phones and prepaid services can be acquired at any retail location found on any street (for Koreans). Second-hand phones are also available at selected stores in [[Seoul]]. Mobile phone coverage is generally excellent, with the exception of some remote mountainous areas. SK Telecom has the best coverage, followed by KT and LG U+. As a foreigner without Korean residency your choices are: * Buy a prepaid SIM card from a KT Global or airport provider store * Rent a phone from an airport (expensive — best for short visits) * Using roaming on your phone if available from your home provider * Borrow a phone from a Korean resident * Have a Korean resident acquire another SIM card and lend it to you * Use [[Internet telephony]] (e.g. Skype) over the many Wi-Fi spots available You should be able to get a prepaid SIM card at one of the KT Global locations. Due to a loosening of the regulations, there is no longer a requirement that you have been in the country for 3 days already; you can apply for a prepaid SIM immediately upon arrival. The fee for a prepaid SIM card is ₩5,500, and you have to charge at least ₩10,000 at the spot. You must also have a compatible phone. All modern iPhones (3GS and later) should work. SK Telecom and LG also offer mobile phone rental services, and some handsets also support GSM SIM roaming. They have outlets at the Incheon, Seoul&ndash;Gimpo and Busan&ndash;Gimhae airports. You can find service centers for KT SHOW and SK Telecom at Jeju airport as well. You can rent a 4G WiBro device between ₩5,000–10,000 a day for unlimited access, although coverage is not always available outside larger cities and in enclosed areas. The 1330 Korea Travel Phone service is a very useful service provided by the Korea Tourism organization. It is a 24-hour service and offered in four different languages (Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese). The operator will answer questions on bus schedules, accommodation, museum hours, etc. The internationally popular messaging app WhatsApp is not popular in South Korea. Most South Koreans use the local app '''[https://www.kakaocorp.com/service/KakaoTalk?lang=en KaKaoTalk]''' instead. ===By Internet=== [[File:Korean.culture-PC.bang-01.jpg|thumbnail|A PC bang in Seoul]] South Korea is the '''world's most wired country''' and Internet cafes, known as '''PC ''bang''''' (PC방), are ubiquitous through the country. Most customers are there for gaming but you're free to sit and type e-mails as well. Typical charges are about ₩1,000-2,000/hour, although more luxurious places may charge more. Most PC bang tend to be cash only. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in most PC bang. Smoking is banned in PC bang but many stores will give tacit consent to smoking, despite stating otherwise if asked explicitly (for legal reasons). There is also a lot of free Wi-Fi available throughout South Korea. Most households in South Korea do have broadband connections with Wi-Fi, and most are encrypted by default. [https://first.wifi.olleh.com/en/index_new.html ollehWiFi] is one of the most common Wi-Fi hotspots available and requires payment. The service is fast (30Mbps+) and prices are cheap at ₩1,100/hour or ₩3,300/day. You can buy the service on your device by credit card, or by cash or card in most convenience stores. ollehWiFi is available at most convenient stores, coffee shops, some marts, restaurants, intercity buses, and on all subways and subway stations in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. The Starbucks Coffee chain also offers Wi-Fi, however you will require a South Korean phone number to use it. Many other coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi with no registration required. ollehWiFi should also be available in all Starbucks stores. South Korean websites frequently require Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer, especially those involving online payment. As elsewhere in Asia, a lot of services are becoming available primarily for mobile phones, with [http://www.kakao.com/talk Kakao Talk] being the most popular. ===By mail=== '''[http://www.epost.go.kr/main/eng/Enpost_Introduction1.html Korea Post]''' is fast, reliable and reasonably priced. Postage for a postcard anywhere in the world is ₩660, while letters and packages start from ₩480. If you want actual traditional stamps, be sure to ask for them, or else you will just get a printed label. On request, fancy "tourist" cancellations (''Gwangwang Tongsin Ilbuin'') for your stamps are available at selected post offices without additional charge. Korea Post accepts Visa and MasterCard for purchases over ₩1,000. Most post offices are open only M-F 09:00-18:00. Larger post offices also open Saturday mornings, and central offices in the main cities stay open late and are open on Sundays as well. {{IsPartOf|East Asia}} {{usablecountry}} {{geo|36|128|zoom=7}} q37plh0gth7oneq0yy048l1j3kv3d4b 4506306 4506303 2022-08-22T16:22:45Z JRHorse 1921 /* Get in */ Q-CODE link changed to English language link wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Korea Banner 2.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Eligible foreign nationals that have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including tourists, are exempt from South Korea's 7-day quarantine. See [[South Korea#Get in|Get in]] for more information.|lastedit=2022-04-01}} '''[https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/ South Korea]''' ([[Korean phrasebook|Korean]]: 한국, 韓國 ''Hanguk''), officially the '''Republic of Korea''' (대한민국, 大韓民國 ''Daehan Minguk''), is a country in [[East Asia]]. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. South Korea has emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and cemented its place as one of the world's major economic powers. Since the turn of the 21st century, South Korean pop culture has become enormously popular all over East Asia, making it a very popular tourist destination. ==Regions== South Korea is administratively divided into nine provinces, as listed below. The largest cities are separate entities from these provinces, but we include them in the most relevant province. {{Regionlist | regionmap=South Korea regions map merged.png | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Gyeonggi]] | region1color=#d1d782 | region1description=Surrounding [[Seoul]] and covered in its urban sprawl, and the [[Panmunjeom|Korean Demilitarised Zone]] close by. | region2name=[[Gangwon]] | region2color=#7eb587 | region2description=Natural wonderland with the [[Seoraksan National Park]], beaches and ski resorts. | region3name=[[North Chungcheong]] | region3color=#cd9c56 | region3description=A landlocked province filled with mountains and national parks. | region4name=[[South Chungcheong]] | region4color=#679da3 | region4description=Central western part of the country. The flat areas are made up of rice paddies. Point where main train lines and highways converge and known for its hot springs. | region5name=[[North Gyeongsang]] | region5color=#629bc0 | region5description=Largest province and richest area for historical and cultural sites, such as [[Andong]], [[Gyeongju]] and the islands of [[Ulleungdo]]. | region6name=[[South Gyeongsang]] | region6color=#b58db5 | region6description=Known for its gorgeous seaside cities and beaches where most Koreans take their summer holidays. | region7name=[[North Jeolla]] | region7color=#b7cfa4 | region7description=Noted for great food. | region8name=[[South Jeolla]] | region8color=#d17c82 | region8description=Lots of beautiful small islands and landscape, fantastic food (especially seafood along the coast) and good for fishing. | region9name=[[Jeju]] | region9color=#8f7fcf | region9description=South Korea's honeymoon island, created by a volcano. Great scenery with wildflowers and horseback riding. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d1d782|title=[[Gyeonggi]]|wikidata=Q20937}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#7eb587|title=[[Gangwon]]|wikidata=Q41071}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#cd9c56|title=[[North Chungcheong]]|wikidata=Q41066}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#679da3|title=[[South Chungcheong]]|wikidata=Q41070}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#629bc0|title=[[North Gyeongsang]]|wikidata=Q41154}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b58db5|title=[[South Gyeongsang]]|wikidata=Q41151}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b7cfa4|title=[[North Jeolla]]|wikidata=Q41157}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d17c82|title=[[South Jeolla]]|wikidata=Q41161}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8f7fcf|title=[[Jeju]]|wikidata=Q29151}} ==Cities== {{mapframe}} <!-- Keep this list limited to the 9 most important cities for tourists --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Seoul]]|url=|lat=37.566|long=126.966|wikidata=Q8684}} (서울) &mdash; the dynamic 600-year-old capital of South Korea, a fusion of the ancient and modern *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Busan]]|url=|lat=35.166|long=129.066|wikidata=Q16520}} (부산, 釜山) &mdash; the second largest city and a major port *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chuncheon]]|url=|lat=37.866|long=127.733|wikidata=Q42148}} (춘천, 春川) &mdash; capital city of Gangwon province, surrounded by lakes and mountains and known for local dishes, dakgalbi and makguksu *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Daegu]]|url=|lat=35.9|long=128.6|wikidata=Q20927}} (대구, 大邱) &mdash; a cosmopolitan city, rich with ancient traditions and sights *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Daejeon]]|url=|lat=36.351|long=127.385|wikidata=Q20921}} (대전, 大田) &mdash; a large and dynamic metropolis in Chungnam province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gwangju]]|url=|lat=35.166|long=126.916|wikidata=Q41283}} (광주, 光州) &mdash; the administrative and economic centre of the area, the largest city in the province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gyeongju]]|url=|lat=35.85|long=129.22|wikidata=Q42097}} (경주, 慶州) &mdash; the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Incheon]]|url=|lat=37.483|long=126.633|wikidata=Q20934}} (인천, 仁川) &mdash; second busiest port in the country, location of the country's largest international airport *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jeonju]]|url=|lat=35.82|long=127.15|wikidata=Q42140}} (전주, 全州) &mdash; once the spiritual capital of the Joseon Dynasty, now a leading center of the arts filled with museums, ancient Buddhist temples, and historical monuments ==Other destinations== <!-- Keep this list limited to the 9 most important other destinations for tourists --> *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Seoraksan National Park]]|url=|lat=38.125|long=128.416|wikidata=Q706310}} (설악산국립공원) &mdash; spread out over four cities and counties, the country's most renowned national park and mountain range *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Andong]]|url=|lat=36.567|long=128.716|wikidata=Q42116}} (안동시) &mdash; historically rich in Confucius traditions and home of living folk village *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ansan]]|url=|lat=37.316|long=126.833|wikidata=Q42117}} (안산시) &mdash; a city in Gyeonggi province on the coast of the Yellow Sea *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Panmunjeom]]|url=|lat=37.956|long=126.68|wikidata=Q495167}} (판문점) &mdash; the only tourist site in the world where the Cold War is still reality *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yeosu]]|url=|lat=34.733|long=127.733|wikidata=Q42125}} (여수시) &mdash; one of the country's most picturesque port cities especially at night. Famous for its seafood and beaches, you can visit some of the islands in Hallyeo Ocean Park with cruise or watch sunset from its fabulous Dolsan Bridge or romantic cafes near marinas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Jindo]]|url=|lat=34.483|long=126.261|wikidata=Q485651}} (진도) &mdash; commonly associated with the dog native to that area, the Jindo, every year people flock to the area to witness the parting of the sea and participate with the accompanying festivities *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ulleungdo]]|url=|lat=37.5|long=130.9|wikidata=Q41172}} (울릉도) &mdash; scenic remote island off the east coast of peninsula *{{Marker|type=vicinity |lat=37.561|long=128.487|zoom=11 |name=[[Pyeongchang]] |image=|wikidata=Q188624}} (평창군) &mdash; the host city of the [[Wikivoyage:Past_events/Pyeongchang_2018|2018 Winter Olympics]]. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationSouthKorea.png}} Positioned on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is a country of dazzling scenic landscapes and a mixed representation of centuries-old traditions and contemporary society. It boasts a recorded history extending more than 5,000 years. ===History=== ====Early history and founding of a nation==== {{seealso|Pre-modern Korea}} [[File:Korea-Daegu-Palgongsan-01.jpg|thumbnail|Daegu and the mountain Palgongsan]] Archeological finds of prehistoric toolmaking on the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]] date back to 70,000 BC, and the first pottery is found around 8000 BC. Comb-pattern pottery culture peaked around 3500&ndash;2000 BC. Legend has it that Korea began with the founding of '''Gojoseon''' (고조선, 古朝鮮, also called '''Ancient Chosun''') by the legendary Dangun in 2333 BC. Archaeological and contemporaneous written records of Gojoseon as a kingdom date back to around 7th&ndash;4th century BC. The Chinese Han Dynasty eventually defeated Gojoseon, and its territories were governed as four commanderies. The political chaos following the fall of the Han Dynasty in China allowed native tribes to regain control of Korea and led to the emergence of the '''Three Kingdoms of Korea''' (삼국시대, 三國時代), namely Goguryeo (고구려, 高句麗), Silla (신라, 新羅) and Baekje (백제, 百濟). Despite repeated attempts by China, namely the Sui Dynasty and later the Tang Dynasty, to conquer the Korean Peninsula, northern-based Goguryeo managed to repel them. Eventually, Goguryeo fell to a Silla-Tang alliance, which had earlier defeated Baekje, and unified Korea under the '''Silla Dynasty'''. A later invasion by the Tang was repelled by Silla forces, thus maintaining Korea's independence. The remnants of Goguryeo would go on to found another kingdom known as '''Balhae''' (발해, 渤海) in what is now [[Northeast China]], which would last until 926 AD when the Khitans conquered it. Unified Silla was replaced by the '''Goryeo Dynasty''' (고려, 高麗, also called '''Koryo'''), from which the modern name "Korea" derives. One highlight of the Goryeo dynasty was that in 1234 the world's first metal movable type was invented by a Korean named Choe Yun-ui (200 years before Gutenberg's printing press). Goryeo was replaced by the '''Joseon Dynasty''' (조선, 朝鮮, also called ''Chosun''), after a coup by one of its generals. The Joseon dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910, being one of the longest actively ruling dynasties in world history. During the early part of the Joseon dynasty, Korean technological inventions such as the world's first water clock, ironclad ship, and other innovations took place. During the rule of King Sejong the Great, the world's first rain gauge was invented, and the Korean alphabet, known as ''hangul'', was created. ====Japanese occupation and division==== [[File:JSA ConferenceRooms.JPG|thumbnail|The light blue conference rooms at the Joint Security Area of Panmunjeom]] Korea was invaded by the Japanese, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century, who was eventually defeated by an alliance between the Joseon dynasty and China's Ming dynasty. This defeat and the untimely death of Hideyoshi forced the Japanese to pull out of Korea. Later, Korea's status as an independent kingdom under the Chinese sphere of cultural influence (사대 ''sadae'') ended in 1895 after China's defeat in the Sino-Japanese War and the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Under the treaty's terms, China recognized the severing of the several centuries-old, nominal elder-younger brother relationship between China and Korea, bringing Japan the window of opportunity to force Korea into its growing sphere of influence. Although the elder-younger brother relationship between China and Joseon was a voluntary diplomatic formality assumed by Joseon's rulers to receive the benefits of advanced Chinese culture and trade, it was a symbolic victory for Japan to achieve the breakage of this link. It put Japan in a position to take possession of Korea without fear of Chinese intervention. In 1910, Imperial Japan annexed Korea, thus beginning a 35-year occupation of the country. Despite numerous armed rebellions, assassinations, intellectual and cultural resistance, suppression, a cultural assimilation policy that included forcing Koreans to take Japanese names and forbidding them to speak the Korean language allowed Japan to maintain control of the peninsula. During the occupation, the Japanese also forced many Korean women to serve as "comfort women" (i.e., sex slaves) in Japanese military brothels, which continues to be a major bone of contention in diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. After Imperial Japan's defeat in [[Pacific War|World War II]], Soviet forces occupied the northern half of Korea while U.S. forces occupied the southern half. North and South Korea each declared independence as separate states in 1948. Kim Il-Sung established a communist regime with the support of the Soviet Union in the north, and Syngman Rhee established a capitalist regime with the support of the United States in the south. After antagonism from both sides, North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, starting the [[Korean War]] which destroyed much of the country. The U.S. and other U.N. forces intervened on South Korea's side, while the Soviet Union and China supported the North. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone after the war had reached a stalemate with no significant territorial gains made by either side. However, as no peace treaty has ever been signed, the two Koreas officially remain at war, although without any ongoing combat. ====Republic of Korea==== Despite initially being economically outperformed by its northern rival, South Korea eventually emerged from the ashes of the Korean War. It achieved rapid economic growth starting in the 1960s under the iron-fisted rule of President Park Chung-hee. After Park was assassinated in 1979, a coup lead by Chun Doo-hwan established another military dictatorship in 1980 and suppressed democratic movements at that time, perhaps one of the most notorious event is the '''[[Gwangju]] massacre''' that caused at least 200 deaths among protesters. As one of the East Asian Tigers, the South Korean economy's industrialization and modernization efforts gained traction in the 1980s and 1990s. Per capita income rose to 20 times that of North Korea. In 1996, South Korea joined the OECD. Today, South Korea is an industrialized and developed economy with some of the world's leading high technology corporations, such as Samsung and LG. Demands for greater freedom of speech and human rights led to nationwide demonstrations that led to democratic elections in 1987, just prior to the South Korean capital of Seoul hosting the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. South Korea is now a liberal democracy and an economic powerhouse. The peace process with the North is still underway at a glacial pace, with little sign that the status quo will change anytime soon. In 2012 the country elected its first female president, Park Geun-hye. However, she was dramatically ejected from power in 2017 and subsequently convicted of corruption and abuse of power after widespread demonstrations over corruption that involved personal connections and Korea's largest corporations. The cultural phenomenon is known as the '''Korean Wave''' (한류 ''hallyu'') has swept most of Asia and many other parts of the world as South Korean film, television, music, food, and other aspects of culture have become popular. In 2012 Psy's Korean-language song "Gangnam Style" topped the charts in many Western countries. ===People=== [[Image:Namdaemun Buildings.JPG|thumb|240px|Namdaemun Gate, [[Seoul]]]] South Korea is a very homogeneous country, with nearly all native residents identifying themselves as ethnically Korean and speaking the Korean language. However, the demographics are changing, with immigrants having passed the one million mark for the first time in South Korean history. The most significant resident minority are the Chinese, numbering around 440,000, though the majority of them are Chinese citizens of Korean ethnicity. There are also workers from Mongolia, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world. A community of 20,000 English teachers from anglophone nations are spread out throughout the country. A long-standing 30,000 American military personnel are stationed here. South Korea's large and growing economy has attracted people from all over the world. Seoul's leading financial center has brought many financial workers from North America, Europe, and Japan. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world but also has one of the world's lowest birth rates (1.21 children per woman). Dealing with this very low birthrate will be one of the major problems for this country in the 21st century. Confucian attitudes about the importance of a male heir have led to a strongly skewed sex ratio, with about 112 men for every 100 women, encouraging many Korean men in rural areas to seek wives from other countries such as China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. About 85% of South Koreans live in urban areas. ===Government and politics=== South Korea is a full and relatively stable democracy, with executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government. Democracy began in 1948 but suffered frequent periods of military coups. The country has been a stable democracy since 1987, when the sixth republic was declared. The president is the head of state and is elected for one five-year term. Party composition and naming changes frequently in South Korean politics, although conservative, liberal, and progressive platforms are usually represented. In general, left-wing parties tend to support reconciliation and more cooperation with North Korea. In contrast, right-wing parties tend to support closer ties with the United States and taking a tougher stance against North Korea. Although the military remains a powerful force in Korean politics (not surprising given that Japan, China, and North Korea surround the country), it is widely considered that another military coup is very unlikely. ===Culture=== [[Image:Changdeokgung Bedchamber Detail.jpg|thumb|240px|Decoration of a royal palace, Changdeokgung, [[Seoul]]]] Having been in the cultural sphere of China for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences are evident in traditional Korean culture. Nevertheless, many fundamental differences remain, and Korea has retained a distinct cultural identity from its larger neighbor. Koreans are fiercely proud of their heritage and their resistance to outside domination. During the Joseon dynasty, Korea's dominant philosophy was a strict form of Confucianism, perhaps even more stringent than the Chinese original. People were separated into a rigid hierarchy, with the king at the apex, an elite of officials and warriors and a small group of nobility (양반 ''yangban'') below him, a middle class of petty civil servants (중인 ''chungin'') below them, and then a vast population of commoners (상민 ''sangmin'') at the bottom. The educated were superior to the uneducated, women served men, and everybody stuck to a defined role or faced severe consequences. Korea adopted its version of the imperial examination system invented by and used in China to select officials, creating somewhat of a premodern meritocracy for the government like its Chinese counterpart, though, unlike the Chinese version, the Korean version was largely restricted to the ''yangban'' and ''chungin'' classes. Buddhism was suppressed mainly due to the widespread corruption and greed of monks and temples during the waning stages of the Goryeo dynasty. While the Joseon dynasty ceased to exist in 1910, its legacy lives on in Korean culture: education and hard work are valued above all else, employees are expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women still struggle for equal treatment. Koreans believe that the things that set them the most apart from other Asian cultures are their cuisine, language, and Hangul script. Outsiders will note their extreme modernity, tempered by a well-developed artistic and architectural joyfulness. Nothing goes undecorated if it can be helped, and they have a knack for stylish interior design. South Korea also has a vibrant film and TV industry, and the country is one of only a few in the world where local films have a larger market share than Hollywood films. South Koreans firmly hold on to many ancient traditions that go back thousands of years, yet paradoxically, they are often obsessed with the latest technology. Consumer devices with amazing advanced technology developed in Korea are often several years ahead of the rest of the world. South Korea has a significant number of Christians (18% Protestants, 11% Roman Catholic) and Buddhists (23% practicing, 47% non-practicing), and churches can be found in the towns and temples, and monasteries on hills. Over a third of the country professes to follow no particular organized religion. However, most people (including Christians) are still strongly influenced by traditional Korean Buddhist and Confucian philosophies that seeped into the Korean cultural background. Islam and several religions of Korean origin also have a few followers in parts of the country. The game of [[Go]], called ''baduk'' in Korean, is a traditional pastime and some of the world's strongest players are Korean. ====Holidays==== {{CNYdates}} Korea's traditional holidays mostly follow the lunar calendar and therefore fall on different days each year from the perspective of the Western Gregorian calendar. The two biggest, Lunar New Year and ''Chuseok'', are family holidays where everybody returns to their hometowns ''en masse'' and all forms of transport are absolutely packed. It is worth planning your itinerary around these dates, as well as realizing that your best eating options may be noodle packets from a 7-Eleven! On the other holidays, you will not notice too much difference, however, all banks and government offices will be closed. [[File:Coloured lanterns at the Lotus Lantern Festival.jpg|thumbnail|On Buddha's birthday temples are decorated by colored lanterns]] *'''New Year's Day''' (신정 ''Sinjeong'') &mdash; January 1 *'''Lunar New Year''' (설날 ''Seollal'', also known as "Korean New Year" or 구정 ''Gujeong'') &mdash; 1st day of 1st lunar month (January&ndash;February) &mdash; Families gather together, eat traditional foods, especially ''tteokguk'' (떡국), and perform an ancestral service. The public holiday lasts for three days, which includes the eve and second day. Many shops and restaurants close for three days, so it is not ideal for visiting. *'''Independence Movement Day''' (삼일절 or 3·1절 ''Samiljeol'', lit. "3-1 Day") &mdash; March 1 &mdash; In commemoration of the March 1st resistance movement against the invading Japanese Imperial Army in 1919. *'''Children's Day''' (어린이날 ''Eorininal'') &mdash; 5 May *'''Buddha's Birthday''' (부처님 오신 날 ''Bucheonnim Osin Nal'' or 사월 초파일 ''Sawol Chopail'') &mdash; 8th day of the 4th lunar month (April&ndash;May) *'''Memorial Day''' (현충일 ''Hyeonchung-il'') &mdash; June 6 &mdash; Commemorates Koreans who gave their lives to the nation. *'''Constitution Day''' (제헌절 ''Jeheonjeol'') &mdash; July 17 *'''Liberation Day''' (광복절 ''Gwangbokjeol'') &mdash; August 15 &mdash; This day is actually the end of World War II with the official Japanese surrender to the Allied forces, which also meant Korea gaining independence after many decades of Japanese colonialism. *'''''Chuseok''''' (추석, often translated as "Korean Thanksgiving") &mdash; 15th day of 8th lunar month (September&ndash;October) &mdash; Koreans celebrate by eating traditional foods, notably a rice cake called ''songpyeon'' (송편) and playing folk games. The public holiday lasts for 3 days and much like Lunar New Year, everything shuts down which makes visiting rather boring. *'''National Foundation Day''' (개천절 ''Gaecheonjeol'') &mdash; October 3 &mdash; In celebration of the first formation of the nation of ancient Korea. *'''Hangul Day''' (한글날 ''Hangeulnal'') &mdash; October 9 &mdash; Anniversary for the Korean alphabet *'''Christmas''' (크리스마스 ''Keuriseumaseu'', 기독탄신일 ''Gidoktansinil'', or 성탄절 ''Seongtanjeol'') &mdash; December 25 &mdash; A significant holiday in South Korea, although it is mostly celebrated by young couples spending a romantic day together. Since a significant proportion (approximately 30%) of the country is Christian, there is no shortage of celebration in the thousands of churches whilst everyone else takes a well deserved rest at home. ===Climate=== {{Climate| units = Metric | janhigh = 1.6 | febhigh = 4.1 | marhigh = 10.2 | aprhigh = 17.6 | mayhigh = 22.8 | junhigh = 26.9 | julhigh = 28.8 | aughigh = 29.5 | sephigh = 25.6 | octhigh = 19.7 | novhigh = 11.5 | dechigh = 4.2 | janlow = −6.1 | feblow = −4.1 | marlow = 1.1 | aprlow = 7.3 | maylow = 12.6 | junlow = 17.8 | jullow = 21.8 | auglow = 22.1 | seplow = 16.7 | octlow = 9.8 | novlow = 2.9 | declow = −3.4 | janprecip = 22 | febprecip = 24 | marprecip = 46 | aprprecip = 77 | mayprecip = 102 | junprecip = 133 | julprecip = 328 | augprecip = 348 | sepprecip = 138 | octprecip = 49 | novprecip = 53 | decprecip = 25 | jansnow = | febsnow = | marsnow = | aprsnow = | maysnow = | junsnow = | julsnow = | augsnow = | sepsnow = | octsnow = | novsnow = | decsnow = | jansun = | febsun = | marsun = | aprsun = | maysun = | junsun = | julsun = | augsun = | sepsun = | octsun = | novsun = | decsun = | janh2o = | febh2o = | marh2o = | aprh2o = | mayh2o = | junh2o = | julh2o = | augh2o = | seph2o = | octh2o = | novh2o = | dech2o = | description = Data for Seoul. South Korea tends to have a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, and is affected by the East Asian monsoon. }} * '''Spring''' is an excellent time of year to be in Korea. The temperatures are warm, but not hot, and there's not too much rain either. However, spring is also when yellow dust storms blow over from China, making the air horrible to breathe. * '''Summer''' starts with a dreary rainy season (장마철 ''jangma-cheol'') in June and turns into a steambath in July-August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 35&nbsp;°C. Best avoided unless heading to the beaches. * '''Autumn''', starting in September, is perhaps the best time to be in Korea. Temperatures and humidity become more tolerable, fair days are common and the justly renowned '''fall colors''' make their appearance. * '''Winter''' is a good time to go skiing or hot-spring hopping, and the Korean invention of ''ondol'' (온돌, floor heating) helps defrost any parts that froze outside. However, January and February can be bone-biting cold due to Siberian winds from the north. The south of the country (including [[Busan]] and [[Jeju]]) are relatively mild compared to the north ([[Seoul]]) during this season. ===Electricity=== [[File:Schuko plug and socket annotated.png|180px|thumb|Power plug and socket used in South Korea]] South Korean households and hotels use the same dual round sockets for their electrical outlets as most of Continental Europe. Some hotels may provide an adapter for you to use; ask for one at the reception desk. South Korean electrical outlets accept appliances with a voltage rating of 220&nbsp;V at 60&nbsp;Hz. If your appliance has this rating that includes 220&nbsp;V (Such as 100-240&nbsp;V that most laptop chargers now accept), you will be able to use the appliance with only a plug adapter. If it falls below or above this rating, you must purchase a transformer or a voltage adapter before leaving your country. Some very old buildings and very new hotels and apartments are dual wired and have 110&nbsp;V outlets (identifiable by the smaller dual flat sockets) and the regular South Korean variety, built specifically to accommodate the Japanese and Americans. ===Read=== A long and complicated relationship between the Western world and the South Korean nation has led to a plethora of literature on the country. Books focused on Korean history: *''Battle for Korea: The Associated Press History of the Korean Conflict'' by Robert J. Dvorchak (1993) &mdash; Great journalistic photography accompanied by short descriptive narratives *''Korea Old and New: A History'' by Carter Eckert and Lee Ki-Baik (1991) &mdash; Simply stated writing, good overview of Korea's history *''Korea Witness: 135 Years of War, Crisis and New in the Land of the Morning Calm'' by Donald Kirk and Choe Sang Hun (2006) &mdash; Compilation of articles from foreign correspondents starting from 1871, notably from Jack London, a war correspondent from 1903&ndash;'04 *''True Stories of the Korean Comfort Women'' by Keith Howard (1996) &mdash; Unflinching look at the atrocities committed during the Imperial Japanese occupation period Books about Korean culture: *''The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies'' by Michael Breen (1999) &mdash; Anecdotal accounts and insights of a British journalist on the country he spends half the year in; informative and entertaining *''Social Change in Korea'' published by Jimoondang (2008) &mdash; Compilation of articles written by academic experts on Korea *''The Discovery of Korea: History-Nature-Cultural Heritages-Art-Tradition-Cities'' by Yoo Myeong-jong (2005) &mdash; Amazing scenic views on Korea ===Watch=== South Korea has a substantial film industry, considering the size of the country. Many films can give you a good background to the country, and almost all DVDs will have good English subtitles. The list below could include hundreds of films. However, the selection below will give you a good taste. *''Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War'' (태극기 휘날리며) &mdash; A story of two brothers serving as soldiers during the Korean War. *''Joint Security Area'' (공동경비구역) &mdash; A rather haunting movie about soldiers on opposite sides of the Demilitarized Zone who strike up a tenuous friendship. *''May 18'' (화려한 휴가) &mdash; Until 1987, South Korea was effectively a military dictatorship. This film is a historical drama set during the infamous [[Gwangju]] massacre when military dictator Chun Doo-hwan ordered the shooting of protesters in that city. *''5th Republic'' (제5공화국) &mdash; Another history TV drama covering Chun Doo-hwan's rise to power and administration. The drama portrays historical figures at that time well, and some scenes and quotes have since became memetic in neighbouring countries. *''Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring'' &mdash; A film set completely at an isolated lake in the mountains, which shows each season as a stage in the lives of a Buddhist monk and his adopted boy. *''Secret Sunshine'' (밀양) &mdash; A contemporary film about the nature of forgiveness set in the country town of [[Miryang]]. *''My Sassy Girl'' (엽기적인 그녀) &mdash; Romantic comedy that is often seen as a quintessential Korean movie experience, and especially well regarded by people from other Asian countries. *''The Host'' (괴물) &mdash; Monster horror film around the lives of a family in [[Seoul]]. A lot of footage of the Han river that flows through the middle of the city. *''Parasite'' (기생충) &mdash; Multi-award winning film tackling themes of class in Korea. ==Talk== [[Image:Sign Hangul.JPG|thumb|240px|Handwritten ''hangul'' in an advertisement]] {{seealso|Korean phrasebook}} South Koreans speak '''[[Korean phrasebook|Korean]]''', and knowing a few words of this will come in very handy. The language is rather drastically different from any Western language in its grammar, and pronunciation is rather difficult for the English speaker to get right (though not tonal). Depending on which part of the country you go to, different dialects are spoken, though standard Korean, which is based on the Seoul dialect, is understood and spoken by almost everyone. Most notably among the dialects, the '''Gyeongsang dialect''' spoken around [[Busan]] and [[Daegu]] is considered to be rather rough and aggressive compared to standard Korean, and the '''Jeju dialect''' spoken on [[Jeju]] Island is known for being almost incomprehensible to speakers of standard Korean. {{infobox|Differences between North and South Korean|Despite over 70 years of separation, the Korean language in both North Korea and South Korea is fundamentally the same. The main differences are the large number of English words that South Koreans have borrowed, whereas North Korean uses indigenous or Russian derived words instead. Descriptions of political and social structures are also entirely different as a direct result of the different ideological directions of both countries.}} The Korean writing system is deceptively simple. Although it looks at first glance to be as complex as Chinese or Japanese, it is a unique and simple alphabetic writing system called '''hangul''' (한글 ''hangeul'') where letters are stacked up into blocks that represent syllables. It was designed by a committee and look like simple lines, boxes, and little circles, but it is remarkably consistent, logical, and quick to pick up. A royal document from 1446 describing hangul said that "A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over; a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days." Learning to read hangul before you arrive in Korea will make traveling easier, as many signs and menus are written in hangul only. Further, the Korean words for many common products are often English loan words, but will be written in hangul, such as 주스 (''juseu'', "juice") or 컴퓨터 (''keompyuteo'', "computer"). If you can read hangul, you'll find surviving in Korea surprisingly easy. Many Korean words can also be written with much more complex Chinese characters, known as ''hanja'' (한자, 漢字) in Korean, and these are still occasionally mixed into text but are increasingly few and far between. Nowadays, hanja are mainly used for disambiguation if the meaning is ambiguous when written in hangul; in such instances, the hanja is usually written in parentheses next to the hangul. Hanja is also used to mark Korean chess pieces, newspaper headlines, and personal names on official documents. The transliteration of Korean words in Roman letters can be quite inconsistent, so don't be too surprised to see adjacent signs for ''Gwangalli'' and ''Kwanganri'' &mdash; it's the same place. In 2000, the government standardized the Revised Romanization system also used in Wikivoyage, but you will frequently encounter older McCune–Reischauer spellings and just plain weird spellings. Notably, words beginning with ''g'', ''d'', ''b'', ''j'' may be spelled with ''k'', ''t'', ''p'', ''ch'' instead, and the vowels ''eo '' and ''eu'' may be spelled ''o'' and ''u''. The letters ''l'', ''r'' and ''n'' also get swapped often, and the vowels ''i'' and ''u'' are sometimes written as ''ee'' and ''oo'' respectively. In foreign words imported into Korean, ''f'' turns into ''p'', so don't be too surprised by a cup of ''keopi'' ("coffee") or a round of ''golpeu'' ("golf"). Most South Koreans have taken '''English''' lessons as part of their education. However, due to lack of practice (and fear of mispronunciation), outside of major tourist attractions, hotels, and establishments catering specifically for foreigners, it is rare to find locals conversant in English. Reading and writing generally comes much easier. Many employees at airlines, hotels, and stores catering to international tourists are likely to speak at least basic English. A typical experience for Western travelers in South Korea is to be approached by children interested in practicing their English skills. They will often take a picture of you for their school class as proof that they really talked to you. Older folks may also still speak some [[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]]. The city of [[Busan]], being a short trip from [[Fukuoka]] in Japan, has more Japanese speakers per capita, and the dialect in Busan is more similar to Japanese in the same way that the Japanese dialect in Fukuoka also has a large Korean influence. However, many Koreans (especially older ones) still resent the Japanese for the atrocities committed during the occupation, so try not to address a Korean in Japanese unless you have no other choice. Thanks to the Korean Wave (''hallyu'') of Korean pop music and soap operas throughout East Asia, many shopkeepers in touristy areas speak some Japanese, Mandarin, or Cantonese. '''Korean Sign Language''' (한국 수화 언어 ''Hanguk Suhwa Eoneo'', or just 수화 ''suhwa'', "signing") is an official language of South Korea since 2016, equal in status with spoken Korean. It is mutually intelligible with Japanese and Taiwanese Sign Languages, but not with Chinese Sign Language, Auslan, American Sign Language, or others. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|All travelers. regardless of vaccination status, must take a PCR test for COVID-19 within 48 hours of departure or a supervised antigen test within 24 hours of departure to South Korea with a confirmed negative result in Korean or English. You must also register the test result & your entry using the ''[https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/biz/beffatstmnt/main.do?lang=en Q-CODE system]'' and show the QR code upon arrival. All travelers must then take another PCR test within 1 day of arrival, and be recommended to do a rapid test within 6-7 days of arrival. For all short-term visitors arriving at Incheon, Gimhae and Jeju airports until 9 September 2022, PCR testing will be conducted upon arrival; such tests can be booked ahead using ''Q-CODE'' to save time. In addition to the above requirements, '''eligible travelers must still apply for a visa or K-ETA before travel''' (see below for more details).|lastedit=2022-08-22}} [[File:Visa policy of South Korea.svg|thumb|450px|Visa policy of South Korea{{legend|#ee161f|South Korea}} {{legend|#0b6628|Visa-free - 180 days}} {{legend|#1cb34b|Visa-free - 90 days}}{{legend|#b6e717|Visa-free - 60 days}}{{legend|#d9ec8a|Visa-free - 30 days}}{{legend|#adadad|Visa required}}]] === Entry requirements === *Citizens of [[Canada]] are allowed visa free entry for up to 180 days. *Citizens of the European Union (except [[Cyprus]], [[Portugal]], and French territory of [[New Caledonia]]), [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Australia]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Dominica]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Ecuador]], [[Egypt]], [[El Salvador]], [[Grenada]], [[Guatemala]], [[Haiti]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Iceland]], [[Israel]], [[Jamaica]], [[Japan]], [[Liberia]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Macau]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mexico]], [[Morocco]], [[New Zealand]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Norway]], [[Panama]], [[Peru]], [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Serbia]], [[Singapore]], [[Suriname]], [[Switzerland]], [[Taiwan]], [[Thailand]], [[Turkey]], the [[United States]]/[[American Samoa]] (Except [[Guam]]), [[Uruguay]], and [[Venezuela]] can visit visa free for up to 90 days. *Citizens from [[Lesotho]], [[Portugal]], and [[Russia]] can visit visa free for up to 60 days. *Citizens of [[Albania]], [[Andorra]], [[Argentina]], [[Bahrain]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Brunei]], [[Cyprus]], [[Eswatini]], [[Fiji]], [[Guam]], [[Guyana]], [[Honduras]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kiribati]], [[Kuwait]], the [[Marshall Islands]], [[Mauritius]], [[Monaco]], [[Montenegro]], [[Federated States of Micronesia|F.S. Micronesia]], [[Nauru]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Oman]], [[Palau]], [[Paraguay]], [[Qatar]], [[Samoa]], [[San Marino]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Seychelles]], [[South Africa]], [[Tonga]], [[Tunisia]], [[Tuvalu]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[Vatican City]] can stay visa free for up to 30 days. Those arriving from a country or territory with visa-free arrangements '''must use the [https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do K-ETA electronic travel authorization system]''' at least 72 hours before departure to South Korea. The electronic travel authorization costs ₩10,000 and is valid for two years. '''[[Jeju]]''' is an autonomous province with more relaxed entry conditions than the South Korean mainland, allowing visa-free entry for everybody ''except'' citizens of [[Afghanistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Cameroon]], [[Cuba]], [[Egypt]], [[Gambia]], [[Ghana]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Kosovo]], [[Myanmar]], [[Nepal]], [[Nigeria]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Palestine]], [[Pakistan]], [[Senegal]], [[Somalia]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Sudan]], [[Syria]], [[Uzbekistan]], and [[Yemen]] for up to 30 days. Subsequently leaving Jeju for the mainland will require you to have a visa for the rest of South Korea. South Korean immigration no longer stamps passports. Instead, visitors are given an entry slip with their terms of entry, and their entry and exit are recorded electronically. South Korea is really good at keeping electronic track of everyone coming and going, so do not overstay your visa. Violations will, at best, likely result in you being banned from re-entering, and prosecution is a possibility. Military personnel traveling under the U.S.–South Korea Status of Forces Agreement are not required to possess a passport for entry, provided they hold a copy of their travel orders and a military ID. Their dependents, however, must have a passport and A-3 visa. Most foreigners staying longer than 90 days must register with the authorities within 90 days of entry and obtain an Alien Registration Card. Contact your local authorities for further information. The Korean Immigration Service collects the biometric data (digital photos and fingerprints) of foreign visitors at ports of entry (international airports and seaports). Entry will be denied if any of these procedures is refused. Children under the age of 17 and foreign government and international organization officials and their accompanying immediate family members are exempt from this requirement. ===By plane=== South Korea has many international airports; however, only a few have scheduled services. South Korea has experienced an airport building frenzy over the last decade. Many large towns have dedicated functioning airports that handle only a handful of flights a week. *'''[[Incheon International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|ICN}}), about 1 hour west of [[Seoul]], is the country's largest airport and is served by many international airlines. There are many options for flying there from locations throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and even routes to South America and Africa. It is also frequently rated as "the best run and best designed airport in the world". There are direct inter-city buses that travel from just outside the international arrival hall to many locations throughout South Korea. The airport has a metro line (express AREX 43 min and all-stop subway 56 min) that goes directly to both Seoul&ndash;Gimpo airport and Seoul Station. * Seoul's '''Gimpo Airport''' ({{IATA|GMP}}) offers domestic flights to most South Korean cities, and the international "city shuttle" services from Tokyo&ndash;Haneda, Beijing, Shanghai&ndash;Hongqiao and Taipei&ndash;Songshan are quite convenient. It is more centrally located to Seoul than Incheon. You can connect from Incheon airport either by train or by limousine bus. *[[Busan]]'s '''[[Gimhae International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|PUS}}) has international connections from East and Southeast Asia, as well as Vladivostok, Guam, and Saipan. Gimhae also has a few flights a day directly to/from [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul&ndash;Incheon]], which is much more convenient than changing to Seoul&ndash;Gimpo airport after a long international flight. This service is intended for connecting passengers only and cannot be booked separately. The airport has a light rail line connecting Gimhae and West Busan. *'''[[Jeju]]''' ({{IATA|CJU}}) has flights from many South Korean cities and international flights from Kuala Lumpur and major Taiwanese, Japanese, and Chinese cities. The Seoul (Gimpo)&mdash;Jeju route is the busiest flight corridor in the world, and the island is well-served from other Korean airports. * Airports at [[Daegu]], Muan (close to [[Gwangju]] and [[Mokpo]]), [[Cheongju]] (close to [[Daejeon]] and Sejong), [[Yangyang]] also have international connections to major Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese airports. Flag carrier '''[https://www.koreanair.com Korean Air]''' (대한항공 ''Daehan Hanggong'') and '''[http://kr.flyasiana.com/C/en/main.do Asiana] ''' (아시아나 항공 ''Asiana Hanggong'') are the principal full-service carriers from South Korea that fly around the world. Korean airlines' safety records have improved dramatically since the 1990s, and they are now just as safe as any Western airline. Several low-cost airlines offer domestic flights to Jeju from every airport in South Korea and international flights across Asia. ===By train=== Although there is a train track connecting the Korail network with [[North Korea]] and a Korail station on the border, there is no train service. They are a political statement rather than a travel option. ===By boat=== The services listed here may change frequently, and English language websites may not be updated with the current information. Verify before traveling. [[File:JR Beetle2 2009.jpg|thumbnail|The Beetle hydrofoil from Japan]] [[Busan]]'s '''[http://www.busanpa.com/eng/Contents.do?mCode=MN0035 International Passenger Terminal]''' is the largest seaport in the country and offers ferry rides mostly to and from Japan. Two services run from Fukuoka to Busan, with the [http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/english/ JR Beetle] hydrofoil service managing the trip in just under three hours several times per day and the [http://www.koreaferry.kr/eng/ New Camelia] in 5.5 hours daily. All other links are slower overnight ferries, such as [http://www.pukwan.co.kr/ Pukwan Ferry Company]'s services from [[Shimonoseki]]. A Busan&ndash;[[Osaka]] ferry is operated by [http://panstarline.com Panstar Line Co., Ltd.]. There are also multiple services from nearby [[Tsushima]]. [[Incheon]]'s '''[http://www.icferry.or.kr/ International Ferry Terminal]''' (연안부두 ''Yeonan Budu'') has services from several cities in China, such as [[Weihai]], [[Dandong]], [[Qingdao]] and [[Tianjin]]. The largest operator is '''[http://www.jinchon.co.kr/ Jinchon]''', but Incheon Port has [https://www.icpa.or.kr/eng/ full listings on their website]. [[Pyeongtaek]] Port has several connections to cities in Shandong province, as well as cargo hopping options. There are multiple operators, but information is provided in the [https://www.pyeongtaek.go.kr/en/contents.do?mId=0503000000 port authority's website]. [[Gunsan]] '''International Passenger Terminal''' has daily ferry connections from Shidao in [[Shandong|Shandong province]] ([https://www.shidaoferry.com:450/ Korean website]). There are also weekly departures from [[Vladivostok]] and [[Sakaiminato]] to [[Donghae]] operated by [http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/main/main.asp DBS Cruise Ferry Co]. ===By land=== Due to the political and military situation with North Korea, '''entering South Korea overland is not possible'''. The border between North and South Korea is considered the most heavily fortified border in the world, and while some unauthorized crossings have occurred at the truce village of [[Panmunjeom]], an attempt to cross the border anywhere would risk your life and the lives of soldiers on both sides. ==Get around== South Korea is fairly compact, and you can get almost anywhere very fast by train. Boats and planes can get you to Jeju - the Seoul-Jeju route being the busiest air route in the world. Subways are available in most of the cities, including metropolitan Seoul. Larger cities have service or are developing subways. Travel by bus or taxi is readily available, although bus services are more economical. Because of stringent national security laws that mandate navigation processing be done on local servers, '''Google Maps does not give driving or walking directions in South Korea'''; it can also be not up to date for some regions, lacking information on recent infrastructure changes like bridges and such. The most common software used by locals are '''[https://map.naver.com/ Naver Map]''' and '''[https://www.kakaocorp.com/service/KakaoMap?lang=en KakaoMap]'''. While (as of 2020) their desktop versions are only available in Korean. Since the late 2010s, their mobile app versions are also available in English. They are very similar, and you can just read some reviews comparing those two if you query google for [https://www.google.com/search?q=comparison+kakao+map+naver+map comparison kakao map naver map]. ===Smart cards=== [[Seoul]]'s public transportation smart card is known as '''[https://www.t-money.co.kr/ncs/pct/tmnyintd/ReadFrgnKoreaTourCardEngIntd.dev T-money]''' (티머니 ''Ti-meoni'') card. This can be used on many local buses and subways throughout the country and some taxis. Fares and transfers up to 30 minutes are calculated automatically; tap on and tap off when riding on buses and trains. (In some buses in the countryside, you only need to tap on; watch locals to see what they do.) It even gives you a ₩100 discount on bus and subway rides, which is even more reason to use it. The card costs ₩4,000; it can be purchased at convenience stores displaying the T-money logo and at ticket vending machines in subway stations. You can get back your credit in cash afterward, less a ₩500 fee. Some retail shops may also accept payment by T-money. T-money is also usable on the public transportation systems in many other cities, so it is a good option for traveling around South Korea. Other cities may have their own public transportation smart cards as well, such as [[Busan]]'s '''[https://www.busanhanaro.com/ Hanaro Card]'''. Unlike T-money, these cards are often not usable outside their respective metropolitan areas, making them somewhat less useful for visitors unless you plan to only stay within that area. ===By plane=== [[File:Korean Air B737-86N (HL7556) at Daegu International Airport.jpg|thumbnail|right|Korean Air at Daegu airport]] South Korea is a relatively small country with a fast and efficient train service, so flying is not the fastest way to get places unless you are going to the island of [[Jeju]]. Nevertheless, plenty of airlines fly between the main cities at rates comparable to the KTX train. Most flights are with '''[http://www.koreanair.com/ Korean Air]''' or '''[http://www.flyasiana.com/ Asiana]''', however many new options exist with budget airlines such as '''[http://www.twayair.com T'way Air]''', '''[http://www.airbusan.com Air Busan]''', '''[https://www.eastarjet.com/ Eastar Jet]''', '''[http://www.jinair.com Jin Air]''' and '''[http://www.jejuair.net/ Jeju Air]''' (which despite the name also serves the busy Seoul&ndash;Gimpo to Busan route). Service is similar between full service and low-cost airlines on domestic flights; low-cost airlines offer free soft drinks and 15&nbsp;kg of checked luggage. ===By train=== [[Image:KTX-I Daejeon Station.jpg|240px|thumb|KTX train at Daejeon Station]] [[File:Mugunghwa-ho.jpg|thumb|Mugunghwa-ho]] National train operator '''[http://www.korail.go.kr Korail]''' ('''KR''') connects major cities in South Korea. A large amount of money has been plowed into the network, and trains are now competitive with buses and planes on speed and price, with high safety standards and a good deal of comfort. South Korea's flagship service is the high speed '''[[High-speed rail in South Korea|Korea Train eXpress]]''' ('''KTX''') with services from [[Seoul]] to [[Busan]], [[Yeosu]], [[Mokpo]], [[Masan]], and [[Gangneung]] (with new services opening all the time). The trains use French TGV technology and Korean technology to travel at more than 300&nbsp;km/h. The fastest non-stop trains travel between Busan and Seoul in just over two hours. There are vending machines on board that serve drinks and snacks and earphones, and cell phone chargers. <div style="float:right; margin-left:15px; margin-right:15px; text-align:center"> {| class="wikitable" |+ Seoul to Busan by train |- ! Type !! Time !! Price |- | KTX First Class || 2-2½ hr || ₩83,700 |- | KTX Standard || 2-2½ hr || ₩59,800 |- | ''ITX-Saemaeul'' (express) || 4 hr 45 min || ₩42,600 |- | ''Mugunghwa'' (semi-express) || 5½ hr || ₩28,600 |- |colspan=3|<small>All prices off-peak (M-Th), small surcharges apply for peak (F-Su)</small> |} </div> Non-KTX trains are poetically ranked as ''ITX-Saemaeul'' (ITX-새마을, "New Village"), ''Mugunghwa'' (무궁화, "Rose of Sharon", which is the national flower of Korea) and ''Tonggeun'' (통근, "commuter"), corresponding roughly to express, semi-express and local commuter services. All ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains can travel at up to 150&nbsp;km/h. ITX-Saemaeul trains are a little pricier than buses, while Mugunghwa are about 30% cheaper. However, ITX-Saemaeul trains are incredibly comfortable, having seats comparable to business class seats on airplanes. Since the introduction of the KTX, there are much fewer ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa services, but they are worth trying out. Tonggeun are cheapest of all, but long-distance, unairconditioned services have been phased out, and they're now limited to short regional commuter services in [[Gwangju]]. Also, there is a ''ITX-Cheongchun'' service between [[Seoul]] and [[Chuncheon]]. It's a special version of ITX at that line. Saemaeul and some Mugunghwa trains are equipped with power plugs on laptop seats. Smoking is not permitted on any Korean trains or stations (including open platforms). Tickets are much cheaper than in Japan but more expensive than other Asian countries — although the damage can be lowered by traveling on local trains rather than KTX. Buying tickets is fairly easy: self-service terminals accepting cash and credit cards are in multiple languages and are very simple to use. Station staff can usually speak basic English. Most stations are clean, modern, and have good signposting in Korean and English, and compared to China or Japan, Korea's rail system is very user-friendly. Pre-booking any train tickets a day prior (be they KTX, ''ITX-Saemaeul'', or ''Mugunghwa'') is recommended for weekend trips, as all trains can be booked up for hours on end. On Sunday in particular, all but local trains may regularly be completely booked up. If you don't reserve tickets in advance when departing busy hubs such as Seoul or Busan, you may see your options reduced to "unallocated seating" on the slowest local trains (sitting on the floor in the un-air-conditioned space ''between'' carriages, or standing in the toilet for much of the trip). You are, however, free to sit on any seat that seems free until someone with the ticket to that seat shows up. If you are confident in your Korean, you can ask to reserve seats on available sections and travel standing up the rest of the way. There are also tourist many trains that let you go to rural and scenic parts of Korea. [[Seoul]] also has an extensive commuter train network that smoothly interoperates with the massive subway system, and [[Busan]], [[Daejeon]], [[Daegu]], [[Gwangju]] and [[Incheon]] also have subway services. ====Korail Pass==== The '''[http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do Korail Pass]''' is a rail pass only for non-resident foreigners staying less than six months in Korea, allowing unlimited travel for a set period on any Korail train (including KTX) and including free seat reservation. The pass is ''not'' valid for first-class or sleeping cars, but you can upgrade for half the price if you wish. The pass must be purchased '''at least five days before travel''' (preferably before arrival in Korea). It's not cheap as it needs a substantial amount of travel (e.g., Seoul–Busan round trip) to pay off and severe limitations on usage apply during Korean holidays and peak travel periods, including Lunar New Year and ''Chuseok''. Prices as of May 2015 are for a 1-day pass ₩66,900, 3-day ₩93,100, 5-day ₩139,700, 7-day ₩168,400, and 10-day ₩194,400, with discounts for youth (age 13–25), students and groups. Joint '''KR/JR Passes''' between Korea and Japan also exist, however, considering how much of a discount the [[Rail travel in Japan#Japan Rail Pass|JR Pass]] offers, and how strikingly little the KR Pass does by comparison, it usually makes sense to just get the JR Pass. ====Rail cruises==== Korail Tourism Development provides a [[rail cruise]] called ''[http://www.korailtravel.com/en/Goods/pten_index.asp?PageUrl=PackageTours_04 Haerang]'', which enables the customers to travel to all the major sightseeing destinations in Korea with just one [[Tourist trains|luxury train]] ride. ===By bus=== [[File:Chunil Express Universe Xpress Noble.jpg|thumb|Express Bus]] [[File:Express Bus(Excellence Seating) Interior.jpg|thumb|Interior of Udeung buses]] Buses (버스 ''beoseu'') remain the main mode of national transport, connecting all cities and towns. They're frequent, punctual, and fast, sometimes dangerously so, so fasten the belts you'll often find in the seats. Korean buses don’t have toilets, and rest stops are not standard on trips of less than 2 hours, so think twice about that bottle of tea at the terminal. Unlike trains, bus terminal staff and drivers are less likely to speak or understand English, and even signage is often only in Korean. Having your destination written down in ''hangul'' will be helpful. There is a somewhat pointless division of long-distance buses into '''express buses''' (고속버스 ''gosok beoseu''), which use toll expressways and are thus slightly faster but also more expensive, and '''intercity buses''' (시외버스 ''si-oe beoseu''), which are a bit slower but go more places. Timetables, fares and tickets are available on their respective websites, which are [https://www.kobus.co.kr/main.do Kobus] and [https://txbuse.t-money.co.kr/ TxBus] respectively. Whichever one you pick, you'll need to choose in advance, since in larger cities they depart from different terminals. For additional comfort, look for ''udeung'' buses (우등 버스, glossed "Excellent" on the Kobus website) which have just three seats across instead of the usual four; these cost about 50% extra. However, some intercity buses use ''udeung'' buses without extra fares on highly competitive lines such as Seoul&ndash;Andong routes. In addition, local '''inner-city bus''' (시내버스 ''si-nae beoseu'') networks often connect directly neighboring cities, and Incheon Airport has its own dedicated network of [https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/tpt/busRouteList.do airport limousine buses]. ===By boat=== Ferry boats surround the peninsula and shuttle out to Korea's many islands. The main ports include [[Incheon]], [[Mokpo]], [[Pohang]], and [[Busan]]. The most popular destinations are [[Jeju]] and [[Ulleungdo]]. There is a daily service from Busan to Jeju. There are mostly undiscovered and scenic islands near [[Incheon]] that can seem almost deserted. ===By car=== An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be used to drive around South Korea. In general, road conditions are good in South Korea, and directional signs are in both Korean and English. Car rental rates start from ₩54,400/day for the smallest car with a week's rental. South Korea drives on the right in left-hand-drive cars. South Korea also follows the American practice of allowing cars to turn right at red lights as long as they (in theory) yield to pedestrians. In contrast, '''left turns on green lights are ''illegal''''' unless there is a blue sign pointing left saying 비보호 or green left arrow. If you are traveling in the big cities, especially Seoul or Busan, driving is not recommended as the roads often experience heavy traffic jams, and parking is expensive and difficult to find. Many drivers tend to get reckless under such conditions, weaving in and out of traffic. Drivers often try to speed past traffic lights when they are about to turn red, and several cars (including fully-loaded public transit buses) will typically run through lights after they have turned red, whether pedestrians are in the crosswalk or not. Koreans consider driving rules as guidelines only and don't expect to be punished for parking illegally or cutting through a red light. This means that if you want to drive, you will need to do so '''assertively''' by pushing yourself into an intersection and forcing other cars to yield. A GPS is highly recommended while navigating Seoul or Busan. Lanes end or turn into bus lanes with little to no warning, and it may not always be obvious where turns are allowed. A good rule of thumb is to '''stay in the middle lane''' as cars will often illegally park in the right lane while the left lane will become a turning lane with little warning. ===By taxi=== [[File:20110913 kia lotze taxi 01.jpg|thumbnail|Typical Korean Taxi]] Taxis are convenient, if a somewhat pricey way of getting around the cities, and are sometimes the only practical way of reaching a place. Even in the major cities, you are extremely unlikely to get an English-speaking taxi driver, so it will be necessary to have the name of your destination written in Korean to show your taxi driver. Likewise, get your hotel's business card to show the taxi driver in case you get lost. Although doing so is illegal, cab drivers, particularly the cheaper white cabs on busy Friday or Saturday nights, may deny service to short-distance fares. A very handy technique to counter this is to have your destination (hotel name, or the district (구 ''gu'') and neighborhood (동 ''dong''), in Korean of course) written in thick black ink on a large A4 sheet of paper and hold it to the traffic. Passing cab drivers responding to long-distance call outs, or with space in their cab in addition to an existing fare in that direction will often pick you up en route. In particular, when hailing a cab, ensure you follow the local custom and wave it over with your hand extended but all your fingers extended '''downwards''' and beckoning as opposed to upwards in the Western fashion (this style is reserved for animals). ==See== [[File:Korea-Boseong-Green.tea-02.jpg|thumb|Tea fields in Boseong]] [[File:Seomyeon, Busan.jpg|thumb|Busan by night]] [[File:Korea-Andong-Hahoe Folk Village-Man in hanbok drinking-01.jpg|thumb|A village man drinking tea in Hahoe Folk Village]] Asian tourists have long discovered South Korea as a prime shopping, culinary and sightseeing destination. It is a relatively new travel destination for the western world, but it has gained popularity fast. And for good reason, as South Korea offers a most pleasant combination of ancient Asian features and all the amenities you would expect from a modern, high-tech nation. Despite its compact size, it boasts a broad range of fine attractions, and excellent infrastructure makes getting around easy. * '''[[Seoul]]''' Most journeys begin in the nation's capital that never sleeps. This ancient place has seen centuries and wars come and go but seems to have come out stronger than ever. Popularly called the "Miracle on the Han River", it's one of the largest metropolitan economies in the world. It's the country's industrial epicenter, the birthplace of K-pop, a hotspot for South-Korean nightlife and fine dining and home to countless museums. The fabulous history and art collection of the '''National Museum of Korea''' (국립중앙박물관) reigns supreme and a visit there is a day well spent. The city has been rediscovering its historical treasures and improving city parks, adding to its charm. Downtown Seoul, where the '''old Joseon Dynasty city''' was, is where you'll find most of the '''palaces''', '''Gyeongbokgung''' (경복궁), '''Changdeokgung''' (창덕궁) and '''Gwanghwamun''' (광화문). It is surrounded by a '''Fortress Wall''', with the famous '''Namdaemun''', one of the eight gates, being perhaps the main attraction. The '''Banpo bridge''' (반포대교) turns into beautiful colours at night, and the '''Yeouido Island''' (여의도), apart from the famous 63 Building has splendid parks for rollerblading/biking. Other sights are the '''Secret Garden''' (비원), '''Seodaemun''' (서대문), or the '''Seoul Tower''' (서울타워) accompanied by the famous Teddy Bear Museum. To get away from the buzz, follow the locals to '''Cheonggyecheon''' (청계천), one of the urban renewal projects and a popular public recreation space, or enjoy an afternoon tea in a traditional teahouse in '''Insadong'''. * '''[[Busan]]''' is the country's second city and most significant port. Called the nation's summer capital, Koreans flock to this city's fine beaches, seafood restaurants and festivals. '''[[Haeundae]]''' beach (해운대) in Busan is the most famous in the country, with an atmosphere is comparable to southern France or California in the summer. * '''[[DMZ (Korea)|Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)]]''' On July 27th 1953, The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established as a cease-fire agreement with a boundary area of 2km between North and South Koreas. '''[[Panmunjeom]]''' aka Joint Security Area ('''JSA''') is the ‘truce village’ of the DMZ where tourists can view North and South Korea without much hostility. Here you can also enter one of the buildings that are located on the border aka Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which means you can actually cross into the North when entering those buildings. The border is indicated by a line where North and South Korean soldiers face each other coldly. The tour includes the nearby bridge of no return that used to be the main controlled crossing point between the countries. Also, the '''Third Tunnel of Aggression''', created by North Korea (1.7 km long, 2 m high and about 73m below ground), was discovered in 1978. This tunnel is not more than an hour or 44 km away from Seoul. * '''[[Seoul/North|Bukhansan]]''' is just a stone's throw north of Seoul and one of the most visited national parks in the world. Some 836 meters high, Mount Bukhansan is a major landmark visible from large parts of the city and the park is home to the beautiful '''Bukhansanseong Fortress'''. The popular hike to get up there is well worth it, as you'll be rewarded with great views of the metropolis. The country has over 20 national parks, mostly mountainous such as [[Seoraksan National Park]], but some also focus on marine and coastal nature. The lush green '''tea fields of [[Boseong]]''' offer an equally nice and peaceful get-a-way. * '''[[Jeju|Jeju Island]]''' If you don't mind the crowds, this volcanic and semi-tropical island offers a spectacular scenery and numerous natural sights, a relaxing and warm (especially in winter) atmosphere and plenty of activities. Don't miss the '''Lava tubes''', '''Seongsan Ilchubong''', '''Loveland''', and South Korea's highest mountain '''Hallasan''' (1,950 m). * '''[[North Jeolla|Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites]]''' is a World Heritage and home to a significant part of all the dolmen in the world. Apart from the impressive megalithic stones, it has brought forward a highly important collection of archaeological finds. * '''[[Gyeongju]]''' Once the nation's capital, it boasts numerous royal burial and World Heritage cultural sites, as well as relaxing resorts. * '''Folk villages''' If you'd like to see a bit of Korean folklore, '''Hahoe Folk Village''' near [[Andong]], [[Yangdong]], the living museum-like '''Korean Folk Village''' in [[Yongin]] or '''Hanok Village''' in [[Jeonju]] are among the best. * '''Festivals''' Korea is a country of festivals. No matter where you go, there's likely something happening close by. Watching or even joining in the bustling celebrations is often a fabulous and colorful experience. The '''[[Boryeong|Boryeong Mud Festival]]''' (보령머드축제) is a popular pick, when participants drench themselves in mud and take part in everything from mud wrestling to body painting. The nearby beach becomes something of a party apocalypse. * '''National Treasures''' South Korea retains multiple state-owned intangible treasures, which make them popular tourist attractions. ====Traditional arts==== Korea was traditionally home to two types of theatre: '''talchum''' (탈춤) and '''pansori''' (판소리). Talchum is a traditional type of dance performed by people wearing masks, often accompanied with singing. It originated in Hwanghae province in what is now North Korea, though it has since spread around the country. Traditional Hwanghae-style talchum is also performed in the South, often by North Korean refugees and their descendants. Pansori is a type of musical storytelling involving a storyteller and a drummer, with the storyteller usually expected to use their voices and facial expressions for dramatic effect. Following contact with Western styles of drama, pansori evolved into '''changgeuk''' (창극) in the early 20th century, which is essentially Korean opera, with actors and an accompanying orchestra. '''''Gisaeng''''' (기생) or ''kisaeng'' are the Korean equivalent of the Japanese geisha (or more accurately, courtesans known as ''oiran''), and were historically sex workers trained in the arts of poetry, calligraphy and music, entertaining clients with their skills and conversation. While the tradition has largely died out in modern South Korea, ''gisaeng'' are often featured in Korean historical dramas, and many of their traditional arts are now being revived. ==Do== [[File:Taekkyeon-taekkyon-01.jpg|thumbnail|Taekkyeon, one of Korea's older martial arts]] For a definite list of activities refer to individual cities. However, some of the best ones are: *'''Hiking''' With the country being covered in mountains, Korea is a fantastic destination with numerous [http://koreaclimbs.blogspot.kr hiking opportunities]. Try [[Jirisan National Park|Jirisan]] (지리산), [[Seoraksan National Park|Seoraksan]] (설악산) or go to South Korea's highest peak, the dormant volcano [[Hallasan]] on [[Jeju]] island. They offer great views, 1- to 3-day tracks, English sign posts/maps, huts (most of them heated), and can be organized easily. In autumn the leaves turn into beautiful colours, so the best seasons to go there are autumn and spring. *'''[[#Jjimjilbang|Jjimjilbang]]''' Koreans love saunas! If you can get past everyone being naked, then this is an excellent way to feel refreshed after a hard day sightseeing. Even small towns will have one. They can also be used to stay overnight — this is especially convenient if you missed to make a reservation for an accommodation, everything is full or you are looking for a cheap accommodation. Weekends are extremely busy with families. *'''Hot springs''' In common with their Japanese and Taiwanese neighbors, Koreans love their hot springs (온천, 溫泉 ''oncheon''), and resorts can be found throughout the country. Etiquette usually require bathers to be nude. Many places also have saunas connected. *'''Snowboarding/Skiing''' The [[Gangwon]] province offers ski decent opportunities in winter, which is very beautiful when it snows. See the [[Seoul]] guide for close to the city destinations, which you can reach by free public (ski) bus within 90 minutes. * '''Eat''' Perhaps you have had Korean BBQ in your home country. The reality of Korean food is so much more diverse and tasty. Try something new delicious every each day! (Seafood, meat or vegetarian) * '''Winter surfing''' Owing to local tidal conditions, the best surf is in the winter! [[Pohang]] and [[Busan]] are two places you can try this * '''Karaoke/Singing Rooms''' Noraebang (노래방) is the same as Japanese Karaoke palors, popular and hard to miss wherever you go in metropolitan cities. * '''[[Martial arts]]''' Learn martial arts such as the famous Taekwondo (태권도), Hapkido (합기도), and the dance-like martial art Taekkyeon (택견). You can also go and watch a competition or performance — for instance cultural festivals may feature traditional martial arts. * '''Temple Stay''' Spend a few days meditating and learning about Buddhism at a Korean monastery. * '''Water amusement parks''' are plentiful in the Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, such as Caribbean Bay in [[Yongin]], Ocean World in Hongcheon, with a more Ancient Egyptian setting, and Ocean 700 in Pyeongchang. Tourists and locals usually go there in the summer. * '''Yeondeunghoe''' is a traditional festival held during Buddha's birthday when the streets are hung with colorful lotus lanterns and can also involve celebratory parades. * The board game [[Go]], called ''baduk'' in Korean, is quite common and several of the world's top professional players are Korean. ===Sports=== '''Baseball''' was brought to Korea by American missionaries in 1904 and is the most popular sport in the country. Most cities have a team and the biggest are sponsored by the largest South Korean companies, and many South Korean players have become famous Major League Baseball players in the United States. The South Korean national baseball team is also regarded as one of the strongest in the world, finishing second at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. '''Soccer''' is becoming more important to South Korea over time, and is a sport shared by North and South. South Korea is one of the strongest teams in Asia and many of their players work for the top European clubs. The sport gained an incredible amount of short term popularity when the South Korean national team reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, and even today the country stops for World Cup matches. Unfortunately the enthusiasm for domestic and friendly international games is extremely low, and stadiums are usually mostly empty. Other popular sports include golf and basketball. Badminton, table tennis and bowling are also popular and facilities for the public are widely available in cities. Korean martial arts such as '''''taekwondo''''' (태권도) are also popular. Golf particularly has a strong following, with membership fees for Korea's top golf clubs being more expensive than those in neighboring Japan or the United States. Many of the world's top female golfers are from Korea or of Korean descent. '''Archery''' is also a popular sport, with South Korea dominating the archery events at the Olympics. As for winter sports, '''speed skating''' (especially short track) and '''figure skating''' are extremely popular due to the repeated success of South Korea in the Winter Olympics, with South Korea dominating the short track speed skating events. The city of [[Pyeongchang]] hosted the [[Wikivoyage:Past events/Pyeongchang 2018|2018 Winter Olympic Games]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=South Korean won | currencyCode=₩ | date=January 2022 | CNY=190 | EUR=1,400 | GBP=1,600 | JPY=1,000 | USD=1,200 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/krw-south-korean-won XE.com]}}[[File:Currency South Korea.jpg|thumbnail|South Korean bills and coins]]The currency of South Korea is the '''South Korean won''', denoted by '''₩''' (ISO code: '''KRW''') and written 원 (''won'') in the Korean language. Bills come in denominations of ₩1,000 (blue), ₩5,000 (red), ₩10,000 (green) and ₩50,000 (yellow). The ₩50,000 is very practical if you need to carry around a reasonable amount of cash, however it can be hard to use on goods or services with a value of less than ₩10,000. The ₩50,000 can be hard to find and often only provided by ATM's that display a picture of the yellow note on the outside. ₩100,000 "checks" are frequently used, and some of the checks go up to ₩10,000,000 in value. These checks are privately issued by banks and can be used instead of cash for larger purchases, such as hotel rooms. Coins mainly come in denominations of ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500. Very rare ₩1 and ₩5 coins do exist. Generally speaking it is rare to buy anything valued less than ₩100. ===Banking and payment=== '''Credit card''' acceptance at shops, hotels and other businesses on the other hand is very good, and all but the very cheapest restaurants and motels will accept Visa and MasterCard. Even small purchases such as ₩4,000 for a coffee are okay. This works well since credit cards have good exchange rates, however if you are using a foreign card then you should ensure with your bank that there isn't a fee for this foreign transaction. '''ATMs''' are ubiquitous, although using a foreign card with them is rather hit and miss, except for foreign bank ATMs like '''[http://www.citibank.co.kr/eng/index.jsp Citibank]'''. There are however many special '''global ATMs''' which accept foreign cards. They can generally be found at Shinhan/Jeju Bank, airports, in areas frequented by foreigners, in major cities, some subway stations, and in many Family Mart convenience stores — most of the time indicated by the "Foreign Cards" button on the screen. Some banks, such as Citibank, have a fee of ₩3,500 for foreign cards. '''Before heading to the countryside''' where foreign cards are less likely to be accepted, be sure to have cash or another source of money. '''T-money smart cards''' are an alternative source of payment accepted widely, especially for public transportation. (See ''[[#Smart cards|&sect; Smart cards]]''.) Some other cities have their own smart cards, and topping up T-money outside of Seoul can be a problem but at '''Shinhan/Jeju Bank''' it should always be possible. You may need to ask the local cashier for help due to the Korean-only menus/buttons. If you plan on staying in South Korea for a longer time, you'll probably want to set up a '''bank account''' at a Korean bank such as Woori Bank, which can then be used at the bank's ATMs throughout the country. (Even some non-local accounts can do this, e.g. Woori Bank accounts setup in China come with an ATM card that can be used with all its ATMs in South Korea.) Many banks will even allow you to open an account on a tourist visa, though the services you will be able to access will often be very limited. Some of the larger banks may have English-speaking staff on hand at their major branches. ===Costs=== South Korea is fairly expensive compared to most Asian countries, but is a little cheaper compared to other modern developed countries such as Japan and most Western countries. A frugal backpacker who enjoys eating, living and travelling Korean-style can easily squeeze by on under ₩60,000/day, but if you want top-class hotels and Western food even ₩200,000/day will not suffice. [[Seoul]] is more expensive than the rest of the country, and has become particularly expensive competing in many ways with [[Tokyo]], but this has eased since the financial crisis. ===Tipping=== Tipping is ''not'' expected anywhere in South Korea and is not practiced by Koreans. It could be considered an insult between Koreans as it is regarded as giving someone charity, although people generally know of American tipping culture and would be understanding of a foreigner doing this. Many hotels and a few tourist restaurants add 10% service charge on their bills. Bellhops, hotel maids, taxi drivers and bars frequented by Westerners will not reject any tips that you care to hand out. Restaurants sometimes provide complimentary food or drinks to customers as a sign of generosity or to reward customer loyalty. Colloquially, this is known as "service". ===Shopping=== [[File:Seoul namdaemun market 2005-08-07.jpg|thumbnail|Namdaemun market in Seoul]] At certain retail outlets with a "Tax Free Shopping" or a "Tax Refund Shopping" sign, you can obtain a voucher and get a large percentage of your taxes refunded. When you leave South Korea, go to customs and have it stamped then go to the "Global Refund Korea" or "Korea Tax Refund" counters near the duty-free shops. However to get a refund you must leave within 3 months of purchase. '''[[Bargaining]]''' is common at outdoor markets and applies to everything they may have to offer. However, do not state a specific monetary amount. Instead, say "''ssage juseyo''" (싸게 주세요, "Cheaper, please."). Doing this once or twice will suffice. However, you will rarely be discounted more than a few dollars. Korea is the '''ginseng''' (인삼 ''insam'') capital of the world. Widely considered to have medicinal properties, it can be found in special mountain areas throughout Korea. A thick black paste made from ginseng is popular, as is ginseng tea and various other products. There are many grades of ginseng, with the best grades potentially fetching millions of US dollars at auctions. A good place to check out the different types of ginseng would be Gyeongdong Herbal Medicine Market in [[Seoul]]. Visitors looking for '''traditional items''' to bring home can find a wide variety of choices. You can find a blue-jade celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty, handmade traditional costumes, paper kites and ceramic pieces that depict human emotions in their designs at the numerous markets and souvenir shops. Insadong in [[Seoul]] would be the first place to shop around. After a while one store might start to look like every other store but chances are you'll find what you need. Keeping up with the latest '''fashion''' trends, shoppers and boutique owners alike flock the streets and markets every weekend. Centered largely in Seoul with popular places such as Dongdaemun, Mok dong Rodeo Street and Myeong dong, fashion centers can be divided into two large categories; markets and department stores. Markets are affordable and each shop will have trendy similar type clothing that appeal to the masses. Also, be aware that you '''cannot''' try on most tops. So better to know your size before shopping there. Though department stores will have areas or floors that have discounted items, they are considered overpriced and catering mostly to an older, wealthier crowd. The traditional Korean garment known as the '''''hanbok''''' (한복), which is still worn by South Koreans for special occasions and historical re-enactments, and can be found in various garment markets. While a traditional hanbok requires visiting a specialist shop and customized fittings, making it rather expensive, more casual versions that are more practical for daily use and significantly cheaper can also be found. A popular place to get a traditional hanbok is the second floor of Gwangjang Market in [[Seoul]], where you can find many traditional hanbok tailors, each with a wide array of fabrics to choose from. When wearing a hanbok, it should always be wrapped left over right. For all things considered '''antique''', such as furniture, calligraphic works, ceramics and books, you can go to Jangangpyeong Antique Market in [[Seoul]]. '''Items over 50 years old cannot leave the country'''. Check with the Art and Antique Assessment Office at +82-32-740-2921. '''Electronics''' are widely available, especially in larger cities like Seoul and [[Busan]]. South Korea has most of the latest gadgets available in most Western countries and some that are not. In fact, when it comes to consumer technology, South Korea is probably second only to [[Japan]]. However, you would probably have to contend with having the instruction booklets and functions being written in Korean. [[File:LG 시네마 3D TV 새 모델 ‘소녀시대’ 영입.jpg|thumbnail|Girls' Generation, also known as SNSD, are one of the most popular K-pop groups]] '''K-pop''' is a large element of the Korean Wave (''hallyu'') phenomenon that took East Asia by storm at the beginning of the 21st century, so you might want to buy the latest Korean music CDs by popular K-pop singers and groups — and discover some of the less known. K-pop artistes are signed by talent agencies and record companies at a very young age, and typically train arduously for many years before they are allowed to debut. These days, K-pop singers are recruited not just from South Korea, but also from other East Asian countries, as well as Thailand and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. Controversially, aspiring K-pop artistes are made to sign contracts that give them little control over their private lives, often banning them from dating in order to maintain the illusion of "availability" to their fans. Most music is now consumed as digital downloads, but there are still some music shops selling CD's to be found. And if you want to see them '''live''', there is of course no better place for that than South Korea. '''K-dramas''' are massively popular in Asia and a boxed DVD set of a drama will certainly last you many rainy afternoons. Drama serials and movies sold in South Korea are for the Korean market and usually do not have subtitles, so check before buying; outside of Korea, you could likely buy the same media dubbed in another Asian language such as Cantonese or Mandarin. In addition, South Korea is in [[Regional coding|DVD region 3]], so discs bought here will work in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, but are generally not playable in most players in North America, Europe, mainland China, Japan or Australia. CDs and DVDs are not particularly popular anymore in South Korea, the younger generation having moved onto digital downloads some time ago. ==Eat== [[Image:Bibimbap Set.JPG|thumb|240px|Example of a Korean meal: ''bibimbap'' with (from left) pickles, ''eomuk jorim'' sauteed fishcake, ''kimchi'', ''pajeon'' pancake, a pot of ''gochujang'' and ''doenjang'' soup]] {{seealso|Korean cuisine}} Korean cuisine is becoming increasingly popular outside of Korea, especially in other parts of East Asia and the U.S. It can be an acquired taste, with lots of spicy and fermented dishes, but it's addictive once you get used to it and Korean food is definitely in a class of its own, mixing spicy chilies and copious amounts of garlic with delicate ingredients like raw fish. Although Korean food is quite low in fat, a fact attested to by the observation that very few South Koreans are overweight, those with sodium-limited diets should beware, as Korean cuisine can be heavy in salt. A Korean meal is centered around '''rice''' and '''soup''' and likely a fish or meat dish, invariably served with a vast assortment of '''small side dishes''' known as ''banchan'' (반찬). The humblest meal comes with three types while a royal banquet may well feature twenty types of banchan. In addition to kimchi, typical side dishes include bean sprouts (콩나물 ''kongnamul''), spinach (시금치 ''shigeumchi''), and small dried fish. The ubiquitous '''kimchi''' (김치 ''gimchi''), made from fermented cabbage and chili, accompanies nearly every meal and ranges from mild to roaringly spicy. In addition to the common cabbage type, kimchi can also be made from white radish (깍두기 ''ggakdugi''), cucumbers (오이 소박이 ''oi-sobagi''), chives (부추 김치 ''buchu gimchi'') or pretty much any vegetable that can be pickled. Many different dishes are made using kimchi for flavoring, and kimchi is served as a side dish as well. It is not uncommon to find Korean tourists carrying a stash of tightly packed kimchi when travelling abroad. Two more condiments found in almost every dish are '''''doenjang''''' (된장), a fermented soybean paste akin to Japanese ''miso'', and '''''gochujang''''' (고추장), a spicy chili paste. While many of these dishes can be found throughout Korea, every city also has its own regional specialties, such as ''dakgalbi'' (닭갈비) in the city of [[Chuncheon]]. A common perception among Koreans is that foreigners don't like '''spicy food''', so you might have to spend some time convincing people otherwise if you really want to eat something hot. And while Korean food undoubtedly has the neighboring bland-dieted Japanese and northern Chinese breathing fire, if you're accustomed to, say, Thai or Mexican food, you may wonder what the fuss is about. Foreign food restaurants are also popular, albeit usually with a Korean twist. Fried chicken has been adopted and many believe it better than the American original. Pizzas are also ubiquitous although you may wonder quite where the inspirations behind the toppings came from. Vietnamese and Mexican food appeals to Koreans as well. Japanese restaurants of all varieties are very common. Strangely enough, authentic Chinese food is somewhat hard to come by, and Koreans often think of Korean Chinese dishes such as ''jajangmyeon'' (자장면, noodles topped with a thick brown sauce, distantly related to a northern Chinese dish) with ''tangsuyuk'' (탕수육, sweet and sour pork) as Chinese dining. ===Etiquette=== [[File:Korean chopsticks.jpg|thumbnail|Chopsticks Korean style - made out of metal]] Korean utensils (수저 ''sujeo'') consist of a spoon (숟가락 ''sutgarak'') and '''chopsticks''' (젓가락 ''jeotgarak''). Unique in Asia, Koreans use chopsticks made of ''metal'', which don't burn when used over a hot grill and are easier to wash and reuse. Restaurants typically provide stainless steel chopsticks, which unfortunately for the chopstick learner, are very difficult to use! These thin and slippery sticks are not as easy as the wooden or plastic chopsticks but you'll still manage with some fumbling. '''Spoons''' are used to eat rice, soup, and porridge. (Koreans find it strange that their Asian neighbors eat rice with chopsticks.) ''Dongaseu'' (돈가스, Japanese-style ''tonkatsu'' or fried pork cutlet) is eaten with a fork and knife. Many Korean restaurants may also offer Western cutlery to a Westerner. When eating as a group, communal dishes will be placed in the center and everybody can chopstick what they want, but you'll still get individual portions of rice and soup. Unless you are eating royal cuisine, most dishes are served family style. In many traditional households, children were taught that it is '''impolite to speak during meals'''. Don't be surprised if there's complete silence while eating. People, particularly men, will use mealtimes to quickly eat up and move on to other things. This can be attributed to the short mealtimes during military service that most young Korean men must perform. Some etiquette pointers: * Do not leave chopsticks sticking upright in a dish, especially rice. This is only done when honoring the deceased. Similarly, a spoon sticking upright into a bowl of rice is also not a good sign. * Do not pick up your chopsticks or start eating until the eldest at the table has begun to eat. * Do not lift any plates or bowls off the table while eating, as Koreans consider this to be rude. * Do not make noises by hitting your utensils on the food bowls and plates. ===Restaurants=== Going hungry in South Korea would be difficult. Everywhere you turn, there is always somewhere to eat. Korean restaurants can be divided into a few categories: * '''''Bunsik''''' (분식) are snack eateries that have cheap, tasty food prepared quickly. * '''''Kogijip''''' (고기집), literally meaning "meat house", are where you'll find grilled meat dishes and fixings. * '''''Hoejip''''' (회집), "raw fish house", serve slices of fresh fish akin to Japanese ''sashimi'', known as ''hwe'' in Korean, and free side dishes. You'll normally find these restaurants cluttering the shores of any waterway. * '''''Hansik''''' (한식) serve the full-course Korean meal (한정식, ''hanjeongsik''), a Korean ''haute cuisine'' that originated with banquets given at the royal palace. Traditionally served all at once, restaurants today will serve courses separately. The meal starts with a cold appetizer and ''juk'' (죽, porridge). The main dish includes seasoned meat and vegetable dishes that can be either steamed, boiled, fried or grilled. After the meal, you are served traditional drinks such as ''sikhye'' or ''sujeonggwa''. * '''Department stores''' have two types of food areas: a food hall in the basement and full service restaurants on the top levels. The food hall areas have take-away as well as eat-in areas. The full service restaurants are more expensive, but typically have the advantage of picture menus and good ambience. ===Barbecues=== [[Image:Danyang_Galbigui.JPG|thumb|''Galbi'' on the grill and the fixings around it]] '''Korean barbecue''' is probably the most popular Korean dish for Westerners. In Korea, it's split into '''''bulgogi''''' (불고기, thin cuts of marinated meat), '''''galbi''''' (갈비, ribs, usually unmarinated), and a few other categories. In these, a charcoal brazier is placed in the middle of the table, and you cook your choice of meats, adding garlic to the brazier for spice. A popular way of eating it is to wrap the meat with a lettuce or perilla leaf, adding shredded green onion salad (파무침 ''pa-muchim''), raw or cooked garlic, shredded pickled radish (무채 ''muchae'') and ''ssamjang'' (쌈장, a sauce made from ''doenjang'', ''gochujang'', and other flavorings) to your liking. The cost of a barbecue meal depends largely on the meat chosen. In most Korean restaurants that serve meat, it is sold in units (usually 100 grams). Pork is by far the most common meat ordered; it's much cheaper than beef and according to diners tastier. You'll rarely see filet mignon; instead, common cuts of meat include ribs, unsalted pork bacon (삼겹살 ''samgyeopsal'') and chicken stir-fried with veggies and spicy sauce (닭갈비 ''dak-galbi''). Unmarinated meats tend to be higher quality, but in cheaper joints it's best to stick with the marinated stuff. ===Rice dishes=== '''''Bibimbap''''' (비빔밥) literally means "mixed rice", which is a pretty good description. It consists of a bowl of rice topped with vegetables and usually shreds of meat and an egg, which you mix up with your spoon, stirring in your preferred quantity of ''gochujang'', and then devour. Particularly tasty is '''''dolsot bibimbap''''' (돌솥비빔밥), served in a piping hot stone bowl (watch your fingers!) that cooks the rice to a crisp on the bottom and edges. Another healthy and tasty option is '''''gimbap''''' (김밥), sometimes dubbed "Korean sushi rolls". ''Gimbap'' contains rice, sesame seed, a Korean variety of spinach, pickled radish, and an optional meat such as minced beef or tuna, all neatly wrapped in dried seaweed, topped with sesame oil and sliced. A single roll makes a good snack or a whole meal depending on your appetite, and they travel well. What differentiates Korean ''gimbap'' and Japanese ''sushi'' is how they prepare rice: ''gimbap'' usually uses salt and sesame oil to flavor the rice, while ''sushi'' uses sugar and vinegar. Also, ''gimbap'' usually does not feature raw fish. More of a snack than a meal is ''tteokbokki'' (떡볶이), which resembles a pile of steaming intestines at first sight, but is actually rice cakes (떡, ''tteok'') in a sweet chili sauce that's much milder than it looks. ===Soups and stews=== [[File:Korean_chicken_soup-Samgyetang-01.jpg|thumb|''Samgyetang'' chicken soup with ginseng]] Soups are known as '''''guk''''' (국) or '''''tang''''' (탕), while '''''jjigae''''' (찌개) covers a wide variety of stews. The line is fuzzy, and a few dishes can be referred to with both (e.g. the fish soup-stew ''dongtae jjigae/dongtaetang''), but in general, ''jjigae'' are spicier and thicker while ''guk/tang'' are milder. Both are always eaten with plenty of white rice on the side. Common versions of ''jjigae'' include '''''doenjang jjigae''''' (된장찌개), made with ''doenjang'', vegetables and shellfish, and '''''gimchi jjigae''''' (김치찌개), made with — you guessed it — kimchi. '''''Sundubu jjigae''''' (순두부찌개) uses soft tofu as the main ingredient, usually with minced pork added, but there's also a seafood version called ''haemul sundubu jjigae'' (해물 순두부찌개) where the meat is replaced by shrimp, squid and the like. '''''Budae jjigae''''' (부대찌개) is an interesting type of Korean fusion food from the city of [[Uijeongbu]], where a US military base was located. Locals experimenting with American canned food like Spam, sausages, and pork and beans tried adding them into ''jjigae'', and while recipes vary, most of them involve large quantities of fiery kimchi. Most places will bring you a big pan of stew and put it on a gas stove in the middle of the table. Many like to put ''ramyeon'' noodles (라면 사리) in the stew, which is optional. Popular ''tang'' soups include '''''seolleongtang''''' (설렁탕), a milky white broth from ox bones and meat, '''''gamjatang''''' (감자탕), a stew of potatoes with pork spine and chilies, and '''''doganitang''''' (도가니탕), made from cow knees. One soup worth a special mention is '''''samgyetang''''' (삼계탕), which is a whole spring chicken stuffed with ginseng and rice. Thanks to the ginseng, it's often a little expensive, but the taste is quite mild. It's commonly eaten right before the hottest part of summer in warm broth in a sort of "eat the heat to beat the heat" tradition. ''Guk'' are mostly side dishes like the seaweed soup '''''miyeokguk''''' (미역국) and the dumpling soup '''''manduguk''''' (만두국), but a few like the scary-looking pork spine and ox blood soup '''''haejangguk''''' (해장국), a popular hangover remedy, are substantial enough to be a meal. ===Noodles=== [[File:Cold Buckwheat Noodle.jpg|thumb|''Naengmyeon'' cold buckwheat noodles]] Koreans love noodles, and the terms '''''kuksu''''' (국수) and '''''myeon''''' (면) span a vast variety of types available. They're often sold in fast-food noodle shops for as little as ₩3000. Wheat-based noodles are a staple of Korea. '''''Naengmyeon''''' (냉면) are a Korean specialty, originally from the [[North Korea|north]]. The thin, chewy buckwheat noodles served in ice-cold beef broth are a popular summer dish &mdash; although it's traditionally a winter food! They're also a classic way to end a heavy, meaty barbecue meal. The key to the dish is the broth (육수 ''yuksu''); the recipes of well known restaurants are usually closely guarded secrets. Generally comes in two distinct styles: [[Pyongyang]] ''mul naengmyeon'' with a clear broth, and [[Hamhung]] ''bibim naengmyeon'' with a spicy dressing and chewier potato noodles. '''''Japchae''''' (잡채) are yam noodles, which are fried along with some vegetables (commonly cabbage, carrots, onions) and sometimes beef or ''odeng'' (fishcake). '''''Mandu''''' (만두) dumplings are also very popular and are served up in steamed or fried as an accompaniment to other foods, or boiled in soup to make a whole meal. '''''Ramyeon''''' (라면) is Korea's variant of ramen, often served with — what else? — kimchi. Korean ''ramyeon'' is well known for its overall spiciness, at least when compared to Japanese ramen. The Shin Ramyun brand of instant noodles are exported to over 100 countries. '''''Jajangmyeon''''' (자장면) is considered to be Chinese food by Koreans, being somewhat related to northern Chinese ''zhájiàngmiàn'', a wheat noodle dish served with a black sauce that usually includes minced pork, onions, cucumber, and garlic. It's typically served at (what are liberally described as) Chinese restaurants. Its sauce contains some caramel and therefore makes the overall dish sweet. A popular combination is ''jajangmyeon'' with "Chinese" sweet and sour pork and chicken. Finally, '''''udong''''' (우동) are thick wheat noodles, akin to Japanese ''udon''. ===Seafood=== [[File:Korean cuisine-Hoe-03.jpg|thumbnail|Hoe]] Since Korea is a peninsula, you can find every type of '''seafood''' (해물 ''haemul''), eaten both cooked and raw. Restaurants where you pick your own fish &mdash; or bring it from the fish market next door &mdash; are popular, but can be very expensive depending on what you order. '''''Hoe''''' (회, pronounced roughly "hweh") is raw fish Korean-style (similar to sashimi), served with spicy ''cho-gochujang'' sauce (a mixture of ''gochujang'' and vinegar). '''''Chobap''''' (초밥) is raw fish with vinegared rice, similar to Japanese sushi. In both dishes, the bony parts not served raw are often made into a tasty but spicy soup called ''meuntang'' (매운탕). Another cooked specialty is '''''haemultang''''' (해물탕), a spicy red hotpot stew filled crab, shrimp, fish, squid, vegetables and noodles. Whale meat is available in a few restaurants in the cities and at festivals in smaller coastal towns, but is not easy to find and unlike Japan is not considered part of national culture. The city of [[Pohang]] has a long history of whaling, and its seafood market still openly offers whale. South Korea has outlawed whaling following the International Whaling Commission international moratorium in 1986, although makes an exception for whales caught by accident during regular fishing. Whale meat sourced from [[Japan]] has been sold in some restaurants, which is illegal (although the law is usually ignored). Whale restaurants are easy to identify, with pictures of whales on the outside leaving you in no doubt. If you choose to eat whale then you should understand that the species in question could be endangered and therefore a decision left to your own moral compass. ===Other=== ''Jeon'' (전), ''jijimi'' (지짐이), ''jijim'' (지짐), ''bindaetteok'' (빈대떡) and ''buchimgae'' (부침개) are all general terms for Korean-style '''pan-fried pancakes''', which can be made of virtually anything. '''''Pajeon''''' (파전) is a Korean-style pan-fried pancake laden with spring onions (파 ''pa''). '''''Haemul pajeon''''' (해물파전), which has seafood added, is particularly popular. '''''Saengseonjeon''''' (생선전) is made of small fillets of fish covered with egg and flour and then pan fried, and '''''nokdu bindaetteok''''' (녹두빈대떡) is made from ground mung bean and various vegetables and meat combined. If barbecued meat is not to your taste, then try Korean-style beef tartar, known as '''''yukhoe''''' (육회). Raw beef is finely shredded and then some sesame oil, sesame, pine nuts and egg yolk are added, plus soy and sometimes ''gochujang'' to taste. It's also occasionally prepared with raw tuna or even chicken instead. '''''Sundae''''' (순대, pron. "soon-deh") are Korean blood sausages made from a wide variety of ingredients, often including barley, potato noodles and pig blood. ''Sundae'' is very tasty in spicy sauce or soup. A squirmy delicacy is '''raw octopus''' (산낙지 ''sannakji'') &mdash; it's sliced to order, but keeps wiggling for another half hour as you try to remove its suction cups from your plate with your chopsticks. '''Sea squirts''' (멍게 ''meongge'') are at least usually killed before eating, but you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference as the taste has been memorably described as "rubber dipped in ammonia". {{infobox|Hound by the pound|Yes, it's true &mdash; Koreans eat '''dog'''. Although it is illegal in South Korea to sell dog meat for human consumption, in practice the ban is rarely enforced, and dog meat soup (보신탕 ''bosintang'' or 영양탕 ''yeongyangtang'') is often eaten for invigoration during the hottest days of summer. It is not regularly consumed as a common food item and is generally only sold in specialty dog restaurants, so you're unlikely to end up chewing on Snoopy by accident. It is most commonly consumed as a spicy soup or stew or as ''suyuk'' (수육), which is just meat boiled with spices to eliminate smell and make the meat tender. Due to the lack of legal recognition, the industry is completely unregulated, resulting in many issues around how the dogs are raised, butchered, and processed. Although dogs are generally no longer beaten to death to improve the taste, the conditions in which dogs are raised and butchered are often still inhumane. This is one intrinsic aspect of South Korean culture that South Koreans generally believe foreigners cannot hope to understand, and will rarely want to discuss with you. South Koreans are aware of Western attitudes towards dogs and will not try to make you eat any, although you'd probably gain a lot of respect from your Korean friends if you give it a try. If you are interested, it is best to ask your Korean friends to take you to such a restaurant since they rarely advertise. If you do make the effort, a bowl can go for under ₩10,000 and you'll find that dog tastes broadly like beef or veal, if perhaps a tad gamier. Most South Koreans do not eat dog meat regularly and these days more of them are considering dogs to be pets rather than food, with a growing number supportive of enforcing the ban on dog meat more strictly.}} ===Dietary restrictions=== Vegetarians will have a '''hard time''' in Korea. As in most of East Asia, "meat" is understood to be the flesh of land animals, so seafood is not considered meat. Spam can also be confused as not being meat, so be specific in explaining what you do not eat. If you ask for "no ''gogi'' (고기)" they will probably just cook as usual and pick out the big chunks of meat. One good phrase is to say you are "''chaesikjuwija''" (채식주의자), a person who only eats vegetables. This may prompt questions from the server, so be prepared! It is probably best to have a very explicit list of foods you do and do not eat in Korean on a card or piece of paper to show restaurant servers and cooks. (See ''[[Korean phrasebook#Eating|Korean phrasebook &sect; Eating]]''.) Or look for ''namul'' (나물), a variety of Korean-style edible grass and leaves dishes. Most stews will use fish stock, especially ''myeolchi'' (멸치, anchovy). This will be your bane, and outside of reputable vegetarian restaurants, you should ask if you are ordering any stews, hotpots, or casseroles. Spicy (red) kimchi will almost certainly have seafood, such as salted tiny shrimp, as an ingredient. Since it disappears into the brine, you will not be able to visually identify it. Another type of kimchi called ''mulgimchi'' (물김치, "water kimchi") is vegan, as it is simply salted in a clear, white broth with many different vegetables. If you are willing to eat something flavored with brine shrimp, then kimchi will certainly take you a long way in Korea. For '''lactose intolerant''' people, avoiding dairy products is straightforward as they are uncommon in traditional Korean cuisine. As per Korea's Buddhist tradition, '''vegans and vegetarians''' are perfectly safe at Korean temple cuisine (사찰음식 ''sachal eumsik'') restaurants, which uses no dairy, egg, or animal products, except perhaps honey. This cuisine has been in vogue, but it can be rather expensive. There is an increasing number of vegetarian restaurants in Korea — most are in the larger or medium-sized places. Some of these are run by Seventh-Day Adventists or Hindus. When out and about, the following vegetarian and vegan food is relatively easy to find and safe to order: * Many of the ''banchan'' side dishes served with most meals are vegetarian, although the kimchi usually is not. * ''Bibimbap'' (비빔밥) is a great vegan option of mixed rice and vegetables and found pretty much everywhere! Still, be careful because it is occasionally offered with ground beef, and often with a fried egg. * ''Somandu'' (소만두) are Korean dumplings with vegetable and glass noodle filling. Stay clear of almost any other kind of dumpling. * ''Japchae'' (잡채) are cold glass noodles in a vegetable broth, often with ice, but ensure that beef chunks are not added. Delicious in summer. * ''Gimbap'' (김밥) are Korean sushi rolls with rice and pickled vegetables, and can be found everywhere. There are many varieties, but you should look for the ones without Spam or fishcake in the middle. ==Drink== '''Drinkers rejoice''' &mdash; booze is cheap and Koreans are among the heaviest drinkers in the world. Due to the strict social norms in effect at the workplace, the drinking hall tends to be the only place where inhibitions can be released and personal relationships expressed. Significant business deals are closed not in the boardroom, but in the bar. Promotions, grants, and other business advancements are secured over drinks at singing rooms, late night raw fish restaurants, and restaurant-bars. Many Korean men are what would be considered heavy drinkers in the west, and as alcoholism is being recognized as an ailment, public moves have begun to attempt to curb alcohol intake. Don't be surprised to see businessmen in suits lying around sleeping it off, and be careful not to step in the puddles of vomit common on the sidewalks in the mornings. The drinking age in South Korea is '''19'''. ===Nightlife=== Compared to Western drinking habits, Koreans have adopted slightly different ways to enjoy their night out. Sure, you can find Western style bars easily, but going to a Korean style bar can be an interesting experience. '''Hofs''' (호프 ''hopeu'', from German ''Hof'', "court" or "yard" as in ''Hofbräuhaus'') are just normal beer places, which serve beer and side dishes. Customers are supposed to order some side dish to go along with their drinks at most drinking establishments in Korea. Due to growing competition, many hofs have started to install various gadgets for entertainment. '''Booking clubs''' are the Korean version of night clubs. What makes them interesting is the "booking" part of the name. It's basically a way to meet new people of the opposite sex by introduction of the waiters (who usually bring women to visit tables of men, but increasingly vice-versa). Booking clubs are slightly more expensive than normal bars and hofs, but can be extremely fun. These can be different from American-style clubs, in that in addition to a cover charge, you are pretty much expected to order booze and side dishes (which can be quite pricey in ₩200,000-₩500,000 range and up). But other than that, the dancing and atmosphere is about the same. One of the customary things to do at a booking club is to "dress-up" your table or booth by purchasing expensive liquors and fruit plates, which signals your "status" to the other patrons of the club (especially your gender of interest). Scotch whisky is especially marked up a great deal in Korea, so don't be surprised to pay very high prices for that innocuous bottle of Johnnie Walker. On the other hand, it is a better value overall to buy a bottle of liquor or a "liquor set" than to purchase drinks individually. On the other end of the spectrum, many locals go out to drink and eat with their friends at the many Korean grillhouses found throughout the city. It is not uncommon for people to consume several bottles of ''soju'' each, and mixing beer and hard liquor is encouraged. Group bonding over liquor and food is a cultural feature across South Korea. For those who love singing as well as drinking, '''karaoke''' is popular and therefore widely available in South Korea, where it's called '''''noraebang''''' (노래방). In addition to Korean songs, larger establishments may include some Chinese, Japanese and English songs. ===Etiquette=== There are a few etiquette rules to observe when drinking with Koreans. '''You're not supposed to fill your own glass'''; instead, keep an eye on others' glasses, fill them up when they become empty (but not before), and they'll return the favor. It's considered polite to use both hands when pouring for somebody and when receiving a drink, and to turn your head away from seniors when drinking. Younger people often have a difficult time refusing a drink from an older person, so be aware when asking someone younger than you if they want to drink more as they will often feel unable to say no to you. Of course, this works both ways. Oftentimes, if an older person feels you are not keeping up with the party, he may offer you his glass, which he will then fill and expect you to drink. It is considered polite to promptly return the empty glass and refill it. ===''Soju''=== [[File:Korean alcoholic beverage-Jeju Island-Hallasanmul soju-01.jpg|thumbnail|Soju]] The national drink of South Korea is '''''soju''''' (소주), a vodka-like alcoholic beverage (usually around 20% alcohol by volume). It's cheaper than any other drink &mdash; a 350&nbsp;mL bottle can cost slightly over ₩3,000 at bars (as little as ₩1,100 at convenience stores!) &mdash; and also strong. It's usually made by fermenting starch from rice, barley, corn, potato, sweet potato, etc., to produce pure alcohol which is then diluted with water and other flavors. The manufacturing process leaves in a lot of extraneous chemicals, so be prepared for a four-alarm hangover in the morning, even after drinking a comparatively small amount. Traditionally, soju was made by distilling rice wine and aging it, which created a smooth spirit of about 40%. This type of traditional soju can still be found, for example ''Andong Soju'' (안동 소주) &mdash; named after the town of [[Andong]] &mdash; and ''munbaeju'' (문배주). These can be expensive, but prices (and quality) vary considerably. Historically, there were numerous brewers throughout the country until late Chosun dynasty and before Japanese colonization. However, by the Japanese colonization and the oppressive and economy-obsessed government in the 1960-'70s, using '''rice''' for making wine or spirits was strictly prohibited. This eliminated most of the traditional brewers in the country, and Korea was left with a few large distilleries (Jinro 진로, Gyeongwol 경월, Bohae 보해, Bobae 보배, Sunyang 선양, etc.) that basically made "chemical soju". Brewery distribution and markets were regionalized, and until the 1990s it was difficult to find a Jinro soju anywhere else than Seoul (you would have to pay premium even if you found one), Gyeongwol soju outside Gangwon, or Sunyang outside Chungcheong. Also, there are soju cocktails such as "socol" (soju + Coke), ''ppyong-gari'' (soju + Pocari Sweat, a Japanese isotonic drink like flavorless Gatorade), ''so-maek'' (soju + beer), etc., all aimed at getting you drunk quicker and cheaper. ===Rice wine=== Traditional unfiltered rice wines in Korea are known as '''''takju''''' (탁주), literally "cloudy alcohol". In the most basic and traditional form, these are made by fermenting rice with ''nuruk'' (누룩), a mix of fungi and yeast that breaks down starch in rice into sugar and then alcohol over 3–5 days. Then this is strained, usually diluted to 4–6% and imbibed. However, as with the case of traditional soju, unless explicitly stated on the bottle most ''takju'' are made from wheat flour and other cheaper grains. '''''Makgeolli''''' (막걸리) is the simplest ''takju'', fermented once and then strained, while in '''''dongdongju''''' (동동주) more rice is added once or more during the fermentation to boost the alcohol content and the flavor. Typically you can find a couple of rice grains floating in ''dongdongju'' as a result. {{infobox|''Cheongju'' vs. ''sake''|There are two major differences between Korean and Japanese rice wine. The first is that Korean wine uses ''nuruk'', while Japanese wine uses ''koji''. While both can be considered yeasts, ''nuruk'' contains various kinds of fungi and other microorganisms, while in ''koji'' a more selected breed of fungi does its job. The treatment of rice is also different: traditionally rice for making ''cheongju'' is washed "a hundred times" (백세 ''paekse''), but for ''sake'', the rice is polished until the grain size is as little as 50% of its original size. Therefore, some people comment that in general ''cheongju'' tastes more complex and earthy, while ''sake'' tastes cleaner and sweeter.}} '''''Yakju''''' (약주) or '''''cheongju''''' (청주) is filtered rice wine, similar to the Japanese rice wine ''sake''. The fermentation of rice is sustained for about 2 weeks or longer, strained, and then is kept still to have the suspended particles settle out. The end result is the clear wine on top, with about 12–15% alcohol. Various recipes exist, which involve a variety of ingredients and when and how to add them accordingly. Popular brands include ''Baekseju'' (백세주) and ''Dugyeonju'' (두견주). Those with an interest in the wine production process and its history will want to visit the Traditional Korean Wine Museum in [[Jeonju]]. ===Ginseng wine=== One expensive but tasty type of alcohol you can find in Korea is '''Korean ginseng wine''' (인삼주 ''insamju''), which is believed to have medicinal properties and is particularly popular among the elderly. It is made by fermenting Korean ginseng, just as the name implies. ===Beer=== Western-style lagers are also quite popular in Korea, with the three big brands being '''Cass''', '''Hite''' (pronounced like "height") and '''OB''', all of which are rather light and watery and cost around ₩1,500 per bottle at a supermarket. Hofs serve pints of beer in the ₩2,000-5,000 range, although imported beers can be much more expensive. You are expected to order food as well, and may even get served grilled squid or similar Korean pub grub without ordering, for a charge of ₩10,000 or so. ===Tea=== Like their Asian neighbors, Koreans drink a lot of '''tea''' (차 ''cha''), most of it '''green tea''' (녹차 ''nokcha''). However, the label ''cha'' is applied to a number of other tealike drinks as well: * ''boricha'' (보리차), roasted barley tea, often served cold in summer, water substitute for many household * ''insamcha'' (인삼차), ginseng tea * ''oksusucha'' (옥수수차), roasted corn tea * ''yulmucha'' (율무차), a thick white drink made from a barley-like plant called Job's tears Like Chinese and Japanese teas, Korean teas are always drunk neat, without the addition of milk or sugar. However, Western-style milk tea is available at Western restaurants and the usual American fast-food chains. ===Coffee=== '''Coffee''' (커피 ''keopi'') has become widely available, especially from streetside vending machines that will pour you a cupful for as little as ₩300, usually sweet and milky, but there is often a plain option. '''Coffee shops''' can be seen virtually everywhere in the country. There are a large number of Korean chains such as Cafe Bene and Angel in Us. A coffee costs around ₩4,000. It is worth to hunt out independent coffee shops that take great pride in their coffee. Even in small countryside villages, the ubiquitous bread shop Paris Baguette will give you a decent latte for around ₩2,000. Foreign-owned coffee shops such as Starbucks tend to be much less common than their Korean counterparts. Aside from coffee, these cafes will usually sell food such as sandwiches, toasties, paninis and quesadillas as well as sweet options such as ''bingsu'' (Korean shaved ice), Korean-style toast, pastries and a wide variety of cakes, some even vegan. ===Other drinks=== Some other traditional drinks worth keeping an eye out for: * '''''Sikhye''''' (식혜), a very sweet, grainy rice drink served cold * '''''Sujeonggwa''''' (수정과), a sweet, cinnamon-y drink made from persimmons served cold ==Sleep== There's plenty of accommodation in all price brackets in South Korea. Prices in Seoul are typically about twice that of anywhere else in the country. Some higher-end hotels offer a choice of Western-style and Korean-style rooms. The main feature of Korean rooms is an elaborate floor-heating system known as '''''ondol''''' (온돌), where hot steam (or, these days, water or electricity) heats stone slabs under a layer of clay and oiled paper. There are no beds; instead, mattresses are laid directly on the floor. Other furniture is typically limited to some low tables (you're also expected to sit on the floor) and maybe a TV. ===Motels=== Some of the cheapest accommodation in South Korea are in what are called '''motels''' (모텔 ''motel'') or '''''yeogwan''''' (여관), but a more accurate name would be '''sex hotels'''. Since Koreans often live with parents and extended family, motels are generally very cheap hotels targeted at young couples aiming to spend personal time together, complete with plastic beds, occasionally vibrating, with strategically placed mirrors on the ceiling, as well as a VCR and a variety of appropriate videos. However for the budget traveller, they can simply be inexpensive lodging, with rates as low as ₩25,000/night. The easiest way to find a motel is to just look for the symbol "♨" and gaudy architecture, particularly near stations or highway exits. They're harder to find online, as they rarely if ever show up in English-language booking sites. In some motels picking your room is very easy, as there will be room numbers, lit pictures and prices on the wall. The lower price is for a "rest" (휴식 ''hyusik'') of 2–4 hours, while the higher price is the overnight rate. Press the button for the one you like, which will go dark, and proceed to check-in. You'll usually be expected to pay in advance, often to just a pair of hands behind a frosted glass window. English is rarely spoken, but the only word you need to know is ''sukbak'' (숙박, "staying"). You may or may not receive a key, but even if you don't, the staff can usually let you in and out on request &mdash; just don't lose your receipt! ===Hotels=== Full-service hotels can be found in all larger towns in Korea. Cheaper hotels blend into motels with rooms from ₩40,000, while three and four-star hotels are ₩100,000-200,000, and five-star luxury hotels can easily top ₩300,000. Outside peak season you can often get steep discounts from the rack rates, so be sure to ask when reserving. ===''Hanok''=== ''Hanok'' (한옥) are '''traditional Korean houses'''. Once considered to be old-fashioned and an impediment to modernization, many of these houses dating back to the Joseon dynasty are being renovated and opened to paying guests, operating similar to B&Bs or Japanese ''ryokan'' or ''minshuku''. Amenities range from very basic backpacker-style to over-the-top luxury, with prices to match. Higher-end establishments typically provide the option of having a traditional Korean dinner, as well as a choice of either Western or traditional Korean-style breakfast. Guests would usually sleep on mattresses on the floor. Hanok accommodations can typically be found in old towns such as Bukchon in [[Seoul]], as well as historical towns and cities such as [[Hahoe]] and [[Gyeongju]]. ===Hostels and guesthouses=== While not as common in South Korea as in other parts of Asia or the world, hostels and guesthouses can be found. Major cities, such as Seoul, will have a few dozen, while smaller cities may have a handful. Prices can vary widely, even within one hostel. In Seoul, mixed dorms average ₩15,000-25,000 per person; private rooms with a shared toilet and shower average ₩20,000-30,000 per person; and private ensuite rooms average ₩25,000-40,000 per person. Many hostels will have a common room with free TV, games, computers, and internet; some will have a public full kitchen and other amenities. ===''Minbak''=== In rural areas in and near national parks, you can find a '''''minbak''''' (민박). Most of these are just a room or two in someone's home — others are quite fancy and may be similar to motels/''yeogwan'' or hotels. Generally, they have ''ondol'' rooms with maybe a TV and that's about it. You don't usually get your own bathroom in your room, although some of the fancier ones do have an ''en suite.'' Minbak usually run around ₩20,000 off-season, though the price may go up quite a bit during high season. ===Homestay=== Very similar in concept to a minbak, these aren't limited to just rural areas or near national parks. Since the World Cup in 2002, many families around the country have opened their doors and hearts to foreigners looking for a good place to sleep and a breakfast included in the price. These can run between ₩30,000 and ₩35,000 per night. ===Pension=== A fancier and costly version of rural minbak. Most of them are European-style detached bungalows, equipped with private shower/bath, TV, air conditioner, private kitchen and camping grills. Pensions usually run around ₩60,000-150,000 off-season and over ₩200,000 peak season depending on the size of the house. Pensions near Seoul (Gyeonggi, Incheon) usually costs twice or more the price. ===''Jjimjilbang''=== [[File:Jjimjilbang-room.jpg|thumbnail|Inside a jjimjilbang]] For the budget traveller, '''public bath houses''' known as '''''jjimjilbang''''' (찜질방) can offer a great way to sleep, besides a relaxing bath and sauna. (Some Korean spas don't offer overnight stay, like the "Spa Land Centum City" in Busan, and some can be limited in time, like the "Dragon Hill Spa" in Seoul, but they are exceptions.) Entrance costs around ₩5,000-12,000, and includes a robe or T-shirts/shorts (for mixed facilities and sleeping hall) to wear. However, when you leave, you have to take everything with you and pay to get back in. The facilities can be expansive, including showers, public baths, restaurants, computer/video game rooms, a room with DVD movies, and a warm hall to sleep, mostly with mattresses and sometimes soft head rests available. These places are generally used by families or couples during the weekend, as well as Korean working men from the countryside on weekday evenings, but travellers are welcome. A jjimjilbang is no more awkward than any Western public bath — so go ahead. Usually two lockers are provided, one for the shoes (at the entrance) and one for your clothes and everything else (near the bath entrance). A very large backpack may not fit, although you can usually leave it at reception. ===Temples=== South Korea offers many '''temple stays''' in all parts of the country. The basic idea is that you stay for one or more days living with the monks and participating in some of their rituals. ''Jogye'' (조계사), Korea's largest Buddhist sect, runs a popular temple stay program where visitors get to spend 24 hours living at a Buddhist temple. Speaking Korean helps but is not necessary at some temples, but you will be expected to work at the temple and get up at 03:00 or 04:00 to participate in morning prayer. In exchange for three meals and a basic bed for the night, a donation of ₩50,000-80,000 is expected. Reservations are necessary and can be made at the [http://eng.templestay.com/ Temple Stay site] or via Korea Travel Phone (+82-2-1330). ==Learn== Education is taken ''very seriously'' in South Korea, often to the point of obsession, and the country is home to several world class universities. For a country that has limited natural resources, Koreans believe that the only way to become competitive in a global world is to absorb knowledge. This militant drive for educational excellence and success is exactly why South Korea became a developed country in less than a century. While this may sound impressive, the South Korean educational system does have its drawbacks. The brutally competitive nature of the system means that Koreans are faced with a lot of pressure from their parents and peers to succeed academically, and the system is often blamed for the country's high suicide rate and high underemployment rate. The most prestigious general universities, collectively known as SKY, are '''[http://www.useoul.edu/ Seoul National University (SNU)]''', '''[http://www.yonsei.ac.kr/ Yonsei University]''' and '''[http://www.korea.edu/ Korea University]''', the former of which is widely regarded as the undisputed number one university in South Korea. '''[https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/ Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)]''' and '''[http://postech.ac.kr/eng/ Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)]''' are regarded as the top universities specializing in science and engineering. ===Others=== [[File:Kukkiwon-gates-2010.jpg|thumbnail|Gate to Kukkiwon in Seoul, home of the World Taekwondo Academy]] * '''[http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/front/eng/main.action Taekwondo]''' (태권도 ''taegwondo'', literally "the way of kicking and punching") &mdash; The quintessential Korean martial art that is also an Olympic sport, and you can study at any of the numerous schools all over the country. * '''Cooking''' &mdash; Most major cities will offer Korean cooking classes to foreigners. ** '''Kimchi''' &mdash; Many tourist packages nowadays include learning how to make a Korean staple dish kimchi. * '''''Changgeuk''''' (창극) or '''''pansori''''' (판소리) &mdash; If you like music, this will be good for you. It's a unique traditional Korean form of singing. If you want to learn about pansori through film, ''Seopyeonje'' (서편제) (1993) would be an excellent choice. * '''Korean language''' &mdash; Seoul National University, Korea University, Sogang University, and Yonsei University (in [[Seoul]]) provide Korean language programs. You can meet people from all over the world while studying Korean. * '''Korean traditional dance''' &mdash; You can go to a dance studio and learn Korean traditional dance. You will wear ''hanbok'', Korean traditional clothes. * '''''[[Go|Baduk]]''''' (바둑) &mdash; Korean name for the ancient Chinese board game called Go in English and Japanese. Many Koreans play the game, and among them are some of the world's finest players. There are professional tournaments and even schools that specialize in baduk. * '''''Janggi''''' (장기) &mdash; Also known as Korean chess, a board game similar to Chinese chess, with which it shares its origins, though the rules of the two games have diverged significantly. ==Work== Working in Korea can be a great way to experience the country. For English teachers the hours and pay are reasonable, however for other professions bear in mind that South Korea has some of the '''longest working hours globally''', and '''frequent obligatory after-work drinking''' can be demanding. In addition, Korea isn't yet really set up to make entering the job market easy for foreigners. Reading and speaking [[Korean]] will definitely open up many more opportunities for you. Foreigners must obtain an '''Employment Visa''' in order to legally work in South Korea, and will usually require a company based in South Korea to sponsor your application. For prospective teachers the school will almost always arrange this on your behalf. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan may apply for a one year '''Working Holiday Visa''' which allows for short term employment whilst on holiday in Korea. After you have been living in South Korea continuously for 5 years, you may apply for '''permanent residency''', which allows you to live and work in South Korea indefinitely with no restrictions. Alternative routes to permanent residency are by investing a large amount of money in a local business, by marrying a South Korean citizen, or by obtaining a PhD in certain scientific fields. The application process is still complex even if you meet one of these criteria. Korean work culture is a lot more hierarchical and formal than what most Westerners are used to back home. Suits are standard business attire for men, while business dresses or skirts are obligatory for women, and modes of address at the workplace tend to be very formal. South Korean companies place a strong emphasis on group cohesiveness, meaning that the success of the company is a whole is a lot more emphasized than an individual's accomplishments. Employees are also expected to obey their bosses' instructions without question, and must usually get approval from their bosses before making any decisions. It is considered rude to not be at work when your boss is, which means arriving at work early before your boss does, and staying late until after your boss has left, and often working on weekends as well. Korean workers are also often expected to go out for food and drinks with their colleagues after work multiple times a week, which means getting home only when it is ''really'' late. === Teaching === Work as an '''[[Teaching English|English teacher]]''' is the most common type of work available to foreigners from English speaking countries, with the requirements of being able to speak English and a minimum level of education being a Bachelor's degree. Schools prefer native English speakers and many prefer North American accents. In most instances, native English speakers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are the only applicants that are usually considered. The main employer of native English speaking teachers are private academies called '''''hagwon''''' (학원). Many parents enroll their children in order to catch up or overtake their peers, and therefore scheduled classes are often in the evenings and Saturdays. People interested in these teaching positions often find them via professional recruiters. There are pros and cons to teaching ESL in the hagwon system. On the plus side the money can be quite good. As of 2016, the average monthly salary is approximately ₩2,000,000 and basic housing is usually provided. It's often possible to live comfortably on half of one's salary and to save the rest. On the negative side, hagwon are privately run and strictly for profit, and may only operate for a few years. As such it is important to research and evaluate each prospective employer before accepting an offer, since there are plenty of horror stories of unscrupulous academy owners and incompetent directors. Although you will have full employment rights in South Korea, there is practically very little you can do when an issue or dispute arises. The majority of English teachers have a good experience through the hagwon system. University employment is also possible. Those who have a graduate-level degree, preferably in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language), may find professional opportunities at the post secondary level preferable to teaching in private academies. {{infobox|Racial discrimination|South Korean employers tend to be more discriminatory towards non-white people, especially towards people of African and Indian ethnic origin. Although the official position is that all people are welcome, there are actually no laws related to racial discrimination in South Korea. This is largely based on economics; the stereotypical native English speaker is a white person, and many parents expect the teacher to look like that when they send their children to learn English. South Korean job applications usually require you to attach a photo of yourself, along with other information usually considered private in the western English speaking world such as height, weight and marital status. Many foreign non-white people are hired into hagwon, but be aware that there is a bias.}} Some of the best positions are in the public sector, although in Seoul and Busan, schools have been phasing out foreign English teachers and replacing them with English-speaking South Koreans. Still, year-long public school positions are available through the government-funded [http://epik.go.kr EPIK Program] in most provinces and the rapidly contracting GEPIK Program in Gyeonggi, with a few also handled by recruiter companies. Alternately, the TALK Program runs 6-month rural public school positions for non-graduates. For more information about teaching English in Korea through the private-sector, visit [http://eslcafe.com Eslcafe], [http://worknplay.co.kr Worknplay], [http://eslstarter.com Eslstarter] and [http://englishspectrum.com Englishspectrum]. For the public-sector, see the aforementioned EPIK program. Daejeon full-time public elementary school positions stand apart from most in the country in that they consist of multiple part-time support positions at different schools. Most public school and university positions start at the beginning of March or September, however these are the more desirable jobs and must be applied for months before the start date. South Korean Immigration is constantly changing the visa regulations for E-2 visa holders, so keep abreast of updates. === IT === South Korea is often promoted as the world's most wired country, and as such has a massive IT infrastructure. There is plenty of IT work if you can speak [[Korean]], although local rates are much lower than in western countries. === Engineering === South Korea has a lot of opportunities for engineers, and often doesn't have a requirement for Korean language. Port cities such as [[Busan]], [[Ulsan]] and [[Geoje]] have a demand for marine engineers. ==Stay safe== ===Crime=== South Korea is a very safe country, with reported crime rates much lower than in the U.S. and most European Union countries. Crime rates are comparable to other safe places such as [[Japan]], [[Singapore]] and [[Hong Kong]], and it is safe for women to walk around alone at night, even in the major cities. Violent crime is rare toward locals and tourists alike. For the most part, the only foreigners who encounter trouble in South Korea are drunken ones that provoke fights at bars or clubs. If you do happen to encounter any trouble, police stations are located in every district, usually in walking distance from subway entrances and bus stops. While most policemen won't understand English, they do have interpreters on-call that can assist you. ===Racism=== South Korea is a very ethnically homogeneous country, and for many South Koreans, this is a point of pride. Discrimination against non-Koreans is systemic and there is '''no anti-discrimination legislation''' whatsoever. Nevertheless South Korea is changing. As recently as 2000 it was not advisable for a foreign man to hold hands in public with a South Korean woman and today it is almost no issue at all. Any horror stories you hear should be taken in context of the positive changes that are happening. The reality is that white people will mostly get a free pass from experiencing much if any racial abuse. When applying for work in South Korea, especially in teaching positions, many employers prefer white people over other ethnicities. (This may be one of the reasons they ask for a picture on your application.) Darker skinned people do experience more problems, including being barred from saunas and bars. Most visitors to South Korea are extremely unlikely to encounter any problems at all. If you do experience racial abuse then you can call on the police to help, although realistically if no other offense has been committed then they will at most just try and reason with the abuser. People from North Korea also experience discrimination in society, partly out of suspicion (North Korea has sent assassins and spies disguised as refugees) and partly out of the difficulty to integrate themselves into a vastly different society. Ethnic Koreans from China are also often regarded poorly due to being associated with low economic status and crime. People from [[South East Asia]] are also discriminated against since most immigrant workers in low-paid jobs come from that region. ===Traffic=== [[File:Korean Sign - Vehicles Only and No Thoroughfare for Motorcycles 3.JPG|thumb|right|Motorcycles not in emergency service are banned from Expressways in South Korea.]] With one of the highest rates of traffic deaths, South Korean motorists will speed through pedestrian crossings, jump red lights and come within a hair-width distance to pedestrians and other cars alike. Even when the light turns red, drivers will not stop. Motorcyclists are particularly reckless weaving in and out on crowded sidewalks. It is up to you to avoid them. There is a lot of discussion about the reason for this, although it basically comes down to Koreans regarding traffic laws as guidelines that are nice ideas rather than rules to be obeyed. Pedestrian crosswalks stay green for a very short period of time. When the walk signal is flashing and you are still at the curb, '''do not cross'''. Instead, you should wait and be ready for the light to turn green. The moment it turns green, wait for about 3 to 5 seconds and see if other pedestrians start to cross, and if all the traffic has indeed stopped, ''then'' walk briskly to cross safely. It is safer to take underground passageways at busy intersections. Most mopeds prefer to weave through pedestrians rather than wait with the rest of the traffic. There are plenty of marked pedestrian crossings in Korea, and they are essentially ignored by all drivers. As a foreigner you can use them by stepping onto the crossing and directly staring down any approaching cars and they will usually yield. It is important for you to stay alert while crossing the roads. Taxis, buses, freight trucks, and delivery scooters are more likely to ignore traffic rules, since many of them are pressured to ignore rules by harsh timetables or their customers. ===Illegal taxis=== Illegal taxis are a problem and run even from the airport. Each Korean city has a different taxi scheme with a specific car color, so check out your destination city's taxi scheme before you arrive. At the airport, ignore anyone asking if you want a taxi at arrivals and head out to the official taxi rank. ===Civil unrest=== In the heart of the political center of [[Seoul]], near Gwanghwamun and City Hall, you may witness political activists of one sort or another in the city center and demonstrations can grow to tens of thousands. You'll have to use discretion as violence during political demonstrations can happen, often with water cannons and tear gas, and also large crowds may pose safety issues. Fighting is always between the demonstrators and police, and foreigners are not targeted. Also, South Korean legislation prohibits non-South Koreans from engaging in political activities. ===Local laws=== Ignorance of the law here is no excuse for breaking it and can even be seen as a reason for harsher punishment. They include heavy fines, lengthy jail sentences and immediate deportation. * Penalties concerning drug offenses may seem particularly harsh to Westerners * Submitting fraudulent documentation for obtaining visas * Giving somebody an English lesson without possessing the correct visa * Causing injury during a fight, even if you were not the one who instigated it South Korea has a draconian '''National Security Act''' (국가보안법, ''Gukga Boanbeop'') with regards to [[North Korea]] that restricts any unauthorized contact with that country or its citizens. Although it rarely applies to foreign visitors you should still be careful since being associated with any "anti-State group" (반국가단체 ''bangukga danche'') is a criminal offense. With this in mind, you should under no circumstances display any symbols that represent North Korea or be seen to '''praise''' (찬양 ''chanyang'') North Korean figures, in particular Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un, in public, websites or social media. Doing this as a joke is not in any way an excuse, and criminal convictions can incur a penalty of up to '''seven years in prison'''. Websites in North Korea or from North Korean-affiliated organizations are blocked from South Korea. In any case you should not attempt to access them since it could be regarded as a "communication" (통신 ''tongsin'') with an anti-State group. ===Gambling=== Gambling is illegal for South Korean citizens, although a limited number of casinos are available for foreigners only in [[Seoul]], [[Busan]] and [[Jeju]] island. You will need to bring your passport to enter these establishments. ===Wildlife=== [[File:Vespa mandarinia japonica s3.JPG|thumbnail|Asian Giant Hornet]] The '''Asian giant hornet''' (장수말벌, ''jangsu malbeol'') or "commander bee" is usually seen around summer time; it is about {{mm|40}} long and can sting repeatedly and painfully. A hornet defending its nest or feeding spot will make a clicking sound to warn away intruders; if you encounter one, retreat. If you are stung, receive prompt medical attention, as prolonged exposure to the venom could cause permanent injury or even death. There are very few other animals that can be dangerous in Korea. The Siberian tiger is sadly no longer found on the Korean Peninsula. Large wild boars can sometimes be found in forested areas and can be very dangerous if they attack. If you see a boar with piglets then keep well away since the mother will not hesitate to protect them. Large sharks including the great white and hammerhead are being sighted more frequently off the coast of South Korea. To date there has never been a recorded attack on swimmers, although a few abalone divers have been killed in the past 20 years. The most popular beaches are closely monitored, and this is unlikely to be a real risk to you. ===Natural hazards=== South Korea is considerably less prone to natural disasters than its neighbors. Earthquakes are rare occurrences, though minor ones occasionally occur in the southwest of the country. Tsunamis are a recognized hazard in coastal areas, although Japan's strategic position prevents most tsunamis from ever reaching Korea. While '''typhoons''' do not occur as often as in [[Japan]], [[Taiwan]] or the [[Philippines]], they are nevertheless an almost yearly occurrence, and are occasionally known to be deadly and cause major property damage. ===Homosexuality=== Although same-sex relationships are not recognized by the government, there are no laws against homosexuality in South Korea. Gay clubs and bars exist in the larger cities, though openly displaying your sexual orientation in public is still likely to be met with disapproval. South Korea has a large number of Evangelical Christians who generally strongly disapprove of homosexuality. Nevertheless, verbal and physical attacks against gay people are rare. Conversely, platonic displays of physical affection between same-sex friends are very common, particularly when alcohol has been consumed, and holding hands with a same-sex romantic partner may be viewed in this light. ===Conflict with North Korea=== An understandable concern about traveling to South Korea is the possibility of war. However, while war has remained a distinct possibility ever since the end of the Korean war over 60 years ago, the North Koreans appear to have become very skilled at saber-rattling and limited provocations that are never allowed to escalate into out-and-out warfare. This is not to say that miscalculations could not spiral out of control, but simply that the odd missile launch or loudly publicized border closure does not mean war is nigh. If a full scale war did break out between the North and South, it would almost certainly result in many casualties, military and civilian alike. If this were to happen when you are visiting Seoul, it would definitely be life-threatening. There was a great deal of brinkmanship following the appointment of Kim Jong-un as North Korea's leader, and open conflict seemed to become more likely. However, no big conflagration has broken out, and it is safe to say that the possibility of all-out war is very low, though it would be reasonable to weigh the risks when planning to visit South Korea. There isn't really much you can do to mitigate the risk of military action. Find out the contact details of your embassy, and be aware of the current situation when traveling. Most embassies will have an evacuation strategy for their nationals in the case of war. Also be aware that [[Seoul]]'s [[Incheon International Airport]] is relatively close to the North Korean border, so therefore it may not be advisable to run there looking for a flight out. ===Emergency numbers=== *Police: '''112''' *Fire and ambulance services: '''119''' Emergency-service English interpreters are available 24 hours a day. ==Stay healthy== {{infobox|Fan Death|An urban legend that is very prevalent in (and particular to) South Korea is the danger of '''fan death'''&mdash;that is, death occurring while sleeping in a room with an operating electric fan. Many Koreans accept it as fact without being able to provide a plausible explanation, though several theories have been floated (i.e. a vortex sucking the air out of your body is one of the more surprising ones). It may surprise you a great deal how seriously this is taken, with simple fans having elaborate safety settings. The correct explanation for this condition is straightforward '''hyperthermia''' (the body overheating), which sets in if the temperature and humidity are high, the sleeper is dehydrated, and a fan close by keeps evaporating the body's sweat. Eventually the body runs out of water due to sweat loss and becomes overheated. The risk is no greater in Korea than anywhere else with similar climate.}} South Korean healthcare is known for its excellence in both research and clinical medicine, and most towns will be able to offer a high quality of healthcare. The sheer number of hospitals and specialized clinics in the country will also offer you a greater amount of choice. Healthcare is subsidized by the government and is relatively cheap compared to most western countries. Expatriate workers who have the required medical insurance card will experience further discounts. South Korea also promotes [[medical tourism]] where quality operations can be had for a fraction of the price of many other developed countries. South Korea is especially known for having a thriving '''plastic surgery''' industry, and the vast majority of South Korean celebrities have undergone cosmetic surgery to one degree or another. It is also common for parents who can afford it to pay for their daughters to go under the knife to achieve the "perfect look". The downside is that seeing the top plastic surgeons is usually very expensive. Most South Korean doctors can communicate well in English, being the most highly educated in the country. (Indeed, many have achieved their medical qualifications in the United States.) However, you may find them a little difficult to understand due to their Korean accent, so do ask them to slow down and go through things with you clearly. On the other hand, nurses will very rarely speak much, if any, English. '''Traditional Chinese medicine''', along with traditional Korean medicine (한의학 ''hanuihak'' or 향약 ''hyangyak''), is highly regarded in South Korea and involves many traditional methods including acupuncture, heating and herbal medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has deep roots and practitioners must undergo strict government certification in order to practice. Typically Koreans use Oriental medicine for chronic ailments such as back pain and Western medicine for sudden injuries. Due to the holistic nature of Oriental medicine (i.e. treating the whole body rather than a specific ailment) it is very hard to measure its effectiveness, but nevertheless it is a widely trusted part of the Korean medical system. Western medicine, however, does not generally recognize the effectiveness of the procedures in Oriental medicine. [[File:YakPharmacy.jpg|thumb|A Korean pharmacy, with the word 약 (Yak) prominently displayed]] '''Pharmacies''' are available everywhere, and are indicated by one very large word '''약''' (''yak''). As hospitals in South Korea are not allowed to dispense take-home prescriptions there will almost always be a separate pharmacy available there. Although there are no official '''vaccinations''' that are required or recommended for visitors, Hepatitis A is known throughout the country and attacks the liver after the host ingests contaminated food or water. Once infected, time is the only cure. The [http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-HepA.aspx#362 Center for Disease Control] designates the prevalence of infection in South Korea to be ''intermediate''. A vaccine is available for Hepatitis A, so you might want to consider getting vaccinated before you travel to be safe. '''Tap water''' in South Korea is perfectly safe to drink, although you may want to follow the local habits of boiling and filtering if only to get rid of the chlorine smell. Bottled mineral water from [[Jeju]] Island is also very popular. Fresh mountain spring water is available directly in wells around the country (especially Buddhist monasteries), and although these are generally safe, the water has not been treated in any way and could be unsafe. '''Spring water''' Koreans are especially fond of drinking mountain spring water when hiking through mountains or at monasteries, although this water is completely untreated. If you see plastic (or metal) ladles provided that are obviously in use, then the water is probably safe. Some places in Korea have communal wells set up that supply fresh water, and in theory the local government will test from time to time in order to certify the safety. The certification (or warning) will be in Korean, so you may not know if a particular water source is safe. ==Cope== ===Media=== South Korea has several English language media sources for daily news and other information, such as the [http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr Yonhap News Agency]. Daily newspapers in English include the [http://english.hani.co.kr Hankyoreh], [http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp The Korea Times], [http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/index.asp The Korea Herald] and [http://english.chosun.com/ The Chosun Ilbo]. For television, there is an English-language channel called [http://www.arirang.co.kr/intro.asp Arirang TV] that is available throughout the world on some cable subscriptions. [http://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil/home.aspx AFN Korea] is available to U.S. military community or via cable. There are some English-language radio stations in South Korea such as TBS e-FM (101.3 FM) and AFN channel (1530 AM and 102.7 FM in Seoul). ==Respect== {{infobox|Naming conventions and modes of address|2=Korean names follow the East Asian order of '''family name followed by given name'''. Someone called 홍길동 (''Hong Gil Dong'') has the family name <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hong</span> and the given name Gil Dong. Koreans often, but not always, preserve their East Asian name order in English. However, many Koreans have an English nickname (which may simply be the initials of their given Korean name); when using it, they will use the Western name order. When addressing other people, Koreans generally use the other person's '''family and given name + ''-ssi'' (씨)''' for most situations. Addressing someone by just their given name is only done when addressing children of elementary school age or younger, and very close friends. Using just the family name is generally not done in Korea, as Koreans consider it to be condescending, since it implies that you are talking down to someone of a lower social status. (It would also be confusing, since nearly half of all Koreans have one of the three most common family names: Kim, Lee, or Park.) '''Ssi''' is the default suffix, but others you might encounter are: * ''-nim'' (님) — People above you, from bosses up to deities, as well as customers * ''-a/-ya'' (아/야) — Close friends, and junior family members * ''-gun'' (군) — Young boys * ''-yang'' (양) — Young girls To avoid being overly formal or familiar, stick with full name + ''-ssi'' unless the person tells you otherwise. In business settings, ''-ssi'' is often substituted with a job position/title, with the suffix ''-nim'' added to the back to the job position/title for people in a senior position to you. Often, the name is dropped altogether, so an employee may simply address his company's president as ''sajang-nim'' (사장님 "Honored Mr./Ms. President"). In English, it's okay to use just the family name, or family name plus initials of their given name. However, it's more proper to use their job title (even if it's a mouthful) than "Mr./Miss". Our example <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hong</span> Gil Dong from before might be called General Manager Hong, or General Manager G.D. Hong, or Mr. Hong if he's a low-level employee without a title. If unsure how to call someone, feel free to ask; even Koreans can get confused by it. They may also mix up the order of your name, referring to you as Mr. John or President Mary. (If your ''given'' name is Kim, to avoid confusion you may want to go by Kimberly/Kimball. If you're a Lee, you should perhaps use a different name.)}} Coming from a land of strict Confucian hierarchy and etiquette, Koreans are regarded as reserved and well-mannered. As a visitor, you will not be expected to know every nuance, but making an effort will certainly be appreciated. The further you are away from metropolitan areas the more conservative the people are. Nevertheless, most South Koreans are welcoming towards foreign tourists, and as long as you show a modicum of respect towards their culture, will do their best to make your visit a pleasant one. American visitors can expect a particularly warm welcome, as most South Koreans admire American culture. === Social etiquette and breaches === * Koreans '''bow''' to each other to show their respect when they meet. They may also shake hands. (When shaking hands, particularly with someone older, support your right arm with your left hand.) However, with people you know well, a quick nod of the head and a simple "''Annyeonghaseyo''" (안녕하세요, "Hello") should suffice. * It is very important to '''remove your shoes''' when entering many places in Korea. It is always expected that you take off your shoes in someone's home. It is also required in many good restaurants (especially family-run ones), smaller hospitals, medical clinics and dentists. Leave your shoes by the front door; indoor slippers may be provided. * Much like their neighbors, Koreans place a very strong emphasis on "saving face", thus communication is rather '''indirect'''. Gestures and facial expressions are not commonly used when conversing, which can give some the impression that Koreans are "stern". Unless you are in a position of seniority, you shouldn't beckon someone directly. * '''Direct personal questions''' are common. Koreans typically ask such questions to demonstrate interest in who you are. If you feel a question is too personal, simply give an indirect answer and move along. * '''Respect for elders''' is very important. It's considered ''rude manners'' to directly challenge someone older than you or who's in a position of authority. In public transportation, you are always expected to give up your seat to someone older than you. * When '''picking something up or taking something''' from somebody older, always use two hands. If you have to use one hand, you can simply support your right arm with your left hand. * South Korean households often have strict rules about '''recycling''': for example, one bin may be for paper only and another in the kitchen may be for food/drink containers. Each district in Korea has its own unique recycling scheme. Garbage bags must be purchased from a supermarket and must be of the type designated for your local district. * Never pour your own drink when dining with Koreans, but always take the initiative to pour for others. When dining with Koreans, the oldest or most senior should always eat first. * It is common to hear people talking loudly in restaurants, as a sign of being happy and enjoying the food. But always remember to act polite in front of older people especially at the table. Koreans think making a loud sound in front of older people is rude. === Things to avoid === '''Politics:''' * South Koreans in general have very strong nationalistic views and would view any criticism of their country with varying degrees of hostility. To avoid getting into the bad books of your hosts, it is advisable to praise the country, or at least avoid bringing up anything negative about it. * Although you may notice similarities between Korean culture and that of neighboring China and Japan, be aware that Koreans are fiercely proud of their unique culture and that you shouldn't go overboard making national comparisons. ** Cultural and historiographical disputes with China are a particularly sensitive issue, and South Koreans often accuse China of appropriating Korean history and culture. This is further complicated by the fact that China has a large ethnic Korean minority, and things came to a head when a representative of that community wore a hanbok at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, causing a massive outcry among the South Korean public and resulting in a diplomatic protest being filed against China by the South Korean government. In particular, China's nomination of the Complex of Goguryeo Tombs near [[Ji'an]] as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has caused deep anger among South Koreans. * '''Do not attempt to compliment North Korea''' in any way, even in jest. On the other hand, be careful not to go out of your way to be critical since they are still regarded as fellow Koreans, and you are a foreigner. === Business etiquette === '''Business cards''' (명함 ''myeongham'') in particular are treated very respectfully and formally. How you treat someone's business card is seen as representing how you will treat the person. Make sure to pack more than you'll need, as not having a business card to present is a serious faux pas. There's a lot of nuanced etiquette, but here are some basics: * When presenting a business card, orient it so it's readable by the person you're giving it to, and use both hands to present or receive one. Juniors give their cards to seniors first; people of equal rank can exchange simultaneously using your right hand to give yours and left hand to receive theirs. Take the time to read the card and confirm their name and job title. (Korean business cards are often bilingual, sometimes on opposite sides of the card.) * You can ask permission to write notes on the back of a card if you need to. It's disrespectful to fold a card or place it in your back pocket (where you'll sit on it!). Instead, you should arrange cards on the table (in order of seniority) to help you remember who's who. When it's time to leave, then you can pack the cards in a nice case to keep them pristine; if you don't have one, hold on to them until you're out of sight before pocketing them. ===National issues=== Given the long history of unwanted intervention in Korea by foreign nations, Koreans are understandably rather sensitive about '''political discussions'''. You should avoid discussing the following topics since they are never going to achieve anything but getting you onto someone's bad side: * [[Japan]]'s annexation and brutal colonization of Korea until 1945 * Japan's lack of sufficient recognition and apology over the sexual enslavement of Korean "comfort women" during World War II * Japan's territorial claims over the South Korean island of [[Dokdo]] * The Korean war and anything to do with [[North Korea]] * Bad behavior of individual members of the United States military stationed in South Korea * Any deference of the South Korean military towards the United States military * Any international sporting controversies where South Korean athletes are involved * Do not refer to the sea east of South Korea as the "Sea of Japan" (even though this is by far the most accepted name internationally). Always refer to it as the "East Sea" (동해 ''Donghae''). * The MV ''Sewol'' ferry disaster of April 2014. It is no exaggeration to say that the country was deeply traumatized by this incident, and many entertainment programs were cancelled over the following months. There is a lot of introspection going on around this, although as a foreigner your contributions may not be appreciated. Solidarity is shown with yellow ribbons so make sure you don't make jokes about the many ribbons when you see them. Should your hosts bring any such topics up, it is best to stay neutral and avoid any debates. Playing devil's advocate is really not appreciated in Korea. ===Religion=== Religion in South Korea has changed a great deal over time, with today's main religions of Buddhism and Christianity both having been oppressed over the past centuries. Today just under half of Koreans state that they have no religious affiliation. There are practically no tensions at all between the different groups, with religion being usually regarded as a personal choice. '''Buddhism''' was historically the main religion in Korea (albeit often suppressed in favor of Chinese Confucianism), and Buddhist temples are major tourist attractions throughout the country. As in [[India]], [[China]], and other countries there are Buddhist swastikas representing good luck on display at religious buildings. You will notice they are actually drawn in reverse to the one used in Nazi Germany, and they in no way represent antisemitism. When visiting Buddhist temples you should be respectful by not making too much noise, eating or drinking. South Korea has a high proportion of '''Christians''' (18% of the population are Protestant and 11% are Roman Catholic) and dozens of churches can be found in absolutely every major city. Protestants in South Korea tend to be strongly conservative and frequently highly evangelical, sending a large number of missionaries abroad (rivaling the United States in this regard). Catholics often combine elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Korean shamanism into their faith. South Korea is also home to a myriad of new religions based on Christianity (such as the Unification Church), which may be deemed as controversial or heresy by others. It is common for both strangers and acquaintances to ask you to come to their church, although offense will not usually be taken if you decline. '''Korean Shamanism''', also known as Muism, is the indigenous religion of the Korean people since ancient times. Although it is professed by less than 1% of South Koreans today, its practices and beliefs are known to most and to some extent still practiced by many people, having been incorporated into both Christian and Buddhist rituals. '''Confucianism''' was often promoted as the state religion during Korea's history, and although there are few adherents today the majority of Koreans will be familiar with its teachings and practices, and even today government officials are still required to sit Confucian examinations. ===Smoking=== While [[smoking]] in Korea is not quite as popular as in Japan or China, many Korean men and an increasing number of Korean women smoke, and it's fairly cheap compared to much of Europe and America. A pack of twenty costs around ₩5,000 and cigarettes can be bought from all convenience stores. Koreans favor mild cigarettes (around 6 mg tar) so Korean-made cigarettes may taste bland and flavorless compared to those from America or Europe, and even the Korean-produced Western cigarettes are much lighter than the originals (e.g., full-strength Marlboro Reds in Korea have only 8 mg tar, the same as Marlboro Lights in the U.S.). If you prefer stronger cigarettes it's wise to bring some duty-free cigarettes with you. Smoking is forbidden in public buildings, public transport and restaurants. Various establishments will tacitly allow smoking despite the ban, although they will never explicitly tell you that you can smoke, for fear of legal repercussions. Smoking in public is also banned, but this is largely unenforced and designated smoking areas are sparse. Female smokers may give a negative impression to some Koreans, as smoking is not considered feminine in Korea. ==Connect== ===By phone=== For calls to South Korea, the country code is '''+82'''. International dialing prefixes in South Korea vary by operator. ====Mobile phones==== {{see also|Mobile phones}} South Korea plans to shut down its last 2G network in 2021, so 2G (GSM or CDMA) mobile phones will not work. However, if you have a 3G phone with a 3G SIM card, you can probably roam onto the '''UMTS/W-CDMA 2100''' networks of KT or SK Telecom; check with your home operator before you leave to be sure. 4G LTE has been made available in Korea; again, check with your provider. While 5G is also becoming available, providers have only so far made it available to select postpaid plans or inbound roaming agreements; prepaid users purchasing a local SIM in South Korea will not have access to 5G (as of August 2021). The country has three service providers: '''[http://roaming.kt.com/eng/index.asp KT]''', '''[http://www.sktelecom.com/ SK Telecom]''' and '''[http://www.uplus.co.kr/cmg/engl/ouse/peos/RetrievePeOsRooming.hpi LG U+]'''. They offer prepaid mobile phone services ("pre-paid service" or "PPS"). Incoming calls are free. Phones and prepaid services can be acquired at any retail location found on any street (for Koreans). Second-hand phones are also available at selected stores in [[Seoul]]. Mobile phone coverage is generally excellent, with the exception of some remote mountainous areas. SK Telecom has the best coverage, followed by KT and LG U+. As a foreigner without Korean residency your choices are: * Buy a prepaid SIM card from a KT Global or airport provider store * Rent a phone from an airport (expensive — best for short visits) * Using roaming on your phone if available from your home provider * Borrow a phone from a Korean resident * Have a Korean resident acquire another SIM card and lend it to you * Use [[Internet telephony]] (e.g. Skype) over the many Wi-Fi spots available You should be able to get a prepaid SIM card at one of the KT Global locations. Due to a loosening of the regulations, there is no longer a requirement that you have been in the country for 3 days already; you can apply for a prepaid SIM immediately upon arrival. The fee for a prepaid SIM card is ₩5,500, and you have to charge at least ₩10,000 at the spot. You must also have a compatible phone. All modern iPhones (3GS and later) should work. SK Telecom and LG also offer mobile phone rental services, and some handsets also support GSM SIM roaming. They have outlets at the Incheon, Seoul&ndash;Gimpo and Busan&ndash;Gimhae airports. You can find service centers for KT SHOW and SK Telecom at Jeju airport as well. You can rent a 4G WiBro device between ₩5,000–10,000 a day for unlimited access, although coverage is not always available outside larger cities and in enclosed areas. The 1330 Korea Travel Phone service is a very useful service provided by the Korea Tourism organization. It is a 24-hour service and offered in four different languages (Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese). The operator will answer questions on bus schedules, accommodation, museum hours, etc. The internationally popular messaging app WhatsApp is not popular in South Korea. Most South Koreans use the local app '''[https://www.kakaocorp.com/service/KakaoTalk?lang=en KaKaoTalk]''' instead. ===By Internet=== [[File:Korean.culture-PC.bang-01.jpg|thumbnail|A PC bang in Seoul]] South Korea is the '''world's most wired country''' and Internet cafes, known as '''PC ''bang''''' (PC방), are ubiquitous through the country. Most customers are there for gaming but you're free to sit and type e-mails as well. Typical charges are about ₩1,000-2,000/hour, although more luxurious places may charge more. Most PC bang tend to be cash only. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in most PC bang. Smoking is banned in PC bang but many stores will give tacit consent to smoking, despite stating otherwise if asked explicitly (for legal reasons). There is also a lot of free Wi-Fi available throughout South Korea. Most households in South Korea do have broadband connections with Wi-Fi, and most are encrypted by default. [https://first.wifi.olleh.com/en/index_new.html ollehWiFi] is one of the most common Wi-Fi hotspots available and requires payment. The service is fast (30Mbps+) and prices are cheap at ₩1,100/hour or ₩3,300/day. You can buy the service on your device by credit card, or by cash or card in most convenience stores. ollehWiFi is available at most convenient stores, coffee shops, some marts, restaurants, intercity buses, and on all subways and subway stations in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. The Starbucks Coffee chain also offers Wi-Fi, however you will require a South Korean phone number to use it. Many other coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi with no registration required. ollehWiFi should also be available in all Starbucks stores. South Korean websites frequently require Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer, especially those involving online payment. As elsewhere in Asia, a lot of services are becoming available primarily for mobile phones, with [http://www.kakao.com/talk Kakao Talk] being the most popular. ===By mail=== '''[http://www.epost.go.kr/main/eng/Enpost_Introduction1.html Korea Post]''' is fast, reliable and reasonably priced. Postage for a postcard anywhere in the world is ₩660, while letters and packages start from ₩480. If you want actual traditional stamps, be sure to ask for them, or else you will just get a printed label. On request, fancy "tourist" cancellations (''Gwangwang Tongsin Ilbuin'') for your stamps are available at selected post offices without additional charge. Korea Post accepts Visa and MasterCard for purchases over ₩1,000. Most post offices are open only M-F 09:00-18:00. Larger post offices also open Saturday mornings, and central offices in the main cities stay open late and are open on Sundays as well. {{IsPartOf|East Asia}} {{usablecountry}} {{geo|36|128|zoom=7}} n3tpgnv15xnz0m8s4an2tdag5694425 4506307 4506306 2022-08-22T16:23:22Z JRHorse 1921 Undo revision 4506306 by [[Special:Contributions/JRHorse|JRHorse]] ([[User talk:JRHorse|talk]]) (?lang=en does not work?) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Korea Banner 2.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Eligible foreign nationals that have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including tourists, are exempt from South Korea's 7-day quarantine. See [[South Korea#Get in|Get in]] for more information.|lastedit=2022-04-01}} '''[https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/ South Korea]''' ([[Korean phrasebook|Korean]]: 한국, 韓國 ''Hanguk''), officially the '''Republic of Korea''' (대한민국, 大韓民國 ''Daehan Minguk''), is a country in [[East Asia]]. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. South Korea has emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and cemented its place as one of the world's major economic powers. Since the turn of the 21st century, South Korean pop culture has become enormously popular all over East Asia, making it a very popular tourist destination. ==Regions== South Korea is administratively divided into nine provinces, as listed below. The largest cities are separate entities from these provinces, but we include them in the most relevant province. {{Regionlist | regionmap=South Korea regions map merged.png | regionmapsize=450px | region1name=[[Gyeonggi]] | region1color=#d1d782 | region1description=Surrounding [[Seoul]] and covered in its urban sprawl, and the [[Panmunjeom|Korean Demilitarised Zone]] close by. | region2name=[[Gangwon]] | region2color=#7eb587 | region2description=Natural wonderland with the [[Seoraksan National Park]], beaches and ski resorts. | region3name=[[North Chungcheong]] | region3color=#cd9c56 | region3description=A landlocked province filled with mountains and national parks. | region4name=[[South Chungcheong]] | region4color=#679da3 | region4description=Central western part of the country. The flat areas are made up of rice paddies. Point where main train lines and highways converge and known for its hot springs. | region5name=[[North Gyeongsang]] | region5color=#629bc0 | region5description=Largest province and richest area for historical and cultural sites, such as [[Andong]], [[Gyeongju]] and the islands of [[Ulleungdo]]. | region6name=[[South Gyeongsang]] | region6color=#b58db5 | region6description=Known for its gorgeous seaside cities and beaches where most Koreans take their summer holidays. | region7name=[[North Jeolla]] | region7color=#b7cfa4 | region7description=Noted for great food. | region8name=[[South Jeolla]] | region8color=#d17c82 | region8description=Lots of beautiful small islands and landscape, fantastic food (especially seafood along the coast) and good for fishing. | region9name=[[Jeju]] | region9color=#8f7fcf | region9description=South Korea's honeymoon island, created by a volcano. Great scenery with wildflowers and horseback riding. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d1d782|title=[[Gyeonggi]]|wikidata=Q20937}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#7eb587|title=[[Gangwon]]|wikidata=Q41071}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#cd9c56|title=[[North Chungcheong]]|wikidata=Q41066}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#679da3|title=[[South Chungcheong]]|wikidata=Q41070}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#629bc0|title=[[North Gyeongsang]]|wikidata=Q41154}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b58db5|title=[[South Gyeongsang]]|wikidata=Q41151}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b7cfa4|title=[[North Jeolla]]|wikidata=Q41157}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d17c82|title=[[South Jeolla]]|wikidata=Q41161}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#8f7fcf|title=[[Jeju]]|wikidata=Q29151}} ==Cities== {{mapframe}} <!-- Keep this list limited to the 9 most important cities for tourists --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Seoul]]|url=|lat=37.566|long=126.966|wikidata=Q8684}} (서울) &mdash; the dynamic 600-year-old capital of South Korea, a fusion of the ancient and modern *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Busan]]|url=|lat=35.166|long=129.066|wikidata=Q16520}} (부산, 釜山) &mdash; the second largest city and a major port *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chuncheon]]|url=|lat=37.866|long=127.733|wikidata=Q42148}} (춘천, 春川) &mdash; capital city of Gangwon province, surrounded by lakes and mountains and known for local dishes, dakgalbi and makguksu *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Daegu]]|url=|lat=35.9|long=128.6|wikidata=Q20927}} (대구, 大邱) &mdash; a cosmopolitan city, rich with ancient traditions and sights *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Daejeon]]|url=|lat=36.351|long=127.385|wikidata=Q20921}} (대전, 大田) &mdash; a large and dynamic metropolis in Chungnam province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gwangju]]|url=|lat=35.166|long=126.916|wikidata=Q41283}} (광주, 光州) &mdash; the administrative and economic centre of the area, the largest city in the province *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Gyeongju]]|url=|lat=35.85|long=129.22|wikidata=Q42097}} (경주, 慶州) &mdash; the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Incheon]]|url=|lat=37.483|long=126.633|wikidata=Q20934}} (인천, 仁川) &mdash; second busiest port in the country, location of the country's largest international airport *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Jeonju]]|url=|lat=35.82|long=127.15|wikidata=Q42140}} (전주, 全州) &mdash; once the spiritual capital of the Joseon Dynasty, now a leading center of the arts filled with museums, ancient Buddhist temples, and historical monuments ==Other destinations== <!-- Keep this list limited to the 9 most important other destinations for tourists --> *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Seoraksan National Park]]|url=|lat=38.125|long=128.416|wikidata=Q706310}} (설악산국립공원) &mdash; spread out over four cities and counties, the country's most renowned national park and mountain range *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Andong]]|url=|lat=36.567|long=128.716|wikidata=Q42116}} (안동시) &mdash; historically rich in Confucius traditions and home of living folk village *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ansan]]|url=|lat=37.316|long=126.833|wikidata=Q42117}} (안산시) &mdash; a city in Gyeonggi province on the coast of the Yellow Sea *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Panmunjeom]]|url=|lat=37.956|long=126.68|wikidata=Q495167}} (판문점) &mdash; the only tourist site in the world where the Cold War is still reality *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Yeosu]]|url=|lat=34.733|long=127.733|wikidata=Q42125}} (여수시) &mdash; one of the country's most picturesque port cities especially at night. Famous for its seafood and beaches, you can visit some of the islands in Hallyeo Ocean Park with cruise or watch sunset from its fabulous Dolsan Bridge or romantic cafes near marinas. *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Jindo]]|url=|lat=34.483|long=126.261|wikidata=Q485651}} (진도) &mdash; commonly associated with the dog native to that area, the Jindo, every year people flock to the area to witness the parting of the sea and participate with the accompanying festivities *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ulleungdo]]|url=|lat=37.5|long=130.9|wikidata=Q41172}} (울릉도) &mdash; scenic remote island off the east coast of peninsula *{{Marker|type=vicinity |lat=37.561|long=128.487|zoom=11 |name=[[Pyeongchang]] |image=|wikidata=Q188624}} (평창군) &mdash; the host city of the [[Wikivoyage:Past_events/Pyeongchang_2018|2018 Winter Olympics]]. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationSouthKorea.png}} Positioned on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is a country of dazzling scenic landscapes and a mixed representation of centuries-old traditions and contemporary society. It boasts a recorded history extending more than 5,000 years. ===History=== ====Early history and founding of a nation==== {{seealso|Pre-modern Korea}} [[File:Korea-Daegu-Palgongsan-01.jpg|thumbnail|Daegu and the mountain Palgongsan]] Archeological finds of prehistoric toolmaking on the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]] date back to 70,000 BC, and the first pottery is found around 8000 BC. Comb-pattern pottery culture peaked around 3500&ndash;2000 BC. Legend has it that Korea began with the founding of '''Gojoseon''' (고조선, 古朝鮮, also called '''Ancient Chosun''') by the legendary Dangun in 2333 BC. Archaeological and contemporaneous written records of Gojoseon as a kingdom date back to around 7th&ndash;4th century BC. The Chinese Han Dynasty eventually defeated Gojoseon, and its territories were governed as four commanderies. The political chaos following the fall of the Han Dynasty in China allowed native tribes to regain control of Korea and led to the emergence of the '''Three Kingdoms of Korea''' (삼국시대, 三國時代), namely Goguryeo (고구려, 高句麗), Silla (신라, 新羅) and Baekje (백제, 百濟). Despite repeated attempts by China, namely the Sui Dynasty and later the Tang Dynasty, to conquer the Korean Peninsula, northern-based Goguryeo managed to repel them. Eventually, Goguryeo fell to a Silla-Tang alliance, which had earlier defeated Baekje, and unified Korea under the '''Silla Dynasty'''. A later invasion by the Tang was repelled by Silla forces, thus maintaining Korea's independence. The remnants of Goguryeo would go on to found another kingdom known as '''Balhae''' (발해, 渤海) in what is now [[Northeast China]], which would last until 926 AD when the Khitans conquered it. Unified Silla was replaced by the '''Goryeo Dynasty''' (고려, 高麗, also called '''Koryo'''), from which the modern name "Korea" derives. One highlight of the Goryeo dynasty was that in 1234 the world's first metal movable type was invented by a Korean named Choe Yun-ui (200 years before Gutenberg's printing press). Goryeo was replaced by the '''Joseon Dynasty''' (조선, 朝鮮, also called ''Chosun''), after a coup by one of its generals. The Joseon dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910, being one of the longest actively ruling dynasties in world history. During the early part of the Joseon dynasty, Korean technological inventions such as the world's first water clock, ironclad ship, and other innovations took place. During the rule of King Sejong the Great, the world's first rain gauge was invented, and the Korean alphabet, known as ''hangul'', was created. ====Japanese occupation and division==== [[File:JSA ConferenceRooms.JPG|thumbnail|The light blue conference rooms at the Joint Security Area of Panmunjeom]] Korea was invaded by the Japanese, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century, who was eventually defeated by an alliance between the Joseon dynasty and China's Ming dynasty. This defeat and the untimely death of Hideyoshi forced the Japanese to pull out of Korea. Later, Korea's status as an independent kingdom under the Chinese sphere of cultural influence (사대 ''sadae'') ended in 1895 after China's defeat in the Sino-Japanese War and the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Under the treaty's terms, China recognized the severing of the several centuries-old, nominal elder-younger brother relationship between China and Korea, bringing Japan the window of opportunity to force Korea into its growing sphere of influence. Although the elder-younger brother relationship between China and Joseon was a voluntary diplomatic formality assumed by Joseon's rulers to receive the benefits of advanced Chinese culture and trade, it was a symbolic victory for Japan to achieve the breakage of this link. It put Japan in a position to take possession of Korea without fear of Chinese intervention. In 1910, Imperial Japan annexed Korea, thus beginning a 35-year occupation of the country. Despite numerous armed rebellions, assassinations, intellectual and cultural resistance, suppression, a cultural assimilation policy that included forcing Koreans to take Japanese names and forbidding them to speak the Korean language allowed Japan to maintain control of the peninsula. During the occupation, the Japanese also forced many Korean women to serve as "comfort women" (i.e., sex slaves) in Japanese military brothels, which continues to be a major bone of contention in diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. After Imperial Japan's defeat in [[Pacific War|World War II]], Soviet forces occupied the northern half of Korea while U.S. forces occupied the southern half. North and South Korea each declared independence as separate states in 1948. Kim Il-Sung established a communist regime with the support of the Soviet Union in the north, and Syngman Rhee established a capitalist regime with the support of the United States in the south. After antagonism from both sides, North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, starting the [[Korean War]] which destroyed much of the country. The U.S. and other U.N. forces intervened on South Korea's side, while the Soviet Union and China supported the North. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone after the war had reached a stalemate with no significant territorial gains made by either side. However, as no peace treaty has ever been signed, the two Koreas officially remain at war, although without any ongoing combat. ====Republic of Korea==== Despite initially being economically outperformed by its northern rival, South Korea eventually emerged from the ashes of the Korean War. It achieved rapid economic growth starting in the 1960s under the iron-fisted rule of President Park Chung-hee. After Park was assassinated in 1979, a coup lead by Chun Doo-hwan established another military dictatorship in 1980 and suppressed democratic movements at that time, perhaps one of the most notorious event is the '''[[Gwangju]] massacre''' that caused at least 200 deaths among protesters. As one of the East Asian Tigers, the South Korean economy's industrialization and modernization efforts gained traction in the 1980s and 1990s. Per capita income rose to 20 times that of North Korea. In 1996, South Korea joined the OECD. Today, South Korea is an industrialized and developed economy with some of the world's leading high technology corporations, such as Samsung and LG. Demands for greater freedom of speech and human rights led to nationwide demonstrations that led to democratic elections in 1987, just prior to the South Korean capital of Seoul hosting the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. South Korea is now a liberal democracy and an economic powerhouse. The peace process with the North is still underway at a glacial pace, with little sign that the status quo will change anytime soon. In 2012 the country elected its first female president, Park Geun-hye. However, she was dramatically ejected from power in 2017 and subsequently convicted of corruption and abuse of power after widespread demonstrations over corruption that involved personal connections and Korea's largest corporations. The cultural phenomenon is known as the '''Korean Wave''' (한류 ''hallyu'') has swept most of Asia and many other parts of the world as South Korean film, television, music, food, and other aspects of culture have become popular. In 2012 Psy's Korean-language song "Gangnam Style" topped the charts in many Western countries. ===People=== [[Image:Namdaemun Buildings.JPG|thumb|240px|Namdaemun Gate, [[Seoul]]]] South Korea is a very homogeneous country, with nearly all native residents identifying themselves as ethnically Korean and speaking the Korean language. However, the demographics are changing, with immigrants having passed the one million mark for the first time in South Korean history. The most significant resident minority are the Chinese, numbering around 440,000, though the majority of them are Chinese citizens of Korean ethnicity. There are also workers from Mongolia, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world. A community of 20,000 English teachers from anglophone nations are spread out throughout the country. A long-standing 30,000 American military personnel are stationed here. South Korea's large and growing economy has attracted people from all over the world. Seoul's leading financial center has brought many financial workers from North America, Europe, and Japan. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world but also has one of the world's lowest birth rates (1.21 children per woman). Dealing with this very low birthrate will be one of the major problems for this country in the 21st century. Confucian attitudes about the importance of a male heir have led to a strongly skewed sex ratio, with about 112 men for every 100 women, encouraging many Korean men in rural areas to seek wives from other countries such as China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. About 85% of South Koreans live in urban areas. ===Government and politics=== South Korea is a full and relatively stable democracy, with executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government. Democracy began in 1948 but suffered frequent periods of military coups. The country has been a stable democracy since 1987, when the sixth republic was declared. The president is the head of state and is elected for one five-year term. Party composition and naming changes frequently in South Korean politics, although conservative, liberal, and progressive platforms are usually represented. In general, left-wing parties tend to support reconciliation and more cooperation with North Korea. In contrast, right-wing parties tend to support closer ties with the United States and taking a tougher stance against North Korea. Although the military remains a powerful force in Korean politics (not surprising given that Japan, China, and North Korea surround the country), it is widely considered that another military coup is very unlikely. ===Culture=== [[Image:Changdeokgung Bedchamber Detail.jpg|thumb|240px|Decoration of a royal palace, Changdeokgung, [[Seoul]]]] Having been in the cultural sphere of China for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences are evident in traditional Korean culture. Nevertheless, many fundamental differences remain, and Korea has retained a distinct cultural identity from its larger neighbor. Koreans are fiercely proud of their heritage and their resistance to outside domination. During the Joseon dynasty, Korea's dominant philosophy was a strict form of Confucianism, perhaps even more stringent than the Chinese original. People were separated into a rigid hierarchy, with the king at the apex, an elite of officials and warriors and a small group of nobility (양반 ''yangban'') below him, a middle class of petty civil servants (중인 ''chungin'') below them, and then a vast population of commoners (상민 ''sangmin'') at the bottom. The educated were superior to the uneducated, women served men, and everybody stuck to a defined role or faced severe consequences. Korea adopted its version of the imperial examination system invented by and used in China to select officials, creating somewhat of a premodern meritocracy for the government like its Chinese counterpart, though, unlike the Chinese version, the Korean version was largely restricted to the ''yangban'' and ''chungin'' classes. Buddhism was suppressed mainly due to the widespread corruption and greed of monks and temples during the waning stages of the Goryeo dynasty. While the Joseon dynasty ceased to exist in 1910, its legacy lives on in Korean culture: education and hard work are valued above all else, employees are expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women still struggle for equal treatment. Koreans believe that the things that set them the most apart from other Asian cultures are their cuisine, language, and Hangul script. Outsiders will note their extreme modernity, tempered by a well-developed artistic and architectural joyfulness. Nothing goes undecorated if it can be helped, and they have a knack for stylish interior design. South Korea also has a vibrant film and TV industry, and the country is one of only a few in the world where local films have a larger market share than Hollywood films. South Koreans firmly hold on to many ancient traditions that go back thousands of years, yet paradoxically, they are often obsessed with the latest technology. Consumer devices with amazing advanced technology developed in Korea are often several years ahead of the rest of the world. South Korea has a significant number of Christians (18% Protestants, 11% Roman Catholic) and Buddhists (23% practicing, 47% non-practicing), and churches can be found in the towns and temples, and monasteries on hills. Over a third of the country professes to follow no particular organized religion. However, most people (including Christians) are still strongly influenced by traditional Korean Buddhist and Confucian philosophies that seeped into the Korean cultural background. Islam and several religions of Korean origin also have a few followers in parts of the country. The game of [[Go]], called ''baduk'' in Korean, is a traditional pastime and some of the world's strongest players are Korean. ====Holidays==== {{CNYdates}} Korea's traditional holidays mostly follow the lunar calendar and therefore fall on different days each year from the perspective of the Western Gregorian calendar. The two biggest, Lunar New Year and ''Chuseok'', are family holidays where everybody returns to their hometowns ''en masse'' and all forms of transport are absolutely packed. It is worth planning your itinerary around these dates, as well as realizing that your best eating options may be noodle packets from a 7-Eleven! On the other holidays, you will not notice too much difference, however, all banks and government offices will be closed. [[File:Coloured lanterns at the Lotus Lantern Festival.jpg|thumbnail|On Buddha's birthday temples are decorated by colored lanterns]] *'''New Year's Day''' (신정 ''Sinjeong'') &mdash; January 1 *'''Lunar New Year''' (설날 ''Seollal'', also known as "Korean New Year" or 구정 ''Gujeong'') &mdash; 1st day of 1st lunar month (January&ndash;February) &mdash; Families gather together, eat traditional foods, especially ''tteokguk'' (떡국), and perform an ancestral service. The public holiday lasts for three days, which includes the eve and second day. Many shops and restaurants close for three days, so it is not ideal for visiting. *'''Independence Movement Day''' (삼일절 or 3·1절 ''Samiljeol'', lit. "3-1 Day") &mdash; March 1 &mdash; In commemoration of the March 1st resistance movement against the invading Japanese Imperial Army in 1919. *'''Children's Day''' (어린이날 ''Eorininal'') &mdash; 5 May *'''Buddha's Birthday''' (부처님 오신 날 ''Bucheonnim Osin Nal'' or 사월 초파일 ''Sawol Chopail'') &mdash; 8th day of the 4th lunar month (April&ndash;May) *'''Memorial Day''' (현충일 ''Hyeonchung-il'') &mdash; June 6 &mdash; Commemorates Koreans who gave their lives to the nation. *'''Constitution Day''' (제헌절 ''Jeheonjeol'') &mdash; July 17 *'''Liberation Day''' (광복절 ''Gwangbokjeol'') &mdash; August 15 &mdash; This day is actually the end of World War II with the official Japanese surrender to the Allied forces, which also meant Korea gaining independence after many decades of Japanese colonialism. *'''''Chuseok''''' (추석, often translated as "Korean Thanksgiving") &mdash; 15th day of 8th lunar month (September&ndash;October) &mdash; Koreans celebrate by eating traditional foods, notably a rice cake called ''songpyeon'' (송편) and playing folk games. The public holiday lasts for 3 days and much like Lunar New Year, everything shuts down which makes visiting rather boring. *'''National Foundation Day''' (개천절 ''Gaecheonjeol'') &mdash; October 3 &mdash; In celebration of the first formation of the nation of ancient Korea. *'''Hangul Day''' (한글날 ''Hangeulnal'') &mdash; October 9 &mdash; Anniversary for the Korean alphabet *'''Christmas''' (크리스마스 ''Keuriseumaseu'', 기독탄신일 ''Gidoktansinil'', or 성탄절 ''Seongtanjeol'') &mdash; December 25 &mdash; A significant holiday in South Korea, although it is mostly celebrated by young couples spending a romantic day together. Since a significant proportion (approximately 30%) of the country is Christian, there is no shortage of celebration in the thousands of churches whilst everyone else takes a well deserved rest at home. ===Climate=== {{Climate| units = Metric | janhigh = 1.6 | febhigh = 4.1 | marhigh = 10.2 | aprhigh = 17.6 | mayhigh = 22.8 | junhigh = 26.9 | julhigh = 28.8 | aughigh = 29.5 | sephigh = 25.6 | octhigh = 19.7 | novhigh = 11.5 | dechigh = 4.2 | janlow = −6.1 | feblow = −4.1 | marlow = 1.1 | aprlow = 7.3 | maylow = 12.6 | junlow = 17.8 | jullow = 21.8 | auglow = 22.1 | seplow = 16.7 | octlow = 9.8 | novlow = 2.9 | declow = −3.4 | janprecip = 22 | febprecip = 24 | marprecip = 46 | aprprecip = 77 | mayprecip = 102 | junprecip = 133 | julprecip = 328 | augprecip = 348 | sepprecip = 138 | octprecip = 49 | novprecip = 53 | decprecip = 25 | jansnow = | febsnow = | marsnow = | aprsnow = | maysnow = | junsnow = | julsnow = | augsnow = | sepsnow = | octsnow = | novsnow = | decsnow = | jansun = | febsun = | marsun = | aprsun = | maysun = | junsun = | julsun = | augsun = | sepsun = | octsun = | novsun = | decsun = | janh2o = | febh2o = | marh2o = | aprh2o = | mayh2o = | junh2o = | julh2o = | augh2o = | seph2o = | octh2o = | novh2o = | dech2o = | description = Data for Seoul. South Korea tends to have a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, and is affected by the East Asian monsoon. }} * '''Spring''' is an excellent time of year to be in Korea. The temperatures are warm, but not hot, and there's not too much rain either. However, spring is also when yellow dust storms blow over from China, making the air horrible to breathe. * '''Summer''' starts with a dreary rainy season (장마철 ''jangma-cheol'') in June and turns into a steambath in July-August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 35&nbsp;°C. Best avoided unless heading to the beaches. * '''Autumn''', starting in September, is perhaps the best time to be in Korea. Temperatures and humidity become more tolerable, fair days are common and the justly renowned '''fall colors''' make their appearance. * '''Winter''' is a good time to go skiing or hot-spring hopping, and the Korean invention of ''ondol'' (온돌, floor heating) helps defrost any parts that froze outside. However, January and February can be bone-biting cold due to Siberian winds from the north. The south of the country (including [[Busan]] and [[Jeju]]) are relatively mild compared to the north ([[Seoul]]) during this season. ===Electricity=== [[File:Schuko plug and socket annotated.png|180px|thumb|Power plug and socket used in South Korea]] South Korean households and hotels use the same dual round sockets for their electrical outlets as most of Continental Europe. Some hotels may provide an adapter for you to use; ask for one at the reception desk. South Korean electrical outlets accept appliances with a voltage rating of 220&nbsp;V at 60&nbsp;Hz. If your appliance has this rating that includes 220&nbsp;V (Such as 100-240&nbsp;V that most laptop chargers now accept), you will be able to use the appliance with only a plug adapter. If it falls below or above this rating, you must purchase a transformer or a voltage adapter before leaving your country. Some very old buildings and very new hotels and apartments are dual wired and have 110&nbsp;V outlets (identifiable by the smaller dual flat sockets) and the regular South Korean variety, built specifically to accommodate the Japanese and Americans. ===Read=== A long and complicated relationship between the Western world and the South Korean nation has led to a plethora of literature on the country. Books focused on Korean history: *''Battle for Korea: The Associated Press History of the Korean Conflict'' by Robert J. Dvorchak (1993) &mdash; Great journalistic photography accompanied by short descriptive narratives *''Korea Old and New: A History'' by Carter Eckert and Lee Ki-Baik (1991) &mdash; Simply stated writing, good overview of Korea's history *''Korea Witness: 135 Years of War, Crisis and New in the Land of the Morning Calm'' by Donald Kirk and Choe Sang Hun (2006) &mdash; Compilation of articles from foreign correspondents starting from 1871, notably from Jack London, a war correspondent from 1903&ndash;'04 *''True Stories of the Korean Comfort Women'' by Keith Howard (1996) &mdash; Unflinching look at the atrocities committed during the Imperial Japanese occupation period Books about Korean culture: *''The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies'' by Michael Breen (1999) &mdash; Anecdotal accounts and insights of a British journalist on the country he spends half the year in; informative and entertaining *''Social Change in Korea'' published by Jimoondang (2008) &mdash; Compilation of articles written by academic experts on Korea *''The Discovery of Korea: History-Nature-Cultural Heritages-Art-Tradition-Cities'' by Yoo Myeong-jong (2005) &mdash; Amazing scenic views on Korea ===Watch=== South Korea has a substantial film industry, considering the size of the country. Many films can give you a good background to the country, and almost all DVDs will have good English subtitles. The list below could include hundreds of films. However, the selection below will give you a good taste. *''Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War'' (태극기 휘날리며) &mdash; A story of two brothers serving as soldiers during the Korean War. *''Joint Security Area'' (공동경비구역) &mdash; A rather haunting movie about soldiers on opposite sides of the Demilitarized Zone who strike up a tenuous friendship. *''May 18'' (화려한 휴가) &mdash; Until 1987, South Korea was effectively a military dictatorship. This film is a historical drama set during the infamous [[Gwangju]] massacre when military dictator Chun Doo-hwan ordered the shooting of protesters in that city. *''5th Republic'' (제5공화국) &mdash; Another history TV drama covering Chun Doo-hwan's rise to power and administration. The drama portrays historical figures at that time well, and some scenes and quotes have since became memetic in neighbouring countries. *''Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring'' &mdash; A film set completely at an isolated lake in the mountains, which shows each season as a stage in the lives of a Buddhist monk and his adopted boy. *''Secret Sunshine'' (밀양) &mdash; A contemporary film about the nature of forgiveness set in the country town of [[Miryang]]. *''My Sassy Girl'' (엽기적인 그녀) &mdash; Romantic comedy that is often seen as a quintessential Korean movie experience, and especially well regarded by people from other Asian countries. *''The Host'' (괴물) &mdash; Monster horror film around the lives of a family in [[Seoul]]. A lot of footage of the Han river that flows through the middle of the city. *''Parasite'' (기생충) &mdash; Multi-award winning film tackling themes of class in Korea. ==Talk== [[Image:Sign Hangul.JPG|thumb|240px|Handwritten ''hangul'' in an advertisement]] {{seealso|Korean phrasebook}} South Koreans speak '''[[Korean phrasebook|Korean]]''', and knowing a few words of this will come in very handy. The language is rather drastically different from any Western language in its grammar, and pronunciation is rather difficult for the English speaker to get right (though not tonal). Depending on which part of the country you go to, different dialects are spoken, though standard Korean, which is based on the Seoul dialect, is understood and spoken by almost everyone. Most notably among the dialects, the '''Gyeongsang dialect''' spoken around [[Busan]] and [[Daegu]] is considered to be rather rough and aggressive compared to standard Korean, and the '''Jeju dialect''' spoken on [[Jeju]] Island is known for being almost incomprehensible to speakers of standard Korean. {{infobox|Differences between North and South Korean|Despite over 70 years of separation, the Korean language in both North Korea and South Korea is fundamentally the same. The main differences are the large number of English words that South Koreans have borrowed, whereas North Korean uses indigenous or Russian derived words instead. Descriptions of political and social structures are also entirely different as a direct result of the different ideological directions of both countries.}} The Korean writing system is deceptively simple. Although it looks at first glance to be as complex as Chinese or Japanese, it is a unique and simple alphabetic writing system called '''hangul''' (한글 ''hangeul'') where letters are stacked up into blocks that represent syllables. It was designed by a committee and look like simple lines, boxes, and little circles, but it is remarkably consistent, logical, and quick to pick up. A royal document from 1446 describing hangul said that "A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over; a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days." Learning to read hangul before you arrive in Korea will make traveling easier, as many signs and menus are written in hangul only. Further, the Korean words for many common products are often English loan words, but will be written in hangul, such as 주스 (''juseu'', "juice") or 컴퓨터 (''keompyuteo'', "computer"). If you can read hangul, you'll find surviving in Korea surprisingly easy. Many Korean words can also be written with much more complex Chinese characters, known as ''hanja'' (한자, 漢字) in Korean, and these are still occasionally mixed into text but are increasingly few and far between. Nowadays, hanja are mainly used for disambiguation if the meaning is ambiguous when written in hangul; in such instances, the hanja is usually written in parentheses next to the hangul. Hanja is also used to mark Korean chess pieces, newspaper headlines, and personal names on official documents. The transliteration of Korean words in Roman letters can be quite inconsistent, so don't be too surprised to see adjacent signs for ''Gwangalli'' and ''Kwanganri'' &mdash; it's the same place. In 2000, the government standardized the Revised Romanization system also used in Wikivoyage, but you will frequently encounter older McCune–Reischauer spellings and just plain weird spellings. Notably, words beginning with ''g'', ''d'', ''b'', ''j'' may be spelled with ''k'', ''t'', ''p'', ''ch'' instead, and the vowels ''eo '' and ''eu'' may be spelled ''o'' and ''u''. The letters ''l'', ''r'' and ''n'' also get swapped often, and the vowels ''i'' and ''u'' are sometimes written as ''ee'' and ''oo'' respectively. In foreign words imported into Korean, ''f'' turns into ''p'', so don't be too surprised by a cup of ''keopi'' ("coffee") or a round of ''golpeu'' ("golf"). Most South Koreans have taken '''English''' lessons as part of their education. However, due to lack of practice (and fear of mispronunciation), outside of major tourist attractions, hotels, and establishments catering specifically for foreigners, it is rare to find locals conversant in English. Reading and writing generally comes much easier. Many employees at airlines, hotels, and stores catering to international tourists are likely to speak at least basic English. A typical experience for Western travelers in South Korea is to be approached by children interested in practicing their English skills. They will often take a picture of you for their school class as proof that they really talked to you. Older folks may also still speak some [[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]]. The city of [[Busan]], being a short trip from [[Fukuoka]] in Japan, has more Japanese speakers per capita, and the dialect in Busan is more similar to Japanese in the same way that the Japanese dialect in Fukuoka also has a large Korean influence. However, many Koreans (especially older ones) still resent the Japanese for the atrocities committed during the occupation, so try not to address a Korean in Japanese unless you have no other choice. Thanks to the Korean Wave (''hallyu'') of Korean pop music and soap operas throughout East Asia, many shopkeepers in touristy areas speak some Japanese, Mandarin, or Cantonese. '''Korean Sign Language''' (한국 수화 언어 ''Hanguk Suhwa Eoneo'', or just 수화 ''suhwa'', "signing") is an official language of South Korea since 2016, equal in status with spoken Korean. It is mutually intelligible with Japanese and Taiwanese Sign Languages, but not with Chinese Sign Language, Auslan, American Sign Language, or others. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|All travelers. regardless of vaccination status, must take a PCR test for COVID-19 within 48 hours of departure or a supervised antigen test within 24 hours of departure to South Korea with a confirmed negative result in Korean or English. You must also register the test result & your entry using the ''[https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/biz/beffatstmnt/main.do Q-CODE system]'' and show the QR code upon arrival. All travelers must then take another PCR test within 1 day of arrival, and be recommended to do a rapid test within 6-7 days of arrival. For all short-term visitors arriving at Incheon, Gimhae and Jeju airports until 9 September 2022, PCR testing will be conducted upon arrival; such tests can be booked ahead using ''Q-CODE'' to save time. In addition to the above requirements, '''eligible travelers must still apply for a visa or K-ETA before travel''' (see below for more details).|lastedit=2022-08-22}} [[File:Visa policy of South Korea.svg|thumb|450px|Visa policy of South Korea{{legend|#ee161f|South Korea}} {{legend|#0b6628|Visa-free - 180 days}} {{legend|#1cb34b|Visa-free - 90 days}}{{legend|#b6e717|Visa-free - 60 days}}{{legend|#d9ec8a|Visa-free - 30 days}}{{legend|#adadad|Visa required}}]] === Entry requirements === *Citizens of [[Canada]] are allowed visa free entry for up to 180 days. *Citizens of the European Union (except [[Cyprus]], [[Portugal]], and French territory of [[New Caledonia]]), [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Australia]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Dominica]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Ecuador]], [[Egypt]], [[El Salvador]], [[Grenada]], [[Guatemala]], [[Haiti]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Iceland]], [[Israel]], [[Jamaica]], [[Japan]], [[Liberia]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Macau]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mexico]], [[Morocco]], [[New Zealand]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Norway]], [[Panama]], [[Peru]], [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Serbia]], [[Singapore]], [[Suriname]], [[Switzerland]], [[Taiwan]], [[Thailand]], [[Turkey]], the [[United States]]/[[American Samoa]] (Except [[Guam]]), [[Uruguay]], and [[Venezuela]] can visit visa free for up to 90 days. *Citizens from [[Lesotho]], [[Portugal]], and [[Russia]] can visit visa free for up to 60 days. *Citizens of [[Albania]], [[Andorra]], [[Argentina]], [[Bahrain]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Brunei]], [[Cyprus]], [[Eswatini]], [[Fiji]], [[Guam]], [[Guyana]], [[Honduras]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kiribati]], [[Kuwait]], the [[Marshall Islands]], [[Mauritius]], [[Monaco]], [[Montenegro]], [[Federated States of Micronesia|F.S. Micronesia]], [[Nauru]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Oman]], [[Palau]], [[Paraguay]], [[Qatar]], [[Samoa]], [[San Marino]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Seychelles]], [[South Africa]], [[Tonga]], [[Tunisia]], [[Tuvalu]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[Vatican City]] can stay visa free for up to 30 days. Those arriving from a country or territory with visa-free arrangements '''must use the [https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do K-ETA electronic travel authorization system]''' at least 72 hours before departure to South Korea. The electronic travel authorization costs ₩10,000 and is valid for two years. '''[[Jeju]]''' is an autonomous province with more relaxed entry conditions than the South Korean mainland, allowing visa-free entry for everybody ''except'' citizens of [[Afghanistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Cameroon]], [[Cuba]], [[Egypt]], [[Gambia]], [[Ghana]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Kosovo]], [[Myanmar]], [[Nepal]], [[Nigeria]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Palestine]], [[Pakistan]], [[Senegal]], [[Somalia]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Sudan]], [[Syria]], [[Uzbekistan]], and [[Yemen]] for up to 30 days. Subsequently leaving Jeju for the mainland will require you to have a visa for the rest of South Korea. South Korean immigration no longer stamps passports. Instead, visitors are given an entry slip with their terms of entry, and their entry and exit are recorded electronically. South Korea is really good at keeping electronic track of everyone coming and going, so do not overstay your visa. Violations will, at best, likely result in you being banned from re-entering, and prosecution is a possibility. Military personnel traveling under the U.S.–South Korea Status of Forces Agreement are not required to possess a passport for entry, provided they hold a copy of their travel orders and a military ID. Their dependents, however, must have a passport and A-3 visa. Most foreigners staying longer than 90 days must register with the authorities within 90 days of entry and obtain an Alien Registration Card. Contact your local authorities for further information. The Korean Immigration Service collects the biometric data (digital photos and fingerprints) of foreign visitors at ports of entry (international airports and seaports). Entry will be denied if any of these procedures is refused. Children under the age of 17 and foreign government and international organization officials and their accompanying immediate family members are exempt from this requirement. ===By plane=== South Korea has many international airports; however, only a few have scheduled services. South Korea has experienced an airport building frenzy over the last decade. Many large towns have dedicated functioning airports that handle only a handful of flights a week. *'''[[Incheon International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|ICN}}), about 1 hour west of [[Seoul]], is the country's largest airport and is served by many international airlines. There are many options for flying there from locations throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and even routes to South America and Africa. It is also frequently rated as "the best run and best designed airport in the world". There are direct inter-city buses that travel from just outside the international arrival hall to many locations throughout South Korea. The airport has a metro line (express AREX 43 min and all-stop subway 56 min) that goes directly to both Seoul&ndash;Gimpo airport and Seoul Station. * Seoul's '''Gimpo Airport''' ({{IATA|GMP}}) offers domestic flights to most South Korean cities, and the international "city shuttle" services from Tokyo&ndash;Haneda, Beijing, Shanghai&ndash;Hongqiao and Taipei&ndash;Songshan are quite convenient. It is more centrally located to Seoul than Incheon. You can connect from Incheon airport either by train or by limousine bus. *[[Busan]]'s '''[[Gimhae International Airport]]''' ({{IATA|PUS}}) has international connections from East and Southeast Asia, as well as Vladivostok, Guam, and Saipan. Gimhae also has a few flights a day directly to/from [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul&ndash;Incheon]], which is much more convenient than changing to Seoul&ndash;Gimpo airport after a long international flight. This service is intended for connecting passengers only and cannot be booked separately. The airport has a light rail line connecting Gimhae and West Busan. *'''[[Jeju]]''' ({{IATA|CJU}}) has flights from many South Korean cities and international flights from Kuala Lumpur and major Taiwanese, Japanese, and Chinese cities. The Seoul (Gimpo)&mdash;Jeju route is the busiest flight corridor in the world, and the island is well-served from other Korean airports. * Airports at [[Daegu]], Muan (close to [[Gwangju]] and [[Mokpo]]), [[Cheongju]] (close to [[Daejeon]] and Sejong), [[Yangyang]] also have international connections to major Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese airports. Flag carrier '''[https://www.koreanair.com Korean Air]''' (대한항공 ''Daehan Hanggong'') and '''[http://kr.flyasiana.com/C/en/main.do Asiana] ''' (아시아나 항공 ''Asiana Hanggong'') are the principal full-service carriers from South Korea that fly around the world. Korean airlines' safety records have improved dramatically since the 1990s, and they are now just as safe as any Western airline. Several low-cost airlines offer domestic flights to Jeju from every airport in South Korea and international flights across Asia. ===By train=== Although there is a train track connecting the Korail network with [[North Korea]] and a Korail station on the border, there is no train service. They are a political statement rather than a travel option. ===By boat=== The services listed here may change frequently, and English language websites may not be updated with the current information. Verify before traveling. [[File:JR Beetle2 2009.jpg|thumbnail|The Beetle hydrofoil from Japan]] [[Busan]]'s '''[http://www.busanpa.com/eng/Contents.do?mCode=MN0035 International Passenger Terminal]''' is the largest seaport in the country and offers ferry rides mostly to and from Japan. Two services run from Fukuoka to Busan, with the [http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/english/ JR Beetle] hydrofoil service managing the trip in just under three hours several times per day and the [http://www.koreaferry.kr/eng/ New Camelia] in 5.5 hours daily. All other links are slower overnight ferries, such as [http://www.pukwan.co.kr/ Pukwan Ferry Company]'s services from [[Shimonoseki]]. A Busan&ndash;[[Osaka]] ferry is operated by [http://panstarline.com Panstar Line Co., Ltd.]. There are also multiple services from nearby [[Tsushima]]. [[Incheon]]'s '''[http://www.icferry.or.kr/ International Ferry Terminal]''' (연안부두 ''Yeonan Budu'') has services from several cities in China, such as [[Weihai]], [[Dandong]], [[Qingdao]] and [[Tianjin]]. The largest operator is '''[http://www.jinchon.co.kr/ Jinchon]''', but Incheon Port has [https://www.icpa.or.kr/eng/ full listings on their website]. [[Pyeongtaek]] Port has several connections to cities in Shandong province, as well as cargo hopping options. There are multiple operators, but information is provided in the [https://www.pyeongtaek.go.kr/en/contents.do?mId=0503000000 port authority's website]. [[Gunsan]] '''International Passenger Terminal''' has daily ferry connections from Shidao in [[Shandong|Shandong province]] ([https://www.shidaoferry.com:450/ Korean website]). There are also weekly departures from [[Vladivostok]] and [[Sakaiminato]] to [[Donghae]] operated by [http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/main/main.asp DBS Cruise Ferry Co]. ===By land=== Due to the political and military situation with North Korea, '''entering South Korea overland is not possible'''. The border between North and South Korea is considered the most heavily fortified border in the world, and while some unauthorized crossings have occurred at the truce village of [[Panmunjeom]], an attempt to cross the border anywhere would risk your life and the lives of soldiers on both sides. ==Get around== South Korea is fairly compact, and you can get almost anywhere very fast by train. Boats and planes can get you to Jeju - the Seoul-Jeju route being the busiest air route in the world. Subways are available in most of the cities, including metropolitan Seoul. Larger cities have service or are developing subways. Travel by bus or taxi is readily available, although bus services are more economical. Because of stringent national security laws that mandate navigation processing be done on local servers, '''Google Maps does not give driving or walking directions in South Korea'''; it can also be not up to date for some regions, lacking information on recent infrastructure changes like bridges and such. The most common software used by locals are '''[https://map.naver.com/ Naver Map]''' and '''[https://www.kakaocorp.com/service/KakaoMap?lang=en KakaoMap]'''. While (as of 2020) their desktop versions are only available in Korean. Since the late 2010s, their mobile app versions are also available in English. They are very similar, and you can just read some reviews comparing those two if you query google for [https://www.google.com/search?q=comparison+kakao+map+naver+map comparison kakao map naver map]. ===Smart cards=== [[Seoul]]'s public transportation smart card is known as '''[https://www.t-money.co.kr/ncs/pct/tmnyintd/ReadFrgnKoreaTourCardEngIntd.dev T-money]''' (티머니 ''Ti-meoni'') card. This can be used on many local buses and subways throughout the country and some taxis. Fares and transfers up to 30 minutes are calculated automatically; tap on and tap off when riding on buses and trains. (In some buses in the countryside, you only need to tap on; watch locals to see what they do.) It even gives you a ₩100 discount on bus and subway rides, which is even more reason to use it. The card costs ₩4,000; it can be purchased at convenience stores displaying the T-money logo and at ticket vending machines in subway stations. You can get back your credit in cash afterward, less a ₩500 fee. Some retail shops may also accept payment by T-money. T-money is also usable on the public transportation systems in many other cities, so it is a good option for traveling around South Korea. Other cities may have their own public transportation smart cards as well, such as [[Busan]]'s '''[https://www.busanhanaro.com/ Hanaro Card]'''. Unlike T-money, these cards are often not usable outside their respective metropolitan areas, making them somewhat less useful for visitors unless you plan to only stay within that area. ===By plane=== [[File:Korean Air B737-86N (HL7556) at Daegu International Airport.jpg|thumbnail|right|Korean Air at Daegu airport]] South Korea is a relatively small country with a fast and efficient train service, so flying is not the fastest way to get places unless you are going to the island of [[Jeju]]. Nevertheless, plenty of airlines fly between the main cities at rates comparable to the KTX train. Most flights are with '''[http://www.koreanair.com/ Korean Air]''' or '''[http://www.flyasiana.com/ Asiana]''', however many new options exist with budget airlines such as '''[http://www.twayair.com T'way Air]''', '''[http://www.airbusan.com Air Busan]''', '''[https://www.eastarjet.com/ Eastar Jet]''', '''[http://www.jinair.com Jin Air]''' and '''[http://www.jejuair.net/ Jeju Air]''' (which despite the name also serves the busy Seoul&ndash;Gimpo to Busan route). Service is similar between full service and low-cost airlines on domestic flights; low-cost airlines offer free soft drinks and 15&nbsp;kg of checked luggage. ===By train=== [[Image:KTX-I Daejeon Station.jpg|240px|thumb|KTX train at Daejeon Station]] [[File:Mugunghwa-ho.jpg|thumb|Mugunghwa-ho]] National train operator '''[http://www.korail.go.kr Korail]''' ('''KR''') connects major cities in South Korea. A large amount of money has been plowed into the network, and trains are now competitive with buses and planes on speed and price, with high safety standards and a good deal of comfort. South Korea's flagship service is the high speed '''[[High-speed rail in South Korea|Korea Train eXpress]]''' ('''KTX''') with services from [[Seoul]] to [[Busan]], [[Yeosu]], [[Mokpo]], [[Masan]], and [[Gangneung]] (with new services opening all the time). The trains use French TGV technology and Korean technology to travel at more than 300&nbsp;km/h. The fastest non-stop trains travel between Busan and Seoul in just over two hours. There are vending machines on board that serve drinks and snacks and earphones, and cell phone chargers. <div style="float:right; margin-left:15px; margin-right:15px; text-align:center"> {| class="wikitable" |+ Seoul to Busan by train |- ! Type !! Time !! Price |- | KTX First Class || 2-2½ hr || ₩83,700 |- | KTX Standard || 2-2½ hr || ₩59,800 |- | ''ITX-Saemaeul'' (express) || 4 hr 45 min || ₩42,600 |- | ''Mugunghwa'' (semi-express) || 5½ hr || ₩28,600 |- |colspan=3|<small>All prices off-peak (M-Th), small surcharges apply for peak (F-Su)</small> |} </div> Non-KTX trains are poetically ranked as ''ITX-Saemaeul'' (ITX-새마을, "New Village"), ''Mugunghwa'' (무궁화, "Rose of Sharon", which is the national flower of Korea) and ''Tonggeun'' (통근, "commuter"), corresponding roughly to express, semi-express and local commuter services. All ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains can travel at up to 150&nbsp;km/h. ITX-Saemaeul trains are a little pricier than buses, while Mugunghwa are about 30% cheaper. However, ITX-Saemaeul trains are incredibly comfortable, having seats comparable to business class seats on airplanes. Since the introduction of the KTX, there are much fewer ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa services, but they are worth trying out. Tonggeun are cheapest of all, but long-distance, unairconditioned services have been phased out, and they're now limited to short regional commuter services in [[Gwangju]]. Also, there is a ''ITX-Cheongchun'' service between [[Seoul]] and [[Chuncheon]]. It's a special version of ITX at that line. Saemaeul and some Mugunghwa trains are equipped with power plugs on laptop seats. Smoking is not permitted on any Korean trains or stations (including open platforms). Tickets are much cheaper than in Japan but more expensive than other Asian countries — although the damage can be lowered by traveling on local trains rather than KTX. Buying tickets is fairly easy: self-service terminals accepting cash and credit cards are in multiple languages and are very simple to use. Station staff can usually speak basic English. Most stations are clean, modern, and have good signposting in Korean and English, and compared to China or Japan, Korea's rail system is very user-friendly. Pre-booking any train tickets a day prior (be they KTX, ''ITX-Saemaeul'', or ''Mugunghwa'') is recommended for weekend trips, as all trains can be booked up for hours on end. On Sunday in particular, all but local trains may regularly be completely booked up. If you don't reserve tickets in advance when departing busy hubs such as Seoul or Busan, you may see your options reduced to "unallocated seating" on the slowest local trains (sitting on the floor in the un-air-conditioned space ''between'' carriages, or standing in the toilet for much of the trip). You are, however, free to sit on any seat that seems free until someone with the ticket to that seat shows up. If you are confident in your Korean, you can ask to reserve seats on available sections and travel standing up the rest of the way. There are also tourist many trains that let you go to rural and scenic parts of Korea. [[Seoul]] also has an extensive commuter train network that smoothly interoperates with the massive subway system, and [[Busan]], [[Daejeon]], [[Daegu]], [[Gwangju]] and [[Incheon]] also have subway services. ====Korail Pass==== The '''[http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do Korail Pass]''' is a rail pass only for non-resident foreigners staying less than six months in Korea, allowing unlimited travel for a set period on any Korail train (including KTX) and including free seat reservation. The pass is ''not'' valid for first-class or sleeping cars, but you can upgrade for half the price if you wish. The pass must be purchased '''at least five days before travel''' (preferably before arrival in Korea). It's not cheap as it needs a substantial amount of travel (e.g., Seoul–Busan round trip) to pay off and severe limitations on usage apply during Korean holidays and peak travel periods, including Lunar New Year and ''Chuseok''. Prices as of May 2015 are for a 1-day pass ₩66,900, 3-day ₩93,100, 5-day ₩139,700, 7-day ₩168,400, and 10-day ₩194,400, with discounts for youth (age 13–25), students and groups. Joint '''KR/JR Passes''' between Korea and Japan also exist, however, considering how much of a discount the [[Rail travel in Japan#Japan Rail Pass|JR Pass]] offers, and how strikingly little the KR Pass does by comparison, it usually makes sense to just get the JR Pass. ====Rail cruises==== Korail Tourism Development provides a [[rail cruise]] called ''[http://www.korailtravel.com/en/Goods/pten_index.asp?PageUrl=PackageTours_04 Haerang]'', which enables the customers to travel to all the major sightseeing destinations in Korea with just one [[Tourist trains|luxury train]] ride. ===By bus=== [[File:Chunil Express Universe Xpress Noble.jpg|thumb|Express Bus]] [[File:Express Bus(Excellence Seating) Interior.jpg|thumb|Interior of Udeung buses]] Buses (버스 ''beoseu'') remain the main mode of national transport, connecting all cities and towns. They're frequent, punctual, and fast, sometimes dangerously so, so fasten the belts you'll often find in the seats. Korean buses don’t have toilets, and rest stops are not standard on trips of less than 2 hours, so think twice about that bottle of tea at the terminal. Unlike trains, bus terminal staff and drivers are less likely to speak or understand English, and even signage is often only in Korean. Having your destination written down in ''hangul'' will be helpful. There is a somewhat pointless division of long-distance buses into '''express buses''' (고속버스 ''gosok beoseu''), which use toll expressways and are thus slightly faster but also more expensive, and '''intercity buses''' (시외버스 ''si-oe beoseu''), which are a bit slower but go more places. Timetables, fares and tickets are available on their respective websites, which are [https://www.kobus.co.kr/main.do Kobus] and [https://txbuse.t-money.co.kr/ TxBus] respectively. Whichever one you pick, you'll need to choose in advance, since in larger cities they depart from different terminals. For additional comfort, look for ''udeung'' buses (우등 버스, glossed "Excellent" on the Kobus website) which have just three seats across instead of the usual four; these cost about 50% extra. However, some intercity buses use ''udeung'' buses without extra fares on highly competitive lines such as Seoul&ndash;Andong routes. In addition, local '''inner-city bus''' (시내버스 ''si-nae beoseu'') networks often connect directly neighboring cities, and Incheon Airport has its own dedicated network of [https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/tpt/busRouteList.do airport limousine buses]. ===By boat=== Ferry boats surround the peninsula and shuttle out to Korea's many islands. The main ports include [[Incheon]], [[Mokpo]], [[Pohang]], and [[Busan]]. The most popular destinations are [[Jeju]] and [[Ulleungdo]]. There is a daily service from Busan to Jeju. There are mostly undiscovered and scenic islands near [[Incheon]] that can seem almost deserted. ===By car=== An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be used to drive around South Korea. In general, road conditions are good in South Korea, and directional signs are in both Korean and English. Car rental rates start from ₩54,400/day for the smallest car with a week's rental. South Korea drives on the right in left-hand-drive cars. South Korea also follows the American practice of allowing cars to turn right at red lights as long as they (in theory) yield to pedestrians. In contrast, '''left turns on green lights are ''illegal''''' unless there is a blue sign pointing left saying 비보호 or green left arrow. If you are traveling in the big cities, especially Seoul or Busan, driving is not recommended as the roads often experience heavy traffic jams, and parking is expensive and difficult to find. Many drivers tend to get reckless under such conditions, weaving in and out of traffic. Drivers often try to speed past traffic lights when they are about to turn red, and several cars (including fully-loaded public transit buses) will typically run through lights after they have turned red, whether pedestrians are in the crosswalk or not. Koreans consider driving rules as guidelines only and don't expect to be punished for parking illegally or cutting through a red light. This means that if you want to drive, you will need to do so '''assertively''' by pushing yourself into an intersection and forcing other cars to yield. A GPS is highly recommended while navigating Seoul or Busan. Lanes end or turn into bus lanes with little to no warning, and it may not always be obvious where turns are allowed. A good rule of thumb is to '''stay in the middle lane''' as cars will often illegally park in the right lane while the left lane will become a turning lane with little warning. ===By taxi=== [[File:20110913 kia lotze taxi 01.jpg|thumbnail|Typical Korean Taxi]] Taxis are convenient, if a somewhat pricey way of getting around the cities, and are sometimes the only practical way of reaching a place. Even in the major cities, you are extremely unlikely to get an English-speaking taxi driver, so it will be necessary to have the name of your destination written in Korean to show your taxi driver. Likewise, get your hotel's business card to show the taxi driver in case you get lost. Although doing so is illegal, cab drivers, particularly the cheaper white cabs on busy Friday or Saturday nights, may deny service to short-distance fares. A very handy technique to counter this is to have your destination (hotel name, or the district (구 ''gu'') and neighborhood (동 ''dong''), in Korean of course) written in thick black ink on a large A4 sheet of paper and hold it to the traffic. Passing cab drivers responding to long-distance call outs, or with space in their cab in addition to an existing fare in that direction will often pick you up en route. In particular, when hailing a cab, ensure you follow the local custom and wave it over with your hand extended but all your fingers extended '''downwards''' and beckoning as opposed to upwards in the Western fashion (this style is reserved for animals). ==See== [[File:Korea-Boseong-Green.tea-02.jpg|thumb|Tea fields in Boseong]] [[File:Seomyeon, Busan.jpg|thumb|Busan by night]] [[File:Korea-Andong-Hahoe Folk Village-Man in hanbok drinking-01.jpg|thumb|A village man drinking tea in Hahoe Folk Village]] Asian tourists have long discovered South Korea as a prime shopping, culinary and sightseeing destination. It is a relatively new travel destination for the western world, but it has gained popularity fast. And for good reason, as South Korea offers a most pleasant combination of ancient Asian features and all the amenities you would expect from a modern, high-tech nation. Despite its compact size, it boasts a broad range of fine attractions, and excellent infrastructure makes getting around easy. * '''[[Seoul]]''' Most journeys begin in the nation's capital that never sleeps. This ancient place has seen centuries and wars come and go but seems to have come out stronger than ever. Popularly called the "Miracle on the Han River", it's one of the largest metropolitan economies in the world. It's the country's industrial epicenter, the birthplace of K-pop, a hotspot for South-Korean nightlife and fine dining and home to countless museums. The fabulous history and art collection of the '''National Museum of Korea''' (국립중앙박물관) reigns supreme and a visit there is a day well spent. The city has been rediscovering its historical treasures and improving city parks, adding to its charm. Downtown Seoul, where the '''old Joseon Dynasty city''' was, is where you'll find most of the '''palaces''', '''Gyeongbokgung''' (경복궁), '''Changdeokgung''' (창덕궁) and '''Gwanghwamun''' (광화문). It is surrounded by a '''Fortress Wall''', with the famous '''Namdaemun''', one of the eight gates, being perhaps the main attraction. The '''Banpo bridge''' (반포대교) turns into beautiful colours at night, and the '''Yeouido Island''' (여의도), apart from the famous 63 Building has splendid parks for rollerblading/biking. Other sights are the '''Secret Garden''' (비원), '''Seodaemun''' (서대문), or the '''Seoul Tower''' (서울타워) accompanied by the famous Teddy Bear Museum. To get away from the buzz, follow the locals to '''Cheonggyecheon''' (청계천), one of the urban renewal projects and a popular public recreation space, or enjoy an afternoon tea in a traditional teahouse in '''Insadong'''. * '''[[Busan]]''' is the country's second city and most significant port. Called the nation's summer capital, Koreans flock to this city's fine beaches, seafood restaurants and festivals. '''[[Haeundae]]''' beach (해운대) in Busan is the most famous in the country, with an atmosphere is comparable to southern France or California in the summer. * '''[[DMZ (Korea)|Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)]]''' On July 27th 1953, The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established as a cease-fire agreement with a boundary area of 2km between North and South Koreas. '''[[Panmunjeom]]''' aka Joint Security Area ('''JSA''') is the ‘truce village’ of the DMZ where tourists can view North and South Korea without much hostility. Here you can also enter one of the buildings that are located on the border aka Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which means you can actually cross into the North when entering those buildings. The border is indicated by a line where North and South Korean soldiers face each other coldly. The tour includes the nearby bridge of no return that used to be the main controlled crossing point between the countries. Also, the '''Third Tunnel of Aggression''', created by North Korea (1.7 km long, 2 m high and about 73m below ground), was discovered in 1978. This tunnel is not more than an hour or 44 km away from Seoul. * '''[[Seoul/North|Bukhansan]]''' is just a stone's throw north of Seoul and one of the most visited national parks in the world. Some 836 meters high, Mount Bukhansan is a major landmark visible from large parts of the city and the park is home to the beautiful '''Bukhansanseong Fortress'''. The popular hike to get up there is well worth it, as you'll be rewarded with great views of the metropolis. The country has over 20 national parks, mostly mountainous such as [[Seoraksan National Park]], but some also focus on marine and coastal nature. The lush green '''tea fields of [[Boseong]]''' offer an equally nice and peaceful get-a-way. * '''[[Jeju|Jeju Island]]''' If you don't mind the crowds, this volcanic and semi-tropical island offers a spectacular scenery and numerous natural sights, a relaxing and warm (especially in winter) atmosphere and plenty of activities. Don't miss the '''Lava tubes''', '''Seongsan Ilchubong''', '''Loveland''', and South Korea's highest mountain '''Hallasan''' (1,950 m). * '''[[North Jeolla|Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites]]''' is a World Heritage and home to a significant part of all the dolmen in the world. Apart from the impressive megalithic stones, it has brought forward a highly important collection of archaeological finds. * '''[[Gyeongju]]''' Once the nation's capital, it boasts numerous royal burial and World Heritage cultural sites, as well as relaxing resorts. * '''Folk villages''' If you'd like to see a bit of Korean folklore, '''Hahoe Folk Village''' near [[Andong]], [[Yangdong]], the living museum-like '''Korean Folk Village''' in [[Yongin]] or '''Hanok Village''' in [[Jeonju]] are among the best. * '''Festivals''' Korea is a country of festivals. No matter where you go, there's likely something happening close by. Watching or even joining in the bustling celebrations is often a fabulous and colorful experience. The '''[[Boryeong|Boryeong Mud Festival]]''' (보령머드축제) is a popular pick, when participants drench themselves in mud and take part in everything from mud wrestling to body painting. The nearby beach becomes something of a party apocalypse. * '''National Treasures''' South Korea retains multiple state-owned intangible treasures, which make them popular tourist attractions. ====Traditional arts==== Korea was traditionally home to two types of theatre: '''talchum''' (탈춤) and '''pansori''' (판소리). Talchum is a traditional type of dance performed by people wearing masks, often accompanied with singing. It originated in Hwanghae province in what is now North Korea, though it has since spread around the country. Traditional Hwanghae-style talchum is also performed in the South, often by North Korean refugees and their descendants. Pansori is a type of musical storytelling involving a storyteller and a drummer, with the storyteller usually expected to use their voices and facial expressions for dramatic effect. Following contact with Western styles of drama, pansori evolved into '''changgeuk''' (창극) in the early 20th century, which is essentially Korean opera, with actors and an accompanying orchestra. '''''Gisaeng''''' (기생) or ''kisaeng'' are the Korean equivalent of the Japanese geisha (or more accurately, courtesans known as ''oiran''), and were historically sex workers trained in the arts of poetry, calligraphy and music, entertaining clients with their skills and conversation. While the tradition has largely died out in modern South Korea, ''gisaeng'' are often featured in Korean historical dramas, and many of their traditional arts are now being revived. ==Do== [[File:Taekkyeon-taekkyon-01.jpg|thumbnail|Taekkyeon, one of Korea's older martial arts]] For a definite list of activities refer to individual cities. However, some of the best ones are: *'''Hiking''' With the country being covered in mountains, Korea is a fantastic destination with numerous [http://koreaclimbs.blogspot.kr hiking opportunities]. Try [[Jirisan National Park|Jirisan]] (지리산), [[Seoraksan National Park|Seoraksan]] (설악산) or go to South Korea's highest peak, the dormant volcano [[Hallasan]] on [[Jeju]] island. They offer great views, 1- to 3-day tracks, English sign posts/maps, huts (most of them heated), and can be organized easily. In autumn the leaves turn into beautiful colours, so the best seasons to go there are autumn and spring. *'''[[#Jjimjilbang|Jjimjilbang]]''' Koreans love saunas! If you can get past everyone being naked, then this is an excellent way to feel refreshed after a hard day sightseeing. Even small towns will have one. They can also be used to stay overnight — this is especially convenient if you missed to make a reservation for an accommodation, everything is full or you are looking for a cheap accommodation. Weekends are extremely busy with families. *'''Hot springs''' In common with their Japanese and Taiwanese neighbors, Koreans love their hot springs (온천, 溫泉 ''oncheon''), and resorts can be found throughout the country. Etiquette usually require bathers to be nude. Many places also have saunas connected. *'''Snowboarding/Skiing''' The [[Gangwon]] province offers ski decent opportunities in winter, which is very beautiful when it snows. See the [[Seoul]] guide for close to the city destinations, which you can reach by free public (ski) bus within 90 minutes. * '''Eat''' Perhaps you have had Korean BBQ in your home country. The reality of Korean food is so much more diverse and tasty. Try something new delicious every each day! (Seafood, meat or vegetarian) * '''Winter surfing''' Owing to local tidal conditions, the best surf is in the winter! [[Pohang]] and [[Busan]] are two places you can try this * '''Karaoke/Singing Rooms''' Noraebang (노래방) is the same as Japanese Karaoke palors, popular and hard to miss wherever you go in metropolitan cities. * '''[[Martial arts]]''' Learn martial arts such as the famous Taekwondo (태권도), Hapkido (합기도), and the dance-like martial art Taekkyeon (택견). You can also go and watch a competition or performance — for instance cultural festivals may feature traditional martial arts. * '''Temple Stay''' Spend a few days meditating and learning about Buddhism at a Korean monastery. * '''Water amusement parks''' are plentiful in the Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, such as Caribbean Bay in [[Yongin]], Ocean World in Hongcheon, with a more Ancient Egyptian setting, and Ocean 700 in Pyeongchang. Tourists and locals usually go there in the summer. * '''Yeondeunghoe''' is a traditional festival held during Buddha's birthday when the streets are hung with colorful lotus lanterns and can also involve celebratory parades. * The board game [[Go]], called ''baduk'' in Korean, is quite common and several of the world's top professional players are Korean. ===Sports=== '''Baseball''' was brought to Korea by American missionaries in 1904 and is the most popular sport in the country. Most cities have a team and the biggest are sponsored by the largest South Korean companies, and many South Korean players have become famous Major League Baseball players in the United States. The South Korean national baseball team is also regarded as one of the strongest in the world, finishing second at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. '''Soccer''' is becoming more important to South Korea over time, and is a sport shared by North and South. South Korea is one of the strongest teams in Asia and many of their players work for the top European clubs. The sport gained an incredible amount of short term popularity when the South Korean national team reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, and even today the country stops for World Cup matches. Unfortunately the enthusiasm for domestic and friendly international games is extremely low, and stadiums are usually mostly empty. Other popular sports include golf and basketball. Badminton, table tennis and bowling are also popular and facilities for the public are widely available in cities. Korean martial arts such as '''''taekwondo''''' (태권도) are also popular. Golf particularly has a strong following, with membership fees for Korea's top golf clubs being more expensive than those in neighboring Japan or the United States. Many of the world's top female golfers are from Korea or of Korean descent. '''Archery''' is also a popular sport, with South Korea dominating the archery events at the Olympics. As for winter sports, '''speed skating''' (especially short track) and '''figure skating''' are extremely popular due to the repeated success of South Korea in the Winter Olympics, with South Korea dominating the short track speed skating events. The city of [[Pyeongchang]] hosted the [[Wikivoyage:Past events/Pyeongchang 2018|2018 Winter Olympic Games]]. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=South Korean won | currencyCode=₩ | date=January 2022 | CNY=190 | EUR=1,400 | GBP=1,600 | JPY=1,000 | USD=1,200 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/krw-south-korean-won XE.com]}}[[File:Currency South Korea.jpg|thumbnail|South Korean bills and coins]]The currency of South Korea is the '''South Korean won''', denoted by '''₩''' (ISO code: '''KRW''') and written 원 (''won'') in the Korean language. Bills come in denominations of ₩1,000 (blue), ₩5,000 (red), ₩10,000 (green) and ₩50,000 (yellow). The ₩50,000 is very practical if you need to carry around a reasonable amount of cash, however it can be hard to use on goods or services with a value of less than ₩10,000. The ₩50,000 can be hard to find and often only provided by ATM's that display a picture of the yellow note on the outside. ₩100,000 "checks" are frequently used, and some of the checks go up to ₩10,000,000 in value. These checks are privately issued by banks and can be used instead of cash for larger purchases, such as hotel rooms. Coins mainly come in denominations of ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500. Very rare ₩1 and ₩5 coins do exist. Generally speaking it is rare to buy anything valued less than ₩100. ===Banking and payment=== '''Credit card''' acceptance at shops, hotels and other businesses on the other hand is very good, and all but the very cheapest restaurants and motels will accept Visa and MasterCard. Even small purchases such as ₩4,000 for a coffee are okay. This works well since credit cards have good exchange rates, however if you are using a foreign card then you should ensure with your bank that there isn't a fee for this foreign transaction. '''ATMs''' are ubiquitous, although using a foreign card with them is rather hit and miss, except for foreign bank ATMs like '''[http://www.citibank.co.kr/eng/index.jsp Citibank]'''. There are however many special '''global ATMs''' which accept foreign cards. They can generally be found at Shinhan/Jeju Bank, airports, in areas frequented by foreigners, in major cities, some subway stations, and in many Family Mart convenience stores — most of the time indicated by the "Foreign Cards" button on the screen. Some banks, such as Citibank, have a fee of ₩3,500 for foreign cards. '''Before heading to the countryside''' where foreign cards are less likely to be accepted, be sure to have cash or another source of money. '''T-money smart cards''' are an alternative source of payment accepted widely, especially for public transportation. (See ''[[#Smart cards|&sect; Smart cards]]''.) Some other cities have their own smart cards, and topping up T-money outside of Seoul can be a problem but at '''Shinhan/Jeju Bank''' it should always be possible. You may need to ask the local cashier for help due to the Korean-only menus/buttons. If you plan on staying in South Korea for a longer time, you'll probably want to set up a '''bank account''' at a Korean bank such as Woori Bank, which can then be used at the bank's ATMs throughout the country. (Even some non-local accounts can do this, e.g. Woori Bank accounts setup in China come with an ATM card that can be used with all its ATMs in South Korea.) Many banks will even allow you to open an account on a tourist visa, though the services you will be able to access will often be very limited. Some of the larger banks may have English-speaking staff on hand at their major branches. ===Costs=== South Korea is fairly expensive compared to most Asian countries, but is a little cheaper compared to other modern developed countries such as Japan and most Western countries. A frugal backpacker who enjoys eating, living and travelling Korean-style can easily squeeze by on under ₩60,000/day, but if you want top-class hotels and Western food even ₩200,000/day will not suffice. [[Seoul]] is more expensive than the rest of the country, and has become particularly expensive competing in many ways with [[Tokyo]], but this has eased since the financial crisis. ===Tipping=== Tipping is ''not'' expected anywhere in South Korea and is not practiced by Koreans. It could be considered an insult between Koreans as it is regarded as giving someone charity, although people generally know of American tipping culture and would be understanding of a foreigner doing this. Many hotels and a few tourist restaurants add 10% service charge on their bills. Bellhops, hotel maids, taxi drivers and bars frequented by Westerners will not reject any tips that you care to hand out. Restaurants sometimes provide complimentary food or drinks to customers as a sign of generosity or to reward customer loyalty. Colloquially, this is known as "service". ===Shopping=== [[File:Seoul namdaemun market 2005-08-07.jpg|thumbnail|Namdaemun market in Seoul]] At certain retail outlets with a "Tax Free Shopping" or a "Tax Refund Shopping" sign, you can obtain a voucher and get a large percentage of your taxes refunded. When you leave South Korea, go to customs and have it stamped then go to the "Global Refund Korea" or "Korea Tax Refund" counters near the duty-free shops. However to get a refund you must leave within 3 months of purchase. '''[[Bargaining]]''' is common at outdoor markets and applies to everything they may have to offer. However, do not state a specific monetary amount. Instead, say "''ssage juseyo''" (싸게 주세요, "Cheaper, please."). Doing this once or twice will suffice. However, you will rarely be discounted more than a few dollars. Korea is the '''ginseng''' (인삼 ''insam'') capital of the world. Widely considered to have medicinal properties, it can be found in special mountain areas throughout Korea. A thick black paste made from ginseng is popular, as is ginseng tea and various other products. There are many grades of ginseng, with the best grades potentially fetching millions of US dollars at auctions. A good place to check out the different types of ginseng would be Gyeongdong Herbal Medicine Market in [[Seoul]]. Visitors looking for '''traditional items''' to bring home can find a wide variety of choices. You can find a blue-jade celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty, handmade traditional costumes, paper kites and ceramic pieces that depict human emotions in their designs at the numerous markets and souvenir shops. Insadong in [[Seoul]] would be the first place to shop around. After a while one store might start to look like every other store but chances are you'll find what you need. Keeping up with the latest '''fashion''' trends, shoppers and boutique owners alike flock the streets and markets every weekend. Centered largely in Seoul with popular places such as Dongdaemun, Mok dong Rodeo Street and Myeong dong, fashion centers can be divided into two large categories; markets and department stores. Markets are affordable and each shop will have trendy similar type clothing that appeal to the masses. Also, be aware that you '''cannot''' try on most tops. So better to know your size before shopping there. Though department stores will have areas or floors that have discounted items, they are considered overpriced and catering mostly to an older, wealthier crowd. The traditional Korean garment known as the '''''hanbok''''' (한복), which is still worn by South Koreans for special occasions and historical re-enactments, and can be found in various garment markets. While a traditional hanbok requires visiting a specialist shop and customized fittings, making it rather expensive, more casual versions that are more practical for daily use and significantly cheaper can also be found. A popular place to get a traditional hanbok is the second floor of Gwangjang Market in [[Seoul]], where you can find many traditional hanbok tailors, each with a wide array of fabrics to choose from. When wearing a hanbok, it should always be wrapped left over right. For all things considered '''antique''', such as furniture, calligraphic works, ceramics and books, you can go to Jangangpyeong Antique Market in [[Seoul]]. '''Items over 50 years old cannot leave the country'''. Check with the Art and Antique Assessment Office at +82-32-740-2921. '''Electronics''' are widely available, especially in larger cities like Seoul and [[Busan]]. South Korea has most of the latest gadgets available in most Western countries and some that are not. In fact, when it comes to consumer technology, South Korea is probably second only to [[Japan]]. However, you would probably have to contend with having the instruction booklets and functions being written in Korean. [[File:LG 시네마 3D TV 새 모델 ‘소녀시대’ 영입.jpg|thumbnail|Girls' Generation, also known as SNSD, are one of the most popular K-pop groups]] '''K-pop''' is a large element of the Korean Wave (''hallyu'') phenomenon that took East Asia by storm at the beginning of the 21st century, so you might want to buy the latest Korean music CDs by popular K-pop singers and groups — and discover some of the less known. K-pop artistes are signed by talent agencies and record companies at a very young age, and typically train arduously for many years before they are allowed to debut. These days, K-pop singers are recruited not just from South Korea, but also from other East Asian countries, as well as Thailand and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. Controversially, aspiring K-pop artistes are made to sign contracts that give them little control over their private lives, often banning them from dating in order to maintain the illusion of "availability" to their fans. Most music is now consumed as digital downloads, but there are still some music shops selling CD's to be found. And if you want to see them '''live''', there is of course no better place for that than South Korea. '''K-dramas''' are massively popular in Asia and a boxed DVD set of a drama will certainly last you many rainy afternoons. Drama serials and movies sold in South Korea are for the Korean market and usually do not have subtitles, so check before buying; outside of Korea, you could likely buy the same media dubbed in another Asian language such as Cantonese or Mandarin. In addition, South Korea is in [[Regional coding|DVD region 3]], so discs bought here will work in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, but are generally not playable in most players in North America, Europe, mainland China, Japan or Australia. CDs and DVDs are not particularly popular anymore in South Korea, the younger generation having moved onto digital downloads some time ago. ==Eat== [[Image:Bibimbap Set.JPG|thumb|240px|Example of a Korean meal: ''bibimbap'' with (from left) pickles, ''eomuk jorim'' sauteed fishcake, ''kimchi'', ''pajeon'' pancake, a pot of ''gochujang'' and ''doenjang'' soup]] {{seealso|Korean cuisine}} Korean cuisine is becoming increasingly popular outside of Korea, especially in other parts of East Asia and the U.S. It can be an acquired taste, with lots of spicy and fermented dishes, but it's addictive once you get used to it and Korean food is definitely in a class of its own, mixing spicy chilies and copious amounts of garlic with delicate ingredients like raw fish. Although Korean food is quite low in fat, a fact attested to by the observation that very few South Koreans are overweight, those with sodium-limited diets should beware, as Korean cuisine can be heavy in salt. A Korean meal is centered around '''rice''' and '''soup''' and likely a fish or meat dish, invariably served with a vast assortment of '''small side dishes''' known as ''banchan'' (반찬). The humblest meal comes with three types while a royal banquet may well feature twenty types of banchan. In addition to kimchi, typical side dishes include bean sprouts (콩나물 ''kongnamul''), spinach (시금치 ''shigeumchi''), and small dried fish. The ubiquitous '''kimchi''' (김치 ''gimchi''), made from fermented cabbage and chili, accompanies nearly every meal and ranges from mild to roaringly spicy. In addition to the common cabbage type, kimchi can also be made from white radish (깍두기 ''ggakdugi''), cucumbers (오이 소박이 ''oi-sobagi''), chives (부추 김치 ''buchu gimchi'') or pretty much any vegetable that can be pickled. Many different dishes are made using kimchi for flavoring, and kimchi is served as a side dish as well. It is not uncommon to find Korean tourists carrying a stash of tightly packed kimchi when travelling abroad. Two more condiments found in almost every dish are '''''doenjang''''' (된장), a fermented soybean paste akin to Japanese ''miso'', and '''''gochujang''''' (고추장), a spicy chili paste. While many of these dishes can be found throughout Korea, every city also has its own regional specialties, such as ''dakgalbi'' (닭갈비) in the city of [[Chuncheon]]. A common perception among Koreans is that foreigners don't like '''spicy food''', so you might have to spend some time convincing people otherwise if you really want to eat something hot. And while Korean food undoubtedly has the neighboring bland-dieted Japanese and northern Chinese breathing fire, if you're accustomed to, say, Thai or Mexican food, you may wonder what the fuss is about. Foreign food restaurants are also popular, albeit usually with a Korean twist. Fried chicken has been adopted and many believe it better than the American original. Pizzas are also ubiquitous although you may wonder quite where the inspirations behind the toppings came from. Vietnamese and Mexican food appeals to Koreans as well. Japanese restaurants of all varieties are very common. Strangely enough, authentic Chinese food is somewhat hard to come by, and Koreans often think of Korean Chinese dishes such as ''jajangmyeon'' (자장면, noodles topped with a thick brown sauce, distantly related to a northern Chinese dish) with ''tangsuyuk'' (탕수육, sweet and sour pork) as Chinese dining. ===Etiquette=== [[File:Korean chopsticks.jpg|thumbnail|Chopsticks Korean style - made out of metal]] Korean utensils (수저 ''sujeo'') consist of a spoon (숟가락 ''sutgarak'') and '''chopsticks''' (젓가락 ''jeotgarak''). Unique in Asia, Koreans use chopsticks made of ''metal'', which don't burn when used over a hot grill and are easier to wash and reuse. Restaurants typically provide stainless steel chopsticks, which unfortunately for the chopstick learner, are very difficult to use! These thin and slippery sticks are not as easy as the wooden or plastic chopsticks but you'll still manage with some fumbling. '''Spoons''' are used to eat rice, soup, and porridge. (Koreans find it strange that their Asian neighbors eat rice with chopsticks.) ''Dongaseu'' (돈가스, Japanese-style ''tonkatsu'' or fried pork cutlet) is eaten with a fork and knife. Many Korean restaurants may also offer Western cutlery to a Westerner. When eating as a group, communal dishes will be placed in the center and everybody can chopstick what they want, but you'll still get individual portions of rice and soup. Unless you are eating royal cuisine, most dishes are served family style. In many traditional households, children were taught that it is '''impolite to speak during meals'''. Don't be surprised if there's complete silence while eating. People, particularly men, will use mealtimes to quickly eat up and move on to other things. This can be attributed to the short mealtimes during military service that most young Korean men must perform. Some etiquette pointers: * Do not leave chopsticks sticking upright in a dish, especially rice. This is only done when honoring the deceased. Similarly, a spoon sticking upright into a bowl of rice is also not a good sign. * Do not pick up your chopsticks or start eating until the eldest at the table has begun to eat. * Do not lift any plates or bowls off the table while eating, as Koreans consider this to be rude. * Do not make noises by hitting your utensils on the food bowls and plates. ===Restaurants=== Going hungry in South Korea would be difficult. Everywhere you turn, there is always somewhere to eat. Korean restaurants can be divided into a few categories: * '''''Bunsik''''' (분식) are snack eateries that have cheap, tasty food prepared quickly. * '''''Kogijip''''' (고기집), literally meaning "meat house", are where you'll find grilled meat dishes and fixings. * '''''Hoejip''''' (회집), "raw fish house", serve slices of fresh fish akin to Japanese ''sashimi'', known as ''hwe'' in Korean, and free side dishes. You'll normally find these restaurants cluttering the shores of any waterway. * '''''Hansik''''' (한식) serve the full-course Korean meal (한정식, ''hanjeongsik''), a Korean ''haute cuisine'' that originated with banquets given at the royal palace. Traditionally served all at once, restaurants today will serve courses separately. The meal starts with a cold appetizer and ''juk'' (죽, porridge). The main dish includes seasoned meat and vegetable dishes that can be either steamed, boiled, fried or grilled. After the meal, you are served traditional drinks such as ''sikhye'' or ''sujeonggwa''. * '''Department stores''' have two types of food areas: a food hall in the basement and full service restaurants on the top levels. The food hall areas have take-away as well as eat-in areas. The full service restaurants are more expensive, but typically have the advantage of picture menus and good ambience. ===Barbecues=== [[Image:Danyang_Galbigui.JPG|thumb|''Galbi'' on the grill and the fixings around it]] '''Korean barbecue''' is probably the most popular Korean dish for Westerners. In Korea, it's split into '''''bulgogi''''' (불고기, thin cuts of marinated meat), '''''galbi''''' (갈비, ribs, usually unmarinated), and a few other categories. In these, a charcoal brazier is placed in the middle of the table, and you cook your choice of meats, adding garlic to the brazier for spice. A popular way of eating it is to wrap the meat with a lettuce or perilla leaf, adding shredded green onion salad (파무침 ''pa-muchim''), raw or cooked garlic, shredded pickled radish (무채 ''muchae'') and ''ssamjang'' (쌈장, a sauce made from ''doenjang'', ''gochujang'', and other flavorings) to your liking. The cost of a barbecue meal depends largely on the meat chosen. In most Korean restaurants that serve meat, it is sold in units (usually 100 grams). Pork is by far the most common meat ordered; it's much cheaper than beef and according to diners tastier. You'll rarely see filet mignon; instead, common cuts of meat include ribs, unsalted pork bacon (삼겹살 ''samgyeopsal'') and chicken stir-fried with veggies and spicy sauce (닭갈비 ''dak-galbi''). Unmarinated meats tend to be higher quality, but in cheaper joints it's best to stick with the marinated stuff. ===Rice dishes=== '''''Bibimbap''''' (비빔밥) literally means "mixed rice", which is a pretty good description. It consists of a bowl of rice topped with vegetables and usually shreds of meat and an egg, which you mix up with your spoon, stirring in your preferred quantity of ''gochujang'', and then devour. Particularly tasty is '''''dolsot bibimbap''''' (돌솥비빔밥), served in a piping hot stone bowl (watch your fingers!) that cooks the rice to a crisp on the bottom and edges. Another healthy and tasty option is '''''gimbap''''' (김밥), sometimes dubbed "Korean sushi rolls". ''Gimbap'' contains rice, sesame seed, a Korean variety of spinach, pickled radish, and an optional meat such as minced beef or tuna, all neatly wrapped in dried seaweed, topped with sesame oil and sliced. A single roll makes a good snack or a whole meal depending on your appetite, and they travel well. What differentiates Korean ''gimbap'' and Japanese ''sushi'' is how they prepare rice: ''gimbap'' usually uses salt and sesame oil to flavor the rice, while ''sushi'' uses sugar and vinegar. Also, ''gimbap'' usually does not feature raw fish. More of a snack than a meal is ''tteokbokki'' (떡볶이), which resembles a pile of steaming intestines at first sight, but is actually rice cakes (떡, ''tteok'') in a sweet chili sauce that's much milder than it looks. ===Soups and stews=== [[File:Korean_chicken_soup-Samgyetang-01.jpg|thumb|''Samgyetang'' chicken soup with ginseng]] Soups are known as '''''guk''''' (국) or '''''tang''''' (탕), while '''''jjigae''''' (찌개) covers a wide variety of stews. The line is fuzzy, and a few dishes can be referred to with both (e.g. the fish soup-stew ''dongtae jjigae/dongtaetang''), but in general, ''jjigae'' are spicier and thicker while ''guk/tang'' are milder. Both are always eaten with plenty of white rice on the side. Common versions of ''jjigae'' include '''''doenjang jjigae''''' (된장찌개), made with ''doenjang'', vegetables and shellfish, and '''''gimchi jjigae''''' (김치찌개), made with — you guessed it — kimchi. '''''Sundubu jjigae''''' (순두부찌개) uses soft tofu as the main ingredient, usually with minced pork added, but there's also a seafood version called ''haemul sundubu jjigae'' (해물 순두부찌개) where the meat is replaced by shrimp, squid and the like. '''''Budae jjigae''''' (부대찌개) is an interesting type of Korean fusion food from the city of [[Uijeongbu]], where a US military base was located. Locals experimenting with American canned food like Spam, sausages, and pork and beans tried adding them into ''jjigae'', and while recipes vary, most of them involve large quantities of fiery kimchi. Most places will bring you a big pan of stew and put it on a gas stove in the middle of the table. Many like to put ''ramyeon'' noodles (라면 사리) in the stew, which is optional. Popular ''tang'' soups include '''''seolleongtang''''' (설렁탕), a milky white broth from ox bones and meat, '''''gamjatang''''' (감자탕), a stew of potatoes with pork spine and chilies, and '''''doganitang''''' (도가니탕), made from cow knees. One soup worth a special mention is '''''samgyetang''''' (삼계탕), which is a whole spring chicken stuffed with ginseng and rice. Thanks to the ginseng, it's often a little expensive, but the taste is quite mild. It's commonly eaten right before the hottest part of summer in warm broth in a sort of "eat the heat to beat the heat" tradition. ''Guk'' are mostly side dishes like the seaweed soup '''''miyeokguk''''' (미역국) and the dumpling soup '''''manduguk''''' (만두국), but a few like the scary-looking pork spine and ox blood soup '''''haejangguk''''' (해장국), a popular hangover remedy, are substantial enough to be a meal. ===Noodles=== [[File:Cold Buckwheat Noodle.jpg|thumb|''Naengmyeon'' cold buckwheat noodles]] Koreans love noodles, and the terms '''''kuksu''''' (국수) and '''''myeon''''' (면) span a vast variety of types available. They're often sold in fast-food noodle shops for as little as ₩3000. Wheat-based noodles are a staple of Korea. '''''Naengmyeon''''' (냉면) are a Korean specialty, originally from the [[North Korea|north]]. The thin, chewy buckwheat noodles served in ice-cold beef broth are a popular summer dish &mdash; although it's traditionally a winter food! They're also a classic way to end a heavy, meaty barbecue meal. The key to the dish is the broth (육수 ''yuksu''); the recipes of well known restaurants are usually closely guarded secrets. Generally comes in two distinct styles: [[Pyongyang]] ''mul naengmyeon'' with a clear broth, and [[Hamhung]] ''bibim naengmyeon'' with a spicy dressing and chewier potato noodles. '''''Japchae''''' (잡채) are yam noodles, which are fried along with some vegetables (commonly cabbage, carrots, onions) and sometimes beef or ''odeng'' (fishcake). '''''Mandu''''' (만두) dumplings are also very popular and are served up in steamed or fried as an accompaniment to other foods, or boiled in soup to make a whole meal. '''''Ramyeon''''' (라면) is Korea's variant of ramen, often served with — what else? — kimchi. Korean ''ramyeon'' is well known for its overall spiciness, at least when compared to Japanese ramen. The Shin Ramyun brand of instant noodles are exported to over 100 countries. '''''Jajangmyeon''''' (자장면) is considered to be Chinese food by Koreans, being somewhat related to northern Chinese ''zhájiàngmiàn'', a wheat noodle dish served with a black sauce that usually includes minced pork, onions, cucumber, and garlic. It's typically served at (what are liberally described as) Chinese restaurants. Its sauce contains some caramel and therefore makes the overall dish sweet. A popular combination is ''jajangmyeon'' with "Chinese" sweet and sour pork and chicken. Finally, '''''udong''''' (우동) are thick wheat noodles, akin to Japanese ''udon''. ===Seafood=== [[File:Korean cuisine-Hoe-03.jpg|thumbnail|Hoe]] Since Korea is a peninsula, you can find every type of '''seafood''' (해물 ''haemul''), eaten both cooked and raw. Restaurants where you pick your own fish &mdash; or bring it from the fish market next door &mdash; are popular, but can be very expensive depending on what you order. '''''Hoe''''' (회, pronounced roughly "hweh") is raw fish Korean-style (similar to sashimi), served with spicy ''cho-gochujang'' sauce (a mixture of ''gochujang'' and vinegar). '''''Chobap''''' (초밥) is raw fish with vinegared rice, similar to Japanese sushi. In both dishes, the bony parts not served raw are often made into a tasty but spicy soup called ''meuntang'' (매운탕). Another cooked specialty is '''''haemultang''''' (해물탕), a spicy red hotpot stew filled crab, shrimp, fish, squid, vegetables and noodles. Whale meat is available in a few restaurants in the cities and at festivals in smaller coastal towns, but is not easy to find and unlike Japan is not considered part of national culture. The city of [[Pohang]] has a long history of whaling, and its seafood market still openly offers whale. South Korea has outlawed whaling following the International Whaling Commission international moratorium in 1986, although makes an exception for whales caught by accident during regular fishing. Whale meat sourced from [[Japan]] has been sold in some restaurants, which is illegal (although the law is usually ignored). Whale restaurants are easy to identify, with pictures of whales on the outside leaving you in no doubt. If you choose to eat whale then you should understand that the species in question could be endangered and therefore a decision left to your own moral compass. ===Other=== ''Jeon'' (전), ''jijimi'' (지짐이), ''jijim'' (지짐), ''bindaetteok'' (빈대떡) and ''buchimgae'' (부침개) are all general terms for Korean-style '''pan-fried pancakes''', which can be made of virtually anything. '''''Pajeon''''' (파전) is a Korean-style pan-fried pancake laden with spring onions (파 ''pa''). '''''Haemul pajeon''''' (해물파전), which has seafood added, is particularly popular. '''''Saengseonjeon''''' (생선전) is made of small fillets of fish covered with egg and flour and then pan fried, and '''''nokdu bindaetteok''''' (녹두빈대떡) is made from ground mung bean and various vegetables and meat combined. If barbecued meat is not to your taste, then try Korean-style beef tartar, known as '''''yukhoe''''' (육회). Raw beef is finely shredded and then some sesame oil, sesame, pine nuts and egg yolk are added, plus soy and sometimes ''gochujang'' to taste. It's also occasionally prepared with raw tuna or even chicken instead. '''''Sundae''''' (순대, pron. "soon-deh") are Korean blood sausages made from a wide variety of ingredients, often including barley, potato noodles and pig blood. ''Sundae'' is very tasty in spicy sauce or soup. A squirmy delicacy is '''raw octopus''' (산낙지 ''sannakji'') &mdash; it's sliced to order, but keeps wiggling for another half hour as you try to remove its suction cups from your plate with your chopsticks. '''Sea squirts''' (멍게 ''meongge'') are at least usually killed before eating, but you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference as the taste has been memorably described as "rubber dipped in ammonia". {{infobox|Hound by the pound|Yes, it's true &mdash; Koreans eat '''dog'''. Although it is illegal in South Korea to sell dog meat for human consumption, in practice the ban is rarely enforced, and dog meat soup (보신탕 ''bosintang'' or 영양탕 ''yeongyangtang'') is often eaten for invigoration during the hottest days of summer. It is not regularly consumed as a common food item and is generally only sold in specialty dog restaurants, so you're unlikely to end up chewing on Snoopy by accident. It is most commonly consumed as a spicy soup or stew or as ''suyuk'' (수육), which is just meat boiled with spices to eliminate smell and make the meat tender. Due to the lack of legal recognition, the industry is completely unregulated, resulting in many issues around how the dogs are raised, butchered, and processed. Although dogs are generally no longer beaten to death to improve the taste, the conditions in which dogs are raised and butchered are often still inhumane. This is one intrinsic aspect of South Korean culture that South Koreans generally believe foreigners cannot hope to understand, and will rarely want to discuss with you. South Koreans are aware of Western attitudes towards dogs and will not try to make you eat any, although you'd probably gain a lot of respect from your Korean friends if you give it a try. If you are interested, it is best to ask your Korean friends to take you to such a restaurant since they rarely advertise. If you do make the effort, a bowl can go for under ₩10,000 and you'll find that dog tastes broadly like beef or veal, if perhaps a tad gamier. Most South Koreans do not eat dog meat regularly and these days more of them are considering dogs to be pets rather than food, with a growing number supportive of enforcing the ban on dog meat more strictly.}} ===Dietary restrictions=== Vegetarians will have a '''hard time''' in Korea. As in most of East Asia, "meat" is understood to be the flesh of land animals, so seafood is not considered meat. Spam can also be confused as not being meat, so be specific in explaining what you do not eat. If you ask for "no ''gogi'' (고기)" they will probably just cook as usual and pick out the big chunks of meat. One good phrase is to say you are "''chaesikjuwija''" (채식주의자), a person who only eats vegetables. This may prompt questions from the server, so be prepared! It is probably best to have a very explicit list of foods you do and do not eat in Korean on a card or piece of paper to show restaurant servers and cooks. (See ''[[Korean phrasebook#Eating|Korean phrasebook &sect; Eating]]''.) Or look for ''namul'' (나물), a variety of Korean-style edible grass and leaves dishes. Most stews will use fish stock, especially ''myeolchi'' (멸치, anchovy). This will be your bane, and outside of reputable vegetarian restaurants, you should ask if you are ordering any stews, hotpots, or casseroles. Spicy (red) kimchi will almost certainly have seafood, such as salted tiny shrimp, as an ingredient. Since it disappears into the brine, you will not be able to visually identify it. Another type of kimchi called ''mulgimchi'' (물김치, "water kimchi") is vegan, as it is simply salted in a clear, white broth with many different vegetables. If you are willing to eat something flavored with brine shrimp, then kimchi will certainly take you a long way in Korea. For '''lactose intolerant''' people, avoiding dairy products is straightforward as they are uncommon in traditional Korean cuisine. As per Korea's Buddhist tradition, '''vegans and vegetarians''' are perfectly safe at Korean temple cuisine (사찰음식 ''sachal eumsik'') restaurants, which uses no dairy, egg, or animal products, except perhaps honey. This cuisine has been in vogue, but it can be rather expensive. There is an increasing number of vegetarian restaurants in Korea — most are in the larger or medium-sized places. Some of these are run by Seventh-Day Adventists or Hindus. When out and about, the following vegetarian and vegan food is relatively easy to find and safe to order: * Many of the ''banchan'' side dishes served with most meals are vegetarian, although the kimchi usually is not. * ''Bibimbap'' (비빔밥) is a great vegan option of mixed rice and vegetables and found pretty much everywhere! Still, be careful because it is occasionally offered with ground beef, and often with a fried egg. * ''Somandu'' (소만두) are Korean dumplings with vegetable and glass noodle filling. Stay clear of almost any other kind of dumpling. * ''Japchae'' (잡채) are cold glass noodles in a vegetable broth, often with ice, but ensure that beef chunks are not added. Delicious in summer. * ''Gimbap'' (김밥) are Korean sushi rolls with rice and pickled vegetables, and can be found everywhere. There are many varieties, but you should look for the ones without Spam or fishcake in the middle. ==Drink== '''Drinkers rejoice''' &mdash; booze is cheap and Koreans are among the heaviest drinkers in the world. Due to the strict social norms in effect at the workplace, the drinking hall tends to be the only place where inhibitions can be released and personal relationships expressed. Significant business deals are closed not in the boardroom, but in the bar. Promotions, grants, and other business advancements are secured over drinks at singing rooms, late night raw fish restaurants, and restaurant-bars. Many Korean men are what would be considered heavy drinkers in the west, and as alcoholism is being recognized as an ailment, public moves have begun to attempt to curb alcohol intake. Don't be surprised to see businessmen in suits lying around sleeping it off, and be careful not to step in the puddles of vomit common on the sidewalks in the mornings. The drinking age in South Korea is '''19'''. ===Nightlife=== Compared to Western drinking habits, Koreans have adopted slightly different ways to enjoy their night out. Sure, you can find Western style bars easily, but going to a Korean style bar can be an interesting experience. '''Hofs''' (호프 ''hopeu'', from German ''Hof'', "court" or "yard" as in ''Hofbräuhaus'') are just normal beer places, which serve beer and side dishes. Customers are supposed to order some side dish to go along with their drinks at most drinking establishments in Korea. Due to growing competition, many hofs have started to install various gadgets for entertainment. '''Booking clubs''' are the Korean version of night clubs. What makes them interesting is the "booking" part of the name. It's basically a way to meet new people of the opposite sex by introduction of the waiters (who usually bring women to visit tables of men, but increasingly vice-versa). Booking clubs are slightly more expensive than normal bars and hofs, but can be extremely fun. These can be different from American-style clubs, in that in addition to a cover charge, you are pretty much expected to order booze and side dishes (which can be quite pricey in ₩200,000-₩500,000 range and up). But other than that, the dancing and atmosphere is about the same. One of the customary things to do at a booking club is to "dress-up" your table or booth by purchasing expensive liquors and fruit plates, which signals your "status" to the other patrons of the club (especially your gender of interest). Scotch whisky is especially marked up a great deal in Korea, so don't be surprised to pay very high prices for that innocuous bottle of Johnnie Walker. On the other hand, it is a better value overall to buy a bottle of liquor or a "liquor set" than to purchase drinks individually. On the other end of the spectrum, many locals go out to drink and eat with their friends at the many Korean grillhouses found throughout the city. It is not uncommon for people to consume several bottles of ''soju'' each, and mixing beer and hard liquor is encouraged. Group bonding over liquor and food is a cultural feature across South Korea. For those who love singing as well as drinking, '''karaoke''' is popular and therefore widely available in South Korea, where it's called '''''noraebang''''' (노래방). In addition to Korean songs, larger establishments may include some Chinese, Japanese and English songs. ===Etiquette=== There are a few etiquette rules to observe when drinking with Koreans. '''You're not supposed to fill your own glass'''; instead, keep an eye on others' glasses, fill them up when they become empty (but not before), and they'll return the favor. It's considered polite to use both hands when pouring for somebody and when receiving a drink, and to turn your head away from seniors when drinking. Younger people often have a difficult time refusing a drink from an older person, so be aware when asking someone younger than you if they want to drink more as they will often feel unable to say no to you. Of course, this works both ways. Oftentimes, if an older person feels you are not keeping up with the party, he may offer you his glass, which he will then fill and expect you to drink. It is considered polite to promptly return the empty glass and refill it. ===''Soju''=== [[File:Korean alcoholic beverage-Jeju Island-Hallasanmul soju-01.jpg|thumbnail|Soju]] The national drink of South Korea is '''''soju''''' (소주), a vodka-like alcoholic beverage (usually around 20% alcohol by volume). It's cheaper than any other drink &mdash; a 350&nbsp;mL bottle can cost slightly over ₩3,000 at bars (as little as ₩1,100 at convenience stores!) &mdash; and also strong. It's usually made by fermenting starch from rice, barley, corn, potato, sweet potato, etc., to produce pure alcohol which is then diluted with water and other flavors. The manufacturing process leaves in a lot of extraneous chemicals, so be prepared for a four-alarm hangover in the morning, even after drinking a comparatively small amount. Traditionally, soju was made by distilling rice wine and aging it, which created a smooth spirit of about 40%. This type of traditional soju can still be found, for example ''Andong Soju'' (안동 소주) &mdash; named after the town of [[Andong]] &mdash; and ''munbaeju'' (문배주). These can be expensive, but prices (and quality) vary considerably. Historically, there were numerous brewers throughout the country until late Chosun dynasty and before Japanese colonization. However, by the Japanese colonization and the oppressive and economy-obsessed government in the 1960-'70s, using '''rice''' for making wine or spirits was strictly prohibited. This eliminated most of the traditional brewers in the country, and Korea was left with a few large distilleries (Jinro 진로, Gyeongwol 경월, Bohae 보해, Bobae 보배, Sunyang 선양, etc.) that basically made "chemical soju". Brewery distribution and markets were regionalized, and until the 1990s it was difficult to find a Jinro soju anywhere else than Seoul (you would have to pay premium even if you found one), Gyeongwol soju outside Gangwon, or Sunyang outside Chungcheong. Also, there are soju cocktails such as "socol" (soju + Coke), ''ppyong-gari'' (soju + Pocari Sweat, a Japanese isotonic drink like flavorless Gatorade), ''so-maek'' (soju + beer), etc., all aimed at getting you drunk quicker and cheaper. ===Rice wine=== Traditional unfiltered rice wines in Korea are known as '''''takju''''' (탁주), literally "cloudy alcohol". In the most basic and traditional form, these are made by fermenting rice with ''nuruk'' (누룩), a mix of fungi and yeast that breaks down starch in rice into sugar and then alcohol over 3–5 days. Then this is strained, usually diluted to 4–6% and imbibed. However, as with the case of traditional soju, unless explicitly stated on the bottle most ''takju'' are made from wheat flour and other cheaper grains. '''''Makgeolli''''' (막걸리) is the simplest ''takju'', fermented once and then strained, while in '''''dongdongju''''' (동동주) more rice is added once or more during the fermentation to boost the alcohol content and the flavor. Typically you can find a couple of rice grains floating in ''dongdongju'' as a result. {{infobox|''Cheongju'' vs. ''sake''|There are two major differences between Korean and Japanese rice wine. The first is that Korean wine uses ''nuruk'', while Japanese wine uses ''koji''. While both can be considered yeasts, ''nuruk'' contains various kinds of fungi and other microorganisms, while in ''koji'' a more selected breed of fungi does its job. The treatment of rice is also different: traditionally rice for making ''cheongju'' is washed "a hundred times" (백세 ''paekse''), but for ''sake'', the rice is polished until the grain size is as little as 50% of its original size. Therefore, some people comment that in general ''cheongju'' tastes more complex and earthy, while ''sake'' tastes cleaner and sweeter.}} '''''Yakju''''' (약주) or '''''cheongju''''' (청주) is filtered rice wine, similar to the Japanese rice wine ''sake''. The fermentation of rice is sustained for about 2 weeks or longer, strained, and then is kept still to have the suspended particles settle out. The end result is the clear wine on top, with about 12–15% alcohol. Various recipes exist, which involve a variety of ingredients and when and how to add them accordingly. Popular brands include ''Baekseju'' (백세주) and ''Dugyeonju'' (두견주). Those with an interest in the wine production process and its history will want to visit the Traditional Korean Wine Museum in [[Jeonju]]. ===Ginseng wine=== One expensive but tasty type of alcohol you can find in Korea is '''Korean ginseng wine''' (인삼주 ''insamju''), which is believed to have medicinal properties and is particularly popular among the elderly. It is made by fermenting Korean ginseng, just as the name implies. ===Beer=== Western-style lagers are also quite popular in Korea, with the three big brands being '''Cass''', '''Hite''' (pronounced like "height") and '''OB''', all of which are rather light and watery and cost around ₩1,500 per bottle at a supermarket. Hofs serve pints of beer in the ₩2,000-5,000 range, although imported beers can be much more expensive. You are expected to order food as well, and may even get served grilled squid or similar Korean pub grub without ordering, for a charge of ₩10,000 or so. ===Tea=== Like their Asian neighbors, Koreans drink a lot of '''tea''' (차 ''cha''), most of it '''green tea''' (녹차 ''nokcha''). However, the label ''cha'' is applied to a number of other tealike drinks as well: * ''boricha'' (보리차), roasted barley tea, often served cold in summer, water substitute for many household * ''insamcha'' (인삼차), ginseng tea * ''oksusucha'' (옥수수차), roasted corn tea * ''yulmucha'' (율무차), a thick white drink made from a barley-like plant called Job's tears Like Chinese and Japanese teas, Korean teas are always drunk neat, without the addition of milk or sugar. However, Western-style milk tea is available at Western restaurants and the usual American fast-food chains. ===Coffee=== '''Coffee''' (커피 ''keopi'') has become widely available, especially from streetside vending machines that will pour you a cupful for as little as ₩300, usually sweet and milky, but there is often a plain option. '''Coffee shops''' can be seen virtually everywhere in the country. There are a large number of Korean chains such as Cafe Bene and Angel in Us. A coffee costs around ₩4,000. It is worth to hunt out independent coffee shops that take great pride in their coffee. Even in small countryside villages, the ubiquitous bread shop Paris Baguette will give you a decent latte for around ₩2,000. Foreign-owned coffee shops such as Starbucks tend to be much less common than their Korean counterparts. Aside from coffee, these cafes will usually sell food such as sandwiches, toasties, paninis and quesadillas as well as sweet options such as ''bingsu'' (Korean shaved ice), Korean-style toast, pastries and a wide variety of cakes, some even vegan. ===Other drinks=== Some other traditional drinks worth keeping an eye out for: * '''''Sikhye''''' (식혜), a very sweet, grainy rice drink served cold * '''''Sujeonggwa''''' (수정과), a sweet, cinnamon-y drink made from persimmons served cold ==Sleep== There's plenty of accommodation in all price brackets in South Korea. Prices in Seoul are typically about twice that of anywhere else in the country. Some higher-end hotels offer a choice of Western-style and Korean-style rooms. The main feature of Korean rooms is an elaborate floor-heating system known as '''''ondol''''' (온돌), where hot steam (or, these days, water or electricity) heats stone slabs under a layer of clay and oiled paper. There are no beds; instead, mattresses are laid directly on the floor. Other furniture is typically limited to some low tables (you're also expected to sit on the floor) and maybe a TV. ===Motels=== Some of the cheapest accommodation in South Korea are in what are called '''motels''' (모텔 ''motel'') or '''''yeogwan''''' (여관), but a more accurate name would be '''sex hotels'''. Since Koreans often live with parents and extended family, motels are generally very cheap hotels targeted at young couples aiming to spend personal time together, complete with plastic beds, occasionally vibrating, with strategically placed mirrors on the ceiling, as well as a VCR and a variety of appropriate videos. However for the budget traveller, they can simply be inexpensive lodging, with rates as low as ₩25,000/night. The easiest way to find a motel is to just look for the symbol "♨" and gaudy architecture, particularly near stations or highway exits. They're harder to find online, as they rarely if ever show up in English-language booking sites. In some motels picking your room is very easy, as there will be room numbers, lit pictures and prices on the wall. The lower price is for a "rest" (휴식 ''hyusik'') of 2–4 hours, while the higher price is the overnight rate. Press the button for the one you like, which will go dark, and proceed to check-in. You'll usually be expected to pay in advance, often to just a pair of hands behind a frosted glass window. English is rarely spoken, but the only word you need to know is ''sukbak'' (숙박, "staying"). You may or may not receive a key, but even if you don't, the staff can usually let you in and out on request &mdash; just don't lose your receipt! ===Hotels=== Full-service hotels can be found in all larger towns in Korea. Cheaper hotels blend into motels with rooms from ₩40,000, while three and four-star hotels are ₩100,000-200,000, and five-star luxury hotels can easily top ₩300,000. Outside peak season you can often get steep discounts from the rack rates, so be sure to ask when reserving. ===''Hanok''=== ''Hanok'' (한옥) are '''traditional Korean houses'''. Once considered to be old-fashioned and an impediment to modernization, many of these houses dating back to the Joseon dynasty are being renovated and opened to paying guests, operating similar to B&Bs or Japanese ''ryokan'' or ''minshuku''. Amenities range from very basic backpacker-style to over-the-top luxury, with prices to match. Higher-end establishments typically provide the option of having a traditional Korean dinner, as well as a choice of either Western or traditional Korean-style breakfast. Guests would usually sleep on mattresses on the floor. Hanok accommodations can typically be found in old towns such as Bukchon in [[Seoul]], as well as historical towns and cities such as [[Hahoe]] and [[Gyeongju]]. ===Hostels and guesthouses=== While not as common in South Korea as in other parts of Asia or the world, hostels and guesthouses can be found. Major cities, such as Seoul, will have a few dozen, while smaller cities may have a handful. Prices can vary widely, even within one hostel. In Seoul, mixed dorms average ₩15,000-25,000 per person; private rooms with a shared toilet and shower average ₩20,000-30,000 per person; and private ensuite rooms average ₩25,000-40,000 per person. Many hostels will have a common room with free TV, games, computers, and internet; some will have a public full kitchen and other amenities. ===''Minbak''=== In rural areas in and near national parks, you can find a '''''minbak''''' (민박). Most of these are just a room or two in someone's home — others are quite fancy and may be similar to motels/''yeogwan'' or hotels. Generally, they have ''ondol'' rooms with maybe a TV and that's about it. You don't usually get your own bathroom in your room, although some of the fancier ones do have an ''en suite.'' Minbak usually run around ₩20,000 off-season, though the price may go up quite a bit during high season. ===Homestay=== Very similar in concept to a minbak, these aren't limited to just rural areas or near national parks. Since the World Cup in 2002, many families around the country have opened their doors and hearts to foreigners looking for a good place to sleep and a breakfast included in the price. These can run between ₩30,000 and ₩35,000 per night. ===Pension=== A fancier and costly version of rural minbak. Most of them are European-style detached bungalows, equipped with private shower/bath, TV, air conditioner, private kitchen and camping grills. Pensions usually run around ₩60,000-150,000 off-season and over ₩200,000 peak season depending on the size of the house. Pensions near Seoul (Gyeonggi, Incheon) usually costs twice or more the price. ===''Jjimjilbang''=== [[File:Jjimjilbang-room.jpg|thumbnail|Inside a jjimjilbang]] For the budget traveller, '''public bath houses''' known as '''''jjimjilbang''''' (찜질방) can offer a great way to sleep, besides a relaxing bath and sauna. (Some Korean spas don't offer overnight stay, like the "Spa Land Centum City" in Busan, and some can be limited in time, like the "Dragon Hill Spa" in Seoul, but they are exceptions.) Entrance costs around ₩5,000-12,000, and includes a robe or T-shirts/shorts (for mixed facilities and sleeping hall) to wear. However, when you leave, you have to take everything with you and pay to get back in. The facilities can be expansive, including showers, public baths, restaurants, computer/video game rooms, a room with DVD movies, and a warm hall to sleep, mostly with mattresses and sometimes soft head rests available. These places are generally used by families or couples during the weekend, as well as Korean working men from the countryside on weekday evenings, but travellers are welcome. A jjimjilbang is no more awkward than any Western public bath — so go ahead. Usually two lockers are provided, one for the shoes (at the entrance) and one for your clothes and everything else (near the bath entrance). A very large backpack may not fit, although you can usually leave it at reception. ===Temples=== South Korea offers many '''temple stays''' in all parts of the country. The basic idea is that you stay for one or more days living with the monks and participating in some of their rituals. ''Jogye'' (조계사), Korea's largest Buddhist sect, runs a popular temple stay program where visitors get to spend 24 hours living at a Buddhist temple. Speaking Korean helps but is not necessary at some temples, but you will be expected to work at the temple and get up at 03:00 or 04:00 to participate in morning prayer. In exchange for three meals and a basic bed for the night, a donation of ₩50,000-80,000 is expected. Reservations are necessary and can be made at the [http://eng.templestay.com/ Temple Stay site] or via Korea Travel Phone (+82-2-1330). ==Learn== Education is taken ''very seriously'' in South Korea, often to the point of obsession, and the country is home to several world class universities. For a country that has limited natural resources, Koreans believe that the only way to become competitive in a global world is to absorb knowledge. This militant drive for educational excellence and success is exactly why South Korea became a developed country in less than a century. While this may sound impressive, the South Korean educational system does have its drawbacks. The brutally competitive nature of the system means that Koreans are faced with a lot of pressure from their parents and peers to succeed academically, and the system is often blamed for the country's high suicide rate and high underemployment rate. The most prestigious general universities, collectively known as SKY, are '''[http://www.useoul.edu/ Seoul National University (SNU)]''', '''[http://www.yonsei.ac.kr/ Yonsei University]''' and '''[http://www.korea.edu/ Korea University]''', the former of which is widely regarded as the undisputed number one university in South Korea. '''[https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/ Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)]''' and '''[http://postech.ac.kr/eng/ Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)]''' are regarded as the top universities specializing in science and engineering. ===Others=== [[File:Kukkiwon-gates-2010.jpg|thumbnail|Gate to Kukkiwon in Seoul, home of the World Taekwondo Academy]] * '''[http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/front/eng/main.action Taekwondo]''' (태권도 ''taegwondo'', literally "the way of kicking and punching") &mdash; The quintessential Korean martial art that is also an Olympic sport, and you can study at any of the numerous schools all over the country. * '''Cooking''' &mdash; Most major cities will offer Korean cooking classes to foreigners. ** '''Kimchi''' &mdash; Many tourist packages nowadays include learning how to make a Korean staple dish kimchi. * '''''Changgeuk''''' (창극) or '''''pansori''''' (판소리) &mdash; If you like music, this will be good for you. It's a unique traditional Korean form of singing. If you want to learn about pansori through film, ''Seopyeonje'' (서편제) (1993) would be an excellent choice. * '''Korean language''' &mdash; Seoul National University, Korea University, Sogang University, and Yonsei University (in [[Seoul]]) provide Korean language programs. You can meet people from all over the world while studying Korean. * '''Korean traditional dance''' &mdash; You can go to a dance studio and learn Korean traditional dance. You will wear ''hanbok'', Korean traditional clothes. * '''''[[Go|Baduk]]''''' (바둑) &mdash; Korean name for the ancient Chinese board game called Go in English and Japanese. Many Koreans play the game, and among them are some of the world's finest players. There are professional tournaments and even schools that specialize in baduk. * '''''Janggi''''' (장기) &mdash; Also known as Korean chess, a board game similar to Chinese chess, with which it shares its origins, though the rules of the two games have diverged significantly. ==Work== Working in Korea can be a great way to experience the country. For English teachers the hours and pay are reasonable, however for other professions bear in mind that South Korea has some of the '''longest working hours globally''', and '''frequent obligatory after-work drinking''' can be demanding. In addition, Korea isn't yet really set up to make entering the job market easy for foreigners. Reading and speaking [[Korean]] will definitely open up many more opportunities for you. Foreigners must obtain an '''Employment Visa''' in order to legally work in South Korea, and will usually require a company based in South Korea to sponsor your application. For prospective teachers the school will almost always arrange this on your behalf. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan may apply for a one year '''Working Holiday Visa''' which allows for short term employment whilst on holiday in Korea. After you have been living in South Korea continuously for 5 years, you may apply for '''permanent residency''', which allows you to live and work in South Korea indefinitely with no restrictions. Alternative routes to permanent residency are by investing a large amount of money in a local business, by marrying a South Korean citizen, or by obtaining a PhD in certain scientific fields. The application process is still complex even if you meet one of these criteria. Korean work culture is a lot more hierarchical and formal than what most Westerners are used to back home. Suits are standard business attire for men, while business dresses or skirts are obligatory for women, and modes of address at the workplace tend to be very formal. South Korean companies place a strong emphasis on group cohesiveness, meaning that the success of the company is a whole is a lot more emphasized than an individual's accomplishments. Employees are also expected to obey their bosses' instructions without question, and must usually get approval from their bosses before making any decisions. It is considered rude to not be at work when your boss is, which means arriving at work early before your boss does, and staying late until after your boss has left, and often working on weekends as well. Korean workers are also often expected to go out for food and drinks with their colleagues after work multiple times a week, which means getting home only when it is ''really'' late. === Teaching === Work as an '''[[Teaching English|English teacher]]''' is the most common type of work available to foreigners from English speaking countries, with the requirements of being able to speak English and a minimum level of education being a Bachelor's degree. Schools prefer native English speakers and many prefer North American accents. In most instances, native English speakers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are the only applicants that are usually considered. The main employer of native English speaking teachers are private academies called '''''hagwon''''' (학원). Many parents enroll their children in order to catch up or overtake their peers, and therefore scheduled classes are often in the evenings and Saturdays. People interested in these teaching positions often find them via professional recruiters. There are pros and cons to teaching ESL in the hagwon system. On the plus side the money can be quite good. As of 2016, the average monthly salary is approximately ₩2,000,000 and basic housing is usually provided. It's often possible to live comfortably on half of one's salary and to save the rest. On the negative side, hagwon are privately run and strictly for profit, and may only operate for a few years. As such it is important to research and evaluate each prospective employer before accepting an offer, since there are plenty of horror stories of unscrupulous academy owners and incompetent directors. Although you will have full employment rights in South Korea, there is practically very little you can do when an issue or dispute arises. The majority of English teachers have a good experience through the hagwon system. University employment is also possible. Those who have a graduate-level degree, preferably in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language), may find professional opportunities at the post secondary level preferable to teaching in private academies. {{infobox|Racial discrimination|South Korean employers tend to be more discriminatory towards non-white people, especially towards people of African and Indian ethnic origin. Although the official position is that all people are welcome, there are actually no laws related to racial discrimination in South Korea. This is largely based on economics; the stereotypical native English speaker is a white person, and many parents expect the teacher to look like that when they send their children to learn English. South Korean job applications usually require you to attach a photo of yourself, along with other information usually considered private in the western English speaking world such as height, weight and marital status. Many foreign non-white people are hired into hagwon, but be aware that there is a bias.}} Some of the best positions are in the public sector, although in Seoul and Busan, schools have been phasing out foreign English teachers and replacing them with English-speaking South Koreans. Still, year-long public school positions are available through the government-funded [http://epik.go.kr EPIK Program] in most provinces and the rapidly contracting GEPIK Program in Gyeonggi, with a few also handled by recruiter companies. Alternately, the TALK Program runs 6-month rural public school positions for non-graduates. For more information about teaching English in Korea through the private-sector, visit [http://eslcafe.com Eslcafe], [http://worknplay.co.kr Worknplay], [http://eslstarter.com Eslstarter] and [http://englishspectrum.com Englishspectrum]. For the public-sector, see the aforementioned EPIK program. Daejeon full-time public elementary school positions stand apart from most in the country in that they consist of multiple part-time support positions at different schools. Most public school and university positions start at the beginning of March or September, however these are the more desirable jobs and must be applied for months before the start date. South Korean Immigration is constantly changing the visa regulations for E-2 visa holders, so keep abreast of updates. === IT === South Korea is often promoted as the world's most wired country, and as such has a massive IT infrastructure. There is plenty of IT work if you can speak [[Korean]], although local rates are much lower than in western countries. === Engineering === South Korea has a lot of opportunities for engineers, and often doesn't have a requirement for Korean language. Port cities such as [[Busan]], [[Ulsan]] and [[Geoje]] have a demand for marine engineers. ==Stay safe== ===Crime=== South Korea is a very safe country, with reported crime rates much lower than in the U.S. and most European Union countries. Crime rates are comparable to other safe places such as [[Japan]], [[Singapore]] and [[Hong Kong]], and it is safe for women to walk around alone at night, even in the major cities. Violent crime is rare toward locals and tourists alike. For the most part, the only foreigners who encounter trouble in South Korea are drunken ones that provoke fights at bars or clubs. If you do happen to encounter any trouble, police stations are located in every district, usually in walking distance from subway entrances and bus stops. While most policemen won't understand English, they do have interpreters on-call that can assist you. ===Racism=== South Korea is a very ethnically homogeneous country, and for many South Koreans, this is a point of pride. Discrimination against non-Koreans is systemic and there is '''no anti-discrimination legislation''' whatsoever. Nevertheless South Korea is changing. As recently as 2000 it was not advisable for a foreign man to hold hands in public with a South Korean woman and today it is almost no issue at all. Any horror stories you hear should be taken in context of the positive changes that are happening. The reality is that white people will mostly get a free pass from experiencing much if any racial abuse. When applying for work in South Korea, especially in teaching positions, many employers prefer white people over other ethnicities. (This may be one of the reasons they ask for a picture on your application.) Darker skinned people do experience more problems, including being barred from saunas and bars. Most visitors to South Korea are extremely unlikely to encounter any problems at all. If you do experience racial abuse then you can call on the police to help, although realistically if no other offense has been committed then they will at most just try and reason with the abuser. People from North Korea also experience discrimination in society, partly out of suspicion (North Korea has sent assassins and spies disguised as refugees) and partly out of the difficulty to integrate themselves into a vastly different society. Ethnic Koreans from China are also often regarded poorly due to being associated with low economic status and crime. People from [[South East Asia]] are also discriminated against since most immigrant workers in low-paid jobs come from that region. ===Traffic=== [[File:Korean Sign - Vehicles Only and No Thoroughfare for Motorcycles 3.JPG|thumb|right|Motorcycles not in emergency service are banned from Expressways in South Korea.]] With one of the highest rates of traffic deaths, South Korean motorists will speed through pedestrian crossings, jump red lights and come within a hair-width distance to pedestrians and other cars alike. Even when the light turns red, drivers will not stop. Motorcyclists are particularly reckless weaving in and out on crowded sidewalks. It is up to you to avoid them. There is a lot of discussion about the reason for this, although it basically comes down to Koreans regarding traffic laws as guidelines that are nice ideas rather than rules to be obeyed. Pedestrian crosswalks stay green for a very short period of time. When the walk signal is flashing and you are still at the curb, '''do not cross'''. Instead, you should wait and be ready for the light to turn green. The moment it turns green, wait for about 3 to 5 seconds and see if other pedestrians start to cross, and if all the traffic has indeed stopped, ''then'' walk briskly to cross safely. It is safer to take underground passageways at busy intersections. Most mopeds prefer to weave through pedestrians rather than wait with the rest of the traffic. There are plenty of marked pedestrian crossings in Korea, and they are essentially ignored by all drivers. As a foreigner you can use them by stepping onto the crossing and directly staring down any approaching cars and they will usually yield. It is important for you to stay alert while crossing the roads. Taxis, buses, freight trucks, and delivery scooters are more likely to ignore traffic rules, since many of them are pressured to ignore rules by harsh timetables or their customers. ===Illegal taxis=== Illegal taxis are a problem and run even from the airport. Each Korean city has a different taxi scheme with a specific car color, so check out your destination city's taxi scheme before you arrive. At the airport, ignore anyone asking if you want a taxi at arrivals and head out to the official taxi rank. ===Civil unrest=== In the heart of the political center of [[Seoul]], near Gwanghwamun and City Hall, you may witness political activists of one sort or another in the city center and demonstrations can grow to tens of thousands. You'll have to use discretion as violence during political demonstrations can happen, often with water cannons and tear gas, and also large crowds may pose safety issues. Fighting is always between the demonstrators and police, and foreigners are not targeted. Also, South Korean legislation prohibits non-South Koreans from engaging in political activities. ===Local laws=== Ignorance of the law here is no excuse for breaking it and can even be seen as a reason for harsher punishment. They include heavy fines, lengthy jail sentences and immediate deportation. * Penalties concerning drug offenses may seem particularly harsh to Westerners * Submitting fraudulent documentation for obtaining visas * Giving somebody an English lesson without possessing the correct visa * Causing injury during a fight, even if you were not the one who instigated it South Korea has a draconian '''National Security Act''' (국가보안법, ''Gukga Boanbeop'') with regards to [[North Korea]] that restricts any unauthorized contact with that country or its citizens. Although it rarely applies to foreign visitors you should still be careful since being associated with any "anti-State group" (반국가단체 ''bangukga danche'') is a criminal offense. With this in mind, you should under no circumstances display any symbols that represent North Korea or be seen to '''praise''' (찬양 ''chanyang'') North Korean figures, in particular Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un, in public, websites or social media. Doing this as a joke is not in any way an excuse, and criminal convictions can incur a penalty of up to '''seven years in prison'''. Websites in North Korea or from North Korean-affiliated organizations are blocked from South Korea. In any case you should not attempt to access them since it could be regarded as a "communication" (통신 ''tongsin'') with an anti-State group. ===Gambling=== Gambling is illegal for South Korean citizens, although a limited number of casinos are available for foreigners only in [[Seoul]], [[Busan]] and [[Jeju]] island. You will need to bring your passport to enter these establishments. ===Wildlife=== [[File:Vespa mandarinia japonica s3.JPG|thumbnail|Asian Giant Hornet]] The '''Asian giant hornet''' (장수말벌, ''jangsu malbeol'') or "commander bee" is usually seen around summer time; it is about {{mm|40}} long and can sting repeatedly and painfully. A hornet defending its nest or feeding spot will make a clicking sound to warn away intruders; if you encounter one, retreat. If you are stung, receive prompt medical attention, as prolonged exposure to the venom could cause permanent injury or even death. There are very few other animals that can be dangerous in Korea. The Siberian tiger is sadly no longer found on the Korean Peninsula. Large wild boars can sometimes be found in forested areas and can be very dangerous if they attack. If you see a boar with piglets then keep well away since the mother will not hesitate to protect them. Large sharks including the great white and hammerhead are being sighted more frequently off the coast of South Korea. To date there has never been a recorded attack on swimmers, although a few abalone divers have been killed in the past 20 years. The most popular beaches are closely monitored, and this is unlikely to be a real risk to you. ===Natural hazards=== South Korea is considerably less prone to natural disasters than its neighbors. Earthquakes are rare occurrences, though minor ones occasionally occur in the southwest of the country. Tsunamis are a recognized hazard in coastal areas, although Japan's strategic position prevents most tsunamis from ever reaching Korea. While '''typhoons''' do not occur as often as in [[Japan]], [[Taiwan]] or the [[Philippines]], they are nevertheless an almost yearly occurrence, and are occasionally known to be deadly and cause major property damage. ===Homosexuality=== Although same-sex relationships are not recognized by the government, there are no laws against homosexuality in South Korea. Gay clubs and bars exist in the larger cities, though openly displaying your sexual orientation in public is still likely to be met with disapproval. South Korea has a large number of Evangelical Christians who generally strongly disapprove of homosexuality. Nevertheless, verbal and physical attacks against gay people are rare. Conversely, platonic displays of physical affection between same-sex friends are very common, particularly when alcohol has been consumed, and holding hands with a same-sex romantic partner may be viewed in this light. ===Conflict with North Korea=== An understandable concern about traveling to South Korea is the possibility of war. However, while war has remained a distinct possibility ever since the end of the Korean war over 60 years ago, the North Koreans appear to have become very skilled at saber-rattling and limited provocations that are never allowed to escalate into out-and-out warfare. This is not to say that miscalculations could not spiral out of control, but simply that the odd missile launch or loudly publicized border closure does not mean war is nigh. If a full scale war did break out between the North and South, it would almost certainly result in many casualties, military and civilian alike. If this were to happen when you are visiting Seoul, it would definitely be life-threatening. There was a great deal of brinkmanship following the appointment of Kim Jong-un as North Korea's leader, and open conflict seemed to become more likely. However, no big conflagration has broken out, and it is safe to say that the possibility of all-out war is very low, though it would be reasonable to weigh the risks when planning to visit South Korea. There isn't really much you can do to mitigate the risk of military action. Find out the contact details of your embassy, and be aware of the current situation when traveling. Most embassies will have an evacuation strategy for their nationals in the case of war. Also be aware that [[Seoul]]'s [[Incheon International Airport]] is relatively close to the North Korean border, so therefore it may not be advisable to run there looking for a flight out. ===Emergency numbers=== *Police: '''112''' *Fire and ambulance services: '''119''' Emergency-service English interpreters are available 24 hours a day. ==Stay healthy== {{infobox|Fan Death|An urban legend that is very prevalent in (and particular to) South Korea is the danger of '''fan death'''&mdash;that is, death occurring while sleeping in a room with an operating electric fan. Many Koreans accept it as fact without being able to provide a plausible explanation, though several theories have been floated (i.e. a vortex sucking the air out of your body is one of the more surprising ones). It may surprise you a great deal how seriously this is taken, with simple fans having elaborate safety settings. The correct explanation for this condition is straightforward '''hyperthermia''' (the body overheating), which sets in if the temperature and humidity are high, the sleeper is dehydrated, and a fan close by keeps evaporating the body's sweat. Eventually the body runs out of water due to sweat loss and becomes overheated. The risk is no greater in Korea than anywhere else with similar climate.}} South Korean healthcare is known for its excellence in both research and clinical medicine, and most towns will be able to offer a high quality of healthcare. The sheer number of hospitals and specialized clinics in the country will also offer you a greater amount of choice. Healthcare is subsidized by the government and is relatively cheap compared to most western countries. Expatriate workers who have the required medical insurance card will experience further discounts. South Korea also promotes [[medical tourism]] where quality operations can be had for a fraction of the price of many other developed countries. South Korea is especially known for having a thriving '''plastic surgery''' industry, and the vast majority of South Korean celebrities have undergone cosmetic surgery to one degree or another. It is also common for parents who can afford it to pay for their daughters to go under the knife to achieve the "perfect look". The downside is that seeing the top plastic surgeons is usually very expensive. Most South Korean doctors can communicate well in English, being the most highly educated in the country. (Indeed, many have achieved their medical qualifications in the United States.) However, you may find them a little difficult to understand due to their Korean accent, so do ask them to slow down and go through things with you clearly. On the other hand, nurses will very rarely speak much, if any, English. '''Traditional Chinese medicine''', along with traditional Korean medicine (한의학 ''hanuihak'' or 향약 ''hyangyak''), is highly regarded in South Korea and involves many traditional methods including acupuncture, heating and herbal medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has deep roots and practitioners must undergo strict government certification in order to practice. Typically Koreans use Oriental medicine for chronic ailments such as back pain and Western medicine for sudden injuries. Due to the holistic nature of Oriental medicine (i.e. treating the whole body rather than a specific ailment) it is very hard to measure its effectiveness, but nevertheless it is a widely trusted part of the Korean medical system. Western medicine, however, does not generally recognize the effectiveness of the procedures in Oriental medicine. [[File:YakPharmacy.jpg|thumb|A Korean pharmacy, with the word 약 (Yak) prominently displayed]] '''Pharmacies''' are available everywhere, and are indicated by one very large word '''약''' (''yak''). As hospitals in South Korea are not allowed to dispense take-home prescriptions there will almost always be a separate pharmacy available there. Although there are no official '''vaccinations''' that are required or recommended for visitors, Hepatitis A is known throughout the country and attacks the liver after the host ingests contaminated food or water. Once infected, time is the only cure. The [http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-HepA.aspx#362 Center for Disease Control] designates the prevalence of infection in South Korea to be ''intermediate''. A vaccine is available for Hepatitis A, so you might want to consider getting vaccinated before you travel to be safe. '''Tap water''' in South Korea is perfectly safe to drink, although you may want to follow the local habits of boiling and filtering if only to get rid of the chlorine smell. Bottled mineral water from [[Jeju]] Island is also very popular. Fresh mountain spring water is available directly in wells around the country (especially Buddhist monasteries), and although these are generally safe, the water has not been treated in any way and could be unsafe. '''Spring water''' Koreans are especially fond of drinking mountain spring water when hiking through mountains or at monasteries, although this water is completely untreated. If you see plastic (or metal) ladles provided that are obviously in use, then the water is probably safe. Some places in Korea have communal wells set up that supply fresh water, and in theory the local government will test from time to time in order to certify the safety. The certification (or warning) will be in Korean, so you may not know if a particular water source is safe. ==Cope== ===Media=== South Korea has several English language media sources for daily news and other information, such as the [http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr Yonhap News Agency]. Daily newspapers in English include the [http://english.hani.co.kr Hankyoreh], [http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp The Korea Times], [http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/index.asp The Korea Herald] and [http://english.chosun.com/ The Chosun Ilbo]. For television, there is an English-language channel called [http://www.arirang.co.kr/intro.asp Arirang TV] that is available throughout the world on some cable subscriptions. [http://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil/home.aspx AFN Korea] is available to U.S. military community or via cable. There are some English-language radio stations in South Korea such as TBS e-FM (101.3 FM) and AFN channel (1530 AM and 102.7 FM in Seoul). ==Respect== {{infobox|Naming conventions and modes of address|2=Korean names follow the East Asian order of '''family name followed by given name'''. Someone called 홍길동 (''Hong Gil Dong'') has the family name <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hong</span> and the given name Gil Dong. Koreans often, but not always, preserve their East Asian name order in English. However, many Koreans have an English nickname (which may simply be the initials of their given Korean name); when using it, they will use the Western name order. When addressing other people, Koreans generally use the other person's '''family and given name + ''-ssi'' (씨)''' for most situations. Addressing someone by just their given name is only done when addressing children of elementary school age or younger, and very close friends. Using just the family name is generally not done in Korea, as Koreans consider it to be condescending, since it implies that you are talking down to someone of a lower social status. (It would also be confusing, since nearly half of all Koreans have one of the three most common family names: Kim, Lee, or Park.) '''Ssi''' is the default suffix, but others you might encounter are: * ''-nim'' (님) — People above you, from bosses up to deities, as well as customers * ''-a/-ya'' (아/야) — Close friends, and junior family members * ''-gun'' (군) — Young boys * ''-yang'' (양) — Young girls To avoid being overly formal or familiar, stick with full name + ''-ssi'' unless the person tells you otherwise. In business settings, ''-ssi'' is often substituted with a job position/title, with the suffix ''-nim'' added to the back to the job position/title for people in a senior position to you. Often, the name is dropped altogether, so an employee may simply address his company's president as ''sajang-nim'' (사장님 "Honored Mr./Ms. President"). In English, it's okay to use just the family name, or family name plus initials of their given name. However, it's more proper to use their job title (even if it's a mouthful) than "Mr./Miss". Our example <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hong</span> Gil Dong from before might be called General Manager Hong, or General Manager G.D. Hong, or Mr. Hong if he's a low-level employee without a title. If unsure how to call someone, feel free to ask; even Koreans can get confused by it. They may also mix up the order of your name, referring to you as Mr. John or President Mary. (If your ''given'' name is Kim, to avoid confusion you may want to go by Kimberly/Kimball. If you're a Lee, you should perhaps use a different name.)}} Coming from a land of strict Confucian hierarchy and etiquette, Koreans are regarded as reserved and well-mannered. As a visitor, you will not be expected to know every nuance, but making an effort will certainly be appreciated. The further you are away from metropolitan areas the more conservative the people are. Nevertheless, most South Koreans are welcoming towards foreign tourists, and as long as you show a modicum of respect towards their culture, will do their best to make your visit a pleasant one. American visitors can expect a particularly warm welcome, as most South Koreans admire American culture. === Social etiquette and breaches === * Koreans '''bow''' to each other to show their respect when they meet. They may also shake hands. (When shaking hands, particularly with someone older, support your right arm with your left hand.) However, with people you know well, a quick nod of the head and a simple "''Annyeonghaseyo''" (안녕하세요, "Hello") should suffice. * It is very important to '''remove your shoes''' when entering many places in Korea. It is always expected that you take off your shoes in someone's home. It is also required in many good restaurants (especially family-run ones), smaller hospitals, medical clinics and dentists. Leave your shoes by the front door; indoor slippers may be provided. * Much like their neighbors, Koreans place a very strong emphasis on "saving face", thus communication is rather '''indirect'''. Gestures and facial expressions are not commonly used when conversing, which can give some the impression that Koreans are "stern". Unless you are in a position of seniority, you shouldn't beckon someone directly. * '''Direct personal questions''' are common. Koreans typically ask such questions to demonstrate interest in who you are. If you feel a question is too personal, simply give an indirect answer and move along. * '''Respect for elders''' is very important. It's considered ''rude manners'' to directly challenge someone older than you or who's in a position of authority. In public transportation, you are always expected to give up your seat to someone older than you. * When '''picking something up or taking something''' from somebody older, always use two hands. If you have to use one hand, you can simply support your right arm with your left hand. * South Korean households often have strict rules about '''recycling''': for example, one bin may be for paper only and another in the kitchen may be for food/drink containers. Each district in Korea has its own unique recycling scheme. Garbage bags must be purchased from a supermarket and must be of the type designated for your local district. * Never pour your own drink when dining with Koreans, but always take the initiative to pour for others. When dining with Koreans, the oldest or most senior should always eat first. * It is common to hear people talking loudly in restaurants, as a sign of being happy and enjoying the food. But always remember to act polite in front of older people especially at the table. Koreans think making a loud sound in front of older people is rude. === Things to avoid === '''Politics:''' * South Koreans in general have very strong nationalistic views and would view any criticism of their country with varying degrees of hostility. To avoid getting into the bad books of your hosts, it is advisable to praise the country, or at least avoid bringing up anything negative about it. * Although you may notice similarities between Korean culture and that of neighboring China and Japan, be aware that Koreans are fiercely proud of their unique culture and that you shouldn't go overboard making national comparisons. ** Cultural and historiographical disputes with China are a particularly sensitive issue, and South Koreans often accuse China of appropriating Korean history and culture. This is further complicated by the fact that China has a large ethnic Korean minority, and things came to a head when a representative of that community wore a hanbok at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, causing a massive outcry among the South Korean public and resulting in a diplomatic protest being filed against China by the South Korean government. In particular, China's nomination of the Complex of Goguryeo Tombs near [[Ji'an]] as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has caused deep anger among South Koreans. * '''Do not attempt to compliment North Korea''' in any way, even in jest. On the other hand, be careful not to go out of your way to be critical since they are still regarded as fellow Koreans, and you are a foreigner. === Business etiquette === '''Business cards''' (명함 ''myeongham'') in particular are treated very respectfully and formally. How you treat someone's business card is seen as representing how you will treat the person. Make sure to pack more than you'll need, as not having a business card to present is a serious faux pas. There's a lot of nuanced etiquette, but here are some basics: * When presenting a business card, orient it so it's readable by the person you're giving it to, and use both hands to present or receive one. Juniors give their cards to seniors first; people of equal rank can exchange simultaneously using your right hand to give yours and left hand to receive theirs. Take the time to read the card and confirm their name and job title. (Korean business cards are often bilingual, sometimes on opposite sides of the card.) * You can ask permission to write notes on the back of a card if you need to. It's disrespectful to fold a card or place it in your back pocket (where you'll sit on it!). Instead, you should arrange cards on the table (in order of seniority) to help you remember who's who. When it's time to leave, then you can pack the cards in a nice case to keep them pristine; if you don't have one, hold on to them until you're out of sight before pocketing them. ===National issues=== Given the long history of unwanted intervention in Korea by foreign nations, Koreans are understandably rather sensitive about '''political discussions'''. You should avoid discussing the following topics since they are never going to achieve anything but getting you onto someone's bad side: * [[Japan]]'s annexation and brutal colonization of Korea until 1945 * Japan's lack of sufficient recognition and apology over the sexual enslavement of Korean "comfort women" during World War II * Japan's territorial claims over the South Korean island of [[Dokdo]] * The Korean war and anything to do with [[North Korea]] * Bad behavior of individual members of the United States military stationed in South Korea * Any deference of the South Korean military towards the United States military * Any international sporting controversies where South Korean athletes are involved * Do not refer to the sea east of South Korea as the "Sea of Japan" (even though this is by far the most accepted name internationally). Always refer to it as the "East Sea" (동해 ''Donghae''). * The MV ''Sewol'' ferry disaster of April 2014. It is no exaggeration to say that the country was deeply traumatized by this incident, and many entertainment programs were cancelled over the following months. There is a lot of introspection going on around this, although as a foreigner your contributions may not be appreciated. Solidarity is shown with yellow ribbons so make sure you don't make jokes about the many ribbons when you see them. Should your hosts bring any such topics up, it is best to stay neutral and avoid any debates. Playing devil's advocate is really not appreciated in Korea. ===Religion=== Religion in South Korea has changed a great deal over time, with today's main religions of Buddhism and Christianity both having been oppressed over the past centuries. Today just under half of Koreans state that they have no religious affiliation. There are practically no tensions at all between the different groups, with religion being usually regarded as a personal choice. '''Buddhism''' was historically the main religion in Korea (albeit often suppressed in favor of Chinese Confucianism), and Buddhist temples are major tourist attractions throughout the country. As in [[India]], [[China]], and other countries there are Buddhist swastikas representing good luck on display at religious buildings. You will notice they are actually drawn in reverse to the one used in Nazi Germany, and they in no way represent antisemitism. When visiting Buddhist temples you should be respectful by not making too much noise, eating or drinking. South Korea has a high proportion of '''Christians''' (18% of the population are Protestant and 11% are Roman Catholic) and dozens of churches can be found in absolutely every major city. Protestants in South Korea tend to be strongly conservative and frequently highly evangelical, sending a large number of missionaries abroad (rivaling the United States in this regard). Catholics often combine elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Korean shamanism into their faith. South Korea is also home to a myriad of new religions based on Christianity (such as the Unification Church), which may be deemed as controversial or heresy by others. It is common for both strangers and acquaintances to ask you to come to their church, although offense will not usually be taken if you decline. '''Korean Shamanism''', also known as Muism, is the indigenous religion of the Korean people since ancient times. Although it is professed by less than 1% of South Koreans today, its practices and beliefs are known to most and to some extent still practiced by many people, having been incorporated into both Christian and Buddhist rituals. '''Confucianism''' was often promoted as the state religion during Korea's history, and although there are few adherents today the majority of Koreans will be familiar with its teachings and practices, and even today government officials are still required to sit Confucian examinations. ===Smoking=== While [[smoking]] in Korea is not quite as popular as in Japan or China, many Korean men and an increasing number of Korean women smoke, and it's fairly cheap compared to much of Europe and America. A pack of twenty costs around ₩5,000 and cigarettes can be bought from all convenience stores. Koreans favor mild cigarettes (around 6 mg tar) so Korean-made cigarettes may taste bland and flavorless compared to those from America or Europe, and even the Korean-produced Western cigarettes are much lighter than the originals (e.g., full-strength Marlboro Reds in Korea have only 8 mg tar, the same as Marlboro Lights in the U.S.). If you prefer stronger cigarettes it's wise to bring some duty-free cigarettes with you. Smoking is forbidden in public buildings, public transport and restaurants. Various establishments will tacitly allow smoking despite the ban, although they will never explicitly tell you that you can smoke, for fear of legal repercussions. Smoking in public is also banned, but this is largely unenforced and designated smoking areas are sparse. Female smokers may give a negative impression to some Koreans, as smoking is not considered feminine in Korea. ==Connect== ===By phone=== For calls to South Korea, the country code is '''+82'''. International dialing prefixes in South Korea vary by operator. ====Mobile phones==== {{see also|Mobile phones}} South Korea plans to shut down its last 2G network in 2021, so 2G (GSM or CDMA) mobile phones will not work. However, if you have a 3G phone with a 3G SIM card, you can probably roam onto the '''UMTS/W-CDMA 2100''' networks of KT or SK Telecom; check with your home operator before you leave to be sure. 4G LTE has been made available in Korea; again, check with your provider. While 5G is also becoming available, providers have only so far made it available to select postpaid plans or inbound roaming agreements; prepaid users purchasing a local SIM in South Korea will not have access to 5G (as of August 2021). The country has three service providers: '''[http://roaming.kt.com/eng/index.asp KT]''', '''[http://www.sktelecom.com/ SK Telecom]''' and '''[http://www.uplus.co.kr/cmg/engl/ouse/peos/RetrievePeOsRooming.hpi LG U+]'''. They offer prepaid mobile phone services ("pre-paid service" or "PPS"). Incoming calls are free. Phones and prepaid services can be acquired at any retail location found on any street (for Koreans). Second-hand phones are also available at selected stores in [[Seoul]]. Mobile phone coverage is generally excellent, with the exception of some remote mountainous areas. SK Telecom has the best coverage, followed by KT and LG U+. As a foreigner without Korean residency your choices are: * Buy a prepaid SIM card from a KT Global or airport provider store * Rent a phone from an airport (expensive — best for short visits) * Using roaming on your phone if available from your home provider * Borrow a phone from a Korean resident * Have a Korean resident acquire another SIM card and lend it to you * Use [[Internet telephony]] (e.g. Skype) over the many Wi-Fi spots available You should be able to get a prepaid SIM card at one of the KT Global locations. Due to a loosening of the regulations, there is no longer a requirement that you have been in the country for 3 days already; you can apply for a prepaid SIM immediately upon arrival. The fee for a prepaid SIM card is ₩5,500, and you have to charge at least ₩10,000 at the spot. You must also have a compatible phone. All modern iPhones (3GS and later) should work. SK Telecom and LG also offer mobile phone rental services, and some handsets also support GSM SIM roaming. They have outlets at the Incheon, Seoul&ndash;Gimpo and Busan&ndash;Gimhae airports. You can find service centers for KT SHOW and SK Telecom at Jeju airport as well. You can rent a 4G WiBro device between ₩5,000–10,000 a day for unlimited access, although coverage is not always available outside larger cities and in enclosed areas. The 1330 Korea Travel Phone service is a very useful service provided by the Korea Tourism organization. It is a 24-hour service and offered in four different languages (Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese). The operator will answer questions on bus schedules, accommodation, museum hours, etc. The internationally popular messaging app WhatsApp is not popular in South Korea. Most South Koreans use the local app '''[https://www.kakaocorp.com/service/KakaoTalk?lang=en KaKaoTalk]''' instead. ===By Internet=== [[File:Korean.culture-PC.bang-01.jpg|thumbnail|A PC bang in Seoul]] South Korea is the '''world's most wired country''' and Internet cafes, known as '''PC ''bang''''' (PC방), are ubiquitous through the country. Most customers are there for gaming but you're free to sit and type e-mails as well. Typical charges are about ₩1,000-2,000/hour, although more luxurious places may charge more. Most PC bang tend to be cash only. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in most PC bang. Smoking is banned in PC bang but many stores will give tacit consent to smoking, despite stating otherwise if asked explicitly (for legal reasons). There is also a lot of free Wi-Fi available throughout South Korea. Most households in South Korea do have broadband connections with Wi-Fi, and most are encrypted by default. [https://first.wifi.olleh.com/en/index_new.html ollehWiFi] is one of the most common Wi-Fi hotspots available and requires payment. The service is fast (30Mbps+) and prices are cheap at ₩1,100/hour or ₩3,300/day. You can buy the service on your device by credit card, or by cash or card in most convenience stores. ollehWiFi is available at most convenient stores, coffee shops, some marts, restaurants, intercity buses, and on all subways and subway stations in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. The Starbucks Coffee chain also offers Wi-Fi, however you will require a South Korean phone number to use it. Many other coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi with no registration required. ollehWiFi should also be available in all Starbucks stores. South Korean websites frequently require Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer, especially those involving online payment. As elsewhere in Asia, a lot of services are becoming available primarily for mobile phones, with [http://www.kakao.com/talk Kakao Talk] being the most popular. ===By mail=== '''[http://www.epost.go.kr/main/eng/Enpost_Introduction1.html Korea Post]''' is fast, reliable and reasonably priced. Postage for a postcard anywhere in the world is ₩660, while letters and packages start from ₩480. If you want actual traditional stamps, be sure to ask for them, or else you will just get a printed label. On request, fancy "tourist" cancellations (''Gwangwang Tongsin Ilbuin'') for your stamps are available at selected post offices without additional charge. Korea Post accepts Visa and MasterCard for purchases over ₩1,000. Most post offices are open only M-F 09:00-18:00. Larger post offices also open Saturday mornings, and central offices in the main cities stay open late and are open on Sundays as well. {{IsPartOf|East Asia}} {{usablecountry}} {{geo|36|128|zoom=7}} q37plh0gth7oneq0yy048l1j3kv3d4b 0 33814 4506636 4463410 2022-08-23T06:37:23Z 1.132.106.142 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} {{starnomination}} {{COVID-19 box|Special measures are taken to limit the risk of infecting other fellow astronauts with COVID-19; consult your contractors or government employers for further instructions. On Earth, many centers and museums have had their hours limited or been temporarily closed due to the pandemic.|lastedit=2022-02-25}} [[File:AS08-14-2383.jpg|thumb|300px|''Earthrise'', taken on December 24, 1968, by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders|alt=Earth rising on the Moon surface]] '''Space tourism''' has been a dream of humanity for millennia. While in orbit or in free fall near [[Earth]], you can float inside a spacecraft and view the planet from a unique vantage point. Though commercial space tourism has arrived, it is only for a privileged few. However, with recent innovations, it may be accessible to many soon. While very few can ''go'' to space, anyone with good eyes can ''see'' it for free. They can also do amateur [[astronomy]], visit [[space flight sites|spaceflight sites]], or learn about it. Because of its vastness, space offers the opportunity to explore the universe, whose history is believed to go all the way back to the beginning of time. == Regions == {{mapframe|35.000|7.000|zoom=1|width=500|height=300|name=Space-related places on Earth}}'''Outer space''' or simply '''space''' is the great empty above us. The most common definition is that space begins just {{km|100}} above Earth's sea level, a boundary known as the Kármán line. Above that height, tourists need space technology to get there and to survive, as even high-altitude aviation technology won't suffice. The trick with spaceflight is that it's not about going ''high''... it's about going ''fast''. In low Earth orbit, that means speeds around 7.8&nbsp;km/s (28,000&nbsp;km/h or 17,000&nbsp;mph), enough to circle the entire globe in about 90 minutes. Space is characterized by '''near-vacuum''', with the atmosphere dwindling away to a few atoms per cubic meter in interplanetary space. As the spacecraft moves along gravity in '''freefall''', astronauts can feel the sensation of '''weightlessness''', or '''microgravity'''. A further paradox of space is that it's mapped and managed in great detail, more than many places on Earth. Bygone explorers setting out into new continents or seas had little idea what lay before them or where their journey might lead, and they might be out of contact with home for years. Those heading into space have planned precise trajectories, computed to the split-second. Throughout the day. they coordinate with mission control, and in their free time, they can have audio and video calls with their families at the speed of light. These are the destinations that most of us would ever dare dream of experiencing. Tourists will whipping around at thousands of meters ''per second''. Adjusting the spacecraft's speed using propellant can change its orbit, going higher or lower. Low Earth orbit region is a popular place for space stations since a relatively small amount of fuel is needed to get there. That said, '''every single human''' has been inside Earth's gravitational influence, as the furthest that anyone has traveled is to the dark side of the Moon. Technically, the distinction between space and the upper atmosphere is arbitrary. Since the atmosphere becomes less dense as a spacecraft goes up, drag in "space" is a real issue. In fact, the International Space Station needs to get boosted once a while to prevent it from falling back to the atmosphere. The 100-km altitude is chosen because this is the hard limit on any kind of air travel, but also because it's a nice round number. So don't worry if a space tourism company carries you just shy of that distance – it is still the experience of a lifetime! {{Regionlist |region1name=Low Earth orbit |region1color=#62cb77 |region1description=Between {{convert|abbr=on|100|km|mi}} (Kármán line) and {{convert|abbr=on|2000|km|mi}}, this is the most popular destination of all spaceflight, sub-orbital or on the International Space Station. The region presents the least risk and easiest to go to. |region2name=Medium Earth orbit |region2color=#ce0d1e |region2description=Between {{convert|abbr=on|2000|km|mi}} and {{convert|abbr=on|35786|km|mi}}, there is an intense level of radiation from the Van Allen belts. Along with poor space infrastructure, this place not a popular destination. |region3name=Geosynchronous orbit |region3color=#f7d945 |region3description=About {{convert|abbr=on|35786|km|mi}} in altitude, this is the place where many satellites orbit. This is because they would stay at a spot in the sky relative to the Earth. There, traveler would always see one side of the Earth. |region4name=High Earth orbit |region4color=#81bfcc |region4description=Above {{convert|abbr=on|35786|km|mi}} is past the Van Allen belts, therefore a space station can stay here for extended periods. However, this is not a practical place to tour, as its experience is the same to lower orbits with more cost. |region5name=Highly elliptical orbit |region5color=#c362b3 |region5description=A special type of orbit which the lowest point (perigee) and highest point in orbit (apogee) differ significantly. This can take advantage of both low and high orbit vantage point, while still dodging the deadly radiation belts. |region6name=[[Moon]] |region6color=#c9c9c9 |region6description=The only natural satellite of Earth, it inspires humans to go explore since since prehistoric times. Dominated by craters and "seas", they are a popular planned destination for many tourists. However, as of 2022, only 12 people have walked on it. |region7name=Lagrange points |region7color=#ee8706 |region7description=These points are where the gravitational forces of the Earth and the Sun canceled out, labeled L1 to L5. They also host paths that don't necessarily go around the planet, called halo orbits.}} == Other destinations == [[File:The station pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon 2.jpg|thumb|International Space Station in completion|alt=Space station with complete solar panels]] Besides these natural destinations mentioned above and staying inside a spacecraft, there are two '''space stations''' in operation as of Feb 2022. These are: * {{listing | name=International Space Station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Earth, perigee: 413 km, apogee: 420 km, inclination: 51.63° | lat= | long= | directions=See "[https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/tracking_map.cfm '''Spot the station''']" for directions | phone= | tollfree= | hours=6AM to 9:30PM UTC | price=US$35000 per day per astronaut | wikidata=Q25271 | lastedit=2022-02-25 | ladtedit=2022-02-25 | content=The most well-known space station of all, also the largest and most long-lasting. It is a popular destination for space tourists, primarily because Roscosmos agrees to launch them into the station. Contains many modules and facilities, a hub for science and engineering advancement. The first module was launched in 1998, though the plans for it has been made decades prior, named space station ''Freedom''. You can go to there using Crew Dragon or Soyuz capsule. }} * {{listing | name=Tiangong |alt=Chinese: 天宫| address=Earth, perigee: 389.5 km, apogee: 395 km, inclination: 41.58° |directions=See "'''[https://www.astroviewer.net/iss/en/observation-css.php Observation of Tiangong]'''" for directions|price=Price not public|wikidata=Q5100935|lastedit=2022-02-25| content=A true second space station, owned by China. A bit smaller than the ISS, with significantly less volume. Tiangong will have less modules, but they are more spacious with bigger diameter. Access to the station may be difficult as it is under construction and likely does not accept tourists. However, you may have a shot if you are a Chinese. The first module is launched in 2021, with more to come. Traveling there would require riding on the Shenzhou spacecraft. }} == Understand == === History === [[File:Apollo program.svg|thumb|Apollo program insignia, showing the path from Earth to the Moon|right|alt=Disk circumscribed by "Apollo" and "NASA"]] Outer space was not well understood for millennia. People believed that the atmosphere extended upwards indefinitely, and if people could rise high enough on balloons or flying contraptions, they would eventually reach the moon and the stars. Only in the 17th century, did advances in math, physics, and technology begin to reshape our understanding. '''Telescopes''' show what lay beyond our own world, such as the moons of Jupiter. Through the theory of '''gravity''' and Newtonian physics, we discovered that outer space is a vacuum and how stars, planets, and moons orbit each other. In the 20th century, Russian teacher '''Konstantin Tsiolkovsky''' published landmark papers, and American scientist '''Robert Goddard''' experimented with rocket designs. While early 20th-century rocketry pioneers had their eyes on the stars, rockets had not yet escaped their military origins. By 1944 Germany had built the V-2, the first ballistic missile, to rain down on targets at speeds that made it invulnerable to anti-aircraft guns and fighters. The development of long-range ICBMs led to the '''Space Race''' during the [[Cold War]] – both [[United States of America|United States]] and the [[Soviet Union]] were now competing for the "firsts" in spaceflight. Under the leadership of engineer Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Union got this first on 4 October 1957 when '''Sputnik 1''' orbited the Earth for 21 days. On 3 November 1957, the Soviet Union succeeded in putting '''Laika''' the dog into space aboard '''Sputnik 2''', making her the first animal to orbit the Earth. '''Yuri Gagarin''' then became the first human to be successfully launched into space onboard '''Vostok 1''' on 12 April 1961. Then, in 1967, reckless development resulted in '''fatal disasters''' for both programs: A fire killed all three American astronauts and a crash that killed a Soviet cosmonaut. The United States program then picked up its pace and peaked when '''Apollo 11''' landed on the Moon on 20 July 1969. When '''Neil Armstrong''' and '''Buzz Aldrin''' walked on the lunar surface, it was watched live by 723 million people, more than one-fifth the population of Earth. Six more missions followed through December 1972. However, the wild dreams of the 1960s and 70s died as the public realized the cheap and easy space tourism they'd been promised wasn't forthcoming. '''Satellites''' were starting to become accessible in the 1980s. In 1990, the '''Hubble Space Telescope''' was launched into orbit, marking great milestones in space observation. The '''Space Shuttle''' debuted in 1981, becoming the first working spaceplane. At the same time, the Russians were developing the '''''Mir''''' space station, and the Americans were planning out space station '''Freedom'''. Space station ''Freedom'' would then be converted to become the '''International Space Station'''. Returning to spaceflight's private sector, Dennis Tito became the first pay-to-fly '''space tourist''' in April 2001. Others soon follow suit. [[China]] became the '''third''' country to put a person into orbit with the launch of '''Shenzhou 5''' in October 2003. Since then, the country's space program has been expanding its presence. India in the 21st century also expand their space exploration scope drastically. In December 2015, SpaceX's reusable '''Falcon 9''' rocket landed on its landing site, aiming to reduce launch cost drastically. Since then, '''Virgin Galactic''' and '''Blue Origin''' sent a couple of passengers on short journeys to the edge of space in July 2021. While space remains a destination for just a few people, it's definitely more accessible as these spaceflight technologies get refined. ===People=== [[File:Astronaut Donald K. Slayton and cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov in the Soyuz Orbital Module.jpg|thumb|Cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov and astronaut Donald K. Slayton|alt=NASA and Russian astronauts floating near each other]] Most of the people to visit space so far have been '''astronauts''' or '''cosmonauts''' — professionals who are paid to train for and perform spaceflights. The distinction between the names is largely one of respect, The term "cosmonaut" is reserved for Russian astronauts. Chinese astronauts are also often called "taikonauts" after the Chinese word for "space" (太空 ''tàikōng''). The names are not based on nationality. For example, the first East German in space, Sigmund Jähn, is a "cosmonaut" because he rides on the Soviet Soyuz. The first West German in space, Ulf Merbold, is called an "astronaut" because he rides on the Space Shuttle. The remaining few are called '''space tourists''', though NASA and Roscosmos prefer the term '''spaceflight participant'''. A more careful distinction can be drawn between those from nations that don't have an astronaut program and self-funded tourists who paid their way into space. === Climate === Since there is no atmosphere in space, spacecraft must create one for the astronauts to survive. Therefore, the atmosphere '''composition''' can vary widely. In the past, spacecraft used pure oxygen for convenient atmosphere storage, but nowadays it matches much more like Earth. Onboard the International Space Station, the temperature can range from {{convert|abbr=on|18 to 26|C|F|sigfig=2}}, with humidity at around 60%. Therefore, it is wise to wear a light jacket to keep your body comfortable. In a spacesuit, the climate can be controlled more easily. In that case, comfortable and tight inner clothes would be the best fit, as the suit is very stiff. In practice, outer space doesn't have a "temperature", since there is very little matter around. These temperatures more often refer to the surface temperature, which can be misleading as an object in different orientations would receive heat from the Sun differently. Without sunlight, the temperature is around {{convert|abbr=on|−270.5|C|F|sigfig=4}}, 2.7 degrees above absolute zero! === Units of measure === [[File:ISS-55 Dwarf Wheat samples, final growth.jpg|thumb|A ruler measuring height of plants in space. Metric or imperial?|right|alt=Ruler placed next to a plant]] Most activities in space use the '''metric system''' because almost all countries adopt the standard. However, in the United States, many parts are manufactured in the imperial system, resulting in a mess of conversions. The most embarrassing case of these mishaps is the deorbit of the ''Mars Climate Orbiter'' in 1999, as the spacecraft interpreted the data as in metric units, even though it is in imperial units. Other countries are not immune to this either, as many space components use the imperial system, especially with diameter measures. As for a space tourist, it should not matter too much as most things are metric already. === Politics === The concept of politics in space is given a very futuristic name: '''astropolitics'''. The most well-known document about this is the Outer Space Treaty. In short, it recommends countries consider that space "shall be the province of all mankind". This includes fostering science development, no claim of sovereignty on planets and moons, and no mass destruction weapons in space. A prime example of how politics affect space operations is the ''Mir'' space station. After the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], the space station allowed commercialization to get enough operating money. As tension between the United States and Russia is rising again due to the [[Ukraine#War|Russian invasion of Ukraine]], space may become more militarized. For space tourists going to the International Space Station, politics should be separated from their spaceflight to prevent conflicts. === Events === {{See also|Solar eclipse}} ==Talk== {{See also|Russian phrasebook|Mandarin phrasebook}} Like polar bases and other multinational ventures, space travel uses the languages of the craft's operators. '''English''' is the working language of space, used for many space operations and international coordination on the ground. [[Russian phrasebook|'''Russian''']] is the secondary language, as Soyuz missions use exclusively Russian until reaching the International Space Station. Sometimes, signs and labels on the station are bilingual. Naturally, [[Chinese phrasebook|'''Mandarin''']] is spoken on Chinese missions to space. English is generally the working language in the International Space Station, though usually, crews are fluent in both English and Russian. Space tourists on the International Space Station must learn enough English. They also need to know basic Russian (250 hours of language training during 6 months of study, or about 2 hours per day). There is a lot more '''jargon''' in spaceflight than in many other places, partly because most people are technical-minded. Here are some of the basic terms that tourists and space-interested people should be familiar with: {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | ;Abort :Cancellation of something. "Pad abort" means cancellation of the mission just after liftoff, and "contingency abort" means cancellation due to failing engines. ;Acronyms :NASA favorite dishes. Don't worry too much if MUM, POD, or MOXIE acronyms are confusing – most generic items can be referred to without using them. ;Apoapsis :Furthest point to orbit ;Delta-''v'' :Change in velocity, can be thought of how much an orbit can be changed to reach to planets ;Downlink :Signal send to Earth ;Eccentricity :How "elongated" an orbit is, from 0 as a circle to 1 as a very long oval | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | <!--New column--> ;LOX :Liquid oxygen ;Max-Q :Maximum aerodynamic pressure ;MECO :Main engine cut off, after the stage has spent all of its fuel ;Periapsis :Closest point to orbit ;Propellant :Fuel and oxidizer for the rocket ;‍Rendezvous :Meeting of two spacecraft ;RUD :Rapid unscheduled disassembly, meaning an explosion of a rocket ;SECO :Second engine cut off, after the stage has spent all of its fuel ;Suicide burn :Or landing burn, by firing an engine at the exact moment to land |} == Get in == {{quote|Given ships or sails adapted to the breezes of heaven, there will be those who will not shrink from even that vast expanse.|author=Johannes Kepler}} === Entry requirements === [[File:Orbital_launch_projects.svg|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orbital_launch_projects.svg|thumb|450x450px|Space access by countries {{legend|#ff0000|Space-faring}}{{legend|#ff6600|Member of space-faring organizations}}{{legend|#008000|Planned to be space-faring}}{{legend|#0000ff|Abandoned to be space-faring}}{{legend|#777777|No capability and plans}}|alt=See text for list of countries]] Only the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Russia]], and [[China]] can '''send people into space''' as of date. Nine other countries and one organization named the European Space Agency has '''launched objects to space''' using their domestic launch vehicles. The other independent countries that have launched satellites into space and have active space programs are [[Japan]], [[India]], [[Israel]], [[Iran]], [[New Zealand]], [[North Korea]], and [[Ukraine]]. However, Ukraine has never put its own satellites into orbit. The European Space Agency includes [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[Luxembourg]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Portugal]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. As of February 2022, ten countries are '''actively working on placing satellites in orbit''': [[Brazil]], [[South Korea]], [[Australia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Taiwan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[South Africa]], [[Argentina]], [[Pakistan]], and [[Turkey]]. Besides those, some countries had plans to be space-faring but are now '''abandoned''': [[Canada]], [[Egypt]], and [[Iraq]]. Citizens of other countries who do not have space capabilities can fly on spacecraft built by these countries, though be wary of sanctions before booking a flight. In the '''United States''', space tourists must be able to withstand high acceleration, deceleration, vibration, and microgravity during spaceflight. They also must be trained to '''deal with emergency situations''', such as smoke, fire, loss of cabin pressure, and emergency exit. The training course can last from a '''few days''' in suborbital flights to a '''few months''' in orbital flights. Training would be much less stringent for those boarding a '''reduced-gravity aircraft'''. Almost all age groups are eligible to fly on one of these aircraft. However, those with medical conditions should consult the provider and doctors before. The tourist may also need to submit medical certificates and other measurements in some countries. === By reduced-gravity aircraft === [[File:Parabelflug PB271049.jpg|right|thumb|Boarding for weightless experiences at Germany|alt=A group boarding a plane]] The weightlessness experienced in orbit can be created by a parabolic aircraft flight, which alternates low ''g''-forces for about 30 seconds at the top of its arcs with high ''g''-forces at the bottom. These parabolic flights are notoriously nausea-inducing, leading to the nickname '''Vomit Comet''', but commercial operators claim that their shorter flights (15 parabolas) are considerably gentler than research and training flights which involve 40-80. They are also much less costly than risky than other options, though the price can be steep for some people. * {{go | name=Incredible Adventures Florida | alt= | url=https://www.incredible-adventures.com/zero-gravity-usa.html | email=info@incredible-adventures.com | address=[[Kennedy Space Center]], Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, [[Florida]], United States | lat=28.615 | long=-80.6945 | directions=go east through Florida State Road 528 and turn left at Florida State Road 3 | phone=+1 941 346-2603 | tollfree=+1 800 644-7382 | hours= | price=$4500 per adult, children under 18 years old are not allowed | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=The only provider for individual reduced-gravity flights, with a general plan from Martian gravity (1/3 Earth gravity) to lunar gravity (1/6 Earth gravity) and finally to zero-g. The small Rockwell Commander 700 plane will make 10-12 maneuvers, with each maneuver lasting 10 seconds. }} * {{Listing | type=go | name=Zero Gravity Corporation | alt=ZERO-G | url=http://www.gozerog.com/ | email=info@gozerog.com | address= | directions= | phone=+1 703 894-2188 | tollfree=+1 888 664-7284 | fax=+1 702 947-6343 | hours= | price=US$5,400 for 1 seat, US$55,000 for 12 seats, US$165,000 for private flight | wikipedia=Zero Gravity Corporation | wikidata=Q191926 |lastedit=2022-02-25| content=Offers reduced-gravity flights on a modified Boeing 727 named "G-FORCE ONE" with a large compartment suitable for weightless tumbling. 15 parabolas will be flown, with several brief simulations of micro-gravity, lunar gravity (1/6 Earth), and Martian gravity (1/3 Earth). There are about 8 minutes of microgravity. See the listing for booking flights. }} * === By suborbital spacecraft === [[File:SS2 and VMS Eve.jpg|alt=Spaceplane attach to a double-deck plane|thumb|SpaceShipTwo inside a hangar, attached to the White Knight plane]] A suborbital flight can fly high into space, but not not fast enough to achieve orbit. This means that the spacecraft is in space in just a few minutes, so be sure to plan everything beforehand. Price for these spaceflights are pretty steep by conventional standards, but it is certainly cheaper than an orbital spaceflight. As of 2022, there are '''two''' operators offering sub-orbital flight, consisting of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo spaceplane and Blue Origin's New Shephard rocket. There are many more companies that plan to offer such services, but they won't go online for many years.<!-- For listings, only add current entries, not retired or in development ones. See "List of crewed spacecraft" on Wikipedia. --> ==== Spaceports ==== * {{go | name=Gateway to Space Terminal | alt= | url=http://www.virgingalactic.com | email= | address=County Road A021, [[Truth or Consequences]], [[New Mexico]] | lat=32.99033 | long=-106.9751 | directions=from County Route A13, turn left to County Route A39, and turn left again at the roundabout | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikidata=Q111032168 | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=Constructed by Virgin Galactic, the place is the hangar for the SpaceShipTwo spaceplane. Riding on a mother aircraft, SpaceShipTwo detach mid-air and boost to about 80 km, reaching Mach 3 speed. While total flight time is 2 hours, the feeling of weightlessness will only last for about 6 minutes. Flights will be taken at Spaceport America with a portfolio of four successful flights. }} * {{go | name=Launch Site One | alt=Corn Ranch | url=https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/ | email= | address=Texas Highway 54, [[Van Horn]], [[Texas]] | lat=31.4229 | long=-104.75714 | directions=turn left near the Figure 2 Ranch Airport and wildlife management areas | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=New Shepard M7 crop.jpg | wikidata=Q3693636 | lastedit=2022-02-25 | content=Owned by Blue Origin, this facility is used to launch the suborbital New Shepard rocket. There, in the ten-minute flight, the rocket would go up, separate the capsule, and the weightless adventures begin. Then, the rocket stage lands vertically, the capsule deploy its parachutes and land with a loud "thump". New Shepard has been crewed three times, but it has been tested countless times in the past. }} ==== Spacecraft ==== * {{Listing|name=New Shepard|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/|price=Price not public|wikipedia=New Shepard|wikidata=Q3339012|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Owned by Blue Origin and launches from the company's Launch Site One. The spacecraft is a capsule attached to a rocket stage, and deploy near to space. The rocket stage can then land back on Earth, with a prospect for reusability to lower cost. Maximum altitude: {{convert|abbr=on|100|km|mi}}. Has constructed 4 crafts and test launched more than a dozen times without failure. Has launched the company's CEO, Jeff Bezos, to space, and launched NASA experiments for weightlessness.}} * {{Listing|name=SpaceShipTwo|price=US$450,000 per seat, reservations US$150,000|wikipedia=SpaceShipTwo|wikidata=Q754806|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Owned by Virgin Galactic and launches from the Gateway to Space terminal. The craft is carried by a double-deck plane, once reaching to an altitude, it detaches and propelled by a solid rocket motor. Maximum altitude: {{convert|abbr=on|85|km|mi}}. Successor to SpaceShipOne that won the Ansari X Prize. 2 spaceplane has been built, called VSS ''Enterprise'' and VSS ''Unity'', the former has been involved in a deadly crash. VSS ''Unity'' has launched 5 times, including one with the company's CEO, Richard Branson.}} === By orbital spacecraft === [[File:Soyuz MS.jpg|right|thumb|Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft heading toward the International Space Station|alt=Space capsule floating in space]] This is '''the real deal'''. Some people will not going to accept that a tourist were "in space" until they've gone into orbit. The minimum practical height for this is 350&nbsp;km; otherwise, atmospheric drag will force the spacecraft down. The price tag for a trip to this region starts at around an eye-popping US$40 million. So, it is wise to wait and invest in these companies, for them to boost the development of cheap and convenient space access. The most promising of all is Starship rocket in development, carrying 100 crews with "less than $1 million" cost per launch. Although, in practice, the price tag would still be really high for ordinary citizen like us. <!-- For listings, only add current entries, not retired or in development ones. See "List of crewed spacecraft" on Wikipedia. --> ==== Spaceports ==== * {{go | name=Baikonur Cosmodrome | alt=Kazakh: Байқоңыр ғарыш айлағы, Russian: Космодром Байконур | url=http://www.baikonurtour.com | email=go@baikonurtour.ru | address=Kyzyl-Orda region, [[Kazakhstan]] | lat=45.965 | long=63.305 | directions= | phone=+7 (495) 664-31-29 | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Baikonur Cosmodrome | image=Soyuz expedition 19 launch pad.jpg | wikidata=Q177477 | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=The launch place of many early space tourist, Baikonur Cosmodrome was the only place where you can hitch a ride to the International Space Station. The spaceport has two launch pads for human spaceflight: Gagarin's Start (Site 1) and Site 31/6. They are used by the Soyuz rocket and capsule. }} * {{go | name=Cape Canaveral Space Force Station | alt= | email= | address=[[Cape Canaveral]], [[Florida]], [[United States]] | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Cape Canaveral Space Force Station | image= | wikidata=Q334465 | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=This is the only crewed launch site that is operated by a ''space'' force. The launch site is integral to the early days of American spaceflight, which launches Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo test missions. It has an active launch pad for crewed spaceflight named SLC-41, licensed for the Starliner spacecraft. |url=https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil}} * {{go | name=Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center | alt=Chinese: 酒泉卫星发射中心 | email= | address=Ejin, Alxa, [[Inner Mongolia]], [[China]] | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center | image= | wikidata=Q692677 | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=This spaceport is prehaps the most secretive on the list, due to obvious national security reasons. It is, however, perhaps the only place for Chinese space tourists after the soft-ban imposed by NASA. The only active crewed launch pad is SLS-1 in Launch Area 4, used by the Shenzhou spacecraft. }} * {{go | name=Kennedy Space Center | alt= | url=https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/ | address=Space Commerce Way, [[Merritt Island]], [[Florida]], [[United States]] | lat=28.608 | long=-80.604 | directions= | phone=+18554334210 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q24256513 | lastedit=2022-03-01 | content=This is the most famous American spaceport, due to it has a rich history of launching most Saturn V and Space Shuttles. Nowadays, the space center has one active crewed launch pads (like terminals in an airport) name 39A. The launch pad is licensed to SpaceX for its Crew Dragon capsule. }} ==== Spacecraft ==== * {{Listing|name=Crew Dragon|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/|price=US$55 million|wikipedia=SpaceX Dragon 2|wikidata=Q17122887|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=The SpaceX craft is a successor to the highly successful Dragon 1 cargo capsule. With spacious cabin ({{cvt|9.3|m3}}), ergonomic seats, and modern control panel, it is truly a first-class experience for space tourists. The spacecraft has launched 8 successful missions, 1 uncrewed, 5 for NASA, and 2 all-tourists missions. SpaceX has also made attempts to put the cost of space travel low, by reusing the capsules 3 times, and launch on the reusable Falcon 9 rocket.}} * {{Listing|name=Shenzhou|alt=Chinese: 神舟|url=|price=Price not public|wikipedia=Shenzhou (spacecraft)|wikidata=Q1138653|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=The Chinese-developed spacecraft is somewhat similar to the Soyuz, but a bit more comfortable with {{cvt|14|m3}} of space divided to 2 modules. It is designed to go to the Tiangong space station, and has launched 13 times, 5 crewed. Little is known about the spacecraft interior and amenities inside.}} * {{Listing|name=Soyuz|alt=Russian: Союз|price=US$21.3 – 90.3 million|wikipedia=Soyuz (spacecraft)|wikidata=Q579421|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=It is the longest used space capsule design in the world, with many upgrades since the 1967. The Soyuz family has made more than 140 flights, though the latest iteration named Soyuz MS made 21 flights, 1 of which has been aborted. It is the tightest spacecraft with only {{cvt|10.5|m3}} of space in two modules, and the price is not cheap. However, you do get the extreme reliability and rigorous training while operating the capsule.}} * {{Listing|name=Starliner|alt=|url=https://www.boeing.com/space/starliner/|price=US$80 million|wikipedia=Boeing Starliner|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Though somewhat late to the International Space Station race, it is a solid alternative to the heavily-booked SpaceX's Crew Dragon. Starliner is made by the Boeing Company, the one that made airplanes. It has launched successfully once, uncrewed, to the station via the Atlas V rocket. Starliner has a {{cvt|11|m3}} volume, seven crew capacity, and has relatively comfortable seats. The capsule may be reusable, though no reused Starliner has ever flown to orbit yet.}} === By interplanetary spacecraft === Leaving the endless loop around Earth to journey elsewhere in the Solar System and beyond. Nobody has gone that far since the Apollo 17 flew the last lunar mission in 1972, nearly fifty years ago. There are no government-backed projects to return people to the Moon or to reach Mars, though work continues on the massive challenges such as self-sufficient habitats. Commercial or private proposals are wildly speculative. === Space tourism companies === Unlike airplanes, you can't just pick up the phone, call the launch sites and arrange launch schedules. You will need help from space tourism companies. * {{Listing|name=Space Adventures|alt=|url=https://www.spaceadventures.com|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=|wikidata=Q81133|lat=38.91557|long=-77.23272|address=8245 Boone Blvd, Suite 570, [[Vienna (Virginia)|Vienna]], [[Virginia]], [[United States]]|phone=+1 (703) 524-7172|email=info@spaceadventures.com}} * {{Listing|name=Axiom Space|alt=|url=https://www.axiomspace.com/|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=|wikidata=Q48815838|lat=29.55602|long=-95.11112|address=1290 Hercules Avenue, [[Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]|phone=+1 (346) 293-7045|email=}} == Get around == Most space travelers remain inside their spacecraft and use its propulsion systems to get around. As orbital mechanics is extremely unintuitive and fuel for maneuvering is quite limited, these tasks are best left to a qualified pilot and computers. === By yourself === [[File:Expedition 62 crew poses for a playful portrait.jpg|thumb|Levitating in the International Space Station|right|alt=Three astronauts standing on top of each other]] Inside your craft, it's very easily move around using your ''hands and feet''. Craft are designed with ample handholds and footholds for moving yourself around as well as anchoring yourself in place while you're working. You're unlikely to get stuck out of reach of one, as momentum, air currents, and other minuscule movements of your craft make it difficult to remain perfectly stationary. However, tourists could be stuck for many minutes, possibly even hours of that's happens. Whenever a person ''reach out for a surface'', the rest of your body will move away just as much, preventing them from reaching anything. "Swimming" through the air doesn't work either, since unlike water, air offers very little mass to push against. Your best bet, other than asking for help, is to throw something reasonably heavy, such as your clothes, which will propel the person slowly in the opposite direction. Moving things in a weightless environment is not intuitive, and doing it right takes practice and training. Sure, you can push or pull a massive object just as easily as a tiny one, but what's really happening is that you and the object are moving towards or away from each other. If you try to use a screwdriver, for example, what will actually happen is that the screw ''and the spacecraft it's attached to'' will rotate a tiny amount, while your comparatively small body rotates the rest of the way in the opposite direction — not at all what you were trying to accomplish! What you need to do is anchor yourself to the spacecraft so you can turn the screwdriver and screw without turning the craft. On Earth, gravity holds you to the ground with the force of your whole bodyweight, but in space, you have to use muscle power to provide that force. (Imagine holding a block of wood in your hand, and trying to put a screw in it. It's much harder than trying to put a screw in a wall.) Astronauts practice in ''neutral buoyancy pools'', large pools where objects underwater are balanced to neither float nor sink. Many tasks in space, particularly during EVAs, are performed very slowly and methodically. === By orbital spacecraft === [[File:Soyuz TMA-16 relocates from Zvezda Service Module to Poisk module.jpg|thumb|Which thruster should I fire?|alt=Spacecraft viewed from docking port]] Locating yourself in space is crucial. Unlike addresses on Earth, locations in space are often refer to its '''orbit''', i.e. path around a parent body. This is because you're constantly moving in space, interacting with planets and moons along the trajectories. Some characteristics of an orbit includes its relative '''position''', '''inclination''', '''apogee'''/'''perigee''' (highest/lowest point in orbit), etc. The usual units used are '''kilometers''', '''astronomical unit''' (distance from the Earth to the Sun), and '''degrees''' respectively. In practice, that would mean using an array of telescopes to measure these data accurately. '''Predicting''' the future location of an object can be done very accurately, as engineers rely on that to push the spacecraft to the correct destination. === By suits === Occasionally, space travelers must do '''extra-vehicular activity''' (EVA), where they exit their craft to access scientific experiments or perform repairs. For this, you need a very rugged '''spacesuit''', which provides breathable air and protects you from the vacuum of space, harmful radiation, and extremes of temperature (from near absolute zero in the shade to absolutely roasting in the ferocious sunlight). While a tourist can zoom around to their heart's content inside the spacecraft, ''outside'' of it, the person can easily become '''stranded''' with no propulsion left, potentially doomed the tourist a short life until air supply runs out in a few hours. Maneuvering units with small thrusters have been used a handful of times (most recently in 1990), but the safety risk is considered too great, and the scant advantages are certainly not worth the potential trouble. Today an emergency-use one is worn on all EVAs but has never yet been used outside of tests. EVAs are always conducted ''tethered'', and often not just tethered but firmly attached to the Canadarm2 grappling arm so your crewmates can move you around. == See == {{See also|Spaceflight sites|Astronomy}} [[File:Tracy Caldwell Dyson in Cupola ISS.jpg|thumb|Just viewing the Earth from the cupola...|right|alt=Woman looking at Earth through a glass cupola]] '''Sightseeing''' in space is a must – after all, isn't it attractive? There, the Earth's boundaries are visible, making quite a few space visitors experiencing a shift in their awareness, dubbed the "'''overview effect'''". There, they become much more aware of how fragile and isolated life on Earth is compared to the vastness of the universe. In suborbital flight though, you needs to plan out everything in advance, or you would miss everything! Also for that reason, you should forget about taking pictures from a phone, as the spacecraft would likely have an array of cameras. === Earth === [[Earth]] is a '''remarkable''' sight, with its whorls of weather systems, blue oceans, "phases" as you pass from day to its night side, and glowing nighttime cities. If you orbit the moon, as you pass around its far side you lose radio contact as well as sight of the planet, and suddenly feel very much alone in the universe. Then you come around the corner and with relief see earthrise. You don't see this from the lunar surface without moving, as the Earth holds a nearly fixed position in the lunar sky. * {{See|name=[[Northern Lights|Northern and Southern Lights]]|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Formed at the edge of space, at an altitude of a few hundred kilometers, they can seen far below you flickering across the Earth's night surface.}} * {{See|name=Weather patterns|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Unlike other planets, Earth is substantially yet partially covered by clouds. In space, the clouds don't look like moving at all, but it's enough for you to have a new cloud pattern after going around an orbit. Hurricanes and typhoons can also be seen from space, though you should bring with you a telescope to see them in all of their glory.}} === Astronomical objects === By 25 km (16 mi) altitude (well short of reaching space), all blue has drained from the sky, you're far above the weather systems, and you can see the '''curvature''' of Earth's surface. The stars become fixed points of light instead of twinkling: you'll see a rich field of them as you orbit the night side of Earth, but on the day side the glare of "earthshine" blanks out almost everything else. In low Earth orbit, sunrise and sunset flash by every 45 min; there's a brief red glow, but not the prolonged colors you see from the surface. * {{See|name=Moon|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=In space, the Moon don't look nearly as different as on Earth. However, seeing the Moon through there is far different than seeing it in picture, as it will give you a sense of wonder and awe. Prepare to take a telescope to view the Moon in all of its glory, as there is no atmospheric distortion to worry about.}} * {{See|name=Stars|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=They can be seen very clearly without the Earth's atmosphere obstructing. Have a nice view of the Milky Way, or dream about humans going to Proxima Centauri, our closest neighbor. Make sure to equip with long-exposure cameras and software to get the nicest pictures.}} == Do == [[File:STS41B-35-1613 - Bruce McCandless II during EVA (Retouched).jpg|thumb|Floating in space while doing an extravehicular activity |alt=Astronaut floating in space]]Once you're there, there are a lot of activities to do. You can do '''extravehicular activities''' (EVA), better known as space-walking, means exiting the spacecraft to float around in space. It's only realistic in orbit and beyond, as a suborbital flight is too brief. Space Adventures offer EVA, but there have been no takers yet: it costs US$20 million extra, requires an extra month of training, and has additional fitness qualifications. You can '''do science''' as well, but be sure plan this with the organizers in advance, and assume it must involve zero extra weight. At the very least, you can be the subject of medical observations. You might not need to bring a camera if the spaceship's CCTV and external imaging is comprehensive. As a space tourist, unbounded by tight schedules, you can do a lot of fun experiments that no one has ever done before. Yusaku Maezawa, for example, is the first to play various sports inside the space station, such as frisbee and [[golf]]. Speaking of golf, it is also played on the Moon by Alan Shepard, with an "impressive" drive of {{Convert|37|m|yd|abbr=on}}. == Learn == '''Learning in space''' is a bit different from Earth. Instead of sitting in a lecture hall, you will do experiments that will advance our human knowledge. After all, that's what the space stations are for: to do experiments in micro-gravity. These experiments require prior arrangements months in advance, and sometimes there isn't much that you can do to help your fellow astronauts. Though, on Earth, you can '''study''' in space-related field like astrobiology and astrophysics, with lots of fun! Gone are the days of nerds reading thick and complicated books, there are videos of explainers all over YouTube. * {{See|name=Space hardware|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=If you want to feel more close to Earth, try observing and understanding the technologies of your spacecraft and space station. These have been designed by very smart people, with a lot of them is on the bleeding edge of our tech capabilities.}} == Work == [[File:Eileen Collins (S93-E-5033, 1999-07-24).jpg|thumb|Astronaut Eileen Collins looks over a procedures checklist inside the shuttle|right|alt=Astronaut looking at a checklist]] '''Astronauts''' perform many tasks as they orbit Earth. The space station is designed to be a permanent orbiting research facility, with a major purpose is to perform science and research that only a space environment can provide. The station crew spends their day working on science experiments that require their input, as well as monitoring those that are controlled from the ground. They also take part in medical experiments to determine how well their bodies are adjusting to living in space for long periods of time. Working on the space station also means ensuring the '''maintenance''' and health of the orbiting platform. Crew members are constantly checking support systems and cleaning filters, updating computer equipment: doing many of the things homeowners must do to ensure their largest investment stays in good shape. Similarly, down on Earth, the mission center constantly monitors the space station and sends messages each day through voice or email with new instructions or plans to assist the crew members in their daily routines. For those '''dreaming of working in space''', look at the websites of the space agencies to see what they're hiring, and consider what skills might get you into space. Think ahead on how that job market might evolve: they'll probably need fewer pilots but more specialists. Solar panel maintenance, water extraction from Martian shale, who knows? == Buy == [[File:(iss063e030657) A U.S. spacesuit is pictured with plush-doll mascots.jpg|thumb|Space souvenirs... in space!|alt=Floating toy dinosaur and Earth plushie]] For most of us stuck down here on Earth, there are a lot of souvenirs at the space centers. Beware though that a lot of them are designed to serve the general public, which can contain science and concepts being represented inaccurately. The best way to buy real souvenirs is to have a good understanding of basic space concepts. * {{buy | name=Kennedy Space Center Space Shop | alt= | url=https://thespaceshop.com/ | email=SpaceShop@DelawareNorth.com | address=Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, [[Space Coast|Brevard County]], [[Florida]], United States | lat=28.52403 | long=-80.6814 | directions=go east through Florida State Road 528 and turn left at Florida State Road 3 | phone=+1 800 621 9826 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=The shop has a range of products, from T-shirts to space pens. The shop also sell old mission badges, Apollo and Shuttle-themed cups and toys. They also feature unique planet cuddles, which one of them has flown into real space! Products can be bought offline in the shop, or online with shipment from FedEx and USPS. }} * {{buy | name=SpaceX store | url=https://shop.spacex.com/ | email=merchandise@spacex.com. | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=The shop primarily sell wearables, mission patches and Mars-themed souvenirs, in brand with the company's ambitions. They can only be bought online, with support for most major credit cards and Apple Pay. }} * {{buy | name=Dheespace | alt= | url=https://dheespace.com/ | email=shop@dheespace.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+9513667668 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content=A shop with rare ISRO (India space agency) merchandises, such as model rockets, T-shirts, etc. }} == Eat == Although '''space food''' has come a long way in terms of appeal and variety, the quality and flavor are still not up to standards of most connoisseurs of fine cuisine. Your transportation provider may offer some choice in the foods available, but you will be limited by their willingness to indulge you. Real space food has to be carefully tested to make sure it's nutritionally balanced, can be stored for months without refrigeration, and is suitable for a zero-gravity environment. Food that would leave crumbs, for example, is problematic. The menu on the International Space Station generally consists of American and Russian staples along with other meals and international cuisines that have been requested and developed. The freeze-dried "'''astronaut ice cream'''" sometimes sold on Earth as a novelty item is a misnomer; it has never actually been served on any manned space mission, and the texture is as off-putting to astronauts as it is to everyone else. However, ''real'' ice cream has occasionally been eaten in space by astronauts aboard Skylab, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station (usually when frozen components for scientific experiments are being sent up and there's some space remaining). Unfortunately, even with extensive research and development, astronauts find much food in space to be bland and often '''don't have much of an appetite'''. In zero-gravity, fluid in your body distributes evenly instead of being pulled to your feet, resulting in a permanent stuffy head that dulls your sense of smell and taste. Space travelers have typically preferred strongly-flavored and spicy foods; beef jerky is a particular favorite. (Similar but weaker phenomena can be observed with airline food, in that case due to the dry low-pressure atmosphere.) Nevertheless, you must eat to maintain energy and body mass. Among many other rules for eating in space, one is key: once you open a package of food, you must '''eat all of it'''. Leftover food will rot and become a biohazard, and there's no way to dispose of it until the next resupply mission arrives or you return to Earth. === Standard delicacies === [[File:ISSSpaceFoodOnATray.jpg|thumb|Assorted food on the International Space Station|right|alt=Space food: Cheddar spread, spinach, cookies, peanuts, crackers, steak, and utensils]]Food packaged in Russian cans is generally the best quality-wise but is also the heaviest, so only a limited number of these are allowed. Most food is in plastic pouches; some of these are ready-to-eat after optionally being reheated (a variety of main and side dishes, as well as snacks like granola bars and candies) while many others are dehydrated and must be reconstituted with water (such as borscht, spaghetti with meat sauce, or cereal with powdered milk). Fresh foods like fruit are a treat sent on resupply missions; they must be eaten within two days before they spoil. While most plants grown in space have been for research, astronauts have eaten small amounts of several types of leafy greens that they have grown. As the fixed menu repeats every 16 days on an extended stay, you'll soon grow tired of the monotony. Astronauts get personal containers in which they can select items not on the fixed menu as well as extras of favorites. Besides standard condiments (liquid salt solution, pepper oil, and ordinary fast-food packets of ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.), astronauts bring extras like hot sauces, pesto, horseradish, and more. You can also try combining foods to make new dishes; one astronaut wrote, "I cannot think of anything that cannot be put on a tortilla, or has not been put on a tortilla."<!-- https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition18/journal_sandra_magnus_6.html --> * {{eat | name=Space Food Systems Laboratory | alt=Space Food Research Facility | url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/space-food-systems | email= | address=Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, [[Houston]], [[Texas]] | lat=29.558396 | long=-95.091632 | directions=At Saturn Lane, turn to 2nd Street, the building is opposite to Delta Link | phone=+1 281 483 7070 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q111033316 | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=The original NASA space food center. The lab produces freeze-dried food, beverage powders, cookies, candy, and other dried goods. The facility also produces foods in pouches, similar to military's Meals-Ready-to-Eat. Food processing techniques and packaging are based on the item's perishability and ingredient. Space foods are evaluated in a specialized center, where food scientists evaluate the products’ shelf-life and goodness. }} * {{eat | name=Astrofood | alt=Russian Laboratory of Space Food | url=https://spacelaboratory.ru/en/ | email=info@astrofoods.ru | address=12 Granatnyy St., Presnensky District, [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] | lat=55.759867 | long=37.588278 | directions=From Vspolny Lane, go to Granatny Lane at the left | phone=+8 995 504 12 12 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 10:00–19:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=Though not true "space food", Astrofood is a great place if you want tubed food like in the past. }} == Drink == [[File:ISS-43 Space Station Espresso Cup.jpg|thumb|An cup of espresso on the International Space Station|alt=Coffee inside a bent plastic flask]] Like space food, '''space drinks''' are mainly freeze-dried and packaged in plastic pouches. Coffee, tea, and a variety of fruit drinks are available; they're drunk with a straw, and you have to be careful to always "close" the straw between sips so liquid doesn't get accidentally squirted inside the vehicle. However, recent development has made drinking on an open cup possible, using the wicking effect to flow coffee to the mouth. This requires complex modeling and prior study in space in order to nail the shape right. Water tends to be scarce (as it is heavy and must be brought from Earth at great expense), so International Space Station machinery '''recycles water''' aggressively. Scientific wastewater, humidity, and even urine are all recovered and sanitized. Astronauts don't mind the taste of the recycled water, which is actually ''purer'' than drinking water on Earth. And as one astronaut points out, the same kind of recycling happens naturally on Earth, too, just over a much longer timescale. Contrary to popular belief, Tang was invented shortly ''before'' the United States space program, although its popularity soared when NASA used it on Mercury and Gemini missions. Since 2015 the International Space Station has had a machine that can make fresh '''espresso''' in addition to other hot drinks. It's used with a special cup that has a narrow spout; surface tension causes water-based liquids to climb the spout, from which you can sip it like you would on Earth. However, in zero-gravity, the ''crema'' foam is distributed throughout the espresso instead of floating to the top. Carbonated beverages aren't allowed because the bubbles don't rise in zero-gravity, leading to very unpleasant "wet burps". '''Alcohol''' has been consumed on a few flights in the past (mainly by Russian crews), but are prohibited on the International Space Station as it would interfere with the environmental systems, not to mention the potential danger for fire or crew impairment. == Sleep == [[File:Iss016e008792.jpg|thumb|This doesn't look like real slumber, does it?|right|alt=Astronaut sleeping inside a bag]] While '''sleeping''' in zero gravity may sound relaxing, the overall experience is mediocre. As usual, you're free to choose your pyjamas, provided that they aren't very loose. On the International Space Station, astronauts each have a cabin about the size of a shower stall, so this is definitely not for those with claustrophobia! Inside this, they zip themselves into a sleeping bag on the wall, which can feel weird since you have gotten used to feel a force while laying down. There is no pillows and blanket in space – astronaut Scott Kelly missed the pillow so much that he stick his bag to a cushion. And it doesn't stop here. Maintaining your '''circadian rhythm''' is difficult on a craft that experiences a sunrise and sunset every 90 minutes, and schedule disruptions due to mission planning and long workdays create further problems. Constant noise from the station is annoying, and astronauts are often cold because of the strong ventilation, which is needed to push away the carbon dioxide they exhale and replace it with oxygen. Because of the cosmic rays are streaming through the eyes, you might occasionally see fireworks inside, which would make you missed the sleeping experience on Earth a lot! Some people are a bit luckier, since they sleep inside their spacecraft and do not need to deal with the noises. * {{sleep | name=Zvezda module | alt=Russian: Звезда | url= | email= | address= International Space Station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia=Zvezda (ISS module) | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Harmony module | alt= | url= | email= | address= International Space Station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia=Harmony (ISS module) | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Tianhe module | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tiangong space station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia=Tianhe core module | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content= }} == Stay safe == If you obtain a legitimate ticket to orbit, you will still need to pass through very intensive training and face with a real risk of dying. There are less demanding ways of experiencing space, such as sub-orbital flights and parabolic aircraft flight. [[File:Challenger explosion.jpg|thumb|Every spaceflight comes with a risk of dying. Challenger was one of two shuttles in the defunct United States shuttle program that blew up, killing all on board.|alt=Exploding space shuttle]] While more mature technology has made it safer than it was in the 1960s, space remains an '''inherently dangerous environment''' to put yourself in. Cosmic radiation, extreme temperatures, micrometeorites, engineering mistakes, high speeds, explosive fuels, space debris, the distance to the ground, and the lack of atmosphere make ''any'' unplanned situation potentially life-threatening. Spacecraft launch testing is extremely expensive, so spacecraft don't and can't have thousands of flight hours. By the standards of aviation, ''every'' space flight is a test flight. Both '''launch''' (our only method of getting to space is to sit on a huge fuel-filled container and hope it behaves like a rocket and not a bomb) and '''reentry''' (if you hit it in the wrong angle you burn up in or bounce off the atmosphere) have thus far proven to be the biggest dangers during a mission. So far most accidents have been during launch and reentry as well as during training and testing; only three humans have died in space<!-- Soyuz 11--> (albeit during preparations for reentry), but there have been several close calls such as Apollo 13 or the very first spacewalk. Some of the technological problems and close calls only became known to the public decades after they happened, so there may still be dangers you won't even know you're facing. Voyagers should be wary of purchasing space flights on projects that haven't yet begun. Many ventures are highly speculative; PanAm's “First Moon Flights” Club issued over 93,000 waiting list spots between 1968-1971 and predicted launch dates for many subsequent commercial expeditions have slipped just as dramatically. If there are complications with the project or the company goes under, you might lose your money and your plans. Just look at the bold predictions of some private space companies that have already proven to be less permanent than a shooting star. Don't even attempt to commit anything that could be interpreted as a '''crime''' in space, as the law around space crime is fuzzy and undeveloped. There has been at least one instance that an International Space Station astronaut got involved in legal trouble, causing headaches to lawyers and such. Usually, the suspect would generally be tried by the nation they're a citizen of. == Stay healthy == [[File:ISS-36 Luca Parmitano exercises on COLBERT.jpg|thumb|Gotta run to stay healthy!|right|alt=Astronaut running on a track]] Astronaut training is '''physically demanding''', so good physical fitness is a good starting point. Similar physical and mental stresses are present in particularly demanding types of military service, piloting fighter aircraft, mountain climbing, Antarctic expeditions, and advanced scuba diving such as cave diving. National astronaut programs often require athlete-like physical fitness ''and'' experience from these or comparable tasks. There are no hospitals in space and rescue is difficult or impossible, so people with conditions that might require immediate medical treatment are not qualified for space travel. Although early astronauts hid the truth to protect their tough-guy image, we now know that about half of all travelers experience '''space sickness''', a condition related to motion sickness with similar symptoms including vomiting and vertigo. Most people adapt within 3 days, and medicinal anti-nausea patches help with the symptoms. You need to '''exercise''' to stay healthy in zero gravity. Even so, you'll still lose both bone and muscle mass. Astronauts on extended stays are required to exercise at least 2.5 hours every single day. While exercise helps diminish the problem somewhat, a long stay will still see you weakened, and several cosmonauts and astronauts had difficulty getting out of their capsule and onto their own feet upon landing. Another concern is '''cosmic radiation'''. While you're exposed to a certain level of background radiation at all times, it gets higher in certain areas on earth and once you leave the protective layers of the atmosphere. This is already notable on a commercial transatlantic flight at 10,000&nbsp;m, and only gets worse if you go up to the International Space Station at 400&nbsp;km above the Earth's surface. While the International Space Station still enjoys some limited protection against radiation, once you go well beyond that height, or even to the moon, there are short term and long term risks associated with radiation that only get worse the longer you stay. Particularly dangerous are solar storms that may give you a year's worth of radiation in just a couple of hours. Shielding against radiation is also one of the major problems in ever sending humans to Mars, as all known solutions involve huge amounts of extra weight for the spacecraft or too high a risk to the crew. == Connect == [[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 4350 CSIROs Parkes Radio Telescope with moon in the background.jpg|thumb|A radio telescope relaying data from Apollo 11's spacecraft back down to Earth|alt=Telescope pointing towards the Moon]] In the past, '''communications''' are usually very low bandwidth, with flight data and audio transmitted by low-gain antennas. Higher data rate is now available, thankfully, and now astronauts can stream movies in space. A very common activity of astronauts in the International Space Station is to talk with their relatives at homes, as this would boost their morale. Keep in mind that the data speed can be very variable depending on priorities and time of the day, so usually communications from Earth to space can be poorer than the usual high-bandwidth cellular and WiFi. In the near future, satellite constellations like Starlink may provide gigabit speed to the spacecraft, via laser communications. It is possible to send small objects like '''physical mails''' and '''souvenirs''' between International Space Station expeditions, though you must have black hole-deep pocket to afford such long trips. An astronaut has been able to dial 911 from the International Space Station, but this is not recommended as they probably cannot help you. Instead, refer to your instructions by the contractor when there is an emergency. You should '''never''' try to fix a problem alone in space – there are an army of people on the ground that will instruct on what to do. Though, if there is such the need there is an official listing of radio frequencies to contact people from the ground using Kenwood D710E and Kenwood D710GA radios. Call sign is either <code>RS0ISS</code> for Russian; <code>NA1SS</code> for American; <code>DP0ISS</code>, <code>OR4ISS</code>, <code>IR0ISS</code> for European; and <code>RS0ISS-11</code>, <code>RS0ISS-1</code> for packets. * '''145.80 MHz''': voice and slow scan television (SSTV) * '''145.825 MHz''': packet communications in the very high frequency range * '''437.550 MHz''': packet communications in the ultra high frequency range * '''437.80 MHz''': repeater For the opposite, it is possible to communicate ''to'' the International Space Station, but some events require prior applications. * '''144.49 MHz''': voice for the Americas, and the Pacific and Southern Asia (ITU Regions 2 and 3) * '''145.20 MHz''': voice for the Europe, Russia and Africa (ITU Regions 1) * '''145.825 MHz''': packet communications in the very high frequency range * '''437.550 MHz''': packet communications in the ultra high frequency range * '''145.99 MHz''' and '''67 Hz squelch tone''' (PL): repeater == Cope == === Agencies === Many countries do have an '''independent space agency''', though most do not have experience at crewed spaceflights. See list of countries at the "Get in" section for reference.<!--[[w:List of government space agencies]]--> * {{listing | name=Algeria | alt={{flag|Algeria}} | url=https://asal.dz/ | address=14 Rue Omar Aissaoui, el-Hammadia, Bouzareah, Algiers | lat=36.77693 | long=3.0091 | phone=+23 27-05-31 | wikipedia=Algerian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Argentina | alt={{flag|Argentina}} | url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ciencia/conae | address=751 Avenue Paseo Colón, Centro, Buenos Aires | lat=-34.61667 | long=-58.36952 | phone=+54 11 4331-0074 | wikipedia=Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales}} * {{listing | name=Australia | alt={{flag|Australia}} | url=https://www.industry.gov.au/policies-and-initiatives/australian-space-agency | address=Lot 14, McEwin Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia | lat=-34.92029 | long=138.60872 | phone=+61 2 6276-1166 | wikipedia=Australian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Austria | alt={{flag|Austria}} | url=https://www.ffg.at/ffg/alr | address=Sensengasse 1, 1090 Wien, Vienna | lat=48.21939 | long=16.35235 | phone=+43 57 7550 | wikipedia=Austrian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Azerbaijan | alt={{flag|Azerbaijan}} | url=https://www.azercosmos.az | email= | address=5th floor, 72 Uzeyir Hajibeyov Street, Baku | lat=40.37371 | long=49.84934 | directions= | phone=+994 12 565-00-55 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Azercosmos | wikidata=Q12836929 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Bahrain | alt={{flag|Bahrain}} | url=https://www.nssa.gov.bh/ | wikipedia=National Space Science Agency}} * {{listing | name=Belarus | alt={{flag|Belarus}} | url= | wikipedia=Belarus Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Belgium | alt={{flag|Belgium}} | url=https://www.aeronomie.be/ | wikipedia=Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy}} * {{listing | name=Bolivia | alt={{flag|Bolivia}} | url=https://www.abe.bo/ | wikipedia=Bolivian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Brazil | alt={{flag|Brazil}} | url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br | wikipedia=Brazilian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Bulgaria | alt={{flag|Bulgaria}} | url=http://www.space.bas.bg/ | wikipedia=Space Research and Technology Institute | wikidata=Q2606872}} * {{listing | name=Vietnam | alt={{flag|Vietnam}} | url=https://vnsc.org.vn/vi/ | wikipedia=Vietnam National Space Center}} === Electricity === '''[[Electrical systems]] in space''' are vastly different compared to Earth. This is because space stations are international projects, which need to reach a compromise for all countries involved. On the International Space Station, electricity is provided by solar panels and batteries, distributed across many plugs designed by various standards. Roughly speaking, the United States side uses 120V DC, and the Russia side uses 28V DC, so '''don't plug in normal equipment directly, even with an adapter'''. Instead, use an inverter box provided on the station. However, most equipment are hardwired to the power system and don't use plugs. For you, space tourists, you should contact your contractors or government employers for further information. === Hygiene === [[File:ISS-57 Serena Auñón-Chancellor cleans the space toilet in the Tranquility module.jpg|thumb|You do the business at this hose, while the other hose is used for sucking loose waste product|right|alt=Woman holding two hoses]]Some '''toilets''' in space come in different shapes, but they usually operate on similar principles. They generally have a funnel-like receptacle for urine and a larger bowl for solid waste, both using suction to capture the material and any odors. You have to hold on or strap in, of course, and there are procedures to follow for operating the toilet and cleaning up afterwards. The degree of privacy depends on the craft; stations have enclosed cabins as did the Space Shuttle, but in smaller craft it may be merely tucked away in a corner, hidden behind a curtain, or is in the open and you have to ask your fellow passengers to face the other way. On short missions, many astronauts prefer to simply avoid using the toilet, relying on enemas before launch and low-fiber diets. '''Clothes''' in space actually don't get dirty very quickly, due to a variety of environmental factors. Wearing the same underwear 3-4 days in a row is no big deal! However, there's no practical way to wash clothes in space; astronauts get fresh clothes from resupply missions, and the dirty ones are either is incinerated by sending it into Earth's atmosphere, or recovered during the trip back home. Although a shower was tested on Skylab with mixed feedback from astronauts, it was large and cumbersome, and hasn't been used again. Astronauts take '''sponge baths''' using liquid soap, water, and shampoo provided in bags. Washing of hands and cutlery is similarly done with napkins and washcloths. '''Brushing your teeth''' in space is very similar to back on Earth. However, after you're done, you must swallow the paste because there is no water sinks. An alternative method is neatly spit the paste onto a disposable tissue, which will get burnt in the atmosphere as trash. === News and entertainment === Mental health in space is paramount. You're stuck with a small number of people in very cramped quarters for weeks at a time, or months for permanent crew on the International Space Station. While short missions may be different, astronauts on the International Space Station do get weekends and a few holidays off. They have '''a projector''' for watching select TV shows and movies (sometimes before they play in theaters), and laptops for surfing the internet and talking to family. They bring their favorite hobbies with them, and the International Space Station now has an assortment of musical instruments on board. ===Religious services=== [[File:Jsc2007e051379.jpg|thumb|Even though you may not be involved in a religion, it is respectful follow through it otherwise|alt=Astronauts receiving blessing from a Russian Orthodox priest]] Although sticking to the traditional rituals and schedules can be difficult, religion has been actively practiced in space: * [[Christianity|'''Christians''']] have celebrated Communion in space, including Buzz Aldrin from the surface of the Moon during Apollo 11 and several astronauts on the International Space Station. '''Christmas''' is celebrated every year on the International Space Station, which includes a small artificial Christmas tree, Christmas dinner, and sometimes presents for the crew. Sometimes, Christmas is celebrated more than once, due to differences between the Julian calendar used by the Russian Orthodox Church and the Gregorian calendar. * '''[[Islam]]''' has been practiced in space and there are guidelines for how to pray in space, which address kneeling, facing Mecca, and washing. The religion also instruct how to time prayers and fasts for a 24-hour day when experiencing a sunrise and sunset every 90 minutes, which also generally based on the point of departure from land. It may be difficult or impossible to verify whether food is ''halal'', in which case one should eat just enough to ward off hunger. There is a fatwa forbidding devout Muslims from participating in one-way missions to Mars, as the risk to life is considered too great. * '''[[Judaism]]''' has also been practiced in space, and there are similar guidelines for observing Shabbat, based on the point of departure from land, and orienting oneself while praying.<!-- https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4168250/jewish/How-to-Observe-Judaism-in-Outer-Space.htm --> Some adaptations may be needed to affix a ''mezuzah'' or wear a prayer shawl.<!-- https://www.jta.org/2018/03/16/culture/first-torah-reading-orbit-5-fun-facts-jews-space --> Keeping kosher is possible with appropriate selection of meals, and there is already personal time allocated in schedules which could be used to study the Torah. However, properly observing ''tzniut'' (modesty) in mixed-gender crews might be impossible as that would require separate showers and toilets for men and women, which no vessel has as of 2020.<!-- https://ohr.edu/ask_db/ask_main.php/78/Q1/ and https://www.cjnews.com/perspectives/judaism-space-part-two --> The danger to one's life should also be weighed carefully. No matter your religion, if in doubt of the rules, check with an appropriate religious authority. If possible, do so several months or years in advance so leaders have enough time to consider the implications and determine the answers. ==Go next== [[File:The Blue Marble (remastered).jpg|thumb|So many places to discover!|alt=Picture of Earth, The Blue Marble]] What goes up must come down—at least for now. Once you've exhausted the [[Moon]], there are countless opportunities for exploration and discovery down on [[Earth]], in places such as [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[Europe]], [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Oceania]], [[Antarctica]], and countless [[Island nations|islands]] in between. {{Guidetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Travel topics}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Space tourism|rel=y}} 2t0xlc9fx9tadegvhskbnijg6inwjcx 4506815 4506636 2022-08-23T11:52:55Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/1.132.106.142|1.132.106.142]] ([[User talk:1.132.106.142|talk]]) to last version by [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} {{starnomination}} {{COVID-19 box|Special measures are taken to limit the risk of infecting other fellow astronauts with COVID-19; consult your contractors or government employers for further instructions. On Earth, many centers and museums have had their hours limited or been temporarily closed due to the pandemic.|lastedit=2022-02-25}} [[File:AS08-14-2383.jpg|thumb|300px|''Earthrise'', taken on December 24, 1968, by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders|alt=Earth rising on the Moon surface]] '''Space tourism''' has been a dream of humanity for millennia. While in orbit or in free fall near [[Earth]], you can float inside a spacecraft and view the planet from a unique vantage point. Though commercial space tourism has arrived, it is only for a privileged few. However, with recent innovations, it may be accessible to many soon. While very few can ''go'' to space, anyone with good eyes can ''see'' it for free. They can also do amateur [[astronomy]], visit [[space flight sites|spaceflight sites]], or learn about it. == Regions == {{mapframe|35.000|7.000|zoom=1|width=500|height=300|name=Space-related places on Earth}}'''Outer space''' or simply '''space''' is the great empty above us. The most common definition is that space begins just {{km|100}} above Earth's sea level, a boundary known as the Kármán line. Above that height, tourists need space technology to get there and to survive, as even high-altitude aviation technology won't suffice. The trick with spaceflight is that it's not about going ''high''... it's about going ''fast''. In low Earth orbit, that means speeds around 7.8&nbsp;km/s (28,000&nbsp;km/h or 17,000&nbsp;mph), enough to circle the entire globe in about 90 minutes. Space is characterized by '''near-vacuum''', with the atmosphere dwindling away to a few atoms per cubic meter in interplanetary space. As the spacecraft moves along gravity in '''freefall''', astronauts can feel the sensation of '''weightlessness''', or '''microgravity'''. A further paradox of space is that it's mapped and managed in great detail, more than many places on Earth. Bygone explorers setting out into new continents or seas had little idea what lay before them or where their journey might lead, and they might be out of contact with home for years. Those heading into space have planned precise trajectories, computed to the split-second. Throughout the day. they coordinate with mission control, and in their free time, they can have audio and video calls with their families at the speed of light. These are the destinations that most of us would ever dare dream of experiencing. Tourists will whipping around at thousands of meters ''per second''. Adjusting the spacecraft's speed using propellant can change its orbit, going higher or lower. Low Earth orbit region is a popular place for space stations since a relatively small amount of fuel is needed to get there. That said, '''every single human''' has been inside Earth's gravitational influence, as the furthest that anyone has traveled is to the dark side of the Moon. Technically, the distinction between space and the upper atmosphere is arbitrary. Since the atmosphere becomes less dense as a spacecraft goes up, drag in "space" is a real issue. In fact, the International Space Station needs to get boosted once a while to prevent it from falling back to the atmosphere. The 100-km altitude is chosen because this is the hard limit on any kind of air travel, but also because it's a nice round number. So don't worry if a space tourism company carries you just shy of that distance – it is still the experience of a lifetime! {{Regionlist |region1name=Low Earth orbit |region1color=#62cb77 |region1description=Between {{convert|abbr=on|100|km|mi}} (Kármán line) and {{convert|abbr=on|2000|km|mi}}, this is the most popular destination of all spaceflight, sub-orbital or on the International Space Station. The region presents the least risk and easiest to go to. |region2name=Medium Earth orbit |region2color=#ce0d1e |region2description=Between {{convert|abbr=on|2000|km|mi}} and {{convert|abbr=on|35786|km|mi}}, there is an intense level of radiation from the Van Allen belts. Along with poor space infrastructure, this place not a popular destination. |region3name=Geosynchronous orbit |region3color=#f7d945 |region3description=About {{convert|abbr=on|35786|km|mi}} in altitude, this is the place where many satellites orbit. This is because they would stay at a spot in the sky relative to the Earth. There, traveler would always see one side of the Earth. |region4name=High Earth orbit |region4color=#81bfcc |region4description=Above {{convert|abbr=on|35786|km|mi}} is past the Van Allen belts, therefore a space station can stay here for extended periods. However, this is not a practical place to tour, as its experience is the same to lower orbits with more cost. |region5name=Highly elliptical orbit |region5color=#c362b3 |region5description=A special type of orbit which the lowest point (perigee) and highest point in orbit (apogee) differ significantly. This can take advantage of both low and high orbit vantage point, while still dodging the deadly radiation belts. |region6name=[[Moon]] |region6color=#c9c9c9 |region6description=The only natural satellite of Earth, it inspires humans to go explore since since prehistoric times. Dominated by craters and "seas", they are a popular planned destination for many tourists. However, as of 2022, only 12 people have walked on it. |region7name=Lagrange points |region7color=#ee8706 |region7description=These points are where the gravitational forces of the Earth and the Sun canceled out, labeled L1 to L5. They also host paths that don't necessarily go around the planet, called halo orbits.}} == Other destinations == [[File:The station pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon 2.jpg|thumb|International Space Station in completion|alt=Space station with complete solar panels]] Besides these natural destinations mentioned above and staying inside a spacecraft, there are two '''space stations''' in operation as of Feb 2022. These are: * {{listing | name=International Space Station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Earth, perigee: 413 km, apogee: 420 km, inclination: 51.63° | lat= | long= | directions=See "[https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/tracking_map.cfm '''Spot the station''']" for directions | phone= | tollfree= | hours=6AM to 9:30PM UTC | price=US$35000 per day per astronaut | wikidata=Q25271 | lastedit=2022-02-25 | ladtedit=2022-02-25 | content=The most well-known space station of all, also the largest and most long-lasting. It is a popular destination for space tourists, primarily because Roscosmos agrees to launch them into the station. Contains many modules and facilities, a hub for science and engineering advancement. The first module was launched in 1998, though the plans for it has been made decades prior, named space station ''Freedom''. You can go to there using Crew Dragon or Soyuz capsule. }} * {{listing | name=Tiangong |alt=Chinese: 天宫| address=Earth, perigee: 389.5 km, apogee: 395 km, inclination: 41.58° |directions=See "'''[https://www.astroviewer.net/iss/en/observation-css.php Observation of Tiangong]'''" for directions|price=Price not public|wikidata=Q5100935|lastedit=2022-02-25| content=A true second space station, owned by China. A bit smaller than the ISS, with significantly less volume. Tiangong will have less modules, but they are more spacious with bigger diameter. Access to the station may be difficult as it is under construction and likely does not accept tourists. However, you may have a shot if you are a Chinese. The first module is launched in 2021, with more to come. Traveling there would require riding on the Shenzhou spacecraft. }} == Understand == === History === [[File:Apollo program.svg|thumb|Apollo program insignia, showing the path from Earth to the Moon|right|alt=Disk circumscribed by "Apollo" and "NASA"]] Outer space was not well understood for millennia. People believed that the atmosphere extended upwards indefinitely, and if people could rise high enough on balloons or flying contraptions, they would eventually reach the moon and the stars. Only in the 17th century, did advances in math, physics, and technology begin to reshape our understanding. '''Telescopes''' show what lay beyond our own world, such as the moons of Jupiter. Through the theory of '''gravity''' and Newtonian physics, we discovered that outer space is a vacuum and how stars, planets, and moons orbit each other. In the 20th century, Russian teacher '''Konstantin Tsiolkovsky''' published landmark papers, and American scientist '''Robert Goddard''' experimented with rocket designs. While early 20th-century rocketry pioneers had their eyes on the stars, rockets had not yet escaped their military origins. By 1944 Germany had built the V-2, the first ballistic missile, to rain down on targets at speeds that made it invulnerable to anti-aircraft guns and fighters. The development of long-range ICBMs led to the '''Space Race''' during the [[Cold War]] – both [[United States of America|United States]] and the [[Soviet Union]] were now competing for the "firsts" in spaceflight. Under the leadership of engineer Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Union got this first on 4 October 1957 when '''Sputnik 1''' orbited the Earth for 21 days. On 3 November 1957, the Soviet Union succeeded in putting '''Laika''' the dog into space aboard '''Sputnik 2''', making her the first animal to orbit the Earth. '''Yuri Gagarin''' then became the first human to be successfully launched into space onboard '''Vostok 1''' on 12 April 1961. Then, in 1967, reckless development resulted in '''fatal disasters''' for both programs: A fire killed all three American astronauts and a crash that killed a Soviet cosmonaut. The United States program then picked up its pace and peaked when '''Apollo 11''' landed on the Moon on 20 July 1969. When '''Neil Armstrong''' and '''Buzz Aldrin''' walked on the lunar surface, it was watched live by 723 million people, more than one-fifth the population of Earth. Six more missions followed through December 1972. However, the wild dreams of the 1960s and 70s died as the public realized the cheap and easy space tourism they'd been promised wasn't forthcoming. '''Satellites''' were starting to become accessible in the 1980s. In 1990, the '''Hubble Space Telescope''' was launched into orbit, marking great milestones in space observation. The '''Space Shuttle''' debuted in 1981, becoming the first working spaceplane. At the same time, the Russians were developing the '''''Mir''''' space station, and the Americans were planning out space station '''Freedom'''. Space station ''Freedom'' would then be converted to become the '''International Space Station'''. Returning to spaceflight's private sector, Dennis Tito became the first pay-to-fly '''space tourist''' in April 2001. Others soon follow suit. [[China]] became the '''third''' country to put a person into orbit with the launch of '''Shenzhou 5''' in October 2003. Since then, the country's space program has been expanding its presence. India in the 21st century also expand their space exploration scope drastically. In December 2015, SpaceX's reusable '''Falcon 9''' rocket landed on its landing site, aiming to reduce launch cost drastically. Since then, '''Virgin Galactic''' and '''Blue Origin''' sent a couple of passengers on short journeys to the edge of space in July 2021. While space remains a destination for just a few people, it's definitely more accessible as these spaceflight technologies get refined. ===People=== [[File:Astronaut Donald K. Slayton and cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov in the Soyuz Orbital Module.jpg|thumb|Cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov and astronaut Donald K. Slayton|alt=NASA and Russian astronauts floating near each other]] Most of the people to visit space so far have been '''astronauts''' or '''cosmonauts''' — professionals who are paid to train for and perform spaceflights. The distinction between the names is largely one of respect, The term "cosmonaut" is reserved for Russian astronauts. Chinese astronauts are also often called "taikonauts" after the Chinese word for "space" (太空 ''tàikōng''). The names are not based on nationality. For example, the first East German in space, Sigmund Jähn, is a "cosmonaut" because he rides on the Soviet Soyuz. The first West German in space, Ulf Merbold, is called an "astronaut" because he rides on the Space Shuttle. The remaining few are called '''space tourists''', though NASA and Roscosmos prefer the term '''spaceflight participant'''. A more careful distinction can be drawn between those from nations that don't have an astronaut program and self-funded tourists who paid their way into space. === Climate === Since there is no atmosphere in space, spacecraft must create one for the astronauts to survive. Therefore, the atmosphere '''composition''' can vary widely. In the past, spacecraft used pure oxygen for convenient atmosphere storage, but nowadays it matches much more like Earth. Onboard the International Space Station, the temperature can range from {{convert|abbr=on|18 to 26|C|F|sigfig=2}}, with humidity at around 60%. Therefore, it is wise to wear a light jacket to keep your body comfortable. In a spacesuit, the climate can be controlled more easily. In that case, comfortable and tight inner clothes would be the best fit, as the suit is very stiff. In practice, outer space doesn't have a "temperature", since there is very little matter around. These temperatures more often refer to the surface temperature, which can be misleading as an object in different orientations would receive heat from the Sun differently. Without sunlight, the temperature is around {{convert|abbr=on|−270.5|C|F|sigfig=4}}, 2.7 degrees above absolute zero! === Units of measure === [[File:ISS-55 Dwarf Wheat samples, final growth.jpg|thumb|A ruler measuring height of plants in space. Metric or imperial?|right|alt=Ruler placed next to a plant]] Most activities in space use the '''metric system''' because almost all countries adopt the standard. However, in the United States, many parts are manufactured in the imperial system, resulting in a mess of conversions. The most embarrassing case of these mishaps is the deorbit of the ''Mars Climate Orbiter'' in 1999, as the spacecraft interpreted the data as in metric units, even though it is in imperial units. Other countries are not immune to this either, as many space components use the imperial system, especially with diameter measures. As for a space tourist, it should not matter too much as most things are metric already. === Politics === The concept of politics in space is given a very futuristic name: '''astropolitics'''. The most well-known document about this is the Outer Space Treaty. In short, it recommends countries consider that space "shall be the province of all mankind". This includes fostering science development, no claim of sovereignty on planets and moons, and no mass destruction weapons in space. A prime example of how politics affect space operations is the ''Mir'' space station. After the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], the space station allowed commercialization to get enough operating money. As tension between the United States and Russia is rising again due to the [[Ukraine#War|Russian invasion of Ukraine]], space may become more militarized. For space tourists going to the International Space Station, politics should be separated from their spaceflight to prevent conflicts. === Events === {{See also|Solar eclipse}} ==Talk== {{See also|Russian phrasebook|Mandarin phrasebook}} Like polar bases and other multinational ventures, space travel uses the languages of the craft's operators. '''English''' is the working language of space, used for many space operations and international coordination on the ground. [[Russian phrasebook|'''Russian''']] is the secondary language, as Soyuz missions use exclusively Russian until reaching the International Space Station. Sometimes, signs and labels on the station are bilingual. Naturally, [[Chinese phrasebook|'''Mandarin''']] is spoken on Chinese missions to space. English is generally the working language in the International Space Station, though usually, crews are fluent in both English and Russian. Space tourists on the International Space Station must learn enough English. They also need to know basic Russian (250 hours of language training during 6 months of study, or about 2 hours per day). There is a lot more '''jargon''' in spaceflight than in many other places, partly because most people are technical-minded. Here are some of the basic terms that tourists and space-interested people should be familiar with: {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | ;Abort :Cancellation of something. "Pad abort" means cancellation of the mission just after liftoff, and "contingency abort" means cancellation due to failing engines. ;Acronyms :NASA favorite dishes. Don't worry too much if MUM, POD, or MOXIE acronyms are confusing – most generic items can be referred to without using them. ;Apoapsis :Furthest point to orbit ;Delta-''v'' :Change in velocity, can be thought of how much an orbit can be changed to reach to planets ;Downlink :Signal send to Earth ;Eccentricity :How "elongated" an orbit is, from 0 as a circle to 1 as a very long oval | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | <!--New column--> ;LOX :Liquid oxygen ;Max-Q :Maximum aerodynamic pressure ;MECO :Main engine cut off, after the stage has spent all of its fuel ;Periapsis :Closest point to orbit ;Propellant :Fuel and oxidizer for the rocket ;‍Rendezvous :Meeting of two spacecraft ;RUD :Rapid unscheduled disassembly, meaning an explosion of a rocket ;SECO :Second engine cut off, after the stage has spent all of its fuel ;Suicide burn :Or landing burn, by firing an engine at the exact moment to land |} == Get in == {{quote|Given ships or sails adapted to the breezes of heaven, there will be those who will not shrink from even that vast expanse.|author=Johannes Kepler}} === Entry requirements === [[File:Orbital_launch_projects.svg|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orbital_launch_projects.svg|thumb|450x450px|Space access by countries {{legend|#ff0000|Space-faring}}{{legend|#ff6600|Member of space-faring organizations}}{{legend|#008000|Planned to be space-faring}}{{legend|#0000ff|Abandoned to be space-faring}}{{legend|#777777|No capability and plans}}|alt=See text for list of countries]] Only the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Russia]], and [[China]] can '''send people into space''' as of date. Nine other countries and one organization named the European Space Agency has '''launched objects to space''' using their domestic launch vehicles. The other independent countries that have launched satellites into space and have active space programs are [[Japan]], [[India]], [[Israel]], [[Iran]], [[New Zealand]], [[North Korea]], and [[Ukraine]]. However, Ukraine has never put its own satellites into orbit. The European Space Agency includes [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[Luxembourg]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Portugal]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. As of February 2022, ten countries are '''actively working on placing satellites in orbit''': [[Brazil]], [[South Korea]], [[Australia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Taiwan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[South Africa]], [[Argentina]], [[Pakistan]], and [[Turkey]]. Besides those, some countries had plans to be space-faring but are now '''abandoned''': [[Canada]], [[Egypt]], and [[Iraq]]. Citizens of other countries who do not have space capabilities can fly on spacecraft built by these countries, though be wary of sanctions before booking a flight. In the '''United States''', space tourists must be able to withstand high acceleration, deceleration, vibration, and microgravity during spaceflight. They also must be trained to '''deal with emergency situations''', such as smoke, fire, loss of cabin pressure, and emergency exit. The training course can last from a '''few days''' in suborbital flights to a '''few months''' in orbital flights. Training would be much less stringent for those boarding a '''reduced-gravity aircraft'''. Almost all age groups are eligible to fly on one of these aircraft. However, those with medical conditions should consult the provider and doctors before. The tourist may also need to submit medical certificates and other measurements in some countries. === By reduced-gravity aircraft === [[File:Parabelflug PB271049.jpg|right|thumb|Boarding for weightless experiences at Germany|alt=A group boarding a plane]] The weightlessness experienced in orbit can be created by a parabolic aircraft flight, which alternates low ''g''-forces for about 30 seconds at the top of its arcs with high ''g''-forces at the bottom. These parabolic flights are notoriously nausea-inducing, leading to the nickname '''Vomit Comet''', but commercial operators claim that their shorter flights (15 parabolas) are considerably gentler than research and training flights which involve 40-80. They are also much less costly than risky than other options, though the price can be steep for some people. * {{go | name=Incredible Adventures Florida | alt= | url=https://www.incredible-adventures.com/zero-gravity-usa.html | email=info@incredible-adventures.com | address=[[Kennedy Space Center]], Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, [[Florida]], United States | lat=28.615 | long=-80.6945 | directions=go east through Florida State Road 528 and turn left at Florida State Road 3 | phone=+1 941 346-2603 | tollfree=+1 800 644-7382 | hours= | price=$4500 per adult, children under 18 years old are not allowed | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=The only provider for individual reduced-gravity flights, with a general plan from Martian gravity (1/3 Earth gravity) to lunar gravity (1/6 Earth gravity) and finally to zero-g. The small Rockwell Commander 700 plane will make 10-12 maneuvers, with each maneuver lasting 10 seconds. }} * {{Listing | type=go | name=Zero Gravity Corporation | alt=ZERO-G | url=http://www.gozerog.com/ | email=info@gozerog.com | address= | directions= | phone=+1 703 894-2188 | tollfree=+1 888 664-7284 | fax=+1 702 947-6343 | hours= | price=US$5,400 for 1 seat, US$55,000 for 12 seats, US$165,000 for private flight | wikipedia=Zero Gravity Corporation | wikidata=Q191926 |lastedit=2022-02-25| content=Offers reduced-gravity flights on a modified Boeing 727 named "G-FORCE ONE" with a large compartment suitable for weightless tumbling. 15 parabolas will be flown, with several brief simulations of micro-gravity, lunar gravity (1/6 Earth), and Martian gravity (1/3 Earth). There are about 8 minutes of microgravity. See the listing for booking flights. }} * === By suborbital spacecraft === [[File:SS2 and VMS Eve.jpg|alt=Spaceplane attach to a double-deck plane|thumb|SpaceShipTwo inside a hangar, attached to the White Knight plane]] A suborbital flight can fly high into space, but not not fast enough to achieve orbit. This means that the spacecraft is in space in just a few minutes, so be sure to plan everything beforehand. Price for these spaceflights are pretty steep by conventional standards, but it is certainly cheaper than an orbital spaceflight. As of 2022, there are '''two''' operators offering sub-orbital flight, consisting of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo spaceplane and Blue Origin's New Shephard rocket. There are many more companies that plan to offer such services, but they won't go online for many years.<!-- For listings, only add current entries, not retired or in development ones. See "List of crewed spacecraft" on Wikipedia. --> ==== Spaceports ==== * {{go | name=Gateway to Space Terminal | alt= | url=http://www.virgingalactic.com | email= | address=County Road A021, [[Truth or Consequences]], [[New Mexico]] | lat=32.99033 | long=-106.9751 | directions=from County Route A13, turn left to County Route A39, and turn left again at the roundabout | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikidata=Q111032168 | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=Constructed by Virgin Galactic, the place is the hangar for the SpaceShipTwo spaceplane. Riding on a mother aircraft, SpaceShipTwo detach mid-air and boost to about 80 km, reaching Mach 3 speed. While total flight time is 2 hours, the feeling of weightlessness will only last for about 6 minutes. Flights will be taken at Spaceport America with a portfolio of four successful flights. }} * {{go | name=Launch Site One | alt=Corn Ranch | url=https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/ | email= | address=Texas Highway 54, [[Van Horn]], [[Texas]] | lat=31.4229 | long=-104.75714 | directions=turn left near the Figure 2 Ranch Airport and wildlife management areas | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=New Shepard M7 crop.jpg | wikidata=Q3693636 | lastedit=2022-02-25 | content=Owned by Blue Origin, this facility is used to launch the suborbital New Shepard rocket. There, in the ten-minute flight, the rocket would go up, separate the capsule, and the weightless adventures begin. Then, the rocket stage lands vertically, the capsule deploy its parachutes and land with a loud "thump". New Shepard has been crewed three times, but it has been tested countless times in the past. }} ==== Spacecraft ==== * {{Listing|name=New Shepard|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/|price=Price not public|wikipedia=New Shepard|wikidata=Q3339012|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Owned by Blue Origin and launches from the company's Launch Site One. The spacecraft is a capsule attached to a rocket stage, and deploy near to space. The rocket stage can then land back on Earth, with a prospect for reusability to lower cost. Maximum altitude: {{convert|abbr=on|100|km|mi}}. Has constructed 4 crafts and test launched more than a dozen times without failure. Has launched the company's CEO, Jeff Bezos, to space, and launched NASA experiments for weightlessness.}} * {{Listing|name=SpaceShipTwo|price=US$450,000 per seat, reservations US$150,000|wikipedia=SpaceShipTwo|wikidata=Q754806|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Owned by Virgin Galactic and launches from the Gateway to Space terminal. The craft is carried by a double-deck plane, once reaching to an altitude, it detaches and propelled by a solid rocket motor. Maximum altitude: {{convert|abbr=on|85|km|mi}}. Successor to SpaceShipOne that won the Ansari X Prize. 2 spaceplane has been built, called VSS ''Enterprise'' and VSS ''Unity'', the former has been involved in a deadly crash. VSS ''Unity'' has launched 5 times, including one with the company's CEO, Richard Branson.}} === By orbital spacecraft === [[File:Soyuz MS.jpg|right|thumb|Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft heading toward the International Space Station|alt=Space capsule floating in space]] This is '''the real deal'''. Some people will not going to accept that a tourist were "in space" until they've gone into orbit. The minimum practical height for this is 350&nbsp;km; otherwise, atmospheric drag will force the spacecraft down. The price tag for a trip to this region starts at around an eye-popping US$40 million. So, it is wise to wait and invest in these companies, for them to boost the development of cheap and convenient space access. The most promising of all is Starship rocket in development, carrying 100 crews with "less than $1 million" cost per launch. Although, in practice, the price tag would still be really high for ordinary citizen like us. <!-- For listings, only add current entries, not retired or in development ones. See "List of crewed spacecraft" on Wikipedia. --> ==== Spaceports ==== * {{go | name=Baikonur Cosmodrome | alt=Kazakh: Байқоңыр ғарыш айлағы, Russian: Космодром Байконур | url=http://www.baikonurtour.com | email=go@baikonurtour.ru | address=Kyzyl-Orda region, [[Kazakhstan]] | lat=45.965 | long=63.305 | directions= | phone=+7 (495) 664-31-29 | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Baikonur Cosmodrome | image=Soyuz expedition 19 launch pad.jpg | wikidata=Q177477 | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=The launch place of many early space tourist, Baikonur Cosmodrome was the only place where you can hitch a ride to the International Space Station. The spaceport has two launch pads for human spaceflight: Gagarin's Start (Site 1) and Site 31/6. They are used by the Soyuz rocket and capsule. }} * {{go | name=Cape Canaveral Space Force Station | alt= | email= | address=[[Cape Canaveral]], [[Florida]], [[United States]] | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Cape Canaveral Space Force Station | image= | wikidata=Q334465 | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=This is the only crewed launch site that is operated by a ''space'' force. The launch site is integral to the early days of American spaceflight, which launches Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo test missions. It has an active launch pad for crewed spaceflight named SLC-41, licensed for the Starliner spacecraft. |url=https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil}} * {{go | name=Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center | alt=Chinese: 酒泉卫星发射中心 | email= | address=Ejin, Alxa, [[Inner Mongolia]], [[China]] | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center | image= | wikidata=Q692677 | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=This spaceport is prehaps the most secretive on the list, due to obvious national security reasons. It is, however, perhaps the only place for Chinese space tourists after the soft-ban imposed by NASA. The only active crewed launch pad is SLS-1 in Launch Area 4, used by the Shenzhou spacecraft. }} * {{go | name=Kennedy Space Center | alt= | url=https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/ | address=Space Commerce Way, [[Merritt Island]], [[Florida]], [[United States]] | lat=28.608 | long=-80.604 | directions= | phone=+18554334210 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q24256513 | lastedit=2022-03-01 | content=This is the most famous American spaceport, due to it has a rich history of launching most Saturn V and Space Shuttles. Nowadays, the space center has one active crewed launch pads (like terminals in an airport) name 39A. The launch pad is licensed to SpaceX for its Crew Dragon capsule. }} ==== Spacecraft ==== * {{Listing|name=Crew Dragon|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/|price=US$55 million|wikipedia=SpaceX Dragon 2|wikidata=Q17122887|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=The SpaceX craft is a successor to the highly successful Dragon 1 cargo capsule. With spacious cabin ({{cvt|9.3|m3}}), ergonomic seats, and modern control panel, it is truly a first-class experience for space tourists. The spacecraft has launched 8 successful missions, 1 uncrewed, 5 for NASA, and 2 all-tourists missions. SpaceX has also made attempts to put the cost of space travel low, by reusing the capsules 3 times, and launch on the reusable Falcon 9 rocket.}} * {{Listing|name=Shenzhou|alt=Chinese: 神舟|url=|price=Price not public|wikipedia=Shenzhou (spacecraft)|wikidata=Q1138653|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=The Chinese-developed spacecraft is somewhat similar to the Soyuz, but a bit more comfortable with {{cvt|14|m3}} of space divided to 2 modules. It is designed to go to the Tiangong space station, and has launched 13 times, 5 crewed. Little is known about the spacecraft interior and amenities inside.}} * {{Listing|name=Soyuz|alt=Russian: Союз|price=US$21.3 – 90.3 million|wikipedia=Soyuz (spacecraft)|wikidata=Q579421|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=It is the longest used space capsule design in the world, with many upgrades since the 1967. The Soyuz family has made more than 140 flights, though the latest iteration named Soyuz MS made 21 flights, 1 of which has been aborted. It is the tightest spacecraft with only {{cvt|10.5|m3}} of space in two modules, and the price is not cheap. However, you do get the extreme reliability and rigorous training while operating the capsule.}} * {{Listing|name=Starliner|alt=|url=https://www.boeing.com/space/starliner/|price=US$80 million|wikipedia=Boeing Starliner|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Though somewhat late to the International Space Station race, it is a solid alternative to the heavily-booked SpaceX's Crew Dragon. Starliner is made by the Boeing Company, the one that made airplanes. It has launched successfully once, uncrewed, to the station via the Atlas V rocket. Starliner has a {{cvt|11|m3}} volume, seven crew capacity, and has relatively comfortable seats. The capsule may be reusable, though no reused Starliner has ever flown to orbit yet.}} === By interplanetary spacecraft === Leaving the endless loop around Earth to journey elsewhere in the Solar System and beyond. Nobody has gone that far since the Apollo 17 flew the last lunar mission in 1972, nearly fifty years ago. There are no government-backed projects to return people to the Moon or to reach Mars, though work continues on the massive challenges such as self-sufficient habitats. Commercial or private proposals are wildly speculative. === Space tourism companies === Unlike airplanes, you can't just pick up the phone, call the launch sites and arrange launch schedules. You will need help from space tourism companies. * {{Listing|name=Space Adventures|alt=|url=https://www.spaceadventures.com|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=|wikidata=Q81133|lat=38.91557|long=-77.23272|address=8245 Boone Blvd, Suite 570, [[Vienna (Virginia)|Vienna]], [[Virginia]], [[United States]]|phone=+1 (703) 524-7172|email=info@spaceadventures.com}} * {{Listing|name=Axiom Space|alt=|url=https://www.axiomspace.com/|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=|wikidata=Q48815838|lat=29.55602|long=-95.11112|address=1290 Hercules Avenue, [[Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]|phone=+1 (346) 293-7045|email=}} == Get around == Most space travelers remain inside their spacecraft and use its propulsion systems to get around. As orbital mechanics is extremely unintuitive and fuel for maneuvering is quite limited, these tasks are best left to a qualified pilot and computers. === By yourself === [[File:Expedition 62 crew poses for a playful portrait.jpg|thumb|Levitating in the International Space Station|right|alt=Three astronauts standing on top of each other]] Inside your craft, it's very easily move around using your ''hands and feet''. Craft are designed with ample handholds and footholds for moving yourself around as well as anchoring yourself in place while you're working. You're unlikely to get stuck out of reach of one, as momentum, air currents, and other minuscule movements of your craft make it difficult to remain perfectly stationary. However, tourists could be stuck for many minutes, possibly even hours of that's happens. Whenever a person ''reach out for a surface'', the rest of your body will move away just as much, preventing them from reaching anything. "Swimming" through the air doesn't work either, since unlike water, air offers very little mass to push against. Your best bet, other than asking for help, is to throw something reasonably heavy, such as your clothes, which will propel the person slowly in the opposite direction. Moving things in a weightless environment is not intuitive, and doing it right takes practice and training. Sure, you can push or pull a massive object just as easily as a tiny one, but what's really happening is that you and the object are moving towards or away from each other. If you try to use a screwdriver, for example, what will actually happen is that the screw ''and the spacecraft it's attached to'' will rotate a tiny amount, while your comparatively small body rotates the rest of the way in the opposite direction — not at all what you were trying to accomplish! What you need to do is anchor yourself to the spacecraft so you can turn the screwdriver and screw without turning the craft. On Earth, gravity holds you to the ground with the force of your whole bodyweight, but in space, you have to use muscle power to provide that force. (Imagine holding a block of wood in your hand, and trying to put a screw in it. It's much harder than trying to put a screw in a wall.) Astronauts practice in ''neutral buoyancy pools'', large pools where objects underwater are balanced to neither float nor sink. Many tasks in space, particularly during EVAs, are performed very slowly and methodically. === By orbital spacecraft === [[File:Soyuz TMA-16 relocates from Zvezda Service Module to Poisk module.jpg|thumb|Which thruster should I fire?|alt=Spacecraft viewed from docking port]] Locating yourself in space is crucial. Unlike addresses on Earth, locations in space are often refer to its '''orbit''', i.e. path around a parent body. This is because you're constantly moving in space, interacting with planets and moons along the trajectories. Some characteristics of an orbit includes its relative '''position''', '''inclination''', '''apogee'''/'''perigee''' (highest/lowest point in orbit), etc. The usual units used are '''kilometers''', '''astronomical unit''' (distance from the Earth to the Sun), and '''degrees''' respectively. In practice, that would mean using an array of telescopes to measure these data accurately. '''Predicting''' the future location of an object can be done very accurately, as engineers rely on that to push the spacecraft to the correct destination. === By suits === Occasionally, space travelers must do '''extra-vehicular activity''' (EVA), where they exit their craft to access scientific experiments or perform repairs. For this, you need a very rugged '''spacesuit''', which provides breathable air and protects you from the vacuum of space, harmful radiation, and extremes of temperature (from near absolute zero in the shade to absolutely roasting in the ferocious sunlight). While a tourist can zoom around to their heart's content inside the spacecraft, ''outside'' of it, the person can easily become '''stranded''' with no propulsion left, potentially doomed the tourist a short life until air supply runs out in a few hours. Maneuvering units with small thrusters have been used a handful of times (most recently in 1990), but the safety risk is considered too great, and the scant advantages are certainly not worth the potential trouble. Today an emergency-use one is worn on all EVAs but has never yet been used outside of tests. EVAs are always conducted ''tethered'', and often not just tethered but firmly attached to the Canadarm2 grappling arm so your crewmates can move you around. == See == {{See also|Spaceflight sites|Astronomy}} [[File:Tracy Caldwell Dyson in Cupola ISS.jpg|thumb|Just viewing the Earth from the cupola...|right|alt=Woman looking at Earth through a glass cupola]] '''Sightseeing''' in space is a must – after all, isn't it attractive? There, the Earth's boundaries are visible, making quite a few space visitors experiencing a shift in their awareness, dubbed the "'''overview effect'''". There, they become much more aware of how fragile and isolated life on Earth is compared to the vastness of the universe. In suborbital flight though, you needs to plan out everything in advance, or you would miss everything! Also for that reason, you should forget about taking pictures from a phone, as the spacecraft would likely have an array of cameras. === Earth === [[Earth]] is a '''remarkable''' sight, with its whorls of weather systems, blue oceans, "phases" as you pass from day to its night side, and glowing nighttime cities. If you orbit the moon, as you pass around its far side you lose radio contact as well as sight of the planet, and suddenly feel very much alone in the universe. Then you come around the corner and with relief see earthrise. You don't see this from the lunar surface without moving, as the Earth holds a nearly fixed position in the lunar sky. * {{See|name=[[Northern Lights|Northern and Southern Lights]]|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Formed at the edge of space, at an altitude of a few hundred kilometers, they can seen far below you flickering across the Earth's night surface.}} * {{See|name=Weather patterns|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=Unlike other planets, Earth is substantially yet partially covered by clouds. In space, the clouds don't look like moving at all, but it's enough for you to have a new cloud pattern after going around an orbit. Hurricanes and typhoons can also be seen from space, though you should bring with you a telescope to see them in all of their glory.}} === Astronomical objects === By 25 km (16 mi) altitude (well short of reaching space), all blue has drained from the sky, you're far above the weather systems, and you can see the '''curvature''' of Earth's surface. The stars become fixed points of light instead of twinkling: you'll see a rich field of them as you orbit the night side of Earth, but on the day side the glare of "earthshine" blanks out almost everything else. In low Earth orbit, sunrise and sunset flash by every 45 min; there's a brief red glow, but not the prolonged colors you see from the surface. * {{See|name=Moon|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=In space, the Moon don't look nearly as different as on Earth. However, seeing the Moon through there is far different than seeing it in picture, as it will give you a sense of wonder and awe. Prepare to take a telescope to view the Moon in all of its glory, as there is no atmospheric distortion to worry about.}} * {{See|name=Stars|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=They can be seen very clearly without the Earth's atmosphere obstructing. Have a nice view of the Milky Way, or dream about humans going to Proxima Centauri, our closest neighbor. Make sure to equip with long-exposure cameras and software to get the nicest pictures.}} == Do == [[File:STS41B-35-1613 - Bruce McCandless II during EVA (Retouched).jpg|thumb|Floating in space while doing an extravehicular activity |alt=Astronaut floating in space]]Once you're there, there are a lot of activities to do. You can do '''extravehicular activities''' (EVA), better known as space-walking, means exiting the spacecraft to float around in space. It's only realistic in orbit and beyond, as a suborbital flight is too brief. Space Adventures offer EVA, but there have been no takers yet: it costs US$20 million extra, requires an extra month of training, and has additional fitness qualifications. You can '''do science''' as well, but be sure plan this with the organizers in advance, and assume it must involve zero extra weight. At the very least, you can be the subject of medical observations. You might not need to bring a camera if the spaceship's CCTV and external imaging is comprehensive. As a space tourist, unbounded by tight schedules, you can do a lot of fun experiments that no one has ever done before. Yusaku Maezawa, for example, is the first to play various sports inside the space station, such as frisbee and [[golf]]. Speaking of golf, it is also played on the Moon by Alan Shepard, with an "impressive" drive of {{Convert|37|m|yd|abbr=on}}. == Learn == '''Learning in space''' is a bit different from Earth. Instead of sitting in a lecture hall, you will do experiments that will advance our human knowledge. After all, that's what the space stations are for: to do experiments in micro-gravity. These experiments require prior arrangements months in advance, and sometimes there isn't much that you can do to help your fellow astronauts. Though, on Earth, you can '''study''' in space-related field like astrobiology and astrophysics, with lots of fun! Gone are the days of nerds reading thick and complicated books, there are videos of explainers all over YouTube. * {{See|name=Space hardware|lastedit=2022-06-02|content=If you want to feel more close to Earth, try observing and understanding the technologies of your spacecraft and space station. These have been designed by very smart people, with a lot of them is on the bleeding edge of our tech capabilities.}} == Work == [[File:Eileen Collins (S93-E-5033, 1999-07-24).jpg|thumb|Astronaut Eileen Collins looks over a procedures checklist inside the shuttle|right|alt=Astronaut looking at a checklist]] '''Astronauts''' perform many tasks as they orbit Earth. The space station is designed to be a permanent orbiting research facility, with a major purpose is to perform science and research that only a space environment can provide. The station crew spends their day working on science experiments that require their input, as well as monitoring those that are controlled from the ground. They also take part in medical experiments to determine how well their bodies are adjusting to living in space for long periods of time. Working on the space station also means ensuring the '''maintenance''' and health of the orbiting platform. Crew members are constantly checking support systems and cleaning filters, updating computer equipment: doing many of the things homeowners must do to ensure their largest investment stays in good shape. Similarly, down on Earth, the mission center constantly monitors the space station and sends messages each day through voice or email with new instructions or plans to assist the crew members in their daily routines. For those '''dreaming of working in space''', look at the websites of the space agencies to see what they're hiring, and consider what skills might get you into space. Think ahead on how that job market might evolve: they'll probably need fewer pilots but more specialists. Solar panel maintenance, water extraction from Martian shale, who knows? == Buy == [[File:(iss063e030657) A U.S. spacesuit is pictured with plush-doll mascots.jpg|thumb|Space souvenirs... in space!|alt=Floating toy dinosaur and Earth plushie]] For most of us stuck down here on Earth, there are a lot of souvenirs at the space centers. Beware though that a lot of them are designed to serve the general public, which can contain science and concepts being represented inaccurately. The best way to buy real souvenirs is to have a good understanding of basic space concepts. * {{buy | name=Kennedy Space Center Space Shop | alt= | url=https://thespaceshop.com/ | email=SpaceShop@DelawareNorth.com | address=Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, [[Space Coast|Brevard County]], [[Florida]], United States | lat=28.52403 | long=-80.6814 | directions=go east through Florida State Road 528 and turn left at Florida State Road 3 | phone=+1 800 621 9826 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=The shop has a range of products, from T-shirts to space pens. The shop also sell old mission badges, Apollo and Shuttle-themed cups and toys. They also feature unique planet cuddles, which one of them has flown into real space! Products can be bought offline in the shop, or online with shipment from FedEx and USPS. }} * {{buy | name=SpaceX store | url=https://shop.spacex.com/ | email=merchandise@spacex.com. | lastedit=2022-06-01 | content=The shop primarily sell wearables, mission patches and Mars-themed souvenirs, in brand with the company's ambitions. They can only be bought online, with support for most major credit cards and Apple Pay. }} * {{buy | name=Dheespace | alt= | url=https://dheespace.com/ | email=shop@dheespace.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+9513667668 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content=A shop with rare ISRO (India space agency) merchandises, such as model rockets, T-shirts, etc. }} == Eat == Although '''space food''' has come a long way in terms of appeal and variety, the quality and flavor are still not up to standards of most connoisseurs of fine cuisine. Your transportation provider may offer some choice in the foods available, but you will be limited by their willingness to indulge you. Real space food has to be carefully tested to make sure it's nutritionally balanced, can be stored for months without refrigeration, and is suitable for a zero-gravity environment. Food that would leave crumbs, for example, is problematic. The menu on the International Space Station generally consists of American and Russian staples along with other meals and international cuisines that have been requested and developed. The freeze-dried "'''astronaut ice cream'''" sometimes sold on Earth as a novelty item is a misnomer; it has never actually been served on any manned space mission, and the texture is as off-putting to astronauts as it is to everyone else. However, ''real'' ice cream has occasionally been eaten in space by astronauts aboard Skylab, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station (usually when frozen components for scientific experiments are being sent up and there's some space remaining). Unfortunately, even with extensive research and development, astronauts find much food in space to be bland and often '''don't have much of an appetite'''. In zero-gravity, fluid in your body distributes evenly instead of being pulled to your feet, resulting in a permanent stuffy head that dulls your sense of smell and taste. Space travelers have typically preferred strongly-flavored and spicy foods; beef jerky is a particular favorite. (Similar but weaker phenomena can be observed with airline food, in that case due to the dry low-pressure atmosphere.) Nevertheless, you must eat to maintain energy and body mass. Among many other rules for eating in space, one is key: once you open a package of food, you must '''eat all of it'''. Leftover food will rot and become a biohazard, and there's no way to dispose of it until the next resupply mission arrives or you return to Earth. === Standard delicacies === [[File:ISSSpaceFoodOnATray.jpg|thumb|Assorted food on the International Space Station|right|alt=Space food: Cheddar spread, spinach, cookies, peanuts, crackers, steak, and utensils]]Food packaged in Russian cans is generally the best quality-wise but is also the heaviest, so only a limited number of these are allowed. Most food is in plastic pouches; some of these are ready-to-eat after optionally being reheated (a variety of main and side dishes, as well as snacks like granola bars and candies) while many others are dehydrated and must be reconstituted with water (such as borscht, spaghetti with meat sauce, or cereal with powdered milk). Fresh foods like fruit are a treat sent on resupply missions; they must be eaten within two days before they spoil. While most plants grown in space have been for research, astronauts have eaten small amounts of several types of leafy greens that they have grown. As the fixed menu repeats every 16 days on an extended stay, you'll soon grow tired of the monotony. Astronauts get personal containers in which they can select items not on the fixed menu as well as extras of favorites. Besides standard condiments (liquid salt solution, pepper oil, and ordinary fast-food packets of ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.), astronauts bring extras like hot sauces, pesto, horseradish, and more. You can also try combining foods to make new dishes; one astronaut wrote, "I cannot think of anything that cannot be put on a tortilla, or has not been put on a tortilla."<!-- https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition18/journal_sandra_magnus_6.html --> * {{eat | name=Space Food Systems Laboratory | alt=Space Food Research Facility | url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/space-food-systems | email= | address=Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, [[Houston]], [[Texas]] | lat=29.558396 | long=-95.091632 | directions=At Saturn Lane, turn to 2nd Street, the building is opposite to Delta Link | phone=+1 281 483 7070 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q111033316 | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=The original NASA space food center. The lab produces freeze-dried food, beverage powders, cookies, candy, and other dried goods. The facility also produces foods in pouches, similar to military's Meals-Ready-to-Eat. Food processing techniques and packaging are based on the item's perishability and ingredient. Space foods are evaluated in a specialized center, where food scientists evaluate the products’ shelf-life and goodness. }} * {{eat | name=Astrofood | alt=Russian Laboratory of Space Food | url=https://spacelaboratory.ru/en/ | email=info@astrofoods.ru | address=12 Granatnyy St., Presnensky District, [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] | lat=55.759867 | long=37.588278 | directions=From Vspolny Lane, go to Granatny Lane at the left | phone=+8 995 504 12 12 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 10:00–19:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-02-28 | content=Though not true "space food", Astrofood is a great place if you want tubed food like in the past. }} == Drink == [[File:ISS-43 Space Station Espresso Cup.jpg|thumb|An cup of espresso on the International Space Station|alt=Coffee inside a bent plastic flask]] Like space food, '''space drinks''' are mainly freeze-dried and packaged in plastic pouches. Coffee, tea, and a variety of fruit drinks are available; they're drunk with a straw, and you have to be careful to always "close" the straw between sips so liquid doesn't get accidentally squirted inside the vehicle. However, recent development has made drinking on an open cup possible, using the wicking effect to flow coffee to the mouth. This requires complex modeling and prior study in space in order to nail the shape right. Water tends to be scarce (as it is heavy and must be brought from Earth at great expense), so International Space Station machinery '''recycles water''' aggressively. Scientific wastewater, humidity, and even urine are all recovered and sanitized. Astronauts don't mind the taste of the recycled water, which is actually ''purer'' than drinking water on Earth. And as one astronaut points out, the same kind of recycling happens naturally on Earth, too, just over a much longer timescale. Contrary to popular belief, Tang was invented shortly ''before'' the United States space program, although its popularity soared when NASA used it on Mercury and Gemini missions. Since 2015 the International Space Station has had a machine that can make fresh '''espresso''' in addition to other hot drinks. It's used with a special cup that has a narrow spout; surface tension causes water-based liquids to climb the spout, from which you can sip it like you would on Earth. However, in zero-gravity, the ''crema'' foam is distributed throughout the espresso instead of floating to the top. Carbonated beverages aren't allowed because the bubbles don't rise in zero-gravity, leading to very unpleasant "wet burps". '''Alcohol''' has been consumed on a few flights in the past (mainly by Russian crews), but are prohibited on the International Space Station as it would interfere with the environmental systems, not to mention the potential danger for fire or crew impairment. == Sleep == [[File:Iss016e008792.jpg|thumb|This doesn't look like real slumber, does it?|right|alt=Astronaut sleeping inside a bag]] While '''sleeping''' in zero gravity may sound relaxing, the overall experience is mediocre. As usual, you're free to choose your pyjamas, provided that they aren't very loose. On the International Space Station, astronauts each have a cabin about the size of a shower stall, so this is definitely not for those with claustrophobia! Inside this, they zip themselves into a sleeping bag on the wall, which can feel weird since you have gotten used to feel a force while laying down. There is no pillows and blanket in space – astronaut Scott Kelly missed the pillow so much that he stick his bag to a cushion. And it doesn't stop here. Maintaining your '''circadian rhythm''' is difficult on a craft that experiences a sunrise and sunset every 90 minutes, and schedule disruptions due to mission planning and long workdays create further problems. Constant noise from the station is annoying, and astronauts are often cold because of the strong ventilation, which is needed to push away the carbon dioxide they exhale and replace it with oxygen. Because of the cosmic rays are streaming through the eyes, you might occasionally see fireworks inside, which would make you missed the sleeping experience on Earth a lot! Some people are a bit luckier, since they sleep inside their spacecraft and do not need to deal with the noises. * {{sleep | name=Zvezda module | alt=Russian: Звезда | url= | email= | address= International Space Station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia=Zvezda (ISS module) | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Harmony module | alt= | url= | email= | address= International Space Station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia=Harmony (ISS module) | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Tianhe module | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tiangong space station | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia=Tianhe core module | lastedit=2022-06-02 | content= }} == Stay safe == If you obtain a legitimate ticket to orbit, you will still need to pass through very intensive training and face with a real risk of dying. There are less demanding ways of experiencing space, such as sub-orbital flights and parabolic aircraft flight. [[File:Challenger explosion.jpg|thumb|Every spaceflight comes with a risk of dying. Challenger was one of two shuttles in the defunct United States shuttle program that blew up, killing all on board.|alt=Exploding space shuttle]] While more mature technology has made it safer than it was in the 1960s, space remains an '''inherently dangerous environment''' to put yourself in. Cosmic radiation, extreme temperatures, micrometeorites, engineering mistakes, high speeds, explosive fuels, space debris, the distance to the ground, and the lack of atmosphere make ''any'' unplanned situation potentially life-threatening. Spacecraft launch testing is extremely expensive, so spacecraft don't and can't have thousands of flight hours. By the standards of aviation, ''every'' space flight is a test flight. Both '''launch''' (our only method of getting to space is to sit on a huge fuel-filled container and hope it behaves like a rocket and not a bomb) and '''reentry''' (if you hit it in the wrong angle you burn up in or bounce off the atmosphere) have thus far proven to be the biggest dangers during a mission. So far most accidents have been during launch and reentry as well as during training and testing; only three humans have died in space<!-- Soyuz 11--> (albeit during preparations for reentry), but there have been several close calls such as Apollo 13 or the very first spacewalk. Some of the technological problems and close calls only became known to the public decades after they happened, so there may still be dangers you won't even know you're facing. Voyagers should be wary of purchasing space flights on projects that haven't yet begun. Many ventures are highly speculative; PanAm's “First Moon Flights” Club issued over 93,000 waiting list spots between 1968-1971 and predicted launch dates for many subsequent commercial expeditions have slipped just as dramatically. If there are complications with the project or the company goes under, you might lose your money and your plans. Just look at the bold predictions of some private space companies that have already proven to be less permanent than a shooting star. Don't even attempt to commit anything that could be interpreted as a '''crime''' in space, as the law around space crime is fuzzy and undeveloped. There has been at least one instance that an International Space Station astronaut got involved in legal trouble, causing headaches to lawyers and such. Usually, the suspect would generally be tried by the nation they're a citizen of. == Stay healthy == [[File:ISS-36 Luca Parmitano exercises on COLBERT.jpg|thumb|Gotta run to stay healthy!|right|alt=Astronaut running on a track]] Astronaut training is '''physically demanding''', so good physical fitness is a good starting point. Similar physical and mental stresses are present in particularly demanding types of military service, piloting fighter aircraft, mountain climbing, Antarctic expeditions, and advanced scuba diving such as cave diving. National astronaut programs often require athlete-like physical fitness ''and'' experience from these or comparable tasks. There are no hospitals in space and rescue is difficult or impossible, so people with conditions that might require immediate medical treatment are not qualified for space travel. Although early astronauts hid the truth to protect their tough-guy image, we now know that about half of all travelers experience '''space sickness''', a condition related to motion sickness with similar symptoms including vomiting and vertigo. Most people adapt within 3 days, and medicinal anti-nausea patches help with the symptoms. You need to '''exercise''' to stay healthy in zero gravity. Even so, you'll still lose both bone and muscle mass. Astronauts on extended stays are required to exercise at least 2.5 hours every single day. While exercise helps diminish the problem somewhat, a long stay will still see you weakened, and several cosmonauts and astronauts had difficulty getting out of their capsule and onto their own feet upon landing. Another concern is '''cosmic radiation'''. While you're exposed to a certain level of background radiation at all times, it gets higher in certain areas on earth and once you leave the protective layers of the atmosphere. This is already notable on a commercial transatlantic flight at 10,000&nbsp;m, and only gets worse if you go up to the International Space Station at 400&nbsp;km above the Earth's surface. While the International Space Station still enjoys some limited protection against radiation, once you go well beyond that height, or even to the moon, there are short term and long term risks associated with radiation that only get worse the longer you stay. Particularly dangerous are solar storms that may give you a year's worth of radiation in just a couple of hours. Shielding against radiation is also one of the major problems in ever sending humans to Mars, as all known solutions involve huge amounts of extra weight for the spacecraft or too high a risk to the crew. == Connect == [[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 4350 CSIROs Parkes Radio Telescope with moon in the background.jpg|thumb|A radio telescope relaying data from Apollo 11's spacecraft back down to Earth|alt=Telescope pointing towards the Moon]] In the past, '''communications''' are usually very low bandwidth, with flight data and audio transmitted by low-gain antennas. Higher data rate is now available, thankfully, and now astronauts can stream movies in space. A very common activity of astronauts in the International Space Station is to talk with their relatives at homes, as this would boost their morale. Keep in mind that the data speed can be very variable depending on priorities and time of the day, so usually communications from Earth to space can be poorer than the usual high-bandwidth cellular and WiFi. In the near future, satellite constellations like Starlink may provide gigabit speed to the spacecraft, via laser communications. It is possible to send small objects like '''physical mails''' and '''souvenirs''' between International Space Station expeditions, though you must have black hole-deep pocket to afford such long trips. An astronaut has been able to dial 911 from the International Space Station, but this is not recommended as they probably cannot help you. Instead, refer to your instructions by the contractor when there is an emergency. You should '''never''' try to fix a problem alone in space – there are an army of people on the ground that will instruct on what to do. Though, if there is such the need there is an official listing of radio frequencies to contact people from the ground using Kenwood D710E and Kenwood D710GA radios. Call sign is either <code>RS0ISS</code> for Russian; <code>NA1SS</code> for American; <code>DP0ISS</code>, <code>OR4ISS</code>, <code>IR0ISS</code> for European; and <code>RS0ISS-11</code>, <code>RS0ISS-1</code> for packets. * '''145.80 MHz''': voice and slow scan television (SSTV) * '''145.825 MHz''': packet communications in the very high frequency range * '''437.550 MHz''': packet communications in the ultra high frequency range * '''437.80 MHz''': repeater For the opposite, it is possible to communicate ''to'' the International Space Station, but some events require prior applications. * '''144.49 MHz''': voice for the Americas, and the Pacific and Southern Asia (ITU Regions 2 and 3) * '''145.20 MHz''': voice for the Europe, Russia and Africa (ITU Regions 1) * '''145.825 MHz''': packet communications in the very high frequency range * '''437.550 MHz''': packet communications in the ultra high frequency range * '''145.99 MHz''' and '''67 Hz squelch tone''' (PL): repeater == Cope == === Agencies === Many countries do have an '''independent space agency''', though most do not have experience at crewed spaceflights. See list of countries at the "Get in" section for reference.<!--[[w:List of government space agencies]]--> * {{listing | name=Algeria | alt={{flag|Algeria}} | url=https://asal.dz/ | address=14 Rue Omar Aissaoui, el-Hammadia, Bouzareah, Algiers | lat=36.77693 | long=3.0091 | phone=+23 27-05-31 | wikipedia=Algerian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Argentina | alt={{flag|Argentina}} | url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ciencia/conae | address=751 Avenue Paseo Colón, Centro, Buenos Aires | lat=-34.61667 | long=-58.36952 | phone=+54 11 4331-0074 | wikipedia=Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales}} * {{listing | name=Australia | alt={{flag|Australia}} | url=https://www.industry.gov.au/policies-and-initiatives/australian-space-agency | address=Lot 14, McEwin Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia | lat=-34.92029 | long=138.60872 | phone=+61 2 6276-1166 | wikipedia=Australian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Austria | alt={{flag|Austria}} | url=https://www.ffg.at/ffg/alr | address=Sensengasse 1, 1090 Wien, Vienna | lat=48.21939 | long=16.35235 | phone=+43 57 7550 | wikipedia=Austrian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Azerbaijan | alt={{flag|Azerbaijan}} | url=https://www.azercosmos.az | email= | address=5th floor, 72 Uzeyir Hajibeyov Street, Baku | lat=40.37371 | long=49.84934 | directions= | phone=+994 12 565-00-55 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Azercosmos | wikidata=Q12836929 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Bahrain | alt={{flag|Bahrain}} | url=https://www.nssa.gov.bh/ | wikipedia=National Space Science Agency}} * {{listing | name=Belarus | alt={{flag|Belarus}} | url= | wikipedia=Belarus Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Belgium | alt={{flag|Belgium}} | url=https://www.aeronomie.be/ | wikipedia=Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy}} * {{listing | name=Bolivia | alt={{flag|Bolivia}} | url=https://www.abe.bo/ | wikipedia=Bolivian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Brazil | alt={{flag|Brazil}} | url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br | wikipedia=Brazilian Space Agency}} * {{listing | name=Bulgaria | alt={{flag|Bulgaria}} | url=http://www.space.bas.bg/ | wikipedia=Space Research and Technology Institute | wikidata=Q2606872}} * {{listing | name=Vietnam | alt={{flag|Vietnam}} | url=https://vnsc.org.vn/vi/ | wikipedia=Vietnam National Space Center}} === Electricity === '''[[Electrical systems]] in space''' are vastly different compared to Earth. This is because space stations are international projects, which need to reach a compromise for all countries involved. On the International Space Station, electricity is provided by solar panels and batteries, distributed across many plugs designed by various standards. Roughly speaking, the United States side uses 120V DC, and the Russia side uses 28V DC, so '''don't plug in normal equipment directly, even with an adapter'''. Instead, use an inverter box provided on the station. However, most equipment are hardwired to the power system and don't use plugs. For you, space tourists, you should contact your contractors or government employers for further information. === Hygiene === [[File:ISS-57 Serena Auñón-Chancellor cleans the space toilet in the Tranquility module.jpg|thumb|You do the business at this hose, while the other hose is used for sucking loose waste product|right|alt=Woman holding two hoses]]Some '''toilets''' in space come in different shapes, but they usually operate on similar principles. They generally have a funnel-like receptacle for urine and a larger bowl for solid waste, both using suction to capture the material and any odors. You have to hold on or strap in, of course, and there are procedures to follow for operating the toilet and cleaning up afterwards. The degree of privacy depends on the craft; stations have enclosed cabins as did the Space Shuttle, but in smaller craft it may be merely tucked away in a corner, hidden behind a curtain, or is in the open and you have to ask your fellow passengers to face the other way. On short missions, many astronauts prefer to simply avoid using the toilet, relying on enemas before launch and low-fiber diets. '''Clothes''' in space actually don't get dirty very quickly, due to a variety of environmental factors. Wearing the same underwear 3-4 days in a row is no big deal! However, there's no practical way to wash clothes in space; astronauts get fresh clothes from resupply missions, and the dirty ones are either is incinerated by sending it into Earth's atmosphere, or recovered during the trip back home. Although a shower was tested on Skylab with mixed feedback from astronauts, it was large and cumbersome, and hasn't been used again. Astronauts take '''sponge baths''' using liquid soap, water, and shampoo provided in bags. Washing of hands and cutlery is similarly done with napkins and washcloths. '''Brushing your teeth''' in space is very similar to back on Earth. However, after you're done, you must swallow the paste because there is no water sinks. An alternative method is neatly spit the paste onto a disposable tissue, which will get burnt in the atmosphere as trash. === News and entertainment === Mental health in space is paramount. You're stuck with a small number of people in very cramped quarters for weeks at a time, or months for permanent crew on the International Space Station. While short missions may be different, astronauts on the International Space Station do get weekends and a few holidays off. They have '''a projector''' for watching select TV shows and movies (sometimes before they play in theaters), and laptops for surfing the internet and talking to family. They bring their favorite hobbies with them, and the International Space Station now has an assortment of musical instruments on board. ===Religious services=== [[File:Jsc2007e051379.jpg|thumb|Even though you may not be involved in a religion, it is respectful follow through it otherwise|alt=Astronauts receiving blessing from a Russian Orthodox priest]] Although sticking to the traditional rituals and schedules can be difficult, religion has been actively practiced in space: * [[Christianity|'''Christians''']] have celebrated Communion in space, including Buzz Aldrin from the surface of the Moon during Apollo 11 and several astronauts on the International Space Station. '''Christmas''' is celebrated every year on the International Space Station, which includes a small artificial Christmas tree, Christmas dinner, and sometimes presents for the crew. Sometimes, Christmas is celebrated more than once, due to differences between the Julian calendar used by the Russian Orthodox Church and the Gregorian calendar. * '''[[Islam]]''' has been practiced in space and there are guidelines for how to pray in space, which address kneeling, facing Mecca, and washing. The religion also instruct how to time prayers and fasts for a 24-hour day when experiencing a sunrise and sunset every 90 minutes, which also generally based on the point of departure from land. It may be difficult or impossible to verify whether food is ''halal'', in which case one should eat just enough to ward off hunger. There is a fatwa forbidding devout Muslims from participating in one-way missions to Mars, as the risk to life is considered too great. * '''[[Judaism]]''' has also been practiced in space, and there are similar guidelines for observing Shabbat, based on the point of departure from land, and orienting oneself while praying.<!-- https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4168250/jewish/How-to-Observe-Judaism-in-Outer-Space.htm --> Some adaptations may be needed to affix a ''mezuzah'' or wear a prayer shawl.<!-- https://www.jta.org/2018/03/16/culture/first-torah-reading-orbit-5-fun-facts-jews-space --> Keeping kosher is possible with appropriate selection of meals, and there is already personal time allocated in schedules which could be used to study the Torah. However, properly observing ''tzniut'' (modesty) in mixed-gender crews might be impossible as that would require separate showers and toilets for men and women, which no vessel has as of 2020.<!-- https://ohr.edu/ask_db/ask_main.php/78/Q1/ and https://www.cjnews.com/perspectives/judaism-space-part-two --> The danger to one's life should also be weighed carefully. No matter your religion, if in doubt of the rules, check with an appropriate religious authority. If possible, do so several months or years in advance so leaders have enough time to consider the implications and determine the answers. ==Go next== [[File:The Blue Marble (remastered).jpg|thumb|So many places to discover!|alt=Picture of Earth, The Blue Marble]] What goes up must come down—at least for now. Once you've exhausted the [[Moon]], there are countless opportunities for exploration and discovery down on [[Earth]], in places such as [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[Europe]], [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Oceania]], [[Antarctica]], and countless [[Island nations|islands]] in between. {{Guidetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Travel topics}} {{RelatedWikipedia|Space tourism|rel=y}} i1b3topfrj5efo6lv6ur74i50k3f8yn 0 33971 4506414 4488034 2022-08-22T20:17:34Z AlasdairW 1812 /* Visitor information */ Updated listing for Tourist Information Centre wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Stamford (England) Wikivoyage banner.jpg|pgname=Stamford}} {{featurenomination|otbp}} '''Stamford''' is a historic stone town at the southwest corner of [[Lincolnshire]], with beautiful architecture, friendly people and many independent shops. Although the town itself is in Lincolnshire, the area to the north and west is in [[Rutland (England)|Rutland]], the area immediately to the south is in [[Cambridgeshire]] and [[Northamptonshire]] is within walking distance. ==Understand== Stamford was founded where the River Welland could be easily crossed. The name is a Saxon corruption of ‘Stony Ford’. The town has been appreciated as an architectural gem for many years: * "Stamfford town is as fine a built town all of stone as may be seen” — Celia Fiennes * "The finest sight on the road between Edinburgh and London" — Sir Walter Scott * "If there is a more beautiful town in the whole of England, I have yet to see it" — W. G. Hoskins * “The best town we have" — Sir John Betjeman * “The English country market town par excellence” — Nikolaus Pevsner Stamford received a charter from Henry III in 1256. The funeral procession of Queen Eleanor, wife of King Edward I, stopped at Stamford in 1290 on its way to London. An Eleanor Cross was erected in commemoration. Queen Elizabeth I gave the Lordship of the town to her Lord Treasurer, William Cecil, who built Burghley House; he has a splendid tomb in St Martin’s Church. In the Civil War, King Charles I spent his last night as a free man in Stamford. In the 18th century, Stamford was a major coaching stop, half way between London and York: a place to spend the night, not just change horses. Railways eventually killed off coaching, but many of the 40 coaching inns survived to become pubs, restaurants, hotels and private houses. Stamford was designated as the first urban conservation area in 1967. ===Visitor information=== * {{go | name=Tourist Information Centre | alt= | url=https://www.stamfordartscentre.com/about/visitor-information/ | email= | address=27 St Mary's Street, PE9 2DL | lat=52.65162 | long=-0.476883 | directions=inside the Arts Centre | phone=+44 1780 755611 | tollfree= | hours= M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=The Tourist Information Centre is staffed by the Arts Centre team and offers information on places to visit, where to eat, what’s on and where to stay. Guides, timetables and maps, souvenirs, postcards and stamps are available. They can book accommodation for you. }} ==Get in== The ideal way to arrive in Stamford is from the south via the A1 and the B1081. The approaches to most English towns have been spoiled by strip development, but here you arrive at a clear edge of the historic town. ===By plane=== The nearest airport is [[London_Stansted_Airport|Stansted]]; trains run hourly to Stamford from the airport. Other airports include [[London_Luton|Luton]], East Midlands and Birmingham. ===By train=== Trains run hourly to and from [[Peterborough]] (one stop, about 12 minutes away), on the line between Stansted Airport and Birmingham New Street. Peterborough has fast trains to [[London King's Cross]] (less than an hour) and [[Edinburgh]] via [[Leeds]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. Other Peterborough trains go to [[Bury St Edmunds]], [[Ipswich (England)|Ipswich]], [[Lincoln]], [[Liverpool]], [[Manchester]] Piccadilly, [[Norwich]], [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]], [[Sleaford]] and [[Spalding]]. * {{listing | type=go | name=Stamford railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=52.648 | long=-0.4798 | directions=just south of the River Welland and about 10 minutes' walk from the town centre | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stamford railway station | image=Stamford railway station AB1.JPG | wikidata=Q2661650 | content=The station (1848) was designed to resemble a small Tudor manor house. }} ===By bus=== National Express offers a daily coach service between London and Stamford. Local bus services run between Stamford and Peterborough, Grantham, Nottingham and Melton Mowbray. * {{go | name=Bus station | alt= | url=http://www.stagecoachbus.com/customersercontact.aspx | email=south.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com | address=St. Peters Hill, PE9 2PE | lat=52.6514 | long=-0.4819 | directions=near Sheepmarket | phone=+44 345 121 0190 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content= }} ===By car=== Stamford has good road access via the nearby A1 (motorway in parts) running north-south from London to Edinburgh. The A14 connects east-west to the A1. From Northampton, Kettering and Corby, the A43 will also get you there. ===By bicycle=== The town is on [https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-63 Route 63 of the National Cycle Network], a network of long distance cycling routes. Route 63 runs from Burton upon Trent, [[Staffordshire]] to [[Wisbech]], Cambridgeshire. Stamford itself is not ideal for cycling, with pedestrian areas where cycling is not allowed and some narrow roads. ===By foot=== Two long-distance footpaths pass through Stamford. The [https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Macmillan+Way+-+Boston+to+Abbotsbury Macmillan Way] is a 290-mile footpath linking Boston on the Lincolnshire coast with Abbotsbury in Dorset; there are branch routes to Banbury, Bath and Barnstable. The 110-mile [https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Hereward+Way Hereward Way] links the Viking Way (at Oakham) with the Peddars Way near to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|52.6503|-0.4785|zoom=15}} Stamford's town centre is compact. The central shopping area is pedestrianised with many interesting little alleyways, making it ideal for exploration on foot. The town is not particularly cycle-friendly. The main taxi rank is in Broad Street, except on market day (Friday), and they can also be called by phone. ===Car parks=== Many of the roads are narrow and there are some parking restrictions. With minor exceptions, on-street parking is time-limited and off-street car parks require payment. * {{listing | type=listing | name=Bath Row car park | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2WE | lat=52.6507 | long=-0.4802 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content=Half of Bath Row has paid parking (50 spaces) and the other half is free, but time-limited; check the signs. }} * {{listing | name=Cattle Market car park | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2WB | lat=52.6493 | long=-0.4805 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content=Long stay. A short walk from the town centre across the Meadows, via the Vence Walk footpath. 310 spaces. }} * {{listing | name=North Street car park | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 1EG | lat=52.65389 | long=-0.47924 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content=110 spaces. }} * {{listing | name=St Leonard's Street car park | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2HX | lat=52.6525 | long=-0.4752 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content=40 spaces. }} * {{listing | name=Scotgate car park | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2YE | lat=52.6526 | long=-0.4837 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content=70 spaces. }} * {{listing | name=Wharf Road car park | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2EB | lat=52.651452 | long=-0.474143 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content=200 spaces. }} There is also a car park at the station, but this is further away from the town centre and mainly used by commuters. ==See== Stamford's main attraction is not a single destination, such as a castle or a cathedral. The town is a collection of over 600 preserved historic ('listed') buildings, together forming a beautiful Georgian town, centred on the river Welland. Stamford was the first urban conservation area in the UK. Its centre has been relatively untouched by Victorian rebuilding and more modern development. Almost all the streets curve gently, leading you on to see around the next corner. You will want to spend some time wandering around and admiring the lovely architecture, exploring the cobbled streets and secret alleyways, and visiting some of the numerous historic churches. Above all, remember to look up. ===Areas to view and walk around=== * {{see | name=Barn Hill | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2AE | lat=52.6529 | long=-0.4820 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Often used as a filming location, in Barn Hill you can imagine yourself transported back to the Georgian era. }} * {{see | name=The Bastion | alt= | url=https://www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk/the-bastion.html | email= | address=West Street, PE9 2PR | lat=52.65092 | long=-0.48619 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Little remains of Stamford's 12th century walls, but St Peter’s Bastion, a Grade 1 listed ancient monument, is an example. }} * {{see | name=Eleanor Cross | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sheepmarket, PE9 2RB | lat=52.65151 | long=-0.48098 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=A modern monument inspired by the lost Eleanor Cross stands in Sheepmarket, on the way from the bus and railway stations to the town centre. The carved detail is based on the surviving fragment of the original Cross. }} * {{see | name=Mallory Lane | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2FW | lat=52.6518 | long=-0.4815 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=An outdoor gallery of photographs, created in 2018. }} * {{see | name=The Meadows | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2QU | lat=52.6501 | long=-0.4807 | directions=to the west of the Town Bridge, between the River Welland and the millstream. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=The Meadows are the ancient floodplain of Stamford and they still help to prevent flooding elsewhere. The scant remains of the second Stamford Castle are visible north of the Bath Row car park. To the west is the Old Mill and further west the millstream is near old almshouses. The area is popular for picnics in summer and for walking throughout the year. }} ===Buildings to visit=== * {{see | name=Browne's Hospital | alt= | url=https://www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk/brownes-hospital.html | email= | address=Broad Street PE9 1PF | lat=52.6534 | long=-0.4791 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Guided tour only (must be booked) | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Almshouse, built 1475. }} * {{see | name=Burghley House | alt= | url=http://www.burghley.co.uk/ | email=burghley@burghley.co.uk | address=PE9 3JY | lat=52.6425 | long=-0.453056 | directions=visitor entrance on Barnack Road, 2 miles from the town centre | phone=+44 1780 752451 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00-17:00 | price= | wikipedia=Burghley House | image=Front of Burghley House 2009.jpg | wikidata=Q1015079 | content=Near Stamford is a grand 16th-century stately home — almost a palace — built for Sir William Cecil, who was Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I from 1558 to 1587. The surrounding parkland was laid out by Capability Brown and the estate covers more than 9,000 acres. It has been a location for films such as ''The Da Vinci Code'' and the 2005 film adaptation of ''Pride and Prejudice''. The house is open every day except Friday from mid-March to October; the park is open all year round. There is also a sculpture garden and a newer 'Garden of Surprises', which is full of water features: you may get wet! }} * {{see | name=Stamford Library | alt= | url=http://www.better.org.uk/venues/stamfordlibrary | email=stamford.library@gll.org | address=High Street, PE9 2BB | lat=52.6527 | long=-0.4779 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday (16:00 Saturday) | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=Contains a 'Discover Stamford' section with exhibits connected with the town and its history, mostly selected from the collection of the former Stamford Museum (now closed). }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Stamford Town Hall | alt= | url=http://www.stamfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/Town_Hall_18459.aspx | email=townhall@stamfordtowncouncil.gov.uk | address=St Mary’s Hill, PE9 2DR | lat=52.651197 | long=-0.478201 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 753808 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-04-18 | content=Free tours are available on Fridays. }} * {{see | name=Wothorpe Towers | alt= | url=http://www.wothorpe-towers.co.uk/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=wothorpetowers@aol.com | address=Wothorpe on the Hill, PE9 3JG | lat=52.63702 | long=-0.48820 | directions=1.5 miles from Stamford | phone=+44 1780 481977 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Wothorpe | wikidata=Q2070153 | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=The ruins of a 17th century stately home. Open by appointment only. Visible from nearby bridleways when not open to the public. }} ===Ecclesiastical buildings=== * {{see | name=The Priest's House | alt= | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priests-house-easton-on-the-hill/ | email=priestshouse2@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=38 West Street, Easton on the Hill, near Stamford, PE9 3LS | lat=52.629364 | long=-0.5095124 | directions={{mi|3}} south west of Stamford | phone=+44 1832 205158 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=The Priest's House - geograph.org.uk - 213873.jpg | content=A small 15th-century building that is unmanned and open to the public primarily on Sundays in July and August but also by appointment at any time during the rest of the year. }} * {{see | name=St George's Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2BN | lat=52.65169 | long=-0.47596 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=15th century exterior, except the tower. William Bruges (1375–1450), first Garter King of Arms is buried in the church. }} * {{see | name=St John the Baptist's Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2AW | lat=52.65180 | long=-0.48009 | directions=on the corner of High Street and St John's Street | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=A redundant Anglican church. Tower 14th century, remainder 15th century (including some glass) with 12th century fragments. Finely-carved internal roof with angel bosses. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=St Leonard's Priory | alt= | url=https://www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk/st-leonards-priory.html | email= | address=Priory Rd, PE9 2EU | lat=52.6545 | long=-0.4651 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=St Leonard's Priory, Stamford | wikidata=Q7593999 | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=The Priory was a cell of the Durham cathedral monastery since at least 1147. The nave was rebuilt in the 19th century and the remains of the north aisle, transepts, chancel and claustral buildings are buried. Today, it is maintained by South Kesteven District Council and Stamford Civic Society. }} * {{see | name=St Martin Without | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2NT | lat=52.6488 | long=-0.4773 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=Church rebuilt in the 15th century. Contains the Cecil family tombs. Often used as a concert venue. }} * {{see | name=St Mary's Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=PE9 2DS | lat=52.6514 | long=-0.4783 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=Built by the 12th century (tower 13th, spire 14th). Has a rare decorated medieval wagon vault. }} * {{see | name=St Michael the Greater Church | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=52.6525 | long=-0.4780 | directions=at the junction of High Street and Ironmonger Street | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=A redundant Anglican church, which collapsed in 1832 and was rebuilt; subjected to "an appalling conversion" (Pevsner) in the 1980s, now used for shops. The churchyard survives. }} * {{see | name=Stamford All Saints Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=All Saints' Place PE9 2AG | lat=52.65232 | long=-0.48090 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=Mainly 13th century. Look up from Red Lion Square to see the sundial. }} ==Do== [[File:River Welland.18.6.05.jpg|thumb|River Welland.]] * {{do | name=Burghley Park Golf Club | alt= | url=https://www.burghleyparkgolfclub.co.uk/ | email=professional@burghleyparkgolfclub.co.uk | address=St. Martins Without, PE9 3JX | lat=52.6362 | long=-0.4690 | directions=on B1081, 1.8 miles from the town centre | phone=+44 1780 753789 (opt 1) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F & after 14:30 Sa Su | price=£25-£45 | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=Established 1890 in the Capability Brown park. Dress code applies. }} * {{do | name=Nene Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://nvr.org.uk | email= | address=Wansford PE8 6LR | lat=52.568449 | long=-0.389316 | directions=7 miles south of Stamford via the A1 | phone=+44 1780 784444 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Check website for timetables | price=£16 | wikipedia=Nene Valley Railway | wikidata=Q2962386 | lastedit=2018-06-25 | content=A 7-mile preserved railway, running heritage steam and diesel trains. }} * {{do | name=Rutland Water | alt= | url=https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water | email= | address=Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Egleton, Oakham, LE15 8BT | lat=52.6555 | long=-0.7030 | directions=13 miles from Stamford | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-17:00 (16:00 November – April) | price=£5.70 | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=To the west of Stamford lies Rutland Water, an area of 1,000 acres around the man-made reservoir. Rutland Water Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Protection Area. It is also a wildfowl sanctuary and home to the successful Rutland Osprey Project. There are nature trails with numerous bird watching hides and a butterfly farm. There is boating on the lake and bicycles are available for hire. }} * {{do | name=Stamford Arts Centre | alt= | url=https://www.stamfordartscentre.com/ | email=boxoffice@stamfordartscentre.com | address=27 St Mary's Street, PE9 2DL | lat=52.6517 | long=-0.4770 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 763203 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:30-17:00, Monday-Saturday | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=A 166-seat theatre with professional and amateur drama; the theatre has a second role as a cinema, showing both blockbusters and Art House movies. There is a gallery, a cellar bar, a busy cafe and a large ballroom, hosting varied concerts, including a classical music season from October to May, dances and workshops. Other multifunctional rooms are available to hire. }} * {{do | name=Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre | alt= | url=http://stamfordcornexchange.co.uk/ | email=info@stamfordcornexchange.co.uk | address=Broad Street, PE9 1PX | lat=52.6531 | long=-0.4790 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 766455 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Now a 400-seat theatre, this 1859 building was taken over by local volunteers in 2000, who converted and refurbished it for its new role. }} * {{do | name=Stamford Shakespeare Company | alt=Rutland Open Air Theatre | url=http://stamfordshakespeare.co.uk/ | email= | address=Tolethorpe Hall, Little Casterton, Lincolnshire PE9 4BH | lat=52.6805 | long=-0.4889 | directions=3.5 miles from Stamford | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=One of the great theatrical experiences. The audience is under cover, but the actors take whatever the summer English weather throws at them. You haven't lived until you've seen ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' with pouring rain in a drawing room scene! }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Tallington Lakes Leisure Park | alt= | url=http://www.tallington.com | email=info@tallington.com | address=Barnholm Road, Tallington PE9 4RJ | lat=52.6749 | long=-0.3845 | directions=6 miles from Stamford | phone=+44 1778 34 7000 | tollfree= | hours=09:00-21:00 | price=£3.00 | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=Water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and canoeing; a dry ski slope, and a 15 metre climbing tower. }} ===Events=== The annual '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_fair#Rise_of_the_chartered_fair_in_England Mid-Lent Fair]''' is one of the largest street fairs in the country. It runs for a week each year, towards the end of winter. The exact dates depend on Easter: the fair arrives on Mothering Sunday, opens on the following day and closes on Saturday. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is mentioned by Shakespeare. Originally it was a regional market, but it is now almost entirely a travelling funfair. Main streets including Broad Street and Bath Row are closed to traffic and occupied by rides and stalls. '''[http://burghleygameandcountryfair.co.uk Burghley Game & Country Fair]''' has become an annual event, on Spring Bank Holiday weekend in late May, with countryside activities and entertainment in the grounds of Burghley House. The '''[http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk Burghley Horse Trials]''', one of only six four-star eventing competitions in the world, take place in early September. The international importance of the event makes accommodation scarce and expensive for this weekend. Stamford was for more than 600 years famous for its annual '''Bull Run''', a blood sport in which a live bull was hunted on foot on the Meadows and around the town. The practice was abolished in 1839, but the '''[https://stamfordgeorgianfestival.co.uk Stamford Georgian Festival]''' is held in alternate years, in September. The next festival Is planned for 2021. The festival includes a symbolic Bull, paraded through the streets. The annual '''[http://www.stamfordfestival.co.uk Stamford Festival]''' is organised in June by local voluntary service organisations. The highlight is a parade of floats through the main streets. ==Buy== The iconic Stamford shopping experience is its '''[http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8639 Friday Market]''', a tradition since at least the 13th century. The market stalls are set up in the early hours and they offer fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese, clothing and a huge range of other commodities. Broad Street is closed for the market. There is also a Farmers' Market on alternate Fridays. Stalls are cheap to rent and more than a few of the town's independent shops started as market stalls. Many specialist chains also have shops in Stamford. ===Books=== * {{buy | name=Robert Humm | alt= | url=http://www.roberthumm.co.uk | email=books@roberthumm.co.uk | address=59 Scotgate, PE9 2YQ | lat=52.6530 | long=-0.4840 | directions=now moved from the railway station | phone=+44 1780 766266 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Britain's largest railway bookshop, specialising in rare and out-of-print books. }} * {{buy | name=St Mary's Antiquarian Books | alt= | url=http://www.stmarysbooks.com | email=info@stmarysbooks.com | address=9 St Marys Hill, PE9 2DP | lat=52.650891 | long=-0.478321 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 763033 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Rooms full of secondhand books, taxidermy and newspapers. }} * {{buy | name=Walkers Bookshop | alt= | url=http://www.walkersbookshops.co.uk/ | email= | address=10 High Street, PE9 2AL | lat=52.6525 | long=-0.4787 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 764405 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 08:30-17:30, Su 10:00-16:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=A traditional family-run bookshop. Stop by and admire the old building and maybe pick up one of the many books about Stamford's history. }} ===Clothing=== * {{buy | name=Chameleon | alt= | url=http://www.chameleonboutique.co.uk/ | email=sales@chameleonboutique.co.uk | address=5 St Mary's Hill, PE9 2DP | lat=52.650741 | long=-0.478290 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 755405 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=Designer lingerie and swimwear. }} Other clothing brands represented in the centre of the town include '''Crew''', '''Edinburgh Woollen Mill''', '''Fat Face''', '''Jaeger''', '''Joules''', '''Mountain Warehouse''', '''New Look''', '''Phase 8,''' '''Rohan''', '''Seaweed''' and '''White Stuff'''. ===Food=== * {{buy | name=Asker Bakery | alt= | url= | email= | address=5a Red Lion Street, PE9 1PA | lat=52.6525 | long=-0.4799 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 481933 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=The coal-fired oven used for baking is a real rarity. }} * {{buy | name=Stamford Cheese Cellar | alt= | url=https://www.stamfordcheese.com | email=orders@stamfordcheese.com | address=17 St. Mary's Street, PE9 2DG | lat=52.651723 | long=-0.477867 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 489269 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=The spiral staircase down is steep, but the range of cheeses (and accompaniments) is wide. }} ===Independent and specialist shops=== * {{buy | name=Dawson of Stamford | alt= | url=http://www.dawsonofstamford.com | email=dawsonofstamford@hotmail.com | address=6 Red Lion Square, PE9 2AJ | lat=52.651888 | long=-0.480314 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 764321 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=Founded by goldsmith John Dawson in 1976. Jewellery, antique furniture and clocks. }} * {{buy | name=Harrison and Dunn | alt= | url=http://harrisonanddunn.co.uk/ | email= | address=3 All Saints Street, PE9 2PA | lat=52.6518 | long=-0.4815 | directions=there is also an entrance on Sheepmarket | phone=+44 1780 762088 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=The hardware shop you remember from many years ago: they have everything, they will sell you one of something and they know where things are. Founded in 1930, it is still managed by Dunns. }} * {{buy | name=Loomes Watchmakers | alt= | url=https://www.loomeswatches.com | email= | address=4 St Mary’s Hill, PE9 2DP | lat=52.650617 | long=-0.478334 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 481319 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Stamford Music Shop | alt= | url=http://www.stamfordmusicshop.co.uk/ | email=info@stamfordmusicshop.co.uk | address=11 St. Mary's Hill, PE9 2DP | lat=52.651111 | long=-0.478399 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 751275 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=One of the largest sheet music specialists in Britain. Extensive range of musical instruments for sale or rental. }} * {{buy | name=St Martins Antiques Centre | alt= | url=http://www.st-martins-antiques.co.uk | email=info@st-martins-antiques.co.uk | address=23a High Street St Martins, PE9 2LF | lat=52.6487 | long=-0.4773 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 481158 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Lease spaces to over 70 dealers with articles displayed in floor units and cabinets. }} * {{buy | name=The Vacuum Store | alt= | url=http://www.vacuum-store.co.uk/ | email=sales@vacuum-store.co.uk | address=18 St. Mary's Street, PE9 2DG | lat=52.651727 | long=-0.477809 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 482935 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-17 | content=Unusual specialist in vacuum sales, spares and repairs, including test drives on various surfaces. Often have vintage vacuums in the window. }} Other shops include '''Adnams''', '''Moshulu''' and '''Neal's Yard.'''. ==Eat== As with its shops, the town boasts lots of independent eateries alongside many chains. There is significant overlap between pubs, hotels and restaurants. * {{eat | name=The Bull and Swan | alt= | url=https://www.hillbrookehotels.co.uk/the-bull-and-swan/ | email=enquiries@thebullandswan.co.uk | address=24 High St, St Martins PE9 2LJ | lat=52.6482 | long=-0.4769 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 766412 | tollfree= | hours=Meals Th 15:00-23:00, F-Su 12:00-23:00 | price=B&B double £90 | lastedit=2020-07-23 | content=Good pub food, gets booked out. Eat pizza in the potting shed and watch the garden cinema. With nine rooms, 3 are dog-friendly. }} * {{eat | name=Cloisters | alt= | url=http://cloistersbistro.com/ | email= | address=9 St. Marys Street, PE9 2DE | lat=52.651524 | long=-0.479102 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 755162 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 12:00-14:30 & 17:00-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-05-19 | content=Pasta, pizza and Italian cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Gurkha Oven | alt= | url=http://www.gurkhastamford.co.uk | email=info@gurkhastamford.co.uk | address=11 Broad St, PE9 1PG | lat=52.6536 | long=-0.4782 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 767600 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-05-19 | content=Nepalese food. Book ahead at busy times. }} * {{eat | name=Mama Liz's Soul Food Shack | alt= | url=http://www.mamaliz.co.uk/ | email=bookings@mamaliz.co.uk | address=9a North Street, PE9 1EL | lat=52.6539 | long=-0.4781 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 765888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=Cajun & Creole, Vegan options; plus music. }} * {{eat | name=No1 Kitchen | alt= | url=http://no1-kitchen.co.uk/ | email=Info@no1-kitchen.co.uk | address=1 Castle Street, PE9 2RA | lat=52.6513 | long=-0.4804 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 766522 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=Burgers, chicken, ribs, steak, skewers, salads and more. }} * {{eat | name=Riverside Fish Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=3 Castle St, PE9 2RE | lat=52.65128 | long=-0.48025 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 766698 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Fish & chips near the river. }} * {{eat | name=Zada Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.zadarestaurant.co.uk | email=zadarestaurant@gmail.com | address=13 St Mary's Hill, PE9 2DP | lat=52.651259 | long=-0.478521 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 766848 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=Turkish cuisine. }} * '''[https://www.orbisstamford.co.uk/ Orbis]''', opened in 2021, specialises in gluten-free food. They're on the main strip at 11 All Saints Place and open W-Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 11:00-19:00. They have another branch in [[Oakham]]. * {{eat | name=White Hart | alt= | url=https://www.whitehartufford.co.uk/ | email= | address=Main St, Ufford PE9 3BH | lat=52.624 | long=-0.385 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 740250 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=B&B double £120 | lastedit=2021-11-18 | content=Restaurant with rooms in a 17th century coaching inn, the food gets great reviews. }} ==Drink== Despite the small size of the town centre, there are many places to relax and enjoy either alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. ===Cafes=== * {{drink | name=Café Black | alt= | url= | email= | address=21 High St, PE9 2LF | lat=52.6526 | long=-0.4782 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 762999 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-16 | content=Central location, substantial breakfasts, cakes and coffee. }} * {{drink | name=Gooch's Coffee Shop | alt= | url= | email= | address=3 Castle Street, PE9 2RA | lat=52.65129 | long=-0.48029 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-24 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Lambert's | alt= | url=http://lamberts-stamford.co.uk/ | email= | address=5 Cheyne Lane, PE9 2AX | lat=52.6520 | long=-0.4780 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 767063 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Sa 08:30–16:30, Th F 18:00-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=A bit of an identity crisis here: a coffee shop with great breakfasts; a cafe-cum-deli; and a must-book fine dining restaurant two nights a week. }} * {{drink | name=Pennies From Heaven | alt= | url= | email= | address=17 Maiden Lane, PE9 2AZ | lat=52.65224 | long=-0.47704 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 481634 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-24 | content= }} ===Pubs & bars=== * {{drink | name=The King's Head | alt= | url=https://www.kingsheadstamford.com | email=info@kingsheadstamford.com | address=19 Maiden Lane, PE9 2AZ | lat=52.6524 | long=-0.4773 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 753510 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content=Cosy and close to the High Street. }} * {{drink | name=Melbourn Bros | alt=All Saints Brewery | url=http://www.allsaintsbrewery.co.uk/ | email= | address=21-22 All Saints Street, PE9 2PA | lat=52.6519 | long=-0.4818 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 752186 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Paten and Co | alt=formerly The Periwig | url=http://www.kneadpubs.co.uk/paten-co | email=paten@kneadpubs.co.uk | address=7 All Saints Place, PE9 2AG | lat=52.652382 | long=-0.480380 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 408647 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content= }} * {{drink | name=The Tobie Norris | alt= | url=http://www.kneadpubs.co.uk/our-pubs/the-tobie-norris | email= | address=12 St Pauls Street, PE9 2BE | lat=52.653596 | long=-0.475397 | directions= | phone=+441780 753800 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-24 | content=A traditional pub featuring several cosy rooms with original timber strutted ceilings. Excellent rustic pizza. }} * {{drink | name=The Wine Bar | alt= | url=http://www.stamfordwinebar.co.uk/ | email=info@stamfordwinebar.co.uk | address=10 St Paul's St, PE9 2BE | lat=52.6539 | long=-0.4749 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 757844 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content= }} There are many other pubs and bars, including those listed under '''Eat''' and '''Sleep'''. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=The Crown Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.kneadpubs.co.uk/the-crown-hotel | email=reservations@thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk | address=6 All Saints' Place, PE9 2AG | lat=52.6525 | long=-0.4806 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 763136 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£85-£190 | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=The George | alt= | url=http://www.georgehotelofstamford.com/ | email= | address=71 High Street St Martin's, PE9 2LB | lat=52.649721 | long=-0.478165 | directions= | phone=+44 1780 750750 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£215-335 | lastedit=2018-06-20 | content=A historic building near the river, one of the more expensive places to stay, eat or drink in Stamford. The "gallows" across the road is impressive, but it is structural; it was never used for public executions. }} * {{sleep | name=The William Cecil | alt=formerly the Lady Anne's | url=http://www.hillbrookehotels.co.uk/the-william-cecil/ | email=enquiries@thewilliamcecil.co.uk | address=St Martins, PE9 2LJ | lat=52.6468 | long=-0.4758 | directions=near the southern entrance to the town, on the edge of Burghley Park; about half a mile from the town centre | phone=+44 1780 750070 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=£110-200 | lastedit=2018-03-15 | content= }} All these hotels have restaurants and bars. The '''Bull & Swan''' (see above) also offers accommodation. The town has B&Bs for all budgets. The nearest chain hotels are just under 10 miles away: a '''Premier Inn''' to the south near Peterborough; and a '''Travelodge''' to the north, at South Witham. * {{sleep | name=Stamford Cider Huts | alt= | url=https://www.ciderhuts.co.uk/ | email= | address=Grange Farm, Main St, Southorpe PE9 3BX | lat=52.6106 | long=-0.4063 | directions= | phone=+44 7432 643872 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Hut £100 | lastedit=2022-05-16 | content=Styling glamping cabins, open Apr-Sept. }} == Connect == As of May 2022, Stamford has 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached this area. == Go next == * North to [[Grantham]], birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton * West to [[Oakham]], another town built largely of Jurassic limestone * East to [[Bourne_(Lincolnshire)|Bourne]], Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Crowland with its semi-ruined abbey * South to [[Peterborough]] with its medieval cathedral * Further south to [[Cambridge_(England)|Cambridge]] {{routebox | placename=Stamford | image1=British Rail - Flame Red logo.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham New Street]] | minorl1=[[Oakham]] | directionr1=SE | majorr1=[[Stansted Airport]] | minorr1=[[Peterborough]] | link1= | caption1= | image2=UK_road_A1.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Doncaster]] | minorl2=[[Grantham]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[London]] | minorr2=[[Peterborough]] | image3=UK_road_A43.svg | imagesize3=40 | directionr3=NE | majorr3=END | minorr3= | directionl3=SW | majorl3=[[Northampton]] | minorl3=[[Corby]] }} {{geo|52.6519|-0.4802}} {{guidecity}} {{IsPartOf|Lincolnshire}} bzit4afbanc7xzftkfgttxizftbxj2y 0 34396 4506764 4477248 2022-08-23T10:27:12Z CommonsDelinker 1301297 Replacing Maison_Kammerzell_00018u.jpg with [[File:Strassburg_um_1900.jpg]] (by [[:c:User:CommonsDelinker|CommonsDelinker]] because: [[:c:COM:Duplicate|Duplicate]]: Exact or scaled-down duplicate: [[:c::File:Strassburg um 1900.jpg|]]). wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Banner - Strasbourg 4.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[Image:Garedestrasbourg.jpg|thumb|300px|Strasbourg railway station, known for the sky dome]] [http://www.ot-strasbourg.fr/en/ '''Strasbourg'''] (German: ''Straßburg'', Alsatian: ''Strossburi'') is the capital of the [[Grand-Est]] region of [[France]] and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre - the Grande Île - which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a [[World Heritage Site]] by UNESCO. ==Understand== Strasbourg is the ninth largest city in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the [[Germany|German]] city of [[Kehl]], on the eastern bank of the Rhine. The city is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/portal/en European Parliament], which also holds sessions in [[Brussels]]. Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days. Don't forget that Strasbourg's appeal now brings tourists to the city throughout the year, with large tour groups especially frequent during the summer months and during the annual winter market. * {{listing | name=The main Tourist Office | alt= | url=http://www.ot-strasbourg.fr/ | email= | address=Place de la Cathédrale | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00 to 19:00 | price= | lastedit=2010-09-30 | content=If you ask whether they have maps they try to sell you one for €1.50 - be sure to ask if they have free maps, what you then get is basically the same as the paid one. They also sell a variety of self-guided walking tours through the town (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Modern and Contemporary) for €1 each, and can arrange bike tours through the Faubourgs (the suburbs of Neudorf and Neuhof). }} * {{listing | name=A smaller tourist office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the concourse level of the railway station | phone= | tollfree= | hours= 09:00 to 19:00| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2010-09-30 | content= }} ==Talk== While you will very likely find people who will engage in a conversation in Alsatian (which may vaguely sound like German to you), the lingua franca of Strasbourg (and all of Alsace) is [[French]]. It is possible to hear Alsatian spoken on the streets, especially around the Cathedral. Alsatian (the historic Germanic language of Alsace) is a declining language, spoken mostly by the region's older residents or in rural areas but efforts are underway to revive it. Due to the presence of the EU, chances are you might encounter locals that speak pretty good English. As Germany is right next door and due to heavy tourism from there, nearly everyone in the tourism sector can speak some German. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Strasbourg has its own airport, however there are (relatively) nearby airports which have a wider range of destinations: * {{listing | type=go | name=Strasbourg International Airport | alt={{IATA|SXB}} | url=http://strasbourg.aeroport.fr/en | email= | address= | lat=48.5445 | long=7.6276 | directions=southwest of the city, at Entzheim | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Strasbourg Airport | image=Strasbourg-Enzheim Aéroport.JPG | wikidata=Q1165367 | content=There are domestic as well as international flights. [http://www.airfrance.fr/ Air France] is the principal operator. There are flights to [[London]] (Luton and Stansted), [[Madrid Barajas]], [[Brussels]] and [[Amsterdam Schiphol]] among others. A train runs to the town center (€4, including a tram connection, valid for 90 min. If you only need to get to the central station, buy your ticket not from the machines in the arrivals hall but on the train platform directly where the ticket will cost €2.30). The travel time is 9 minutes and the frequency is 15 minutes. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport | alt={{IATA|BSL}} | url=http://www.euroairport.com/ | email= | address= | lat=47.59 | long=7.529167 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg | image=Aéroport Bâle-Mulhouse 2.jpg | wikidata=Q156971 | content=Jointly operated by France and [[Switzerland]]: there is a short bus connection to the railway station of Saint-Louis, which is 1 hr 20 min by train, from the main Strasbourg train station. Low-cost companies offer flights from and to several other European countries, with flights to [[London]] (Heathrow, Luton, Stansted and Gatwick), [[Paris Charles de Gaulle]], [[Berlin Schönefeld]], [[Frankfurt]] and [[Istanbul]] (Sabiha Gökçen). EuroAirport serves as a base for EasyJet Switzerland, so there are many EasyJet flights to European holiday resorts. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport | alt={{IATA|FKB}} | url=https://www.baden-airpark.de | email= | address= | lat=48.779444 | long=8.080556 | directions=about {{km|60}} away in [[Germany]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport | image=Airport edsb 080412.jpg | wikidata=Q707457 | content=There are flights to [[Berlin Tegel]], [[London]] (Stansted), [[Warsaw]] (Modlin), [[Belgrade]] and [[Budapest]]. [http://www.ryanair.com/ Ryanair] operates from Karlsruhe following a court ruling that declared its subsidy arrangements at Strasbourg Airport a contravention of European legislation. The best way to get to Strasbourg is by bus from the airport to [[Baden-Baden]] ''Hauptbahnhof'' (Main Station); from here [http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en trains] run to Strasbourg, normally with one change. From station to station the journey is about 45m-1hr. See the [http://www.badenairpark.de/pdfs/Fahrplan_Freiburg_19_01.06.09_eng.pdf timetable] {{dead link|December 2020}} for direct bus from the airport running to Strasbourg, this is tied into meet Ryanair flights from London. [http://www.flibco.com Flibco] operates buses to from the airport and on to Strasbourg. }} *{{listing | type=go | name=Stuttgart Airport | alt={{IATA|STR}} | url=https://www.stuttgart-airport.com/ | email= | address= | lat=48.6876365 | long=9.2033873 | directions=about {{km|110}} away | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stuttgart Airport | image=Airport edsb 080412.jpg | lastedit=2020-02-26 | content=A focus airport for Condor and Eurowings, Stuttgart Airport offers flights to most major European cities, but also to cities in the Middle East and, rather interestingly, Atlanta. There are many ways to go to/from Strasbourg. Driving by car should take about 2 hr in normal traffic. If buses are your thing, there are direct buses connecting the city to Stuttgart airport in 2 hr 15 min. Travelling by train might be trickier though. You will most likely have to change once, either in Karlsruhe, Offenburg, or Stuttgart. Train journeys can vary from 2 hr to 3 hr. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Frankfurt International Airport | alt={{IATA|FRA}} | url=http://www.frankfurt-airport.com | email= | address= | lat=50.033333 | long=8.570556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Frankfurt Airport | image=AirportFrankfurt fromair 2010-09-19.jpg | wikidata=Q46033 | content=About three hours away from Strasbourg in Germany, and is one of the nearest intercontinental airports to Strasbourg. [http://www.lufthansa.com/ Lufthansa] operates an [http://www.lufthansa.com/fr/en/Lufthansa-Express-Bus Express Bus] shuttle between Strasbourg and [[Frankfurt]], [[Germany]] (but an indirect connection by train can be cheaper if booked [http://www.bahn.de/ online] in advance, connecting in either [[Karlsruhe]] or [[Offenburg]]). The bus takes 2½ hours and costs €49 (one way). Reservation is necessary for the Lufthansa Express Buses from/to Strasbourg. }} <!--given the HSR connection; should CDG be listed?--> Due to the excellent train connection to Paris, it may make sense to fly into [[Charles de Gaulle airport]] and take the TGV from there. Air France and some of its partners offer combined tickets in an [[air rail alliance]]. ===By train=== [[File:14-02-02-straszburg-RalfR-007.jpg|thumb|300px|A view of the Gare de Strasbourg from outside]] Strasbourg is well served by regional, national and international train services, predominantly by SNCF (French Railways), but also by Deutsche Bahn (German Railways). Strasbourg is the eastern terminus of a major [[high speed rail]] line and thus served by numerous TGV and some ICE trains, most of which continue onwards to Paris or Germany respectively. Unfortunately this has also resulted in the end of many long running [[sleeper trains]] such as the original [[Orient Express]]. Major destinations include the following major towns and cities with multiple daily departures. Journey times are approximate, some require TGV trains: [[Paris]] 1 hr 50 min, [[Dijon]] 2 hr, [[Lyon]] 3 hr 40 min, [[Metz]] 1 hr 15 min, [[Nancy]] 50 min, [[Marseille]] 5 hr 30 min, [[Besancon]] 1 hr 40 min, [[Luxembourg]] 1 hr 40 min, [[Mulhouse]] 50 min, [[Basel]] 1 hr 25 min, [[Frankfurt]] 1 hr 45 min, [[Stuttgart]] 1 hr 20 min, [[Munich]] 3 hr 40 min, [[Saarbrücken]] 1 hr 30 min by direct local train, [[Brussels]] 3 hr 40 min. The TGV Est Européen provides direct services to: [[Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport]] 2 hr 25 min, [[Lille]] 3 hr 20 min (for same-station connections via Eurostar to [[London]]), [[Rennes]] 5 hr 15 min, [[Nantes]] 5 hr 10 min, [[Bordeaux]] 6 hr 45 min. From [[Saarbrücken]], Saar-Elsass ticket can be purchased for €35 on weekends that enables round-trip for up to 5 travellers. More details are found [http://www.bahn.de/regional/view/regionen/saar/freizeit/saar_elsass.shtml here]. The main train station in Strasbourg is the {{listing|type=go|name=Gare de Strasbourg | url=https://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/fraeg/strasbourg | address=20 Place de la gare | lat=48.585144 | long=7.734263 | wikipedia=Gare de Strasbourg | image=Gare de Strasbourg Interior, Alsace, France - Diliff.jpg | wikidata=Q801473 | content= }}. The station, impressively renovated with a new glass cocoon frontage, is located a short walk west of the town center on Place de la Gare. There are connections to the tram system and buses, with many taxis waiting outside (to the left of the station forecourt). For details of all services, and to make reservations, contact '''[http://www.voyages-sncf.fr SNCF]'''. For regional travel, check [http://www.ter-sncf.com/alsace/ SNCF TER Alsace] {{dead link|December 2020}} who co-ordinate the efficient and well served regional train network. When planning trips east of Strasbourg into Germany or countries beyond, you could save money by comparing the fares offered by [http://www.bahn.de/ Deutsche Bahn] to those of the [http://www.voyages-sncf.fr SNCF]. ===By bus=== {{seealso|Intercity buses in France}} * [http://www.eurolines.fr/ Eurolines] provides bus services to the city. Services call at the new bus stop situated at the entrance of the center, few meters from the Etoile-Bourse tram stop. * [http://www.flixbus.com/ Flixbus] is by far the biggest player in the German market and a big player in the French market as well. {{listing|type=go | name=Bus station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Parc de l'Étoile | lat=48.57426 | long=7.75430 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=Drop off point for ALSA, Eurolines, Flixbus, Ouibus. ''Getting there:'' take A, D trams. }} ===By tram=== The German town of [[Kehl]] just across the border was linked to the Strasbourg tram network in 2017. It is one of only a handful of places worldwide where you can just hop on an [[urban rail]] service and let it take you across an international border. Both sides being within the [[Schengen Agreement|Schengen Area]], you don't need to take a passport or answer the question "business or pleasure" and you'll likely not be asked by customs agents how much booze you are carrying, either (and the limits are ''very'' generous at any rate). There are of course fare inspectors, so don't forget to get a ticket. ===By car=== You can reach Strasbourg by various highways: *from the west ([[Paris]], [[Benelux]]) taking the A4 highway (E25). About 4 hours from Paris and 2 hr 15 min from Luxembourg. *from the south ([[Switzerland]], [[Lyon]]), taking the A35 highway (E25). About 5 hours from Lyon *from the north and east (Germany), taking the A5 highway (E35). Driving into Strasbourg's old city is relatively easy although there are a few streets off limits to cars. There are many large garages surrounding the old city if your hotel does not have its own parking facility. Some carparks are more expensive than other, especially for longer stays. The one at [http://www.parcus.com/fr/produits-parcus/ Petite France Ste Marguerite] is the cheapest at €7.20/24 hour and €5.20 for each consecutive day. [https://www.cts-strasbourg.eu/en/getting-around/park-and-ride/ Tickets P+R] (parking for the day plus return fare on the tram for up to 7 passengers of the car): €4.10, P+R Rotonde: €4.60. ==Get around== {{mapframe|48.5833333|7.75|zoom=12}} {{mapshape}} Strasbourg is most easily explored on foot, and the historic city centre can easily be explored in a day or two. To be able to cover more ground, you should consider hiring a bike or using the public transport network. ===By bike=== Strasbourg is ideal for cycling - the city center is flat and there are plenty of bike lanes and bike paths. You can rent bikes at: *the automatic or manned bike sharing stations [http://www.velhop.strasbourg.eu/ vélhop]. *''rue du Maire Kuss'', in front of the train station *''rue des Bouchers'', on the south bank of the Ill river, near the rue d'Austerlitz and the ''Porte de l'Hôpital'' tramway station. Bikes are allowed on trams except during peak hours. More information on cycling in Strasbourg is available [http://en.strasbourg.eu/en/transport-and-environment/getting-around-in-strasbourg/cycling/ on the Strasbourg website]. ===By bus and tram=== [[File:14-02-07-straszburg-RalfR-51.jpg|thumb|Tram in Strasbourg|left]] [[File:Strasbourg - Straßenbahn - Netzplan (mit Erweiterungen).png|thumb|Map of the tram system in Strasbourg]] Buses and trams in Strasbourg are operated by the [http://www.cts-strasbourg.fr/ Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS)]. A few dozen numbered bus lines and six tram lines (named A to F) serve the city. A single ticketing system covers bus and tram. Tickets are sold in 'tabacs' (newsagents), tourist offices, CTS boutiques or from vending machines at tram stops. Tickets should be validated before use, either in the machines on tram station platforms or in the machine by the driver when you board the bus. Summary of fares (as of Oct 2018): * Aller Simple (one way) €1.80 (€2 on board) * Aller Retour (round trip) €3.50 * 10 x Aller Simple (1 contactless ticket suitable only for one person) €14.10 * 24H Individuel (24-hr ticket for one person) €4.50 * Trio (one day ticket for up to three people) €6.90 Prices are slightly lower (e.g. €1.70 one-way) if loaded onto a Badgéo card, CTS App or topped up on contactless ticket. CTS App works only with French Sim cards (as of Oct 2018). If you're using the buses and trams a lot, Europass tickets are available from all automatic ticket machines for either 24 hours or seven days. The Europass Mini is valid on all local tram, bus and train services, including those that cross the border to [[Kehl]]. The full Europass ticket also covers the local transport of the Ortenau Tarifverbund in Germany including [[Offenburg]] [http://www.ortenaulinie.de/ (information in German only)]. ==See== [[File:Strasbourg Capitainerie NW.jpg|thumb|The former capitainerie of the Port on the Rhine in Strasbourg]] ===Grand Île=== * {{see | name=Cathédrale Notre Dame | alt= | url=http://www.cathedrale-strasbourg.fr/ | email= | address= | lat=48.581667 | long=7.750833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free admission | wikipedia=Strasbourg Cathedral | image=Strasbourg Cathedral Exterior - Diliff.jpg | wikidata=Q745460 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=Built between 1176 and 1439 and with a 142-m tower (the highest cathedral tower in France), the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] cathedral is undoubtedly Strasbourg's finest architectural highlight. Check out the '''astrometric clock''' inside the cathedral. }} * {{see | name=Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre Dame - Medieval and Renaissance Art | alt= | url=https://www.musees.strasbourg.eu/musee-de-l-oeuvre-notre-dame | email= | address=place du Château | lat=48.580833 | long=7.751389 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€6.5 | wikipedia=Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame | image=Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame - panoramio.jpg | wikidata=Q847007 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=A splendid museum of medieval religious art related to the cathedral. }} * {{see | name=Maison Kammerzell | alt=The Kammerzell house | url=http://www.maison-kammerzell.com | email= | address= | lat=48.581944 | long=7.749722 | directions=to the left of the front of the cathedral | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kammerzell House | image=Strassburg um 1900.jpg | wikidata=Q661723 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=The intricately carved half-timbered frames decorating the upper floors date from 1589. }} * {{see | name=Palais des Rohan | alt= | url=http://www.musees.strasbourg.eu/index.php?page=le-palais-rohan | email= | address= | lat=48.581 | long=7.752 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Palais Rohan, Strasbourg | image=Cathedrale-de-Strasbourg-IMG 1331.jpg | wikidata=Q1561438 | lastedit=2010-09-30 | content=French-style palace, built after the acquisition of the town by the French (1681). Home to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts. }} * {{see | name=Musée Alsacien | alt=Alsatian Museum | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/alsatian-museum | email= | address=23-25, Quai Saint-Nicolas | lat=48.579167 | long=7.750556 | directions=just across the river from the Ancienne Douane | phone=+33 3 88 52 50 01 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M W-F 12:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00 | price=Admission €6.5 | wikipedia=Musée alsacien (Strasbourg) | image=Strasbourg Musée alsacien 01.jpg | wikidata=Q565125 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=This museum features articles from the daily lives of Alsatian peoples from the 13th to 19th centuries: clothing, furniture, toys, tools of artisans and farmers, and religious objects used in Christian, Jewish, and even pagan rites. The exhibits are in rooms connected by wooden staircases and balconies in adjacent multistory Renaissance-era houses around a central courtyard. }} ===Petite France=== [[File:Petite France, Strasbourg.jpg|thumb|Houses in the "Petite France" area]] Petite France is the name given to the small area between the rivers, just south of the Grande Île. It is home to some of Strasbourg's prettiest and most photogenic streets and buildings, with half timbered townhouses leaning out over the narrow cobbled streets. Petite France resembles [[Colmar]] (a city an hour south), with picturesque canal and half-timber houses. ===European district=== Use ''bus lines #6, 30, 72'' to get there. * {{see | name=Council of Europe's seat | alt=Le Palais de l'Europe | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.59516 | long=7.77189 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Palace of Europe | image=Council of Europe Palais de l'Europe.JPG | wikidata=Q465591 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=built in 1977 by Henry Bernard. }} * {{see | name=European Court of Human Rights | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.59728 | long= 7.77460| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=Built in 1995 by Richard Rogers }} * {{see | name=European Parliament | alt= | url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu | email= | address= | lat=48.597403 | long=7.768825 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg | image=European Parliament Strasbourg 2015-10-28 02.jpg | wikidata=Q5438305 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=The parliament tends to meet in [[Brussels]] more and the arrangement with the parliament moving shop between Brussels and Strasbourg several times a year has been criticized as wasteful of money by EU skeptics and penny-pinchers. }} ===Elsewhere in Strasbourg=== [[File:European Parliament Strasbourg Hemicycle - Diliff.jpg|thumb|The Hemicycle of the European Parliament]] * {{see | name=Parc de l'Orangerie | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.59291 | long=7.77377 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image=Absolute Pavillon Joséphine 01.jpg | wikidata=Q3364190 | lastedit=2010-09-30 | content=A beautiful classical park. It has a small free zoo featuring birds and a few other animals. Also has an excellent playground for young children. }} * {{see | name=Stockfeld | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.5292 | long=7.7672 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=Garden city built in the early 20th century in the south-east of the Neuhof (southern part of the town). Use ''bus line #24'' to get there. }} * {{see | name=ARTE Television headquarters | alt= | url= | email= | address=4, quai du Chanoine Winterer | lat=48.59396 | long=7.76598 | directions=near the European district | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=B-line tramway terminus at Hoenheim | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=northern conurbation | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=Built in 2001 by the contemporary architect Zaha Hadid. }} * {{see | name=Place de la République | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.5873 | long=7.75397 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Place de la République (Strasbourg) | image=Espace vert de la Place de la République, Strasbourg.jpg | wikidata=Q3390435 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=A central crossroad encircled by neoclassical public buildings. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art | alt=Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/museum-of-modern-and-contemporary-art | email= | address= | lat=48.57947 | long=7.73609 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=€10 | wikipedia=Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art | wikidata=Q845468 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=It's recommended also because of the interesting building. }} * {{see | name=Historical Museum | alt= | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/historical-museum | email= | address= | lat= 48.58002| long=7.75092 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=€6.5 | wikipedia=Musée historique de Strasbourg | wikidata=Q3330600 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content=Museum of Strasbourg's history. }} * {{see | name=Zoological Museum | alt= | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/zoological-museum | email= | address= | lat=48.583056 | long=7.764722 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 10:00-18:00 | price=€8 | wikipedia=Musée zoologique de la ville de Strasbourg | image=Musée zoologique de Strasbourg.JPG | wikidata=Q220280 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=Archeological Museum | alt= | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/archaeological-museum | email= | address= | lat=48.581111 | long=7.752222 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€6.5 | wikipedia=Musée archéologique (Strasbourg) | image=Musée archéologique de Strasbourg-Galerie centrale.jpg | wikidata=Q782003 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=Museum of Decorative Arts | alt= | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/museum-of-decorative-arts | email= | address= | lat=48.581111 | long=7.752222 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€6.5 | wikipedia=Musée des Arts décoratifs, Strasbourg | image=Détail du salon des évêques du Palais des Rohans, à Strasbourg.jpg | wikidata=Q1955722 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=Museum of fine Arts | alt= | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/museum-of-fine-arts | email= | address= | lat=48.581111 | long=7.752222 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€6.5 | wikipedia=Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg | image=Le Palais des Rohans.jpg | wikidata=Q1535963 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content= }} * {{see | name=Museum Tomi Ungerer | alt= | url=https://en.musees.strasbourg.eu/museum-tomi-ungerer | email= | address= | lat=48.585694 | long=7.755139 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10:00-18:00; Tu off | price=€6.5 | wikipedia=Tomi Ungerer Museum | wikidata=Q3329373 | lastedit=2018-09-30 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Passerelle des Deux Rives.JPG | thumb | 300px | ''Passerelle des Deux Rives'' spans from Strasbourg (top) to Kehl in Germany ]] * Walking around the old town is a very nice way to pass a day. And there are lots of good cafes to stop and rest in as you make your tour. * '''Boat tours''' along the Rhine offer views over both Strasbourg and neighbouring Germany. [https://www.batorama.com/en Batorama] offer several river tours lasting from around 45 minutes to a few hours, costing around €10 per person. 45-min tours run around the town center and the European district. Boats can be found below {{lang|fr|Place du Marché aux Poissons}}. * '''Football:''' [https://www.rcstrasbourgalsace.fr/ RC Strasbourg Alsace] play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier in France. Their home ground Stade de la Meinau (capacity 26,300) is 2 km south of town centre. * '''[[Christmas Markets]]''' can be found in many places, but the most important and beautiful are {{lang|fr|place Broglie}} and {{lang|fr|place de la Cathédrale}}, although they are crowded. They are the best places to drink hot wine (''{{lang|fr|vin chaud}}'') and to eat Christmas cookies (''Brädeles''). ==Buy== From time to time, the city organizes a general market in vast parts of the center, where many street vendors offer various products and the shops join in with special discounts. Then, the city center on the island is partly closed for parking or driving and the trams don't go on the rue des Francs Bourgeois. Information about regular market dates is hard to find on the net. If you manage to track down the date of this market, write it here and don't miss it. * {{buy | name=Marché aux Puces | alt=flea market | url= | email= | address=rue de Vieil-Hôpital | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=W and Sa | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2010-09-30 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Place des Halles | alt= | url=http://www.placedeshalles.com | email= | address=24, place des Halles | lat=48.5861 | long=7.7425 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00 - 20:00, and Sa until 20:00 | price= | image=Place des Halles-Strasbourg.JPG | wikidata=Q3390515 | lastedit=2010-09-30 | content=A shopping centre with over 100 shops and restaurants north of the city center, but within walking distance. }} * {{buy | name=Shopping centre Rivetoile | alt= | url= | email= | address=Place d'etoile | lat= | long= | directions=between the Etoile Polygone and Etoile Bourse tram stops | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2010-09-30 | content=This new development has shops similar to Place des Halles as well as higher budget shops and a selection of cafes. }} Try Galeries Lafayettes at rue du 22 Novembre and Printemps at 1-5 rue de la Haute Montée. '''Rue Hellebardes and Gutenberg''' offer designer clothes and men's clothes. [http://www.bruno-saint-hilaire.com/ Bruno Saint Hilaire] has designer clothes for men and a shop in 8, rue Gutenberg. There is a low-budget, secondhand clothing shop in 6, rue de la Lanterne, and various gadget shops can be found in rue des Juifs. For cheap groceries, including local wines and beers, try one of the '''three outlets of Norma''', a German discount chain whose three outlets are at the corner of rue St Michel and rue Ste Marguerite near the central train station; at 79, Grand'Rue near the centre of Grand Île; and at 27, rue des Frères near the Cathedral. Open M-F 10:00-20:00, Sa 09:30-19:00. ==Eat== Alsatian specialties are numerous and can be eaten in many traditional restaurants, in the city or in the neighborhood. Particularly you shouldn't visit Alsace without having the '''sauerkraut''' (''choucroute'' in French). Choucroute seems to have a standard price throughout Alsace of €14. Don't be too dismayed by this seemingly high price as what is brought to you is a heaping plate of Sauerkraut (big enough for 2 people) as well as sausages and other meats. This is usually translated as "garnished sauerkraut" on English menus, when in doubt ask your server. There is also a delicious fish choucroute. Other specialties include the Alsatian pork-butcher's meat, '''Flammeküche''' or ''flams'' (''tartes flambées'' in French) which is a sort of wafer thin pizza made with onion-cream sauce, '''Baeckeoffe''', beef and pork stew cooked, with potatoes and carrots, usually served for two or more persons and '''Fleischnackas''', mixed beef meat presented like spirals and served with salads. ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Au Brasseur | url=http://www.aubrasseur.fr | email= | address=22 Rue des Veaux | lat=48.582605 | long=7.755417 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 36 12 13 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This a restaurant and microbrewery. Try one of their beers and a tarte flambé for about €10. Has a small children's menu. }} * {{eat | name=Al Boustane | url= | email= | address=31 Rue de la Krutenau | lat=48.580063 | long=7.757846 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 36 27 85 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= This Lebanese restaurant features sandwiches and kebabs. }} * {{eat | name=Flam's | alt= | url=http://www.flams.fr/restaurant_strasbourg.php | email= | address=rue des Frères | lat=48.583089 | long=7.753600 | directions=near the Cathédrale | phone=+33 3 88 36 36 90 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Serves a great variety of flams (tartes flambés) and has an amazing winelist for a budget joint. }} * {{eat | name=L'Épicerie | url=http://www.lepicerie-strasbourg.com {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=6 Rue du Vieux Seigle | lat=48.581860 | long=7.746933 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 32 52 41 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Features sandwiches "tartines" (about €4). Food from noon to night. Tables on street and inside. }} * {{eat | name=Le Frangin | url= | email= | address=33 Rue des Frères | lat=48.583075 | long=7.753812 | directions= | phone = +33 3 88 35 04 14 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Two doors down from Flam's, it serves a wide range of home-cooked pasta and pizzas at reasonable prices. Pizza and pasta main courses range from €8-9, meat dishes €14-15 and an Alsatian beer €2.50. The owner is friendly and the food is good, satisfying Italian cooking. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant universitaire La Gallia | url=http://www.crous-strasbourg.fr | email= | address=1 Place de l'Université | lat=48.584640 | long= 7.759867 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 15 73 72 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The oldest university restaurant in France, in a 19th-century building, built by the Germans (which explains the ceiling decorations). It is the last French university restaurant that is managed by students. Not a culinary triumph, but very affordable. }} * {{eat | name=Le Saladin | url= | email= | address=41, Grand'Rue | lat=48.582202 | long=7.741686 | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 32 12 32 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€6-7 | content=Tunisian/Algerian couscous and kebabs. No alcohol. }} * {{eat | name=Le Zorba | url= | email= | address=61 Rue de Zurich | lat=48.578983 | long=7.759072 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 36 99 51 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This little Greek restaurant in the Krutenau area features sandwiches, souvlaki, and kebabs. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Chez Tante Liesel | url=http://www.cheztanteliesel.com | email= | address=4 Rue des Dentelles | lat=48.581050 | long=7.742945 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 23 02 16 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Very friendly. }} * {{eat | name=Chez Yvonne | url=http://www.chez-yvonne.net | email= | address= | lat=48.582759 | long=7.749504 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 32 84 15 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Usually frequented by Jacques Chirac, when he comes to Strasbourg, because of its well-known ''tête de veau'' (cooked veal head). More expensive. }} * {{eat | name=La Boucherie | url=http://www.la-boucherie.fr | email= | address=Les Docks, Presqu'île André-Malraux | lat=48.573931 | long=7.764505 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 44 45 48 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This chain restaurant is kid-friendly, with a small children's menu, highchairs, and a toy and colouring book for young children, and will satisfy a craving for red meat at a reasonable price. }} * {{eat | name=La Stub | url=http://www.brasserie-la-stub.com | email= | address=4 Rue du Saumon | lat=48.582356 | long=7.746509 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 21 05 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One block from the Vox cinema on rue des Francs Bourgeois in the centre of Grand Ile. This local Alsatian favorite features Fischer brews for €2-3 and tartes flambés for €7-8. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Avanos | url= | email= | address=20 Grand'Rue | lat=48.582532 | long=7.739858 | directions= | phone = +33 3 88 226257 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€10-12 | content=Spécialités orientales: couscous, döner, grilled meats, fish. 3 plats du jour choices every lunchtime. 10% off takeaway meals every evening. }} ===Traditional restaurants=== * {{eat | name=L'Ancienne Douane | alt= | url=http://www.anciennedouane.fr | email= | address=6 Rue de la Douane | lat=48.579471 | long=7.749689 | directions=near the cathedral, next to the Ill river | phone=+33 3 88 15 78 78 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ancienne Douane (Strasbourg) | image=Strasbourg l'Ancienne Douane en 2013.JPG | wikidata=Q2845867 | content=A big restaurant for tourist groups. You are almost sure to find a place here even if you have no reservation. Mid-range prices. }} * {{eat | name=Au Petit Bois Vert | url=http://www.aupetitboisvert.fr | email= | address=2 Quai de la Bruche | lat=48.580897 | long=7.738978 | directions= | phone =+33 3 88 32 66 32 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= In the Petite France district, serves well-prepared ''flams'' and Alsatian specialties in a small room with smiling waiters. The chef usually comes by at the end of the evening. Great terrace during the summer under a big tree on the bank of the river. No reservation, mid-range prices. }} * {{eat | name=Kirn Restaurant | alt=le restaurant | url=http://www.kirn-traiteur.fr/ | email=traiteur@kirn.fr | address=17-19, rue du 22 novembre | lat=48.582807 | long=7.743295 | directions=at the intersection of Fossé des Tanneurs west of Place Kleber | phone = +33 3 88 321610 | tollfree= | fax=+33 03 88 320865 | hours= | price= | content=The restaurant is above a fine Alsatian specialty food shop on the ground floor. }} * {{eat | name=Au Dauphin | url=http://www.restaurant-dauphin-strasbourg.fr/ | email=au-dauphin@wanadoo.fr | address=13, place de la Cathédrale | lat=48.581826 | long=7.749577 | directions=on the corner of cathedral square next to Hotel de la Cathédrale; look for a red awning and walk through the inner courtyard to get to it | phone = +33 388 21 01 46 | tollfree= | fax=+33 0388 21 03 87 | hours= | price= | content=Try the choucroute aux trois poissons; it is very fresh and a wonderful take on the traditional sauerkraut dish. They also serve the traditional choucroute garnie, with up to seven types of meat, including headcheese. }} * {{eat | name=Le Sanglier | url= | email= | alt='The boar' | address=11 Rue du Sanglier | lat=48.582669 | long=7.749709 | directions=in the Carré d'Or district, near the cathedral | phone =+33 3 88 32 64 58 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= A small restaurant with a traditional setting. If you want a Baeckoffe, you must inform the restaurant 24 hr before. Mid-range prices. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant La Vigne | url= | email= | address=14, rue de Sébastopol | lat=48.586779 | long=7.743036 | directions=across the street from the Mc Donald's at Les Halles shopping center | phone = +33 3 88 220109 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This charming and friendly winstub has more moderate prices than its counterparts in La Petite France or near the cathedral, with choucroute garnie and baeckoffe under €15 and bottles of Alsatian wine for about €20. }} ===Modern restaurants=== * {{eat | name=Moozé | url= | email= | address=1 Rue de la Demi Lune | lat=48.581859 | long=7.745783 | directions= near Place Kleber | phone =+33 3 88 14 08 08 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Sushi restaurant. Sushi moves on a conveyor belt in front of you. }} ==Drink== *'''Beer''': Alsace is the first beer-producing region of France and Strasbourg has many breweries. Best known are ''Kronenbourg'' and ''Fischer'', whose factories can be visited for free, with free drinks at the end of the tour. *Alsatian white wine: usually drunk with Alsatian food, but also with fish. The main varieties are Gewürtztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. They have a particularly floral flavour and are well worth investigating. Explore it on the Alsace Wine Route with free tastings everywhere. ===Bars=== *{{drink | name=Les BerThoM | url=http://www.lesberthom.com | email= | address=18 Rue des Tonneliers | lat=48.580179 | long=7.749185 | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 32 81 18 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Beer bar near la place Gutenburg. Spacious with an agreeable atmosphere. }} *{{drink | name=Café Bar de l'Odyssée | url=https://www.facebook.com/cafe.bar.odyssee | email= | address=3 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois | lat=48.582621 | long=7.745925 | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 16 22 03 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bar with an intimate interior. Great place to enjoy a game of backgammon. }} ==Sleep== There are many hotels around the station, especially in the ''place de la Gare'' and in the ''rue du Maire Kuss'', but this area does not offer consistent quality for accommodations. Most international hotel chains are represented with the usual 2- or 3-star hotels, many of which host the large tour groups who come on weekend breaks. If your budget allows, try staying on the Grande Île (city centre). Most of Strasbourg's hotels are fully booked during the Christmas Market period (December) and when the EU parliament is in session for a few days every month, usually for the period around the tenth. Book ahead if in doubt, as last minute accommodation can be difficult to find during these periods. ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=CIARUS | alt= | url=http://www.ciarus.com | email= | address=7 Rue Finkmatt | lat=48.589356 | long=7.747457 | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 15 27 88 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-03-14 | content=offers a variety of hostel accommodation, with rooms from 1 to 8 beds. Rates start at €27/night, and there's a canteen. }} * {{sleep | name=Auberge de Jeunesse HI Strasbourg | alt= | url=http://www.hifrance.org/auberge-de-jeunesse/strasbourg--2-rives.html | email=strasbourg@hifrance.org | address=9, Rue des Cavaliers | lat=48.565835 | long=7.800284 | directions= | phone=+33 388 45 54 20 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-03-14 | content=20 minutes bus ride from town and fifteen minutes from the European Institutions, this youth hostel is in a leafy suburb close to the Rhine. }} * {{sleep | name=Auberge de Jeunesse René Cassin | alt= | url=http://www.fuaj.org/fra/auberges/aj_fiche.php?aj_id=89 {{dead link|October 2017|December 2020}} | email= | address=9 Rue de l'Auberge de jeunesse | lat=48.574514 | long=7.717256 | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 30 35 16 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-03-14 | content=Ten minutes from the city centre, this hostel offers a restaurant, bar and activities for guests. }} * {{sleep | name=Hôtel F1 | alt= | url=https://all.accor.com/hotel/2248/index.en.shtml | email= | address=55 Av. du Rhin | lat=48.572979 | long=7.792897 | directions= | phone=+33 891 70 54 01 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-03-14 | content=A budget hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=PV-Holidays Adagio Strasbourg Place Kleber | alt= | url=http://www.pv-holidays.com/scripts/fiche_produit.php?id_ofr=463&id_sai_passe=1 | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 1 58 21 55 84 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Self-catering apartments situated in the heart of the historical quarter of the “Grande île”, just 10 minutes walk from the TGV station. Each of the 57 apartments sleep 2-4 people, are air-conditioned and completely fitted out: kitchen, television with international channels, etc. Located in the centre of the Alsatian capital makes this Aparthotel an ideal stopover location for business trips or for a long weekend. Car park less than 300 m away. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Cardinal de Rohan | url=http://www.hotel-rohan.com/F/index.html | email= | address=17, rue du Maroquin | lat=48.580951 | long=7.750425 | directions=right by the cathedral | phone = +33 3 88 328511 | tollfree= | fax=+33 03 88 756537 | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hôtel Cathédrale | url=http://www.hotel-cathedrale.fr/ | email= | address=12-13 Place de la Cathedrale | lat=48.581837 | long=7.749620 | directions=right across from the cathedral | phone = +33 3 88 221212 | tollfree= | fax=+33 03 88 322302 | hours= | price=€55-150 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Best location of any hotel in Strasbourg, stylishly decorated, and more affordable for rooms without views of the cathedral. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Hannong | url=http://www.hotel-hannong.com/ | email= | address=15, rue du 22 Novembre | lat=48.582827 | long=7.743075 | directions=near the center of Grand Ile | phone = +33 3 88 321622 | tollfree= | fax=+33 03 88 226387 | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=It has a stylish bar and restaurant, facing a fairly quiet street. }} * {{sleep | name=Hôtel Vendôme | url=http://www.hotel-vendome.com/ | email= | address=9, place de la Gare / 19 rue du Maire Kuss | lat=48.584132 | long=7.736354 | directions=across from the train station | phone = +33 3 88 324523 | tollfree= | fax=+33 03 88 322302 | hours= | price=€45-73 | checkin= | checkout= | content=10 minutes from the Cathedral. Free wireless internet. }} * {{sleep | name=Mercure Strasbourg Centre Gare Hotel | alt= | url=https://all.accor.com/hotel/2149/index.en.shtml | email=H2149@accor.com | address=14-15, place de la Gare | lat=48.585337 | long=7.736573 | directions=near the central train station | phone=+33 3 88 157815 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2017-05-28 | content=A 3-star hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Château de Pourtalès | url=http://www.chateau-pourtales.eu/ | email=info@chateau-pourtales.eu | address=161, rue Mélanie | lat=48.608450 | long=7.799965 | directions=near the EU Parliament in the neighborhood Robertsau | phone=+33 3 88 45 84 64 | tollfree= | fax= +33 3 88 45 84 60 | hours= | price= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=11:00 | content=A 3-star hotel. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Régent Contades | url=http://www.regent-hotel.com/ | email=rc@regent-hotels.com | address=8, avenue de la Liberté | lat=48.585766 | long=7.758333 | directions= | phone = +33 3 88 150505 | tollfree= | fax=+33 03 88 150515 | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=An old building in the heart of the city. }} * {{sleep | name=Régent Petite France | url=http://www.regent-hotel.com/ | email=rpf@regent-hotels.com | address=5, rue des Moulins | lat=48.580814 | long=7.741715 | directions= | phone = +33 3 88 764343 | tollfree= | fax=+33 03 88 764376 | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Perfect location. }} * {{sleep | name=Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile | alt= | url=https://all.accor.com/hotel/0568/index.en.shtml | email= | address=4, place Saint Pierre le Jeune | lat=48.585168 | long=7.746206 | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 154900 | tollfree= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=12:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-05-28 | content=Not far from both the Cathedral and Petite France. }} ==Stay safe== Strasbourg is just like any other major French city: there are safe areas and there are unsafe areas. In any case, standard safety precautions need to be applied. In the city center, watch out for pickpockets near the Cathedral (and even inside, according to the signs), during the high tourist season, and throughout the old town. The areas immediately surrounding the railway station might look unsavory at night, but there are usually lots of people around there, and the streets are well-lit. Avoid looking like a lost tourist and you will be fine. If you do feel uncomfortable, don't hesitate to approach a police officer or taxi driver. Some areas in the south (especially the Neuhof neighborhood, which often ranks among France's worst neighborhoods) and west (Hautepierre, Cronenbourg) of the city might be iffy, especially at night, but they have little tourist appeal. ==Connect== ===Phone=== Local mobile phone services are provided by Orange, SFR and Bouygues Télécom. Payphone kiosks are plentiful and international calling cards can be purchased in post offices and 'tabacs' (corner shops). Most of the internet cafés listed below are also equipped for making online telephony calls (Skype etc.). ===Internet=== * In most McDonald's in Strasbourg you get free WLAN. ==Cope== ===Consulates=== * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | url= | email= | address=49, Avenue des Vosges | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 388-354024 | tollfree= | fax=+33 388-250524 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | url=http://www.strasbourg.fr.emb-japan.go.jp/ | email= | address=20, Place des Halles | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 88-52-85-00 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 88-22-62-39 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | alt= | url=http://strasbourg.mae.ro/en | email=strasbourg@mae.ro | address=41, rue Schweighaeuser | lat= | long= | directions=Blvd. Tauler | phone=+33 3 69 32 19 38 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 88 61 44 25 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-03 | content= }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | url=http://strasbourg.mid.ru | email=rusconsulat@wanadoo.fr | address=6, place Sébastien Brant | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 36 73 15 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 88 35 34 81 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Serbia}} {{listing | name=Serbia | url=http://strasbourg.mfa.gov.rs | email=consulate.strasbourg@mfa.rs | address=26, Avenue de la Forêt Noire | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 35 39 80 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 88 36 09 49 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | url=http://www.exteriores.gob.es/consulados/estrasburgo/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx | email=cog.estrasburgo@maec.es | address=13, Quai Kléber | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 32 67 27, +33 7 64 20 33 33 (emergency) | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 88 23 07 17 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland| url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/france/en/home/representations/embassy/generalkonsulat-strasbourg.html | email=stc.vertretung@eda.admin.ch | address=23, rue Herder | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 388 35 00 70 | tollfree= | fax=+33 388 36 73 54 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United States}} {{listing | name=United States | alt= | url=https://fr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/strasbourg/ | email=USAStrasbourg@state.gov | address=15, Avenue d'Alsace | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 88 353 104 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 88 240 695 | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== [[Image:Pedestrian Bridge between Strasbourg and Kehl.JPG|thumb|Pedestrian Bridge to Kehl, Germany]] *[[Sélestat]] — with Haut-Koenigsbourg castle nearby *[[Alsatian Vineyard Route]] *[[Colmar]] *[[Kaysersberg]] *[[Riquewihr]] *[[Obernai]] *[[Marmoutier]] — about {{km|35}} from Strasbourg, has a beautiful 12th-century abbey church *[[Kehl]] — Germany is a short ride or walk across the river. {{usablecity}} {{IsPartOf|Grand Est}} {{geo|48.5833333|7.75}} 4iobya0qqpv6ruo512tmjvap829pkgj 0 34541 4506357 4428544 2022-08-22T18:12:17Z Ground Zero 1423298 Improve lead paragraph. . Format. Copyedit. Times and dates per [[wv:tdf]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Banner Sukabumi.JPG|caption=}} '''Sukabumi''' is a region in Western Java, Indonesia. It has a plethora of tourist locations, from mountain national parks to waterfalls, beaches, viewing hills and a UNESCO geopark. == Understand == [[File:Sukabumi Grand Mosque 01.jpg|thumb|350px|Sukabumi Grand Mosque]] The city of Sukabumi is located in the southwest of the province of West Java, about 75 km south of national capital [[Jakarta]] and 75 km west of provincial capital [[Bandung]], as the crow flies. The independent city (''kota'') of Sukabumi is surrounded by the regency (''kabupaten'') of Sukabumi. The capital of the regency is [[Pelabuhan Ratu]] on the south coast. The history of the city of Sukabumi and the surrounding region is closely related to the development of plantations for coffee, tea, and rubber during the colonial time. The city is just south of the volcano ''Mount Gede'' and the [[Mount Gede Pangrango National Park]]. Sukabumi Regency is the second largest regency in [[Java]], after Banyuwangi Regency. ==Get in== The nearest airports to Sukabumi are in Jakarta and Bandung. From both these cities, travelling to Sukabumi usually takes more than 3 hours. === By car === Sukabumi is along ''National Road 3'', also known as the Southern Java Route, between [[Pelabuhan Ratu]] to the west and [[Cianjur]] to the east. To get to Sukabumi from [[Jakarta]], you can take the toll road to [[Bogor]] and then the trunk road further south to the town of Cibadak, where this road connects to the aforementioned ''National Road 3''. Driving from Jakarta to Sukabumi takes 2h 30m if traffic conditions are good, but often much longer because of major traffic congestion, especially in the Greater Jakarta area. From the other side, from [[Bandung]], the drive (via Cianjur) takes at least 2 hours, but usually about 3 hours. === By bus === {{Marker|type=go|name=Sukabumi bus terminal|lat=-6.92|long=106.918056}} serves a range of buses from various destinations. There are frequent buses to and from various terminals in Jakarta, including Kampung Rambutan terminal in [[East Jakarta]]. A one-way ticket is commonly Rp25,000 for an economy class bus with airconditioning. The journey will take about 3-5 hours, depending on traffic conditions. During weekends and holidays, there is usually significant traffic congestion, and the journey may take longer. If you travel from [[Bogor]], the most common and practical transport is a ''Colt'' (referring to a Mitsubishi L300/Colt minibus). These minibuses exclusively serve the Bogor-Sukabumi route. You can hop on to a Colt either at ''Baranangsiang Terminal'' or at the ''Botani Square'' shopping mall (which is where the DAMRI buses from [[Soekarno-Hatta International Airport]] arrive). A one-way ticket Bogor-Sukabumi with a ''Colt'' is Rp20,000. The journey will take about 2 hours. From [[Bandung]], there are highly frequent buses from several bus companies from Bandung's Leuwi Panjang bus terminal (usually with a stop in [[Cianjur]]). The bus will cost you about Rp30,000. The journey will take about 2-3 hours. There are also frequent buses to and from [[Pelabuhan Ratu]] at the Indian Ocean coast (Rp25,000). From other cities the buses are not as frequent. However, there are at least two buses per day from major cities in Central Java such as [[Semarang]], [[Solo]], and [[Yogyakarta]]. One-way tickets on these long-distance services are about Rp150,000. Travel times are commonly in the range of 10 to 15 hours (depending on traffic and number of stops on the way). === By train === In the middle of the city is {{Marker|type=go|name=Sukabumi railway station|lat=-6.925069|long=106.92963}}. The station is served by three daily trains to and from [[Bogor]] (about 2 hr 15 min, economy and executive class), and three daily trains to and from [[Cianjur]] (about 1 hr 30 min, economy class only). In Bogor, trains to Sukabumi depart from ''Bogor Paledang'' railway station, which is about 200 metres from the central ''Bogor'' railway station (where trains from Jakarta arrive). ==Get around== {{Mapframe|-6.92|106.93|zoom=13|height=300|width=300|align=right|name=Sukabumi}} Mostly poibts of interest are natural, but several locations can only be accessed easily by car. The rest should be accessed by motorcycle or on foot. A common way to get around in Sukabumi is by ''angkot'' (public minivan). Angkots follow a fixed route (there are various routes throughout the city and surrounding areas), but there is no fixed schedule and there are no fixed stops. To get on, simply raise your hand. To get off, simply shout "Kiri!" to the driver, so he will pull over on the left (Indonesian: ''kiri'') side of the road. The price of an angkot ride within the city is usually about Rp2,000 to 5,000. It is best to ask a local which angkot route to take, and how to recognise the location you want to get off. Other options to get around include ''ojek'' (motorcycle taxi) and ''delman'' (horse carriage). ==See== *{{see | name=Pondok Halimun |alt=plantations area| url= | email= | address=[[Mount Gede Pangrango National Park]] | lat=-6.86 | long=106.948 | directions=about 10 km north of Sukabumi | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |lastedit=2016-09-27| content=At the mountainside of Mount Pangrango, you can find panoramic views of tea farms, with Sukabumi city as the background. You may stop at a local traditional coffee or tea cafe to enjoy the fresh and natural mountain breeze, or do jogging around the tea plantations. There are also several other plantations in the area, such as for tomatoes and chilli peppers. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Citimall Sukabumi | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jl. Ahmad Yani No.121-127 | lat=-6.922111 | long=106.928659 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10:00 – 22:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-04-12 | content=Basically the only mall in Sukabumi. Hence it's always crowded. }} ==Eat== Sukabumi culinary culture is not that different from other cities in West Java. It is mostly of a Sundanese style, but there are several typical traditional dishes in Sukabumi which are very famous, such as ''Mochi'', ''Bangket'', ''Pavinder'' cake, ''Martabak Bandung'' and nutmeg candy. Sukabumi Chinese food such as ''Mie goreng'' is also worth a taste. *{{eat | name=Mochi Lampion | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jalan Bhayangkara No. 19 | lat=-6.91249 | long=106.93051 | directions= | phone=+62 266 221 850 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 09:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-04-12 | content=Here in Sukabumi you can find a Sukabumi-style 'mochi', Japanese rice cake. There are several variants including Kitkat Greentea, Nutella, and Ovaltine. }} ==Drink== You can't find drink easily in this area, and you are not allowed to drink in public, otherwise you'll get arrested by Police. You can get drink in some modern hotels, bars, and cafes in the city. ==Sleep== === In Sukabumi city === If you need to stop overnight in Sukabumi town, there are some cheap places available not far from the bus terminal, just ask the people around, or ''ojek'' drivers near the bus station who will be happy to transport you there for Rp5,000-10,000. Expect to pay around Rp50,000 for room with a basic fan (air conditioning is not needed anyway, as nights in Sukabumi may be quite cold). * {{sleep|name=Horison Hotel Sukabumi|alt=|url=https://www.myhorison.com |email=|address=Jalan Siliwangi No. 68|lat=-6.91858|long=106.9367|directions=|phone=+62 266 223 311|tollfree=|fax=|checkin=|checkout=|price=Double rooms from Rp600,000 per night|lastedit=2016-09-27|content=Hotel with outdoor swimming pool and spa.}} === In the surrounding mountains === *{{sleep | name=Kampoeng Padi Boutique Villa | url=http://kampoengpadi.com/Home.html| email= | address=Desa Pawenang, Nagrak | lat=-6.83896 | long=106.82952 | directions= | phone=+62 815 9104 286 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Covering three hectares of land, including lush paddy fields, Kampoeng Padi Resort overlooks Mount Gede. Private villa accommodations with resort-like ambience complemented by traditional Sundanese and Balinese decor. |alt=|lastedit=2016-09-27}} ==Connect== ==Go next== * Nearby beaches along the Indian Ocean coast: [[Pelabuhan Ratu]], [[Cimaja]], and [[Sawarna]]. * Or into the mountains to [[Mount Gede Pangrango National Park]]. {{geo|-6.919600|106.927200}} {{isPartOf|Bogor Raya}} {{usablecity}} sbvbmpk52mx4xoqz7xu90ag878brf5l 0 34612 4506592 4505786 2022-08-23T05:21:06Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sundarbans.jpg|unesco=yes}} ''See [[Sundarbans]] for the extension into Bangladesh'' '''Sundarbans National Park''' is a mangrove forest in the [[Southeast Bengal|southeast]] region of [[West Bengal]], India, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. ==Understand== [[File:Sunderbans 059.jpg|thumb|300px|A broad, tree-lined river in the park]] Sundarbans National Park is marked as the Core area of Sundarban tiger reserve in Sundarban Reserve Forest. The forest is called 'Sundarban' due to the rich growth of Sundari trees. Sundarbans is a '''plastic free zone''', so if you bring any plastic with you, remember to take it out when you leave. ===History=== The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 10,500 km², of which about one-third is covered in water or marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. ===Landscape=== [[File:Sunderbans 058.jpg|thumb|225px|A river's muddy shore]] ===Flora and fauna=== The chief predators are the Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, saltwater crocodile, black panther and fishing cat. The Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. ===Climate=== * October to February &mdash; winter, cold and temperate * March to May &mdash; summer, hot and humid * June to September &mdash; the monsoon season, wet and windy Monsoon cruises are spectacular. ==Get in== Sundarbans National Park is on the south-eastern fringe of West Bengal and part of Sundarbans Reserve Forest. The adjacent inhabited areas of the Indian part of Sundarban are well connected with Kolkata by both roadways and railways. *'''Godkhali Port''' opposite Gosaba Island and Gosaba, it is the last inhabited islands towards Sajnekhali Wild life sanctuary and Sundarban Tiger project area of Sundarban reserve forest. The shortest route distance to Godkhali port from Kolkata is 82 km and 95 km from Kolkata airport (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport). *'''Koikhali''' — nearer to the Haliday wildlife sanctuary and Tourist attractions like Bonnie camp, Kalas Island and beach, Haliday Island etc. of Sundarban reserve forest. Koikhali is 83 and 92 km away from Kolkata and Kolkata airport respectively. *'''Namkhana''' — 117 km away from Kolkata and 123 km away from Kolkata Airport. Namkhana is also connected with railway from Kolkata and distance is 109 km. This place is closer to Bhagabatpur crocodile project and Lothian wildlife sanctuary of Sundarban. *'''Canning''' — the nearest railway head to the Sundarban Tiger Project. Railway distance from Kolkata to Canning is 45 km and 29 km away from Godkhali Port. Public transportations are available between Canning and Godkhali port. ==Fees and permits== [[File:Sunderbans 057.jpg|thumb|425px|One of the park's inhabitants]] Foreigners wishing to visit Sundarbans have to obtain a special permit. This is mandatory as per Government rule. It can now,however be obtained at the Sajnekhali Forest Office(Ecotourism Range) .The originals have to be shown to the forest office on your arrival. * {{listing | name=Tourism Centre | alt= | url= | email= | address=West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited, 3/2-BBD Bag (Near Great Eastern Hotel), Kolkata | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2210 3199, +91 33 2248 8271 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} A permit for maximum 5 days is usually granted which can be further extended subject to the permission of local forest officer. ==Get around== You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep ([[India#Money|₹]] 1500-2000 per day). However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes a round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide). The '''Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve''' (West Bengal, India) is the place from where you can hire a guide. ==See== {{mapframe|21.8620682|88.7091006|zoom=9}} Must see places to Visit when you are in Sundarbans: * {{listing | type=see | name=Sajnekhali Watch Tower and Tiger Reserve | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.1233641 | long=88.8272306 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Dobanki Watch Tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.0137097 | long=88.7492654 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Sudhanyakhali Watch tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.1013617 | long=88.8010305 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Neti Dhopani Watch Tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.9189459 | long=88.7451038 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Bhagabatpur Crocodile park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.7230824 | long=88.3097694 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} *Kumirmari Watch Tower *Jhingamari Watch tower *Bonnie camp Watch tower *Chargheri Char - Mud Flats, where you can feel the mudflats and do a few hours of jungle and coastal trek (in the mud as well as coast). All these can be covered in varying lengths of time, say in a 1N 2D package you may be able to cover 2 - 3 watch towers, in 2N 3D package you may be able to cover a few more and so on. ==Do== *Apart from cruising around the tourism zone of National Park, take a village walk. Visit a local school. *Go on a cycle trip to the local village market. Know more about the unique Mangrove Eco System. *Join a fishing or crab catching expedition on a country boat around the village (you are not allowed to do that inside the Reserve Forest). *Take a birding walk around the village. *Join a cooking class,and learn how a local dish is prepared with simple local ingredients. *Experience a local cultural programme ''Bonobibi Yatra'' - a local rural theatre performed by the villagers. Be sure that you have booked your lodging or trip package through a responsible tourism organisation that shares the tourism benefit with local communities, does not employ child labour, and practices environment-friendly tourism. ==Buy== *Local handicrafts *Honey *Organic brown rice ==Eat== [[File:Sundarbans Tiger reserve india David Raju (3).jpg|thumb|Lunch]] Recommended items to eat locally: Fresh sea fish, crabs, prawns, lobster, dry fish curry, cottage cheese, pancakes, Bengali-style rice pudding, local sweet curds. It's best to savour the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water like shrimp, crab, hilsa, bhetki, pangas, partsay, boal, rohu, or katla. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce. ==Drink== Filtered or boiled water. (Do not insist on mineral water unless it is a part of your personal medication. Mineral water comes in plastic bottles, and the Sundarbans is a '''no-plastic zone'''.) Fresh coconut juice, fresh watermelon juice, mango juice. ==Sleep== {{cautionbox|To avoid the unsavory, corrupt, and thoroughly untrustworthy booking services based in [[Kolkata]], it is best to get a place to stay on arrival without advance reservation.}} ===Lodging=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sunder Chital Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sajnekhali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= Dormitory, ₹250 per bed including breakfast +1 meal | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Belonging to West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. 30 double bedrooms, ₹700/- including breakfast+1 meal. No A/C. It is the only lodge close to Sajnekhali Forest Beat Office. }} * {{sleep | name=Sunderban Tiger Camp | alt= | url=https://www.waxpolhotels.com/sunderban-tiger-camp/ | email=info@sunderbantigercamp.com | address=Dayapur Island, National Park East Range. City Office: 9, Mitter House, 71, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Second Floor, Kolkata | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 32 935749, +91 93 3109 2632, +91 98 3117 0453 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33 22252 6078 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=In the heart of Sunderbans and amidst 9 acres of forestland opposite Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Forest. A boutique resort providing conference facilities and accommodations include tents, huts, and cottages, with A/C units available, all with attached baths. Meals served buffet-style with vegetarian options. Sightseeing tours by boat. The rooms have attached clean bathrooms with running cold water and hot water on request, and very well sanitised. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sundarbans Jungle Camp | alt= | url= | email=kalighat@vsnl.net, helptourismkolkata@gmail.com | address=Bali Island, National Park-West Range | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 32 1821 494 (Camp), +91 33 2455 0917 (per Help Tourism), +91 33 2485 4584| tollfree= | fax=+91 33 2485 4584 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Houseboat in Sundarban, M.V La Fiesta | alt= | url=http://www.travelchhutichhuti.com/ | email=chhutichhutitravel@gmail.com | address=Sajnekhali, Sundarban | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8017175322 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=A houseboat with 4 rooms sufficient to accommodate 8 persons, two washrooms - one Western-style and another Indian-style, 1 kitchen. Sightseeing tour by boat. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Houseboat in Sundarban, M.B India Beacons | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sajnekhali, Sundarban | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2419 1976, +91 990 329 5920| tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=A houseboat with 2 rooms sufficient to accommodate 3 + 4 = 7 persons. Well furnished rooms, not cabins. A unique experience of cruising during the day and staying in the middle of the river at night. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sundaban Residency | alt= | url=https://sundarbanresidency.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=1800 103 9161 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} If you are backpacking, go to Godhkhali/Pakhirala and inquire about the boats. They are generally cheaper, but there is always the risk that you may not get one on weekend and important dates and have to abandon your tour from there. Overnight stay on the boat,is possible and is a unique experience. However check out the hygiene and safety of the boat before you do so. Most of the boats have single toilets and the toilets on the boats stink and may not be so clean as most of the boats carry a maximum number of passengers (25, 35, 40 or maybe 60) as per their Licensed capacity during the day and all those passengers use on-board bathrooms. However, if you find one such nice boat, the experience of overnight stay on the boat and the scenic beauty of the dawn on the water is absolutely breathtaking and mesmerizing. Always insist or inquire whether the boat you would be traveling has life jackets, lifebuoys, fire extinguishers and other fire fighting measures" as those are minimum prerequisite safety measures (most of the boats do not have them). So be very careful in planning your trip in small boats. You may endanger your life by availing the services of such small boats which do not have these safety measures. ==Stay safe== The Sundarbans are the only place in the world where tigers still actively hunt humans for food and usually between 50 and 80 locals are mauled per year. The '''royal Bengal tiger''' is extremely dangerous in the Sundarbans, but most visitors need not worry since wildlife tours and accommodation that is provided by the state government will never put you in harm's way; however if you are interested in a private tour (by hiring a small machine boat), do it at your own risk! The Sundarbans are also home to a population of '''saltwater crocodiles''' (''Crocodylus porosus'') and '''bullsharks''' are found throughout the estuaries, so swimming is not advised anywhere. ==Stay healthy== Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels depending on the season (the wet season represents the greatest risk.) The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgement when choosing what to eat. ==Go next== {{outlinepark}} {{geo|21.945000|88.895833}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} 1k92g5fpfqbzp6yubczt0ntzbmico54 4506596 4506592 2022-08-23T05:23:38Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sundarbans.jpg|unesco=yes}} '''Sundarbans National Park''' is a mangrove forest in the [[Southeast Bengal|southeast]] region of [[West Bengal]], India, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. It is the Indian part of the [[Sundarbans]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ==Understand== [[File:Sunderbans 059.jpg|thumb|300px|A broad, tree-lined river in the park]] Sundarbans National Park is marked as the Core area of Sundarban tiger reserve in Sundarban Reserve Forest. The forest is called 'Sundarban' due to the rich growth of Sundari trees. Sundarbans is a '''plastic free zone''', so if you bring any plastic with you, remember to take it out when you leave. ===History=== The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 10,500 km², of which about one-third is covered in water or marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. ===Landscape=== [[File:Sunderbans 058.jpg|thumb|225px|A river's muddy shore]] ===Flora and fauna=== The chief predators are the Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, saltwater crocodile, black panther and fishing cat. The Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. ===Climate=== * October to February &mdash; winter, cold and temperate * March to May &mdash; summer, hot and humid * June to September &mdash; the monsoon season, wet and windy Monsoon cruises are spectacular. ==Get in== Sundarbans National Park is on the south-eastern fringe of West Bengal and part of Sundarbans Reserve Forest. The adjacent inhabited areas of the Indian part of Sundarban are well connected with Kolkata by both roadways and railways. *'''Godkhali Port''' opposite Gosaba Island and Gosaba, it is the last inhabited islands towards Sajnekhali Wild life sanctuary and Sundarban Tiger project area of Sundarban reserve forest. The shortest route distance to Godkhali port from Kolkata is 82 km and 95 km from Kolkata airport (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport). *'''Koikhali''' — nearer to the Haliday wildlife sanctuary and Tourist attractions like Bonnie camp, Kalas Island and beach, Haliday Island etc. of Sundarban reserve forest. Koikhali is 83 and 92 km away from Kolkata and Kolkata airport respectively. *'''Namkhana''' — 117 km away from Kolkata and 123 km away from Kolkata Airport. Namkhana is also connected with railway from Kolkata and distance is 109 km. This place is closer to Bhagabatpur crocodile project and Lothian wildlife sanctuary of Sundarban. *'''Canning''' — the nearest railway head to the Sundarban Tiger Project. Railway distance from Kolkata to Canning is 45 km and 29 km away from Godkhali Port. Public transportations are available between Canning and Godkhali port. ==Fees and permits== [[File:Sunderbans 057.jpg|thumb|425px|One of the park's inhabitants]] Foreigners wishing to visit Sundarbans have to obtain a special permit. This is mandatory as per Government rule. It can now,however be obtained at the Sajnekhali Forest Office(Ecotourism Range) .The originals have to be shown to the forest office on your arrival. * {{listing | name=Tourism Centre | alt= | url= | email= | address=West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited, 3/2-BBD Bag (Near Great Eastern Hotel), Kolkata | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2210 3199, +91 33 2248 8271 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} A permit for maximum 5 days is usually granted which can be further extended subject to the permission of local forest officer. ==Get around== You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep ([[India#Money|₹]] 1500-2000 per day). However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes a round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide). The '''Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve''' (West Bengal, India) is the place from where you can hire a guide. ==See== {{mapframe|21.8620682|88.7091006|zoom=9}} Must see places to Visit when you are in Sundarbans: * {{listing | type=see | name=Sajnekhali Watch Tower and Tiger Reserve | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.1233641 | long=88.8272306 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Dobanki Watch Tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.0137097 | long=88.7492654 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Sudhanyakhali Watch tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.1013617 | long=88.8010305 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Neti Dhopani Watch Tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.9189459 | long=88.7451038 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Bhagabatpur Crocodile park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.7230824 | long=88.3097694 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} *Kumirmari Watch Tower *Jhingamari Watch tower *Bonnie camp Watch tower *Chargheri Char - Mud Flats, where you can feel the mudflats and do a few hours of jungle and coastal trek (in the mud as well as coast). All these can be covered in varying lengths of time, say in a 1N 2D package you may be able to cover 2 - 3 watch towers, in 2N 3D package you may be able to cover a few more and so on. ==Do== *Apart from cruising around the tourism zone of National Park, take a village walk. Visit a local school. *Go on a cycle trip to the local village market. Know more about the unique Mangrove Eco System. *Join a fishing or crab catching expedition on a country boat around the village (you are not allowed to do that inside the Reserve Forest). *Take a birding walk around the village. *Join a cooking class,and learn how a local dish is prepared with simple local ingredients. *Experience a local cultural programme ''Bonobibi Yatra'' - a local rural theatre performed by the villagers. Be sure that you have booked your lodging or trip package through a responsible tourism organisation that shares the tourism benefit with local communities, does not employ child labour, and practices environment-friendly tourism. ==Buy== *Local handicrafts *Honey *Organic brown rice ==Eat== [[File:Sundarbans Tiger reserve india David Raju (3).jpg|thumb|Lunch]] Recommended items to eat locally: Fresh sea fish, crabs, prawns, lobster, dry fish curry, cottage cheese, pancakes, Bengali-style rice pudding, local sweet curds. It's best to savour the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water like shrimp, crab, hilsa, bhetki, pangas, partsay, boal, rohu, or katla. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce. ==Drink== Filtered or boiled water. (Do not insist on mineral water unless it is a part of your personal medication. Mineral water comes in plastic bottles, and the Sundarbans is a '''no-plastic zone'''.) Fresh coconut juice, fresh watermelon juice, mango juice. ==Sleep== {{cautionbox|To avoid the unsavory, corrupt, and thoroughly untrustworthy booking services based in [[Kolkata]], it is best to get a place to stay on arrival without advance reservation.}} ===Lodging=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sunder Chital Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sajnekhali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= Dormitory, ₹250 per bed including breakfast +1 meal | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Belonging to West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. 30 double bedrooms, ₹700/- including breakfast+1 meal. No A/C. It is the only lodge close to Sajnekhali Forest Beat Office. }} * {{sleep | name=Sunderban Tiger Camp | alt= | url=https://www.waxpolhotels.com/sunderban-tiger-camp/ | email=info@sunderbantigercamp.com | address=Dayapur Island, National Park East Range. City Office: 9, Mitter House, 71, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Second Floor, Kolkata | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 32 935749, +91 93 3109 2632, +91 98 3117 0453 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33 22252 6078 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=In the heart of Sunderbans and amidst 9 acres of forestland opposite Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Forest. A boutique resort providing conference facilities and accommodations include tents, huts, and cottages, with A/C units available, all with attached baths. Meals served buffet-style with vegetarian options. Sightseeing tours by boat. The rooms have attached clean bathrooms with running cold water and hot water on request, and very well sanitised. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sundarbans Jungle Camp | alt= | url= | email=kalighat@vsnl.net, helptourismkolkata@gmail.com | address=Bali Island, National Park-West Range | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 32 1821 494 (Camp), +91 33 2455 0917 (per Help Tourism), +91 33 2485 4584| tollfree= | fax=+91 33 2485 4584 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Houseboat in Sundarban, M.V La Fiesta | alt= | url=http://www.travelchhutichhuti.com/ | email=chhutichhutitravel@gmail.com | address=Sajnekhali, Sundarban | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8017175322 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=A houseboat with 4 rooms sufficient to accommodate 8 persons, two washrooms - one Western-style and another Indian-style, 1 kitchen. Sightseeing tour by boat. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Houseboat in Sundarban, M.B India Beacons | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sajnekhali, Sundarban | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2419 1976, +91 990 329 5920| tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=A houseboat with 2 rooms sufficient to accommodate 3 + 4 = 7 persons. Well furnished rooms, not cabins. A unique experience of cruising during the day and staying in the middle of the river at night. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sundaban Residency | alt= | url=https://sundarbanresidency.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=1800 103 9161 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} If you are backpacking, go to Godhkhali/Pakhirala and inquire about the boats. They are generally cheaper, but there is always the risk that you may not get one on weekend and important dates and have to abandon your tour from there. Overnight stay on the boat,is possible and is a unique experience. However check out the hygiene and safety of the boat before you do so. Most of the boats have single toilets and the toilets on the boats stink and may not be so clean as most of the boats carry a maximum number of passengers (25, 35, 40 or maybe 60) as per their Licensed capacity during the day and all those passengers use on-board bathrooms. However, if you find one such nice boat, the experience of overnight stay on the boat and the scenic beauty of the dawn on the water is absolutely breathtaking and mesmerizing. Always insist or inquire whether the boat you would be traveling has life jackets, lifebuoys, fire extinguishers and other fire fighting measures" as those are minimum prerequisite safety measures (most of the boats do not have them). So be very careful in planning your trip in small boats. You may endanger your life by availing the services of such small boats which do not have these safety measures. ==Stay safe== The Sundarbans are the only place in the world where tigers still actively hunt humans for food and usually between 50 and 80 locals are mauled per year. The '''royal Bengal tiger''' is extremely dangerous in the Sundarbans, but most visitors need not worry since wildlife tours and accommodation that is provided by the state government will never put you in harm's way; however if you are interested in a private tour (by hiring a small machine boat), do it at your own risk! The Sundarbans are also home to a population of '''saltwater crocodiles''' (''Crocodylus porosus'') and '''bullsharks''' are found throughout the estuaries, so swimming is not advised anywhere. ==Stay healthy== Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels depending on the season (the wet season represents the greatest risk.) The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgement when choosing what to eat. ==Go next== {{outlinepark}} {{geo|21.945000|88.895833}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} igk4td75mtj1ikggqolkpmq3mxmdzt0 4506598 4506596 2022-08-23T05:24:11Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Sundarbans.jpg|unesco=yes}} '''Sundarbans National Park''' is a mangrove forest in the [[Southeast Bengal|southeast]] region of [[West Bengal]], India, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. It is the Indian part of the [[Sundarbans]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ==Understand== [[File:Sunderbans 059.jpg|thumb|200px|A broad, tree-lined river in the park]] Sundarbans National Park is marked as the Core area of Sundarban tiger reserve in Sundarban Reserve Forest. The forest is called 'Sundarban' due to the rich growth of Sundari trees. Sundarbans is a '''plastic free zone''', so if you bring any plastic with you, remember to take it out when you leave. ===History=== The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 10,500 km², of which about one-third is covered in water or marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. ===Landscape=== [[File:Sunderbans 058.jpg|thumb|225px|A river's muddy shore]] ===Flora and fauna=== The chief predators are the Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, saltwater crocodile, black panther and fishing cat. The Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. ===Climate=== * October to February &mdash; winter, cold and temperate * March to May &mdash; summer, hot and humid * June to September &mdash; the monsoon season, wet and windy Monsoon cruises are spectacular. ==Get in== Sundarbans National Park is on the south-eastern fringe of West Bengal and part of Sundarbans Reserve Forest. The adjacent inhabited areas of the Indian part of Sundarban are well connected with Kolkata by both roadways and railways. *'''Godkhali Port''' opposite Gosaba Island and Gosaba, it is the last inhabited islands towards Sajnekhali Wild life sanctuary and Sundarban Tiger project area of Sundarban reserve forest. The shortest route distance to Godkhali port from Kolkata is 82 km and 95 km from Kolkata airport (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport). *'''Koikhali''' — nearer to the Haliday wildlife sanctuary and Tourist attractions like Bonnie camp, Kalas Island and beach, Haliday Island etc. of Sundarban reserve forest. Koikhali is 83 and 92 km away from Kolkata and Kolkata airport respectively. *'''Namkhana''' — 117 km away from Kolkata and 123 km away from Kolkata Airport. Namkhana is also connected with railway from Kolkata and distance is 109 km. This place is closer to Bhagabatpur crocodile project and Lothian wildlife sanctuary of Sundarban. *'''Canning''' — the nearest railway head to the Sundarban Tiger Project. Railway distance from Kolkata to Canning is 45 km and 29 km away from Godkhali Port. Public transportations are available between Canning and Godkhali port. ==Fees and permits== [[File:Sunderbans 057.jpg|thumb|425px|One of the park's inhabitants]] Foreigners wishing to visit Sundarbans have to obtain a special permit. This is mandatory as per Government rule. It can now,however be obtained at the Sajnekhali Forest Office(Ecotourism Range) .The originals have to be shown to the forest office on your arrival. * {{listing | name=Tourism Centre | alt= | url= | email= | address=West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited, 3/2-BBD Bag (Near Great Eastern Hotel), Kolkata | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2210 3199, +91 33 2248 8271 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} A permit for maximum 5 days is usually granted which can be further extended subject to the permission of local forest officer. ==Get around== You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep ([[India#Money|₹]] 1500-2000 per day). However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes a round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide). The '''Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve''' (West Bengal, India) is the place from where you can hire a guide. ==See== {{mapframe|21.8620682|88.7091006|zoom=9}} Must see places to Visit when you are in Sundarbans: * {{listing | type=see | name=Sajnekhali Watch Tower and Tiger Reserve | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.1233641 | long=88.8272306 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Dobanki Watch Tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.0137097 | long=88.7492654 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Sudhanyakhali Watch tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.1013617 | long=88.8010305 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Neti Dhopani Watch Tower | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.9189459 | long=88.7451038 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Bhagabatpur Crocodile park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=21.7230824 | long=88.3097694 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-08-13 | content= }} *Kumirmari Watch Tower *Jhingamari Watch tower *Bonnie camp Watch tower *Chargheri Char - Mud Flats, where you can feel the mudflats and do a few hours of jungle and coastal trek (in the mud as well as coast). All these can be covered in varying lengths of time, say in a 1N 2D package you may be able to cover 2 - 3 watch towers, in 2N 3D package you may be able to cover a few more and so on. ==Do== *Apart from cruising around the tourism zone of National Park, take a village walk. Visit a local school. *Go on a cycle trip to the local village market. Know more about the unique Mangrove Eco System. *Join a fishing or crab catching expedition on a country boat around the village (you are not allowed to do that inside the Reserve Forest). *Take a birding walk around the village. *Join a cooking class,and learn how a local dish is prepared with simple local ingredients. *Experience a local cultural programme ''Bonobibi Yatra'' - a local rural theatre performed by the villagers. Be sure that you have booked your lodging or trip package through a responsible tourism organisation that shares the tourism benefit with local communities, does not employ child labour, and practices environment-friendly tourism. ==Buy== *Local handicrafts *Honey *Organic brown rice ==Eat== [[File:Sundarbans Tiger reserve india David Raju (3).jpg|thumb|Lunch]] Recommended items to eat locally: Fresh sea fish, crabs, prawns, lobster, dry fish curry, cottage cheese, pancakes, Bengali-style rice pudding, local sweet curds. It's best to savour the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water like shrimp, crab, hilsa, bhetki, pangas, partsay, boal, rohu, or katla. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce. ==Drink== Filtered or boiled water. (Do not insist on mineral water unless it is a part of your personal medication. Mineral water comes in plastic bottles, and the Sundarbans is a '''no-plastic zone'''.) Fresh coconut juice, fresh watermelon juice, mango juice. ==Sleep== {{cautionbox|To avoid the unsavory, corrupt, and thoroughly untrustworthy booking services based in [[Kolkata]], it is best to get a place to stay on arrival without advance reservation.}} ===Lodging=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sunder Chital Tourist Lodge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sajnekhali | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= Dormitory, ₹250 per bed including breakfast +1 meal | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Belonging to West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. 30 double bedrooms, ₹700/- including breakfast+1 meal. No A/C. It is the only lodge close to Sajnekhali Forest Beat Office. }} * {{sleep | name=Sunderban Tiger Camp | alt= | url=https://www.waxpolhotels.com/sunderban-tiger-camp/ | email=info@sunderbantigercamp.com | address=Dayapur Island, National Park East Range. City Office: 9, Mitter House, 71, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Second Floor, Kolkata | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 32 935749, +91 93 3109 2632, +91 98 3117 0453 | tollfree= | fax=+91 33 22252 6078 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=In the heart of Sunderbans and amidst 9 acres of forestland opposite Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Forest. A boutique resort providing conference facilities and accommodations include tents, huts, and cottages, with A/C units available, all with attached baths. Meals served buffet-style with vegetarian options. Sightseeing tours by boat. The rooms have attached clean bathrooms with running cold water and hot water on request, and very well sanitised. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sundarbans Jungle Camp | alt= | url= | email=kalighat@vsnl.net, helptourismkolkata@gmail.com | address=Bali Island, National Park-West Range | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 32 1821 494 (Camp), +91 33 2455 0917 (per Help Tourism), +91 33 2485 4584| tollfree= | fax=+91 33 2485 4584 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Houseboat in Sundarban, M.V La Fiesta | alt= | url=http://www.travelchhutichhuti.com/ | email=chhutichhutitravel@gmail.com | address=Sajnekhali, Sundarban | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 8017175322 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=A houseboat with 4 rooms sufficient to accommodate 8 persons, two washrooms - one Western-style and another Indian-style, 1 kitchen. Sightseeing tour by boat. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Houseboat in Sundarban, M.B India Beacons | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sajnekhali, Sundarban | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+91 33 2419 1976, +91 990 329 5920| tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=A houseboat with 2 rooms sufficient to accommodate 3 + 4 = 7 persons. Well furnished rooms, not cabins. A unique experience of cruising during the day and staying in the middle of the river at night. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Sundaban Residency | alt= | url=https://sundarbanresidency.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=1800 103 9161 | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} If you are backpacking, go to Godhkhali/Pakhirala and inquire about the boats. They are generally cheaper, but there is always the risk that you may not get one on weekend and important dates and have to abandon your tour from there. Overnight stay on the boat,is possible and is a unique experience. However check out the hygiene and safety of the boat before you do so. Most of the boats have single toilets and the toilets on the boats stink and may not be so clean as most of the boats carry a maximum number of passengers (25, 35, 40 or maybe 60) as per their Licensed capacity during the day and all those passengers use on-board bathrooms. However, if you find one such nice boat, the experience of overnight stay on the boat and the scenic beauty of the dawn on the water is absolutely breathtaking and mesmerizing. Always insist or inquire whether the boat you would be traveling has life jackets, lifebuoys, fire extinguishers and other fire fighting measures" as those are minimum prerequisite safety measures (most of the boats do not have them). So be very careful in planning your trip in small boats. You may endanger your life by availing the services of such small boats which do not have these safety measures. ==Stay safe== The Sundarbans are the only place in the world where tigers still actively hunt humans for food and usually between 50 and 80 locals are mauled per year. The '''royal Bengal tiger''' is extremely dangerous in the Sundarbans, but most visitors need not worry since wildlife tours and accommodation that is provided by the state government will never put you in harm's way; however if you are interested in a private tour (by hiring a small machine boat), do it at your own risk! The Sundarbans are also home to a population of '''saltwater crocodiles''' (''Crocodylus porosus'') and '''bullsharks''' are found throughout the estuaries, so swimming is not advised anywhere. ==Stay healthy== Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels depending on the season (the wet season represents the greatest risk.) The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgement when choosing what to eat. ==Go next== {{outlinepark}} {{geo|21.945000|88.895833}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} ctseokbj49d9pf1caa4424pbmc8k954 0 34643 4506622 4506057 2022-08-23T05:49:51Z Rosspotter 2274401 add info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ruby Lake banner view from Ruby Lake Resort.jpg|pgname=Sunshine Coast}} The '''Sunshine Coast''', named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine, is north-west of [[Vancouver]]. Although located on the mainland, vehicles cannot access this region without taking ferries. Further, a ferry is needed to travel between the lower and upper coast sections of the Sunshine Coast. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many individuals, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find the perfect destination. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} ===Lower Coast=== [[File:Blue Heron Views 1 (19925834353).jpg|right|thumb|Sechelt]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Gibsons]]|wikidata=Q11483763}} — setting of the 1970s TV show ''The Beachcombers'' * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pender Harbour and Egmont]]|wikidata=Q7162393}} — a mostly rural area with a number of small communities on the coast. It includes Skookumchuck Narrows, a tidal rapid that is popular with kayakers * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Sechelt]]|wikidata=Q1259274}} — a popular destination for outdoor activities that include kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping and mountain biking ===Upper Coast=== * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]|wikidata=Q6704040}} — outdoor opportunities at the end of the road and gateway to [[Desolation Sound]] and [[Savary Island]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Powell River]]|wikidata=Q599678}} — the largest town in the region, and a centre for ecotourism ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Savary Island]]|wikidata=Q1419193}} — An island with a tropical feel accessible from the end of the Sunshine Coast highway. * {{marker|name=Texada Island|wikidata=Q1569350}} — the largest island in the group, with a population of about 1,000 people ==Major ferry terminals== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Langdale)|wikidata=Q6485768}} — [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay): 40 minute ferry crossing and the main point of entry into the Sunshine Coast. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|wikidata=Q3046424}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Saltery Bay)|wikidata=Q48803229}}: 50 minute ferry crossing Jervis Inlet, dividing the Lower (South) and Upper (North) Sunshine Coast * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Westview)|wikidata=|lat=49.8358|long=-124.5287}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Comox]] (Little River)|wikidata=}}: 1 hour 15 minute ferry crossing connecting with [[Vancouver Island]]. ==Understand== The southern portion of the sunshine coast is almost a bedroom community of Vancouver. There are a number of people who commute to Vancouver on a regular basis, in this area. ==Get in== [[Image:Ferry-from-horseshoe-bay.jpg|thumb|Ferry from horseshoe bay]] Given the lack of road access to reach the Sunshine Coast, your choice are to go by plane or by boat. === By plane === If you are traveling to the Sunshine Coast, you are flying a short flight to [[Powell River]] or [[Sechelt]]. See listings for those cities for details. Expect the flight to be expensive. === By boat === {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|alt=|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|lat=|long=|directions=|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-04-30|content=Operates ferries connecting coastal communities.}} BC Ferries is the main way to reach the Sunshine Coast, and the options to reach this area are either from the [[Vancouver]] area or from [[Vancouver Island]]. From the Vancouver area, Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal in West Vancouver where to catch a ferry to the Sunshine Coast. See [[West Vancouver#By boat|West Vancouver]] for details. From Vancouver Island [[Comox]] (Little River ferry terminal) on [[Vancouver Island]], a 90 minute ferry connects to [[Powell River]]. [[Image:Gibson boat.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Gibsons waterfront]] ==Get around== The automobile is the easiest way of getting around the Sunshine Coast. Car rentals are available at a number of locations on the Sunshine Coast, but it is generally considerably cheaper in [[Vancouver]]. The Sunshine Coast only has one main road, BC-101 which runs along the coast. [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit] operates regular bus service connecting the Langdale BC Ferries ferry terminal, [[Gibsons]], and [[Sechelt]]. BC Transit does not offer service between Half Moon Bay (10-15 minutes drive north of Sechelt) and Earls Cove BC Ferries terminal. BC Transit also operates regular bus service in [[Powell River]], including the Powell River BC Ferries terminal. More limited bus service is available to the Saltery Bay BC Ferries terminal and to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]. To travel between the lower coast and upper coast of the Sunshine Coast, a ferry travels between Earls Cove ferry terminal (lower coast) and Saltery Bay ferry terminal (upper coast). The fare is a return rate, meaning that a fare is only paid when heading from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove. If you do not have a vehicle, the only bus option is to travel between the lower coast and the upper coast is: {{listing | name=Sunshine Coast Connector | alt= | url=https://sunshinecoastconnector.ca/ | email=coastconnector@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-844-613-8222 | hours= | price=As of 2022, $60 per person between Langdale and Earls Cove ferry terminals | lastedit=2022-08-17 | content=Operates a bus service four days per week between the Langdale ferry terminal and the Earls Cove ferry terminal, including stops in all the major communities lower coast of the Sunshine Coast, such as [[Gibsons]] and [[Sechelt]]. The Sunshine Coast Connector is coordinated with [https://bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit's] bus route 12 service in [[Powell River]], to allow travelers to ride ferries and buses to travel the upper and lower coasts, and to connect to [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink's] public transit network including connections to [[Vancouver]]. }} ==See== '''Princess Louisa Inlet''' is one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km (40-mile) long fjord ending in Princess Louisa Inlet. Accessible only by boat. On the journey up, your boat will navigate past dozens of waterfalls that trickle down from steep, craggy granite bluffs that loom over you on both sides. Once past the geological constriction called Malibu Rapids, Princess Louisa Inlet opens up -- revealing the glacier-fed Chatterbox Falls, the highlight of this sheltered inlet. This region is protected and preserved within the 65-hectare Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park. Beside Chatterbox Falls, there is a dock with water, but no electricity, for boaters. There is also moorage available for at least twenty boats. Boardwalks will take you along trails to the falls, where the air is so moist that the trees are covered with thick moss and ferns. Tours leave for Princess Louisa from Egmont on a scheduled basis all summer long. The Sunshine Coast is home to more artists per capita than any other Canadian region. Purple flags along the Sunshine Coast Highway and local streets indicate '''artists's studios''' where the public is welcome, and which feature many disciplines including painting, pottery and glassblowing. Held each autumn, the '''Sunshine Coast Art Crawl''' features over 200 artists' galleries and studios. Free illustrated programs are available, and there is no charge to visit the participating venues. The Coast's '''wildlife''' includes cougars, black bears, wolves, marbled murrelet, orcas, great blue herons, seals, sea lions and bald eagles. There are also abundant tide pools with a variety of molluscs, sea anemones and fish. At certain times of the year, seal pups may be encountered on the Coast's beaches. They should not be approached, as the mother may abandon them. All wildlife on the Coast should be viewed from a safe and respectful distance. ==Do== '''Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park''' is the site of some of the strongest and most spectacular currents in western North America. These narrows occur where the water enters into the Sechelt Inlet. There can be as much as a 2-m difference in sea level between Sechelt Inlet and the Jervis inlet. The water can be moving at speeds of up to 16 knots and creates standing waves up to 1.5 m and whirlpools. Access to the best place to view the narrows is about a 1½-hour hike from the parking lot. This is in the fishing village of [[Pender Harbour and Egmont|Egmont]]. On the lower Sunshine Coast (Langdale to Earl's Cove and Egmont), there are hundreds of '''trails for hiking and biking'''. Many of the trails have been built by members of the very active mountain bike community and most are multi-use - meaning you may encounter hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and sometimes ATVs. However, the majority of users are hikers and bikers. The 180-kilometre (110 mi) '''Sunshine Coast Trail''' is Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail, and travels from mountains to shorelines and lakes. Beginning at Sarah Point in Desolation Sound and ending at Saltery Bay, it is free to everyone, and hikers can enter and leave it at multiple points. The '''Powell Forest Canoe Route''' is a 57-km, 8-lake, 5-portage journey that takes about 5 days. Portages range from 0.7-2.8 km, and paddling from 1–28.5 km. The best time to travel it is June to October. There are several '''mountain bike parks''': Coast Gravity Park, 10 km from Sechelt, has trails for all riding levels, and a shuttle system to the trails. Sprockids Mountain Bike Park, in Langdale, has 14 km of downhill, ramps, jumps and teeter-bars, and is perfect for younger riders. Powell River Bike and Skate Park has a beginner pump track, slope-style dirt jump trails, downhill flow trails, and a beginner flow line. It is open to the public year round and admission is free. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Backeddy Marine Pub | alt= | url= | email= | address=Backeddy Road | lat= | long= | directions=take the Egmont exit off Hwy 101 just south of the ferry terminal for the boat to Powell River | phone=+1 604-883-3614 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Known for its gigantic "Skookum Burger". }} *{{eat | name=West Coast Wilderness Lodge | url=http://www.wcwl.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=The village of Egmont | phone = +1 604-883-3667 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The fine dining at the Lodge is all about the view. It has floor-to-ceiling windows that span the entire dining room, and was built high up on a bluff overlooking Sutton Islands and the Sechelt Inlet. }} ==Drink== The Sunshine Coast has several breweries, including: *Gibsons: Persephone Brewing Company, Gibsons Tapworks, 101 Brewhouse + Distillery *Powell River: Townsite Brewing *Sechelt: Bricker Cider Company ==Stay safe== The Sunshine Coast is an extremely safe place. Although growing rapidly, it still maintains a "small town" feel, noted especially in the Roberts Creek and Pender Harbour areas. Crime is minimal, and there are no particular areas to avoid. ==Go next== Rent a kayak or use your own to explore [[Desolation Sound]]. {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{geo|49.6833|-124.1833|zoom=10}} qlds04wwf9od80xdwa4ylctprbcae0k 4506627 4506622 2022-08-23T06:10:57Z Rosspotter 2274401 amend wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ruby Lake banner view from Ruby Lake Resort.jpg|pgname=Sunshine Coast}} The '''Sunshine Coast''', named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine, is north-west of [[Vancouver]]. Although located on the mainland, vehicles cannot access this region without taking ferries. Further, a ferry is needed to travel between the lower and upper coast sections of the Sunshine Coast. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many individuals, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find the perfect destination. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} ===Lower Coast=== [[File:Blue Heron Views 1 (19925834353).jpg|right|thumb|Sechelt]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Gibsons]]|wikidata=Q11483763}} — setting of the 1970s TV show ''The Beachcombers'' * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pender Harbour and Egmont]]|wikidata=Q7162393}} — a mostly rural area with a number of small communities on the coast. It includes Skookumchuck Narrows, a tidal rapid that is popular with kayakers * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Sechelt]]|wikidata=Q1259274}} — a popular destination for outdoor activities that include kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping and mountain biking ===Upper Coast=== * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]|wikidata=Q6704040}} — outdoor opportunities at the end of the road and gateway to [[Desolation Sound]] and [[Savary Island]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Powell River]]|wikidata=Q599678}} — the largest town in the region, and a centre for ecotourism ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Savary Island]]|wikidata=Q1419193}} — An island with a tropical feel accessible from the end of the Sunshine Coast highway. * {{marker|name=Texada Island|wikidata=Q1569350}} — the largest island in the group, with a population of about 1,000 people ==Major ferry terminals== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Langdale)|wikidata=Q6485768}} — [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay): 40 minute ferry crossing and the main point of entry into the Sunshine Coast. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|wikidata=Q3046424}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Saltery Bay)|wikidata=Q48803229}}: 50 minute ferry crossing Jervis Inlet, dividing the Lower (South) and Upper (North) Sunshine Coast * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Westview)|wikidata=|lat=49.8358|long=-124.5287}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Comox]] (Little River)|wikidata=}}: 1 hour 15 minute ferry crossing connecting with [[Vancouver Island]]. ==Understand== The southern portion of the sunshine coast is almost a bedroom community of Vancouver. There are a number of people who commute to Vancouver on a regular basis, in this area. ==Get in== [[Image:Ferry-from-horseshoe-bay.jpg|thumb|Ferry from horseshoe bay]] Given the lack of road access to reach the Sunshine Coast, your choice are to go by plane or by boat. === By plane === If you are traveling to the Sunshine Coast, you are flying a short flight to [[Powell River]] or [[Sechelt]]. See listings for those cities for details. Expect the flight to be expensive. === By boat === {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|alt=|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|lat=|long=|directions=|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-04-30|content=Operates ferries connecting coastal communities.}} BC Ferries is the main way to reach the Sunshine Coast, and the options to reach this area are either from the [[Vancouver]] area or from [[Vancouver Island]]. From the Vancouver area, Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal in West Vancouver where to catch a ferry to the Sunshine Coast. See [[West Vancouver#By boat|West Vancouver]] for details. From Vancouver Island [[Comox]] (Little River ferry terminal) on [[Vancouver Island]], a 90 minute ferry connects to [[Powell River]]. [[Image:Gibson boat.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Gibsons waterfront]] ==Get around== The automobile is the easiest way of getting around the Sunshine Coast. Car rentals are available at a number of locations on the Sunshine Coast, but it is generally considerably cheaper in [[Vancouver]]. The Sunshine Coast only has one main road, BC-101 which runs along the coast. [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit] operates regular bus service connecting the Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal, [[Gibsons]], and [[Sechelt]]. BC Transit does not offer service between Half Moon Bay (10-15 minutes drive north of Sechelt) and the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) ferry terminal. BC Transit also operates regular bus service in [[Powell River]], including BC Ferries' Powell River (Westview) ferry terminal. More limited bus service is available to the BC Ferries' Powell River (Saltery Bay) ferry terminal and to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]. To travel between the lower coast and upper coast of the Sunshine Coast, a ferry travels between the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) ferry terminal (lower coast) and the [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay) ferry terminal (upper coast). The fare is a return rate, meaning that a fare is only paid when heading from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove. If you do not have a vehicle, the only bus option is to travel between the lower coast and the upper coast is: {{listing | name=Sunshine Coast Connector | alt= | url=https://sunshinecoastconnector.ca/ | email=coastconnector@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-844-613-8222 | hours= | price=As of 2022, $60 per person between Langdale and Earls Cove ferry terminals | lastedit=2022-08-17 | content=Operates a bus service four days per week between the Langdale ferry terminal and the Earls Cove ferry terminal, including stops in all the major communities lower coast of the Sunshine Coast, such as [[Gibsons]] and [[Sechelt]]. The Sunshine Coast Connector is coordinated with [https://bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit's] bus route 12 service in [[Powell River]], to allow travelers to ride ferries and buses to travel the upper and lower coasts, and to connect to [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink's] public transit network including connections to [[Vancouver]]. }} ==See== '''Princess Louisa Inlet''' is one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km (40-mile) long fjord ending in Princess Louisa Inlet. Accessible only by boat. On the journey up, your boat will navigate past dozens of waterfalls that trickle down from steep, craggy granite bluffs that loom over you on both sides. Once past the geological constriction called Malibu Rapids, Princess Louisa Inlet opens up -- revealing the glacier-fed Chatterbox Falls, the highlight of this sheltered inlet. This region is protected and preserved within the 65-hectare Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park. Beside Chatterbox Falls, there is a dock with water, but no electricity, for boaters. There is also moorage available for at least twenty boats. Boardwalks will take you along trails to the falls, where the air is so moist that the trees are covered with thick moss and ferns. Tours leave for Princess Louisa from Egmont on a scheduled basis all summer long. The Sunshine Coast is home to more artists per capita than any other Canadian region. Purple flags along the Sunshine Coast Highway and local streets indicate '''artists's studios''' where the public is welcome, and which feature many disciplines including painting, pottery and glassblowing. Held each autumn, the '''Sunshine Coast Art Crawl''' features over 200 artists' galleries and studios. Free illustrated programs are available, and there is no charge to visit the participating venues. The Coast's '''wildlife''' includes cougars, black bears, wolves, marbled murrelet, orcas, great blue herons, seals, sea lions and bald eagles. There are also abundant tide pools with a variety of molluscs, sea anemones and fish. At certain times of the year, seal pups may be encountered on the Coast's beaches. They should not be approached, as the mother may abandon them. All wildlife on the Coast should be viewed from a safe and respectful distance. ==Do== '''Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park''' is the site of some of the strongest and most spectacular currents in western North America. These narrows occur where the water enters into the Sechelt Inlet. There can be as much as a 2-m difference in sea level between Sechelt Inlet and the Jervis inlet. The water can be moving at speeds of up to 16 knots and creates standing waves up to 1.5 m and whirlpools. Access to the best place to view the narrows is about a 1½-hour hike from the parking lot. This is in the fishing village of [[Pender Harbour and Egmont|Egmont]]. On the lower Sunshine Coast (Langdale to Earl's Cove and Egmont), there are hundreds of '''trails for hiking and biking'''. Many of the trails have been built by members of the very active mountain bike community and most are multi-use - meaning you may encounter hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and sometimes ATVs. However, the majority of users are hikers and bikers. The 180-kilometre (110 mi) '''Sunshine Coast Trail''' is Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail, and travels from mountains to shorelines and lakes. Beginning at Sarah Point in Desolation Sound and ending at Saltery Bay, it is free to everyone, and hikers can enter and leave it at multiple points. The '''Powell Forest Canoe Route''' is a 57-km, 8-lake, 5-portage journey that takes about 5 days. Portages range from 0.7-2.8 km, and paddling from 1–28.5 km. The best time to travel it is June to October. There are several '''mountain bike parks''': Coast Gravity Park, 10 km from Sechelt, has trails for all riding levels, and a shuttle system to the trails. Sprockids Mountain Bike Park, in Langdale, has 14 km of downhill, ramps, jumps and teeter-bars, and is perfect for younger riders. Powell River Bike and Skate Park has a beginner pump track, slope-style dirt jump trails, downhill flow trails, and a beginner flow line. It is open to the public year round and admission is free. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Backeddy Marine Pub | alt= | url= | email= | address=Backeddy Road | lat= | long= | directions=take the Egmont exit off Hwy 101 just south of the ferry terminal for the boat to Powell River | phone=+1 604-883-3614 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Known for its gigantic "Skookum Burger". }} *{{eat | name=West Coast Wilderness Lodge | url=http://www.wcwl.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=The village of Egmont | phone = +1 604-883-3667 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The fine dining at the Lodge is all about the view. It has floor-to-ceiling windows that span the entire dining room, and was built high up on a bluff overlooking Sutton Islands and the Sechelt Inlet. }} ==Drink== The Sunshine Coast has several breweries, including: *Gibsons: Persephone Brewing Company, Gibsons Tapworks, 101 Brewhouse + Distillery *Powell River: Townsite Brewing *Sechelt: Bricker Cider Company ==Stay safe== The Sunshine Coast is an extremely safe place. Although growing rapidly, it still maintains a "small town" feel, noted especially in the Roberts Creek and Pender Harbour areas. Crime is minimal, and there are no particular areas to avoid. ==Go next== Rent a kayak or use your own to explore [[Desolation Sound]]. {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{geo|49.6833|-124.1833|zoom=10}} f27bbnmp573jmh7i0i6eqfqpgrc6uhl 4506629 4506627 2022-08-23T06:11:45Z Rosspotter 2274401 amend wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ruby Lake banner view from Ruby Lake Resort.jpg|pgname=Sunshine Coast}} The '''Sunshine Coast''', named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine, is north-west of [[Vancouver]]. Although located on the mainland, vehicles cannot access this region without taking ferries. Further, a ferry is needed to travel between the lower and upper coast sections of the Sunshine Coast. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many individuals, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find the perfect destination. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} ===Lower Coast=== [[File:Blue Heron Views 1 (19925834353).jpg|right|thumb|Sechelt]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Gibsons]]|wikidata=Q11483763}} — setting of the 1970s TV show ''The Beachcombers'' * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pender Harbour and Egmont]]|wikidata=Q7162393}} — a mostly rural area with a number of small communities on the coast. It includes Skookumchuck Narrows, a tidal rapid that is popular with kayakers * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Sechelt]]|wikidata=Q1259274}} — a popular destination for outdoor activities that include kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping and mountain biking ===Upper Coast=== * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]|wikidata=Q6704040}} — outdoor opportunities at the end of the road and gateway to [[Desolation Sound]] and [[Savary Island]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Powell River]]|wikidata=Q599678}} — the largest town in the region, and a centre for ecotourism ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Savary Island]]|wikidata=Q1419193}} — An island with a tropical feel accessible from the end of the Sunshine Coast highway. * {{marker|name=Texada Island|wikidata=Q1569350}} — the largest island in the group, with a population of about 1,000 people ==Major ferry terminals== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Langdale)|wikidata=Q6485768}} — [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay): 40 minute ferry crossing and the main point of entry into the Sunshine Coast. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|wikidata=Q3046424}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Saltery Bay)|wikidata=Q48803229}}: 50 minute ferry crossing Jervis Inlet, dividing the Lower (South) and Upper (North) Sunshine Coast * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Westview)|wikidata=|lat=49.8358|long=-124.5287}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Comox]] (Little River)|wikidata=}}: 1 hour 15 minute ferry crossing connecting with [[Vancouver Island]]. ==Understand== The southern portion of the sunshine coast is almost a bedroom community of Vancouver. There are a number of people who commute to Vancouver on a regular basis, in this area. ==Get in== [[Image:Ferry-from-horseshoe-bay.jpg|thumb|Ferry from horseshoe bay]] Given the lack of road access to reach the Sunshine Coast, your choice are to go by plane or by boat. === By plane === If you are traveling to the Sunshine Coast, you are flying a short flight to [[Powell River]] or [[Sechelt]]. See listings for those cities for details. Expect the flight to be expensive. === By boat === {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|alt=|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|lat=|long=|directions=|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-04-30|content=Operates ferries connecting coastal communities.}} BC Ferries is the main way to reach the Sunshine Coast, and the options to reach this area are either from the [[Vancouver]] area or from [[Vancouver Island]]. From the Vancouver area, Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal in West Vancouver where to catch a ferry to the Sunshine Coast. See [[West Vancouver#By boat|West Vancouver]] for details. From Vancouver Island [[Comox]] (Little River ferry terminal) on [[Vancouver Island]], a 90 minute ferry connects to [[Powell River]]. [[Image:Gibson boat.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Gibsons waterfront]] ==Get around== The automobile is the easiest way of getting around the Sunshine Coast. Car rentals are available at a number of locations on the Sunshine Coast, but it is generally considerably cheaper in [[Vancouver]]. The Sunshine Coast only has one main road, BC-101 which runs along the coast. [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit] operates regular bus service connecting the Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal, [[Gibsons]], and [[Sechelt]]. BC Transit does not offer service between Half Moon Bay (10-15 minutes drive north of Sechelt) and the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) ferry terminal. BC Transit also operates regular bus service in [[Powell River]], including BC Ferries' Powell River (Westview) ferry terminal. More limited bus service is available to the BC Ferries' Powell River (Saltery Bay) ferry terminal and to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]. To travel between the lower coast and upper coast of the Sunshine Coast, a ferry travels between the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) ferry terminal (lower coast) and the [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay) ferry terminal (upper coast), crossing in 40 minutes. The fare is a return rate, meaning that a fare is only paid when heading from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove. If you do not have a vehicle, the only bus option is to travel between the lower coast and the upper coast is: {{listing | name=Sunshine Coast Connector | alt= | url=https://sunshinecoastconnector.ca/ | email=coastconnector@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-844-613-8222 | hours= | price=As of 2022, $60 per person between Langdale and Earls Cove ferry terminals | lastedit=2022-08-17 | content=Operates a bus service four days per week between the Langdale ferry terminal and the Earls Cove ferry terminal, including stops in all the major communities lower coast of the Sunshine Coast, such as [[Gibsons]] and [[Sechelt]]. The Sunshine Coast Connector is coordinated with [https://bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit's] bus route 12 service in [[Powell River]], to allow travelers to ride ferries and buses to travel the upper and lower coasts, and to connect to [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink's] public transit network including connections to [[Vancouver]]. }} ==See== '''Princess Louisa Inlet''' is one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km (40-mile) long fjord ending in Princess Louisa Inlet. Accessible only by boat. On the journey up, your boat will navigate past dozens of waterfalls that trickle down from steep, craggy granite bluffs that loom over you on both sides. Once past the geological constriction called Malibu Rapids, Princess Louisa Inlet opens up -- revealing the glacier-fed Chatterbox Falls, the highlight of this sheltered inlet. This region is protected and preserved within the 65-hectare Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park. Beside Chatterbox Falls, there is a dock with water, but no electricity, for boaters. There is also moorage available for at least twenty boats. Boardwalks will take you along trails to the falls, where the air is so moist that the trees are covered with thick moss and ferns. Tours leave for Princess Louisa from Egmont on a scheduled basis all summer long. The Sunshine Coast is home to more artists per capita than any other Canadian region. Purple flags along the Sunshine Coast Highway and local streets indicate '''artists's studios''' where the public is welcome, and which feature many disciplines including painting, pottery and glassblowing. Held each autumn, the '''Sunshine Coast Art Crawl''' features over 200 artists' galleries and studios. Free illustrated programs are available, and there is no charge to visit the participating venues. The Coast's '''wildlife''' includes cougars, black bears, wolves, marbled murrelet, orcas, great blue herons, seals, sea lions and bald eagles. There are also abundant tide pools with a variety of molluscs, sea anemones and fish. At certain times of the year, seal pups may be encountered on the Coast's beaches. They should not be approached, as the mother may abandon them. All wildlife on the Coast should be viewed from a safe and respectful distance. ==Do== '''Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park''' is the site of some of the strongest and most spectacular currents in western North America. These narrows occur where the water enters into the Sechelt Inlet. There can be as much as a 2-m difference in sea level between Sechelt Inlet and the Jervis inlet. The water can be moving at speeds of up to 16 knots and creates standing waves up to 1.5 m and whirlpools. Access to the best place to view the narrows is about a 1½-hour hike from the parking lot. This is in the fishing village of [[Pender Harbour and Egmont|Egmont]]. On the lower Sunshine Coast (Langdale to Earl's Cove and Egmont), there are hundreds of '''trails for hiking and biking'''. Many of the trails have been built by members of the very active mountain bike community and most are multi-use - meaning you may encounter hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and sometimes ATVs. However, the majority of users are hikers and bikers. The 180-kilometre (110 mi) '''Sunshine Coast Trail''' is Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail, and travels from mountains to shorelines and lakes. Beginning at Sarah Point in Desolation Sound and ending at Saltery Bay, it is free to everyone, and hikers can enter and leave it at multiple points. The '''Powell Forest Canoe Route''' is a 57-km, 8-lake, 5-portage journey that takes about 5 days. Portages range from 0.7-2.8 km, and paddling from 1–28.5 km. The best time to travel it is June to October. There are several '''mountain bike parks''': Coast Gravity Park, 10 km from Sechelt, has trails for all riding levels, and a shuttle system to the trails. Sprockids Mountain Bike Park, in Langdale, has 14 km of downhill, ramps, jumps and teeter-bars, and is perfect for younger riders. Powell River Bike and Skate Park has a beginner pump track, slope-style dirt jump trails, downhill flow trails, and a beginner flow line. It is open to the public year round and admission is free. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Backeddy Marine Pub | alt= | url= | email= | address=Backeddy Road | lat= | long= | directions=take the Egmont exit off Hwy 101 just south of the ferry terminal for the boat to Powell River | phone=+1 604-883-3614 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Known for its gigantic "Skookum Burger". }} *{{eat | name=West Coast Wilderness Lodge | url=http://www.wcwl.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=The village of Egmont | phone = +1 604-883-3667 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The fine dining at the Lodge is all about the view. It has floor-to-ceiling windows that span the entire dining room, and was built high up on a bluff overlooking Sutton Islands and the Sechelt Inlet. }} ==Drink== The Sunshine Coast has several breweries, including: *Gibsons: Persephone Brewing Company, Gibsons Tapworks, 101 Brewhouse + Distillery *Powell River: Townsite Brewing *Sechelt: Bricker Cider Company ==Stay safe== The Sunshine Coast is an extremely safe place. Although growing rapidly, it still maintains a "small town" feel, noted especially in the Roberts Creek and Pender Harbour areas. Crime is minimal, and there are no particular areas to avoid. ==Go next== Rent a kayak or use your own to explore [[Desolation Sound]]. {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{geo|49.6833|-124.1833|zoom=10}} 7g3ijq9h9qfnf4hlpz9ls2r9nq3zf4h 4506630 4506629 2022-08-23T06:12:19Z Rosspotter 2274401 amend wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ruby Lake banner view from Ruby Lake Resort.jpg|pgname=Sunshine Coast}} The '''Sunshine Coast''', named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine, is north-west of [[Vancouver]]. Although located on the mainland, vehicles cannot access this region without taking ferries. Further, a ferry is needed to travel between the lower and upper coast sections of the Sunshine Coast. It is a 180-km (110-mi) stretch of rainforest, seashore and mountains. This is the secret destination of many individuals, where the island life is found on the mainland. Here is a slower pace of life, where those who appreciate the beauty of outstanding marine parks and marshland bird sanctuaries, old growth forest and alpine peaks will find the perfect destination. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} ===Lower Coast=== [[File:Blue Heron Views 1 (19925834353).jpg|right|thumb|Sechelt]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Gibsons]]|wikidata=Q11483763}} — setting of the 1970s TV show ''The Beachcombers'' * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Pender Harbour and Egmont]]|wikidata=Q7162393}} — a mostly rural area with a number of small communities on the coast. It includes Skookumchuck Narrows, a tidal rapid that is popular with kayakers * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Sechelt]]|wikidata=Q1259274}} — a popular destination for outdoor activities that include kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping and mountain biking ===Upper Coast=== * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]|wikidata=Q6704040}} — outdoor opportunities at the end of the road and gateway to [[Desolation Sound]] and [[Savary Island]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Powell River]]|wikidata=Q599678}} — the largest town in the region, and a centre for ecotourism ==Other destinations== * {{marker|name=[[Savary Island]]|wikidata=Q1419193}} — An island with a tropical feel accessible from the end of the Sunshine Coast highway. * {{marker|name=Texada Island|wikidata=Q1569350}} — the largest island in the group, with a population of about 1,000 people ==Major ferry terminals== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Langdale)|wikidata=Q6485768}} — [[West Vancouver]] (Horseshoe Bay): 40 minute ferry crossing and the main point of entry into the Sunshine Coast. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)|wikidata=Q3046424}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Saltery Bay)|wikidata=Q48803229}}: 50 minute ferry crossing Jervis Inlet, dividing the Lower (South) and Upper (North) Sunshine Coast * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Powell River (Westview)|wikidata=|lat=49.8358|long=-124.5287}} — {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Comox]] (Little River)|wikidata=}}: 1 hour 15 minute ferry crossing connecting with [[Vancouver Island]]. ==Understand== The southern portion of the sunshine coast is almost a bedroom community of Vancouver. There are a number of people who commute to Vancouver on a regular basis, in this area. ==Get in== [[Image:Ferry-from-horseshoe-bay.jpg|thumb|Ferry from horseshoe bay]] Given the lack of road access to reach the Sunshine Coast, your choice are to go by plane or by boat. === By plane === If you are traveling to the Sunshine Coast, you are flying a short flight to [[Powell River]] or [[Sechelt]]. See listings for those cities for details. Expect the flight to be expensive. === By boat === {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|alt=|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|lat=|long=|directions=|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-04-30|content=Operates ferries connecting coastal communities.}} BC Ferries is the main way to reach the Sunshine Coast, and the options to reach this area are either from the [[Vancouver]] area or from [[Vancouver Island]]. From the Vancouver area, Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal in West Vancouver where to catch a ferry to the Sunshine Coast. See [[West Vancouver#By boat|West Vancouver]] for details. From Vancouver Island [[Comox]] (Little River ferry terminal) on [[Vancouver Island]], a 90 minute ferry connects to [[Powell River]]. [[Image:Gibson boat.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Gibsons waterfront]] ==Get around== The automobile is the easiest way of getting around the Sunshine Coast. Car rentals are available at a number of locations on the Sunshine Coast, but it is generally considerably cheaper in [[Vancouver]]. The Sunshine Coast only has one main road, BC-101 which runs along the coast. [https://www.bctransit.com/ BC Transit] operates regular bus service connecting the Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal, [[Gibsons]], and [[Sechelt]]. BC Transit does not offer service between Half Moon Bay (10-15 minutes drive north of Sechelt) and the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) ferry terminal. BC Transit also operates regular bus service in [[Powell River]], including BC Ferries' Powell River (Westview) ferry terminal. More limited bus service is available to the BC Ferries' Powell River (Saltery Bay) ferry terminal and to [[Lund (British Columbia)|Lund]]. To travel between the lower coast and upper coast of the Sunshine Coast, a ferry travels between the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) ferry terminal (lower coast) and the [[Powell River]] (Saltery Bay) ferry terminal (upper coast), crossing in 50 minutes. The fare is a return rate, meaning that a fare is only paid when heading from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove. If you do not have a vehicle, the only bus option is to travel between the lower coast and the upper coast is: {{listing | name=Sunshine Coast Connector | alt= | url=https://sunshinecoastconnector.ca/ | email=coastconnector@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-844-613-8222 | hours= | price=As of 2022, $60 per person between Langdale and Earls Cove ferry terminals | lastedit=2022-08-17 | content=Operates a bus service four days per week between the Langdale ferry terminal and the Earls Cove ferry terminal, including stops in all the major communities lower coast of the Sunshine Coast, such as [[Gibsons]] and [[Sechelt]]. The Sunshine Coast Connector is coordinated with [https://bctransit.com/powell-river/home BC Transit's] bus route 12 service in [[Powell River]], to allow travelers to ride ferries and buses to travel the upper and lower coasts, and to connect to [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink's] public transit network including connections to [[Vancouver]]. }} ==See== '''Princess Louisa Inlet''' is one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km (40-mile) long fjord ending in Princess Louisa Inlet. Accessible only by boat. On the journey up, your boat will navigate past dozens of waterfalls that trickle down from steep, craggy granite bluffs that loom over you on both sides. Once past the geological constriction called Malibu Rapids, Princess Louisa Inlet opens up -- revealing the glacier-fed Chatterbox Falls, the highlight of this sheltered inlet. This region is protected and preserved within the 65-hectare Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park. Beside Chatterbox Falls, there is a dock with water, but no electricity, for boaters. There is also moorage available for at least twenty boats. Boardwalks will take you along trails to the falls, where the air is so moist that the trees are covered with thick moss and ferns. Tours leave for Princess Louisa from Egmont on a scheduled basis all summer long. The Sunshine Coast is home to more artists per capita than any other Canadian region. Purple flags along the Sunshine Coast Highway and local streets indicate '''artists's studios''' where the public is welcome, and which feature many disciplines including painting, pottery and glassblowing. Held each autumn, the '''Sunshine Coast Art Crawl''' features over 200 artists' galleries and studios. Free illustrated programs are available, and there is no charge to visit the participating venues. The Coast's '''wildlife''' includes cougars, black bears, wolves, marbled murrelet, orcas, great blue herons, seals, sea lions and bald eagles. There are also abundant tide pools with a variety of molluscs, sea anemones and fish. At certain times of the year, seal pups may be encountered on the Coast's beaches. They should not be approached, as the mother may abandon them. All wildlife on the Coast should be viewed from a safe and respectful distance. ==Do== '''Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park''' is the site of some of the strongest and most spectacular currents in western North America. These narrows occur where the water enters into the Sechelt Inlet. There can be as much as a 2-m difference in sea level between Sechelt Inlet and the Jervis inlet. The water can be moving at speeds of up to 16 knots and creates standing waves up to 1.5 m and whirlpools. Access to the best place to view the narrows is about a 1½-hour hike from the parking lot. This is in the fishing village of [[Pender Harbour and Egmont|Egmont]]. On the lower Sunshine Coast (Langdale to Earl's Cove and Egmont), there are hundreds of '''trails for hiking and biking'''. Many of the trails have been built by members of the very active mountain bike community and most are multi-use - meaning you may encounter hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and sometimes ATVs. However, the majority of users are hikers and bikers. The 180-kilometre (110 mi) '''Sunshine Coast Trail''' is Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail, and travels from mountains to shorelines and lakes. Beginning at Sarah Point in Desolation Sound and ending at Saltery Bay, it is free to everyone, and hikers can enter and leave it at multiple points. The '''Powell Forest Canoe Route''' is a 57-km, 8-lake, 5-portage journey that takes about 5 days. Portages range from 0.7-2.8 km, and paddling from 1–28.5 km. The best time to travel it is June to October. There are several '''mountain bike parks''': Coast Gravity Park, 10 km from Sechelt, has trails for all riding levels, and a shuttle system to the trails. Sprockids Mountain Bike Park, in Langdale, has 14 km of downhill, ramps, jumps and teeter-bars, and is perfect for younger riders. Powell River Bike and Skate Park has a beginner pump track, slope-style dirt jump trails, downhill flow trails, and a beginner flow line. It is open to the public year round and admission is free. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Backeddy Marine Pub | alt= | url= | email= | address=Backeddy Road | lat= | long= | directions=take the Egmont exit off Hwy 101 just south of the ferry terminal for the boat to Powell River | phone=+1 604-883-3614 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Known for its gigantic "Skookum Burger". }} *{{eat | name=West Coast Wilderness Lodge | url=http://www.wcwl.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=The village of Egmont | phone = +1 604-883-3667 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The fine dining at the Lodge is all about the view. It has floor-to-ceiling windows that span the entire dining room, and was built high up on a bluff overlooking Sutton Islands and the Sechelt Inlet. }} ==Drink== The Sunshine Coast has several breweries, including: *Gibsons: Persephone Brewing Company, Gibsons Tapworks, 101 Brewhouse + Distillery *Powell River: Townsite Brewing *Sechelt: Bricker Cider Company ==Stay safe== The Sunshine Coast is an extremely safe place. Although growing rapidly, it still maintains a "small town" feel, noted especially in the Roberts Creek and Pender Harbour areas. Crime is minimal, and there are no particular areas to avoid. ==Go next== Rent a kayak or use your own to explore [[Desolation Sound]]. {{usableregion}} {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{geo|49.6833|-124.1833|zoom=10}} 7y5nmhguctjiw3z0o49yx9kp80nb1m8 0 35026 4506505 4504213 2022-08-23T03:01:33Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mena-asia_default_banner.jpg}} {{warningbox | Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling and narcotics manufacturing are rampant in [[Northern Myanmar]]. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Myanmar or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, they will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs out of Myanmar, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed in Myanmar. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} '''Tachileik''' (also spelt Tachilek) is in Shan State, [[Eastern Myanmar]], on the border with [[Thailand]]. ==Understand== Although just 5 m across the river from [[Mae Sai]], the northernmost town in Thailand, Tachileik seems a different world. The happy outgoing atmosphere that you have been used to in [[Thailand]] evaporates instantly and is replaced by a slightly uptight one. This is not to say that the Burmese people are not welcoming, indeed they love tourists and are very keen to sit down and talk (when they think they are not being watched), but do not expect to feel at ease here, and do not be surprised if you are followed by government people throughout the town. As long as your purposes are legitimate, you follow local rules and customs and you don't go around making a spectacle of yourself, you will have a great time in Tachileik and the border area of Burma. The demeanour of the locals has lightened greatly since the advent of Myanmar's fledgling democracy and much of the feeling of being watched has dissipated. As of October 2017 the transformation in Tachilek has been remarkable. Now it is Mae Sai that is a quiet backwater now that visa-runners have been banned and there are few tourists and Tachilek is now a fun place to spend the day. Everyone from the immigration officials to local market traders has a sense of joie de vivre that did not exist even 3 or 4 years ago. If anyone is watching anyone nowadays it is on the Thai side with officialdom watching over many aspects of peoples increasingly regulated lives whilst Tachilek has taken on the mantle of party town. The majority of people crossing over to [[Myanmar]] are Thais shopping for bootlegged Chinese goods in the market. Alternatively some Thais cross to play golf on the only course in the region, so expect to see the surreal sight of large groups of people crossing the border carrying sets of clubs. There are also 3 casinos in Tachileik, one of which caters to "low" rollers. You may even find a 10 baht roulette table. There are very few foreigners making the crossing these days. If you are expecting to see the real Myanmar, this is not the place to do it. If you are "stamp collecting" in your passport, want to see something a bit more visceral than what you find in [[Thailand]] or are at loose ends in [[Chiang Rai]] for the day, then this is a good place to go. A good thing about visiting is the ease of entry to the border area, getting another stamp in your passport and getting a flavour of life in [[Myanmar]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe|20.4500|99.8833|zoom=13}} ===From [[Thailand]]=== It is possible for non-ASEAN passport holders to enter [[Myanmar]] at the [[Mae Sai]] border post. Border crossers will need to walk on the right side of the bridge (facing Myanmar). A 14 day visa is USD10 or 500 baht. Note, if your USD10 is not in pristine condition, the authorities will not accept it. They really want 500 baht instead since it is worth USD16. As of October 2017, $10 is readily accepted again and the notes no longer need to be pristine. The visa is valid only for the Tachilek-[[Kengtung]] area and is not for travel to other parts of Myanmar. Note that the [[Myanmar]] Immigration authorities will hold on to your passport for the duration of your stay in the country, giving you an entry permit instead. You will get your passport back on crossing back over to Thailand, on the right side of the bridge (facing Thailand). Holders of a normal one-month Myanmar visa cannot use it to enter at Mae Sai. As of November 2017, foreigners holding Myanmar e-visas can enter the country at Tachilek. Ensure you have the appropriate travel documents to re-enter Thailand at Mae Sai, you will only be able to get a 15-day entry pass into Thailand rather than the usual 30 day one that you get at the airport. If you have a visa and want to keep it, remember to get a re-entry permit in advance. As of July 2016 even 15-day entry Thai entry stamps are not being issued and a large sign at the border stresses that the crossing cannot be used by visa-runners. ===Thai citizens=== If you are a Thai citizen, you can get a temporary border pass at the Mae Sai District office, about 2 km before the border on Pahonyotin Rd in Mae Sai, for 30 baht. The building for border pass applications is to the right of the main district office building. All you need is your ''bat prachachon'' (ID card). The pass is valid for 7 days ''only'' at the Mae Sai-Tachileik crossing, as of December 2019. ===By plane=== Air KBZ and Myanmar National Airlines offer a non-stop flights to [[Heho]] and [[Yangon]]. Golden Myanmar Airlines operate to [[Heho]] and [[Kyaingtong]]. Asian Wings Airlines operates to [[Heho]], [[Kyaingtong]] and [[Lashio]]. other parts of [[Myanmar]]. Mann Yadanarpon operate to [[Heho]], [[Kyaingtong]], [[Lashio]], [[Mandalay]] and [[Myitkyina]] ===By road=== Shared taxis (USD12) and buses (USD8) run to [[Kengtung]] (4-5 hr) in the mornings. A permit is necessary but bus and taxi drivers can make the arrangements (don't show up at the last minute). Onward travel from Kengtung to Mong La on the Chinese border is possible with permission from Myanmar immigration, easily organised in Kengtung. == Get around == Tachilek is small and there are plenty of trishaws for hire; short 1-2 hour tours can be negotiated for about 200-300 baht. Motorcycle taxis and car taxis are also available. The bus station and airport are outside town on the road to Kengtung. Take a pickup or hire a taxi to get there. == See == * {{see | name=Market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The local market, populated by vendors from villages near and far, is worth a visit. The market closes in mid-morning. A second market caters to day tourists from Thailand.}} * {{see | name=Shwedagon Paya | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The main pagoda in town, it is large and gilded. Not to be confused with its namesake in [[Yangon]].}} == Do == * {{do | name=Regina Casino | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Try your luck here, a short 100-baht tuk-tuk ride from the border. They're the same people who own the golf course. Definitely for low rollers, you can play roulette with 10-baht chips. They've also got blackjack, craps and gaming machines. If you change 2,000 baht into chips you get a free Thai lunch. You can change remaining chips afterwards. A casino minibus will take you back to the border.}} == Buy == '''Tachileik market''' is much like any market you would find on the Thai side of the border except that it sells a large quantity of items that may get you into trouble with customs authorities in your home country. It is infamous for the sale of animal parts, such as pelts, including critical endangered species. Stock up on '''Thai baht''' on the Thai side before you arrive in Tachileik. The de facto main currency used in Tachileik is the Thai baht, although ATMs will only give out Myanmar kyat. Expect Myanmar kyat to be declined by street vendors and some shops. The unofficial rate is 1,000 Myanmar kyat per 20 Thai baht as of December 2019. You can find all the latest DVDs at prices ranging from 40 baht. As long as you don't go mad with the quantity you should have no problems getting them back into Thailand. As for taking them back home, that depends on your country's customs policies. Expect, occasionally, to see wildlife, endangered animal pelts, and skulls, though these are rarely seen in the main part of the market. Local handicrafts range from kitsch to genuine Shan clothing. Knock-off prescription drugs (in particular, Viagra) and X-rated films are carried around by very annoying, but licensed hawkers. Knives and guns are freely available. '''Do not buy cigarettes''' as they are usually Burmese knock-offs put into Western-branded packages and may get you into trouble with Customs when you try and return into [[Thailand]]: also, they taste terrible. If you do intend to shop here, the Thai customs authority screen every bag returning to [[Thailand]] and do not take kindly to many of the things sold in the market. This applies mainly to returning Thais, although foreigners' bags are hardly ever screened as long as the bearer looks presentable. '''Tachilek Duty Free shop (Golden Palace Plaza)''' sells alcoholic drinks and tobacco products at way, way below Thai prices. A bottle of decent quality single malt Scotch whisky costs from 1,500 baht a bottle as of July 2016, though the selection may be limited. There doesn't seem to be any definite rule about the quantity you can bring into Thailand: for foreigners the unofficial policy seems to be if you can carry it you can import it. Don't go mad though, you always stand the risk of having everything confiscated, although this is extremely unlikely as a complicated network of people benefit financially from the shop. As of July 2016 Thais are being told that they can only bring in 1 litre of any kind of alcoholic beverage. The excess is not confiscated though. Foreigners (October 2017) are now required to put their bags through the scanner but this does not seem to be to check the quantity of duty free purchases. ==Eat== * {{eat | name=The Circle Cafe | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/The-Circle-Cafe-1581055202171893/ | email=thecircle.tachileik@gmail.com | address=14 Thazin Rd | lat=20.4466 | long=99.8799 | directions= | phone=+95 9 475 90063 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:00-21:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-09-19 | content=A modern, air-conditioned cafe and restaurant. The second floor has scenic mountains views. }} ==Drink== '''Golden Palace Plaza''' This is the duty free shop on the Burmese side of the border. The complex now has a 'steak house' of sorts, serving chicken, pork and beef steaks and french fries. The main reason to eat there is the range of beers and wines that can be pulled out of the fridge to accompany your food: Belgian beers, German beers, Mexican beers and sometimes Beer Lao, all way, way below the prices 20 m away across the Sai river in Thailand. As the border is now open until 21:00, you can afford to linger after your days shopping and gambling. '''MHTS Duty Free Shop''' This is located in the main tourist market, near the KBZ bank. In addition to a decent duty free range, the shop also stocks a range of imported beers in its fridge for you to drink outside the shop and people watch. As of July 2016, Thai Leo or Singha beer costs 20 baht a can. Guinness Foreign Export costs 55 baht a can. Hoegaarten from Belgium and various German and Korean beers are also available at low, low prices. Samosas or pakoras are sold by the passing vendors to complement the beer. ==Sleep== Most tourists to Tachilek pop across the border from Thailand for a night and there are many hotels in town. Prices are usually quoted in baht, but US dollars are welcome. ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Dream Flower Hotel | alt= | url= | email=thura.dreamflower@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+95 84 51318, + 66 814737904 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=250-400 baht | content=The hotel is nice, neat, quiet and tidy, albeit in a concrete building. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=Platinum Star Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.facebook.com/platinumstarhotel | email=platinumstarhotel@gmail.com | address=8/7 Thalaphi road, San Shai (A) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+95 9 767033834 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=1,000 baht for standard room, 1,200 for a superior, 1,500 for deluxe, 2,500 for grand deluxe | content=3-star hotel, modern, WiFi from the rooms, TV, breakfast included from 06:30 to 10:00, no curfew, front desk 24 hours, parking for free, free pickup and drop off }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Allure Resort and Casino | url=http://www.allureresort.com {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Baydar St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=3,000-30,000 baht | checkin= | checkout= | content=Luxury hotel and casino aimed at a Thai clientèle.}} ==Talk== Shan, Burmese, Thai, Chinese (Mandarin and Yunnanese), and some English - listed in order from most widely to least spoken - are all widely spoken languages in Tachileik. Wa is the main language spoken in the southern part of Wa State near Tachileik, but these areas are off-limits to most foreigners. Akha and other hill tribe languages are also spoken in the Tachileik area. ==Go next== If you have a Myanmar visa and plan to exit Myanmar at the Mae Sai border, you must obtain a permit in advance from the MTT offices in [[Yangon]]. * [[Mae Sai]] in [[Thailand]] {{geo|20.4500|99.8833}} {{IsPartOf|Eastern Myanmar}} {{outlinecity}} mz7y5rvhl743r73r310l20ijd35egf1 0 35122 4506375 4505643 2022-08-22T18:43:35Z The dog2 35982 /* Sports */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner | Formasa Station Banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Foreign nationals are permitted to enter Taiwan for purposes '''other than tourism'''. A special entry visa will be required in most cases. Those allowed to enter Taiwan must quarantine for three days at a residence or hotel and follow epidemic prevention measures for seven days. Foreign nationals are also allowed to transit through Taiwan to another international destination (without leaving the secure area of the airport). PCR testing is no longer required prior to departing for Taiwan. For more information, see the [https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-220-5081-c06dc-2.html Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs] website.| lastedit=2022-08-21}} {{Cautionbox|Chinese military exercises in the waters around Taiwan have led to flight cancellations and delays, and effectively blockaded all of Taiwan's major seaports.|lastedit=8 August 2022}} '''[https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/ Taiwan]''' (Traditional Chinese: 台灣 or 臺灣, ''Táiwān'') is an island nation off the coast of southeastern mainland [[China]]. The island is officially known as and governed by the '''Republic of China''' (中華民國 ''Zhōnghuá Mínguó'') or '''ROC'''. Shaped roughly like a sweet potato, the nation is home to more than 23 million people and is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Besides its crowded cities, Taiwan is also known for steep mountains and lush forests. Although most of the population is ethnically Chinese, the legacy of Japanese colonial rule still pervades much of Taiwanese life, and there is also indigenous Austronesian culture to explore for the truly intrepid traveler. {{disclaimerbox|While the political status of Taiwan is a controversial and sensitive issue, from a traveler's point of view, Taiwan is under the ''de facto'' control of a different government from mainland China, and in practice operates as a separate country. ''This page does not represent a political endorsement of the claims of either side of the dispute.''}} == Regions == {{Regionlist | regionmap = Taiwan_Regions_Map.png | regionmapsize = 350px | regionmaptext = Map of Taiwan with regions color-coded (Matsu is not included) | region1name=[[Northern Taiwan]] | region1color=#b08eb0 | region1items=[[Hsinchu]], [[Hsinchu County]], [[Keelung]], [[New Taipei]], [[Taipei]], [[Taoyuan]] | region1description=The capital city, main airport and technology hub of the island | region2name=[[Central Taiwan]] | region2color=#efb86e | region2items=[[Changhua County]], [[Miaoli County]], [[Nantou County]] and [[Taichung]] | region2description=Scenic mountains and lakes and major national parks | region3name=[[Eastern Taiwan]] | region3color=#77c283 | region3items=[[Yilan County]], [[Hualien]], [[Hualien County]], [[Taitung County]], [[Taitung]] | region3description=Hualien and Taitung are cut off from the rest of the island by the central mountains; this is a region of great natural beauty, and the main center of indigenous Austronesian culture | region4name=[[Southern Taiwan]] | region4color=#75a4c3 | region4items= [[Chiayi County]], [[Kaohsiung]], [[Pingtung County]], [[Tainan]] and [[Yunlin County]] | region4description=The tropics of Taiwan with beaches and palm trees and the third largest city | region5name=Outlying Islands | region5color=#c9cf7b | region5items=Tiny islands also governed by the Republic of China: [[Kinmen]] and [[Matsu]], just off the coast of mainland China's [[Fujian]] Province, [[Penghu]] in the straits, [[Green Island (Taiwan)|Green Island]] and [[Orchid Island]], east of Taiwan | region5description=Small islands that are popular getaway destinations with the locals. }} <br clear="right" /> {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b08eb0|title=[[Northern Taiwan]]|wikidata=Q249994,Q74054,Q249996,Q244898,Q1867,Q115256}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#efb86e|title=[[Central Taiwan]]|wikidata=Q133865,Q63706,Q82357,Q245023}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#77c283|title=[[Eastern Taiwan]]|wikidata=Q237258,Q249868,Q249904}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#75a4c3|title=[[Southern Taiwan]]|wikidata=Q249995,Q166977,Q181557,Q194989,Q140631,Q153221}} == Cities == {{mapframe|23.76|120.97|zoom=7}} {{mapshape|title=Taiwan High Speed Rail|wikidata=Q706198|type=geoline|stroke=#c35617|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=1}} [[File:TWTC ITB, TICC and Taipei 101 20100410 night.jpg|thumb|300px|Taipei at night]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taipei]]|wikidata=Q1867}} (臺北 or 台北) – The seat of government of Taiwan ROC, as well as the center of commerce and culture. Taipei is also home to Taipei 101, one of the world's tallest skyscrapers. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Miaoli]]|lat=24.57|long=120.82}} (苗栗) – The main center of Hakka culture in Taiwan. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Hualien]]|wikidata=Q713310}} (花蓮) – Near Taroko Gorge and considered one of the most pleasant of Taiwan's cities. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Jiufen]]|wikidata=Q31093}} (九份) – A former gold mining town on the northeast coast visited for its quaint streets and picturesque views. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Kaohsiung]]|wikidata=Q181557}} (高雄) – The third-largest city on the island. It has one of the busiest sea ports (the Port of Kaohsiung) in the world and it has the island's second-largest airport, Kaohsiung International Airport. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taichung]]|wikidata=Q245023}} (臺中 or 台中) – The second-largest city on the island. In the center-western region of Taiwan, and famous among the Taiwanese for its pastries such as sun cakes and pineapple cakes. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Puli]]|wikidata=Q706544}} (埔里) – At the geographical center of the island, making it a good base for exploring the central mountains and [[Sun Moon Lake]]. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tainan]]|wikidata=Q140631}} (臺南 or 台南) – The oldest city and former capital of Taiwan. It is famous for its historic buildings, and as the unofficial culinary capital of Taiwan. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Taitung]]|lat=22.758333|long=121.144444}} (臺東 or 台東) – On the southeastern coast, a laid back city that is known for beautiful scenery and large Aboriginal population. == Other destinations == [[File:Alishan Forest Staircase2.JPG|thumb|240px|Mountain trail in [[Alishan]]]] People tend to think of Taiwan as a small, crowded island filled mostly with electronic factories, and if you stay in Taipei or along the west coast you might indeed maintain that impression. However, the island is also home to high mountain ranges, great beaches and stunning national parks, many with hot springs. * {{marker|name=[[Alishan]]|wikidata=Q707585}} (阿里山) – Misty forests of giant cypresses and amazing sunrises at the center of the island, reached by a scenic narrow-gauge train * {{marker|name=[[Kenting National Park]]|wikidata=Q707982}} (墾丁國家公園) – At the extreme southern tip of the island, this park is famous for its beaches and lush vegetation. * {{marker|name=[[Shei-pa National Park]]|wikidata=Q707996}} (雪霸國家公園) – A park spanning mountains and rivers in [[Hsinchu County]]—great hiking trails * {{marker|name=[[Sun Moon Lake]]|wikidata=Q716206}} (日月潭) – Nestled at 762 m (2,500&nbsp;ft) in lofty mountains in [[Nantou County]], this lake is famous for its clear sparkling blue water and picturesque mountain backdrop. * {{marker|name=[[Taipingshan]]|wikidata=Q30020365}} (太平山) – A historic logging area and one of Taiwan's most scenic spots. Located in [[Yilan County]]. * {{marker|name=[[Taroko Gorge]]|wikidata=Q707427}} (太魯閣峽谷 ''Tàilǔgé'') – An impressive gorge off the east coast * {{marker|name=[[Yangmingshan National Park]]|wikidata=Q709029}} (陽明山國家公園) – Spanning a mountain range overlooking Taipei * {{marker|name=[[Yushan]]|wikidata=Q500275}} (Jade Mountain/玉山) – At 3,952 m the highest mountain in not just Taiwan, but in the entire eastern ⅔ of East Asia * {{marker|name=[[Lalashan]]|wikidata=}} (拉拉山) – In [[Taoyuan County]], "Lala" means "beauty" in the indigenous Atayal language. Mt. Lala is one of natural protection zones in Taiwan. There are some 500–2,800-year-old "divine" trees including the No. 5 divine tree, which is reputedly even older than Confucius. Lalashan is best known for its peach trees, and peach season (July–August) is the most beautiful time to visit Mt. Lala. == Understand == {{quickbar|location=LocationROC.png}} Taiwan is home to a large number of impressive scenic sites, and Taipei is a cultural center of entertainment and leisure activities. The island is also a center of Chinese-language pop culture with a substantial entertainment industry. Japanese and an increasing number of mainland Chinese enjoy taking short trips to Taiwan and enjoy its neighborly hospitality. Taiwan is home to some well-known international companies such as Acer, MSI, Asus, HTC, and Giant Bicycles, whose technologies are some of the most advanced in the world. === History === {{seealso|Imperial China|Chinese Revolutions|Japanese colonial empire|Pacific War}} Taiwan was first populated 30,000 years ago by an Australo-Melanesian group known as the Negrito. The Negrito were eventually assimilated and displaced 5,000 years ago by Proto-Austronesians who arrived from the east coast of mainland China, predominantly from what is now Fujian province. Due to linguistic diversity on Taiwan, these people have been suggested to be the ancestors of [[Austronesian]] speakers across Southeast Asia, the Pacific and even Madagascar. Recorded history began with the partial colonization of Taiwan by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] and then the Portuguese in the early 17th century. (The old name of Taiwan, ''Formosa'', comes from the Portuguese ''Ilha Formosa'' for "beautiful island".) Han Chinese immigrants arrived in significant numbers with the onset of European trade. The Ming loyalist Koxinga defeated the Dutch garrisons and set up Taiwan as a rump Ming Empire with the hope of reconquering Qing China. His grandson surrendered to the Qing in the late 1600s. Although contact between China and Taiwan dates back thousands of years, it was not until larger numbers of ethnic Han residents arrived during the Qing dynasty that Taiwan was formally integrated into China as part of Hokkien (Fujian) province. It became a separate province in 1887. The years of Han Chinese settlement during the Qing Dynasty were marred by conflict between the Han settlers and the Aboriginal people, between the Minnan and Hakka speakers among the Han settlers, and between the [[Quanzhou]] and [[Zhangzhou]] immigrants among the Minnan speakers. All these resulted in Minnan speakers largely occupying the fertile lowlands along the coast, the Hakkas being forced to occupy the middle elevations in the mountains, and the Aboriginal people being forced to higher elevations in the mountains and the more typhoon-prone east coast. Defeated by the Japanese, the Qing Empire ceded Taiwan to [[Japan]] under the terms of the treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895. Japan ruled the island until the end of World War II in 1945, and exerted profound influences on its development. The island's entertainment and pop culture was and still is heavily influenced by that of Japan. Much of the infrastructure built by the Japanese can still be seen on the island, and has been in fact continuously used up to the present day (e.g. railroad crossing gates, administrative buildings, and the old port at Kaohsiung). During [[Pacific War|World War II]], many Taiwanese, both Aboriginal and Han Chinese, served in the Imperial Japanese Army, many of whom have been enshrined in the controversial [[Tokyo/Chiyoda#Yasukini Shrine|Yasukuni Shrine]] in [[Tokyo]]. Like their counterparts in [[Korea]] and other occupied territories, many Taiwanese women were forced to serve as "comfort women" (i.e. sex slaves) in Japanese military brothels. Upon the resumption of Chinese rule, the ''Kuomintang'' (KMT, 國民黨) under Chiang Kai-shek, also known as the Nationalists, was suspicious of many of the locals in Taiwan, due to the fact that many Taiwanese had served in the Japanese military and civil service during World War II. Moreover, as the Japanese had sought to turn Taiwan into a model colony, despite having been discriminated against, many locals had seen their standards of living improve under Japanese rule, and were disillusioned by the corruption and incompetence that plagued the Kuomintang at that time. Tensions between the new Kuomintang government and the locals culminated in the '''228 incident''' on 28th February 1947, when many locals revolted against Chinese rule, and the Kuomintang responded with a brutal crackdown, massacring thousands of people, and purging many of the Japanese-educated intellectuals in the process. Taiwan would also be placed under martial law following the incident, which would only be lifted in 1987. Discussion of the incident was banned under the years of martial law, but was brought back to the fore once again following democratization in the 1990s, and the incident remains a key impetus behind the Taiwan independence movement to this day. [[File:Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in 2002.jpg|thumb|350px|National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]] In the early 20th century, the Nationalists and Communists fought a major bloody civil war in mainland China. Although the two sides were briefly united against Japan during World War II, they quickly began fighting again after the war was over. Eventually, the Communists were victorious in 1949. The Nationalist government, remnants of their army, and hundreds of thousands of supporters then fled to Taiwan, though they would also retain control of several offshore islands of Fujian. From Taipei, they continued to assert their right as the sole legitimate government of all China. Initially very repressive, the government began to loosen control in its fourth decade under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek's son, Chiang Ching-kuo. Taiwan also experienced rapid economic growth and modernisation under the leadership of Chiang Ching-kuo, becoming one of the world's richest and most modern economies and earning it a place as one of the East Asian Tigers. Today, Taiwan is generally regarded as a modern, developed economy, and still remains a leader in consumer electronics that is home to well-known computer brands such as Acer, Asus, Garmin, Gigabyte and HTC. Democratization began in earnest through the 1980s and 1990s, culminating with the first direct presidential elections in 1996, and the first peaceful transition of power between two political parties in 2000. Taiwanese politics remain dominated by the issue of relations between Taiwan and the [[China|People's Republic of China]], which still claims Taiwan as a "renegade province" and regularly threatens military action if Taiwan attempts to break away from the awkward '''One China''' status quo, whereby both sides agree that there is only one Chinese nation, but disagree on whether that one nation should be governed by the PRC or the ROC. To summarize a ''very'' complex situation, the '''Pan-Blue''' (泛藍) group spearheaded by the KMT supports eventual unification with the mainland when the political climate is right, while the '''Pan-Green''' (泛綠) group led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supports eventual formal independence under the name "Republic of Taiwan". The split extends down to trivial issues like Chinese romanization &mdash; the KMT prefers the mainland's ''Hanyu pinyin'', the DPP prefers a Taiwan-made variant called ''Tongyong pinyin'' &mdash; and political demonstrations and rallies, always turbulent, on occasion even turn violent. In 2014, the '''Sunflower Movement''' was formed in opposition to deepening trade relations between Taiwan and mainland China that were being pursued by the then-KMT government. Although mainland China has been Taiwan's most important trading partner since 2008, many Taiwanese were fearful that deepening economic ties would lead to the Chinese Communist Party using this economic dependence to coerce democratic Taiwan into unifying with mainland China under communist rule. Things came to a head when student protesters stormed the Legislative Yuan on 18 March 2014, forcing the government to abandon ratification of a recently-signed trade deal with mainland China, marking the first time the Taiwanese legislature had been successfully occupied by civilian protesters. The movement is today considered a watershed moment in Taiwanese political history, as it led to the political awakening of much of the formerly apolitical younger generation, galvanized a distinct Taiwanese identity, and united most of the younger generation behind the pro-independence camp. === Government and politics === Taiwan is a presidential republic modelled after the American system of government. The President is popularly elected every four years for up to two terms, and is the head of state. The President has the sole authority to appoint members the executive branch, known as the '''Executive Yuan''', whose leader, known as the Premier, serves as the head of government. The legislative branch is known as the '''Legislative Yuan''', often referred to as the "Parliament", which is elected by the people every four years in parallel with the presidential elections. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy known for its exceptionally dramatic parliamentary sessions, with physical fights between legislators on the floor being a regular occurrence. The other branches of government are the '''Judicial Yuan''', which tops the judiciary branch, the '''Examination Yuan''', which administers civil service examinations, and the '''Control Yuan''', which is responsible for auditing the government's finances. The two main parties in Taiwanese politics are the '''Kuomintang''' (KMT) and the '''Democratic Progressive Party''' (DPP). Generally speaking, the KMT is more socially conservative but economically left-leaning, and favors friendlier ties with China, while the DPP is more socially liberal but economically right-leaning, and favors closer ties with Japan and the United States, as well as taking a tougher stance against China. While the older generation is politically split, the younger generation is overwhelmingly pro-DPP. === People === Taiwan was originally populated by indigenous peoples that spoke various Austronesian languages, which are related to Malay, Tagalog and Indonesian. Today the remaining indigenous peoples make up only about 2% of the population, while the other 98% are considered ethnically Han Chinese. The ethnically Han Chinese are further split into Taiwanese, who make up about 84% of the population and whose ancestors migrated to Taiwan during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and mainlanders, who make up about 14% of the population and whose families fled to Taiwan from the mainland after the communist takeover of China in 1949. Among the Taiwanese group, Hoklo (Minnan) speakers form the majority, which is about 70% of the population, while the remaining 14% are largely Hakka speakers. In modern times, Taiwan is also home to immigrants from elsewhere, especially other Asian countries such as Malaysia (most of whom are ethnically Chinese), Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. The post-1949 Chinese immigrants come from every province and include many non-Han residents. === Culture === Taiwanese culture is largely based on traditional Chinese culture, particularly that of [[Fujian]] province, because most Taiwanese are Han Chinese whose ancestors migrated to Taiwan from that region. However, in the 20th century, Taiwanese culture diverged from that of mainland China. Substantial Japanese influences can be seen in modern Taiwanese culture because of 50 years of Japanese rule, and this can be seen in its cuisine and in its pop culture. In addition, the Japanese introduced baseball and hot-spring bathing to Taiwan, and these remain popular pastimes for the Taiwanese to this day. As Taiwan was spared from the Cultural Revolution, the Taiwanese have also retained some elements of traditional Chinese culture that have been lost in mainland China. Indigenous Austronesian or "Formosan" culture has greatly suffered under multiple different waves of colonial rule. It is having a resurgence today but many aspects of it have been lost forever which is evident in how the majority of the Formosan languages are extinct or moribund. However, efforts are being made to revive the culture through the introduction of the Aboriginal languages into the school curriculum. Numerous indigenous Taiwanese have had successful careers in the entertainment industry, perhaps the most famous example being the singer Kulilay Amit, better known by her Chinese name Chang Huei-mei, who is of Puyuma ethnicity. === Climate === [[File:Footbridge, Taroko 01.jpg|thumb|240px|Taroko Gorge suspension bridge]] Lowland Taiwan has a marine tropical climate during the summer, with sweltering, humid weather (above 30&nbsp;°C, 86&nbsp;°F) from Jun-Sep. In the winter the weather is influenced by the nearby continent, and in the northern areas the temperature can go as low as 8&nbsp;°C at night. The best time of year to visit is from Oct-Dec, although even then occasional typhoons can spoil the fun. Spring is also nice, although it rains more than during autumn. During the typhoon season, the east coast bears the brunt of the damage as it is facing the Pacific Ocean. In the mountainous regions you will encounter more temperate conditions. Rapid weather change can endanger unprepared visitors, so advice on proper preparation should be obtained before visiting those areas. In fact, it snows every year on Taiwan's highest mountains and occasionally even on mountains like Alishan. === Taiwanese calendar === The ''Minguo'' (民國, ROC) calendar, counting years from the establishment of the ROC (1911), is commonly used in Taiwan. To convert a ''Minguo'' date to A.D., just add 1911. {{CURRENTYEAR}} is Minguo {{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}−1911}}. Months and days are according to the standard Gregorian calendar for almost everything except traditional holidays and religious matters, which use the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. === Festivals === {{CNYdates}} As Taiwan is majority Han Chinese, traditional Chinese festivals are celebrated in Taiwan. Among the most notable are: *'''Chinese New Year''' (春節). This is the most important festival for the Taiwanese and many shops and restaurants close on the first three days so it is not an ideal time to visit. However, the days leading up to the festival and the fourth to fifteenth days are ideal for soaking up the atmosphere and listening to Chinese New Year songs. *'''Tomb Sweeping Day''' (Ching Ming Festival, 清明節). This is when many Taiwanese pay respects at their ancestors' graves. *'''Dragon Boat Festival''' (端午節). This festival honors Qu Yuan, a patriotic official from the state of Chu during the Warring States period of Chinese history who committed suicide by jumping into a river when Chu was conquered by Qin. To prevent the fishes from eating his body, villagers threw rice dumplings into the river to feed the fishes and rowed dragon boats with drums being beaten on them to scare away the fishes. Since then, dragon boat racing has been carried out on this day and rice dumplings are also eaten. *'''Hungry Ghost Festival''' (Ghost Month, 中元節). This festival runs throughout the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the gates of hell open during this period and hungry ghosts are allowed to roam freely into our world. In order to appease the ghosts and prevent misfortune, many Taiwanese offer food and burn joss paper for them. In addition, traditional Chinese performances such as Chinese opera and puppet shows are held to appease these wandering spirits. *'''Mid-Autumn Festival''' (Moon Festival, 中秋節). Legend has it that on this day, a woman known as Chang E swallowed some divine pills to prevent her power hungry husband from becoming immortal. Afraid of being killed by her husband, she fled to the moon and it is believed that the moon shines brightest on this day. This is when many lanterns are put up for decoration in various parks and shops, which is quite a beautiful sight. Mooncakes are also eaten on this day so it would be an ideal time to try some. Many Taiwanese have barbecue with family or friends as part of the celebration. === Terrain === [[File:Jiuwanshibaguai.JPG|thumb|Cliffs meet the eastern coast of Taiwan, Hualien County]] Taiwan is largely mountainous with a chain of mountains running from north to south at the center of the island. The west coast is largely plains and unsurprisingly is where most of the population is concentrated, and is where all the larger cities like [[Taichung]] and [[Kaohsiung]] are located. The east coast also has some plains but they are more sparsely populated due to the higher typhoon risk, but is also home to the cities of [[Hualien]] and [[Taitung]] with significant populations. === Sports === Baseball was brought to Taiwan by the Japanese during the colonial period. Its popularity rose greatly when the Taiwanese baseball team finished second in the Japanese national championships. Today, baseball retains a strong following and remains by far the most popular spectator sport in Taiwan. Several Taiwanese players have also gone on to successful careers in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) and Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), and the Taiwanese national team is considered to be one of the strongest in the world. Besides baseball, basketball also has a sizeable following in Taiwan and is quite popular among teenagers. When classes are over, the basketball courts inside schools are not only open to students but also the public. Billiards<!--WHICH VARIANT(S)--> is another popular sport in Taiwan. It's easy to find billiard rooms throughout the country and there are also many championship-winning players in Taiwan, most of whom started training when they were still teens. Other sports which are popular include Taekwondo, table tennis and golf. In international sporting competitions, such as the Olympic Games, Taiwan is called "Chinese Taipei" (中華臺北) for political reasons. == Talk == {{infobox|You say Zhongshan, I say Chungshan...|The romanization of Chinese used in Taiwan is not standardized. Most older place names and personal names are derived from a simplified version of Wade-Giles. The government established Hanyu Pinyin (the same system used in the mainland and the international standard) as the official system in 2009, but most local governments that did not already use the system have not switched over, and highway signs are only being gradually changed from the Tongyong Pinyin system, leading to much inconsistency. Some local governments, such as that of Taipei and Taichung, have already converted their street signs to Hanyu Pinyin and New Taipei is implementing the switch to Hanyu Pinyin. However, there are still street signs posted by city governments next to signs installed by the national government having different romanization conventions, as is the case for Kaohsiung, where Tongyong Pinyin, not Hanyu Pinyin, is the local standard. For example, Zhongshan, Chungshan, Jungshan and Jhongshan can easily refer to the same Chinese name. This article attempts to use the romanizations most commonly used ''in'' Taiwan (on street signs, buses, tourist maps, etc.) People know romanisation as 'Roma-Pinyin' (Luoma-Pinyin).}} Taiwan's official languages are four varieties of Chinese — '''[[Chinese phrasebook - Traditional|Mandarin]]''', '''[[Minnan phrasebook|Taiwanese]]''' (a dialect of Minnan), '''[[Hakka phrasebook|Hakka]]''', and '''[[Fuzhou dialect phrasebook|Matsu dialect]]''' — as well as the '''Aboriginal Austronesian languages''' and '''Taiwan Sign Language'''. Mandarin is the ''lingua franca'', but Taiwanese is the mother tongue of about 70% of the population. In the North where there is a large concentration of so-called "mainlanders" (those whose families came to Taiwan from mainland China in the 1940s as refugees of the Chinese Civil War), most people speak Mandarin as their primary language (although Taiwanese is spoken in abundance), but in the South of the island, Taiwanese is far more common. Hakka is the main language at the middle elevations of the mountainous parts of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli. Mandarin, Taiwanese and Hakka are all tonal languages, and are difficult for most foreigners to master. Aboriginal languages can mostly be heard on the East Coast and its offshore islands, as well as at higher elevations in the mountains. The Matsu dialect is a variant of the Fuzhou dialect (also known as ''Hokchiu'' or ''Foochow''), and is almost exclusively concentrated in the [[Matsu]] islands located close to [[Fuzhou]] in mainland China. Chinese is written using '''Chinese characters''' (漢字, ''hànzì'', lit. "Han characters"). Unlike an alphabet that represents individual sounds without any inherent meaning, each Chinese character represents a meaningful syllable: a specific word or part of a word. Although they look impenetrable at first, there is some method to the madness: most characters are composed from base components combined with other characters (often giving clues to both pronunciation and general meaning). The same characters are used in Japan and Korea with usually similar meanings, albeit different pronunciations. Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and many overseas Chinese still use the '''traditional characters''', whereas since the 1950s mainland China has used simplified characters, such as <span lang="zh-Hans">龟</span> instead of <span lang="zh-Hant">龜</span>. Cursive forms of Chinese characters, often used for effect in logos, range from "looks familiar if you squint" to "impenetrable scribbles". There are multiple ways of romanizing Mandarin Chinese, but '''pinyin''' (漢語拼音 ''hànyǔ pīnyīn'') is the most useful for a visitor to learn. It's a fairly logical system, although it has a few idiosyncrasies, including using some letters in ways that are different from English (such as ''q'' which is similar to English "ch" and ''x'' which is like English "sh"). (However, people in Taiwan are more familiar with a phonetic alphabet called Zhuyin (注音 ''zhùyīn'', written using Zhuyin as ㄓㄨˋ　ㄧㄣ), commonly known in English as '''bopomofo''' (named after the first four letters, ㄅㄆㄇㄈ), which is used for language education and typing.) All dialects of Chinese are also '''tonal''', meaning each syllable has to be pronounced with the correct tone &mdash; high, rising, falling-rising, falling, or neutral &mdash; to be understood; Mandarin tones are marked in pinyin using diacritics that graphically mimic the tones patterns (as in ''mā'', ''má'', ''mǎ'', ''mà'', and ''ma''). With just a few hours of practice, you can learn to pronounce Mandarin words accurately using pinyin. However, as Chinese has many homophones, pinyin is useful for pronunciation but not practical for communicating meaning; for something like a street address, you need to use Chinese characters. Although Chinese is ''written'' nearly the same across the world, '''spoken Chinese''' has a huge array of '''dialects'''. Verbally, Chinese dialects are as different from each other as English and Dutch, or French and Italian &mdash; related, but not mutually intelligible. Two people who speak different Chinese dialects would read and write the same, but they would pronounce the written text differently, and couldn't carry on a spoken conversation with each other. Although standard Mandarin in Taiwan is nearly identical to standard Mandarin in mainland China (with differences mostly in technical and translated terms invented post-1949), most people in practice speak a distinctly accented version known as Taiwanese Mandarin. For example, Taiwanese Mandarin tends to not differentiate between the "S" and "Sh" or the "f" and "h" sounds in Mandarin. All people schooled after 1945 are generally fluent in Mandarin, though older people from rural areas often have a very thick accent. Mandarin is fairly popular with young people. Some elderly people do not speak Mandarin as they were schooled in Japanese or not at all. Most Taiwanese are very accepting of foreigners and react with curiosity and admiration for trying the local tongue. Generally, most people in Taiwan converse using a combination of Mandarin and Taiwanese by code-switching. The Taiwanese dialect is a variant of Minnan which is similar to the dialect spoken across the Taiwan Strait in [[South Fujian]]. Unlike in South Fujian, Taiwanese Minnan has some loan words from Japanese as a result of 50 years of Japanese colonization. Taiwanese Minnan and [[Xiamen]] Minnan are both mixtures of the [[Zhangzhou]] and [[Quanzhou]] accents, so as a result, Taiwanese Minnan sounds very similar to Xiamen Minnan. There is also dialectal variation in Taiwanese between different parts of the island; the [[Tainan]] dialect is generally considered to be the prestige dialect. All public announcements in the transportation system are made in Mandarin, Taiwanese and Hakka, with the exception of the [[Matsu]] islands, where announcements are made in Mandarin and the local Matsu dialect. Especially in Taipei, younger people generally speak a basic conversational level of '''English'''. The children often understand more English than their parents, especially with the emphasis on English language education today, and English being a compulsory subject in Taiwanese schools. However, attempts to speak Mandarin or Taiwanese will be met with beaming smiles and encouragement, by and large. Quite a few people, especially in Taipei, are proficient in '''[[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]]''' due to the high number of Japanese visitors. Staff for tourist attractions such as the Taipei 101, museums, hotels, popular restaurants and airport shops speak Japanese in addition to English, Mandarin and other local languages. In fact, if you are a visitor of East Asian descent who cannot understand Chinese, when a worker realizes this he or she may try speaking to you in Japanese before trying English. There has been an increasing usage of '''[[Korean phrasebook|Korean]]''' by tourism boards due to the large number of Korean people visiting Taiwan. Thus, there are many signs across Taiwan written in Korean. An enthusiasm for Korean-language education due to the influence of Korean pop culture is also gaining momentum. Due to the increasing number of Southeast Asian tourists visiting Taiwan, '''[[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]''', '''[[Vietnamese phrasebook|Vietnamese]]''' and '''[[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]]''' are spoken by some tourist personnel. '''Taiwan Sign Language''' is the language of the deaf community. It has partial mutual intelligibility with Japanese Sign Language and Korean Sign Language, but not with Chinese Sign Language or Hong Kong Sign Language. == Get in == ===Entry requirements=== [[File:Visa policy of Taiwan.svg|thumb|450px|Visa policy of Taiwan{{legend|#F60501|Taiwan}}{{legend|#20B44A|Visa-free - 90 days}}{{legend|#b5e61d|Visa-free - 30 days}}{{legend|#65D6A5|Visa-free - 14 days}}{{legend|#DCEF9B|Visa on arrival}}{{legend|#9DDEE5|eVisa}}{{legend|#15127D|Exit & Entry Permit on arrival}}{{legend|#ADADAD|Visa required}}]] [[File:ROC entry stamp.JPG|thumb|Entry stamp]] ==== Visas ==== Foreign nationals of the following 44 countries can enter Taiwan '''visa-free''' as a ''visitor'' provided that their passports are valid for at least 6 months upon entry: '''For up to 90 days:''' All 27 '''European Union''' member states, Australia (until 31 December 2021), Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia (until 31 March 2025), Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, Switzerland, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vatican City '''For up to 30 days:''' Belize, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore '''For up to 14 days:''' Brunei, Philippines, Thailand (until 31 July 2019 for all three), Russian Federation If citizens of the above countries present an emergency or temporary passport, they will be required to apply for a landing visa on arrival by supplying a passport photo and paying a fee of NT$2,400. Citizens of Japan need only present a passport with at least 3 months' validity (rather than 6 months' validity) upon entry. Citizens of the United States can enter Taiwan on a passport with less than 6 months' validity on the date of arrival by supplying a passport photo and paying a fee of NT$5,600. Citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom can extend their stay for an extra 90 days (i.e. a total stay of up to 180 days) free of charge. More information is available on [http://www.boca.gov.tw/public/Attachment/1121416524871.doc this Bureau of Consular Affairs information sheet]. Holders of valid passports from '''[[Hong Kong]]''' (HKSAR or BN(O)) and '''[[Macau]]''', born in either of these territories, may apply for a 30-day entry permit online (free) or on arrival (NT$300). Holders of these passports born outside these territories may also apply for these permits, if they have been to Taiwan previously as a Hong Kong/Macau resident. (If they last visited Taiwan before 1983 they need to supply the travel document used then or first apply for their travel records from the Immigration Agency.) Hong Kong and Macau residents born outside of these territories and have not been to Taiwan before as a HK/Macau resident must apply for a permit online before traveling to Taiwan (NT$600). Hong Kong and Macau residents who also have another passport (except BN(O) or a Portuguese passport obtained before the handover) must use the other passport (and apply for the correct visa, if required) to enter Taiwan and not their Hong Kong/Macau passport. Macau residents using a Portuguese passport may enter visa-free like other Portuguese passport holders. Residents of '''Mainland [[China]]''' (Chinese passport holders) may visit Taiwan for tourism if they join an approved guided tour. Independent mainland Chinese travelers require a Permit for Proceeding to Taiwan (往来台湾通行证/往來台灣通行證) with an endorsement issued by Chinese authorities, and an Exit and Entry Permit (中華民國臺灣地區入出境許可證) issued by Taiwanese authorities. However, endorsement for personal tourism has been '''suspended''' due to political tensions. Citizens of India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam who have a valid entry visa or permanent resident card issued by a [[Europe#Schengen Agreement|Schengen]] country, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States can obtain a 30-day Visa on Arrival after making an [https://oa1.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast/ online application.] All foreigners (except those on government business and certain permanent residents) age 14 and older are electronically fingerprinted and photographed as part of immigration entry procedures. Entry will be denied if these procedures are refused. Detailed information about visas is available at the website of the '''[http://www.boca.gov.tw/mp?mp=2 Bureau of Consular Affairs]'''. Taiwan does not have formal embassies in most of the world's countries (due to the 'One China' policy of mainland China preventing formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan). Instead Taiwan operates a "Taipei Representative Office", "Taipei Economic and Trade Office", or something of a similar name in most major countries, and these act as ''de facto'' embassies and consulates that can issue Taiwanese visas. ====Arrival card==== Tourists are required to fill in an arrival card. You may do it [https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/webacard/ online] before you arrive to save time. Traditional paper versions are still available at ports of entry. Hong Kong and Macau residents who have an online entry permit are exempt. ====Customs==== Fresh fruit and meat may not be brought into Taiwan, and airport staff may check your bags. If you are carrying anything prohibited, though, they might let you eat it before you go through immigration. === By plane === * '''[[Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport]]''' '''(Taipei)''' (台灣桃園國際機場, formerly ''Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport'' 中正國際機場) ({{IATA|TPE}}) is the primary international airport of Taiwan. Located 40&nbsp;km to the southwest of Taipei, it has good connections to neighbouring countries and North America, and decent connections to Europe and Oceania. The airport has a MRT (metro/subway) connection to [[Taipei]], and direct buses to Taipei, [[Taichung]] and other nearby cities. Alternatively, the MRT train and U-Bus company shuttles reach HSR Taoyuan station (台灣高鐵桃園站) for high-speed train connections to other cities; and to Zhongli (中壢) Station for mainline TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration 台灣鐵路管理局) train and southbound bus connections to [[Tainan]], [[Hsinchu]] (新竹) etc. * [http://www.kia.gov.tw/English/ '''Kaohsiung International Airport'''] (高雄國際機場) ({{IATA|KHH}}) is the largest airport in southern Taiwan, with decent connections to neighbouring countries and domestic destinations. * [http://www.tsa.gov.tw/tsa/en/home.aspx '''Songshan Airport'''] (松山機場) ({{IATA|TSA}}) is a smaller airport in downtown Taipei which serves mostly domestic flights with some flights to China, Tokyo Haneda Airport, and Seoul Gimpo Airport. * '''Taichung Airport''' (台中機場) ({{IATA|RMQ}}) serves domestic and international flights to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and China. * [https://www.tna.gov.tw/en/index.php '''Tainan Airport'''] (臺南機場) ({{IATA|TNN}}) serves domestic routes, as well as international routes to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan. * [https://www.hulairport.gov.tw/e_content/about/about01.aspx '''Hualien Airport'''] (花蓮機場) ({{IATA|HUN}}) located on the eastern coast of Taiwan, the airport serves domestic routes, as well as international flights to South Korea as well as charter flights to Cambodia. After a break of almost 60 years, regular cross-Strait flights between Taiwan and mainland China resumed in 2008, and travel times on some popular routes have been reduced significantly as flights no longer have to be routed through Hong Kong airspace. The main Taiwanese carriers are [http://www.evaair.com/ '''EVA Air'''] (長榮航空) and flag carrier [http://www.china-airlines.com/ '''China Airlines'''] (中華航空). While China Airlines used to have a poor safety record, things have improved greatly since 2003, and today, it is just as safe as the major Western European airlines. === By boat === {{COVID-19 box|Due to the 2020 coronavirus outbreak, all ferry services to China have been suspended.|lastedit=2020-02-28}} All scheduled passenger ferry services between Taiwan and Japan have been suspended. [http://www.starcruises.com Star Cruises] operates limited cruise services from [[Keelung]] (基隆) and [[Kaohsiung]] (高雄) to Hong Kong and various Japanese islands, but these are not intended for one-way journeys. ====China to Taiwan via Matsu==== From [[Fuzhou]] (福州), China, there are two daily ferries to the Taiwan-controlled [[Matsu]] (馬祖) islands. Take bus 69 from Fuzhou train station to Wuyilu, then bus 73 to the end station Mawei harbor (馬尾港). The ferry costs RMB350 from China and NT$1,300 from Matsu. The trip takes two hours. You can check the Matsu tourism website for [https://www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw/user/Article.aspx?a=505&l=2 updates on the schedule]. There is a cheaper (NT$650) ferry between Matsu's northern island and the nearest point of mainland China, on the Huangqi peninsula, but because of limitations to immigration facilities, it apparently only accepts Taiwan/ROC citizens as passengers at this time ([https://www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw/user/Article.aspx?a=781&l=1 schedules and fares]). From Matsu, there the ''Taima Star'' ferry runs daily to [[Keelung]] in Taiwan ([http://www.shinhwa.com.tw/index.php Official website] / [https://www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw/user/Article.aspx?a=128&l=2 English information]). NT$1,050 includes a bed, as the trip takes 10 hours. Regular seats are available for NT$630 only when the sleeping cabins are full ([http://www.shinhwa.com.tw/price.htm official fare table]). Schedules can be found at [http://www.shinhwa.com.tw/harbor.php this link]. Bookings can be made at +886 2 2424 6868 or [https://www.matsuebs.com/html/custorder/36 online]. At [[Mawei]] harbor in [[Fuzhou]] there is an opportunity to buy an inclusive ticket all the way to Taipei (臺北) that includes the Fuzhou to Matsu ferry above and a domestic flight from Matsu to Taipei (or Taichung). The price (RMB780) includes transfer between port and airport on Matsu, and a coupon for lunch at the airport while you wait for your connection. The ferry leaves Fuzhou at 09:30. Get to Mawei at 08:00 to buy tickets. ====China to Kinmen==== There are also several ferry services between [[Xiamen]] and [[Quanzhou]] on the mainland and the Taiwan-controlled island of [[Kinmen]] (金門). While foreigners may use the former the latter is only open to Chinese and Taiwanese citizens. Now there also is one weekly ferry from Dongdu Harbor (東渡碼頭) in [[Xiamen]] to Keelung, that leaves on Thursdays at 18:00 starting at less than RMB500, and one to Taichung leaving on Tuesdays. Call 0592-2393128 for information or 0592-6011758 for bookings from China. You can also check [http://www.seat61.com/Taiwan.htm#Ferries_to_Taiwan here] for news. There is apparently no ferry from Kinmen to the main island of Taiwan at this time, though flights may be reasonably priced. ====China to Taiwan direct==== The ''Cosco Star'' runs overnight between [[Keelung]] in northern Taiwan and [[Xiamen]] on the mainland, between Keelung and Daimaiyu Port near [[Taizhou]] on the mainland, and between [[Taichung]] in west-central Taiwan and Xiamen. Each leg of each route only runs on one day of the week (see [http://www.coscotw.com.tw/cht/asp/star-sch.asp here] for departure times of each route and [http://www.cosco.url.tw/hot.html here] for the latest calendar of operations). "Standard" one-way fares start at NT$3,500, but "basic" fares may be available for NT$2,490 ([http://www.coscotw.com.tw/cht/asp/star-tick.asp fare table]). On top of the fare there is an additional NT$300-550 in fuel and port surcharges, which varies depending on the route. There are substantial discounts for seniors (65+) and children (12 and under). The service's Taiwan-facing website is [http://www.coscotw.com.tw/cht/asp/star-main.asp here]. [http://www.taiwancsf.com/default.aspx CSF] operates fast ferries (about 3 hours) from [[Pingtan]] in mainland China to [[Taipei]] and [[Taichung]] in Taiwan. As of February 2019, the Taipei-Pingtan-Taipei route runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and the Pingtan-Taichung-Pingtan route runs on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays ([http://www.taiwancsf.com/Content.aspx?sn=7 full schedule]). Adult fares for non-Taiwan citizens start at NT$3,500 one-way, $6,350 round-trip if purchased in advance ([http://www.taiwancsf.com/Content.aspx?sn=7 fare table]), a couple hundred more if purchased at the pier ([http://www.taiwancsf.com/content.aspx?sn=149 fare table]). Fares are cheaper for Taiwan/ROC citizens ([http://www.taiwancsf.com/content.aspx?sn=158 advance]/[http://www.taiwancsf.com/content.aspx?sn=159 pier]. == Get around == ===''IC Cards''=== [[Taipei]]'s '''[http://www.easycard.com.tw/ EasyCard]''' (悠遊卡 Yōuyóukǎ) and [[Kaohsiung]]'s '''[https://www.i-pass.com.tw/EN/ iPass]''' (一卡通) are the main public transportation smart and electronic payment cards, and replace the need to buy separate tickets for most national, regional and city buses, metro (MRT), as well as train services (TRA) all over Taiwan, and they can be used at retail establishments that display the respective sign, like convenient stores (7eleven, Family Mart), parking lots and some restaurants and shops. Though originally accepted only in their respective cities, the two cards can now be used interchangeably at most (but not all) locations. Besides saving you the hassle of having proper change ready for your ticket, it mostly always gives discount on the chosen journeys. For instance, the price for any train (TRA) is calculated based on the price of a local train and a 10% discount. Thus, you can even take the faster trains with it (but not THSR) like the Tzu-Chiang limited express. The only disadvantage is that you will not have a reserved seat, which however is not an issue except on Saturday morning/noon and Sunday afternoon. The EasyCard also provides discounts on [[Taipei#Get around|Taipei's public transportation network]], and likewise with the iPass on Kaohsiung's network. The EasyCard can be bought at the airport, in any of stations of Taipei MRT and most convenient stores. As of Dec 2019 the price was NT$500, consisting of a non-refundable deposit of NT$100 and NT$400 in electronic cash. If you want to add money onto the card, you can do so in MRT stations (including Kaohsiung MRT), TRA stations, and the common convenient stores. The card can hold amounts up to NT$5,000. Student IC cards with even deeper discounts are also available for purchase, but only upon request at a desk and a recognised student ID like ISIC. Whether the card needs to be tapped only once or twice on city buses (on entry or on exit, see [[#By bus|below]]) depends on which city you are in and sometimes how far you travel. Do not forget to tap twice (on entry '''and''' exit) where it is necessary, especially on regional and national buses outside of cities (and some unstaffed railway stations). Otherwise, your card will be blocked with "incomplete journey" (for all bus companies), and you will have to settle this issue with the responsible bus company. This can be a problem, because bus companies only serve certain regions. When leaving that region, e.g. by train, which is still possible with a (bus) locked card, no-one will be willing to unlock your card, even though also other bus companies are able to do so. Be insistent and with the help of the tourist information center tell them that you cannot go back to fix the problem, or that you tried and they did not solve the issue even though they told you so. Make sure that it is really unlocked (with a different bus company) and do not just trust them &ndash; it seems some cannot operate their machines properly. If you forget to tap the second time, you will only be charged a small initial fee instead of the whole journey, but unless you are at the end of your vacation to Taiwan or possess a second card, you should avoid having your card blocked. That said, most bus drivers and railway staff pay close attention to the tapping, so it is hard to miss. It costs NT$14 to get in and out of the same railway station within an hour, in case you instead decide to take the bus. At the end of your travel, do not put too much money onto your card, because it can only be given back and cashed-out at certain locations, like some THSR stations. In addition to the NT$100 purchase fee, there is a NT$20 fee for returning the card within 3 months. === By train === [[File:THSR 700T train at Taoyuan Station 20070728.jpg|thumb|Taiwan High Speed train]] [[File:TaiwanHighSpeedRail Route en.gif|thumb|Map of Taiwan High Speed Rail; all stations shown are operational]] Taiwan's train system is excellent, with stops in all major cities. Train stations are often in the centers of most cities and towns and serve as a convenient hub for most types of transportation. In addition, the train system allows you to bypass the highways, which can become extremely crowded on weekends and national holidays. The main downside is the lack of cross-island routes between the East Coast and West Coast; for instance, there is no rail line from Taichung to Hualien, so you will have to either drive, fly, or take a major detour via Taipei or Kaohsiung. ====THSR==== The new train backbone is [http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/?lc=en '''Taiwan High Speed Rail'''] (HSR, 高鐵 ''gāotiě'') , a [[high speed train]] based on Japanese ''Shinkansen'' technology that covers the {{km|345}} route on the West Coast from [[Taipei]] to Zuoying ([[Kaohsiung]]) in 90 min. Other stops on the route are [[Banqiao]], [[Taoyuan]], [[Hsinchu]], [[Taichung]], [[Chiayi]] and [[Tainan]], but many THSR stations have been built a fair distance from the cities they serve (e.g. a taxi from downtown Tainan costs up to NT$400, but there's a free shuttle bus). Taipei, Banciao, Taoyuan, Taichung and Kaohsiung (Zuoying) stations are connected with metro. Taichung station is built next to a railway station, convenient to transfer to the city center. Hsinchu and Tainan stations are connected to the city center with branch railway lines. Other stations can only be reached by bus. A one way ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs NT$1,630 in economy or NT$2,140 in business class, but economy seats have plush seats and ample legroom, so there's little reason to pay extra, though business class passengers are offered a complementary drink and snack. All signage and announcements are in English as well, making navigation a snap. Bookings are accepted online and via phone up to two weeks in advance at +886-2-6626-8000 (English spoken), with payment required only when you pick up the tickets. Credit cards are accepted. Bookings can be easily made by internet, and you can pay online or pay and pick up your tickets at almost every FamilyMart and 7-Eleven. You can also avoid the queues for long distance tickets at major stations by buying your tickets from the automated ticket machines. The English prompts on the automated machines are hard to spot but they are present,usually in the top left corner of the screen. The stations and platforms are wheelchair-friendly and all trains include a wheelchair-accessible car (wider doors, ample space, accessible bathroom). The Official English guide for online reservations distinguishes between "senior or disabled tickets" and "handicap-friendly seats"; while it's possible to buy a ticket for the former online ("correct passenger ID" required), a ticket for the latter has to be reserved by calling the ticketing office on the phone. Early Bird tickets are sold from 28 days before the day, and the discount to is up to 35% off. All high-speed trains consist of two seating classes; '''economy class''' and '''business class'''. Although economy class is already clean and comfortable by international standards, paying extra for business class snags you a slightly wider seat, as well as a complimentary drink and snack. All train announcements are made in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka and English. =====Passes===== The Taiwan High Speed Rail issues a '''[https://pass.thsrc.com.tw/oatsb2c/home.do?G=3 THSR Pass]''' for use on the high speed rail trains. These cost NT$2,400 for a regular 3-day pass, or NT$3,200 for a flexible 3-day pass. While a regular 3-day pass must be used in 3 consecutive days, the 3 days in a flexible 3-day pass may be spread out over any 7-day period. The 5-day joint passes allow for unlimited rides on the high speed rail for 2 days within a 5 day period, and unlimited rides on TRA lines within the same 5-day period. These cost NT$2,800 for a standard pass, which does not allow you to ride on Tzu-Chiang trains, and NT$3,600 for an express pass, which allows you to ride on all TRA lines. The THSR passes may only be used by foreigners who are in Taiwan on tourist visas (or visa exemptions), and must be purchased from travel agents overseas ''before'' you arrive in Taiwan. ====TRA==== Mainline trains are run by the separate [http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/index/index.aspx '''Taiwan Railway Administration'''] (TRA, 台鐵) , whose services are generally efficient and reliable. Reserving tickets well in advance is recommended when traveling with the train on weekends, especially for long distance travel. Slower (but more frequent) commuter trains without reserved seating are also available. Train timetables and [http://railway.hinet.net/net_eng.htm online booking] (up to 2 weeks in advance) are available on the TRA website for 24 hours. Booking and payment can be made online. You can also pay for the tickets you reserved at your local train station or post office to actually receive it. You can also buy the tickets of TRA in convenient stores now (you can reserve first and take the tickets in convenient stores). The way to buy tickets is same to high speed rail's. Children under 115&nbsp;cm (45&nbsp;in) height go free, and taller kids shorter than 150&nbsp;cm (59&nbsp;in) and under 12 years of age get half-price tickets. If you get return tickets there is a small discount depending upon travel distance. There are also vending machines at the larger stations. The fastest train is Tzu-Chiang (limited express), and the slowest is Pingkuai (Ordinary/Express). There is often little to choose between prices and destination times for adjacent train classes, but the gap can be quite large between the fastest and the slowest. * '''Tze-Chiang''' (自強 ''zìqiáng''): The fastest (and most expensive). Assigned seating. Non-reserved (standing) tickets are supposedly sold at full price, but the boarding is possible with an Easycard for local train prices. There are '''Taroko Express''' (太魯閣號 ''Tàilǔgé Hào'') and '''Puyuma''' (普悠瑪號 ''Pǔyōumǎ Hào'') runnning from Taipei to Hualien, which only sell reserved tickets. * '''Chu-Kuang''' (莒光 ''júguāng''): Second fastest. Assigned seating. In western Taiwan, it is as slow as a local train; in eastern Taiwan, it is still a fast, convenient train. * '''local train''' (區間 ''qūjiān'') : Short to medium distance commuter train, stops at all stations. No assigned seating. There are a few local-fast train, which don't stop at every station. * '''Express / Ordinary''' (普通 ''pǔtōng''): Stops at all stations, no air conditioning, most inexpensive. No assigned seating. Some Express trains (the light blue ones running on West Trunk Line) are air-conditioned while others (dark blue ones) are not equipped with air conditioners. Only on Saturday morning/noon and Sunday afternoon faster trains are packed, and it might make sense to buy a more expensive reserve-seat ticket, if you do not want to stand for 3 hr, depending on your destination. Otherwise, you can freely use the EasyCard for fast connections without worrying (except for THSR). For travel to nearby cities, you can travel on local commuter trains. These arrive very frequently (about once every ten to fifteen minutes). In addition, "standing tickets" may be purchased on trains with assigned seating that have no available seats. Standing tickets are 80% the original ticket price and may be useful for last-minute travelers. However, you will be required to stand for the duration of your trip if there are no free seats. Station announcements are made in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and English. A popular holdover from the Japanese colonial era is the '''railway bento''' tradition, known in Taiwan as the '''Taiwan Railway Bento''' (臺鐵便當 ''tái tiě biàn dàng''). These are sold at most major TRA stations, and on board most long distance TRA trains. Both meat and vegetarian options are available, with the pork chop bento being particularly famous and iconic. Some smaller towns that do not have TRA bento stalls at in their stations have privately-owned shops selling bentos near to the railway station, and these often feature some local specialties. The towns of [[Fulong]] and [[Chishang]] are particularly famous for their local versions of the railway bento. =====Passes===== Similar to Japan and South Korea, Taiwan also offers several rail passes to foreign tourists for unlimited train travel within a stipulated period. The '''[https://tip.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip/tip003/tip311/view10 TR Pass]''' can be used by foreigners for unlimited travel on TRA lines for a stipulated period of time. The TR Pass can be bought at railway stations in Taiwan. The TR pass also allows you to reserve seats for free on trains that have assigned seating. '''The TR pass is not valid on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR)''' as those trains are not run by the TRA. {| class="wikitable" |+Ticket types/prices (NT$) |- |colspan="3" style="text-align: center" | '''3 Days''' |colspan="3" style="text-align: center" | '''5 Days''' |- | full price || reduced price || 4-person-group || full price || reduced price || 4-person-group |- | 1800 || 900 || 4200 || 2500 || 1250 || 7000 |} : :Note: The 4-person-group ticket must be used by four people simultaneously. You '''cannot''' take the high-speed rail, since it is not operated by the TRA. Validity has to be for consecutive days. Reduced price applies to children (age 7-12), senior citizens (age 65+) and disabled people. * TR Pass Student: The student version of the TR Pass is significantly cheaper than the general version, though unlike the general version, it is ''not'' valid for use on Tzu-Chiang limited express trains, and also cannot be used to ride in train cars with reserved seating. In order to qualify for this pass, you will need to show your passport and a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Ticket types and prices: * 5-day ticket: NT$599 * 7-day ticket: NT$799 * 10-day ticket: NT$1,098 ===By bus=== Taiwan has an extensive bus network, run mostly by private bus companies. Traveling by bus is generally cheaper than by train, especially for long-distance trips. However, on holidays, travel time may be much longer and tickets are more likely to be sold out. There are two categories: intercity buses (客運) and local buses (公車). Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is a set of distinctly branded bus routes (some intercity, some local) that serve tourist sites, and are generally easier to use than regular routes. The official website offers route maps, timetables and recommended itineraries, but is somewhat confusing to navigate. There is, however, a toll-free number for inquiries. There are also information desks at major transport hubs. [[File:Taipei Bus 1073 stop board.jpg|thumb|Bus stop in Taipei]] Many cities have local buses. They are managed by local governments, therefore information can generally be found on the websites of the respective transportation bureaus. Drivers are usually happy to help, but may not speak English. Route maps at bus stops are mostly in Chinese. For visitors, it may be helpful to have your hotel or accommodation host suggest some routes for you and circle your destination on a map, then show it to the bus driver to make sure you're on the right bus. Announcements are in English, but hopefully the driver will remember to tell you when to get off in case you miss it. Most buses accept either cash (no change) or IC cards (like the EasyCard). Minor cities and towns do not have local buses, but have intercity routes that make frequent stops. These can be found using the method in the previous paragraph. Occasionally a bus driver might stop a bus away from the curb at a bus stop. Sometimes it is due to a vehicle illegally parked at a bus stop. (Taiwanese traffic law and regulation prohibit vehicles from stopping or parking within 10&nbsp;m (33&nbsp;ft) of a bus stop.) However, a bus driver might stop a bus away from the curb just because he or she does not want to wait for overtaking traffic while leaving a bus stop. Therefore, be ''much more careful'' when getting on or off a bus stopped away from a curb, as many motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles will definitely be tempted to overtake on the right side of the stopped bus where people get on and off! (As traffic drives on the right side of the road in Taiwan, buses have doors on the right side.) In Taiwan you need to hail the bus you are taking as you see it coming—much like hailing a taxi. The terminal stop of the route is listed on the front of the bus in Chinese and sometimes English, so it is important to make sure the bus you get on is going the right direction. For city buses, sometimes you pay when boarding, sometimes when alighting, sometimes both (whether with cash or an IC card). As you get on the bus there will be an LED sign indicating that, opposite the entrance. Sometimes it's only in Chinese: 上 means on boarding, 下 means on alighting (or just watch other people). In some cities such as Kaohsiung and Taichung, failing to swipe your card correctly will result in a locked card. ====Navigation==== Google Maps is a quick way to find a route to your destination, but is not always reliable, especially for trips with changes and for longer distance (like in the south and southwest). Often it will highly overstate bus travel times, because it will consider each stop while the bus might only stop at every third or fourth. Hence, a trip from Kaohsiung or Pingtung to Kenting will be stated with 3-4 hr, even though it will just take 1 hr. Therefore, it will also often suggesting the wrong connections and transfers. However, it gives a very good indication on the possible route, vehicle number(s), frequency, availability and price of buses and trains. Besides, the ''Bus+'' app (Android/iOS) is quite reliable with schedules. You can find bus numbers on it, and it will list its (live) route. This is much easier than reading the Chinese bus stop signs. In combination with Google Maps route search it is quite handy. Furthermore, http://taiwanbus.tw/ has a likewise good overview, in case the Bus+ app is not that helpful. === By metro === [[File:VAL256 on Taipei MRT Muzha Line 20050320.jpg|thumb|Taipei MRT]] The following areas are served by metro, also known as MRT: * [[Taipei]] and [[New Taipei]] by Taipei Metro * Linkou Plateau, western Taipei and northeastern [[Taoyuan]] City by Taoyuan Metro *[[Taichung]] by Taichung MRT * [[Kaohsiung]] by Kaohsiung MRT It is prohibited to eat, drink or smoke in all metro systems past the fare gates. If multiple journeys are to be made, one can purchase a rechargeable IC card. There are 4 cards: EasyCard (悠遊卡), iPASS (一卡通), icash and HappyCash. For basic MRT transport purposes there is little difference between them. All metro systems are reliable, safe, clean and accessible. Disruptions are rare. The Taipei Metro in particular is widely lauded as one of the world's most reliable and efficient, and is often held up as a gold standard for other Metro systems around the world to emulate. Nearly all stations have toilets, elevators and info desks. There are also special waiting areas that is monitored by security camera for those who are concerned about security late at night. === By taxi === {{infobox|Betel nut beauties (檳榔西施) |The highways of Taiwan are lined with brightly lit booths staffed by attractive, skimpily dressed young women, but they're not plying the world's oldest trade; instead, they're betel nut beauties, who compete for the attention of customers to sell the mildly addictive stimulant '''betel''' (檳榔 ''bīnláng''), consisting of areca nuts and slaked lime wrapped in a betel leaf, not themselves. Betel itself is worth a try and there is a chance you will be offered it in the company of farmers or working-class Taiwanese. Be warned, it stains your teeth blood red. To consume it, bite and spit off the cap at the top of the nut, then chew the rest of the bundle. Only the first mouthful of saliva must be spit and afterwards one can either choose to spit or swallow and enjoy the buzz. One sampling on your trip shouldn't be a problem, but do keep in mind that this little treat is habit-forming and cancer-causing for long-term users. Due to the known health risks, consumption of betel nuts is declining, and betel but beauties are becoming increasingly few and far between.}} Taxis are very common in major Taiwanese cities. You do not need to look for a taxi, they'll be looking for you. The standard yellow taxis scour roads looking for potential riders such as lost foreigners. It is possible but generally unnecessary to phone for a taxi. To hail one, simply place your hand in front of you parallel to the ground. But they'll often stop for you even if you're just waiting to cross the street or for a bus. In less heavily trafficked areas further out from the transit hubs, taxis are always available by calling taxi dispatch centers or using mobile apps. Drivers generally cannot converse in English or read Westernized addresses (except for special Taoyuan airport taxis). Get the hotel staff or a Taiwanese friend write out your destination in Chinese, and also take a business card from the hotel. Show the driver the Chinese writing of where you are going. Taxis are visibly metered (starting point priced at NT$70), and taxi drivers are strictly forbidden from taking tips. A maximum of four people can ride in one cab, and for the price of one. Compared to European or American taxis, those in Taiwan are inexpensive. Although taxi drivers in Taiwan tend to be more honest than in many other countries, not all are trustworthy. An indirect trip might cost you half again as much. A cab driver using night-time rates during the daytime will cost you 30% more (make sure he presses the large button on the left on his meter before 23:00). Avoid the especially overzealous drivers who congregate at the exits of train stations. Also, stand your ground and insist on paying meter price only if any driving on mountain roads is involved. Some drivers like to tack on surcharges or use night-time rates if driving to places like [[Wenshan]] (文山) or [[Wulai]] (烏來). Such attempts to cheat are against the law. From Taoyuan Airport (TPE), buses are a much more economical option but if you want a direct route Taoyuan airport drivers are the best choice. They're quite comfortable and get you to your destination as quick as possible. All the TPE taxi drivers are interlinked by radio so they could be forewarned if there are police. Sometimes, if there are traffic jams and no police around, the driver will drive in the emergency lane. Taxis from TPE to destinations in Tao Yuan, parts of Taipei county and some other destinations are 'allowed' to add an additional 50% to the meter fare. The badge and taxi driver identification are displayed inside and the license number marked on the outside. You must also be wary that the driver turns on his meter, otherwise he might rip you off. In such a case, you aren't obliged to pay; but make sure you can find a police officer to settle the matter. If there are stories of passengers boarding fake taxis and being attacked by the driver, it is best not to be paranoid about it. Drivers may be more worried about passengers attacking them! If you do call a taxi dispatch center, you will be given a taxi number to identify the vehicle when it arrives. Generally, dispatch is extremely rapid and efficient, as the taxis are constantly monitoring dispatch calls from the headquarters using radio while they are on the move. This is also the safest way to take a taxi, especially for women. Taxis are also a flexible although relatively expensive way to travel to nearby cities. They have the advantage over the electric trains in that they run very late at night. Drivers are required to provide a receipt if asked, though you might find them unwilling to do so. Taxi drivers, as elsewhere in Asia, are not keen on exchanging large notes. Try to keep some smaller denomination notes on hand to avoid the hassle of fighting with the driver for change. Taxi drivers are known for their strong political opinions. Many are supporters of the pan-green coalition and Taiwanese independence, spending all day listening to Taiwanese political talk radio. Drivers also have negative connotations as being former prisoners. Be careful about your opinions on sensitive political subjects (including, but not necessarily limited to cross-strait relations); also be careful of describing your destination which may be perceived politically (such as the President's Office or Chiang-Kai-Shek Memorial Hall). Also watch out for drivers who discriminate against other cultures such as taping "No Korean passengers" on their cars. This is sometimes unavoidable as some drivers provoke such discussion. In addition, if you see what looks like blood spewing from the driver's mouth, or him spitting blood onto the street—not to fret–it's merely him chewing betel nut (see box). Keep in mind, however, that betel nuts are a stimulant. Taxi drivers are generally friendly towards foreigners, and a few of them take the opportunity to try their limited English skills. They are most likely to ask you about yourself, and are a patient audience to your attempts at speaking Mandarin. If you are traveling with small children, don't be surprised if they are given candy when you disembark. Women are sometimes warned not to take taxis alone at night. This is not an extreme risk, although there have been incidents where women have been attacked. To be more safe, women can have the hotel or restaurant phone a cab for them (ensuring a licensed driver), have a companion write down the license number of the driver (clearly displayed on the dashboard), or keep a cell phone handy. Do not get in if the driver doesn't have a license with picture clearly displayed in the cab. === By scooter or motorcycle === Scooters with an engine size of 50cc require a license to drive, and should be insured and registered in the owner's name. Foreign nationals with stay less than 30 days do not have an easy way to get a scooter license. Until 2003 it wasn't possible to get a scooter above 150cc. Many of the scooters within cities are only 50cc and incapable of going faster than 80&nbsp;km/h (50&nbsp;mph). The more powerful versions known as ''zhongxing'' (重型, heavy format) scooters are now quite common and can be rented for short-term use, or found for sale used at [http://www.englishintaiwan.com English In Taiwan] if you're going to need it for a while. They are '''not''' allowed on freeways even if they are capable of going faster than 100&nbsp;km/h (62&nbsp;mph) unless used for certain police purposes, but that just means you have to take the scenic route. If you're just learning to drive a scooter on the streets of Taiwan, it would be a good idea to practice a bit on a back road or alley until you have a feel for the scooter. Attempting to do so in the busier cities could easily be fatal. Certainly, things can get pretty hairy on Taiwanese roads and Taipei in particular has narrower more congested roads than many other cities. However if you know what you're doing, it's the perfect way to get around in a city. It should be possible to rent a scooter by the day, week or month, depending on the city in which you're staying. One Taipei motorcycle and scooter rental service with English language service is [http://www.bikefarm.net Bikefarm], which is run by a very friendly and helpful English guy called Jeremy. In Taichung, Foreigner Assistance Services In Taiwan '''[http://www.englishintaiwan.com/foreignerservices/fast.php F.A.S.T]''' offers a rental service for foreign visitors. Otherwise, scooters are generally easy to rent in most major cities, with many such places being near railway or bus stations. Most usually require some form of identification even if, in some cases, it consists of your expired Blockbuster video card! The average price you may expect is NT$400 for 24 hours, this includes one or two helmets. Another option is to rent a motorcycle. Many foreigners swear by their 125cc Wild Wolf (野狼) motorcycles, and a trip around the island on a motorcycle can be a great way to see the island up close. It is to be mentioned that since 2007, scooters and motorcycle over 550cc are allowed to go on expressway providing that they have a red license plate. They are however to be considered as cars, and as such cannot be parked in scooter parking spaces. === By car === [[File:Traffic restored on the 133K~135K section of Provincial Highway 21.jpg|thumb|View of Yushan Scenic Highway]] An international driving license is required for driving in Taiwan and may be used for up to 30 days, after which you'll need to apply for a local permit. Some municipalities may impose additional restrictions, so check ahead with the rental shop. [http://www.vipcar.com.tw/ VIP Rentals] in [[Taipei]] is quite happy to rent cars to foreigners, and will even deliver the car to a given destination. A deposit is often required, and the last day of rental is not pro-rated, but calculated on a per-hour basis at a separate (higher) rate. The numbered highway system is very good in Taiwan. Most traffic signs are in international symbols, but many signs show names of places and streets in Chinese only. All road directional signs are written in both Chinese and English, though the non-standardized Romanization means that English names can vary between road signs, making it rather confusing. The highways are in excellent shape with toll stations around every 30&nbsp;km (19&nbsp;mi). Toll is charged electronically and you pay the rental company when you return the car. Traffic moves on the right in Taiwan. Parking in cities is generally charged. A attendant will put a payment slip under your windscreen wiper, you can pay at convenience stores. While driving may be the best way to get around the countryside, in larger cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung, traffic jams are a problem as is the difficulty of finding a good parking space, especially during the rush hour and traffic tends to get chaotic so you might be better off relying on public transport instead. === By thumb === While Taiwanese themselves don't generally [[Hitchhiking|hitchhike]], foreigners will have it very easy to find a hitch. However, in rural areas people may not recognize the thumb in the air symbol, and you may try pointing your hand to the ground and waving towards you. It is very easy to flag down a car in rural and mountain regions. So, instead of waiting for that one bus a day that goes by, just hitch a ride. Flagging down a car might work on a country lane with little or no public transportation, but doing so on a major road might lead to confusion, with the driver assuming that you are in trouble. A sign, especially one in Chinese, would therefore be of great help. The East coast around Hualien and Taitung enjoys a reputation for being especially good for getting rides. Taiwanese people are very friendly and helpful, so striking up a conversation with someone at a transport café or freeway service station may well see you on your way. === By bicycle === Although Taiwan is known for being a major player in the [[cycling|bicycle]] industry (through companies such as Giant and Merida), bicycles used to be considered an unwanted reminder of less prosperous times. This has changed, and bicycling is again on the rise, both as a tool for commuting and recreation, and support infrastructure is slowly being put into place. Several bike paths have been built, and recreational cycling has become quite popular amongst locals, especially on weekends. However, you should also be aware that local drivers have a well deserved reputation for recklessness. As such, you should exercise extreme caution when cycling outside of designated bicycle lanes and trails. The government has been promoting bicycling as a method of clean recreation. Several designated bicycle paths have been built throughout Taiwan (especially along riverside parks). Additionally, [http://www.formosanfattire.com/trails/ long distance rides], including through the Central Mountain Range, and along the coastline around the main island have become popular. For long distance trips, bicycles can be shipped as is using standard freight service from the Taiwan Railway Administration between larger stations. Non-folding bicycles may also be transported aboard the Taipei and Kaohsiung rapid transit systems if loaded at specific stations, during off peak hours (usually 10:00-16:00 on weekdays, check with your local station personnel to confirm). * [https://www.metro.taipei/cp.aspx?n=F299BF5B3142389A Taipei MRT Route Map], bicycles may be loaded at designated stations * [http://www.krtco.com.tw/en/guide_StipulationsforPassengerswithBicycles.aspx Kaohsiung MRT Bicycle Information] (passengers traveling with non-folding bicycles are assessed a flat rate NT$60 fare irrespective of distance) Giant Bicycles Corporation operates a large network of bicycle retail stores that offer '''rentals''' for as little as NT$100 per day, if requested one week in advance. Generally, the day rate is around NT$300 for a modern bicycle. Also, rented bicycles can be picked up at one station and given back another station. This can be convenient if you want to go down the quiet east coast with a bicycle and back up the busy west coast with the train/bus. A one week finesse bike including bags costs as little as €100. Public shared bicycles are also available for rent at automated kiosks in most Taiwanese cities. Rental fees are usually paid using the rapid transit EasyCard or iPass system. There is YouBike in Taipei, which are available all over the city and even 30&nbsp;km out &ndash; see [[Taipei]] for more details. Additionally, many local police stations provide basic support services for cyclists, such as air pumps, and as a rest stop. === By plane === [[File:UNI Air MD-90-30 (B-17918) at Kaohsiung International Airport.jpg|thumb|Domestic plane, Taiwan]] Domestic air travel in Taiwan is primarily for outlying islands, as Taiwan is fairly compact with a modern and efficient rail network. There are also routes that connect the east and west coasts, since there is a geographical barrier between the two. There are no longer any west coast only routes as [[high speed rail]] has made them redundant. The main carriers are '''[http://www.mandarin-airlines.com/ Mandarin Airlines]''', a subsidiary of China Airlines; and '''[http://www.uniair.com.tw/ UNI Air]''', owned by EVA. There is also Daily Air and Far Eastern Air Transport. Flights are frequent, and it is usually unnecessary to book flights in advance, except during holidays. Fares for domestic flights are not too expensive, and local planes are very good. The domestic airport in Taipei is [http://www.tsa.gov.tw/tsa/en/home.aspx Songshan Airport], which is in the north of the Taipei and easily reached by MRT or taxi. Other domestic airports include those in [[Taitung]], [[Hualien]], [[Makung]] (Penghu/Pescadores), [[Kinmen]], [[Taichung]], [[Nangan]] and [[Beigan]]. Travelers heading to [[Kenting]] can use the direct and frequent bus service from Kaohsiung airport that connect with flights arriving from Taipei. If you want to visit Taiwan's smaller islands, the plane is still the best option, and is the only practical option for traveling to [[Kinmen]] and the easiest method of reaching [[Penghu]] and [[Matsu]]. For travel to Green Island and [[Orchid Island]], the plane from Taitung saves several hours over taking the ferry which is notorious among Taiwanese for its rough ride. ===On foot and navigation=== Taiwan is an excellent place for hiking and trekking, providing many interesting and picturesque trails in its mountainous center, or just northeast of Taipei. For reliable maps and comprehensive trails and map information, consult [https://www.openstreetmap.org/ OpenStreetMap], which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile Apps like [http://osmand.net/ OsmAnd] (complex with many add-ons) and [https://maps.me/ MAPS.ME] (easy but limited). == See == Perhaps due to its political ambiguity and lack of global presence, Taiwan has never been a significant destination for Westerners. Nevertheless tourists from [[Japan]] and [[Hong Kong]] have been visiting Taiwan in droves for a long time, and they are being joined by an increasing number of Koreans, Southeast Asians and Westerners. The island is home to many cultural attractions, with an excellent selection right in the capital. Taipei is a bustling and modern metropolis, with ancient yet lively streets, and world-famous landmarks like '''Taipei 101'''. However, it's also home to the '''National Palace Museum''', '''Zhongshan Hall''', '''Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall''' and the beautifully restored '''Bao'an Temple'''. Bao'an is just one of many striking temple complexes worth a visit. For more, try the '''Zushi Temple''' in [[Sanxia]] or the '''Mazu temple''' in [[Makung]]. The large '''Longshan Temple''' in [[Lukang]] and the '''Confucian Temples''' of [[Changhua]] and [[Tainan]] are fine choices too. Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and therefore full of historic sites, especially colonial buildings, and including the Anping "Tree House" that's being slowly reclaimed by banyan trees. If you're looking for some deeper insights in Taiwan's history and culture, there's a wide range of '''museums''' to be explored, pretty much wherever your go. Taiwan retains its place as a major center of Chinese pop culture. In addition, this state is home to bustling cities with modern, high-tech infrastructure, and good transportation infrastructure means that getting around is easy. For those who have grown weary of the hustle and bustle of cities, Taiwan also offers some very impressive scenery and charming historical villages in its rural areas. === Nature === [[File:Taiwan 2009 HuaLien Taroko Gorge Narrow Gap and Road PB140025.jpg|thumb|200px|Taroko Gorge, Taroko National Park]] Some people think of Taiwan as a grimy, densely populated industrial island full of hard disk factories, and you may well maintain this perception if you only stick to the densely populated West Coast. However, for those who take time to venture to the more sparsely populated East Coast will quickly find that Taiwan is actually home to some stunning landscapes. The [[Taroko Gorge]] (太魯閣) near [[Hualien]] in particular is very impressive, and should not be missed, with a side trip to the rugged shores at ''Shihtiping'' (石梯坪) as a worthwhile detour. '''Hehuan Mountain''' and '''[[Sun Moon Lake]]''' are beautiful natural attractions near [[Nantou]], while the huge and ancient trees in '''[[Lalashan]]''' make for great hikes near [[Taoyuan]]. In fact, most of Taiwan is covered with mountains which offer breathtaking views, so hiking opportunities are very diverse. == Do == * '''Hot Springs''' (溫泉) – Taiwan's geographical location between an oceanic trench and volcanic system makes it an ideal hot springs vacation spot. There are several hot springs destinations throughout the country, including [[Beitou]] (北投), [[Wulai]] (烏來) and [[Yangmingshan]] (陽明山). The culture of bathing in hot springs was introduced by the Japanese during the colonial period, and remains firmly entrenched in the local culture to this day. At traditional establishments segregated by sex, you may be expected to bathe nude. However, many other places, particular those geared for foreigners, are unisex and require a bathing suit. ===Hiking=== Taiwan is an island of huge mountains (more than two hundred peaks over 3,000m) and there are many hiking opportunities. [[Taroko Gorge]] is popular for its incredible scenery, and serious hikers can trek [[Yushan]] or Wuling Sixiu, among many others. Even in [[Taipei]] and [[New Taipei]] there are a variety of trails to suit hikers of any level. Serious trekking is rather complicated due to an advance booking requirement (usually 7 days) and lodging lottery&mdash;see http://np.cpami.gov.tw/. Permits are required for many trails, especially remote or multi-day hikes and some (though not all!) in national parks. Nevertheless, there are also many trails available that do not need an application. They are mostly day hikes, but you can always put together your trip sections as preferred&mdash;consult apps that use [http://www.openstreetmap.org OpenStreetMap], like [http://osmand.net/ OsmAnd] and [https://maps.me/ MAPS.ME]. They have comprehensive and reliable tracks available. ===Shrimping=== Popular locally, and gaining traction with foreign tourists due to YouTube and travel bloggers, is the pastime of indoor shrimp fishing. For an hourly rate (around NT$300/hr), you will be provided with a fishing rod and a seat at an indoor shrimp pool that is regularly stocked with large live Thai prawns. While drinking beer and enjoying the laid back environment, you will be afforded an opportunity to catch dinner with locals. Almost all locales have a few indoor shrimp fishing pools to seek out. Almost all double as restaurants with tables and ovens available for use, allowing you to cook your catch on-site and order additional dishes as needed. ===Events=== * '''[http://www.springscream.com/ Spring Scream]''' (春天吶喊) – A three day outdoor rock concert in [[Kenting]], held every year. In 2011, it will take place on 1–4 April. Tickets are NT$1,400 for all days, all venues; NT$650 for one day, one venue. Kenting's entire area gets swarmed by young people coming to party for 3 days, and Taiwanese TV heavily reports on the latest bikini fashions seen on the spot. Be aware, though, that police presence will be strong, as the festival has a reputation for being rife with illegal drugs. * '''Buddha's Birthday''' (佛祖誕辰) – Colorful but simple ceremonies are held at Buddhist monasteries that generally consist of washing a statue of the Buddha and a vegetarian feast. It is appropriate to make offerings to the monks and nuns at this time, though it is not mandatory. Lunar Calendar 8th day of 4th month. * '''Dragon Boat Festival''' (龍舟賽) – A festival to commemorate the death of the Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan (born 340 BC), who drowned himself in a river out of despair that his beloved country, Chu, was being plundered by a neighboring country as a result of betrayal by his own people. The festival falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (25 June 2020), and is marked by races of colorful dragon boats at various locations throughout the island. * '''Cherry Blossom Season''' (櫻花季) – Every spring, in [[Yangmingshan]] (陽明山). * '''Mazu Festival''' (媽祖生) – Festival commemorating the traditional birthday of Mazu, a traditional Chinese goddess who is popularly worshipped in Taiwan. The biggest celebration is an eight-day long "inspection tour" of a Mazu statue from the Zhenlan Temple in [[Taichung]] to the Chaotian Temple in [[Southern Taiwan|Beigang]] and back, though many other temples throughout Taiwan's main island and the outlying islands also conduct their own festivities. Lunar Calendar 23rd day of 3rd month. === Traditional pastimes === Generally speaking, traditional Chinese games such as [[Go]] (圍棋 ''wéiqí'') and [[Xiangqi|Chinese chess]] (象棋 ''xiàngqí'') are popular in Taiwan too. Both games are played at the professional level in Taiwan, and there are numerous tournaments that visitors may watch. While gambling is illegal in Taiwan, '''mahjong''' (Mandarin: 麻將 ''májiàng''; Taiwanese: 麻雀 ''moâ-chhiok'') remains popular. The Taiwanese version of the game derives from the Fujianese form, which differs significantly from the better known Cantonese and Japanese versions, most notably because a hand consists of 17 tiles instead of the 14 used in other versions. Mahjong in Taiwan is mostly a family and friends affair, and is usually played at social gatherings in people's houses. Mahjong clubs generally cater to groups of friends or family members looking to play together, though they can often assist in helping you find other players if you show up alone. While playing for money is not allowed at mahjong clubs due to Taiwan's anti-gambling laws, they will often allow you to exchange the points you win for various prizes. === Performing Arts === '''Glove puppet shows''' (布袋戲) originated in Fujian province on mainland China, and were brought to Taiwan by the first Han Chinese immigrants. Nevertheless, they have since been somewhat modernised and taken on some uniquely Taiwanese characteristics. Another traditional Taiwanese type of performance is '''Taiwanese opera''' (歌仔戲), which originated in [[Yilan]] based on traditional Chinese opera styles. == Buy == ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=New Taiwan dollars | currencyCode=NT$ | date=January 2022 | CNY=4.3 | EUR=31 | GBP=37 | JPY=24 | USD=28 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/twd-taiwan-new-dollar XE.com]}}The currency of Taiwan is the '''New Taiwan dollar''', denoted by the symbol "'''NT$'''" (新臺幣 or 臺幣, ISO code: '''NTD''', but also referred to as TWD). The NT dollar is known locally as NT, ''yuán'' (元 or more formally 圓) when written in Chinese or colloquially in Mandarin as the ''kuài'' (塊). One unit is known colloquially as the ''kho&#x358;'' (箍) in the Taiwanese dialect. One dollar is divided into 100 cents, known as a 分 (''fēn'') in Chinese. 10 cents is formally known as a 角 (''jiǎo''), and colloquially as a 毛 (''máo'') in Chinese. Any '''$''' sign you see in Taiwan or this travel guide for Taiwan generally refers to NTD unless it includes other initials (e.g. US$ for U.S. dollars). Banknotes come in denominations of NT$100, NT$200, NT$500, NT$1,000 and NT$2,000, while coins come in denominations of NT$½, NT$1, NT$5, NT$10, NT$20 and NT$50. The NT$½ coin is rarely seen or accepted because of its low value, and the price of raw materials used to make the coin is more than the face value of the coin. Taiwanese currency is fully convertible and there are no restrictions on taking currency into or out of the island. Currency exchange is possible internationally, although you will get a much better rate if you wait until you arrive at the airport to exchange currency at the 24-hour window. Most banks in Taipei and Kaohsiung will also exchange money or offer cash advances on credit or debit cards. Should you bring American currency, bring newer bills as the banks and exchange-centers (such as in department stores) will only accept the newer notes (notes from 1996 and 2003 are not accepted at most places, due to a high proportion of forgeries bearing these years). Notes which are torn or damaged will probably not be changed, and old-style small-bust notes are not accepted, including the US$2 bill no matter when it was printed. Taiwan National Bank will take older bank notes and bank notes that are wrinkled or torn for exchange. Department stores will not exchange notes older than 1997. Don't forget to show your passport! ====ATMs==== Taiwan has abundant ATMs to withdraw cash from using the Plus or Cirrus systems. Certain banks' ATMs will even tell you your available balance in your own currency or in NT$. There is a per transaction limit of NT$20,000 for ATM cash withdrawals (HSBC Global Access customers may withdraw NT$30,000 from HSBC ATMs). Post office ATMs will ''not'' accept cards without an EMV chip. However, ATMs are sometimes out of cash, especially in remote (mountain) regions. So, make sure you stock up on cash early enough. 7-Eleven ATMs charge NT$100 per transaction, whilst those in Family Marts do not charge a fee. ====Credit cards==== Most hotels and department stores accept credit cards, generally Visa, MasterCard, and JCB. Diners Club, Discover and American Express cards are seldom accepted. Most restaurants and small stores do not accept cards, and cash is the main form of payment. Because street crime is rare, it is common for people in Taiwan to carry large amounts of cash with them. ===== Mobile Wallets ===== Unlike mainland China, QR code based mobile wallet payments are not quite ubiquitous or essential to the point that a visitor would have a hard time without one. In addition, Taiwan's mobile wallet apps generally require foreigners to register with an ARC, limiting the ability of visitors to use it. However, LINE Pay, one of the most popular, is cross-compatible with its counterparts in Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, meaning that if you already have a LINE Pay account from one of those countries, it can be used with any linked credit or debit card to make payments at stores in Taiwan that take LINE Pay. Your card will be directly charged in NT$; LINE Pay does not automatically convert to your account currency. This can reduce the amount of cash you need to carry around as some shops that otherwise do not take card payments will take LINE Pay and other mobile wallets. ====Banks==== If you are planning on staying in Taiwan for a longer time, you should consider opening a Taiwanese bank account. While many of the large foreign banks such as Citibank and HSBC have branches in Taiwan, they often require huge deposits in order for you to open an account, so you might wish to consider one of the major local banks such as the Bank of Taiwan instead. You will need to bring your passport and UI number in order to open an account. The UI number is the number on the Alien Residence Card for those on long-term visas. For short-term tourists, they can obtain an "UI No. Basic Information Form" for free from the local Immigration Agency office, but this is not accepted by all banks. The larger banks will often have English-speaking staff available to assist foreigners. === Costs === Costs in Taiwan are generally lower than in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, but higher than in Southeast Asia and mainland China. For a budget traveler on a bare-bones budget, NT$1,000 will get you by for a day, but you'll probably want to double that for comfort. A meal at a street stall may cost NT$50 or less, a meal at a Western fast food restaurant will run you about NT$150 and at the fanciest restaurants, you can expect a bill in excess of NT$1,000. On the high end of the spectrum, hotel rooms at a swanky hotel might cost NT$5,000 or more. Costs diminish significantly the further you go out of the big cities. Taxis are quite reasonable and often have a set fare for common destinations, so ask in advance and haggle if you disagree. === Tipping === Tipping is generally '''not''' practiced in Taiwan. Bellhops in high end hotels and porters at airports are an exception and should be given NT$50 per bag. Also, tipping to show appreciation for exceptional service is not uncommon. Tipping is also not expected in taxis and drivers would usually return your change to the last dollar. In place of tips is a 10% service charge when dining at most full-service restaurants which is automatically added to the bill. ===Shopping=== [[File:Linjiang Street Night Market 20040610.jpg|thumb|A typical night market in Taiwan may sell anything from food to clothing to fortune telling services]] As in many Asian countries, night markets are a staple of Taiwanese entertainment, shopping and eating. Night markets are open-air markets, usually on a street or alleyway, with vendors selling all sorts of wares on every side. In the larger cities you will have a night market every night and in the same place. In smaller cities, they are only open certain nights of the week, and may move to different streets depending on the day of the week. Every city has at least one night market; larger cities like [[Taipei]] may have a dozen or more. Night markets are crowded, so remember to watch out for your wallet! Shops selling the same items tend to congregate in the same part of the city. If you want to buy something, ask someone to take you to one shop and there will probably be shops selling similar things nearby. There are many shopping centers in Taipei where prices are usually fixed and goods are genuine. Otherwise, shopping streets in larger cities like [[Kaohsiung]] and [[Taichung]] can also easily get you what you want. And of course, there is the trendy Ximending (西門町) in Taipei, where you can pretty much find anything associated with the youths, also at fixed prices. Computer chain shops and department stores normally have fixed prices, but at least in department stores you may get a "registered member discount" if you're shopping a lot. Prices at smaller stores and even some hostels are normally cash prices. If you like to use a credit card, the seller normally wants to add anything up to 8% to the price as a "card fee" etc. The fee consists actually of the credit company's commission and also the local sales tax/VAT. If you pay cash, you might not get an official receipt, as then the seller would have to report and pay their taxes in full. If you ask for a receipt or "fa piao" (發票), you will get it but you may need to pay 3-5% more. ===Bargaining=== Whilst [[bargaining]] was OK in the past and expected in night markets as well as smaller stores, nowadays most prices are fixed. Taiwan has become a sophisticated and wealthy country where most Taiwanese, especially from the cities, generally do not request discounts and any such are likely to receive a friendly ''No''. Nevertheless, you will encounter different prices, e.g. cut fruits will cost NT$30 at the Night Market, but NT$80 in tourist areas. However, it is possible to get a discount of NT$20-100 when renting a motorbike/bicycle, searching for accommodation or such, depending on the circumstances and time of day. While you might miss a general bargaining culture and be bewildered by the general bargain inflexibility of Taiwanese, it can on the other hand be calming to know that no one will try to rip you off as it is common in other less-developed Southeast Asian countries. === What to buy === Popular things to buy include: * '''Jade'''. Although it can be hard to know for sure if the item you're buying is real jade or not, some beautiful objects are sold. Most cities have a specific jade market dealing in jade and other precious stones. * '''Computers'''. Taiwan designs and produces a lot of desktops, laptops, and PC peripherals. Travelers might be interested in visiting the large Information Technology Market at Taiwan for the best prices. Desktop computers and components tend to be the same price in Taiwan as in other areas of the world, though peripherals such as cables and adapters tend to be noticeably cheaper. If you're buying domestic, it's best to go to tourist hangouts to buy your stuff as you might be saddled with Chinese documentation otherwise. Also, notebooks are typically only available with a Chinese Bopomofo and English keyboard. * '''Lingzhi''' (靈芝). A type of bracket fungus that is often used as a Chinese herb. It supposedly has many health benefits with an apparent absence of side effects, earning it a high reputation in East Asian countries and making it rather expensive. Taiwanese lingzhi is particularly famous for being of the highest quality. * '''[[Tea]]'''. Taiwan is particularly famous for its oolong tea (烏龍茶) due to the island's predominant Fujianese culture; it is available at many tea shops. Tea tasting in Chinese culture is akin to wine tasting in Western culture and you will find many grades of this same type of tea, with different methods of treating the tea leaves. * '''[[w:Iron egg|Iron eggs]]''' (鐵蛋) irresistible delicacy In order to protect the environment, a government policy rules that plastic bags cannot be given freely at stores in Taiwan, but have to be bought (at a flat rate of NT$1)—bakeries being an exception as the items need to be hygienically wrapped. Re-usable canvas and nylon bags are sold at most supermarkets. == Eat == {{seealso|Chinese cuisine}} {{infobox|Stinky tofu|Undoubtedly the most infamous Taiwanese delicacy, stinky tofu (臭豆腐 ''chòudòufu'') is fermented tofu with a strong odor often likened to rotting garbage. It's usually sold only by outdoor stalls, as the smell would overwhelm most restaurants, but if you can hold your nose long enough to eat it, the taste is quite mild &mdash; but with distinct earthy overtones that many visitors find off-putting. It's most commonly eaten fried, but for extra Fear Factor points, find some ''mala'' hotpot (麻辣鍋) with stinky tofu and gelatinized duck blood.}} [[File:Food_BeefNoodleSoup.JPG|thumb|Taiwanese beef noodle soup]] [[File:Food_AiyuLemonJelly.JPG|thumb|Lemon ''aiyu'' jelly]] Taiwan is a food lover's paradise, and a popular culinary tourism destination for East and Southeast Asian tourists. While not as highly regarded as the food from Hong Kong due to the traditionally high status Cantonese cuisine holds in Chinese culture, Taiwanese food has become more respected. Generally speaking, the foods of Taiwan are derived from '''mainland Chinese cuisines'''. Because most Taiwanese trace their ancestry to [[Fujian]], it comes as no surprise that much of Taiwanese cuisine was derived from the cuisine of Fujian. It is also possible to find [[Szechuan]] (四川) food, [[Hunan]] (湖南) food, [[Dongbei]] (東北) food, [[Guangdong|Cantonese]] (廣東) food and almost every other Chinese cuisine on the island, because many famous chefs from the mainland fled to Taiwan after the communist victory in 1949, and many of the Nationalists brought their family recipes with them when retreating from the mainland. That being said, Taiwanese cuisine has absorbed substantial local influences, and significant Japanese influences because of 50 years of Japanese colonial rule, giving it a unique character that distinguishes it from its mainland Chinese counterparts. The Taiwanese are also passionately in love with eggs and seafood. Fruits are another famous part of Taiwanese food. A wide range of fruits can be found at local fruit shops and stations. The subtropical climate allows different fruits to grow nicely. Taiwan also has many of its own '''local specialties'''. A few found island wide include: * '''[[w:Beef noodles|Beef Noodles]]''' (牛肉麵 ''niúròu miàn'') – Noodle soup with chunks of meltingly soft stewed beef and a dash of pickles derived from the cuisines of Sichuan. * '''[[w:Oyster omelette|Oyster omelette]]''' (蚵仔煎 ''ó āh jiān'' – This is the Taiwanese name, as its Chinese name only exists in characters, but not in oral Mandarin), a dish made from eggs, oysters, sweet potato flour and the leaves of a local chrysanthemum, topped with sweet red sauce. The local version in [[Kinmen]] differs quite considerably from the version on the main island, and is closer to the versions served in mainland China's Fujian province. * '''[[w:Aiyu jelly|Aiyu jelly]]''' (愛玉 ''àiyù'') – Made from the seeds of a local fig and usually served on ice &mdash; sweet, cool and refreshing on a hot day * '''Taiwan Sausage''' (香腸 ''xiāngcháng'') – Usually made from pork, it is a modified version of the Cantonese ''laap cheong'' (臘腸) which has been emulsified and is much sweeter in taste. Unlike ''laap cheong'', which is almost always eaten with rice, Taiwanese ''xiangchang'' is usually eaten on its own with some garlic. * '''Taiwanese Orange''' (柳丁 ''liŭdīng'') – A type of citrus fruit which is similar to usual oranges, except that the skin and flesh tend to look more yellowish like lemon. Unlike lemon, it is usually quite sweet. * '''Taiwanese Porridge''' (粥 ''zhōu'' in Mandarin, 糜 ''beh'' in Taiwanese) — Rice porridge cooked with sweet potato eaten all across China but most commonly in Fujian. It is usually eaten with several different dishes or eaten by people with illnesses. * '''[[w:Braised pork rice|Braised pork rice]]''' (滷肉飯 ''lǔ ròu fàn'') – Rice topped with pork belly that has been stewed in dark soy sauce and other spices and chopped into tiny pieces. A classic Taiwanese comfort dish. For a less fatty version, ask for 肉燥飯 (''ròu zào fàn''), which uses minced pork instead. * '''[[w:Taiwan Railway Bento|Railway Bento]]''' (臺鐵便當 ''Tái tiě biàndang'') - A national culinary icon and Taiwanese train tradition, this takeaway dish, based on the Japanese ''ekiben'', is a holdover of the Japanese colonial era, and celebrated in Taiwan. The most popular bento is the braised pork cutlet bento. You can find this dish at major TRA train stations throughout Taiwan (though locals compare the quality of railway bento on a station-by-station basis), but adaptations are sold by various restaurants across Taiwan. Towns famous for their local versions of railway bentos include [[Fulong]], [[Chishang]] and [[Alishan|Fenchihu]]. Most cities and towns in Taiwan are famous for special foods because of the Taiwanese passion for food and influences from many different countries. For example, Ilan (宜蘭) is famous for its mochi (麻吉), a sticky rice snack often flavored with sesame, peanuts or other flavorings. [[Yungho|Yonghe]] (永和), a suburb of Taipei, is famous for its freshly made soy milk (豆漿) and breakfast foods. [[Taichung]] is famous for its sun cakes (太陽餅 ''tàiyáng bǐng''), a kind of sweet stuffed pastry. In [[Chiayi]], it's square cookies, also called cubic pastry (方塊酥), crispy layered cookies cut into squares and sprinkled liberally with sesame seeds. [[Tainan]] is particularly famous among the Taiwanese for its abundance of good food and should be a stop for all gourmands. The most famous dish is arguably the ''coffin bread'' (棺材板). Virtually every city has its own famous specialties; many Taiwanese tourists will visit other cities on the island simply to try the local foods and then return home. Taiwan also has remarkably good '''bakery items'''. Most specialize in sweet Chinese pastries or Western pastries adjusted to local tastes, but look out for ''We Care'' bakeries which also offer Western options such as whole wheat loaves, sour breads and ciabatta. Vegetarians are better catered for in restaurants and variety than in most other countries. Michelin publishes a [https://guide.michelin.com/tw/en/taipei-region/taipei guide] to restaurants in Taipei. That said, it does not cover the whole of Taiwan, and most locals only take the Michelin guide with a pinch of salt. === Places to eat === If you're on a budget, the cheapest food can be found in back-alley noodle shops and night market stalls, where you can get a filling bowl of noodles for around NT$35-70. The Taiwanese love to snack and even many restaurants advertise ''xiaochi'' (小吃), literally "small eats", the Taiwanese equivalent of Cantonese ''dim sum''. There are also the standard '''fast food''' places such as McDonalds (a standard Big Mac Meal costs NT$115), KFC and MOS Burger. In addition there are large numbers of convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven and Family Mart) that sell things like tea eggs, sandwiches, bento boxes (便當盒) and drinks. Night markets are also a good place to try some delicious local Taiwanese fare at attractive prices. Examples would be the Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) in [[Taipei]] and the Ruifeng Night Market (瑞豐夜市) in [[Kaohsiung]], each of which has its own special dishes not to be missed. === Etiquette === As with Chinese cuisine elsewhere, food in Taiwan is generally eaten with chopsticks and served on large plates placed at the center of the table and shared among multiple people. Oftentimes, a serving spoon or pair of chopsticks (公筷 ''gōngkuài'') accompanies the dishes and guests do not use their own chopsticks to transfer food to their plates. The usual traditional Chinese taboos when eating with chopsticks apply in Taiwan as well. For instance, do not stick your chopsticks straight up or into your bowl of rice. This is reminiscent of incense sticks at a temple, and has connotations of wishing death upon those around you. When putting down chopsticks, either place them on the provided porcelain chopstick rest (at fancier restaurants) or rest the chopsticks across the top of your bowl. Also, do not use your chopsticks to spear your food or move bowls and plates. See [[Chinese cuisine#Etiquette|Chinese table etiquette]] for more details. Although there are minor differences between Taiwanese and mainland Chinese etiquette, much of traditional Chinese table manners apply to Taiwan too. === Dietary restrictions === ====Vegetarians==== [[File:Sush Manji.JPG|thumb|The characters 素食 signal the availability of vegetarian food]] All Mahayana Buddhists, which account for the majority of adherents in Taiwan, aspire to be pure '''vegetarian''' in deference to the Buddha's teaching of non-violence and compassion. So, vegetarian restaurants (called ''su-shi'' 素食 ''tsan-ting'' 餐廳 in Mandarin, and often identified with the 卍 symbol, in this context a Buddhist symbol) can be found in abundance all over the island, and they run from cheap buffet style to gourmet and organic. Buffet styled restaurants (called 自助餐, which means "Serve Yourself Restaurant") are common in almost every neighborhood in large cities, and unlike the 'all-you-can-eat' buffets (which charge a set price, usually ranging from NT$250-350 including dessert and coffee/tea), the cost is estimated by the weight of the food on your plate. Rice (there is usually a choice of brown or white) is charged separately, but soup or cold tea is free and you can refill as many times as you like. NT$90-120 will buy you a good sized, nutritious meal. However, if you cannot find a veggie restaurant, don't fret. Taiwanese people are very flexible and most restaurants will be happy to cook you up something to suit your requirements. The following sentences in Mandarin might be helpful: 我吃素 (''Wǒ chī sù'') - I'm vegetarian, 我不吃肉 (''Wǒ bù chī ròu'') - I don't eat meat. However, as Mandarin is a tonal language, you might need to say both, plus practice your acting skills to get yourself understood. Good luck! NB: If a restaurant refuses your order, don't push the issue. The reason will not be an unwillingness to accommodate your request, but because the basic ingredients of their dishes may include chicken broth or pork fat. Taiwanese vegetarianism (素食) isn't simply vegetarianism, for there is a notion of "plainness" to it. In most cases it excludes items such onion, ginger, and garlic. Buddhists and Taoists consider these items "un-plain" because they potentially cause physical excitement, which could hinder the meditative process. Thus, when offering food to a strict vegetarian, be aware that they may not eat food containing onion, ginger, and garlic. Although vegetarian restaurants in Taiwan do not aspire to '''vegan''' principles, almost all non-dessert dishes at Chinese style veggie restaurants will actually be vegan because Taiwanese do not have a tradition of eating dairy products. Ensure that your dish does not contain eggs, however. ====Allergies==== Awareness of '''food allergies''' is limited in Taiwan. If you can speak Chinese, you can ask restaurant staff about whether the food contains common allergens like peanuts or shellfish, and depending on the chef, they may be able to make some adjustments to accommodate you. Don't expect that level of accommodation from night markets stalls though. A serious '''soy''' allergy is basically incompatible with Taiwanese cuisine due to the prevalence of soy sauce as an ingredient, and '''gluten-free''' diets are very difficult to come by due to the very low incidence of celiac disease in Taiwan. '''Dairy''' is not commonly used in traditional Taiwanese cuisine, so avoiding it should be straightforward for lactose-intolerant people. ====Religious diets==== People on religious diets will have a ''hard time'' in Taiwan, and you will need to do some planning in advance. [[Islam|Muslims]] should contact the [http://www.cmainroc.org.tw Chinese Muslim Association] for advice on where to find ''halal'' food, while [[Judaism|Jews]] should contact the [https://www.jewish.tw/ Chabad Taiwan] for information on where to find ''kosher'' food. == Drink == [[File:HeySong beverage vending machine 20120917.jpg|thumb|Drinks vending machine in Taiwan]] As Taiwan is a subtropical island with the south part in the tropics, it cannot hurt to drink a lot, especially during summertime. Drink vending machines can be found virtually everywhere and are filled with all kinds of juices, tea and coffee drinks, soy milk and mineral water. === Alcohol === Taiwan's legal age to consume alcohol is 18 years of age. Minors caught drinking can face fines ranging from NT$10,000-50,000. Traditional alcoholic drinks in Taiwan are very strong. '''Kaoliang''' (高粱酒) from [[Kinmen]] is the most famous alcoholic drink. A distilled grain liquor, it is extremely strong, usually 140 proof or more, and often drunk straight. Taiwan also produces many types of '''Shaoxing''' (紹興酒), rice wine, which are considered by many as being some of the best in the world. While a relatively newcomer to the scene, Taiwanese '''[[whisky]]''' (威士忌) has been making waves in the 21st century, with local whiskey brand [http://www.kavalanwhisky.com/ Kavalan] having emerged from obscurity to win numerous prestigious international awards. Taiwanese people enjoy beer on ice. A wide variety of imported beers are available, but the standard is '''Taiwan Beer''' (台灣啤酒), produced by a former government monopoly. It is brewed with fragrant penglai rice in addition to barley giving it a distinctive flavor. The beer is served cold and recognized as an especially suitable complement to Taiwanese and Japanese cuisine, especially seafood dishes such as sushi and sashimi. Taiwan Beer has won international awards, including the International Monde Selection in 1977 and the Brewing Industry International Awards in 2002. Beer on tap is uncommon in Taiwan, and most places serve beer in bottles. For a special and rare treat, ask for the Taiwan Draft Beer (台灣生啤酒), which comes in a plain green bottle. This has a 2-week expiration, so it can only be found at the breweries (there are a few scattered around Taiwan) or at select stores and restaurants in the vicinity. === Tea and coffee === [[File:TimeForTea BubbleTea.JPG|thumb|Pearl milk tea and pudding milk tea, [[Chiayi]]]] Taiwan's specialty teas are '''High Mountain Oolong''' (高山烏龍, ''Gao-shan wulong''), a fragrant light tea, and '''Tie Guan-yin''' (鐵觀音), a dark, rich brew. Enjoying this tea, served in the traditional way using a very small teapot and tiny cups, is an experience you should not miss. This way of taking tea is called ''lao ren cha'' (老人茶), 'old people's tea', and the name is derived from the fact that only the elderly traditionally had the luxury of time to relax and enjoy tea in this way. Check the small print when visiting a traditional tea house though: in addition to the tea itself, you may be charged a cover (茶水費, literally "tea-water fee") for the elaborate process of preparing it and for any nibbles served on the side. One should also try '''Lei cha''' (擂茶; léi chá) a tasty and nourishing Hakka Chinese tea-based dish consisting of a mix ground tea leaves and rice. Some stores specialize in this product and allows one to grind their own lei cha. As with Chinese teas elsewhere, Chinese teas in Taiwan are always drunk neat, with the use of milk or sugar unknown. However, Taiwan is also the birthplace of pearl milk tea, which uses sugar and milk. '''Pearl milk tea''' (珍珠奶茶 ''zhēnzhū nǎichá''), aka "bubble tea" or "boba tea", is milky tea with chewy balls of tapioca added, drunk through an over-sized straw. Invented in Taiwan in the early 1980s and a huge Asia-wide craze in the 1990s, it's not quite as popular as it once was but can still be found at nearly every coffee or tea shop. Look for a shop where it is freshly made. There are two cafes that maintain rival claims to having invented the drink: '''[https://chunshuitang.com.tw/ Chun Shui Tang]''' (春水堂) in [[Taichung]] and '''[http://www.hanlin-tea.com.tw/ Hanlin Tea Room]''' (翰林茶館) in [[Tainan]]. The '''cafe culture''' has hit Taiwan in a big way, and in addition to an abundance of privately owned cafes, all the major chains, such as Starbucks, have a multitude of branches throughout major towns and cities. === Soft drinks === Taiwan is a great place for fruit drinks. Small fruit-juice bars make them fresh on the spot and are experts at creating fruit-juice cocktails (non-alcoholic, of course). ''zong-he'' (mixed) is usually a sweet and sour combination and ''mu-gwa niou-nai'' (木瓜牛奶) is iced papaya milk. If you don't want ice (though it is safe in Taiwan, even at road side vendors) say, ''chu bing'' (去冰) and no sugar (''wu tang'' (無糖)). '''Soy milk''', or ''doujiang'' (豆漿), is a great treat. Try it hot or cold. Savory soy milk is a traditional Taiwanese breakfast dish. It is somewhat of an acquired taste as vinegar is added to curdle the milk. Both sweet and savory soy milk are often ordered with you-tiao (油條), or deep fried dough crullers. There are a lot of pseudo health drinks in Taiwanese supermarkets and convenience stores. Look out for asparagus juice and lavender milk tea for example. == Sleep == [[File:GrandHotel Fountain.JPG|thumb|250px|The Grand Hotel, Taipei]] ===Types=== * For the budget-minded, there are '''hostels''' in Taipei and most other sizable cities. Some hostels are under table which mean they don't have valid license. * '''Motels''' (汽車旅館) can be easily found in suburbs of major cities. Despite the name, these have little if anything to do with the cheap functional hotels that use the name elsewhere; in Taiwan, motels are intended for '''romantic trysts''' and can be quite extravagant in decor and facilities. Many feature enormous baths with massage jets, separate massage showers, marble tiles, and so forth. Suites come with flat screen TVs and centrally controlled sound systems. During the daytime, most offer "rests" (休息) of a few hours, and indeed check-in times for overnight stays (住宿) can be as late at 22:00. [[Taichung]] is considered the motel-capital of Taiwan. * Taiwanese '''hotels''' range in quality from seedy to very luxurious. Despite the complexities of doing business with both mainland China and Taiwan, most Western hotel chains operate in Taiwan such as Sheraton, Westin and Hyatt. Also, there are plenty of five-star hotels around. Keep in mind, however, that many of the international hotels tend to be outrageously expensive, while comparable and much cheaper accommodation is usually available in the same vicinity. For example, the airport hotel at CKS International charges about three or four times as much as a hotel in Taoyuan which is a half hour cab ride away. Taxi drivers and tourist offices are invaluable resources for finding cheaper hotels. * A uniquely Taiwanese form of accommodation is known as the '''''minsu''''' (民宿), which is similar to Bed and Breakfast accommodation that you usually find in the UK. Although typically cheaper than hotels, the facilities can often be as good as those of some higher end hotels, and many are designed around a specific theme (like fairy tale castle, nature lodge) Accommodation at a minsu typically includes breakfast the next morning, and higher end ones sometimes also give you the option of having a home-cooked style dinner. The downside is that most minsu are either in residential suburbs or in the countryside, meaning that transportation is typically less convenient that at centrally located hotels, and the availability of wi-fi can be a hit or miss. In addition, most minsu advertise in Chinese only. * '''Camping''' does not seem to be an issue in Taiwan and is available in many areas, even in national parks like [[Kenting National Park]]. Although, in [[Taroko Gorge|Taroko Gorge (National Park)]] you will have to pay for the camp ground. In general, a small fees may apply at official camp grounds. Inquire with the local tourist information center where it is possible to camp and where not. Also, be aware there are "poisonous snakes and wasps" signs all over the country. So, make sure you know where you are camping, and how to keep out "unwanted guests". Consult a map like [http://openpoimap.org/?map=hotels&zoom=14&lat=21.93964&lon=120.72386&layers=B00FFTFFFFFFFF OpenStreetMap], which many mobile Apps like [http://osmand.net/ OsmAnd], and [https://maps.me/ MAPS.ME], use, to find existing camp grounds or good locations. ===Remarks=== Nowadays, '''walk-ins''' are often more expensive that online bookings, especially with bigger hotels. It often seems, they cannot even beat their own online prices and you might need to book online instead of paying in cash on-sight&mdash;they will even courteously offer their WiFi for you to do that. Either way, it is advisable that you know what is the actual price online, which gives you a good bargaining ground. Sometimes they will quote a higher price, sometimes they will give you NT$50 less, but often it is just the online price. If you are still in need of a discount, send the ho(s)tel an email or WeChat/Line message quoting the online price. Some will give you 10 % discount on the online price this way, especially for same day short notice bookings. Generally, short notice bookings will give you a better price, since hotels are trying to sell their stock at a bargain price last-minute. However, do not try this for Saturday/Sunday or Holiday/Holiday bookings, this will leave you with bad or no options. Many hotels in Taiwan have both Chinese and Western names, which can differ radically. Find out and bring along the Chinese name (in Chinese characters), as locals will usually not be able to identify the English ones. Hotel beds in Taiwan are generally much harder than in the West because of the old Asian tradition to sleep on a wood board. Modern mattresses can be found in most hotels, but only in the most upscale Western style hotels will you find beds in a real western style. Many accommodations are not staffed 24/7, but they will leave a contact at their door. Often this will be a '''WeChat''' or '''Line''' contact, which are like WhatsApp. Thus, it makes sense to get these apps while traveling in Taiwan. Agoda seems to list more accommodation options than Booking for Taiwan. However, Agoda's way of claiming additional fees and stating dorm bed availability is a little dodgy. It often says "1 person in a dorm" but then "Occupancy: 2 adults". So, better to book each person separately just in case. Also, never choose the option to get charged in you credit card's home currency (€, US$, or so). This will give you a very bad exchange rate. Always select "TWD" as charged currency&mdash;in this case your home bank is indeed your friend. '''Or''' just get the displayed address/GPS, which is always fully displayed, and walk into the hotel. == Learn == Taiwan is home to several good universities, many of which have exchange agreements with various foreign universities, and these are a good way to experience life in Taiwan. The most prestigious university in Taiwan is the '''[https://www.ntu.edu.tw/english/ National Taiwan University]''' (國立臺灣大學). === Mandarin Chinese === Some universities in Taiwan have Chinese Promoting Programs (華語文推廣中心) that offers Chinese lessons to foreigners who wish to live in Taiwan or to learn Mandarin Chinese as their second or foreign language. The romanisation system taught here nowadays is Hanyu Pinyin (漢語拼音), whereas in the past they taught Zhuyin (注音), or BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). The writing system taught is Traditional Chinese and the form of Mandarin is based on the Beijing dialect but the Taiwanese accent is quite noticeable. === [[Martial arts]] === There are many styles of '''kung fu''' (功夫) taught in Taiwan, largely by masters who came here with the Kuomintang in the late 1940s. Styles include Ba Gua (八卦), Tai Chi (太極), Wing Chun (詠春), Praying Mantis (螳螂), Shway (水) Shiao and various weapons systems. Many of the students are westerners in these classes, which has led to the rise of several [http://www.theallegra.com/ NHB Allegra] schools, and Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Russian Sambo, Japanese Aikido. Some of the more famous teachers will provide you with the paperwork needed to extend a student visa twice. Taekwondo is also extremely popular and is often a mandatory part of school children's physical education. == Work == [[File:Kaohsiung birdseyeview.jpg|thumb|Kaohsiung skyline]] The majority of travelers who work in Taiwan pick up temporary jobs [[teaching English]]. Jobs teaching other languages (mainly European or Japanese) do exist but have a much smaller proportion of the market. '''Job requirements''': In finding employment with a language school, experience, teaching qualifications and references are not required but obviously help. On paper, a big issue is also made about accents, with the North American English accent being heavily favored over British, Australian and South African accents in many language schools' sales marketing. However, in practice, many schools that advertise 'American English' and claim that their teachers are all from Canada or the USA, actually employ teachers from anywhere. Age is a factor, with applicants in their 20s seemingly being preferred. More than anything, appearance is probably the major factor in finding employment with most schools—Do you 'look Western'?—and reliability and turning up on time for work is then the major factor for keeping your job. Therefore, if you look the part, it is very easy to find a school willing to take you on for at least a few days. This 'look Western' point has quite a bearing. Unfortunately, Taiwan is hardly a great promoter of '''equal opportunities'''. In many schools there is a prejudice against teachers applying for jobs who are not of white appearance, seen as the typical Western appearance in Asian countries. This is independent of whether or not the teacher has relevant teaching ability and citizenship of one of the permitted ARC countries. Many parents who send their children to schools to be taught English expect the teacher to look like they are from the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and so on, and so the decision on the part of the school managers is mainly about economics. For those affected by this, it's a sad fact of Taiwan that is unlikely to change in the near future. Good employers without such prejudiced requirements do exist, but greater perseverance is needed when looking for them. It is illegal to work without a '''work permit''' and an ARC (or Alien Residency Permit), and legal work requires a university degree and usually a long (over two month) application process. Alternatively, if you have a lot of money, you can obtain an '''investor visa''' by investing a large sum of money in a local business, which allows you to work for that company in a management capacity. However, illegal employment is easy to find with many school managers being willing to pay under the table for short durations. If caught or reported, you risk criminal charges and could be deported. The government tends to waver from being very lax on this issue under one administration to suddenly taking action under the next; but it only takes one disgruntled student to report you and have you fined and deported. Consider your options carefully! The '''rules for getting an ARC''' do change often and each administrative part of Taiwan has its own ways of handling them, so it is best to check the pages of the [http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/index.php website Forumosa] and find out what the experiences of others are in your area. Keep in mind, that you can only get an ARC for English teaching if you are a 'citizen of a native English speaking country'. Taiwan's government defines these countries to be only the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. Almost all teachers apply for an ARC through their employers only after starting work and it is tied to their ongoing employment with that school. Therefore, if the teacher wishes to leave their employment, they will have to quickly find an alternative employer or lose their ARC and hence be required to leave Taiwan. Also, very few schools will arrange an ARC without at least a year-long contract being signed. Frankly, with all this inflexibility, it's no wonder so many teachers opt for the non-legal route. That and tax evasion. Citizens of Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland and Canada aged 18–30 can apply for a '''working holiday visa'''. For more information, visit the [http://www.boca.gov.tw/lp.asp?ctNode=783&CtUnit=80&BaseDSD=7&mp=2 Bureau of Consular Affairs website]. After living in Taiwan continuously for 5 years, you may apply for '''permanent residency'''. If granted, it allows you to live and work in Taiwan indefinitely without restrictions. A lot of the illegal teaching work that the majority of English teachers partake in is simply through '''private student''' tuition with payment being cash-in-hand. You can find a lot of private students around universities that have a Chinese-teaching department—look for the areas where all the foreign students are and check the noticeboards. Because the majority of adult private students want to practice English conversation, you won't need to have any Chinese ability. However, it is definitely a selling point and, if you do have Chinese-speaking ability, it's worthwhile mentioning that in any advertising of your services. Also, once you have some regular students, remember that in Taiwan, as in most Asian countries, 'connections' or 'guanxi' are very important. If your students like you, they will in all likelihood recommend you to their family and friends. Teaching English in Taiwan can be lucrative, as the '''salaries''' are very high compared to the cost of living, typically ranging NT$500-650 per hour before deductions in most language schools, with anything between NT$500-1,000 per hour being negotiable for private students. In the past few years, the flow of would-be teachers into Taiwan has increased dramatically, resulting in stiffer competition for jobs and a general drop in wages, and this trend may continue. Employers of English teachers are notorious for racial discrimination. White people are much more likely to get better offers than those of other races, regardless of ability. Aside from English-teaching, '''other common kinds of employment''' available for mainly native English-speaking travelers include such tid-bits as small acting parts for TV and film, voice talent (video games, dubbing tracks, etc.), editing and even writing educational materials. Many of these jobs are advertised on billboards in Chinese language-teaching institutes and universities, where there are likely to be many foreign students. If after traveling and living there, you find you are '''serious about working in Taiwan''', the most lucrative employment to be had is if you are employed by a multinational company, perhaps in a high-paying country like the UK, U.S. or Australia, and you are sent across to their office in Taiwan. Many foreigners end up doing the same job as their colleagues who were employed in the Taiwan office, but for perhaps 3 or 4 times their pay. == Stay safe == {{warningbox|'''Taiwan treats drug offenses ''extremely'' severely.''' The '''death penalty is mandatory''' for those convicted of trafficking, manufacturing, importing or exporting more than 15 g of heroin, 30 g of morphine, 30 g of cocaine, 500 g of cannabis, 200 g of cannabis resin and 1.2 kg of opium, and possession of these quantities is all that is needed for you to be convicted. Unauthorized consumption can result in up to 10 years' jail, or a heavy fine, or both. You can be charged for unauthorized consumption as long as traces of illicit drugs are found in your system, even if you can prove that they were consumed outside the country and you can be charged for trafficking as long as drugs are found in bags that are in your possession or in your room, even if they aren't yours and regardless of whether you're aware of them. Therefore, be vigilant of your possessions.}} === Crime === [[File:CKS Airport drugs sign.JPG|thumb|A sign at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport warns arriving travelers that drug trafficking is a capital offense in the country.]] Taiwan is very safe for tourists, even for women walking down the street alone at night. This is not to say, however, that there is no crime, and you should always exercise caution. In crowded areas such as night markets or festivals, for example, [[pickpockets]] are a known problem. However, it is fair to say that the streets of Taiwan are generally very safe and that violent crime and muggings are very rare. In addition, it is also very unusual to see drunks on the street, day or night. Like anywhere else in the world, women should be cautious when taking taxis alone late at night. Although they are generally safe, it's a good idea to arrange to have a friend call you when you get home and to be seen making the arrangements for this by the cab driver. It also helps if a friend sees you being picked up as taxis have visible license numbers. As an additional safety precaution, tell taxi drivers just the street name and section instead of your exact address. [[File:RPO First Police Section Taoyaun Police Station in Taoyuan Station.jpg|thumb|A police station in Taiwan]] Police departments in most jurisdictions have a Foreign Affairs Police unit staffed by English-speaking officers. When reporting a major crime, it is advisable to contact the Foreign Affairs unit in addition to officers at the local precinct. Police stations are marked with a red light above the door and display a sign with the word "Police" clearly printed in English. For more information see the [http://www.npa.gov.tw National Police Agency website ]. Foreign victims of a major crime in Taiwan are also advised to report the matter to their government's representative office in Taipei. Also, remember that you call 110 for police in Taiwan, and 119 for fire department or medical help. Most of the public telephone booths allow you to call 110 or 119 for free. See "Emergency Phone Numbers" section below. Taiwan is home to many triads (Chinese organized crime syndicates), although they almost never target the average person in the street, and most tourists will not encounter them. Many operate human trafficking rings involving the sale of poor women from Southeast Asia into sex slavery that the government has struggled to tackle. They are also often involved in illegal betting and loansharking, so it is best to be prudent and avoid these. ===Military exercises=== [[File:20160225 台東縣政新聞 萬安39號演習25日下午實施 9ebfd80f-d8a3-4444-8eca-58d3473dff15.jpg|thumb|Evacuated streets during Wan-an Exercise.]] The Taiwanese military organizes regular civil-defense exercise, known as Wan-an Exercise (萬安演習). Air raid sirens are activated for 30 minutes during the exercise, and you are required to follow any evacuation orders made by the military and police. *If you are in a building, you should close all windows and doors and turn off lights. *If you are driving, you must '''pull over your vehicle and make a complete stop'''. Vehicles must not enter any motorways, but must leave the motorway and pull over your vehicle in exits. Traffic police will give proper instructions to drivers and regulate traffic flow. *If you are taking a train/metro, you must not enter the train or leave the station, and should follow evacuation orders given by railway staff, the military and the police. Failure to comply with instructions can result in a heavy fine. === Emergency phone numbers === * '''Police''': 110 *'''Fire/Ambulance''': 119 The police and fire/ambulance offer service in English. For those who need Taiwanese governmental assistance in English, [https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/6928/6940/ this website] has a 24-hour toll-free foreigner service hotline at 0800-024-111, which you may call for assistance. === Natural hazards === Taiwan often experiences '''[[Cyclones|typhoons]]''' (颱風) during the summer months and early fall, especially on the East Coast. Heavy monsoon rainfall also occurs during the summer. Hikers and mountaineers should be sure to consult weather reports before heading into the mountains. A major hazard following heavy rainfall in the mountains is falling rocks (土石流) caused by the softening of the earth and there are occasional reports of people being killed or injured by these. Taiwan is also on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which means that '''[[earthquakes]]''' are a common occurrence. Most earthquakes are barely noticeable, though the effect may be slightly amplified for those in higher buildings. While the local building codes are extremely strict, general precautions should still be observed during an earthquake, including opening the door to prevent it from being jammed, taking cover and checking for gas leaks afterwards. While most newer buildings have been built according to strict codes that enable them to withstand major earthquakes, some of the older buildings were not constructed to such high standards and therefore are vulnerable to serious damage or collapse in the case of a strong tremor. Taiwan's wild areas are home to a variety of '''poisonous snakes''', including the bamboo viper, Russel's viper, banded krait, coral snake, Chinese cobra, Taiwan habu, and the so-called "hundred pacer" (百步蛇). Precautions against snake bites include making plenty of noise as you hike, wearing long trousers and avoiding overgrown trails. Most snakes are scared of humans, so if you make noise you will give them time to get away. Walking quietly means that you may suddenly startle them around a corner when you appear, and trigger an attack. The Russel's viper, one of the most dangerous snakes in Taiwan, is an exception: it generally prefers to take a stand against threats. === Traffic === Local drivers have a well-deserved reputation for seeming reckless and downright immoral. It is possible (even normal) to obtain a driving license in Taiwan without ever having driven on the roads, and this may be a reason (along with the overcrowded roads) why courteous or defensive driving is definitely not the norm. The guiding principles seem to be that the right of way belongs to the larger vehicle, i.e. trucks have the right-of-way over cars, cars over motorcycles, motorcycles over people, etc. Despite traffic's chaotic appearance, it is viscerally intuitive to yield the right-of-way to a much larger vehicle barreling towards you. It is advisable to use slow and smooth movements over quick or sudden ones. Local drivers regularly cut in front of moving traffic into spaces that seem too small, try to change lanes regardless of the fact their destination is already full, etc. Be aware that during busy traffic (i.e., nearly always) two-lane roads will spontaneously become three-lane, an orange light will be interpreted as 'speed up', and the smallest moment's pause in oncoming traffic will result in ''everybody'' that's waiting trying to turn across it. Drivers routinely enter a junction when their exit is blocked, and are therefore frequently still there long after the lights change, blocking traffic traveling in other directions. Many motorcycle riders also have a tendency to zip through any space, no matter how tiny. Also be aware that motorcycles often travel through areas typically considered pedestrian-only spaces, like the night-markets. If you drive a car or a motorcycle, the obvious rule is that if someone turns in front of you, you should be the one to adapt. To avoid collisions, drivers need to be extremely vigilant for other vehicles creating hazards and always be willing to adjust speed or direction to accommodate. Do not expect drivers to yield way, or respect traffic lights in many areas, especially in central and southern Taiwan. Sounding the horn is the usual way a Taiwanese driver indicates that they do not intend to accommodate a driver trying to encroach on their lane, etc., and does not necessarily imply the anger or criticism, as it does in other countries. One bright side of Taiwan's chaotic traffic is that drivers tend to have an exceptional awareness of the spatial extents of their vehicle and maneuver well, so that even though it continuously looks like somebody is about to drive straight into you, it's relatively rare that they actually do so. Be extra careful when crossing the road, even to the extent of looking both ways on a one-way street. When crossing at a pedestrian crossing at a T-junction or crossroads, be aware that when the little green man lights up and you start crossing, motorists will still try to turn right, with or without a green feeder light. Even on roads where traffic is infrequent and the green light is in your favor, bike riders are still strongly advised to check the opposite lane. ===Homosexuality=== Taiwan is generally a safe destination for gay and lesbian travelers. There are no laws against homosexuality in Taiwan and unprovoked violence against gays and lesbians is almost unheard of. Same-sex marriage was legalised in Taiwan on 24 May 2019, making it the first Asian country to do so. Taiwan is also the first East Asian country to have enacted anti-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation in the areas of education and employment. There is an annual gay pride event called Taiwan Pride. Taipei is home to a vibrant gay scene, and there are also gay bars in some of Taiwan's other cities like Taichung and Kaohsiung. Acceptance among the Taiwanese public tends to be measured, and homosexuality is still considered to be somewhat of a social taboo, particularly by the older generation. Openly displaying your sexual orientation in public is likely to draw stares and whispers from some people. Nevertheless, attitudes are changing and homosexuality tends to be more accepted by the younger people. ===Dogs=== They can be a problem in remote and rural regions, although they are far less numerous than in Thailand and Myanmar. If they get too close to you, picking up a stone or having a big stick is usually a sufficient deterrent. Taiwanese Aboriginals hold dogs in higher regard than Han Chinese do. Many Aboriginal communities have dogs freely running around their communities. == Stay healthy == ===Pollution=== Air pollution can be significant with the highest ratio of scooters per person in the world and a high west coast urban density. You can check air quality real time monitoring [https://airtw.epa.gov.tw/ENG/default.aspx on this page]. For reference the USA standard for fine particles (PM2.5) over 24 hours should be below 35&nbsp;µg/m³. It is a good idea to use a mask that can filter fine particles ([http://aqicn.org/mask/ how to choose a mask]), especially when traveling with the elderly or children. === Water === '''[[Water]]''' quality in Taiwan varies depending on location and time. According to the sole water company of Taiwan, tap water is in general safe to drink. However, it is advised that drinking water be boiled in order to eliminate residual chlorine and bacteria. Taiwan is prone to typhoons and earthquakes, which adversely affects water quality. Some buildings, particularly older ones, may have poorly maintained water towers and/or pipes, resulting in poor quality that is beyond the control of the water company. Depending on the severity, one might either filter the water in addition to boiling or avoid the taps altogether. Alternative options include buying bottled water or going to a "water station" where water is sold through a metered tap. Water from these sources is licensed to be safe for drinking. Bottled water can be bought in 24 hour convenience stores. Water quality in Kaohsiung used to be very poor. As a result, most people today use alternative sources. However, there is little evidence that this is necessary today as the quality has improved drastically. In addition, the mentioned alternative sources today are mostly filtered tap water and do not circumvent the historical source of contamination. === Healthcare === Medicines are available for minor ailments at drug stores. You may also find common drugs requiring a prescription in the west (like asthma inhalers and birth control pills) cheaply available from drug stores without a prescription. Taiwan has both Chinese physicians and Western doctors, both of which are taken equally seriously. However, as a foreigner, the assumption would generally be to direct you to a Western doctor. The quality of the hospitals in Taiwan is excellent and on par with, if not better than those found in the West. Taiwan's healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in the world. Legal residents with a National Health Card can avail themselves of the very convenient and efficient national health service, which covers treatment and medication using both Western and traditional Chinese medicine. However, this service is not available to short term visitors on tourist visas; nor does it cover major hospitalization expenses. Still, hospital visits and medicine in Taiwan tends to be far less expensive than in Western countries. Most Taiwanese doctors are able to communicate in at least basic English, and in fact, many of the top ones have obtained their medical qualifications in the US and are able to speak English fluently. However, you may find the nurses to be more of a challenge. === Hiking === Watch out for mosquito bites when hiking in the mountains. Especially in the summer, the humid and hot weather makes mosquitos very active. Most mosquito bites only cause skin irritation and itching, but in some areas of Taiwan it's possible to contract [[dengue fever]] or Japanese Encephalitis (though they are both rare in Taiwan). Mosquito/insect repellent spray can be found at convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart) and local pharmacies. If you are bitten by mosquitos, apply a small amount of ointment for irritation relief. == Respect == The Taiwanese are generally a warm and polite people, having been strongly influenced by Confucianism. As Taiwanese culture places a strong emphasis on respect for elders, elderly visitors will find most Taiwanese to be very helpful and accommodating. Naming customs and modes of address are generally the same as in mainland China. See the [[China#Respect|Respect]] section of that article for details. === Culture === [[File:Pagode Kaohsiung amk.jpg|thumb|Pagoda in Kaohsiung]] Taiwan shares several cultural taboos/guidelines with other East Asian nations: * When giving and receiving business cards, always do it using ''both hands'' and with a slight bow of the head. Giving or receiving a business card with only one hand is very disrespectful. * Some Taiwanese are superstitious about anything connected with dying &ndash; unlucky things should never be mentioned. The number 4 (four, pronounced 'si') sounds like the word for death in Mandarin. * Do not write people's names in red. This again has connotations of death. When writing someone's English name, this is not a problem, but avoid writing Chinese names in red. * Do not whistle or ring a bell at night. This is an "invitation to ghosts". * Do not point at cemeteries or graves. This is disrespectful to the dead. * There are numerous taboos dictating that certain objects shouldn't be given to others, often because the word for that object sounds like another unfortunate word: ** Clocks. The phrase "to give a clock" ("song zhong"), in Mandarin, has the same sound as the word "to perform last rites." If you do give someone a clock, the recipient may give you a coin in return to dispel the curse. ** Shoes. Never ever offer shoes as a gift to old people, as it signifies sending them on their way to heaven. This is acceptable only if by mutual arrangement it is nominally sold, where the receiving party gives a small payment of about NT$10. ** Knives or sharp objects, as they are made for or could be used to hurt the person. ** Umbrellas, which in Mandarin sound the same as the word for "break up". Friends should therefore never give friends umbrellas. Instead, friends will euphemistically "rent" each other umbrellas for a tiny amount (NT$1, for example). * The Taiwanese are certainly not puritanical and enjoy a drink, especially the locally brewed Taiwan Beer and Kaoliang. However, Taiwan does not have a culture of heavy drinking like in Northern China and it is rare to see anyone drunk on the streets. While over indulging in alcohol is not a social taboo as such (and some people do so at weddings), it is considered a sign of lack of self-confidence and immaturity, and doing so certainly won't gain you any respect among Taiwanese friends. * You are expected to remove your shoes before entering a house. You will find some slippers to be worn by visitors next to the entrance door. It is likely to be the same ritual for bathrooms and balconies where you will be expected to remove your slippers to wear a pair of plastic sandals (though it is less shocking not to use the sandals by then). * As you will get along with Taiwanese people, you are very likely to receive small presents of any sort, such as drinks, food or little objects. These are a very convenient way to lubricate social relations for Taiwanese people, and are especially common between friends in their 20s. You should reciprocate any such presents with something similar, but it does not need to be immediate or specially tailored to that person (i.e., keep it simple). As a teacher you are not expected to offer anything in return, as long as the relationship stays formal. However, beware of the sometimes overly generous parents who can go as far as offering presents running in the thousands of NT$ and who will then expect you to take special care of their child (understand that their expectations will be considered fair in Taiwanese culture). * You are not expected to tip in hotels, restaurants and taxis, though bellhops may still expect NT$50 or so for carrying your luggage. * Much like the mainland Chinese, "saving face" is also a major value in Taiwanese culture. In general, you should avoid pointing out other people's mistakes in order to avoid causing major embarrassment and if you really have to, call the person to one side and do it in private, and try to do it in a polished manner. * If you should need to use a temple's washroom, bow to any statues of deities you see on the way whether or not you believe in them. While most people will not mind you using the temple's washroom, they expect you to treat their place of worship with respect. If you plan to offer gifts (such as simple fruits) to the statues of deities in the temple, it is expected that you wash the fruits and your hands prior to offering. In addition, upon entering and leaving a temple, do take and avoid stepping directly on the raised threshold: always try to step over it. You should also never point to the status of deities with your index finger; use your thumb or an up-facing open palm instead. * You will often see '''priority seats''' (博愛座) on public transportation in Taiwan. These are reserved for the elderly, disabled people, pregnant women and women carrying young children; do not sit in them unless one of those situations applies to you. * '''Cultural identity''' is a complex and sensitive issue in Taiwan. While most Taiwanese people are ethnically Chinese, many people, especially the youth, seek to distance themselves from China with a distinct Taiwanese identity, and will often emphasize their Japanese colonial heritage instead. === Religion === Most Taiwanese people follow a mix of traditional Chinese folk religions and Buddhism, and it is common to visit temples to offer prayers during important festivals or life events. That said, contemporary Taiwanese society is largely secular in daily life, and religion in general does not play a significant role in people's work or political affiliations. Nevertheless, you are still expected to dress and behave respectfully when visiting temples. As in other Asian countries, swastikas are commonly seen in Buddhist temples as a religious symbol. They emphatically do ''not'' represent Nazism or anti-Semitism. When visiting temples, be sure to enter using the right gate and exit using the left gate (facing inwards). The larger middle gate is traditionally reserved for deities and the Emperor of China. Also be sure to avoid pointing at the statues of deities with your index figure, as it is considered to be very disrespectful. Use your thumb or an up-facing open palm instead. The most popular traditional Chinese deity in Taiwan is Mazu, a Fujianese shamaness who is believed to have ascended to godhood and now protects sailors, as the Fujianese were largely a seafaring people. [[Christianity]] is the dominant religion among the Aboriginal people, with Presbyterianism and Roman Catholicism being the main denominations. There is also a significant Christian minority among the ethnic Chinese. Taiwanese people are generally tolerant of different religions, and people of all faiths can usually practice their religion without any major problems. The Falun Gong religion which is banned in mainland China is allowed in Taiwan, though attitudes towards them from the local Taiwanese people tend to be very mixed. === Politics === Taiwanese society is rather polarized by allegiance between supporters of the two major political blocs informally known as "Pan-Blue Coalition" and "Pan-Green Coalition", although there are large numbers of people who are either centrist or who don't care. To simplify a very complex situation, pan-blue supporters tend to be more favorable toward the idea of reunification or maintaining the status quo with China and pan-green supporters tend to be more favorable toward the idea of establishing a formally independent Taiwan state, among other differences. Although there are some correlations, it is highly unwise to assume anything about a particular person's political beliefs based on what you think you know about their background. Also, this very brief sketch of Taiwanese politics obscures a large amount of complexity. Traditionally, mainlanders, Aboriginal people, Hakka people and people from Kinmen and Matsu tended to be strongly pan-blue, while Taiwanese speakers from Central and Southern Taiwan tended to be strongly pan-green, though this distinction has largely disappeared among the younger generation, who are now overwhelmingly pro-independence. Unless you know your listener well, it is unwise to say anything (either positive or negative) about the current government, about historical figures in Taiwanese history, about Taiwan's international relations, or about relations with mainland China. Some political figures such as Sun Yat-sen (who is also popular in the PRC and with the Chinese government) and Chiang Ching-kuo are generally seen positively, but others (Chiang Kai-shek, Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian in particular) arouse very polarized feelings. Some Taiwanese will get very offended if you imply that Taiwan is part of China. Others will get very offended if you imply that Taiwan is not part of China. Referring to the PRC as "mainland China" (中國大陸 ''zhōngguó dàlù'') rather than simply China will tend not to offend anyone, as the term is generally used to exclude Hong Kong and Macau as well, making it less subjective. Referring to the Republic of China as a whole as "Taiwan Province" will draw a negative reaction from most Taiwanese. "Greater China" may be used in certain business contexts. Keep in mind, however, that there are so many subtleties and complexities here that if you are talking about these things, you've already wandered into a minefield. However, simply referring to the island as "Taiwan" is fine, as that is the name used by the locals, regardless of their political persuasion. Titles such as "Republic of China" are reserved for official matters only. People from Kinmen and Matsu do not identify as Taiwanese and instead identify as Kinmenese/Matsunese or simply Chinese. '''Relations with mainland China''', as well as the '''Hong Kong protests''', are sensitive issues; tread carefully on these topics. Despite the deep mistrust many Taiwanese have of the communist Chinese government, most locals bear little to no animosity towards individual mainland Chinese visitors. As long as you avoid political discussions and behave yourself properly, you should not run into any problems. ===Japanese occupation=== In contrast to other Asian countries, Taiwanese feelings towards the Japanese occupation (1895-1945) are generally positive, though there are exceptions. Some of the older people who lived through the period of Japanese rule often bear a certain degree of nostalgia for that time, although there was strong resistance, and massacres of both Chinese and Aboriginal people were carried out throughout the occupation. Nevertheless, many Taiwanese bear a sense of gratitude towards the Japanese for modernizing Taiwan, and many people who lived through both periods regard Japanese rule more favorably than the subsequent Kuomintang rule under Chiang Kai-shek. Japanese visitors can expect a particularly warm welcome as most Taiwanese admire Japanese culture, and modern Taiwanese culture continues to be heavily influenced by that of Japan. In particular, many shops and tourist attractions are based on a theme of colonial nostalgia. == Connect == ===Internet=== ====''iTaiwan''==== Introduced in the mid-2010s, this is Taiwan's free, convenient and widespread WiFi, and answer to today's mobile-dependent population. ''iTaiwan'' is available all over Taiwan, (according to marketing) in all the 7 biggest cities, but at least all over Taipei, Tainan and Taitung, at all railway/MRT stations (even at the smallest) and most bus stations all over the country, as well as in most tourist information centers. Where it is not available, there exist related WiFis that offer an ''iTaiwan'' login option, or there are other independent but free options like ''.1.Free Wi-Fi'' that require clicking an advertisement to get online. As a foreigner, you have to apply for access at a tourist information center using your passport. The login is the passport number and the password is your birthday in ''YYYYMMDD'' form. At some free WiFi spots, like in railway stations, there is a power and USB plug to charge your electronic devices. ====SIM cards==== If you want an Internet connection to your smartphone, you can purchase a prepaid 4G unlimited data sim card from Chunghwa Telecom at a cost of NT$300 for 3 days, or NT$500 for 7 days (other periods are available as well). Just walk into any official Chunghwa Telecom shop to apply (also at all international airports). They need your passport and identification documents of your country of origin, driving license or identification card. Other providers in the market are Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone, T-Star, and GT. Their pricing is largely the same for visitor plans as Chunghwa Telecom, however they do offer special promotions on their standard prepaid plans from time to time, and for travelers continuing elsewhere after Taiwan, FarEasTone and GT offer a lineup of reasonably priced "travel SIMs" for travel around Asia, Europe, and North America, while Taiwan Mobile offers flat-rate international data roaming on its standard prepaid SIMs. Importantly, if continuing on to mainland China later, these travel SIMs or Taiwan Mobile's roaming plans do not censor data there as a local SIM would. ====Restaurants, cafés, etc.==== Most in-house eateries, shopping centers, libraries and such have free Wi-Fi for their customers available. ====Gaming cafés==== Not that relevant and widespread anymore, Internet cafés aka gaming cafés. These are often found on the first or second floor of buildings and equipped with very comfortable chairs and large screens. Although people do surf the Internet, most people primarily go there for a smooth experience of online gaming. Each hour of Internet access/game play is cheap, coming in at around NT$20. Some machines in the Internet cafés are coin operated. === Telephone === [[File:Payphones of Taiwan Fixed Network at THSR Taichung Station 20070105.jpg|thumb|Payphones in [[Taichung]]]] The standard prefix for international calls from Taiwan is 002, though some other companies may use alternative prefixes at lower rates. Check with your telecom operator for more details. Calls to mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau require international dialling. The country code for calls to Taiwan is +886. Most payphones work with telephone cards (電話卡) which are available at all convenience stores. Numbers Starting With 0800 are commercial toll-free numbers, just like the 1-800 numbers in North America. '''Mobile phone''' coverage is generally excellent in Taiwan, with the exception of some remote mountainous areas. Among the major providers are Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信), Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大), Far EasTone (遠傳電信) and Taiwan Star Telecom (台灣之星). Taiwan has both 3G (UMTS/W-CDMA 2100) and 4G (LTE) networks and inbound roaming agreements are in place between most international providers and at least one of these four (but check with your operator before departure). The last 2G networks were shut down in July 2017. The internationally popular messaging app Whatsapp is not popular in Taiwan. Most Taiwanese use the Japanese messaging app '''[https://line.me/en/ LINE]''' instead. === Media === Taiwan has a very free and liberal press. Taiwan's main newspapers are the Chinese-language ''[https://www.ltn.com.tw/ Liberty Times]'' (自由時報), ''[https://tw.appledaily.com/ Apple Daily]'' (蘋果日報), ''[https://www.chinatimes.com/ China Times]'' (中國時報) and ''[http://udn.com/ United Daily News]'' (聯合報). The ''[https://money.udn.com Economic Daily News]'' (經濟日報) and ''[https://ctee.com.tw/ Commercial Times]'' (工商時報) focus on financial and business news. The main English-language newspaper is the ''[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/ Taipei Times]''. Two other newspapers in English, ''[http://chinapost.nownews.com The China Post]'' and ''[http://etaiwannews.com/ Taiwan News]'' are no longer available in print but continue to exist online. Other news sources: *[http://focustaiwan.tw/ Central News Agency] *[http://english.rti.org.tw/ RTI] (Radio Taiwan International) *[http://news.cens.com/ the Taiwan Economic News] *[http://taiwantoday.tw/ Taiwan Today] *[http://www.taipeinews.net/ TaipeiNews.net] *[http://www.taiwansun.com/ Taiwan Sun] Free magazines: * ''Lifestyle'' – Info on Taiwan relating to what's on and current trends (bilingual). * ''[http://taiphoon.pristine.net/main-page.htm Taiphoon]'' – A magazine dedicated to promoting peace and environmental awareness in Taiwan (bilingual). * ''[http://www.journeyeast.url.tw/ Journey East]'' – A travel and lifestyle magazine for northern Taiwan (bilingual). Radio: * [http://www.icrt.com.tw ICRT] (short for "International Community Radio Taipei") is an English-language radio station available island-wide on FM 100. The programming consists mostly of popular music. There are news bulletins every hour on the hour 07:00–20:00 M–F and 10:00–18:00 on Sa. ===Printing=== Every 7-Eleven and Familymart has cloud printers available for printing documents and even pictures. But for the latter you might be better off with a professional shop. The instructions are in Chinese or English. Costs: NT$1 per document page, plus NT$1 processing fee. == Cope == ===Electricity=== For electrical sockets, Taiwan uses the same Type A two-pin and Type B three-pin electrical sockets as the United States. Electricity is supplied at 110 V at 60 Hz. === Embassies and foreign missions === ''See [[Taipei#Cope|Cope section]] in [[Taipei]] guide'' {{usablecountry}} {{isPartOf|East Asia}} {{geo|23.76|120.97|zoom=7}} 2y4sb0ylnw4wl1pvq8xo44mrnkhdad9 0 35388 4506434 4160237 2022-08-22T21:52:06Z Ground Zero 1423298 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Banner Tasikmalaya.jpg|caption=}} '''Tasikmalaya''' is a city and regency in the [[East Parahyangan]] region, in the south east of [[Western Java]] in Indonesia. ==Understand== The city of Tasikmalaya has a population of about 716,000 (2020). The city is surrounded by the regency of Tasikmalaya. The city is also known simply as ''Tasik'', which means 'sea' or 'lake' in [[Sundanese phrasebook|Sundanese]]. ==Get in== === By car === Tasikmalaya is on Java's southern route (''National Road 3'') between the city of [[Bandung]] and [[Central Java]]. To get to Tasik from Bandung, you will need to take the road over the ''Nagreg'' mountain pass. The journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours if traffic conditions are good. However, serious traffic congestion is common on the mountain pass road. === By bus === The main bus terminal of Tasik is {{Marker|type=go|name=Indihiang bus terminal|lat=-7.29158|long=108.19201}} on the northwestern side of the city. There are very frequent buses from various bus terminals in Jakarta, including at least hourly buses from Kampung Rambutan terminal in [[East Jakarta]] as well as Lebak Bulus terminal in [[South Jakarta]]. There are also very frequent buses during daytime from [[Bandung]]'s Cicaheum terminal. In Bandung, it is also an option to wait for buses to Tasik at the Cileunyi toll gate, as all buses from Jakarta pass there. While buses from Jakarta and Bandung are the most frequent, there also regular buses (at least several per day) from [[Cirebon]], [[Yogyakarta]], and [[Semarang]], and from towns and cities nearby, such as [[Kuningan]], [[Ciamis]], [[Banjar]], and [[Pangandaran]]. Finally, there are daily buses from the port of [[Merak]] as well as from [[Surabaya]]. === By train === {{Marker|type=go|name=Tasikmalaya railway station|lat=-7.32241|long=108.22367}} is on the northern side of the city centre. The station is served by 6 economy class trains per day from [[Bandung]] (Kiaracondong station), of which two begin in [[Jakarta]]. In addition, there are six business and/or executive class trains per day from Bandung (central station). In the other direction, the trains have various destinations throughout [[Central Java|Central]] and [[East Java]], including four daily trains from [[Surabaya]]. === By plane === There is only one flight per day to visit Tasikmalaya from Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport, [[Jakarta]]. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|-7.33|108.215|zoom=12|height=300|width=300|align=right|name=Tasimalaya}} Travel around the city by using available ''angkot'' (public minivans) to take you to several place in Tasikmalaya. Other options to get around include ''becak'' (cycle rickshaw) and ''delman'' (horse carriage). ==See== * {{see|name=Kampung Naga|alt=Dragon Village |url=|email=|address=Salawu district|lat=-7.36113|long=107.99167|directions=about 25 km west of Tasik city|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2016-10-03|content=A traditional village with traditional culture on the bank of Ciwulan river. The community is living with traditional simplicity and environmental wisdom. The nearby forest is sacred for the citizens of the village because there is an ancestral cemetery.}} *{{see|name=Makam Pamijahan|alt=|url=|email=|address=Bantarkalong district|lat=-7.56908|long=108.08266|directions=about 45 km south of Tasik city|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2016-10-03|content=Religious tourism object. This is the place where the tomb of Syeikh Abdul Muhyi, a well-known Islamic missionary, is located.}} *{{see|name=Situ Gede|alt=|url=|email=|address=Mangkubumi district|lat=-7.33420|long=108.18226|directions=on the western side of Tasik city|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2016-10-03|content=Small natural lake at the edge of the city.}} ==Do== * [[File:Mt galunggung volcanic crater.jpg|thumb|Volcanic crater of Mount Galunggung.]]{{do|name=Mount Galunggung|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=-7.26901|long=108.05711|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2016-10-03|content=The Galunggung volcano (about 2,200 m high) is towering over Tasikmalaya on its western side. You can hike up to the crater from Singaparna and from Indihiang (both small towns near Tasik city).}} ==Buy== *'''Wood Craft''' - Find the traditional wood craft from Tasikmalaya at Rajapolah, a well known ''Wood Craft Tourism'' district located at northern part of Tasikmalaya. *'''Payung Tasik''' - An umbrella ''ala'' Tasikmalaya. *'''Bordir Tasik''' - Traditional embroidery made in Tasikmalaya, can be found at Kawalu district. ==Eat== A traditional type of food from Tasik is ''nasi tutug oncom'', which is rice mixed with 'oncom' (fermened soy bean tailings) that is fried or grilled. *{{eat|name=Nasi Tutug Oncom (TO) Benhil 96|alt=|url=|email=|address=Jl. Petir|lat=-7.3375|long=108.224969|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Open from 12:00|price=|lastedit=2016-10-03|content=A simple establishment selling 'nasi tutug oncom', but one of the most popular of the city.}} *{{eat | name=Abon Haji Dudu Eci | url= | email= | address=Jl. Empangsari (Dalam) 9A | lat=-7.32978 | long=108.22138 | directions= | phone= +62 265 321 537 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 06:00-20:00 | price= | content=A well-known producer of 'abon': a dried beef product. |alt=|lastedit=2016-10-03}} *{{eat|name=Mie Bakso Siliwangi|alt=|url=|email=|address=Jl. Galunggung|lat=-7.32327|long=108.21751|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2016-10-03|content=Simple but popular: noodles and meat balls.}} ==Drink== ==Sleep== There are many hotels in Tasikmalaya to choose from. There is a cheap hotel, Merdeka, right down the road by the train station. Hotel Aden is also quite cheap at around 50,000 per night. * {{sleep | name=Hotel Santika Tasikmalaya | alt= | url=http://www.santika.com/indonesia/tasikmalaya/hotel-santika-tasikmalaya/ | email= | address=Jalan Yudanegara No. 57 | lat=-7.32614 | long=108.217065 | directions= | phone=+62 265 329797 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double rooms from Rp550,000 | lastedit=2016-10-30 | content=Chain hotel with restaurant, fitness facilities, outdoor swimming pool. }} ==Go next== * [[Garut]] — town known for volcanic hot springs, on the other side of the Galunggung volcano. * [[Pangandaran]] — a beach town to the southeast, popular among both locals and foreign tourists. {{geo|-7.3333|108.2167}} {{IsPartOf|East Parahyangan}}{{Usablecity}} g7ex7thm6djd4escgbutpuyi27fdyre 0 35696 4506503 4504182 2022-08-23T03:00:51Z OhanaUnited 76122 + wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Thailand banner 2.jpg|caption=Row of Buddhas in Ayutthaya}} {{warningbox|Telecommunication fraud, illegal remote gambling are rampant in parts of [[Thailand]] and its neighbours, [[Myanmar]] and [[Cambodia]]. Thailand itself have also became an important transit country of human trafficking. *Criminal enterprises rely on ''bait and switch'' to recruit pawns by offering seemingly high-paid jobs with little to no experience needed. Criminals may also invite victims travel to Thailand or nearby countries on vacation. *When targeting professionals, they may be invited for jobs requiring their profession in Myanmar organized by purported companies. *A newer method is by establishing front companies in your country. After victims were employed and were given some tasks in their job, the company organizes a guided tour and uses the tour as a method to traffic victims ''en masse''. In all cases, once arrived and under control, victims will be abducted, and syndicates will resort to coercion, false imprisonment and violence to force victims to work for them. Victims may be subjected to '''human trafficking''' and/or '''illegal organ transplantation'''. They may also be forced to recruit acquaintances or more travellers to join the enterprise, used as drug mules to traffic drugs, or simply taken hostage. '''''Deaths caused by torture'' are not unheard of'''. Taiwanese travellers are particularly vulnerable due to Taiwan's lack of diplomatic presence, but travellers of other nationalities are equally vulnerable as well. Criminal syndicates have sufficient manpower and weapon to guard their bases, and it is nearly impossible for victims to escape on their own once abducted. Ethnic armed groups and local authorities may collude with criminal enterprises. Seeking help from your country's [[Diplomatic missions|diplomatic mission]] is probably a better choice to exert pressure and seek freedom. Even if you are freed, you may still face criminal prosecution in your own country for your acts committed outside of your country. In any case: *'''Always''' verify the employer's background and its address before your journey — criminal syndicates may leave fake addresses which can be identified through maps. Criminal syndicates may organize seemingly formal interviews or show faked employment environment to cover up their intention. *To make their claim more appealing, criminal syndicates may claim that they have booked air tickets and hotels, or have brought insurance on behalf of the victims. Check with airlines, hotels and insurance companies to verify whether the booking is true or simply a facade. *If you are going on a guided tour, always check if the travel agent is properly registered in your country. *Recruitment ads posted on social media are particularly dangerous. Job advertisements published in places using Traditional Chinese but written in Simplified Chinese may be a hint of fraudulent job offer — they are likely written by Chinese criminal syndicates or Chinese victims. *'''Do not easily trust''' recruitment ads or travel invitations send by your acquaintances. They could be already abducted and under the control of criminal syndicates — personal promises and experiences can be easily faked by coercion. If you suspect your acquaintances are under danger, '''STOP'''. Immediately report to the police to ensure investigation is opened swiftly. *Applying for a normal tourist visa to work in a foreign country means the offer is at best illegal, at worst bogus. *When [[Arriving in a new city|arriving at your destination]], avoid using transportation offered by the employer. Getting on the vehicle could well mean abduction and slavery aftermath. If you suspect that you are falling victim, '''STOP''', contact your country's diplomatic mission immediately to seek help. *Foreign criminal enterprises may also collaborate with gangs in your country to force and subdue victims. If you are first introduced to a hotel in your country to stay for a few days, or is supervised by suspicious persons during recruitment or departure, '''STOP, you are likely placed under control of local gangs'''. Try to contact local police '''by any means'''. It is much harder to seek freedom once you leave your country. *Finally, '''if the job offer is too good to be true, ''it probably is'''''. If you cannot ascertain the validity of the offer, '''reject it without hesitation'''. |hk=https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/info-overseasjobscam.html |lastedit=2022-08-22 }} With great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and superb beaches, '''[https://www.tourismthailand.org/ Thailand]''' ([[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]: ประเทศไทย ''Prathet Thai'') is the most visited country in [[Southeast Asia]]. It is called the "Land of Smiles". Thailand is the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland. As it has comparably good infrastructure with [[Bangkok]] being an intercontinental flight hub, the country is the gateway to the region for most foreign visitors. ==Regions== Thailand can be divided into five geographic and cultural regions: {{Regionlist | regionmap=Thailand_regions_map.png | regionmaptext=Map of Thailand | regionmapsize=400px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 }} {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Northern Thailand]] | region1color=#62a862 | region1description=[[Chiang Mai]], the remains of ancient kingdoms, hill tribes, and the [[Golden Triangle (Thailand)|Golden Triangle]]. | region2name=[[Isaan]] | region2color=#b36b48 | region2description=The great northeast region, sharing many cultural traits with neighboring [[Laos]]. Get off the beaten track and discover backcountry Thailand, mouthwatering food, and some magnificent Khmer ruins. | region3name=[[Central Thailand]] | region3color=#acac6b | region3description=[[Bangkok]], lowlands and historic Thailand. | region4name=[[Eastern Thailand]] | region4color=#7272c5 | region4description=Beaches and islands within easy reach of Bangkok, like [[Pattaya]], [[Ko Samet]] and [[Ko Chang]]. | region5name=[[Southern Thailand]] | region5color=#945493 | region5description=Lush rainforest and hundreds of kilometres of coastline and beguiling islands in both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, plus [[Phuket]], [[Krabi Province|Krabi]], [[Ko Samui]], [[Ko Tao]] and many more of Thailand's famous beach spots. Also the heart of [[Islam]] and Malay culture in Thailand. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#62a862|title=[[Northern Thailand]]|wikidata=Q750014}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#b36b48|title=[[Isaan]]|wikidata=Q381897}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#acac6b|title=[[Central Thailand]]|wikidata=Q190829}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#7272c5|title=[[Eastern Thailand]]|wikidata=Q1045682}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#945493|title=[[Southern Thailand]]|wikidata=Q1069853}} ==Cities== <!-- No more than nine (9) cities, please; discuss changes on Talk page first! --> *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Bangkok]]|url=|lat=13.75|long=100.466667|wikidata=Q1861}} (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร) — Thailand's bustling, frenetic capital, known among the Thai as Krung Thep *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Ayutthaya]]|url=|lat=14.347778|long=100.560556|wikidata=Q203370}} (Thai: พระนครศรีอยุธยา) — a historical city, UNESCO World Heritage Site and old capital of Siam (full name is Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya) *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chiang Mai]]|url=|lat=18.795278|long=98.998611|wikidata=Q52028}} (Thai: เชียงใหม่) — de facto capital of Northern Thailand and the heart of Lanna culture *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chiang Rai]]|url=|lat=19.909444|long=99.8275|wikidata=Q856772}} (Thai: เมืองเชียงราย) — gateway to the Golden Triangle, ethnic minorities and mountain treks *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hat Yai]]|url=|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q651286}} (Thai: หาดใหญ่) — largest city in Southern Thailand, near the Malaysian border, and home to an eclectic mix of Southern Thais, Thai-Chinese and Malay Muslims *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Kanchanaburi]]|url=|lat=14.019444|long=99.531111|wikidata=Q239121}} (Thai: กาญจนบุรี) — home of the Bridge over the River Kwai and numerous World War II museums *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nakhon Ratchasima]]|url=|lat=14.975|long=102.1|wikidata=Q633036}} (Thai: นครราชสีมา) — largest city of the [[Isaan]] region, also known as Khorat. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Pattaya]]|url=|lat=12.9275|long=100.875278|wikidata=Q170919}} (Thai: พัทยา) — one of the main tourist destinations, known for its wild nightlife *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sukhothai]]|url=|lat=17|long=99.816667|wikidata=Q986737}} (Thai: สุโขทัย) — Thailand's first capital, still with amazing ruins ==Other destinations== <!-- No more than nine (9) other destinations, please; discuss changes on Talk page first! --> *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Khao Sok National Park]]|url=|lat=8.936667|long=98.530278|wikidata=Q1760520}} (Thai: เขาสก) — one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Thailand *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Khao Yai National Park]]|url=|lat=14.441389|long=101.369722|wikidata=Q386420}} (Thai: เขาใหญ่) — take a night time Jeep safari spotting deer or visit the spectacular waterfalls *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ko Chang]]|url=|lat=12.103611|long=102.351944|wikidata=Q941265}} (Thai: เกาะช้าง) — once a quiet island, now undergoing major tourism development *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ko Lipe]]|url=|lat=6.49|long=99.3|wikidata=Q498252}} (Thai: เกาะหลีเป๊ะ) — small island in the middle of Tarutao National Park, with great reefs and beaches *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ko Pha Ngan]]|url=|lat=9.75|long=100.033333|wikidata=Q1069922}} (Thai: เกาะพะงัน) — site of the famous Full Moon Party with miles of quiet coastline *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ko Samet]]|url=|lat=12.567778|long=101.454722|wikidata=Q1073840}} (Thai: เกาะเสม็ด) — the nearest island beach escape from Bangkok *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Ko Samui]]|url=|lat=9.5|long=100|wikidata=Q270375}} (Thai: เกาะสมุย) — comfortable, nature, and entertainment hippie mecca gone upmarket *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Krabi Province]]|url=|lat=8.057778|long=98.916944|wikidata=Q236769}} (Thai: กระบี่) — beach and water sports mecca in the south, includes Ao Nang, Rai Leh, Ko Phi Phi, and Ko Lanta *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Phuket]]|url=|lat=7.89|long=98.398333|wikidata=Q182565}} (Thai: ภูเก็ต) — the original Thai paradise island, now very developed but with some still beautiful beaches <br clear="right" /> ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationThailand.png}} [[Image:WatRajnadda_Garland.JPG|thumb|Garlanded statue, [[Bangkok/Rattanakosin|Wat Rajanadda]], [[Bangkok]]]] Thailand is the country in [[Southeast Asia]] most visited by tourists, and for good reason. You can find almost anything here: thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue waters that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean, and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Exotic, yet safe; cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world. And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential identity, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking ''sanuk'' lifestyle. Many travellers come to Thailand and extend their stay well beyond their original plans and others never find a reason to leave. Whatever your cup of tea is, they know how to make it in Thailand. This is not to say that Thailand doesn't have its downsides, including the considerable growing pains of an economy where an agricultural labourer is lucky to earn 100 baht per day while the ''nouveaux riches'' cruise past in their BMWs. [[Bangkok]], the capital, is notorious for its traffic jams and rampant development has wrecked much of once-beautiful [[Pattaya]] and [[Phuket]]. In heavily touristed areas, some lowlifes, both Thai and farang, have made [[#Stay safe|scamming]] tourists into an art form. Finally, despite being relatively economically developed, Thailand still suffers from problems that afflict most [[Southeast Asia|Southeast Asian]] countries, such as new towns and neighbourhoods built haphazardly and with no concern for architectural beauty, the lack of accessibility and pedestrian-friendliness in large cities, and often, presence of trash and litter in both cities and rural areas. ===History=== The earliest identifiable Thai kingdom was founded in [[Sukhothai]] in 1238, reaching its zenith under King Ramkhamhaeng in the 14th century before falling under the control of the kingdom of [[Ayutthaya]], which ruled most of present-day Thailand and much of today's Laos and Cambodia as well, eventually also absorbing the [[North (Thailand)|northern]] kingdom of '''Lanna'''. Ayutthaya was sacked in 1767 by the Burmese, but King Taksin regrouped and founded a new capital at [[Bangkok/Thonburi|Thonburi]]. His successor, General Chakri, moved across the river to [[Bangkok]] and became King Rama I, the founding father of the '''Chakri dynasty''' that still rules in a constitutional monarchy. Known as '''Siam''' until 1939, Thailand is Southeast Asia's oldest independent country and the only one never to have been colonised by a foreign power, and the country's inhabitants are fiercely proud of that fact. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. During World War II, while Japan conquered the rest of Southeast Asia (see [[Pacific War]]), only Thailand was not conquered by the Japanese due to smart political moves. Allied with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Thailand was a base of US air operations during the [[Indochina Wars|Vietnam War]], and was also a popular place for American soldiers fighting in Vietnam to have their R&R, thus kickstarting Thailand's world famous tourism industry. There was a communist insurgency, with little success, that only ended in 1983. After a string of military dictatorships and quickly toppled civilian prime ministers, Thailand stabilized into a fair approximation of a democracy and the economy boomed through tourism and industry. On December 26, 2004, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused a tsunami to hit Thailand's western coast, causing tremendous damage and killing thousands of people, especially at the seaside resorts. In September 2006, a swift and bloodless military coup overthrew populist tycoon '''Thaksin Shinawatra''''s democratically-elected but widely criticized government, exposing a fault line between the urban elite that has ruled Thailand traditionally and the rural masses that supported Thaksin. Thaksin went into exile and a series of unstable governments followed, with the successors of Thaksin's ''Thai Rak Thai'' party and the royalist-conservative ''People's Alliance for Democracy'' duking it out both behind the scenes and, occasionally, out in the streets, culminating in Bangkok's airports being seized and shut down for a week in Nov 2008. A new party led by Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, won the 2011 elections, but while like Thaksin, she maintained popularity in the Central Thai countryside, the North and Isaan, and among Muslims in the South, powerful people in the Thai military and the Bangkok establishment never accepted the legitimacy of her government, and on May 7, 2014, Thailand's Constitutional Court ordered her and her cabinet to step down. On May 22, 2014, the Thai army staged a bloodless coup, declared a nationwide curfew, and went about arresting members of Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party. The curfew was lifted on June 13, 2014, but the basic elements that have led to the conflict are still unresolved. After the death in late 2016 of '''King Bhumibol Adulyadej''' ('''Rama IX'''), the world's longest-reigning monarch and a deeply loved and respected figure of near-mythic proportions, his son '''King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun''' ('''Rama X''') acceded to the throne. A general election was held in March 2019 under a new 2017 Constitution, thus returning Thailand to democracy. However, the new constitution gives the military the exclusive right to appoint senators, and also gives senators a vote in selecting the prime minister, thus granting the military substantial influence in Thai politics. Thailand has grown into the main economic centre of the region, and today attracts many migrant workers from its much poorer neighbours [[Myanmar]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]]. ===Politics=== The '''Kingdom of Thailand''' (ราชอาณาจักรไทย ''Ratcha-anachak Thai'') is a constitutional monarchy, with the king as head of state. The Thai parliament is bicameral, consisting of a military-appointed upper house known as the Senate, as well as a popularly-elected lower house known as House of Representatives. The prime minister is the head of government, and is voted in by the members of both houses of parliament. In practice, the king's role is largely ceremonial, with the prime minister holding the most authority in government. However, the king and the royal family are still protected by strict ''lèse-majesté'' laws, which stipulate long jail terms for anybody convicted of insulting the king or any other members of the royal family. {{Cautionbox|boldtext=Caution|''Lèse-majesté'' (disrespecting the royal family) is punishable by up to '''15 years in prison''' in Thailand with the '''minimum sentence being 3 years''', though sentences for foreigners are often more lenient than for Thai nationals. It includes '''any act deemed an insult to the King, his image, his heir apparent or the regent'''. The number of cases has increased since the 2014 military coup. '''Conditions in Thai prisons are poor''', with prisons being severely overcrowded and there being a high risk of infectious disease. Avoid doing '''anything''' that could be interpreted as '''insulting the King or members of the royal family''', including failing to stand when the royal anthem is played at a cinema, or stepping on currency (which displays an image of the King).}} ===Climate=== [[Image:Ko Tao Bay.jpg|thumb|Beach on [[Ko Tao]]]] Thailand is largely '''tropical'''. It's hot and humid all year around with temperatures in the 28-35°C range (82-95°F), a degree of relief provided only in the mountains in the far north of Thailand. There are, however, three seasons: * '''Cool''': From Nov to the end of Feb, it doesn't rain much and temperatures are at their lowest, although you will barely notice the difference in the south and will only need to pack a sweater if hiking in the northern mountains, where temperatures can fall as low as 5°C. This is the most popular time to visit and, especially around Christmas and New Year's or at Chinese New Year a few weeks later, finding flights and accommodation can be expensive and difficult. * '''Hot''': From Mar-Jun, Thailand swelters in temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F) and heat indices in the 50s°C (122-140°F), with April generally being the hottest month. Pleasant enough when sitting on the beach with a drink in hand, but not the best time of year to go temple-tramping in Bangkok. * '''Rainy''': From Jul-Oct, although it only really gets underway in Sep, when tropical monsoons hit most of the country. This doesn't mean it rains non-stop, but when it does it pours and flooding is not uncommon. There are local variations to these general patterns. In particular, the southeast coast of Thailand (including [[Ko Samui]]) has the rains reversed, with the dry peak season being May-Oct and the rainy off-season in Nov-Feb. ===People=== Thailand's people are largely ethnically '''Thai''', although there are significant minorities of Chinese and assimilated Thai-Chinese throughout the country, Malays in the south near the [[Malaysia|Malaysian]] border, Isaan near the [[Laos|Lao]] border, and hill tribes such as the Karen and the Hmong in the north of the country. Bangkok has a noticeable minority of ethnic Indians. The overwhelmingly dominant religion (95%) is '''Theravada Buddhism''', although Confucianism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and animist faiths also jostle for position. ===Culture=== [[Image:WatDoiSuthep_Courtyard.JPG|thumb|240px|Wat Doi Suthep, [[Chiang Mai]]]] Mainland Thai culture is heavily influenced by '''[[Buddhism]]'''. However, unlike the Buddhist countries of [[East Asia]], Thailand's Buddhists follow the Theravada school, which is arguably closer to its Indian roots and places a heavier emphasis on monasticism. Thai temples known as '''wats''', resplendent with gold and easily identifiable with their ornate, multicolored, pointy roofs are ubiquitous. Becoming an orange-robed monk for a short period, typically the three-month rainy season, is a common rite of passage for young Thai boys and men. That being said, there are also prominent Mahayana Buddhist temples, most of which were built in Chinese architectural styles to serve the ethnic Chinese community. One pre-Buddhist tradition that still survives is the '''spirit house''' (ศาลพระภูมิ ''saan phraphuum''), usually found at the corner of any house or business, which houses spirits so they don't enter the house and cause trouble. The grander the building, the larger the spirit house, and buildings placed in particularly unlucky spots may have very large ones. Perhaps the most famous spirit house in Thailand is the Erawan Shrine in [[Bangkok]], which protects the Erawan Hotel (now the Grand Hyatt Erawan), built in 1956 on a former execution ground, and is now one of the busiest and most popular shrines in the city. It and several other popular shrines pay homage to ''Hindu'' deities. Hinduism was once the dominant religion in Thailand prior to the spread of Buddhism, and many traditional Thai arts continue to draw their inspiration from Hindu mythology. Some traditional arts popular in Thailand include traditional Thai dancing and music, based on religious rituals and Court entertainment. There is a vibrant popular music scene with ''morlam'' and ''lukthung'' not at all overshadowed by Western style pop. Famously brutal '''Thai boxing''' (''muay Thai''), derived from the military training of Thai warriors, is undoubtedly the country's best known indigenous sport. In addition to the mainland Thai culture, there are many other cultures in Thailand including those of the "hill tribes" in the northern mountainous regions of Thailand (e.g., Hmong, Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Akha), the southern Muslims, and indigenous island peoples of the Andaman Sea. The ethnic Chinese population has been largely assimilated into Thai culture, though vestiges of their Chinese heritage can still be found in Bangkok's Chinatown. The Chinese have, however, left a huge impact on Thailand's culinary scene, and many dishes of Chinese origin, such as noodles, roast pork and steamed buns, have been widely adopted and are now seen as an integral part of Thai cuisine. The Thai-Chinese can generally be divided into two groups; those that migrated to Thailand as traders and labourers during the 19th and early 20th centuries, who mainly came from [[Fujian]], [[Guangdong]] or [[Hainan]] and settled in the larger cities like [[Bangkok]], [[Hat Yai]] and [[Phuket Town|Phuket]], and some groups of Kuomintang soldiers who fled China in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War, who mainly came from [[Yunnan]] and settled in remote mountain villages along the Burmese border like [[Mae Salong]] and [[Ban Rak Thai]]. ===Calendar=== In addition to the Gregorian calendar, Thailand also uses the Thai solar calendar, the Thai version of the Buddhist calendar, which is 543 years ahead of the common era calendar. Thus, Thai year {{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+543}} corresponds to the Western year {{CURRENTYEAR}}. Thai dates in English are often written as '''B.E.''', short for "Buddhist Era". Some Thai holidays are based on the Thai lunar calendar, so their dates change every year in the Western calendar. ===Holidays=== [[Image:Thailand_Ayutthaya_Wat_Phra_Si_Sanphet.jpg|thumb|300px|Wat Phra Si Sanphet, [[Ayutthaya]]]] {{CNYdates}} Thailand has many holidays, mostly related to Buddhism and the monarchy. Nobody celebrates all of them, except for banks, which seem to be closed a lot. * {{listing | name=Chinese New Year | alt=ตรุษจีน | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Starting in January or February (the exact dates vary according to the lunar calendar, see box), it is also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year and celebrations can last for about 15 days. Although not a public holiday, it is widely celebrated among the Thai-Chinese, who celebrate by cleaning their houses and offering food to their ancestors. This is mainly a time of abundant feasting. Visit Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown to fully embrace the festivity.}} * {{listing | name=Makha Bucha | alt=มาฆบูชา | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Falls on the full moon of the third lunar month, which usually falls in February or March, and commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 people before the Buddha, which led to their ordination and subsequent enlightenment. At temples in Bangkok and throughout Thailand, Buddhists carry candles and walk around the main shrine three times in a clockwise direction.}} * {{listing | name=Songkran | alt=สงกรานต์ | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Undoubtedly the most fun holiday, is the celebration of the Thai New Year, sometime in April (officially 13-15 Apr, but the date varies in some locations). What started off as polite ritual to wash away the sins of the prior year has evolved into the '''world's largest water fight''', which lasts for three full days. Water pistols and Super Soakers are advised and are on sale everywhere. The best places to participate are [[Chiang Mai]], the [[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]] area in Bangkok, and holiday resorts like [[Pattaya]], [[Ko Samui]] and [[Phuket]]. You will get very wet, this is not a spectator sport. The water-throwing has been getting more and more unpleasant as people have started splashing iced water onto each other. It is advisable to wear dark clothing, as light colours may become transparent when wet.}} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Coronation Day | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=5 May, commemorates the crowning of King Rama IX in 1950 (although his reign actually began on 9 Jun 1946 - making him the longest-serving monarch in Thai history) }} * {{listing | name=Loy Krathong | alt=ลอยกระทง | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Falls on the first full moon day in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, usually in November, when people head to rivers, lakes and even hotel swimming pools to float flower and candle-laden banana leaves (or, these days, Styrofoam) floats called ''krathong'' (กระทง). The krathong is meant as an offering to thank the river goddess who gives life to the people. Thais also believe that this is a good time to float away your bad luck and many will place a few strands of hair or finger nail clippings in the krathong. According to tradition, if you make a wish when you set down your krathong and it floats out of sight before the candle burns out, your wish will come true. Some provinces have their own version of Loy Krathong, such as [[Sukhothai]] where a spectacular show takes place. To the north, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have their own unique tradition of launching ''kom'' or hot-air lanterns. This sight can be breath-taking as the sky is suddenly filled with lights, rivalling the full moon.}} * {{listing | name=King's Birthday | alt=Father's Day | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= |checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=28 July, the King's birthday is the country's National Day and also celebrated as Father's Day, when Thais pay respect to and show their love for his majesty the king. Buildings and homes are decorated with the King's flag (yellow with his insignia in the middle) and his portrait. Government buildings, as well as commercial buildings, are decorated with lights. In Old Bangkok ([[Bangkok/Rattanakosin|Rattanakosin]]) in particular, around the royal palace, you will see lavish light displays on trees, buildings, and the roads. The '''Queen's Birthday''' (12 Aug) is Mother's Day, and is celebrated similarly if with a little less pomp.}} ==Talk== {{seealso|Thai phrasebook}} The official language of Thailand is '''[[Thai phrasebook|Thai]]''' (ภาษาไทย ''phaasǎa Thai''). It is a tonal language, so it can be difficult for native English speakers to learn quickly, but everyone will appreciate any attempt you make. Thai is a language with many dialects, though the Bangkok dialect, also known as Central Thai, is used as the standard and is taught in all schools. Language schools can be found in all larger Thai cities, including [[Bangkok]] and [[Phuket]]. [[File:ป้อมพระสุเมรุ086.jpg|thumb|Bilingual street sign]] In the Muslim-dominated south, dialects of [[Malay phrasebook|Malay]] that are largely incomprehensible to speakers of standard Malay/Indonesian are spoken. Various dialects of Chinese are spoken by the ethnic Chinese community, with [[Teochew phrasebook|Teochew]] being the dominant dialect in Bangkok's Chinatown. Down south in [[Hat Yai]], [[Minnan phrasebook|Hokkien]] is also widely understood due to the large number of tourists from [[Penang]]. The eastern [[Isaan]] dialects are closely related to [[Lao phrasebook|Lao]] and there are dozens of small language groups in the tribal areas of the north, some so remote that Thai speakers are few and far between. Public signage is generally bilingual, written in both Thai and English. There is also some prevalence of Japanese and Chinese signs. Where there is English, it will usually be fairly phonetic - for example "Sawatdee" (meaning ''hello'') is pronounced just as it reads: sa-wat-dee. There is no universal agreement on how to transcribe Thai letters into English, so [[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]] for example is also commonly spelled Kao Sarn, Kao Sahn, Khao San, Koh Saan, Khaosan, and many other variations. Maps with names in both Thai and English make it easier for locals to try and help you. Most Thais learn '''English''' in school, and most younger upper and middle class Thais, as well as many people working in the service industry in Bangkok and other touristy areas, have a basic grasp of the language. Outside of that, English proficiency is generally poor to non-existent. Most "front desk" people in the travel industry speak at least enough English to communicate, and many are relatively fluent; some also speak one or more other languages popular with their clientèle, such as Chinese, Japanese, German, etc. Many Thais have trouble pronouncing the consonant clusters of the English language. Common confusion comes from the fact that Thais often pronounce "twenty" as "TEH-wen-ty", making it sound like they're saying "seventy". Therefore it is a good idea to make use of the calculators that street vendors may offer you to avoid confusion about prices offered when buying goods. Thais in general can be rather shy about their foreign language skills and this could get others to think that the Thais are not very chatty or communicative with foreigners. Since "saving face" is a big thing in Thailand, Thais often worry that people would judge their language skills. The best thing to do is to speak to them slowly and shower them with praise as you go along; that all will lift their spirits up. ==Get in== {{COVID-19 box|Effective 1 July 2022, all that's required to enter Thailand is '''proof of vaccination''' ''or'' a recent PCR/ART test. The Thailand Pass, mandatory insurance, and all other testing requirements have been dropped.|lastedit=2022-06-23}} ===Entry requirements=== [[File:Visa policy of Thailand.svg|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Thailand, with countries in green, cyan and purple having visa-free access; and countries in fallow having visa on arrival]] Ordinary passport holders of many Western and Asian countries, including most [[ASEAN]] countries, [[Australia]], [[Canada]], most [[European Union]] countries, [[Hong Kong]], [[Japan]] and the [[United States]] do not need a visa if their purpose of visit is tourism. Visitors receive '''30-day''' permits (except for citizens of [[Korea]], [[Argentina]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]] and [[Peru]] who get [http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15396-Tourist-Visa-Exemption.html 90 days]), but an exemption is granted only twice per calendar year when not arriving by air. Citizens of [[Myanmar]] may enter without a visa for 14 days only if they enter ''by air''; entry through any other mode of transport requires a valid visa. Thai immigration requires visitors' passports to have a minimum of 6 months validity and at least one completely blank visa page remaining. Visa-on-arrival for 14 days is available at certain entry points for passport holders of 21 other nations (Andorra, Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan). Check the latest information from the '''[http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15405-General-information.html Ministry of Foreign Affairs]''' . Those with passports from countries not widely known, including European city-states, or that have problems with document forgery, should obtain a visa in advance from the nearest Thai embassy. This is true even if visa on arrival is permitted. There are reports of tourists being detained using valid passports not commonly presented in Thailand. In addition, ask for a business card from the person or embassy which granted the visa, so they may be contacted on arrival, if necessary. Anyone whose nationality does not have its own embassy in Bangkok, should find out which third country represents your interests there, along with local contact information. Those arriving via air from most African and South American countries are required to show yellow fever certificates and receive a stamp on their entry forms from the onsite health centre prior to clearing immigration. '''Proof of onward travel''', long happily ignored by Thai immigration, has been known to be strictly applied in some instances. Airlines, that have to pay for your return flight if immigration doesn't let you in, are more rigorous about checking for it. A print-out of an e-ticket on a budget airline is sufficient to convince the enforcers, but those planning on continuing by land may have to get a little creative. Buying a fully refundable ticket and getting it refunded once in Thailand is also an option. Land crossings, on the other hand, are a very straightforward process and no proof of onward journey required (unless the border officials decide otherwise). Travelers from the '''visa-on-arrival''' countries listed above need to provide more documentation than visa-free travelers. Bring the equivalent of at least US$300 in cash (some recommend US$500), proof of accommodation, and proof of onward travel within two weeks. In some cases you may be asked to list all of the hotels where you plan to stay in Thailand. '''Overstaying''' in Thailand is risky. If you make it to Immigration and are fewer than 10 days over, you'll probably be allowed out with a fine of 500 baht per day. However, if for ''any'' reason you're caught overstaying by the police you'll be carted off to the notoriously unpleasant illegal immigrant holding pens and may be blacklisted from Thailand entirely. For most people it's not worth the risk: get a legal extension or do a visa run to the nearest border instead. Now that the number of visa exemptions at land borders is limited it is even more attractive to visit an immigration office to extend your visa or visa exemption with 30 days. Thai immigration officers at land border with Malaysia are known to ask foreigners for bribes of about RM2/20 baht per person before they stamp your passport. Immigration officers at airports generally do not ask for bribes. [https://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/12/thailand-police-foreigners-not-required-to-carry-passports-at-all-times/ It's controversial whether you must carry your passport with you at all times, but police are known to have tried to extort bribes for this.] {{dead link|unknown|December 2020}} In some situations it has proven to be enough to carry a photocopy of the passport ID page and the page with the latest entry stamp. ===By plane === [[File:HS-TUC (12168910266).jpg|thumbnail|Thai Airways Airbus A380 ]] The main international airports in Thailand are at '''[[Bangkok]]''' ({{IATA|BKK}}) and '''[[Phuket]]''' ({{IATA|HKT}}), which are well-served by intercontinental flights. Practically every airline that flies to Asia also flies into Bangkok, meaning that there is plenty of competition to keep ticket prices down. Bangkok has two major airports: '''Suvarnabhumi Airport''' ({{IATA|BKK}}) which is the main airport and serves most full-service carriers, and the older and smaller '''Don Mueang International Airport''' ({{IATA|DMK}}) which primarily serves low-cost carriers. International airports are also located at '''[[Hat Yai]]''', '''[[Krabi Province|Krabi]]''', '''[[Ko Samui]]''' and '''[[Chiang Mai]]''', though these are largely restricted to flights from other Southeast Asian countries. [[Kuala Lumpur]] and [[Singapore]] make excellent places to catch flights into these smaller Thai cities, meaning you can skip the ever-present touts and queues at Bangkok. The national carrier is the well-regarded '''[http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways]''', with '''[http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways]''' filling in some gaps in the region. Bangkok Airways offers free Internet access while you wait for boarding to start at your gate. Thai Airways subsidiary '''[http://www.thaismileair.com/ Thai Smile]''' (low cost carrier) has also started international operations from India. In addition, Malaysian discount carrier '''[http://www.airasia.com/th/en/home.page AirAsia]''' has also set up a subsidiary in Thailand, and is often the cheapest option for flights into Thailand. Chartered flights from and to Thailand from international destinations are operated by Hi Flying group. They fly to Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Samui and Udon Thani. For a full at-a-glance list of all Thai-based carriers, see the '''[[#Thai_airlines|Thai airlines]]''' section (below). ===By road=== '''[[Cambodia]]''' - six international border crossings. The highway from [[Siem Reap]] and the temples of [[Angkor]] via [[Poipet]] to [[Aranyaprathet]], once the stuff of nightmares, is now merely bad and can usually be covered in less than 3 hours. However, the queues at the Poipet crossing are infamous, and multiple scam artists operate at the crossing; the other crossing like [[Koh Kong]] / [[Hat Lek]] on the southern route from [[Sihanoukville]] to [[Trat]] are much quieter and less stressful. The land borders close for the night. '''[[Laos]]''' - the busiest border crossing is at the Friendship Bridge across the Mekong between [[Nong Khai]] and the Lao capital [[Vientiane]]. It's also possible to cross the Mekong at [[Chiang Khong]] / [[Huay Xai]], [[Nakhon Phanom]] / [[Tha Khaek]], [[Mukdahan]] / [[Savannakhet]], and elsewhere. * [[Vientiane]] / [[Udon Thani]] - A bus service runs from the Morning Market bus station in [[Vientiane]] to the bus station in [[Udon Thani]]. The cost is 80 baht or 22,000 kip and the journey takes two hours. The Udon Thani airport is 30 minutes by tuk-tuk from the bus station and is served by Thai Airways, Nok Air, and Air Asia. '''[[Malaysia]]''' and '''[[Singapore]]''' - driving up is entirely possible, although not with a rented vehicle. Main crossings (with the name of the town on Malaysian side in brackets) between Thailand and Malaysia are Wang Prachan ([[Wang Kelian]]) in [[Satun (province)|Satun]] Province, [[Padang Besar (Thailand)|Padang Besar]] ([[Padang Besar (Malaysia)|Padang Besar]]) and [[Sadao]] ([[Bukit Kayu Hitam]]) in [[Songkhla (province)|Songkhla]] Province, Betong (Pengkalan Hulu) in [[Yala (province)|Yala]] Province, and [[Sungai Kolok]] (Rantau Panjang) in [[Narathiwat (province)|Narathiwat]] Province. There are regular buses from '''[[Singapore]]''' to the southern hub of [[Hat Yai]]. Thai immigration at the Malaysian border has long been known to demand a bribe of 20 baht/RM2 per person to stamp you in or out, though there has been a crackdown on this. Instead, there is now an official fee of 25 baht if you are crossing the border at peak times (05:00-08:30, 12:00-13:00 or 16:30-21:00 on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays). '''[[Myanmar]]''' - The border crossings with Myanmar are located at '''[[Mae Sai]]/[[Tachileik]]''', '''[[Mae Sot]]/[[Myawaddy]]''', the '''[[Three Pagodas Pass]] ([[Sangkhlaburi]]/[[Payathonzu]])''' and '''[[Ranong]]/[[Kawthoung]]'''. As of 2013, the Burmese government had lifted all restrictions on foreigners entering and leaving Myanmar via the Thai border, so it was possible to travel between Yangon and Bangkok overland. Just make sure that both your Thai (if required) and Burmese visas are in order, as no visa-on-arrival is available at the border. As traffic moves on the left in Thailand, but moves on the right in all the neighbouring countries except Malaysia, you will generally need to change sides of the road when crossing an international border into Thailand. ===By train === '''Malaysia''': Overnight trains go from Bangkok to the border at [[Padang Besar (Thailand)|Padang Besar]], where you can connect to Malaysian services onward to [[Butterworth]] (for [[Penang]]), [[Kuala Lumpur]] and [[Singapore]]. Tickets are cheap even in first class sleepers, but it can be a slow ride. What is a 2-hour flight to Singapore will take you close to 48 hours by rail, as you have to change trains twice. The luxury option is to take the '''[https://www.belmond.com/trains/asia/eastern-and-oriental-express/ Eastern & Oriental Express]''', a refurbished super-luxury train that runs from Singapore to Bangkok once per week, with gourmet dining, personal butler service, and every other colonial perk you can think of. However, at around USD1,000 one-way just from Bangkok to Butterworth, it is approximately 30 times more expensive than an ordinary first-class sleeper! '''Laos''': A link across the Mekong to [[Laos]] opened in March 2009, with twice daily shuttle services between [[Nong Khai]] on the Thai side to Thanaleng (near [[Vientiane]]) on the Lao side, and the shuttles timed for connections to and from the Bangkok-Nong Khai train. The [[Kunming]]-[[Vientiane]] railway line from China, which was completed in 2021, is being extended to Bangkok but completion is still years away. '''Cambodia''': While you can't get to [[Cambodia]] by train, you can get very close, with a railway line from Bangkok to [[Aranyaprathet]] at the Cambodian border, where you can cross into [[Poipet]] by road, and from there catch an onward train to [[Phnom Penh]]. '''Myanmar''': There are no rail services across the border, but the Thai part of the infamous Burma Death Railway is still operating near [[Kanchanaburi]]. ===By ferry === It is possible to travel by ferries in high season (Nov-May) from Phuket and island hop your way down the coast all the way to Indonesia. This can now be done without ever touching the mainland, '''Phuket (Thailand) to Penang (Malaysia), islands en route:''' *Ko Phi Phi *Ko Lanta *Ko Ngai *Ko Mook *Ko Bulon *[[Ko Lipe]]— Ko Lipe being the hub on the border between Thailand and Malaysia having a Thai immigration office. * Langkawi- Malaysian immigration here. *Penang The Thai portion can be done in a day. Ferries cross from [[Satun]] in southern Thailand to the Malaysian island of [[Langkawi]], while over in [[Narathiwat (province)|Narathiwat]] Province, a vehicular ferry shuttles between [[Tak Bai]] and Pengkalan Kubur, near [[Kota Bharu]] in Malaysia's [[Kelantan]] state. There are also occasional cruises from [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]] to [[Phuket]] and [[Bangkok]], the main operator being [http://www.starcruises.com Star Cruises], but no scheduled services. == Get around == Thailand is a large country, but the good news is that there are plenty of affordable and comfortable ways to get around. Domestic flights are a good option for lengthy trips like Bangkok to Phuket or Chiang Mai, with very competitive fares on the main routes if booked in advance, while plush VIP intercity buses ply the highways to every city of any size and there's a reasonable train network as well. Renting a car or motorbike to drive yourself is a more questionable proposition, since while the road network is quite good, Thailand's traffic safety record has a lot of room for improvement and large cities, especially Bangkok, are snarled in perpetual traffic jams. Nevertheless, rentals for a step-in 125/150cc bike start from about 1000 baht/week including helmet, making this an attractive option to to get around and explore nearby areas. Most any hotel or lodging will be more than happy to help you arrange a rental. ===By plane === [[File:Bangkok Air Airbus A319 Prasertwit-4.jpg|thumb|A Bangkok Airways plane]] Thailand is a large country, and if sitting in a bus for 11 hours is not your idea of a fun time, you may well want to consider domestic flights, which can whisk you from Bangkok to anywhere in the country in an hour. Never terribly expensive to begin with (at least by Western standards), the deregulation of the industry has brought in a crop of new operators: with a little research, it's possible to fly pretty much anywhere in the country for less than 2,000 baht. On highly competitive routes like [[Bangkok]] to [[Phuket]] it is possible to fly for less than a bus ticket if you book in advance. Various taxes and (often hefty) surcharges are invariably added to advertised prices. Don't forget to bring the credit card you used to book the ticket. While most flights still lead to Bangkok, popular regional hubs like Chiang Mai and Phuket are well connected to the entire country. The budget airlines are also selling 'flights' that are actually packages combining flights with ferry and bus transfers to extend their reach to destinations without usable airports. Few airlines limit themselves to domestic operations; you are likely to find that some budget airline offers better connections to [[Myanmar]] or [[China]]. The numerous airlines and changing routes make flight price comparison websites useful as long as you buy tickets directly from the airline; you are not going to get Thai budget airline tickets cheaper through a third party. ====Thai airlines==== Pan-ASEAN low-cost carrier '''[http://www.airasia.com AirAsia]''' has great coverage of international and domestic routes in Thailand and offers steeply discounted tickets if booked well in advance; however, prices rise steadily as planes fill up. It's often the cheapest option, sometimes even cheaper than bus or train, if booked at least a week or two in advance. They fly their A320s from [[Bangkok]] to a number of places domestically, and to [[Cambodia]], [[China]], [[Macau]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Taiwan]], [[Malaysia]], [[Myanmar]], [[Singapore]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Indonesia]]. Their website displays "all-inclusive" prices during booking (which, however, still do not include optional surcharges such as baggage fees). On-line booking is straightforward and can be done even using the mobile phone, but must be done at least 24 hours in advance; ticket sales at the check-in desk close one hour before the departure time. '''[http://www.bangkokair.com Bangkok Airways]''' promotes itself as "Asia's Boutique Airline", and has a monopoly on flights to its own airports at [[Ko Samui]] (now shared with Thai Airways), [[Sukhothai]], and [[Trat]]. Quite an expensive and "posh" option, although the fares are "all-inclusive" with no need to pay extra for baggage, meals and even airport lounge access, which is afforded to all Economy Class passengers. In addition, the [http://bangkokair.com/pages/discovery_airpass/discovery-airpass Discovery Airpass] with fixed per segment rates can be good value, especially if used to fly to [[Siem Reap]], ([[Cambodia]]) or [[Luang Prabang]], ([[Laos]]). The Discovery Airpass can only be purchased abroad. '''[http://www.nokair.com Nok Air]''' took to the skies in 2004 sporting lurid paint schemes with a bird's beak painted on the nose. Owned mostly by Thai Airways, they compete with Air Asia on price and, with a fairly comprehensive domestic network, are a pretty good choice overall. They ran into some serious turbulence in 2008, cutting their flights by two-thirds, but now seem to have recovered. '''[http://www.thaiair.com Thai Airways International]''' is the most reliable, frequent, and comfortable Thai airline, but usually more expensive than the alternatives (look for their promotions). Travel agents often sell only Thai Airways (and Bangkok Airways) tickets; you can also book on-line. Thai Airways is a member of Star Alliance; all domestic flights, except some promotional fares, give at least 500 Star Alliance miles, which may (partially) compensate the price difference. '''[http://www.lionairthai.com/en/ Thai Lion Air]''' is a budget airline started in 2013 as an offshoot of the Indonesian Lion Air. It still runs aggressive price promotions on most popular routes but you may have to fly very late or very early with inconvenient airport transfers. '''[http://vietjetair.com Thai VietJet Air]''' operates flights on behalf of the Vietnamese VietJet Air using Suvarnabhumi as its hub. ===By train === [[Image:Thailand_rail_map.gif|frame|SRT railway network]] '''[http://www.railway.co.th/home/Default.aspx?lenguage=Eng State Railway of Thailand]''' (SRT) has a 4,000-km network covering most of the country, from [[Chiang Mai]] in the north all the way to (and beyond) the [[Malaysia]]n border in the south. Compared to buses, most trains are relatively slow and prone to delays, but safer. You can pick up fruits, snacks and cooked food from vendors at most stations. With the arrival of new carriages, the railway's premier intercity and sleeper trains are the most comfortable way to travel around Thailand if time is not an issue; First Class accommodation is in high demand at least between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and must be booked well in advance. Point-to-point fares depend on the type (speed) of the train and the class of the carriage. There are three classes of service: * '''First class''' (''chan neung'') 2-berth sleeping compartments with individually regulated air conditioning are available on some trains, but prices are sometimes matched by budget airfares. * '''Second class''' (''chan song'') is a good compromise, costing about the same as 1st class buses and with a comparable level of comfort. Second class is divided into four different subclasses - non-air-conditioned seating, air-conditioned seating, non-air-conditioned open-section sleeper berths and air-conditioned open sleeper berths, with each subclass having different fares and not all of them being available on every train. Also included in this category are the Express Diesel Railcar services, fully air-conditioned day-trains with reclining seats and airline-style meals included in the fare; unlike all other Thai passenger trains, they can match buses for speed, but cannot carry bicycles. * '''Third class''' (''chan saam'') is the cheapest way to travel in Thailand, with virtually nominal fares, and can be great fun. Sometimes packed with tuk-tuk drivers heading home with a sack of rice and a bottle of cheap whisky for company, as a ''farang'' (foreigner) you're guaranteed to be the centre of attention - quite enjoyable in small doses, but 10 hours of this might be a bit much. Some 3rd class trains have wooden seats, others are upholstered; some services can be pre-booked, others cannot; refreshments are available from hawkers who roam the aisles. No air-conditioning, but since there are fans in the ceiling and the cars are lined with huge, wide-open windows, there's plenty of wind. It's only really hot under the midday beating sun and sometimes when the train is stopped. Tickets may be purchased on-line from [https://www.thairailwayticket.com/eTSRT/ Thairailwayticket.com]. Tickets may be purchased from 60 days in advance to two hours before departure. You can ship your motorbike on the same train on which you travel. All trains do not have baggage cars, so check with the ticket office. Shipping costs for motorbikes are roughly equivalent to the price of a first-class ticket on the same train. Full information regarding routes, timetables and up-to-date ticket costs along with interesting videos can be found at [http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#.UPuwkR1wqZ8 seat61.com]. ===By road === Thailand's roads are head and shoulders above those of its neighbors [[Myanmar]], [[Laos]] or [[Cambodia]], and in the last few years, being the subject of major improvements but driving habits are still quite dangerous. '''Drunk driving''', '''speeding''' and '''reckless passing''' are common and bus and taxi drivers (especially for private companies) work inhuman shifts and often take drugs to keep themselves awake, with predictable and tragic results. Lately, road blocks and strict policing are being implemented quite often in an attempt to address the situation but it may still take same time for the results to start bearing fruit. There are an estimated 24,000 fatalities on Thai roads annually.<!-- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38660283 --> It's common for motorbikes &mdash; even police! &mdash; to drive close to the curb '''on the wrong side of the road'''. Death tolls sky-rocket around major holidays, especially Songkran, when bystanders often throw water on passing cars and bikes. Many drivers forget to switch on headlights at night, multiplying risks, and it is wise to '''avoid or minimize overnight travel''' by road. Unlike in its neighbours (except Malaysia), traffic moves on the left side of the road in Thailand and Thai cars are generally right-hand drive. Most official road directional signs are bilingual and written in both Thai and English. Renting a car to explore on your own is a cost-effective way of getting off the beaten track if you are with a 4-person group, and will avoid the constant hassle of haggling with local taxi/tuk-tuk drivers. Most major roads are marked in both Thai and English and traffic culture is not as bad as some might lead you to believe. Keep a sharp lookout in both mirrors from passing traffic including 18-wheelers and scooters. If you travel with one companion and have a motorbike license, it's worth it exploring the possibilities of using small automatic gearbox 125/150cc step-on bikes to do shorter local excursions and use other mass means of transport for longer travel distances between cities and towns. It's quite safe to use these bikes and it allows one to appreciate the landscapes, if you stick to moderate speeds and keep to the left hand side of the road, like the local bikers do. Traffic on major highways moves at 100-120 km/h, while smaller highways are generally 80 km/h. Gas stations are common and most Thai are more than willing to give directions in spite of any language barriers. Drive very defensively at first and watch what the locals do. Of course, it helps if you are accustomed to driving on the left side of the road, which in itself could be enough to distract some Western drivers. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal and dangerous, and driving at night also increased the risk of accidents — even if you're sober, many others aren't. If you're traveling by public conveyance-bus, train, airplane-you may be shocked at the difference in cost between long distance and local travel. A 119 km journey between Khon Kaen and Udon Thani in a minivan costs 84 baht, or 0.71 baht per kilometre. Traveling the three kilometres from the bus station to a hotel will cost 60-100 baht, or 20-33 baht per kilometre (Nov 2015). ====Rental cars==== Renting a car usually costs between 1,200-1,500 baht if you want to go for an economical one like a Toyota Vios. Most international companies can be found in Thailand. Also check guides to particular cities for reputable local car rental companies, which are often a little cheaper. You can choose among international companies such as [http://www.budget.co.th Budget], [http://www.avisthailand.com Avis] or you can choose to book with local company like [http://www.thailandcarsrentals.com/ www.thailandcarsrentals.com]. Check the documentation and make sure that everything is done according to rules. Perform required checks and notify the car company about any damage before using the vehicle. ==== Bus ==== {{infobox|VIP? Very Inferior Product|Travel agencies, particularly those on Bangkok's [[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]], are keen to sell you '''VIP''' bus tickets. Despite the name, these are private buses are often inferior to the public ones: it's not uncommon to end up in some cramped minivan and have to change several times along the way, and theft can be a problem as well. It's better to do as the Thais do and stick to public buses, but if you must, keep your valuables with you and don't put anything you can't afford to lose in the storage under the bus.}} Buses travel throughout the country and the government's bus company '''BKS''' (บขส ''Baw Kaw Saw''), known in English simply as the '''[http://home.transport.co.th/ Transport Company]''', has a terminal in every province of any size. Generally speaking, BKS buses are a good option for both price and comfort. There are also private buses sanctioned by BKS, which operate on the same routes from the same terminals with the same fares, and these are also fine. The ones to watch out for are the illegal bus companies, which operate from tourist areas (especially [[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]]) and subsidize slightly cheaper tickets with worse amenities, schedules and safety. In particular, beware of non-government "VIP" buses, which often turn out to be cramped minivans - and you'll only find this out after paying in advance. The basic BKS bus types, from the most luxurious to the most basic, are: [[Image:Changtu-thailand-Bangkok-Krabi.jpg|thumb|1st class intercity bus, [[Krabi Town|Krabi]]]] [[Image:2nd class intercity bus in Rayong.jpg|thumb|2nd class intercity bus, [[Rayong]]]] [[Image:ChiangSaen Bus Outside.JPG|thumb|Local bus, [[Chiang Saen]]]] * '''VIP''' - Blue and white/silver with a pink stripe, 32 seats or less, reclining seats (typically 135 degrees) with good legroom. Generally take the most direct routes and make very few stops. Always air-conditioned, freshly laundered shrink-wrapped blanket, water and a snack provided. On overnight trips, a Thai meal at a long (25-30 minutes) stop in the middle of the night is normally included, a small separate ticket (written entirely in Thai) is often given at the start of the journey for that purpose; if not, just follow the other passengers. Toilet on board for all but the shortest services. Somewhat (25-30%, which amounts to 100-180 baht for a typical overnight route) more expensive than the first class. Available only on more busy routes, like Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Phuket. *'''First class''' (ชั้น 1 ''chan neung'') - Blue and white. As fast and almost as comfortable as VIP buses, with otherwise identical services, but packs in around 40 seats with a little less recline, sometimes up to 60 on double-decker services. Good enough and often the best class available for medium- to long-distance trips. *'''Second class''' (ชั้น 2 ''chan song'') - Blue and white with a prominent red stripe, usually 45-48 seats per bus, air conditioned (some provide blankets, some do not). Often takes a less direct route than 1st class/VIP and has more stops. Most have no on-board toilet, although the frequent stops mean this isn't a problem. Not much (10-20%) cheaper than the First class, and significantly slower, worth using if there's no better choice available to your destination. *'''Express''' (''rot duan'') - Identifiable by their orange/red colour. Despite the name, these are slower than any of the options above, and only barely faster than local buses. Size varies, with the largest having around 65 seats (five seats per row) as well as an open space across the width of the bus by the back door for you to sling your backpack, bicycle, sack of rice, live chickens, etc. Not air conditioned. * '''Local''' - Very slow, can be cramped when full (nevertheless there's always room for one more), and stop at every village and cowshed along the way. Many are of larger '''''[[Thailand#Songthaew|songthaew]]''''' flavour. Not suitable for long-distance travel, but may be the only cheap way to get around locally. A particular bus ''always'' operates on the same route, so the route is often painted onto the bus itself. While signage up front may be only written in Thai, especially on local services, on BKS buses the destinations are always stenciled onto the side in English as well. Some buses may have TVs and sound systems blaring, so earplugs are well worth having, just in case. On long-haul buses, if your ticket allocates you a front seat, you may have to switch seats if a monk boards. If you are travelling a long distance on a daytime bus, take a minute to figure out the sunny side and the shady side of the bus. For example, going from Chiang Mai to Bangkok on a 09:00 bus (south), seats on the right side will be bathed in sunlight all day (curtains are provided), so the left side is preferred by most. Tickets for BTS buses can be booked online directly at the [https://tcl99web.transport.co.th/Home official website]. For other companies, travel agencies and online ticketing systems such as [http://12go.asia 12go.asia] can be useful. Other reputable tour bus companies include: *[http://www.greenbusthailand.com/website/en/ Green Bus Corporation] (Chiang Mai-based). *[http://www2.nakhonchaiair.com/ Nakhonchaiair Co., Ltd.] *[http://www.phetprasert.com Phetprasert] *[http://www.sombattour.com/ Sombat Tour Co., Ltd.] ====Minivan==== Minivan services are ubiquitous, although under the radar as minivans typically are anonymous grey Toyota vans with no company markings. They serve shorter routes, such as Krabi to Phuket, about 180 km or Bangkok to Hua Hin, about 200 km. The purported advantage of taking a minibus is speed, as they move quickly once they get going. Disadvantages are that they are expensive compared with standard bus travel, they can be uncomfortable as they are usually crammed full, and they offer little room for luggage. Take minivans from bus stations. Do not take minivans that offer to pick you up at your hotel. They will pick you up, but then you will spend the next hour driving to other hotels to pick up more passengers. You will then be driven to an aggregator where all the collected passengers will disembark to wait for the minivan to their respective destinations. Then you will likely be driven to a bus station to change to a third and final minivan. Better just to sleep in, then go to bus station to book your (cheaper) minivan ticket, thus saving 2 hours of pointless discomfort. ==== Songthaew ==== [[Image:Yellow Songthaew.JPG|thumb|A typical rural ''songthaew'', [[Mae Salong]]]] A '''songthaew''' (สองแถว) is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side &mdash; hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards. Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses (generally the most economical way to travel shorter distances) and also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price of the ride before embarking. ==== Tuk-tuk ==== [[Image:Tuktuk3.JPG|thumb|Tuk-tuks on the prowl, [[Bangkok]]]] The name '''tuk-tuk''' is used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built (e.g., the ubiquitous Bangkok tuk-tuk), others are partially based on motorcycle components (primarily engines, steering, front suspension, fuel tank, drivers seat). A relatively recent development is the four wheeled tuk-tuk (basically a microvan-songthaew) as found in [[Phuket]]. Tuk-tuks are small, noisy, and perhaps dangerous; but possibly the worst thing about them is that, as a passenger, you cannot see a damned thing due to the low roof line. To catch even a glimpse of the passing scene you will find yourself practically supine. You will often find yourself at the mercy of the tuk-tuk driver when it comes to pricing as you will likely have no clue as to the acceptable ''raa kaa Thai'' ("Thai price") and will probably have to cough up a ''raa kaa farang'' ("farang price"). Even if you do know the Thai price, the driver may just not bother to accept it on principle. If you pay with a larger denomination bill, it is also probable that the driver will whine that he has no change. If this happens, try to break the note in a nearby shop. ==== Taxi ==== Metered taxis are ubiquitous in [[Bangkok]] and starting to become more popular in [[Chiang Mai]], but rare elsewhere in the country. When available, they are an excellent means of transport - insist on the meter. Beware of taxis which idle around touristy areas and wait for people. They are looking for a tourist who will take their taxi without using a meter. Instead, try to flag down a taxi moving down the street, or use a taxi stand where the locals are queueing. Always insist on the meter, and use another taxi if the driver refuses to turn it on. Most drivers do not speak English, so be sure to have your hotel staff write the names of your destinations in Thai to show the driver. The main ride hailing app is '''[https://www.grab.com/th/en/ Grab]''', which has taken over Uber's local operation, and is available in any larger city or beach destination. Grab fares are typically up to 2x as expensive as taxis, but prices are fixed, navigation is easy and you can easily pay by credit card. ==== Motorbike ==== As is the case throughout virtually all of Southeast Asia, motorcycles (''motosai'') are the most common form of transport overall; the most popular type are the 100 cc-125 cc step-through models. These are very widely used as taxis, with fares starting from as low as 10 baht. Negotiate the fare with the driver before using his service otherwise you may be charged more than you expect. Motorcycles can be rented without difficulty in many locations. Rates start at around 125 baht/day for recent 100-125 cc semi-automatic (foot-operated gear change, automatic clutch) step-through models, 150 baht/day for fully automatic scooters; larger capacity models can also easily be found, although the rates reflect the risks: up to around 2,500 baht/day for the very latest model high capacity sport bikes, such as the Honda CBR1000RR. In all cases, lower prices will apply if paying upfront for more than a week or so; in some cases, long-distance travel may be prohibited. Motorcycle rentals do not include insurance, and both motorcycling accidents and motorbike thefts are common. Many places will rent to you without requiring a license, but legally speaking you '''must''' have a valid Thai license or International Driver's Permit. Often a deposit will be required; sometimes a passport photocopy, or even the passport itself will be requested (Don't do this. Bargain to leave some baht instead). An International Driver's Permit may be used for a maximum of 90 days; having one might lead to requesting your passport to see the entrance stamp, another reason not to leave your passport at the renting company. Helmets are normally included, but are usually ultra-basic models with very flimsy chin-strap fasteners. If you're intending to travel by motorcycle and have a good quality helmet at home, then bring it with you. If supplied a helmet with a chin-cup (many cheap rental helmets are), slide the cup up the strap out of the way and securely fasten the bare strap directly under the jaw, as this is much safer. Insurance is usually not included (or even available), so try to ensure in advance that the insurance you leave home with is going to cover you; alternatively, arrange cover with an insurance broker locally in Thailand. If you rent a vehicle without insurance and it's damaged or stolen (take photos of the bike at the time of rental!), the bottom line is that you will be required to '''pay in full''' the cost of repairing or replacing it. Furthermore, some travel insurance policies will only provide medical cover in the event of an accident if you hold a motorcycle license in your home country. According to the WHO ''Global Status Report on Road Safety 2013'', Thailand in 2010 had 38.1 road fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants. This is the second highest in the world. 74% of those fatalities involved "motorized two or three wheelers". Motorcyclists (including passengers) are required to wear crash helmets and to keep their headlights switched on at all times. Enforcement varies widely, but in tourist areas spot checks for helmets and/or licenses are commonplace. While the fines are light (typically 400 baht) the inconvenience can be considerable as offender's vehicle and/or driver's license is impounded until the fine is paid, and the queue at the police station can be lengthy. Some border crossings allow motorcycles through. At those which do, documentation including proof of ownership must be produced (with the possible exception of day visits to [[Payathonzu]], [[Myanmar]] via [[Three Pagodas Pass]]). ==== Rental car ==== Driving your own car in Thailand is not for the faint-hearted, and many rental companies can supply drivers at a very reasonable price. Prices without insurance for a self-driven car start from around 800 baht/day for small cars, and from as little as 600 baht/day for open-topped Jeeps. Cars with insurance start at just under 1,000 baht/day, and come down to around 5,600 baht/week or 18,000 baht/month. Driving is (usually, but not always!) on the left hand side of the road. Fuel at large petrol stations is 37-45 baht/litre. Small kerbside vendors who pump by hand from drums and/or pour from bottles charge a few baht more. Cars can be rented without difficulty in many locations. It's worth paying a little more than the absolute minimum to use one of the international franchises (e.g. Avis, Budget, and Hertz) to minimize the risk of hassles, and to ensure that any included insurance is actually worth something. More reputable agencies require that valid licences be produced. Foreigners who do not have a Thai driving licence '''must carry a valid International Driving Permit'''. Even if you manage to rent a car without an IDP, not having one will invalidate the insurance and count against you in the event of an accident. A common rental scam involves the owner taking a deposit, and then later refusing to refund it in full on the basis that the customer is responsible for previous damage; the Tourist Police (dial 1155) may be able to help. Another common scam involves the owner having someone follow the rented vehicle and later "steal" it, using a set of spare keys. Always report thefts: a "stolen" vehicle may mysteriously turn up as soon as the police become involved. ===By boat === [[Image:AoNang Longtails.JPG|thumb|240px|Long-tail boats, [[Ao Nang]], [[Krabi Province|Krabi]]]] One of the Thais' many names for themselves is ''jao naam'', the Water Lords, and from the river expresses of [[Bangkok]] to the fishing trawlers of [[Phuket]], boats remain an indispensable way of getting around many parts of the country. Perhaps the most identifiably Thai boat is the '''longtail boat''' (''reua hang yao''), a long, narrow wooden boat with the propeller at the end of a long "tail" stretching from the boat. This makes them supremely manoeuvrable even in shallow waters, but they're a little underpowered for longer trips and you'll get wet if it's even a little choppy. Longtails usually act as taxis that can be chartered, although prices vary widely. Figure on 300-400 baht for a few hours' rental, or up to 1,500 baht for a full day. In some locations like [[Krabi Province|Krabi]], longtails run along set routes and charge fixed prices per passenger. Modern, air-conditioned speedboat services, sometimes ferries (departure every 30 min) also run from the [[Surat Thani (province)|Surat Thani]] to popular islands like [[Ko Samui]] and [[Ko Pha Ngan]]. Truly long-distance services (e.g., Bangkok to any other major city) have, however, effectively ceased to exist as buses, planes, and even trains are faster. Safety measures are rudimentary and ferries and speedboats do sink occasionally, so avoid overloaded ships in poor weather, and scope out the nearest life jackets when on board. As of November 2018, [https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/travel/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-service-back-again-for-high-season ferry service is available] between Hua Hin and Pattaya, a 2.5-hour journey for 1,250 Thai Baht on a catamaran with a maximum capacity of 340. ==See== {{infobox|Wats for dummies|A Thai temple is known as a "wat". Usually a temple does not consist of one building, but is a collection of buildings, shrines and monuments enclosed by a wall. There are thousands of temples in Thailand, and nearly every town or village has at least one. The word "wat" (วัด) literally means school, and the temple has been the only place where formal education took place for centuries. A typical Buddhist wat consists of the following structures: * '''Ubosot''' — Also written as ''Bot''. The holiest prayer building, usually only open to the monks on special occasions. It is architecturally similar to the viharn, but is usually more heavily decorated and it has eight cornerstones to ward off evil. It is also known as the "ordination hall" as it is where the monks take their vows. If opened to the public, some abbots have the Ubosot of their Wat closed to women. An Ubosot is not always present in a Wat. * '''Wihan''' — Also written as ''Viharn'' or ''Vihara''. Usually the busiest building in a wat, it is where the temple's main Buddha image is and where people come to make offerings. It is open for everyone. A Wat can have more than one Wihan. * '''Chedi''' or '''stupa''' — A tall bell-shaped structure that generally houses relics of the Buddha. * '''Prang''' — A finger-like spire of Khmer and Ayutthayan origin that serves the same religious purpose as a chedi. * '''Mondop''' — An open, square building with four arches and a pyramidal roof. It is often used to worship religious texts or objects. * '''Sala''' — An open-sided pavilion that is used for relaxation and as a meeting place (and often used as a shelter for rain). * '''Chofa''' — Mostly bird-like decorations on the end of temple roofs. They are meant to represent the Garuda, a mythical creature that is half bird and half man. Other shapes include a Naga head and an Elphant head.}} ===Historical and cultural attractions=== [[Bangkok]] is at the start of many visitors' itineraries, and while a modern city, it has a rich cultural heritage. Most visitors at least take in the Grand Palace, a collection of highly decorated buildings and monuments. It is home to Wat Phra Kaew, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand that houses the Emerald Buddha. Other cultural attractions include Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Jim Thompson's House, but these are just a fraction of possible sights you could visit. The former capitals of Siam, [[Ayutthaya]] and [[Sukhothai]], make excellent stops for those interested in Thai history. The latter could be combined with a visit to [[Si Satchanalai]] and [[Kamphaeng Phet]], all of which are [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage Sites]]. Khmer architecture is mostly found in Isaan, with the historical remains of [[Phimai]] and [[Nang Rong|Phanom Rung]] being the most significant. In the northern provinces live unique hill-tribe peoples, often visited as part of a trek. The six major hill tribes in Thailand are the Akha, Lahu, Karen, Hmong, Mien and Lisu, each with a distinct language and culture. [[Chiang Mai]] makes a good base for arranging these treks, and has some cultural sights of its own, such as Wat Doi Suthep. [[Kanchanaburi]] has a lot of sights related to World War II. The Bridge over the River Kwai, popularised by the film of the same name, is the most famous one, but the museums in its vicinity are a lot more moving. "The Dead Railway" (tang rod fai sai morana) is the railway constructed by captive allied soldiers during World War II. This railway has a nice view all along its route. ===Beaches and islands=== [[Image:Chaweng-beach koh Samui.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Chaweng]] beach, [[Ko Samui]] ]] Thailand's beaches and islands attract millions of visitors each year from all over the globe. [[Hua Hin]] is Thailand's oldest beach resort, made famous by King Rama VII in the 1920s as an ideal getaway from Bangkok. Things have considerably changed since then. [[Pattaya]], [[Phuket]], and [[Ko Samui]] only came to prominence in the 1970s, and these are now by far the most developed beach resorts. [[Krabi Province]] has some beautiful spots, including [[Ao Nang]], [[Rai Leh]] and the long golden beaches of [[Ko Lanta]]. [[Ko Phi Phi]], renowned as a true island paradise, has been undergoing massive development since the release of the film ''The Beach'' in 2000. [[Ko Pha Ngan]] offers the best of both worlds, with both well-developed beaches and empty ones a short ride away. It is also where the infamous "Full Moon Party" takes place. [[Ko Chang]] is a bit like [[Ko Samui]] used to be. It has a backpacker vibe, but is fairly laid-back and there is accommodation in all price ranges. If you're looking for unspoiled beaches, [[Ko Kut]] is very thinly populated, but also difficult to explore. [[Ko Samet]] is the closest island beach to Bangkok, but its northern beaches are quite developed and hotels are pretty much sold out on weekends and public holidays. ===Natural scenery=== While not as beautiful as Malaysia or Indonesia, Thailand does have its fair share of '''tropical forest'''. [[Khao Yai National Park]], the first national park of Thailand, is the closest to Bangkok. Wild tigers and elephants are increasingly rare, but you can't miss the macaques, gibbons, deer, and species of birds. The stretch of jungle at [[Khao Sok National Park]] is probably even more impressive, and you can spend the night in the middle of the jungle. '''Waterfalls''' can be found all over Thailand. The Heo Suwat Waterfall in [[Khao Yai National Park]] and the 7-tiered Erawan Falls in [[Kanchanaburi]] are among the most visited, but the Thee Lor Sue Waterfall in [[Umphang]] and the 11-tiered Pa La-u Falls in [[Hua Hin|Kaeng Krachan National Park]] are equally exciting. Finally, the gravity-defying '''limestone formations''' of the [[Phang Nga Bay]] shouldn't be missed by anyone who stays in the region. ===Itineraries=== * [[Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in 3 days]] — three-day tour through parts of Northern Thailand that are largely undiscovered by tourists * [[Mae Hong Son Loop]] — A journey through mountainous Mae Hong Son Province * [[Northern Thailand Loop Tour]] — Explore the heart of rural northern Thailand * [[One day in Bangkok]] — if you have just one day to spare and want to catch a feel for the city * [[Rattanakosin Tour]] — a quick tour along Bangkok's famed historic district * [[Samoeng Loop]] — a 100 km loop popular with bicyclists and motorcyclists through the mountains starting and ending in Chiang Mai * [[Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour]] — a full-day walking tour through this multicultural district ==Do== ===Golf=== [[Golf]] arrived in Thailand during the reign of King Rama V one hundred years ago. It was first played by nobles and other high society elites, but since then, things have certainly changed. Over the past decade or so, the popularity of golf in Thailand has escalated; it is now popular with Thais and visiting tourists and expatriates. Catering to the needs of an average of 400,000 foreign golfers coming to Thailand annually, golf in Thailand has turned into a huge local industry with new courses constantly being churned out. Golf alone annually brings 8 billion baht into the local economy. Thailand offers over two hundred courses with high standards. Internationally renowned courses can be found in tourist-spots like [[Bangkok]], [[Pattaya]], and [[Phuket]]. There is an abundance of reasons why golf in Thailand has become so popular. First, if you compare the cost to most golfing countries in the world, membership and course fees are exceptionally low. The general low cost of travel in Thailand itself makes the country ideal for cost-efficiency minded tourists. Also, many of the golf courses in Thailand have been designed by top names in the game such as Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman. * {{do | name=Thailand Golf Courses Association | url= | email= | address=96 Moo 3, Viphavadi-Rangsit Rd, Bangkok | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+66 2 6625234 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=}} ===Outdoors=== [[File:Surfing-surin-beach.jpg|thumb|Surfing in Phuket]] Thailand's a big enough country, the size of Spain, that you can find a place to practice almost any outdoor sport. [[Ko Tao]] is becoming one of Asia's great '''[[scuba diving]]''' centres, with [[Ang Thong National Marine Park]] near [[Ko Samui]] and the [[Similan Islands]] off Khao Lak also drawing crowds. One of the newest hot spots for diving is [[Ko Lipe]], a small island that is relatively unspoiled with great reefs and stunning beaches. '''Snorkelling''' can be done at pretty much every beach, but the coral reefs of the [[Similan Islands]] stand out as particularly worthwhile. While Thailand does not match surf paradises like Bali, '''surfing''' does have its place. The waves are generally small, good for '''longboarding''' and those wanting to learn to surf. [[Khao Lak]] and [[Phuket]]'s west coast beaches are among the better ones, but the best waves are to be found at the relatively unknown [[Ko Kradan]] on the west coast of Trang Province. Other surf-spots include [[Rayong]] and [[Ko Samui]], but the waves of the Gulf Coast are less reliable. [[Phang Nga Bay]]'s gravity-defying limestone formations are usually seen with boat tours, but if you go '''sea-canoeing''', you can get into areas unexplored by the tourist masses. The limestone cliffs of [[Rai Leh]] are among the best in the world for '''rock-climbing'''. ===Pampering=== Traditional '''Thai massage''' has a history of more than 2,500 years. Practitioners of Thai massage operate on the belief that many invisible lines of energy run through the body. The masseur uses his or her hands, elbows, feet, heels and knees to exert pressure on these lines, releasing blockages that may exist, allowing a free flow of energy through the body. Many Thais believe that these massages are beneficial both for treating diseases and aiding general well-being. You're supposed to feel both relaxed and energised after a session. Although '''spas''' weren't introduced here until the early 1990s, Thailand has quickly become one of the highest ranking spa destinations in the world. Besides traditional Thai massage, there is a phenomenal variety of international treatments, including aromatherapy, Swedish massage and many others. There is usually an option for every budget, varying from extravagant wellness centres in luxury hotels to the ubiquitous little massage shops found on many street corners. ===Traditional games=== *'''Makruk''' (หมากรุก) - also known as '''Thai chess'''. The most popular chess variant in Thailand, where its popularity even eclipses international [[chess]]. While it shares the same origin as international chess in the Persian game of shatranj, the rules of makruk are much closer to the original Persian game. You can find people playing the game in the street all over the country, and there are even national tournaments where the best from around the country gather to compete for the title of national champion. ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Thai baht | currencyCodeAfter=&nbsp;baht | date=January 2022 | CNY=5.2 | EUR=38 | GBP=46 | USD=34 | AUD=24 | SGD=25 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/thb-thai-baht XE.com]}} {{infobox|Weighty bahts|Is your new girlfriend asking for a one-baht gold ring? Watch out, as this isn't the cheap trinket it sounds like: for jewellers and goldsmiths, the baht is also a measure of weight, or 15.244 grams (around 0.5 oz). At 2022 gold prices, one baht of gold would thus cost you almost 30,000 baht in cash!}} The currency of Thailand is the '''baht''', denoted by the symbol "'''฿'''" (ISO code: THB), written in Thai as บาท or บ. Wikivoyage uses "baht" in its articles. It is divided into 100 ''satang'' (สตางค์). There are six coins and six notes: *25 and 50 satang (cent, copper colour) coins - nearly worthless and only readily accepted (and handed out) by buses, supermarkets and 7-Elevens *1, 2 (in 2 versions: silver and gold), 5 (silver colour) and 10 baht (silver/gold) coins *20 (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and 1,000 (grey-brown) baht notes '''Note''': a polymer version of the 20 baht banknote was issued 24-3-2022. See [https://www.bot.or.th/English/Banknotes/HistoryAndSeriesOfBanknotes/Pages/Banknote_Series17.aspx here] what it looks like. The most useful bills tend to be 20s and 100s, as many small shops and stalls don't carry much change. Taxi drivers also like to pull the "no change" trick; if caught, hop into the nearest convenience store and make a small purchase. Beware of 1,000 baht notes, as '''counterfeits''' are not uncommon: feel the embossing, look for the watermark and tilt to see [https://www.wheretostay.tips/blog/how-to-identify-genuine-banknotes-in-thailand colour-changing ink] {{dead link|December 2020}} to make sure the note is real. ==== Converting from baht into dollars, euros and pounds==== Your usual currency equaling between ฿41 and ฿57, you can convert it by doing the following: Divide by 100 and multiply by 2. Example: <br> • 700 baht -> 7. 7*2 ≈ 14 of your usual currency When your usual currency equals between ฿29 and ฿40, you can convert it by doing the following: Divide by 100 and multiply by 3. Example:<br> • 600 baht -> 6. 6*3 ≈ 18 of your usual currency And your usual currency being between ฿23 and ฿28, you can convert it by doing the following: Divide by 100 and multiply by 4. Example: <br> • 500 baht -> 5. 5*4 ≈ 20 of your usual currency This works well for everyday expenses. For rather high amounts of money, it's better to convert with the exact exchange rate, e.g. with an app. ====ATMs==== They are everywhere, and international withdrawals are not a problem, besides the fee. When using a debit card, an ATM will typically provide a much better exchange rate than a money exchange counter, and this is especially the case if you have a card that does not charge a transaction fee for overseas withdrawals (becoming common in countries such as Australia). ATMs are available at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) after collecting your bag and clearing customs, and while it is advisable to arrive with a small amount of baht if possible, you may obtain cash from an ATM after landing as well. There's a 220 baht surcharge for using foreign cards in most ATMs, you'll be notified about this fee in any ATM which charges it, so you always have an option to cancel. AEON [https://www.aeon.co.th/smartphone/services-location/atm-depositor-location/index.html?&language_id=1] {{dead link|December 2020}} still charges 150 baht though - but it's ATMs are few and far between even in Bangkok, and none at the islands besides Ko Samui and Phuket. Most ATMs (including AEON) have a limit of 20 notes, that is 20,000 baht; Bangkok Bank typically dispenses 25 notes at once, and a few other banks including [http://www.citibank.co.th/en/static/Location.htm Citibank] (but only in Bangkok), Krungsri, TMB and CIMB may dispense 30 notes - which makes them even slightly better than AEON, but only in case you do need 30,000 baht ($900) at once. More important thing to watch for is that some ATMs (Krungsri, SCB and a few others are known for that) will offer you to exchange your money to Baht for you, charging your card in USD or even your local currency. What you will get if you agree is a very lousy rate (-5% if not more from the mid-market level), so always refuse and choose to be charged in Thai Baht only, not USD or your own currency. Very remote areas (including smaller islands) do not have banks or ATMs, so cash is essential. ====Money exchange==== {{cautionbox|Thai banks do not buy Indian rupee (INR) banknotes after the 2016 demonetisation; only a few private money changers accept them.}} If you wish to avoid high ATM fees by bringing in funds as cash, bring US dollars, they can often be exchanged at competitive rates One notable money exchanger is [http://www.superrich.co.th SuperRich], with dozens of branches in Bangkok including at Silom, Ratchadamri, Khao San Road and Chatuchak. No fees are charged and the exchange rate, especially for USD, is typically comparable to the Visa/Mastercard's (even before you consider ATM and your local bank fees), with a very small (down to less than 10 satang in the main office) buy/sell spread. They exchange many other currencies, both Western and major regional ones, and the rates are very good too. Their success caused a host of competitors to emerge, some of these closely imitating SuperRich, including in the major cities outside of Bangkok. Their rates are generally good too. The banks also do offer reasonable rates, though normally not as good as the exchangers mentioned before. In Suvarnabhumi airport, however, all the banks have notoriously bad rates, making you to lose up to 1,5 baht (4-5%) per USD if you exchange there. But there are several money exchangers (including SuperRich) at the basement floor on the way to the Airport Rail Link station, just to the left from the machines selling ARL tokens. Their rates are not much different from those in the city offices. For a comparison of all the bank's exchange rate check out [http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/ DaytoDayData] or [https://www.thailandexchanges.com Thailand Exchanges], also available as an app. To identify a good money exchanger, take the difference between the sell and buy rate, divide it by two and then again divide it buy the sell rate, e.g. 42-38/2/42 ~ 5%. This is the percentage of fee you basically pay for the exchange. It can be as low as 0.2-0.5% in the exchange services mentioned before, and thus probably better than withdrawing money from the card, depending on the conditions of your home bank. Many hotels and guesthouses will change money for guests, but hefty commissions and poor rates may apply. US dollars in small bills (US$1, 5, and 20) are invaluable for onward travel to neighbouring countries other than Malaysia, but are only useful in Thailand for exceptional purchases (e.g., paying visa fees for Cambodia). ====Cash advance at the bank counter==== Another way to avoid the ATM fee (especially handy for those on extended stays) is to withdraw money via the bank counter, the phrase universally understood in Thai banks is ''"cash advance"''. Beware though that most of the card issuers (i.e. your home bank) do charge '''significantly''' more for this operation than for ATM withdrawal, even including some cards that are free to withdraw in ATMs - research thoroughly in advance and choose the right card, or you may end up paying to your own bank even more than 220 baht you would have paid to the Thai bank in an ATM! Note also that not every bank, and not even every branch of the ''same'' bank offers this service to the foreigners - the best bet is a bigger branch of a major bank, and Bangkok Bank seems to be the most reliable in offering this service, including some of their "Exchange" booths. You'll need your passport to withdraw the money over the counter, and, of course, the bank's operating hours apply (many, but by no way all, branches are also closed on weekends and public holidays). ====Credit cards==== Cards are widely accepted in the tourist industry such as in restaurants, shopping malls and shops catering to tourists. Fraud is regrettably common though, so use them sparingly and tell your bank in advance, so your card doesn't get locked down because ''you'' are using it. Some businesses add a surcharge (usually 2-3%) if you're paying by credit card; in this case, it can turn out cheaper to pay them in cash. ===Tax refund - VAT=== Foreign visitors (with a few exceptions) have the benefit to receive a 7% VAT refund on luxury goods purchased from shops that participate in the '[http://vrtweb.rd.go.th/index.php/en/ VAT Refund for Tourists]' scheme. When you see a 'VAT Refund for Tourists' sign, you can receive a 7% refund of the VAT levied on goods at the shop. However, certain conditions apply, and you won't be able to claim your refund until you depart Thailand from an international airport. The goods must be purchased from participating shops that display a "VAT Refund For Tourists" sign. You may not claim VAT refund for services or goods that you use or "consume" while in Thailand; such as hotel or restaurant expenses. On any one day, the goods purchased from any one individual participating shop must be at least 2,000 baht including VAT. When you purchase the goods, ask the sales assistant to complete a VAT refund form, known as the P.P.10, and attach the original tax/sales invoices to that form. Each P.P.10 must show a value of 2,000 baht or more. You will need to show your passport to the sales assistant when you purchase the goods, to allow her to fill in the above mentioned form. When you exit the country, the goods must be inspected prior to check in and your completed P.P. 10's stamped. Since you must give away the original receipts it is a good idea to take photos or make copies in case you need to prove the value of your purchases to customs officers when going home. ===Tipping=== Tipping is not common in Thailand and the Thais themselves don't do it. Thais do round up (or down) the taxi fare to get it to an amount that is easier to pay for (such as from 59 or 61 to 60 baht). Sometimes they also leave the change in restaurants, but even this is a rare occurrence. You don't have to feel odd if you don't tip at all, as that's what the locals do, but the presence of many foreign visitors have changed some expectations. Tipping is now common in many high-end hotels and tourist restaurants. Don't go overboard when tipping — never give more than 50 baht. In some tourist places, especially along Khao San Road, there are even restaurants hinting for a tip. This is not common (and even rude) in Thai culture, so you can easily ignore it. Do not tip when a customer service charge is applied, as this is supposed to be the tip, applied only in luxury restaurants and hotels. ===Costs=== Thailand is not as cheap as it used to be, with Bangkok being named the second most expensive city in SE Asia behind Singapore. However, budget travellers who are careful with what they spend will still find that 1,000 baht will get a backpacker a dorm bed or cheap room, three square meals a day and leave enough for transport, sightseeing, and even partying. Doubling that budget will let you stay in decent hotels, and if you're willing to fork out 5,000 baht per day or more you can live like a king. Bangkok requires a more generous budget than upcountry destinations, but also offers by far the most competitive prices for shoppers who shop around. The most popular tourism islands such as Phuket and Ko Samui tend to have higher prices in general. It is common for tourists to be charged several times the actual price in tourist areas of other places as well. If you want to have an idea what the real Thai prices are, consider visiting malls like Big C, Tesco, or Carrefour where locals and expats routinely shop. Those are available in major cities (in Bangkok, there are dozens of them) and on larger islands such as Phuket or Ko Samui. Tax hikes have made alcohol clearly more expensive than in some neighbouring countries. ===Shopping=== [[Image:SiamSquare_Mannequin.JPG|thumb|Racks of clothing at [[Siam Square]], [[Bangkok]]]] Thailand is a shopper's paradise and many visitors to [[Bangkok]] in particular end up spending much of their time in the countless markets and malls. Particularly good buys are '''clothing''', both cheap locally produced street wear and fancy '''Thai silk''', and all sorts of '''handicrafts'''. Electronics and computer gear are also widely available, but prices are slightly higher than in [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Philippines]], and [[Kuala Lumpur]]. A good strategy for shopping, is to first go around doing window shopping for a couple of days, don't commit yourself to purchase anything until you have seen enough to be able to make sensible judgements. The last thing you want is to impulsively buy something today and two days later see the same or similar item selling at a much reduced price elsewhere. Most shopping centers in Bangkok have sales often, but even better is to go a bit out the big city into a place like ''Future Park'' for example. At the Mo Chit minibus rank next to the public park ask for "Future Park" minibus. Go early, the trip costs 35Baht, takes about half an hour and you get a chance to mix with the real Thais going about their daily lives. Once at ''Future Park'' shopping complex, its vast multilevel shopping areas go on and on (opens at 10:00, closes at 21:00) and it caters for everyone and everything, cheap and upmarket, from motor vehicles and home appliances, to clothing and furniture, Thai therapy and restaurants. You can spend the day hunting for special deals and shopping with many sales on offer with prices catering for local customers, department stores like '''Robinson''' are extensive and a bargain hunters paradise. If you get hungry or thirsty, there's plenty of varied restaurants on offer and also a large supermarket within, with a help yourself fresh salads and other foods bar selling food by weight. The main ''Zpell'' entrance facing the elevated freeway is by the minibus rank and once inside there's an information island desk with English speaking staff at hand, while you can always download a translator app to help you just in case. On returning to central Bangkok, go back to the main minibus rank and ask for the "Mo Chit" vehicle, alternatively, return by taxi cab to central Bangkok (100-120 baht), the better option, if you find yourself carrying lots of shopping. A Thai speciality is the '''night markets''' found in almost every town, the largest and best-known of which are in [[Bangkok/Silom#Markets|Bangkok]] and the Night Bazaar in [[Chiang_Mai#Buy|Chiang Mai]]. Here a variety of vendors from designers to handicraft sellers have stalls selling goods which cannot normally be found in malls and day markets. Most night markets also have large open air food courts attached. You can also find marvellously tacky modern clothing accessories. Witness pink sandals with clear plastic platform heels filled with fake flowers. Night markets along the main roads and Bangkok's Mahboonkrong (MBK) Mall, near the Siam Skytrain stop, are particularly good sources. Not to be left out is what is often touted as the world's biggest weekend bazaar - '''The Chatuchak Weekend Market''' or known to locals simply as "JJ" Market. Chatuchak sells a myriad of products ranging from clothes to antiques, covers over 35 acres (1.1 km²) and is growing by the day! [[Haggling]] is the norm and often market and road-side vendors will try to charge you as much as they think you can afford to pay. It's not uncommon to buy something, walk outside, and find somebody who bought the same item for half or one third what you paid (or even less). Try to figure out the item's rough value first. Adjacent stalls, government-run fixed price shops and even hotel gift shops are a good starting point. You'll find that prices drop drastically when the seller realizes you have some idea of what it costs. == Learn == [[Image:Thai Buddhas.jpg|thumb|250px|Meditating Thai Buddhas]] * [[Meditation in Thailand|Thai meditation]] * [[Thai phrasebook|Thai language]] {{infobox|Long term visa|It is known that many Western foreigners who wish to stay in Thailand for a long time enrol in Thai language schools in order to get a student visa and then don't bother turning up. As long as fees are paid some institutions are fine with this arrangement.}} Bangkok has many language schools for studying Thai: * '''[http://auathai.com/ AUA (American University Alumni) Language Center Bangkok]''' AUA uses a non-traditional method where all teaching is done in Thai without books or any use of English. Students learn by looking and listening and eventually after a certain number of hours are expected to begin to speak Thai "naturally". * '''[http://DukeLanguage.com/ Duke Language School Bangkok]''' Duke Language School is conveniently located near BTS Nana station and has a very high success rate. * '''[http://www.culi.chula.ac.th/ Chulalongkorn University Intensive Thai classes]''' Intensive Thai courses with an emphasis on learning to read and write academic Thai at a university level. * '''[http://www.thai-lessons.com/ Jentana & Associates Thai Language School]''' * '''Piammitr (Plenty of Friends) Language School''' Near BTS Asok [http://www.piammitrschool.com/] Courses are 60-hours of class time and last one month. * '''[http://www.utl-school.com/ Unity Thai Language School]''' * '''[http://www.mythailanguage.com/ My Thai Language School]''' On Ratchada Rd, you can apply for a student ed Visa * '''[http://www.thaiwalen.com/ Walen School]''' An on-line site for studying Thai: * '''[http://thai-language.com/ Thai Language]''' Reference documents, interactive lessons, dictionary, and forums for learning Thai == Work == The two main opportunities for work for foreigners are '''[[teaching English]]''' and '''dive instructor''', but both are very competitive and dive masters in particular are paid a pittance. To become a dive instructor, the most popular destination is [[Ko Tao]] (Turtle Island) a few hours off the coast of Chumphon in the Gulf of Thailand. There are dozens of dive shops that provide training and internships. Anyone with a four-year degree can gain employment as an English teacher in Thailand, and even those without a degree can usually find work under the table. Normal starting salary is approximately 30,000 baht per month and this goes up and down slightly depending upon location (higher in Bangkok, lower in some up-country towns). One way to start working as a teacher is to gain a TESOL/TEFL Certificate. One of the largest TESOL schools in the world is head quartered in the small village of Ban Phe, Rayong. Other provinces in Thailand offer TEFL/TESOL Certification Courses. In Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai University [http://www.cmutefl.com] has a comprehensive teacher training program located on its main campus. Finding any other kind of work in Thailand can be difficult, as wages are poor and a large number of occupations are legally off limits to non-Thais. Thai law requires that a foreigner earn quite a high wage to be eligible for a work permit. Companies and schools may assist employees to obtain visas and work permits, but some schools avoid the extra work involved. Volunteering is a great way to meet locals and experience the culture and traditions of Thailand. There are many worldwide organizations that offer volunteer work on such projects as community development, conservation, wildlife sanctuary maintenance & development, scientific research, & education programs. And they won't ask you for money! Here are three of them: * {{listing | name=Child's Dream Foundation | url=http://www.childsdream.org | email=info@childsdream.org | address=238/3 Wualai Rd, Haiya, Muang, Chiang Mai 50100 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+66 53 201811 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Does not charge volunteers | content=Founded by two Swiss financiers with good hearts, Child's Dream places volunteers in schools in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia in addition to other good works. They are highly regarded for their ethics and efficiency.}} * {{listing | name=Foundation for Education and Development | alt=formerly known as Grassroots Human Rights and Development | url=http://www.ghre.org | email= | address=Moo 4 Khuk Khak, Takua Pa, Phang Nga 82120 | lat= | long= | directions=at km790 on Hwy 4 in Khuk Khak (Khao Lak) | phone=+66 76 486351 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Does not charge volunteers | content=A joint Burmese-Thai NGO committed to assisting Burmese migrant workers in Phang Nga Province, just north of Ko Phuket in the region better known as Khao Lak. FED runs schools, health clinics, women's empowerment programs, and provides legal assistance to political and economic refugees. The organisation runs on a shoe-string and depends on the commitment of paid staff and volunteers.}} * {{listing | name=Isara Foundation | url=http://www.isara.org/ | email= | address=897/1 Mee Chai Rd, Amphur Muang, Nong Khai 43000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+66 42 460827 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Provides help directly to those who are in need. Isara projects focus on the improvement of education (free Learning Centre, government school volunteer teachers, and scholarships), health and safety (helmet campaign), and the environment (Recycling Centre and trash clean-up campaigns). Do not charge you for volunteering.}} Important: Volunteering is defined as a form of employment by the Thai authorities. Foreigners must obtain a work permit even to volunteer for small projects. This is easier to obtain than a normal work permit, and can be issued even for one or two days. Tourists are advised to take these rules seriously. Thai jails are not comfortable; if you are arrested on a Friday you may not be able to contact anyone before Monday. == Eat == [[File:Miang kham platter.jpg|thumb|A platter of ''miang kham'' (leaf wrap) ingredients]] [[File:Thai green chicken curry and roti.jpg|thumb|Green curry (''kaeng khiao wan'') with chicken, served with ''roti'']] [[File:SomTam_Larb_StickyRice.JPG|thumb|A classic [[Isaan]] meal: ''som tam'' papaya salad, ''larb'' meat salad and sticky rice]] The food alone is really reason enough for a trip to Thailand. Curries, fruit shakes, stir fries, noodles, fresh fish made a zillion ways - and that's just the beginning. Food in Thailand can be as cheap and easy as 25 baht ''pad Thai'' (ผัดไทย, Thai fried noodles) cooked at a street stall or as expensive and complicated as a USD100 ten-course meal by a royal chef served in one of Bangkok's luxury hotels. Since most backpackers will be sticking closer to the first than the second, one of the great things about Thailand is that food from stalls and tiny sidewalk restaurants is usually quite safe. Unlike some Asian countries, travellers should worry more about overeating or too much curry spice than about unclean kitchens and bad food. In fact, street restaurants, where you can see what you'll get and everything is cooked on the spot can be a safe option. === Etiquette === Thai food is most commonly eaten with '''fork and spoon'''. Hold the spoon in your right hand and use it to eat, and reserve the fork for piling food onto your spoon. Chopsticks are ''only'' employed for noodle soups and East Asian-style dishes. Sticky rice, common in the northeastern [[Isaan]] region, is eaten with your right hand, but regular jasmine rice is not. Thai food is meant for '''sharing'''. Everybody gets their own plate of rice and tiny soup bowl, but all the other dishes are laid out in the centre of the table and you're free to eat what you wish. Though some people believe that taking the last piece from a shared plate is considered slightly unlucky, and you may hear people make wishes for ''others'' to compensate for their own misfortune. A popular wish is that "may my girlfriend/boyfriend be good-looking!" Food is also generally brought out a dish at a time as it is prepared. It is not expected of diners to wait until all meals are brought out before they start eating as is polite in Western culture. Instead they should tuck into the nearest dish as it arrives. === Thai cuisine === {{main|Thai cuisine}} Thai cuisine is characterized by balance and strong flavours, especially '''lime juice''', '''lemon grass''' and '''fresh coriander''', the combination of which gives Thai food its distinctive taste. In addition, Thai food has a deserved reputation for being '''spicy''', with hot little torpedo-shaped chillies called ''phrik khii nuu'' (พริกขี้หนู, lit. "mouse shit chillies") making their way into many a dish. Thais are well aware that these can be more than Westerners can handle and will often ask if you like it hot (เผ็ด ''phet''). Answer "yes" at your own risk! Another condiment that features prominently in Thai cuisine is '''fish sauce''' (น้ำปลา ''naam plaa''), a pungent and very salty sauce that is used to flavour a wide variety of dishes. Thai cuisine can be divided into at least four distinct regional styles: Southern Thai cuisine, Central Thai cuisine, Northern Thai cuisine and Isaan cuisine from the northeast of Thailand. Chinese influences also pervade much of Thai cuisine, with many of the most famous street food stalls in Bangkok and other cities throughout the country being owned and run by ethnic Chinese. === Vegetarian food === Vegetarians won't have too many problems surviving in Thailand, with one significant exception: '''fish sauce''' (น้ำปลา ''naam plaa'') is to Thai cuisine what soy sauce is to Chinese food, and keeping it out of soups, curries and stir-fries will be a challenge. That said, Thailand is a Buddhist country and vegetarianism is a fairly well-understood concept, especially among Chinese Thais (many of whom eat only vegetarian food during several festivals). Tofu is a traditional Thai ingredient and they aren't afraid to mix it up in some non-traditional dishes such as omelettes (with or without eggs), submarine sandwiches, and burritos. Since Thai dishes are usually made to order, it's easy to ask for anything on the menu to be made without meat or fish. Bangkok features several fantastic veggie and vegan restaurants, but outside of big cities make sure to check that your idea of "veggie" matches the chef's. Some key phrases for vegetarians: * ''phom kin je'' (m) / ''di-chan kin je'' (f) ผม(ดิฉัน)กินเจ "I eat only vegetarian food" * ''karunaa mai sai naam plaa'' กรุณาไม่ใส่น้ำปลา "Please don't use fish sauce" === Restaurant chains === Thailand has a large number of indigenous restaurant chains offering much the same fare as your average street stall, but with the added advantages of air conditioning, printed menus (often in English), clean storefront. All the chains are heavily concentrated in [[Bangkok]], but larger cities and popular tourist spots may have an outlet or two. * {{see | name=Coca '''and''' MK | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Near-ubiquitous chains specializing in what the Thais call ''suki'', perhaps better known as "hotpot" or "steamboat". A cauldron boils in the middle of your table, you buy ingredients (10-30 baht a pop) and brew your own soup. The longer you spend, the better it tastes, and the bigger the group you're with, the more fun this is!}} * {{eat | name=Fuji | alt= | url=http://www.fuji.co.th | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=And '''Zen''' specialize in surprisingly passable Japanese food at very cheap prices (at least compared to Japanese restaurants almost anywhere else). Rice/noodle mains are less than 100 baht, and you can stuff yourself full of sushi for less than 500 baht.}} * {{see | name=Kuaytiew Ruea Siam | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Signs in Thai; look for the boat-shaped decor and hungry red pig logo | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Dirt-cheap noodles with prices starting at 25 baht. Portions aren't too generous, but at that price you can get two! No concessions to English speakers in menu or taste, so point and choose from the pictures and watch out for the spicier soups.}} * {{eat | name=S&P | alt= | url=http://www.sandp.co.th | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Outlets are a bakery, a café and a restaurant all rolled into one, but their menu's a lot larger than you'd expect: it has all the Thai mainstays you can think of and then some, and most all of it is good. Portions are generally rather small, with prices mostly in the 50-100 baht range.}} * {{see | name=Yum Saap | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Signs in Thai; look for the big yellow smiley logo | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Known for their Thai-style salads (''yam''), but they offer all the usual as well. Quite cheap with mains around 50 baht.}} * {{see | name=After You | alt= | url=https://www.afteryoudessertcafe.com/en/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Local dessert cafe chain serving Korean-style shaved ice (bingsoo), but with many local Thai flavours to choose from. Very popular among youths in Bangkok.}} And yes, you can find the usual '''McDonalds''', '''KFC''', '''Pizza Hut''', '''Komalas''' etc. if you insist. If you do end up at McDonalds, at least try the un-Maclike fried chicken with McSomTam (green papaya salad). For those craving American-style pizza, try the ubiquitous '''The Pizza Company''', which is a less expensive and (arguably) tastier local chain. ==Drink== [[File:Soicowboy.JPG|thumb|Go-go bar in Soi Cowboy, [[Bangkok]]]] Thailand is (in)famous for its nightlife, which runs the gamut from acoustic guitar and cold beers at a beachside hut to superstar DJs and fancy cocktails at hip nightclubs. The Full Moon Party in [[Ko Phangan]] draws backpackers all around the world, every Thai beach resort has its nightlife area, and the offerings in [[Bangkok]] run the gamut from smoky jazz clubs to enormous open-air beer gardens where ''kuk thung'' and ''mor lam'' country music singers from [[Isaan]] croon nightly. Thailand also has a large '''sex industry''', which to tourists is most visible in the flashy '''go-go bars''' of [[Bangkok]], [[Pattaya]], and [[Patong]] (Phuket), which are very much targeted at visitors. While these are thinly disguised fronts for [[#Prostitution|prostitution]], legally a grey area in Thailand with all the risks that entails, it's generally OK to visit them only for drinks and the show. ===Alcohol=== Drinking alcohol in Thailand, especially if you like Western tipples, is actually comparatively expensive, but still very affordable by Western standards. Retail sales of alcohol in supermarkets and multi-national convenience stores, are limited to between 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-24:00. Restaurants and bars are not affected, and smaller, non-chain stores rarely observe this rule. 7-Eleven is a stickler for following this rule. However, in certain circumstances these rules are relaxed for alcohol purchases above a particular quantity. For example, if you try to purchase 5 litres of wine during the restricted period, it will not be allowed. However, if you were to purchase, say 10 litres of wine, in the same period then this might be permitted. Convenience stores at gas stations are not permitted to sell alcohol at any time. There are also occasional days throughout the year when alcohol can't be sold anywhere, even the small mom & pop shops normally adhere to the rules on these days, and most bars and pubs do too (although you can probably find a beer somewhere if you're desperate enough). Upmarket hotel bars and restaurants are probably the only places that are realistically likely to be exempt. Religious holidays and elections are normally the reason for these restrictions. ====Beer==== Western-style beer (เบียร์ ''bia'') is a bit of an upmarket drink in Thailand, with the price of a small bottle hovering between 40 and 100 baht in most pubs, bars and restaurants. Thais like their lagers with relatively high alcohol content (around 6%), as it is designed to be drunk with ice, so the beer in Thailand may pack more of a punch than you are used to. However, if you're from Europe or Australia, you will find this normal. If you ever find yourself wondering why you can't find any smaller local beer brands in Thailand, it isn't because of lack of demand. The government, according to its Liquor Control Act, only licences breweries that produce over ten million litres of beer yearly. Because setting up a brewery of this capacity would cost over 1 billion baht, the only local beers you can buy are brewed by two large Thai companies: ThaiBev (Chang, Archa) and Boon Rawd Brewery (Singha, Leo). Smaller, independent breweries are legally forbidden from selling their beer in shops, bars and restaurants off the brewery premises, which prevents their growth. While the Thai Finance Ministry argues that such restrictions are necessary to ensure quality control, there is [https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1735823/call-time-on-beer-barons growing pressure] in Thailand to remove this restriction on independent breweries. * '''Local brews''': For many years the only locally brewed beer was '''Singha''' (pronounced just ''Sing'') but it has lost market to cheaper and stronger '''Chang'''. Both are pretty strong (Chang especially, being 6%, and Singha 5%), but for those who prefer something a bit lighter, both local brands have introduced low-alcohol versions of their beers. '''Singha Light''' comes in at 3.5%, '''Chang Draught''' is 5% and '''Chang Light''' is 4.2%. Both are strong in alcohol percentage, gives a little spicy taste (for Europeans, you can compare them to Leffe or Duvel) rather than blended smoothness of German beers (Erdinger or Paulaner). There are also some cheaper local beers - '''Leo''' (very popular, and 10-20% cheaper than Singha) and '''Archa''' (the very cheapest, and with its lack of flavour, you won't find it in bars, but is available in almost any 7-Eleven) being among the most popular. * '''Premium brands''': The two most popular premium brands are '''Heineken''' and '''Tiger''', but '''San Miguel''', '''Federbrau''' and other Asian beers such as the Japanese '''Asahi''' are also fairly commonplace. The premium beers tend to be a bit weaker than the full-strength local beers, and are about 10-20% more expensive. * '''Imported beers''': Most upmarket pubs in touristy areas will have at least a couple of imported beers available along with the usual local brands, either on draught, in bottles or both. Belgian and German beers can often be found, as well as Irish stouts and ales such as '''Guinness''', British bitters such as '''John Smiths''' and the light Mexican beer '''Corona''' is gaining in popularity. Regional favourite '''Beerlao''' has also started to make an appearance in bars and pubs around the country. All imported beers (with the exception of Beerlao) are very expensive though, being about twice the price of locally sourced beers, due to alcohol import tarriffs. * '''Other non-beers''': The usual range of "alcopops" is available in Thailand, with '''Bacardi Breezer''' enjoying the lion's share of the market. '''Spy''' wine cooler (of about 10 varieties) is also popular. '''Cider''' is harder to find, although some pubs have started to stock '''Magners''' and '''Bulmers'''. ====Imported drinks==== Imported liquors, wines and beers are widely available but prohibitively priced for the average Thai. A shot of any brand-name liquor is at least 100 baht, a pint of Guinness will set you back at least 200 baht and, thanks to an inexplicable 340% tax, even the cheapest bottle of wine will set you back over 500 baht. In cheaper bars (especially the go-go kind), the content of that familiar bottle of Jack Daniels may be something entirely different. ====Rice wine==== Thai rice wine (สาโท ''sato'') is actually a beer brewed from glutinous rice, and thus a spiritual cousin of Japanese ''sake''. While traditionally associated with [[Isaan]], it's now sold nationwide under the brand '''Siam Sato''', available in any 7-Eleven at 25 baht for a 0.65L bottle. At 8% alcohol, it's cheap and potent, but you may regret it the next morning! The original style of brewing and serving ''sato'' is in earthenware jars called ''hai'', hence the drink's other name ''lao hai'' (เหล้าไห). These are served by breaking the seal on the jar, adding water, and drinking immediately with either glasses or, traditionally, with a straw directly from the pot. ====Whisky/rum==== [[File:SangSom soda.jpg|thumb|Saeng Som rum with soda water (แสงโสม โซดา ''saengsom sohda''), a common local drink. Mosquito coil optional.]] The misnamed '''Thai whisky''' (''lao'') refers to a number of liquors. The best known are the infamous '''Mekhong''' (แม่โขง ''Maekhong'') brand and its competitor, the sweeter '''Sang Som''' (แสงโสม ''Saengsom''), which are both brewed primarily from sugarcane and thus actually rum. Indeed, the only resemblances to whisky are the brown color and high alcohol content, and some people liken the smell to nail polish remover, but the taste is not quite as bad, especially when diluted with cola or soda water. This is also by far the cheapest way to get blotto, as a pocket flask of the stuff (available in any convenience store or supermarket) costs only around 50 baht. The "real" Thai whisky is ''lao khao'' (เหล้าขาว "white liquor"), which is distilled from rice. While commercial versions are available, it's mostly distilled at home as moonshine, in which case it also goes by the name ''lao theuan'' ("jungle liquor"). White liquor with herbs added for flavor and medical effect is called ''ya dong'' (ยาดอง). Strictly speaking, both are illegal, but nobody seems to mind very much, especially when hill-tribe-trekking in the [[North (Thailand)|North]] you're likely to be invited to sample some, and it's polite to at least take a sip. ===Iced drinks=== '''Coconut water''' (น้ำมะพร้าว ''naam ma-phrao''), iced and drunk directly from a fresh coconut is a cheap and healthy way to cool the body. Available at restaurants and also from fruit juice vendors. Fruit juices, freezes and milkshakes of all kinds are very popular with Thais and visitors alike. Most cafés and restaurants charge 20-40 baht, but a bottle of freshly squeezed '''Thai sweet orange juice''' (น้ำส้ม ''naam som'') - which really is orange in colour! - can be sold on the street for 15-30 baht. Thais often add salt to their fruit juices-- an acquired taste that you might just learn to like. Thais also like to have basil seeds in their iced fruit juice sold on the road. They look like small jelly balls down in the bottle. ===Tea and coffee=== [[File:Cha_yen.JPG|thumb|Thai iced tea]] One of Thailand's most characteristic drinks is '''Thai iced tea''' (ชาเย็น ''chaa yen'', lit. "cold tea"). Instantly identifiable thanks to its lurid orange colour, this is the side effect of adding ground tamarind seed (or, these days, artificial colour) during the curing process. The iced tea is always very strong and very sweet, and usually served with a dash of condensed milk; ask for ''chaa dam yen'' to skip the milk. A popular variant among locals that is typically sold at markets in the morning is '''Thai hot tea''' (ชาร้อน ''chaa rorn''), often served with Chinese-style ''youtiao'' (油條) fritters, known in Thai as ''pathongko'' (ปาท่องโก๋). ''Naam chaa'' and ''chaa jiin'' are weak and full-strength Chinese tea, often served in restaurants for free. Coffee (กาแฟ ''kaafae'') is also widely available, and is usually served with condensed milk and lots of sugar. Ask for ''kaafae thung'' to get traditional filtered "bag" coffee instead of instant. Starbucks is present in Thailand, but for the moment local competitors '''Black Canyon Coffee''' and '''S&P''' still have the edge in market share. These are the places to look for if you want that triple-mocha latte with hazelnut swirl and are willing to pay 100 baht for the privilege. *{{drink | name=Black Canyon Coffee | alt= | url=http://blackcanyoncoffee.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Is Thailand's home-brewed Starbucks, but while coffee is their mainstay they also offer a limited meal menu. Try the ''chaa yen'' (lurid orange Thai iced tea with milk).}} ===Energy drinks=== Thailand is the original home of the Red Bull brand energy drink - a licensed and re-branded version of Thailand's original ''Krathing Daeng'' (กระทิงแดง, "Red Bull"), complete with the familiar logo of two bulls charging at each other. The Thai version, however, is syrupy sweet, uncarbonated and comes packaged in medicinal-looking brown glass bottles, as the target customers are not trendy clubbers, but Thailand's working class of construction workers and bus drivers in need of a pick-me-up. And a pick-me-up it most certainly is; the caffeine content is higher even than Western-style Red Bull, and packs a punch equivalent to two or three shots of espresso coffee. Krathing Daeng and its many competitors (including M150, Shark, .357 and the inevitable ''Karabao Daeng'', "Red Buffalo") are available in any convenience store for 10 baht a pop, although in some places you can now buy imported Red Bull for five times the price. == Sleep == {{cautionbox|In 2012 two Quebec sisters died mysteriously while staying at a lodging on Phi Phi Island. In 2009, a Norwegian woman and a US woman in adjacent rooms at a Phi Phi guesthouse died. Four others died about the same time while staying at a Chiang Mai lodging. Why? Suspicions now are that all may have been poisoned by outgassing from aluminum phosphide (AlP) pellets used to kill bedbugs. The use of aluminum phosphide is illegal in Thailand, but it is available on the market. About all you can do to protect yourself is to quiz hotel management about their pesticide use policy. Check the room before committing to a stay. If you see (AlP is a grey-green-yellow powder) or smell anything that hints at the use of pesticides, stay elsewhere.}} {{cautionbox|Persons writing negative online reviews about accommodations have been arrested and jailed. Thai libel laws are very strict, and even truthful comments may be illegal, or at least "presumed" illegal until shown otherwise. Do '''not''' write any negative reviews until you have left Thailand's borders.}} [[File:Bangkok 2008 020.JPG|thumb|[[Khao San Road]] is likely the best place in Bangkok to find budget accommodation]] Thailand has accommodation in every price bracket. Always take a look at the room (or better still several rooms, sometimes owners offer the cheaper rooms first) before agreeing a price. In smaller establishments also do ask for the agreed price in writing to avoid problems during check out. The best prices (30-50% off rack rates) for accommodation can be found during Thailand's low season, which is during May-Aug, which not surprisingly also coincides with the region's monsoon season. The peak season is during Dec-Feb. The prices listed are average for the country, and vary depending on the region and season. Smaller provincial towns will not have fancy hotels or resorts, while on popular island beaches it may be hard to find something cheaper than 300-400 baht even during the low season. {{infobox|The Iron Rules of Thai Innkeeping|Sometimes it seems as if Thai hoteliers at budget and mid-range establishments are required to follow specific rules for their guest rooms. Some of the more rigidly observed are: * '''Bathroom towel racks/hooks''' – If they are offered at all, you can be sure that you will invariably have one fewer than the number of towels you are issued. * '''Lighting''' – Innkeepers must pledge to never provide lighting at the bathroom mirror to help shavers or those applying make-up. This extends to bedside lighting as well. * '''Electrical outlets''' – These, if present, must be placed in the most illogical locations. Extra credit is earned by the establishment if the outlets lack a grounded, 3-prong socket.}} Another issue for westerners to be conscious of, is the unusual bathroom set up found almost everywhere, except perhaps in the four and five star hotels. In Thailand as in other Asian countries as well, the bathrooms even in many new and well kitted out establishments, tend to have the shower system without any kind of water isolation, be it a curtain or door or whatever, to prevent water splashing all over the place. To most, this is quite irritating as a simple floor water containment and drainage with a some shower curtain would make everything much better, but it seems, proprietors don't see the logic, therefore, requiring guests to be very tolerant of the unusual bathroom layouts and trying to become adept. '''Homestays''' are common in rural areas. Typically, what this means is that you will be staying at your host's home, or on the host's property in something less than a commercial lodging. Usually, meals are included. '''Guesthouses''' are usually the cheapest option, basic ones cost 100-200 baht per room per night (100 or less for a dorm bed). This gets you a room with a fan, a squat toilet (often shared), shower (shared or private), and not much else. Better guesthouses, especially in towns with significant amount of foreign guests, have more amenities (European-style toilet, 24 hour hot shower, bigger room or even a balcony, free Wi-Fi, sometimes TV, everyday room service, fridge), with prices, subsequently, in the range of 200-500 baht. This makes them close to Thai hotels. The difference is they're more oriented to a Western clientèle, and as such, often offer various tours (sometimes overpriced), computers, and/or in-room Internet access, or even have a ground floor restaurant. If you're satisfied with the guesthouse of your choice and plan to stay there for more than several days (especially during the low season or in the places with abundant accommodation options such as Chiang Mai), ask for a discount; this may not be offered everywhere, but if it is, the weekly rate may be 25% less or so, and for monthly rates it's not uncommon to be half as much. Normally, you'll have to pay for the entire period asked, but if something changes and you have to check out early refunds are not customary in Thailand. As such, if an early departure is possible (but unlikely enough to pay a week/month in advance), you should discuss this option with the owner/manager beforehand. '''[[Hostels]]''' are not typical in Thailand. The reason is obvious: given the abundance of budget accommodation and that hostels are unfamiliar to Thais and, as such, purely Westerner-oriented, the price for a private room in a guesthouse will be almost the same, or even cheaper, than for a dorm bed in a hostel. You may get a bit more Westernised and hotel-like interiors, but at the cost of privacy. If you do insist on staying in a hostel, you can find some in the big cities by checking the web. Don't expect to find them just by walking by the streets, though. [[File:Sala Choengmon Pool Villa.jpg|thumb|Luxury villa in [[Ko Samui]]]] '''Thai hotels''' start around 200 baht and go up to around 800 baht. The upper-end of this range will be air-conditioned, the lower end will not. The primary difference is that with a hotel room, your bathroom should be private, bed linen, and towels will be provided, and there may be a hot shower. The guests are mostly Thais. TVs are available except at the lower end; Internet access, though, is less likely to be present than in guesthouses; and is even less likely to be free or in-room. '''Tourist hotels''' are generally around 1,000 baht and offer the basics for a beach vacation: swimming pool, room service, and colour TV. '''Boutique hotels''', 2,000 baht and up, have mushroomed during the past few years, they provide a limited number of rooms (10 or fewer) and more personalized service. While these can be excellent, quality varies widely, so research is essential. '''Business and luxury hotels''', 4,000 baht and up, offer every modern amenity you can think of. International chains are well represented, yet tend to be largely indistinguishable from hotels anywhere else in the world. Some others, notably [[Bangkok/Silom#Sleep|Bangkok]]'s '''The Oriental''', '''The Sukhothai''' and '''The Peninsula''' are among the world's best hotels. The most luxurious '''resorts''' also fall in this price category, with some of the very best and most private adding a few zeros to the price. ==Stay safe== The number one cause of death for visitors to Thailand is '''motorbike accidents''', especially on the often narrow, mountainous and twisty roads of [[Phuket]] and [[Samui]]. Drive defensively, wear a helmet, don't drink and avoid travel at night. Violent crime is in general rare, and the foreigners who get into trouble are typically those that get into drunken fights. ===Political unrest=== [[File:พริษฐ์ ชิวารักษ์ เพนกวิน Parit Chiwarak Penguin.jpg|thumb|The "Hunger Games" protest gesture]] Thailand has a long history of political turbulence, with no less than 12 successful military coups since 1932. Tourists are rarely impacted, much less targeted, although in 2008 one anti-government group took over both of Bangkok's airports for a week, causing immense disruption to tourism and the Thai economy. Since 2014, Thailand has been ruled by a military junta. The blatantly rigged elections of 2019 led to widespread youth-led protests calling for the restoration of democracy, the ouster of the military-led government, and the abolition of the monarchy, perhaps best symbolized by a raised hand with the three middle fingers pressed together. While the protest movement died down during COVID restrictions, the next elections are due by 2023 and tensions are likely to flare up again. Stay clear of any protests, as the authorities have been known to deal with them in a heavy-handed manner. As there is also a strong anti-China sentiment driving the protests, mainland Chinese visitors in particular should be especially careful to avoid the protests. ===Lèse-majesté=== It's illegal to show '''disrespect to royalty''' (''lèse-majesté''), a crime with a mandatory punishment of 3 years up to '''15 years''' imprisonment. Do not make any negative remarks or any remarks which might be perceived as disrespectful about the King, any members of the Royal Family, or anything related to them (such as their pets or appearance). This will usually land you in prison and your embassy/consulate will be of little help in getting you out. Since the King is on the country's currency, don't burn, tear, or mutilate it, especially in the presence of other Thais. '''If you drop a coin or bill, do not step on it to stop it''' — this is very rude, since you are stomping on the picture of the King's head that is printed on the coin. Also, anything related to the stories and movies ''The King and I'' and ''Anna and the King'' is illegal to possess in Thailand. Almost all Thais, even those in other countries, feel very strongly when it comes to any version of this story. They feel that it makes a mockery of their age-old monarchy and is entirely inaccurate. The hand gesture of raised up hand with three middle fingers pressed together (described in the previous section), which is often used as a protest symbol in the 2020 protests, is also deemed disrespectful of the royalty. Although it's mainly Thais who are prosecuted for lèse-majesté (sometimes as a political weapon), a few foreigners ''have'' been charged and even jailed for it, in some cases for publishing remarks that would not even ruffle feathers in the Western press. Pleading guilty and seeking a royal pardon is generally seen as the quickest path to freedom, and even that would probably not spare you from months of pretrial detention and some time spent in jail. ===Corruption=== While not as bad as in neighbouring Myanmar, Laos or Cambodia, corruption is unfortunately still fairly common in Thailand. Traffic police in Thailand often request bribes on the order of 200 baht or so from tourists who are stopped for seemingly minor traffic infringements. Immigration officers at the Malaysian border have been known to ask for a bribe of about 20 baht per person before they stamp your passport, though those at airports generally do not ask for bribes. On the road, if you are absolutely sure you haven't done anything wrong and all your papers are in order, be polite but refuse to pay a bribe and stand your ground even if threatened to be taken to the police station, eventually you'll be let go as the officer will have a harder time doing so and probably get into serious trouble with his superiors. ===Scams=== Thailand has more than its fair share of [[scams]], but most are easily avoided with some common sense. More a nuisance than a danger, a common scam by touts, taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers in Thailand is to wait by important monuments and temples and waylay Western travellers, telling them that the site is closed for a "Buddhist holiday", "repairs" or a similar reason. The "helpful" driver will then offer to take the traveller to another site, such as a market or store. Travellers who accept these offers will often end up at out-of-the-way markets with outrageous prices - and no way to get back to the centre of town where they came from. Always check at the front gate of the site you're visiting to make sure it's really closed. [[File:PhuketStreet.jpg|thumb|Tuk-tuks in Phuket]] Some tuk-tuk drivers might demand much higher price than agreed, or they might take you to a sex show, pretending they didn't understand the address (they get commissions from sex shows). For the same reason, avoid drivers who propose their services without being asked, especially near major tourist attractions. Generally, as a foreigner, it is cheaper to take a metered taxi than a tuk-tuk. Don't buy any sightseeing tours at the airport. If you do, they will phone several times to your hotel to remind you about the tour. During the tour, you will be shortly taken to a small temple, without a guide, and then one shop after another (they get commissions). They might refuse to take you back home until you see all the shops. On your way back, they pressure you to buy more tours. Easily identified with practice, it is not uncommon in tourist areas to be approached by a clean cut, well dressed man who will often be toting a cellphone. These scammers will start up polite conversation, showing interest in the unsuspecting tourist's background, family, or itinerary. Inevitably, the conversation will drift to the meat of the scam. This may be something as innocuous as over-priced tickets to a kantoke meal and show, or as serious as a gambling scam or (particularly in [[Bangkok]]) the infamous '''gem scam'''. Once identified, the wary traveller should have no trouble picking out these scammers from a crowd. The tell-tale well-pressed slacks and button-down shirt, freshly cut hair in a conservative style, and late-model cellphone comprise their uniform. Milling around tourist areas without any clear purpose for doing so, the careful traveller should have no difficulty detecting and avoiding these scammers. Many visitors will encounter young Thai ladies armed with a clipboard and a smile enquiring as to their nationality, often with an aside along the lines of "please help me to earn 30 baht". The suggestion is that the visitor completes a tourism questionnaire (which includes supplying their hotel name and room number) with the incentive that they just might win a prize - the reality is that everyone gets a call to say that they are a "winner"; however, the prize can only be collected by attending an arduous time-share presentation. The lady with the clipboard doesn't get her 30 baht if you don't attend the presentation; also that only English-speaking nationalities are targeted. A serious scam involves being accused of shoplifting in the duty-free shops in the Bangkok airport. This may involve accidentally straying across ill-defined boundaries between shops with merchandise in hand, or being given a "free gift". Always get a receipt. Those accused are threatened with long prison sentences, then given the opportunity to pay USD10,000 or more as "bail" to make the problem disappear and to be allowed to leave Thailand. If you end up in this pickle, contact your embassy and use ''their'' lawyer or translator, not the "helpful" guy hanging around. ===Fake monks=== Theravada Buddhism is an integral part of Thai culture, and it is customary for Buddhist monks to roam the streets collecting alms in the morning. Unfortunately, the presence of foreign tourists unaware of local Buddhist customs has led to some imposters preying on unsuspecting visitors. Genuine monks only go on alms rounds in the morning, as they are not allowed to eat after noon, and are also not allowed to accept or touch money. Alms bowls are solely for the purpose of collecting food. If you see a "monk" soliciting monetary donations, or with money in his alms bowl, he is fake. ===Robbery on overnight buses=== Thailand is quite safe for tourists. However, there have been some reports about people getting drugged and robbed while traveling on overnight buses. To avoid this, steer away from cheapish and non-government buses, make sure you have all your money stored safely in a money belt or another hard-to-reach place and always check your money balance before getting off. Warning your travel companions about this danger is also advised. In case this happens, firmly refuse to get off the bus, tell the rest of the people about the situation and immediately call the police. It may not be possible to stay on the bus, as your refusal may prompt the staff to unload your hold luggage onto the street and then continue to drive the bus without your luggage, forcing you to disembark or lose it. ===Prostitution=== Thailand's age of consent is 15 but a higher minimum age of 18 applies in the case of prostitutes. Thai penalties for sex with minors are harsh, and even if your partner is over the age of consent in Thailand, tourists who have sex with minors may be prosecuted by their home country. As far as ascertaining the age of your partner goes, all adult Thais must carry an identity card, which will state that they were born in {{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+525}} or earlier if they were over the age of 18 on 1 Jan {{CURRENTYEAR}} (in the Thai calendar, {{CURRENTYEAR}} is the year {{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+543}}). Some prostitutes are "freelancers", but most are employed by bars or similar businesses. Bar girls, go-go girls and freelancers are all professionals, who are far more likely to be interested in money you can give them than in any continuing relationship for its own sake. Cases of visitors falling desperately in love and then being milked out of all they are worth abound. Thailand has a high rate of STD infection, including HIV/AIDS, both among the general population and among prostitutes. Condoms can be bought easily in Thailand in all convenience shops and pharmacies but may not be as safe as Western ones. Some aspects of prostitution in Thailand are illegal (e.g., soliciting, pimping), but enforcement is liberal and brothels are commonplace. It's not illegal to pay for sex due to the "Special Services" exemption in Thai law or to pay a "bar fine". ===Vaping=== Thailand has extremely harsh laws regarding the use of e-cigarettes. Possession carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Especially in Phuket and Bangkok, you are likely to get arrested if you vape in public. ===Drugs=== Long infamous for its extremely strict drug laws, Thailand did a drastic U-turn in 2018 when it became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medical '''cannabis''' (กัญชา ''ganchaa''), expanding this in 2022 to legalize '''recreational use''' as well. While extracts of cannabis including all edibles are limited to '''under 0.2% THC''', there are no limits on the potency of plant parts like flowers, leaves or stems. Consumption in public is ''not'' permitted, but is now legal in private homes and any spaces like cafes and bars that choose to allow it. Vaping, importing and exporting all remain illegal. '''Kratom''' (ต้นกระท่อม ''ton krathom''), a local plant whose leaves are chewed for their mildly stimulant effects, was also fully legalized in 2021. Thailand continues to maintain an '''extremely hard line on all other drugs''', particularly methamphetamine (ยาบ้า ''ya ba'', "crazy medicine"), which is a major social problem. Your foreign passport is not enough to get you out of legal hot water. Possession and trafficking offenses that would merit traffic-ticket misdemeanors in other countries can result in '''life imprisonment''' or even '''death''' in Thailand. Police frequently raid nightclubs, particularly in [[Bangkok]], with urine tests and full body searches on all patrons. [[Ko Pha Ngan]]'s notoriously drug-fueled Full Moon Parties also often draw police attention. Penalties for drug possession in Thailand vary in harshness depending on the following: category of drug, amount of drug, and intent of the possessor. If you do take the risk and get arrested on drug-related charges, you would do well to immediately contact your embassy as a first step. The embassy cannot get you out of jail but can inform your family back home of your arrest, and can often give you a list of lawyers and translators you can contact. The Thai legal system limits the amount of the defending and the usefulness of a lawyer. For minor offences, the penalty can be something like a 2,000-baht fine and deportation. However, to actually get this sentencing, someone not familiar with the system would need external help, translations, bail posted, etc. Stay clean, so you won't have to worry about penalties. ===Civil conflict and terrorism=== [[File:Fishing Village in Narathiwat.jpg|thumb|Fishing Village in Narathiwat]] In 2004, long-simmering resentment in the southern-most Muslim-majority provinces burst into violence in [[Narathiwat (province)|Narathiwat]], [[Pattani (province)|Pattani]] and [[Yala (province)|Yala]] provinces. All are off the beaten tourist trail, although the eastern rail line from [[Hat Yai]] to [[Sungai Kolok]] (gateway to [[Malaysia]]'s east coast) passes through the area and has been disrupted several times by attacks. [[Hat Yai]] (Thailand's largest city in the South) in [[Songkhla (province)|Songkhla]] has also been hit by a series of related bombings; however, the main cross-border rail line connecting Hat Yai and [[Butterworth]] (on the west coast) has not been affected, and none of the islands or the west coast beaches have been targeted. In September 2006, three foreigners were killed in bombings in Hat Yai. Some rebel groups have threatened foreigners, but while targets have included hotels, karaoke lounges and shopping malls, Westerners have not been singled out for attacks. There are Islamist and jihadist groups in south Thailand, such as Jemaah Islamiyah. That said, there is usually a strong Thai military presence in the major towns and cities to keep things in order, and the vast majority of foreign visitors do not encounter any problems. In 2015, Uyghur Islamist separatists also carried out a terrorist attack in [[Bangkok]] the Erawan Shrine, a site popular with Chinese tourists. This is, however, largely regarded as an isolated incident, and the odds of it happening again are regarded as remote. ===Passport=== Make a photocopy of your passport and the page with your visa stamp. A picture of your passport, shot from your phone, will work as well. Always keep your passport or the photocopy with you (the law requires that you carry your actual passport at all times, but in practice a photocopy will usually suffice). Many night clubs insist on a passport (and ONLY a passport) as proof of age. It is not required that you leave your passport with a hotel when you check in. Motorbike rental places are likely to ask for you passport as collateral. Leaving another document (drivers license, int. drivers license, second passport, ID card) might be the better option. Or consider offering a cash deposit instead. ===Security=== Carrying your own '''padlock''' is a good idea, as budget rooms sometimes use them instead of (or as well as) normal door locks; carry a spare key someplace safe, like your money belt, otherwise considerable expense as well as inconvenience may result should you lose the original. Also consider some type of cable to lock your bag to something too big to fit through the door or window. ===Wildlife=== Thailand has a few dangerous animals. The most common menace is '''stray dogs''' which frequent even the streets of Bangkok. The vast majority are passive and harmless, but a few of which may carry rabies, so steer clear of them and do not, by any means, feed or pet them. If they try to attack you, don't run as this will encourage them to chase you as if you were prey. Instead, try to walk away slowly. '''Monkeys''' may be cute and friendly, but in any area where unaware tourists have corrupted them, they expect to get food from humans. They can be very sneaky thieves, and they can bite. As with dogs, you won't want to get bitten, whether or not they have '''rabies'''. Most urban areas do not have "stray" monkeys, but [[Lopburi]] is famous for them. Venomous '''snakes''' can be found throughout Thailand, hiding in tall brush or along streams. You're unlikely to ever see one, as they shy away from humans, but they may bite if surprised or provoked. The best course of action when confronted with an unknown snake is to stay still until it leaves. The '''Siamese crocodile''', on the other hand, is nearly extinct and found only in a few remote national parks. '''Monitor lizards''' are common in jungles, but despite their scary reptilian appearance they're harmless. ===Racial issues=== Thais are normally very tolerant of tourists, who are unlikely to encounter aggressive racial abuse regardless of skin colour. However, some visitors may notice their ethnicity attracting some innocent attention. Usually, these situations are limited to stares or unwanted attention in shops. Thais are often curious to find out the nationality of the travellers they meet. Apart from this curiosity, most travellers find it easy to strike up a rapport with Thais. ===Fights=== '''Do not get into fights with Thais'''. Foreigners will eventually be outnumbered and weapons can be involved. Trying to break up someone else's fight is a bad idea, and your intention to help may get you hurt. Also be sure to '''avoid raising your voice''', as Thais consider this to be very insulting, and there have been cases of people being murdered after doing so for making the other person lose face. ===Earthquakes & tsunami=== Southern Thailand is seismically active, with earthquakes and tsunami. The chief culprit is the Indian tectonic plate (carrying the Indian ocean & subcontinent) which, like a skidding truck, is barrelling northwards while spinning anti-clockwise. In this region it collides with the small Burma plate, which carries the Andaman Sea. When the plates grind past each other (a “slip-strike” collision), they cause earthquakes. But the Indian plate is also being subducted – forced beneath the Burma plate – which lifts the sea-bed, displaces the water, and sets off a tsunami. A most violent event occurred on 26 Dec 2004, when along 1000 miles of fault line the sea-bed was suddenly jacked up by several metres. Two hours later, tsunami hit the west coast of Thailand in three waves 20 min apart, and over 8000 people here were killed. There was, and is, no effective local warning system, as (unlike the Pacific) major tsunamis in the Indian Ocean are seen as a once-in-a-century event: “Not since Krakatoa in 1883” is the stock refrain. But memory of the 2004 tragedy remains strong. Expect frantic fleeing from the coast if an earthquake is felt, with gridlock and traffic casualties. Your decision will be whether to rush out of the building before it collapses, or rush indoors to try and get above the third floor. The Burma plate is in turn being shunted against the Sundah plate, which carries the Peninsula mainland and eastern sea. This movement is less violent, but this fault line lies right under the western coastline, so these earthquakes have more local impact and tsunami could strike immediately. Central and Northern Thailand are less quake-prone but the 2014 Mae Lao earthquake, centred on Chiang Rai, caused one death. ===LGBT travellers=== Thailand is one of the most tolerant countries in Asia with regard to LGBT travellers. There are no laws against homosexuality in Thailand, and LGBT tourism forms a big part of the Thai economy. In the main tourist areas, there is no shortage of gay bars and other gay-friendly establishments to cater to that crowd, and transgender cabarets are also a major tourist attraction. Thailand is one of the world's largest centres of medical tourism for sex reassignment surgery. That being said, same-sex relationships are not given any legal recognition, and transgender individuals are still not allowed to change their legal gender. Thais also tend to be rather conservative, and LGBT people are often relegated to the fringes of society. Fortunately, anti-LGBT violence is extremely rare. ==Stay healthy== Being a tropical country, Thailand has its fair share of exotic tropical diseases. [[Malaria]] is generally not a problem in any of the major tourist destinations, but is endemic in rural areas along the borders with [[Cambodia]] (including [[Ko Chang]] in [[Trat_(province)|Trat Province]]), [[Laos]], and [[Myanmar]]. As is the case throughout [[Southeast_Asia|Southeast Asia]], [[dengue fever]] can be encountered just about anywhere, including the most modern cities. The only prevention is avoiding mosquito bites. Wear long pants and long sleeves at dusk in mosquito areas and use repellent (available at any corner shop or pharmacy). Food hygiene levels in Thailand are reasonably high, and it's generally safe to eat at street markets and to drink any water offered to you in restaurants. Using common sense &mdash; e.g., avoiding the vendor who leaves raw meat sitting in the sun with flies buzzing around &mdash; and following the precautions listed in our article on [[travellers' diarrhea]] is still advisable. '''[[Tap water]]''' is usually ''not'' drinkable in Thailand outside of Bangkok. In many places in Bangkok however, particularly in new buildings, drinking tap water is perfectly safe. However, if you don't want to chance it, buying a bottle of water is the obvious solution. Bottled water (น้ำเปล่า ''naam plao'') is cheap and ubiquitous at 5-20 baht a bottle depending on its size and brand, and drinking water served in restaurants is always at least boiled (น้ำต้ม ''naam tom''). '''Ice''' (น้ำแข็ง ''naam khaeng'') in Thailand usually comes packaged straight from the factory and is safe; there is only reason to worry if you are served hand-cut ice. You can buy a large package of ice in most 7-Elevens for 7 baht, too. Mainly in residential areas, machines selling water into your own bottle (1 baht/L, or 50 satang (0.5 baht/L) if paid more than 5 baht) are often available, located in some (Thai mostly) hotels, local shops, or just on the street near one. This is a clean (the water is cleaned and UV-treated on the spot) and extremely cheap option, also, this way you'll avoid making unnecessary plastic waste from empty bottles. The sun is harsher than at higher latitudes. A couple of hours in the sun with unprotected skin will result in redness and a painful night ''even on a cloudy day''. ===HIV=== Thailand has a high rate of HIV . (''Estimated adult (15-49) HIV prevalence is '''(1.3% of population in 2014)''''') and other sexually transmitted diseases are common, especially among sex workers. Condoms are sold in all convenience stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, etc. Avoid '''injection drug use'''. ===Pharmacy=== There's a pharmacy on every block in Thailand and most are happy to sell you anything you want without a prescription. However, this is illegal, and police have been known to bust tourists occasionally for possessing medicines without a prescription, even innocuous stuff like asthma medication. ===Healthcare=== Thailand is a popular destination for medical tourism, and is particularly well-known for sex reassignment surgery. Public hospitals in Bangkok are usually of an acceptable standard and have English-speaking doctors available, though they tend to be understaffed and overcrowded and consequently, waiting times are long. However, the quality of healthcare and availability of English-speaking medical staff can fall sharply once you leave Bangkok and head into the smaller cities and rural areas. The top private hospitals, on the other hand, are among the best in the world, and while vastly more expensive than public hospitals, are still very much affordable by Western standards. Most major cities in Thailand have at least one private hospital that is used by Western expatriates, and while they are more expensive than public hospitals, they provide a higher standard of care with English-speaking doctors and nurses, and are still reasonably priced by Western standards. ==Respect== {{infobox|Naming conventions|Thais generally follow Western naming conventions of a given name followed by a family name. However, unlike in most Western countries, Thais almost never address each other using their last names, and the default form of address in formal situations would be to use a title followed by the first name. The most common title is "Khun" (คุณ), which is a generic title used regardless of one's gender or marital status, so as a foreigner, you can just default to "Khun" if you are not sure of what you are doing. As such, the current prime minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha would be addressed as ''Khun Prayut'' in Thai, and "Mr. Prayut" in English. All Thais also have a nickname (ชื่อเล่น ''chue len''), often completely unconnected to their legal name; for example, Prayut's nickname is ''Tuu'', and he is widely known as ''Lung Tu'' (Uncle Tu). Nicknames are near-universally used in social situations between people who know each other, roughly paralleling "being on a first name basis" in the Western world.}} Thais are a polite people and, while remarkably tolerant of foreigners gallivanting on their beaches and with their women, you'll find that you will get more respect if you in turn treat them and their customs with respect. ===The ''wai''=== [[Image:RonaldMcDonald Wai.JPG|thumb|Ronald McDonald showing how a wai is done]] The traditional greeting known as the '''''wai''''', where you press your hands together as is in prayer and bow slightly, is derived from the Hindu cultural influence from [[India]], and still widely practised. Among Thais, there are strict rules of hierarchy that dictate how and when the wai should be given. In brief, subordinates salute superiors first. You should not wai service people or street vendors. The higher your hands go, the more respectful you are. You will also often see Thais doing a wai as they walk past temples and spirit houses. As a foreign visitor, you are not expected to know how to wai, nor to reciprocate when wai'd to; while you're unlikely to cause offense if you do, you may well look slightly strange. If somebody makes a wai to you, a slight bow alone is more than sufficient for ordinary occasions, and for business, most Thais will shake hands with foreigners instead of waiing anyway. ===Dress=== [[File:Grand Palace dress code.JPG|thumb|Dress code for Wat Phra Kaew]] '''Personal appearance''' is very important in Thailand as a measure of respect to other people, you will find that dressing appropriately means that you are shown more respect in return. This translates in many ways, even sometimes lowering initial offering prices at markets. While some allowance is made for the differing customs of foreigners, Thais respond more positively to well-dressed Westerners. While the most touristy parts of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket are exceptions, traditionally, Thais are modest and conservative dressers. At a minimum your clothes should be neat, clean, and free from holes or tears. Except at the beach or at sacred sites normal western dress is acceptable for both men and women, except that you should avoid clothing showing a lot of skin. Long pants are preferable to shorts, you should always cover your shoulders and if you are a woman, you should not be exposing your cleavage. Outside of the major temples and royal palaces, men wearing shorts is generally acceptable. Both men and women should avoid being topless in public, as Thais consider this to be uncivilised. Although some leeway may be given at the most touristy beach resorts, being topless is illegal, and a shirtless male tourist was arrested in 2016 at Songkran celebrations in Chiang Mai. Taking off your shoes at temples and private homes is mandatory etiquette, and this may even be requested at some shops. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily. Flip-flops, hiking sandals, and clog-type shoes are usually a good pragmatic choice for traveling in Thailand; only in the most top-end establishments are shoes required. It is best to play it safe with wats and other sacred sites in Thailand; your dress should be unambiguously modest and cover your entire torso and most of your limbs. For men, ankle-length pants are mandatory; on top, t-shirts are acceptable, though a button-front or polo shirt would be best. Many recommend that women wear only full length dresses and skirts; you should make sure that your clothing covers at least your shoulders and your knees and some places may require that you wear ankle-length pants or skirts and long sleeved tops. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are highly inappropriate, as are short skirts. The rules are even more strict for foreign visitors, so even if you see a local in shorts it's not OK for everyone. Topless sunbathing is common by Western women at many tourist beaches. At beaches which have primarily Thai visitors, however, this is not advised. ===Religion=== [[Image:Prayer Flags Bangkok.jpg|thumb|Buddhist prayer flags, [[Bangkok/Rattanakosin|Wat Arun]], [[Bangkok]]]] Monks are an integral part of Buddhism in Thailand, and Thai men are generally expected to spend a certain amount of time living as a monk at least once in their lifetime. Avoid wearing clothing with Buddha or Buddhist imagery on it; Buddhists consider it '''extremely disrespectful'''. Buddhist monks are meant to avoid sexual temptations, and in particular they do not touch women or take things from women's hands. Women should make every effort to make way for monks on the street and give them room so they do not have to make contact with you. Women should avoid offering anything to a monk with their hands. Objects or donations should be placed in front of a monk so he can pick it up, or place it on a special cloth he carries with him. Monks will sometimes be aided by a layman who will accept things from women merit-makers on their behalf. Theravada Buddhist monks are also supposed to avoid material temptations and as such, are not allowed to touch money, so offering money to a monk is considered to be a sign of disrespect in most Theravada Buddhist cultures. Therefore, should you wish to donate to a monk, you should only offer food, and put your monetary donation in the appropriate donation box at the temple. Those monks that accept money are almost always fakes. As in neighbouring countries, the swastika is widely used in Thailand as a Buddhist religious symbol. It pre-dates Nazism by 2,500 years and has no anti-Semitic connotations. When entering temple buildings, always take off your shoes before you do so, as entering a temple with footwear is considered to be a major faux pas. When sitting on the floor in a temple, make sure you cross your legs under you "mermaid-style" so your feet do not point at any person or statue. Do not pose alongside a Buddha statue for a photo and certainly don't clamber on them. It's OK to take photos of a statue, but everyone should be facing it. Also, as doorway thresholds are considered a sanctuary for spirits, it's important not to step on a raised threshold, but rather to step over it. A sizeable Muslim minority (about 5%) is also present, mainly concentrated in the southern provinces, but also with a significant community in Bangkok. Most Thai Muslims are ethnic Malays, though there are also substantial numbers of Muslims who are ethnically Thai, or descended from Indonesian, Cambodian Cham or South Asian immigrants. ===Animal abuse=== '''Elephants''' are a large part of Thailand's tourist business, and the smuggling and mistreatment of elephants for tourist attractions is a widespread practice. Be aware that elephants are often separated from their mothers at a young age to be cruelly trained under captivity for the rest of their lives. If you intend to go on an '''elephant ride''', purchase an '''elephant painting''', or "use" elephants for other activities, please take their mistreatment into account. There are a few ethical animal tourism operators in Thailand such as Elephant Nature Park in [[Chiang Mai]] or the [[Northern Gulf Coast#Do|Wildlife Rescue Centre and Elephant Refuge]] near Bangkok. A depressingly common sight on the congested streets of Bangkok and other tourist centers is '''elephant begging'''. During night hours, mahouts (trainers) with lumbering elephants approach tourists to feed the creatures bananas or take a photo with them for a fee. The elephants are brought to the city to beg in this way because they are out of work and are mistreated and visibly distressed under the conditions of the city. Please avoid supporting this cruelty by rejecting the mahouts as they offer you bananas to feed the elephants. Drugged animals such as lizards and birds are sometimes used by touts as photo subjects. These touts are often seen plying the main tourist beaches of Thailand. The tout will take a photo with you and the doped up animal and then demand payment. Rare and endangered species are often sold at markets for pets, and many other animal products are sold as luxury items. Avoid buying rare pets, leather, ivory, talons, dried sea creatures (such as starfish), fur, feathers, teeth, wool, and other products since they are most likely the result of illegal poaching, and buying them contributes greatly to animal endangerment and abuse. ===Other=== *The head is considered the most exalted part of the body, feet the lowliest. Never touch or pat a Thai on the '''head''', including children. If you accidentally touch or bump someone's head, apologize immediately or you'll be perceived as very rude. Similarly, do not touch people with your feet, or even point with them. If someone is sitting with outstretched feet, avoid stepping over them, as this is very rude and could even spark a confrontation. Squeeze around them or ask them to move. Even if the person is sleeping, it is best to go around, as others are likely to notice. * Thais are conservative compared to Westerners. Public displays of affection are rarely seen, even handholding by married couples, and are generally considered to be distasteful, though due to the dependence of the Thai economy on tourism, Thais grudgingly tolerate such displays by foreigners. Don't make out in public. You'll embarrass yourself and inflame Thai sensibilities. *It is considered impolite and disrespectful to visibly sniff food before eating it, particularly when eating in someone's home (this is true even if the sniffing is done in appreciation). *Do not audibly blow your nose in public, especially not at the dinner table, but it is perfectly acceptable to pick your nose at any time or place. *In Thailand, expression of '''negative emotion''' such as anger or sadness is almost never overt, and it is possible to enjoy a vacation in Thailand without ever seeming to see an argument or an unhappy person. Thai people smile often compared to Western people. A smile does not necessarily express happiness. When Thai people smile in a conversation they give the signal that they are civilized and intend to behave with civility, even or especially in a case of conflict. Do not interpret a smile as a sign of weakness. "Saving face" is a very important aspect of Thai culture and they will try to avoid embarrassment and confrontation. *In public places (such as large markets) the '''national anthem''' is played over loudspeakers at 08:00 and 18:00. When this is played, everyone will stop what they are doing and stand still for the duration. You should do the same. The royal anthem (not national anthem) is played in cinemas before the film, and everyone must stand. It lasts about a minute, then everyone will continue where they left off. In MRT and SkyTrain stations in Bangkok, the escalators will also lurch to a halt to prevent a large human pile-up. *When giving and receiving '''business cards''', always use your right hand with the left hand supporting the right elbow. As the left hand is traditionally reserved for dirty things, handling business cards with the left hand is considered to be very rude. * As a reaction against smokers littering beaches with cigarette butts, there is a '''complete smoking ban in effect since 1 February 2018 on 24 popular beaches''' around the country. If caught smoking at one of these beaches, you might be fined up to 100,000 baht and/or be sentenced to up to one year in jail. ==Cope== [[File:Hat-Yai-Klonghae-Floating-Market 15.jpg|thumb|Floating market in Hat Yai]] If you're sticking to major cities and tourist areas, don't worry too much about under-packing; you can get hold of any essentials such as swimming costumes and umbrellas. You will only need a couple of changes of clothes since you can get washing done anywhere cheaply. Sandals for when your hiking shoes are too hot can be bought cheaply in Thailand, although large sizes for women are harder to come by. If female and anything above a size 2 (US), size 6 (UK & IRL), size 36 (rest of EU), busty, or tall, it is often difficult to find clothes that will fit you in any of the Thai shops. If you are male and have a waist more than 38" you will have trouble finding pants. You will largely be limited to backpacker gear (the omnipresent fisherman pants and "Same Same" t-shirts) or Western imports in Bangkok malls, for the same prices as back home or more. While laundry is cheap, it is useful to bring a few changes of clothes, as you may sweat your way through several outfits a day in the Thai weather. Take enough padlocks for every double zipper to stop wandering hands and lock up your belongings, even in your hotel room. Lock zippers through the lower holes, ''not'' the upper ones on the pull tabs. Take earplugs for when you're stuck in a noisy room or want to sleep on the bus. If you have prescription glasses, it is a good idea to bring a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses plus a copy of your prescription. Into the toiletries bag throw sun screen and insect repellent. Mosquito coils are also a good idea. A small pocket size torch or flashlight will come in handy when the electricity goes out or for investigating caves. Passport photos come in handy for visas. If you plan to travel long distances by motorbike, purchase a good quality helmet, which you can do in Thailand. Last but not least, pack your stuff in plastic bags to stop them from getting wet, especially when travelling in the rainy season or on boats. Aside from the above, the following are recommended: * Prescriptions for any prescription medications being brought through customs * Travel insurance * Blood donor/type card * Details of your next of kin * A second photo ID other than your passport * Credit card plus a backup card for a separate account ===Electricity=== Electrical power in Thailand is 220 V, 50 Hz. There is a mix of plug types in use. Most typical is the standard ungrounded North American two-bladed plug. '''Caution:''' appliances from North America, Japan, and Taiwan meant for only 120 V will overheat and be destroyed without a transformer. Most outlets are ungrounded. Connecting your laptop to mains power will in many cases require that you use an adapter for a two-bladed outlet. They are widely available, even in shops like 7-Eleven. See the article [[electrical systems]] for more information. ==Connect== ===Internet=== The Thai government actively censors Internet access. 2010 estimates place the number of blocked websites at 110,000 and growing. Roughly 77% are blocked for reasons of lèse-majesté (content that defames, insults, threatens, or is unflattering to the king, including national security and some political issues), and 22% for pornography, which is illegal in Thailand. Some web pages from BBC One, BBC Two, CNN, Yahoo! News, the ''Post-Intelligencer'' newspaper (Seattle, USA), and ''The Age'' newspaper (Melbourne, Australia) dealing with Thai political content are blocked. Wikileaks is blocked. Internet cafés are widespread and most are inexpensive. Prices as low as 15 baht/hour are commonplace, and speed of connection is generally reasonable, but many cafes close at midnight. Higher prices prevail in major package-tourist destinations (60 baht/hour is typical, 120 baht/hour is not unusual). Islands with multiple Internet cafés include [[Ko Phi Phi|Ko Phi Phi (Don)]], [[Ko Lanta|Ko Lanta (Yai)]], [[Ko Samui]], [[Ko Pha Ngan]], [[Ko Tao]], [[Ko Chang|Ko Chang (Trat)]], [[Ko Samet|Ko Samet (Rayong)]], [[Ko Si Chang|Ko Si Chang (Chonburi)]], and of course [[Phuket]]. Outside the most competitive tourist areas, free '''Wi-Fi''' is not as common as in neighbouring countries in many budget hotels and guesthouses ("mansions") and they may charge small fee for Internet by LAN or Wi-Fi even if you bring your own laptop. Wi-Fi is commonly available in cafes and restaurants serving Westerners. It's sometimes provided by telecoms who charge fees using them, and it usually requires a telecom account to finish the registration process. '''Keyloggers''' are all too often installed on the computers in cheap cafes, so be on your guard if using online banking, stock broking or even PayPal. Using cut and paste to enter part of your password may defeat some of them. Or typing part of the user name and password inside the text input field (for password or username) then clicking outside of it someplace in the browser window and typing some characters and then clicking back into the text input field and continuing to type the other part and doing this several times. Otherwise take your own laptop to the Internet cafe. If you suddenly and unexpectedly find yourself typing in Thai (or any other script) you've probably accidentally hit whatever key-combination the computer you're using has been configured to use for switching between languages (often Ctrl+spacebar). To change back, use the "Text Services and Input Languages" option (a quick-access menu is usually available via a "TH" icon visible on the task bar. Simply switch it to "EN"). ===Telephone=== Thailand's country code is '''+66'''. Mobile phones in Thailand have 10 digits, including the leading zero, while land-line telephones have 9 digits, including the leading zero. Mobile phones are ubiquitous in Thailand, with thorough network coverage, fast speeds and low prices. The main mobile service providers are [http://www.ais.co.th/en/ AIS], [http://www.dtac.co.th/en/ DTAC], [http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th TrueMove], and [https://www.mybycat.com/en/ My]. Prepaid SIM cards can be bought in any convenience store for as little as 50-200 baht, and you can charge up as you go. You must provide your passport details when buying a SIM card. The passport registration system only works during the day (usually until 9 PM) for most stores, but the counters at Bangkok airport can register your passport and activate service 24/7, and speak English as well. The one drawback is that airport carrier service counters can only sell special "tourist SIMs", which are limited to being reloaded with special tourist plans in the future and may not roam if you are continuing to another country after Thailand. If you'd rather pay "local pricing", you can generally get a non-tourist SIM from convenience stores in the airport terminal if you arrive during the day. Most phones sold by major carriers are "locked" to the carrier. That means that the phone won't work with a SIM card on another network, unless you get it unlocked. Contact your carrier's customer service department, and tell them you plan to use your phone overseas for instructions on how to unlock your device. Once unlocked, you can use any SIM card in the phone. Alternatively, the wizards at Bangkok's [[Bangkok/Siam Square#Buy|MBK]] shopping mall can unlock most phones for less than 500 baht. If you need to buy a mobile phone, you can pick those up at MBK as well, as a huge selection of cheap second-hand mobiles can be found on the 4th floor. Coverage is very good throughout the country, all cities and tourist destinations (including resort islands) are well covered. If you're planning to travel deep in the countryside, AIS generally has the best network, at the expense of slightly pricier calls. If you plan to visit Thailand (or even Asia in general; see below) at least once a year for short visits, you have a couple of options to save a SIM for later. Long-validity SIMs have largely been phased out, so you will have to put some effort in (or pay) to keep your SIM alive. The new standard across all SIM types and carriers is that each top-up, no matter how small or large, will extend the validity of the SIM by 30 days. Sites like [http://thaiprepaidcard.com Thai Prepaid Card] or [https://mobiletopup.com/ Mobile Top Up] can help you keep your Thai SIM active while out of the country. For short-term visitors, international roaming onto Thailand's GSM networks is possible, subject to agreements between operators. In the other direction, Thai operators offer very good roaming packages in neighboring countries. These may need to be activated in advance either via a mobile app or in person at a company outlet. ==Go next== Thailand borders on [[Malaysia]], [[Burma]], [[Cambodia]], and [[Laos]]. [[Vietnam]] is beyond Cambodia and Laos, and southern [[China]], [[Singapore]] and [[Indonesia]] are also in the overall region. Budget airlines offer flights from [[Bangkok]] to destinations as far as in [[Japan]] and [[Australia]]. {{related|Diving_in_Thailand}} {{related|Meditation_in_Thailand}} {{geo|14|101|zoom=6}} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Asia}} {{usablecountry}} 7t5zcoczydz6le2ax6o3sk3dh9l0c3w 0 35697 4506239 4506158 2022-08-22T13:29:21Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/103.176.224.31|103.176.224.31]] ([[User talk:103.176.224.31|talk]]) to last version by [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Thai phrasebook banner.jpg}} '''Thai''' ({{lang|th|ภาษาไทย}} ''phaasǎa Thai'') is the official language of [[Thailand]] and native for Thais around the world. Thai, and the closely related [[Lao phrasebook|Lao]], are members of the '''Tai-Kadai language family'''. Several dialects are spoken in distinct regions of the country, spawning primarily Central, Northern, and Southern variants. Additionally, in the Northeast, '''Isaan''' is spoken; virtually identical to Lao. The Central dialect, spoken around [[Bangkok]] is taken to be the standard, and is used in all news broadcasts. As a Buddhist country, the Thai language has been strongly influenced by [[Sanskrit phrasebook|Sanskrit]] and Pali, and numerous words from those languages can be found in Thai. Due to a long history of Chinese immigration to Thailand, the Thai language also contains a large number of loan words from various Chinese dialects, especially [[Teochew phrasebook|Teochew]], most evident when it comes to culinary terms. ==Pronunciation guide== Thai is a '''tonal''' language of five tones: Mid, Low, Falling, High, and Rising. Meanings may change critically based on tone, yet Thais are fairly used to hearing foreigners mangle their language and can often work out the correct tone based on context. Try not to inflect your sentences; particularly, any questions should be pronounced as flat statements, without the rising intonation ("...yes?") typical of English questions. The Thai written language is essentially alphabetic, but notoriously difficult to read due to a profusion of 44 consonants (many redundant), complicated tone and vowel signage around consonants, and a complete lack of spaces between words. It is an Indic script related to the [[Burmese phrasebook|Burmese]], [[Lao phrasebook|Lao]] and [[Khmer phrasebook|Khmer]] scripts, as well as to those of most [[India]]n languages. ===Vowels=== Thai has a complicated set of vowels and diphthongs that distinguishes between vowel length (short and long) and vowel position (front and back). In Thai script, vowel signs are always written around consonants and the letter ก (''k'') is used here to demonstrate. This list follows the Royal Thai General System of Transcription (except that some long vowels are doubled). ; ka กะ : like 'a' in "car" (short vowel) ; kaa กา : like 'a' in "father" (longer than "a") ; kae แก : like 'a' in "man" (short vowel: "แกะ") ; ke เก : like 'e' in "bed" (short vowel: "เกะ") ; ki กิ : like 'y' in "greedy" ; kii กี : like 'ee' in "see" (longer than "i") ; ko กอ : like 'o' in "torn" (short vowel: "เกาะ") ; ko โก : like 'oa' in "moan" (short vowel: "โกะ") ; koe เกอ : like 'i' in "sir" (short vowel: "เกอะ") ; ku กุ : like 'oo' in "hoop" ; kuu กู : like 'ue' in "blue" (longer than "u") ; kue กือ : frontal version of "u" (akin to German "ü", French "d'''u'''", not found in English) (short vowel: "กึ") ; kam กำ : like 'um' in "dummy" ; kai ใก/ไก : like 'i' in "kind" ; kia เกีย : like 'eer' in "beer" (but don't pronounce "r") ; kua กัว : similar to 'ou' in "tour" (but don't pronounce "r") ; kuea เกือ : like "ue" followed by a short "a" ; kao เกา : like 'ow' in "cow" ===Consonants=== Thai distinguishes between '''aspirated''' ("with a puff of air") and '''unaspirated''' ("without a puff of air") consonants. Unaspirated consonants exist in English too, but never alone: compare the sound of 'p' in "pot" (aspirated) and "spot" (unaspirated). Many English speakers find it helpful to pronounce an imperceptible little "m" in front to 'stop' the puff. In Thai romanized with the Royal Thai General System (used on Wikivoyage), the distinction is usually represented by writing aspirated consonants with "h" and unaspirated ones without it. In particular, "ph" represents a hard aspirated 'p' and ''not'' a soft 'f', and [[Phuket]] is thus pronounced "Poo-ket". Likewise, "th" is a hard aspirated 't' and hence [[Thailand]] is pronounced "Tie-land". Other systems of romanization may use 'bp', 'dt' and 'g' for the unaspirated sounds, and 'p', 't', and 'k' for the aspirated sounds. This is not used in this guide. ; b บ : like 'b' in "bed" ; bp : not used here, but in other romanizations may represent unaspirated 'p' ; ch ฉ ช ฌ : similar to 'ch' in "chop", but without your tongue touching your palate ; d ฎ ด : like 'd' in "dog" ; dt : not used here, but in other romanizations may represent unaspirated 't' ; f ฝ ฟ : like 'f' in "fun" ; g : not used here, but in other romanizations may represent unaspirated 'k' ; h ห ฮ : like 'h' in "help" ; j จ : similar to 'j' or 'dg' in "judge", but unvoiced ; k ก : like 'k' in "skate" (unaspirated) ; kh ข ฃ ค ฅ ฆ : like 'c' in "Kate" (aspirated) ; l ล ฦ ฬ : like 'l' in "love" ; m ม : like 'm' in "mother" ; n ณ น : like 'n' in "nice" ; ng ง : like 'ng' in "sing", but can also be used at the beginning of words ; p ป : like 'p' in "spit" (unaspirated) ; ph ผ พ ภ : like 'p' in "pit" (aspirated) ; r ร ฤ : trilled, similar to Spanish and Italian 'r' ; s ซ ศ ษ ส : like 'ss' in "hiss", ; t ฏ ต : like 't' in "stop" (unaspirated) ; th ฐ ฑ ฒ ถ ท ธ : like 't' in "top" (aspirated) ; v : not used here, but in other romanizations may represent 'w' ; w ว : like 'w' in "weight" ; y ญ ย : like 'y' in "yes" ==Grammar== Basic Thai grammar is fairly straightforward. Word order is subject-verb-object, as in English. Nouns and verbs do not change, and there are no plurals or grammatical genders. Instead, a wide array of particles and markers are employed to indicate past tense, negation, etc. : ''phom kin khao'' ผมกินข้าว : "I eat rice" Adjectives are placed after the noun, not before. : ''phom kin '''khao suai''''' ผมกินข้าวสวย : "I eat '''rice cooked'''" (I eat cooked rice) The negation marker ไม ''mai'' goes before the verb. : ''phom '''mai kin''' khao'' ผมไม่กินข้าว : "I '''not eat''' rice" (I will not eat/am not eating rice) The past tense marker แล้ว ''laew'' goes after the verb and its object (if any). : ''phom '''kin''' khao '''laew''''' ผมกินข้าวแล้ว : "I '''eat''' rice '''already'''" (I ate rice) Pronouns are often omitted if it's clear from the context who is doing what. ==Phrase list== Note that the polite suffix ครับ ''khráp'' (for men) and ค่ะ ''khâ'' (for women) can and should be attached to all phrases when talking with strangers. The suffix depends solely on your gender. Also note that the pronoun for "I" is ผม ''phǒm'' for men and ดิฉัน ''di-chǎn'' for women. When addressing people, คุณ ''khun'' is a safe, respectful all-purpose equivalent to "Mr/Ms/Mrs". People you're familiar with can be addressed as พี่ ''phii'' (if they are elders) or น้อง ''nong'' (if they are younger). These are always used with first names, so your business partner Supachai Sakulwattana is ''khun Supachai'' and your secretary Nipaporn Khampolsiri is ''nong Nipaporn''. Surnames are generally not used to address people in Thailand. All Thais also have short nicknames, but these are only used informally. The closer two friends are, the less often you will hear ครับ ''khráp'' and ค่ะ ''khâ'' being spoken. This is especially prominent in the lower and middle classes, but is a general trend. This can be compared to western languages, where adding "Sir" at the end of each sentence when speaking to somebody in authority is becoming less and less common, and already entirely removed in many languages. On another note, there is a trend among the upper and middle classes, especially among younger men, to call each other ''phii'', no matter the age difference. This is part of greater age equality in Thailand. ===Greeting and leave-taking=== ; Hello. (''informal'') : สวัสดี (''sa-wat-dii'') ; Hello. (''polite, speaker is male'') : สวัสดีครับ (''sa-wat-dii, khráp'') ; Hello. (''polite, speaker is female'') : สวัสดีค่ะ (''sa-wat-dii, khâ'') ; Hello. (''answering the phone'') : ฮัลโหล[ครับ/ค่ะ (''haloh, khráp/khâ'') ; How are you? : สบายดีหรือ (''sabaai-dii rue?'') ; Fine. : สบายดี (''sabaai-dii'') ; Fine, and you? : สบายดี แล้วคุณล่ะ[ครับ/ค่ะ (''sabaai-dii láe khun lá, khráp/khâ'') ; Goodbye. : ลาก่อน (''laa kon'') ; Goodbye (''informal''). : สวัสดี[ครับ/ค่ะ (''sa-wat-dii [khráp/khâ]'') ; Happy New Year : (1 Jan) : สวัสดีปีใหม่ (''sa-wat-dii pii mai'') ; Happy New Year : (1 Jan) สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่ (''suk san wan pii mai'') ; Happy Valentine's Day : สุขสันต์วันแห่งความรัก (''suk san wan haeng khwam rak'') ; Happy Songkran Day : สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ (''suk san wan songkran'') ===Basics=== {{infobox|Common signs| ; เปิด (''pèrt'') : Open ; ปิด (''pìt'') : Closed ; ทางเข้า (''taang-kâo'') : Entrance ; ทางออก (''taang-òk'') : Exit ; ผลัก (''phlàk'') : Push ; ดึง (''deung'') : Pull ; ห้องน้ำ (''hông náam''): Toilet ; ผู้ชาย (''pôo chaai'') : Men ; ผู้หญิง (''pôo yĭng'') : Women ; ห้าม (''hâam'') : Forbidden }} {{infobox|Mai pen rai|Many a visitor has suggested, perhaps slightly tongue in cheek, that ไม่เป็นไร ''mai pen rai'' should be the national motto of [[Thailand]]. Literally "is no problem", this is most commonly used where an English speaker would say "OK", "no problem" or "never mind". But watch out, as this can also be used in the negative sense: a ''mai pen rai'' in response to a complaint about missing your bus or being overcharged now means "it's not ''my'' problem" or "it shouldn't be a big deal for you".}} ; What is your name? : คุณชื่ออะไร (''khun chue arai?'') ; My name is ______ . : ผม/ดิฉันชื่อ (''phŏm/dì-chăn cheu _____ '') ; Nice to meet you. : ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก (''yin-dii thii dai ruu-jak'') ; Please. : กรุณา (''karunaa'') ; Thank you [very much]. : ขอบคุณ[มาก] (''khop khun [mâak]'') ; You're welcome. : ไม่เป็นไร (''mai pen rai'') ; Yes. : ใช่ (''chai'') ; No. : ไม่ใช่ (''mai chai'') ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : ขอโทษ (''kho thot'') ; I'm sorry. : ขอโทษ (''kho thot'') ; I can't speak Thai [well]. : พูดภาษาไทยไม่ได้[ดี] (''phuut phaasaa thai mai dai [dii]'') ; Do you speak English? : พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม (''phuut phaasaa ang-krit dai mai?'') ; Please speak more slowly. : พูดช้าๆ หน่อย (''phûut cháa cháa nòi'') ; How do you say this in Thai? : พูดเป็นภาษาไทยอย่างไร (''phûut pen phaa-săa thai yàang-rai'') ; Please repeat it. : พูดอีกที (''phûut iik thii'') ; Help! : ช่วยด้วย (''chûai dûai'') ; Look out! : ระวัง (''rá-wang'') ; Be careful! : ระวังหน่อยนะ (''rá-wang nòi ná'') ; Fire! : ไฟไหม้ (''fai mâi'') ; I don't understand. : ไม่เข้าใจ (''mai khao jai'') ; I understand. : เข้าใจ (''kâo jai'') ; Where is the toilet? : ห้องน้ำ อยู่ ที่ ไหน (''hông nám yùu thîi năi'') ; How? : อย่าง ไร (''yangrai'') ; Where? : ที่ไหน (''thii näi''') ; What? : อะไร (''à'rai''') ; When? : เมื่อไหร่ (''muea-rai''') ; Who? : ใคร (''khrai'') ; Why? : ทำไม (''thammai''') ; How much, how many? : เท่าไหร่, กี่ (''thâo'rai''') or (''kii'') ; What’s the matter? : เป็นอะไรไป (''pen a-rai pai'') ; Are you all right? : คุณไม่เป็นไรนะ (''khun mâi pen-rai ná'') {{infobox|Near/far|When you're asking whether somewhere is far, the answers '''near/far''' are almost the same, but the tones are different. ''Klai'' means it's far, and ''Klâi'' means it's near, but people usually answer ''Mâi Klai'' (not far) instead. This is quite a difficult thing for travellers' ears.}} ; Is it far? : ไกลไหม (''klai mǎi'') ; What do you think? : คุณคิดอย่างไร (''khun kít yàang-rai'') ; Are you sure? : คุณแน่ใจไหม (''khun nâe-jai măi'') ; Is it possible? : เป็นไปได้ไหม (''pen pai dâi măi'') ; Is it good? : ดีไหม (''dii măi'') ; What is this? : นี่อะไร (''nii a-rai'') ; Really? : จริงๆ หรือ (''jing jing rue'') ; It’s fine. : ดีแล้ว (''dii láew'') ; O.K./All right. : ตกลง (''tòk long'') ; That’s all right. : ไม่เป็นไร (''mâi pen-rai'') ; I don’t know. : ไม่ทราบ / ไม่รู้ (''mâi sâap (formal)''/''mâi róo'') ; I agree; I think so. : เห็นด้วย (''hĕn dûai'') ; It's dangerous. : มันอันตราย (''man antaraai'') ; Beautiful. : สวย (''sŭai'') ; Delicious. : อร่อย (''a-ròi'') ; Wonderful. : ดี,วิเศษ (''dii, wí-sèt'') ; Interesting. : น่าสนใจ (''nâa sŏn-jai'') ; Hot. (''temperature'') : ร้อน (''rón'') ; Hungry. : หิว (''hĭw'') ; Thirsty. : หิวน้ำ (''hĭw nám'') ; Tired. : เหนื่อย (''nùeai'') ; Happy. : มีความสุข (''mii khwaam sùk'') ; Sad. : เศร้า (''sâo'') ; Angry. : โมโห (''mo-hŏ'') ===Problems=== ; Leave me alone. : อย่ายุ่งกับ ผม/ฉัน (''yàa yung kap phŏm (for men)/chan (for women)'') ; Kiss off! (go away) : ไปห่างๆ (''pai-​hàang-​hàang'') ; Don't touch me! : อย่าจับ ผม/ฉัน ! (''yàa jàp phŏm (men)/chan (for women)'') ; I'll call the police. : ผม/ฉัน จะแจ้งตำรวจ (''phom/chan ja jaang taamruat'') ; Police! : ตำรวจ! (''taamruat'') ; Stop! Thief! : หยุด! โจร/ขโมย! (''yut jon/khamoy'') ; I need your help. : ผม/ฉัน ต้องการความช่วยเหลือ (''phom/chan tongkaan khwaam chuai luea'') ; It's an emergency. : เรื่องฉุกเฉิน (''rueang chuk chern'') ; It's urgent. : เรื่องด่วน (''rueang duan'') ; I'm lost. : ผม/ฉัน หลงทาง (''phom/chan long thaang'') ; I lost my bag. : กระเป๋าของ ผม/ฉัน หาย (''krapao khong phom/chan haai'') ; I lost my wallet. : กระเป๋าสตางค์ของ ผม/ฉัน หาย (''krapao taang khong phom/chan haai'') ; I'm sick. : ผม/ฉัน ไม่สบาย (''phom/chan mai sabaai'') ผม/ฉัน ป่วย (''phom/chan puai'') ; I've been injured. : ผม/ฉัน บาดเจ็บ (''phom/chan baat jep'') ; I need a doctor. : ผม/ฉัน ต้องการหมอ (''phom/chan tongkaan mö'') ; Can I use your phone? : ผม/ฉัน ขอใช้โทรศัพท์ได้ไหม (''phom/chan kho chai thorasap dai mai'') ===Numbers=== Thai numbering is quite regular and speakers of [[Cantonese phrasebook|Cantonese]] and/or [[Hakka phrasebook|Hakka]] will find many quite familiar. In casual speech, it is common to abbreviate ''yii-sip'' as ''yip'' for numbers over twenty, eg. 23 becomes ''yip-saam'' instead of ''yii-sip-saam''. In northern and northeastern Thailand you may also hear ''sao'' for 20, so 23 would be ''sao-saam''. Thai has its own set of numerals, shown below, but these are used quite rarely &mdash; the major exception being sites with double pricing for Thais and foreigners, the Thai price being often disguised with Thai numbers. Being able to read the Thai price just might get you in at the Thai rate. ; 0 : ๐ (''suun'') ศูนย์ ; 1 : ๑ (''nueng'') หนึ่ง on its own, (''et'') เอ็ด in compounds ; 2 : ๒ (''song'') สอง ; 3 : ๓ (''saam'') สาม ; 4 : ๔ (''sii'') สี่ ; 5 : ๕ (''haa'') ห้า ; 6 : ๖ (''hok'') หก ; 7 : ๗ (''jet'') เจ็ด ; 8 : ๘ (''paet'') แปด ; 9 : ๙ (''kao'') เก้า ; 10 : ๑๐ (''sip'') สิบ ; 11 : ๑๑ (''sip-et'') สิบเอ็ด ; 12 : ๑๒ (''sip-song'') สิบสอง ; 13 : ๑๓ (''sip-saam'') สิบสาม ; 14 : ๑๔ (''sip-sii'') สิบสี่ ; 15 : ๑๕ (''sip-haa'') สิบห้า ; 16 : ๑๖ (''sip-hok'') สิบหก ; 17 : ๑๗ (''sip-jet'') สิบเจ็ด ; 18 : ๑๘ (''sip-paet'') สิบแปด ; 19 : ๑๙ (''sip-kao'') สิบเก้า ; 20 : ๒๐ (''yii-sip'') ยี่สิบ ; 21 : ๒๑ (''yii-sip-et'') ยี่สิบเอ็ด ; 22 : ๒๒ (''yii-sip-song'') ยี่สิบสอง ; 23 : ๒๓ (''yii-sip-saam'') ยี่สิบสาม ; 30 : ๓๐ (''saam-sip'') สามสิบ ; 40 : ๔๐ (''sii-sip'') สี่สิบ ; 50 : ๕๐ (''haa-sip'') ห้าสิบ ; 60 : ๖๐ (''hok-sip'') หกสิบ ; 70 : ๗๐ (''jet-sip'') เจ็ดสิบ ; 80 : ๘๐ (''paet-sip'') แปดสิบ ; 90 : ๙๐ (''kao-sip'') เก้าสิบ ; 100 : ๑๐๐ (''nueng roi'') หนึ่งร้อย ; 200 : ๒๐๐ (''song roi'') สองร้อย ; 300 : ๓๐๐ (''saam roi'') สามร้อย ; 1000 : ๑๐๐๐ (''nueng phan'') หนึ่งพัน ; 2000 : ๒๐๐๐ (''song phan'') สองพัน ; 10 000 : ๑๐๐๐๐ (''nueng muen'') หนึ่งหมื่น ; 100 000 : ๑๐๐๐๐๐ (''nueng saen'') หนึ่งแสน ; 1 000 000 : ๑๐๐๐๐๐๐ (''neung laan'') หนึ่งล้าน ; 1 000 000 000 : ๑๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (''phan laan'') พันล้าน ; 1 000 000 000 000 : ๑๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (''laan laan'') ล้านล้าน ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : เบอร์ _____ (''ber'') ; half : ครึ่ง (''krueng'') ; less : น้อยกว่า (''noi kwa'') ; more : มากกว่า (''maak kwa'') ===Time=== ; now : เดี๋ยวนี้ (''dǐo níi'') ; later : หลัง (''lăng'') ; before : ก่อน (''kòn'') ; morning : เช้า (''cháo'') ; afternoon : บ่าย (''bàai'') ; evening : เย็น (''yen'') ; night : คืน (''khuen'') ====Clock time==== There are no less than three systems for telling time in Thailand. The easiest of the three is the '''24-hour official clock''', encountered primarily in bus and railway schedules. To create an official time, simply affix ''naalikaa'' นาฬิกา to the number of hours, so that e.g. ''kao naalikaa'' is 9AM (09:00) and ''sip-saam naalikaa'' is 1PM (13:00). Things get a little more difficult in the '''12-hour common clock'''. As in the West, the number of the hour runs from 1 to 12, but instead of just AM and PM, the day is divided into four sections (ตอน ''ton''): # เช้า ''cháo'' (morning), from 6 AM to noon # บ่าย ''bàai'' (afternoon), from noon to 4 PM # เย็น ''yen'' (evening), from 4 PM to 6 PM # คืน ''khuen'' (night), from 6 PM to 11 PM A 12-hour time is thus composed from the hour, the word ''mong'' โมง and the correct ''ton'' ตอน. As exceptions, the word ''bàai'' comes before ''mong'' (not after); 1PM is just ''bàai moong'' with no number; and there are special words for noon and midnight. Some examples: ; one o'clock AM : ตีหนึ่ง (''tii nueng''') ; two o'clock AM : ตีสอง (''tii sǒng'') ; three o'clock AM : ตีสาม (''tii säam'') ; four o'clock AM : ตีสี่ (''tii sìi'') ; five o'clock AM : ตีห้า (''tii hâ'') ; six o'clock AM : หกโมงเช้า (''hòk mong cháo'') ; seven o'clock AM : เจ็ดโมงเช้า (''jèt mong cháo'') ; eight o'clock AM : แปดโมงเช้า (''pàet mong cháo'') ; nine o'clock AM : เก้าโมงเช้า (''kâo mong cháo'') ; ten o'clock AM : สิบโมงเช้า (''sìp mong cháo'') ; eleven o'clock AM : สิบเอ็ดโมงเช้า (''sìp et mong cháo'') ; noon : เที่ยง (''thîang'') or เที่ยงวัน (''thîang wan'') ; one o'clock PM : บ่ายโมง (''bàai mong'') ; two o'clock PM : บ่ายสองโมง (''bàai sǒng mong'') ; three o'clock PM : บ่ายสามโมง (''bàai säam mong'') ; four o'clock PM : สี่โมงเย็น (''sìi mong yen''') ; five o'clock PM : ห้าโมงเย็น (''hâa mong yen''') ; six o'clock PM : หกโมงเย็น (''hòk' mong yen''') ; seven o'clock PM : หนึ่งทุ่ม (''nueng' thum''') ; eight o'clock PM : สองทุ่ม (''sǒng thum''') ; nine o'clock PM : สามทุ่ม (''säam thum'')' ; ten o'clock PM : สี่ทุ่ม (''sìi thum''') ; eleven o'clock PM : ห้าทุ่ม (''hâ thum''') ; midnight : เที่ยงคืน (''thîang khuen'') or สองยาม (''sǒng yaam'') ====Duration==== ; _____ second(s) : _____ วินาที (''wí na-thii'') ; _____ minute(s) : _____ นาที (''na-thii'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ ชั่วโมง (''chûa mong'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ วัน (''wan''') ; _____ week(s) : _____ อาทิตย์ (''aathít''') or สัปดาห์ (''sap-daa'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ เดือน (''duean'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ ปี (''pii'') ====Days==== ; today : วันนี้ (''wanníi'') ; yesterday : เมื่อวานนี้ (''mûea wan níi'') or เมื่อวาน (''mûea waan'') ; tomorrow : พรุ่งนี้ (''phrûng níi'') ; this week : อาทิตย์นี้ (''aathít níi'') ; last week : อาทิตย์ก่อน (''aathít kòn'') ; next week : อาทิตย์หน้า (''aathít nâa'') ; Sunday : วันอาทิตย์ (''wan aathit'') ; Monday : วันจันทร์ (''wan jan'') ; Tuesday : วันอังคาร (''wan angkaan'') ; Wednesday : วันพุธ (''wan phut'') ; Thursday : วันพฤหัสบดี (''wan pharuehat'') ; Friday : วันศุกร์ (''wan suk'') ; Saturday : วันเสาร์ (''wan sao'') ; Weekend : เสาร์อาทิตย์ (''sao aathít'') ; Holiday : วันหยุด (''wan yoot'') ====Months==== All Thai months end in the suffix ''-kom'' (31 days) or ''-yon'' (30 days), except February's idiosyncratic ''-phan''. In casual speech these are often omitted, but the word month (''deuan'') may be prefixed instead. ; January : มกราคม (''makarakhom'') or มกรา (''makara'') ; February : กุมภาพันธ์ (''kumphaaphan'') or กุมภา (''kumphaa'') ; March : มีนาคม (''miinakhom'') or มีนา (''miina'') ; April : เมษายน (''mesayon'') or เมษา (''mesa'') ; May : พฤษภาคม (''pruetsaphakhom'') or พฤษภา (''pruetsapha'') ; June : มิถุนายน (''mithunayon'') or มิถุนา (''mithuna'') ; July : กรกฎาคม (''karakadaakhom'') or กรกฎา (''karakadaa'') ; August : สิงหาคม (''singhakhom'') or สิงหา (''singha'') ; September : กันยายน (''kanyaayon'') or กันยา (''kanyaa'') ; October : ตุลาคม (''tulaakhom'') or ตุลา (''tulaa'') ; November : พฤศจิกายน (''pruetsajikaayon'') or พฤศจิกา (''pruetsajikaa'') ; December : ธันวาคม (''thanwaakhom'') or ธันวา (''thanwaa'') ====Writing time and date==== Dates are written in day/month/year format. Thais often use '''Buddhist Era''' (BE) '''พุทธศักราช''' (พ.ศ.) years, which runs 543 years ahead of the Gregorian Calendar. {{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}+543}} BE is thus equivalent to CE {{CURRENTYEAR}}.<!--The preceding code makes sure that the example will always remain current. Do not modify it!--> ===Colors=== The word ''sii'' is often omitted in compounds like ''kaeng daeng'' (red curry). ; black : สีดำ (''sii dam'') ; white : สีขาว (''sii khao'') ; gray : สีเทา (''sii thao'') ; red : สีแดง (''sii daeng'') ; blue : สีฟ้า/สีน้ำเงิน (''sii faa (light-)/sii náhm-ngern(dark-'') ; yellow : สีเหลือง (''sii lueang'') ; green : สีเขียว (''sii khiao'') ; orange : สีส้ม (''sii som'') ; purple : สีม่วง (''sii muang'') ; brown : สีน้ำตาล (''sii nam taan'') ===Transportation=== ====Bus and train==== ; train : รถไฟ (''rót fai'') ; bus : รถเมล์ (''rót-me'') ; coach : รถทัวร์ (''rót-tour'') ; skytrain : รถไฟฟ้า (''rót fai fáa'') ; metro : รถไฟใต้ดิน (''rót fai tâi din'') ; railway station : สถานีรถไฟ (''sà-thăa-nii rót fai'') ; bus stop : ป้ายรถเมล์ (''pâai-rót-me'') ; train ticket : ตั๋วรถไฟ (''tŭa rót fai'') ; bus ticket : ตั๋วโดยสาร (''tŭa doi-săan'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? : ค่าตั๋วไป_____ราคาเท่าไร(''kháa tŭa pai_____ráa-kháa thao-rai'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : ซื้อตั๋วไป_____หน่อย (''sue tŭa pai_____noi'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : รถคันนี้ไปไหน? (''rót khan nii pai nai'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : รถไป_____ขึ้นรถที่ไหน? (''rót pai_____khûen thîinǎi'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : รถคันนี้ไป_____ไหม? (''rót khan níi pai_____mǎi'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : รถไป_____จะออกเมื่อไร? (''rót pai_____jà òk mûearai'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : รถคันนี้จะไปถึง_____เมื่อไร? (''rót khan níi jà pai thǔeng_____mûearai'') ====Directions==== ; How do I get to _____ ? : จะไป _____ อย่างไร? (''jà pai _____ yàng rai'') ; ...the train station? : สถานีรถไฟ (''sà-thăa-nii rót fai'') ; ...the bus station? : สถานีรถโดยสาร (''sà-thăa-nii rót doi săan'') ; ...the airport? : สนามบิน (''sanăam bin'') ; ...downtown? : ...ตัวเมือง (''tua mueang'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...ที่พักสำหรับเยาวชน (''tîi pák săm-ràp yao-wá-chon'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...โรงแรม _____ (''rong-raem'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ... สถานกงสุล อเมริกา/แคนาดา/ออสเตรเลีย/อังกฤษ (''sà-thăan kong-sun'') ; embassy : สถานทูต (''sà-thăan thuut'') ; Where are there a lot of... : ที่ไหนมี ... เยอะ (''tîi năi mii ... yoe'') ; ...hotels? : ...โรงแรม (''rong-raem'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ร้านอาหาร (''rán aa-häan'') ; ...bars? : ...บาร์ (''ba'') ; ...sites to see? : ...สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว (''...'') ; Can you show me on the map? : ช่วยชี้แผนที่ได้ไหม ครับ/คะ (''chûai chíi păan-tîi dâi măi khrap/ká'') ; street : ถนน (''tha-nǒn'') ; alley (''or side-street'') : ซอย (''soi'') ; Turn left. : เลี้ยวซ้าย (''liaao saai'') ; Turn right. : เลี้ยวขวา (''liaao khwaa'') ; left : ซ้าย (''sáai'') ; right : ขวา (''khwäa'') ; straight ahead : ตรงไป (''trong pai'') ; to/towards the _____ : ยัง _____ (''yang'') ; after/past the _____ : หลังจากที่ _____ (''lăng jàak thii'') ; before the _____ : ก่อนที่ _____ (''kòn thii'') ; Watch for the _____. : หา _____. (''hă'') ; intersection : สี่แยก (''sìi yâek'') ; north : ทิศเหนือ (''thít nǔea'') ; south : ทิศใต้ (''thít tâi'') ; east : ทิศตะวันออก (''thít tà-wan ok'') ; west : ทิศตะวันตก (''thít tà-wan tòk'') ; uphill : ขึ้นเนิน (''khûen noen'') ; downhill : ลงเนิน (''long noen'') ====Taxi==== ; Taxi! : แท็กซี่! (''tâek-sîi'') ; Take me to _____, please. : ไป _____ นะครับ/ค่ะ (''pai _____ na khrap/kâ'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : ไป _____ เท่าไหร่ (''pai _____ thâo-rài'') ; Take me there, please. : พาผม/ดิฉันไปที่นั่นหน่อยครับ/ค่ะ (''phaa phŏm/dì-chăn pai tîi nân nòi khrap/khâ'') ; Stop here. : จอด ที่นี่ (''jòt thîi nîi'') ===Lodging=== ; Do you have any rooms available? : คุณมีห้องว่างไหม? (''khun mii hông wâang mǎi?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : ห้องสำหรับ หนึ่งคน/สองคน ราคาเท่าไหร่? (''hong samrap nueng-khon/song-khon raakaa thao rai?'') ; Does the room come with... : ในห้องมี...ไหม? (''nai hông mii ... mǎi?'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...ผ้าคลุมเตียง (''phâa khlum tiang'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...ห้องน้ำ (''hông nám'') ; ...a telephone? : ...โทรศัพท์ (''thorásàp'') ; ...a TV? : ...โทรทัศน์ (''thohráthát'') ; May I see the room first? : ขอดูห้องก่อนได้ไหม? (''khö duu hông kòn dâi mǎi?'') ; Do you have anything... : มีห้องที่...นี้ไหม? (''mii hông thîi ... níi mǎi?'') ; ...quieter? : ...เงียบ กว่า (''ngiap kwa'') ; ...bigger? : ...ใหญ่ กว่า (''yài kwàa'') ; ...cleaner? : ...สะอาด กว่า (''sà-aat kwàa'') ; ...cheaper? : ...ถูก กว่า (''thuuk kwàa'') ; OK, I'll take it. : ตกลง ผม/ดิฉันเอา (''tok long phŏm/dì-chăn ao'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : ผม/ดิฉันจะอยู่ _____ คืน (''phŏm/dì-chăn jà yùu _____ kuen'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : คุณช่วยแนะนำโรงแรมอื่นได้หรือไม่ (''...'') ; Do you have a safe? : คุณมีตู้เซฟไหม (''khun mii tûu-sêf măi'') ; ...lockers? : ...ล็อกเกอร์ (''lok kêr'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : รวม อาหารเช้า/อาหารเย็น ไหม (''ruam aa-hăn-cháo/aa-hăn-yen măi'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : อาหารเช้า/อาหารเย็น เมื่อไหร่ (''aa-hăn-cháo/aa-hăn-yen muea rài'') ; Please clean my room. : ช่วยทำความสะอาดห้องหน่อย (''chûai tam kwaam sà-aat hông nòi'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : ช่วยปลุกตอน _____ ได้ไหม? (''chûai plùk ton _____ dâi măi'') ; I want to check out. : ผมต้องการเช็คเอ้าท์. (''pǒm/dì-chăn tông kaan check out'') ===Money=== ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : คุณรับเงินอเมริกัน/ออสเตรเลียน/แคนนาดาดอลลาร์ไหม (''kun ráp ngern a-me-ri-can/os-tre-lîan/cae-na-da dol-lâr mǎi'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : คุณรับเงินปอนด์ไหม (''kun ráp ngern pond mǎi'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : คุณรับบัตรเครดิตไหม (''kun ráp bàt kre-dìt măi'') ; Can you change money for me? : คุณจะแลกเปลี่ยนสกุลเงินกับผม/ดิฉันไหม (''kun jà laek plìen sà-kun ngern kùb phŏm/dì-chăn mǎi'') ; Where can I get money changed? : ผม/ดิฉันสามารถเปลี่ยนสกุลเงินได้ที่ไหน (''phŏm/dì-chăn sǎ-mâat plìen sà-kun ngern dâi tîi năi'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : (''...'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : (''...'') ; What is the exchange rate? : อัตราแลกเปลี่ยนเท่าไร (''àt-traa lâek plìen tâo rài'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : เอทีเอ็มอยู่ที่ไหน (''e thii em yùu thîi năi'') ===Eating=== ; A table for one person/two people, please. : ขอโต๊ะสำหรับ หนึ่ง/สอง ที่ ครับ/ (''khǒ tó sǎamràp nùeng/sǒng thî khráp/khà'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : ขอดูเมนูครับ/ค่ะ (''khǒ duu menuu khráp/khà'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : (''...'') ; Is there a house specialty? : (''...'') ; Is there a local specialty? : (''...'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : ผม/ดิฉัน กินเจ (''phŏm/dì-chăn kin je'') ; I don't eat pork. : ผม/ดิฉัน ไม่กินหมู (''phŏm/dì-chăn mâi kin mǔu'') ; I don't eat beef. : ผม/ดิฉัน ไม่กินเนื้อ (''phŏm/dì-chăn mâi kin núea'') ; I only eat kosher food. : (''...'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : (''...'') ; fixed-price meal : (''...'') ; a la carte : ที่เป็นจานๆ (''tîi-​pen-​jaan-​jaan'') ; breakfast : อาหารเช้า (''aa-hăan cháo'') ; lunch : อาหารกลางวัน (''aa-hăan glaang wan'') ; supper : อาหารเย็น (''aa-hăan yen'') ; I want _____. : ผม/ดิฉัน อยากได้ _____. (''phŏm/dì-chăn yàak dâi'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : ผม/ดิฉัน อยากได้อาหารที่มี _____. (''phŏm/dì-chăn yàak dâi aa-hǎn tîi mii'') ; chicken : ไก่ (''kài'') ; beef : เนื้อ (''núea'') ; fish : ปลา (''plaa'') ; pork : หมู (''mǔu'') ; ham : แฮม (''haem'') ; sausage : ไส้กรอก (''sâi kròk'') ; eggs : ไข่ (''khài'') ; salad : สลัด (''sà-làt'') ; (fresh) vegetables : ผัก (สด) (''phàk (sòt)'') ; (fresh) fruit : ผลไม้ (สด) (''phǒn-la-mái (sòt)'') ; bread : ขนมปัง (''khà-nŏm pang'') ; toast : ขนมปังปิ้ง (''khà-nŏm pang pîng'') ; rice noodles : ก๋วยเตี๋ยว (''kǔai tǐo'') ; wheat noodles : บะหมี่ (''ba mìi'') ; rice : ข้าว (''khâo'') ; beans : ถั่ว (''thùa'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : ขอ _____ แก้วนึง (''khǒ _____ kâew nueng'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : ขอ _____ ถ้วยนึง (''khǒ _____ tûai nueng'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : ขอ _____ ขวดนึง (''khǒ _____ khûad nueng'') ; coffee : กาแฟ (''kaafae'') ; hot tea : ชาร้อน (''chaa rón'') ; iced tea with milk : ชาเย็น (''chaa yen'') ; fruit juice : น้ำผลไม้ (''náam phŏn-lá-mái'') ; water : น้ำเปล่า (''náam plào'') ; beer : เบีย (''bia'') ; red/white wine : ไวน์ แดง/ขาว (''wai daeng/kăo'') ; May I have some _____? : (''...'') ; salt : เกลือ (''kluea'') ; black pepper : พริกไทยดำ (''prík thai dam'') ; fish sauce : น้ำปลา (''náam plaa'') ; soy sauce : ซีอิ๊ว (''sii-íu'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): น้อง (''nóng'') ; I'm finished. : (''...'') ; It was delicious. : มันอร่อยมาก (''man a-ròi mâak'') ; Please clear the plates. : เก็บจานด้วย (''kèb jaan dûai'') ; The check, please. : เก็บเงินด้วย (''kèb ngern dûai'') ===Bars=== ; Do you serve alcohol? : คุณเสริฟแอลกอฮอล์? (''koon serve alcohol?'') ; Is there table service? : มีบริการโต๊ะไหม? (''me ba-ri-kan to mai?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : ขอเบียร์หนึ่ง/สองแก้วครับ/ค่ะ (''kor beer nueng/song keaw krap/ka'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : ขอไวน์แดง/ขาวหนึ่งแก้วครับ/ค่ะ (''kor wine daeng/kao nueng keaw krap/ka'') ; A bottle, please. : ขอเป็นขวดครับ/ค่ะ (''kor pen kuad krap/ka'') ; Thai whisky : เหล้า (''lâo'') ; vodka : ว็อดก้า (''vód-kâ'') ; rum : รัม (''ram'') ; water : น้ำเปล่า (''náam plao'') ; ice water : น้ำแข็ง (''náam khăeng'') ; club soda : น้ำอัดลม (''náam at lom'') ; tonic water : โทนิค (''tonic'') ; orange juice : น้ำส้ม (''náam sôm'') ; Coke (''soda'') : โค้ก (''coke'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : คุณมีขนมแกล้มเหล้าไหม? (''kun me ka-nom klaem lao mai?'') ; One more, please. : ขออีกแก้ว. (''kor eek keaw'') ; Another round, please. : ขอเพิ่มอีก (''kor peum eek'') ; When is closing time? : ปิดเมื่อไหร่? (''pit muea rài'') ; Cheers! : ไชโย! (''Chai yoo'') ===Shopping=== ; Do you have this in my size? : คุณมีขนาดของผมไหม? (''...'') ; How much is this? : นี่เท่าไหร่? (''nîi thâo rài?'') ; That's too expensive. : แพงไป (''phaeng pai'') ; Would you take _____? : คุณรับ _____ ไหม? (''khun ráp _____ mǎi'') ; expensive : แพง (''phaeng'') ; cheap : ถูก (''thùuk'') ; I can't afford it. : ผม/ดิฉันซื้อไม่ไหว (''phŏm/dì-chăn súe mâi wǎi'') ; I don't want it. : ผม/ดิฉันไม่ต้องการ (''''phŏm/dì-chăn mâi tông karn'') ; You're cheating me. : คุณกำลังโกงผม/ดิฉัน (''khun kam-lang kong phŏm/dì-chăn'') ; I'm not interested. : ผม/ดิฉันไม่ค่อยสนใจ (''phŏm/dì-chăn mâi kôi sǒn jai'') ; OK, I'll take it. : ตกลง ผม/ดิฉัน จะซื้อ (''tok long phŏm/dì-chăn jà súe'') ; Can I have a bag? : ขอถุงได้มั้ย? (''khǒ thǔng dâi mǎi'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : คุณส่งของ (ไปต่างประเทศ) ให้ได้ไหม? (''khun sòng khǒng (pai tàang prà-têt) hâi dâi mǎi'') ; Need... : ต้องการ... (''tông kaan'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...ยาสีฟัน (''yaa sǐi fan'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...แปรงสีฟัน (''praeng sǐi fan'') ; ...tampons. : ...ผ้าอนามัยแบบสอด (''phâa a-năa-mai bàep sòt'') ; ...soap. : ...สบู่ (''sà-bùu'') ; ...shampoo. : ...แชมพู (''chaem-phuu'') ; ...medicine. : ...ยา (''yaa'') ; ...pain reliever. : ...ยาแก้ปวด (''yaa gâe pùat'') ; ...aspirin. : ...แอสไพริน (''áet-pai-rin'') ; ...fever medicine. : ...ยาลดไข้ (''yaa lód khâi'') ; ...stomach medicine. : ...ยาแก้ปวดท้อง (''yaa gâe pùat tóng'') ; ...a razor. : ...มีดโกน (''míit kon'') ; ...an umbrella. : ...ร่ม (''rôm'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...โลชั่นกันแดด (''lochân kan dàet'') ; ...a postcard. : ...ไปรษณียบัตร (''prai-sà-nii-ya-bàt'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...แสตมป์ (''sà-taem'') ; ...batteries. : ...ถ่านไฟฉาย (''tàan fai chăai'') ; ...writing paper. : ...กระดาษเขียนจดหมาย (''krà-dàat khĭan jòt măi'') ; ...a pen. : ...ปากกา (''pàak-kaa'') ; ...a book : ...หนังสือ(''năngsǔe'') ; ...a magazine : ...นิตยสาร(''nít-ta-yá-săan'') ; ...a newspaper : ...หนังสือพิมพ์ (''năngsǔe phim'') ; ...English-language books. : ...หนังสือภาษาอังกฤษ (''năngsǔe phaasăa angkrit'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...นิตยสารภาษาอังกฤษ (''nít-ta-yá-săan phaasăa angkrit'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...หนังสือพิมพ์ภาษาอังกฤษ (''năngsǔe phim phaasăa angkrit'') ; ...an English-English dictionary. : ...พจนานุกรมอังกฤษเป็นอังกฤษ (''phótja naanúkrom angkrit pen angkrit'') ===Driving=== ; I want to rent a car. : ผม/ดิฉันต้องการเช่ารถ (''phǒm/dì-chǎn tôngkaan châo rót'') ; Can I get insurance? : ขอประกันภัยได้ไหม? (''khǔ prakan pai dâi mǎi'') ; stop (''on a street sign'') : หยุด (''yùt'') ; one way : เดินรถทางเดียว (''doen rót thaang diao'') ; yield : ให้ทาง (''hâi thaang'') ; no parking : ห้ามจอด (''hâam jòt'') ; speed limit : จำกัดความเร็ว (''jamkàt khwaam reo'') ; gas (''petrol'') station : ปั๊มน้ำมัน (''pám náamman'') ; petrol : น้ำมันรถ (''náam man rót'') ; diesel : ดีเซล (''dii-sen'') ===Adult talking=== ; We must use a condom. : เราต้องใช้ถุงยาง (''rao dtâwng chái thŏong yaang'') ; We should use a condom. : เราควรใช้ถุงยาง (''rao khuaan chái thŏong yaang'') ===Authority=== ; I haven't done anything wrong. : ผม/ฉันไม่ได้ทำอะไรผิด (''phom/chan mai dai tham a-rai phit'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : มันเป็นการเข้าใจผิด. (''man pen gaan khao jai phid'') ; Where are you taking me? : คุณจะพาผมไปไหน? (''khun ja pha phom/chan pai nai?'') ; Am I under arrest? : ผมโดนจับใช่ไหม? (''pom/chan don jap chai mai?'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : ผมเป็นคนอเมริกัน/ออสเตรเลีย/อังกฤษ/แคนนาดา. (''phom pen khon america/australia/angrit/canada'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : ผม/ฉันอยากพูดกับสถานทูตอเมริกา/ออสเตรเลีย/อังกฤษ/แคนนาดา (''phom/chan yaak phuut kap sathaan thuut'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : ผมอยากพูดกับทนาย(''phom/chan yaak phuut kap tanai'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : ผมจ่ายค่าปรับตอนนี้ได้ไหม? (''phom/chan jai kha prap ton-nii dai mai?'') {{usablephrasebook}} {{phrasebookguide}} {{related|Thailand}} lnsipsr3hdt3wobvoqksrwn941scf2u 0 36376 4506274 4505682 2022-08-22T15:05:01Z Cuurentarticle 2250698 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Toronto banner skyline at dusk.jpg|caption=Toronto skyline at dusk|disambig=yes}} {{printDistricts}} '''[https://www.destinationtoronto.com/ Toronto]''' is a diverse, energetic and liveable city, home to many tourist attractions, and seemingly endless dining, shopping and entertainment possibilities. It's the most populous city in [[Canada]], the centre of the country's financial sector, and the provincial capital of [[Ontario]]. Toronto is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the world: more than 80 ethnic communities are represented, and over half of the city's residents were born outside Canada. See also Wikivoyage's topic articles for Toronto: [[Toronto/Yonge Street]], and [[LGBT Toronto]]. ==Districts== Toronto is made up of varied and unique neighbourhoods. Covering more than {{km2|600}}, Toronto stretches some {{km|32}} along the shores of Lake Ontario. The city is laid out on a very straightforward grid pattern. Streets rarely deviate from the grid, except when topography interferes, such as the curving Don River Valley, and to a lesser degree the Humber and Rouge valleys at opposite ends of the city. Some main thoroughfares intersect the grid at angles. For travel purposes, we have divided Toronto into twelve districts: ====Central Toronto==== The dense urban core of Toronto. It includes many of the city's attractions and hotels. {{Regionlist | regionmap=Toronto WV downtown districts map.png | regionmaptext=Districts of Downtown Toronto | regionmapsize=400px | region1name=[[Toronto/Yonge-Dundas|Yonge-Dundas]] | region1color=#fdf989 | region1description=The heart of downtown Toronto with Yonge St, the Eaton Centre, theatres and City Hall. | region2name=[[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts|Entertainment and Financial Districts]] | region2color=#cdafda | region2description=The entertainment and financial heart of the city, including some of the city's most prominent tourist attractions: the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Union Station and the Hockey Hall of Fame. | region3name=[[Toronto/Kensington-Chinatown|Kensington-Chinatown]] | region3color=#f9a4a6 | region3description=Diverse neighbourhoods with lots of little shops, markets and restaurants, and some of the city's best known bars for live music. Includes Queen West and the Fashion District to the south. | region4name=[[Toronto/Yorkville and the Annex|Yorkville and the Annex]] | region4color=#bccdee | region4description=The boutiques of Yorkville and the museums and student energy of the Annex and University neighbourhoods. | region5name=[[Toronto/Harbourfront|Harbourfront]] | region5color=#F4A460 | region5description=South of Downtown, this area is popular for its parks and recreational activities. Walk along the water's edge, take a harbour tour by boat, have some family fun at various events at Exhibition Place, or take in a Major League Soccer or Canadian Football League game at BMO Field. | region6name=[[Toronto/Islands|Toronto Islands]] | region6color=#FFDAB9 | region6description=Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands. Stroll through the parkland, enjoy the beaches, see the petting zoo, have fun in the amusement park, see the quaint cottages and front-yard gardens of the permanent island community. | region7name=[[Toronto/Downtown East|Downtown East]] | region7color=#cbf6a9 | region7description=Older neighbourhoods between Church St and the Don Valley. Includes Church & Wellesley (Toronto's gay village), Cabbagetown, the St Lawrence Market, Old Town Toronto, and the Distillery District. |regionInteractiveMap=map1|regionmapLat=43.6577|regionmapLong=-79.3812|regionmapZoom=13}} ====Outside Central Toronto==== {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q172|type=geomask}} These are the older suburbs that ring the downtown followed by an outer ring of post-war suburbs. There are fewer attractions here, but if you have the time, some of the neighbourhoods are well worth visiting. {{Regionlist | regionmap=Toronto WV districts map.png | regionmaptext=Map of Toronto | regionmapsize=401px | region1name=[[Toronto/Midtown|Midtown]] | region1color=#e2d8e5 | region1items=Yonge & Eglinton, Davisville Village, Forest Hill | region1description=Upscale neighbourhoods with grand old mansions housing the city's moneyed and elite, beautiful parks, and ravines that extend for kilometres. Yonge & Eglinton is becoming a new urban core. | region2name=[[Toronto/West End|West End]] | region2color=#d9d5b1 | region2items=Little Italy, Little Portugal, West Queen West, Parkdale, Roncesvalles, High Park, | region2description=Ethnic enclaves, dive bars, and hipsters abound in this rapidly gentrifying part of town. High Park preserves a slice of green space north from Humber Bay, providing an escape from noisy city life. | region3name=[[Toronto/East End|East End]] | region3color=#c6e0e6 | region3items=Greektown, Leslieville and The Beaches | region3description=The West End's quainter, quieter alternative, with low-key neighbourhoods and nice beaches. This area hosts ethnic and cultural festivals throughout the summer months. The Beach, centred along Queen Street east of Kingston Road, is alive with weekend foot traffic year-round, out to take in the local businesses, and the lake breezes in the summer. | region4name=[[Toronto/Etobicoke|Etobicoke]] | region4color=#e4ebc9 | region4description=An economically diverse suburb with some undiscovered gems along Bloor Street and near the lake in Mimico, New Toronto and Long Branch. | region5name=[[Toronto/North York|North York]] | region5color=#e4d1c6 | region5description=This district is largely suburban but has something to offer the casual tourist. The centre of this district is more densely urban in nature, as it was designed to serve as the downtown of the former City of North York. | region6name=[[Toronto/Scarborough|Scarborough]] | region6color=#c4e1c7 | region6description=The eastern suburb of the city has lots to offer, including the Scarborough Bluffs, Rouge National Urban Park, authentic (and affordable) ethnic cuisine, and the Toronto Zoo. |regionInteractiveMap=map2|regionmapLat=43.6992|regionmapLong=-79.3838|regionmapZoom=10}} == Understand == Toronto has a population of 2.7 million, and is the heart of the [[Greater Toronto Area]] (GTA) which has 6.4 million people. It also anchors the [[Golden Horseshoe]] region, which wraps around Lake Ontario from Toronto to Niagara Falls, home to over 9.2 million residents, approximately a quarter of Canada's entire population. Toronto is the fourth largest city and fifth largest urban agglomeration in [[North America]]. Distances between cities in the area can be great as it sprawls along, outward and even wraps around the western end of Lake Ontario; public transit is not always effective enough to make it a quick or seamless trip. Many suburban residents rely on private cars to get around. Toronto is also known as "the 416" after its first area code (although now 647 and 437 area codes are also used); or since 2014, "the 6", a term coined by the rapper Drake, which represents both the area code). Outlying suburbs are also known as "the 905" after ''their'' area code, although this code is also used in the [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]] and the [[Niagara Region]], stretching from [[Cobourg]] and Colborne in the east to the border in [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]] to the southwest. More than half of its residents were born outside of Canada, and as a result the city is fortunate to host many vibrant bustling neighbourhoods with street signs in several languages. A popular urban myth has it that the United Nations rated Toronto as "the most multicultural city in the world". While the UN and its agencies are not in the habit of rating cities, it remains a fact that Canada is a nation of immigrants, and Toronto demonstrates this abundantly. A UN agency lists Toronto as second only to Miami as the city with the most foreign-born residents, as about half the city's residents were born outside of Canada. This has been true since the early 20th century, meaning that new waves of immigrants from diverse places have arrived. Toronto's residents represent far more cultural and language groups than Miami, which may be a better measure of multi-culturalism. Most immigrants either pass through Toronto on their way to other parts of the country or stay in Toronto permanently. Many people born abroad consider themselves Canadian as much as native-born Canadians and will be offended if treated otherwise. Within Toronto, most ethnic groups have worked their way into the fabric of Canadian society but retain their distinct ways such as language, dress (if only for special occasions), customs, and food. Toronto is home to many ethnic festivals throughout the year, several radio stations that broadcast in various languages, and two multilingual television channels. The City of Toronto provides services in 16 different languages while its public transit helpline provides service in 70 languages. Even large department stores such as The Bay in downtown Toronto advertise service in 9 languages. The ''lingua franca'' of Toronto, however, remains English. While older tourist promotional material may claim the Toronto means "meeting place", the city most likely takes its name from the Mohawk word Tkaronto, meaning "where there are trees standing in the water." ===History=== Spawned out of post-glacial alluvial deposits and bluffs, the area was populated at different times by Iroquois and later Wyandot (Huron) peoples. European settlement began in the mid-1700s when, drawn by the natural harbour formed by the Toronto Peninsula (now the Toronto Islands), the French built a seldom-occupied fort (Fort Rouillé) near today's Exhibition Place. The city then grew out of a backwoods English trading post established as York in 1793 (it reverted to the current name Toronto in 1834). During the War of 1812, Fort York was an important base for the British, and was destroyed during a major battle. In the 1969s and 1970s, Toronto overtook Montreal as the financial and economic powerhouse of Canada. In 1998, the cities of Toronto, [[Scarborough]], North York, [[Toronto/Etobicoke|Etobicoke]], and York and the Borough of East York amalgamated to form the current City of Toronto. === Climate === {{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = -1 | febhigh = 0 | marhigh = 5 | aprhigh = 12 | mayhigh = 18 | junhigh = 24 | julhigh = 27 | aughigh = 26 | sephigh = 21 | octhigh = 14 | novhigh = 8 | dechigh = 2 | janlow = -7 | feblow = -6 | marlow = -2 | aprlow = 4 | maylow = 10 | junlow = 15 | jullow = 18 | auglow = 18 | seplow = 14 | octlow = 7 | novlow = 2 | declow = -3 | janprecip = 61 | febprecip = 51 | marprecip = 66 | aprprecip = 70 | mayprecip = 73 | junprecip = 72 | julprecip = 68 | augprecip = 80 | sepprecip = 83 | octprecip = 65 | novprecip = 76 | decprecip = 71 | janh2o = | febh2o = | marh2o = | aprh2o = | mayh2o = | junh2o = | julh2o = | augh2o = | seph2o = | octh2o = | novh2o = | dech2o = | description = See the Toronto 7 day forecast at [http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.html Environment Canada] {{dead link|December 2020}} }} Toronto's climate is on the whole on the cool side, and variable conditions can be expected. Come prepared for winter: winters are cold (temperatures average -3.8°C (25°F) in January), mostly cloudy, at times snowy and uncomfortably windy. However, the type of extreme cold experienced further north in Canada usually lasts for no more than a couple of days at a time. The city experiences warm and humid summers with an average high of 27°C (80°F) and a low of 18°C (65°F) in July/August with many muggy evenings but rarely extreme heat. On average, the temperature exceeds 30°C (86°F) only 12 days per year, but hotter air masses often arrive with moderately high humidity levels. Late spring/early summer and early fall are generally considered to be the best times to visit for weather and less crowds, mid-summer is the peak tourist season, but visitors will find that Toronto's vibrancy extends through the winter with outdoor skating rinks and bundled up club-goers, etc. Toronto's public buildings are nearly all air-conditioned and fully heated. Sometimes during the winter, severe storms can slow down transportation and activities in the city for a day or two. In the summer, thunderstorms occur from time to time, most lasting less than an hour. Areas closer to the downtown core are generally 1 to 1.5°C warmer in winter due to the urban heat island effect. For the rest of the year, areas close to Lake Ontario are warmer by about 1°C due to the moderating effects of the lake. This is especially prominent in March and November when the city receives rain while areas just north of the city receive snow. ===Visitor information=== * {{listing | type=listing | name=Ontario Travel Information Centre | alt= | url=http://www.ontariotravel.net | email=ontariotravel.toronto@ontario.ca | address=65 Front Street West | lat=43.644829 | long=-79.381781 | directions=within Union Station; follow signs towards UP Express | phone=+1 416-314-5899 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10AM-6PM | price= | lastedit=2020-05-23 | content= }} == Get in == === By plane === ==== Toronto Pearson ==== {{seealso|Toronto Pearson International Airport}} [[File:YYZ Aerial.jpg|thumbnail|right|Pearson International sees the most traffic and connections of all airports in Canada]] {{go | name=Toronto Pearson International Airport | alt={{IATA|YYZ}} | url=https://www.torontopearson.com | email= | address= | lat=43.6777 | long=79.6248 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-26 | content= }}, in [[Mississauga]], is about 30-50 minutes by car from downtown Toronto (depending on traffic) and is served by most major international carriers. There are two terminals: Terminal 1 hosts all Air Canada flights and a few other international (mostly Star Alliance) carriers while Terminal 3 hosts all other airlines. When travelling from Toronto International (and other major Canadian airports) to the United States, travellers will go through United States immigration and customs pre-clearance in Toronto, and should leave some extra time to account for this. The airport has free WiFi internet access. The main article describes [[Toronto Pearson International Airport#Ground transportation|ground transportation]] to and from Toronto Pearson. ==== Billy Bishop Airport ==== [[File:Porter Airlines.Dash-8.YTZ.2008.jpg|thumbnail|right|Porter Airlines offers a network of connections across eastern Canada and northeastern US from their base at Billy Bishop Airport]] * {{go | name=Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport | alt={{IATA|YTZ}} commonly known as "The Island Airport" by locals | url=http://www.portstoronto.com/airport.aspx | email= | address= | lat=43.6275 | long=-79.396111 | directions= | phone=+1 416-203-6942 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport | image=Toronto City Center Airport.jpg | wikidata=Q117708 | lastedit=2022-06-26 | content=Short-haul flights only. Its main tenant is [http://www.flyporter.com Porter Airlines], a short-haul carrier that operates turboprop planes to many cities in eastern Canada (Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, St. John's and others) and parts of the United States (Boston, Chicago, New York/Newark, Washington, DC and Myrtle Beach). [http://www.aircanada.com Air Canada] provides service to Montreal and Ottawa. Porter is aggressively fighting for market share and you can take advantage of it by getting low fares (often lower than Westjet - if booked 2 weeks or more in advance) combined with complimentary drinks onboard and a waiting lounge with amenities. }} One of the main benefits of flying into Billy Bishop is its proximity to the downtown core. Upon landing, you can be downtown within ten minutes. A tunnel under the channel takes you to the city. A free ferry service also makes the short crossing: it is just 121 metres, the world's shortest regularly-scheduled ferry route. It operates between TCCA and the mainland every 15 minutes: see [http://www.portstoronto.com/Airport/Getting-To/Ferry-Schedule.aspx full schedule]. Once on the mainland, a free shuttle bus connects the terminal with the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, across the street from Union Station. TTC streetcars are available a short walk north from the mainland ferry terminal. Route 511 Bathurst provides service north along Bathurst, to Bathurst subway station. Route 509 Harbourfront travels east along the waterfront (Queens Quay) to Union Station. Both routes end a short distance to the west at Exhibition Place. However, the most convenient connection to TTC subway and [[GO Transit]] services are via the free shuttle to Union Station. ==== Airlines at Billy Bishop Airport ==== * {{Listing|name=Air Canada|url=https://www.aircanada.com/|phone=+1-514-393-3333|tollfree=+1-888-247-2262|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's largest airline. Operates flights to Billy Bishop Airport from [[Montreal]] and [[Ottawa]]. [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]] is a hub for this airline with far more flight options including from international destinations.}} * {{listing|name=Porter Airlines|alt=|url=https://www.flyporter.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-619-8622|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=Operates flights in [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], [[Atlantic Canada]], and some flights to the [[United States of America]]. For flights departing from or arriving in [[Toronto]], the airline's turboprop plane flights land at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The airline's jet plane flights and flights by all other airlines almost exclusively land at Toronto Pearson International Airport.}} ==== Other airports ==== '''[http://www.flyhi.ca/ Hamilton International Airport]''', ({{IATA|YHM}}), located about {{km|80}} from downtown Toronto and Niagara Falls, is served by WestJet and Swoop along with seasonal service by Air Transat and Sunwing to sun destinations. See section on [[Hamilton (Ontario)#John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport|John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport]] for ground transportation including buses to Toronto. For frugal travellers coming from the United States, '''[http://www.buffaloairport.com Buffalo-Niagara International Airport]''', ({{IATA|BUF}}), is another option. Flights to Buffalo tend to be significantly cheaper than to Pearson, but then you still have to get to Toronto. '''[http://www.megabus.com Megabus]''', the airline-type coach service with varying prices and required early booking, runs a daily bus that takes 3 hours, including the border crossing. Several private livery agencies will drive you there for a fee (usually in the $200 range, give or take), or rental cars are available at the airport if you prefer to do the drive yourself. === By bus === ====Bus terminals==== The main bus terminal is in downtown Toronto adjacent to Union railway station: * {{go | name=Union Station Bus Terminal | alt=GO bus terminal | url= | email= | address=81 Bay St | lat=43.6441 | long=-79.3779 | directions=interior pedestrian connection to Union Station rail & subway services | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Union Station Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q7886117 | lastedit=2020-12-05 | content=Union Station Bus Terminal (USBT) serves '''GO Transit''', '''Megabus''', '''TOK Coach''', '''Greyhound''', '''Rider Express''', and '''Ontario Northland''' buses. Like an airport, there are no predetermined bus platform assignments. Check display monitors for the bus departure zone; 10 minutes before departure, monitors will display the bus departure gate. The bus terminal moved to its new location on December 5, 2020; maps might still indicate the older, now closed bus location; the new location is south of the railway corridor. The Toronto Coach Terminal near Dundas subway station permanently closed with all its services transferred to the USBT effective July 4, 2021. }} Here is a list of minor terminals and stops in various parts of the city. Check the Wikipedia link for a list of bus routes serving each terminal. * {{listing | type=go | name=Yorkdale Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.725129 | long=-79.449034 | directions=across a footbridge from Yorkdale subway station on Line 1 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Yorkdale Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q8055620 | lastedit=2019-03-17 | content='''GO Transit''' ticket counter with buses to [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]], [[Mississauga]], [[Milton (Ontario)|Milton]], [[Brampton]] and [[Oshawa]]; '''Ontario Northland''' buses to [[North Bay]], [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]], and [[Timmins]]; '''Megabus''' once daily to [[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]]. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=York Mills Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.745129 | long=-79.406375 | directions=at York Mills subway station on Line 1 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=York Mills Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q8055501 | lastedit=2019-03-17 | content='''GO Transit''' buses to Mississauga, Milton, Brampton and Oshawa. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Finch Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.782132 | long=-79.415775 | directions=adjacent to Finch subway station on Line 1 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Finch Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q5449818 | lastedit=2019-03-17 | content='''GO Transit''' buses to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Mississauga, Milton, Brampton, [[Keswick]] and Oshawa. }} * {{go | name=Scarborough Centre Bus Terminal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.774874 | long=-79.256317 | directions=at Scarborough Centre Station on subway Line 3 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Scarborough Centre Bus Terminal | wikidata=Q7430270 | lastedit=2019-03-17 | content='''GO Transit''' to Oshawa; '''TOK Coach''' to [[Haliburton Highlands]]; '''Megabus''' through [[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]] to [[Montreal]] or [[Ottawa]]. }} ====Bus operators==== *{{listing | name= CampusBus| alt= | url=https://www.campusbus.ca/| email=info@campusbus.ca | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-14 | content= Bus service from [[Kitchener]]/[[Waterloo (Ontario)|Waterloo]], [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]], and [[London (Ontario)|London]]. }} *{{listing | name=Equinox Bus| alt=| url=http://www.equinoxbus.com/| email=equinoxbuslines@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-398-8055 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-03 | content=Bus service from [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]], [[Niagara-on-the-Lake]], [[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]], [[Gananoque]], and [[Upper Canada Village]]. In partnership with OurBus, service from [[Buffalo|Buffalo Airport]]. }} * {{listing | name= FlixBus| alt= | url=https://www.flixbus.ca/| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-04-08 | content= Bus service to Toronto from [[Ottawa]] (4.75 hours), [[Guelph]] (1.5 hours), [[Kitchener]] (2-2.25 hours), [[St. Catharines]] (1.5 hours), [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]] (1.75 hours), [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]], [[London (Ontario)|London]], and [[Windsor (Ontario)|Windsor]]. }} *{{listing | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-214-849-8100 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-11-09 | content=From [[New York City]] via [[Syracuse (New York)|Syracuse]] and [[Buffalo]] to Toronto. Travel time to Toronto from New York City is 12.25-12.75 hours, from Syracuse is 7-7.25 hours, and from Buffalo is 2.75-3 hours. }} *{{listing | name=Megabus | alt=Coach Canada | url=https://ca.megabus.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-866-488-4452 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-04-22 | content=Operates buses to Toronto from [[Montreal]] (5.75-7 hr) or [[Ottawa]] (5.25 hr) via [[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]] (3 hr); from [[Grimsby (Ontario)|Grimsby]], [[St. Catharines]], and [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]] (2 hr). Megabus offers Wi-Fi and electrical outlets on many of its buses. A service from [[London (Ontario)|London]] is offered by Megabus through Badder Bus. }} *{{listing|name=Ontario Northland|alt=|url=https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-461-8558|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-23|content=Operates bus routes primarily in [[Northern Ontario]]. Routes travel as far west as [[Winnipeg]], Manitoba and as far east as [[Ottawa]].}} The following routes travel to Toronto: **To Toronto from [[North Bay]] including stops in [[Huntsville (Ontario)|Huntsville]], [[Bracebridge]], [[Gravenhurst]], [[Washago]] (some trips), [[Orillia]] (stop trips), and [[Barrie]]. Travel time to Toronto from North Bay is 5.75-6 hours, from Huntsville is 3.25-4 hours, from Barrie is 1.25 hours. Connections available at North Bay from [[Cochrane (Ontario)|Cochrane]], [[Kirkland Lake]], [[Ottawa]], and [[Timmins]]. **To Toronto from [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]] including stops in [[Parry Sound]], Orillia (some trips), and Barrie. Travel time to Toronto from Sudbury is 5.5-6.5 hours, from Parry Sound is 3.5-3.75 hours, and from Barrie is 1-1.5 hours. Connections available at North Bay from [[Ottawa]], [[Sault Sainte Marie (Ontario)|Sault Sainte Marie]], and [[Timmins]]. ***Travel to Toronto from Winnipeg involves timed transfers between bus routes at [[Thunder Bay]], [[Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario)|Sault Ste. Marie]], and Sudbury. To reach Toronto from Winnipeg is 1 day 9 hours. *{{listing | name= Onex Bus| alt= | url=https://www.onexbus.com/home | email=info@onexbus.ca | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-647-477-5500 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-25 | content= Bus service to Toronto from [[Kitchener]], [[Woodstock (Ontario)|Woodstock]], and [[London (Ontario)|London]] (2.75 hours). }} *{{go | name=Rider Express | alt= | url=https://riderexpress.ca | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-833-583-3636 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-03-19 | content=Offers service to Toronto from [[Ottawa]] via [[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]]. Travel time to Toronto from Ottawa is 5.25 hours and from Kingston is 3 hours. Also offers service from [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]]. }} *{{go|name=TOK Coachlines|alt=|url=https://tokcoachlines.com/|email=info@tokcoachlines.com|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-387-7097|hours=|price=|lastedit=2021-03-19|content=Operates bus routes in [[Ontario]].}} Operates two routes to Toronto: **Between Southampton and Toronto including stops in [[Brockton (Ontario)|Port Elgin]], [[Kincardine (Ontario)|Kincardine]], [[Walkerton]], [[Hanover (Ontario)|Hanover]], [[Orangeville (Ontario)|Orangeville]], and [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]]. **Between [[Haliburton Highlands|Haliburton]] and Toronto including stops in [[Fenelon Falls]], [[Lindsay]], [[Bowmanville]], and [[Oshawa]]. === By train === [[File:Toronto - ON - Union Station.jpg|thumb|Union Station]] {{go | name=Union Station | alt={{IATA|YBZ}} | url=https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/venues-facilities-bookings/booking-city-facilities/union-station/ | email= | address=65 Front Street West | lat=43.645278 | long=-79.380556 | directions=between Bay St and York St | phone= | tollfree= | hours=5:30AM-12:45AM or until last train | price= | wikipedia=Union Station (Toronto) | image=Toronto - ON - Union Station.jpg | wikidata=Q511316 | content=Opened in 1927, Toronto's Union Station is one of the grandest, most impressive train stations in North America, with the ceiling of its enormous Great Hall rising to a height equivalent to seven stories. The Grand Hall accommodates the VIA Rail ticket counters and gives access to VIA train platforms via the branching VIA Concourse. The {{marker|type=go|name=Union Pearson Express station|lat=43.644376|long=-79.383462}} is 250 metres west of the Great Hall via an enclosed pedestrian corridor. The GO York Concourse on the lower level at the west (York Street) end of the station has GO Transit ticket counters and access to GO train platforms. (A food court is located below the GO York Concourse.) [[#Union Station Bus Terminal|Union Station Bus Terminal]] is on the east side of Bay Street, south of the railway tracks. The TTC Union subway station is at the north-east corner of the main building, and serves subway Line 1 and the 509&510 streetcars through the [[Toronto/Harbourfront|Harbourfront district]]. }} The following are the railway services operating out of Union Station: *{{Listing|name=Amtrak|url=https://www.amtrak.com/home|directions=|phone=+1-215-856-7924|tollfree=+1-800-872-7245|lastedit=2022-07-04|content=Operates the Maple Leaf Train between Toronto and [[New York City]] with stops in [[Oakville]], [[Aldershot]], [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]], [[Buffalo]] and [[Albany (New York)|Albany]].}} Amtrak operates the Maple Leaf train service between Toronto, Canada and [[New York City]], United States in partnership with VIA Rail Canada. Although commuters do not need to change trains when crossing the Canada-United States border, but train crew members are staffed by VIA Rail in Canada, and by Amtrak within the United States. *{{Listing|name=Union Pearson Express|url=https://www.upexpress.com/|directions=|phone=+1-416-869-3300|tollfree=+1-844-438-6687|price=As of April 2022, one way fare for adults is $12.35, but it is $9.25 if paid by Presto card|lastedit=2022-05-23|content=Operates trains between Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Trip time is 25 minutes. Trains operate every 30 minutes daily from early morning until the late evening.}} *{{listing | name=VIA Rail Canada | alt= | url=https://www.viarail.ca/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-842-7245 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-04-22 | content=Operates many intercity trains across [[Canada]]. }} See [[Rail travel in Canada]] for more details. Train routes operating to Toronto: **Between [[Montreal]] and Toronto including stops in [[Montreal/West Island|Dorval]], [[Cornwall (Ontario)|Cornwall]], [[Brockville]], [[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]], [[Belleville (Ontario)|Belleville]], [[Cobourg]], and [[Oshawa]]. Travel time to Toronto from Montreal is 5.25-5 hours and from Kingston is 2.5-2.75 hours. **Between [[Ottawa]] and Toronto including stops in [[Smiths Falls]], Brockville, Kingston, [[Napanee]], Bellevile, Cobourg, [[Port Hope]], and Oshawa. Travel time to Toronto from Ottawa is 4.25-4.75 hours and from Kingston is 2.5-2.75 hours. **Between [[Sarnia]] and Toronto including stops in [[London (Ontario)|London]], [[St. Marys (Ontario)|St. Marys]], [[Stratford (Ontario)|Stratford]], [[Kitchener]], [[Guelph]], [[Georgetown (Ontario)|Georgetown]], and [[Brampton]]. Travel time to Toronto from Sarnia is 5 hours, from London is 3.75 hours, and from Kitchener is 1.5 hours. **Between [[Vancouver]] and Toronto on [[The Canadian]], which operates several trips per week. Travel time to Toronto from [[Vancouver]] is 3 days 20.5 hours, from [[Kamloops]] is 3 days 10.25 hours, from [[Jasper]] is 3 days, from [[Edmonton]] is 2 days 16.75 hours, from [[Saskatoon]] is 2 days 5.5 hours, from [[Winnipeg]] is 1 day 14 hours, and from [[Sudbury (Ontario)|Sudbury]] is 9.75 hours. Stops between Sudbury and Toronto include [[Parry Sound]] (5.75 hours from Toronto) and [[Washago]]. **Between [[Windsor (Ontario)|Windsor]] and Toronto including stops in [[Chatham-Kent|Chatham]], London, [[Ingersoll (Ontario)|Ingersoll]], [[Woodstock (Ontario)|Woodstock]], [[Brantford]], [[Burlington (Ontario)|Burlington]], and [[Oakville (Ontario)|Oakville]]. Travel time to Toronto from Windsor is 4.25-4.5 hours, from London is 3.25-3.5 hours, and from Brantford is 1.25 hours.. === By public transit === {{Listing|name=GO Transit|url=https://www.gotransit.com/|directions=|phone=+1-416-869-3200|tollfree=+1-888-438-6646|lastedit=2022-05-23|content=Operates bus and rail commuter/regional transit within and near the [[Greater Toronto Area]].}} ==== Train routes ==== Go Transit operates 7 commuter rail lines radiating from Toronto serving smaller cities within and near the [[Greater Toronto Area]]. Other GO rail destinations have only rush-hour, peak-direction service. Fares can optionally be paid by [[Presto card]]. Rail routes to Toronto: * The Barrie route operates periodic trips daily between Toronto and [[Barrie]] including [[Vaughan]], [[Aurora (Ontario)|Aurora]], [[Newmarket (Ontario)|Newmarket]], and [[East Gwillimbury]]. Some additional trips travel only between Toronto and Aurora. Travel time to Toronto from Vaughan is 30 minutes, from Aurora is 45 minutes, from Newmarket is 1 hour, and from Barrie is 1.75 hours. * The Kitchener route operates trips most of the day from Monday to Friday between Toronto and [[Brampton]] including stops in [[Mississauga]]. On those days, during morning and afternoon rush hours, trips travel between Toronto and [[Kitchener]] including stops in Mississauga, Brampton, [[Georgetown (Ontario)|Georgetown]], [[Acton (Ontario)|Acton]], and [[Guelph]] though only toward Toronto in the morning rush and only toward Kitchener in the afternoon rush. In addition, one trip to Toronto in the morning rush and one trip from Toronto in the afternoon rush travels past Kitchener terminating in [[London (Ontario)|London]] with additional stops in [[Stratford (Ontario)|Stratford]] and [[St. Marys (Ontario)|St. Marys]]. Travel time to Toronto from Mississauga is 35 minutes, from Brampton is 45 minutes, from Georgetown is 1.25 hours, from Guelph is 1.5 hours, and from Kitchener is 1.75 hours. *The Lakeshore West route operates daily from 5:30 am to 12:30 am between Toronto and [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]] including a stops in [[Oakville (Ontario)|Oakville]] and [[Burlington (Ontario)|Burlington]]. Limited trips, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, travel beyond Hamilton to and from [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]] via [[St. Catharines]]. Travel time to Toronto from Oakville is 42 minutes, from Burlington is 1 hour, from Hamilton (West Harbour station) is 1.25 hours, from St. Catharines is 2.25 hours, and from Niagara Falls is 2.5 hours. *The Lakeshore East route operates daily from 5:30 am to 12:30 am between Toronto and [[Oshawa]] including stops in [[Pickering (Ontario)|Pickering]], [[Ajax]], and [[Whitby]]. Travel time to Toronto from Pickering is 32 minutes, and from Oshawa is 1 hour. *The Stouffville route operates trips daily throughout the day between Toronto and [[Markham]]. On those days, during morning and afternoon rush hours, trips travel between Toronto and Stouffville including stops in Markham, but travel only toward Toronto during the morning rush hours and only to Markham during the afternoon rush hours. Travel time to Toronto from Markham is 50 minutes. *Other GO rail destinations have only rush-hour, peak-direction service. ==== Bus routes ==== Go Transit operates the following bus routes enabling daily travel throughout the day to and from Toronto, unless otherwise stated: * [[Barrie]] on route on route #68, transferring at Aurora GO station to the Barrie train route to Toronto, or on route #68B, transferring at East Gwillimbury GO station to route #65 to Toronto. Travel time to Toronto from Barrie is 2.5-2.75 hours. * [[Brantford]] on route #15, transferring at Aldershot GO station to the Lakeshore West train route to Toronto. Travel to Toronto from Brantford is 2.25 hours. * [[Guelph]] on route #33. Some trips operate directly to Toronto in 2.75-3.25 hours, including all trips on Saturdays and Sundays. Some trips from Monday to Friday involve a transfer at Mount Pleasant GO station to GO Transit's Kitchener train route with a trip time to Toronto from Guelph of 2.25 hours. * [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]] on route #16 to Toronto in 1-1.25 hours. * [[Kitchener]] on route #30, available from Monday to Friday only. Transfer is required at Bramlea GO station to reach Toronto, on either GO Transit's Kitchener train route or route #33, depending on which is scheduled for the timed transfer. Travel time to Toronto from Kitchener 2.25 hours if trip involves the Kitchener train route and 2.5 hours if travel involves route #33. * [[Niagara Falls]] on route #12, transferring at Burlington GO station to the Lakeshore West train to Toronto. Travel to Toronto from Niagara Falls is 2.75-3 hours. * [[Peterborough (Ontario)|Peterborough]] on route #88, transferring at Oshawa GO station to the Lakeshore East train to Toronto. Travel time to Toronto from Peterborough is 3 hours. === By car === Major highways leading into Toronto are the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), the 404, the 401, the 400, and the 427. Toronto is the largest city in Canada, so signs pointing you to Toronto are common. Traffic on incoming highways can be extremely heavy especially during rush hours. In the downtown core there are many turn restrictions, particularly from main thoroughfares to other main thoroughfares (e.g. Yonge to Dundas Streets). The main streets in Toronto are laid out in a grid pattern that makes it one of the easiest cities to get around in by car. Getting from point to point anywhere in the city can be achieved with only a few turns. Parking in the downtown core can be expensive and hard to find, but tends to be plentiful and inexpensive or free in the outer districts of [[Toronto/Etobicoke|Etobicoke]], [[Toronto/North York|North York]] and [[Toronto/Scarborough|Scarborough]]. Although there is an extensive grid of local bus routes, travel by automobile may be more faster and more convenient in the outer districts. ==== Transit bylaws ==== Toronto follows some bylaws related to the transit system (especially streetcars) that often confuse or surprise visiting drivers: * Yield to public transit buses signalling to merge left into traffic from a bus stop. * Stay out of reserved public transit lanes during the rush hours, except to make a right-hand turn at the next cross street. A few transit lanes have restrictions from 7AM-7PM. While the restrictions are in effect, only transit vehicles, taxis and bicycles may use these lanes. * Avoid King Street between Jarvis and Bathurst streets as no through automobile traffic is allowed; such traffic must turn right after travelling a few blocks as per signage. Through traffic in this zone is allowed only for streetcars (trams) and bicycles. * Never pass a streetcar running in your direction that is stopped in the middle of the street with its doors open. Passing is illegal and dangerous for passengers boarding or leaving the streetcar. Also, you should yield to people entering the street to board an approaching streetcar. Continue only after the streetcar doors close. Exception: You may pass a streetcar where there is a boarding platform between the streetcar and traffic lane, but watch out for pedestrians walking between the platform and the sidewalk. * Give wide berth to streetcars turning at a street intersection; streetcars have a wide overhang on curves, which is indicated on the road by dashed white lines. If your car is stopped too close to a streetcar curve, you may be forced to back up or squeeze more to the right. * Give wide berth to emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing red lights, and pull over to the side of the road safely but quickly. == Get around == Toronto is huge, and most roads run for very long distances. Streetcar rail, subway rail, and intercity rail services are clean and efficient, and it's entirely possible to get around Toronto without a car, especially downtown. You may find it quicker and easier to drive, but the highways regularly backup during rush hour (7AM-10AM and 4PM-7PM). Toronto has plentiful parking garages downtown, but they are very expensive. Many in Toronto travel by bicycle (especially in the warmer months) and this mode is very convenient for getting around the downtown district. Not all motorists will give way to cyclists, and not all cyclists comply with the rules of the road; caution is recommended. === By car === Getting around by car is the easiest method to get around outside of the downtown area. Roads are wide, have many lanes, and parking is free and plentiful. Arterial roads are generally laid out {{km|2}} apart, although they are closer in the west and east ends of the city. There are many freeways within Toronto. *Highway 401 crosses the north side of the city and is very busy. Highway 401 has a collector-express system. The express lanes of the highway have fewer exits, while the collector lanes generally have all the exits. After every 3 or 4 exits, there is an interchange between the collectors and express lanes, so motorists who need to exit can get into the collectors, and those travelling a longer distance can go into the express lanes. When there's a lot of traffic, it is possible for the collectors to be jammed, but not the express, and vice versa. It is best to listen to traffic reports in order to avoid traffic in this case. AM 680 on your radio is Toronto's all-news station and traffic reports are every 10 minutes. *Highway 427 crosses the west side of the city. It begins at the QEW/Gardiner Expressway interchange and ends in [[Vaughan]]. It also has a short express-collector system near the airport; be sure to follow the signs in order to get where you need to go. *Highway 400 has a short stub in Toronto and ends at Highway 401. Highway 400 goes north into the suburbs and later to [[Barrie]]. *Allen Road is a short freeway that was supposed to be part of a longer Spadina Expressway. The rest of the expressway was cancelled and Allen Road was the short stub that remained. Allen Road begins at Eglinton Avenue, and ends north of Highway 401 and becomes Dufferin Street. Traffic going south is usually backed up because the freeway ends abruptly at a signalized T-intersection at Eglinton. *Highway 404 also has a short stub in Toronto, and goes north to the suburbs, such as [[Aurora]] and [[Newmarket]]. Highway 404, after interchanging with Highway 401 when going south, becomes the Don Valley Parkway. *Don Valley Parkway is a freeway that connects northern Toronto to downtown Toronto. It runs in Don Valley, and follows a curvy path. Exits on the Don Valley Parkway require motorists to slow down more than you would on other Ontario expressways, due to the nature of the terrain. The Don Valley Parkway begins at the Gardiner Expressway in downtown and ends at Highway 401 in the north. *Gardiner Expressway is a freeway serving downtown Toronto. It begins at QEW/Highway 427 interchange and crossing downtown Toronto, ending at Don Valley Parkway. Half of the route is elevated, making for great views of the city. *Highway 409 is a short freeway designed to connect directly with [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]]. It begins at Highway 401, interchanges with Highway 427, and ends at the airport. *Highway 2A is a short freeway stub in [[Scarborough]] that was supposed to be part of the cancelled Scarborough Expressway. Getting around in downtown Toronto by car is a lot harder, however, and perhaps taking transit might be better. Parking is scarce and could be expensive, depending on where you park and whether you park on the street or on private lots. Driving on downtown streets also takes a lot more patience as speeds are slower, and hazards are more numerous. === By public transit === {{Listing|name=Toronto Transit Commission|alt=TTC|url=https://www.ttc.ca/|phone=+1-416-393-4636|lastedit=2022-05-25|content=Toronto's main transit system and one of the most heavily used in North America. TTC consists of buses, streetcars and subway lines.}} ====Fares==== The following are the fares effective March 1, 2020:<!--Not describing legacy fare media such as tokens as if you cannot buy them, you cannot use them.--> * Cash fare: Regular $3.25, senior (65+) $2.30, youth (13-19) $2.30 * Presto card: Regular $3.20, senior $2.25, youth $2.25 * Presto tickets: One-ride $3.25, two-ride $6.50, day pass $13.50 * Children (12 or younger): Free Child, youth and senior riders must be prepared to show government-issued proof of age for reduced fares. =====Paying by Presto=====<!-- The section name "Paying by Presto" is referenced by article "Toronto Pearson International Airport". --> [[Image:Presto_subway_vending_machines.jpg|right|thumb|The Presto machine on the right sells Presto cards & tickets. Both can upload funds to a Presto card.]] '''[[Presto card]]''' is a multiple-use, electronic fare card with a stored balance; it is used by most public transit services in the Greater Toronto Area, including TTC and GO Transit. Presto cards can be purchased for $6 plus a $10 minimum balance at the [https://www.upexpress.com/Tickets/UpPrestoPDF UP Express service counter] at Pearson International Airport, from Presto vending machines at subway stations and Pearson International Airport (cash, credit cards and debit cards accepted at the large black machines), at the GO Transit ticket counter at Union Station, TTC head office at Davisville station and at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across the city. Presto cards are automatically configured to deduct adult fares. For reduced child or senior/youth fares, the customer must have the card's fare type changed at the UP Express service counter, the GO Transit ticket counter, TTC head office or at Shoppers Drug Mart stores; a government-issued proof of age may be required. '''Presto tickets''' are single-use, electronic tickets with no stored balance. They are not reloadable, can only be used for TTC services (they're not accepted on TTC-operated bus routes that travel into the City of Mississauga (west of Pearson Airport) or York Region (north of Steeles Avenue) where additional Miway (Mississauga Transit) or York Regional Transit (YRT) fares are required), and expire 90-days from the day of purchase. They are sold from Presto vending machines located at all TTC subway stations and at many Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Toronto and come in three varieties: one-ride, two-ride and day pass. Presto users must tap their Presto card or Presto ticket each time they enter a subway station, or board a streetcar or bus. Customers using a Presto card or a 1-ride Presto ticket are entitled to two hours of unlimited travel on all TTC services, allowing unlimited stopovers or a round trip. The 2-ride Presto ticket grants 2 separate two-hour travel periods. The Presto day pass allows one person unlimited travel from first tap until 3AM the next morning. =====Paying by cash===== <!--Any replacement of the following photo should clearly show the streetcar doors.-->[[File:Flexity Outlook 4403 at Exhibition Place.jpg|right|thumb|Streetcars have a Presto reader at all four doors and cash payment machines at the second and third doors.]] If you pay by cash instead of Presto, you must obtain a paper transfer (also called a POP ticket) to serve as proof of payment for TTC employees such as fare inspectors and to transfer to another TTC vehicle to complete a trip. Exact cash (no change provided) is required and the customer may request for a paper transfer which can be used as POP and to transfer onto other connecting TTC routes and vehicles where they intersect. Paper transfers are valid for a one-way continuous trip and stopovers and return trips are not permitted (unlike paying by Presto), and unstaffed automated subway entrances do not accept paper transfers. If you are paying the regular fare, Presto tickets are a better alternative to cash. The procedures for cash payment vary by vehicle mode: * At subway stations, there is at least one staffed entrance where you can deposit exact cash into a fare box. After passing the fare gates, obtain a transfer from a red machine labelled "transfer/POP". Remember: If you are paying the regular fare, buying a Presto ticket from PRESTO fare vending machines is a better alternative to depositing cash into a fare box. * On buses, pay exact cash fare at the front door of the vehicle. After paying your fare, ask the driver for a paper transfer. * On streetcars, there are cash payment machines near the second and third doors of the vehicle. After you insert exact cash fare into the machine, it will give you a paper POP/transfer which you must retain until the end of your TTC trip. ====Subway==== :''Sections of the subway system often [https://www.ttc.ca/service-advisories/subway-service#e=0 close] on weekends or late evening for maintenance and construction projects, with buses replacing each closed section. Thus, expect a longer travel time during such closures; staff will be on hand to direct passengers. Until late 2022, most weekend closures will affect Line 1 Yonge-University.'' [[File:TTC subway map 2018.png|thumb|650px|The Toronto Rapid Transit Map]] The subway is the fastest means to move across the city, with trains typically arriving every few minutes. Trains operate M-Sa roughly 6AM-1:30AM, and Su 8AM-1:30AM. The subway system has four lines: *Line {{rint|toronto|1}} Yonge-University runs in a 'U' shape, travelling from North York south along Yonge Street, through the downtown area to Union Station, then travelling north through North York to [[Vaughan]]. *Line {{rint|toronto|2}} Bloor-Danforth runs east-west along Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue. *Line {{rint|toronto|3}} Scarborough (a.k.a. Scarborough RT or SRT) runs from the eastern end of the Line 2 at Kennedy Station to McCowan Station via Scarborough Town Centre. *Line {{rint|toronto|4}} Sheppard runs east from Line 1 along Sheppard Avenue to Fairview Mall at Don Mills Station. Several TTC subway stations act as gateways to other regional public transit systems. You must pay a separate fare for each system listed below as they do not accept TTC fares or transfers. All accept the [[Presto card]] for fare payment (except Via Rail, Ontario Northland and Amtrak). The main subway stations for transferring between the TTC and neighbouring regional public transit systems are: * Don Mills Station: YRT and Viva buses in Richmond Hill and Markham *Downsview Park Station: GO Transit *Dundas West Station: GO Transit and Union Pearson Express *Finch station: YRT and Viva buses to [[York Region]], [[GO Transit]] * Highway 407 station: GO Transit, Ontario Northland and YRT buses *Kennedy Station: GO Transit * Kipling station: GO Transit and MiWay buses to [[Mississauga]] * Pioneer Village station: YRT buses in [[Vaughan]] * Scarborough Centre station: GO Transit * Sheppard West station: YRT buses to Vaughan * York Mills station: GO Transit * Yorkdale station: GO Transit and Ontario Northland buses *Main Street Station: GO Transit *McCowan station: DRT buses to Durham Region *Leslie Station: GO Transit * Vaughan Metropolitan Centre: YRT and Viva buses in Vaughan, Züm buses to [[Brampton]] *Union Station: GO Transit, Ontario Northland Via Rail, Union Pearson Express and Amtrak ====Streetcars==== :[https://ttc-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/Project/TTC/DevProto/Images/Home/Routes-and-Schedules/Landing-page-pdfs/TTC_SubwayStreetcarMap_2021-11.pdf TTC Subway and Streetcar Map] Toronto is one of the few cities in North America (and the only city in Canada) to have kept any of its streetcar routes, and the TTC is expanding its network. See the district articles for detailed information on getting around by streetcar. Most streetcar lines serve the south, central part of the city. There are a few points to note about streetcar routes: Route 504 King operates as two overlapping branches with 504A running from Dundas West Station to the Distillery District, and 504B from Broadview Station to Dufferin Gate at Exhibition Place. Only half of the southbound streetcars on route 510 Spadina go to Union Station; others turn back north at either Queens Quay & Spadina Avenue or at King Street. Route 503 Kingston Rd does not operate evenings, weekends and holidays during which times the [https://www.ttc.ca/routes-and-schedules#/22/0 22A Coxwell bus] replaces it along Kingston Road. Route 508 Lake Shore has been discontinued although it still appears on many TTC route maps<!--including the map linked above plus maps in TTC waiting shelters as of October 2021. This rush-hour peak-direction route was discontinued in March 2020. Visitors should not wait for this streetcar.-->. Due to construction projects, replacement buses may serve some streetcar routes. The 501 Queen route is an attraction in itself passing through a wide range of ethnic and cultural neighbourhoods. It received special recognition from ''National Geographic'' magazine for being the longest streetcar route in North America (and one of the longest in the world). Caution: when getting on and off streetcars, make sure that the traffic is stopped in the lane next to the streetcar. Also, be aware of pickpockets in crowded rush hour situations. ====Other services==== From roughly 1:30AM to 6AM (8AM on Sundays), the subway system and all day-time streetcar and bus routes are replaced by the [https://ttc-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/Project/TTC/DevProto/Images/Home/Routes-and-Schedules/Landing-page-pdfs/TTC_BlueNightNetworkMap_2021-11.pdf '''Blue Night Network''']. Night bus and streetcar routes are all numbered in the 300-series, and use the same fares as day-time routes. Night route 320 Yonge replaces the subway line 1 and offers frequent service. Most other night routes have 30-minute frequency. [https://ttc-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/Project/TTC/DevProto/Images/Home/Routes-and-Schedules/Landing-page-pdfs/TTC_ExpressNetworkMap_2021-11.pdf '''Express bus routes'''] (numbered in the 900 series) often follow local bus routes but with fewer stops, stopping mainly at transfer points. The [http://www.ttc.ca/Routes/900/RouteDescription.jsp?tabName=map 900 Airport Express] goes to Toronto Pearson Airport. Some express routes operate all day, every day; others may run only during rush hours. Fares are the same as on other TTC routes. <!--suspended until further notice as of Oct 2021: '''Downtown Express routes''' (141–145) operate only during the rush hours, and only to downtown in the morning, returning in the evening. These buses charge double fare. --> === By taxi === Taxis are plentiful and safe, but not cheap. The base rate is $4.25, with an average {{km|5}} trip costing $13. As with most big cities, driving a car downtown can be annoying; parking is often hard to find and expensive, and traffic along certain streets can make vehicle travel slower than mass transit. However, traveling longer distances, when not close to subway lines is often significantly faster by car or taxi. * {{Listing|name=Beck Taxi|url=https://becktaxi.com/|phone=+1 416-751-5555|lastedit=2022-07-31}} * {{Listing|name=Co-op Cabs|url=https://co-opcabs.com/|phone=+1 416-504-2667|lastedit=2022-07-31}} * {{Listing|name=GTA Cab|url=https://www.gtacab.ca/|email=book@gtacab.ca|phone=+1 416-482-0000|lastedit=2022-07-31}} === By ride hailing === * {{Listing|name=Lyft|url=https://www.lyft.com/rider/cities/city-of-toronto-on|lastedit=2022-07-31}} * {{Listing|name=Uber|url=https://www.uber.com/cities/toronto|lastedit=2022-07-31|content=UberX service is available via smartphone app throughout the city with fares running roughly half the price of a taxi. An average 5 km (3.1 mi) trip costs roughly $8.25.}} === By bicycle === [[File:BikeShareTorontoBayAlbert2.jpg|thumb|''Bike Share Toronto'' rack near the Toronto City Hall.]] Toronto is trying very hard to become a bike-friendly city, with dedicated bike lanes being added all the time. There are many casual cyclists out all the time. And it is fast: door to door, in all of downtown Toronto, a bike beats a car or transit nearly every time. There can be hostility between automobiles and cyclists. Generally speaking, if you are on the road, you are expected to obey the same laws as cars, and you are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk. The city is predominantly flat, aside from a general climb away from Lake Ontario and the deeply indented, forested Don Valley and Humber River Valley. Post-and-ring locking posts are present throughout the city. There are many bike-only lanes on major roads and threading through various neighbourhoods and parks. The city publishes a cycling map, available on the [http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/map/index.htm city website]. [http://www.bikesharetoronto.com/ Bike Share Toronto] provides a public bike system with 1,000 bikes available at 80 stations throughout downtown. Subscriptions start at $5 for 24 hours and allow you to use a bike for 30 minutes or less, as much as you like (usage fees apply for trips longer than 30 minutes). It operates 24 hours a day, all year long (but see the warning below about winter biking). Several businesses also offer [http://www.yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/Bicycle+Rental/Toronto+ON bicycle rentals]. It is a provincial law that cyclists under 18 must wear a helmet, and all riders must have a bike with reflectors and a bell. This tends to only be enforced when the police go on their annual "cycling blitz". Some dangers: * Beware of parked cars - often accidents are not caused by moving cars, but rather by careless drivers or passengers who unexpectedly open their driver's side door. * Be cautious of streetcar tracks as bike wheels can be easily caught and cause a spill. * Although you will certainly see many locals riding the streets year-round, biking in the winter months is enjoyable only with proper equipment and reasonable skills; winter weather is cold, it can be quite windy, and snow removal is often imperfect. Some recommended cycling routes: * By far one of the most popular bike paths is the Martin Goodman Trail, the east-west route that hugs Lake Ontario, spanning the city from Etobicoke to the eastern ends of the city. This path is also often used by pedestrians and rollerbladers. * The Don River trail system begins at the lake (near Queen and Broadview) and travels very far north and east. During or after heavy rains, avoid lower sections of the trails. * A special treat for bikers of all levels is a tour through Tommy Thompson Park (Leslie St Spit) to the lighthouse and bird sanctuaries (no cars!), which is open on weekends only. Start at Queen and Leslie and head south. * A visit to [[Toronto/Islands|Toronto Islands]] from the ferry docks at the southern end of Bay Street is a great way to spend a bike-friendly, relaxed afternoon by bike. There are no private cars on the Toronto Islands. === By ferry === The trip to the [[Toronto/Islands|Toronto Islands]] from the downtown core (Bay St and Queens Quay) is a pleasant 15-minute ferry ride, with frequent summer service and the best views of the Toronto skyline. There are also guided sailing vessels that take tours of the inner and outer harbours, and circumnavigate Toronto Islands. Ticket booths are found behind Harbourfront Centre in the [[Toronto/Harbourfront|Harbourfront]] district. ==See== {{movetodistrict}} {{seeDistricts}} ===Museums=== [[Image:Toronto ROM 01.jpg|thumbnail|The Royal Ontario Museum]] [[Image:CasaLomaToronto.jpg|thumbnail|Casa Loma]] [[Image:Rogers Center-restitched.jpg|thumbnail|CN Tower viewed from Rogers Centre]] [[File:Toronto City Hall night view.jpg|thumbnail|Toronto City Hall at night]] * '''[[Toronto/Kensington-Chinatown#Art Gallery of Ontario|Art Gallery of Ontario]]'''. The largest art gallery in Canada. It has a great Canadian paintings exhibit and the world's largest collection of Henry Moore sculptures. The European paintings exhibit has a few excellent pieces including Ruben's ''The Massacre of the Innocents''. * [[Toronto/Yorkville and the Annex#Bata Shoe Museum|'''Bata Shoe Museum''']]. This offbeat museum is devoted to shoes and footwear from cultures all over the world. * [[Toronto/North York#Black Creek Pioneer Village|'''Black Creek Pioneer Village''']] is a recreation of life in 19th-century Ontario and consists of over 40 historic buildings, decorated in the style of the 1860s with period furnishings and actors portraying villagers. * [[Toronto/Midtown#Casa Loma|'''Casa Loma''']] is a step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour. The museum has decorated suites, secret passages, a 250-m-long tunnel, towers, stables and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens. * [[Toronto/Yorkville and the Annex#Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art|'''Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art''']]. Dedicated to ceramics in an exquisite contemporary building. * [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts#Hockey Hall of Fame|'''Hockey Hall of Fame''']] is both a museum and a hall of fame dedicated to the history of ice hockey. * [[Toronto/North York#Ontario Science Centre|'''Ontario Science Centre''']]. This child-friendly museum has several hundred exhibits, many of them hands-on. * [[Toronto/Yorkville and the Annex#Royal Ontario Museum|'''Royal Ontario Museum''']] is a museum of art, world culture and natural history. It is one of the largest museums in North America, and the largest in Canada. * [[Toronto/Midtown#Spadina House Museum|'''Spadina House Museum''']] is in a historic mansion dating from the 1860s. The grounds contain a beautiful garden. * '''[[Toronto/Yonge-Dundas#Textile Museum of Canada|Textile Museum of Canada]]'''. Shows drawn from a 13,000-piece collection of textiles from around the world and from other collections. ===Landmarks=== * [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts#CN Tower|'''CN Tower''']]. At 533 metres tall, the CN Tower is the third tallest free-standing structure in the world, and the tallest in North America. * '''[[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts#Rogers Centre|Rogers Centre]]''' is a large multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof. It is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. * [[Toronto/Yonge-Dundas#City Hall|'''Toronto City Hall''']]. Two buildings forming a semi-circle overlooking Nathan Phillips Square. Architecturally stunning, and next door to [[Toronto/Yonge-Dundas#Old City Hall|'''Old City Hall''']] (now a court house) which has a more classical architecture. ===Parks=== * [[Toronto/Scarborough#Toronto Zoo|'''Toronto Zoo''']] is Canada's premier zoo showcasing over 5,000 animals and 460 species. ==Do== {{seeDistricts}} ===Outdoors=== * Toronto is "[https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/ the city within a park]", with miles and miles of parkland following the streams and rivers that flow through the city. '''Edwards Gardens''' and the '''Toronto Botanical Gardens''' in the neighbourhood of [[Toronto/North York|North York]] might just be the place to start exploring this natural environment. * The City of Toronto has designated various '''[https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/walking-in-toronto/walking-tours/etobicoke-walking-tours/ Discovery Walks]''' which highlight the natural and human history of the region. These can be found with brown circular signs along the route and highlight other regions such as the Belt Line, Garrison Creek and the Humber River as well as the downtown core. * '''Beaches'''. Toronto has three main sections of beach along Lake Ontario. The most popular of these is in the aptly-named [[Toronto/The Beach|Beaches]] neighbourhood. A less popular alternative is the beaches in the western end of the city in the [[Toronto/Parkdale|Parkdale]] neighbourhood; this was once Toronto's Coney Island, with an amusement park and numerous beach-style attractions; however in the 1950s the city built the Gardiner Expressway along the lakeshore, effectively separating the beaches from the city and causing the demolition of the amusement park; over the years attempts have been made to re-energize this area, but the Gardiner remains a major barrier, as well as a source of noise and pollution to keep away would-be beach-goers. On the plus side, the beaches are largely empty most of the time, providing solitude for those who seek it. The third major beach area in the city runs along the south shore of the [[Toronto/Islands|Toronto Islands]]. This area is pleasantly secluded, with most of the islands covered with parkland and a small amusement park. Hanlan's Point Beach on the western shore of the islands is the City of Toronto's only officially recognized clothing optional beach, and a popular gay hangout. Despite these options, many Torontonians prefer to leave the city for beach trips; the most popular beaches are those in the Georgian Bay area north of Toronto, [[Wasaga Beach]] in particular is very popular during the summer. ===Arts & entertainment=== * '''Comedy'''. World-renowned [http://www.secondcity.com/ Second City] comedy/improv theatre has a location in Toronto. See great improv and situation comedy performed live with audience participation over dinner and drinks in the heart of the club district of downtown Toronto. * '''Theatre'''. Toronto has a great theatre scene for every taste and budget. Check out the big theatres on Yonge Street for the big splashy shows. Small theatres in the Annex and elsewhere offer smaller productions that range from original Canadian works, avant-garde, experimental theatre, small budget musicals to British murder mysteries. A variety of theatre festivals such as the New Ideas, Rhubarb and Fringe festivals are the seed for many commercial success such as ''The Drowsy Chaperone''. Also try to check out the [http://www.coc.ca/AboutTheCOC/FourSeasonsCentre.aspx Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts], the new home of the [http://www.coc.ca/ Canadian Opera Company] and the [https://national.ballet.ca/Tickets/Box-Office? National Ballet of Canada]. The [http://www.tso.ca/ Toronto Symphony] plays in the acoustically renovated [http://www.roythomson.com/ Roy Thomson Hall]. '''[http://www.totix.ca TO Tix]''' in Yonge-Dundas Square is the best place to get full-price advance and day-of discounts on shows across Toronto. It also offers theatre and dining packages, partnering Toronto’s theatre, dance and opera companies with local downtown restaurants and cultural attractions. ===Annual events=== * {{do | name=Canadian National Exhibition | alt=The Ex, CNE | url=http://theex.com/ | email= | address=Exhibition Place | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=From mid-August to Labour Day | price= | lastedit=2016-01-20 | content=The Ex is a annual fair offering an amusement park (the Midway), a casino, live entertainment, an international market, agricultural exhibits including livestock and a variety of other exhibits. It is Canada's largest fair and the fifth largest in North America, with an average annual attendance of 1.3 million. }} * {{do | name=Doors Open | alt= | url=https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/doors-open-toronto/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free admission | wikidata=Q3036912 | lastedit=2022-03-21 | content=This event, held the last weekend of May, offers residents and visitors an opportunity to take a peek behind the doors of more than 100 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city. Many of these buildings are normally not open to the public. A number of the city's museums offer free admission on the Doors Open weekend. }} * {{do | name=Fan Expo Canda | alt= | url=https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Metro Toronto Convention Centre | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-02-27 | content=Canada's answer to the San Diego and New York Comic-Cons, Fan Expo Canada draws over 150,000 attendees each year to celebrate superheroes, science fiction, fantasy, and other popular franchises. It's the largest such event in Canada and one of the biggest in the world, now taking up both the north and south buildings of the Convention Centre. It usually takes place over four days at the end of August. }} * {{do | name=Pride Toronto | alt= | url=http://www.pridetoronto.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Held the last week of June | price= | lastedit=2016-01-20 | content=Pride Toronto is the annual LGBT festival which includes the very popular Pride Parade which draws crowds of straight people to discover how LGBT people have fun. ''See also [[LGBT Toronto]].''}} * {{do | name=Toronto Black Film Festival | alt=TBFF | url=http://torontoblackfilm.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Held in February | price= | lastedit=2016-01-20 | content=TBFF showcases the noteworthy black films and provides a forum to debate major cultural, social and socio-economic issues. }} * {{do | name=Toronto International Film Festival | alt=TIFF | url=http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15 | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Starts the Thursday night after Labour Day | price= | lastedit=2016-01-20 | content=This publicly attended festival of international film takes place in various theatres and draws many celebrities and celebrity spotters. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Inside Out LGBT Film & Video Festival | alt= | url=https://insideout.ca/ | email= | address=TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours=Late May/early June | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q6037764 | lastedit=2020-01-26 | content=180 Canadian ind international films and videos over ten days, produced by and about LGBT people. }} * {{do | name=Toronto International Festival of Authors | alt= | url=https://festivalofauthors.ca/ | email=info@festivalofauthors.ca | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Late October to early November, with related events throughout the year | price=Most events are free. Some events, including the book clubs and the writing workshops, have admission fees: check the festival's website for details | wikidata=Q6037764 | lastedit=2020-11-15 | content=One of the largest literary festivals in the world. The annual festival attracts many well-known and up-and-coming authors, with a focus on Canadian and Indigenous authors. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 festival was held online. Events included author readings and discussions, writing workshops, book club meetings, events for children and families, and audio walking tours of Toronto neighbourhoods that inspired stories about the city. The festival's Instagram page @festofauthors sometimes hosts live online events and announces updates throughout the year. }} ===Exploring neighbourhoods=== [[File:Chinatown Toronto.JPG|thumbnail|Crowds along Chinatown, on Spadina.]] [[File:Koreatown toronto 2009h.JPG|thumbnail|Pedestrian streets in Koreatown.]] Toronto has so many eclectic neighbourhoods that a random walk is fascinating in its own right. You might start in the Downtown area and then try other neighbourhoods around the city. Here are a few suggestions of neighbourhoods to visit. More details and more examples are found in the [[Toronto#Districts|district]] articles. * [[Toronto/Downtown East|'''Distillery District''']]. The former Gooderham & Worts distillery lands have been rejuvenated into a pedestrian-only village dedicated to the arts and entertainment. It has fantastic restaurants, festivals, and art galleries housed in its 19th-century distillery buildings. * [[Toronto/Harbourfront|'''Harbourfront''']], Toronto's former industrial port, is today largely parkland with biking and walking trails and excellent views of the harbour. Harbourfront Centre is situated right by the lake, and is home to numerous cultural events of which most are free or relatively inexpensive. Take in some of the worlds most critically acclaimed performing arts productions, or enjoy one of the many world festivals that take place every weekend. * [[Toronto/Islands|'''Toronto Islands''']]. A short inexpensive ferry ride from the foot of Bay Street and you leave the bustle of the city behind. Visually, the views of the skyline from the islands are stunning, and for cycling, walking, picnics or just relaxing, the Toronto Islands are hard to beat. There is even a small amusement park for kids, Centreville. On hot summer days, temperatures here will often be about 2-3C lower than the mainland providing relief. By mid-summer the water is warm enough to swim at Hanlan's Point or for the more adventurous, a nude beach is located nearby. * [[Toronto/West End|'''Little Italy''']] is the spot to get a sense of the Western Mediterranean. Sit at one of the many coffee shops and watch the world go by on the weekends. A great time to visit is during the men's FIFA World Cup competition (in football/soccer), regardless of where in the world it is actually being held as local communities face off and rivalries reach a fever pitch. Support can be passionate and even in adjacent communities and it is not unusual to see them draped in a mind-numbing variety of flags once every four years. * '''[[Toronto/Chinatown|Toronto's Chinatown]]''' is a great way to sample a tiny bit of cities like Hong Kong, without spending the airfare. Vast crowds crush the sidewalks as vendors sell authentic Chinese and Vietnamese food, and not-so-authentic knock-offs. It is one of North America's largest Chinatowns, and with many shops aimed at tourists, it is a good place to pick up some unusual and inexpensive souvenirs. The area is also home to a growing number of Korean and Vietnamese shops and restaurants. Toronto's multicultural mosaic never stops evolving. For a complete tour, travel along Spadina (north/south) starting at College Street in the north or Queen Street in the south. * [[Toronto/Kensington-Chinatown|'''Kensington Market''']] was once a centre of Jewish life that has morphed into the centre of Toronto's bohemian scene. Visitors will be assaulted by sounds and smells unlike anywhere else in the city, as narrow streets bustle with immigrants, punks, and yuppies alike. Stores include surplus shops, coffee houses, small restaurants (including vegetarian), clothing vendors, and record stores. Fish and fruit markets are also present in great numbers, and the area is experiencing a boom of South American food stalls of late. * [[Toronto/West End|'''Koreatown''']] has many Korean retail businesses and restaurants where Korean is as prominent as English in the signage. (There is also another Koreatown in [[Toronto/North York|North York]]. * [[Toronto/East End|'''Gerrard India Bazaar (Little India)''']] If you want to get a sense of Toronto's vibrant South Asian community, this is where you want to be; not only is Indian culture represented - visible Pakistani and Afghan communities are also alive along the street. * The '''501 Queen streetcar''' has been recognized in ''National Geographic'' magazine for being the longest streetcar route in North America (one of the longest in the world). The journey from one end to the other takes a couple of hours and passes through a wide range of ethnic and cultural neighbourhoods. === Sports teams & arenas === Toronto has several major league and minor league sports teams: * '''[http://argonauts.ca Toronto Argonauts]''' - Canadian Football League, playing at BMO Field on the Exhibition Place grounds. * '''[http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com Toronto Blue Jays]''' – Major League Baseball, playing at the Rogers Centre (formerly known as SkyDome, and still generally called such by locals). * '''[http://mapleleafs.nhl.com Toronto Maple Leafs]''' – National Hockey League, playing at the Scotiabank Arena (formerly known as Air Canada Centre). * '''[http://www.nba.com/raptors/ Toronto Raptors]''' – National Basketball Association, playing at the Scotiabank Arena. * '''[http://www.torontorock.com Toronto Rock]''' – National Lacrosse League, playing at the Scotiabank Arena. * '''[http://www.torontofc.ca Toronto FC]''' – Major League Soccer, playing at BMO Field. * '''[http://marlies.ca/ Toronto Marlies]''' – American Hockey League (Toronto Maple Leafs farm team), playing at the Coca-Cola Coliseum (formerly the Ricoh Coliseum). * '''[http://www.torontofc.ca/tfcii Toronto FC II]''' – USL League One (Toronto FC reserve team); as of 2019, TFC II plays at TFC's training facility at Downsview Park in North York. League One is actually a third-tier league; TFC II dropped from the second level, now known as the USL Championship, after the 2018 season. * '''[http://york9fc.canpl.ca York9 FC]''' – Another pro soccer team, this one began play in 2019 as a founding member of the new Canadian Premier League. They play home games at York Lions Stadium on the campus of York University in North York, but have long-term plans to build their own stadium in the York Region. * '''[http://www.torontowolfpack.com Toronto Wolfpack]''' – Rugby league team playing in Super League, the top level of England's rugby league pyramid, which also includes 10 teams from England and one from France. The Wolfpack play at Lamport Stadium in the Liberty Village neighbourhood. The '''[https://www.scotiabankarena.com/ Scotiabank Arena]''', 40 Bay St. It was called the Air Canada Centre (or "the Hangar") until 2018. The '''[http://www.rogerscentre.com Rogers Centre] {{dead link|December 2020}}''', 1 Blue Jays Way. Most often referred to by its original "SkyDome" name. The '''[http://www.mattamyathleticcentre.ca/ Maple Leaf Gardens]''', 60 Carlton Street. Historic arena in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District; now converted into a Loblaws supermarket and an athletic centre for Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens. The '''[http://www.avivacentre.com Aviva Centre]''', 1 Shoreham Drive. A tennis complex that serves mainly as a training facility, but also includes a main stadium court that frequently hosts seasonal concerts. The most notable use of the complex is for the annual Canadian Open (sponsored as the Rogers Cup), a high-profile event on both the men's ATP Tour and women's WTA Tour. The Aviva Centre hosts the ATP event in even-numbered years and the WTA event in odd-numbered years, alternating with Montreal in both cases. == Buy == Toronto has ample opportunities for shopping, and nearly any section of the city has unique places to shop: [[Image:Toronto-Eaton-Centre.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Interior view of the Toronto Eaton Centre.]] * '''Toronto Eaton Centre''' – At [[Toronto/Yonge-Dundas|Yonge-Dundas Square]]. Over 285 shops and services, including most of North America's most popular brands, and two food courts catering for every taste. * {{buy | name=The 'PATH' System | alt= | url=http://www.toronto.ca/path/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Linking 1,200 stores and 50 buildings, The PATH is an underground shopping mall has been created for all the commuters to get from Union Station to their offices and back without ever going outside. In a city of Toronto's summer heat and winter cold, this is essential. }} * [[Toronto/Bloor-Yorkville|'''Mink Mile''']]. If you head west from the corner of Yonge and Bloor, you are in the most upscale of Toronto's shopping districts, easily accessible from the Bloor-Yonge or Bay subway station. Bloor Street between Yonge and Avenue is regarded as Toronto's version of Fifth Avenue, with upscale names such as Hermes and Louis Vuitton, and the flagship Holt Renfrew department store. * [[Toronto/Bloor-Yorkville|'''Yorkville''']]. This high-end shopping district just north of Bloor Street and west of Bay Street is home to many designer boutiques. It also has many galleries selling art. * [[Toronto/Kensington-Chinatown|'''Kensington Market''']] provides a bohemian shopping experience especially along the southern end of Kensington Avenue. There houses lining both sides of the street have been turned into shops with racks of clothes displayed in the front yard. * There are many local, neighbourhood shopping districts in the inner city. These are mostly located along major thoroughfares lined on one or both sides with shops in low-rise buildings. A few examples are '''Queen Street West''' (especially [[Toronto/Kensington-Chinatown|east of Spadina Avenue]] and extending westward into the [[Toronto/West End|West End]]), '''[[Toronto/Midtown|Uptown Yonge]]''' north of Eglinton Avenue on Yonge Street, and '''[[Toronto/West End|Roncesvalles Village]]'''. There are many more areas with store-lined streets within the inner city but few in suburban districts such as [[Toronto/Etobicoke|Etobicoke]], [[Toronto/North York|North York]] and [[Toronto/Scarborough|Scarborough]] which tend to prefer malls. Consult the [[Toronto#Districts|district articles]]. * {{buy | name=Yorkdale Shopping Centre | alt= | url=http://www.yorkdale.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A shopping centre in the north of the city, accessible from Yorkdale subway station. This is a full-service, upscale mall with hundreds of stores, but which is also rife with packs of roving teenagers who use the facilities as a social scene. Make use of the subway if possible on weekends, as locals pack the parking areas to capacity. }} ===Money=== '''Changing money''' at a recognized bank or financial institution is best; there are a few specialized ''bureaux de change'' in Toronto's financial district and in Mississauga in the airport terminals. Some hotels, souvenir shops and tourist offices exchange money, but their rates won't put a smile on your dial. Many places in Toronto accept US dollars for small transactions – with a rough 1:1 exchange rate – and it is advised to obtain some Canadian dollars if you will use cash. US coins are often mixed in with Canadian coins at stores since they are similar in appearance. <!-- *'''Thomas Cook''' (www.thomascook.ca) branches include: ** Bloor-Yorkville (+1 416-975-9940, +1-800-267-8891; 1168 Bay St; M-F 9AM-5:30PM; Bloor-Yonge) ** Financial District (+1 416-366-1961; 10 King St E; M-F 9AM-5PM; King) --> *'''Travelex''' (www.travelex.com/ca) has branches in the Financial District (+1 416-304-6130; First Canadian Place, Bank of Montréal, 100 King St W; M-F 8AM-5PM) and at [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|the airport]] in Mississauga. *'''Calforex Currency Services''' (290 Queen St West) give good rates for cash, buying and selling GBP, USD, EUR; on substantial sums can be as little as 1% from interbank rates. *American Express branches in Toronto only function as travel agencies and don't handle financial transactions. *Cheque-cashing firms such as Money Mart (+1 416-920-4146, multiple locations) can usually exchange US to CAD, but the rates tend to be worse than at other financial institutions. == Eat == Toronto is generally considered to be one of North America's top food cities. It has the same variety as New York or San Francisco and the compact and safe downtown keeps them closer together. As one of the most (if not the most) multicultural cities in the world, Toronto has authentic ethnic cuisine like no other city in North America. It is easy to eat out in Toronto and have a superb meal for cheap. === Farmer's markets === Surrounded by the extensive fertile farmlands of Southern Ontario, Toronto has an abundance of farmer's markets - one is happening, in season, almost every day. Several markets are year round, while others are seasonal, generally running from May to October. * {{eat | name=St. Lawrence Market | alt= | url=http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Has been bringing the freshest foods into the city for Torontonians and visitors alike since 1901. Located at Jarvis and Front, the St. Lawrence Market stretches over 2 buildings, a main building on the south side of Front St., and a temporary building to the south of the main building. The temporary building is home to a Farmer's Market, open Saturdays year round. It features fresh vegetables in season, preserves, spices and herbs, and direct from the source foods, such as honey direct from the beekeeper or maple syrup from the people who tapped and boiled it, and quality Ontario wines. The larger main building has over 50 specialty vendors, with a large seafood section, a dozen butchers, several bakeries, and three very extensive cheese shops. In the basement, there is also a specialty area for handcrafters, and an extensive foodcourt, with merchants often cooking food that they bought fresh that morning from upstairs. The main building is open year round, Tu-Th 8AM-6PM, F 8AM-7PM, Sa 5AM-5PM. }} * {{eat | name=Riverdale Farm | alt= | url=http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/facilities/complex/345/index.htm | email= | address=201 Winchester St | lat= | long= | directions=three blocks east of Parliament Street | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A year-round producing farm owned by the City of Toronto as part of its extensive park system, open daily for tours, education, and more 9AM-5PM. The Friends of Riverdale Farm operate an onsite store and restaurant, Shop at the Farm and Farm Kitchen, in Simpson House (daily 10AM-4PM), and a weekly Farmer's Market (Tuesdays, May 10 - Oct, 3:30PM-7PM. Riverdale farm is a working farm, with barns and outdoor paddocks, and animals of all types. In an attempt to provide education about farming, the staff is approachable, and will discuss chores as they go through the daily tasks of keeping a farm running. Tours are available, or you can wander the 7½ acres freely. }} Other [http://tfmn.ca/ farmer's markets in Toronto] {{dead link|December 2020}}: * '''City Hall''', Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West. Wednesdays, 1 June-5 October, 10AM-2:30PM (except June 29 due to Jazz Festival). * {{eat | name=East York Civic Centre | alt= | url= | email= | address=850 Coxwell Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tuesdays, 24 May-25 October, 9AM-2PM | price= | content= }} * '''Etobicoke Civic Centre''', 399 The West Mall. Saturdays, June 4-29 October, 8AM-2PM. * '''North York Civic Centre''', Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St. Thursdays, 16 June-20 October, 8AM-2PM. * '''Scarborough Civic Centre''', Albert Campbell Square, 150 Borough Drive. Fridays, 3 June-14 October noon-5PM. * {{eat | name=The Dufferin Grove Farmer's Market | alt= | url=http://www.dufferinpark.ca/market/market.html | email= | address=875 Dufferin St | lat= | long= | directions=across from the Dufferin Mall | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Thursdays, year round (outdoors around the rinkhouse in summer and in the rinkhouse in winter) 3:30PM-7PM. }} * '''[http://thestop.org/programs/fight-hunger/markets-bake-ovens/ Green Barn Market]''', 601 Christie St. Saturdays 8AM-12:30PM (located within the restored Artscape Wychwood Barns). === Interesting food districts === * '''Cabbagetown''' is a designated Historic District in the eastern half of the downtown core. * '''University District''': small section of Baldwin Street (''east of Spadina, north of Dundas'') has many small outdoor cafes ideal for summer lunches. * '''Chinatown''' also has many Vietnamese and Thai restaurants. * '''Hakka Food''' is a style of Chinese food that originated in India with the migrant Chinese of Kolkata. Also known as India-Style Chinese food, outside of India and certain Southeast Asian countries, Toronto is the only city in the world to have such a variety of Hakka restaurants. * King Street between University Avenue and Spadina Avenue has many restaurants appealing to theatre goers. * Queen Street East between Empire and Leslie has a number of casual, trendy restaurants that match the vibe of Leslieville. * College Street to the west of Bathurst has a cheaper set of eclectic restaurants popular with university students from nearby University of Toronto. * Bayview Avenue south of Eglinton is the location of some of Toronto's best French pastry shops. * Bloor Street to the west of Spadina in the Annex has a similar set of restaurants to College St, with a particularly heavy concentration of budget-friendly Korean and Japanese restaurants. Most restaurants tend to be very laid back. * '''Yorkville''': it's more about being seen than actually eating but there are a few hidden gems, and this area is famous for sightseeing celebrities. Restaurants often charges premium for otherwise mediocre meals. * The city's largest newspaper, the ''Toronto Star'', once chose the Downsview Park Flea Market food court as the best in the city. Although it is open only on weekends and rather remote, it offers a variety of authentic food from Afghan to Trinidadian and lacks the chain restaurants that dominate the city's food courts. It is located north of downtown, but is accessible from the Downsview subway station on the Spadina line and shares space with over 400 independent retailers. === Cafés === :''Check the district articles for independent coffee shops.'' * {{eat | name=Aroma Espresso Bar | alt= | url=http://aroma.ca/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-11-23 | content=This cafe chain has locations throughout the city. Aroma might be the best of the large coffee chains for espresso coffees and rivals the quality at many independent coffee shops. The coffee is served in a cup and saucer with a metal spoon (you might not get the spoon at some other places), and you get a piece of chocolate (a nice touch). }} * {{eat | name=Balzac's | alt= | url= http://www.balzacs.com| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-01-18 | content=Balzac's is a small chain of cafes in interesting neighbourhoods. It serves only organic, Fair Trade coffee, cocoa and sugar, and its milk is locally sourced and organic. }} === Vegetarian === Some districts with vegetarian restaurants are [[Toronto/Kensington-Chinatown#Eat|Kensington-Chinatown]], [[Toronto/Yorkville and the Annex#Eat|The Annex]], and [[Toronto/East End#Eat|Chinatown East]]. ==Drink== <!--Please only give an overview of drinking possibilities in Toronto here. Listings go in the separate district articles--> The majority of nightlife in Toronto is centred on the appropriately named [[Toronto/Clubland|Clubland]] and in the [[Toronto/Fashion District|fashion district]] on Queen Street West. Nearly everywhere is packed to the brim with pubs and bars, but none so much as Adelaide and Queen Street in those districts. Clubs tend to operate on Richmond and Adelaide streets (both run east-west, 1 block apart); names change frequently, but the district keeps on going. Three other clubs of note outside this district: The mega club/ultra lounge Muzik Nightclub (by Exhibition Place), and The (long-lasting) Phoenix (on Sherbourne) and the Docks (literally operating on part of Toronto's commercial port, but this place has an outstanding view of the city on warm summer nights, and boasts an extensive entertainment complex). Some of Toronto's newest and hottest nightclubs have opened up in the King Street West/Liberty Village area. This area tends to attract a more mature (25+ years old) crowd; however this comes at a cost as drinks and admission into the venues are typically a bit more expensive here than in [[Toronto/Clubland|Clubland]]. Hip art and music oriented crowds tend to gravitate towards Parkdale (Queen West past Bellwoods Park). The hipsters hangout in the wide array of bars, galleries and clubs that dot the area in particular Stones Place (mostly Indians and sometimes gay crowds), The Social (a mixed bag), and the Drake and its poor cousin Gladstone Hotels. The same folks also frequent the Annex and Kensington Market areas of the city at night for club nights, casual drinks and art and music events. One of the main "corsos" of the city is ''Little Italy'': College Street, between Bathurst and Ossington flows over with music, sidewalk cafes and excellent food and a crowd that enjoys the summer heat and the offerings. College Street, east of Bathurst, is home to many student hangouts, including Sneaky Dee's which is famous among locals for its nachos. The legal minimum drinking age is 19. Toronto has over a dozen '''microbreweries'''. One popular microbrewery is Steam Whistle Brewing (south of the CN Tower in the [[Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts#Drink|Entertainment District]]) which offers tours of its brewery located in a former locomotive roundhouse. Unlike Steam Whistle, most microbreweries in Toronto are '''brewpubs''' serving in-house brews with pub fare. About half of the brewpubs are in the [[Toronto/West End#Drink|West End]] district. Other districts having a brewpub are [[Toronto/Harbourfront#Drink|Harbourfront]] (Amsterdam BrewHouse), [[Toronto/Downtown East#Drink|Distillery District]] (Mill St. Brew Pub), [[Toronto/Midtown#Drink|Midtown]] (Granite Brewery) and [[Toronto/East End#Drink|East End]] (Left Field Brewery). ==Sleep== <!-- Please don't list individual lodgings here. Instead, list them in the relevant district article - thanks. --> {{seeDistricts}} Most hotels and hostels are situated directly outside the downtown core. Prices for rooms generally range from $150 for a standard hotel, $60–80 for a motel, and $20–40 for a bed in a hostel. ===Hotels=== Toronto has a wide variety of hotels that can suit every budget. ===Hostels=== Toronto has several youth hostels, including ones in the downtown area, such as '''[http://www.hostellingtoronto.com/ HI-Toronto Hostel]''' located at the foot of Church Street. ===Bed & Breakfast=== Another popular alternative for over nighters are bed & breakfasts, of which Toronto has hundreds, many of them in the downtown core. Prices range from $60 to several hundred dollars depending on the house and amenities offered. ==Learn== [[File:Uoft universitycollege2.jpg|thumb|University College at the University of Toronto]] International students often prefer to study in Toronto because of its safety, proximity to other tourist destinations, and favourable exchange rates and visa policies. However, despite its status as the largest city in the country and Canada's economic centre, it is surprisingly under-served by universities. This lack of post-secondary education has led to the development of major universities in the mid-sized cities that surround Toronto: the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University in [[Waterloo (Ontario)|Waterloo]], the University of Guelph in [[Guelph]], McMaster University in [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]], Brock University in [[St. Catharines]] and Trent University in [[Peterborough (Ontario)|Peterborough]]. The universities in Toronto remain some of the best in the country: * '''The [http://www.utoronto.ca University of Toronto]'''. Canada's largest university, is spread out all over the city (including the main downtown campus, an east-end Scarborough campus, and University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM) in the neighbouring city of [[Mississauga]]). This university is consistently rated among the top three in the country and is part of the "Canadian Ivy League." Due to its size, the University of Toronto's downtown campus, known as the St George campus, after the street that runs through it, has its own "sphere of influence," turning the surrounding neighbourhoods into miniature college towns, with plenty of bars, restaurants, bookshops, grocery stores and cheap take-out joints. Click the [[Toronto/Yorkville and the Annex#University of Toronto|link]] for a guide to the U of T campus. * '''[http://www.yorku.ca York University]'''. The third largest university in Canada, York University has two campuses - the Keele Campus near Keele Street and Steeles Avenue West at the northern border of the city, and the original Glendon College at Lawrence Avenue East and Bayview Avenue. York University station on subway Line 1 Yonge–University is located within the Keele campus. Buses 124 and 162 connect Lawrence Station (also on Line 1 Yonge–University) to Glendon College. * '''[https://www.torontomu.ca/ Toronto Metropolitan University]''' (TMU – formerly Ryerson University). In the heart of the downtown core. It was once a polytechnic, but is now Toronto's third university. The university is particularly well known for its school of management, and for its journalism program. Its campus is centred on the Kerr Hall, which forms a square around a central quad, it fills the block bounded by Gould, Gerrard, Victoria and Church streets. TMU also has buildings throughout this section of the city, including the Ted Rogers School of Management, at Bay and Dundas streets. * '''[https://www.ocadu.ca/ OCAD University]'''. The university focuses exclusively on art and design. The campus is on Dundas Street West near Spadina. * '''[http://www.senecac.on.ca Seneca College]'''. Canada's largest college is spread out over the city with over 16 campuses of varying sizes. * '''[https://www.georgebrown.ca/ George Brown College]'''. Three campuses: St. James (downtown), Casa Loma (midtown) and Waterfront (Harbourfront). * '''[http://www.humber.ca Humber College]'''. Two campuses: Lakeshore and North. Toronto, like other Canadian cities, also has dozens of '''English as a Second Language''' (ESL) schools. The largest association of private English and French language schools is the [http://www.capls.com Canadian Association of Private Language Schools]. ==Connect== '''Calling''' For life-threatening emergencies or crime in progress, dial '''9-1-1''' on any landline, mobile or pay phone (toll-free). Local calls at pay phones cost 50 cents. Toronto's local calling area extends roughly from [[Oakville (Ontario)|Oakville]] to [[Ajax]]; [[Oshawa]], [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]] and their adjacent suburbs are long-distance. Local calls are not metered, so you can talk as long as you want. Due to the popularity of cellphones, there are fewer pay phone booths than in previous years, so they can be difficult to locate. Most large public facilities still have ample pay phones to use. In malls, pay phones are usually located between the inner and outer doors at the entrances. Payphones are also routinely provided in TTC subway stations, including on the platforms, as a safety feature. Cellular service is generally unavailable in the subway, except in outdoor or above-ground areas. In other underground areas, such as the lower levels of malls and in the PATH, reception is generally available, if somewhat weaker. In addition, many public facilities (such as shopping malls) now also have phones which provide free local calls, which are funded by advertisements run on colour LCD screens. Watch for large, wall-mounted ovals in high-traffic areas. Toronto has three area codes: 416, 647, and 437. These area codes are all associated with the same geographic area. The suburban areas outside of the city have three overlapping area codes: 905, 289, and 365. As a result, Toronto has '''10-digit local dialling'''. You must always dial the area code as part of the number you are trying to reach. International calling cards are widely available to many countries for reasonable rates. As coin-paid long distance calls are overpriced (Bell payphones charge nearly $5 in the first minute and a lower rate thereafter, competitors are $1 for three minutes), if you must place toll calls from telephone booths, it's best to buy prepaid cards. ===Internet=== Toronto has many Internet cafés, especially on Yonge Street around Bloor and also Bloor Street between Spadina and Bathurst, although their numbers are declining. Most major hotels offer high-speed Internet in their rooms and in their business centres. Most coffee shops, a few hamburger joints and many food courts and restaurants in the city offer wireless Internet (more often free, sometimes not). On repeat visits to the city, the Internet café you used last time often will have disappeared, a casualty of widespread high-speed Internet availability elsewhere. Once you find a place to call home, costs are normally around $3 for 30 minutes. Free internet access is available on computers at '''[http://www.tpl.toronto.on.ca Toronto Public Library]''' branches, and the '''[http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hou_az_trl.jsp Toronto Reference Library]''' also provides free wireless access on the first two floors. Also visit [https://Torontoseoexpert.ca Toronto seo expert] All TTC subway stations have free Wi-Fi; the ad-based service uses network name TCONNECT. See the [https://www.ttc.ca/Customer_Service/Station_WiFi/index.jsp TTC wi-fi webpage] for more details. ===Mail=== Generally stamps are purchased and parcels are weighed and shipped, at a postal outlet located in a retail store such as a variety store or a drug store. It seems that most Shoppers Drug Mart stores have a postal outlet at a special counter often at the back of the store. Postal outlets may sell philatelic items (recent issues only). ===Newspapers=== * '''[http://www.thestar.com/ The Toronto Star]''', a broadsheet daily newspaper, politically left of centre, covering local, national, and world news. Superman co-creator Joe Shuster, who once delivered this paper, used the Old Toronto Star Building (no longer extant) as inspiration for "The Daily Planet" newspaper. * '''[http://www.torontosun.com/ The Toronto Sun]''', a tabloid daily newspaper, politically conservative, covering local, national, and world news. *'''[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ The Globe and Mail]''', a broadsheet national daily with local edition, published in Toronto. Extensive business and stock market coverage, politically centrist. *'''[http://www.nationalpost.com/ The National Post]''', a broadsheet national daily, moderately conservative. Free weekly newspapers, distributed from boxes on street corners and in racks in stores and restaurants are good sources of information on cinema, dining, music, theatre, and other events as well as local news: * '''[http://www.nowtoronto.com Now]''' alternative news and comprehensive listings; published on Thursdays. * '''[http://dailyxtra.com/ Xtra!]''', which provides gay and lesbian news and listings, had stopped publishing a print edition, but continues online. Depending on where you go in Toronto, you will be able to find locally printed newspapers in a variety of languages. For example, in Chinatown, you will find Chinese newspapers. In "Little Italy", you'll find Italian newspapers. You'll also find newspapers in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Persian, Arabic, Tagalog, Greek, Urdu and more. ==Stay safe== ===Crime=== Toronto is remarkably safe and the streets are vibrant with pedestrians and bicyclists, even at night in most neighbourhoods. If you use common sense, you should have no trouble at all. The overall violent crime rate in Canada, and particularly in Toronto, is much lower than that found in major cities in the United States. Petty crime is generally not a problem in Toronto, but as always is the case, keep vigilant with your possessions. Car and bike theft are comparable to other large North American cities. There are neighbourhoods which are known in the media and on the street as being more dangerous, though police statistics are not commonly used to justify these beliefs. Nevertheless, while assaults and other crimes can happen anywhere, especially late at night when few people are around, it is reasonable to avoid certain areas (again, generally late at night). These areas include in the old city and inner bouroughs: Crescent Town, Regent Park, parts of Parkdale, parts of St. Jamestown, Moss Park, Alexandra Park, Flemingdon Park/Victoria Village and Weston-Mount Dennis. Outer areas: Jane and Finch ("Jane Corridor"), Lawrence Heights, the Peanut (i.e., Don Mills and Sheppard), Rexdale/Jamestown Crescent, Malvern, Kingston and Galloway, Steeles-The Amoureaux, Dorset Park, Westminster-Branson and Eglinton East-Kennedy Park. Stay away from dodgy looking areas, where drugs, prostitution and violent crime such as armed robberies can occur. These neighbourhoods become noticeably worse from a visual standpoint, giving ample warning to turn around. ===Homeless=== Toronto has a visible homeless population, many of whom will ask you for money. Beggars in Toronto have been known to ask for handouts on the pretext that they need TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) fare. When offered TTC tokens, they will accept them and then approach other passers-by in an attempt to resell these tokens for cash. If a street person offers to sell you a token they claim to have "found" in Toronto, sometimes at less than face value, odds are this fare media was given to them by some well-meaning passer-by who believed their false claim that they needed a TTC fare to get home. There have also been instances in the past with "squeegee kids" who would jump into intersections when traffic is stopped at lights and solicit money for cleaning windshields. This is becoming less common as this form of interference with vehicle traffic is expressly illegal under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act and may be reported to police. ===Pedestrians=== Be careful when getting off the streetcars and always look to your right before leaving the car. Although vehicles are supposed to stop when the streetcar doors open, some motorists and cyclists will ignore this and keep going. The proliferation of mobile data devices has led to "multitasking" in a large percentage of the pedestrian population of this city. If driving, cycling, or even walking, in Toronto do not forget to keep an eye open for a pedestrian who may be more focused on his or her device. ===Weather=== Avoid river/creek banks or bridge underpasses during periods of excessive rain, during/after heavy thundershowers or melting snow. Flooding can soften soil and cause it to suddenly collapse into the water under any weight. Occasionally, Toronto will be hit with a severe winter storm accompanied by significant snowfall (quite often mixed with freezing rain/ice/sleet). Avoid driving during and immediately after the storms if at all possible. This is especially true for those unfamiliar with winter driving and controlling a car in a skid. Take public transit, walk, or stay inside. ==Cope== '''The Office of International Relations and Protocol''' manages the Government of Ontario’s interaction with the largest consular corps in Canada (and one of the largest in the world). Approximately [https://www.ontario.ca/page/consular-offices 100 countries] are represented in Toronto. ===Consulates=== * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | url=http://toronto.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/ | email= | address=77 Bloor Street West, Suite 1109 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-922-2503 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-922-1832 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China | alt= | url=http://toronto.china-consulate.org/eng/ | email= | address=240 St. George St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-964-7260 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|El Salvador}} {{listing | name=El Salvador | url= | email=103504.2104@compuserver.com | address=151 Bloor Street West, Suite 320 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-975-0812 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-975-0283 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | url=http://www.grconsulate.com | email=toronto.consulate@greekembassy.ca | address=365 Bloor Str. East, Suite 1800 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-515-0133 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-515-0209 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India | url=http://www.cgitoronto.ca/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=365 Bloor Street East | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-960-0751 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 9AM to 11:30AM | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | url=http://www.constoronto.esteri.it/Consolato_Toronto | email= | address=136 Beverley St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-977-1566 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-977-1119 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | url=http://www.toronto.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/english/english.htm | email= | address=77 King St West Suite 3300 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-363-7038 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Macedonia}} {{listing | name=Macedonia | url= | email=toronto@mfa.gov.mk | address=90 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 210 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-322-2196 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-322-2412 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|the Netherlands}} {{listing | name=Netherlands | url=https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/canada/about-us/consulate-in-toronto | email=info@dutchhelp.com | address=1 Dundas St W, Suite 2106 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-877-DUTCHHELP | fax=+1 416-598-8064 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Romania}} {{listing | name=Romania | url=http://toronto.mae.ro/ | email=toronto@mae.ro | address=789 Don Mills Rd., unit 501, M3C 1T5. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416 585 2444 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416 585 9192 | hours= | price= | content=General consulate }} * {{flag|South Africa}} {{listing | name=South Africa | url=http://www.southafrica-canada.ca/ | email= | address=110 Sheppard Ave E, Suite 600, North York | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-944-8825 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-944-0925 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russia | url=http://www.toronto.mid.ru | email=visaruscons@bellnet.ca | address=175 Bloor Street East, South Tower, Suite 801 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-962-9911 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-962-6611 | hours=M-F 9:30AM to 12:30PM| price= | content= }} * {{flag|the United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom | url=http://ukincanada.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/other-locations/consulate-general-toronto | email=britcon.toronto@fco.gov.uk | address=777 Bay St, Suite 2800 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-593-1290 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-593-1229 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|the United States}} {{listing | name=United States | url=https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/toronto/ | email= | address=360 University Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 416-595-1700 | tollfree= | fax=+1 416-595-1090 | hours=9AM-1PM | price= | content= }} ==Go next== Toronto is a great starting point for exploring southern [[Ontario]]. There are many golden '''sand beaches''' along the clean fresh waters of the [[Great Lakes]] that are ideal for hot summer days. Popular beach destinations within 1½-2½ hours of Toronto include Wasaga, [[Sauble Beach]], Sandbanks, Grand Bend, Long Point, and Turkey Point. ===Golden Horseshoe=== * '''[[Niagara Region]]''' — A lush region known primarily for its orchards and vineyards as well as the thundering waterfalls at [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]] and the beautiful town of [[Niagara-on-the-Lake]]. On the American side of the Falls are several outlet malls. 1-1½ hours south along the QEW; a few tour buses make the same-day return trip. It is one of the principal [[Wine Regions of Ontario]], and several companies do wine-tasting tours by bus from Toronto, starting at $125 (tax included), such as [https://www.niagaravintagewinetours.com/ Niagara Vintage Wine Tours], [https://www.winetourstoronto.com Wine Tours Toronto] {{dead link|December 2020}}, and [https://www.niagaraairbus.com/Niagara-Winery-Tours/ Niagara Airbus]. *'''[[Unionville (Ontario)|Main Street Unionville]]''', located in the suburban city of '''[[Markham]]''' north of Toronto, is a historic village developed in the 1840s. As typical of a small village, it has many quaint period buildings in an idyllic surrounding. *'''[[Region of Waterloo (Ontario)|Waterloo Region]]''' — This area 1-1½ hours west of Toronto has large university campuses, rolling farm hills and Mennonite culture. *'''The Niagara Escarpment''' — A world biosphere, protected by UN mandate running from the Niagara Falls west to [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]] then northward to Georgian Bay. It is covered by forest with high cliff views along the Bruce Trail bordering the western edge of the Greater Toronto Area, at its closest point it is about a ½-hour drive from the western end of Toronto. *'''[[Newmarket (Ontario)|Newmarket]]''' has its attractive Main Street Heritage Conservation District and many heritage buildings within a walkable area. *'''[[Canada's Wonderland]]''' is a popular, seasonal theme park operated by Cedar Fair in Vaughan. It is a 20-minute drive away without traffic, and there are buses from downtown in the summer. ===Ontario=== *'''[[Muskoka]]''', '''[[Georgian Triangle]]''' and '''[[Kawarthas|The Kawarthas]]''' — All 1½–2 hours north are cottage country areas with more rocky and hilly terrain speckled with hundreds of lakes and waterways. Muskoka and the Kawarthas are known for their country inns, cottages, spas/resorts, provincial parks, and a wealth of outdoor activities including camping, fishing/hunting, snowmobiling, nature viewing, and hiking set among natural beauty. The Georgian Bay area is where the hilly terrain and cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment meet its shores, the area has renowned ski facilities frequently blasted with high snowfall amounts but beaches [[Wasaga Beach]], wineries and golfing are the choices in summer. * '''[[Stratford (Ontario)|Stratford]]''' — This cute town 2 hours west of Toronto is host to the world-renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival (April–November). * '''[[Thousand Islands]]''' and '''[[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]]''' — This scenic area and its nearby historic city are 3 hours east, on the way to Ottawa * '''[[Ottawa]]''' — The Canadian capital is about a 4½-hour drive from Toronto. * '''[[Windsor (Ontario)|Windsor]]''', '''[[London (Ontario)|London]]''', and '''[[Sarnia]]''' are at the southwestern corner of Ontario, and the southernmost point of Canada. It is a 3-hour drive. ===United States=== * '''[[Buffalo]]''' — Gorgeous early 20th-century architecture including some Frank Lloyd Wright work and excellent museums are a 1½-hour drive from Toronto. * Across the Detroit River from Windsor is '''[[Detroit]]''', offering Motown music, automobile museums, historic buildings, museums, and theatres. It is 4 hours away. * The city that never sleeps, '''[[New York City]]''', is only 8-10 hours away without traffic, via I 90 and I 87. You can also take Amtrak or a 2-hour flight there. * Also an 8- to 9-hour drive away, '''[[Chicago]]''' is home to blues music, Millennium Park, windy weather, and deep-dish pizza. *If you are into history and want to see the capital of the United States, '''[[Washington, D.C.]]''', you have to drive 8-10 hours. ===Elsewhere in Canada=== *'''[[Montreal]]''' is a 6- to 7-hour drive to the east, or a 4½-hour train ride. Bilingual Montreal is home to French-Canadian culture, nice architecture, and the '''[[Laurentians]]''' are not far away. * You can hop onto a VIA rail train to many parts of Canada, including '''[[Winnipeg]]''', '''[[Calgary]]''', and '''[[Vancouver]]'''. {{routebox | image1=VIA Rail Canadian icon.png | imagesize1=100 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Winnipeg]] | minorl1=[[Washago]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=END | minorr1= | image2=VIA Rail Sarnia Toronto icon.png | imagesize2=100 | link2=Windsor-Quebec corridor | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Kitchener]] | minorl2=[[Mississauga]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=END | minorr2= | image3=VIA Rail Toronto Montreal icon.png | imagesize3=100 | image3a=VIA Rail Toronto Ottawa icon.png | imagesize3a=100 | link3=Windsor-Quebec corridor | directionl3=W | majorl3=END | minorl3= | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Montreal]] / [[Ottawa]] | minorr3=[[Oshawa]] | image4=VIA Rail Windsor Toronto icon.png | imagesize4=100 | link4=Windsor-Quebec corridor | directionl4=W | majorl4=[[London (Ontario)|London]] | minorl4=[[Oakville (Ontario)|Oakville]] | directionr4=E | majorr4=END | minorr4= | image5=Amtrak Maple Leaf icon.png | imagesize5=100 | directionl5=W | majorl5=[[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]] | minorl5=[[Oakville (Ontario)|Oakville]] | directionr5=E | majorr5=END | minorr5= | image6=Ontario 400.svg | imagesize6=20 | directionl6=N | majorl6=[[Barrie]] | minorl6=[[Vaughan]] | directionr6=S | majorr6=END | minorr6= | image7=Ontario 401.svg | imagesize7=20 | directionl7=W | majorl7=[[London (Ontario)|London]] | minorl7=[[Mississauga]] | directionr7=E | majorr7=[[Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston]] | minorr7=[[Pickering (Ontario)|Pickering]] | image8=Ontario 404.svg | imagesize8=20 | directionl8=N | majorl8=[[Newmarket (Ontario)|Newmarket]] | minorl8=[[Markham]] | directionr8=S | majorr8=END | minorr8= | image9=Ontario QEW.svg | imagesize9=20 | directionl9=W | majorl9=[[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]] | minorl9=[[Mississauga]] | directionr9=E | majorr9=END | minorr9= }} {{geo|43.7|-79.4167|zoom=11}} {{isPartOf|Greater Toronto Area}} {{usablecity}} habtnjoajddgz5qlss8nq9262z7q0cw 0 36551 4506346 4504512 2022-08-22T17:41:39Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 official tourism website wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Transnistria banner 1.jpg}} {{warningbox|'''Transnistria is at risk of war.''' Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2022, many governments advise against travel to Transnistria. See [[war zone safety]]. | lastedit=2022-02-24 | au=https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/moldova | canada=https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/moldova |uk=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/moldova|ie=https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/moldova/|us=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Moldova.html}} {{disclaimerbox|The legitimacy of the Transnistrian government is not recognised by any UN member state, and most other governments consider it legally part of [[Moldova]]. However, from a traveller's point of view, that government has control of the area (separate visas, laws, currency, etc). This is not a political endorsement of claims by either side in the dispute.}} '''Transnistria''' (locally called by its Russian name, ''[https://pridnestrovie-tourism.com/en/ Pridnestrovie]'' (Приднестровие), and occasionally, in English, ''Trans-Dniester'') is a country in eastern [[Europe]]. It seceded from but still claimed by [[Moldova]], and is only recognised by the other breakaway states of the former [[Soviet Union]] — [[Abkhazia]], [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] and [[South Ossetia]]. It roughly corresponds to the territory between the Dniester River and [[Ukraine]]. While Transnistria is not a classic tourist destination, it does offer a certain Stalinist charm and is one of the few "countries that don't exist", at least according to the UN. You can thus boast of having been in a country that the rest of the world claims does not exist and banknotes in your wallet that are essentially invalid. And if it isn't for bragging rights alone that you come visit, there are some other attractions as well. {{quickbar}} ==Cities== {{mapframe|47.246|29.355|zoom=7|width=320|height=370}} {{mapshape}} [[File:Bender Fortress. South side 03.JPG|thumb|Bender Fortress]] [[File:Rybnitsa.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Rîbnița seen from the road bridge]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tiraspol]]|lat=46.845503|long=29.632878|image=|wikidata=Q132572}} &ndash; The capital with 168,000 inhabitants. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bendery]]|lat=46.8333|long=29.4833|image=|wikidata=Q192176}} &ndash; Inside the Moldovan territory with a beautiful fortress to its north. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Rîbnița]] (Рыбница) |lat=47.7667|long=29|image=Rybnitsa.jpg|wikidata=Q216363}} — with two important bridges over the Dniester River, Rîbnița has a scenic location, and is home to Transnistria's largest company, a steelworks ==Understand== Transnistria (official name ''Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic''; in Russian ''Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublika'', ''PMR'') declared its independence in 1990, entailing a civil war with the much larger successor state of the Republic of Moldova that lasted until 1992. Transnistria is a product of the messy breakup of the Soviet Union, when a part of the newly formed Republic of Moldova that wanted to stay in the Russian family, rebelled against Romanian language domination from Kishinev and decided to go its own way. While the country is not officially recognised by any other sovereign nation, the government does effectively control the territory it claims to rule, although their actual wiggle room is perhaps a bit limited by the will of Russia, their biggest benefactor and political ally. It maintains its functional autonomy with military and other support from [[Russia]]. Transnistria is divided into five administrative regions and two free cities. ==Talk== Official languages in Transnistria are '''[[Russian]]''', Moldovan (which is fundamentally identical to '''[[Romanian]]'''), and '''[[Ukrainian]]'''. Moldovan in Transnistria is spelled using the Cyrillic alphabet, although some people insist on spelling it with the Latin alphabet, which is a matter of dispute. The most common language used in shops, bars and taxis is Russian, which practically everyone understands and is the language of government. Moldovan and Ukrainian are understood and spoken too but to a lesser extent. After the official languages, English and German are the most common, and Bulgarian is common in Parcani village near Bender. However, people who speak some English (or another foreign language) can be quite shy about it, and may deny that they speak it even if they have been educated in it. Keep in mind, there is very little tourism in Transnistria, though it is rapidly increasing from basically nothing. If you are a native speaker of a foreign language, there's a good chance that you're the first native speaker the person you are talking to has ever spoken with. ==Get in== [[File:315607 315607 315607 img 0658.jpg|thumb|The “migration card” in 2016 - simply a small print-out.]] Entering Transnistria is fairly straightforward by bus, train or car from both west ([[Moldova]], usually [[Chişinău]]) and east ([[Ukraine]], usually [[Odessa]]). Upon entering Transnistria, you present your passport and they'll enter your info on their computer and print out a card in Russian and English. Upon clearing immigration, this card, not your passport, is stamped – half the card stays at the crossing you entered, and half stays with you until you leave Transnistria. As of October 2018, this card was not stamped or checked during the entire visit. From Chişinău to the Bendery crossing, a taxi costs 100 to 150 Moldovan lei. A marshrutka (minibus) costs around 25 lei. Marshrutkas between Odessa and the Kuchurgan border (on the main road to [[Tiraspol]]) are fairly frequent and cheap. Mashrutkas run frequently across the Dniester from [[Rezina]] in Moldova to Rîbnița, which has a stop for buses between [[Tiraspol]] and [[Camenca]]. When crossing the border between Moldova and Transnistria, you will be checked only by Transnistrian officials. There are also peacekeeping Russian and Ukrainian soldiers who may stop and search vehicles. Entering Transnistria from Ukraine will not get you a Moldovan entry stamp. If you then leave Moldova through a crossing controlled by Moldovan authorities, you may have problems with the Moldovan immigration authorities, who may try to claim that you entered Moldova illegally. Exiting Moldova through Transnistria to Ukraine (whether having a Moldovan entry stamp or not) causes no problems - even a subsequent visit to Moldova through one of the border crossings controlled by the Moldovan authorities doesn't raise problems with the border guards. If you encounter problems, complaints can be made [http://customs.gospmr.org/en/ online], where you can go to the English version and click on "hot line". You can also send a complaint to ''dos@gtk.idknet.com'' (Transnistrian Customs). There is also a complaint hotline: ({{phone|+373 533 94578}} or 92568. If you complain you should also state the time, the date and the name of the border crossing. You should also give your phone number. There is an English speaking officer responsible for complaints. You can reach him at {{phone|+373 778 50986}} or {{email|roznerit@hotbox.ru}}. It is no longer necessary to register with the police (July 2018): you get a permit for up to 45 days at the entrance, depending on how long you say you want to stay. You need to provide an address or sponsor, so if you have reserved accommodation this is enough. They may ask to see the reservation. Once in Transnistria, you can extend your stay permit at the Immigration Office, and you'll need a local address. Passports are not stamped, but you'll get a paper with the departure date and time (to the seconds). ===By plane=== {{cautionbox|'''Moldovan Airspace, which also includes Transnistria, is closed''' due to conflicts in Eastern Europe erupting. Your only options are only via land at this time. For travel options by land, see the next sections below.|lastedit=25 February 2022}} Transnistria does not have its own international passenger airport (it has a military or freight airport), so the best way is to fly to [[Chişinău]] ({{IATA|KIV}}) in Moldova and travel from there. It is also possible to come from [[Odessa]] in Ukraine by bus. ===By train=== The only major railway stations are [[Tiraspol]] and [[Bendery]]. There is one daily train between [[Odessa]] and [[Chişinău]] stopping at Tiraspol and Bendery as of November 2014. There are local trains running between Chişinău and Bendery but foreigners are not allowed to cross into Transnistria with these trains as there is no border control on them. As of July 2012, there is train connection between Chişinău and Moscow, stopping at Tiraspol and Kyiv (Leaves Chişinău 22:30, stops at Tiraspol around 01:30 and arrives in Kyiv 12:30). Check [http://www.poezda.net/en/index Poezda CIS Railway Timetable] for up-to-date, English language timetables. ===By car=== Cars can enter but expect delays of up to an hour at border crossings in busy times. Foreign nationals driving their own vehicles are prime targets for border guards trying to extract bribes. If you're driving a rental car, you need an official cross border driving authorization from the rental company or else your insurance may not be valid. Not all rental companies allow you to cross so ask before booking. According to the official hotline of Transnistrian customs there is an official road tax (65 lei per week)&mdash;ask for a receipt. In November 2019, the only crossing open to process foreign passports was at Bendery (road between Chisinau and Tiraspol). Some travellers have reported being turned back when trying to cross in the south near Purcari. ===By bus=== From specific destinations: * [[Chişinău]] &ndash; There is a relatively frequent (about every 30 minutes 07:00-18:00, less frequently as early as 05:00 and as late as 22:00) bus service connecting [[Tiraspol]]. Ask for return times when you arrive. Marshrutkas (minibuses) also run this route. You should have no problem with border guards traveling by bus on this route (June 2019). From Chişinău maxi-taxis, 'microbuz' or 'marushkas' leave the (Auto)Gara Centrală behind Piata Centrala. If you walk a circle around the station, the Tiraspol/Bender bound ones tend to be on the northeastern corner. Costs: 36.50 (Moldavan) lei. You can use lei for paying on your way back. * [[Odessa]] &ndash; These buses to Tiraspol are not so frequent. However, buses between Tiraspol and the border at Kuchurgan (Кучурган), and between Kuchurgan and Odessa are frequent. [[File:Church under construction in Rîbnița (188825511).jpg|thumb|The atheist stance of the USSR has not survived: church under construction in Rybnitsa, Transnistria]] ==Get around== There are hardly any train connections within the country, so the bus—if available—will be your only choice. Marshrutkas (minibuses) zip between cities much faster (and often more frequently) than buses. They cost a little more, but travel much faster and can be hailed anywhere along their route. If you flag down a marshrutka, it's customary to pay on leaving. ===By taxi=== Taxis in Tiraspol are very common and are quite cheap. Be wary of scams however—make sure to negotiate a price before you get in the taxi. If you miss the last bus to Chişinău at 18:35, you can take a taxi from Tiraspol to Chişinău, which should not cost more than US$30. As of August 2018, taxis booked through a local guide for this route could be negotiated as low as US$15. ==See== * {{listing | type=see | name=Noul Neamț Monastery | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=From 25th October Street in Tiraspol cross the river, where minibuses leave approximately every half an hour, take 10 min / 7 km to the monastery (take the second stop), and cost 4 lei each way. | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours=Daylight hours | price=Free entry, though the tower may only be accessible if visiting as part of a tour | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q4222553 | lastedit=2019-09-09 | content=A beautiful monastery complex just south of Tiraspol with a number of sizeable churches to explore. If you have concluded your visit to Tiraspol, take the bus back or hitch west towards [[Bendery]], where you can catch a bus back to Chișinău. }} ==Buy== [[Image:Exchange.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Exchange booth in Tiraspol]] ===Money=== {{Infobox|Official exchange rates for Transnistrian rubles|As of January 2022: * €1 ≈ 18 rubles * Moldovan lei 1 ≈ 0.9 rubles * Russian ruble 1 ≈ 0.2 rubles * Ukrainian hryvna 1 ≈ 0.6 rubles * US$1 ≈ 16 rubles * UK£1 ≈ 22 rubles Exchange rates fluctuate. Current official exchange rates are available from the [http://www.cbpmr.net Pridnestrovian Republican Bank]. }} The national currency is the '''Transnistrian ruble'''. There is no ISO currency code from Transnistria, but banks may use either "PRB" or "RUP" to denote the currency. Wikivoyage articles use ''rubles'' to denote the currency. Exchange offices are common and will happily give you Transnistrian rubles in return for just about any tradeable currency. Don't change more money than you need as trying to turn Transnistrian rubles into other currencies may turn out to be difficult, even if exchange booths advertise rates to sell euros, lei, US dollars, etc., they may not be willing to relinquish their stocks of 'real' money. Don't bother trying to change Transnistrian rubles outside Transnistria as no-one will touch them. Mastercard is not accepted anywhere, but you can pay by international Visa card in several private places that frequent foreign visitors, although Visa cards from the United States are not accepted as often as European ones. Your card is charged in Transnistrian rubles in the shop/restaurant but your bank transfer on your bank statement will be in Russian rubles. There are several international ATMs around that dispense Russian rubles and US dollars. ===Shopping=== Tiraspol does not have a main shopping area; shops are few and have a limited choice. Most shops and sales stands will accept Moldovan lei and Ukrainian hryvna. The local, excellent brandy is cheap, at about US$3 a bottle. Cigarettes are very cheap too. There are also arts and crafts to buy as well. A good exchange point is the Kvint store in central Tiraspol, there is an exchange office with good rates inside the shop. There is also an exchange booth at the Tiraspol bus/train station. There is a large open-air market in Tiraspol, close to the Suvorov's monument, and another in Bendery, located a few metres away from the bus and marshrutkas station. They are probably not fashionable for those looking for something closer to the western style, but interesting to see. [[File:Noul Neamts monastery is located 5 km from Tiraspol city in the village of Chitcani. (15097599816).jpg|thumb|Noul Neamts monastery]] ==Eat== There are several restaurants serving local and international cuisine. There are no western fast food chains but there is an "Andy's Pizza" restaurant on 25 October Street in [[Tiraspol]]. There are also cafeteria-style restaurants which are very cheap: usually around US$3–5 for a 3-course lunch along with dessert and a choice of drink. ==Drink== Local wine and cognac are excellent and cheap. The Kvint factory is situated in Tiraspol, and Tiraspol has a Kvint shop, selling Kvint products at very low prices. Kvint produces arguably the best Cognac in the former Soviet Union, but it's extremely hard to come by in Western countries, although Moldovan supermarkets sell it. A trip to Transnistria is not complete without a sample. There is also a slightly fermented bread-based soft drink that is sold in the streets called Kvas. For about 50 US cents you can get a cold glass of Kvas which is a Russian version of dandelion & burdock or root beer. ==Sleep== See [[Tiraspol#Sleep|Tiraspol]] ==Stay safe== [[File:Flag of Transnistria Republic.jpg|thumb|Flag of Transnistria superimposed with a version of the national emblem]] The physical dangers of Transnistria are almost non-existent. The major cities are much safer than Western European and American cities of similar size and economic makeup. Also, despite the political situation with Moldova, there is essentially no threat of being caught in a military action. There has not been fighting in Transnistria for many years. Indeed, Transnistria is a very safe place for travel. By far the biggest threat to visitors are scams. Despite scary reports, Tiraspol is very welcoming, mainly because it gets so few tourists. Young people speak English and are helpful. The city is well-policed. Crime is low. Many Transnistrians are excited to see foreigners and will be very welcoming, if a bit shy at first. Some, however, see foreigners as being sources of easy money. Always negotiate the price of a taxi before you get in. Use pen and paper if you are not a Russian speaker. Ask about the prices of items before you order them at a bar or restaurant. It is not common to be scammed, but it is far from rare. However, even when scams are attempted, it is often for no more than a few euros. Be wary of police officers. If you look foreign, they will stop and ask to see your passport. Often, they will request bribes, but it should not take more than a few US dollars or euros. This practice is not condoned by the Transnistrian government, but in practice is fairly common. If you speak Russian, the chance to be asked for bribes is much lower. ==Stay healthy== Medical care is almost entirely non-existent in Transnistria, especially for non-citizens. Furthermore, even if you have travel health insurance it will often not be valid in Transnistria, but valid in Moldova. It's advisable to check in advance with your insurer. Be careful in Transnistria's bars during the night. There are often mafia-like characters having a good time with rolls of US dollars and you should not inquire too closely about the source of their wealth. '''[[Tap water]]''' seems to be drinkable, at least in Tiraspol. ==Respect== The name "Transnistria", while commonly used in English, evokes memories of the Nazi-backed Romanian occupation during [[World War II]] and the [[Holocaust]]. President Vadim Krasnoselsky, in 2019, said that the Latin name is "unacceptable for Pridnestrovie", and "foreigners should get used to saying its true name". Calling the country by the Russian name could avoid giving offense, and may win you friends. ==Connect== Internet cafes are not widespread. There is one in Bendery, on Gagarin Street (close to the city market) and another one in [[Tiraspol]], near Andy's Pizza on 25 October Street. More and more restaurants offer free Wi-Fi for their guests, for example, ''7Пятницъ'',"La Placinta" and Andy's Pizza in Tiraspol. Although still not frequent, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi inside new trolley buses running between Tiraspol and Bendery. Mobile phones will work with Moldovan SIM cards (i.e. MoldCell) near the border and in many parts of Bendery. In Tiraspol, service is unreliable. If you absolutely need solid coverage while here, you can purchase a SIM from the local provider, Interdnestrcom, but you will need a 4G mobile phone capable of VoLTE on band 20 for full functionality (without VoLTE you will not be able to make voice calls, and without band 20 you will not have coverage from them at all). {{outlinecountry}} {{geo|47.246|29.355|zoom=8|layer=M}} {{isPartOf|Balkans}} 8w7gmjsahz40jxqub4zwmez5je9ptu0 0 36921 4506444 4401660 2022-08-22T22:40:58Z 191.156.51.128 /* Go next */Added Sogamoso to "go next" wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Tunja banner Plaza Bolivar.png|caption=Plaza de Bolívar}} [[File:Catedral de Tunja.JPG|thumb|upright=1.5|Tunja Cathedral]] '''Tunja''' is a city in northeast [[Colombia]] and the capital of the [[Boyacá_(department)|Boyacá]] department. It is very much a college town, with several universities despite its small size. At an elevation of 2,820 m (9,250 ft), Tunja has a chilly highland climate. Like in other places, Spanish conquistadors opened up a can of whoop- here, supplanting the Muisca indigenous people's town of Hunza with their own called Tunja in 1537. They made a point of establishing many religious institutions in the days to follow; as such, Tunja has a trend for religious tourism in particular. But additionally one should consider the pre-Colombian and Colombian revolutionary attractions around too. Tunja is also known as a center for higher learning and for its Holy Week, International Festival of Culture, and Aguinaldo Boyacense. ==Get in== === By bus === The {{marker|name=Bus Terminal|lat=5.530278|long=-73.345000}} is at the bottom of the hill where the main plaza is. Collectivos to the surrounding cities leave from upstairs. {{mapframe|5.5367|-73.3574|zoom=14}} * From [[Bogotá]]: COP$18,000, 2hr 30min. Buses leave from the terminal, but it may be faster and more convenient to catch one at Portal del Norte. * From [[Cocuy National Park]]: COP$25,000, 9 hr * From [[San Gil]]: COP$20,000, 4 hr * From [[Sogamoso]]: COP$7,000, 1hr 30min * From [[Villa de Leyva]]: COP$6,000, 1 hr, 39 km ==Get around== === By taxi === Taxis are plentiful, with a minimum fare of $3.000. Most trips within the city won't cost more than COP$4,000. tel: 3102183305 === By bus === Minibuses are usually COP$1,400, and go pretty much everywhere. ==See== There's a cool old train station on Avenida Norte. It's fallen into disrepair, but looks like they might be working on restoring rail service. * {{see | name=Puente de Boyacá | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=5.45045 | long=-73.43032 | directions=about 20 km southwest on Route 55 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Puente_de_Boyacá | content=Famous bridge that was the site of a historic battle and decisive revolutionary victory for the independence of New Granada. Besides the main site here are also related monuments and obelisks attending to this affair. }} * {{see | name=Bolivar Plaza | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=5.53244 | long=-73.36155 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Kind of self-explanatory, but it is from here that you can absorb the colonial feeling of the city quite well. }} * {{see | name=Catedral Basìlica Metropolitana Santiago de Tunja | alt= | url=http://www.arquidiocesisdetunja.org/ | email= | address= | lat=5.53192 | long=-73.36088 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423022 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Cathedral_Basilica_of_St._James_the_Apostle,_Tunja | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=In a city full of churches, it's like the grand dame, sitting on the Bolivar plaza. Its construction fuses Isabelline, Renaissance, and neoclassical styles, erected between 1567 and 1598. }} [[File:Terminal Tunja.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Terminal Tunja]] * {{see | name=Casa del Fundador Gonzalo Suárez Rendón | alt=House of the Founder Gonzalo Suárez Rendón | url= | email= | address=Cra. 9 #1956 | lat=5.53245 | long=-73.36095 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423272 | tollfree= | hours=09ː00-11ː00, 14ː00-16ː00 Tu-S, closed M | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Casa_del_Fundador_Gonzalo_Suárez_Rendón | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Originally built in 1540, it is said to be the only remaining house of a city founder in Latin America. It is an art and history museum. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia de San Ignacio | alt= | url= | email= | address=a 18-109,, Cra. 10, # 181 | lat=5.53140 | long=-73.36249 | directions= | phone=+57 312 4266175 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_San_Ignacio_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=This church was completed in 1620 in the Jesuit style and is particularly noteworthy for having a polychrome statue of Jesus. It is also where the International Festival of Culture takes place. }} * {{see | name=Capilla Museo Santa Clara La Real | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 7 #58 | lat=5.53162 | long=-73.35905 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423032 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=The structure is thought to have been the first convent in the principality of New Granada. It is pretty heavily decorated inside. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia De Santo Domingo | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 11 #2038 | lat=5.53295 | long=-73.36323 | directions= | phone=+57 311 4730360 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_Santo_Domingo_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Church with Isabelline-style architecture built in 1560 with really quite incredible wood and plaster bas-relief design all over the nave interior. }} * {{see | name=Santuario El Topo | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=5.53288 | long=-73.36842 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_Nuestra_Señora_del_Milagro_del_Topo | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Another church, whew, this one dating to 1599 and where Our Lady of the Miracle is venerated. There is said to have been an apparition here. }} * {{see | name=Tower Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cl 20 | lat=5.53397 | long=-73.36456 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Palacio_de_la_Torre | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=It was a neoclassical Spanish colonial mansion built in 1539 that now houses canvases of Colombian departmental governors. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia de las Nieves | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 25 ##8-24 | lat=5.53818 | long=-73.35911 | directions= | phone=+57 320 8359621 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_las_Nieves_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Church from 1572 dedicated to St. Peter. }} [[File:Santo Domingo & Capilla del Rosario 13.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|Iglesia de Santo Domingo interior]] * {{see | name=Iglesia de Santa Bárbara | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 11 ## 16-62 | lat=5.53007 | long=-73.36378 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7424082 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_Santa_Bárbara_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Neoclassical-type church dating from 1599. }} * {{see | name=Parroquia San Laureano | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 10 ## 13 - 90 | lat=5.52680 | long=-73.36351 | directions= | phone=+57 313 3559366 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ermita_de_San_Laureano_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=One of the first churches to be built in Tunja, back in 1566. Moreover, it was the site of where Independence fighters who were assassinated in 1816 were buried. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia de San Francisco | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 10 #21a22 | lat=5.53546 | long=-73.36181 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423194 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_San_Francisco_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=This church was built between 1570-1640 in the Colonial-Classicist Baroque style and used to be attached to a convent, but that was demolished over the course of time. }} * {{see | name=Monasterio de San Agustin | alt= | url= | email= | address=a 23-73,, Cra. 8 #231 | lat=5.53537 | long=-73.35849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=An old cloister that also served as the jail and bank of the republic at one point. }} * {{see | name=Pinzón Park | alt= | url= | email= | address=a 23-73,, Carrera 8 #23-1 | lat=5.53590 | long=-73.35918 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Park built upon a site of the Muisca city of Hunza. It has a statue of the general the park is named after and sits beside the San Agustin Cloister. }} * {{see | name=Hunzahúa Well | alt= | url= | email= | address=Av. Central del norte | lat=5.55128 | long=-73.35293 | directions=on UPTC campus | phone= | tollfree= | hours=07ː00-22ː30 daily | price= | wikipedia=Hunzahúa_Well | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Archaeological site of the preColombian Hunza people. There are some steles and stuff. }} ==Do== [[File:Casa del Escribano Juan de Vargas 03.JPG|thumb|upright=.8|House of the Notary Juan de Vargas]] ==Buy== *{{buy | name=Unicentro | url= | email= | address=Av Universitaria #39-77 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The largest mall in Tunja. }} ==Eat== *{{eat | name=La Buona Vita | url= | email= | address=Carrera 9 #23-45 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +57 7422198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 12:00-21:30, Su 12:00-16:00 | price=COP$20,000 per plate | content=Italian restaurant with great handmade pastas. }} *{{eat | name=Piqueteadeoro La Novena | url= | email= | address=Carrera 9 - Calle 22 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Cheap traditional Colombian food and fruit salad. }} *{{eat | name=El Maizal | url= | email= | address=Carrera 9 #20-30 | lat= | long= | directions=Just off the plaza's NE corner | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Possibly the cheapest breakfast in town: Hot chocolate and roll with cheese, COP$1500. Also set lunch and dinner. }} ==Drink== All nightlife closes at 1:30AM, Sundays being rather dead. *{{drink | name=Bruder Pub | alt= | url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bruder-Pub/160836357261200 | email= | address=Kra 9 #21-89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +57 7443444 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=COP$12z000 per Liter | content=Microbrewery and pub, good beer and good food at very affordable prices. }} *{{drink | name=Berlin | url= | email= | address=Carrera 10 - Calle 21A; 5th floor | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Cocktail bar with roof-top terrace. Nice view over the city. }} * {{drink | name=Hops & Barley | alt= | url= | email= | address=Avenida Norte | lat= | long= | directions=Take a buseta that says Muiscas or UTPC and get off at "La Olimpica", about 1 km after the old train station. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Brew pub that brews an IPA, stout and other craft favorites. }} [[File:Tunja centro historico7.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Plaza de Bolívar]] *{{drink | name=Pussini | alt= | url= | email= | address=Plaza de Bolivar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A cozy cafe. }} ==Sleep== Dozens of options between the bus terminal and Plaza Bolivar, and somewhat beyond. *{{sleep | name=Hosteria San Carlos | url= | email= | address=Carrera 11 #20-12 | lat= | long= | directions=One block NW of Plaza de Bolivar | phone= +57 387423716 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Single 35000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Old colonial house, a bit run down. No breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Hunza y Centro de Convenciones | alt= | url=https://www.hotelhunza.com.co/ | email= | address=Cl. 21a #10-66, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia | lat=5.53510 | long=-73.36207 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7424111 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Big establishment in Tunja. Has spa and restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Posada de San Agustin | alt= | url=http://posadadesanagustin.co/ | email= | address=Cl. 23 #8-63 | lat=5.53560 | long=-73.35958 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7422986 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=COP 119830 | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Cozy place with free breakfast. }} ==Go next== [[File:Conjunto del Parque Histórico, la Piedra de Barreiro, las Ruinas del Antiguo Molino Hidráulico y el área de mayor enfrentamiento entre los ejércitos, asociados a la Batalla del Puente de Boyacá..jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Puente de Boyacá, outside the city]] * '''[[Bogotá]]''' is 2 to 3 hours away, COP$17,000. * [[Villa de Leyva|'''Villa de Leyva''']], one of the nicest colonial towns in Colombia, is 45 minutes to an hour away, take a minibus from the terminal, COP$6,000. * '''[[Paipa]]''' has a natural hot springs, with waterpark and spa. It is 45 minutes away by bus, COP$4,000. * [[San Gil|'''San Gil''']] is the capital of extreme sports in Colombia, and is 4 hours away. * '''Suesca''' is one of the major sites for rock climbing in Colombia. * '''[[Sogamoso]]''' a quaint city surrounded by colonial towns is about 1 hour away, take a bus from the terminal, COP$8,000-10,000 {{outlinecity}} {{geo|5.5333|-73.3667}} {{IsPartOf|Boyacá (department)}} 2l6ti17e6v6jcvgifunqn0gijuuoaz3 4506445 4506444 2022-08-22T22:46:54Z 191.156.59.84 /* By bus */Updated info on bus terminal wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Tunja banner Plaza Bolivar.png|caption=Plaza de Bolívar}} [[File:Catedral de Tunja.JPG|thumb|upright=1.5|Tunja Cathedral]] '''Tunja''' is a city in northeast [[Colombia]] and the capital of the [[Boyacá_(department)|Boyacá]] department. It is very much a college town, with several universities despite its small size. At an elevation of 2,820 m (9,250 ft), Tunja has a chilly highland climate. Like in other places, Spanish conquistadors opened up a can of whoop- here, supplanting the Muisca indigenous people's town of Hunza with their own called Tunja in 1537. They made a point of establishing many religious institutions in the days to follow; as such, Tunja has a trend for religious tourism in particular. But additionally one should consider the pre-Colombian and Colombian revolutionary attractions around too. Tunja is also known as a center for higher learning and for its Holy Week, International Festival of Culture, and Aguinaldo Boyacense. ==Get in== === By bus === The {{marker|name=Bus Terminal|lat=5.530278|long=-73.345000}} (Nueva Terminal de Transporte) is in the East of the city and can be reached from the main plaza by mini-bus (COP$2,000, to "Terminal") or by taxi. Note that as of 2022, Google maps still shows the old bus terminal as the main search result for Terminal de Transporte, but it is closed. {{mapframe|5.5367|-73.3574|zoom=14}} * From [[Bogotá]]: COP$18,000, 2hr 30min. Buses leave from the terminal, but it may be faster and more convenient to catch one at Portal del Norte. * From [[Cocuy National Park]]: COP$25,000, 9 hr * From [[San Gil]]: COP$20,000, 4 hr * From [[Sogamoso]]: COP$7,000, 1hr 30min * From [[Villa de Leyva]]: COP$6,000, 1 hr, 39 km ==Get around== === By taxi === Taxis are plentiful, with a minimum fare of $3.000. Most trips within the city won't cost more than COP$4,000. tel: 3102183305 === By bus === Minibuses are usually COP$1,400, and go pretty much everywhere. ==See== There's a cool old train station on Avenida Norte. It's fallen into disrepair, but looks like they might be working on restoring rail service. * {{see | name=Puente de Boyacá | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=5.45045 | long=-73.43032 | directions=about 20 km southwest on Route 55 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Puente_de_Boyacá | content=Famous bridge that was the site of a historic battle and decisive revolutionary victory for the independence of New Granada. Besides the main site here are also related monuments and obelisks attending to this affair. }} * {{see | name=Bolivar Plaza | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=5.53244 | long=-73.36155 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Kind of self-explanatory, but it is from here that you can absorb the colonial feeling of the city quite well. }} * {{see | name=Catedral Basìlica Metropolitana Santiago de Tunja | alt= | url=http://www.arquidiocesisdetunja.org/ | email= | address= | lat=5.53192 | long=-73.36088 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423022 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Cathedral_Basilica_of_St._James_the_Apostle,_Tunja | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=In a city full of churches, it's like the grand dame, sitting on the Bolivar plaza. Its construction fuses Isabelline, Renaissance, and neoclassical styles, erected between 1567 and 1598. }} [[File:Terminal Tunja.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Terminal Tunja]] * {{see | name=Casa del Fundador Gonzalo Suárez Rendón | alt=House of the Founder Gonzalo Suárez Rendón | url= | email= | address=Cra. 9 #1956 | lat=5.53245 | long=-73.36095 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423272 | tollfree= | hours=09ː00-11ː00, 14ː00-16ː00 Tu-S, closed M | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Casa_del_Fundador_Gonzalo_Suárez_Rendón | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Originally built in 1540, it is said to be the only remaining house of a city founder in Latin America. It is an art and history museum. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia de San Ignacio | alt= | url= | email= | address=a 18-109,, Cra. 10, # 181 | lat=5.53140 | long=-73.36249 | directions= | phone=+57 312 4266175 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_San_Ignacio_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=This church was completed in 1620 in the Jesuit style and is particularly noteworthy for having a polychrome statue of Jesus. It is also where the International Festival of Culture takes place. }} * {{see | name=Capilla Museo Santa Clara La Real | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 7 #58 | lat=5.53162 | long=-73.35905 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423032 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=The structure is thought to have been the first convent in the principality of New Granada. It is pretty heavily decorated inside. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia De Santo Domingo | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 11 #2038 | lat=5.53295 | long=-73.36323 | directions= | phone=+57 311 4730360 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_Santo_Domingo_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Church with Isabelline-style architecture built in 1560 with really quite incredible wood and plaster bas-relief design all over the nave interior. }} * {{see | name=Santuario El Topo | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=5.53288 | long=-73.36842 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_Nuestra_Señora_del_Milagro_del_Topo | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Another church, whew, this one dating to 1599 and where Our Lady of the Miracle is venerated. There is said to have been an apparition here. }} * {{see | name=Tower Palace | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cl 20 | lat=5.53397 | long=-73.36456 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Palacio_de_la_Torre | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=It was a neoclassical Spanish colonial mansion built in 1539 that now houses canvases of Colombian departmental governors. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia de las Nieves | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 25 ##8-24 | lat=5.53818 | long=-73.35911 | directions= | phone=+57 320 8359621 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_las_Nieves_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Church from 1572 dedicated to St. Peter. }} [[File:Santo Domingo & Capilla del Rosario 13.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|Iglesia de Santo Domingo interior]] * {{see | name=Iglesia de Santa Bárbara | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 11 ## 16-62 | lat=5.53007 | long=-73.36378 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7424082 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_Santa_Bárbara_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Neoclassical-type church dating from 1599. }} * {{see | name=Parroquia San Laureano | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 10 ## 13 - 90 | lat=5.52680 | long=-73.36351 | directions= | phone=+57 313 3559366 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ermita_de_San_Laureano_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=One of the first churches to be built in Tunja, back in 1566. Moreover, it was the site of where Independence fighters who were assassinated in 1816 were buried. }} * {{see | name=Iglesia de San Francisco | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 10 #21a22 | lat=5.53546 | long=-73.36181 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7423194 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Iglesia_de_San_Francisco_(Tunja) | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=This church was built between 1570-1640 in the Colonial-Classicist Baroque style and used to be attached to a convent, but that was demolished over the course of time. }} * {{see | name=Monasterio de San Agustin | alt= | url= | email= | address=a 23-73,, Cra. 8 #231 | lat=5.53537 | long=-73.35849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=An old cloister that also served as the jail and bank of the republic at one point. }} * {{see | name=Pinzón Park | alt= | url= | email= | address=a 23-73,, Carrera 8 #23-1 | lat=5.53590 | long=-73.35918 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Park built upon a site of the Muisca city of Hunza. It has a statue of the general the park is named after and sits beside the San Agustin Cloister. }} * {{see | name=Hunzahúa Well | alt= | url= | email= | address=Av. Central del norte | lat=5.55128 | long=-73.35293 | directions=on UPTC campus | phone= | tollfree= | hours=07ː00-22ː30 daily | price= | wikipedia=Hunzahúa_Well | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Archaeological site of the preColombian Hunza people. There are some steles and stuff. }} ==Do== [[File:Casa del Escribano Juan de Vargas 03.JPG|thumb|upright=.8|House of the Notary Juan de Vargas]] ==Buy== *{{buy | name=Unicentro | url= | email= | address=Av Universitaria #39-77 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The largest mall in Tunja. }} ==Eat== *{{eat | name=La Buona Vita | url= | email= | address=Carrera 9 #23-45 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +57 7422198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 12:00-21:30, Su 12:00-16:00 | price=COP$20,000 per plate | content=Italian restaurant with great handmade pastas. }} *{{eat | name=Piqueteadeoro La Novena | url= | email= | address=Carrera 9 - Calle 22 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Cheap traditional Colombian food and fruit salad. }} *{{eat | name=El Maizal | url= | email= | address=Carrera 9 #20-30 | lat= | long= | directions=Just off the plaza's NE corner | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Possibly the cheapest breakfast in town: Hot chocolate and roll with cheese, COP$1500. Also set lunch and dinner. }} ==Drink== All nightlife closes at 1:30AM, Sundays being rather dead. *{{drink | name=Bruder Pub | alt= | url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bruder-Pub/160836357261200 | email= | address=Kra 9 #21-89 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +57 7443444 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=COP$12z000 per Liter | content=Microbrewery and pub, good beer and good food at very affordable prices. }} *{{drink | name=Berlin | url= | email= | address=Carrera 10 - Calle 21A; 5th floor | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Cocktail bar with roof-top terrace. Nice view over the city. }} * {{drink | name=Hops & Barley | alt= | url= | email= | address=Avenida Norte | lat= | long= | directions=Take a buseta that says Muiscas or UTPC and get off at "La Olimpica", about 1 km after the old train station. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Brew pub that brews an IPA, stout and other craft favorites. }} [[File:Tunja centro historico7.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Plaza de Bolívar]] *{{drink | name=Pussini | alt= | url= | email= | address=Plaza de Bolivar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A cozy cafe. }} ==Sleep== Dozens of options between the bus terminal and Plaza Bolivar, and somewhat beyond. *{{sleep | name=Hosteria San Carlos | url= | email= | address=Carrera 11 #20-12 | lat= | long= | directions=One block NW of Plaza de Bolivar | phone= +57 387423716 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Single 35000 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Old colonial house, a bit run down. No breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Hunza y Centro de Convenciones | alt= | url=https://www.hotelhunza.com.co/ | email= | address=Cl. 21a #10-66, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia | lat=5.53510 | long=-73.36207 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7424111 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Big establishment in Tunja. Has spa and restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Posada de San Agustin | alt= | url=http://posadadesanagustin.co/ | email= | address=Cl. 23 #8-63 | lat=5.53560 | long=-73.35958 | directions= | phone=+57 8 7422986 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=COP 119830 | lastedit=2020-11-02 | content=Cozy place with free breakfast. }} ==Go next== [[File:Conjunto del Parque Histórico, la Piedra de Barreiro, las Ruinas del Antiguo Molino Hidráulico y el área de mayor enfrentamiento entre los ejércitos, asociados a la Batalla del Puente de Boyacá..jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Puente de Boyacá, outside the city]] * '''[[Bogotá]]''' is 2 to 3 hours away, COP$17,000. * [[Villa de Leyva|'''Villa de Leyva''']], one of the nicest colonial towns in Colombia, is 45 minutes to an hour away, take a minibus from the terminal, COP$6,000. * '''[[Paipa]]''' has a natural hot springs, with waterpark and spa. It is 45 minutes away by bus, COP$4,000. * [[San Gil|'''San Gil''']] is the capital of extreme sports in Colombia, and is 4 hours away. * '''Suesca''' is one of the major sites for rock climbing in Colombia. * '''[[Sogamoso]]''' a quaint city surrounded by colonial towns is about 1 hour away, take a bus from the terminal, COP$8,000-10,000 {{outlinecity}} {{geo|5.5333|-73.3667}} {{IsPartOf|Boyacá (department)}} 8fcspnfgjreqdl1cez4p1c5xua13t7x 0 36957 4506212 4504656 2022-08-22T12:50:29Z LPfi 79572 /* By ferry */ see By train for the Kupittaa arrangements; Tallink cutting down connections in September wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Turku Wikivoyage banner.jpg|caption=Turku seen from the tower of the cathedral|otbp=yes}} '''[http://www.visitturku.fi/en Turku]''' ([[Swedish phrasebook|Swedish]]: ''Åbo'') is [[Finland|Finland's]] oldest city. Believed to have been founded in the early 13th century, it is the cradle of modern Finnish culture and has extensively influenced Finnish history. Turku's fantastic culinary scene has earned it the nickname "the [[Paris]] of Finland" and the city has been called "Finland's gateway to the West". Bisecting Turku city centre, the River Aura is the heart and soul of the city: this is where Turku was born, and a large part of city life – museums, sights, restaurants and cafés – is still concentrated on the riverside. The river banks form a national urban park allowing for a pleasant stroll from the Turku Cathedral to the Turku Castle. Close to the river mouth is the island of Ruissalo, with oak forests and 19th-century villas. Turku is at its best in summertime, when it hosts many festivals, including rock festivals, chamber music festivals and a medieval fair. But do not forget the winter atmosphere, if you are lucky you may be able to have a thrilling walk on the ice cover of River Aura. In addition to the cultural sights and museums, this city of 195,000 people (2021) attracts visitors due to the [[Archipelago Sea]], which stretches all the way from Turku to [[Åland]] and on to [[Stockholm]], forming the largest archipelago in the world by the number of islands and islets. ==Understand== [[File:Turun tuomiokirkko.jpg|thumb|Turku Cathedral.]] [[Finland Proper#Greater Turku|Greater Turku]] (as defined here) includes a few surrounding towns and some countryside. Of these '''Raisio''' in the nort-west is included here, while [[Kaarina]] and [[Naantali]] have their own articles, as has the [[Turku countryside]] in the north, including (west to east) Masku, Rusko, Paattinen (part of Turku) and Lieto. === Name === The exact origin of the word "Turku" is unclear. It is possible that it comes from an Old East Slavic word, търгъ (''tŭrgŭ''), which means "marketplace". The [[Swedish]] name of the city is '''Åbo'''. Again, the exact origin of this word is unclear. ===History=== {{seealso|Nordic history}} Turku is Finland’s oldest city and one of the oldest in the entire Nordic region. The city came into existence at Koroinen on the banks of river Aura, a few kilometres north from the Turku market square. Trading took place on this historic site as early as in the 1150s, and in 1229, the bishopric was transferred there as well. The Aura River Valley had already been a prosperous and relatively densely populated area since the Iron Age. The Finnish name, Turku, is an archaic Russian word for 'marketplace' (turgu). The name of the Italian city, Trieste, comes from the same Indo-European origin. Turku Market Square has long been one of the largest and finest on the south coast. The etymology of the Swedish name Åbo is unclear. One possible explanation is that the city was named Åbo by Swedish settlers because it was a settlement (bo) on the Aura River (å). The year 1229 is regarded as the year in which the City of Turku was founded. Excavations in different parts of the city centre have provided more light on the city's history. The construction of Turku Castle began in the 1280s, the Dominican monastery of St. Olof was being built on Samppalinna Hill and Turku Cathedral was consecrated in the year 1300. From this point on, the city held an important position in the Swedish state and it had staple town charter (the right to conduct foreign trade), assuring that trading was brisk. The German bourgeoisie of Turku held a major role in the early development of the city, and Turku had a community that was part of the [[Hansa|Hanseatic League]], which dominated trade along the coasts of Northern Europe. During Swedish rule, Turku was the largest and most important city of its region, as well as being a major city of the Swedish Kingdom. Queen Christina of Sweden founded the first university of Finland in Turku in 1640. At that point it was only Sweden's third university following [[Uppsala]] University and the Academia Gustaviana in [[Tartu]], Estonia. Turku remained the Finnish capital until the year 1812. [[Russian Empire|Russia]], after overtaking Finland from Sweden 1809, moved the capital to [[Helsinki]], which was closer to [[Saint Petersburg]] and farther from [[Stockholm]]. Turku remained Finland's largest city until the end of the 1840s, but its ambitions were dealt a death blow in 1827, when a raging fire destroyed most of the city. "Turun palo" is still the largest urban fire in the history of the Nordic countries. The city was almost completely destroyed, and the rest of the major institutions with the exception of the archbishop's seat were moved to Helsinki. The burnt city needed an altogether new town plan, which was drawn up by German architect Carl Ludvig Engel the following year. Turku is still a gateway to Sweden. The competition between cruise ferry companies led to ferries ever increasing in size and features, which let the Turku shipyard develop into a world leader of building large cruise ships, with customers such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and TUI Cruises. Turku shipyard employs directly and indirectly 8000 people. In addition to this, follows employment effect to foreign companies. In 2011 Turku was the European Capital of Culture along with [[Tallinn]], the capital of [[Estonia]]. Afterwards Turku has seen a huge boost in domestic and foreign visitors. ===People=== [[File:People at aurariver (cropped).jpg|thumb|The Aura River's banks are very popular among Turku residents, for walking, biking or enjoying nice weather.]] Turku remains a regional capital of [[Finland Proper]] and is the third most populous city-region in Finland and the eighth largest urban area in the [[Nordic countries]], with around 330 000 inhabitants living in the Turku sub-region. Turku is a major academic town for Finland: there are two universities (one with Finnish, one with Swedish as its language; with business schools, a law school and a medical school), and four universities of applied sciences. Consequently, you will find that the city is bustling with young adults. The large number of students means that restaurants, live music clubs and nightlife are ample. A true local speciality you will find in few other Finnish cities are the floating bars in the river Aura. There is a cultural spirit in the city, and some of the proud residents are still irked that Helsinki took over as Finland's capital back in 1812. In other parts of Finland people from Turku are stereotypically thought of as being bit reserved and uppish in their views of their hometown. However, if you have a coffee at the Market Square and chat with the locals, you will soon find out that this is not the case. The Turku dialect has many influences from Swedish and historically also from Estonian, and it can from time to time sound even a bit like Estonian. The city is also famous throughout Finland for its processed mustard called Turun Sinappi, though ownership and production was controversially moved abroad in 2008, with production being resumed in Finland in 2014. ===Read=== [[File:Turku Castle.jpg|thumb|Turku Castle.]] * ''Vares'' (book series) (Reijo Mäki, 1986–13). Finnish crime literature usually focuses more on police procedurals, or the psychological and sociological fallout from crime. One writer, Reijo Mäki, however, has written a series of books about a private investigator called Jussi Vares. He is your regular hardboiled PI: he drinks, makes love, hates everyone, and gets beaten up and mugged on a regular basis. All Vares books take place in Turku, which is also home to the books' writer. Mäki is a celebrity in Turku, where you can perhaps catch him in his favourite bar, Uusi Apteekki (New Pharmacy). * ''The Home of Dark Butterflies'' (Leena Lander, 1991). Writer Leena Lander tells the story of a fourteen-year-old boy named Juhani, who is haunted by his traumatic past. Juhani has been shuttled between foster homes and temporary families for the past six years, leaving any prospect of stability in his life a faded dream. When Juhani winds up in a remote shelter for troubled youth known as The Island, he has little idea of how ruthless superintendent Olavi Harjula can truly be. In addition to Harjula and the six other boys, The Island is also home to the superintendent's wife Irene, the couple's two young daughters, and Tynne, who tends to the local livestock in addition to catering all the meals. The island of the story has actually existed, though the boys' home was closed already in 1968. The story was also made into a film of the same name in 2008 and shooting took place on the actual island in the Turku archipelago. The film was also Finland's Oscar nominee for a foreign language film in 2008. ===Watch=== * ''Restless'' (Aku Louhimies, 2000) is a story about Ari (Mikko Nousiainen), a 27-year-old ambulance doctor living in Turku, whose main pastime is one-night stands. He doesn't want to meet any of the girls again because he is certain that commitment equals pain. But one day Ari realizes that he cannot feel anything at all. Then he meets a woman named Tiina (Laura Malmivaara) on the beach. Without really intending to, they start dating each other, reaching the point where Tiina, falling in love, begins to look for commitment. Ari is introduced to Tiina's friends, including two other couples. Ari then ends up having sex with Tiina's two best friends (Ilona and Hanna-Riikka). Meanwhile Tiina continues to love Ari. During this Tiina manages to commit Ari to reluctantly become the father of her to be born child. * ''Vares movies'' (Aleksi Mäkelä, 2004-2012). Vares books proved so popular in Finland that in 2004 a film was released, starring Juha Veijonen as the detective, and directed by Aleksi Mäkelä, considered by many the number one action-director in Finland. A second film appeared a few years later, and the two films' success led to a series of all together eight films. *''Man Exposed'' (Aku Louhimies, 2006) is a comedy-drama film about a rebel minister working in Turku's St Michael's Church, who is suddenly asked to run for bishop. At the same time he is running into problems in his marriage and life in general. *Tears of April (Aku Louhimies, 2008) is a war drama film based on the novel by Leena Lander, the film is set in the final stages of the Finnish Civil War. The film tells a story of a captured female Red Guard fighter, Miina, and the soldier Aaro who escorts her to her trial. *''Love and Other Troubles'' (Samuli Valkama, 2012) is a Finnish romantic comedy film set in Turku. It stars Emilie de Ravin as Sara, an American line dance teacher, who meets Ville (Jussi Nikkilä), a 25-year-old former child star, and his father (Ville Virtanen), an ex-rock star, who both fall in love with her. *''The Girl King'' (Mika Kaurismäki, 2015) is a biographical drama about Christina, Queen of Sweden, who reigned from 1632 until her abdication in 1654. ===Climate=== [[File:Air temperature in Turku 2016.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Temperature in Turku in 2016]] [[File:Kommunalsjukhusvägen vintern 2010.jpg|thumb|Walk- and bikeway in winter, near the Kupittaa park]] Turku, like the rest of Finland, has four distinct seasons. Situated by the Baltic Sea and sheltered by the islands of the Archipelago Sea, Turku has a humid continental climate. Like much of southern Finland, the city experiences warm summers, with temperatures ranging up to 30°C (85°F), and winters with frequent snowfall and temperatures down to about −25°C (−15°F). The best time to visit is definitely the warm period from late May to early September. If visiting in wintertime and meeting slush, ride somewhat more inland (a local bus can get you far enough) and you will probably find the real snow. Once in a while you can find it in Turku city centre too. Current weather forecasts can be checked at the [http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/weather/turku Finnish Meteorological Institute website]. ===Visitor information=== Turku's official tourist agency is ''Turku Touring''. It serves also the larger region. *{{listing | name=Visit Turku |alt=| url=http://www.visitturku.fi/en | email=info@visitturku.fi | address=Aurakatu 2 | lat=60.44906 | long=22.26784 | directions=next to the City Hall, near the Aura bridge; at busy times also the back door is open<!-- and when it is locked, notices may be absent or confusing--> | phone=+358 2 262-7444 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 262-7679 | hours=Sep–Mar: daily 10:00–15:00; Apr–Sep: M–F 08:30–18:00, Sa Su 10:00–18:00 | price= |wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-03-13| content=Turku Touring's office offers advice, sight-seeing tours, maps, guide books, souvenirs, bicycle hire instructions, group outings and more. }} ==Get in== ===By plane=== ====Turku Airport (TKU)==== [[File:Aero Airlines ATR 72 ES-KRL at EFTU on 20060714.jpg|thumb|Passengers boarding Finnair flight to Helsinki at Turku airport.]] *{{listing | type=go | name=Turku Airport | alt={{IATA|TKU}} | url=http://www.finavia.fi/en/turku | email= | address= | lat=60.5109 | long=22.2743 | directions= 8&nbsp;km north of the city centre | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Turku Airport | image=Terminaali 1, Turun lentoasema, Turku, 11.7.2010.JPG | wikidata=Q1130231 | content=It is a compact airport with 2 terminals for check-in }} As of September 2021 [http://www.airbaltic.com Air Baltic] flies to Turku from [[Riga]], [http://wizzair.com/en-GB/ Wizz Air] from [[Gdansk]] and [[Skopje]], and [https://www.airleap.se Air Leap] from [[Mariehamn]] (and [[Stockholm]]?). Wizz Air will start flights from [[Larnaka]], [[Kaunas]] and [[Kraków]] later in the autumn. [https://www.tui.com TUI] charter flights will likewise start in the autumn. Bus line 1 departs from the airport every 20&nbsp;minutes and goes via the centre to the Port of Turku. Several hotels happen to be along the route. Tickets are available on board for €3/1.50 (free transfers for two hours, see [[#By bus 2|Get around]] for details). The line operates from 05:20 to 00:45. The day's last bus waits as long as 15 minutes if necessary, to allow passengers to catch it. The last buses operate only to Kauppatori, not to the harbour. ====Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)==== If coming by air, a common option is to fly to the internationally well connected [http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/home Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport] ({{IATA|HEL}}). Turku is 166 km away from Helsinki and easily reached by plane, train (transfer in Helsinki centre) or coach. With car the voyage by the Finnish national road 1 (E18) takes around 1hr40min. There is an almost hourly [https://www.matkahuolto.fi Matkahuolto] coach connection from Helsinki-Vantaa to Turku bus station operated by [http://www.vainionliikenne.fi/en Vainion Liikenne], departing from platform 13. Usually the voyage starts with AirBus, with an easy transfer to the Vainio coach at Turvesolmu. The service operates round the clock, although there may be a gap of two hours between services in the small hours of the night. The trip takes between 2 hr 15 min and 2 hr 55 min, depending on whether the service calls in towns on the way. [http://www.onnibus.com Onnibus.com] is typically a bit cheaper, but they leave from the central bus station of Helsinki and not directly from the airport. The Onnibus buses are red double-deckers with free Wi-Fi but little legroom. Book ticket online in advance for a cheaper price. ===By train=== [[File:Turun rautatieasema.jpg|thumb|Turku Central Railway Station.]] [[File:Turku railways 2018.jpg|thumb|View from Turku Railway Station to Logomo direction at 2018.]] [http://www.vr.fi/en VR], the state-owned railway company, operates the trains.<!-- all the domestic routes as well as the connections from [[Vyborg]], [[Saint Petersburg]] and [[Moscow]] in [[Russia]].--> Turku has three railway stations: the {{marker|type=go|url=|name=Central railway station|lat=60.45380 | long=22.25331}} ("Turku", service M-F 08:10–17:15) on the northern edge of Turku's central business district, {{marker|type=go|url=|name=Kupittaa railway station|lat=60.45050 | long=22.29700}} ("Kupittaa") in the eastern part of the city and {{marker|type=go|url=|name=Turku harbour railway stop|lat=60.43448 | long=22.22334}} ("Turku satama") in Turku harbour on the western edge of Turku centre. Trains arriving from the direction of [[Helsinki]] stop at Kupittaa while trains from [[Tampere]] arrive at the central station. Some of the latter continue onward to the harbour, which is handy if you are connecting to a passenger ferry towards [[Stockholm]] or [[Mariehamn]]. Kupittaa has limited service (tickets bought in advance or from a machine; service for the disabled available if booked), the harbour none: buy your ticket in advance. Only the central station is manned. From the central station you can purchase all domestic train tickets<!-- Services to Russia suspended -- -- train tickets from Finland to Saint Petersburg, Moscow and Vyborg-->, and InterRail cards to the rest of Europe. Normally also trains from Helsinki would continue to the central station and to the ferries, but a reconstruction of the railway between Kupittaa and the centre starts on 15 August 2022. For two years, trains from Helsinki will stop in Kupittaa and won't go further. There might be a special bus from the Kupittaa station to the harbour, for those with a train ticket to there. Other passengers are served by the normal city buses, paying the normal fares (lines 32 or 42 have their stop 200 m away across the street and either passes each 10 min in daytime, continuing through the centre and by the central station; use either the ascent by the train or the one ahead to get to the stop, the latter is more direct but lands you close to traffic, look out for your children). The trains from or via Tampere are not affected for the time being, other than concerning transfers towards Helsinki. Links between Turku and the rest of the country are frequent and excellent, although not hourly any more. There are connections from Helsinki and Tampere, travel time approximately 2 hours, [[Jyväskylä]] (3.5 hr), [[Kuopio]] (5.5 hr) and [[Oulu]] (7 hr). There is also an overnight car and sleeper train connection from [[Rovaniemi]] in [[Finnish Lapland|Lapland]] (10–15 hr, often with a transfer to a day train in Tampere). Some of the services have a "restaurant" car (café/pub with sandwiches etc., no real dining, although there may be also simple meals), most others a cart with drinks and snacks. The IC2 services have a family car, with space for prams, a playing corner upstairs and the accessible toilet doubling as family room. For most travellers from western Europe, the main option is to take the train to Stockholm and take a ferry cruise from there. This can be a scenic and environmental friendly option, and if you travel by rail otherwise, most of the European railway companies offer discounts for the ferry connection. A few buses (including lines 32 and 42) pass the Kupittaa and Turku stations on their way to the centre, just cross the street and wait for one, if you don't want to walk or take a bike ride. There will probably be bike sharing stations at the railway stations in the summer season (again from June 2022); see [[#By bicycle|By bicycle]] below. ===By bus=== [[File:Busstation of Turku.jpg|thumb|Turku bus station seen over Aninkaistenkatu. The platforms are behind the station building.]] Matkahuolto operates the {{marker|type=go|name=Turku bus station|lat=60.45712 | long=22.26808}}, where long-distance services usually terminate, as do some regional services. The station is at the northern edge of the city centre within walking distance from the central railway station (1 km) and Kauppatori (Market Square, 800 m). Matkahuolto abandoned the station building; facilities are open again, but Matkahuolto (with ticket sale and freight) may still use the freight terminal across Läntinen pitkäkatu. The bus station has good local bus connections, although it is not the hub for them. There are stops for local and regional lines at a few different places on or around the station, note where your bus stops. Some coach lines arriving at the station continue to the Port of Turku, if needed. If going there, tell that when buying your ticket and when boarding. By the station are Hotel Helmi, the café of which offers breakfast, lunch, light meals and take away, and a Hesburger. * {{listing |type=go |name=Matkahuolto Turku | address=Läntinen Pitkäkatu 7–9 | directions= | hours=M–F 07:00–19:00, Sa 09:00–15:00, Su closed }} Normal bus connections from Kamppi in '''[[Helsinki]]''' leave for Turku more or less every half an hour during the day and every hour or two during the night. Coming via [[Tallinn]], there may be a coach directly from the port, mostly via Kamppi. Direct connections and connections with transfer are available from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. All these connections are either express or special express (there may also be a few hard-to-find "regular" connections). Tickets cost around €30 (round trip around €55) for adults, around €20 for children aged 12–16, €15 for children aged 4–11 and Finnish students (ISIC ''not'' accepted). Children under the age of four travel for free. Cheaper tickets can often be had in advance on the net (check also the individual companies' websites). There are normally more or less hourly connections from '''[[Tampere]]''' and '''[[Pori]]''' in daytime, and each two hours from '''[[Vaasa]]''', some all the way from '''[[Oulu]]'''. <!-- Check: There is a line from '''[[Tampere]]''' hourly in daytime, the last coach arriving 00:55, from '''[[Pori]]''' about hourly (check!) and from '''[[Vaasa]]''' about every two hours, the last arriving 21:20. --> For timetables, for the above mentioned or other connections, see [https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en Matkahuolto]. Also [http://www.onnibus.fi Onnibus] has connections to Turku. Tickets to these buses vary in price, cheapest well in advance on the Internet, for same day usually about €10 when bought online, €15–20 from Helsinki if bought when boarding (with busy services often sold out). Direct bus services from [[Saint Petersburg]] are provided by [http://ensi-bus.ru/?p=30 Ensi-Bus] and [https://www.transgold.ru/marshrutka-v-turku/ Transgold] (check whether the sanctions have affected them). ===By ferry=== [[File:Viking Grace Ruissalo.jpg|thumb|''Viking Grace'' passing Ruissalo island on its way to [[Stockholm]].]] The most scenic way to get to Turku is by taking a passenger [[Baltic sea ferries|ferry]] across the Baltic Sea from [[Sweden]], from [[Stockholm]] or from Kapellskär, [[Norrtälje]]. The {{marker|type=go |url=http://www.portofturku.fi/portal/en |name=Port of Turku|lat=60.43482 | long=22.21966}} is next to Turku Castle and is easily accessible on bus line 1, which travels between the port and the airport via the centre. The port also has its own railway and bus station (by the Viking terminal and some trains and buses depart at the port (see [[#By train|By train]] and [[#By bus|By bus]] above). With light luggage [[Turku riverside walk|strolling along the river]] to the centre can be a nice option (3 km to Kauppatori, buses within reach all the time). A new ferry terminal is planned to be ready for use in 2025; there will be changes in arrangements during the construction works. The main cruise ferry option is Finnish [http://www.sales.vikingline.com/en/international/ Viking Line] with daily departures from Stockholm: one in the morning, arriving in the evening, and one in the evening, arriving in the morning. For a scenic view, and less expensive prices, a morning departure is advisable. Going in the night, you avoid one night at a hotel, but the effective sleeping time is short, as you are probably waked up for cleaning of the cabin well before arrival (generous, although not cheap, breakfast available). Evening departures provide adequate night club activities on board if you want to cut loose before arriving. Estonian [http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/web/int/book-a-cruise Tallink] (formerly Finnish Silja) also operates a ferry from Sweden, until mid-September 2022 along the same lines as Viking, after that one daily departure from Kapellskär via Långnäs, arriving in Turku 16:30 and returning in the night. For those with vehicles (e.g. a car or bikes) there are also more quiet ropax ferries from Kapellskär (either directly or via Långnäs) to [[Naantali]] 20 km from Turku, by [http://www.finnlines.com Finnlines]. Local buses serve Naantali, tickets €3/1.50 with transfers included, an additional €5 for a bike. Nearly all ferries make a brief stop in Åland, in either [[Mariehamn]] or Långnäs. Due to this stop, plus a Finnish-demanded exception to [[European Union]] rules, passengers can make [[Duty free shopping|duty-free]] purchases on the ferries. Looking for special offers may save a lot of money on the ferry passage. In summer, book early if you have a car, especially if it exceeds standard dimensions. It is also possible to take '''smaller ferries from Åland''', connecting islands of Åland and the Archipelago Sea with each other and with the mainland. Using the small ferries is more complicated and possibly more expensive, but can be rewarding. See [[Åland#Get around]], [[Korpo]], [[Brändö]] and [[Houtskär]]. ===By yacht=== [[File:Summer scene at Turku guest harbour.jpg|thumb|Summer scene at Turku guest harbour.]] Many people also from other regions, including Helsinki, spend their summer vacation yachting around the [[Archipelago Sea]] surrounding Turku. The Sea of Åland and the Gulf of Finland, coming from Sweden and Estonia respectively, can easily be crossed in a day, while a voyage directly from [[Gotland]] requires overnight sailing. There is an abundance of minor guest harbours on the remaining distance through the archipelago. Turku Guest Harbour is on the Aura river halfway between the port and Kauppatori, while the TPS guest harbour, Ruissalo Marina and Ruissalon Telakka are on the scenic island of Ruissalo, with buses (line 8) to the city centre once an hour or half an hour in daytime. Except Telakka, they have fuel stations and septic tank emptying. There is also a free mooring site above the Aura bridge, but only for short visits without high mast, perhaps a nice tour if you have a suitable dinghy (bridge height 3.6 m; max 3 hr 08:00–22:00). From the cathedral upstream the river is shallow; there are shallows especially in the middle of the river and perhaps at the bridges. There is a portage at the Halinen rapids and dam north of the centre; upstream from there it is a popular canoeing route. * {{listing|type=go | name=Turku Guest Harbour | alt= | url=http://www.turunvierasvenesatama.fi/en | email= | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 57 | lat=60.4401 | long=22.2447 | directions=in the centre, 2 km from Kauppatori | phone=+358 400-880-051 or +358 400-536-613 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€28–45; in season with beam <3m and without reservation: €32 | lastedit=2019-06-28 | content=City guest harbour. Good services, including non-free laundromat. May be full in peak season. For size over 15m×5.2m, check special arrangements. }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Ruissalon Telakka | alt= | url=https://ruissalontelakka.fi | email= | address=Hevoskarintie 23 | lat=60.43669 | long=22.20569 | directions=Ruissalo, opposite Port of Turku | phone=+358 400-330-413 | tollfree= | hours= | price=€25 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-28 | content=Former boat yard; some of the yachts built here again call the harbour home, and part of the moorings are reserved for classical yachts. From here to the centre you can either take the [https://www.foli.fi/en/waterbus water bus] (daytime in season, bikes free) or walk 400 m to the bus stop for a 12-min ride with line 8. Both options use the Föli tickets (€3/1.50). Café and pizzeria. Toilets and showers, but no fuel or septic tank emptying. }} * {{listing|type=go | name=TPS Guest Harbour | alt= | url=http://turunpursiseura.fi/satamat/vierassatama-guest-harbour/ | email=toimisto@turunpursiseura.fi | address=Pursiseuranranta 30 | lat=60.4265 | long=22.1593 | directions= | phone=+358 44-376-2655 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€20 | lastedit=2019-06-28 | content=Marina of one of the local yacht clubs. On the island Ruissalo, a 20-minute bus ride (line 8) from the centre. Services include sauna and Wi-Fi. Restaurant. Guiding to the mooring from the fuel pier, off hours look for orange cones instead. }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Ruissalo Marina | alt= | url=https://www.ruissalomarina.fi | email= | address=Ruissalon puistotie 618 | lat=60.4261 | long=22.1073 | directions= | phone=+358 2 445-5926 (10:00–19:00), +358 2 445-40 (off hours) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€30 | lastedit=2019-06-28 | content=By the Ruissalon Kylpylä spa hotel near the western end of the island, a 25-minute bus ride (line 8) from the centre. Reservation recommended. }} ===By car=== [[File:Saariston rengastie 11.jpg|thumb|Sign at the [[Archipelago Trail]]]] Turku is well connected by roads to other parts of Finland. Main routes are national road 1 (E18) from [[Saint Petersburg]] and [[Helsinki]], 8 ([[E8 through Finland and Norway|E8]]) from [[Tromsø]], [[Vaasa]] and [[Pori]] along the west coast, 9 (E63) from [[Kuopio]], [[Jyväskylä]] and [[Tampere]], and 10 from [[Hämeenlinna]]. Road 40 circulates Turku. E18 is a high-speed controlled-access highway all the way from Russia, roads 8 and 9 are high-speed highways for some distance outside the city. Turku can be reached from Helsinki in around 1 hr 40 min in summer and 2 hrs 40 in winter. The former main road from Helsinki, now regional road 110, is somewhat slower but allows your seeing more of the landscape. From Sweden, use the [[#By ferry|above]] mentioned ferries. Those to Turku and Naantali, and on the routes from Åland via Korpo or via Brändö and Kustavi, all take cars. There are a few scenic roads around Turku as well: * '''[[Archipelago Trail|The Archipelago Trail]]''' (''Skärgårdens ringväg'', ''Saariston Rengastie'') allows travellers to access [[Archipelago Sea|the archipelago]] without a boat of their own. Part of the "trail" can be used when coming from Sweden via [[Åland]]: drive to Långnäs and take the ferry to Korpo, or use the ferries via Brändö and Kustavi. * '''[[Hämeen Härkätie]]''' leads to Turku from [[Hämeenlinna]] and is the most important road of early Finnish history. The route was once used by merchants, pilgrims, and kings. Along the route, with small detours, you will find a splendid array of interesting sites, such as museums, churches and shopping spots. If you want to really experience a journey in time, you can stay at an old manor house or inn along the way. * The partly medieval '''[[King's Road]]''' (''Kuninkaantie'', ''Kungsvägen'') leads to Turku along the south coast all the way from the eastern border of Finland, passing Helsinki. It is part of the old post roads, dating back to the 14th century, that lead from Stockholm to Christiania (Oslo) and Bergen on the Atlantic coast (of Norway), and, crossing the [[Archipelago Sea]], via Turku to Viborg (now Vyborg in Russia). The modern tourist route is extended all the way to Saint Petersburg. You can see lots of medieval churches, museums and old villages along the road. === By bike === Bikes can be taken on the ferry from Sweden or Åland for €5–12. The fee on trains and coaches is similar. Onnibus does not take bikes. For getting in from Åland, the [[Archipelago Trail]] can be used, taking a ferry to Korpo, Houtskär, Iniö or Kustavi and continuing along the trail from there. The [https://en.eurovelo.com/ev10/finland Eurovelo 10] route around the Baltic Sea goes through Turku. From the east (Vaalimaa–Helsinki–Ekenäs–Salo) it is developed and signposted (not the Russian leg though). From the north it is developed from Vaasa onwards, but not yet signposted (as of 2022). ==Get around== {{Mapframe|60.4493|22.2683|zoom=13|height=370|width=620|layer=|staticmap=|align=|name=}} {{nowrap|Turku has an excellent}} public transportation system, and its buses reach every corner of the city. The hub for the local bus traffic is normally the market square, ''Kauppatori'' (Swedish: ''Salutorget''), which is in the central business district and often considered the midpoint of the city. The construction works of 2018–2022 are getting finished, and in September 2022 the buses will return. Until then, most bus stops have moved away temporarily to nearby roads. Most main sights are within walking distance from the square. A bike is the quickest way to get around and cycleways are generally good, although not always fast (try a nice trip along the river), and missing from many roads in the centre. === By foot=== {{see also|Turku riverside walk}} The vast majority of the city's sights are within a kilometre or two from Kauppatori. The river Aura passes through the centre, and its banks are very popular, allowing for a pleasant stroll from, say, the national shrine of Finland, the Turku Cathedral, to the Turku Castle, which used to house Swedish Kings – or upstream to experience some countryside. Turku Touring, the official tourist agency of the city, offers different walking tours for visitors. There are also leaflets with self guided walking tours, such as Sculpture walk, ArchitecTour, Romantic Turku and Stepping it up. You can get a map from the main library (Linnankatu 2) or the tourist information (Aurakatu 2). If you have a smartphone you can download a Citynomadi app and get a map there. ===By bicycle === The fastest and most flexible way of seeing Turku is on a bike. There are good bike paths mostly as needed, although at the very heart of the city you have to know the routes or sometimes join car traffic, or get off the bike unless sufficiently experienced; not all the best routes are obvious. A four-year experiment with salted [http://www.turku.fi/sv/nyhet/2017-10-26_testrutt-vintercykling-i-centrum winter routes] in the centre started 2017 (12 km first year; Civitas eccentric). These routes lead along the river, around the campuses and through the central business district. Elsewhere cycleways and roads are not always maintained sufficiently in the winter for easy (in the centre: safe) biking, but local hardcore cyclists are biking throughout the year. Main biking routes are well signposted. In the centre there are often temporary disruption of these routes (markets, roadworks etc.), and bicycle arrangements are then often neglected. This is more seldom a problem elsewhere. The map at [https://kartta.turku.fi/IMS/en/Map kartta.turku.fi] can show biking routes: open the layers menu in the upper left corner, choose Traffic, then Bicycle paths, and use the check boxes. Regional biking route 1 goes to the tip of the recreation island Ruissalo, route 2 to Naantali, route 4 to Naantali via Raisio centre, route 9 to Lieto along Hämeentie, route 10 to Piikkiö via Nummi, Varissuo and Littoinen, route 11 along Uudenmaantie via Kaarina and Piikkiö to Paimio, route 12 via Hirvensalo and Satava to Kakskerta, For getting farther out of the city, bikes can be loaded on the local buses (including regional buses in the Föli cooperation) for €6 at the driver's discretion, i.e. probably when there are not too many passengers. Cost on coaches varies by company, often about the price of a children's ticket for longer voyages, sometimes likewise a flat €6. The city tourist office can suggest cycling routes. They also rent bikes (€23/day). '''Bike theft''' is common and vandalism happens. A lock gives some protection. If leaving the bike close to the river it should be locked to something. ====Bike sharing==== [https://www.foli.fi/en/f%C3%B6li-bikes Fölläri bike sharing] is since 2022 in cooperation with [[Urban cycling#Donkey Republic|Donkey Republic]], with 700 seven-geared bikes. The continuation of the Föllläri scheme was postponed repeatedly, but the bikes are now there. You will need an app; using the bikes requires a smartphone (Apple/Android) with Bluetooth and GPS enabled. There are 70 stations, half of which virtual (just leave the bike in the designated area found by the app and register the end of journey as usual). Most of the virtual stations will be outside the centre and they will get moved at times, depending on usage patterns. The hire can also be ended outside stations, for an additional fee. Usage for one hour at the time costs €2 per time, €6 per month or €35 per season (April–October; in 2022 cheaper to pay month for month). Additional time costs €1 for 15 min, €1.50 for 30 min, €2 for 1 hr, €5 for 4 hr, €12 for a day. Thus, for a one-off one-day rental, the cost is €14. The monthly or seasonal payments seems to count as Donkey Republic membership in other towns; it seems you can use such a membership also in Turku. Usage (except the fee for additional time) is included in the 30 day Föli bus tickets. * {{listing | name=Donkey Republic customer service | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 2 4885-8185 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 07:00–21:00 Sa–Su 10:00–21:00 | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-12 | content=Customer service for the Fölläri bikes. }} Other options include: * {{listing | name=10Bikes | alt= | url=https://10bikes.fi | email=info@10bikes.fi | address=Yliopistinkatu 8 | lat= | long= | directions=in the yard at Yliopistonkatu; pop-up station in the café area in front of the cathedral, near the traffic lights | phone=+358 400-176-100 | tollfree= | hours=Shop 10:00–18:00 | price=€5+€5/hr | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Local business. Electricity assisted bikes for rent. Short rentals from the pop-up station with the Movelo smartphone app, longer rentals from the shop. City bikes and bikes for gravel. }} * {{listing | name=Polkupyörävuokraamo | alt= | url=http://www.polkupyoravuokraamo.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the harbour | phone=+358 440-224-161 | tollfree= | hours= | price=€14/day, €63/week | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Bike rental. Also tandems and trailers. }} Those who have a '''library card''' might be able to borrow bikes from the [[#Learn|main library]] in summer (until 30 September), for free. Return the bike before the library closes in the evening. ====Bicycle service==== There are several bike shops offering service for bikers. Here some of them: * {{buy | name=Bikestation | url=http://www.bikestation.fi/info/en/about_us/visit_us/ | email= | address=Kirkonmäentie 3, [[Sauvo]] | lat=60.34245 | long=22.69601 | directions=35 km from Turku | phone=+358 44-324-4010 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The only bicycle service and shop specialized in Rohloff bicycles and gears in Turku region. Also mobile power supply (powered by hub dynamo) and hand made wheels for bike travellers. }} * {{buy | name=Visan polkupyörähuolto | url=http://www.visainen.com/ | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 8 | lat=60.454 | long=22.273 | directions=in the corner of Aninkaistenkatu and Yliopistonkatu | phone=+358 2 231-1191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Competent bicycle shop hidden in a back yard. Does not sell only mainstream stuff. }} * {{buy | name=Raispo | alt= | url=http://www.raispo.fi | email=info@raispo.fi | address=Itäinen Pitkäkatu 38-40 | lat=60.444481 | long=22.277783 | directions= | phone=+358 40-557-7158 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-14:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-04-13 | content=Bike shop with bike service. }} ===By electric kick scooter=== Swedish [http://www.voiscooters.com Voi], German [https://tier.app Tier] and Norwegian [https://www.ryde-technology.com Ryde] have electric kick scooters for rent, to use in the centre. Dott seems to be coming. See [[Finland#By motorised scooter|Finland &sect; By motorised scooter]]. ===By bus === <!-- [[File:Åbo salutorg 2010, Blommor och grönsaker.jpg|thumb|Streets around Kauppatori normally form the hub for the local and some regional bus lines – not 2018–2020.]] --> [[File:Föli bus -1 in front of Turku Castle.jpg|thumb|Turku city bus, line 1, by the castle]] [[File:Passenger ferry on Aurajoki.jpg|thumb|Water bus (passenger ferry) on the river]] Tickets are harmonized with some of the surrounding municipalities: Raisio, [[Naantali]], [[Kaarina]], [[Turku countryside|Rusko]] and [[Turku countryside|Lieto]], as the "'''Föli'''" cooperation. Tickets are handled as if all buses serving the area were local, except for lines 117, 118, 119 and 802. * {{listing | name=Monitori | alt= | url= | email=joukkoliikenne@turku.fi | address=Aurakatu | lat= | long= | directions=in KOP-kolmio by Kauppatori | phone=+358 2 262-4811 (M–F 08:00–15:00 Sa 09:00–14:00) | tollfree= | hours=M–F 08:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–14:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-06-05 | content=Bus customer service now across the street from the old office, combined with municipal services. Address, hours etc. need updating. }} Information about local buses can be found at the [http://www.foli.fi/en Föli] pages. There are several map views (e.g. one showing the current locations of buses) and tailored timetable views (such as for a specific stop) and a '''route planner'''. The planner works well in most situations, but some sanity checks are needed: the planner can guess at destinations with "similar" spelling, it thinks "Bus station, Turku" means the one in the port, and it may behave oddly when no suitable bus is found for whatever reason. You can also use the [http://nysse.mobi Nysse] mobile app for journey planning. Most buses go through the centre, with the area around '''Kauppatori''' serving as hub – but distance between some stops is long, as the roads around Kauppatori are closed during construction works (2018–2022). Now most "hub" stops have been moved one block down toward the river, to '''Linnankatu''' or its surroundings, some to '''Puutori''' square two blocks toward the bus station. Most regional buses now start from the bus station and most lines use the Aurasilta bridge instead of the Tuomiokirkko bridge. There are also other fundamental changes in the routes in the centre. Buses will return to stops by the square on 26 September 2022. There are few 'circle lines', so usually if you need to transfer, you will need to take one bus to the centre, then transfer there to the bus taking you to your final destination. As buses generally go in two directions from the centre, make sure that you are taking the correct numbered bus in the correct direction as well. Transfer by the cathedral, Puutori or some other suitable stop may be more convenient than using the central stops, as these are spread out during the works at Kauppatori. The Föli route planner does suggest such alternative transfer points. Destinations are mentioned in Finnish on some stops and alternating between languages on most buses, but you should still note the numbers of the lines you intend to use. If going towards Kauppatori it is mostly enough to know on what side of the street to stand. Buses passing the municipality border mostly have 3-digit numbers (notable exceptions lines 6 and 7). Buses not reaching Turku (often minibuses with sparse schedules) have their number prefixed with a letter, such as L for Lieto – but "P" means Turku lines meant primary for seniors. There are some quirks, e.g. some '''regional buses''' use stops for city buses, others those for coaches. Regional buses with destinations outside the Föli area are usually part of the cooperation inside it, but for trips out of the area you cannot use Föli tickets at all (notably 7xx, 8xx and 9xx via Kaarina, and some 4xx buses through Lieto). A few such buses (117, 118, 119 and 802) don't take Föli tickets at all. Only some regional buses are shown on electronic displays and timetables at bus stops. Single '''tickets''' are valid for unlimited transfers within two hours of the ticket's purchase. They can be bought with debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard or Eurocard) that have contactless (EMV) payment enabled, with the [https://www.foli.fi/en/mobile-ticket Föli app] or in advance for €3, children 7–14: €1.50. Bought from the driver they cost €4/2. In the night (23:00–04:00) tickets cost €1 more. Notes of more than €20 are not always accepted. Persons in wheelchair and the person assisting travel for free, as does a person with an infant or toddler in a baby carriage (use the middle door, the driver will help with the wheelchair ramp; there is usually sufficient space). Children under 7 years old need a ticket only when travelling alone. If you intend to take the bus more than twice a day (read: in more than two 2-hr periods), it becomes economical to ask the bus driver for a 24-hour ticket, priced €7.50. The electronic payments should do this automatically and subtract already paid single tickets from the price, given that you use the same device all the time. They also keep count of the 2 hr transfer period. The office at Kauppatori, R kiosks and other service points sell cards for one day and more, costing €8 for the first day, €3 for each additional day up to a week, €25 for ten days, with €1.50 for additional days. The equivalent can also be bought in the app. Those staying more than a few days or travelling as a group may want to check other options also, e.g. "value cards", with which trips (including transfers) cost €2.20/1.20, plus €1 in the night. For groups, ask for a group card (ordinary children's cards are personal, adults' cards valid for three persons). Show the card to the machine once for each person the first time, once for all the group at "transfers". Value (and days) can be added on the Internet, in the Föli bureau, in R kiosks and at some other locations. Once upon the time modifier letters (as in 12A and 12B) got removed and numbers changed (in this case to 32 and 42). The lines are ordered according to these associations: 1, 2, 2A, 3, 30, 4, ... Often the '''associated lines''' behave the same most of the route, but have different destinations in one end. In a few cases the destination varies without any change in line number (e.g. 13 going to Impivaara, "uimahalli", half of the time), usually with a sign in the front window of the bus. The corresponding notes in the timetable are often incomprehensible without some understanding of the individual lines, but usually you know when you need to understand them and can ignore them otherwise. The worst trap is some extra rush hour buses on long lines stopping prematurely: check that you get the one going all the way to your stop. '''Timetable''' booklets give starting times at the ends of the route and at Kauppatori, and an estimated duration of the trip to or from Kauppatori. Some lines are (only or additionally) listed in groups, with information for common (possibly intermediate) destinations. Sometimes a line being in the booklet twice is not evident, check carefully if relevant. The timetables at major stops instead give the estimated passing time of the bus (and line number, as lines are grouped together). A timetable booklet can be bought from the bus office at Kauppatori (€1). A map is for sale separately (€2; not including the neighbouring towns, nor the extreme points of Turku). School buses, night lines, rush hour lines and lines serving the elderly, and the quirks of these, are partly handled in their own maps, chapters and booklets, although tickets are valid as usual. Some interesting or useful lines include: * '''1 Seaport – Centre – Airport''' The line to use to and from the airport and seaport. Departs from the airport and seaport every 20 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, twice an hour on Sundays, more often to/from the harbour at ferry arrival/departure times. Much cheaper than taking a cab. Passes the bus station in the centre of Turku between Kauppatori and the airport (except the extra harbour services, which turn at Kauppatori). * '''8 Centre – Railway station – Ruissalo''' The bus route through the large Ruissalo island, a popular summer destination with beaches, villas, a botanic garden and a nature reserve. * '''14, 15 Saramäki – Oriketo – Centre – Erikvalla / Kakskerta''' Bus lines which go to islands of Satava (14) and Kakskerta (15), which have beautiful countryside and archipelago nature to enjoy. 40-min ride from Kauppatori (one way). * '''21, 23 Centre – Paattinen – Tortinmäki''' Long countryside route which you can ride at no more cost than the ordinary city bus ticket. Tortinmäki is a 6-km walk (or bike ride) from [[Kurjenrahka National Park]], in season some of the services extend to the park. * '''99 Ilpoinen / Uittamo – Skanssi – Länsikeskus – Perno / Pansio''' A long suburb sightseeing line bypassing the centre; a one-way ride takes over an hour. * '''[https://www.foli.fi/en/waterbus 180 water bus] Martinsilta – Pikisaari and Ruissalo''' A water bus using Föli tickets, bikes free; late May through August, some September weekends). See [[#By ferry 2|By ferry below]]. ===By taxi === [[File:Aurakatu Turku 3 kesä 2011.jpg|thumb|Aura street in central Turku.]] Taxis are abundant and easily available throughout the city. There are three crunch times when getting a taxi might be problematic: the morning and evening ferry departure times (particularly in summer), around 08:00 and 21:00, and the bar closing times (particularly on weekends) around 04:00. Before the deregulation quick 1–3 km trips would cost in the €8–15 vicinity, and you should not have to pay much more now. Most companies add a fee per kilometre and a fee per minute, more or less doubling the nominal price. Taxis generally accept major international credit cards. At the railway station and similar places there may also be a "Kimppataxi" offering rides together with strangers (cf ''minivans'' in some countries), which in some cases is considerably cheaper. Most taxis use the Taxidata call centre. There are several other companies, including Taksi Länsi-Suomi (serving most of Finland Proper), the Helsinki based companies (at least Menevä and Kajon) and some small ones, but their cars are mainly found at certain taxi ranks. If using their call centres it might be wise to check that there is a taxi available nearby before committing. Pre-booking is free for some of these competitors. Like elsewhere in Finland, the taxis belong to smaller companies with just an agreement with the call centre. * {{listing|type=go | name=Taxidata | alt= | url=http://taxidata.fi/hinnasto/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 2 100-41 | tollfree= | hours= | price=€1.67/call+pvm/mpm (app free); flag-fall M–F 06:00–18:00, Sa 06:00–16:00 €3,90, other times €6.90; €1.10/km + €0.90/min for 1–4 passengers or €1.59/km + €0.90/min for 5–8 passengers. Example: 4 persons 5 km in the evening, 30 km/h, called by phone: €1.67+6.90+5.50+9+mpm = €23.07+mpm | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2017-06-30 | content=Also bookable by app. Calling centre used by most taxis. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Menevä Turku | url=https://www.meneva.fi/en/service-areas/varsinais-suomi/turku | email=leif@meneva.fi | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 50-471-0470 (head of office) | tollfree=0800-02120 (booking) | hours= | price=Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €4, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €0.90/km + €0.90/km, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (July 2020) | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-07-25 | content=Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Taksi Länsi-Suomi | alt= | url=https://www.taksilansisuomi.fi/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 20-003-000 (extra charge?) | tollfree= | hours= | price=Flag fall M–F 06:00–20:00, Sa 06:00–16:00 €4.90, other times €8.90; 1–4 persons €1.49/km + €0,99/min, 5–8 persons €1.89/km + €0,99/min | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-19 | content=Serves most of Finland Proper. Call centre in cooperation with Taksi Helsinki. Available also through the Valopilkku app. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=iTaksi | alt= | url=https://www.itaksi.fi | email=info@itaksi.fi | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 10-212-0000 (extra charge?) | tollfree= | hours= | price=€4.00/6.00+€0.90/km+€0.85/min | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. }} * {{listing | name=Yango | alt= | url=https://yango.yandex.com/turku/tariff | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=€6.00+€1.10/km+€0.40/min (Starting fare includes 5 min and 2 km) | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-12-17 | content=Yango is a Russian company which offers cheap fares. }} * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Uber, Taksinappi ===By ferry === [[Image:Turku Ferry across river Aura.jpg|thumb|Föri crossing Aura river in front of the guest harbour.]] * {{go|url=|name=Föri|lat=60.4411 | long=22.2479 |wikipedia=Föri |wikidata=Q1480060 |image=Turku, Finland - panoramio (27).jpg |hours=06:15–21:00 daily, in summer 06:15–23:00, replaced by boardwalk in cold winters |price=Free |content=This city ferry shuttles people and their bikes (no cars allowed) across the Aura River since a century, first taking passengers in 1904. Beloved by Turku citizens, the little orange ferry covers a grand distance of 78 metres and takes about a minute and a half. A running local gag is to ask visitors if they have taken the trip from Turku across to Åbo on the Föri yet; actually, both sides of the river are called the same, Åbo is just the Swedish name. Incidentally, the name comes from the Swedish ''färja'' and is related to the English word "ferry". }} * {{go |url=https://www.foli.fi/en/waterbus|name=Föli water buses |price=€3/1.5 (ordinary Föli ticket), bikes free |hours=2022: daily 23 May–28 Aug, Sa–Su until 17 September. Every 45 min, round trip 1.5 hr. First departure 10:15, last return back by Martinsilta 19:55, an additional evening tour to and from Telakka in June–July |content=m/s ''Ruissalo'' and m/s ''Jaarli'' go from just downstream from Martinsilta (eastern, left bank) to the Kansanpuisto park on Ruissalo, via Forum Marinum and either Pikisaari on Hirvensalo or the Telakka marina. Tip: Take a bicycle with you without extra fee if the ferry is not too crowded. }} * {{go |url=http://jakkejokilautta.fi/|name=Jakke Jokilautta| image=Jakke Jokilautta.jpg |lat=60.4483 | long=22.2683 |price=€5/2 (children 3–14), family (2+2) €12 |content=''River ferry Jakke'' is a café ferry going up and down the river all the way from the castle to the cathedral. Along the way you can enjoy refreshments and the wonderful views of the city. Some of the cruises are also guided. There are five stops along the river for the ferry: Tintå restaurant, Pharmacy museum, Esposito, Turku guest harbour and Crichton street. The ferry always stops at the Pharmacy museum and Crichton street, and if there are people waiting for the ferry, also on the other stops. }} ====Archipelago cruises==== [[File:SS Ukkopekka Kultaranta 2004.jpg|thumb|Ukkopekka on its way from Naantali to Turku.]] There are a number of cruises in and tour boat connections to the archipelago, e.g. to the island [[Rymättylä#Recreation islands|Vepsä]], a recreational area of the city (1–2 hours), to [[Nagu]] parish village or [[Själö]] (2 hr across Airisto, back in the evening), to [[Utö]] in the very outskirts of the Archipelago Sea (5 hr; twice a week, overnight stay at the island necessary due to the distance) or to [[Naantali]] with the Moomin world, Kultaranta (the summer residence of the President of Finland) and a nice wooden old town. Most ferries taking passengers to the archipelago can be found between Martinsilta bridge and Föri. Some of the tours are available only in summertime, others continue as long as ice conditions permit. On your way out from the city you can see the old ships by Forum Marinum, Turku castle, the harbour and Pikisaari and Ruissalo with their old charming villas, before you reach the open Airisto. * {{listing|type=go|url=http://www.ukkopekka.fi/en |name=s/s Ukkopekka | wikipedia=SS Ukkopekka |image=SS Ukkopekkaa.jpg |wikidata=Q4412741 | directions=just downstream of the Martinsilta bridge |lat=60.44416 | long=22.25336 |phone= |price=Naantali: €24 single, €29 return, family €66/80, lunch €14; Loistokari: €48–55; children 3–12/3–14 half price |content=Family-owned steamship. Archipelago cruises from Turku to Naantali (day cruises; 1 hr 45 min each way, immediate return or 2 hr in Naantali) and to the island of Loistokari (evening cruises, dance at the Loistokari pier, buffet meal included) in the summer season. }} * {{listing|type=go| |name=m/s Rudolfina |url=http://www.rudolfina.fi | email=rudolfina@rudolfina.fi |lat=60.4433 | long=22.2515 |phone=+358 2 250-2995, +358 40-846-3000 |price=€30–40, including a meal |wikidata=Q52333105 |image=Rudolfina Aurajoella 2.JPG |content=Lunch and diner cruises. }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Rosita |alt= |url=http://www.rosita.fi/reittiliikenne.php | email=info@rosita.fi | image=Lily Turku.JPG |lat=60.44401 | long=22.25297 | phone=+358 2 213-1500 | price=Return €20/9, single €12/6, family €47, pets €4; children 0–11; reduction €2/ticket on internet | lastedit=2021-05-24 | content=With '''m/s ''Lily''''' you can depart for a two-hour cruise in the Airisto or spend the entire summer's day (or a few) on the Vepsä island. The voyage is an hour each way. There is a café on board. The main deck consist of a bright 100-person lounge, with a 40-seater cabinet downstairs and a large deck and sun terrace upstairs. Also plain cruises. }} * {{listing|type=go | name=m/s Norrskär | alt= | url=http://www.vitharun.fi/en/timetables/turku-seili-nagu | email=info@vitharun.fi | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 37 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 400-176-684 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=2021: 8 May–19 September Sa–Su, 12 Jun–29 Aug daily; 09:30 or 10:00 from Turku, 11:15 at Själö, 12:15 in Kyrkbacken, start from Kyrkbacken 16:00 or 16:15, back 18:15 or 18:30 | price=Själö or Kyrkbacken single €25/15, return €37/23; bike €6, return €10; children 3–15 years | lastedit=2021-05-24 | content=Connects Turku with Själö and Kyrkbacken. Times with guided tours on Själö. Kiosk on board. Lunch possible in Själö or Kyrkbacken. }} ===By car === Parking lots by the street are sparse at rush hours, but otherwise you should be able to park your car for a while quite near the place where you are going. Short time parking often free, otherwise expect to pay €1–2/hr in the centre, less in the outskirts, where even free lots can be found. Parking halls, such as the underground {{marker|type=go|url=http://www.p-louhi.fi|name=P Louhi|lat=60.45490 | long=22.26060}} (stairs/lift to Kauppatori and the pedestrian street) usually have plenty of free space. [https://www.q-park.fi/en-gb/ Q-Park] also operates several parking halls in central Turku. Most of the largest hotels have their own parking halls. When parking in the street in winter and spring, note times reserved for maintenance. The roads around Kauppatori are as of July 2022 mostly closed for through traffic. ===By funicular=== * {{go | name=Kakola funicular | alt= | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/funicular | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q26723781 | lastedit=2022-07-28 | content=The Kakola funicular opened in 2019, takes passengers up to the Kakola hill. The first funicular in Finland, it's more of an elevator as it lacks a driver. Kakola was known for the prison that operated there until 2007 after which the buildings were renovated into offices and apartments. Riding the funicular is free of charge but as it has been riddled with problems since the opening, and has become infamous for being out of service every now and then there's a chance you don't get to try out ride at all. }} ==See== The vast majority of the city's sights are within a kilometre or two from Kauppatori. Two sights in the city are considered above others (by Finnish visitors): the medieval castle, which is the symbol of Turku, and Turku cathedral, the national shrine of Finland, but there are several more modest pearls to find. Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova invites visitors to explore the medieval history and culture of Turku and to reflect upon thought-provoking contemporary art. ''Luostarinmäki'' is the only larger part of the city that survived the great fire of Turku in 1827. Nowadays it houses an open air living handicrafts museum, with local artisans working in traditional ways. The ''biological museum'' has dioramas showing Finnish fauna of different biotops. The ''museum of art'' has a collection from the time of national awakening in the 19th century, besides more modern works. The '''Museokortti''' card gives free entrance to most museums. ===History and museums=== [[File:Aboa Vetus Ars Nova 3.jpg|thumb|Entrance of Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova.]] * {{see | name=Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova | url=http://www.aboavetusarsnova.fi/en | email=info@aboavetusarsnova.fi | address=Itäinen Rantakatu 4–6 | lat=60.449844 | long=22.273457 | directions= | phone=+358 20-718-640 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:00–19:00 | price=€10/7/5.50, family ticket €24, children under 7 free | wikidata=Q3022430 | content=Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova combines history and contemporary art; Aboa Vetus tells about the history of Turku and about archaeology, with a nice touch for children. Ars Nova is a museum of modern art. The permanent exhibition of Aboa Vetus illuminates the medieval life of Turku. The museum consists of the ruins of stone buildings exposed in archaeological excavations. Now you can actually step in and walk on the medieval streets of Turku, which used to be buried underground. The largest museum shop in Turku, Laurentius museum shop, is by the entrance. It sells jewellery, toys, cards, books and other souvenirs. The museum also houses [http://www.aboavetusarsnova.fi/fi/vierailulle-museoon/ravintola-kahvila M Kitchen and Café], the brunch of which is especially popular among Turku residents. In the summertime the [http://linnateatteri.fi/www/ Linnateatteri] theatre company also performs comedy in the museums courtyard. }} * {{see | name=Botanical Garden | alt= | url=http://www.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/kasvitieteellinen-puutarha/Sivut/home.aspx | email=puutarharuissalo@utu.fi | address=Ruissalon puistotie 215 | lat=60.43330 | long=22.17334 | directions= | phone=+358 2 276-1900 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Indoor gardens daily 10:00–17:00, outdoor gardens daily 08:00–20:00 | price=Indoor gardens €6/4/free, Outdoor gardens are free | content=The Turku University Botanical Garden on the Island of Ruissalo is both a centre for scientific research and a public showcase for the fascinating world of plants. The outdoor and indoor gardens display over 5000 species and varieties of plants. In the greenhouses are a wide range of succulent plants and a collection of tropical species. Next to the modern greenhouse is the outdoor garden where the edible plants, roses, meadow flowers, rock plants and exotic trees and shrubs all flourish. Another distinguishing feature of the new landscapes are the artificial ponds containing colourful waterlilies and other wetland plants. There's also a cafeteria on the garden premises. }} * {{see | name= Biological Museum | alt= | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/biologicalmuseum | email=museokeskus@turku.fi | address=Neitsytpolku 1 | lat=60.4446 | long=22.2645 | directions= | phone=+358 2 262-0340 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–Su 09:00–17:00, Mondays closed | price=adults €5, children €3, children under 7 years free, family €13 | wikidata=Q4086898 | content=The Turku Biological Museum is a diorama-museum that resides in a beautiful wooden Art Nouveau building. Thirteen nature scenes present the fauna and flora of Finland, from the archipelago all the way to the fells of Lapland. The Biological Museum has altogether 30 common Finnish mammals and 136 bird species on display. The Biological Museum is great for all those interested in nature and cultural history. The Museum was established in 1907 and most of the Dioramas date back all the way to that period. There are also varying small-scale exhibitions and other types of annual events held at the museum. The museum is a popular visiting destination for school groups and it is also a suitable visiting destination for younger children. A small museum shop sells postcards, posters and other assorted items related to the museum. Right next to the Museums is the wonderfully green Sports Park of Turku (''Urheilupuisto''). }}<!-- -->[[File:Brinkhallin kartano.jpg|thumb|Brinkhall Manor]] * {{see | name=Brinkhall Manor | alt= | url=https://www.brinkhall.fi/ | email=brinkhall@kulttuuriperinto.fi | address=Brinkhallintie 414 | lat=60.3700 | long=22.2408 | directions= | phone=+358 440-940-048 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=24 Jun-17 Aug: Tu–Su 10:00–18:00 | price= | content=The Brinkhall Manor, on the island of Kakskerta, can trace its history back to the 16th century. The manor consists of some 20 buildings and 34 hectares of park, gardens, agricultural land and forest as well as sea and lake shores. Brinkhall’s neoclassical main building was built in 1793. In the beginning of the 20th century major renovations were carried out, also in the classical style. Brinkhall´s English garden was one of the first in this style in Finland in the beginning of 19th century. A few years ago Brinkhall provided the location for a historical TV-drama series called ''Hovimäki'', which became widely celebrated in Finland. Before filming, the manor had been empty for decades. Now Brinkhall Manor has a café, where you can also find the Interior Museum and exhibitions. In mid July Brinkhall is the site of a music festival ''[http://www.brinkhallsoi.fi Brinkhall Soi]''. }}<!-- -->[[File:Ett Hem 03.JPG|thumb|''Ett Hem'' -Museum]] * {{see | name=Ett Hem | alt="A home" | url=http://etthem.fi/?lang=en | email=etthem@abo.fi | address=Piispankatu 14 | lat=60.45386 | long=22.27879 | directions=Just a short walk away from the Cathedral upstream, opposite the Sibelius Museum. | phone=+358 20-786-1470 | tollfree= | fax= | wikidata=Q4165181 | hours=<!--May–Sep: Tu–Su 12:00–15:00, Tu F 11:00–16:00; open also 1 Dec–7 Jan; also by request--> | price=Adults €5, children €4 | content=In their will Alfred and Hélène Jacobsson donated their 19th century house to the Swedish university of Turku, ''Åbo Akademi'', as a museum. The idea was to preserve the atmosphere of upper class life in Turku. They owned a two storey building at Hämeenkatu 30, designed by the German architect Carl Ludwig Engel. Later the interiors were moved to more humble surroundings and the museum is now in a wooden Empire-style building. The age and style of the different artefacts vary, but as a whole "Ett hem" ("A home") is decorated according to the neo-renaissance principles. The museum has both a cultural and historical value. Especially important is the art collection, where most of the famous Finnish artists of the Golden Age of Finnish art, the period around 1900, are represented. A virtual version available at [https://digimuseo.fi Digimuseo], the real one closed during demolition and construction by the museum (2022–2023?). }}<!-- -->[[File:Turku - Forum Marinum - Suomen Joutsen 02.jpg|thumb|Sail ship ''Suomen Joutsen'' is one of the main attractions in Forum Marinum.]] * {{see | name=Forum Marinum | alt= | url=http://www.forum-marinum.fi/en | email= | address=Linnankatu 72 | lat=60.4366 | long=22.2349 | directions=Just after the guest harbor when going downstream towards Turku Castle, you can't miss it, bus line 1 | phone=+358 2 267-9511 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 267-9515 | hours=wintertime: Daily 11:00–19:00 | price=€9/5/– for the museum; €6/4 ships | wikidata=Q3917218 | content=The Forum Marinum Maritime Centre is a lively and versatile centre for maritime activities, comprising a national special maritime museum, and the Finnish Navy Museum. There are temporary exhibitions and a very interesting [http://www.forum-marinum.fi/en/exhibitions/museum-ships/ boat and ship collection]: two tall sail ships, ''Suomen Joutsen (Swan of Finland)'' and ''Sigyn'', four naval ships and several smaller vessels, ranging from a steam harbour tugboat to a police boat. The museum ships are open during the summer months only, while the exhibitions are open throughout the year. The museum also houses a Café Restaurant called Daphne, which serves café delicacies and a tasty, varied buffet lunch. The Museum Shop offers maritime gifts and other articles, literature and high-quality textiles. }} * {{see | name=Healthcare Museum | alt= | url=http://www.visitturku.fi/en/turku-healthcare-museum_ | email= | address=Kunnallissairaalantie 20 | lat=60.4413 | long=22.2753 | directions= | phone=+358 2 266-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Every last Monday of the month 16:00–18:00 and by appointment | price=€4, children under 16 years free | content=At the Turku Health Care Museum you get an insight into the history of healthcare. How were people treated for such things as tuberculosis or polio? What instruments would you find in the operating room? At the Turku Health Care Museum you can see the evil of diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis, view medical and autopsy equipment, electro-shock devices, as well as the operating room and the instruments used. The museum also displays artefacts from maternity and childcare clinics as well as items from medical schools from years ago. See an example of a baby carriage box that the midwives and nurses used to carry the new born babies of mothers with tuberculosis to the ''Joulumerkkikoti'' nursery to keep them safe from infection. Another attraction is an entire collection of uniforms for hospital personnel. Many of the styles were abandoned because of the conflict concerning the money spent on uniforms. Of pride of place in the middle of the museum is the ''Heideken'' exhibition showing christening gown, baptismal font, Bible, and the maternity hospital with its equipment. }}<!-- -->[[File:Kuralan kylämäki.jpg|thumb|Kuralan Kylämäki – Village of Living History]] * {{see | name=Kuralan Kylämäki – Village of Living History | alt=Kuralan Kylämäki | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/kylamakivillage | email=infopiste.kurala@turku.fi | address=Jaanintie 45 | lat=60.4622 | long=22.3365 | directions=Bus lines 2 and 2A | phone=+358 2 262-0420 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=summertime Tu–Su 10:00–18:00, also open around Christmas | price=Free | wikidata=Q11873640 | content=Kylämäki in Kurala is a village of living history, where visitors can travel back in time to a typical farm of south-west Finland in the 1950s, complete with authentic scents and rural atmosphere. It is made up of four farms with buildings standing at their original sites. The Kylämäki Village is ideal for families with children, since touching and experiencing is allowed – and there are corners with period toys and playing equipment. The village has been inhabited since the 7th century. In the summer months, you can see women at their domestic chores in the Iso-Kohmo House, making juices and jams, or dairy treats traditionally prepared around Midsummer. Visitors get to participate in some of the farm's tasks, such as hay making and handicraft: 1950s-style items out of clay, paper, yarn or fabric, tablet weaving with plant-dyed yarns and making leather belts and pouches. The themes vary, check in advance to time right. There is also an '''experimental archaeology workshop'''. In addition to research, it lets children explore prehistoric working methods and test their hunting skills using ancient weaponry. There is cooperation with revival associations. The workshop is open all year round. }}<!-- -->[[File:Women with baskets at the Luostarinmäki (Cloister Hill) Handicrafts Museum in Turku.jpeg|thumb|Women with baskets at the Luostarinmäki outdoor museum.]] * {{see | name=Luostarinmäki | alt=Cloister Hill | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/handicraftsmuseum | email= | address=Vartiovuorenkatu 2 | lat=60.44702 | long=22.27673 | directions= | phone=+358 2 262-0350 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€7/4/4, family €18 | wikidata=Q1979979 | content=In 1827 a fire destroyed almost all of Turku. The Luostarinmäki area (then a quite poor area in the outskirts of the town) was the only larger part of the city that was saved. Now the area is preserved and it houses the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum (''Käsityöläismuseo''), an outdoor museum with charming late 18th century wooden house quarters. All the buildings are in their original places, which is extremely rare in an outdoor museum. Over thirty workshops from different fields of craftsmanship display the City's handicrafts history and old dwellings. During the summer season, the museum's workshops have craftsmen working there every day. The museum's shops, postal office and cafeteria serve customers round the year. The highlight of the year are the Handicrafts Days in August. During the days, masters of different professions, i.e. Golden Apple Guild masters and apprentices get together and their products are sold in the museum's shops. }}<!-- -->[[File:Julfred utlyses Gamla Stortorget 2009.jpg|thumb|View from the Old Great Square during the declaration of Christmas Peace.]] * {{see | name=Old Great Square | alt=Vanha Suurtori | url= | email=kulttuuri.tilat@turku.fi | address=Vanha Suurtori 7 | lat=60.45076 | long=22.27582 | directions=across the parks by Turku Cathedral | phone=+358 2 262-0961 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Old Great Square area is part of the old Turku city centre. Today, this exceptionally handsome milieu serves as the perfect setting for such events as the annual declaration of Christmas peace and the Medieval Market. The Old Great Square was a major traffic hub, marketplace and administrative centre from the 13th century to the beginning of the 19th century. Today, the square has four historically significant buildings: the Brinkkala Mansion, Old City Hall, Hjelt Mansion and Juselius Mansion. The old buildings have been fully restored for use as cultural venues. The Old Great Square comes to life with a wide variety of events. At Christmastime, the square is transformed into a Christmas Market, and in the summer it is time for the Medieval Market. Old Great Square and its vicinities are home to several important neoclassical buildings including the {{marker|type=see|name=Old Academy Building|lat=60.45176 | long=22.27965}} and the {{marker|type=see|name=Old Town Hall|lat=60.45051 | long=22.27613}} }}<!-- -->[[File:Turun apteekkimuseo.jpg|thumb|The Qwensel House, with the Pharmacy Museum.]] * {{see | name=The Qwensel House and Pharmacy Museum | alt=Apteekkimuseo | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/pharmacymuseum | email=apteekkimuseo@turku.fi | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 13 | lat=60.4486 | long=22.26769 | directions= | phone=+358 2 262-0280 | tollfree= | hours=2 May–31 Aug and 25 Nov–6 Jan, Tu–Su 10:00–18:00 | price=Adults €4.50, children 7–15 €3, 4–6 €0.50, 0–3 free, Family admission (2+2?) €9.50 | wikidata=Q4356801 | lastedit=2017-12-05 | content=The Qwensel House is the oldest bourgeois housing from the autarchic times that has survived in its entirety in Turku. The house was built approximately in the year 1700 to an area that was reserved for the nobility in the city plan put up by Count Per Brahe the Younger. A pharmacy from the 19th century has been furnished in the shop wing of the building. The pharmacy has a material room and a herb room, two laboratories and an office. The office has the oldest surviving pharmacy interior in Finland. The exhibition wing of the building has an extensive collection of pharmacy utensils on display. There is also a pharmaceutical research laboratory and pharmacy history exhibition in the wing. In addition to the main exhibitions, there are also varying smaller exhibitions and events held at the museum every year. The former stable, outhouse and barn are at the northern end of the baker wing of the building. The Pipping family used to have an orchard by the Linnankatu Street. The cafeteria, in the Pharmacy Museum's inner courtyard, is a charming spot of old milieu in the heart of the city. During the summer there are chickens and roosters in the yard and you can really feel you have travelled back in time. The café serves home-made pastries prepared according to recipes from the 18th century. Also their teas are worth checking. The two chambers, are in the wing that was housed by the building's owners in the 18th century. The chambers have been furnished in 18th-century fashion. The same wing used to have a kitchen, a chamber, maid's chamber, a shed, a carriage shed and an granary according to fire insurance documents from 1791. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=The Scout Museum of Finland | alt= | url=http://partiomuseo.fi/en/ | email=partiomuseo@partio.fi | address=Läntinen Pitkäkatu 13 | lat=60.4560 | long=22.2633 | directions= | phone=+358 2 237-7692 | tollfree= | hours=1 September–31 May Sa 12:00–15:00 or by agreement (additional €8) | price=€2/1 | content=Finland's Scout Museum is a national special museum that is maintained by the Finnish Scouting Museum Association. It displays uniforms, insignia, flags and literature related to the scout movement in Finland. }} * {{see | name=Turku Castle | alt=Turun linna | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/turkucastle | email=turunlinna@turku.fi | address=Linnankatu 80 | lat=60.4353 | long=22.2287 | directions=near the harbour, bus 1 | phone=+358 2 262-0300 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10:00–18:00; closed M in Sep–May low season | price=€14, students etc. €7, children (7–15) €5, family (2 adults, up to 4 children) €29–33, students of the field and museum staff (ICOM) free; public guided tour €3, private tours €70–300 | image=Castle of Turku, old side.jpg | wikidata=Q136893 | lastedit=2022-03-12 | content=Turku castle is one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions. The castle, which at times housed Swedish royalty, is the largest castle in Finland, and dates back to end of the 13th century. In addition to telling about the castle and its history, the castle functions as the general historic museum of the region. There are two loops, one around the old (Medieval and 16th century) part, one around the new part. Some of the rooms have been renovated to the style of different periods in the castle's history, although with scarce furniture, some are pure exhibitions. A room redesigned as church in the 19th century still functions as such. Tours of the castle are given hourly in English during high season (check!) and they give a good account of its history. There are also a children's workshop and children's tours. Private tours can be arranged even in off hours, book well in advance. There are many steep and narrow staircases in the old part and there are few shortcuts, check if that might be an issue. }} ===Art=== [[File:Turku Art Museum in 2011.jpg|thumb|Turku Art Museum]] * {{see | name=Turku Art Museum | alt=Turun taidemuseo | url=http://www.turuntaidemuseo.fi/en/ | email=info@turuntaidemuseo.fi | address=Aurakatu 26 | lat=60.45410 | long=22.26188 | directions=dominates the Puolala hill, between Kauppatori and the railway station | phone=+358 2 262-7100 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 11:00–19:00, Sa Su 11:00–17:00 | price=€10/6, children under 16 for free | wikidata=Q4502138 | content=The Art Museum's Art Nouveau building was opened to the public in the spring of 1904. Since the beginning, the museum has presented important works by Finnish and international artist, focusing on Nordic art in particular. Well represented are works from the era known as the Golden Age of Finnish art, around 1900. There are national treasures including self-portraits, landscapes, Finnish surrealism as well as pop art. The museum's national romantic granite façade rises at the end of Aurakatu. Tours are available in Finnish, Swedish, English and Russian. }}[[File:Wäinö Aaltosen museo.jpg|thumb|Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art]] * {{see | name=Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art | alt=WAM | url=http://www.wam.fi/en | email=wam@turku.fi | address=Itäinen Rantakatu 38 | lat=60.44498 | long=22.26018 | directions=15-min walk from Market Sq, or bus 14 or 15 | phone=+358 2 262-0850 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–Su 10:00–18:00, except Th 10:00-19:00 | price=€10/4/2/– | wikidata=Q3019261 | content=Named in honour of the artist and sculptor ''Wäinö Aaltonen'' (1896–1966), born in Turku, the museum offerings include changing exhibitions, new and experimental art projects, and various cultural events. The museum is on the east bank of the Aura River close to the Myllysilta bridge. The permanent exhibition is based on the art collection of City of Turku, which includes a large collection of works by Wäinö Aaltonen himself. Temporary exhibitions focus on Finnish and international modern art. The museum also houses [http://www.cafewaino.fi Café Wäinö] which offers lunch and small art exhibitions on the café walls. }} * {{see | name=Sibelius Museum | alt= | url=http://www.sibeliusmuseum.abo.fi/ | email= | address=Piispankatu 17 | lat=60.45370 | long=22.27748 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–Su 11:00–16:00, W also 18:00–20:00 | price=€5/3, guiding included, children under 18 free; concerts €12/10 | wikidata=Q4306382 | content= 150 m from the Turku cathedral is a low modern concrete building that houses the most significant museum of music in Finland and is named after the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius. The museum building, itself considered as a pearl of modernist architecture, exhibits the life and music of the master composer as well as an interesting collection of musical instruments from all around the globe. The museum also organizes exhibitions and events. On Wednesday evenings the Chamber Music Hall hosts concerts during the spring and autumn season. }} * '''Art galleries'''. Turku is home to a number of smaller art galleries scattered around the city. The Turku Artists’ Association maintains a [http://www.turkuart.fi/english.html list of the galleries]. ===Churches=== Most of the churches are quite frequently used for concerts. In the summer of 2020 [https://www.turunseurakunnat.fi/tule-mukaan/kirkkojen-aukiolo-koronatilanteen-aikana only some churches are open]. The cathedral is open daily 09:00–18:00 (mind services). * {{see | name=Turku Cathedral | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=60.4524 | long=22.2783 | directions= | phone=+358 40-341-7100 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:00–18:00; note services and other events; main services Su 10:00 in Finnish, 12:00 in Swedish, 14:30 in German and 16:00 in English | price=Free. Museum upstairs is €2/1/1 | wikipedia=Turku Cathedral |wikidata=Q1187606 | lastedit= | content=Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Finland’s first bishop, St Henry, Turku Cathedral, on the hillock of Unikankare, is Finland’s National Sanctuary. It was consecrated in 1300 and is considered to be Finland’s most valuable historical monument as well as the mother church of the Lutheran Church of Finland. It is familiar, even dear to practically every Finn. Its bells chime at noon over the radio throughout Finland, and they also proclaim the Christmas peace to the country. Every part of the cathedral reflects the details of Finland and Turku's history; resting under the protection of the arches are bishops, captains of war, and one queen, Catherine Månsdotter of Sweden. The south gallery of the cathedral houses a museum, which takes you on a journey through history from the early 1300s. Displayed in the museum, among other things, are sculptures of saints, and church silverware from the Catholic era. Tours run 09:00–19:00 mid-September to mid-April and 09:00-20:00 mid-April to mid-September. }}[[File:St Michael's Church, Turku.jpg|thumb|upright|St Michael's Church.]] * {{see | name=St Michael's Church |alt=Mikaelinkirkko | url= | email= | address=Puistokatu 16 | lat=60.44871 | long=22.24801 | directions=10 minute walk from Market Square | phone=+358 40-341-7110 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 261-7112 | hours=Jun–Aug: M-F 11:00–18:00, Sa 10:00–13:00, Su 11:00–13:00 | price=Free | wikipedia=St Michael's Church, Turku |wikidata=Q2981811 | lastedit= | content=The western skyline of the city of Turku is dominated by Michael's Church which was consecrated in 1905. It was designed by Professor Lars Sonck. When he won the competition for the church in 1894, Sonck was only a 23-year old architectural student. Michael's church is a distinguished example of the neogothic style in architecture. It is a long church with three aisles, galleries and a multifaceted choir. In addition to the main entrance there are also doors at each corner of the church. The sacristy is behind the choir. The main spire rises to a height of 77 meters from the foundations. Many locals favour it as a wedding Church. }} * {{see | name=Martin's Church | alt=Martinkirkko | url= | email= | address=Huovinkatu | lat=60.44079 | long=22.25434 | directions=By foot 15 min from Market Square | phone=+358 40-341-7120 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open by agreement. Service in Finnish on Sundays at 10:00 | price=Free | wikipedia=Martin's Church | wikidata=Q2336184 | lastedit= | content=Martin's parish was founded in 1921 after which the parish council decided to build a church of its own. The church was consecrated on the 450th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther, on 12 Nov 1933. The designers of the church were the architects Totti Sora and Gunnar Wahlroos. The church represents architechtual [[Functionalist architecture in Finland|functionalism]]. Martin's church is a long church with three aisles with very narrow side aisles. The church has a functional and singular practicality of its own. The barrel-vaulting of the roof is one of the most outstanding features of the church. The whole altar wall is covered with an "al secco" painting of the Saviour nailed to the cross at Golgatha. This massive work is 15 m high and 9.5 m in breadth. At the time of painting this was the largest painting of its type in the whole of Scandinavia. }} * {{see | name=Orthodox Church | alt=Church of the Holy Martyr Empress Alexandra | url=http://www.ort.fi/en | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 19 | lat=60.45228 | long=22.26598 | directions=on the north side of Kauppatori | phone=+358 2 277-5443 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10-15 | price= | wikipedia=Turku Orthodox Church | wikidata=Q2601450 | content=Main church of the Turku orthodox parish, affiliated with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The church was built by the plans of architect Carl Ludvig Engel and was ordered by Czar Nicholas I of Russia on 5 January 1838. Construction, which began in 1839, cost 67,886&nbsp;rubles and was completed in 1845. The church was consecrated on 2 September 1845. The church was dedicated to Alexandra, the spouse of Diocletian who had publicly became Christian and thus suffered a martyr’s death on 23 April 303. Most of the icons of the iconostasis have been made in [[Valaam|Valaam Monastery]]. There is also another Orthodox church in Turku, a small wooden one by the Russian consulate, under the Moscow Patriarchate. }} * {{see | name=Turku synagogue | alt= | url=http://www.jcturku.fi | email= | address=Brahenkatu 17 | lat=60.455746 | long=22.266539 | directions= | phone=+358 400-526-009 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Turku Synagogue | image=Turku Jewish Synagogue.jpg | wikidata=Q2601015 | lastedit= | content=One of two synagogues in Finland. Built 1912. }} * {{see | name=St Catherine's Church | alt=Pyhän Katariinan kirkko | url= | email= | address=Kirkkotie 46 | lat=60.46221 | long=22.29355 | directions= | phone=+358 2 261-7130 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open by arrangement, and special events | price=Free | wikipedia= St. Catherine's Church, Turku | wikidata=Q838441 | lastedit= | content=St Catherine's Church represents old medieval church building tradition. Although it was completely destroyed and has undergone several renovations, it has preserved something of its original appearance and retains the basic plan of a medieval Finnish church. }} * {{see | name=St Mary's Church | alt=Maarian kirkko | url= | email= | address=Maunu Tavastinkatu 2 | lat=60.47341 | long=22.29327 | directions=Bus line 15 | phone=+358 40-341-7140 | tollfree= | hours=Jun–Aug: M–F 12:00-17:00. In wintertime open by agreement. Service in Finnish on Sundays at 10:00 | price=Free | wikipedia=St. Mary's Church, Turku | wikidata=Q7594443 | content=Probably built in the 1440s, partly later in the 15th century. According to folk tradition, St Mary's Church was built at a place where sacrifices had been performed in heathen times, in the village of Räntämäki. It had also been the site of the village burial ground and a place of assembly. The village of Räntämäki was renamed after the patron saint of the Church, St Mary, and in the records it is sometimes referred to as the parish of Räntämäki, sometimes as St Mary's. The church took the name of St Mary from the nearby episcopal church of Koroinen, its original patron saint having been the first Bishop of Paris, Saint Dionysios. More of the original decorations have survived than in most other Finnish Medieval churches. }}[[File:Ecumenical Art Chapel of St. Henry in.jpg|thumb|upright|Interior of the Ecumenical Hirvensalo Art Chapel.]] * {{see | name=Kakskerta Church | alt=Kakskerran kirkko | url= | email= | address=Kakskerran kirkkotie 110 | lat=60.36998 | long=22.21967 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kakskerta Church |wikidata=Q6349661 | lastedit= | content=Kakskerta Church was built in 1765–1769, and dedicated in 1770. It was designed by Christian Schroder, and is oblong in shape. The altarpiece is from the 17th century, and the interior of the church was renovated in 1940 after the plan by Erik Bryggman. The belfry was designed by C. Bassi in 1824. }} * {{see | name=Ecumenical Art Chapel | alt=Taidekappeli | url=http://www.taidekappeli.fi/yhteystiedot.html | email=taide.kappeli@gmail.com | address=Seiskarinkatu 35 | lat=60.4073 | long=22.2521 | directions=bus 54 | phone=+358 2 265-7777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 11:00–15:00 (May–Aug 11:00–16:00), Th 11:00–18:30, Sa Su 12:00–15:00, except during private events | price=€3, guided tours €5 | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q296532 | lastedit= | content=Wooden chapel with art exhibitions. Built 2004–2005. }} ===Nature=== [[File:Turku - Ruissalo Island (6119923392).jpg|thumb|Evening view at Ruissalo.]] * {{see | name=Ruissalo Island | alt= | url=https://www.visitturku.fi/en/ruissalo-island_en | email= | address= | lat=60.428 | long=22.151 | directions=5 km from Kauppatori. Travel past the harbour district and you cannot miss signs pointing towards Ruissalo. Bus line 8 in every 30 minutes. During summer also a ferry connection. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2097015 | lastedit= | content=The unique nature, culture and history of the fascinating Island of Ruissalo is to be found flanking the Turku estuary. Once the hunting island for the court of Turku Castle, the island is easily accessible by land or by sea. The oak forests, charming 19th century villas, [http://www.ruissalospa.fi/english/index.html Ruissalo Spa hotel], Ruissalo nature reserve, Ruisrock rock concert, [https://www.honkapirtti.fi Honkapirtti] (pea soup daily 11–16, Su also fish soup – the Karelian house is worth a visit for lunch or a bun despite the short menu) and the [http://puutarha.utu.fi Botanical Gardens] have all combined to make the island famous. Scenic and well-maintained bike paths offer comfortable distances for the whole family. The rocky outcrops, beautiful sandy beaches, distinctive nature, rolling fields and pretty gardens will lead to love at first sight for all who visit the island. There is a camping area at [http://www.camping.fi/template_ypage1.asp?sua=2&lang=3&s=142 Saaronniemi] on the outermost tip of the island. The tourist services of this well-equipped camping and caravan park include beaches, barbecue sites, saunas, a small shop, indoor accommodation and various amenities including hot showers and a laundry. With mini-golf, volleyball, badminton and basketball courts, a fitness trail, playgrounds and a café-restaurant, even the most demanding traveller is catered for. There is also a championship level golf course, [http://www.auragolf.fi/eng/aura-golf-in-english/ Aura Golf], founded in 1958 nearby. }} * {{marker|type=see|name=The riverside |lat=60.4554|long=22.2762}} upstream from Tuomiokirkkosilta bridge (right bank) or Åbo Akademi (left bank) make for a very [[Turku riverside walk|nice stroll or biking trip]]. Between Tuomiokirkkosilta and the railway bridge there is a walking path close to the water on the right, north-western bank (not for bikes), elsewhere the route is above the river in park like milieu, upstream (from Vähäjoki and Koroinen, and near Halinen) also in agricultural landscapes. A café in Koroinen on Sundays, sometimes with handicraft exhibitions or workshops, the Myllärintupa café with canoe rental by the Halinen rapids in summer (Tu–Su 10:00–18:00; also small scale exhibitions). Bikers could continue upstream to Vanhalinna in Lieto, a hillfort with splendid views ([http://www.vanhalinna.fi mansion] by the hill in use by Turku university; café, summer theatre and exhibitions in or by the mansion if you time right).[[File:Autumn Ruissalo.jpg|thumb|Pikisaari on Hirvensalo seen from Ruissalo.]] * {{marker|type=see|name=Hirvensalo|lat=60.4051 | long=22.2111}}, {{marker|type=see|name=Satava|lat=60.372 | long=22.169}} and {{marker|type=see|name=Kakskerta|lat=60.359 | long=22.233}} are three large islands in line right off the coastline of Turku. The parts facing the city are suburbs, with winding roads lined with often nice villas, while much of the islands are countryside with fields and natural forest. The bus lines 50–56 reach different parts of Hirvensalo, while 14 and 15 continue to Satava and Kakskerta, which once were an independent municipality. Pikisaari on Hirvensalo faces the shipping lane. Today, Hirvensalo is a haven for single-family homes and good, clean living. Some famous names from Hirvensalo are sculptor and academic, Wäinö Aaltonen and artist Jan-Erik Andersson, whose unique leaf-shaped house is near the Hirvensalo bridge. Hirvensalo also has a [http://www.hirvensalo.fi sports centre], where visitors can ski in the winter and ride [http://www.mccaction.com/turku/ downhill cars] in the summer. Ekvalla beach is on the Satava island (buses 14 and 15). This sandy beach is a good choice for families, sun seekers, and people with disabilities. Whatever your physical impairment you can have a dip as this swimming area has specially designed walkways and a wheelchair ramp into the water. Swimming lifeguards are available during the school summer holiday period. On the last island of the three, Kakskerta (bus 15) you can enjoy lovely archipelago nature, the golf course at Harjattula or the site of the TV series Hovimäki at Brinkhall Manor. There is also a stone church from the 1760s. * {{see | name=Vepsä Island | alt= | url=http://www.vepsa.fi/english.php | email=vepsansaari@gmail.com | address= | lat=60.3742 | long=22.0766 | directions=One hour ferry trip from Turku, ferry leaves from river Aura. | phone=+358 50 411-4963 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open during the summer season only, from 1 June to 31 August | price=Return ticket for the ferry €16/6. Cabin €55–90/night, tent site €5/person. | wikidata=Q24345730 | content=Vepsä island is a beautiful island in the Turku archipelago. From the vantage point on the rugged rock, you can see glittering waters and awesome landscapes of ''Airisto''. On the way up, you can search for geocaches, if you want. Former hiding place of smugglers hides nowadays modern hobbies and hobby equipments. You can go for a walk, swim on a child safe beach, have a barbecue, take a sauna bath, play miniature golf, and enjoy other summery activities. People who like water sports can rent a boat or a canoe. One of the new activities is sumo wrestling in air filled suites. After an active day you can eat in the island's own café-restaurant. Ice-creams and snacks are for sale also in a kiosk. You can go to Vepsä for a one day trip, or stay for a longer time. Cosy summer cabins offer you warm surroundings to stay over night, and are very popular among visitors. There are three saunas to hire, one of them is reserved for enterprises. You can reserve the representation sauna and a barred hot tub beforehand. Three close-by islands – Mustaluoto, Vähä-Tervi and Pikku-Vepsä – are charming targets to visit and available for Vepsä visitors. }} === Itineraries === * [[Turku riverside walk]] ==Do== Turku is especially lively during the summer season, from the latter part of May to early September, as well as around the Advent and Christmas period in December. The banks of the river Aura are regarded Turku's summertime living room. The shores are the setting for many urban events and are also popular for picnic and relaxing. ===Theater, performing arts and cinema=== [[File:Åbo Svenska Teater.jpg|thumb|Turku Swedish Theatre 2018.]] For chamber music, check also the weekly concerts at the Wäinö Aaltonen and Sibelius museums. One-off performances can be harder to find, as information channels vary. * {{do | name=Turku City Theatre | alt=Turun kaupunginteatteri | url=http://teatteri.turku.fi/en | email=kaupunginteatteri@turku.fi | address=Itäinen Rantakatu 14 | lat=60.44604 | long=22.26386 | directions=by the Theatre Bridge | phone=+358 2 262-0030 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 262-0065 | hours= | price=€30–50/15–40 | lastedit=2017-02-01 | wikidata=Q3739478 | content=The main theatre building on the banks of river Aura has gone through a thorough renovation. Turku City Theatre offers performances on four different stages. It offers serious drama, musicals and children's theatre, including visiting productions. }} * {{do | name=Logomo | alt= | url=https://logomo.fi/ | email=info@logomo.fi | address=Köydenpunojankatu 14 | lat=60.4569 | long=22.2576 | directions=behind the train station | phone=+358 29-1234-800 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Logomo is in an old locomotive workshop, and was the main venue for the Capital of Culture year in 2011. It is next to the Turku city centre and the Central Railway Station. It provides spaces for several exhibitions and major performance throughout the year. It also has a café and a shop. }} * {{do | name=Turku Philharmonic Orchestra | alt=Turun filharmoninen orkesteri | url=http://www.tfo.fi/en | address=Aninkaistenkatu 9 | lat=60.45556 | long=22.27035 | directions=by the Puutori square | phone=+358 2 262-0804 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Ticket office: M–F 11:00–17:00 and before events | price=Usually €21/9 | lastedit=2018 | content=Turku Concert Hall, built in 1952, was the first concert hall in Finland. It is mainly used by Turku Philharmonic Orchestra (chief conductor Leif Segerstam). }} * {{do | name=Swedish Theatre of Turku | alt=Åbo Svenska Teater | url=http://www.abosvenskateater.fi | email=info@abosvenskateater.fi | address=Eerikinkatu 13 | lat=60.4507 | long=22.2660 | directions=by Kauppatori | phone=+358 2 277-7377 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=This is Finland's oldest theatre. The beautiful theatre house reached its 175th anniversary in January 2014. The big scene reflects the age, with splendid decorations, the moderate size allowing quite an intimate experience. Here most performances are musicals or traditional drama. There are two smaller scenes, which also offer more experimental theatre and children's plays. }} * {{do | name=Linnateatteri | alt= | url=http://linnateatteri.fi | email=info@linnateatteri.fi | address=Linnankatu 31 | lat=60.4467 | long=22.2586 | directions= | phone=+358 2 232-1215 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=Linnateatteri is a professional theatre, which performs both in the house and the garden. Linnateatteri has over the last decade presented such comical shows as ''the Amazing History of Turku'' and ''the Amazing Near-history of Turku''. In addition to comedy and stand-up performances there's also drama, concerts and children theatre among its repertoire. During summer you can also catch up with Linnateatteri on the courtyard stage of Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova. }} * {{do | name=Samppalinna Summer Theatre | alt=Samppalinnan kesäteatteri | url=http://www.samppalinnanteatteri.fi | email= | address=Paavo Nurmen Puistotie 3 | lat=60.4442 | long=22.2609 | directions=by the Samppalinna mill in the park Urheilupuisto | phone=+358 2 232-9050 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content=Samppalinna summer theatre, fifty years old, is Finland’s largest summer musical theatre. It specializes in musicals. }} * {{do | name=Kinopalatsi | alt=Kinopalatsi Cinema Complex | url=http://www.finnkino.fi/eng/ | email= | address=Kauppiaskatu 11 | lat=60.4531 | long=22.2669 | directions= | phone=+358 9 131-191 (€1.97/min + pvm/mpm) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=around €12 | lastedit= | content=This modern cinema complex opened in Turku in the spring 2001. All 9 auditoriums has been invested in the audience comfort. Seat rows are strongly staggered and leg room between rows is optimal. The technique is the highest quality with digital sound and big screens. }} ===Sport arenas=== [[File:Turkuhalli inside.jpg|thumb|Turkuhalli.]] * {{do | name=Turkuhalli | alt=Gatorade Center | url=https://turku-areenat.fi/fi/gatorade-center | email=info@turku-areenat.fi | address=Artukaistentie 8 | lat=60.4562 | long=22.1869 | directions= | phone=+358 2 21-900 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This ice hockey and music arena hosts large public events and the games of [http://hc.tps.fi/briefly_in_english TPS (''Turun Palloseura'')], Turku's number one ice hockey team. It offers a large arena and grandstands in addition to smaller function rooms. Restaurants serve before the entertainment, during the intermission or at breaks, and often even after the event. Big screens and TV monitors ensure the arena atmosphere fills the restaurant and lobby areas. }} * {{do | name=Marli Areena | alt=Ice Hockey Arena | url=https://turku-areenat.fi/en/home | email= | address=Hippoksentie 2 | lat=60.4422 | long=22.2896 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Marli Arena is next to the Kupittaa park, and is primarily used for ice hockey. It is the home arena of [http://www.tutohockey.fi/fi/uutiset TuTo (''Turun Toverit'') hockey team]. TuTo plays in the second highest ice hockey league in Finland, Mestis, but the atmosphere in the games can be even better than in the TPS games, since the fans really love the team and arena is compact. Tickets are also less expensive and the Marli Arena is just around 15 minutes walking distance away from the city center. }} * {{do | name=Veritas Stadion | alt=football (soccer) stadium | url=http://www.veritasstadion.fi/brief/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=varaukset@veritasstadion.com | address=Hippoksentie 6 | lat=60.44282 | long=22.29175 | directions= | phone=+358 2-2722-00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In the heart of Turku at the Kupittaa Park, Veritas Stadium is Turku's number one football stadium. Both Turku-based teams play in the national league of Finland – [http://fcinter.fi/ FC Inter] and [http://fc.tps.fi/tps_in_brief.151.html FC TPS] – play on the grounds of the stadium. }} ===Sports grounds and parks=== [[File:Hirvensalon laskettelukeskus.jpg|thumb|Slopes at the Hirvensalo Ski Resort.]] * {{do | name=Urheilupuisto Sports Park | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=60.4427 | long=22.2632 | directions=in the Turku city centre, on the east bank of the river Aura behind the City Theater | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11898812 | content=Urheilupuisto is home to the Paavo Nurmi Stadium and many other sporting facilities. This extensive parkland holds many places to exercise, come winter, come summer. In addition to the Paavo Nurmi Stadium, there is e.g. the Karikon lenkki running track, tennis courts, basketball courts, a volleyball court, an artificial turf playing field and a frisbee golf course. In the winter months the Sports Park, naturally, has its ice field and a popular sledding hill. [http://www.turkutrojans.com Turku Trojans], one of the oldest American Football teams in Finland, plays its games on the upper field of Turku Sports Park. }} * {{do | name=Kupittaa Park | alt=Kupittaanpuisto | url= | email= | address= | lat=60.4457 | long=22.2894 | directions=Near the Turku city centre, on the east bank of the river Aura, around 15 minutes walk from the Old Great Square and Cathedral | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5486539 | content=Finland's largest and oldest city park is popular for picnic as well as for children and sports. There are ice skaters in the winter, in-line skaters in the summer, skateboarders, cyclists, ballplayers, petanque enthusiasts and everyone out for some exercise. Urban athletes can catch some air and grind some rails at the skatepark. Pump some iron at the Turku city's official gym or hit the lanes at the bowling hall. Kupittaa Park also offers families with kids the ever popular Traffic-City, Adventure Park, Kupittaa Outdoor Pool and the Sports Wonderland for Kids (Sundays 17:00–19:00 in the sports hall, free). Watch birds in action at the Bird Pond. Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to picnicking. The wide-open lawns of Kupittaa Park are perfect for everything from football to croquet, while frisbees and kites vie for space in the skies above. One end of the park is dominated by the Veritas Stadium, which is the home pitch of local football teams, TPS and Inter. And when it's time for a bite to eat, Kupittaa Pavilion will serve up a tasty treat right in the heart of the park. Veritas Stadium is also home to the full-service Olè restaurant. }} ** {{see | name=Adventure Park | alt=Seikkailupuisto | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/adventure-park-seikkailupuisto | email=seikkailupuisto@turku.fi | address=Kupittaankatu 2 | lat=60.4472 | long=22.2907 | directions=Bus line 32 (jump out at the bus stop just before the corner of Kerttulinkatu and Sirkkalankatu) | phone=+358 44-907-2986 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Su 10:00–17:00 | price=Free | wikidata=Q11892816 | content=Just on the edge of Kupittaa Park, the Adventure Park is the ideal environment for encouraging imagination and creative play. You are allowed to get wet in the mushroom fountain and get a thrill from the zip line. In addition to a large assortment of playground stuff in the lush park area, to be used freely, the adventure park offers guided activities from art and handicraft workshops to songs and music at the music playschool, and theatre performances. There is a kiosk where you can buy ice cream, drinks and snacks. It is also possible to grill your own food at the barbecue sites. Nearby in the park there is a bouncy castle and a traffic town. }} * {{do | name=Hohtogolf Westcoast | alt=Glow Minigolf and Curling | url=http://www.hohtogolf.fi/turku/ | email=turku@hohtogolf.fi | address=Yliopistonkatu 17 | lat=60.45242 | long=22.26652 | directions= underground -- entrance is next to the Turku Orthodox Church | phone=+358 2 253-4355 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= W–Th 17:00–21:00, F 17:00–00:00, Sa 12:00–00:00, Su–Tu closed | price=€10/12 | content=At Hohtogolf Westcoast is a glow-in-the-dark 15-hole miniature golf course with over-the-top mechanized special effects and a special "horror" section. Fun thing to do in a group, especially after a few drinks from the bar. As a new feature they also offer a small curling track. }} ===Winter sports=== * {{do | name=Skating worm | alt=Luistelumato | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/sports/sports-facilities/outdoor-sports-facilities/ice-skating-rinks/kupittaa | email= | address= | lat=60.447 | long=22.292 | directions=Kupittaanpuisto, behind the sports hall | phone=+358 50-554-6300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Equipment rental M W F 17:00–20:00, Sa Su 10:00–18:00, from middle Dec, unless raining | price=Free; skates: adults €5, children €1; hiking skates €5/2hr, €12/week; roller skates €5; drinks €1; skating free | content=Meandering skating lane forming a circle, 5–6 m wide and 500 m long. Skate rental (also hiking skates), hot drinks for sale. Roller skating in the summer. }} * {{do | name=Park Field Artificial Ice Rink | alt=Parkin kenttä | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/sports/sports-facilities/ice-skating-rinks/park-field-artificial-ice-rink | email= | address=Tuureporinkatu 2 | lat=60.457 | long=22.272 | directions= | phone=+358 50-431-0016 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M–F 08:00–22:00, Sa 10:00-21:00, Su 09:00–21:00 (maintenance daily 15:45–16:45); tickets and equipment rental M–F 17:00–20:00, Sa Su 12:00–18:00 | price=€2; wristband: €8+€16/10 entries | lastedit=2018 | content=Big skating field, usually most for ice hockey. Sometimes music and most the area for general skating. Skates and hockey sticks for rent. The entrance fee can be paid at the entrance when manned, otherwise by pre-bought tickets ("Exercise Wristband", can be used for several persons) or mobile phone (0600- number posted at the gate, enter immediately after calling). }} * {{do | name=Impivaaran jäähalli | alt= | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/sports/sports-facilities/ice-halls/impivaara-ice-hall | email= | address=Eskonkatu 1 | lat=60.477474 | long=22.250511 | directions=Bus 13 and 18. | phone=+358 2 262-3550 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 14:00–14:50, 16:45–17:35, W 13:45–14:35, Sa 10:30–11:20 | price= | lastedit=2017-12-05 | content=Indoor ice field, skating for the public (no ice hockey) at certain hours when not in other use. }} * {{do | name=Varissuon jäähalli | alt= | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/sports/sports-facilities/ice-halls/varissuo-ice-hall | email= | address=Suurpäänkatu 2 | lat=60.443250 | long=22.354862 | directions=Bus 32 and 42. | phone=+358 2 262-3570 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 13:45–14:35, Th also 18:00–18:50, Su 10:00–10:50 | price=Free | lastedit=2017-12-05 | content=Ice field in an underground hall, skating for the public (no ice hockey) at certain hours when not in other use. }} * {{do | name=Minor skating fields | alt= | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/sports/sports-facilities/outdoor-sports-facilities/ice-skating-rinks/natural-1 | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | lastedit=2017-12-05 | content=There are minor skating fields in most residential areas, without artificial cooling and thus more dependant on weather. Some have ice hockey rinks, some have changing rooms. }} * {{do | name=Hirvensalo Ski Resort | alt= | url=http://www.hirvensalo.fi/ | email=toimisto@tusla.net | address=Kakskerrantie 111 | lat=60.4175 | long=22.2277 | directions= at the Hirvensalo Island on the southern side of the city 5 km from the city centre. You can reach Hirvensalo from the market square of Turku on the Turku city bus lines number 14, 15, 51, 53 and 55. The centre also offers a lot of parking places for private transport. | phone=+358 45-106-3011 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€17–28 | content=There are four well managed and lit slopes at the Turun Hirvensalo Ski Centre in Turku: 1, 2 and 3-slopes and a slope for children. There are three lifts in Hirvensalo. The longest slope is 300m and the greatest altitude difference is 60m. The degree of difficulty of the slopes ranges from easy to difficult and there are several boxes and rails. Hirvensalo Ski Centre is the perfect place for both beginners and experts, without mentioning families. Services also include Slope café, ski school, and equipment rental. }} * {{do | name=Cross-country skiing | alt= | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/recreation/trails-routes-and-ski-tracks/ski-tracks | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 50-554-6219 (administration),+358 50-523-8447 (equipment rental) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free; equipment €5/3/1 (children: <20yrs) | content=There are skiing tracks in most suburbs, as jogging routes are transformed to [http://www.turku.fi/sv/kultur-och-motion/friluftsomraden/stigar-rutter-och-skidspar/skidspar skiing routes], with groomed tracks and a lane for freestyle skiing (80 km maintained by the city in good winters). The Nunnavuori routes (0.35 and 1 km on flat ground, 1.7 km in easy hilly terrain) are maintained also in adverse weather, which gives them the longest season (in 2021–2022: from 5 Dec). At one of its starting points, Eskonkatu/Kurrapolku near Impivaara, there is equipment for rent (Sa–Su 11:00–16:00; equipment to be returned 20 min before closing) and coffee, warm juice and snacks for sale (by a charity; usually somewhat longer hours than the rental; sausage €1, coffee and bun €2). Many of the routes have lighting 06:00–22:00. }} ===Climbing=== Be aware of the inherent dangers of [[Rock climbing|climbing]]. Safety cannot be guaranteed even if the businesses take security seriously. Make sure you have understood the instructions. Children usually need permission from their custodians, must respect instructions, and might need to be accompanied. * {{do | name=Flowpark | alt=Climbing park | url=http://www.flowpark.fi/turku/?lang=en | email=info.turku@flowpark.fi | address=Skanssinkatu 10 | lat=60.4287 | long=22.3180 | directions= | phone=+358 400-864-862 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=May–Oct: M–Sa 12:00–20:00, Su 12:00–18:00. Closed Nov–April except around special Winter Feast days in January | price=Day ticket €22 | content=Adventure trails up in the trees. There are fifteen different trails and nearly one hundred missions, where you can test your balance, coordination and nerve. For the high ropes adventure trails children must be at least seven years old and 120 cm tall. For the smaller fast and fearless climber there is a specially built children's trail closer to ground. Flowpark is in the leafy green courtyard of shopping centre Skanssi, with good transportation connections from the centre. }} * {{do | name=Irti Maasta | alt= | url=https://irtimaasta.fi/puistot/raisio | email=info.raisio@irtimaasta.fi | address=Myllynkatu 1142 | lat= | long= | directions=in the shopping centre Mylly, Raisio | phone=+358 400-820-037 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 14:00–20:00, Sa–Su 10:00–18:00 | price=€16 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-27 | content=Climbing centre with playful routes and challenges. Weight limits: 15–150 kg. Automatic belaying. No age limit, but children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. }} * {{do | name=Kiipeilypalatsi | alt= | url=https://www.kiipeilypalatsi.com | email= | address=Vesilinnantie 1 | lat=60.4557 | long=22.2846 | directions=a cube-formed building on the hill in the TY campus behind the cathedral | phone=+358 45-670-5991 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–W 15:30–20:30, Sa 13:00–17:00, groups also by agreement | price=€11 + harness, shoes and magnesium €4 | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=[[Rock climbing|Climbing]] walls inside a former water tower. Not solo, as you need your own belayer. Newcomers to the sport are welcome, but must tell about being inexperienced. Belayer instruction included. Minors need parent's permission, children under 14 need an adult belayer. }} ===Boating and canoeing=== For skippered yacht cruises or yacht chartering, see [[Archipelago Sea#By yacht and small boats|Archipelago Sea]]. Here are options for smaller vessels and quick trips: * {{do | name=Låna | alt= | url=http://www.lanaturku.fi/?lang=en | email= | address=Linnankatu 3 | lat=60.451766 | long=22.273120 | directions=the river shore at Vähätori, by Tuomiokirkko bridge | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€60/hour, €100/2 hours | lastedit=2018 | content=Open boats (max 8 persons) for cruising down the river and back, perhaps while having a picnic (speed limit on the river 6 km/h i.e. 3 knots), with electric motor. Also Buster Rent boats available, but rent those at the guest harbour instead (not ideal for cruising the river, and you get the whole day for the price of 3 hr). }} * {{do | name=Buster Rent | alt= | url=http://vuokraa.buster.fi | email=info@buster-rent.fi | address= | lat= | long= | directions=delivery at the guest harbour or by trailer | phone= +358 20-769-1270| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€140–400/one day, weekend €330–800; trailer included; trailering by agreement | lastedit=2016-05-13 | content=Open or semi-open boats for rent, with outboard motor. Usable also for longer voyages given suitable weather. Two berths in the biggest boats. }} * {{do | name=Sea kayaking | alt=Aavameri | url=http://www.aavameri.fi/en | email=info@aavameri.fi | address= | lat=60.421828 | long=22.095435 | directions=bus 8 from Puutori to Saaronniemi, walk to the beach | phone=+358 44-980-7788 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Jun–Aug: M 10:30, F 17:00 (Puutori 10:00/16:30), by agreement other days throughout the year | price=Evening tour €65; day tour €110/person; child reductions for 8–12 and 13–15 years old; rental: first day €60 | lastedit=2019-04-05 | content=Day or evening tour with kayak and guide (7 or 3½ hr) from Ruissalo. Register before 17:00/12:00, pay online. The day and evening tours do not require previous experience and moderate fitness is enough, trips are tailored to suite the participants (3–8 in the group). Also longer full service guided trips and supported solo expeditions with transportation from and back to Turku are available. }} * {{do | name=Saaristomeren melojat | alt= | url=http://melojat.net | email=posti@melojat.net | address=Rykmentintie 55 | lat=60.413961 | long=22.265418 | directions=Uittamo, bus line 13 | phone=+358 41-456-5223 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu Th 17–20, Sa Su 11:00–15:00 or 11:00–17:00 (check!) | price=Kayak €10/hour, €40/day, €80/weekend, €120/week; twin or canoe €20, €60, €120, 180; courses €40/100 | lastedit=2018 | content=Local canoe/kayak club, equipment for rent. Also short and three-evening courses. Quick intro on-site, if you need more advice, ask in advance (instructions about equipment etc. in Finnish on the website). Pay in cash. }} * {{do | name=Aurajokisäätiö | alt= | url=http://aurajoki.net/melonta | email= | address=Valkkimyllynkuja 2 | lat=60.465310 | long=22.305333 | directions=Myllärintupa by Halistenkoski rapids | phone=+358 44-553-7408 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=1 Jun–31 Aug: Tu–Su 10:00–18:00 | price=Kayak €19/two hours, €39/one day; canoe €24/€39; guide €36/hour | lastedit=2018 | content=Kayak/canoe rental for trips on the river. Also guided tours. }} ===Swimming=== [[File:Impivaaran uimahalli.JPG|thumb|Impivaara Swimming Centre]] [[File:Ice swimming in Turku.jpg|thumb|Ice Swimming at the Ispoinen Beach is a popular hobby among locals during the winter months.]] Due to its location at the shores of the [[Archipelago Sea]], Turku has a number of great beaches, some of them really close to the city center. There are also two outdoor pools, a water park, indoor swimming pools and arenas. Most indoor facilities – and some outdoor ones – are open round the year. Turku has a [http://www.turku.fi/en/services/beaches number of '''free beaches'''] around the city. *{{marker|type=do|name=Ispoinen Beach|lat=60.41441 | long=22.25957}} is within easy reach from Turku Centre by bus number 9 or 13. Swimmers can even access the beach during the winter since there is a sauna and option for ice swimming, when the water is frozen over: ** {{do | name= Turku's Winter Outdoor Swimmers Club | alt= | url=http://www.turunavantouimarit.fi | email= | address=Rykmentintie 51 |lat=NA | long=NA | directions=Ispoinen Beach | phone= +358 44-377-5475 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M 15:00–19:45, W 15:00–20:45, F-Sa 15:00–19:45, Su 15:00–20:45 | price= Non-member single ticket: adults €5,20, children under 16 €1,50, accompanied children under 7 free | content=Sauna, ice swimming and club room. Members are happy to help newcomers. }} * {{marker|type=do|name=Ruissalo camping beach|lat=60.42144 | long=22.09492}} is the favourite of many locals. It is at the very end of the Ruissalo Island (bus line 8) and on a beautiful summer day you can really feel the archipelago here. ** {{marker|type=do|name=Saaronnniemen saukot |url=https://www.saaronniemensaukot.fi/in-english}} arrange winter swimming at Tammirannantie 39 (and swimming in summer, too). * {{marker|type=do|name=Ekvalla beach|lat=60.37939 | long=22.22598}} is on the Satava island (bus lines 14 and 15). When the Finnish summer gets hot, this sandy beach is a good choice for families and sun seekers as well as disabled. Whatever your physical impairment you can have a dip as Ekvalla beach has specially designed walkways and a wheelchair ramp into the water. Lifeguards are supervising swimming on all of the beaches mentioned above during the school summer holiday periods from the beginning of June to the end of August. * Other smaller beaches include ** {{marker|type=do|name=Brinkhall beach|lat=60.36557 | long=22.23673}}, ** {{marker|type=do|name=Moikoinen beach|lat=60.4167 | long=22.2506}}, ** {{marker|type=do|name=Sorttamäki beach|lat=60.4084 | long=22.2547}} and ** {{marker|type=do|name=Maaria beach|lat=60.5307 | long=22.3540}}. Outdoor pools, arenas and water parks: * {{do | name=JukuPark Waterpark | alt= | url=http://www.jukupark.fi/tmp_jukupark_turku_site_0.asp?sua=13&lang=3&s=661 | email= | address=Kurrapolku 1 | lat=60.4782 | long=22.2562 | directions= | phone=+358 400-174-640 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=7 Jun–10 Aug: daily 11:00 to 17-19:00 | price=€21, children under 4 year free | content=JukuPark is a paradise for the whole family 3 kn from Turku center. At JukuPark, come rain or shine, you're sure to get soaking wet! You’re guaranteed a great day with many spectacular water-slides, large heated swimming pools, sunbathing areas together with saunas, shower rooms and the Pirate Island water-world for the little ones. When hunger surprises there are Juku Park’s grills, cafés, kiosk services and terraces available. }} * {{do | name=Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Arena | alt= | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/sports/sports-facilities/swimming-places-and-water-sport/kupittaa-outdoor | email=liikunta@turku.fi | address=Kupittaankatu 10 | lat=60.4451 | long=22.2909 | directions=in the middle of the Kupittaa park | phone=+358 44-907-2702 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mid-May to mid-Aug: daily 10:00–19:00 | price=Adults €5,50, discount groups €3, children under 16 €2.5, children under 5 years free | content=Kupittaa has offered facilities for swimming for over a hundred years. It's next to the Adventure Park and is a favourite of families especially. In addition to the large 50-m pool, there is a smaller 25-m pool, a 0.6–0.9 m deep children's pool as well as a play area for the little ones and a lawn area for relaxation. The pool area has a kiosk. The nearby Blomberginaukio square offers ample parking. }} * {{do | name=Samppalinna Swimming Stadium | alt= | url=https://www.turku.fi/en/places/samppalinna-outdoor-swimming-stadium | email=liikunta@turku.fi | address=Volter Kilven katu 2 | lat=60.4457 | long=22.2655 | directions= | phone=+358 2 262-3590 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=From mid-May to mid-Sept: M–Th 06:00–20:00, F 06:00–19:00, Sa Su 08:00–19:00 | price=Adults €5.50, discount groups €3.50, children under 16 €3, children under 5 years free | wikidata=Q18661857 | content=A refreshing oasis in the middle of the city, on a warm summer day Samppalinna is really popular with the locals. An olympic-size swimming and diving boards where swimmers can jump from the tower. Children have their own pool and there is sunbathing among the stadium’s sunny banks; a park area included: picnics possible, basic play yard. The changing areas are indoors, good sauna and shower facilities. The lockers can be locked with a 50-cent coin. }} Swimming halls and indoor water parks: * {{listing | type=do | name=Caribia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kongressgränden 1 | lat= | long= | directions=in the hotel in the student village, near Posanka | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content=Indoor water park. Also one normal swimming pool. }} * {{do | name=Impivaara Swimming Centre | alt= | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/impivaara-swimming-centre | email=liikunta@turku.fi | address=Uimahallinpolku 4 | lat=60.4783 | long=22.2599 | directions=last stop of bus 13 when marked "u" in the timetable; 18 passes reasonably close | phone=+358 2 262-3588 | tollfree= | hours=M–Th 06:00–20:00, F 11:00–18:00, Sa Su 09:00–17:00 | price=Single entry €8/5/3 (children fare for 4–16 years old); 10-time card €60/40/24 | wikidata=Q11864792 | content=The stunning and newly renovated facilities are named after characters and places in author Aleksis Kivi’s classic novel, Seven Brothers. The swimming area comprises eight pools, called Venla (50 m), Juhani (25 m), Tuomas (diving pool), Aapo (multipurpose pool), Simeoni (family pool), Timo (teaching pool), Lauri (paddling pool) and Eero (cold pool). Impivaara gyms Jukola, Toukola and Männistö have comprehensive and spacious strength training and aerobics facilities. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Turun uimahalli | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rehtoripellonkatu 3 | lat=60.4543 | long=22.2875 | directions=in the student union's house | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q18662487 | lastedit= | content=First swimming hall of Turku. Clothing optional, with genders separated by day of week. }} * {{do | name=Ulpukka | alt= | url=https://www.raisio.fi/fi/kulttuuri-ja-vapaa-aika/uintikeskus-ulpukka | email=ulpukka.asiakaspalvelu@raisio.fi | address=Eeronkuja 5 | lat=60.4783 | long=22.1615 | directions=1 km south-west of Raisio centre (along Nesteentie); bus lines 220 and 221 from Turku pass by | phone=+358 44-797-1681 | tollfree= | hours=Winter: M Tu Th F 06:00–21:00, W 11:00–21:00 Sa–Su 11:00–18:00; summer: M Tu Th F 06:00–09:00, 13:30–21:00, W 13:30–21:00, weekends closed; entry min. 1 hr before closing | price=€5–7 (mornings cheaper), students €4.50, children 5–15 years €3, family (2+3) €16; 2 hr | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-27 | content=Swimming hall. Nice also for children. Accessible for the mobility impaired (ask for directions). }} ===Social dancing=== [[File:UIttamon lava 2.JPG|thumb|The Uittamo dance pavilion.]]<!-- should be changed to a seaside view --> Foxtrot, waltz, jive, cha cha, what have you ... The dance pavilions are an essential part of Finnish summer for many, although not any more for a majority. The ones below are probably the most popular ones in the Turku region: * {{do | name=Uittamon paviljonki | alt= | url=http://uittamo.fi/tanssit/ | email=johanna.tuomola@magnumlive.fi | address=Rykmentintie 29 | lat= 60.4206 | long= 22.2528| directions=bus no 9 towards Katariina, bus stop "Tanssilava" | phone=+358 44-906-1910 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Dances 12 May–17 Sept: F 20:00–01:00, Su 19:00–00:00 | price=Mostly €15 | lastedit=2018 | content=Dance pavilion by the sea. Also dance courses. }} * {{do | name=Littoisten lava | alt= | url=http://www.sekahaku.net/kurssit-kesa/kurssit-tanssit/tanssit-ja-tanssikurssi-littoisten-lavalla | email=erja.vuorinen@sekahaku.net | address=Vanha Littoistentie 153 | lat=60.4596 | long=22.3779 | directions=bus 2B or 2C, last bus back 23:20 | phone=+358 50-919-1325 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=18 May–31 Aug: Th 18:00/19:30–23:00 | price=Mostly €12 (under 25 years old half price) | lastedit=2016-05-11 | content=Dance pavilion by the Littoistenjärvi lake in [[Kaarina]]. Dance course Thu 18:00–19:20 included in the price of the dance. }} * {{do | name= Valasranta| alt= | url=http://www.valasranta.fi | email= | address=Valasrannantie 363, [[Loimaa|Yläne]] | lat= 60.8961 |long= 22.3476 | directions=60 km from Turku | phone=+358 2 256 3605 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Summer: Sa 20:30–01:30<!--, bus from Turku 19:50, permanently ended?--> | price=€16–18<!--, bus 2×€6--> | lastedit=2017-05-11 | content=Dance pavilion by the Pyhäjärvi lake.<!-- Bus from Turku, returning in the night.--> }}<!-- still? * {{do | name= Katutanssit| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=60.4486 | long=22.2710 | directions=by the Aura bridge | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= 11 June to 13 Aug: Tu 18:00–20:00 | price=Free | lastedit=2015-04-27 | content=Dances by the river. }}--> ===Events=== [[File:Easter 2011 at Cloister Hill outdoor museum in Turku, Finland.jpg|thumb|Easter egg decorators at Cloister hill outdoor museum.]] * {{do | name=Easter at Cloister Hill | alt=Annually around Easter, 15 to 16 April in 2017 | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/luostarinmaki-handicrafts-museum/then-now/luostarinmaki-throughout-year | email= | address=Cloister Hill (Luostarinmäki) outdoor museum, Vartiovuorenkatu 2 | lat=60.447387 | long=22.275542 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00–16:00 | price=Adults €6, Children aged between 7 to 15 €4, Children aged between 4 to 6 €1, Family ticket €13 | content=Cloister Hill outdoor museum offers a unique perspective to Easter traditions in Finland. During the festivities you can participate in egg rotation competition and explore the different traditions of decorating Easter eggs. Professional Easter egg decorators are performing as well as confectioners who make Easter eggs and bunnies out of marzipan. This event is especially recommendable to visitors with children. }} * {{do | name=Maritime Markets | alt=April and October | url=http://www.silakka.info/turun_saaristolaismarkkinat {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat=60.447958 | long=22.265621 | directions=Along the river Aura | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Sa 09:00–18:00, Su 09:00–16:00 | price= | content=Traditional and very popular markets are held every April and October on the riverfront right in the Turku city centre. Archipelago Market in April and Herring Market in October bring fish delicacies as well as handicrafts to the riverside. Both markets bring professional fishermen from the Archipelago Sea to the heart of the city to sell their products, some still straight from their boats. Also e.g. sea-buckthorn juice, honey and bread are sold, in addition to meals and standard market fare. }}[[File:Sariola Tivoli in Turku in 2008.jpg|thumb|Tivoli Sariola's carnival is open during ''Vappu'' festivities in Kupittaa Park.]] * {{do | name=Vappu| alt=Annually between 30 April and 1 May | url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vappu#Finland | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In Finland, Vappu (Walpurgis day and May Day) is one of the four biggest holidays along with Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and Midsummer (Juhannus). Walpurgis witnesses the biggest carnival-style festival held in the streets of Finland's towns and cities. The celebration, which begins on the evening of 30 April and continues to 1 May, typically centres on copious consumption of [[w:Sima (mead)|sima]], sparkling wine and other alcoholic beverages. Student traditions are one of the main characteristics of Vappu, and you'll see lots of students on the streets wearing a traditional student cap. On 30 April evening streets are filled with party people and a large market is held in Market Square with vendors selling cheap carnival paraphernalia. On 1 May the parks, especially the Vartiovuori Park, are filled with hungover Finns having a picnic. There are also working union parades around the city centre and politicians from all different parties giving speeches. }} * {{do | name=New Potato Festival | alt=Mid June, 15 to 16 June in 2018 | url=http://www.neitsytperunafestivaali.fi/ | email=info@kaffeli.fi | address=Courtyard of the Brewery Restaurant Koulu, Eerikinkatu 18 | lat=60.449764 | long=22.264272 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The New Potato Festival, or ''Neitsytperunafestivaali'' in Finnish, celebrates the opening of the early harvest potato season in June. It’s a true cultural feast of fabulous flavours and local food. The very first crops from the Turku archipelago will reach the River Aura shores with this traditional ceremony. During the festival, the potatoes will be enjoyed with local fish treats and herring. The festival will also include competitions for best recipes, getting to know different potato varieties and cultivation methods. The new potatoes from Finland Proper are unique plants with gastronomic qualities to match other celebrated European seasonal products like asparagus, globe artichoke and truffle. The flavour is unique to early potatoes of Finland Proper and neighbouring countries with a similar climate. }}[[File:Medieval band at Turku Medieval market 2015.jpg|thumb|right|A Medieval band playing at the Turku Medieval Market, by the river.]] * {{do | name=The Medieval Market | alt=End of June | url=http://en.keskiaikaisetmarkkinat.fi/ | email=info@keskiaikaisetmarkkinat.fi | address=Vanha Suurtori 3 (Old Great Square) | lat=60.4506 | long=22.2759 | directions= | phone=+358 40-132-9992 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Th F 12:00–20:00, Sa Su 12:00–18:00 | price=Free of charge, but charges for food, drink and souvenirs | content=This is the best (and original) Medieval Market in Finland. Follow the rows of market stalls at the Old Great Square and take a trip back in time to Medieval Market with performing groups, jesters and minstrels. People working at the festival dress up in medieval costumes and act out scenes in the middle of the street, rather than on stages, giving you a feeling you're genuinely in medieval Turku.<br/>In the area for work displays artisans will demonstrate medieval working methods. Visitors can watch the smith working away at their forges, see how beer is brewed using ancient recipes and touch freshly tanned leather. At the children's activities area the smallest of the family can attend the real princess school as well as enjoy watching the wild boars. The Old Town Hall hosts events for science, art and fashion. The whole family can enjoy the medieval amusement.<br/>Medieval costumes for adults and children are available for hire at the event. Medieval-style food, clothes and souvenirs available on site. }} * {{do | name=International Market of Turku | alt=Mid-June | url=http://www.eurooppamarkkinat.fi/ | email= | address=Around Old Great Square, Vähätori and the banks of river Aura | lat=60.451728 | long=22.272968 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W–Sa 10:00–20:00 | price= | content=The key idea of the International Market is to bring different countries and provinces around the world to showcase their specialities. There are around 100 traders from around 35 countries taking part in the market. Europe has usually a strong presence, but there are also traders from America and Asia. From the market you'll usually find For example, authentic Dutch cheese merchant, French bakeries, different delicacies from Italy, Bavarian sausages and German bakeries as well as artisans from such countries as Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Spain. Finnish provinces are also presenting their own specialities. }} * {{do | name=Juhannus | alt=Midsommar | url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=| tollfree= | fax= | hours=Annually on Saturday between 20–26 June. Juhannus Eve Friday is usually also a day off | price= | content=Juhannus (Midsummer Festival) is a main national holiday in Finland. Originally a celebration of the summer solstice, it is typically spent with friends and family at a summer cottage away from the city, either partying or relaxing. Large bonfires are lit on the islands Ruissalo and Vepsä. Otherwise the streets are often empty, even though some people have acquired a new habit of spending midsummer in town. }} * {{do | name=Tall Ships' Races | alt= | url=https://sailtraininginternational.org/event/tall-ships-races-2024 | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=mooring downstream from the bridges; parade of sails on Airisto | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Next edition 18–21 July 2024 | price= | lastedit=2022-03-10 | content=The Tall Ships' Races have become a semi-regular event in Turku. Every few years sailing ships large and small moor in the river on their Baltic Sea race, offering opportunities to visit some of the vessels, including schooners, barques and full-rigged ships, and attending programmes arranged for spectators and crews. The event usually attracts half of the city's population. Some vessels offer cruises to Airisto. The parade of sails is best seen from a boat, but most spectators flock to the shores of Kuuva on Ruissalo. }} * {{do | name=The Night of Arts | alt=Mid-August, 16 August in 2018 | url=http://turuntaiteidenyo.fi/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Around Turku Central Business District | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Night of the Arts is a versatile cultural event that is held annually in mid-August around the city centre. The venues include the Fortuna-block, Vähätori, Puutori, the Turku Main Library Courtyard, as well as book stores, museums and galleries. Programme usually includes musical and art performances, literature, theatre, dance, museums and street culture. }} * {{do | name=Turku Day | alt=Annually third Sunday of September | url=http://www.turku.fi/turunpaiva | email= | address=Events take place all around the city | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The shops in the city centre are open, there are markets and bazaars in different parts of the city, open houses and guided tours, museums and music, art and dance. The day culminates with fireworks at the Samppalinna Park hill at 21:00. }} ==== Advent and Christmas ==== [[File:BD, Flora och AO, advent 2008.jpg|thumb|The student choirs' concerts in the cathedral mark the start of Advent]] The [https://www.turku.fi/joulukaupunki Christmas season] starts more or less with the turning on of Christmas lights in the pedestrian part of Yliopistonkatu a week before Advent. The market at the Old Great Square opens. Department stores and many shops have nice Christmas displays in their windows. Christmas music is played. Charity bazaars in many schools, parish halls, etc. Usually the first snow has come and melt away, and there will probably again be snow several times during Advent. With good luck the snow will stay. White Christmases are quite common, but there is no guarantee. The lights on the Christmas tree of the cathedral are turned on the Saturday a week before Advent begins (programme usually begins at 17:00). Most every choir gives some kind of Christmas concert in or immediately before Advent. Among the most ambitious are the ones by the student choirs of Åbo Akademi (BD and Flora) and Akademiska Orkestern, in the cathedral on Friday and Saturday leading to Advent ([[European classical music|classical music]] from the 16th century to world premières, including some beloved Christmas songs); most seats are sold out days before, but a few are often left to be got at the door an hour before the concerts. The Church arranges sing-alongs with collect to their development aid. Many museums, also some that otherwise are closed in winter, have displays or events related to the season; table settings and food of Christmas in different times and social classes are shown at the castle, the Qwensel house and the handicraft museum. Handicraft workshops (such as of making candles) are arranged at the Adventure park and Kurala. There are also events at other institutions, such as candle light swimming at Impivaara and Petrelius. Independence Day, December 6th, is celebrated by the philharmonic orchestra by two free day concerts (tickets are distributed a few weeks in advance). The latter, starting 15:00, can be seen on screens at the Old Great Square. There are services in the churches (mostly at 10:00). Charity bazaars. The students have a torch parade to the war graves (start 18:00). People light candles in their windows (originally a silent protest against Russian oppression), which makes for a nice evening stroll. A few associations arrange balls, the one of Turku folk dancers ([http://www.rytky.fi Rytky]) is open for the public, with a dance course in the preceding weeks. On December 13th, Lucia is crowned in the morning, blessed in the cathedral in the evening (be early if you want a seat), and then performing in the Hansa shopping centre. Programme for the rest of the season is changed yearly but generally Lucia and her company will be seen on many occasions, mostly in retirement homes and the like, but also e.g. at the Christmas market. Christmas peace is declared at noon of Christmas Eve in the Old Great Square, with thousands of spectators (programme starts 11:30). The Swedish service in the cathedral afterwards welcomes also the international audience. Most people are going to spend the evening and the Christmas Day with their family; the city will mostly close. Bus traffic in town continues to 20:00. The [[#Learn|main library]] is open 11:00–18:00 on Christmas Eve, with also some programme. Lights on the graves. Services in the churches. Some restaurants are open also in Christmas, but booking a table may be necessary. [[File:Julmarknad Gamla Stortorget lillajul 2010.jpg|thumb|Christmas Market at the Old Great Square]] * {{do | name=Christmas Market at the Old Great Square | alt= | url=http://en.suurtorinjoulumarkkinat.fi/ | email= | address=Old Great Square | lat=60.450783 | long=22.276609 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Four weekends before Christmas (last 3rd Sunday of Advent), 11:00–17:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-14 | content=The Old Great Square fills with high quality handicrafts, Christmas delicacies and various music, theatre and circus performances. And of course, there’s also Santa Claus and his family! In addition, you can enjoy the lovely winter weather with a cup of warm ''glögg'' or a bowl of Christmas porridge (in the Brinkkala yard), find something nice in the Christmas ornaments’ exchange point, get warm and escape the hustle and bustle to an indoors café (e.g. upstairs in the Brinkkala house) or to the Christmas concerts of the Old Town Hall. }} * {{do | name=Christmas Market at Kauppatori | alt=Joulutori | url=http://turunjoulutori.fi | email= | address=Kauppatori | lat=60.451667 | long=22.266944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=25 Nov–23 Dec, M–F 12:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–16:00, Su 12:00–16:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-11-28 | content=Much smaller market, but open daily. }} ====Music festivals==== * {{do | name=Seikkisrock | alt=16-17 June in 2018 | url=http://www.seikkisrock.net/info_eng.html {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat=60.445103 | long=22.291159 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Advance ticket €10, at gate €12. Under 2 year olds free | content=A two-day festival, organized in early June since 1999 at Turku Adventure Park, offers a wonderful entertainment for children of all ages and childlike persons. Over the years, numerous leading children´s music artists and special guests, have had performances at Seikkisrock. The festivals main focus is on music, but available is also crafts and art workshops, plays, circus, magicians and dancers – not forgetting the bouncy castle. Non-governmental organizations are also involved in the event; they are presented to children in their own ”Worldvillage” with the themes of tolerance and sustainable development. Adventure Park, activity center for children and families, which is in the district of Kupittaa, offers verdant, comfortable and stimulating environment for the Seikkisrock. Performances that take place at two stages and smaller shows throughout the area guarantee great and memorable festival experience. }}[[File:Ruisrock 2008.jpg|thumb|Ruisrock atmosphere in 2008.]] * {{do | name=Ruisrock | alt=Beginning of July, in 2022: 8–10 July | url=http://www.ruisrock.fi/ | email=palaute@ruisrock.fi | address=Ruissalo Island | lat=60.428771 | long=22.178021 | directions= | phone=+358 44-966-1384 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=three-day ticket €175, 2 days €155, 1 day €99. Under 7 year old get in free with an adult with a ticket. People over 70 get free entrance and can use a ferry connection from Aura river free of charge | lastedit=2018 | content=Ruisrock, founded in 1970, is the second oldest rock festival in Europe, and the oldest still going in the Nordic countries and Finland. During the three-day event fans are offered international names, domestic stars and the hottest new acts. Ruisrock attracts almost 100,000 visitors every year from Finland and abroad and it is the biggest music festival in Turku. The festival has attracted world-famous artists throughout its lifetime including such names as Nirvana, Björk, The Cure, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Pet Shop Boys, Oasis, Aerosmith and Rammstein. The festival takes place in the Ruissalo Island, right next to central Turku. The area where the festival takes place is divided into two sections, Niittyalue ("meadow section") and Ranta-alue ("beach section"). Introduction video for the festival can be seen in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTVUAweys8U YouTube]. Festival site can be reached with the festival bus or by bike from Turku city centre. The festival buses run from Turku city center to the festival bus station. There is a clearly marked walking route of about 2 km (about 1.2 miles) between the festival bus station and the festival site. }} * {{do | name=Turku Modern | alt= Annually in July, 13–16 July in 2018 | url=http://www.turkumodern.com/ | email=toimisto@turkumodern.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price €35-65 | lastedit=2018 | content=Turku Modern, the festival for electronic music, storms Turku clubs and galleries annual in July. It brings forward top foreign artists and accomplished domestic performers focusing on electronic and dance music. It takes place in central Turku on the banks of the river Aura in clubs, bars, stages and especially the charming river boats. }}[[File:Turku M.A.Numminen at DBTL 2006.jpg|thumbnail|M. A. Numminen performs at DBTL.]] * {{do | name=Down by the Laituri (DBTL) | alt=End of July, 26 to 28 July in 2018 | url=http://www.dbtl.fi/ | email= | address=Downtown Turku | lat=60.443022 | long=22.266042 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€55-165 | lastedit=2018 | content=If you are down, don’t hesitate to feel so by down by the laituri! Finland´s oldest and most legendary city festival takes place in downtown Turku annually in end of July. DBTL was sparked into life in the late 1980s by the rock-club of the Student Union of the Turku University. Its popularity spread like a blaze and nowadays it attracts around 70,000 visitors every year. With most of the acts performing pop and rock music, this multicultural event is centered on the east bank of the River Aura, around the Turku City Theatre. }} * {{do | name=Aura Fest | alt=Beginning of August, 10 to 12 August in 2018 | url=http://www.aurafest.fi/ | email= | address=Barker Park next to river Aura | lat=60.442576 | long=22.248648 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest Hiphop and Urban music festivals in Finland, is held annually right next to river Aura. In 2015 the festival took place in Barker Park, just a kilometer away from the central Market Square. Performers include practically all the top domestic Hiphop and urban music performers as well as international guests. }} * {{do | name=Turku Music Festival | alt=Annually in August, 10 to 22 August in 2018 | url=http://www.turkumusicfestival.fi/en | email=info@tmj.fi | address=Around Turku | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 2 262-0812 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018 | content=Turku Music Festival is the oldest continuously running festival in Finland. This diverse city festival offers large orchestral concerts, chamber music, recitals, jazz and outdoor events as well as experiences for the whole family. A variety of Turku’s stunning venues, both modern and historical, are being imaginatively used to host performances from the best in their field. }} * {{do | name=Turku Jazz | alt=Beginning of March, 8-10 March in 2018 | url=http://www.turkujazz.fi/ | email= | address=Concerts mainly in Logomo. | lat=60.456692 | long=22.256300 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018 | content=Second oldest jazz festival in Finland. Performers include leading Finnish jazz musicians and special international guests. Concerts are held in restaurants and entertainment venues throughout the city of Turku. }} ====Expos==== [[File:Turkuhalli.jpg|thumb|Turku Hall, next to the Turku Fair and Congress Center, hosts number of big concerts and hockey tournaments.]] There's a great number of expos and fairs held in Turku annually. Most of the fairs take place outside the summer season in autumn and spring. Large part of these fairs take place in the {{marker|type=do|name=Turku Fair and Congress Center|lat=60.4540 | long=22.1845}}, which is a diverse setting for fairs, meetings, congresses and grand public events. * {{do | name=Turku Fine Art and Antique Fair | alt=Annually end of March, 18 to 19 March in 2017 | url=http://www.turunmessukeskus.fi/en/event/turku-art-antique-fair/ | email= | address=Turku Fair and Congress Center, Messukentänkatu 9-13 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Turku Fine Art and Antiques Fair is a premier trade event where a vast array of antiques and art are exhibited. More than 10,000 people visit the fair annually and witness how world renowned artists and antique collectors gather in this exhibition and showcase their art and antique collections. }} * {{do | name=Turku International Book Fair | alt=Beginning of October, 5-7 October in 2018 | url=http://www.turunmessukeskus.fi/en/event/turku-international-book-fair/ | email= | address=Turku Fair and Congress Center, Messukentänkatu 9-13 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Turku International Book Fair is Finland’s oldest book fair. The Turku Fair and Congress Center hosts the annual event, which brings together visitors, program creators and exhibitors from all over Finland and abroad. The Turku Book Fair garners an abundance of praise and publicity thanks to its solid reputation, long history and cozy atmosphere. The mingling of visitors and exhibitors enables spontaneous encounters between authors and readers. The fair plays host to a variety of events, large and small. The first Turku Book Fair was held in 1990, and in 2012 an all-time record was set, with 25,000 people attending the fair. Each year, the Turku Book Fair selects one country as the special focus, in addition to a Finnish-focused theme. }} * {{do | name=Turku Food and Wine Fair | alt=Beginning of October, 5-7 October in 2018 | url=http://www.turunmessukeskus.fi/en/event/turku-food-and-wine-fair/ | email= | address=Turku Fair and Congress Center, Messukentänkatu 9-13 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Arranged at the same time as the Turku International Book Fair | price= | content=The Turku Food and Wine Fair is one of autumn’s highlights in the city. In October, thousands of food, wine and culture enthusiasts will gather at the Turku Fair and Congress Centre to find new products and services, experience new tastes, learn and shop. }} ====Sport events==== [[File:Kalevan Kisat 2011 Turussa (Finnish Championships in Athletics 2011 in Turku).jpg|thumb|Paavo Nurmi Stadium]] [[File:Paavo Nurmi enters the Olympic Stadium in 1952.jpg|thumb|Paavo Nurmi entering the Olympic Stadium in the 1952 games.]] <!--* {{do | name=Women's Kuntovitonen 5km Run | alt= | url=http://www.kuntovitonen.fi/ | email=info@vitostapahtumat.fi | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 44-725-5055 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=End of May, 26 May in 2018; not arranged 2019 | price= | content=The Women's Kuntovitonen 5km run energizes the Turku Sports Park in May, when spring is in full bloom. Here the sweatbands are more fashionable then functional. In addition to the five or ten kilometer routes there will be star performers on stage, guided group aerobics and a diverse exhibition area and a play park to leave your children and spouse to spend the day while you enjoy yourself. }}--> * '''Watch football''' at [https://fcinter.fi/ FC Inter Turku]. They play soccer in Veikkausliiga, the top tier in Finland. Their home ground is Veritas Stadium, capacity 9400, in Kupitaa district east of town centre. They share it with [http://www.fc.tps.fi/ Turun Palloseura] or TPS, who yo-yo between the top and second tiers. * {{do | name=Paavo Nurmi Games | alt= | url=http://paavonurmigames.fi/ | email=info@paavonurmisports.fi | address= | lat=60.4427 | long=22.2603 | directions= | phone=+358 2 431-0812 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=June, 11 June in 2019 | price= | content=The first Paavo Nurmi Games was arranged in 1957 as a birthday present to Nurmi on his 60th birthday. During his career Nurmi took 9 Olympic Gold medals and was among the first athletes to be nominated in the IAAF Hall of Fame. The tradition has gone on ever since and the event is held every year at the Paavo Nurmi Stadium named after the legendary runner. Now a track & field classic, the Turku Paavo Nurmi Games are part of the EA Premium Permit circuit. }} * {{do | name=Paavo Nurmi Marathon | alt= | url=http://paavonurmimarathon.fi/en/ | email=info@paavonurmisports.com | address=Around central Turku and Ruissalo island | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+358 2 431-0811 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=17 august in 2019, 12:00– | price= | content=Paavo Nurmi was a Finnish runner who achieved 9 gold and 3 silver medals in the Olympic games during his career. He was born in Turku and is celebrated by a number of sporting events every year. One of the highlights is Paavo Nurmi Marathon, which is one of the leading running events in Finland. One can choose to participate in the full marathon, half marathon or a 10-km races. The total number of participants has been around 3500 runners annually. The beautiful route of the marathon showcases the most attractive sides of Turku from the shores of the river Aura to Ruissalo Island and back. Right after the start the runners pass by the famous Paavo Nurmi statue, sculpted by Turku born sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen. }} * {{do | name=Challenge Turku, Swim, bike and run | alt= | url=http://www.challengeturku.com | email=info@sbrfinland.com | address=Around central Turku and Ruissalo island | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10 to 11 August 2019 | price= | content=Want to provide yourself with a new kind of challenge? The triathlon is ideal for those looking for variation, because it includes swimming, cycling and running. }} * {{do | name=FightBack Run | alt= | url=http://fightbackrun.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Beginning of September, 7 September in 2019 | price= | content=No-one in Finland is unaware of Pekka Hyysalo and his Fight Back charity project. Hyysalo, a young man from Turku, had his promising career as freestyle skier cut short after a serious head injury in 2010. Hyysalo fought his way from the hospital bed to get back on his feet, teaching his body to do everything from scratch, from eating to tying his shoelaces. In September 2014 he ran for the first time in the FightBack Run. The first FightBack Run had a distance of 2.6 km and the plan is to double the distance every year. In 2015 the distances for running were 250 m (directed to people with reduced mobility), 2.6 km and 5.2 km which Hyysalo will run as well. A half-marathon is in sight for 2018 then will already be up to a full marathon. }} * {{do | name=Ruissalo races | alt= | url=http://www.ruissalojuoksut.fi | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=End of September, 21 September in 2019 | price= | content=The traditional Ruissalo races are organized on the end of September in the beautiful island of Ruissalo next to central Turku. The distances to choose from are half-marathon called "Ruisrääkki" and 10-km run "Ruisriikki". }} ==Learn== [[File:Turun hovioikeus.jpg|thumb|Academy House used to be the main building of the Turku Academy, but nowadays it houses the Turku Court of Appeal.]] Turku has a long academic history: Queen Christina of Sweden founded the first university of Finland in Turku in 1640. At that point it was only Sweden's third university following Uppsala University and the Academia Gustaviana in [[Tartu]]. Nowadays Turku is still a major academic town in Finland and because of this the city is bustling with students. Almost 20 per cent of Turku residents are students and many of them are exchange students or otherwise from abroad. The universities have many courses in English and some study programs targeted at exchange students, often in cooperation between the universities. Both universities are legal deposit repositories, which means they have everything of value printed in Finland since the 1920s, usually available at least for reading in both or either, if requested a day or a few in advance. * {{listing | name=University of Turku | alt=Turun yliopisto | url=http://www.utu.fi/en/ | email= | address= | lat=60.4542 | long=22.2848 | directions= | phone=+358 2 333-51 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The University of Turku is the second largest university in Finland only behind the University of Helsinki. It houses over 20,000 students in seven faculties: Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, Education and Economics. Turku University offers its libraries, institutes and museums for Turku residents and visitors to use as well. It offers lectures for children and has an open university for anyone to role in. [http://www.utu.fi/en/units/open-university/Pages/home.aspx Turku Open University] offers several courses also in English. }} * {{listing | name=Åbo Akademi University | alt=Åbo Akademi | url=http://www.abo.fi/?lang=en | email=infowww@abo.fi | address= | lat=60.4510 | long=22.2775 | directions= | phone=+358 2 215-31 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Åbo Akademi is the only Swedish-language university in Finland. It is at the forefront of research in such areas as biosciences, computer science, democracy, human rights, material sciences, process chemistry and psychology. It houses around 6,000 students, of which 1/7 are from abroad, and has special collections and museums for visitors to enjoy. Many courses are in English and there are several [https://www.abo.fi/en/study/study-abroad/exchange-students/ exchange programs]. }} * {{listing | name=Turku University of Applied Sciences | alt=Turun Ammattikorkeakoulu | url=http://www.tuas.fi/en/ | email=ammattikorkeakoulu@turkuamk.fi | address= | lat=60.4470 | long=22.2990 | directions= | phone=+358 2 330-000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=TUAS, one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Finland, hosts 9,500 students studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Its academies and faculties range from economics to art, technology, environment and healthcare. It also offers three English taught Bachelor's and two Master’s programmes as well as open studies for anyone willing to join. }} * {{listing | name=Novia University of Applied Sciences | alt=Novia | url=http://www.novia.fi/exchange-students | email=admissions@novia.fi | address=Henrikinkatu 7 | lat=60.453496 | long=22.280558 | directions= | phone=+358 6 328 5000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Instruction in Swedish, with some courses and modules offered in English. Novia's campus in Turku offers courses in e.g. tourism, social services, design and maritime management. }} * {{listing | name=Turku City Library | alt=Turun kaupunginkirjasto, Åbo stadsbibliotek | url=http://www.turku.fi/en/turku-city-library | email=kaupunginkirjasto@turku.fi | address= | lat=60.4504 | long=22.2710 | directions= | phone=+358 2 330-000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 09:00–20:00, Sa 10:00–16:00, Su 12:00–18:00 | price=free | lastedit=2015-03-20 | content=Libraries could be boring in other cities, but not in Turku. Turku City Library is open every day and most city residents have taken to it as their second living room. The old and the architecturally distinguished new building also offer facilities for many events and exhibitions. It is a great place to just chill, check e-mail, read a newspaper (quite some foreign ones available), have a coffee or lunch at the inner courtyard's restaurant (or own snacks at a specific table by the newspapers) or enjoy a book from the wide selection of foreign language literature. The library even lends [[#By bicycle|bikes]]. }} ==Buy== There are plenty of opportunities to part with your cash in Turku. The city centre is full of major retail and independent shops. Shopping in Turku is generally more affordable than in Helsinki, but, as with the rest of Finland, it is by no means cheap by international standards. The numerous second-hand and antique stores represent a unique shopping alternative. If arriving in the night, there are grocery stores that are open 24 hr daily (except perhaps some holidays), including Citymarket Kupittaa and some Sale stores (in or near the centre). Some more grocery stores are open to 23:00 or 24:00, most close 21:00 or 22:00, often earlier in the weekend. ===Money=== Getting or exchanging money is rarely a problem, as ATM's ("Otto") are common around the centre and they can be operated with international credit and debit cards (Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Maestro). Currencies other than the euro are generally ''not'' accepted, but at least the Swedish krona is accepted on the ferries travelling to Sweden, and the Stockmann department store accepts the krona, rubles, dollars and pounds. [http://www.forex.fi/en/About-FOREX/Branches/Bankbutiksinformation/?BankNum=265 Forex Bank] has an exchange office at Eerikinkatu 13 (by Kauppatori) and is usually the best place to change currencies. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but be prepared to show your passport or ID card. As a rule, '''tipping''' is never necessary, although appreciated by some service personnel (see [[Finland#Tipping]]). Cloakrooms (''narikka'') in nightclubs, theatres and better restaurants often have ''non-negotiable'' fees (usually clearly signposted, €2 is standard), and – in the few hotels that employ them – hotel porters will expect around the same per bag. ===Traditional shopping=== [[File:Lounashetki Turun kauppahallissa.jpg|thumb|Turku Market Hall]] * {{buy | name=Market Square | alt=Kauppatori | url= | email= | address= | lat=60.4516 | long=22.2671 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 07:00–18:00, Sa 07:00–15:00; best in summer before 14:00, when most farmers leave | price= | wikidata=Q4411397 | content=The centre point of Turku's commercial centre is traditionally, without a doubt, the market square, with its market and surrounding shopping centres, department stores and independent shops. The market square itself has been a popular shopping and meeting place and an authentic tourist attraction – locals dominate and many do their grocery shopping here. Have a coffee and watch the scene, or buy groceries from the stalls of many local producers (those with just a bench sell their own, those selling from trailers are mostly selling produce of others, although e.g. a few fish stands buy from local fishermen or sell own catch). If you are on a budget, check the units, as no per kg prices are required. Since 2018, a parking cave is being built under the square, but the market activity returned in 2022. The bus stops, which used to line the streets around the square, are still scattered around in the nearby streets. }} * {{buy | name=Turku Market Hall | alt=Kauppahalli | url=http://www.kauppahalli.fi/en/ | email= | address=Eerikinkatu 16 | lat=60.4497 | long=22.2661 | directions=50 metres from Kauppatori downstream along the Eerikinkatu | phone=+358 2 262-4126 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 08:00–18:00, Sa 08:00–16:00 | price= | wikidata=Q10726161 | content=Completed in 1896, the Turku Market Hall brings a delightful atmosphere reminiscent of times gone by. The old and new meet in the corridors. The Market Hall, which extends the length of an entire block, was designed by architect Gustaf Nyström. There are traditional meat and fish counters, delicatessen and speciality shops, bread, milk and cheese shops as well as restaurants and cafés. Stop by the fish shop S. Wallin, try some reindeer meat from Poronlihan erikoisliike Heinonen or buy some cheese at Juustopuoti. Have a coffee and cake in Aschan Blue Train café or shop for souvenirs at the nostalgic Wanha Turku Kauppa (''Old Turku Store''). There is also a great lunch court at the market hall, where you can choose to eat either ethnic or domestic food. }} ===Shopping centres=== [[File:Turku Hansa panorama.jpg|thumb|View inside the Hansa Shopping Centre.]] [[File:KOP corner Turku.jpg|thumb|KOP-Triangle ''(KOP-Kolmio)'' is at the corner of the central Market Square.]] * {{buy | name=Forum | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=60.4506 | long=22.2679 | directions=adjacent to Kauppatori, the block towards the river | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Smaller than Hansa, with less mainstream shops. Local design and even second hand. }} * {{buy | name=Hansa | alt=Kauppakeskus Hansa or Hansakortteli | url=http://hansakortteli.fi/en | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 20 | lat=60.4507 | long=22.2644 | directions=adjacent to Kauppatori | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 07:00–21:00, Sa 07:30–19:30, Su 10:00–19:00 | price= | content=More than 150 shops found under one roof, Turku’s oldest and largest shopping centre with a number of specialist shops and the classy department store Stockmann. A number of cafés and restaurants. }} * {{buy | name=KOP-Kolmio | alt=KOP-Triangle | url=http://www.kop-kolmio.fi | email= | address=Aurakatu 8 | lat=60.4503 | long=22.2665 | directions= | phone=+358 2 6516-6680 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 10:00–20:00, Sa 10:00–18:00, Su 12:00–16:00 | price= | content=KOP-Kolmio is a smaller shopping centre next to Kauppatori and the larger Hansa Shopping Centre. It offers mostly fashion stores and a few cosy cafés. Also the Föli customer service, combined with Turku social services etc. The building is mostly home to companies, on the upper floors of the building, including the local branch of ''Yleisradio (YLE)'', Finland's national broadcast company. }} * {{buy | name=Skanssi | alt= Kauppakeskus Skanssi | url=http://www.skanssi.fi | email= | address=Skanssinkatu 10 | lat=60.4300 | long=22.3230 | directions=4 km from the city centre, 20 minutes with bus line 9, fölläri bike station | phone=+358 40-195-3742 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 08:00–21:00, Sa 08:00–18:00, Su 12:00–18:00 | price= | content=90 special stores, a hypermarket, a wide variety of cafés and restaurants, an indoor playground, dog sitting service and underground parking. }} * {{buy | name=Mylly | alt=Kauppakeskus Mylly | url=http://www.kauppakeskusmylly.fi | email= | address=Myllynkatu 1–99 | lat=60.4906 | long=22.2010 | directions=in [[Raisio]], ten minutes' drive from Turku centre; 30–40 min with bus line 300 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 10:00–21:00, Sa 09:00–18:00, Su 12:00–18:00 | price= | content=A hundred shops, cafés and restaurants. Free play area and childcare points. Consistent opening hours across all stores (except Alko and office services). Plenty of parking. }} ===Department stores=== [[File:Stockmann Department Store in Turku.jpg|thumb|The department store Stockmann in central Turku]] * {{buy | name=Stockmann | alt= | url=https://stockmann.com/fi | email= | address= | lat=60.4507 | long=22.2628 | directions=in the Hansa shopping centre | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 09:00–20:00, Sa 09:00–19:00, Su 11:00–18:00 | price= | content=Regarded a bit upmarket, Stockmann has products from top fashion to electronics, including Finnish design brands like Arabia, Iittala, Marimekko and Aarikka. There is also a visitor centre which provides advice and help on tax-free purchases and buying tickets to events and venues. Opposite to the department store in the shopping centre is the bookshop Akateeminen Kirjakauppa, formerly part of Stockmann like the excellent supermarket in the basement. There is also a café with great lunch. }} * {{buy | name=Wiklund | alt= | url=https://www.s-kanava.fi/toimipaikka/sokos-wiklund-turku/501019327 | email= | address=Eerikinkatu 11 | lat=60.4517 | long=22.2688 | directions=by Kauppatori | phone=+358 10-76-5020 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 08:00–21:00, Sa 09:00–20:00, Su 11:00-18:00 | price= | content=Wiklund offers women's and men's fashion, beauty, home and children, outdoor activities and exercise, as well as entertainment. Department store services are complemented by the Café Wiklund, a hair salon, Alko wine and alcohol store, pharmacy, shoemaker and Eurokangas fabric store. }} ===Design=== [[File:Turku Car-free zone.jpg|thumb|Yliopistonkatu next to the Market Square is a pedestrian zone; there are a variety of services in it]] [[File:Turku design bag.jpg|thumb|This design bag asks in Swedish "Varför Paris, vi har ju Åbo" ''(Why Paris, when we have Turku)'']] * {{buy | name=Turku Design Now! -Shop | alt= | url=http://turkudesignnow.fi/en/ | email= | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 13 A | lat=60.4484 | long=22.2671 | directions= | phone=+358 44-572-6198 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 11:00–18:00, Sa 11:00–16:00 | price= | content=TDN shop is owned by a collective of Turku-based designers who sell interior decor goods, accessories, clothing for adults and children, ceramics, popular Turku-themed products, and for example Kotona Design's wonderful magnetic chalkboards. Ingenious products are designed and, in most cases, also manufactured in Finland. The shop carries products from, among others, [http://www.kuidesign.com KUI Design], [http://www.punainennorsu.com Punainen Norsu], [http://www.klodesign.fi Klo Design] and [http://shop.tonfisk-design.fi Tonfisk Design]. }} * {{buy | name=Televisio Lifestyle Store | alt= | url=http://www.televisioon.fi | email=info@televisioon.fi | address=Hämeenkatu 32 | lat=60.4481 | long=22.2712 | directions= | phone=+358 2 231-0400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 11:00–19:00, Sa 11:00–16:00 | price= | content=Near the east end of the Aura Bridge, in a secluded courtyard, you'll find a personal boutique offering a wide selection of clothes, shoes, bags, hats, jewelry, accessories and little bit of art as well. Everything in store is from young Finnish and Nordic designers. }} * {{buy | name=Sisutuksen koodi | alt= | url=http://www.sisustuksenkoodi.fi {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=shop@sisustuksenkoodi.fi | address=Linnankatu 19 | lat=60.4502 | long=22.2703 | directions= | phone=+358 40-081-1960 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 11:00–618:00, Tu–F 10:00–18:00, Sa 11:00–14:00 | price= | content=Sisustuksen koodi (''The interior code'') is a interior design store in the centre. It sells functional high-quality furniture and everything else you might need to furnish your apartment. You'll also find great Finnish design brands from here such as Artek, which was founded by legendary Finnish architect couple Alvar and Aino Aalto. }} * {{buy | name=Sylvi Salonen | alt= | url=http://www.sylvisalonen.fi | email=info@sylvisalonen.fi | address=Linnankatu 14 | lat=60.44910 | long=22.26689 | directions=the Fortuna quarter in the centre | phone=+358 20-766-0830 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This boutique is in an old stall building of the 1880s in central Turku. It was founded in 1928 by Sylvi Salonen, who started selling her own embroidery designs. Nowadays Sylvi Salonen still offers a wide selection of embroidery and handwork accessories but also high quality gifts and trendy home décor items, Finnish handicrafts, Home décor and Scandinavian design. Also a versatile range of tableware accessories, candles and lanterns. }} * {{buy | name=Marimekko | alt= | url= https://www.marimekko.fi | email= | address= | lat=60.4508 | long=22.2653 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa 10:00-19:00, Su 12:00-18:00 | price= | content=A cornerstone of Finnish design and fashion is Marimekko, known around the world for its fresh and bold patterns and prints. You can find a number of Marimekko shops in Turku, including, amongst others, in the shopping centres of Skanssi and Mylly, with the largest store being in the Hansa Shopping Centre. }} * {{buy | name=Punainen Norsu | alt=Red Elephant | url=http://www.punainennorsu.com/en | email=info@punainennorsu.com | address=Forum shopping centre| lat=60.44999 | long=22.24741 | directions= | phone=+358 44-501-1510 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 11:00–18:00, Sa 11:00–15:00 | price= | content=Punainen Norsu (''Red Elephant'') is a children's clothing line originating from Turku. All the colourful and graphic clothes are made mostly from recycled materials. }} * {{buy | name=Baobab Kids & lifestyle | alt= | url= | email=baobab.baby@gmail.com | address=Yliopistonkatu 11 | lat=60.45360 | long=22.26986 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 10:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–15:00 | price= | content=Baobab Kids & lifestyle is a shop aimed for families with children. Their products range from kids clothing from 56cm up to 128cm, a selection of pregnancy clothing, nostalgic wooden toys, retro bags and backpacks, as well as some lovely gifts. }} * {{buy | name=Idea Estradi | alt= | url=http://www.ideaestradi.fi/index.htm {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Humalistonkatu 4 | lat=60.44954 | long=22.26030 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 10:00–17:00, Sa 11:00–14:00 | price= | content=Idea Estradi sells only Finnish handmade products: interior decoration, business gift, souvenirs, jewelry, bags, candles, ceramics and glass products, paintings, soft toys, textiles, towels, cards, and everything else you can think of to need from a handicrafts shop. }} * {{buy | name=Joutomaa | alt= | url=http://joutomaassa.blogspot.fi | email= | address=Kellonsoittajankatu 8 | lat=60.44775 | long=22.28549 | directions= | phone=+358 50-362-8003 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 11:00–17:00 | price= | content=Joutomaa (literally meaning ''Wasteland'') is a small and funny gift shop, which is full of lovely hand-made treasures for yourself or for a friend. Most of the design products are made by the owner Reetta Isotupa-Siltanen, who is specially famous for her cards and prints, which combine old gloss photos which she has found and prints made by herself. She also has a great online store. }} ===Vintage=== * {{buy | name=VintagEija`s | alt= | url=http://www.vintageijas.com | email=eija.mannila@kolumbus.fi | address=Maariankatu 10 | lat=60.4540 | long=22.2666 | directions=a few blocks from the Market Square | phone=+358 50-574-6034 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 12:00–18:00, Sa 11:00–14:00 | price= | content=VintagEija's sells gift, vintage wear and accessories, specializing in American style vintage. There is a rockabilly and burlesque atmosphere in this small boutique, with clothing from 1940s, 50s and 60s. In addition they sell new garment which have been made in the style of vintage for both men and women. }} * {{buy | name=Boutique Minne | alt= | url=http://www.boutiqueminne.com | email=info@boutiqueminne.com | address=Kaskenkatu 2 | lat=60.44781 | long=22.27122 | directions= | phone=+358 50-516-6124 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W–F 11:00–17:30 | price= | content=Boutique Minne, in the Kaskenmäki Hill in central Turku, is a small boutique and sewing workshop selling and making women's vintage clothing. Minne's range includes lovely vintage dresses and new production of bridal and formal wear for women. You'll also find new and old accessories, jewellery, local arts and crafts, and unique design. }} ===Record stores=== * {{buy | name=8raita | alt= | url=http://www.8raita.fi/shop/ | email=shop@8raita.fi | address=Yliopistonkatu 11 | lat=60.45409 | long=22.27258 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 10:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–17:00 | price= | content=8raita sells all kinds of records ranging from second-hand CDs and LPs to music DVDs and other products. It also has a good online-store and staff that can give you great recommendations. }} * {{buy | name=Asema | alt= | url=http://asematurku.fi/#tapahtumat | email=asematurku@gmail.com | address=Läntinen Pitkäkatu 22 | lat=60.45332 | long=22.25618 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 12:00–18:00, Sa 12:00–15:09 | price= | content=Small independent store that sells second-hand and new LPs. Music concentrates more on hiphop, soul, funk, jazz, reggae, punk and electronic. They also sell services ranging from film editing to lighting design. }} * {{buy | name=Iki-Pop | alt= | url=http://www.ikipop.fi/ | email=joska@ikipop.inet.fi | address=Linnankatu 7 | lat=60.45070 | long=22.27066 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This personal tiny record store, opposite the Main City Library, sells second-hand CDs and LPs, but the main focus is on vinyl. This is a real haven for those who like to dig through loads of old goodies and find the one you've been looking everywhere. }} * {{buy | name=Kaakko | alt= | url=http://www.kaakko.fi/ | email=info@kaakko.fi | address=Yliopistonkatu 38 | lat=60.44811 | long=22.25508 | directions= | phone=+358 45-650-9822 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 12:00–18:00, Sa 11:00–14:00 | price= | content=Founded in 2004 Kaakko sells and buys second-hand vinyl records and has almost 9000 records in stock with daily arrivals – that's probably the largest selection of vinyl records in all of Turku. If you're not able to visit the store, you can find all the records online as well. }} ==Eat== {{quote|''Varför Paris, vi har ju Åbo!''<br/>"Why Paris, we have Turku!"|author=Quote from a Swedish journalist}} Turku and other parts of [[Finland Proper]] are home to the more western influenced Finnish cuisine, which has features especially from Sweden, Denmark and Germany. The long traditions of farming and fishing in the area have contributed to the local food culture. Fish, especially herring – the regional fish of Finland Proper – has been at the heart of the regions culinary traditions for centuries. It is eaten all year round salted, fried, grilled and smoked. In addition, perch, whitefish and pike are often used. You must also remember to try the famous raisin sausage, a regional speciality which you can buy for example from the Market Hall. Another regional speciality is the sweet malt bread from the archipelago: ''skärgårdslimpa''. As a dessert enjoy a good cup of coffee together with ''pulla'' (cinnamon roll) or ''Piispanmunkki'' ("Bishops Doughnut"), as people here call the traditional North German pastry ''Berliner''. For fast food, you will generally need to pay under €10 any time, Burger meals are around €5–9 (including drink and fries), as are meals at kebab-pizzerias. Lower end proper restaurant meals with some simple pasta or soup with water or a soft drink is usually around €10–20. For meals with a high-grade steak and good wine, expect to pay at least €30–60. Generally, proper restaurants are open until 22:00–23:00, on weekends maybe an hour longer. In some establishments, the bar may remain open for drinks even though the kitchen has closed (often around 21:00) and no food is available. Fast food chains and some kebab-pizzerias, grills and other such places are open later at night, some as late as 03:00–05:00. ===Lunch and brunch=== [[File:Aboa Vetus Ars Nova, kesäterassi.jpg|thumb|Summer terrace at the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova courtyard.]] [[File:Kåren 2017 studentkaféet.jpg|thumb|The lunch café Kåren]] Most restaurants have offers at €7–10 at lunch time, mostly at least weekdays 11:00–14:00. There are also lunch restaurants or cafés serving meals only at lunch time, including student cafés and lunch restaurants for big workplaces, often having a very affordable price also for outsiders. For the student cafés some timing may be needed to avoid long queues. The department stores Wiklund and Stockman have family friendly cafés that can come handy. When you are in the city and want to grab something to eat you can check the [https://www.lounasmenu.fi/turku/ Turku lunch options] page and prices to decide where to go. * {{eat | name=Arvin Grilli ja Lounas | alt= | url=http://www.arvingrilli.fi | email=paulamarjatta.tiainen@gmail.com | address=Nosturinkatu 5 | lat=60.442963 | long=22.229729 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 06:00–15:00 (lunch 10:30–13:30) | price=Lunch €6.90, soup lunch €5.50 including salad, bread, milk and coffee | content=Great price quality relation. }} * {{eat | name=M Kitchen & Café | alt= | url=http://www.aboavetusarsnova.fi/fi/vierailulle-museoon/ravintola-kahvila | email=mkitchencafe@mbakery.fi | address=Itäinen Rantakatu 4–6 (In the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova museum) | lat=60.45001 | long=22.27384 | directions= | phone=+358 40-197-9005 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00–19:00, lunch served M–F 11:00–14:00, Sa Su brunch 11:00–15:00 | price=Lunch of the day M–F €8–10; brunch €19,90 | content=Serves a very nice lunch, including some great vegetarian choices. Saturday and Sunday it may be packed, since the brunch on the weekend is one of the best ones in the city. Reservation helps, or you need to time your visit early or late. }} * {{eat | name=Elvina Café | alt= | url=http://www.elvina.fi | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 15 | lat=60.45292 | long=22.26801 | directions=near Kauppatori | phone=+358 2 536-8502 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 09:00–18:00, Sa 11:00–15:00 | price= | content=In a 1920s building, seeking an atmosphere of that time. Lunch and café products. }} * {{eat | name=Fontana Café | alt= | url=https://www.fontana.fi/?lang=en | email= | address=Aurakatu 1 | lat=60.44962 | long=22.26859 | directions=opposite the city hall and tourist office near Aura bridge | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 10:00–22:00, F 10:00–23:00, Sa 11:00–00:00, Su 12:00–20:00 (brunch served 12:00–16:00) | price= | content=Fresh products from own bakery. Bar opens in the evening. Popular brunch in weekends. }} * {{eat | name=Honkapirtti | alt= | url=http://www.honkapirtti.fi | email=info@honkapirtti.fi | address=Albert Ravilan raitti | lat=60.42856 | long=22.14769 | directions=Ruissalo island | phone=+358 44-756-7922 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 11:00–17:00, Sa Su 10:00–17:00 | price= | content=East Karelian-style large cabin, since decades a stopping point for people enjoying the nature on the island. Unpretentious lunch consisting of traditional pea soup and delicious pancakes. Its coffee table also has a range of traditional delicacies, cakes and pies. }} * {{eat | name=PullaPuoti | alt= | url=http://www.pullapuoti.fi | email= | address=Puistokatu 3 | lat=60.44589 | long=22.25407 | directions= | phone=+358 2 236-2121 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 08:00–17:00 | price= | content=Close to the Turku Police Station and Hostel Turku. Pastries, snack foods, coffee and filled sandwiches and cakes. For lunch you can choose a soup, salad, pan pizza or pasta. Assortment of gluten-free products. }} * {{eat | name=Café Sirius | alt= | url=http://www.cafesirius.fi | email=info@cafesirius.fi | address=Linnankatu 2 | lat=60.45062 | long=22.27215 | directions=inner yard of the city library | phone=+358 2 231-5760 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 09:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–16:00, Su 12:00–17:00 | price= | content=Salty and sweet delicacies, coffee products and ice cream. On weekdays it also serves lunch 11:00–15:00. }} * {{eat | name=Unica Restaurants | alt= | url=http://www.unica.fi/en/ | email= | address=Rehtoripellonkatu 4 | lat=60.4544 | long=22.2874 | directions= | phone=+358 2 232-5444 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Unica, owned by the Student Union of the University of Turku, owns several student restaurants around the campus area behind Turku Cathedral. }} * {{eat | name=ÅAS student cafés | alt=Gadolinia Kb | url=http://www.studentlunch.fi | email=anne.peltonen@abo.fi | address=Hämeenkatu 22 | lat=60.4497 | long=22.2760 | directions= | phone=+358 2 215-3703 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Lunch for outsiders: €4.60–8 | image=Kåren, Åbo.jpg | lastedit=1018 | content=Cafés of the student union of ÅA. Most cafés are close to Piispankatu behind the cathedral, Kåren on Hämeenkatu opposite buildings of the Old Great Square, in the house of the student union by Erik Bryggman (second floor). Kåren is quiet except around noon, when all the cafés have queues. Most cafés are open only around lunch hours during terms, Arken also in summer. }} * {{eat | name=Teboil Herkku | alt= | url=https://www.tbherkku.fi/ravintola/ | email=turku.rautatehtaankatu@huoltoasemat.teboil.fi | address=Rautatehtaankatu 1 | lat=60.4497729 | long=22.1989227 | directions= | phone=+358 10 583 9900 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10:30-16:00, Sa 11:00-16:00 | price=€10.70 | lastedit=2020-10-13 | content=Home cooking styled lunch and dessert. }} * {{eat | name=Amica Mäntymäki | alt= | url=https://www.amica.fi/ravintolat/ravintolat-kaupungeittain/turku/mantymaki/ | email=ravintokeskus.mantymaki@amica.fi | address=Luolavuorentie 2 | lat=60.439415 | long=22.275665 | directions=K-floor | phone=+358 40 482 8556 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10:30-13:30 | price=€10.15, dessert €1.00 | lastedit=2022-06-08 | content=The staff restaurant at the main health station, which is also open to outsiders. }} * {{eat | name=Kaarea TYKS U restaurant | alt= | url=https://menu.kaarea.fi/AromieMenus/FI/Default/Kaarea/TYKSUR/Restaurant.aspx | email=asiakaspalvelu@kaarea.fi | address=Kiinamyllynkatu 4 | lat=60.453379 | long=22.289324 | directions= | phone=+358 20 764 9850 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10:30-13:30 | price=€7.55-€9.15 | lastedit=2022-06-08 | content=Staff restaurant in the U building of Turku University Hospital, also open to outsiders. Sale of surplus food after lunch 13:30-13:40. }} ===Budget=== [[File:Hesburger hamburger.jpg|thumb|Hesburger originates in Turku, and is the largest hamburger restaurant chain in Finland.]] For lunch, see [[#Lunch and brunch]] above. Hesburger is the dominant burger chain in Turku, and you will find several of these in the city centre. Pizzerias are frequently cheap kebab-pizzerias, offering kebab, falafel and pizza. You will find a lot of these in the centre. Unfortunately, the restaurants offering the finest kebabs are in the suburbs. * {{eat | name=Hesburger | alt= | url=http://www.hesburger.com | email= | address= | lat=60.4504 | long=22.2653 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open from early morning to dusk, some of them even round the clock | price= €5-10 | content=Just ask any of the locals: Hesburger burgers really do taste better! Originating from Turku, Hesburger is today the largest hamburger chain in Finland, leaving McDonald's and Burger King as marginal players. It is still run by the family that started it in the 1960s. It is especially popular in Turku, where it is based. It is almost hard not to pass one when walking around the city centre. You'll find four Hesburgers just around the Kauppatori area. If you are in a hurry you can also order the food through their mobile app. }}<!-- -->[[File:Beef Kung Po at restaurant Kiinanmuuri in Turku.jpg|thumb|right|Beef Kung Po at restaurant Kiinanmuuri]] * {{eat | name=Kiinanmuuri | alt=Great Wall of China | url=http://www.chinamarket.fi/kiinanmuuri/index.php | email= | address=Sirkkalankatu 27 and Vähä-Hämeenkatu 1 | lat=60.44523 | long=22.27496 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Kiinanmuuri is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Turku. Even though it's usually crowded around noon, decorations are outdated and it seems a bit suspicious, their food is superb. All the ingredients are very fresh and the portions are usually huge. Lunchtime service is really fast. If you're extra hungry or wish to survive a couple of days on one portion, try the take away to get even larger portions. }} * {{eat | name=Kortteliravintola Kerttu | alt=Quarter Restaurant Kerttu | url=http://www.kerttu.fi/en | email= | address=Läntinen pitkäkatu 35 | lat=60.45388 | long=22.25704 | directions=near the railway station | phone=+358 2 250-6990 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 10:30–23:00, F 10:30–00:00, Sa 12:00–00:00 | price= | content=Kerttu is a popular quarter restaurant with a reasonably priced menu for both omni- and herbivores. Kerttu is very popular amongst students, and there is even a laundromat in the restaurant for visitors to use, while they are enjoying their meals. On weekends they have a special hamburger buffet, that is very popular among locals. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. }} ** {{eat | name=Rantakerttu | alt= | url=http://www.rantakerttu.fi | email= | address=Läntinen rantakatu 55 | lat=60.44050 | long=22.24486 | directions=close to the ''Föri'' ferry | phone=+358 2 258-8000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 11:00-15:00, Tu–Th 11:00–22:00, F 11:00–23:00, Sa 12:00–23:00, Su 12:00–18:00 | price= | content=Kortteliravintola Kerttu's sister restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Latte Café | alt= | url=http://www.lattecafe.biz | email= | address=Kristiinankatu 5 | lat=60.44905 | long=22.26482 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Sweet little café, which also serves very inexpensive lunch. Huge list of different coffees from every corner of the earth. Menu includes toasts, paninis, salads, and bagels. No need to go to a restaurant because of hunger because the sizes of these foods are big. Atmosphere is very relaxing thanks to jazz and Latin sounds and warm colours. If you feel like you want more privacy, you can go to the back room and sit on the cosy couch. And during summer you can also sit outside. }} * {{eat | name=Nummis | alt= | url=http://www.nummispizzeria.fi | email= | address=Vanha Hämeentie 19 | lat=60.4554 | long=22.3034 | directions= | phone=+358 2 250-6144 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00–22:00 | price=€7–10 | lastedit=2018 | content=A pizza and kebab restaurant in the district of Nummi. Serves quite good pizzas and kebabs, but don't expect anything special. }} * {{eat | name=Rax Buffet | alt= | url=http://www.rax.fi | email= | address=Aurakatu 12 | lat=60.45122 | long=22.26536 | directions= | phone=+358 20-766-4911 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 11:00–20:00, F 11:00–21:00, Sa 11:00–19:00, Su 12:00–19:00 | price= | content= Rax offers an all you can eat style buffet that includes pizza, barbecue food, salads, ice cream and soft-drinks. Good option if you feel like really filling your stomach for a long time inexpensively. }} * {{eat | name=Taco Nito | alt= | url=http://www.taco-nito.com | email= | address=Aurakatu 3 | lat=60.45013 | long=22.26778 | directions= | phone=+358 40-653-3112 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Around €10 | content= Owned by Mexican brothers, Taco Nito serves simple but very tasty finger food. Corn, meat, salsa, beans, chili and avocado are cornerstones of the food. Restaurant has continuously had good feedback from customers and has relatively low prices. }} * {{eat | name=Yasukon Keittiö | alt=Yasuko's Kitchen | url=http://www.yasukonkeittio.com | email=yasuko@yasukonkeittio.com | address=Yliopistonkatu 26 C (second floor) | lat=60.45012 | long=22.26080 | directions= | phone=+358 440-335-507 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Yasuko's kitchen is a tiny Japanese restaurant that serves everyday home cooked Japanese meals, and some sushi and other more common dishes. Everything is well-prepared and the atmosphere in the restaurant is very authentic. Yasuko's seats less than 20 people, but more than 10 customers mean you might have to wait for your food, but it's worth it. }} ===Mid-range=== [[File:Dessert at Restaurant Dennis in Turku.jpg|thumb|Dessert at Ristorante Dennis.]] [[File:Meal at restaurant Harald in Turku.jpg|thumb|Meal at restaurant Harald in Turku.]] * {{eat | name=Delhi Darbar | alt= | url=http://delhidarbar.fi | email=ravintola@delhidarbar.fi | address=Hämeenkatu 8 | lat=60.45189 | long=22.28305 | directions= | phone=+358 2 233-3988 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 10:30–22:00, F 10:30–23:00, Sa 12:00–23:00, Su 12:00–22:00 | price= | content=Excellent and authentic Indian food. Short walk from the Cathedral. }} * {{eat | name=Ristorante Dennis | alt=Dennis | url=http://www.dennis.fi | email=| info@dennis.fi | address=Linnankatu 17 | lat=60.44892 | long=22.26555 | directions= | phone=+358 2 469-1191 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Th 11:00–23:00, F 11:00–23:30, Sa 12:00–23:30, Su 12:30–22:00, lunch M–F 11:00–15:00 | price= | content=Family friendly restaurant that opened in 1975 as the first Italian one. }} * {{eat | name=Hiili | alt= | url=http://www.hiiliravintola.fi | email=info@hiiliravintola.fi | address=Aurakatu 6, Second floor | lat=60.45005 | long=22.26714 | directions= | phone=+358 44-717-7440 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M–F 16:00–23:30, Sa 14:00–23:30, Su 14:00-20:00 | price= | content= Hiili offers an American BBQ experience with nice views to the heart of Turku. Menu includes pulled pork, BBQ ribs and other American delicacies. Hiili chefs have developed their own BBQ sauces and meals from local ingredients. }} * {{eat | name=Kado Sushi | alt= | url=http://www.kadosushi.fi/ | email=info@kadosushi.fi | address=Inside the Market Hall, Eerikinkatu 16 | lat=60.44940 | long=22.26658 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M–F 11:00–18:00, Sa 11:00–16:00 | price= | content= Kado sushi combines the wholesome delicacies with aesthetic pleasures, all prepared using fresh ingredients. Japanese cuisine. }} * {{eat | name=Kobe sushi | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/KOBESUSHIRAVINTOLA/ | email= | address=Martinkatu 3 | lat=60.4433 | long=22.2570 | directions=20 minute walk from city centre or by bus line 9 | phone=+358 44 9877251 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 11:00-21:00, Sa Su 12:00–21:00 | price=Buffet €13 | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=Authentic Japanese food. }} * {{eat | name=Pippurimylly | alt=Pepper Mill | url=http://pippurimylly.fi/ | email= | address=Stålarminkatu 2 | lat=60.43905 | long=22.25935 | directions=behind the Sports Park | phone=+358 2 277-3350| tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 11:00–23:00, Sa 12:00–23:00, Su 12:00–21:00, kitchen closes 1 hour before closing time | price= | content=Pippurimylly ''(Pepper Mill)'' is a traditional family-owned restaurant that has served locals for decades, and little has changed – nostalgia! It uses Finnish products and is well known for its steaks. }} * {{eat | name=Sergio's | alt= | url=http://www.sergio.fi | email=ravintola@sergio.fi | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 27 | lat=60.44696 | long=22.26216 | directions= | phone=+358 20-769-8585 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M–F 16:00–23:00, Sa 13:00–23:00 | price= | content=Authentic Italian restaurant in a 1787 wooden house by the river. Most of the ingredients are imported from Italy. Also, as a rule, the staff is Italian, but the service is of course also in Finnish and English. Pizzas, pasta, fish, meat, risottos, vegetarian dishes and Italian desserts. Good wine selection as well. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Trattoria Romana | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hämeenkatu 9 | lat=60.45182 | long=22.28137 | directions= | phone=+358 2 251-9554 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Authentic Italian trattoria, owned and run by Italians. Excellent value for money. }} * {{eat | name=Viking Restaurant Harald | alt=Viikinkiravintola Harald | url=http://www.ravintolaharald.fi | email=turku@ravintolaharald.fi | address=Aurakatu 3 | lat=60.45002 | long=22.26800 | directions=between Kauppatori and Auransilta bridge | phone=+358 44-766-8204 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 12:00–23:00 Th–F 12:00–24:00, Sa 12:00–01:00, Su 15:00–22:00 | price=€18–50, children €9–12; lunch from €12.50 | lastedit=2018-06-17 | content=Quasi-authentic with furs on the walls and rustic furniture, with some humour. Good food with surprising combinations, such as jam or berries with the main courses. Perhaps the way the Vikings had it, but never mind if not. Toilets called Harald (gents) and Helga (ladies). }} * {{eat | name=Wanhan Paronin Kellari | alt=Old Baron's Cellar | url=http://www.wpk.fi | email=ravintola@wpk.fi | address=Yliopistonkatu 37 | lat=60.44900 | long=22.25661 | directions= | phone=+358 440-225-442 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Tu–Th 14:00–22:00, F Sa 14:00–00:00 | price= | content= Don't be fooled by the humble entrance. A little bit off the city centre Wanhan Paronin Kellari is an atmospheric cellar restaurant that has many medievally decorated small compartments. Food includes seasonal products as well as steaks and game. Value for money is surprisingly good. }} ===Splurge=== [[File:Turku cafe.jpg|thumb|Most of the restaurants, cafés and bars have outdoor terraces during the summer season.]] The biggest concentration of top restaurants is along the river, at the right bank downstream from the cathedral bridge. Others are scattered around, such as Kaskis, which got a Michelin star in 2022. * {{eat | name=E. Ekblom | alt= | url=https://www.eekblom.fi | email=info@eekblom.fi | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 3 | lat=60.44978 | long=22.27157 | directions= | phone=+358 2 536-9445 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W Th 17:00–23:00, F Sa 17:00–01:00 | price= | content=Comfortable high quality wine restaurant. Its carefully selected wines offer wide variety with seasonal changes. In a beautiful, respectfully renovated premises on two floors. Kitchen offers sweet and savoury delicacies to accompany the wine, while the summer terrace has great views towards the river. }} * {{eat | name=Gustavo | alt= | url=http://gustavo.fi | email=info@gustavo.fi | address=Linnankatu 1 | lat=60.4525 | long=22.2743 | directions=Vähätori, next to the bridge |image=Gustavon terassi.jpg | phone=+358 46-922-2488 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Th–F 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–22:00, Sa 15:00–22:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=Mediterranean kitchen with a Scandinavian twist. Tip: gather a few Portuguese pinchos with pizza and share with your friends. Do not hesitate to ask anything that surprises you, staff is very kind and helpful. Gustavo also imports wines of its own. }} * {{eat | name=Kaskis | alt= | url=http://kaskis.fi | email=info@kaskis.fi | address=Kaskenkatu 6 A | lat=60.44672 | long=22.27265 | directions= | phone=+358 44-723-0200 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–Th 16:00–23:00, F Sa 16:00–00:00, Su M closed | price= | content=Named after its location on the Kaskenmäki hill, Kaskis was opened in 2014 by three friends. Fine dining influenced especially by Southern European, Scandinavian and Asian kitchens. Michelin star. Try to book your table well in advance, busy times are outsold months before. }} * {{eat | name=Ludu | alt= | url=http://ludu.fi/en/ | email=ravintola@ludu.fi | address=Linnankatu 17 | lat=60.44957 | long=22.26733 | directions= | phone=+358 20-734-0310 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 11:00–14:00 and 17:00-23:00, Sa 17:00–23:00 | price= | content=Ludu is a small fine dining restaurant that serves European food. It also has an excellent wine selection and changing seasonal products on its menu. }} * {{eat | name=Mami | alt= | url=http://www.mami.fi | email=mami@mami.fi | address=Linnankatu 3 | lat=60.45174 | long=22.27335 | directions=Vähätori | phone=+358 2 231-1111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F lunch 11:00–15:00, à la carte 17:00–22:00, Sa à la carte 13:00–22:00, Su M closed | price=Lunch €10–25 | content=The tiny Mami is considered one of the best restaurants in Turku. It has relaxed service, carefully prepared food and a comfortable and modern environment. The summer terrace offers the most beautiful views. They also serve a great lunch. }} * {{eat | name=Pinella | alt= | url=http://www.pinella.fi | email=info@pinella.fi | address=Vanha Suurtori 2 | lat=60.45121 | long=22.27488 | directions= | phone=+358 2 445-6400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Lunch: Tu–F 11:00–15:00, Sa 12:00–15:00. À la carte: Tu–F 17:00–23:00, Sa 16:00–23:00. Bar: Tu–Th 17:00–23:00, F Sa 16:00–01:00 | price= | content=Pinella is a landmark building on the river. It has been transformed into a contemporary bar and restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Samppalinna | alt= | url= | email=info@ravintolasamppalinna.fi | address=Itäinen Rantakatu 10 | lat=60.44745 | long=22.26835 | directions= | phone=+358 10-764-5391 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Summer only | price= | content=Restaurant Samppalinna (opened in 1832) is a spectacular wooden villa in the park, with terraces towards the river. For lovers of good food, drink and theatre. }} * {{eat | name=Roster | alt= | url=https://rosterturku.com | email=myyntipalvelu@royalravintolat.com | address=Tuomiokirkonkatu 6 | lat=60.4515 | long=22.2786 | directions=behind the cathedral as seen from the bridge | phone=+358 9 6128-6850 (chain head office?) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 11:30–22:00, Tu-F 11:30–23:00, Sa 15:00–23:00, Su 12:00–18:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=Roster offers a place to wine and dine in a nice milieu. Have a drink before dinner in a fancy cocktail bar. And another after the dinner too. }} * {{eat | name=Smör | alt= | url=http://www.smor.fi | email=info@smor.fi | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 3 | lat=60.45014 | long=22.27206 | directions= | phone=+358 2 536-9444 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The menu changes according to the seasons. Midst the milieu of the cellar vaults, Smör serves at lunchtime and in the evening. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Suomalainen Pohja | alt= | url=http://www.suomalainenpohja.fi | email=ravintola@suomalainenpohja.com | address=Aurakatu 24 | lat=60.45340 | long=22.26194 | directions= | phone=+358 2 251-2000 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 11:00–20:00 | price= | content=Club Restaurant Suomalainen Pohja (''Finnish Base'') was built in 1980 and was designed by architect Sigvard Eklund. The interiors were designed by an Englishman, Sir George Salmon. The plan has been the basis for an English club activities. Pohja serves traditional fine dining food and atmosphere. }} * {{eat | name=Tintå | alt= | url=http://www.tinta.fi | email=info@tinta.fi | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 9 | lat=60.44916 | long=22.27006 | directions=right bank, by Aurasilta | phone=+358 2 230-7023 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 11:00–00:00, Tu–Th 11:00–01:00, F 11:00–02:00, Sa 12:00–02:00, Su 12:00–22:00 | price= | content=Tintå is a wine restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, by the river. It serves more than a hundred different wines, and a short but good menu of gourmet pizzas and tasty lunch on weekdays. Terrace completes the river landscape. }} * {{eat | name=Tårget | alt= | url=http://www.matbar.fi | email=info@matbar.fi | address=Linnankatu 3 | lat=60.45156 | long=22.27305 | directions=Vähätori | phone=+358 400-522-707 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 11:00–22:00, F 11:00–03:00, Sa 12:00–03:00. Lunch is served M–F 11:00–15:00; those days à la carte is available 16:00– | price= | content=Italian, international and Scandinavian cuisine. It also houses a great wine-bar, which is one of the hot spots of the city especially during the summer. Trendy but casual bistro-style restaurant. }} ===Gastropub=== [[File:Tiirikkala_turku.jpg|thumb|Bartender making a drink in Tiirikkala]] * {{eat | name=Hunsvotti | alt= | url=http://www.satamakapakkahunsvotti.fi | email= | address=Län­tinen Ran­ta­katu 55 | lat=60.44108 | long=22.24608 | directions=near Föri | phone=+358 2 258-8000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 11:00–22:00, F 11:00–23:00, Sa 12:00–23:00, Su 12:00–19:00 | price= | content=A combination of a sports bar and gastropub, since you can order food from the Rantakerttu restaurant to the pub. }} * {{eat | name=Löytö | alt= | url=https://www.gastropubloyto.fi | email=palaute@ravintolateini.fi | address=Uudenmaankatu 1 | lat=60.4525 | long=22.2740 | directions=Near Cathedral | phone=+358 2 233-0203 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 11:00–00:00, F 11:00–02:00, Sa 14:00–02:00, Su 15:00–22:00 | price=lunch €8–12; à la carte €3 (fingerfood) – €32 (steak) | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=Idyllic cellar underground. }} * {{eat | name=Pikku-Torre | alt= | url=http://www.pikkutorre.fi/ | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 30 | lat=60.44953 | long=22.25908 | directions= | phone=+358 2 274-4866 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M Tu 11:00–00:00, W Th 11:00–01:00, F 11:00–03:00, Sa 12:00–03:00, Su 12:00–00:00 | price= | content=Pikku-Torre (Little Torre) is combination of restaurant, sports bar and club. It has a good menu full of steaks, burgers and salads. It also serves lunch every day. In the evening it turns more into a bar and nightclub. }} * {{eat | name=Pub Niska | alt= | url=http://www.niskaturku.com | email=niska@niskaturku.com | address=Kristiinankatu 1 | lat=60.44810 | long=22.26623 | directions= | phone=+358 40-739-1006 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 11:00–22:00, F 11:00–23:00, Sa 12:00–23:00, Su 12:00–22:00 | price= | content=Pub Niska Turku is a restaurant concept developed by chef Michael Björklund from the Åland Islands. Known for its archipelago pizzas made from fresh, high-quality ingredients that mainly come from Åland. Their list includes filling salads, desserts and a versatile drink selection. }} * {{eat | name=Tiirikkala | alt= | url=http://www.tiirikkala.fi | email=tiirikkala@tiirikkala.fi | address=Linnankatu 3 | lat=60.45181 | long=22.27351 | directions= | phone= +358 44-756-6160 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 19:30:00–00:00, Tu-Th 11:00–22:00, F Sa 11:00–02:00, Su 12:00–22:00| price= | content=In addition to a good selection of wine and drinks, Tiirikkala offers traditional Danish smørrebrød sandwiches and pastries that are handmade on the site. The interior design of the restaurant is very Scandinavian, reflecting its dishes. It serves Finnish Microbrewery beers from its taps. }} * {{eat | name=Vaakahuoneen Paviljonki | alt= | url=http://www.vaakahuone.fi | email= | address=Linnankatu 38, | lat=60.44460 | long=22.25374 | directions= | phone=+358 2 515-3300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Pavilion restaurant Vaakahuone is an entertainment complex by the river. It offers live music (for dancing or otherwise), a speciality coffee shop, a pizza restaurant, and an à la carte restaurant. The end of the building also serves as S/S Ukkopekka's ticket office. }} ===Vegetarian=== * {{eat | name=Kasvis-ravintola | alt= | url=http://www.turunkasvisravintola.fi | email=info@turunkasvisravintola.fi | address=Yliopistonkatu 29 a | lat=60.4511 | long=22.2604 | directions=in the ground floor of the Betel Church in the yard, door in the short wall, follow the signs | phone=+358 50-326-5122 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 11:00–15:00 | price=€7.70–11.50, children 7–12 €5; takeaway €14,50/kg | lastedit=2018-06-08 | content=Vegetarian restaurant serving a lunch buffet, using mostly organic and locally grown products. Vegans can eat most things offered, just check the whiteboard (vegan alternatives often available when needed) and choose the outs milk for your coffee (but unless you must, try the included teas of the day instead). The dining rooms are bland in spite of the exterior, but the food is good. }} * {{eat | name=Kuori | alt= | url=http://www.ravintolakuori.fi | email=info@ravintolakuori.fi | address=Hämeenkatu 8 | lat=60.4519 | long=22.2830 | directions=200 metres from the cathedral | phone=+358 20-794-0330 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M 11:00–15:00, Tu–Th 11:00–15:00, 17:00–22:00, F 11:00–15:00, 17:00–23:00, Sa 17:00–23:00 | price=Lunch €7.90–10.40, tasting menu €56 | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=Very popular vegetarian restaurant. Tip: try 6 courses tasting menu. Its sister restaurant Roots Kitchen in the market hall is a great place for eating, although it might be crowded during lunch time. }} * {{eat | name=Tikitak | alt= | url=http://tikitak.fi {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=info@tikitak.fi | address=Maariankatu 1 | lat=60.4541 | long=22.2667 | directions=Next to Puutori, a 5 minute walk from Kauppatori | phone=+358 40-935-7614 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 11:00–21:00, F Sa 11:00–00:00, Su 12:00–21:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=Looks like a quite normal kebab-pizzeria but they have a passion for vegan food. Tip: try vöner, vegan version of döner. }} * {{eat | name=VG Wok | alt= | url=http://vg-wok.com | email= | address=Rauninaukio | lat=60.4629 | long=22.2631 | directions=some distance past the railway bridge by the bus station | phone=+358 45-665-1793 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 11:00–18:00, F 11:00–20:00, Sa 12:00–20:00, Su | price=Main dishes €7.50 | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=Really nice vegetarian budget place. Vg Wok has sister restaurants in Tykistönkatu and Arvinkatu. Authentic Asian food. }} ==Drink== Restaurants and bars have varying closing hours, but generally, the popular nightclubs and discos are open until 04:00. Last call always occurs half an hour before closing time, and is indicated by the bar staff turning the lights off for a few seconds, then turning them back on. They may repeat this a few times in quick succession to make sure the patrons get it. It's generally smart to leave about ten minutes before the last call, to avoid being caught in the rush of everybody trying to leave at once, especially if you are planning to get back to your night spot by a taxi. The times are changing somewhat, as the legislation now allow them to keep open after 04:00, which will probably be the new time of last call. Night clubs tend to have guarded cloakrooms where you can leave any of your outer garments in exchange for a ticket. Using the coat service is generally considered mandatory even if this is not explicitly pointed out. The cloakroom fee is usually €2 or 2.50. Do not lose the ticket; the bar staff will often not want to hash out ticket confusions during closing time when things are at their most chaotic. If you lose the ticket, you may be told to come back the following day to get your things, expect to be able to prove the jacket is yours by telling the staff the make of the jacket/colour of lining/contents of pockets. The legal drinking age in Finland is 18 for mild alcoholic drinks (up to 20%/40-proof) and 20 for stronger drinks than that, but virtually all establishments sell stronger drinks to 18-year-olds as well. The minimum age required to enter bars/pubs/nightclubs differs; legally, one must be at least 18 to enter places that serve alcohol, but many clubs and bars have higher age limits (20–24 yrs). ===Cafés=== [[File:Qwenselska gården uteservering 2.jpg|thumb|Courtyard of the Qwensel house, with café (in summer) and the Pharmacy Museum.]] There are many cafés in Turku. The ones listed here are not representative, but mostly more odd ones. See also [[#Lunch and brunch|Lunch and brunch]] above. * {{drink | name=Café Art | alt= | url=http://www.cafeart.fi | email= | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 5 | lat=60.44951 | long=22.27102 | directions=in the centre by the river | phone=+358 40-158-3383 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 10:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–17:00, Su 11:00–17:00 | price= | content=Special coffees along with delicious cakes. }} * {{drink | name=Aschan | alt= | url=http://www.aschan.fi | email= | address=Eerikinkatu 15 (in Hansa Shopping Center) | lat=60.45054 | long=22.26493 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 08:00–20:00, Sa 09:00–18:00, Su 12:00–18:00 | price= | content=Aschan is a café and lunch restaurant, until 2018 a popular confectory and café in Turku, now with franchises in Turku and Helsinki. It sells all kinds of coffee, drinks and sweet and salty bakeries, beard, pies and cakes. }} * {{drink | name=Fabbes Café | alt= | url=https://fabbescafe.com/en | email=fabbescafe@gmail.com | address=Tehtaankatu 6 | lat=60.45641 | long=22.28056 | directions= | phone=+358 50-535-3647 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 08:00–16:00; lunch 11:00–15:00, late lunch if anything left | price=Breakfast €7, lunch €6–7 (late lunch €4), coffee with bun €4 | lastedit=2021-10-26 | content=Fabbes café is a cosy small café in the beautiful Biskopsgatan area (ÅA campus). 2–3 lunch options, one of which is vegan. Coffee included. They have a nice selection of pies (sweet and savoury), cakes, cinnamon rolls and home-made sweet treats, smoothies, etc. Nearly everything at Fabbe's is baked or produced in house, and you can tell the difference – nothing factory made and no additives. }} * {{drink | name=Gaggui | alt= | url=http://gaggui.fi | email= | address=Humalistonkatu 15 | lat=60.45299 | long=22.25618 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–F 10:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–18:00, Su 12:00–18:00 | price= | content=In this tiny café the cakes are the main thing. They are fantastic and made by hand on the site. Coffee is also top-notch and the service is super friendly. }} * {{drink | name=Kirjakahvila | alt=Book Café | url=http://www.kirjakahvila.org | email= | address=Vanha Suurtori 1 | lat=60.45038 | long=22.27564 | directions=in the Brinkkala yard | phone=+358 2 469-1396 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 11:00–19:00, often live acoustic music or other cultural events in the evening | price= | content=At the historical Old Great Square, this is a culture café and a bookshop (books from small publishers, also foreign ones) run by volunteers. Besides books there are also a lot of comics, postcards and posters by local artists for sale. Freshly baked cakes every day. All food vegan. Free wireless Internet available, ask the staff for passwords. }} * {{drink | name=Kisälli | alt= | url=http://www.enkelinkisalli.fi {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=info@enkelinkisalli.fi | address=Vartiovuorenkatu 2 | lat=60.44706 | long=22.27613 | directions=next to the entrance of the Luostarimäki outdoor museum | phone=+358 40-630-5988 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00–18:00 | price= | content=Old-fashioned style to partly match the location. Self-made fresh bread rolls, buns, donuts and pies. Every day there's also pancake and a variety of sweet and savoury pies. And of course, great coffee and other drinks. }} * {{drink | name=Nuvola Gelateria | alt= | url= | email= | address=Eerikinkatu 13 (in Hansa Shopping Center) | lat=60.45049 | long=22.26560 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–F 11:00–20:00, Sa 10:00–18:00, Su 11:00–18:00 | price= | content=The owners, Italians Angelo and Stefano, make traditional Italian ice cream on the site, without any artificial elements. The atmosphere is relaxed and happy with an Italian touch. }} * {{drink | name=Kahvila Promenade | alt= | url=http://www.villapromenade.fi | email=myynti@villapromenade.fi | address=Kansanpuistontie 76 | lat=60.42760 | long=22.18140 | directions=Kansanpuisto ("folk park") in Ruissalo | phone=+358 40-158-8424 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 14 May–30 August and Sa–Su in spring 10:00–18:00 | price= | content=In the park, with view towards the shore. Savoury and sweet pastries as well as a range of coffees, and ice cream. }} * {{drink | name=Café Qwensel | alt= | url=http://cafeqwensel.fi | email=cc.catering.cc@gmail.com | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 13 B | lat=60.44872 | long=22.26731 | directions=in the courtyard of the Pharmacy Museum, entrance to the yard to the left of the main building | phone=+358 50-395-0021 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00–18:00; closed in winter | price= | content=Café Qwensel is a charming spot of old milieu in the heart of the city. During the summer there are chickens and roosters on the yard and you can really feel you have travelled back in time. The café serves home-made pastries that have been prepared according to recipes from the 18th century. Also their tea is worth checking. Lunch on weekdays. }} ===Pubs=== [[File:Panimoravintola koulu.jpg|thumb|Brewery Restaurant Koulu]] * {{drink | name=Brewery Restaurant Koulu | alt= | url=http://www.panimoravintolakoulu.fi/?lang=en | email= | address=Eerikinkatu 18 | lat=60.44967 | long=22.26454 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 11:00–02:00. The Winestube M–Th 17:00–23:00, F 17:00–02:00, Sa 17:00–02:00. Dining room M–Th 11:00–22:00, F 11:00–00:00, Sa 12:00–00:00. Lunch M–F 11:00–14:00 | price= | content=An old school building converted into a brewery restaurant serving their own and other beers, good food and an excellent selection of wines. A cosy biergarten in the green backyard is open in the summer and is favourite of locals. }} * {{drink | name=Seurusteluravintola Uusi apteekki | alt=New Pharmacy | url=http://www.uusiapteekki.fi | email= | address=Kaskenkatu 1 | lat=60.44764 | long=22.27063 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00–02:00 | price= | content=Uusi Apteekki (literally meaning New Pharmacy) is a beer pub in a former pharmacy built in 1907. Great selection of beer and spirits, and the decorations alone are worth seeing. In weekend this pub gets really crowded with locals so be prepared to stand while enjoying your beer. If you are lucky, it's also a good place to catch up with writer Reijo Mäki who has written the famous Vares detective stories that are huge in Finland. }} * {{drink | name=Mallaskukko | alt= | url=http://www.mallaskukko.fi | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 37 | lat=60.44893 | long=22.25634 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 14:00–02:00, F Sa 12:00–02:00, Su 14:00-00:00 | price= | content=Another good beer pub in Turku, with a great selection of beers, scotch whiskies and ciders. Mallaskukko truly feels like a living room of the locals. Good place to watch sports from the many TV screens on the walls. }} * {{drink | name=Whisky Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whisky-bar/123994847737677?rf=219574744725419 | email= | address= Yliopistonkatu 19 | lat=60.45246 | long=22.26533 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su–Th 18:00–02:00, F Sa 18:00–03:00 | price= | content=Whisky Bar in the core downtown of Turku has, as its name suggests, a wide selection of whiskies, but also serves beer and other spirits. Nowadays it is strongly orientated to heavy metal by its music and atmosphere. }} * {{drink | name=Cosmic Comic Café | alt= | url=http://cosmic.fi | email= | address=Kauppiaskatu 4 (in the Forum shopping centre) | lat=60.45074 | long=22.26944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su–Tu 16:00–00:00, W–Th 15:00–02:00 F–Sa 15:00–03:00 | price= | content=Cosmic Comic Café has a comics gallery and a comical atmosphere, where beer meets comic books, board games and a relaxed "second living room" atmosphere. It's very popular among students, so sometimes it can be very overcrowded. Bar owner Sakke knows everything about beer so do not hesitate to ask for tips. }} * {{drink | name=Daily News | alt= | url=http://dailyravintolat.fi/dailynews/ | email=dailynews@dailyravintolat.fi | address=Yliopistonkatu 33 | lat=60.4496 | long=22.2583 | directions=5 minute walk from Market Square | phone=+358 50 5711537 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:00-02:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-03-19 | content=A plenty of daily newspapers and perhaps the cheapest beer in the heart of the city. }} ===Bars=== * {{drink | name=Fontti | alt= | url=http://www.fontti.fi/ | email= | address=Kauppiaskatu 5 | lat=60.45095 | long=22.26987 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–Th 16:00–23:00, F 16:00–04:00, Sa 13:00–04:00 | price= | content=It's in the old customers office of the regional newspaper ''Turun-Sanomat''. Fontti (literally meaning font) is a restaurant and serves great food in addition to drinks and coffees. Service can be little slow but otherwise this bar is nice place to spend your weekend evening. }} * {{drink | name=Alvar | alt= | url=http://alvarbaari.fi/ | email= | address=Humalistonkatu 7 | lat=60.45140 | long=22.25841 | directions=Halfway between Central Railway Station and Market Square | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 14:00-02:00, Su 18:00-00:00 | price= | content=Alvar, in a building designed by the famous Finnish modernist architect Alvar Aalto, is a comfortable place with nice staff and a large selection of beer. Free wireless internet connection is also available for visitors to use. You can also reserve time for a special beer tasting if you visit with a group of friends. }} * {{drink | name=Bar Kuka | alt=Bar Who | url=http://www.barkuka.fi/ | email= | address=Linnankatu 17 | lat=60.44882 | long=22.26520 | directions= | phone=+358 50-411-6603 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 18:00-04:00, Age limit 18 | price= | content=On the corner of Linnankatu and Kristiinankatu, Bar Kuka with its retro 1960s and 70s decoration has a loyal fanbase, who think it's the best and cosiest bar you'll ever find in Turku. Kuka offers lots of live music, DJ gigs, stand-up and theme nights. }} * {{drink | name=Rento | url=http://www.rentobar.fi/index.php | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 23 | lat=60.45175 | long=22.26470 | directions= | phone=+358 20-786-2240 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M–W 11:00–02:00, Th–Sa 11:00–03:00, Su 12:00–02:00 | price= | content=Rento, literally meaning casual and relaxed, has probably one of the best locations for a bar in Turku right at the end of the pedestrian street next to the Market Square and Hansa Shopping Center. You can either sit inside or on a nice terrace outside. Large selection of beers and little snacks as well. }} ===Riverboats=== [[File:Esposito Turku.JPG|thumb|Esposito]] Riverboats are a unique feature in the Turku cityscape. In the summertime, it is very popular to spend the early evening until midnight or so on one of them, and when it gets a little chilly, move indoors to a restaurant or night club. They are at the riverside of river Aura. Some of them also house fine restaurants while some are mostly just pubs. * {{drink | name=Donna | alt= | url=http://www.donna.fi/ | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44798 | long=22.26828 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Svarte Rudolf | alt= | url= | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44773 | long=22.26744 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Papa Joe | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/RavintolalaivaPapaJoe?rf=197109880325096 | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44746 | long=22.26656 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Cindy | alt= | url=http://www.cindy.fi/fi#&panel1-1 | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44720 | long=22.26569 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Aussie Bar | alt= | url=http://aussiebar.net/turku/ | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44674 | long=22.26405 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Katarina | alt= | url=http://www.ravintolakatarina.fi/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44654 | long=22.26337 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Majland | alt= | url= | email= | address=Läntinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44510 | long=22.25640 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Esposito | alt= | url=http://www.espositobar.fi/ | email= | address=Läntinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44141 | long=22.24767 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Merihelmi | alt= | url= | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44140 | long=22.24920 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Bruno | alt= | url=http://www.brunocruisers.fi/bruno_2/index.html | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44114 | long=22.24868 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Wanha Rahtilaiva | alt= | url=http://www.rahtis.fi/ | email= | address=Itäinen rantakatu (River Aura) | lat=60.44075 | long=22.24799 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ===Nightclubs=== * {{drink | name=Forte | alt= | url=http://www.nightclub.fi/ravintolat_forte | email= | address=Kristiinankatu 8 | lat=60.44996 | long=22.26295 | directions= | phone=+358 40-091-6403 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 22:00–04:00 | price= | content=Forte has been one favourite of the locals since 1996. It tends to be busy thanks to cheap drinks and daily opening hours, as opposed to majority of the other clubs in the city. The concept of 'SuFo' (='Sunday Forte'), MoFo, etc., is widely recognized among students in Turku. }} * {{drink | name=Chic | alt= | url=http://chicturku.fi/ | email= | address=Linnankatu 18 | lat=60.44878 | long=22.26591 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=F–Su 22:00–04:00 | price= | content=In an old Neo-renessaince-style bank, this is the most posh nightclub in Turku. Showroom offers two stories of great atmosphere: Downstairs ''Lanson Club'' is in a beautiful old cellar and has waiters serving you to your table, which is very uncommon in Finnish nightclubs. Upstairs Heineken Bar offers trendy atmosphere with huge screens on the walls showing latest music videos. }} * {{drink | name=Apollo Nightclub | alt= | url=https://www.apolloturku.fi/ | email= | address=Humalistonkatu 6 | lat=60.45007 | long=22.25957 | directions= | phone=+358 40-827-4268 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=F Sa 22:00–04:00 | price= | content=Age limit 22. Apollo serves live music by bands playing mostly cover music hits by domestic and international stars. Music ranges from rock to pop and disco, old and new. There's also a VIP section which you can reserve. Next door is Armas karaoke bar, which has same opening hours and age limitation. }} * {{drink | name=Dynamo | alt= | url=http://www.dynamoklubi.com/ | email=palaute@dynamoklubi.com | address=Linnankatu 7 | lat=60.45085 | long=22.27106 | directions= | phone=+358 2 250-4904 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–Sa 21:00–04:00 | price= | content=Age limit 20. At Linnankatu, opposite the main library, caters for hipsters with a passion for slightly more eclectic sound. Downstairs indie pop, electro and rock 'n' roll are the main draws, upstairs it's chiefly soul, funk and disco. Live music gigs from hot domestic artists are also frequent. Attracts a healthy number of exchange students. }} * {{drink | name=Night Club Marilyn | alt= | url=http://www.clubmarilyn.fi/ | email= | address=Eerikinkatu 19 | lat=60.44944 | long=22.26261 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–Sa 22:00–04:00 | price= | content=For the late teens-early 20s crowd, the Night Club Marilyn is particularly popular as a disco/night club. It is the oldest privately owned Night Club in Turku and has seen all the other clubs come and go. In its history it has been chosen as the Best Nightclub in the city on several occasions. }} * {{drink | name=Gong | alt= | url=http://gong.fi/ | email= | address=Humalistonkatu 8 | lat=60.45040 | long=22.25849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=F-Sa 21:00–04:00| price= | content=One of the leading live music venues in the city, Gong offers a wide range of music from rock to goth, punk, electronica, ska, prog, grunge, indie/alternative on three different stages. Good club for groups or parties. }} * {{drink | name=Naima | alt= | url= | email= | address= Aurakatu 6 | lat=60.44992 | long=22.26731 | directions= | phone=+358 44 444 1234| tollfree= | fax= | hours=W–Sa 20:00–04:00 | price= | content=For [[#Social dancing|proper dancing]] (not night club dancing) in a nightclub setting, Naima is the recommended place in Turku. The age group skews towards the 30s, 40s and 50s. Often music includes live performances by some of the biggest names in Finnish ''Iskelmä'' (entertainer music) music. }} * {{drink | name=Baaribaari | alt= | url=http://baaribaari.fi/ | email= | address=Aurakatu 14 | lat=60.45195 | long=22.26447 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Bar W-Sa 18:00-04:00, Diskodisko F Sa 22:00–04:00. Age limit 20 | price= | content=Popular especially amongst younger locals, since its age limit is only 20. Next to the Market Square. }} * {{drink | name=suXes | alt= | url=http://www.suxes.fi/ | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 9 | lat=60.45378 | long=22.27049 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 19:00–02:00 | price= | content=Turku, like other larger Finnish cities in general, is quite gay-friendly, though public gestures of affection are not common even for straight couples and might raise some eyebrows. You'll fit in at practically all of the clubs in Turku, but perhaps feel specially at home in suXes, the only gay bar and café in Turku. There you can be openly yourself while enjoying the atmosphere, coffee and drinks. }} ==Sleep== ===Camping=== * {{sleep | name=Ruissalo Camping | alt= | url=http://www.visitturku.fi/en/ruissalo-camping_-0 | email=ruissalo.camping@turku.fi | address=Saarontie 25 | lat=60.4226 | long=22.0941 | directions=bus 8 | phone=+358 2 262-5100 | tollfree= | fax= | price=€40/€160; tent €18+€5/2 per person | checkin= | checkout= | content=Camping and indoor accommodation at the outermost tip of the Ruissalo island. The well-equipped camping and caravan area has a beach, sauna, a convenience store and various other amenities, including hot showers and laundry facilities. The entertainment options include mini-golf, volleyball, badminton and basketball courts, fitness trail, playgrounds and a café-restaurant. Open June–August. }} * {{sleep | name=Naantali Camping | url=http://www.visitnaantalifinland.com/camping {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=camping@naantalinmatkailu.fi | address=Kopenkatu 20 | lat=60.4618 | long=22.0287 | directions=500 m from [[Naantali]] city centre | phone=+358 2 435-0855 | tollfree= | fax= | price=Vehicles and tents €14 + €5/person, cottages from €50 | checkin= | checkout= | content=A camping ground operated by Naantali's tourist office. }} ===Budget=== [[File:Bore (1960) takaisin Turussa 2010.jpg|thumb|Hostel Borea]] [[File:Turku Catholic Church.jpg|thumb|upright|Bridgettine Convent Guest House is next to the Catholic Church.]] * {{sleep | name=Hostel Borea | alt= | url= | email=hostelborea@turku.fi | address=River Aura, Linnankatu 72 | lat=60.4350 | long=22.2337 | directions=by the yard of Forum Marinum | phone=+358 40-843-6611 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Single €51, twin €82 | content=s/s Bore on the River Aura has unique atmosphere. Built for the Turku–Stockholm route, many remember her as cruise ship in different waters, but now the former steamship is permanently moored on the banks of the River Aura and beside other functions houses an inexpensive hostel with 130 cabins. In most of the (small) cabins there is a private shower and toilet. The prices include linen, towels and breakfast, which is served in the buffet restaurant of the ship. Luggage storage, laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby you'll find the Turku Castle and Forum Marinum. Lots of narrow stairs, not suitable for the disabled. }} * {{sleep | name=Bridgettine Convent Guest House | alt= | url=https://birgittalaissisaret.fi/en/ | email=birgitta.turku@kolumbus.fi | address=Ursininkatu 15 A | lat=60.44988 | long=22.25492 | directions= | phone=+358 2 250-1910 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-250-3078 | price=Single €45, twin €65 | checkin= | checkout= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=You'll receive a warm welcome and a friendly smile from the Catholic Sisters who run this guesthouse in a central but quiet location in Turku. The rooms are basic and clean, there is secure parking behind the guesthouse and a continental breakfast is included. Only cash is accepted at the moment (July 2020). }} * {{sleep | name=Guesthouse Tapuli | alt= | url=http://www.tapulitalo.fi/en | email= | address=Kaivokatu 14 | lat=60.4496 | long=22.2894 | directions=between the university and the Kupittaa park | phone=+358 2 250-1600 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Single €50, double €65 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-01-01 | content=Small guesthouse with cosy rooms with TV. No breakfast, kitchen is available for self service. Toilets and showers are by the corridor. Sauna is warm every day (included). There is also free Wi-Fi. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Harriet | alt= | url=http://harriet.fi/hotel-harriet/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=turku@harriet.fi | address=Käsityöläiskatu 11 | lat=60.4511 | long=22.2560 | directions= | phone=+358 40-910-3333 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-231-1110 | checkin= | checkout= | price=€45/€139 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Modern hotel and hostel-quality rooms in the centre. }} * {{sleep | name=Hesehotelli | alt= | url=https://www2.hesburger.fi/hesehotelli | email= | address=Läntinen Pitkäkatu 1 | lat=60.45762 | long=22.26761 | directions= | phone=+358 45-634-3443 | tollfree= | fax= | price= From €50 | checkin=M–W 07:30–03:30, Th 07:30–00:00, F Sa 24 hr and Sun 00:00–03:00 (following day) | checkout= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Hesehotel is owned by the burger chain Hesburger, and it's on the second floor of one of their biggest restaurants near central Turku, right next to Turku bus station. It has 15 rooms and 46 beds. Room equipment includes air conditioning, a fridge, digital TV and free Wi-Fi. You can order breakfast and other food from the restaurant below and check-in is also done at the counter of the restaurant. Parking space reservation price is €5/day. }} * {{sleep | name=Interpoint Hostel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Vähä-Hämeenkatu 12 A | lat=60.45022 | long=22.28193 | directions= | phone=+358 400-821-905 | tollfree= | fax= | price=€10/person | checkin= | checkout= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Operated by the YWCA of Turku, this is the cheapest place to sleep in Turku, but for good reason: It is just 30 mattresses on the floor, and 1 shower. If that is enough for you, then this is your place. }} * {{sleep | name=Linnasmäki | alt= | url=http://linnasmaki.fi/en | email=info@tk-opisto.fi | address=Lustokatu 7 | lat=60.4804 | long=22.2962 | directions= | phone=+358 40-710-4488 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=Reception: Sept–May: 08:30–15:30, June–Aug: 08:00–20:00 | checkout= | price=Single €60, twin €70 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Affordable accommodation in peaceful surroundings 4 km from Turku centre. Guests can use the swimming pool and sauna area. There are plenty of hiking routes with bicycles available to rent during summer. Guests can stay in either a hotel or a refurbished hostel that also offers family rooms and apartments. Individual rooms equipped for disabled guests are also available. Plenty of free parking for guests. }} * {{sleep | name=Bed & Breakfast Tuure | alt= | url=http://www.netti.fi/~tuure2/en/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email=tuure@netti.fi | address=Tuureporinkatu 17 C, third floor | lat=60.45534 | long=22.26557 | directions= | phone=+358 2 233-0230 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=Reception opens at 08:00 and after that you can bring in your luggage when needed. Check-in 14:00–16:00 | checkout= | price=€45/€97 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=A cosy, non-smoking guest house that has provides affordable accommodation only three blocks away from the Market Square. 15 rooms, 5 shared showers/toilets along the corridor, a breakfast room and a kitchen. They also have computers and Wi-Fi as well as washing machine and other necessities of a home all free for the guests to use. Breakfast is plentiful and included in the room price. }} ===Mid-range=== [[File:Park Hotel, Rauhankatu 1, Turku.jpg|thumb|upright|Park Hotel]] * {{sleep | name=Centro Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.centrohotel.com/fi/ | email=centro@centrohotel.com | address=Yliopistonkatu 12 A | lat=60.4532 | long=22.2705 | directions= | phone=+358 2 211-8100 | tollfree= | fax= | price=€110–150 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Modern hotel in the inner courtyard of its building block. Family-owned hotel, a bit more personal than the chain hotels in Turku. }} * {{sleep | name=Omena Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.omenahotels.com/fi/hotellit/suomi/turku/ | email= | address=Humalistonkatu 7 | lat=60.4512 | long=22.2587 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | price=€80–90 | checkin=16 | checkout=12 | content=No reception staff and no breakfast, but prices are considerably cheaper. Booking is done online, and you get a code which you can use to get into the building and onto your room. There are also vending machines for you to buy snacks and food. }} * {{sleep | name=Park Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.parkhotelturku.fi/en | email=info@parkhotelturku.fi | address=Rauhankatu 1 | lat=60.4531 | long=22.2579 | directions=in the Puolala park between the railway station and Kauppatori | phone=+358 2 273-2555 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 251-9696 | price=€140–150 | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | content=Park Hotel is one of the oldest boutique hotels in Finland. In an Art Nouveau building, built in 1902. }} * {{sleep | name=Scandic Hotel Plaza | alt= | url=http://www.scandichotels.com/Hotels/Finland/Turku/Scandic-Plaza-Turku/#.U3CWqPl_t8E | email= | address=Yliopistonkatu 29 | lat=60.4508 | long=22.2618 | directions= | phone=+358 2 332-00 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 332-0111 | price=125–190 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Restaurant. Sauna. 24-hour gym. Bike can be borrowed. }} * {{sleep | name=Best Western Hotel Seaport | url=http://www.hotelseaport.fi | email=seaport@hotelseaport.fi | address=Toinen Poikkikatu 2 | lat=60.43443 | long=22.22115 | directions=at the port | phone=+358 2 283-3000 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-283-3100 | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Family-owned basic hotel in an old customs house. }} * {{sleep | name=Sokos Hotel Seurahuone | alt= | url=https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/turku/sokos-hotel-seurahuone | email=myynti.turku@sokoshotels.fi | address=Eerikinkatu 23 | lat=60.44897 | long=22.26110 | directions= | phone=+358 2 337-301 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 337-2200 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=A bit more business-oriented than the other Sokos Hotels in the city. The hotel restaurant is intended to be Spanish-style. }} * {{sleep | name=Holiday Inn Turku | alt= | url=http://www.finland.holidayinn.com/hotellit/turku/en_GB/turku/ | email=turku.holidayinn@restel.fi | address=Eerikinkatu 28 | lat=60.44793 | long=22.25930 | directions= | phone=+358 2 338-211 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 338-2299 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Moderately priced. Breakfast spread is decent }} * {{sleep | name=Cumulus Turku | url=http://www.cumulus.fi/hotellit/turku/en_GB/turku/ | email=turku.cumulus@restel.fi | address=Eerikinkatu 30 | lat=60.44772 | long=22.25863 | directions= | phone=+358 2 218-1000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Mid-priced business hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Helmi | alt= | url=http://www.hotellihelmi.fi/en | email=hotellihelmi@hotellihelmi.fi | address=Tuureporinkatu 11 | lat=60.45627 | long=22.26824 | directions= | phone=+358 20-786-2770 | tollfree= | fax= | price=€95–110; lunch €10.70, breakfast €11.50, children 4–12 €6.90 | hours=Café M–F 06:30–17:00, Sa–Su 07:00–12:00; lunch M–F 11:00–14:30; breakfast M–F 06:30–10:00, Sa–Su 07:00–12:00 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Small mid-priced hotel next to the bus station, part of the original station plan. The hotel building is an old gas station, which was owned by Shell, hence the name ''Pearl''. Good basic quality no-frills hotel, very good value for money. The café offers also take away breakfast/lunch/snacks. }} ===Splurge=== [[File:Hotel Marina Palace Radisson Blu 2012.jpg|thumb|Hotel Marina Palace]] * {{sleep | name=Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, Turku | alt= | url=https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-marina-turku | email=info.turku@radissonblu.com | address=Linnankatu 32 | lat=60.4466 | long=22.2603 | directions= | phone=+358 20-123-4710 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=On Linnankatu overlooking the River Aura Hotel Marina Palace is considered by many to be the best hotel in Turku. It has housed many celebrities visiting Turku, including Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family of Sweden. With well-appointed rooms overlooking the Aura River. You can dine at two on-site restaurants including the popular ''Grill it! Marina''. Fully equipped gym. Quay for guests (bridges too low for sailing yachts). }} * {{sleep | name=Sokos Hotel City Börs | alt= | url=https://www.sokoshotels.fi/fi/turku/sokos-hotel-hamburger-bors | email=myyntipalvelu.turku@sokoshotels.fi | address=Kauppiaskatu 6 | lat=60.4511 | long=22.2687 | directions= | phone=+358 2 337-381 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=In the Wiklund department store. Good discounts are often available if you book a package together with the ferry companies. }} * {{sleep | name=Scandic Julia | alt= | url=http://www.scandichotels.com/Hotels/Finland/Turku/Scandic-Julia/#.U3CL8vl_t8E | email=julia@scandichotels.com | address=Eerikinkatu 4 | lat=60.4522 | long=22.2721 | directions= | phone=+358 2 336-000 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 3360-2211 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Clean comfortable rooms, excellent friendly service, quality breakfast, perhaps the best brunch in town. Fully equipped rooms. Great value for money. }} ===Spa hotels=== [[File:Rslo airphoto 72ppi web.jpg|thumb|Ruissalo Spa]] * {{sleep | name=Spa Hotel Caribia | alt= | url=https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/turku/sokos-hotel-caribia | email=myynti.turku@sokoshotels.fi | address=Kongressikuja 1 | lat=60.4606 | long=22.2909 | directions=by the student village, behind the universities, buses 50–54, 20-minute walk from city centre | phone=+358 20-123-4602 | tollfree= | fax=+358 10-784-0180 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Spa Hotel Caribia, on the outskirts of the centre, is good choice for families. It has a big spa decorated in Caribbean style. It also houses lots of conferences and other events. Don't miss the big and pink statue outdoors by the contemporary artist Alvar Gullichsen; it's a mix between Duck and Pig called ''Posankka''. }} * {{sleep | name=Naantali Spa Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.naantalispa.fi/en | email=info@naantalispa.fi | address=Matkailjantie 2 | lat=60.47462 | long=22.03368 | directions=[[Naantali]], 15 km from Turku; bus 6, 7 and 7A | phone=+358 600-555-100 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 445-5101 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Off-season weekday rates can drop as low as €69/person but climb dramatically in high season | content=In a modern building, Naantali Spa has roots dating to the 18th century, even the Russian Czar has paid a visit. The resort includes several restaurants, a variety of rooms, a large spa and beauty and pool services. The spa is the only Scandinavian member in the Royal Spas of Europe -affiliation. The resort is also well known in Scandinavia for arranging conferences. }} * {{sleep | name=Ruissalo Spa | alt= | url=http://www.ruissalospa.fi/en | email=info@ruissalospa.fi | address=Ruissalon puistotie 640 | lat=60.4248 | long=22.1037 | directions=Bus 8 | phone=+358 2 445-40 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2 445-4590 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Ruissalo Spa is located on and named after the scenic Ruissalo Island. The spa is by the sea and you can choose to swim on the pools or in the sea as well. The location is beautiful and there's a golf course and guest harbour right next to the hotel. Beware though: This is the favourite location for elderly locals, so if you're looking for something more youth-oriented, this might not be the place for you. }} ==Stay safe== {{infobox|[[Risks]] in Turku| Crime/violence: '''Low''' * Drunk people on weekend nights, bouncers in clubs, pickpockets Authorities/corruption: '''Low''' Transportation: '''Low''' Health: '''Low'''<br> Nature: '''Low'''<br> * [[Ticks]] carrying TBE or borreliosis }} Turku is generally a very safe city. On weekend nights drunken people may cause annoyance, especially after last call. Swimming in the river is forbidden for good reason: the river banks provide very little access to the shore; what was intended as a quick refreshing dip will result in an expensive rescue operation or worse. In emergencies, always call '''112''', which is the general emergency number for police affairs, fire, medical care and social services. If in doubt, it is always better to call and ask. For non-emergency medical care, the City of Turku provides medical advice over the phone at {{phone|+358 2 100-23}}. Lines are open weekdays 08:00–15:00. The hearing-impaired have their own service for the evaluation of medical care, counselling and making an appointment at a health centre. This can be contacted during office hours by sending an SMS message to {{phone|+358 44-907-3824}}. Turku University Hospital's T-Hospital is the region’s accident and emergency hospital. It provides specialized medical care and treatment around the clock to those who have fallen suddenly ill or sustained injury. * {{listing | name=Turku University Hospital Emergency Department | alt= | url=http://www.vsshp.fi/en/paivystys | email= | address=Savitehtaankatu 1 | lat=60.45347 | long=22.29749 | directions="T-sairaala", across the railway and highway 1, by highway 10, near Kupittaa railway station | phone=+358 2 313-8800 | tollfree= | hours=24 hr daily | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-22 | content=Call for advice before coming, queues are often long. }} * Emergency '''social services''' can be contacted through 112; in business hours (weekdays 08:30–15:30) call {{phone|+358 2 262-6003}}. Also life management. * {{listing | name=Police | alt= | url=https://www.poliisi.fi/en | email= | address= | lat=60.4455 | long=22.2525 | directions= | phone=+358 295-440-501 (non-urgent – urgent: 112) | tollfree= | hours=M–F 8–17 (shorter hours for many matters) | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-06-04 | content= }} ==Respect== * Avoid walking in the cycle lanes. Dedicated cycleways are clearly marked, but sometimes run directly next to the pavement (sidewalk). Slowing down enough to pass securely means losing a lot of momentum – and some bikers might make compromises. On the other hand, when biking close to people, especially on cycleways shared with pedestrians, be careful when passing children, dogs or people who might lose their balance if scared. * When waiting in lines, be patient and polite. Finns never jump queues – but make sure you actually stand in the line. If unsure, ask. In many places you are expected to get a queue number from a machine. * Do not feed seagulls or pigeons especially in the city centre. Seagulls taking people's ice creams or sandwiches is a real problem in some areas, and feeding them is encouraging that behaviour. Feeding birds is officially prohibited in many areas. In other places it might be allowed and encouraged, but check official advice. ==Connect== SparkNet is the largest WiFi network in Finland. It is free to students of the schools and universities in the city and city personnel. Others can purchase the connection from [http://sparknet.fi/index.php SparkNet's website]. Students and personnel from participating institutions get free Wi-Fi through the Eduroam network. In addition to the SparkNet much of Turku is blanketed with Wi-Fi hotspots. Most cafés and bars offer wireless internet connection without requiring a person to be a paying customer. Some restaurants will do this as well, but may insist that you purchase something. The city main library (see [[#Learn|above]]) offers public computers with Internet access (without booking, mostly there are some free ones). The "15 min" computers can be used without logging in. ==Cope== [[File:Åbo stadsbibliotek 2015 tidningsläsesalen.jpg|thumb|Newspaper reading room of Turku City Library, with public computers]] === Press === An assortment of foreign newspapers is available for reading in the main library (see [[#Learn|above]]) and for sale at some locations (e.g. R-kioski at the main railway station or at Kauppatori). Expect to find some well-known ones at least in Swedish, English, German, French and Spanish. At the main library there are also some more odd ones, e.g. from Russian Karelia. The local papers are Finnish ''Turun Sanomat'', Swedish ''Åbo Underrättelser'' and the free ''Turkulainen''; many locals also subscribe to ''Helsingin Sanomat'' or ''Hufvudstadsbladet'' of Helsinki. === Children === Most any park has a playground with swings, sandbox, some climbing frames, and perhaps a simple playhouse and some more unusual features. For picnics, the Kupittaa and Vartiovuori parks are popular. The swimming pools of Kupittaa and Samppalinna also have picnic areas. [[#Q11892816|Kupittaa Adventure Park]] is a large playground area where also older children can enjoy themselves for quite a while. [[#Q11873640|Kuralan kylämäki]] is a quiet living history museum consisting of a few farms with life of the 1950s. In the main building personnel are doing their domestic chores, while ready to talk to any visitor. Children will find a play corner with period toys, another in the barn, with bigger equipment, and many opportunities to invent their own plays and games. Sheep flock at the pasture fence to be caressed. [[#Q3022430|Aboa Vetus]] allows you to walk in authentic streets in the ruins of medieval Turku. There are computer screens to lead children through the displays in the footsteps of children of their time, perhaps a sandbox for trying to be an archaeologist, and similar activities. [[#Q136893|Turku Castle]] has Knights' and Ladies' Days, where a group of children is led through the castle, ending with dubbing the participants. Check the language issue. If you are into biology, the [[#Q4086898|Biological Museum]] may be a pearl. It features stuffed animals in natural landscapes: see wolves and elks, spot the small birds in the tree, an ermine in the snow, and acquaint yourselves to the different biotopes of Finland. Everything beyond glass screens though. Other museums may or may not suit your children, depending on their interests. For a longer trip, the Moomin World in [[Naantali]] and Zoolandia in [[Turku countryside|Lieto]] may be worth considering. === Dogs === {{see also|Travel with pets#Finland}} Popular walks include the river banks east of the railway bridge (i.e. by Raunistula and the Student Village). There are compost containers for litter at some locations, but you can also use normal trash bins. There are havens in several locations, where dogs can run and play without being on a leash. They have a part for small dogs and another for big ones, use common sense for choosing. Don't go there if your dog is ill, aggressive or could otherwise be disruptive for other dogs. * {{do | name=Kupittaa dog haven | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lemminkäisenkatu | lat=60.4456 | long=22.2994 | directions=at the north-east edge of the park Kupittaanpuisto | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-24 | content= }} * {{do | name=Nummenranta dog haven | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=60.4651 | long=22.2952 | directions=at the walk on the left river bank, by the Student Village | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-24 | content= }} * {{do | name=Jäkäläpuisto dog haven | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jäkäläpolku | lat=60.4308 | long=22.2698 | directions=Luolavuori, the path to the haven starts at Rätiälänkatu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-24 | content= }} === Consulates === [[File:Russian Consulate1, Turku.jpg|thumb|Russian Consulate-General is by the Vartiovuori park.]] {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | * {{flag|Austria}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Austria | url= | email=mika.sippolainen@simsport.com | address=Linnankatu 36 B 11 | lat=60.44607 | long=22.25819 | directions= | phone=+358 2-275-1411 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-275-1414 | hours=09:00-11:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Belgium | url= | email=antti@wihanto.fi | address=Läntinen Rantakatu 35 | lat=60.44578 | long=22.25752 | directions= | phone=+358 2-515-1655 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-515-1590 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Brazil | url= | email= | address=Aurakatu 8 | lat=60.44969 | long=22.26759 | directions= | phone=+358 2-651-6680 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Denmark}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Denmark | url= | email=ljo@lundbeck.com | address=Joukahaisenkatu 6 | lat=60.44797 | long=22.29920 | directions= | phone=+358 2-276-5000 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-276-5001 | hours= 09:00-14:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Estonia}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Estonia | url= | email=rector@utu.fi | address=Vanha Suurtori 3 | lat=60.45028 | long=22.27671 | directions= | phone=+358 2-333-6122 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=Consulate of France | url= | email=enrico.casagrande@dlc.fi | address=Linnankatu 3 A | lat=60.45159 | long=22.27302 | directions= | phone=+358 2-250-0061 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-250-0013 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Germany | url= | email=turku@hk-diplo.de | address=c/o Sunborn Oy Juhana Herttuan puistokatu 23 | lat=60.45259 | long=22.27170 | directions= | phone=+358 2-445-4501 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-445-4520 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Greece | url= | email=fredrik.sunde@nordea.fi | address=Kauppiaskatu 9 B | lat=60.45242 | long=22.26788 | directions= | phone=+358 2-334-4201 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-334-5414 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Honduras}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Honduras | url= | email=ericlockmer@gmail.com | address=Eristäjänmutka 17 | lat=60.4785 | long=22.2163 | directions= | phone=+358 40-022-2244 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-254-7762 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Hungary}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Hungary | url= | email=urpo-kivikari@tukkk.fi | address=Linnankatu 8 | lat=60.44979 | long=22.26898 | directions= | phone=+358 2-231-2182 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Iceland}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Iceland | url= | email= | address=Lukkarinkatu 6 | lat=60.47668 | long=22.29837 | directions= | phone=+358 40-052-4234 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Italy | url= | email= | address=Linnankatu 3 A | lat=60.45177 | long=22.27283 | directions= | phone=+358 400-522-557 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Netherlands}} {{listing | name=Consulate of the Netherlands | url= | email=kjell.sundstrom@abo.fi | address=Kauppiaskatu 9 | lat=60.45223 | long=22.26827 | directions= | phone=+358 207-861-419 | tollfree= | fax=+358 9-163-96417 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Norway | url= | email=jan-erik.stenman@veritas.fi | address=Olavintie 2 | lat=60.44735 | long=22.26986 | directions= | phone=+358 50-343-2299 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-16:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Poland}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Poland | url= | email=etacom@kolumbus.fi | address=Veistämönaukio 1 | lat=60.43980 | long=22.24039 | directions= | phone=+358 2-281-3186 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Portugal}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Portugal | url= | email= | address=Linnankatu 35 | lat=60.44554 | long=22.25555 | directions= | phone=+358 21-275-5314 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 09:00-16:00 | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Russia | url=http://www.rusconsul-turku.com/ | email=rusconsul.turku@co.inet.fi | address=Vartiovuorenkatu 2 | lat=60.44739 | long=22.27569 | directions= | phone=+358 2-233-6441 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-233-9779 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Spain | url= | email=info@silverland.fi | address=Yliopistonkatu 24 | lat=60.44979 | long=22.25987 | directions= | phone=+358 40-543-2094 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | name=Consulate of Sweden | url= | email=sihteerit@ts.fi | address=Kauppiaskatu 5 | lat=60.45113 | long=22.26966 | directions= | phone=+358 2-269-3303 | tollfree= | fax=+358 2-269-3543 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=Consulate of the United Kingdom | url= | email=jari.lahteenmaki@turku.chamber.fi | address=Puolalankatu 1 | lat=60.45170 | long=22.26306 | directions= | phone=+358 2-274-3410 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} |} ==Go next== [[File:Turku - Ruissalo Island (6119923392).jpg|thumb|Sailing off Ruissalo]] * '''[[Archipelago Sea]]''' – Stretching all the way from Turku to Åland and on to Stockholm, Archipelago Sea forms the largest archipelago in the world by number of islands and includes a national park. Best way to visit is definitely by bike and camping gear – unless you know how to handle a yacht or kayak or can afford a one-week charter of a manned yacht. ** The [[Archipelago Trail]] is a tourist route of 125 or 250 km, using the roads and inter-island ferries to provide access to the archipelago without a boat of your own – and without backtracking. The route can be taken clockwise or counter clockwise, starting from Turku, and continuing through rural archipelago villages and astonishing Baltic Sea sceneries. * '''[[Kurjenrahka National Park]]''' – Kurjenrahka is the largest and most diverse protected mire area in the region, the park includes also lakes and old growth forest. One of the best-known sights in the park is the old boundary mark of eight municipalities. Usually a day trip destination, hikes can be extended to last a couple of days. Beginning 2018 you can reach Kurjenrahka by local bus in summer. * The other chartered '''towns of medieval Finland''' were<!-- by time of chartering, but what is the order? -->: ** [[Porvoo]] (Borgå) – in Eastern Uusimaa, reachable by E18 or the [[King's Road (Finland)|King's Road]]. ** [[Rauma]] (Raumo) – with a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage listed]] old town, Rauma can be reached by coach from Turku in 1½ hr. ** [[Ulvila]] (Ulvsby) – by Pori in the north of the historic Turku and Pori province ** [[Naantali]] (Nådendal, Vallis Gratiæ) – with the summer residence of the President of Finland ''Kultaranta'', the theme park ''Moomin World'' and a beautiful wooden old town, 20-min away by local bus. ** [[Vyborg]] (Viipuri, Viborg) – in its heyday the most metropolitan of Finnish cities; past Porvoo, now in Russia. * '''[[Åland islands]]''' – If you have a day or two to spare there are overnight and day [[Baltic Sea ferries|ferries]] to [[Sweden]] and the [[Åland|Åland Islands]]. [[Stockholm]] is 10 hours away, [[Mariehamn]] on the Åland islands about 5 hours. While the big ferries take you directly from Turku to the Åland mainland, you can also do some island hopping by taking a smaller ferry operated by Ålandstrafiken from Korpo or Kustavi in the Archipelago Sea. {{routebox | image1=Simple gold crown.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=W | majorl1=END | minorl1= | directionr1=E | minorr1=[[Kaarina]] | majorr1=[[Helsinki]] | link1=King's Road (Finland) | caption1=King's Road | image2=Tabliczka_E8.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=NW | majorl2=[[Pori]] | minorl2=[[Turku countryside]] | directionr2=SE | minorr2= | majorr2=END | link2=E8 through Finland and Norway | image3=Tabliczka E18.svg | imagesize3=40 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Stockholm]] | minorl3=[[Naantali]] | directionr3=E | minorr3=[[Kaarina]] | majorr3=[[Helsinki]] | image4=Tabliczka E63.svg | imagesize4=40 | directionl4=SW | majorl4=END | minorl4= | directionr4=NE | minorr4=[[Turku countryside]] | majorr4=[[Tampere]] | image5=Finland road sign F29-10.svg | imagesize5=32 | 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|60.6717,22.4564 |60.6716,22.4563 |60.6717,22.4562 |60.6718,22.4560 |60.6718,22.4557 |60.6715,22.4555 |60.6715,22.4550 |60.6717,22.4548 |60.6720,22.4539 |60.6720,22.4536 |60.6679,22.4534 |60.6675,22.4531 |60.6666,22.4532 |60.6653,22.4539 |60.6628,22.4530 |60.6607,22.4528 |60.6601,22.4521 |60.6590,22.4529 |60.6578,22.4521 |60.6569,22.4522 |60.6550,22.4529 |60.6528,22.4538 |60.6510,22.4522 |60.6509,22.4531 |60.6496,22.4528 |60.6494,22.4512 |60.6495,22.4507 |60.6489,22.4506 |60.6485,22.4488 |60.6466,22.4499 |60.6464,22.4495 |60.6463,22.4495 |60.6458,22.4494 |60.6437,22.4491 |60.6431,22.4479 |60.6414,22.4470 |60.6414,22.4466 |60.6414,22.4459 |60.6409,22.4458}} ks5g80r49vyjghtp0l454qnhwaqes5z 0 37478 4506168 4479077 2022-08-22T12:02:25Z Fariz Sharipov 2272413 /* Talk */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Shah-i-Zinda banner.jpg|caption=Shah-i-Zinda, Samarkand}} '''[https://uzbekistan.travel/en/ Uzbekistan]''' is a country in [[Central Asia]]. The most populous country in [[Central Asia]], the country is rich in history, culture, and diversity. It has been a part of numerous empires and at some point in its rich history, it was the main centre of the Silk Road. For these reasons, it's safe to say that it is an excellent destination for the history buff. Uzbekistan is often overlooked by many people, but there are lots of things to see and do in this beautiful country. The Uzbeks are known for their hospitality, and you can expect to be treated with a lot of respect as a visitor. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Uzbekistan regions map.png | regionmapsize=500px | region1name=[[Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan)|Ferghana Valley]] | region1color=#d39f76 | region1description=The most fertile and populous part of the country. Lots of Kyrgyz people live there. | region2name=[[Northern Uzbekistan]] | region2color=#c0bb9f | region2description= Home to [[Khiva]], an ancient Silk Road city, and the rapidly shrinking [[Aral Sea]]. The area is dominated by endless deserts and the Karakalpaks make up the majority of the population there. The Karakalpaks are sole ethnic group that has their own autonomous region (Republic of Karakalpakstan) in the country. | region3name=[[Samarkand through Bukhara]] | region3color=#d0b065 | region3description= The heart of the [[Silk Road]] and home to two of Central Asia's most important cities: [[Samarkand]] and [[Bukhara]]. | region4name=[[Southern Uzbekistan]] | region4color=#bbcd83 | region4description=The mountainous part of the country. One can see a small slice of the Pamir mountains there, and many of the country's Tajiks live there. | region5name=[[Tashkent Region]] | region5color=#969cce | region5description=The political and economic center of the country, and the traveller's main entry point. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d39f76|title=[[Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan)|Ferghana Valley]]|wikidata=Q487384,Q487089,Q474876}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c0bb9f|title=[[Northern Uzbekistan]]|wikidata=Q484245,Q487561}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d0b065|title=[[Samarkand through Bukhara]]|wikidata=Q487372,Q487532}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#bbcd83|title=[[Southern Uzbekistan]]|wikidata=Q487577,Q487537}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#969cce|title=[[Tashkent Region]]|wikidata=Q487585,Q487547}} ==Cities== {{Mapshape|title=Tashkent–Samarkand high-speed rail line|wikidata=Q1317105|type=geoline|stroke=#0000FF|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=1}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tashkent]]|wikidata=Q269}} &mdash; the modern capital and largest city. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Andijan]]|wikidata=Q487656}} &mdash; Uzbekistan's fourth largest city, right in the heart of the vibrant but combustible Ferghana Valley. [[File:Kalon-Ensemble Buchara.jpg|thumb|Bukhara]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bukhara]]|wikidata=Q5764}} &mdash; a legendary Silk Road capital, 2,500 years old, the historical center of which is a [[UNESCO World Heritage list|UNESCO World Heritage site]] filled with magnificent examples of monumental, medieval Islamic and Central Asian architecture. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Khiva]]|wikidata=Q486195}} — site of the [[Itchan Kala]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Namangan]]|wikidata=Q492552}} &mdash; the third largest city, at the northern edge of the Ferghana Valley. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Nukus]]|wikidata=Q489898}} &mdash; the capital of Qaraqalpaqstan on the Amu Darya is the home of the avant-garde painting collection of the Savitsky Gallery, and is surrounded by a region devastated by the environmental degradation wrought by the drying of the Aral Sea. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Samarkand]]|wikidata=Q5753}} &mdash; the nation's second largest city, the whole of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the most famous Silk Road attraction of them all, the Registan. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Shakhrisabz]]|wikidata=Q569766}} &mdash; a small city, whose historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its impressive monuments from the Timurid Dynasty. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Termez]]|wikidata=Q491879}} &mdash; the southernmost city near the border with [[Afghanistan]], named by Alexander the Great's forces for the intense temperatures they found here (''thermos'' = hot). Several of these were once great trading cities on the [[Silk Road]]. ==Other destinations== *{{marker|name=[[Aral Sea]]|wikidata=Q35883}} &mdash; a lesson in the perils of environmental degradation, the drying of the Aral Sea has ravaged a region roughly the size of [[Germany]] with disease, birth defects, agricultural and economic devastation, and one-time cargo ships lying on their side in the dust. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationUzbekistan.PNG}} The meaning of the name ''Uzbek'' is disputed. One version is that it is derived from Turkish 'uz/öz' ('good' or 'true') and 'bek' ('guardian'). Unlike the neighbouring Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, but like their close cousins the Uyghurs, the Uzbeks were mostly a sedentary people, building impressive cities along the old [[Silk Road]]. ===History=== Uzbekistan is rich in history. Samarkand was conquered by Alexander the Great. Islam was introduced by Arabs in the 8th-9th century. The most famous leader to come from Uzbekistan is Tamerlane who was born in Shahrisabz south of Samarkand. Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Between 1991 to 2016, the country was ruled by Islam Karimov and his government was widely criticised for its poor human rights record. Corruption was rampant during the Karimov years, and Uzbekistan was practically isolated from the rest of the world. After the death of Karimov, newcomer Shavkat Mirziyoyev was elected president. Under Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has started opening up to the world and it would appear that his government is actively trying to improve Uzbekistan's global image and reputation. Whether or not this is genuine is yet to be seen. ===Climate=== Uzbekistan is very hot and sunny most of the year. There is an inland temperate subtropical climate (but palm trees do not grow). the climate is similar to the climate of northern [[Greece]], central [[Italy]] or northern [[Spain]] or southern [[France]], central [[Turkey]] or the climate of [[Nevada]], [[Colorado]] or northern [[California]]. The hottest months in this country are June, July and August. July is especially hot, and the temperature is considered normal from +45 to +55. Nevertheless, such temperatures are easier to tolerate here, since the air here is very dry, and not humid, as for example in [[India]], [[Malaysia]] and similar countries. The most comfortable is to visit this country from mid-May to early June or from August to early September, when it is not cool as in winter, but also not very hot as in summer peak. But it is worth considering that in April and May, as well as in September and October, rainy, cloudy and windy days are not uncommon. There will definitely be no rains and cloudy days only in the summer months. It may snow in Uzbekistan in winter, but it usually melts in a few days, remaining only in mountainous areas. The hottest regions are Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Navoi and Bukhara Vilayats, and the coldest (meaning in winter) are Khorezm Vilayat and the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. ===Geography=== [[File:Aral Sea Bed (431479).jpg|thumb|Aral Sea bed]] Uzbekistan measures 1450 km West to East and 930 km North to South. Mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) and Zarafshon; Ferghana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous [[Tajikistan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]; shrinking [[Aral Sea]] in west. * '''Syr Darya''' crosses the Ferghana Valley and runs on the North East edge of the Kizil Kum Desert. It is 2212 km long (3019 km including its source Naryn). In antiquity, it was called ''Jaxartes''. Syr Darya flows into the (smaller) Northern part of the [[Aral Sea]]. * '''Amu Darya''' rises in the Hindukush and has a length of 2540 km. It was called ''Oxus'' in antiquity. It can be a rapid river in spring and is called ''Dsaihun'' (suffering from rabies) in Arabic. The river has changed its course several times. [[Konye Urgench]] in [[Turkmenistan]], the capital of the old empire of Chwarezm, was situated on the banks of the Amu Darya. Today the distance between the river and the old city is about 40 km. Amu Darya flows into the (bigger) Southern part of the [[Aral Sea]]. Uzbekistan and [[Liechtenstein]] are the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; all their neighbours are landlocked. However, Uzbekistan has the southern shoreline of the Aral Sea, and a couple of its neighbours border the Caspian Sea, but both "seas" are (or, were, in the case of the Aral) actually huge lakes and do not connect to the oceans. ===Holidays=== {{ramadandates}} 1 Jan New Year (''Yangi Yi Bayrami'') 8 Mar International Women's Day (''Xalqaro Xotin-Qizlar Kuni'') 21 Mar Navroz (Persian New Year) (''Navro'z Bayrami'') 9 May Remembrance Day, Peace Day or Liberation Day (''Xotira va Qadirlash Kuni''), remembering that Uzbek troops participated in the Soviet army and that 500.000 Uzbek soldiers were killed in World War II. 1 Sep Independence Day (''Mustaqillik Kuni''), remembering the proclamation of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 1 Oct Teachers' Day (''O'qituvchi va Murabbiylar Kuni'') 8 Dec Constitution Day (''Konstitutsiya Kuni''), remembering the proclamation of the first constitution of independent Uzbekistan in 1992. Holidays in accordance with the lunar year: the dates of these holidays vary according to the lunar calendar. * ''Kurban Kait'' (Qurbaon Hayit) * '''Ramadan''' (''Ramazon Hayit'') ===Read=== Colin Thubron, The Lost Heart of Asia, 1994, Penguin ==Talk== [[Uzbek Phrasebook|Uzbek]], a Turkic language, is the official state language of Uzbekistan and spoken natively by most of the population. It is variously spelled in the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. [[Russian Phrasebook|Russian]] is also widely spoken due to Soviet history and the ongoing influence of Russia in the region, including an ethnic Russian minority in Uzbekistan. Russian remains the second official language of de facto and interethnic. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Uzbekistan.png|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Uzbekistan, with countries in green having visa-free access; and countries in turquoise having simplified visa policy]] ===Entry requirements=== Uzbekistan eased its visa requirements and as of March 2019 citizens of 65 countries can visit the country without having to get a visa. These include the CIS countries whose citizens generally can stay for 90 days, and nationals of most first world countries (notably U.S. citizens have to obtain a visa for anything other than transit) and some others that can stay for 30 days. To apply for a visa complete the application form from [http://evisa.mfa.uz/ here], print out the resulting pdf and take to your printed form, together with some photos and a photocopy of your passport to your nearest Uzbek embassy. They will then ask the MFA in Tashkent for permission to issue a visa, which takes 7-14 days. Once this permission is granted you can pick up your visa. To avoid two trips to the embassy you can get an LOI in advance (by email) and once approval has been granted you can pick up your visa from your chosen embassy in only 1 visit - this is handy for people travelling who want to pick up a visa 'on the go'. An LOI can be obtained from travel companies when a hotel booking is made. Talk to your local travel agent in your own country. The LOI will typically cost US$30-40 for a short stay. For the latest information see the [https://mfa.uz/en/ website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]. Within 3 days of entrance to the country, you need to make a registration, an official statement indicating the address you are staying at. If you stay at reasonable hotels, they will do it by default, however if you stay at a house, you will face a lot of bureaucratic paperwork in order to register yourself. Make sure that it is done, else you risk a 100-dollar fee when you depart. If you are from a country with waived visas, the rules are frustratingly vague. The minimum effort you can get away with will depend on the border crossing, how harmless you look, and the whimsy of any given customs officer. Still, they aren't so strict now on the whole "re-registration every three days" business. You can likely get away with registering a couple of times in a month (even not at all) and making a few excuses at your exit point. Sometimes they don't even ask. Keep overnight train tickets for this. Probably a good idea to register once or twice though just for the sake of a smooth crossing. Online registration is an expensive effort. When you enter Uzbekistan you might find fairly lengthy immigration and passport procedures (or not), but these are fairly painless. In particular you will be asked to declare all the money you are bringing into the country, don't worry about this, declare everything you have and make sure you have less money when you leave. The Uzbek government doesn't want precious foreign currency leaving the country. ''Travel permits'' are required for the mountain areas near the border to [[Tajikistan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]], including great parts of the ''Ugam-Chatkal National Park'' and ''Zaamin National Park''. Update: Since July 2017, Uzbekistan offers a full online process for certain citizens that wish to apply for a visa. The eVisa can be applied for on the [https://e-visa.gov.uz/main governments website]. You can find detailed description as well as a lot of useful information regarding the Uzbekistan eVisa on [https://www.uzbekistanvisa.org this website]. ===By plane=== [[File:TASHKENT AIRPORT.1 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Tashkent Airport]] The main airport of Uzbekistan is the {{listing | type=go | name=Tashkent International Airport "Yuzhniy" | alt={{IATA|TAS}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.257861 | long=69.281186 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Tashkent International Airport | image=Tashkent Airport Wallner.jpg | wikidata=Q860952 | content=The airport itself is modern and has various international carriers operating as well as the national '''[http://www.uzairways.com/index.aspx Uzbekistan Airways]'''. Though the airport infrastructure is good, the staff are not always. You may find pointless bureaucracy and an unhelpful attitude from them, equally you may pass through efficiently. Baggage claim and customs procedures can sometimes be time-consuming: allow two hours. For more information see the [[Tashkent#By plane]] section. }} There are airports at [[Andijan]], [[Bukhara]], [[Ferghana]], [[Karshi]], [[Namangan]], [[Nukus]], [[Samarkand]], [[Tashkent]], [[Termez]] and [[Urgench]]. ===By train=== Usable passenger services only exist to [[Kazakhstan]] and via Kazakhstan to [[Russia]]. These include the following trains: * Tashkent - [[Moscow]] (3 times weekly): Train 6 ''Uzbekistan'' leaves [[Moscow]] on Mon, Wed and Fri at 23:15 and arrives in [[Tashkent]] at 22:35 on Wed, Fri and Sun. The distance from [[Moscow]] to [[Tashkent]] by rail is 3,369 km. Some Moscow-bound trains run to/from Andijan. * Tashkent - [[Ufa]] (3 times weekly) * Tashkent - [[Chelyabinsk]] (once weekly) * Tashkent - Novosibirsk (every 4 days) * [[Nukus]] - Tashkent - [[Almaty]] (once weekly) There are also railway lines linking Uzbekistan to [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Tajikistan]], but they are used only by transit trains, therefore officially inaccessible for people to/from Uzbekistan. See respective countries for details. ===By car=== There are roads from surrounding countries but the borders may not be open and there have been security problems. There is a risk of land mines in some border areas. ===From Afghanistan=== [[File:Friendship bridge afg uzb.png|thumb|The Friendship bridge]] The Friendship Bridge, 10 km south of [[Termiz]], links [[Afghanistan]] with Uzbekistan. ===From Kazakhstan=== There are only two border crossings between [[Kazakhstan]] and Uzbekistan : * ''Gisht Kuprik (Chernyaevka)'' between [[Shymkent]] and [[Tashkent]] is the main road crossing between [[Kazakhstan]] and Uzbekistan . A shared taxi or marschrutka from Kolos bus stop at [[Shymkent]] to the border costs about US$4. The trip takes about 1 hour. The border is open 7am to 9pm (Tashkent time). You will have to walk over the border and to take a taxi from the border to [[Tashkent]], which will cost about 6000 som. There are reports of waiting times up to 6 hours at the border. * There is another crossing between ''Beyneu'' in Western [[Kazakhstan]] and ''Kungrad'' in Uzbekistan. ===From Kyrgyzstan=== * Busses from ''[[Bishkek]]'' to Uzbekistan stop at ''Gisht Kuprik (Chernyaevka)'' border. You will have to take a taxi from the border to [[Tashkent]] for 6000 som. A transit visum for [[Kazakhstan]] is required. * You can take a taxi or minibus from ''Jalal Abad'' to ''Khanabad'' (20 som) and walk over the border. * You can take a taxi (50 som) or minibus (5 som) from ''Osh'' to ''Dustlyk (Dostyk)'' and a shared taxi from there to [[Andijan]] in Uzbekistan ===From Tajikistan=== It is about 55 km from [[Dushanbe]] to the border at ''Denau''. Taxis depart from Zarnisar Bazaar in [[Dushanbe]]. A seat in a taxi will cost about 8TJS and the trip will take about 90 minutes. There are Miníbusses from the border to the town of Denau. From there you will have to take a shared taxi to [[Samarkand]]. You will have to take a shared taxi from [[Penjikent]] to the Tajik-Uzbek border (5 TJS, 22 km) and another one from the border to [[Samarkand]] (about 50 km). ===By bus=== When land borders are open, buses run to all neighbouring countries. ===By boat=== Apart from the southern section of the inland Aral sea, Uzbekistan is land-locked: it's one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world, the other being Liechtenstein. ==Get around== ===By train=== [[File:Bukhara train.jpg|thumb|Train in Bukhara]] [[File:HSR Uzbekistan map.png|thumb|The single line Uzbek high speed rail network|link=Special:FilePath/HSR_Uzbekistan_map.png]] The most comfortable way to travel between the major tourist cities in Uzbekistan is by train. The main line Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara is served once a day in each direction by two express trains named "Afrosiob" and "Sharq": The Afrosiob is a Talgo-250-type train that takes 2.5 hours for Tashkent to Samarkand and it even meets most definitions of [[high speed rail]] at {{kmh|250}} top speed . The "Sharq" takes less than 7 hours for the 600-km-journey Tashkent - Bukhara (with intermediate stop in Samarkand). A daily overnight train to and from Tashkent to Bukhara offers the possibility to travel during the night and so a day is not lost travelling. Comfortable sleeping carriages allow a good sleep. The timetable is available [http://railway.uz/en/ online]. The server is often down, but you can use the Russian Railways website to see timetables. Unlike to ordinary local trains the express trains have three classes: The economy class (2nd) with 36 persons per carriage and still plenty of space and comfort, the business class (1st) and the VIP class (expect some free drinks and snacks). The Afrosiob is the fastest and most expensive train which costs from Tashkent to Samarkand for 2nd/1st/VIP 51,000/68,000/98,000 soms. Doing the same trip with the Sharq will save you around 22,000 soms ($7) in each class, but increases the travel time for almost 1.30h. Overnight trains also run from Tashkent and Samarkand to Urgench (3 times weekly) and to Nukus - Kungrad (2 times weekly), so it's also possible to travel to Khiva (30 kilometres from Urgench, taxi/bus available) or to the Aral lake (Moynaq, 70 km from Kungrad) by train. On Thursdays, there is an overnight train in Urgench that also stops in Bukhara. There are four types of sleepers: *'''miagki vagon (soft wagon)''' - 2 berth compartments *'''kupeiny vagon''' - 4 berth compartments *'''platskartny vagon''' - closely packed beds in a commonspace *'''obshi vagon''' - as above but beds used in the seating configuration, therefore used for day trips Book your ticket well in advance; booking on the day of departure is sometimes not possible as trains can get full or due to computer problems. If you buy the ticket in person, you'll have to show your passport. Some basic Russian can come in handy as well. ===By shared taxi=== The second best option, and an experience. Don't be put off as these are pretty safe as far as the people go, although the roads may be a different story. But for getting between Nukus and Khiva, or Khiva to Urgench to Bukhara, this is the only realistic way to go. The taxi driver will have a destination city: so at the ranks ask around for the city you're headed to. If you match, you then negotiate a rate. Ask around beforehand, you can quite easily get ripped off, because each passenger negotiates separately with the driver, so he can charge locals normal rates and take you for all you have. Once you've done that, you wait. The car only leaves when full, or when the driver gets bored. If possible, get the front passenger seat. Don't be polite about this as you do ''not'' want the middle seat. When it's over 50°C in the middle of the desert, with no air conditioning (you pay extra for a car with that), you want to be as close to a window as possible, and with only one person sweating against you! Also, some roads are slow and sometimes of very poor quality. It takes 6-8 hours from Urgench to Bukhara if you're lucky. When you do this section you'll understand why you don't want to risk the bus. 10,000 som per hour in a shared taxi between cities is a good rule of thumb, depending on your haggling skills. ===By bus=== If you travel any distance on a bus in Uzbekistan, take toilet paper with you and be careful what you eat at stops along the way. Intercity buses are uncomfortable. No more uncomfortable than other intercity buses in this part of the world, but the constant hooting, bickering locals, tinny Russian music videos and ever-present smell of sausages can make for an irritating journey. On the bright side, if you're lucky you might be offered some sausages. ===Others=== You can travel by private taxi, minibus or normal bus. While there are official taxis, most cars will become taxis if you wave them down. Meters are rare, so agree the price beforehand. ===By car=== [[File:Ташкентская область - panoramio (14).jpg|thumb|Entering Tashkent region]] Drive on the right. International driving permit required. Minimum age: 17. Speed limit: 60 to 80 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on highways. There are several paved highways with two lanes in Uzbekistan: * '''AH5''' from Gishtkuprik/Chernyavka on the border to [[Kazakhstan]] via [[Tashkent]], Syrdaria, [[Samarkand]], Navoi and [[Bukhara]] to Alat on the border to [[Turkmenistan]] (680 km), * '''AH7''' from the border to [[Kyrgyzstan]] via Andijon, [[Tashkent]] and Syrdaria to Xovos/Khavast on the border to [[Tajikistan]] (530 km), * '''AH62''' from Gishtkuprik/Chernyavka on the border to [[Kazakhstan]] via [[Tashkent]], Syrdaria, [[Samarkand]] and Guzar to [[Termez]] on the border to [[Afghanistan]] (380 km), * '''AH63''' from Oazis on the border to [[Kazakhstan]] in the North West of Uzbekistan via Nukus and [[Bukhara]] to Guzar (950 km paved road, 240 km unpaved) * '''AH65''' from Uzun on the border to [[Tajikistan]] to [[Termez]] on the border to [[Afghanistan]] (180 km) ===Urban transport=== During the day the metro (underground train) is the good option. After midnight you are recommended to use taxi services. It is better to call the taxi (car-service) to pick you up in advance. Some car-services can serve the foreign speaking tourists. You can get more information in the hotel. ==Talk== The only official language of the Republic of Uzbekistan is '''[[Uzbek phrasebook|Uzbek]]'''. The majority of citizens (over 85%) are ethnic Uzbeks and speak it as their native language, although due to its history as part of the Soviet Union, many (especially in [[Tashkent]]) also speak Russian, which is still a mandatory second language in all schools. Russian has been strongly influenced by Uzbek, and many Uzbek speakers often use Russian words and terms in their everyday conversations (especially in cities), although there are very few Russian words and terms in the official Uzbek language (for example in television, mass media, books and newspapers). The official script of the Uzbek language has been the Uzbek Latin alphabet since 1993, but the Cyrillic alphabet, introduced during the Soviet period, is actively used de facto in parallel (simultaneously) with the Latin alphabet. Uzbek speakers will easily understand the Uyghur language, they generally understand Turkish and Azerbaijani, they have a little difficulty understanding Turkmen, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Crimean Tatar and Bashkir, as well as many other Turkic languages. There are also significant numbers of ethnic Tajiks and Kazakhs in Uzbekistan, primarily speaking their native tongue as a first language. In Samarkand and Bukhara, for instance, one is just as likely to hear [[Tajik phrasebook|Tajik]] being spoken as Uzbek. Russian is widely spoken especially in the cities. In Tashkent the majority of the population speak Russian as a first language and one is just as likely to hear it being spoken as Uzbek. In the semi-autonomous region called the "Republic of Karakalpakstan" in western Uzbekistan, ethnic Karakalpaks (over 33% in Karakalpakstan) speak their native language, which is closely related to Kazakh and Kyrgyz. Karakalpak and Uzbek have equal rights as an official language here. Many Karakalpaks also speak Russian and Uzbek and understand Kazakh and Kyrgyz well, having three or even four or five languages. In cities, more and more people speak '''English''', especially in the field of hotel business and catering. In tourist cities (for example, in Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand or Khiva) and establishments you will not encounter problems with English. A few years ago, English became compulsory to study (along with Russian) in schools starting from the first grade (previously, English was studied only from the third grade and Russian from the first grade). There are especially many native English speakers naturally in large cities and tourist centers. However, remember that this does not mean that any passerby (even young age) he will be able to speak English normally. The generation born after 1995 speaks English better than others, while the older generation, who studied in Soviet schools, learned '''German''' as a foreign language, and remember a couple of German words. In the cities, more and more people speak English, especially those in the hotel and catering trades. However, English is still generally not widely spoken, so if you cannot speak Uzbek, Russian would be your best bet. ==See== ===Architecture=== [[File:AlBukhari Mausoleum dome.jpg|thumb|Detail of Al Bukhari mausoleum, Samarkand]] Uzbekistan has preserved a rich architectural heritage. The construction of monumental buildings was seen as a matter of prestige, emphasizing the power of the ruling dynasty, leading families and higher clergy. The external appearance of towns was determined to a great extent by their fortifications. The walls were flanked at regular intervals by semicircular towers and the entrances to towns were marked by ''darwazas'' (gates). These gates usually had a high vault and a gallery for lookout and were flanked by two mighty towers. The doors were closed at night and in case of danger. Along the main streets were rows of shops, specialized in different goods, and many skilled craftsmen had their workshops in these stalls. The most important covered markets are called ''tag'', ''tim'' or ''bazaars'' (shopping passages) and ''charsu'' (crossroads, literally "four directions"). In big cities the ''ark'' (fortress) was the administrative center. It contained the emir's palace, chancellery, treasury, arsenal and the jail for high-ranking prisoners. The towns also had large public centres, consisting of a ''maydan'' (open square) surrounded by large buildings for civil or religious purposes. ====Religious buildings==== * The '''Friday Mosque (Masjid Al Jumu'ah)''' is located in the town. It had a spacious courtyard with a surrounding gallery and a ''maqsura'' (screened-off enclosure) in the main axis. A typical example is the ''Kalan Mosque'' at ''Bukhara''. * The '''Oratory Mosque (Namazgah)''' is situated outside of the town. Prayers at two important Muslim festivals were conducted in public. The worshippers gathered in an open space in front of the building where the ''minbar'' (imam's pulpit) stood. * The '''Neighbourhood Mosque''' was smaller in size and consisted of a covered hall with the ''mihrab'' and an exterior gallery with columns. They were built from donations of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood and are often richly decorated. An example of this type is the ''Baland (Boland) Mosque'' at ''Bukhara''. * The '''Madrasa''' is an institition for higher education of ''ulama'' (Islamic scholars). The madrasa has a courtyard with two or four aywand (arched portals) on the axes which were used as classrooms in the summer, a row of cells on one or two floors, ''darsakhanas'' (lecture rooms) in two or four corners and a mosque for daily prayer. The main facade has a high portal with two or four minaret-like towers at the corners of the building. Madrasas from the 16th and 17th cent. which have been preserved are ''Madar-Khan'', ''Abdullah Khan'', ''Kukeldash'', ''Nadir Divan Begi'' and ''Abdul Aziz Khan'' at ''Bukhara'', ''Shir-Dor'' and ''Tilla-Kari'' at ''Samarkand'', ''Kukeldash'' and ''Baraq Khan'' in ''Tashkent'', ''Said Ataliq'' at ''Denau'' and ''Mir Rajab Dotha'' at ''Kanibadam''. Madrasas built in the 18th and 19th cent. include ''Narbuta Bi'' at ''Kokand'', ''Qutlugh Murad Inaq'', ''Khojamberdybii'', ''Khoja Moharram'', ''Musa Tura'' and ''Allah-Quili Khan'' in ''Khiva''. * The '''Khanaqah''' was originally a guest house for travelling Sufis near the residence of their ''pir'' (spiritual masters). Under the Timurids they became meeting places of the followers of a Sufi order, attended by representatives of the ruling elite and often a ''zikr-khana'' (room for exposition and Sufi rites) was added. Examples of khanaqas from the 16th and 17th cent include ''Zaynuddin'', ''Fayzabad'', ''Bahaudin'' and ''Nadi Divan-Begi'' at ''Bukhara'', ''Mulla Mir'' near ''Ramitan'', ''Qasim Shaiykh'' at ''Karmana'' and ''Imam Bahra'' near ''Khatirchi''. * '''Memorial buildings''' were erected in the 14th and 15th cent for ''Temur'' and his family, e.g. ''Gur-Emir'' and ''Shah-i Zinda'' at Samarkand and at ''Shakrizabs''. In the 16th and 17th cent. fewer mausoleums were built. An example from this period is the ''Qafal Shashi Mausoleum'' in ''Tashkent''. Monumental buildings were often erected near holy tombs. At ''Bukhara'' a monumental kanaqah was built near the founder of the Naqshbandi order, ''Bahauddein'' and at ''Char Bakr'', the family necropolis of the powerful Juybari shaykhs. From the 16th cent. onwards mauseoleums for rulers were no longer built. The rulers were interred in madrasas, the ''Shaybanids'' of ''Samarkand'' in the ''Abu Said Mausoleum'' on the ''Registan'', ''Ubaydullah Khan'' from ''Bukhara'' in the ''Mir-i Arab Madrasa'' and ''Abdul Aziz Khan'' in the ''Abdul Aziz Madrasa''. ====Civic architecture==== [[File:Ak Sarai.jpg|thumb|Ak Sarai in [[Shakhrizabz]]]] * '''Market buildings (Charsu, Tim, Taq)''' form the very heart of an oriental town. The ''charsu'' is a building covered by a central dome, standing at the crossroads, surrounded by shops and workshops covered by small domes. The ''tim'' is a trading passage and the ''taq'' a domed building on a smaller scale built at the intersection of major streets. At ''Bukhara'' the ''Taq-i Zargaran (Goldsmiths' Dome)'' has an octagonal central space covered by a dome set on 32 intersecting arches. Shops and workshops around the central space are topped by small domes. * '''Caravanserais''' played an important role along the trade routes. According to the traditional plan a caravanserai is a rectangular building with a large courtyard, galleries for animals and baggage, lodgings for the travellers and a mosque. The outer walls were high and thick, the entrance was well guarded and at the corners there were towers for defense. The best exampla is at ''Rabat al-Malik''. A small number of caravanserais have survived, party in ruins, e.g. the caravanserai near the ''Qaraul Bazar'' on the road from ''Bukhara'' to ''Karshi'', the ''Abdullah Khan caravanserai'' on the road from ''Karshi'' to ''Termez''. * '''Bathhouses''' from the 16th and 17th cent. have been preserved at ''Samarkand'', ''Sahrh-i Sabz'', ''Bukhara'' and ''Tashkent''. They are heated by a system of channels under the floor, distributing the heat uniformly through the whole building. Some of them have rooms for disrobing, hot and cold rooms, a massage room or a water closet. Bathhouses are covered with domes which give them their characteristic external appearance. ====Architectural Ensembles==== * The '''Pay-i Kalan (Pedestal of the Great''' at ''Bukhara'', * The '''Kosh Madrasa''' at ''Bukhara'', * The '''Lab-i Hauz''' at ''Bukhara'', * The '''Registan''' at ''Samarkand'' * The '''Char-Bakr Complex''' at Sumitan, outside of ''Bukhara'' ===Nature Reserves=== *{{see | name=Jeyran Ecological Centre | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=40 km from Bukhara | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The ''jeyran'' (Central Asian gazelle) was hunted in the last century by men in jeeps and helicopters. Today, the Uzbekistan jeyran is included in the Red Book of Endangered Species). The Jeyran ecological centre was founded about 1985 and is the only one of its kind in Central Asia. At the beginning 42 jeyrans were brought here, but today 700 unique animals live here in a fenced area of 5000 hectares. Besides jeyrans, ''Prezhevalskiy horses'' and ''koulans'' are bred in the reserve. }} *{{see | name=Kitab State Geological Reserve | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} [[File:Sheep and goats in Kyzyl Kum (Uzbekistan).jpg|thumb|Cattle in Kyzyl Kum]] *{{see | name=Kyzylkum Tugai and Sand Reserve | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the north-west of Bukhara Province | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The reserve was founded in 1971. It covers the flood-lands of the Amu Darya river and the sand-dune desert near-by. The riverside vegetation occupies an area of 3177 hectares and the sand area is 2544 hectares. The best time to visit the reserve is spring. According to ornithologists there are 190 species of birds in the reserve, including herons, river terns, wild ducks, sandpipers NS turtle-doves. The reserve has a lush flora of poplars, silver oleasters and riverside willows. Deer, wild boars, wolves, jackals, foxes, hares and reed cats live on the tugai woods and zhe population of jeyrans is being restored. }} *{{see | name=Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve is being implemented by the government of Uzbekistan, Global Ecology Fund and UN Development Program and co-financed by German Union of Nature Protection. The reserve lies between the desert and mountain systems of Central Asia. It consists of the southern part of the Kyzylkum Desert, lakes Aydarkul and Tuzgan and the mountain ridges of Nuratau and Koitash. The existing ''Nurata Reserve'' and ''Arnasay Ornithological Reserve'' on Lake Tuzgan will be integrated into the new Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve. Among the animals integtrated in the Red Book of Endagered Species are the ''Severtsev ram'' or Kyzylkum ram, golden eagle, bearded and black griffon-vulture. In the reserve are rare sorts of walnut-trees, Central Asian juniper, Bukhara almond-trees, pistachio-trees, wild vines, apricot-trees, apple-trees and various sorts of dog-roses. Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve will be included in the UNESCO global list of biosphere reserves. The experiences will be used in founding biosphere reserves in the Central Kyzylkum Desert, Southern Ustyurt Desert and the tugai woods of the river Amu Darya. }} *{{see | name=Ugam-Chatkal National Park | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the spurs of the Western Tien Shan, about 80 km from Tashkent | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ugam-Chatkal National Park is one of the oldest nature reserves in Uzbekistan, founded in 1947. The Western Tien Shan is the natural habitat to 44 species of mammals, 230 species of birds and 1168 species of plants including several endemic plants. In the National Park live white-claw bears, wolves, Tien Shan foxes, red marmots, stone-martens, Turkestan lynx, snow leopards, wild boars, badgers, Siberian roes, mountain goast and Tien Shan wild rams as well as wild turkeys, mountain partridges, golden eagles, bearded and eagle vultures. The slopes of the Pskem ridge are covered with walnut-trees, wild fruit trees and wild bushes. The banks of the river are occupied by archa (Central Asian juniper). The ''Chimgan-Charvak-Beldersay Resort Zone'', covering an area 100,000 hectares, has three health-recreation complexes: 'Charvak', 'Chimgan' and 'Beldersay'. }} ==Do== *{{do | name=Camel trekking | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the yurt camps at Lake Aidarkul or Ayaz-Quala | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Bird watching | url=http://www.birdwatching-uzbekistan.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Trekking | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the Ugam Chatkal National Park | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Rafting | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the Chatkal or Syr-Darya Rivers | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Skiing | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Uzbekistani Som | currencyCode=som | date=January 2022 | USD=10,800 | EUR=12,200 | GBP=14,600 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/uzs-uzbekistani-som XE.com] }} The currency of the country is the '''Uzbekistani so‘m''', denoted in Cyrillic as "'''сўм'''" (ISO code: '''UZS'''). The currency does not float freely, so there is a black market. 10,000 som and 50,000 som notes were introduced in 2017 and are the usual notes which you will get at the exchange counter. Even a 100,000 som note has been in circulation since 2019 but these are more common with black market money changers and rare to get from banks. The US dollar used to be the foreign currency of choice, but nowadays the euro is also accepted everywhere although at a worse rate. It is '''illegal''' to change money outside official currency exchange offices, which are found only in banks and some expensive international hotels. In particular, the money exchange at Chorsu Bazaar has stopped, although you might find yourself being asked by one or the other person on the market if you want to exchange currency with them. Their exchange rate can be much worse than the official one. In March 2018, it was possible to exchange all sorts of foreign currency at the official exchange offices, even very small bills. The exchange of US dollars and euros appeared to be done at almost the market rate, while Russian rubles were exchanged at 5-10% below the market rate. '''ATMs''' (or Bankomats as they used to be known) can be found in larger cities (Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Termez and apparently there is one in Nukus). Most provide som and others USD at a rate of 0–1.5%. Sometimes black market money changers will give a better rate for exchange of dollars and rubles (look for a group of men hanging out by an "Aviakassa") but for euros the bank is almost certainly a better call. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at ATMs and often Union Pay too. ATMs can be found in many places in Tashkent. Some that are not part of a bank will charge a fee of 6,000-7,500 som (which is very reasonable by international standards). Be careful of withdrawing a large number of dollars and then leaving Uzbekistan with more money than you declared when you entered. You have to declare foreign currency above US$1000 at the airport upon arrival. International credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are increasingly accepted at restaurants, retail outlets including supermarkets and entertainment venues. [[File:UZS5000 2013 rear.jpg|thumb|The obverse of a 5000 som banknote issued in 2013 shows the National Assembly building.]] ===Costs=== Uzbekistan is cheaper than the neighbouring Kazakhstan, but probably a little more expensive than Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan. A [[Street food|street snack]] costs about US$0.80. A comfortable double room is US$40. ===Bazaars=== In Uzbekistan people traditionally buy goods at '''bazaars'''. Prices are fixed in department stores only. In bazaars, private shops and private souvenir stores ''haggling'' is part of the game. Bazaars are the best place to observe the daily life of the locals. The ''Alayski Bazaar'' is one of the oldest and most famous bazaars of Central Asia. You will find beautiful rugs, silk, spices, handicrafts and traditional clothes in the ''Eski Djouva'' and ''Chor Su'' bazaars in the Old City of Tashkent. Typical souvenirs are: * '''babaichik''', figurines, * '''tubeteika''', traditional Uzbek caps and * '''Shiljait''', Shilajit means "Conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness". It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an herbal rejuvenator, nerve tonic and natural stimulator. ==Eat== When you go to restaurants, always ask for menu or price if they do not provide one. While some of the well-established restaurants provide surprisingly good value by European standards, some of the random or less popular restaurants try to take advantage of tourists by overcharging up to five times the normal price. [[File:Oshi palov tajik.jpg|thumbnail|Plov]] * '''Bread''' - Uzbeks eat lots of bread (''non'' in Uzbek). Round bread is called ''lepioshka'' in Russian. You can buy it anywhere, in the bazaar it costs around 1,000-2,500 som. It is delicious when freshly baked and makes a good snack by itself. Samarkand is very famous for its bread. The characteristic Samarkand bread ''obi-non'' is traditionally baked in clay furnaces. Bread is served with every meal. * '''Chocolate''' - Not something you associate with Uzbekistan, but the country produces some very good chocolate cake. A slice of rich moist cake can cost 10,000 to 25,000 som in a cafe or restaurant. However, if you purchase in a cake shop expect to pay 4,000 to 5,000 som per slice. A slice can cost even less if you are able to charm one from a seller in the wholesale section of the market. Individually wrapped chocolates are also available by the kilogram from mix and match bins in the markets and also in some convenience stores. * '''Chuchvara''' - similar to ravioli and stuffed with mutton and onions (aka 'pelmeni' in Russian). * '''Lagman''' - thick soup with meat, potatoes, spices, vegetables and pasta. By right, it should include 50 ingredients. Often carrot, red beet, cabbage, radish, garlic, tomatoes, peppers and onions are added. The noodles should be very thin. * '''Manti''' - lamb and onion filled dumplings, often with onions, peppers and mutton fat. * '''Osh (also known as plov, palov or pilaf)''' is the national dish. It's made of rice, carrots, onions, and mutton, and you will eat it if you go to Uzbekistan. Each region has its own way of cooking plov, so you should taste it in different places. According to legend plov was invented by the cooks of ''Alexander the Great''. Plov can also be made with peas, carrots, raisins, dried apricots, pumpkins or quinces. Often spices such as peppers, crushed or dried tomatoes are added. * '''Shashlik''' - grilled meat. Usually served only with raw onions. Veal or mutton is marinated in salt, peppers and vinegar and eight to ten pieces of meat are grilled on a spit over the open fire. * '''Somsas''', which are pastry pockets filled with beef, mutton, pumpkin or potatoes. In spring time "green somsas" are made from so-called "yalpiz" a kind of grass which grows in the mountains and in rural parts of regions. And the amazing thing is people just pick them up for free and make tasty somsas. You can find somsas being cooked and sold on the streets. *{{eat | name=Mastava | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=rice soup with pieces of onion, carrots, tomatoes, peas and occasionally wild plums. }} *{{eat | name=Shurpa | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=soup of mutton (sometimes beef) and vegetables. }} *{{eat | name=Bechbarmak | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=a speciality of the nomadic Kazakhs, boiled meat of sheep or ox and pieces of liver, served with onions, potatoes and noodles. }} Being a historic crossroads and part of numerous empires, Uzbek food is very eclectic in its origins. Indian, Iranian, Arab, Russian, Chinese and even Korean influences all contribute to Uzbekistan's unique cuisine. ==Drink== There are two national drinks of Uzbekistan: tea and vodka (result of more than a century of Russian domination of the land). * '''Tea''' is served virtually everywhere: home, office, cafes, etc. Uzbek people drink ''black tea'' in winter and ''green tea'' in summer, instead of water. If tea is served in the traditional manner, the server will pour tea into a cup from the teapot and then pour the tea back into the teapot. This action is repeated three times. These repetitions symbolize loy (clay) which seals thirst, moy (grease) which isolates from the cold and the danger and tchai (tea or water) which extinguishes the fire. If you are being served tea in an Uzbek home, the host will attempt at all times to make sure your cup is never filled. If the host fills your cup, it probably means that it is time for you to leave, but this occurs really rarely, because Uzbeks are very hospitable. The left hand is considered impure. The tea and the cups are given and taken by the right hand. A mind-numbing variety of brands of wine and '''vodka''' are available almost everywhere. [[File:Vineyard Vodil Uzbekistan.jpg|thumb|Uzbekistan is probably not the first country you'll think of when you hear "wine", but it's certainly produced here]] Since the Republic of Uzbekistan is a secular state, the sale/purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages are allowed and absolutely free, as for example in [[Turkey]] or [[Russia]]. Previously, alcohol was sold in any stores, but now the laws allow selling alcoholic beverages only to those stores that have a license and are several hundred meters away from schools/kindergartens and religious sites. * '''Wine''' produced in Uzbekistan has won numerous international prestigious awards for a high quality. Although Uzbekistan is predominately Muslim, for the most part the Islam practiced there tends to be more cultural than religious. * '''Beer''' is available in every shop and is treated as soft drink and does not require any license to sell. There are special licensed shops selling Vodka, Wine and other Drinks. Russian made vodka is available in only few shops. * '''Kumis''' is fermented mare's milk, which is alcoholic. ===Nightlife=== In Tashkent there are various night (dance) clubs and restaurants. They usually work till late night/early morning. Take enough cash because drinks and snacks are much more expensive than in daytime restaurants. Also you can find overnight Uzbek "chill-out" restaurants where you enjoy traditional food laying on large wooden sofas (tapchans/suri). It is not recommended to hang out on the street or parks after 11PM Even if you do not face problems with criminals you definitely attract unwanted interest of local police (militsiya) patrolling the area. ==Sleep== ===Hotels=== There are many hotels in the country. In [[Tashkent]] there are various types of hotels you can stay, it can cost you US$60 and more depending on how much you're willing to pay for your pleasure in hotel. === Yurt stays=== * ''Nurata Yurt Camp'', about 500 km (7 hours drive) from [[Tashkent]], 250 km /3 hours drive) from [[Samarkand]] and [[Bokhara]], near Aydakul Lake, US$60 per person incl. full board and camel trip. The Yurts can accommodate 8 to 10 people. * ''Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp'', about 100 km from [[Khiva]], 70 km from [[Urgench]], 450 km from [[Bokhara]] and 150 km from Nukus. phone 2210770, 2210707, 3505909, fax 53243–61. Access from [[Khiva]] and [[Urgench]] is via a pontoon bridge over the Amu Darya River. The yurts are on a hill about 30 meters high, near the archaeological site of Ayaz Kala. The ancient fortresses of Ayaz Kala are nearby. US$ 60 per person incl. three meals. The yurts can accommodate 20 to 25 persons. * ''Aydar Yurt Camp'', in the Navoi region in the center of the Kyzyl Kum desert, 10 km from Lake Aydar Kul. The Aydar Yurt Camp is famous for camel safaris. ==Learn== ==Stay safe== [[File:Samarkand-21.JPG|thumb|Uzbek police in Samarkand]] The areas of Uzbekistan bordering Afghanistan should be avoided for all but essential travel. Extreme caution should also be exercised in areas of the Ferghana Valley bordering Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. There have been a number of security incidents in this region, as well as several exchanges of gunfire across the Uzbek/Kyrgyz border. Some border areas are also mined. Travellers should therefore avoid these areas and cross only at authorized border crossing points. For the most part, Uzbekistan is generally safe for visitors, perhaps the by-product of a police state. There are many anecdotal (and a significant number of documented) reports of an increase in street crime, especially in the larger towns, particularly Tashkent. This includes an increase in violent crime. Information on crime is largely available only through word of mouth - both among locals and through the expat community - as the state-controlled press rarely, if ever, reports street crime. As economic conditions in Uzbekistan continue to deteriorate, street crime is increasing. Normal precautions should be taken, as one would in virtually any country. Especially in the cities (few travellers will spend much time overnight in the small villages), be careful after dark, avoid unlighted areas, and don't walk alone. Even during the day, refrain from openly showing significant amounts of cash. Men should keep wallets in a front pocket and women should keep purses in front of them with a strap around an arm. Avoid wearing flashy or valuable jewellery which can easily be snatched. [[Common scams|Scams]] are not unheard of. One of the most common (and one that is not limited to Uzbekistan) involves a stranger coming up to the victim and saying they have found cash lying on the street. They will then try to enlist you in a complicated scheme that will result in you "splitting" the cash - of course only after you have put up some of your own. The entire scenario is ludicrous, but apparently enough greedy foreigners fall for it that it continues. If someone comes up to you with the "found cash" routine, tell them straight away that you are not interested (in whatever language you choose) and walk away. Also beware of locals you don't know who offer to show you the "night life." This should be completely avoided, though some visitors seem to leave their common sense at home. While all of these precautions should be observed during travel virtually anywhere in the world, for some reason many tourists in Uzbekistan seem to lower their guard. They should not. It is also possible that you will be asked by police (Militsiya) for documents. This doesn't happen often, but it can, and they have a legal right to do so. By law, you should carry your passport and visa with you in Uzbekistan, though in practice, it is better to make a color scan of the first two pages of your passport and your Uzbek visa before you arrive. Carry the colour copies with you when you're walking around, and keep the original documents in the hotel safe. The scanned documents will almost always suffice. If not, make it clear to the Militsiya officer that he will have to come to your hotel to see the originals. Unless they have something out of the norm in mind (such as a bribe) they will almost always give you a big smile and tell you to go along. Always be polite with the Militsiya, but also be firm. While almost all of them take bribes, they take them from locals. For the most part, they understand that going too far with a foreigner will only cause them problems, especially if the foreigner is neither being abusive nor quaking with fear. One note about locals offering to show you around: It is common for younger Uzbeks (usually male) who speak English to try and "meet" foreigners at local hotels and offer to serve as interpreters and guides. This is done in daylight and in the open, often in or near some of the smaller but better hotels. This can be rewarding for both the local and the visitor. The local is usually trying to improve their English or French (occasionally other languages, but usually English) and to make a few dollars/euros. If you are approached by a clean-cut person offering such services, and you are interested, question them about their background, what they are proposing to do for you and how much they want to charge you (anywhere between $10-$25 a day is realistic depending on their services and how long they spend with you). Most of the legitimate offers will be from young people who have studied in the West on exchange programs and/or studied at the University of World Diplomacy and/or Languages in Tashkent. If everything seems to fit, their language skills are good and they seem eager and polite, but not pushy, you may want to consider this. They should offer to show you museums, historical sites, cafés, bazaars, cultural advice, generally how to get around, etc. They should ask you what you want to see and/or do. Often this works out well. However, for your and their protection, do not attempt to engage in political discussions of any type. Again, if they are proposing "night life" (or related) services, do NOT take up their offers. ==Stay healthy== Uzbekistan has not implemented a no-smoking policy in bars and restaurants, unlike many Western countries. Consequently, enclosed spaces can be very unpleasant for non-smokers, especially in the cold weather. Fruits and vegetables should be peeled before consumption. Avoid drinking home-brewed vodka and brandy. These are highly likely to contain methanol, the risk of which should not be taken lightly. One moderately famous and high-quality vodka is Qarataw. Visitors should consider '''[[tap water]]''' to be unsafe to drink in regions, while in capital of Uzbekistan the water is safe for drinking. In any case drinking bottled water is advised. ==Respect== In Uzbekistan, and in Central Asia in general, elderly people are greatly respected. Always treat the elderly with great respect and be deferent to them in all situations. Also be polite with females. Traditionally it is not welcomed to flirt openly with women. If you are a male and there is an option to address a male with the question instead of female, choose it. But likewise use caution if seeking out a same-sex conversation on a romantic level, as LGBT rights aren't a thing in Uzbekistan but rather still criminalized. This might strike you as a quirk, but it really is not: bread is sacred in Uzbekistan. Do not waste it, and if you do: do not do so visibly. Don't worry, you are not obliged to eat all the bread you get served in the restaurant, but if you are carelessly throwing away a half a loaf in the street you will get some mean looks. Either way, Uzbek bread is among the best in the world, so you'll probably enjoy it until the last crumb. ==Connect== Mobile connection works in most parts of Uzbekistan and the services are cheap. There are several popular mobile service providers in Uzbekistan - Ucell [http://www.Ucell.uz], Beeline, MTS (MTC in Cyrillic), Perfectum Mobile. A foreigner can get a SIM card after showing his passport. For activating the cell phone connection a person has to be registered. Generally some vendors are not aware of the law and refuse to sell to foreigners. You can find Internet cafés in most of the cities. Speeds can sometimes be fast but generally speed is relatively slow. {{geo|41|66|zoom=6}} {{isPartOf|Central_Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} 7bt6zcn6juidvm25zqc8v68g7n5vfoa 4506174 4506168 2022-08-22T12:04:45Z Fariz Sharipov 2272413 /* Talk */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Shah-i-Zinda banner.jpg|caption=Shah-i-Zinda, Samarkand}} '''[https://uzbekistan.travel/en/ Uzbekistan]''' is a country in [[Central Asia]]. The most populous country in [[Central Asia]], the country is rich in history, culture, and diversity. It has been a part of numerous empires and at some point in its rich history, it was the main centre of the Silk Road. For these reasons, it's safe to say that it is an excellent destination for the history buff. Uzbekistan is often overlooked by many people, but there are lots of things to see and do in this beautiful country. The Uzbeks are known for their hospitality, and you can expect to be treated with a lot of respect as a visitor. ==Regions== {{Regionlist | regionmap=Uzbekistan regions map.png | regionmapsize=500px | region1name=[[Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan)|Ferghana Valley]] | region1color=#d39f76 | region1description=The most fertile and populous part of the country. Lots of Kyrgyz people live there. | region2name=[[Northern Uzbekistan]] | region2color=#c0bb9f | region2description= Home to [[Khiva]], an ancient Silk Road city, and the rapidly shrinking [[Aral Sea]]. The area is dominated by endless deserts and the Karakalpaks make up the majority of the population there. The Karakalpaks are sole ethnic group that has their own autonomous region (Republic of Karakalpakstan) in the country. | region3name=[[Samarkand through Bukhara]] | region3color=#d0b065 | region3description= The heart of the [[Silk Road]] and home to two of Central Asia's most important cities: [[Samarkand]] and [[Bukhara]]. | region4name=[[Southern Uzbekistan]] | region4color=#bbcd83 | region4description=The mountainous part of the country. One can see a small slice of the Pamir mountains there, and many of the country's Tajiks live there. | region5name=[[Tashkent Region]] | region5color=#969cce | region5description=The political and economic center of the country, and the traveller's main entry point. }} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d39f76|title=[[Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan)|Ferghana Valley]]|wikidata=Q487384,Q487089,Q474876}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c0bb9f|title=[[Northern Uzbekistan]]|wikidata=Q484245,Q487561}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#d0b065|title=[[Samarkand through Bukhara]]|wikidata=Q487372,Q487532}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#bbcd83|title=[[Southern Uzbekistan]]|wikidata=Q487577,Q487537}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#969cce|title=[[Tashkent Region]]|wikidata=Q487585,Q487547}} ==Cities== {{Mapshape|title=Tashkent–Samarkand high-speed rail line|wikidata=Q1317105|type=geoline|stroke=#0000FF|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=1}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tashkent]]|wikidata=Q269}} &mdash; the modern capital and largest city. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Andijan]]|wikidata=Q487656}} &mdash; Uzbekistan's fourth largest city, right in the heart of the vibrant but combustible Ferghana Valley. [[File:Kalon-Ensemble Buchara.jpg|thumb|Bukhara]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Bukhara]]|wikidata=Q5764}} &mdash; a legendary Silk Road capital, 2,500 years old, the historical center of which is a [[UNESCO World Heritage list|UNESCO World Heritage site]] filled with magnificent examples of monumental, medieval Islamic and Central Asian architecture. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Khiva]]|wikidata=Q486195}} — site of the [[Itchan Kala]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Namangan]]|wikidata=Q492552}} &mdash; the third largest city, at the northern edge of the Ferghana Valley. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Nukus]]|wikidata=Q489898}} &mdash; the capital of Qaraqalpaqstan on the Amu Darya is the home of the avant-garde painting collection of the Savitsky Gallery, and is surrounded by a region devastated by the environmental degradation wrought by the drying of the Aral Sea. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Samarkand]]|wikidata=Q5753}} &mdash; the nation's second largest city, the whole of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the most famous Silk Road attraction of them all, the Registan. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Shakhrisabz]]|wikidata=Q569766}} &mdash; a small city, whose historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its impressive monuments from the Timurid Dynasty. * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Termez]]|wikidata=Q491879}} &mdash; the southernmost city near the border with [[Afghanistan]], named by Alexander the Great's forces for the intense temperatures they found here (''thermos'' = hot). Several of these were once great trading cities on the [[Silk Road]]. ==Other destinations== *{{marker|name=[[Aral Sea]]|wikidata=Q35883}} &mdash; a lesson in the perils of environmental degradation, the drying of the Aral Sea has ravaged a region roughly the size of [[Germany]] with disease, birth defects, agricultural and economic devastation, and one-time cargo ships lying on their side in the dust. ==Understand== {{quickbar|location=LocationUzbekistan.PNG}} The meaning of the name ''Uzbek'' is disputed. One version is that it is derived from Turkish 'uz/öz' ('good' or 'true') and 'bek' ('guardian'). Unlike the neighbouring Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, but like their close cousins the Uyghurs, the Uzbeks were mostly a sedentary people, building impressive cities along the old [[Silk Road]]. ===History=== Uzbekistan is rich in history. Samarkand was conquered by Alexander the Great. Islam was introduced by Arabs in the 8th-9th century. The most famous leader to come from Uzbekistan is Tamerlane who was born in Shahrisabz south of Samarkand. Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Between 1991 to 2016, the country was ruled by Islam Karimov and his government was widely criticised for its poor human rights record. Corruption was rampant during the Karimov years, and Uzbekistan was practically isolated from the rest of the world. After the death of Karimov, newcomer Shavkat Mirziyoyev was elected president. Under Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has started opening up to the world and it would appear that his government is actively trying to improve Uzbekistan's global image and reputation. Whether or not this is genuine is yet to be seen. ===Climate=== Uzbekistan is very hot and sunny most of the year. There is an inland temperate subtropical climate (but palm trees do not grow). the climate is similar to the climate of northern [[Greece]], central [[Italy]] or northern [[Spain]] or southern [[France]], central [[Turkey]] or the climate of [[Nevada]], [[Colorado]] or northern [[California]]. The hottest months in this country are June, July and August. July is especially hot, and the temperature is considered normal from +45 to +55. Nevertheless, such temperatures are easier to tolerate here, since the air here is very dry, and not humid, as for example in [[India]], [[Malaysia]] and similar countries. The most comfortable is to visit this country from mid-May to early June or from August to early September, when it is not cool as in winter, but also not very hot as in summer peak. But it is worth considering that in April and May, as well as in September and October, rainy, cloudy and windy days are not uncommon. There will definitely be no rains and cloudy days only in the summer months. It may snow in Uzbekistan in winter, but it usually melts in a few days, remaining only in mountainous areas. The hottest regions are Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Navoi and Bukhara Vilayats, and the coldest (meaning in winter) are Khorezm Vilayat and the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. ===Geography=== [[File:Aral Sea Bed (431479).jpg|thumb|Aral Sea bed]] Uzbekistan measures 1450 km West to East and 930 km North to South. Mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) and Zarafshon; Ferghana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous [[Tajikistan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]; shrinking [[Aral Sea]] in west. * '''Syr Darya''' crosses the Ferghana Valley and runs on the North East edge of the Kizil Kum Desert. It is 2212 km long (3019 km including its source Naryn). In antiquity, it was called ''Jaxartes''. Syr Darya flows into the (smaller) Northern part of the [[Aral Sea]]. * '''Amu Darya''' rises in the Hindukush and has a length of 2540 km. It was called ''Oxus'' in antiquity. It can be a rapid river in spring and is called ''Dsaihun'' (suffering from rabies) in Arabic. The river has changed its course several times. [[Konye Urgench]] in [[Turkmenistan]], the capital of the old empire of Chwarezm, was situated on the banks of the Amu Darya. Today the distance between the river and the old city is about 40 km. Amu Darya flows into the (bigger) Southern part of the [[Aral Sea]]. Uzbekistan and [[Liechtenstein]] are the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; all their neighbours are landlocked. However, Uzbekistan has the southern shoreline of the Aral Sea, and a couple of its neighbours border the Caspian Sea, but both "seas" are (or, were, in the case of the Aral) actually huge lakes and do not connect to the oceans. ===Holidays=== {{ramadandates}} 1 Jan New Year (''Yangi Yi Bayrami'') 8 Mar International Women's Day (''Xalqaro Xotin-Qizlar Kuni'') 21 Mar Navroz (Persian New Year) (''Navro'z Bayrami'') 9 May Remembrance Day, Peace Day or Liberation Day (''Xotira va Qadirlash Kuni''), remembering that Uzbek troops participated in the Soviet army and that 500.000 Uzbek soldiers were killed in World War II. 1 Sep Independence Day (''Mustaqillik Kuni''), remembering the proclamation of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 1 Oct Teachers' Day (''O'qituvchi va Murabbiylar Kuni'') 8 Dec Constitution Day (''Konstitutsiya Kuni''), remembering the proclamation of the first constitution of independent Uzbekistan in 1992. Holidays in accordance with the lunar year: the dates of these holidays vary according to the lunar calendar. * ''Kurban Kait'' (Qurbaon Hayit) * '''Ramadan''' (''Ramazon Hayit'') ===Read=== Colin Thubron, The Lost Heart of Asia, 1994, Penguin ==Talk== [[Uzbek Phrasebook|Uzbek]], a Turkic language, is the official state language of Uzbekistan and spoken natively by most of the population. It is variously spelled in the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. [[Russian Phrasebook|Russian]] is also widely spoken due to Soviet history and the ongoing influence of Russia in the region, including an ethnic Russian minority in Uzbekistan. Russian remains the second official language of de facto and interethnic. ==Get in== [[File:Visa policy of Uzbekistan.png|thumb|375px|A map showing the visa requirements of Uzbekistan, with countries in green having visa-free access; and countries in turquoise having simplified visa policy]] ===Entry requirements=== Uzbekistan eased its visa requirements and as of March 2019 citizens of 65 countries can visit the country without having to get a visa. These include the CIS countries whose citizens generally can stay for 90 days, and nationals of most first world countries (notably U.S. citizens have to obtain a visa for anything other than transit) and some others that can stay for 30 days. To apply for a visa complete the application form from [http://evisa.mfa.uz/ here], print out the resulting pdf and take to your printed form, together with some photos and a photocopy of your passport to your nearest Uzbek embassy. They will then ask the MFA in Tashkent for permission to issue a visa, which takes 7-14 days. Once this permission is granted you can pick up your visa. To avoid two trips to the embassy you can get an LOI in advance (by email) and once approval has been granted you can pick up your visa from your chosen embassy in only 1 visit - this is handy for people travelling who want to pick up a visa 'on the go'. An LOI can be obtained from travel companies when a hotel booking is made. Talk to your local travel agent in your own country. The LOI will typically cost US$30-40 for a short stay. For the latest information see the [https://mfa.uz/en/ website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]. Within 3 days of entrance to the country, you need to make a registration, an official statement indicating the address you are staying at. If you stay at reasonable hotels, they will do it by default, however if you stay at a house, you will face a lot of bureaucratic paperwork in order to register yourself. Make sure that it is done, else you risk a 100-dollar fee when you depart. If you are from a country with waived visas, the rules are frustratingly vague. The minimum effort you can get away with will depend on the border crossing, how harmless you look, and the whimsy of any given customs officer. Still, they aren't so strict now on the whole "re-registration every three days" business. You can likely get away with registering a couple of times in a month (even not at all) and making a few excuses at your exit point. Sometimes they don't even ask. Keep overnight train tickets for this. Probably a good idea to register once or twice though just for the sake of a smooth crossing. Online registration is an expensive effort. When you enter Uzbekistan you might find fairly lengthy immigration and passport procedures (or not), but these are fairly painless. In particular you will be asked to declare all the money you are bringing into the country, don't worry about this, declare everything you have and make sure you have less money when you leave. The Uzbek government doesn't want precious foreign currency leaving the country. ''Travel permits'' are required for the mountain areas near the border to [[Tajikistan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]], including great parts of the ''Ugam-Chatkal National Park'' and ''Zaamin National Park''. Update: Since July 2017, Uzbekistan offers a full online process for certain citizens that wish to apply for a visa. The eVisa can be applied for on the [https://e-visa.gov.uz/main governments website]. You can find detailed description as well as a lot of useful information regarding the Uzbekistan eVisa on [https://www.uzbekistanvisa.org this website]. ===By plane=== [[File:TASHKENT AIRPORT.1 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Tashkent Airport]] The main airport of Uzbekistan is the {{listing | type=go | name=Tashkent International Airport "Yuzhniy" | alt={{IATA|TAS}} | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.257861 | long=69.281186 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Tashkent International Airport | image=Tashkent Airport Wallner.jpg | wikidata=Q860952 | content=The airport itself is modern and has various international carriers operating as well as the national '''[http://www.uzairways.com/index.aspx Uzbekistan Airways]'''. Though the airport infrastructure is good, the staff are not always. You may find pointless bureaucracy and an unhelpful attitude from them, equally you may pass through efficiently. Baggage claim and customs procedures can sometimes be time-consuming: allow two hours. For more information see the [[Tashkent#By plane]] section. }} There are airports at [[Andijan]], [[Bukhara]], [[Ferghana]], [[Karshi]], [[Namangan]], [[Nukus]], [[Samarkand]], [[Tashkent]], [[Termez]] and [[Urgench]]. ===By train=== Usable passenger services only exist to [[Kazakhstan]] and via Kazakhstan to [[Russia]]. These include the following trains: * Tashkent - [[Moscow]] (3 times weekly): Train 6 ''Uzbekistan'' leaves [[Moscow]] on Mon, Wed and Fri at 23:15 and arrives in [[Tashkent]] at 22:35 on Wed, Fri and Sun. The distance from [[Moscow]] to [[Tashkent]] by rail is 3,369 km. Some Moscow-bound trains run to/from Andijan. * Tashkent - [[Ufa]] (3 times weekly) * Tashkent - [[Chelyabinsk]] (once weekly) * Tashkent - Novosibirsk (every 4 days) * [[Nukus]] - Tashkent - [[Almaty]] (once weekly) There are also railway lines linking Uzbekistan to [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Tajikistan]], but they are used only by transit trains, therefore officially inaccessible for people to/from Uzbekistan. See respective countries for details. ===By car=== There are roads from surrounding countries but the borders may not be open and there have been security problems. There is a risk of land mines in some border areas. ===From Afghanistan=== [[File:Friendship bridge afg uzb.png|thumb|The Friendship bridge]] The Friendship Bridge, 10 km south of [[Termiz]], links [[Afghanistan]] with Uzbekistan. ===From Kazakhstan=== There are only two border crossings between [[Kazakhstan]] and Uzbekistan : * ''Gisht Kuprik (Chernyaevka)'' between [[Shymkent]] and [[Tashkent]] is the main road crossing between [[Kazakhstan]] and Uzbekistan . A shared taxi or marschrutka from Kolos bus stop at [[Shymkent]] to the border costs about US$4. The trip takes about 1 hour. The border is open 7am to 9pm (Tashkent time). You will have to walk over the border and to take a taxi from the border to [[Tashkent]], which will cost about 6000 som. There are reports of waiting times up to 6 hours at the border. * There is another crossing between ''Beyneu'' in Western [[Kazakhstan]] and ''Kungrad'' in Uzbekistan. ===From Kyrgyzstan=== * Busses from ''[[Bishkek]]'' to Uzbekistan stop at ''Gisht Kuprik (Chernyaevka)'' border. You will have to take a taxi from the border to [[Tashkent]] for 6000 som. A transit visum for [[Kazakhstan]] is required. * You can take a taxi or minibus from ''Jalal Abad'' to ''Khanabad'' (20 som) and walk over the border. * You can take a taxi (50 som) or minibus (5 som) from ''Osh'' to ''Dustlyk (Dostyk)'' and a shared taxi from there to [[Andijan]] in Uzbekistan ===From Tajikistan=== It is about 55 km from [[Dushanbe]] to the border at ''Denau''. Taxis depart from Zarnisar Bazaar in [[Dushanbe]]. A seat in a taxi will cost about 8TJS and the trip will take about 90 minutes. There are Miníbusses from the border to the town of Denau. From there you will have to take a shared taxi to [[Samarkand]]. You will have to take a shared taxi from [[Penjikent]] to the Tajik-Uzbek border (5 TJS, 22 km) and another one from the border to [[Samarkand]] (about 50 km). ===By bus=== When land borders are open, buses run to all neighbouring countries. ===By boat=== Apart from the southern section of the inland Aral sea, Uzbekistan is land-locked: it's one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world, the other being Liechtenstein. ==Get around== ===By train=== [[File:Bukhara train.jpg|thumb|Train in Bukhara]] [[File:HSR Uzbekistan map.png|thumb|The single line Uzbek high speed rail network|link=Special:FilePath/HSR_Uzbekistan_map.png]] The most comfortable way to travel between the major tourist cities in Uzbekistan is by train. The main line Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara is served once a day in each direction by two express trains named "Afrosiob" and "Sharq": The Afrosiob is a Talgo-250-type train that takes 2.5 hours for Tashkent to Samarkand and it even meets most definitions of [[high speed rail]] at {{kmh|250}} top speed . The "Sharq" takes less than 7 hours for the 600-km-journey Tashkent - Bukhara (with intermediate stop in Samarkand). A daily overnight train to and from Tashkent to Bukhara offers the possibility to travel during the night and so a day is not lost travelling. Comfortable sleeping carriages allow a good sleep. The timetable is available [http://railway.uz/en/ online]. The server is often down, but you can use the Russian Railways website to see timetables. Unlike to ordinary local trains the express trains have three classes: The economy class (2nd) with 36 persons per carriage and still plenty of space and comfort, the business class (1st) and the VIP class (expect some free drinks and snacks). The Afrosiob is the fastest and most expensive train which costs from Tashkent to Samarkand for 2nd/1st/VIP 51,000/68,000/98,000 soms. Doing the same trip with the Sharq will save you around 22,000 soms ($7) in each class, but increases the travel time for almost 1.30h. Overnight trains also run from Tashkent and Samarkand to Urgench (3 times weekly) and to Nukus - Kungrad (2 times weekly), so it's also possible to travel to Khiva (30 kilometres from Urgench, taxi/bus available) or to the Aral lake (Moynaq, 70 km from Kungrad) by train. On Thursdays, there is an overnight train in Urgench that also stops in Bukhara. There are four types of sleepers: *'''miagki vagon (soft wagon)''' - 2 berth compartments *'''kupeiny vagon''' - 4 berth compartments *'''platskartny vagon''' - closely packed beds in a commonspace *'''obshi vagon''' - as above but beds used in the seating configuration, therefore used for day trips Book your ticket well in advance; booking on the day of departure is sometimes not possible as trains can get full or due to computer problems. If you buy the ticket in person, you'll have to show your passport. Some basic Russian can come in handy as well. ===By shared taxi=== The second best option, and an experience. Don't be put off as these are pretty safe as far as the people go, although the roads may be a different story. But for getting between Nukus and Khiva, or Khiva to Urgench to Bukhara, this is the only realistic way to go. The taxi driver will have a destination city: so at the ranks ask around for the city you're headed to. If you match, you then negotiate a rate. Ask around beforehand, you can quite easily get ripped off, because each passenger negotiates separately with the driver, so he can charge locals normal rates and take you for all you have. Once you've done that, you wait. The car only leaves when full, or when the driver gets bored. If possible, get the front passenger seat. Don't be polite about this as you do ''not'' want the middle seat. When it's over 50°C in the middle of the desert, with no air conditioning (you pay extra for a car with that), you want to be as close to a window as possible, and with only one person sweating against you! Also, some roads are slow and sometimes of very poor quality. It takes 6-8 hours from Urgench to Bukhara if you're lucky. When you do this section you'll understand why you don't want to risk the bus. 10,000 som per hour in a shared taxi between cities is a good rule of thumb, depending on your haggling skills. ===By bus=== If you travel any distance on a bus in Uzbekistan, take toilet paper with you and be careful what you eat at stops along the way. Intercity buses are uncomfortable. No more uncomfortable than other intercity buses in this part of the world, but the constant hooting, bickering locals, tinny Russian music videos and ever-present smell of sausages can make for an irritating journey. On the bright side, if you're lucky you might be offered some sausages. ===Others=== You can travel by private taxi, minibus or normal bus. While there are official taxis, most cars will become taxis if you wave them down. Meters are rare, so agree the price beforehand. ===By car=== [[File:Ташкентская область - panoramio (14).jpg|thumb|Entering Tashkent region]] Drive on the right. International driving permit required. Minimum age: 17. Speed limit: 60 to 80 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on highways. There are several paved highways with two lanes in Uzbekistan: * '''AH5''' from Gishtkuprik/Chernyavka on the border to [[Kazakhstan]] via [[Tashkent]], Syrdaria, [[Samarkand]], Navoi and [[Bukhara]] to Alat on the border to [[Turkmenistan]] (680 km), * '''AH7''' from the border to [[Kyrgyzstan]] via Andijon, [[Tashkent]] and Syrdaria to Xovos/Khavast on the border to [[Tajikistan]] (530 km), * '''AH62''' from Gishtkuprik/Chernyavka on the border to [[Kazakhstan]] via [[Tashkent]], Syrdaria, [[Samarkand]] and Guzar to [[Termez]] on the border to [[Afghanistan]] (380 km), * '''AH63''' from Oazis on the border to [[Kazakhstan]] in the North West of Uzbekistan via Nukus and [[Bukhara]] to Guzar (950 km paved road, 240 km unpaved) * '''AH65''' from Uzun on the border to [[Tajikistan]] to [[Termez]] on the border to [[Afghanistan]] (180 km) ===Urban transport=== During the day the metro (underground train) is the good option. After midnight you are recommended to use taxi services. It is better to call the taxi (car-service) to pick you up in advance. Some car-services can serve the foreign speaking tourists. You can get more information in the hotel. ==Talk== The official state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan is '''[[Uzbek phrasebook|Uzbek]]'''. The majority of citizens (over 85%) are ethnic Uzbeks and speak it as their native language, although due to its history as part of the Soviet Union, many (especially in [[Tashkent]]) also speak Russian, which is still a mandatory second language in all schools, Russian remains as the de facto second official language and as an interethnic language. Russian has been strongly influenced by Uzbek, and many Uzbek speakers often use Russian words and terms in their everyday conversations (especially in cities), although there are very few Russian words and terms in the official Uzbek language (for example in television, mass media, books and newspapers). The official script of the Uzbek language has been the Uzbek Latin alphabet since 1993, but the Cyrillic alphabet, introduced during the Soviet period, is actively used de facto in parallel (simultaneously) with the Latin alphabet. Uzbek speakers will easily understand the Uyghur language, they generally understand Turkish and Azerbaijani, they have a little difficulty understanding Turkmen, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Crimean Tatar and Bashkir, as well as many other Turkic languages. There are also significant numbers of ethnic Tajiks and Kazakhs in Uzbekistan, primarily speaking their native tongue as a first language. In Samarkand and Bukhara, for instance, one is just as likely to hear [[Tajik phrasebook|Tajik]] being spoken as Uzbek. Russian is widely spoken especially in the cities. In Tashkent the majority of the population speak Russian as a first language and one is just as likely to hear it being spoken as Uzbek. In the semi-autonomous region called the "Republic of Karakalpakstan" in western Uzbekistan, ethnic Karakalpaks (over 33% in Karakalpakstan) speak their native language, which is closely related to Kazakh and Kyrgyz. Karakalpak and Uzbek have equal rights as an official language here. Many Karakalpaks also speak Russian and Uzbek and understand Kazakh and Kyrgyz well, having three or even four or five languages. In cities, more and more people speak '''English''', especially in the field of hotel business and catering. In tourist cities (for example, in Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand or Khiva) and establishments you will not encounter problems with English. A few years ago, English became compulsory to study (along with Russian) in schools starting from the first grade (previously, English was studied only from the third grade and Russian from the first grade). There are especially many native English speakers naturally in large cities and tourist centers. However, remember that this does not mean that any passerby (even young age) he will be able to speak English normally. The generation born after 1995 speaks English better than others, while the older generation, who studied in Soviet schools, learned '''German''' as a foreign language, and remember a couple of German words. In the cities, more and more people speak English, especially those in the hotel and catering trades. However, English is still generally not widely spoken, so if you cannot speak Uzbek, Russian would be your best bet. ==See== ===Architecture=== [[File:AlBukhari Mausoleum dome.jpg|thumb|Detail of Al Bukhari mausoleum, Samarkand]] Uzbekistan has preserved a rich architectural heritage. The construction of monumental buildings was seen as a matter of prestige, emphasizing the power of the ruling dynasty, leading families and higher clergy. The external appearance of towns was determined to a great extent by their fortifications. The walls were flanked at regular intervals by semicircular towers and the entrances to towns were marked by ''darwazas'' (gates). These gates usually had a high vault and a gallery for lookout and were flanked by two mighty towers. The doors were closed at night and in case of danger. Along the main streets were rows of shops, specialized in different goods, and many skilled craftsmen had their workshops in these stalls. The most important covered markets are called ''tag'', ''tim'' or ''bazaars'' (shopping passages) and ''charsu'' (crossroads, literally "four directions"). In big cities the ''ark'' (fortress) was the administrative center. It contained the emir's palace, chancellery, treasury, arsenal and the jail for high-ranking prisoners. The towns also had large public centres, consisting of a ''maydan'' (open square) surrounded by large buildings for civil or religious purposes. ====Religious buildings==== * The '''Friday Mosque (Masjid Al Jumu'ah)''' is located in the town. It had a spacious courtyard with a surrounding gallery and a ''maqsura'' (screened-off enclosure) in the main axis. A typical example is the ''Kalan Mosque'' at ''Bukhara''. * The '''Oratory Mosque (Namazgah)''' is situated outside of the town. Prayers at two important Muslim festivals were conducted in public. The worshippers gathered in an open space in front of the building where the ''minbar'' (imam's pulpit) stood. * The '''Neighbourhood Mosque''' was smaller in size and consisted of a covered hall with the ''mihrab'' and an exterior gallery with columns. They were built from donations of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood and are often richly decorated. An example of this type is the ''Baland (Boland) Mosque'' at ''Bukhara''. * The '''Madrasa''' is an institition for higher education of ''ulama'' (Islamic scholars). The madrasa has a courtyard with two or four aywand (arched portals) on the axes which were used as classrooms in the summer, a row of cells on one or two floors, ''darsakhanas'' (lecture rooms) in two or four corners and a mosque for daily prayer. The main facade has a high portal with two or four minaret-like towers at the corners of the building. Madrasas from the 16th and 17th cent. which have been preserved are ''Madar-Khan'', ''Abdullah Khan'', ''Kukeldash'', ''Nadir Divan Begi'' and ''Abdul Aziz Khan'' at ''Bukhara'', ''Shir-Dor'' and ''Tilla-Kari'' at ''Samarkand'', ''Kukeldash'' and ''Baraq Khan'' in ''Tashkent'', ''Said Ataliq'' at ''Denau'' and ''Mir Rajab Dotha'' at ''Kanibadam''. Madrasas built in the 18th and 19th cent. include ''Narbuta Bi'' at ''Kokand'', ''Qutlugh Murad Inaq'', ''Khojamberdybii'', ''Khoja Moharram'', ''Musa Tura'' and ''Allah-Quili Khan'' in ''Khiva''. * The '''Khanaqah''' was originally a guest house for travelling Sufis near the residence of their ''pir'' (spiritual masters). Under the Timurids they became meeting places of the followers of a Sufi order, attended by representatives of the ruling elite and often a ''zikr-khana'' (room for exposition and Sufi rites) was added. Examples of khanaqas from the 16th and 17th cent include ''Zaynuddin'', ''Fayzabad'', ''Bahaudin'' and ''Nadi Divan-Begi'' at ''Bukhara'', ''Mulla Mir'' near ''Ramitan'', ''Qasim Shaiykh'' at ''Karmana'' and ''Imam Bahra'' near ''Khatirchi''. * '''Memorial buildings''' were erected in the 14th and 15th cent for ''Temur'' and his family, e.g. ''Gur-Emir'' and ''Shah-i Zinda'' at Samarkand and at ''Shakrizabs''. In the 16th and 17th cent. fewer mausoleums were built. An example from this period is the ''Qafal Shashi Mausoleum'' in ''Tashkent''. Monumental buildings were often erected near holy tombs. At ''Bukhara'' a monumental kanaqah was built near the founder of the Naqshbandi order, ''Bahauddein'' and at ''Char Bakr'', the family necropolis of the powerful Juybari shaykhs. From the 16th cent. onwards mauseoleums for rulers were no longer built. The rulers were interred in madrasas, the ''Shaybanids'' of ''Samarkand'' in the ''Abu Said Mausoleum'' on the ''Registan'', ''Ubaydullah Khan'' from ''Bukhara'' in the ''Mir-i Arab Madrasa'' and ''Abdul Aziz Khan'' in the ''Abdul Aziz Madrasa''. ====Civic architecture==== [[File:Ak Sarai.jpg|thumb|Ak Sarai in [[Shakhrizabz]]]] * '''Market buildings (Charsu, Tim, Taq)''' form the very heart of an oriental town. The ''charsu'' is a building covered by a central dome, standing at the crossroads, surrounded by shops and workshops covered by small domes. The ''tim'' is a trading passage and the ''taq'' a domed building on a smaller scale built at the intersection of major streets. At ''Bukhara'' the ''Taq-i Zargaran (Goldsmiths' Dome)'' has an octagonal central space covered by a dome set on 32 intersecting arches. Shops and workshops around the central space are topped by small domes. * '''Caravanserais''' played an important role along the trade routes. According to the traditional plan a caravanserai is a rectangular building with a large courtyard, galleries for animals and baggage, lodgings for the travellers and a mosque. The outer walls were high and thick, the entrance was well guarded and at the corners there were towers for defense. The best exampla is at ''Rabat al-Malik''. A small number of caravanserais have survived, party in ruins, e.g. the caravanserai near the ''Qaraul Bazar'' on the road from ''Bukhara'' to ''Karshi'', the ''Abdullah Khan caravanserai'' on the road from ''Karshi'' to ''Termez''. * '''Bathhouses''' from the 16th and 17th cent. have been preserved at ''Samarkand'', ''Sahrh-i Sabz'', ''Bukhara'' and ''Tashkent''. They are heated by a system of channels under the floor, distributing the heat uniformly through the whole building. Some of them have rooms for disrobing, hot and cold rooms, a massage room or a water closet. Bathhouses are covered with domes which give them their characteristic external appearance. ====Architectural Ensembles==== * The '''Pay-i Kalan (Pedestal of the Great''' at ''Bukhara'', * The '''Kosh Madrasa''' at ''Bukhara'', * The '''Lab-i Hauz''' at ''Bukhara'', * The '''Registan''' at ''Samarkand'' * The '''Char-Bakr Complex''' at Sumitan, outside of ''Bukhara'' ===Nature Reserves=== *{{see | name=Jeyran Ecological Centre | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=40 km from Bukhara | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The ''jeyran'' (Central Asian gazelle) was hunted in the last century by men in jeeps and helicopters. Today, the Uzbekistan jeyran is included in the Red Book of Endangered Species). The Jeyran ecological centre was founded about 1985 and is the only one of its kind in Central Asia. At the beginning 42 jeyrans were brought here, but today 700 unique animals live here in a fenced area of 5000 hectares. Besides jeyrans, ''Prezhevalskiy horses'' and ''koulans'' are bred in the reserve. }} *{{see | name=Kitab State Geological Reserve | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} [[File:Sheep and goats in Kyzyl Kum (Uzbekistan).jpg|thumb|Cattle in Kyzyl Kum]] *{{see | name=Kyzylkum Tugai and Sand Reserve | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the north-west of Bukhara Province | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The reserve was founded in 1971. It covers the flood-lands of the Amu Darya river and the sand-dune desert near-by. The riverside vegetation occupies an area of 3177 hectares and the sand area is 2544 hectares. The best time to visit the reserve is spring. According to ornithologists there are 190 species of birds in the reserve, including herons, river terns, wild ducks, sandpipers NS turtle-doves. The reserve has a lush flora of poplars, silver oleasters and riverside willows. Deer, wild boars, wolves, jackals, foxes, hares and reed cats live on the tugai woods and zhe population of jeyrans is being restored. }} *{{see | name=Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve is being implemented by the government of Uzbekistan, Global Ecology Fund and UN Development Program and co-financed by German Union of Nature Protection. The reserve lies between the desert and mountain systems of Central Asia. It consists of the southern part of the Kyzylkum Desert, lakes Aydarkul and Tuzgan and the mountain ridges of Nuratau and Koitash. The existing ''Nurata Reserve'' and ''Arnasay Ornithological Reserve'' on Lake Tuzgan will be integrated into the new Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve. Among the animals integtrated in the Red Book of Endagered Species are the ''Severtsev ram'' or Kyzylkum ram, golden eagle, bearded and black griffon-vulture. In the reserve are rare sorts of walnut-trees, Central Asian juniper, Bukhara almond-trees, pistachio-trees, wild vines, apricot-trees, apple-trees and various sorts of dog-roses. Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve will be included in the UNESCO global list of biosphere reserves. The experiences will be used in founding biosphere reserves in the Central Kyzylkum Desert, Southern Ustyurt Desert and the tugai woods of the river Amu Darya. }} *{{see | name=Ugam-Chatkal National Park | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the spurs of the Western Tien Shan, about 80 km from Tashkent | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Ugam-Chatkal National Park is one of the oldest nature reserves in Uzbekistan, founded in 1947. The Western Tien Shan is the natural habitat to 44 species of mammals, 230 species of birds and 1168 species of plants including several endemic plants. In the National Park live white-claw bears, wolves, Tien Shan foxes, red marmots, stone-martens, Turkestan lynx, snow leopards, wild boars, badgers, Siberian roes, mountain goast and Tien Shan wild rams as well as wild turkeys, mountain partridges, golden eagles, bearded and eagle vultures. The slopes of the Pskem ridge are covered with walnut-trees, wild fruit trees and wild bushes. The banks of the river are occupied by archa (Central Asian juniper). The ''Chimgan-Charvak-Beldersay Resort Zone'', covering an area 100,000 hectares, has three health-recreation complexes: 'Charvak', 'Chimgan' and 'Beldersay'. }} ==Do== *{{do | name=Camel trekking | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the yurt camps at Lake Aidarkul or Ayaz-Quala | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Bird watching | url=http://www.birdwatching-uzbekistan.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Trekking | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the Ugam Chatkal National Park | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Rafting | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in the Chatkal or Syr-Darya Rivers | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{do | name=Skiing | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Buy== ===Money=== {{exchange rates | currency=Uzbekistani Som | currencyCode=som | date=January 2022 | USD=10,800 | EUR=12,200 | GBP=14,600 | source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/uzs-uzbekistani-som XE.com] }} The currency of the country is the '''Uzbekistani so‘m''', denoted in Cyrillic as "'''сўм'''" (ISO code: '''UZS'''). The currency does not float freely, so there is a black market. 10,000 som and 50,000 som notes were introduced in 2017 and are the usual notes which you will get at the exchange counter. Even a 100,000 som note has been in circulation since 2019 but these are more common with black market money changers and rare to get from banks. The US dollar used to be the foreign currency of choice, but nowadays the euro is also accepted everywhere although at a worse rate. It is '''illegal''' to change money outside official currency exchange offices, which are found only in banks and some expensive international hotels. In particular, the money exchange at Chorsu Bazaar has stopped, although you might find yourself being asked by one or the other person on the market if you want to exchange currency with them. Their exchange rate can be much worse than the official one. In March 2018, it was possible to exchange all sorts of foreign currency at the official exchange offices, even very small bills. The exchange of US dollars and euros appeared to be done at almost the market rate, while Russian rubles were exchanged at 5-10% below the market rate. '''ATMs''' (or Bankomats as they used to be known) can be found in larger cities (Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Termez and apparently there is one in Nukus). Most provide som and others USD at a rate of 0–1.5%. Sometimes black market money changers will give a better rate for exchange of dollars and rubles (look for a group of men hanging out by an "Aviakassa") but for euros the bank is almost certainly a better call. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at ATMs and often Union Pay too. ATMs can be found in many places in Tashkent. Some that are not part of a bank will charge a fee of 6,000-7,500 som (which is very reasonable by international standards). Be careful of withdrawing a large number of dollars and then leaving Uzbekistan with more money than you declared when you entered. You have to declare foreign currency above US$1000 at the airport upon arrival. International credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are increasingly accepted at restaurants, retail outlets including supermarkets and entertainment venues. [[File:UZS5000 2013 rear.jpg|thumb|The obverse of a 5000 som banknote issued in 2013 shows the National Assembly building.]] ===Costs=== Uzbekistan is cheaper than the neighbouring Kazakhstan, but probably a little more expensive than Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan. A [[Street food|street snack]] costs about US$0.80. A comfortable double room is US$40. ===Bazaars=== In Uzbekistan people traditionally buy goods at '''bazaars'''. Prices are fixed in department stores only. In bazaars, private shops and private souvenir stores ''haggling'' is part of the game. Bazaars are the best place to observe the daily life of the locals. The ''Alayski Bazaar'' is one of the oldest and most famous bazaars of Central Asia. You will find beautiful rugs, silk, spices, handicrafts and traditional clothes in the ''Eski Djouva'' and ''Chor Su'' bazaars in the Old City of Tashkent. Typical souvenirs are: * '''babaichik''', figurines, * '''tubeteika''', traditional Uzbek caps and * '''Shiljait''', Shilajit means "Conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness". It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an herbal rejuvenator, nerve tonic and natural stimulator. ==Eat== When you go to restaurants, always ask for menu or price if they do not provide one. While some of the well-established restaurants provide surprisingly good value by European standards, some of the random or less popular restaurants try to take advantage of tourists by overcharging up to five times the normal price. [[File:Oshi palov tajik.jpg|thumbnail|Plov]] * '''Bread''' - Uzbeks eat lots of bread (''non'' in Uzbek). Round bread is called ''lepioshka'' in Russian. You can buy it anywhere, in the bazaar it costs around 1,000-2,500 som. It is delicious when freshly baked and makes a good snack by itself. Samarkand is very famous for its bread. The characteristic Samarkand bread ''obi-non'' is traditionally baked in clay furnaces. Bread is served with every meal. * '''Chocolate''' - Not something you associate with Uzbekistan, but the country produces some very good chocolate cake. A slice of rich moist cake can cost 10,000 to 25,000 som in a cafe or restaurant. However, if you purchase in a cake shop expect to pay 4,000 to 5,000 som per slice. A slice can cost even less if you are able to charm one from a seller in the wholesale section of the market. Individually wrapped chocolates are also available by the kilogram from mix and match bins in the markets and also in some convenience stores. * '''Chuchvara''' - similar to ravioli and stuffed with mutton and onions (aka 'pelmeni' in Russian). * '''Lagman''' - thick soup with meat, potatoes, spices, vegetables and pasta. By right, it should include 50 ingredients. Often carrot, red beet, cabbage, radish, garlic, tomatoes, peppers and onions are added. The noodles should be very thin. * '''Manti''' - lamb and onion filled dumplings, often with onions, peppers and mutton fat. * '''Osh (also known as plov, palov or pilaf)''' is the national dish. It's made of rice, carrots, onions, and mutton, and you will eat it if you go to Uzbekistan. Each region has its own way of cooking plov, so you should taste it in different places. According to legend plov was invented by the cooks of ''Alexander the Great''. Plov can also be made with peas, carrots, raisins, dried apricots, pumpkins or quinces. Often spices such as peppers, crushed or dried tomatoes are added. * '''Shashlik''' - grilled meat. Usually served only with raw onions. Veal or mutton is marinated in salt, peppers and vinegar and eight to ten pieces of meat are grilled on a spit over the open fire. * '''Somsas''', which are pastry pockets filled with beef, mutton, pumpkin or potatoes. In spring time "green somsas" are made from so-called "yalpiz" a kind of grass which grows in the mountains and in rural parts of regions. And the amazing thing is people just pick them up for free and make tasty somsas. You can find somsas being cooked and sold on the streets. *{{eat | name=Mastava | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=rice soup with pieces of onion, carrots, tomatoes, peas and occasionally wild plums. }} *{{eat | name=Shurpa | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=soup of mutton (sometimes beef) and vegetables. }} *{{eat | name=Bechbarmak | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=a speciality of the nomadic Kazakhs, boiled meat of sheep or ox and pieces of liver, served with onions, potatoes and noodles. }} Being a historic crossroads and part of numerous empires, Uzbek food is very eclectic in its origins. Indian, Iranian, Arab, Russian, Chinese and even Korean influences all contribute to Uzbekistan's unique cuisine. ==Drink== There are two national drinks of Uzbekistan: tea and vodka (result of more than a century of Russian domination of the land). * '''Tea''' is served virtually everywhere: home, office, cafes, etc. Uzbek people drink ''black tea'' in winter and ''green tea'' in summer, instead of water. If tea is served in the traditional manner, the server will pour tea into a cup from the teapot and then pour the tea back into the teapot. This action is repeated three times. These repetitions symbolize loy (clay) which seals thirst, moy (grease) which isolates from the cold and the danger and tchai (tea or water) which extinguishes the fire. If you are being served tea in an Uzbek home, the host will attempt at all times to make sure your cup is never filled. If the host fills your cup, it probably means that it is time for you to leave, but this occurs really rarely, because Uzbeks are very hospitable. The left hand is considered impure. The tea and the cups are given and taken by the right hand. A mind-numbing variety of brands of wine and '''vodka''' are available almost everywhere. [[File:Vineyard Vodil Uzbekistan.jpg|thumb|Uzbekistan is probably not the first country you'll think of when you hear "wine", but it's certainly produced here]] Since the Republic of Uzbekistan is a secular state, the sale/purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages are allowed and absolutely free, as for example in [[Turkey]] or [[Russia]]. Previously, alcohol was sold in any stores, but now the laws allow selling alcoholic beverages only to those stores that have a license and are several hundred meters away from schools/kindergartens and religious sites. * '''Wine''' produced in Uzbekistan has won numerous international prestigious awards for a high quality. Although Uzbekistan is predominately Muslim, for the most part the Islam practiced there tends to be more cultural than religious. * '''Beer''' is available in every shop and is treated as soft drink and does not require any license to sell. There are special licensed shops selling Vodka, Wine and other Drinks. Russian made vodka is available in only few shops. * '''Kumis''' is fermented mare's milk, which is alcoholic. ===Nightlife=== In Tashkent there are various night (dance) clubs and restaurants. They usually work till late night/early morning. Take enough cash because drinks and snacks are much more expensive than in daytime restaurants. Also you can find overnight Uzbek "chill-out" restaurants where you enjoy traditional food laying on large wooden sofas (tapchans/suri). It is not recommended to hang out on the street or parks after 11PM Even if you do not face problems with criminals you definitely attract unwanted interest of local police (militsiya) patrolling the area. ==Sleep== ===Hotels=== There are many hotels in the country. In [[Tashkent]] there are various types of hotels you can stay, it can cost you US$60 and more depending on how much you're willing to pay for your pleasure in hotel. === Yurt stays=== * ''Nurata Yurt Camp'', about 500 km (7 hours drive) from [[Tashkent]], 250 km /3 hours drive) from [[Samarkand]] and [[Bokhara]], near Aydakul Lake, US$60 per person incl. full board and camel trip. The Yurts can accommodate 8 to 10 people. * ''Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp'', about 100 km from [[Khiva]], 70 km from [[Urgench]], 450 km from [[Bokhara]] and 150 km from Nukus. phone 2210770, 2210707, 3505909, fax 53243–61. Access from [[Khiva]] and [[Urgench]] is via a pontoon bridge over the Amu Darya River. The yurts are on a hill about 30 meters high, near the archaeological site of Ayaz Kala. The ancient fortresses of Ayaz Kala are nearby. US$ 60 per person incl. three meals. The yurts can accommodate 20 to 25 persons. * ''Aydar Yurt Camp'', in the Navoi region in the center of the Kyzyl Kum desert, 10 km from Lake Aydar Kul. The Aydar Yurt Camp is famous for camel safaris. ==Learn== ==Stay safe== [[File:Samarkand-21.JPG|thumb|Uzbek police in Samarkand]] The areas of Uzbekistan bordering Afghanistan should be avoided for all but essential travel. Extreme caution should also be exercised in areas of the Ferghana Valley bordering Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. There have been a number of security incidents in this region, as well as several exchanges of gunfire across the Uzbek/Kyrgyz border. Some border areas are also mined. Travellers should therefore avoid these areas and cross only at authorized border crossing points. For the most part, Uzbekistan is generally safe for visitors, perhaps the by-product of a police state. There are many anecdotal (and a significant number of documented) reports of an increase in street crime, especially in the larger towns, particularly Tashkent. This includes an increase in violent crime. Information on crime is largely available only through word of mouth - both among locals and through the expat community - as the state-controlled press rarely, if ever, reports street crime. As economic conditions in Uzbekistan continue to deteriorate, street crime is increasing. Normal precautions should be taken, as one would in virtually any country. Especially in the cities (few travellers will spend much time overnight in the small villages), be careful after dark, avoid unlighted areas, and don't walk alone. Even during the day, refrain from openly showing significant amounts of cash. Men should keep wallets in a front pocket and women should keep purses in front of them with a strap around an arm. Avoid wearing flashy or valuable jewellery which can easily be snatched. [[Common scams|Scams]] are not unheard of. One of the most common (and one that is not limited to Uzbekistan) involves a stranger coming up to the victim and saying they have found cash lying on the street. They will then try to enlist you in a complicated scheme that will result in you "splitting" the cash - of course only after you have put up some of your own. The entire scenario is ludicrous, but apparently enough greedy foreigners fall for it that it continues. If someone comes up to you with the "found cash" routine, tell them straight away that you are not interested (in whatever language you choose) and walk away. Also beware of locals you don't know who offer to show you the "night life." This should be completely avoided, though some visitors seem to leave their common sense at home. While all of these precautions should be observed during travel virtually anywhere in the world, for some reason many tourists in Uzbekistan seem to lower their guard. They should not. It is also possible that you will be asked by police (Militsiya) for documents. This doesn't happen often, but it can, and they have a legal right to do so. By law, you should carry your passport and visa with you in Uzbekistan, though in practice, it is better to make a color scan of the first two pages of your passport and your Uzbek visa before you arrive. Carry the colour copies with you when you're walking around, and keep the original documents in the hotel safe. The scanned documents will almost always suffice. If not, make it clear to the Militsiya officer that he will have to come to your hotel to see the originals. Unless they have something out of the norm in mind (such as a bribe) they will almost always give you a big smile and tell you to go along. Always be polite with the Militsiya, but also be firm. While almost all of them take bribes, they take them from locals. For the most part, they understand that going too far with a foreigner will only cause them problems, especially if the foreigner is neither being abusive nor quaking with fear. One note about locals offering to show you around: It is common for younger Uzbeks (usually male) who speak English to try and "meet" foreigners at local hotels and offer to serve as interpreters and guides. This is done in daylight and in the open, often in or near some of the smaller but better hotels. This can be rewarding for both the local and the visitor. The local is usually trying to improve their English or French (occasionally other languages, but usually English) and to make a few dollars/euros. If you are approached by a clean-cut person offering such services, and you are interested, question them about their background, what they are proposing to do for you and how much they want to charge you (anywhere between $10-$25 a day is realistic depending on their services and how long they spend with you). Most of the legitimate offers will be from young people who have studied in the West on exchange programs and/or studied at the University of World Diplomacy and/or Languages in Tashkent. If everything seems to fit, their language skills are good and they seem eager and polite, but not pushy, you may want to consider this. They should offer to show you museums, historical sites, cafés, bazaars, cultural advice, generally how to get around, etc. They should ask you what you want to see and/or do. Often this works out well. However, for your and their protection, do not attempt to engage in political discussions of any type. Again, if they are proposing "night life" (or related) services, do NOT take up their offers. ==Stay healthy== Uzbekistan has not implemented a no-smoking policy in bars and restaurants, unlike many Western countries. Consequently, enclosed spaces can be very unpleasant for non-smokers, especially in the cold weather. Fruits and vegetables should be peeled before consumption. Avoid drinking home-brewed vodka and brandy. These are highly likely to contain methanol, the risk of which should not be taken lightly. One moderately famous and high-quality vodka is Qarataw. Visitors should consider '''[[tap water]]''' to be unsafe to drink in regions, while in capital of Uzbekistan the water is safe for drinking. In any case drinking bottled water is advised. ==Respect== In Uzbekistan, and in Central Asia in general, elderly people are greatly respected. Always treat the elderly with great respect and be deferent to them in all situations. Also be polite with females. Traditionally it is not welcomed to flirt openly with women. If you are a male and there is an option to address a male with the question instead of female, choose it. But likewise use caution if seeking out a same-sex conversation on a romantic level, as LGBT rights aren't a thing in Uzbekistan but rather still criminalized. This might strike you as a quirk, but it really is not: bread is sacred in Uzbekistan. Do not waste it, and if you do: do not do so visibly. Don't worry, you are not obliged to eat all the bread you get served in the restaurant, but if you are carelessly throwing away a half a loaf in the street you will get some mean looks. Either way, Uzbek bread is among the best in the world, so you'll probably enjoy it until the last crumb. ==Connect== Mobile connection works in most parts of Uzbekistan and the services are cheap. There are several popular mobile service providers in Uzbekistan - Ucell [http://www.Ucell.uz], Beeline, MTS (MTC in Cyrillic), Perfectum Mobile. A foreigner can get a SIM card after showing his passport. For activating the cell phone connection a person has to be registered. Generally some vendors are not aware of the law and refuse to sell to foreigners. You can find Internet cafés in most of the cities. Speeds can sometimes be fast but generally speed is relatively slow. {{geo|41|66|zoom=6}} {{isPartOf|Central_Asia}} {{outlinecountry}} tv8u2idsl6fovl3slnydtsqgcdphkww 0 37583 4506440 4315950 2022-08-22T22:07:22Z 181.53.193.161 /* Sleep */Removed a now closed-down hostel wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Cesar Valledupar street view.jpg}} '''Valledupar''' is the capital of the department of [[Cesar]] in [[Eastern Andino]] and the birthplace of Vallenato music. ==Understand== Known as the “forest city”, Valledupar is considered the greenest city in Colombia. As the birthplace of Vallenato music, the city is representative of a unique part of the Colombian culture. The city has around 350,000 inhabitants and enjoys year-round sunshine. The average temperature is 30 °C and the driest months are from December to February. ==Get in== ===By bus=== * From the north (Cuatro Vias), a collectivo to Valledupar costs COP$20,000 and will drop you at the location of your choice in town. * From Bogota, 16-hr bus ride with costs ranging from COP$90,000 to COP$115,000 depending on the season. ====From the bus terminal==== Valledupar has different land entrances, and it's crossed by national highway route from south to north. The easiest way is to take a taxi which will cost around COP$4500. Ask the taxi driver to let you of in the “Centro”, one block away from the "Plaza Alfonso Lopez". ===By plane=== It is possible to get to Valledupar by plane to the airport Alfonso López. Only two airlines cover this route: Avianca and [http://www.latam.com LATAM]. You are advised to book and reconfirm in high season. A taxi ride from the airport to the Centro will cost around COP$7000. ==Get around== In the urban area transportation services are provided by taxis and by private bus companies covering the entire city by shared routes. Lately, a new form of transportation has been developing: the informal auto (mototaxi). Local buses depart from the square around the market. ==See== [[File:95-2-Colombia-023NabusimakeSierraNev.JPG|thumb|250px|Nabusimake, capital of the Arhuaco Indians]] * {{see | name=Plaza Alfonso Lopez | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Indian village of Nabucimake | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=get a shared taxi to Pueblo Bello (COP$10,000) and then another one to Nabusimake (COP$15,000) | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Museo del Acordeón | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 17 #9A-18 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+57 300 8368877 | tollfree= | hours= | price=COP$20000 | lastedit=2020-10-11 | content=Learn all about Valledupar's acclaimed vallenato music. }} * {{see | name=Casa De La Mama De Diomedez Diaz | alt= | url= | email= | address=Carrera 17 | lat= | long= | directions=adjacent to Museo del Acordeón | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-11 | content=Former home of a vallenato musician (Diomedez Diaz). }} * {{see | name=Callejón De La Purrututú | alt= | url= | email= | address=between Carreras 6 and 7 near Calle 13c | lat= | long= | directions=not far from the plaza | phone=+57 300 5906243 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-11 | content=Valledupar historical museum. }} * {{see | name=El Cuartico | alt= | url= | email= | address=Cra. 14a #9C - 05 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=COP$5000 | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-11 | content=This is like someone's amateur living history museum with a one-room cottage containing old relics. It might be of interest if you are really looking for something to do. }} ==Do== * Go for a swim in the river, though be aware that it gets packed on weekends and holidays. * {{do | name=Festival de la leyenda Vallenata | url=http://www.festivalvallenato.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Competition of vallenato band taking place in the last week of April. Expect a big crowd. }} * Witness interesting traditions and culture of the Arhuaca people here or in their secluded town of Nabusimake. * Enjoy traditional and Spanish colonial architecture. The square, “Alfonso López Pumarejo,” and the traditional and colonial part of Downtown Valledupar still preserve Spanish colonial architecture. * Swim and dive in the cool, clean Guatapurí and Badillo rivers * Los Besotes ecopark : bird watch and hike in the verdant park. * For indigenous crafts, visit the nearby historic village of La Mina. * The square, “Alfonso López Pumarejo”. * The traditional and colonial part of the centre. * Swimming facilities “Hurtado” at the river Guatapurí. * The park “Lineal” and the “Village Vallenato”. * Natural swimming facilities “La Mina”. * The “Badillo” river. * The eco park “Los Besotes” and the reserve “Vida Silvestre”. * The eco park “Paraver”, known for its protections of the flora and fauna. * Visits to all the monuments and parks as: “Los Poporos”, “María Mulata”, ”Los Gallos”, “El Folclor Vallenato”, ”Mi Pedazo de Acordeón”, and “Revolución en Marcha”. * The “stage” Compai Chipuco. * The Vallenato music groups and the Vallenato parties. * Fruit trees you´ll find in the city; mango, cañahuate, ceibas, robles, totumos, acacias, mamones, cotoprix, uvitos, cardamomos e innumerables cauchos. * The important indigenous population in the area such as Nabusimake. * Villages like La Paz, Patillal, Manaure Cesar, Pueblo Bello, Nabusimake * The savannah area of the Cesar department and visits to the mountain area of the “Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta”. * The “Coliseo Gallístico”. ==Buy== '''Supermarkets''' * Exito supermarket, two blocks away from the hostel, is a huge superstore offering everything from clothes to electrical articles to fresh fruit and veg. * Carrefour supermarket, in C.C. Guatapuri Plaza, is another huge superstore offering everything from clothes to electrical articles to fresh fruit and veg. * Olympica supermarket (calle 14 con Carrera 9.) * Mi Futuro supermarket: four blocks away from the hostel, is a local supermarket, good prices. * Market - There's a local market selling fresh produce, Plaza de Mercado ¨La Galeria¨ '''Shopping centers''' * Guatapurí Plaza (Av. Hurtado Diagonal 10 No. 6N-15) * Orbe Plaza (Carrera 9 con calle 12, esquina) ==Eat== ==Drink== '''Discothèques''' * La Licorera: Carrera 9 # 9 - 36 * Plaza Mayor: Carrera 6 #15-70, Plaza Alfonso López * La iguana: Carrera 9 #10-44 * Kankurua: Calle 16a # 7 - 61 '''Coffee shops''' * Café Plaza Mayor: Good location and nice bar. Three music ambiances. (Carrera 6 #15-70, Plaza Alfonso López) * Juan Valdez: Guatapurí Plaza (Av. Hurtado Diag. 10 No. 6N-15) '''Restaurants''' * Compae chipuco: Carrera 6ta con calle 16. Ask for "el almuerzo" at lunch and "menu del dia" it´s the cheap option. * Antore Pizza: Calle 12 Nro 17-46 Tel: (5) 573-3030 * La Razón: Typical food. Carrera 6 Nro 11-03 Tel: (5) 584-6051 * Jerusalem: Carrera 9 Nro 7c-29 ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Casablanca | alt= | url= | email= | address=Carrera 8 No. 17-61 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+570 7242 - 570 9296 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Clean but tiny and windowless rooms. Shower, TV and fan. Located in the center and close to the plaza Alfonso Lopez. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== Private rooms and hostels are available in: [[Manaure]] - 35km away. The temperatures are more pleasant as it's in the mountains 700m above sea level [[Riohacha]] [[Camarones]] [[Tayrona National Park]] [[Santa Marta]] {{geo|10.4833|-73.2500}} {{IsPartOf|Eastern Andino}} {{outlinecity}} bh1z0nzkns6j0iyocjp4q9u9u02yvs0 0 37669 4506593 4475094 2022-08-23T05:21:39Z Rosspotter 2274401 amend public transit wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Burnaby banner deer lake park.jpg}} [[File:The City of Lougheed.jpg|right|thumb|The City of Lougheed development in Burnaby]] The '''Vancouver eastern suburbs''' are a group of municipalities to the east of [[Vancouver]] in the [[Lower Mainland]] of [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. This region lies north of the Fraser River and west of the Pitt River. The region is fairly urban and defined by its relationship to Vancouver. ==Cities== {{mapframe|49.2620|-122.8938|zoom=11}} [[File:Upper Pond of Burnaby Central Park 本那比中央公園 Le bassin supérieur de parc central - panoramio.jpg|right|thumb|Upper Pond of Burnaby Central Park ]] * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Burnaby]]|wikidata=Q244025}} — home of the expansive Metropolis at Metrotown shopping mall, and the equally expansive Burnaby Central Park * {{marker|type=city|name=[[New Westminster]]|wikidata=Q876122}} — a small town that never grew up, it has a nice riverfront promenade and beautiful old neighbourhoods * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Coquitlam]]|wikidata=Q643215}} — suburban sprawl with some beautiful parks, one of the tri-cities * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Coquitlam]]|wikidata=Q643326|lat=49.2632|long=-122.7806}} — more suburban sprawl near the Fraser River, one of the tri-cities * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Moody]]|wikidata=Q776261}} — includes Belcarra and Anmore; more sprawl, but the 3-km Shoreline Trail provides some nice views, one of the tri-cities ==Other destinations == * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=Pinecone Burke Provincial Park|wikidata=Q7195452}} — it has canoe access to Widgeon Slough and from there hiking trails that lead to Widgeon Lake, and a network of old logging roads, hiking and mountain biking trails on Burke Mountain ==Understand== ==Get in and around== See [[Vancouver]] for intercity to options to the region by plane, bus, and train. === By car === '''Highways 1 and 7''' (Lougheed Highway) are the main roads connecting the eastern suburbs with Vancouver to the west and [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]] and the [[Fraser Valley]] to the south and east. '''Highway 91A''' connects New Westminster to [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]] and [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]] in [[Vancouver southern suburbs]]. === By public transit === {{listing|name=TransLink|alt=|url=https://www.translink.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-604-953-3333|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-27|content=The main public transit network in the Vancouver area, including: [[Bowen Island]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Lions_Bay-Britannia_Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[New Westminster]], [[North Vancouver]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], Vancouver, [[West Vancouver]], and [[White Rock]]. Its network includes buses, SkyTrain (rail rapid transit), SeaBus (ferries), West Coast Express (commuter rail), and HandyDART (door-to-door shared-ride service for those who cannot ride public transit without assistance).}} TransLink provides bus and SkyTrain service to the eastern suburbs. SkyTrain provides reliable transit from Vancouver and Surrey to Burnaby, New Westminster and through Port Moody to central Coquitlam where you can connect to the limited West Coast Express train service out to the Fraser Valley communities of Maple Ridge and Mission. Travels times are approximately 20-30 minutes to Vancouver and 10-20 minutes to Surrey. Buses provide service from Vancouver, Surrey, [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], the [[North Shore (British Columbia)|North Shore]] and [[Pitt Meadows]]. Visit the TransLink website to get current fare information. The TransLink system is described in more detail in the [[Vancouver#By public transit|Vancouver "Get around"]] section. ==See== [[File:Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam, Canada.jpg|thumb|Reflections of the Coquitlam city skyline at the "Lights at Lafarge" festival]] The eastern suburbs are smaller tourist destinations than central Vancouver or the North Shore areas, but there are some wonderful pockets to make it worth venturing out if you want to explore beyond Vancouver. There are a number of parks that are worth visiting as well as some small museums and galleries. One great destination in Burnaby is '''[https://www.burnaby.ca/things-to-do/explore-outdoors/shorelines---lakes/deer-lake-park.html Deer Lake Park]''' which has pleasant walking trails, [https://deerlakeboatrentals.com/ boat rentals], the [https://www.burnaby.ca/Things-To-Do/Arts-and-Heritage/Burnaby-Art-Gallery.html Burnaby Art Gallery] and [https://www.burnaby.ca/Things-To-Do/Arts-and-Heritage/Shadbolt-Centre-for-the-Arts.html Shadbolt Centre for the Arts], public gardens and [http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/ Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel.]. Towering over Burrard Inlet is '''Burnaby Mountain Park''', provides wooded walking trails, including a segment of the Trans Canada Trail, a manicured rose garden, views of Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet and a fine dining restaurant, Horizons. Further north, where the mountains start in [[Coquitlam]], '''Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park''' is a much more rugged experience. Its difficult to decide if the best park in the region is Coquitlam's Mundy Park, Belcarra Regional Park or the '''Buntzen Lake''' Hydro Recreation Site in [[Anmore]], with its pretty lake, beach and varied hiking trails. The Port Moody waterfront with its bandshell, museum and string of craft breweries have become a local hub of activity and a great place to visit with easy transit access. ==Do== [[File:At The Beach Retreat B^B - panoramio (4).jpg|right|thumb|Port Moody shoreline]] If you want to do some '''walking or hiking''', there's no shortage of trails in the region. Good spots for a gentle stroll are the '''boardwalk''' in [[New Westminster]], the '''Shoreline Trail''' in [[Port Moody]] or the '''Traboulay Trail''' in [[Port Coquitlam]]. '''Buntzen Lake''' in [[Anmore]] offers a variety of hikes from short and easy to day-long climbs to ridge tops. And if you're looking for something more mountainous, '''Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park''' has many miles of trails with day and multi-day hikes. Many of the parks also have '''water activities'''. There are sandy beaches and boating options at Buntzen Lake and Belcarra Regional Park in [[Belcarra]]. Boat rentals are available in the summer at Rocky Point, Belcarra and Deer Lake. Swimming is also available at some of the city parks in Port Moody. Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park is a good spot for trout and salmon fishing. For arts and culture, you can visit Burnaby Village Museum, the Port Moody Station Museum, or Irvine House in New Westminster. ==Eat== ==Drink== [[Port Moody]] is home to what is referred to locally as Brewer's Row. You have your choice of four breweries along Murray St, three of which are across the street from '''Rocky Point Park''' with views of the Burrard Inlet. There is typically at least one food truck near by, so grab a beer and enjoy the scenery. The easiest way to get there is to use the [[Skytrain]] evergreen extension, and get off at Moody Centre. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{Usableregion}} {{geo|49.256|-122.885|zoom=13}} h19e7odc6t1obfx1wm1dx6od2pwpqze 0 37671 4506590 4475096 2022-08-23T05:19:38Z Rosspotter 2274401 add info wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Vancouver southern suburbs Nicomekl river.jpg}} The '''Vancouver southern suburbs''' are a group of municipalities in [[Vancouver|Vancouver's]] metropolitan area located south of the Fraser River in the [[Lower Mainland]] of [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. They are fairly urban and are defined by their relationship to Vancouver. Much of the Lower Mainland's population growth and suburban sprawl is taking place here. This region lies between the north arm of the Fraser River in the north and the [[United States]] border in the south, and from the Georgia Strait in the west to [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]] in the east. Beyond Surrey is the [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], in the [[Fraser Valley]] region. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]]|wikidata=Q390583}} — the fastest-growing municipality in the Lower Mainland *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]]|wikidata=Q236837}} — home to a large Chinese immigrant population and {{IATA|YVR}} (Vancouver International Airport) *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]]|wikidata=Q851838}} — a collection of three communities: Tsawwassen, Ladner and North Delta *{{marker|type=city|name=[[White Rock]]|wikidata=Q629056}} — beachfront community ==Get in== See [[Vancouver]] for intercity options to reach to the region by plane, bus, or train. See [[Lower Mainland#Get in|Lower Mainland]] for information on reaching the region by car. === By public transit === You can take the [https://www.translink.ca/ TransLink's] SkyTrain Canada Line from downtown [[Vancouver]] to [[Vancouver International Airport]], or to Richmond-Brighouse Station, and connect to TransLink buses there. The Expo Line will take you to Surrey Central (with connections to the Surrey RapidBus route R1) and on to King George Station. === By boat === {{Listing|name=BC Ferries|url=https://www.bcferries.com/|tollfree=+1-888-223-3779|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Operates vehicle ferry routes connecting coastal communities in British Columbia.}} Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in Delta connects with destinations on [[Vancouver Island]] and the [[Southern Gulf Islands]]. See [[Delta (British Columbia)#By boat|Delta]] for details. === By car === Highway 99 crosses the region from Vancouver to the U.S. border, passing through Richmond, Delta and White Rock. Highway 1 passes through Surrey en route from Vancouver to Abbotsford. ==Get around== === By public transit === {{listing|name=TransLink|alt=|url=https://www.translink.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-604-953-3333|tollfree=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-27|content=The main public transit network in the Vancouver area, including: [[Bowen Island]], [[Burnaby]], [[Coquitlam]], [[Delta (British Columbia)|Delta]], [[Langley (British Columbia)|Langley]], [[Lions_Bay-Britannia_Beach|Lions Bay]], [[Maple Ridge]], [[New Westminster]], [[North Vancouver]], [[Port Coquitlam]], [[Pitt Meadows]], [[Port Moody]], [[Richmond (British Columbia)|Richmond]], [[Surrey (British Columbia)|Surrey]], Vancouver, [[West Vancouver]], and [[White Rock]]. Its network includes buses, SkyTrain (rail rapid transit), SeaBus (ferries), West Coast Express (commuter rail), and HandyDART (door-to-door shared-ride service for those who cannot ride public transit without assistance).}} TransLink operats in all the southern suburbs. Richmond and Surrey are particularly well-connected, as there is a SkyTrain route serving each of those cities. ==See== [[File:Vessel by the swamp beneath the blue cloudy sky in George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary in British Columbia.jpg|right|thumb|George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary]] Ride the '''Fraser Valley Heritage Railway''' in Surrey. Visit '''Steveston''', in the southwest corner of Richmond where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean. This former fishing village is now a tourist destination, with good fish and chip shops, boutiques, historic buildings, and a nice boardwalk. The '''George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary''' and the '''Boundary Bay Regional Park''' in Delta offer a chance to see a wide variety of birds in the wild. Take a quick visit to the United States from Delta: '''[[Point Roberts]]''' is an American exclave only accessible by land through Canada. Bring your passport. ==Do== [[File:Clock and lookout at White Rock.JPG|thumb|right|Clock and lookout platform at White Rock]] '''White Rock Beach''' is the largest and one of the most popular beaches in the Lower Mainland. The long sandy beach has many tidal pools during low tide where see marine life up close. The 2.2-km White Rock Promenade and the pier make for a pleasant walk, especially at sunset, and there are lots of restaurants nearby. '''Crescent Beach''', White Rock's "alternate beach" area, is quieter, and had a small-town, seaside feeling. The '''Riverport''' Sports & Entertainment Complex (SilverCity) in Richmond has a huge movie theatre with an Imax screen, bowling, a large swimming pool, Canada's largest indoor trampoline park, and an indoor waterpark. ==Buy== [[File:Richmond Night Market 2013 (8850609266).jpg|right|thumb|Richmond Night Market]] '''Cloverdale''', a historic village in Surrey, is the Antique Capital of BC, with many antique shops in its town centre. The '''Richmond Night Market''', like night markets in Asia, features food booths with Chinese, Japanese, Bubble tea, and many other cuisines, kitsch items, cheap clothing, cell phone accessories, and other merchandise. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Lower Mainland}} {{Usableregion}} {{geo|49.097|-122.914|zoom=12}} 9l4s81aa1zukosd9qq32j8ofedpjdxe 0 37832 4506278 4506083 2022-08-22T15:13:03Z Jonte-- 38175 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|pgname=San Marco}} '''San Marco''' is in [[Venice]]. ==Get in== ==See== {{mapframe|height=500|width=500|zoom=15}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q52427,Q126327}} [[Image:Venezia_(201710)_jm55888.jpg|thumb|300px|St Mark's Basilica.]] * {{see | name=Doge's Palace | alt=Palazzo Ducale | url=http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en | email= | address=Piazetta San Marco, San Marco 1 | lat=45.4337 | long=12.3404 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 2715911 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Nov to Mar 08:30 to 17:30, Apr to Oct 08:30 to 19:00, closed Jan 1 and Dec 25 | price=Adults €20, reduced €14 | wikipedia=Doge's Palace | wikidata=Q189883 | content=Don't miss the guided tour named ''Secret Itinerary'', which will let you discover the part of the palace where the city's administration worked, as well as Casanova's jail and the wonderful five hundred year old roof structure. A MUVE museum. }} * {{see | name=Bell tower of St. Mark | alt=Campanile di San Marco | url=http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/basilica/campanile/?lang=en | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco | lat=45.43404 | long=12.33905 | directions=vaporetto line 1 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 5224064 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Nov-Mar: 09:30-15:45; Apr-Jun, Oct: 09:00-19:00; Jul-Aug: 09:00-21:00 | price=€8 | wikipedia=St Mark's Campanile | wikidata=Q754194 | content=The current tower dates from 1912; an exact replica of the previous tower which collapsed in 1902. The top of the tower offers great views of Venice and the lagoon. }} * {{see | name=Clock tower | alt=Torre dell'Orologio | url=http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it/en/home/ | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco | lat=45.4347 | long=12.3389 | directions=vaporetto lines 1-2-5, 1.5.2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 5209070 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Adults €12, reduced €7 | wikipedia=St Mark's Clocktower | wikidata=Q966625 | content=Having been closed for restoration for many years, the restored astronomical clock is now visible. The fascinating tour of the clock mechanism (and rooftop bell) can only be visited on a guided tour, in English: Mon-Wed at 10:00 and 11:00, on other days at 14:00 and 15:00, in French Mon-Wed at 14:00 and 15:00, advance reservation required online or by phone at +39 041 5209070. A MUVE museum. }} * {{see | name=Ponte di Rialto | alt=Rialto Bridge | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.43805 | long=12.33592 | directions=connecting sestieri San Polo and San Marco across Canal Grande | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Rialto Bridge | wikidata=Q52505 | content=The bridge has become one of Venice's most recognizable icons and has a history that spans over 800 years. Today's Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524. }} ===Churches=== *{{see | name=Saint Mark's Basilica | alt=Basilica di San Marco | url=http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/ | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco 328 | lat=45.43453 | long=12.33969 | directions=water lines #1, 52, and 82 will take you from Santa Lucia (the train station) or Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco. Walking is another option but will require a map and lots of time and energy | phone=+39 041 5225205 (procuratorial phone number) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=1 Oct-31 Mar: 09:45-16:45; 1 Apr-30 Sep: 09:45-17:00 | price=Admission to the basilica is free, however, the museum upstairs costs €5 and to view the high altar and treasury costs €2 and €3 respectively | wikidata=Q172988| wikipedia=St Mark's Basilica |lastedit=2021-11-15| content=Saint Mark's Basilica is on the Piazza San Marco and is one of the highlights of a visit to Venice. As with most churches in Italy, you must be dressed appropriately to be allowed in; this means no short skirts or bare shoulders. You are not allowed to carry large bags or rucksacks inside, sometimes even small daypacks may need to be deposited. Storage is available just around the corner from the main entrance (free of charge). Filming and photography is forbidden so be prepared in advance. The visit within the basilica lasts ten minutes. Waiting for entry into the basilica can last up to five or so hours and it may be wise to use a ticket service to reserve your visit (reservation costs €3). Once you have a reservation you can take the group entrance on the left, where you hand in the printout of your reservation. }} * {{see | name=S. Giuliano | alt= | url= | email= | address=Campo di San Giuliano, San Marco | lat=45.435694 | long=12.338667 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=San Zulian | image=Chiesa San Zulian.jpg | wikidata=Q1251035 | content= }} * {{see | name=Basilica San Giorgio Maggiore | alt= | url=http://www.turismovenezia.it/Venezia/Chiesa-di-San-Giorgio-Maggiore-6106.html | email= | address=Isola di S.Giorgio Maggiore, 30133 Venezia | lat=45.4295 | long=12.3430 | directions=Isola di San Giorgio Vaporetto Linea 2 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= |image=Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore a Venezia.jpg | hours=mei-sep 08:30-18:30 | price=For the bell tower: €6, reduced rate €4 (students and 65+) | wikidata=Q713558 | content=Designed by Andrea Palladio and build 1566-1610. Very nice views of Venice from the bell tower. }} * {{see | name=S. Stefano | alt= | url= | email= | address=Campo Santo Stefano, San Marco 3825 | lat=45.43368 | long=12.33105 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5222362 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santo Stefano, Venice | image=Venezia flickr01.jpg | wikidata=Q974832 | content= }} ===Museums=== * {{see | name=Correr Museum | alt=Museo Correr | url=http://correr.visitmuve.it/en/home/ | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, Ala Napoleonica, San Marco 52 | lat=45.433605 | long=12.337158 | directions=on San Marco Square, vaporetto line 11-2-5, 1-5-2 | phone=+39 041 2405211 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Nov 1 to Mar 31: 10:00-17:00, Apr 1 to Oct 31: 10:00-19:00, closed Dec 25, Jan 1 | price=€14 (reduced €8), which also includes Doge's Palace | wikipedia=Museo Correr | image=8240 - Venezia - San Marco dal Museo Correr - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 12-Aug-2006.jpg | wikidata=Q1470912 | content=Interesting collection of globes, starting from the 16th century. There is also an only library hall, an archeological museum of Roman antiques and an important picture gallery. The museum offers a tour of Venetian history. Remarkable painting gallery with masterpieces of the 14th to 16th cent from Venice, works of the Venetian sculpture Canova, studies on urban development and social life. At the end of your visit, don't miss the museum art cafe, with their tables on the San Marco Square. A MUVE museum. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Palazzo Grassi | alt= | url=http://www.palazzograssi.it/en/ | email= | address=Campo San Samuele, San Marco 3231 | lat=45.4338 | long=12.32794 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M W-Su 10:00-19:00. Last admission 1 hr before closing | price=Adults €18, reduced €15 | wikidata=Q907964 | content=Contemporary art museum. Temporary exhibitions from François Pinault's Collection. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Palazzo Fortuny | alt= | url=http://www.fortuny.visitmuve.it/en | email= | address=San Beneto, San Marco 3958 | lat=45.43532 | long=12.33208 | directions=laterale Calle della Mandorla, vaporetti line 1 or 2 to Rialto or S.A°ngelo | phone=+39 041 5200995 | tollfree= | hours=W-M 10:00-18:00, closed Tue and May 1 | price=Adults €12, reduced €10 | wikidata=Q616676 | content=Collection of paintings and lamps. A MUVE museum. }} * {{see | name=Telecom Italia Future Centre | alt= | url=http://www.telecomitalia.com/tit/en/futurecentre.html {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}} | email= | address=Campo San Salvador, San Marco 4826 | lat=45.4367 | long=12.3361 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Rialto | phone=+39 041 5213272 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; closed M, Dec 25, Jan 1 | price=Free | content=Centre dedicated to telecommunication technology. The building complex includes an adjacent church with important works of art, the Refectory (which is a conference hall today), Renaissance cloisters and a small museum focusing on the evolution of the telephone in the last 100 years. }} * {{see | name=Scala Contarini del Bovolo | alt= | url=https://www.scalacontarinidelbovolo.com/ | email= | address=Corte del Riso o del Bovolo, San Marco 4303 | lat=45.43481 | long=12.33456 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Rialto | phone=+39 041 3096605 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-13:30 and 14:00-18:00 | price=Adults €7, reduced €6 | lastedit=2017-10-25 | content=A cylindrical tower with a spiralling series of arches, among the most characteristic examples of Venetian architecture at the period of transition from Gothic to Renaissance styles. From the top there are great panoramic views of the city. }} * {{see | name=Music Museum | alt=Museo della Musica | url=https://www.museodellamusica.com/en | email= | address=Chiesa di S.Maurizio, Campo di S.Marizio, San Marco 2603 | lat=45.43308 | long=12.33160 | directions=near Campo Santo Stefano; vaporetto line 1 to S.M-.del Giglio or line 1-2 to Accademia | phone=+39 041 2719012 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:30-19:00 | price=Free | content=Beautiful church, collection of musical instruments, Venetian Baroque paintings. [https://www.interpretiveneziani.com/en/ Interpreti Veneziani], the creators of the Music Museum, also offer concerts in the nearby San Vidal church. }} * {{see | name=Archaeological Museum | alt=Museo Archaeologico Nazionale | url=https://www.polomusealeveneto.beniculturali.it/musei/museo-archeologico-nazionale-di-venezia | email= | address=Piazetta San Marco, San Marco 52 | lat=45.4338 | long=12.3391 | directions=Vaporetti line 1 or 2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 5225978 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-18:00 | price=€4, reduced €2 | content=Collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Egyptian, Assyrian and Babylonian artefacts. }} * {{see | name=St.Mark's Basilica Museum | alt=Basilica di San Marco -Museo | url=http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/basilica/museo-marciano/?lang=en | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco | lat= | long= | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco or Zaccaria | phone=+39 041 2708311 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:45-16:45 | price=€5.00, reduced €2.50 | content=Visit the famous bronze horses. }} ===Libraries=== * {{see | name=Marciana National Library | alt=Sala Monumentale della Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana | url=http://www.marciana.venezia.sbn.it | email= | address=Piazetta San Marco, San Marco 7 | lat=45.43342 | long=12.33920 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 2407211 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:15-10:00, 17:09-19:00 | price=€4, reduced €2 | content=Buildings by Sansovino, most important collection of books in Venice. }} * {{see | name=Giorgio Cini Foundation | alt=Fondazione Giorgio Cini | url=https://www.cini.it/ | email= | address=Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore | lat= | long= | directions=Vaporetto line 2 | phone=+39 041 271 0407 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1435690 | lastedit=2022-08-04 | content=Multi-functional centre in an old Benedictine dormitory, the heart of the Foundation's library complex }} ==Do== * {{do | name=La Fenice Theater | alt=Teatro La Fenice | url=http://www.teatrolafenice.it/site/index.php?&lingua=eng | email=info@teatrolafenice.org | address=Campo San Fantin, San Marco 1965 | lat=45.43362 | long=12.33368 | directions=300 m west of San Marco square | phone=+39 041 786511 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Tours: adults €10, students up to 26 and seniors over 65 €7, children up to 6 free. Slightly cheaper if purchased as part of a combined ticket with the Doge's palace | wikipedia=La Fenice | image=Teatro La Fenice (Venice) - Facade.jpg | wikidata=Q223942 | content=One of the best opera houses in the world. Info at Bigletteria Hello Venezia Call Center {{Phone|+39 041 2424}}. You can also visit this historic theater with an audioguide (good explanations in several languages). The theater is an identical reconstruction (rebuilt in 2003) of the previous theater building that burned down in 1996. }} * {{do | name=Ateneo San Basso | alt= | url=http://www.virtuosidivenezia.com/index.php?slang=en | email=info@virtuosidivenezia.com | address=Piazetta del Leoncini, San Marco | lat=45.43495 | long=12.33943 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco or S.Zaccaria | phone=+39 041 52 82 825 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€25, reduced €20 | wikidata=Q3669580 | content=Classical concerts. }} * {{do | name=Chiesa San Vidal | alt= | url=http://www.interpretiveneziani.com/en/ | email=info@interoretiveneziani.com | address=Campo San Vidal, San Marco 2862/B | lat=45.43242 | long=12.32953 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Accademia | phone=+39 041 27770561 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Adults €29, reduced €24 | wikidata=Q769514 | content=Classical concerts by Interpreti Veneziani. They also run the nearby Music Museum in the nearby San Maurizio church. }} ==Buy== *{{buy | name=Venetia Studium | alt=High end Scarves & Shawls | url=http://venetiastudium.com | email=info@venetiastudium.com | address=Calle Larga XXII Marzo, San Marco 2428 | lat=45.43256 | long=12.33370 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5236953 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Fine velvets and silks of every imaginable color are woven into delicate evening bags, scarves and pillows. The Company Venetia Studium produces in the Island the worldwide famous Fortuny Lamps }} * {{buy | name=L’Isola | alt= | url=https://www.lisola.com/ | email=info@lisola.com | address=Calle de le Botteghe, San Marco 2970 | lat=45.43383 | long=12.33027 | directions= | phone=+39 041 523 1973 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Archimede Seguso | alt= | url=http://aseguso.com/en# | email= | address=San Marco 143 | lat=45.43469 | long=12.33878 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5289041 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Venini | alt= | url=http://venini.com/en/ | email=venezia@venini.it | address=Piazzetta Leoncini, San Marco 314 | lat=45.43491 | long=12.33931 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5224045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=T Fondaco dei Tedeschi | alt=Galleria T Fondaco dei Tedeschi | url=https://www.dfs.com/en/venice | email= | address=Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi | lat= | long= | directions=Next to the Rialto bridge | phone=+39 041 3142 000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1259067 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Luxury duty free shopping centre, housed in the historic ''Fondaco dei Tedeschi'' building where German merchants had there trading post for centuries. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Pizzeria Megaone | alt= | url= | email= | address= Ramo del Fontego dei Tedeschi, 5367| lat=45.4377910 | long=12.3365542 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Pizzeria L'Angelo | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle de la Mandola, 3711 | lat= 45.4349509 | long= 12.3332983| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Bar Ducale | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle delle Ostreghe, 2354 | lat=45.4325259 | long=12.3336651 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-01 | content=A bistro }} * {{eat | name=Pako's Pizza & Pasta | alt= | url= | email= | address=Spadaria, 687 | lat=45.4353099 | long= 12.3389893 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Rosticceria Gislon | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle de la Bissa, 5424/a | lat=45.4376952 | long=12.3372274 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=We Love Italy fresh pasta to go - Rialto | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle de l'Orso, 5529 | lat=45.4380512 | long= 12.3371473 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Ostaria A La Campana | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle dei Fabbri, 4720 | lat=45.4361442 | long=12.3358554 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} ===Mid-range=== <br> ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Antico Martini | alt= | url=https://www.anticomartini.com/ | email=info@anticomartini.com | address=Campiello della Fenice, San Marco 2007 | lat=45.4336 | long=12.3341 | directions= | phone=+39 041 522 4121 | tollfree= | hours=Open all days | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=A luxury restaurant, favorite among the famous names of culture and business, the Antico Martini also attracts expert gourmets and famous personalities since the 1800s who come to enjoy unforgettable flavors. Beautiful detail and restaurant decor, romantic atmosphere. The site has been a restaurant since 1720, with the venue being open since 1952. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant La Caravella | alt= | url=http://www.restaurantlacaravella.com/en/ | email= | address=Via XXII Marzo, San Marco 2399 | lat=45.43289 | long=12.33425 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5208901 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open every day all year round | price= | content=Historical place near St. Mark's Square, known since the 1960s, it has become a must if you like traditions. Offers some typical dishes and a large selection of wines. From May to September service is in a traditional courtyard. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Caffe Paolin | alt= | url= | email= | address=Santo Stefano, San Marco 3464 | lat=45.43378 | long=12.33062 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5220710 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Caffè Florian | alt= | url=http://www.caffeflorian.com | email=servizi@caffeflorian.com | address=Piazza San Marco, 57 | lat=45.43361 | long=12.33822 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5205641 | tollfree= | hours=Daily, 09:00-00:00 | price= | wikidata=Q960610 | content=On the extravagant side there is Caffè Florian, on Piazza San Marco. It claims to be the oldest coffee house still in operation, established in 1720. The interior is about a century newer, and brings an exclusive setting for a cup of coffee, even if sitting outside overlooking the entire piazza and its surroundings may be a better choice on a nice summer day. The café has its own outdoor orchestra playing an assortment of Italian music. Just sitting down at the table costs €6 per seat (for the orchestra it says on the menu) and the rest on the menu is at least twice the price you would have paid at home. Light lunch or dinner 12:00-15:00, 19:30-22:00, afternoon tea 15:09-18:00, great choice of semifreddo (parfaits) (€14), lemon ice cream with soda (€15), great choice of tea and coffee specialities; espresso €6.50. music charge €6. }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Quadri | alt= | url= | email= | address=120, Piazza San Marco | lat=45.43437 | long=12.33805 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5222105 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2932926 | content=Opposite Caffè Florian, with similar prices. }} * {{drink | name=Harry's Bar-Ristorante | alt= | url=https://www.cipriani.com/eu/harrys-bar | email=harrysbar@cipriani.com | address=Calle Vallaresso 1323, San Marco, 30123 Venezia | lat=45.43242 | long=12.33725 | directions=San Marco Giardinetti | phone=+39 041 5285777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:30-23:00 | price= | content=The Bellini-cocktail was invented here. Ernest Hemingway was one of the most famous guests. ''Very pricy!'' }} * {{drink | name=Bistrot de Venise | alt= | url=http://www.bistrotdevenise.com | email= | address=Calle dei Fabbri, San Marco 4685 | lat=45.43555 | long=12.33653 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=22:00 until late night | price= | content=Restaurant, cultural and enogastronomical meetings. }} * {{drink | name=Devils Forest Pub | alt= | url=https://www.devilsforestpub.com/ | email= | address=Calle dei Stagneri o de la Fava | lat=45.4372 | long=12.3368 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5200 623 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-04 | content=A traditional English style pub with a very fun atmosphere. It is located near the Rialto Bridge and tucked into a small alley near the Disney Store. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Bed and Breakfast Venice Ca' del Pozzo | alt= | url=http://cadelpozzo.it | email= | address= | lat=45.4329955 | long= 12.3320963 | directions= | phone=+39 041-2413875 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-2443203 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2022-04-01 | content=Completely restructured in 2003, in the characteristic Campo San Maurizio. }} * {{sleep | name=Ai Do Mori | alt= | url=http://hotelaidomori.com | email= | address=San Marco 658 | lat=45.43518 | long=12.33920 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5204817 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5205328 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Doubles from €55 | content=As close as it gets to Piazza San Marco, but on the second and third floor, so it still is quiet at nights. Clean and nice rooms, TV, aircon, very friendly staff. }} * {{sleep | name=Antico Fiore | alt= | url=http://anticofiore.com | email= | address=San Marco 3486 | lat=45.43489 | long=12.33022 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5227941 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-2413879 | price=Rooms from €65 | checkin= | checkout= | content=An 18th-century building which has been carefully restored. }} * {{sleep | name=Astoria | alt= | url=http://hotelastoriavenezia.it {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Calle Fiubera, San Marco 951 | lat=45.43510 | long=12.33763 | directions= | phone=+39 0415225381 | tollfree= | fax=+39 0415288981 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=2-star hotel. It has Wi-Fi at a fee and rooms from €70. }} * {{sleep | name=Ca' Contarini | alt= | url= | email=tfleming6@hotmail.com | address=Calle dei Orbi (Corte de la Vida), San Marco 3025 | lat=45.43329 | long=12.32903 | directions= | phone=+39 327-8455991 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=10:30 | price=From €70 per person/night | lastedit= 2011-05 | content=A small, quiet establishment in a five hundred year old building. Both shared and private rooms are available, no curfew-lockouts, including free Wifi, coffee/tea, and light breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Ca' Rialto | alt= | url=http://carialto.com | email= | address=Riva del Ferro, San Marco 5149 | lat=45.43769 | long=12.33601 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5209166 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5238958 | price=Singles from €50, doubles from €60 (extra bed €30) | checkin= | checkout= | content=In a building overlooking the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Serenissima | alt= | url=https://www.hotelserenissima.it/?lang=en | email= | address=Calle Goldoni, San Marco 4486 | lat=45.43536 | long=12.33569 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5200011 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5223292 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms from around €80 per person | content=Completely refurbished at the start of 2007 and is a one-minute walk from the Piazza San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Ateneo Hotel Venice | alt= | url= | email= | address=San Marco 1876 | lat=45.43436 | long=12.33415 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5200777 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5228550 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms start at around €120 depending on season | lastedit= | content=3-star hotel close to Basilica San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Alcyone Hotel Venice | alt= | url=http://www.hotelalcyonevenice.com/ | email= | address=Calle dei Fabbri, San Marco 4712 | lat=45.43585 | long=12.33610 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5212508 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5212942 | checkin= | checkout= | price=€240 | content=Its 26 bedrooms are divided in single, double, triple and superior. All with en suite services, shower, telephone, satellite TV and air conditioning. }} * {{sleep | name=Antica Casa Coppo | alt= | url=http://www.anticacasacoppo.com/ | email= | address=San Marco 4320/1/2 | lat=45.43476 | long=12.33487 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5233585 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2770843 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Classic Venetian styled rooms starting at €100 a night. Near the Rialto Bridge. Wi-Fi. }} * {{sleep | name=Antico Casin Locanda | alt= | url=http://anticocasin.com | email= | address=Corte Contarina, San Marco 1520/a | lat=45.43347 | long=12.33614 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5207002 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-795122 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= A refined example of contemporary design, located close to Saint Mark's Square. Doubles from €90. }} * {{sleep | name=Domus Ciliota | alt= | url=http://ciliota.it/ | email= | address=Calle delle Muneghe, San Marco 2976 | lat=45.43376 | long=12.32983 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A 5-10 minute walk from San Marco's Square. The hotel has over fifty clean, basic, air-conditioned rooms all with shower and WC. The 24-hr reception is English speaking. There is an area for leaving baggage after you've checked out. Single rooms are €70-85 and doubles are €100-110 including breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Ala | alt= | url=http://hotelala.it/ | email= | address=Campo Santa Maria dei Gigli, San Marco 2494 | lat=45.43238 | long=12.33270 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5208333 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5206390 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double rooms from €110 | content=Eggs and broiled tomatoes with cheese for breakfast. Rooms were a typical size but clean, comfortable and quiet. They have turndown service at night, a pleasant surprise. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel All’Angelo Venice | alt= | url=http://hotelallangelovenice.com/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=San Marco 403 | lat=45.43557 | long=12.33993 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5209299 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2743555 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Run by the same family since 1924 in a 17th-century building close to St Marks Basilica. Comfortable and stylishly decorated rooms with a double somewhere in the region of €150. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Antico Panada | alt= | url=http://hotelpanada.it | email= | address=San Marco 646 | lat=45.43541 | long=12.33925 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5209088 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5209619 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from €145 to €310 | content=Has rooms decorated in an 18th-century Venetian style. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Becher | alt= | url=http://hotelbecher.com | email= | address=San Marco 1857 | lat=45.43421 | long=12.33462 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5221253 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5212685 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= This 18th-century hotel enhanced by the most modern amenities, charming atmosphere and impeccable service. Single rooms from €70, doubles €110 and triples from €170. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Firenze Venice | alt= | url=http://www.hotel-firenze.com/index_en.html | email=info@hotel‑firenze.com | address=San Marco 1490 | lat=45.43334 | long=12.33633 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5222858 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5202668 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms start at around €120 a double/twin | content=On a side street of Piazza San Marco, and offers bright and comfortable rooms. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Lisbona Venice | alt= | url=http://hotellisbonavenice.com/ | email= | address=San Marco 2153 | lat=45.43262 | long=12.33560 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5286774 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5207061 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Just in front of Piazza San Marco, three star rooms decorated in the grand Venetian style. Double rooms are usually around €140. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Montecarlo Venice | alt= | url=https://www.venicehotelmontecarlo.com/en/ | email= | address=Calle degli Specchieri, San Marco 463 | lat=45.43557 | long=12.33924 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5207144 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5207789 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms start at around €130 a double | content=3-star superior rooms and services one hundred yards from the entrance to Basilica San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel San Giorgio | alt= | url=http://sangiorgiovenice.com | email= | address=Rio Terà della Mandola, San Marco 3781 | lat=45.43521 | long=12.33214 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5235835 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5228072 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Single rooms from €60, doubles from €90, triples from €120 | lastedit= | content=The hotel is between Campo Sant'Angelo and Campo Manin in an antique [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] palace bought by Mariano Fortuny. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel San Moise Venice | alt= | url= | email= | address=San Marco 2058 | lat=45.43336 | long=12.33501 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5203755 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5210670 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Starting in the region of €120-140 for a double room | lastedit= | content=3-star hotel behind Piazza San Marco and the Basilica. }} * {{sleep | name=Pagan Luxury House | alt= | url=http://www.capagan.com/ | email=info@capagan.com | address=San Marco 3268 | lat=45.43392 | long=12.32868 | directions= | phone=+39 041-2960584 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5236218 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from €120 | lastedit=2017-01-15 | content=According to their website, there is a €10 per night discount for booking directly with them. }} * {{sleep | name=Novecento Boutique Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.novecento.biz/ | email= | address=San Marco 2683/84 | lat=45.43227 | long=12.33127 | directions=Calle del Dose, off Campo San Maurizio, between St. Mark's Square and the Accademia Gallery | phone=+39 041 2413765 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rates start from €120 | content=Has 9 rooms featuring original furniture and tapestries from both the Mediterranean and the Far East. }} * {{sleep | name=Palazzina Grassi Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.palazzinag.com/ | email=info@palazzinag.com | address=San Marco 3247 | lat=45.43389 | long=12.32818 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5284644 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms from €295 | content=First Italian hotel designed by Philippe Starck, the only one in Venice. In the centre, near the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Saint Mark's Square is a short walk away. }} * {{sleep | name=Duodo Palace Hotel | url=http://duodopalacehotel.com/ | email=info@duodopalacehotel.com | address=San Marco 1887 | lat=45.43441 | long=12.33384 | directions=In the historic centre | phone=+39 041 5203329 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2415940 | hours= | price=Doubles from €140 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Four-star luxury hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Al Codega | alt= | url=http://hotelalcodega.com/ | email= | address=Corte del Forno Vecchio, San Marco 4435 | lat=45.43560 | long=12.33551 | directions= | phone=+39 041 2413288 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2414621 | checkin= | checkout= | price=From €200-300 | content=In a picturesque little ‘cortile’ (courtyard), which is a short walk from Piazza San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dei Dragomanni | alt= | url=http://hoteldragomanni.com | email= | address=Calle del Dose da Ponte, San Marco 2711 | lat=45.43178 | long=12.33117 | directions= | phone=+39 041 2771300 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2778984 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from €155 | content=4-star hotel in an ancient Venetian palazzo. }} * {{sleep | name=Corte di Gabriela | alt= | url=http://www.cortedigabriela.com/en/ | email=info@cortedigabriela.com | address=Calle Avvocati, 3836 | lat=45.43485 | long=12.33173 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5235077 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from 270€ per night | lastedit=2018-11-21 | content=Corte di Gabriela is a 4-star boutique hotel in Venice in an elegant nineteenth-century building, overlooking the canals of the San Marco district. It has a few suites, each different from the others. }} === Splurge === [[Image:Grand Canal 18a (7241026178).jpg|thumb|Bauer Hotel, as seen from the Grand Canal.]] Venice is home to some of the world's most luxurious, and expensive, hotels and several of them are located in San Marco. * {{sleep | name=Hotel Bauer Palazzo | alt= | url=https://www.bauervenezia.com/ | email=info@bauervenezia.com | address=San Marco 1459 | lat=45.4328 | long=12.3358 | directions=In the street from San Marco Square to Ponte dell'Accademia | phone=+39 041 5207022 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5239092 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from €279 to €15,010 | wikidata=Q56256091 | lastedit=2022-08-21 | content=Historic luxury hotel facing the Grand Canal. Hotel Bauer has been around since 1880. }} * {{sleep | name=The Gritti Palace | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/vcegl-the-gritti-palace-a-luxury-collection-hotel-venice/overview/ | email= | address=Campo Santa Maria Del Giglio, 2467 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 041 794611 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q3890678 | lastedit=2022-08-21 | content=Housed in the ''Palazzo Pisani Gritti'', facing the Grand Canal, this hotel was once the private residency of a 16th century dodge. It has been a hotel since 1895 }} ==Connect== {{IsPartOf|Venice}} {{outlinedistrict}} {{geo|45.434|12.333|zoom=16}} 8yu4p89tdyjdg52s6inv1aulvc15p5l 4506287 4506278 2022-08-22T15:29:17Z Jonte-- 38175 /* Drink */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|pgname=San Marco}} '''San Marco''' is in [[Venice]]. ==Get in== ==See== {{mapframe|height=500|width=500|zoom=15}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q52427,Q126327}} [[Image:Venezia_(201710)_jm55888.jpg|thumb|300px|St Mark's Basilica.]] * {{see | name=Doge's Palace | alt=Palazzo Ducale | url=http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en | email= | address=Piazetta San Marco, San Marco 1 | lat=45.4337 | long=12.3404 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 2715911 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Nov to Mar 08:30 to 17:30, Apr to Oct 08:30 to 19:00, closed Jan 1 and Dec 25 | price=Adults €20, reduced €14 | wikipedia=Doge's Palace | wikidata=Q189883 | content=Don't miss the guided tour named ''Secret Itinerary'', which will let you discover the part of the palace where the city's administration worked, as well as Casanova's jail and the wonderful five hundred year old roof structure. A MUVE museum. }} * {{see | name=Bell tower of St. Mark | alt=Campanile di San Marco | url=http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/basilica/campanile/?lang=en | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco | lat=45.43404 | long=12.33905 | directions=vaporetto line 1 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 5224064 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Nov-Mar: 09:30-15:45; Apr-Jun, Oct: 09:00-19:00; Jul-Aug: 09:00-21:00 | price=€8 | wikipedia=St Mark's Campanile | wikidata=Q754194 | content=The current tower dates from 1912; an exact replica of the previous tower which collapsed in 1902. The top of the tower offers great views of Venice and the lagoon. }} * {{see | name=Clock tower | alt=Torre dell'Orologio | url=http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it/en/home/ | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco | lat=45.4347 | long=12.3389 | directions=vaporetto lines 1-2-5, 1.5.2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 5209070 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Adults €12, reduced €7 | wikipedia=St Mark's Clocktower | wikidata=Q966625 | content=Having been closed for restoration for many years, the restored astronomical clock is now visible. The fascinating tour of the clock mechanism (and rooftop bell) can only be visited on a guided tour, in English: Mon-Wed at 10:00 and 11:00, on other days at 14:00 and 15:00, in French Mon-Wed at 14:00 and 15:00, advance reservation required online or by phone at +39 041 5209070. A MUVE museum. }} * {{see | name=Ponte di Rialto | alt=Rialto Bridge | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.43805 | long=12.33592 | directions=connecting sestieri San Polo and San Marco across Canal Grande | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Rialto Bridge | wikidata=Q52505 | content=The bridge has become one of Venice's most recognizable icons and has a history that spans over 800 years. Today's Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524. }} ===Churches=== *{{see | name=Saint Mark's Basilica | alt=Basilica di San Marco | url=http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/ | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco 328 | lat=45.43453 | long=12.33969 | directions=water lines #1, 52, and 82 will take you from Santa Lucia (the train station) or Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco. Walking is another option but will require a map and lots of time and energy | phone=+39 041 5225205 (procuratorial phone number) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=1 Oct-31 Mar: 09:45-16:45; 1 Apr-30 Sep: 09:45-17:00 | price=Admission to the basilica is free, however, the museum upstairs costs €5 and to view the high altar and treasury costs €2 and €3 respectively | wikidata=Q172988| wikipedia=St Mark's Basilica |lastedit=2021-11-15| content=Saint Mark's Basilica is on the Piazza San Marco and is one of the highlights of a visit to Venice. As with most churches in Italy, you must be dressed appropriately to be allowed in; this means no short skirts or bare shoulders. You are not allowed to carry large bags or rucksacks inside, sometimes even small daypacks may need to be deposited. Storage is available just around the corner from the main entrance (free of charge). Filming and photography is forbidden so be prepared in advance. The visit within the basilica lasts ten minutes. Waiting for entry into the basilica can last up to five or so hours and it may be wise to use a ticket service to reserve your visit (reservation costs €3). Once you have a reservation you can take the group entrance on the left, where you hand in the printout of your reservation. }} * {{see | name=S. Giuliano | alt= | url= | email= | address=Campo di San Giuliano, San Marco | lat=45.435694 | long=12.338667 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=San Zulian | image=Chiesa San Zulian.jpg | wikidata=Q1251035 | content= }} * {{see | name=Basilica San Giorgio Maggiore | alt= | url=http://www.turismovenezia.it/Venezia/Chiesa-di-San-Giorgio-Maggiore-6106.html | email= | address=Isola di S.Giorgio Maggiore, 30133 Venezia | lat=45.4295 | long=12.3430 | directions=Isola di San Giorgio Vaporetto Linea 2 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= |image=Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore a Venezia.jpg | hours=mei-sep 08:30-18:30 | price=For the bell tower: €6, reduced rate €4 (students and 65+) | wikidata=Q713558 | content=Designed by Andrea Palladio and build 1566-1610. Very nice views of Venice from the bell tower. }} * {{see | name=S. Stefano | alt= | url= | email= | address=Campo Santo Stefano, San Marco 3825 | lat=45.43368 | long=12.33105 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5222362 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santo Stefano, Venice | image=Venezia flickr01.jpg | wikidata=Q974832 | content= }} ===Museums=== * {{see | name=Correr Museum | alt=Museo Correr | url=http://correr.visitmuve.it/en/home/ | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, Ala Napoleonica, San Marco 52 | lat=45.433605 | long=12.337158 | directions=on San Marco Square, vaporetto line 11-2-5, 1-5-2 | phone=+39 041 2405211 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Nov 1 to Mar 31: 10:00-17:00, Apr 1 to Oct 31: 10:00-19:00, closed Dec 25, Jan 1 | price=€14 (reduced €8), which also includes Doge's Palace | wikipedia=Museo Correr | image=8240 - Venezia - San Marco dal Museo Correr - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 12-Aug-2006.jpg | wikidata=Q1470912 | content=Interesting collection of globes, starting from the 16th century. There is also an only library hall, an archeological museum of Roman antiques and an important picture gallery. The museum offers a tour of Venetian history. Remarkable painting gallery with masterpieces of the 14th to 16th cent from Venice, works of the Venetian sculpture Canova, studies on urban development and social life. At the end of your visit, don't miss the museum art cafe, with their tables on the San Marco Square. A MUVE museum. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Palazzo Grassi | alt= | url=http://www.palazzograssi.it/en/ | email= | address=Campo San Samuele, San Marco 3231 | lat=45.4338 | long=12.32794 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M W-Su 10:00-19:00. Last admission 1 hr before closing | price=Adults €18, reduced €15 | wikidata=Q907964 | content=Contemporary art museum. Temporary exhibitions from François Pinault's Collection. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Palazzo Fortuny | alt= | url=http://www.fortuny.visitmuve.it/en | email= | address=San Beneto, San Marco 3958 | lat=45.43532 | long=12.33208 | directions=laterale Calle della Mandorla, vaporetti line 1 or 2 to Rialto or S.A°ngelo | phone=+39 041 5200995 | tollfree= | hours=W-M 10:00-18:00, closed Tue and May 1 | price=Adults €12, reduced €10 | wikidata=Q616676 | content=Collection of paintings and lamps. A MUVE museum. }} * {{see | name=Telecom Italia Future Centre | alt= | url=http://www.telecomitalia.com/tit/en/futurecentre.html {{dead link|August 2018|December 2020}} | email= | address=Campo San Salvador, San Marco 4826 | lat=45.4367 | long=12.3361 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Rialto | phone=+39 041 5213272 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; closed M, Dec 25, Jan 1 | price=Free | content=Centre dedicated to telecommunication technology. The building complex includes an adjacent church with important works of art, the Refectory (which is a conference hall today), Renaissance cloisters and a small museum focusing on the evolution of the telephone in the last 100 years. }} * {{see | name=Scala Contarini del Bovolo | alt= | url=https://www.scalacontarinidelbovolo.com/ | email= | address=Corte del Riso o del Bovolo, San Marco 4303 | lat=45.43481 | long=12.33456 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Rialto | phone=+39 041 3096605 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10:00-13:30 and 14:00-18:00 | price=Adults €7, reduced €6 | lastedit=2017-10-25 | content=A cylindrical tower with a spiralling series of arches, among the most characteristic examples of Venetian architecture at the period of transition from Gothic to Renaissance styles. From the top there are great panoramic views of the city. }} * {{see | name=Music Museum | alt=Museo della Musica | url=https://www.museodellamusica.com/en | email= | address=Chiesa di S.Maurizio, Campo di S.Marizio, San Marco 2603 | lat=45.43308 | long=12.33160 | directions=near Campo Santo Stefano; vaporetto line 1 to S.M-.del Giglio or line 1-2 to Accademia | phone=+39 041 2719012 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:30-19:00 | price=Free | content=Beautiful church, collection of musical instruments, Venetian Baroque paintings. [https://www.interpretiveneziani.com/en/ Interpreti Veneziani], the creators of the Music Museum, also offer concerts in the nearby San Vidal church. }} * {{see | name=Archaeological Museum | alt=Museo Archaeologico Nazionale | url=https://www.polomusealeveneto.beniculturali.it/musei/museo-archeologico-nazionale-di-venezia | email= | address=Piazetta San Marco, San Marco 52 | lat=45.4338 | long=12.3391 | directions=Vaporetti line 1 or 2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 5225978 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-18:00 | price=€4, reduced €2 | content=Collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Egyptian, Assyrian and Babylonian artefacts. }} * {{see | name=St.Mark's Basilica Museum | alt=Basilica di San Marco -Museo | url=http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/basilica/museo-marciano/?lang=en | email= | address=Piazza San Marco, San Marco | lat= | long= | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco or Zaccaria | phone=+39 041 2708311 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:45-16:45 | price=€5.00, reduced €2.50 | content=Visit the famous bronze horses. }} ===Libraries=== * {{see | name=Marciana National Library | alt=Sala Monumentale della Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana | url=http://www.marciana.venezia.sbn.it | email= | address=Piazetta San Marco, San Marco 7 | lat=45.43342 | long=12.33920 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco | phone=+39 041 2407211 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=08:15-10:00, 17:09-19:00 | price=€4, reduced €2 | content=Buildings by Sansovino, most important collection of books in Venice. }} * {{see | name=Giorgio Cini Foundation | alt=Fondazione Giorgio Cini | url=https://www.cini.it/ | email= | address=Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore | lat= | long= | directions=Vaporetto line 2 | phone=+39 041 271 0407 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1435690 | lastedit=2022-08-04 | content=Multi-functional centre in an old Benedictine dormitory, the heart of the Foundation's library complex }} ==Do== * {{do | name=La Fenice Theater | alt=Teatro La Fenice | url=http://www.teatrolafenice.it/site/index.php?&lingua=eng | email=info@teatrolafenice.org | address=Campo San Fantin, San Marco 1965 | lat=45.43362 | long=12.33368 | directions=300 m west of San Marco square | phone=+39 041 786511 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Tours: adults €10, students up to 26 and seniors over 65 €7, children up to 6 free. Slightly cheaper if purchased as part of a combined ticket with the Doge's palace | wikipedia=La Fenice | image=Teatro La Fenice (Venice) - Facade.jpg | wikidata=Q223942 | content=One of the best opera houses in the world. Info at Bigletteria Hello Venezia Call Center {{Phone|+39 041 2424}}. You can also visit this historic theater with an audioguide (good explanations in several languages). The theater is an identical reconstruction (rebuilt in 2003) of the previous theater building that burned down in 1996. }} * {{do | name=Ateneo San Basso | alt= | url=http://www.virtuosidivenezia.com/index.php?slang=en | email=info@virtuosidivenezia.com | address=Piazetta del Leoncini, San Marco | lat=45.43495 | long=12.33943 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco or S.Zaccaria | phone=+39 041 52 82 825 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€25, reduced €20 | wikidata=Q3669580 | content=Classical concerts. }} * {{do | name=Chiesa San Vidal | alt= | url=http://www.interpretiveneziani.com/en/ | email=info@interoretiveneziani.com | address=Campo San Vidal, San Marco 2862/B | lat=45.43242 | long=12.32953 | directions=vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Accademia | phone=+39 041 27770561 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Adults €29, reduced €24 | wikidata=Q769514 | content=Classical concerts by Interpreti Veneziani. They also run the nearby Music Museum in the nearby San Maurizio church. }} ==Buy== *{{buy | name=Venetia Studium | alt=High end Scarves & Shawls | url=http://venetiastudium.com | email=info@venetiastudium.com | address=Calle Larga XXII Marzo, San Marco 2428 | lat=45.43256 | long=12.33370 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5236953 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Fine velvets and silks of every imaginable color are woven into delicate evening bags, scarves and pillows. The Company Venetia Studium produces in the Island the worldwide famous Fortuny Lamps }} * {{buy | name=L’Isola | alt= | url=https://www.lisola.com/ | email=info@lisola.com | address=Calle de le Botteghe, San Marco 2970 | lat=45.43383 | long=12.33027 | directions= | phone=+39 041 523 1973 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Archimede Seguso | alt= | url=http://aseguso.com/en# | email= | address=San Marco 143 | lat=45.43469 | long=12.33878 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5289041 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Venini | alt= | url=http://venini.com/en/ | email=venezia@venini.it | address=Piazzetta Leoncini, San Marco 314 | lat=45.43491 | long=12.33931 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5224045 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=T Fondaco dei Tedeschi | alt=Galleria T Fondaco dei Tedeschi | url=https://www.dfs.com/en/venice | email= | address=Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi | lat= | long= | directions=Next to the Rialto bridge | phone=+39 041 3142 000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1259067 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Luxury duty free shopping centre, housed in the historic ''Fondaco dei Tedeschi'' building where German merchants had there trading post for centuries. }} ==Eat== ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Pizzeria Megaone | alt= | url= | email= | address= Ramo del Fontego dei Tedeschi, 5367| lat=45.4377910 | long=12.3365542 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Pizzeria L'Angelo | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle de la Mandola, 3711 | lat= 45.4349509 | long= 12.3332983| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Bar Ducale | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle delle Ostreghe, 2354 | lat=45.4325259 | long=12.3336651 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-01 | content=A bistro }} * {{eat | name=Pako's Pizza & Pasta | alt= | url= | email= | address=Spadaria, 687 | lat=45.4353099 | long= 12.3389893 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Rosticceria Gislon | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle de la Bissa, 5424/a | lat=45.4376952 | long=12.3372274 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=We Love Italy fresh pasta to go - Rialto | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle de l'Orso, 5529 | lat=45.4380512 | long= 12.3371473 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Ostaria A La Campana | alt= | url= | email= | address=Calle dei Fabbri, 4720 | lat=45.4361442 | long=12.3358554 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content= }} ===Mid-range=== <br> ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Antico Martini | alt= | url=https://www.anticomartini.com/ | email=info@anticomartini.com | address=Campiello della Fenice, San Marco 2007 | lat=45.4336 | long=12.3341 | directions= | phone=+39 041 522 4121 | tollfree= | hours=Open all days | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-06 | content=A luxury restaurant, favorite among the famous names of culture and business, the Antico Martini also attracts expert gourmets and famous personalities since the 1800s who come to enjoy unforgettable flavors. Beautiful detail and restaurant decor, romantic atmosphere. The site has been a restaurant since 1720, with the venue being open since 1952. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant La Caravella | alt= | url=http://www.restaurantlacaravella.com/en/ | email= | address=Via XXII Marzo, San Marco 2399 | lat=45.43289 | long=12.33425 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5208901 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open every day all year round | price= | content=Historical place near St. Mark's Square, known since the 1960s, it has become a must if you like traditions. Offers some typical dishes and a large selection of wines. From May to September service is in a traditional courtyard. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Caffe Paolin | alt= | url= | email= | address=Santo Stefano, San Marco 3464 | lat=45.43378 | long=12.33062 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5220710 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Quadri | alt= | url= | email= | address=120, Piazza San Marco | lat=45.43437 | long=12.33805 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5222105 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2932926 | content=Opposite Caffè Florian, with similar prices. }} * {{drink | name=Bistrot de Venise | alt= | url=http://www.bistrotdevenise.com | email= | address=Calle dei Fabbri, San Marco 4685 | lat=45.43555 | long=12.33653 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=22:00 until late night | price= | content=Restaurant, cultural and enogastronomical meetings. }} * {{drink | name=Devils Forest Pub | alt= | url=https://www.devilsforestpub.com/ | email= | address=Calle dei Stagneri o de la Fava | lat=45.4372 | long=12.3368 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5200 623 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-04 | content=A traditional English style pub with a very fun atmosphere. It is located near the Rialto Bridge and tucked into a small alley near the Disney Store. }} === Splurge === * {{listing | type=drink | name=Caffè Florian | alt= | url=http://www.caffeflorian.com | email=servizi@caffeflorian.com | address=Piazza San Marco, 57 | lat=45.43361 | long=12.33822 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5205641 | tollfree= | hours=Daily, 09:00-00:00 | price= | wikidata=Q960610 | content=On the extravagant side there is Caffè Florian, on Piazza San Marco. It claims to be the oldest coffee house still in operation, established in 1720. The interior is about a century newer, and brings an exclusive setting for a cup of coffee, even if sitting outside overlooking the entire piazza and its surroundings may be a better choice on a nice summer day. The café has its own outdoor orchestra playing an assortment of Italian music. Just sitting down at the table costs €6 per seat (for the orchestra it says on the menu) and the rest on the menu is at least twice the price you would have paid at home. Light lunch or dinner 12:00-15:00, 19:30-22:00, afternoon tea 15:09-18:00, great choice of semifreddo (parfaits) (€14), lemon ice cream with soda (€15), great choice of tea and coffee specialities; espresso €6.50. music charge €6. }} * {{drink | name=Harry's Bar-Ristorante | alt= | url=https://www.cipriani.com/eu/harrys-bar | email=harrysbar@cipriani.com | address=Calle Vallaresso 1323, San Marco, 30123 Venezia | lat=45.43242 | long=12.33725 | directions=San Marco Giardinetti | phone=+39 041 5285777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:30-23:00 | price= | content=The Bellini-cocktail was invented here. Ernest Hemingway was one of the most famous guests. ''Very pricy!'' }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Bed and Breakfast Venice Ca' del Pozzo | alt= | url=http://cadelpozzo.it | email= | address= | lat=45.4329955 | long= 12.3320963 | directions= | phone=+39 041-2413875 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-2443203 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2022-04-01 | content=Completely restructured in 2003, in the characteristic Campo San Maurizio. }} * {{sleep | name=Ai Do Mori | alt= | url=http://hotelaidomori.com | email= | address=San Marco 658 | lat=45.43518 | long=12.33920 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5204817 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5205328 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Doubles from €55 | content=As close as it gets to Piazza San Marco, but on the second and third floor, so it still is quiet at nights. Clean and nice rooms, TV, aircon, very friendly staff. }} * {{sleep | name=Antico Fiore | alt= | url=http://anticofiore.com | email= | address=San Marco 3486 | lat=45.43489 | long=12.33022 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5227941 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-2413879 | price=Rooms from €65 | checkin= | checkout= | content=An 18th-century building which has been carefully restored. }} * {{sleep | name=Astoria | alt= | url=http://hotelastoriavenezia.it {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Calle Fiubera, San Marco 951 | lat=45.43510 | long=12.33763 | directions= | phone=+39 0415225381 | tollfree= | fax=+39 0415288981 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=2-star hotel. It has Wi-Fi at a fee and rooms from €70. }} * {{sleep | name=Ca' Contarini | alt= | url= | email=tfleming6@hotmail.com | address=Calle dei Orbi (Corte de la Vida), San Marco 3025 | lat=45.43329 | long=12.32903 | directions= | phone=+39 327-8455991 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=10:30 | price=From €70 per person/night | lastedit= 2011-05 | content=A small, quiet establishment in a five hundred year old building. Both shared and private rooms are available, no curfew-lockouts, including free Wifi, coffee/tea, and light breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Ca' Rialto | alt= | url=http://carialto.com | email= | address=Riva del Ferro, San Marco 5149 | lat=45.43769 | long=12.33601 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5209166 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5238958 | price=Singles from €50, doubles from €60 (extra bed €30) | checkin= | checkout= | content=In a building overlooking the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Serenissima | alt= | url=https://www.hotelserenissima.it/?lang=en | email= | address=Calle Goldoni, San Marco 4486 | lat=45.43536 | long=12.33569 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5200011 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5223292 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms from around €80 per person | content=Completely refurbished at the start of 2007 and is a one-minute walk from the Piazza San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Ateneo Hotel Venice | alt= | url= | email= | address=San Marco 1876 | lat=45.43436 | long=12.33415 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5200777 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5228550 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms start at around €120 depending on season | lastedit= | content=3-star hotel close to Basilica San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Alcyone Hotel Venice | alt= | url=http://www.hotelalcyonevenice.com/ | email= | address=Calle dei Fabbri, San Marco 4712 | lat=45.43585 | long=12.33610 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5212508 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5212942 | checkin= | checkout= | price=€240 | content=Its 26 bedrooms are divided in single, double, triple and superior. All with en suite services, shower, telephone, satellite TV and air conditioning. }} * {{sleep | name=Antica Casa Coppo | alt= | url=http://www.anticacasacoppo.com/ | email= | address=San Marco 4320/1/2 | lat=45.43476 | long=12.33487 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5233585 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2770843 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Classic Venetian styled rooms starting at €100 a night. Near the Rialto Bridge. Wi-Fi. }} * {{sleep | name=Antico Casin Locanda | alt= | url=http://anticocasin.com | email= | address=Corte Contarina, San Marco 1520/a | lat=45.43347 | long=12.33614 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5207002 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-795122 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= A refined example of contemporary design, located close to Saint Mark's Square. Doubles from €90. }} * {{sleep | name=Domus Ciliota | alt= | url=http://ciliota.it/ | email= | address=Calle delle Muneghe, San Marco 2976 | lat=45.43376 | long=12.32983 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=A 5-10 minute walk from San Marco's Square. The hotel has over fifty clean, basic, air-conditioned rooms all with shower and WC. The 24-hr reception is English speaking. There is an area for leaving baggage after you've checked out. Single rooms are €70-85 and doubles are €100-110 including breakfast. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Ala | alt= | url=http://hotelala.it/ | email= | address=Campo Santa Maria dei Gigli, San Marco 2494 | lat=45.43238 | long=12.33270 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5208333 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5206390 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double rooms from €110 | content=Eggs and broiled tomatoes with cheese for breakfast. Rooms were a typical size but clean, comfortable and quiet. They have turndown service at night, a pleasant surprise. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel All’Angelo Venice | alt= | url=http://hotelallangelovenice.com/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=San Marco 403 | lat=45.43557 | long=12.33993 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5209299 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2743555 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Run by the same family since 1924 in a 17th-century building close to St Marks Basilica. Comfortable and stylishly decorated rooms with a double somewhere in the region of €150. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Antico Panada | alt= | url=http://hotelpanada.it | email= | address=San Marco 646 | lat=45.43541 | long=12.33925 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5209088 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5209619 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from €145 to €310 | content=Has rooms decorated in an 18th-century Venetian style. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Becher | alt= | url=http://hotelbecher.com | email= | address=San Marco 1857 | lat=45.43421 | long=12.33462 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5221253 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5212685 | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= This 18th-century hotel enhanced by the most modern amenities, charming atmosphere and impeccable service. Single rooms from €70, doubles €110 and triples from €170. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Firenze Venice | alt= | url=http://www.hotel-firenze.com/index_en.html | email=info@hotel‑firenze.com | address=San Marco 1490 | lat=45.43334 | long=12.33633 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5222858 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5202668 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms start at around €120 a double/twin | content=On a side street of Piazza San Marco, and offers bright and comfortable rooms. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Lisbona Venice | alt= | url=http://hotellisbonavenice.com/ | email= | address=San Marco 2153 | lat=45.43262 | long=12.33560 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5286774 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5207061 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Just in front of Piazza San Marco, three star rooms decorated in the grand Venetian style. Double rooms are usually around €140. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Montecarlo Venice | alt= | url=https://www.venicehotelmontecarlo.com/en/ | email= | address=Calle degli Specchieri, San Marco 463 | lat=45.43557 | long=12.33924 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5207144 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5207789 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms start at around €130 a double | content=3-star superior rooms and services one hundred yards from the entrance to Basilica San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel San Giorgio | alt= | url=http://sangiorgiovenice.com | email= | address=Rio Terà della Mandola, San Marco 3781 | lat=45.43521 | long=12.33214 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5235835 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5228072 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Single rooms from €60, doubles from €90, triples from €120 | lastedit= | content=The hotel is between Campo Sant'Angelo and Campo Manin in an antique [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] palace bought by Mariano Fortuny. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel San Moise Venice | alt= | url= | email= | address=San Marco 2058 | lat=45.43336 | long=12.33501 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5203755 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 5210670 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Starting in the region of €120-140 for a double room | lastedit= | content=3-star hotel behind Piazza San Marco and the Basilica. }} * {{sleep | name=Pagan Luxury House | alt= | url=http://www.capagan.com/ | email=info@capagan.com | address=San Marco 3268 | lat=45.43392 | long=12.32868 | directions= | phone=+39 041-2960584 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5236218 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from €120 | lastedit=2017-01-15 | content=According to their website, there is a €10 per night discount for booking directly with them. }} * {{sleep | name=Novecento Boutique Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.novecento.biz/ | email= | address=San Marco 2683/84 | lat=45.43227 | long=12.33127 | directions=Calle del Dose, off Campo San Maurizio, between St. Mark's Square and the Accademia Gallery | phone=+39 041 2413765 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rates start from €120 | content=Has 9 rooms featuring original furniture and tapestries from both the Mediterranean and the Far East. }} * {{sleep | name=Palazzina Grassi Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.palazzinag.com/ | email=info@palazzinag.com | address=San Marco 3247 | lat=45.43389 | long=12.32818 | directions= | phone=+39 041 5284644 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Rooms from €295 | content=First Italian hotel designed by Philippe Starck, the only one in Venice. In the centre, near the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Saint Mark's Square is a short walk away. }} * {{sleep | name=Duodo Palace Hotel | url=http://duodopalacehotel.com/ | email=info@duodopalacehotel.com | address=San Marco 1887 | lat=45.43441 | long=12.33384 | directions=In the historic centre | phone=+39 041 5203329 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2415940 | hours= | price=Doubles from €140 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Four-star luxury hotel. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Al Codega | alt= | url=http://hotelalcodega.com/ | email= | address=Corte del Forno Vecchio, San Marco 4435 | lat=45.43560 | long=12.33551 | directions= | phone=+39 041 2413288 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2414621 | checkin= | checkout= | price=From €200-300 | content=In a picturesque little ‘cortile’ (courtyard), which is a short walk from Piazza San Marco. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Dei Dragomanni | alt= | url=http://hoteldragomanni.com | email= | address=Calle del Dose da Ponte, San Marco 2711 | lat=45.43178 | long=12.33117 | directions= | phone=+39 041 2771300 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041 2778984 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from €155 | content=4-star hotel in an ancient Venetian palazzo. }} * {{sleep | name=Corte di Gabriela | alt= | url=http://www.cortedigabriela.com/en/ | email=info@cortedigabriela.com | address=Calle Avvocati, 3836 | lat=45.43485 | long=12.33173 | directions= | phone=+39 041-5235077 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double room from 270€ per night | lastedit=2018-11-21 | content=Corte di Gabriela is a 4-star boutique hotel in Venice in an elegant nineteenth-century building, overlooking the canals of the San Marco district. It has a few suites, each different from the others. }} === Splurge === [[Image:Grand Canal 18a (7241026178).jpg|thumb|Bauer Hotel, as seen from the Grand Canal.]] Venice is home to some of the world's most luxurious, and expensive, hotels and several of them are located in San Marco. * {{sleep | name=Hotel Bauer Palazzo | alt= | url=https://www.bauervenezia.com/ | email=info@bauervenezia.com | address=San Marco 1459 | lat=45.4328 | long=12.3358 | directions=In the street from San Marco Square to Ponte dell'Accademia | phone=+39 041 5207022 | tollfree= | fax=+39 041-5239092 | checkin= | checkout= | price=Double from €279 to €15,010 | wikidata=Q56256091 | lastedit=2022-08-21 | content=Historic luxury hotel facing the Grand Canal. Hotel Bauer has been around since 1880. }} * {{sleep | name=The Gritti Palace | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/vcegl-the-gritti-palace-a-luxury-collection-hotel-venice/overview/ | email= | address=Campo Santa Maria Del Giglio, 2467 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 041 794611 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata=Q3890678 | lastedit=2022-08-21 | content=Housed in the ''Palazzo Pisani Gritti'', facing the Grand Canal, this hotel was once the private residency of a 16th century dodge. It has been a hotel since 1895 }} ==Connect== {{IsPartOf|Venice}} {{outlinedistrict}} {{geo|45.434|12.333|zoom=16}} 7ijdwk2w8zbvf97aeykwu23fyswwyqh 0 38168 4506594 4497494 2022-08-23T05:22:12Z Pashley 1822 /* Eruptions */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Volcanoes Bromo and Semeru (Indonesia) banner .jpg|caption=Semeru, Java, Indonesia}} {{confused|[[Volcano (California)|Volcano, California]]}} '''Volcanoes''' come in many shapes and sizes, and their eruptions vary hugely in both frequency and intensity. Many volcanoes are tourist attractions and are worth a visit provided you take due care, in particular keeping a safe distance from eruptions. Volcanic '''eruptions''' are not all that common &mdash; a few dozen a year, worldwide &mdash; and are '''extremely dangerous'''. The worst of them cause complete devastation over wide areas, sometimes with a large death toll. Despite the risk, due to the renowned fertility of volcanic soil, there are often large agricultural settlements in close proximity to a volcano. ==Understand== [[File:Mayon_Volcano_and_the_Sleeping_Lion.jpg|thumb|Mayon Volcano, Philippines]] Perhaps the best-known type of volcano is the '''stratovolcano''' which is built up from multiple layers of ash and lava over centuries, giving a conical shape. Several of the world's most famous volcanoes, such as [[Mount Fuji]], [[Mount Etna]] and [[Kilimanjaro]], are of this type. Filipino tourist literature claims their [[Mayon|Mayon Volcano]] has the world's most perfect cone. A '''complex stratovolcano''' has multiple cones and/or multiple calderas; examples include the [[Sisters|Three Sisters]] in Oregon and [[Taal Volcano]] in the Philippines. A somewhat less common type is a '''shield volcano''', formed when the lava is less viscous and therefore spreads out much further. Most of [[#Hawaii|Hawaii's]] volcanoes are of this type. According to the [http://www.volcano.si.edu/index.cfm Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program], the major volcano monitoring organization based in Washington, DC, volcanoes can be classified as follows: * '''active''' if **it has erupted within the last 10,000 years<br/>(recently in geological terms) ** or it shows considerable activity<br/>hot springs, fumes, [[earthquakes]], etc. * '''dormant''' (French for sleeping) if it is active but not currently erupting * '''extinct''' if it is no longer active Other organizations generally use the same terms, but may have somewhat different definitions. These definitions are not precise; dormant volcanoes sometimes erupt, and it is not unknown for supposedly extinct volcanoes to come back to life. * {{listing | name=Decade Volcanoes | alt= | url=http://www.sveurop.org/gb/program/program.htm | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Decade Volcanoes | lastedit=2020-05-04 | content=These are 16 active volcanoes selected by scientists as particularly worthy of study because they both have a history of large eruptions and are located near populous areas. These may be the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth in terms of '''potential to create large disasters'''. }} There are hundreds of active volcanoes around the world, but many more that are dormant or extinct. One can still appreciate the awesome power of nature from these volcanoes, without the hazards that go with active ones. ===Measurement scale=== There is a scale for the force of eruptions called the '''Volcanic Explosivity Index''' or '''VEI'''; the main factor is the volume of ejecta, the amount of material spewed out. The scale is logarithmic; a VEI-5 eruption produces at least 1&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> of ejecta, VEI-6 10&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, VEI-7 100&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, and VEI-8 1000&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>. Really large eruptions are quite rare. The 20th century had three VEI-6 eruptions, ten VEI-5, and hundreds of smaller ones, but none of VEI-7 or above. As of late 2021, the 21st century has had one VEI-5 event and nothing larger. The most recent VEI-7 events were [[Lake Taupo]] (New Zealand) in 180 CE, Ilopango ([[El Salvador]]) around 431, [[Changbaishan National Nature Reserve|Mount Paektu]] (on the Korean-Chinese border) around 946, possibly [[Mount Rinjani]] (Indonesia) in 1257, and [[Mount Tambora]] (Indonesia) in 1815. As for VEI-8, there has not been such an event in recorded history; the most recent was at Lake Taupo about 26,500 years ago. The Tambora eruption of 1815 put out ''160 cubic km'' (38 cubic miles) of ejecta, including enough dust and ash to cause "the year without a summer", widespread crop failure and some famine as far away as the US and Europe. Said "year without a summer" led the German Karl Drais to invent a "walking machine" which is today considered the first ancestor of the modern [[cycling in Europe|bicycle]]. Some eruptions have complications. The 1883 eruption of [[Krakatoa]] was rated only 6 on the VEI scale, much smaller than Tambora, but it is more famous because the explosions were absolutely enormous &mdash; heard several thousand miles away and estimated to be equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT &mdash; mainly because a huge amount of seawater was instantly turned to steam on contact with superheated magma. The [[#Hunga Tonga|Hunga Tonga]] eruption of 2022 was similar since that volcano is under the sea. A [[w:Strombolian eruption|strombolian eruption]] is not very powerful (VEI-1 or 2) but may last a long time. [[#Stromboli|Stromboli]] has been erupting more-or-less continuously for several thousand years. ===Supervolcanoes=== Supervolcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth, but are not easily recognizable as such. Many are so big that, for many years, even geologists did not appreciate that these features were volcanoes in their own right. {{quote|Volcanoes form mountains; supervolcanoes erase them. Volcanoes kill plants and animals for miles around; supervolcanoes threaten whole species with extinction by changing the climate across the entire planet.|author=[https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2009/08/yellowstone/ National Geographic]}} Supervolcanoes are generally in the form of large ''calderas'' (Spanish for "cauldron"), which are giant volcanic depressions formed either by large explosive eruptions or quiet long-term drainage of magma. They often have associated lava flows or domes, and in many cases there are smaller volcanoes within the caldera. Many of the calderas are now lakes, and sometimes the smaller volcanoes are islands in the lake. Examples of supervolcanoes include '''[[Yellowstone]]''' in the United States, '''[[Lake Toba]]''' and '''[[Mount Tambora]]''' in Indonesia, the '''Phelgraean Fields''' near [[Naples]] in Italy, and '''[[Lake Taupo]]''' in New Zealand. Most supervolcanoes have undergone unimaginably huge eruptions (VEI-7 or 8) in the geologic past; these are what created the huge caldera. However, such eruptions are tens or hundreds of thousands of years apart. There is no reason to worry that Yellowstone, for example, will explode during your visit; it had several huge eruptions in the past, but none since a VEI-8 event 640,000 years ago. ===Geothermal areas=== Throughout volcanic areas of the world, one may also encounter ''geothermal'' areas. These places are often, but not always, associated with volcanic activity. [[Hot springs]], geysers, mud pools and fumaroles (steam/gas vents) are common scenic features in geothermal areas, and hot springs can be great places to take a dip. Countries such as [[Japan]], [[South Korea]], [[Taiwan]] and [[Iceland]] are especially famous for hot spring baths. Geothermal areas are also an environmentally friendly source of energy, and Iceland takes advantage of this very well. [[Yellowstone National Park]] is probably the best known example of a geothermal area, as molten magma lies not far beneath its 640,000-year-old caldera. [[New Zealand]], with its volcanoes in the [[North Island]], is also known for extensive geothermal areas, with [[Rotorua]] perhaps being the best known one. [[Upcountry_Árnessýsla|Geysir]] in Iceland, which is the namesake for all geysers in the world, is another famous geothermal region. The Maori people of New Zealand, who traditionally cooked their food by burying it underground with heated rocks (known as a ''hangi''), often make use of the geothermal heat instead if they live in a geothermally active area. Similarly, Iceland has a tradition of baking rye bread underground using the geothermal heat. ==Stay safe== Scientists can make predictions about volcanic activity, and those predictions are good enough to make it essential for travellers to '''check for current warnings''' when planning any trip to a volcanic area. However, the problem is complex so predictions are generally not precise and sometimes not entirely reliable. Local media or tourist offices are the usual sources for warnings, but many countries have a government-run volcano monitoring organization which is the definitive source. [[File:Etna Volcano Paroxysmal Eruption July 30 2011 - Creative Commons by gnuckx (3).jpg|thumb|Etna's 2011 eruption, Sicily, Italy.]] Public safety '''authorities may order hazard areas evacuated''' and visitors should certainly follow such advice. However, the onset of some volcanic events can be quite sudden, and authorities are sometimes slow to act since evacuations are disruptive, expensive and sometimes controversial. If you are near a volcano that begins to act restless &mdash; perhaps earth tremors or expelling steam or dust &mdash; it may be wise to leave the area without waiting for an evacuation order. Volcanoes are complex and can be quite different from each other, so for most of them it is a good idea to have an '''expert guide''' who knows the particular mountain you want to visit. If you want to go anywhere near an erupting volcano, then a guide is absolutely essential. On the other hand, climbing some volcanoes without a guide is reasonable; for example [[Mount Fuji]] has not erupted since 1708, scientists are not issuing warnings, and there are well-marked trails. Volcanic activity is often associated with [[earthquakes]] or [[tsunamis]], and some volcanoes are high enough that [[altitude sickness]] is a risk. Each of those has another whole set of hazards; see the linked articles. ===Equipment=== Good '''footwear''' is essential since many volcanic rocks have sharp edges and some are hot. Also, the terrain is often irregular and good boots will reduce the risk of a stubbed toe or turned ankle. A sturdy pair of hiking boots are the usual choice, but some use construction boots with steel in the toes and soles, and some choose lighter shoes for comfort. In any case, look for thick soles, preferably in a material such as Vibram which does not melt easily. Other equipment &mdash; such as heavy work gloves, a helmet, safety googles, a walking stick, a facemask for dust and a gas mask for poisonous fumes &mdash; may be needed as well. For some volcanoes, [[mountaineering]] skills and equipment are needed. On a few, [[Dangerous snakes|snakebite]] is also a hazard and high leather boots are the simplest protection. === Eruptions === An erupting volcano is '''extremely dangerous'''. Unless you have an excellent reason for going near one, the best advice is to stay away and watch it from a considerable distance, or even from the safety of your home or hotel on the TV news. Volcano hazard zones can extend for dozens of kilometers, and there are multiple hazards: [[File:Pyroclastic flows at Mayon Volcano.jpg|thumb|Pyroclastic flows rush down a volcano, consuming everything in their path.]] * ''Lava'' is molten rock spewing forth from the volcano. In addition to the direct danger, a large lava flow radiates enough heat to ignite vegetation and kill animals at a considerable distance. * ''Pyroclastic flows'' are streams of red-hot ash and debris that rush downslope from their source vents, incinerating anything flammable in their path. They can reach temperatures up to 800°C (over 1400°F) and travel at up to 150 km/h (almost 100 mph). * ''Volcanic bombs'' are rocks thrown upward by eruptions; large ones are not thrown far, but smaller ones &mdash; up to about soccer ball size &mdash; can be thrown thousands of meters high and may land dozens of km away. Even an egg-sized rock can kill if it drops from a great height. Also, many are ejected as blobs of molten rock that solidify while airborne, so they may still be dangerously hot when they land. * ''Jökulhlaups''<!--sic!--> are [[flash floods|floods]] caused by the volcano melting parts of a glacier, possibly a part that functions as dam of a glacier lake. On Iceland there have been peak discharges in the order of magnitude of floods of the Amazon River. Bridges downstream from Vatnajökull used to get destroyed on a regular basis. Volcanoes can also cause floods when a crater wall collapses releasing the lake within, by melting snow that is not part of a glacier, or by blocking rivers. * ''Lahars'' are avalanches of mud created when a deposit of volcanic ash becomes mobile when it gets wet from rainfall or from a flood. They can occur long after eruptions, travel many kilometers at high speed, and be devastating. While there are usually some warning signs before eruptions, lahars often occur with no warning. * ''Steam'' is dangerous, perhaps just scalding but in some cases (Krakatoa or some geysers) explosive. In many cases, hot water or hot mud are nearly as hazardous. *''Lethal gasses'' are gasses from eruptions, typically carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Often, but not always, the stink of sulphurous compounds provides a warning; avoid areas with a rotten egg smell. Also try to stay upwind of any vents releasing gasses; assume any vent with steam may also have nastier gasses. Walking toward a vent, keep the wind at your back; walking away, keep it in your face. * ''Vog'' or ''volcanic smog'' is a nasty combination of water droplets with dissolved gasses, possibly plus volcanic dust. Since SO<sub>2</sub> in water becomes sulphurous acid, this is highly irritating to eyes and throat. In high concentrations or for vulnerable people — asthma, heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women, the elderly, etc. — it can be very dangerous. If you are exposed, a face mask gives some protection and drinking lots of water will soothe the throat. Any of those can kill, but the ones that claim the most lives are '''pyroclastic flows''' and '''lahars''' because they often occur suddenly, they move very fast, and they can travel surprisingly long distances. '''Do not go anywhere that they are likely'''. If you get hit by either of these, your chances of survival are almost zero. If you are in the path, you are unlikely to outrun it, even with a vehicle; your best chance may be to try to get off the path by moving perpendicular to the flow or diagonally. Staying on '''high ground''' when observing a volcano gives you a better view and reduces several hazards. The dangerous gasses are heavier than air and collect in low-lying areas, and lava, pyroclastic flows, lahars and floods all tend to follow the contours of the land. A combination of distance and altitude also reduces the risk from volcanic bombs. Often the best place to observe is from high on the other side of a valley, well away from the volcano; bring binoculars. Many photographers are happy to shoot a volcano from a good distance with a [[telephoto lens]], but others find they get better results by cautiously moving closer; this reduces the distortions caused by hot air. Ashfall, volcanic mudflows, and the effects of [[earthquakes]] can extend for ''hundreds'' of kilometers away from the volcano. The most famous victim of ashfall was the Roman city of [[Pompeii]], buried in 79 CE by Mount Vesuvius. Those two were only about 8&nbsp;km (5&nbsp;miles) apart, but ash can also be transported by air in vast quantities over a huge area. The enormous (VEI-8) prehistoric eruption of Yellowstone spread a layer of ash, close to two meters thick in places, over most of the US and parts of Canada and Mexico. Volcanic ash tends to stop aircraft and vehicle engines, so '''transportation may be disrupted'''. An eruption in Iceland in 2010 shut down airports for weeks more than 1,000 km away in mainland Europe, but mostly the affected area is smaller, less than 100 km from the volcano. In some cases, boats and roads may also be shut down. {{mapframe}} === Dormant volcanoes === When a volcano is dormant, you are mostly safe even close to it, but there are some issues. Lava flows can still be hot for years after an eruption and only a thin crust of rock may be covering them. Old lava flows can be sharp as broken glass, so you should wear hiking boots or very thick shoes. To add to these dangers, lethal gases may be seeping out of vents near the volcano – and some can have a new eruption without too much of early warnings. Lahars can also occur around dormant volcanoes, whenever a deposit of volcanic ash gets wet. They can travel many kilometers, and be devastating. While there are often some warning signs before eruptions, lahars can have no warning. Watch out for possible lahars when there are heavy rains. === Geothermal areas === Geothermal areas can have hazards similar to those of volcanoes due to geological mechanisms. Hot springs and mud pools can be dangerous due to heat, acidity, or poison, so do not go near these areas unless you know for sure that they are totally safe. Geysers are a common feature of major geothermal areas, and can erupt hot water or mud unexpectedly. Landslides are also common in geothermal areas, as even volcanic rock can become weakened over time. Acidic fumes can seep out of fumaroles (steam/gas vents) or hot springs. Noxious gases can also be encountered coming out of holes in the ground, and the gases can reach dangerous levels in enclosed spaces like caves, manholes, or pool enclosures. Carbon dioxide, which is a byproduct of volcanic activity, is known for going into enclosed spaces and it can kill swiftly with little or no warning. ==Destinations== A selection of some of the more active and/or better known volcanoes in the world today. Some of these can still be explored from up close. ===Africa=== [[Image:Nyiragongo by Night.jpg|thumb|The glow from the lava lake of the Nyiragongo volcano can be seen at night.]] [[Image:Lava Lake Nyiragongo 2.jpg|thumb|The Nyiragongo lava lake from the rim (around 500–700m above)]] * {{see | name=Mount Cameroon | alt=Mongo ma Ndemi | url= | email= | address= | lat=4.216667 | long=9.1725 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Cameroon | content=The only volcano outside of Europe to have records of an eruption before the Common Era in 5 BCE. It remains active today: its most recent eruption was in 2012. Near the city of [[Buea]]. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=[[Mount Kilimanjaro]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.075833 | long=37.353333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Kilimanjaro | content=This peak in [[Tanzania]] is Africa's tallest at 5895 m (19,340&nbsp;ft). It has a series of concentric summit craters apparently less than 10,000 years old and may have last erupted less than 2000 years ago. The name Kilimanjaro means "shining mountain" in Swahili, no doubt due to the once-extensive glaciers which are unfortunately disappearing rapidly each year. }} * {{see | name=Mount Nyiragongo | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-1.516667 | long=29.25 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Nyiragongo | content=In [[Virunga National Park]] in the far eastern [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|D.R. Congo]], near [[Goma]] and the [[Rwanda]]n border. One of just four volcanoes in the world with a persistent lava lake, the others being [[Danakil Depression|Erta Ale]] (Ethiopia), Kilauea ([[Hawaii]]), and Mount Erebus ([[Antarctica]]). The volcano is usually accessed by overnight hike (8–10&nbsp;hr up first day, hike down the following morning), with the night spent in tents on the rim of the caldera with stunning views of the lava lake and the surrounding region. Unfortunately, it is located in a conflict zone and access is occasionally blocked due to the presence of rebels and criminal gangs. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ol Doinyo Lengai | alt="Mountain of God" in the Masai tongue | url= | email= | address= | lat=-2.764444 | long=35.916111 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ol Doinyo Lengai | content=In [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]] in Tanzania, this is the only volcano on Earth that erupts natrocarbonatite lava. This type of lava emerges black, cools to grey, and oxidizes to white. }} * {{see | name=[[Volcanoes National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-1.48 | long=29.53 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Volcanoes National Park | content=This park in [[Rwanda]] is famous as the home of mountain gorillas. }} ===Asia=== ==== India ==== * {{listing | type=see | name=Barren Island| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q248212 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=This is the only volcano in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman Islands]] and the only active volcano in India. Day trips can be arranged from [[Port Blair]]. No additional permit is required to visit the island, but it is not possible to land on the island, only to view it from the boat. }} ====Indonesia==== With 167 known active volcanoes, [[Indonesia]] is the world's most volcanic country by far. The [https://vsi.esdm.go.id/ Volcanological Survey of Indonesia] (website in Indonesian) is the government agency responsible for monitoring and warnings. [[File:Krakatoa eruption lithograph.jpg|thumb|Krakatoa in 1883]] * {{see | name=[[Krakatoa]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-6.102 | long=105.423 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q82613 | lastedit= | content=This is an island in [[West Java]] province with several volcanoes on it which produced multiple explosions in 1883. The largest is estimated to have been equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT, about four times the largest H-bomb ever tested, and the sound was heard {{km|5000}} away. The dust cloud had worldwide effects; global temperatures dipped by over a degree. This was a VEI-6 event. }} * {{see | name=[[Kintamani|Mount Batur]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Bali]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q43876 | lastedit= | content=A very accessible active volcano which takes just 2 hours to climb. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Agung]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q158470 | lastedit= | content=A highly visible volcano in the interior of [[Bali]]. "Agung" means "great" in Indonesian. The volcano is considered quite sacred by Balinese people, and its slopes are home to the beautiful temple complex of [[Mount Agung#Besakih Temple|Besakih]]. Its last eruption, in 1963, was quite devastating. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Bromo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[East Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q270158 | content=Known for its unreal scenery, this is a popular tourist destination. It is one of five newer volcanoes within the caldera of a large ancient one and is surrounded by a sea of sand. Climbing Mount Bromo gives a good view of nearby Mount Semuru. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Semeru]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.107778 | long=112.921944 | directions=[[East Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Semeru | content=Indonesia's third highest active volcano. An eruption in December 2021 buried some villages in ash and killed a few dozen people. }} Both Bromo and Semeru are in [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]]. A permit from the park office is required to climb Semeru; they stopped issuing these due to the 2021 eruption and have not yet restarted as of March 2022. * {{see | name=[[Mount Merapi]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Central Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q134108 | content=Perhaps Indonesia's single most active volcano (no mean feat). It looms large over the major cities of [[Yogyakarta]] and [[Solo]], and the very popular temples of [[Borobudur]] and [[Prambanan]]. Merapi has erupted 68 times since formal record-keeping began in the 16th century. Its eruption on May 11, 2018, prompted the evacuation of areas within a 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) radius of the volcano, and the closure of the Yogyakarta airport. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Rinjani]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Lombok]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q847323 | lastedit= | content=Indonesia's second highest volcano with a stunning crater lake. It's a two-day trek to the crater rim. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Tambora]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.24 | long=117.99 | directions=[[Sumbawa]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Tambora | content=This volcano is one for the truly adventurous; only about 50 visitors a year make it to its very remote location.<br/>In 1814 Tambora was {{m|4,200}} high. It erupted with such force (VEI-7) the following year that {{m|1,400}} was lost from its top. That was much the '''largest eruption in recent history''', about ten times more powerful than the Krakatoa eruption a few decades later. It put enough dust and ash into the atmosphere to cause a "volcanic winter" that affected most of the Northern hemisphere; livestock deaths and crop failures caused the worst famine of the century. }} Wikipedia has a list of [[w:List of volcanoes in Indonesia|volcanoes in Indonesia]]. ====Japan==== [[File:MtFuji FujiCity.jpg|thumb|Fuji]] * {{see | name=[[Mount Aso]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.8844 | long=131.1039 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Aso | content=This is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world with the largest caldera. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Fuji]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.360628 | long=138.727365 | directions=[[Chubu]], central Honshu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Fuji | content=Located near [[Tokyo]], this is Japan's highest and most beautiful volcano. It is also the most climbed mountain in the world and a place of religious significance in Shinto worship. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Daisen]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.371111 | long=133.546389 | directions=[[Chugoku]], western Honshu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Daisen | content=A dormant stratovolcano, also significant in Shinto. }} * {{see | name=[[Sakurajima]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=31.580556 | long=130.658056 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sakurajima | content=This is an active volcano just outside of [[Kagoshima]]. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=Mount Unzen | | lat=32.761389 | long=130.298611 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | wikipedia=Mount Unzen | content=This is a complex stratovolcano. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Philippines==== The [http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/ Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology] lists 24 volcanoes as "active"; 21 of those have erupted in the last 600 years. Another 25 are listed as "potentially active" and 355 as "inactive". The four most active, in order, are: [[File:Modra turisticka trasa značka-šipka doleva.jpg|thumb|Trail marker on Kanlaon]] * {{see | name=[[Mayon|Mayon Volcano]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=13.256667 | long=123.685 | directions=in [[Albay]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mayon | content=Often described as the world's most perfect volcano cone, Mayon had a fatal eruption in 1993. }} * {{see | name=[[Taal Volcano]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=14 | long=120.98 | directions=in [[Batangas]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Taal Volcano | wikpedia=Taal Volcano | content=This is a complex volcano system described as a "lake in a volcano in a lake" and one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Philippines. It has a history of destructive eruptions and is the country's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. An eruption in early 2020 forced the evacuation of several towns. }} * {{see | name=Mount Kanlaon | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=10.370556 | long=124.742778 | directions=on [[Negros]] island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kanlaon | content=The highest mountain in the [[Visayas]], a stratovolcano near the major city [[Bacolod]]. There are marked hiking trails. A sudden eruption in 1996 killed several hikers. }} * {{see | name=Mount Bulusan | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=12.77 | long=124.05 | directions=in [[Bicol]] region | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Bulusan | content=A stratovolcano with several other craters, volcanic lakes and hot springs. There is a national park around it. }} Except for Kanlaon, these are all in southern [[Luzon]]. Other volcanoes include: * {{see | name=Mount Pinatubo | directions=near [[Bacolor]] in [[Pampanga]] province | wikipedia=Mount Pinatubo | lat=15.141667 | long=120.35 | content=A stratovolcano which had a VEI-6 eruption in 1991, the second largest on Earth in the 20th century. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Apo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=6.9875 | long=125.270833 | directions=near [[Davao]] in [[Mindanao]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Apo | content=This dormant stratovolcano is the highest peak in the Philippines at 2,954 meters (9,692 ft). It is fairly often climbed, but this is not easy; it requires mountaineering skills and equipment, and a guide. }} * {{see | name=Mount Makiling | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=14.13 | long=121.2 | directions=in [[Laguna]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Makiling | content=A dormant stratovolcano, sacred in the old local religion. At its foot is the town of [[Los_Baños_(Laguna)|Los Baños]], a popular resort on a lake and close (63 km) to Manila. It is named for its hot springs, certainly pleasant and reputedly therapeutic. }} * {{see | name=Bud Dajo | directions=on [[Sulu]], near [[Jolo]] | lat=6.01333 | long=121.056667 | wikipedia=Bud Dajo | content=An extinct volcano, sacred in the old local religion. It was the scene of a battle in 1906 in which US Navy ships shelled people hiding in the crater. }} Wikipedia has a list of [[w:List_of_active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippines|active volcanoes in the Philippines]]. ====Russia==== [[Kamchatka]], Russia's largest Pacific peninsula, has several active volcanoes and some hot springs and geysers *{{listing | name=Avachinsky-Koryaksky | content=These two volcanoes, close to each other and to the region's capital [[Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky]], have been jointly designated a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ===Europe=== ====Canary Islands==== * {{see | name=El Teide | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=28.2727 | long=-16.6423 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Teide | content=This volcano in [[Tenerife]] is the highest active volcano in the [[Canary Islands]] at 3715 m (12,188&nbsp;ft). A flank vent at El Teide was observed erupting by Christopher Columbus and his crew in 1492. El Tiede is one of the [[#Decade Volcanoes|Decade Volcanoes]]. It is in [[Teide National Park]], a {{unesco}}. }} ====Greece==== * {{see | name=[[Nisyros]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=36.583333 | long=27.166667 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nisyros | content=This island in the Greek [[Dodecanese]] islands is the top of a volcano, mildly active with smoking fumaroles. It is possible to walk into the crater floor for a closer look. }} * {{see | name=[[Santorini]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=36.4067 | long=25.4333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santorini | content=This island in the Aegean Sea is the largest of a ring of islands around an ancient caldera, and probably [[Greece]]'s most famous volcano. It had a VEI-7 eruption around 1600&nbsp;BCE. Some historians suggest the associated tsunami and earthquakes destroyed the Minoan civilization on nearby Crete, or that the devastation of these islands is the origin of the Atlantis myth, but both those theories are quite controversial.<br />The volcano is still active, for it last erupted in 1950 out of Nea Kameni ("New Burnt" in Greek), an island made up of lava flows in the middle of the caldera bay. It is the country's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Iceland==== [[File:Hekla slopes june 2005.jpg|thumb|Slopes of Hekla and surrounding landscape.]] [[Iceland]] has many active volcanoes, among them [[Hekla]], [[Vík í Mýrdal|Katla]] and [[Interior (Iceland)|Askja]]. In medieval times Hekla was thought to be a gateway to Hell. It has had five eruptions since 1947 (the last being in 2000), and is regarded as unpredictable. A volcano below the '''Eyjafjallajökull''' glacier famously disrupted European air travel for days with an ash cloud released during an eruption in 2010. Some Icelandic volcanoes are featured in fiction. '''Snæfellsjökull''' is in Jules Verne's novel ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and many parts of the [[Game of Thrones]] TV series were shot in [[Þingvellir National Park]]. ====Italy==== * {{see | name=[[Vesuvius]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.816667 | long=14.433333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Vesuvius | content=This is a dormant volcano near [[Naples]]. It has not been smoking since it last erupted in 1944, but it is still very closely and carefully monitored because of its seriously hazardous proximity to that city, which is southern Italy's most populous. It is famous for its eruption in 79 CE, which buried the Roman cities of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] under layers of pumice, ash and lava fragments. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Etna]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Sicily]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16990 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=This is Europe's tallest volcano at {{m|3350}} and is quite active. }} Both Etna and Vesuvius are [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcanoes]]. * {{listing | type=see | name=Phlegraean Fields | alt=Campi Flegrei | wikipedia=Phlegraean Fields | content=This is the caldera of a supervolcano near [[Naples]]; the town of [[Pozzuoli]] is within it. It had a VEI-7 eruption some 39,000 years ago. }} * {{see | name=Vesuvius Observatory | alt=Osservatorio Vesuviano | url=https://www.ov.ingv.it/index.php | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Naples | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Vesuvius Observatory | content=This centre monitors the three volcanoes in the [[Campania]] region: Vesuvius, the Phlegraean Fields and [[Ischia]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Stromboli]] | alt= | url=https://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/ | email= | address= | lat=38.79 | long=15.21 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stromboli | content=This volcano in the [[Aeolian Islands]] has been in near continuous activity since at least the time of the Ancient Greeks and has been billed as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean". }} ===North America and Caribbean=== [[File:Volcano evacuation route sign.jpg|thumb|upright|Volcano evacuation route signs are common in the [[Pacific Northwest]]]] * The '''[[Aleutian Islands]]''' and the associated '''[[Alaska]] Peninsula''' are volcanic in origin and have several active volcanoes. * {{see | name=Novarupta |address=[[Katmai National Park]], Alaska | wikipedia=Novarupta | lat=58.266667 | long=-155.156667 | content=This volcano was formed in 1912 by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, a VEI-6 event. It is near the base of the peninsula. }} * {{see | name=Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Katmai National Park]], Alaska | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes | content=This is a large (100&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, 40&nbsp;mi<sup>2</sup>) valley filled with ash from pyroclastic flows of the 1912 Novarupta event, in places up to 700&nbsp;feet (210&nbsp;m) deep. It still has some fumaroles releasing steam, but not nearly as many as in 1916 when it was named. There is no vegetation and the landscape is unearthly enough to have been used in astronaut training. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Baker]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.777343 | long=-121.813201 | directions=Washington State | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q594387 | lastedit= | content=This is one of the five major stratovolcanoes in the area that have produced over 200 eruptions in the last 12,000 years. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount St. Helens]]| directions=Washington State | lat=46.2| long=-122.2 | wikidata=Q4675 | lastedit= | content=This volcano is famous for an eruption in 1980 that was a VEI-5 event, one of the largest of the century. Since late 2004, it has been erupting once again, but not nearly as violently – this time, a new lava dome is slowly being extruded in its crater. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Hood]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.53778 | long=-121.56833 | directions=Oregon | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Hood | content=At {{ft|11,239}} this is the highest mountain in the state of [[Oregon]] and a major outdoor recreation area. Located about {{mi|50}} east-southeast of Portland, the mountain is visible from the city on clear days and usually forms the backdrop for the Portland skyline in postcards and photographs of the city. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Rainier]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.87 | long=-121.71 | directions=Washington State | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q194057 | content=At {{feet|14,410}}, this is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range, about twice the height of the adjacent mountains. The volcano, which last erupted in the late 19th century, is the only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]] in the continental United States. It is considered quite dangerous because it is only about 50 km (30 miles) from [[Seattle]] and is encased in over {{mi2|35}} of snow and ice, enough to cause massive flooding and dangerous lahars if there were a large eruption. }} * {{see | name=Mount Redoubt | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=about {{km|180}} southwest of [[Anchorage]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q840735 | lastedit= | content=The largest active volcano in mainland [[Alaska]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Popocatepetl]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Mexico City]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q181157 | lastedit= | content=Popocatepetl often has a volcanic plume above its crater which is {{m|5,450}} high. The name means "smoking mountain" in the native Nahuatl language. }} * {{see | name=Mount Pelée | lat=14.7417| long=-61.1758 | wikidata=Q76309 | lastedit= | content=An eruption here in 1902 wiped out the town of [[Saint-Pierre (Martinique)]]. Attractions of the rebuilt town today include a volcano museum and wreck diving around the many ships sunk by that eruption. }} * {{see | name=Soufrière Hills | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q845239 | lastedit= | content=Soufriere Hills on [[Montserrat]], previously considered dormant, began erupting again in 1995, forcing the closure of the southern half of the island (including its capital and airport in 1997). It is still active, though mostly a nuisance seeping lava and spewing ash into the air. }} Canada has no active volcanoes and is thought to have had only about 50 eruptions in the past 10,000 years. However, the [[Canadian Rockies]] include many dormant volcanoes; geologically they are part of the same system that produces active volcanoes in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. ===South and Central America=== [[File:Masaya Crater.jpg|thumb|Masaya crater]] * {{see | name=[[Cotopaxi]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-0.68 | long=-78.438 | directions=in [[Ecuador]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Cotopaxi | content=One of South America's most spectacular volcanoes. }} * {{see | name=Arenal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Fortuna (Costa Rica)]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Arenal Volcano | wikpedia=Arenal | content=This is the youngest volcano in Costa Rica. Its eruptions were frequent until 2010, but now it is calm. Several companies in nearby towns offer tours. }} * {{see | name=Galeras | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Pasto]], [[Colombia]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Galeras | content=A [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Volcan Masaya]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=11.98 | long=-86.16 | directions=[[Nicaragua]], near [[Masaya]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Masaya Volcano | content= }} * '''[[Volcan Santa Maria]]''' and '''Volcan [[Santiaguito]]''' in [[Guatemala]], near [[Quetzaltenango]]. * '''[[Volcan de Fuego]]''' and '''[[Pacaya Volcano|Volcan Pacaya]]''' in Guatemala, near [[Antigua Guatemala]]. * '''[[Volcan Atitlan]]''', '''[[Volcan San Pedro]]''' and '''[[Volcan Toliman]]''' in Guatemala, on the southern shores of [[Lake Atitlán]]. * '''[[Volcan Láscar]]''' in the Atacama Region of [[Northern Chile]]. * The Volcanoes of '''Concepción''' (active) and '''Maderas''' (dormant) that form the island of [[Ometepe]] , [[Nicaragua]] ===Oceania=== ====Hawaii==== The entire Hawaiian island chain is volcanic in origin. Most of the volcanoes are of the shield volcano type, spread out rather than sharply conical * {{see | name=Kilauea | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.397 | long=-155.29 | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kīlauea | content=This volcano has been erupting continuously out of its flank vent, known as Pu'u O'o ("Hill of the O'o bird" in the native Hawai'ian language) since 1983. You can normally peer safely into its magma chamber from an observation point a couple of miles away in [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]] after nightfall. }} * {{see | name=[[Mauna Loa]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.479444 | long=-155.602778 | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mauna Loa | content=Hawaii's highest historically active volcano, topped by the Moku'aweoeo Caldera. It is also the largest volcano by volume in the world. Don't be fooled by its gentle slopes – with its highest point at 4170m/13,683&nbsp;ft) and the summit often covered in snow during the winter, the climb can be both difficult and dangerous for inexperienced hikers, and [[altitude sickness]] is a hazard for almost anyone. It is Hawaii's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=Mauna Kea | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mauna Kea | content=This is the highest volcano in [[Hawaii]] at 4205 m (13,796&nbsp;ft), and is pockmarked with cinder cones. Its high elevation is a magnet for astronomers with their giant telescope facilities, and even skiers. It is a dormant volcano; its last eruption was about 2460 BCE. }} * {{see | name=Haleakala | alt=East Maui volcano | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Maui]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Haleakalā | content=This is the tallest volcano on the island of [[Maui]] and makes up most of the island. It is renowned for its erosional crater and the cinder cones nestled inside. The name means "House of the sun" in Hawai'ian. }} ====New Zealand==== *{{see | name=[[Tongariro National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-39.2 | long=175.5833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This park has three active volcanoes, '''Mount Ruapehu''', '''Mount Tongariro''' and '''Mount Ngauruhoe'''. Ruapehu, [[New Zealand]]'s highest volcano, has a crater lake that forms and fills when the volcano is not erupting. It's also a {{unesco}}. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=[[White Island]]| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q557077 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=is a volcanic island in the [[Bay of Plenty]], southeast of [[Auckland]], and the most active volcano in New Zealand. Tours used to go to the island, until an eruption in 2019 killed a large number of visitors. }} * {{see | name=[[Taupo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-38.6875 | long=176.0694 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Taupō Volcano | content=This town is located next to New Zealand's largest lake, which is the caldera of a supervolcano. It had a VEI-7 eruption in 180 CE that produced red skies as far away as Rome and China. Around 25,000 BCE it had a VEI-8 blast. }} ====Papua New Guinea==== [[Image:Tavurvur volcano edit.jpg|thumb|Mt Tavurvur, New Britain, Papua New Guinea]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Mount Tavurvur | lat=-4.237235 | long=152.208841 | wikipedia=Tavurvur | content=This is a very active stratovolcano right next to the city of [[Rabaul]] on the island of [[New Britain (Papua New Guinea)|New Britain]]. Much of the town was destroyed in a 1994 eruption. It last erupted in 2006, shattering windows up to {{km|12}} away and sending an ash plume {{m|18000}} into the stratosphere. }} * {{see | name=Mount Ulawun | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ulawun | wikpedia=Ulawun | content=This is another active stratovolcano on New Britain. It is New Guinea's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Tonga==== * {{see | name=Hunga Tonga | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-20.536 | long=-175.382 | directions=in the south-west of [[Ha'apai]], north of Tongatapu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hunga Tonga | wikidata=Q3143318 | content=This undersea volcano had a series of eruptions starting in December 2021. The large one on January 15 2022 included an explosion loud enough to be heard as far away as Alaska and Australia. [[Tsunami]] warnings were issued in most Pacific nations, there was damage in areas as far apart as the US west coast and the Russian far east, and two people were killed in Chile.<br />An undersea cable was cut knocking out much of Tonga's communications and there was enough dust to close airports and make reconnaissance flights (which both Australia and NZ sent) difficult. It is clear that the eruption was at least VEI-4, that much of Tonga took heavy damage, and that there were fatalities. As of late January, nothing more precise is known. }} ===Antarctica=== Over 130 volcanoes have been discovered in the frozen wastelands of Antarctica, and with many erupting underneath the dense ice sheets they are not particularly practical to visit. * {{see | name=Mount Erebus | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q188982 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=At 3,794 metres (12,448 ft) Mount Erebus is the highest and most active volcano on the continent. There used to be aerial tours over the volcano from [[New Zealand]] until a fateful crash in 1979. Both the [[In_the_footsteps_of_explorers#Polar_explorers|Scott and the Shackelton expeditions]] toward the South Pole passed near this volcano. }} ====Australia==== * {{see | name=&nbsp;[[Heard Island and McDonald Islands]] | alt= | url=http://www.heardisland.aq | email= | address= | lat=-53.09354 | long=73.516992 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q131198 | lastedit=2022-01-23 | content=Almost 4000 kilometres from the Australian mainland, these two volcanoes are the only sort of active volcano anywhere in Australia. They are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] because it's one of the only places with zilch introduced species and few human impacts. Access to the islands is not allowed, unless via permit. }} ==Travel agencies== In many areas &mdash; at least the Philippines, Italy and Costa Rica &mdash; many local travel agencies offer guided tours to their region's volcanoes. There are also agencies that specialize in volcano tourism. *'''Volcano Adventure Indonesia''', [[Sukapura]], Indonesia, tel. +62-335-581439, +62-81319090225. Tours to [[Mount Bromo]] and elsewhere in Indonesia. *'''[http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/ VolcanoDiscovery]''', Germany, tel. {{phone|+49 2241-2080175}}, {{phone|+30 2107522310}}. This tour operator specializes in international volcanoes and one of its most important programs is for Indonesian volcanoes. The tours are trekking & photography tours with small groups and an intensive personal service. The tours are usually about 7–14 days. ==See also== * [[UNESCO Global Geoparks Network]] * [[Earthquake safety]] * [[Mountain ranges]] {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} 3yagmc9xadw41oj0mjap4ju7uauk7p3 4506620 4506594 2022-08-23T05:44:08Z Pashley 1822 /* Eruptions */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Volcanoes Bromo and Semeru (Indonesia) banner .jpg|caption=Semeru, Java, Indonesia}} {{confused|[[Volcano (California)|Volcano, California]]}} '''Volcanoes''' come in many shapes and sizes, and their eruptions vary hugely in both frequency and intensity. Many volcanoes are tourist attractions and are worth a visit provided you take due care, in particular keeping a safe distance from eruptions. Volcanic '''eruptions''' are not all that common &mdash; a few dozen a year, worldwide &mdash; and are '''extremely dangerous'''. The worst of them cause complete devastation over wide areas, sometimes with a large death toll. Despite the risk, due to the renowned fertility of volcanic soil, there are often large agricultural settlements in close proximity to a volcano. ==Understand== [[File:Mayon_Volcano_and_the_Sleeping_Lion.jpg|thumb|Mayon Volcano, Philippines]] Perhaps the best-known type of volcano is the '''stratovolcano''' which is built up from multiple layers of ash and lava over centuries, giving a conical shape. Several of the world's most famous volcanoes, such as [[Mount Fuji]], [[Mount Etna]] and [[Kilimanjaro]], are of this type. Filipino tourist literature claims their [[Mayon|Mayon Volcano]] has the world's most perfect cone. A '''complex stratovolcano''' has multiple cones and/or multiple calderas; examples include the [[Sisters|Three Sisters]] in Oregon and [[Taal Volcano]] in the Philippines. A somewhat less common type is a '''shield volcano''', formed when the lava is less viscous and therefore spreads out much further. Most of [[#Hawaii|Hawaii's]] volcanoes are of this type. According to the [http://www.volcano.si.edu/index.cfm Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program], the major volcano monitoring organization based in Washington, DC, volcanoes can be classified as follows: * '''active''' if **it has erupted within the last 10,000 years<br/>(recently in geological terms) ** or it shows considerable activity<br/>hot springs, fumes, [[earthquakes]], etc. * '''dormant''' (French for sleeping) if it is active but not currently erupting * '''extinct''' if it is no longer active Other organizations generally use the same terms, but may have somewhat different definitions. These definitions are not precise; dormant volcanoes sometimes erupt, and it is not unknown for supposedly extinct volcanoes to come back to life. * {{listing | name=Decade Volcanoes | alt= | url=http://www.sveurop.org/gb/program/program.htm | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Decade Volcanoes | lastedit=2020-05-04 | content=These are 16 active volcanoes selected by scientists as particularly worthy of study because they both have a history of large eruptions and are located near populous areas. These may be the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth in terms of '''potential to create large disasters'''. }} There are hundreds of active volcanoes around the world, but many more that are dormant or extinct. One can still appreciate the awesome power of nature from these volcanoes, without the hazards that go with active ones. ===Measurement scale=== There is a scale for the force of eruptions called the '''Volcanic Explosivity Index''' or '''VEI'''; the main factor is the volume of ejecta, the amount of material spewed out. The scale is logarithmic; a VEI-5 eruption produces at least 1&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> of ejecta, VEI-6 10&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, VEI-7 100&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, and VEI-8 1000&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>. Really large eruptions are quite rare. The 20th century had three VEI-6 eruptions, ten VEI-5, and hundreds of smaller ones, but none of VEI-7 or above. As of late 2021, the 21st century has had one VEI-5 event and nothing larger. The most recent VEI-7 events were [[Lake Taupo]] (New Zealand) in 180 CE, Ilopango ([[El Salvador]]) around 431, [[Changbaishan National Nature Reserve|Mount Paektu]] (on the Korean-Chinese border) around 946, possibly [[Mount Rinjani]] (Indonesia) in 1257, and [[Mount Tambora]] (Indonesia) in 1815. As for VEI-8, there has not been such an event in recorded history; the most recent was at Lake Taupo about 26,500 years ago. The Tambora eruption of 1815 put out ''160 cubic km'' (38 cubic miles) of ejecta, including enough dust and ash to cause "the year without a summer", widespread crop failure and some famine as far away as the US and Europe. Said "year without a summer" led the German Karl Drais to invent a "walking machine" which is today considered the first ancestor of the modern [[cycling in Europe|bicycle]]. Some eruptions have complications. The 1883 eruption of [[Krakatoa]] was rated only 6 on the VEI scale, much smaller than Tambora, but it is more famous because the explosions were absolutely enormous &mdash; heard several thousand miles away and estimated to be equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT &mdash; mainly because a huge amount of seawater was instantly turned to steam on contact with superheated magma. The [[#Hunga Tonga|Hunga Tonga]] eruption of 2022 was similar since that volcano is under the sea. A [[w:Strombolian eruption|strombolian eruption]] is not very powerful (VEI-1 or 2) but may last a long time. [[#Stromboli|Stromboli]] has been erupting more-or-less continuously for several thousand years. ===Supervolcanoes=== Supervolcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth, but are not easily recognizable as such. Many are so big that, for many years, even geologists did not appreciate that these features were volcanoes in their own right. {{quote|Volcanoes form mountains; supervolcanoes erase them. Volcanoes kill plants and animals for miles around; supervolcanoes threaten whole species with extinction by changing the climate across the entire planet.|author=[https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2009/08/yellowstone/ National Geographic]}} Supervolcanoes are generally in the form of large ''calderas'' (Spanish for "cauldron"), which are giant volcanic depressions formed either by large explosive eruptions or quiet long-term drainage of magma. They often have associated lava flows or domes, and in many cases there are smaller volcanoes within the caldera. Many of the calderas are now lakes, and sometimes the smaller volcanoes are islands in the lake. Examples of supervolcanoes include '''[[Yellowstone]]''' in the United States, '''[[Lake Toba]]''' and '''[[Mount Tambora]]''' in Indonesia, the '''Phelgraean Fields''' near [[Naples]] in Italy, and '''[[Lake Taupo]]''' in New Zealand. Most supervolcanoes have undergone unimaginably huge eruptions (VEI-7 or 8) in the geologic past; these are what created the huge caldera. However, such eruptions are tens or hundreds of thousands of years apart. There is no reason to worry that Yellowstone, for example, will explode during your visit; it had several huge eruptions in the past, but none since a VEI-8 event 640,000 years ago. ===Geothermal areas=== Throughout volcanic areas of the world, one may also encounter ''geothermal'' areas. These places are often, but not always, associated with volcanic activity. [[Hot springs]], geysers, mud pools and fumaroles (steam/gas vents) are common scenic features in geothermal areas, and hot springs can be great places to take a dip. Countries such as [[Japan]], [[South Korea]], [[Taiwan]] and [[Iceland]] are especially famous for hot spring baths. Geothermal areas are also an environmentally friendly source of energy, and Iceland takes advantage of this very well. [[Yellowstone National Park]] is probably the best known example of a geothermal area, as molten magma lies not far beneath its 640,000-year-old caldera. [[New Zealand]], with its volcanoes in the [[North Island]], is also known for extensive geothermal areas, with [[Rotorua]] perhaps being the best known one. [[Upcountry_Árnessýsla|Geysir]] in Iceland, which is the namesake for all geysers in the world, is another famous geothermal region. The Maori people of New Zealand, who traditionally cooked their food by burying it underground with heated rocks (known as a ''hangi''), often make use of the geothermal heat instead if they live in a geothermally active area. Similarly, Iceland has a tradition of baking rye bread underground using the geothermal heat. ==Stay safe== Scientists can make predictions about volcanic activity, and those predictions are good enough to make it essential for travellers to '''check for current warnings''' when planning any trip to a volcanic area. However, the problem is complex so predictions are generally not precise and sometimes not entirely reliable. Local media or tourist offices are the usual sources for warnings, but many countries have a government-run volcano monitoring organization which is the definitive source. [[File:Etna Volcano Paroxysmal Eruption July 30 2011 - Creative Commons by gnuckx (3).jpg|thumb|Etna's 2011 eruption, Sicily, Italy.]] Public safety '''authorities may order hazard areas evacuated''' and visitors should certainly follow such advice. However, the onset of some volcanic events can be quite sudden, and authorities are sometimes slow to act since evacuations are disruptive, expensive and sometimes controversial. If you are near a volcano that begins to act restless &mdash; perhaps earth tremors or expelling steam or dust &mdash; it may be wise to leave the area without waiting for an evacuation order. Volcanoes are complex and can be quite different from each other, so for most of them it is a good idea to have an '''expert guide''' who knows the particular mountain you want to visit. If you want to go anywhere near an erupting volcano, then a guide is absolutely essential. On the other hand, climbing some volcanoes without a guide is reasonable; for example [[Mount Fuji]] has not erupted since 1708, scientists are not issuing warnings, and there are well-marked trails. Volcanic activity is often associated with [[earthquakes]] or [[tsunamis]], and some volcanoes are high enough that [[altitude sickness]] is a risk. Each of those has another whole set of hazards; see the linked articles. ===Equipment=== Good '''footwear''' is essential since many volcanic rocks have sharp edges and some are hot. Also, the terrain is often irregular and good boots will reduce the risk of a stubbed toe or turned ankle. A sturdy pair of hiking boots are the usual choice, but some use construction boots with steel in the toes and soles, and some choose lighter shoes for comfort. In any case, look for thick soles, preferably in a material such as Vibram which does not melt easily. Other equipment &mdash; such as heavy work gloves, a helmet, safety googles, a walking stick, a facemask for dust and a gas mask for poisonous fumes &mdash; may be needed as well. For some volcanoes, [[mountaineering]] skills and equipment are needed. On a few, [[Dangerous snakes|snakebite]] is also a hazard and high leather boots are the simplest protection. === Eruptions === An erupting volcano is '''extremely dangerous'''. Unless you have an excellent reason for going near one, the best advice is to stay away and watch it from a considerable distance, or even from the safety of your home or hotel on the TV news. Volcano hazard zones can extend for dozens of kilometers, and there are multiple hazards: [[File:Pyroclastic flows at Mayon Volcano.jpg|thumb|Pyroclastic flows rush down a volcano, consuming everything in their path.]] * ''Lava'' is molten rock spewing forth from the volcano. In addition to the direct danger, a large lava flow radiates enough heat to ignite vegetation and kill animals at a considerable distance. * ''Pyroclastic flows'' are streams of red-hot ash and debris that rush downslope from their source vents, incinerating anything flammable in their path. They can reach temperatures up to 800°C (over 1400°F) and travel at up to 150 km/h (almost 100 mph). * ''Volcanic bombs'' are rocks thrown upward by eruptions. Large ones are not thrown far, but a hot house-sized rock is spectacularly hazardous even if it is only dropping from 50 meters. Smaller ones &mdash; up to about soccer ball size &mdash; can be thrown thousands of meters high and may land dozens of km away, and even an egg-sized rock can kill if it drops from a great height. Also, many are ejected as blobs of molten rock that solidify while airborne, so they may still be dangerously hot when they land. * ''Jökulhlaups''<!--sic!--> are [[flash floods|floods]] caused by the volcano melting parts of a glacier, possibly a part that functions as dam of a glacier lake. On Iceland there have been peak discharges in the order of magnitude of floods of the Amazon River. Bridges downstream from Vatnajökull used to get destroyed on a regular basis. Volcanoes can also cause floods when a crater wall collapses releasing the lake within, by melting snow that is not part of a glacier, or by blocking rivers. * ''Lahars'' are avalanches of mud created when a deposit of volcanic ash becomes mobile when it gets wet from rainfall or from a flood. They can occur long after eruptions, travel many kilometers at high speed, and be devastating. While there are usually some warning signs before eruptions, lahars often occur with no warning. * ''Steam'' is dangerous, perhaps just scalding but in some cases (Krakatoa or some geysers) explosive. In many cases, hot water or hot mud are nearly as hazardous. *''Lethal gasses'' are gasses from eruptions, typically carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Often, but not always, the stink of sulphurous compounds provides a warning; avoid areas with a rotten egg smell. Also try to stay upwind of any vents releasing gasses; assume any vent with steam may also have nastier gasses. Walking toward a vent, keep the wind at your back; walking away, keep it in your face. * ''Vog'' or ''volcanic smog'' is a nasty combination of water droplets with dissolved gasses, possibly plus volcanic dust. Since SO<sub>2</sub> in water becomes sulphurous acid, this is highly irritating to eyes and throat. In high concentrations or for vulnerable people — asthma, heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women, the elderly, etc. — it can be very dangerous. If you are exposed, a face mask gives some protection and drinking lots of water will soothe the throat. Any of those can kill, but the ones that claim the most lives are '''pyroclastic flows''' and '''lahars''' because they often occur suddenly, they move very fast, and they can travel surprisingly long distances. '''Do not go anywhere that they are likely'''. If you get hit by either of these, your chances of survival are almost zero. If you are in the path, you are unlikely to outrun it, even with a vehicle; your best chance may be to try to get off the path by moving perpendicular to the flow or diagonally. Staying on '''high ground''' when observing a volcano gives you a better view and reduces several hazards. The dangerous gasses are heavier than air and collect in low-lying areas, and lava, pyroclastic flows, lahars and floods all tend to follow the contours of the land. A combination of distance and altitude also reduces the risk from volcanic bombs. Often the best place to observe is from high on the other side of a valley, well away from the volcano; bring binoculars. Many photographers are happy to shoot a volcano from a good distance with a [[telephoto lens]], but others find they get better results by cautiously moving closer; this reduces the distortions caused by hot air. Ashfall, volcanic mudflows, and the effects of [[earthquakes]] can extend for ''hundreds'' of kilometers away from the volcano. The most famous victim of ashfall was the Roman city of [[Pompeii]], buried in 79 CE by Mount Vesuvius. Those two were only about 8&nbsp;km (5&nbsp;miles) apart, but ash can also be transported by air in vast quantities over a huge area. The enormous (VEI-8) prehistoric eruption of Yellowstone spread a layer of ash, close to two meters thick in places, over most of the US and parts of Canada and Mexico. Volcanic ash tends to stop aircraft and vehicle engines, so '''transportation may be disrupted'''. An eruption in Iceland in 2010 shut down airports for weeks more than 1,000 km away in mainland Europe, but mostly the affected area is smaller, less than 100 km from the volcano. In some cases, boats and roads may also be shut down. {{mapframe}} === Dormant volcanoes === When a volcano is dormant, you are mostly safe even close to it, but there are some issues. Lava flows can still be hot for years after an eruption and only a thin crust of rock may be covering them. Old lava flows can be sharp as broken glass, so you should wear hiking boots or very thick shoes. To add to these dangers, lethal gases may be seeping out of vents near the volcano – and some can have a new eruption without too much of early warnings. Lahars can also occur around dormant volcanoes, whenever a deposit of volcanic ash gets wet. They can travel many kilometers, and be devastating. While there are often some warning signs before eruptions, lahars can have no warning. Watch out for possible lahars when there are heavy rains. === Geothermal areas === Geothermal areas can have hazards similar to those of volcanoes due to geological mechanisms. Hot springs and mud pools can be dangerous due to heat, acidity, or poison, so do not go near these areas unless you know for sure that they are totally safe. Geysers are a common feature of major geothermal areas, and can erupt hot water or mud unexpectedly. Landslides are also common in geothermal areas, as even volcanic rock can become weakened over time. Acidic fumes can seep out of fumaroles (steam/gas vents) or hot springs. Noxious gases can also be encountered coming out of holes in the ground, and the gases can reach dangerous levels in enclosed spaces like caves, manholes, or pool enclosures. Carbon dioxide, which is a byproduct of volcanic activity, is known for going into enclosed spaces and it can kill swiftly with little or no warning. ==Destinations== A selection of some of the more active and/or better known volcanoes in the world today. Some of these can still be explored from up close. ===Africa=== [[Image:Nyiragongo by Night.jpg|thumb|The glow from the lava lake of the Nyiragongo volcano can be seen at night.]] [[Image:Lava Lake Nyiragongo 2.jpg|thumb|The Nyiragongo lava lake from the rim (around 500–700m above)]] * {{see | name=Mount Cameroon | alt=Mongo ma Ndemi | url= | email= | address= | lat=4.216667 | long=9.1725 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Cameroon | content=The only volcano outside of Europe to have records of an eruption before the Common Era in 5 BCE. It remains active today: its most recent eruption was in 2012. Near the city of [[Buea]]. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=[[Mount Kilimanjaro]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.075833 | long=37.353333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Kilimanjaro | content=This peak in [[Tanzania]] is Africa's tallest at 5895 m (19,340&nbsp;ft). It has a series of concentric summit craters apparently less than 10,000 years old and may have last erupted less than 2000 years ago. The name Kilimanjaro means "shining mountain" in Swahili, no doubt due to the once-extensive glaciers which are unfortunately disappearing rapidly each year. }} * {{see | name=Mount Nyiragongo | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-1.516667 | long=29.25 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Nyiragongo | content=In [[Virunga National Park]] in the far eastern [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|D.R. Congo]], near [[Goma]] and the [[Rwanda]]n border. One of just four volcanoes in the world with a persistent lava lake, the others being [[Danakil Depression|Erta Ale]] (Ethiopia), Kilauea ([[Hawaii]]), and Mount Erebus ([[Antarctica]]). The volcano is usually accessed by overnight hike (8–10&nbsp;hr up first day, hike down the following morning), with the night spent in tents on the rim of the caldera with stunning views of the lava lake and the surrounding region. Unfortunately, it is located in a conflict zone and access is occasionally blocked due to the presence of rebels and criminal gangs. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ol Doinyo Lengai | alt="Mountain of God" in the Masai tongue | url= | email= | address= | lat=-2.764444 | long=35.916111 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ol Doinyo Lengai | content=In [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]] in Tanzania, this is the only volcano on Earth that erupts natrocarbonatite lava. This type of lava emerges black, cools to grey, and oxidizes to white. }} * {{see | name=[[Volcanoes National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-1.48 | long=29.53 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Volcanoes National Park | content=This park in [[Rwanda]] is famous as the home of mountain gorillas. }} ===Asia=== ==== India ==== * {{listing | type=see | name=Barren Island| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q248212 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=This is the only volcano in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman Islands]] and the only active volcano in India. Day trips can be arranged from [[Port Blair]]. No additional permit is required to visit the island, but it is not possible to land on the island, only to view it from the boat. }} ====Indonesia==== With 167 known active volcanoes, [[Indonesia]] is the world's most volcanic country by far. The [https://vsi.esdm.go.id/ Volcanological Survey of Indonesia] (website in Indonesian) is the government agency responsible for monitoring and warnings. [[File:Krakatoa eruption lithograph.jpg|thumb|Krakatoa in 1883]] * {{see | name=[[Krakatoa]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-6.102 | long=105.423 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q82613 | lastedit= | content=This is an island in [[West Java]] province with several volcanoes on it which produced multiple explosions in 1883. The largest is estimated to have been equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT, about four times the largest H-bomb ever tested, and the sound was heard {{km|5000}} away. The dust cloud had worldwide effects; global temperatures dipped by over a degree. This was a VEI-6 event. }} * {{see | name=[[Kintamani|Mount Batur]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Bali]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q43876 | lastedit= | content=A very accessible active volcano which takes just 2 hours to climb. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Agung]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q158470 | lastedit= | content=A highly visible volcano in the interior of [[Bali]]. "Agung" means "great" in Indonesian. The volcano is considered quite sacred by Balinese people, and its slopes are home to the beautiful temple complex of [[Mount Agung#Besakih Temple|Besakih]]. Its last eruption, in 1963, was quite devastating. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Bromo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[East Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q270158 | content=Known for its unreal scenery, this is a popular tourist destination. It is one of five newer volcanoes within the caldera of a large ancient one and is surrounded by a sea of sand. Climbing Mount Bromo gives a good view of nearby Mount Semuru. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Semeru]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.107778 | long=112.921944 | directions=[[East Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Semeru | content=Indonesia's third highest active volcano. An eruption in December 2021 buried some villages in ash and killed a few dozen people. }} Both Bromo and Semeru are in [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]]. A permit from the park office is required to climb Semeru; they stopped issuing these due to the 2021 eruption and have not yet restarted as of March 2022. * {{see | name=[[Mount Merapi]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Central Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q134108 | content=Perhaps Indonesia's single most active volcano (no mean feat). It looms large over the major cities of [[Yogyakarta]] and [[Solo]], and the very popular temples of [[Borobudur]] and [[Prambanan]]. Merapi has erupted 68 times since formal record-keeping began in the 16th century. Its eruption on May 11, 2018, prompted the evacuation of areas within a 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) radius of the volcano, and the closure of the Yogyakarta airport. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Rinjani]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Lombok]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q847323 | lastedit= | content=Indonesia's second highest volcano with a stunning crater lake. It's a two-day trek to the crater rim. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Tambora]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.24 | long=117.99 | directions=[[Sumbawa]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Tambora | content=This volcano is one for the truly adventurous; only about 50 visitors a year make it to its very remote location.<br/>In 1814 Tambora was {{m|4,200}} high. It erupted with such force (VEI-7) the following year that {{m|1,400}} was lost from its top. That was much the '''largest eruption in recent history''', about ten times more powerful than the Krakatoa eruption a few decades later. It put enough dust and ash into the atmosphere to cause a "volcanic winter" that affected most of the Northern hemisphere; livestock deaths and crop failures caused the worst famine of the century. }} Wikipedia has a list of [[w:List of volcanoes in Indonesia|volcanoes in Indonesia]]. ====Japan==== [[File:MtFuji FujiCity.jpg|thumb|Fuji]] * {{see | name=[[Mount Aso]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.8844 | long=131.1039 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Aso | content=This is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world with the largest caldera. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Fuji]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.360628 | long=138.727365 | directions=[[Chubu]], central Honshu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Fuji | content=Located near [[Tokyo]], this is Japan's highest and most beautiful volcano. It is also the most climbed mountain in the world and a place of religious significance in Shinto worship. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Daisen]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.371111 | long=133.546389 | directions=[[Chugoku]], western Honshu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Daisen | content=A dormant stratovolcano, also significant in Shinto. }} * {{see | name=[[Sakurajima]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=31.580556 | long=130.658056 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sakurajima | content=This is an active volcano just outside of [[Kagoshima]]. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=Mount Unzen | | lat=32.761389 | long=130.298611 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | wikipedia=Mount Unzen | content=This is a complex stratovolcano. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Philippines==== The [http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/ Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology] lists 24 volcanoes as "active"; 21 of those have erupted in the last 600 years. Another 25 are listed as "potentially active" and 355 as "inactive". The four most active, in order, are: [[File:Modra turisticka trasa značka-šipka doleva.jpg|thumb|Trail marker on Kanlaon]] * {{see | name=[[Mayon|Mayon Volcano]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=13.256667 | long=123.685 | directions=in [[Albay]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mayon | content=Often described as the world's most perfect volcano cone, Mayon had a fatal eruption in 1993. }} * {{see | name=[[Taal Volcano]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=14 | long=120.98 | directions=in [[Batangas]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Taal Volcano | wikpedia=Taal Volcano | content=This is a complex volcano system described as a "lake in a volcano in a lake" and one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Philippines. It has a history of destructive eruptions and is the country's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. An eruption in early 2020 forced the evacuation of several towns. }} * {{see | name=Mount Kanlaon | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=10.370556 | long=124.742778 | directions=on [[Negros]] island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kanlaon | content=The highest mountain in the [[Visayas]], a stratovolcano near the major city [[Bacolod]]. There are marked hiking trails. A sudden eruption in 1996 killed several hikers. }} * {{see | name=Mount Bulusan | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=12.77 | long=124.05 | directions=in [[Bicol]] region | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Bulusan | content=A stratovolcano with several other craters, volcanic lakes and hot springs. There is a national park around it. }} Except for Kanlaon, these are all in southern [[Luzon]]. Other volcanoes include: * {{see | name=Mount Pinatubo | directions=near [[Bacolor]] in [[Pampanga]] province | wikipedia=Mount Pinatubo | lat=15.141667 | long=120.35 | content=A stratovolcano which had a VEI-6 eruption in 1991, the second largest on Earth in the 20th century. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Apo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=6.9875 | long=125.270833 | directions=near [[Davao]] in [[Mindanao]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Apo | content=This dormant stratovolcano is the highest peak in the Philippines at 2,954 meters (9,692 ft). It is fairly often climbed, but this is not easy; it requires mountaineering skills and equipment, and a guide. }} * {{see | name=Mount Makiling | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=14.13 | long=121.2 | directions=in [[Laguna]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Makiling | content=A dormant stratovolcano, sacred in the old local religion. At its foot is the town of [[Los_Baños_(Laguna)|Los Baños]], a popular resort on a lake and close (63 km) to Manila. It is named for its hot springs, certainly pleasant and reputedly therapeutic. }} * {{see | name=Bud Dajo | directions=on [[Sulu]], near [[Jolo]] | lat=6.01333 | long=121.056667 | wikipedia=Bud Dajo | content=An extinct volcano, sacred in the old local religion. It was the scene of a battle in 1906 in which US Navy ships shelled people hiding in the crater. }} Wikipedia has a list of [[w:List_of_active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippines|active volcanoes in the Philippines]]. ====Russia==== [[Kamchatka]], Russia's largest Pacific peninsula, has several active volcanoes and some hot springs and geysers *{{listing | name=Avachinsky-Koryaksky | content=These two volcanoes, close to each other and to the region's capital [[Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky]], have been jointly designated a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ===Europe=== ====Canary Islands==== * {{see | name=El Teide | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=28.2727 | long=-16.6423 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Teide | content=This volcano in [[Tenerife]] is the highest active volcano in the [[Canary Islands]] at 3715 m (12,188&nbsp;ft). A flank vent at El Teide was observed erupting by Christopher Columbus and his crew in 1492. El Tiede is one of the [[#Decade Volcanoes|Decade Volcanoes]]. It is in [[Teide National Park]], a {{unesco}}. }} ====Greece==== * {{see | name=[[Nisyros]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=36.583333 | long=27.166667 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nisyros | content=This island in the Greek [[Dodecanese]] islands is the top of a volcano, mildly active with smoking fumaroles. It is possible to walk into the crater floor for a closer look. }} * {{see | name=[[Santorini]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=36.4067 | long=25.4333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santorini | content=This island in the Aegean Sea is the largest of a ring of islands around an ancient caldera, and probably [[Greece]]'s most famous volcano. It had a VEI-7 eruption around 1600&nbsp;BCE. Some historians suggest the associated tsunami and earthquakes destroyed the Minoan civilization on nearby Crete, or that the devastation of these islands is the origin of the Atlantis myth, but both those theories are quite controversial.<br />The volcano is still active, for it last erupted in 1950 out of Nea Kameni ("New Burnt" in Greek), an island made up of lava flows in the middle of the caldera bay. It is the country's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Iceland==== [[File:Hekla slopes june 2005.jpg|thumb|Slopes of Hekla and surrounding landscape.]] [[Iceland]] has many active volcanoes, among them [[Hekla]], [[Vík í Mýrdal|Katla]] and [[Interior (Iceland)|Askja]]. In medieval times Hekla was thought to be a gateway to Hell. It has had five eruptions since 1947 (the last being in 2000), and is regarded as unpredictable. A volcano below the '''Eyjafjallajökull''' glacier famously disrupted European air travel for days with an ash cloud released during an eruption in 2010. Some Icelandic volcanoes are featured in fiction. '''Snæfellsjökull''' is in Jules Verne's novel ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and many parts of the [[Game of Thrones]] TV series were shot in [[Þingvellir National Park]]. ====Italy==== * {{see | name=[[Vesuvius]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.816667 | long=14.433333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Vesuvius | content=This is a dormant volcano near [[Naples]]. It has not been smoking since it last erupted in 1944, but it is still very closely and carefully monitored because of its seriously hazardous proximity to that city, which is southern Italy's most populous. It is famous for its eruption in 79 CE, which buried the Roman cities of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] under layers of pumice, ash and lava fragments. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Etna]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Sicily]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16990 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=This is Europe's tallest volcano at {{m|3350}} and is quite active. }} Both Etna and Vesuvius are [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcanoes]]. * {{listing | type=see | name=Phlegraean Fields | alt=Campi Flegrei | wikipedia=Phlegraean Fields | content=This is the caldera of a supervolcano near [[Naples]]; the town of [[Pozzuoli]] is within it. It had a VEI-7 eruption some 39,000 years ago. }} * {{see | name=Vesuvius Observatory | alt=Osservatorio Vesuviano | url=https://www.ov.ingv.it/index.php | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Naples | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Vesuvius Observatory | content=This centre monitors the three volcanoes in the [[Campania]] region: Vesuvius, the Phlegraean Fields and [[Ischia]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Stromboli]] | alt= | url=https://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/ | email= | address= | lat=38.79 | long=15.21 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stromboli | content=This volcano in the [[Aeolian Islands]] has been in near continuous activity since at least the time of the Ancient Greeks and has been billed as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean". }} ===North America and Caribbean=== [[File:Volcano evacuation route sign.jpg|thumb|upright|Volcano evacuation route signs are common in the [[Pacific Northwest]]]] * The '''[[Aleutian Islands]]''' and the associated '''[[Alaska]] Peninsula''' are volcanic in origin and have several active volcanoes. * {{see | name=Novarupta |address=[[Katmai National Park]], Alaska | wikipedia=Novarupta | lat=58.266667 | long=-155.156667 | content=This volcano was formed in 1912 by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, a VEI-6 event. It is near the base of the peninsula. }} * {{see | name=Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Katmai National Park]], Alaska | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes | content=This is a large (100&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, 40&nbsp;mi<sup>2</sup>) valley filled with ash from pyroclastic flows of the 1912 Novarupta event, in places up to 700&nbsp;feet (210&nbsp;m) deep. It still has some fumaroles releasing steam, but not nearly as many as in 1916 when it was named. There is no vegetation and the landscape is unearthly enough to have been used in astronaut training. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Baker]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.777343 | long=-121.813201 | directions=Washington State | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q594387 | lastedit= | content=This is one of the five major stratovolcanoes in the area that have produced over 200 eruptions in the last 12,000 years. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount St. Helens]]| directions=Washington State | lat=46.2| long=-122.2 | wikidata=Q4675 | lastedit= | content=This volcano is famous for an eruption in 1980 that was a VEI-5 event, one of the largest of the century. Since late 2004, it has been erupting once again, but not nearly as violently – this time, a new lava dome is slowly being extruded in its crater. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Hood]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.53778 | long=-121.56833 | directions=Oregon | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Hood | content=At {{ft|11,239}} this is the highest mountain in the state of [[Oregon]] and a major outdoor recreation area. Located about {{mi|50}} east-southeast of Portland, the mountain is visible from the city on clear days and usually forms the backdrop for the Portland skyline in postcards and photographs of the city. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Rainier]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.87 | long=-121.71 | directions=Washington State | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q194057 | content=At {{feet|14,410}}, this is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range, about twice the height of the adjacent mountains. The volcano, which last erupted in the late 19th century, is the only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]] in the continental United States. It is considered quite dangerous because it is only about 50 km (30 miles) from [[Seattle]] and is encased in over {{mi2|35}} of snow and ice, enough to cause massive flooding and dangerous lahars if there were a large eruption. }} * {{see | name=Mount Redoubt | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=about {{km|180}} southwest of [[Anchorage]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q840735 | lastedit= | content=The largest active volcano in mainland [[Alaska]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Popocatepetl]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Mexico City]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q181157 | lastedit= | content=Popocatepetl often has a volcanic plume above its crater which is {{m|5,450}} high. The name means "smoking mountain" in the native Nahuatl language. }} * {{see | name=Mount Pelée | lat=14.7417| long=-61.1758 | wikidata=Q76309 | lastedit= | content=An eruption here in 1902 wiped out the town of [[Saint-Pierre (Martinique)]]. Attractions of the rebuilt town today include a volcano museum and wreck diving around the many ships sunk by that eruption. }} * {{see | name=Soufrière Hills | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q845239 | lastedit= | content=Soufriere Hills on [[Montserrat]], previously considered dormant, began erupting again in 1995, forcing the closure of the southern half of the island (including its capital and airport in 1997). It is still active, though mostly a nuisance seeping lava and spewing ash into the air. }} Canada has no active volcanoes and is thought to have had only about 50 eruptions in the past 10,000 years. However, the [[Canadian Rockies]] include many dormant volcanoes; geologically they are part of the same system that produces active volcanoes in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. ===South and Central America=== [[File:Masaya Crater.jpg|thumb|Masaya crater]] * {{see | name=[[Cotopaxi]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-0.68 | long=-78.438 | directions=in [[Ecuador]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Cotopaxi | content=One of South America's most spectacular volcanoes. }} * {{see | name=Arenal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Fortuna (Costa Rica)]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Arenal Volcano | wikpedia=Arenal | content=This is the youngest volcano in Costa Rica. Its eruptions were frequent until 2010, but now it is calm. Several companies in nearby towns offer tours. }} * {{see | name=Galeras | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Pasto]], [[Colombia]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Galeras | content=A [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Volcan Masaya]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=11.98 | long=-86.16 | directions=[[Nicaragua]], near [[Masaya]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Masaya Volcano | content= }} * '''[[Volcan Santa Maria]]''' and '''Volcan [[Santiaguito]]''' in [[Guatemala]], near [[Quetzaltenango]]. * '''[[Volcan de Fuego]]''' and '''[[Pacaya Volcano|Volcan Pacaya]]''' in Guatemala, near [[Antigua Guatemala]]. * '''[[Volcan Atitlan]]''', '''[[Volcan San Pedro]]''' and '''[[Volcan Toliman]]''' in Guatemala, on the southern shores of [[Lake Atitlán]]. * '''[[Volcan Láscar]]''' in the Atacama Region of [[Northern Chile]]. * The Volcanoes of '''Concepción''' (active) and '''Maderas''' (dormant) that form the island of [[Ometepe]] , [[Nicaragua]] ===Oceania=== ====Hawaii==== The entire Hawaiian island chain is volcanic in origin. Most of the volcanoes are of the shield volcano type, spread out rather than sharply conical * {{see | name=Kilauea | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.397 | long=-155.29 | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kīlauea | content=This volcano has been erupting continuously out of its flank vent, known as Pu'u O'o ("Hill of the O'o bird" in the native Hawai'ian language) since 1983. You can normally peer safely into its magma chamber from an observation point a couple of miles away in [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]] after nightfall. }} * {{see | name=[[Mauna Loa]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.479444 | long=-155.602778 | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mauna Loa | content=Hawaii's highest historically active volcano, topped by the Moku'aweoeo Caldera. It is also the largest volcano by volume in the world. Don't be fooled by its gentle slopes – with its highest point at 4170m/13,683&nbsp;ft) and the summit often covered in snow during the winter, the climb can be both difficult and dangerous for inexperienced hikers, and [[altitude sickness]] is a hazard for almost anyone. It is Hawaii's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=Mauna Kea | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mauna Kea | content=This is the highest volcano in [[Hawaii]] at 4205 m (13,796&nbsp;ft), and is pockmarked with cinder cones. Its high elevation is a magnet for astronomers with their giant telescope facilities, and even skiers. It is a dormant volcano; its last eruption was about 2460 BCE. }} * {{see | name=Haleakala | alt=East Maui volcano | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Maui]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Haleakalā | content=This is the tallest volcano on the island of [[Maui]] and makes up most of the island. It is renowned for its erosional crater and the cinder cones nestled inside. The name means "House of the sun" in Hawai'ian. }} ====New Zealand==== *{{see | name=[[Tongariro National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-39.2 | long=175.5833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This park has three active volcanoes, '''Mount Ruapehu''', '''Mount Tongariro''' and '''Mount Ngauruhoe'''. Ruapehu, [[New Zealand]]'s highest volcano, has a crater lake that forms and fills when the volcano is not erupting. It's also a {{unesco}}. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=[[White Island]]| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q557077 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=is a volcanic island in the [[Bay of Plenty]], southeast of [[Auckland]], and the most active volcano in New Zealand. Tours used to go to the island, until an eruption in 2019 killed a large number of visitors. }} * {{see | name=[[Taupo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-38.6875 | long=176.0694 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Taupō Volcano | content=This town is located next to New Zealand's largest lake, which is the caldera of a supervolcano. It had a VEI-7 eruption in 180 CE that produced red skies as far away as Rome and China. Around 25,000 BCE it had a VEI-8 blast. }} ====Papua New Guinea==== [[Image:Tavurvur volcano edit.jpg|thumb|Mt Tavurvur, New Britain, Papua New Guinea]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Mount Tavurvur | lat=-4.237235 | long=152.208841 | wikipedia=Tavurvur | content=This is a very active stratovolcano right next to the city of [[Rabaul]] on the island of [[New Britain (Papua New Guinea)|New Britain]]. Much of the town was destroyed in a 1994 eruption. It last erupted in 2006, shattering windows up to {{km|12}} away and sending an ash plume {{m|18000}} into the stratosphere. }} * {{see | name=Mount Ulawun | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ulawun | wikpedia=Ulawun | content=This is another active stratovolcano on New Britain. It is New Guinea's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Tonga==== * {{see | name=Hunga Tonga | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-20.536 | long=-175.382 | directions=in the south-west of [[Ha'apai]], north of Tongatapu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hunga Tonga | wikidata=Q3143318 | content=This undersea volcano had a series of eruptions starting in December 2021. The large one on January 15 2022 included an explosion loud enough to be heard as far away as Alaska and Australia. [[Tsunami]] warnings were issued in most Pacific nations, there was damage in areas as far apart as the US west coast and the Russian far east, and two people were killed in Chile.<br />An undersea cable was cut knocking out much of Tonga's communications and there was enough dust to close airports and make reconnaissance flights (which both Australia and NZ sent) difficult. It is clear that the eruption was at least VEI-4, that much of Tonga took heavy damage, and that there were fatalities. As of late January, nothing more precise is known. }} ===Antarctica=== Over 130 volcanoes have been discovered in the frozen wastelands of Antarctica, and with many erupting underneath the dense ice sheets they are not particularly practical to visit. * {{see | name=Mount Erebus | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q188982 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=At 3,794 metres (12,448 ft) Mount Erebus is the highest and most active volcano on the continent. There used to be aerial tours over the volcano from [[New Zealand]] until a fateful crash in 1979. Both the [[In_the_footsteps_of_explorers#Polar_explorers|Scott and the Shackelton expeditions]] toward the South Pole passed near this volcano. }} ====Australia==== * {{see | name=&nbsp;[[Heard Island and McDonald Islands]] | alt= | url=http://www.heardisland.aq | email= | address= | lat=-53.09354 | long=73.516992 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q131198 | lastedit=2022-01-23 | content=Almost 4000 kilometres from the Australian mainland, these two volcanoes are the only sort of active volcano anywhere in Australia. They are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] because it's one of the only places with zilch introduced species and few human impacts. Access to the islands is not allowed, unless via permit. }} ==Travel agencies== In many areas &mdash; at least the Philippines, Italy and Costa Rica &mdash; many local travel agencies offer guided tours to their region's volcanoes. There are also agencies that specialize in volcano tourism. *'''Volcano Adventure Indonesia''', [[Sukapura]], Indonesia, tel. +62-335-581439, +62-81319090225. Tours to [[Mount Bromo]] and elsewhere in Indonesia. *'''[http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/ VolcanoDiscovery]''', Germany, tel. {{phone|+49 2241-2080175}}, {{phone|+30 2107522310}}. This tour operator specializes in international volcanoes and one of its most important programs is for Indonesian volcanoes. The tours are trekking & photography tours with small groups and an intensive personal service. The tours are usually about 7–14 days. ==See also== * [[UNESCO Global Geoparks Network]] * [[Earthquake safety]] * [[Mountain ranges]] {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} hqay1s3olr2kb21kxpvgiaycb37ttvy 4506621 4506620 2022-08-23T05:47:53Z Pashley 1822 /* Eruptions */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Volcanoes Bromo and Semeru (Indonesia) banner .jpg|caption=Semeru, Java, Indonesia}} {{confused|[[Volcano (California)|Volcano, California]]}} '''Volcanoes''' come in many shapes and sizes, and their eruptions vary hugely in both frequency and intensity. Many volcanoes are tourist attractions and are worth a visit provided you take due care, in particular keeping a safe distance from eruptions. Volcanic '''eruptions''' are not all that common &mdash; a few dozen a year, worldwide &mdash; and are '''extremely dangerous'''. The worst of them cause complete devastation over wide areas, sometimes with a large death toll. Despite the risk, due to the renowned fertility of volcanic soil, there are often large agricultural settlements in close proximity to a volcano. ==Understand== [[File:Mayon_Volcano_and_the_Sleeping_Lion.jpg|thumb|Mayon Volcano, Philippines]] Perhaps the best-known type of volcano is the '''stratovolcano''' which is built up from multiple layers of ash and lava over centuries, giving a conical shape. Several of the world's most famous volcanoes, such as [[Mount Fuji]], [[Mount Etna]] and [[Kilimanjaro]], are of this type. Filipino tourist literature claims their [[Mayon|Mayon Volcano]] has the world's most perfect cone. A '''complex stratovolcano''' has multiple cones and/or multiple calderas; examples include the [[Sisters|Three Sisters]] in Oregon and [[Taal Volcano]] in the Philippines. A somewhat less common type is a '''shield volcano''', formed when the lava is less viscous and therefore spreads out much further. Most of [[#Hawaii|Hawaii's]] volcanoes are of this type. According to the [http://www.volcano.si.edu/index.cfm Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program], the major volcano monitoring organization based in Washington, DC, volcanoes can be classified as follows: * '''active''' if **it has erupted within the last 10,000 years<br/>(recently in geological terms) ** or it shows considerable activity<br/>hot springs, fumes, [[earthquakes]], etc. * '''dormant''' (French for sleeping) if it is active but not currently erupting * '''extinct''' if it is no longer active Other organizations generally use the same terms, but may have somewhat different definitions. These definitions are not precise; dormant volcanoes sometimes erupt, and it is not unknown for supposedly extinct volcanoes to come back to life. * {{listing | name=Decade Volcanoes | alt= | url=http://www.sveurop.org/gb/program/program.htm | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Decade Volcanoes | lastedit=2020-05-04 | content=These are 16 active volcanoes selected by scientists as particularly worthy of study because they both have a history of large eruptions and are located near populous areas. These may be the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth in terms of '''potential to create large disasters'''. }} There are hundreds of active volcanoes around the world, but many more that are dormant or extinct. One can still appreciate the awesome power of nature from these volcanoes, without the hazards that go with active ones. ===Measurement scale=== There is a scale for the force of eruptions called the '''Volcanic Explosivity Index''' or '''VEI'''; the main factor is the volume of ejecta, the amount of material spewed out. The scale is logarithmic; a VEI-5 eruption produces at least 1&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> of ejecta, VEI-6 10&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, VEI-7 100&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, and VEI-8 1000&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>. Really large eruptions are quite rare. The 20th century had three VEI-6 eruptions, ten VEI-5, and hundreds of smaller ones, but none of VEI-7 or above. As of late 2021, the 21st century has had one VEI-5 event and nothing larger. The most recent VEI-7 events were [[Lake Taupo]] (New Zealand) in 180 CE, Ilopango ([[El Salvador]]) around 431, [[Changbaishan National Nature Reserve|Mount Paektu]] (on the Korean-Chinese border) around 946, possibly [[Mount Rinjani]] (Indonesia) in 1257, and [[Mount Tambora]] (Indonesia) in 1815. As for VEI-8, there has not been such an event in recorded history; the most recent was at Lake Taupo about 26,500 years ago. The Tambora eruption of 1815 put out ''160 cubic km'' (38 cubic miles) of ejecta, including enough dust and ash to cause "the year without a summer", widespread crop failure and some famine as far away as the US and Europe. Said "year without a summer" led the German Karl Drais to invent a "walking machine" which is today considered the first ancestor of the modern [[cycling in Europe|bicycle]]. Some eruptions have complications. The 1883 eruption of [[Krakatoa]] was rated only 6 on the VEI scale, much smaller than Tambora, but it is more famous because the explosions were absolutely enormous &mdash; heard several thousand miles away and estimated to be equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT &mdash; mainly because a huge amount of seawater was instantly turned to steam on contact with superheated magma. The [[#Hunga Tonga|Hunga Tonga]] eruption of 2022 was similar since that volcano is under the sea. A [[w:Strombolian eruption|strombolian eruption]] is not very powerful (VEI-1 or 2) but may last a long time. [[#Stromboli|Stromboli]] has been erupting more-or-less continuously for several thousand years. ===Supervolcanoes=== Supervolcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth, but are not easily recognizable as such. Many are so big that, for many years, even geologists did not appreciate that these features were volcanoes in their own right. {{quote|Volcanoes form mountains; supervolcanoes erase them. Volcanoes kill plants and animals for miles around; supervolcanoes threaten whole species with extinction by changing the climate across the entire planet.|author=[https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2009/08/yellowstone/ National Geographic]}} Supervolcanoes are generally in the form of large ''calderas'' (Spanish for "cauldron"), which are giant volcanic depressions formed either by large explosive eruptions or quiet long-term drainage of magma. They often have associated lava flows or domes, and in many cases there are smaller volcanoes within the caldera. Many of the calderas are now lakes, and sometimes the smaller volcanoes are islands in the lake. Examples of supervolcanoes include '''[[Yellowstone]]''' in the United States, '''[[Lake Toba]]''' and '''[[Mount Tambora]]''' in Indonesia, the '''Phelgraean Fields''' near [[Naples]] in Italy, and '''[[Lake Taupo]]''' in New Zealand. Most supervolcanoes have undergone unimaginably huge eruptions (VEI-7 or 8) in the geologic past; these are what created the huge caldera. However, such eruptions are tens or hundreds of thousands of years apart. There is no reason to worry that Yellowstone, for example, will explode during your visit; it had several huge eruptions in the past, but none since a VEI-8 event 640,000 years ago. ===Geothermal areas=== Throughout volcanic areas of the world, one may also encounter ''geothermal'' areas. These places are often, but not always, associated with volcanic activity. [[Hot springs]], geysers, mud pools and fumaroles (steam/gas vents) are common scenic features in geothermal areas, and hot springs can be great places to take a dip. Countries such as [[Japan]], [[South Korea]], [[Taiwan]] and [[Iceland]] are especially famous for hot spring baths. Geothermal areas are also an environmentally friendly source of energy, and Iceland takes advantage of this very well. [[Yellowstone National Park]] is probably the best known example of a geothermal area, as molten magma lies not far beneath its 640,000-year-old caldera. [[New Zealand]], with its volcanoes in the [[North Island]], is also known for extensive geothermal areas, with [[Rotorua]] perhaps being the best known one. [[Upcountry_Árnessýsla|Geysir]] in Iceland, which is the namesake for all geysers in the world, is another famous geothermal region. The Maori people of New Zealand, who traditionally cooked their food by burying it underground with heated rocks (known as a ''hangi''), often make use of the geothermal heat instead if they live in a geothermally active area. Similarly, Iceland has a tradition of baking rye bread underground using the geothermal heat. ==Stay safe== Scientists can make predictions about volcanic activity, and those predictions are good enough to make it essential for travellers to '''check for current warnings''' when planning any trip to a volcanic area. However, the problem is complex so predictions are generally not precise and sometimes not entirely reliable. Local media or tourist offices are the usual sources for warnings, but many countries have a government-run volcano monitoring organization which is the definitive source. [[File:Etna Volcano Paroxysmal Eruption July 30 2011 - Creative Commons by gnuckx (3).jpg|thumb|Etna's 2011 eruption, Sicily, Italy.]] Public safety '''authorities may order hazard areas evacuated''' and visitors should certainly follow such advice. However, the onset of some volcanic events can be quite sudden, and authorities are sometimes slow to act since evacuations are disruptive, expensive and sometimes controversial. If you are near a volcano that begins to act restless &mdash; perhaps earth tremors or expelling steam or dust &mdash; it may be wise to leave the area without waiting for an evacuation order. Volcanoes are complex and can be quite different from each other, so for most of them it is a good idea to have an '''expert guide''' who knows the particular mountain you want to visit. If you want to go anywhere near an erupting volcano, then a guide is absolutely essential. On the other hand, climbing some volcanoes without a guide is reasonable; for example [[Mount Fuji]] has not erupted since 1708, scientists are not issuing warnings, and there are well-marked trails. Volcanic activity is often associated with [[earthquakes]] or [[tsunamis]], and some volcanoes are high enough that [[altitude sickness]] is a risk. Each of those has another whole set of hazards; see the linked articles. ===Equipment=== Good '''footwear''' is essential since many volcanic rocks have sharp edges and some are hot. Also, the terrain is often irregular and good boots will reduce the risk of a stubbed toe or turned ankle. A sturdy pair of hiking boots are the usual choice, but some use construction boots with steel in the toes and soles, and some choose lighter shoes for comfort. In any case, look for thick soles, preferably in a material such as Vibram which does not melt easily. Other equipment &mdash; such as heavy work gloves, a helmet, safety googles, a walking stick, a facemask for dust and a gas mask for poisonous fumes &mdash; may be needed as well. For some volcanoes, [[mountaineering]] skills and equipment are needed. On a few, [[Dangerous snakes|snakebite]] is also a hazard and high leather boots are the simplest protection. === Eruptions === An erupting volcano is '''extremely dangerous'''. Unless you have an excellent reason for going near one, the best advice is to stay away and watch it from a considerable distance, or even from the safety of your home or hotel on the TV news. Volcano hazard zones can extend for dozens of kilometers, and there are multiple hazards: [[File:Pyroclastic flows at Mayon Volcano.jpg|thumb|Pyroclastic flows rush down a volcano, consuming everything in their path.]] * ''Lava'' is molten rock spewing forth from the volcano. In addition to the direct danger, a large lava flow radiates enough heat to ignite vegetation and kill animals at a considerable distance. * ''Pyroclastic flows'' are streams of red-hot ash and debris that rush downslope from their source vents, incinerating anything flammable in their path. They can reach temperatures up to 800°C (over 1400°F) and travel at up to 150 km/h (almost 100 mph). * ''Volcanic bombs'' are rocks thrown upward by eruptions. Large ones are not thrown far, but a hot house-sized rock is spectacularly hazardous even if it is only dropping from 50 meters. Smaller ones &mdash; up to about soccer ball size &mdash; can be thrown thousands of meters high and may land dozens of km away, and even an egg-sized rock can kill if it drops from a great height. Also, many are ejected as blobs of molten rock that solidify while airborne, so they may still be dangerously hot when they land. * ''Jökulhlaups''<!--sic!--> are [[flash floods|floods]] caused by the volcano melting parts of a glacier, possibly a part that functions as dam of a glacier lake. On Iceland there have been peak discharges in the order of magnitude of floods of the Amazon River. Bridges downstream from Vatnajökull used to get destroyed on a regular basis. Volcanoes can also cause floods when a crater wall collapses releasing the lake within, by melting snow that is not part of a glacier, or by blocking rivers. * ''Lahars'' are avalanches of mud created when a deposit of volcanic ash becomes mobile when it gets wet from rainfall or from a flood. They can occur long after eruptions, travel many kilometers at high speed, and be devastating. While there are usually some warning signs before eruptions, lahars often occur with no warning. * ''Steam'' is dangerous, perhaps just scalding but in some cases (Krakatoa or some geysers) explosive. In many cases, hot water or hot mud are nearly as hazardous. *''Lethal gasses'' are gasses from eruptions, typically carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Often, but not always, the stink of sulphurous compounds provides a warning; avoid areas with a rotten egg smell. Also try to stay upwind of any vents releasing gasses; assume any vent with steam may also have nastier gasses. Walking toward a vent, keep the wind at your back; walking away, keep it in your face. * ''Vog'' or ''volcanic smog'' is a nasty combination of water droplets with dissolved gasses, possibly plus volcanic dust. Since SO<sub>2</sub> in water becomes sulphurous acid, this is highly irritating to eyes and throat. In high concentrations or for vulnerable people — asthma, heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women, the elderly, etc. — it can be very dangerous. If you are exposed, a face mask gives some protection and drinking lots of water will soothe the throat. Any of those can kill, but the ones that claim the most lives are '''pyroclastic flows''' and '''lahars''' because they often occur suddenly, they move very fast, and they can travel surprisingly long distances. '''Do not go anywhere that they are likely'''. If you get hit by either of these, your chances of survival are almost zero. If you are in the path, you are unlikely to outrun it, even with a vehicle; your best chance may be to try to get off the path by moving perpendicular to the flow or diagonally. Staying on '''high ground''' when observing a volcano gives you a better view and reduces several hazards. The dangerous gasses are heavier than air and collect in low-lying areas, and lava, pyroclastic flows, lahars and floods all tend to follow the contours of the land. A combination of distance and altitude also reduces the risk from volcanic bombs. Often the best place to observe is from high on the other side of a valley, well away from the volcano; bring binoculars. Most photographers will shoot a volcanic eruption from a good distance with a [[telephoto lens]], but others find they get better results by cautiously moving closer; this may reduce the distortions caused by hot air. Ashfall, volcanic mudflows, and the effects of [[earthquakes]] can extend for ''hundreds'' of kilometers away from the volcano. The most famous victim of ashfall was the Roman city of [[Pompeii]], buried in 79 CE by Mount Vesuvius. Those two were only about 8&nbsp;km (5&nbsp;miles) apart, but ash can also be transported by air in vast quantities over a huge area. The enormous (VEI-8) prehistoric eruption of Yellowstone spread a layer of ash, close to two meters thick in places, over most of the US and parts of Canada and Mexico. Volcanic ash tends to stop aircraft and vehicle engines, so '''transportation may be disrupted'''. An eruption in Iceland in 2010 shut down airports for weeks more than 1,000 km away in mainland Europe, but mostly the affected area is smaller, less than 100 km from the volcano. In some cases, boats and roads may also be shut down. {{mapframe}} === Dormant volcanoes === When a volcano is dormant, you are mostly safe even close to it, but there are some issues. Lava flows can still be hot for years after an eruption and only a thin crust of rock may be covering them. Old lava flows can be sharp as broken glass, so you should wear hiking boots or very thick shoes. To add to these dangers, lethal gases may be seeping out of vents near the volcano – and some can have a new eruption without too much of early warnings. Lahars can also occur around dormant volcanoes, whenever a deposit of volcanic ash gets wet. They can travel many kilometers, and be devastating. While there are often some warning signs before eruptions, lahars can have no warning. Watch out for possible lahars when there are heavy rains. === Geothermal areas === Geothermal areas can have hazards similar to those of volcanoes due to geological mechanisms. Hot springs and mud pools can be dangerous due to heat, acidity, or poison, so do not go near these areas unless you know for sure that they are totally safe. Geysers are a common feature of major geothermal areas, and can erupt hot water or mud unexpectedly. Landslides are also common in geothermal areas, as even volcanic rock can become weakened over time. Acidic fumes can seep out of fumaroles (steam/gas vents) or hot springs. Noxious gases can also be encountered coming out of holes in the ground, and the gases can reach dangerous levels in enclosed spaces like caves, manholes, or pool enclosures. Carbon dioxide, which is a byproduct of volcanic activity, is known for going into enclosed spaces and it can kill swiftly with little or no warning. ==Destinations== A selection of some of the more active and/or better known volcanoes in the world today. Some of these can still be explored from up close. ===Africa=== [[Image:Nyiragongo by Night.jpg|thumb|The glow from the lava lake of the Nyiragongo volcano can be seen at night.]] [[Image:Lava Lake Nyiragongo 2.jpg|thumb|The Nyiragongo lava lake from the rim (around 500–700m above)]] * {{see | name=Mount Cameroon | alt=Mongo ma Ndemi | url= | email= | address= | lat=4.216667 | long=9.1725 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Cameroon | content=The only volcano outside of Europe to have records of an eruption before the Common Era in 5 BCE. It remains active today: its most recent eruption was in 2012. Near the city of [[Buea]]. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=[[Mount Kilimanjaro]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-3.075833 | long=37.353333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Kilimanjaro | content=This peak in [[Tanzania]] is Africa's tallest at 5895 m (19,340&nbsp;ft). It has a series of concentric summit craters apparently less than 10,000 years old and may have last erupted less than 2000 years ago. The name Kilimanjaro means "shining mountain" in Swahili, no doubt due to the once-extensive glaciers which are unfortunately disappearing rapidly each year. }} * {{see | name=Mount Nyiragongo | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-1.516667 | long=29.25 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Nyiragongo | content=In [[Virunga National Park]] in the far eastern [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|D.R. Congo]], near [[Goma]] and the [[Rwanda]]n border. One of just four volcanoes in the world with a persistent lava lake, the others being [[Danakil Depression|Erta Ale]] (Ethiopia), Kilauea ([[Hawaii]]), and Mount Erebus ([[Antarctica]]). The volcano is usually accessed by overnight hike (8–10&nbsp;hr up first day, hike down the following morning), with the night spent in tents on the rim of the caldera with stunning views of the lava lake and the surrounding region. Unfortunately, it is located in a conflict zone and access is occasionally blocked due to the presence of rebels and criminal gangs. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Ol Doinyo Lengai | alt="Mountain of God" in the Masai tongue | url= | email= | address= | lat=-2.764444 | long=35.916111 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ol Doinyo Lengai | content=In [[Ngorongoro Conservation Area]] in Tanzania, this is the only volcano on Earth that erupts natrocarbonatite lava. This type of lava emerges black, cools to grey, and oxidizes to white. }} * {{see | name=[[Volcanoes National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-1.48 | long=29.53 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Volcanoes National Park | content=This park in [[Rwanda]] is famous as the home of mountain gorillas. }} ===Asia=== ==== India ==== * {{listing | type=see | name=Barren Island| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q248212 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=This is the only volcano in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman Islands]] and the only active volcano in India. Day trips can be arranged from [[Port Blair]]. No additional permit is required to visit the island, but it is not possible to land on the island, only to view it from the boat. }} ====Indonesia==== With 167 known active volcanoes, [[Indonesia]] is the world's most volcanic country by far. The [https://vsi.esdm.go.id/ Volcanological Survey of Indonesia] (website in Indonesian) is the government agency responsible for monitoring and warnings. [[File:Krakatoa eruption lithograph.jpg|thumb|Krakatoa in 1883]] * {{see | name=[[Krakatoa]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-6.102 | long=105.423 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q82613 | lastedit= | content=This is an island in [[West Java]] province with several volcanoes on it which produced multiple explosions in 1883. The largest is estimated to have been equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT, about four times the largest H-bomb ever tested, and the sound was heard {{km|5000}} away. The dust cloud had worldwide effects; global temperatures dipped by over a degree. This was a VEI-6 event. }} * {{see | name=[[Kintamani|Mount Batur]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Bali]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q43876 | lastedit= | content=A very accessible active volcano which takes just 2 hours to climb. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Agung]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q158470 | lastedit= | content=A highly visible volcano in the interior of [[Bali]]. "Agung" means "great" in Indonesian. The volcano is considered quite sacred by Balinese people, and its slopes are home to the beautiful temple complex of [[Mount Agung#Besakih Temple|Besakih]]. Its last eruption, in 1963, was quite devastating. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Bromo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[East Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q270158 | content=Known for its unreal scenery, this is a popular tourist destination. It is one of five newer volcanoes within the caldera of a large ancient one and is surrounded by a sea of sand. Climbing Mount Bromo gives a good view of nearby Mount Semuru. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Semeru]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.107778 | long=112.921944 | directions=[[East Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Semeru | content=Indonesia's third highest active volcano. An eruption in December 2021 buried some villages in ash and killed a few dozen people. }} Both Bromo and Semeru are in [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]]. A permit from the park office is required to climb Semeru; they stopped issuing these due to the 2021 eruption and have not yet restarted as of March 2022. * {{see | name=[[Mount Merapi]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Central Java]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q134108 | content=Perhaps Indonesia's single most active volcano (no mean feat). It looms large over the major cities of [[Yogyakarta]] and [[Solo]], and the very popular temples of [[Borobudur]] and [[Prambanan]]. Merapi has erupted 68 times since formal record-keeping began in the 16th century. Its eruption on May 11, 2018, prompted the evacuation of areas within a 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) radius of the volcano, and the closure of the Yogyakarta airport. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Rinjani]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Lombok]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q847323 | lastedit= | content=Indonesia's second highest volcano with a stunning crater lake. It's a two-day trek to the crater rim. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Tambora]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-8.24 | long=117.99 | directions=[[Sumbawa]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Tambora | content=This volcano is one for the truly adventurous; only about 50 visitors a year make it to its very remote location.<br/>In 1814 Tambora was {{m|4,200}} high. It erupted with such force (VEI-7) the following year that {{m|1,400}} was lost from its top. That was much the '''largest eruption in recent history''', about ten times more powerful than the Krakatoa eruption a few decades later. It put enough dust and ash into the atmosphere to cause a "volcanic winter" that affected most of the Northern hemisphere; livestock deaths and crop failures caused the worst famine of the century. }} Wikipedia has a list of [[w:List of volcanoes in Indonesia|volcanoes in Indonesia]]. ====Japan==== [[File:MtFuji FujiCity.jpg|thumb|Fuji]] * {{see | name=[[Mount Aso]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.8844 | long=131.1039 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Aso | content=This is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world with the largest caldera. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Fuji]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.360628 | long=138.727365 | directions=[[Chubu]], central Honshu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Fuji | content=Located near [[Tokyo]], this is Japan's highest and most beautiful volcano. It is also the most climbed mountain in the world and a place of religious significance in Shinto worship. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Daisen]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.371111 | long=133.546389 | directions=[[Chugoku]], western Honshu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Daisen | content=A dormant stratovolcano, also significant in Shinto. }} * {{see | name=[[Sakurajima]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=31.580556 | long=130.658056 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sakurajima | content=This is an active volcano just outside of [[Kagoshima]]. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=Mount Unzen | | lat=32.761389 | long=130.298611 | directions=[[Kyushu]] | wikipedia=Mount Unzen | content=This is a complex stratovolcano. It is a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Philippines==== The [http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/ Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology] lists 24 volcanoes as "active"; 21 of those have erupted in the last 600 years. Another 25 are listed as "potentially active" and 355 as "inactive". The four most active, in order, are: [[File:Modra turisticka trasa značka-šipka doleva.jpg|thumb|Trail marker on Kanlaon]] * {{see | name=[[Mayon|Mayon Volcano]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=13.256667 | long=123.685 | directions=in [[Albay]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mayon | content=Often described as the world's most perfect volcano cone, Mayon had a fatal eruption in 1993. }} * {{see | name=[[Taal Volcano]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=14 | long=120.98 | directions=in [[Batangas]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Taal Volcano | wikpedia=Taal Volcano | content=This is a complex volcano system described as a "lake in a volcano in a lake" and one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Philippines. It has a history of destructive eruptions and is the country's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. An eruption in early 2020 forced the evacuation of several towns. }} * {{see | name=Mount Kanlaon | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=10.370556 | long=124.742778 | directions=on [[Negros]] island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kanlaon | content=The highest mountain in the [[Visayas]], a stratovolcano near the major city [[Bacolod]]. There are marked hiking trails. A sudden eruption in 1996 killed several hikers. }} * {{see | name=Mount Bulusan | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=12.77 | long=124.05 | directions=in [[Bicol]] region | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Bulusan | content=A stratovolcano with several other craters, volcanic lakes and hot springs. There is a national park around it. }} Except for Kanlaon, these are all in southern [[Luzon]]. Other volcanoes include: * {{see | name=Mount Pinatubo | directions=near [[Bacolor]] in [[Pampanga]] province | wikipedia=Mount Pinatubo | lat=15.141667 | long=120.35 | content=A stratovolcano which had a VEI-6 eruption in 1991, the second largest on Earth in the 20th century. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Apo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=6.9875 | long=125.270833 | directions=near [[Davao]] in [[Mindanao]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Apo | content=This dormant stratovolcano is the highest peak in the Philippines at 2,954 meters (9,692 ft). It is fairly often climbed, but this is not easy; it requires mountaineering skills and equipment, and a guide. }} * {{see | name=Mount Makiling | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=14.13 | long=121.2 | directions=in [[Laguna]] province | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Makiling | content=A dormant stratovolcano, sacred in the old local religion. At its foot is the town of [[Los_Baños_(Laguna)|Los Baños]], a popular resort on a lake and close (63 km) to Manila. It is named for its hot springs, certainly pleasant and reputedly therapeutic. }} * {{see | name=Bud Dajo | directions=on [[Sulu]], near [[Jolo]] | lat=6.01333 | long=121.056667 | wikipedia=Bud Dajo | content=An extinct volcano, sacred in the old local religion. It was the scene of a battle in 1906 in which US Navy ships shelled people hiding in the crater. }} Wikipedia has a list of [[w:List_of_active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippines|active volcanoes in the Philippines]]. ====Russia==== [[Kamchatka]], Russia's largest Pacific peninsula, has several active volcanoes and some hot springs and geysers *{{listing | name=Avachinsky-Koryaksky | content=These two volcanoes, close to each other and to the region's capital [[Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky]], have been jointly designated a [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ===Europe=== ====Canary Islands==== * {{see | name=El Teide | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=28.2727 | long=-16.6423 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Teide | content=This volcano in [[Tenerife]] is the highest active volcano in the [[Canary Islands]] at 3715 m (12,188&nbsp;ft). A flank vent at El Teide was observed erupting by Christopher Columbus and his crew in 1492. El Tiede is one of the [[#Decade Volcanoes|Decade Volcanoes]]. It is in [[Teide National Park]], a {{unesco}}. }} ====Greece==== * {{see | name=[[Nisyros]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=36.583333 | long=27.166667 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nisyros | content=This island in the Greek [[Dodecanese]] islands is the top of a volcano, mildly active with smoking fumaroles. It is possible to walk into the crater floor for a closer look. }} * {{see | name=[[Santorini]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=36.4067 | long=25.4333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santorini | content=This island in the Aegean Sea is the largest of a ring of islands around an ancient caldera, and probably [[Greece]]'s most famous volcano. It had a VEI-7 eruption around 1600&nbsp;BCE. Some historians suggest the associated tsunami and earthquakes destroyed the Minoan civilization on nearby Crete, or that the devastation of these islands is the origin of the Atlantis myth, but both those theories are quite controversial.<br />The volcano is still active, for it last erupted in 1950 out of Nea Kameni ("New Burnt" in Greek), an island made up of lava flows in the middle of the caldera bay. It is the country's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Iceland==== [[File:Hekla slopes june 2005.jpg|thumb|Slopes of Hekla and surrounding landscape.]] [[Iceland]] has many active volcanoes, among them [[Hekla]], [[Vík í Mýrdal|Katla]] and [[Interior (Iceland)|Askja]]. In medieval times Hekla was thought to be a gateway to Hell. It has had five eruptions since 1947 (the last being in 2000), and is regarded as unpredictable. A volcano below the '''Eyjafjallajökull''' glacier famously disrupted European air travel for days with an ash cloud released during an eruption in 2010. Some Icelandic volcanoes are featured in fiction. '''Snæfellsjökull''' is in Jules Verne's novel ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and many parts of the [[Game of Thrones]] TV series were shot in [[Þingvellir National Park]]. ====Italy==== * {{see | name=[[Vesuvius]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.816667 | long=14.433333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Vesuvius | content=This is a dormant volcano near [[Naples]]. It has not been smoking since it last erupted in 1944, but it is still very closely and carefully monitored because of its seriously hazardous proximity to that city, which is southern Italy's most populous. It is famous for its eruption in 79 CE, which buried the Roman cities of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] under layers of pumice, ash and lava fragments. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Etna]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Sicily]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q16990 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=This is Europe's tallest volcano at {{m|3350}} and is quite active. }} Both Etna and Vesuvius are [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcanoes]]. * {{listing | type=see | name=Phlegraean Fields | alt=Campi Flegrei | wikipedia=Phlegraean Fields | content=This is the caldera of a supervolcano near [[Naples]]; the town of [[Pozzuoli]] is within it. It had a VEI-7 eruption some 39,000 years ago. }} * {{see | name=Vesuvius Observatory | alt=Osservatorio Vesuviano | url=https://www.ov.ingv.it/index.php | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=in Naples | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Vesuvius Observatory | content=This centre monitors the three volcanoes in the [[Campania]] region: Vesuvius, the Phlegraean Fields and [[Ischia]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Stromboli]] | alt= | url=https://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/ | email= | address= | lat=38.79 | long=15.21 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stromboli | content=This volcano in the [[Aeolian Islands]] has been in near continuous activity since at least the time of the Ancient Greeks and has been billed as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean". }} ===North America and Caribbean=== [[File:Volcano evacuation route sign.jpg|thumb|upright|Volcano evacuation route signs are common in the [[Pacific Northwest]]]] * The '''[[Aleutian Islands]]''' and the associated '''[[Alaska]] Peninsula''' are volcanic in origin and have several active volcanoes. * {{see | name=Novarupta |address=[[Katmai National Park]], Alaska | wikipedia=Novarupta | lat=58.266667 | long=-155.156667 | content=This volcano was formed in 1912 by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, a VEI-6 event. It is near the base of the peninsula. }} * {{see | name=Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Katmai National Park]], Alaska | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes | content=This is a large (100&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, 40&nbsp;mi<sup>2</sup>) valley filled with ash from pyroclastic flows of the 1912 Novarupta event, in places up to 700&nbsp;feet (210&nbsp;m) deep. It still has some fumaroles releasing steam, but not nearly as many as in 1916 when it was named. There is no vegetation and the landscape is unearthly enough to have been used in astronaut training. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Baker]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.777343 | long=-121.813201 | directions=Washington State | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q594387 | lastedit= | content=This is one of the five major stratovolcanoes in the area that have produced over 200 eruptions in the last 12,000 years. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount St. Helens]]| directions=Washington State | lat=46.2| long=-122.2 | wikidata=Q4675 | lastedit= | content=This volcano is famous for an eruption in 1980 that was a VEI-5 event, one of the largest of the century. Since late 2004, it has been erupting once again, but not nearly as violently – this time, a new lava dome is slowly being extruded in its crater. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Hood]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.53778 | long=-121.56833 | directions=Oregon | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount Hood | content=At {{ft|11,239}} this is the highest mountain in the state of [[Oregon]] and a major outdoor recreation area. Located about {{mi|50}} east-southeast of Portland, the mountain is visible from the city on clear days and usually forms the backdrop for the Portland skyline in postcards and photographs of the city. }} * {{see | name=[[Mount Rainier]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.87 | long=-121.71 | directions=Washington State | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q194057 | content=At {{feet|14,410}}, this is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range, about twice the height of the adjacent mountains. The volcano, which last erupted in the late 19th century, is the only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]] in the continental United States. It is considered quite dangerous because it is only about 50 km (30 miles) from [[Seattle]] and is encased in over {{mi2|35}} of snow and ice, enough to cause massive flooding and dangerous lahars if there were a large eruption. }} * {{see | name=Mount Redoubt | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=about {{km|180}} southwest of [[Anchorage]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q840735 | lastedit= | content=The largest active volcano in mainland [[Alaska]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Popocatepetl]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Mexico City]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q181157 | lastedit= | content=Popocatepetl often has a volcanic plume above its crater which is {{m|5,450}} high. The name means "smoking mountain" in the native Nahuatl language. }} * {{see | name=Mount Pelée | lat=14.7417| long=-61.1758 | wikidata=Q76309 | lastedit= | content=An eruption here in 1902 wiped out the town of [[Saint-Pierre (Martinique)]]. Attractions of the rebuilt town today include a volcano museum and wreck diving around the many ships sunk by that eruption. }} * {{see | name=Soufrière Hills | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q845239 | lastedit= | content=Soufriere Hills on [[Montserrat]], previously considered dormant, began erupting again in 1995, forcing the closure of the southern half of the island (including its capital and airport in 1997). It is still active, though mostly a nuisance seeping lava and spewing ash into the air. }} Canada has no active volcanoes and is thought to have had only about 50 eruptions in the past 10,000 years. However, the [[Canadian Rockies]] include many dormant volcanoes; geologically they are part of the same system that produces active volcanoes in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. ===South and Central America=== [[File:Masaya Crater.jpg|thumb|Masaya crater]] * {{see | name=[[Cotopaxi]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-0.68 | long=-78.438 | directions=in [[Ecuador]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Cotopaxi | content=One of South America's most spectacular volcanoes. }} * {{see | name=Arenal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Fortuna (Costa Rica)]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Arenal Volcano | wikpedia=Arenal | content=This is the youngest volcano in Costa Rica. Its eruptions were frequent until 2010, but now it is calm. Several companies in nearby towns offer tours. }} * {{see | name=Galeras | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Pasto]], [[Colombia]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Galeras | content=A [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Volcan Masaya]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=11.98 | long=-86.16 | directions=[[Nicaragua]], near [[Masaya]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Masaya Volcano | content= }} * '''[[Volcan Santa Maria]]''' and '''Volcan [[Santiaguito]]''' in [[Guatemala]], near [[Quetzaltenango]]. * '''[[Volcan de Fuego]]''' and '''[[Pacaya Volcano|Volcan Pacaya]]''' in Guatemala, near [[Antigua Guatemala]]. * '''[[Volcan Atitlan]]''', '''[[Volcan San Pedro]]''' and '''[[Volcan Toliman]]''' in Guatemala, on the southern shores of [[Lake Atitlán]]. * '''[[Volcan Láscar]]''' in the Atacama Region of [[Northern Chile]]. * The Volcanoes of '''Concepción''' (active) and '''Maderas''' (dormant) that form the island of [[Ometepe]] , [[Nicaragua]] ===Oceania=== ====Hawaii==== The entire Hawaiian island chain is volcanic in origin. Most of the volcanoes are of the shield volcano type, spread out rather than sharply conical * {{see | name=Kilauea | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.397 | long=-155.29 | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kīlauea | content=This volcano has been erupting continuously out of its flank vent, known as Pu'u O'o ("Hill of the O'o bird" in the native Hawai'ian language) since 1983. You can normally peer safely into its magma chamber from an observation point a couple of miles away in [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]] after nightfall. }} * {{see | name=[[Mauna Loa]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=19.479444 | long=-155.602778 | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mauna Loa | content=Hawaii's highest historically active volcano, topped by the Moku'aweoeo Caldera. It is also the largest volcano by volume in the world. Don't be fooled by its gentle slopes – with its highest point at 4170m/13,683&nbsp;ft) and the summit often covered in snow during the winter, the climb can be both difficult and dangerous for inexperienced hikers, and [[altitude sickness]] is a hazard for almost anyone. It is Hawaii's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} * {{see | name=Mauna Kea | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Big Island | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mauna Kea | content=This is the highest volcano in [[Hawaii]] at 4205 m (13,796&nbsp;ft), and is pockmarked with cinder cones. Its high elevation is a magnet for astronomers with their giant telescope facilities, and even skiers. It is a dormant volcano; its last eruption was about 2460 BCE. }} * {{see | name=Haleakala | alt=East Maui volcano | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Maui]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Haleakalā | content=This is the tallest volcano on the island of [[Maui]] and makes up most of the island. It is renowned for its erosional crater and the cinder cones nestled inside. The name means "House of the sun" in Hawai'ian. }} ====New Zealand==== *{{see | name=[[Tongariro National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-39.2 | long=175.5833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This park has three active volcanoes, '''Mount Ruapehu''', '''Mount Tongariro''' and '''Mount Ngauruhoe'''. Ruapehu, [[New Zealand]]'s highest volcano, has a crater lake that forms and fills when the volcano is not erupting. It's also a {{unesco}}. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=[[White Island]]| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q557077 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=is a volcanic island in the [[Bay of Plenty]], southeast of [[Auckland]], and the most active volcano in New Zealand. Tours used to go to the island, until an eruption in 2019 killed a large number of visitors. }} * {{see | name=[[Taupo]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-38.6875 | long=176.0694 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Taupō Volcano | content=This town is located next to New Zealand's largest lake, which is the caldera of a supervolcano. It had a VEI-7 eruption in 180 CE that produced red skies as far away as Rome and China. Around 25,000 BCE it had a VEI-8 blast. }} ====Papua New Guinea==== [[Image:Tavurvur volcano edit.jpg|thumb|Mt Tavurvur, New Britain, Papua New Guinea]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Mount Tavurvur | lat=-4.237235 | long=152.208841 | wikipedia=Tavurvur | content=This is a very active stratovolcano right next to the city of [[Rabaul]] on the island of [[New Britain (Papua New Guinea)|New Britain]]. Much of the town was destroyed in a 1994 eruption. It last erupted in 2006, shattering windows up to {{km|12}} away and sending an ash plume {{m|18000}} into the stratosphere. }} * {{see | name=Mount Ulawun | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ulawun | wikpedia=Ulawun | content=This is another active stratovolcano on New Britain. It is New Guinea's only [[#Decade_Volcanoes|Decade Volcano]]. }} ====Tonga==== * {{see | name=Hunga Tonga | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-20.536 | long=-175.382 | directions=in the south-west of [[Ha'apai]], north of Tongatapu | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hunga Tonga | wikidata=Q3143318 | content=This undersea volcano had a series of eruptions starting in December 2021. The large one on January 15 2022 included an explosion loud enough to be heard as far away as Alaska and Australia. [[Tsunami]] warnings were issued in most Pacific nations, there was damage in areas as far apart as the US west coast and the Russian far east, and two people were killed in Chile.<br />An undersea cable was cut knocking out much of Tonga's communications and there was enough dust to close airports and make reconnaissance flights (which both Australia and NZ sent) difficult. It is clear that the eruption was at least VEI-4, that much of Tonga took heavy damage, and that there were fatalities. As of late January, nothing more precise is known. }} ===Antarctica=== Over 130 volcanoes have been discovered in the frozen wastelands of Antarctica, and with many erupting underneath the dense ice sheets they are not particularly practical to visit. * {{see | name=Mount Erebus | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q188982 | lastedit=2020-05-05 | content=At 3,794 metres (12,448 ft) Mount Erebus is the highest and most active volcano on the continent. There used to be aerial tours over the volcano from [[New Zealand]] until a fateful crash in 1979. Both the [[In_the_footsteps_of_explorers#Polar_explorers|Scott and the Shackelton expeditions]] toward the South Pole passed near this volcano. }} ====Australia==== * {{see | name=&nbsp;[[Heard Island and McDonald Islands]] | alt= | url=http://www.heardisland.aq | email= | address= | lat=-53.09354 | long=73.516992 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q131198 | lastedit=2022-01-23 | content=Almost 4000 kilometres from the Australian mainland, these two volcanoes are the only sort of active volcano anywhere in Australia. They are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] because it's one of the only places with zilch introduced species and few human impacts. Access to the islands is not allowed, unless via permit. }} ==Travel agencies== In many areas &mdash; at least the Philippines, Italy and Costa Rica &mdash; many local travel agencies offer guided tours to their region's volcanoes. There are also agencies that specialize in volcano tourism. *'''Volcano Adventure Indonesia''', [[Sukapura]], Indonesia, tel. +62-335-581439, +62-81319090225. Tours to [[Mount Bromo]] and elsewhere in Indonesia. *'''[http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/ VolcanoDiscovery]''', Germany, tel. {{phone|+49 2241-2080175}}, {{phone|+30 2107522310}}. This tour operator specializes in international volcanoes and one of its most important programs is for Indonesian volcanoes. The tours are trekking & photography tours with small groups and an intensive personal service. The tours are usually about 7–14 days. ==See also== * [[UNESCO Global Geoparks Network]] * [[Earthquake safety]] * [[Mountain ranges]] {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} r621i46pq6njna0rdmfganeyhm7y3cq 0 38191 4506185 4183511 2022-08-22T12:12:49Z 181.1.49.136 wikitext text/x-wiki 4506190 4506185 2022-08-22T12:15:37Z SHB2000 2248002 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/181.1.49.136|181.1.49.136]] ([[User talk:181.1.49.136|talk]]) to last version by [[User:Lazarus1255|Lazarus1255]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.vorcuta.ru Vorkuta]''' is a coal mining town in [[Komi Republic]]. ==Understand== [[File:Vorkuta r.jpg|thumb|Apartment buildings in Vorkuta.]] [[File:Workuta Stadtpark.jpg|thumb|Bridge in the city park.]] The town of Vorkuta is closely associated with '''Vorkutlag''', one of the most notorious forced labour camps of the Gulag. It was established in 1932 after massive depots of coal was found in the vicinity. By the early 21st century many mines had closed as problems with the high costs of operation plagued the mine operators. This has resulted in a decline in population. === Climate === {{seealso|Cold weather}} Vorkuta has subarctic climate, with very cold winters. Temperatures can easily reach {{convert|-40|C|F}} during January and February. Summers are short and cool, with an average high of {{convert|10-15|C|F}}. ==Get in== === By plane === There are flights several times each week with [[Moscow]] and [[Syktyvkar]], the capital of Komi Republic. * {{go | name=Vorkuta Airport | alt=Аэропорт Воркута | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=3 km south-east of the city centre, buses and taxis available | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2718892 | lastedit=2020-08-31 | content= }} === By train === Train connections are available daily from Moscow, taking two nights. Long-distance services with [[Saint Petersburg]] and [[Nizhniy Novgorod]] are more irregular, usually departing 1–2 times per week. Regional night trains also link Vorkuta with [[Pechora]] and Syktyvkar. During holiday season sporadic services from the Black Sea appear, serving mostly domestic tourists. * {{go | name=Vorkuta railway station | alt=Железнодорожная станция Воркута | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4125054 | lastedit=2020-08-30 | content= }} ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Bolshezemelskaja tundra 1.JPG|thumb|The Bolshezemelskaja tundra.]] ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Karaoke Klub "Karavan Karaoke" Vorkuta | alt= | url=https://vk.com/karavan_karaoke | email= | address=Ulitsa Parkovaya, 34А, 2 Floor, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+7 904 207-17-77 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-12 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name="Vorkuta" hotel | alt=Гостиница "Воркута" | url=http://hotelvorkuta.ru | email= | address=Tsentralnaya sq., 5 | lat=67.501598 | long=64.061172 | directions= | phone=+7 (82151) 3-79-95 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=12:00 | price={{RUB|2900}}/{{RUB|4400}} per 1/2 person | image=Гостиница "Воркута" - panoramio.jpg | lastedit=2017-09-16 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Salekhard]]. Just across the Ural Mountains and into Asia, the train journey will take you through the remote wilderness to [[Labytnangi]], across the water from Salekhard. {{IsPartOf|Komi_Republic}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|67.5|64.0}} rxsjwu25q5uopx3p6jbyms4tz7qgwtg 4506290 4506190 2022-08-22T15:39:43Z 186.95.2.54 wikitext text/x-wiki 4506293 4506290 2022-08-22T15:45:29Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/186.95.2.54|186.95.2.54]] ([[User talk:186.95.2.54|talk]]) to last version by [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.vorcuta.ru Vorkuta]''' is a coal mining town in [[Komi Republic]]. ==Understand== [[File:Vorkuta r.jpg|thumb|Apartment buildings in Vorkuta.]] [[File:Workuta Stadtpark.jpg|thumb|Bridge in the city park.]] The town of Vorkuta is closely associated with '''Vorkutlag''', one of the most notorious forced labour camps of the Gulag. It was established in 1932 after massive depots of coal was found in the vicinity. By the early 21st century many mines had closed as problems with the high costs of operation plagued the mine operators. This has resulted in a decline in population. === Climate === {{seealso|Cold weather}} Vorkuta has subarctic climate, with very cold winters. Temperatures can easily reach {{convert|-40|C|F}} during January and February. Summers are short and cool, with an average high of {{convert|10-15|C|F}}. ==Get in== === By plane === There are flights several times each week with [[Moscow]] and [[Syktyvkar]], the capital of Komi Republic. * {{go | name=Vorkuta Airport | alt=Аэропорт Воркута | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=3 km south-east of the city centre, buses and taxis available | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2718892 | lastedit=2020-08-31 | content= }} === By train === Train connections are available daily from Moscow, taking two nights. Long-distance services with [[Saint Petersburg]] and [[Nizhniy Novgorod]] are more irregular, usually departing 1–2 times per week. Regional night trains also link Vorkuta with [[Pechora]] and Syktyvkar. During holiday season sporadic services from the Black Sea appear, serving mostly domestic tourists. * {{go | name=Vorkuta railway station | alt=Железнодорожная станция Воркута | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4125054 | lastedit=2020-08-30 | content= }} ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Bolshezemelskaja tundra 1.JPG|thumb|The Bolshezemelskaja tundra.]] ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Karaoke Klub "Karavan Karaoke" Vorkuta | alt= | url=https://vk.com/karavan_karaoke | email= | address=Ulitsa Parkovaya, 34А, 2 Floor, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+7 904 207-17-77 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-12 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name="Vorkuta" hotel | alt=Гостиница "Воркута" | url=http://hotelvorkuta.ru | email= | address=Tsentralnaya sq., 5 | lat=67.501598 | long=64.061172 | directions= | phone=+7 (82151) 3-79-95 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=12:00 | price={{RUB|2900}}/{{RUB|4400}} per 1/2 person | image=Гостиница "Воркута" - panoramio.jpg | lastedit=2017-09-16 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Salekhard]]. Just across the Ural Mountains and into Asia, the train journey will take you through the remote wilderness to [[Labytnangi]], across the water from Salekhard. {{IsPartOf|Komi_Republic}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|67.5|64.0}} rxsjwu25q5uopx3p6jbyms4tz7qgwtg 4506294 4506293 2022-08-22T15:45:50Z Ibaman 195012 Protected "[[Vorkuta]]": Target page for a block evading user ([Edit=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (expires 15:45, 22 November 2022 (UTC)) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[http://www.vorcuta.ru Vorkuta]''' is a coal mining town in [[Komi Republic]]. ==Understand== [[File:Vorkuta r.jpg|thumb|Apartment buildings in Vorkuta.]] [[File:Workuta Stadtpark.jpg|thumb|Bridge in the city park.]] The town of Vorkuta is closely associated with '''Vorkutlag''', one of the most notorious forced labour camps of the Gulag. It was established in 1932 after massive depots of coal was found in the vicinity. By the early 21st century many mines had closed as problems with the high costs of operation plagued the mine operators. This has resulted in a decline in population. === Climate === {{seealso|Cold weather}} Vorkuta has subarctic climate, with very cold winters. Temperatures can easily reach {{convert|-40|C|F}} during January and February. Summers are short and cool, with an average high of {{convert|10-15|C|F}}. ==Get in== === By plane === There are flights several times each week with [[Moscow]] and [[Syktyvkar]], the capital of Komi Republic. * {{go | name=Vorkuta Airport | alt=Аэропорт Воркута | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=3 km south-east of the city centre, buses and taxis available | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2718892 | lastedit=2020-08-31 | content= }} === By train === Train connections are available daily from Moscow, taking two nights. Long-distance services with [[Saint Petersburg]] and [[Nizhniy Novgorod]] are more irregular, usually departing 1–2 times per week. Regional night trains also link Vorkuta with [[Pechora]] and Syktyvkar. During holiday season sporadic services from the Black Sea appear, serving mostly domestic tourists. * {{go | name=Vorkuta railway station | alt=Железнодорожная станция Воркута | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4125054 | lastedit=2020-08-30 | content= }} ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Bolshezemelskaja tundra 1.JPG|thumb|The Bolshezemelskaja tundra.]] ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Karaoke Klub "Karavan Karaoke" Vorkuta | alt= | url=https://vk.com/karavan_karaoke | email= | address=Ulitsa Parkovaya, 34А, 2 Floor, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+7 904 207-17-77 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-12 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name="Vorkuta" hotel | alt=Гостиница "Воркута" | url=http://hotelvorkuta.ru | email= | address=Tsentralnaya sq., 5 | lat=67.501598 | long=64.061172 | directions= | phone=+7 (82151) 3-79-95 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12:00 | checkout=12:00 | price={{RUB|2900}}/{{RUB|4400}} per 1/2 person | image=Гостиница "Воркута" - panoramio.jpg | lastedit=2017-09-16 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Salekhard]]. Just across the Ural Mountains and into Asia, the train journey will take you through the remote wilderness to [[Labytnangi]], across the water from Salekhard. {{IsPartOf|Komi_Republic}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|67.5|64.0}} rxsjwu25q5uopx3p6jbyms4tz7qgwtg 0 38995 4506382 4491311 2022-08-22T18:58:45Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Western Waterlands Cherokee State Park landscape.jpg}} [[Kentucky]]'s '''[http://www.kentuckytourism.com/explore/regions/western_waterlands.aspx Western Waterlands]''' region is at the western edge of the state, and is home to popular outdoor recreation areas around Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley and Land Between the Lakes. The region is bounded on the north by the Ohio River and on the west by the Mississippi River. Kentucky's two largest lakes, [[Kentucky Lake]], 160,000 acres and [[Lake Barkley]], 58,000 acres, provide 600 square miles of waterways and parks with 2,390 miles of shoreline. There are fishing, boating and camping opportunities to satisfy the most avid outdoorsman. There are seven state parks in this region and [[Land Between the Lakes]] National Recreation Area. ==Understand== Whether you like to swim with the fish or catch them, Kentucky's Western Lakes & Rivers Region offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and [[Mississippi River]]s, combined with [[Lake Barkley]] & [[Kentucky Lake]], create a virtual playground of recreation in the 15 counties of [[Western Kentucky]]. Fishing, hunting, boating, hiking and wildlife viewing are just a few of the many outdoor opportunities. On land you can enjoy the beautiful parks and privately owned resorts, quaint bed and breakfasts and hotels/motels around the region. Enjoy trips to history museums and art galleries, golf, tennis, and horseback riding. One-of-a-kind festivals and other special events add to the unique heritage and culture throughout the region. The name "Western Waterlands" and similar terms are used only for tourism promotion—locals do not use the term to describe this area, and also do not consider the area to be a single region. Instead, locals divide the region into two: * '''Jackson Purchase''', or just '''the Purchase''' — The region west of the Tennessee River. Locals in some counties on the east bank of the river, especially Livingston and Lyon Counties, often see themselves as part of the Purchase in spirit if not in geography. * '''The Pennyrile''' — The rest of the "Waterlands" region; the name comes from the local pronunciation of "pennyroyal", a plant common to the area. Almost all of the region lies on the Pennyroyal Plateau, named after the plant. ==Regions== {{mapframe}} * Hopkinsville Area - Todd County & Christian County * Cadiz/[[Lake Barkley]] Area - Trigg County & Caldwell County * Lakes Area - Lyon County, Livingston County & Crittenden County * Murray/Kentucky Lake Area - Calloway County & Marshall County * Paducah Area - McCracken County, Ballard County & Carlisle * Mayfield Area - Graves County, Hickman County & Fulton County ==Cities== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Aurora (Kentucky)|Aurora]]|wikidata=Q4822443}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Grand Rivers]]|wikidata=Q2201416}} - Located on both [[Kentucky Lake]] and [[Lake Barkley]] and at the north entrance to [[Land Between the Lakes]]; This is a village filled with authentic charm, surrounded by water and the great outdoors. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Hopkinsville]]|wikidata=Q845461}} - From rural rolling farmland adored by bikers, to steep terrain with expansive vistas enjoyed by hikers, to golf, parks and loads of water sports, outdoor enthusiasts can always find something to do in Christian County. If a museum, community theatre, or antique shopping sound more intriguing, there is plenty of indoor entertainment options, too. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Murray (Kentucky)|Murray]]|wikidata=Q984364}} - Influenced by Western Kentucky charm, a strong art and theater presence, and a progressive university town attitude. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Paducah]]|wikidata=Q984377}} - Enjoy thriving arts district, wide variety of cultural pursuits, rich history, fine dining, and eclectic accommodations. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Benton (Kentucky)|Benton]]|wikidata=Q2397414}} - The people are friendly, life is easy, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Stay on the water's edge or venture inland to a unique bed and breakfast. Anchor in a bay to yourself or head for the golf courses. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Cadiz (Kentucky)|Cadiz]]|wikidata=Q2438851}} - If you take a step back in time and walk downtown Main Street before the late 1800s and early 1900s you would find the same buildings dominating the city. After all these years the important elements of the city and county landscape remain. The present day courthouse, completed in 1922 stands today, both serving as a center of county government and a witness to times past. Buildings built before we were born, reminiscent of days gone by. And yet they remain the basic building blocks of the city and its landscape. [http://www.gocadiz.com] *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Eddyville]]|wikidata=Q2478869}} /[[Kuttawa]] - [[Lake Barkley]], combined with [[Kentucky Lake]], total 160,000 acres of water and expansive shorelines ideal for boating, fishing, hunting, golfing, hiking, camping, shopping, wildlife viewing and relaxing. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mayfield (Kentucky)|Mayfield]]|wikidata=Q1012364}} - Unfold the pages of time and discover the graciousness of Mayfield and Graves County -- sporting events, cultural activities and historical districts. Sadly, most of the city, including all of the historic district, suffered catastrophic damage in a December 2021 tornado, with recovery expected to last into the 2030s. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Oak Grove]]|wikidata=Q2549668}} - Kentucky's "Rising Star" is located on the border of Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Princeton (Kentucky)|Princeton]]|wikidata=Q2923146}} - little bits of history. ==Other destinations== *{{marker|name=[[Lake Barkley]]|wikidata=Q6474916}} *{{marker|name=[[Kentucky Lake]]|wikidata=Q2781219}} *{{marker|name=[[Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area]]|wikidata=Q6483875}} *[http://parks.ky.gov Kentucky State Parks] :*{{marker|name=[[Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park]]|wikidata=Q6392218}} is one of three state resort parks near Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, a 170,000-acre wooded peninsula bound by Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. **[http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/lb Lake Barkley State Resort Park] rests on the shores of one of the world's largest man-made lakes and provides for an array of outdoor activity. **[http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/kl Kenlake State Resort Park]: Located on the mid-west shore of Kentucky Lake, with the longest shoreline of any man-made lake in the eastern United States, Kenlake is the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors. **[http://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/mineral-mound/ Mineral Mound State Park]: This peaceful setting on the shores of Lake Barkley is historically linked to the author F. Scott Fitzgerald. **[http://parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/wickliffe-mounds/history.aspx Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site] is an archaeological site of a Native American village of the Mississippian culture. **[http://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/columbus-belmont/ Columbus-Belmont State Park], often called the "Gibraltar of the West" by the Confederates, was considered by them the key to their defense of the upper Mississippi River valley. **[http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/pf Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park]: Named for the tiny Pennyroyal plant found in the woodlands surrounding this resort, Pennyrile Forest is the perfect back-to-nature hideaway. ==Understand== ===Tourist information=== There are multiple websites online today that provide information about the Western Waterlands region. Whether you want to learn about Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley fishing, golf courses, area restaurants, boating information, hunting information, community information, or more, the following websites can help you do research about where to go and what to do in the Western Waterlands region: * [https://www.kentuckylakegateway.com Livingston County KY], North Entrance to Land Between The Lakes *[http://www.KentuckyLakeBarkley.org Western Waterlands Official Website] Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkely & Land Between the Lakes information ===Fishing licenses in Kentucky=== The license year in Kentucky starts on March 1. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources publishes [https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Pages/Fees.aspx current fees] on its website. Children 15 and younger, whether Kentucky residents or nonresidents, are not required to possess a fishing license. Non-resident Licenses: *Fishing License (annual): $55.00 *One-Day Fishing License: $15.00 *Joint Fishing License (spouses) – No longer available to non-residents. *Combination Hunting & Fishing License – No longer available to non-residents. *Senior/Disabled Licenses – No longer available to non-residents. *7-Day Fishing License $35.00 Note that Kentucky's definition of "resident" for hunting and fishing purposes includes full-time residential students at its colleges and universities, as well as active-duty military personnel stationed in Kentucky. There is no closed angling season in Kentucky. ==Get in== ===By car=== The Western Waterlands region is accessible by car using Interstates 24 and 69, US Hwys 62, 68 & 641, the Western Kentucky Parkway, the Purchase Parkway (much of which is now designated as I-69) and KY 80. ===By bus=== There is a [http://www.greyhound.com Greyhound] Bus Terminal in Paducah. ===By train=== There is an [[Amtrak]] train terminal in Fulton, Kentucky, 50 southwest of Benton at the end of the Purchase Pkwy. ===By plane=== *Small craft airports: **Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park Airport - Gilbertsville - [http://www.airnav.com/airport/M34 M34] **Lake Barkley State Park Airport - Cadiz - 1[http://www.airnav.com/airport/1M9 M9] **Marion - Crittenden County Airport - Marion - 5[http://www.airnav.com/airport/5M9 M9] **Mayfield - Graves County Airport - Mayfield - [http://www.airnav.com/airport/M25 M25] **Murray - [http://www.murraykyleoakley.com Calloway County Airport] - Murray - [http://www.airnav.com/airport/CEY CEY] **Hopkinsville - Christian County Airport - Hopkinsville - [http://www.airnav.com/airport/HVC HVC] ** Princeton - Caldwell County Airport - Princeton - [http://www.airnav.com/airport/2M0 2M0] *Nearest Scheduled Airline Service - [http://www.barkleyregional.com Barkley Regional Airport] ({{IATA|PAH}}) in [[Paducah]]. *Nearest International Airport - [http://www.nashintl.com Nashville International Airport] ({{IATA|BNA}}) in [[Nashville]]. ==Get around== ==See== * '''A [[Solar eclipses | total solar eclipse]]''' on Monday 8 April 2024 crosses the northwest corner of the State at about 2PM, visible from Paducah. The track of totality is northeast from Mexico, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri, then across the south tip of Illinois to Indiana and Ohio. * {{see | name=Mineral Mound State Park | alt= | url=http://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/mineral-mound/ | email=mineralmound@ky.gov | address=48 Finch Ln. Eddyville| lat=37.05979 | long=-88.08658 | directions= | phone=+1 270 388-3673 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This peaceful setting on the shores of Lake Barkley is historically linked to the author F. Scott Fitzgerald. The property was once the farm of Willis B. Machen, grandfather of the author's wife, Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald. It's not hard to imagine the serene, Gatsby-style era from this park, with idyllic days of playing golf and cruising the lake. }} * {{see | name= Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site | url= http://parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/wickliffe-mounds/| email= carla.hildebrand@ky.gov | address= 94 Green St., Wickliffe| lat= 36.97103| long= -89.0925| directions= | phone= +1 270 335-3681| tollfree=| fax= | hours= 10AM to 4PM April - October, Thursday - Sunday| price= Adults $5 Seniors and Children 5-15 $4 Active Military $3 | checkin= | checkout= | wikipedia= | content= A Native American village once occupied the site of Wickliffe Mounds, about A.D. 1100 to 1350. Here, people of the Mississippian culture built earthen mounds and permanent houses around a central plaza overlooking the Mississippi River. Today, this Native American Indian archaeological site features mounds surrounded by abundant wildlife, museum exhibits, a walking trail, welcome center, a gift shop and picnic areas. }} ==Do== * {{do|name=Venture River Family Water Park|lat=37.0865|long=-88.0932|url=https://ventureriver.com/ }} - located in Eddyville ==Eat== *{{eat | name=Bee Spring Lodge | url=http://www.beespringlodge.com/ | email= | address=573 Spring Road, Benton| lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 270-354-6515 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=F-M 6AM-2PM| price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=The Big Apple Cafe | url=http://www.bigapplemurray.com | email= | address=1005 Arcadia Circle, Murray | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 270-759-8866 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 11AM-midnight | price= | content=Enjoy unique Mexican food, deli sandwiches, BBQ, Cajun specials, fresh salads, and a full bar. Private Dining Rooms available for parties and meetings. }} *{{eat | name=Brass Lantern Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.brasslanternrestaurant.com | email= | address=16593 US 68 E, Aurora | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 270-474-2773 | tollfree= | hours=Open at 5 pm | price= | content=Charbroiled steaks, prime rib, lobster tail. Children's and lite menus starting at $2.99. Casual atmosphere. Call for reservations and/or days of seasonal operation. }} *{{eat | name=Broadbent B&B Foods | url=http://www.broadbenthams.com | email= | address=257 Mary Blue Road, Kuttawa| lat= | long= | directions=I24, Exit 40 | phone = +1 270-388-0609 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=8AM to 4PM Monday - Saturday | price= | content=Country sliced bacon, country sausage, spiral sliced ham, a variety of dry cured meats, country baked ham, or turkey. }} ==Drink== *{{drink | name=The Oasis Southwest Grill | alt= | url=http://oasiskuttawa.com/ | email= | address=42 Day Inn Dr, Kuttawa | lat= | long= | directions=I-24, Exit 40 | phone=+1 270-388-0777 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Known for great steak & ribs, but also featuring bison, fish, chicken & pasta dishes. Full-service bar with draft & premium beer, wine & specialty drinks. 359-seat restaurant with TVs & music. }} *{{drink | name=Buzzard Rock Cafe | url=http://www.buzzardrock.com | email= | address=985 Buzzard Rock Road, Kuttawa | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = +1 270-388-7925 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open March - October Seasonal Hours | price= | content=Breakfast, lunch and dinner with view of Lake Barkley. In season weekend breakfast buffet, super salads and specials featuring the big ½ lb. Buzzard Burger. Cold beer, wine and spirits. }} ==Stay safe== Useful phone numbers in case of emergency. *Fire/Police/Ambulance: 911 *Kentucky State Police Emergency: 800 222-5555. *Poison Control Center: 270 753-7588. *Marshall County Rescue Squad: 270 527-9092. ==Connect== ===By phone=== Most telephone numbers in this region consist of +1 270 plus a seven-digit number, but the region is now served by an overlay complex of two area codes, with +1 364 being the second. A local or in-state telephone call requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call). Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 270 before these if no area code is indicated. ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kentucky}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|36.83|-88.25|zoom=9}} 2b08tedjz415uisniic3ecy8h5t1mq8 0 39621 4506416 4430083 2022-08-22T20:31:39Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ pier wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Worthing Wikivoyage Banner.jpg}} '''[http://www.worthing.net Worthing]''' is the largest town in [[West Sussex]], around 100 km (60 miles) south of [[London]] and 18 km (11 miles) or so along the coast from [[Brighton (England)|Brighton]]. The town lies nestled between the English Channel and the [[South Downs]] National Park. Since the 19th century it has been nicknamed 'Sunny Worthing' thanks to its reputedly sunny and mild microclimate. ==Understand== [[File:Worthing Pier at sunset, low tide.JPG|thumb|Worthing Pier from the beach]] Although a seaside town with a pier, a prom and pleasant seaside parks, for much of the 20th century the town seems to have taken its eye off the ball with regards tourism, preferring to see itself as a town by the sea rather than a seaside town. In the 21st century, the town has been getting its act together; palm trees have been planted along the beach promenade, the Dome Cinema has been restored and the area around Splash Point revitalised. The town has a growing reputation for the arts and now hosts the Worthing Birdman event which attracts tens of thousands of people. Further regeneration work is planned, including a £150-million redevelopment of the Teville Gate area near the station. The hills around Worthing were home to some of Britain's earliest and most extensive flint-mining operations, which saw some of the hardest flint available mined for thousands of years and exported across much of Britain and Europe. These flints helped people to fell trees, bringing about the neolithic revolution turning the nomadic Stone Age into a settled agricultural Bronze Age. Church Hill dates from 4500 BC. You can still see the filled-in mineshafts on the edge of Cissbury Ring, just north of town. Settled since the Bronze Age, Worthing remained a small fishing hamlet until the 1750s, when various wealthy citizens visited for the hunting and fishing opportunities afforded by the area. Princess Amelia, daughter of King George III, stayed in Montague Place in 1798, which put the town firmly on the map of England's fashionable society. In the 19th century, Worthing was an elegant and fashionable resort attracting the rich and famous of the day. It is famous for being used as the location for the movie ''Wish You Were Here'' as well as its literary connections. Oscar Wilde named the central character of ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' after the town, and wrote the play while stayed here at the height of the town`s fashionability in the 1890s. [[Jane Austen tourism|Jane Austen]]'s unfinished novel ''Sanditon'' is thought to have been significantly based on experiences from her stay in Worthing in 1805. A blue plaque marks the former home of Nobel prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter in Ambrose Place. Today Worthing has a windsurfing and kitesurfing centre at the western end of the promenade and is a good place to stay for visitors wishing to explore the [[South Downs]] which are just north of the town. Worthing (population 100,000) is a large town and the centre of an urban area of 185,000. With nearby Brighton, it forms part of England's tenth largest conurbation, with nearly half a million residents. ==Get in== ===By train=== Trains to Worthing run from Victoria and London Bridge stations in London, taking about 75 minutes, while [[Gatwick#London Gatwick|Gatwick Airport]] is about 45 minutes away. There are also trains which run along the coast to [[Brighton (England)|Brighton]] (around 20 minutes). To the west lie [[Chichester]] (around 30 minutes) and [[Portsmouth]] (an hour). Southern Railway tickets to London and some other destinations can be purchased from as little as £3 (£2 with rail cards) one way, if purchased online from their website. The tickets can then be collected form the automated machines at your departure station. The main railway station is located just northwest of the town centre. ===By car=== The A27 also runs through the north of the town so, it is very easy to get to from Brighton and Chichester (depending on the direction). The A24 links Worthing to the M25 and London and is dual carriageway for much of its length. The A264/M23 provides a dual carriageway link from the A24 to Gatwick Airport. ===By bus=== '''[http://www.nationalexpress.com National Express]''' operates services to the town's bus station on the seafront close to the Dome Cinema. The journey from London to Worthing takes about 2hr 40min. Tickets are much cheaper if booked in advance online. ==Get around== {{mapframe|50.8215|-0.3726|zoom=13}} ===Cycling=== To the East of Worthing the South Coast Cycle Route runs along the coastline, so you can cycle along the promenade down to Lancing and Shoreham. A cycle route also goes from the train station to the seafront. ===On foot=== The main pedestrian shopping centre on Montague and South Streets is only one block from the seafront. ===By bus=== '''[http://www.stagecoachbus.com/ Stagecoach]''' operates bus services throughout the town and local area. The Pulse is a service running every 10 minutes in the daytime between Durrington and Lancing via Worthing town centre. '''[http://www.compass-travel.co.uk/ Compass Buses]''' also provides buses in the town. ===By train=== '''[http://www.southernrailway.com/ Southern Railway]''' runs trains across Worthing's main station (known simply as {{marker|type=go|name=Worthing Station|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/WRH/details.html|lat=50.818611|long=-0.375833}}) and four suburban stations (from east to west these are {{marker|type=go|name=East Worthing|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/EWR/details.html|lat=50.821667|long=-0.355}}, {{marker|type=go|name=West Worthing|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/WWR/details.html|lat=50.818333|long=-0.392778}}, {{marker|type=go|name=Durrington-on-Sea|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/DUR/details.html|lat=50.8175|long=-0.411111}} and {{marker|type=go|name=Goring-by-Sea|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/GBS/details.html|lat=50.8122|long=-0.42436}}). ==See== [[File:Beacon, Worthing - geograph.org.uk - 1905931.jpg|thumb|Beacon, Worthing ]] * {{see | name=East Beach Studios | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=on the town's seafront | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= }} * {{marker | name=Worthing Pier | type=see | lat=50.8071 | long=-0.3689 }} is free to stroll 6AM-10PM. * {{see | name=Worthing Museum and Art Gallery | alt= | url=http://www.worthingmuseum.co.uk/ | email= | address=Chapel Rd | lat=50.8146 | long=-0.371775 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Sa: 10AM-5PM. | price=Free | wikipedia=Worthing Museum and Art Gallery | image=Worthing Museum and Art Gallery on a wet February lunchtime - geograph.org.uk - 1717464.jpg | wikidata=Q8037224 | lastedit=2018-05-29 | content=Pay a visit to the town's free museum. It contains one of the country's finest Victorian costume collections and holds various fine and decorative art exhibitions, including lively temporary exhibitions often involving local artists, as well as a sculpture garden. Also has archaeology exhibits, including artefacts from the South Downs nearby. Some of the space is a little dated, but interesting nevertheless. }} * Visit local artists at the '''[http://www.worthingartistsopenhouses.com/ Worthing Open Houses]''' event. More than 45 local homes open their doors to the public to display a wide range of arts and crafts from local artists. In 2011 the event takes place in the last two weekends of June and first weekend of July. * Visit the reproduction of the '''[http://www.sistinechapeluk.co.uk/ Sistine Chapel]''' ceiling located in English Martyrs Catholic Church 4 miles (7 km) to the west of the town centre, near Goring Station. Open Tu-Fr 10AM-4. * '''Highdown hill''', north of Goring, provides scenic views of the town and also has the historic '''[http://www.highdowngardens.co.uk/ Highdown Gardens]''' open to the public. Both are free of charge. Highdown Gardens is open Apr-Sep: daily 10AM-6PM, Oct-Nov: M-F 10AM-4:30PM, Dec-Jan: M-F 10AM-4PM, Feb-Mar: M-F 10AM-4:30PM. There's also a cafe and a hotel/restaurant by the entrance. * {{see | name=High Salvington Mill | alt= | url=https://highsalvingtonwindmill.co.uk/ | email= | address=Salvington Hill BN13 3AT | lat=50.849 | long=-0.407 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Restored post mill from around 1776. It's usually running two Sundays a month in summer. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Dome Cinema | alt= | url=http://www.worthingdome.com/ | email= | address=21-22 Marine Parade, BN11 3PT | lat=50.81 | long=-0.368056 | directions= | phone=+44 1903 823112 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Dome Cinema, Worthing | image=Worthing - the Dome - geograph.org.uk - 2616571.jpg | wikidata=Q5290001 | lastedit=2018-05-29 | content=See a film at one of England's most atmospheric early cinemas. }} * Visitors to Worthing should not miss the opportunity to '''stroll along the prom'''. Or hire a bike from the cycle hire shop on the seafront *{{do | name=M's Cycle Hire | url=http://www.m-cyclehire.co.uk/ | email= | address=Marine Parade | lat= | long= | directions=On seafront opposite Steyne Gardens | phone=+44 7852 986165 or +44 7852 986163 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Hire a bike along the seafront. They will also deliver to where you are in the Worthing area. Cycle along the seafront or up onto the South Downs. }} * Don't miss the fishermen selling fish from their boats on East Worthing Beach. Oscar Wilde's residence here in 1894 is commemorated by a blue plaque on the modern building at the eastern end of the Esplanade. * Admire the views of the town's art deco pier from Splash Point, with its rainbow mist water feature and pleasant seating area. Located 100 metres east of the pier. * Visit one of the town's '''theatres [http://www.worthingtheatres.co.uk/]''': **The '''Connaught Theatre''' offers productions visiting from London's West End as well as repertory theatre in an art-deco setting. **The '''Pavilion Theatre''' offers a range of shows from children's shows to general entertainers in the beach-side pavilion on Worthing Pier. **The '''Assembly Hall''' is the town's main venue for music, with its excellent acoustics. It is home to the '''Worthing Symphony Orchestra''', the only professional orchestra in West Sussex, which puts on Spring and Autumn seasons. * Walk up to '''[https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cissbury-ring/ Cissbury Ring]''', one of Britain's most impressive Iron Age hillforts, managed by the National Trust and lying in the newly created South Downs National Park just north of the town. Consider walking from the Worthing suburb of Broadwater or the nearby village of Sompting with its picturesque 11th-century church. === Golf clubs === Worthing has a range of golfing facilities to suit all abilities: *'''[http://www.worthinggolf.co.uk/ Worthing Golf Club]''' - Features two 18-hole courses on the South Downs. The Lower Course is reckoned to be one of the best downland courses in England. The Upper Course boasts some spectacular views across much of the south coast, from the [[Isle of Wight]] to Beachy Head. *'''[https://hillbarngolf.com/ Hill Barn Golf Club]''' - Nice 18-hole course on the South Downs. Former municipal course in private hands and benefiting from their investment. The club hosted European Tour events in the 1970s. *'''[https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/parks/find/worthing/brooklands-par3-golf-course/ Brooklands Golf Centre] {{dead link|December 2020}}''' - Municipal, nine-hole learners course. Looks good now the trees have grown and has a nice water feature. Close to the seafront east of town. *'''[http://www.splashpointminigolf.co.uk/ Splash Point Mini Golf]''' - Worthing's only crazy golf course, near seafront behind Splash Point. *'''Marine Gardens Putting Green''' - Small putting green close to the seafront west of the town centre. ===Basketball=== * From September to April, '''[https://www.worthingthunder.net/ Worthing Thunder]''' play in the BBL, the UK's top basketball league. Catch them at Worthing Leisure Centre, close to Durrington Station, two miles (3km) west of the town centre. ===Cricket clubs=== In the summer months there various grounds in Worthing which will welcome spectators: *'''Worthing Cricket Club''' - A former county cricket ground and an easy walk from the town centre just north of the main railway station. Worthing play in the Sussex Cricket League. *'''Broadwater Cricket Club''' - Have played on Broadwater Green, a few km north of Worthing town centre, since the 18th century. There is a traditional pub named the Cricketers opposite the green. === Events === * Watch the '''[http://www.worthingbirdman.co.uk/ Worthing Birdman] {{dead link|December 2020}}''' competition in August - see grown men jumping off Worthing Pier in their attempts to 'fly' the furthest, and with the wackiest costumes. If the weather's good you can expect to be joined by 20,000 to 30,000 others. ==Buy== You will find the main high street shops around South Street and Montague Street including the town's two department store 15:17. Montague Street is pedestrianised and is home to a market every Wednesday. South Street Square hosts a '''Farmers' Market''' on the fourth Saturday of every month. Information on the shops and facilities in the pedestrian town centre can be found here [http://www.worthingtowncentre.co.uk/] While in Worthing, look out for a type of sweet named '''Worthings''' after the town, available from various places including the shop at the town's Museum and Art Gallery. ==Eat== Many different international cuisines are offered in Worthing, and most offer excellent food at a reasonable price. There main area for eating out in Worthing is in and around the pedestrianised '''Warwick Street'''. There are also an increasing number of restaurants around the '''West End''' of the town centre, about 1km west of South Street, around the west end of Montague Street and Rowlands Road. For Italian food, go to ''''Pomodoro e Mozzarella'''' on Warwick Street. This restaurant is far superior to the nearby franchises of '''Ask''' and '''Pizza Express''', and offers authentic Italian cuisine in a friendly but very intimate atmosphere. Be sure to make a reservation if you want an evening meal there on a Friday or a weekend night. For Chinese food, try either '''China Palace''' or '''Fortune Inn''' on Chapel Road; the first is somewhat more expensive than the second, but both offer good food. China Palace has both a traditional a la carte menu and also a 'buffet' menu - for a fixed price, you can eat as much as you like, but it is cooked to order rather than being displayed in open gastronorms in the self-service style. Good Indian food can be found slightly away from the town centre on Goring Road at '''Shafiques'''. Ask for the window seat here and watch the local world go by. For a bite to eat during the day, head to Bath Place, just off the east end of Montague Street, where you will find two very interesting cafés: '''Thai Lunch Box''' and '''Parklife'''. Thai Lunch Box offers a fairly traditional sandwich menu backed up by an extensive menu of Thai food. Look out for the oriental supermarket next door - pop in and have a look round if you have time. Parklife (almost directly opposite TLB) serves all sorts, including milkshakes in over 50 different flavours. You might also like to try: *{{eat | name=Coast | url=http://www.coastworthing.co.uk/ | email= | address=6 Beach Parade | lat= | long= | directions=On seafront 20m east of Splash Point | phone=+44 1903 216937 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The only cafe on the beach in central Worthing. Situated next to the East Beach artists' studios. In warmer times of year often has a piano or guitars available outside for customers' use. Organic ice cream, Illy coffee, tea in china cups, cakes and foccacia sandwiches are served. }} *{{eat | name=Crescent Road Cafe Restaurant | url= | email= | address=14 Crescent Rd, BN11 1RL | lat= | long= | directions=Just off the west end of Montague Street, west end of town | phone=+44 1903 204194 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=£6-20 | content=With a reputation for excellent food and service, it has contemporary decor. Tucked away in the town's West End, west of the town centre. }} *{{eat | name=The Fish Factory | url=http://www.protorestaurantgroup.com/the-fish-factory/ | email= | address=51 Brighton Rd, BN11 3EE | lat=50.81222 | long=-0.36515 | directions=50 m east of corner of High Street and Warwick Street | phone=+44 1903 207123 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Popular fish restaurant, with noisy, bustling atmosphere. Worth booking ahead for evening meal. Not place for a quiet dinner. Nice decor with simple wooden tables and chairs. Good variety of fish. }} *{{eat | name=Food | url=http://www.protorestaurantgroup.com/food/ | email= | address=6 New St | lat= | long= | directions=Off the west end of Montague Street | phone=+44 1903 227780 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11:30AM- | price= | content=Popular restaurant in contemporary surroundings. Live jazz every night. £5 express lunch menu particularly good value. Plush, light and airy restaurant spread over two floors. }} *{{eat | name=Pestle & Mortar | url= | email= | address=44 Portland Rd | lat= | long= | directions=100m north of Marks and Spencer | phone=+44 1903 820189 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Deli-style cafe serving organic and locally-sourced food. Rustic feel. Also open on Saturday evenings. }} ==Drink== There are many good pubs dotted around the centre. * {{drink | name=Hare & Hounds | alt= | url=http://www.hareandhoundsworthing.co.uk/ | email= | address=79/81 Portland Rd, BN11 1QG | lat=50.81194 | long=-0.37313 | directions=200m north of Marks & Spencer | phone=+44 1903 230085 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Bar hours: M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10:30PM | price= | content=Worthing's 2009 Pub of the Year. A thriving traditional pub, serving good cask ales and food. Also known for its jazz nights every Monday. A pub since 1857, the building used to be three fishermen's cottages. }} *{{drink | name=Indigo Bar & Restaurant | url=https://www.indigorestaurant.info/ | email= | address=Steyne Gardens, BN11 3DZ | lat=50.81096 | long=-0.36618 | directions= | phone=+44 1903 230451 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Stylish but informal restaurant, specialising in local fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients with monthly changing menus. Excellent cocktails served in the bar. }} *{{drink | name=Selden Arms | url=https://www.seldenarms.co.uk/ | email= | address=41 Lyndhurst Rd, BN11 2DB | lat=50.81510 | long=-0.36610 | directions= | phone=+44 871 951 1000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Traditional real ale pub with irrepressible landlady. }} ==Sleep== There are good Bed and Breakfast establishments in East Worthing along and just off the Brighton Road. Sea front rooms here offer excellent views of the picturesque fishing beach and the English Channel beyond. Benson's Guest House is notable for having a Gold Award for quality. The Cavendish Hotel on the Seafront is a 2-star hotel, ideal for tourists and business people, free wireless internet access is offered to guests in the public areas. *{{sleep | name=The Ardington Hotel | url=http://www.ardingtonhotel.co.uk/ | email=reservations@ardingtonhotel.co.uk | address=Steyne Gardens | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1903 230451 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=£89 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Excellent family-run hotel, established in 1928 and Worthing's highest rated with an AA 80% 3 Star award. Some rooms just newly refurbished which feature flat screen TVs, crisp white cotton duvets and stylish interiors. Includes the popular Indigo Restaurant and Bar. }} *{{sleep | name=Chatsworth Hotel | url=http://www.chatsworthworthing.co.uk | email=hotel@chatsworthworthing.co.uk | address=Steyne | lat= | long= | directions=on corner of Steyne Gardens and seafront, 50m east of the pier | phone=+44 1903 236103 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=£85-110 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Superb traditional family-run hotel in Georgian building dating from 1807, full of character. Central location. Has its own lounge and cocktail bar. Also snooker and pool tables. }} *{{sleep | name=Heenefields Guest House | url=http://www.heenefields.com/ | email=info@heenefields.com | address=98 Heene Rd | lat= | long= | directions=1km west of town centre | phone=+44 1903 538780 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=£64-66 | checkin= | checkout= | content=Popular four-star bed and breakfast, 5-10 min walk from sea. Free Wi-Fi. Winner of 2010 Worthing Tourism Award. }} * {{sleep | name=The Lamb at Angmering | url=https://www.thelamb-angmering.com/ | email= | address=The Square, Angmering BN16 4EQ | lat=50.829 | long=-0.484 | directions= | phone=+44 1903 774300 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=B&B double £120 | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2020-08-19 | content=Spruced-up old pub with eight rooms and good dining. No dogs in rooms. }} ==Stay safe== Although Worthing is generally a very safe place to be, like many large towns, the town centre can get fairly rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights. ==Go next== *'''[[Arundel (England)|Arundel]]''' is a pretty town, steeped in history and famed for its castle and cathedral. 11 miles (18km) west of Worthing along the A27. Stagecoach's 700 bus will take you there. By train you need to change at Ford or Barnham *'''[[Brighton (England)|Brighton]]''' lies 11 miles (18km) along the coast to the east. Brighton is often congested to drive through so you may find it easier to take the train (20 minutes) or use Stagecoach's 700 bus. *'''[[London]]''' is an hour and a quarter away via train or 2 hours via coach. {{routebox | image1=UK_road_A24.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[London]] | minorl1=[[Horsham (West Sussex)|Horsham]] | directionr1=S | minorr1= | majorr1=END | image2=UK_road_A27.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Portsmouth]] | minorl2=[[Arundel (England)|Arundel]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Brighton]] | minorr2=[[Shoreham-by-Sea]] }} {{geo|50.810|-0.374}} {{IsPartOf|West Sussex}} {{usablecity}} 11c173x741dunbzd8oek7bg8prd0ejl 1 43920 4506192 4501632 2022-08-22T12:19:44Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Headingley */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki ==Clubs== Can you really call the Cockpit a club? HiFi? Whats really a club? [[User:81.105.110.59|81.105.110.59]] 21:08, 13 July 2008 (EDT) ==Visitor Feedback== Leeds is a great city to visit, for a day, a weekend or a week. You can easily explore all the Yorkshire has to offer, based in this shoppers, diners and drinkers mecca... Leeds somehow manages to have the worst cinema this wikivoyager has ever experienced in the Kirkstall Road complex. Filthy and with no information whatsoever about current film showings, the staff give you a good reason to stay at home and rent DVD's online! You are much better off attending Cottage Road Cinema[11] in the centre of Headingley. Plenty to do afterwards as well. The Hyde Park Picture house is another good independent cinema (only 1 screen) with a wide selection of both modern and classic films on show. It retains many of its original features including gas lighting. Sorry youve had such a bad experience, but i grew up in Ilkley (just outside Leeds), and this is the cinema I use most, and i have never had a problem with it. Adding in that comment in the main articel is unprofessional and just adds to the impression that WIKI's are totally useless for serious research into a place. I am removing it as it is obviously POV.[[User:213.48.73.89|213.48.73.89]] 09:13, 25 May 2007 (EDT) :Please understand that ''this'' wiki is not Wikipedia, and we ''welcome'' travelers' POV about the places they visit. What we ask is that they [[Project:Be fair|be fair]]. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 11:12, 25 May 2007 (EDT) ==Questions for potential visitors== Want to come to Leeds but the Wikiguide doesn't tell you something you need to know? Post your question here and a Leeds Wikivoyager will try to answer asap. "Leeds City Guide [106]" links through to a website that hasn't been updated since 2002. What about www.skiddle.com/cities/leeds/ as an alternative? ==Huge city?== I mentioned this on one of the district pages, but as it looks like there is more than one at this point, I'll bring the conversation here. The district idea is really only for Huge Cities, ie [[Mexico City]] and [[New York (city)]]. It's not just a matter of where folks go to work, or what's real close by, etc etc. These places are either destinations in their own right or, maybe, neighborhoods of Leeds. But from the article contents it seems as if it's the first case. Comments from folks in the know? [[User:(WT-en) Maj|(WT-en) Majnoona]] 17:30, 4 May 2006 (EDT) :Maj, Leeds is obviously not as huge as New York or Mexico, but with a population of 715,000 it is quite large. These are neighbourhoods of Leeds rather than distant suburbs, you could walk to them in 20 minutes / 1/2 an hour or so. To me it is arguable whether they actually need articles, but in the past (small towns in [[North Dakota]]), you have expressed the desire to keep articles, whether or not there is much to see there. I moved the article to ''districts'', rather than leave them as separate articles to highlight the fact that they are actually neighbourhoods within a large city, rather than separate communities. Other medium sized cities (such as [[Krakow]]) have many districts. I am not against this changing back to separate articles, but it should be born in mind that they are neighbourhoods, rather than distant suburbs. -- [[User:(WT-en) DanielC|(WT-en) DanielC]] 08:36, 15 May 2006 (EDT) I think Headingley is both. Obviously a part of Leeds, it is effectively a town within a city. I think that some visitors may well visit Headingley in it's own right, visiting student friends, watching live sports or maybe just for the famous night life. I'm sure many people who come to watch sport stay for the evening for a meal and a few drinks or shopping. Chapel Allerton is less of a destination in it's own right, but is a district/suburb of Leeds which is worth going to for a day. By creating a separate article, it makes the main Leeds article more concise. == Travel in leeds == I had some bad experience in leed with taxi's and good one if you just flag a taxi dow they will charge you whatever they can just to go a couple of miles you can pay 10 pounds I use a couple of bad ones who charged me much more than it should have been but the one that i would recomend is Owl Cars 0113 2 28 28 20. Where did the Metro train route diagram go?? == Photos == CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO UPLOAD PICTURES AND EMBED THEM ON THIS PAGE! : [[Project:How to add an image]] &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Ravikiran r|(WT-en) Ravikiran]] 09:03, 9 November 2006 (EST) Hi, can the person who has been adding pictures (I don't have any of my own/any i have copyright to on the computer i'm using at the minute), possibly add one of City Sq with the fountains/Old Post Office/No1 City Sq (there are some nice ones of Queens' Hotel at night too) and one of the Town Hall if it's not too much trouble? otherwise i should be able to get round to it eventually What happened to the file directory at the top? It currently states West Yorkshire: Leeds. It used to state Europe:UK:England:Yorkshire:West Yorkshire... City Sq & Town Hall pics now added - feel free to move/remove any I just plonked them in. Now I've done you a favour you can help me to update the [[Yorkshire Moors]], [[Yorkshire Dales]], and [[Yorkshire]] articles - all of which supplement the Leeds article... Thanks! Okay, but i don't know as much about them (though obviously living nearby most of my life im not completely in the dark)...i'll just add bits regularly for the next few weeks when i have the time (As have been doing with this article) :) == Getting to guide (now achieved) == what more do i (and others) need to do to have this upgraded from an outline to a guide article? i dont see how there isnt enough information, okay the see:central leeds by area isn't finished yet, but i mean there was a fair amount there to begin with and i've spent ages adding and updating information to it (and some kind individual added pretty pictures!), and im pretty damn sure a visitor could use this guide and have a very productive/fruitful/enjoyable/succesful visit to the city...there is information on transport, accomodation, sights, shopping, safety, eating, nightlife...what more do i need to add/do to make it a "guide"? the manchester one is less detailed but classed as a guide... :You can [[Project:Plunge forward|plunge forward]] and do that, I doubt anyone would challenge that. It looks like at least a Guide article to me. What does need to be done, is some moving of information to the district articles. On a huge city we prefer to have the actual listings in the districts and general information in the main article. This article is getting a little too large and some of the information could be moved. Also if districts need to be added or modified, feel free to do that also. This is your guide as much yours as it is for anyone. Thank you for your contributions. -- [[User:(WT-en) Xltel|(WT-en) Tom Holland (xltel)]] 08:58, 23 November 2006 (EST) ::I wouldn't call Leeds a 'huge' city, a large one, but its under a million. There are district guides for the three major out-of-centre destination districts (Headingley, Chapel Allerton, Roundhay), but do you think it would be apropriate to divide the city centre into district guides - it has distinct quarters but the central area is fairly compact, nothing like Manhattan/central London/Paris etc...and its hard to know where the boundaries are: also where would out of town attractions/attractions in the surrouding area fall? I'll think about it but i'm not exactly sure how i would go about restructuring... ==Getting to Star/Destination of the month== This article is looking pretty amazing now - really indepth. As we work towards 'Star' article status I though a good way would be to use benchmarking. IE look at other Star articles/Articles of the month to see what features/info they have that this one lacks. There was a Metro train diagram on here - anyone know where it went? See comments: http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_Month_candidates#Leeds ==what happened to the images?== they've all gone. i havent updated/edited this page for ages, but i will try over the next few weeks when i have time to make it more concise/logical etc (tho i dont agree that the district articles are a bit 'thin') i dont understand also why so much of the text is being edited out ive looked at the history but i cant seem to view the page where discussion about this goes on - and yes various english cities are near beautiful countryside but no other major city in england is as near to as much beautiful countryside or as close to as many national parks - this is to an extent objective fact! :The images were deleted for being violations of the [[Project:Copyleft|copyleft]] and appeared to have been taken from other websites. -- [[User:(WT-en) Sapphire|(WT-en) Sapphire]] • <small>([[User talk:(WV-en) Sapphire|Talk]])</small> • 06:49, 24 May 2007 (EDT) ::I'm still not entirely sure why so much of the text etc I spent so long over seems to be gradually removed/made worse/grammatically incorrect/use of american spelling/etc. It's quite disheartening to have something you worked so hard on ruined tbh. ==Restaurants== Is anybody who knows these restaurants able to move them to ====Budget====, ====Mid-range==== and ====Splurge====? Many Thanks [[User:62.49.204.235|62.49.204.235]] 09:06, 9 February 2008 (EST) == Voted Best City == If someone thinks it is significant to include that it was voted best city in 2003, then I think its entirely reasonable and informative to say where it was placed in the same survey this year. Personally I think all the surveys are useless, but balance in all things.. --[[User:(WT-en) Inas|(WT-en) Inas]] 18:24, 18 December 2008 (EST) == LBA car parks == Since this section is about getting into Leeds I don't understand the rationale for a table detailing car parks for people catching flights out of Leeds. Any objections to deleting the table? --[[User:Dakinijones|Dakinijones]] ([[User talk:Dakinijones|talk]]) 16:06, 9 February 2013 (UTC) == Districtification - work in progress? == It looks like somebody started to split the article into district articles, but the result is an article sitting on the fence, with most of the city centre left in the article and several very short sections carved out. I do not know much about Leeds, but I tend to think there are two options which one could follow: # Make "Leeds" a region, and then subdivide into the the City of Leeds proper and suburbs (even if forming a part of one municipal body called "Leeds") # Reintegrate description of suburbs and districts into the article. It does not seem there is too much to do outside of the city centre, so the list of pubs and all resulting from the remerge could be trimmed. It is great to know there are places to go for a pint outside of the centre, but if it is the only thing to do there, then it is of little interest to travellers. You thoughts? [[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 18:56, 10 June 2013 (UTC) :Given that there are an awful lot of districts of Leeds sitting at outline ''something'' clearly has to be done. But I don't quite know what... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 17:29, 24 November 2015 (UTC) ::Is there any policy against just having one or two districts (i.e. those that can support an entire article such as [[Headingley]]) with the rest moved back into the main city article? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 19:29, 24 November 2015 (UTC) :::Yes, I believe so. Cities aren't supposed to be incompletely districted. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:04, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::::That seems unnecessarily inflexible. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:37, 25 November 2015 (UTC) :::::I may have misunderstood your question. Are you suggesting dividing the entire city into two districts? If that [[ttcf|serves the traveller well]], sure, why not? What is your proposal? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:40, 25 November 2015 (UTC) :::::: The first odd thing is that the main article is also the article for the centre of of the city as well as some listing for the whole area. I think before the districts can be sorted out the listings should be checked to see if still valid and coordinates added to see exactly where they are. Headingley could make sense as its own article/district but the other are a little arbitrary. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 10:31, 25 November 2015 (UTC) What I am suggesting is that the district articles which have enough (updated*) content in them be kept separate, while the rest be either re-integrated into the main Leeds article, or removed if their information isn't relevant. So I guess I'm proposing a "semi-districtification" whereby only a couple of districts actually have separate articles. I have to admit, I don't know Leeds well at all, but just looking at the district articles [[Chapel Allerton |Chapel Allerton]], [[Leeds/East Leeds|East Leeds]], [[Leeds/South Leeds|South Leeds]], [[Leeds/West Leeds|West Leeds]] and [[Leeds/Roundhay|Roundhay]] seem to have little in the way of actual attractions (in the 'see' and 'do') sections anyway and are more just lists of local shops and restaurants, much like a local directory. This is in contrast to [[Leeds/Headingley|Headingley]], and [[Leeds/North West|North West]] and [[Leeds/North East Leeds|North East Leeds]], which do seem to have something touristy going for them besides places to eat and drink. <nowiki>*</nowiki>I agree with [[User:Traveler100]] that the listings need to be checked that they are updated. You'll notice many of the Leeds district articles lack proper listings, and one or two even don't have a proper banner contents. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 19:26, 25 November 2015 (UTC) :I thought that was what you were suggesting. I would reiterate that that is against policy. Instead, a better solution would be that if there are several districts which don't have enough of interest to visitors (i.e., not that the work simply hasn't been done to input the relevant information, but they actually lack enough points of interest), some districts could be combined in whatever way best [[ttcf|serves the traveller]]. But deliberately leaving some specific templated listings in the parent city article while moving others to districts is confusing, and therefore a bad practice. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:10, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::Okay, well I don't see much difference between my proposal and yours if I'm honest, unless you're also suggesting this article's listings be put into a new [[Leeds/City Centre]] article? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:56, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::: I think we should create a city centre article and move listing there from the main page. Can we also agree that some of the listing can be deleted from the other districts? Thinking in particular the jewellery and cloths shops, which will make some of the districts clear for deletion. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 21:05, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::::Yep, I am in agreement with all of that. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 23:23, 25 November 2015 (UTC) == The lead == Anyone else feel the leading section is perhaps a little ''too'' promotional? I'm fully aware there's no need to be encyclopaedic on here, but that part just seems a bit too much like a tourism brochure and not a travel guide. Just wanted other opinions before I made any changes -- '''''[[User:SUFCboy|Half]]''''' ''[[User talk:SUFCboy|past]]'' <small>''(formerly SUFCboy)''</small> 18:12, 9 December 2013 (UTC) :Yes, I guess one might want to tone down the wonderfully exciting lingo there and provide some actual information on the city instead. [[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 18:40, 9 December 2013 (UTC) :Leeds' lead sounds more like [[New York]] than Old [[Yorkshire]]. So go ahead, Half past. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 19:36, 9 December 2013 (UTC) ::IMO, the info provided is good enough, but we could cut out the superlative rubbishː "famed for its excellent shopping" (I suppose it is called the 'Knightsbridge of the North', but still...); "extremely attractive" (it's Leeds, for God's sake, not Venice) and all this talk of "fantastic", "excellent" and "beautiful". --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 22:56, 9 December 2013 (UTC) :::Thanks all. I've half-rewritten the lead around what was there already, I'm sure somebody could improve on it but I reckon it's sufficient and preferable to the old one. -- '''''[[User:SUFCboy|Half]]''''' ''[[User talk:SUFCboy|past]]'' <small>''(formerly SUFCboy)''</small> 08:22, 10 December 2013 (UTC) ::::I've just realised, 'former SUFC boy', that you may be a little biased when it comes to the topic of Leeds ;-) Am I right? Anyway, nice re-write, much more down-to-earthǃ --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:54, 10 December 2013 (UTC) ::::: Haha, I try to leave any prejudices behind when I'm editing :P Have to say that Leeds is a decent city and suitably different to Sheffield. And thanks! --'''''[[User:SUFCboy|Half]]''''' ''[[User talk:SUFCboy|past]]'' <small>''(formerly SUFCboy)''</small> 14:49, 11 December 2013 (UTC) == Alternative banner for this article? == [[File:Leeds Wikivoyage Banner.png|right|thumb|500px|old banner currently used in this article]] [[File:Leeds banner.jpg|right|thumb|500px|suggested new banner (which is currently used in the parallel article in the Hebrew Wikivoyage)]] In the Hebrew Wikivoyage we are currently using this banner instead of the one which is currently used here. Do you think too that this banner would would better than the existing one? [[User:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|ויקיג&#39;אנקי]] ([[User talk:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|talk]]) 02:15, 5 April 2014 (UTC) :That's a very nice panorama and a very well-composed photo. I think I would favor it over the current banner, which though nice is not actually as interesting to me as the panorama. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:19, 5 April 2014 (UTC) ::Leeds' skyline is so uncharacteristic that it really doesn't work for me. The city is known as the birthplace of modern-style retail, shopping arcades, Marks&Spencer etc., so I believe a shopping arcade is much more Leeds than a anonymous composition of night lights. --[[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 18:35, 5 April 2014 (UTC) :::Agree. - [[User:Fabimaru|Fabimaru]] ([[User talk:Fabimaru|talk]]) 18:06, 9 April 2014 (UTC) ::PS. There are apparent compression issues with the night skyline banner, seems like the original pic was in much lower resolution. :::I have a slight preference for the new banner. The last time I passed through Leeds was on an evening train and this reminds me of the view. The original pic is 8,159 × 2,972 pixels. :::Whichever banner is not used here might be used on [[West Yorkshire]]. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:16, 5 April 2014 (UTC) ::::I plunged ahead and went with you suggestion, [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]]. I guess the "new" banner is more anonymous, so it is not really "Leeds", but it sure is representative of the urban nature of West Yorkshire, which incidentally lacked a banner. [[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 06:29, 13 April 2014 (UTC) PrinceGloria, you are in a minority opinion on this one, as both me, Ikan Kekek and AlasdairW prefer the new banner being used in the article [[Leeds]], while only you and Fabimaru prefer the old banner being used in this article. In addition, I must also state that although you mentioned above that you believe the new banner is based on a lower resolution picture, in realty, [[:File:Light night over Leeds (Taken by Flickr user 9th October 2013).jpg|the picture which I used to create this banner is actually of a very high resolution (8,159 × 2,972 pixels!)]]. [[User:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|ויקיג&#39;אנקי]] ([[User talk:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|talk]]) 16:24, 13 April 2014 (UTC) :I don't know Leeds or Yorkshire, so I was just reacting to the look of the pagebanners and would give some deference to people who do. Moreover, a 3-2 lead is not necessarily a clear consensus. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:44, 13 April 2014 (UTC) ::I think that is great that the new banner is now on [[West Yorkshire]], and I have only visited Leeds while passing through, so I am happy to defer to those who have spent longer there. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:46, 13 April 2014 (UTC) :::I should say that I'm perfectly happy with this solution and respect the knowledge that went into making it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:54, 14 April 2014 (UTC) == Suggested Description for the Met Hotel == A 4-star hotel and event venue offering 120 bedrooms, 18 event suites and a restaurant on King Street in Leeds. The hotel is a Grade II listed building built in 1898 and Victorian terracotta facade. The cupola on the roof was taken from the demolished 4th White Cloth Hall. [[User:VerbInteractive|VerbInteractive]] ([[User talk:VerbInteractive|talk]]) 13:50, 6 January 2015 (UTC) :Sounds good, don't hesitate and [[plunge forward]] everytime you have a good idea - if somebody will disagree, they can always discuss or propose a better version by means of editing the page. ::He can't, as he's an employee of the owners of the hotel. I'll add the listing --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:18, 6 January 2015 (UTC) == District discussion == Considering that ''all'' districts listed as "outline" on the [[Wikivoyage:England Expedition]] are parts of Leeds and they make up seven of the nine total districts and the fact that the current district map looks ''weird'' (at least to me, who's never been to Leeds), maybe we should try to redefine districts? [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 16:08, 2 March 2016 (UTC) :[[Headingley]], probably the single weirdest part of the map, almost definitely deserves its own article. Other than that, I am broadly in agreement. Perhaps some hefty merging is the order of the day (e.g. into north, south, east and west, with Headingley and the City Centre, as the main tourist areas, kept separate)? There was a discussion about this a few months ago that came to nothing. Let's try and decide what to do and then do it. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:00, 2 March 2016 (UTC) :: Can we go through the all the listing on the main article and districts, weed out the closed or non relevant entries and add coordinates and full address to the others. We can then more effectively reorganise the districts, which really are a mess. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 07:57, 12 March 2016 (UTC) Coming to conclusion that the think to do is merge Headingley into Leeds/North West; and Chapel Allerton and Roundhay into Leeds/North East Leeds. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 18:16, 12 March 2016 (UTC) :I think we should also have a new district map at the end of it all. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 19:57, 12 March 2016 (UTC) ::Yes. Perhaps you are interested into how this map came into being. Some two years ago [[Wikivoyage_talk:Requests_for_maps|I discovered we had a load of cities, including Leeds, that were districtified but had no maps at all]]. I decided to start making them myself as noone else seemed to be interested (and to get some experience in map drawing and the workflow of Inkscape ;)). Other than Prague, I hadn't been to one of these cities myself so I had to look in the district articles for clues and google POIs to get an idea of the size and shape of the districts. ::The current map is probably not too inaccurate but not too beautiful either, and if changes to the districts are made a new map will be necessary anyway. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 21:00, 12 March 2016 (UTC) [[File:Wikivoyage Leeds district map 2 PNG.png|thumbnail|new map?]] ::: So how come I can paint over the boundaries in image edit software but it still shows? Any chance of creating the new one? I was not complaining about the map but the spliut of districts and the fact the content overlaps. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 07:28, 13 March 2016 (UTC) ::::Vector files and stuff exported from vector software may behave in funny ways. I will look into the matter tonight or tomorrow. [[Special:Contributions/213.204.37.227|213.204.37.227]] 11:44, 13 March 2016 (UTC) (Ypsilon who didn't log in on a public network) [[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]], while it's brilliant that you're willing to get on with the job, I don't believe we've achieved any kind of consensus over this except that we all agree the districts have to be changed ''somehow'', and that quite a few irrelevant listings should be deleted. You proposed one solution (at 18:16 last night), and then implemented it a few hours later (9:30-ish this morning), without giving much of an opportunity for review or discussion. Just to clarify, I don't currently have any objection ''per se'' to the merges you're doing, but I also don't feel as though I or others have been given an opportunity to think about or discuss them. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:04, 13 March 2016 (UTC) : Sorry, maybe I was a little hasty. It was just that I was working on the listings and finding duplication on different pages so decided to move all to one place then try and sort it out. If someone comes up with a better definition of districts we can easily move things around. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 12:08, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :: That's alright! It's good that you're being pro-active rather than talking but doing nothing, but yeah I'm looking at the districts today, comparing the old with the new. My understanding of Headingley was that it was quite touristy, but so far I haven't found much evidence of that except that there's quite a lot of accommodation. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:15, 13 March 2016 (UTC) So is Woodhouse, North West or Central? --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 17:17, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :It's outside the inner ring road so North West, but only just. Some of the southern parts of Woodhouse are pretty much part of central Leeds, but most of the area is housing and university buildings. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:16, 13 March 2016 (UTC) I think the new districts are pretty much spot-on. The [[Leeds/North West|North West]] seems a tad overstuffed, but that could just be a question of thinning out the listings a little and cutting down the gigantic list of neighbourhoods in the lead to only those that are of interest to travellers. <small>—The [[Project:Using_talk_pages#Talk_page_formatting|preceding]] comment was added by [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User_talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/ThunderingTyphoons!|contribs]]) </small> : So, is the new version of district setup the one that's in the map above? [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 19:42, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :::[[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]]: Yep :-) --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:30, 13 March 2016 (UTC) ::What I don't like about the map is that the sectors simply go into the frame and there is no real indication as to which part of the city they actually cover. Compare that to the district boundaries of [[Berlin]] and you get a much clearer picture there. Another probelm with the Leeds map is that there are no bodies of water, major streets or major landmarks shown in the map, which is something we have in (almost) all other district maps. For someone not from Leeds it's really difficult to tell "where you are" with this map.[[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 20:12, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :::Agree completely. The ideal in the long term surely would be to incorporate each district map into the existing dynamic map of a city, but that is probably a couple of years away, so for now we have to try to make the region maps as good as possible, with some roads and local landmarks if possible. Ypsilon's maps are still better than anything I could do, however, so I don't wish to be too critical. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:30, 13 March 2016 (UTC) Assume southern border of central Leeds (for this article purposes) is the river? There are a few sights and bars just south of the river, checking which district to place in. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 12:59, 15 March 2016 (UTC) :Looks about right. Residents seem to use the ring road (A58(M)) for the northern edge and the river for the southern edge. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:51, 15 March 2016 (UTC) All the Sleep, Eat and Drink listing that where on the main city page are not in the district pages. The city centre listings in the See section of the main Leeds article needs changing from see listings to text paragraphs. Have not yet done the other attractions section and the Buy and Do sections. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 12:32, 16 March 2016 (UTC) ===Restarting this=== So after a year of dormancy, how about reviving this? There are five outline districts in all of England - all of them in Leeds. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 20:43, 23 March 2017 (UTC) == Traffic lights == I just [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Leeds&type=revision&diff=2954471&oldid=2950096 commented out] a claim about traffic lights that I find to be highly dubious (and furthermore unclearly worded). For one thing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light our sister project] makes no mention of Leeds on its article on traffic lights. And a very breif glance at google lets me also doubt the claim. If any of you know better, please provide some source (anything, really) put it on the talk page and update the wording accordingly. Thank you. Edited to add: The claim was also made on the Discover nomination page, where I similarly [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3ADiscover&type=revision&diff=2954469&oldid=2954386 commented it out] [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 16:42, 9 March 2016 (UTC) :[http://web.archive.org/web/20120212124813/http://www.leeds.gov.uk/page.aspx?pageidentifier=B08840B63BB604C480256E1B00307E07 This webpage], cited on [[W:Park Row, Leeds]] states that Park Row had the first traffic lights ''in Britain'' (rather than the world) in 1928, so my guess is that someone has heard about this and misremembered and augmented it in their mind when writing about it on Wikivoyage. That ought to have been an end to the whole sorry affair, but... :Wikipedia also [[W:Traffic light#History|claims]] that Britain's first electric traffic lights were installed in Piccadilly Circus in 1926, two years earlier than Leeds, and that Wolverhampton also got some in 1927. So it seems that even the lesser claim of "first traffic lights in Britain" is unsupported and almost certainly false, and our references to it should be removed, which I'm going to do now. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:12, 9 March 2016 (UTC) ::Thanks for that. When copying fun facts from articles I assume what's written in our articles is correct (just as readers/users of our articles do). [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 17:37, 9 March 2016 (UTC) :::Yes, I think most of us do. Thanks for spotting this, [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:44, 9 March 2016 (UTC) ::::No problem. My default assumption also is that WV is correct in what it claims, but sometimes I like to double check stuff. In the process I learned that Potsdamer Platz in Berlin only had the "first" traffic light in Europe/Germany/what have you if you tweak the definition a lot... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 17:59, 9 March 2016 (UTC) == Districts once more == Sooooo.... We gonna do summink 'bout dem districtis? [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 21:14, 26 June 2018 (UTC) == Headingley == is marked on the static map but has no mention in the districts section, nor does it have an article. Should a district be created for Headingley, or should it be removed from the static map? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 02:41, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :[[Leeds/Headingley]] used to be an article, but it was decided back in the 10s to consolidate Leeds' large but incomplete district list into the current set-up. Probably best to remove it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:04, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::Sure. Will remove it from the map sometime soon. Are there any other changes that need to be done while I'm at it? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 07:07, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::I mean, you've seen the map. It's pretty basic and could do with more information, but it's up to you as to how much you want to do. Good city maps have roads, railways, parks, rivers... When doing the routeboxes for Leeds, I remember struggling to work out which districts certain roads went through, and eventually realised that some of the boundaries had been drawn following the roads I was routeboxing. But I won't blame you at all if you decide to just remove Headingley, as it can't be easy to map a city you don't know.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:55, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::I must say, the static map is not a very good one. I'm probably biased by saying this, but even the [[Southeastern New South Wales|sixth static map I drew]] looks better than this – honestly, I felt like redoing the map from scratch when I saw this today. I'll start compiling the resources tomorrow and will make a start once I do. The boundaries are a bit vague, but I'll try my best. ::::But before that, I'll try and make an interactive dynamic map using [https://geojson.io/#map=13/53.7923/-1.5610 geojson.io] and convert that into {{tl|mapmask}}s using Renek78's geojson-mapmask converter. It seems the boundaries follow important highways and freeways so doesn't seem too hard. I'll keep you updated with how the dynamic map goes. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:45, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::If you need any help with geography, I might be able to advise.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:17, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::Also, the airport (somewhere near the top of NW Leeds) would be a useful addition.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:25, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::Just finished tracing out the Central, South, East and NE districts and just about to do NW, so will keep that in mind. I've noticed that some of the listings fall outside the mapmasks, but they seem to be kilometres out. Would that be okay or should I extend the districts out even further? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 09:39, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Bigger mapmask, I reckon, unless the listings should really be on one of the other city articles in West Yorkshire. But Leeds is quite a big city, without immediate neighbours to the east or north, so some of the POIs will be far out.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:51, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Yeah I just realised I screwed up all but West and Central. At least, the boundaries for the others aren't so fine-grained. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:25, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Redid NE and NW. Now just E and S left. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:58, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Finally done the dynamic map – see the result at [[User:SHB2000/Leeds]]. Anything else needed before I transfer the data to Commons? Once I transfer all that to Commons, I'll start the static map. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:05, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Linking https://github.com/SHB2000/SHB2000/blob/main/leeds.json if anyone wants the code. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:09, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::That looks really good. I think you're using the municipal boundaries as the outer border; do all the POIs fit inside? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 14:34, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::<nowiki>:-)</nowiki>. :::::::::::::Yes, I did use the boundaries from [https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/118362#map=11/53.8065/-1.4564 OpenStreetMap]. Many of the listings are now in the wrong district (but still within Leess) and all but [[Leeds/North_West#Craiglands Hotel|Craiglands Hotel]] in NW Leeds are now within Leeds. I'll transfer this to Commons just in a moment. :::::::::::::But before I start the static map, which roads should be included, and is there a specific colour scheme that's officially used in the UK (e.g. red for freeways, yellow for major arterial roads or something like that) that I should try and follow? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:16, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::And which roads should I include? ::::::::::::::Here's what I think should be marked, at least from side observations from hours of tracing last night ;-) ::::::::::::::* All freeways (i.e. M1, M62, A1(M), and M621) ::::::::::::::* A58 ::::::::::::::* A61 ::::::::::::::* A6120 ::::::::::::::* A63 ::::::::::::::* A660 ::::::::::::::Are there any other important roads that I've missed? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} It sounds like hard work. Those roads, plus the A64 and A65, seem the main ones. I'm not sure how important it is, but the A58 (M) and A64 (M) form an incredibly short motorway in the city centre (so short, they have their own entries on [https://pathetic.org.uk/current/a64m/ Pathetic Motorways]). I wouldn't say there's an official colour scheme as such, but most UK road atlases colour motorways blue, and the main A roads green, following the colour of the road signs (e.g. [[Image:UK-Motorway-M1.svg|40px]], [[Image:UK road A58.svg|40px]]). You probably don't need to worry about them, but secondary A roads are red, B roads are yellow, and very minor roads white. Google Maps used to follow this scheme in the UK too, before imposing their orange and white nonsense on the whole world.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:10, 13 August 2022 (UTC) Looking with fresh eyes, on the dynamic map a couple of things have jumped out at me regarding the boundaries. The balance between East and North East seem skewed heavily in favour of East, resulting in the town of Wetherby being sliced in half; perhaps it would be better if the boundary followed the A64 once out of the built-up area (so say from around where that line called ELOR meets the A64 near Scholes). Also, that section of West Leeds from the really narrow bit around Yeadon, up towards Hawksworth, is probably more logically placed in North West Leeds. Feel free to say "it's too late to nitpick, we're doing it as it is", because I realise this has turned from a quick "removing Headingley" tweak to a wholescale "redesigning Leeds" endeavour from your perspective.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:36, 13 August 2022 (UTC) Oh, and it turns out that ELOR is the [https://www.elor.uk/ East Leeds Orbital Route], an under-construction dual-carriageway.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:48, 13 August 2022 (UTC) :I could do the map again, but the boundaries I drew were deliberately designed based on where the listings were, and the boundaries that the now-removed static map used. I ''could'' do it again, but my 7-day isolation period due to well, [[COVID-19|The Virus]] is nearing to an end so I won't have 3-4 hours of spare time on my hands and I guess it's (sadly) too late to nitpick (apologies for that). :As for the roads, jokingly, A58(M) and A64(M) remind me of the [[Sunshine Coast#Get around|Sunshine Motorway]] in Queensland, except this one's a pathetic motorway not due to distance, but because it looks like [https://goo.gl/maps/dNHKbTEJP1wR1xg97 this], [https://goo.gl/maps/HymBiew62vWJxir26 this], or [https://goo.gl/maps/QzUD5qJUZrYeMvUw7 this] for half its length (that said, there are bits that do look like a motorway like [https://goo.gl/maps/vWY1rmNGxdppYmCc6 this] or [https://goo.gl/maps/ky4RR712CjNSycXo9 this]. So unusual, that it doesn't even have exit numbering like all the other motorways in the state. Back on topic, I can certainly do the A64 and A65 as well. It shouldn't be too hard to do – all I have to do is to simply trace the roads from OSM, and that's about it. I'll start the map this arvo, and I'll let you know how that's coming along. :<small>and btw, thanks for the Pathetic Motorways website :-) An interesting website to look around. I just had a look at some other pathetic motorways and a lot of the motorways seem to be rather unusual.</small> <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 00:40, 14 August 2022 (UTC) ::Fair play, I just thought I'd ask. Well done on getting through self-isolation. I haven't tested positive once in over two years, but can still imagine it's pretty tedious. Hopefully, Pathetic Motorways managed to alleviate some of that tedium 😆 --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:09, 14 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks for the kind words :-). My isolation period ends tomorrow, so time to say goodbye to clicking "remove" to all ''The Devonshire Manuscript'' entries a hundred times (see [[:b:Special:History/Wikibooks:Correct typos in one click/16]] for a bit more context). ::: :::Done. I made a start on doing some of the minor roads but decided to get rid of them as it was becoming too crowded. The same reason is why the motorways aren't labeled, but I think this has to be my second or third favourite static map I've made, after [[Southeastern NSW]] and possibly [[Canberra/Civic]]. Turned out a lot better than I thought. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 04:55, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Also the airport might not show up. I forgot to add the airport when I first uploaded it, but I've reuploaded a map with the airport. The airport still doesn't show up on Commons though, at least on my end, but it does on both en.voy and it.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:28, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :::::That's come out well, and the airport shows for me both on WV and Commons. Thanks for the hours of work! --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:52, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::Strange how the airport still doesn't show up on my end on en.voy + it.voy but it does on Commons. Perhaps a cache issue? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 38yrvz3oaeusqxa1sxpbs7aw9ctrxdp 4506240 4506192 2022-08-22T13:30:10Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Headingley */Very likely wikitext text/x-wiki ==Clubs== Can you really call the Cockpit a club? HiFi? Whats really a club? [[User:81.105.110.59|81.105.110.59]] 21:08, 13 July 2008 (EDT) ==Visitor Feedback== Leeds is a great city to visit, for a day, a weekend or a week. You can easily explore all the Yorkshire has to offer, based in this shoppers, diners and drinkers mecca... Leeds somehow manages to have the worst cinema this wikivoyager has ever experienced in the Kirkstall Road complex. Filthy and with no information whatsoever about current film showings, the staff give you a good reason to stay at home and rent DVD's online! You are much better off attending Cottage Road Cinema[11] in the centre of Headingley. Plenty to do afterwards as well. The Hyde Park Picture house is another good independent cinema (only 1 screen) with a wide selection of both modern and classic films on show. It retains many of its original features including gas lighting. Sorry youve had such a bad experience, but i grew up in Ilkley (just outside Leeds), and this is the cinema I use most, and i have never had a problem with it. Adding in that comment in the main articel is unprofessional and just adds to the impression that WIKI's are totally useless for serious research into a place. I am removing it as it is obviously POV.[[User:213.48.73.89|213.48.73.89]] 09:13, 25 May 2007 (EDT) :Please understand that ''this'' wiki is not Wikipedia, and we ''welcome'' travelers' POV about the places they visit. What we ask is that they [[Project:Be fair|be fair]]. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 11:12, 25 May 2007 (EDT) ==Questions for potential visitors== Want to come to Leeds but the Wikiguide doesn't tell you something you need to know? Post your question here and a Leeds Wikivoyager will try to answer asap. "Leeds City Guide [106]" links through to a website that hasn't been updated since 2002. What about www.skiddle.com/cities/leeds/ as an alternative? ==Huge city?== I mentioned this on one of the district pages, but as it looks like there is more than one at this point, I'll bring the conversation here. The district idea is really only for Huge Cities, ie [[Mexico City]] and [[New York (city)]]. It's not just a matter of where folks go to work, or what's real close by, etc etc. These places are either destinations in their own right or, maybe, neighborhoods of Leeds. But from the article contents it seems as if it's the first case. Comments from folks in the know? [[User:(WT-en) Maj|(WT-en) Majnoona]] 17:30, 4 May 2006 (EDT) :Maj, Leeds is obviously not as huge as New York or Mexico, but with a population of 715,000 it is quite large. These are neighbourhoods of Leeds rather than distant suburbs, you could walk to them in 20 minutes / 1/2 an hour or so. To me it is arguable whether they actually need articles, but in the past (small towns in [[North Dakota]]), you have expressed the desire to keep articles, whether or not there is much to see there. I moved the article to ''districts'', rather than leave them as separate articles to highlight the fact that they are actually neighbourhoods within a large city, rather than separate communities. Other medium sized cities (such as [[Krakow]]) have many districts. I am not against this changing back to separate articles, but it should be born in mind that they are neighbourhoods, rather than distant suburbs. -- [[User:(WT-en) DanielC|(WT-en) DanielC]] 08:36, 15 May 2006 (EDT) I think Headingley is both. Obviously a part of Leeds, it is effectively a town within a city. I think that some visitors may well visit Headingley in it's own right, visiting student friends, watching live sports or maybe just for the famous night life. I'm sure many people who come to watch sport stay for the evening for a meal and a few drinks or shopping. Chapel Allerton is less of a destination in it's own right, but is a district/suburb of Leeds which is worth going to for a day. By creating a separate article, it makes the main Leeds article more concise. == Travel in leeds == I had some bad experience in leed with taxi's and good one if you just flag a taxi dow they will charge you whatever they can just to go a couple of miles you can pay 10 pounds I use a couple of bad ones who charged me much more than it should have been but the one that i would recomend is Owl Cars 0113 2 28 28 20. Where did the Metro train route diagram go?? == Photos == CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO UPLOAD PICTURES AND EMBED THEM ON THIS PAGE! : [[Project:How to add an image]] &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Ravikiran r|(WT-en) Ravikiran]] 09:03, 9 November 2006 (EST) Hi, can the person who has been adding pictures (I don't have any of my own/any i have copyright to on the computer i'm using at the minute), possibly add one of City Sq with the fountains/Old Post Office/No1 City Sq (there are some nice ones of Queens' Hotel at night too) and one of the Town Hall if it's not too much trouble? otherwise i should be able to get round to it eventually What happened to the file directory at the top? It currently states West Yorkshire: Leeds. It used to state Europe:UK:England:Yorkshire:West Yorkshire... City Sq & Town Hall pics now added - feel free to move/remove any I just plonked them in. Now I've done you a favour you can help me to update the [[Yorkshire Moors]], [[Yorkshire Dales]], and [[Yorkshire]] articles - all of which supplement the Leeds article... Thanks! Okay, but i don't know as much about them (though obviously living nearby most of my life im not completely in the dark)...i'll just add bits regularly for the next few weeks when i have the time (As have been doing with this article) :) == Getting to guide (now achieved) == what more do i (and others) need to do to have this upgraded from an outline to a guide article? i dont see how there isnt enough information, okay the see:central leeds by area isn't finished yet, but i mean there was a fair amount there to begin with and i've spent ages adding and updating information to it (and some kind individual added pretty pictures!), and im pretty damn sure a visitor could use this guide and have a very productive/fruitful/enjoyable/succesful visit to the city...there is information on transport, accomodation, sights, shopping, safety, eating, nightlife...what more do i need to add/do to make it a "guide"? the manchester one is less detailed but classed as a guide... :You can [[Project:Plunge forward|plunge forward]] and do that, I doubt anyone would challenge that. It looks like at least a Guide article to me. What does need to be done, is some moving of information to the district articles. On a huge city we prefer to have the actual listings in the districts and general information in the main article. This article is getting a little too large and some of the information could be moved. Also if districts need to be added or modified, feel free to do that also. This is your guide as much yours as it is for anyone. Thank you for your contributions. -- [[User:(WT-en) Xltel|(WT-en) Tom Holland (xltel)]] 08:58, 23 November 2006 (EST) ::I wouldn't call Leeds a 'huge' city, a large one, but its under a million. There are district guides for the three major out-of-centre destination districts (Headingley, Chapel Allerton, Roundhay), but do you think it would be apropriate to divide the city centre into district guides - it has distinct quarters but the central area is fairly compact, nothing like Manhattan/central London/Paris etc...and its hard to know where the boundaries are: also where would out of town attractions/attractions in the surrouding area fall? I'll think about it but i'm not exactly sure how i would go about restructuring... ==Getting to Star/Destination of the month== This article is looking pretty amazing now - really indepth. As we work towards 'Star' article status I though a good way would be to use benchmarking. IE look at other Star articles/Articles of the month to see what features/info they have that this one lacks. There was a Metro train diagram on here - anyone know where it went? See comments: http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_Month_candidates#Leeds ==what happened to the images?== they've all gone. i havent updated/edited this page for ages, but i will try over the next few weeks when i have time to make it more concise/logical etc (tho i dont agree that the district articles are a bit 'thin') i dont understand also why so much of the text is being edited out ive looked at the history but i cant seem to view the page where discussion about this goes on - and yes various english cities are near beautiful countryside but no other major city in england is as near to as much beautiful countryside or as close to as many national parks - this is to an extent objective fact! :The images were deleted for being violations of the [[Project:Copyleft|copyleft]] and appeared to have been taken from other websites. -- [[User:(WT-en) Sapphire|(WT-en) Sapphire]] • <small>([[User talk:(WV-en) Sapphire|Talk]])</small> • 06:49, 24 May 2007 (EDT) ::I'm still not entirely sure why so much of the text etc I spent so long over seems to be gradually removed/made worse/grammatically incorrect/use of american spelling/etc. It's quite disheartening to have something you worked so hard on ruined tbh. ==Restaurants== Is anybody who knows these restaurants able to move them to ====Budget====, ====Mid-range==== and ====Splurge====? Many Thanks [[User:62.49.204.235|62.49.204.235]] 09:06, 9 February 2008 (EST) == Voted Best City == If someone thinks it is significant to include that it was voted best city in 2003, then I think its entirely reasonable and informative to say where it was placed in the same survey this year. Personally I think all the surveys are useless, but balance in all things.. --[[User:(WT-en) Inas|(WT-en) Inas]] 18:24, 18 December 2008 (EST) == LBA car parks == Since this section is about getting into Leeds I don't understand the rationale for a table detailing car parks for people catching flights out of Leeds. Any objections to deleting the table? --[[User:Dakinijones|Dakinijones]] ([[User talk:Dakinijones|talk]]) 16:06, 9 February 2013 (UTC) == Districtification - work in progress? == It looks like somebody started to split the article into district articles, but the result is an article sitting on the fence, with most of the city centre left in the article and several very short sections carved out. I do not know much about Leeds, but I tend to think there are two options which one could follow: # Make "Leeds" a region, and then subdivide into the the City of Leeds proper and suburbs (even if forming a part of one municipal body called "Leeds") # Reintegrate description of suburbs and districts into the article. It does not seem there is too much to do outside of the city centre, so the list of pubs and all resulting from the remerge could be trimmed. It is great to know there are places to go for a pint outside of the centre, but if it is the only thing to do there, then it is of little interest to travellers. You thoughts? [[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 18:56, 10 June 2013 (UTC) :Given that there are an awful lot of districts of Leeds sitting at outline ''something'' clearly has to be done. But I don't quite know what... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 17:29, 24 November 2015 (UTC) ::Is there any policy against just having one or two districts (i.e. those that can support an entire article such as [[Headingley]]) with the rest moved back into the main city article? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 19:29, 24 November 2015 (UTC) :::Yes, I believe so. Cities aren't supposed to be incompletely districted. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:04, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::::That seems unnecessarily inflexible. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:37, 25 November 2015 (UTC) :::::I may have misunderstood your question. Are you suggesting dividing the entire city into two districts? If that [[ttcf|serves the traveller well]], sure, why not? What is your proposal? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:40, 25 November 2015 (UTC) :::::: The first odd thing is that the main article is also the article for the centre of of the city as well as some listing for the whole area. I think before the districts can be sorted out the listings should be checked to see if still valid and coordinates added to see exactly where they are. Headingley could make sense as its own article/district but the other are a little arbitrary. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 10:31, 25 November 2015 (UTC) What I am suggesting is that the district articles which have enough (updated*) content in them be kept separate, while the rest be either re-integrated into the main Leeds article, or removed if their information isn't relevant. So I guess I'm proposing a "semi-districtification" whereby only a couple of districts actually have separate articles. I have to admit, I don't know Leeds well at all, but just looking at the district articles [[Chapel Allerton |Chapel Allerton]], [[Leeds/East Leeds|East Leeds]], [[Leeds/South Leeds|South Leeds]], [[Leeds/West Leeds|West Leeds]] and [[Leeds/Roundhay|Roundhay]] seem to have little in the way of actual attractions (in the 'see' and 'do') sections anyway and are more just lists of local shops and restaurants, much like a local directory. This is in contrast to [[Leeds/Headingley|Headingley]], and [[Leeds/North West|North West]] and [[Leeds/North East Leeds|North East Leeds]], which do seem to have something touristy going for them besides places to eat and drink. <nowiki>*</nowiki>I agree with [[User:Traveler100]] that the listings need to be checked that they are updated. You'll notice many of the Leeds district articles lack proper listings, and one or two even don't have a proper banner contents. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 19:26, 25 November 2015 (UTC) :I thought that was what you were suggesting. I would reiterate that that is against policy. Instead, a better solution would be that if there are several districts which don't have enough of interest to visitors (i.e., not that the work simply hasn't been done to input the relevant information, but they actually lack enough points of interest), some districts could be combined in whatever way best [[ttcf|serves the traveller]]. But deliberately leaving some specific templated listings in the parent city article while moving others to districts is confusing, and therefore a bad practice. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:10, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::Okay, well I don't see much difference between my proposal and yours if I'm honest, unless you're also suggesting this article's listings be put into a new [[Leeds/City Centre]] article? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:56, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::: I think we should create a city centre article and move listing there from the main page. Can we also agree that some of the listing can be deleted from the other districts? Thinking in particular the jewellery and cloths shops, which will make some of the districts clear for deletion. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 21:05, 25 November 2015 (UTC) ::::Yep, I am in agreement with all of that. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 23:23, 25 November 2015 (UTC) == The lead == Anyone else feel the leading section is perhaps a little ''too'' promotional? I'm fully aware there's no need to be encyclopaedic on here, but that part just seems a bit too much like a tourism brochure and not a travel guide. Just wanted other opinions before I made any changes -- '''''[[User:SUFCboy|Half]]''''' ''[[User talk:SUFCboy|past]]'' <small>''(formerly SUFCboy)''</small> 18:12, 9 December 2013 (UTC) :Yes, I guess one might want to tone down the wonderfully exciting lingo there and provide some actual information on the city instead. [[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 18:40, 9 December 2013 (UTC) :Leeds' lead sounds more like [[New York]] than Old [[Yorkshire]]. So go ahead, Half past. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 19:36, 9 December 2013 (UTC) ::IMO, the info provided is good enough, but we could cut out the superlative rubbishː "famed for its excellent shopping" (I suppose it is called the 'Knightsbridge of the North', but still...); "extremely attractive" (it's Leeds, for God's sake, not Venice) and all this talk of "fantastic", "excellent" and "beautiful". --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 22:56, 9 December 2013 (UTC) :::Thanks all. I've half-rewritten the lead around what was there already, I'm sure somebody could improve on it but I reckon it's sufficient and preferable to the old one. -- '''''[[User:SUFCboy|Half]]''''' ''[[User talk:SUFCboy|past]]'' <small>''(formerly SUFCboy)''</small> 08:22, 10 December 2013 (UTC) ::::I've just realised, 'former SUFC boy', that you may be a little biased when it comes to the topic of Leeds ;-) Am I right? Anyway, nice re-write, much more down-to-earthǃ --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:54, 10 December 2013 (UTC) ::::: Haha, I try to leave any prejudices behind when I'm editing :P Have to say that Leeds is a decent city and suitably different to Sheffield. And thanks! --'''''[[User:SUFCboy|Half]]''''' ''[[User talk:SUFCboy|past]]'' <small>''(formerly SUFCboy)''</small> 14:49, 11 December 2013 (UTC) == Alternative banner for this article? == [[File:Leeds Wikivoyage Banner.png|right|thumb|500px|old banner currently used in this article]] [[File:Leeds banner.jpg|right|thumb|500px|suggested new banner (which is currently used in the parallel article in the Hebrew Wikivoyage)]] In the Hebrew Wikivoyage we are currently using this banner instead of the one which is currently used here. Do you think too that this banner would would better than the existing one? [[User:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|ויקיג&#39;אנקי]] ([[User talk:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|talk]]) 02:15, 5 April 2014 (UTC) :That's a very nice panorama and a very well-composed photo. I think I would favor it over the current banner, which though nice is not actually as interesting to me as the panorama. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:19, 5 April 2014 (UTC) ::Leeds' skyline is so uncharacteristic that it really doesn't work for me. The city is known as the birthplace of modern-style retail, shopping arcades, Marks&Spencer etc., so I believe a shopping arcade is much more Leeds than a anonymous composition of night lights. --[[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 18:35, 5 April 2014 (UTC) :::Agree. - [[User:Fabimaru|Fabimaru]] ([[User talk:Fabimaru|talk]]) 18:06, 9 April 2014 (UTC) ::PS. There are apparent compression issues with the night skyline banner, seems like the original pic was in much lower resolution. :::I have a slight preference for the new banner. The last time I passed through Leeds was on an evening train and this reminds me of the view. The original pic is 8,159 × 2,972 pixels. :::Whichever banner is not used here might be used on [[West Yorkshire]]. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:16, 5 April 2014 (UTC) ::::I plunged ahead and went with you suggestion, [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]]. I guess the "new" banner is more anonymous, so it is not really "Leeds", but it sure is representative of the urban nature of West Yorkshire, which incidentally lacked a banner. [[User:PrinceGloria|PrinceGloria]] ([[User talk:PrinceGloria|talk]]) 06:29, 13 April 2014 (UTC) PrinceGloria, you are in a minority opinion on this one, as both me, Ikan Kekek and AlasdairW prefer the new banner being used in the article [[Leeds]], while only you and Fabimaru prefer the old banner being used in this article. In addition, I must also state that although you mentioned above that you believe the new banner is based on a lower resolution picture, in realty, [[:File:Light night over Leeds (Taken by Flickr user 9th October 2013).jpg|the picture which I used to create this banner is actually of a very high resolution (8,159 × 2,972 pixels!)]]. [[User:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|ויקיג&#39;אנקי]] ([[User talk:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|talk]]) 16:24, 13 April 2014 (UTC) :I don't know Leeds or Yorkshire, so I was just reacting to the look of the pagebanners and would give some deference to people who do. Moreover, a 3-2 lead is not necessarily a clear consensus. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:44, 13 April 2014 (UTC) ::I think that is great that the new banner is now on [[West Yorkshire]], and I have only visited Leeds while passing through, so I am happy to defer to those who have spent longer there. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:46, 13 April 2014 (UTC) :::I should say that I'm perfectly happy with this solution and respect the knowledge that went into making it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:54, 14 April 2014 (UTC) == Suggested Description for the Met Hotel == A 4-star hotel and event venue offering 120 bedrooms, 18 event suites and a restaurant on King Street in Leeds. The hotel is a Grade II listed building built in 1898 and Victorian terracotta facade. The cupola on the roof was taken from the demolished 4th White Cloth Hall. [[User:VerbInteractive|VerbInteractive]] ([[User talk:VerbInteractive|talk]]) 13:50, 6 January 2015 (UTC) :Sounds good, don't hesitate and [[plunge forward]] everytime you have a good idea - if somebody will disagree, they can always discuss or propose a better version by means of editing the page. ::He can't, as he's an employee of the owners of the hotel. I'll add the listing --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:18, 6 January 2015 (UTC) == District discussion == Considering that ''all'' districts listed as "outline" on the [[Wikivoyage:England Expedition]] are parts of Leeds and they make up seven of the nine total districts and the fact that the current district map looks ''weird'' (at least to me, who's never been to Leeds), maybe we should try to redefine districts? [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 16:08, 2 March 2016 (UTC) :[[Headingley]], probably the single weirdest part of the map, almost definitely deserves its own article. Other than that, I am broadly in agreement. Perhaps some hefty merging is the order of the day (e.g. into north, south, east and west, with Headingley and the City Centre, as the main tourist areas, kept separate)? There was a discussion about this a few months ago that came to nothing. Let's try and decide what to do and then do it. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:00, 2 March 2016 (UTC) :: Can we go through the all the listing on the main article and districts, weed out the closed or non relevant entries and add coordinates and full address to the others. We can then more effectively reorganise the districts, which really are a mess. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 07:57, 12 March 2016 (UTC) Coming to conclusion that the think to do is merge Headingley into Leeds/North West; and Chapel Allerton and Roundhay into Leeds/North East Leeds. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 18:16, 12 March 2016 (UTC) :I think we should also have a new district map at the end of it all. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 19:57, 12 March 2016 (UTC) ::Yes. Perhaps you are interested into how this map came into being. Some two years ago [[Wikivoyage_talk:Requests_for_maps|I discovered we had a load of cities, including Leeds, that were districtified but had no maps at all]]. I decided to start making them myself as noone else seemed to be interested (and to get some experience in map drawing and the workflow of Inkscape ;)). Other than Prague, I hadn't been to one of these cities myself so I had to look in the district articles for clues and google POIs to get an idea of the size and shape of the districts. ::The current map is probably not too inaccurate but not too beautiful either, and if changes to the districts are made a new map will be necessary anyway. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 21:00, 12 March 2016 (UTC) [[File:Wikivoyage Leeds district map 2 PNG.png|thumbnail|new map?]] ::: So how come I can paint over the boundaries in image edit software but it still shows? Any chance of creating the new one? I was not complaining about the map but the spliut of districts and the fact the content overlaps. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 07:28, 13 March 2016 (UTC) ::::Vector files and stuff exported from vector software may behave in funny ways. I will look into the matter tonight or tomorrow. [[Special:Contributions/213.204.37.227|213.204.37.227]] 11:44, 13 March 2016 (UTC) (Ypsilon who didn't log in on a public network) [[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]], while it's brilliant that you're willing to get on with the job, I don't believe we've achieved any kind of consensus over this except that we all agree the districts have to be changed ''somehow'', and that quite a few irrelevant listings should be deleted. You proposed one solution (at 18:16 last night), and then implemented it a few hours later (9:30-ish this morning), without giving much of an opportunity for review or discussion. Just to clarify, I don't currently have any objection ''per se'' to the merges you're doing, but I also don't feel as though I or others have been given an opportunity to think about or discuss them. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:04, 13 March 2016 (UTC) : Sorry, maybe I was a little hasty. It was just that I was working on the listings and finding duplication on different pages so decided to move all to one place then try and sort it out. If someone comes up with a better definition of districts we can easily move things around. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 12:08, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :: That's alright! It's good that you're being pro-active rather than talking but doing nothing, but yeah I'm looking at the districts today, comparing the old with the new. My understanding of Headingley was that it was quite touristy, but so far I haven't found much evidence of that except that there's quite a lot of accommodation. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:15, 13 March 2016 (UTC) So is Woodhouse, North West or Central? --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 17:17, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :It's outside the inner ring road so North West, but only just. Some of the southern parts of Woodhouse are pretty much part of central Leeds, but most of the area is housing and university buildings. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:16, 13 March 2016 (UTC) I think the new districts are pretty much spot-on. The [[Leeds/North West|North West]] seems a tad overstuffed, but that could just be a question of thinning out the listings a little and cutting down the gigantic list of neighbourhoods in the lead to only those that are of interest to travellers. <small>—The [[Project:Using_talk_pages#Talk_page_formatting|preceding]] comment was added by [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User_talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/ThunderingTyphoons!|contribs]]) </small> : So, is the new version of district setup the one that's in the map above? [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 19:42, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :::[[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]]: Yep :-) --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:30, 13 March 2016 (UTC) ::What I don't like about the map is that the sectors simply go into the frame and there is no real indication as to which part of the city they actually cover. Compare that to the district boundaries of [[Berlin]] and you get a much clearer picture there. Another probelm with the Leeds map is that there are no bodies of water, major streets or major landmarks shown in the map, which is something we have in (almost) all other district maps. For someone not from Leeds it's really difficult to tell "where you are" with this map.[[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 20:12, 13 March 2016 (UTC) :::Agree completely. The ideal in the long term surely would be to incorporate each district map into the existing dynamic map of a city, but that is probably a couple of years away, so for now we have to try to make the region maps as good as possible, with some roads and local landmarks if possible. Ypsilon's maps are still better than anything I could do, however, so I don't wish to be too critical. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:30, 13 March 2016 (UTC) Assume southern border of central Leeds (for this article purposes) is the river? There are a few sights and bars just south of the river, checking which district to place in. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 12:59, 15 March 2016 (UTC) :Looks about right. Residents seem to use the ring road (A58(M)) for the northern edge and the river for the southern edge. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:51, 15 March 2016 (UTC) All the Sleep, Eat and Drink listing that where on the main city page are not in the district pages. The city centre listings in the See section of the main Leeds article needs changing from see listings to text paragraphs. Have not yet done the other attractions section and the Buy and Do sections. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 12:32, 16 March 2016 (UTC) ===Restarting this=== So after a year of dormancy, how about reviving this? There are five outline districts in all of England - all of them in Leeds. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 20:43, 23 March 2017 (UTC) == Traffic lights == I just [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Leeds&type=revision&diff=2954471&oldid=2950096 commented out] a claim about traffic lights that I find to be highly dubious (and furthermore unclearly worded). For one thing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light our sister project] makes no mention of Leeds on its article on traffic lights. And a very breif glance at google lets me also doubt the claim. If any of you know better, please provide some source (anything, really) put it on the talk page and update the wording accordingly. Thank you. Edited to add: The claim was also made on the Discover nomination page, where I similarly [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3ADiscover&type=revision&diff=2954469&oldid=2954386 commented it out] [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 16:42, 9 March 2016 (UTC) :[http://web.archive.org/web/20120212124813/http://www.leeds.gov.uk/page.aspx?pageidentifier=B08840B63BB604C480256E1B00307E07 This webpage], cited on [[W:Park Row, Leeds]] states that Park Row had the first traffic lights ''in Britain'' (rather than the world) in 1928, so my guess is that someone has heard about this and misremembered and augmented it in their mind when writing about it on Wikivoyage. That ought to have been an end to the whole sorry affair, but... :Wikipedia also [[W:Traffic light#History|claims]] that Britain's first electric traffic lights were installed in Piccadilly Circus in 1926, two years earlier than Leeds, and that Wolverhampton also got some in 1927. So it seems that even the lesser claim of "first traffic lights in Britain" is unsupported and almost certainly false, and our references to it should be removed, which I'm going to do now. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:12, 9 March 2016 (UTC) ::Thanks for that. When copying fun facts from articles I assume what's written in our articles is correct (just as readers/users of our articles do). [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 17:37, 9 March 2016 (UTC) :::Yes, I think most of us do. Thanks for spotting this, [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:44, 9 March 2016 (UTC) ::::No problem. My default assumption also is that WV is correct in what it claims, but sometimes I like to double check stuff. In the process I learned that Potsdamer Platz in Berlin only had the "first" traffic light in Europe/Germany/what have you if you tweak the definition a lot... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 17:59, 9 March 2016 (UTC) == Districts once more == Sooooo.... We gonna do summink 'bout dem districtis? [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 21:14, 26 June 2018 (UTC) == Headingley == is marked on the static map but has no mention in the districts section, nor does it have an article. Should a district be created for Headingley, or should it be removed from the static map? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 02:41, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :[[Leeds/Headingley]] used to be an article, but it was decided back in the 10s to consolidate Leeds' large but incomplete district list into the current set-up. Probably best to remove it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:04, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::Sure. Will remove it from the map sometime soon. Are there any other changes that need to be done while I'm at it? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 07:07, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::I mean, you've seen the map. It's pretty basic and could do with more information, but it's up to you as to how much you want to do. Good city maps have roads, railways, parks, rivers... When doing the routeboxes for Leeds, I remember struggling to work out which districts certain roads went through, and eventually realised that some of the boundaries had been drawn following the roads I was routeboxing. But I won't blame you at all if you decide to just remove Headingley, as it can't be easy to map a city you don't know.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:55, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::I must say, the static map is not a very good one. I'm probably biased by saying this, but even the [[Southeastern New South Wales|sixth static map I drew]] looks better than this – honestly, I felt like redoing the map from scratch when I saw this today. I'll start compiling the resources tomorrow and will make a start once I do. The boundaries are a bit vague, but I'll try my best. ::::But before that, I'll try and make an interactive dynamic map using [https://geojson.io/#map=13/53.7923/-1.5610 geojson.io] and convert that into {{tl|mapmask}}s using Renek78's geojson-mapmask converter. It seems the boundaries follow important highways and freeways so doesn't seem too hard. I'll keep you updated with how the dynamic map goes. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:45, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::If you need any help with geography, I might be able to advise.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:17, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::Also, the airport (somewhere near the top of NW Leeds) would be a useful addition.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:25, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::Just finished tracing out the Central, South, East and NE districts and just about to do NW, so will keep that in mind. I've noticed that some of the listings fall outside the mapmasks, but they seem to be kilometres out. Would that be okay or should I extend the districts out even further? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 09:39, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Bigger mapmask, I reckon, unless the listings should really be on one of the other city articles in West Yorkshire. But Leeds is quite a big city, without immediate neighbours to the east or north, so some of the POIs will be far out.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:51, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Yeah I just realised I screwed up all but West and Central. At least, the boundaries for the others aren't so fine-grained. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:25, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Redid NE and NW. Now just E and S left. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:58, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Finally done the dynamic map – see the result at [[User:SHB2000/Leeds]]. Anything else needed before I transfer the data to Commons? Once I transfer all that to Commons, I'll start the static map. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:05, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Linking https://github.com/SHB2000/SHB2000/blob/main/leeds.json if anyone wants the code. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:09, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::That looks really good. I think you're using the municipal boundaries as the outer border; do all the POIs fit inside? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 14:34, 12 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::<nowiki>:-)</nowiki>. :::::::::::::Yes, I did use the boundaries from [https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/118362#map=11/53.8065/-1.4564 OpenStreetMap]. Many of the listings are now in the wrong district (but still within Leess) and all but [[Leeds/North_West#Craiglands Hotel|Craiglands Hotel]] in NW Leeds are now within Leeds. I'll transfer this to Commons just in a moment. :::::::::::::But before I start the static map, which roads should be included, and is there a specific colour scheme that's officially used in the UK (e.g. red for freeways, yellow for major arterial roads or something like that) that I should try and follow? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:16, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::And which roads should I include? ::::::::::::::Here's what I think should be marked, at least from side observations from hours of tracing last night ;-) ::::::::::::::* All freeways (i.e. M1, M62, A1(M), and M621) ::::::::::::::* A58 ::::::::::::::* A61 ::::::::::::::* A6120 ::::::::::::::* A63 ::::::::::::::* A660 ::::::::::::::Are there any other important roads that I've missed? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} It sounds like hard work. Those roads, plus the A64 and A65, seem the main ones. I'm not sure how important it is, but the A58 (M) and A64 (M) form an incredibly short motorway in the city centre (so short, they have their own entries on [https://pathetic.org.uk/current/a64m/ Pathetic Motorways]). I wouldn't say there's an official colour scheme as such, but most UK road atlases colour motorways blue, and the main A roads green, following the colour of the road signs (e.g. [[Image:UK-Motorway-M1.svg|40px]], [[Image:UK road A58.svg|40px]]). You probably don't need to worry about them, but secondary A roads are red, B roads are yellow, and very minor roads white. Google Maps used to follow this scheme in the UK too, before imposing their orange and white nonsense on the whole world.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:10, 13 August 2022 (UTC) Looking with fresh eyes, on the dynamic map a couple of things have jumped out at me regarding the boundaries. The balance between East and North East seem skewed heavily in favour of East, resulting in the town of Wetherby being sliced in half; perhaps it would be better if the boundary followed the A64 once out of the built-up area (so say from around where that line called ELOR meets the A64 near Scholes). Also, that section of West Leeds from the really narrow bit around Yeadon, up towards Hawksworth, is probably more logically placed in North West Leeds. Feel free to say "it's too late to nitpick, we're doing it as it is", because I realise this has turned from a quick "removing Headingley" tweak to a wholescale "redesigning Leeds" endeavour from your perspective.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:36, 13 August 2022 (UTC) Oh, and it turns out that ELOR is the [https://www.elor.uk/ East Leeds Orbital Route], an under-construction dual-carriageway.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:48, 13 August 2022 (UTC) :I could do the map again, but the boundaries I drew were deliberately designed based on where the listings were, and the boundaries that the now-removed static map used. I ''could'' do it again, but my 7-day isolation period due to well, [[COVID-19|The Virus]] is nearing to an end so I won't have 3-4 hours of spare time on my hands and I guess it's (sadly) too late to nitpick (apologies for that). :As for the roads, jokingly, A58(M) and A64(M) remind me of the [[Sunshine Coast#Get around|Sunshine Motorway]] in Queensland, except this one's a pathetic motorway not due to distance, but because it looks like [https://goo.gl/maps/dNHKbTEJP1wR1xg97 this], [https://goo.gl/maps/HymBiew62vWJxir26 this], or [https://goo.gl/maps/QzUD5qJUZrYeMvUw7 this] for half its length (that said, there are bits that do look like a motorway like [https://goo.gl/maps/vWY1rmNGxdppYmCc6 this] or [https://goo.gl/maps/ky4RR712CjNSycXo9 this]. So unusual, that it doesn't even have exit numbering like all the other motorways in the state. Back on topic, I can certainly do the A64 and A65 as well. It shouldn't be too hard to do – all I have to do is to simply trace the roads from OSM, and that's about it. I'll start the map this arvo, and I'll let you know how that's coming along. :<small>and btw, thanks for the Pathetic Motorways website :-) An interesting website to look around. I just had a look at some other pathetic motorways and a lot of the motorways seem to be rather unusual.</small> <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 00:40, 14 August 2022 (UTC) ::Fair play, I just thought I'd ask. Well done on getting through self-isolation. I haven't tested positive once in over two years, but can still imagine it's pretty tedious. Hopefully, Pathetic Motorways managed to alleviate some of that tedium 😆 --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:09, 14 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks for the kind words :-). My isolation period ends tomorrow, so time to say goodbye to clicking "remove" to all ''The Devonshire Manuscript'' entries a hundred times (see [[:b:Special:History/Wikibooks:Correct typos in one click/16]] for a bit more context). ::: :::Done. I made a start on doing some of the minor roads but decided to get rid of them as it was becoming too crowded. The same reason is why the motorways aren't labeled, but I think this has to be my second or third favourite static map I've made, after [[Southeastern NSW]] and possibly [[Canberra/Civic]]. Turned out a lot better than I thought. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 04:55, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Also the airport might not show up. I forgot to add the airport when I first uploaded it, but I've reuploaded a map with the airport. The airport still doesn't show up on Commons though, at least on my end, but it does on both en.voy and it.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:28, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :::::That's come out well, and the airport shows for me both on WV and Commons. Thanks for the hours of work! --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:52, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::Strange how the airport still doesn't show up on my end on en.voy + it.voy but it does on Commons. Perhaps a cache issue? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::Very likely.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:30, 22 August 2022 (UTC) pbj9y2bvao0m7bvfpsb4fo8udzrpl0d 4 68782 4506234 4506067 2022-08-22T13:23:08Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Stamford (England) */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{shortcut|[[Dotm]]<br>[[Otbp]]<br>[[Ftt]]}} Here we determine which articles are featured on the [[Main Page]] as [[Previous Destinations of the month|Destination of the month]] (DotM), [[Previously Off the beaten path|Off the Beaten Path]] (OtBP) and [[Previous Featured travel topics|Featured travel topics]] (FTT). ==Nominate== You can nominate any '''article''' you would like to see featured. 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This includes having at least one good picture, and listings/headers/etc. that match our [[Project:manual of style|manual of style]]. * The nominated article must not have been featured since Wikivoyage became a WMF project in 2013. ** See [[Previous Destinations of the month]], [[Previously Off the beaten path]], and [[Previous Featured travel topics]] to check. * If the article has been nominated previously but failed, any objections should be addressed before nominating it again. ** Check the [[Project:Destination of the month candidates/Slush pile|slush pile]]. ** If you think a once-slushed destination is now ready to go, list it as new, but with a pointer to the slush pile entry. * The article should be good enough to feature within 12 months; as is, or with edits that can be done before the intended time slot. Well-known and/or popular destinations should be nominated as '''Destination of the Month''', while more obscure destinations should be nominated for '''Off the Beaten Path'''. '''Featured Travel Topic''' includes travel topics, phrasebooks, itineraries, and other articles not part of the [[Wikivoyage:Geographic hierarchy|geographic hierarchy]], as well as airports (as they are not usually destinations in their own right). Where applicable, you should propose a good time to visit the destination as a month to be featured. The basic format of a nomination is as follows: <span style=color:green><nowiki>{{FeatureNom</nowiki> <nowiki>| place=Destination</nowiki> <nowiki>| blurb='''[[Destination]]''' is a place of contrasts, and as such it...</nowiki> <nowiki>| status=Guide</nowiki> <nowiki>| time=March-June</nowiki> <nowiki>| nominatedBy=~~~~</nowiki> <nowiki>| comment=Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime.</nowiki> <nowiki>| DotMImage=[[File:Destinationimage.jpg|thumb|300px]]</nowiki> <nowiki>}}</nowiki></span> Add a nomination to the ''end'' of the appropriate section. ==Discuss== You can comment on any nomination based on timeliness and adherence to the criteria above, just add a bullet point (*) and your signed opinion. <nowiki>===[[Destination]]===</nowiki> <nowiki>Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime. TravelNut 25:25, 31 Feb 2525 (UTC)</nowiki> <span style=color:green><nowiki>* Looks nice, but shouldn't the Do section contain more than just quilting contests? ~~~~</nowiki></span> Please note that the following are '''not''' considered valid reasons to oppose a nomination: * '''"I don't like it."''' All objections have to be based on the guidelines above: poor formatting, missing information, etc. Personal opinions, dislikes, etc. do not count. * '''"Wrong time of year."''' Articles are supported or opposed based on their content. Timing can be worked out later. * '''"Wrong type of place."''' Articles are supported or opposed based on their content. Whether it's DotM or OtBP can be worked out later. ==Select== If an article gets several comments in favor and none against for a week or so, it's eligible to be placed in an appropriate time-slot in the '''Upcoming''' queue. If the objections are relatively minor and are being worked on, add them to the '''Upcoming''' queue tentatively (add a question mark "?" after the article). Feel free to move the queue around or swap articles if it makes sense. If a nomination clearly does not make the grade and if the objections are not easily fixable, they go into the [[Project:Destination of the Month candidates/Slush pile|Slush pile]]. Once a nomination has been scheduled, an appropriate banner image and text blurb must be selected. Go to [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners]] to start that discussion. ==Archive== Discussions for previously selected destinations are kept in the [[Project:Destination of the month candidates/Archive|Archive]]. ==Upcoming== ===Schedule=== The following queue should contain about the next few months' worth of upcoming destinations. Note that new DotMs are rotated in on the '''1st''' of each month, OtBPs on the '''11th''' and travel topics on the '''21st'''. {|border="1" cellspacing=0 cellpadding="3" style="text-align:center" !Month !DotM !OtBP !FTT |- ! align="right" | September 2022 | [[Dresden]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Budderoo National Park]] – pending stronger consensus to support | [[Around the World in Eighty Days]] – pending stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | October 2022 | [[Arches National Park]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Savaii]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Land Art Trail on Mount Učka]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | November 2022 | [[Singapore/Orchard]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Cooch Behar]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Georgian cuisine]] |- ! align="right" | December 2022 | [[Rome/Vatican]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Gävle]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] – pending fixes (?) |- ! align="right" | January 2023 | [[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Punta Arenas]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Portuguese phrasebook]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | February 2023 | [[Milford Sound]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Jimbaran]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Driving in South Africa]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | March 2023 | [[Seoul/Jongno]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Guanajuato]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Australian cuisine]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |} Try to avoid two overlapping or back-to-back features from the same country, as well as long streaks of features from the same continent. The schedule is not cast in stone. However, any change made to the schedule should have a compelling reason behind it, and should be effected as far in advance as possible of the article's scheduled term on the Main Page. In particular, unless absolutely necessary, we discourage nominee articles from being slushed or rescheduled after [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners|banners]] have been made for them, which usually happens 2-3 months before being featured. Whenever an article becomes a current feature, it should be removed from the list, the discussion archived, and (when changing out Featured Travel Topics) a new month added to the end of the queue. ===Next changes=== Decisions regarding which images to use as the banners are made at '''[[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners]]'''. The section below provides an opportunity to see what the upcoming featured articles will look like on the [[Main Page]] using the banners that are currently most popular on the above page. {{banner|direction=left|width=20%|title=Dresden|section=Destination of the month|section-link=Previous Destinations of the month|image=Dresden banner Semperoper at night.jpg|quote=The capital of Saxony once suffered catastrophic damage from Allied bombing in 1945, today it stands as a charming, relaxed and in many ways a beautiful city and a relaxing destination}} {{banner|direction=right|title=Budderoo National Park|section=Off the beaten path|section-link=Previously Off the beaten path|image=Budderoo otbp banner 4.jpg|quote=Australia isn't particularly known for its rainforests, but this small national park in the Illawarra south of Sydney may make you reconsider that.}} {{banner|direction=left|title=Around the World in Eighty Days|section=Featured travel topics|section-link=Previous Featured travel topics|image=Around the World in Eighty Days DOTM Banner map.jpg|width=50%|quote=Jules Verne's 1872 novel gave travellers a demanding but possible challenge. 150 years later, circumnavigating the planet in 80 days without flying, is still not easy.}} ===Updating=== On the date of the scheduled change, the DotM, OtBP, or FTT should be changed as close to midnight UTC as possible. When the featured page is changed, please follow the following procedures to do so and archive content to the appropriate pages. At each stage, please double-check that you are correctly moving content. #Update the featured articles on the main page by replacing the current 'banner' template section with those of the appropriate banner for the new DotM/OtBP/FTT found in the ''Next change'' section above. #Update the [[Main_Page/Photo_credits|Photo credits]] page with the banner's '''original image''', title and attribution. #Add the former featured article to the appropriate archive page: [[Previous Destinations of the month]], [[Previously Off the beaten path]], or [[Previous Featured travel topics]]. #Remove [[Template:Featurenomination]] from newly featured article. #For the former featured article, add the appropriate parameter to the pagebanner template (directly after the image filename) to label the page as having been featured previously. #*For former DotMs, add: {{!}}dotm=yes #*For former OtBPs, add: {{!}}otbp=yes #*For former FTTs, add: {{!}}ftt=yes #Archive the newly featured article's nomination. Simply cut-and-paste the nomination section of the newly featured article from this page to [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Archive]]. #Update the '''Next change''' section above by adding the banner from [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Banners|the discussion page]]. View the table in the '''Schedule''' section above to determine what next month's change will be, then update the image and blurb in the "Next change" section with that found in the upcoming featured article's nomination. #In the schedule, use <nowiki><s> and </s></nowiki> to strikethrough the newly featured article. Remove the row from the table if the newly featured article is the FTT. #Archive the newly featured article's banner by cutting-and-pasting all banner suggestions and the associated discussion into [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners/Archive]]. ==Nominations for Destination of the Month== ===[[Rome/Vatican]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Vatican City | blurb=The world's smallest country is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and has an impressive art collection. | status=Guide | time=Should be avoided at summer. April includes Easter and good weather. Winter is a good time to avoid crowds. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 01:39, 20 October 2021 (UTC) | comment=Well-known destination which was [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Slush pile#Rome/Vatican|slushed in 2017]] but has improved a lot since then. One of few relevant destinations for [[Easter travel]]. | DotMImage=[[File:Sãopedro1.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Close'''. Some formatting fixes needed, but that can be resolved later, and the translation tag? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 01:41, 20 October 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''', pending checks on which listed establishments are still in business, as usual. I haven't been voting here for a while because I'm very ambivalent about travel, given its carbon footprint, and we're also still in a pandemic, but I recently reread and did some edits on this article, and I think it's good and covers a destination that will always attract visitors as long as there are human beings and things to see and do there. We have to hope that'll be a long time... [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:45, 20 October 2021 (UTC) : '''On hold''' as Turin is scheduled for May. Can be considered for Christmas 2022 or Easter 2023, as we don't have many destinations with worldwide relevance for these holidays. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:16, 2 November 2021 (UTC) * I have some concern with its categorization (being placed as a "district" of Rome instead of treating it as an official country). Yes I know it's the smallest country in the world, but we don't give the same treatment to Monaco or San Marino which are also tiny countries in Europe. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 03:29, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :*But it really '''is''' a district of Rome. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:31, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :The thing is, would you ever visit the Vatican without visiting Rome? San Marino and Monaco are a bit different as they're not fully surrounded by another city on all four corners. OTOH, I was also first confused when I first saw the categorisation too, and I have a feeling most of our readers will too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:35, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :::*Any other way of treating the Vatican would be more confusing. Regardless of the political arrangement, it's a neighborhood in Rome, period. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:38, 18 December 2021 (UTC) ::::: I remain unconvinced. Going by [[WV:GH|geography hierarchy]], it's country -> region -> city -> district. Vatican is small enough that it doesn't need region, city or district. But putting it as a district of Rome (and not even giving it a city status) seems like a large deviation from the hiearchy. I'm marking it as '''not yet''' [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 20:49, 18 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::Have you ever visited the Vatican? It is not its own city. Listen, if tomorrow, my block in Manhattan were declared an independent state, would it suddenly no longer be part of New York City? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:28, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::I have not visited Vatican. Vatican is and will remain an independent state. Your block in Manhattan will not. So please don't apply strawman argument here. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 19:59, 24 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::It's not a straw man. The Vatican was the small part of Rome that the Pope was allowed to maintain authority over in a concession by newly unified Italy that they made in order to achieve the withdrawal of French troops from Rome. It's hugely important, but it's simply part of Rome, and don't forget that [[the traveller comes first]] on this site, not whether a neighborhood in a particular city is officially treated as an independent country or not. By your standards, we should be using only official districts in our breadcrumb navigation and never including suburbs in any city article - not to mention, always using official names of places - but we do in instances in which that best serves the traveler. Go and visit the Vatican some time and see for yourself how it's just part of Rome. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:27, 24 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::I agree with Ikan in that I don't see how it's unreasonable, from a practical perspective, to classify the Vatican as part of Rome. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 23:21, 24 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::Even have a look at [[San Marino]]. It's a country, but breadcrumbed under Italy. Why? Because you have no choice but to enter thru Italy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:24, 24 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::: The geographic hierarchy of Europe is always under discussion at [[Talk:Europe/Hierarchy]]. [[Southwestern Europe]] is a proposed continental section which would include the whole Italian peninsula. We can hopefully settle this issue before the article gets featured. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:41, 25 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::And what about [[Andorra]]? Other than a few rich guys chartering a helicopter, the rest of us have to go through either Spain or France to get in. Yet it's breadcrumbed under [[Iberia]]. Same for [[Liechtenstein]]. You have to go through either Switzerland or Australia to get there but it's listed under Central Europe. [[Monaco]] has access to water but its land is completely surrounded by [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]] in France, yet it's not listed as a district/city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Going back to Vatican. As AlasdairW pointed out, this looked like a Rome/Vatican district nomination, yet the proposed blurb is pitching it as a country. Add the breadcrumb issue to the mix and this blurred line led to all sorts of confusion. I agree with Yvwv that this should be settled first. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 21:21, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Andorra is a difference case since you can enter through both France and Spain. Monaco as you said, has access to water, but [[San Marino]] is still categorised as a part of Italy given it's surrounded by Italy on every side. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::I haven't been to San Marino, but I have visited Monaco, and while it's definitely on the Cote d'Azur, it is at least a city in a somewhat recognizably geographically discrete area (Le Roque and the city down below). If people want to breadcrumb it to [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]], that's OK with me. But when you're talking about the Vatican, even ignoring the fact that the article also covers areas not under the control of the Pope, it's just part of Rome, and you can't even stay there, with few exceptions. To me, the argument to breadcrumb Monaco to France is a much stronger argument than treating the Vatican as separate from Rome. For a traveler, it is part of Rome, period. In terms of the other more or less small landlocked countries in Europe that are being discussed, it would make no sense to treat Andorra as part of either France or Spain because it is between the two, and the situation for Liechtenstein is analogous. In terms of selling the Vatican as the world's smallest country somehow confusing people because the article is breadcrumbed to Rome, that seems like a nonexistent problem. It is both a country and part of Rome, and that's one of the things that makes it unique. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:32, 13 July 2022 (UTC) *'''Nearly''' The article is about both the Vatican and the Borgo and Prati districts of Rome. Although this is stated at the top of the article, it maybe could be clearer and the blurb could also be clear that the article we are featuring is Vatican++. All the eat and sleep listings are actually in Rome. This is correctly a district of Rome. There are a few dead links in the article, and few of the listings have recently been updated. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:00, 20 December 2021 (UTC) *'''Comment:''' Not a copyvio according to Earwig's. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:22, 23 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Scheduled''' provisionally for Christmas 2022. Easter could be considered, but might be too crowded for visitors who are not devout Catholics. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:19, 25 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Las Vegas]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Las Vegas | blurb=''Sin City'', the uncrowned capital of gambling, offers all kinds of entertainment year round. | status=Guide | time=Events are always ongoing. Spring or fall have the best weather. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:18, 1 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=Slushed back in 2009, but has improved a lot. Can be featured anytime when we do not have too many North American articles. | DotMImage=[[File:Las Vegas (Nevada, USA), The Strip -- 2012 -- 6232.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} : '''Comment:''' Sorry for the lack of geographic diversity, with a fourth DoTM candidate from the American Sun Belt. They all have international appeal to be featured, though. IMO we should run the best and most relevant US article in March 2022, and the next one for fall 2022. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:27, 1 November 2021 (UTC) :{{re|Yvwv}} we do have around three Australian destinations featured next year + this December, so don't think it's a huge problem. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 04:59, 3 November 2021 (UTC) ::'''Slush?''' No supports or opposes, but this nomination has just been sitting here for months now. I would have normally given my opinion my now, but I'm very undecided on this – on one hand, most of the districts are in good-shape, but none of the districts have {{tl|mapmask}}s which IMO, is key for a good city article (as the outer borders are now undefined). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:43, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::I agree that the maps are a problem. The mess of literal points of interest crowded in the maps on the page in several districts makes the maps nearly indecipherable without zooming in. And then there's the probably more serious problem of the "Las Vegas districts" map in [[Las Vegas]], which does not show the boundaries of 3 districts. The age-old solution when there's a need to focus in on a city's downtown is to put it in an inset. So there should really be two district maps - the one that's already there and a zoomed-out one that shows the boundaries of the larger outlying districts. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:55, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Alternatively, I'd be happy to support if someone's willing to make an interactive dynamic map using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io], which also gives the benefit of the district articles having mapmasks (using {{u|Renek78}}'s [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ convenient tool]), but I've only visited Las Vegas twice and both times, I only visited the city en route to either Arizona or Utah. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:13, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::::I've created a quick & dirty dynamic map and added it to the article. Maybe you have some ideas on how to improve it? "Wikivoyage Districtifier" does not work here because the official administrative boundaries are quite different from what we use so far.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 09:16, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::That map is an improvement, but I still think two maps, one an inset, are the best solution, considering that we want the page to be usable and printable as is, not only for people who have Internet access while they are using the map and are therefore able to look at it on a full page. -- [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:34, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It's certainly an improvement so thank you for making the map {{u|Renek78}} :-). :::::::{{re|Ikan Kekek}} But do we have anyone who can make an inset? If there is no guidance on how to make one (one that's in Wikivoyage-style), or if nobody can make them, then basically we're asking to do something that's impossible. I could do one IRL, but the way I would do it is completely against Wikivoyage style and I don't want to be unilaterally tampering our MoS. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Not sure about other people but I use Wikivoyage within OsmAnd - a navigation app - while travelling. Printable maps wouldn't be a concern for me personally, but there are different user types of course.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 16:45, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Since dynamic maps are being used in that article, the way to make an inset would seem to be to simply increase the zoom level for the inset and make sure its positioning is such that it shows the full extent of the smallest districts. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:23, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Singapore/Orchard]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Singapore/Orchard | blurb=The main shopping street of Singapore is well known for having an extensive range of malls. | status=Guide | time=June-August | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:00, 25 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=We haven't add many articles from Singapore being featured recently, and this looks a good one. It's been a long time since I've been to Orchard Road, but I cannot see anything missing from when I went there, although I have yet to look in detail. | DotMImage=[[File:Presenting... the real ION (8200217734).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator and cannot see anything missing from when I went there, but if {{u|The dog2}} has any concerns with it, I may change my opinion. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:00, 25 November 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally in August. Any specific reason for the timing? In my opinion, we should designate January for destinations which celebrate Chinese/Lunar New Year, in particular places with favourable weather. Is Singapore too rainy during northern winter? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:25, 25 November 2021 (UTC) ::Possibly, but would also defer to [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] on that. My experience there was that it rains nearly most afternoons, but I went there during spring. I would prefer June or July for the [[w:Great Singapore Sale]] but around Lunar New Year is also fine with me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:29, 25 November 2021 (UTC) ::: As most of south, southeast and east Asia get the monsoon rains during northern summer, we tend use these slots for destinations in Europe and North America instead. Singapore seems to be among the exceptions, with more rain in November to January, so for geographic diversity it would make sense to schedule Singapore during northern summer. Is the GSS planned be held as usual in 2022, given the pandemic situation? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:00, 25 November 2021 (UTC) ::::The southeastern coast of Southeast Asia from southern Thailand all the way down to Singapore have their monsoon season in November-January, which is why the dive sites off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are closed in those months, because the sea just becomes too choppy. But what you said is true of places like Penang, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, where the dry season is during the northern winter, and in the case of the latter two, also coincides with their winter, meaning the temperatures are not so hot. ::::As for festivals, while you can of course go to Orchard Road for Chinese New Year (and locals still go to Orchard Road for their Chinese New Year shopping), in reality Chinatown is where you should go if you really want to soak up the festive atmosphere. Orchard Road's street decorations are mainly Christmas-themed, and if I'm not wrong, they have in recent years also added a Menorah for Hanukkah at the request of the local rabbi. It is in Chinatown where you can see street decorations with the Chinese New Year theme, and likewise, for Deepavali (Diwali), you go to Little India for that, and for Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr), you go to Geylang Serai for that. ::::So if you're talking about an appropriate time to visit Singapore if you specifically want to see Orchard Road at its best, I'd say it would be December, when all the Christmas decorations are up. It is during the monsoon, but all the major shopping malls are linked underground, so it is quite easy to find shelter whenever it rains. And in any case, the rains tend to be brief, though intense, so you can always wait inside one of the shopping centres for the rain to stop before heading out. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 02:02, 26 November 2021 (UTC) *'''Almost''' I was last in Singapore in 2005, so I can't say if it is up-to-date, but it looks good. Few of the listings have recent dates, and need to be checked, particularly the eat listings. I have checked the budget and mid-range hotels, and found 3 closed (2 temporarily). [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:32, 25 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Very close.''' Needs a more inspiring intro. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:28, 6 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally again for November 2022, as suggested under [[#Newfoundland and Labrador]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:43, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat | blurb=The multicultural district and Chinatown in the capital of the largest overseas Chinese community becomes particularly lively for the Chinese New Year. | status=Star | time=Jan 2023 | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:25, 27 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=Here's an article for the Lunar New Year for 2023. The article is a star, so I'd trust that all requirements are met. | DotMImage=[[File:Arch in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Very very close''' Just would be nice if the routebox at the bottom could be fixed. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:25, 27 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Close.''' Need ''get around'' and ''stay safe'' sections. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:16, 27 November 2021 (UTC) *:{{re|Yvwv}} It appears that a #Get around section isn't needed for city districts (see {{u|Ypsilon}}'s comment on [[#Helsinki/West]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:04, 28 November 2021 (UTC) *'''Comment''' Is this DOTM or Otbp, the [[Yaowarat and Phahurat tour]] page makes it seem like an OTBP destination despite being in a large city.[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 07:32, 23 December 2021 (UTC) *:DoTM – how is this "off the beaten path"? From experience it was definitely one of my highlights when I went to Bangkok and I can't see anything missing here. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:02, 23 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for Lunar New Year 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:44, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Dresden]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Dresden | blurb=The capital of Saxony once suffered catastrophic damage from Allied bombing in 1945, today it stands as a charming, relaxed and in many ways a beautiful city and a relaxing destination. | status=Guide | time=Not sure tbh | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:55, 18 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=I'm kind of surprised this has yet to be featured, but there's always a start for everything. Can't see anything missing here. | DotMImage=[[File:DD-blick-von-frauenkirche.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' some minor fixes needed but that can be done soon. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:55, 18 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Very close.''' Needs a climate graph. The text has a bit of a German accent, and should be proofread by a native English speaker. Just like most of Germany, weather is most pleasant at summer, and the Christmas fair could make the city worth to visit in December. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:42, 18 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for October. Could be a bit chilly though, and not sure about festivals or events. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:28, 21 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' I visited Dresden about 15 years ago, and the article looks good. I have done some updates, but it is hard to check all the details at the moment as many places are impacted by current restrictions. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 17:59, 28 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' in September for milder weather. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:27, 25 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Gaborone]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Gaborone | blurb=Botswana's capital is just a few decades old, already established as the gateway to this friendly county. | status=Guide | time=March-May or Aug-Oct, weather-wise. Not sure about public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 03:20, 3 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have had few African features, and none from Botswana. This article seems to be up to date. | DotMImage=[[File:Three Dikgosi Monument - March 2010.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''', whenever it's halfway reasonable to travel. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:46, 3 January 2022 (UTC) *<s>{{s}}</s> per Ikan. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:28, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::I did not take the time to fully look at the article earlier, but now I have so I'm going to say it '''needs work'''. Some issues: :::*Understand is ''way'' too short. :::*The "Modern architecture" section has no description nor addresses :::*The same with the other "See" listings :::*The same goes with the other sections ::That's just a start. So until this is fixed, I'm going to oppose a feature. However, in saying that, I'd like to see this being featured one day, perhaps maybe after these have been fixed. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:47, 17 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for September, for good safari weather and Botswana Day on 30 September. Scheduling was made before the comment above, and can always be reconsidered. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:51, 17 January 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' due to remaining issues. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:28, 25 April 2022 (UTC) : '''Slush?''' The article has unaddressed issues some months past nomination. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:25, 1 May 2022 (UTC) ::Don't know to be fair. I'd love to see an article from Botswana be featured (as outside ZA, Southern Africa has had relatively few features), but at the same time, it needs some work. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:03, 2 May 2022 (UTC) * '''Comment''' - the current page banner is dreadful and should be replaced. Was just looking at the page and noticed it was nominated.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Freetown]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Freetown | blurb=Sierra Leone's capital is a fast-developing city with some of Africa's finest beaches. | status=Guide | time=December to April to avoid rain. Possibly March for Film Festival and Ballanta Music Festival. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:58, 2 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=Africa is severely under-featured. This article has been considered for featuring for a while, and has the essentials. | DotMImage=[[File:Freetown street (13992704238).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Close''' – I'd love to see this featured, and I agree that outside South Africa, Africa is severely underrepresented. Some issues tho: ::* There are two national parks on the static map, but there is no mention about them in the article. Maybe I'm nitpicky about this as someone who's into the concepts of metro national parks ::* Many listings are missing contact info. ::* There are no buy listings. ::* Many of the beach listings have just the beach name and coords with nothing else :Otherwise, it looks good to go. Once they're fixed, I'll support. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:32, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Arches National Park]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Arches National Park | blurb=Containing one of the world's highest concentration of Arches, the park has become one of the state icons of Utah. | status=Guide | time=During autumn or spring (northern) | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:47, 19 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have not have a park article from North America being featured for some time. I went here a few years back and everything here seems up-to-date. | DotMImage=[[File:5028-arches-delicate-arch RJ.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:47, 19 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Comment''' Is it OTBP or DOTM according to [[w:List of national parks of the United States]] it gets 1.8 millin visitors a year which puts around the top 15 most visited parks in the USA. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 02:37, 19 March 2022 (UTC) *:I've known this park for a long time and I did eventually get around to visiting it on my last trip to Utah, but I am going to say OtBP. I was even thinking on whether it should be a dotm or otbp for a while, before I finalized my decision on otbp. The US NPS promotes their national parks so much, to the point where most people around the world know the most parks in the US but barely any outside it. If I really had to make a list of US national parks that could make it to dotm, here's what I'd think: *:* Yosemite NP* *:* Yellowstone NP *:* Death Valley NP* *:* Grand Canyon NP *:* Olympic NP *:* Zion NP* *:* Golden Gate NRA *:* Hawaii Volcanoes NP *:* Mount Rushmore NM *:Note that a * means it has already been featured *:These are probably a borderline: *:* Arches NP *:* Glacier NP *:* Everglades NP *:* Glacier NP *:* Great Smokey Mountains NP *:That too is quite a lot for a single country. Also, it's worth noting that visitor numbers don't necessarily correlate with fame – Ulu<u>r</u>u-Kata Tju<u>t</u>a NP in the centre of Australia is pretty much known worldwide, but it does not get as many visitors due to its isolation. As the US gets a lot of domestic tourism, it gets a lot of visitor numbers. *:As another example, that I could give is [[Fiordland National Park]], which is one of New Zealand's finest parks and most international visitors pay a visit to the park. However, as New Zealand only as 5 million inhabitants, the visitor numbers are way lower. Banff or Jasper in Canada would be a similar case, if Canada did not have a land border with the United States and both would qualify for a dotm. *:So ultimately, it should be an otbp. Visitor numbers don't exactly represent how well-known it is, which is what is needed to be a dotm and if we feature this as a dotm, we will then have to feature the other three national parks in Utah as dotms, which then we'll fall into the loophole of featuring every single national park well-known to people from a certain regions as dotms. Let's not fall into that pitfall. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:04, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::*I'd say noplace with 1.8 million visitors is "off the beaten path." DotM. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:30, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::*:Per the comment at the very top: "Well-known and/or popular destinations should be nominated as Destination of the Month, while more obscure destinations should be nominated for Off the Beaten Path" – I don't think Arches NP is well known outside the US. If that's the case, then should we feature [[Acadia National Park]] as a dotm? It received 4,069,098 visitors in 2021, but hardly anyone outside the US (and maybe Canada) knows that park – and it's not well-known. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:03, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::*::If a park gets more than 1.5 million visitors its definitely a popular destination and therefore DOTM. Some former Japanese DOTMS like [[Hamamatsu]] and [[Okayama]] aren't known very well outside of Japan but due to their popularity with domestic (and size) they were DOTM rather than OTBP. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 06:21, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*Yes, Acadia definitely should be DotM. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:40, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*:If we're okay with featuring places that get a lot of domestic tourism, I'd be more than happy to move this up to dotm. I always thought that dotm was only for the most well-known internationally, but I guess it's time to feature more national parks as dotms. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*::Moved. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:39, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*:::Thanks! [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 08:05, 19 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' Could use a more inspiring intro. Otherwise, not much else is needed to feature. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:50, 20 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' I agree that the intro could be improved, additionally I wish [[Moab]]'s eat and sleep sections were better considering that this article's eat and sleep section basically say "go to Moab for amenities". The article it self is fine though. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 22:52, 24 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Scheduled''' for October. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:27, 25 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Milford Sound]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Milford Sound | blurb=One of New Zealand's prime icons, this fiord nestled in the north of Fiordland National Park contains a spectacular combination of mountains, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and marine life. | status=Guide | time=Southern summer | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 28 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=I've recently taken some interest in Fiordland National Park recently and have recently upgraded this to guide. As for dotm/otbp, Milford is an important tourist spot not just in South Island, but NZ as a whole, so it'd be absurd to feature this as otbp and Arches NP as dotm. I'm willing to do any changes if needed. | DotMImage=[[File:Milford Sound 02.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:32, 28 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' Has all the essentials. The boundary between DoTM and OtBP might need a deeper discussion than we could have for an individual article vote. Absolute number of visitors might be an incomplete measure. Let's say that a city in a high-income, high-population region such as Germany, Virginia or South Korea has around 100,000 citizens, but is no tourist attraction in its own right. We would probably feature it as OtBP, though it is likely to attract many thousands of visitors per year for business, sports, performance events and family occasions. In absolute numbers, more people would visit that city, than a national park or natural landmark which is world famous, but more isolated. The limit has to be subjective. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:54, 7 April 2022 (UTC) *:I agree. To me, it seems absolutely absurd if we were feature to Arches National Park as a dotm and if this as an otbp when Arches NP is only heavily visited because of the large domestic tourism in the US but otherwise relatively unknown outside, while Milford is one of New Zealand's prime tourist destinations but gets fewer visitors because NZ's population is 66 times smaller than that of the US. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:05, 7 April 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for February 2023. / 10:41, 2 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Lyon]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Lyon | blurb=France's third city is famous for its Roman heritage, its cuisine, and its proximity to the mountains. | status=Guide | time=Any. Aug-Oct is harvest season, and has decent weather. Not sure about public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 09:17, 2 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=France receives more international tourists than any other country, but has had rather few features. This is a lengthy article, though many places need coordinates. [[/Slush pile#Lyon|Slushed in 2010]]. | DotMImage=[[File:FourviereNight.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Very very close''' – I'd love to see this featured. Only thing that's missing is coordinates as you mentioned, which I'll start later this month. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:07, 7 April 2022 (UTC) *'''Comment''': The districts map needs better color-coordination. It's unusual for an undistricted city to have a districts map, but I think it's fine with a map and good descriptions. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:34, 28 June 2022 (UTC) *:{{re|Ikan Kekek}} I'm stuck with the flu at home this week so I'll try and make a better districts map if I can. No promises though, as I'm still a rookie at making static maps (the [[c:User:SHB2000#Static maps|few I've made]] are nowhere near good as our existing maps, but given that few can make these maps, I'll give it a shot), but I'll try my best. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:46, 28 June 2022 (UTC) :::I hope you get better soon! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:54, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Wengen]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Wengen | blurb=With steep slopes and reliable snowfall, this picturesque car-free village nestled deep in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland is one of the world's top downhill skiing destinations. | status=Guide | time=Winter (Nov-Apr, roughly) | nominatedBy=[[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 03:53, 20 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=Wengen is small, but it's a major tourist destination, so off the beaten path would be a stretch. Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime. | DotMImage=[[File:View From Wengen, Bernese Oberland (2521799368).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} :'''Close, but needs some work''': *Why is there only one listing in "[[Wengen#Drink|Drink]]"? There are others mentioned, but they should be in a listing format. *Do the churches pass [[wv:worship]]? If so, they should be in a listing or markered at the bare minimum *The buy section is missing contact details, coordinates and addresses :That's all from me right now. Will do the smaller fixes myself. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:05, 20 April 2022 (UTC) ::No personal experience re: the other bars mentioned, alas. The Lutheran Church is picturesque and has great views, so it's worth a mention, but I'd drop the rest. I've cleaned up the Buy section. [[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 05:27, 20 April 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs work.''' A ski resort should have a description of the lift system and spectator events. Could use a climate chart. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 09:10, 20 April 2022 (UTC) ::Wengen is not a standalone ski resort, but just a node in the rather vast Grindelwald-Wengen-Murren-First-Schilthorn ski area: you can ski down ''to'' Wengen, but getting up the slopes requires taking the train or gondola. This is mentioned in passing but I'll try to make this clearer. [[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 12:50, 20 April 2022 (UTC) ::: Maybe the region should have an article on its own, whether it is called [[Jungfrau Region]] or something else. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:21, 21 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Sucre]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Sucre | blurb=Bolivia's nominal capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a showcase of indigenous and colonial history. | status=Guide | time=October to April to avoid the cold. Carnival in February. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:59, 31 May 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have few upcoming features from South America, and we never had a feature from Bolivia (except on The Other Site, back in 2006). The article has the essentials, but could mention more on topics such as the new airport, shopping, and crime. | DotMImage=[[File:Blue Sky, White City - panoramio.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Almost''' – a few see listings need descriptions, but that is relatively minor and this article can run as it is if it has to. Would love a feature from Bolivia! --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:32, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::The "History" section also needs an update, as it doesn't seem to have been updated since the coup that ousted Evo Morales. I just changed one "is" to "was", but that's not enough. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:13, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Seoul/Jongno]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Jung | blurb=The northern historic center of Seoul is a showcase of Korean heritage, with four Grand Palaces and several museums. | status=Guide | time=Spring or autumn for weather. November for the Lantern Light Festival (if it is scheduled as usual). | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:21, 25 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=Korea deserves a feature. [[Suwon]] did not make the cut, but this article is hopefully good enough. | DotMImage=[[File:Noandang, Unhyeon Palace 1.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *{{s}} as I mentioned in [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Slush pile#Suwon]]. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:30, 25 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Madrid]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Madrid | blurb=The capital of Spain, and once its global empire, is a diverse destination with two world-class football clubs, fine dining, and bustling nightlife. | status=Guide | time=Spring and autumn for weather. February for Carnival... though big events happen year around. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:31, 30 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=Spain is one of Europe's most visited countries, but has had very few features. This article was successfully districtified, and there is not much to add. | DotMImage=[[File:Plaza Mayor de Madrid 06.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''' There really shouldn't be any see listings in [[Madrid#See]]. Will do a detailed analysis of the article soon. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:19, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ==Nominations for Off the Beaten Path== ===[[Gävle]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Gävle | blurb=Joe Hill's hometown is the gateway to northern Sweden, famous for Sweden's largest rail museum, and a Christmas market with a giant Yule Goat. | status=Guide | time=Great weather and outdoor events June to August. The notorious Christmas goat is inaugurated in late November, and Gävle is one of few large Swedish cities to usually have snow in December. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 18:50, 8 September 2021 (UTC) | comment=Has improved during 2021. While Gävle is decently sized and has many interesting venues, it does not seem heavyweight enough for DoTM. | DotMImage=[[File:Yule goat Gefle Sweden 2009.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' assuming the nature reserves get a description and contact information. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 19:03, 8 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Comment''': If featuring before Christmas, I'd say November, as 11 December is very close to Christmas, and there is little reason to go in January – at least there are no hints on winter activities in the article. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:52, 9 September 2021 (UTC) :: It is true that we should be a bit prospective. [[Banteay Chhmar]] is not good to go, so we could run Gävle in November. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 08:30, 9 September 2021 (UTC) ::: Added two ski facilities. Gävle usually gets the first snow in early December, so there will be some chances for winter sport. The ice hockey season will be ongoing, though the horse races close down for winter. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:29, 20 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Close''' I just added an Understand section, that even the smallest articles should have. And that section should have a couple of paragraphs of Gävle. A pic or two towards the end, and in the lead could be added and a few listings need coordinates. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:32, 11 September 2021 (UTC) :: Added history and climate. How extensively should we mention the traditional arson attacks on the goat? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:04, 14 September 2021 (UTC) :::Looking good. Perhaps a few more lines (in its listing or in Understand), given that the goat is mentioned in the blurb, but not more than that. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:14, 20 September 2021 (UTC) *'''Nästan stöd''' per Ypsilon. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 22:54, 20 September 2021 (UTC) * Shall we run [[Plymouth (Massachusetts)]] for the 400th anniversary of the First Thanksgiving, and put Gävle on hold? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:51, 1 October 2021 (UTC) *:Why not? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 15:02, 1 October 2021 (UTC) :::I'm otherwise neutral but I think we're now starting to have too many articles nominated that are to be run during an event or anniversary so I'd prefer Gävle because of that (also it's nice to have a "real winter article" every now and then, we haven't had that many of those). --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:54, 1 October 2021 (UTC) :::: Featuring a holiday-related article at the end of the year would be a good concept, be it for Christmas, Gregorian New Year, Chinese New Year, or Thanksgiving. There are just a handful of those destinations ([[Bethlehem]] and [[Rovaniemi]] can be considered), so we can save Gävle for 2022 and run Plymouth in 2021. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:02, 7 October 2021 (UTC) ::::: Gävle is an underrated summer destination, with Furuvik, white nights, and great outdoors within walking distance. They will stage Atlas Rock on 4 June, and Gefle Metal Festival in July. As a winter resort it is mediocre compared to many other Nordic towns. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:37, 10 October 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled.''' Have added a few summer-related venues. White nights, Midsummer and rock music give a more gratifying experience than the goat and darkness from 3 pm. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:05, 30 October 2021 (UTC) : '''On hold''', replaced by [[Deventer]], which has stronger support. I would love to see Gävle featured for May, June or July, but these slots tend to get filled by other Nordic destinations. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 00:08, 15 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for Christmas 2022. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:44, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Budderoo National Park]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Budderoo National Park | blurb=Australia isn't particularly known for its rainforests, but this small national park in the Illawarra south of Sydney may make you reconsider that. | status=Guide | time=Late Mar-Oct except Jul | nominatedBy=<font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 22:55, 21 October 2021 (UTC) | comment=I have always wanted to nominate an Australian rainforest to be an otbp and before yesterday, [[Dorrigo National Park]] was the only guide Australian rainforest park. Unfortunately, that article needs a lot of updates, and I don't think I can do the 600km trip given the current Covid situation, so here's a new article, but up to date and a 150km trip down here can be done easily (can do that in the upcoming few days). Given we usually feature one national park every year and we haven't picked a national park yet, thought this might be a good one. | DotMImage=[[File:Minnamurra Rainforest - panoramio (19).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''' I also did make some banners well in advance although it's not locally uploaded ([[:File:Budderoo_otbp_banner_1.jpg|1]], [[:File:Budderoo_otbp_banner_2.jpg|2]], [[:File:Budderoo_otbp_banner_3.jpg|3]]), although that's something to decide on later. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 00:19, 22 October 2021 (UTC) *<s>'''Close.'''</s> Could use a climate graph, and more info on flora and fauna. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:39, 11 November 2021 (UTC) *:{{re|Yvwv}} {{done}}. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:12, 12 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' due to recent additions. '''Scheduled''' provisionally for October/November, following the guideline that a scheduled article should have at least one support vote from someone else than the nominator. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:52, 21 December 2021 (UTC) ===[[Punta Arenas]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Punta Arenas | blurb=The capital of Chilean Patagonia is a gateway to Antarctica, and a good place to see penguins. | status=Guide | time=December to March | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:24, 22 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=We have no upcoming South American articles. This article has improved a lot lately, and is clearly in the OtBP category. | DotMImage=[[File:Punta arenas city.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support, but is this an OtBP?''' It's a good article overall, except that the dead links need to be fixed. However, is it really an OtBP? It's fairly internationally significant, at least from what I know. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:38, 23 December 2021 (UTC) :: There is no clear defining line between DoTM and OtBP. Number of visitors per year would be a decent guideline, but I cannot find any statistics for Punta Arenas. While the city has more than 100,000 inhabitants and many hospitality venues, it is fairly isolated, 3,000 kilometres from Santiago. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 01:50, 28 December 2021 (UTC) :::Well, we did feature [[Yosemite National Park]] and [[Zion National Park]] as dotms even though they're national parks. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:24, 12 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs a bit of work''', though hopefully not much. 'Get around' is very sparse on details for a city that size, and there are a few too many dead links for my liking. PA is undoubtedly off the beaten path, right at the bottom of Patagonia, and cut off by road from the rest of Chile. I haven't been there, but my father has, as part of the tortuous LATAM airline route to the Falkland Islands (the Santiago to PA stretch alone was like 3½ hours). Most visitors are on their way to somewhere even more remote: Antarctica, rural Patagonia or one of the islands.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:00, 12 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for Dec 2022/Jan 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:20, 25 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Cooch Behar]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Cooch Behar | blurb=The capital of the Koch Kingdom and the only planned city in North Bengal, near the border with Bangladesh. | status=Guide | time=Nov-Dec for Rash Mela. November to March to avoid the monsoon. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:08, 30 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=With a billion inhabitants, millennia of history and steadily improving infrastructure, India deserves more featured articles. When it comes to DoTM versus OtBP, we have yet to settle on a definition. Cooch Behar has around 100,000 inhabitants, but it has few foreign visitors. | DotMImage=[[File:Cooch Behar Palace - Cooch Behar - West Bengal - 005.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''', there is a need for some guides from India and this guide seems quite good as compared to its previous versions. But there must be a clear-cut definition about DoTM and OtBP. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 18:01, 3 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' - Cooch Behar is an interesting town that, despite enjoying a long and esteemed history, is generally overlooked by travelers heading to nearby Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Bhutan. [[User:SingyeDzong|SingyeDzong]] ([[User talk:SingyeDzong|talk]]) *Sorry, but I'm going to have to <s>'''oppose'''</s>. <s>It recently got districtified unilaterally with no discussion on the talk page. Since it's been districtified, the only thing we could do now is possibly just work on the districts. However,</s> some of the districts are just an outline with no banners made for them yet. Regarding whether it's a dotm or an otbp, I'd say OtBP. India has so many cities over 100k inhabitants, well more than most other countries. There's some other articles about India at guide status and they could possibly be alternatives. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:22, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :: Discussion is ongoing at [[Talk:Cooch Behar#Districts]]. Hopefully we can settle on a good solution for the geographic hierarchy. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:03, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :::Apologies, didn't realise that discussion. But until [[Cooch Behar]] is reasonably districtified, it can't go on the main page. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:07, 12 January 2022 (UTC) ::::The districtification issue has been fixed by creating redirects and merging. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 14:34, 12 January 2022 (UTC) ::Even apart from the districts, the formatting isn't great. There's a lot of [[tdf]] violations, a lot of listings with no description or addresses. IMO, this looks more like a usable article rather than a guide article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:27, 13 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[tdf]] issues have been fixed and I am working on the listing issues. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 07:59, 13 January 2022 (UTC) ::::okay, that's great. I'll be ready to support once you've finished. I do have hopes that this will be featured one day. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:02, 13 January 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], template issues have been fixed. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 08:23, 17 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay, good work as always. It's '''very close'''. If I may suggest, creating section headers may be useful separating things like parks, other POIs as it's currently a bit unreadable. I also noticed that there's a lot of places of worship – I'm not sure whether they can all be listed per [[wv:worship]]. If not, then some of them can be listed in the #Cope section. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:29, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Okay, I will do it soon! I have some lectures to attend now. :) [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 08:57, 17 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Sure thing. It's turning out really nicely, so nice work :) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:22, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Some non-significant places of worship have been removed. Created sub-sections in the see section and minor edits. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 16:03, 17 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Okay, now '''Support'''. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:25, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::👍 [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 02:44, 18 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally in Nov/Dec 2022 for Rash Mela. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:44, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Jimbaran]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Jimbaran | blurb=Known as the "Beverly Hills of Bali" or "Millionaire's Row" for its high-end resorts. | status=Guide | time=April to October, weather-wise. Not sure about festivals or events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 07:38, 8 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=Indonesia is a large country with no scheduled features. [[Bali]] itself has been featured, but none of the many places on Bali with guide-level articles. We can also consider [[Amed]], [[Bedugul]], [[Candidasa]], [[Denpasar]], [[Kintamani]], [[Lovina]], [[Nusa Dua]], [[Nusa Penida]] or [[Sanur]]. | DotMImage=[[File:Jimbaran Bay.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''' The two maps seem similar and I feel it would be better if there was only one, if dynamic is more up to date we should keep that one [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 08:03, 8 January 2022 (UTC) *{{s}} LGTM. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:28, 13 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Very close'''. I would like to see more information in "get around," such as main roads in the resort, so travelers have a better idea than merely what a phone's GPS would provide. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 14:59, 17 January 2022 (UTC) *:I have added main roads. [[User:Hanif Al Husaini|Hanif Al Husaini]] ([[User talk:Hanif Al Husaini|talk]]) 17:56, 7 February 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for February/March 2023. Not the driest season, but decently sunny. / 10:42, 2 May 2022 (UTC) *{{s}} It's quite complete. [[User:M.akbar.raf|M.akbar.raf]] ([[User talk:M.akbar.raf|talk]]) 05:56, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Trabzon]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Trabzon | blurb=With an ancient Greek heritage, Trabzon was an empire in its own right during the Middle Ages. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer, as climate is cooler than the rest of Turkey. June for Kadirga Festival, or August for Sultan Murat Festival. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:10, 25 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=Turkey is very under-featured. Not sure whether Trabzon would weigh in for DoTM. | DotMImage=[[File:Kustul Monastery Trabzon.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment'''. This is one of the greatest articles of Turkish locations, thanks to the hard work by many of our contributors, first and foremost [[User:NeoRetro]]. However, it needs some '''tidying up''': some of the information pertains to the [[Eastern Karadeniz|region as a whole]], not only to the city, and as for the listed attractions, the article currently works as a semi-[[Wikivoyage:Rural area article template|rural area]], with many sites in the surrounding area lumped in together with those in the city itself, including some which should be moved to the places we have articles for. However, most are visited as day-trips from Trabzon, so I'm not sure how big a problem this presents. [[User:Vidimian|Vidimian]] ([[User talk:Vidimian|talk]]) 15:00, 25 January 2022 (UTC) * I’d lean DOTM on this [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 20:45, 25 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs work''' per Vidimian. For dotm/otbp, I'd generally say dotm, but as we have a lot more otbp slots available, I wouldn't mind it being an otbp. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:18, 26 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Comment:''' The article has been improved a lot since nomination and the first votes, and should be re-evaluated. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:05, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Savaii]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Savaii | blurb=Samoa's largest island is known for caves, lava fields and waterfalls. | status=Guide | time=May to October to avoid rain. The island has few public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:24, 12 February 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have no current nominees from the Pacific Islands. [[Apia]] featured in August 2020, and it has been customary to have at least 24 months between neighbouring featured articles. The article could need a more inspiring intro. | DotMImage=[[File:Savaii Coast (7079031273).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *<s>'''Needs work'''</s> – many of the listings don't have contact details and coords. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:03, 13 February 2022 (UTC) ::I'm on it – I'll do this in the next week or two. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:40, 27 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Comment:''' Coordinates added as above. Please evaluate. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:07, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ::Oops. Forgot to change my vote when I added coords; now that it's been done, I '''support''' featuring this. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 02:22, 16 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Longyearbyen]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Destination | blurb=The population centre of Svalbard is the northernmost town in the world and a base for exploring the remote Arctic wilderness. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer. | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:44, 17 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=We've have few features of Norway and this one seems like a good article for another Norwegian feature. As to dotm or otbp, Longyearbyen is reasonably well known but not enough for dotm. | DotMImage=[[File:LongyearbyenDowntown.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Very close''' as nominator. Some listings are missing addresses (which I will add in the next few days), but otherwise it has all the essentials needed for a feature. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:44, 17 April 2022 (UTC) * '''Very close.''' As this is a rather unusual destination, the article could use some more trivia. Svalbard itself featured back in 2006, and since then we have had very few Arctic and Antarctic destinations. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:08, 17 April 2022 (UTC) :: A preferrable timing would be June/July, with the [[midnight sun]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:56, 18 April 2022 (UTC) :::I'd prefer that slot too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:04, 18 April 2022 (UTC) :::: We might have a diversity problem as June is high season for the Nordic countries, and we have both [[E8 through Finland and Norway]] and [[Swedish Empire]] considered for June 2023. Svalbard is administered by Norway and most visitors arrive through Norway, but nature and culture are very different from Norway proper. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 09:16, 20 April 2022 (UTC) :::::I don't think there's a problem with featuring all three at once. The islands are around 700 kilometres from the mainland at the closest, but that's in the far north of Norway and I would more so consider Svalbard as an Arctic destination rather than a Nordic destination. :::::Another possibility is to hold of E8 till 2024, and two years after we feature the nearby Archipelago Trail and do what we do with neighbouring destinations (as the closest points are closer than 80 km apart based on a quick google earth line). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:11, 20 April 2022 (UTC) : '''Comment:''' On the talk page, we have concluded that features on Wikitravel before 2012 should be seen as unofficial, and eligible to feature again on Wikivoyage. However, very few of the OtBP's of that time would make the cut today. [[Svalbard]] is one of few pre-2012 features which deserves its Guide status. Shall we nominate Svalbard itself? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:20, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::I don't know to be fair. The Svalbard article is overall one of the best region articles we have on the English Wikivoyage, but only one of Svalbard's six national parks have an article. But if Svalbard is run again, it should be featured as dotm, not otbp, as it strikes me as absolutely absurd to feature one of the world's most famous islands as "off the beaten path" (and as it has regular flights from [[Oslo]], it would bring it in line with [[Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park]] which was a dotm). ::That said, I'll start some of the national park articles soon, and five is not many to work on. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:33, 12 May 2022 (UTC) :::Alternatively, we could consider [[Klaksvík]], which is the only guide level article from the [[Faroe Islands]] as there have been zero features from the Faroes before. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:31, 22 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Guanajuato]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Guanajuato | blurb=The "city of Frogs" is capital of the namesake state in Mexico is known for its silver mines and flood tunnels. | status=Guide | time=October to April to avoid rain and heat. October for Day of the Dead, or March for Baile de las Flores. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:40, 13 May 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have no current nominees from Mexico, and few from Latin America. Nominating as OtBP, as it is not among the most famous Mexican destinations. | DotMImage=[[File:View of guanajuato city.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Almost''' – this article is one of our best Mexican articles that could be featured as it is. However, the splurge section in Eat has no listings. Are there no splurge restaurants in Guanajuato? Otherwise, a few descriptions are needed for some listings, but otherwise it has all the essentials. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:48, 13 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Klaksvík]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Klaksvík | blurb=Visit the Faroe Islands’ second largest town for some great scenery, a historic and scenic harbour and for its annual summer festival, ''Summarfestivalurin''. | status=Guide | time=July for Summarfestivalurin (as it happens annually during early August.) | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:29, 12 June 2022 (UTC) | comment=First up, I'll admit I’m a bit biased given I started this article, but I’ve always wanted to feature this article ever since this became a guide article. We’ve never had a feature of the Faroe Islands, and often it’s forgotten and while I’m aware that we do have several Nordic nominations, this could replace Longyearbyen if we don’t want a back-to-back Norway/Sweden feature. That said, <s>it does need some copyedits,</s> and it could do with a better get in/around section. I tried to add a climate chart, but I couldn’t find any online information for the town's climate, but I’m not sure whether it’s needed given it’s only 40 km from Tórshavn, and there’s not much deviation in weather through the Faroes at all. | DotMImage=[[File:Faroe_Islands,_Borðoy,_Klaksvík_(3).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Almost''' per my remark. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:29, 12 June 2022 (UTC) ::What copy edits does it need after I made some today? I would have supported, but if you think it's not ready yet, why did you nominate it now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:53, 12 June 2022 (UTC) :::I'll admit I only skimmed through the article after you copyedited it, but now that I've had a full re-read, I think it's good to go. I might expand the "get in" section, but we have more than a year to do this, but I think that's all that's needed for a feature. As for why I nominated it now, I nominated it now, I nominated it so we could reserve July/August 2023 for Klaksvik. Anyway, thanks for your copyedits. Looking much better now :-). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:00, 12 June 2022 (UTC) *'''Comment:''' Klaksvík narrowly meets the limit for creating a standalone article, with one hotel and at least three other venues, but can still be considered a bit too small. We could consider merging the article with [[Borðoy]] (the island) to include some smaller villages, mountains, birdwatching locations, and other points of interest. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 08:58, 15 June 2022 (UTC) *:I'm a bit unsure on this one. I think it would make more sense to cover everything else on Borðoy in [[Northern Islands]] or otherwise it makes Borðoy (after renaming) a bit redundant. Maybe we should do something along the lines with [[Torshavn]] and [[Streymoy]], where Torshavn only covers the city, while Streymoy (the rural area article) covers everything outside Torshavn (apologies for omitting the accent; can't get the accent on my keyboard). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:30, 15 June 2022 (UTC) ::*The article certainly looks long enough to stand alone, and recall that we previously featured and starred [[Childs]], [[New York (state)|New York]], which has but one inn and one sight (albeit a complex) in "See and Do". That said, there is no Borðoy article; the term redirects to [[Northern Islands]]. So if there's more to say about the island outside of town, we could rename the article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:29, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::*:I think based on the regionalisation of the Faroes, towns that are large enough to have their own article can have so, while everything else gets mentioned in the relevant rural area article, so in this case, everything else in Borðoy would be mentioned in [[Northern Islands]]. But I'm not entirely sure though, but I assume it works that way due to how [[Torshavn]] and [[Streymoy]] are covered. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:34, 4 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Iquitos]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Iquitos | blurb=A metropolis in the Peruvian Amazon, with great opportunities for boat safaris. | status=Guide | time=While the dry season (April-Sept) is more comfortable, the wet season (Oct-March) is more appealing for wildlife watching. We are short on features for northern winter, and we usually feature Latin American cities for carnival season. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 01:23, 22 June 2022 (UTC) | comment=We haven't too many South American candidates, and this is a rather unusual city. Though its size, it can be considered off the beaten path for the difficulty to get there. | DotMImage=[[File:Belen Iquitos Peru.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} ===[[Kent (Ohio)]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Kent | blurb=An Ohio college town known for its parks and festivals. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer for weather. April/May for remembrance of the Kent State massacre. June/July for festivals. March/April 2024 for total solar eclipse. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:45, 4 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=While the United States have been well-featured, we have had few features from the Midwest, and none yet from Ohio. | DotMImage=[[File:KentOhioPufferbelly.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} : '''Needs a little bit of work''', though hopefully not much. A few points: ::* The "By plane" section violates [[wv:airports]]. While it isn't the blatant kind of violation like what we encountered in the Nigeria Expedition where there'd be seven unrelated airports, there is still no information on how to get from the airports to Kent ::* Some eat and drink listings need more contact details, if it can be found. ::* Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites seems to be outside Kent. If it's covered in another article, should it be removed? :Otherwise, it is mostly looking good, but the "By plane" section needs to be fixed before a feature. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:07, 4 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Stamford (England)]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Stamford | blurb=The United Kingdom's first urban conservation area features hundreds of Georgian buildings. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer. Not sure about public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 00:50, 22 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have no current nominees from the Isles. Needs a more inspiring intro, and more pictures. | DotMImage=[[File:River Welland.18.6.05.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Close''' I was actually going to nominate [[Fordingbridge]] sometime soon, but you beat me to nominating something from the British Isles. My only concern with this article is many of the eat, drink, and sleep descriptions seem quite bland. The article should also use the 12-hour clock per [[Talk:United Kingdom]]. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:09, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :: We can consider running [[Fordingbridge]] instead. Are there any events or anniversaries that would make any of them more suitable? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:14, 21 August 2022 (UTC) :::Perhaps maybe the July-August slot for the Fordingbridge festival? {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}}, given you wrote nearly all of the article, is there any particular time that you think Fordingbridge should be featured? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:01, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::No particular time as the New Forest is beautiful all year round, though I guess April-October would be preferable since most of the attractions are outside; I doubt the festival is big enough to be the reason for featuring. ::;Tbh, as much as I appreciate the recognition for a job well done on this article, geographical diversity would call for Stamford to be featured before Fordingbridge (which, like [[Farnborough]], is in Hampshire, though of course the two are very different from one another). We've never featured somewhere in Lincolnshire before, and I'm even struggling to think of anywhere else in the English Midlands we've featured. Though it's true that from 'Eat' onwards, the article gets a bit colourless.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:23, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Liepāja]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Liepāja | blurb=Latvia's third largest city has beautiful wooden buildings, Soviet military installations, and a beautiful sandy beach. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer for weather. Not sure about events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:03, 21 August 2022 (UTC) | comment=Eastern Europe hasn't been featured a lot. Russia and Ukraine will be off limits for some time, but the Baltic states seem unlikely to be affected by the ongoing war; also decently safe, cheap, and accessible. The article needs a climate graph, and a more inspiring intro. We might get an overload of destinations for northern summer; hopefully we can scout out more places for other seasons. | DotMImage=[[File:Ziemeļu forti(16).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Needs work'''. Few eat, drink, and sleep listings have descriptions that is not to mention the lede and understand is rather short. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:18, 21 August 2022 (UTC) ==Nominations for Featured travel topic== ===[[Loop Art Tour]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Loop Art Tour | blurb=Did you know that you can see some amazing modern art for free by taking a walk around downtown Chicago? | status=Star | time=Apr-Oct (from [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Archive/2020-2023#Along_the_Magnificent_Mile|Magnificient Mile's]] and [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Archive/2016-2019#Chicago/Bronzeville|Bronzeville's nominations]]) | nominatedBy=[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 14:32, 29 January 2021 (UTC) | comment=OK, as you probably all know, I don't like having articles sitting around here for longer than necessary (also it looks like some of the already nominated articles from the U.S. will still sit around here into 2022). But there has to be two years or more between articles from the same city, an article from Chicago was featured in April 2020, so the earliest possible slot for a Chicago article will thus be in April 2022. Now all, or almost, all districts from there are at guide or star status and could be run as DotM or OtBP, and as such Chicago together with Washington D.C. and San Francisco and perhaps some other cities, have high quality articles for DotM and OtBP for years to come. But this is not the case when it comes to FTT; other than Peter Southwood's famous diving guides <small>(speaking of which...in northern winter 2021-22 three years will have passed since one of those was featured, so it's time to nominated a new one soon)</small> we don't have any other ''travel topics'' at star status - except for this one. So before a district of Chicago is nominated, I hereby nominate Loop Art Tour for FTT for some month in 2022. As a star article, there shouldn't be anything to complain about when it comes to formatting or language. Though, a month or so before the article is featured we should check online that the artworks are still there. | DotMImage=[[File:Cloud Gate at dawn.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' as nominator. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 14:33, 29 January 2021 (UTC) * '''Almost''' The talk page says that one of the sculptures has been removed. It has been 8 years since any real update, and so I think it needs somebody to walk the route to confirm that everything is still there, and there are no new major attractions enroute that need a mention. The main sights should be markers, with wikidata links so the reader can find out more, or use a full page map. For an article on the main page, there should be links to relevant travel topics. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 15:33, 29 January 2021 (UTC) ::Nobody needs to walk the route, and we don't have any active Wikivoyagers in Chicago anyway. The status of the sculpture that's been removed can probably be determined by a Google search. If not, then just delete it from the itinerary. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 17:42, 29 January 2021 (UTC) :::I might be wrong, but I think [[user:The dog2]] is in Chicago. If not, you may not need an actual person to walk it, but the internet research should be more involved than you imply, per Alasdair's suggestions. Most readers will likely assume that featured articles have been thoroughly researched, and as recently as possible.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:58, 29 January 2021 (UTC) ::::There's also [[User:SewChicago]], who unlike me is an actual local who was born and raised in Chicago. I'm currently based in Chicago, but I'm still a foreigner. I haven't really been going out recently thanks to the pandemic, but I'd be happy to go around a bit more after I get vaccinated. Unfortunately, I don't know when that will be. They're currently having a severe shortage of vaccine doses in Illinois, and things are just so disorganised here. It's kind of sad that what is supposed to be the best and greatest country in the history of mankind is bungling the vaccine rollout so badly, in contrast to how organised and competent the rollout has been in my native Singapore. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:05, 29 January 2021 (UTC) :::::Since the meat of the article has already been written, it shouldn't matter that you're not a native Chicagoan. But, yeah, any time later in the year that you feel safe to go out, your help would be much appreciated (and much needed, given that by the time this is featured, it'll be 10 years since it was last done). I don't expect to get the vaccine for months yet, but I am lucky enough to not be in a rush and don't envy anyone with a more urgent need. I'm just thankful that most of my older family members have all either had their first jab or have an appointment scheduled.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:20, 29 January 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}}By the way, I noticed that the Buckingham Fountain is missing from the tour. That would add some extra time, but if you want to look at art installations in Chicago, I'd recommend it. I actually prefer it to the Crown Fountain. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 00:39, 30 January 2021 (UTC) ::'''Support'''. I haven't felt motivated to vote on nominations for features during the pandemic, but this is a star article, so I have full confidence that it'll be in great condition by the time it runs. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:22, 30 January 2021 (UTC) * '''Support'''. It's a star article. Unless it's degarded since starring, it deserves to be a DotM. --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 05:20, 10 May 2021 (UTC) * '''Support'''. As a star article there shouldn’t be too much to worry about regarding this one. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 18:45, 21 July 2021 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' for April/May. The article is good to go, and late April is sufficiently warm in Chicago. [[Ohio State Parks]] is delayed to June/July, as it needs some work, and is more of a summery destination. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:48, 16 December 2021 (UTC) ::I just noticed that if we schedule this in May, it will overlap with Homer for its last ten days. Is there any objections in switching Homer with Ingolstadt? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:16, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ====Freedom of panorama issues==== It seems that Commons does not have many images of the tour due to freedom of panorama, and as such there is barely any image selection to choose from and none of the images in the article work out as a banner to the dimensions of 3:1. We can only feature it if someone finds a photo that can be uploaded locally that works as a banner, or else we might have to slush it due to the lack of banner (which nobody would like to do). --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:44, 19 March 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' due to lack of images. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:46, 20 March 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]]: It may be the most strangest reasons, but should this be slushed? As far as I'm aware, Wikivoyage needs to comply with US and Californian law as the servers are hosted in California, and the freedom of panorama issue is not going to change anytime soon and so until that is ever resolved, this can never be a featured article unless the law somehow changes. (cc nominator {{ping|Ypsilon}}). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:12, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::There are photos on Commons of the Bean (Cloud Gate) and I have a couple of my own photos of it. The question is whether we can claim editorial use for a main page banner rather than an image in the article next to text describing the artwork - it might be good to mention the specific artwork in the blurb. The BP Bridge has a functional purpose and so may not be affected by US FOP. I can't make a banner at the moment, but I will take a look next week. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 10:50, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::::If you have some photos which are not affected by FoP, I guess we don't have to slush it then. However, this is on hold, and will probably only run in November, so there's plenty of time. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:01, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Are all of the artworks mentioned in the article copyrighted, if there's a single one that is not we could use a photo of that as banner if such a photo is available. How about the picture the article's banner is cropped from? Or if there's no artwork we could use, we could just use a view along the itinerary that wouldn't include any of the artworks (shouldn't be a problem to find photos as we're talking about central parts of U.S's third largest city?). --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 12:13, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::'''Fixed'''. There are two banners to choose from, showing the BP Bridge which is a functional structure that should be free of FOP concerns. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 14:38, 17 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[German cuisine]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=German cuisine | blurb=While Germany is famous for meat dishes with cheese, bread and beer, their cuisine is cosmopolitan with flavours from the whole world. | status=Guide | time=All months have their signature dishes, but Germany is best enjoyed at summer. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:48, 21 September 2021 (UTC) | comment=Meets the expectations of a cuisine article, with [[Bavarian cuisine]] and [[Franconian cuisine]] as appendices. | DotMImage=[[File:Bratwurst with sauerkraut, potatoes and beer.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' - I myself thought about nominating either this or [[Georgian cuisine]] for 2022. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 14:27, 28 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Unterstütze''' (Support) LGTM. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 09:41, 29 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' per nomination. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 10:27, 29 September 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for mushroom season, just before Oktoberfest and Erntedankfest. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:34, 2 November 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''': I don't have the time or energy to reread this article in its entirety right now (I feel fluish from side effects from a COVID booster I got Thursday afternoon), but I've helped copy-edit this article before and I think it's great. I especially like all the seasons set out by month, because they're so important in Germany. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:59, 14 November 2021 (UTC) : '''On hold''', as [[Georgian cuisine]] is an even better article, and we will have enough German features now. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:01, 15 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for November to December, with Christmas fairs. If we find three food and drink topics to be too much for a year, we can consider rescheduling. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:43, 28 March 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' again to feature in 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:50, 23 April 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Yvwv}} A continuation of the thread in [[#Georgian cuisine]], but should this article still be featured for Oktoberfest, now that we have [[German beer and wine]]? I don't really have much of an opinion on the timing, but if there are other famous times of the year known for food, then we should consider it, though just a suggestion, as I don't know much about German cuisine, and I'd defer to both of you. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 3 May 2022 (UTC) ::: As said before, the Oktoberfest isn't that much of a culinary event, but mostly suggested for its world fame. This article can feature any time of the year when we do not have too many features about Germany or food. Georgian cuisine got priority since it is even better, and we have had very few features from the Caucasus. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:38, 3 May 2022 (UTC) ::::That makes sense, and based on your reasoning, I now don't have a problem with featuring it in Oktober. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:49, 3 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Around the World in Eighty Days | blurb=Jules Verne's 1872 novel gave travellers a demanding but possible challenge. 150 years later, circumnavigating the planet in 80 days without flying, is still not easy. | status=Guide | time=The plot in the book begins on 2 October 1872. Sept-Oct 2022 is the 150th anniversary. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:07, 24 September 2021 (UTC) | comment=Non-flight journeys are in vogue again, and this article has most of the essentials. Nominating early to make the anniversary date. | DotMImage=[[File:Verne_Tour_du_Monde.jpg|thumb|180px]] }} * {{s}} LGTM. Would be nice to feature this for its 150th anniversary. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 12:20, 24 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Comment''' I think the parts about replicating the trip today could be italicized or boldened, like in [[Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation]] or [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim]]. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 16:05, 1 October 2021 (UTC) :: Made it the other way around. The summary of the book is italicized. We could add more details about the real-life recreations (at least Nellie Bly's journey) and the movie adaptations. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:26, 3 October 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''', though not sure about safety considerations. Regardless this looks like an entertaining article to feature on the anniversary. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 16:29, 2 October 2021 (UTC) *'''Comment''': "In particular, the main transcontinental line no longer passes through Wyoming (which has been left without passenger railroads altogether), instead having been routed further south through Denver, Colorado. This means that you will have to hitchhike on a freight train for the leg between Salt Lake City and Omaha if you want to replicate the route taken by Fogg." Is that possible, safe and legal? Otherwise, I think it's a good article and worth a feature, though the linked [[Freighter travel]] would benefit from having some examples of prices as of November 2021. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:44, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ===[[E8 through Finland and Norway]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Destination | blurb=From Turku to Tromsø, '''[[E8 through Finland and Norway|European route E8]]''' passes through various types of Finnish and Norwegian landscapes. | status=Guide | time=May to June for the Midnight Sun, or April to August | nominatedBy=<font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 10:22, 20 October 2021 (UTC) | comment=We don't feature itineraries that much, and this seems a good candidate for sometime next year. | DotMImage=[[File:Skibotndalen, E8.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Comment''': We hopefully have the Archipelago Trail in May–June, and if this is to be featured in (Nordic) summer, to avoid darkness and icy roads, I think it comes too close. Perhaps <s>2022</s> 2023? If for some reason there are problems with the Archipelago Trail this could of course be a backup. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:56, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :: I introduced the guideline that a nomination should be intended to feature within the coming 12 months. This is more a requirement for quality, than for available spots. We should preferrably have a backlog of nominated high-quality articles, so we can afford to choose the most suitable article, with regard to factors such as climate, holidays, public events and safety. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:03, 26 October 2021 (UTC) ::: May to June would be a great time to feature, for the [[Midnight Sun]]. That would make us wait until 2023, unless we run E8 instead of the Archipelago Trail. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:13, 26 October 2021 (UTC) ::::I'd prefer to keep this until 2023, since the Archipelago Trail is more developed than this one. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:56, 14 November 2021 (UTC) ::::: I agree, but I take the opportunity to ask: what should be done to improve this article, except developing the listed articles, and perhaps doing some more research on the bus and bike options? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:37, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::In my opinion, nothing major needs to be done, at least from what I've noticed (more specific to this article), but maybe an infobox or two would be nice, but we've plenty of guide and star articles without them. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:59, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::: For May-June 2023 we can also consider [[Swedish Empire]], during the 500th anniversary of Sweden's independence. That article also has several destinations in Finland. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:52, 16 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::: Yes. This road isn't going to disappear in the near future, it can be featured any year. If we get somebody writing about the Ostrobothnian destinations before that, it'd be a big bonus. I know them only superficially. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:39, 16 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Support.''' The article is great overall, though it should be proofread by a native English speaker for better flow in the language. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 17:39, 22 December 2021 (UTC) ===[[Christianity]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Christianity | blurb=The world's most prolific religion has more than 2 billion followers, and churches and shrines on all continents. | status=Guide | time=Preferably around Christmas or Easter. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:03, 7 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=A fine travel topic to schedule for the holidays. We have had very few religious features. | DotMImage=[[File:Última Cena - Juan de Juanes.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support, but hold it''', I feel it might be too close to [[Rome/Vatican]], but when you mean "for the holidays", you mean Christmas, right? Maybe 2023 Easter, but I don't have too much issues with it being featured in December 2022. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:55, 14 November 2021 (UTC) :: We have [[Rome/Vatican]] on hold. [[Jerusalem/Old City]] is a decent candidate. [[Exodus of Moses]] needs work. That will keep us a few Easters forward. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:08, 25 November 2021 (UTC) :::{{re|Yvwv}} if that's the case, then '''support'''. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:40, 2 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' on the basis another religion or religious culture is nominated for FTT by the time this one is featured. [[Judaism]] looks like the likeliest candidate right now but [[Islam]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Hinduism]] are also all close to guide status and could be considered to increase diversity in our FTT nominations. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 00:20, 2 January 2022 (UTC) * [[Hajj]] is not yet rated Guide, but it looks close to me. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 16:01, 12 February 2022 (UTC) ===[[Portuguese phrasebook]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Portuguese phrasebook | blurb=Whether you plan to ever visit Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe or Timor-Leste or just learn a couple of phrases in Portuguese, here's a quick guide. | status=Guide | time=Sometime in early 2023, one year after the [[Sinhala phrasebook]] | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:39, 14 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=Currently being nominated for star article which should be promoted any day now. It's one of the only phrasebooks where we have audio pronunciations, thanks to the hard work of {{u|Nelson Ricardo 2500}}, and now it's time for that effort to be shown on the main page. | DotMImage=[[File:Hiking sign in Soajo.jpg|thumb|200px]] }} * '''Very very close''' a bit more images would be nice. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:39, 14 November 2021 (UTC) * Thank you for the nomination. I've added a few more images. Given my contributions to this phrasebook, it goes with saying (but I'll say it anyway) that I '''Support''' it for Featured Travel Topic. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 19:00, 14 November 2021 (UTC) *First of all, this looks better than any other phrasebook I've seen on this site, and I especially love that there are speech samples we can listen to for everything, so I definitely '''support'''. I have a couple of marginal comments: (1) There is a remark that Portuguese descends from Galician. To my understanding, modern Galician and Portuguese instead descend from [[w:Galician-Portuguese]]. My other comment is that the thumbnail chart of international phonetics seems too small to be useful to include, even to make the point the caption makes, but I wouldn't try to insist on removing it. Also, perhaps some of the other thumbnails are a little smaller than necessary. I don't know Portuguese, but this seems like it might be a star-level phrasebook. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:54, 14 November 2021 (UTC) *:Thank you, IK. I have clarified re Galician-Portuguese. I have added a note to the caption on the IPA chart that it can be clicked to enlarge, since many casual readers won't know that. (I definitely want to keep the chart in, since the article uses IPA as a supplement to pseudo-phoneticization and sound files.) All images are at default size, which allows users to specify their own desired thumbnail size at [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering]]. I prefer to not override those user preference settings. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:29, 14 November 2021 (UTC) ::*Thank you. I'm good with your decisions. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:38, 14 November 2021 (UTC) ::{{re|Ikan Kekek}} to "it might be a star-level phrasebook", it's why it's currently nominated for a star ;) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:47, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ::: Northern winter would be good timing, as most Portuguese-speaking countries are tropical, and Portugal itself is among the mildest countries in Europe. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:12, 16 November 2021 (UTC) ::::{{re|Yvwv}} Northern summer works for countries like Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Timor-Leste et cetera, but northern summer is typhoon season in Macau. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:48, 21 November 2021 (UTC) *I just realized, I never offered my '''support''' for featuring this phrasebook. It would be silly for me not to do so, seeing how I support its promotion to star status. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:49, 3 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for Dec 2022/Jan 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:21, 25 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' for Nov 2022/Dec 2023. We have some tradition to feature phrasebook at the beginning of the year, but nothing is set in stone. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:04, 27 March 2022 (UTC) ::I guess that works climate-wise too as the storm season in Timor hits more after January. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:11, 27 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' for Jan/Feb, as customary for phrasebooks, right before [[carnival]] season in many Portuguese-speaking countries. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:52, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Planning your flight]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Planning your flight | blurb=Flying presents the traveller with many choices: airline, flight, cabin class, and sometimes a specific seat. | status=Guide | time=Any. Possibly northern spring, before the global high season for tourist flights. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 03:29, 21 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=With many of the world's flights on hold for nearly two years, this is a good time to feature the basics. We could feature the flight articles one by one. | DotMImage=[[File:ANA 777-300 Taking off from JFK.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Close''' Some brushups needed, but otherwise looks good. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:45, 21 November 2021 (UTC) ===[[Land Art Trail on Mount Učka]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Land Art Trail on Mount Učka | blurb=A mountain at the Adriatic Sea has become an outdoor art gallery. | status=Guide | time=Weather is probably best in May-June or September-October | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:49, 5 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=We have had very few features from the Balkans, and none from Croatia. Outdoor attractions can be more compatible with the pandemic. | DotMImage=[[File:Signpost on Land Art Trail - Invitation.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' LGTM. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:06, 17 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally in Oct/Nov 2022. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:31, 21 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' as one of our quirkier and well-planned itinerary articles. I noticed this article some time ago and remember it being well-written and organized. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 00:15, 2 January 2022 (UTC) *'''Comment''': I didn't feel up to reading all the way through the article, but am I the only one who finds the "Understand" section overly preachy? I did [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Land_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4359917&oldid=4339917 edit it] somewhat - the use of "man" and male pronouns for humanity is very old-fashioned and kind of jarring, at least for many Americans - but just how much do we need to push an idea of how to experience that trail? My feeling is that we definitely should state what the author's intention is, but we can then let people experience it however they do and go on to practical descriptions and advice on how to get from Point A to Point B, etc. I'll try posting a briefer alternative version of that section on the article's talk page later. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:08, 3 January 2022 (UTC) ::[https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Talk%3ALand_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4359932&oldid=3293582 Done]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:20, 3 January 2022 (UTC) :::Also, having just recently discussed about images in [[Talk:Canadian national parks]], are the galleries a violation of the image policy? Per [[Wikivoyage:Image policy#Montages and galleries]], "should only be considered for showing multiple examples of a specific topic (for example, in describing flora and fauna or cuisine – but not attractions). Image galleries should not be used solely as a way to include a large number of different pictures in a destination article". This isn't a destination article, but it is depicting attractions. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:08, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say the composite image at the top definitely violates the prohibition against montages and should be removed. Some of the galleries, such as the one that shows two views of the same spiral geograph, are not needed. Most of the rest seem OK to me, since this is not a destination article, as you said, but an itinerary in which it may be necessary to recognize every artwork. The Sentinel picture is problematic per [[WV:Image policy#People in photos]], though. I'm not sure we should do anything about that. "Land Art Trail on Mt. Učka in winter" doesn't need a gallery; one image could do it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:09, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Okay, anyway we have about 7 months left to fix this up so nothing urgent, but we can't feature an article that blatantly violates [[WV:IP]] though. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:00, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::I made a [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Land_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4418443&oldid=4416596 few] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Land_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4416141&oldid=4412415 edits] in the last few days, but we should make decisions about whether it's appropriate for this article to violate [[Wikivoyage:Image policy#Minimal use of images]]. I think that the density of images and the galleries still violate those guidelines, and while that might be OK as an exception, featuring this article carries strong risks that readers will believe this is exemplary in that respect and copy it in ordinary destination articles. Are the descriptions of the artworks clear enough that we can reduce the number of images to a more limited selection that excludes some of the works, eliminating the galleries with the possible exception of "Signposts and markings on the Land Art Trail" and creating 3 times more space on the right margin between most images, as we would be likely to do in any other article? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:36, 28 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::Yeah, we should take extra care that featured articles as many new users look up to them to see how they're meant to be formatted and usually think that format is okay. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:23, 28 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I'd assume the trail markings are enough to find the artworks, and they seem to be named on the map, so I think the images are needed more for telling the reader what to expect than for use on the trail. For that it is enough to have examples, and perhaps a few that give examples on how you can "use" the artwork. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:00, 29 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::It sounds like you guys are agreeable with removing the rest of the galleries and having only single thumbnails; is that correct? If so, let's make the changes. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:42, 4 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Yes, go ahead. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:50, 7 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::I just removed the remainder of the galleries, other than the one with markings and signposts, which might be OK. The article still might violate [[Wikivoyage:Image policy#Minimal use of images]], though. What do you all think? Should we delete half the remaining images? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:18, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::There are still way too many images and I feel very skeptical of featuring an article that's a blatant violation of a simple Wikivoyage policy. Leaving the images may also encourage new editors to well, add a whole slew of galleries because a featured article contained them. Feel free to delete half the remaining images. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:21, 28 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::How is it now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:24, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::Looking much better! However, I think the signposts/markings gallery should also go too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:25, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::::Let's talk about that. From [[Wikivoyage:Image policy]]: "Image galleries are discouraged, and should only be considered for showing multiple examples of a specific topic (for example, in describing flora and fauna or cuisine – but not attractions)." How does that apply to signposts/markings? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:40, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::::I thought the reason why we discouraged such galleries was because these chew up data and are slow to load, especially in places with poor reception. The reason why I'm okay with these in cuisine articles is because nobody prints these out, and many will read these articles before they're going to that destination (e.g. if I'm going to say Franconia, I would read [[Franconian cuisine]] before leaving to Franconia, but I wouldn't print it out, nor would I want to read it in Franconia) ::::::::::::::::Also, from experience last Saturday (18 June), just the map in [[Telangana]] took at least 10 seconds to load while I was on the road with poor 4G signal. If that one image took so long to load, then how long do you think it'll take for the gallery to load? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:09, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::::::I was thinking of it as a matter of style, and I see your point. So maybe select 1 or 2 of the best images from that bunch to use as thumbnails, possibly deleting another one in the process. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:24, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Quebec Route 389]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Quebec Route 389 | blurb= | status=Guide | time=<s>I don't know, but I would say sometime during the northern summer months? Will defer to either {{ping|Ground Zero}} who wrote most of the article or {{ping|Veillg1}}, our most active contributor from Quebec.</s> July or August | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:06, 17 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=This article has been one of my "articles for inspiration" in my early days on this site, and it's a pretty detailed article. More recently, I've added a mapline to the article too, one of only a few articles on this site to have one. Cannot see anything missing from here as well. | DotMImage=[[File:Route 389 Baie-Comeau - Manic 5.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 December 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''' as a July or August destination. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 13:13, 21 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Close'''. I think it needs more detail about the route. Why would someone want to visit these places? What makes each place along the route interesting and connects them to each other? However this is well on its way to being an FTT feature. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 00:25, 2 January 2022 (UTC) :*I agree with this. Very good information, but we need a bit more macro-level context. Is this mainly just a challenge, or is it a really beautiful drive, even if desolate? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Georgian cuisine]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Georgian cuisine | blurb=The cuisine of Georgia has drawn influences from the Silk Road, and is famous abroad for its quality. | status=Guide | time=August to October is the main harvest season, and has comfortable weather across the country. We could make it customary to run a cuisine article for northern autumn. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 00:55, 5 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=A near-star article. We have had very few features from the Caucasus. While [[German cuisine]] is nominated, Germany is already well-represented in the schedule. We can save the German food for 2023. | DotMImage=[[File:Mtsvadi.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *Definitely '''support'''! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:55, 5 January 2022 (UTC) *Ditto. '''მომხრე'''! (Georgian for support). --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:27, 12 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Support'''! On a side note, Georgian cuisine is absolutely delicious! [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 12:44, 14 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for August. [[German cuisine]] is on hold for another time. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:02, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::Perfect! [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 03:31, 17 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''', with one caveat. I'd like to see the image galleries designed so they stay on the screen. On smaller screens, the gallery is too wide for the screen and not all the images can be seen. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 22:18, 23 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Scheduled''' for November-December as many fruits are in season and the climate is milder. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:51, 23 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Swedish Empire]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Swedish Empire | blurb=In the 17th century, Sweden encircled the Baltic Sea and had farflung possessions; today, they are yours to explore. | status=Guide | time=Weather is best in northern summer. May/June 2023 would include the 500th anniversary of independent Sweden, and give the customary 24 month cooldown time since a feature from a neighboring destination ([[Stockholm history tour]], featured in May 2021). | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:49, 21 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=A history article which both includes a concise historical description, and many relevant destinations with Wikidata links and descriptions. While most of them are in today's Sweden and Finland, some are in less featured regions such as Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and West Africa. | DotMImage=[[File:Gustave Adolphe at Breitenfeld-Johann Walter-f3706497.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Needs some work'''. I did a bit of copy editing, but the entire article is likely to need some edits by native English speakers for some polish before we run it. Also, can we substitute some other word for "withe", which although English is a term I'd never seen before just now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:17, 21 January 2022 (UTC) *<s> '''Needs work'''</s> per [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan]]. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:00, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::I had a reread of the article, and I don't think there are that much issues with the tone anymore and therefore, I now '''support''' featuring the article for the 500th anniversary. The 0,0 coord issue also seems to be resolved, and so really, I don't think there's anything that's missing. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:20, 2 May 2022 (UTC) *'''Needs work''' per Ikan. Also Skattkammaren has coords at 0,0 this should be fixed see my message at [[Wikivoyage:Travellers%27_pub#NA_creates_coords_at_0,0]] <small>—The [[Project:Using_talk_pages#Talk_page_formatting|preceding]] comment was added by [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User_talk:Tai123.123|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Tai123.123|contribs]]) </small> : '''Comment:''' The history section has been completely rewritten since the nomination. The timeline and the trivia sections are less prominent. Please reconsider votes. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:40, 25 February 2022 (UTC) ::I don't know if the phrase I put after a semicolon is too cliched, but I found the previous wording of the blurb awkward. For the record, this was the previous phrasing: "A great power of the 17th century encircled the Baltic Sea, and reached far overseas, with a legacy surviving far outside Sweden's current borders." [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:49, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Indira Gandhi International Airport | blurb='''[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]]''' is the main airport of India’s capital, New Delhi. Has great connectivity to numerous destinations. The interiors of the airport are stunning. It houses numerous shops and other facilities. | status=Guide | time=March-June for summer season, November-February for festivals and winter. | nominatedBy=[[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 11:13, 27 January 2022 (UTC) | comment= I have visited the airport several times. In the past few days, I have edited it and upgraded it to ''guide'' status. It does have amazing interior designs. This guide now provides a full-view of the airport operations and services. | DotMImage=[[File:Sculpture of hasta mudras at Indira Gandhi International Airport.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 11:16, 27 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs more work'''. I don't deny you've done good work on this article, but I couldn't help but notice that some of the sentences used in the article don't present the airport in a good light. Case in point, in the "Eat" section, it was mentioned that some of the restaurants "are mediocre at best". I changed it to something better sounding. [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 12:09, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{re|Roovinn}} If "mediocre at best" is true, then that's what we should say. [[WV:Be fair]] means "be honest"; it doesn't mean "paint everywhere in a good light".--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:54, 27 January 2022 (UTC) :::Fair enough I suppose. [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 13:51, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I have been to the airport several times, and I have tried to be as honest as possible while contributing to the guide. :) [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 16:49, 27 January 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], @[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], @[[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] what do you think? [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 16:58, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Per [[Wikivoyage:Be fair]], I'd mention it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:10, 28 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::@[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]], what's your opinion on this? [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 17:52, 29 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Absolutely. If Wikivoyage recommended restaurants that sucked, I'd be mad. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:54, 12 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I have written "but many are mediocre at best" which gives a general conception about '''some''' restaurants. In the listings, I have tried to put the restaurants all with good and positive reviews. I have avoided restaurants that really suck. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 06:16, 14 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]], if the restaurants that are listed are good, that needs to be mentioned, for example like this: "Each terminal has plenty of restaurant options before and after security, but many are mediocre at best. However, the ones listed below are good." [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:04, 28 June 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' - Looks good and up-to-date. The writing is tight, concise and grammatically correct.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:59, 27 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Close''' per above. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 21:11, 27 January 2022 (UTC) *'''Support''' The only thing I feel is missing are ways to access the airport from nearby cities like Agra which lack international airports of their own [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 19:49, 29 January 2022 (UTC) *:@[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]], I'll add it [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 05:40, 30 January 2022 (UTC) *:: In many cases the Get in of those other cities should handle it. Only if there is something general to say about transport from the airport to other cities, I feel it needs to be in the airport article. That could be a train line or coaches with direct services to cities elsewhere, where the existence of such services and the location of the stations should be in the airport article. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:53, 14 March 2022 (UTC) *:::Working on it! [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 09:30, 15 March 2022 (UTC) *:::Yeah I meant cities with direct connections, probably could've worded my prior message much better. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 09:39, 15 March 2022 (UTC) *::::Like agra has direct road and rail connection while noida has direct routes via metro [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 09:50, 15 March 2022 (UTC) *'''Support.''' Has the essentials. Could be a feature soon, as India is very under-featured. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:39, 22 March 2022 (UTC) *:Would also be nice to feature an airport article after so long. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:59, 24 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for December 2022/January 2023, avoiding collision with [[Cooch Behar]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:01, 27 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support'''. Excellent example of an article that uses brevity to best effect, providing critical information directly to the traveler. This is a well-written article with all the essential details. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 11:08, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Australian cuisine]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Australian cuisine | blurb=While Australia isn't really known for its cuisine, Australian cuisine is a multicultural cuisine incorporating many Indigenous ingredients and perhaps one of the sweetest cuisines. | status=Guide | time=Jan or Feb 2023 – around the time where there's good produce but anytime during the start of southern summer will also work. | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:10, 23 February 2022 (UTC) | comment=As you can probably see, it's a fairly new article having only been created recently. That being said, it does need some work on its beverages section. Additionally I've tried not to add a list of ingredients like in [[American cuisine]], since it looks awfully encyclopedic and I don't think many will read it. That being said, I think the article could also cover a bit about etiquette, which while I can do, I'm not really sure how to explain it. The drinks section could also do better with a bit of work too, especially given Australia's large coffee culture, but can do that soon. Also before it gets lost in my banner collection, [[:File:ACftt banner.jpg|here's]], a banner that I cropped. | DotMImage=[[File:Lamingtons on a plate.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''': I think it needs a lot of work. Most sections don't look complete. The Meat section should mention that nearly all beef (and meat in general) is grass fed, not grain fed like it is in so many other countries of the world. Australia is also renowned internationally for its Black Angus beef and its marbled texture. There should also be a point on how experimental Australians are with meat. To what extent is game and offal eaten, for instance. The Fruit and Vegetable section briefly talks about one type of apple, no other kind of fruit and nothing about veggies. There should at least be a mention of Pink Lady apples and Calypso mangoes. The dietary requirements only touches on kosher, halal, vegetarianism and veganism. I think gluten free and nut allergies also need to be covered as a minimum. Iconic Australia ice creams like Paddle Pop, Golden Gaytime and Drumstick are all missing as are Twisties. Regarding seafood, Australia is known for its southern bluefin tuna and salmon (particularly Tasmania). There is no information on burgers which are more popular than e.g. Mexican-American, and no information on unique Australian twists on burgers like adding beetroot. It will come as a surprise to many foreign visitors the first time they order a burger in Australia. The takeaway section should have a sentence on Chinese takeaway plastic containers/boxes, which is different to the cardboard cartons you may find overseas. There's no mention of the great Australian barbecue nor anything on what kind of food is eaten on Christmas, the most important cultural event and festival of the year. Also missing Australian specific chains like Oporto and Red Rooster (see [[Chinese cuisine]] for comparison) and types of food establishments like the milk bar. I'll stop rambling now but I believe there is still a lot to do. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:55, 23 February 2022 (UTC) *'''Not yet''' As the Australian drawbridge has only just been lowered, I think we should wait a year to allow edits as a result of readers using the guide. I agree with DaGizza that there is much to do. Snacks are well covered, but I think there is work to do on meals. Is kangaroo meat farmed, or are wild kangaroo's hunted or culled? Are there standards for the welfare of farm animals? Do Australian hotels serve breakfast? What times do Austrialians usually eat meals - will the restauarant be full of locals or empty at 6:30pm? What kind of food can be found in supermarkets - ready meals, hot food or just raw ingredients? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:21, 23 February 2022 (UTC) * I'd realised I as the nominator forgot to give my vote, but my vote is also '''needs work'''. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:46, 6 March 2022 (UTC) ::My comment as nominator still remains needs work, but I feel skeptical of the "fruit and veg" section or an ingredients section itself. I'm making this judgment based on [[American_cuisine#Ingredients]] which is pretty much a blob of super long user unfriendly text and it's mostly not travel related. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:08, 12 March 2022 (UTC) :::The issue with the American cuisine section is that it lists nearly everything that's eaten by Americans. My suggestions were more towards mentioning varieties of fruit and veg which are unique or originated in Australia. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 06:40, 14 March 2022 (UTC) ::::That makes sense and it is more doable, user friendly and travel related. We could also list some important food festivals too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:58, 14 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for February/March 2023. The article has improved, and can probably get good enough for next year. / 10:43, 2 May 2022 (UTC) : '''Needs work'''. The blurb, the intro and the article itself all need work: not a single mention of Mod Oz food (!), and the characterizations as "sweetest" (what?) and "not be the greatest culinary destination" are offputting. Also, I'm sorry to say, but Indigeous ingredients are basically non-existent. [[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 03:42, 17 May 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' due to remaining issues. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:38, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Rail travel in Japan]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Destination | blurb=With trains over 320 km/h and a network of 27,000 km, rail travel is one of the most efficient ways to get around Japan. | status=Guide | time=March-June 2023 | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:33, 12 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=This is possibly one of our best rail articles we have so far, and also one of our most detailed rail articles. As we have two articles featured from Japan, around 2023 would be the ideal time, around northern spring. With that said, some dead links need to be fixed. | DotMImage=[[File:Hakata-general-train-base.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Close''' per my comment. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:33, 12 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' Has all the essentials. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:41, 22 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' I last used trains in Japan in October 2005, so I can't comment on all the details, but it looked good and fairly complete. It might have a little more about what the trains are like inside - I was surprised to find that all the seats face forward (except on commuter trains), as the seats are turned around at the terminal stations. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:13, 22 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Close''' I don't think the joyful train section should be part of the overnight train section as there are many non luxury joyful trains that don't run overnight, I feel this section could also mention other notable joyful trains like the Resort Shirakami or Hello kitty Shinkansen. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 07:22, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::Also I wish the regional rail pass section was longer. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 07:24, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|Tai123.123}} Though I'm not sure whether the joyful trains should even be mentioned though. I don't think any of our other "rail" articles mention tourist trains, as these are more supposed to be articles for getting around Japan by train, but this seems to be an outlier. That said, it is very useful information, so I don't see any reason to remove it, though I don't know much about Japan's train system (or any train system outside of Australia's and Singapore's), so I'd defer to you. On another note, while we're at joyful trains, are these synonymous with [[tourist trains]], or do they have a different meaning? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:16, 2 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yeah, joyful trains are tourist trains. Perhaps it may be to create a [[Joyful Trains in Japan]] travel topic as they’re very popular with both domestic and international visitors. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 14:57, 2 May 2022 (UTC) :::::<small>Preferably [[Joyful trains in Japan]] per [[wv:capitalization]] ;-) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 7 May 2022 (UTC)</small> ===[[Driving in South Africa]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Driving in South Africa | blurb=Without a good public transport network and many of South Africa's attractions in rural areas, driving is an excellent way to get around the country. | status=Guide | time=2023 southern winter. | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:03, 17 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=We haven't had a driving article featured for some time and this one seems in good shape to go. I'd expect that by 2023 mid-winter, the damage caused by recent floods would have been cleaned up. | DotMImage=[[File:Speed Camera Sign.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support'''. I think this is a thorough article with detailed but reliable information. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 11:13, 15 May 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for February-March 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:40, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Pbsouthwood}} Do you think anything important is missing in this article? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:52, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Looks pretty good to me in general. One thing that is missing is what the correct procedure is/should be at mini circles. I think part of the problem with them is that many/most drivers actually don't know what to do and some just assume they have right of way because there is nothing obvious saying that they don't, or because the vehicle ahead did not stop. I approach them as accidents waiting to happen, preferably to someone else. Cheers &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:01, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Are mini circles just mini-roundabouts? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:52, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Hamad International Airport]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Hamad International Airport | blurb=Visiting Qatar for the FIFA world cup? Here's a quick guide on getting around Qatar's prime airport. | status=Guide | time=October 2022 for FIFA world cup | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:37, 26 June 2022 (UTC) | comment=I'm no fan of soccer and I know I'm a bit late to nominate this, but after seeing what the Italian Wikivoyage did, I also wanted to nominate [[Doha]] for the FIFA world cup. However, it has already been featured, and otherwise this currently unfeatured article could replace Land Trail on Mount Ucka, which has some MoS issues. [[#Indira Gandhi International Airport|Indira Gandhi International Airport]] should ideally be pushed back further so it's not featured so close to Cooch Behar. As for the article itself, it looks good to me. I last visited Hamad Int'l Airport on transit in 2017 and I cannot see anything missing, but I was only there for two hours. | DotMImage=[[File:Children's play area at Hamad Airport, May 2014.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:37, 26 June 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' based on quality, but not ready to re-schedule. There have been concerns about human rights in Qatar, but we have not settled whether those should disqualify an article from featuring. If [[Land Art Trail on Mount Učka]] has issues, we should bring it up in the nomination process. Similar travel topics and destinations should preferrably not feature too close together, so delaying Indira Gandhi makes sense. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 05:48, 28 June 2022 (UTC) :Let's not base our decision on politics here. I can also list human rights abuses by Western countries (the invasion of Iraq, anyone?) if we really want to get into that, and that will disqualify all countries from being listed since all countries have blood on their hands in one way or another. Let's just consider things from a purely practical travel perspective here. That said, I don't know if we should feature airport articles. These are there to help travellers in transit or waiting to fly, but they are not usually destinations in and of themselves. People use airports to get to a place, then go sightseeing elsewhere. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 03:18, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::I don't see that a category of articles should be excluded from a feature, although I definitely understand your argument. Human rights are a difficult issue. If a large number of foreigners are essentially enslaved somewhere, is that an issue for travelers, such that we should hesitate to feature an article? How about when a lot of visitors are treated nastily or worse at border crossings and airports, as in the U.S.? I don't know what standard we should have, but I'm not comfortable with saying that human rights abuses that can affect visitors should never be considered a factor in whether we feature an article or not. At the very least, we should be careful to include clear warnings in the relevant articles. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:26, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::A further thought, though: Big airports are often used for transit, so we shouldn't assume everyone who goes to this airport is even visiting Qatar, not that there's anything wrong with that. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:28, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::::If there are major issues with the rights of foreign workers then yes, we should mention that. After all, we also want to serve people looking to move abroad to work. I've heard rumors that if a female foreign domestic worker in Dubai gets raped by her boss who is a UAE citizen, she has no legal recourse whatsoever even though it is of course illegal on paper. I don't know if that is just an exaggeration but if it is known that it's true, then yes, things like that should be covered. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 14:25, 18 July 2022 (UTC) 3kkn98x2fdarno98ffaktjibap8tc1m 4506235 4506234 2022-08-22T13:26:38Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Stamford (England) */ syntax wikitext text/x-wiki {{shortcut|[[Dotm]]<br>[[Otbp]]<br>[[Ftt]]}} Here we determine which articles are featured on the [[Main Page]] as [[Previous Destinations of the month|Destination of the month]] (DotM), [[Previously Off the beaten path|Off the Beaten Path]] (OtBP) and [[Previous Featured travel topics|Featured travel topics]] (FTT). ==Nominate== You can nominate any '''article''' you would like to see featured. Any destination, region, itinerary or event that passes the "[[Project:What is an article?|What is an article?]]" test is eligible for nomination. However, ''before'' nominating, please check that the article follows these basic guidelines: * The nominated article should have an [[Project:article status|article status]] of '''''guide'' or ''star'''''. This includes having at least one good picture, and listings/headers/etc. that match our [[Project:manual of style|manual of style]]. * The nominated article must not have been featured since Wikivoyage became a WMF project in 2013. ** See [[Previous Destinations of the month]], [[Previously Off the beaten path]], and [[Previous Featured travel topics]] to check. * If the article has been nominated previously but failed, any objections should be addressed before nominating it again. ** Check the [[Project:Destination of the month candidates/Slush pile|slush pile]]. ** If you think a once-slushed destination is now ready to go, list it as new, but with a pointer to the slush pile entry. * The article should be good enough to feature within 12 months; as is, or with edits that can be done before the intended time slot. Well-known and/or popular destinations should be nominated as '''Destination of the Month''', while more obscure destinations should be nominated for '''Off the Beaten Path'''. '''Featured Travel Topic''' includes travel topics, phrasebooks, itineraries, and other articles not part of the [[Wikivoyage:Geographic hierarchy|geographic hierarchy]], as well as airports (as they are not usually destinations in their own right). Where applicable, you should propose a good time to visit the destination as a month to be featured. The basic format of a nomination is as follows: <span style=color:green><nowiki>{{FeatureNom</nowiki> <nowiki>| place=Destination</nowiki> <nowiki>| blurb='''[[Destination]]''' is a place of contrasts, and as such it...</nowiki> <nowiki>| status=Guide</nowiki> <nowiki>| time=March-June</nowiki> <nowiki>| nominatedBy=~~~~</nowiki> <nowiki>| comment=Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime.</nowiki> <nowiki>| DotMImage=[[File:Destinationimage.jpg|thumb|300px]]</nowiki> <nowiki>}}</nowiki></span> Add a nomination to the ''end'' of the appropriate section. ==Discuss== You can comment on any nomination based on timeliness and adherence to the criteria above, just add a bullet point (*) and your signed opinion. <nowiki>===[[Destination]]===</nowiki> <nowiki>Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime. TravelNut 25:25, 31 Feb 2525 (UTC)</nowiki> <span style=color:green><nowiki>* Looks nice, but shouldn't the Do section contain more than just quilting contests? ~~~~</nowiki></span> Please note that the following are '''not''' considered valid reasons to oppose a nomination: * '''"I don't like it."''' All objections have to be based on the guidelines above: poor formatting, missing information, etc. Personal opinions, dislikes, etc. do not count. * '''"Wrong time of year."''' Articles are supported or opposed based on their content. Timing can be worked out later. * '''"Wrong type of place."''' Articles are supported or opposed based on their content. Whether it's DotM or OtBP can be worked out later. ==Select== If an article gets several comments in favor and none against for a week or so, it's eligible to be placed in an appropriate time-slot in the '''Upcoming''' queue. If the objections are relatively minor and are being worked on, add them to the '''Upcoming''' queue tentatively (add a question mark "?" after the article). Feel free to move the queue around or swap articles if it makes sense. If a nomination clearly does not make the grade and if the objections are not easily fixable, they go into the [[Project:Destination of the Month candidates/Slush pile|Slush pile]]. Once a nomination has been scheduled, an appropriate banner image and text blurb must be selected. Go to [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners]] to start that discussion. ==Archive== Discussions for previously selected destinations are kept in the [[Project:Destination of the month candidates/Archive|Archive]]. ==Upcoming== ===Schedule=== The following queue should contain about the next few months' worth of upcoming destinations. Note that new DotMs are rotated in on the '''1st''' of each month, OtBPs on the '''11th''' and travel topics on the '''21st'''. {|border="1" cellspacing=0 cellpadding="3" style="text-align:center" !Month !DotM !OtBP !FTT |- ! align="right" | September 2022 | [[Dresden]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Budderoo National Park]] – pending stronger consensus to support | [[Around the World in Eighty Days]] – pending stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | October 2022 | [[Arches National Park]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Savaii]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Land Art Trail on Mount Učka]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | November 2022 | [[Singapore/Orchard]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Cooch Behar]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Georgian cuisine]] |- ! align="right" | December 2022 | [[Rome/Vatican]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Gävle]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] – pending fixes (?) |- ! align="right" | January 2023 | [[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Punta Arenas]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Portuguese phrasebook]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | February 2023 | [[Milford Sound]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Jimbaran]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Driving in South Africa]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |- ! align="right" | March 2023 | [[Seoul/Jongno]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Guanajuato]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support | [[Australian cuisine]] – pending fixes and stronger consensus to support |} Try to avoid two overlapping or back-to-back features from the same country, as well as long streaks of features from the same continent. The schedule is not cast in stone. However, any change made to the schedule should have a compelling reason behind it, and should be effected as far in advance as possible of the article's scheduled term on the Main Page. In particular, unless absolutely necessary, we discourage nominee articles from being slushed or rescheduled after [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners|banners]] have been made for them, which usually happens 2-3 months before being featured. Whenever an article becomes a current feature, it should be removed from the list, the discussion archived, and (when changing out Featured Travel Topics) a new month added to the end of the queue. ===Next changes=== Decisions regarding which images to use as the banners are made at '''[[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners]]'''. The section below provides an opportunity to see what the upcoming featured articles will look like on the [[Main Page]] using the banners that are currently most popular on the above page. {{banner|direction=left|width=20%|title=Dresden|section=Destination of the month|section-link=Previous Destinations of the month|image=Dresden banner Semperoper at night.jpg|quote=The capital of Saxony once suffered catastrophic damage from Allied bombing in 1945, today it stands as a charming, relaxed and in many ways a beautiful city and a relaxing destination}} {{banner|direction=right|title=Budderoo National Park|section=Off the beaten path|section-link=Previously Off the beaten path|image=Budderoo otbp banner 4.jpg|quote=Australia isn't particularly known for its rainforests, but this small national park in the Illawarra south of Sydney may make you reconsider that.}} {{banner|direction=left|title=Around the World in Eighty Days|section=Featured travel topics|section-link=Previous Featured travel topics|image=Around the World in Eighty Days DOTM Banner map.jpg|width=50%|quote=Jules Verne's 1872 novel gave travellers a demanding but possible challenge. 150 years later, circumnavigating the planet in 80 days without flying, is still not easy.}} ===Updating=== On the date of the scheduled change, the DotM, OtBP, or FTT should be changed as close to midnight UTC as possible. When the featured page is changed, please follow the following procedures to do so and archive content to the appropriate pages. At each stage, please double-check that you are correctly moving content. #Update the featured articles on the main page by replacing the current 'banner' template section with those of the appropriate banner for the new DotM/OtBP/FTT found in the ''Next change'' section above. #Update the [[Main_Page/Photo_credits|Photo credits]] page with the banner's '''original image''', title and attribution. #Add the former featured article to the appropriate archive page: [[Previous Destinations of the month]], [[Previously Off the beaten path]], or [[Previous Featured travel topics]]. #Remove [[Template:Featurenomination]] from newly featured article. #For the former featured article, add the appropriate parameter to the pagebanner template (directly after the image filename) to label the page as having been featured previously. #*For former DotMs, add: {{!}}dotm=yes #*For former OtBPs, add: {{!}}otbp=yes #*For former FTTs, add: {{!}}ftt=yes #Archive the newly featured article's nomination. Simply cut-and-paste the nomination section of the newly featured article from this page to [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Archive]]. #Update the '''Next change''' section above by adding the banner from [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Banners|the discussion page]]. View the table in the '''Schedule''' section above to determine what next month's change will be, then update the image and blurb in the "Next change" section with that found in the upcoming featured article's nomination. #In the schedule, use <nowiki><s> and </s></nowiki> to strikethrough the newly featured article. Remove the row from the table if the newly featured article is the FTT. #Archive the newly featured article's banner by cutting-and-pasting all banner suggestions and the associated discussion into [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Banners/Archive]]. ==Nominations for Destination of the Month== ===[[Rome/Vatican]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Vatican City | blurb=The world's smallest country is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and has an impressive art collection. | status=Guide | time=Should be avoided at summer. April includes Easter and good weather. Winter is a good time to avoid crowds. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 01:39, 20 October 2021 (UTC) | comment=Well-known destination which was [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Slush pile#Rome/Vatican|slushed in 2017]] but has improved a lot since then. One of few relevant destinations for [[Easter travel]]. | DotMImage=[[File:Sãopedro1.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Close'''. Some formatting fixes needed, but that can be resolved later, and the translation tag? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 01:41, 20 October 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''', pending checks on which listed establishments are still in business, as usual. I haven't been voting here for a while because I'm very ambivalent about travel, given its carbon footprint, and we're also still in a pandemic, but I recently reread and did some edits on this article, and I think it's good and covers a destination that will always attract visitors as long as there are human beings and things to see and do there. We have to hope that'll be a long time... [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:45, 20 October 2021 (UTC) : '''On hold''' as Turin is scheduled for May. Can be considered for Christmas 2022 or Easter 2023, as we don't have many destinations with worldwide relevance for these holidays. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:16, 2 November 2021 (UTC) * I have some concern with its categorization (being placed as a "district" of Rome instead of treating it as an official country). Yes I know it's the smallest country in the world, but we don't give the same treatment to Monaco or San Marino which are also tiny countries in Europe. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 03:29, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :*But it really '''is''' a district of Rome. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:31, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :The thing is, would you ever visit the Vatican without visiting Rome? San Marino and Monaco are a bit different as they're not fully surrounded by another city on all four corners. OTOH, I was also first confused when I first saw the categorisation too, and I have a feeling most of our readers will too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:35, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :::*Any other way of treating the Vatican would be more confusing. Regardless of the political arrangement, it's a neighborhood in Rome, period. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:38, 18 December 2021 (UTC) ::::: I remain unconvinced. Going by [[WV:GH|geography hierarchy]], it's country -> region -> city -> district. Vatican is small enough that it doesn't need region, city or district. But putting it as a district of Rome (and not even giving it a city status) seems like a large deviation from the hiearchy. I'm marking it as '''not yet''' [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 20:49, 18 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::Have you ever visited the Vatican? It is not its own city. Listen, if tomorrow, my block in Manhattan were declared an independent state, would it suddenly no longer be part of New York City? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:28, 18 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::I have not visited Vatican. Vatican is and will remain an independent state. Your block in Manhattan will not. So please don't apply strawman argument here. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 19:59, 24 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::It's not a straw man. The Vatican was the small part of Rome that the Pope was allowed to maintain authority over in a concession by newly unified Italy that they made in order to achieve the withdrawal of French troops from Rome. It's hugely important, but it's simply part of Rome, and don't forget that [[the traveller comes first]] on this site, not whether a neighborhood in a particular city is officially treated as an independent country or not. By your standards, we should be using only official districts in our breadcrumb navigation and never including suburbs in any city article - not to mention, always using official names of places - but we do in instances in which that best serves the traveler. Go and visit the Vatican some time and see for yourself how it's just part of Rome. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:27, 24 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::I agree with Ikan in that I don't see how it's unreasonable, from a practical perspective, to classify the Vatican as part of Rome. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 23:21, 24 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::Even have a look at [[San Marino]]. It's a country, but breadcrumbed under Italy. Why? Because you have no choice but to enter thru Italy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:24, 24 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::: The geographic hierarchy of Europe is always under discussion at [[Talk:Europe/Hierarchy]]. [[Southwestern Europe]] is a proposed continental section which would include the whole Italian peninsula. We can hopefully settle this issue before the article gets featured. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:41, 25 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::And what about [[Andorra]]? Other than a few rich guys chartering a helicopter, the rest of us have to go through either Spain or France to get in. Yet it's breadcrumbed under [[Iberia]]. Same for [[Liechtenstein]]. You have to go through either Switzerland or Australia to get there but it's listed under Central Europe. [[Monaco]] has access to water but its land is completely surrounded by [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]] in France, yet it's not listed as a district/city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Going back to Vatican. As AlasdairW pointed out, this looked like a Rome/Vatican district nomination, yet the proposed blurb is pitching it as a country. Add the breadcrumb issue to the mix and this blurred line led to all sorts of confusion. I agree with Yvwv that this should be settled first. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 21:21, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Andorra is a difference case since you can enter through both France and Spain. Monaco as you said, has access to water, but [[San Marino]] is still categorised as a part of Italy given it's surrounded by Italy on every side. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::I haven't been to San Marino, but I have visited Monaco, and while it's definitely on the Cote d'Azur, it is at least a city in a somewhat recognizably geographically discrete area (Le Roque and the city down below). If people want to breadcrumb it to [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]], that's OK with me. But when you're talking about the Vatican, even ignoring the fact that the article also covers areas not under the control of the Pope, it's just part of Rome, and you can't even stay there, with few exceptions. To me, the argument to breadcrumb Monaco to France is a much stronger argument than treating the Vatican as separate from Rome. For a traveler, it is part of Rome, period. In terms of the other more or less small landlocked countries in Europe that are being discussed, it would make no sense to treat Andorra as part of either France or Spain because it is between the two, and the situation for Liechtenstein is analogous. In terms of selling the Vatican as the world's smallest country somehow confusing people because the article is breadcrumbed to Rome, that seems like a nonexistent problem. It is both a country and part of Rome, and that's one of the things that makes it unique. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:32, 13 July 2022 (UTC) *'''Nearly''' The article is about both the Vatican and the Borgo and Prati districts of Rome. Although this is stated at the top of the article, it maybe could be clearer and the blurb could also be clear that the article we are featuring is Vatican++. All the eat and sleep listings are actually in Rome. This is correctly a district of Rome. There are a few dead links in the article, and few of the listings have recently been updated. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:00, 20 December 2021 (UTC) *'''Comment:''' Not a copyvio according to Earwig's. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:22, 23 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Scheduled''' provisionally for Christmas 2022. Easter could be considered, but might be too crowded for visitors who are not devout Catholics. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:19, 25 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Las Vegas]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Las Vegas | blurb=''Sin City'', the uncrowned capital of gambling, offers all kinds of entertainment year round. | status=Guide | time=Events are always ongoing. Spring or fall have the best weather. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:18, 1 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=Slushed back in 2009, but has improved a lot. Can be featured anytime when we do not have too many North American articles. | DotMImage=[[File:Las Vegas (Nevada, USA), The Strip -- 2012 -- 6232.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} : '''Comment:''' Sorry for the lack of geographic diversity, with a fourth DoTM candidate from the American Sun Belt. They all have international appeal to be featured, though. IMO we should run the best and most relevant US article in March 2022, and the next one for fall 2022. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:27, 1 November 2021 (UTC) :{{re|Yvwv}} we do have around three Australian destinations featured next year + this December, so don't think it's a huge problem. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 04:59, 3 November 2021 (UTC) ::'''Slush?''' No supports or opposes, but this nomination has just been sitting here for months now. I would have normally given my opinion my now, but I'm very undecided on this – on one hand, most of the districts are in good-shape, but none of the districts have {{tl|mapmask}}s which IMO, is key for a good city article (as the outer borders are now undefined). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:43, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::I agree that the maps are a problem. The mess of literal points of interest crowded in the maps on the page in several districts makes the maps nearly indecipherable without zooming in. And then there's the probably more serious problem of the "Las Vegas districts" map in [[Las Vegas]], which does not show the boundaries of 3 districts. The age-old solution when there's a need to focus in on a city's downtown is to put it in an inset. So there should really be two district maps - the one that's already there and a zoomed-out one that shows the boundaries of the larger outlying districts. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:55, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Alternatively, I'd be happy to support if someone's willing to make an interactive dynamic map using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io], which also gives the benefit of the district articles having mapmasks (using {{u|Renek78}}'s [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ convenient tool]), but I've only visited Las Vegas twice and both times, I only visited the city en route to either Arizona or Utah. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:13, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::::I've created a quick & dirty dynamic map and added it to the article. Maybe you have some ideas on how to improve it? "Wikivoyage Districtifier" does not work here because the official administrative boundaries are quite different from what we use so far.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 09:16, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::That map is an improvement, but I still think two maps, one an inset, are the best solution, considering that we want the page to be usable and printable as is, not only for people who have Internet access while they are using the map and are therefore able to look at it on a full page. -- [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:34, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It's certainly an improvement so thank you for making the map {{u|Renek78}} :-). :::::::{{re|Ikan Kekek}} But do we have anyone who can make an inset? If there is no guidance on how to make one (one that's in Wikivoyage-style), or if nobody can make them, then basically we're asking to do something that's impossible. I could do one IRL, but the way I would do it is completely against Wikivoyage style and I don't want to be unilaterally tampering our MoS. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Not sure about other people but I use Wikivoyage within OsmAnd - a navigation app - while travelling. Printable maps wouldn't be a concern for me personally, but there are different user types of course.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 16:45, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Since dynamic maps are being used in that article, the way to make an inset would seem to be to simply increase the zoom level for the inset and make sure its positioning is such that it shows the full extent of the smallest districts. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:23, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Singapore/Orchard]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Singapore/Orchard | blurb=The main shopping street of Singapore is well known for having an extensive range of malls. | status=Guide | time=June-August | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:00, 25 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=We haven't add many articles from Singapore being featured recently, and this looks a good one. It's been a long time since I've been to Orchard Road, but I cannot see anything missing from when I went there, although I have yet to look in detail. | DotMImage=[[File:Presenting... the real ION (8200217734).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator and cannot see anything missing from when I went there, but if {{u|The dog2}} has any concerns with it, I may change my opinion. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:00, 25 November 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally in August. Any specific reason for the timing? In my opinion, we should designate January for destinations which celebrate Chinese/Lunar New Year, in particular places with favourable weather. Is Singapore too rainy during northern winter? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:25, 25 November 2021 (UTC) ::Possibly, but would also defer to [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] on that. My experience there was that it rains nearly most afternoons, but I went there during spring. I would prefer June or July for the [[w:Great Singapore Sale]] but around Lunar New Year is also fine with me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:29, 25 November 2021 (UTC) ::: As most of south, southeast and east Asia get the monsoon rains during northern summer, we tend use these slots for destinations in Europe and North America instead. Singapore seems to be among the exceptions, with more rain in November to January, so for geographic diversity it would make sense to schedule Singapore during northern summer. Is the GSS planned be held as usual in 2022, given the pandemic situation? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:00, 25 November 2021 (UTC) ::::The southeastern coast of Southeast Asia from southern Thailand all the way down to Singapore have their monsoon season in November-January, which is why the dive sites off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are closed in those months, because the sea just becomes too choppy. But what you said is true of places like Penang, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, where the dry season is during the northern winter, and in the case of the latter two, also coincides with their winter, meaning the temperatures are not so hot. ::::As for festivals, while you can of course go to Orchard Road for Chinese New Year (and locals still go to Orchard Road for their Chinese New Year shopping), in reality Chinatown is where you should go if you really want to soak up the festive atmosphere. Orchard Road's street decorations are mainly Christmas-themed, and if I'm not wrong, they have in recent years also added a Menorah for Hanukkah at the request of the local rabbi. It is in Chinatown where you can see street decorations with the Chinese New Year theme, and likewise, for Deepavali (Diwali), you go to Little India for that, and for Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr), you go to Geylang Serai for that. ::::So if you're talking about an appropriate time to visit Singapore if you specifically want to see Orchard Road at its best, I'd say it would be December, when all the Christmas decorations are up. It is during the monsoon, but all the major shopping malls are linked underground, so it is quite easy to find shelter whenever it rains. And in any case, the rains tend to be brief, though intense, so you can always wait inside one of the shopping centres for the rain to stop before heading out. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 02:02, 26 November 2021 (UTC) *'''Almost''' I was last in Singapore in 2005, so I can't say if it is up-to-date, but it looks good. Few of the listings have recent dates, and need to be checked, particularly the eat listings. I have checked the budget and mid-range hotels, and found 3 closed (2 temporarily). [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:32, 25 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Very close.''' Needs a more inspiring intro. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:28, 6 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally again for November 2022, as suggested under [[#Newfoundland and Labrador]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:43, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat | blurb=The multicultural district and Chinatown in the capital of the largest overseas Chinese community becomes particularly lively for the Chinese New Year. | status=Star | time=Jan 2023 | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:25, 27 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=Here's an article for the Lunar New Year for 2023. The article is a star, so I'd trust that all requirements are met. | DotMImage=[[File:Arch in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Very very close''' Just would be nice if the routebox at the bottom could be fixed. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:25, 27 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Close.''' Need ''get around'' and ''stay safe'' sections. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:16, 27 November 2021 (UTC) *:{{re|Yvwv}} It appears that a #Get around section isn't needed for city districts (see {{u|Ypsilon}}'s comment on [[#Helsinki/West]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:04, 28 November 2021 (UTC) *'''Comment''' Is this DOTM or Otbp, the [[Yaowarat and Phahurat tour]] page makes it seem like an OTBP destination despite being in a large city.[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 07:32, 23 December 2021 (UTC) *:DoTM – how is this "off the beaten path"? From experience it was definitely one of my highlights when I went to Bangkok and I can't see anything missing here. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:02, 23 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for Lunar New Year 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:44, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Dresden]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Dresden | blurb=The capital of Saxony once suffered catastrophic damage from Allied bombing in 1945, today it stands as a charming, relaxed and in many ways a beautiful city and a relaxing destination. | status=Guide | time=Not sure tbh | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:55, 18 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=I'm kind of surprised this has yet to be featured, but there's always a start for everything. Can't see anything missing here. | DotMImage=[[File:DD-blick-von-frauenkirche.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' some minor fixes needed but that can be done soon. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:55, 18 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Very close.''' Needs a climate graph. The text has a bit of a German accent, and should be proofread by a native English speaker. Just like most of Germany, weather is most pleasant at summer, and the Christmas fair could make the city worth to visit in December. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:42, 18 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for October. Could be a bit chilly though, and not sure about festivals or events. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:28, 21 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' I visited Dresden about 15 years ago, and the article looks good. I have done some updates, but it is hard to check all the details at the moment as many places are impacted by current restrictions. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 17:59, 28 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' in September for milder weather. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:27, 25 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Gaborone]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Gaborone | blurb=Botswana's capital is just a few decades old, already established as the gateway to this friendly county. | status=Guide | time=March-May or Aug-Oct, weather-wise. Not sure about public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 03:20, 3 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have had few African features, and none from Botswana. This article seems to be up to date. | DotMImage=[[File:Three Dikgosi Monument - March 2010.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''', whenever it's halfway reasonable to travel. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:46, 3 January 2022 (UTC) *<s>{{s}}</s> per Ikan. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:28, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::I did not take the time to fully look at the article earlier, but now I have so I'm going to say it '''needs work'''. Some issues: :::*Understand is ''way'' too short. :::*The "Modern architecture" section has no description nor addresses :::*The same with the other "See" listings :::*The same goes with the other sections ::That's just a start. So until this is fixed, I'm going to oppose a feature. However, in saying that, I'd like to see this being featured one day, perhaps maybe after these have been fixed. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:47, 17 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for September, for good safari weather and Botswana Day on 30 September. Scheduling was made before the comment above, and can always be reconsidered. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:51, 17 January 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' due to remaining issues. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:28, 25 April 2022 (UTC) : '''Slush?''' The article has unaddressed issues some months past nomination. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:25, 1 May 2022 (UTC) ::Don't know to be fair. I'd love to see an article from Botswana be featured (as outside ZA, Southern Africa has had relatively few features), but at the same time, it needs some work. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:03, 2 May 2022 (UTC) * '''Comment''' - the current page banner is dreadful and should be replaced. Was just looking at the page and noticed it was nominated.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Freetown]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Freetown | blurb=Sierra Leone's capital is a fast-developing city with some of Africa's finest beaches. | status=Guide | time=December to April to avoid rain. Possibly March for Film Festival and Ballanta Music Festival. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:58, 2 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=Africa is severely under-featured. This article has been considered for featuring for a while, and has the essentials. | DotMImage=[[File:Freetown street (13992704238).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Close''' – I'd love to see this featured, and I agree that outside South Africa, Africa is severely underrepresented. Some issues tho: ::* There are two national parks on the static map, but there is no mention about them in the article. Maybe I'm nitpicky about this as someone who's into the concepts of metro national parks ::* Many listings are missing contact info. ::* There are no buy listings. ::* Many of the beach listings have just the beach name and coords with nothing else :Otherwise, it looks good to go. Once they're fixed, I'll support. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:32, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Arches National Park]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Arches National Park | blurb=Containing one of the world's highest concentration of Arches, the park has become one of the state icons of Utah. | status=Guide | time=During autumn or spring (northern) | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:47, 19 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have not have a park article from North America being featured for some time. I went here a few years back and everything here seems up-to-date. | DotMImage=[[File:5028-arches-delicate-arch RJ.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:47, 19 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Comment''' Is it OTBP or DOTM according to [[w:List of national parks of the United States]] it gets 1.8 millin visitors a year which puts around the top 15 most visited parks in the USA. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 02:37, 19 March 2022 (UTC) *:I've known this park for a long time and I did eventually get around to visiting it on my last trip to Utah, but I am going to say OtBP. I was even thinking on whether it should be a dotm or otbp for a while, before I finalized my decision on otbp. The US NPS promotes their national parks so much, to the point where most people around the world know the most parks in the US but barely any outside it. If I really had to make a list of US national parks that could make it to dotm, here's what I'd think: *:* Yosemite NP* *:* Yellowstone NP *:* Death Valley NP* *:* Grand Canyon NP *:* Olympic NP *:* Zion NP* *:* Golden Gate NRA *:* Hawaii Volcanoes NP *:* Mount Rushmore NM *:Note that a * means it has already been featured *:These are probably a borderline: *:* Arches NP *:* Glacier NP *:* Everglades NP *:* Glacier NP *:* Great Smokey Mountains NP *:That too is quite a lot for a single country. Also, it's worth noting that visitor numbers don't necessarily correlate with fame – Ulu<u>r</u>u-Kata Tju<u>t</u>a NP in the centre of Australia is pretty much known worldwide, but it does not get as many visitors due to its isolation. As the US gets a lot of domestic tourism, it gets a lot of visitor numbers. *:As another example, that I could give is [[Fiordland National Park]], which is one of New Zealand's finest parks and most international visitors pay a visit to the park. However, as New Zealand only as 5 million inhabitants, the visitor numbers are way lower. Banff or Jasper in Canada would be a similar case, if Canada did not have a land border with the United States and both would qualify for a dotm. *:So ultimately, it should be an otbp. Visitor numbers don't exactly represent how well-known it is, which is what is needed to be a dotm and if we feature this as a dotm, we will then have to feature the other three national parks in Utah as dotms, which then we'll fall into the loophole of featuring every single national park well-known to people from a certain regions as dotms. Let's not fall into that pitfall. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:04, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::*I'd say noplace with 1.8 million visitors is "off the beaten path." DotM. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:30, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::*:Per the comment at the very top: "Well-known and/or popular destinations should be nominated as Destination of the Month, while more obscure destinations should be nominated for Off the Beaten Path" – I don't think Arches NP is well known outside the US. If that's the case, then should we feature [[Acadia National Park]] as a dotm? It received 4,069,098 visitors in 2021, but hardly anyone outside the US (and maybe Canada) knows that park – and it's not well-known. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:03, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::*::If a park gets more than 1.5 million visitors its definitely a popular destination and therefore DOTM. Some former Japanese DOTMS like [[Hamamatsu]] and [[Okayama]] aren't known very well outside of Japan but due to their popularity with domestic (and size) they were DOTM rather than OTBP. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 06:21, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*Yes, Acadia definitely should be DotM. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:40, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*:If we're okay with featuring places that get a lot of domestic tourism, I'd be more than happy to move this up to dotm. I always thought that dotm was only for the most well-known internationally, but I guess it's time to feature more national parks as dotms. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*::Moved. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:39, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::*:::Thanks! [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 08:05, 19 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' Could use a more inspiring intro. Otherwise, not much else is needed to feature. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:50, 20 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' I agree that the intro could be improved, additionally I wish [[Moab]]'s eat and sleep sections were better considering that this article's eat and sleep section basically say "go to Moab for amenities". The article it self is fine though. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 22:52, 24 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Scheduled''' for October. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:27, 25 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Milford Sound]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Milford Sound | blurb=One of New Zealand's prime icons, this fiord nestled in the north of Fiordland National Park contains a spectacular combination of mountains, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and marine life. | status=Guide | time=Southern summer | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 28 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=I've recently taken some interest in Fiordland National Park recently and have recently upgraded this to guide. As for dotm/otbp, Milford is an important tourist spot not just in South Island, but NZ as a whole, so it'd be absurd to feature this as otbp and Arches NP as dotm. I'm willing to do any changes if needed. | DotMImage=[[File:Milford Sound 02.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:32, 28 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' Has all the essentials. The boundary between DoTM and OtBP might need a deeper discussion than we could have for an individual article vote. Absolute number of visitors might be an incomplete measure. Let's say that a city in a high-income, high-population region such as Germany, Virginia or South Korea has around 100,000 citizens, but is no tourist attraction in its own right. We would probably feature it as OtBP, though it is likely to attract many thousands of visitors per year for business, sports, performance events and family occasions. In absolute numbers, more people would visit that city, than a national park or natural landmark which is world famous, but more isolated. The limit has to be subjective. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:54, 7 April 2022 (UTC) *:I agree. To me, it seems absolutely absurd if we were feature to Arches National Park as a dotm and if this as an otbp when Arches NP is only heavily visited because of the large domestic tourism in the US but otherwise relatively unknown outside, while Milford is one of New Zealand's prime tourist destinations but gets fewer visitors because NZ's population is 66 times smaller than that of the US. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:05, 7 April 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for February 2023. / 10:41, 2 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Lyon]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Lyon | blurb=France's third city is famous for its Roman heritage, its cuisine, and its proximity to the mountains. | status=Guide | time=Any. Aug-Oct is harvest season, and has decent weather. Not sure about public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 09:17, 2 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=France receives more international tourists than any other country, but has had rather few features. This is a lengthy article, though many places need coordinates. [[/Slush pile#Lyon|Slushed in 2010]]. | DotMImage=[[File:FourviereNight.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Very very close''' – I'd love to see this featured. Only thing that's missing is coordinates as you mentioned, which I'll start later this month. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:07, 7 April 2022 (UTC) *'''Comment''': The districts map needs better color-coordination. It's unusual for an undistricted city to have a districts map, but I think it's fine with a map and good descriptions. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:34, 28 June 2022 (UTC) *:{{re|Ikan Kekek}} I'm stuck with the flu at home this week so I'll try and make a better districts map if I can. No promises though, as I'm still a rookie at making static maps (the [[c:User:SHB2000#Static maps|few I've made]] are nowhere near good as our existing maps, but given that few can make these maps, I'll give it a shot), but I'll try my best. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:46, 28 June 2022 (UTC) :::I hope you get better soon! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:54, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Wengen]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Wengen | blurb=With steep slopes and reliable snowfall, this picturesque car-free village nestled deep in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland is one of the world's top downhill skiing destinations. | status=Guide | time=Winter (Nov-Apr, roughly) | nominatedBy=[[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 03:53, 20 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=Wengen is small, but it's a major tourist destination, so off the beaten path would be a stretch. Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime. | DotMImage=[[File:View From Wengen, Bernese Oberland (2521799368).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} :'''Close, but needs some work''': *Why is there only one listing in "[[Wengen#Drink|Drink]]"? There are others mentioned, but they should be in a listing format. *Do the churches pass [[wv:worship]]? If so, they should be in a listing or markered at the bare minimum *The buy section is missing contact details, coordinates and addresses :That's all from me right now. Will do the smaller fixes myself. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:05, 20 April 2022 (UTC) ::No personal experience re: the other bars mentioned, alas. The Lutheran Church is picturesque and has great views, so it's worth a mention, but I'd drop the rest. I've cleaned up the Buy section. [[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 05:27, 20 April 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs work.''' A ski resort should have a description of the lift system and spectator events. Could use a climate chart. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 09:10, 20 April 2022 (UTC) ::Wengen is not a standalone ski resort, but just a node in the rather vast Grindelwald-Wengen-Murren-First-Schilthorn ski area: you can ski down ''to'' Wengen, but getting up the slopes requires taking the train or gondola. This is mentioned in passing but I'll try to make this clearer. [[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 12:50, 20 April 2022 (UTC) ::: Maybe the region should have an article on its own, whether it is called [[Jungfrau Region]] or something else. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:21, 21 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Sucre]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Sucre | blurb=Bolivia's nominal capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a showcase of indigenous and colonial history. | status=Guide | time=October to April to avoid the cold. Carnival in February. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:59, 31 May 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have few upcoming features from South America, and we never had a feature from Bolivia (except on The Other Site, back in 2006). The article has the essentials, but could mention more on topics such as the new airport, shopping, and crime. | DotMImage=[[File:Blue Sky, White City - panoramio.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Almost''' – a few see listings need descriptions, but that is relatively minor and this article can run as it is if it has to. Would love a feature from Bolivia! --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:32, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::The "History" section also needs an update, as it doesn't seem to have been updated since the coup that ousted Evo Morales. I just changed one "is" to "was", but that's not enough. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:13, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Seoul/Jongno]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Jung | blurb=The northern historic center of Seoul is a showcase of Korean heritage, with four Grand Palaces and several museums. | status=Guide | time=Spring or autumn for weather. November for the Lantern Light Festival (if it is scheduled as usual). | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:21, 25 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=Korea deserves a feature. [[Suwon]] did not make the cut, but this article is hopefully good enough. | DotMImage=[[File:Noandang, Unhyeon Palace 1.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *{{s}} as I mentioned in [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates/Slush pile#Suwon]]. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:30, 25 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Madrid]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Madrid | blurb=The capital of Spain, and once its global empire, is a diverse destination with two world-class football clubs, fine dining, and bustling nightlife. | status=Guide | time=Spring and autumn for weather. February for Carnival... though big events happen year around. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:31, 30 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=Spain is one of Europe's most visited countries, but has had very few features. This article was successfully districtified, and there is not much to add. | DotMImage=[[File:Plaza Mayor de Madrid 06.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''' There really shouldn't be any see listings in [[Madrid#See]]. Will do a detailed analysis of the article soon. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:19, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ==Nominations for Off the Beaten Path== ===[[Gävle]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Gävle | blurb=Joe Hill's hometown is the gateway to northern Sweden, famous for Sweden's largest rail museum, and a Christmas market with a giant Yule Goat. | status=Guide | time=Great weather and outdoor events June to August. The notorious Christmas goat is inaugurated in late November, and Gävle is one of few large Swedish cities to usually have snow in December. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 18:50, 8 September 2021 (UTC) | comment=Has improved during 2021. While Gävle is decently sized and has many interesting venues, it does not seem heavyweight enough for DoTM. | DotMImage=[[File:Yule goat Gefle Sweden 2009.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' assuming the nature reserves get a description and contact information. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 19:03, 8 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Comment''': If featuring before Christmas, I'd say November, as 11 December is very close to Christmas, and there is little reason to go in January – at least there are no hints on winter activities in the article. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:52, 9 September 2021 (UTC) :: It is true that we should be a bit prospective. [[Banteay Chhmar]] is not good to go, so we could run Gävle in November. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 08:30, 9 September 2021 (UTC) ::: Added two ski facilities. Gävle usually gets the first snow in early December, so there will be some chances for winter sport. The ice hockey season will be ongoing, though the horse races close down for winter. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:29, 20 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Close''' I just added an Understand section, that even the smallest articles should have. And that section should have a couple of paragraphs of Gävle. A pic or two towards the end, and in the lead could be added and a few listings need coordinates. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:32, 11 September 2021 (UTC) :: Added history and climate. How extensively should we mention the traditional arson attacks on the goat? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:04, 14 September 2021 (UTC) :::Looking good. Perhaps a few more lines (in its listing or in Understand), given that the goat is mentioned in the blurb, but not more than that. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:14, 20 September 2021 (UTC) *'''Nästan stöd''' per Ypsilon. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 22:54, 20 September 2021 (UTC) * Shall we run [[Plymouth (Massachusetts)]] for the 400th anniversary of the First Thanksgiving, and put Gävle on hold? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:51, 1 October 2021 (UTC) *:Why not? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 15:02, 1 October 2021 (UTC) :::I'm otherwise neutral but I think we're now starting to have too many articles nominated that are to be run during an event or anniversary so I'd prefer Gävle because of that (also it's nice to have a "real winter article" every now and then, we haven't had that many of those). --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:54, 1 October 2021 (UTC) :::: Featuring a holiday-related article at the end of the year would be a good concept, be it for Christmas, Gregorian New Year, Chinese New Year, or Thanksgiving. There are just a handful of those destinations ([[Bethlehem]] and [[Rovaniemi]] can be considered), so we can save Gävle for 2022 and run Plymouth in 2021. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:02, 7 October 2021 (UTC) ::::: Gävle is an underrated summer destination, with Furuvik, white nights, and great outdoors within walking distance. They will stage Atlas Rock on 4 June, and Gefle Metal Festival in July. As a winter resort it is mediocre compared to many other Nordic towns. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:37, 10 October 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled.''' Have added a few summer-related venues. White nights, Midsummer and rock music give a more gratifying experience than the goat and darkness from 3 pm. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:05, 30 October 2021 (UTC) : '''On hold''', replaced by [[Deventer]], which has stronger support. I would love to see Gävle featured for May, June or July, but these slots tend to get filled by other Nordic destinations. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 00:08, 15 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for Christmas 2022. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:44, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Budderoo National Park]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Budderoo National Park | blurb=Australia isn't particularly known for its rainforests, but this small national park in the Illawarra south of Sydney may make you reconsider that. | status=Guide | time=Late Mar-Oct except Jul | nominatedBy=<font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 22:55, 21 October 2021 (UTC) | comment=I have always wanted to nominate an Australian rainforest to be an otbp and before yesterday, [[Dorrigo National Park]] was the only guide Australian rainforest park. Unfortunately, that article needs a lot of updates, and I don't think I can do the 600km trip given the current Covid situation, so here's a new article, but up to date and a 150km trip down here can be done easily (can do that in the upcoming few days). Given we usually feature one national park every year and we haven't picked a national park yet, thought this might be a good one. | DotMImage=[[File:Minnamurra Rainforest - panoramio (19).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''' I also did make some banners well in advance although it's not locally uploaded ([[:File:Budderoo_otbp_banner_1.jpg|1]], [[:File:Budderoo_otbp_banner_2.jpg|2]], [[:File:Budderoo_otbp_banner_3.jpg|3]]), although that's something to decide on later. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 00:19, 22 October 2021 (UTC) *<s>'''Close.'''</s> Could use a climate graph, and more info on flora and fauna. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:39, 11 November 2021 (UTC) *:{{re|Yvwv}} {{done}}. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:12, 12 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' due to recent additions. '''Scheduled''' provisionally for October/November, following the guideline that a scheduled article should have at least one support vote from someone else than the nominator. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:52, 21 December 2021 (UTC) ===[[Punta Arenas]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Punta Arenas | blurb=The capital of Chilean Patagonia is a gateway to Antarctica, and a good place to see penguins. | status=Guide | time=December to March | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:24, 22 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=We have no upcoming South American articles. This article has improved a lot lately, and is clearly in the OtBP category. | DotMImage=[[File:Punta arenas city.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support, but is this an OtBP?''' It's a good article overall, except that the dead links need to be fixed. However, is it really an OtBP? It's fairly internationally significant, at least from what I know. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:38, 23 December 2021 (UTC) :: There is no clear defining line between DoTM and OtBP. Number of visitors per year would be a decent guideline, but I cannot find any statistics for Punta Arenas. While the city has more than 100,000 inhabitants and many hospitality venues, it is fairly isolated, 3,000 kilometres from Santiago. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 01:50, 28 December 2021 (UTC) :::Well, we did feature [[Yosemite National Park]] and [[Zion National Park]] as dotms even though they're national parks. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:24, 12 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs a bit of work''', though hopefully not much. 'Get around' is very sparse on details for a city that size, and there are a few too many dead links for my liking. PA is undoubtedly off the beaten path, right at the bottom of Patagonia, and cut off by road from the rest of Chile. I haven't been there, but my father has, as part of the tortuous LATAM airline route to the Falkland Islands (the Santiago to PA stretch alone was like 3½ hours). Most visitors are on their way to somewhere even more remote: Antarctica, rural Patagonia or one of the islands.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:00, 12 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for Dec 2022/Jan 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:20, 25 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Cooch Behar]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Cooch Behar | blurb=The capital of the Koch Kingdom and the only planned city in North Bengal, near the border with Bangladesh. | status=Guide | time=Nov-Dec for Rash Mela. November to March to avoid the monsoon. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:08, 30 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=With a billion inhabitants, millennia of history and steadily improving infrastructure, India deserves more featured articles. When it comes to DoTM versus OtBP, we have yet to settle on a definition. Cooch Behar has around 100,000 inhabitants, but it has few foreign visitors. | DotMImage=[[File:Cooch Behar Palace - Cooch Behar - West Bengal - 005.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''', there is a need for some guides from India and this guide seems quite good as compared to its previous versions. But there must be a clear-cut definition about DoTM and OtBP. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 18:01, 3 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' - Cooch Behar is an interesting town that, despite enjoying a long and esteemed history, is generally overlooked by travelers heading to nearby Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Bhutan. [[User:SingyeDzong|SingyeDzong]] ([[User talk:SingyeDzong|talk]]) *Sorry, but I'm going to have to <s>'''oppose'''</s>. <s>It recently got districtified unilaterally with no discussion on the talk page. Since it's been districtified, the only thing we could do now is possibly just work on the districts. However,</s> some of the districts are just an outline with no banners made for them yet. Regarding whether it's a dotm or an otbp, I'd say OtBP. India has so many cities over 100k inhabitants, well more than most other countries. There's some other articles about India at guide status and they could possibly be alternatives. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:22, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :: Discussion is ongoing at [[Talk:Cooch Behar#Districts]]. Hopefully we can settle on a good solution for the geographic hierarchy. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:03, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :::Apologies, didn't realise that discussion. But until [[Cooch Behar]] is reasonably districtified, it can't go on the main page. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:07, 12 January 2022 (UTC) ::::The districtification issue has been fixed by creating redirects and merging. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 14:34, 12 January 2022 (UTC) ::Even apart from the districts, the formatting isn't great. There's a lot of [[tdf]] violations, a lot of listings with no description or addresses. IMO, this looks more like a usable article rather than a guide article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:27, 13 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[tdf]] issues have been fixed and I am working on the listing issues. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 07:59, 13 January 2022 (UTC) ::::okay, that's great. I'll be ready to support once you've finished. I do have hopes that this will be featured one day. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:02, 13 January 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], template issues have been fixed. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 08:23, 17 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay, good work as always. It's '''very close'''. If I may suggest, creating section headers may be useful separating things like parks, other POIs as it's currently a bit unreadable. I also noticed that there's a lot of places of worship – I'm not sure whether they can all be listed per [[wv:worship]]. If not, then some of them can be listed in the #Cope section. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:29, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Okay, I will do it soon! I have some lectures to attend now. :) [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 08:57, 17 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Sure thing. It's turning out really nicely, so nice work :) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:22, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Some non-significant places of worship have been removed. Created sub-sections in the see section and minor edits. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 16:03, 17 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Okay, now '''Support'''. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:25, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::👍 [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 02:44, 18 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally in Nov/Dec 2022 for Rash Mela. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:44, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Jimbaran]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Jimbaran | blurb=Known as the "Beverly Hills of Bali" or "Millionaire's Row" for its high-end resorts. | status=Guide | time=April to October, weather-wise. Not sure about festivals or events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 07:38, 8 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=Indonesia is a large country with no scheduled features. [[Bali]] itself has been featured, but none of the many places on Bali with guide-level articles. We can also consider [[Amed]], [[Bedugul]], [[Candidasa]], [[Denpasar]], [[Kintamani]], [[Lovina]], [[Nusa Dua]], [[Nusa Penida]] or [[Sanur]]. | DotMImage=[[File:Jimbaran Bay.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''' The two maps seem similar and I feel it would be better if there was only one, if dynamic is more up to date we should keep that one [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 08:03, 8 January 2022 (UTC) *{{s}} LGTM. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:28, 13 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Very close'''. I would like to see more information in "get around," such as main roads in the resort, so travelers have a better idea than merely what a phone's GPS would provide. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 14:59, 17 January 2022 (UTC) *:I have added main roads. [[User:Hanif Al Husaini|Hanif Al Husaini]] ([[User talk:Hanif Al Husaini|talk]]) 17:56, 7 February 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for February/March 2023. Not the driest season, but decently sunny. / 10:42, 2 May 2022 (UTC) *{{s}} It's quite complete. [[User:M.akbar.raf|M.akbar.raf]] ([[User talk:M.akbar.raf|talk]]) 05:56, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Trabzon]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Trabzon | blurb=With an ancient Greek heritage, Trabzon was an empire in its own right during the Middle Ages. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer, as climate is cooler than the rest of Turkey. June for Kadirga Festival, or August for Sultan Murat Festival. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:10, 25 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=Turkey is very under-featured. Not sure whether Trabzon would weigh in for DoTM. | DotMImage=[[File:Kustul Monastery Trabzon.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment'''. This is one of the greatest articles of Turkish locations, thanks to the hard work by many of our contributors, first and foremost [[User:NeoRetro]]. However, it needs some '''tidying up''': some of the information pertains to the [[Eastern Karadeniz|region as a whole]], not only to the city, and as for the listed attractions, the article currently works as a semi-[[Wikivoyage:Rural area article template|rural area]], with many sites in the surrounding area lumped in together with those in the city itself, including some which should be moved to the places we have articles for. However, most are visited as day-trips from Trabzon, so I'm not sure how big a problem this presents. [[User:Vidimian|Vidimian]] ([[User talk:Vidimian|talk]]) 15:00, 25 January 2022 (UTC) * I’d lean DOTM on this [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 20:45, 25 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs work''' per Vidimian. For dotm/otbp, I'd generally say dotm, but as we have a lot more otbp slots available, I wouldn't mind it being an otbp. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:18, 26 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Comment:''' The article has been improved a lot since nomination and the first votes, and should be re-evaluated. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:05, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Savaii]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Savaii | blurb=Samoa's largest island is known for caves, lava fields and waterfalls. | status=Guide | time=May to October to avoid rain. The island has few public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:24, 12 February 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have no current nominees from the Pacific Islands. [[Apia]] featured in August 2020, and it has been customary to have at least 24 months between neighbouring featured articles. The article could need a more inspiring intro. | DotMImage=[[File:Savaii Coast (7079031273).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *<s>'''Needs work'''</s> – many of the listings don't have contact details and coords. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:03, 13 February 2022 (UTC) ::I'm on it – I'll do this in the next week or two. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:40, 27 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Comment:''' Coordinates added as above. Please evaluate. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:07, 15 August 2022 (UTC) ::Oops. Forgot to change my vote when I added coords; now that it's been done, I '''support''' featuring this. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 02:22, 16 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Longyearbyen]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Destination | blurb=The population centre of Svalbard is the northernmost town in the world and a base for exploring the remote Arctic wilderness. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer. | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:44, 17 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=We've have few features of Norway and this one seems like a good article for another Norwegian feature. As to dotm or otbp, Longyearbyen is reasonably well known but not enough for dotm. | DotMImage=[[File:LongyearbyenDowntown.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Very close''' as nominator. Some listings are missing addresses (which I will add in the next few days), but otherwise it has all the essentials needed for a feature. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:44, 17 April 2022 (UTC) * '''Very close.''' As this is a rather unusual destination, the article could use some more trivia. Svalbard itself featured back in 2006, and since then we have had very few Arctic and Antarctic destinations. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:08, 17 April 2022 (UTC) :: A preferrable timing would be June/July, with the [[midnight sun]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:56, 18 April 2022 (UTC) :::I'd prefer that slot too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:04, 18 April 2022 (UTC) :::: We might have a diversity problem as June is high season for the Nordic countries, and we have both [[E8 through Finland and Norway]] and [[Swedish Empire]] considered for June 2023. Svalbard is administered by Norway and most visitors arrive through Norway, but nature and culture are very different from Norway proper. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 09:16, 20 April 2022 (UTC) :::::I don't think there's a problem with featuring all three at once. The islands are around 700 kilometres from the mainland at the closest, but that's in the far north of Norway and I would more so consider Svalbard as an Arctic destination rather than a Nordic destination. :::::Another possibility is to hold of E8 till 2024, and two years after we feature the nearby Archipelago Trail and do what we do with neighbouring destinations (as the closest points are closer than 80 km apart based on a quick google earth line). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:11, 20 April 2022 (UTC) : '''Comment:''' On the talk page, we have concluded that features on Wikitravel before 2012 should be seen as unofficial, and eligible to feature again on Wikivoyage. However, very few of the OtBP's of that time would make the cut today. [[Svalbard]] is one of few pre-2012 features which deserves its Guide status. Shall we nominate Svalbard itself? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:20, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::I don't know to be fair. The Svalbard article is overall one of the best region articles we have on the English Wikivoyage, but only one of Svalbard's six national parks have an article. But if Svalbard is run again, it should be featured as dotm, not otbp, as it strikes me as absolutely absurd to feature one of the world's most famous islands as "off the beaten path" (and as it has regular flights from [[Oslo]], it would bring it in line with [[Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park]] which was a dotm). ::That said, I'll start some of the national park articles soon, and five is not many to work on. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:33, 12 May 2022 (UTC) :::Alternatively, we could consider [[Klaksvík]], which is the only guide level article from the [[Faroe Islands]] as there have been zero features from the Faroes before. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:31, 22 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Guanajuato]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Guanajuato | blurb=The "city of Frogs" is capital of the namesake state in Mexico is known for its silver mines and flood tunnels. | status=Guide | time=October to April to avoid rain and heat. October for Day of the Dead, or March for Baile de las Flores. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:40, 13 May 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have no current nominees from Mexico, and few from Latin America. Nominating as OtBP, as it is not among the most famous Mexican destinations. | DotMImage=[[File:View of guanajuato city.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Almost''' – this article is one of our best Mexican articles that could be featured as it is. However, the splurge section in Eat has no listings. Are there no splurge restaurants in Guanajuato? Otherwise, a few descriptions are needed for some listings, but otherwise it has all the essentials. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:48, 13 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Klaksvík]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Klaksvík | blurb=Visit the Faroe Islands’ second largest town for some great scenery, a historic and scenic harbour and for its annual summer festival, ''Summarfestivalurin''. | status=Guide | time=July for Summarfestivalurin (as it happens annually during early August.) | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:29, 12 June 2022 (UTC) | comment=First up, I'll admit I’m a bit biased given I started this article, but I’ve always wanted to feature this article ever since this became a guide article. We’ve never had a feature of the Faroe Islands, and often it’s forgotten and while I’m aware that we do have several Nordic nominations, this could replace Longyearbyen if we don’t want a back-to-back Norway/Sweden feature. That said, <s>it does need some copyedits,</s> and it could do with a better get in/around section. I tried to add a climate chart, but I couldn’t find any online information for the town's climate, but I’m not sure whether it’s needed given it’s only 40 km from Tórshavn, and there’s not much deviation in weather through the Faroes at all. | DotMImage=[[File:Faroe_Islands,_Borðoy,_Klaksvík_(3).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Almost''' per my remark. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:29, 12 June 2022 (UTC) ::What copy edits does it need after I made some today? I would have supported, but if you think it's not ready yet, why did you nominate it now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:53, 12 June 2022 (UTC) :::I'll admit I only skimmed through the article after you copyedited it, but now that I've had a full re-read, I think it's good to go. I might expand the "get in" section, but we have more than a year to do this, but I think that's all that's needed for a feature. As for why I nominated it now, I nominated it now, I nominated it so we could reserve July/August 2023 for Klaksvik. Anyway, thanks for your copyedits. Looking much better now :-). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:00, 12 June 2022 (UTC) *'''Comment:''' Klaksvík narrowly meets the limit for creating a standalone article, with one hotel and at least three other venues, but can still be considered a bit too small. We could consider merging the article with [[Borðoy]] (the island) to include some smaller villages, mountains, birdwatching locations, and other points of interest. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 08:58, 15 June 2022 (UTC) *:I'm a bit unsure on this one. I think it would make more sense to cover everything else on Borðoy in [[Northern Islands]] or otherwise it makes Borðoy (after renaming) a bit redundant. Maybe we should do something along the lines with [[Torshavn]] and [[Streymoy]], where Torshavn only covers the city, while Streymoy (the rural area article) covers everything outside Torshavn (apologies for omitting the accent; can't get the accent on my keyboard). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:30, 15 June 2022 (UTC) ::*The article certainly looks long enough to stand alone, and recall that we previously featured and starred [[Childs]], [[New York (state)|New York]], which has but one inn and one sight (albeit a complex) in "See and Do". That said, there is no Borðoy article; the term redirects to [[Northern Islands]]. So if there's more to say about the island outside of town, we could rename the article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:29, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::*:I think based on the regionalisation of the Faroes, towns that are large enough to have their own article can have so, while everything else gets mentioned in the relevant rural area article, so in this case, everything else in Borðoy would be mentioned in [[Northern Islands]]. But I'm not entirely sure though, but I assume it works that way due to how [[Torshavn]] and [[Streymoy]] are covered. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:34, 4 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Iquitos]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Iquitos | blurb=A metropolis in the Peruvian Amazon, with great opportunities for boat safaris. | status=Guide | time=While the dry season (April-Sept) is more comfortable, the wet season (Oct-March) is more appealing for wildlife watching. We are short on features for northern winter, and we usually feature Latin American cities for carnival season. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 01:23, 22 June 2022 (UTC) | comment=We haven't too many South American candidates, and this is a rather unusual city. Though its size, it can be considered off the beaten path for the difficulty to get there. | DotMImage=[[File:Belen Iquitos Peru.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} ===[[Kent (Ohio)]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Kent | blurb=An Ohio college town known for its parks and festivals. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer for weather. April/May for remembrance of the Kent State massacre. June/July for festivals. March/April 2024 for total solar eclipse. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:45, 4 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=While the United States have been well-featured, we have had few features from the Midwest, and none yet from Ohio. | DotMImage=[[File:KentOhioPufferbelly.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} : '''Needs a little bit of work''', though hopefully not much. A few points: ::* The "By plane" section violates [[wv:airports]]. While it isn't the blatant kind of violation like what we encountered in the Nigeria Expedition where there'd be seven unrelated airports, there is still no information on how to get from the airports to Kent ::* Some eat and drink listings need more contact details, if it can be found. ::* Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites seems to be outside Kent. If it's covered in another article, should it be removed? :Otherwise, it is mostly looking good, but the "By plane" section needs to be fixed before a feature. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:07, 4 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Stamford (England)]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Stamford | blurb=The United Kingdom's first urban conservation area features hundreds of Georgian buildings. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer. Not sure about public events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 00:50, 22 July 2022 (UTC) | comment=We have no current nominees from the Isles. Needs a more inspiring intro, and more pictures. | DotMImage=[[File:River Welland.18.6.05.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Close''' I was actually going to nominate [[Fordingbridge]] sometime soon, but you beat me to nominating something from the British Isles. My only concern with this article is many of the eat, drink, and sleep descriptions seem quite bland. The article should also use the 12-hour clock per [[Talk:United Kingdom]]. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:09, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :: We can consider running [[Fordingbridge]] instead. Are there any events or anniversaries that would make any of them more suitable? /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:14, 21 August 2022 (UTC) :::Perhaps maybe the July-August slot for the Fordingbridge festival? {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}}, given you wrote nearly all of the article, is there any particular time that you think Fordingbridge should be featured? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:01, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::No particular time as the New Forest is beautiful all year round, though I guess April-October would be preferable since most of the attractions are outside; I doubt the festival is big enough to be the reason for featuring. :::Tbh, as much as I appreciate the recognition for a job well done on this article, geographical diversity would call for Stamford to be featured before Fordingbridge (which, like [[Farnborough]], is in Hampshire, though of course the two are very different from one another). We've never featured somewhere in Lincolnshire before, and I'm even struggling to think of anywhere else in the English Midlands we've featured. Though it's true that from 'Eat' onwards, the article gets a bit colourless.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:23, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ===[[Liepāja]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Liepāja | blurb=Latvia's third largest city has beautiful wooden buildings, Soviet military installations, and a beautiful sandy beach. | status=Guide | time=Northern summer for weather. Not sure about events. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:03, 21 August 2022 (UTC) | comment=Eastern Europe hasn't been featured a lot. Russia and Ukraine will be off limits for some time, but the Baltic states seem unlikely to be affected by the ongoing war; also decently safe, cheap, and accessible. The article needs a climate graph, and a more inspiring intro. We might get an overload of destinations for northern summer; hopefully we can scout out more places for other seasons. | DotMImage=[[File:Ziemeļu forti(16).jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Needs work'''. Few eat, drink, and sleep listings have descriptions that is not to mention the lede and understand is rather short. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:18, 21 August 2022 (UTC) ==Nominations for Featured travel topic== ===[[Loop Art Tour]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Loop Art Tour | blurb=Did you know that you can see some amazing modern art for free by taking a walk around downtown Chicago? | status=Star | time=Apr-Oct (from [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Archive/2020-2023#Along_the_Magnificent_Mile|Magnificient Mile's]] and [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Archive/2016-2019#Chicago/Bronzeville|Bronzeville's nominations]]) | nominatedBy=[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 14:32, 29 January 2021 (UTC) | comment=OK, as you probably all know, I don't like having articles sitting around here for longer than necessary (also it looks like some of the already nominated articles from the U.S. will still sit around here into 2022). But there has to be two years or more between articles from the same city, an article from Chicago was featured in April 2020, so the earliest possible slot for a Chicago article will thus be in April 2022. Now all, or almost, all districts from there are at guide or star status and could be run as DotM or OtBP, and as such Chicago together with Washington D.C. and San Francisco and perhaps some other cities, have high quality articles for DotM and OtBP for years to come. But this is not the case when it comes to FTT; other than Peter Southwood's famous diving guides <small>(speaking of which...in northern winter 2021-22 three years will have passed since one of those was featured, so it's time to nominated a new one soon)</small> we don't have any other ''travel topics'' at star status - except for this one. So before a district of Chicago is nominated, I hereby nominate Loop Art Tour for FTT for some month in 2022. As a star article, there shouldn't be anything to complain about when it comes to formatting or language. Though, a month or so before the article is featured we should check online that the artworks are still there. | DotMImage=[[File:Cloud Gate at dawn.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' as nominator. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 14:33, 29 January 2021 (UTC) * '''Almost''' The talk page says that one of the sculptures has been removed. It has been 8 years since any real update, and so I think it needs somebody to walk the route to confirm that everything is still there, and there are no new major attractions enroute that need a mention. The main sights should be markers, with wikidata links so the reader can find out more, or use a full page map. For an article on the main page, there should be links to relevant travel topics. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 15:33, 29 January 2021 (UTC) ::Nobody needs to walk the route, and we don't have any active Wikivoyagers in Chicago anyway. The status of the sculpture that's been removed can probably be determined by a Google search. If not, then just delete it from the itinerary. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 17:42, 29 January 2021 (UTC) :::I might be wrong, but I think [[user:The dog2]] is in Chicago. If not, you may not need an actual person to walk it, but the internet research should be more involved than you imply, per Alasdair's suggestions. Most readers will likely assume that featured articles have been thoroughly researched, and as recently as possible.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:58, 29 January 2021 (UTC) ::::There's also [[User:SewChicago]], who unlike me is an actual local who was born and raised in Chicago. I'm currently based in Chicago, but I'm still a foreigner. I haven't really been going out recently thanks to the pandemic, but I'd be happy to go around a bit more after I get vaccinated. Unfortunately, I don't know when that will be. They're currently having a severe shortage of vaccine doses in Illinois, and things are just so disorganised here. It's kind of sad that what is supposed to be the best and greatest country in the history of mankind is bungling the vaccine rollout so badly, in contrast to how organised and competent the rollout has been in my native Singapore. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:05, 29 January 2021 (UTC) :::::Since the meat of the article has already been written, it shouldn't matter that you're not a native Chicagoan. But, yeah, any time later in the year that you feel safe to go out, your help would be much appreciated (and much needed, given that by the time this is featured, it'll be 10 years since it was last done). I don't expect to get the vaccine for months yet, but I am lucky enough to not be in a rush and don't envy anyone with a more urgent need. I'm just thankful that most of my older family members have all either had their first jab or have an appointment scheduled.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:20, 29 January 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}}By the way, I noticed that the Buckingham Fountain is missing from the tour. That would add some extra time, but if you want to look at art installations in Chicago, I'd recommend it. I actually prefer it to the Crown Fountain. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 00:39, 30 January 2021 (UTC) ::'''Support'''. I haven't felt motivated to vote on nominations for features during the pandemic, but this is a star article, so I have full confidence that it'll be in great condition by the time it runs. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:22, 30 January 2021 (UTC) * '''Support'''. It's a star article. Unless it's degarded since starring, it deserves to be a DotM. --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 05:20, 10 May 2021 (UTC) * '''Support'''. As a star article there shouldn’t be too much to worry about regarding this one. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 18:45, 21 July 2021 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' for April/May. The article is good to go, and late April is sufficiently warm in Chicago. [[Ohio State Parks]] is delayed to June/July, as it needs some work, and is more of a summery destination. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:48, 16 December 2021 (UTC) ::I just noticed that if we schedule this in May, it will overlap with Homer for its last ten days. Is there any objections in switching Homer with Ingolstadt? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:16, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ====Freedom of panorama issues==== It seems that Commons does not have many images of the tour due to freedom of panorama, and as such there is barely any image selection to choose from and none of the images in the article work out as a banner to the dimensions of 3:1. We can only feature it if someone finds a photo that can be uploaded locally that works as a banner, or else we might have to slush it due to the lack of banner (which nobody would like to do). --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:44, 19 March 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' due to lack of images. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:46, 20 March 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]]: It may be the most strangest reasons, but should this be slushed? As far as I'm aware, Wikivoyage needs to comply with US and Californian law as the servers are hosted in California, and the freedom of panorama issue is not going to change anytime soon and so until that is ever resolved, this can never be a featured article unless the law somehow changes. (cc nominator {{ping|Ypsilon}}). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:12, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::There are photos on Commons of the Bean (Cloud Gate) and I have a couple of my own photos of it. The question is whether we can claim editorial use for a main page banner rather than an image in the article next to text describing the artwork - it might be good to mention the specific artwork in the blurb. The BP Bridge has a functional purpose and so may not be affected by US FOP. I can't make a banner at the moment, but I will take a look next week. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 10:50, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::::If you have some photos which are not affected by FoP, I guess we don't have to slush it then. However, this is on hold, and will probably only run in November, so there's plenty of time. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:01, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Are all of the artworks mentioned in the article copyrighted, if there's a single one that is not we could use a photo of that as banner if such a photo is available. How about the picture the article's banner is cropped from? Or if there's no artwork we could use, we could just use a view along the itinerary that wouldn't include any of the artworks (shouldn't be a problem to find photos as we're talking about central parts of U.S's third largest city?). --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 12:13, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::'''Fixed'''. There are two banners to choose from, showing the BP Bridge which is a functional structure that should be free of FOP concerns. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 14:38, 17 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[German cuisine]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=German cuisine | blurb=While Germany is famous for meat dishes with cheese, bread and beer, their cuisine is cosmopolitan with flavours from the whole world. | status=Guide | time=All months have their signature dishes, but Germany is best enjoyed at summer. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:48, 21 September 2021 (UTC) | comment=Meets the expectations of a cuisine article, with [[Bavarian cuisine]] and [[Franconian cuisine]] as appendices. | DotMImage=[[File:Bratwurst with sauerkraut, potatoes and beer.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' - I myself thought about nominating either this or [[Georgian cuisine]] for 2022. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 14:27, 28 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Unterstütze''' (Support) LGTM. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 09:41, 29 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' per nomination. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 10:27, 29 September 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for mushroom season, just before Oktoberfest and Erntedankfest. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:34, 2 November 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''': I don't have the time or energy to reread this article in its entirety right now (I feel fluish from side effects from a COVID booster I got Thursday afternoon), but I've helped copy-edit this article before and I think it's great. I especially like all the seasons set out by month, because they're so important in Germany. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:59, 14 November 2021 (UTC) : '''On hold''', as [[Georgian cuisine]] is an even better article, and we will have enough German features now. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:01, 15 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for November to December, with Christmas fairs. If we find three food and drink topics to be too much for a year, we can consider rescheduling. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:43, 28 March 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' again to feature in 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:50, 23 April 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Yvwv}} A continuation of the thread in [[#Georgian cuisine]], but should this article still be featured for Oktoberfest, now that we have [[German beer and wine]]? I don't really have much of an opinion on the timing, but if there are other famous times of the year known for food, then we should consider it, though just a suggestion, as I don't know much about German cuisine, and I'd defer to both of you. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 3 May 2022 (UTC) ::: As said before, the Oktoberfest isn't that much of a culinary event, but mostly suggested for its world fame. This article can feature any time of the year when we do not have too many features about Germany or food. Georgian cuisine got priority since it is even better, and we have had very few features from the Caucasus. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:38, 3 May 2022 (UTC) ::::That makes sense, and based on your reasoning, I now don't have a problem with featuring it in Oktober. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:49, 3 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Around the World in Eighty Days | blurb=Jules Verne's 1872 novel gave travellers a demanding but possible challenge. 150 years later, circumnavigating the planet in 80 days without flying, is still not easy. | status=Guide | time=The plot in the book begins on 2 October 1872. Sept-Oct 2022 is the 150th anniversary. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:07, 24 September 2021 (UTC) | comment=Non-flight journeys are in vogue again, and this article has most of the essentials. Nominating early to make the anniversary date. | DotMImage=[[File:Verne_Tour_du_Monde.jpg|thumb|180px]] }} * {{s}} LGTM. Would be nice to feature this for its 150th anniversary. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 12:20, 24 September 2021 (UTC) * '''Comment''' I think the parts about replicating the trip today could be italicized or boldened, like in [[Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation]] or [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim]]. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 16:05, 1 October 2021 (UTC) :: Made it the other way around. The summary of the book is italicized. We could add more details about the real-life recreations (at least Nellie Bly's journey) and the movie adaptations. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 14:26, 3 October 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''', though not sure about safety considerations. Regardless this looks like an entertaining article to feature on the anniversary. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 16:29, 2 October 2021 (UTC) *'''Comment''': "In particular, the main transcontinental line no longer passes through Wyoming (which has been left without passenger railroads altogether), instead having been routed further south through Denver, Colorado. This means that you will have to hitchhike on a freight train for the leg between Salt Lake City and Omaha if you want to replicate the route taken by Fogg." Is that possible, safe and legal? Otherwise, I think it's a good article and worth a feature, though the linked [[Freighter travel]] would benefit from having some examples of prices as of November 2021. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:44, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ===[[E8 through Finland and Norway]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Destination | blurb=From Turku to Tromsø, '''[[E8 through Finland and Norway|European route E8]]''' passes through various types of Finnish and Norwegian landscapes. | status=Guide | time=May to June for the Midnight Sun, or April to August | nominatedBy=<font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 10:22, 20 October 2021 (UTC) | comment=We don't feature itineraries that much, and this seems a good candidate for sometime next year. | DotMImage=[[File:Skibotndalen, E8.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Comment''': We hopefully have the Archipelago Trail in May–June, and if this is to be featured in (Nordic) summer, to avoid darkness and icy roads, I think it comes too close. Perhaps <s>2022</s> 2023? If for some reason there are problems with the Archipelago Trail this could of course be a backup. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:56, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :: I introduced the guideline that a nomination should be intended to feature within the coming 12 months. This is more a requirement for quality, than for available spots. We should preferrably have a backlog of nominated high-quality articles, so we can afford to choose the most suitable article, with regard to factors such as climate, holidays, public events and safety. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:03, 26 October 2021 (UTC) ::: May to June would be a great time to feature, for the [[Midnight Sun]]. That would make us wait until 2023, unless we run E8 instead of the Archipelago Trail. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:13, 26 October 2021 (UTC) ::::I'd prefer to keep this until 2023, since the Archipelago Trail is more developed than this one. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:56, 14 November 2021 (UTC) ::::: I agree, but I take the opportunity to ask: what should be done to improve this article, except developing the listed articles, and perhaps doing some more research on the bus and bike options? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:37, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::In my opinion, nothing major needs to be done, at least from what I've noticed (more specific to this article), but maybe an infobox or two would be nice, but we've plenty of guide and star articles without them. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:59, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::: For May-June 2023 we can also consider [[Swedish Empire]], during the 500th anniversary of Sweden's independence. That article also has several destinations in Finland. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:52, 16 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::: Yes. This road isn't going to disappear in the near future, it can be featured any year. If we get somebody writing about the Ostrobothnian destinations before that, it'd be a big bonus. I know them only superficially. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:39, 16 November 2021 (UTC) * '''Support.''' The article is great overall, though it should be proofread by a native English speaker for better flow in the language. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 17:39, 22 December 2021 (UTC) ===[[Christianity]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Christianity | blurb=The world's most prolific religion has more than 2 billion followers, and churches and shrines on all continents. | status=Guide | time=Preferably around Christmas or Easter. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 22:03, 7 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=A fine travel topic to schedule for the holidays. We have had very few religious features. | DotMImage=[[File:Última Cena - Juan de Juanes.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support, but hold it''', I feel it might be too close to [[Rome/Vatican]], but when you mean "for the holidays", you mean Christmas, right? Maybe 2023 Easter, but I don't have too much issues with it being featured in December 2022. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:55, 14 November 2021 (UTC) :: We have [[Rome/Vatican]] on hold. [[Jerusalem/Old City]] is a decent candidate. [[Exodus of Moses]] needs work. That will keep us a few Easters forward. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:08, 25 November 2021 (UTC) :::{{re|Yvwv}} if that's the case, then '''support'''. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:40, 2 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' on the basis another religion or religious culture is nominated for FTT by the time this one is featured. [[Judaism]] looks like the likeliest candidate right now but [[Islam]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Hinduism]] are also all close to guide status and could be considered to increase diversity in our FTT nominations. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 00:20, 2 January 2022 (UTC) * [[Hajj]] is not yet rated Guide, but it looks close to me. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 16:01, 12 February 2022 (UTC) ===[[Portuguese phrasebook]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Portuguese phrasebook | blurb=Whether you plan to ever visit Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe or Timor-Leste or just learn a couple of phrases in Portuguese, here's a quick guide. | status=Guide | time=Sometime in early 2023, one year after the [[Sinhala phrasebook]] | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:39, 14 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=Currently being nominated for star article which should be promoted any day now. It's one of the only phrasebooks where we have audio pronunciations, thanks to the hard work of {{u|Nelson Ricardo 2500}}, and now it's time for that effort to be shown on the main page. | DotMImage=[[File:Hiking sign in Soajo.jpg|thumb|200px]] }} * '''Very very close''' a bit more images would be nice. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:39, 14 November 2021 (UTC) * Thank you for the nomination. I've added a few more images. Given my contributions to this phrasebook, it goes with saying (but I'll say it anyway) that I '''Support''' it for Featured Travel Topic. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 19:00, 14 November 2021 (UTC) *First of all, this looks better than any other phrasebook I've seen on this site, and I especially love that there are speech samples we can listen to for everything, so I definitely '''support'''. I have a couple of marginal comments: (1) There is a remark that Portuguese descends from Galician. To my understanding, modern Galician and Portuguese instead descend from [[w:Galician-Portuguese]]. My other comment is that the thumbnail chart of international phonetics seems too small to be useful to include, even to make the point the caption makes, but I wouldn't try to insist on removing it. Also, perhaps some of the other thumbnails are a little smaller than necessary. I don't know Portuguese, but this seems like it might be a star-level phrasebook. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:54, 14 November 2021 (UTC) *:Thank you, IK. I have clarified re Galician-Portuguese. I have added a note to the caption on the IPA chart that it can be clicked to enlarge, since many casual readers won't know that. (I definitely want to keep the chart in, since the article uses IPA as a supplement to pseudo-phoneticization and sound files.) All images are at default size, which allows users to specify their own desired thumbnail size at [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering]]. I prefer to not override those user preference settings. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:29, 14 November 2021 (UTC) ::*Thank you. I'm good with your decisions. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:38, 14 November 2021 (UTC) ::{{re|Ikan Kekek}} to "it might be a star-level phrasebook", it's why it's currently nominated for a star ;) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:47, 15 November 2021 (UTC) ::: Northern winter would be good timing, as most Portuguese-speaking countries are tropical, and Portugal itself is among the mildest countries in Europe. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:12, 16 November 2021 (UTC) ::::{{re|Yvwv}} Northern summer works for countries like Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Timor-Leste et cetera, but northern summer is typhoon season in Macau. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:48, 21 November 2021 (UTC) *I just realized, I never offered my '''support''' for featuring this phrasebook. It would be silly for me not to do so, seeing how I support its promotion to star status. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:49, 3 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for Dec 2022/Jan 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 13:21, 25 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' for Nov 2022/Dec 2023. We have some tradition to feature phrasebook at the beginning of the year, but nothing is set in stone. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:04, 27 March 2022 (UTC) ::I guess that works climate-wise too as the storm season in Timor hits more after January. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:11, 27 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Rescheduled''' for Jan/Feb, as customary for phrasebooks, right before [[carnival]] season in many Portuguese-speaking countries. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:52, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ===[[Planning your flight]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Planning your flight | blurb=Flying presents the traveller with many choices: airline, flight, cabin class, and sometimes a specific seat. | status=Guide | time=Any. Possibly northern spring, before the global high season for tourist flights. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 03:29, 21 November 2021 (UTC) | comment=With many of the world's flights on hold for nearly two years, this is a good time to feature the basics. We could feature the flight articles one by one. | DotMImage=[[File:ANA 777-300 Taking off from JFK.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Close''' Some brushups needed, but otherwise looks good. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:45, 21 November 2021 (UTC) ===[[Land Art Trail on Mount Učka]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Land Art Trail on Mount Učka | blurb=A mountain at the Adriatic Sea has become an outdoor art gallery. | status=Guide | time=Weather is probably best in May-June or September-October | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:49, 5 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=We have had very few features from the Balkans, and none from Croatia. Outdoor attractions can be more compatible with the pandemic. | DotMImage=[[File:Signpost on Land Art Trail - Invitation.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' LGTM. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:06, 17 December 2021 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally in Oct/Nov 2022. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:31, 21 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' as one of our quirkier and well-planned itinerary articles. I noticed this article some time ago and remember it being well-written and organized. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 00:15, 2 January 2022 (UTC) *'''Comment''': I didn't feel up to reading all the way through the article, but am I the only one who finds the "Understand" section overly preachy? I did [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Land_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4359917&oldid=4339917 edit it] somewhat - the use of "man" and male pronouns for humanity is very old-fashioned and kind of jarring, at least for many Americans - but just how much do we need to push an idea of how to experience that trail? My feeling is that we definitely should state what the author's intention is, but we can then let people experience it however they do and go on to practical descriptions and advice on how to get from Point A to Point B, etc. I'll try posting a briefer alternative version of that section on the article's talk page later. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:08, 3 January 2022 (UTC) ::[https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Talk%3ALand_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4359932&oldid=3293582 Done]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:20, 3 January 2022 (UTC) :::Also, having just recently discussed about images in [[Talk:Canadian national parks]], are the galleries a violation of the image policy? Per [[Wikivoyage:Image policy#Montages and galleries]], "should only be considered for showing multiple examples of a specific topic (for example, in describing flora and fauna or cuisine – but not attractions). Image galleries should not be used solely as a way to include a large number of different pictures in a destination article". This isn't a destination article, but it is depicting attractions. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:08, 19 March 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say the composite image at the top definitely violates the prohibition against montages and should be removed. Some of the galleries, such as the one that shows two views of the same spiral geograph, are not needed. Most of the rest seem OK to me, since this is not a destination article, as you said, but an itinerary in which it may be necessary to recognize every artwork. The Sentinel picture is problematic per [[WV:Image policy#People in photos]], though. I'm not sure we should do anything about that. "Land Art Trail on Mt. Učka in winter" doesn't need a gallery; one image could do it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:09, 19 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Okay, anyway we have about 7 months left to fix this up so nothing urgent, but we can't feature an article that blatantly violates [[WV:IP]] though. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:00, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::I made a [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Land_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4418443&oldid=4416596 few] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Land_Art_Trail_on_Mt._U%C4%8Dka&type=revision&diff=4416141&oldid=4412415 edits] in the last few days, but we should make decisions about whether it's appropriate for this article to violate [[Wikivoyage:Image policy#Minimal use of images]]. I think that the density of images and the galleries still violate those guidelines, and while that might be OK as an exception, featuring this article carries strong risks that readers will believe this is exemplary in that respect and copy it in ordinary destination articles. Are the descriptions of the artworks clear enough that we can reduce the number of images to a more limited selection that excludes some of the works, eliminating the galleries with the possible exception of "Signposts and markings on the Land Art Trail" and creating 3 times more space on the right margin between most images, as we would be likely to do in any other article? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:36, 28 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::Yeah, we should take extra care that featured articles as many new users look up to them to see how they're meant to be formatted and usually think that format is okay. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:23, 28 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I'd assume the trail markings are enough to find the artworks, and they seem to be named on the map, so I think the images are needed more for telling the reader what to expect than for use on the trail. For that it is enough to have examples, and perhaps a few that give examples on how you can "use" the artwork. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:00, 29 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::It sounds like you guys are agreeable with removing the rest of the galleries and having only single thumbnails; is that correct? If so, let's make the changes. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:42, 4 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Yes, go ahead. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:50, 7 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::I just removed the remainder of the galleries, other than the one with markings and signposts, which might be OK. The article still might violate [[Wikivoyage:Image policy#Minimal use of images]], though. What do you all think? Should we delete half the remaining images? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:18, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::There are still way too many images and I feel very skeptical of featuring an article that's a blatant violation of a simple Wikivoyage policy. Leaving the images may also encourage new editors to well, add a whole slew of galleries because a featured article contained them. Feel free to delete half the remaining images. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:21, 28 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::How is it now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:24, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::Looking much better! However, I think the signposts/markings gallery should also go too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:25, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::::Let's talk about that. From [[Wikivoyage:Image policy]]: "Image galleries are discouraged, and should only be considered for showing multiple examples of a specific topic (for example, in describing flora and fauna or cuisine – but not attractions)." How does that apply to signposts/markings? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:40, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::::I thought the reason why we discouraged such galleries was because these chew up data and are slow to load, especially in places with poor reception. The reason why I'm okay with these in cuisine articles is because nobody prints these out, and many will read these articles before they're going to that destination (e.g. if I'm going to say Franconia, I would read [[Franconian cuisine]] before leaving to Franconia, but I wouldn't print it out, nor would I want to read it in Franconia) ::::::::::::::::Also, from experience last Saturday (18 June), just the map in [[Telangana]] took at least 10 seconds to load while I was on the road with poor 4G signal. If that one image took so long to load, then how long do you think it'll take for the gallery to load? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:09, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::::::I was thinking of it as a matter of style, and I see your point. So maybe select 1 or 2 of the best images from that bunch to use as thumbnails, possibly deleting another one in the process. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:24, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Quebec Route 389]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Quebec Route 389 | blurb= | status=Guide | time=<s>I don't know, but I would say sometime during the northern summer months? Will defer to either {{ping|Ground Zero}} who wrote most of the article or {{ping|Veillg1}}, our most active contributor from Quebec.</s> July or August | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:06, 17 December 2021 (UTC) | comment=This article has been one of my "articles for inspiration" in my early days on this site, and it's a pretty detailed article. More recently, I've added a mapline to the article too, one of only a few articles on this site to have one. Cannot see anything missing from here as well. | DotMImage=[[File:Route 389 Baie-Comeau - Manic 5.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 December 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''' as a July or August destination. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 13:13, 21 December 2021 (UTC) * '''Close'''. I think it needs more detail about the route. Why would someone want to visit these places? What makes each place along the route interesting and connects them to each other? However this is well on its way to being an FTT feature. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 00:25, 2 January 2022 (UTC) :*I agree with this. Very good information, but we need a bit more macro-level context. Is this mainly just a challenge, or is it a really beautiful drive, even if desolate? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Georgian cuisine]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Georgian cuisine | blurb=The cuisine of Georgia has drawn influences from the Silk Road, and is famous abroad for its quality. | status=Guide | time=August to October is the main harvest season, and has comfortable weather across the country. We could make it customary to run a cuisine article for northern autumn. | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 00:55, 5 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=A near-star article. We have had very few features from the Caucasus. While [[German cuisine]] is nominated, Germany is already well-represented in the schedule. We can save the German food for 2023. | DotMImage=[[File:Mtsvadi.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *Definitely '''support'''! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:55, 5 January 2022 (UTC) *Ditto. '''მომხრე'''! (Georgian for support). --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:27, 12 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Support'''! On a side note, Georgian cuisine is absolutely delicious! [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 12:44, 14 January 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for August. [[German cuisine]] is on hold for another time. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:02, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::Perfect! [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 03:31, 17 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''', with one caveat. I'd like to see the image galleries designed so they stay on the screen. On smaller screens, the gallery is too wide for the screen and not all the images can be seen. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 22:18, 23 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Scheduled''' for November-December as many fruits are in season and the climate is milder. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 10:51, 23 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Swedish Empire]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Swedish Empire | blurb=In the 17th century, Sweden encircled the Baltic Sea and had farflung possessions; today, they are yours to explore. | status=Guide | time=Weather is best in northern summer. May/June 2023 would include the 500th anniversary of independent Sweden, and give the customary 24 month cooldown time since a feature from a neighboring destination ([[Stockholm history tour]], featured in May 2021). | nominatedBy=[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 15:49, 21 January 2022 (UTC) | comment=A history article which both includes a concise historical description, and many relevant destinations with Wikidata links and descriptions. While most of them are in today's Sweden and Finland, some are in less featured regions such as Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and West Africa. | DotMImage=[[File:Gustave Adolphe at Breitenfeld-Johann Walter-f3706497.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Needs some work'''. I did a bit of copy editing, but the entire article is likely to need some edits by native English speakers for some polish before we run it. Also, can we substitute some other word for "withe", which although English is a term I'd never seen before just now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:17, 21 January 2022 (UTC) *<s> '''Needs work'''</s> per [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan]]. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:00, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::I had a reread of the article, and I don't think there are that much issues with the tone anymore and therefore, I now '''support''' featuring the article for the 500th anniversary. The 0,0 coord issue also seems to be resolved, and so really, I don't think there's anything that's missing. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:20, 2 May 2022 (UTC) *'''Needs work''' per Ikan. Also Skattkammaren has coords at 0,0 this should be fixed see my message at [[Wikivoyage:Travellers%27_pub#NA_creates_coords_at_0,0]] <small>—The [[Project:Using_talk_pages#Talk_page_formatting|preceding]] comment was added by [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User_talk:Tai123.123|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Tai123.123|contribs]]) </small> : '''Comment:''' The history section has been completely rewritten since the nomination. The timeline and the trivia sections are less prominent. Please reconsider votes. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 11:40, 25 February 2022 (UTC) ::I don't know if the phrase I put after a semicolon is too cliched, but I found the previous wording of the blurb awkward. For the record, this was the previous phrasing: "A great power of the 17th century encircled the Baltic Sea, and reached far overseas, with a legacy surviving far outside Sweden's current borders." [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:49, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Indira Gandhi International Airport | blurb='''[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]]''' is the main airport of India’s capital, New Delhi. Has great connectivity to numerous destinations. The interiors of the airport are stunning. It houses numerous shops and other facilities. | status=Guide | time=March-June for summer season, November-February for festivals and winter. | nominatedBy=[[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 11:13, 27 January 2022 (UTC) | comment= I have visited the airport several times. In the past few days, I have edited it and upgraded it to ''guide'' status. It does have amazing interior designs. This guide now provides a full-view of the airport operations and services. | DotMImage=[[File:Sculpture of hasta mudras at Indira Gandhi International Airport.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Support''' as nominator. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 11:16, 27 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Needs more work'''. I don't deny you've done good work on this article, but I couldn't help but notice that some of the sentences used in the article don't present the airport in a good light. Case in point, in the "Eat" section, it was mentioned that some of the restaurants "are mediocre at best". I changed it to something better sounding. [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 12:09, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{re|Roovinn}} If "mediocre at best" is true, then that's what we should say. [[WV:Be fair]] means "be honest"; it doesn't mean "paint everywhere in a good light".--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:54, 27 January 2022 (UTC) :::Fair enough I suppose. [[User:Roovinn|Roovinn]] ([[User talk:Roovinn|talk]]) 13:51, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I have been to the airport several times, and I have tried to be as honest as possible while contributing to the guide. :) [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 16:49, 27 January 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], @[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], @[[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] what do you think? [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 16:58, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Per [[Wikivoyage:Be fair]], I'd mention it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:10, 28 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::@[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]], what's your opinion on this? [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 17:52, 29 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Absolutely. If Wikivoyage recommended restaurants that sucked, I'd be mad. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:54, 12 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I have written "but many are mediocre at best" which gives a general conception about '''some''' restaurants. In the listings, I have tried to put the restaurants all with good and positive reviews. I have avoided restaurants that really suck. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 06:16, 14 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]], if the restaurants that are listed are good, that needs to be mentioned, for example like this: "Each terminal has plenty of restaurant options before and after security, but many are mediocre at best. However, the ones listed below are good." [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:04, 28 June 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' - Looks good and up-to-date. The writing is tight, concise and grammatically correct.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:59, 27 January 2022 (UTC) * '''Close''' per above. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 21:11, 27 January 2022 (UTC) *'''Support''' The only thing I feel is missing are ways to access the airport from nearby cities like Agra which lack international airports of their own [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 19:49, 29 January 2022 (UTC) *:@[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]], I'll add it [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 05:40, 30 January 2022 (UTC) *:: In many cases the Get in of those other cities should handle it. Only if there is something general to say about transport from the airport to other cities, I feel it needs to be in the airport article. That could be a train line or coaches with direct services to cities elsewhere, where the existence of such services and the location of the stations should be in the airport article. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:53, 14 March 2022 (UTC) *:::Working on it! [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 09:30, 15 March 2022 (UTC) *:::Yeah I meant cities with direct connections, probably could've worded my prior message much better. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 09:39, 15 March 2022 (UTC) *::::Like agra has direct road and rail connection while noida has direct routes via metro [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 09:50, 15 March 2022 (UTC) *'''Support.''' Has the essentials. Could be a feature soon, as India is very under-featured. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 21:39, 22 March 2022 (UTC) *:Would also be nice to feature an airport article after so long. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:59, 24 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for December 2022/January 2023, avoiding collision with [[Cooch Behar]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:01, 27 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support'''. Excellent example of an article that uses brevity to best effect, providing critical information directly to the traveler. This is a well-written article with all the essential details. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 11:08, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Australian cuisine]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Australian cuisine | blurb=While Australia isn't really known for its cuisine, Australian cuisine is a multicultural cuisine incorporating many Indigenous ingredients and perhaps one of the sweetest cuisines. | status=Guide | time=Jan or Feb 2023 – around the time where there's good produce but anytime during the start of southern summer will also work. | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:10, 23 February 2022 (UTC) | comment=As you can probably see, it's a fairly new article having only been created recently. That being said, it does need some work on its beverages section. Additionally I've tried not to add a list of ingredients like in [[American cuisine]], since it looks awfully encyclopedic and I don't think many will read it. That being said, I think the article could also cover a bit about etiquette, which while I can do, I'm not really sure how to explain it. The drinks section could also do better with a bit of work too, especially given Australia's large coffee culture, but can do that soon. Also before it gets lost in my banner collection, [[:File:ACftt banner.jpg|here's]], a banner that I cropped. | DotMImage=[[File:Lamingtons on a plate.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Comment''': I think it needs a lot of work. Most sections don't look complete. The Meat section should mention that nearly all beef (and meat in general) is grass fed, not grain fed like it is in so many other countries of the world. Australia is also renowned internationally for its Black Angus beef and its marbled texture. There should also be a point on how experimental Australians are with meat. To what extent is game and offal eaten, for instance. The Fruit and Vegetable section briefly talks about one type of apple, no other kind of fruit and nothing about veggies. There should at least be a mention of Pink Lady apples and Calypso mangoes. The dietary requirements only touches on kosher, halal, vegetarianism and veganism. I think gluten free and nut allergies also need to be covered as a minimum. Iconic Australia ice creams like Paddle Pop, Golden Gaytime and Drumstick are all missing as are Twisties. Regarding seafood, Australia is known for its southern bluefin tuna and salmon (particularly Tasmania). There is no information on burgers which are more popular than e.g. Mexican-American, and no information on unique Australian twists on burgers like adding beetroot. It will come as a surprise to many foreign visitors the first time they order a burger in Australia. The takeaway section should have a sentence on Chinese takeaway plastic containers/boxes, which is different to the cardboard cartons you may find overseas. There's no mention of the great Australian barbecue nor anything on what kind of food is eaten on Christmas, the most important cultural event and festival of the year. Also missing Australian specific chains like Oporto and Red Rooster (see [[Chinese cuisine]] for comparison) and types of food establishments like the milk bar. I'll stop rambling now but I believe there is still a lot to do. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:55, 23 February 2022 (UTC) *'''Not yet''' As the Australian drawbridge has only just been lowered, I think we should wait a year to allow edits as a result of readers using the guide. I agree with DaGizza that there is much to do. Snacks are well covered, but I think there is work to do on meals. Is kangaroo meat farmed, or are wild kangaroo's hunted or culled? Are there standards for the welfare of farm animals? Do Australian hotels serve breakfast? What times do Austrialians usually eat meals - will the restauarant be full of locals or empty at 6:30pm? What kind of food can be found in supermarkets - ready meals, hot food or just raw ingredients? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:21, 23 February 2022 (UTC) * I'd realised I as the nominator forgot to give my vote, but my vote is also '''needs work'''. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:46, 6 March 2022 (UTC) ::My comment as nominator still remains needs work, but I feel skeptical of the "fruit and veg" section or an ingredients section itself. I'm making this judgment based on [[American_cuisine#Ingredients]] which is pretty much a blob of super long user unfriendly text and it's mostly not travel related. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:08, 12 March 2022 (UTC) :::The issue with the American cuisine section is that it lists nearly everything that's eaten by Americans. My suggestions were more towards mentioning varieties of fruit and veg which are unique or originated in Australia. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 06:40, 14 March 2022 (UTC) ::::That makes sense and it is more doable, user friendly and travel related. We could also list some important food festivals too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:58, 14 March 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' provisionally for February/March 2023. The article has improved, and can probably get good enough for next year. / 10:43, 2 May 2022 (UTC) : '''Needs work'''. The blurb, the intro and the article itself all need work: not a single mention of Mod Oz food (!), and the characterizations as "sweetest" (what?) and "not be the greatest culinary destination" are offputting. Also, I'm sorry to say, but Indigeous ingredients are basically non-existent. [[User:Jpatokal|Jpatokal]] ([[User talk:Jpatokal|talk]]) 03:42, 17 May 2022 (UTC) : '''On hold''' due to remaining issues. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:38, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Rail travel in Japan]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Destination | blurb=With trains over 320 km/h and a network of 27,000 km, rail travel is one of the most efficient ways to get around Japan. | status=Guide | time=March-June 2023 | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:33, 12 March 2022 (UTC) | comment=This is possibly one of our best rail articles we have so far, and also one of our most detailed rail articles. As we have two articles featured from Japan, around 2023 would be the ideal time, around northern spring. With that said, some dead links need to be fixed. | DotMImage=[[File:Hakata-general-train-base.JPG|thumb|300px]] }} *'''Close''' per my comment. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:33, 12 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' Has all the essentials. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 12:41, 22 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support.''' I last used trains in Japan in October 2005, so I can't comment on all the details, but it looked good and fairly complete. It might have a little more about what the trains are like inside - I was surprised to find that all the seats face forward (except on commuter trains), as the seats are turned around at the terminal stations. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:13, 22 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Close''' I don't think the joyful train section should be part of the overnight train section as there are many non luxury joyful trains that don't run overnight, I feel this section could also mention other notable joyful trains like the Resort Shirakami or Hello kitty Shinkansen. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 07:22, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::Also I wish the regional rail pass section was longer. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 07:24, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|Tai123.123}} Though I'm not sure whether the joyful trains should even be mentioned though. I don't think any of our other "rail" articles mention tourist trains, as these are more supposed to be articles for getting around Japan by train, but this seems to be an outlier. That said, it is very useful information, so I don't see any reason to remove it, though I don't know much about Japan's train system (or any train system outside of Australia's and Singapore's), so I'd defer to you. On another note, while we're at joyful trains, are these synonymous with [[tourist trains]], or do they have a different meaning? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:16, 2 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yeah, joyful trains are tourist trains. Perhaps it may be to create a [[Joyful Trains in Japan]] travel topic as they’re very popular with both domestic and international visitors. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 14:57, 2 May 2022 (UTC) :::::<small>Preferably [[Joyful trains in Japan]] per [[wv:capitalization]] ;-) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 7 May 2022 (UTC)</small> ===[[Driving in South Africa]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Driving in South Africa | blurb=Without a good public transport network and many of South Africa's attractions in rural areas, driving is an excellent way to get around the country. | status=Guide | time=2023 southern winter. | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:03, 17 April 2022 (UTC) | comment=We haven't had a driving article featured for some time and this one seems in good shape to go. I'd expect that by 2023 mid-winter, the damage caused by recent floods would have been cleaned up. | DotMImage=[[File:Speed Camera Sign.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support'''. I think this is a thorough article with detailed but reliable information. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 11:13, 15 May 2022 (UTC) : '''Scheduled''' for February-March 2023. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:40, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Pbsouthwood}} Do you think anything important is missing in this article? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:52, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Looks pretty good to me in general. One thing that is missing is what the correct procedure is/should be at mini circles. I think part of the problem with them is that many/most drivers actually don't know what to do and some just assume they have right of way because there is nothing obvious saying that they don't, or because the vehicle ahead did not stop. I approach them as accidents waiting to happen, preferably to someone else. Cheers &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:01, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Are mini circles just mini-roundabouts? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:52, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ===[[Hamad International Airport]]=== {{FeatureNom | place=Hamad International Airport | blurb=Visiting Qatar for the FIFA world cup? Here's a quick guide on getting around Qatar's prime airport. | status=Guide | time=October 2022 for FIFA world cup | nominatedBy=<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:37, 26 June 2022 (UTC) | comment=I'm no fan of soccer and I know I'm a bit late to nominate this, but after seeing what the Italian Wikivoyage did, I also wanted to nominate [[Doha]] for the FIFA world cup. However, it has already been featured, and otherwise this currently unfeatured article could replace Land Trail on Mount Ucka, which has some MoS issues. [[#Indira Gandhi International Airport|Indira Gandhi International Airport]] should ideally be pushed back further so it's not featured so close to Cooch Behar. As for the article itself, it looks good to me. I last visited Hamad Int'l Airport on transit in 2017 and I cannot see anything missing, but I was only there for two hours. | DotMImage=[[File:Children's play area at Hamad Airport, May 2014.jpg|thumb|300px]] }} * '''Support''' as nominator. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:37, 26 June 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' based on quality, but not ready to re-schedule. There have been concerns about human rights in Qatar, but we have not settled whether those should disqualify an article from featuring. If [[Land Art Trail on Mount Učka]] has issues, we should bring it up in the nomination process. Similar travel topics and destinations should preferrably not feature too close together, so delaying Indira Gandhi makes sense. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 05:48, 28 June 2022 (UTC) :Let's not base our decision on politics here. I can also list human rights abuses by Western countries (the invasion of Iraq, anyone?) if we really want to get into that, and that will disqualify all countries from being listed since all countries have blood on their hands in one way or another. Let's just consider things from a purely practical travel perspective here. That said, I don't know if we should feature airport articles. These are there to help travellers in transit or waiting to fly, but they are not usually destinations in and of themselves. People use airports to get to a place, then go sightseeing elsewhere. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 03:18, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::I don't see that a category of articles should be excluded from a feature, although I definitely understand your argument. Human rights are a difficult issue. If a large number of foreigners are essentially enslaved somewhere, is that an issue for travelers, such that we should hesitate to feature an article? How about when a lot of visitors are treated nastily or worse at border crossings and airports, as in the U.S.? I don't know what standard we should have, but I'm not comfortable with saying that human rights abuses that can affect visitors should never be considered a factor in whether we feature an article or not. At the very least, we should be careful to include clear warnings in the relevant articles. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:26, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::A further thought, though: Big airports are often used for transit, so we shouldn't assume everyone who goes to this airport is even visiting Qatar, not that there's anything wrong with that. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:28, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::::If there are major issues with the rights of foreign workers then yes, we should mention that. After all, we also want to serve people looking to move abroad to work. I've heard rumors that if a female foreign domestic worker in Dubai gets raped by her boss who is a UAE citizen, she has no legal recourse whatsoever even though it is of course illegal on paper. I don't know if that is just an exaggeration but if it is known that it's true, then yes, things like that should be covered. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 14:25, 18 July 2022 (UTC) 0k4twsb67quig7ncz9m35dwremsx5ox 0 68791 4506564 4504780 2022-08-23T04:43:58Z Ypsilon 1806 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wikivoyage Photomontage banner.jpg}} The '''Discover''' page is an '''archive''' of about strange but true trivia about destinations around the world, '''previously featured''' in the Discover section on the main page. You can contribute and add or edit future facts to the list '''[[Project:Discover|here]]'''. Previously displayed facts from this year are below. You can find older facts from previous years using the links at the bottom of the page. ==August 2022== [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. * The Guildhall in [[Exeter]] is claimed to be the '''oldest municipal building in England''' still serving its original purpose. [[File:Bathurst1-wiki.jpg|200px|right]] * The Big Pineapple (''pictured'') in [[Bathurst (Eastern Cape)|Bathurst]] is a '''small museum about pineapple farming''', with views of a pineapple farm. * '''Set on deep Lake Superior''', the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, [[Duluth]] can be '''cool or cold''' anytime of year. * [[Santa Rosa (Argentina)|Santa Rosa, Argentina]] features a '''kitschy monument''' to the national drink '''mate'''. [[File:0 Monschau - Eschbachstraße.JPG|200px|right]] * The town of [[Monschau]] (''street view pictured'') is sometimes called the '''"Pearl of the Eifel"'''. * There are '''lots of [[Driving in the United Kingdom|roundabouts (circular/traffic island) in the UK]]''', from large multi-lane roundabouts at dual carriageway junctions to small mini-roundabouts on local streets. * Some may consider [[Fez]] to be the '''handicraft capital of Morocco''', but in reality the quality and value of its wares can be hit and miss. [[File:Amazon Theatre in Manaus.jpg|200px|right]] * Teatro Amazonas (''pictured'') in [[Manaus]] was built during the heyday of rubber trade, using '''materials from all over the world''', and was once visited by '''all the most famous''' opera divas and maestros. * [[Oxnard]]'s cultural, agricultural, and historical heritage comes alive in the '''Heritage Square''' block in downtown. * There are substantial differences between the '''form of [[Tumbuka]]''' spoken in urban areas and the "village" or "deep" Tumbuka spoken in villages. [[File:00 2174 Purnulula-Nationalpark - Western Australia.jpg|200px|right]] * Apart from the indigenous people, '''no one had known''' about the [[Purnululu National Park|Bungle Bungle Ranges]] (''pictured'') until the 1980s. * [[Tirana]] has a museum dedicated to the '''history of Bektashism''', an Islamic Sufistic movement. * The '''[[Danish Empire|Danish Gold Coast]]''' wasn't overly large by most means, and Denmark only possessed a few fortifications along modern-day Ghana. [[File:O'Hare Aeroponic Garden.jpg|200px|right]] * [[O'Hare International Airport]] features an '''aeroponic garden''' (''pictured'') where vegetables and herbs are grown and then used in a few of the terminal's restaurants. * '''Canyon Sainte-Anne''' outside [[Saint-Joachim]] has been accessible to the general public since 1973, but previously, '''Amerindian peoples''' frequented the site. * Established in 1926, the Indian Institute of Technology in [[Dhanbad]] has one of the '''most beautiful engineering campuses''' in India. [[File:Ornäsloft 1.JPG|200px|right]] * The 16th century timber-house Ornässtugan (''pictured'') outside [[Borlänge]] was a '''hideout for the soon-to-be Swedish king''' Gustaf Vasa after the Stockholm Bloodbath. * International mobile [[Internet access|Internet roaming]] can be '''ludicrously expensive'''. <br clear="right" /> ==July 2022== * Puritama in [[San Pedro de Atacama]] is commonly called a hot spring, but is actually a '''warm river'''. [[File:Andrew-johnson-statue-greeneville1.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Greeneville]] you can visit the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site with a '''replica of the president's birth home''' and a '''life-size statue''' (''pictured'') of him. * A [[packing list]] can help make sure you '''have everything you will need''' while you are travelling and at your destination. * Fishing enthusiasts will be interested to know that [[Senegal]] is '''one of the best places in the world to catch fish'''. [[File:Statuia Libertății, Piața Eroilor, Ploiești (3).JPG|200px|right]] * A '''gift from France''' erected in 1881, the Statue of Liberty (''pictured'') in [[Ploiești]] depicts the '''Roman goddess Minerva'''. * Apart from a few historical sites on Tongatapu '''most things to do in [[Tonga]] reflect its island nature'''. * Wolfe Tone Square, the centre of [[Bantry]], was '''created from infill of the harbour''', and Bantry Bay opens from its west end. [[File:The water village.Burnei. (8618046721).jpg|200px|right]] * [[Bandar Seri Begawan|Kampong Ayer]] (''pictured'') is the '''world's biggest settlement on stilts''', has been on the river for over one thousand years and was once the capital of the Bruneian Empire. * In the [[Helsinki/Kruununhaka and Katajanokka|Katajanokka district of Helsinki]] you can '''sleep in a former prison'''. * The '''19th century Puente dela Reina''' is the oldest bridge in [[Ormoc]] but its '''cobblestones are still intact''', relic of an age long gone. [[File:San luis potosi cathedral.jpg|200px|right]] * Catedral de [[San Luis Potosí]] (''pictured'') is possibly one of the '''best known Mexican cathedrals''' by sight. * The state border between Queensland and New South Wales '''winds its way through the twin towns''' of [[Gold Coast/Tweed Heads|Tweed Heads and Coolangatta]] and it is often not obvious which state you are in. * [[Western food in Asia]] is often '''localised''' to the point of being '''hardly recognisable''' to Westerners. [[File:Poliochne.jpg|200px|right]] * Now an '''important archaeological site''' (''pictured''), [[Lemnos|Poliochne]] was the '''best-known city in the northern Aegean''' after Troy in the 3rd millennium BC. * Being cooped up in an airplane can '''expose you to [[Allergies|allergens]]''' while airborne. * [[Chiloé Island|Chiloé]] is famous for '''myths and legends''' with roots in its native Mapuche population. [[File:Mutli.JPG|200px|right]] * Mutli (''pictured'') is a [[Mangalore]]an Christian bread, and a '''speciality from Queen Elizabeth's grandmother's kitchen'''. * Lake Abbe in [[Djibouti]] is '''one of the most desolate places on Earth''' and is dotted with limestone chimneys standing as high of 50 m. * [[Prague/East bank of Vltava|Žižkov]] is said to have '''more bars per capita''' than any other neighborhood in the world. [[File:NelsonBCBakerSt.JPG|200px|right]] * In the 1980s the houses along Baker Street (''pictured'') in [[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson, British Columbia]] were '''restored to their 19th century shape''', and it's now one of the town's main attractions. * The main hospital in [[Cochabamba]], Hospital Viedma, has a '''cute little medical museum''' attached, with some amazing old x-ray machines. [[File:Buffalo - Wings at Airport Anchor Bar.jpg|200px|right]] * No visit to [[Buffalo]] is complete without trying some '''Buffalo wings''' (''pictured''). * In [[Innsbruck]] you can visit a '''museum dedicated to the history of alpinism''', hosted in the Hofburg (imperial palace). * [[Cincinnati]]'s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the '''largest National Historic District''' in the United States. [[File:Owakudani BlackEggs Large.JPG|200px|right]] * A specialty of [[Hakone]] are '''black eggs''' (''pictured'') boiled in sulphurous springs. According to a legend, every one you eat will '''add seven years to your life'''. * The Wat Poramaiyikawat monastery on [[Ko Kret]] is a '''focal point''' of Thailand's small Mon community. * [[Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park|Kutikina Cave]] is archeogically rich, with '''over 30,000 stone artefacts and 200,000 bone fragments''' discovered. [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 46 evening at Marine Drive.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Mumbai]] (''Marine Drive pictured'') is undoubtedly the '''commercial capital of India''' and is one of the predominant '''port cities''' in the country. * [[Tuam]] was effectively the '''capital of Ireland in the 12th century''', when the High King Rory O’Connor resided here. * The Church of St. Ignatius in [[Dubrovnik]] is approached via a '''romantic baroque staircase modelled on the Spanish Steps in Rome'''. <br clear="right" /> ==June 2022== [[File:Allegheny County Courthouse pittsburgh.jpg|200px|right]] * A gorgeous stone building built in 1884, the '''Allegheny County Courthouse''' (''pictured'') in [[Pittsburgh/Downtown|Downtown Pittsburgh]] now houses the county government. * There is '''no value-added tax''' in [[Eilat]], and many '''duty free shops''' line the boardwalk culminating in duty free shopping centers. * [[Lagos City/Victoria Island|Victoria Island]] is the '''primary business and financial centre''' of West Africa's largest city. [[File:Marble bay, Thasos.jpg|200px|right]] * Now a beach, Marble Bay (''pictured'') in [[Thasos]] is indeed a '''white marble sand bay''' which was used for the shipment of marble, with '''crystal clear waters'''. * There are '''only two cities''' in the United States situated on an isthmus, [[Madison]] and [[Seattle]]. * The [[Brotherhood and Unity Highway]] was an '''important route between Western and Southeastern Europe''' during the Cold War. [[File:Francesinha (48159444066).jpg|200px|right]] * Francesinha (''pictured'') is a [[Portuguese cuisine|meat sandwich from Porto]] inspired by France's croque-monsieur, and the name translates as '''"little French girl"'''. * [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] contains a '''perfect combination''' of the old and new Canada. * The [[Mývatn]] area is known for hverabrauð, a '''delicious, one-of-a-kind molasses bread''' that is slow-baked for 24 hours underground by '''natural geothermal heat.''' [[File:Olangoegret.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Olango Island|Olango Wildlife Sanctuary]] is very popular with bird watchers; '''close to a hundred bird species''' (''egrets pictured'') are found here, about half of them migratory and half permanent residents. * Out of more than a thousand [[world heritage sites]], '''only a little over 200 sites''' are in the New World (Americas and Oceania). * Nowadays a museum, Zeughaus in [[Graz]] was '''originally built to readily equip the people''' in the event of an attack, and so the weapons you'll see there were '''made for use, not show'''. [[File:Cocoa House, Ibadan.JPG|200px|right]] * Completed in 1965, the Cocoa House (''pictured'') in [[Ibadan]] was the '''first skyscraper in West Africa'''. * The reasons that [[El Mirador]] is not swamped with tourists are its '''inaccessibility''' and that most of this huge site involves many '''unrestored mounds and pyramids''' in the jungle. * [[Kiama]] is located on some of the '''most picturesque and beautiful coastline''' on the South Coast of New South Wales. [[File:Rainbow Beach.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Chicago/Chatham-South Shore|Rainbow Beach]] has '''lovely South Side views''' (''pictured'') of the Chicago Skyline. * [[Driving in Morocco|Roundabouts in Morocco]] have '''contrarian and inconsistent rules''', sometimes cars entering have to yield, other times the cars in the roundabout. * The restaurants of [[Cayenne]] reflects the '''ethnic mosaic''' of the Guyanese society. [[File:Åbo strandpromenad september 2021.jpg|200px|right]] * A walk (''path pictured'') [[Turku riverside walk|along the Aurajoki river]] is a nice way to experience some '''aspects of Turku'''. * The small town of [[Kittery]], Maine, features dozens of '''outlet stores'''. * The Devi Talab Mandir in [[Jalandhar]] is a '''replica of the Golden Temple in Amritsar'''. [[File:La Bocca tango.jpg|200px|right]] * A trip to [[Buenos Aires]] is not complete without some sort of experience of the '''tango''' (''dancers pictured''), the national dance of Argentina. * In [[Jinju]] there are many sites and events related to the '''16th century Imjin War'''. * In the '''National Botanical Garden''' in [[Bloemfontein]] you can see about '''400 species of native plants''', as well as birds, mammals and reptiles. [[File:La Batte Liège.JPG|200px|right]] * The weekly Marché de la Batte (''pictured''), stretching along the Meuse River in [[Liège]] is '''one of the longest markets in Europe.''' * A highlight at the [[Varna]] Archaeological Museum is the Gold of Varna, the '''oldest gold treasure in the world''', dating to 4600-4200 BCE. * [[Saltillo]] features a '''museum of the (Chihuaua) desert and of the birds of Mexico''' showcasing nearly every bird species in the country. [[File:Spa Pool.jpg|200px|right]] * The Hamersley Gorge (''Spa Pool pictured'') is probably the '''most scenic corner of [[Karijini National Park]]'''. * The United States is a '''[[Hiking in the United States|good place for hiking]]''' owing to its many open spaces. * '''Bahrain Fort''' [[Manama|on the island’s north coast]], was built in the 14th century, but excavations have revealed it was '''built on the site of Dilmun settlements, dating back to 3,000 BC'''. <br clear="right" /> ==May 2022== [[File:Colby miller library.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Waterville (Maine)|Waterville, Maine]] you can stroll around the '''tree-studded hilltop Colby College Campus''' (''Miller Library pictured'') with its fine Neo-Georgian architecture. * Semi-submarine tours offer guests an '''underwater ride through the [[Budva]] Bay.''' * The Airborne Museum Hartenstein is dedicated to the '''Battle of [[Arnhem]]''', fought in September 1944. [[File:Dipolog Cathedral (2016).jpg|200px|right]] * The main attraction of the [[Dipolog]] Cathedral (''pictured'') is the '''ceiling made of Philippine hardwood'''. * Usually one's '''ability to access [[lounges|airport lounges]]''' depends on one's class of travel, frequent flyer membership tier, or membership in an independent lounge access scheme. * [[Tashkent]]'s Treasury of Ancient Oriental Manuscripts is listed by UNESCO as one of the '''richest manuscript repositories''' in the world. [[File:StockholmStadshuset.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Stockholm/Kungsholmen|Stockholm City Hall]] (''pictured'') is where the '''Nobel Prize Banquet''' takes place every year. * The '''Sapporo Beer Factory''' in [[Hita]] is a must-visit attraction for fans of Japanese beer. * While it may come to a surprise for some, [[Australian cuisine]] is '''far from the cuisine of Britain and Ireland'''. [[File:Ouarzazate kasbah.JPG|200px|right]] * Kasbah Taourirt (''pictured'') is a '''well preserved kasbah''' in [[Ouarzazate]] with a '''permanent exhibition''' of works by various artists inside. * The finest feature of [[Denbigh]] Castle is the '''triple-towered Great Gatehouse'''. * At the [[Dhaka/North|Dhaka Zoo]] you can see the '''majestic Royal Bengal Tiger'''. [[File:Cartagena skyline from the city walls.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Cartagena (Colombia)|Cartagena]] (''pictured'') has '''several faces'''; one of a dirty, sprawling '''Caribbean metropolis''', in Bocagrande the one of a '''massive "hotel ghetto"''' and finally the old town with its well-polished face of a '''once affluent colonial city'''. * The [[Zhudong]] Timber Industry Exhibition Hall features the '''history of timber industry in Taiwan''' and traditional logging equipment. * In the '''Battleship Memorial Park''' in [[Mobile]] you can tour the World War II battleship USS Alabama and the World War II submarine the USS Drum. [[File:Otranto cathedral crypta 2.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Otranto]] Cathedral represents an '''interesting mixture of Byzantine and Romanesque elements''' including a crypt (''pictured'') resembling the Mezquita of Córdoba. * Many important [[Rail travel in India|Indian trains]] have a '''foreign tourist quota''' available for foreigners or holders of an IndRail pass. * [[Kainji National Park]] is one of the '''largest game reserves''' in West Africa. [[File:Sign ErrantGolfBalls.JPG|200px|right]] * Signs (''pictured'') around the Ocean Club on [[Paradise Island]] warn of the danger of '''getting bonked on the head by an errant golf ball''' which is indeed probably the main security risk there. * [[Luang Prabang]] owes its present name to the Pha Bang, a '''revered Buddha image''' brought to the city by King Visoun in the early 1500s. * [[Dutch]] has some '''vowel sounds that are not known in many other languages''' so they may be hard to learn. [[File:Anderps 067.JPG|200px|right]] * '''Pedra Furada''' (''pictured'') - the "pierced" or "arched" rock - has become the symbol of [[Jijoca de Jericoacoara|Jericoacoara]]. * The Jubilee Clock in [[Douglas (Isle of Man)|Douglas]] commemorates the '''Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign''' (1887). * A range of 21 '''murals''' on the sides of buildings in [[Kenora]] and nearby Keewatin depict '''events and scenes relative to local history'''. [[File:Osaka Castle 03bs3200.jpg|200px|right]] * A '''concrete reconstruction''', [[Osaka/Osaka castle|Osaka Castle]] (''pictured'') is more of a '''museum built in the shape of a castle''', rather than a historical Japanese castle. * Throughout [[San Pedro Sula]] and neighboring cities, you can find '''amazing markets''' where you can buy artisanal items like leather work, textiles, silver and jewelry. * '''Beaches''' in [[Cancún]] are for the more advanced swimmers, the edge of the open ocean can make for a '''challenging and fun swimming experience'''. [[File:Chamberyelephants.JPG|200px|right]] * The Elephants Fountain (''pictured'') in [[Chambéry]] with its four elephant "busts" is '''affectionately called the "four buttless'''" by locals. * Finland has a diverse nature, with '''forests, fells, mires, bogs, lakes and islands''' featuring in many of the [[Finnish national parks|country's national parks]]. * [[Altitude sickness]] is a '''reaction to the lower amounts of oxygen available at high altitudes''' due to the lower air pressure. [[File:Tangier Medina 3.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Tangier]] is '''very easy to navigate around - except the Medina''' (old town), a complex array of alleyways some of which can only be accessed on foot (''pictured''). <br clear="right" /> ==April 2022== * The '''International Antarctic Centre''' in [[Christchurch]] features simulated polar weather, a Hagglund all-terrain vehicle ride, penguins, and extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions. * [[Astoria]] is famous for being the terminus for the '''Lewis and Clark Expedition'''. [[File:ReU_PtFournaiseVulkankegel.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Réunion National Park]] (''pictured'') in Réunion is '''one of three French national parks outside France''' and is home to the '''Piton de la Fournaise''', a UNESCO World Heritage Site. * Since many foreigners congregate there, [[Itaewon]] in Seoul remains somewhat of a '''niche nightlife area''' for Koreans interested in a more international scene. * [[Jamnagar]] is famous for its '''brass manufacturing''' and you can buy all kinds of locally made brass components in town. [[File:Brocken brockenbahn im gegenlicht ds wv 02 2008.jpg|200px|right]] * A quite popular way to get to the [[Brocken]] is the '''narrow-gauge Brockenbahn operated by steam trains''' (''pictured''). * Adelaide's [[Adelaide/Belair National Park|Belair National Park]] is one of the '''most easily accessible national parks in South Australia''' * The '''[[architecture]] of a place''' is often a tourist attraction in its own right. [[File:South Africa-Gauteng-Pretoria-Union Buildings02.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Union Buildings''' in [[Pretoria]] (''pictured'') houses the South African presidency and can't be visited, but its '''beautiful terraced gardens''', which boast a wide variety of indigenous plants, are open to the public. * [[Cádiz]] is the '''oldest continuously inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula''' and one of the oldest in all southwestern Europe. * [[Camping in Israel]] gives a '''very different experience for those used to that of Europe'''. [[File:Oslcheckin.JPG|200px|right]] * '''Wood''' has been extensively used in the '''interior of the check-in hall''' (''pictured'') at [[Oslo Airport, Gardermoen]]. * There have been '''58 unique dinosaur species''' discovered in Alberta's [[Dinosaur Provincial Park]]. * The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in [[Salisbury (Maryland)|Salisbury, Maryland]] houses the '''world's largest collection of wildfowl carvings.''' [[File:Huaca Pucllana, Lima, Perú, 2015-07-28, DD 128.JPG|200px|right]] * A huge, 22 m high pre-Columbian construction, [[Lima/Miraflores|Pucllana]] (''pictured'') is made from '''small handmade, sun-dried bricks'''. * [[Härnösand]] in Central Sweden '''was once an administrative centre'''. * The town of [[Joggins]] in Nova Scotia has some fossil cliffs which contain fossils '''which date to more than 310 million years ago''' [[File:Daintree Rainforest - 2013.04 - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Daintree Rainforest]] (''pictured'') in Tropical North Queensland is '''the oldest living rainforest in the world''' * [[Hiking in Estonia]] there's '''much nature to enjoy''' due to low population density, yet you will never be more than a day's walk away from civilization. * The [[Dawson City|City of Dawson]] and the nearby ghost town of Forty Mile (together with Skagway) are '''featured prominently in the novels and short stories of American author Jack London''', including The Call of the Wild. [[File:Eiffel tower panorama.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''[[Eiffel Tower]]''' (''pictured'') '''was almost torn down in 1909''' and only saved due to its use as a telegraphy antenna. * In [[Faroese]], '''accented vowels''' are treated as letters in their own right, with their own pronunciation. * At Point-au-Père, a small town near [[Rimouski]], there's the Site historique maritime which marks the '''official dividing point between the St. Lawrence River and the open Gulf.''' [[File:Doha Karwa public bus.jpg|200px|right]] * '''Virtually all public transit''' in [[Qatar]] - buses (''public bus pictured''), taxis and limousines - is '''operated by government-owned Mowasalat (Karwa).''' * The majority of the [[South Tyrol]]ean population is '''German-speaking''' and in some valleys it's the totality. * The Northern Weapon City in [[Baotou]] is an '''outdoor park''' with a '''collection of mainly artillery pieces''' manufactured by local arms maker Northern Heavy Industries Group. [[File:PortLucayaMarketplaceEntrance.jpg|200px|right]] * Port Lucaya (''pictured'') in [[Freeport (Bahamas)|Freeport]] is '''the tourist "hub" of Grand Bahama''' and is the location of many restaurants and shops. * To enter [[French Guiana]], '''holding a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory''', regardless of citizenship or where you've recently been. * In the 1920s [[Juba]] grew rapidly, and about 2,000 Greeks lived there working as merchants and tradesmen and many '''notable buildings''' in the city date from this era. [[File:Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric station.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Krasnoyarsk]] hydroelectric dam (''pictured''), 20 km upstream from the city, '''significantly influences the local climate''' as it releases unfrozen water year-round, including in the bitterly-cold Siberian winter. <br clear="right" /> ==March 2022== * There are '''no capital letters''' in [[Georgian phrasebook|Georgian]]. * In [[Bhutan]] the '''sale of tobacco products is banned''' and '''smoking in public areas is a fineable offence'''. [[File:King John's Castle in Limerick.jpg|200px|right]] * King John's Castle (''pictured'') in [[Limerick]] was built 13th century by King John over an '''earlier Viking fortification'''. * Much of Seodong Park in [[Buyeo]] is made up of a '''pond shaped as a lotus'''. * For many thousands of years prior to British settlement, the [[Brisbane]] area was inhabited by the '''Turrbal and Jagera Aboriginal people'''. [[File:HMCSHaidaHamiltonA.JPG|200px|right]] * At Pier 9 in [[Hamilton_(Ontario)|Hamilton]] you can visit '''HMCS Haida''' (''pictured''), the "Fightingest Ship in the Royal Canada Navy". * [[Cairo/Old Cairo|Old Cairo]] is the home of Cairo's '''Coptic Christian''' community. * As for other icons of Bavarian culture, many [[Bavarian cuisine|Bavarian dishes]] are '''known around the world as "German"''', though far from all of them are popular throughout Germany. [[File:NiceColline.JPG|200px|right]] * Colline du Château (''pictured'') overlooking the Baie des Anges and harbour offers a '''spectacular vantage point''' overlooking [[Nice]]. * [[Kurseong]] is home to the '''costliest teas''' in the world. * [[Tega Cay]] '''means "beautiful peninsula" in Polynesian''', however the city is '''nowhere near''' Polynesia, but in South Carolina. [[File:Great Mosque of Gaza - Alafrangi.jpg|200px|right]] * The Grand Omari Mosque (''pictured'') of [[Gaza]] '''makes up for its lacklustre appearance with an interesting history''': it's a converted Crusader church built on the site of a Hellenic temple with pillars from a 3rd-century Jewish synagogue. * [[Ypres]] is best known as the site of '''three major battles''' of the First World War. * '''The River Cat statue''' is famous statue of a giant cat that, along with the statue of Belalcazar, the Three Crosses, and Jesus, has become a '''symbol for [[Cali]].''' [[File:Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia.jpg|200px|right]] * Hutt Lagoon (''pictured''), 55 km south of [[Kalbarri]] is a '''lurid pink salt lake'''. The colour is from algae, which synthesise β-Carotene. * Many places where [[leave-no-trace camping]] is required feature '''established trails'''. * '''The Clowns Archive''' in [[London/Hackney|Hackney]] shows an unique collection of faces on eggs. [[File:Mt Rainier stream.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Mount Rainier]] (''pictured''), at 14,410 feet (4,390 m), is the '''most prominent peak''' in the Cascade Range. * While [[Pattaya]] is famous as a '''sex tourist''' destination, '''you don't necessarily have to partake''' in order to experience the nightlife and many visitors come over '''just to see what the fuss is about'''. * With more than 10,000 works on display, the '''Museum of the Cinema''' is a testimony to the history and cinematic activity in [[Odessa]]. [[File:Tajine Moroccan.jpg|200px|right]] * One literally cannot be in [[Morocco]] without seeing a '''"tagine the dish"''' on the menu or a '''"tagine, the cooking ware"''' (''both pictured'') in the wild at least once. * Being one of the older German cities, [[Worms]] has '''played a key role''' in German history. * In [[Zhengzhou]] you can visit a natural history museum '''focused on the Yellow River'''. [[File:Echinocereus engelmannii and Cylindropuntia bigelovii at Joshua Tree NP.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Joshua Tree National Park]] '''springtime wildflowers''' (''Echinocereus engelmannii and Cylindropuntia bigelovii pictured'') come in numerous varieties and can produce '''extraordinarily colorful displays''', especially following wet winters. * The Pottery Hall of the [[Jos]] National Museum has an '''exceptional collection of finely crafted pottery''' from all over Nigeria. * '''Bushwalking''' is a very popular pastime in the [[Blue Mountains National Park]] and there are a number of '''well-maintained trails''' that will offer you the opportunity to go down into the valley floor, viewing the changing vegetation as you descend. [[File:Ballina, Co. Tipperary, Ireland - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Killaloe (Ireland)|Killaloe]]-Ballina bridge (''pictured'') over the Shannon is a '''handsome 13-arch structure'''. * '''[[Traveling with pets]]''' can be difficult because laws vary widely from country to country. * [[Carita]] offers '''panoramic views of the Krakatau volcano''' rising above the horizon in Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. [[File:L7 Tehran Metro 2019 01.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Tehran]]'s metro system (''station and train pictured'') has seven lines that will '''whisk you quickly from one end of the city to the other''' without having to deal with the '''noise, pollution and chaos of Tehrani traffic'''. * The Museum and Historical Archives of [[Presidente Prudente]] is housed in the '''baroque-style old Municipal Slaughterhouse'''. * The '''traces of radium''' in '''[[Nishiawakura#Do|Awakura Onsen]]''' are said to stimulate '''radium hormesis''', which can activate metabolism, boost the immune system, and decrease cancer mortality. <br clear="right" /> ==February 2022== * [[Claremont (California)|Claremont, California]] is known for the trees lining its streets and as the home of the elite Claremont Colleges, which together have given it the nickname '''"City of Trees and PhDs"'''. [[File:SkellefteåChurchtown2.JPG|200px|right]] * The Church Town (''pictured'') in [[Skellefteå]] consists of 116 '''wooden cottages''' that once were built for families that had to '''travel a long way''' to attend Sunday masses at the city church. * [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] '''can be entered only from Armenia''', though doing so is considered an '''illegal entry''' into Azerbaijani territory by Azerbaijan. * The [[Oak Trail (Epping Forest)|Oak Trail]] just outside London passes a '''2,500-year-old earthwork'''. [[File:Black Palace 4.jpg|200px|right]] * '''King Sihanouk's old swimming pool''' (''pictured'') is now part of [[Bokor National Park]]. * '''Sand dunes''' in [[Mojave National Preserve]] make a '''booming sound''' when conditions are right. * [[Dubai]] has a justified reputation as a '''concrete jungle''', but there are '''nice pockets of greenery''' within the city. [[File:Genova - Vico Calvi - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Genoa]] has '''one of Europe's largest preserved historical centers''', made up of an incredible number of '''tiny streets and alleys''' (''pictured'') called Caruggi. * The crown pieces of Greenland's National Museum in [[Nuuk]] are '''500 year old mummies''' discovered in 1978 and remarkably well '''preserved''', with some of their '''facial tattoos still recognisable'''. * [[Buses]] are usually the '''cheapest public transport option''' at least on short distances. [[File:Marlborough Sounds Snout.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Marlborough Sounds]] are a '''visual feast of the interplay between the land, sea, nature and light''' and are divided into the Pelorus Sound and the Queen Charlotte Sound (''pictured'') * Generally, northern [[Vietnamese cuisine]] is known for being '''subtle''', central Vietnamese cuisine is known for being '''spicy''', while southern Vietnamese cuisine is known for being '''sweet'''. * The nearby Pacific Ocean has an '''influence on the weather''' on [[Aconcagua]], and '''storms''' coming in from there can very quickly create extreme weather conditions. [[File:Antonine Wall at Croy Hill - geograph.org.uk - 788015.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Roman-built Antonine Wall''' (''remains pictured'') outside [[Kilsyth]] '''was only held for 8 years''', then the Romans withdrew to Hadrian's Wall. * The Royal Victoria Institute in [[Port of Spain]] houses an extensive collection of '''artifacts and antiques from throughout Trinidad's history'''. * [[Jammu]] is also known as '''City of temples'''. [[File:ParisTNEiffel.jpg|200px|right]] * Visitors come to [[Paris (Tennessee)|Paris, Tennessee]] to see the 70-foot (21 m) '''replica of the Eiffel Tower''' (''pictured'') and for the '''"World's Biggest Fish Fry."''' * The Bonk Museum in [[Uusikaupunki]] '''chronicles the bizarre story''' of Bonk Business Inc, '''a fictional multinational corporation'''. * Like its creator '''Richard the Lionheart''', the stronghold of [[Les Andelys]], Chateâu Gaillard, calls to mind '''strength, power, and invincibility'''. [[File:Puka beach.jpg|200px|right]] * A quiet stretch of white sand along the northern tip of [[Boracay]], Puka Beach (''pictured'') is an i'''mage of what most people expect on a tropical island''': white sand, azure water, and relatively empty. * Originally designed to help stop graffiti and enliven the city's buildings, the '''Mural Arts Program''' has led to [[Philadelphia]] now having the '''largest collection of public art in the world''', with over 3500 murals completed since its inception. * [[Danish]] is '''closely related to Norwegian and Swedish''', and most speakers of one of the three languages can understand the others to a certain extent. [[File:Torre de Menagem at A Cidadela, braganca.jpg|200px|right]] * Torre de Menagem (''pictured'') in [[Bragança]] is the massive keep of a castle belonging to the Dukes of Bragança, the '''last Portuguese royal family.''' * Many foreign visitors to Uganda find that [[Kisoro]] one of the '''nicest areas to spend time in''' with beautiful mountain scenery, smooth roads, and hard-working people eager to please and offer hospitality. * '''Ramna Park''' is one of the largest parks in [[Dhaka]], and seen as the city's equivalent to Kolkata's Maidan and New York City's Central Park. [[File:Punjabi jutti at Dilli Haat.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Patiala]] is a lively city known for its production of handcrafted goods like '''juttis''' (''pictured''), traditional embroidered shoes for women and men alike. * The '''Benteng Oranje fort''' in [[Ternate]] once represented the heart of Dutch operations in the Spice Islands and its '''thick walls that are still in good condition''' despite of frequent earthquakes. <br clear="right" /> ==January 2022== * [[Cologne]] has one of the '''world's best collections of museums and galleries''' for a city of its size. [[File:Red Deer - Aerial - downtown bridges.jpg|200px|right]] * The native name for the river (''pictured'') crossing [[Red Deer]] translates to "Elk River", but is was '''mistranslated by the British traders''', since they mistakenly thought elk were European red deer. * Many people find that they '''learn a language much faster''' if they '''immerse themselves''' by [[Learning languages abroad|traveling to a place where the language is spoken]]. * The '''Seven Beauties Tomb''' (七美人塚) on [[Cimei]] is stone inscription to commemorate the 7 women who took their own lives after pirates raided the island. [[File:Rietveld Schröderhuis HayKranen-20.JPG|200px|right]] * The structure of the Rietveld Schröder House (''pictured'') in [[Utrecht]] is '''completely in line with the ideas of the art movement De Stijl''' (The Style). * [[Whyalla]] Maritime Museum's collection includes the World War II-era corvette HMAS Whyalla which is displayed out of the water; the museum's website labels her '''"the largest landlocked ship in the state"'''. * The [[Pantanal]] is '''certainly a part of the world where there are a lot of birds''', from small and delicate hummingbirds to large ones like the jabiru. [[File:Centro Historico - Cathederal - Merida.JPG|200px|right]] * With a '''consistent colonial style throughout''' (''cathedral pictured''), [[Morelia]] is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. * A major attraction in [[Konya]] are the '''whirling dervish ceremonies''', taking place weekly. * Constructed in 1995 to '''celebrate [[Erie]]'s Bicentennial''', the Bicentennial Tower stands about 100 feet high and one can easily see out to Long Point or over Erie. [[File:A funeral ceremony in Tana Toraja.jpg|200px|right]] * During the '''funeral season''' (peak is in July and August), attending a funeral ceremony (''pictured'') is popular among visitors to [[Tana Toraja]]. * The Banco National Park north of [[Abidjan]] '''features many rare tropical tree species''' like mahogany, avodirés, and waffle wood. * The [[Roman Empire]] was the '''greatest ancient empire of Europe'''. [[File:Medieval laboratory.jpg|200px|right]] * Highlights of the Pharmaceutical museum of [[Cluj-Napoca]] include '''Mummy powder''' used as an expensive cure for all diseases, the '''Elixir of Love''', dentifrice powders and a '''medieval laboratory''' (''pictured'') although little evidence exists that the room was used as a laboratory. * As a result of a '''sugar boom''' in the 19th century, [[Matanzas]] was nicknamed the '''Athens of Cuba''', a monicker that can still be seen around the city today. * If tea is served in a traditional manner in [[Uzbekistan]], the server will '''pour tea into a cup''' from the teapot and then '''pour the tea back into the teapot three times'''. [[File:Pinheiros ao fim da tarde.jpg|200px|right]] * Despite its pollution, the '''Pinheiros river''' (''pictured'') is still the dominating feature in the scenario of the [[São_Paulo/West_Side|West side of São Paulo]]. * The North Carolina State Capitol in [[Raleigh]] is also a '''museum of North Carolina history''', especially the period between the building's construction and the Civil War. * Ima Keithal in [[Imphal]] is a 500-year-old market that could possibly the only market in the world '''run entirely by women'''. [[File:Karen Blixen House, Nairobi, Kenya (22288985045).jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Karen Blixen Museum''' in [[Nairobi]] is '''based on her book Out of Africa''' and located in her former home (''pictured''). * The '''Bulgarian Dead Sea''' outside [[Burgas]] is made up of several small salt ponds for bathing. * '''[[Quito]]'s Old City is the largest in the Americas''' and was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. [[File:Finland 2010-01-09 (4494649174).jpg|200px|right]] * Today [[Along Mannerheimintie|Mannerheimintie]] remains a '''lively street''' passing many of the Helsinki's '''most famous attractions''' (''Parliament, Marshal Mannerheim's statue and National Museum pictured''), and can be considered '''Helsinki's Broadway'''. * Some [[Japanese gardens]] are '''designed to incorporate nearby landscapes or structures '''that are not located in the garden itself but enhance the views. * The main attraction of [[Sleepy Hollow]] is the '''town's association with Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"''', so visit the old churchyard where the Headless Horseman purportedly rests. [[File:Deoksugung-02.jpg|200px|right]] * Deoksu Palace (''pictured'') in [[Seoul/Jung|Seoul]] is unusual as it '''includes a fusion of both Korean and Western architecture'''. * Many countries permit the '''use of [[drones]]''' only where you have applied for and received a permit or appropriate license. * The United States may be the land of the car, but it is also one of the '''greatest countries in the world to be [[Rail travel in the United States|explored by passenger train]].''' [[File:Christuskirche (Windhoek).jpg|200px|right]] * The circular stained-glass window in the facade and all the other stained-glass windows in the Christuskirche (''pictured'') of [[Windhoek]] were '''donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II''' as a gift to the colony. * The National Motor Museum in [[Adelaide]] '''showcases cars and motorcycles from all eras''', also historical car parts, car-related items from repair manuals to petrol station signs and toys. * '''Milk and dairy products''' claim a large section of supermarkets in the Nordic countries, and are important ingredients in [[Nordic cuisine|Nordic diets]]. <br clear="right" /> ==Old discoveries== *[[Project:Discover/2021|2021]] *[[Project:Discover/2020|2020]] *[[Project:Discover/2019|2019]] *[[Project:Discover/2018|2018]] *[[Project:Discover/2017|2017]] *[[Project:Discover/2016|2016]] *[[Project:Discover/2015|2015]] *[[Project:Discover/2014|2014]] *[[Project:Discover/2013|2013]] *[[Project:Discover/2012|2012]] *[[Project:Discover/2011|2011]] *[[Project:Discover/2010|2010]] *[[Project:Discover/2009|2009]] *[[Project:Discover/2008|2008]] *[[Project:Discover/2007|2007]] {{Title-Index page}} tndg2brebiokttxt4rhqm38gr9uz02s 4506573 4506564 2022-08-23T04:47:32Z Ypsilon 1806 Undo revision 4506564 by [[Special:Contributions/Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wikivoyage Photomontage banner.jpg}} The '''Discover''' page is an '''archive''' of about strange but true trivia about destinations around the world, '''previously featured''' in the Discover section on the main page. You can contribute and add or edit future facts to the list '''[[Project:Discover|here]]'''. Previously displayed facts from this year are below. You can find older facts from previous years using the links at the bottom of the page. ==August 2022== [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. * The Guildhall in [[Exeter]] is claimed to be the '''oldest municipal building in England''' still serving its original purpose. [[File:Bathurst1-wiki.jpg|200px|right]] * The Big Pineapple (''pictured'') in [[Bathurst (Eastern Cape)|Bathurst]] is a '''small museum about pineapple farming''', with views of a pineapple farm. * '''Set on deep Lake Superior''', the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, [[Duluth]] can be '''cool or cold''' anytime of year. * [[Santa Rosa (Argentina)|Santa Rosa, Argentina]] features a '''kitschy monument''' to the national drink '''mate'''. [[File:0 Monschau - Eschbachstraße.JPG|200px|right]] * The town of [[Monschau]] (''street view pictured'') is sometimes called the '''"Pearl of the Eifel"'''. * There are '''lots of [[Driving in the United Kingdom|roundabouts (circular/traffic island) in the UK]]''', from large multi-lane roundabouts at dual carriageway junctions to small mini-roundabouts on local streets. * Some may consider [[Fez]] to be the '''handicraft capital of Morocco''', but in reality the quality and value of its wares can be hit and miss. [[File:Amazon Theatre in Manaus.jpg|200px|right]] * Teatro Amazonas (''pictured'') in [[Manaus]] was built during the heyday of rubber trade, using '''materials from all over the world''', and was once visited by '''all the most famous''' opera divas and maestros. * [[Oxnard]]'s cultural, agricultural, and historical heritage comes alive in the '''Heritage Square''' block in downtown. * There are substantial differences between the '''form of [[Tumbuka]]''' spoken in urban areas and the "village" or "deep" Tumbuka spoken in villages. [[File:00 2174 Purnulula-Nationalpark - Western Australia.jpg|200px|right]] * Apart from the indigenous people, '''no one had known''' about the [[Purnululu National Park|Bungle Bungle Ranges]] (''pictured'') until the 1980s. * [[Tirana]] has a museum dedicated to the '''history of Bektashism''', an Islamic Sufistic movement. * The '''[[Danish Empire|Danish Gold Coast]]''' wasn't overly large by most means, and Denmark only possessed a few fortifications along modern-day Ghana. [[File:O'Hare Aeroponic Garden.jpg|200px|right]] * [[O'Hare International Airport]] features an '''aeroponic garden''' (''pictured'') where vegetables and herbs are grown and then used in a few of the terminal's restaurants. * '''Canyon Sainte-Anne''' outside [[Saint-Joachim]] has been accessible to the general public since 1973, but previously, '''Amerindian peoples''' frequented the site. * Established in 1926, the Indian Institute of Technology in [[Dhanbad]] has one of the '''most beautiful engineering campuses''' in India. [[File:Ornäsloft 1.JPG|200px|right]] * The 16th century timber-house Ornässtugan (''pictured'') outside [[Borlänge]] was a '''hideout for the soon-to-be Swedish king''' Gustaf Vasa after the Stockholm Bloodbath. * International mobile [[Internet access|Internet roaming]] can be '''ludicrously expensive'''. <br clear="right" /> ==July 2022== * Puritama in [[San Pedro de Atacama]] is commonly called a hot spring, but is actually a '''warm river'''. [[File:Andrew-johnson-statue-greeneville1.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Greeneville]] you can visit the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site with a '''replica of the president's birth home''' and a '''life-size statue''' (''pictured'') of him. * A [[packing list]] can help make sure you '''have everything you will need''' while you are travelling and at your destination. * Fishing enthusiasts will be interested to know that [[Senegal]] is '''one of the best places in the world to catch fish'''. [[File:Statuia Libertății, Piața Eroilor, Ploiești (3).JPG|200px|right]] * A '''gift from France''' erected in 1881, the Statue of Liberty (''pictured'') in [[Ploiești]] depicts the '''Roman goddess Minerva'''. * Apart from a few historical sites on Tongatapu '''most things to do in [[Tonga]] reflect its island nature'''. * Wolfe Tone Square, the centre of [[Bantry]], was '''created from infill of the harbour''', and Bantry Bay opens from its west end. [[File:The water village.Burnei. (8618046721).jpg|200px|right]] * [[Bandar Seri Begawan|Kampong Ayer]] (''pictured'') is the '''world's biggest settlement on stilts''', has been on the river for over one thousand years and was once the capital of the Bruneian Empire. * In the [[Helsinki/Kruununhaka and Katajanokka|Katajanokka district of Helsinki]] you can '''sleep in a former prison'''. * The '''19th century Puente dela Reina''' is the oldest bridge in [[Ormoc]] but its '''cobblestones are still intact''', relic of an age long gone. [[File:San luis potosi cathedral.jpg|200px|right]] * Catedral de [[San Luis Potosí]] (''pictured'') is possibly one of the '''best known Mexican cathedrals''' by sight. * The state border between Queensland and New South Wales '''winds its way through the twin towns''' of [[Gold Coast/Tweed Heads|Tweed Heads and Coolangatta]] and it is often not obvious which state you are in. * [[Western food in Asia]] is often '''localised''' to the point of being '''hardly recognisable''' to Westerners. [[File:Poliochne.jpg|200px|right]] * Now an '''important archaeological site''' (''pictured''), [[Lemnos|Poliochne]] was the '''best-known city in the northern Aegean''' after Troy in the 3rd millennium BC. * Being cooped up in an airplane can '''expose you to [[Allergies|allergens]]''' while airborne. * [[Chiloé Island|Chiloé]] is famous for '''myths and legends''' with roots in its native Mapuche population. [[File:Mutli.JPG|200px|right]] * Mutli (''pictured'') is a [[Mangalore]]an Christian bread, and a '''speciality from Queen Elizabeth's grandmother's kitchen'''. * Lake Abbe in [[Djibouti]] is '''one of the most desolate places on Earth''' and is dotted with limestone chimneys standing as high of 50 m. * [[Prague/East bank of Vltava|Žižkov]] is said to have '''more bars per capita''' than any other neighborhood in the world. [[File:NelsonBCBakerSt.JPG|200px|right]] * In the 1980s the houses along Baker Street (''pictured'') in [[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson, British Columbia]] were '''restored to their 19th century shape''', and it's now one of the town's main attractions. * The main hospital in [[Cochabamba]], Hospital Viedma, has a '''cute little medical museum''' attached, with some amazing old x-ray machines. [[File:Buffalo - Wings at Airport Anchor Bar.jpg|200px|right]] * No visit to [[Buffalo]] is complete without trying some '''Buffalo wings''' (''pictured''). * In [[Innsbruck]] you can visit a '''museum dedicated to the history of alpinism''', hosted in the Hofburg (imperial palace). * [[Cincinnati]]'s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the '''largest National Historic District''' in the United States. [[File:Owakudani BlackEggs Large.JPG|200px|right]] * A specialty of [[Hakone]] are '''black eggs''' (''pictured'') boiled in sulphurous springs. According to a legend, every one you eat will '''add seven years to your life'''. * The Wat Poramaiyikawat monastery on [[Ko Kret]] is a '''focal point''' of Thailand's small Mon community. * [[Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park|Kutikina Cave]] is archeogically rich, with '''over 30,000 stone artefacts and 200,000 bone fragments''' discovered. [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 46 evening at Marine Drive.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Mumbai]] (''Marine Drive pictured'') is undoubtedly the '''commercial capital of India''' and is one of the predominant '''port cities''' in the country. * [[Tuam]] was effectively the '''capital of Ireland in the 12th century''', when the High King Rory O’Connor resided here. * The Church of St. Ignatius in [[Dubrovnik]] is approached via a '''romantic baroque staircase modelled on the Spanish Steps in Rome'''. <br clear="right" /> ==June 2022== [[File:Allegheny County Courthouse pittsburgh.jpg|200px|right]] * A gorgeous stone building built in 1884, the '''Allegheny County Courthouse''' (''pictured'') in [[Pittsburgh/Downtown|Downtown Pittsburgh]] now houses the county government. * There is '''no value-added tax''' in [[Eilat]], and many '''duty free shops''' line the boardwalk culminating in duty free shopping centers. * [[Lagos City/Victoria Island|Victoria Island]] is the '''primary business and financial centre''' of West Africa's largest city. [[File:Marble bay, Thasos.jpg|200px|right]] * Now a beach, Marble Bay (''pictured'') in [[Thasos]] is indeed a '''white marble sand bay''' which was used for the shipment of marble, with '''crystal clear waters'''. * There are '''only two cities''' in the United States situated on an isthmus, [[Madison]] and [[Seattle]]. * The [[Brotherhood and Unity Highway]] was an '''important route between Western and Southeastern Europe''' during the Cold War. [[File:Francesinha (48159444066).jpg|200px|right]] * Francesinha (''pictured'') is a [[Portuguese cuisine|meat sandwich from Porto]] inspired by France's croque-monsieur, and the name translates as '''"little French girl"'''. * [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] contains a '''perfect combination''' of the old and new Canada. * The [[Mývatn]] area is known for hverabrauð, a '''delicious, one-of-a-kind molasses bread''' that is slow-baked for 24 hours underground by '''natural geothermal heat.''' [[File:Olangoegret.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Olango Island|Olango Wildlife Sanctuary]] is very popular with bird watchers; '''close to a hundred bird species''' (''egrets pictured'') are found here, about half of them migratory and half permanent residents. * Out of more than a thousand [[world heritage sites]], '''only a little over 200 sites''' are in the New World (Americas and Oceania). * Nowadays a museum, Zeughaus in [[Graz]] was '''originally built to readily equip the people''' in the event of an attack, and so the weapons you'll see there were '''made for use, not show'''. [[File:Cocoa House, Ibadan.JPG|200px|right]] * Completed in 1965, the Cocoa House (''pictured'') in [[Ibadan]] was the '''first skyscraper in West Africa'''. * The reasons that [[El Mirador]] is not swamped with tourists are its '''inaccessibility''' and that most of this huge site involves many '''unrestored mounds and pyramids''' in the jungle. * [[Kiama]] is located on some of the '''most picturesque and beautiful coastline''' on the South Coast of New South Wales. [[File:Rainbow Beach.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Chicago/Chatham-South Shore|Rainbow Beach]] has '''lovely South Side views''' (''pictured'') of the Chicago Skyline. * [[Driving in Morocco|Roundabouts in Morocco]] have '''contrarian and inconsistent rules''', sometimes cars entering have to yield, other times the cars in the roundabout. * The restaurants of [[Cayenne]] reflects the '''ethnic mosaic''' of the Guyanese society. [[File:Åbo strandpromenad september 2021.jpg|200px|right]] * A walk (''path pictured'') [[Turku riverside walk|along the Aurajoki river]] is a nice way to experience some '''aspects of Turku'''. * The small town of [[Kittery]], Maine, features dozens of '''outlet stores'''. * The Devi Talab Mandir in [[Jalandhar]] is a '''replica of the Golden Temple in Amritsar'''. [[File:La Bocca tango.jpg|200px|right]] * A trip to [[Buenos Aires]] is not complete without some sort of experience of the '''tango''' (''dancers pictured''), the national dance of Argentina. * In [[Jinju]] there are many sites and events related to the '''16th century Imjin War'''. * In the '''National Botanical Garden''' in [[Bloemfontein]] you can see about '''400 species of native plants''', as well as birds, mammals and reptiles. [[File:La Batte Liège.JPG|200px|right]] * The weekly Marché de la Batte (''pictured''), stretching along the Meuse River in [[Liège]] is '''one of the longest markets in Europe.''' * A highlight at the [[Varna]] Archaeological Museum is the Gold of Varna, the '''oldest gold treasure in the world''', dating to 4600-4200 BCE. * [[Saltillo]] features a '''museum of the (Chihuaua) desert and of the birds of Mexico''' showcasing nearly every bird species in the country. [[File:Spa Pool.jpg|200px|right]] * The Hamersley Gorge (''Spa Pool pictured'') is probably the '''most scenic corner of [[Karijini National Park]]'''. * The United States is a '''[[Hiking in the United States|good place for hiking]]''' owing to its many open spaces. * '''Bahrain Fort''' [[Manama|on the island’s north coast]], was built in the 14th century, but excavations have revealed it was '''built on the site of Dilmun settlements, dating back to 3,000 BC'''. <br clear="right" /> ==May 2022== [[File:Colby miller library.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Waterville (Maine)|Waterville, Maine]] you can stroll around the '''tree-studded hilltop Colby College Campus''' (''Miller Library pictured'') with its fine Neo-Georgian architecture. * Semi-submarine tours offer guests an '''underwater ride through the [[Budva]] Bay.''' * The Airborne Museum Hartenstein is dedicated to the '''Battle of [[Arnhem]]''', fought in September 1944. [[File:Dipolog Cathedral (2016).jpg|200px|right]] * The main attraction of the [[Dipolog]] Cathedral (''pictured'') is the '''ceiling made of Philippine hardwood'''. * Usually one's '''ability to access [[lounges|airport lounges]]''' depends on one's class of travel, frequent flyer membership tier, or membership in an independent lounge access scheme. * [[Tashkent]]'s Treasury of Ancient Oriental Manuscripts is listed by UNESCO as one of the '''richest manuscript repositories''' in the world. [[File:StockholmStadshuset.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Stockholm/Kungsholmen|Stockholm City Hall]] (''pictured'') is where the '''Nobel Prize Banquet''' takes place every year. * The '''Sapporo Beer Factory''' in [[Hita]] is a must-visit attraction for fans of Japanese beer. * While it may come to a surprise for some, [[Australian cuisine]] is '''far from the cuisine of Britain and Ireland'''. [[File:Ouarzazate kasbah.JPG|200px|right]] * Kasbah Taourirt (''pictured'') is a '''well preserved kasbah''' in [[Ouarzazate]] with a '''permanent exhibition''' of works by various artists inside. * The finest feature of [[Denbigh]] Castle is the '''triple-towered Great Gatehouse'''. * At the [[Dhaka/North|Dhaka Zoo]] you can see the '''majestic Royal Bengal Tiger'''. [[File:Cartagena skyline from the city walls.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Cartagena (Colombia)|Cartagena]] (''pictured'') has '''several faces'''; one of a dirty, sprawling '''Caribbean metropolis''', in Bocagrande the one of a '''massive "hotel ghetto"''' and finally the old town with its well-polished face of a '''once affluent colonial city'''. * The [[Zhudong]] Timber Industry Exhibition Hall features the '''history of timber industry in Taiwan''' and traditional logging equipment. * In the '''Battleship Memorial Park''' in [[Mobile]] you can tour the World War II battleship USS Alabama and the World War II submarine the USS Drum. [[File:Otranto cathedral crypta 2.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Otranto]] Cathedral represents an '''interesting mixture of Byzantine and Romanesque elements''' including a crypt (''pictured'') resembling the Mezquita of Córdoba. * Many important [[Rail travel in India|Indian trains]] have a '''foreign tourist quota''' available for foreigners or holders of an IndRail pass. * [[Kainji National Park]] is one of the '''largest game reserves''' in West Africa. [[File:Sign ErrantGolfBalls.JPG|200px|right]] * Signs (''pictured'') around the Ocean Club on [[Paradise Island]] warn of the danger of '''getting bonked on the head by an errant golf ball''' which is indeed probably the main security risk there. * [[Luang Prabang]] owes its present name to the Pha Bang, a '''revered Buddha image''' brought to the city by King Visoun in the early 1500s. * [[Dutch]] has some '''vowel sounds that are not known in many other languages''' so they may be hard to learn. [[File:Anderps 067.JPG|200px|right]] * '''Pedra Furada''' (''pictured'') - the "pierced" or "arched" rock - has become the symbol of [[Jijoca de Jericoacoara|Jericoacoara]]. * The Jubilee Clock in [[Douglas (Isle of Man)|Douglas]] commemorates the '''Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign''' (1887). * A range of 21 '''murals''' on the sides of buildings in [[Kenora]] and nearby Keewatin depict '''events and scenes relative to local history'''. [[File:Osaka Castle 03bs3200.jpg|200px|right]] * A '''concrete reconstruction''', [[Osaka/Osaka castle|Osaka Castle]] (''pictured'') is more of a '''museum built in the shape of a castle''', rather than a historical Japanese castle. * Throughout [[San Pedro Sula]] and neighboring cities, you can find '''amazing markets''' where you can buy artisanal items like leather work, textiles, silver and jewelry. * '''Beaches''' in [[Cancún]] are for the more advanced swimmers, the edge of the open ocean can make for a '''challenging and fun swimming experience'''. [[File:Chamberyelephants.JPG|200px|right]] * The Elephants Fountain (''pictured'') in [[Chambéry]] with its four elephant "busts" is '''affectionately called the "four buttless'''" by locals. * Finland has a diverse nature, with '''forests, fells, mires, bogs, lakes and islands''' featuring in many of the [[Finnish national parks|country's national parks]]. * [[Altitude sickness]] is a '''reaction to the lower amounts of oxygen available at high altitudes''' due to the lower air pressure. [[File:Tangier Medina 3.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Tangier]] is '''very easy to navigate around - except the Medina''' (old town), a complex array of alleyways some of which can only be accessed on foot (''pictured''). <br clear="right" /> ==April 2022== * The '''International Antarctic Centre''' in [[Christchurch]] features simulated polar weather, a Hagglund all-terrain vehicle ride, penguins, and extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions. * [[Astoria]] is famous for being the terminus for the '''Lewis and Clark Expedition'''. [[File:ReU_PtFournaiseVulkankegel.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Réunion National Park]] (''pictured'') in Réunion is '''one of three French national parks outside France''' and is home to the '''Piton de la Fournaise''', a UNESCO World Heritage Site. * Since many foreigners congregate there, [[Itaewon]] in Seoul remains somewhat of a '''niche nightlife area''' for Koreans interested in a more international scene. * [[Jamnagar]] is famous for its '''brass manufacturing''' and you can buy all kinds of locally made brass components in town. [[File:Brocken brockenbahn im gegenlicht ds wv 02 2008.jpg|200px|right]] * A quite popular way to get to the [[Brocken]] is the '''narrow-gauge Brockenbahn operated by steam trains''' (''pictured''). * Adelaide's [[Adelaide/Belair National Park|Belair National Park]] is one of the '''most easily accessible national parks in South Australia''' * The '''[[architecture]] of a place''' is often a tourist attraction in its own right. [[File:South Africa-Gauteng-Pretoria-Union Buildings02.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Union Buildings''' in [[Pretoria]] (''pictured'') houses the South African presidency and can't be visited, but its '''beautiful terraced gardens''', which boast a wide variety of indigenous plants, are open to the public. * [[Cádiz]] is the '''oldest continuously inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula''' and one of the oldest in all southwestern Europe. * [[Camping in Israel]] gives a '''very different experience for those used to that of Europe'''. [[File:Oslcheckin.JPG|200px|right]] * '''Wood''' has been extensively used in the '''interior of the check-in hall''' (''pictured'') at [[Oslo Airport, Gardermoen]]. * There have been '''58 unique dinosaur species''' discovered in Alberta's [[Dinosaur Provincial Park]]. * The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in [[Salisbury (Maryland)|Salisbury, Maryland]] houses the '''world's largest collection of wildfowl carvings.''' [[File:Huaca Pucllana, Lima, Perú, 2015-07-28, DD 128.JPG|200px|right]] * A huge, 22 m high pre-Columbian construction, [[Lima/Miraflores|Pucllana]] (''pictured'') is made from '''small handmade, sun-dried bricks'''. * [[Härnösand]] in Central Sweden '''was once an administrative centre'''. * The town of [[Joggins]] in Nova Scotia has some fossil cliffs which contain fossils '''which date to more than 310 million years ago''' [[File:Daintree Rainforest - 2013.04 - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Daintree Rainforest]] (''pictured'') in Tropical North Queensland is '''the oldest living rainforest in the world''' * [[Hiking in Estonia]] there's '''much nature to enjoy''' due to low population density, yet you will never be more than a day's walk away from civilization. * The [[Dawson City|City of Dawson]] and the nearby ghost town of Forty Mile (together with Skagway) are '''featured prominently in the novels and short stories of American author Jack London''', including The Call of the Wild. [[File:Eiffel tower panorama.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''[[Eiffel Tower]]''' (''pictured'') '''was almost torn down in 1909''' and only saved due to its use as a telegraphy antenna. * In [[Faroese]], '''accented vowels''' are treated as letters in their own right, with their own pronunciation. * At Point-au-Père, a small town near [[Rimouski]], there's the Site historique maritime which marks the '''official dividing point between the St. Lawrence River and the open Gulf.''' [[File:Doha Karwa public bus.jpg|200px|right]] * '''Virtually all public transit''' in [[Qatar]] - buses (''public bus pictured''), taxis and limousines - is '''operated by government-owned Mowasalat (Karwa).''' * The majority of the [[South Tyrol]]ean population is '''German-speaking''' and in some valleys it's the totality. * The Northern Weapon City in [[Baotou]] is an '''outdoor park''' with a '''collection of mainly artillery pieces''' manufactured by local arms maker Northern Heavy Industries Group. [[File:PortLucayaMarketplaceEntrance.jpg|200px|right]] * Port Lucaya (''pictured'') in [[Freeport (Bahamas)|Freeport]] is '''the tourist "hub" of Grand Bahama''' and is the location of many restaurants and shops. * To enter [[French Guiana]], '''holding a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory''', regardless of citizenship or where you've recently been. * In the 1920s [[Juba]] grew rapidly, and about 2,000 Greeks lived there working as merchants and tradesmen and many '''notable buildings''' in the city date from this era. [[File:Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric station.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Krasnoyarsk]] hydroelectric dam (''pictured''), 20 km upstream from the city, '''significantly influences the local climate''' as it releases unfrozen water year-round, including in the bitterly-cold Siberian winter. <br clear="right" /> ==March 2022== * There are '''no capital letters''' in [[Georgian phrasebook|Georgian]]. * In [[Bhutan]] the '''sale of tobacco products is banned''' and '''smoking in public areas is a fineable offence'''. [[File:King John's Castle in Limerick.jpg|200px|right]] * King John's Castle (''pictured'') in [[Limerick]] was built 13th century by King John over an '''earlier Viking fortification'''. * Much of Seodong Park in [[Buyeo]] is made up of a '''pond shaped as a lotus'''. * For many thousands of years prior to British settlement, the [[Brisbane]] area was inhabited by the '''Turrbal and Jagera Aboriginal people'''. [[File:HMCSHaidaHamiltonA.JPG|200px|right]] * At Pier 9 in [[Hamilton_(Ontario)|Hamilton]] you can visit '''HMCS Haida''' (''pictured''), the "Fightingest Ship in the Royal Canada Navy". * [[Cairo/Old Cairo|Old Cairo]] is the home of Cairo's '''Coptic Christian''' community. * As for other icons of Bavarian culture, many [[Bavarian cuisine|Bavarian dishes]] are '''known around the world as "German"''', though far from all of them are popular throughout Germany. [[File:NiceColline.JPG|200px|right]] * Colline du Château (''pictured'') overlooking the Baie des Anges and harbour offers a '''spectacular vantage point''' overlooking [[Nice]]. * [[Kurseong]] is home to the '''costliest teas''' in the world. * [[Tega Cay]] '''means "beautiful peninsula" in Polynesian''', however the city is '''nowhere near''' Polynesia, but in South Carolina. [[File:Great Mosque of Gaza - Alafrangi.jpg|200px|right]] * The Grand Omari Mosque (''pictured'') of [[Gaza]] '''makes up for its lacklustre appearance with an interesting history''': it's a converted Crusader church built on the site of a Hellenic temple with pillars from a 3rd-century Jewish synagogue. * [[Ypres]] is best known as the site of '''three major battles''' of the First World War. * '''The River Cat statue''' is famous statue of a giant cat that, along with the statue of Belalcazar, the Three Crosses, and Jesus, has become a '''symbol for [[Cali]].''' [[File:Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia.jpg|200px|right]] * Hutt Lagoon (''pictured''), 55 km south of [[Kalbarri]] is a '''lurid pink salt lake'''. The colour is from algae, which synthesise β-Carotene. * Many places where [[leave-no-trace camping]] is required feature '''established trails'''. * '''The Clowns Archive''' in [[London/Hackney|Hackney]] shows an unique collection of faces on eggs. [[File:Mt Rainier stream.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Mount Rainier]] (''pictured''), at 14,410 feet (4,390 m), is the '''most prominent peak''' in the Cascade Range. * While [[Pattaya]] is famous as a '''sex tourist''' destination, '''you don't necessarily have to partake''' in order to experience the nightlife and many visitors come over '''just to see what the fuss is about'''. * With more than 10,000 works on display, the '''Museum of the Cinema''' is a testimony to the history and cinematic activity in [[Odessa]]. [[File:Tajine Moroccan.jpg|200px|right]] * One literally cannot be in [[Morocco]] without seeing a '''"tagine the dish"''' on the menu or a '''"tagine, the cooking ware"''' (''both pictured'') in the wild at least once. * Being one of the older German cities, [[Worms]] has '''played a key role''' in German history. * In [[Zhengzhou]] you can visit a natural history museum '''focused on the Yellow River'''. [[File:Echinocereus engelmannii and Cylindropuntia bigelovii at Joshua Tree NP.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Joshua Tree National Park]] '''springtime wildflowers''' (''Echinocereus engelmannii and Cylindropuntia bigelovii pictured'') come in numerous varieties and can produce '''extraordinarily colorful displays''', especially following wet winters. * The Pottery Hall of the [[Jos]] National Museum has an '''exceptional collection of finely crafted pottery''' from all over Nigeria. * '''Bushwalking''' is a very popular pastime in the [[Blue Mountains National Park]] and there are a number of '''well-maintained trails''' that will offer you the opportunity to go down into the valley floor, viewing the changing vegetation as you descend. [[File:Ballina, Co. Tipperary, Ireland - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Killaloe (Ireland)|Killaloe]]-Ballina bridge (''pictured'') over the Shannon is a '''handsome 13-arch structure'''. * '''[[Traveling with pets]]''' can be difficult because laws vary widely from country to country. * [[Carita]] offers '''panoramic views of the Krakatau volcano''' rising above the horizon in Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. [[File:L7 Tehran Metro 2019 01.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Tehran]]'s metro system (''station and train pictured'') has seven lines that will '''whisk you quickly from one end of the city to the other''' without having to deal with the '''noise, pollution and chaos of Tehrani traffic'''. * The Museum and Historical Archives of [[Presidente Prudente]] is housed in the '''baroque-style old Municipal Slaughterhouse'''. * The '''traces of radium''' in '''[[Nishiawakura#Do|Awakura Onsen]]''' are said to stimulate '''radium hormesis''', which can activate metabolism, boost the immune system, and decrease cancer mortality. <br clear="right" /> ==February 2022== * [[Claremont (California)|Claremont, California]] is known for the trees lining its streets and as the home of the elite Claremont Colleges, which together have given it the nickname '''"City of Trees and PhDs"'''. [[File:SkellefteåChurchtown2.JPG|200px|right]] * The Church Town (''pictured'') in [[Skellefteå]] consists of 116 '''wooden cottages''' that once were built for families that had to '''travel a long way''' to attend Sunday masses at the city church. * [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] '''can be entered only from Armenia''', though doing so is considered an '''illegal entry''' into Azerbaijani territory by Azerbaijan. * The [[Oak Trail (Epping Forest)|Oak Trail]] just outside London passes a '''2,500-year-old earthwork'''. [[File:Black Palace 4.jpg|200px|right]] * '''King Sihanouk's old swimming pool''' (''pictured'') is now part of [[Bokor National Park]]. * '''Sand dunes''' in [[Mojave National Preserve]] make a '''booming sound''' when conditions are right. * [[Dubai]] has a justified reputation as a '''concrete jungle''', but there are '''nice pockets of greenery''' within the city. [[File:Genova - Vico Calvi - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Genoa]] has '''one of Europe's largest preserved historical centers''', made up of an incredible number of '''tiny streets and alleys''' (''pictured'') called Caruggi. * The crown pieces of Greenland's National Museum in [[Nuuk]] are '''500 year old mummies''' discovered in 1978 and remarkably well '''preserved''', with some of their '''facial tattoos still recognisable'''. * [[Buses]] are usually the '''cheapest public transport option''' at least on short distances. [[File:Marlborough Sounds Snout.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Marlborough Sounds]] are a '''visual feast of the interplay between the land, sea, nature and light''' and are divided into the Pelorus Sound and the Queen Charlotte Sound (''pictured'') * Generally, northern [[Vietnamese cuisine]] is known for being '''subtle''', central Vietnamese cuisine is known for being '''spicy''', while southern Vietnamese cuisine is known for being '''sweet'''. * The nearby Pacific Ocean has an '''influence on the weather''' on [[Aconcagua]], and '''storms''' coming in from there can very quickly create extreme weather conditions. [[File:Antonine Wall at Croy Hill - geograph.org.uk - 788015.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Roman-built Antonine Wall''' (''remains pictured'') outside [[Kilsyth]] '''was only held for 8 years''', then the Romans withdrew to Hadrian's Wall. * The Royal Victoria Institute in [[Port of Spain]] houses an extensive collection of '''artifacts and antiques from throughout Trinidad's history'''. * [[Jammu]] is also known as '''City of temples'''. [[File:ParisTNEiffel.jpg|200px|right]] * Visitors come to [[Paris (Tennessee)|Paris, Tennessee]] to see the 70-foot (21 m) '''replica of the Eiffel Tower''' (''pictured'') and for the '''"World's Biggest Fish Fry."''' * The Bonk Museum in [[Uusikaupunki]] '''chronicles the bizarre story''' of Bonk Business Inc, '''a fictional multinational corporation'''. * Like its creator '''Richard the Lionheart''', the stronghold of [[Les Andelys]], Chateâu Gaillard, calls to mind '''strength, power, and invincibility'''. [[File:Puka beach.jpg|200px|right]] * A quiet stretch of white sand along the northern tip of [[Boracay]], Puka Beach (''pictured'') is an i'''mage of what most people expect on a tropical island''': white sand, azure water, and relatively empty. * Originally designed to help stop graffiti and enliven the city's buildings, the '''Mural Arts Program''' has led to [[Philadelphia]] now having the '''largest collection of public art in the world''', with over 3500 murals completed since its inception. * [[Danish]] is '''closely related to Norwegian and Swedish''', and most speakers of one of the three languages can understand the others to a certain extent. [[File:Torre de Menagem at A Cidadela, braganca.jpg|200px|right]] * Torre de Menagem (''pictured'') in [[Bragança]] is the massive keep of a castle belonging to the Dukes of Bragança, the '''last Portuguese royal family.''' * Many foreign visitors to Uganda find that [[Kisoro]] one of the '''nicest areas to spend time in''' with beautiful mountain scenery, smooth roads, and hard-working people eager to please and offer hospitality. * '''Ramna Park''' is one of the largest parks in [[Dhaka]], and seen as the city's equivalent to Kolkata's Maidan and New York City's Central Park. [[File:Punjabi jutti at Dilli Haat.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Patiala]] is a lively city known for its production of handcrafted goods like '''juttis''' (''pictured''), traditional embroidered shoes for women and men alike. * The '''Benteng Oranje fort''' in [[Ternate]] once represented the heart of Dutch operations in the Spice Islands and its '''thick walls that are still in good condition''' despite of frequent earthquakes. <br clear="right" /> ==January 2022== * [[Cologne]] has one of the '''world's best collections of museums and galleries''' for a city of its size. [[File:Red Deer - Aerial - downtown bridges.jpg|200px|right]] * The native name for the river (''pictured'') crossing [[Red Deer]] translates to "Elk River", but is was '''mistranslated by the British traders''', since they mistakenly thought elk were European red deer. * Many people find that they '''learn a language much faster''' if they '''immerse themselves''' by [[Learning languages abroad|traveling to a place where the language is spoken]]. * The '''Seven Beauties Tomb''' (七美人塚) on [[Cimei]] is stone inscription to commemorate the 7 women who took their own lives after pirates raided the island. [[File:Rietveld Schröderhuis HayKranen-20.JPG|200px|right]] * The structure of the Rietveld Schröder House (''pictured'') in [[Utrecht]] is '''completely in line with the ideas of the art movement De Stijl''' (The Style). * [[Whyalla]] Maritime Museum's collection includes the World War II-era corvette HMAS Whyalla which is displayed out of the water; the museum's website labels her '''"the largest landlocked ship in the state"'''. * The [[Pantanal]] is '''certainly a part of the world where there are a lot of birds''', from small and delicate hummingbirds to large ones like the jabiru. [[File:Centro Historico - Cathederal - Merida.JPG|200px|right]] * With a '''consistent colonial style throughout''' (''cathedral pictured''), [[Morelia]] is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. * A major attraction in [[Konya]] are the '''whirling dervish ceremonies''', taking place weekly. * Constructed in 1995 to '''celebrate [[Erie]]'s Bicentennial''', the Bicentennial Tower stands about 100 feet high and one can easily see out to Long Point or over Erie. [[File:A funeral ceremony in Tana Toraja.jpg|200px|right]] * During the '''funeral season''' (peak is in July and August), attending a funeral ceremony (''pictured'') is popular among visitors to [[Tana Toraja]]. * The Banco National Park north of [[Abidjan]] '''features many rare tropical tree species''' like mahogany, avodirés, and waffle wood. * The [[Roman Empire]] was the '''greatest ancient empire of Europe'''. [[File:Medieval laboratory.jpg|200px|right]] * Highlights of the Pharmaceutical museum of [[Cluj-Napoca]] include '''Mummy powder''' used as an expensive cure for all diseases, the '''Elixir of Love''', dentifrice powders and a '''medieval laboratory''' (''pictured'') although little evidence exists that the room was used as a laboratory. * As a result of a '''sugar boom''' in the 19th century, [[Matanzas]] was nicknamed the '''Athens of Cuba''', a monicker that can still be seen around the city today. * If tea is served in a traditional manner in [[Uzbekistan]], the server will '''pour tea into a cup''' from the teapot and then '''pour the tea back into the teapot three times'''. [[File:Pinheiros ao fim da tarde.jpg|200px|right]] * Despite its pollution, the '''Pinheiros river''' (''pictured'') is still the dominating feature in the scenario of the [[São_Paulo/West_Side|West side of São Paulo]]. * The North Carolina State Capitol in [[Raleigh]] is also a '''museum of North Carolina history''', especially the period between the building's construction and the Civil War. * Ima Keithal in [[Imphal]] is a 500-year-old market that could possibly the only market in the world '''run entirely by women'''. [[File:Karen Blixen House, Nairobi, Kenya (22288985045).jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Karen Blixen Museum''' in [[Nairobi]] is '''based on her book Out of Africa''' and located in her former home (''pictured''). * The '''Bulgarian Dead Sea''' outside [[Burgas]] is made up of several small salt ponds for bathing. * '''[[Quito]]'s Old City is the largest in the Americas''' and was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. [[File:Finland 2010-01-09 (4494649174).jpg|200px|right]] * Today [[Along Mannerheimintie|Mannerheimintie]] remains a '''lively street''' passing many of the Helsinki's '''most famous attractions''' (''Parliament, Marshal Mannerheim's statue and National Museum pictured''), and can be considered '''Helsinki's Broadway'''. * Some [[Japanese gardens]] are '''designed to incorporate nearby landscapes or structures '''that are not located in the garden itself but enhance the views. * The main attraction of [[Sleepy Hollow]] is the '''town's association with Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"''', so visit the old churchyard where the Headless Horseman purportedly rests. [[File:Deoksugung-02.jpg|200px|right]] * Deoksu Palace (''pictured'') in [[Seoul/Jung|Seoul]] is unusual as it '''includes a fusion of both Korean and Western architecture'''. * Many countries permit the '''use of [[drones]]''' only where you have applied for and received a permit or appropriate license. * The United States may be the land of the car, but it is also one of the '''greatest countries in the world to be [[Rail travel in the United States|explored by passenger train]].''' [[File:Christuskirche (Windhoek).jpg|200px|right]] * The circular stained-glass window in the facade and all the other stained-glass windows in the Christuskirche (''pictured'') of [[Windhoek]] were '''donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II''' as a gift to the colony. * The National Motor Museum in [[Adelaide]] '''showcases cars and motorcycles from all eras''', also historical car parts, car-related items from repair manuals to petrol station signs and toys. * '''Milk and dairy products''' claim a large section of supermarkets in the Nordic countries, and are important ingredients in [[Nordic cuisine|Nordic diets]]. <br clear="right" /> ==Old discoveries== *[[Project:Discover/2021|2021]] *[[Project:Discover/2020|2020]] *[[Project:Discover/2019|2019]] *[[Project:Discover/2018|2018]] *[[Project:Discover/2017|2017]] *[[Project:Discover/2016|2016]] *[[Project:Discover/2015|2015]] *[[Project:Discover/2014|2014]] *[[Project:Discover/2013|2013]] *[[Project:Discover/2012|2012]] *[[Project:Discover/2011|2011]] *[[Project:Discover/2010|2010]] *[[Project:Discover/2009|2009]] *[[Project:Discover/2008|2008]] *[[Project:Discover/2007|2007]] {{Title-Index page}} o58uaphft6edimtfcvs5uh4cxj8pzra 4506575 4506573 2022-08-23T04:49:26Z Ypsilon 1806 /* August 2022 */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wikivoyage Photomontage banner.jpg}} The '''Discover''' page is an '''archive''' of about strange but true trivia about destinations around the world, '''previously featured''' in the Discover section on the main page. You can contribute and add or edit future facts to the list '''[[Project:Discover|here]]'''. Previously displayed facts from this year are below. You can find older facts from previous years using the links at the bottom of the page. ==August 2022== [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * The mountains on the [[Musandam Peninsula]] have housed '''extremely isolated communities''' for centuries and many coastal villages can only be reached by boat. [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. * The Guildhall in [[Exeter]] is claimed to be the '''oldest municipal building in England''' still serving its original purpose. [[File:Bathurst1-wiki.jpg|200px|right]] * The Big Pineapple (''pictured'') in [[Bathurst (Eastern Cape)|Bathurst]] is a '''small museum about pineapple farming''', with views of a pineapple farm. * '''Set on deep Lake Superior''', the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, [[Duluth]] can be '''cool or cold''' anytime of year. * [[Santa Rosa (Argentina)|Santa Rosa, Argentina]] features a '''kitschy monument''' to the national drink '''mate'''. [[File:0 Monschau - Eschbachstraße.JPG|200px|right]] * The town of [[Monschau]] (''street view pictured'') is sometimes called the '''"Pearl of the Eifel"'''. * There are '''lots of [[Driving in the United Kingdom|roundabouts (circular/traffic island) in the UK]]''', from large multi-lane roundabouts at dual carriageway junctions to small mini-roundabouts on local streets. * Some may consider [[Fez]] to be the '''handicraft capital of Morocco''', but in reality the quality and value of its wares can be hit and miss. [[File:Amazon Theatre in Manaus.jpg|200px|right]] * Teatro Amazonas (''pictured'') in [[Manaus]] was built during the heyday of rubber trade, using '''materials from all over the world''', and was once visited by '''all the most famous''' opera divas and maestros. * [[Oxnard]]'s cultural, agricultural, and historical heritage comes alive in the '''Heritage Square''' block in downtown. * There are substantial differences between the '''form of [[Tumbuka]]''' spoken in urban areas and the "village" or "deep" Tumbuka spoken in villages. [[File:00 2174 Purnulula-Nationalpark - Western Australia.jpg|200px|right]] * Apart from the indigenous people, '''no one had known''' about the [[Purnululu National Park|Bungle Bungle Ranges]] (''pictured'') until the 1980s. * [[Tirana]] has a museum dedicated to the '''history of Bektashism''', an Islamic Sufistic movement. * The '''[[Danish Empire|Danish Gold Coast]]''' wasn't overly large by most means, and Denmark only possessed a few fortifications along modern-day Ghana. [[File:O'Hare Aeroponic Garden.jpg|200px|right]] * [[O'Hare International Airport]] features an '''aeroponic garden''' (''pictured'') where vegetables and herbs are grown and then used in a few of the terminal's restaurants. * '''Canyon Sainte-Anne''' outside [[Saint-Joachim]] has been accessible to the general public since 1973, but previously, '''Amerindian peoples''' frequented the site. * Established in 1926, the Indian Institute of Technology in [[Dhanbad]] has one of the '''most beautiful engineering campuses''' in India. [[File:Ornäsloft 1.JPG|200px|right]] * The 16th century timber-house Ornässtugan (''pictured'') outside [[Borlänge]] was a '''hideout for the soon-to-be Swedish king''' Gustaf Vasa after the Stockholm Bloodbath. * International mobile [[Internet access|Internet roaming]] can be '''ludicrously expensive'''. <br clear="right" /> ==July 2022== * Puritama in [[San Pedro de Atacama]] is commonly called a hot spring, but is actually a '''warm river'''. [[File:Andrew-johnson-statue-greeneville1.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Greeneville]] you can visit the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site with a '''replica of the president's birth home''' and a '''life-size statue''' (''pictured'') of him. * A [[packing list]] can help make sure you '''have everything you will need''' while you are travelling and at your destination. * Fishing enthusiasts will be interested to know that [[Senegal]] is '''one of the best places in the world to catch fish'''. [[File:Statuia Libertății, Piața Eroilor, Ploiești (3).JPG|200px|right]] * A '''gift from France''' erected in 1881, the Statue of Liberty (''pictured'') in [[Ploiești]] depicts the '''Roman goddess Minerva'''. * Apart from a few historical sites on Tongatapu '''most things to do in [[Tonga]] reflect its island nature'''. * Wolfe Tone Square, the centre of [[Bantry]], was '''created from infill of the harbour''', and Bantry Bay opens from its west end. [[File:The water village.Burnei. (8618046721).jpg|200px|right]] * [[Bandar Seri Begawan|Kampong Ayer]] (''pictured'') is the '''world's biggest settlement on stilts''', has been on the river for over one thousand years and was once the capital of the Bruneian Empire. * In the [[Helsinki/Kruununhaka and Katajanokka|Katajanokka district of Helsinki]] you can '''sleep in a former prison'''. * The '''19th century Puente dela Reina''' is the oldest bridge in [[Ormoc]] but its '''cobblestones are still intact''', relic of an age long gone. [[File:San luis potosi cathedral.jpg|200px|right]] * Catedral de [[San Luis Potosí]] (''pictured'') is possibly one of the '''best known Mexican cathedrals''' by sight. * The state border between Queensland and New South Wales '''winds its way through the twin towns''' of [[Gold Coast/Tweed Heads|Tweed Heads and Coolangatta]] and it is often not obvious which state you are in. * [[Western food in Asia]] is often '''localised''' to the point of being '''hardly recognisable''' to Westerners. [[File:Poliochne.jpg|200px|right]] * Now an '''important archaeological site''' (''pictured''), [[Lemnos|Poliochne]] was the '''best-known city in the northern Aegean''' after Troy in the 3rd millennium BC. * Being cooped up in an airplane can '''expose you to [[Allergies|allergens]]''' while airborne. * [[Chiloé Island|Chiloé]] is famous for '''myths and legends''' with roots in its native Mapuche population. [[File:Mutli.JPG|200px|right]] * Mutli (''pictured'') is a [[Mangalore]]an Christian bread, and a '''speciality from Queen Elizabeth's grandmother's kitchen'''. * Lake Abbe in [[Djibouti]] is '''one of the most desolate places on Earth''' and is dotted with limestone chimneys standing as high of 50 m. * [[Prague/East bank of Vltava|Žižkov]] is said to have '''more bars per capita''' than any other neighborhood in the world. [[File:NelsonBCBakerSt.JPG|200px|right]] * In the 1980s the houses along Baker Street (''pictured'') in [[Nelson (British Columbia)|Nelson, British Columbia]] were '''restored to their 19th century shape''', and it's now one of the town's main attractions. * The main hospital in [[Cochabamba]], Hospital Viedma, has a '''cute little medical museum''' attached, with some amazing old x-ray machines. [[File:Buffalo - Wings at Airport Anchor Bar.jpg|200px|right]] * No visit to [[Buffalo]] is complete without trying some '''Buffalo wings''' (''pictured''). * In [[Innsbruck]] you can visit a '''museum dedicated to the history of alpinism''', hosted in the Hofburg (imperial palace). * [[Cincinnati]]'s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the '''largest National Historic District''' in the United States. [[File:Owakudani BlackEggs Large.JPG|200px|right]] * A specialty of [[Hakone]] are '''black eggs''' (''pictured'') boiled in sulphurous springs. According to a legend, every one you eat will '''add seven years to your life'''. * The Wat Poramaiyikawat monastery on [[Ko Kret]] is a '''focal point''' of Thailand's small Mon community. * [[Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park|Kutikina Cave]] is archeogically rich, with '''over 30,000 stone artefacts and 200,000 bone fragments''' discovered. [[File:Mumbai 03-2016 46 evening at Marine Drive.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Mumbai]] (''Marine Drive pictured'') is undoubtedly the '''commercial capital of India''' and is one of the predominant '''port cities''' in the country. * [[Tuam]] was effectively the '''capital of Ireland in the 12th century''', when the High King Rory O’Connor resided here. * The Church of St. Ignatius in [[Dubrovnik]] is approached via a '''romantic baroque staircase modelled on the Spanish Steps in Rome'''. <br clear="right" /> ==June 2022== [[File:Allegheny County Courthouse pittsburgh.jpg|200px|right]] * A gorgeous stone building built in 1884, the '''Allegheny County Courthouse''' (''pictured'') in [[Pittsburgh/Downtown|Downtown Pittsburgh]] now houses the county government. * There is '''no value-added tax''' in [[Eilat]], and many '''duty free shops''' line the boardwalk culminating in duty free shopping centers. * [[Lagos City/Victoria Island|Victoria Island]] is the '''primary business and financial centre''' of West Africa's largest city. [[File:Marble bay, Thasos.jpg|200px|right]] * Now a beach, Marble Bay (''pictured'') in [[Thasos]] is indeed a '''white marble sand bay''' which was used for the shipment of marble, with '''crystal clear waters'''. * There are '''only two cities''' in the United States situated on an isthmus, [[Madison]] and [[Seattle]]. * The [[Brotherhood and Unity Highway]] was an '''important route between Western and Southeastern Europe''' during the Cold War. [[File:Francesinha (48159444066).jpg|200px|right]] * Francesinha (''pictured'') is a [[Portuguese cuisine|meat sandwich from Porto]] inspired by France's croque-monsieur, and the name translates as '''"little French girl"'''. * [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] contains a '''perfect combination''' of the old and new Canada. * The [[Mývatn]] area is known for hverabrauð, a '''delicious, one-of-a-kind molasses bread''' that is slow-baked for 24 hours underground by '''natural geothermal heat.''' [[File:Olangoegret.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Olango Island|Olango Wildlife Sanctuary]] is very popular with bird watchers; '''close to a hundred bird species''' (''egrets pictured'') are found here, about half of them migratory and half permanent residents. * Out of more than a thousand [[world heritage sites]], '''only a little over 200 sites''' are in the New World (Americas and Oceania). * Nowadays a museum, Zeughaus in [[Graz]] was '''originally built to readily equip the people''' in the event of an attack, and so the weapons you'll see there were '''made for use, not show'''. [[File:Cocoa House, Ibadan.JPG|200px|right]] * Completed in 1965, the Cocoa House (''pictured'') in [[Ibadan]] was the '''first skyscraper in West Africa'''. * The reasons that [[El Mirador]] is not swamped with tourists are its '''inaccessibility''' and that most of this huge site involves many '''unrestored mounds and pyramids''' in the jungle. * [[Kiama]] is located on some of the '''most picturesque and beautiful coastline''' on the South Coast of New South Wales. [[File:Rainbow Beach.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Chicago/Chatham-South Shore|Rainbow Beach]] has '''lovely South Side views''' (''pictured'') of the Chicago Skyline. * [[Driving in Morocco|Roundabouts in Morocco]] have '''contrarian and inconsistent rules''', sometimes cars entering have to yield, other times the cars in the roundabout. * The restaurants of [[Cayenne]] reflects the '''ethnic mosaic''' of the Guyanese society. [[File:Åbo strandpromenad september 2021.jpg|200px|right]] * A walk (''path pictured'') [[Turku riverside walk|along the Aurajoki river]] is a nice way to experience some '''aspects of Turku'''. * The small town of [[Kittery]], Maine, features dozens of '''outlet stores'''. * The Devi Talab Mandir in [[Jalandhar]] is a '''replica of the Golden Temple in Amritsar'''. [[File:La Bocca tango.jpg|200px|right]] * A trip to [[Buenos Aires]] is not complete without some sort of experience of the '''tango''' (''dancers pictured''), the national dance of Argentina. * In [[Jinju]] there are many sites and events related to the '''16th century Imjin War'''. * In the '''National Botanical Garden''' in [[Bloemfontein]] you can see about '''400 species of native plants''', as well as birds, mammals and reptiles. [[File:La Batte Liège.JPG|200px|right]] * The weekly Marché de la Batte (''pictured''), stretching along the Meuse River in [[Liège]] is '''one of the longest markets in Europe.''' * A highlight at the [[Varna]] Archaeological Museum is the Gold of Varna, the '''oldest gold treasure in the world''', dating to 4600-4200 BCE. * [[Saltillo]] features a '''museum of the (Chihuaua) desert and of the birds of Mexico''' showcasing nearly every bird species in the country. [[File:Spa Pool.jpg|200px|right]] * The Hamersley Gorge (''Spa Pool pictured'') is probably the '''most scenic corner of [[Karijini National Park]]'''. * The United States is a '''[[Hiking in the United States|good place for hiking]]''' owing to its many open spaces. * '''Bahrain Fort''' [[Manama|on the island’s north coast]], was built in the 14th century, but excavations have revealed it was '''built on the site of Dilmun settlements, dating back to 3,000 BC'''. <br clear="right" /> ==May 2022== [[File:Colby miller library.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Waterville (Maine)|Waterville, Maine]] you can stroll around the '''tree-studded hilltop Colby College Campus''' (''Miller Library pictured'') with its fine Neo-Georgian architecture. * Semi-submarine tours offer guests an '''underwater ride through the [[Budva]] Bay.''' * The Airborne Museum Hartenstein is dedicated to the '''Battle of [[Arnhem]]''', fought in September 1944. [[File:Dipolog Cathedral (2016).jpg|200px|right]] * The main attraction of the [[Dipolog]] Cathedral (''pictured'') is the '''ceiling made of Philippine hardwood'''. * Usually one's '''ability to access [[lounges|airport lounges]]''' depends on one's class of travel, frequent flyer membership tier, or membership in an independent lounge access scheme. * [[Tashkent]]'s Treasury of Ancient Oriental Manuscripts is listed by UNESCO as one of the '''richest manuscript repositories''' in the world. [[File:StockholmStadshuset.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Stockholm/Kungsholmen|Stockholm City Hall]] (''pictured'') is where the '''Nobel Prize Banquet''' takes place every year. * The '''Sapporo Beer Factory''' in [[Hita]] is a must-visit attraction for fans of Japanese beer. * While it may come to a surprise for some, [[Australian cuisine]] is '''far from the cuisine of Britain and Ireland'''. [[File:Ouarzazate kasbah.JPG|200px|right]] * Kasbah Taourirt (''pictured'') is a '''well preserved kasbah''' in [[Ouarzazate]] with a '''permanent exhibition''' of works by various artists inside. * The finest feature of [[Denbigh]] Castle is the '''triple-towered Great Gatehouse'''. * At the [[Dhaka/North|Dhaka Zoo]] you can see the '''majestic Royal Bengal Tiger'''. [[File:Cartagena skyline from the city walls.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Cartagena (Colombia)|Cartagena]] (''pictured'') has '''several faces'''; one of a dirty, sprawling '''Caribbean metropolis''', in Bocagrande the one of a '''massive "hotel ghetto"''' and finally the old town with its well-polished face of a '''once affluent colonial city'''. * The [[Zhudong]] Timber Industry Exhibition Hall features the '''history of timber industry in Taiwan''' and traditional logging equipment. * In the '''Battleship Memorial Park''' in [[Mobile]] you can tour the World War II battleship USS Alabama and the World War II submarine the USS Drum. [[File:Otranto cathedral crypta 2.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Otranto]] Cathedral represents an '''interesting mixture of Byzantine and Romanesque elements''' including a crypt (''pictured'') resembling the Mezquita of Córdoba. * Many important [[Rail travel in India|Indian trains]] have a '''foreign tourist quota''' available for foreigners or holders of an IndRail pass. * [[Kainji National Park]] is one of the '''largest game reserves''' in West Africa. [[File:Sign ErrantGolfBalls.JPG|200px|right]] * Signs (''pictured'') around the Ocean Club on [[Paradise Island]] warn of the danger of '''getting bonked on the head by an errant golf ball''' which is indeed probably the main security risk there. * [[Luang Prabang]] owes its present name to the Pha Bang, a '''revered Buddha image''' brought to the city by King Visoun in the early 1500s. * [[Dutch]] has some '''vowel sounds that are not known in many other languages''' so they may be hard to learn. [[File:Anderps 067.JPG|200px|right]] * '''Pedra Furada''' (''pictured'') - the "pierced" or "arched" rock - has become the symbol of [[Jijoca de Jericoacoara|Jericoacoara]]. * The Jubilee Clock in [[Douglas (Isle of Man)|Douglas]] commemorates the '''Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign''' (1887). * A range of 21 '''murals''' on the sides of buildings in [[Kenora]] and nearby Keewatin depict '''events and scenes relative to local history'''. [[File:Osaka Castle 03bs3200.jpg|200px|right]] * A '''concrete reconstruction''', [[Osaka/Osaka castle|Osaka Castle]] (''pictured'') is more of a '''museum built in the shape of a castle''', rather than a historical Japanese castle. * Throughout [[San Pedro Sula]] and neighboring cities, you can find '''amazing markets''' where you can buy artisanal items like leather work, textiles, silver and jewelry. * '''Beaches''' in [[Cancún]] are for the more advanced swimmers, the edge of the open ocean can make for a '''challenging and fun swimming experience'''. [[File:Chamberyelephants.JPG|200px|right]] * The Elephants Fountain (''pictured'') in [[Chambéry]] with its four elephant "busts" is '''affectionately called the "four buttless'''" by locals. * Finland has a diverse nature, with '''forests, fells, mires, bogs, lakes and islands''' featuring in many of the [[Finnish national parks|country's national parks]]. * [[Altitude sickness]] is a '''reaction to the lower amounts of oxygen available at high altitudes''' due to the lower air pressure. [[File:Tangier Medina 3.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Tangier]] is '''very easy to navigate around - except the Medina''' (old town), a complex array of alleyways some of which can only be accessed on foot (''pictured''). <br clear="right" /> ==April 2022== * The '''International Antarctic Centre''' in [[Christchurch]] features simulated polar weather, a Hagglund all-terrain vehicle ride, penguins, and extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions. * [[Astoria]] is famous for being the terminus for the '''Lewis and Clark Expedition'''. [[File:ReU_PtFournaiseVulkankegel.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Réunion National Park]] (''pictured'') in Réunion is '''one of three French national parks outside France''' and is home to the '''Piton de la Fournaise''', a UNESCO World Heritage Site. * Since many foreigners congregate there, [[Itaewon]] in Seoul remains somewhat of a '''niche nightlife area''' for Koreans interested in a more international scene. * [[Jamnagar]] is famous for its '''brass manufacturing''' and you can buy all kinds of locally made brass components in town. [[File:Brocken brockenbahn im gegenlicht ds wv 02 2008.jpg|200px|right]] * A quite popular way to get to the [[Brocken]] is the '''narrow-gauge Brockenbahn operated by steam trains''' (''pictured''). * Adelaide's [[Adelaide/Belair National Park|Belair National Park]] is one of the '''most easily accessible national parks in South Australia''' * The '''[[architecture]] of a place''' is often a tourist attraction in its own right. [[File:South Africa-Gauteng-Pretoria-Union Buildings02.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Union Buildings''' in [[Pretoria]] (''pictured'') houses the South African presidency and can't be visited, but its '''beautiful terraced gardens''', which boast a wide variety of indigenous plants, are open to the public. * [[Cádiz]] is the '''oldest continuously inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula''' and one of the oldest in all southwestern Europe. * [[Camping in Israel]] gives a '''very different experience for those used to that of Europe'''. [[File:Oslcheckin.JPG|200px|right]] * '''Wood''' has been extensively used in the '''interior of the check-in hall''' (''pictured'') at [[Oslo Airport, Gardermoen]]. * There have been '''58 unique dinosaur species''' discovered in Alberta's [[Dinosaur Provincial Park]]. * The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in [[Salisbury (Maryland)|Salisbury, Maryland]] houses the '''world's largest collection of wildfowl carvings.''' [[File:Huaca Pucllana, Lima, Perú, 2015-07-28, DD 128.JPG|200px|right]] * A huge, 22 m high pre-Columbian construction, [[Lima/Miraflores|Pucllana]] (''pictured'') is made from '''small handmade, sun-dried bricks'''. * [[Härnösand]] in Central Sweden '''was once an administrative centre'''. * The town of [[Joggins]] in Nova Scotia has some fossil cliffs which contain fossils '''which date to more than 310 million years ago''' [[File:Daintree Rainforest - 2013.04 - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Daintree Rainforest]] (''pictured'') in Tropical North Queensland is '''the oldest living rainforest in the world''' * [[Hiking in Estonia]] there's '''much nature to enjoy''' due to low population density, yet you will never be more than a day's walk away from civilization. * The [[Dawson City|City of Dawson]] and the nearby ghost town of Forty Mile (together with Skagway) are '''featured prominently in the novels and short stories of American author Jack London''', including The Call of the Wild. [[File:Eiffel tower panorama.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''[[Eiffel Tower]]''' (''pictured'') '''was almost torn down in 1909''' and only saved due to its use as a telegraphy antenna. * In [[Faroese]], '''accented vowels''' are treated as letters in their own right, with their own pronunciation. * At Point-au-Père, a small town near [[Rimouski]], there's the Site historique maritime which marks the '''official dividing point between the St. Lawrence River and the open Gulf.''' [[File:Doha Karwa public bus.jpg|200px|right]] * '''Virtually all public transit''' in [[Qatar]] - buses (''public bus pictured''), taxis and limousines - is '''operated by government-owned Mowasalat (Karwa).''' * The majority of the [[South Tyrol]]ean population is '''German-speaking''' and in some valleys it's the totality. * The Northern Weapon City in [[Baotou]] is an '''outdoor park''' with a '''collection of mainly artillery pieces''' manufactured by local arms maker Northern Heavy Industries Group. [[File:PortLucayaMarketplaceEntrance.jpg|200px|right]] * Port Lucaya (''pictured'') in [[Freeport (Bahamas)|Freeport]] is '''the tourist "hub" of Grand Bahama''' and is the location of many restaurants and shops. * To enter [[French Guiana]], '''holding a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory''', regardless of citizenship or where you've recently been. * In the 1920s [[Juba]] grew rapidly, and about 2,000 Greeks lived there working as merchants and tradesmen and many '''notable buildings''' in the city date from this era. [[File:Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric station.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Krasnoyarsk]] hydroelectric dam (''pictured''), 20 km upstream from the city, '''significantly influences the local climate''' as it releases unfrozen water year-round, including in the bitterly-cold Siberian winter. <br clear="right" /> ==March 2022== * There are '''no capital letters''' in [[Georgian phrasebook|Georgian]]. * In [[Bhutan]] the '''sale of tobacco products is banned''' and '''smoking in public areas is a fineable offence'''. [[File:King John's Castle in Limerick.jpg|200px|right]] * King John's Castle (''pictured'') in [[Limerick]] was built 13th century by King John over an '''earlier Viking fortification'''. * Much of Seodong Park in [[Buyeo]] is made up of a '''pond shaped as a lotus'''. * For many thousands of years prior to British settlement, the [[Brisbane]] area was inhabited by the '''Turrbal and Jagera Aboriginal people'''. [[File:HMCSHaidaHamiltonA.JPG|200px|right]] * At Pier 9 in [[Hamilton_(Ontario)|Hamilton]] you can visit '''HMCS Haida''' (''pictured''), the "Fightingest Ship in the Royal Canada Navy". * [[Cairo/Old Cairo|Old Cairo]] is the home of Cairo's '''Coptic Christian''' community. * As for other icons of Bavarian culture, many [[Bavarian cuisine|Bavarian dishes]] are '''known around the world as "German"''', though far from all of them are popular throughout Germany. [[File:NiceColline.JPG|200px|right]] * Colline du Château (''pictured'') overlooking the Baie des Anges and harbour offers a '''spectacular vantage point''' overlooking [[Nice]]. * [[Kurseong]] is home to the '''costliest teas''' in the world. * [[Tega Cay]] '''means "beautiful peninsula" in Polynesian''', however the city is '''nowhere near''' Polynesia, but in South Carolina. [[File:Great Mosque of Gaza - Alafrangi.jpg|200px|right]] * The Grand Omari Mosque (''pictured'') of [[Gaza]] '''makes up for its lacklustre appearance with an interesting history''': it's a converted Crusader church built on the site of a Hellenic temple with pillars from a 3rd-century Jewish synagogue. * [[Ypres]] is best known as the site of '''three major battles''' of the First World War. * '''The River Cat statue''' is famous statue of a giant cat that, along with the statue of Belalcazar, the Three Crosses, and Jesus, has become a '''symbol for [[Cali]].''' [[File:Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia.jpg|200px|right]] * Hutt Lagoon (''pictured''), 55 km south of [[Kalbarri]] is a '''lurid pink salt lake'''. The colour is from algae, which synthesise β-Carotene. * Many places where [[leave-no-trace camping]] is required feature '''established trails'''. * '''The Clowns Archive''' in [[London/Hackney|Hackney]] shows an unique collection of faces on eggs. [[File:Mt Rainier stream.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Mount Rainier]] (''pictured''), at 14,410 feet (4,390 m), is the '''most prominent peak''' in the Cascade Range. * While [[Pattaya]] is famous as a '''sex tourist''' destination, '''you don't necessarily have to partake''' in order to experience the nightlife and many visitors come over '''just to see what the fuss is about'''. * With more than 10,000 works on display, the '''Museum of the Cinema''' is a testimony to the history and cinematic activity in [[Odessa]]. [[File:Tajine Moroccan.jpg|200px|right]] * One literally cannot be in [[Morocco]] without seeing a '''"tagine the dish"''' on the menu or a '''"tagine, the cooking ware"''' (''both pictured'') in the wild at least once. * Being one of the older German cities, [[Worms]] has '''played a key role''' in German history. * In [[Zhengzhou]] you can visit a natural history museum '''focused on the Yellow River'''. [[File:Echinocereus engelmannii and Cylindropuntia bigelovii at Joshua Tree NP.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Joshua Tree National Park]] '''springtime wildflowers''' (''Echinocereus engelmannii and Cylindropuntia bigelovii pictured'') come in numerous varieties and can produce '''extraordinarily colorful displays''', especially following wet winters. * The Pottery Hall of the [[Jos]] National Museum has an '''exceptional collection of finely crafted pottery''' from all over Nigeria. * '''Bushwalking''' is a very popular pastime in the [[Blue Mountains National Park]] and there are a number of '''well-maintained trails''' that will offer you the opportunity to go down into the valley floor, viewing the changing vegetation as you descend. [[File:Ballina, Co. Tipperary, Ireland - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Killaloe (Ireland)|Killaloe]]-Ballina bridge (''pictured'') over the Shannon is a '''handsome 13-arch structure'''. * '''[[Traveling with pets]]''' can be difficult because laws vary widely from country to country. * [[Carita]] offers '''panoramic views of the Krakatau volcano''' rising above the horizon in Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. [[File:L7 Tehran Metro 2019 01.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Tehran]]'s metro system (''station and train pictured'') has seven lines that will '''whisk you quickly from one end of the city to the other''' without having to deal with the '''noise, pollution and chaos of Tehrani traffic'''. * The Museum and Historical Archives of [[Presidente Prudente]] is housed in the '''baroque-style old Municipal Slaughterhouse'''. * The '''traces of radium''' in '''[[Nishiawakura#Do|Awakura Onsen]]''' are said to stimulate '''radium hormesis''', which can activate metabolism, boost the immune system, and decrease cancer mortality. <br clear="right" /> ==February 2022== * [[Claremont (California)|Claremont, California]] is known for the trees lining its streets and as the home of the elite Claremont Colleges, which together have given it the nickname '''"City of Trees and PhDs"'''. [[File:SkellefteåChurchtown2.JPG|200px|right]] * The Church Town (''pictured'') in [[Skellefteå]] consists of 116 '''wooden cottages''' that once were built for families that had to '''travel a long way''' to attend Sunday masses at the city church. * [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] '''can be entered only from Armenia''', though doing so is considered an '''illegal entry''' into Azerbaijani territory by Azerbaijan. * The [[Oak Trail (Epping Forest)|Oak Trail]] just outside London passes a '''2,500-year-old earthwork'''. [[File:Black Palace 4.jpg|200px|right]] * '''King Sihanouk's old swimming pool''' (''pictured'') is now part of [[Bokor National Park]]. * '''Sand dunes''' in [[Mojave National Preserve]] make a '''booming sound''' when conditions are right. * [[Dubai]] has a justified reputation as a '''concrete jungle''', but there are '''nice pockets of greenery''' within the city. [[File:Genova - Vico Calvi - panoramio.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Genoa]] has '''one of Europe's largest preserved historical centers''', made up of an incredible number of '''tiny streets and alleys''' (''pictured'') called Caruggi. * The crown pieces of Greenland's National Museum in [[Nuuk]] are '''500 year old mummies''' discovered in 1978 and remarkably well '''preserved''', with some of their '''facial tattoos still recognisable'''. * [[Buses]] are usually the '''cheapest public transport option''' at least on short distances. [[File:Marlborough Sounds Snout.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Marlborough Sounds]] are a '''visual feast of the interplay between the land, sea, nature and light''' and are divided into the Pelorus Sound and the Queen Charlotte Sound (''pictured'') * Generally, northern [[Vietnamese cuisine]] is known for being '''subtle''', central Vietnamese cuisine is known for being '''spicy''', while southern Vietnamese cuisine is known for being '''sweet'''. * The nearby Pacific Ocean has an '''influence on the weather''' on [[Aconcagua]], and '''storms''' coming in from there can very quickly create extreme weather conditions. [[File:Antonine Wall at Croy Hill - geograph.org.uk - 788015.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Roman-built Antonine Wall''' (''remains pictured'') outside [[Kilsyth]] '''was only held for 8 years''', then the Romans withdrew to Hadrian's Wall. * The Royal Victoria Institute in [[Port of Spain]] houses an extensive collection of '''artifacts and antiques from throughout Trinidad's history'''. * [[Jammu]] is also known as '''City of temples'''. [[File:ParisTNEiffel.jpg|200px|right]] * Visitors come to [[Paris (Tennessee)|Paris, Tennessee]] to see the 70-foot (21 m) '''replica of the Eiffel Tower''' (''pictured'') and for the '''"World's Biggest Fish Fry."''' * The Bonk Museum in [[Uusikaupunki]] '''chronicles the bizarre story''' of Bonk Business Inc, '''a fictional multinational corporation'''. * Like its creator '''Richard the Lionheart''', the stronghold of [[Les Andelys]], Chateâu Gaillard, calls to mind '''strength, power, and invincibility'''. [[File:Puka beach.jpg|200px|right]] * A quiet stretch of white sand along the northern tip of [[Boracay]], Puka Beach (''pictured'') is an i'''mage of what most people expect on a tropical island''': white sand, azure water, and relatively empty. * Originally designed to help stop graffiti and enliven the city's buildings, the '''Mural Arts Program''' has led to [[Philadelphia]] now having the '''largest collection of public art in the world''', with over 3500 murals completed since its inception. * [[Danish]] is '''closely related to Norwegian and Swedish''', and most speakers of one of the three languages can understand the others to a certain extent. [[File:Torre de Menagem at A Cidadela, braganca.jpg|200px|right]] * Torre de Menagem (''pictured'') in [[Bragança]] is the massive keep of a castle belonging to the Dukes of Bragança, the '''last Portuguese royal family.''' * Many foreign visitors to Uganda find that [[Kisoro]] one of the '''nicest areas to spend time in''' with beautiful mountain scenery, smooth roads, and hard-working people eager to please and offer hospitality. * '''Ramna Park''' is one of the largest parks in [[Dhaka]], and seen as the city's equivalent to Kolkata's Maidan and New York City's Central Park. [[File:Punjabi jutti at Dilli Haat.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Patiala]] is a lively city known for its production of handcrafted goods like '''juttis''' (''pictured''), traditional embroidered shoes for women and men alike. * The '''Benteng Oranje fort''' in [[Ternate]] once represented the heart of Dutch operations in the Spice Islands and its '''thick walls that are still in good condition''' despite of frequent earthquakes. <br clear="right" /> ==January 2022== * [[Cologne]] has one of the '''world's best collections of museums and galleries''' for a city of its size. [[File:Red Deer - Aerial - downtown bridges.jpg|200px|right]] * The native name for the river (''pictured'') crossing [[Red Deer]] translates to "Elk River", but is was '''mistranslated by the British traders''', since they mistakenly thought elk were European red deer. * Many people find that they '''learn a language much faster''' if they '''immerse themselves''' by [[Learning languages abroad|traveling to a place where the language is spoken]]. * The '''Seven Beauties Tomb''' (七美人塚) on [[Cimei]] is stone inscription to commemorate the 7 women who took their own lives after pirates raided the island. [[File:Rietveld Schröderhuis HayKranen-20.JPG|200px|right]] * The structure of the Rietveld Schröder House (''pictured'') in [[Utrecht]] is '''completely in line with the ideas of the art movement De Stijl''' (The Style). * [[Whyalla]] Maritime Museum's collection includes the World War II-era corvette HMAS Whyalla which is displayed out of the water; the museum's website labels her '''"the largest landlocked ship in the state"'''. * The [[Pantanal]] is '''certainly a part of the world where there are a lot of birds''', from small and delicate hummingbirds to large ones like the jabiru. [[File:Centro Historico - Cathederal - Merida.JPG|200px|right]] * With a '''consistent colonial style throughout''' (''cathedral pictured''), [[Morelia]] is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. * A major attraction in [[Konya]] are the '''whirling dervish ceremonies''', taking place weekly. * Constructed in 1995 to '''celebrate [[Erie]]'s Bicentennial''', the Bicentennial Tower stands about 100 feet high and one can easily see out to Long Point or over Erie. [[File:A funeral ceremony in Tana Toraja.jpg|200px|right]] * During the '''funeral season''' (peak is in July and August), attending a funeral ceremony (''pictured'') is popular among visitors to [[Tana Toraja]]. * The Banco National Park north of [[Abidjan]] '''features many rare tropical tree species''' like mahogany, avodirés, and waffle wood. * The [[Roman Empire]] was the '''greatest ancient empire of Europe'''. [[File:Medieval laboratory.jpg|200px|right]] * Highlights of the Pharmaceutical museum of [[Cluj-Napoca]] include '''Mummy powder''' used as an expensive cure for all diseases, the '''Elixir of Love''', dentifrice powders and a '''medieval laboratory''' (''pictured'') although little evidence exists that the room was used as a laboratory. * As a result of a '''sugar boom''' in the 19th century, [[Matanzas]] was nicknamed the '''Athens of Cuba''', a monicker that can still be seen around the city today. * If tea is served in a traditional manner in [[Uzbekistan]], the server will '''pour tea into a cup''' from the teapot and then '''pour the tea back into the teapot three times'''. [[File:Pinheiros ao fim da tarde.jpg|200px|right]] * Despite its pollution, the '''Pinheiros river''' (''pictured'') is still the dominating feature in the scenario of the [[São_Paulo/West_Side|West side of São Paulo]]. * The North Carolina State Capitol in [[Raleigh]] is also a '''museum of North Carolina history''', especially the period between the building's construction and the Civil War. * Ima Keithal in [[Imphal]] is a 500-year-old market that could possibly the only market in the world '''run entirely by women'''. [[File:Karen Blixen House, Nairobi, Kenya (22288985045).jpg|200px|right]] * The '''Karen Blixen Museum''' in [[Nairobi]] is '''based on her book Out of Africa''' and located in her former home (''pictured''). * The '''Bulgarian Dead Sea''' outside [[Burgas]] is made up of several small salt ponds for bathing. * '''[[Quito]]'s Old City is the largest in the Americas''' and was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. [[File:Finland 2010-01-09 (4494649174).jpg|200px|right]] * Today [[Along Mannerheimintie|Mannerheimintie]] remains a '''lively street''' passing many of the Helsinki's '''most famous attractions''' (''Parliament, Marshal Mannerheim's statue and National Museum pictured''), and can be considered '''Helsinki's Broadway'''. * Some [[Japanese gardens]] are '''designed to incorporate nearby landscapes or structures '''that are not located in the garden itself but enhance the views. * The main attraction of [[Sleepy Hollow]] is the '''town's association with Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"''', so visit the old churchyard where the Headless Horseman purportedly rests. [[File:Deoksugung-02.jpg|200px|right]] * Deoksu Palace (''pictured'') in [[Seoul/Jung|Seoul]] is unusual as it '''includes a fusion of both Korean and Western architecture'''. * Many countries permit the '''use of [[drones]]''' only where you have applied for and received a permit or appropriate license. * The United States may be the land of the car, but it is also one of the '''greatest countries in the world to be [[Rail travel in the United States|explored by passenger train]].''' [[File:Christuskirche (Windhoek).jpg|200px|right]] * The circular stained-glass window in the facade and all the other stained-glass windows in the Christuskirche (''pictured'') of [[Windhoek]] were '''donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II''' as a gift to the colony. * The National Motor Museum in [[Adelaide]] '''showcases cars and motorcycles from all eras''', also historical car parts, car-related items from repair manuals to petrol station signs and toys. * '''Milk and dairy products''' claim a large section of supermarkets in the Nordic countries, and are important ingredients in [[Nordic cuisine|Nordic diets]]. <br clear="right" /> ==Old discoveries== *[[Project:Discover/2021|2021]] *[[Project:Discover/2020|2020]] *[[Project:Discover/2019|2019]] *[[Project:Discover/2018|2018]] *[[Project:Discover/2017|2017]] *[[Project:Discover/2016|2016]] *[[Project:Discover/2015|2015]] *[[Project:Discover/2014|2014]] *[[Project:Discover/2013|2013]] *[[Project:Discover/2012|2012]] *[[Project:Discover/2011|2011]] *[[Project:Discover/2010|2010]] *[[Project:Discover/2009|2009]] *[[Project:Discover/2008|2008]] *[[Project:Discover/2007|2007]] {{Title-Index page}} k4zdd7p6udm4v6agh89nrxzgsawbasm 4 69175 4506798 4500234 2022-08-23T11:25:31Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Banner discussions */ +1, -2 wikitext text/x-wiki {| style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; text-align: center; padding-left: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em;" |- | style="text-align:left;"| <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px; color:#454442;">'''Requests for Comment'''</div> {{shortcut|[[wv:rfc]]}} This page allows you to ask other [[wikivoyage:Wikivoyagers|Wikivoyagers]] to contribute to a discussion, including policy/style pages, and article content. You may want some feedback, more opinions, or just some help in reaching a [[consensus]]. * '''Don't start conversations here'''. Direct Wikivoyagers' attention to a discussion going on elsewhere. * Please put new items at the '''top of the post'''. * '''Please sign your request''' with four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>). Requests pointing to discussions that have gone dormant for over '''two months''' may be removed from this page. Otherwise, the original contributor may remove a request when satisfied. (Please remember to do this, in order to keep the page current!) |} __TOC__ {{clear}} ==Policy planning and proposals== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:Time and date formats]]''' — Not a proposal to change the policy, but a proposal to change how the policy is explained. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 01:13, 23 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:Country article status#Require that guide country articles need to have at least 70 per cent of destination articles usable or higher?]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:59, 29 June 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage_talk:Star_articles#Putting_the_static_maps_requirement_for_huge_cities_to_an_end]]''' – ending the requirement for huge cities to use a static map and allowing a dynamic map with the districts instead. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:37, 22 June 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:Section headers#better readability for the Eat_section]]''' - Not my proposal, but I doubt this page is on many people's watchlists.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:22, 23 May 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]]''' - Express your opinion about whether it was a problem that many such threads have been closed by admins who were not bureaucrats and whether we can remove language stating that bureaucrats have to close all such threads. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:03, 7 August 2022 (UTC) ==Glitches and bugs== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> ==User rights and issues== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> ==Articles and travel content== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Talk:Lviv#Edit_warring_will_not_be_tolerated| Lviv and Lvov]]''' — should the article's lead paragraph mention "Lvov" as a former name of Lviv? This discussion would benefit from other perspectives. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 11:42, 27 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Pennsylvania#PA regions discussion 2022 ]]''' — There is a discussion on Pennsylvania regions underway. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 01:06, 23 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Antarctica]]''' – organisation of Subantarctic and Antarctic islands. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:55, 13 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:New South Wales#Norfolk Island is not a part of New South Wales, and has not been so since 1844|Talk:New South Wales]]''' – breadcrumbing of Norfolk Island. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 14:38, 11 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Lagos City#Cleaning up the districts + template for approval]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:58, 9 June 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage:Star nominations#Space]]''', Star nomination. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 04:07, 1 June 2022 (UTC) === Banner discussions === <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Talk:Geelong]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:25, 23 August 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:New South Wales]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:57, 13 August 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Australian Indian Ocean Territories]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:48, 10 August 2022 (UTC) === District discussions === Put [[:Category:Articles with districts discussion]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles with districts discussion</categorytree> === Region discussions === Put [[:Category:Articles with regions discussion]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles with regions discussion</categorytree> === Merge proposals === Put [[:Category:Articles to be merged]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles to be merged</categorytree> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} rhvihsx1sl29byjrk5m6brkv0gqkpdt 4506799 4506798 2022-08-23T11:25:59Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Articles and travel content */ rm 3 older than 2 months or resolved wikitext text/x-wiki {| style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; text-align: center; padding-left: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em;" |- | style="text-align:left;"| <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px; color:#454442;">'''Requests for Comment'''</div> {{shortcut|[[wv:rfc]]}} This page allows you to ask other [[wikivoyage:Wikivoyagers|Wikivoyagers]] to contribute to a discussion, including policy/style pages, and article content. You may want some feedback, more opinions, or just some help in reaching a [[consensus]]. * '''Don't start conversations here'''. Direct Wikivoyagers' attention to a discussion going on elsewhere. * Please put new items at the '''top of the post'''. * '''Please sign your request''' with four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>). Requests pointing to discussions that have gone dormant for over '''two months''' may be removed from this page. Otherwise, the original contributor may remove a request when satisfied. (Please remember to do this, in order to keep the page current!) |} __TOC__ {{clear}} ==Policy planning and proposals== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:Time and date formats]]''' — Not a proposal to change the policy, but a proposal to change how the policy is explained. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 01:13, 23 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:Country article status#Require that guide country articles need to have at least 70 per cent of destination articles usable or higher?]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:59, 29 June 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage_talk:Star_articles#Putting_the_static_maps_requirement_for_huge_cities_to_an_end]]''' – ending the requirement for huge cities to use a static map and allowing a dynamic map with the districts instead. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:37, 22 June 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:Section headers#better readability for the Eat_section]]''' - Not my proposal, but I doubt this page is on many people's watchlists.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:22, 23 May 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]]''' - Express your opinion about whether it was a problem that many such threads have been closed by admins who were not bureaucrats and whether we can remove language stating that bureaucrats have to close all such threads. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:03, 7 August 2022 (UTC) ==Glitches and bugs== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> ==User rights and issues== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> ==Articles and travel content== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Talk:Lviv#Edit_warring_will_not_be_tolerated| Lviv and Lvov]]''' — should the article's lead paragraph mention "Lvov" as a former name of Lviv? This discussion would benefit from other perspectives. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 11:42, 27 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Pennsylvania#PA regions discussion 2022 ]]''' — There is a discussion on Pennsylvania regions underway. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 01:06, 23 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Antarctica]]''' – organisation of Subantarctic and Antarctic islands. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:55, 13 July 2022 (UTC) === Banner discussions === <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Talk:Geelong]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:25, 23 August 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:New South Wales]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:57, 13 August 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Australian Indian Ocean Territories]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:48, 10 August 2022 (UTC) === District discussions === Put [[:Category:Articles with districts discussion]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles with districts discussion</categorytree> === Region discussions === Put [[:Category:Articles with regions discussion]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles with regions discussion</categorytree> === Merge proposals === Put [[:Category:Articles to be merged]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles to be merged</categorytree> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} n8b1p7ujqxkp5qfe9vnwep5n9hv7xvf 4506800 4506799 2022-08-23T11:26:40Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Policy planning and proposals */ rm threads older than 2 months wikitext text/x-wiki {| style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; text-align: center; padding-left: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em;" |- | style="text-align:left;"| <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px; color:#454442;">'''Requests for Comment'''</div> {{shortcut|[[wv:rfc]]}} This page allows you to ask other [[wikivoyage:Wikivoyagers|Wikivoyagers]] to contribute to a discussion, including policy/style pages, and article content. You may want some feedback, more opinions, or just some help in reaching a [[consensus]]. * '''Don't start conversations here'''. Direct Wikivoyagers' attention to a discussion going on elsewhere. * Please put new items at the '''top of the post'''. * '''Please sign your request''' with four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>). Requests pointing to discussions that have gone dormant for over '''two months''' may be removed from this page. Otherwise, the original contributor may remove a request when satisfied. (Please remember to do this, in order to keep the page current!) |} __TOC__ {{clear}} ==Policy planning and proposals== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]]''' - Express your opinion about whether it was a problem that many such threads have been closed by admins who were not bureaucrats and whether we can remove language stating that bureaucrats have to close all such threads. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:03, 7 August 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Wikivoyage talk:Time and date formats]]''' — Not a proposal to change the policy, but a proposal to change how the policy is explained. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 01:13, 23 July 2022 (UTC) ==Glitches and bugs== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> ==User rights and issues== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> ==Articles and travel content== <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Talk:Lviv#Edit_warring_will_not_be_tolerated| Lviv and Lvov]]''' — should the article's lead paragraph mention "Lvov" as a former name of Lviv? This discussion would benefit from other perspectives. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 11:42, 27 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Pennsylvania#PA regions discussion 2022 ]]''' — There is a discussion on Pennsylvania regions underway. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 01:06, 23 July 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Antarctica]]''' – organisation of Subantarctic and Antarctic islands. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:55, 13 July 2022 (UTC) === Banner discussions === <!--PLEASE PLACE NEW REQUESTS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, I.E. AFTER THIS COMMENT--> *'''[[Talk:Geelong]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:25, 23 August 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:New South Wales]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:57, 13 August 2022 (UTC) *'''[[Talk:Australian Indian Ocean Territories]]''' --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:48, 10 August 2022 (UTC) === District discussions === Put [[:Category:Articles with districts discussion]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles with districts discussion</categorytree> === Region discussions === Put [[:Category:Articles with regions discussion]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles with regions discussion</categorytree> === Merge proposals === Put [[:Category:Articles to be merged]] on your watchlist to have new entries show up there. <categorytree mode=pages>Articles to be merged</categorytree> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} 1wktq78mfmzo7ub1cofg607w4bck2ng 0 69227 4506765 4495001 2022-08-23T10:27:20Z Newstap news 2275260 Newstap.in is a platform that provides news, photographs, videos, interviews, opinion pieces with a special focus on the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Star articles-banner.jpg|caption=|index=yes}} The proud few articles that have passed the rigorous [[Project:Star nominations|nomination process]] to attain '''[[Project:Article status|Star article status]]''' are the best travel guides Wikivoyage has to offer. They essentially meet Wikivoyage's criteria for '''perfection''', are at least competitive with the best of existing travel guides to the destination, and at best exceed all competition. If you are an aspiring Wikivoyage writer, look no further than these '''[[Project:Manual of style|rigorously formatted]]''' articles to understand exactly what you should [[Project:Plunge forward|shoot for]]! <br clear="all" /><!--<div align="center"> {{Regionlist | regionmap=Wikivoyage_stars_map.svg | regionmaptext=Star articles by geographical distribution | regionmapsize=900px | regionmapalign=center | regionInteractiveMap=map1 }} </div>--> {{mapframe|zoom=auto|width=1280|align=center}} <!-- Start of 1st-column --> {|style="border-spacing:8px;margin:0px -8px" |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#fffffffff;vertical-align:top;color:#000"| {|width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#fffffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Asia</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''East Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hiroshima]]|lat=34.3853|long=132.4553}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chuo koen blessings.jpg | article=Hiroshima | description= is an industrial city of wide boulevards and criss-crossing rivers, located along the coast of the [[Seto Inland Sea]]. Although many only know it for the horrific split second on August 6, 1945, when it became the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with a lot of great food and nightlife. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Okayama]]|lat=34.6553|long=133.9202}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Korakuen and Castle.JPG | article=Okayama | description= is a major transit hub in western Japan. But with white peaches, a brooding black castle, scenic cycling, and the famous Kōrakuen Garden, there are plenty of reasons to catch a later train and get out of the station to explore. }} <big>''Southeast Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bali]]|lat=-8.43|long=115.167}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pura Ulun Danu Bratan A.JPG | article=Bali | description= The famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, stakes a serious claim to be paradise on earth. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Borobudur]]|lat=-7.6000|long=110.2000}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Borobudur_Stupa_Merapi.jpg | article=Borobudur | description= is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex dating from the 8th century, and a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. This is one of world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on earth, and few who visit fail to be taken by both the scale of place, and the remarkable attention to detail that went into the construction. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Nusa Lembongan]]|lat=-8.6818|long=115.4511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dream Beach.jpg | article=Nusa Lembongan | description= fast becoming one of Bali's most popular attractions, is an island paradise a world away from the hassle and hectic pace of [[South Bali]]. Neither hawkers nor traffic mar the magnificent scenery; this is a fine place to just put your feet up and relax. Main activities include surfing, diving and snorkeling. The water is some of the clearest you will find anywhere, and a vivid aqua blue in colour. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ubud]]|lat=-8.5069|long=115.2624}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Traditional performing arts 001, Ubud, Bali.JPG | article=Ubud | description= is far removed from the drunken bikini scene in [[Kuta]], and is regarded as the cultural centre of [[Bali]]. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists' workshops and galleries. There are some remarkable architectural sights, artistic gems to be found, and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed, all thanks to the spirit, surroundings, and climate of the place. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Singapore]]|lat=.29|long=103.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Singapore Skyline.jpg | article=Singapore | description= is a city-state in [[Southeast Asia]]. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world's most prosperous countries and sports the world's busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Bangkok]]''|lat=13.7522|long=100.4939}}<!-- If the indent was intended, please revert, and leave a note to say why --> {{Star-article-archive | image=Bangkok_2008_020.JPG | article=Bangkok/Khao San Road | description='''[[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]]''' is a small road located about a block from the Chao Phraya River at the northern side of Rattanakosin in [[Bangkok]]. Backpackers and budget travelers are drawn here by some of the cheapest accommodation and travel deals in Thailand. Over the years gentrification has taken place as new guest houses, restaurants, bars and clubs moved into the area. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pratunam.jpg | article=Bangkok/Pratunam | description='''[[Bangkok/Pratunam|Pratunam]]''' is a shopping district in [[Bangkok]]. It is a major market area with thousands of fashion stores that sell wholesale with cheap prices guaranteed, especially if you buy in bulk. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg | article=Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat | description='''[[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]]''' is a multicultural district in [[Bangkok]], home to the city's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. By day, Yaowarat doesn't look that much different from any other part of Bangkok, though the neighborhood feels like a big street market and there are some hidden gems waiting to be explored. But at night, the neon signs blazing with Chinese characters are turned on and crowds from the restaurants spill out onto the streets, turning the area into a miniature Hong Kong (minus the skyscrapers). Phahurat is an excellent place for buying fabrics, accessories and religious paraphernalia. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Chinatown_bangkok.jpg | size=150px | article=Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour | description='''[[Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour]]''' is a one-day-and-night guided walking tour through [[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]], the home of Bangkok's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. }} <big>''South Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mohenjo-daro]]|lat=27.3292|long=68.1389}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mohenjo-daro Priesterkönig.jpeg | size=150px | article=Mohenjo-daro | description= is an archaeological site of immense historical significance in northwestern [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]]. Established in about 2,600 BCE, this was one of the main centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Home to some 35.000 to 50.000 people, it was also one of the largest and most developed cities of its time. Today, the ruins of Mohenjo-daro are a highlight on any trip to Pakistan. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Europe</h2> <br> <big>''Benelux''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hilversum]]|lat=52.2253|long=5.1747}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum, the Netherlands.jpg | article=Hilversum | description= is a medium-sized city in the [[Gooi en Vechtstreek|Gooi]] area of [[North Holland]] in the [[Netherlands]]. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, most travelers still come over to cycle and hike through the surrounding forests and heath. The city is also known for its modern architecture, with Dudok's ''Hilversum Town Hall'' (''Raadhuis Hilversum'') being the most significant design. For Dutch people, Hilversum became synonymous with the Dutch media industry. }} <big>''Central Europe''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Travemünde]]|lat=53.9612|long=10.8723}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Travemuende-Bailiwick-Building.JPG | article=Travemünde | description= is the closest of the boroughs of Lübeck to the Baltic Sea. As the name suggests, it is situated at the very mouth of the river Trave. For hundreds of years, Travemünde has been a popular seaside resort and harbour on the German Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. Daily passenger and cargo ferries leave to Scandinavia and the Baltic states but the pristine white beach and the rich history encourages people to stay. The town is trying to built a new future as a tourist destination to avoid the fate of many faceless ports. }} <big>''Britain and Ireland''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Berneray]]|lat=57.7194|long=-7.1864}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Backhill.jpg | article=Berneray | description= is an island in the [[Outer Hebrides]] (otherwise known as the Western Isles) off the west coast of [[Scotland]]. It is joined to the larger island of [[North Uist]] by a short double-track road causeway. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[London/Hampstead|Hampstead]]|lat=51.5542|long=-0.1744}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Kenwood House, London - geograph.org.uk - 3318.jpg | article=London/Hampstead | description= is a lovely part of north-central [[London]]. The key sights are a wealth of under-stated historical attractions, and the magnificent open spaces of Hampstead Heath. Kenwood House is one of the most accessible of London's great Regency homes, John Keats has a museum devoted to his life and work at his former residence here, and the inspiration for many of John Constable's landscapes is all around you on Hampstead Heath. Combine those with some of the most interesting historical pubs in the whole city, and a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene, and Hampstead really does have much to offer the visitor. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[York]]|lat=53.9626|long=-1.0776}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Stained glass detail, All Saints' church, Pavement, York (16487632997).jpg | article=York | description=The ancient cathedral city has a history dating back over 2000 years. Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Britons from all eras have each left their mark. It is home to some of Europe's best-preserved historical buildings and structures, including York Minster and dozens of other churches, the Shambles medieval shopping street, countless handsome townhouses, and the city's walls and gatehouses. Other popular attractions on the bucket lists of York's 7 million annual visitors include the Jorvik Viking Centre and Britain's National Railway Museum. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Farnborough]]|lat=51.29|long=-0.75}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Airship_Hangar.jpg | article=Farnborough | description= is a town in the northeastern corner of the [[England|English]] county of [[Hampshire]], adjacent to the borders with [[Surrey]] and [[Berkshire]]. Farnborough used to be an isolated hamlet, and grew into a medium-sized town over the course of the 20th century. This growth was built on the back of the aviation industry; Farnborough was the site of the first powered flight in Britain, made by Samuel Cody in 1904. Today, the aerospace, defence and technology industries thrive and aviation heritage is evident all around the town. Farnborough is best known as the home of the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, which has been running since 1948. }} <!-- <big>''Caucasus''</big> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sheki caravansarai.jpg | article=Sheki | description='''[[Sheki]]''' is [[Azerbaijan]]'s true travel gem, a small city off on the forested slopes of the [[Caucasus|Greater Caucasus Mountains]]. Rich in Islamic architecture, [[Silk Road]] history, good food, and friendly people, this is travel and leisure in the [[Caucasus]] at its finest. }} --> <big>''France''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st arrondissement]]|lat=48.8627|long=2.3361}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Louvre 01.jpg | article=Paris/1st arrondissement | description= the center of contemporary [[Paris]] and the site of such landmarks as the Louvre and of the Tuileries and Palais-Royal, is full of attractions for travelers of all inclinations, including some of the finest parks, museums, shops, and bars in the city. The 1st occupies the Right Bank of the River Seine and extends onto the western section of the ''Île de la Cité'' in the midst of the river. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bouzigues]]|lat=43.446|long=3.660}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Bouzigues, Hérault 08.jpg | article=Bouzigues | description= is a lovely coastal town in Hérault, southern France. It is known above all for its oyster production and numerous quality seafood restaurants. Bouzigues can be thought of as a seaside resort without the resort, with very limited accommodation, and not too many tourists. It is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants to enjoy a slower pace of life. }} <big>''Iberia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Caldas da Rainha]]|lat=39.4072|long=-9.1358}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pq d carlos i pavilhoes 2.JPG | article=Caldas da Rainha | description= is absent from most international travellers' itineraries, and is thus an excellent place to experience genuine Portugal without hordes of tourists. It is a [[UNESCO Creative Cities|UNESCO Creative City]] known for its art and its hot springs. }} <big>''Nordic countries''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Copenhagen]]|lat=55.6762|long=12.5675}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Cph nyhavn.jpg | article=Copenhagen | description= is the capital of [[Denmark]] and what a million Danes call home. This "friendly old girl of a town" is big enough to be a metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy to navigate. Overlooking the Øresund strait with Sweden just minutes away, it is a cultural and geographic link between mainland Europe and Scandinavia. This is where old fairy tales blend with flashy new architecture and world-class design; where warm jazz mixes with cold electronica from Copenhagen's basements. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=VMhousing.jpg | article=Copenhagen/Amager | description='''[[Copenhagen/Amager|Amager]]''' is a district and island southwest of central [[Copenhagen]], covering some 96 km² (37 mi²), and mostly notable as the home of Copenhagen Airport and the charming old fishing hamlet of Dragør. Long considered the backwaters of the city, this old working class district is now undergoing rapid development, contributing to some wonderful contrasts; from the huge uncultivated wetlands of Kalvebod Fælled, the ultra modern Ørestad development area, the laid back and impossibly picturesque Dragør fishing hamlet to the fiercely local patriotic public housing blocks on the northern part of the island. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Uppsala]]|lat=59.8581|long=17.6446}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Gustavianum - KMB - 16000300025752.jpg | article=Uppsala | description= is an old but youthful university town {{km|70}} north of [[Stockholm]]. It is home to the oldest university and the largest cathedral in the Nordic countries. It was the most important place in Sweden during the [[Vikings and the Old Norse|Viking era]], and became the birthplace of modern biology with [[Carl Linnaeus tourism|Carl Linnaeus]] in the 18th century. }} <big>''Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Staraya Russa]]|lat=57.9833|long=31.3500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Воскресенский собор в Старой Руссе.jpg | article=Staraya Russa | description= is a small, historic town in the center of [[Novgorod Oblast]], long famous domestically for its balneological mineral waters resort, but much more famous among international travelers as Dostoevsky's summer retreat, and the basis for the fictional town of Skotoprigonievsk in '''''The Brothers Karamazov'''''. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Oceania</h2> <br> <big>''Australia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Kununurra]]|lat=-15.7737|long=128.7387}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mirima_National_Park.JPG | article=Kununurra | description= is a small town built on big dreams in a remote corner of the vast Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its unaffected pastoral feel makes a comfortable base from which to explore the majestic natural attractions in the rugged surrounding landscape. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Menzies]]|lat=-29.6881|long=121.0369}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Menzies_town_hall.jpg | article=Menzies | description= is a small town that endured more than 100 years of decline after its gold rush era boom to retain a distinctive impression of the Goldfields' fickle fortunes. The graceful heritage buildings impart histories no less peculiar than the eerie sculptures at nearby Lake Ballard, making Menzies an intriguing destination for the inquisitive traveller. }} <!-- {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mungo National Park]]|lat=-33.74|long=143.13}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Wall of China.jpg | article=Mungo National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] in Outback New South Wales, where some of the oldest human bodies outside Africa have been found on top of some of the remnants of the eroded, and what's now known as the "Walls of China", the park gives a true and unique insight about the indigenous history of Australia, never thought about before. }} --> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Stratford (Victoria)]]|lat=-37.9667|long=147.0833}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Badger and Hare January 2021.jpg | article=Stratford (Victoria) | description= A rural town in Gippsland on the Avon River which is easily accessible from Melbourne by train, Stratford has many parks and cafes to visit, and a yearly Shakespeare festival held in the autumn months, making it a lovely town to see for any traveller looking for a quieter, lesser-known destination. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Sydney Harbour National Park]]|lat=-33.8429|long=151.2453}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MiddleGeorgeshedfort0077.JPG | article=Sydney Harbour National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] scattered across Sydney Harbour, and is one of the many national parks within metropolitan Sydney, renowned for its sheltered beaches, tranquil picnic spots, rich Aboriginal, colonial and military heritage, aquatic reserves and most importantly; harbour islands where history meets the harbour. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Travel topics</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sears Tower Skydeck view labeled.png | article=Chicago skyline guide | description=The '''[[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago skyline]]''' is the world's tallest and easily ranks among its most magnificent. It boasts three of [[United States of America|America's]] five tallest buildings and, if you include its antenna, the massive Sears Tower remains the second tallest skyscraper in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Camara hpE327 155.jpg | article=Retiring abroad | description='''[[Retiring abroad]]''' can let you live cheaply in an interesting place; you are not all that likely to actually find paradise-on-earth or the fountain of youth, but you might get close enough to enjoy yourself immensely. }} <big>''Scuba diving''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]]|lat=-34.0925|long=18.8113}}{{Star-article-archive | image=On the way to a dive off Cape Town PA312178.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay | description= is a regional dive guide intended to provide the already qualified Scuba diver with information which will help to plan dives in the waters of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, in the immediate vicinity of [[Cape Town]], whether as a local resident or a visitor }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Pinnacle|lat=-34.174467|long=18.833017|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Inkspot nudibranch at Pinnacle DSC02731.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle|Pinnacle]]''' is an inshore rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area of the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Partridge Point|lat=-34.25475|long=18.4775|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Peters_pinnacle_cave.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point | description=The dive sites at '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point]]''', including '''Big Rock''', '''Seal Rock''', '''Deep Partridge''' and '''Peter's Pinnacles''' are inshore rocky reefs at the southern end of the Castle Rocks restricted zone within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Photographer's Reef|lat=-34.197450|long=18.457283|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Photographer's reef detail.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef|Photographer's Reef]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is in the Boulders restricted zone of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Percy's Hole gully|lat=-34.289167|long=18.82295|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Percys Hole gully from NE close up.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole|Percy's Hole]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near [[Rooi-els]] on the east side of False Bay, near [[Cape Town]] in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=MFV ''Aster''|lat=-34.065017|long=18.34945|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Divers at the rudder of the Aster PB182639.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster | description=The dive site at the wreck of the '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster|MV Aster]]''' in Hout Bay on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, South Africa, is the wreck of a lobster fishing boat which was scuttled to provide an artificial reef and a diver friendly wreck site. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Whittle Rock |lat=-34.247933|long=18.561817}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dive sites of the Whittle Rock area Hi-Res for mobile.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock]]''' in False Bay is a large offshore rocky reef near Cape Town,in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The reef is partly inside the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} |- |}<!-- Start of 2nd-column --> |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top"| {| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">North America</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''United States of America''</big><br><br> ''California'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[San Francisco]]|lat=37.7857|long=-122.4061}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Us-ca-sanfran-goldengate.jpg | article=San Francisco | description= is a major city in [[California]], the centerpiece of the [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]], well known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. These are only a few of the aspects of the city that make San Francisco one of the most visited cities in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Citylights.jpg | article=San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach | description='''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown-North Beach]]''' in [[San Francisco]] combines two adjoining neighbors, both of which are among the city's most popular immigrant neighborhoods. Culturally and aesthetically, they could not be more different yet their streets mesh seamlessly together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=SFSymphony Hall.jpg | article=San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin | description='''[[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center-Tenderloin]]''' is an area of Downtown [[San Francisco]]. As the name implies, the Civic Center is the primary center of government within the city and many important civic institutions are housed here. Aside from its official duties, it also moonlights as a cultural center with many fine museums, theaters, opera houses, and symphony halls located here. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Giantcrab_pier39.JPG | size=150px | article=San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf | description='''[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]''' is [[San Francisco]]'s most popular destination among travelers, with circa 12 million visitors flocking here each year. For over a century its historic waterfront was the hub of the city's fishing fleet and is still famous for the depth and variety of its harvest, as well as for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the city. Today, it's also renowned for its numerous tourist attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=GoldenGateBridge1.jpg | article=San Francisco/Golden Gate | description=The '''[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]]''' area is in the northern section of [[San Francisco]]. It is made up of two National Historic Landmarks &mdash; The Presidio and Fort Mason &mdash; as well as several upscale neighborhoods including Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, and the Marina District. It has some of the most beautiful scenery and intact natural environments in the city. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Yosemite National Park]]|lat=37.7333|long=-119.5500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Lower Cathedral Lake.jpg | article=Yosemite National Park | description= is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. }} ''Florida'' :{{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Walt Disney World]]''|lat=28.38|long=-81.56}} {{Star-article-archive | image=Disney World - Entrance sign - by inkiboo.jpg | article=Walt Disney World | description=At '''[[Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]]''', you can explore human innovation and cooperation; enjoy rides both thrilling and enchanting; relax and recuperate on the beach or the golf course; and discover an entire resort where children and adults can have fun—together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Panthera tigris5.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom|Animal Kingdom]]''', you can learn how tough it is to be a bug, dig for dinosaur bones, challenge the mysterious Himalayan yeti, and view hundreds of live animals in authentic settings. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Venue for Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Disney Springs | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Disney Springs|Disney Springs]]''', you can design your own T-shirt or marvel at the biggest Disney store in the world; enjoy the fine cuisine of Wolfgang Puck or eat amongst the dinosaurs; visit a virtual-reality theme park or see incredible acrobatic feats; and in general just get away from the Disney parks for a while. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Spaceship Earth 2.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Epcot | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Epcot|Epcot]]''', you can visit Mexico, France, and China, all in the same afternoon; survive crash tests in an experimental car; soar over California with the wind in your hair; and learn all about human achievement and international cooperation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Sci-Fi_Dine-In_Theater_interior_by_hyku.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios|Hollywood Studios]]''', you can help Indiana Jones escape from the Nazis, take a wild limousine ride through Los Angeles, get shrunk to the size of a gnat, and learn all about the behind-the-scenes process of creating films and animation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Magic Kingdom - The 'Big Bang' at Wishes - by hyku.jpg | size=150px | article=Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom|Magic Kingdom]]''', you can pillage the Caribbean with Jack Sparrow, spin through a tea party with the Mad Hatter, protect the galaxy with Buzz Lightyear, and visit the six themed lands of the world's most popular theme park. }} ''Mid-Atlantic'' :''Baltimore'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Baltimore/Fells Point|Fells Point]]|lat=39.2831|long=-76.5928}}{{Star-article-archive | image=FPwaterfront.jpg | article=Baltimore/Fells Point | description= is a historic maritime neighborhood east of [[Baltimore]]'s Inner Harbor area that contains the city's densest collection of pubs, bars, and restaurants (good ones, that is). }} :''New York'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Buffalo]]|lat=42.892|long=-78.857}}{{Star-article-archive | image=BuffaloSkyline.jpg | article=Buffalo | description=The largest city in [[New York (state)|New York State]]'s [[Niagara Frontier]] is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, local residents and others who are in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with community spirit and a real sense of place, a winning combination of high quality of life and low cost of living — and the sunniest summers in the Northeastern United States. Alternatively, you can do a tour of the '''[[Historic churches of Buffalo's East Side]]''', a Star itinerary. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Childs]]|lat=43.2873|long=-78.1916}}{{Star-article-archive | image=CobblestoneSchoolhouse.JPG | article=Childs | description= is a tiny hamlet in [[Orleans County (New York)|Orleans County]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. Located just north of the county seat of [[Albion (New York)|Albion]], Childs is near the center of the county and has just enough activity to make it worth considering as a jumping-off point for a tour of the region. }} :''Washington, D.C.'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Washington, D.C.]]|lat=38.9009|long=-77.0245}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Abraham Lincoln sitting in his memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C. | description= is the capital of the [[United States of America|United States]] and the seat of its three branches of government. It has an unparalleled collection of free, public museums, and the lion's share of the nation's most treasured monuments and memorials. The vistas on the [[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]] between the Capitol, Washington Monument, White House, and Lincoln Memorial are iconic throughout the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=The Big Chair.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Anacostia | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Anacostia|Anacostia]]''' is the popular name for the huge swathe of [[Washington, D.C.]] consisting of the many neighborhoods East of the River. Its heart, in the small, historic neighborhood of Anacostia, is immediately across the Frederick Douglass Bridge from the newly built Nationals Ballpark. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Georgetown from Roosevelt Island.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Georgetown | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Georgetown|Georgetown]]''' is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C. to the south of Woodley Park and west of Dupont Circle across Rock Creek Park. It is a major center of tourism in the capital for its high-end shopping and dining, quaint 18th century rowhouses on cobblestone streets, rowdy collegiate nightlife, waterfront harbor, and Georgetown University. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Lincoln Memorial by night.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./National Mall | description=The '''[[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]]''' is a National Park and the monumental green space at the heart of the city, the heart of the national psyche, and the heart of civic America. It stretches two miles just south of the White House, from the U.S. Capitol Building in the east to the Lincoln Memorial and Potomac River on the west. The park is home to the Smithsonian, a huge collection of the nation's best (and free) museums, as well as most the country's most famous memorials and monuments. It is the number one destination for visitors in the city, and one of the biggest destinations in the country. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=African-American Civil War Memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Shaw | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Shaw|Shaw]]''' is a neighborhood in [[Washington, D.C.]] just east of Dupont Circle and south of Adams Morgan, but with history and culture rooted firmly in D.C.'s African-American history that makes it impossible to mistake for those other neighborhoods. It is one of the most diverse sections of the city, with everyone moving in for the live jazz and high-end nightclubs on U St and 14th, and for the marvelous food, including the amazing Little Ethiopia strip. }} ''Midwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ann Arbor]]|lat=42.2820|long=-83.7484}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MI AnnArbor Cube.jpg | article=Ann Arbor | description= is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Isle Royale National Park]]|lat=48.03|long=-88.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Isle Royale moose.jpg | article=Isle Royale National Park | description= is a [[United States National Parks|United States National Park]] comprised of Isle Royale and the surrounding waters and small islands, a wilderness preserve in northwest Lake Superior. It's easily identified on maps of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior resembles the profile of a snarling wolf; Isle Royale is the eye. Although it's closer to [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], or even [[Minnesota]], [[USA]], it's part of the state of [[Michigan]]. }} :''Chicago'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Chicago]]|lat=41.8756|long=-87.6276}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Skyline from Millennium Park.jpg | article=Chicago | description= is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. Butcher of hogs and believer in progress, it is one of the world's great cities, and yet the metropolitan luxuries of theater, shopping, and fine dining have barely put a dent in real Midwestern friendliness. It's a city with a swagger, but without the surliness or even the fake smiles found in other cities of its size. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=John Hancock Building 2.jpg | article=Along the Magnificent Mile | description='''[[Along the Magnificent Mile]]''' is a one day and night sightseeing tour of [[Chicago]]. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Bronzeville grafitti.jpg | article=Bronzeville | description='''[[Chicago/Bronzeville|Bronzeville]]''', the Black Metropolis, is a mecca of [[Chicago#African-American History|African-American History]] on [[Chicago]]'s South Side, just miles south of downtown. Gwendolyn Brooks published poetry in the Chicago Defender, Andrew Rube Foster created Negro League Baseball, and Louis Armstrong kept his trumpet singing at the Sunset Cafe to keep Al Capone off his back. Long in disrepair, the neighborhood is coming back, with new residents refurbishing historic homes, and with new dining and nightlife scenes beginning to take root. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Calder flamingo.jpg | article=Chicago/Loop | description='''[[Chicago/Loop|The Loop]]''' is the central business district of [[Chicago]], bounded by the Chicago River to the north and west, Harrison St to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east. It contains the tallest members of [[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago's skyline]] and much of the city's finest architecture, holding within them much of the city's working stiffs; for visitors, it also has the glitzy downtown theater district, and the biggest annual music festivals. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Freeform.jpg | article=Loop Art Tour | description=The '''[[Loop Art Tour]]''' is a guided walking tour of Chicago's impressive collection of public art in [[Chicago/Loop|the Loop]], taking 2-4 hours depending on how long you linger at each sight. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chicago-riverwalk.jpg | article=Chicago/Near North | description=The '''[[Chicago/Near North|Near North]]''' is the shop-and-awe center of [[Chicago]]. It's bounded by North Avenue to the north, the Chicago River to the west and south, and Lake Michigan to the east. With a whirlwind rush of department stores, restaurants, and luxurious hotels, there's no better place to abuse your budget than the Near North and its celebrated Magnificent Mile. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pilsen3.jpg | article=Chicago/Pilsen | description='''[[Chicago/Pilsen|Pilsen]]''' is a neighborhood on the Lower West Side of [[Chicago]]. Murals of Mexican cowboys notwithstanding, Pilsen is a lot like the Wild West: only a few minutes from the [[Chicago/Loop|Loop]] by train, this working-class area is thick with riches in art and historic architecture, encircled by developers and speculators in search of the next hot neighborhood, and occupied by a community that's fiercely proud of where they live. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Greenmill.jpg | article=Chicago/Uptown | description='''[[Chicago/Uptown|Uptown]]''' is a scruffy, jazz-inflected neighborhood on the north side of [[Chicago]]. Within its boundaries, off to the side of the action, are the residential areas of Sheridan Park and Buena Park, and an exciting Southeast Asian community based around Argyle Street. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Wickeryawn.jpg | article=Chicago/Wicker Park | description='''[[Chicago/Wicker Park|Wicker Park]]''' is the vanguard of music, nightlife, and fashion in [[Chicago]]. This article also includes the sly, enjoyable Ukrainian Village, immediately south, and pieces of the greater West Town area. }} ''South'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown]]|lat=35.2272|long=-80.8431}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Uptown from westin.jpg | article=Charlotte/Uptown | description= is the central business district of [[Charlotte]]. It is home to most of the city's major institutions, as well as being the historic core. It is also the geographic center of Charlotte, with the center point of the city at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets. }} ''Southwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Albuquerque]]|lat=35.0844|long=-106.6511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=ABQ Balloon Fiesta.jpg | article=Albuquerque | description= the largest city in [[New Mexico]] is a vibrant, sprawling desert metropolis. Although overshadowed as a tourist destination by [[Santa Fe (New Mexico) | Santa Fe]], it has a number of great attractions in its own right, with pleasant scenery, colorful history, and a spectacular hot-air balloon ''fiesta'' in the fall. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]]|lat=35.6916|long=-105.9374}}{{Star-article-archive | image=St Francis Cathedral Santa Fe.jpg | article=Santa Fe (New Mexico) | description= founded in 1607, is the capital of the state of [[New Mexico]] in the [[United States of America | United States]]. With an elevation of 7000 feet, it is not only the United States' oldest state capital but its highest. With a population of about 70,000, it's not the most populous capital, but that's part of its charm. Santa Fe is consistently rated one of the world's top travel destinations for its confluence of scenic beauty, long history (at least by American standards), cultural diversity, and extraordinary concentration of arts, music and fine dining. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Zion National Park]]|lat=37.30|long=-113.05}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Zion Canyon2.JPG | article=Zion National Park | description= is a [[United States National Park |United States National Park]] located in the southern [[Utah]] regions of [[Dixie (Utah)|Dixie]] and [[Canyon Country]]. The park protects the incredible rock formations and high sandstone cliffs within its boundaries and is a favorite spot for hiking, backpacking, canyoneering and climbing. In fact, Zion has some of the most spectacular trails in the National Park System. Visitors to Zion walk on the canyon floor and look up, rather than looking down from the rim as in many parks. In addition to the magnificent monoliths and cliffs, the park is known for its desert landscape of sandstone canyons, mesas, and high plateaus. }} ''Texas'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Big Bend National Park]]|lat=29.2500|long=-103.2500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Big Bend Texas.jpg | article=Big Bend National Park | description= is vast, rugged, and one of the least visited [[United States National Parks|national parks]] in the continental U.S. With three distinct ecosystems, endless views, and powerful landscapes, Big Bend may leave you feeling like you've stumbled onto a well-kept secret. }} <big>''Canada''</big><br><br> ''Manitoba'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Churchill]]|lat=58.7692|long=-94.1692}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear11.JPG | article=Churchill | description= is The Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Capital of the World, and a capital choice to see the Northern Lights right overhead. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Phrasebooks</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Russian language map.png | article=Russian phrasebook | description='''[[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]''' is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many other people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Kyrgyzstan]], as well as the unrecognized states of [[Abkhazia]], [[South Ossetia]], and [[Transnistria]]. }} |- |} |} {{Title-Index page}} npr9o3y7fuiujlahlvv0nxbgv08o5cr 4506769 4506765 2022-08-23T10:28:44Z SHB2000 2248002 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Newstap news|Newstap news]] ([[User talk:Newstap news|talk]]) to last version by [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Star articles-banner.jpg|caption=|index=yes}} The proud few articles that have passed the rigorous [[Project:Star nominations|nomination process]] to attain '''[[Project:Article status|Star article status]]''' are the best travel guides Wikivoyage has to offer. They essentially meet Wikivoyage's criteria for '''perfection''', are at least competitive with the best of existing travel guides to the destination, and at best exceed all competition. If you are an aspiring Wikivoyage writer, look no further than these '''[[Project:Manual of style|rigorously formatted]]''' articles to understand exactly what you should [[Project:Plunge forward|shoot for]]! <br clear="all" /> <!--<div align="center"> {{Regionlist | regionmap=Wikivoyage_stars_map.svg | regionmaptext=Star articles by geographical distribution | regionmapsize=900px | regionmapalign=center | regionInteractiveMap=map1 }} </div>--> {{mapframe|zoom=auto|width=1280|align=center}} <!-- Start of 1st-column --> {|style="border-spacing:8px;margin:0px -8px" |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#fffffffff;vertical-align:top;color:#000"| {|width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#fffffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Asia</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''East Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hiroshima]]|lat=34.3853|long=132.4553}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chuo koen blessings.jpg | article=Hiroshima | description= is an industrial city of wide boulevards and criss-crossing rivers, located along the coast of the [[Seto Inland Sea]]. Although many only know it for the horrific split second on August 6, 1945, when it became the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with a lot of great food and nightlife. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Okayama]]|lat=34.6553|long=133.9202}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Korakuen and Castle.JPG | article=Okayama | description= is a major transit hub in western Japan. But with white peaches, a brooding black castle, scenic cycling, and the famous Kōrakuen Garden, there are plenty of reasons to catch a later train and get out of the station to explore. }} <big>''Southeast Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bali]]|lat=-8.43|long=115.167}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pura Ulun Danu Bratan A.JPG | article=Bali | description= The famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, stakes a serious claim to be paradise on earth. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Borobudur]]|lat=-7.6000|long=110.2000}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Borobudur_Stupa_Merapi.jpg | article=Borobudur | description= is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex dating from the 8th century, and a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. This is one of world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on earth, and few who visit fail to be taken by both the scale of place, and the remarkable attention to detail that went into the construction. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Nusa Lembongan]]|lat=-8.6818|long=115.4511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dream Beach.jpg | article=Nusa Lembongan | description= fast becoming one of Bali's most popular attractions, is an island paradise a world away from the hassle and hectic pace of [[South Bali]]. Neither hawkers nor traffic mar the magnificent scenery; this is a fine place to just put your feet up and relax. Main activities include surfing, diving and snorkeling. The water is some of the clearest you will find anywhere, and a vivid aqua blue in colour. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ubud]]|lat=-8.5069|long=115.2624}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Traditional performing arts 001, Ubud, Bali.JPG | article=Ubud | description= is far removed from the drunken bikini scene in [[Kuta]], and is regarded as the cultural centre of [[Bali]]. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists' workshops and galleries. There are some remarkable architectural sights, artistic gems to be found, and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed, all thanks to the spirit, surroundings, and climate of the place. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Singapore]]|lat=.29|long=103.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Singapore Skyline.jpg | article=Singapore | description= is a city-state in [[Southeast Asia]]. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world's most prosperous countries and sports the world's busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Bangkok]]''|lat=13.7522|long=100.4939}}<!-- If the indent was intended, please revert, and leave a note to say why --> {{Star-article-archive | image=Bangkok_2008_020.JPG | article=Bangkok/Khao San Road | description='''[[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]]''' is a small road located about a block from the Chao Phraya River at the northern side of Rattanakosin in [[Bangkok]]. Backpackers and budget travelers are drawn here by some of the cheapest accommodation and travel deals in Thailand. Over the years gentrification has taken place as new guest houses, restaurants, bars and clubs moved into the area. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pratunam.jpg | article=Bangkok/Pratunam | description='''[[Bangkok/Pratunam|Pratunam]]''' is a shopping district in [[Bangkok]]. It is a major market area with thousands of fashion stores that sell wholesale with cheap prices guaranteed, especially if you buy in bulk. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg | article=Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat | description='''[[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]]''' is a multicultural district in [[Bangkok]], home to the city's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. By day, Yaowarat doesn't look that much different from any other part of Bangkok, though the neighborhood feels like a big street market and there are some hidden gems waiting to be explored. But at night, the neon signs blazing with Chinese characters are turned on and crowds from the restaurants spill out onto the streets, turning the area into a miniature Hong Kong (minus the skyscrapers). Phahurat is an excellent place for buying fabrics, accessories and religious paraphernalia. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Chinatown_bangkok.jpg | size=150px | article=Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour | description='''[[Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour]]''' is a one-day-and-night guided walking tour through [[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]], the home of Bangkok's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. }} <big>''South Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mohenjo-daro]]|lat=27.3292|long=68.1389}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mohenjo-daro Priesterkönig.jpeg | size=150px | article=Mohenjo-daro | description= is an archaeological site of immense historical significance in northwestern [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]]. Established in about 2,600 BCE, this was one of the main centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Home to some 35.000 to 50.000 people, it was also one of the largest and most developed cities of its time. Today, the ruins of Mohenjo-daro are a highlight on any trip to Pakistan. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Europe</h2> <br> <big>''Benelux''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hilversum]]|lat=52.2253|long=5.1747}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum, the Netherlands.jpg | article=Hilversum | description= is a medium-sized city in the [[Gooi en Vechtstreek|Gooi]] area of [[North Holland]] in the [[Netherlands]]. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, most travelers still come over to cycle and hike through the surrounding forests and heath. The city is also known for its modern architecture, with Dudok's ''Hilversum Town Hall'' (''Raadhuis Hilversum'') being the most significant design. For Dutch people, Hilversum became synonymous with the Dutch media industry. }} <big>''Central Europe''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Travemünde]]|lat=53.9612|long=10.8723}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Travemuende-Bailiwick-Building.JPG | article=Travemünde | description= is the closest of the boroughs of Lübeck to the Baltic Sea. As the name suggests, it is situated at the very mouth of the river Trave. For hundreds of years, Travemünde has been a popular seaside resort and harbour on the German Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. Daily passenger and cargo ferries leave to Scandinavia and the Baltic states but the pristine white beach and the rich history encourages people to stay. The town is trying to built a new future as a tourist destination to avoid the fate of many faceless ports. }} <big>''Britain and Ireland''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Berneray]]|lat=57.7194|long=-7.1864}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Backhill.jpg | article=Berneray | description= is an island in the [[Outer Hebrides]] (otherwise known as the Western Isles) off the west coast of [[Scotland]]. It is joined to the larger island of [[North Uist]] by a short double-track road causeway. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[London/Hampstead|Hampstead]]|lat=51.5542|long=-0.1744}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Kenwood House, London - geograph.org.uk - 3318.jpg | article=London/Hampstead | description= is a lovely part of north-central [[London]]. The key sights are a wealth of under-stated historical attractions, and the magnificent open spaces of Hampstead Heath. Kenwood House is one of the most accessible of London's great Regency homes, John Keats has a museum devoted to his life and work at his former residence here, and the inspiration for many of John Constable's landscapes is all around you on Hampstead Heath. Combine those with some of the most interesting historical pubs in the whole city, and a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene, and Hampstead really does have much to offer the visitor. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[York]]|lat=53.9626|long=-1.0776}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Stained glass detail, All Saints' church, Pavement, York (16487632997).jpg | article=York | description=The ancient cathedral city has a history dating back over 2000 years. Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Britons from all eras have each left their mark. It is home to some of Europe's best-preserved historical buildings and structures, including York Minster and dozens of other churches, the Shambles medieval shopping street, countless handsome townhouses, and the city's walls and gatehouses. Other popular attractions on the bucket lists of York's 7 million annual visitors include the Jorvik Viking Centre and Britain's National Railway Museum. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Farnborough]]|lat=51.29|long=-0.75}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Airship_Hangar.jpg | article=Farnborough | description= is a town in the northeastern corner of the [[England|English]] county of [[Hampshire]], adjacent to the borders with [[Surrey]] and [[Berkshire]]. Farnborough used to be an isolated hamlet, and grew into a medium-sized town over the course of the 20th century. This growth was built on the back of the aviation industry; Farnborough was the site of the first powered flight in Britain, made by Samuel Cody in 1904. Today, the aerospace, defence and technology industries thrive and aviation heritage is evident all around the town. Farnborough is best known as the home of the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, which has been running since 1948. }} <!-- <big>''Caucasus''</big> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sheki caravansarai.jpg | article=Sheki | description='''[[Sheki]]''' is [[Azerbaijan]]'s true travel gem, a small city off on the forested slopes of the [[Caucasus|Greater Caucasus Mountains]]. Rich in Islamic architecture, [[Silk Road]] history, good food, and friendly people, this is travel and leisure in the [[Caucasus]] at its finest. }} --> <big>''France''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st arrondissement]]|lat=48.8627|long=2.3361}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Louvre 01.jpg | article=Paris/1st arrondissement | description= the center of contemporary [[Paris]] and the site of such landmarks as the Louvre and of the Tuileries and Palais-Royal, is full of attractions for travelers of all inclinations, including some of the finest parks, museums, shops, and bars in the city. The 1st occupies the Right Bank of the River Seine and extends onto the western section of the ''Île de la Cité'' in the midst of the river. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bouzigues]]|lat=43.446|long=3.660}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Bouzigues, Hérault 08.jpg | article=Bouzigues | description= is a lovely coastal town in Hérault, southern France. It is known above all for its oyster production and numerous quality seafood restaurants. Bouzigues can be thought of as a seaside resort without the resort, with very limited accommodation, and not too many tourists. It is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants to enjoy a slower pace of life. }} <big>''Iberia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Caldas da Rainha]]|lat=39.4072|long=-9.1358}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pq d carlos i pavilhoes 2.JPG | article=Caldas da Rainha | description= is absent from most international travellers' itineraries, and is thus an excellent place to experience genuine Portugal without hordes of tourists. It is a [[UNESCO Creative Cities|UNESCO Creative City]] known for its art and its hot springs. }} <big>''Nordic countries''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Copenhagen]]|lat=55.6762|long=12.5675}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Cph nyhavn.jpg | article=Copenhagen | description= is the capital of [[Denmark]] and what a million Danes call home. This "friendly old girl of a town" is big enough to be a metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy to navigate. Overlooking the Øresund strait with Sweden just minutes away, it is a cultural and geographic link between mainland Europe and Scandinavia. This is where old fairy tales blend with flashy new architecture and world-class design; where warm jazz mixes with cold electronica from Copenhagen's basements. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=VMhousing.jpg | article=Copenhagen/Amager | description='''[[Copenhagen/Amager|Amager]]''' is a district and island southwest of central [[Copenhagen]], covering some 96 km² (37 mi²), and mostly notable as the home of Copenhagen Airport and the charming old fishing hamlet of Dragør. Long considered the backwaters of the city, this old working class district is now undergoing rapid development, contributing to some wonderful contrasts; from the huge uncultivated wetlands of Kalvebod Fælled, the ultra modern Ørestad development area, the laid back and impossibly picturesque Dragør fishing hamlet to the fiercely local patriotic public housing blocks on the northern part of the island. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Uppsala]]|lat=59.8581|long=17.6446}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Gustavianum - KMB - 16000300025752.jpg | article=Uppsala | description= is an old but youthful university town {{km|70}} north of [[Stockholm]]. It is home to the oldest university and the largest cathedral in the Nordic countries. It was the most important place in Sweden during the [[Vikings and the Old Norse|Viking era]], and became the birthplace of modern biology with [[Carl Linnaeus tourism|Carl Linnaeus]] in the 18th century. }} <big>''Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Staraya Russa]]|lat=57.9833|long=31.3500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Воскресенский собор в Старой Руссе.jpg | article=Staraya Russa | description= is a small, historic town in the center of [[Novgorod Oblast]], long famous domestically for its balneological mineral waters resort, but much more famous among international travelers as Dostoevsky's summer retreat, and the basis for the fictional town of Skotoprigonievsk in '''''The Brothers Karamazov'''''. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Oceania</h2> <br> <big>''Australia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Kununurra]]|lat=-15.7737|long=128.7387}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mirima_National_Park.JPG | article=Kununurra | description= is a small town built on big dreams in a remote corner of the vast Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its unaffected pastoral feel makes a comfortable base from which to explore the majestic natural attractions in the rugged surrounding landscape. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Menzies]]|lat=-29.6881|long=121.0369}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Menzies_town_hall.jpg | article=Menzies | description= is a small town that endured more than 100 years of decline after its gold rush era boom to retain a distinctive impression of the Goldfields' fickle fortunes. The graceful heritage buildings impart histories no less peculiar than the eerie sculptures at nearby Lake Ballard, making Menzies an intriguing destination for the inquisitive traveller. }} <!-- {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mungo National Park]]|lat=-33.74|long=143.13}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Wall of China.jpg | article=Mungo National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] in Outback New South Wales, where some of the oldest human bodies outside Africa have been found on top of some of the remnants of the eroded, and what's now known as the "Walls of China", the park gives a true and unique insight about the indigenous history of Australia, never thought about before. }} --> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Stratford (Victoria)]]|lat=-37.9667|long=147.0833}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Badger and Hare January 2021.jpg | article=Stratford (Victoria) | description= A rural town in Gippsland on the Avon River which is easily accessible from Melbourne by train, Stratford has many parks and cafes to visit, and a yearly Shakespeare festival held in the autumn months, making it a lovely town to see for any traveller looking for a quieter, lesser-known destination. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Sydney Harbour National Park]]|lat=-33.8429|long=151.2453}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MiddleGeorgeshedfort0077.JPG | article=Sydney Harbour National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] scattered across Sydney Harbour, and is one of the many national parks within metropolitan Sydney, renowned for its sheltered beaches, tranquil picnic spots, rich Aboriginal, colonial and military heritage, aquatic reserves and most importantly; harbour islands where history meets the harbour. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Travel topics</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sears Tower Skydeck view labeled.png | article=Chicago skyline guide | description=The '''[[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago skyline]]''' is the world's tallest and easily ranks among its most magnificent. It boasts three of [[United States of America|America's]] five tallest buildings and, if you include its antenna, the massive Sears Tower remains the second tallest skyscraper in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Camara hpE327 155.jpg | article=Retiring abroad | description='''[[Retiring abroad]]''' can let you live cheaply in an interesting place; you are not all that likely to actually find paradise-on-earth or the fountain of youth, but you might get close enough to enjoy yourself immensely. }} <big>''Scuba diving''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]]|lat=-34.0925|long=18.8113}}{{Star-article-archive | image=On the way to a dive off Cape Town PA312178.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay | description= is a regional dive guide intended to provide the already qualified Scuba diver with information which will help to plan dives in the waters of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, in the immediate vicinity of [[Cape Town]], whether as a local resident or a visitor }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Pinnacle|lat=-34.174467|long=18.833017|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Inkspot nudibranch at Pinnacle DSC02731.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle|Pinnacle]]''' is an inshore rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area of the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Partridge Point|lat=-34.25475|long=18.4775|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Peters_pinnacle_cave.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point | description=The dive sites at '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point]]''', including '''Big Rock''', '''Seal Rock''', '''Deep Partridge''' and '''Peter's Pinnacles''' are inshore rocky reefs at the southern end of the Castle Rocks restricted zone within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Photographer's Reef|lat=-34.197450|long=18.457283|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Photographer's reef detail.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef|Photographer's Reef]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is in the Boulders restricted zone of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Percy's Hole gully|lat=-34.289167|long=18.82295|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Percys Hole gully from NE close up.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole|Percy's Hole]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near [[Rooi-els]] on the east side of False Bay, near [[Cape Town]] in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=MFV ''Aster''|lat=-34.065017|long=18.34945|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Divers at the rudder of the Aster PB182639.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster | description=The dive site at the wreck of the '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster|MV Aster]]''' in Hout Bay on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, South Africa, is the wreck of a lobster fishing boat which was scuttled to provide an artificial reef and a diver friendly wreck site. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Whittle Rock |lat=-34.247933|long=18.561817}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dive sites of the Whittle Rock area Hi-Res for mobile.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock]]''' in False Bay is a large offshore rocky reef near Cape Town,in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The reef is partly inside the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} |- |}<!-- Start of 2nd-column --> |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top"| {| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">North America</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''United States of America''</big><br><br> ''California'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[San Francisco]]|lat=37.7857|long=-122.4061}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Us-ca-sanfran-goldengate.jpg | article=San Francisco | description= is a major city in [[California]], the centerpiece of the [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]], well known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. These are only a few of the aspects of the city that make San Francisco one of the most visited cities in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Citylights.jpg | article=San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach | description='''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown-North Beach]]''' in [[San Francisco]] combines two adjoining neighbors, both of which are among the city's most popular immigrant neighborhoods. Culturally and aesthetically, they could not be more different yet their streets mesh seamlessly together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=SFSymphony Hall.jpg | article=San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin | description='''[[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center-Tenderloin]]''' is an area of Downtown [[San Francisco]]. As the name implies, the Civic Center is the primary center of government within the city and many important civic institutions are housed here. Aside from its official duties, it also moonlights as a cultural center with many fine museums, theaters, opera houses, and symphony halls located here. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Giantcrab_pier39.JPG | size=150px | article=San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf | description='''[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]''' is [[San Francisco]]'s most popular destination among travelers, with circa 12 million visitors flocking here each year. For over a century its historic waterfront was the hub of the city's fishing fleet and is still famous for the depth and variety of its harvest, as well as for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the city. Today, it's also renowned for its numerous tourist attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=GoldenGateBridge1.jpg | article=San Francisco/Golden Gate | description=The '''[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]]''' area is in the northern section of [[San Francisco]]. It is made up of two National Historic Landmarks &mdash; The Presidio and Fort Mason &mdash; as well as several upscale neighborhoods including Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, and the Marina District. It has some of the most beautiful scenery and intact natural environments in the city. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Yosemite National Park]]|lat=37.7333|long=-119.5500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Lower Cathedral Lake.jpg | article=Yosemite National Park | description= is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. }} ''Florida'' :{{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Walt Disney World]]''|lat=28.38|long=-81.56}} {{Star-article-archive | image=Disney World - Entrance sign - by inkiboo.jpg | article=Walt Disney World | description=At '''[[Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]]''', you can explore human innovation and cooperation; enjoy rides both thrilling and enchanting; relax and recuperate on the beach or the golf course; and discover an entire resort where children and adults can have fun—together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Panthera tigris5.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom|Animal Kingdom]]''', you can learn how tough it is to be a bug, dig for dinosaur bones, challenge the mysterious Himalayan yeti, and view hundreds of live animals in authentic settings. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Venue for Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Disney Springs | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Disney Springs|Disney Springs]]''', you can design your own T-shirt or marvel at the biggest Disney store in the world; enjoy the fine cuisine of Wolfgang Puck or eat amongst the dinosaurs; visit a virtual-reality theme park or see incredible acrobatic feats; and in general just get away from the Disney parks for a while. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Spaceship Earth 2.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Epcot | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Epcot|Epcot]]''', you can visit Mexico, France, and China, all in the same afternoon; survive crash tests in an experimental car; soar over California with the wind in your hair; and learn all about human achievement and international cooperation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Sci-Fi_Dine-In_Theater_interior_by_hyku.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios|Hollywood Studios]]''', you can help Indiana Jones escape from the Nazis, take a wild limousine ride through Los Angeles, get shrunk to the size of a gnat, and learn all about the behind-the-scenes process of creating films and animation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Magic Kingdom - The 'Big Bang' at Wishes - by hyku.jpg | size=150px | article=Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom|Magic Kingdom]]''', you can pillage the Caribbean with Jack Sparrow, spin through a tea party with the Mad Hatter, protect the galaxy with Buzz Lightyear, and visit the six themed lands of the world's most popular theme park. }} ''Mid-Atlantic'' :''Baltimore'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Baltimore/Fells Point|Fells Point]]|lat=39.2831|long=-76.5928}}{{Star-article-archive | image=FPwaterfront.jpg | article=Baltimore/Fells Point | description= is a historic maritime neighborhood east of [[Baltimore]]'s Inner Harbor area that contains the city's densest collection of pubs, bars, and restaurants (good ones, that is). }} :''New York'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Buffalo]]|lat=42.892|long=-78.857}}{{Star-article-archive | image=BuffaloSkyline.jpg | article=Buffalo | description=The largest city in [[New York (state)|New York State]]'s [[Niagara Frontier]] is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, local residents and others who are in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with community spirit and a real sense of place, a winning combination of high quality of life and low cost of living — and the sunniest summers in the Northeastern United States. Alternatively, you can do a tour of the '''[[Historic churches of Buffalo's East Side]]''', a Star itinerary. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Childs]]|lat=43.2873|long=-78.1916}}{{Star-article-archive | image=CobblestoneSchoolhouse.JPG | article=Childs | description= is a tiny hamlet in [[Orleans County (New York)|Orleans County]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. Located just north of the county seat of [[Albion (New York)|Albion]], Childs is near the center of the county and has just enough activity to make it worth considering as a jumping-off point for a tour of the region. }} :''Washington, D.C.'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Washington, D.C.]]|lat=38.9009|long=-77.0245}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Abraham Lincoln sitting in his memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C. | description= is the capital of the [[United States of America|United States]] and the seat of its three branches of government. It has an unparalleled collection of free, public museums, and the lion's share of the nation's most treasured monuments and memorials. The vistas on the [[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]] between the Capitol, Washington Monument, White House, and Lincoln Memorial are iconic throughout the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=The Big Chair.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Anacostia | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Anacostia|Anacostia]]''' is the popular name for the huge swathe of [[Washington, D.C.]] consisting of the many neighborhoods East of the River. Its heart, in the small, historic neighborhood of Anacostia, is immediately across the Frederick Douglass Bridge from the newly built Nationals Ballpark. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Georgetown from Roosevelt Island.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Georgetown | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Georgetown|Georgetown]]''' is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C. to the south of Woodley Park and west of Dupont Circle across Rock Creek Park. It is a major center of tourism in the capital for its high-end shopping and dining, quaint 18th century rowhouses on cobblestone streets, rowdy collegiate nightlife, waterfront harbor, and Georgetown University. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Lincoln Memorial by night.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./National Mall | description=The '''[[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]]''' is a National Park and the monumental green space at the heart of the city, the heart of the national psyche, and the heart of civic America. It stretches two miles just south of the White House, from the U.S. Capitol Building in the east to the Lincoln Memorial and Potomac River on the west. The park is home to the Smithsonian, a huge collection of the nation's best (and free) museums, as well as most the country's most famous memorials and monuments. It is the number one destination for visitors in the city, and one of the biggest destinations in the country. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=African-American Civil War Memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Shaw | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Shaw|Shaw]]''' is a neighborhood in [[Washington, D.C.]] just east of Dupont Circle and south of Adams Morgan, but with history and culture rooted firmly in D.C.'s African-American history that makes it impossible to mistake for those other neighborhoods. It is one of the most diverse sections of the city, with everyone moving in for the live jazz and high-end nightclubs on U St and 14th, and for the marvelous food, including the amazing Little Ethiopia strip. }} ''Midwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ann Arbor]]|lat=42.2820|long=-83.7484}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MI AnnArbor Cube.jpg | article=Ann Arbor | description= is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Isle Royale National Park]]|lat=48.03|long=-88.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Isle Royale moose.jpg | article=Isle Royale National Park | description= is a [[United States National Parks|United States National Park]] comprised of Isle Royale and the surrounding waters and small islands, a wilderness preserve in northwest Lake Superior. It's easily identified on maps of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior resembles the profile of a snarling wolf; Isle Royale is the eye. Although it's closer to [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], or even [[Minnesota]], [[USA]], it's part of the state of [[Michigan]]. }} :''Chicago'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Chicago]]|lat=41.8756|long=-87.6276}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Skyline from Millennium Park.jpg | article=Chicago | description= is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. Butcher of hogs and believer in progress, it is one of the world's great cities, and yet the metropolitan luxuries of theater, shopping, and fine dining have barely put a dent in real Midwestern friendliness. It's a city with a swagger, but without the surliness or even the fake smiles found in other cities of its size. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=John Hancock Building 2.jpg | article=Along the Magnificent Mile | description='''[[Along the Magnificent Mile]]''' is a one day and night sightseeing tour of [[Chicago]]. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Bronzeville grafitti.jpg | article=Bronzeville | description='''[[Chicago/Bronzeville|Bronzeville]]''', the Black Metropolis, is a mecca of [[Chicago#African-American History|African-American History]] on [[Chicago]]'s South Side, just miles south of downtown. Gwendolyn Brooks published poetry in the Chicago Defender, Andrew Rube Foster created Negro League Baseball, and Louis Armstrong kept his trumpet singing at the Sunset Cafe to keep Al Capone off his back. Long in disrepair, the neighborhood is coming back, with new residents refurbishing historic homes, and with new dining and nightlife scenes beginning to take root. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Calder flamingo.jpg | article=Chicago/Loop | description='''[[Chicago/Loop|The Loop]]''' is the central business district of [[Chicago]], bounded by the Chicago River to the north and west, Harrison St to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east. It contains the tallest members of [[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago's skyline]] and much of the city's finest architecture, holding within them much of the city's working stiffs; for visitors, it also has the glitzy downtown theater district, and the biggest annual music festivals. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Freeform.jpg | article=Loop Art Tour | description=The '''[[Loop Art Tour]]''' is a guided walking tour of Chicago's impressive collection of public art in [[Chicago/Loop|the Loop]], taking 2-4 hours depending on how long you linger at each sight. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chicago-riverwalk.jpg | article=Chicago/Near North | description=The '''[[Chicago/Near North|Near North]]''' is the shop-and-awe center of [[Chicago]]. It's bounded by North Avenue to the north, the Chicago River to the west and south, and Lake Michigan to the east. With a whirlwind rush of department stores, restaurants, and luxurious hotels, there's no better place to abuse your budget than the Near North and its celebrated Magnificent Mile. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pilsen3.jpg | article=Chicago/Pilsen | description='''[[Chicago/Pilsen|Pilsen]]''' is a neighborhood on the Lower West Side of [[Chicago]]. Murals of Mexican cowboys notwithstanding, Pilsen is a lot like the Wild West: only a few minutes from the [[Chicago/Loop|Loop]] by train, this working-class area is thick with riches in art and historic architecture, encircled by developers and speculators in search of the next hot neighborhood, and occupied by a community that's fiercely proud of where they live. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Greenmill.jpg | article=Chicago/Uptown | description='''[[Chicago/Uptown|Uptown]]''' is a scruffy, jazz-inflected neighborhood on the north side of [[Chicago]]. Within its boundaries, off to the side of the action, are the residential areas of Sheridan Park and Buena Park, and an exciting Southeast Asian community based around Argyle Street. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Wickeryawn.jpg | article=Chicago/Wicker Park | description='''[[Chicago/Wicker Park|Wicker Park]]''' is the vanguard of music, nightlife, and fashion in [[Chicago]]. This article also includes the sly, enjoyable Ukrainian Village, immediately south, and pieces of the greater West Town area. }} ''South'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown]]|lat=35.2272|long=-80.8431}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Uptown from westin.jpg | article=Charlotte/Uptown | description= is the central business district of [[Charlotte]]. It is home to most of the city's major institutions, as well as being the historic core. It is also the geographic center of Charlotte, with the center point of the city at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets. }} ''Southwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Albuquerque]]|lat=35.0844|long=-106.6511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=ABQ Balloon Fiesta.jpg | article=Albuquerque | description= the largest city in [[New Mexico]] is a vibrant, sprawling desert metropolis. Although overshadowed as a tourist destination by [[Santa Fe (New Mexico) | Santa Fe]], it has a number of great attractions in its own right, with pleasant scenery, colorful history, and a spectacular hot-air balloon ''fiesta'' in the fall. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]]|lat=35.6916|long=-105.9374}}{{Star-article-archive | image=St Francis Cathedral Santa Fe.jpg | article=Santa Fe (New Mexico) | description= founded in 1607, is the capital of the state of [[New Mexico]] in the [[United States of America | United States]]. With an elevation of 7000 feet, it is not only the United States' oldest state capital but its highest. With a population of about 70,000, it's not the most populous capital, but that's part of its charm. Santa Fe is consistently rated one of the world's top travel destinations for its confluence of scenic beauty, long history (at least by American standards), cultural diversity, and extraordinary concentration of arts, music and fine dining. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Zion National Park]]|lat=37.30|long=-113.05}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Zion Canyon2.JPG | article=Zion National Park | description= is a [[United States National Park |United States National Park]] located in the southern [[Utah]] regions of [[Dixie (Utah)|Dixie]] and [[Canyon Country]]. The park protects the incredible rock formations and high sandstone cliffs within its boundaries and is a favorite spot for hiking, backpacking, canyoneering and climbing. In fact, Zion has some of the most spectacular trails in the National Park System. Visitors to Zion walk on the canyon floor and look up, rather than looking down from the rim as in many parks. In addition to the magnificent monoliths and cliffs, the park is known for its desert landscape of sandstone canyons, mesas, and high plateaus. }} ''Texas'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Big Bend National Park]]|lat=29.2500|long=-103.2500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Big Bend Texas.jpg | article=Big Bend National Park | description= is vast, rugged, and one of the least visited [[United States National Parks|national parks]] in the continental U.S. With three distinct ecosystems, endless views, and powerful landscapes, Big Bend may leave you feeling like you've stumbled onto a well-kept secret. }} <big>''Canada''</big><br><br> ''Manitoba'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Churchill]]|lat=58.7692|long=-94.1692}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear11.JPG | article=Churchill | description= is The Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Capital of the World, and a capital choice to see the Northern Lights right overhead. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Phrasebooks</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Russian language map.png | article=Russian phrasebook | description='''[[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]''' is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many other people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Kyrgyzstan]], as well as the unrecognized states of [[Abkhazia]], [[South Ossetia]], and [[Transnistria]]. }} |- |} |} {{Title-Index page}} tjpcf7dedzdgbzt34664d4ltx7lh5e3 4506772 4506769 2022-08-23T10:29:56Z SHB2000 2248002 Protected "[[Star articles]]": High traffic page: Furthermore, there is no reason why a nonautoconfirmed user needs to edit this page. ([Edit=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only template editors and administrators] (indefinite)) wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Star articles-banner.jpg|caption=|index=yes}} The proud few articles that have passed the rigorous [[Project:Star nominations|nomination process]] to attain '''[[Project:Article status|Star article status]]''' are the best travel guides Wikivoyage has to offer. They essentially meet Wikivoyage's criteria for '''perfection''', are at least competitive with the best of existing travel guides to the destination, and at best exceed all competition. If you are an aspiring Wikivoyage writer, look no further than these '''[[Project:Manual of style|rigorously formatted]]''' articles to understand exactly what you should [[Project:Plunge forward|shoot for]]! <br clear="all" /> <!--<div align="center"> {{Regionlist | regionmap=Wikivoyage_stars_map.svg | regionmaptext=Star articles by geographical distribution | regionmapsize=900px | regionmapalign=center | regionInteractiveMap=map1 }} </div>--> {{mapframe|zoom=auto|width=1280|align=center}} <!-- Start of 1st-column --> {|style="border-spacing:8px;margin:0px -8px" |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#fffffffff;vertical-align:top;color:#000"| {|width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#fffffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Asia</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''East Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hiroshima]]|lat=34.3853|long=132.4553}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chuo koen blessings.jpg | article=Hiroshima | description= is an industrial city of wide boulevards and criss-crossing rivers, located along the coast of the [[Seto Inland Sea]]. Although many only know it for the horrific split second on August 6, 1945, when it became the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with a lot of great food and nightlife. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Okayama]]|lat=34.6553|long=133.9202}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Korakuen and Castle.JPG | article=Okayama | description= is a major transit hub in western Japan. But with white peaches, a brooding black castle, scenic cycling, and the famous Kōrakuen Garden, there are plenty of reasons to catch a later train and get out of the station to explore. }} <big>''Southeast Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bali]]|lat=-8.43|long=115.167}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pura Ulun Danu Bratan A.JPG | article=Bali | description= The famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, stakes a serious claim to be paradise on earth. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Borobudur]]|lat=-7.6000|long=110.2000}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Borobudur_Stupa_Merapi.jpg | article=Borobudur | description= is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex dating from the 8th century, and a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. This is one of world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on earth, and few who visit fail to be taken by both the scale of place, and the remarkable attention to detail that went into the construction. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Nusa Lembongan]]|lat=-8.6818|long=115.4511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dream Beach.jpg | article=Nusa Lembongan | description= fast becoming one of Bali's most popular attractions, is an island paradise a world away from the hassle and hectic pace of [[South Bali]]. Neither hawkers nor traffic mar the magnificent scenery; this is a fine place to just put your feet up and relax. Main activities include surfing, diving and snorkeling. The water is some of the clearest you will find anywhere, and a vivid aqua blue in colour. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ubud]]|lat=-8.5069|long=115.2624}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Traditional performing arts 001, Ubud, Bali.JPG | article=Ubud | description= is far removed from the drunken bikini scene in [[Kuta]], and is regarded as the cultural centre of [[Bali]]. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists' workshops and galleries. There are some remarkable architectural sights, artistic gems to be found, and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed, all thanks to the spirit, surroundings, and climate of the place. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Singapore]]|lat=.29|long=103.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Singapore Skyline.jpg | article=Singapore | description= is a city-state in [[Southeast Asia]]. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world's most prosperous countries and sports the world's busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Bangkok]]''|lat=13.7522|long=100.4939}}<!-- If the indent was intended, please revert, and leave a note to say why --> {{Star-article-archive | image=Bangkok_2008_020.JPG | article=Bangkok/Khao San Road | description='''[[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]]''' is a small road located about a block from the Chao Phraya River at the northern side of Rattanakosin in [[Bangkok]]. Backpackers and budget travelers are drawn here by some of the cheapest accommodation and travel deals in Thailand. Over the years gentrification has taken place as new guest houses, restaurants, bars and clubs moved into the area. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pratunam.jpg | article=Bangkok/Pratunam | description='''[[Bangkok/Pratunam|Pratunam]]''' is a shopping district in [[Bangkok]]. It is a major market area with thousands of fashion stores that sell wholesale with cheap prices guaranteed, especially if you buy in bulk. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg | article=Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat | description='''[[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]]''' is a multicultural district in [[Bangkok]], home to the city's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. By day, Yaowarat doesn't look that much different from any other part of Bangkok, though the neighborhood feels like a big street market and there are some hidden gems waiting to be explored. But at night, the neon signs blazing with Chinese characters are turned on and crowds from the restaurants spill out onto the streets, turning the area into a miniature Hong Kong (minus the skyscrapers). Phahurat is an excellent place for buying fabrics, accessories and religious paraphernalia. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Chinatown_bangkok.jpg | size=150px | article=Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour | description='''[[Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour]]''' is a one-day-and-night guided walking tour through [[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]], the home of Bangkok's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. }} <big>''South Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mohenjo-daro]]|lat=27.3292|long=68.1389}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mohenjo-daro Priesterkönig.jpeg | size=150px | article=Mohenjo-daro | description= is an archaeological site of immense historical significance in northwestern [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]]. Established in about 2,600 BCE, this was one of the main centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Home to some 35.000 to 50.000 people, it was also one of the largest and most developed cities of its time. Today, the ruins of Mohenjo-daro are a highlight on any trip to Pakistan. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Europe</h2> <br> <big>''Benelux''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hilversum]]|lat=52.2253|long=5.1747}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum, the Netherlands.jpg | article=Hilversum | description= is a medium-sized city in the [[Gooi en Vechtstreek|Gooi]] area of [[North Holland]] in the [[Netherlands]]. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, most travelers still come over to cycle and hike through the surrounding forests and heath. The city is also known for its modern architecture, with Dudok's ''Hilversum Town Hall'' (''Raadhuis Hilversum'') being the most significant design. For Dutch people, Hilversum became synonymous with the Dutch media industry. }} <big>''Central Europe''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Travemünde]]|lat=53.9612|long=10.8723}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Travemuende-Bailiwick-Building.JPG | article=Travemünde | description= is the closest of the boroughs of Lübeck to the Baltic Sea. As the name suggests, it is situated at the very mouth of the river Trave. For hundreds of years, Travemünde has been a popular seaside resort and harbour on the German Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. Daily passenger and cargo ferries leave to Scandinavia and the Baltic states but the pristine white beach and the rich history encourages people to stay. The town is trying to built a new future as a tourist destination to avoid the fate of many faceless ports. }} <big>''Britain and Ireland''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Berneray]]|lat=57.7194|long=-7.1864}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Backhill.jpg | article=Berneray | description= is an island in the [[Outer Hebrides]] (otherwise known as the Western Isles) off the west coast of [[Scotland]]. It is joined to the larger island of [[North Uist]] by a short double-track road causeway. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[London/Hampstead|Hampstead]]|lat=51.5542|long=-0.1744}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Kenwood House, London - geograph.org.uk - 3318.jpg | article=London/Hampstead | description= is a lovely part of north-central [[London]]. The key sights are a wealth of under-stated historical attractions, and the magnificent open spaces of Hampstead Heath. Kenwood House is one of the most accessible of London's great Regency homes, John Keats has a museum devoted to his life and work at his former residence here, and the inspiration for many of John Constable's landscapes is all around you on Hampstead Heath. Combine those with some of the most interesting historical pubs in the whole city, and a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene, and Hampstead really does have much to offer the visitor. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[York]]|lat=53.9626|long=-1.0776}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Stained glass detail, All Saints' church, Pavement, York (16487632997).jpg | article=York | description=The ancient cathedral city has a history dating back over 2000 years. Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Britons from all eras have each left their mark. It is home to some of Europe's best-preserved historical buildings and structures, including York Minster and dozens of other churches, the Shambles medieval shopping street, countless handsome townhouses, and the city's walls and gatehouses. Other popular attractions on the bucket lists of York's 7 million annual visitors include the Jorvik Viking Centre and Britain's National Railway Museum. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Farnborough]]|lat=51.29|long=-0.75}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Airship_Hangar.jpg | article=Farnborough | description= is a town in the northeastern corner of the [[England|English]] county of [[Hampshire]], adjacent to the borders with [[Surrey]] and [[Berkshire]]. Farnborough used to be an isolated hamlet, and grew into a medium-sized town over the course of the 20th century. This growth was built on the back of the aviation industry; Farnborough was the site of the first powered flight in Britain, made by Samuel Cody in 1904. Today, the aerospace, defence and technology industries thrive and aviation heritage is evident all around the town. Farnborough is best known as the home of the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, which has been running since 1948. }} <!-- <big>''Caucasus''</big> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sheki caravansarai.jpg | article=Sheki | description='''[[Sheki]]''' is [[Azerbaijan]]'s true travel gem, a small city off on the forested slopes of the [[Caucasus|Greater Caucasus Mountains]]. Rich in Islamic architecture, [[Silk Road]] history, good food, and friendly people, this is travel and leisure in the [[Caucasus]] at its finest. }} --> <big>''France''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st arrondissement]]|lat=48.8627|long=2.3361}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Louvre 01.jpg | article=Paris/1st arrondissement | description= the center of contemporary [[Paris]] and the site of such landmarks as the Louvre and of the Tuileries and Palais-Royal, is full of attractions for travelers of all inclinations, including some of the finest parks, museums, shops, and bars in the city. The 1st occupies the Right Bank of the River Seine and extends onto the western section of the ''Île de la Cité'' in the midst of the river. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bouzigues]]|lat=43.446|long=3.660}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Bouzigues, Hérault 08.jpg | article=Bouzigues | description= is a lovely coastal town in Hérault, southern France. It is known above all for its oyster production and numerous quality seafood restaurants. Bouzigues can be thought of as a seaside resort without the resort, with very limited accommodation, and not too many tourists. It is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants to enjoy a slower pace of life. }} <big>''Iberia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Caldas da Rainha]]|lat=39.4072|long=-9.1358}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pq d carlos i pavilhoes 2.JPG | article=Caldas da Rainha | description= is absent from most international travellers' itineraries, and is thus an excellent place to experience genuine Portugal without hordes of tourists. It is a [[UNESCO Creative Cities|UNESCO Creative City]] known for its art and its hot springs. }} <big>''Nordic countries''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Copenhagen]]|lat=55.6762|long=12.5675}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Cph nyhavn.jpg | article=Copenhagen | description= is the capital of [[Denmark]] and what a million Danes call home. This "friendly old girl of a town" is big enough to be a metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy to navigate. Overlooking the Øresund strait with Sweden just minutes away, it is a cultural and geographic link between mainland Europe and Scandinavia. This is where old fairy tales blend with flashy new architecture and world-class design; where warm jazz mixes with cold electronica from Copenhagen's basements. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=VMhousing.jpg | article=Copenhagen/Amager | description='''[[Copenhagen/Amager|Amager]]''' is a district and island southwest of central [[Copenhagen]], covering some 96 km² (37 mi²), and mostly notable as the home of Copenhagen Airport and the charming old fishing hamlet of Dragør. Long considered the backwaters of the city, this old working class district is now undergoing rapid development, contributing to some wonderful contrasts; from the huge uncultivated wetlands of Kalvebod Fælled, the ultra modern Ørestad development area, the laid back and impossibly picturesque Dragør fishing hamlet to the fiercely local patriotic public housing blocks on the northern part of the island. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Uppsala]]|lat=59.8581|long=17.6446}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Gustavianum - KMB - 16000300025752.jpg | article=Uppsala | description= is an old but youthful university town {{km|70}} north of [[Stockholm]]. It is home to the oldest university and the largest cathedral in the Nordic countries. It was the most important place in Sweden during the [[Vikings and the Old Norse|Viking era]], and became the birthplace of modern biology with [[Carl Linnaeus tourism|Carl Linnaeus]] in the 18th century. }} <big>''Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Staraya Russa]]|lat=57.9833|long=31.3500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Воскресенский собор в Старой Руссе.jpg | article=Staraya Russa | description= is a small, historic town in the center of [[Novgorod Oblast]], long famous domestically for its balneological mineral waters resort, but much more famous among international travelers as Dostoevsky's summer retreat, and the basis for the fictional town of Skotoprigonievsk in '''''The Brothers Karamazov'''''. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Oceania</h2> <br> <big>''Australia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Kununurra]]|lat=-15.7737|long=128.7387}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mirima_National_Park.JPG | article=Kununurra | description= is a small town built on big dreams in a remote corner of the vast Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its unaffected pastoral feel makes a comfortable base from which to explore the majestic natural attractions in the rugged surrounding landscape. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Menzies]]|lat=-29.6881|long=121.0369}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Menzies_town_hall.jpg | article=Menzies | description= is a small town that endured more than 100 years of decline after its gold rush era boom to retain a distinctive impression of the Goldfields' fickle fortunes. The graceful heritage buildings impart histories no less peculiar than the eerie sculptures at nearby Lake Ballard, making Menzies an intriguing destination for the inquisitive traveller. }} <!-- {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mungo National Park]]|lat=-33.74|long=143.13}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Wall of China.jpg | article=Mungo National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] in Outback New South Wales, where some of the oldest human bodies outside Africa have been found on top of some of the remnants of the eroded, and what's now known as the "Walls of China", the park gives a true and unique insight about the indigenous history of Australia, never thought about before. }} --> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Stratford (Victoria)]]|lat=-37.9667|long=147.0833}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Badger and Hare January 2021.jpg | article=Stratford (Victoria) | description= A rural town in Gippsland on the Avon River which is easily accessible from Melbourne by train, Stratford has many parks and cafes to visit, and a yearly Shakespeare festival held in the autumn months, making it a lovely town to see for any traveller looking for a quieter, lesser-known destination. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Sydney Harbour National Park]]|lat=-33.8429|long=151.2453}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MiddleGeorgeshedfort0077.JPG | article=Sydney Harbour National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] scattered across Sydney Harbour, and is one of the many national parks within metropolitan Sydney, renowned for its sheltered beaches, tranquil picnic spots, rich Aboriginal, colonial and military heritage, aquatic reserves and most importantly; harbour islands where history meets the harbour. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Travel topics</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sears Tower Skydeck view labeled.png | article=Chicago skyline guide | description=The '''[[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago skyline]]''' is the world's tallest and easily ranks among its most magnificent. It boasts three of [[United States of America|America's]] five tallest buildings and, if you include its antenna, the massive Sears Tower remains the second tallest skyscraper in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Camara hpE327 155.jpg | article=Retiring abroad | description='''[[Retiring abroad]]''' can let you live cheaply in an interesting place; you are not all that likely to actually find paradise-on-earth or the fountain of youth, but you might get close enough to enjoy yourself immensely. }} <big>''Scuba diving''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]]|lat=-34.0925|long=18.8113}}{{Star-article-archive | image=On the way to a dive off Cape Town PA312178.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay | description= is a regional dive guide intended to provide the already qualified Scuba diver with information which will help to plan dives in the waters of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, in the immediate vicinity of [[Cape Town]], whether as a local resident or a visitor }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Pinnacle|lat=-34.174467|long=18.833017|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Inkspot nudibranch at Pinnacle DSC02731.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle|Pinnacle]]''' is an inshore rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area of the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Partridge Point|lat=-34.25475|long=18.4775|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Peters_pinnacle_cave.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point | description=The dive sites at '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point]]''', including '''Big Rock''', '''Seal Rock''', '''Deep Partridge''' and '''Peter's Pinnacles''' are inshore rocky reefs at the southern end of the Castle Rocks restricted zone within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Photographer's Reef|lat=-34.197450|long=18.457283|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Photographer's reef detail.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef|Photographer's Reef]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is in the Boulders restricted zone of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Percy's Hole gully|lat=-34.289167|long=18.82295|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Percys Hole gully from NE close up.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole|Percy's Hole]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near [[Rooi-els]] on the east side of False Bay, near [[Cape Town]] in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=MFV ''Aster''|lat=-34.065017|long=18.34945|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Divers at the rudder of the Aster PB182639.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster | description=The dive site at the wreck of the '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster|MV Aster]]''' in Hout Bay on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, South Africa, is the wreck of a lobster fishing boat which was scuttled to provide an artificial reef and a diver friendly wreck site. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Whittle Rock |lat=-34.247933|long=18.561817}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dive sites of the Whittle Rock area Hi-Res for mobile.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock]]''' in False Bay is a large offshore rocky reef near Cape Town,in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The reef is partly inside the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} |- |}<!-- Start of 2nd-column --> |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top"| {| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">North America</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''United States of America''</big><br><br> ''California'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[San Francisco]]|lat=37.7857|long=-122.4061}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Us-ca-sanfran-goldengate.jpg | article=San Francisco | description= is a major city in [[California]], the centerpiece of the [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]], well known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. These are only a few of the aspects of the city that make San Francisco one of the most visited cities in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Citylights.jpg | article=San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach | description='''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown-North Beach]]''' in [[San Francisco]] combines two adjoining neighbors, both of which are among the city's most popular immigrant neighborhoods. Culturally and aesthetically, they could not be more different yet their streets mesh seamlessly together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=SFSymphony Hall.jpg | article=San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin | description='''[[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center-Tenderloin]]''' is an area of Downtown [[San Francisco]]. As the name implies, the Civic Center is the primary center of government within the city and many important civic institutions are housed here. Aside from its official duties, it also moonlights as a cultural center with many fine museums, theaters, opera houses, and symphony halls located here. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Giantcrab_pier39.JPG | size=150px | article=San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf | description='''[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]''' is [[San Francisco]]'s most popular destination among travelers, with circa 12 million visitors flocking here each year. For over a century its historic waterfront was the hub of the city's fishing fleet and is still famous for the depth and variety of its harvest, as well as for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the city. Today, it's also renowned for its numerous tourist attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=GoldenGateBridge1.jpg | article=San Francisco/Golden Gate | description=The '''[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]]''' area is in the northern section of [[San Francisco]]. It is made up of two National Historic Landmarks &mdash; The Presidio and Fort Mason &mdash; as well as several upscale neighborhoods including Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, and the Marina District. It has some of the most beautiful scenery and intact natural environments in the city. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Yosemite National Park]]|lat=37.7333|long=-119.5500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Lower Cathedral Lake.jpg | article=Yosemite National Park | description= is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. }} ''Florida'' :{{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Walt Disney World]]''|lat=28.38|long=-81.56}} {{Star-article-archive | image=Disney World - Entrance sign - by inkiboo.jpg | article=Walt Disney World | description=At '''[[Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]]''', you can explore human innovation and cooperation; enjoy rides both thrilling and enchanting; relax and recuperate on the beach or the golf course; and discover an entire resort where children and adults can have fun—together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Panthera tigris5.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom|Animal Kingdom]]''', you can learn how tough it is to be a bug, dig for dinosaur bones, challenge the mysterious Himalayan yeti, and view hundreds of live animals in authentic settings. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Venue for Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Disney Springs | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Disney Springs|Disney Springs]]''', you can design your own T-shirt or marvel at the biggest Disney store in the world; enjoy the fine cuisine of Wolfgang Puck or eat amongst the dinosaurs; visit a virtual-reality theme park or see incredible acrobatic feats; and in general just get away from the Disney parks for a while. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Spaceship Earth 2.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Epcot | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Epcot|Epcot]]''', you can visit Mexico, France, and China, all in the same afternoon; survive crash tests in an experimental car; soar over California with the wind in your hair; and learn all about human achievement and international cooperation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Sci-Fi_Dine-In_Theater_interior_by_hyku.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios|Hollywood Studios]]''', you can help Indiana Jones escape from the Nazis, take a wild limousine ride through Los Angeles, get shrunk to the size of a gnat, and learn all about the behind-the-scenes process of creating films and animation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Magic Kingdom - The 'Big Bang' at Wishes - by hyku.jpg | size=150px | article=Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom|Magic Kingdom]]''', you can pillage the Caribbean with Jack Sparrow, spin through a tea party with the Mad Hatter, protect the galaxy with Buzz Lightyear, and visit the six themed lands of the world's most popular theme park. }} ''Mid-Atlantic'' :''Baltimore'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Baltimore/Fells Point|Fells Point]]|lat=39.2831|long=-76.5928}}{{Star-article-archive | image=FPwaterfront.jpg | article=Baltimore/Fells Point | description= is a historic maritime neighborhood east of [[Baltimore]]'s Inner Harbor area that contains the city's densest collection of pubs, bars, and restaurants (good ones, that is). }} :''New York'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Buffalo]]|lat=42.892|long=-78.857}}{{Star-article-archive | image=BuffaloSkyline.jpg | article=Buffalo | description=The largest city in [[New York (state)|New York State]]'s [[Niagara Frontier]] is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, local residents and others who are in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with community spirit and a real sense of place, a winning combination of high quality of life and low cost of living — and the sunniest summers in the Northeastern United States. Alternatively, you can do a tour of the '''[[Historic churches of Buffalo's East Side]]''', a Star itinerary. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Childs]]|lat=43.2873|long=-78.1916}}{{Star-article-archive | image=CobblestoneSchoolhouse.JPG | article=Childs | description= is a tiny hamlet in [[Orleans County (New York)|Orleans County]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. Located just north of the county seat of [[Albion (New York)|Albion]], Childs is near the center of the county and has just enough activity to make it worth considering as a jumping-off point for a tour of the region. }} :''Washington, D.C.'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Washington, D.C.]]|lat=38.9009|long=-77.0245}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Abraham Lincoln sitting in his memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C. | description= is the capital of the [[United States of America|United States]] and the seat of its three branches of government. It has an unparalleled collection of free, public museums, and the lion's share of the nation's most treasured monuments and memorials. The vistas on the [[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]] between the Capitol, Washington Monument, White House, and Lincoln Memorial are iconic throughout the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=The Big Chair.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Anacostia | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Anacostia|Anacostia]]''' is the popular name for the huge swathe of [[Washington, D.C.]] consisting of the many neighborhoods East of the River. Its heart, in the small, historic neighborhood of Anacostia, is immediately across the Frederick Douglass Bridge from the newly built Nationals Ballpark. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Georgetown from Roosevelt Island.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Georgetown | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Georgetown|Georgetown]]''' is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C. to the south of Woodley Park and west of Dupont Circle across Rock Creek Park. It is a major center of tourism in the capital for its high-end shopping and dining, quaint 18th century rowhouses on cobblestone streets, rowdy collegiate nightlife, waterfront harbor, and Georgetown University. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Lincoln Memorial by night.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./National Mall | description=The '''[[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]]''' is a National Park and the monumental green space at the heart of the city, the heart of the national psyche, and the heart of civic America. It stretches two miles just south of the White House, from the U.S. Capitol Building in the east to the Lincoln Memorial and Potomac River on the west. The park is home to the Smithsonian, a huge collection of the nation's best (and free) museums, as well as most the country's most famous memorials and monuments. It is the number one destination for visitors in the city, and one of the biggest destinations in the country. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=African-American Civil War Memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Shaw | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Shaw|Shaw]]''' is a neighborhood in [[Washington, D.C.]] just east of Dupont Circle and south of Adams Morgan, but with history and culture rooted firmly in D.C.'s African-American history that makes it impossible to mistake for those other neighborhoods. It is one of the most diverse sections of the city, with everyone moving in for the live jazz and high-end nightclubs on U St and 14th, and for the marvelous food, including the amazing Little Ethiopia strip. }} ''Midwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ann Arbor]]|lat=42.2820|long=-83.7484}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MI AnnArbor Cube.jpg | article=Ann Arbor | description= is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Isle Royale National Park]]|lat=48.03|long=-88.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Isle Royale moose.jpg | article=Isle Royale National Park | description= is a [[United States National Parks|United States National Park]] comprised of Isle Royale and the surrounding waters and small islands, a wilderness preserve in northwest Lake Superior. It's easily identified on maps of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior resembles the profile of a snarling wolf; Isle Royale is the eye. Although it's closer to [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], or even [[Minnesota]], [[USA]], it's part of the state of [[Michigan]]. }} :''Chicago'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Chicago]]|lat=41.8756|long=-87.6276}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Skyline from Millennium Park.jpg | article=Chicago | description= is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. Butcher of hogs and believer in progress, it is one of the world's great cities, and yet the metropolitan luxuries of theater, shopping, and fine dining have barely put a dent in real Midwestern friendliness. It's a city with a swagger, but without the surliness or even the fake smiles found in other cities of its size. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=John Hancock Building 2.jpg | article=Along the Magnificent Mile | description='''[[Along the Magnificent Mile]]''' is a one day and night sightseeing tour of [[Chicago]]. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Bronzeville grafitti.jpg | article=Bronzeville | description='''[[Chicago/Bronzeville|Bronzeville]]''', the Black Metropolis, is a mecca of [[Chicago#African-American History|African-American History]] on [[Chicago]]'s South Side, just miles south of downtown. Gwendolyn Brooks published poetry in the Chicago Defender, Andrew Rube Foster created Negro League Baseball, and Louis Armstrong kept his trumpet singing at the Sunset Cafe to keep Al Capone off his back. Long in disrepair, the neighborhood is coming back, with new residents refurbishing historic homes, and with new dining and nightlife scenes beginning to take root. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Calder flamingo.jpg | article=Chicago/Loop | description='''[[Chicago/Loop|The Loop]]''' is the central business district of [[Chicago]], bounded by the Chicago River to the north and west, Harrison St to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east. It contains the tallest members of [[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago's skyline]] and much of the city's finest architecture, holding within them much of the city's working stiffs; for visitors, it also has the glitzy downtown theater district, and the biggest annual music festivals. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Freeform.jpg | article=Loop Art Tour | description=The '''[[Loop Art Tour]]''' is a guided walking tour of Chicago's impressive collection of public art in [[Chicago/Loop|the Loop]], taking 2-4 hours depending on how long you linger at each sight. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chicago-riverwalk.jpg | article=Chicago/Near North | description=The '''[[Chicago/Near North|Near North]]''' is the shop-and-awe center of [[Chicago]]. It's bounded by North Avenue to the north, the Chicago River to the west and south, and Lake Michigan to the east. With a whirlwind rush of department stores, restaurants, and luxurious hotels, there's no better place to abuse your budget than the Near North and its celebrated Magnificent Mile. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pilsen3.jpg | article=Chicago/Pilsen | description='''[[Chicago/Pilsen|Pilsen]]''' is a neighborhood on the Lower West Side of [[Chicago]]. Murals of Mexican cowboys notwithstanding, Pilsen is a lot like the Wild West: only a few minutes from the [[Chicago/Loop|Loop]] by train, this working-class area is thick with riches in art and historic architecture, encircled by developers and speculators in search of the next hot neighborhood, and occupied by a community that's fiercely proud of where they live. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Greenmill.jpg | article=Chicago/Uptown | description='''[[Chicago/Uptown|Uptown]]''' is a scruffy, jazz-inflected neighborhood on the north side of [[Chicago]]. Within its boundaries, off to the side of the action, are the residential areas of Sheridan Park and Buena Park, and an exciting Southeast Asian community based around Argyle Street. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Wickeryawn.jpg | article=Chicago/Wicker Park | description='''[[Chicago/Wicker Park|Wicker Park]]''' is the vanguard of music, nightlife, and fashion in [[Chicago]]. This article also includes the sly, enjoyable Ukrainian Village, immediately south, and pieces of the greater West Town area. }} ''South'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown]]|lat=35.2272|long=-80.8431}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Uptown from westin.jpg | article=Charlotte/Uptown | description= is the central business district of [[Charlotte]]. It is home to most of the city's major institutions, as well as being the historic core. It is also the geographic center of Charlotte, with the center point of the city at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets. }} ''Southwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Albuquerque]]|lat=35.0844|long=-106.6511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=ABQ Balloon Fiesta.jpg | article=Albuquerque | description= the largest city in [[New Mexico]] is a vibrant, sprawling desert metropolis. Although overshadowed as a tourist destination by [[Santa Fe (New Mexico) | Santa Fe]], it has a number of great attractions in its own right, with pleasant scenery, colorful history, and a spectacular hot-air balloon ''fiesta'' in the fall. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]]|lat=35.6916|long=-105.9374}}{{Star-article-archive | image=St Francis Cathedral Santa Fe.jpg | article=Santa Fe (New Mexico) | description= founded in 1607, is the capital of the state of [[New Mexico]] in the [[United States of America | United States]]. With an elevation of 7000 feet, it is not only the United States' oldest state capital but its highest. With a population of about 70,000, it's not the most populous capital, but that's part of its charm. Santa Fe is consistently rated one of the world's top travel destinations for its confluence of scenic beauty, long history (at least by American standards), cultural diversity, and extraordinary concentration of arts, music and fine dining. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Zion National Park]]|lat=37.30|long=-113.05}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Zion Canyon2.JPG | article=Zion National Park | description= is a [[United States National Park |United States National Park]] located in the southern [[Utah]] regions of [[Dixie (Utah)|Dixie]] and [[Canyon Country]]. The park protects the incredible rock formations and high sandstone cliffs within its boundaries and is a favorite spot for hiking, backpacking, canyoneering and climbing. In fact, Zion has some of the most spectacular trails in the National Park System. Visitors to Zion walk on the canyon floor and look up, rather than looking down from the rim as in many parks. In addition to the magnificent monoliths and cliffs, the park is known for its desert landscape of sandstone canyons, mesas, and high plateaus. }} ''Texas'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Big Bend National Park]]|lat=29.2500|long=-103.2500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Big Bend Texas.jpg | article=Big Bend National Park | description= is vast, rugged, and one of the least visited [[United States National Parks|national parks]] in the continental U.S. With three distinct ecosystems, endless views, and powerful landscapes, Big Bend may leave you feeling like you've stumbled onto a well-kept secret. }} <big>''Canada''</big><br><br> ''Manitoba'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Churchill]]|lat=58.7692|long=-94.1692}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear11.JPG | article=Churchill | description= is The Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Capital of the World, and a capital choice to see the Northern Lights right overhead. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Phrasebooks</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Russian language map.png | article=Russian phrasebook | description='''[[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]''' is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many other people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Kyrgyzstan]], as well as the unrecognized states of [[Abkhazia]], [[South Ossetia]], and [[Transnistria]]. }} |- |} |} {{Title-Index page}} tjpcf7dedzdgbzt34664d4ltx7lh5e3 4506785 4506772 2022-08-23T10:42:00Z SHB2000 2248002 + Hall wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|Star articles-banner.jpg|caption=|index=yes}} The proud few articles that have passed the rigorous [[Project:Star nominations|nomination process]] to attain '''[[Project:Article status|Star article status]]''' are the best travel guides Wikivoyage has to offer. They essentially meet Wikivoyage's criteria for '''perfection''', are at least competitive with the best of existing travel guides to the destination, and at best exceed all competition. If you are an aspiring Wikivoyage writer, look no further than these '''[[Project:Manual of style|rigorously formatted]]''' articles to understand exactly what you should [[Project:Plunge forward|shoot for]]! <br clear="all" /> <!--<div align="center"> {{Regionlist | regionmap=Wikivoyage_stars_map.svg | regionmaptext=Star articles by geographical distribution | regionmapsize=900px | regionmapalign=center | regionInteractiveMap=map1 }} </div>--> {{mapframe|zoom=auto|width=1280|align=center}} <!-- Start of 1st-column --> {|style="border-spacing:8px;margin:0px -8px" |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#fffffffff;vertical-align:top;color:#000"| {|width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#fffffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Asia</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''East Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hiroshima]]|lat=34.3853|long=132.4553}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chuo koen blessings.jpg | article=Hiroshima | description= is an industrial city of wide boulevards and criss-crossing rivers, located along the coast of the [[Seto Inland Sea]]. Although many only know it for the horrific split second on August 6, 1945, when it became the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with a lot of great food and nightlife. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Okayama]]|lat=34.6553|long=133.9202}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Korakuen and Castle.JPG | article=Okayama | description= is a major transit hub in western Japan. But with white peaches, a brooding black castle, scenic cycling, and the famous Kōrakuen Garden, there are plenty of reasons to catch a later train and get out of the station to explore. }} <big>''Southeast Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bali]]|lat=-8.43|long=115.167}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pura Ulun Danu Bratan A.JPG | article=Bali | description= The famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, stakes a serious claim to be paradise on earth. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Borobudur]]|lat=-7.6000|long=110.2000}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Borobudur_Stupa_Merapi.jpg | article=Borobudur | description= is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex dating from the 8th century, and a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. This is one of world's truly great ancient monuments, the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on earth, and few who visit fail to be taken by both the scale of place, and the remarkable attention to detail that went into the construction. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Nusa Lembongan]]|lat=-8.6818|long=115.4511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dream Beach.jpg | article=Nusa Lembongan | description= fast becoming one of Bali's most popular attractions, is an island paradise a world away from the hassle and hectic pace of [[South Bali]]. Neither hawkers nor traffic mar the magnificent scenery; this is a fine place to just put your feet up and relax. Main activities include surfing, diving and snorkeling. The water is some of the clearest you will find anywhere, and a vivid aqua blue in colour. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ubud]]|lat=-8.5069|long=115.2624}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Traditional performing arts 001, Ubud, Bali.JPG | article=Ubud | description= is far removed from the drunken bikini scene in [[Kuta]], and is regarded as the cultural centre of [[Bali]]. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists' workshops and galleries. There are some remarkable architectural sights, artistic gems to be found, and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed, all thanks to the spirit, surroundings, and climate of the place. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Singapore]]|lat=.29|long=103.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Singapore Skyline.jpg | article=Singapore | description= is a city-state in [[Southeast Asia]]. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world's most prosperous countries and sports the world's busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Bangkok]]''|lat=13.7522|long=100.4939}}<!-- If the indent was intended, please revert, and leave a note to say why --> {{Star-article-archive | image=Bangkok_2008_020.JPG | article=Bangkok/Khao San Road | description='''[[Bangkok/Khao San Road|Khao San Road]]''' is a small road located about a block from the Chao Phraya River at the northern side of Rattanakosin in [[Bangkok]]. Backpackers and budget travelers are drawn here by some of the cheapest accommodation and travel deals in Thailand. Over the years gentrification has taken place as new guest houses, restaurants, bars and clubs moved into the area. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pratunam.jpg | article=Bangkok/Pratunam | description='''[[Bangkok/Pratunam|Pratunam]]''' is a shopping district in [[Bangkok]]. It is a major market area with thousands of fashion stores that sell wholesale with cheap prices guaranteed, especially if you buy in bulk. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong District, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg | article=Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat | description='''[[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]]''' is a multicultural district in [[Bangkok]], home to the city's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. By day, Yaowarat doesn't look that much different from any other part of Bangkok, though the neighborhood feels like a big street market and there are some hidden gems waiting to be explored. But at night, the neon signs blazing with Chinese characters are turned on and crowds from the restaurants spill out onto the streets, turning the area into a miniature Hong Kong (minus the skyscrapers). Phahurat is an excellent place for buying fabrics, accessories and religious paraphernalia. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Chinatown_bangkok.jpg | size=150px | article=Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour | description='''[[Yaowarat and Phahurat Tour]]''' is a one-day-and-night guided walking tour through [[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Phahurat]], the home of Bangkok's sizable Chinese and Indian communities. }} <big>''South Asia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mohenjo-daro]]|lat=27.3292|long=68.1389}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mohenjo-daro Priesterkönig.jpeg | size=150px | article=Mohenjo-daro | description= is an archaeological site of immense historical significance in northwestern [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]]. Established in about 2,600 BCE, this was one of the main centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Home to some 35.000 to 50.000 people, it was also one of the largest and most developed cities of its time. Today, the ruins of Mohenjo-daro are a highlight on any trip to Pakistan. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Europe</h2> <br> <big>''Benelux''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Hilversum]]|lat=52.2253|long=5.1747}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum, the Netherlands.jpg | article=Hilversum | description= is a medium-sized city in the [[Gooi en Vechtstreek|Gooi]] area of [[North Holland]] in the [[Netherlands]]. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, most travelers still come over to cycle and hike through the surrounding forests and heath. The city is also known for its modern architecture, with Dudok's ''Hilversum Town Hall'' (''Raadhuis Hilversum'') being the most significant design. For Dutch people, Hilversum became synonymous with the Dutch media industry. }} <big>''Central Europe''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Travemünde]]|lat=53.9612|long=10.8723}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Travemuende-Bailiwick-Building.JPG | article=Travemünde | description= is the closest of the boroughs of Lübeck to the Baltic Sea. As the name suggests, it is situated at the very mouth of the river Trave. For hundreds of years, Travemünde has been a popular seaside resort and harbour on the German Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. Daily passenger and cargo ferries leave to Scandinavia and the Baltic states but the pristine white beach and the rich history encourages people to stay. The town is trying to built a new future as a tourist destination to avoid the fate of many faceless ports. }} <big>''Britain and Ireland''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Berneray]]|lat=57.7194|long=-7.1864}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Backhill.jpg | article=Berneray | description= is an island in the [[Outer Hebrides]] (otherwise known as the Western Isles) off the west coast of [[Scotland]]. It is joined to the larger island of [[North Uist]] by a short double-track road causeway. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[London/Hampstead|Hampstead]]|lat=51.5542|long=-0.1744}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Kenwood House, London - geograph.org.uk - 3318.jpg | article=London/Hampstead | description= is a lovely part of north-central [[London]]. The key sights are a wealth of under-stated historical attractions, and the magnificent open spaces of Hampstead Heath. Kenwood House is one of the most accessible of London's great Regency homes, John Keats has a museum devoted to his life and work at his former residence here, and the inspiration for many of John Constable's landscapes is all around you on Hampstead Heath. Combine those with some of the most interesting historical pubs in the whole city, and a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene, and Hampstead really does have much to offer the visitor. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[York]]|lat=53.9626|long=-1.0776}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Stained glass detail, All Saints' church, Pavement, York (16487632997).jpg | article=York | description=The ancient cathedral city has a history dating back over 2000 years. Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Britons from all eras have each left their mark. It is home to some of Europe's best-preserved historical buildings and structures, including York Minster and dozens of other churches, the Shambles medieval shopping street, countless handsome townhouses, and the city's walls and gatehouses. Other popular attractions on the bucket lists of York's 7 million annual visitors include the Jorvik Viking Centre and Britain's National Railway Museum. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Farnborough]]|lat=51.29|long=-0.75}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Airship_Hangar.jpg | article=Farnborough | description= is a town in the northeastern corner of the [[England|English]] county of [[Hampshire]], adjacent to the borders with [[Surrey]] and [[Berkshire]]. Farnborough used to be an isolated hamlet, and grew into a medium-sized town over the course of the 20th century. This growth was built on the back of the aviation industry; Farnborough was the site of the first powered flight in Britain, made by Samuel Cody in 1904. Today, the aerospace, defence and technology industries thrive and aviation heritage is evident all around the town. Farnborough is best known as the home of the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, which has been running since 1948. }} <!-- <big>''Caucasus''</big> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sheki caravansarai.jpg | article=Sheki | description='''[[Sheki]]''' is [[Azerbaijan]]'s true travel gem, a small city off on the forested slopes of the [[Caucasus|Greater Caucasus Mountains]]. Rich in Islamic architecture, [[Silk Road]] history, good food, and friendly people, this is travel and leisure in the [[Caucasus]] at its finest. }} --> <big>''France''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st arrondissement]]|lat=48.8627|long=2.3361}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Louvre 01.jpg | article=Paris/1st arrondissement | description= the center of contemporary [[Paris]] and the site of such landmarks as the Louvre and of the Tuileries and Palais-Royal, is full of attractions for travelers of all inclinations, including some of the finest parks, museums, shops, and bars in the city. The 1st occupies the Right Bank of the River Seine and extends onto the western section of the ''Île de la Cité'' in the midst of the river. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Bouzigues]]|lat=43.446|long=3.660}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Bouzigues, Hérault 08.jpg | article=Bouzigues | description= is a lovely coastal town in Hérault, southern France. It is known above all for its oyster production and numerous quality seafood restaurants. Bouzigues can be thought of as a seaside resort without the resort, with very limited accommodation, and not too many tourists. It is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants to enjoy a slower pace of life. }} <big>''Iberia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Caldas da Rainha]]|lat=39.4072|long=-9.1358}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Pq d carlos i pavilhoes 2.JPG | article=Caldas da Rainha | description= is absent from most international travellers' itineraries, and is thus an excellent place to experience genuine Portugal without hordes of tourists. It is a [[UNESCO Creative Cities|UNESCO Creative City]] known for its art and its hot springs. }} <big>''Nordic countries''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Copenhagen]]|lat=55.6762|long=12.5675}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Cph nyhavn.jpg | article=Copenhagen | description= is the capital of [[Denmark]] and what a million Danes call home. This "friendly old girl of a town" is big enough to be a metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy to navigate. Overlooking the Øresund strait with Sweden just minutes away, it is a cultural and geographic link between mainland Europe and Scandinavia. This is where old fairy tales blend with flashy new architecture and world-class design; where warm jazz mixes with cold electronica from Copenhagen's basements. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=VMhousing.jpg | article=Copenhagen/Amager | description='''[[Copenhagen/Amager|Amager]]''' is a district and island southwest of central [[Copenhagen]], covering some 96 km² (37 mi²), and mostly notable as the home of Copenhagen Airport and the charming old fishing hamlet of Dragør. Long considered the backwaters of the city, this old working class district is now undergoing rapid development, contributing to some wonderful contrasts; from the huge uncultivated wetlands of Kalvebod Fælled, the ultra modern Ørestad development area, the laid back and impossibly picturesque Dragør fishing hamlet to the fiercely local patriotic public housing blocks on the northern part of the island. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Uppsala]]|lat=59.8581|long=17.6446}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Gustavianum - KMB - 16000300025752.jpg | article=Uppsala | description= is an old but youthful university town {{km|70}} north of [[Stockholm]]. It is home to the oldest university and the largest cathedral in the Nordic countries. It was the most important place in Sweden during the [[Vikings and the Old Norse|Viking era]], and became the birthplace of modern biology with [[Carl Linnaeus tourism|Carl Linnaeus]] in the 18th century. }} <big>''Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Staraya Russa]]|lat=57.9833|long=31.3500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Воскресенский собор в Старой Руссе.jpg | article=Staraya Russa | description= is a small, historic town in the center of [[Novgorod Oblast]], long famous domestically for its balneological mineral waters resort, but much more famous among international travelers as Dostoevsky's summer retreat, and the basis for the fictional town of Skotoprigonievsk in '''''The Brothers Karamazov'''''. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Oceania</h2> <br> <big>''Australia''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Canberra]]''|lat=-35.2802|long=149.1310}} {{Star-article-archive | image=Daughters HALL ACT Cafe-1 (25676769688) (without black outline).jpg | article=Canberra/Hall | description='''[[Canberra/Hall|Hall]]''' is one of the last few remnants of what was NSW bushland before the capital was established. The historic village of 271 has a distinct identity and resembles a classic rural Australian town, but is in fact only separated from the Canberra suburbs by about a kilometre of countryside. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Kununurra]]|lat=-15.7737|long=128.7387}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Mirima_National_Park.JPG | article=Kununurra | description= is a small town built on big dreams in a remote corner of the vast Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its unaffected pastoral feel makes a comfortable base from which to explore the majestic natural attractions in the rugged surrounding landscape. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Menzies]]|lat=-29.6881|long=121.0369}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Menzies_town_hall.jpg | article=Menzies | description= is a small town that endured more than 100 years of decline after its gold rush era boom to retain a distinctive impression of the Goldfields' fickle fortunes. The graceful heritage buildings impart histories no less peculiar than the eerie sculptures at nearby Lake Ballard, making Menzies an intriguing destination for the inquisitive traveller. }} <!-- {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Mungo National Park]]|lat=-33.74|long=143.13}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Wall of China.jpg | article=Mungo National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] in Outback New South Wales, where some of the oldest human bodies outside Africa have been found on top of some of the remnants of the eroded, and what's now known as the "Walls of China", the park gives a true and unique insight about the indigenous history of Australia, never thought about before. }} --> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Stratford (Victoria)]]|lat=-37.9667|long=147.0833}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Badger and Hare January 2021.jpg | article=Stratford (Victoria) | description= A rural town in Gippsland on the Avon River which is easily accessible from Melbourne by train, Stratford has many parks and cafes to visit, and a yearly Shakespeare festival held in the autumn months, making it a lovely town to see for any traveller looking for a quieter, lesser-known destination. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Sydney Harbour National Park]]|lat=-33.8429|long=151.2453}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MiddleGeorgeshedfort0077.JPG | article=Sydney Harbour National Park | description= A [[New South Wales national parks|New South Wales national park]] scattered across Sydney Harbour, and is one of the many national parks within metropolitan Sydney, renowned for its sheltered beaches, tranquil picnic spots, rich Aboriginal, colonial and military heritage, aquatic reserves and most importantly; harbour islands where history meets the harbour. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Travel topics</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Sears Tower Skydeck view labeled.png | article=Chicago skyline guide | description=The '''[[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago skyline]]''' is the world's tallest and easily ranks among its most magnificent. It boasts three of [[United States of America|America's]] five tallest buildings and, if you include its antenna, the massive Sears Tower remains the second tallest skyscraper in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Camara hpE327 155.jpg | article=Retiring abroad | description='''[[Retiring abroad]]''' can let you live cheaply in an interesting place; you are not all that likely to actually find paradise-on-earth or the fountain of youth, but you might get close enough to enjoy yourself immensely. }} <big>''Scuba diving''</big> {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]]|lat=-34.0925|long=18.8113}}{{Star-article-archive | image=On the way to a dive off Cape Town PA312178.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay | description= is a regional dive guide intended to provide the already qualified Scuba diver with information which will help to plan dives in the waters of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, in the immediate vicinity of [[Cape Town]], whether as a local resident or a visitor }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Pinnacle|lat=-34.174467|long=18.833017|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Inkspot nudibranch at Pinnacle DSC02731.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle|Pinnacle]]''' is an inshore rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area of the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Partridge Point|lat=-34.25475|long=18.4775|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Peters_pinnacle_cave.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point | description=The dive sites at '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point]]''', including '''Big Rock''', '''Seal Rock''', '''Deep Partridge''' and '''Peter's Pinnacles''' are inshore rocky reefs at the southern end of the Castle Rocks restricted zone within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Photographer's Reef|lat=-34.197450|long=18.457283|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Photographer's reef detail.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef|Photographer's Reef]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is in the Boulders restricted zone of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Percy's Hole gully|lat=-34.289167|long=18.82295|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Percys Hole gully from NE close up.jpg | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole|Percy's Hole]]''' is an inshore rocky reef near [[Rooi-els]] on the east side of False Bay, near [[Cape Town]] in the Western Cape province of South Africa. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=MFV ''Aster''|lat=-34.065017|long=18.34945|zoom=15}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Divers at the rudder of the Aster PB182639.JPG | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster | description=The dive site at the wreck of the '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster|MV Aster]]''' in Hout Bay on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, South Africa, is the wreck of a lobster fishing boat which was scuttled to provide an artificial reef and a diver friendly wreck site. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=Whittle Rock |lat=-34.247933|long=18.561817}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Dive sites of the Whittle Rock area Hi-Res for mobile.png | article=Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock | description=The dive site '''[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock]]''' in False Bay is a large offshore rocky reef near Cape Town,in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The reef is partly inside the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. }} |- |}<!-- Start of 2nd-column --> |class="MainPageBG" style="width:20%;background-color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top"| {| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff" ! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">North America</h2> |- |style="color:#000"| <big>''United States of America''</big><br><br> ''California'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[San Francisco]]|lat=37.7857|long=-122.4061}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Us-ca-sanfran-goldengate.jpg | article=San Francisco | description= is a major city in [[California]], the centerpiece of the [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]], well known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. These are only a few of the aspects of the city that make San Francisco one of the most visited cities in the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Citylights.jpg | article=San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach | description='''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown-North Beach]]''' in [[San Francisco]] combines two adjoining neighbors, both of which are among the city's most popular immigrant neighborhoods. Culturally and aesthetically, they could not be more different yet their streets mesh seamlessly together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=SFSymphony Hall.jpg | article=San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin | description='''[[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center-Tenderloin]]''' is an area of Downtown [[San Francisco]]. As the name implies, the Civic Center is the primary center of government within the city and many important civic institutions are housed here. Aside from its official duties, it also moonlights as a cultural center with many fine museums, theaters, opera houses, and symphony halls located here. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Giantcrab_pier39.JPG | size=150px | article=San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf | description='''[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]''' is [[San Francisco]]'s most popular destination among travelers, with circa 12 million visitors flocking here each year. For over a century its historic waterfront was the hub of the city's fishing fleet and is still famous for the depth and variety of its harvest, as well as for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the city. Today, it's also renowned for its numerous tourist attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=GoldenGateBridge1.jpg | article=San Francisco/Golden Gate | description=The '''[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]]''' area is in the northern section of [[San Francisco]]. It is made up of two National Historic Landmarks &mdash; The Presidio and Fort Mason &mdash; as well as several upscale neighborhoods including Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, and the Marina District. It has some of the most beautiful scenery and intact natural environments in the city. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Yosemite National Park]]|lat=37.7333|long=-119.5500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Lower Cathedral Lake.jpg | article=Yosemite National Park | description= is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. }} ''Florida'' :{{marker|type=gold|name=''[[Walt Disney World]]''|lat=28.38|long=-81.56}} {{Star-article-archive | image=Disney World - Entrance sign - by inkiboo.jpg | article=Walt Disney World | description=At '''[[Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]]''', you can explore human innovation and cooperation; enjoy rides both thrilling and enchanting; relax and recuperate on the beach or the golf course; and discover an entire resort where children and adults can have fun—together. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Panthera tigris5.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom|Animal Kingdom]]''', you can learn how tough it is to be a bug, dig for dinosaur bones, challenge the mysterious Himalayan yeti, and view hundreds of live animals in authentic settings. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Venue for Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Disney Springs | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Disney Springs|Disney Springs]]''', you can design your own T-shirt or marvel at the biggest Disney store in the world; enjoy the fine cuisine of Wolfgang Puck or eat amongst the dinosaurs; visit a virtual-reality theme park or see incredible acrobatic feats; and in general just get away from the Disney parks for a while. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Spaceship Earth 2.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Epcot | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Epcot|Epcot]]''', you can visit Mexico, France, and China, all in the same afternoon; survive crash tests in an experimental car; soar over California with the wind in your hair; and learn all about human achievement and international cooperation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Sci-Fi_Dine-In_Theater_interior_by_hyku.jpg | article=Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios|Hollywood Studios]]''', you can help Indiana Jones escape from the Nazis, take a wild limousine ride through Los Angeles, get shrunk to the size of a gnat, and learn all about the behind-the-scenes process of creating films and animation. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Magic Kingdom - The 'Big Bang' at Wishes - by hyku.jpg | size=150px | article=Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom | description=At Walt Disney World's '''[[Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom|Magic Kingdom]]''', you can pillage the Caribbean with Jack Sparrow, spin through a tea party with the Mad Hatter, protect the galaxy with Buzz Lightyear, and visit the six themed lands of the world's most popular theme park. }} ''Mid-Atlantic'' :''Baltimore'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Baltimore/Fells Point|Fells Point]]|lat=39.2831|long=-76.5928}}{{Star-article-archive | image=FPwaterfront.jpg | article=Baltimore/Fells Point | description= is a historic maritime neighborhood east of [[Baltimore]]'s Inner Harbor area that contains the city's densest collection of pubs, bars, and restaurants (good ones, that is). }} :''New York'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Buffalo]]|lat=42.892|long=-78.857}}{{Star-article-archive | image=BuffaloSkyline.jpg | article=Buffalo | description=The largest city in [[New York (state)|New York State]]'s [[Niagara Frontier]] is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, local residents and others who are in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with community spirit and a real sense of place, a winning combination of high quality of life and low cost of living — and the sunniest summers in the Northeastern United States. Alternatively, you can do a tour of the '''[[Historic churches of Buffalo's East Side]]''', a Star itinerary. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Childs]]|lat=43.2873|long=-78.1916}}{{Star-article-archive | image=CobblestoneSchoolhouse.JPG | article=Childs | description= is a tiny hamlet in [[Orleans County (New York)|Orleans County]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. Located just north of the county seat of [[Albion (New York)|Albion]], Childs is near the center of the county and has just enough activity to make it worth considering as a jumping-off point for a tour of the region. }} :''Washington, D.C.'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Washington, D.C.]]|lat=38.9009|long=-77.0245}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Abraham Lincoln sitting in his memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C. | description= is the capital of the [[United States of America|United States]] and the seat of its three branches of government. It has an unparalleled collection of free, public museums, and the lion's share of the nation's most treasured monuments and memorials. The vistas on the [[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]] between the Capitol, Washington Monument, White House, and Lincoln Memorial are iconic throughout the world. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=The Big Chair.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Anacostia | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Anacostia|Anacostia]]''' is the popular name for the huge swathe of [[Washington, D.C.]] consisting of the many neighborhoods East of the River. Its heart, in the small, historic neighborhood of Anacostia, is immediately across the Frederick Douglass Bridge from the newly built Nationals Ballpark. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Georgetown from Roosevelt Island.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Georgetown | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Georgetown|Georgetown]]''' is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C. to the south of Woodley Park and west of Dupont Circle across Rock Creek Park. It is a major center of tourism in the capital for its high-end shopping and dining, quaint 18th century rowhouses on cobblestone streets, rowdy collegiate nightlife, waterfront harbor, and Georgetown University. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Lincoln Memorial by night.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./National Mall | description=The '''[[Washington, D.C./National Mall|National Mall]]''' is a National Park and the monumental green space at the heart of the city, the heart of the national psyche, and the heart of civic America. It stretches two miles just south of the White House, from the U.S. Capitol Building in the east to the Lincoln Memorial and Potomac River on the west. The park is home to the Smithsonian, a huge collection of the nation's best (and free) museums, as well as most the country's most famous memorials and monuments. It is the number one destination for visitors in the city, and one of the biggest destinations in the country. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=African-American Civil War Memorial.jpg | article=Washington, D.C./Shaw | description='''[[Washington, D.C./Shaw|Shaw]]''' is a neighborhood in [[Washington, D.C.]] just east of Dupont Circle and south of Adams Morgan, but with history and culture rooted firmly in D.C.'s African-American history that makes it impossible to mistake for those other neighborhoods. It is one of the most diverse sections of the city, with everyone moving in for the live jazz and high-end nightclubs on U St and 14th, and for the marvelous food, including the amazing Little Ethiopia strip. }} ''Midwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Ann Arbor]]|lat=42.2820|long=-83.7484}}{{Star-article-archive | image=MI AnnArbor Cube.jpg | article=Ann Arbor | description= is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Isle Royale National Park]]|lat=48.03|long=-88.82}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Isle Royale moose.jpg | article=Isle Royale National Park | description= is a [[United States National Parks|United States National Park]] comprised of Isle Royale and the surrounding waters and small islands, a wilderness preserve in northwest Lake Superior. It's easily identified on maps of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior resembles the profile of a snarling wolf; Isle Royale is the eye. Although it's closer to [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], or even [[Minnesota]], [[USA]], it's part of the state of [[Michigan]]. }} :''Chicago'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Chicago]]|lat=41.8756|long=-87.6276}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Skyline from Millennium Park.jpg | article=Chicago | description= is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. Butcher of hogs and believer in progress, it is one of the world's great cities, and yet the metropolitan luxuries of theater, shopping, and fine dining have barely put a dent in real Midwestern friendliness. It's a city with a swagger, but without the surliness or even the fake smiles found in other cities of its size. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=John Hancock Building 2.jpg | article=Along the Magnificent Mile | description='''[[Along the Magnificent Mile]]''' is a one day and night sightseeing tour of [[Chicago]]. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Bronzeville grafitti.jpg | article=Bronzeville | description='''[[Chicago/Bronzeville|Bronzeville]]''', the Black Metropolis, is a mecca of [[Chicago#African-American History|African-American History]] on [[Chicago]]'s South Side, just miles south of downtown. Gwendolyn Brooks published poetry in the Chicago Defender, Andrew Rube Foster created Negro League Baseball, and Louis Armstrong kept his trumpet singing at the Sunset Cafe to keep Al Capone off his back. Long in disrepair, the neighborhood is coming back, with new residents refurbishing historic homes, and with new dining and nightlife scenes beginning to take root. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Calder flamingo.jpg | article=Chicago/Loop | description='''[[Chicago/Loop|The Loop]]''' is the central business district of [[Chicago]], bounded by the Chicago River to the north and west, Harrison St to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east. It contains the tallest members of [[Chicago skyline guide|Chicago's skyline]] and much of the city's finest architecture, holding within them much of the city's working stiffs; for visitors, it also has the glitzy downtown theater district, and the biggest annual music festivals. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Freeform.jpg | article=Loop Art Tour | description=The '''[[Loop Art Tour]]''' is a guided walking tour of Chicago's impressive collection of public art in [[Chicago/Loop|the Loop]], taking 2-4 hours depending on how long you linger at each sight. }}{{Star-article-archive | image=Chicago-riverwalk.jpg | article=Chicago/Near North | description=The '''[[Chicago/Near North|Near North]]''' is the shop-and-awe center of [[Chicago]]. It's bounded by North Avenue to the north, the Chicago River to the west and south, and Lake Michigan to the east. With a whirlwind rush of department stores, restaurants, and luxurious hotels, there's no better place to abuse your budget than the Near North and its celebrated Magnificent Mile. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Pilsen3.jpg | article=Chicago/Pilsen | description='''[[Chicago/Pilsen|Pilsen]]''' is a neighborhood on the Lower West Side of [[Chicago]]. Murals of Mexican cowboys notwithstanding, Pilsen is a lot like the Wild West: only a few minutes from the [[Chicago/Loop|Loop]] by train, this working-class area is thick with riches in art and historic architecture, encircled by developers and speculators in search of the next hot neighborhood, and occupied by a community that's fiercely proud of where they live. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Greenmill.jpg | article=Chicago/Uptown | description='''[[Chicago/Uptown|Uptown]]''' is a scruffy, jazz-inflected neighborhood on the north side of [[Chicago]]. Within its boundaries, off to the side of the action, are the residential areas of Sheridan Park and Buena Park, and an exciting Southeast Asian community based around Argyle Street. }} {{Star-article-archive | image=Wickeryawn.jpg | article=Chicago/Wicker Park | description='''[[Chicago/Wicker Park|Wicker Park]]''' is the vanguard of music, nightlife, and fashion in [[Chicago]]. This article also includes the sly, enjoyable Ukrainian Village, immediately south, and pieces of the greater West Town area. }} ''South'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown]]|lat=35.2272|long=-80.8431}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Uptown from westin.jpg | article=Charlotte/Uptown | description= is the central business district of [[Charlotte]]. It is home to most of the city's major institutions, as well as being the historic core. It is also the geographic center of Charlotte, with the center point of the city at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets. }} ''Southwest'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Albuquerque]]|lat=35.0844|long=-106.6511}}{{Star-article-archive | image=ABQ Balloon Fiesta.jpg | article=Albuquerque | description= the largest city in [[New Mexico]] is a vibrant, sprawling desert metropolis. Although overshadowed as a tourist destination by [[Santa Fe (New Mexico) | Santa Fe]], it has a number of great attractions in its own right, with pleasant scenery, colorful history, and a spectacular hot-air balloon ''fiesta'' in the fall. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]]|lat=35.6916|long=-105.9374}}{{Star-article-archive | image=St Francis Cathedral Santa Fe.jpg | article=Santa Fe (New Mexico) | description= founded in 1607, is the capital of the state of [[New Mexico]] in the [[United States of America | United States]]. With an elevation of 7000 feet, it is not only the United States' oldest state capital but its highest. With a population of about 70,000, it's not the most populous capital, but that's part of its charm. Santa Fe is consistently rated one of the world's top travel destinations for its confluence of scenic beauty, long history (at least by American standards), cultural diversity, and extraordinary concentration of arts, music and fine dining. }} {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Zion National Park]]|lat=37.30|long=-113.05}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Zion Canyon2.JPG | article=Zion National Park | description= is a [[United States National Park |United States National Park]] located in the southern [[Utah]] regions of [[Dixie (Utah)|Dixie]] and [[Canyon Country]]. The park protects the incredible rock formations and high sandstone cliffs within its boundaries and is a favorite spot for hiking, backpacking, canyoneering and climbing. In fact, Zion has some of the most spectacular trails in the National Park System. Visitors to Zion walk on the canyon floor and look up, rather than looking down from the rim as in many parks. In addition to the magnificent monoliths and cliffs, the park is known for its desert landscape of sandstone canyons, mesas, and high plateaus. }} ''Texas'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Big Bend National Park]]|lat=29.2500|long=-103.2500}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Big Bend Texas.jpg | article=Big Bend National Park | description= is vast, rugged, and one of the least visited [[United States National Parks|national parks]] in the continental U.S. With three distinct ecosystems, endless views, and powerful landscapes, Big Bend may leave you feeling like you've stumbled onto a well-kept secret. }} <big>''Canada''</big><br><br> ''Manitoba'' {{marker|type=gold|name=[[Churchill]]|lat=58.7692|long=-94.1692}}{{Star-article-archive | image=Churchill Wildlife Management Area polar bear11.JPG | article=Churchill | description= is The Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Capital of the World, and a capital choice to see the Northern Lights right overhead. }} <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#000;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Phrasebooks</h2> <br> {{Star-article-archive | image=Russian language map.png | article=Russian phrasebook | description='''[[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]''' is a Slavic language spoken by 300+ million people world-wide. Most people living in [[Russia]] use it as a first language, and many other people in [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Europe|Eastern Europe]] know it as a second language. It holds official status in the Russian Federation, [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Kyrgyzstan]], as well as the unrecognized states of [[Abkhazia]], [[South Ossetia]], and [[Transnistria]]. }} |- |} |} {{Title-Index page}} 8mka6r8o4razdmzstxrmbs3xvolutgv 4 69228 4506775 4494646 2022-08-23T10:34:49Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Canberra/Hall */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Star Nominations Banner.jpg}} [[File:Tunisia 10-12 - 138 - Salt Flats (6609469357).jpg|thumb|270px|If you like it, then you should put a star on it!]] {{shortcut|[[Starnom]]}} This is where we determine whether an article is ready to be classified as [[Project:Star articles|'''Star''' status]]. Even though the criteria are fairly objective, it's good to get some additional eyes to look over a page and confirm that it's ready before elevating it to Star. For reference, here's the general description, from [[Project:Article status]]: ''The article is essentially complete. It meets all of the above criteria. It follows the [[Project:Manual of style|manual of style]] exactly or is the exception that proves the rule. Prose is not only near-perfect grammatically but also tight, effective, and enjoyable. It has appropriate illustrations, such as photos and a map. Enough breadth and depth of material is presented that anyone familiar with the subject of the article would have little to point out as absent. Future changes to this kind of article would reflect changes in the subject (e.g. a museum closes, a hotel price changes, a new airport is built) more than they'd require improvements in the coverage.'' Objective criteria for Star status varies depending on the kind of article it is. For more concrete guidance on this, see: *[[Project:City article status]] *[[Project:Region article status]] *[[Project:Country article status]] *[[Project:Park article status]] *[[Project:Itinerary status]] *[[Project:Travel topic status]] *[[Project:Phrasebook status]] *[[Project:Airport article status]] *[[Project:Event article status]] If you feel that an article currently at Star status is no longer worthy, or never was to begin with, this is also the place to nominate to '''de-star''' an article. ==Nominate== {{infobox|Star articles: Last minute checklist|* The article must be '''complete''' &mdash; See definition above. * '''Grammar''' and '''[[Project:Spelling|spelling]]''' must be perfect &mdash; See definition above. '''Prose''' should be stylistically superior and effective. * '''Illustration''': the article should be appropriately illustrated with '''[[Wikivoyage:Image policy|pictures]]''' and a '''[[Project:How to draw a map|Wikivoyage-style map]]''', with '''''all''''' attractions marked. * Listings should be in '''alphabetical order''' &mdash; geographical order is also acceptable if it is deemed better. * '''No duplications''': a listing should appear under one section only &mdash; if there is ambiguity, put it under the section that it most applies to. *'''[[Project:Time and date formats|Time and date formats]]''': Use: M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sa, Su; and check our [[Wikivoyage:Manual of style|manual of style]] for latest and complete policy * '''Section introductions''' are not mandatory but should be present when they serve to improve a section. * Use "&mdash;" (mdash) for breaks in thought. * Use '''abbreviations''' for addresses, e.g., St, Ave, Sq, Blvd}} You can nominate any "guide" quality article you think is ready to be declared a "star". '''Please do not nominate an article if you know that it falls short of the criterion above &mdash; refer to the info box for a last minute checklist.''' If there are other nominations on this page, add yours to the bottom of the list. The basic format of a nomination is as follows: <nowiki>===[[Article name]]===</nowiki> <nowiki>This has everything we're looking for, plus a swell kitchen sink. ~~~~</nowiki> Having done this, please add the {{tl|starnomination}} tag at the beginning of the article, after the {{tl|pagebanner}} tag. You may also post a note at [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]] to publicize your nomination &mdash; remember to tell people that partial critiques and even just a few quick words of support are welcome. These steps help draw attention to the article's nomination, improving the discussion as to whether it should be awarded star status. ==Discuss== Please comment on whether you agree that the nominated article is ready, with a bullet point (*) and your signed opinion. If you think it's ready, a simple "Support" will do. If not, explain what you think is missing or not up to standards. You don't have to leave a detailed critique to vote on the star &mdash; partial critiques are welcome, and feel free to just voice your support for the hard work someone else has done. <nowiki>===[[Article name]]===</nowiki> <nowiki>This has everything we're looking for, plus a swell kitchen sink. TravelNut 25:25, 31 Feb 2525 (UTC)</nowiki> <span style="color:green"><nowiki>* The sink isn't properly formatted, and there are no "budget" places to sleep. ~~~~</nowiki></span> After '''three weeks''' of discussion, if a [[Project:Consensus|consensus]] is reached, then that article becomes a star, and the discussion should be [[Project:Star nominations/Archives|archived]]. A consensus means that all outstanding objections should have been addressed and dropped; if issues remain then the discussion should be left open for '''two months''' to allow time to fix the article and reach a consensus. If the outstanding issues cannot or will not be addressed in reasonable time, the article should be added to the [[Project:Star nominations/Slush pile|slush pile]]. Regardless of the outcome, it is useful to copy the nomination discussion to the article's talk page. == Successful nominations == * Remove the nomination discussion from this page to [[Project:Star nominations/Archives]] * Copy the nomination discussion to the talk page of the new star article * Add the article to [[Star articles]] (and change the map on that page) * Remove starnomination template from article * Update the article status template on the article from guide to star * Add <nowiki>|star=yes</nowiki> to the Pagebanner at the top of the article (see also [[Template:Pagebanner]] if more than one icon is required) * If the article is currently being nominated at [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates]], update the article status parameter in the nomination template. == Failed nominations == * Remove the nomination discussion from this page and paste it to [[Project:Star nominations/Slush pile]] * Copy the discussion to the talk page of the article * Remove starnomination template from article * Add the {{tl|starpotential}} template to the top of the article's talk page. This will add the article to [[:Category:Star potential]] Articles should only be renominated when they address criticisms from the previous nomination. ==Nominations for Star status== Number of articles currently in review: [[:Category:Star article nominations|{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Star article nominations|R}}]] For an archive of previous successful nominations please see [[Project:Star nominations/Archives]]. Please add {{tl|starnomination}} to the top of the article being nominated. This will add it to [[:Category:Star article nominations]]. ===[[Norfolk Island]]=== This is an excellent article (OTBP in 2020) thanks to the work of a number of contributors. This is an opportunity for our first star-rated rural area article. I can't see that anything is missing, and it appears to have what is expected of a star article, though I may have missed something. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 15:00, 15 June 2021 (UTC) *<s>'''Support'''</s> - It looks nice to me, and if I ever go there, I don't think I'll be needing anything else apart from someone local to help me. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 07:50, 16 June 2021 (UTC) ::{{re|SelfieCity}} it's been 21 days now, and would that mean it's ready to be promoted to a star? [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:57, 4 July 2021 (UTC) :::You can't call 2 opinions a consensus. I'll try to look at this soon. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:00, 4 July 2021 (UTC) ::::Very true. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 04:01, 4 July 2021 (UTC) *'''Nearly''' - It looks good but there are a few points that should be looked at. (It is usual for article to take 21+ weeks to get promoted on this page, and I would expect more opinions.) [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:09, 4 July 2021 (UTC) **The article should have a Covid box - at the moment visitors need to have a [http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island Travel Pass] applied for 24-72 hours in advance. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **By plane need updating - Air New Zealand aren't flying until 30 August, with Quantas flying until then. Air Chatham have changed the days of flights. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **Visas and Immigration Control has "There are quarantine restrictions on the movement of many items of food, including meat and fresh fruit, between the island and the mainland. The restrictions are not the same in both directions." This needs expanding, or a link to an official site that says exactly what you can bring from Australia and (if different) from New Zealand. {{done}} (last verified 2021-09-14) **Understand should have something on the island's economy - how important is tourism to the island.{{done}} (last verified 2021-11-06) **By Taxi has phone numbers that need formatting, and Uber may now be on the island. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **There is nothing about the time zone. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **The governance changes in 2016 could be expanded upon, as the WP article suggests that this doesn't have local support. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **See and Do should be cross-checked with [https://www.norfolkisland.com.au/attractions tourist info]. ::::Uber isn't on Norfolk just yet per https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small> 08:18, 16 July 2021 (UTC) *'''Support'''{{strike|'''Oppose in current state'''}} - The article is a very good ''guide'' article, but I don't think the article is comprehensive enough to be considered a star. I worked on the article in 2019 to get it ready for a front page feature. But that's 18 months ago, and I believe the list of what's open or what's now closed would need to be checked for each listing. I think the status descriptions have changed since 2019, as I thought there was comprehensive criteria for it to be a star. In any case [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] comments above will help. I might find time to call the information centre this week to confirm what they mean about "[https://www.norfolkisland.com.au/visitor-info/getting-around a local Uber is available on request.]" [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 09:53, 14 August 2021 (UTC), edit [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 23:25, 4 November 2021 (UTC) ::Thanks for looking into this. I wonder if "Uber" is being used as term for bookable taxi, like "Hoover" for vacuum cleaner. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:07, 16 August 2021 (UTC) :::Called them today, they have one "taxi service" and got their details and website. Uber is used in this case as a "bookable taxi." I'm not sure if it should be changed to "By Taxi" or "by rideshare". :::I also asked them about "Democracy and independence movements" on the island in which she mentioned that it's something that tourists do ask about and are interested in. There are some locations now on the island which incorporate those protests. Should they be added? [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 04:20, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :I don't understand why it has a currency box though. It's still administered under NSW, and while it's mostly self governing, that can be found at [[Australia#Buy]]. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:43, 14 August 2021 (UTC ::Should we remove it and direct users to the [[Australia]] article for currency information? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 13:57, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :::I think it makes sense to keep some currency information in the article. Norfolk may be administered as part of NSW, but it's 1000 miles east of the Australian mainland and is reachable by air and ship without passing through Australia. Plus, the article says "Travel between mainland Australia and Norfolk Island is domestic travel, but flights leave from the international terminals in Sydney and Brisbane." meaning that even Australian citizens have to show their passport in order to visit. All this indicates to me that Norfolk is a different destination from the rest of NSW from a travel perspective.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 14:06, 20 August 2021 (UTC) ::::I think the currency box should be removed, but keep "Norfolk Island only uses the Australian dollar.". Norfolk Island is sufficently close to New Zealand that it wouldn't have been surprising if both AU$ and NZ$ were accepted. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 20:24, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :::::NFI isn't one of those currencies accepting foreign currency. Other countries in Melanesia like PNG, the Solomon Islands or NC accept A$, but not NFI. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 23:38, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :::::: Keeping the currency box costs nothing, does no harm, and may save someone a few extra taps or clicks getting to the Australia article.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:22, 21 August 2021 (UTC) :Given that all the issues brought up have been fixed, upgrade? Also regarding the COVID box, that's not really a valid reason to oppose, given that Covid boxes go out of date really easily. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 01:26, 8 October 2021 (UTC) ::Two things, some places like the pharmacy and Sunday market lack coords. Also what is Bush walking, could you add a description for that section as I’m unaware of that phrase as a non Australian. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 06:00, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::Usually the Sunday markets are usually put up and taken down when its not a Sunday. Hence putting coords will go out of date in one week. And bushwalking is hiking in the bush, but the definition should ideally go to [[Australia#Do]]. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 10:41, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::: I don't understand. The article says they are held at next to the tourist information centre, which will presumably not move around, I assume the same place is used, more or less, and having coords for a market off by 50 m is hardly a catastrophe. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:08, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::::I'm not sure about how it is in NFI, but usually in Sydney, the Sunday markets often move around (except this is at a mass scale (probably 500m?). Although I'm not sure about the current situation in Sydney as well, given its been years since I last visited a Sunday market. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:17, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::::{{done}} Doing some further research, it seems not. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:21, 20 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::The Norfolk mall is mentioned in the bbq eat section but not listed under buy [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 14:37, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::::::[[WV:Boring]]. Shopping malls are usually the equivalent of a streetside couple of shops. No interest to travellers. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:16, 21 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::::could you add a marker to it in the prose of the BBQ section so people know were to find it? [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 00:15, 22 October 2021 (UTC) :::::::::The BBQ section shouldn't have a marker since the mall is not the ''only'' place you'll find it (it's pretty easy to find one in Australia). And for the self catering, same thing. Maybe {{ping|Joshlama1}} is a better person to ask. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 00:23, 22 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::the way I interpreted that sentence was the mall was the only place to self-cater perhaps change the wording [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 00:27, 22 October 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::I'm actually also confused on the mall as well. I interpret that there's self-catering options everywhere but that's the only self catering service mentioned. That's a question to ask {{u|Joshlama1}} I guess. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 00:29, 22 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::::Hi everyone (@[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], @[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]]), didn't realise I was called in for this page. I think the Self-Catering & BBQ lines were there before I even joined WikiVoyage. :::::::: ::::::::Norfolk mall is mentioned as it's the only mall on the island, which I don't think it counts for [[WV:Boring]]. Note that the article puts markers for individual shops and not for the mall itself. :::::::: ::::::::There are [https://www.monsterchildren.com/norfolk-island-island-paradise-stuck-time/ public BBQ's available] (and are so old that you need to BYO coals) but I wouldn't know exactly where they are located. Self-Catering is mentioned because with the number of flights going to and from the island is comparatively 'rare', it's likely that you'll be on the island for at least 5 nights. When you add just a mid-range lunch and dinner each day, because there's only one budget option available, the cost is going to add up for some travelers. So I would appeal to '''[[Ttcf]]''' rather than Boring. :::::::: ::::::::Getting to Tai's point, there two other options than the mall in which you can buy fresh produce daily, with one of them listed under [[Norfolk Island#Supplies|Buy#Supplies.]]I could list the other (Slick & Sons - Butcher which also sells fresh produce) and refer Self-Cater to this section of the article. Or move Supplies to Eat#Budget of the article. [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 06:13, 1 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::Okay, so if this seems the case, upgrade to star? {{u|SelfieCity}}? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 06:17, 1 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::Well this hasn't made it to the article yet: ::::::::::* Understand should have something on the island's economy - how important is tourism to the island. ::::::::::I think once the above has been done, and this discrepancy about where the Mall should go, I would change my vote to '''Star'''. [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 06:35, 1 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::Star articles should be of impeccable style, in addition to everything else. I made some [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Norfolk_Island&type=revision&diff=4321849&oldid=4321841 quick edits] that suggest to me, along with this sentence - "The first known settlers in Norfolk Island were East Polynesians, but appear to have already departed when Captain Cook found the island." - that I wouldn't be satisfied with voting for this article without going through it with a fine-toothed comb and editing as warranted. (I would edit the quoted sentence to read: "The first known settlers in Norfolk Island were East Polynesians, but '''it seems that they had''' already departed '''before''' Captain Cook found the island.") [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:54, 2 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::'''Oppose''' for now, until I have the chance to look through the entire article with a fine-toothed comb and edit it as necessary. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:29, 4 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::::I did some more edits in "Understand." Question: approximately when is Queensland expected to start providing state health and educational services to the island? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:17, 6 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::::According to [https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-to-take-over-norfolk-island-duties/9ffcd9a8-a2ea-42e5-82f3-1a9397f6d89f this], it's January 1 2022. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 07:19, 6 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::::::Great. That info should be included, even if it were only because the question is suggested in the copy. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:21, 6 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::::::{{re|Ikan Kekek}} {{done}}. See [[Special:Diff/4323925]] (it should also automatically change from future to past tense after 01/01) <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 07:24, 6 November 2021 (UTC) *I know I voted support earlier, but I'm now going to vote '''hold it'''. I just noticed there's little information about Phillip Island and some of the walks in the national park. Will resupport when I finish that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:52, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Portuguese phrasebook]]=== I believe that the Portuguese phrasebook is poised to be our second Star phrasebook after the [[Russian phrasebook]]. Every word and phrase from the [[Wikivoyage:Quick phrasebook article template]] has been translated and is accompanied by pronunciation help using three methods: 1) standard/required Wikivoyage pseudo-phoneticization, 2) IPA, and 3) audio files (via Lingua Libre / Wikimedia Commons). If there are any deficiencies that I haven't already spotted and corrected, they will be quick fixes once identified. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:46, 26 August 2021 (UTC) * <s>'''Close'''</s> while it LGTM, some of it is written from a speaker who'd use en-US rather than just English in general. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 01:52, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *:I can't help it. I was born this way. 😆 Do you have some specific examples that I should tackle? Cheers! (or did I just go too British there?) [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 02:05, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *::Yeah, I've done something similar in [[Driving in New Caledonia]] where it's wholly written from an Australian perspective (with the drive on the right being over-exaggerated). But to the phrasebook, mainly spellings and the time and date section, but I'll fix that up. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 02:08, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *:::{{done}}. Agora '''Suporte'''. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 02:14, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *Is having a separate audio file for each word the standard approach? Having to play 6 separate clips to ask "Where is the toilet?" is not very useful if the reader just expects to click play on their phone when in need. I see that some later phrases are a single clip. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:54, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *:That's a fair point. When I started adding audio, I used files available on Commons, which were all seperate words. After a while, I decided to fill the gap myself for the many missing words by recording the missing words and phrases myself (via Lingua Libre, which exports to Commons). I think I should go back and record the ones where there are separate word clips to "build" a phrase. Thanks for the push; this was nagging the back of my mind! [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 22:19, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *::{{done}} Any entries left with multiple audio files are alternative translations or gender differences. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:43, 27 August 2021 (UTC) * '''Not yet''' - Where's the grammar section? The [[Russian phrasebook]] has one, as do [[Brazilian Portuguese]], [[Spanish]], [[French]] <small>(pretty good, if I say so myself)</small>... For Portuguese, it doesn't need to be exhaustive, university-level stuff, but should probably cover noun gender, articles, basic verb conjugation (mainly present tense), "you", and anything else Nelson or other speakers think is fundamental to know. The Brazilian phrasebook also has an infobox about nasal sounds; should that be copied and adapted? I would also like to see the addition of at least 10-15 photos given the length of the article, although these can be added as and when quality appropriate images are found. Credit where it's due, the comprehensive use of audio files is an excellent feature, and I hope we can roll this out onto other phrasebooks soon.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:11, 27 August 2021 (UTC) *:I intentionally left out grammar based on the second paragraph of [[Phrasebooks]] and [[Wikivoyage:Quick phrasebook article template]], but I'll work on covering the topics you mentioned. The Brazilian phrasebook was actually a fork from Portuguese (or vice versa) due to overwhelming differences in pronunciation and some grammar (much greater than UK English vs US English). I'll see if some elements can be added back. Russian has only two images: the language map (which Portuguese has) and an alphabet chart (unneeded since Portuguese uses the Latin alphabet). Based on this, I didn't add images, but I agree that the article looks uninteresting and sparse without them, so I'll add some. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 15:38, 27 August 2021 (UTC) *:@[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], I've gone ahead and implemented your suggestions. I look forward to reading your feedback. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:03, 27 August 2021 (UTC) :::Great work, as ever, and quick too. As someone with knowledge of other Romance languages, all the basic grammar makes sense to me, but as it's well explained it would also work for a general audience. :::There are some minor changes I made myself. One thing I thought I'd run by you is whether you'd consider removing ''vos'' from the conjugation tables, particularly as its entries are crossed out anyway. Another, related, thing was whether it would make more sense to separate "he/she" from "you"; even though they're the same conjugation in Portuguese, "he/she/you sing(s)" strikes me as potentially confusing for English speakers without experience of learning other languages, but who still remember the person distinction from English class. "Você" and "vocês" would thus get their own lines in each table, and "vos" would come out altogether. You could still keep the sentence about "vos" if you think it's important, though I doubt the vast majority of travellers would encounter that word at all.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:22, 28 August 2021 (UTC) :::Also, there'll probably be other aspects of the 'pronunciation' section that I'll end up questioning due to accent differences, but just for starters, and as a reminder for myself: "é : long sound as the 'e' in "bled" / ê : similar to the 'ea' in "bread"" makes little sense to me, as "bled" and "bread" rhyme in my accent. Do é and ê make the same sound, or different? It doesn't help that IPA is missing from the vowels and diphthongs/triphthongs sections, but present in the 'consonants' section (where arguably they're needed least).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:39, 28 August 2021 (UTC) ::::Thank you for your great suggestions, which are not nitpicky at all, as you stated in one of your edit comments. I want to build WV's best phrasebook and really earn that star. I have implemented your recommendations. If you find anything else that could use improvement, no matter how seemingly minor, lay it on me. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:24, 29 August 2021 (UTC) Olá, {{ping|Sanjorgepinho}}. As far as I know, you are the only native speaker of European Portuguese who has contributed to Wikivoyage recently. If you have time and willingness, I would appreciate your feedback on [[Portuguese phrasebook]]. I nominated it for Star status, and I want to make sure it's as good as it can be. Obrigado! --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 08:51, 30 August 2021 (UTC) :Pinging {{ping|Ibaman}}, although they speak Brazilian Portuguese, they might still know the differences between the two. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 09:09, 30 August 2021 (UTC) * Thanks for remembering me, gajos. Right now, I don't really have the time or ability to be of much help here... European Portuguese is still somewhat complicated to me. But I promise I'll check out this article and help improve it. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 14:28, 30 August 2021 (UTC) *:@[[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]]: Regarding [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?diff=4286518 this diff], ''rr'' and word-initial ''r'' are impossible to represent accurately using English spelling. Although ''rã'' = "hum" might be a close approximation for PT-BR, it is too far from PT-PT to be of use to the traveller. No flavor of ''r''/''rr'' in PT-PT sounds like EN "h". Maybe "rum" was a poor choice on my part. Perhaps "run" is marginally better, but combine with the ''ã'', and there is no way no how we will ever be able be able to produce a close-enough rendering of the word using EN, which is why I added IPA and recorded sound clips throughout the Phrase list section. (I added your Nasal vowels infobox based on the recent suggestion from ThunderingTyphoons above.) [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:00, 31 August 2021 (UTC) *::Also pinging {{ping|DARIO SEVERI}} the only admin of pt.voy that I know of. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 12:16, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :Olá @[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] : I've already taken a look at the link and although I'm not the best person to rate it, it seems fine to me. The little time I have doesn't help either. Despite that, I spent my vacation taking pictures to help improve some destinations on Wikivoyage. [[User:Sanjorgepinho|Sanjorgepinho]] ([[User talk:Sanjorgepinho|talk]]) 21:29, 2 September 2021 (UTC) [[User:Sanjorgepinho|Sanjorgepinho]] ([[User talk:Sanjorgepinho|talk]]) 22:45, 2 September 2021 (UTC) *::: yeah, I was once an admin there, together with Dario, but now I concentrate here fully. I hope he joins this discussion. More importantly, copying here what I wrote on [[Talk:Brazilian Portuguese phrasebook]]: "Just for the record, as I'm working to complete the phonetic bits of this article, I have made some decisions that I'd rather explain for clarity and comment. Whenever I must choose between "what's more sonically natural for the language" and "what would be easier for Anglophones to pronounce and be understood, even if retaining some of their natural accent", I will follow the latter. I'm trying as well to insert as much "tutorial" words, chosen for importance to the traveller's daily needs, sound and meaning, as possible. This is, by the way, the logic behind the (maybe mysterious) inclusion of that long list of names; IMHO every one of them is a good pronunciation tutorial for acquiring the language's sound and articulation." This approach complies with [[WV:Tone]] and [[WV:fun]] which are very important guidelines for my work on this travel guide, which I try to always follow. As I can see, the PT-PT phrasebook is aiming at a different objective. Let's not exchange the usual bad jokes of cultural abyss between PT-BR and PT-PT. I would only suggest that I consider my approach better suited for the needs of a travel guide. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 12:24, 31 August 2021 (UTC) *:::Hi {{ping|SHB2000}}, well ... I am sysop on Wikivoyage-pt but I am italian, I can speak Portuguese quite well but it is not my mother tongue. I prefer it to be done by someone who knows the language better. [[User:DARIO SEVERI|DARIO SEVERI]] ([[User talk:DARIO SEVERI|talk]]) 12:26, 31 August 2021 (UTC) *::::Why is there no native pt-PT speakers here apart from Sangorgepinho who's been on a break? I guess most Portuguese Portuguese here speakers are from elsewhere? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 12:29, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :Stereotypically, the Brazilians are indeed known as more fun and outgoing, whereas the Portuguese are known as reserved yet friendly. Not surprising that the pt-br phrasebook has a different tone from pt-pt. I'll take a closer look at pt-br to see if I can borrow any more concepts from there. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 16:43, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :{{re|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} How about asking {{ping|FilipeFalcão}}, who did about half the recordings here? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 02:06, 3 September 2021 (UTC) ::He's been inactive since Jan '19, https://guc.toolforge.org/?by=date&user=FilipeFalc%C3%A3o. (Note to other contributors: I used Felipe's recordings in the destination articles, as he recorded the pronunciations for every municipality in Portugal. His files are not in the phrasebook under discussion.) [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 02:13, 3 September 2021 (UTC) :::How about asking {{ping|Felipe da Fonseca}}? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 06:55, 4 September 2021 (UTC) ::::I wouldn't be a great judge of pt-br or en-au, so I wouldn't ask a Brazilian to review a European Portuguese phrasebook nor an Australian to review an American English slang list. Also, Felipe has never participated on enWV, except when requested to do so on the Pub. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 19:56, 4 September 2021 (UTC) :::::re the Aus to US, I'm quite familiar with American slang but it's not the same with British. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 13:48, 19 September 2021 (UTC) ---- After two months, nearly all the issues have been fixed by {{u|Nelson Ricardo 2500}}. Promote? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:42, 14 November 2021 (UTC) :I think this is just about at star level. I have a couple of comments: First, I just added a thread to the phrasebook's talk page because "ai" as in "Renaissance" is an "uh" sound to me when I'm speaking English. I also find that pseudo-pronunciations of nasalized diphthongs that look like "ahny" and "uhnw" appear polysyllabic to this English-speaker, but their weird appearance could be remedied if sound samples could be provided for the diphthongs as they are provided for vowels and consonants. If those things are done, I think it will be a star article, with the caveat that I have good conversational and reading command of French and Italian when I'm in practice but don't know Portuguese. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:22, 16 November 2021 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], I don't think recordings of those sounds exist, so I'll try working on them by this weekend or earlier. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 18:40, 16 November 2021 (UTC) :::Awesome! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:05, 16 November 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}} It's almost three months, and all concerns raised have been fixed. I'd support upgrading now, but I'd leave it to {{u|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} to do that given they wrote most of the article + numerous audio recordings. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:33, 20 November 2021 (UTC) :I think we can wait for the recordings of diphthongs. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 13:39, 20 November 2021 (UTC) ::{{done}} --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:09, 21 November 2021 (UTC) :::Thank you, and I now '''support''' the nomination. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:04, 22 November 2021 (UTC) ::::This nomination has been here for almost nine months, and since all issues have been addressed by Nelson, are there any objections before I promote this nomination that has been quietly sitting for months? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:54, 22 April 2022 (UTC) :::::Thank you, @[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]]! I've just made some improvements to the placement of audio files, as this has been bugging me. I am unaware of any objections or unimplemented suggestions remaining. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:49, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], do you have any remaining concerns about the article, or can it be promoted to star now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:57, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Thanks for the prompt, {{u|Ikan Kekek}}. I have spent some more time going through the phrasebook, while waiting for a delayed flight in BER and now today in the Hampshire sun. :::::::The pronunciation section doesn't mention that the vowel O often sounds like "oo" / a short "u" at the end of a word. The section mentions the sound often "reduces" following a T or D, but the "oo" sound seems to be fairly constant at the end of words, with the exception of nasal "ão". :::::::Why is a conjugation table needed for the verb ''pôr''? The word doesn't appear once as an infinitive or in any of its present-tense conjugated forms in the rest of the phrasebook. The tables for ''ser'', ''estar'' and ''ter'' are justified by those verbs' importance, but what about ''pôr''? :::::::I couldn't see whether you'd noted that it's possible to drop the subject prounoun before the verb, as in Italian or Spanish, but unlike French (or English). There are examples of this in the phrases, but a short explanation would be handy. :::::::It might be a matter of taste, but I think the eating section could do with a lot more example foodstuffs, particularly fruits, vegetables and seafood. The sentence "I'd like to reserve a table." would be a useful addition, and not just to the PT phrasebook. :::::::I also have some issues with the illogical order of some of the sections, but as that's a guideline issue, I'm better off bringing it up on the phrasebook template.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:16, 22 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::@[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], thank you for the fixes and the suggestions, which I have now put in place. Let me know if I'm missing any of your favo(u)rite foods. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 17:16, 22 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Looks great! Probably time to make it a [[Image:Cscr-featured.svg|20px]], then. I'll tell you in September after I visit the Algarve if there are any favourite foods missing.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:56, 23 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Mungo National Park]]=== I'm kinda biased because I wrote more than 99% of the content here, but I think it's well and ready for star. But here's a checklist, using 82.3.185.12's table format: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Requirements !! Done? !! Guidelines !! Done? |- |Tourist-style map |{{done}} |Meets all of the criteria in the "Requirements" section |{{done}} |- |Listings match the [[manual of style]] |{{done}} |Perfect spelling and grammar |{{done}} – uses Australian Spelling and English. Doesn't look done to me. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:13, 15 January 2022 (UTC) |- |District articles are at least "Guide" status |'''N/A''' |Wikivoyage-style map (static + dynamic) |{{done}} and {{done}} |- |Prose near-perfect, and tight, effective, and enjoyable. |{{done}} (?) |Listings in alphabetical order or geographical order |{{done}} |- |Photos |{{done}} – I'd love to include one or two more, but couldn't find anymore on Commons |No duplicated listings |{{done}} |- | | |Time and dates formatted correctly |{{done}} |- | | |Section introductions (optional) |{{done}} |- | | |Abbreviations used in street names |{{done}}, except for "track", because there's no abbreviation for it. |- |} <s>The only thing that's missing is a static map, and there's two reasons for that:</s> #<s>I'm not an Inkscape expert, but if someone knows how to do it, it'd be well appreciated</s> #<s>While I did mention that it'd be well appreciated, some of the trails in the park are not actually within within the park, but it's still covered under the park's website, and this could make it confusing.</s> The article follows most formats off [[Zion National Park]], and [[Yosemite National Park]], and there is one additional thing that this article has but no other park article has – and that is that walking trails are on the dynamic map. With all this, it's why I think this article is essentially complete. --<font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 07:22, 5 November 2021 (UTC) : After a quick glance, I think the prose should be checked. There are constructs I find odd, and I think it could be made tighter at places without losing enjoyability. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:24, 5 November 2021 (UTC) :: There could be some more details in Fees and permits. Are you allowed to deviate from trails and tracks? I suppose you shouldn't pick souvenirs, but that should probably be pointed out. What about cooking etc.? One campsite is said to have "good facilities [...] including toilets. Does that mean you don't have toilets in the other one? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:41, 5 November 2021 (UTC) :::Generally not every campsite in NSW has toilets, and sometimes you have to do it in the bush. Both these have toilets, and it has been mentioned, and have included info of being able to deviate from trails and tracks in the get around section. Will do the prose soon. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 08:00, 6 November 2021 (UTC) :::{{re|LPfi}} Have included about cooking facilities under the sleep section. Will do prose soon. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:00, 12 November 2021 (UTC) ::Have now checked the prose and did some copyedits. Is there any particular places that need a prose check? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:40, 14 November 2021 (UTC) * I think the lead needs a prose check – I find the first paragraph confusing and difficult to follow, and the other paragraphs could probably use to be tightened up too. The details about the whereabouts of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man should probably be relegated to "Understand" since travellers can't see them anyway. Overall, it looks like a good article, with a lot of detail. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 15:03, 14 November 2021 (UTC) *:Have moved Mungo Man and Lady. Will do more prose checks soon. Thanks for the feedback :-). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 15 November 2021 (UTC) * I’ll take a look at the prose per discussion, but from an overview I’d lean toward supporting promoting this article to star status. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 15:36, 18 December 2021 (UTC) *:"Located in the southern parts of the [[Outback New South Wales|outback in New South Wales]], the park is part of the Willandra Lakes region; a UNESCO mixed world heritage site – and one of only four in Australia, home to some of the world's oldest remains of modern human bodies outside Africa as well as the world's oldest cremated body; Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, making this place both naturally and culturally significant." *:Is this park or the Williandra Lakes the UNESCO site? Maybe this sentence should be split in two. That's something I noticed earlier in the article. Otherwise I like the writing style of this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:52, 18 December 2021 (UTC) *::@[[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]] The [[Willandra Lakes Region]] is the UNESCO WHS. (the extraregion needs some tender loving care, but I'll try and and work on that soon). Maybe I should rewrite that to say "the park is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area; a mixed world heritage site". Does that make it more clearer? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:39, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *:::Yeah. This might be an American punctuation style, but I more often see "Heritage Area, a mixed" with a comma and not a semicolon. In Australia do you use a semicolon there? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 12:44, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *::::Both are commonly used here. I usually have no preference for either to be fair. But I'll change it to a comma because it's pretty easy to find American English being used here, and I can only say there's a growing tendency to use US English here as well as for our US readers. <small>(A week back, had to sign a form and couldn't resist but noticing American spellings like ''authorize'' (although this is also used by Oxford), ''meters'', ''center'', ''traveling'', and ''honor'' on it. At least they spelled ''program'' the Australian way and not the British way)</small> <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:55, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *:::::Haha. I'm not concerned, only for consistency. I changed a couple to commas but as I saw more, I started to think it was a regional difference in punctuation. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:55, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *::::::I've just changed some of those into commas and think I've done most of them, though I may have forgotten some. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 20 December 2021 (UTC) *:As it's more than two months, if there's no objections, I'm upgrading this article tomorrow. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:39, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I'm going through the text intermittently, and will continue to do so. Is there an issue with the dynamic map? I can only see one of the trails that are in the key.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:35, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::You might need to zoom into the others, but all of them appear on desktop. I'll check on mobile soon. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:37, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Just to confirm, I can see these trails on desktop mode.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:49, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Please hold off on starring to givef me a chance to read the article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:54, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay, sure. I'll hold it until at least next week. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 21:56, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I had a look at it and the reason why you can only see the red line is probably because you can't zoom on mobile. As the other trails are much shorter than the 70 kilometre loop, with most of them hidden behind the visitor centre/woolshed marker. The blue one on the east should also be visible, but it may be small to see. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:19, 15 January 2022 (UTC) :::::OK, '''not yet'''. I have made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Mungo_National_Park&type=revision&diff=4368476&oldid=4368432 these edits] so far, and I'm not even through "Understand" yet. Please check my edits to see if I introduced anything factually incorrect or stylistically improvable, but star articles have to have absolutely impeccable grammar and style, and the following question in hidden text has yet to be addressed: "What does "they" refer to- emus and roos?" [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:12, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm noticing redundancies like this: 'It's also possible to join the "Willandra Lakes guided tour" as well.' "As well" and "also" are synonymous. I also saw "there's" used for a plural subject. That may be common in Australia, but to this reader, it's not standard English. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:18, 15 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Apologies for that. I'll fix them just in a moment. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:25, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I've removed 90% of those in the article. I might've missed one or two, so please let me know if I have missed any. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:03, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Thanks a lot for your copyedits :-). Nothing factually incorrect. I've just clarified the wildlife and the climate section so hope it's more clearer. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:23, 15 January 2022 (UTC) *First thing I noticed is that the map has several colour codes for features that do not appear to be shown on the map. On closer examination I found them hidden under the numbered markers. Do we usually just expect readers to know this? *Second thing ts that there is no immediately obvious graphical indication of where the park is relative to the rest of Australia. By zooming out a lot on the dynamic map the information can be found. Do the readers just know to do this? I would suggest a small static outline map of Australia with a dot to indicate the location of the park, possibly in the intro section. *Where does one get more information on Mungo man, Mungo lady, the local indigenes? *It's different during a total fire ban, but while you may be as far away from the greenery on the east coast, you haven't escaped fire. - what does this mean? Cheers,&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:05, 24 January 2022 (UTC) *:Thanks for the feedback Peter :-). Well appreciated. I'll implement them. However, regarding "static outline map of Australia", I don't know how to make static maps, but I'll try and add more in the #Get in section. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:15, 24 January 2022 (UTC) *"''And if you do have special dietary requirements, don't be too surprised to pay twice more than usual.''" Does this mean twice the usual price or three times the usual price or just a lot more than the usual price? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:19, 24 January 2022 (UTC) *:Just a lot more than the usual price in the capital cities. I'll clarify that. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:25, 24 January 2022 (UTC) ---- As it is three months and three hours since I nominated this article for star, any last final objections before I upgrade it within the next twelve hours? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:56, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :I wouldn't support unless I look through the entire article with a fine-toothed comb. The writing style has to be completely free of grammatical, spelling, syntax and punctuation issues and just generally impeccable. So consider that an objection. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:28, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::In a very quick look, I found a long run-on sentence and several other things I corrected. No, not yet. I haven't made editing this article a priority, but that doesn't make it thereby a star article by default or something. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:32, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::You can also clearly see that Peter Southwood had objections above. You can't unilaterally declare a 12-hour deadline while ignoring the comments that didn't support the nomination. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:34, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::::I've already fixed those issues except the static map thing (which I can do by just downloading a freely licensed map from OSM). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:54, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::::He has not passed judgment on whether you have and I voted "not yet" above, noting that I hadn't read past "Understand" or whatever and had already found a bunch of problems. And an article can't be a star because you promise to do something afterwards. '''Not yet''', and that vote stands forever unless I change it. Star status is '''supposed to be''' extremely difficult to achieve. It's not owed to articles that are good and unpolished. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:58, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay, but per policy, "<span style="color:#FF0000;">the discussion should be left open for two months to allow time to fix the article and reach a consensus. If the outstanding issues cannot or will not be addressed in reasonable time, the article should be added to the slush pile</span>. In this case, it is well over two months since the nomination. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:30, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::Then maybe it has to be slushed. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:19, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I was not pinged so did not notice there were changes. Will check now. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|< sup>(talk)</sup>]]: 14:11, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *Hard to identify the park (or anything else) on the static map in the "Get in" section. The map does not seem to serve a particularly useful purpose. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:52, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:If I'm not mistaken, static maps are no longer a requirement per [[Wikivoyage talk:Star articles#End requirement for static maps.]]. However, I tried to add a map adjusted to highlight the park sometime ago but I kept getting an error warning (I think I was triggering an abuse filter though I'm not exactly sure). Do you know of any way to prevent this from happening? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:40, 19 April 2022 (UTC) * Lead opens with "No other national park in the Outback is comparable to Mungo National Park" Why? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:52, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:This is quite a provocative statement and I think some explanation is due. If it is true, the potential visitor will want to know why, and there are so many possible reasons.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:05, 4 March 2022 (UTC) *::Done – [[Special:Diff/4413433]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:43, 21 March 2022 (UTC) *What is the origin of the name? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:52, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *: Fixed - named after the lake, but no idea where the lake got its name and not willing to go down that rabbit hole. Maybe someone will add it some day. I dont consider this an issue. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:05, 4 March 2022 (UTC) *::I added that it was named after Mungo Cathedral in Scotland, which I think was the name mentioned by my tour guide. I don't know where in Scotland though. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:46, 21 March 2022 (UTC) *:::See [[Glasgow#East_End]]. St Mungo (or St Kentigern) is buried in Glasgow Cathedral. Also see [[w:Saint Mungo]]. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:04, 21 March 2022 (UTC) *::::I've added it based on your comment, though please adjust anything if I've gotten anything wrong. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:18, 19 April 2022 (UTC) * Mungo Park is not shown on the map in the "Go next" section, so it is not clear where it lies relative to the suggested destinations, maybe show the visitor centre. This would also serve to show where the park is in relation to the rest of Australia. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:09, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] For this one, {{tl|mapgroup}} used to show the shape, but there was some technical issue and the mapshapes stopped showing. I don't exactly know what happened for this one, but [[Pub#Coords in the "Go next" map appearing in the main map while the coords for the "Go next" map have disappeared|this discussion]] has a little bit of info. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:44, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *:: It is so annoying when that sort of thing happens. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:14, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *:::It is now showing in green. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:05, 4 March 2022 (UTC) *::::Don't exactly know what's happening with that template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:40, 21 March 2022 (UTC) * I don't know what this (in "Go next") means: - "you'll have to redo the {{km|70}} if you already did this loop." &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:09, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] (apologies for the late reply. completely forgot about this) I've clarified it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:34, 19 April 2022 (UTC) * I think that the normal scope for "civilisation" does not reach back as far as 40000 years. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:14, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *: and have edited accordingly. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:49, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] Not sure how to adjust that. In Australia, it's wildly regarded that at over 65000 years old, Indigenous Australian civilisation is the world's oldest continually living civilisation which is 25 thousand more than 40000. It's a commonality within most Australian articles, so this is not a standalone. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:39, 19 April 2022 (UTC) *:::I would not have questioned ''culture'', but to me ''civilisation'' implies citizens, and usually a load of baggage the original Australians may have managed to avoid. Anyway, I am not an anthropologist or a historian, and it is an Australian article, so no worries, mate, go with Australian usage. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:09, 19 April 2022 (UTC) *::::I would want to try and use what most people understand though, though I do understand that this one could be a controversial one (as they did not have buildings, farms or and not the European "civilised") <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:17, 19 April 2022 (UTC) *:::::Then maybe just go with "culture" rather than "civilisation". I don't think many would argue that the indigenous culture has not existed continuously for a remarkably long time. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:26, 20 April 2022 (UTC) *::::::Done. Now the only uses of "civilisation" in the article should only be when referring to modern human development. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:33, 20 April 2022 (UTC) *:::::::Using this as a checklist for myself, to see what's left, here's the following left: *:::::::* Copyedits – which Ikan will do with their fine-toothed comb *:::::::* A static map showing where the park is in relation to Australia *:::::::I'm not so sure about the second one though. Australia is quite large, that I feel just a point to the park might be too broad because it could really mean anywhere in that area (because 100 km looks small on a map with the entire Australia in it). If anything, I would prefer a map of it with just the state of New South Wales, but my skills of making static maps are nearly non-existant and static maps are not required to serve in star articles. Similarly, I tried to do that again recently, but with the south-eastern states and for some reason, only a third of the map appeared in [[:File:Mungo NP star map.svg|this]] file. If someone can help me with a map, it would be appreciated. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:09, 25 April 2022 (UTC) *:::::::: The best way when the general area isn't too well-known (I wouldn't recognise NSW) is to have a small map of the continent in a corner, with the area shown in the rest of the map highlighted (something like those in [[:Commons:Category:Locator maps of New South Wales|Locator maps of New South Wales]]). You'd need to know how to glue such a small-scale map to the map proper. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:25, 25 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::I will edit this article with a fine-toothed comb if I feel motivated to do so; it's only fair for me to say that I don't feel under any obligation to do so, and I hope that doesn't come off as unfriendly. As long as any article isn't impeccable in writing mechanics and style, it isn't a star article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:40, 25 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::I understand and there's no rush. The article isn't going anywhere, and so are we. The sole reason why I made that list is because the "what to do" is now all over the place (but that's what happens when you get long discussions). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:33, 25 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::: What IK means is that he might not do that at all, and unless somebody does, this won't be a star article. Saying "Perfect spelling and grammar <nowiki>{{done}}</nowiki>" and "Prose near-perfect, and tight, effective, and enjoyable. <nowiki>{{done}}</nowiki>" at nomination was obviously a mistake. Those "dones" should be removed, and reinserted only when somebody who feels qualified to judge has done the thorough check, or we get consensus on it, when several people have done the check without feeling like making the judgement on their own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:51, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Space]]=== As a main contributor to the article, I think that this article is pretty complete. A lot of stuff has been changed because of the place's novelty, but the article tries to adhere to Wikivoyage's standard as much as possible. Enjoy. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 15:43, 31 May 2022 (UTC) :'''Needs (a considerable amount) of work'''. First of all, I'll start of commenting that I'm a space buff myself, so it's definitely an interesting read and I cannot see anything major missing but only in the understand or talk section. The "Get in" is also looking good, though it could be improved, and there could be more listings added since there's barely any in Russia or China mentioned. :Now it's also worth noting that this article was [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Slush_pile#Space|slushed]] not that long ago (November 2021). The prime issues is it's ''way'' to western or even just US-centric. The fact that India doesn't receive a single mention outside Get in is seriously concerning considering the fact that India has the fourth largest space industry in the world. :Combining the above with the fact that many countries with space organisations have little or no mention, I also feel the museums section should also try to cover museums all around the world – right now, we have the same western-centric list. :On top of that, if I'm not mistaken, all articles breadcrumbed under star articles must be guide status. Right now, [[Astronomy]] and the [[moon]] are only usable articles, and many other space related articles like [[Space flight sites]], [[Astrotourism in Australia]] or [[Dark Sky Parks in the United States]] are also only at usable. So until all of this is fixed, I won't support starring [[space]]. :On the flipside to all my negativity, I'm happy to help out – this is one of my subjects of interest, and I will see if I might add any museums, launch sites etc when I don't have anything productive to do. Right now, I'm a bit carried away with the districts of [[Canberra]] but I can assure you I'll do a little bit of the work. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:52, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::I still think that actual space tourism and Earth-bound attractions about space are strange bedfellows in a single article, and especially if lots of new museums and launch sites get added (which would be great), this should be split into two.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:38, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks a lot for your feedback! Certainly the article need to get de-United States-focused, but I don't understand what "breadcrumbed" mean. Other than that, I will try to fix them as much as possible. As for [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], yes we do have an article for that named [[Space flight sites]]. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 13:01, 1 June 2022 (UTC) :::Breadcrumb is just a Wikivoyage jargon for "categorised". <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:05, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Ah lol! Anyways, these daughter articles are now being under Space, and the article itself is placed at travel topic. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 13:06, 1 June 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], I think I have solved your raised issues by... dodging it to [[spaceflight sites]] :D The article now does not look complete, so there's still a lot of work to do. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 01:39, 3 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Canberra/Acton]]=== Can't think of anything that'll significantly improve this article. Maybe a few copyedits, but apart from that, I believe it's complete. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:38, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :I've also deliberately left out chains such as Domino's, Chatime, Zambrero or 85C per [[Wikivoyage:Boring]], if anyone's wondering. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:18, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::Remember, a star article also has to be impeccable in writing style. It's very hard to get to star status. Here's the first paragraph: ::"Acton is a small affluent suburb west of Civic and is Canberra's university district, with the Australian National University taking up most of Acton. Right next to the ANU is the Australian National Botanic Gardens containing one of the most diverse ranges of Australian flora, and places that can make you feel you're in the middle of either the Wet Tropics of Queensland or the Tasmanian Wilderness albeit it just two kilometres from the city!" ::I'd never call that bad or unacceptable or anything like that, but I don't find it impeccable. This might not be impeccable, either, but it's my attempt at an edit: ::''Acton is a small, affluent suburb west of Civic. It is known as Canberra's university district, since the Australian National University comprises most of its area. The Australian National Botanic Gardens, right next to the ANU, contain such a diversity of Australian flora that you will feel like you're in the middle of the Wet Tropics of Queensland or the Tasmanian Wilderness, even though you are just two kilometres from the city!'' ::I feel like I could go through the whole article and edit it with a fine-toothed comb. Anyway, I think it is not yet at star level, and that's no insult whatsoever. I will probably find time to look through more of it some time in the next couple of weeks (no promises, though). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:20, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Hi Ikan, thanks for the feedback. I'm aware that star articles need to be perfect, and that's why we even have the vigorous process ;-). A lot of the content in the article is content that's been moved from [[Canberra]] so I might've dismissed it while proofreading it, though I did a proofread through the content. But thanks for the copyedits though. :::On another note, I'm just wondering whether you find the bus line that's marked on the dynamic map distracting? I've been commenting out transport lines on district articles recently (as you probably noticed my edit on [[Manhattan/Financial District]]), but I sort of wanted the bus line marked, so I traced the bus route myself so the grey dots don't appear. Do you find that line distracting, or would you say that line can stay? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:21, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::How many bus lines are shown, and in what color(s)? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:53, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::Just the one bus line that's coloured in red (in ca0707). If you click on the bus line it should display "ACTION bus route 53". <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:05, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::In the thumbnail in the article, that looks to be outside of the district. The thinner blue and green lines looked more likely to be bus routes to me. I see the bus line much more distinctly when I blow the map up to a full page. Are the other colored lines in the district all footpaths? It looks like they are, and I have to zoom in further to see that. Clicking the bus line isn't producing the route name or number, which I don't seem to see regardless of the degree of magnification. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:26, 26 June 2022 (UTC) [[File:Screen Shot 2022-06-27 at 09.35.07.png|thumb|300px|A view of ACTION bus line 53 on SHB2000's screen on June 27, 2022, 09:35 (UTC+10)]] :::::::That's strange. When I click the bus line, what you see on the right is what appears on my screen. As for the other thinner tracks, they are bushwalking trails inside the Black Mountain Nature Reserve. It's not a full list though; only the trails that were available on OSM were included. I did find various maps of other trails, but I'm not sure whether they're freely licensed and are compatible with [[Wikivoyage:Copyleft]] so I've deliberately omitted them just to be on the safe side. I'll clarify in the article what those other colored lines mean. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:41, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :Just another remark by me (the nominator), but I do hope that this article sets a good precedent on how university articles should look like so we never have a [[University College Dublin]] situation again. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Canberra/Hall]]=== Time for another [[Childs]]-like star nomination. It's essentially complete, has a static map and has everything needed for a star article. It doesn't have an understand section, but city-districts don't usually have understand sections but I'm willing to add one if deemed necessary. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:34, 31 July 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' - my kind of article; short and sweet, and focusing on a small town. I don't think it needs an 'Understand', unless there's some interesting history that couldn't fit elsewhere. :Small niggles can be dealt with in the coming days: I'm not in love with the end of the lede, which repeats the word "hidden" quite a lot, but I can't at the moment think of better wording. The 1882 eat listing will need to be updated after Wednesday 3rd August, because they're renovating, getting a new menu, and changing opening hours.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:20, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::Darn what a coincidence! I really should've checked what was going on with 1882 Hall when I was there last month. It really does bother me given I was at Kynefin Cafe for my afternoon snack after descending down from One Tree Hill which was just a few steps away from the town's only restaurant :-(. I'll try and do a quick checkup (and may stop there for dinner) when I do my annual summit walk up [[Mount Kosciuszko]] this November. But anyway, thanks for the copyedits. Really appreciated. :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:17, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::Another small thing: is Hall a village or a town? I don't consider those interchangeable, though maybe they are in the context of Australia.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:51, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :::In Australia (at least, this is true in all the states) the definitions are quite simple. Any settlement with over 200 inhabitants is (officially) considered a town, and anything over 10,000 is a city. Settlements with fewer than 200 inhabitants is up to interpretation; most Australians would call it a township, some might still call it a town, others would call it a settlement. "Village" is not usually used in Australian English, but [[Canberra/Tuggeranong_and_Country_ACT#Towns|Uriarra Village]] also in the ACT has earned the title of "community village" (no other settlement in Aus has this title), and the ACT government does (overly) promote Hall as a village. [https://goo.gl/maps/MGnCwpChinauadAKA This] sign in Hall claims that Hall is a heritage village, but the encyclopedia claims it's a township. Per official definitions, Hall, with a population of 271, would technically be considered a town, so I'm really undecided now, though I slightly favour following the encyclopedia and using "township". <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:16, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::They probably can be used interchangeably here, then.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:51, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :::::August 3 now, and it seems [https://1882hall.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1882-Hall-August22-web.pdf their new menu] is out. However, there doesn't seem to be any major changes that would require a significant change to the description. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:42, 3 August 2022 (UTC) *Let's wait a bit; I think the copy can be tweaked somewhat. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:32, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ---- '''Outcome:''' 3 weeks now, given that all issues have been fixed, per the notice on the top of this page, I'm going to upgrade this so this doesn't get lost in the pile for another few years to come. So essentially '''promoted'''. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:34, 23 August 2022 (UTC) == Maintaining status == Tasks and checks: * [https://petscan.wmflabs.org/?psid=18583226 Star status articles with listings without coordinates] {{done}}, except for Walt Disney World, which is listed separately below (last verified 2021-05-30) * [https://petscan.wmflabs.org/?psid=18583220 Star status articles with dead external links] {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) <!-- *[{{Catscancall}}&depth=10&categories=Articles_with_formerly_dead_external_links&comb%5Bunion%5D=1&templates_any=stardistrict%0D%0Astarcity%0D%0Astarairport%0D%0Astarpark%0D%0Astarregion%0D%0Astardiveguide%0D%0Astarcountry%0D%0Astaritinerary%0D%0Astartopic&show_redirects=no&doit=1 star status articles with formerly dead external links] --> * [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?search=insource%3A%2F%5C%5Bhttps%3F%3A%5B%5E+%09%5D%2B%5C%5D%2F+deepcat%3A%22Star_articles%22&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1 External links without text] {{done}} (last verified 2021-05-27) * Move into listing where [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?search=insource%3A%2F%E2%98%8E%2F+deepcat%3A%22Star_articles%22&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1 ☎ phone icon used],[https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?search=insource%3A%2FTel:%2Fi+deepcat%3A%22Star_articles%22&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1 Tel: used], [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&limit=50&offset=0&profile=default&search=insource%3A%2Fphone%3A%2Fi+insource%3A%2F%5C%7B%5C%7Bstar%2Fi phone: used] and [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&limit=150&offset=0&profile=default&search=insource%3A%2F%3A+*\%2B%2F+insource%3A%2F\{\{star%2Fi : +] {{done}} (last verified 2021-05-27) Article needing attention or maybe de-star nomination candidates. * [[Walt Disney World]], [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[Chicago]] has a number of districts with no coordinates on listings. * [[Nusa Lembongan]] and [[Ubud]] needing some attention and checking if listings still relevant. * [[Big Bend National Park]] needs an update. * [[Isle Royale National Park]] has a very long sleep list and does not have a Wikivoyage style map. :*As I pointed out, the map is '''better than''' a Wikivoyage-style map, so that's not a good reason to revoke star status at all. I also suggested that if it's really important to do so, the list of campsites could be subdivided by region. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:29, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::*This isn't a de-star nom though, just added it to a list of star articles that need tender loving care just like how Big Bend Nat Park is listed. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:28, 8 November 2021 (UTC) :::*Fair enough, but what are you suggesting should be done about the map? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:09, 8 November 2021 (UTC) :::*:It doesn't show where any of the see listings are though. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:34, 11 November 2021 (UTC) ==Nominations to remove Star status== Number of articles currently in review: [[:Category:Destar article nominations|{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Destar article nominations|R}}]] Whenever possible, articles should be fixed rather than de-starred. Only nominate articles which cannot be easily elevated/restored to "star" quality. Add to the article <nowiki>{{destarnomination}}</nowiki>. Vote "Star" or "Not Star". ===[[Walt Disney World/Disney Springs]]=== This has the same issues with [[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom]] except with fewer coordinates. Too much for a single person to do. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:52, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :I've added about 20 coordinates but given the number of listings in this article, adding all coordinates will take a while. It should be clarified that coordinate markers do not match the numbers on the static map. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 14:55, 16 January 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks for adding them :-) I might speedy slush these once you and @[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] have finished adding coords. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:44, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::There seems to be alot of chains listed in "Buy" that may violate [[Wikivoyage:Boring]], an example of this is Levi's. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 03:17, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Levi's is definitely a boring place. I'd say remove those. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:22, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::{{re|Tai123.123}} I slushed the other one, and here's what I think are boring: ::::* Lacoste ::::* Levi's (as what you mentioned above) ::::* Orlando Harley-Davidson ::::* Superdry ::::* Under Armour Brand House – tho the description makes me feel a this and that to be fair ::::* Uniqlo (the Japanese clothing store is everywhere now) ::::* Zara ::::* Starbucks ::::However, I'm not going to remove any of these except Levi's because I'd want to get an opinion of one of our Americans first. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:52, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::::I'd say Uniqlo, Starbucks, Zara and Under Armour are boring as we have those in Canada, not sure about the others [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 02:10, 8 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those are worldwide chains (we have them here too), so definitely not worth mentioning. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:25, 8 February 2022 (UTC) ==On de-star decision == *Remove the nomination discussion from this page and paste it to both [[Project:Star nominations/Archives]] and to the talk page of the article; *Update the article status template on the article from star to guide if decision is to de-star; {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} scgqv8gs52okjbnpk37d1dmy2ss13w6 4506779 4506775 2022-08-23T10:35:46Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Canberra/Hall */ archive wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Star Nominations Banner.jpg}} [[File:Tunisia 10-12 - 138 - Salt Flats (6609469357).jpg|thumb|270px|If you like it, then you should put a star on it!]] {{shortcut|[[Starnom]]}} This is where we determine whether an article is ready to be classified as [[Project:Star articles|'''Star''' status]]. Even though the criteria are fairly objective, it's good to get some additional eyes to look over a page and confirm that it's ready before elevating it to Star. For reference, here's the general description, from [[Project:Article status]]: ''The article is essentially complete. It meets all of the above criteria. It follows the [[Project:Manual of style|manual of style]] exactly or is the exception that proves the rule. Prose is not only near-perfect grammatically but also tight, effective, and enjoyable. It has appropriate illustrations, such as photos and a map. Enough breadth and depth of material is presented that anyone familiar with the subject of the article would have little to point out as absent. Future changes to this kind of article would reflect changes in the subject (e.g. a museum closes, a hotel price changes, a new airport is built) more than they'd require improvements in the coverage.'' Objective criteria for Star status varies depending on the kind of article it is. For more concrete guidance on this, see: *[[Project:City article status]] *[[Project:Region article status]] *[[Project:Country article status]] *[[Project:Park article status]] *[[Project:Itinerary status]] *[[Project:Travel topic status]] *[[Project:Phrasebook status]] *[[Project:Airport article status]] *[[Project:Event article status]] If you feel that an article currently at Star status is no longer worthy, or never was to begin with, this is also the place to nominate to '''de-star''' an article. ==Nominate== {{infobox|Star articles: Last minute checklist|* The article must be '''complete''' &mdash; See definition above. * '''Grammar''' and '''[[Project:Spelling|spelling]]''' must be perfect &mdash; See definition above. '''Prose''' should be stylistically superior and effective. * '''Illustration''': the article should be appropriately illustrated with '''[[Wikivoyage:Image policy|pictures]]''' and a '''[[Project:How to draw a map|Wikivoyage-style map]]''', with '''''all''''' attractions marked. * Listings should be in '''alphabetical order''' &mdash; geographical order is also acceptable if it is deemed better. * '''No duplications''': a listing should appear under one section only &mdash; if there is ambiguity, put it under the section that it most applies to. *'''[[Project:Time and date formats|Time and date formats]]''': Use: M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sa, Su; and check our [[Wikivoyage:Manual of style|manual of style]] for latest and complete policy * '''Section introductions''' are not mandatory but should be present when they serve to improve a section. * Use "&mdash;" (mdash) for breaks in thought. * Use '''abbreviations''' for addresses, e.g., St, Ave, Sq, Blvd}} You can nominate any "guide" quality article you think is ready to be declared a "star". '''Please do not nominate an article if you know that it falls short of the criterion above &mdash; refer to the info box for a last minute checklist.''' If there are other nominations on this page, add yours to the bottom of the list. The basic format of a nomination is as follows: <nowiki>===[[Article name]]===</nowiki> <nowiki>This has everything we're looking for, plus a swell kitchen sink. ~~~~</nowiki> Having done this, please add the {{tl|starnomination}} tag at the beginning of the article, after the {{tl|pagebanner}} tag. You may also post a note at [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]] to publicize your nomination &mdash; remember to tell people that partial critiques and even just a few quick words of support are welcome. These steps help draw attention to the article's nomination, improving the discussion as to whether it should be awarded star status. ==Discuss== Please comment on whether you agree that the nominated article is ready, with a bullet point (*) and your signed opinion. If you think it's ready, a simple "Support" will do. If not, explain what you think is missing or not up to standards. You don't have to leave a detailed critique to vote on the star &mdash; partial critiques are welcome, and feel free to just voice your support for the hard work someone else has done. <nowiki>===[[Article name]]===</nowiki> <nowiki>This has everything we're looking for, plus a swell kitchen sink. TravelNut 25:25, 31 Feb 2525 (UTC)</nowiki> <span style="color:green"><nowiki>* The sink isn't properly formatted, and there are no "budget" places to sleep. ~~~~</nowiki></span> After '''three weeks''' of discussion, if a [[Project:Consensus|consensus]] is reached, then that article becomes a star, and the discussion should be [[Project:Star nominations/Archives|archived]]. A consensus means that all outstanding objections should have been addressed and dropped; if issues remain then the discussion should be left open for '''two months''' to allow time to fix the article and reach a consensus. If the outstanding issues cannot or will not be addressed in reasonable time, the article should be added to the [[Project:Star nominations/Slush pile|slush pile]]. Regardless of the outcome, it is useful to copy the nomination discussion to the article's talk page. == Successful nominations == * Remove the nomination discussion from this page to [[Project:Star nominations/Archives]] * Copy the nomination discussion to the talk page of the new star article * Add the article to [[Star articles]] (and change the map on that page) * Remove starnomination template from article * Update the article status template on the article from guide to star * Add <nowiki>|star=yes</nowiki> to the Pagebanner at the top of the article (see also [[Template:Pagebanner]] if more than one icon is required) * If the article is currently being nominated at [[Wikivoyage:Destination of the month candidates]], update the article status parameter in the nomination template. == Failed nominations == * Remove the nomination discussion from this page and paste it to [[Project:Star nominations/Slush pile]] * Copy the discussion to the talk page of the article * Remove starnomination template from article * Add the {{tl|starpotential}} template to the top of the article's talk page. This will add the article to [[:Category:Star potential]] Articles should only be renominated when they address criticisms from the previous nomination. ==Nominations for Star status== Number of articles currently in review: [[:Category:Star article nominations|{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Star article nominations|R}}]] For an archive of previous successful nominations please see [[Project:Star nominations/Archives]]. Please add {{tl|starnomination}} to the top of the article being nominated. This will add it to [[:Category:Star article nominations]]. ===[[Norfolk Island]]=== This is an excellent article (OTBP in 2020) thanks to the work of a number of contributors. This is an opportunity for our first star-rated rural area article. I can't see that anything is missing, and it appears to have what is expected of a star article, though I may have missed something. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 15:00, 15 June 2021 (UTC) *<s>'''Support'''</s> - It looks nice to me, and if I ever go there, I don't think I'll be needing anything else apart from someone local to help me. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 07:50, 16 June 2021 (UTC) ::{{re|SelfieCity}} it's been 21 days now, and would that mean it's ready to be promoted to a star? [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:57, 4 July 2021 (UTC) :::You can't call 2 opinions a consensus. I'll try to look at this soon. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:00, 4 July 2021 (UTC) ::::Very true. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 04:01, 4 July 2021 (UTC) *'''Nearly''' - It looks good but there are a few points that should be looked at. (It is usual for article to take 21+ weeks to get promoted on this page, and I would expect more opinions.) [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:09, 4 July 2021 (UTC) **The article should have a Covid box - at the moment visitors need to have a [http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island Travel Pass] applied for 24-72 hours in advance. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **By plane need updating - Air New Zealand aren't flying until 30 August, with Quantas flying until then. Air Chatham have changed the days of flights. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **Visas and Immigration Control has "There are quarantine restrictions on the movement of many items of food, including meat and fresh fruit, between the island and the mainland. The restrictions are not the same in both directions." This needs expanding, or a link to an official site that says exactly what you can bring from Australia and (if different) from New Zealand. {{done}} (last verified 2021-09-14) **Understand should have something on the island's economy - how important is tourism to the island.{{done}} (last verified 2021-11-06) **By Taxi has phone numbers that need formatting, and Uber may now be on the island. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **There is nothing about the time zone. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **The governance changes in 2016 could be expanded upon, as the WP article suggests that this doesn't have local support. {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) **See and Do should be cross-checked with [https://www.norfolkisland.com.au/attractions tourist info]. ::::Uber isn't on Norfolk just yet per https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small> 08:18, 16 July 2021 (UTC) *'''Support'''{{strike|'''Oppose in current state'''}} - The article is a very good ''guide'' article, but I don't think the article is comprehensive enough to be considered a star. I worked on the article in 2019 to get it ready for a front page feature. But that's 18 months ago, and I believe the list of what's open or what's now closed would need to be checked for each listing. I think the status descriptions have changed since 2019, as I thought there was comprehensive criteria for it to be a star. In any case [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] comments above will help. I might find time to call the information centre this week to confirm what they mean about "[https://www.norfolkisland.com.au/visitor-info/getting-around a local Uber is available on request.]" [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 09:53, 14 August 2021 (UTC), edit [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 23:25, 4 November 2021 (UTC) ::Thanks for looking into this. I wonder if "Uber" is being used as term for bookable taxi, like "Hoover" for vacuum cleaner. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:07, 16 August 2021 (UTC) :::Called them today, they have one "taxi service" and got their details and website. Uber is used in this case as a "bookable taxi." I'm not sure if it should be changed to "By Taxi" or "by rideshare". :::I also asked them about "Democracy and independence movements" on the island in which she mentioned that it's something that tourists do ask about and are interested in. There are some locations now on the island which incorporate those protests. Should they be added? [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 04:20, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :I don't understand why it has a currency box though. It's still administered under NSW, and while it's mostly self governing, that can be found at [[Australia#Buy]]. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:43, 14 August 2021 (UTC ::Should we remove it and direct users to the [[Australia]] article for currency information? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 13:57, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :::I think it makes sense to keep some currency information in the article. Norfolk may be administered as part of NSW, but it's 1000 miles east of the Australian mainland and is reachable by air and ship without passing through Australia. Plus, the article says "Travel between mainland Australia and Norfolk Island is domestic travel, but flights leave from the international terminals in Sydney and Brisbane." meaning that even Australian citizens have to show their passport in order to visit. All this indicates to me that Norfolk is a different destination from the rest of NSW from a travel perspective.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 14:06, 20 August 2021 (UTC) ::::I think the currency box should be removed, but keep "Norfolk Island only uses the Australian dollar.". Norfolk Island is sufficently close to New Zealand that it wouldn't have been surprising if both AU$ and NZ$ were accepted. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 20:24, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :::::NFI isn't one of those currencies accepting foreign currency. Other countries in Melanesia like PNG, the Solomon Islands or NC accept A$, but not NFI. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 23:38, 20 August 2021 (UTC) :::::: Keeping the currency box costs nothing, does no harm, and may save someone a few extra taps or clicks getting to the Australia article.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:22, 21 August 2021 (UTC) :Given that all the issues brought up have been fixed, upgrade? Also regarding the COVID box, that's not really a valid reason to oppose, given that Covid boxes go out of date really easily. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 01:26, 8 October 2021 (UTC) ::Two things, some places like the pharmacy and Sunday market lack coords. Also what is Bush walking, could you add a description for that section as I’m unaware of that phrase as a non Australian. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 06:00, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::Usually the Sunday markets are usually put up and taken down when its not a Sunday. Hence putting coords will go out of date in one week. And bushwalking is hiking in the bush, but the definition should ideally go to [[Australia#Do]]. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 10:41, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::: I don't understand. The article says they are held at next to the tourist information centre, which will presumably not move around, I assume the same place is used, more or less, and having coords for a market off by 50 m is hardly a catastrophe. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:08, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::::I'm not sure about how it is in NFI, but usually in Sydney, the Sunday markets often move around (except this is at a mass scale (probably 500m?). Although I'm not sure about the current situation in Sydney as well, given its been years since I last visited a Sunday market. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:17, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::::{{done}} Doing some further research, it seems not. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:21, 20 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::The Norfolk mall is mentioned in the bbq eat section but not listed under buy [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 14:37, 20 October 2021 (UTC) :::::::[[WV:Boring]]. Shopping malls are usually the equivalent of a streetside couple of shops. No interest to travellers. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 11:16, 21 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::::could you add a marker to it in the prose of the BBQ section so people know were to find it? [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 00:15, 22 October 2021 (UTC) :::::::::The BBQ section shouldn't have a marker since the mall is not the ''only'' place you'll find it (it's pretty easy to find one in Australia). And for the self catering, same thing. Maybe {{ping|Joshlama1}} is a better person to ask. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 00:23, 22 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::the way I interpreted that sentence was the mall was the only place to self-cater perhaps change the wording [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 00:27, 22 October 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::I'm actually also confused on the mall as well. I interpret that there's self-catering options everywhere but that's the only self catering service mentioned. That's a question to ask {{u|Joshlama1}} I guess. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 00:29, 22 October 2021 (UTC) ::::::::Hi everyone (@[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], @[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]]), didn't realise I was called in for this page. I think the Self-Catering & BBQ lines were there before I even joined WikiVoyage. :::::::: ::::::::Norfolk mall is mentioned as it's the only mall on the island, which I don't think it counts for [[WV:Boring]]. Note that the article puts markers for individual shops and not for the mall itself. :::::::: ::::::::There are [https://www.monsterchildren.com/norfolk-island-island-paradise-stuck-time/ public BBQ's available] (and are so old that you need to BYO coals) but I wouldn't know exactly where they are located. Self-Catering is mentioned because with the number of flights going to and from the island is comparatively 'rare', it's likely that you'll be on the island for at least 5 nights. When you add just a mid-range lunch and dinner each day, because there's only one budget option available, the cost is going to add up for some travelers. So I would appeal to '''[[Ttcf]]''' rather than Boring. :::::::: ::::::::Getting to Tai's point, there two other options than the mall in which you can buy fresh produce daily, with one of them listed under [[Norfolk Island#Supplies|Buy#Supplies.]]I could list the other (Slick & Sons - Butcher which also sells fresh produce) and refer Self-Cater to this section of the article. Or move Supplies to Eat#Budget of the article. [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 06:13, 1 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::Okay, so if this seems the case, upgrade to star? {{u|SelfieCity}}? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 06:17, 1 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::Well this hasn't made it to the article yet: ::::::::::* Understand should have something on the island's economy - how important is tourism to the island. ::::::::::I think once the above has been done, and this discrepancy about where the Mall should go, I would change my vote to '''Star'''. [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 06:35, 1 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::Star articles should be of impeccable style, in addition to everything else. I made some [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Norfolk_Island&type=revision&diff=4321849&oldid=4321841 quick edits] that suggest to me, along with this sentence - "The first known settlers in Norfolk Island were East Polynesians, but appear to have already departed when Captain Cook found the island." - that I wouldn't be satisfied with voting for this article without going through it with a fine-toothed comb and editing as warranted. (I would edit the quoted sentence to read: "The first known settlers in Norfolk Island were East Polynesians, but '''it seems that they had''' already departed '''before''' Captain Cook found the island.") [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:54, 2 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::'''Oppose''' for now, until I have the chance to look through the entire article with a fine-toothed comb and edit it as necessary. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:29, 4 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::::I did some more edits in "Understand." Question: approximately when is Queensland expected to start providing state health and educational services to the island? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:17, 6 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::::According to [https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-to-take-over-norfolk-island-duties/9ffcd9a8-a2ea-42e5-82f3-1a9397f6d89f this], it's January 1 2022. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 07:19, 6 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::::::Great. That info should be included, even if it were only because the question is suggested in the copy. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:21, 6 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::::::{{re|Ikan Kekek}} {{done}}. See [[Special:Diff/4323925]] (it should also automatically change from future to past tense after 01/01) <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 07:24, 6 November 2021 (UTC) *I know I voted support earlier, but I'm now going to vote '''hold it'''. I just noticed there's little information about Phillip Island and some of the walks in the national park. Will resupport when I finish that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:52, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ===[[Portuguese phrasebook]]=== I believe that the Portuguese phrasebook is poised to be our second Star phrasebook after the [[Russian phrasebook]]. Every word and phrase from the [[Wikivoyage:Quick phrasebook article template]] has been translated and is accompanied by pronunciation help using three methods: 1) standard/required Wikivoyage pseudo-phoneticization, 2) IPA, and 3) audio files (via Lingua Libre / Wikimedia Commons). If there are any deficiencies that I haven't already spotted and corrected, they will be quick fixes once identified. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:46, 26 August 2021 (UTC) * <s>'''Close'''</s> while it LGTM, some of it is written from a speaker who'd use en-US rather than just English in general. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 01:52, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *:I can't help it. I was born this way. 😆 Do you have some specific examples that I should tackle? Cheers! (or did I just go too British there?) [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 02:05, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *::Yeah, I've done something similar in [[Driving in New Caledonia]] where it's wholly written from an Australian perspective (with the drive on the right being over-exaggerated). But to the phrasebook, mainly spellings and the time and date section, but I'll fix that up. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 02:08, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *:::{{done}}. Agora '''Suporte'''. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 02:14, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *Is having a separate audio file for each word the standard approach? Having to play 6 separate clips to ask "Where is the toilet?" is not very useful if the reader just expects to click play on their phone when in need. I see that some later phrases are a single clip. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:54, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *:That's a fair point. When I started adding audio, I used files available on Commons, which were all seperate words. After a while, I decided to fill the gap myself for the many missing words by recording the missing words and phrases myself (via Lingua Libre, which exports to Commons). I think I should go back and record the ones where there are separate word clips to "build" a phrase. Thanks for the push; this was nagging the back of my mind! [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 22:19, 26 August 2021 (UTC) *::{{done}} Any entries left with multiple audio files are alternative translations or gender differences. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:43, 27 August 2021 (UTC) * '''Not yet''' - Where's the grammar section? The [[Russian phrasebook]] has one, as do [[Brazilian Portuguese]], [[Spanish]], [[French]] <small>(pretty good, if I say so myself)</small>... For Portuguese, it doesn't need to be exhaustive, university-level stuff, but should probably cover noun gender, articles, basic verb conjugation (mainly present tense), "you", and anything else Nelson or other speakers think is fundamental to know. The Brazilian phrasebook also has an infobox about nasal sounds; should that be copied and adapted? I would also like to see the addition of at least 10-15 photos given the length of the article, although these can be added as and when quality appropriate images are found. Credit where it's due, the comprehensive use of audio files is an excellent feature, and I hope we can roll this out onto other phrasebooks soon.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:11, 27 August 2021 (UTC) *:I intentionally left out grammar based on the second paragraph of [[Phrasebooks]] and [[Wikivoyage:Quick phrasebook article template]], but I'll work on covering the topics you mentioned. The Brazilian phrasebook was actually a fork from Portuguese (or vice versa) due to overwhelming differences in pronunciation and some grammar (much greater than UK English vs US English). I'll see if some elements can be added back. Russian has only two images: the language map (which Portuguese has) and an alphabet chart (unneeded since Portuguese uses the Latin alphabet). Based on this, I didn't add images, but I agree that the article looks uninteresting and sparse without them, so I'll add some. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 15:38, 27 August 2021 (UTC) *:@[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], I've gone ahead and implemented your suggestions. I look forward to reading your feedback. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:03, 27 August 2021 (UTC) :::Great work, as ever, and quick too. As someone with knowledge of other Romance languages, all the basic grammar makes sense to me, but as it's well explained it would also work for a general audience. :::There are some minor changes I made myself. One thing I thought I'd run by you is whether you'd consider removing ''vos'' from the conjugation tables, particularly as its entries are crossed out anyway. Another, related, thing was whether it would make more sense to separate "he/she" from "you"; even though they're the same conjugation in Portuguese, "he/she/you sing(s)" strikes me as potentially confusing for English speakers without experience of learning other languages, but who still remember the person distinction from English class. "Você" and "vocês" would thus get their own lines in each table, and "vos" would come out altogether. You could still keep the sentence about "vos" if you think it's important, though I doubt the vast majority of travellers would encounter that word at all.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:22, 28 August 2021 (UTC) :::Also, there'll probably be other aspects of the 'pronunciation' section that I'll end up questioning due to accent differences, but just for starters, and as a reminder for myself: "é : long sound as the 'e' in "bled" / ê : similar to the 'ea' in "bread"" makes little sense to me, as "bled" and "bread" rhyme in my accent. Do é and ê make the same sound, or different? It doesn't help that IPA is missing from the vowels and diphthongs/triphthongs sections, but present in the 'consonants' section (where arguably they're needed least).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:39, 28 August 2021 (UTC) ::::Thank you for your great suggestions, which are not nitpicky at all, as you stated in one of your edit comments. I want to build WV's best phrasebook and really earn that star. I have implemented your recommendations. If you find anything else that could use improvement, no matter how seemingly minor, lay it on me. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:24, 29 August 2021 (UTC) Olá, {{ping|Sanjorgepinho}}. As far as I know, you are the only native speaker of European Portuguese who has contributed to Wikivoyage recently. If you have time and willingness, I would appreciate your feedback on [[Portuguese phrasebook]]. I nominated it for Star status, and I want to make sure it's as good as it can be. Obrigado! --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 08:51, 30 August 2021 (UTC) :Pinging {{ping|Ibaman}}, although they speak Brazilian Portuguese, they might still know the differences between the two. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 09:09, 30 August 2021 (UTC) * Thanks for remembering me, gajos. Right now, I don't really have the time or ability to be of much help here... European Portuguese is still somewhat complicated to me. But I promise I'll check out this article and help improve it. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 14:28, 30 August 2021 (UTC) *:@[[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]]: Regarding [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?diff=4286518 this diff], ''rr'' and word-initial ''r'' are impossible to represent accurately using English spelling. Although ''rã'' = "hum" might be a close approximation for PT-BR, it is too far from PT-PT to be of use to the traveller. No flavor of ''r''/''rr'' in PT-PT sounds like EN "h". Maybe "rum" was a poor choice on my part. Perhaps "run" is marginally better, but combine with the ''ã'', and there is no way no how we will ever be able be able to produce a close-enough rendering of the word using EN, which is why I added IPA and recorded sound clips throughout the Phrase list section. (I added your Nasal vowels infobox based on the recent suggestion from ThunderingTyphoons above.) [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:00, 31 August 2021 (UTC) *::Also pinging {{ping|DARIO SEVERI}} the only admin of pt.voy that I know of. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 12:16, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :Olá @[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] : I've already taken a look at the link and although I'm not the best person to rate it, it seems fine to me. The little time I have doesn't help either. Despite that, I spent my vacation taking pictures to help improve some destinations on Wikivoyage. [[User:Sanjorgepinho|Sanjorgepinho]] ([[User talk:Sanjorgepinho|talk]]) 21:29, 2 September 2021 (UTC) [[User:Sanjorgepinho|Sanjorgepinho]] ([[User talk:Sanjorgepinho|talk]]) 22:45, 2 September 2021 (UTC) *::: yeah, I was once an admin there, together with Dario, but now I concentrate here fully. I hope he joins this discussion. More importantly, copying here what I wrote on [[Talk:Brazilian Portuguese phrasebook]]: "Just for the record, as I'm working to complete the phonetic bits of this article, I have made some decisions that I'd rather explain for clarity and comment. Whenever I must choose between "what's more sonically natural for the language" and "what would be easier for Anglophones to pronounce and be understood, even if retaining some of their natural accent", I will follow the latter. I'm trying as well to insert as much "tutorial" words, chosen for importance to the traveller's daily needs, sound and meaning, as possible. This is, by the way, the logic behind the (maybe mysterious) inclusion of that long list of names; IMHO every one of them is a good pronunciation tutorial for acquiring the language's sound and articulation." This approach complies with [[WV:Tone]] and [[WV:fun]] which are very important guidelines for my work on this travel guide, which I try to always follow. As I can see, the PT-PT phrasebook is aiming at a different objective. Let's not exchange the usual bad jokes of cultural abyss between PT-BR and PT-PT. I would only suggest that I consider my approach better suited for the needs of a travel guide. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 12:24, 31 August 2021 (UTC) *:::Hi {{ping|SHB2000}}, well ... I am sysop on Wikivoyage-pt but I am italian, I can speak Portuguese quite well but it is not my mother tongue. I prefer it to be done by someone who knows the language better. [[User:DARIO SEVERI|DARIO SEVERI]] ([[User talk:DARIO SEVERI|talk]]) 12:26, 31 August 2021 (UTC) *::::Why is there no native pt-PT speakers here apart from Sangorgepinho who's been on a break? I guess most Portuguese Portuguese here speakers are from elsewhere? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 12:29, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :Stereotypically, the Brazilians are indeed known as more fun and outgoing, whereas the Portuguese are known as reserved yet friendly. Not surprising that the pt-br phrasebook has a different tone from pt-pt. I'll take a closer look at pt-br to see if I can borrow any more concepts from there. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 16:43, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :{{re|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} How about asking {{ping|FilipeFalcão}}, who did about half the recordings here? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 02:06, 3 September 2021 (UTC) ::He's been inactive since Jan '19, https://guc.toolforge.org/?by=date&user=FilipeFalc%C3%A3o. (Note to other contributors: I used Felipe's recordings in the destination articles, as he recorded the pronunciations for every municipality in Portugal. His files are not in the phrasebook under discussion.) [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 02:13, 3 September 2021 (UTC) :::How about asking {{ping|Felipe da Fonseca}}? <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 06:55, 4 September 2021 (UTC) ::::I wouldn't be a great judge of pt-br or en-au, so I wouldn't ask a Brazilian to review a European Portuguese phrasebook nor an Australian to review an American English slang list. Also, Felipe has never participated on enWV, except when requested to do so on the Pub. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 19:56, 4 September 2021 (UTC) :::::re the Aus to US, I'm quite familiar with American slang but it's not the same with British. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 13:48, 19 September 2021 (UTC) ---- After two months, nearly all the issues have been fixed by {{u|Nelson Ricardo 2500}}. Promote? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:42, 14 November 2021 (UTC) :I think this is just about at star level. I have a couple of comments: First, I just added a thread to the phrasebook's talk page because "ai" as in "Renaissance" is an "uh" sound to me when I'm speaking English. I also find that pseudo-pronunciations of nasalized diphthongs that look like "ahny" and "uhnw" appear polysyllabic to this English-speaker, but their weird appearance could be remedied if sound samples could be provided for the diphthongs as they are provided for vowels and consonants. If those things are done, I think it will be a star article, with the caveat that I have good conversational and reading command of French and Italian when I'm in practice but don't know Portuguese. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:22, 16 November 2021 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], I don't think recordings of those sounds exist, so I'll try working on them by this weekend or earlier. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 18:40, 16 November 2021 (UTC) :::Awesome! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:05, 16 November 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}} It's almost three months, and all concerns raised have been fixed. I'd support upgrading now, but I'd leave it to {{u|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} to do that given they wrote most of the article + numerous audio recordings. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:33, 20 November 2021 (UTC) :I think we can wait for the recordings of diphthongs. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 13:39, 20 November 2021 (UTC) ::{{done}} --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:09, 21 November 2021 (UTC) :::Thank you, and I now '''support''' the nomination. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:04, 22 November 2021 (UTC) ::::This nomination has been here for almost nine months, and since all issues have been addressed by Nelson, are there any objections before I promote this nomination that has been quietly sitting for months? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:54, 22 April 2022 (UTC) :::::Thank you, @[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]]! I've just made some improvements to the placement of audio files, as this has been bugging me. I am unaware of any objections or unimplemented suggestions remaining. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:49, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], do you have any remaining concerns about the article, or can it be promoted to star now? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:57, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Thanks for the prompt, {{u|Ikan Kekek}}. I have spent some more time going through the phrasebook, while waiting for a delayed flight in BER and now today in the Hampshire sun. :::::::The pronunciation section doesn't mention that the vowel O often sounds like "oo" / a short "u" at the end of a word. The section mentions the sound often "reduces" following a T or D, but the "oo" sound seems to be fairly constant at the end of words, with the exception of nasal "ão". :::::::Why is a conjugation table needed for the verb ''pôr''? The word doesn't appear once as an infinitive or in any of its present-tense conjugated forms in the rest of the phrasebook. The tables for ''ser'', ''estar'' and ''ter'' are justified by those verbs' importance, but what about ''pôr''? :::::::I couldn't see whether you'd noted that it's possible to drop the subject prounoun before the verb, as in Italian or Spanish, but unlike French (or English). There are examples of this in the phrases, but a short explanation would be handy. :::::::It might be a matter of taste, but I think the eating section could do with a lot more example foodstuffs, particularly fruits, vegetables and seafood. The sentence "I'd like to reserve a table." would be a useful addition, and not just to the PT phrasebook. :::::::I also have some issues with the illogical order of some of the sections, but as that's a guideline issue, I'm better off bringing it up on the phrasebook template.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:16, 22 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::@[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], thank you for the fixes and the suggestions, which I have now put in place. Let me know if I'm missing any of your favo(u)rite foods. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 17:16, 22 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Looks great! Probably time to make it a [[Image:Cscr-featured.svg|20px]], then. I'll tell you in September after I visit the Algarve if there are any favourite foods missing.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:56, 23 May 2022 (UTC) ===[[Mungo National Park]]=== I'm kinda biased because I wrote more than 99% of the content here, but I think it's well and ready for star. But here's a checklist, using 82.3.185.12's table format: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Requirements !! Done? !! Guidelines !! Done? |- |Tourist-style map |{{done}} |Meets all of the criteria in the "Requirements" section |{{done}} |- |Listings match the [[manual of style]] |{{done}} |Perfect spelling and grammar |{{done}} – uses Australian Spelling and English. Doesn't look done to me. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:13, 15 January 2022 (UTC) |- |District articles are at least "Guide" status |'''N/A''' |Wikivoyage-style map (static + dynamic) |{{done}} and {{done}} |- |Prose near-perfect, and tight, effective, and enjoyable. |{{done}} (?) |Listings in alphabetical order or geographical order |{{done}} |- |Photos |{{done}} – I'd love to include one or two more, but couldn't find anymore on Commons |No duplicated listings |{{done}} |- | | |Time and dates formatted correctly |{{done}} |- | | |Section introductions (optional) |{{done}} |- | | |Abbreviations used in street names |{{done}}, except for "track", because there's no abbreviation for it. |- |} <s>The only thing that's missing is a static map, and there's two reasons for that:</s> #<s>I'm not an Inkscape expert, but if someone knows how to do it, it'd be well appreciated</s> #<s>While I did mention that it'd be well appreciated, some of the trails in the park are not actually within within the park, but it's still covered under the park's website, and this could make it confusing.</s> The article follows most formats off [[Zion National Park]], and [[Yosemite National Park]], and there is one additional thing that this article has but no other park article has – and that is that walking trails are on the dynamic map. With all this, it's why I think this article is essentially complete. --<font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 07:22, 5 November 2021 (UTC) : After a quick glance, I think the prose should be checked. There are constructs I find odd, and I think it could be made tighter at places without losing enjoyability. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:24, 5 November 2021 (UTC) :: There could be some more details in Fees and permits. Are you allowed to deviate from trails and tracks? I suppose you shouldn't pick souvenirs, but that should probably be pointed out. What about cooking etc.? One campsite is said to have "good facilities [...] including toilets. Does that mean you don't have toilets in the other one? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:41, 5 November 2021 (UTC) :::Generally not every campsite in NSW has toilets, and sometimes you have to do it in the bush. Both these have toilets, and it has been mentioned, and have included info of being able to deviate from trails and tracks in the get around section. Will do the prose soon. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 08:00, 6 November 2021 (UTC) :::{{re|LPfi}} Have included about cooking facilities under the sleep section. Will do prose soon. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:00, 12 November 2021 (UTC) ::Have now checked the prose and did some copyedits. Is there any particular places that need a prose check? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:40, 14 November 2021 (UTC) * I think the lead needs a prose check – I find the first paragraph confusing and difficult to follow, and the other paragraphs could probably use to be tightened up too. The details about the whereabouts of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man should probably be relegated to "Understand" since travellers can't see them anyway. Overall, it looks like a good article, with a lot of detail. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 15:03, 14 November 2021 (UTC) *:Have moved Mungo Man and Lady. Will do more prose checks soon. Thanks for the feedback :-). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 15 November 2021 (UTC) * I’ll take a look at the prose per discussion, but from an overview I’d lean toward supporting promoting this article to star status. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 15:36, 18 December 2021 (UTC) *:"Located in the southern parts of the [[Outback New South Wales|outback in New South Wales]], the park is part of the Willandra Lakes region; a UNESCO mixed world heritage site – and one of only four in Australia, home to some of the world's oldest remains of modern human bodies outside Africa as well as the world's oldest cremated body; Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, making this place both naturally and culturally significant." *:Is this park or the Williandra Lakes the UNESCO site? Maybe this sentence should be split in two. That's something I noticed earlier in the article. Otherwise I like the writing style of this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:52, 18 December 2021 (UTC) *::@[[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]] The [[Willandra Lakes Region]] is the UNESCO WHS. (the extraregion needs some tender loving care, but I'll try and and work on that soon). Maybe I should rewrite that to say "the park is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area; a mixed world heritage site". Does that make it more clearer? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:39, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *:::Yeah. This might be an American punctuation style, but I more often see "Heritage Area, a mixed" with a comma and not a semicolon. In Australia do you use a semicolon there? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 12:44, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *::::Both are commonly used here. I usually have no preference for either to be fair. But I'll change it to a comma because it's pretty easy to find American English being used here, and I can only say there's a growing tendency to use US English here as well as for our US readers. <small>(A week back, had to sign a form and couldn't resist but noticing American spellings like ''authorize'' (although this is also used by Oxford), ''meters'', ''center'', ''traveling'', and ''honor'' on it. At least they spelled ''program'' the Australian way and not the British way)</small> <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:55, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *:::::Haha. I'm not concerned, only for consistency. I changed a couple to commas but as I saw more, I started to think it was a regional difference in punctuation. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:55, 19 December 2021 (UTC) *::::::I've just changed some of those into commas and think I've done most of them, though I may have forgotten some. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 20 December 2021 (UTC) *:As it's more than two months, if there's no objections, I'm upgrading this article tomorrow. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:39, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I'm going through the text intermittently, and will continue to do so. Is there an issue with the dynamic map? I can only see one of the trails that are in the key.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:35, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::You might need to zoom into the others, but all of them appear on desktop. I'll check on mobile soon. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:37, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Just to confirm, I can see these trails on desktop mode.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:49, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Please hold off on starring to givef me a chance to read the article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:54, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay, sure. I'll hold it until at least next week. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 21:56, 14 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I had a look at it and the reason why you can only see the red line is probably because you can't zoom on mobile. As the other trails are much shorter than the 70 kilometre loop, with most of them hidden behind the visitor centre/woolshed marker. The blue one on the east should also be visible, but it may be small to see. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:19, 15 January 2022 (UTC) :::::OK, '''not yet'''. I have made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Mungo_National_Park&type=revision&diff=4368476&oldid=4368432 these edits] so far, and I'm not even through "Understand" yet. Please check my edits to see if I introduced anything factually incorrect or stylistically improvable, but star articles have to have absolutely impeccable grammar and style, and the following question in hidden text has yet to be addressed: "What does "they" refer to- emus and roos?" [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:12, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm noticing redundancies like this: 'It's also possible to join the "Willandra Lakes guided tour" as well.' "As well" and "also" are synonymous. I also saw "there's" used for a plural subject. That may be common in Australia, but to this reader, it's not standard English. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:18, 15 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Apologies for that. I'll fix them just in a moment. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:25, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I've removed 90% of those in the article. I might've missed one or two, so please let me know if I have missed any. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:03, 15 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::Thanks a lot for your copyedits :-). Nothing factually incorrect. I've just clarified the wildlife and the climate section so hope it's more clearer. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:23, 15 January 2022 (UTC) *First thing I noticed is that the map has several colour codes for features that do not appear to be shown on the map. On closer examination I found them hidden under the numbered markers. Do we usually just expect readers to know this? *Second thing ts that there is no immediately obvious graphical indication of where the park is relative to the rest of Australia. By zooming out a lot on the dynamic map the information can be found. Do the readers just know to do this? I would suggest a small static outline map of Australia with a dot to indicate the location of the park, possibly in the intro section. *Where does one get more information on Mungo man, Mungo lady, the local indigenes? *It's different during a total fire ban, but while you may be as far away from the greenery on the east coast, you haven't escaped fire. - what does this mean? Cheers,&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:05, 24 January 2022 (UTC) *:Thanks for the feedback Peter :-). Well appreciated. I'll implement them. However, regarding "static outline map of Australia", I don't know how to make static maps, but I'll try and add more in the #Get in section. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:15, 24 January 2022 (UTC) *"''And if you do have special dietary requirements, don't be too surprised to pay twice more than usual.''" Does this mean twice the usual price or three times the usual price or just a lot more than the usual price? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:19, 24 January 2022 (UTC) *:Just a lot more than the usual price in the capital cities. I'll clarify that. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:25, 24 January 2022 (UTC) ---- As it is three months and three hours since I nominated this article for star, any last final objections before I upgrade it within the next twelve hours? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:56, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :I wouldn't support unless I look through the entire article with a fine-toothed comb. The writing style has to be completely free of grammatical, spelling, syntax and punctuation issues and just generally impeccable. So consider that an objection. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:28, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::In a very quick look, I found a long run-on sentence and several other things I corrected. No, not yet. I haven't made editing this article a priority, but that doesn't make it thereby a star article by default or something. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:32, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::You can also clearly see that Peter Southwood had objections above. You can't unilaterally declare a 12-hour deadline while ignoring the comments that didn't support the nomination. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:34, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::::I've already fixed those issues except the static map thing (which I can do by just downloading a freely licensed map from OSM). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:54, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::::He has not passed judgment on whether you have and I voted "not yet" above, noting that I hadn't read past "Understand" or whatever and had already found a bunch of problems. And an article can't be a star because you promise to do something afterwards. '''Not yet''', and that vote stands forever unless I change it. Star status is '''supposed to be''' extremely difficult to achieve. It's not owed to articles that are good and unpolished. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:58, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay, but per policy, "<span style="color:#FF0000;">the discussion should be left open for two months to allow time to fix the article and reach a consensus. If the outstanding issues cannot or will not be addressed in reasonable time, the article should be added to the slush pile</span>. In this case, it is well over two months since the nomination. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:30, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::Then maybe it has to be slushed. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:19, 5 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I was not pinged so did not notice there were changes. Will check now. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|< sup>(talk)</sup>]]: 14:11, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *Hard to identify the park (or anything else) on the static map in the "Get in" section. The map does not seem to serve a particularly useful purpose. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:52, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:If I'm not mistaken, static maps are no longer a requirement per [[Wikivoyage talk:Star articles#End requirement for static maps.]]. However, I tried to add a map adjusted to highlight the park sometime ago but I kept getting an error warning (I think I was triggering an abuse filter though I'm not exactly sure). Do you know of any way to prevent this from happening? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:40, 19 April 2022 (UTC) * Lead opens with "No other national park in the Outback is comparable to Mungo National Park" Why? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:52, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:This is quite a provocative statement and I think some explanation is due. If it is true, the potential visitor will want to know why, and there are so many possible reasons.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:05, 4 March 2022 (UTC) *::Done – [[Special:Diff/4413433]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:43, 21 March 2022 (UTC) *What is the origin of the name? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:52, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *: Fixed - named after the lake, but no idea where the lake got its name and not willing to go down that rabbit hole. Maybe someone will add it some day. I dont consider this an issue. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:05, 4 March 2022 (UTC) *::I added that it was named after Mungo Cathedral in Scotland, which I think was the name mentioned by my tour guide. I don't know where in Scotland though. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:46, 21 March 2022 (UTC) *:::See [[Glasgow#East_End]]. St Mungo (or St Kentigern) is buried in Glasgow Cathedral. Also see [[w:Saint Mungo]]. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:04, 21 March 2022 (UTC) *::::I've added it based on your comment, though please adjust anything if I've gotten anything wrong. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:18, 19 April 2022 (UTC) * Mungo Park is not shown on the map in the "Go next" section, so it is not clear where it lies relative to the suggested destinations, maybe show the visitor centre. This would also serve to show where the park is in relation to the rest of Australia. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:09, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] For this one, {{tl|mapgroup}} used to show the shape, but there was some technical issue and the mapshapes stopped showing. I don't exactly know what happened for this one, but [[Pub#Coords in the "Go next" map appearing in the main map while the coords for the "Go next" map have disappeared|this discussion]] has a little bit of info. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:44, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *:: It is so annoying when that sort of thing happens. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:14, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *:::It is now showing in green. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:05, 4 March 2022 (UTC) *::::Don't exactly know what's happening with that template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:40, 21 March 2022 (UTC) * I don't know what this (in "Go next") means: - "you'll have to redo the {{km|70}} if you already did this loop." &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:09, 28 February 2022 (UTC) *:@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] (apologies for the late reply. completely forgot about this) I've clarified it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:34, 19 April 2022 (UTC) * I think that the normal scope for "civilisation" does not reach back as far as 40000 years. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:14, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *: and have edited accordingly. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:49, 1 March 2022 (UTC) *::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] Not sure how to adjust that. In Australia, it's wildly regarded that at over 65000 years old, Indigenous Australian civilisation is the world's oldest continually living civilisation which is 25 thousand more than 40000. It's a commonality within most Australian articles, so this is not a standalone. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:39, 19 April 2022 (UTC) *:::I would not have questioned ''culture'', but to me ''civilisation'' implies citizens, and usually a load of baggage the original Australians may have managed to avoid. Anyway, I am not an anthropologist or a historian, and it is an Australian article, so no worries, mate, go with Australian usage. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:09, 19 April 2022 (UTC) *::::I would want to try and use what most people understand though, though I do understand that this one could be a controversial one (as they did not have buildings, farms or and not the European "civilised") <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:17, 19 April 2022 (UTC) *:::::Then maybe just go with "culture" rather than "civilisation". I don't think many would argue that the indigenous culture has not existed continuously for a remarkably long time. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:26, 20 April 2022 (UTC) *::::::Done. Now the only uses of "civilisation" in the article should only be when referring to modern human development. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:33, 20 April 2022 (UTC) *:::::::Using this as a checklist for myself, to see what's left, here's the following left: *:::::::* Copyedits – which Ikan will do with their fine-toothed comb *:::::::* A static map showing where the park is in relation to Australia *:::::::I'm not so sure about the second one though. Australia is quite large, that I feel just a point to the park might be too broad because it could really mean anywhere in that area (because 100 km looks small on a map with the entire Australia in it). If anything, I would prefer a map of it with just the state of New South Wales, but my skills of making static maps are nearly non-existant and static maps are not required to serve in star articles. Similarly, I tried to do that again recently, but with the south-eastern states and for some reason, only a third of the map appeared in [[:File:Mungo NP star map.svg|this]] file. If someone can help me with a map, it would be appreciated. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:09, 25 April 2022 (UTC) *:::::::: The best way when the general area isn't too well-known (I wouldn't recognise NSW) is to have a small map of the continent in a corner, with the area shown in the rest of the map highlighted (something like those in [[:Commons:Category:Locator maps of New South Wales|Locator maps of New South Wales]]). You'd need to know how to glue such a small-scale map to the map proper. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:25, 25 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::I will edit this article with a fine-toothed comb if I feel motivated to do so; it's only fair for me to say that I don't feel under any obligation to do so, and I hope that doesn't come off as unfriendly. As long as any article isn't impeccable in writing mechanics and style, it isn't a star article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:40, 25 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::I understand and there's no rush. The article isn't going anywhere, and so are we. The sole reason why I made that list is because the "what to do" is now all over the place (but that's what happens when you get long discussions). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:33, 25 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::: What IK means is that he might not do that at all, and unless somebody does, this won't be a star article. Saying "Perfect spelling and grammar <nowiki>{{done}}</nowiki>" and "Prose near-perfect, and tight, effective, and enjoyable. <nowiki>{{done}}</nowiki>" at nomination was obviously a mistake. Those "dones" should be removed, and reinserted only when somebody who feels qualified to judge has done the thorough check, or we get consensus on it, when several people have done the check without feeling like making the judgement on their own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:51, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Space]]=== As a main contributor to the article, I think that this article is pretty complete. A lot of stuff has been changed because of the place's novelty, but the article tries to adhere to Wikivoyage's standard as much as possible. Enjoy. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 15:43, 31 May 2022 (UTC) :'''Needs (a considerable amount) of work'''. First of all, I'll start of commenting that I'm a space buff myself, so it's definitely an interesting read and I cannot see anything major missing but only in the understand or talk section. The "Get in" is also looking good, though it could be improved, and there could be more listings added since there's barely any in Russia or China mentioned. :Now it's also worth noting that this article was [[Wikivoyage:Destination_of_the_month_candidates/Slush_pile#Space|slushed]] not that long ago (November 2021). The prime issues is it's ''way'' to western or even just US-centric. The fact that India doesn't receive a single mention outside Get in is seriously concerning considering the fact that India has the fourth largest space industry in the world. :Combining the above with the fact that many countries with space organisations have little or no mention, I also feel the museums section should also try to cover museums all around the world – right now, we have the same western-centric list. :On top of that, if I'm not mistaken, all articles breadcrumbed under star articles must be guide status. Right now, [[Astronomy]] and the [[moon]] are only usable articles, and many other space related articles like [[Space flight sites]], [[Astrotourism in Australia]] or [[Dark Sky Parks in the United States]] are also only at usable. So until all of this is fixed, I won't support starring [[space]]. :On the flipside to all my negativity, I'm happy to help out – this is one of my subjects of interest, and I will see if I might add any museums, launch sites etc when I don't have anything productive to do. Right now, I'm a bit carried away with the districts of [[Canberra]] but I can assure you I'll do a little bit of the work. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:52, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::I still think that actual space tourism and Earth-bound attractions about space are strange bedfellows in a single article, and especially if lots of new museums and launch sites get added (which would be great), this should be split into two.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:38, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks a lot for your feedback! Certainly the article need to get de-United States-focused, but I don't understand what "breadcrumbed" mean. Other than that, I will try to fix them as much as possible. As for [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], yes we do have an article for that named [[Space flight sites]]. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 13:01, 1 June 2022 (UTC) :::Breadcrumb is just a Wikivoyage jargon for "categorised". <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:05, 1 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Ah lol! Anyways, these daughter articles are now being under Space, and the article itself is placed at travel topic. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 13:06, 1 June 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], I think I have solved your raised issues by... dodging it to [[spaceflight sites]] :D The article now does not look complete, so there's still a lot of work to do. [[User:CactiStaccingCrane|CactiStaccingCrane]] ([[User talk:CactiStaccingCrane|talk]]) 01:39, 3 June 2022 (UTC) ===[[Canberra/Acton]]=== Can't think of anything that'll significantly improve this article. Maybe a few copyedits, but apart from that, I believe it's complete. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:38, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :I've also deliberately left out chains such as Domino's, Chatime, Zambrero or 85C per [[Wikivoyage:Boring]], if anyone's wondering. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:18, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::Remember, a star article also has to be impeccable in writing style. It's very hard to get to star status. Here's the first paragraph: ::"Acton is a small affluent suburb west of Civic and is Canberra's university district, with the Australian National University taking up most of Acton. Right next to the ANU is the Australian National Botanic Gardens containing one of the most diverse ranges of Australian flora, and places that can make you feel you're in the middle of either the Wet Tropics of Queensland or the Tasmanian Wilderness albeit it just two kilometres from the city!" ::I'd never call that bad or unacceptable or anything like that, but I don't find it impeccable. This might not be impeccable, either, but it's my attempt at an edit: ::''Acton is a small, affluent suburb west of Civic. It is known as Canberra's university district, since the Australian National University comprises most of its area. The Australian National Botanic Gardens, right next to the ANU, contain such a diversity of Australian flora that you will feel like you're in the middle of the Wet Tropics of Queensland or the Tasmanian Wilderness, even though you are just two kilometres from the city!'' ::I feel like I could go through the whole article and edit it with a fine-toothed comb. Anyway, I think it is not yet at star level, and that's no insult whatsoever. I will probably find time to look through more of it some time in the next couple of weeks (no promises, though). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:20, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Hi Ikan, thanks for the feedback. I'm aware that star articles need to be perfect, and that's why we even have the vigorous process ;-). A lot of the content in the article is content that's been moved from [[Canberra]] so I might've dismissed it while proofreading it, though I did a proofread through the content. But thanks for the copyedits though. :::On another note, I'm just wondering whether you find the bus line that's marked on the dynamic map distracting? I've been commenting out transport lines on district articles recently (as you probably noticed my edit on [[Manhattan/Financial District]]), but I sort of wanted the bus line marked, so I traced the bus route myself so the grey dots don't appear. Do you find that line distracting, or would you say that line can stay? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:21, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::How many bus lines are shown, and in what color(s)? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:53, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::Just the one bus line that's coloured in red (in ca0707). If you click on the bus line it should display "ACTION bus route 53". <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:05, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::In the thumbnail in the article, that looks to be outside of the district. The thinner blue and green lines looked more likely to be bus routes to me. I see the bus line much more distinctly when I blow the map up to a full page. Are the other colored lines in the district all footpaths? It looks like they are, and I have to zoom in further to see that. Clicking the bus line isn't producing the route name or number, which I don't seem to see regardless of the degree of magnification. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:26, 26 June 2022 (UTC) [[File:Screen Shot 2022-06-27 at 09.35.07.png|thumb|300px|A view of ACTION bus line 53 on SHB2000's screen on June 27, 2022, 09:35 (UTC+10)]] :::::::That's strange. When I click the bus line, what you see on the right is what appears on my screen. As for the other thinner tracks, they are bushwalking trails inside the Black Mountain Nature Reserve. It's not a full list though; only the trails that were available on OSM were included. I did find various maps of other trails, but I'm not sure whether they're freely licensed and are compatible with [[Wikivoyage:Copyleft]] so I've deliberately omitted them just to be on the safe side. I'll clarify in the article what those other colored lines mean. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:41, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :Just another remark by me (the nominator), but I do hope that this article sets a good precedent on how university articles should look like so we never have a [[University College Dublin]] situation again. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) == Maintaining status == Tasks and checks: * [https://petscan.wmflabs.org/?psid=18583226 Star status articles with listings without coordinates] {{done}}, except for Walt Disney World, which is listed separately below (last verified 2021-05-30) * [https://petscan.wmflabs.org/?psid=18583220 Star status articles with dead external links] {{done}} (last verified 2021-08-20) <!-- *[{{Catscancall}}&depth=10&categories=Articles_with_formerly_dead_external_links&comb%5Bunion%5D=1&templates_any=stardistrict%0D%0Astarcity%0D%0Astarairport%0D%0Astarpark%0D%0Astarregion%0D%0Astardiveguide%0D%0Astarcountry%0D%0Astaritinerary%0D%0Astartopic&show_redirects=no&doit=1 star status articles with formerly dead external links] --> * [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?search=insource%3A%2F%5C%5Bhttps%3F%3A%5B%5E+%09%5D%2B%5C%5D%2F+deepcat%3A%22Star_articles%22&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1 External links without text] {{done}} (last verified 2021-05-27) * Move into listing where [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?search=insource%3A%2F%E2%98%8E%2F+deepcat%3A%22Star_articles%22&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1 ☎ phone icon used],[https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?search=insource%3A%2FTel:%2Fi+deepcat%3A%22Star_articles%22&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1 Tel: used], [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&limit=50&offset=0&profile=default&search=insource%3A%2Fphone%3A%2Fi+insource%3A%2F%5C%7B%5C%7Bstar%2Fi phone: used] and [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&limit=150&offset=0&profile=default&search=insource%3A%2F%3A+*\%2B%2F+insource%3A%2F\{\{star%2Fi : +] {{done}} (last verified 2021-05-27) Article needing attention or maybe de-star nomination candidates. * [[Walt Disney World]], [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[Chicago]] has a number of districts with no coordinates on listings. * [[Nusa Lembongan]] and [[Ubud]] needing some attention and checking if listings still relevant. * [[Big Bend National Park]] needs an update. * [[Isle Royale National Park]] has a very long sleep list and does not have a Wikivoyage style map. :*As I pointed out, the map is '''better than''' a Wikivoyage-style map, so that's not a good reason to revoke star status at all. I also suggested that if it's really important to do so, the list of campsites could be subdivided by region. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:29, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::*This isn't a de-star nom though, just added it to a list of star articles that need tender loving care just like how Big Bend Nat Park is listed. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:28, 8 November 2021 (UTC) :::*Fair enough, but what are you suggesting should be done about the map? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:09, 8 November 2021 (UTC) :::*:It doesn't show where any of the see listings are though. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:34, 11 November 2021 (UTC) ==Nominations to remove Star status== Number of articles currently in review: [[:Category:Destar article nominations|{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Destar article nominations|R}}]] Whenever possible, articles should be fixed rather than de-starred. Only nominate articles which cannot be easily elevated/restored to "star" quality. Add to the article <nowiki>{{destarnomination}}</nowiki>. Vote "Star" or "Not Star". ===[[Walt Disney World/Disney Springs]]=== This has the same issues with [[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom]] except with fewer coordinates. Too much for a single person to do. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:52, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :I've added about 20 coordinates but given the number of listings in this article, adding all coordinates will take a while. It should be clarified that coordinate markers do not match the numbers on the static map. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 14:55, 16 January 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks for adding them :-) I might speedy slush these once you and @[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] have finished adding coords. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:44, 17 January 2022 (UTC) :::There seems to be alot of chains listed in "Buy" that may violate [[Wikivoyage:Boring]], an example of this is Levi's. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 03:17, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Levi's is definitely a boring place. I'd say remove those. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:22, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::{{re|Tai123.123}} I slushed the other one, and here's what I think are boring: ::::* Lacoste ::::* Levi's (as what you mentioned above) ::::* Orlando Harley-Davidson ::::* Superdry ::::* Under Armour Brand House – tho the description makes me feel a this and that to be fair ::::* Uniqlo (the Japanese clothing store is everywhere now) ::::* Zara ::::* Starbucks ::::However, I'm not going to remove any of these except Levi's because I'd want to get an opinion of one of our Americans first. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:52, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :::::I'd say Uniqlo, Starbucks, Zara and Under Armour are boring as we have those in Canada, not sure about the others [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 02:10, 8 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those are worldwide chains (we have them here too), so definitely not worth mentioning. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:25, 8 February 2022 (UTC) ==On de-star decision == *Remove the nomination discussion from this page and paste it to both [[Project:Star nominations/Archives]] and to the talk page of the article; *Update the article status template on the article from star to guide if decision is to de-star; {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} 5mlgugcni654emmffn3yyphv8anaom5 4 69229 4506780 4432748 2022-08-23T10:36:17Z SHB2000 2248002 archive Hall wikitext text/x-wiki This page contains an archive of the [[Project:Star nominations|nominations]] for articles that were successfully promoted to [[Project:Star articles|star status]] or demoted to [[Project:Guide articles|guide status]]. For an archive of articles that were nominated but require further work please see [[Project:Star nominations/Slush pile]]. ==Upgraded to Star== List here nominated articles that successfully made it to Star status ===[[Isle Royale National Park]]=== Previous unilaterally-applied Star, going for confirmation. Anything that's missing from the article is probably also missing from the destination. :) - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 10:45, 15 May 2006 (EDT) *Support. - [[User:(WT-en) Sapphire|(WT-en) Andrew Haggard (Sapphire)]] 09:06, 9 June 2006 (EDT) *Support. This is pretty much the template of what a perfect national park article should look like. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 21:15, 15 June 2006 (EDT) *Support. Great article. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 13:11, 21 June 2006 (EDT) *Comment: I was wrong about my "anything missing from the article" remark above; I just got back from 10 days hiking from one end of IR to other, and I have stuff to add. :) - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 18:03, 27 June 2006 (EDT) *Support. I don't think "nothing missing" is a necessary condition :) [[User:(WT-en) Hypatia|(WT-en) Hypatia]] 21:07, 27 June 2006 (EDT) *Support. What Hypatia said. -- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 19:39, 29 June 2006 (EDT) *Support. very nice article[[User:(WT-en) Berru|(WT-en) Berru]] 13:15, 30 June 2006 (EDT) ==== destar discussion [[Isle Royale National Park]]==== It's a little surprising that this was ever nominated for star status. There are long lists of campsites (it lists 36 options), hardly any coordinates at all, and a lot of hyphens where there shouldn't be hyphens. Not saying the article should necessarily be de-starred, but I'm interested on other opinions for this one. While fixing is better than de-starring, things like fixing a list that's too long require consensus and aren't jobs that should be done on a star-status article. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 21:43, 11 November 2018 (UTC) : In an area of 74 km × 14 km it is not surprising to have many places to sleep. Here it isn't a question on choosing among adjacent hotels, but finding a place to sleep in the area you chose to visit. As such, I suppose the list should not be trimmed (the much less visited [[Käsivarsi Wilderness Area]] lists 28 lodgings, [[Nordkalottleden]] some fifty, for similar reasons). Coordinates should of course be added (I suppose they were not common and not as usable when the article was written) and the camping sites should probably be grouped in some sensible way. Getting rid of dashes seems an easy task. Fixing these problems should not be too difficult. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:30, 12 November 2018 (UTC) ::I'm not sure why it's surprising that this article was ever nominated for star? Indeed, it has few coordinates - but you should know that only a few years ago, dynamic maps where not accepted by all to serve in star articles, and static maps where considered to be better in terms of usability. Long lists are not all that uncommon in star articles either, since they are expected to be "essentially ''complete''. That requirement does invite relatively wide lists of options in all categories. Now, if usability is seriously compromised and cannot easily be restored, de-starring is warranted. In this case, however, and while I'm all for adding coordinates, the static map is still available and the lack of coordinates therefore appears to have a limited impact in terms of usability for travellers. All in all, I also think this article should be fixed up a bit, but not de-starred. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 12:04, 15 November 2018 (UTC) ::: Have added a few coordinates, the campsite list is shown well on the static map. Think this can stay star.--[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 09:21, 3 December 2018 (UTC) ::::The only obvious thing making this no longer a star article was the awful dynamic map, which had almost no information. I've removed it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:55, 21 December 2018 (UTC) ===[[Singapore]]=== So I'd like to nominate Singapore as the first "Huge city" Star -- which means that not only the main article but all its districts need to be in tip-top shape. Note that all listings now use the new [[Project:Listings|HTML listing]] format, so if they don't display according to the MoS, you can blame Evan, not me. =P Fire away! [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 21:26, 15 June 2006 (EDT) *Support, but I think it lacks one thing &mdash; a map of downtown, something that helps me get from, say, Raffles to People's Park on foot. [[User:(WT-en) Pashley|(WT-en) Pashley]] 03:23, 21 June 2006 (EDT) * Support. This is '''the''' template for how to set up a city article. The map on [[Singapore/Central]] looks sufficient for the needs of most travelers (in addition to the many other maps). Great photos, too. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 13:11, 21 June 2006 (EDT) *My error, not finding the maps. [[User:(WT-en) Pashley|(WT-en) Pashley]] 10:58, 22 June 2006 (EDT) **No, the guide's error for putting it in a bad place. I've been thinking about ditching the Central sub-region entirely and merging the little info it has to the main page, I'm not sure it adds much value. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 12:18, 22 June 2006 (EDT) *Support! V comprehensive article [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tsandell]] 15:25, 27 June 2006 (EDT) *Support! Excellent article [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) Jan]] 13:29, 28 June 2006 (EDT) *Previous comment removed -- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 22:59, 29 June 2006 (EDT) *Actually, the stated [[Project:City_guide_status|criteria]] for a "star" city article require only that any district articles be "guide" quality. When I drafted these criteria, I figured ''some'' leniency ought to be given regarding the imperfections of sub-articles. I haven't had a chance to go through the main article carefully yet, but from what I've seen, perhaps with a little MoS proofreading, it has my '''support'''. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 22:20, 29 June 2006 (EDT) ** Thanks! I'll limit my critique to the actual article then. -- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 22:59, 29 June 2006 (EDT) *Support, absolutely, great content. --[[User:(WT-en) Terence Ong|(WT-en) Terence Ong]] 06:57, 6 July 2006 (EDT) *Support. Great one... love the place. -BratX. *Support. Awesomely done! [[User:66.9.126.26|66.9.126.26]] 19:10, 24 July 2006 (EDT) ===[[Yosemite National Park]]=== * The information in this guide is very complete, and it includes detailed information for every heading. The map could be better, but the existing map is still useful. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 14:20, 4 November 2006 (EST) * Support -- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 15:39, 4 November 2006 (EST) * Support, with a qualification. One minor addition to "Get in" I'd like to see, after which I would unequivocally support it: what's the best way to get there via plane (i.e., what's the nearest airport with commercial service, how far away is it, on what roads)? -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 16:27, 4 November 2006 (EST) *: I've added a By plane section using information from the nps.gov site - hopefully that's sufficient, but any other feedback is appreciated. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 16:55, 4 November 2006 (EST) *:: Looks good to me. Unqualified support now. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 16:56, 4 November 2006 (EST) * Support. -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] 17:04, 4 November 2006 (EST) * Support. Really a great example of a park guide. And nice work on the get in by plane section. [[User:(WT-en) Maj|(WT-en) Maj]] 17:17, 5 November 2006 (EST) ===[[Santa Fe (New Mexico)]]=== * Great article with lots of detailed information, and [[User:(WT-en) Mark|(WT-en) Mark]] has done his usual wonders in cartography. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 14:20, 4 November 2006 (EST) ** I think it's largely there, but of course I'm biased. :-) (Thanks, Ryan.) One question: should there be a "Stay safe" section? It isn't routine for a "Small city" to have one, and Santa Fe is a small city (population under 70,000) despite its celebrity. However, if there's a consensus that such a section belongs, owing to the vast number of people that visit, I'll add one. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 15:37, 4 November 2006 (EST) *** Since "stay safe" is an optional section I don't think one should be required here - not having such a section doesn't (IMHO) prevent this article from being a "star" article, but adding one would only be a good thing. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 15:58, 4 November 2006 (EST) * Support -- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 15:39, 4 November 2006 (EST) * Support. excellent map and good use of photos! [[User:(WT-en) Maj|(WT-en) Maj]] 17:17, 5 November 2006 (EST) ===[[Finland]]=== * Can't really think of anything major missing anymore, although the History section is kinda dinky. Even the linked cities and destinations seem to be in decent shape. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 10:38, 26 November 2006 (EST) **As regards "linked cities and destinations," there are some possibly significant loose ends in the "Get in" section (particularly under "By boat") that should be tidied up, IMO. Otherwise, I agree, this is an excellent country article. I ''think'' I could support it without those repairs; I ''know'' I would support it once they are made. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 12:54, 26 November 2006 (EST) ***I've added outlines for [[Hanko]] and [[Ivalo]], which were the only redlinks left. Anything else? [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 13:28, 26 November 2006 (EST) ****You might also look at [[Naantali]] and [[Kapellskär]], which are referenced lower in the section. Can't see anything else. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 13:32, 26 November 2006 (EST) ****Kapellskär is in Sweden, so it's not really applicable. Naantali does deserve an entry for [http://www.muumimaailma.fi/englanti/index.html Moomin World(tm)] if nothing else, I'll write it up when it's not 3 AM here anymore... [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 13:37, 26 November 2006 (EST) *****Added. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 00:11, 27 November 2006 (EST) ******Satisfies me. '''Support'''. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 18:27, 27 November 2006 (EST) * Support, with comments *#The status rating says that it should have ''different choices for which regions or cities to visit ("usable" status or better)''. Does this mean "1 or more" have usable status or "more than one"? Finland appears to have only one region beyond usable, though it has several cities beyond usable. *#It would be nice if the the [[Åland]] region were upgraded to outline. *#Would be nice if the ferries listed in Get in/By boat contained more than just a web address. *#If there are more pictures that could be added, I think the article would benefit. *:-- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 01:42, 27 November 2006 (EST) **Ferry section rewritten and more pictures added. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 04:03, 27 November 2006 (EST) *'''Support''' - nice article with decent pictures/maps and very good content. -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] 18:58, 30 November 2006 (EST) * Support, but the following are "would be nice" items: *# The quickbar image is nice, but doesn't seem to conjure thoughts of Finland for me. Is there a more iconic image that could be used? *#*Well, Finland really is "the land of 10,000 lakes", so it's actually very representative scenery and kinda iconic. Other options include [[Helsinki]]'s Cathedral, which already has a prime position in that article, and the sauna pic further below, which would be kinda weird for a country article. On the German WT, they've got [http://de.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bild:Ruovesi_Holzhaeuser.jpg a picture] of some red houses in the countryside, but I'm not sure that says "Finland" more than it says "somewhere in northern Europe". At any rate, you're welcome to trawl through [http://jpatokal.iki.fi/photo/travel/Finland my pics] and look for something better, but while pics like [http://jpatokal.iki.fi/photo/travel/Finland/Helsinki/Toolo/Hietaniemi_Park_Grey2.JPG this] or [http://jpatokal.iki.fi/photo/travel/Finland/Helsinki/Ice/index.html this] may be arty and accurate, I'm not sure they're very attractive! [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 23:22, 30 November 2006 (EST) *#** I'll obviously defer to the Finn as to what's the best image for Finland, although from an aesthetic standpoint I like the image of Lenin looking backwards as well as the picture of the dock that's centered, stretching out into the lake. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 02:46, 1 December 2006 (EST) *# The "&mdash;" character in listings has been copyedited a lot lately based on [[Project:Manual of style#One-liner listings]], so we may want to update this article to conform. *# The "Learn" section is currently just two links. It would be good if there were at least descriptions of the links, and preferably some information about learning opportunities in Finland. : These are minor nits - this is a really good article. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 21:36, 30 November 2006 (EST) OK, so I'm going to star-ify it. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 18:23, 15 December 2006 (EST) ===[[Dalian]]=== * Extraordinarily complete guide, with multiple maps for a little-known destination. [[User:(WT-en) Paul.|(WT-en) Paul]] has put in great effort on this guide. &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Ravikiran r|(WT-en) Ravikiran]] 18:39, 18 November 2006 (EST) * Support. Great article. My only reservation would be due to the author's comments on [[Talk:Dalian]] about splitting the article into districts - if the article is going to be split into districts then we should postpone this nomination until that happens, but I don't think a split is necessary. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 19:56, 18 November 2006 (EST) ** The article has now been split into districts, which look good to me. My only reservations would be: **# There is no "Contact" heading for any of the districts. I personally don't think that not having that heading should prevent the article from becoming a star, but the [[Project:District article template]] includes it for reasons that I've never fully understood. **# Many of the accommodation and other listings are missing contact information. Based on Paul's comment that some of this information isn't available I don't think this should prevent the article from becoming a star, but it would still be nice to have. **: -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 21:21, 30 November 2006 (EST) :::Doesn't the contact header within district articles serve as a place to list internet cafes, telephone shops, or post offices so we can contact the world? -- Sapphire :::: Yes, but I've never understood why it's a required part of the district article template but not (for example) the small city article template. I'm not sure that it's important enough information that it needs to be included for all district articles. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 21:39, 30 November 2006 (EST) :::::I don't think it a necessity for every district to have a contact section either, but there should be, at the very least, a "Contact" section on the main article to explain area codes for land phones and cell phones, and postal codes. I '''support'''. -- [[User:(WT-en) Sapphire|(WT-en) Andrew H. (Sapphire)]] 21:45, 30 November 2006 (EST) ::::::I thought I had included a contact section (I could have sworn I mentioned the post offices at least) but evidently my brain was playing tricks on me again. Anyway, I have now added a section, and I'm pretty sure I didn't just imagine it this time. --[[User:(WT-en) Paul.|(WT-en) Paul.]] 00:16, 1 December 2006 (EST) * Needs a pass through with a close eye to commas and missing phone numbers and hours. And [[Project:Time and date formats]].-- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 16:53, 22 November 2006 (EST) ** I just made a sweep for typos and punctuation (avoiding for the moment the usual issues of "English English" vs. "American English"), and that should all be in good shape. As for hours, if the information isn't available, no penalty for not including it. '''Support''', and kudos to [[User:(WT-en) Paul.]] for a fantastic job on a little-known place. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 15:43, 16 December 2006 (EST) * Well I've split the article into regions now (I'd been busy working on maps and completely forgot about it), if it seems like overkill I can always roll it back. I'll do a copyedit for commas and time and date formats, as far as phone numbers and opening times are concerned, however, I've filled in everything I can but some of the information simply isn't available from here in the UK. --[[User:(WT-en) Paul.|(WT-en) Paul.]] 11:14, 24 November 2006 (EST) * Support, unless folks think we need to wait on more info for listings and/or for the districts to settle down. Great work though! [[User:(WT-en) Maj|(WT-en) Maj]] 23:45, 26 November 2006 (EST) So, I'm going to apply the coveted designator shortly, unless anyone objects. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 15:47, 16 December 2006 (EST) ===[[Berneray]]=== A comprehensive article (the exception being get out) that has decent pictures and is well written. Maybe needs a map? I'd also like to see some smaller destinations make star - an article doesn't need to be gigantic to be star! -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] 04:58, 2 December 2006 (EST) : I'm afraid a map is, on purpose, a definite requirement for a Star article. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 06:17, 2 December 2006 (EST) :: I've now drawn and added a map to help the article along. --[[User:(WT-en) Paul.|(WT-en) Paul.]] 13:43, 2 December 2006 (EST) ::: Excellent. I can only think of one more complaint: can you explain what exactly "machair" and "crofting" are? [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 22:55, 2 December 2006 (EST) :::: Crofting is I think a traditional type of farming, but I can't be more specific than that. I have no idea what a machair is, that term baffled me when reading the article. Unfortunately I'm not a Hebrediean, I just like making maps. --[[User:(WT-en) Paul.|(WT-en) Paul.]] 23:20, 2 December 2006 (EST) ::::: ''Crofting'' can be most succinctly described as subsistence farming on someone else's land. ''Machair'' is a former beach which is now a suitable for growing vegetation. I agree that both could be better described in the article. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 18:25, 4 December 2006 (EST) :::::: Hello from Berneray! The map is uncannily good. I have edited 'crofting' and 'machair'; hope they are clearer. -- [[User:(WT-en) Jkirriemuir|(WT-en) Jkirriemuir]] 10 December 2006 * I seem to detect an incompatibility between the statement "Outdoor activities include boat trips to nearby islands and to see the seals close up, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking" in "Do," and the "Get out" statement that Berneray is the end of the line and the only way out is the way you came in. Please resolve this (ideally with more information about those "boat trips to nearby islands" -- how do you arrange them? what islands? what's to do on the islands? etc.) after which I'll vote to support; the rest of it looks good. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 00:16, 3 December 2006 (EST) :I'd love to see more small destinations make star status. However, I don't think this article is ready yet. This article needs some addresses and phone numbers for listed items; a good scrubbing of the prose (count the number of punctuation mistakes, for instance); phone numbers aren't in standard format; and a lot of information is just left out. Do we need to break down this region article into separate village articles for each of the 5 villages listed? I think that it's exceptional when we don't do that, and we should be extra careful in those cases. Here's a troubling quote: ''There are many historical remains and sites, dating from Viking times and before, through to more contemporary structures. A guide book (£1) is available from the shop and information centre which details and maps some of these sites.'' Sorry, but "buy the one-pound guidebook" is not my idea of a star guide. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 08:05, 3 December 2006 (EST) ::Evan, the ''entire island'' has a population of 126 &mdash; breaking this into villages is not likely to be very useful. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 08:17, 3 December 2006 (EST) :::Agreed, Jani, unless the villages are sufficiently distant, distinctive, and noteworthy to merit their own articles. It doesn't seem to be the case with Berneray. This island may be the exception that proves the geographical hierarchy rule. However, that's going to require some careful management, then -- what does this strategy mean for how we do addresses in listings, for example? --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 08:28, 3 December 2006 (EST) ::::"What does this strategy mean"? IMO, it means the approach is successful and correct: drive the elaboration down to the lowest level where it makes sense. In this case, Berneray ''is'' that level. Check the dimensions as well as the population. You're talking about an island smaller than some city neighborhoods -- not even districts. Further elaboration is almost like giving an individual house an article. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 10:18, 3 December 2006 (EST) :::::You misquote me. I said, "What does this strategy mean for how we do addresses in listings?" I agree that the level of detail here is correct, but I was being much more specific in my question. If we conglomerate a number of villages (hamlets, really) into one article, like we (correctly IMHO) do in Berneray, do we need to specify where each listing is -- say, adding the name of the hamlet after the street address, if it exists? I think my point in general is that our [[Project:Manual of style|Manual of style]] doesn't treat this kind of region directly, so it's difficult to say whether our guide on Berneray meets the MoS exactly. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 12:46, 4 December 2006 (EST) ::::::In this instance, I don't believe the village names are needed to locate the establishments; I'm not even sure if street and house numbers are even applicable in all cases. An "address" should be whatever the locals use to distinguish this place from that place, or to tell where something is located; whether they follow national postal-service standards shouldn't be an issue. As for the MoS, if the inclusion of the village or neighborhood ''were'' necessary to locate a place, it could be added in parentheses as "extra directions"... or simply accepted as part of the address, much like the NE/NW/SW/SE designations for [[Washington, D.C.]] are. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 18:25, 4 December 2006 (EST) :::This article should not have been nominated for a star till the listings and info are more complete. The Get Around section just has two lines. There are no options for eating/sleeping. However, the images and map are very good. Punctuation needs to be dealt with. ::::Huh? There are half a dozen Sleep options listed, but there's only one Eat listing because it's only one standalone restaurant on the island. I don't really see what else could be added to Get around either as there's obviously no public transport, although it would be nice to know if taxis/rented cars are an option at all. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 11:38, 4 December 2006 (EST) ::::: Population figure updated. Breaking it into villages is pointless as they all merge into one here anyway. People are located by their name and house, not by "village". Added nearest taxi company. My punctuation is indeed lousy and hope someone else can make better. -- [[User:(WT-en) Jkirriemuir|(WT-en) Jkirriemuir]] 10 December 2006 * I think this is a swell Off The Beaten Path destination (I nominated it), and I think it's a nice "guide" article (I did a fair amount of the online research and MOS-ing for that). But I don't think it's a "star", even with the map and the recent proofreading. The problem isn't the depth or breadth of the listings; I believe they're darn near exhaustive. It's the first-person guidance. The original author contributed a fair amount of the been-there info that a really good Wikivoyage article needs, but I think it needs ''more'' of that in several areas (e.g. Yeah, what ''about'' those viking remains? Or car hire?) to really say that this article is really all-that-and-a-bag-of-crisps. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 22:12, 4 December 2006 (EST) * Some of the B&Bs do not have a location listed. Phone numbers should be begin with a + for international dialing and be formatter per [[Project:Phone numbers]]. The Eat listing needs some pricing info. The reference to [[:WikiPedia:Angus MacAskill|Angus MacAskill]] should be reworked since the text seems to imply I should recognize the name, and I don't. -- [[User:(WT-en) Cjensen|(WT-en) Colin]] 02:26, 5 December 2006 (EST) : Formatted phone numbers. Reworked MacAskill. Added some eat listing pricing info. Added information about car hire, driving obstacles, walking on Berneray. -- [[User:(WT-en) Jkirriemuir|(WT-en) Jkirriemuir]] 10 December 2006 * I wrote the article so can't vote/nominate. One thing would like to stress after reading some of the comments is that, indeed, Berneray is devoid of lots of man-made facilities e.g. loads of places to eat, shopping arcades, whatever. That's what makes it attractive to a lot of people. -- [[User:(WT-en) Jkirriemuir|(WT-en) Jkirriemuir]] 10 December 2006 ** Actually you can, and I think your latest round of edits has addressed pretty much all the complaints made above? I certainly can't see much that could be improved. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 08:16, 10 December 2006 (EST) ** Agree with Jani on all counts; your vote counts as much as anyone else's. '''Support''' -- my previous comments have been addressed, and there may not be a destination on all of Wikivoyage where the ratio (article content/size of destination) is as high as this one. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 19:00, 15 December 2006 (EST) * More. Added cycle hire details. Added more about crafts. Made some corrections. The point about lack of Viking info was fair enough, so added loads of information on the historical sites and remains that are scattered across the islands. Removed pointless bit about the guidebook. Added detail about Giant MacAskill. Added detail about events, where to find out about them when on Berneray. Added more detail about getting to other islands and what to do there. Added stuff about crotal(litchen). Added notes about silence/noise. Added two more pictures, and a link to the online weather readings. Okay, I really am running out of information to include about Berneray! -- [[User:(WT-en) Jkirriemuir|(WT-en) Jkirriemuir]] 10 December 2006 Support, but the Get Around Sections needs to be edited. Maybe a walking trail or s'thing could be mentioned. And Get In is kind of dinky too. [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 06:45, 15 December 2006 (EST) * '''Support''' - I think I'm done messing around with minor cleanups (I hope they were all clean''ups'' and not ''downs'', anyone feel free to re-correct anything that I changed... but I think this article is in amazing shape, so hopefully in 2 days we can give it a new shiny label... [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 05:11, 16 December 2006 (EST) ** I've added some more to the Get In section (another resident suggested that the latitude and longitude are v helpful to boaties). There's no recognised walking trail. Altered a few very minor mistakes that had crept in. Shown it to a few other Berneray residents who also can't think of any more stuff to add. -- [[User:(WT-en) Jkirriemuir|(WT-en) Jkirriemuir]] 16 December 2006 *Support. I have been to Berneray several times, and this is a good useful article. A few minor points (these can be ignored) - It is a pity that the spelling has been americanised, as this might deter local distribution of paper copies; The blackhouses might get more of a mention, as many visitors spending only an hour or two look at them; The first photo is of the snow, which is not typical (<10 days per year), maybe this should be swapped with one of the others to avoid giving the wrong first impression, or another view of Backhill or the beach could be used. [[User:(WT-en) AlasdairW|(WT-en) AlasdairW]] 18:08, 17 December 2006 (EST) :See [[Project:Spelling]] regarding the American vs. Commonwealth English spelling... [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 02:54, 18 December 2006 (EST) ::What about 'Nutter on a beach' on John's [http://silversprite.wordpress.com/ website] - if you think it's a better intro pic maybe he'll upload it for us... [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 03:06, 18 December 2006 (EST) :::If you are refering to the picture of cows on a beach, it may be useful in future, but not here - they are on the beach on the island of [[Vatersay]] near [[Barra]]. I was thinking of one of the ones on [http://www.isleofberneray.com/gallery/sand9 isleofberneray.com] of Backhill, or simply changing the order of the existing photos. [[User:(WT-en) AlasdairW|(WT-en) AlasdairW]] 18:02, 18 December 2006 (EST) ::::No, I was referring to the one with the lone person on the beach, but actually I like the one you just mentioned better, gives a nice sense of place. I'll email John and ask if he'll upload it, I think that would make a nice intro pic, then we can move the snow one down a bit. [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 01:56, 19 December 2006 (EST) :::::Added more about blackhouses, plus a picture of a restored (and lived in) blackhouse. Added picture of Backhill at top (it has my house in it! Centre, slightly left, the white one with a weaving shed between it and the sea), and moved picture of snowy Berneray further down. Spaced out the pictures in the article more sensibly. [[User:(WT-en) Jkirriemuir|(WT-en) Jkirriemuir]] 19 December 2006 ::::::And once again, thanks for all the work! Gotta put it on my list to visit now since it's taken so much of my attention - sounds like a nice place. :) [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 07:10, 19 December 2006 (EST) * I hate to rain on the parade, but I've reverted this article's status. "See" and "Do" in this article don't match our [[Project:Manual of style|Manual of style]] for [[Project:attraction listings|attraction listings]]. I realize that Berneray is going to be exceptional because of its tiny size, but that means we have to be extra careful and make sure the exception is an exemplary exception. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 11:12, 20 December 2006 (EST) ** I object vehemently. You are applying City criteria to something that, as any number of people have tried to explain, is far more like a Park than a City -- and by Park criteria, See and Do are just fine. Please explain why this set of standards is appropriate, as well as why you chose to make this action unilaterally after a great deal of discussion had already gone on and a consensus had been reached. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 11:24, 20 December 2006 (EST) *** Star articles aren't a popularity contest, Bill, and if the article doesn't match the MoS, then it's not a star. That's the whole point of the article status system. "Star" == "perfectly matches the MoS". A consensus was not reached, either: I already gave my objections, above, and it should be obvious from my changing the article back to "guide" that I don't agree with this star status. The article is not fine as a "national park" -- it's not formatted as a park. Is this an exceptional location? Yes, indeed. We don't really cover teensy-tiny islands very well in the MoS. Does that mean we throw any old style into it and call it a star? I don't know. Personally, I'd much rather have some ''minor variants'' on Wikivoyage's MoS become stars, so we get used to it, before we throw in a really, really different. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 11:37, 20 December 2006 (EST) ****Balderdash. You have selectively omitted a key bit of the Star nomination language, which I quote here with '''emphasis added''': :::::''The article is essentially complete. It meets all of the above criteria. It follows the manual of style exactly '''or is the exception that proves the rule'''. Prose is not only near-perfect grammatically but also tight, effective, and enjoyable. {...}'' :::The entire thrust of the very extensive discussion above is precisely that Beneray ''is'' such an exception. Why is that so hard to comprehend? We built the provision into the guidelines, for durn good reasons I would add; let us now do as the provision says. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 11:45, 20 December 2006 (EST) ::::well, i reluctantly just 'mos'd' the remains section, which can be roll back too... I agree it was better before. While I think that sticking to the MoS is very important, I think that dumbing down an article to conform isn't pushing it towards star any quicker. The list format suits attractions that have phone numbers and things, but for a pile of interesting rocks it's much more interesting in the format that it was in. Before you were able to follow it easier and it would be much easier I think to have used it as what it is - a guide to see the sights. I think Star Status should be for articles that are as good as they can be considering the location being written about, not for the best article that fits within the still relatively newly established guidelines. [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 11:51, 20 December 2006 (EST) :::::Agreed with Bill and Cacahuate. Evan, you're out of line here. [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 12:06, 20 December 2006 (EST) ::::::Bill, I agree that Berneray is an exception, and that star articles should handle exceptions. The problem with the Berneray article isn't with the article -- it's with the MoS. Berneray is so much of an exception that it's not ''proving'' some rules and following others --it's messing with all of them. Its size and scattering of hamlets make it a challenge to the geographical hierarchy; its lack of street addresses makes it a challenge to all our listing formats. Its remote location and nature challenges which of the article templates to use. I'm really amazed with the amount of work that's gone into this article, but I still have serious reservations about it. We're breaking too much new ground with this article, and I'm really, really not happy with calling it a star. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 12:25, 20 December 2006 (EST) :::::::I repeat: balderdash. I have never seen a rule, anywhere, that is actually "proven" by an exception; that is a figure of speech with a widely understood meaning -- a meaning that, I continue to insist, is entirely applicable here. If the "proves the rule" language is causing problems, then let's fix it, but that's a separate issue. Meanwhile, ''the process has been followed'' and the grounds for an exception (as permitted by both the letter and the spirit of the guidelines) are entirely in hand and justified, at rather extraordinary length. This is a Star article, period. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 12:42, 20 December 2006 (EST) ::::::Maybe it's a good opportunity to come to a consensus on what ''is'' the criteria or template standard for a place like this. I'm working on some others at the moment anyway, such as [[Havelock Island]] and some places in [[Mozambique]] that are going to come up against similar issues, so it would be nice to have a standard to measure them against... maybe Berneray can be or become that standard. No sense in just saying 'it isn't a star', let's figure out (again) how to make it one. [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 12:36, 20 December 2006 (EST) :::::::I'm going to just take a tactical retreat here. I've rolled back my changes and yours, but if you think the changes were worth it, please feel free to reinstate them. :::::::I have to admit that I had no idea as to the finality that people ascribed to the star status. I think it's unwarranted, and I think that the process here is just getting ironed out. However, I made a mistake in overruling the decision made here, even if I think it was wrong and that consensus wasn't reached. Star status means a lot to me, but I guess that means that I need to pay more attention to this page, rather than changing the decision made by people already. I'm sorry for the problems. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 12:49, 20 December 2006 (EST) ::::::::Thank you. I, for one, appreciate this "tactical retreat" very much. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 12:51, 20 December 2006 (EST) :::::::::But it is still a good point - the MoS isn't clear about things like this... not that things need to be settled at this exact moment, but it would be nice to know what kind of formatting ''is'' going to be acceptable for the future... Evan obviously feels strongly against this format, so something should be figured out... [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) Cacahuate]] 13:02, 20 December 2006 (EST) ===[[Zion National Park]]=== Really comprehensive guide, with lots of info, maps, and great pictures. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 22:37, 5 February 2007 (EST) * '''Don't support.''' While it is no doubt a very good article, crucial listings are missing. Sleep/Eat info does not follow the MoS. [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 09:41, 6 February 2007 (EST) * I echo PerryPlant in my support of the article! [[User:(WT-en) FrankEM|(WT-en) FrankEM]] * This information about Zion National Park leaves no "Stones Unturned" Very well done and has enlightened me to the wonders that lay in this Desert Oasis!--[[User:(WT-en) Bomabro84738|(WT-en) Bomabro84738]] 20:33, 6 February 2007 (EST) * <strike>'''Support'''</strike> as long as a few people who have been there agree that it is very comprehensive... Having not been there, it looks great to me. Good pics, good maps. A few minor things: :*Hours for the liquor store at the Best Western would be nice, and a phone # if they have one. The article says that it's in [[Springdale (Utah)|Springdale]] but the listing isn't on that page at all. :*Are the Coral Pink Sand Dunes not in [[Canyon Country]]? If so, maybe move up with the other parks in the "Get out" section. :*Where does the "information" phone# go to in the [[Zion_National_Park#By_bus|get in by bus]] section? Is it for Greyhound or one of the unnamed tour agencies? :Otherwise I think it looks pretty darn good... Upamanyu, I've cleaned the article up a bit, have I addressed your concerns? [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) ::: Cacahuate]] 02:52, 7 February 2007 (EST) ::Yeah, '''support'''. You've really done a good job, Cacahuate. [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 05:12, 9 February 2007 (EST) I hike and live there and I think the information is correct. I think all is fixed now. :)[[User:(WT-en) FrankEM|(WT-en) FrankEM]] Good eye Cacahuate. I checked around, and the phone# is for the greyhound service in Utah. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 16:46, 7 February 2007 (EST) :Any other comments or dislikes? So far it's looking like all are in favor... [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) - Cacahuate]] 13:54, 12 February 2007 (EST) ::Looks good. 1 small snag - sleep is looking dinky. '''strong support''' - [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 07:36, 13 February 2007 (EST) * '''Don't support'''. This is an excellent guide but still has faults that keep it from being star quality. The maps aren't Wikivoyage maps, but copies of the public domain maps from the parks system. No vector graphics source for the maps. Also, the hikes under do (which I think are listed out very well) could use some directions to the trailhead, rather than just naming the trail. There's no address, hours, or contact info for the Zion Human History Museum under "Buy". No hours or prices for the Castle Dome Cafeteria. No prices for the Red Rock Grill. The paragraph on camping at Lava Point should be a listing, or integrated into the "Backcountry" section. The camping listings should be in the new listing format. I think the problems with this guide could be fixed quickly, though. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 08:01, 13 February 2007 (EST) **I think I got everything you mentioned Evan, save for the maps. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 20:50, 13 February 2007 (EST) **I think this is ready now to be a star. It'd be nice to have the trailheads marked on the map, but I don't think perfect trail maps are necessary. We can leave those up to WikiOutdoors. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 17:06, 22 February 2007 (EST) * <strike>'''Don't support'''</strike>. Excellent article, except for those maps. That is however something that can be addressed. The US National Parks Service has got a lot of GIS data online for Zion (''Search Zion at [http://science.nature.nps.gov/nrdata/] or go directly to the Zion directory [http://nrdata.nps.gov/zion/ziondata/]''). Boundaries, camps, trails etc is all there. Getting that into SVG format and into a png that looks like a wikivoyage map will take a little bit of time, but it will be a lot easier than creating maps from scratch. Two questions: 1) Is the park boundaries really that regular? It looks like someone just drew a couple of connecting straight lines to define the park. 2) Can someone confirm the legal status of using the GIS data on the NPS site. Can we create derivative work and license it under CC-BY-SA? ::Yes, the park boundaries really are that regular. ::I'm not sure "Wikivoyage-style maps" are needed for an article to achieve Star status. Look at [[Yosemite National Park]], the only map on there is a road map of Yosemite that is a public domain image from the NPS site. And yet, Yosemite is a star article. I'm not saying the map issue shouldn't be addressed, but I'm not sure if it gets in the way of declaring Zion a Star article. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 21:03, 13 February 2007 (EST) :::Agreed. There's a real issue a s to what maps are appropriate for a Park article, and there may even be reasons to ''prefer'' an NPS map if one is available (assuming copyright issues don't interfere, which I'm still not convinced is true). Explicitly accepting them would be a change in policy, which should not be made cavalierly, but ''can'' be made if appropriate. To assess the appropriateness, I suggest that this part of the discussion continue at [[Talk:United States National Parks]], where I've broached the subject. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 21:25, 13 February 2007 (EST) ::::I'll add some additional comments to [[Talk:United States National Parks]]. I really like this article and will change my vote from Don't support to Support if we can reach consensus that NPS maps are OK, or if we deceide they are not OK and replace them. * '''Support'''. The article has a useful map that is licensed in the public domain; there isn't anything in the criteria that says a map has to be SVG or Wikivoyage branded, but there is nothing stopping us from adding such a map in the future. Regarding other issues that have been brought up, the star criteria is that an article "is essentially complete", but not necessarily perfect. The star nomination process is a great way for us to make minor corrections to already great articles, but I don't think a lack of perfection should be a reason for failing a nomination - delay maybe, but not fail. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] 23:32, 13 February 2007 (EST) :I think the level of quality would be: as good as we can get it, or as good as we know we can do. We're under no time constraint to get these guides out the door, and there's no pressure whatsoever to put "Star" stickers onto each and every article nominated. A lack of practical information that keeps travelers from using the guide (like missing listing info, addresses, hours, prices) isn't just nit-picking. It's the basic level of quality that travelers expect from any travel guide. :The map needs to be practically modifiable, and it needs to match our map style (just like the text needs to match our text style). I think it's pretty clear that such maps are better than public domain ones that we borrow from government sources; I think we also have existence proof that they're not impossible to make. The NPS ones are fine until we get a real Wikivoyage map done, of course. I'll update the star criteria to make this clear. :Let's not get confused about the symbol and the thing symbolized. If we put the "star" badge on an article that does not meet real star standards, we don't make that guide any better; we just cheapen what star status means. If our star definitions are unclear, it's important to keep in mind the essential definition of a star travel guide: that is, it's equivalent or better in quality than top-rank proprietary travel guides. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 10:14, 14 February 2007 (EST) *'''Support'''. An excellent article. I don't think that we should set the bar too high for maps - what is important is that they are of high quality and provide all the information you need. I think this particular main map is very good and probably provides more information than would be provided on a homemade png one. The updating of the star criteria to specify png maps is of course open to debate.... -- [[User:(WT-en) DanielC|(WT-en) DanielC]] 17:12, 14 February 2007 (EST) *'''Don't Support''' - and only because of the lack of a WT map... I think Evan said it well above, we're only cheapening Star Status by making these kind of exceptions, and across several recent conversations there seems to be a movement to tighten up the statuses and what they mean a bit... Guide is being applied a little to loosely, guide should be something that is as good as an LP or Let's Go guidebook article... and Star should exceed it, and be '''perfect''' in every way - Stars are examples of what a Wikivoyage article can be in all its shining glory, and I don't think that, ultimately, we're aiming towards borrowed maps - yes they'll do for now, but I think only as far as Guide Status [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) - Cacahuate]] 04:50, 17 February 2007 (EST) *I think I look at the problems everyone is having with this article, beside the map and they are all fixed. I am lost on this whole map issue. Those are the maps the NPS uses and they are accurate.[[User:(WT-en) FrankEM|(WT-en) FrankEM]] ::'''Don't support''' - Sorry for changing my opinion yet again, but I don't support it simply because it doesn't have a Wikivoyage map. Once s'one makes that, I'll support. [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 10:59, 18 February 2007 (EST) * '''Question''' - May an article stick around here for slightly longer then the normal 14 days? Seems that there is general consensus that this is star quality except for the maps. The map issue can probably be resolved within a week. :I was thinking the same thing... they often sit around an extra week anyway before somebody notices and does something about it... especially for this case, I would say yes, let's just wait until you finish the map... barring any further objections, I think everything else has been addressed, and when the map goes up you can also slap a <nowiki>{{starpark}}</nowiki> label to the bottom [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) - Cacahuate]] 12:07, 20 February 2007 (EST) * '''Support''' - I have updated [[Zion]] with WT maps, just need someone familiar with the place to check if those maps are accurate. Hiking trails still need to be added to the Canyon map, but that will happen soon. --[[User:(WT-en) NJR ZA|(WT-en) NJR_ZA]] 16:57, 22 February 2007 (EST) Excellent, I'm so glad we were able to work this out and not hold back this article solely for the map! And we did the right thing by waiting for the map instead of ignoring for the sake of a new star. I'm gonna gonna promote it now, since all things have been addressed and no further objections were raised. [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) - Cacahuate]] 17:37, 22 February 2007 (EST) ===[[Ann Arbor]]=== Possibly the tidiest editing job I have yet seen on Wikivoyage. ''Every'' entry is properly formatted, informative, and appropriate, and the sections are all comprehensive without being overkill. The only drawback is sparse imagery, but it does have not one but two maps, and the single photo could easily be moved to the top of the page if necessary. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 12:09, 8 May 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. I don't see any obvious room for improvement, with the possible exception of the image issue you've pointed out. Also, way back when I visited while looking at colleges I seem to remember that Stucchi's ice cream was a big deal - is that still operating in Ann Arbor? -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 00:42, 9 May 2007 (EDT) ::A friend who graduated from UM a few years ago confirms that Stucchi's is still a big deal. I'll try to extract data from her. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 21:16, 13 May 2007 (EDT) * <strike>'''Almost support'''</strike> - I've added a few images, but I think it needs more to give a good visual sense of the place. A better opener image would be nice. I sent an email to [[User:(WT-en) Haem85]] to upload the SVG if possible of the map, so that we can make sure everything listed in the article is on the map... and so that future changes can be made. It would also be nice if the listings were templated (are we making this a requirement yet?). I'll continue looking through it more soon, out of time now... but looks pretty darn good... &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 02:24, 10 May 2007 (EDT) :: Glad to hear that people are enjoying the article. I've been waiting for warm weather to get here to take some more pictures around town, with a couple of shots in particular in mind, and yes, I'll be glad to upload the SVG when I get a chance. -- [[User:(WT-en) Haem85|(WT-en) Haem85]] 21:50, 12 May 2007 (EDT) ::::If you have the time Haem85, can make sure that everything listed in the article is located on the map, since you seem to be really familiar with Ann Arbor? That's the main thing that I think might hold back this article from reaching star status at this point... &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 02:48, 16 May 2007 (EDT) :::::Everything? Okay, but I'm gonna need a bigger map! ;) Actually, given space constraints, I'm not sure it's feasible to include ''everything'' (I'd point out that [[Penticton]] and [[Santa Fe]] don't either) but I can certainly add to it if there's a need. Or, alternatively, redo the map and make it much larger so that I can fit more attractions on. We'll see how much time I have. :) I'd actually like to get up a town-overview map as well, anyway, so maybe I'll make cartography my goal for this weekend. &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Haem85|(WT-en) Haem85]] 17:29, 17 May 2007 (EDT) ::::::Hehe, well yeah, supposedly all things should be on there. if you're map covers the main parts of the city (I'm not familiar with the town) then it's probably fine... if something is on the outskirts of town I think it's ok not to be on the map. But certainly everything that falls within the boundaries of your map should be noted on it. If that map is just small portion of the town, then yeah, a broader map would be awesome! Glad to have you here now since you're obviously really familiar with the town! &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 20:29, 17 May 2007 (EDT) :::::::Well, it took me long enough, but I've finally uploaded a (much) bigger version of the previous downtown map, with all the attractions in the area marked. If anybody has any tips on how to crop an SVG file in Inkscape, I'm all ears... otherwise I'll just upload my ragged-edged non-cropped version. -- [[User:(WT-en) Haem85|(WT-en) Haem85]] 18:38, 27 May 2007 (EDT) :::I don't think templated listings are a requirement, as long as the ''content'' in the templates is there and formatted correctly. Thanks for the images; they meet my semi-objection. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 23:09, 12 May 2007 (EDT) ::::Given past controversies on Star articles, it would be nice to have more people voting here, I'm not sure we should pass articles through when only 3 people are involved... &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 18:13, 13 May 2007 (EDT) * '''Support''' I agree that more images would enhance this. Also agree on the tight editing. Along those lines, what's with omitting "St." for streets? A minor quibble, but seems inconsistent, even with referenced articles for nearby towns. Did we stop including {{IATA|xxx}} and ICAO:xxxx on airports? </quibbles> [[User:(WT-en) OldPine|(WT-en) OldPine]] 18:48, 13 May 2007 (EDT) * '''Support''' &ndash; with the addition of the fabulously updated map by Carson, I think this article is worthy of star status. I would still love to see another image or two that sum up the town added, or that show downtown... something like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ann_Arbor_at_Liberty_Street.jpg this] perhaps (though I've asked permission for that image and no response yet), but I don't think it's a deal breaker. Now's a good time to dissent, dissenters. We've already been thru the 14 days now, but maybe we should hold off a couple more and solicit more opinions. &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 22:43, 27 May 2007 (EDT) * '''Don't support''' (yet). I agree that this is one of our best articles. Other than the following quibbles, I think that this article would make a very good star. Below are the few things I think still need cleaning up. --[[User:(WT-en) Evan|(WT-en) Evan]] 10:41, 28 May 2007 (EDT) ** Most of the hours in listings don't match the MoS. "Open from 5PM-10PM Monday through Thursday, 5PM-11PM Friday and Saturday, and 4PM-9PM on Sunday." should be "M-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-11PM, Su 4PM-9PM". ** Many of the prices in listings don't match the MoS. "Admission $1" should just be "$1". Comments should be in a "priceextra" field or in parens, italicized, after the price. ** The "public sculptures" listing should be broken into separate listings. If it's necessary to bundle them together, they could be in a separate subsection of "See". ** The "Lurie Tower" and "Alley mural" listings need to be brought into line with the MoS. ** The University of Michigan museums need to be separated into their own listings. Again, if necessary this could be a sub-section of "museums". ** I don't think "take a walk through downtown Ann Arbor" is appropriate for "do". Sightseeing should be under "See", shopping should be under "Do". ** There are a ''lot'' of bookstores listed under buy. Could they be pared down to a more selective list? (Not crucial.) ** "Eat" needs more of a general introduction. The "Bagel Fragel" note needs to be in its own listing. ** I don't like the "Local Favorites" section. Which locals? Whose favorites? "Lots of locals go here" should be part of the description of each restaurant, not a separate sub-section. ** I'm not sure we should bother with a "Stay Safe" section if it's just one sentence. (Not crucial.) ** I'm concerned that the "Sleep" section has very sparse information on most of the hotels. (Not crucial.) ::Just FYI, I think (!) all these issues have been addressed now (thanks to everyone for your help on this!), except for two: the bookstore list (they're one of Ann Arbor's big "things", so for a variety of reasons I'm reluctant to trim it down, but if it's really unbalanced, I'll grit my teeth and try to decide which ones should go :) ) and the hotel list (I agree that it needs to be beefed up... might be a job for someone with more access to hotel info than I have!). I'm planning a massive photo blitz for this weekend, which will hopefully redress the image imbalance. BTW, am I correct in noticing that the new templates don't actually allow bold/italics/quotation marks inside the listing fields? &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Haem85|(WT-en) Haem85]] 13:48, 30 May 2007 (EDT) :::I think the length of the bookstore list is reasonable for A2. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 17:45, 30 May 2007 (EDT) *<s>'''Not sure'''</s>. That's one. big. map. :) (Just go ahead and upload the SVG, untrimmed. Future editors can also crop it when they expert to PNG.) The Eat and Sleep sections aren't broken down by price, but by menu or by location. I understand the reasons for doing them that way, but aren't the price categories part of the MoS? And the Star criteria say that following the MoS is required unless there's an ''exceptional'' reason not to. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 11:32, 28 May 2007 (EDT) '''Support'''. There's still room for some improvement in a few places (as noted by Evan), but perfection is not a criterion. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 17:52, 30 May 2007 (EDT) *<s>'''Not until'''</s> the eat and sleep sections are split into budget, mid range, splurge rather than by geographical or type. For an article to be a star, it's ''Layout and listing formats either match the manual of style exactly or are the exception that proves the rule.'' So until that's done, we '''can't''' star this. But apart from that, this is star material! -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] <small>([[User talk:Tsandell|writeme!]])</small> 17:27, 28 May 2007 (EDT) :::'''Support''' - my main objection has been rectified. -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] <small>([[User talk:Tsandell|writeme!]])</small> 07:23, 5 June 2007 (EDT) ::I don't see that necessarily as a disqualification in this particular case, because Ann Arbor isn't really a "big" city, and the template for the "non-big" city doesn't require this breakdown. I agree that the list of eating places is long enough (in no small part because of its college-town status) that the TTCF principle argues for doing it, but if the other issues that people have raised get addressed and this is the only one that remains, I don't see it as a show-stopper. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 18:28, 30 May 2007 (EDT) *'''Support''' but that map png is too big&mdash;I find it hard to use because it requires so much scrolling. Would it be possible to enlarge the symbols a bit (maybe 2x) and then export a smaller png? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:00, 30 May 2007 (EDT) :Ah! It hadn't hit me that I could decrease the size of the output (duh). I'm not sure if I can increase the size of the symbols (at least, not if there needs to be one for every attraction) but I did reduce the map by 1/3 and I think it helps. Reducing by half seemed a little too hard to read, but I can probably shrink it a little further if it would help. &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Haem85|(WT-en) Haem85]] 18:43, 30 May 2007 (EDT) ::I still think the symbols could be enlarged, even in the crowded downtown area, by 1.5&ndash;2 times. That would allow you to decrease the map export size even more. But then again, while this would be optimal, it's not crucial. And I don't know of any good way to increase all the symbols without going through the mind-numbing tedium of going one by one... --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:51, 30 May 2007 (EDT) :::Well, I'll give it a shot :) I'll try it on the downtown area and see if everything fits. (I just want to be sure there's room in case anything else needs to be added later.) After all, what's a little mind-numbing tedium between friends! ;) &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Haem85|(WT-en) Haem85]] 18:55, 30 May 2007 (EDT) ::::Another option would be to break the map up into sections, maybe a zoomed-in map of downtown and maybe Kerrytown, and another smaller-scale map showing the outlying listings. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 19:02, 30 May 2007 (EDT) *Bump. This has been under discussion for quite a while, and a great deal of effort has been expended to address the issues raised. Can anyone see reasons ''now'' not to star it? If not, I'm going to do so. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 23:44, 9 June 2007 (EDT) :I just finished MoS'ing the hours... but many of the bookstores and a few drink listings still don't have them at all... I've been meaning to call and get them, but never get around to it before closing time. Maybe someone on the east coast can take a few minutes for a few phone calls? &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 04:30, 10 June 2007 (EDT) ::As I discovered when Star-ifying Santa Fe, those are two classes of places that may not ''have'' fixed hours... -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 12:01, 10 June 2007 (EDT) * And it was so! Congrats to all those who helped Star-ify this article. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 20:15, 14 June 2007 (EDT) ===[[Chicago/Bronzeville]]=== Some of the other Chicago districts might be on their way to stardom, but I think Bronzeville is already there. I really can't think of anything else that would improve this article, aside from maybe a few new photographs that I'd like to take when back in town (but the ones in the article are more than adequate). I think the article is perfectly formatted according to the MoS and there isn't anything missing that I'm aware of, aside from some run-down establishments that I wouldn't want anyone to visit. But who knows, perhaps the prose is not tight enough. Please let me know what you think! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:16, 19 July 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Extremely nice article. I didn't see any obvious areas for improvement after glancing over it, although the "Do" and "Buy" sections (and maybe some of the others) might be improved by adding an introductory paragraph that gives a general overview of what the scene is like. Otherwise this looks good, and the map looks particularly great. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 21:32, 19 July 2007 (EDT) *: The newly-added intros are great - a quick overview that gives an idea of the highlights. Full support from me. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 22:45, 26 July 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Exceptional work on an undeservedly over-looked destination. Remarkably thorough - I'd be very surprised if a better guide to Bronzeville existed in any form. And that map is a stunner. I'd love to see this article supplemented with a walking tour. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 21:44, 19 July 2007 (EDT) :Just a little update, in case other people are watching this discussion and haven't made up their minds: I have added short introductory paragraphs to all sections, but am holding off on a walking itinerary. I haven't walked around the sites myself (I've only visited with a car) and I'm just not sure how long a walk it would be. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 16:21, 26 July 2007 (EDT) :: I'd really like to see all of Chicago become a star, not just a few districts of it... [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 22:34, 26 July 2007 (EDT) ::: Patience my friend. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Marc]] and I are working hard to make the whole city a star, but in the meantime I could use the positive reinforcement for some of the districts I have slaved over. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:48, 26 July 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Excellent article. &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Ravikiran r|(WT-en) Ravikiran]] 01:12, 27 July 2007 (EDT) : Last call for comments before we star this one - 14 days are up today. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 16:36, 3 August 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. I just made a pass-through to fix a few remaining typos, and came away impressed by the tremendous work you guys did on this. Make it so! -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 13:26, 4 August 2007 (EDT) ===[[Chicago/Hyde Park]]=== OK, after my 20-odd nit-picking edits today and a thorough map update, I think this article is finally up to star status. Again, there are a few photos I have in mind to add/substitute, but I'll have to wait until I'm back in the area to take them, and the article doesn't need them anyway. For some reason, I'm not quite as satisfied with this district as with [[Project:Star nominations#Chicago/Bronzeville|Bronzeville]]&mdash;if you figure out why this is, please let me know! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:39, 25 July 2007 (EDT) : I'm confused here. We have two districts of Chicago currently nominated for star status, but the article for the city itself is currently only tagged as usable. Looks guide-ish to me, but I don't know the area well enough to judge. Checking three districts at random, I got two guides and one usable. Could we get to the point where we have one big star for the whole city? [[User:(WT-en) Pashley|(WT-en) Pashley]] 08:32, 25 July 2007 (EDT) :: We downgraded the main Chicago article at the outset of dividing the city into districts. I think the content of the article itself is solid (having written a lot of it), but the grading criteria for Huge City articles says that for a Huge City to be a guide, all of its district articles must be at least usable, and for a Huge City to be a star, all of its district articles must be at least guides. So we have one district left to make usable ([[Chicago/Southwest Side]]), and then we need to push the rest forward to guide status and do a little more work on the main article before we make it a star (which is our goal). [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 09:47, 25 July 2007 (EDT) : '''Support'''. The depth of information is terrific (without being excessive - I like that you pruned a couple of the more mundane listings), and the descriptions give a sense of insight from an insider. The map covers a lot of ground and does so well, another impressive job. I'd like to see a more compelling opening - it's pretty dry until the descriptions of Oakwood and Kenwood in the neighborhoods section. And it's not clear if we can visit any of the listings in Kenwood architecture - I assume not, since you tend to be thorough with these things, but I think it should be explicit. Are there opening/closing hours for Jackson Park and/or the places within, like the Japanese Garden? (Is that free?) Is the University still doing DOC films? As I recall, those are free or cheap, and tend to be great selections. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 10:40, 25 July 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Excellent article. Also support the strategy of a huge city achieving stardom district by district. &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Ravikiran r|(WT-en) Ravikiran]] 01:15, 27 July 2007 (EDT) :: Last call for comments...no dissent so far, but it would be good to get more opinions on this one. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 12:22, 7 August 2007 (EDT) :::<strike>Umm, '''temporary don't support'''</strike>. I want to address Marc's points before this gets starred, Doc films should really be in there. I will do this today and, provided there aren't any other objections, will drop my own and star the article before the 14 days are up! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:05, 8 August 2007 (EDT) ::::Ok, this article is ready. Speak now or <strike>forever</strike> hold your peace, until you feel like revising the status. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:04, 8 August 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Better late than never. Keep up the good work guys! &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 02:14, 9 August 2007 (EDT) :: Yep. Thanks for chiming in! [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 02:34, 9 August 2007 (EDT) ===[[Chicago/Near South]]=== Ladies and gentlemen, the latest offering from the Chicago district factory, featuring lost treasure, lurid tales, and a shiny new map by Peter. I'm pleased with the way the article covers five of the biggest tourist draws in Chicago (the three museums, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place) and situates them in the midst of neighborhoods with more to be discovered, which print guides haven't done. Although it's always possible that something else may pop up, I believe the Buy/Eat/Drink/Sleep listings are comprehensive, save for places I decided not to list. What do you think? [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 08:58, 9 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. It's a fun read and I'm pretty sure nothing worth writing about has been left out. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:27, 10 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Looks fantastic! The only thing I noticed was that the picture of the dolphin show is a little dark, but I don't think that's reason enough to disqualify the article for Star status. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 20:49, 10 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Very impressive guide. -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] <small>([[User talk:Tsandell|writeme!]])</small> 08:16, 11 August 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. One suggestion for improvement, however, would be to highlight the neighborhoods on the map - it wasn't clear to me where Printer's Row and the other neighborhoods were located, and since many of the attractions are listed by neighborhood that information would be helpful. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 13:48, 11 August 2007 (EDT) ::Good idea; I might try and do this with all the Chicago district maps, come to think of it. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 13:59, 11 August 2007 (EDT) * '''Marginal'''. This is a really good article, properly formatted, etc., but one weakness is TMI -- Too Much Information. Some of the attraction entries are ponderously long and really could use some tightening up. I'm not sure whether that's a disqualification as far as Star status is concerned, but I'd like to see some improvements. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 15:15, 11 August 2007 (EDT) ::I'm not sure that I see what you mean. The museums listed rank among Chicago's most visited sites, and probably do deserve a significant mention. The Prairie Ave section of town could probably have its own itinerary article, if written by someone particularly knowledgeable; moreover, I think good information about this area is essential, as the only other option for a visitor would be a guided tour. But which entries in particular are you referring to? --Peter 15:25, 11 August 2007 (EDT) ::: That hadn't occurred to me, but I'm generally willing to believe that anything that's written well can probably be written just as well in 3/4 of the words. I've tried to tighten some of the longer sections. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 16:24, 11 August 2007 (EDT) :::An example is the entry for the Marshall Field Jr. Mansion, which occupies an awful lot of space for an attraction that isn't even open. There are others that are similarly verbose. Yes, describe the museums, etc., but for all but the most exceptional/distinctive entries, many of the details of things like history can and should be entrusted to the referenced links, unless there's something about them that the traveler needs to know (for example, IMO the Shedd entry really does need to be as long as you have it, since the whole thing is useful to the traveler). If an entry gets beyond about 5 full lines of text, there's a TMI possibility, IMO; if the entries ''routinely'' get beyond this limit, TMI is very likely. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 16:35, 11 August 2007 (EDT) :::: I've chopped out 2100 characters. I hope that helps. How much history to give, though, is tricky. We supply those external links, but aren't we supposed to be producing guides that can be used independently of them? A little bit of history is sometimes useful to sell the place as a worthwhile destination. (It is to me as a traveler, anyway.) Regardless of WTP, not everyone who uses these guides is going to be able to click through; nor, in some cases (as with Field Jr.), does the external link give the whole story. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 16:58, 11 August 2007 (EDT) ::::: Thanks, that helped. '''Support''' now. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 18:39, 11 August 2007 (EDT) ===[[Albuquerque]]=== I think for the most part it's ready. It's got a map now, all of the listings follow the MoS, and being someone who lives in ABQ I can assure you that it covers everything. I admit some of the listings still need a bit of work, but they can be taken care of quickly. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 15:51, 19 August 2007 (EDT) : '''Support'''. It feels comprehensive and it's well-organized. Great images, too. I would suggest leading with that beautiful balloon photo instead of the bland, slightly-tilted skyline panorama. The 'See' and 'Do' listings could be alphabetized, and it'd be good to have more listings for specific 'Buy' places. (Whereas there are more grocery store listings than you really need.) But none of that gives me any serious reservations. This is a really nice article and one of the best we have to offer. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 09:58, 21 August 2007 (EDT) :: I might as well just get rid of that downtown pic. Our skyline isn't really anything to behold, lol. And I organized the See/Do listing alphabetically. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 14:27, 21 August 2007 (EDT) ::: Great! [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 16:36, 22 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Wonderful article and a map so street-filled it would inspire awe and fear in the heart of any would be mapmaker. Practically deserves a "speedy star." My only suggestion is to move the left-aligned images over to the right, as they can cause some strange formatting issues when displayed on different display resolutions&mdash;on my screen the "Do" header is floating around the middle of the page. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:57, 21 August 2007 (EDT) ::I see what you mean with the "Do" header. What if I just adjust the picture a bit? Does that help? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 20:28, 21 August 2007 (EDT) :::Yes that did help. I still prefer the images on the right because that allows me to skim articles quickly down the left side, but if you prefer to keep them as is, please feel free to do so. Great article! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:01, 21 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Practically a perfect example of how a large-but-not-huge city should be treated. One minor quibble: the "in-line skating" and "mountain biking" sections under "Do" are curiously wimpy compared to all the good stuff around them. John, you're the local; what do you suggest for these? They're leftovers from a very early version of the article, and IMO could just be deleted unless there's something notable about doing these particular activities in Albuquerque. -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 22:44, 25 August 2007 (EDT) ::Yeah, there's really nothing notable about either of those activities in ABQ. I guess mountain biking has it's place, but whatever we want to say about bike trails we could just fit into the "By Bike" section of Get Around. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 04:04, 26 August 2007 (EDT) :::Okay, I've changed it, I think it looks pretty good now. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 14:15, 26 August 2007 (EDT) === [[Chicago/Near North]] === Probably the most-touristed area of [[Chicago]], particularly for shopping's sake. We have a ''ton'' of Buy listings (which weren't easy to come by on my empty wallet and absent fashion sense) and jam-packed Eat sections as well. I work around here, so I walk past many of these places on a fairly regular basis, meaning that I'm confident the listings are reasonably up-to-date. (And I realize I'm jinxing myself by saying so.) If nothing else, check out the gigantic raft of listings that Peter's map has to contend with. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 03:21, 28 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. This was a tough article, but I feel quite confident about it now. Critical feedback is definitely appreciated, though, because this is arguably the most important district article in [[Chicago]]&mdash;I'd like to see it done perfectly. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:42, 28 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Beautiful article. Great pictures, good listings, great map! [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 23:04, 29 August 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. You fellows did an great job. Wish I could do as well! [[User:(WT-en) 2old|(WT-en) 2old]] 10:28, 1 September 2007 (EDT) Last call for comments. Please chime in if you haven't already. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 23:50, 10 September 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Yep, another beauty from the Star factory twins. MoS looks perfect, pictures complement the article, and you even give advice on free internet at the Apple store... seems you've thought of it all &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 00:25, 11 September 2007 (EDT) ===[[Chicago skyline guide]]=== I was not planning to nominate this because I felt too unsure of what travel topic stars are supposed to look like. Indeed, I was more worried that it might get voted for deletion as a non-article. But I figure that as long as we're reviewing travel topic star-ification, we might as well have more fuel for discussion. This topic is fairly narrow, and while it still might be a stretch to say that this article covers the topic "fully," there are certainly ''no obvious omissions'' and any more coverage would be over-saturation. Listings match the MoS, but layout? It is not possible nor desirable to try and come up with a layout in the MoS for every type of travel topic. In any rate, this layout makes sense to me. I'm curious to see what opinions are on this one; in my view there aren't really any changes that could significantly improve it. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:21, 30 August 2007 (EDT) :'''Support'''. In terms of the description of what a star topic should look like, the article appears to cover the topic well enough (although you might need someone with at least some knowledge of Chicago to confirm that though!), the listings match the MoS and the layout used works for this article, which is what matters - travel topics are incredibly diverse so there's no sense in creating a standard layout. The annotated photos of the skyline are the equivalent of the required map. -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] <small>([[User talk:Tsandell|writeme!]])</small> 13:05, 31 August 2007 (EDT) :'''Support'''. The article seems to do a great job of covering the subject, at least as far as I can tell having never been to Chicago. All the buildings listed appear in at least once of the pictures, so it looks pretty complete. The only thing I can suggest is to find addresses for the Dirksen Federal Building and the Metropolitan Correctional Center. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 16:47, 31 August 2007 (EDT) ::Good catch, I've added the addresses. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:26, 31 August 2007 (EDT) :'''Support'''. I live in Chicago and know this subject reasonably well &mdash; and this article covers the topic better than I know it. Good mix of data and trivia, a great idea well-executed. As the article acknowledges, though, there are a ''lot'' of new buildings going up right now &mdash; the photos will have to be refreshed every so often. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 19:46, 31 August 2007 (EDT) :'''Support'''. Great job. It will benefit any visitor (like me). [[User:(WT-en) 2old|(WT-en) 2old]] 10:30, 1 September 2007 (EDT) ===[[Chicago/Bridgeport-Chinatown]]=== I feel like there just aren't enough star districts for Chicago, so here's one more. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:08, 18 October 2007 (EDT) *'''Support''', after taking a quick skim, I think it looks great! All the listings look complete, the maps and pictures are good, and there's lots of good info. Though, It does surprise me that there's only two places to sleep in the whole district, but if that is indeed the case then very well. (And no, there's just aren't enough star districts for Chicago. :-) I wouldn't want to see you stop until the whole city is one big, glorious, shining star!) [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 13:33, 19 October 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Nobody embodies the MoS more than Gorilla Fitzgerald &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 19:00, 19 October 2007 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Yup, this is a comprehensive one. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 14:10, 27 October 2007 (EDT) : Any more comments before this one is called? Both of us are grateful for feedback... [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 20:20, 2 November 2007 (EDT) ===[[Along the Magnificent Mile]]=== You'll never guess which city this itinerary covers. This is the most heavily touristed part of the city. The itinerary includes a marvelously detailed street map by Peter, and of the three districts it references ([[Chicago/Near North]], [[Chicago/Loop]], [[Chicago/Near West Side]]), one is a Star and two are Guides. What say you? [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 01:50, 1 November 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. I suppose this superb itinerary (supplied by Marc) will not soon superannuate nor see its supremacy superseded or otherwise become supplanted by superior star-noms. So let us not superimpose superfluous supplications for supplementals, lest they suppress our support of star status for this splendid, superlative piece. I'll stop now. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 03:06, 1 November 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. I says the same support for said supreme article. Such superlative skyscraping structures! [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 13:13, 1 November 2007 (EDT) * '''Support''', but would it have been possible to stop sooner? :-) -- [[User:(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill|(WT-en) Bill-on-the-Hill]] 22:23, 2 November 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Well written and sounds like it gives a good quick snapshot of what the city is about... we need more itineraries like this for other cities... and as far as I'm concerned any article that references ''Adventures in Babysitting'' is a shoe-in for star status &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 18:18, 3 November 2007 (EDT) ::Interestingly enough, there is only [[Chicago skyline guide|one other article]] to reference this 80's classic, and it is indeed already a star... Conspiracy afoot? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 04:10, 4 November 2007 (EST) *'''Support'''. Another fine article by the Dynamic Duo. [[User:(WT-en) 2old|(WT-en) 2old]] 15:24, 7 November 2007 (EST) :: Last call on this one... [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 17:47, 15 November 2007 (EST) ===[[Charlotte/Uptown]]=== I feel a little weird nominating this, considering I have never been to the South, much less Charlotte, but I'll go ahead anyway. A little while ago, the [[Charlotte]] article was nominated for Star status, and despite having good info it failed the nomination due to a number of large issues. Recently, I took a look at it and while the overall city article is still suffering from those same issues, a lot of the district articles are in great shape. So I bring you Uptown Charlotte, a fine article that really only needed some MoS touch-ups and a map to whip it into shape. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 16:22, 3 November 2007 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Great article, nice work on bringing it into the MoS mainstream! Our Charlotte guides are really pretty fantastic, and it's nice to see the city moving closer towards stardom. Only one cavil, not big enough to keep me from supporting: I would like to see some more travel-relevant information in the understand section to give travelers a quick overview of what downtown Charlotte offers to the visitor. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 03:56, 4 November 2007 (EST) * '''Support'''. Looking good! There's something that bugs me a little about the buy section, but I can't say what I'd do to fix it... hmmm... nonetheless, nice work! &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 02:42, 6 November 2007 (EST) : I agree that the Buy section looks rather confusing. I was a little disoriented by it when I did the map. I've just edited it for a slightly different layout, does this work better? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 20:37, 6 November 2007 (EST) ::Ya know, I'm wondering if the listing of all the businesses in the shopping centers is a bit much... especially with no descriptions... I think definitely McDonald's, Starbucks, etc should go... maybe it would be better in paragraph form listing the special things like Dean & Deluca, rather than look like a mini-yellow pages of the shopping center? &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 00:08, 7 November 2007 (EST) * '''Almost support''', and thanks to Cacahaute for saying what I planned to. I'd drop things like Dunkin' Donuts from the restaurant listing, and try to scrounge up hours for more of the restaurants. I'm concerned that the Buy section is so much lighter than the rest - virtually no phone/hours/address listings, and the descriptions are thin. Overall, though, this is a good, confidently written guide. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 00:43, 7 November 2007 (EST) :I've made some big changes to the Buy and Eat sections, does this work? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 13:39, 7 November 2007 (EST) :: Yes, it does. I would also suggest removing the pharmacies, and only list grocery stores if they sell something special (i.e. rare imported food) or are basically the only food option in the area, which obviously isn't the case here. Otherwise, looks good. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 23:25, 7 November 2007 (EST) ::: I dunno, why don't we keep the grocery stores and pharmacies? If people are staying in Uptown, they might want to know where these sorts of basic services are. I know I would sure appreciate information about a grocery store. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 23:01, 9 November 2007 (EST) :::: My experience - and others who know more should disagree - has been that we generally don't list grocery stores unless they provide some unique service that sets them apart from other grocery stores. We provide listings for restaurants because we know this particular restaurant is good, but unless they're also serving take-out lunch, one grocery store's Doritos are as good as the next store's. It keeps Eat listings from getting cluttered and places more focus on the unique places. Travelers looking to stock their hotel room with a trip to the grocery store are on the rare side and don't necessarily need our guidance to do it. But that's just my opinion - it doesn't hold up my vote of '''Support'''. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 22:54, 10 November 2007 (EST) * '''Support''' When I was driving to the South on a semi-regular basis years ago, Charlotte was my first spot to take a driving break. The article is much better than I remember Charlotte actually being. You may want to consider moving the '''Speed Street''' info from Charlotte to Charlotte/Uptown. NASCAR is VERY big in this area and should have more mentions in Wikivoyage, including the United States page. If you just had a photo of the Abe Lincoln statue standing in front of the Statehouse, the article would be complete. I always parked in front of Abe for a short snooze, that's snooze not snort. [[User:(WT-en) 2old|(WT-en) 2old]] 15:18, 7 November 2007 (EST) ===[[Chicago/Uptown]]=== Might be best to table the O'Hare nomination until those concerns are addressed - so here's another to chew on, as Chicago can't let [[Charlotte]] have sole [[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown]] supremacy. We've got Charlie Chaplin, Al Capone, Hillary Clinton and The Clash in there, which covers rather a lot of ground. Let me know what you think. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 13:44, 1 December 2007 (EST) :Hey, back off Windy City, Uptown belongs to Charlotte, no one else! (LOL, just kidding) I love this article. It's very well written and very thorough, it makes a great read even if you're not traveling to Chicago. I absolutely cracked up when I read this line: :''With some effort, you can mentally reverse the decayed grandeur and imagine the station as it was in 1923, when it replaced an inferior structure built by some dink named Frank Lloyd Wright.'' :Man, I was howling when I read that. Now I did notice a couple of ''very'' minor issues... :*In the intro there's a minor grammar error: "Years of cheap living created a diverse community that's still ''resident'' there today". :*There was no hours for the Vinh Phat BBQ, Gigio's, or the Grace African Restaurant. :*The Dong Thanh, Thai Pastry and Spacca Napoli weren't listed on the map. :Other than that, it looks perfect. '''SUPPORT'''. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 18:43, 1 December 2007 (EST) ::Thanks. Grace African Restaurant is quoting our review on their website - that's awesome. I called around to add the missing hours. I don't see the grammar error - 'resident' can be used as an adjective as well, if that's what you're referring to. I'll trust Peter to cram the missing listings into the map. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 19:21, 1 December 2007 (EST) *'''Support'''. This is one of my favorite articles now on WT&mdash;nice work Marc. I'll be sure to get Spacca Napoli on that map (not sure how missed that), but Dong Thanh and Thai Pastry are both located within the buy listing, Tai Nam Market Center. This is already indicated in the "directions" tags in the listings, but perhaps there is a way to make this more clear? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 11:17, 2 December 2007 (EST) ::Nah, don't worry about it. I think if I had actually bothered to read the listing, it would have been clear to me. :P [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 12:58, 2 December 2007 (EST) Final call on this one... [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 17:49, 14 December 2007 (EST) ===[[Chicago/Pilsen]]=== We don't have any star articles on the West Side of Chicago, only North and South, so I'd like to put this one up for consideration. Pilsen is off the beaten path for most travel guides, but it has an attraction that should be high on any visitors' list (National Museum of Mexican Art), and I think we've covered the art galleries, the shops, and the restaurants quite thoroughly. I had a lot of fun there, although Peter's map will make anyone else's visit a lot easier than mine was. Your comments, please... [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 18:17, 14 December 2007 (EST) :Another beautiful Chicago article! You guys have raised the bar for what Wikivoyage guides can become. Now just a couple of things (and I was more careful this time around): I didn't see hours for El Paraiso Bakery, and no prices for El Paraiso Bakery, Panaderia Tortilleria Nuevo Leon Bakery, Tacos Palas, and Cafe Mestizo (the last one might not be a problem as it's down in the drink section, but the other two cafes have prices so I guess Cafe Mestizo might as well...). Other than that, this guide is the absolute definition of ''perfection''. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 20:19, 14 December 2007 (EST) *'''Support'''. One of the smaller districts in the Chicago guide, and I think we honestly have everything worth covering in the article! I added pricing info for the above mentioned listings, except for El Paraiso Bakery&mdash;I think it's too hard to give an accurate idea of price since there is bound to be large variations in the kinds of things one would buy at a bakery (a cake? one cookie?). Not that this bears on star status, but Pilsen is a cool neighborhood. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:11, 14 December 2007 (EST) ===[[Loop Art Tour]]=== It may be presumptuous to nominate an article having just written it, but hey, I've always wanted to! I think this meets all the criteria, but I would of course welcome criticism. On which note I have to observe, if the saying "everyone's a critic" has any truth, then everyone has been rather quiet lately on this page ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 05:34, 15 December 2007 (EST) *'''Support'''. We just don't have enough star itineraries. And this is one heck of a guide! There is just one, teensy, minor problem: nothing links here. How are people going to find this absolutely magnificent article? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 11:51, 15 December 2007 (EST) : Good point. We'll work mentions into the main [[Chicago]] article and the [[Chicago/Loop]] article. '''Support'''. He's got this topic nailed down, including plenty that I didn't know (for all of the time I spent working down there), and a clear, easy route to enjoy it. I'd suggest Freeform as a lead photo, though, given its acclaimed status within the article and an easier form to grasp (compared to the more jumbled Town-Ho). [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 15:25, 15 December 2007 (EST) ::I'm tempted to leave the Town-Ho up at the top, both for egotistical reasons (the photo bears a strong personal touch, whereas I've seen others take a similar photo of Freeform), and because I like the statement it makes to put the most controversial work in the tour at the top. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 03:39, 17 December 2007 (EST) ===[[Chicago]]=== I believe this long article is completely [[mos|MoS]]ed, has several nice maps, lots of good pictures, and (IMO) better quality information than any other guide to the city I've seen. That and every district article is at least guide status. If others agree, this will become our second huge city star. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:25, 18 February 2008 (EST) : '''Support'''. By the numbers, [[Chicago]] has 22 district/airport articles (seven stars, fifteen guides - not counting the nominations below), 2 itineraries (both stars) and a travel topic (also a star), all of which have maps. The main article itself has a great overview map, district map, and even a crime map. The writing is lively and ties the areas of the city together, it's up to date, and I'm quite proud of the work we've done with it. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 18:42, 18 February 2008 (EST) * '''Support'''. You guys have done an absolutely magnificent job on this city. You've set a new standard for our large cities with thorough listings, great pictures and maps, and engaging writing. I don't think it would be much of an exaggeration to say that this is probably the best guide on Chicago ever written, ''period''. And congratulations on getting it through Wikivoyage Press! You guys have really outdone yourselves and done a great service to both Chicago and Wikivoyage. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 01:42, 19 February 2008 (EST) ::Anyone else care to pipe in and just say "support?" This would be only the second huge city star&mdash;kind of a big deal by WT standards, I think. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:13, 6 March 2008 (EST) :::On a second look at the page, I've noticed that the Get In by train section seems oddly lacking. Not a big enough deal to make me change my vote of support, but I feel like there could be more info there (Addresses? Phone numbers? List of Amtrak routes which serve the station? I dunno...). ::::That's a fair critique. I'm avoiding listing Amtrak routes, because that would quickly turn into a list of ''all major US cities'' save perhaps [[Las Vegas]], oddly. The lack of a Metra System map was actually kind of glaring, in retrospect, but I've put that in now, as well as the main out-of-Chicagoland termini, and phone #s for both companies. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:52, 6 March 2008 (EST) :::::Awesome, I'm satisfied now. :) [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 18:13, 6 March 2008 (EST) ===[[Chicago/Loop]]=== This is the downtown commercial district and the center of Chicago. For a long time it was a weak link, but it's now well filled out & supported by two walking itineraries. It's also got one of my favorite maps. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:25, 18 February 2008 (EST) : '''Support'''. I spend a fair amount of time here and the article feels comprehensive to me. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 18:42, 18 February 2008 (EST) * '''Support'''. After a very thorough scan of the article, I could only find one teeny, tiny thing: the Russian Tea Time restaurant is not covered in the map. Other than that, flawless. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 01:42, 19 February 2008 (EST) ::Whoops&mdash;that's a personal favorite of mine too (if the touty description didn't already give that away)! Fixed. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:32, 19 February 2008 (EST) ===[[Chicago/Wicker Park]]=== Marc wrote a great article to Chicago's hoppin'est neighborhood. It's a good read, complete, and up to star status. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:25, 18 February 2008 (EST) : '''Support'''. (Thanks.) [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 18:42, 18 February 2008 (EST) * '''Support'''. Looks excellent, save for the "Bongo Room" restaurant, which I can't seem to find on the map. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 01:42, 19 February 2008 (EST) ::Should be fixed too. ''Thank you'' for catching these! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:32, 19 February 2008 (EST) ===[[Chicago/Lincoln Park-Old Town]]=== Hmm. It appears we've put a star together for the frat boys. We can at least console ourselves with the knowledge that the article also includes Old Town, anyway. And it is, I think, a great and complete article. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:25, 18 February 2008 (EST) : '''Support'''. I think it does well by visitors with many different interests. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 18:42, 18 February 2008 (EST) * '''Support'''. Looks flawless, not to mention one of the most colorful neighborhoods I have ever heard of. You got the famous shooting of a famous bank robber, and a hot dog joint where the main attraction isn't the food, but profanity. How can you beat this? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 01:42, 19 February 2008 (EST) ===[[Chicago/North Lincoln]]=== I actually forgot about this one, thinking we had already starred it. Unquestionably the best existing guide to this section of the city. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:25, 18 February 2008 (EST) : '''Support'''. I live here and feel there are a lot of unknown gems in this article. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 18:42, 18 February 2008 (EST) * '''Support'''. Can't find any flaws with this one. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 01:42, 19 February 2008 (EST) ===[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf]]=== Seafood! Alcatraz! Sea lions! Cable cars! Streetcars! Um...chocolate! And, um...sourdough bread? It's been a while since we had a star nomination, so here's an article me and [[User:(WT-en) Asterix]] worked very hard on to bring up to speed. As far as I can tell, it's nothing short of a perfect district guide. Thorough, complete, informative, and just plain good. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 16:41, 7 June 2008 (EDT) : I'm inclined to '''Support''', as it looks thorough and detailed. There are some minor issues with capitalization - when you use 'the Wharf' to refer to Fisherman's Wharf, do you want to capitalize 'Wharf' or not? That's a style choice and either answer is fine, but it should be consistent. It'd be ideal if there were more Budget Eat/Sleep options, but that may not be possible. I'd suggest spinning out the last paragraph of the Understand section - about the scams - to a 'Stay safe' section at the end of the article. Otherwise, congrats on reaching a milestone with your hard work! [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 17:20, 7 June 2008 (EDT) :: Also would '''Support'''. Agree on the capitalization and would add "City" as one that might be lowercased, even more so than Wharf. I like the rest of Gorilla's suggestions as well. Nice going, guys. --[[User:(WT-en) OldPine|(WT-en) OldPine]] 17:30, 7 June 2008 (EDT) ::: I would say go ahead and capitalize 'Wharf', it seems consistent to me. Unfortunately there just isn't many good Budget Eat/Sleep options in this district, being the tourist haven it is. As for creating a 'Stay Safe' section, that sounds fine. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 17:34, 7 June 2008 (EDT) *<strike>'''Just one thing'''</strike>. Great, comprehensive, and perfectly formatted article. The only real recommendation I have regards the double-listing of the Buena Vista Cafe under eat & drink&mdash;I'd prefer that you decide which is the more important recommendation, and then just mention in the description that it also has a nice bar, or is also a worthy dining destination (ditto The Cannery & Pier 39). You can also use section intros to mention, say, in the drink section that such and such eat listing also has a great bar. The main thing, I think, should be to avoid content duplication, which looks sloppy compared to the perfectly polished shine the article otherwise shows. That's the only thing holding up my support.<br><br>Aside from that, a couple of cavils: First, you guys used an "average price" for the hotel rooms&mdash;what sort of average is that? Median/mode/mean? And of what, double rooms or all rooms? Personally, I tried to get around that ambiguity by listing price ranges. Second, you listed Ghirardelli Square under buy in the article, but under see on the map. Third (and most trivial), while it's not a policy, there is a vague Wikivoyage preference for the [[Project:Spelling#Harvard Comma|serial comma]], which I believe you eschewed. In any rate, fantastic work, and I hope to see more SF articles popping up on this page in the future! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 01:17, 8 June 2008 (EDT) :: Wow, how did I miss the Buena Vista Cafe? Well, I'll take it out of the Drink section, since on the map its listed as a Eat place.<br><br>Good point on the "average prices", I'll go ahead and find price ranges for them. As for listing Ghirardelli Square as a See on the map, it's because in the article it's also listed as a See (it's at the very bottom of the section) as well as a Buy. This kind of comes back to the issue of duplicate listings, of course Pier 39 and The Cannery do the exact same thing.<br><br>I didn't know there was a preference for serial commas (which makes me regret all the times I eliminated them...), so I'll go ahead and put them in. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 02:16, 8 June 2008 (EDT) ::: Okay, so the duplicate listings issue is taken care of, with the exception of the ''tiny'' issue of Pier 39 being a See and Do listing, but I'm not sure I want to mess with it seeing as they have separate content underneath the listing, which actually fits the section they're in. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 03:03, 8 June 2008 (EDT) ::::Looks great! I'd still prefer not to see the Pier 39 info duplicated word for word like that (it clashes with my parsimony devotion)&mdash;you could get around this by creating a section header for Pier 39-located listings, an introductory note for the "buy" section, or scratch the contact details & description for the second instance & replace them with an in-article link to the see section (i.e., <nowiki>([[#see|see above]])</nowiki>). But it's not so big a deal since "see" & "do" listings all wind up under the same list on the map key. Anyway, you've done more than enough to make me content. '''Support'''. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 03:10, 9 June 2008 (EDT) ::::: Nevertheless, I'll take you up on your suggestion to eliminate the details from any second listings. I've fixed the Do version of Pier 39 with a simple "content under See section" kind of message, and now there's no duplicates no duplicates no duplicates. :P [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 03:50, 9 June 2008 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Looks nice guys, good work! A question... what is meant by "Pier 39 is an accessible facility? Handicap accessible? Also in the Contact section the prices using the hyphen to separate the price and time allotted, to me, looks almost like a price range... minor quibble... but maybe "$3 for 20 min" is less confusing at first glance? Anyway, good work! &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 12:02, 8 June 2008 (EDT) :: Good catches. I don't know what is meant by "Pier 39 is an accessible facility" either (probably means it's handicap accessible, but then again so is everything else in Fisherman's Wharf), so I'll just eliminate that sentence. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 14:38, 8 June 2008 (EDT) We're almost at the end of the fourteen days, is there anything else anyone wants to add here? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 20:43, 21 June 2008 (EDT) ===[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach]]=== Ok, so here is a district article from SF that many contributors worked on including; [[User:(WT-en) Vkw]], [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet]], [[User:(WT-en) OliverBuchino]], [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2]], as well as some really great stuff form some anon IPs. Is it a star? [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 13:20, 18 July 2008 (EDT) *'''Support'''. It's a really well done guide. There are still a few listings in the Buy and Drink sections which are lacking hours, and we'll need those to make the article perfect, but that shouldn't be too hard to get. As far as I can tell, this guide has extensive listings (as it should, considering where we're talking about!), good descriptions, and a lot of great information. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 22:15, 19 July 2008 (EDT) :Am I seriously the only person who's commented on this? Surely ''someone'' else has something to say? At least a word of "Support"? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 20:05, 25 July 2008 (EDT) ::Hey, we've got 14 days right? I haven't forgotten&mdash;just haven't had time to give it a good look yet ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:37, 25 July 2008 (EDT) *<strike>'''One objection'''</strike> &mdash; listings are not in order! The default/most common order is alphabetical, and that's what I'd recommend. I'm pretty sure the only other acceptable order is geographical, like the sights in [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf]], although that is usually not possible. That's the only objection I have large enough to hold up star status. But yeah, the article is fantastic (and ''huge''), and I've got a hunch this is where I'll head first next time I'm in San Francisco. Just reading this made me so hungry I had to drive over to Chicago's Chinatown for food before making my edits. ::Actually, this was deliberate, and I spent a bit of time making sure the listings roughly ran from a south (chinatown) to north (north Beach) direction. I also listed the reason why in the article under "Get Around"...''There are many more parks, public seating, and cafes with curbside tables in North Beach, so why not see Chinatown first. That way, by the time you'd made it through its bustling streets you'll be ready for a coffee and a sit down in North Beach.'' So in actuality it's in geographical order. Is this ok? [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 13:16, 31 July 2008 (EDT) :::Ah, ok, so long as there is an order to it, I'll '''support'''. I do recommend adding a quick note in italics (probably at the top of the "see" section), explaining that the listings are in rough order from south to north. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:43, 31 July 2008 (EDT) Other less crucial things: 1) The article currently uses multiple formats to convey when a listing is closed for a specific day of the week (e.g., "closed on Mondays"). I'd recommend leaving such info out completely, since it should be obvious that any day not mentioned could then be assumed closed. (E.g., T-Th 5AM-10PM, F-Sa 5AM-midnight, Su 10AM-10PM.) But if you prefer to leave those references to closed days, that should be done in a standard fashion throughout the article. ::OK, easy fix [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 13:16, 31 July 2008 (EDT) 2)Did Kerouac stay here? With his friend or in a flophouse? If so, it would be great to call out the building or at least the street where he was living. On that note, perhaps it would be worth doing to list at least one of the SRO flophouses under "sleep," since someone visiting after reading ''On the Road'' might be curious to spend a week in one. ::As regards Kerouac - Not sure he stayed in an SRO in which case I wonder is it worth adding one? I know that he lived at 29 Russell st...but that's actually in Nob Hill area. I did add the places where he drank (Trieste + Vesuvios) and hungout (Kerouac Alley + City Lights)..not sure where else stayed and specifically at an SRO??...I'll have to look this one up. I thought I had one SRO in here but now I see it was in Civic Center. Perhaps it is worth adding one as you say.[[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 13:16, 31 July 2008 (EDT) :::Great, given how expensive San Francisco can be, I'd gladly slum it in a transient hotel for $160/week in a cool neighborhood. I've added it to the map. Also, a link to Kerouac's place in Nob Hill might be good for a "get out" section. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:43, 31 July 2008 (EDT) 3) The article's dashes are not standardized, using both hyphens surrounded by spaces and double hyphens to indicate breaks in thought. In [[Project:Spelling#Hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes|my opinion]], only mdashes (&mdash;) should ever be used for this purpose, whether you surround them with spaces ( &mdash; ) or not. If you'd like me to, I'm happy to quickly replace all the article's "breaks in thought" dash muddling with mdashes, and can do so in a jiffy&mdash;let me know. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:51, 30 July 2008 (EDT) ::Please - knock yourself out. I'm happy to accept the help. To be honest it took so long writing this article that I missed some of the smaller things. Thanks for the critique. [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 13:16, 31 July 2008 (EDT) :::Done. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:43, 31 July 2008 (EDT) ===[[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin]]=== As per the last nomination of [[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach]], the next biggest contributor was an anon IP. Thanks to he/she for adding some great listings under the Tenderloin budget options and for the breakdown of the ethnic communities there. I know that it is missing about 3 check in/out times for hotels...I'll get them over the 2 weeks. <strike>I also have to re-check the map I edited as it was my first time</strike>. [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 19:56, 2 August 2008 (EDT) :Looks good! It's also great for Wikivoyage to have such an awesome guide on a neighborhood most guidebooks will tell you to avoid. Some small quibbles: prices are needed for the Linc Art Gallery, San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, San Francisco Ballet, LGBT Pride Celebration, Kyoto Sushi, and La Quinta Inn and Suites Downtown. Hours are needed for Karma Culture and Starbucks, and check-in/check-out times would be good for the Civic Center Hotel and the La Quinta Inn and Suites Downtown. Other than that, I couldn't find anything missing. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 14:27, 11 August 2008 (EDT) ::From a very casual glance, it looks fantastic. Unfortunately, I'm really busy right now and can't give a detailed critique until the weekend. Would you mind please keeping this starnom open until then, past the 14 days length? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:55, 14 August 2008 (EDT) :::Not a problem...appreciate you taking the time to read it. [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 16:23, 14 August 2008 (EDT) Sorry for the delays. First, '''support''' &mdash; it's a fantastic article, and it's a joy to watch the quality of the travel writing develop with each star nom (I probably doubled my ability during my work on Chicago!). Regardless of the support, I like feedback, so I'll do unto others: <strike>1) I'd like to see less stay safe info in the intro&mdash;I think that section should just be a brief explanation of why someone should visit. A blurb about crime in Tenderloin (what a name!) and maybe a pointer to the stay safe section in the understand section should be sufficient IMO.</strike> <strike>2) We decided, I think, to use St instead of Street for all street names throughout articles about American destinations. I already converted all instances in this article (easy to do via notepad's find/replace-all option).</strike> 3) There's a ton of writing about street boundaries of "Loin hoods" (wanted to say that). I think it would be really worthwhile to show this on the map instead via color regions. If you're looking for a model, check [[Chicago/Far Northwest Side#Get in|this map]]. If you need any help with that, let me know. <strike>4) Hours are missing for buildings in the architecture section. I tend to travel late in the day, and hate when I miss beautiful interiors because they closed at 4PM or something like that.</strike> <strike>5) I'm confused -- gay pride day is when? the second day of SF Pride?</strike> 6) Karma Culture needs hours. 7) I thought that the "drink" section for Tenderloin didn't quite seem to live up to the introduction (which definitely made me interested in hanging out there). Would it be possible to toss in a few more interesting dives, gay bars, and dance clubs? <strike>9) You also might want to tout that lively gallery scene in the understand section a bit more.</strike> Lastly, so I don't forget when I next visit&mdash;top on my list after reading: Original Joe's, and I'd definitely like to be a tourist who visits laundromats for ice cream and wifi ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:24, 18 August 2008 (EDT) :Again, thanks for the detailed critique, it definitely makes the article stronger. Sometimes after working on one for a while, it becomes difficult to see the wood from the trees, so it's good to get an objective opinion. I've fixed most of your points so far &mdash; the rest I'll do in due course. [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 14:21, 19 August 2008 (EDT) ===[[San Francisco/Golden Gate]]=== Hi, I'd like to nominate this district article. I know it's pretty big (hopefully not too big), but it is probably the largest district in SF in terms of see and do stuff etc. All comments r welcome. [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 14:07, 20 August 2008 (EDT) :'''Support'''. Sorry it's taken me so long to get around to going through this excellent article. I loved this part of SF, with its gorgeous buildings and everyone's favorite bridge (right?). Anyway, in general it looks very good. Some quick thoughts: :*Should there be a "By bike" bit in the Get in section of this article? I know that generally the hills make biking hard in SF, but there were a LOT of bicyclists riding along the Bay and across the Bridge when I went there. Perhaps we should throw that in. :*The price for the African American Historical and Cultural Society says "Free — on the first Wednesday of every month." Does that mean it's not free the rest of the time? If so, we need some prices. :*Inspiration Point isn't marked in the map. :*We could use prices for the Blue Bear Performance Hall. :*We need hours for House of Magic <strike>and Safeway</strike> under Buy. :*Check-in/check-out times needed for Presidio Inn & Suites. :Other than that, awesome. Awesome writing, awesome pictures, awesome place, just awesome. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 14:33, 30 August 2008 (EDT) ===[[Sheki]]=== This article is the most developed article in the Caucus region and is quite through in its detail of sights, places to stay, and even some cultural insight to the city. *'''Support'''. I've already critiqued this article on the [[Talk:Sheki|article talk page]] and had my concerns addressed&mdash;I think it's ready for a star. I'd be happy to hear other critiques though, if they are forthcoming! If this one makes it, we'll get to add a new section to the [[Project:Star articles]] page for the [[Caucasus]]! Anyway, [[User:(WT-en) Cupcakecommander]] has done some terrific work with this one, making a truly complete guide to a city for which no other real guides exist, and which is a lovely travel destination&mdash;easily one of my favorites in [[Eastern Europe]]. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 10:12, 10 September 2008 (EDT) *'''Almost Support''' - There is only one thing I think should still be fixed. Prices below 1 AZN is given both with (''0.5 AZN'') and without (''.5 AZN'') the leading 0. For uniformity and to ensure that one does not accidentally read 5 AZN for .5 AZN, I would suggest that they all be change to include the leading 0. --[[User:(WT-en) NJR ZA|(WT-en) Nick]] 13:45, 10 September 2008 (EDT) :::Done. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 13:49, 10 September 2008 (EDT) *'''Almost support'''. Wow, what an interesting place! If this becomes a star it'll be fantastic, as we don't have any from this region of the world. After a long scan though, I found some nitpicky issues I thought should be addressed: :*<strike>Most of the listings that have hours lack days. For instance, is this place open daily, or just a few days of the week?</strike> :*<strike>The Handicrafts under Buy is not marked on the map.</strike> :*<strike>There's an infobox for Eliehmed Confectioneries, but should it just be its own listing? And if so, it should be marked on the map if possible.</strike> :*<strike>There's two eat listings marked on the map which have no mention in the article, as far as I could tell: Milli Yemeklar and the Turkish Bakery.</strike> :*<strike>The Kerpish Restaurant, Laziz Restaurant, Cold Spring/Soyuk Bulagh Restaurant, and Sheki Saray Hotel Restaurant lack prices.</strike> :*<strike>One of the hotels is spelled Shail Pansinot in the article, but Sahil Pansinot on the map.</strike> :*Finally, none of the hotels have check-in/check-out times. But then again, I don't know if its customary for hotels to have that in this part of the world. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 14:11, 10 September 2008 (EDT) ...am PerryPlanet, I'm pretty sure postings are supposed to go in sequential order??? [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 15:43, 10 September 2008 (EDT) :You'd think they would, but when I was editing the page the only edit conflict I had was with Peter's reply to the guy above me. I didn't even see yours until I was finished editing the page. Don't ask me... [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 19:14, 10 September 2008 (EDT) ::::You're right, there are definitely a few map updates missing&mdash;thanks for catching these! I'll try and get a hold of Josh to help me locate the confectioneries listing on the map. I think I stayed at one place in the Caucasus that had a check-out time, but didn't encounter any here. Anyway, we haven't been including that in the criteria for star articles, and I'm not sure I'd want to change that. When you call the hotel or arrive there, they'll tell you themselves! And I agree that the confectioneries should be listingified, but I'll need Josh to do that, since I don't have an address. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:04, 21 October 2008 (EDT) *'''Some Objections:''' I like this article, it seems like a really simple and quaint place. Overall I think it’s great, I like the abundance of pictures which really compliment the text. Mostly just some MoS issues for me… :*<strike>Listings are not in alphabetical order.</strike> :*<strike>Not all the listings are on the map</strike> :* It would be nice I think to get more specific with some listings, like in the “Drink Section”… to give the names and addresses of specific cafes etc. :*<strike>Throughout the article it uses the 24 hour clock, which I prefer, but is this standard on WT? Also, it lists 10:00 instead of 10 etc.</strike> :*<strike>How much is entry to the Drama Theater?</strike> Also, how much do the guided tours cost? :* <strike>It would nice to have hours in the “Buy” section, even for the Bazaars.</strike> :* In “Eat” section, average prices or price ranges for regional specialties would be good and <strike>there are some prices missing for a few restaurants there.</strike> :* <strike>I notice that some of the phone/fax numbers are missing the ‘994’ prefix...I think I saw 944 in there as well. Also lengths of phone no's differs somewhat...might want to check that.</strike> :*Is there anything else that could be added to the “Cope” section…like publications etc? :*As per verbage in the “Contact” section, it would be nice to more than one post office marked on the map. :* Caravansarai is mentioned in “See” and “Sleep” which eschews the “no duplications rule." <strike>Also their phone no’s are different?</strike> :* I don’t know does it apply as much here, but any info on check in and out times in “Sleep?” :* <strike>I don’t think that all of the sections need introductions but perhaps it would help to add a few? For example, imo “Eat” could use one, as could “Sleep” and “See”</strike> :* Not sure about touting the bottled water as ”healthy” so much especially with environmental concerns about bottling water etc :*<strike> Abbreviations for address needed…St not Street etc.</strike> :*<strike>’T’ used instead of ‘Tu’ per time and date format.</strike> Sorry about the long list; most of them would probably not stop it becoming a star but I think that some would. If I catch anything else later I’ll let you know. Well done on a great job. [[User:(WT-en) Asterix|(WT-en) Asterix]] 14:01, 10 September 2008 (EDT) ::::I talked with Josh about the teahouses quite a bit, and our agreement eventually was that there are no real differences between the teahouses (same tea, same men milling about), they have no phone numbers to call, and they're all over the place&mdash;they'd be hard not to find. So we decided to leave individual listings for them out of the article. If someone is looking for one, they'd probably only have to walk a few steps, but they could also check the map for the ones located close to tourist areas. ::::We're still sort of debating whether to use the 24 hour clock for destinations that use it (that is, all posted schedules in Azerbaijan are in the 24 hour format), but I don't think that should hold up a star nomination anyway--as long as the article is internally consistent. ::::For the drama theater & guided tour prices, my guess is that they vary wildly, but I'll try and get Josh to comment on that. ::::Regarding the Caravansarai, I'm not sure that there is a better way to display the information. It's the second biggest attraction in the city, but is also perhaps the best hotel option as well. I've taken out the (incorrect) contact information in the see entry and linked directly to the sleep entry, where you can find the contact info. Hopefully that will resolve this problem, as well as it can be. ::::And regarding the bottled water, the natural mineral waters in these parts are supposed to have all sorts of health benefits, and are safe from parasites, so I think that's what that is referring to. ::::I'll make sure to get all the map issues fixed too. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:49, 21 October 2008 (EDT) *'''Support''' Though i agree with the above comment, that listing should be on the map of possible [[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Sertmann]] 13:23, 25 September 2008 (EDT) * '''<s>Almost</s> support'''. I think it looks pretty good and pretty darn close... once all the above concerns are addressed, I'll support. Definitely hours should be formatted correctly, and also phone #'s should all start with +994 &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} ::::I'm still working on some of the above concerns, but wanted to document that I've taken care of both the hours and phone numbers. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:11, 21 October 2008 (EDT) Just wanted to jump in and let any potential slushers know ''not'' to slush this discussion. Hopefully I'll get some help from [[User:(WT-en) Cupcakecommander]], but I'm committed to getting the above issues resolved and getting a nice star on this Caucasian article. Just a matter of time. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 01:17, 11 October 2008 (EDT) :OK, I think I've done all that I'm inclined to do. I've stricken the objections/suggestions that have been taken care of. The ones that remain, I've tried to address in that longer comment just above. What's the process for making this a star now? Nick and Asterix have both stopped contributing here, so they won't be able to reverse their earlier positions... --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:30, 11 November 2008 (EST) ::It's looking much better now...I'm rather confused about the Handicrafts listing though. It looks like it's labeled "Handicapped Association" on the map, but then under the Shebeke listing, you have the "Handicraft Association headquarters at 85 Vidadi St", which is different than the "18 A. Cabrayilov St" given under the Handicrafts listing. So I'm definitely rather bewildered on that one. But other than that it looks fine. I fully '''Support''' now. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 00:26, 12 November 2008 (EST) :: If someone is not checking regularly, I think it's unfair for a potential star, to drop into oblivion, just because of this. And besides they would have ample time to object by now - so I think the nomination should carry on regardless of these users opinions. And I of course still '''Support'''. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 19:36, 15 November 2008 (EST) OK, I'm going to give this another week (so 2 weeks from my final fixes), before declaring it our first ever FSU star! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:06, 18 November 2008 (EST) ===[[Washington, D.C./Anacostia]]=== It's been a while since we've had a star nom, so I figured I'd nominate one of the most benighted and impoverished slices of the [[United States of America|U.S.]] I've held off on nominating this one simply because it is such an unconventional travel destination, but I do believe it's formatted to a tee, an enjoyable read, and probably the best extant guide to Anacostia anywhere (there aren't many!). Lastly, I promise I'll get in some D.C. star noms in the future that aren't quite so intimidating to most visitors. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:15, 19 April 2009 (EDT) :And note: the listings are few, but this is ''complete''. I know this area well, and I really don't think there is anything else worth including&mdash;there are precious few business establishments here, despite it being such a large swathe of land right in the center of one of the nation's largest metro areas. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:19, 19 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. After a scan of the article, it seems to read well and I can't find sufficient enough reason to oppose it. However, the way everything on the map is tilted makes it rather aggravating to read. I don't mind the map itself being tilted (north doesn't always have to be up), it's all the icons being tilted that gets me, along with some of the street names ("Branch Ave" is practically upside down). Also, hours for the rest of the Eat/Drink listings might be good. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 00:06, 20 April 2009 (EDT) ::Ah, whoa, I forgot about those eat/drink hours! I'll be sure to call tomorrow and see if I can't get the businesses in question to tell me when they're open (this will actually be hard in Anacostia...). And regarding the map, I rotated the icons to match the street layout, in order to make it easier to distinguish which street the icons are located (especially at corners). If it's bothering people, I'm sure I could move them back to 90 degrees. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 00:37, 20 April 2009 (EDT) :::I personally didn't even notice the icons, but rather the park names. I can't think of any reason for those to be tilted. And Branch Ave does look a little odd upside down. =) [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 08:23, 20 April 2009 (EDT) ::::I've finished tracking down those last listing hours (as I expected, it was like pulling teeth). --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:06, 20 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. But (without having seen the alternative) I think I support moving things back to 90 degrees. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 10:03, 20 April 2009 (EDT) ::I remember now why I kept all the icons/park text/etc. tilted with the compass&mdash;I did it with printed use in mind. If someone prints out the article, they can just tilt it so that north is at 90 degrees, making the whole map a lot easier to use. I'll create an extra layer for an export in the fashion people are requesting, and make the decision once we can see them side-by-side. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 16:46, 20 April 2009 (EDT) OK, here are the two map versions, one with text & icons tilted north, the other with them rotated to display online at 90 degrees. I still prefer the former for two reasons: 1) it makes more sense for offline use, since you can just rotate the printed page (or iphone or whatever), and I always print WT maps before using them anyway; 2) forcing viewers to tilt their heads is not necessarily a bad thing&mdash;it can otherwise be easy to miss the fact that the whole map is indeed rotated 45 degrees off compass north. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:39, 20 April 2009 (EDT) [[Image:Anacostia map.png|500px]] [[Image:Anacostia map key rotated.png|500px]] * '''Support'''. Looks really good. Re the map, I ''do'' think that maps should pretty much always be oriented for north... I see that it's funny shape/orientation is probably why you did it the way you did, and in that case I like the tilted text so you can rotate as you mentioned.... I would definitely be holding it for north were I using it to travel and would appreciate the thought behind that :) &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 02:24, 21 April 2009 (EDT) **So you guys would rotate the map back and forth when trying to correlate the legend with an item on the map? It strikes me as odd, but I don't have the real-world experience you guys do. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 08:03, 21 April 2009 (EDT) ***Yeah, I'd have to go with Lt on this. I think the map with the "corrected" icons just reads a whole lot easier, especially when you take the legend into account. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 12:15, 21 April 2009 (EDT) ::::Yes, the legend is the part for which I would tilt my head ;) I have something of an internal compass, so reading the map as it is in the second version is more comfortable, but also more confusing. I'm still not sure which way to go with this, since there is disagreement&mdash;hopefully there will be more comments. If we decide to go for the second version, I would be inclined to keep the former updated as well (which is easy given how few travel icons the map requires), and link to it from the second's image file as an offline printing option. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:29, 21 April 2009 (EDT) ::::: Or link from the image text "click here for a North oriented map better suited for printing" or something like that... --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 14:57, 21 April 2009 (EDT) ::::::@LtP: I wasn't thinking so much about the back and forth when looking for legend items.... I more have an overall dislike of maps that aren't oriented for north.... so yes, I would hold the map so that north is facing up, and read it that way. But I'm definitely not trying to stir up a big debate, the article could go forth with either version and be just fine &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 21:39, 21 April 2009 (EDT) :::::::Might as well clarify the reasons why I tilted the map to begin with: 1) To keep the map aligned north would entail an image covering much more territory, and consequently the icons and text would be much smaller relative to the image, and hence a lot harder to read. 2) the problems of #1 are relevant both online and offline&mdash;the rectangular format makes for easy high-res printing on standard 8x11" sheets of paper. 3) A more square image (necessitated by a northern alignment) would show a lot of blank space, particularly on the MD side (and there's nothing important to add there&mdash;the main roads are already in&mdash;it would just look unattractive). --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:24, 21 April 2009 (EDT) ::::::::Just to clarify, the decision of which map is used has virtually no impact on whether I support promotion to star, I do in either case. However, I still stubbornly cling to my belief that map #2 is easier to read. ;) I like the idea of linking to the more printable version from the "online version"; in fact I'll likely be doing just that with a whole bunch of maps if I can make a Wikivoyage Press book out of the San Francisco articles. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 00:00, 22 April 2009 (EDT) '''Support'''. Overall, excellent article. Actually, I think excellent is an understatement. Great work, Peter. -- [[User:(WT-en) Sapphire|(WT-en) Sapphire]] • <small>([[User talk:(WV-en) Sapphire|Talk]])</small> • 16:45, 21 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. The coverage and maps are definitely star-worthy, and I love that some of Wikivoyage's best articles are places that other publications only skim (if at all). My only issue is that the introduction is rather dry &mdash; I'd like to see at least one sentence or phrase in there with a kick, something with a note of excitement about the place. It's not until halfway through the third paragraph of the article that you begin to make any kind of case for visiting there. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 22:57, 21 April 2009 (EDT) :::I gave a go at tightening and enlivening the introduction. I also added a "Words of Wisdom with Mayor Marion Barry" infobox, words of a man who never faltered in the cause of enlivening everything he touched. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 01:07, 22 April 2009 (EDT) :::: Yes. Yes, that is most enlivening! [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 23:58, 29 April 2009 (EDT) ===[[Washington, D.C./Shaw]]=== As promised, more D.C. nominations. This is a section of town that I know pretty much in and out (although I can't totally vouch for the womens' shopping listings, of course...), and to my eyes it's complete. It's also formatted properly, unless I missed something, and hopefully my prose is up to snuff. This is my favorite part of the city, so it would bring me a smile to put a star on top. Thoughts? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 16:50, 20 April 2009 (EDT) *'''Support.''' Looks good! There are a few listings missing hours (Blink Optical and Circle Boutique under Buy and Ben's Chili Bowl under Eat) and an Eat listing missing prices (Negril), but other than that it seems great. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 19:24, 20 April 2009 (EDT) ::Oops! Fixed. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 20:00, 20 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support.''' The only questions I'm left with is if the exhibitions inside the Thurgood Marshall Center and Black Fashion Museum are free, not that this nitpicking should prevent a star nomination from going through (that, and hmmmm, more alarming I noticed the IsIn tag isn't working on Washington, D.C. - lemme see if I can fix that) --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 20:19, 20 April 2009 (EDT) : Ah, old news I guess --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 20:24, 20 April 2009 (EDT) ::Yeah, no one understands what's up with the D.C. breadcrumbs. I finally got responses from the TMC and BFM&mdash;the former is indeed free, and the latter closed last year. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 16:20, 21 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Nice work again PF &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 02:24, 21 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. The photos in this article are superb &mdash; I can't think of an article on WT with better. And the depth of coverage is fantastic. Should it say that Thurgood Marshall ''wrote'' his opinion at the Y, or did he just think up what he was going to write while he was there (and do the actual writing somewhere else)? Also, there's some creeping confusion between "the district" as a term for D.C. and "the district" as a term for this district ''of'' the city. I'd prefer italics for the non-English words in the 'Eat' section, but that's just a personal preference. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 23:12, 21 April 2009 (EDT) ::Hey thanks for the photo compliments! My camera is pretty low-grade, but that crisp March sky couldn't have been better. I went through and got rid of all ambiguous references to "the district" (I sort of figured this would become a problem). Re: Thurgood Marshall, to my knowledge, the idea that he actually penned the opinion there is an unconfirmed rumor. What is clear, though, is that that's where he met with other prominent members of the African-American bar to prepare the opinion. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 00:42, 22 April 2009 (EDT) ===[[Chicago/Chatham-South Shore]]=== Let the torrent follow the drought. This is actually a ''new'' Chicago district, following a reshuffle of the hierarchy, and I'm pretty sure it's up to star standards. The formatting should be correct, it lists just about everything of note&mdash;the cream of the crop anyway, and I don't know if I could bear the sight of a South Side district without a star on top. My Chicago love is such that I can't pick a favorite neighborhood, but man the BBQ is good down here! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 03:25, 23 April 2009 (EDT) *'''Support wholeheartedly'''. Another mind-blowing Chicago guide, Peter! Anywho, on to the nitpicking: I see there's no prices for Dat Donuts; I'm not sure if that was intentional, since it's a donut shop, but it might be good to know how much one of their fabulous donuts will cost. There's also no hours for the Club Escape. Other than that, looks awesome, what with all the BBQ, Blues, and Blues Brothers. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 13:09, 23 April 2009 (EDT) ::I can't believe I forgot the donut prices! That was my regular 4AM haunt for a long while (tryin' to cut back on the donuts lately). Anyway, fixed, and thanks once again for catching these missed details. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 13:43, 23 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. I'm biased, obviously, but it consistently blows my mind how a skinny white kid is the foremost authority on Chicago's fried chicken, BBQ, and soul food establishments. But he is! There's a best-selling diet book in there somewhere. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 23:57, 29 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' Looks good --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 09:54, 3 May 2009 (EDT) ===[[Washington, D.C./Georgetown]]=== And another D.C. district article nomination. This, after the [[Washington, D.C./National Mall|Mall]], is probably the most touristed section of the city, so it's a useful one to have at high quality. I lived here for a good while, so I think the recommendations should pretty much all be spot on, but I have had to check my tendency towards derision in this article&mdash;hopefully my efforts to tone that down have been successful! Everything should be properly formatted, as I checked over this one more carefully than the other nominations, I think. Filling out those shopping listings was extremely painful, so I want a star in return. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:16, 28 April 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Looks good! Really thorough, excellent guide. But now for the nitpicky stuff: It might be nice to have some contact info for the C&O Canal and the GU Library, like a phone number or something. There seems to be a lot of listings missing hours: Georgetown Tobacco, Peacock Cafe, Citronelle, Sequoia, Blue Gin, J Paul's, The Tombs, and Degrees. Also, there are a few places from Buy that are not on the map. I'm not worried about the chain places, I'm talking about the listings: Sugar, MOCA DC, and Parish Gallery. Also, shouldn't The Shops at Georgetown park be on the map? I've never been to D.C., so maybe it's really easy to find, but I can't see it on the map. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 20:08, 29 April 2009 (EDT) ::Wow, the hours were all over the place&mdash;I'm a little amazed that I missed that, and I think you were being overly generous in supporting the article in that condition! But all your points have now been addressed. MOCA & Parish were left off deliberately, as they are included in the "Canal Square Galleries," but, of course, I had forgotten to mention that in the listings... Again, a very big thanks for catching these details; it's extremely helpful, and I'll make sure to return the favor on any of your future nominations. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 00:53, 30 April 2009 (EDT) :::Ah, I knew you would fix up these little details in an instant. Why put down a vote of "near support" when I knew I'd have to change it so soon? ;) [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 11:43, 30 April 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' A lot to read through, but I can't find any issues, and I'm really impressed with the Buy section. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 09:54, 3 May 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' [[User:(WT-en) ViMy|(WT-en) ViMy]] 11:42, 19 May 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Great article! I loved the Dumbarton Oaks and Exorcist Steps descriptions, although the article is rich with enjoyable asides throughout. You might indicate somewhere that the Hoyas are the university mascot (outside of that one 'Buy' listing), since people will hear a lot about them. And the Georgetown basketball team probably deserves a 'Do' mention, since they've produced some of the USA's best basketball players over the last couple of decades. You noted your concern about the photos on [[Talk:Washington%2C_D.C./Georgetown]], but they're not bad &mdash; illustrative of the area, if not as artful as the photos in [[Washington, D.C./Shaw]]. As a formatting note, I prefer using foreign words in italics, but I don't think there's a WT policy on the issue, so that's just personal preference. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 01:04, 20 May 2009 (EDT) ::Good point on the GW basketball&mdash;I've added an infobox to take care of that. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 05:24, 20 May 2009 (EDT) ===[[Copenhagen/Amager]]=== Inspired by Marc's comment that some of our best guides are for places barely mentioned in regular guide books, I thought I'd give this nomination a go - aside from a short section on Dragør, LP doesn't have a single listing from this district in their guidebook. It suffers a little from being a really huge district (100km2/60mi2), but I don't think braking it up would work well, and 10 districts in a city of one million is already stretching it. My only major concern is the prose, so I would appreciate if you guys would go a bit deeper than skimming, and fix up the language where it's lagging. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 09:54, 3 May 2009 (EDT) *'''<s>Almost</s> support'''. I fixed up a lot of the grammar, although I might have missed some, but I think I got it all. Anyway, it's a great guide, but it's feeling a little lacking. The tiny intro to the article and the lack of a lead picture are particularly glaring, and there's no intros to the Eat and Drink sections. There's also some problems with the map - the main one is that it's too small. Even when I zoom in, I can barely read it. Also, none of the Contact listings are on the map. However, I think all these problems can be fixed up pretty quickly. To your immense credit, I don't see any obvious lackings of hours, phone numbers, or any of those little but crucial details in the listings, so you've one-upped Peter there. ;) [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 12:58, 3 May 2009 (EDT) :: Hmmm, the intro was not that much smaller than say [[Washington, D.C./Anacostia|Anacostia's]], but I tried expanding it a bit - though it feels like repeating he understand section a bit. Lead picture, yup, need to come up with something there. Wrote up a small intro in eat, and shuffled the intro to the drink section above the subheader. Contact listings were updated on the map, right before the nomination - you might want to refresh or something? As to the size of the map, I'm a bit at loss at what to do - should I just make a bigger svg export say 2000 pixel tall instead of the current 1200? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 16:50, 3 May 2009 (EDT) :::Yeah, but Anacostia's intro was criticized too. ;) Anywho, I see the Contact listings on the map now (huh, could've sworn they weren't there before). Making the map bigger isn't that hard - you can just select everything, hit Ctrl+Shift+M, click scale, enter a number (say "25", that'll probably do it) in both boxes and that'll enlarge it for you. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 18:49, 3 May 2009 (EDT) :::: My bad, what I meant to ask was if increasing the size would be sufficient, or do I need to rework the map completely? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 19:41, 3 May 2009 (EDT) ::::: I think increasing the size of the map should be fine. It's a good map, it just needs to be a little bigger. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 20:05, 3 May 2009 (EDT) :::::: Agreed. Just increase the resolution, so it can be printed -- Wikivoyage Press recommends 1709x3008. (You can shave off the green park bits to the west so make it fit this ratio.) [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 23:08, 3 May 2009 (EDT) ::::::: OK, I've resized the map to 1709x3008 --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 06:09, 4 May 2009 (EDT) :::::::: Looks good! I '''support''' now (although I would still like to see that lead pic, but that's not a crucial point). [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 13:18, 4 May 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Shit island populated by Amaricans, eh? I hope this isn't some elaborate international put down. Great article, and I have trouble finding anything to cavil about. One that stands out is the description for Madeleines Madteater&mdash;I have no idea what it is, what it serves, why it's so unique, etc. I made a few minor corrections to fit publishing standards I'm familiar with, like using mdashes instead of hyphens for parenthetical usage, and spelling out numbers zero&ndash;twenty. This could be an undesirable Americanization, though&mdash;if it is, please revert. The last improvements I'm left wanting is to see the sleep section ordered by price&mdash;with nine, I think there are enough listings for this to be useful; and for a short intro in the Contact section (or short descriptions) explaining what the listings are for (do they all offer internet access?). --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 08:12, 13 May 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Great article. Agree with Peter, the sleep section could be ordered by price. [[User:(WT-en) ViMy|(WT-en) ViMy]] 19:36, 16 May 2009 (EDT) : OK, so I sorted the sleep listings by price, and no - I'm not masterminding an anti American conspiracy - at least not in this regard :) As for Madeleines' they prepare and serve the food as a theatrical performance (there is a photograph and a more comprehensive description in English [http://copenhagen.unlike.net/locations/302664-Madeleine-s-Madteater here]) - but isn't that what the listing is already saying? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 12:38, 19 May 2009 (EDT) ::The listing says "staging the food as a theatre of sorts", which to me means they set the food up to resemble a small theater stage with curtains made out of lettuce and, I don't know, use puppets on it or something. Just a wording tweak should fix that up. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:21, 19 May 2009 (EDT) :::Hmm, I tried to rephrase it a bit, but I think it may just be a concept around which minds wrap with difficulty. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:09, 19 May 2009 (EDT) Three weeks is up, last call for comments before putting a shiny star at the top of this one! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:04, 24 May 2009 (EDT) :::: '''Support'''. I love the neon monstrosity infobox! Just one quibble: pick a lead image for the article. There are worthy candidates in the body (excepting, of course, the aforementioned monstrosity). [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 17:52, 24 May 2009 (EDT) ::::: Anybody ready to go final with this one? Just needs a lead image in my estimation. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 17:18, 14 June 2009 (EDT) ::::::It's now a star! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 01:25, 15 June 2009 (EDT) ===[[Chicago/Lakeview-North Center]]=== Now that we have a sufficiently huge amount of 'Drink' listings for every corner of this article (and plenty more in reserve on the Talk page), I believe it's ready for a star. It covers one of Chicago's top attractions, Wrigley Field, as well as several major theaters and music venues. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 17:26, 14 June 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Looks very solid and it's very fun to read. <s>But now for the nitpicking: Anthropologie and Gaymart don’t have hours; Lincoln Restaurant, Nookie's Tree, The Chicago Diner, and Que Rico! have no prices, the Century Shopping Centre isn't on the map, and I think Digital Network Solutions is labeled as Computer Network Source on the map. Other than that,</s> looks great. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 18:57, 14 June 2009 (EDT) : Thanks for the scrutiny. I've added the hours & prices. I just noticed the Computer Network Source name change today. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 20:28, 14 June 2009 (EDT) *'''Support''' (surprise, surprise). If I had a problem with the article, I would have brought it up already. And I've updated the map. Great article from our resident ape, and a special thanks to [[User talk:(WT-en) Allioop|Allison]] for pushing the drink section to star status. Unrelated, but I had a grand old time at Wrigley last Friday watching the Monopoly Man make a fool of himself. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 01:18, 15 June 2009 (EDT) :: My, how time does fly. Last call on this one... [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 11:46, 28 June 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' I only have one minor quibble - Music Box, shouldn't that read ''tickets'' or is that American slang for something? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 17:54, 1 July 2009 (EDT) : "Ticker" is American slang for a heart...so, no, that was just a typo. Thanks for catching it! [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 18:28, 1 July 2009 (EDT) ===[[Big Bend National Park]]=== Howdy, all. I'd like submit for nomination a destination dear to my heart: [[Big Bend National Park]]. Hopefully everything is up to snuff. [[User:(WT-en) Army of me|(WT-en) Army of me]] 00:59, 30 June 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. It's been a pleasure to watch this article grow, and I can't see any obvious room for improvement. I hope I'll get to put it to use soon! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 12:15, 30 June 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Fantastic article! I'm always finding reasons to be proud of our park articles. However, there is one thing - the star criteria for a park says that the article must have a Wikivoyage-style map (this was established when [[Zion]] was promoted to star), rather than the regular NP version. If you want, I can make this map, because this article is truly exquisite. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 13:13, 30 June 2009 (EDT) ::I was wondering about that. Do you know where that discussion took place? IMO, the detailed NPS park map with all the trails is going to be more useful than a WT-style map, and it's Public Domain, so it's not like there are any licensing issues. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 13:17, 30 June 2009 (EDT) ::::Ironically, I think I used some of those same arguments way back when...The discussion is here: [[Project:Star nominations/Archives#Zion National Park]]. I don't want to hold Big Bend back from star status for this minor issue either, but it became such a big deal when Zion was up that I figured it would come back... [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 13:59, 30 June 2009 (EDT) :::I'm not sure the NPS map is readable at printed size, but I'm also not sure I'd hold the article back from Star status just for that reason. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:22, 30 June 2009 (EDT) ::::If you are up to creating a WT-style map, with at least the trailheads marked (if not the trails)&mdash;awesome. It might be necessary to use more than one png for such a map (e.g., northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest). But like Ryan said in [[Talk:United_States_National_Parks#What_Maps_are_appropriate_for_NP_articles.3F|this discussion]], I don't think it makes sense to substitute a WT-style map that is ''less'' useful than the NPS map. Per a strict reading of the star status criteria, use of an NPS map could be a disqualifier, but a WT-style map could satisfy the requirements for star status without being up to the NPS standards! ::::It would be great if we could grab the vector version of the NPS map and alter the colors to our preferred style, maybe remove the vague topographical definition, etc. But unless someone here has access to a vector graphics editing program that can import NPS pdfs (like $600 Illustrator [http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/]), then that won't be a realistic option. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:11, 30 June 2009 (EDT) :::::Just tested, and Inkscape can open it without problem. The entire background is one easily-removable element as well. - [[User:(WT-en) Dguillaime|(WT-en) Dguillaime]] 17:05, 30 June 2009 (EDT) ::::::Aha, so I was raising a fuss for no reason ;) I'll whip up a WT-style map from the NPS pdf today. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:23, 30 June 2009 (EDT) :::::::That was extremely easy! I'll play around with the map a bit more, to remove some of the less important info, make the more important info more visible, alter some more of the colors for visibility, etc. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:38, 30 June 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. I love this part of Texas, and this article is excellent &mdash; it feels comprehensive, provides exactly the right level of detail on everything, and is thoroughly enjoyable to read. (And FYI &mdash; I have access to a copy of Illustrator should it ever prove necessary.) [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 20:55, 30 June 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Good news on the map discovery, that's handy, I ''would'' have not supported without a WT map (no other guidebook would go to publication with a NP map just because it's easier :) Peter, are we not using [[Project:How_to_draw_a_map#Main_map_area|green]] for NP map backgrounds anymore? &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 17:03, 1 July 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' Fantastic guide, and as for the map I have a feeling the standard dark green, would make it confusing to read, but maybe we could test it? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 17:57, 1 July 2009 (EDT) ::It's not the dark green used for city parks, it's green [[:Image:Map-USA-Yosemite00.png|like this one]] :) &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 18:27, 1 July 2009 (EDT) :::I'm no fan of that old neon green, but I've put up a quieter green version for comparison [[Talk:Big Bend National Park#Map|here]]. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:59, 1 July 2009 (EDT) ::::Love it.... perhaps you should propose that as the new standard on the htdam talk page &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 20:08, 1 July 2009 (EDT) * It's a great article, and as someone said, it really is an enjoyable read. I just have one question: I have seen previous discussions about the need for linked articles to be at guide status. Does that still stand? There are some red articles, but more importantly, the cities [[Study Butte-Terlingua]] and [[Lajitas]], which are mentioned repeatedly as the places to "Eat", "Drink", and "Sleep" are only outlines... Is that an issue? [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 02:33, 2 July 2009 (EDT) **I think that usually means linked in a "regions", "cities", or "other destinations" section (that is, sub-articles that would point back to this one in breadcrumb navigation). [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 11:10, 2 July 2009 (EDT) === [[Hiroshima]] === Hereby submitted. It has two city maps and a transit map; the atomic bomb sites are thoroughly covered, including a few that no other guidebook has picked up, but it also has enough for several days in the city, and even things to do with kids in tow. This would be our first [[Japan]] star and second for [[Asia]]. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 09:06, 27 July 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' Yay! more non US stars! Excellent lively writing and an amazing history section! I'd like to see more of listings spelled out in Japanese though, I remember from my first visits to Japan, that I always ended up showing the Kanji from Lonely Planet when asking for directions. Though I know it breaks the system, so maybe that's an open call. As for the usual nitpicks; open during school hours - may not be very telling for the average tourister, Tachikoma's hours just reads F-W? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 09:49, 27 July 2009 (EDT) :I don't think it should be an open call; as you stated, it's extremely helpful. I think it'd be a good policy to list all attractions in their native script, if they do not use the English alphabet (or a mutually comprehensible one). I imagine it would help to list names in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, etc. on their respective pages. At any rate, I've added the Japanese script to all of the "See" listings outside of Peace Park. :I haven't fully reviewed the page, but I did notice the '''Flame of Peace''' is missing from the map (and perhaps the park description). It's located on the opposite side of the pond as the Cenotaph, and the flame is to burn until all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed. It's an interesting part of the park, and a good conversation piece. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 23:15, 30 July 2009 (EDT) :: Yeah, that's a good idea. (And thanks, Chubby, for doing 'See'!) To clarify, though, are you saying that every 'See' listing should have kanji, or every listing in the article (hotels, bars, etc)? The flame of peace is mentioned in the article, but the phrasing of the location is muddled, so I'll clarify that and add it to the Peace Park map. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 23:41, 30 July 2009 (EDT) :::For me, I think just "See" is enough for foreign scripts. Of course, I can't speak for Stefan. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 00:02, 31 July 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' Extremely well-written article. &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Ravikiran r|(WT-en) Ravikiran]] 04:50, 31 July 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. It's always a good sign when an article really makes you want to visit the destination it speaks of. It's incredibly well-written and all the listings look good. There's one thing though - I'd like to see a little more correlation between the tram map and the regular one - nothing big, I want to see the tram map stay (it's very useful), I'd just like to see the stations marked on the regular map so I can tell exactly where the tram goes. Other than that, I have no qualms and it's a fantastic article. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 14:59, 1 August 2009 (EDT) : The tram stations are so close to each other &mdash; only a block or two apart in the city center &mdash; that the map wouldn't be able to fit all of the names. Symbols might be possible, although they'd be a tight fit. Would drawing the tram lines on the streets work? [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 19:53, 4 August 2009 (EDT) ::The tram line with symbols would be good. Maybe just adding the names of the most prominent stops would be suitable. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 20:21, 4 August 2009 (EDT) ::: '''Last call''' for this one &mdash; tram lines & stations have been added to the map, and a long distance call placed to Tachikoma for hours. Any other comments? [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 16:24, 16 August 2009 (EDT) *<strike>Almost</strike> '''support'''. My say on this has already expired (I've been preoccupied with D.C.), so you can go ahead and add the star without addressing my concerns. That said, I only have one&mdash;shouldn't the phone numbers all have the country code included "+81"? Is there a reason not to do this? It would take me about 30 seconds to fix this, so just say the word. Aside from that, I have two non-crucial map suggestions: 1) change the grey background to the light grey color&mdash;I think this increases readability marginally; 2) increase the text size of the main road names just a little bit. <br>Quibbles aside, this is a fantastic article, and will be a great model for how to do a large-city right. It's also, surprisingly, our second Asian star, the only one since Singapore (which was more than three years ago). Congratulations on a job well done! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:33, 16 August 2009 (EDT) : No, I don't have any feelings about the phone numbers &mdash; the word is said, please format as appropriate. [[User:(WT-en) Gorilla Jones|(WT-en) Gorilla Jones]] 19:21, 16 August 2009 (EDT) ::Done. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 20:12, 16 August 2009 (EDT) ===[[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios]]=== I believe everything in this section of Walt Disney World is now covered. This is somewhat of a test case, as your comments here on what might be missing will hopefully make it easier to get the other WDW articles up to star quality. I'm a little worried if the prose is up to snuff, but I tried to make it as engaging as possible. It has a full map and I'm trusting my grammar skills not to have missed anything obvious. I'm available to make changes as necessary. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 17:03, 5 July 2009 (EDT) : '''Support''' - I'm pretty impressed with this, and it seems like most reservations brought up at the last round (before distrification) has been addressed, especially with the great map! Get all the districts up to snuff, and we might start luring in a new demographic to our quest for world domination, google willing. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 17:26, 5 July 2009 (EDT) : '''Support.''' I'm impressed ''exponentially'' with this. I'm positively sure that a Star nomination for this article will push both the main Walt Disney World article and all the other subarticles towards being Stars. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 22:27, 5 July 2009 (EDT) : '''Comments'''. :# I'm not sure about the '$', '$$', symbols on food and drink. I don't think that is what we currently use for price ranges, is it? :# I see the red hands, but I have to refer to the stay safe section in a different article for the rules? What if I just printed out this one for my day at this park? :# I don't like the merged See/Do sections. Surely there are some things in the park to be ''seen'' - shows etc, and other things to be ''done'' - rides etc, according to our criteria. Why merge them here? :# I think exclamation marks are a little overdone - too many for one article, and I think words like ''pretty cool'', and ''neat'', sound a little odd, without really meaning much. :# Some parts read a bit like a Disney brochure. We don't refer to the traveller as a guest in other articles, should we here? Star Tours an experience like no other for Star Wars fans? Hmmm.. - perhaps in the 80's. --[[User:(WT-en) Inas|(WT-en) inas]] 00:38, 6 July 2009 (EDT) ::# I've gone back and forth on them. There are pros and cons both ways. The pro side is that these match up with what guests will see in their guide maps at the park, and they make it easy to tell at a glance how expensive a place is. It wouldn't be hard to go through and replace them with price ranges if deemed necessary. ::# You could make that argument for a lot of things, like the Advance Dining Reservations, weather tips, Fastpass, etc., which would mean duplicating large portions of [[Walt Disney World]] in each of the five district articles. We could do it, but it would become a nightmare to maintain. I thought we usually tried to not duplicate information where possible. ::# Brief discussion occurred at [[Talk:Walt Disney World#See/Do]]. Shows are, strictly speaking, under "Do" along with rides according to our criteria, so the See sections would be rather barren. It would also disrupt the grouping by area organization. Still, this is something that could be done if deemed necessary. ::# I was starting to run out of adjectives. Specific suggestions for replacements are welcome. ::# Strictly speaking, the statement about Star Tours is true, 80s or otherwise. There are no other Star Wars theme park rides, certainly not in a motion simulator. As for your first comment, I'm not sure what you mean. Parts of the [[Chicago]] guide read like a Chicago brochure, too. With similar goals, that would seem to be inevitable, wouldn't it? ::-- [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 06:41, 6 July 2009 (EDT) ::: I think a star article should adhere to our policy, and be an example which we want to be copied and emulated. Perhaps we want this article to align with the Disney guide, but if we do, I think it should remain a guide. To become a star it should exemplify ''our'' guide style. I think this reasoning applies to the joint See/Do, and the prices as $$ signs. Maybe they are a good idea here, but do we want that style deployed widely? If not, we shouldn't use it in a star article - at least until there are enough stars to make it clear that this is an exception. ::: I'm not saying the article shouldn't advocate visiting the park. I just think referring to visitors, travellers, ''us'', as guests sounds like a guide produced by the company. I don't think the Chicago guide sounds like it is written by Chicago tourist info. ::: I was just giving Star Tours as an example, but saying that it is an experience like no other for Star Wars fans has an implication far greater than the fact that it is the only Star Wars licensed ride, IMO. --[[User:(WT-en) Inas|(WT-en) inas]] 07:19, 6 July 2009 (EDT) ::::Most "unofficial" guidebooks published by third-party publishers (Fodors, Frommers, etc.) also use the $-$$$$ system for dining prices. Let me also point out that WDW's official price range system consists of four parts, not three. ::::: I'm not saying it is a bad system, just that currently it is not our model. Best to discuss at [[Wikivoyage_talk:Restaurant_listings#price_ranges]] --[[User:(WT-en) Inas|(WT-en) inas]] 18:59, 6 July 2009 (EDT) ::::It's very unlikely that someone will actually print the page out and bring it to the park, considering the fact that park maps are given away for free. Also look at it this way: I wouldn't want to bring my Lonely Planet guidebook or my laptop computer with me into the park -- it would be way too much of a burden. In other words, the purpose of the article is to provide planning information ''before'' you set out, not ''during'' your trip. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 10:42, 6 July 2009 (EDT) ::::Regarding your comment, "What if I just printed out this one for my day at this park?" If you did so, the map would be too small to read, so you would have no other choice but to enlarge the map and print it separately. Same goes for sections in the main article. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 11:04, 6 July 2009 (EDT) : <s>'''Not sure'''.</s> It is a great guide for sure, and I'm willing to overlook some of the things Inas commented on (the '$$' symbols and combined See/Do section don't bother me so much, considering we are talking about a theme park setting and these will probably be the best way to handle them in cases like this), but I think Inas hit the nail on the head when he talked about the tone of the guide. The caption for the first picture is a good example: "The giant Sorcerer's Hat tells you that you've entered a place where the magic of film is brought to life." It really does read like a Disney brochure to me. But then again, I'm not really the kind of person who would go to Disney World, so I wonder if the tone is appropriate considering the audience who will read this guide (specifically, patrons of Disney theme parks). Still, I feel like we could tone down the promotional-sounding language, while still making the language lively. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 13:32, 6 July 2009 (EDT) ::I'm not sure I fully understand what you're getting at. Is there a ''good'' example of prose in the article that you could point out and I could emulate? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 22:09, 7 July 2009 (EDT) :::I just read through the article and although the caption under the Sorcerer Hat and the one under the 13-floor drop ride are a bit cheesy, the prose within the text doesn't seem promotional to me. It's definitely not completely positive and glossy. I've never been to Disney, but the article does mention when attractions are not quite as advertised/expected. The possible let-downs and shortcomings are there. Inas may have a point about the "See and Do" thing, since it has been changed on other pages that have put them together, but it reads fine to me. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 22:44, 7 July 2009 (EDT) ::::I think ChubbyWimbus put it best as "cheesy". There are many good examples of prose in the guide, but I'm not sure which one I would pull out to use as an example. Maybe I would change that photo caption to "Just as in ''Fantasia'' before it, the appearance of the Sorcerer's Hat means you're about to experience the magic of film." Although ''that'' sounds cheesy too, but hey, it's a thought. After another scan of the article, I'm at a lost to suggest how to improve it, which probably means there isn't much to improve. I'll change my vote to '''support'''. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 17:22, 8 July 2009 (EDT) :::::My intent is to make the best article I can, so I don't want to seem as if I'm browbeating anyone with excuses just to get them to Support. I will keep a lookout for less-than-sparkling text, but some guidance really would be helpful. =) [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 19:28, 8 July 2009 (EDT) ::::::You're not browbeating me, I'm just at a lost to provide guidance, because I keep running into the brick wall of "this is a ''theme park''". I'm used to dealing with cities or national parks, but everything that makes sense in those cases just seems to hit the wall here. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 22:30, 8 July 2009 (EDT) :'''Constructive Points''': Great work, its come a long way in short time. Since our '''Stars''' are the revered models for imitation, I have some minor points for improvement. :Aesthetically, I don't like to ever see a full screen of all text. I realize that's not a quantifiable policy, but my first impression is that more pictures would make me more interested in the content. I think one picture per Section is a worthy goal (excluding Drink and Sleep). Also, the existing photos could be larger than thumb size to be more engaging (specifically Sci-Fi dine in theater, I have to click on it to tell what it is). Other iconic images that might be helpful are ones for the Muppets or Star Tours. :Structure wise, how come '''Get Out''' is missing? I think it would be helpful even if it was a condensed, albeit perfunctory, reminder of the Get In info, with links to the other parks. --[[User:(WT-en) Jtesla16|(WT-en) Jtesla16]] 18:53, 8 July 2009 (EDT) ::I have to be very careful with pictures due to copyright concerns. A picture of the big Kermit balloon attached to the top of the Muppet*Vision 3-D building, for instance, would be a derivative work of the illustration on the balloon. Not to mention potential character trademark issues. I probably should try to find a picture of one of the resorts, though. ::As for image size, I thought it was considered best practice to not specify a size for thumbnails except where necessary; this allows users to set their preferred thumbnail size. If the images are too small for you, you can change your thumbnail size in your preferences. ::Get Out is missing because it's largely redundant with the Districts and Get Around sections of the parent article. The [[Project:District article template]] doesn't even contain a Get Out section, so it seems that it's generally not needed. Besides, our guidelines generally advise against duplicating information within an article; they specifically say that Get Out should not just duplicate information from Get In. If you had something different in mind, by all means, let me know. =) :: -- [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 19:28, 8 July 2009 (EDT) :::I think there is justification to enlarge the images in this case, and exercise the exception. Most anon Users will have the default thumb setting, and for them the images won't look like an integrated part of the article. I think if the image isn't clear at default thumb size, there is room within [[Project:How_to_add_an_image#Thumbnails|the policy]] to specify a size that works. --[[User:(WT-en) Jtesla16|(WT-en) Jtesla16]] 20:03, 8 July 2009 (EDT) ::::I have enlarged the images per the guidelines in [[Project:How to add an image]]. How do they look now? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 21:27, 8 July 2009 (EDT) :::::Looks great! If you're able to avoid the copyright issues, I'd like to see a couple more images too, to make it visually complete. --[[User:(WT-en) Jtesla16|(WT-en) Jtesla16]] 21:47, 8 July 2009 (EDT) :'''Update:''' I have added additional pictures, revised some of the wording, and replaced the dollar signs with actual price ranges. Please re-review and comment. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 19:44, 9 July 2009 (EDT) *<strike>'''Oppose'''</strike>. A couple, relatively easy-to-fix obstacles: :1) I think the trivia section should go. I'm pretty sure I just deleted one elsewhere, this is definitely not an established practice, and the Wikipedia experience was that these proliferate fast, with little benefit to the articles. (Trivia sections tend to be an excuse to substitute travel writing with lazier bulleted lists.) Plenty of good information there, which should be easy to move to listing descriptions, section introductions, or the understand section proper (I think the MM Club info is already there, in fact). :2) "prices vary" should be converted to a price range. I'm pretty sure the only instance was the Championship Stadium. :3) "lunch, dinner" should be converted to hours. That's a standard WT policy that I find very useful. My apologies if resort-wide hours for meals is already covered in the main article, if such standards exist. If they are all the same within this "district," then that should be noted in the "eat" section introduction. :I have a couple other non-critical questions/suggestions. :First, Street names here are overwhelmingly non-abbreviated, although we have decided to use St, Ave, Blvd, etc. instead of full names. At a Disney resort, though, perhaps the names are thoroughly considered proper names, which should always be spelled out? Second, the get around section is very long, and seems redundant given the map&mdash;perhaps it could be cut down (significantly)? Also, there are a couple referrals to the "Times Guide." Apologies if this too has already been discussed, but other (often competing) guides are the last thing that we want to refer to people&mdash;our guides are supposed to be fully self-sufficient. I'm not sure what the Times Guide is, exactly, but is there another option that doesn't refer readers to another guide (if it is a guide)? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:14, 12 July 2009 (EDT) ::1) The trivia section is Jonathan's, I'm ambivalent on it myself. It was originally an infobox; would it work better in that form? :::I'll revert it back to an infobox. The reason I put it in the main text was because the main text area was blank. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 00:22, 13 July 2009 (EDT) ::2) Yeah, prices at Champion's stadium "vary" because there's a bunch of different events that go on there. I was unable to find prices for the Braves' preseason games at all, mainly because there aren't any more until next spring. I could list GCL Braves ticket prices but that might be misleading. I can try to revise it to list the different events as separate listings if that would help. ::3) I believe hours, as far as the line between breakfast/lunch and between lunch/dinner, are uniform throughout WDW, but the real problem is that the exact opening and closing times vary with the park hours. So, for instance, on days when the Magic Kingdom is open until 7pm, all of the restaurants that serve dinner will be open until about 7pm, but on days when the Magic Kingdom is open until 9pm, the restaurants will also be open later. In that respect, for any restaurant that serves breakfast or dinner (which is virtually all of them), their operating hours vary. I could use "park open-park close" but is that more useful than "Breakfast, lunch, dinner"? I don't know. ::4) Re: Abbrevations. It had been my understanding that abbreviations were only needed in listings, but it appears I may have been mistaken. That said, I think an argument could be made for the areas of Hollywood Studios that are named after roads. They're not really streets themselves, just themed as such. Certainly the name of one of the stores on Sunset is '''Sunset Boulevard Shops''', not '''Sunset Blvd. Shops'''. =) For the areas themselves, I can go either way, but I think the prose looks better with them spelled out. I note that existing star article [[Along the Magnificent Mile]] does not consistently abbreviate, so there is some precedent. ::5) Get Around is only five paragraphs. It looks long because the map is so big. I think it's important to describe the lay of the land, so to speak, even if only for people who cannot see the map. ::6) The Times Guide is a weekly publication from Disney listing parade and show times for each park. There is no possible way we or any other guide could present this information to the traveler. I should perhaps explain that somewhere in the article, if it's unclear. Suggestions for where to put the explanation are welcome. ::--[[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 19:42, 12 July 2009 (EDT) :::I agree with the WP policy, I don't see why trivia can't be integrated into the article, rather than kept separate. Those sort of asides make for good, readable travel writing&mdash;spread them out! I think it's fine to give a wide, approximate price spread for the stadium events. If you're having trouble figuring out what the range should be, give 'em a call. I assume the main article's understand section would be the best place&mdash;a brief "Visitor information" section is pretty standard. :::I think using "open" and "close" for park opening/closing should be fine. If lunch follows a set time, say 11AM-2PM, you could use "open-2PM" or "11AM-close" for the hours fields. (On this topic, I can't find the actual park hours for WDW anywhere in the main article.) If lunch ''doesn't'' follow a set time, then all the more reason to nail down the opening/closing times. This issue is not hugely important, but star status entails a level of polish that leaves no smudge. :::Oh, and the abbreviations policy came about after that article was written&mdash;it's an artifact, not a precedent ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:57, 12 July 2009 (EDT) ::::Park hours vary daily, and the weekly schedule varies seasonally, and the park hours are only set by Disney 2-3 months in advance. I don't think it's possible to represent that in the articles, beyond perhaps a general statement of same. [[Project:Abbreviations]] doesn't seem to require that abbreviations always be used without fail. Certainly we don't always abbreviate "United States of America" or "United Kingdom". For the others I'll see what I can do. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 08:28, 13 July 2009 (EDT) :::::I've made several revisions to the text. See [[Project:Abbreviations#Scope]] for a discussion on abbreviation requirements. I'm still working on trying to track down hours for the restaurants; they are extremely hard to find. Is that the last thing needed for your support, Peter? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 12:07, 13 July 2009 (EDT) ::::::Yes, that's the only remaining substantive objection I have. I figured the restaurant hours would be hard to find, given the nature of the destination. At least the people you'd have to talk to speak English though&mdash;damned if I'll ever get the hours for those hole-in-the-wall pupuserías in DC... --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:52, 15 July 2009 (EDT) :::::::At this point, I'm not certain that hours are consistent enough to put into our listings, but I'll keep looking. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:13, 16 July 2009 (EDT) ::::::::I found hours for most of the restaurants, although I can't personally vouch for accuracy. The one I couldn't find is the Wide World of Sports Cafe, but I suspect that's because hours vary widely depending on when events are scheduled; I can't see them keeping it open if there are no events. I hope the article now meets with your approval -- I'm still ready and willing to make further adjustments as necessary. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 21:21, 19 July 2009 (EDT) :::::::::Yep, looks great! '''Support'''. Nice work on this&mdash;paving new ground is tough. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:47, 19 July 2009 (EDT) : The article reads ''much'' better now. I like the tone. I just think the one phone number should be consistent, and we should resolve the See/Do vs See and Do on the article templates just to make sure this article is an example of the right way to do it. I '''support'''. --[[User:(WT-en) Inas|(WT-en) inas]] 05:49, 27 July 2009 (EDT) ::Great, thanks. Can I ask which phone number you mean? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 09:41, 27 July 2009 (EDT) ::: Just did the phone number. The DC stars use an ampersand instead of slash. Personally, I think spell out ''and'' in full. --[[User:(WT-en) Inas|(WT-en) inas]] 23:49, 30 July 2009 (EDT) ::::I'm fine with any of the three, but we should discuss it somewhere more central. It's nothing that can't be easily changed once we make a final decision, fortunately. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:13, 31 July 2009 (EDT) *'''Promoted'''. Thanks for your comments and support! [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 17:15, 17 August 2009 (EDT) ===[[Walt Disney World/Epcot]]=== Here we are again, folks. I think I've covered everything in this area of Walt Disney World, but it's a lot more involved than Hollywood Studios was. I appreciate questions and comments, especially related to issues that might not have come up in the Studios nomination. '''Note:''' I plan to be adding an Epcot resorts map within a few days, but I think the article is complete without it and I didn't want to wait to start getting input. -- [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 16:42, 29 August 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Reads really well and is packed with info. A few of the restaurants seem to be missing hours, and more info for the Buy listings (nearly all of them are missing hours) would be nice, but otherwise it looks fine. Good work! [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 23:03, 29 August 2009 (EDT) **Thanks, I overlooked the hours for the Coral Reef and the ESPN Club. Kouzzina's hours are not yet set, AFAIK, since it's still in soft-opening mode. As for buy, I'll see what I can do, but all of the shops in the park operate from opening to closing time; in the hotels it's pretty much "all day" but I can understand that specifics would be useful. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 12:50, 30 August 2009 (EDT) * '''Update'''. I've added the resorts map. I put it in the Eat section because most of the items on the map are restaurants and because the Eat section had room for it. =) I also have added the Candlelight Processional event to the Annual Festivals section. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:47, 30 August 2009 (EDT) : I'm very much aware it's my own little hobby horse, and I'll see if I can maybe do something to fix this myself, but either we should get rid of my little attempt to add some culture to the darn thing (which would make me sad, cause I really like it), or we need some work at the Italy, France and Canada sections in the world showcase. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 16:36, 30 August 2009 (EDT) *'''Not sure.''' The descriptions of the World Showcase pavilions are pretty long, and they seem anything but relevant to the matter at hand. (Although I admit I did the Germany, Italy, France and Canada ones myself.) Seriously, I doubt the average visitor would be enticed by the historical/cultural/religious/etc. value. However, other than that I am impressed with the way the rest of the article turned out. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 21:10, 30 August 2009 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Some Buy listings could use hours, but the article turned out nicely. I also think the descriptions are fun to read, so if anyone expands Canada, France, Germany and Italy, it would definitely be a star. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 06:39, 8 September 2009 (EDT) *'''Update'''. I've tried my hand at improving the Germany, Italy, France, and Canada descriptions. I'm still looking for hours for the shops in the resorts, but they're hard to find. (On the other hand, they're generally open long hours; most visitors won't encounter any shops that are closed just because they've showed up too early or too late.) [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 21:48, 8 September 2009 (EDT) *'''Almost'''. The only thing I'd really like to see before starring are the hours for buy listings in the resorts. Non-essential things: 1) I don't think it's necessary to repeat the resort addresses for every eat, drink, buy, etc. listing&mdash;you could just state in the directions field what resort the listing is in (as you already have done). 2) I suggest you revisit your [[Talk:Walt_Disney_World/Epcot#Map|initial worry with the map]], and find a good way to make Spaceship Earth more prominent (if you want to resurrect the SVG object I made, it's available [[:wts:Image:Epcot map.svg|here]]. As you said, it's not at all obvious where it is, and it should be. Especially for someone unfamiliar with the park, who just wants to print the map&mdash;until I read the article, I knew it only as "that big Epcott ball." Those things said, this is a very solid article&mdash;nice work! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:51, 18 September 2009 (EDT) **I ''think'' the resort stores are usually open until 11 at night, and mostly they open up an hour or two before the parks open. That applies to the Disney resorts; for the Swan and Dolphin I can't be sure. For the map, I'll see what I can do; there didn't seem to be a lot of reaction to my original concern so I left it with just a light outline around the sphere's circumference. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:35, 22 September 2009 (EDT) *'''Update'''. Maps, prose, and listings have been updated per the above comments -- please review and see if they meet with your approval. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 15:44, 1 October 2009 (EDT) **Should I assume the silence means approval? Or are there still improvements that must be made? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:01, 8 October 2009 (EDT) *** Guess you should, my concerns have been adressed anyways, so i'd be happy to smack a '''Support''' after this one, great work. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 15:53, 8 October 2009 (EDT) *'''Promoted'''. There doesn't seem to be any remaining opposition. Thanks for your input, everyone. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 19:53, 12 October 2009 (EDT) ===[[Washington, D.C./National Mall]]=== The Mall is regularly put in the top five of lists of the world's most visited attractions, so it's desirable that we cover this one well. It's an odd district article, since it's basically a city park, and thus an exception to our usual rules about [[Project:What is an article?|what does not get an article]], so I'm not as confident as usual that this will pass the star nomination process, although I do feel it should. I perused the other travel guides to see how they handled their Mall chapters, and I found that basically all of them are very similar to ours in terms of breadth and depth, with the one exception of the Rough Guide [http://books.google.com/books?id=2MeU8ayGaZsC&pg=RA2-PA385&dq=rough+guide+washington&ei=oFLUStLCCKXWNIP_tfgB&client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q=smithsonian&f=false], which devotes something like 2&ndash;3 pages per museum/memorial! So they are describing the individual exhibits in detail, including temporary exhibits, and providing maps of the bigger museums. This is something that we ''could'' do, but I don't know if we should (it struck me as overkill): keeping exhibit information and maps up to date would be very work-intensive, so this route might leave us with perennially out of date information; we'd also be duplicating the free maps and exhibit information brochures right at the entrance to all the museums. For these reasons, we've decided against attraction maps for museums in the past. So in sum, I'm nominating this article largely because I'm curious whether others think we are currently handling the Mall article properly&mdash;if we are, I think it's a star. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 06:26, 13 October 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. It is very good. I have never been there, and I hate cities, but after reading the guide I am quite keen. There are a few issues with grammar, like "''Not content to reside only on the document itself, their signatures have been reproduced here, etched in large granite blocks.''" but otherwise I like it. I have no idea of whether it is complete, as my ignorance of the place is almost total. It does seem to be a destination in its own right and there is certainly enough content for a stand-alone article. As a district it is somewhat unusual in that you cant sleep there or buy much, or by the look of things, drink at all. Nevertheless I can't see offhand how better to handle the article so I will support it as an exception. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 08:58, 13 October 2009 (EDT) **The grammar of that sentence looks fine to me. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 09:05, 13 October 2009 (EDT) :::What is it that is ''not content''? The signatures? Not a big issue though. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 10:22, 13 October 2009 (EDT) ::::Yes. Anthropomorphizing their signatures is an odd thing to do, but with all the writing in the D.C. guide, I need the occasional eccentric turn of phrase to keep from going to sleep ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 10:31, 13 October 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. "Can you sleep there?" is a rule of thumb only; it is merely a means to an end. The "end", in this case, is distinguishing an ''attraction'' from a ''destination''. While the National Mall may sit on the wide border between these two categories, I see no reason it shouldn't get its own travel guide. (That goes for just about any such location; if we ''can'' write a decent travel guide on it, we should.) [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 14:53, 13 October 2009 (EDT) **Oh, just a note, though -- I assume you realize that the Supreme Court's location wasn't really considered as part of the original plan, right? There's one bit in there that implies otherwise, so I just wanted to make double-sure. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 14:55, 13 October 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Any article which mentions Stephen Colbert is good in my book. ;) It's really well-written and seems pretty thorough. And I'm not bothered at all by the fact that you can't sleep there - I think there's too much to see here to realistically pack it all into an adjacent district article. On a similiar note, I wonder how making this a star will impact our feelings on articles like [[Central Park]]? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 17:38, 13 October 2009 (EDT) *'''Support'''. An extremely well written article which makes me wish I had made an effort to spend time at the National Mall during several past visits to Washington. Some nice quirky touches Peter, superb map and top class imagery.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 10:41, 19 October 2009 (EDT) ===[[Hilversum]]=== I have been working for a while on my hometown, and I think it turned out nicely. This must be the most thorough coverage of Hilversum in any guidebook, as it is not a well-known travel destination... As I am not a native English speaker, there are probably things that can be improved. So I hope to get some advice and tips on how to make it better, and hopefully it will turn out as a star. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 19:46, 13 September 2009 (EDT) *'''Looking good!''' Feels and reads like a thorough and complete guide. There are plenty of grammar errors sprinkled throughout the article, but they're easy enough to fix (I'll fix some myself when I get the time). A couple notes though - none of the Buy listings have hours, along with an Eat listing (Victor Consael) and a Drink listing (De Dokter), and there seems to be a lot of red links in here. I would look into fixing those two issues, but other than that it seems pretty good. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 23:22, 13 September 2009 (EDT) *'''Update'''. Yeah, the grammar errors are my fault, as I am not a native English writer ^^ I did not add the 'buy' hours on purpose, as they are all the same -- they follow the general shopping mall hours (and it's such a long list of hours). But for clarity, we could add them like this: M 1PM-6PM, Tu-W, F 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su closed. I added the hours for Victor Consael and De Dokter. All the links I added are of the official website, but it couldn't hurt to look it through once more. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 11:19, 14 September 2009 (EDT) :I think you misunderstood my last point - by "red links" I don't mean the external links, I mean the links to other towns which don't have Wikivoyage articles, such as [[Vinkeveen]] and [[Baarn]] in Get in. It just doesn't look very good; I usually just remove the link and leave the name of the town, until they have an article. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 19:17, 14 September 2009 (EDT) :: Ah yes, I misunderstood. I removed the red links, except in the 'Get Out' section. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 19:36, 14 September 2009 (EDT) :::For the record, I believe red links on a Wiki are to be encouraged, where appropriate. Red links encourage article creation, which is vital for the health of a Wiki. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 08:51, 22 September 2009 (EDT) ::::I agree with LtPowers. Red links for valid cities should never be removed. If red links are so unbearable, then it's better to make them outlines than the get rid of them. As mentioned above, it encourages users to make these pages and shows us where there is work to be done rather than providing a false sense of completeness. Oh, and I support Hilversum, as well. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 23:21, 28 September 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' - Museum Hilversum and Fortuna's Pool Garden lacks opening hours, and I'd like to see some descriptions in the Internet section, but that's minor issues. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 14:47, 28 September 2009 (EDT) ::I added the hours for Museum Hilversum and modified the internet descriptions somewhat, Will add the hours of the pool center later. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 20:08, 29 September 2009 (EDT) *'''Support''' (belatedly). Fantastic article, great work&mdash;I especially love [[:Image:DSC00560.JPG|this photo]]! I feel confident in assuming it to be the best guide to the city out there. Two suggestions to make the map a little more readable: 1) change map icon fonts to bitstream vera sans bold & enlarge a bit for better readability & 2) do the same for map text (street names, mostly) to bitstream vera sans bold for better readability when printed. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 06:04, 13 October 2009 (EDT) ::*I will change the font of the map in the coming days. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 19:56, 13 October 2009 (EDT) *'''Support''', English is a little exotic in places, but has an appropriately Dutch feel to it. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 10:17, 13 October 2009 (EDT) : About 5 weeks since nomination now, Any outstanding issues? [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:14, 26 October 2009 (EDT) *'''Update''', I fixed all the issues, except for the hours of Fortuna's Pool Garden. I cannot find them online, so I'll cycle over there tomorrow to check myself. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 21:02, 1 November 2009 (EST) *'''Update'''. Also fixed Fortuna's hours, so now there are no outstanding issues left anymore. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 17:02, 6 November 2009 (EST) :: Please do the honours yourself, I've heard it's mighty satisfying :) --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 21:06, 6 November 2009 (EST) ===[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle]]=== Motivation: This is the second dive site to reach the stage where it can be considered for Star status, and it is sufficiently different from [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Long Beach Simon's Town|Long Beach]] (nominated above) to be a useful comparison. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 08:11, 13 October 2009 (EDT) : We're breaking new ground here, so I imagine there will be some issues to iron out, but to kick this one of. :* The position paragraph feels a bit awkward, maybe it will look better if the coordinates are just moved to the top and the info incorporated in the introduction. :* The depth paragraph could use a rephrase. :* It's a normal star criteria, that I think also fits here, that all "attractions" should be marked on the map; in this case I'm missing the ''the cave'', ''the islet'' and especially the entry gully - it took me a while to to see that red path, let alone figure out this is probably the one leading to entry point. Also that green line is lost on me - pebbles/sand border? : Other than that, this is awesome work! And I like the feel of this guide much better than than the other nomination btw, it reads much more easily. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 10:54, 13 October 2009 (EDT) Thanks for the comments Stefan. *I have rewritten the position paragraph. I am not sure what you mean in your comment. Are you suggeting that the information is put into the leader paragraph with the coordinates first item on the page? (and delete the 'Position' subsection). This would be possible with this site, but for some sites it may be necessary to provide more complex information involving bearings and distances, so the idea was to keep all that sort of information in one place. Moving the position subsection ahead of the access subsection might be an improvement, so I will look at that possibility. *I have rewritten the depth paragraph. I dont know if it is much better. It should be a little clearer at least. *Your comments on the map are valid. I will sort this out. Add labels for attractions and landmarks and make the path clearer. *Thanks for the appreciation. A lot of hours went into mapping this site, as I swam each of the contour lines towing a GPS to record a track. The green line is, as you assume, the border between pebbles and sand. As all the colour codes for the water are depth bands, I didnt want to confuse the issue by using a colour code for bottom type. Not sure how to improve this, but will give it some thought. *This site is very different from the other, which is why I chose to nominate them together, as any style and layout decisions should be applicable to both. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 09:12, 14 October 2009 (EDT) :I have made the changes to the map, but although the full size image is changed, the thumbnail remains the same even after purging the cache for the page. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 15:01, 14 October 2009 (EDT) :: The new map shows up on my PC, so it's probably a local catching issue. Anyway, went over the article again, and my biggest remaining worry is that long list of nudibranches - long lists in articles are not my cup of tea - so I thought it over, and came up with a suggestion for a different organisation on the [[Talk:Diving_the_Cape_Peninsula_and_False_Bay/Pinnacle|talk page]]. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 16:52, 14 October 2009 (EDT) * '''Interesting and very well written'''. Stefan's suggestions about the Nudibranch section on the talk page are very apt I think. A few other comments: :* I am wondering why the Understand section comes after Get in? That jars a bit. :* As a point of grammar, initial capitals are surely wrong when giving an English name of a species? Eg: ghost nudibranch and not Ghost nudibranch. :* Internal link markup is largely absent in the article. Eg: [[Gordon's Bay]].--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 10:56, 19 October 2009 (EDT) Hi Burmesedays. *I am still trying to think of a better way to deal with the nudibranchs. I dont want to have to leave out the ones I dont have photos for, and red links in a gallery would not look good. *'''Understand''' after '''Get in''' can be changed if there is consensus or at least a second opinion. I don't have strong feelings about it. It is something that just happened as the formatting developed. * My position on capitalising English names of species is mildly pragmatic. If I dont capitalise, in some cases it is impossible to tell if it is a proper name for the species or just a description. Agile klipfish is the accepted common name for a particular species. How would you know this if it was written as agile klipfish? If I do it for one, I would prefer for consistency to do it for all. I am open to discussion here. *Good point on internal links. I will sort this out. Unfortunately I have about 150 dive sites to correct, but that just means it will take a while. You get this with R&D. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 13:13, 19 October 2009 (EDT) :: Regarding the missing pictures of Nudibranches, have you tried looking [http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns12=1&ns14=1&redirs=1&search=Nudibranch&limit=500&offset=0 here] and [http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nudibranch&l=commderiv&ss=0&ct=0&mt=all&w=all&adv=1 here]? All those a freely licensed, and egliable for upload here. I understand if you don't find it entirely kosher to have "nudi" pictures from another site, but I always find myself rooting for pragmatism :) I'll be happy to try and help locate any missing pictures if you tell me which ones you are missing. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|Talk]]}</small> 16:30, 19 October 2009 (EDT) I have put in internal links in the leader paragraph of all the Cape Peninsula and False Bay sites. *I will try out '''Get in''' after '''Understand'''. It makes sense. *I will also look at how the article looks with a gallery as suggested, using photos from other sites as placeholders. Thanks for the links, Stefan. Many of the relevant photos were taken by a friend. Not really surprising I suppose. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 12:18, 22 October 2009 (EDT) Stefan and Burmesedays: *I have rearranged the order of sections as suggested by Burmesedays, and moved "Position" into "Understamd", where it seems a little more at home. I am still hoping for a better heading than "Topography" for that section, but still have not thought of an improvement. "Layout" is the only alternative that seems appropriate, but I am not quite happy with it. (Topography is technically accurate, but maybe a bit technical) *I would like opinions on the new arrangement: Keep, Revert or Try again? :: I'm happy with it, I follows our general guidelines as far as it's feasible without sacrificing usability for those who really need it, the divers. Topography is fine in my book, where as "Suggested Routes" could probably be renamed to our standard "Itineraries" without sacrificing anything (I think?). That nudibranch list is still a (and about the only) dealbraker for me though, for a star guide I'm not really happy with ''good enough''. If you can come up with a different way of presenting them from my suggestion I'd be more than willing to listen, but currently it doesn't have that professional feel that we generally want from our stars - so I'd really like to see if that gallery fixes that nagging feeling. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 17:25, 22 October 2009 (EDT) :::Thanks Stefan, How would you feel about just "Routes"? Itineraries sounds a bit grandiose for an underwater swim. Maybe someone else will venture a second opinion. :::I will get out a test run of your gallery suggestion, as I cant think of anything better. Maybe it will look better than I expect. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]] 02:23, 23 October 2009 (EDT) I have re-arranged the section as a gallery. It does not appear to work for the printable version. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 10:56, 26 October 2009 (EDT) * '''Support''' cool, think I'm happy now. Once we finally get a Mediawiki upgrade and access to common.js, it should be made collapsible, until then I'll be happy to slap a star after this one - great work. And the printable version works fine for me btw. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 11:21, 26 October 2009 (EDT) * Very well done Peter. Having the understand section first really does help. And the gallery works nicely. My only slight caveat is the map. I think it is compulsory that a Star article should have a Wikivoyageised map? You obviously put a lot of work into getting the data for this map. I can have a go at Wikivoyageising it a little if you want and upload for you to check? I see that just a png is uploaded, do you have a svg version of the map? Otherwise it is a lot of re-tracing. Otherwise, the article seems ''perfect'' to me. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 08:30, 7 November 2009 (EST) :Hi Burmesedays, I see you have been quite active with mapwork recently. All my maps were done on CorelDraw, so are originally vector graphics. Unfortunately I have not yet found out how to convert an output from CorelDraw to SVG. I can produce any of the file types optional to CorelDraw 9, but then I am stuck. Do you have any suggestions? Converting the map manually will be at least tens of hours of work. the original took probably over 100 hours, not counting the sitework. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 01:10, 8 November 2009 (EST) ::Hi Peter. I am not a CorelDraw user so have no idea. It is apparently possible to [http://www.unleash.com/davidt/svg/| output svg] though in version 10 or newer. Anyone else ever managed this? If not, a re-trace in Inkscape is certainly possible and I am happy to try this - I did the main land section of this map quite quickly yesterday. Perhaps though someone else should put forward a view as to whether a WT style map is necessary for the article to gain star status. As I said, apart from that, to my eye this is now a star article. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 01:25, 8 November 2009 (EST) :::Hi Burmesedays, Your "output svg" link does not work for me. I will upload the Coreldraw file to shared when I get back home later today so anyone who wants to try the conversion can have a go. Unfortunately upgrading CorelDraw is not a financially sensible option at this stage. I dont use it enough to justify the expense just to be able to output SVG files, which I only need for Wikivoyage at present. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:15, 8 November 2009 (EST) :::It seems like you cant get there from here. Shared will not upload the source file as a .cdr. If anyone wants to try converting it I will have to mail it direct. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:47, 8 November 2009 (EST) ::::Is CDR your only available output format? If you can export it as a WMF or PDF or EPS then InkScape can open it. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:10, 8 November 2009 (EST) :::::A flat file will not be helpful. The idea here was to get Peter's CorelDraw9 file into CorelDraw10 so that it can be exported as an SVG. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:03, 8 November 2009 (EST) ::::::My apologies for not leaving a detailed critique&mdash;I feel a little out of my depth (har har), given that I've regrettably never gone further than snorkeling ;) I do agree, though, that the map should at least approximate Wikivoyage style (recognizing that it's simply amazing that you've swam the contour lines to complete it!). The article status requirements are a little disorganized, since to this date we have had very few non-city/district articles become stars, but the ''map in Wikivoyage style with modifiable vector source'' has consistently been held to be a requirement. Converting the map to Wikivoyage style is fairly simple&mdash;just slap on the standard WT compass arrow, title box, and scale. Converting to SVG may be harder. If you can convert it to a PDF file, that likely can be imported into Inkscape and then saved as an SVG. ::::::On a different note, the article as it stands seems in violation of [[Wikivoyage:Image policy#Minimal_use_of_images]]. My inclination is ''not'' to simply dump the excellent, useful photos, but rather to at least make the article format more print friendly by putting the image gallery at the very bottom of the page. That will also save users who cannot print in color, since the nudibranch images won't be very useful in B&W. It doesn't solve the potential problem of low bandwidth in internet cafes, but I'm not inclined to let this hold up a star nomination. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 03:59, 9 November 2009 (EST) :::::::Burmesedays, what do you mean by "flat file"? I'm only familiar with the term in the context of databases. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 08:55, 9 November 2009 (EST) :::::::: Sorry for the Jargon. The Adobe-familiar like me use that term to mean a file in which the layers have been flattened and are no longer editable as individually defined vectors or layers. So, I meant a file with no editable layers. Like a PDF. Please put me right if I am wrong (and I am an Inkscape novice), but I don't see how Inkscape would handle a PDF any more helpfully than the PNG which is already available? If there is way for Inkscape to determine the layering of a flat file which has been exported as a PDF from a program like CD or any of the Adobe design family, please tell me how - that would be both surprising and great to know! Cheers. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:43, 9 November 2009 (EST) :::::::::Apologies, yes; I was just thinking of vector formats without thinking about whether all of the layers are still in there or not. I don't think a PDF is necessarily flattened, but I don't actually know. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:35, 9 November 2009 (EST) :::::::::: Yup. As far as I know you can maintain individual layer editing capabilities in PDF output, but only specific to the program which the PDF was created in. Eg you can create a PDF with Photoshop which retains the layer structure which can be edited later in Photoshop only. Not sure that it can be done generically but I am by no means an expert on this. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 04:00, 10 November 2009 (EST) Hi Peter, #What features of Wikivoyage style do you consider essential for a dive site map? A dive site is inherently a little different to a regional or city map, so there may be features not appropriate for a dive site. #Possibly a work-around would be to make a Wikivoyage map as well, without the contours etc, which shows the basic layout of the site with the road, path, and labels for the features, and keep a slightly simplified version of the contour map, perhaps with less text? The contours are valuable information for the traveller, and I think the information should stay, but I dont know of a rule against more than one map, or that all maps must be of the same style. #What do you feel about putting the gallery in a sub-article to the dive site, with a link, and reduced captions, and just the text on the dive site article. This will mean that the gallery sub article would be a sub-sub-article: [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle/Gallery]] and I dont know how that would fit in with policy. I think it might go against the letter of the law, but might still be a good way to deal with this type of problem, specially the bandwidth problem. Jani may have useful comment here, about how these options would fit in with printed versions through Wikivoyage Press. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 09:54, 9 November 2009 (EST) :I did not intend to open a can of worms when I suggested a Wikivoyageised map would be good. I do not know what Peter might be considering as appropriate, but when I volunteered to prepare it, I had in mind: :*colour scheme to be more in line with the general look of WT maps. :*a standard WT north arrow :*road name(s) (is that a 2nd road behind the one marked R44?) :*dotted line for footpath :*a standard WT inset title box :*WT dejavu fonts :*WT scale format :*A second scale showing the extent of depth band changes :*Some indication of where the road routes out lead to ---[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 10:25, 9 November 2009 (EST) ::Oh, I absolutely did not mean that you should remove the contour lines! Burmesedays' suggestions sound good to me. The standard WT color scheme might be hard to reconcile with the type of information you are displaying, but I don't think that's of critical importance. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 11:05, 9 November 2009 (EST) I have been trying to convert the cdr file to svg. It has not been going well. So far, after about 6 hours work, I have produced what appears to be a flat image with major losses, distortions and colour changes. I downloaded and installed Python 2.6 and some other required software, installed Uniconvert, finally worked out how to get the paths sorted out and managed to get it to run using a .cdr input. It produced a distorted result, without layers, but apparently editable. I also tried exporting as an .ai file and converting that in the same way, but all I got was pages of error messages. My skills with Inkscape are also dismal, and nothing seems to work the way I would expect. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 05:23, 10 November 2009 (EST) :Peter, please [[Special:Emailuser/Burmesedays|email]] me the cdr file (untouched - exactly as when saved from CD9). I have a few professional graphic design contacts and know that one of them will have CD10. We will get there :). If that works and we get svg output OK, I will have a go at Wiktiravelising the map a little and post it on shared for your comment. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 06:49, 10 November 2009 (EST) :Hi Burmesedays, I have had some success with Inkscape since my last comment. Most of the distortions and apparent losses were due to layer loss and shape order loss. All text has gone too, but that is manageable. I have managed to reconstruct most of the map, but it would be really interesting to see how it would work in a direct save from CorelDraw 10 to SVG, so I am keen to send you the file, but there does not appear to be a way to attach the file to the e-mail through Wikivoyage. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 10:42, 10 November 2009 (EST) ::Pleased you have made some progress. I know very well how tricky Inkscape is when you first try to get to grips with it :). I have just sent you my email address.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 10:47, 10 November 2009 (EST) ::: Peter the export to svg worked fine from CorelDraw ver 13.0. I have made a few quick suggestions on the map (drawn a depth scale, added a standard WT inset box, direction out markers, standarised fonts, WT north arrow) and uploaded both the [[:Image:Pinnacle_Draft01.svg|svg]] and [[:Image:Pinnacle_Draft01.png|png]]. The depth scale needs labelling and I notice that I missed the yellow islet label. I have no idea how to handle the sand/pebble demarcation and maybe that has to go? I will leave it in your capable hands to accept these changes or not, and to make any more you deem necessary. Cheers and I hope that is helpful. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:48, 10 November 2009 (EST) ::::Burmesedays, ::::Well done, the svg came out beautifully, Much better than my attempt with UniConvert. This is definitely the way to go. I see that the layers have been lost this way too, but I can reconstruct that if necessary. The pebble demarcation can go for the present, I may come up with a better option, but what was there was always a bit of a place marker for a better idea. I will get to touching up the map as soon as I have a bit of free time again, as I must prepare a lecture for Saturday. One thing I would like to do though is put back the compass rose, as the map is intended to be usable as a chart, for compass navigation, and that makes it much easier to read off a direction. Do you have the raw conversion svg? If so could you mail it to me direct? ::::I also worked out how to download the svg's. I have been left-clicking on them like I would do for any other link, and kept getting "Data not available message", which was not particularly helpful. For some reason unknown to me, I decided to right click today, and select "Save target as". Immediate success. Is this how it works for everyone or is my browser being difficult? Once I have the svg downloaded, it will open in IE no problem. There is no instruction anywhere to right-click and "save as". I will play around with the map for a while and see what looks best. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 14:46, 12 November 2009 (EST) :::::Burmesedays. Thanks for the original, I have replaced the compass rose. It works quite well as it stands for colour and monochrome, but I am willing to tweak it if anyone thinks it can be improved. It is my intention to produce a PD template for dive charts once the details are settled. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:06, 14 November 2009 (EST) Update on some of the issues raised earlier: *colour scheme to be more in line with the general look of WT maps. ::I dont think this will work, but will consider suggestions. *a standard WT north arrow ::This does not provide the navigation information in a compass rose. If there are cosmetic changes recommended for the compass rose I will modify it. *road name(s) (is that a 2nd road behind the one marked R44?) ::Road name added, road at the back is a service road of no importance to a diver. I could put information with arrows if anyone thinks it is worth the effort and of any use. The road is from the R44 to a pump station and filtration plant on the mountainside treating water from the Steenbras dam. *dotted line for footpath ::Done by Burmesedays. Looks good to me. *a standard WT inset title box ::Done by Burmesedays, I have moved it to a legend box at the side. This appears to be compatible with Wikivoyage map style, and looks cleaner to me. Negotiable. *WT dejavu fonts ::Done: I used DejaVu Sans Condensed Bold mostly, Is seems to have good legibility. Colours chosen to give good contrast on colour and monochrome display. *WT scale format ::Is this necessary with the scales on the edges? I would prefer to keep these as I think they are more useful to the user. Only reason I can see for other scale is to include feet. *A second scale showing the extent of depth band changes ::Done by Burmesedays *Some indication of where the road routes out lead to ::Done. Made new style arrow, which looks better to me. I have used the blue numbered WT icons for the points of interest instead of text on the body of the chart as they are more legible and less intrusive. Awaiting comments. Cheers, -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:06, 14 November 2009 (EST) :: '''Support'''. Sorry it has taken me so long to unequivocally state that. You have broken new ground here and set the bar for diving articles and deserve huge credit for that. Very well done.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:32, 16 November 2009 (EST) :::Hey, its a tough job but somebody's got to do it:-) Seriously, though, your help has been of great value and is much appreciated. I wouldn't have got so far without it. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 14:18, 16 November 2009 (EST) :I have also done an experimental sub-article gallery for the nudibranch images as I suggested in item 3 above, leaving the text in the Pinnacle article. This will reduce the bandwidth problem and looks quite pracical to me. I quite like the result, but would like comment or consensus to leave it this way, as it is a significant precedent. There is some duplication of text content, but I think this is necessary for clarity. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:35, 14 November 2009 (EST) This article was nominated 6 to 7 weeks ago and all comments from users (if only three of them) have been more than adequately dealt with. I would therefore propose that the article is immediately given star guide status. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 05:35, 1 December 2009 (EST) ===[[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom]]=== I believe this article is now up to the standards established with [[Epcot]] and [[Hollywood Studios]]. All attractions are listed, as well as all restaurants and hotels. I believe the map is about as good as possible, although I'm not 100% happy with it; suggestions are welcome. (Suggestions are also welcome for the rest of the article, too, of course.) [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 15:35, 20 November 2009 (EST) * Support. A very well written and formatted article. One small comment on the map - you might want to show a label with a directional arrow for Rafiki's Planet Watch on the main map. It took me a while to figure out where Rafiki's was in relation to the main map. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 05:13, 22 November 2009 (EST) * '''Support'''. Can't find anything wrong with it myself, although I like Burmesedays' suggestion. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 17:57, 23 November 2009 (EST) *'''Support.''' I am absolutely impressed by the way this came out. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 11:24, 25 November 2009 (EST) *'''Comment'''. I've added a label to the main map directing readers to the inset. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:57, 27 November 2009 (EST) *'''Promoted'''. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 14:53, 14 December 2009 (EST) ===[[Bali]]=== Although the bar for [[Project:Region_guide_status|star region status]] is set very high, I think [[Bali]] is now up that standard. There are no articles to use as comparative benchmarks as this would be WT's first ever star region article if the nomination is successful. Indeed there are only two guide region articles here of which Bali is one. ''Apart'' from the usual star guide considerations, star region guide status requires that all sub-region articles and all linked city/other destination articles are guide or better. Bali meets those structural requirements - all five sub-region articles are guides as are 19 of the 29 individual city/destination articles (and the other 10 are all usable). I realise that this is an ambitious nomination but it is one that I think is warranted. The requirements have been considered and extensively discussed in advance of this nomination. All comments are of course very welcome. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 01:37, 22 November 2009 (EST) : In general, I support the nomination &mdash; Bali is a major destination and we have a lot of good information, well-written & well-organised &mdash; but, as I read the requirements and text above, there are 10 articles that need to be brought up to guide before the top-level one can be promoted to star. [[User:(WT-en) Pashley|(WT-en) Pashley]] 01:57, 22 November 2009 (EST) :: Initially that is how I read it as well and that would in fact be near-impossible. However, it is the ''7+2 cities and other destinations linked from the top level article'' that need to be at guide status. In the case of Bali there are nine of each and all 18 articles (plus one other) are at guide status together with the 5 sub-regions. This is discussed [[Talk:Bali#Push_for_star_.28audit.29|here]] and [[User talk:(WT-en) Burmesedays#Bali_for_star_nomination|here]]--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:27, 22 November 2009 (EST) :: OK, full '''support''' from me, then. [[User:(WT-en) Pashley|(WT-en) Pashley]] 03:37, 22 November 2009 (EST) *'''Support'''. Our Bali guides are now absolutely top-notch, resulting from the tireless great work Burmesedays has put into them. While the guide is only just now meeting the strict requirements for region guide star status, it also surpasses them, especially with all the subregion & city/town maps&mdash;to my count the guide has '''''23''''' maps! A first star region guide (hopefully I'm not being too presumptuous in thinking that this will pass the nomination) is a very important milestone for the site. Not long ago, our huge city articles were generally pretty weak, but the establishment of a few "templates" has led to them becoming a strength&mdash;I'm hoping Bali and its subregion articles will serve as a similar template for region articles. I won't leave the usual detailed critique, as my long list of concerns have already been met on the Bali talk page, starting with [[Talk:Bali#Push_for_guide_status]]. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 11:08, 22 November 2009 (EST) *'''Support''', with a couple of comments. #The West Bali National Park is colour coded differently to what I would expect from the legend, where it is grouped with Negara, Gilimanuk etc. The legend colour box is a light purple, and the park is dark green. This is slightly confusing until you look at the high resolution map. I wonder if it would not be worth putting in a green color box for the park as a sub region of West Bali to make the coding clearer? :: It seems to be standard WT practice to include large national parks on a region map (where possible) using the standard WT park pattern/colour and then labelling them. I think it would be confusing to include the park in the colour key as it is not a defined region. Maybe the answer is to make the park label larger? I will leave that in [[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter's]] capable hands as he drew this splendid map. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:08, 22 November 2009 (EST) :::That should do the trick. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 07:46, 24 November 2009 (EST) #Drink section: Avocado is mentioned as a "desert fruit" in the drink section. As this is a drink section, I am guessing it is blended into a liquid, but this isn't clear. Interesting though, and combination with chocolate is fascinating. Does it have a name? :: Ummm.. it is a ''dessert'' not desert fruit :). It does explain that the avocado is blended with sugar and ice, so it is a liquid yes. I will make that clearer. The concoction when laced with chocolate syrup does not have a specific name that I know of - just ''jus alpokat or alpukat'' (avocado juice). Thanks very much for taking the time to read the article in detail. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:08, 22 November 2009 (EST) :::* Oops. :::* Least I could do :-). #I noticed that there was no star nomination box in the article, so I took the liberty of putting it in. Cheers, -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 12:58, 22 November 2009 (EST) * '''Full & unconditional" support''' [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 04:26, 23 November 2009 (EST) *<s>'''Not sure'''</s>. I note a few problems which may be minor, but I think an increased level of scrutiny is in order for a star article. *#The prose is generally good, but the lead section in particular is very dry. It tells me nothing about why I would want to visit until the third paragraph, and even then just mentions a) the varied landscape, b) the culture (without explaining anything about why the culture is interesting, c) that it's popular and wins awards, and d) it has something to offer everyone. Frankly, those four reasons to visit could be used on virtually any travel guide. What makes Bali unique, and why would I want to go there? *#Numerous grammatical irregularities scattered throughout the article, although I can probably fix most of those myself. *#The listing for "funerals" seems out of place under "Festivals" where everything else is talking about regularly scheduled, island-wide events. *#The listings of books under "Read" should better distinguish book titles from authors. Having it all in italics is visually confusing. *#The listing for Tourism information just says "166". Where is this simple three-digit number valid? Is it usable with a country code from outside Bali? Or is it purely for calling from within Bali? Or anywhere in Indonesia? *#By plane: I'd like to see the name of the airport bolded. Also, the link for Ngurah Rai Airport doesn't work for me. Finally, the next sentence about its name being misleading is itself confusing -- if the name was "Denpasar Airport", then I can see its location outside of Denpasar being confusing, but how does "Ngurah Rai Airport" mislead about the airports location relative to Denpasar? *#Putting a space between "US$" and the dollar amount is contrary to [[Project:Currency|established style]]. *#Using "etc." in prose strikes me as lazy writing; I'd avoid it. *#The word "bemo" is used in "Get in" but undefined until "Get around"; just adding the word "minivan" after it may be sufficient to alleviate this concern. *#In "By bus", the link to [[Lombok]] is corrupted. *#No prices for the ferry services from Java. It's also worded oddly, with the ferries going from Bali to Java, even though this is the "Get In" section. *#"Driving is on the left-hand side" belongs in "By self-drive car or motorbike". *#In "See", I'd like to see the temple paragraphs broken out into their own section. *#I'd consider putting the information on currency-exchange scams into "Buy", but I'm not sure. *#I'd incorporate most of "Stay healthy" into "Stay safe", with the yoga information moved to "Do". Some more information about hospitals and availability of medical services might be nice, though, and would better fill out a "Stay healthy" section. *#If all of the consulates are Denpasar, just say so once rather than listing it every time. **Overall a very very good article. I still need to evaluate the sub-articles to make sure they're actually at guide status, but I don't anticipate that being a problem. Well done. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:37, 23 November 2009 (EST) :::Thank you taking the time go through the article so thoroughly. As Peter has already pointed out, this nomination is a potentially siginificant milestone for WT and the article should be scrutinised very carefully. To deal with each of your points seriatim: ::*1. I think that the opening paras are succinct and to the point and that information about why anyone should visit Bali and its unique nature belong in the Understand section and not in the opening paragraphs which would otherwise by necessity become too long? ::*2. Please do. ::*3. Not really. Odalan ceremonies are also very much local festivals with no schedule and are also mentioned on this section. If non-scheduled ceremonies need to be separated then we could create two sections - Festivals and Ceremonies. ::*4 & 5. Done. ::*6. Link and emboldening fixed. The airport name confuses a huge number of people. The official name is ''Ngurah Rai International, Denpasar, Bali'' (coded DPS for Denpasar), or more casually Denpasar's Ngurah Rai (as in the article). So stating that the airport is not actually in Denpasar is a valid clarification I think. ::*7. I will fix those. ::*8. Indeed and will fix. ::*9. Done. ::*10. Fixed. ::*11. That whole section was a bit backwards - good spot - and I have fixed. On ferry prices, better to have none I think to be consistent with having no flight pricing? I have removed the one price that was there. ::*12. Done. ::*13. Not sure. Would like some other views on that. ::*14. Personally, I would look for currency scam information in Stay safe and not in Buy. But either way I guess. Other views on this? ::*15. I must confess that I am not really au fait with the guidelines for Stay safe and Stay healthy sections. I will have a good look at these sections and re-classify as necessary. ::*16. Sadly they are not all in Denpasar (even though the honorary title says that). I have though removed Bali from all the addresses in line with MoS. :::Thanks again and I hope I have succesfully addressed at least some of your concerns. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:10, 23 November 2009 (EST) ::::I think LtPowers' critique of the lead section is spot on. I'd cut out all the "facts" (possibly move/integrate them into the understand section), and then keep and expound upon some of the better content in the third and fourth paragraphs. Try starting with something like: :::::'''Bali''', the famed ''Island of the Gods'', with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides&mdash;all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colorful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, stakes a serious claim to be '''paradise on earth'''. ::::It doesn't have to be terribly long, or terribly informative&mdash;it should just be a good way to introduce the destination, call out what makes it distinctive, and motivate readers to keep reading. Our better huge-city articles could probably serve for some inspiration. Recent efforts have tended towards two&ndash;three short paragraphs, although [[Singapore]] offers a good example of one more succinct. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 00:37, 24 November 2009 (EST) ::::: I had a go, please check. To be frank though, I have re-written this article (and the other 29) so many times now, I think I am all out of words - wood for the trees and all that. It might be better if somebody else does any changes to the ''style'' of prose. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:05, 24 November 2009 (EST) ::::::Currency scams seem more appropriate in Stay safe to me. Agree on moving Yoga into "Do", and will have a look at the Temples.-- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 07:53, 24 November 2009 (EST) :::::::Yoga moved. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:12, 24 November 2009 (EST) ::::::Just looked at "See" again. I agree that there is a need for some heading for the temples, and probably also for beaches and mountains, just to draw attention to the start of a different subject. A heading equivalent to Monuments would, I think, be appropriate, but that could also be done by reducing the Monuments header to a simple bold word in its own paragraph and doing the same for the others. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:03, 24 November 2009 (EST) ::::::: Re-organised the section. I grouped beach, volcanoes, rice terraces etc under a new Landscape sub-section of See. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:12, 24 November 2009 (EST) ::::::: also drew and loaded a [[:Image:Bali_temple_diagram.png|temple layout diagram]] and will expand the text to define some of the structures shown. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 00:36, 25 November 2009 (EST) :::::::: Looks good. Diagram and explanation helps too. Worth the effort I think! -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:03, 25 November 2009 (EST) * ''' Support''' - though one quibble, with over 3 million people living outside [[Denpasar]], is there no major hospitals outside the capital? like ''Rumah Sakit Umum'' in Singaraja, or [http://aricantihospital.com/en/profile.html this one] in Ubud, I'd find that more useful than 5 in Denpasser, you'd have to pick at random anyway, but I don't know whether those are real major hospitals or more like clinics. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 21:57, 24 November 2009 (EST) : I can see why you might think so as there are [http://www.depkes.go.id/direktori.php?hal=1&keyword=51 33] official public hospitals in Bali. The ones listed though are the ones that definitely have proper ER facilities (which was the benchmark for inclusion). I suspect that one of the Singaraja hospitals might have as may RSU Klungkung and RSU Tabanan. I have no way of being sure of that though. The example you gave in Ubud is a clinic with maternity facilities. From a traveller's point of view though, surely nobody choses which ER to go to? And more minor injuries will be dealt with in one of the English-speaking clinics specifically set up for visitors (listed in the next sub-section). I will try to add some more of those to give a broader geographical spread. Thanks for taking the time to read the article Stefan. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 01:29, 25 November 2009 (EST) :: OK done on the clinics. There is now at least one clinic shown for each region. Not possible with ER hospitals I am afraid. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 01:58, 25 November 2009 (EST) ::: Cool cool, I'm a happy camper then :) --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 20:00, 26 November 2009 (EST) I think it's safe to say that Bali got enough support. It's been hanging in the air for weeks now, let's make it a star :) [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 10:57, 11 December 2009 (EST) :It hasn't been quite three weeks yet&mdash;we should wait until 13 Dec. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 11:17, 11 December 2009 (EST) ::That and the grammar and spelling are not yet "perfect" as the Star requirements require. I've taken a pass at the first several sections and will take a look at the rest of it later, but I'd appreciate some additional eyes on it. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:52, 12 December 2009 (EST) :::If someone will nominate a section that needs work on grammar and spelling I will give it a go, but dont have time to go through the whole article again. Those sections I have looked at recently look good to me. Cheers, [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 01:58, 18 December 2009 (EST) :::: I did today some proof reading based on LtPowers comments and made some minor changes (mostly commas, word order and deleting phrases). The article is consistent and very good. I suggest we switch to star. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 06:35, 19 December 2009 (EST) ::::: This nomination appears to be receiving an unusual level of scrutiny over style and grammar. Some of the changes made have certainly worsened readibility and indeed, grammar. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 03:42, 22 December 2009 (EST) :::::: I apologize if I made any mistakes in my attempts at correction; feel free to revert as appropriate. But I will not apologize for the level of scrutiny; it is not my fault if the "perfect grammar and spelling" requirement is not always respected. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 11:41, 22 December 2009 (EST) ::::::: I share the view of Burmeseday that the bar for Bali is significantly higher than with other Star nominations which passed through in the past. '''LtPowers''': Policy states ''near-perfect grammatically'' because i think we will never reach perfection with language (non of us is professor in linguistic i dare to assume and otherwise we need an academic council to decide on grammar if we can not agree). [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 12:00, 22 December 2009 (EST) ::::::::The checklist very clearly says "perfect". That means, at the time of promotion, it should be as good as it possibly can be. The article status text, which is what says "near-perfect", hedges its bets because the grammar and spelling may have degraded slightly from further editing after promotion. At least that's how I would guess the wording was chosen. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 17:15, 22 December 2009 (EST) :::::::::A checklist is not policy, and I don't see a problem of grammar in the article significant enough to hold up the nomination. And of course, the problem with such an objection, is that it's not clear what you want altered&mdash;it would be easier for you to correct the mistakes you've found than publish them here for correction... A dilemma. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:32, 22 December 2009 (EST) I got another nitpick: what about the use of - or &mdash; in the cities and other destination lists? It seems like the article template claims that - should be used, while Bali is using &mdash; . As this is running for star, and will be a model for future regions, should this be kept or changed? [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 17:50, 22 December 2009 (EST) :We're without consensus on this, see [[Wikivoyage_talk:One-liner_listings#disclaimerbox]] (there is more discussion on that fairly trivial topic on that page and at [[Project:Spelling#Hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes]]). I think we've basically agreed to disagree until a consensus develops, and allow for differing styles. It may be pedantic, but I still hold that using hyphens is simply improper grammar, as a hyphen is only ever used properly to hyphenate [http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/GP.html], while an mdash is used for setting off a clause, which is precisely what we are doing in one-liner lists. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:57, 22 December 2009 (EST) :: I am definitely a culprit on mdashes vs hyphen usage. Mostly out of laziness I have to admit. Peter is certainly correct in his assertions above. Would be helpful if there was quick wiki code for a dash as seven characters to create one is just plain ugly. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:16, 22 December 2009 (EST) ::: And as we are in pedantry mode :). Using a dash to set off a one liner description phrase with no initial capital and no period can be justified. But the lack of initial capital and full stop looks very strange when a second sentence appears. Eg in [[Bali]] this is fine I think : :::*[[Candidasa]] &mdash; a quiet coastal town, the Bali Aga and gateway to the east coast :::But this is not: :::*[[Kuta]] &mdash; surfer central, by far the most heavily developed area in Bali. Lots of shopping and night-life and the centre of lower-end party culture on Bali --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:16, 22 December 2009 (EST) :::::See [[Wikivoyage_talk:One-liner_listings#Relaxing_the_rules_a_bit]]. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:32, 22 December 2009 (EST) I think the whole nomination turns out to become a bizarre story that demotivates a couple of very good contributors. I think we should be able to reach consensus. The checklist is not part of the policy as Peter stated above and therefore near-perfection should be fine (I wonder how this definition will be interpreted) '''LtPowers:''' As you are the main opponent of the promotion can you either fix your open issues in the next week or detail sections which are concerning you? There are a couple of very willing contributors (Peter, Burmeseday, I) who would reread sections if you name them. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 05:40, 23 December 2009 (EST) ::Apologies; as I said above, I did take a pass at the grammar and spelling but didn't get all the way through the article. I didn't realize you were waiting on me. I haven't had a chance to look through the subsequent changes to see what's been improved. This is our first region star, however, and I'd like it to be as good as possible. I'm very surprised at the lax attitude toward grammar and spelling here. I'll take a look shortly and see where the article stands. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 09:22, 23 December 2009 (EST) ::: The article history will show you that I have just given it another pass from where you said you had stopped last time. I am probably not the right person to be doing that though. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:27, 23 December 2009 (EST) ::::I don't see why not. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 11:10, 23 December 2009 (EST) *'''Support''', after going through and cleaning up the rest of the article (particularly commas before independent clauses), although I would like to see the first paragraph under "Do" expanded somewhat to explain ''how'' one might experience Hindu culture and history. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 11:10, 23 December 2009 (EST) : Great to see that consensus can be achieved and thank you to all for their work! LtPowers: Thank you for the concrete feedback. I think with that feedback we can work on because even a Star article can be improved. I assume we have an early christmas present. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 11:23, 23 December 2009 (EST) :::::: Promoted.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 12:05, 26 December 2009 (EST) === [[Copenhagen]] === With all the sub-districts at guide status, and at long last some finished history and literature sections, I thought I would give the main article a go at a star nomination. As usual my pitiful written English are likely to shine through in places, spiced up with a few Danglicisms here and there, but overall I feel the prose should be just about adequate, any help on that front will of course be much appreciated. Critique is more than welcome, and I realize the tour section might be a bit controversial but I stand by those two listings, with their academic credentials - I do not believe that any guidebook, or lone meandering, could fulfil the substance of those tours, but this is of course all open for discussion. Anyway, fire away and I'll see what I can do about it. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 20:00, 26 November 2009 (EST) : A very good article and one I had read before this nomination. Stefan, I have started a bit of a proof-read, have made some minor grammatical and spelling corrections and will continue later. I guess English must be your 2nd language at best and I have to say your written English expression is quite excellent. The thought of even attempting to write at this level in any language other than my native tongue completely terrifies me! --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:32, 26 November 2009 (EST)<a :: You will need I think to standardise currency codes and expression. So far I have found 6 different versions. The [[Denmark|country article]] uses the format DKK 100 which slightly surprises me given WT aversion to [[Project:Currency#Currency_symbols|official currency codes]]. I thought it would (and should) be just Kr, always expressed as Kr 100 and not 100 Kr. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 00:25, 27 November 2009 (EST) ::: I know, been putting it off for a while, but I'll get it done - if [[Wikivoyage_talk:Currency#Scandinavia|we settle]] for kr. I think it ''should'' be 100 kr., since that's the version used locally. And thanks a bunch for all that hard work on the grammar and spelling! ::: One question though, in the history section I had written ''not a bad place to found a city'' trying to convey 'establish', not 'find' as it was changed to, Is there anything wrong with using 'found'? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 11:04, 27 November 2009 (EST) ::::Oh! My gaff and apologies. Found is OK in that context, although many readers would make the same error as me. I would use either "..establish..." or "...lay the foundations for...". ::::No problem with helping out with a bit of proofing. It will need doing again though with a hard copy. I was reading on screen which is a sure way to miss things. Also, have a loot at the S-Tog section where the "C however" bit of the 3rd sentence defeated me - not sure what you mean there. I like the style of this article a lot by the way. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 11:17, 27 November 2009 (EST) : Back to English lessons: [[User:(WT-en) Army of me]]: "''I like it, however i don't understand the "whiskey belt" reference in the Northern sububs summary, also the last sentence in the Wonderful Copenhagen infobox is a bit unclear''" : "Whiskey belt" dates back to the less wealthy version of Denmark in the 1970'ties, "Whiskey" - because the residents here can afford/prefer to drink Whiskey rather than Carlsbergs (beers) like the rest of the populace , and they are generally old enough to - and off a social class which - appreciate a fine glass of single malt. "Belt" - possibly Danglish, but used in the same sense as the rust belt, the bible belt etc. : HAH vs HAY, not sure why this is unclear, old Danny pronounces Copenhagen like [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEwdroXuL8A this], not an uncommon mistake among English speakers, it's pronounced more like [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HDoRchR6Sg&feature=fvw this lass] does. : Suggestions on how to make all this more clear are welcome. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 04:36, 28 November 2009 (EST) :: I think Hah vs Hay is a nice touch and a cute way to explain the point. I would leave it be. On the whiskey (if single malt is the go, you really ought to spell it whisky, the Scottish way) belt, I got the implication but it is a wee bit obscure I guess. You could emphasise the meaning. Something like "...the well-heeled whisky belt...". --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 06:16, 28 November 2009 (EST) ::: The "Whiskey Belt" thing makes sense now with your explanation (the connection between whiskey and "well-heeled" people, that is) - perhaps that link is more obvious to Europeans; I'm an American and it was a non sequitur to me (as a side-note, I'm reading your article as someone totally unfamiliar with Copenhagen or Denmark, although perhaps someone interested in their first visit ;). ::: As for the "Wonderful Copenhagen" infobox thing, I apologize as my statement was totally ambiguous. I like the bit about the HAY vs HAH (it was actually educational for me); the "unclear" aspect is earlier in that sentence: "Sung by Danny Kaye it's somewhat of an evergreen, and not accustomed to Hollywood attention the city has stuck to it ever since...". I probably shouldn't have said "unclear"; for me, the issue is more of a grammatical or structural nature - it could perhaps use a bit of fine-tuning (not that I'm an expert on such things); the sentence overall just seems a bit unwieldy to me. I will try to be more precise with my words in the future. :) [[User:(WT-en) Army of me|(WT-en) Army of me]] 02:51, 29 November 2009 (EST) ::: Oh, and it's a ''' Support''' from me, by the way. I thought the article was very well written overall (those very minor quibbles I mentioned aside). [[User:(WT-en) Army of me|(WT-en) Army of me]] 18:30, 3 December 2009 (EST) What is the deal with [[Christiania]]? It's not in the district list, but it is an established article (and is listed under Copenhagen, but the name isn't [[Copenhagen/Christiania]]?). Should it be incorporated in another district or become a district of it's own? And also, it's still at '''usable status''', which means it should be bumped up to guide if Copenhagen wants to be a star article. [[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) Globe-trotter]] 11:03, 30 November 2009 (EST) :Very good spot GT. The structure is a bit awry in regard to this as [[Christiania]] is actually listed as an attraction in [[Copenhagen/Christianshavn]]. I would suggest that it needs to be a sub-district of [[Copenhagen/Christianshavn]] rather than linked from the top level [[Copenhagen]] article. Would that make sense? --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 05:23, 1 December 2009 (EST) :: It's an unusual situation, for an unusual place - It's not really a district in line with the others, and it's not really merely an attraction either. I'm still contemplating on the best way of dealing with it, it just felt a bit weird not wikilinking it, since it has it's own article, and is the 2nd biggest tourist attraction in the city. I think I'll just de-link it from the lead article, until I figure out how to finish the damn thing. I've directed the breadcrumbs to Christianshavn instead, which I believe is the most appropriate. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 21:26, 1 December 2009 (EST) :::I'll get to the full critique soon enough, but I do think Christiania should be treated as a district, with the appropriate Copenhagen/Christiania title. I recognize it's the "freetown," but from a travel perspective we can and should treat it as part of the city that surrounds it (we even do this for a separate nation, [[Rome/Vatican]]). It should be elevated to guide status before we star Copenhagen. (I'm surprised I didn't notice this in advance!) :::I'm inclined to hope for a quick elevation, so that we don't disrupt the starnom process for Copenhagen. If you need help figuring out how to handle the article, lets discuss at [[Talk:Christiania]] / [[Talk:Copenhagen/Christiania]]. I have at least a bit of knowledge of this weird little place ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:49, 1 December 2009 (EST) :::: Well, it's not so much the "freetown" status, as my mental map of the city in the way here. To me it would look weird to have Christiania listed as a district in line with the others. Christiania is on Christianshavn, and is a great part of it's soul. I also remember considering merging those two, but I don't think that would work well either. So actually I'm pretty happy with the way it is. :::: I don't object to the notion that it should be guide status first, though, I have a really hard time getting my head around how to get it up there. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 13:05, 2 December 2009 (EST) :::::I put in a link under Christianshavn's description&mdash;the color coded district list doesn't have to be a literal list of each district&mdash;neither [[Chicago#Districts]] nor [[Washington, D.C.#Districts]] is. I've put up a few suggestions as to how to improve the article at [[Talk:Copenhagen/Christiania]]. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:24, 2 December 2009 (EST) :::::: I am not really getting this as the logic of the article is surely that Christiania a district of [[Copenhagen/Christianshavn]]? In the same way that Greenwich Village is a district of Manhattan which is a region of New York City? Copenhagen-->Chrisianhavn-->Christiania = New York City-->Manhattan-->Greenwich Village (as an example). Or am I missing something? --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 08:30, 3 December 2009 (EST) :::::::Yes, but we try to avoid three-level hierarchies like that when we can, and it's one reason we converted [[Manhattan]] into a city article instead of the district article [[New York City/Manhattan]]. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 11:13, 3 December 2009 (EST) Stefan, I had today a brief look on the article and missed one very famous spot in the proximity of CPH the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Museum_of_Modern_Art which i really like to visit when i'm in DK. I think we should at least mention it in the art/museum or the Get out section. I think it's one of the best museums. Regards, [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 12:14, 3 December 2009 (EST) : Louisiana is not really in Copenhagen, but about an hour away up on the [[Øresund Coast]]. The [[Zealand]] articles are sort-of on the back-burner at the moment, but when they get more complete I plan on adding them to the get out section. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 12:56, 3 December 2009 (EST) :: I know that Louisiana is not in CPH but imho it should be mentioned because it is really outstanding. I will add it in the Get out section now and work a bit on it because everyone who is more than three days in CPH should visit it. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 03:14, 4 December 2009 (EST) [[Copenhagen/Christiania|Christiania]] is fixed. And while it shifts position a lot at the moment, currently [[Copenhagen]] is the number 4 search result, for [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=Copenhagen&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10 one of the most used search terms] on google at the moment - Copenhagen was the number 3 "hot search" on Google trends yesterday. Pretty cool. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 03:25, 15 December 2009 (EST) ::Yeah, clearly featuring the destination at a time of Googular prominence was a good thing for Wikivoyage! We should continue doing that. *'''<s>Almost</s> support'''. I love our Copenhagen guide, and am looking forward to seeing it become a star. I just gave the article a ''very'' thorough proofing, and a few issues jumped out: :#? I don't understand the usage of "inflation" in the phrase, "Danish design has been a victim of inflation over the years." :# ✓ It would be good to get precise dates, insofar as is possible, for the events section for 2010. :#? How are Danish phone numbers supposed to be formatted? [[Project:Phone numbers]] advises to use dashes between the numbers you would need to dial if making a local call within the city. :# ✓ Brunch listings should be moved out of the article, and the section converted to prose. If these recommendations should be included in the main article, they should be mentioned in prose sans listing as the Michelin starred restaurants are in the section above. (And they should be formatted with [[Project:Listings]], once moved to the appropriate district articles.) :# ✓ Ditto Gay & Lesbian section. :#? Not necessary, but I'd recommend removing emails from the Embassy list&mdash;they take up a lot of space and are a bit of an eyesore. I'd actually take out the hours too, since you'll almost always need to contact your embassy to arrange an approved visit (at least that was true when I worked in an Embassy). I know these removals would be painful, though, given the tedious work that their initial addition required! :And that's it! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:52, 17 December 2009 (EST) :::::My objections have been met, full and happy support from me. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:32, 14 January 2010 (EST) :: 1. So many companies that has little do with what Danish design is are using it (like [http://www.danishdesign.co.uk/ this one]), that the "brand" value has been waning for years, to a point where some top companies like FritzHansen[http://www.fritzhansen.com] have stopped advertising themselves as Danish altogether, caused quite the uproar when they announced it a couple of years back. :: 3. I've used local formatting, perhaps due to our very modest size, there is no such thing as local calls here - You always dial 8 digits. :: 6. As for the Embassy list I'll think about a bit - the hours are for the consular divisions; visa applications and stuff like that, where you don't need an appointment. I read the email comment on the London talk page too, but I really don't think they look that bad, hmmmm. :: I'll get to work on the other ones --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 04:49, 18 December 2009 (EST) ::: on "inflation", perhaps you could use instead 'demeaned'. 'devalued' or 'abused' which may better communicate the point. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 05:05, 18 December 2009 (EST) So how does this one stand? Do you have any unfinished work Stefan? Are there any remaining objections from anybody? --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:50, 2 January 2010 (EST) : Was breaking my neck on that brunch section, but finally came up with something interesting, rather than just bland uninteresting stuff, it could probably use a skim by a native speaker, as I'm happy with the content, but not quite happy with the language, without being able to figure out exactly what's wrong. I'd also like to hear some second opinions on the embassy section, as I'm quite happy with it, but also prepared to change it if it's a general complaint - though, this probably wouldn't get in the way of a promotion. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 19:57, 6 January 2010 (EST) ::*I had a go at the brunch section for you. If you do not approve, please revert. The opening sentence though really had to be changed :). ::*Embassies. From my comments which you saw regarding London, you will not be surprised to hear that I do not like the email addresses. It looks messy. I do not have feelings either way about the opening hours and would suggest leaving them if the removal hurts too much. ::*Generally, I will give the article another proofread later today (the last time seems months ago now!). If this one gets the same beating with the grammar stick as Bali though, I fear we are in for quite some wait.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:56, 6 January 2010 (EST) ::**"Beating with the grammar stick"? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 08:18, 7 January 2010 (EST) So if I remove the emails, are there any outstanding objections to this one? last call everyone. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 09:30, 14 January 2010 (EST) *'''Support''' [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:32, 14 January 2010 (EST) *'''Support'''. One final suggestion would be a sleeppricerange table. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 11:41, 14 January 2010 (EST) '''Promoted''' --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 14:53, 18 January 2010 (EST) ===[[London/Hampstead]]=== To those watching recent changes, it is probably no surprise that I am nominating [[London/Hampstead|Hampstead]] for star guide status. I think the article is up to the required standard, but I should make a few comments: *The eat and drink listings are either places I know myself, or they were added to the article before I started work on it. There are a ''huge'' number more that could be added, but that would devalue the article I believe. *This is not a district with too many sleep options, and I have added the most interesting of them, avoiding a couple of identikit chain hotels which are present in the south of the district. *Likewise with buy listings. All high street chains have been avoided, although I have briefly mentioned some of them in the prose. *I realise that a couple of the attractions listed for Hampstead Heath in the see section are really activities, and belong in do. I thought it made most sense though to deal with all of Hampstead Heath in one section. *This is a fairly OtBP part of London (surprisingly so) and above all else, the article is intended to encourage more visitors by highlighting the more unique attractions of the district. All comments and criticisms are of course welcomed. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:50, 2 January 2010 (EST) ::Without having read through carefully, a few things should be addressed: ::*See, buy, and drink need section introductions, and it would be nice to see a little bit more guidance for eat as well. If looking for inspiration, I think [[Chicago/Hyde_Park]] has pretty good examples. ::*"Get around" is not a standard part of the [[Project:District article template]] (although that has been [[Wikivoyage_talk:Article_templates#Required_sections|challenged]]), and I think this information could easily be swept into Get in/By bus, making the whole of the transport info more succinct. ::*Images should be right aligned and, ideally, spread throughout the entire article (they don't have to be right next to the relevant section). ::*The intro is bland and says nothing&mdash;it needs at least a short paragraph summarizing what the place is and why travelers come here. If it's helpful, [[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) this traveler]] went there for the nice neighborhood vibe, the Heath, Keats, and the art at the Kenwood House. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 11:29, 2 January 2010 (EST) :::Thank you Peter. '''Response.''' :::*See, buy, eat and drink intros: either done or expanded. :::*I would ''really'' like to keep the Get around bus info. This gives quite a level of detail for two buses that are convenient hop-on hop-off services for moving ''between'' some important attractions. These bus routes bear no relation to getting in to the district. :::*Images. No problem with right aligning them all (done), but is that a guideline? With [[Bali]] for example, we deliberately split alignment of images. In some cases a right-left mix, used sparingly, really improves the look of an article. I have spread them out a bit, but we need to be sensible about this I think. An image close to the text talking about the same subject is lot more helpful to the traveller than spacing them evenly. :::*Introduction, done. I should have remembered the need for this from previous discussions, even if I do disagree :) :::*One thing I do need to do is abbreviate more of the road names (I have only done "Rd" so far). I think this is horrible use of language and downright ugly, but it is style policy and will be done :). :::Please have another look and comment further. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 00:32, 3 January 2010 (EST) ::::Regarding the get around information, I'm not at all suggesting that you remove that information, just that it could be moved to the get in section, which would bring it in line with our district template. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 11:25, 3 January 2010 (EST) ::::: I could, I just don't really want to as the scope of the information is completely unrelated to getting in to the district. The district template does not include understand (!), cope or stay safe sections as standard either...... --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 11:31, 3 January 2010 (EST) :::::: I didn't see anyone who thought Get Around was ''always'' unnecessary. Just because it's not in the template doesn't mean it can't be used if there's useful information to put there. I agree with you that information irrelevant to getting in doesn't belong in the Get In section. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 19:59, 3 January 2010 (EST) Some comments and queries: #'''Understand''': What is a grade II listed building? #'''District map''': Perhaps some indication of what the surrounding areas are? #'''Get in''': No comment, looks fine. #'''Get around''': Looks useful. I vote to keep. #'''See''': Quality good, unable to comment on completeness. Image of Pergola is left aligned, but looks good there to me. What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and why is this of interest to the visitor? #'''Do''': seems rather limited, but maybe that's just how it is. #'''Buy''': OK #'''Eat''': Gastro pub? New one on me. #'''Drink''': Holly bush - a bit touty? #'''Sleep''': OK #'''Contact''': OK #'''Stay safe''': OK #'''Cope''': Is a local newspaper appropriate in Cope? #'''Get out''': OK #'''Comprehensive?''' No idea. Never been there. If this is comprehensive, I dont see that the lack of certain items should hold back an article which otherwise meets the criteria. It shouldnt need to be big to be good. #'''Proprtly formatted?''' Looks good, but may have missed things... #'''Well written?''' Yes, though I dont much like sentences ending in "though". (:-/) The article seems useful and balanced, but not particularly inspiring. I wouldnt plan a trip to go there specifically, but might well feel inclined to take a day off in the area to relax if in London. This may well be entirely appropriate for the destination. :This brings up the philisophical point: Is the star for the article or the destination? If the star is to indicate the quality of the article (an opinion that I support), then this is pretty close to star quality for me. : [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 10:47, 9 January 2010 (EST) ::Thanks so much Peter. Excellent feedback. Let me try to address the outstanding points. ::'''Listed buildings in Britain'''. This may or may not be covered in the country article (it should be). A listed building is protected and the grades imply the level of protection/importance. A grade II building is highly protected and the fact I give about Hampstead in this respect is notable. All is revealed [http://www.heritage.co.uk/apavilions/glstb.html here]. Not sure if this should be explained in a district article? Rather at the country level? ::'''Site of Special Scientific Interest''' (SSSI). Likewise really. But I will delete that I think. ::I will tone down the''' Holly Bush'''. All that is true though. It is my favourite pub :). ::'''Do''' is indeed limited. It is very much a "see" district (particularly when some of the possible activities are included with Hampstead Heath in the see section). :: '''Gastro pub'''. Is that not widely understood? It may be peculiarly British. ::'''Local newspapers''' belong in Cope, yes. See [[Project:Where_you_can_stick_it#N|where you can stick it]]. This one is several cuts above the normal local newspaper rubbish and should be listed I think. ::I would not recommend anyone making a '''special trip''' to Hampstead. Rather, as I tried to convey, it is an interesting place for a day or two when you are in London (especially so for literary types). I believe that stars are surely for the article, not the destination. ::It is '''comprehensive''' I am sure, with the caveats I made in the inital nomination post above. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 11:26, 9 January 2010 (EST) :::'''Listed buildings''' Perhaps a link for those who dont know? :::'''Holly Bush''' If its true then OK. Just looked a bit like owner input. :::'''Gastro pub''' I dont think I have seen the expression before. It is probably what it seems to be: a pub with good food, but I like to think I am moderately well read and it is definitely unfamiliar to me. based on that, it may not be particularly meaningful to a lot of other users. Any comments from the rest of you? :::'''Map''' I still think the map would be improved by naming the neighbouring suburbs. I agree that the minor roads outside are not needed. :::That all being settled, gets my '''Support''' [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:13, 11 January 2010 (EST) ::::''Gastro pub'' is widely used in descriptions and everyday speech in the UK nowadays&mdash;it's an essential term for travel there, I'd say. It does of course need to be covered in the country articles, since the term isn't widely known outside of the Isles, and I believe it is at [[United Kingdom#Pub]] and in several places in the [[England]] article. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:48, 11 January 2010 (EST) ::::: The country article is the place for explanation of terms I think. I have done so with ''listed building'' and wikilinked to it. I will have a look at naming the surrounding districts on the map. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 20:51, 11 January 2010 (EST) * '''Support''' Liking it, and not much wrong here but a few minor caveats: : The zips bothers a bit (I don't understand the system so to me they are useless in the first place, however I'm sure they'd be useful to some, but...) when I read the addresses my eyes sort of stumble onto the post code, before I realize it's not part of the address, if that makes any sense - would a comma rather than space separation (which is already done in a few of the listings) make sense? : Many listings are "housenumberless" i.e. Camden Arts Centre, Fenton House, Hampstead Parish Church and Keats House - is that because they have no numbers? due to the neat postcode system? or what's the deal? : And then two personal requests; Reading about the place and being a Dane, it strikes me as a wonderful place to explore on bike - Tried searching for bike hires in Hampstead, couldn't find any, but if you know of a place, please add :) 2nd - I know this is England, but are there no pubs/bars/clubs at all, that's open after midnight? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 12:45, 9 January 2010 (EST) :: Thanks Stefan and I am pleased you like the article. Response: ::*Post codes are an integral part of life in Britain. They are building specific (you can post a letter with only the post code on the front and it will get to the right house). I believe they have great benefit for the traveller in these days of SatNavs and online locaters. No easier way to pinpoint a building location. A comma could be inserted. I have just followed the format used with the [[London#Embassies_and_High_Commissions|embassies table]] in the London article. We dont put a comma between the street number and the street name though for example. ''Please lets make a decision on the need for a comma'' or not here as it effects every single British article. ::*Sometimes major buildings in England have no street numbers but I will check those you mention. ::*Yep, not bad for for cycling (although it is a very hilly district). There are no bike rental places I know of in the district. ::*There are only pubs in Hampstead and no bars or clubs other than some very seedy members only places on the western fringes of West Hampstead. This is not a nightlife district (far too refined!). Many late bars and clubs in neighbouring Camden (I will mention that). Thanks again. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 23:46, 9 January 2010 (EST) I think I have now addressed all points raised so far and edited the article as necessary. The outstanding issue is comma before a post code or not. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:34, 10 January 2010 (EST) :(I'd prefer not to, only because I don't want to have to go back and change all the existing listings without a comma...) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:51, 10 January 2010 (EST) :'''Support''', with note that I think the streets on the map should not stop at the end of the district. I also think the headers at the Drink section is a bit confusing.. First it says "Hampstead", why first I was thinking "isn't this all Hampstead?". Maybe it should be turned into Hampstead proper or something, and then change "Others" in "Other neighborhoods" or something similar. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 18:15, 10 January 2010 (EST) :: Thanks GT and I will fix the drink section. I can see how that would be confusing to somebody who does not know the district. This will come up a lot in London where we use a large district name which is the same as a small neighbourhood ''within'' that district. ::On streets and boundary edges. I know Peter feels the same way about that. My view is that showing the major routes into the district is more appropriate (which I have done) and a detailed street grid should only be for the area that the map is intended to cover. I think I am in the minority there though. And if I do say it myself, I think this particular map is a good one :). --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:03, 10 January 2010 (EST) :::I agree that minor roads need not be shown outside of the district boundaries. See what I did on the map of downtown [[Rochester (New York)]], perhaps doing something like that would make the distinction more clear? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 09:36, 11 January 2010 (EST) ::::I like that effect a lot. I did similar with the [[:image:London Bloomsbury district.png|London Bloomsbury map]] but used yellow. Your diffusion layer is probably nicer looking. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 11:05, 11 January 2010 (EST) :::::We might want to move this bit of the discussion to [[Project:How to draw a map]]. I certainly wouldn't say we ''need'' to have streets mapped outside the district, but I think it is straightforwardly desirable. We don't want travelers using our maps to fall into a void after crossing a district/city boundary, and they also offer very useful context to understanding how one district fits with its surroundings. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:05, 11 January 2010 (EST) Have added surrounding neighbourhood labels to the map. Any other comments please? --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 08:56, 14 January 2010 (EST) :I really think they improve the map significantly. Cheers, [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:52, 20 January 2010 (EST) Last call. Three users support, two others have commented but not indicated support or otherwise. Is that concensus? It is disappointing, if not demotivating, how few people (especially administrators who must all understand the starnom system), comment on these nominations. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 20:56, 21 January 2010 (EST) :Understanding the system is one thing. Feeling confident in evaluating articles for star quality, on the other hand, is clearly not among the requirements for adminship. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 21:34, 21 January 2010 (EST) :::That is why more participants in the process is better. I am certainly not confident that I can evaluate for star quality alone, but I can spot some problems and when I don't see any more I support. If enough do this, the system will work. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 14:53, 22 January 2010 (EST) ::Hey, I've still got two days before the three weeks are up. And I intend to use them to keep procrastinating. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:43, 21 January 2010 (EST) *<s>'''Almost support'''</s>. (Oops, I realize having said that, that I am now a day late! So you can go ahead and star the article without addressing the following comment.) Anyway, I can only find two small flaws that could use extra polish. :#The first sentence of the understand section, ''The district includes Hampstead itself, Belsize Park, western parts of Highgate, Primrose Hill, Swiss Cottage and West Hampstead,'' reads like a definition of terms, and seems a little too dry and unfriendly. To us it makes perfect sense, since we spend a lot of time defining districts, but I don't think it's the right way to approach the beginning of an article for travelers. Something like ''Hampstead and its surrounding neighborhoods of Belsize Park, Highgate, Primrose Hill, Swiss Cottage, and West Hampstead, are some of the most...'' might be more interesting. Or even get rid of the neighborhood list (since it will follow in the next paragraphs), and replace it with something else more interesting&mdash;[[Chicago/Southwest_Side#Understand]], for example, offers some unifying themes before going into the individual neighborhood overviews. Or start the section right off with the second paragraph, and introduce the other neighborhoods after going over Hampstead Village and the Heath. So, not much is needed here, but it would be nice to just move it away from a simple definition. :#Theatres listed under "do" should give rough price ranges for shows. :That's really it, though—this is a lovely article. Other things not half important enough to hold up a nomination: :#If anyone ever finds a free source for a full Heath map with trails, that would be lovely. :#Wikivoyage [[Wikivoyage_talk:Spelling#Harvard_Comma|prefers the Harvard/Oxford/serial comma]]. :#As you know, I'm not a huge fan of how our email field displays (it would be nice to remove the text and just have the mailto: link displayed as the mail icon). I've never been too sure of how useful the field is for most listings (would a traveler really email a pub?), but it's possible I've fallen behind the times in some way. Anyway, I'd suggest removing the non-essential emails, despite the pain of removing info that I know was tedious to gather. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:40, 24 January 2010 (EST) ::Excellent feedback Peter and thank you very much. ::*Done on theatre prices and the neighbourhoods text. ::*Point noted about serial commas (which I have spent my whole life not using!). Hmmm. ::*Email addresses. I agree with you about the lousy presentation a templated listing produces. Until that is put right though, I do not think we should delete email addresses. An alternative would be to work through and manually insert mailto:tags, outside of the listing template tags. Tedious and a long job. ::*Heath trails. I am planning to produce a specific heath map, and trails will be a key part of that. The trails are well committed to my memory. This map will come later, probably when I am bored with Africa region maps :). --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 23:58, 24 January 2010 (EST) ::::Great, '''full support''' from me now! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 12:33, 25 January 2010 (EST) ::::: Lovely:) Starred then. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:32, 26 January 2010 (EST) ===[[Chicago/Southwest Side]]=== A question arose recently regarding what a big outlying district article should ideally look like. I actually was not nominating this article precisely because I thought that type of article was a little too strange to serve as a template for most articles, but now that this type of article is more prevalent, perhaps it would be nice to have a star to look to. I know this area inside and out, and have actually visited ''every'' listing aside from the hotel and library lists. Where sections look thin, like "do" and "buy," it really is because there isn't much of interest to list there. I'm pretty sure this article meets the requirements, and have felt that way for some time&mdash;I just didn't have the motivation to nominate it. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:16, 6 January 2010 (EST) *'''Support'''. Very well written, perfect formatting and definitely an inspiration for other ''difficult'' large city districts. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 10:09, 7 January 2010 (EST) *'''Support'''. Once again, the Chicago Juggernaut provides an inspiration for us all. A couple of things: Linda's Lounge is missing hours and Holiday Inn Express needs a phone number - other than that, all good; I especially love the pictures of the food. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 11:21, 7 January 2010 (EST) *'''Support'''. No opinion on accuracy or completeness as I know nothing about the area, but the article looks good. One jarring detail is the apparently random variation between '''Union Stock Yard''' and '''Union Stockyard''', but there may be a good reason for this?. Cheers, [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:12, 9 January 2010 (EST) :There are some very minute and easily correctable things that I noticed: ::* "In the southeast are a couple of far-flung African-American neighborhoods." (Understand section) Does this just mean the neighborhoods are on the far outer edges of the city/area? ::* "The big sights on the Southwest Side are the Union Stockyard Gate. Period. And even that is a pretty small attraction for how out of the way it is." (See section) The grammar seems a bit odd. Is the Union Stockyard Gate just one attraction/place or are the "sights" referenced within the yard? Should it be, "The big sight on the SS is the USG"? (making it singular) I think this is the case, because it is referred to as "that" in the next section rather than "those". If not, then perhaps it should be "The big sights on the SS are in the Union Stockyard Gate"? ::* Why is the Chicago Blues Museum closed? Is it indefinite or is there a reopening date? On a personal note, I learned from this article that it is "mother lode" rather than "mother load", which I had always assumed was the spelling. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 14:11, 9 January 2010 (EST) ::::I've taken care of the outstanding concerns above (and the quirky/bad grammar was intended to put humorous emphasis on the fact that there isn't much to see here, but it was probably a little too eccentric). The Blues Museum exists in the abstract, but his warehouse, by all reports full of incredibly interesting stuff, has been closed for at least two years. I think he's found more success in letting the collection tour, so the museum is in an indefinite limbo. (Incidentally, there is also the question of mother lode v. motherlode. The dictionary claims both are acceptable, and "mother lode" is the version slightly more commonly used per google [http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=mother+lode&word2=motherlode].) ::::The one thing I have not been able to nail down are the hours for Linda's Place. I'm ''certain'' it was open as recent as last summer, and it's been around for decades, but their phone number is at present disconnected... If they've closed, that's a huge loss for the blues. I'd hate to remove it without solid confirmation that it is indeed closed, since I'm proud of the fact that our Chicago guide is the ''only'' guide to Chicago of any sort that has comprehensive coverage of the city's ''real'' blues clubs. But if deemed necessary, I'll remove it, since to my great disappointment I'm no longer there to just drive over to make sure (and have a drink). --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:19, 9 January 2010 (EST) * '''Almost support''' I like the article in general but two points I would like to see changed: # Sleep: It is split in two section which neither has the usual three levels. I think it should preferably have a price range indication or the usual budget/mid-range/splurge split as Chicago is in other areas rather expensive. I would feel a bit lost where to stay with this current structure # Get around: If taxis can not be hailed, could you add at least one or two numbers of local taxi companies (or is there a general taxi number some areas have?)? I hope we get this to star as it is very interesting to read. Thank you for your efforts, [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 07:30, 18 January 2010 (EST) ::I sorted the sleep section by price, and put all the Midway Hotel Center hotels under mid-range (it makes sense to group them, as they are all on one compound). For taxis, we give the big four's numbers at [[Chicago#By taxi]]. I suppose we could link the word "taxi" back to that section of the main article, but if we made such a decision, we should do that for all the district articles (and for all forms of transport, buses, trains, etc.). --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:27, 18 January 2010 (EST) :::'''Support''' Sorry for the late reply but Peters changes and answers were fine for me and I didn't thought that I need to confirm that. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 15:11, 11 February 2010 (EST) ::::No problem, I just wanted to make sure ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:47, 11 February 2010 (EST) ::: Is there any reason you don't mention the Red line in the "Get in" section, even though Garfield and 63rd seems to be within the district on the map, and it runs just outside the eastern boundary for the remainder of the border? --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 14:40, 18 January 2010 (EST) ::::Good point, and fixed. That side of the district is far less travel-relevant, but it's good to explain nonetheless. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:52, 18 January 2010 (EST) * '''Support''' Thanks! I'll definitely use this as a reference when I get around finishing my own suburban "star in the making"; [[Copenhagen/Northern suburbs|Copenhagen's Northern suburbs]] --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 14:58, 18 January 2010 (EST) ===[[Nusa Lembongan]]=== I think this fairly OtBP article is now up to star standard. A little bit of background information is neccessary though. When you look at the list of existing star articles, it is glaringly obvious that there is only ''one'' city or district article outside of the so-called 'developed' world. Even that one ([[Sheki]]) is arguably in developed country. I suspect the reason for this is the difficulty involved in gathering detailed listing information, much of which is fairly meaningless or simply does not exist at all! So please bear in mind that this is a small rock in Indonesia, there are no addresses and some businesses do not even have telephones. I have put a lot of effort into gathering the information which ''is'' available. I do think it is now a very thorough guide to a quite splendid destination. All comment and constructive criticism is of course welcome. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 04:20, 10 February 2010 (EST) *'''Street names''' I know this is always a bit odd in Bali but neither the map nor the sleep section has street names. Does NL has street names? [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 04:34, 10 February 2010 (EST) :Not really. As I said above there are no addresses. There are not really any street names either, although occasionally you will hear a made up one! If you think the main part of Bali is odd, Lembongan is whole new level :). --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 04:58, 10 February 2010 (EST) ::Great article! Here are a few comments/questions ::#Map: there are gridlines or something in the water on the map, should it be like that (or maybe it is only on my screen)? ::#Get in: would it be relevant to mention how to get in from Nusa Penida? ::#Get in: it might be worth mentioning why the boat services from Padang Bai and Kusamba are not recommended ::#Get in (and other): some prices are in US$, is it in accordance with [[Project:Currency#Consistency|this]]? (and a very small comment: some US$ amounts have a space before the amount others do not, I do not know which is correct, but it should be the same throughout) ::#Get around: another small one: the text under the image has south-west, but I believe a discussion somewhere else concluded it should be southwest ::#Seaweed Farms: if possible, it would be good to mention something about accessibility (I guess, you can just go there?) ::#SCUBA diving: I would have expected 'Scuba diving' (I know the origin of the word, but is it not considered a word in it own right now?) ::#Directions: some listings' directions start with a capital letter, others do not, I do not know which one is correct, but it should be the same throughout ::[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 07:06, 10 February 2010 (EST) :::Thank you very much Claus and I am really pleased you like the article. Each point: :::*Gridlines - that is a ''truly'' crappy feature of the way Inkscape handles patterns :( . There is a work around and I will fix it. Interestingly, this particular map is fine on my screen so I did not fix it automatically. But this is a known bug in Inkscape, so I am sure you are right. :::*Get in from Nusa Penida. Good point and consider it done. :::*Boats from Padang Bai and Kusamaba are essentially not safe and sink all too frequently. I will mention that as I think I did in another article (maybe [[Nusa Penida]]). Good spot. :::*Currency. This was discussed in the context of the main Bali article [[Talk:Bali#Push_for_star_.28audit.29|here]] and I think the same applies with a sub-article.. The key point is to express the price in currency in which the traveler will be charged I think. I have tried to stick by that principle. :::*South-west is wrong per WT yes (although I commonly use it!). I will fix and standardise. :::*I think SCUBA is the approved form here, although it does jar with me as well. :::*Directions should all start with capitals I think. Will standardise. :::Those are all really good proofing spots Claus, and all too easy to miss when you are very close to an article (well, for me at least). Thanks very much and consider each of the points (bar SCUBA, pending other views), dealt with.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 08:42, 10 February 2010 (EST) :The gridlines can be fixed by duplicating the water object (CTRL+D) and then use the color picker tool and click the aqua water color. Then go to the "object" menu and select "move to bottom" --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 17:22, 11 February 2010 (EST) ::Yep. That is the clumsy work around to the bug that I mentioned above.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 20:17, 11 February 2010 (EST) * '''Support''' The article is well written and has listings that fulfill our criterias. Some small issues: # The ''buy'' section is rather weak for a Star article. It must be paradise for my purse if i would visit NL with my girlfriend ;-) # Maybe the missing ATM option should rather be more highlighted because it wouldn't come to my mind that there are still today places without an ATM. # Currency: As Claus stated correctly it needs to be in Rupiah. I remember that a lot of businesses prefered US$ so maybe you write it behind in brackets because travellers know they can pay also in USD and don't have to change money twice. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 16:22, 12 February 2010 (EST) :Thanks jan. :*What do you suggest could be added to the buy section? It is a tiny island with no shops to speak of. :: ''I don't dare to talk about a shopping district so maybe we let it the way it is.'' :*I am not sure how I can highlight there being no ATMs other than it being the first sentence in the buy section and imploring people to bring enough cash with them as I have done? I am also not sure it should really surprise anyone too much that a tiny island in a developing country has no ATMs? :: '' How about a disclaimerbox? Standard is not always fully read and i missed the sentence when i read it first.'' :*Please read the [[Talk:Bali#Push_for_star_.28audit.29|discussion]] about currency which I linked in the reply to Claus. The same surely applies to Nusa Lembongan as to the Bali article (which went to star status on that basis). To best serve the traveler, we should show the price in which they are charged. If you make a booking in US$, how does it serve the traveler by showing the price in rupiah (which would change daily anyway)? Makes no sense. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:26, 12 February 2010 (EST) :: '' Thanks, missed that'' [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 15:04, 14 February 2010 (EST) Thanks to [[User:(WT-en) Whatsinaname]] for pointing out that directions should not have an initial capital. I had no idea and will change right now.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:26, 12 February 2010 (EST) On Scuba, I have followed the Wikipedia usage, on the basis that it is now a word and not an acronym. So Scuba and not SCUBA. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:26, 14 February 2010 (EST) :'''Support'''. Still a few questions though. I don't understand this sentence (but maybe it is just me): " The views from the Bukit are pethaps second to none on Nusa Lembongan." Also, we need to sort out in which section beaches belong. I'm fine with the way its done in this article, but then we might need to change beaches from "do" to "see" at [[Project:Where to stick it]]. I'm also not sure whether I like the links in the "Walking itinerary" section as they link to the beaches in the See section instead of linking to another article. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 15:01, 25 February 2010 (EST) ::Thanks very much Globe-trotter. In response: ::*See vs Do for beaches is discussed [[Wikivoyage_talk:Where_you_can_stick_it#Beaches|here]]. I think the treatment in this article makes sense. ::*Errr.... it should be ''perhaps'' and not ''pethaps'' of course :). Do you understand OK now? It is a more elegant way of saying "probably best". ::*Is wikilinking to another section of the same article undesirable? That can easily be changed, but I wonder why? ::Thanks again.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:30, 25 February 2010 (EST) :::Not sure if its undesirable policy-wise, but personally I don't see what it adds as the information is right on that page if you scroll a bit up. And this way, we could be linking all over the place as every article is filled with references to the same page. :::For the rest it is a nice article, now I regret not going there in my visit to Bali =) --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 03:59, 26 February 2010 (EST) First, neither Sheki nor anywhere really in Azerbaijan outside Baku qualifies as developed world ;) It does have a few street names, though! Second... *'''Support'''. Lovely article with nothing I can find to trifle about. I'll suggest removing the [[Wikivoyage_talk:Accommodation_listings#Check_in_.2F_Check_out|check-in/check-out times]] from that one hotel listing, as they are non-notable. One question, though, re: ''The safest areas to swim are Mushroom Bay and around the mangroves in the north''. Does this mean that these locations are safe for swimming, or that they are merely less dangerous than the others? And you mention that the hotels have restaurants of wildly varying quality—perhaps you could recommend a few? And can you only eat at your own hotel (i.e., are they of the all-included variety)? This will be our first small island star, which is refreshing, and will mean that I no longer refer contributors to [[Virgin Gorda]] as an example! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:48, 27 February 2010 (EST) :Very good feedback Peter and I will address each of those points right away. Nice re-write of the "no hawkers..." sentence as well.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:28, 27 February 2010 (EST) *'''Support'''. Looks like really nice place. It would be nice if there was more detail for Scuba on where to go (dive sites) and what you might see at the sites, but I am biased. Perhaps some idea of the type(s) of diving? Flat reefs/walls/coral/rock/sand bottoms/drift dives/wrecks. Reef fish/pelagics/critters(unusual invertebrates) etc. Boat only or also shore dives? Are all dives professionally guided or can you rent gear and do your own thing? - [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 13:07, 3 March 2010 (EST) :Thanks for the support Peter. I have avoided giving details of the dive sites as I have never known any diver do their own thing there. I could though, and perhaps that level of detail would be best out of the article, in [[Scuba Diving#Indonesia]]? :I mentioned the highlights as I see them (Mola-Mola, Manta Rays and the very occasional Whale Shark). Somehow I forgot to mention four species of turtle though - that is quite notable. I will have another go at that section right away, and also mention a bit more about the type of dives - there are some (slightly scary) drift dives, and both flat reefs and walls. :Cheers and thanks again.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:04, 3 March 2010 (EST) It has been 23 days and all comments are dealt with I think. I will upgrade to star.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 23:11, 5 March 2010 (EST) ===[[Ubud]]=== This is probably the single most important of all our Bali articles. Ubud was recently voted the number 1 favourite Asian city destination of ''Conde Naste Traveller'' readers, and it has been in the news both because of that, and the hype surrounding the filming of ''Eat, Pray, Love,''. I think I have done more work on this article than any other in the past 4 or 5 months, and I am now very happy with it and believe it is up to star guide standard. It is a long article and I thank in advance those who make it all the way through! As usual, all comments gratefully received.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 07:39, 8 March 2010 (EST) * Amazing work and admit that i really like it. It seems that i missed a couple of interesting spots at my last stay in Ubud in 2008! So, now my issues. # Imho it lacks some contrasts and maybe it would help to have two maps. A more detailed one of the "centre" and a broader overview map for general orientation. I know, it has been discussed but the current map is a compromise we might don't want to have for a star article. # Monkey: I strongly suggest to expand the Stay safe section with a warning on Monkey like in Uluwatu because most unwary traveller don't expect to be harassed from them like they actually do. # Call me ignorant but this '''Eat, Pray, Love''' story crosses my attention the first time. At least in Swiss, Germany etc. Ubud is known for its art, Balinese music performance and as a yoga retreat. I would prefer to have the EPL thing a bit lower in the text as imho it's a bit promotional. # Hotels: I spotted a couple typos/spaces etc. Maybe some native speaker has a closer look. # Eat: In the splurge section you name the Maya Ubud (best coconut ice in my life and i'm picky) and the ??? for their kitchen as well. Maybe you enter the Restaurants of these hotel as a listing because the Maya definitely proofs the exception of the rule. I will have a closer look on the weekend but that's the points that catched my eye at first glance. Thanks again, [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 13:39, 10 March 2010 (EST) *'''Support'''. A pleasure to read, and up to star standards as far as I can tell. Nice sleep section, by the way—it can be really hard to keep coming up with good descriptions for hotels when you have so many in one article! :A couple things to be aware of: Most publishing style guides recommend that numbers 1–20 be spelled out when used in prose, other than for times and money (admittedly, though, I have zero knowledge of British publishing standards). Our convention is to write XAM-YPM daily, that is, the daily after the times is requisite. And remember the serial comma ;) :Since my complaints were pretty trivial, I just went ahead and made the changes myself. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:17, 10 March 2010 (EST) *'''Support'''. It does read well and appears to have the listings needed. I do not know if this disqualifies the article from being a star, but I think it could be improved by adding/expanding intros to some sections and maybe also subsections. See has no intros at all, and the intros to do and eat are rather short. In my opinion, listings become more interesting to read, if an introduction has given the reader an idea of what to expect from the listings. One other thing, are there no other drinking places worth mentioning?, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 15:36, 10 March 2010 (EST) :Whoa. 3 sets of comments overnight! Thank you all very much, really. All very positive, and I am pleased the article reads well. It has been a long job getting it to this stage. Specific comments: :*'''The EPL Phenomenon'''. It is huge jan. I am sure your girlfriend will have heard of this damnable book. Far from being promotional, the info box piece is designed to be quirky, and actually poke fun rather at the hordes of acolytes who have flocked to Ubud seeking redemption, after reading the book. Right at the beginning I call it turgid, which is hardly promotional! :*Jan, on '''restaurants in hotels''', I do not think we should break the rule in a star article of all places. I have mentioned Maya briefly as it is a great restaurant (pleased you agree!), but it should not be there as a listing when it is already in the sleep section. That is definitely a slippery slope, and not one I would care to take a step on to. :*'''Section intros'''. Claus - let me work a little bit more on those. Good points and well taken. :*'''Numbers'''. Hah:). I will be guided by you there Peter. Certainly the rule I have always used is one to ten as words, 11+ as numbers. That may be a rather old-fashioned British rule of thumb though. Thanks for making the changes, and for the general proofing corrections. LOL on serial commas! I am trying to change a habit of a lifetime, and I at least got some of them :). :*'''Map'''. I am very much of the view that one map should be enough. This one prints in guide book size perfectly, and it is easily readable. If a user opened it and printed on a standard A4 computer printer (much larger than guide book), it is very clear indeed. Big squarish maps are an issue for in-article legibility, but I am not sure what we can do about that. Print-wise though, the map is absolutely fine. I can also say with some confidence that this map is more correct than other Ubud travel maps. The maps I have looked at in LP, Rough Guide and elsewhere all have some howling mistakes. You need local knowledge for the road layout, as well as using public domain map sources, as the latter are not especially accurate for Central Bali. :*'''Drinking places.''' Not really Claus, other than restaurants/cafes. I might be able to add some cafes as bars, and will think about that. I make the point upfront that Ubud is really not a night time drinking place, citing the music curfew. That's not why people go there. You are quite correct though to notice that the drink section is disproportionately short. Let me try to address that at least a little. :*'''Monkey warning'''. Very good point and will do. :Thanks again and I will get going on some of that.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:36, 10 March 2010 (EST) ::After Claus' comments, I have added two more cafes which double as bars. This is scraping the barrel a bit though, and that's it for bars! Also updated the map, adding these and a few other recent bits and pieces.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 01:13, 11 March 2010 (EST) *'''Support''' Burmesedays: I asked my girl friend and my team assistant and both didn't know EPL. The German Wikipedia only have a brief article about the author so maybe it failed in the german speaking countries. I stayed in the Maya Ubud for three nights and only have praise for them but i understand you don't want to open pandora's box (i remember the Mainski debate on the Nusa Lembongan talk page). Only thing is the map where even my 2006 Lonely Planet already had two maps which where useful and would allow a bit more detail for the center. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 08:16, 11 March 2010 (EST) :Thanks Jan. You should be grateful that EPL has not made it (yet) into the German speaking world :). I did move the info box further down after your earlier comment. Maya is a great resort, it really is, and I am happy to hear you had a good time there. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 08:34, 11 March 2010 (EST) *'''Support''' &mdash; great job all in all, I'm hard put to find anything at all to improve. Maybe I'm just being a curmudgeon though, but it seems to paint slightly too bright a picture of the town, and I've added in some of the downsides: terrible traffic (in the town center) and poor local transportation, for starters. It needs at least one picture of central Ubud's ugliness and congestion though, since it's not all terraced rice paddies... [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] 07:01, 12 March 2010 (EST) * '''Support'''. When I read this, I see I really missed a lot last summer I was there :( :P But it's a great article! I added one more restaurant listing and also made some other small changes if you don't mind (and updated the map). About '''EPL''': I feel exactly the same as jan, here in the Netherlands it is unheard of and even while having visited Ubud, I had never heard of it before. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 07:55, 12 March 2010 (EST) :Fair comments Jani. The problems with Bali's infrastructure have been highlighted in other articles, but somehow Ubud escaped. That is wrong and should be addressed. Also, I am so used to these problems these days, I barely notice. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 08:04, 12 March 2010 (EST) :Thanks G-t. Proof-reading is not one of my strong points :). Good addition as well.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 08:04, 12 March 2010 (EST) :and starified.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 05:57, 4 April 2010 (EDT) ===[[San Francisco]]=== This is something of a delayed nomination - the last major improvement to the SF guides was done in the leadup to the launch of the [http://www.wikivoyagepress.com/books/en/SanFrancisco/ Wikivoyage Press book]. It was only recently that it crossed my mind, "Hey, this might be a star now." It has 14 district articles, with four of those already stars (the other 10 are guides). Just as a little background; the San Francisco guides were one of the most incredible turnarounds I've ever seen on Wikivoyage. As of early 2008, the main city article, while firm, had ''way'' too many neighborhood articles, most of which were tiny and lacked content. After me and [[User:(WT-en) Asterix]] (who I credit for almost singlehandedly bringing the star to the SF district articles that have it) put the current district system in place, the guides quickly blossomed into one of the finest city guides on Wikivoyage. Today there isn't as much activity, but the SF guides are blessed by the occasional contributor who helps to keep it up-to-date (which has made my job as WTP editor a lot easier). So let's give this jewel of an article the star it deserves. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 14:58, 20 March 2010 (EDT) :*<s>'''Almost'''</s> '''Support'''. :First, SF ''needs'' to become a star. It's an excellent example of what a huge city should look like. Second, my apologies up front for the bait and switch, since the things I said were necessary before starring, on the article talk page, have been fulfilled, but I'm adding more anyway ;) :The one clear essential change before starring is the '''districts map'''. To qualify as "Wikivoyage-style map," I'd say it needs a title, compass rose, and scale—and even more crucially a modifiable SVG source! The other thing I'd really like to see done before starring would be to change the "see" and "sports" sections from '''bullet points to prose'''. :Other things that stuck out, but are less essential: :#IWBN to add descriptions to sleep listings where missing. This seems to be more of an issue in the less-visited outer districts. :#How do you pronounce Haight? ;) :#I'd strongly encourage the addition of '''literature and film sections''' to the main article's understand for a carefully selected sample of some of the best that are especially relevant to understanding San Francisco. :#I'd recommend moving the "highlight walks" to an '''"itineraries"''' subsection of "see." :#Add more to the '''buy section'''—highlight other opportunities for shopping in neighborhoods other than the two currently listed. Surely there are interesting buys in Little Japan, Chinatown, etc? It shouldn't be hard to come up with this, since the details needed for "research" are already in the district articles! :I haven't yet done a thorough read-through for grammar and other nitty-gritty, but knowing your work, that's probably already taken care of! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:29, 20 March 2010 (EDT) :*'''Very nearly'''. Superb example of a huge city article. The high standard of writing is especially laudable. In addition to Peter's comments above, I have the following points about format and content, all of which should be easy to put right. :#On the maps, I would like to see them both using an inset title box, and the currently approved park and water patterns, all as per the current standard [[Project:How to draw a map|Wikivoyage map instructions]]. :#A Stay healthy section is required I think. If nothing else, an overview and of the hospital A&E situation, and listings for the main hospitals. :#Understand would benefit significantly from an Orientation sub section. :#Peter's point about film and literature is really valid. I can hardly think of a city that is more deserving of this than San Francisco. You could even call the sub section "Popular culture". :I really look forward to seeing this one go to star. Great article about a great city.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 01:15, 21 March 2010 (EDT) :::Strictly speaking, "Stay healthy" is required only in Country articles. Information about health facilities is important, of course. =) [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 16:42, 21 March 2010 (EDT) ::::Yep. Not so much a strict requirement as very desirable in a star city, district or region article I would say.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:59, 21 March 2010 (EDT) :::::A couple of suggestions for the Literature and Movies sections: Tales of the City (counter culture reading that many users will immediately recognise) and Bullitt (as iconic as iconic gets). --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 23:13, 22 March 2010 (EDT) * I think I've managed to cover all these suggestions except for Burmesedays' third point: there's already a section called "Finding your way around" under Get around, which seems to cover the same stuff as an Orientation section would. I could move it up to Understand and rename it "Orientation", but I prefer it where it is now; it makes sense to me that it would go under Get around (although it would probably be more visible if it was at the top of Get around, not the bottom). Or did I misunderstand what you were asking for? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 00:08, 23 March 2010 (EDT) ::Quick work! My issues have been addressed (although I still would like to know how to pronounce Haight), so I'm happy to finally support SF for a star. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 01:34, 23 March 2010 (EDT) ::: Same as "hate", with the ''a'' drawn out ever so slightly longer. -- [[User:(WT-en) Dguillaime|(WT-en) D. Guillaime]] 02:03, 23 March 2010 (EDT) ::::I've just added a note of the pronunciation to the [[San Francisco/Haight|Haight]] article. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 16:07, 23 March 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' It's well written and is an inspiration for a new voyage. Two points that should nevertheless considered: 1. Lietrature section is a bit hard to read. Maybe can someone change the listed books like in star [[Bali#Reading]]? It's much easier to read 2. A seperate map for Presidio would be good. Currently the legend for the map is huge and both areas could benefit from a significant scale. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 03:57, 23 March 2010 (EDT) ::Noted on the first point - I've changed most of the listings in the literature section (I left Jack Kerouac and Philip K. Dick as they were, given their fame and the fact that they wrote more than one thing based in SF). As to your second point, I'm not entirely sure I understand what you're asking for - are you saying the map in [[San Francisco/Golden Gate#Get in|Golden Gate]] should be split into two maps, one for the Presidio and one for the neighborhoods? If so, I think I can manage that, but are you ''sure'' that needs to be done (it's a lot of work, so I want to be clear on how urgent you think this is)? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 16:18, 23 March 2010 (EDT) ::: Perry: Thank you for your fast response! You got my intention 100% correct and sorry that i was so brief on the Golden gat map. In my view the two maps would be a huge benefit but are non-essentiell for my star support. Do it when you have time. Great job, [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 17:14, 23 March 2010 (EDT) :::: Cool, I'll try to get around to that - It's a great idea. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 18:49, 24 March 2010 (EDT) *'''Nearly'''. I agree with all the points raised above, but I think the SF total map is not up to standard to other star quality maps. It definitely needs a scale, arrow, road names, some public transport, etc. Just look at [[Washington, D.C.]] or [[Chicago]] for good examples. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 11:21, 24 March 2010 (EDT) ::Not sure what you're looking for here - there's a districts map, a road map, and a public transport map, with scales and arrows (except for the public transport map, which I'll fix), just like the Chicago page. What are we missing here? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 18:49, 24 March 2010 (EDT) * '''Support''', great article! But I also miss some road names and public transport on the first map in the article. Further, the text on the map should be DejaVu, I guess, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 19:21, 24 March 2010 (EDT) ::Okay, that's a little more clear. I can certainly add road names, although I think adding public transport to the districts map will really clutter it up. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 22:10, 24 March 2010 (EDT) :::All of my original points covered and thanks for that. I see that Peter is having a go with the maps and I will reserve final comment until those are finished. I am sure it will be full support though. I really like this article. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 23:45, 28 March 2010 (EDT) *'''Abstain'''. I just wonder why so many tours are listed in [[San Francisco#Bus/Driving_tours]]. I can trust that each one provide a value-added service, but it's unclear for many of the listings what is that added value. --[[User:(WT-en) DenisYurkin|(WT-en) DenisYurkin]] 04:23, 31 March 2010 (EDT) ::A good point - to tell you the truth, looking at the [[Project:Activity listings#Tour listings|rule]] that "''Tours should offer something as a supplement, rather than a replacement for Wikivoyage guides''", I'm not sure if ''any'' of the bus/driving tours should be in there (except maybe GoCar, but even there I'm not too sure). Can anyone else offer their opinion on this matter? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 14:41, 2 April 2010 (EDT) ::: I've personally not removed the tour listings solely due to the fact that this article has been heavily edited by long-time users like yourself, so I figured the available listings had already been vetted. If that's not the case then I'd suggest taking them out. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 16:34, 2 April 2010 (EDT) :::: Well they all seem like legitimate tour operators (which is probably the main reason why removing them was never really considered), but I don't know if having them here helps achieve any of Wikivoyage's goals (for instance, GoCar's front page has the phrase "put away the guidebook", something which I'm reasonably confident is not in the interest of Wikivoyage). It's not as if any of these bus/driving tours go places or do things you can't reasonably access on your own. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 17:19, 2 April 2010 (EDT) ::::: The [[Tour]] policy grew out of similar desperation as the [[Project:External links]] policy - we know there are worthwhile tours out there, but in the interest of preventing our guides from turning into spammy messes we draw a very hard line that is easily policed. None of the San Francisco tour listings seem to be obviously in compliance with our policies - most lack an address, and I don't think any meet the "you would be unlikely to do this on your own" threshold - so I'd suggest removing the entire lot of them. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 17:25, 2 April 2010 (EDT) :::::: Done - I've gone ahead and removed all the tour listings, not just the bus/driving ones, because the others I feel are reasonably covered in the district articles. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 21:00, 2 April 2010 (EDT) For anyone who was holding out on a support vote, desiring improvements to the map, I have just uploaded a new spiffy one—[[San Francisco#Districts|check it out]]! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:08, 9 April 2010 (EDT) :Oh my cuss Peter; that's not a map, that's a work of art! My biggest thanks to you! [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 17:15, 9 April 2010 (EDT) ::'''Support''', that's what I meant with a star quality map. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 18:46, 9 April 2010 (EDT) :::'''Full support'''. I was in support anyway but was curious to see the new map. That's a beauty. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 22:12, 9 April 2010 (EDT) '''Last call.''' It has now been three weeks and all concerns raised thus far have been addressed - are there any remaining issues before we slap on the star? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 17:38, 10 April 2010 (EDT) ===[[Walt Disney World/Downtown Disney]]=== Continuing to plug away at Walt Disney World articles. This one is quite different from other articles because Downtown Disney isn't a theme park, but I think it still meets our standards for star. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 14:21, 31 January 2010 (EST) : I'll try to get a thorough read done later, but the intro "''At Downtown Disney, you can shop 'til you drop, eat your fill, play all day, and party all night.''" bugs me a bit. I'm fine with "touting" the destination a bit in the intro, and like to see creative writing applied there, but to me it reads like it's taken out of Disney brochure. I might be the only one feeling that way, in which case I'm not going to hold it against the nomination, but maybe some others can comment on that. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 14:34, 31 January 2010 (EST) :: Extremely well written and an easy read. I have a few points. Please forgive me if some of these are irrelevant for this destination, as I know absolutely zilch about the Disney set-up. ::* Do none of the roads on the map have names? Or are they not conventional roads but rather pedestrian walkways or bus-ways? If either (or both) of the latter, it would be helpful to mark as appropriate. ::* What's an Imagineer? ::* None of the Marketplace stores have phone numbers? Some are also missing for Pleasure Island and West Side. ::* In Eat. The use of a shouty, capitalised NO for NO Dining Plan, jars. ::* In Eat. After qualifying in the opening para that they should not really be used, I think the listings would look better if you either included phone numbers or not, rather than including just some. ::* Drink. I am just stunned that there are so few options! :) ::* I must say that I have a similar view to Stefan about the phrasing in the introduction. It does read like a Disney marketing-bite. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:57, 1 February 2010 (EST) ::::I've included phone numbers where available. For Disney-run stores, no doubt they have telephones but they're not publicized anywhere; for non-Disney stores, I was often able to go to their web sites to get phone numbers. The only roads on the map are both parts of Buena Vista Drive; the rest of the roadways are either bus-ways (in gray) or parking lot access/driveways (in white). I'm not sure how I could make that clearer. I'm also open to suggestions on how better to call out which restaurants are on the dining plan and which are not. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 09:20, 1 February 2010 (EST) ::::*For the Dining Plan, it is customary here I think to use italics for emphasis and not caps. So: ''No'' Dining Plan. :::::*On phone numbers, I think more work is required. As per the MoS requirement, I do not think we should have a star article without phone numbers for stores. I appreciate the point about the Disney establishments, but do think that a phone number at least is required for all the independent tenants. On the restaurants, if it is really advised not to use the phone numbers as the opening says, then perhaps omit them altogether? That would be better than having only some of them I think. Ideal of course, would be to find and include every number. :::::*Understood on the roads, although it was not clear to me without the explanation. Maybe a key would be helpful. Not a biggie though.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 11:04, 1 February 2010 (EST) :::::**I apologize; I think the absence of phone numbers on those non-Disney establishments was a simple oversight, as I easily found them at the web sites (except Magic Masters, for which Yahoo! yellow pages came through). [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 11:41, 1 February 2010 (EST) ::::::*Well done. I am still a bit confused though over what has a phone number and what doesn't, what is Disney and what isn't. For example, Cap'n Jack's Restaurant and Cookes of Dublin have no phone numbers. Does that mean they are Disney establishments that you can't telephone direct? Or? ::::::*The golf courses. No phone numbers, hours or costs? ::::::*As you did not answer my question, I found out what an Imagineer was all by myself :) :).--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 12:37, 2 February 2010 (EST) ::::::**Well, to be honest, I'm not really clear on what you need a phone number for anyway. If it's just because the rules require it, I would have to ask what the objective is, and whether that objective is satisfied by the main Disney Dining number or not.<br />For the golf courses, I wasn't sure how much information I should duplicate from [[Walt Disney World#Golf]]. It seems pointless to copy all of the information on attire and other regulations, although I could add the 1-407-WDW-GOLF phone number without taking up much extra space. I can't find definitive hours anywhere; I suspect they vary as the hours of daylight change. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 14:34, 2 February 2010 (EST) :::::::*Consistency is the key for me I think. A star article with phone numbers for some listings but not others within the same sub-section, looks like a mistake or an error of omission. Whichever way, I think it needs to be consistent. On golf courses, I agree that repeating rules and regs from the parent article would be silly. But a phone number and a price range would seem like the minimum information. In my admittedly limited experience, golf courses always have first and last tee times. I guess golfers know approximately what those will be, so no big deal. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:13, 2 February 2010 (EST) * Some issues: # Does a Hilton hotel is a budget option? At least in Europe they are min. mid-range and the prices look not so much budget to me. # Possible contradiction between the understand and drink section. While the understand section is promotional for the nightlife, the drink section sounds like a interesting locations are gone and franchise companies etc. moved in and took away the individual places. What holds true? # Map: Does the parking slot have names, numbers etc.? This is very helpful. I was with my parents fiveteen years ago in WDW and it was always a nightmare to find the parking area of our car... # The first sections sounds a bit too promotional for me, too. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 09:47, 1 February 2010 (EST) ::It's true that a basic room at the Hilton is roughly comparable, price-wise, to a basic room at Port Orleans. But I thought it much more awkward to remove the Hilton from the other Hotel Plaza properties. The lots at Downtown Disney don't have names of which I'm aware, and they didn't all get on the map anyway. For nightlife, both are true; ''nightclubs'' as such are largely gone, but there is still much to do at night at places like Raglan Road, House of Blues, and Bongos. Certainly more activity here than anyplace else on property after 11PM. ::As for the lead, I'm open to suggestions if anyone has something more specific to add than "it sounds promotional". Don't all of our star articles sound promotional? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:14, 1 February 2010 (EST) ::: We may integrate that explanation in the understand section because that's maybe the clarification/facts that the others have asked for as well. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 11:04, 1 February 2010 (EST) :::: I think the issue is that Disney is a commercial entity, which our other destinations are not - which is why I didn't jump the gun and cried foul right away. I'll let you know if I think of something. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 11:08, 1 February 2010 (EST) :::::I'm not clear on why that should make a difference. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 11:31, 1 February 2010 (EST) ::::: LtPowers: You reverted my edits while we discussed on my talk page. I suggest that as I'm not the only one that think the opening phrase of the article could be straight from Disney's promotion department you draft an alternative instead of sticking to the current version. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 12:33, 2 February 2010 (EST) ::::::[http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Walt_Disney_World%2FDowntown_Disney&diff=1369451&oldid=1369392 Your edits] didn't involve the opening paragraph at all, ''and'' you invited me to revert them; I apologize if I misread your intent. I'm ''still'' not sure what the point of them was, since they changed the grammar in awkward ways and didn't involve any promotional language. At any rate, I'm sorry; maybe there's a language barrier and I'm misunderstanding you somehow, but changing "In 2008, Disney closed down the six remaining Pleasure Island nightclubs" to "Disney closed down in 2008 the six remaining Pleasure Island nightclubs" doesn't make any sense to me. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 14:34, 2 February 2010 (EST) ::::::: LtPowers: The way you make your statements or interact makes me feel patronised and you take the part out that i wrote you that i didn't finish my work due to real life work. It's not the first time and I think i'm not the only one. I don't want to fuel this discussion here with offtopic so let get back to the article. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 04:55, 3 February 2010 (EST) How about losing the "shop 'til drop" bit altogether. The opening would then read: :'''Downtown Disney''' is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment district in the southeast corner of [[Walt Disney World]] and comprises the '''Downtown Disney Marketplace''', '''Pleasure Island''', and '''Downtown Disney West Side'''. Although it's geared primarily for adults looking for something to do away from the parks, kids will find several things to occupy their attention as well.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 12:26, 2 February 2010 (EST) ::That reads a bit dryly, doesn't it? I'm trying to maintain the same "At _____, you can ____, ____, ____, and ____," pattern that I used in the successfully starred [[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios]], [[Walt Disney World/Epcot]], and [[Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom]] articles. And while everyone has said they don't like it, no one has really explained why it's bad. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 14:34, 2 February 2010 (EST) :::I think it's because "shop 'til drop" sounds really cliche; something you're more likely to hear from an advertisement than a nonbiased travel website. Also, I'm pretty sure that the examples you gave also had a few criticisms when those articles came up for star (I think the criticisms were dropped when we came up with a lack of decent alternatives). How about we drop the initial sentence, then liven up the following one? [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 16:19, 2 February 2010 (EST) ::::I would very much prefer to keep the pattern so the five articles together with [[Walt Disney World]] form a coherent whole. I am absolutely not wedded to the choice of words within the pattern, but that was the best I'd come up with at the time. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 16:42, 2 February 2010 (EST) ::: The opening sentences of the other resort are much less promotional, e.g. Epcot: ''At Epcot, you can visit Mexico, France, and China, all in the same afternoon; survive crash tests in an experimental car; soar over California with the wind in your hair; and learn all about human achievement and international cooperation.'' So how about: At '''Downtown Disney''', you can shop, dine and play throughout the day and party during the night. It might not be perfect but at least the two biggest phrases wouldn't be used any more. Any other suggestions? [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 05:07, 3 February 2010 (EST) I've changed the lead and changed "NO" to "No" in the restaurant listings. (I wanted to italicize "No" but can't because it's in the "price" field of the listing tag.) Please review and comment. Any other outstanding issues? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 18:48, 5 February 2010 (EST) :Thanks for the all the changes which certainly address points raised, barring a number of details which are still missing. Again, it is hard to understand whether these are Disney establishments or not and if some are covered by catch-all contact details. :*'''AMC Pleasure Island''' has no phone number and needs some indication of costs. Had a quick check and it is all on their website. :*'''Cap'n Jack's Marina and Characters in Flight'''. I guess these are Disney attractions? Prices? Contact details? Characters in Flight needs opening hours. :*'''La Nouba''' is missing a telephone number. :*'''Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs''', opening hours, costs and phone number missing. :*'''Marketplace shopping section''' - a stack of contact details missing. :*'''Magnetron''' - no contact details. :*'''Sunglass Icon''' - no contact details. :*'''Eat section'''. If ''all'' of the restaurants listed can be booked via the catch-all Disney number, then fair enough. It still looks odd to have some numbers shown and others not though.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 04:11, 7 February 2010 (EST) I'm not as hell bent on insisting all listings have phone numbers, but if possible all restaurant and accommodation listings should have phone numbers listed - as I imagine this is useful for seat or room reservations. I'd also like to discourage the use of "letter" phone numbers, as these are not used in large swaths of the world, and will be confusing to many foreign readers. Once that is taken care of, i'd be happy to support the nomination, with the intro taken care of, this is nice work! --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 07:53, 7 February 2010 (EST) :: Ah, had missed the central reservations number... guess it's still usable if you forget something, but not as critical, I'd still prefer getting rid of those letter numbers. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 08:02, 7 February 2010 (EST) :::Somehow I'd missed the AMC phone number, not sure how that happened. Most of the Disney-owned shops don't have public phone numbers as far as I can tell, though I welcome help looking for them. For things like Cap'n Jack's Marina, the only phone number I can find is 1-407-WDW-PLAY, which is the main WDW recreational activities number. I've added it to the listing. I've also added hours for Characters in Flight (prices were already there). The Spa is ''not'' missing a phone number at all, but I've added hours and a lengthy explanation of costs. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:31, 7 February 2010 (EST) Anyone care to support or oppose one way or another? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 09:12, 13 February 2010 (EST) :Definitely support. It is a very well written and presented article. I have not yet had time to see if all the minor points raised have been addressed. Once again, I will say it is disappointing how few users comment on these nominations. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:23, 13 February 2010 (EST) Took me a LOT of time to review, but you now have my support. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 21:28, 14 February 2010 (EST) ::*'''<s>Almost</s> Support'''. Great article, looking forward to seeing a star atop it, but IMO a few things need to be addressed: :::For the completeness requirement, as usual, phone numbers should be included in the buy listings. They're especially useful if you need to track down details or answer questions that you can't find online... All that's ever needed for buy listings is phone, address, and hours, and the latter two are already taken care of here. :::I also agree that it looks strange to have some restaurants with phone #s, others without. Is this because some should be called directly and others only via WDW-DINE? (And if so, what are their phone numbers for?) If so, maybe just plug +1 407 939-3463 into those listings? And if this is the case for all the resort restaurants (i.e., you don't call the resort?), then perhaps just put a reminder at the top of that section to only use the WDW-wide dining number? :::The restaurants outside the marketplace need hours. Snack places should have price ranges. Some drink listings lack hours and all lack phone #s. :::I would also recommend removing the check-in/check-out info from the hotels, as none of it is an [[Wikivoyage_talk:Accommodation_listings#Check_in_.2F_Check_out|exception to what one would expect]] (and the resorts will clearly give you the times when reserving a room) and it therefore just takes up space. :::Lastly, I thought I'd just draw attention to the following: ''Opening their doors to a primarily adult clientele. If you get tired of the relentlessly artificial environments of the theme parks, you can drop by Downtown Disney at night for fun of an entirely different sort. The strongest concentration of activity at night is on the West Side, but Pleasure Island gets its share as well.'' --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:51, 27 February 2010 (EST) ::::#I have included all the phone numbers I can find. Of the ones remaining, I suspect several shops (like Mickey's Mart and the DisneyQuest Emporium) and some restaurants may not have external phone numbers at all. I am admittedly at a loss to understand what possible use the phone numbers might be, but I realize our policies require it. I'm open to suggestions. ::::#The Eat section does say "The telephone numbers below are for extraordinary circumstances only; for reservations and most health or diet issues, call the main Disney Dining number at +1 407 WDW-DINE (939-3463)." Should I repeat that in each of the subsections? ::::#I don't understand how to do price ranges for snack places, since you can't really eat a whole meal there. Is it just a range of menu item prices? ::::#I can remove checkin/checkout, but they're still listed in the policy page. ::::#Does that bit you quoted sound a little... misleading? I don't read it that way, but that's me. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 16:42, 27 February 2010 (EST) :::::Re 1: Inventory questions are usually the most important reason for phone numbers. If there are general numbers, could you call them to ask what the individual numbers would be? Not all info is available online. I don't have any real recommendations re: 2, and wouldn't want that to hold up a starnom—just that I agree it looks a little confusing. Re: 3, yes, e.g., '''ice cream store''', $2-4.50. Re: 5, don't worry, it's perfectly clear—I'm just trying to inject levity into the starnom page ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:58, 27 February 2010 (EST) ::::::Okay, I've addressed several of the issues. I'm still not sure what to do with phone numbers for the resort restaurants; all I can find is either WDW-DINE (usually) or the main resort phone number (more rarely). WDW-DINE is covered at the beginning of the eat section, so I'd rather not put it in there, but I could do the resort number. I just don't want to be misleading; I wouldn't want someone calling it and not realizing it's not a direct line to the kitchen or what have you. I'm still looking for numbers for a few of the shops, but I'm not holding out great hope; it's entirely possible they don't have external phone numbers. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 19:53, 5 March 2010 (EST) Hey, folks, here's where we stand. *After researching pretty much every way I know how, I believe I've gotten all the phone numbers I can. As far as I can tell, all remaining listings without phone numbers (shops, restaurants, and lounges alike) have no direct incoming line from outside the resort. As I see it, there are two options: I can put in "parent entity" phone numbers (which would be the resort number for resort restaurants and lounges, the colocated restaurant in the case of Cooke's of Dublin and Wolfgang Puck's The Dining Room, and the main Downtown Disney number for everything else), or I can leave them as-is. The former, to me, is misleading and of dubious value to the traveler, but I can do it if the latter option remains unacceptable. *I have retained checkin and checkout information as the [[Project:Accommodation listings]] policy page does not say anything about them being optional, and star articles must follow our style policies. I have no idea where consensus stands on promoting this article. I think Burmesedays and Jonathan are on board as supporting, but others have commented without making a decision one way or the other. Any final thoughts? -- [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 16:26, 15 April 2010 (EDT) ::Could you mention whatever general number you can call in the buy intro? When some of the listings lack phone #s, a) it's not clear what to call to get something like an inventory check, and b) it ''looks'' incomplete. ::When a policy page does not make something clear, we look to discussion and practice. In practice, most of our star articles omit check-in and check-out times. In discussion, the rough consensus was that we should include them only when they are an exception to the rule, and that we should therefore remove the fields from the listing editor (they would still be accessible by editing the page). This isn't an issue that I think should hold up a starnom, but it is relevant for printing—it's an issue of trimming the fat to reduce page counts. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 10:32, 21 April 2010 (EDT) :::I see your point about clutter. Checkin/checkout times are hardly an issue at Disney hotels these days anyway, with early check-in allowing you to leave your bags with bell services and have them delivered to your room when it's ready. I've removed the checkin/out times and will update the MOS accordingly. :::I've put the Guest Relations number for Downtown Disney in the intro to the Buy section, along with instructions on what to do with it. :::-- [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 12:27, 21 April 2010 (EDT) ===[[Walt Disney World/Magic Kingdom]]=== Well, by now you folks know the drill. This is the last of the five district articles for [[Walt Disney World]]. There's a lot to cover in this park, but I think I caught almost all of it. =) I've gotten complaints about promotional language in the past; hopefully this article avoids that problem, but let me know if you see anything off. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 22:03, 3 August 2010 (EDT) *'''hm''' <strike>I'm missing a map in the get in/get around section. It is far from the other parks and an overview map of the park would be awesome. I got lost in the park while visiting with my family and it is much walking in this park.</strike> The sleep section is mostly Disney hotels. Do they have nearby none Disney hotels that are open to non DoD employees? It's will written and the similarities to the other WDW articles are clearly visible. I will read if i have more time so that's just my points that immediately came to my mind. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 09:51, 4 August 2010 (EDT) **Twice? That's insane. Sorry about that. Anyway, the Magic Kingdom is entirely surrounded by Disney property, so there are no non-Disney hotels nearby. Except for the ones at [[Walt Disney World/Downtown Disney#Sleep|Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza]] (and, depending on how you count, the [[Walt Disney World/Epcot#Sleep|Swan and Dolphin]]) the rest are all off Disney property in [[Lake Buena Vista]] or [[Kissimmee]]. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:34, 4 August 2010 (EDT) :Lately WT was pretty slow and it seems that the technical side is deteriorating. Concerning the hotels: Maybe we add a note that there are only Disney hotels so everyone knows that they either need to commute or take a Disney hotel. I think that would be an interesting point for travellers. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 14:23, 4 August 2010 (EDT) ::Well don't forget the main article, which covers the situation well; is it really a surprise that there are very few non-Disney hotels on Disney property? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 15:26, 4 August 2010 (EDT) :::You are right. I missed the main WDW article which explains the sleep situation in good detail. I have then only one issue left. Quite some listings have this [[:Image:Stop_hand.png]] at the end and are not changeable. Is this on purpose or it's the technical side again? [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 04:40, 6 August 2010 (EDT) ::::Yep, I discovered that [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Walt_Disney_World/Hollywood_Studios&diff=next&oldid=1187677 here] -- Wikivoyage Press's book-generating engine doesn't strip out image markup inside listings tags. To be honest, I'm not actually a huge fan of using that icon to indicate safety restrictions, but any other solution I've thought of is far more unwieldy and so I've just left 'em. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:39, 6 August 2010 (EDT) :::::The stop hand icon was ''my'' idea, and seriously I can't think of any other way. :) However, I'm impressed with how this finally came out, so I '''support''' this nomination. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 14:32, 7 August 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' I had a closer look and would say it's fine for star. I adressed my points above but they won't hold up this nomination. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 11:43, 25 August 2010 (EDT) ===[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point]]=== This site has been improved a lot over the last few months. The map is not quite ready, but needs comment. The svg has not yet been uploaded, but that is just a matter of doing it when the map is right. Other than that, I think the article meets most, if not all the criteria, and by nominating it I hope to get suggestions on what more is needed. I look forward to the creative criticism that helped get [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle]] to star. Partridge Point is a large dive site compared with Pinnacle, and it is much better known among the local divers, and has been quite popular for years. However, the development of the Wikivoyage article seems to have pushed up the number of dive charters advertised for the site this season, and the mapping of the site has opened up new parts of it. Local divers are getting the message and starting to use the guide. I just wish a few of them would start contributing, but with luck this will happen eventually. Besides that, it has been great fun to map, and see the layout unfold itself gradually as I get the data from the GPS tracks onto Inkscape. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 13:25, 16 August 2010 (EDT) *'''Uncertain''' I already had a close look and in general i like this article. I'm not a diver so i can't comment on the quality of the routing and your hints. The only thing i'm really missing is a map on how to get to this route (some sort of get in section) on the landside. If others say the diving part is good, i would support the article. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 15:43, 3 September 2010 (EDT) ::Although the dive site is close to the shore, it is a boat access dive for several reasons, the most important being that you have to cross private land to get to the shore near enough to swim there, so although there is a dirt track to a house at the point, it has a locked gate and divers may not use it, even if they wanted to (the main road is 100m above the shore at this point - a long steep walk in dive gear with about 30 to 40kg of cylinder and weights). I have done this as a shore dive in about 1984, and would not willingly do so again. Therefore, no point in indicating a path on land, it would only get people into trouble. Cheers, [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 10:51, 5 September 2010 (EDT) ::I have added a sub-article on the launch site (see also below) which should help address the access issue, and have also changed the text to clarify. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:43, 7 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Support:''' I like it! [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 22:32, 5 September 2010 (EDT) * having managed to finish my RL deadline early (wonders never cease) some more thoughts on this article: is it perhaps an idea to give a map on how to get to Millers Point slipway? Along with a helpful hint about not to park in the wrong place? :Also, why is Geology not a proper subheading? (it's under 'areas around Partridge Point' which makes it look like it's the Geology of the areas around Partridge Point and not the geology of Partridge) :and why, in the Geology section, is Peninsula in italics? :then, what protocol do you use to determine which animals get capital letters and which don't? for example: ::'Hottentot seabream, Roman, Galjoen, Blacktail, Fransmadam and Zebra may be seen here, and also puffadder shy sharks. ' why no caps for sharks? :and here: ::'Large shoals of small fish such as Hottentot sea bream and Fransmadam are frequently seen, and smaller groups of larger reef fish such as Roman, John Brown, Two-tone fingerfin and Galjoen. Cryptic species such as klipfish and redfingers are fairly common. ' :then: swim-through or swimthrough? you have both. :finally: ::all I can add is that there are several mentions of parts of the site which have not yet been mapped in detail -- should these mentions stay in or should they be ignored/deleted for now and then added in when the descriptions exist? :Apart from that, I still say '''Support'''. :[[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 11:23, 6 September 2010 (EDT) ::Hi Seascapeza. Thanks for the useful comments. In approximate order: :::'''Map''' idea is good, the route map in the main article is not really sufficient on its own, and there are a large number of sites serviced by Miller's Point slipway, so I have started a sub-article for the [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Miller's Point slipway|Miller's Point slipway]] which can be linked from all of the sites which are accessed from there. All useful advice for the slipway can be at this one place. I guess I will have to do the same for all the other major launch sites eventually. The current map I have there is a placeholder until I get to drawing a better one. What do you think? Any useful comments on the format/template of the launch site article? :::'''Geology''' has been a minor subsection of topography since the original dive site template was designed and reached consensus. I have moved it to below the leader paragraph of the topography section where it now obviously applies to the whole area. This could be changed, but for consitency would then have to be changed for all the dive sites, and geology is not a major heading. :::I use '''''italics''''' to indicate geological formation names, in much the same way they are used with genus and species. It is not a universal convention, but it is a way of indicating that the names dont just refer to a place. Capitals would not help here. :::I use '''capitals''' for the first word of a common name for a species. This is to indicate that it is a specific name and not a generalised description. Otherwise how would a reader know that a Walking anemone is not just an anemone walking, as an example. Usage is erratic and I have tried to clean up, but may have missed a few. Feel free to correct on sight. For example, klipfish and Redfingers, but Blue-spotted klipfish. I am open to better suggestions. :::'''Swim-through''' vs '''swimthrough'''. Not fussy, have changed all to swim-through for consistancy. If you prefer the other way, go ahead and change them. :::'''Parts not yet mapped''': I dont know, do you think it is more useful to the diver to mention that the places are not mapped yet, or just not mention them. Might it encourage the adventurous diver to go out and explore where lack of any comment might imply lack of any interesting things to see? :::Finally, as a diver, could you comment on '''jan's''' reservations (above) about the usefulness of the diving information? [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:37, 7 September 2010 (EDT) I have just uploaded the latest versions of all the maps and the svg. The False Bay west side season is drawing to an end, and the article may be as complete as I can get it until next winter, so I will give it another few days until 14 days have elapsed since the last person commented, and unless there are any others who wish to comment in that time, will then upgrade to star. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:14, 17 September 2010 (EDT) Promoted to [[Project:Travel topic status|Startopic]] &mdash; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:01, 24 September 2010 (EDT) ===[[Kununurra]]=== I'm nominating this one now as it is soon to be a OTBP feature and it would be mighty nice for it to be a star when its up there. I don't think it is too far off star-hood but no doubt others we spot the wrinkles I missed. [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 00:12, 3 September 2010 (EDT) * <strike>'''Close'''</strike> '''Full support''' [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 09:11, 24 September 2010 (EDT)I have seen the article in the past several times and really liked it's improvement. Here are my points: The Get in by plane section is not fully listingfied as in Nusa Lembongan. The distances are already discussed on the talk page and it should be clarified how long it takes. Last point is that the map. When i look at the Kimberly map the border to NT looks pretty close. Is Kununurra a interstate border town? Then in the get in section not only the distance to Katherine should be named but also how far the border for Quarantine is. All in all very good manageable for star before the otbp premiere starts. Excellent job! [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 15:40, 3 September 2010 (EDT) :: I have made the changes to address the points. Flights listingified and updated. A few changes to distances etc. Just need to drum up some more support to push it over the starhood line. [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 04:01, 26 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' Looks pretty good to me. Possibly a map to show where it is in context of the rest of Australia would be useful, though a click on the Kimberley link gets that anyway. It is just that as an OTBP, people will tend to wonder where it is, as they are unlikely to have heard of it, and most non-Australians, even if they have heard of the Kimberleys, probably dont know exactly where they are. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:01, 6 September 2010 (EDT) * '''<strike>Almost</strike>''' '''Support'''. It looks pretty good, however, the map misses some of the listings, eg all of the Buy and Drink listings. And why are some of the roads with dotted lines?, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 06:14, 26 September 2010 (EDT) :: Drink and Buy added to the map and uploaded. The dotted lines are unsealed roads. [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 05:49, 28 September 2010 (EDT) * '''<strike>Almost</strike>''' This is a very good article i think, but there are a few things that should be fixed if possible :* There is some mishap with the email address for Kununurra Visitor Centre, the phone number is repeated twice as an email address. :* IANANS but isn't "there isn't a local bus" bad english? it's repeated a few times in the guide :* Rumours Patisserie and The Argyle Room, Liquorland, Thirsty Camel Bottle-O, the Aussie Bar and KG Sports Bar lacks opening hours : Should be easy to fix up, and then I'd happily throw my support. --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 07:16, 26 September 2010 (EDT) :: These points have been addressed now. [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 09:39, 27 September 2010 (EDT) ::: '''Support''' then, good work, I know first hand how tedious it can get to push guides that final stretch --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 10:22, 27 September 2010 (EDT) * '''<strike>Almost</strike>''' '''Support'''. Here are some more minor remarks: :# Ord River or Ord river :# days of the week in the listings in the get in section should either be abbreviated to the minimum number of letters (standard), or spelled out in full (if the abbreviation looks odd) :# it looks odd to bold 'local bus service' in the get around section when there actually is not any :# consider to make an intro to the do section :# consider to inform about prices for some more of the restaurants :# in Gulliver's Tavern, should it be W-Sa or W-Su? --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 09:42, 26 September 2010 (EDT) :: These points have been fixed now. Ord River is capitalised. Local bus rewritten. Prices added. Days corrected. Intro to the Do section will get revised later when I think of something better to write. [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 10:19, 27 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' An entirely unscientific reaction: this article really made me want to go there. [[User:(WT-en) Rezendi|(WT-en) Rezendi]] 19:56, 28 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''', absolutely—beautiful article! The time has already passed for comments, so please feel free to promote the article to star status. A couple things I did catch, though: :1) Kimberley Fine Diamonds needs hours—best to call or shoot them an email to find out; :2) Personally, I would omit most email addresses (how often does one need to email a restaurant?) to save space. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:04, 1 October 2010 (EDT) ::* Thanks all for your help and support in getting this over the line. Very much appreciated. [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 06:43, 10 October 2010 (EDT) ===[[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Pahurat]]=== I've put effort in this article to try to make it qualify for star status. It must be the best guide on this area, far better than the available commercial guides. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 09:51, 12 July 2010 (EDT) *<s>'''''Very'' close'''</s> - I think this is a very solid nomination. The info is good, the map is great, and there seems to be a solid number of listings. But there are a few small things which stop me from giving a full vote of support - forgive the nitpicking, but it's necessary: #The first, and really the most important one in my mind, is that many of the listings lack a proper amount of address info, just the street (I'll use Wat Chakrawat as an example, but there are others). I understand that a formal address may not exist (and even if it did, it might not be very useful in such a complex district), but surely there could be more info. Perhaps an intersection, or which two streets the place lies between? Something to give me a better idea of exactly where it's located. #Purely aesthetic, but when I opened the article I was struck by the solid wall of text in the introduction. Could we divide that into a couple more paragraphs? Just so it doesn't look so intimidating... #Two budget eat listings, Yen Ta Fo Je Hieng and Samrat, lack prices. Also, could we have one of those price range boxes in the Eat section, like the one you have in Sleep? #Texas Hotel lacks contact info and prices. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 17:43, 12 July 2010 (EDT) ::Thanks for your input! Let me go at this case by case: :#I've tried to add descriptions to some of the listings, if you're still unsatisfied, let me know which listings you'd like to be improved. Getting addresses is really a headache, I've ''really'' tried my best to find any I can, so descriptions will have to suffice (especially with the temples). :#I moved a part of the introduction to "Understand" to make it feel a bit less intimidating. I hope that's okay. :#I've added prices to the 2 restaurants and added the price range box. :#I removed the Texas Hotel as it was added by someone else, but as far as I know it, I don't think its a great add anyway (and I cannot find contact details anywhere). --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 19:48, 12 July 2010 (EDT) ::Much better! I will '''support''' now! [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 20:07, 12 July 2010 (EDT) :::A few suggestions/questions ::::#The intro appears almost only to talk about Yaowarat and not about Pahurat. Maybe one or two sentences about Pahurat could be added ::::#History: Teochew is the old spelling, should be replaced by Chaozhou ::::#It appears a bit random whether the name of listings are written in Thai as well. It could be considered to add the Thai name for more listings ::::#Are there no splurge restaurants in the district? ::::#There must be somewhere in the district where you can have a drink or a beer? ::::#Are there no splurge hotels in the district?, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 02:30, 18 July 2010 (EDT) :::::: I'm with Claus on the consistency in Thai names, I know it's tricky since I tried searching for a few of them to have them added, with little luck - but if it all possible, that would be nice. One or two real drink listings would certainly be nice too. But none of those are really show stoppers if it isn't possible to add them, and there is already prose in the drink section... Oh, and nice work! --[[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 09:40, 18 July 2010 (EDT) #I've added a sentence about Pahurat in there (but it generally is the less visited and less interesting neighborhood of the two) #Changed it to Chaozhou #You're right that it seems a bit random. The idea I followed is: add it where I can find it. I don't speak Thai so for me its impossible to write it. For the ones listed, I got them from Google or Wikipedia. There's two ways to fix this: 1. get a Thai speaker to add them, or 2. remove them all. Or follow the path I did, [[Hiroshima]] also does not have all listings with Japanese characters. #There are no splurge restaurants, it is generally a quite "amateurish" neighborhood (as many other Chinatowns around the world) #I've roamed around a lot there, but they don't have bars in the traditional sense as most Westerners know it. That's why I added the coffee joints for some drinks, I wouldn't know what else to add there. I did elaborate a bit about Yaowarat's hawker stalls as that's where most people just get some iced chocolate or something. #Splurge hotels have the same explanation as splurge eateries — this is not a fancy district, so they don't exist. For that, people go to Sukhumvit or Silom. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 10:41, 18 July 2010 (EDT) :For the [[Hiroshima]] article, it was agreed that the attractions in the "See" section should list the Japanese names and that it would be a good idea to do this for all foreign scripts. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 20:41, 21 July 2010 (EDT) ::Well, I've spend the whole weekend finding my Thai friends and trying to get the Thai words for the attractions. Even many Thais have no idea how to write many of them, but I have managed to find all of the See section except for Wat Ga Buang Kim -- but this temple is so unbelievably small and unknown, the only way to find it is if I go back there to ask. I hope its okay now with the Thai scripts. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 12:49, 28 July 2010 (EDT) *'''Support'''. It's a fantastic article, with a beautiful map, and I'll enjoy turning Thailand pink on [[Project:Star nominations|the map]]. I haven't yet had an opportunity to give it a close read, but will try to remember to do so—even after starring. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:11, 14 August 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' It's an excellent article and it paves the road for the rest of Bangkok. [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 11:46, 25 August 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' Looks good to me. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:22, 5 September 2010 (EDT) It is now over a month since the last comment, and there don't seem to be any unresolved problems. Go ahead and clap on the Star, Globe-trotter. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:53, 14 October 2010 (EDT) '''Result: Promoted.''' --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] ===[[Yaowarat and Pahurat Tour]]=== Together with the district I've also created a walking tour article through the area, which is somewhat modeled after [[Along the Magnificent Mile]]. Let me know whether you think its star worthy. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 09:51, 12 July 2010 (EDT) * '''Support''' Nice article about a tour in a of-the-beaten track area. [[User:(WT-en) ViMy|(WT-en) ViMy]] 12:12, 31 July 2010 (EDT) * '''Support'''. Another beautiful article, and a feather in the Bangkok guide's cap. I'll try to give a closer read when I have time to provide whatever copyediting help may be useful—even if after starring. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:13, 14 August 2010 (EDT) * '''Support'''. It looks like a busy day. One or two small things. It would be nice to know roughly the distance to be walked in each section. If this is mentioned, it is not obvious. There are also instances of unusual English usage. In general this does not bother me greatly, but I will try to sort out the more confusing ones where I can. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 14:28, 16 August 2010 (EDT) **A busy day indeed :) I will update the map in the following 2 weeks and add the distance to it. I'm also thinking of changing the direction a little bit so the route doesn't overlap at Soi Issaranuphap. What do you think of this? --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 22:00, 9 September 2010 (EDT) ***I cant find Soi Issaranuphap on the map, so can't comment on your suggestion. However I can recommend making the road names more legible, maybe put the numbers where they dont overlap the text. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:53, 11 September 2010 (EDT) I've had a chance to do a careful read through of the article, and it's really one of the best in-shape star nominations I've seen. It's a really pleasant read through, and makes a really compelling case to put in the effort for the sweaty full day tour. The only cavil I have is with a couple turns of phrase duplicated in the district article, since readers will likely go over both articles when touring the area. I noted the two instances that I recognized. Also, it's been ''well'' past the deadline for new comments, so please, by all means, add the stars to the articles! I'll be sure to light up Thailand on the stars map once you do. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:33, 12 September 2010 (EDT) :Oh, and I don't really know what barbecued prawns would be, but I think I'd eat the hell out of that! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:37, 12 September 2010 (EDT) '''Result: Promoted.''' --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] ===[[Walt Disney World]]=== I think it's finally ready. I've put everything I can think of into this guide. It's very long, but there's really not anything left that can be split to the district articles. I would appreciate a very careful review, as I think this could be a model for other similar articles if the community decides it's worthy of the coveted star. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 21:49, 12 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Note:''' Please refresh the page before reviewing, as I've made some major changes recently and I don't want you to get caught by the caching bug. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 21:53, 12 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Support:''' It looks comprehensive, well written and well formatted. I have never been there so can make no judgement on accuracy. I could not read it all, my brain started to melt after a while, but I found no formatting, spelling or grammatical error in what I could manage. Disney is not my cup of tea, but this looks like a very good guide. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:54, 17 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Support.''' [imitating Lumiere from ''Beauty and the Beast''] C'est magnifique. Congratulations on a job well done. [[User:(WT-en) Jonathan 784|(WT-en) Jonathan 784]] 12:34, 24 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Comment''': considering the consternation that has arisen in the past over these articles, I would greatly appreciate further comments. The major question is whether this article is what we're looking for in our coverage of large tourist attractions? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:22, 24 September 2010 (EDT) ::I don't see any reason why not. It may happen that some other place needs different treatment, but then we deal with it as it comes. You have set the bar high. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:43, 24 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' - Still not a fan of the whole concept, but the article is complete, well written (save a bit commercialized for my taste) and most importantly it seems very complete, so support. <small>—The [[Project:Using_talk_pages#Talk_page_formatting|preceding]] comment was added by [[User:(WT-en) Sertmann|(WT-en) Sertmann]] ([[User talk:Sertmann|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sertmann|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}</small> ::I think that commercialism is inherent in the concept. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:46, 26 September 2010 (EDT) *'''Minor comment''': Not too much bold in "Downtown Disney" item in Districts section of the main article? --[[User:(WT-en) DenisYurkin|(WT-en) DenisYurkin]] 14:53, 28 September 2010 (EDT) ::Are you saying that you would prefer more bold, or less bold? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 17:09, 28 September 2010 (EDT) :::Definitely less would be preferred. --[[User:(WT-en) DenisYurkin|(WT-en) DenisYurkin]] 17:18, 28 September 2010 (EDT) ::::Done. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:41, 29 October 2010 (EDT) *Any further objections? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:41, 29 October 2010 (EDT) '''Result: Promoted''' [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 16:12, 5 November 2010 (EDT) ===[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef|Photographer's Reef]]=== This dive site article has reached the stage where I think it meets the dive site criteria for Star. [[Talk:Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef|The article talk page]] contains a checklist for [[Project:Dive_guide_article_status_criteria#Star_status_criteria_for_dive_site|dive site article star criteria]] as used in the previous two star articles on dive sites. I would greatly appreciate any comments on what can be done to improve it, and any minor copyediting would also be good, as I have probably gone way past the blindness to small mistakes level by now. Cheers, [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:02, 11 October 2010 (EDT) *'''Support''' &mdash; I have gone over it, and added a small section on seacatfish, plus removed what typos and other minor mistakes I found. Just a question: Why Boulders Beach and not Pumphouse Gully? [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 06:07, 15 October 2010 (EDT) ::I dont know. Could you be more specific? [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 06:17, 15 October 2010 (EDT) :::Sure. It's the capitalization which isn't consistent. you say Boulders Beach and Pumhouse gully. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 05:28, 21 October 2010 (EDT) ::::OK, thought it might be that. Sorted. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:53, 24 October 2010 (EDT) * '''Support'''. My only request would be to add a caption to [[:Image:Sea squirt at Photographers Reef DSC05042.JPG]], and to possibly copyedit the text in the "Get in" section a bit. "Get in" currently contains some sentence fragments ("Usually considered a boat dive.") and I had to re-read the second and third paragraphs a few times to understand the flow. Perhaps these two paragraphs would read better if they were combined into a single paragraph with some transitional text "... Either of these shore entry areas can be reached by driving through Simon's town...". Otherwise, this looks like yet another great article, and the maps are excellent. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 16:10, 17 October 2010 (EDT) ::Done. There is now a caption on the image and Get in has been changed as you suggested. Thanks for the comments. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:19, 18 October 2010 (EDT) * '''Support'''. This is a relatively small reef, but well covered, and given my experience diving it (from both shore and by boat), there is nothing missing about its description, location, access, marine life, etc. [[User:(WT-en) Gzsilavecz|(WT-en) G Zsilavecz]] 13:44, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :::Three supports and no dissentions. All minor issues dealt with. Three weeks from last comment will be Monday 8th. If there is no further comment by then I will star it. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 01:12, 6 November 2010 (EDT) ::::Monday 8th has come and gone, so will now star it. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:45, 12 November 2010 (EST) ===[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]]=== This is the first Regional Dive Guide to reach a level where I think it can be nominated for Star. So far this has been virtually a single handed effort, including the proposed criteria for star status for this type of travel topic. It is breaking new ground, and needs a legitimacy check by the community, so please all take a look and see if there are any issues that should be resolved at this stage, as this will set the bar for future regional dive guides. There are explanations of my reasoning and choice of criteria on the [[Talk:Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay|article discussion page]], which are recommended reading. Those who don't feel they can comment on an activity they don't participate in can look at the general Wikivoyage criteria for Star, such as language and formatting. Note that there is one [[Project:Dive_guide_article_status_criteria#Star_status_criteria_for_regional_dive_guide|requirement]] which is not yet satisfied &mdash; three dive site sub-articles should be rated as Star. There are two already rated as star: ([[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle]] and [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point]]). The third dive site Star nomination is currently active (see above), and if [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef]] makes it, then that requirement will be satisfied. -- Cheers, [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:35, 14 October 2010 (EDT) :The third dive site sub-article was rated star on 12th November, so this requirement is now satisfied. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 12:06, 25 November 2010 (EST) '''Support''' with the following points to be taken into consideration:<br> * under General Topography, perhaps include the name of the 'long ridge of sedimentary rock' that extends through False Bay? :I dont know a name for the ridge as a whole. The shallower area at the south end is known as Steenbras deep. Do you think this information is appropriate in this section, as there is not much detailed information on the other features? I will put it in anyway and see how it looks. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :: I think it's better to put in a name, even if it's only for a section of said long reef. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 02:27, 11 November 2010 (EST) :::OK, done. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) * under Climate of the Western Cape, perhaps shorten sentences somewhat? They are very long which can get in the way of clarity. :Done. Good point. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) * last paragraph of Upwellings: what does the water temperature have to do with the visilibity? You say the the upwelling can reduce visibility on the east side of the bay, and then: 'however...' which is when you talk about temperature. It doesn't make sense. :I have rewritten this section to make it clearer. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) * do you think you should explain what is considered the Atlantic side of the peninsula vs False Bay? Because strictly speaking it's all in the Atlantic. :I have added a short paragraph in the general topography section. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) * I have changed the last paragraph of 'Water temperature' assuming that you meant that the bottom temperature in summer in the bay is colder than it is in winter, but this may have been a too-herois assumption. Is this correct? The bottom is actually colder in the summer? :According to my reference this is often the case. It is quite old and does not explain the cause. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :: Well, well, well. I think finding out whether this is in fact correct would be very interesting, along with an actual explanation as to why that might be so, though not, strictly speaking, a necessary part of the article. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 02:27, 11 November 2010 (EST) * then, under 'Habitats' I found this sentence: For many marine organisms the substrate is another type of marine organism, and it is common for several layers to co-exist ... can you clarify? :I have tried. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :: In my view, you have succeeded. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 04:30, 11 November 2010 (EST) * under sandy substrates, do you need to define sessile organisms? Or provide a link? :I dont know. WT tries to minimise external links, but I am not keen to put too many definitions in the text. Do you think that the term is too unfamiliar, and that it will make much difference? [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :: I do think it unfamiliar yes, so I would prefer to either replace or provide a very short definition in place if extermal links are a problem. :Seascapeza|Seascapeza]] 02:27, 11 November 2010 (EST) :::Go ahead with whatever you think best. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) * under 'Respect' last paragraph of the diving rocky reefs sections -- perhaps, accurate and enjoyable though it is, it should be left out as not being encyclopaedic? :Wikivoyage is not an encyclopedia. I do not have to use NPOV, only to try to [[Project:Be fair|be fair]]. Do you think the statement is unfair or that the information is not useful to the traveller's understanding of the region? [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) ::points taken, quite so. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 04:30, 11 November 2010 (EST) * under 'Diving on wrecks in South Africa', it seems to me you need a section detailing how mnay wrecks there are around Cape Town rather than using a general SA overview -- perhaps this section should be a link to another article on wrecks in South Africa, while the Diving on wrecks in Cape Town has more detailed information? :I will look into this. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :The general informatiuon is also in [[Diving in South Africa#Diving on Wrecks in South Africa]], so I have deleted it from Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay and put in a more local explanation. I dont know if it is what you had in mind, so please take a look and let me know. Feel free to improve it. Cheers, [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 05:42, 19 October 2010 (EDT) * artefacts or artifacts? You use both. :I have changed what I could find to artifacts. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) * Under get help I would make 'in case of emergency' and 'find out' bigger fonts.. they are rather overwhelmed by the text as they are. :The only way I know of doing this is to use sub headings, which I have done. You are right, it does look better. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) *n Cruise Sub Aqua under dive packages: are they the only operator who provides dive packages? Does this, perhaps, need expanding? :Not sure that dive packages is actually something we want, but also not sure exactly what they mean. This listing was originally posted by Cruise Sub Aqua. Any opinions? [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :: maybe Cruise SubAqua could them selves explain, or else section can be deleted -- in my view it's not really providing anything of much use cos this isn;t really like Aliwal where you get a standard 'dive package and accommodation' [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 02:27, 11 November 2010 (EST) :::I have taken the Dive packages subsection out an not particularly useful. I suspect they are more of a booking agent than an operator, inspite of claims to the contrary, in which case they dont get a listing anyway. If they disagree they are welcome to provide more information. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) * spelling of Sub-Atlandi/ean Diving :Their website uses Sub-Atlandian, so will go with that. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) * no operators listed under shark cage diving? :Good point, I will try to look them up. The problem is to try to get the legal ones. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :3 operators listed. It is not easy to find legitimate local operators as just about all the Gansbaai operators and booking agents list themselves as in Cape Town. If you know of others, please give details. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 05:42, 19 October 2010 (EDT) * should there be a subsection on the Scubapro Dive festival? :It didnt happen last year (this year?). so not too sure. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) * then under 'See': * is it an idea to put the max'average depth of all sites in the thumbnails? :Yes, possibly even a good one. I will put them in over the next few days. Quite a big job. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :Bigger job than it looked. Very tedious, but I think it will be worth it in the end. Take a look and see if the formatting looks right. That is the easy part to change, the slow part is waiting for each site to open to get the data. However I am doing a few other improvements at the same time. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 07:09, 19 October 2010 (EDT) Okay, that's as far as I have been able to get for this session, will continue from Camps Bay in due course. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 10:49, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :Thanks, several good points. Should keep me busy for a few hours. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:28, 18 October 2010 (EDT) :Make that days. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 07:09, 19 October 2010 (EDT) :Depths added as suggested, days it was. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:40, 26 October 2010 (EDT) Okay, so my next lots of edits and views follow:<br> '''Support''' I have continued editing the article and with respect to the '''See''' section, have only minor changes to make in general. However, there are a couple of consistency issues which apply to the article overall: * Capitalization: I have altered and adapted in ways that seem to fit but in some respects have not been sure how to accomplish your aim. Fish Hoek Reef is mentioned, and then Fish Hoek reef. I changed Rockland point since Millers and Oatlands were both capitalised, but there should be consistency here. :It is the name of a dive site &mdash; I will use Fish Hoek Reef. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:55, 22 October 2010 (EDT) * Simon's Town, Miller's point, Simon's Bay etc. Is this accustomed usage? Because to me, Millers Point and Simonstown are the accepted usage. I have corrected one instance of Simons Town, since the bulk of the rest of the artucle seems to stick with Simon's Town, but it'd be worth making a decision on which form you wish to go with. :I use Simon's Town, Simon's Bay and Miller's Point which is how my Reader's Digest atlas of southern Africa spells them. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:55, 22 October 2010 (EDT) :I also checked the road signs, most use Miller's Point. SA Navy charts use Millers Point, Simon's Town and Simon's Bay. So I think the versions I have used are acceptable variations, and will stay with them. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:49, 24 October 2010 (EDT) * directions and winds: south-east or south east or South East? Or South east? All variants are present. : I have been changing directions to uncapitalised except if they are part of a place name. Obviously I have missed some. Let's also leave out the hyphens for consistency. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:55, 22 October 2010 (EDT) * dates, specifically of wrecks. 18th June or 18 June or June 18? All are present. : Aargh! Hadn't even though of that. Lets go with 18th June etc. I will change when I see them. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:55, 22 October 2010 (EDT) *Then, specifically, the description of Castle Rocks is a repeat of the Miller's Point description. Surely that should be changed? : I have changed the wording of Miller's Point. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:55, 22 October 2010 (EDT) *Also, under offshore False Bay reefs, there is reference to Table Mountain sandstone and Cape Peninsula pluton -- should these be in italics? :Yes, I am using the italics there to identify that it is a specific name for the formation, not a place description. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:55, 22 October 2010 (EDT) But, overall, wow. Great intro and overview. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 05:26, 21 October 2010 (EDT) * '''<strike>Support</strike>Almost''' I've got two minor suggestions and one major one: there is a lot of text without accompanying images in the top half of this article, so it might be nice if the images could either be distributed a bit more evenly, or (better) if some of the images from the sub-articles could be brought into this region article. Second, for a star article the Wikipedia link should use the standard format, ie <nowiki>[[WikiPedia:Category:Marine Animals of the Cape Peninsula]]</nowiki> instead of the "Links to Wikipedia" formatting that it now uses. The major item that prevents full support is that there are several listings without full information - the cage diving listings lack descriptions, and while it might not be feasible to get prices for all of the listings, having at least a general range would be helpful. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 01:40, 26 October 2010 (EDT) :I will look into more pictures for the first half, but probably not from the sub-articles, and the images at present are placed where they are relevant. ::There are a few more pictures now. Take a look and let me know if you think the balance is OK or if more or less would be better. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 10:41, 26 October 2010 (EDT) :I think I have sorted out your second point, but please check to make sure I understood you correctly. :Working on the listings, have mailed several of the listed businesses for the missing information, and will insert as it arrives. I intend to only put in prices for a local boat dive,and if I can, prices for a local shark cage dive, as it would be impracticable to list much more. Obviously these are only possible from providers which offer these services. In several cases there is no useful representative price - such as dry suit repairs, which though a very useful service, has little in the way of fixed prices. [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 06:46, 26 October 2010 (EDT) ::There are now prices for a local boat dive or shark cage dive where they are relevant and addresses etc. in almost all the listings. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:25, 29 October 2010 (EDT) ::: Full '''support''' from me - this is an amazing article and I've got no doubt it's got to be the best guide anywhere to diving in that area. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 14:48, 21 November 2010 (EST) ::::Thanks for the update &mdash; and the vote of confidence &mdash; Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:21, 22 November 2010 (EST) *'''<s>Almost </s> Support'''. This is an incredible wealth of information! I want to take the time for a more thorough read-through, but that will have to wait at least a week. For now, a few quick thoughts: :1. Enlarge the images. 250-280px is pretty standard, and this will do a lot to make the article less intimidating. ::I would be very happy to do this. My interpretation of the MoS was that images should br kept small to minimise bandwidth usage for the travelling user in places where connectivity is marginal, and similarly to keep down the number of images. However if encouraged to add more and bigger I will be very happy to do so, It is more a matter of where to stop, so stop me if I go too far! -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:54, 27 October 2010 (EDT) :::Images enlarged to 280px, and 360 for maps. Looks nice on my monitor -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:55, 27 October 2010 (EDT) ::::The page seems to load significantly slower now. I would appreciate comment from others if they have the same problem. Have I overdone the sizes or is it just general Wikivoyage slowness again? What is the load time like from off the beaten track? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:25, 29 October 2010 (EDT) ::::: Being in LA I'm definitely not "off the beaten track", but the first page load was 10+ seconds, and a reload was 1-2 seconds. I suspect slowness may be due populating caches on IB servers. Are you seeing significantly worse times? -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 13:49, 29 October 2010 (EDT) :::::The time seems to vary with time of day, but what seems to be happening is the basic page will load in about 10 seconds, with a few items remaining, and the last one may still be waiting 5 minutes later. (usually a map). &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:01, 29 October 2010 (EDT) :2. The main point of this article or any region(esque) article, beyond a general introduction, is navigation around the dive sites (sub-articles). Renaming the See section to "Dive sites" and moving it either to the top or just below Understand could make navigation through the sub-articles much more user-friendly. You could perhaps retain a see section at the bottom, but instead use it to highlight what exactly you can expect to see throughout the region, and perhaps which "subregions" would be best for which types of "sights." (Forgive me for being a little vague—I have zero knowledge of diving.) ::I can do this, but when I started (see article talk page) was encouraged to try to comply with WT section heading conventions, which is how the dive sites got to be called "See" in the first place. I would very cheerfully go back to "Dive Sites" and move them up the contents listing, but I would like to hear other opinions on this. I may just plunge forward and make the change so anyone can see how it would look. &mdash; it can always be reverted if necessary... -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:54, 27 October 2010 (EDT) :::The more I think about this the more I like it. I will put the lists of dive sites at the top as you suggest (just below Understand) and keep see for a small introduction to the marine biology and what you are likely to see in the region in general. The new look "See" may take a while to develop. Suggestions and comments invited ([[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza]] and [[User:(WT-en) Gzsilavecz]] particularly, please comment). -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:22, 27 October 2010 (EDT) ::::"Dive sites" now just after "Understand", and new "See" started, but needs work. Main components listed, but need fleshing out. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 06:14, 27 October 2010 (EDT) :::::New "See" section written. I have tried to keep it short and general, but can elaborate if necessary. Let me know. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 05:27, 29 October 2010 (EDT) :3. My last point is the main point of contention, and is a bit of a downer. There should be no outline sub-articles, in my opinion. I understand that is a very tall order, with a full ''31'' outlines remaining, of a massive 200+ articles. Generally, region articles (and I think region article status criteria are the best point of reference for judging this article) will break down their sub-articles further by creating subregion articles. I can see why you might want to avoid doing this for the dive sites, however. But the subregions would each need to be at guide status for their "parent region" (which would be the equivalent of this article) to reach star status. In turn, the sub-articles for each guide region would need to be at usable status. On the plus side, usable status is generally not too hard to reach. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:11, 26 October 2010 (EDT) ::On the final point, though I agree that a minimum status of usable is highly desirable, there are practicality issues involved with dive sites which are less prevalent with surface destinations, in that in some cases it is not easy to get the information, as it can be difficult to physically get there to gather it (there are no references to look it up, and if you want a map, you have to go out and survey the site and draw the map yourself). The dive sites in question are generally less frequently dived, and often a bit difficult to get to, and in many cases to some extent seasonal, so it would probably take over a year and quite a lot of money and effort to go out and get the information personally. I have developed the ability to write up a site to usable on the basis of only a few dives, in some cases as little as one, for a small site, but most sites need a couple of dives to gather the required information, and it seems like there is no-one else around here with the skill or interest to do it. If there is consensus that it is necessary, I will do it, but the nomination would have to be shelved for a few months. That is the minor issue. ::The major issue is that the bar will be set so high that it may be virtually impossible for any region with more than a small number of dive sites to reach star status, and that once getting there, they may not retain it for long, as the underwater environment even in popular regions with good weather a lot of the time, is largely unexplored, and if a new site is found, we would presumeably want it to be listed immediately, not wait until there is enough information to make the article "Usable". In any case, our editing policy allows anyone to add useful information, so if someone dives a site, likes it and wants to let the world know, it is quite legitimate to add that information to the relevant article. It would go against the grain to delete it just because the article is rated Star, and similarly would discourage editors if the article rating had to be downgraded. I am trying to encourage divers to write up sites in other parts of the world, and it is not easy to get guide quality information from casual recreational divers &mdash; even professionals can seldom provide a coherent description. ::It is therefore my contention that a certain number or percentage of outline sub-articles should be tolerated in a star dive region article, particularly when there is exploration required to provide the information. To me this is better than the more practicable alternative of deleting the sub-article if there is too little information available, as that goes against the completeness of coverage criteria. One could make a case that the foreign visitor only needs to know about the more popular sites/destinations/attractions, but the counterclaim is that the local visitor should also be catered for, and in the case of diving in the Cape Town region, the local visitor is the main user. ::On the breaking down of a region into sub-regions: The main article is on diving in the environs of a single city. It would be possible to break the article up into five logical subregion articles, or with a bit of fudging, four subregions, by including the single inland dive site with the nearest coastal sites. The split would be rather uneven though. This would also mean that the number of star and guide dive sites would have to be increased as they would not be evenly distributed in the sub-regions. The subregions are largely seasonal, and some are more difficult to access and only occasionally diveable. The offshore sites are generally only dived a few times a year, and the depth of the deeper ones means that you can only dive there for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. To get them up to star could take years, The cost is another issue &mdash; deep sites require helium mixes, which are expensive and not easily available. ::I value your opinion as you have done great work on WT, and know the policies and customs far better than I do for the regular run of regions and destinations (I am very much a monomaniac regarding dive guides), but I would like to hear opinions from other WT users on this point, in the hope of getting a consensus which can mould future regional dive guides. ::As someone said. "Perfect is the enemy of good enough" No article will ever be perfect, not even the stars. There is always something more to be said, and usually a lurking error everyone has missed. And then something will change... It is better to know how to reach good enough. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:54, 27 October 2010 (EDT) :::Three more outlines have been upgraded to usable, and over the next few days I may be able to upgrade one or two more. After that I will have to dive each site to get the data. With luck I may be able to do half a dozen over the summer season, others maybe not. -- [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 14:06, 28 October 2010 (EDT) ::::Outlines down to 25. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 09:53, 29 October 2010 (EDT) :::::Hmm, you might have a bit higher standards for a usable dive guide than I would (again, acknowledging that I am totally clueless about diving!). Probably the closest equivalent article is a small town (and this is a rough equivalent), which would use the criteria: ''Has at least a Get in section and one Eat and Sleep listing each with contact information. At least the most prominent attraction is identified with directions.'' Eat and Sleep obviously are not part of the equation for a dive guide. I'm inclined to argue that all that is truly necessary for a dive guide to be ''usable'' is the get in information (how to get there + instructions on how to safely get into the water) and a rough idea of what there is to see. By that criteria, I would judge, say, [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS SA Seafarer|SS SA Seafarer]] to be very much at usable status already. The main criterion of a usable article is that '''''an adventurous person could use the article without recourse to other information sources''''', and this article satisfies that criterion. :::::Also, I really like the new see section! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:08, 4 November 2010 (EDT) ::::::Peter, I am glad you like the new See section. I think the change and split of the old See into Dive sites near the top and the new See is a big improvement and addresses some old issues quite well. I can see room for development of the See section into a really useful section way beyond what it is at present, but that might require more Wikipedia links than usually approved on WT. We will just have to see what develops. (I am working albeit rather slowly, with Seascapeza and others on WP on marine life of the area, and it would not make sense to duplicate too much when a few links would do the job. Particularly as that side of things really is more encyclopaedic than a travel topic) ::::::You may be right about the standards for usable. I must give this some thought. I will look at all the currently outline sites and try to hammer them into shape a bit more. Right now I am more busy with other work than I would prefer, and it may be a few days before I can really get down to it again. but at least I dived one of the outline sites last weekend and should be able to get that up to a good usable quite soon. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:13, 5 November 2010 (EDT) :::::::I looked at the Seafarer again and you are right. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 15:13, 5 November 2010 (EDT) ::::Outlines now down to 21. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:46, 7 November 2010 (EST) :::::Outlines now down to 18. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 06:37, 13 November 2010 (EST) ::::::Outlines back up to 19. Found one which was not on my list :-( &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 12:08, 26 November 2010 (EST) :::::::Can I see the list? I have a hunch that I'd have no problems with your outlines. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 12:32, 26 November 2010 (EST) ::::::::Hi Peter, No problem, it is at [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood/Dive sites]] The ones highlighted in orange are the outlines. The colour coding is pretty obvious after a cursory examination, except the magenta, which indicates a usable that is close to guide standard. I find the list very useful for keeping track of what still needs to be done (a lot). The ones that are still outlines are in my opinion not sufficient for an ordinary diver from a different region to use to dive the site, mainly on safety issues. There are a few sites that I have not personally dived yet, so I hesitate to call them usable in case they are not. I would have no problem with another diver rating them as usable if they have dived there, but this does not seem to be happening. Probably partly because the sites in question are the relatively obscure, less accessable, or less popular ones. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 13:31, 26 November 2010 (EST) ::::::::Outlines now down to 15. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 14:04, 26 November 2010 (EST) :::::::::There are still 5 or so that are pretty empty, which I would recommend focusing on, just to get the bare minimum of information an adventurous, experienced diver would need to get out there. But as you are aware, the strict regionguide requirements aren't really designed to force status requirements on 100+ sub-articles, and thus don't work as well with this particular guide that does not follow the exact same organizational pattern. I'm more than happy to call this extraordinary guide a star article--you have my full support. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:28, 27 November 2010 (EST) ::::::::::It is largely a matter of opportunity. Some of those sites are ones I have been trying to get to for years. Sometimes a site will bocome the in place for a few months and then no-one will go there for a few years, or no-one that I dive with, which in practicality comes to much the same thing, as I tend to dive with a few operators who are survey-friendly. I will get them all evenrually, but it is quite likely that some new ones will be done before I get all of the outlines filled in. I will also admit that a few I have just been too lazy to go and dive, and I hope to get those sorted this summer. Anyway. I am happy to get your support and will now go and put a star on the site with a feeling of great satisfaction. '''Support''' Okay. I have finally finished going through the whole article and have edited for small formatting/grammatical errors as I have gone along. Only a very few questions remain, namely: *in the Eastern False Bay section, the introduction heading you have Intro to diving blah blah all in bold, but the 'from Gordons Bay to Hangklip' in regular font. Why? ::No idea, I will have a look. It is quite probably a common or garden formatting inconsistancy. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) :::Yup, thats what it seems to have been. Now all bold, like the other equivalent sections. You missed the lower case letter following a full stop! (also corrected) &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) *if you have a look at the description of Rooi-els point, from the description, it doesn't sound like it actually is a dive site. Is it? Or is it just where one would expect a dive site to be? :I have dived there, it is aplace where people have dived. It may not be particularly popular or well known, but I think it qualifies as a site, and is the sort of place somone might well look at from the shore and wonder what it is like, and try to look it up. I am trying to be as inclusive as reasonably possible, but that is just my preference, there is no rule saying it must be so. Others may disagree, and I am open to debate. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) ::I read the thumbnail, and see what you mean, but the explanation above still applies, it is the sort of place you look at from the road and wonder what is there. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) *Finally, I am not sure how to solve the story on wrecks section. I like what you have done with the overall section as an overview of wrecks and obviously you have to include wrecks in 'See', but maybe the overall section on wrecks should go closer to the beginning? ::Where? The only place nearer to the beginning would be in 'Understand', but then there would be three subsections dealing with wrecks? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) On balance though, I say, why not Star status now? [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 04:30, 11 November 2010 (EST) :Why not indeed. I would like a final comment on the number of outline sites from Peter Fitzgerald, as that is possibly the only outstanding issue. I have reduced them as much as I am likely to in the next month or so, and will probably have to visit the rest before I can significantly upgrade them. This will be done in time, but some can probably not be done until next winter, so I need a consensus on how many are tolerable. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:24, 12 November 2010 (EST) :Also waiting on recheck by Ryan. I think all the issues he brought up have been sorted, but would like confirmation. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 06:37, 13 November 2010 (EST) ::[[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] now supports (see above). &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 12:06, 25 November 2010 (EST) :::[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] now also supports, and since there are no outstanding issues and more than 2 weeks have passed since the last issue was listed, I will promote the article to star. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:13, 28 November 2010 (EST) ===[[Bangkok/Khao San Road]]=== After the successful [[Bangkok/Yaowarat and Phahurat|Yaowarat and Pahurat]] nomination, now another district of Old Bangkok: the popular backpacker hideout Khao San Road. Please leave your comments with possible improvements and additions! --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 12:26, 4 January 2011 (EST) :Nice to see a nomination up again after a bit of a lull. I will try to work my way through and comment as I go along. :#The map. Is the whole map supposed to refer to the Khao San Road, or just the little inner box on the actual road. If the latter, I suggest adding a blowup of the inner map for clarity. The existing map remains of value as context, possibly with a different label. :#Buy/Books/Ton's booksellers: I wouldnt categorise English-language fiction as general knowledge :#Eat: leader paragraph: "Many nationalities of travelers attend the road, therefore many kinds of ethnic food can be found here." does not read well, and is slightly ambiguous. :#Eat: leader second paragraph: "Street carts on the road sell decent pad thai (fried noodles), quail eggs, roti (like a pancake), falafel, hummus, various bugs and some sell just cocktails. '''(various bugs?)''' &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 02:36, 7 January 2011 (EST) :#There is no splurge section in Eat. I assume this is because there are no splurge eateries. Perhaps a word in the leader paragraph for that section to this effect would be appropriate? :#I have made a series of small edits for grammar, spelling etc, and have changed a bit of unconventional idiom. I will continue to do this as I get the time. Anything you dont like, change back or to something better. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 05:30, 7 January 2011 (EST) :#Bars and pubs: Tak Sura or Taksura? both are used. :*Other than those items, '''Support''' &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 06:34, 7 January 2011 (EST) *'''Support''' Only the inner map is a little over packed with hints and should be enlarged (see Peter above). I only found one minor mistake (AM/PM). The Buy section is small but thats imho a welcome change to the overly filled other articles. The way from the boat to the KSR is not always easy to find for first time visitors. It took me some time to orientate on my first visit... [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 05:26, 7 January 2011 (EST) ::Thanks for both of your comments! I'll reply on each of them: ::#It is a bit unclear, but I am not sure how else to do it. The whole map refers to Khao San Road District, which includes Khao San Road and the area around it. The smaller inset is just a blown up version of just the road itself, because there are so many listings on just that road. Maybe I could try to include the inset onto the big map, but I wasn't sure if it would still fit. ::#I have rephrased it, hope its better now. ::#Also rephrased it, please check. ::#Yes, bugs, as in ''insects'' are sold in carts along Khao San Road! You're right that it seems not entirely clear from the sentence how weird this actually is :P How could I better phrase it? It is already mentioned in the Eat section of the main Bangkok article, so i didn't want to duplicate it too much. ::#You are absolutely right. I really tried my best to find one, but Mayompuri and Aquatini are the two most luxury restaurants of the district, and it would be totally off to call them "splurge". ::#Thanks, I appreciate it! ::#Fixed. ::And to jan: ::#Thanks for the AM/PM fix, of course it had to be 1AM! ::#The Buy section is so short, as pretty much all you can list are book shops. Other fun things to buy, such as clothes and accessories, are at the markets on the street, which cannot easily be cut in listings. Other shops, including tailored clothes, silver/gem shops and even travel shops, are very bad buys and should not be recommended. ::#The inner map is overpacked because those are just pointers to the enlarged map right under it. Will try to incorporate both into one image, or I'll think of something else in the following days. ::Whew, I hope that cuts it for now :) --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 13:21, 7 January 2011 (EST) Hi Globetrotter: :#The maps look better already. How about either appending the expanded detail map to the bottom of the main map, or alternatively adding the relevant part of the legend to the separate detail map. In both cases the blue rectangle stays on the main map, and you take out all the crowded icons from the middle of the blue rectangle, and put on a label indicating that there is a detail map, like "See detail map". Main map should have title indicating it is the whole district, and detail map (surprise) gets title indicating it is a detail map. :#Much better. :#Also much better. :#OK, does not sound very appetising, but I admit to bias bordering on phobia on this count. :#OK :#You are welcome. :#Good. :*Just the map then. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 01:50, 8 January 2011 (EST) ::I now incorporated the small map into the big map. It unfortunately obscures a little of the Samsen area, but I couldnt make it different. What do you think? --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 08:17, 8 January 2011 (EST) :::I changed the map to what I was suggesting, with the expanded inset at the bottom. It works OK for me, but feel free to revert or modify if you dont like it or can think of improvements. I also uploaded the modified svg. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 10:21, 8 January 2011 (EST) :::Well thats what I tried to do, but as usual the new map does not appear in spite of assorted cache purges. It will probably eventually display, but you might have to click on whatever comes up to see the changes. I seem to get a random choice of two old versions when I look at the page. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 10:32, 8 January 2011 (EST) ::::Ah yes. This could work, but there is a Wikivoyage Press print version coming up and that one requires the map to have the dimensions of 1709×3008 pixels. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 11:18, 8 January 2011 (EST) :::::The new map is beautiful! Could you make one little aesthetic change though? The word "laundromat" from Wearever Landromat lines up perfectly with the round part of the R in Samsen '''R'''oad, creating a little optical illusion that it says "Laundromato". If you moved one or the other label around a little, I'm sure we could eliminate that... [[User:(WT-en) Texugo|(WT-en) Texugo]] 23:48, 8 January 2011 (EST) ::::::Fixed :) --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 06:29, 11 January 2011 (EST) *'''Support'''. Great article, well written, displaying a profound familiarity with the area, and there is very little to quibble about. But quibbles anyway: **It seems that it takes less time to take the A2 from the airport than to take a taxi on the tollways? **Are there hours for Phra Sumen Fort? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 13:34, 11 January 2011 (EST) :#It's hard to say, because the travel time can vary greatly between 40 minutes and 1,5 hours (or even longer in rush hour). It all depends on the amount of traffic jams. With the bus I usually make it in 45 minutes outside of rush hour. Taxi is also about 45 minutes without any traffic jam, so I'll match them. :#The fort can only be looked at, it's not allowed to enter the fort. Most see Phra Sumen Fort from Santichaiprakarn Park, which opens between 5AM-10PM daily, as stated. But I did not include those hours, because when the park closes, it can still be seen from Phra Athit Road (and is illuminated from there). :Thanks! --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 02:06, 12 January 2011 (EST) ===[[Washington, D.C.]]=== Some sort of laziness, I think, held me off from making this nomination, but I'm very confident that the article is up to snuff, with a collection of 4 star districts and 8 guide districts (probably all of which would likewise pass a starnom if nominated!) under its belt. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 20:35, 9 January 2011 (EST) *'''Almost''' Very good article. Just some minor things: # The colours of Upper Northwest and Georgetown in the map are very hard to separate # The district the Mall seems to have the same colour as the forestial parts of D.C. # Picture of Ethiopian food in the buy section and box in the Eat section. I suggest both should be in Eat and maybe something else should go in the Buy section # Embassy list is pretty long. Maybe three rows? Excellent work and sorry to raise details. Regards, [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 04:42, 10 January 2011 (EST) :#The colour coding of the district map is a bit confusing in places. There are 4 colours in the key, but significantly more on the map. The area USG is presumably part of the city, but is not mentioned in the district key, and the colour is not apparently compatible with the key, unless at a stretch, it is part of Downtown, which seems unlikely. Colour for The Mall is also a bit far off the key. :#The grey areas are presumably not part of the city. The straight borders are presumably the extent of DC, with the river as the other border. It would be helpful (to me at least) to label the surrounding areas, as they appear to be urban areas. :#Get around/By Metro, last para: "Remember that ''absolutely no food or drink'' is allowed on trains or in stations. Metro employees, police officers, and even fellow riders will ask you to dispose of any food before entering. Violators are subject to fines or even arrest." Surely this refers only to open food or drink? Otherwise you would not be able to use the Metro to go home with your groceries. If this is the case it is bizarre and probably unprecedented in public transport. ::*Otherwise a fine piece of work, and gets my '''Support'''. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 05:39, 10 January 2011 (EST) :::To address these in turn: :::Both <nowiki>#</nowiki>1s: '''Districts on map''': I grouped districts together to address SONORAMA's concern that the list was too long as to be overwhelming. Displaying the groupings on the map with similar colors was based on the presentation at [[Chicago#Districts]]. I definitely like having the districts grouped the way they are in the reionlist template, but maybe I could tweak the colors on the map to make it easier to read? I gave the USG area (military) a different color (the standard building color) because it cannot be visited. I'll try and make this more intuitive too. :::Jan's <nowiki>#</nowiki>2: '''National Mall coloring''': The difficulty here is that we have created [[Talk:Washington, D.C./Districts discussion#National Mall|a district article for a National Park]]. The map is [[Wikivoyage_talk:How_to_draw_a_map#Differentiating_highlighted_parks|using the national park color]], rather than another district color. I realize that's a little confusing at first, but still think it's the better way to present the information. :::Peter's <nowiki>#</nowiki>2: '''Label bordering areas''': Good idea, will do. :::Jan's <nowiki>#</nowiki>3: '''Eat pictures''': The problem here is lack of space—I want to keep both images, but it's more important that the Ethiopian dining infobox be grouped with the eat section than the pictures. :::<nowiki>#</nowiki>4: '''Embassy list''':I have a 15.6 inch display on my laptop, and have ads turned off, but even still I couldn't display three columns of embassies without making each listing two or three lines (instead of one, currently). The main problem is just that D.C., I think, has the largest quantity of embassies in the world. What I would ''really'' like to do would be to make the list collapsable, so that you would need to click a + as with the table of contents, but I don't believe this is currently possible. :::Peter's <nowiki>#</nowiki>3: '''Closed containers''': clarified ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 12:29, 11 January 2011 (EST) *'''Support''' - Having just taken a trip to D.C. (restoring sanity and/or fear!), I can attest to the usefulness of this guide - I never had to look at anything else! Outside some of the suggestions already made here, I can't see any major improvements that have to be made. I really don't think the Embassy list could work as three columns - and I'm on a widescreen computer. As for the map; I think the colors are fine and I like that the Mall is that dark green color (it helps it really stand out), but I agree that the bordering towns should be labeled - in fact, I wouldn't stop with the towns; how about water features? More of the roads? North arrow? Scale? More like that killer San Francisco districts map you made. Outside of that, I can't think of anything else, though the picture of food in the Buy section does feel a little odd... [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 21:19, 11 January 2011 (EST) *In Get around/By Metro, price is given as "fares cost $1.95-5." Does this mean price range is $1.95 to $5.00? it is not immediately obvious. • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:53, 12 January 2011 (EST) :This article is setting a new standard on Wikivoyage, and reading it is very enjoyable. Took me a while to get through it, but I still found some small things that might need a change: :* In the See section, The International Spy Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are first clarified as being in the National Mall, then in the next paragraph they come up again being a part of the East End. This means they are mentioned twice, and it is not really clear where to find them. :* The Millenium Stage, should that really be listed under festivals? I always figured festivals would be like yearly or semi-yearly events, but this one is held daily at 6PM. :* The "shops in Georgetown" picture does not really seem to match the Learn section it is placed in. Same goes for the food picture in Buy, but that was already discussed. :* "Hands free devices are permitted, but if you get pulled over for another violation while using one, expect a hard line from the police." Why would police give you a hard line while hands free devices are permitted? That does not seem to make sense. :* In the Stay safe/Security section, the last paragraph suddenly starts about parks? I find that paragraph a bit odd as it does not seem to have anything to do with security. :Hope that's enough! --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 11:02, 12 January 2011 (EST) ::#Fixed! ::#Fixed. ::#Again, I'm not sure there is much to be done about this, aside from perhaps cutting one of the Ethiopian or Salvadoran food pictures, which I'd prefer to not do. ::#While legal, the police are sick of dealing with drivers who have ran red lights, caused accidents, etc. because they were distracted by their hands-free phone. (The government studies have shown the hands-free devices to be just as distracting as a traditional hand held, so the laws don't really match the reality.) I've tried to clarify this. ::#I don't know, I kind of like this as an aside, to allow the reader to decompress after dealing with the unpleasantries of security issues. But if you think it should be moved to Do, I suppose that would be fine. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:00, 12 January 2011 (EST) [[Image:DC district map ideas.png|thumb|center|951px|Districts map ideas]] I've mocked up four versions of the districts map, to see what people think: 1) is similar to the existing one, but has main roads named, bordering cities, etc.; 2) is without road names; 3) has color regions placed both above and below the street grid; and 4) has color regions only below the street grid. Looking at them together like this, I think I like 3 best. (These images aren't rendering well for some reason, but that won't be an issue when I upload an individual, final version.) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:30, 13 January 2011 (EST) :I prefer #3 as well; the color scheme is nice and clear, whereas it becomes fainter under the mass of streets in #4. Though I'd still like to see a north arrow and a scale. :) [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 15:38, 13 January 2011 (EST) ::Ah right, I forgot those but will certainly include them in a final version! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 17:41, 13 January 2011 (EST) :I would also go with #3 &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:05, 14 January 2011 (EST) : I would prefer #3 as well as its the only version where Georgetown is easily separated by colour. BTW '''Support''' [[User:(WT-en) Jc8136|(WT-en) jan]] 04:33, 14 January 2011 (EST) ::The map has been updated, and three weeks are up. Any last comments before this becomes a star? --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 09:46, 3 February 2011 (EST) And '''starred'''. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 13:57, 23 February 2011 (EST) ===[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole|Percy's Hole]]=== I guess its time to nominate the next dive site article for Star. This is actually the first site that I completed surveying, and it has a relatively complete map. It is also the site that originally inspired me to write dive site guides for the Cape Town region. I started diving at Percy's in <strike>1883</strike> 1983 and have dived there more than 100 times over the years, though not much recently. I have just gone through the article and found a few places that needed clarification, so have done that. I am fairly confident that the description is sufficiently complete, but need the outsider's perpective to illuminate my blind spots. • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 12:06, 25 February 2011 (EST) :Since 1883! Wow, you're old! [[User:(WT-en) Texugo|(WT-en) texugo]] 03:34, 4 April 2011 (EDT) ::Thank you for those kind words. After that comment, I can't even correct the typo or people will think you have lost your marbles. '''''1983''''' it should have been. At least someone has read the notice, now I just have to hope somone reads (and comments on) the article. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 01:42, 6 April 2011 (EDT) :::You can just cross it out and correct it like this: <strike>1883</strike> 1983 :) [[User:(WT-en) Sumone10154|(WT-en) <font color="#339989">'''–sumone10154'''</font>]] 17:30, 6 April 2011 (EDT) :::: Thanks, sometimes one needs to be reminded of these little details. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 03:59, 8 April 2011 (EDT) * '''Support''', although I have a few questions/comments. The "Back to" link at the bottom of the page seems a bit odd - is it necessary and/or consistent with the other dive guides? Also, there are a handful of sentence fragments scattered throughout the article, and I wasn't sure if this was a stylistic choice or an oversight - for example, under "Facilities" it reads "Paved parking bay on seaward side of the road (R44). Sometimes crowded in the Kreef (Rock lobster) season but usually adequate". Finally, the pictures are great and I wouldn't remove any of them, but the large number makes for an odd page layout. Would it make more sense to use a <nowiki><gallery></nowiki> tag for the wildlife photos, or some other layout to present this better? With all that said, great job on another excellent dive article. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 21:45, 9 April 2011 (EDT) ::I use a "Back to" link to reteurn to the sub-section of the main article that the link to the sub-article is from. This is useful because the main article is very long, and a bit of a hassle to find your way back to the area you were last examining. This is used consistently in all dive sites of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay articles for this reason. It was acceptable in the previous three Star nominations. ::Sentence fragments are a hangover from the book that this was originally intended to be. Style has changed a bit since then, but not altogether updated. I will look into it. ::I will consider a sub-sub-article with a gallery, as I used one in the [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle/Gallery|first Star divesite]] after it was suggested by other Wikivoyagers. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 00:58, 10 April 2011 (EDT) :I think that having a column of pictures running the entire length of an article and well beyond the text is a sign that there are too many images period, per our [[:Shared:Image policy#Minimal use of images|minimal use of images]] policy. To my knowledge, using galleries is not a sanctioned practice around here anyway. I'd say you just need to cut out some of the images. :Also, rather than the "Back to" link at the bottom, couldn't you just use the IsPartOf template to have the breadcrumb navigation include that link? [[User:(WT-en) Texugo|(WT-en) texugo]] 22:26, 9 April 2011 (EDT) ::For the images, I'm imagining a gallery similar to [[Singapore#Local delicacies]]. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 00:19, 10 April 2011 (EDT) :::Looks useful, and must be acceptable policy to have made it in a Star article. I will try re-arranging to suit.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 01:02, 10 April 2011 (EDT) ::::I just loaded [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole]] using ''Safari'' for mac and ''Firefox'' for mac and it looks good on both. The prior edit with the image list running to the bottom had display issues and was not wrapping with the <nowiki>{{starnomination}}</nowiki> template. I tried a ''preview'' using a different template in substitution and it did the same. (I only tried the substitution in ''Safari'' for mac browser). [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Pbsouthwood]]'s recent rearrangement does not have any such issues. Nice article... -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 03:21, 24 April 2011 (EDT) :::::The addition of the image gallery is not displaying well for me. The vertical flush right runs down a little into the See section and then there is an unfortunate big white expanse with a messy intersection with the horizontally configured additional image display. The images themselves are very nice though and my personal view is that the article benefits from them. Hope this assists. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 03:38, 24 April 2011 (EDT) ::::::The images have been re-organised using small galleries as in the Singapore article. I had not seen [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]]'s comments, and these may have been from before I finished the edits. It took some time to iron out the bugs, but I think those problems have been solved as they dont show on IE on my monitor. I will check on Firefox and Chrome for Windows. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 05:15, 24 April 2011 (EDT) :::::::Hi Peter, rather oddly the ''horizontally displayed'' image galleries containing ''more than'' 3 images are not diplaying normallly nor are they wrapping. The outcome is that they ''jut'' or ingress into the banner ad area on the RH side of the browser window. In the case of both my ''Safari'' for mac and ''Firefox'' for mac page loads the page does not auto 'set' to cover that area so the 4th image is partially ''hidden'' and ''disappears'' out of the browser window requiring a scroll right to see it. I assume the embedded html is not sufficiently instructing the browser for display page width. (Note that my advert banner display prefs are set to off). Normally my browsers will not show this content area by default even if I widen out the window to full screen width. I have done a reload of both browsers and a cache clear and it repeats so I guess it is enduring. 3 images are OK even if the browser window size is reduced, they do not ''wrap'' but the display characteristics are normal to those I expect to see if I reduce a window width. I have not reset my prefs to displaybanner ads to see if the problem remains. Maybe this is a normal display characteristic but I do not recall seeing it before, however maybe I have just not noticed it. Grouping in a max of 3 images wide would appear to be the solution. I have not checked it on a cellphone or pda type device. Nice images, makes me feel like going for a swim but it is nightime now. cheers -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 06:45, 24 April 2011 (EDT) :::::::Sorry Peter I should have also mentioned that the (big white expanse) issue I referred to before was indeed ''from before you finished the edits'' and that issue is no longer apparent, only the 4th image problem mentioned above. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 06:56, 24 April 2011 (EDT) ::::::::No problems in display on Firefox and Chrome for Windows. I do have a wide screen though I usually view on a slight zoom at 125%. The problem you are having I can duplicate if I make the window narrow enough. The question now is, do I go to gallery width of 3 images, which is very narrow on my screen and makes double rows in placed, or stay with 4, which looks much better on my screen. I guess it should display well on the average laptop, so can somebody check for me which width works well on a laptop, as I dont have one. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:59, 24 April 2011 (EDT) ::::::::: I have decided to just go with the 3 image width and rearranged the images to suit. This should give best all round appearance as approprite for a star nomination. I have also upgraded the map with routes, logo and a few formattig improvements. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 09:17, 24 April 2011 (EDT) ::::::::::I am currently working on a 15" laptop as my 17" has a dead video processor. My (much older) 15" laptop is my back up and being an older machine the screen res is a lot lower, this also creates more ''fit'' problems however that screen size and resolution is possibly a good ''real world'' baseline. Your change to 3 wide still does the same thing with the ad banner area ingress but is virtually unnoticeable without actually ''looking'' for the problem. It ''looks'' and ''feels'' good and when reducing the browser window width the entire article ''wrap''s in a much ''nicer'' and more fluid way. The 4 wide was not actually a problem if my browser window was dragged out to a decent width as it will fit the 4 images. However a lot of people are using much smaller screens especially when travelling, also I often set the browser window a bit narrower if I am running other stuff in the background and I think a lot of other people may do that as well. I think you have done the right thing going to 3 wide, better to have a bit of white space over on the RH side of the page than any strange indenting into the ad banner area. ::::::::::There seems to be another small problem now. The edit click points for all of the Understand sub-headings are lining up together. They are in a horizontal group of 5 and the group is flushed right and run up to the images. Same thing on both browsers and it seems they follow the images in position rather than the typography. Indeed the [edit][edit] [edit] [edit] [edit] aligns with the top left hand corner of the image captioned "View of the entry gully from the cliff on the north side." Seriously reducing the browser window width will make them independently ''wrap'' with one or two of them of them moving down the page, however even crushed up to absolute minimum width three of them still ''cluster'' together, on max window width there are 5 clustering together. It seems odd and as it is happening on both ''Safari'' and ''Firefox'' (for mac) then it is either some strange Mozilla thing (the two browsers are related at a low level) or something else is up. Aside from that the article looks great and it surely must be getting this star pretty soon. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 12:47, 24 April 2011 (EDT) :::::::::::That's a MediaWiki bug; you can see it, not infrequently, on Wikipedia and other wikis. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 15:32, 25 April 2011 (EDT) ::::::::::::I get that all the time on IE. Wikipedia and Wikivoyage. Its a bit of a pain as it can take some time to find the right one. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:22, 26 April 2011 (EDT) :::::::::::::Yes I get it sometimes both on WT and WP and it is a pain but I was not sure if it was something in the markup that set it off. I did not realise it was X-platform (mac and PC), rather I assumed it was something that arose from and incompatibility with the specific browsers used on macs. This article must be ready for the star by now surely. '''Support''' from me for what ever it's worth. I was glad to read the Baboons were dealt with. Did not imagine they had a lot of effect on diving but I guess I should get out more. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 14:31, 26 April 2011 (EDT) ::::::::::::::Baboons can be a serious nuisance in the southern Cape Peninsula, where tourists have gotten them accustomed to handouts, and they have now learned to open car doors and help themselves. They hang out in gangs and are always on the lookout for easy pickings. Leave your car open at some places, and you may find it looted with contents strewn around the road. At Rooi-els they have learned to break into unoccupied houses, but not yet cars. We are not able to persuade them that divers dont carry anything worth stealing, because they can smell that it is not true. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:51, 27 April 2011 (EDT) '''Support'''. As ever, love your work Peter.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:27, 27 April 2011 (EDT) It has been a month and no more comment, so I guess I will slap on the star. Thanks to everyone for the comments, as usual they have all helped to improve the article. Cheers, • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 07:35, 30 May 2011 (EDT) === [[Menzies]] === It was suggested to me that Menzies is close enough to star status to nominate. I've put in all the info I have and would really appreciate someone passing an fresh set of eyes over it to pick up anything I've missed. Oh, and you can support the starnom if you like too. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 09:39, 17 June 2011 (EDT) *'''Support'''. This is a really nice little article for an intriguing little destination. [[User talk:Cardboardbird#Starnom?|My concerns]] have already been addressed, and to my eye, this looks ready for a star! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 16:16, 17 June 2011 (EDT) *'''Support''' (''subject to 2 comments''). Interesting OtBP destination, and it is great that we get articles about such relatively unknown places up to Star quality. Two comments: how about a Stay safe section, with the usual outback warnings? And does a bus really never, ever pass through? The Menzies Shire website [http://www.menzies.wa.gov.au/about_us/where_is.html] mentions a bus run by Goldrush Tours. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:36, 17 June 2011 (EDT) : I was told the bus was not running anymore but now I see they have a current website, so maybe it is. I will give them a call on monday to confirm that the bus still goes, but I put the listing in for the meantime. Added stay safe. It is similar to what's covered in the region article but specific to Menzies and worth repeating. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 11:17, 19 June 2011 (EDT) *'''Support'''. A splendid guide - I enjoy reading about these tiny neck-of-the-woods places, and this article is full of wonderfully descriptive info. Two minor pointers: firstly, it'd be nice if the pictures were spread out a little bit more, like having the Niagara Dam picture in the Niagara Dam section and one of the Lake Ballard pics in the Lake Ballard section. Secondly, the Menzies Roadhouse has been labeled the Caltex Roadhouse in the map, not sure which one is accurate (granted, it's the only restaurant in town, but consistency is always nice). Neither of these points are major enough to stop my support, but it would be nice to see them addressed. Other than that, looks fine to me. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 02:01, 19 June 2011 (EDT) : I've moved the last two images to align with the relevant text. On my screen the photo of the hill at Lake Ballard is pushed down. Others might see something different. Changed the name to Caltex in the listing which is the official name, but if I recall it has Menzies roadhouse on the sign and the shire website [http://www.menzies.wa.gov.au/tourism/accommodation.html] lists it as the Menzies Roadhouse. Maybe I should change it back and fix the map? - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 11:17, 19 June 2011 (EDT) :: You could also just put the alternative name (which I guess here is "Menzies Roadhouse") in the alt section of the listing, that would probably take care of it. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 22:18, 19 June 2011 (EDT) *'''Support'''. A few minor comments below, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 03:38, 19 June 2011 (EDT) # Get in: The reference to Kalgoorlie, should it be to Kalgoorlie-Boulder? And why not wikilinked? # A few of the listings do not have addresses, if possible please add # Menzies Hotel: as this appears to be the only hotel in town, I would prefer to have a listing in Sleep and then leave out any mention except references from Eat and Drink (and a corresponding change on the map) : Kalgoorlie name/link changed. Nothing seems to have a street number in town (maybe because everyone knows where they are) but I put some street names in there anyway. The Menzies Hotel, despite the name, is probably more of an attraction as a place to drink. I honestly think few people actually stay there. The owners were a bit befuddled when I asked how much the rooms were. I'd like to see it stay in Drink, but I'm open to other views. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 11:17, 19 June 2011 (EDT) ::The information about the hotel above might be relevant to put into the article, especially if it means that the only hotel in town does not really work as a hotel anymore, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 11:35, 19 June 2011 (EDT) ::: Added some extra info about the uncertainty of rooms at the Menzies Hotel. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 11:33, 24 June 2011 (EDT) *'''Comment'''. Thanks for inserting the bus service details. Reading again, I think it is normal for a Star article to have an attention grabbing paragraph in the opening blub. Thus far there is nothing in the Menzies article other than the standard sentence saying where it is.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 11:29, 19 June 2011 (EDT) : The article now has an intro. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 11:31, 24 June 2011 (EDT) ::Excellent work. Unequivocal '''support''' from me.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:05, 25 June 2011 (EDT) *'''Support'''. Menzies hotel: The sentence "You can stay at the rooms might look worn out and dated if you care about décor, but they are your only option for a bed." could use some work. A more intelligible version exists under "Sleep", so it should probably just be deleted from the "Drink" sectiom. • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:29, 26 June 2011 (EDT) *'''Support'''. The only thing is that I had a hard time reading this sentence: "The well preserved heritage buildings' unconventional histories impart fascinating stories of the town's fickle fortunes that, along with the peculiar modern sculptures at Lake Ballard, make an intriguing destination for the inquisitive traveller." But it could be just me not being a native speaker. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 11:25, 26 June 2011 (EDT) :No, it is hard to follow. Partly it's the overuse of the "(adjective)(noun)" construction (seven times in one sentence!), but it also has jumbled structure making it unclear what the antecedents of various phrases are. I was going to take a stab at re-writing but it's going to need more than just cosmetic help, so I thought I'd let CardboardBird have a chance first. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 20:10, 26 June 2011 (EDT) :: Thanks for the first shot at rewriting. I made changes that I hope are an improvement. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 10:31, 27 June 2011 (EDT) ::: Three weeks have passed and I'm travelling for the next two. I'm staring this now before I go. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 09:08, 8 July 2011 (EDT) ===[[Staraya Russa]]=== This is a really neat OtBP literary destination in between St Petersburg and Moscow—the little summer getaway for the Dostoevsky family, where Mssr Fyodor Mikhailovich wrote The Brothers Karamazov. Our guide, based on the Russian version + a ton of research I just did (takes 4x as long to find stuff on the ru-net, whew!), is over three times the length of any others I can find, with much more exhaustive coverage of the city. This would be our first Russian star article, although I have another one in my back pocket! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 00:54, 17 June 2011 (EDT) :'''Support'''. Really sweet little article with PF's usual stamp of quality written all over it.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 21:28, 17 June 2011 (EDT) :'''Support'''. Fantastic stuff - colorfully descriptive, but also pragmatic and honest. Scanning the article I can't find anything off, with the exception that I'm not sure if the Balneological Resort listing should have hours or not (if you say no then I'll take your word for it). But other than that, looks perfect! [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 02:20, 19 June 2011 (EDT) :'''Nitpick''' of course, but have we decided to allow datestamps to listings "valid as of year ...."? I mean hotel price for Hotel Polist: "1600 rubles (2009)". --[[User:(WT-en) DenisYurkin|(WT-en) DenisYurkin]] 05:41, 19 June 2011 (EDT) :'''Almost'''. A few comments below, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 11:28, 19 June 2011 (EDT) :# sanitoriae: should it be sanatoriums?, which I would expect to be the most common English form :# map: See and Do no 7 and 9 should break in the same way :# times: should be 12-hour format and no decimals if not required :# See and Do: I do not like the combination of see and do into one section, it makes it more difficult to understand which activities the town offers. Further, I thought our standard headings were mandatory ::#''Sanitoria'', actually! ::#I am not sure I understand? ::#While somewhat controversial, it had once seemed that we had [[Wikivoyage_talk:Time_and_date_formats#International_time_formats|something]] approaching a consensus to allow the 24 hour format for regions in which it is used (and in Russia it is used categorically), and thereby follow the changes made to the spelling policy. As such, we have already [[Sheki|starred articles]] with the 24 hour format. ::#We have already come to [[Wikivoyage_talk:Star_nominations#Style_Guide.2FTemplates_matching..|an agreement]] (by rock paper scissors!) on this already, and have starred multiple articles (e.g., [[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios]], [[Washington, D.C./Anacostia]], etc.) with the same or similar headings. In this article, the reason is simple enough: there are no activity listings to add. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 16:35, 19 June 2011 (EDT) :::On the map, I think what Claus means is that in the legend you have: ::::'''Monastery of the''' ::::'''Transfiguration''' :::and then you also have: ::::'''Museum of the''' :::::'''Northwest Front''' :::[[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 22:26, 19 June 2011 (EDT) :::::# Ok. :::::# Yey, as PerryPlanet explained :::::# It is a mess to have different ways to show hours in different countries. I read the discussion, and clearly no consensus was reached, and our policy was therefore not changed. Yes, we have a starred article using the 24 hour format (which ought to be changed), but we have several starred articles outside US using the 12 hour format. However, this is details to be discussed elsewhere. The important thing here is that the article is in non-compliance with a clear policy, and in my opinion this is not acceptable for a star article :::::# I read the discussion and see that it was agreed to allow a combination of the sections for [[Walt Disney World/Hollywood Studios]], which I guess makes sense for this very special article. However, no consensus was reached to allow combinations of sections in general, and our policy was not changed. If the combination is acceptable for Staraya Russa, I guess it will be for most of articles for smaller places. I find it strange to name a section See and Do, when it does not include any activities. Further, why do we want to hide for the reader that no activities exist? But again, this is details to be discussed elsewhere. The article is in non-compliance with a clear policy, and in my opinion this is not acceptable for a star article, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 00:03, 20 June 2011 (EDT) :::::::The article is not "in non-compliance with a clear policy" regarding the combination of article headers. That discussion did not pertain only to WDW, and such combinations are used in numerous articles ''when it makes sense to do so''. We clearly had a consensus to allow such headers, your assertion to the contrary has no basis. Anyway, I will simply slush this. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 00:34, 20 June 2011 (EDT) :As the slushing was a bit hasty, I'm restoring this. Our Star requirements specifically say "It follows the manual of style exactly or is the exception that proves the rule." That means we can award the star to articles that do not match the MOS exactly if we have a good reason to allow deviations. In my opinion, the unresolved nature of certain style standard details ought not derail an otherwise outstanding article from being starred. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 22:01, 21 June 2011 (EDT) ::Great to see the article back here. Hope it will end up with a star. However, I think the article could be improved by changing the two areas where it is not in compliance with our policies. It is correct that deviations from MoS is acceptable if some specific reasons make that needed, but I do not see that being outside US and being small are sufficiently exceptional to warrant a deviation. I think we are moving in the wrong direction if any discussion of possible change of policy should imply that both the existing and the proposed changed policy are equally acceptable for star articles. I think that until a new policy has been discussed and approved in the relevant talk page (which is not here) and the policy is changed, the existing policy should be applied to, unless the destination is so special that a deviation is needed (which is not the case here). The discussion of whether the present weaknesses of the article is sufficient to hold it back from getting the star can easily be avoided by simply improving the article as suggested, and I am really struggling to see why such improvements should not be made, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 09:50, 22 June 2011 (EDT) :::Are you suggesting a blank '''Do''' section? If not, what would you like to see listed there? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 12:22, 22 June 2011 (EDT) :::I'll change the international standard back to AM/PM if it makes others happy, although I think the grounds for this objection are very weak. For a full year in the linked discussion, there were plenty voices of support for a policy change, and only one voice against. [[Sheki]] was starred under those circumstances. :::The argument that a combined "See and Do" header is "in non-compliance with a clear policy" is so obviously baseless that I feel fully comfortable ignoring it and proceeding with the starring process. I would, though, like to understand why you think this is a clear policy, where you have read this, and why you think both practice and consensus would not determine our procedures. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:09, 22 June 2011 (EDT) ::::A combined See and Do section is fine with me. This sometimes works well in some small city articles, and more often so in park articles. ::::On time format, until there is a definite consensus (it seems close) on allowing use of either format, then I believe Star articles should all follow the established AM/PM format. Given the attention that is given to format issues with Stars, I am very surprised to learn that there is a existing precedent using a 24 hour time format.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 20:49, 22 June 2011 (EDT) :::::I've reread the "See and Do" debate (which I was a part of), and it reads like a consensus to allow it now just as I felt it was then. If it is a matter of adding some clause to the policy that states, "In special circumstances in which a location has only "See" or "Do" attractions, a combined "See and Do" section may be used." then let's just slap it on there so that this nomination can move forward. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 21:04, 22 June 2011 (EDT) ::::::That's fine, and we should also mention the infrequently useful "Eat and Drink" combination if we do. Although I'm not sure we really need to, as our [[Project:Article templates|policy articles]] and our common practices already disavow an inflexible one-size-fits-all approach. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:29, 22 June 2011 (EDT) :::::::LtPowers, if I had written this article, I would in the do section have mentioned that not many activities exist here and then put in a couple of suggested walking tours. I agree that combining See and Do can work fine in park articles, where it can be difficult to distinguish between attractions and activities, but I still find it strange to have a section called See and Do if it only includes See. If there is really nothing to write in Do, just leave the section out as it is not mandatory :::::::Peter, as you of course know, [[Project:Article templates]] and [[Project:Small city article template]] give details of sections. They are quite detailed, but nowhere do they say anything about the possibility of combining sections, on the contrary it is stated that the See section is mandatory, which is my basis for saying that it is in non-compliance not to have a See section. I do of course think that practice and consensus are important sources to determine our procedures when our policies are not sufficiently clear. But to say that because one article received a star despite deviations from MoS establishes a new practice which overrules our stated policy appears wrong. Receiving a star despite one small weakness does not mean that a new practice has been established, and still the vast majority of our articles use AM/PM so that is the practice. And in relation to the combination of See and Do, I do not see that the discussion on a particular park article implies that a general consensus has been reached, if a consensus is to overrule a written policy (See section being mandatory) the consensus should be very clear and reached at the appropriate talk page, not in a star discussion :::::::ChubbyWimbus, as allready stated, I find it strange to name a section See and Do if it does not include Do, why not just leave out the Do section? I think it would be great to have the consensus written into the policy, but I do not think that the discussion referred to shows exactly what the consensus is about, so I think we shold discuss first on the appropriate talk page, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 21:50, 22 June 2011 (EDT) ::::::::Two points I want to put in here: ::::::::#I do agree with Claus that if there are no activities, then it makes sense to leave out the Do section, since it's not mandatory (in other words, just rename "See & Do" to "See", and we can get on with this star nomination). As far as I can tell, the only reason having a See & Do heading with no activities listed would make sense is if you were planning to add activities later, which would imply that the article is incomplete (which I doubt is the case here, as that would disqualify it for star). ::::::::#But Claus, you wrote that your basis for saying that this article is in non-compliance is that the See section is mandatory. ...And? Are you saying that this article doesn't have a See section? As far as I see, the See section has merely been combined with Do, not eliminated, so your argument that this article is in violation of a clear policy on this basis baffles me. Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding your argument, but that's how I'm reading it. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 23:18, 22 June 2011 (EDT) PerryPlanet, yes, the See section is mandatory, which I read as it has to be there and the name can not be changed. If someone used 'Attractions' instead of 'See' we would also change it to 'See' with the argument that that section is mandatory. The combination of See and Do is a deviation from the stated policy, which is allowable in special cases, and per consensus and practice such a special case exists for some parks, but I do not see that we have consensus or practice for allowing it, just because a destination is small, or because it has no activities. This is my basis for stating that the See and Do section here is not in compliance with policy, consensus or practice, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 23:32, 22 June 2011 (EDT) :Changing "See" to "Attractions" is in violation of a clear policy, yes (in fact, [[Project:Section headers]] specifically mentions this rule). But combining section headers that do fit our standard section names violates no policy that I am familiar with. You said it yourself: nowhere in [[Project:Article templates]] does it say anything about the possibility of combining sections. It's a deviation from the norm, yes, but nowhere is this written into the policy. Perhaps this is an oversight that should be addressed in the policy in the future, but it's not written into the policy as of now. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 00:32, 23 June 2011 (EDT) ::With all due respect, there are an awful lot of words written in this discussion about something not especially important. May I just suggest that somebody plunges forward and changes [[Project:Section headers]] and the relevant parts of [[Project:Article templates]] to reflect a well-established practice - i.e. See and Do ''can'' be combined into one section when appropriate?--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 01:59, 23 June 2011 (EDT) :::'''Support'''. This Star discussion is really getting out of hand. It should be about the ''article'', which according to me is fully worthy of being a Star and shouldn't become a victim of some outstanding policy issues we can't get resolved. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 08:54, 24 June 2011 (EDT) ::::Never has so much been said about so little, eh? ;) Anyway, I took the plunge and incorporated this matter in policy...on [[Project:Section headers]]. However, reading [[Project:Article templates]], I'm not quite sure how I should go about writing such a rule into that, so help there would be nice... [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 11:49, 24 June 2011 (EDT) :::::How about [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3AArticle_templates&diff=1703006&oldid=1650216 this]? [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 16:06, 24 June 2011 (EDT) ::::::Works for me! [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] <small>^{[[User talk:PerryPlanet|Talk]]}</small> 23:58, 24 June 2011 (EDT) * '''Support''' - Lovely little article. Nothing really stands out as needing to be corrected. [[User:(WT-en) Texugo|(WT-en) texugo]] 02:34, 25 June 2011 (EDT) * '''Support''' - Just one small comment, "Tours run around 300 rubles. 70 rubles" looks a bit odd. • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:06, 26 June 2011 (EDT) * '''Support''' - Some fine writing and one of the nicest looking maps on WT. - [[User:(WT-en) Cardboardbird|(WT-en) Cardboardbird]] 09:05, 26 June 2011 (EDT) ===[[Bangkok/Pratunam]]=== Third district I nominate for Star status in [[Bangkok]]. Please let me know where it needs changes or additions in order for it to become a Star :) --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 12:21, 20 June 2011 (EDT) :'''Almost'''. Some comments below. Just suggestions, and none of them are individually important enough to keep this fine article from receiving the star, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 14:39, 20 June 2011 (EDT) :# Intro, "It is another ...": appears unclear what it refers to :# Understand, "which is where the district got its name from": I would leave this out :# Understand: maybe there is a bit too much repetition in this section from other sections :# Map: why is eat no 3 in this article, as it from the map appears to be in another district? :# Listings: more Thai and transcription would be nice, if possible :# Rooftop bar: this listing might be a violation of the principle of only one listing each :# If possible, an intro to the see section would be nice :# Bangkok Dolls Museum: I would leave out the mentioning of winning a competition in 1978 in Poland :# Phaya Thai Palace: no need to mention opening hours twice :# Thai Labour Museum: I do not understand "Modern media are used to present the material, such as television, slides and computers" :# Buy: from the intro and Understand I would have expected more listings in the buy section :# If possible, an intro to the drink section would be nice ::I have dedicated some time to fix the issues: ::#Fixed. ::#Fixed. ::#I have taken some parts out that were duplicated. I hope its OK now, give it a re-read :) ::#The reason for this is that a few streets here (the Ratchawithi sois) are best reached using the BTS to Victory Monument. I have adapted the map accordingly to add this area. ::#I have added all the Thai names I could find. ::#Hmm, good point. I have now merged both of them under the See section. ::#There is almost nothing to See in Pratunam, that's why nothing was written there. I have now added a few sentences. ::#Fixed. Although Poland is very highly regarded in the dolls world I've heard ;-) ::#Fixed. ::#Rephrased it. ::#I understand what you mean. Before I used "Pratunam Market" to refer to the whole area, but I have now added some separate indoor malls that are located there (Pratunam Market now only refers to the outdoors market). Please re-read the Buy section, as I rewrote it extensively. I had to enlarge the map to fit the new icons on it, so please take another look at the map as well. ::#Added a few sentences. ::Alright, I hope it's better this way! --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 22:27, 25 June 2011 (EDT) :::'''Support''', no furhter comments, --[[User:(WT-en) ClausHansen|(WT-en) ClausHansen]] 01:33, 26 June 2011 (EDT) :*'''Support'''. Excellent city district guide. I did a few little touch ups. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:07, 26 June 2011 (EDT) :Amazing. I go away for a week and when I get back there ar 4 new star nominations! Looks good at a glance, and I will try to go through it more carefully during the next week. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 09:02, 26 June 2011 (EDT) :*'''Support'''. Looks good to me. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 13:29, 14 July 2011 (EDT) '''Result''': Star. ===[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster]]=== Under extreme peer pressure, I rise to the challenge and submit another nomination of a Cape Peninsula dive site. This one is a small and relatively straightforward wreck dive site, but it is very popular and deservedly so. The challenge here was to adequately describe both interior and exterior of the wreck, and I think I have now done this with the map and general arrangement drawings. I would appreciate comments on how clear the descriptions are to the lay person and occasional diver, and of course the benefit of fresh eyes to spot the errors I have passed over. • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 13:24, 14 July 2011 (EDT) :2 weeks and no comments! Maybe no-one else watches this page. Or everyone is out travelling? Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 04:44, 28 July 2011 (EDT) * '''Support'''. The descriptions look good to me, and as a novice diver the information I would want all seems to be present. The only issues I saw (and these are too minor to prevent support): 1) the gallery pushes into the right ad bar - I think three images per row is more standard as that will use less than 800 pixels of width. 2) I wasn't sure if "imbedded" is British spelling or not, but if not then it should be changed to "embedded". -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] • ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) • 20:23, 28 July 2011 (EDT) ::Done, eventually. Never in the history of Wikivoyage has it taken longer or more effort to make such small changes. I have been prevented from editing for nearly two weeks by persistent gateway timeouts when trying to edit or upload. The problem continues and I am using dialup on a laptop to edit this. It is expensive and slow, but it works. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:57, 12 August 2011 (EDT) * '''Support'''. I have done some nitpicky corrections, but as an admittedly regular diver I can't find anything missing that I can think of that should be added to the article. So, for my two cents... it should be a Star. [[User:(WT-en) Seascapeza|(WT-en) Seascapeza]] 09:19, 11 August 2011 (EDT) ::Thank you for that fine simian grooming performance, It is delightful to be nit-free again, if only for a limited period ;-) Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:57, 12 August 2011 (EDT) * '''Support'''. As ever, a very fine job done by Peter.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:52, 11 August 2011 (EDT) *'''Support''' I'm not sure I can have a say in this (being here less than a month), and I'm not a diver, but for what it's worth: this article appears complete to me and looks good. [[User:(WT-en) Justme|(WT-en) Justme]] 11:40, 12 August 2011 (EDT) ::Thanks to all for your time. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 11:57, 12 August 2011 (EDT) I am now able to edit again! I hope it lasts, as no-one was able to explain what the problem was. Anyway, I will star the article and do all the related admin. Thanks again to those who helped with the process. Cheers, • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 06:01, 29 August 2011 (EDT) ===[[Borobudur]]=== This is a slightly strange one as we do not yet have a monument at star status. I am therefore a little unsure about exactly how much academic detail about Borobudur should be included. I have tried not to dumb it down too much, whilst also bearing in mind that we are not an encyclopedia. It would be straightforward to add lots more detail, but I am unsure about the need for that? The article also covers some nearby monuments. I have not though included any other types of nearby attractions or activities. I figured that the related temples on the Kedu Plain belong in a Borobudur article, but the local golf course doesn't! By necessity, the article is quite heavy with prose and relatively light on templated listings. Heading off one question I can anticipate coming, I tried using a park template for this article some 2 years ago, and it does not work. Anyway, I am now very pleased with the article, and think it is ripe for a star nomination. Finally, ''please remember to clear cache when viewing the article'' as ancient versions keep re-appearing (for me at least). --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 12:30, 25 August 2011 (EDT) *'''Support''', My personal view is that most people who go somewhere like Borobudur will either expect at least the current depth of "academic" detail, worthy of such a site, or certainly appreciate the information that is currently provided. To make it any lighter would not be appropriate. As [[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] has suggested, the site itself determines an article that is ''quite heavy with prose and relatively light on templated listings''. I also agree that the article could accommodate some more detail but it is adequately provided for in it's current form. It reads well. Is the ticket office still using an exchange rate of Rp 9,000 = US$1?[[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 13:40, 26 August 2011 (EDT)-- *'''Comment'''. Thanks for the support Felix, but is it really necessary to be showing the measurement conversions which you have just added? I think this is both butt-ugly and unnecessary.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 02:53, 27 August 2011 (EDT) **The [[Project:Measurements|manual of style]] strongly suggests conversions be included. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 10:13, 27 August 2011 (EDT) ::*Yes, that is why I did them, so it would be [[MoS]]/Star article compliant. It does also help the people who are not acquainted with the metric system. I agree it can be a bit ugly at times but it is informing. I come across a lot of people who cannot visualise 100 mm, or 10 cm, and don't know if it is a yard long or a fraction of a foot, and others who are sure a foot is something that belongs in a shoe. Sorry if I made the article "butt ugly", that was not my intention and I hope you will forgive me. Remember it is the content that counts and it still remains quite attractive in the Borobudur article despite the feet.. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 11:32, 27 August 2011 (EDT) :::By the way [[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]], a little off topic but I am also having caching problems and have to keep clearing them, I assumed it was at my end though, but did think it was a bit odd I was getting the same issue using two entirely different browsers. It is not just related to the Borobudur article. The time-outs are also ongoing and I am getting occasional server not available and some 404 errors when trying to access WT articles or upload edits. Lasts for hours at a time. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 11:32, 27 August 2011 (EDT) :::Indeed. But that's largely ignored I think? Certainly when looking around other star articles, that is the case. Showing the conversion of 2.5 cm to 1 inch (as a measure of ash fall during the 2010 eruption of Merapi) seems ''especially'' pointless to me. If that conversion has to to stay then so be it, but it's ugly to my eye. Same goes for saying a hotel is ''.... 200m (655 feet) from the entrance''. For the sake of consistency, if these stay I will also have to convert other measurements in the article.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 11:12, 27 August 2011 (EDT) ::::I agree that the hotel distance is a bit clunky but the ash measurement is useful to visualise the depth. I actually thought I had got all the measures.. My personal view is the dual measures do provide useful information. It is especially useful for longer trip distances, height of mountains and similar. However I agree 200 m (655 ft) looks clunky. I should really have been 200 m (650 ft) for the sake of tidiness and really is unecessary as (I hope) most people can understand that smaller measures expressed as metres can be roughly equivalent to yards, also if someone cannot visualise 200 m then they are probably not going to make to Borobudur in the first place. However if we do them all then it is odd to leave some out because just because we don't like them. It would be good if there was some flexibility in this, ''Star'' article or not. However I am going to revert the (XXXft) from the hotel listings as I also think they are quite unecessary and agree they are quite unattractive. I think the other conversions are appropriate though for article usefullness and will leave them for later review as per this nomination process. I do understand this is not WP and we are not trying to be ''encyclopedic'' here but I believe measure conversions in general are in the travellers interest.-- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 11:52, 27 August 2011 (EDT) :::::Felix, picking and choosing which measurements to convert is worse than showing them all. We must be consistent. Either we don't post conversions (my preference and in line with lots of other star articles), or we convert them all. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 12:16, 27 August 2011 (EDT) ::::::Actually, I think the intent of the WT:measurements article was that only the more difficult and important conversions be shown—I get that impression, at least, from the examples, which are limited to long distances (km/miles) and temperature (F/C), and the occasional height question. Accordingly, it might be appropriate to provide conversions for mileage/kilometerage in the get in/get around sections (''maybe—the map probably already covers this concern''), and perhaps for the height of the monument itself. I think it's reasonably fair to assume that anyone who has been to science class can understand 2.5 cm, and in general we don't need to gunk up the article with excessive conversions. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:29, 31 August 2011 (EDT) :::::::Noted and done. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 00:24, 1 September 2011 (EDT) *'''Support''' &mdash; nice article. • • • [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 16:23, 29 August 2011 (EDT) *'''Support'''. This is a fascinating place! I have a few suggestions, but I do think the article already strikes a nice balance between too much and too little information. Especially if most visiting is done by people wandering around on their own touching and defacing statues, they will need a good pocket guide to help them understand what, exactly, they are defacing. Anyway, suggestions: 1) Perhaps add more or generally rethink the early history section. It struck me as a bit disjointed, and didn't answer questions that would immediately come to mind (who built this and why?), although those answers are perhaps not forthcoming. 2) The map grey regions look a bit off—maybe they could be lightened? Right now they almost look greyed ''out''. 3) A height scale on the cross section map would be awesome. 4) Is the recommendation for #Around Borobudur to use a car? Or is it practical to visit these other sites without one? 5) What are the opening times for the other sites, and how is it possible to climb back up Borobudur for the sunset if the monument closes at 5PM? 6) Try to think of ''something'' creative to say for "Drink" :P --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:29, 31 August 2011 (EDT) :Thanks for all that Peter. The article so needed a fresh set of eyes. Half the problem is that I have been there way too many times, and it has become too easy to make assumptions. On your specific suggestions: :*Early history. I see you have made a few good edits yourself to this section and let me try to clarify a little more. A key problem is that the history of the Sailendra Dynasty and just after is both poorly recorded, and confusing. :*The road map - will do. :*Height scale on the diagram - I will try. The base image itself is traced from an old academic book which I don't have a copy of, and I am a little unsure if it is 100% to scale (although it looks about right). :*Other sites can be visited anytime in the hours of daylight and I will state as much. Climbing back up for sunset is ... errr... "not exactly officially sanctioned".... but I have managed it and and so have others :). I will clarify that it is the ''entrance'' that closes at 5PM. :*Drink. ''Sigh''... I will try. Actually, this is a prime example of an article where Eat and Drink should be combined I think? --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 21:08, 31 August 2011 (EDT) :*On the road map I was using the normal grey background for a district map. Rather than lightening it, I have darkened it a little using c0c0c0 from the regionmap template. Is that more pleasing on the eye? --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 00:28, 1 September 2011 (EDT) ::*I agree with [[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small>, some heights on the elevation diagram would be a good added feature. Also a mention of the relative proportioning ratios maybe something to consider. I went and had a look at the WP article and found they have one [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Borobudur_Half_Cross_Section.png there] illustrating this. If this was done it may be appropriate to incorporate elevation measures and the proportional relationships (9:6:4) into a single diagram if it did not get too visually ''busy'' as an outcome. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 03:47, 1 September 2011 (EDT) :::Yep, that's the source picture for the diagram I did Felix. I can work out the heights from the 9:6:4 proportions. Not sure they are interesting in themselves except to a student of ancient architecture, but they can provide rough heights for each level. I will do that.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 05:44, 1 September 2011 (EDT) :::: I suspect you might be correct about the limited interest. The detail is probably similar in some ways to the use of the 'golden mean' (1:1.61803) in many classical buildings, including the Acropolis and describing it may assist some in understanding the proportions of the building. Certainly as you have noted they should assist in calculating the relative heights for the diagram. Actually describing those ratios in the diagram may be of interest if it can easily be incorporated without excessively confusing the diagram but the heights are a far more important aspect than the proportional ratios. BTY you are doing a great job on the article and it is looking really good. -- [[User:(WT-en) Felix505|(WT-en) felix]] 10:34, 1 September 2011 (EDT) * '''Support'''. The only concern I have relates to the Do section. The first two paragraphs do not describe any kind of activity, but are better placed in a Respect section. For the rest, it's an awesome read. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 22:20, 31 August 2011 (EDT) :You are quite right and done. I just wanted to get that ''be nice to the locals'' message across to counteract the usual whinging traveller stuff that is published elsewhere. But you are certainly right - it should be in Respect.--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 00:18, 1 September 2011 (EDT) *'''Comment'''. Have now added a height scale to the cross section diagram, and with that, I think all comments made so far have been addressed. Any more comments please?--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 05:35, 8 September 2011 (EDT) ===[[Baltimore/Fells Point]]=== Here's a great neighborhood in an improperly often overlooked American city. I'm feeling pretty happy with the article, and think it should hold up through the nomination process. It would be the first Baltimore star, on the path to starring the city guide itself! --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:14, 15 August 2011 (EDT) :I wish I had your eye for what makes a readable map. Just a couple of notes: I don't know that it's necessary to have subheadings in "Sleep", since there are only five listings. And it appears a little awkward to have two different kinds of subheadings in "Eat": two by cuisine and three by price; it's not immediately obvious how they interact with each other. [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 09:12, 16 August 2011 (EDT) :Superb. Especially love the map and I think that this is the standard we should all strive for when drawing district maps. I would agree that the sleep section does not really need splitting. On the eat section I think the preamble makes it clear enough and I like the way it has been split. Oh, '''support''' in case that was not clear :).--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 09:51, 16 August 2011 (EDT) *'''Support'''. I'm jealous of your map, now I have the urge to remake some older ones of mine.. Anyway, I still have a few questions. The Do section lists the Fells Point Ghost Tours—does this comply with our Tours policy? About the map, it says "Fell's Point" twice which I think is a bit confusing. And finally, I agree with LtPowers' notes of the Eat and Sleep sections. --[[User:(WT-en) Globe-trotter|(WT-en) globe-trotter]] 10:16, 16 August 2011 (EDT) ::I'm ambivalent towards that ghost tour listing. I do feel that it doesn't pass muster per [[tour]], but I can't work up any hostility towards it. And thanks for all the map compliments! It was a tricky one. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 10:08, 22 August 2011 (EDT) ===[[Retiring abroad]]=== Could this be our first star travel topic? [[Teaching English]] has been nominated and slushed; as far as I know no others have even been nominated. It is not entirely complete &mdash; see the talk page for comment on that &mdash; but I think it is at least close to star level. Of course I'm the only author so far, so I cannot really judge. Comments here or contributions could fairly easily get it the last bit of the way, I think. [[User:(WT-en) Pashley|(WT-en) Pashley]] 02:33, 20 June 2011 (EDT) :'''Query'''. Really like this article and would love to see it as a Star. Are there though any criteria for travel topic status?--[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 02:01, 23 June 2011 (EDT) : Link at top of this page takes you to [[Project:Travel_topic_status]]. [[User:(WT-en) Pashley|(WT-en) Pashley]] 02:47, 23 June 2011 (EDT) ::Ah yes :). That will teach me for not looking. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 03:49, 23 June 2011 (EDT) :::Also Burmesedays, it may be useful to keep in mind as you read the stated goal within the article: "This article covers moving abroad to retire." :::Are there any countries where you simply cannot retire in even if you want to or that you absoultely have to move to/become a citizen to live in? I tried looking up [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kenya]] and [[Senegal]], for example, and couldn't find any information on how to retire in these countries. Perhaps they have investor's visas, but maybe not. ::The article is also highly centralized around retiring to Asia, which I know is the most common, but some geographical diversity in examples and pictures would be good. There are plenty of amazing coastal cities in [[Mombasa|Africa]], for example, that have the same sort of exotic appeals that may attract someone to Thailand or the Caribbean, but it's difficult to know what/how much information applies for areas outside of Asia. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 04:04, 23 June 2011 (EDT) :::Yep I am sure that is the case. I suspect finding the information (if it exists at all) for most African countries would be a bit of a nightmare. :::This is a very worthy topic, and one I am quite close to as I have assisted a number of retirees in understanding what is involved in acquiring a retirement residency visa in Indonesia. I think Pashley has done an excellent job with the structure of the article, it is certainly well written, and as far as I can tell, it seems complete. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] 10:43, 24 June 2011 (EDT) :Not the first Star travel topic. [[Chicago skyline guide]] has that distinction, and there are 5 others related to Scuba Diving around Cape Town. See [[Project:Star article#Travel topics]] :South Africa has quite a number of Europeans who have retired here. Mostly Germans and Britons, who take advantage of the good exchange rate to enjoy the milder climate. Many are what is locally known as "Swallows", as they tend to go north for the winter, and so don't actually stay here permanently. However some do, though permanent is never certain while one is still alive. I have no idea what the arrangements are, as I am local, so retiring here would be a natural progression for me, requiring no special procedures. The information must be available somewhere. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:(WT-en) Pbsouthwood|(WT-en) Peter (Southwood)]] <small>^{[[User talk:Pbsouthwood|Talk]]}</small> 08:55, 26 June 2011 (EDT) This one has been hanging out there a long time. I would like to propose that it is promoted to star. --[[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) burmesedays]] 12:22, 27 August 2011 (EDT) *'''Support''' (Pashley's a "star" editor, too). -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 04:16, 9 December 2012 (UTC) *'''Support'''. It's high time this one joins our star articles. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:10, 21 December 2012 (UTC) :So, who gets to close this nomination and promote it to Star status, then?-- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 10:57, 15 February 2013 (UTC) ::<font color="red"><big>There are no outstanding criticisms that have not been dealt with and there does not seem to be any remaining opposition to promoting this topic to STAR status, so I will do just that in 2 days if nobody objects!</big></font> -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 19:44, 7 March 2013 (UTC) : There are some open questions; see [[Talk:Retiring_abroad#Contributions_wanted]]. I do not think these should block the nomination, but that needs more opinions. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 20:40, 7 March 2013 (UTC) :: I have now fixed nearly all of them. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 22:52, 22 March 2013 (UTC) ===[[La Macarena]]=== I might be going out on a limb with this nomination, as there are no hours or phone numbers for the restaurant listings. But that reflects the fact that a) they do not keep regular hours, and the best way to see if they're open is to walk a block and check, and b) that they do not have telephone numbers. I suppose I could have asked for owners' cell phones, but calling them about the restaurant would only confuse them. In other words, I don't see room for ''improvement'' on this front. It's a really fascinating destination, and one where I had a ton of downtime to talk to people, gather information, and write it all down. I humbly submit that it might be a fun read too. What do you think? --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:32, 21 December 2012 (UTC) *'''Support''' Nice and friendly prose style and lots of useful background information (but needs a link or more explanation when "the red season" is first mentioned.) Being picky, someone might want to template the hotel information to make maintenance by casual editors easier (and put the phone numbers into international format).. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 19:21, 21 December 2012 (UTC) *:Dialing Colombian phone numbers is extremely complicated, and I'm honestly not sure how to best deal with that. Putting them in international format would obscure how to make local calls, which is probably a more likely scenario. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 00:37, 22 December 2012 (UTC) *<s>'''Close'''</s> ''(now support, see below)'' Here's a list of suggestions for improvement and items to clean up before this reaches star: **First, the comment about complications when dialing phone numbers. Star articles must match the MoS exactly. If there is a major issue with using something other than the international format, then you should propose an exemption to add a Colombia-specific section to [[Wikivoyage:Phone numbers]] ([[Wikivoyage talk:Phone numbers|talk]]). [[Colombia#By phone|Colombia/Contact/By phone]] isn't complete and should probably be fully explained/expanded to go with this star nomination. This is important with the hotels lacking websites, how else can someone book a room before arrival? **Prepare should probably be moved to become the first section of "Get in", which has arrival info. That said, it's not clear where a section of such information should go. [[Wikivoyage:Where you can stick it|Where you can stick it]] and the [[Wikivoyage:Small city article template|Small city article template]] don't really offer any clue as to where appropriate clothing should go. Malaria meds could go in a "stay healthy" section. Comment about sunscreen & insect repellant can go in stay healthy too and/or in See/Serranía de la Macarena. Since the length of the stay concerns the timing of flights, maybe that can be mentioned in Get in/By plane. **Climate only discusses river...can you find any climate info? Should mention temps & discuss rainy season. **Red links don't look good & should at least be started as a stub. **Get around: where can you find a guide? Any warnings? Is there an official system set up recognizing guides (so Pablo I meet outside the hotel and offers his service as a guide is ok to take me into the park, not from FARC looking to take me through the jungle around army checkpoints)? Do some speak English? **Is there any official information for the park? Like an office with phone number & address. An official website of any kind...maybe there's a national park department with a page about Serranía de la Macarena. Entry fees (so guides don't overstate them and rip off tourists)? **Note regarding no ATM in Villavicencio airport should also be mentioned in the Get in/By plane section. Also, since that section relies, in part, on traveling through Villavicencio airport and booking onward travel here as well as the suggestion of taking the bus there from Bogata then flying, the [[Villavicencio]] should have some content in the Get in section. **Stay safe/healthy: along with the above suggestion, info about malaria, sunburn, & heat exhaustion should be included in a stay healthy section. Are there any medical facilities or pharmacies/chemists if a visitor gets ill? If no, do you have to get a flight back to Villavicencio? Stay safe should include info on contacting the police/military if one gets in trouble (police station? Army office/HQ? Phone numbers?). Any dangerous animals to be wary of when going about the park? I'm particularly paranoid of snakes, so the first thing that comes to mind with wading through water in the Colombian jungles would be anacondas and any poisonous snakes in the jungle (fer de lance?). Poisonous frogs? Anything like ants or other insects with painful bites someone walking through the jungle needs to be careful of? Jaguars? **I've gone ahead and added ecotourism inter-wiki link, but are there any other appropriate travel topics that could be linked to within the prose on this page? **Only one WP link shows up in the sidebar, but there's a WP sidebar template at the bottom for both "La Macarena, Meta" and "Caño Cristales". I switched the order, so the one displayed in the sidebar links to La Macarena, Meta...you should figure out how to add a second WP sidebar link. [[Wikivoyage:Related articles]] only discusses using [[Template:Related]]. That's quite a few suggestions, but then again, this is a star nomination and a star article should be reasonably complete with only the need to update listings. [[User:AHeneen|AHeneen]] ([[User talk:AHeneen|talk]]) 02:52, 22 December 2012 (UTC) :I hopefully have addressed the phone number concerns that both commenters above have raised. :Any hotels listed without websites do not have websites. Booking before arrival is quite unusual in this area for an independent traveler. :I think the prepare section is too critical—it also contains no get in information, aside from the number of days to spend here (it's not a standard section, anyway, so a certain amount of discretion seems normal). :Climate info is only important in so far as it relates to travel (since we're not writing an encyclopedia), and there's no reason whatsoever to travel here other than to see the river. The temperature is always the same; the rainy and dry seasons happen when when the article tells you not to come. :I'm happy to start the stubs, and will (but for posterity's sake, that's not actually related to star requirements). :The article states that guides are lined up at the airport tourist desk (there are no other guides). There is no address, website, nor office for the national park (nor entry fees). Villavicencio is not a necessary stop (just a stop for cheapskates like me), but I'm not exactly sure what you mean in this bit. :Splitting stay safe and stay healthy might make sense, although that's not something we often do for small city articles. But getting help from police in this sort of place (it's a very small town) just isn't any sort of issue—just tell anyone what the problem is and they'll help, or just cross the street to talk to some bored looking guy in a uniform. :There are no organisms other than the malaria parasite to be worried about (that crazy penis-eating fish is much further south). If you had the fabulous fate of being attacked by a jaguar, any ecotourist would honestly be jealous ;) :The WP link is a long-standing problem that we hopefully will have resolved soon here, along with the nearly identical problem regarding breadcrumbs. With both, it would be best if we could display more than one, but we don't have the functionality to do so yet. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 08:33, 22 December 2012 (UTC) ::Looking at this again, I think I better understand your comment about the prepare section. I have moved the first paragraph to get in, while keeping the non-transport logistics at Understand#Prepare. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:36, 7 March 2013 (UTC) * '''Query:''' I'm puzzled by your edit summary of "''rv - utter nonsense, stop wasting peoples time''" to [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=La_Macarena&diff=0&oldid=2084583 this edit]. :How and why exactly do you think the advice of ''Travellers may be using Wikivoyage from networks with very low bandwidth. In some countries, an internet café with ten computers connected to a single 56k modem is still fairly common.'' and ''Please use '''thumbnails''' unless you have a good reason not to.'' (thumbnails) ''will expand to full size if clicked on'' (given at [[Wikivoyage:Image policy]] and [[Wikivoyage:How_to_add_an_image#Thumbnails]]) should be changed (or, alternatively, does not apply to Star article nominations), please? -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 01:58, 16 January 2013 (UTC) ::There is no policy (and should be no policy) mandating certain sizes for images, and perusing existing star articles will confirm that. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:21, 16 January 2013 (UTC) :::So which is it then? You think the request to ''Please use '''thumbnails''''' is wrong, or you have ''a good reason not to''? [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 06:20, 16 January 2013 (UTC) ::::I would appreciate either a response to my question above or a timescale for a response. Thanks in anticipation. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 10:54, 15 February 2013 (UTC) :::::I didn't think your point worth responding to. The article already uses thumbnails, so your question/point is nonsensical. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 20:04, 20 February 2013 (UTC) ::::::Both at the time I made my original edit (reverted with your edit summary of "''rv - utter nonsense, stop wasting peoples time''") ''and'' at the time of my "nonsensical" comments above, ''and'' [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=La_Macarena&oldid=2123512 today] your "thumbnails" designated fixed image widths (mostly of 280px width) for display and this negated then (and now) the important advice that normally, images should be specified as thumbnails and should '''not''' have a size set - this way they will default to the size set in the registered user's preferences - unless you do have an exceptionally good reason to override the defaults set by the user. Hence my persistent questioning. ::::::So, is your "exceptionally good reason" to override the defaults, your belief that nobody with a slow connection is ever going to read your ''La Macarena'' article or that no registered users with thumbnail defaults set at 120px or 150px or 180px or 200px or 220px or 250px or 300px (registered users are currently limited to just that choice of seven to set in their preferences) or something else entirely that I'm missing here? Sorry to be so abstruse... ::::::Now unless you start to address editors' concerns here timeously and with a degree of seriousness, I'm going to have to strike my "Support" above and change to an "Oppose" on the grounds that you have advanced no rationale for an exception to our image policy. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 21:20, 20 February 2013 (UTC) :::::::That's a policy you are making up, and is contradicted by every single star article. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:25, 20 February 2013 (UTC) :::::::::I would prefer if policy dictated Star status and '''not''' the other way around. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 21:30, 20 February 2013 (UTC) ::::::::::FYI, I noticed that you just altered the policy page that you are citing to support your case. I have reverted that as obviously inappropriate. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:32, 20 February 2013 (UTC) :::::::::::Wrong on both counts, Peter. The '''Policy''' page at [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Image_policy&oldid=2138232#Image_sizes Wikivoyage:Image_policy#Minimal use of images, subsection #Image_sizes] hasn't been changed since your sidekick Globe-trotter removed the useful [[56k]] shortcut on 1 February 2013. I do agree that the policy of '''''"Please use thumbnails unless you have a good reason not to. That way, the display size of images can be enlarged if the reader clicks on the lower right corner. If you have a good reason to change the default display size of the image, see [[Wikivoyage:How to add an image#Sizing]] for details."''''' was in need of clarification - which is why I regard your revert [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:How_to_add_an_image&diff=prev&oldid=2156876 here] in support of your Star nomination as an abuse of your administrator tools. Relevant policy is [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Administrators&oldid=2156305 here] and states: '''''Administrators may use the rollback tool to quickly undo all changes to an article made by the most recent editor. Currently, it is not possible to leave an explanation of a revert in the edit summary, so this tool is usually reserved only for obvious cases of graffiti, vandalism, or spam.''''' There is pertinent discussion of my edits [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage_talk:Image_policy&oldid=2156421#Sizing_of_images here in the section '''Sizing_of_images''']. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 21:55, 20 February 2013 (UTC) ::::::::::::You have hijacked this star nomination to pursue your inane policy agenda. I can only hope that a productive contributor will come along and rescue it with a normal assessment of the article. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:11, 20 February 2013 (UTC) :::::::::::::Please stop trying to divert attention away from the original issue: forcing (large) image sizes on all readers of the Star nominated article - as opposed to following what was (until you changed it) a very clear policy with a very clear rationale: allow thumbnails to default to a globally set width for unregistered/not logged in readers, and to display at the specified width that registered readers have chosen in their preferences. Your choices seem very clear to me, either remove the unnecessary width specifications or provide a rationale for making an exception to our image policies. Either will do. :::::::::::::What is not acceptable is [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk%3AAlice&diff=2156908&oldid=2154917 name calling] and demanding that you have your very own set of policies convenient to yourself. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 23:28, 20 February 2013 (UTC) [unindent] No image is larger than 350px. But please argue about this somewhere else, like [[Wikivoyage talk:How to add an image]]. Please carry on with the star discussion, everyone. Thank you. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:05, 21 February 2013 (UTC) *'''Support''' - Very nicely written with a good range of useful photographs. The content is formatted well and the article is very easy to use. --[[User:Nicholasjf21|Nick]] ([[User talk:Nicholasjf21|talk]]) 21:40, 3 April 2013 (UTC) *'''Support''' - You know South America has made it when they get their first Olympics, their first pope, and their first Wikivoyage star article. ;) [[User:PerryPlanet|PerryPlanet]] ([[User talk:PerryPlanet|talk]]) 15:20, 4 April 2013 (UTC) *'''Comment''' - Nicely written, I like the style, especially for place like this :-) Just a few suggestions and questions: **Exactly because it's so remote and unknown, I'd put the country in the opening sentence (or at least in the first few lines). I had to click on the link to the Meta region to find out where in the world it is ;-) **Perhaps it would also be handy to put all the info about arranging, finding and paying a (mandatory) guide somewhere together in one paragraph, early in the article. It says somewhere you can book a guide at the airport, but can you only do it at the spot or is there a way to do it in advance? Is the tourist desk at the airport the only place in town that arranges them? Is there ever a problem of not enough guides being available? Are there any guided tours you can join, or do you have to find other visitors yourself if you want to share costs? Is there any kind of discount for multiple day tours (as you recommend at least 2 days)? **As I mentioned in the pub, I think the Go Next section should have some more ideas. As planning is always a good part of travelling, any suggestions for next destinations are good information. When nothing is close by, travellers will be looking for places somewhat further away. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 20:22, 5 April 2013 (UTC) :::The breadcrumb trail just under the title tracks it all the way back to South America.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 20:50, 5 April 2013 (UTC) ::::Ah, of course. Still though, if I as a regular overlook that, many random visitors surely will too. The breadcrumb in my mind isn't really part of the article, when reading. It's a detail, however. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 11:18, 6 April 2013 (UTC) :::::Do you think the breadcrumb trail is insufficient to indicate where the destination fits in geographically? My own opinion is that it does no harm to have the first paragraph of the lead include the basic geographical background to the article. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:06, 6 April 2013 (UTC) ::::::Yes, I think it's better for clarity to have at least the country in the intro. Not that it would keep me from supporting this article as a star though. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 20:34, 6 April 2013 (UTC) :::::::Breadcrumb navigation doesn't display on mobile version and probably doesn't on most phone apps. I agree that it's best to place the country in the opening section for clarity.[[User:AHeneen|AHeneen]] ([[User talk:AHeneen|talk]]) 03:11, 10 April 2013 (UTC) *'''Support''' I provided quite a bit of criticism above, but on second thought it looks ok for a star guide. I still think that more climate info is needed and perhaps some links to relevant travel topics. A map that also shows the region (where exactly the waterfalls are and so forth) would be very useful, but isn't necessary for promotion to star. [[User:AHeneen|AHeneen]] ([[User talk:AHeneen|talk]]) 03:11, 10 April 2013 (UTC) ::I also would like to get a map of the trails up, and have most of what I need to do it. I'll need to get a semi-decent public domain satellite image of this area [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2.270571,-73.799472&ll=2.270486,-73.800659&spn=0.045798,0.084543&num=1&t=k&z=14], though, and my WorldWind install hasn't been working properly. I'll see what I can do. Re: climate info, there really isn't any more available information to add (beyond the rough year averages I just added). Adding average rainfall or a monthly chart of highs and lows would be interesting trivia, but I can't find this information in any database. It's a very remote, small place in a part of the world that has extremely high geographic variation in climate. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 14:23, 10 April 2013 (UTC) ===[[Russian phrasebook]]=== I'm re-nominating this after a near miss in the [[Wikivoyage:Star_nominations/Slush_pile#Russian_phrasebook|slush pile]]. I have done the work suggested by PerryPlanet, ChubbyWimbus, and AHeneen, but didn't add anything about dialects per Gorilla Jones' suggestion—Russian is very regular, perhaps owing to the excellent and very disciplined Russian/Soviet system of primary education. It would be nice to have a star phrasebook that other contributors could look to as an example. Does this one look ready to fill that role? --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 23:41, 4 January 2013 (UTC) * '''Support'''. Nice comprehensive article. &mdash; [[User:Ravikiran r|Ravikiran]] ([[User talk:Ravikiran r|talk]]) 18:02, 3 February 2013 (UTC) * '''Support'''. I don't speak Russian but my colleagues that do tell me this is good. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 08:57, 20 February 2013 (UTC) * '''Support'''. I'll add my vote of support since this nomination has been pretty quiet. I'd say the concerns brought up in the last nomination have been addressed. [[User:PerryPlanet|PerryPlanet]] ([[User talk:PerryPlanet|talk]]) 15:37, 4 April 2013 (UTC) * I doubt an anonymous opinion would count here but this phrasebook needs some rework to match day-to-day realities. For example, noone ever measures beer in pints in Eastern Europe, and few people even know how nuch a pint is. [[Special:Contributions/176.15.11.225|176.15.11.225]] 19:16, 4 April 2013 (UTC) ::Spotting the problems so they can be fixed is the main point of the nomination process, so go ahead and point out any other problems, If possible, suggest fixes, as that is even more useful. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 19:27, 4 April 2013 (UTC) :::I removed the pint bit. There's a [[Template:Phrasebook|phrasebook template]] that was used to start the article, so someone at some point translated that without considering whether it really belongs. If you spot anything else like that, please change it, or bring it up here. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:47, 4 April 2013 (UTC) ===[[Churchill]]=== This is a pretty fun article, with maps, lots of cute polar bear pics, and is now in fine shape following a much appreciated proofread from [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]]. I can vouch that it is both comprehensive and accurate after my long-ish trip there. It will be nice to [[Star articles|turn Canada pink]] again after the [[Penticton]] demotion! --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 15:24, 4 April 2013 (UTC) :This is one of the best articles I've seen on this site, and especially considering that it is not a big city, so while there's a lot to see and do, it is not possible to have the same diversity of museums, houses of worship, restaurants, etc., etc. I definitely consider this article a star.[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:49, 4 April 2013 (UTC) * '''Support''' - The Stephen Colbert reference alone is enough for my vote. It's an incredibly entertaining guide with lots of fun pictures and very lively writing, and looks pretty thorough. A couple nitpicky things are that I don't see hours for Bazlik Jewellers in Buy and Royal Canadian Legion in Drink, and a lot of the Sleep listings lack prices. But other than that it's an awesome guide totally worthy of a star. [[User:PerryPlanet|PerryPlanet]] ([[User talk:PerryPlanet|talk]]) 21:10, 4 April 2013 (UTC) :*Yikes! I can't believe I forgot the sleep prices! That's enough to hold this up, so I'll try and do that right now. I'll feel pretty silly calling up the Legion for hours... Do we have any Legion members on Wikivoyage who know how that works? --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:23, 4 April 2013 (UTC) :::OK, I won't be able to finish this right now (since it's going to involve a lot of chit-chatting over the phone), but should be able to finish it sometime this weekend. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 22:03, 4 April 2013 (UTC) * '''Support''' - Another really nicely written article that keeps plenty of interest, but is also full of knowledge. A really good, fun article! --[[User:Nicholasjf21|Nick]] ([[User talk:Nicholasjf21|talk]]) 21:41, 4 April 2013 (UTC) * '''Support''' &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:40, 13 May 2013 (UTC) * '''Comment''' - I spy a few red-linked images that could do with replacing or removal. Other than that, it looks quite comprehensive for a town of its size! [[User:JamesA|<font color="#4682b4">James'''A'''</font>]] ^{[[User talk:JamesA|<font color="#191970">'''>talk'''</font>]]} 10:28, 13 May 2013 (UTC) ::I don't see any red-link images. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 11:14, 13 May 2013 (UTC) :::I'm not seeing any, either. Where do you see those? In case it wasn't fully clear from my comment above, I '''support''' the nomination. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:54, 13 May 2013 (UTC) ::::Nor am I, now. But I'm sure I saw them! Hmmm, I must be going insane. Carry on! [[User:JamesA|<font color="#4682b4">James'''A'''</font>]] ^{[[User talk:JamesA|<font color="#191970">'''>talk'''</font>]]} 13:05, 13 May 2013 (UTC) * '''Support'''! [[User:Danapit|Danapit]] ([[User talk:Danapit|talk]]) 07:20, 27 May 2013 (UTC) No outstanding problems, more than two weeks since the last posting. A pity there are so few reviewers, but that happens. Time to promote? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:42, 13 June 2013 (UTC) :Despite the supports, there is an outstanding problem—many sleep listings still lack prices. I will get to that, and would appreciate keeping this open for comments in the interim. But it shouldn't be promoted until I've spent a few hours(...) chit chatting with hotel operators ;) --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 21:45, 13 June 2013 (UTC) *'''Almost'''. I also enjoyed this article. However, at their current (fixed) sizes the static maps are difficult to read on my small screen and I can't quite understand the rationale for having a series of (different) fixed image sizes for the cute images. I'd like folks to consider that, if people view our articles on-line (rather than printing them out,) there is less ability for editors to micro-manage the appearance of articles with exact image placement and widths or how text appears because of the different computer systems and screens (and for registered users, what skins and other user preferences they may have chosen). Many of our most experienced editors have not yet taken on board [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:PIC#Pixel_counts_vs._upright_factors some features and facts about our operating software and platform]. --[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 19:23, 30 August 2013 (UTC) *'''Support''' Fun and complete article, well done. Apart from the small fixes you're working on, I think we should link (or at least mention) the country in the intro. As most people, I had never heard of Manitoba. The breadcrumb isn't so obvious for non-wiki aficionados and doesn't appear on mobile. That's a detail, though. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 08:31, 2 September 2013 (UTC) *:It already links the next two levels up in the hierarchy; three seems excessive. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 14:08, 2 September 2013 (UTC) ::Then I think it's worth considering to replace one of those. I do think it better when it's clear where a destination is, without having to click. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 15:11, 2 September 2013 (UTC) :::I almost feel like just saying "it's in Canada" would have the opposite effect (then again, I ''have'' heard of Manitoba). Canada is such a vast country that if you told me a certain town was in Canada, my next question would be "okay, but ''where'' in Canada?" It'd be like saying "Dallas is in the United States." [[User:PerryPlanet|PerryPlanet]] ([[User talk:PerryPlanet|talk]]) 15:57, 2 September 2013 (UTC) ::::Fair enough, and it makes total sense to include a province or region (in this case Manitoba, I suppose, or is North of 53 equally well-known?). I just think, if you have to pick 2, country+region is clearer to a larger audience than region+sub-region. I wouldn't even mind when they'd all be linked from the intro, though. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 16:25, 2 September 2013 (UTC) :::::But if we say "Churchill is in [[Manitoba]], [[Canada]]", then the next question is "okay, but ''where'' in Manitoba?" [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 01:21, 3 September 2013 (UTC) ::::::How about a location map for the geographically challenged? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 06:43, 3 September 2013 (UTC) :::::::Geographically challenged? :S I'm sorry, I really don't think one is geographically challenged when they're unfamiliar with ''provinces'' of countries thousands of miles away. Of course in the end you want to know where a place is ''exactly''. I could imagine that the average North-American has heard of Manitoba (because that is your point, right?). But are they also familiar with the provinces of Russia? Or Morocco? If scrolling through star articles or clicking on a featured article, wouldn't it make sense for an average American reader to first of all know if a place is in Morocco, Tunesia, Yemen or where-ever, rather than in, e.g., Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate? [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 10:04, 3 September 2013 (UTC) ::::::::Most people are a bit geographically challenged about some parts of the world. I am from South Africa, and I am pretty sure my geographical knowledge is better than average, both for a South African or in general, but no way I could draw a reasonably accurate map of the Balkans, for example, or West Africa and the ex soviet republics - never can remember all the 'stans. I know of Manitoba but only by name and that it is in Canada, I wouldn't be able to put it on a blank map with any accuracy. That doesn't affect the point that a location map is useful for anyone who is a bit vague on where a place is, particularly for star and main page articles. Sometimes the average American might need to be informed that Tunisia is in North Africa, never mind which province, and a location map usually does that quite well if you know the shapes of the continents. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 11:41, 3 September 2013 (UTC) :::::::::I suppose I misunderstood your meaning, then and we more or less agree. I don't really mind whether we use a map or a link in the intro, I just feel it would make sense to give people unfamiliar with Canada an idea where Churchill is without clicking. This discussion is of course a bit broader than just this nomination (and I never meant this as a factor in that nomination at all), so sorry for cluttering the star nom with it :-) [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 12:03, 3 September 2013 (UTC) * Is there anything stopping us to promote [[Churchill]] to star? Except it would be better if [[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] could do it personally. [[User:Danapit|Danapit]] ([[User talk:Danapit|talk]]) 11:43, 1 November 2013 (UTC) **Nope, there is nothing at all stopping us. Is there any objection to making the article a star? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:52, 1 November 2013 (UTC) ***Not from me. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:09, 2 November 2013 (UTC) ****No objection here. [[User:PerryPlanet|PerryPlanet]] ([[User talk:PerryPlanet|talk]]) 14:42, 2 November 2013 (UTC) *Promoted. Thanks Peter! --[[User:Danapit|Danapit]] ([[User talk:Danapit|talk]]) 07:54, 6 November 2013 (UTC) ===[[Okayama]]=== I'm going to go ahead and nominate this. I've updated the listings and links, so they should all be current, post-tax increase prices. They should also all have the necessary fields completed. I would like to point out 2 issues that I don't know what to do about or how to deal with OR perhaps most importantly, if they're even something necessary to be considered for star nomination. Both have to do with the maps. The static map is completely outdated, so it either has to be deleted or updated. Based on basically all conversations about this that I've read, it seems that consensus favors deletion. In that case, it can easily just be removed from the page. If it must be updated, I cannot make the updates myself, so we'll have to slush the nomination immediately. There was also talk on the Talk Page about a map outlining the Kibiji Cycling Trail. Dynamic maps cannot do this and I cannot make static maps, so if that is a requirement for star status, we'll have to slush this as well. The second point is that the dynamic map for some reason is black and white. Is it supposed to be that way? If so, please point me to the discussion, because I don't like it. If not, I cannot change that myself either. These are two outstanding issues that I want to point out from the get-go, because if they're deal-breakers, it's best to slush the nomination now before anyone takes the time to evaluate the article quality. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 03:07, 23 May 2014 (UTC) :The star standards require a Wikivoyage-style map. The current static map in the article meets that requirement. How much of it is out of date? It shouldn't be hard to make the changes unless it needs to be expanded or recentered. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 18:48, 23 May 2014 (UTC) ::Okay. I Admittedly feel bad having to ask anyone to update the map, though, as discussions related to maps continue to make me feel that there is growing consensus that users would like to get rid of most WV-style maps in city articles. ::As for what is outdated/needs updated on this map: * See/Do: Okayama Digital Museum is now "Okayama City Museum", the Kyobashi Market location could also be added. * Eat: Delete Tandoor and Kotoya, Add Raccos Burger and Kabakuro Maeda. "Ajitsuka no Mura" should be "Ajitsuka Nomura" and "Kappou Mamakari" should drop the 'u' * Drink: Delete Aussie Bar, Dining Bar Tulipa, and Musica Vista. Add Jazz Piano Bar. "Hau Oil Kitchen" should be "Hau Oli Kitchen". Also, do you think there should be more Drink listings for a city this size? * Sleep: Delete Matsunoki Ryokan and Hotel Sunroute. Add Saiwai-so, Toyoko Inn, and Okayama Central Hotel. "Okayama Koraku Hotel" should be "Okayama Kooraku Hotel", although I hate that extra 'o'. * Buy: It would be nice to have the Omotecho Shotengai completely outlined on the static map as opposed to the dynamic map where is has to be pinpointed at one location. I suppose I should also add Cred, Loft, etc to the dynamic map. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 09:37, 24 May 2014 (UTC) ::I've made the requested changes to the map. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 10:44, 24 May 2014 (UTC) :::Wow! Thank you so much! I did not expect such a quick update! [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 12:02, 24 May 2014 (UTC) ::::I told you it wouldn't be hard. =) [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 17:14, 24 May 2014 (UTC) Then aside from my one question (Do you think it needs more "drink" listings?), I think the article content is ready for scrutiny. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 11:57, 25 May 2014 (UTC) :It's impossible to say without being familiar with the city. Seven is not too few if those are the only ones worth recommending, though considering the intro says there are "hundreds", it might be worth explaining why more aren't listed. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 17:10, 25 May 2014 (UTC) ::I'll see if I can scout out a few more listings. Until then, I welcome any critiques on the article, areas that could be improved, etc. (or pledges of support, although I don't think I've ever seen an article get star status without any suggestions for improvement). [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 01:43, 27 May 2014 (UTC) :::[[Chicago/Lincoln Park-Old Town]] and [[Chicago/North Lincoln]] were both promoted without any suggestions for improvement; I believe, though, those were the last Chicago districts un-starred, and by that time Peter had polished every one into a gem. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 17:23, 27 May 2014 (UTC) *<s>'''Oppose'''</s> — Our star articles should be complete and can be comparable to traditional travel guides. This one is not complete yet. I never been to Okayama so don't know what else is missing from the article but a major thing is surely missing and that is the history of the city. Other than that, nothing is mentioned about climate of the city. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 18:49, 5 June 2014 (UTC) * I have added a "Climate" section. Looking at other Star Articles, it does not seem that a "History" section has been a prerequisite. [[Hiroshima]], [[Nusa Lembongan]], [[Berneray]], and [[Ann Arbor]] are stars without History Sections. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 15:01, 6 July 2014 (UTC) :Well history is important for me. If we don't have history in some star articles, it doesn't means we shouldn't write history in future star articles. In-fact, I think history should be in every guide article too but thats not very important because guides are not our best work. Our best work is star articles and we should keep working on furthering improving them and its criteria. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 20:24, 6 July 2014 (UTC) *An overall good article, should be easy enough indeed to bring it to star level. It seems a bit harsh to outright oppose a nomination only because of a missing history section for a city that was completely bombed in WWII. It's a fine suggestion to add a section like that, and I too like some historic background. Still, it would indeed be nice to have some more background. Since this is not a small city, it seems more odd to me that there's no connect or cope section. I would suggest to add at least information on internet and postal services. I'm also missing taxi's and biking (maybe places to rent them) in the get around section. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 19:51, 17 August 2014 (UTC) * I believe I have addressed all of the concerns above. Please review the article again and let me know if there are more/other changes that need made. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 14:49, 22 October 2014 (UTC) ::Great work, [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]]. Perhaps you can include the price of the tram tickets and I do still think it would be nice to have a few words on taxis, even if perhaps they don't seem like a good option to you. There are always times and travellers that require the use of taxis, so a bit of general info on how to find one or rough price levels would be good. Most of these are details though, which will not prevent me from '''supporting''' the upgrade of this article. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 10:17, 23 October 2014 (UTC) :I have added a small section with basic taxi information. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 13:26, 24 October 2014 (UTC) * Has anyone reviewed this nomination? Since stars must go through this process, I cannot justify upgrading the article without anyone actually reviewing it and offering official support. I believe all concerns have been addressed, so this nomination is in limbo with no objections but also no support. I'd like some confirmation that it has been fully critiqued and is truly star-worthy before I make the upgrade. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 16:43, 12 November 2014 (UTC) :Actually, I already did support the article, even without the taxi info :-) But it's great that you added that too. I think the only outstanding oppose vote was from Saqib. Indeed you seem to have addressed the issues, and I'll post to Saqib's talk page to get his eyes on it. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 18:11, 12 November 2014 (UTC) ::Julia, I was not following-up on this discussion so thank you for notifying me of this and apologies ChubbyWimbus for being late. I'm not really good at determining how a star article should be like but its good to see you guys value my opinion. Keep up your good work ChubbyWimbus. I believe the article is very much improved but I' prefer not to make a support vote due to reason that I'm not good at English so I've no idea whether the article is well copyedited and grammatically flawless.I hope you understand it. But anyways, at-least I've strike my oppose vote so that article can makes its way to achieve star status. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 18:55, 12 November 2014 (UTC) * I was going to make the upgrade, but it's been in my mind that I haven't dealt with Inujima Island, so I brought it up on the [[Talk:Okayama|Okayama Talk Page]] to ask how to best deal with this. (I feel like this is such an odd evaluation process as I, the nominator, am the one bringing up most of the issues) [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 13:20, 24 March 2015 (UTC) *'''Support'''. I have gone through the guide and although I have never spent any significant time in Okayama (except of changing trains), I like it and I believe it is well written and provides all information required from a star article. [[User:Danapit|Danapit]] ([[User talk:Danapit|talk]]) 18:02, 18 April 2015 (UTC) * '''Support''' Great article, was invaluable during our visit and passed the real life test. Only the most favourite restaurant of my girl was missing, so i corrected that ;) [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 14:21, 21 April 2015 (UTC) ===[[Mohenjo-daro]]=== This guide is being nominated for star status, second time. [[Wikivoyage:Star_nominations/Slush_pile#Mohenjo-daro|Previously the nomination was slushed]] because the guide was missing some information ([https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Mohenjo-daro&oldid=2456053 previous version]) and so concerns were raised which has been properly addressed as far I can see. I believe this guide mention everything that this small destination have to offer, Lets see if it can become the first star rated guide from South Asian. The guide certainly can make a good example as star status for many destinations of small size such as this. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 22:10, 21 March 2015 (UTC) :I'd like to be able to support this nomination, but I notice that you opposed the nomination of [[Okayama]] when that article had no climate info. I don't see any climate info in this article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:33, 21 March 2015 (UTC) ::Please look for infobox "Best time to visit". --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 22:36, 21 March 2015 (UTC) :::I see. That's a fine solution, in my opinion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:41, 21 March 2015 (UTC) [unindent] This article probably still needs a bit more copy editing for Star status. I did a bit more just now. I won't stand in its way, though. Once any copy editing is done that will satisfy the most discerning of critics, this article should be '''approved''' for Star status. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:49, 21 March 2015 (UTC) :The number of images seems excessive; on my screen, they extend past the bottom of the page and push one of the infoboxes down with them. I would suggest culling the photos to just the best of the best. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:01, 22 March 2015 (UTC) ::I'm wondering if this has already been changed. On the notebook computer I'm borrowing, the last photo, of the Dancing Girl, takes up the right side of the "Buy" section and less than half of "Eat and Drink", and the rest of the article has no images. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:41, 22 March 2015 (UTC) :::I freely admit different computers can display it differently. But this article has more photos than many that are twice as long. With the relatively small amount of prose, we have to reduce the number of images accordingly. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 21:04, 22 March 2015 (UTC) ::::Have removed 3 images. In my opinion, it does look good and useful to have good quality photos filling-up the right side, but anyways. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 21:59, 22 March 2015 (UTC) :::::We can't have images filling the right side because it doesn't work for everyone and can cause formatting issues. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:07, 23 March 2015 (UTC) : I'm doing a copy-editing pass, finding only a few very minor issues & fixing them. I '''support''' the nomination. : Current text has "The PTDC Motel shown on the map was shut down in 2013 and remains so as of late 2014." Can we get more recent info? [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:42, 12 November 2015 (UTC) ::Just noticed this comment. The PTDC motel is no more in business. Last time when I was there, it was going through renovation but I think it may take years since the work is very slow. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 06:13, 21 November 2015 (UTC) : Are we there yet? [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 21:46, 18 August 2016 (UTC) :: Yeah '''support'''. This looks complete, well done and cohesive. Not that I know anything about the area. --[[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] ([[User talk:ButteBag|talk]]) 15:15, 29 November 2016 (UTC) :::I wonder what else needs to be done on the article. Its been around two years since this nomination was made. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 14:08, 1 February 2017 (UTC) ::::Maybe try writing the infoboxes into the article somehow? Four could be too many? Actually, what template is this supposed to be based off of? --[[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] ([[User talk:ButteBag|talk]]) 15:09, 1 February 2017 (UTC) :'''Support'''. This article has come a long way, great work. I don't mind the info boxes at all. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 15:42, 1 February 2017 (UTC) *It's been nearly two years now; we've now got four support votes, no non-support votes, and all objections appear to have been addressed. It's been awhile since we've had a new Star article. Are we ready to pull the trigger with this one? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 16:25, 1 February 2017 (UTC) ::Make that five '''support''' votes. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 16:27, 1 February 2017 (UTC) :::Indeed. With no non-support votes, and no obvious outstanding issues, there's nothing to keep us from promoting this article. So let's do that now. Who can update the map on the stars page? [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 20:19, 1 February 2017 (UTC) ::::I've updated the article itself, copied this discussion to the talk page and added a link with blurb on [[Star articles]]. If someone is capable of updating the map, this discussion can be archived. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 20:43, 1 February 2017 (UTC) :::::[[User:LtPowers|Powers]] made the most recent update to the map, adding [[Okayama]] in 2015. I'm not sure who else among our current community members knows how to make the update - all of the other names on the map's edit history are of users who are now inactive, and I myself have no abilities in this field. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 23:17, 1 February 2017 (UTC) ::::::I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing what changes need to be made. (By the way, making minor updates to an SVG really takes scarcely more 'skills' than editing wikitext.) [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 02:50, 3 February 2017 (UTC) :::::::Either update it or don't, [[User:LtPowers|Powers]], but the snarky comments you [[User talk:AndreCarrotflower/2014#Clarence map|always make]] when someone asks for help with mapmaking, SVG editing, or similar non-prose aspects of editing are unhelpful. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 02:53, 3 February 2017 (UTC) ::::::::[[User:Wrh2|Ryan]], is this something you can do? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 15:21, 3 February 2017 (UTC) '''OUTCOME: Promoted to star''' <small>—The [[Project:Using_talk_pages#Talk_page_formatting|preceding]] comment was added by [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User_talk:JuliasTravels|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/JuliasTravels|contribs]]) </small> ===[[Travemünde]]=== The [[Talk:Travemünde#Failed_Star_Nomination|last nomination]] was slushed due to the map. Now [[User:Saqib|Saqib]] made a new static map from scratch. I asked [[User:LtPowers]] if he is [[User_talk:LtPowers#Talk:Travem.C3.BCnde.23Static_map|fine]] with the static map and got a positive response. In about three weeks the first crosswiki presentation starts and imho a star article would be a nice touch to it. [[User:Mey2008|Joachim]] helped with the map, [[User:Jjtkk]] had initially the first support and [[User:Danapit]] was so kind to help out as well. Any feedback is welcome. I will try to expand some parts but the season just started, so new businesses will show up in the next weeks. [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 08:01, 15 May 2014 (UTC) '''Nitpick''': In my opinion, if you think this guide is substantially complete to the extent that it deserves Star status, I will certainly respect that and defer to you, and it's surely a beautiful guide. The one nitpick I have at the moment (not having read through the current version of the article in detail) is that the last photo goes past the end of the text (at least on my screen). It's not drastic at all, but it doesn't seem like an absolutely optimal practice. Ideally, a photo of a train station probably should be in the "Get in" section, but that would displace the map. But I don't think that's essential, and the solution is just to move it somewhere where it's not in the way of anything but also doesn't go past the end of the text. It could be as simple as putting it in the "Connect" section. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:27, 15 May 2014 (UTC) :[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], good spot. Corrected, guess my perspective concerning the train station is leaving rather than arriving. Concerning completeness: I listed all businesses who come to my mind and are well establish (Travemünde tourism only lists one more business than i did). I know Drink is short but that is due to the seasonality of the town. There are some other ''waterholes'' but they are seedy (lets say you need a certain level of alcohol to find that places funny) and for serious nightlife you have to go to Lübeck. Travemünde is a rather calm place, where people stay in their apartments, hotels etc. and might go dancing in the Maritim or Columbia hotel later on. [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 08:44, 15 May 2014 (UTC) ::It might be worth mentioning some of this at the beginning of the "Drink" section. Thanks for moving the photo. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:08, 15 May 2014 (UTC) :::Nooooo, the photo has to be in Go next cause it shows this huge departure clock to Lübeck. Also someone broke the rhythm of check/Lübeck ''verse'' ;) [[User:Jjtkk|Jjtkk]] ([[User talk:Jjtkk|talk]]) 17:30, 20 May 2014 (UTC) *'''Comment''' — Sorry Jan but I'm not satisfied with current state of article. I would like to see the lead section and well a few other sections a little bit more expanded. (i) How much a train ticket cost to get into Travemünde from Lübeck and on weekends, ''many more trains'' arrive from where and how much they charge? It would be helpful to have same information available for by bus and by ferry. (ii) Are they anyway other to get around the town such as taxis, local train et cetra? (iii) Beach is towns main attraction and I would like to see the listing expanded as much as possible. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 12:07, 15 May 2014 (UTC) :Saqib, travelling by [[Germany#Get_around|train]] in Germany is a sophiscated topic. The Germany articles tries to explain it but the mixture of network vs. regional vs. DB tickets leaves even Germans lost sometimes. # Price: Same for bus and train ''if'' you travel point-to-point from Lübeck (network ticket three zones = 3 Euros). I can add that easily #Extra trains: Trains are operated by DB and regional transport, on special occasions e.g. Travemünder Woche there will be a special schedule http://www.verkehrsinfo-nord.de/cgi/page/en/GrossveranstaltungenTravemuendeTravemuenderWoche.html This is a complex and can only be explained very general or you will need a mathematical model #Get around: The core area of Travemünde is pedestrian only (bikes are allowed as well) e.g. Vorderreihe and the Promenade. German towns/cities pride themselves to keep cars out of the city center. Theoretically you can use a taxi and there is a local bus that run some streets every two hours but in real life people either walk or use their bike. Also keep in mind that Travemünde is compact (with the exception of the harbour but there you will end up on the ferry). To give you a better understanding: The big street between harbour & town is blocked on purpose to not allow cars to go directly to the town. #Expansion: Keep in mind that all major infrastructure (airport, central train station), public buildings (town house, hospitals etc.) or nightlife (clubs) are in Lübeck. This is only a very small town which happens to have a center you can circle in 30-45 mins depending on your walking speed. I don't hide places, i can add supermarkets, bakeries and a newspaper station but it remains a small place. [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 12:57, 15 May 2014 (UTC) :In addition, though I can't address this specific case, my experience is that, forgetting about various kinds of discounts, the price of a train ticket depends on how long before your date of travel you buy your ticket. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:05, 15 May 2014 (UTC) ::[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] no worries, i prefer straight and hard talk. Your second opinion is valuable and i think it needs to be clearer for other people. As Ikan says, too rail travel in Germany sometimes requires analytical skills;) Too many dimensions. Germans are aware of that but the traps for travellers are hardly avoidable. I will try to improve but see Travemünde in essence like a district of Lübeck which is out of town. [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 16:27, 15 May 2014 (UTC) *'''Not yet'''; the map you showed me is not actually in the article. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:52, 15 May 2014 (UTC) :[[User:LtPowers|Powers]], you raise an interesting point which is due to the dynamic maps. The map i linked on your page is their <nowiki>{{Mapframe|53.9603|10.8735|zoom=15|width=500|height=500|staticmap=Travemünde travel map.png}}</nowiki> The link to the mentioned static map is below the dynamic ''Other maps for Travemünde: Full-screen version - printable static map. (Edit GPX)''. Do i understand your point correct, you would prefer to have the static map as default and the dynamic in the back? Or shall both be presented? [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 06:54, 16 May 2014 (UTC) ::Well if I didn't notice it I don't think we can expect the average reader to. And certainly, one of the points of having handcrafted, static maps is to facilitate printing of the article; that's mooted if the map isn't actually displayed in the article proper. I believe the hand-crafted map, if it's well made, should be sufficient but if you still wanted the dynamic map for some reason, it seems reasonable that they could both be in the article. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 13:30, 16 May 2014 (UTC) :::[[User:LtPowers|Powers]] i will change according to your suggestion as this seems to be the star standard. I assume this will be a topic for any nomination (dynamic is pretty widespread already). Is there any other topic? Regards, [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 13:35, 16 May 2014 (UTC) ::::Yes, now that I take a closer look I have very strong concerns about the prose. There is very little of it. The lead section is bare-bones; the Understand section is dry and encyclopedic; and the See, Do, and Buy sections have no introductions. The [[Wikivoyage:Tone]] throughout is very dry and perfunctory; there is none of the sparkling prose that we usually expect as examples of our best work. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 00:29, 20 May 2014 (UTC) :::::Same concerns here. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 00:34, 20 May 2014 (UTC) :::::(ec) Also, our star standards ask that listings be in alphabetical order (geographic order is also acceptable, but I don't see any strong case here for that). [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 00:34, 20 May 2014 (UTC) * '''Support (again)''': ready to become a star. [[User:Danapit|Danapit]] ([[User talk:Danapit|talk]]) 17:50, 27 May 2014 (UTC) * I think the Old Town should be marked on the map, not with a pinpoint but with perhaps a certain color to show the road(s) and extent of the Old Town. This is one of the strengths of the static map, after all. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 12:59, 29 May 2014 (UTC) * '''Bump'''; discussion seems to have died out several years ago. Is it now ready to go? : In a quick peruse, the only problem I see is a few dead links. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 18:28, 1 September 2018 (UTC) * '''Support'''. Appears complete. Has gone way passed a 3 week discussion! --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 09:52, 10 November 2018 (UTC) * After a quick glance, it looks fine to me. The fact that everyone was nitpicking (openly) when this was nominated in 2014 implies to me that the article is probably good enough. Let's promote it and get this nomination out of the way so we can focus on other nominations. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 16:49, 10 November 2018 (UTC) ::Now I've looked through a little more closely, I can see a couple minor things like a listing with a poor description, and that sort of thing, but I think it's good enough. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 17:04, 10 November 2018 (UTC) ===[[Uppsala]]=== A great travel guide. I also hear that its main author is very handsome. More to the point, I have edited this article extensively over the last 18 months, and feel that the result has turned out quiet nicely. I vouch that it is complete by any reasonable standard, and as far as I can tell it follows our policies meticulously. The one exception would perhaps be that when [[Wikivoyage:Listings#Listing_order|sorting listings]] I have left out the place name ''Uppsala'' and words like ''café'' (i.e. sorting "Uppsala Cathedral" by ''Cathedral'', and "Café Linné" by ''Linné''). This is because pretty much any café can be called "Café X", and almost all sights can be called "Uppsala Y". I have listed most sights by their Swedish official title, which visitors are most likely to find on signs or when searching online, but used the English names for the two largest attractions, as their English names are widely adopted. It has the perk that it gives a more prominent place to highlights, but if it is a deal breaker for someone we can easily fix it. Rather than creating separate "Orientation", "Etymology" and "Read" headings, I have integrated that information into the "Understand" lede, as I think that it reads better. Not being a native English speaker, I might also have missed one or two places in need of copy editing. Anyways, I'm eager to hear any feedback, comments or praise you may have. [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] ([[User talk:MartinJacobson|talk]]) 14:17, 4 October 2018 (UTC) * My criticism is that it is very long. I '''support''' star status, but I'd rather see some efforts made to shorten it a little first. But I really can't say how that would be done. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 23:34, 10 November 2018 (UTC) * It's a worthy destination and a comprehensive article. After removing some [[Words to avoid|locateds and situateds]], I'm happy to '''support''' this nomination. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 00:07, 11 November 2018 (UTC) * Looked at it, made some changes. Could still use another pair of eyes. Concur with [[User:SelfieCity]] that it may be too long. However, as I've just learned, Uppsala is apparently Sweden's fourth-largest city, so who are we to judge? '''Support'''. [[User:ARR8|ARR8]] ([[User talk:ARR8|talk]]) 02:35, 11 November 2018 (UTC) * Would you say we now have consensus to upgrade this article to star? Including the nominator, we now have 4 supports. Per current policy &mdash; which says that you can upgrade an article to star if 3 weeks have passed and there is consensus &mdash; I think we'd be within our rights. But we could wait for stronger consensus if that is preferred, since we've still got a few weeks before we reach the two-month mark and need to come to a decision. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 14:51, 11 November 2018 (UTC) *'''Support'''. I think it's ready, but it's probably best to have more than four support votes before pulling the trigger. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 20:42, 21 November 2018 (UTC) ::I see. Because the only star nominations I know about are the ones from [[Travemunde]] onward, none of which seemed to get many support votes. Therefore, I don't know how many a nomination should get before adding star status. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 21:45, 21 November 2018 (UTC) :::Given that Star is a higher honor than DotM, I think it's safe to say that if four votes constitute a "strong consensus" for DotM, more than four are required for a starnom. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 22:19, 21 November 2018 (UTC) ::::I feel that we're at a difficult point here. There's no opposition to it becoming star, but not enough votes to promote it to star status. How would people feel if I mentioned the star nomination the pub? A couple more votes would be a great help. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 19:20, 15 December 2018 (UTC) :::::Certainly nothing wrong with that. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 17:23, 22 December 2018 (UTC) ::::::{{done}} <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 16:11, 23 December 2018 (UTC) *'''Support''' - Reads really nicely, is complete, and the right length for a large (not huge) city article. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:18, 23 December 2018 (UTC) * '''Comment''': with TT's comment we now have 5 supports, plus a likely support from the nominator. Are we now ready to pull the trigger? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 03:09, 5 February 2019 (UTC) ::I'd say so, and will make the upgrade in a couple of days barring any 11th-hour objections. Speak now or forever hold your peace! -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 04:32, 27 April 2019 (UTC) ===[[Childs]]=== Curious as to why this isn't a star? Seems complete, has a static map, good writing that conforms perfectly to the MoS, and a few nice and well placed images. After reading this I feel that; not only do I not need to consult another guide, I'd really have no reason to want to. Is there anything about this article that could be improved? --[[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] ([[User talk:ButteBag|talk]]) 16:03, 1 March 2017 (UTC) :I know it has in the past been considered doubtful whether the argument should "count" but have a look at [http://www.copyscape.com/compare.php Copyscape] which tells us something like 56% of the WV article has not been touched since the migration. It may be that some prose is indeed so perfect it shouldn't be touched, but I fear some of this untouched stuff may have become outdated over the last half decade. At any rate, promoting it to "star" would likely set those wordings even more in stone than already, which might hurt our SEO attempts. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 20:14, 1 March 2017 (UTC) ::I appreciate the SEO argument but honestly, the reason we migrated the way we did was so that we wouldn't ''have'' to re-write everything. I'm not going to claim my prose is perfect but it's very hard to re-write one's own text and feel the second attempt is as good as the first. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 00:36, 3 March 2017 (UTC) :::And also, while I find the SEO issues in general very important, an individual article is not going to make the difference. Considering the fact that star nominations can be counted on one hand, I suppose SEO shouldn't be a major concern here and 56% is actually not all that bad, compared to our average articles. That said, I'm not sure how to feel about this kind of article for star. In itself, it's perfectly complete - so it's not that. Star rating suggests it's the best we have to offer. That's true, to the extent that you simply can't write much more about a place like this, but I'm not sure how it would come across on the average passer-by. Making tiny places super-complete is much simpler and less work than doing the same for a huge city, so I do think we'd have to make sure that this remains somewhat of an exception. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 12:57, 3 March 2017 (UTC) ::::Look, I've been trying to avoid coming to this conclusion for a long time because Hobbitschuster is a valuable contributor in most ways. But it's no longer possible to avoid noting the similarities between the SEO agenda-pushing that he's been engaging in for the past few months and [[User:W. Frank|Frank]]'s agenda-pushing ''vis-à-vis'' section headers ''et al.'' some time ago. Other editors have been trying for some time to impress upon HS the need to [[Wikivoyage:Keep Wikivoyage fun|let it go]], but apparently those entreaties have fallen on ears that are equally as deaf as Frank's were when we tried to reason with him. So let me try one more time: HS, your ideas about making Star certification, DotM readiness, etc. contingent on WT/WV Copyscape comparisons have been duly heard out by the community, but unfortunately it's become obvious that you're not going to get a consensus behind them. It's imperative that you realize it's time to [[Wikivoyage:Keep Wikivoyage fun|stop trying to force the issue]]. --[[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 13:28, 3 March 2017 (UTC) :::::You do realise we forked in 2012 and it's now 2017? If the majority of text in an article ''has not been updated in roughly five years'' that is very much something we'd want to know. For an article to represent our best work, it needs to be current and up-to-date. [[User:K7L|K7L]] ([[User talk:K7L|talk]]) 13:54, 3 March 2017 (UTC) ::::::That could easily be because descriptions of old buildings don't need updating beyond changes in prices. However, I have a specific substantive issue with the article, though only one that's easily resolvable. From the "Eat" listings for the Tillman Inn: ''The smaller main dining room is in the carriage shed that was built after the War to connect the two businesses.'' "The War" usually means WWII, but in this context, it would seem to indicate the Civil War. The ambiguity should be ended by simply specifying which war is being referred to. ::::::Another thing, unless I've somehow read it without registering, is that when and how the hamlet was renamed "Childs" should be recounted in "Understand"; I can't remember seeing that information anywhere. ::::::But once those two things are taken care of, I would '''support''' starring this article, with the caveat that it's appeared in previous star nominations that my judgment in these matters is not necessarily to be relied upon, as there are various things I might miss that others see. I'm having trouble seeing what else could be added to this article, though, other than perhaps what kind of fish are most plentiful in the creek, if it's fished in Childs, and whether that one store sells fishing equipment. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:08, 3 March 2017 (UTC) :::::::The previous sentence refers to the "Civil War"; it seemed redundant to repeat the name in such quick succession. Would the antecedent be clearer if "War" was lowercased? ... I'm not sure anyone fishes in Proctor Creek; the convenience store is typical of any suburban or urban store of the type, not the rural fishing-town general store one might envision. ... I don't actually know when or why the hamlet was renamed. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 21:27, 3 March 2017 (UTC) It is a good article, but there are a few small points that might be looked at. "Get in" assumes that you are in a car; I think that it should give some indication of public transport (bus to Albion then taxi / walk?) and maybe cycling options too. There are no lat/longs on the listings (maybe not important as there is a good static map). I am not sure that the content of "Connect" is standard - should it not be about wifi, phone coverage etc? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 15:27, 3 March 2017 (UTC) :"Connect" is about any form of communication, including snail mail. However, some remarks on cell phone signal strength would be relevant. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:31, 3 March 2017 (UTC) *'''Comment''' Just a silly comment, but I am not really fan of small random towns being rated as star quality articles. I want to see cities, and areas of interest such as [[Mohenjo-daro]] as star article. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 16:07, 3 March 2017 (UTC) *: Why not? Are you perhaps mistaking the star rating as a reflection on the destination rather than on the quality of the article itself? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 21:27, 3 March 2017 (UTC) :::I wanted to say that I want to see detailed and comprehensive guide as star rated articles. Guides on small hamlets and towns which don't have any major attraction or distinction rarely become so detailed. I just feel that guides of small towns may get more easily star rated articles because they don't require much work in the sense they don't have much to offer. I hope you get my Pakistani Engish? --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 21:48, 3 March 2017 (UTC) ::::[[User:LtPowers|Powers]], I think the clearest way to indicate which war is being referred to in that context would be to use the phrase "that war". I kind of think that we might hold off on starring the article until a bit of background on when and why the hamlet's name was changed to Childs could be included, simply because all the other information leaves that implicit question hanging. I suppose it might not be too hard to find that out, if someone wants to contact a historical society or library in the area, or perhaps the local museum or government, but it seems like a nice thing to include in the article. The stuff about fishing was just a brainstorm on my part and nothing I consider important to include, especially if it's not relevant. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:30, 3 March 2017 (UTC) :::::I have stated before, and I continue to state, my utter opposition to the idea of any article being considered permanently ineligible for Star status, or any double standard between small and large destinations. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 21:12, 5 March 2017 (UTC) ;Origin of name [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan]], [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] - here's what I could come up with. [[:w:Childs, New York]] and [[:w:Gaines, New York]] claim that the hamlet was named after Judge Henry Childs. The ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=mMQLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA518&lpg=PA518#v=onepage&q&f=false Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Vol. 2]'' further confirms the existence of an Hon. Henry A. Childs, who was born in Orleans County, educated in the Gaines District Schoolhouse (one of the buildings that today make up the Cobblestone Museum complex), and ended up a State Supreme Court justice. Additionally, the [http://www.historicmapworks.com/ Historic Map Works] website has several old Orleans County maps in its archives, and going by those it appears that the change in name of the hamlet from Fair Haven to Childs happened some time between [http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/61648/Rochester+District/New+York+State+1890+to+1908+Walker+Maps/New+York/ 1890] and [http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/15973/Gaines++Albion/Orleans+County+1913/New+York/ 1913]. This would have been contemporaneous with his term on the Supreme Court bench. Interestingly, however, the aforementioned ''Genealogical and Family History'' was published in 1912 yet makes no mention in its lengthy biographical sketch of Judge Childs that his hometown was renamed in his honor. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 21:08, 5 March 2017 (UTC) :Thanks for checking into it! If that's all we've got, I think we should run with it. Perhaps some librarian or local or regional historical society might be able to eliminate the ambiguity, but this is alright for now. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:08, 6 March 2017 (UTC) ::So, now that this information has been incorporated into the article, and taking advantage of the renewed interest in Starnom effected by [[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]]: where do we stand with this nominee? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan]]? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]]? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 20:06, 7 September 2018 (UTC) :::I'm not sure I renewed the interest here, actually, but I'm willing to the take the credit. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 20:29, 7 September 2018 (UTC) ::::Okay, let's put it this way: since the last remaining problem that anyone specifically had with this article (i.e. the information regarding when the hamlet's name was changed) has now been addressed, does anyone ''not'' think we should go ahead with elevating Childs to Star status? Pinging [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan]] and [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] one last time. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 01:35, 12 September 2018 (UTC) :::::I haven't had a chance to look at the article again lately but don't see why I would have a problem with starring it, as you said. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:56, 12 September 2018 (UTC) ::::::Looks good overall, but have a little question on the Fair Haven Inn. It says it was "The Tillman family opened it several years ago in an 1837 Greek Revival house." We usually don't use relative units of time as they become outdated, and trevellers don't know if it was written last week or in 2006. The Inn's website says it was "established 1824" without any more context, so even before we say the house was built. Anyone know more about when this inn was bilt, (re) opened, etc.? [[User:JakeOregon|JakeOregon]] ([[User talk:JakeOregon|talk]]) 02:06, 12 September 2018 (UTC) ::::::Okay. I'm going to wait a little bit before acting because I'd really like for others to chime in here, but if not, I see no reason to hold this up. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 02:00, 12 September 2018 (UTC) :::::::Have a look at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Childs&curid=7304&diff=3608720&oldid=3606061 this edit]. If there is anything the slightest bit incomplete or not fully clear about these charges, that must be rectified before we can star the article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:56, 12 September 2018 (UTC) * I think that we need to improve Get in before it is a star. The article only describes getting in by car - the requirement for a guide city is "There are clear explanations of multiple ways to get in". Childs may not be on a bus route, but we should say where nearby is accessible by bus or train, and how to proceed from there. My comments a year ago suggested a bus to [[Albion (New York)]] then walking, but I don't know how practical that it. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:12, 12 September 2018 (UTC) * '''Support'''. I've had a fairly good look: I read the understand section and looked through most of the rest as well. It looks good to me; I understand that we normally say there should be multiple ways to get in, but for a place as small as Childs I'm not sure if we should really expect information about getting in by bus or whatever. I've removed a few bold terms that don't really enhance the article, but otherwise I think we are ready to upgrade this one to star. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 17:41, 10 November 2018 (UTC) * I agree with [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] that it should mention other ways to get there. To someone who lacks a drivers license the article practically lacks a "Get in" section, thus not even satisfying the criteria for usable article status. Even if there are no other ways to get there we should say so explicitly. Aside from that, I am also curious about the population size of this "tiny hamlet". I've heard Indian settlements of 50,000 being referred to as "villages", while that in Swedish terms would make a medium-sized city. Of course population numbers are very blunt, but is Childs in the general area of 50 inhabitants, 500 inhabitants or 5,000 inhabitants? [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] ([[User talk:MartinJacobson|talk]]) 21:46, 11 November 2018 (UTC) ::I can't find information on the population of Childs. Generally, any settlement in the U.S. with at least 1000 people is called a "city", at least in the Midwest and the West, but in New York State it's probably different. [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Childs#/media/File:Map_-_Childs_NY.png The static map] implies that it's under 500 inhabitants, looking at the number of buildings. Maybe around 100? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 21:55, 11 November 2018 (UTC) :::Childs appear to be part of the town of [[w:Gaines, New York]], which has a population in total of 3,378, spread over 9 communities. This supports it being less than 500. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:20, 11 November 2018 (UTC) ::::[[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]] - Childs is an unincorporated hamlet with no official borders. Without any universally accepted definition of who does and doesn't live "in" Childs, the question of official population figures becomes moot. Parenthetically, the difference between cities, towns and villages is definitely something that changes from state to state. In New York, without getting down too far into the weeds, "towns" are minor civil divisions basically synonymous with what other states call "townships", while the difference between incorporated "cities" and "villages" basically boils down to whether or not they're part of an underlying town (cities aren't, villages are). Population has nothing to do with it: the cities of [[Sherrill]] and [[Little Falls (New York)|Little Falls]] have populations of 3,071 and 4,946 respectively, while the villages of [[Hempstead]] and [[Freeport (New York)|Freeport]] have 53,891 and 43,713 respectively. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 23:56, 11 November 2018 (UTC) :::::Okay; but I'm the wrong person for this explanation, really; I think it was [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] who asked about the population in the first place, I was just trying to answer. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 00:55, 12 November 2018 (UTC) *[Unindent] Information on the nearest bus and train stops and airport should be added, although it might be overkill in a way for such a small community, and then let's please give the article a star. It's hard to imagine it being that much better. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:35, 29 April 2019 (UTC) ::{{Done}} -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 04:31, 29 April 2019 (UTC) :::[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan]], what do you think about [[Childs#By other means]]? Does this information merit inclusion? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 04:43, 29 April 2019 (UTC) ::::I don't know, but it's brief and doing no harm, and at least one person in this thread requested it. So in case it isn't already clear, I '''support''' this nomination. The only thing I could think of (and thought of) to add were remarks on the strength of cell phone signals, and those are subject to change, anyway, and really don't need to be mentioned unless there's a problem with them. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:47, 29 April 2019 (UTC) * Thanks for the recent improvements to Get in. I now '''support''' this nomination. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 19:50, 29 April 2019 (UTC) ===[[Buffalo]]=== The previous nomination had been going on for some time, and fairly recently [[User:AndreCarrotflower]] and I agreed that it would be best to slush that nomination and start on a clean slate. This is a long article with a lot of information, but what do you all think? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 21:43, 20 November 2018 (UTC) *'''Support''', biased though I may be. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 20:39, 21 November 2018 (UTC) *'''Support''', comprehensive city guide. The city article is in a very good state. Will however have to watch the district do not slide to usable status as although also comprehensive and full of great information there are a few dead links and a number of listings without coordinates. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 09:24, 24 November 2018 (UTC) *'''Support'''. I mean, ''duh''. This is clearly one of the best articles on the site. If folks use Buffalo as a template when adding their respective hometowns, we'd be so much the better. :: Here are three changes I would make, that for me would make this article even better. (To be clear, I still think Buffalo is a star without these changes.) ::* Add a few more pictures, (Get in or Get around could use 1-2 more, 1 for festivals, and 1-2 at least for food) ::* Chop local chains listings down to 9 ::* A shorter history section? Lol, but maybe adding a few sub-heads or bolding a few choice passages will help break up the text. ::--[[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] ([[User talk:ButteBag|talk]]) 00:42, 18 December 2018 (UTC) :::The long "local chains" section helps shorten the district articles (which, though I've been pruning those pretty drastically, are all still much longer than the parent Buffalo article). Rather than having an identical blurb for each individual location of a particular chain, all the non-location-specific information is centralized in [[Buffalo#Local chains]], and the district articles simply point the reader back there for in-depth descriptions. I suppose the blurbs could be shortened a bit, though, if there are concerns about length - in the district articles I'm trying for six lines maximum in the "Eat" sections, and many of these listings in Buffalo#Local chains are substantially longer. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 16:34, 21 December 2018 (UTC) *'''Comment''': I agree that having subheadings in the "History" section would be a good idea. What I did in [[Manhattan/East Village#Understand]] might give you some ideas. Otherwise, with the caveats that previously, I've sucked at judging the degree of perfection of articles and others have found stuff I never noticed, and also, that I didn't re-read the entire article word for word, I think it would definitely deserve a star as one of the best articles on the site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:03, 21 December 2018 (UTC) *'''Progress report''': I've broken up the "History" section into subsections as suggested by [[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] and [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]]. In a few weeks (once I'm done giving [[Buffalo/East Side]] the blurb-shortening treatment), I plan to make some [[User:AndreCarrotflower/To-Do List#Parent article and Niagara Frontier|fairly substantial edits]] to the parent article, including some pruning and blurb-shortening in the "Local chains", "Food trucks", and "Pizza" sections, which should go some way toward alleviating ButteBag's concerns. I will post a notice here when those tasks are finished and we can revisit this nomination at that time. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 18:26, 20 February 2019 (UTC) ::I've made the changes described above, which hopefully address [[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] and [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]]'s concerns. Would they (or anyone else) care to offer their feedback on the current state of affairs? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 01:29, 27 April 2019 (UTC) :::... or what about [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] and [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], who recently weighed in on [[Bouzigues]]' nomination below? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 01:33, 27 April 2019 (UTC) ::::... or [[User:ARR8|ARR8]], whose name I also see on this page, or [[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]] himself? Forgive me for going on a user-tagging spree, but Buffalo's been kicking around Starnom for a couple years now and I'd really like either for it to be upgraded or to know definitively what improvements still need to be made. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 01:34, 27 April 2019 (UTC) :::::I don't really trust my judgment on starnoms and also don't feel up to rereading the entire article. However, I'll give a '''supporting''' vote, anyway, based on your responsiveness to the concerns raised here and my reactions to previous readings of the article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:50, 27 April 2019 (UTC) ::::::Well, I'm the nominator, but if everyone's fine with me giving my vote, I will when I get a chance to at least get a decent look at this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 04:44, 27 April 2019 (UTC) :::::::'''Support'''. It was a star then. It remains a star today. --[[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] ([[User talk:ButteBag|talk]]) 13:46, 27 April 2019 (UTC) * '''Support'''. I've taken a pretty good, detailed look at the article, scrolling slowly through each section, and it's written by someone (among others) with knowledge of the city, inside-out, which is clearly demonstrated. For anyone, the article has interesting trivia and general coverage, along with tourist-related information for the traveler. If this article isn't good enough for star status, then we might as well throw in the towel on star articles altogether. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 15:45, 27 April 2019 (UTC) * That's six support votes. We must be close to it being nominated now. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 15:47, 27 April 2019 (UTC) ::Sorry, it's actually only five, [[User:ButteBag|ButteBag]] accidentally voted twice. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 15:48, 27 April 2019 (UTC) :::Okay. Well, in any case, five support votes is also what [[Uppsala]] has now, so I guess I'll do for Buffalo what I'm currently doing for it: holding off for a few days to allow an opportunity for any last-minute objections, then pulling the trigger. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 18:11, 27 April 2019 (UTC) * It is a good article. However when I read it I was a little lost as to where some things are. There are no markers - nothing appears on the full page map, and it is not always obvious which district things are in. I think that the train stations and airport should be listings, so that they can easily be found on the map, and link to WP articles. Major attractions should have markers or links to districts. A map showing where the suburbs are would be useful, or links to Northtowns and Southtowns. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:24, 27 April 2019 (UTC) ::That's true. Why do no listings have coordinates? Even if there is not a dynamic map on the page, if you click on a listing marker the dynamic map will show up. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 22:32, 27 April 2019 (UTC) :::There are no listings and no coordinates because Huge City articles are not supposed to have listings or dynamic maps. All that content is, by design and in accordance with policy, shunted to the district articles. In the case of the train station and the airport, it's made clear through text in which district or suburb they are located. Maps showing where the suburbs are located can be found on the [[Northtowns]], [[Southtowns]], and [[Niagara Frontier]] pages. :::More broadly: I welcome feedback and suggestions for improvement of bona fide deficiencies in the article. But I can't hold my tongue anymore about the fact that the quote-unquote "issues" needlessly holding up Buffalo's promotion are far more minor and picayune than anything that's ever served as an obstacle for any other starnom I've ever seen. Holding Star articles to a high standard is well and good, but if all our nominees were held to a standard ''this'' impossibly high, Wikivoyage wouldn't have any Star articles at all. If the matters laid out above are the biggest faults that can be found with the article, that only strengthens the argument that Buffalo, at long last, is ready for promotion to Star. :::-- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 01:13, 28 April 2019 (UTC) ::::Also true. Thanks for the explanation, though, and I see your point about criticism &mdash; the problem is that it's very easy to criticize but much harder to fix, or explain in detail why the criticism is not valid. However, I think coordinates are an important topic, because they're associated with every listing going through the whole article. But I can understand the frustrations involved in the process. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 03:35, 28 April 2019 (UTC) :::::If there were full listings with geo in this article, that would be wrong. If it isn't clear which district article some of the mentioned points of interest are in, give examples, so that they can be fixed, but I believe that objecting that there is no geo in a huge city article is an invalid argument in this thread, though of course anyone is welcome to start a discussion at [[Wikivoyage talk:Huge city article template]] if they'd like to propose a change from the current policy. For the record, I would expect to vote a big fat no on that proposal. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:31, 28 April 2019 (UTC) ::::::I see. It's because [[Buffalo]] has articles lower in the hierarchy. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 04:38, 28 April 2019 (UTC) :::::::I am happy with there being no listings, but there should be clear references to the district things are in. In many huge cities there is a marker for the airport and main train station, but I am fine if that is not policy. More specifically, which district is Buffalo-Depew station in? I also don't know which districts the museums are in, although I see that one now has a link to the district article which is good. Similarly it is not clear where the parks are, there is mention of Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park being "Canalside", but that is not a district name. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 10:26, 28 April 2019 (UTC) ::::::::Canalside is cited no less than ''four times'' throughout the article as being [[Buffalo/Downtown|downtown]]. The Buffalo-Depew train station is ''explicitly described directly within the listing'' as being "in the suburb of Depew, about 8 miles (12 km) east of the city". Forgive me for letting my frustration get the better of me, but do you understand now why I consider these concerns almost deliberately obtuse? Not only has no other Starnom had to jump through hoops to this degree, but these "issues" aren't even real issues. The information is right there in black and white for anyone who bothers to actually read the article!!! And for those who ''don't'' want to read and pay attention, no Wikivoyage article is going to help them. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 14:11, 28 April 2019 (UTC) :::I am now happy to '''support''' Buffalo being a star. We have sorted out where Depew is, linking it to Cheektowaga and discovering that it is near the airport. I would still prefer more of the sights to have links to the districts, to help the reader who is only in town for a few hours and doesn't have the time to read everything in detail. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 20:56, 28 April 2019 (UTC) * Since I was pinged, I will say that something I did notice that could be improved is the presence of [[Wikivoyage:Avoid negative reviews|negative reviews]]. To be fair, I did not look at it long or do more than skim some districts, but I did see a couple. To give one example, JT's Urban Italian in [[Buffalo/Elmwood Village]] has two negative listings, in both eat and drink, and there are many other listings to pick up the slack if those are removed. Maybe that particular example is justified, I don't know. I'll refrain from voting either way, since this seems set to pass. [[User:ARR8|ARR8]] ([[User talk:ARR8|{{int:Talkpagelinktext}}]] | [[Special:Contributions/ARR8|{{int:Contribslink}}]]) 17:59, 28 April 2019 (UTC) ::It's the parent article that's up for consideration, not the districts. Also, quoting myself from [[Talk:Clarence (New York)]]: "Of course we avoid [outright] negative reviews, but one thing I've learned... is that, where warranted, including honest mixed reviews written in frank, no-nonsense language is one of the best ways to build trust between author and reader". -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 18:05, 28 April 2019 (UTC) ::: Fine on both counts. But I'll say that those reviews seem pretty negative to me, and, regardless, if you think that those kinds of reviews are fine to include in some cases, why not amend the policy to say so? If you've found in your experience that inclusion can improve an article, then we can benefit the whole site by encouraging that practice. I'd certainly vote to support such a proposal, if you say it improves the quality of our guides. [[User:ARR8|ARR8]] ([[User talk:ARR8|{{int:Talkpagelinktext}}]] | [[Special:Contributions/ARR8|{{int:Contribslink}}]]) 18:11, 28 April 2019 (UTC) :::: I don't see the need to amend the policy because I don't think the links violate the policy as it currently is. Does a review have to be ''wholly'' positive in order to avoid policy considering it "negative"? I think not; in fact, policy proscribes reviews that are ''too'' positive as [[tout]]ing. While the reviews of JT's you mention certainly didn't hold back on describing the place's drawbacks, there were several redeeming factors mentioned as well: "a decent selection of pastas, brick-oven pizzas, and main-course salads with a surprisingly ample slate of non-Italian options"; "if you like your drinks strong, you'll be pleased with the specialty cocktails". -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 18:32, 28 April 2019 (UTC) * '''Support'''. A truly impressive article! Great job [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]]! I read through the main article, but will unfortunately [[Uppsala#Valborg|not have time]] to look at the district articles in much detail in the near future. There were some things which I noticed when reading through it which might be worth considering, but they are nitpicks and I think that the article is worthy of star status as it is. ** Is there any logical order to the ordering of districts, suburbs, and "Go next"? If so, it could be made explicit, and if not, these could perhaps be ordered alphabetically to make them easier to overview. ** Is there any reason why the article mentions the april 2014 unemployment rate specifically? If it is representative, this could perhaps be expressed in more generic terms (e.g. "During the last XX years, the unemployment rates in Buffalo has been similar, or even slightly lower than the national and state averages"). If April 2014 is not representative, but an exception, the paragraph is rather misleading. ** The article mentions the fares for one but not all the NAFTA buses. If the prices vary greatly between these rides, it could be good to give rates for all of them, making them easier to compare. If they all cost about the same, the article could probably just claim that bus fares vary between e.g. $2 and $3. ** Many of the festivals in the list of recurring events lack dates. Of course, the exact dates may vary from one year to another, but you at least the article could state something general, like "the end of April". If they aren't already, they could also be ordered chronologically. ** Which articles cover "Buffalo ski country" and the "Lake Erie beaches"? Links to those articles could also be included in the "Go next"-section. Speaking of the Go next-section, it could perhaps be clarified that [[Niagara Peninsula]] is a region, and that [[Fort Erie]], [[Niagara Falls (Ontario)|Niagara Falls]], [[Niagara-on-the-Lake]] are cities within this region. ** While the article show a very impressive level of depth and detail, this may come at the expense of making it harder to overview, especially for readers who are not native English speakers. For example, I don't really know who/what Geoff Kelly and Artvoice is, but it seems to me as the mention of them encumbers reading more than it helps travelers. I trust Andres judgement on the relevancy of these details better than I trust my own, but if there are any details which you agree are expendable, I would consider removing them. ** I agree that the article could do with a few more images. ** Finally, while I agree that all attractions in huge city articles don't need coordinates, I also agree that it would be helpful if mentions of attractions also included an internal link to the relevant listing. The link to [[Buffalo/Downtown#DTAnchor|Anchor bar]] in the [[Buffalo#Local specialties|local specialties section]] is a good example, and could perhaps be modeled in mentions of other attractions as well. This does not only give the reader coordinates, but also makes it much easier to find information about e.g. prices and opening hours. :I hope you find this feedback helpful! [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] ([[User talk:MartinJacobson|talk]]) 18:51, 28 April 2019 (UTC) ::Thank you for the support. In response to some of your points: ::*The districts are listed in descending order of their interest to travellers (and also, incidentally, in the order in which I completed them), which I thought was intuitive enough not to specify. ::*I added the unemployment factoid in April 2014 and have not updated it since. Perhaps it's time to do so. ::*Regarding bus fare, quoting from the article: "Generally speaking, rides on a single bus or light rail vehicle now cost $2.00 regardless of length. The exception is the 'Enhanced Express' service [which costs] an additional 50¢ surcharge per trip." ::*The festivals are ordered chronologically, but thanks for catching the fact that some of them are missing dates. The Buffalo Niagara Film Festival has apparently merged with the Niagara Falls Film Festival and so can be de-listed. The National Garden Festival takes place over five weeks in midsummer and has been edited to clarify. ::*I agree with the point about internal links to individual listings, as with the Anchor Bar. I'll be working on that over the next little bit. :: -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 19:06, 28 April 2019 (UTC) * '''Comment'''. It's probably worth saying through the criticism, etc.: [[u:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]], thanks for putting so much work into this article, not only in writing much of it, but also keeping its information up to date. If we had more contributors that did what you have done, then Wikivoyage would be transformed. While I think it's unlikely that Buffalo will fail nomination, if it does, I (and hopefully others in the community too) still appreciate the work you've done in expanding the information in our travel guide. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 19:37, 28 April 2019 (UTC) * Is Buffalo ready to upgrade to star status now? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 00:55, 1 May 2019 (UTC) ::I'd say hold off for a while yet until the current spurt of editing activity on the article dies down. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 22:06, 1 May 2019 (UTC) :::Makes sense, since as I understand it, star articles shouldn't really need to be edited, as insinuated at [[Template:Starcity]]. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 22:53, 1 May 2019 (UTC) ===[[Bouzigues]]=== I believe this is the second time this has been nominated for star status. Now, though, according to [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], the work is done and the article can be turned into a star article, and he hopes this can be done in time for the article's upcoming period on the [[Main page]]. More commentary, including the previous failed star nomination for the article, can be found at [[Talk:Bouzigues]]. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 03:41, 19 March 2019 (UTC) * '''Support'''. A superb article! Very comprehensive, clearly written, and entertaining. Great job TT! [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] ([[User talk:MartinJacobson|talk]]) 13:57, 29 March 2019 (UTC) * This is now at the point where I can finally '''support''' the nomination. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 19:50, 10 April 2019 (UTC) ::Nice work lately! <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 22:25, 10 April 2019 (UTC) *'''Support''' Well, the article has many details, I think it is definitely ready, except that the sleep section is a bit '''empty''' if i would say.But other than that, it's ready to go. [[User:Arepticous|<span style="color:Lightblue"><span style="background:Black"> Arep</span></span> <span style="color:Yellow"><span style="background:black"> Ticous</span></span>]] 02:12, 18 May 2019 (UTC) ::{{ping|Arepticous}} As I understand, [[Bouzigues]] is a small place, so there are probably not many options. In this case, three options are probably enough. If people can't find a place to stay they can go to the "go next" section to find a hotel in a nearby community. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 12:36, 21 July 2019 (UTC) :::There's nowhere else apart from the self-catering options, which are mentioned but not listed. Per, [[Wikivoyage:Listings#Rental listings]], it's a lot of hassle just to get one cottage listed, and once you do, there are numerous other options which could also be added, potentially leading to touting. I decided not to bother, but wouldn't discourage someone else from having a go.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:49, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::::As I stated in my reply, I think the current content is appropriate. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:11, 21 July 2019 (UTC) :::::Soooo...Is this consensus? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 21:23, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::::::I believe that [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] said we needed at least five supports (it may have been six) for a star nomination. Therefore, this one, unfortunately, doesn't yet have enough support. We can always gather support, however, by informing people of the discussion. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:25, 21 July 2019 (UTC) :::::::As my nomination indicates a support, we're close. We need one or two or more supports. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:25, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::::::::There's no magic number. In my opinion, perhaps a notice could be put in the [[pub]] to attract the attention of anyone who might not be aware of this nomination, but if no one else chimes in, I don't see the point of holding up this worthy nominee, which has my full '''support''', any longer. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 21:29, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::::::::(edit conflict)Everyone who has taken part in this nomination, and the previous one (that was [[Talk:Bouzigues#Star nomination|slushed]] in February) has now indicated their support. There's nothing else that needs fixing, improving or updating - and that's according to you guys as much as me. I am appreciative of everyone who has helped and lent their opinion to this nom, but it's time to get it over and done with now.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 21:35, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::::::::::Yes, let's go ahead. '''Result''': consensus to upgrade to star status. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:38, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ===[[Historic Churches of Buffalo's East Side]]=== The obvious answer to why this article isn't yet Starworthy is the lack of a Wikivoyage-style map. Aside from that relatively easy fix, I'd be interested to hear others' feedback. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 16:22, 29 May 2015 (UTC) :Looks good to me, but I'm afraid I'm not going to give my judgement on this as I'm not native. However, I'll take care of Wikivoyage styled map. Will do it once this nominate garnish support votes. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 16:48, 29 May 2015 (UTC) *'''Comment''' Good work. It is a very detailed article, possibly even too detailed. It is missing a geo template to give a link to a full page map at the top of the article (and to appear on maps of articles). I think that there needs to be a paragraph near the start giving an overview of the itinerary. I had to read quite a bit to find that this was a tour by car, not on foot. I would also make it clear that this is mainly (or only) a tour of the exterior of churches - I had expected to be able to go inside all eighteen churches. A quick look at [http://metro.nfta.com/Routes/SystemMap.aspx the area bus map] suggests that a section of the route could be done by bus, and this maybe could be looked into. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:39, 29 May 2015 (UTC) * '''Bump'''; discussion seems to have died out several years ago. Is it now ready to go? Looks it to me. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 18:35, 1 September 2018 (UTC) * Since we're no longer requiring static maps for star status, should this article be reconsidered? This article now has a much better chance of reaching star status. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 21:08, 30 September 2018 (UTC) * Although I see no problems with this page, after two years not a single support, suggest archiving this proposal. Can create again if feel deserves reconsidering. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 07:10, 30 November 2018 (UTC) :*I'd rather not archive it. The thing is, from past experience, I'm not sure my judgment should be trusted, because I'm apt to miss details, but I'd like anyone to mention any way in which this is lacking. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:24, 30 November 2018 (UTC) :::I think the problem with it may be the opposite of what is lacking, but that there is ''too'' much content. I often think this is a problem with star nominations, and it may seem like I say it too often, but I think there is a reasonable length for star articles (around 25K-80K bytes), and articles outside of this range are generally not WV's best. I think this churches article is around 200-300K bytes, which is very long for an article just about specific kinds of sights in a specific part of a city. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 23:31, 30 November 2018 (UTC) ::::Realistically, what’s the solution to that, other than cutting out valuable information? Yes, the article goes in depth and is written for travellers with specific interests, but that’s exactly why I didn’t include all this information in (the even longer) [[Buffalo/East Side]]. I’m all for trimming fat, but there’s no fat here - it’s all meat - and I hardly think we ought to be penalizing articles because the coverage is ''too good''. Sometimes articles are long out of necessity. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 01:16, 1 December 2018 (UTC) :::::I don't know Buffalo geography, but is there perhaps a way we could split the article by section of the East Side? Or even divide by church's religious group? I fear the answer is no, but just asking in case that's an option. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 06:02, 1 December 2018 (UTC) * With a few more months having passed and still no support votes, I agree with [[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] that we should archive the proposal, but I don't care strongly either way. {{ping|Ikan Kekek}} How do you feel about this nomination currently? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 20:48, 28 April 2019 (UTC) *I'll vote to '''support''' for the sake of advancing the discussion. I'm not up to rereading the entire article right now, but my feeling is that outstanding articles should receive a commendation. I think one could quibble around the edges in regard to this article. For example, some of this could be edited slightly: :''The wildly varying present-day statuses of these churches is another issue you'll be learning more about in this tour. While a good many of them continue as home to active religious congregations, others have been repurposed in a variety of ways for a new generation of East Siders, and still others remain abandoned and decaying or have been lost to the wrecking ball. The interiors of the churches that remain active (either as home to their original congregation, to a successor congregation, or as an oratory) can be visited at service times, which are listed in the main East Side article; the interiors of those that aren't are off limits to the public. However, the exteriors can be viewed anytime, as long as the buildings exist.'' :Maybe an argument could be made for: :"The current statuses of these churches vary wildly. While many continue to serve active congregations, some have been variously repurposed for a new generation of East Siders and others are abandoned and decaying or have been lost to the wrecking ball. The interiors of active churches can be visited at service times, which are listed in the main East Side article; interiors of inactive churches are off limits. However, the exteriors of existing building can be visited anytime." :But this is really small potatoes. Star articles don't have to be 100% ideal to everyone in every way. The only thing that gives me any real pause at all is the remark about part of this tour being doable by bus. If that's true, it should be mentioned. But really, objecting that an itinerary is too long? I think if I were actually following this itinerary, I'd be interested in reading the background the night before and the remarks about each church as I got there. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:28, 29 April 2019 (UTC) ::The itinerary is doable by bus in theory, but in practice you'd spend far more time waiting around at bus stops than you would at the POIs. IMO it's not worth a mention. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 00:58, 2 May 2019 (UTC) * '''Support''' for partially the same reason that [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] supported. I've glanced through and this article looks like it is full of detailed anecdotes about the history of various churches; the article consequently looks long, but it is really no different than a tour &mdash; if you wrote down everything a tour guide said in one tour, it would be a lot of content, but all appropriate. While I'm personally not a supporter of very long articles, a long article is much better than a short one that misses important information. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 12:41, 21 July 2019 (UTC) * '''Support''' - I wonder if there are any other guides to the subject matter as detailed as this? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 21:45, 21 July 2019 (UTC) * '''Comment''': Counting [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] (who I doubt would oppose this nomination), we have four supports with no oppose votes. However, some concerns were addressed earlier in the article, so I'm not sure if we're ''quite'' yet ready to upgrade this one. But I'll do my best to gather some interest. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:49, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::Although I'm not convinced it needs shortening, one way of "shortening" the article without actually removing any information would be to put some of the content behind a retractable list (à la [[London#Cope|the embassies of London]]). But which content? And how much? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 21:54, 21 July 2019 (UTC) :::Frankly, I think that only adds trouble to the nomination, though it's a good idea. While I would have liked a shorter article, AndreCarrotflower's argument has largely convinced me that the article shouldn't be shortened. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:56, 21 July 2019 (UTC) * '''Comment''': I noticed, shouldn't "churches" be lowercase? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:53, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::Per our naming conventions, probably yes. Though per normal English grammar, where titles are all capitalised (e.g. ''[[W:And Then There Were None]]''), "Historic Churches..." is correct.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 21:59, 21 July 2019 (UTC) :::Yeah, I intended "Historic Churches of Buffalo's East Side" to be the proper name of the tour, rather than a generic one, but I'm not going to go to the mat over a capital C. However, to head this hypothetical off at the pass, "East Side" ''is'' indeed the proper name of a Buffalo neighborhood, not just a vague directional designation, so those words should remain capitalized. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 22:43, 21 July 2019 (UTC) ::::Right, I see the logic. I don't mind greatly either way, but I just thought it seemed correct to use lowercase. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 12:54, 22 July 2019 (UTC) *'''Support''' More star articles are always better. [[User:Znotch190711|Znotch190711]] ([[User talk:Znotch190711|talk]]) 09:37, 15 August 2019 (UTC) ::I agree with you 100%, but an explanation pertaining to this article in particular would be helpful. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:48, 15 August 2019 (UTC) *'''Comment''' I'd like to ask, is the reason that this article has been delayed in its star is due to fact that it reads more as an informational article about churches in Buffalo rather than an Itinerary? The reason for asking is that this is indeed an excellent star-worthy article, but in my view it's not an itinerary per se? (An itinerary follows a specific route) I might be more inclined to support if the route is shown on the map. [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 12:39, 15 December 2019 (UTC) ::{{ping|Joshlama1}} We need a certain number of votes (five or six, I'm not sure) for the article to be nominated. We may have enough now with your support, but I'll have to check. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 12:48, 15 December 2019 (UTC) *'''Support''' for a star. A fine piece of work. It may not strictly be an itinerary as mentioned above, but it is a good guide to the topic. Well written, interesting and with a lot of relevant background. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 16:38, 13 January 2020 (UTC) '''Nomination successful'''. There have been no serious objections in almost two years, and those that were made have been dealt with. Time to unfurl the star-spangled page banner.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:00, 10 March 2020 (UTC) ===[[York]]=== Barring any blind spots which one tends to develop after working on something for a long time, I can't see any reason why this shouldn't get star status. When I started working on it in summer 2018, it was already a great Guide article, and I think I've improved it massively, if not to perfection then something close to it ;-) But what do you think? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:02, 6 February 2020 (UTC) :It's no secret that I have a very high opinion of [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons]] on a personal level as well as a great respect for his work as an editor. So, to avoid the appearance of bias, I figured the fairest thing I could do in this case is to go over the article with a fine-toothed comb and not rest until I found at least one thing to gripe about, and hopefully more than one. I've been searching and searching and, alas, I give up. "Perfection or something close to it" is an apt description. '''Support'''. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 20:32, 6 February 2020 (UTC) :'''Support'''. If I were ever to visit York, I would surely use this guide. I cannot find anything to suggest as an improvement. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:03, 7 February 2020 (UTC) :: Coming from both of you, with the quality of articles attached to your usernames, that means a lot. Thank you.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 08:24, 7 February 2020 (UTC) * '''Support.''' If only all our articles looked like this one! <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:20, 7 February 2020 (UTC) : '''Support'''. While I think this could be peer-reviewed by someone from York, from a Wikivoyage criteria pov it is an excellent article. [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 00:36, 10 March 2020 (UTC) * '''Comment''' - it would be nice to get this nomination approved before the article is featured as DOTM (in September, according to the current schedule). Having said that, a certain (unknown) number of the listings may have to be removed and replaced once lockdown has been lifted, which probably does preclude the article from Star status until that's been done.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 14:42, 5 May 2020 (UTC) ::We should probably not vote on any more nominations (not that we were) until the lockdown is well past, for that reason. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 15:06, 5 May 2020 (UTC) :::I see no good reason why we should keep this nomination on hold indefinitely for that reason. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], I have faith that you will update the article to reflect business closures, COVID-related and otherwise, as necessary. Until then, we should presume that businesses will reopen after the lockdown has ended unless they've announced otherwise, or unless there's some other evidence otherwise (''e.g.'' FOR LEASE signs in shop windows, or I suppose in the UK the term is TO LET), just as we have always done. However, I do agree with [[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]] that we should hold off on any ''new'' nominations. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 18:48, 5 May 2020 (UTC) * '''Support.''' It is a good article. Although it is about 10 years since I have spent any time in York, I think it is fairly accurate. I expect that some of the Eat or Sleep listings may not survive, but there are plenty so just removing those with closed signs is easy. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:59, 5 May 2020 (UTC) * '''Result''': this seems like a clear consensus in support of this article being upgraded to star status. I will do the upgrade to star status now. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 15:07, 5 June 2020 (UTC) ===[[Farnborough]]=== I'n [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Farnborough&action=history definitely] [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|biased]], but I don't know what more can be done to improve this article. What does anyone else think? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:23, 1 September 2018 (UTC) :It looks good but I see some room for improvement. The images are not great - I didn't see the point of the Sel Roti picture unless several places sell it, and I would like to see some general views of the town centre to get a "feel" for the place. The railway station listings could be expanded, with links to WP and National Rail. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:36, 1 September 2018 (UTC) :I have not read it through yet, but it looks pretty good. However, I agree with [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] about the pictures; they don't seem to have much to do with the place. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#14866d">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#14866d">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#14866d">contributions</font>]]) 22:48, 1 September 2018 (UTC) ::That's good feedback. Thanks! --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:14, 2 September 2018 (UTC) :<s>{{support|yes|This article is among the best WV has to offer, and although more/better illustrations could potentially enhance the article, I think it's ready to be a star as it is.}} <small>—The [[Project:Using_talk_pages#Talk_page_formatting|preceding]] comment was added by [[User:82.132.185.65|82.132.185.65]] ([[User_talk:82.132.185.65|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/82.132.185.65|contribs]]) </small></s> ::Thanks for your support, IP user. ::Re the other points, those are definitely things I can do, but I have a feeling I'll need to take some photos and upload them to Commons, as those that are on there of the town centre are outdated. I will be unavailable to do that in the next two weeks, however, but please be assured it hasn't been forgotten and will get done. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:20, 5 September 2018 (UTC) :::Is the IP user AC though? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#b32425">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 14:47, 5 September 2018 (UTC) ::::Not unless AC has moved from [[Moscow]] to [[London/Greenwich|South East London]] since the other day. AC identified himself in his comment above. However, I do think the IP user is someone with WV experience.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:42, 5 September 2018 (UTC) :::::IP addresses are fairly easy to spoof, particularly with open proxies, and the circumstantial evidence (writing style, use of support/oppose templates rather than prose, obvious previous familiarity with WV, previous instances of block evasion ''i.e.'' the above comment) is pretty overwhelming. I've blocked the IP user on that basis, not to say that will do much good. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 18:06, 5 September 2018 (UTC) ::::::Fair enough. Nice detective work. --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:25, 5 September 2018 (UTC) :::::::Plus, in case you didn’t notice, in the preceding nomination he/she mentioned the [[Brussels]] districtification. How many IP addresses would know about that? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 14:37, 7 September 2018 (UTC) :Great article! I read through it carefully, and I could only notice a few minor things which perhaps could be improved or expanded. None of them are major concerns, and I don't think it would take much time for anyone to who know Farnborough to deal with them. :* Even though it doesn't seem too hard to get around in Farnborough I always prefer when there are a few words about orientation of a destination. Just a few words to help you get a 'feel' for the place before you actually go there. Are there any notable landmarks or natural boundaries? What parts of the city could be considered central? :* How long does the different commuter-journeys listed in "Get in" take, and what do they cost? :* I didn't really understand the sentence "Less useful is the 'secret' car park on the roof of Sainsbury's...". In what way is it a 'secret' car park? It rather sounds like it is not a car park at all? :* Why are the black sheds famous? :* I didn't really understand the St Michaels Abbey directions. What gates are they mentioning? If it is the Abbey gates, shouldn't that rather be mentioned in the opening hours field? :* St Peters Church lack opening hours, but I couldn't find any on their website. :* How does one get to North Camp? How far is it? And is there any good explanation why the southern suburb is called North camp? :* A few words about where to eat as a vegetarian or a vegan? :* Some of the eat listings lack price indicators. How expensive is a budget restaurant? Could we add [[Template:Eatpricerange]] and [[Template:Sleeppricerange]]-boxes? :* Are there many or few chain restaurants? The lede claims that they are few, but the budget-lede lists 9, which by my counting is rather many for a small town. :* The last three bullet-points in the "Further afield" section doesn't quiet fit in with the others as they are types of destinations, rather than destinations. I think that it looks a bit odd. Could they be rewritten in into a lede perhaps? :I also saw that [[User:Davisonio]] is a docent for Farnborough, and I would like to hear your take on the star nomination. Do you think that the article is complete, or are there any gaps in its coverage of Farnborough? Thank you for a terrific guide! [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] ([[User talk:MartinJacobson|talk]]) 19:47, 7 September 2018 (UTC) ::You mentioned church hours. I think for churches the time of a service/mass is actually more helpful than open hours. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 21:04, 30 September 2018 (UTC) :::More helpful for worshippers but not for general visitors. I would list open hours and give a link to the church's mass/service schedule. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:30, 30 September 2018 (UTC) ::::I guess as a listing under "see" I can understand what you mean. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 22:07, 30 September 2018 (UTC) *It doesn't seem as if any valid user has voted on this article yet. My vote is '''support'''; while the pictures could be better, I don't think that is problematic enough that it should stop the article from becoming a star article. The possible improvements that were mentioned by [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] are valid, and I think they're good things to add, but not including these things does not bring down the quality of the article enough to prevent it from reaching star status, IMO. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 23:27, 10 November 2018 (UTC) * '''Support'''. Beautiful article at this point already. I'll be happy to see more pictures. Hope you are able to upload them soon, TT. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 00:49, 11 November 2018 (UTC) * '''Comment''': The question now is this: is the article ready yet for star status despite the concerns, or should we wait until the concerns are addressed, e.g. the pictures? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 21:38, 11 November 2018 (UTC) ::Wait. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:56, 11 November 2018 (UTC) Now that my work on York is mostly complete, I've started addressing the points raised by [[User:MartinJacobson|MartinJacobson]] above in edits, even explaining the secret car park! Thanks for the great feedback, by the way :) Regarding the Eat section, there are plenty of ''fast food'' chains for sure, but "proper" restaurant chains (i.e. with waiter service and actual cooking talent) are comparatively scarce, compared to plenty of great independents. Perhaps this distinction doesn't matter to a traveller, but I think there is a difference between the likes of Subway / Maccies and Pizza Express / Wagamama (sushi).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 23:03, 20 February 2019 (UTC) *'''Support''' more stars are always better. [[User:Znotch190711|Znotch190711]] ([[User talk:Znotch190711|talk]]) 09:38, 15 August 2019 (UTC) *'''Support''' This is what a modern star article should read like. I think the criticism that has been mentioned in has been addressed, and although I would like to see current pictures, from a check in the commons, I don't think that can be taken as a not-support. [[User:Joshlama1|Joshlama1]] ([[User talk:Joshlama1|talk]]) 12:55, 15 December 2019 (UTC) *'''Support''' It's time to get this nomination off of this page methinks. [[User:SpartanFishy|SpartanFishy]] ([[User talk:SpartanFishy|talk]]) 16:39, 19 November 2020 (UTC) ===[[Caldas da Rainha]]=== I may be biased as the principal contributer to this article, but I believe that it's comprehensive and well written. I recently cut a lot of the bloat and tightened the prose. --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 16:42, 25 December 2020 (UTC) :Addendum: See pre-nomination discussion at [[Talk:Caldas_da_Rainha#Star_status_-_opinions]]. I have implemented many of [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]]'s suggestions. I keep tweaking the article, hopefully improving it with each edit. --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 15:47, 30 December 2020 (UTC) :{{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} I would appreciate it if you would please add your support to this nomination or express any concerns or objections that I can address. Thanks! --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 15:47, 30 December 2020 (UTC) ::That's looking superb now! Did you only just add the "If your time is limited..." list at the top of ''See''? That's a good feature I didn't notice before. ::One thing I thought of before but didn't mention as it wasn't nearly as important as the other stuff: the article could either do with some more photos or the photos already present should be spread out, as there's no image of any kind from ''Eat'' all the way to the bottom of ''Cope''. This is kind of a nitpick, but Stars are supposed to be perfect :P ::I would definitely encourage others to take a look, as there may be other things to fix that I haven't spotted. But as far as I'm concerned, once the photo discrepancy is addressed, this is a star article.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:49, 30 December 2020 (UTC) :::{{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Thank you. Good idea. I searched through my camera roll and found a few section-appropriate pics for that wall of text. Now uploaded to Commons and added to the article. --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 20:23, 30 December 2020 (UTC) :::PS: Oh, and yes I added "If your time is limited..." to make the options less overwhelming after you mentioned, 'dread as in "this is going to take me ages to get through, I can't be bothered to read all this."' --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 21:29, 30 December 2020 (UTC) * '''Support''' --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:32, 31 December 2020 (UTC) * '''Support'''. This is certainly a difficult time to keep articles up to date, but this article is excellent. I can't see anything missing &mdash; there are even static maps in "get in/get around". <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 14:40, 1 January 2021 (UTC) * '''Support''' (as original nominator). Hi, folks. It's been three weeks. I'm not sure whether two non-nominator supports are enough to upgrade to star. I don't believe there are any unresolved objections or issues. Please let me know where we go from here. Thanks. --[[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 03:36, 16 January 2021 (UTC) ::Although it's not technically necessary, I would like to see some more opinions from different Wikivoyagers, so will once again [[RFC|ask for comment]]. The only purpose of this would be to absolutely ensure the article really is perfect. As there's nothing in the rules that requires a certain number of people to support, if the RfC hasn't attracted additional support or critique within a couple of days, then we can proceed with making it a star.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:35, 18 January 2021 (UTC) :::Outcome: success.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 00:00, 28 January 2021 (UTC) ===[[Stratford (Victoria)]]=== I think this article fits the requirements for star status. There's a variety of good quality images in the article to enhance the reader's understanding, there's both a static and dynamic map, and most sections are basically comprehensive. The listings are well detailed where need be, and the ones that aren't are fairly self explanatory: for example, Hobbies Plus is a model train store, and there's not much more to say. I've also gone through the article to abbreviate "Road" and "Street" where needed and sort listings in alphabetical order, and so I think it's pretty good when it comes to the manual of style. And not to toot my own horn too much, but I think the prose is easy to understand and helpful for travellers. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratif ication</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 00:51, 23 April 2021 (UTC) *'''Comment''': Looks pretty damn comprehensive for what it is. That said, a couple sections look like they should be either expanded or omitted. "Cope", for instance, is currently a one-line section. Per [[Wikivoyage:Article skeleton templates/Sections#Cope]], such sections tend to be a bit heterogeneous/miscellaneous, and gives examples of things a traveller may be interested in that you could expand that section with -- for instance, religious institutions and beauty services. [[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet]] ([[User talk:Vaticidalprophet|talk]]) 10:37, 24 April 2021 (UTC) ::I added "Cope", I think, just before nominating this, and I'm not entirely sure why I forgot to add in religious institutions. Anyway, I've now added them in. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure of their service times, apart from St Andrew's Uniting Church, as they have a website. I'll try looking into other services but I'm not aware of any (for example, Stratford used to have a hairdresser but no longer does). --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 12:05, 24 April 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''' - It's good for a damn rural (country, as Victorians call it) towns and if I went to Stratford again, I'd probably not even check Google. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] | [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 10:42, 24 April 2021 (UTC) *'''Very close''' - apart from the [https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/4192430 three] questions I [https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/4192425 asked] in hidden comments, some of the listings need more detail: opening hours should be provided for every single listing, as should room rates for Sleep listings. Overall, a great small town article.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:34, 24 April 2021 (UTC) ::I've fixed the 3 issues you've raised, and I'm currently getting on top of adding opening hours and room rates. Hopefully it should be done by the end of the day: need to get opening hours for the op shop and rates for the motel. Will keep you updated.--[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 23:42, 24 April 2021 (UTC) ::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Done. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 02:23, 25 April 2021 (UTC) ::::Cool, looks great now. Could you put a note in 'Sleep' stating that accommodation options are limited to those three (if that's indeed the case)? Also, is it me or do all the phone numbers look different now? Shouldn't there some be spacing in them somewhere? Other than those minor points, I'm ready to '''support'''.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:33, 5 May 2021 (UTC) :::::Oops, didn’t see this. I’ll add a note in the sleep section accordingly. {{ping|SHB2000}} was the one who changed the phone numbers, and speaking purely aesthetically and subjectively, I preferred the original formatting, but this formatting I believe is for internationalisation purposes. That being said, I think there should be a gap between +61, which is the country code, and the rest of the digits. I’ve pinged SHB in case they have any objection to me making that change (won’t do it right now as I’m on mobile) --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 05:41, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::Yes, it's for internalisation purposes. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 05:44, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::And I’ve made the sleep section change. Will make the phone number change soon (e:g, +61 XXXXXXXX instead of +61XXXXXXXXX) --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 05:49, 9 May 2021 (UTC) * A few questions: ** "Tickets aren't actually available in Stratford, oddly enough, so if you want to take the train back to Melbourne, you have to get the ticket from Sale train station" – or buy a return ticket in Melbourne, right? I'm guessing this is only a problem if you arrive in Stratford without already having a ticket out, but please confirm. If I'm understanding correctly, let's add "if you don't already have a ticket" or something like that to clarify. ** "The reserve also has an oval and benches which may be used by local groups." I'm not sure what this means. Is the point that it's used by Gunaikurnai people for meetings, or that it's used by some other groups? ** Where does the Arts Trail begin and end – how do I get to the trailhead? ** More details needed about the Shakespeare on the River Festival – where in town is it held? How much do tickets cost? Are the performances any good? ** Apparently one of the accommodation options is located at a wildlife shelter. Can the wildlife shelter be visited by travellers who aren't staying at the hotel? Is it worth a visit? ** The banner doesn't do much for me – can we find a more attractive banner photo? :I can't tell how thorough the article's coverage is, but I don't see any red flags. It's enjoyable to read, and piques my interest in visiting Stratford if I ever find myself in Victoria. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 06:17, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::Thanks for your questions! You’re correct about the ticket thing, it’s only an issue if you don’t buy a return ticket. Granted, that section is probably biased somewhat by the fact that ''I'' found myself in that position, but it could be clarified. I’m unaware if the Gunaikurnai people use it specifically, but I am aware that local community groups have held events there. Perhaps it’s a bit redundant, but I thought it might be good to put there to inform readers it may be busy. I have no idea about the Arts Trail’s specific route, and when I visited the Segue Cafe in April, they told me they didn’t currently have a map of it, but you can access the Avon River from a path at the corner of McMillan and McFarlane Street. Where exactly the events are held for the festival vary (I’ve unfortunately never had the chance to see it), but events are mainly held in the Stratford Courthouse, which is in the same building as the Segue Cafe. Prices do also vary, and I’m wary of providing prices based on this year as they are prone to change. I’ve never visited the shelter, so again, I can’t comment. As for the banner photo, I’m sure there are some alternatives that I could try, either based off what’s already on Commons or from my own personal photo gallery. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 06:47, 9 May 2021 (UTC) :::I like the banner on your userpage but it looks too Melbourny rather than Stratfordy. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 06:54, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::::Can’t use CropTool right now for obvious reasons but here are some photos I’ve found from my gallery — [[File:Stratford shopping strip side on.jpg|thumb]] and [[File:Stratford shopping strip zoomed in — April 2021.jpg|thumb]], would either one of these make a better header? Also fun fact about my userpage banner is that Tyers Street is actually misspelled on the image as Tyres (as in car tyres) Street. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 07:12, 9 May 2021 (UTC) :::::Tyres Street has to go in [[Places with unusual names]] [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 07:38, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::And what about [[:File:Stratford.JPG]] for page banner? [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 07:42, 9 May 2021 (UTC) :::::::That works. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 10:44, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::::Sorry for rushing it though. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 11:02, 9 May 2021 (UTC) :::::::::Thanks for the clarification – I've adjusted the article slightly, please change as needed. I like the new banner. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 19:04, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::Doesn't look like there are any issues with your edits, and the banner looks better. Might try and take a better photo next time around. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 20:15, 9 May 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}} '''Support''' - the article looks very good. You have to zoom out a bit to see all of the listings and the mapshape, and the 'Shakespeare on the River Festival' listing says that the date that the listing was last changed needs updating - I don't know why this is, but it could be that [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Stratford_%28Victoria%29&type=revision&diff=4158582&oldid=4158580 the listing was updated but the date wasn't]? Other than this, I think that the article is fine. [[Special:Contributions/82.3.185.12|82.3.185.12]] 18:20, 9 May 2021 (UTC) :The map thing is by design. It's zoomed into the main street as that's where all but 2 of the listings are. I have no idea why the listing is doing that, that's really weird. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 20:15, 9 May 2021 (UTC) ::{{ping|LivelyRatification}} Changing it to a 'do' listing seemed to fix it. [[Special:Contributions/82.3.185.12|82.3.185.12]] 16:00, 10 May 2021 (UTC) :::@[[User:82.3.185.12|82.3.185.12]] Event listings aren't meant to appear on the map. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 12:35, 11 May 2021 (UTC) *'''Close''' Another article which was started this year. A few points: :::*Unless the town is world famous for roof tiles, it needs a new banner. :::*Understand could have a paragraph describing the town today - population, major employers etc. :::*By train needs proper information on getting tickets if your journey starts in Stratford. Phone Vline and find out - I expect that you can either buy your ticket in some local shop, or board the train without a ticket and buy it at the other end - there may also be signs in the station that explain. At the moment the article seems to suggest that you have to walk to Sale, which is clearly nonsense. :::*I think see and do could be expanded. The Arts Trail needs more details - enough to walk around without picking up the tour from a cafe which is only open until 2:30PM. :::*What is in the Stratford Highway Park? Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve? :::*WP mentions a model railway shop - is that still there? :::*The Medical Centre is probably better in Stay Safe than Cope, then it can be in the same para as the hospital. :I see no harm in waiting a few months to see if there are any edits from visitors to Stratford. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:53, 10 May 2021 (UTC) ::I don't mind a new banner, there are plenty of possible images we could choose. That's a good suggestion in regards to population and industry, which I can work on. You can't buy your ticket in any local shop in Stratford, and you can't buy it at the other end, I've taken this train journey as recently as last month. The only way to take the train from Stratford is to get the ticket from a ticket outlet before your journey, of which none are in Stratford. The nearest one is in Sale at the train station. There is an option to have your ticket mailed to you, but for obvious reasons I didn't think that would be helpful for travellers. ::I would ideally have liked to expand the Arts Trail listing on my last visit, but the cafe didn't actually have a tour on site. I will work on expanding that if I can, as I've never actually walked the trail itself. I've not been to either the Highway Park nor the Conservation Reserve, which are both outside the town of Stratford itself, but from what I can find they're both nature reserves, which I suppose could be interesting, but I don't think are terribly important given I hadn't heard of them before this and didn't see them in any of the tourist information I'd checked in both Stratford or on the internet. The model railway shop is there, and has a listing. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 02:41, 11 May 2021 (UTC) :::Tried to address as many of the issues as I could {{ping|AlasdairW}} as it turned out, while I haven't walked the Arts Trail in one go, I've walked most of it before, and I managed to find a map of the trail. I've added a new banner, information about population + industry, and moved the medical centre. Are there any other issues of concern? --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 03:43, 11 May 2021 (UTC) ::::According to [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/regional-tickets/regional-train-and-coach-tickets/vline-paper-tickets/ Public Transport Victoria] "If you get on at an unstaffed V/Line station or roadside coach stop, you can buy a ticket from the train conductor or coach driver." However I couldn't find this on the Vline website, or details of whether the conductors took cards or cash. So I think this is best resolved by asking by email or phone. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:12, 11 May 2021 (UTC) *Very good article. I made a few small edits for style and such. The only question I thought of is why I'd want to know the addresses of the police station and fire brigade, since if I needed their services, I'd just call the emergency number that's presumably the same nationwide. But it's no harm to include that information. I'd love for [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] to read the article because he's so good at seeing small details I miss, but I will be happy to support this nomination whenever others agree. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:02, 11 May 2021 (UTC) ::Oh, I almost forgot: I do wonder what the purpose is for having a static and a dynamic map in the article. If there were only one map, maybe there would be no need to put any thumbnails on the left, which is not so traditional on this site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:03, 11 May 2021 (UTC) :::I don't mind removing the dynamic map, personally. Just thought both might be useful for the reader, given Knob Reserve and Deep Creek Gully are outside frame. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 02:51, 11 May 2021 (UTC) ::::Let's see what other people think. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:50, 11 May 2021 (UTC) ::::: The dynamic map is still available from the icon in the upper right corner, or from any listing marker (do they link to different maps?). I don't know whether our readers know/understand/will find out that the dynamic map is available if it is not shown. An explicit link from the caption of the static map would work, wouldn't it? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:07, 11 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::It would, though how I'm imagining it looks ugly. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 11:30, 11 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::The map from the icon in the upper right corner is in a different style than the ones produced using <nowiki>{{mapframe}}</nowiki>. Also, these are currently broken, with all controls missing. [[User:Nricardo|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nricardo|talk]]) 12:31, 11 May 2021 (UTC) :::::::Well, some articles like [[Niagara Falls]] have two maps, [[Innamincka]] once had two, so I see no probs with this one. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 12:37, 11 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::::Because there's no obvious reason for having two. I have a preference for static maps, all things being equal, but that's sort of neither here nor there. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:44, 11 May 2021 (UTC) :::::::::Dynamic maps can get messy at times. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 07:51, 12 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::The dynamic [https://wikivoyage.toolforge.org/w/poimap2.php?lat=-37.9667&lon=147.0833&zoom=13&layer=W&lang=en&name=Stratford_(Victoria) map using toolforge] is different from the one using {{tl|mapframe}} completely, and I'd argue it's worse in almost every way. Let's rather introduce the same thing as we have for {{tl|Regionlist}} (regionInteractiveMap)...? And probably let's move this branch of discussion to [[WV:TP|TP]]? -- [[User:Andree.sk|andree]]<small style="color: #ccc">.sk</small><small>([[User_talk:Andree.sk|talk]])</small> 14:56, 12 May 2021 (UTC) ::I am flattered, Ikan, though also a bit out of practice. Fortunately, it's a short article. ::*I found the description of the Arts Trail route very confusing, even with the map adjacent to the text. In particular: the description of using Raymond to get to Merrick *and* McMillan, even though McMillan doesn't intersect Raymond; the use of "opposite the Avon River" (opposite from what?); the apparent glossing-over of the McMillan discontinuity (it says you must cross Avon Park to get to McMillan, but you're already on McMillan); and the terminus of the route on Davis, which doesn't seem to intersect Princes Hwy at all (I think Dixon was meant?). ::*The price for "Concession" at the pool is confusing, though probably not so to an experienced Australian visitor. Where I come from, a concession is a retailer (usually selling food) inside another attraction. But it's a food stand, what does the single price get you? ::*The Post Office should be in Connect not Buy. ::*The Avon Hotel doesn't have rooms? Only food and drink? ::*The description of the Princes Freeway is confusing -- in what way is it classifiable as a freeway if it has houses and traffic lights? ::*Images (and the dynamic map and the climate graph) crowd the upper part of the article. Any way to pare those down? ::-- [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 18:47, 12 May 2021 (UTC) :::Thanks, Powers. I'm really glad you looked over that article! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:02, 12 May 2021 (UTC) :::I've fixed, or at least tried to, the first three issues. Yes, the Avon Hotel only has food and drink, oddly enough. There's nothing on their site about accomodation, and I've been there quite a few times and never seen anything about accomodation, and "hotel" can just as often refer to "pub" as "accomodation" in rural Gippsland. The description of the Princes Freeway seems unnecessary to me. Yes, it goes through some towns, and so it does have houses and traffic lights, but that doesn't seem particularly notable. As for images, I'm not really sure. Maybe the train image could be removed? I've sized it down a tad. Thanks so much for your feedback, BTW, I do really appreciate it. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 02:41, 13 May 2021 (UTC) ::::That thing's only notable as its the world's only freeway to have traffic lights and houses. While the US' have Interstate routes that aren't freeways, they're not call it, unlike this. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 07:47, 13 May 2021 (UTC) :::::I mean, this sounds like the same thing. If it has lights and houses, it has at-grade intersections, which means it's not limited-access, which means it's not a freeway, is it? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 23:52, 13 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::No, this ones still called the M1 Princes Freeway, despite what google maps says. (princes highway goes a different way) [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 06:33, 14 May 2021 (UTC) :::::::Oh, so the distinguishing factor is just that it's name includes the ''word'' "Freeway"? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 00:57, 15 May 2021 (UTC) ::::::::No, parts of it is a freeway and when your going 110km/h, a sign out of nowhere randomly tells you to slow down to 60 and boom, still a freeway but with houses, and traffic lights. That was my experience. If Google Maps tells you it's Princes Highway, that follows a different corridor (C101) and this is Princes Freeway. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:41, 16 May 2021 (UTC) {{ping|LtPowers|Ikan Kekek|ThunderingTyphoons!|Andree.sk|AlasdairW|Vaticidalprophet|Nelson Ricardo 2500|Mx. Granger|LPfi}} So there's about 13 days til we decide whether this is successful or not. So, is there anything else needed to fix up to make it star level? And if there's anything needed, I'm more than happy to do it, as [[User:LivelyRatification]] has been away for some time now. Thanks, [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:42, 10 June 2021 (UTC) :I've been here in the background, just lost motivation for editing lately. Would be fine to help if there are any changes needed. --[[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:#693C67; color:white; padding:3px;">Lively</span>]][[User:LivelyRatification|<span style="background:white; color:black; padding:3px;">Ratification</span>]] ([[User talk:LivelyRatification|talk]]) 03:45, 10 June 2021 (UTC) ::I see, anyway, welcome back! [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:59, 10 June 2021 (UTC) ::And I've noticed you're still active on wikinews. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 04:03, 10 June 2021 (UTC) * '''Support'''. In my opinion this article is good enough to be at star status. If any of TT's comments still apply, obviously fixing those minor issues would make it even better, but to me it looks good enough to promote to star status, even now. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 19:00, 12 June 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''' per Selfie City. [[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet]] ([[User talk:Vaticidalprophet|talk]]) 04:58, 13 June 2021 (UTC) :There's about five supports (excluding LivelyRatification herself) and one close here, would that be enough to give star status early? And to [[User:LivelyRatification]], congrats on your hard work and effort to this article. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 09:25, 13 June 2021 (UTC) ::I wouldn't oppose doing that, as I'm not aware that the nominator doesn't count in these discussions, like VFD and DOTM. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 14:58, 15 June 2021 (UTC) :::The number of support votes only counts if there aren't any legitimate outstanding objections made by people who haven't yet supported. I'm too lazy to check whether all issues have been addressed, but if someone could do that and verify there aren't, then the article could be promoted early.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:04, 15 June 2021 (UTC) ::::I think all the issues have been fixed [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 21:17, 15 June 2021 (UTC) ::::so {{u|ThunderingTyphoons!}} should I promote it now, or should I wait for everyone else's response? [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 07:52, 16 June 2021 (UTC) :::::I reckon you could promote it now.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 08:27, 16 June 2021 (UTC) ::::::Yep, I'll do it now. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 08:39, 16 June 2021 (UTC) ::::::Outcome: success [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 09:00, 16 June 2021 (UTC) ===[[Sydney Harbour National Park]]=== It's been about a month since I created this article, but I've wanted and have researched all about this park for three months now. I've been to all the mainland sections of the park, and will plan to make some trips to the some of these islands soon (Fort Denison and Goat Island). While I believe there'll probably be a couple of people who'd be using this article for the long weekend (NSW), it may not be enough at this stage, there's a variety of good quality images in the article to enhance the reader's understanding, there's a dynamic map, and most sections are basically comprehensive. The listings are well detailed where need be, and the ones that aren't are pretty self-explanatory: for example, the The Hornby Keepers Cottage is just where the old former lighthouse keepers used to stay, and there's not much more to say about it. I've also gone above and beyond and added some restaurants in Manly, 1km from the park, just so those who want to eat don't have to take the bus to Q-station, which can take up to an hour (my experiences). I've also arranged them in alphabetical order and if I use 82's table, here's a checklist: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Requirements !! Done? !! Guidelines !! Done? |- |Tourist-style map |{{done}} |Meets all of the criteria in the "Requirements" section |{{done}} |- |Listings match the [[manual of style]] |{{done}} |Perfect spelling and grammar |{{done}} |- |District articles are at least "Guide" status |'''N/A''' |Wikivoyage-style map |dynamic. static would look ugly |- |Prose near-perfect |{{done}} |Listings in alphabetical order or geographical order |{{done}} |- |Photos |{{done}} |No duplicated listings |{{done}} |- | | |Time and dates formatted correctly |{{done}} |- | | |Section introductions |{{done}} |- | | |Abbreviations used in street names |{{done}} |- |} Please share your thoughts, as any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 13:12, 12 June 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''' as nominator. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 09:01, 13 June 2021 (UTC) *<s>'''Close'''</s>. Even details that seem trivial could be of interest in the listings and I think something should be included in every one for it to be a star article (only needs to be a sentence or two). A little more information and it will be ready for star status. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 18:56, 12 June 2021 (UTC) ::Hi SelfieCity, when you say trivial, do you mean as in adding listings that are trivial, or just adding some fun facts throughout the article? [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 01:58, 13 June 2021 (UTC) :::The latter. Some of the listings with no content sound interesting and I’d like to know more. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 02:03, 13 June 2021 (UTC) ::::Thanks. I'll try finish it before 0030 tonight (AEST) [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 02:04, 13 June 2021 (UTC) :::::Also {{ping|SelfieCity}}, if I've ever used 24 hour clock in the article, could you please let me know. It's sort of hard when my personal preference is 24hr, but living in a society where 12 is used (and you may notice my hatred of 12 in my edit summaries). [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:19, 13 June 2021 (UTC) *'''Support''' as more work has been done to improve the article (by both of us, but mostly you) since my above comments. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 10:36, 13 June 2021 (UTC) ::FYI take a look at the way I used markers at [[Loneliest Road in America]]. This enables you to include coordinates for places that aren’t worth more than a brief mention and could work well in articles such as this one. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 10:40, 13 June 2021 (UTC) :::Thanks. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 11:30, 13 June 2021 (UTC) * '''Comment:''' the section "Landforms​" is the only section where the landform names are not in alphabetical order. ''Another comment:'' the map that belongs to the color scheme is missing. Is such a map under development and will it be placed here after completion? The <nowiki>{{mapframe}}</nowiki> map does not show those colors. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 13:12, 17 June 2021 (UTC) ::You're referring to the static map. My understanding is that static maps are not required for star status. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 14:45, 17 June 2021 (UTC) ::: Not any more. And from the checklist: "static would look ugly". But I cannot see the colours on the dynamic map either. Having the colours without showing them on the map is confusing, and having the colours on the map would make it easier to get a grip on where the different places are. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:32, 17 June 2021 (UTC) ::{{re|FredTC}} - the reason why it's not in alphabetical order is because of the significance of North and South Head as well as Vaucluse park. But I'll move it. Also, I'm not too much of a technical person, so I'll just remove the colours (and the fact that putting colours on the map may disorient some readers.) [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 04:09, 20 June 2021 (UTC) :::{{re|SHB2000}} - I understand the reason, but I'm glad you made the changes. That made the article easier to use (at least for me). However, thanks to that it also disclosed a few little inconsistencies, like: Fort Denison/Muddawahnyuh (in Landforms​), Fort Denison/Pinchgut Island​ (in Get in), Pinchgut Island (in See) and Fort Denison​ (in Eat). :::About the map: you are right, putting colors to the map would not improve the map, that has so many markers. I have seen articles that have more than one <nowiki>{{mapframe}}</nowiki> map. A map that has only one marker for each Landform could be usefull. :::BTW: do you think more See-listings will be added? There is a problem when there are over 100 of them. TIP: I see several See listings that are in the gray parts of the map, so, they are not in the park. There is a <nowiki>{{listing | type=vicinity | ...}}</nowiki> that could be used for things that are not really in the park, if the >100 situation would occur. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:40, 21 June 2021 (UTC) ::::At this stage, there's not going to be anymore. Also, I'll replace the Pinchgut Island with Muddawahnyuh since that's the original indigenous name. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 11:43, 21 June 2021 (UTC) ::::I did also notice the problem with over 100 listings on [[Interstate 5]]. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 12:03, 21 June 2021 (UTC) {{ping|SelfieCity|FredTC}} - It has been three weeks now, and since all issues are fixed, should I just upgrade it? [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 02:41, 1 July 2021 (UTC) :I’d support upgrading now. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 02:55, 1 July 2021 (UTC) ::Yep. Will do. Thanks for helping me to get this to star :) [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:06, 1 July 2021 (UTC) '''Outcome:''' Success. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[w:User:SHB2000|en.wikipedia]])</small> 03:15, 1 July 2021 (UTC) ===[[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock]]=== I have been working on this one a long time. Though the site is still being surveyed in the outer reaches, the page has pretty much all the information needed and currently available. A certain amount of stylistic development has occurred over the years on dive site articles, and I am interested in feedback regarding how fit it is for purpose. It will be some years before the surveying is complete, as I get to Whittle 10 to 15 times in a good year, and consider my time well spent if I get 500m of good contour or perimeter on a dive. The popular areas are adequately mapped – I am mostly exploring places no-one has dived, or at least no one has dived and reported on diving there. I have used the checklist for dive site star assessment used on several previous star dive sites on the [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|article talk page]], and there is a little video clip there showing how the surveying has progressed over time. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:46, 28 February 2022 (UTC) :*'''Close''' some comments from me. ::* There's a lot of images about marine life. Should they be put in a gallery? ::::Fair question, but how would a gallery improve matters? Do you mean a gallery section on the page or a gallery sub-page? I have tried to place the images at or near the relevant text, but variability of page size can affect what the reader sees on the day. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:28, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::I see. I was just thinking of using galleries like we use for our cuisine articles (e.g. [[Bush tucker]] or [[Georgian cuisine]]), but I agree hat the page size can have effects. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:45, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::I just counted. Only four of the images are about marine life. Most are about local features which happen to be overgrown with marine life and are placed as close as possible to the relevant text, but may show up further down the page due to rendering variations on different creens. I have doubts that putting those four into a gallery will improve the appearance, but willing to try if you think it worth the effort. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:41, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::Found another, and decided to gallery both marine life and features. Let me know if you think it an improvement. I am OK with it. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:30, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::* In the Get in section, it says you can only access by boat. Do you need a private boat, are there tours, and maybe linking to some of the operators may also be beneficial for the traveller ::::If you read the main article on [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]] you will see that there is are large sections giving detailed explanation of all the stuff that is common to the whole area or major subdivisions of it. Whittle Rock is classified under offshore dive sites of False Bay. There are also sub-articles on each of the launch sites mentioned (already linked), and a section on the [[Diving_the_Cape_Peninsula_and_False_Bay#Do|charter boat services]], (not currently linked). This has been standard for many years, as the alternative is to say basically the same thing on hundreds of dive site articles. In a nutshell, there are charter boats which can take a traveller to any of the dive sites in the region, and they vary from time to time, and most operators only launch from a limited number of launch sites, which limits the dive sites they visit. Visits to a dive site also depend on the weather and are generally not predictable or bookable more than two to four days in advance. This information is centralised in the main article, but it may be useful to link back to those sections from the "Get in" section. This will be a new feature, and may be a significant improvement in utility for the traveller if it works and is allowed. So I will give it a try. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:28, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Oh, makes sense and agree that information is best centralised than duplicated. I was probably biased here since I just went straight to reading the article as opposed to a normal reader who hypothetically would be navigating thru the breadcrumbs. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:45, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::Nevertheless I think it should be discoverable no matter how you get to the page. I will be working on this and will let you know when I think it has been adequately addressed. This is valuable feedback. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 09:14, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Diving_the_Cape_Peninsula_and_False_Bay%2FWhittle_Rock&type=revision&diff=4398538&oldid=4398520 I have made this edit] to provide links to the appropriate page and sections. Does this seem sufficient? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 09:34, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::Looks good to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:44, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Thanks, I will give it more thought and may make a template to add to all the site articles in the "Get in" section. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:27, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::* The only dynamic map listed is in the &sect; Nearby section. Should the static map be made toggleable? (ping me if you need some assistance with it) ::::Do you think that an additional dynamic map will materially improve the article? Are you suggesting that the static map which provides a large amount of very useful information for dive planning be toggleable with a dynamic map which would show basically what is shown on the map in the "Nearby" section? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:28, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::I have added a dynamic map to the new "Do" section, which just shows the "do" and "see" markers' relative positions. It seems to be an improvement. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 02:55, 9 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], I would like to learn how to make toggleable maps as you suggest above, so pinging you as suggested.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:09, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::There's a quick guide on [[Template:RegionStats]], but I actually learned how to make them by simply looking at the format used on [[Portugal#Regions]]. I'll add it in a sec. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::{{re|Pbsouthwood}} {{done|[[Special:Diff/4413423|Done]]}}. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:39, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks, that is a really cool feature. Knowing the name of the template is half the problem solved. I will look at it and maybe tinker a bit to see what can be done. I might want to put the mobilemax map link back in the caption. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 11:18, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::It certainly is. I was first interested to find out that feature too but unfortunately I'm not that good at static mapmaking so region maps I make more look like the ones seen in [[Adelaide#Districts]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:21, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]]The switch feature does not seem to work on mobile for me. Can you get it to work? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:38, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::Not sure how it works on mobile. I don't usually use voy on mobile. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:18, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::There is an old bug in the wikimedia software mentioned [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Template_talk:Regionlist&oldid=4283240#%22Hack%22_for_toggling_static_and_dynamic_maps_on_destination_articles here] that affects the function on mobile. The question now, as I see it, is whether to optimise for mobile or desktop, or make a kludge so that both mobile and desktop users can get what they need, at the cost of possible redundancy of images. Does anyone know if there is a way to markup content so that it only gets shown on desktop XOR mobile? Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 11:31, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::* Videos are not permitted per the [[Wikivoyage:Image policy]]. :::::Pretty much so. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:45, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::Is this reply in the right place? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:11, 8 March 2022 (UTC) [Reply] function put this question in the wrong place, so I manually fixed it ::::The video is on the talk page, which is not subject to the same rules as mainspace. I am not aware of a ban on videos on talk pages. If there is one please link me to it. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:28, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Yeah the section about videos is not very clear except and only has a one-line mention in [[Wikivoyage:Image_policy#Other_media]]. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:45, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::I just noticed the broken video link in the article and removed it. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 09:14, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::* I don't think the Wikipedia link in &sect; Read is permitted per [[Wikivoyage:Links to Wikipedia]] ::::Fair point. I will read the fine print again. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:28, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::[[Wikivoyage:Links to Wikipedia]] stipulates that: "''Links to the relevant Wikipedia and Wikidata pages should be added to these fields in listings whenever possible. Inline links to Wikipedia are otherwise generally not used in mainspace pages on this site, to avoid their being mistaken for internal links to other Wikivoyage articles.''" I suggest that a link in the "Read" section displayed as "False Bay on Wikipedia" is unlikely to cause any confusion whether clicking the link would leave Wikivoyage, and also that ''it is a form of listing'', where external links, including links to Wikipedia, are explicitly permissible and recommended. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:56, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::: I think [[WV:the traveller comes first|the traveller comes first]] regarding that link, but as it goes to the False Bay article, shouldn't it be listed there instead? WP has an article on [[:w:Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock]], why isn't that chosen? It might be useful also to point to [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Read]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:27, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], The link to False Bay has been there since before I started the Whittle Rock article on Wikipedia. It seems that I forgot to link it from here. Both these suggestions for additional links are good, but as there is a lot of relevant and interesting stuff in the False Bay article, I see no harm in keeping it too. It is still a short section.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 09:49, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm just afraid it might be read ''instead of'' our False Bay article, which is the reason why Wikipedia links are discouraged. Linking to the Read section of that article and linking Wikipedia from there seems more useful. I still trust your judgement. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:08, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I didn't know we still have a [[False Bay]] article. Apparently it was kept as ''a valid region article, and is about the cities in the bay area, not the water itself'', so not really relevant for information about the offshore diving environment, whereas the Wikipedia articles fill in the gaps which would be too detailed or otherwise out of scope for a dive-site article. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:23, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: OK and oops. I used False Bay (also) as a shorthand for [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]], so what I said might have been confusing. I figured that the Wikipedia article on the False Bay would be as relevant for those diving other parts of the area. That's just based on the names, though, as I cannot judge what is relevant for a diver. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:44, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::The Wikipedia article on False Bay is relevant for those diving other parts of the area, so will make sure it is also linked from the [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]] article. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:28, 4 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::I found some more places where linking back to the relevant section in [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]] could be useful to a reader who got to the page via an alternative route, or is not particularly familiar with the regional page, so added some "See also" hatlinks. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 06:13, 4 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::This seems to be a good improvement and I have applied it to all the dive site articles in the region as new default style &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:09, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::* Something that is not concerning but thought I might mention it, but some of the text in the static map is too small to read and I have to zoom in. As static maps aren't a requirement for star articles anymore, not an issue to fix. ::::The map can be zoomed to show all useful detail at a legible size. There is a lot of very useful detail on the map which cannot be shown any other way that I can think of. Increasing the text size enough to read at the displayed size will make the map extremely cluttered and possibly unusable. It is of course possible to add zoomed in map excerpts for each area discussed, but I think that would be overdoing it since the detail is all available by zooming the current map, and having to update dozens of excerpts every time the map is updated would be a bit impracticable. If there is a way to make the map zoomable inside a constant size frame like the dynamic maps I would like to know how to do that as it would be a great option. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:28, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Yeah, after some thought, if the text were to be expanded, it would obstruct some useful info, so I guess zooming in is the only solution for now. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:45, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: Perhaps the possibility of zooming should be mentioned, perhaps with a link to instructions. I don't see any way to zoom, but to go via the Commons page and use the browser's zoom function. The options at Commons are limited: 2,560 × 1,811 px is still a bit small, 14,040 × 9,930 px is a bit much. Firefox's zoom function also is not that good: from 30% to 500% (of the full resolution or the resolution that fits the window), while I'd like a broader range for this image. I think I'd use some hack or external software if I were to use the article. Is it just me missing something obvious? The Commons image viewer? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:41, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] I entirely agree with you. It is a bit of a problem not having an intermediate resolution. The full resolution prints out as a very nice paper map on AO, which was the intention for the large file size. Desktop and high end smartphones will read the full resolution, and you can zoom in as far as anyone would reasonably want to go, but many cell phones will not. I don't know what to do about it.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:23, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I have put links into the map caption for the two highest resolution versions, but I don't really like it as a work around. I will make some enquiries at commons and see if other resolutions could be made available. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 18:31, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I think it is enough just to specify that resolution for the image and preview the result. The servers would create the requested file and save it for future use, available through the file description page. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:47, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], That should work, but there seems to be a limit below the needed resolution. There is a bug report about it open on Phabricator, and I am waiting for a result, I may have to work around it. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 06:13, 4 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: See https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T302979 &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:33, 4 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::There seems to be a Debian default limit of 3200px for width and height (amongst others) for the ImageMagick converter. It looks like I will have to upload a manually resized image under another filename and link to that. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 06:53, 5 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::I have uploaded a lower resolution image for mobile and linked in the caption. It uploads on my phone and zooms in to adequate resolution for text. YMMD. let me know if it also works for you. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:25, 5 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::: Thanks, that should work, will check later. I am a bit confused though: "32KP" would seem to mean 32,000 px rather than 3,200 px. Perhaps it is the memory limit that is the limiting factor, and that varies according to algorithms used etc., so hard to translate to a specific size. Anyway, it seems the limit is too small, and the new upload should be a sufficient workaround. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 7 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::You are right, I misread that. Confirmation bias I guess, as 3.2KP would have fitted in perfectly with my experimental data. Also my eyes not great for small print. So it goes... Maybe I will dig a little deeper. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:05, 8 March 2022 (UTC) :That's some from me. That being said, it's a very detailed dive article, and it's a nice read. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:35, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks for the comments [[user:SHB2000|SHB2000]]. If I may ask, do you dive? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 08:56, 1 March 2022 (UTC) :::Unfortunately I don't dive regularly, but I have done some diving before at the [[Great Barrier Reef]], but it was quite some time ago. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:00, 1 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks, that calibrates you nicely in terms of where you fit in my target audience. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 09:49, 1 March 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' I see information and details about the region for every angle of the destination, up to this contributor's usual high standard of dive articles. Since there's a static map and it's a dive guide, the lack of coordinates for POIs doesn't concern me. I think this is another one of our star quality dive guide articles and therefore support its nomination. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 22:01, 6 March 2022 (UTC) *: Thanks for the support [[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]], but which POIs sre you referring to? As far as I know, all from this site, (the drop points for the dive spots and the anchors with known positions) have "Do" marker coordinates listed, complete with text [Hdd°mm.mmm'] format positions, which is the local standard for GPS work, and can be seen on the zoomable "Nearby" section map with grey markers. It is the nature of offshore coordinates to be on a featureless background of sea, so I have not displayed them in the "Understand" section of the article, though it would be trivially easy to add another map if there is consensus that it is sufficiently helpful in some way. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:11, 7 March 2022 (UTC) *:[[User:SelfieCity|SelfieCity]], Now you have got me thinking. Do you mean having "Do" markers for all of the PoIs listed in the "Topography" section? If I did that instead of listing them under "Positions" and just describe the general position of the reef in the bay in "Position", I could then put "See" markers in the "Features" section for the anchors, with a short description and photo where available. I rather like the idea. It would be a new format for dive sites but should not take too long to arrange, most of the groundwork is already done.&bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:26, 7 March 2022 (UTC) *::I have started to rearrange based on the idea above, and I think it will be good. It may take a day or two for the basic reshuffle, and there may be a bit of unforeseeable consequences, so a few more days may be required before it is stable again. I will post to let you know, but feel welcome to comment on the work in progress. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:34, 7 March 2022 (UTC) *:::Rearrangement has been completed, though more tweaks may happen if/when I identify the need. I think the layout is stable again. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 02:55, 9 March 2022 (UTC) *::::By POIs, I mean the particular dive sites. I don’t know if there’s a more technical name for them I’m forgetting. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 17:20, 9 March 2022 (UTC) *:::::{{U|SelfieCity}}, Dive site drop points would be points of interest, as would major features one might want to go look at, like the assorted anchors at this site. Points of interest is an adequate generic term, I would think. Anyway they are all now united with their geolocation markers and show up on the dynamic map against a featureless background of sea. One day maybe I will find out how to overlay my bathymetric charts on the OSM and get them to work as a background layer. It must be possible, but I don't know how to do it. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 11:41, 10 March 2022 (UTC) * I think I have addressed all outstanding issues, to my satisfaction, at least. Please let me know if they are not to your satisfaction too. * Feedback from more people would be nice, and could lead to further improvement, which would also be nice. Cheers &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:09, 21 March 2022 (UTC) * I think I have found a suitable workaround for the map toggling problem on mobile. **The toggleable map now only displays on desktop, and clicking on the map takes you to the high resolution map the usual way. **An alternative map with a caption link to the not-quite-so high-resolution map that downloads reliably on mobile, now displays only on mobile, so it works as well as currently possible for both platforms. **The hack is extremely simple, so probably robust, but If anyone can get it to break, let me know. {{U|Andyrom75}}, please take a look at [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock#Understand]] and let me know if you see any potential problems. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:12, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]], that's what I have in mind when we discussed in lounge. However, the implementation shall be manged '''inside the template''', not in the body of the article, because an editor "has the right" to not be familiar with HTML tag and CSS classes. :::Last thing, in my opinion is useless to state "Click here for higher resolution...", because every image can be clicked to make it bigger. Furthermore the URL you have added, doesn't help at all the template implementation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 11:37, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks [[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], Now that I know ''how'' to do it, coding a template is practicable, and will make it easier for all to use. I am one of those editors who is not very familiar with HTML and CSS, and getting this done was at least a full day's work altogether, since at first I had no idea of if or how or it could be done or even what to start looking for. Saving myself and the next person all that hassle is totally a good thing in my book. I was thinking of two templates: [[Template:Mobile only]] and [[Template:Desktop only]], since those names should be easy to remember or even guess.<br />Do you have any suggestions about the url? I don't understand the problem. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 11:59, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Maybe I should explain why I did that, and maybe you can suggest a better way. In mobile view, if you click on the image, a low res version is loaded and does not zoom in enough to read the map text - you have to click your way through to Commons and then select the 7kpx wide file. Some people dont know you can do that. The url in the caption links directly to the high resolution original image file which does zoom in enough to read the text, but takes more bandwith. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 12:27, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]], my idea is to change [[Template:Regionlist]] implementing inside that template the logic to adapt the output to the used device (in reality, to the used skin). --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 13:14, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], I had the less ambitious and more versatile intention to make the more generic templates which could be used in a wide range of applications, including wrapping [[Template:Regionlist]] for only desktop display. It appears from my experiment that this should be possible. I am already experimenting further, [[Template:Mobile only]] appears to work as intended, and manages fine with the debated url, and I am about to start on [[Template:Desktop only]]. I will report back here what I find out. Having the function/s inherent in Template:Regionlist may have advantages as it will not require the user to know about these problems and is therefore more user-friendly. In many cases there will be no issue with the resolution problem I have, but sometimes this problem does occur, so best if it can be accommodated. Allowing a null alternative for mobile display in Template:regionlist should work. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:02, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], [[Template:Desktop only]] now also exists and also does exactly what I expected it to as far as I can tell. They have both been used in [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock#Understand]] to replace the HTML/CSS markup. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:49, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]], personally I don't like this approach because goes against output standardization that in my opinion is a must. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:52, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], In principle I am also generally in favour of standardisation, but I don't understand your point. What output standardisation does it go against? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:22, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]], in your way, everyone can change the output, so it's not flexibility, but anarchy :-) The right way to do it, is to change the template. In this way we'll avoid to introduce two more templates and a more elaborated syntax. Furthermore the change will be transparent to any editor. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:12, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], As long as we can do what needs to be done to provide what the traveller needs, I am not too fussy. Likewise as long as standardisation does not prevent us from providing what the traveller needs, not too fussy. I favour utilitarian standardization over Procrustean standardization. However I do not have the skills to make the standardised template work, so I will use what is available until Template:Regionlist is available to do what we need it to do. Ideally that would be for it to work as intended on mobile, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 16:23, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]], I'm not sure I've understood your point. [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:36, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], I don't object to standardising output provided that it is adequately functional and available. I prefer less optimal tools if they exist to theoretically better tools that do not exist or are crippled by something we cant fix. I would prefer to continue using the templates Mobile only and Desktop only until a better template is available. When that is the case I no longer care whether those templates are discarded as redundant, because I was able to get the job done. As an engineer, I tend to be pragmatic. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 18:18, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]], I still disagree on the approach but I admire how you are proud of being an engineer, I'm not able to do the same :-D Jokes a part, I've modified the template as explained above. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 20:05, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], I assume by "the template" you modified, you refer to [[Template:Regionlist]]. I will take a look and see if it will do what I need. I am not sure exactly what it is that you mean by "still disagree on the approach", but that may become clear if it has any practical effect on anything. It is not so much that I am proud of being an engineer, but that I recognise that reality does not always match up with preferred policies and that perfection at an unpredictable future time is the enemy of good enough for now. Getting the job done often requires compromises. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 02:09, 26 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], I have checked the function of the template on desktop and mobile for [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock]]. On desktop it is fine, when one clicks on the map it opens on highest resolution and the text is clearly legible. On mobile when one clicks on the map it opens at the largest thumbnail, which does not zoom up enough to clearly read the map text. This is not standardising the output, the mobile user gets a degraded experience. From personal discussion with users, it appears that most users that I have spoken to access the map on mobile, often when out at sea on a boat, and need to read the map text. How does the user know that there is a higher resolution version available but they must click through to Commons to find it? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 02:46, 26 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::I think the fixed image width now used for the mobile view is causing the hatnote to render in a narrow column on the left side, which did not happen on my phone with the thumbnail at default size. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 04:08, 26 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]], sorry for the ambiguity, I meant that I disagree on using the two templates you created, in my opinion both shall be avoided for all the reasons explained above. :::::::::::::::Regarding the hatnote, this is the normal behavior of the text that in Wikimedia projects surround the images but the DIV tag you used forced a different behavior. Also in this case there are two different standard approaches to be used. The first is the one commonly used in en:voy that consist in applying the [[template:see also]] at the beginning of the section (in you case is enough before the image). The second, commonly used in it:voy is to use the [[template:clear]] after the image. [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 06:50, 26 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], Ok thanks, I now understand the hatnote behaviour, I will go with the en: standard. it will push the image down a little in the desktop view, but not enough to be a problem. Clear below the image would have big influence on the appearance of desktop view. That narrow column of text beside the image is poorly legible and looks bad, so must be avoided, but a huge whitespace on wide screens would be as bad, maybe worse. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:10, 26 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]], yw. If now the template is inline with your needs I suggest to broaden the discussion and check if on the other articles there's no negative impact (i.e. remain the same or improved). When all is fine and confirmed, the content of this sandbox template can be poured into the official one. Cheers, --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:08, 26 March 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], Thanks for your efforts so far. The template appears to be significantly improved for cases where it is not necessary to link to the high resolution original file from mobile, and I think that is a MediaWiki problem, so I cannot reasonably demand that you fix it, if indeed it is fixable from our side. I will still have to find some way to work around this, as I am aware of several users who have not been able to work out that a high res file even exists, and think that the one they get is all that is available. This limits the utility of the mobile site to most of the users who use it for these dive sites with large and detailed maps. Let us throw this open for general testing and other comments, and see if anyone else remarks on the same problem. This may be an edge case important only for dive sites, in which case a solution only for dive site articles would be appropriate, but that would have to only display on mobile. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:49, 26 March 2022 (UTC) :::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]], as you guessed, since this is the standard way the images are managed by Wikimedia, the template shall be kept the way it is, but for specific cases similar to this one, you can add (outside from the template) a text with the sentence you added initially that includes the link to the hi-res image. It's like when you add to a listing the official website, but inside the description you can add a link to a specific page of the website. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 06:23, 27 March 2022 (UTC) ::::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom 75]], In a Star class article we expect the user to be able to find a linked item that they need by using the same procedure that would be used on any other correctly formatted page. In this case, the normal procedure on desktop is to click on the image to get the larger image. Clicking directly on that larger image loads the high resolution version, which can then be zoomed in, and the cursor indicates that this will happen by having a little "+" symbol. This is intuitive and requires no special knowledge of using Commons. Mobile currently works very differently. A user wanting the highest resolution is likely to tap (touchscreen click equivalent) on the default image displayed by the template. This has a predictable result of opening a larger image. It is not obvious that tapping again on the larger image will not work the same way as on desktop, and that an even larger image that is actually legible might or might not exist on a different site, and to find out you need to tap on a button at the lower left labelled "Details", after which you have to inspect the fine print under the displayed image to see what alternative sizes are available, recognise that the text at the end of the list below the thumbnaii displayed indicates the largest available image, and that it is a link that will open the image if tapped. Ideally the high resolution image would be opened by tapping/clicking directly on the image rather than going through all this relatively complicated and not at all intuitive procedure. An ordinary user is unlikely to guess that there is a high res image to be found, so is likely to stop looking almost immediately. Therefore we must firstly inform the user that the image they need exists, secondly we must put this information where they are likely to look (ideally where they are already looking), and thirdly, we should provide a direct link to the correct image file, and if it is not at the place the user is currently looking, we need to tell them where the link is. Since the mobile platform appears to fail to provide a user-friendly experience as a default, and there is no indication that it will in the foreseeable future, we must make our own hacks. The one I wrote, while far from ideal, did the job better than any other currently available. Your upgrade of the Template:Regionlist is a great improvement for most applications, but does not work for dive site maps of moderately large areas. Adding information about how to find the right map in the text is a poor workaround, as readers will not find it when they have no reason to know they need to look for it. Adding a big button under the image saying "Click here for high resolution map" would be more effective, and having the link in the map caption seems to me likely to be the most effective solution, even if it requires a different template. You may have some alternative which would work just as well, and I would be happy to use it, but I don't know what it is. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 06:04, 28 March 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]], if not already nowadays, sooner or later all the user will be familiar with the standard Wikimedia Commons behavior on mobile view (that in your case means two consecutive clicks). I understand your concern for those that are not yet confident, but my only suggestion is the one previously stated. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 06:38, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::{{U|Andyrom75}}, I don't think we should be basing policy on the assumption that readers must learn to deal with our obscure arbitrary technical details, or must guess that something is there to look for. That is a way to lose readers. In my experience they don't bother to look for things they do not know exist. When I discuss it with them they already complain that the site is too much hassle.<br />As this is the discussion for a Star nomination, I will request comment from the reviewers.<br /> {{U|SelfieCity}}, {{U|LPfi}}, {{U|SHB2000}}. As I see it, my current options are to<br />(a) fail to provide reasonably user-friendly access to a legible map to mobile users (I would rather lose the star)<br />(b) use non-standardised templates or markup to work around the problem, allowing a link in an intuitively discoverable place (the map caption) to a significantly more useful high resolution map that readers have no obvious reason to know exists, and are unlikely to spend time looking for it for that reason, or <br />(c) revert to separate static and dynamic maps, which feels like going backwards, but may be the only compromise that everyone accepts. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 07:46, 28 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::tbh I really don't have an opinion on this, but if anything, I favour b. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:10, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]], as explained above you should list also (d) that actually is (b) but outside the caption. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:24, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Fair enough, but it should be directly below the frame in that case so that it is obviously referring to that map. Outside the frame is less likely to be correctly understood or even noticed, so should be more conspicuous. Inside the frame in the caption is pretty clear that it refers to that specific frame. Outside the frame would require something like one of the rectangular button templates on English Wikipedia. There is also the matter of coding the template. I am limited in my skills to mainly wikimarkup and a little bit of HTML and CSS. No Lua. Inside the caption and frame puts it in the best position to be seen and understood. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 16:05, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: If this is a common problem in dive guides, then I don't see why we couldn't make a specific template for them, which includes a parameter for the alternative image to be linked. That way we could keep the difference inside the template, but also provide the link where it is most easily found – as I assume from the above; I don't have much experience of the mobile site, and experimenting I would probably behave in atypical ways. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:58, 28 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::This is how I would want (b) to work and look. I expect it to be a fairly common problem in dive guides. Possibly becoming more common in the future, but cannot say for sure. Sometimes things change unexpectedly. It would mainly be a problem where there are several sites in a region small enough to have a common map, but big enough that there is quite a lot of detail to go on the map. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 16:21, 28 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Due to a glad unexpected event I'm starting to have soon not su much time, so I hope to finish this task quickly to completely support you. Here my suggestion. Let's widely discuss to approve the current sandbox template. Once [[Template:Regionlist]] have been updated, I can draft a dedicated template for scuba articles. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 06:59, 29 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::{{U|Andyrom75}}, That is a kind offer, Do you want to open a RfC on Template:Regionlist?<br />The Dive site map toggle template does not need all the region listing display with colour coding and keys, but it would be useful to be able to display Marine Protected Area borders, and allow user options of listing, see and do markers, which can be seen in the dynamic maps in "Nearby" sections of dive site articles. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 15:26, 29 March 2022 (UTC) :[[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]], I don't know the procedure here in en:voy. In it:voy we just talk on lounge/bar. My idea is to create a "scuba template" that use the "regionlist template" (as you said) without activating the legenda, but to do that, I need to consolidate the sandboxed template. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 19:42, 29 March 2022 (UTC) ::{{U|Andyrom75}}, The pub should be fine to open the discussion. Please ping me when you do. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 19:57, 29 March 2022 (UTC) :::It's where I open a bunch of template for approval threads and no-one has ever been concerned about that so it should not be a problem. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 21:25, 29 March 2022 (UTC) [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] and [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], Do any of you see any outstanding issues? I would prefer wider comment, but if none is forthcoming we should probably wrap this up. Thank you for your contributions, they have been helpful, and have led to what I consider significant improvement. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 04:18, 9 April 2022 (UTC) :In the absence of further comment, promoting to Star, Thanks to all of those who contributed to this discussion. &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:10, 19 April 2022 (UTC) ===[[Canberra/Hall]]=== Time for another [[Childs]]-like star nomination. It's essentially complete, has a static map and has everything needed for a star article. It doesn't have an understand section, but city-districts don't usually have understand sections but I'm willing to add one if deemed necessary. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:34, 31 July 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' - my kind of article; short and sweet, and focusing on a small town. I don't think it needs an 'Understand', unless there's some interesting history that couldn't fit elsewhere. :Small niggles can be dealt with in the coming days: I'm not in love with the end of the lede, which repeats the word "hidden" quite a lot, but I can't at the moment think of better wording. The 1882 eat listing will need to be updated after Wednesday 3rd August, because they're renovating, getting a new menu, and changing opening hours.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:20, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::Darn what a coincidence! I really should've checked what was going on with 1882 Hall when I was there last month. It really does bother me given I was at Kynefin Cafe for my afternoon snack after descending down from One Tree Hill which was just a few steps away from the town's only restaurant :-(. I'll try and do a quick checkup (and may stop there for dinner) when I do my annual summit walk up [[Mount Kosciuszko]] this November. But anyway, thanks for the copyedits. Really appreciated. :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:17, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::Another small thing: is Hall a village or a town? I don't consider those interchangeable, though maybe they are in the context of Australia.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:51, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :::In Australia (at least, this is true in all the states) the definitions are quite simple. Any settlement with over 200 inhabitants is (officially) considered a town, and anything over 10,000 is a city. Settlements with fewer than 200 inhabitants is up to interpretation; most Australians would call it a township, some might still call it a town, others would call it a settlement. "Village" is not usually used in Australian English, but [[Canberra/Tuggeranong_and_Country_ACT#Towns|Uriarra Village]] also in the ACT has earned the title of "community village" (no other settlement in Aus has this title), and the ACT government does (overly) promote Hall as a village. [https://goo.gl/maps/MGnCwpChinauadAKA This] sign in Hall claims that Hall is a heritage village, but the encyclopedia claims it's a township. Per official definitions, Hall, with a population of 271, would technically be considered a town, so I'm really undecided now, though I slightly favour following the encyclopedia and using "township". <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:16, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::They probably can be used interchangeably here, then.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:51, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :::::August 3 now, and it seems [https://1882hall.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1882-Hall-August22-web.pdf their new menu] is out. However, there doesn't seem to be any major changes that would require a significant change to the description. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:42, 3 August 2022 (UTC) *Let's wait a bit; I think the copy can be tweaked somewhat. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:32, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ---- '''Outcome:''' 3 weeks now, given that all issues have been fixed, per the notice on the top of this page, I'm going to upgrade this so this doesn't get lost in the pile for another few years to come. So essentially '''promoted'''. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:34, 23 August 2022 (UTC) ==Downgraded to Guide== List here articles that were voted successfully to be downgraded to Guide status ===[[Dalian]]=== There's a lot here (multiple maps!), and what's here is very good, but there are certain things ''missing'' that [[Project:City guide status|the criteria]] say should be present in any "star" article (or "guide", for that matter). Only one of the four central districts articles is "guide" quality, and the criteria says they all need to be. (The six outer districts - none of which have articles - should either have articles created or they should be classified as "Suburban Dalian" or some such and excluded altogether from this article.) The key problem is the shortage of specific Eat and Sleep listings in the district articles; there should be ''multiple'' listings for these sections in each district (preferably with some attention to different price categories). Even taken as a whole, there aren't as many Eat and Sleep options as there should be a in a city this size. By a strict application of the criteria, this article - despite its many merits - doesn't even qualify as "guide". That's a bit weird, and I wouldn't quibble if people wanted to call it a "guide" while they dig for more listings, but for "star", we really ought to be that picky. '''Not Star.''' - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 18:24, 15 February 2007 (EST) ::Yeah, Todd's got a point. Does not qualify as a huge city star. I think the districts need to be fixed, the listings need to be shifted to the district pages. There should be a ''good general info'' on the main page, citing references to different districts. A perfect example is [[Singapore]] - it's a huge-city article written to perfection. [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 11:06, 18 February 2007 (EST) * '''Not star''' - agree with Todd [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) - Cacahuate]] 21:09, 19 February 2007 (EST) :::'''Star''', yeah the district information isn't too great, but this article is brilliantly informative, I too don't think we need to be this sparing with the star designation --[[User:(WT-en) MiddleEastern|(WT-en) MiddleEastern]] 13:24, 9 March 2007 (EST) ::::Then start a discussion to change the criteria, rather than ignoring them. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 18:04, 9 March 2007 (EST) ===[[Chicago]] districts === Has been some time since this was made star status; what is required of an article has changed in particular coordinates of listings. Also on updating [[Chicago/Uptown]] a number of business were identified as closed. Time for review of the articles. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 09:27, 3 December 2018 (UTC) Following articles need coordinates for eat and sleep listings: [[Chicago/Hyde Park]], [[Chicago/Lakeview-North Center]], [[Chicago/Lincoln Park-Old Town]], [[Chicago/Near South]], [[Chicago/North Lincoln]], [[Chicago/Southwest Side]], [[Chicago/Bridgeport-Chinatown]]. ===[[Finland]]=== * '''Not star''' - This top level article is great, but the coverage of the country ''below'' this article is pretty poor... The [[Project:Country guide status|country guide status]] article stipulates that for a country article to become a star it must have a "tourist style map showing ''all'' the linked destinations, which must be guide status or better". Almost all of the cities linked from the country page are at outline status, 2 of the regions are usable, the rest are outlines. I hate to destar things, but this is something we should have noticed during the nomination process a couple months ago [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) - Cacahuate]] 21:09, 19 February 2007 (EST) :Cacahuate, you must have made a mistake about the cities. [[Helsinki]] and [[Tampere]] have excellent articles and even the rest are decent. However, the regions are a major problem. According to the country guide status, the regions should be usable and the cities guide. Well, the latter is okay. However, someone needs to fix the regions. I suppose [[User:(WT-en) Jpatokal|(WT-en) Jpatokal]] could do it. I'd say let this remain here till someone sorts out the regions (Lapland and Aland are decent, the others are in a mess). After that, we can remove it off this list. [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 08:24, 20 February 2007 (EST) ::Nope, no mistake... the 2 you mention are indeed guide quality, the rest are at outline status... until the regions and the rest of the cities/destinations that are linked to from the country page are improved to guide status, this isn't a star. [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) - Cacahuate]] 12:10, 20 February 2007 (EST) ===[[Paris/4th arrondissement]]=== If [[Flores]] couldn't make the grade, how did this one become a star?? Was it ever nominated at all?? Conclusion - Not a star, no way...[[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 05:20, 2 March 2007 (EST) *Comment - This article was declared a star before the nomination process was developed. It would help if you outlined the reasons you think it fails to meet the criteria. - [[User:(WT-en) TVerBeek|(WT-en) Todd VerBeek]] 09:55, 2 March 2007 (EST) *Sure, Todd. Here are a few **Get In is simply a list of subway stations **Get Around is sparse **Listings need to be templatized **The last two sleep listings have no prices mentioned **The eat/drink sections need opening hours and meal prices. **The closest Metro station should be mentioned for ''all'' listings, in a city like Paris you can never be more than 400m away from a station. **Punctuation is a bit lousy at places. **Buy - There's no mention of what to buy There's more to it than just this, but if someone addresses the queries above I'll agree that it can easily become a star. [[User:(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage|(WT-en) Upamanyuwikivoyage]] 05:32, 3 March 2007 (EST) * Yeah, this definitely isn't a star. I vote for un-'''starring'''. -- <font color="#082567">'''[[User:(WT-en) Sapphire|(WT-en) Sapphire]]'''</font> • <small>([[User talk:(WV-en) Sapphire|Talk]])</small> • 21:20, 21 March 2007 (EDT) * I agree this isn't a star, but rather than just unstarring it, why don't we CotW it/look at the French equivalent to see if we can get it up to necessary level?? -- [[User:(WT-en) Tsandell|(WT-en) Tim]] 11:57, 30 March 2007 (EDT) * '''Not star''' - I understand your point Tim, but if this article had gone through the current Star nomination process it wouldn't have succeeded anyhow, and the things that need fixing aren't likely to be fixed quickly enough. I think we should destar it now, it's been through the process and it's been more than 14 days... I'll schedule it as a CotW and put it to the head of the line... if it looks like the problems have been addressed at that point then we can nominate it for Star status and it can go through the proper precedure... sound ok with everyone? &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 00:02, 31 March 2007 (EDT) Outcome: downgraded to Guide, currently CotW and then maybe can be re-nominated for Star status &ndash; [[User:(WT-en) Cacahuate|(WT-en) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-en) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 00:21, 2 April 2007 (EDT) ===[[Bath (England)]]=== A few days ago someone upgraded this to a "star", but I don't recall any formal discussion process happening here about it, it looks like someone just changed it. It looks like a decent article, it just didn't go through the whole process. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 00:44, 3 August 2007 (EDT) : I've changed it to guide. Since it never went through the nomination-process there is no need to go through any formal "star removal" process. -- [[User:(WT-en) Wrh2|(WT-en) Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:(WT-en) Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 00:58, 3 August 2007 (EDT) ::Agreed. It would not pass anyway because of 1) incomplete listings, 2) lack of a tourist map, and 3) a few minor MoS issues. It is an excellent article, however, and I think it would pass if someone takes the initiative to resolve these 3 outstanding issues. --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 01:00, 3 August 2007 (EDT) :::Cool. I just wanted to post it here in case there ''was'' a formal nomination process that I wasn't aware of. [[User:(WT-en) PerryPlanet|(WT-en) PerryPlanet]] 03:18, 3 August 2007 (EDT) ===[[Penticton]]=== I know it says "only nominate articles which cannot be easily elevated/restored to "star" quality, but this appears to be the only place to call attention to the fact that we have a star article with an improper formatting disclaimer, and indeed, none of the article is formatted properly. After formatting the article, perhaps there will be more missing information, but it's embarassing to have such a notice on a "star" article. [[User:(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus|(WT-en) ChubbyWimbus]] 04:29, 12 April 2010 (EDT) *'''Demote'''. It's still a really great guide, but it's no longer even close to our ever more rigorous star standards. Price info is missing for most of the listings, along w/ some contact info, and the map does not have all listings marked. It would of course be great if someone were to rescue the article... ;) --[[User:(WT-en) Peterfitzgerald|(WT-en) Peter]] <small>^{[[User talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 10:44, 12 April 2010 (EDT) *'''Demote'''. There's no shame in being merely guide status, though. =) [[User:(WT-en) LtPowers|(WT-en) LtPowers]] 13:51, 22 April 2010 (EDT) ===[[Lausanne]]=== Inadequate maps that are '''''not''''' exemplars of our best. --[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 14:06, 4 August 2013 (UTC) :I don't know whether this alone merits de-starring the article, but objectively speaking, those maps ''are'' pretty terrible. You can barely see anything. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 16:44, 4 August 2013 (UTC) ::http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Lausanne-Ouchy.png is OK at full resolution, but the overview map, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Lausanne-overview.png , is very borderline even at full magnification on my tiny notebook screen. I see that the current criteria for Star status for a city, include "''Has a tourist-style map, in Wikivoyage style with modifiable vector source, showing how to get around the destination, with major attractions, restaurants, etc. that match the listings in the guide''". Or do the mapping criteria need to change for Star status so as to allow the more easily maintainable dynamic style of map? With many cities it is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus Sisyphean task] to keep a static map either clear and crisp or comprehensive and up-to-date with all the various listings. --[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 16:56, 4 August 2013 (UTC) *'''Not Star''' ''per'' my nomination. This article does not currently showcase the best we can do or exist as an exemplar to editors of "how things should be done".--[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 17:03, 4 August 2013 (UTC) *'''Guide article'''. As per discussion at [[Talk:Lausanne#Increasing the maps' visibility]], I unilaterally downgraded the article to a guide, based on the lack of any record of a star discussion ever having taken place and the fact that the maps are virtually unusable, particularly if the page were printed out. Ypsilon also pointed out some [[Mos]] issues in the article. It's a good article - a guide, but not a star. But I really don't understand why a formal procedure is needed to de-star an article that was starred without discussion. It seems like a bit of a waste of time to me, as the problems with the article could be dealt with effectively on the talk page of the article itself. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:34, 4 August 2013 (UTC) ::It's needed to keep G-T happy. Since G-T can be pretty dogged, it's probably the quickest route to keep G-T on board. However and unlike Vfd's, it's not clear to me whether the de-Star nominated article is to be regarded as unworthy of having Star status until and unless there is a consensus otherwise and whether there is a 14 day (or some other concrete time period) for discussion. --[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 20:43, 4 August 2013 (UTC) :::The star discussion is relatively new on this site, we had star articles before this process existed and Lausanne is one of them. Are the maps are the only reason to downgrade this article? We can easily create better quality PNG files from the existing SVGs. [[User:Globe-trotter|Globe-trotter]] ([[User talk:Globe-trotter|talk]]) 00:48, 5 August 2013 (UTC) ::::Define "relatively new," please. The [[Wikivoyage:Star nominations/Archives|Archives]] go back to 2006. I don't have an immediate answer for your other question, as I haven't gone through the article with a fine-toothed comb. Perhaps Ypsilon, who has, will have some detailed remarks about Mos issues. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:17, 5 August 2013 (UTC) ::::If you take the time to carefully read through the nominated article, the nominated article's discussion page and the discussion above, you will notice other issues (eg: [[$]], [[tdf]], [[xl]]). However, these are all relatively minor and relatively quick to fix by most of us - which would be preferable to demoting this article's status. However, few of us are able to draw good maps, in Wikivoyage style with modifiable vector source, showing how to get around the destination, with major attractions, restaurants, etc. that match the listings in this guide, so if you are able to do that G-T this would be an enormous help. Thanks for offering. ::::Incidentally, I'll have to [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Lausanne&curid=19233&diff=2366478&oldid=2366194 revert your recent edit] because of the most recent advice given at [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Template_index&oldid=2366235 Wikivoyage:Template index]: ''(the template) "{{tl|destarnomination}}"..."Indicates that an article has been nominated to lose its star status. This notice should be added to the bottom of the article just below the content, in place of the "star" template."''--[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 01:23, 5 August 2013 (UTC) :::::Globe-trotter, I just reread my post above, and the phrasing might seem snotty, so sorry about that. I don't think 2006 is relatively new, but that wasn't your main point. However, I'd argue that if there was no discussion before an article was made a star, the procedure for destarring it should be to simply mention the reason on the article's talk page and do it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:27, 5 August 2013 (UTC) '''Guide''' - Frankly talking, it isn't important to me whether an article is called a guide or star or something else as long as the traveler can find so much useful and valid information in it that he or she can use it in when visiting the place with as little need for other information sources as possible. And I'm not particularly fond of sitting and meticulously correcting every comma in an article; if a piece of information is understandable I don't think it's a catastrophe if it isn't correctly formatted. But as I now inadvertently had ruined the "star" article's rigorous formatting I decided to take a little closer look if the article indeed is in line with the star article specifications and I found that this is not the case: * External links are not supposed to be in footnote style any longer. * And when you click on them, you're not supposed to get the good old 404. * The currency is written in at least four ways, namely: "number Chf", "number CHF", "CHF number", "CHF number.--" * Some listings could be expanded with web pages for the restaurants, descriptions for some museums, "See" and "Do" could maybe use lead sections. * "Stay healthy" is not listingfied at all. * There might be some some grammar and spelling things that I haven't spotted. * The points of interest should be up to date in the text and on the maps. Are they? Especially as Lausanne isn't exactly a tourist hotspot and probably one of our least frequently used star articles I believe quite a lot might "happen" in the city (places closing, moving, changing phone numbers and prices) without anyone knowing of it. * A few more pictures would certainly not hurt. and finally: * Try to print out the current version of the article on standard A4 paper. Can you use the "overview" and "central" maps as they are or would you rather want to print them on separate sheets? But didn't Globe-trotter resize them back from thumbnail size because the readers should be able to read them? On the other hand if we enlarge them so that they're as wide as half of the page or the whole page they will be legible but the article will look completely terrifying. Maybe "sharper" versions of the maps will help. By the way... are there any other star articles dating back to the time before the formal process was taken into use? If so, maybe they should also be reviewed? I remember that the "star veteran" Singapore risked getting destarred a couple of months back, but fortunately that didn't happen. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 10:06, 5 August 2013 (UTC) :Ypsilon, there are very few pre-2006 star articles, e.g. [[Paris/1st_arrondissement]] which is based on the work of [[User:MarkJaroski|Mark]] who also wrote Lausanne in major parts. I think it would be fair to ask him if he has time and will to maintain the star level for both. Mark did a superb job and i think his contributions made some articles exceptional. I agress Lausanne is at the moment not up to todays star requirements but as star noms take months, the same should apply to de-stars. [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 11:47, 5 August 2013 (UTC) I completely agree that this article is no longer a star. It's terribly out of date, and I should find some time to put into it. -- [[User:MarkJaroski|Mark]] ([[User talk:MarkJaroski|talk]]) 07:30, 6 August 2013 (UTC) : Sounds great, Mark! Merci vielmals! [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 17:17, 6 August 2013 (UTC) @[[User:Jc8136|jan]] - "as star noms take months, the same should apply to de-stars" Heartily agree in general, heartily '''dis'''agree regarding this article. As was pointed out above, Lausanne was never nominated for Star status; instead, in violation of our policy, Template:Starcity was simply added to the article unilaterally. If it had come to light that Lausanne was starred unilaterally before he nominated it for de-starring, not only would we not need to waste months and months mulling over whether do de-star the article, but [[User:W. Frank|W. Frank]] would have been within his rights to simply demote it himself without further consultation. That's not my opinion; that's policy. -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 00:08, 7 August 2013 (UTC) :Thanks for the support, Andre. Two points: (1) Apparently, it was starred in 2005, before there had been any star discussions. I don't know what the policy on starring articles was then. (2) It was I who destarred it unilaterally, and that was indeed after I had discovered that the article had been starred without any discussion. I did and do think I was within my rights to do that, and that anyone should feel free to destar any article that has been starred without discussion, as long as they give a good reason for so doing on the talk page of the article in question. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:33, 7 August 2013 (UTC) ::This article was already a star before the nomination process began in the first place, so it was qualified for the criteria at the time it was promoted. I don't see why people are so keen on demoting without discussion. It states "Whenever possible, articles should be fixed rather than "de-starred.", with a discussion users get a chance to fix issues with it. I have fixed the issues with the maps, applied the listings template on all listings, and have fixed other the things that Ypsilon has noted. [[User:Globe-trotter|Globe-trotter]] ([[User talk:Globe-trotter|talk]]) 10:39, 7 August 2013 (UTC) :::Much respect to you, Globe-trotter. However, I do have several points to make in reply: :::First of all, the maps are still way too small and really not usable as printouts unless they're clicked on at least once for the second map, and at least once and preferably twice for the first map (which is great as a full page), so you haven't yet fixed all the things that have been noted, and I still think the article is not a star. :::That said, the most important thing is quality, so I'm delighted if this article can rightly be a star and thank you very much for taking part in fixing things. However, some of us also care about procedure and precedent, and I don't see where it makes any sense to take it on faith that an article that was promoted to star without any discussion is actually a star (I really have no idea what the standard for a star was in 2005 - was there any set of criteria then?) and cannot rightly be demoted for cause, with notice to the article's talk page and without a destar discussion. So while the results in this case are good, in the sense that improvements are being made, I believe that would have happened without restoring the star status prematurely after I demoted it for cause, based on my comments on the article's talk page (and if there weren't enough hands on deck, someone could have always posted to the Pub), so I don't concede your general points, even though my objection may soon be moot in this particular case. :::To elaborate further at my thinking behind taking it upon myself to downgrade the article to guide, please have a look at [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Pine_City&diff=2277795&oldid=2277784 this precedent]. Do you think LtPowers did the wrong thing, and there should have been a destar nomination and a big discussion on how to save the unilateral star tag on the [[Pine City]] article? If not (and I certainly don't think he did the wrong thing), why was I in the wrong in unilaterally destarring Lausanne for cause? What process is it that you are asking us to respect? :::I think the proper procedure would have been to destar the Lausanne article, improve it, and then nominate it for a star, so that it could go through the starnom process for the first time. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:13, 7 August 2013 (UTC) ::::Pine City never followed the star promotion process as it existed at that moment, so LtPowers was totally right to demote it immediately. Lausanne did follow the star promotion process as it existed in 2005, so it was a valid star. Else it would mean if we'd make changes to the star promotion process now, all star articles we have would have to be demoted immediately. However, I do agree Lausanne needs work to be able to keep its star status. If it's been a star for 8 years, why is it a problem to wait two weeks with demotion to give people a chance to improve it? About the maps: I believe they don't have to be readable in-article (or we'd have to de-star a lot of articles, such as [[Walt Disney World]]). [[User:Globe-trotter|Globe-trotter]] ([[User talk:Globe-trotter|talk]]) 11:36, 7 August 2013 (UTC) ::::@Andre/Ikan: There were no procedures in 2005 to claim star status for article besides a complete MoS. I understand the reason why you want to de-star and renom. I think as Singapore was saved by Torty, gt does a good job in bringing the article back to shape. I think we should allow users at least for a couple of weeks (lets say end of September) to turn it around. I think we shouldn't simply slush the weaker stars because today we are way more advanced but instead pride our history that we got better. I think the whole renom process is taking months and such part of our project history should be allowed at least one resuce mission. Ikans issues are great that can be worked and i encourage everyone to make it points. [[User:Jc8136|jan]] ([[User talk:Jc8136|talk]]) 11:46, 7 August 2013 (UTC) :::::I'll have to look at [[Walt Disney World]] to see whether the map is a problem. If we take seriously the goal of providing guides that are usable as printouts, I think it's a problem worthy of discussion for a star article not to have one or more maps that are usable as printouts without being repeatedly clicked on to enlarge. It's worth thinking about where the best place would be to have that more general discussion; any suggestions? :::::Side point: Globe-trotter, no-one is suggesting that all star articles that were never subjected to a star discussion should be automatically destarred. I don't really get why you think that logically follows from anything anyone has posted. All anyone has talked about is the procedure for destarring for cause an article for which there's no record of a star discussion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:14, 7 August 2013 (UTC) The lack of a resolution to the "format of prices in Swiss Francs" question has held up kicking this article into shape for more than 3 weeks now so I'm going to institute the changes proposed (without continued objection) at [[Wikivoyage_talk:Currency#Growing_like_topsy]] more than six weeks ago. --[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 15:32, 25 August 2013 (UTC) :I think I've now standardised all prices to use the CHF123 style of currency format in this article so, when we've fixed the images/maps and [[tdf]] formats, I can support retention of Star status. --[[User:W. Frank|W.&nbsp;'''Frank''']]^{[[Special:EmailUser/W. Frank|<font color="green">e-mail</font>]]}_{[[User talk:W. Frank|<font color="red">talk</font>]]} 18:49, 30 August 2013 (UTC) :: OK, so what should be done with [[Lausanne]]? Should it be kept in the Star category? I wouldn't oppose removing the destar tag and let the article keep its status. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 12:09, 3 March 2014 (UTC) :::Actually, it should '''lose its star status'''. Basically it has no map, and star articles have a high bar for maps indeed: [[Wikivoyage:City_guide_status|City guide status]] --[[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 12:14, 3 March 2014 (UTC) ::::The article used to have a map, actually two, but they were removed. I don't know for sure if they're up to date as of now. [[User:MarkJaroski]] perhaps does. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 12:21, 3 March 2014 (UTC) :::::I have a similar understanding, however unfortunately the current article has no map. If you were to restore a map, it may still not be sufficient to meet star article status. In any case, no map = no star :) [[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 12:26, 3 March 2014 (UTC) ::::::Actually... Now that I've had a look at the [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Lausanne&diff=prev&oldid=2366094 version with the maps included] and had a look at my comments from last August... honestly I gotta say I'm for downgrading it. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 12:50, 3 March 2014 (UTC) :::::::Agree. I think we should remove the star status right away. The conversation can then move on to how to create a map to regain the star status. [[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 12:56, 3 March 2014 (UTC) ::::::::Demoted to Guide. I think this is better for everyone, since there was no apparent interest to take remediation action and now this may happen. [[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 03:55, 4 March 2014 (UTC) :::::::::I thought about waiting for 2-3 days, but likely nobody would've joined the discussion anyway. Thanks for plunging forward. I've now removed Lausanne from the [[Star articles]] list too. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 04:48, 4 March 2014 (UTC) ::::::::::Sorry, I thought that since it had been under discussion since August the 5th that it was unlikely that someone was about about to fix this. [[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 04:55, 4 March 2014 (UTC) ===[[Sheki]]=== A good while ago [[User:Traveler100]] put a demotion template on this article but apparently forgot to actually nominate it. Today, [[User:Saqib]] simply demoted the article, but I undid this for now since proper procedure was not followed and clearly that talk page is not on people's watchlist. Hence this nomination now. [[User:JuliasTravels|JuliasTravels]] ([[User talk:JuliasTravels|talk]]) 20:04, 4 March 2017 (UTC) *'''Downgrade''' - Though I don't have working knowledge of the town but in my opinion, the lead is too small, even though its a small town. Climate sub-section is too dry. Too many listings in minibus sub-sections concerning buses arrival/departure time and routes make the guide appear not in a fine shape. Eat section needs to be improved because the eateries name are missing. I don't think its upto star quality article. Either needs to fixed or speedy downgraded to guide.--[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 20:27, 4 March 2017 (UTC) * '''Downgrade''' This has been here nearly 6 months with no edits and [[User:Saqib|Saqib]]'s points are valid. The listings should also have coordinates for dynamic mapping. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 15:49, 2 October 2017 (UTC) * '''Not Star'''. It's almost there but the climate subsection just isn't good enough. [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) 00:34, 1 January 2018 (UTC) * '''Downgrade''' I agree with [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]], the listings should at least have map markers, and preferably Wikidata/Wikipedia links as well. Climate section needs work, as does the ''Drink'' section. Almost no significant improvements have been made to the article over the course of the last year, so it seems a consensus for downgrade has been reached. [[User:ArticCynda|ArticCynda]] ([[User talk:ArticCynda|talk]]) 21:27, 26 July 2018 (UTC) === [[La Macarena]] === Number of See points of interest have no directions or location information. Number of Eat and both Drink listings are old entries that cannot be confirm as still in existence. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 06:39, 8 November 2018 (UTC) :Would it be possible to remove the listings without information and keep the rest of the article at star status? Or would make the article less useful? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 14:25, 10 November 2018 (UTC) :: Removing See listing that do exist, just not exact details, sounds wrong to me. But removing restaurants and hotels that cannot prove still in business is probably a good idea. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 16:38, 10 November 2018 (UTC) :::Well, it probably varies by case. There's a listing for "Madrevieja del Carmen", which is apparently a riverbed with some significance. But I can't find it on Google Maps, and therefore I'm not sure how we can be expected to get any information about the location of the place? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 16:43, 10 November 2018 (UTC) :::: The article says "located in a farm that is embraced in agroecological experiments, restoration of native forest and aimed to educate peasants in new forms of production [...] 17km from downtown [...] By contacting Jardín Botánico it is possible to book a night [...]". An experimental and educational facility probably is described in research papers and the like, and the Jardín Botánico has a working web page. It should not be too complicated to simply ask. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:30, 10 November 2018 (UTC) :::::Sorry, I don't quite understand. Ask who? Do you mean that we should contact Jardín Botánico? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 18:26, 10 November 2018 (UTC) :::::: Yes. Why not? --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:07, 10 November 2018 (UTC) :::::::If you can fluently speak Spanish, go ahead. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="olive">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="Olive">contributions</font>]]) 19:09, 10 November 2018 (UTC) :::::::: One of the contact telephone numbers is in Belgium, so you might not even need that. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:29, 11 November 2018 (UTC) {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration/archive}} 0z8uemwqh7cltubwdfz84l917vo68wy 4 69268 4506164 4506159 2022-08-22T12:01:13Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* API Key */ swept to [[Wikivoyage talk:How to draw static maps]] wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. To start a new topic, click the "Add topic" tab, so that it gets added '''at the bottom''' of the page, and sign your post by appending four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>) Before asking a question or making a comment: * Have a look at our [[Wikivoyage:Help|Help]], [[Wikivoyage:FAQ|FAQ]] and [[Wikivoyage:Policies|Policies]] pages. * If you are a '''new user''' and you have any questions about using the website, try the [[Wikivoyage:Arrivals lounge|Arrivals lounge]]. * If you have a '''question or suggestion about a particular article''', use the article's [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]] to keep the discussion associated with that article. * If you'd like to '''draw attention to a comment''' to '''get feedback''' from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]. * If you are '''wanting travel advice on a specific matter''' see the [[Wikivoyage:Tourist office|Tourist Office]]. * If you have an '''issue you need to bring to the attention of an administrator''', try [[Wikivoyage:Vandalism in progress|Vandalism in progress]]. * If you are having a '''problem that you think has to do with the [[mw:|MediaWiki software]]''', please post that on [[phab:|Phabricator]] instead. * If you want to '''celebrate a significant contribution''' to Wikivoyage by yourself or others, hold a party at [[Project:Celebrate a contribution|Celebrate a contribution]]. * Discuss '''issues related to more than one language version''' of Wikivoyage in the [[meta:Wikivoyage/Lounge|Wikivoyage Lounge]] on Meta. * Anything that is '''Nigeria-related''' is now meant to go in the [[Wikivoyage:Nigeria café|Nigeria café]] instead. This includes announcements, initiatives and celebrations as well as issues with certain articles. * Anything that is '''Kosovo or Albania related''' is now meant to go in the [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo and Albania café|Kosovo and Albania café]] instead. This includes announcements, initiatives and celebrations as well as issues with certain articles. '''Pull up a chair and join in the conversation!''' [{{fullurl:Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub|action=edit&section=new}} '''Click here to start a new thread'''] </div> <div style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; text-align: left; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em" class="nomobile"> [[File:Wikivoyage sysop.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] <div class="toccolours mw-collapsible" style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 0px solid #abc;"> Experienced users: '''Please sweep the pub''' <div class="mw-collapsible-content">Keeping the pub clean is a group effort. If we have too many conversations on this page, it gets too noisy and hard to read. If you see an old conversation (i.e. '''a month''' dormant) that could be moved to a [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]], please do so, and add "{{[[Template:Swept|swept]]}}" there, to note that it has been swept in from the pub. Try to place it on the discussion page roughly in chronological order. * A question regarding a destination article should be swept to the article discussion page. * A discussion regarding a policy or the subject of an expedition can be swept to the policy or expedition discussion page. * A simple question asked by a user can be swept to that user's talk page, but consider if the documentation needs a quick update to make it clearer for the next user with the same question. * A pointer to a discussion going on elsewhere, such as a notice of a star nomination or a request to comment on another talk page, can be removed when it is old. Any discussion that occurred in the pub can be swept to where the main discussion took place. Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == Help archiving a talk page == Could someone please help me archive [[Talk:Bulgaria]]? I've already copied the old comments to a subpage and linked the subpage in the main talk, you only have to delete the old discussions. I can't do that because I'm too new and trying to do that triggers the page blanking filter. I want to start a new discussion about regions, and the old stuff on the talk page has made it unwieldy. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 16:59, 17 June 2022 (UTC) :It's done. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 17:12, 17 June 2022 (UTC) ::If you want to discuss regions, we should unarchive the previous regions discussion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:54, 17 June 2022 (UTC) == Article on bridges == I wonder if there are any engineers here who would be able to write an article on famous bridges. Of course, the ones that immediately come to mind are New York City's Brooklyn Bridge, London's Tower Bridge, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but I believe there would be numerous others that could be mentioned in such an article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:12, 20 June 2022 (UTC) == Desktop Improvements update == [[File:Table of contents shown on English Wikipedia 02.webm|thumb]] ; Making this the new default Hello. I wanted to give you an update about the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]] project, which the Wikimedia Foundation Web team has been working on for the past few years. Our work is almost finished! 🎉 We would love to see these improvements become the default for readers and editors across all wikis. <span style="background-color:#fc3;">In the coming weeks, we will begin conversations on more wikis, including yours. 🗓️</span> We will gladly read your suggestions! The goals of the project are to make the interface more welcoming and comfortable for readers and useful for advanced users. The project consists of a series of feature improvements which make it easier to read and learn, navigate within the page, search, switch between languages, use article tabs and the user menu, and more. The improvements are already visible by default for readers and editors on more than 30 wikis, including Wikipedias in [[:fr:|French]], [[:pt:|Portuguese]], and [[:fa:|Persian]]. The changes apply to the [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=vector}} Vector] skin only, although it will always be possible to revert to the previous version on an individual basis. [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=monobook}} Monobook] or [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=timeless}} Timeless] users will not notice any changes. ; The newest features * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Table of contents|Table of contents]] - our version is easier to reach, gain context of the page, and navigate throughout the page without needing to scroll. It is currently tested across our pilot wikis. It is also available for editors who have opted into the Vector 2022 skin. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Page tools|Page tools]] - now, there are two types of links in the sidebar. There are actions and tools for individual pages (like [[Special:RecentChangesLinked|Related changes]]) and links of the wiki-wide nature (like [[Special:RecentChanges|Recent changes]]). We are going to separate these into two intuitive menus. ; How to enable/disable the improvements [[File:Desktop Improvements - how to enable globally.png|thumb|[[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|{{int:globalpreferences}}]]]] * It is possible to opt-in individually [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|in the appearance tab within the preferences]] by selecting "{{int:skinname-vector-2022}}". Also, it is possible to opt-in on all wikis using the [[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|global preferences]]. * On wikis where the changes are visible by default for all, logged-in users can always opt-out to the Legacy Vector. There is an easily accessible link in the sidebar of the new Vector. ; Learn more and join our events If you would like to follow the progress of our project, you can [[mw:Special:Newsletter/28/subscribe|subscribe to our newsletter]]. You can read the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|pages of the project]], check [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Frequently_asked_questions|our FAQ]], write on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project talk page]], and [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|join an online meeting with us]]. Thank you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 16:59, 21 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23430301 --> :Thank you. :Most of our pages use the pagebanner template to display the table of contents rather than the standard method. Will this be impacted by your proposed changes? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:58, 21 June 2022 (UTC) ::At least in the current version they seem to get along quite well. Page banner still works, but there's an additional TOC in the side bar. You can try for yourself by enabling ''Vector (2022)'' in your preferences. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:22, 22 June 2022 (UTC) :::Try it out: :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page?useskin=Vector-2022 (still cropping the first image, so we only get half of Australia) :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022 :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022&tableofcontents=0 (with the floating Table of Contents disabled) :::[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:31, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks. That looks fine. ::::Looking at an example page, it does appear that slightly less page width is allocated to the article and more to the left column, but I haven't investigated, and the different appearance may be an improvement. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 20:49, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ; Join us on Tuesday Join an online meeting with the team working on the Desktop Improvements! It will take place on '''28 June 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1200 12:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1900 19:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. '''[https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/5304280674 Click here to join]'''. Meeting ID: 5304280674. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kc2hamfYz9 Dial by your location]. The following events will take place on 12 July and 26 July. The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file] and copied to [[etherpad:p/web-team-office-hours|Etherpad]]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We can answer questions asked in English and [[mw:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web/28-06-2022|a number of other languages]]. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk{{@}}wikimedia.org. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 21:44, 23 June 2022 (UTC) {{tracked|T311771}} :I have just posted a new topic here and immediately had to edit it. See: :https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3ATravellers%27_pub&type=revision&diff=4472722&oldid=4472721 [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]],@[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :::This needs [[User:Whatamidoing (WMF)|work-me]] to file a Phab ticket. Thanks for letting me know. I'm curious: could you see the <nowiki><blockquote> tags in the visual editor while you were typing? Did you paste them in, or type them, or use a keyboard shortcut?</nowiki> [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 05:25, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for your prompt reply @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]],believe it or not my memory of this incident is already fuzzy in my memory. I know I originally typed in the ''< blockquote >'' tag, but I may have copy&mpasted it later (I sometimes do that if I have to go investigate somewhere else before posting a half-baked post). ::::I also discovered since, that this version of the software implemented on wiki-voyage (it is different on other wmf-wikis I participate on) has two alternative modes of input (undocumented?): ::::*Visual ::::and ::::*Source ::::I think I was originally put on '''Visual''' by default, but now I am on '''Source''' by default, and I am also seeing a preview pane which was not there before, I think? It would also be great if I could add an edit summary, which I can using the shall-we-call-it-reply software elsewhere. ::::I hope I am making sense in this garbled reply? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 14:41, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::Click on the "Advanced" option above the copyright/licensing statement. Most people don't use a meaningful/custom edit summary in discussions, but you can add one if you want to. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:18, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Edit summaries are very useful also for discussions, especially at busy pages like the pub. It is often the case that some of the threads have gone down some less interesting paths, and I read them only if somebody brings up a new point (mentioned in the edit summary). When there have been new posts in several threads, I might miss some of them, unless the edit summary caught my attention on the watchlist. And the most irritating of all: making an edit to existing posts without telling that in the summary – I scroll down to the end of the thread, find nothing new, check earlier pre-outdent posts, finding nothing there, search for today's date, no match, then click history and diff, to finally find that change of phrasing or whatever, which often didn't add anything of value to what I've already read. Please write "ce" or whatever. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:38, 1 July 2022 (UTC) == Is COVID over? == I was surprised to see this announcement on <nowiki>https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases</nowiki> : <blockquote> As of 20 June 2022, ECDC is discontinuing the data collection and publication of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide. Please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) data on COVID-19 and the WHO Weekly Epidemiological and Weekly Operational Updates page for the non-EU/EEA countries. ECDC will continue providing weekly updates for EU/EEA Member States and report on an ad-hoc basis about significant events related to COVID-19 globally. ECDC has been collecting data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for all countries in the EU/EEA and globally for more than two years. The data collected by ECDC will continue to be available in an archived format.</blockquote>< So it appears that the EU thinks COVID is no longer an issue? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:06, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :COVID will never be "over", in that it will not stop circulating in our lifetimes, but broadly speaking people's lifestyles will continue to get closer to how they were before the pandemic. Evidently ECDC has decided not to publish this particular set of data anymore, but if I understand correctly, other sources are still publishing substantively the same data for the time being. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 22:07, 25 June 2022 (UTC) : It is definitely not over. Current statistics are available from many sources, none 100% reliable. [https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries Worldometers] Probably the most worrisome number is that there are still 18.75 million active cases (diagnosed but not yet either dead or recovered) plus some infected but not diagnosed; those can spread the disease. The US still has about 3.3 million active cases, though that number has been falling. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 03:59, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :: I don't know whether Finland is typical for EU, but here the government more or less gave up on COVID-19 in early spring. They decided that it is spreading too fast to be stopped, that with most of the population triple-vaccinated "few" get a serious disease, and life has to go on. It seems people took them on the word, I think that less than one in ten is using masks. Incidence and death toll have been record high (statistics on cases is unreliable though, as people don't get official tests), but there are only some critical voices. Non-vaccinated have restrictions on passing the border (tests or quarantine required) but vaccinated EU-citizens can come and go as they please, nightclubs etc. are crowded, and big events are taking place like they used to. You can still find masks and tests in any shop, not as in Denmark where that is finished too. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:55, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, in Finland COVID hasn't been the main news topic for several months (partially also due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine). On 1 July they're dropping also the entry restrictions and health controls for people entering from outside the Schengen and in shops I've as of lately seen discounts on home tests and masks being "phased out from our product selection". The Department of Health and Wellbeing (THL) publishes [https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/tautitapaukset/coronamap.html statistics] showing cases and deaths have dropped remarkably since the spring. So at least for the moment it seems to be over, but one can never know what the situation looks like in the autumn. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 18:33, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::: Confirmed cases per 100,000 per 14 days is still in the hundreds, even though you aren't recommended to take an official test unless you get serious symptoms (as in needing hospital care). In some professions the tests are still taken, I assume. Anyway, the incidence – if counting factual cases – seems to be at least as bad as in the late autumn. 30% of actual tests are positive, when the figure used to be ~1% before the vaccines. There are about 10 persons in intensive care, while the number was about 50 at the worst time. Much better now, but far from over. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:00, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::: The health care centre still recommends mask use. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:03, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::Data collection has ended, but I don't think the EU considers COVID to no longer be an issue. I think we should leave, in current circumstances, the COVID notice on our [[main page]] until the end of the year, pending future updates on its spread. Apart from that notice and international travel information, COVID is barely mentioned on this wiki. I think the current notices in place make sense in our environment. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:15, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Right now, the focus where I am in [[New South Wales]] is mostly the flu (for the record, I've caught it twice within the last 31 days, with the last time just 4 days ago, hence why my editing activity has increased). The only news of COVID that I've really been hearing is either about COVID in China, or about our lockdown last year. However, as some countries still have restrictions on entry, I would say keep the COVID banner on the main page until September, and if September is deemed too early, then we can do another review then. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:51, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::In New South Wales, masking is still compulsory on public transport and the majority of people follow the rule. There is also a 7-day isolation rule if you test positive. I disagree about messaging only being about the flu. Public messaging from the government and media has always been about a dual virus winter here over the past few months (encouraging both vaccinations, etc.). In any case, this wiki is about travel, not just living in one's own city. Travellers started to get affected by Covid-19 from Janaury 2020, not March 2020 when most countries first went into lockdown. International travel will also be the last activity/industry that will fully return to normal so it makes sense to keep the notice for a while longer. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 14:34, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::To me, if the purpose is to help people, it can be removed. I don't think the article has been helpful for at least a year if ever. If the purpose is just to have something there, then it could stay or go. I don't think it's necessary to leave it up until every last country has lifted every restriction. Japan hasn't had any meaningful changes in its policies for 2 years in spite of less severe variants and vaccines, but it is already an outlier and becoming increasingly so. The country articles should still have information about entry which is basically the only information people care about. Leaving it until then end of the summer (September) as suggested seems reasonable though. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 14:52, 27 June 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} Most of the world has transitioned to living with the virus. The main exceptions are Japan, China and Taiwan. In the case of China, most of the elderly are unwilling to get vaccinated, and given how Hong Kong's hospitals were overwhelmed (to the point that the mortuaries ran out of space and bodies of COVID victims were piling up in the wards) during their last surge due to the same problem, I don't think China will reopen for the forseeable future. They might want to wait until all these unvaccinated elderly die of other causes before they reopen to foreigners. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :The idea that the pandemic is over is absurd and highly premature. I would strongly suggest for us to wait until at least the end of the year before jumping to conclusions, because it's quite likely that there will be another surge in the fall, and the large number of unvaccinated people around the world are a great source of new strains. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:04, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::I think whether "the pandemic" is over depends a lot on how you define "a pandemic". It's basically a political definition, not a biological one, so reasonable people and organizations can disagree on whether the current state should still be called "a pandemic". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::: Whether it is still a pandemic by some definition is less relevant. Are the restrictions stable enough that they are better handled together with other entry requirements, and in Cope, or in the current boxes? Is the disease different enough (as disease and as a social phenomenon) that it warrants its own article instead of being a bullet in [[Infectuous diseases]]? I think restrictions still vary fast enough that ease of maintenance is important, and then a template is the better solution, and people still see it as different from the flue and tuberculosis. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:39, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::The [https://www.medicinenet.com/pandemic/definition.htm definition of "pandemic"] is basically a medical one. If you'd like to say that the definition of "high degree of death" is a political one, that's another question. "The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020" per the [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria WHO], yet it's considered endemic to Africa, rather than even epidemic. Why? I think in significant part because those with enough money to stanch the death rate mostly live outside of Africa and prefer to ignore the deaths, plus it doesn't get spread around the world in areas with no types of mosquitoes that are vectors. But saying that the definition of "pandemic" is basically political is odd, because most people hadn't heard the word used at all until 2019-20, or at least not since at least the days when AIDS was out of control in their countries (and again, Africa suffers from less medical care; see the pattern?). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:48, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::The definition of pandemic varies between sources. Is it an epidemic [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Dr8dyuzvTkC&pg=PA179#v=onepage&q&f=false "crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people"]? How do you define "affecting", and what constitutes "a large number" of people? Those are both political choices. Is it instead something that happens [https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic "over a wide geographical area and that is of high prevalence, generally affecting a significant proportion of the world’s population"]? Who decides what constitutes "high" prevalence, and "a significant proportion"? Basically, people make these decisions. They'll decide that these effects are really "affecting" you but these others aren't (e.g., every new version of the common cold), or that the people affected aren't "large" or "significant" enough, or that (as with the malaria decision) the key point is that it happens all the time at a fairly stable rate within each population, rather than being new. (Some definitions say that pandemics must always be a new disease, or at least one that almost nobody has immunological resistance to; others don't.) :::::People – not science – pick which definition to apply (different definitions for different conditions), people decide which effects "count" and whether enough people are affected, and then people decide whether to apply this label. There have been hard-and-fast definitions for some similar concepts in the past, but pandemic is a somewhat flexible concept. ("School epidemic" in some places has been defined as a certain percentage of enrolled students being out of school with the same disease/symptoms. An old friend of mine accidentally set off a measles epidemic in her high school in the 1950s. She caught it somewhere, unwittingly brought it to school, and it turned out that almost none of the students in her school had had measles before. The teachers were mostly fine, but a huge number of students were out sick over the next month.) :::::Here at the English Wikivoyage, though, I think LPfi has good advice. We should consider it from the practical angle rather than the "does the current situation technically match my preferred definition" angle. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems to me, the most likely way to have fair definitions of medical concepts is to let public health authorities and not politicians define them. In any case, I think that it's fairly clear that COVID-19 remains a serious disease that's affecting travel in various ways, so we shouldn't be in a rush to deemphasize it and should let the crisis play out. Seeing how there's been a surge each Northern Hemisphere fall, I would suggest waiting till we see what happens in January, 2023 (i.e., after any effects of Christmas/New Years travel and get-togethers are clear) before possibly making any decisions about a fundamental change in coverage here. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:14, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Personally, I think that late January 2023 would be a fine time to discuss it. Christmas travel includes Epiphany in some countries, and if you add two or three weeks after that to find out what happened, then we should have fairly clear information. :::::::Thinking long-term, one possibility is to consider a seasonal cold-and-flu-and-covid page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:36, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That could be a good thing in the longer term, if it's not felt to be giving short shrift to other threats like malaria, zika, dengue, Lyme disease and so forth. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:39, 30 June 2022 (UTC) == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Results of Wiki Loves Folklore 2022 is out! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] Hi, Greetings The winners for '''[[c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' is announced! We are happy to share with you winning images for this year's edition. This year saw over 8,584 images represented on commons in over 92 countries. Kindly see images '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Winners|here]]''' Our profound gratitude to all the people who participated and organized local contests and photo walks for this project. We hope to have you contribute to the campaign next year. '''Thank you,''' '''Wiki Loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 16:12, 4 July 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Distribution_list/Non-Technical_Village_Pumps_distribution_list&oldid=23454230 --> == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Road signs == There have been some discussions and addition and removal of galleries related to European road signs. As European non-driver it is hard for me to guess what signs are important to explain e.g. for US drivers. As the signs are pictogram-based, many of them are intuitive, but certainly not all. I assume other European editors also don't know what would be optimal, so I think we need others to weight in. There are some galleries in [[Driving in Europe]] and more for individual countries. As the variation is small between continental EU countries, there is little need for duplication per se, but I don't know to what extent one can assume drivers to read both the European article and the ones for individual countries (which have their peculiarities). Do drivers study traffic law or traffic signs before driving in a new country? I assume they are not, at least not to any great degree, but I might be wrong, and that would of course affect what we need to tell. Some of the articles became rather picture-heavy with a few less-established editors doing a lot of editing regarding images. I think we shouldn't apply our minimal-use-of-images policy to hard, as most images in these articles are informative rather than decorations. Some are of course also needed to give a feeling for the driving environment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:57, 11 July 2022 (UTC) :As a US driver, I think that stop signs and signs for speed limits would be the most immediately necessary. You can't really drive anywhere if you don't know those two. There are others that might be useful (e.g., Yield) but won't turn up as often. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:00, 11 July 2022 (UTC) ::EU driver here. Wikipedia has a great [[:w:Comparison of European road signs]]. Road signs in Europe are indeed pretty consistent and mostly follow the Vienna conventions. I think it would make sense for the individual ''Driving in country X'' articles to mostly rely on (and prominently link to) a central article about that (e.g. [[Driving in Europe]] or the Rules section of [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]]), so that the country articles can focus on pointing out where the country diverges from the norm in a way that could cause confusion. ::So for example, [[Driving in Europe]] would tell you that stop signs are always stop sign-shaped, always stop sign-colored and ''almost'' always use the word STOP, whereas [[Driving in Turkey]] might tell you that Turkey is pretty much the only country in Europe where they use local language (DUR) instead of STOP. [[Driving in Ireland]] might feel tempted to point out that the country uses [[:w:Comparison_of_MUTCD-influenced_traffic_signs|MUTCD-style]] warning signs, but that's probably more of a ''nice to know''. Pointing out that they (apparently) use [[:w:Belisha beacon]]s for pedestrian crossings would probably be a good idea, though. [[Driving in the Netherlands]] would probably talk about the relevance of blue vs. yellow curbs for parking rather than re-iterating that the prohibitory signs are round? ::Looking at existing ''Driving in X'' articles, I feel that ::* most of the example pictures in [[Driving_in_France#Traffic rules]] are unnecessary, as they are no different from other European countries and thus redundant to [[Driving in Europe]] (currently not linked). ::* [[Driving in Portugal#Road signs]] contains so many redundant examples that it's difficult to identify the ones that are specific to Portugal. ::* [[Driving in Sweden#Road signs]] and [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Road signs]] are mostly redundant too, but at least they stick to the important ones. ::*I don't know how I feel about the use of miniature versions of road signs in lists in [[Driving in Norway#Rules and regulations]] and [[Driving in Iceland#Rules and regulations]]. ::The other articles listed in [[Driving in Europe#Countries]] loo fine to me. Links to [[Driving in Europe]] are largely missing, though. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:49, 12 July 2022 (UTC) :::Australian driver here. Our signage is very similar to US signage, but with four major exceptions: :::* we have give way signs as opposed to yield signs :::* passing cars is called overtaking as passing is only used when you pass cyclists :::* signs that are only used RHS countries are flipped (e.g. roundabout signs) :::* our speed signs is a mix of both US and EU speed signs; we have that white background but use the red circle ([https://goo.gl/maps/uRJbytw9jRVq4SRC9 a sign in the NT for ref]) :::Sometimes we do have our own minor modifications, such as exit signs (cf. [https://goo.gl/maps/nR3uHo2B9Qb75mSp9 US] and [https://goo.gl/maps/JaiaKyXX9qtMvaQGA Aus (specifically Qld)]), but whenever I travel to the US, I've never had an issue with understanding signage. For the record, from my limited experience in NZ, they look very similar to Australian signs but with a few minor differences. :::In Europe, were very different to what I saw in Aus or the US, but thankfully due to standardised signs, I did not have a problem when travelling in different countries (the signs in Norway, albeit different were very similar to the signs in France). However, most EU signs were self-explanatory, so for the most part, comprehending them wasn't a problem. In South and Southeast Asia, they weren't standardised, but they were very similar. ::: Re [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]]'s comment: I understand speed signs (though they're pretty much the same everywhere outside the US, Canada and maybe Liberia), aren't stop signs the same, octagonal sign everywhere? I've yet to see a stop sign that isn't red and octagonal. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::[[File:Japan_road_sign_330-B.svg|thumb|What's this?]] ::::Most places are using red octagons, frequently even with the English word "STOP", but not quite everywhere. Even in places where the red octagon is common, there may be a few old signs that haven't quite been replaced yet or the occasional variation, like [[:File:Blue stop sign - hawaii - oct 2015.jpg|Hawaii's blue stop signs]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:56, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::After doing more digging, it seems [[:File:Cuban Stop Sign.svg|Cuba's stop sign]] is also triangular (like Japan's), but if a country uses the standard octagonal sign, wouldn't it simply make more sense to write that in plain text? (e.g. New Zealand's stop sign is exactly the same as in Australia or the United States or something like that) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:07, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems stop signs are among the most standardized signs worldwide, both in areas that use Vienna convention and MUTCD-style signs. I'd go so far to say that they are not worth mentioning (let alone showing) at all unless they actually diverge from that de-facto norm (red and white octagon). <small>Interestingly enough, you can actually find the Cuban design in the [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] as an alternative design.</small> [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 08:58, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::The "Cuban design" is (or was) a fairly common alternative. It was being installed in the UK up to 1975, and in Italy to 1990. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:06, 13 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) jo8qxqaowbrw2lu8gpjf5c4mcuviw8x 4506169 4506164 2022-08-22T12:02:50Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Help archiving a talk page */ swept to [[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/2022]] wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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If you see an old conversation (i.e. '''a month''' dormant) that could be moved to a [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]], please do so, and add "{{[[Template:Swept|swept]]}}" there, to note that it has been swept in from the pub. Try to place it on the discussion page roughly in chronological order. * A question regarding a destination article should be swept to the article discussion page. * A discussion regarding a policy or the subject of an expedition can be swept to the policy or expedition discussion page. * A simple question asked by a user can be swept to that user's talk page, but consider if the documentation needs a quick update to make it clearer for the next user with the same question. * A pointer to a discussion going on elsewhere, such as a notice of a star nomination or a request to comment on another talk page, can be removed when it is old. Any discussion that occurred in the pub can be swept to where the main discussion took place. 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[[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:12, 20 June 2022 (UTC) == Desktop Improvements update == [[File:Table of contents shown on English Wikipedia 02.webm|thumb]] ; Making this the new default Hello. I wanted to give you an update about the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]] project, which the Wikimedia Foundation Web team has been working on for the past few years. Our work is almost finished! 🎉 We would love to see these improvements become the default for readers and editors across all wikis. <span style="background-color:#fc3;">In the coming weeks, we will begin conversations on more wikis, including yours. 🗓️</span> We will gladly read your suggestions! The goals of the project are to make the interface more welcoming and comfortable for readers and useful for advanced users. The project consists of a series of feature improvements which make it easier to read and learn, navigate within the page, search, switch between languages, use article tabs and the user menu, and more. The improvements are already visible by default for readers and editors on more than 30 wikis, including Wikipedias in [[:fr:|French]], [[:pt:|Portuguese]], and [[:fa:|Persian]]. The changes apply to the [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=vector}} Vector] skin only, although it will always be possible to revert to the previous version on an individual basis. [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=monobook}} Monobook] or [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=timeless}} Timeless] users will not notice any changes. ; The newest features * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Table of contents|Table of contents]] - our version is easier to reach, gain context of the page, and navigate throughout the page without needing to scroll. It is currently tested across our pilot wikis. It is also available for editors who have opted into the Vector 2022 skin. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Page tools|Page tools]] - now, there are two types of links in the sidebar. There are actions and tools for individual pages (like [[Special:RecentChangesLinked|Related changes]]) and links of the wiki-wide nature (like [[Special:RecentChanges|Recent changes]]). We are going to separate these into two intuitive menus. ; How to enable/disable the improvements [[File:Desktop Improvements - how to enable globally.png|thumb|[[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|{{int:globalpreferences}}]]]] * It is possible to opt-in individually [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|in the appearance tab within the preferences]] by selecting "{{int:skinname-vector-2022}}". Also, it is possible to opt-in on all wikis using the [[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|global preferences]]. * On wikis where the changes are visible by default for all, logged-in users can always opt-out to the Legacy Vector. There is an easily accessible link in the sidebar of the new Vector. ; Learn more and join our events If you would like to follow the progress of our project, you can [[mw:Special:Newsletter/28/subscribe|subscribe to our newsletter]]. You can read the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|pages of the project]], check [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Frequently_asked_questions|our FAQ]], write on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project talk page]], and [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|join an online meeting with us]]. Thank you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 16:59, 21 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23430301 --> :Thank you. :Most of our pages use the pagebanner template to display the table of contents rather than the standard method. Will this be impacted by your proposed changes? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:58, 21 June 2022 (UTC) ::At least in the current version they seem to get along quite well. Page banner still works, but there's an additional TOC in the side bar. You can try for yourself by enabling ''Vector (2022)'' in your preferences. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:22, 22 June 2022 (UTC) :::Try it out: :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page?useskin=Vector-2022 (still cropping the first image, so we only get half of Australia) :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022 :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022&tableofcontents=0 (with the floating Table of Contents disabled) :::[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:31, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks. That looks fine. ::::Looking at an example page, it does appear that slightly less page width is allocated to the article and more to the left column, but I haven't investigated, and the different appearance may be an improvement. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 20:49, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ; Join us on Tuesday Join an online meeting with the team working on the Desktop Improvements! It will take place on '''28 June 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1200 12:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1900 19:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. '''[https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/5304280674 Click here to join]'''. Meeting ID: 5304280674. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kc2hamfYz9 Dial by your location]. The following events will take place on 12 July and 26 July. The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file] and copied to [[etherpad:p/web-team-office-hours|Etherpad]]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We can answer questions asked in English and [[mw:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web/28-06-2022|a number of other languages]]. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk{{@}}wikimedia.org. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 21:44, 23 June 2022 (UTC) {{tracked|T311771}} :I have just posted a new topic here and immediately had to edit it. See: :https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3ATravellers%27_pub&type=revision&diff=4472722&oldid=4472721 [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]],@[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :::This needs [[User:Whatamidoing (WMF)|work-me]] to file a Phab ticket. Thanks for letting me know. I'm curious: could you see the <nowiki><blockquote> tags in the visual editor while you were typing? Did you paste them in, or type them, or use a keyboard shortcut?</nowiki> [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 05:25, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for your prompt reply @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]],believe it or not my memory of this incident is already fuzzy in my memory. I know I originally typed in the ''< blockquote >'' tag, but I may have copy&mpasted it later (I sometimes do that if I have to go investigate somewhere else before posting a half-baked post). ::::I also discovered since, that this version of the software implemented on wiki-voyage (it is different on other wmf-wikis I participate on) has two alternative modes of input (undocumented?): ::::*Visual ::::and ::::*Source ::::I think I was originally put on '''Visual''' by default, but now I am on '''Source''' by default, and I am also seeing a preview pane which was not there before, I think? It would also be great if I could add an edit summary, which I can using the shall-we-call-it-reply software elsewhere. ::::I hope I am making sense in this garbled reply? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 14:41, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::Click on the "Advanced" option above the copyright/licensing statement. Most people don't use a meaningful/custom edit summary in discussions, but you can add one if you want to. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:18, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Edit summaries are very useful also for discussions, especially at busy pages like the pub. It is often the case that some of the threads have gone down some less interesting paths, and I read them only if somebody brings up a new point (mentioned in the edit summary). When there have been new posts in several threads, I might miss some of them, unless the edit summary caught my attention on the watchlist. And the most irritating of all: making an edit to existing posts without telling that in the summary – I scroll down to the end of the thread, find nothing new, check earlier pre-outdent posts, finding nothing there, search for today's date, no match, then click history and diff, to finally find that change of phrasing or whatever, which often didn't add anything of value to what I've already read. Please write "ce" or whatever. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:38, 1 July 2022 (UTC) == Is COVID over? == I was surprised to see this announcement on <nowiki>https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases</nowiki> : <blockquote> As of 20 June 2022, ECDC is discontinuing the data collection and publication of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide. Please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) data on COVID-19 and the WHO Weekly Epidemiological and Weekly Operational Updates page for the non-EU/EEA countries. ECDC will continue providing weekly updates for EU/EEA Member States and report on an ad-hoc basis about significant events related to COVID-19 globally. ECDC has been collecting data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for all countries in the EU/EEA and globally for more than two years. The data collected by ECDC will continue to be available in an archived format.</blockquote>< So it appears that the EU thinks COVID is no longer an issue? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:06, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :COVID will never be "over", in that it will not stop circulating in our lifetimes, but broadly speaking people's lifestyles will continue to get closer to how they were before the pandemic. Evidently ECDC has decided not to publish this particular set of data anymore, but if I understand correctly, other sources are still publishing substantively the same data for the time being. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 22:07, 25 June 2022 (UTC) : It is definitely not over. Current statistics are available from many sources, none 100% reliable. [https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries Worldometers] Probably the most worrisome number is that there are still 18.75 million active cases (diagnosed but not yet either dead or recovered) plus some infected but not diagnosed; those can spread the disease. The US still has about 3.3 million active cases, though that number has been falling. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 03:59, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :: I don't know whether Finland is typical for EU, but here the government more or less gave up on COVID-19 in early spring. They decided that it is spreading too fast to be stopped, that with most of the population triple-vaccinated "few" get a serious disease, and life has to go on. It seems people took them on the word, I think that less than one in ten is using masks. Incidence and death toll have been record high (statistics on cases is unreliable though, as people don't get official tests), but there are only some critical voices. Non-vaccinated have restrictions on passing the border (tests or quarantine required) but vaccinated EU-citizens can come and go as they please, nightclubs etc. are crowded, and big events are taking place like they used to. You can still find masks and tests in any shop, not as in Denmark where that is finished too. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:55, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, in Finland COVID hasn't been the main news topic for several months (partially also due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine). On 1 July they're dropping also the entry restrictions and health controls for people entering from outside the Schengen and in shops I've as of lately seen discounts on home tests and masks being "phased out from our product selection". The Department of Health and Wellbeing (THL) publishes [https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/tautitapaukset/coronamap.html statistics] showing cases and deaths have dropped remarkably since the spring. So at least for the moment it seems to be over, but one can never know what the situation looks like in the autumn. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 18:33, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::: Confirmed cases per 100,000 per 14 days is still in the hundreds, even though you aren't recommended to take an official test unless you get serious symptoms (as in needing hospital care). In some professions the tests are still taken, I assume. Anyway, the incidence – if counting factual cases – seems to be at least as bad as in the late autumn. 30% of actual tests are positive, when the figure used to be ~1% before the vaccines. There are about 10 persons in intensive care, while the number was about 50 at the worst time. Much better now, but far from over. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:00, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::: The health care centre still recommends mask use. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:03, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::Data collection has ended, but I don't think the EU considers COVID to no longer be an issue. I think we should leave, in current circumstances, the COVID notice on our [[main page]] until the end of the year, pending future updates on its spread. Apart from that notice and international travel information, COVID is barely mentioned on this wiki. I think the current notices in place make sense in our environment. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:15, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Right now, the focus where I am in [[New South Wales]] is mostly the flu (for the record, I've caught it twice within the last 31 days, with the last time just 4 days ago, hence why my editing activity has increased). The only news of COVID that I've really been hearing is either about COVID in China, or about our lockdown last year. However, as some countries still have restrictions on entry, I would say keep the COVID banner on the main page until September, and if September is deemed too early, then we can do another review then. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:51, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::In New South Wales, masking is still compulsory on public transport and the majority of people follow the rule. There is also a 7-day isolation rule if you test positive. I disagree about messaging only being about the flu. Public messaging from the government and media has always been about a dual virus winter here over the past few months (encouraging both vaccinations, etc.). In any case, this wiki is about travel, not just living in one's own city. Travellers started to get affected by Covid-19 from Janaury 2020, not March 2020 when most countries first went into lockdown. International travel will also be the last activity/industry that will fully return to normal so it makes sense to keep the notice for a while longer. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 14:34, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::To me, if the purpose is to help people, it can be removed. I don't think the article has been helpful for at least a year if ever. If the purpose is just to have something there, then it could stay or go. I don't think it's necessary to leave it up until every last country has lifted every restriction. Japan hasn't had any meaningful changes in its policies for 2 years in spite of less severe variants and vaccines, but it is already an outlier and becoming increasingly so. The country articles should still have information about entry which is basically the only information people care about. Leaving it until then end of the summer (September) as suggested seems reasonable though. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 14:52, 27 June 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} Most of the world has transitioned to living with the virus. The main exceptions are Japan, China and Taiwan. In the case of China, most of the elderly are unwilling to get vaccinated, and given how Hong Kong's hospitals were overwhelmed (to the point that the mortuaries ran out of space and bodies of COVID victims were piling up in the wards) during their last surge due to the same problem, I don't think China will reopen for the forseeable future. They might want to wait until all these unvaccinated elderly die of other causes before they reopen to foreigners. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :The idea that the pandemic is over is absurd and highly premature. I would strongly suggest for us to wait until at least the end of the year before jumping to conclusions, because it's quite likely that there will be another surge in the fall, and the large number of unvaccinated people around the world are a great source of new strains. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:04, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::I think whether "the pandemic" is over depends a lot on how you define "a pandemic". It's basically a political definition, not a biological one, so reasonable people and organizations can disagree on whether the current state should still be called "a pandemic". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::: Whether it is still a pandemic by some definition is less relevant. Are the restrictions stable enough that they are better handled together with other entry requirements, and in Cope, or in the current boxes? Is the disease different enough (as disease and as a social phenomenon) that it warrants its own article instead of being a bullet in [[Infectuous diseases]]? I think restrictions still vary fast enough that ease of maintenance is important, and then a template is the better solution, and people still see it as different from the flue and tuberculosis. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:39, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::The [https://www.medicinenet.com/pandemic/definition.htm definition of "pandemic"] is basically a medical one. If you'd like to say that the definition of "high degree of death" is a political one, that's another question. "The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020" per the [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria WHO], yet it's considered endemic to Africa, rather than even epidemic. Why? I think in significant part because those with enough money to stanch the death rate mostly live outside of Africa and prefer to ignore the deaths, plus it doesn't get spread around the world in areas with no types of mosquitoes that are vectors. But saying that the definition of "pandemic" is basically political is odd, because most people hadn't heard the word used at all until 2019-20, or at least not since at least the days when AIDS was out of control in their countries (and again, Africa suffers from less medical care; see the pattern?). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:48, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::The definition of pandemic varies between sources. Is it an epidemic [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Dr8dyuzvTkC&pg=PA179#v=onepage&q&f=false "crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people"]? How do you define "affecting", and what constitutes "a large number" of people? Those are both political choices. Is it instead something that happens [https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic "over a wide geographical area and that is of high prevalence, generally affecting a significant proportion of the world’s population"]? Who decides what constitutes "high" prevalence, and "a significant proportion"? Basically, people make these decisions. They'll decide that these effects are really "affecting" you but these others aren't (e.g., every new version of the common cold), or that the people affected aren't "large" or "significant" enough, or that (as with the malaria decision) the key point is that it happens all the time at a fairly stable rate within each population, rather than being new. (Some definitions say that pandemics must always be a new disease, or at least one that almost nobody has immunological resistance to; others don't.) :::::People – not science – pick which definition to apply (different definitions for different conditions), people decide which effects "count" and whether enough people are affected, and then people decide whether to apply this label. There have been hard-and-fast definitions for some similar concepts in the past, but pandemic is a somewhat flexible concept. ("School epidemic" in some places has been defined as a certain percentage of enrolled students being out of school with the same disease/symptoms. An old friend of mine accidentally set off a measles epidemic in her high school in the 1950s. She caught it somewhere, unwittingly brought it to school, and it turned out that almost none of the students in her school had had measles before. The teachers were mostly fine, but a huge number of students were out sick over the next month.) :::::Here at the English Wikivoyage, though, I think LPfi has good advice. We should consider it from the practical angle rather than the "does the current situation technically match my preferred definition" angle. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems to me, the most likely way to have fair definitions of medical concepts is to let public health authorities and not politicians define them. In any case, I think that it's fairly clear that COVID-19 remains a serious disease that's affecting travel in various ways, so we shouldn't be in a rush to deemphasize it and should let the crisis play out. Seeing how there's been a surge each Northern Hemisphere fall, I would suggest waiting till we see what happens in January, 2023 (i.e., after any effects of Christmas/New Years travel and get-togethers are clear) before possibly making any decisions about a fundamental change in coverage here. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:14, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Personally, I think that late January 2023 would be a fine time to discuss it. Christmas travel includes Epiphany in some countries, and if you add two or three weeks after that to find out what happened, then we should have fairly clear information. :::::::Thinking long-term, one possibility is to consider a seasonal cold-and-flu-and-covid page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:36, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That could be a good thing in the longer term, if it's not felt to be giving short shrift to other threats like malaria, zika, dengue, Lyme disease and so forth. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:39, 30 June 2022 (UTC) == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Results of Wiki Loves Folklore 2022 is out! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] Hi, Greetings The winners for '''[[c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' is announced! We are happy to share with you winning images for this year's edition. This year saw over 8,584 images represented on commons in over 92 countries. Kindly see images '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Winners|here]]''' Our profound gratitude to all the people who participated and organized local contests and photo walks for this project. We hope to have you contribute to the campaign next year. '''Thank you,''' '''Wiki Loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 16:12, 4 July 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Distribution_list/Non-Technical_Village_Pumps_distribution_list&oldid=23454230 --> == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Road signs == There have been some discussions and addition and removal of galleries related to European road signs. As European non-driver it is hard for me to guess what signs are important to explain e.g. for US drivers. As the signs are pictogram-based, many of them are intuitive, but certainly not all. I assume other European editors also don't know what would be optimal, so I think we need others to weight in. There are some galleries in [[Driving in Europe]] and more for individual countries. As the variation is small between continental EU countries, there is little need for duplication per se, but I don't know to what extent one can assume drivers to read both the European article and the ones for individual countries (which have their peculiarities). Do drivers study traffic law or traffic signs before driving in a new country? I assume they are not, at least not to any great degree, but I might be wrong, and that would of course affect what we need to tell. Some of the articles became rather picture-heavy with a few less-established editors doing a lot of editing regarding images. I think we shouldn't apply our minimal-use-of-images policy to hard, as most images in these articles are informative rather than decorations. Some are of course also needed to give a feeling for the driving environment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:57, 11 July 2022 (UTC) :As a US driver, I think that stop signs and signs for speed limits would be the most immediately necessary. You can't really drive anywhere if you don't know those two. There are others that might be useful (e.g., Yield) but won't turn up as often. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:00, 11 July 2022 (UTC) ::EU driver here. Wikipedia has a great [[:w:Comparison of European road signs]]. Road signs in Europe are indeed pretty consistent and mostly follow the Vienna conventions. I think it would make sense for the individual ''Driving in country X'' articles to mostly rely on (and prominently link to) a central article about that (e.g. [[Driving in Europe]] or the Rules section of [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]]), so that the country articles can focus on pointing out where the country diverges from the norm in a way that could cause confusion. ::So for example, [[Driving in Europe]] would tell you that stop signs are always stop sign-shaped, always stop sign-colored and ''almost'' always use the word STOP, whereas [[Driving in Turkey]] might tell you that Turkey is pretty much the only country in Europe where they use local language (DUR) instead of STOP. [[Driving in Ireland]] might feel tempted to point out that the country uses [[:w:Comparison_of_MUTCD-influenced_traffic_signs|MUTCD-style]] warning signs, but that's probably more of a ''nice to know''. Pointing out that they (apparently) use [[:w:Belisha beacon]]s for pedestrian crossings would probably be a good idea, though. [[Driving in the Netherlands]] would probably talk about the relevance of blue vs. yellow curbs for parking rather than re-iterating that the prohibitory signs are round? ::Looking at existing ''Driving in X'' articles, I feel that ::* most of the example pictures in [[Driving_in_France#Traffic rules]] are unnecessary, as they are no different from other European countries and thus redundant to [[Driving in Europe]] (currently not linked). ::* [[Driving in Portugal#Road signs]] contains so many redundant examples that it's difficult to identify the ones that are specific to Portugal. ::* [[Driving in Sweden#Road signs]] and [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Road signs]] are mostly redundant too, but at least they stick to the important ones. ::*I don't know how I feel about the use of miniature versions of road signs in lists in [[Driving in Norway#Rules and regulations]] and [[Driving in Iceland#Rules and regulations]]. ::The other articles listed in [[Driving in Europe#Countries]] loo fine to me. Links to [[Driving in Europe]] are largely missing, though. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:49, 12 July 2022 (UTC) :::Australian driver here. Our signage is very similar to US signage, but with four major exceptions: :::* we have give way signs as opposed to yield signs :::* passing cars is called overtaking as passing is only used when you pass cyclists :::* signs that are only used RHS countries are flipped (e.g. roundabout signs) :::* our speed signs is a mix of both US and EU speed signs; we have that white background but use the red circle ([https://goo.gl/maps/uRJbytw9jRVq4SRC9 a sign in the NT for ref]) :::Sometimes we do have our own minor modifications, such as exit signs (cf. [https://goo.gl/maps/nR3uHo2B9Qb75mSp9 US] and [https://goo.gl/maps/JaiaKyXX9qtMvaQGA Aus (specifically Qld)]), but whenever I travel to the US, I've never had an issue with understanding signage. For the record, from my limited experience in NZ, they look very similar to Australian signs but with a few minor differences. :::In Europe, were very different to what I saw in Aus or the US, but thankfully due to standardised signs, I did not have a problem when travelling in different countries (the signs in Norway, albeit different were very similar to the signs in France). However, most EU signs were self-explanatory, so for the most part, comprehending them wasn't a problem. In South and Southeast Asia, they weren't standardised, but they were very similar. ::: Re [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]]'s comment: I understand speed signs (though they're pretty much the same everywhere outside the US, Canada and maybe Liberia), aren't stop signs the same, octagonal sign everywhere? I've yet to see a stop sign that isn't red and octagonal. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::[[File:Japan_road_sign_330-B.svg|thumb|What's this?]] ::::Most places are using red octagons, frequently even with the English word "STOP", but not quite everywhere. Even in places where the red octagon is common, there may be a few old signs that haven't quite been replaced yet or the occasional variation, like [[:File:Blue stop sign - hawaii - oct 2015.jpg|Hawaii's blue stop signs]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:56, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::After doing more digging, it seems [[:File:Cuban Stop Sign.svg|Cuba's stop sign]] is also triangular (like Japan's), but if a country uses the standard octagonal sign, wouldn't it simply make more sense to write that in plain text? (e.g. New Zealand's stop sign is exactly the same as in Australia or the United States or something like that) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:07, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems stop signs are among the most standardized signs worldwide, both in areas that use Vienna convention and MUTCD-style signs. I'd go so far to say that they are not worth mentioning (let alone showing) at all unless they actually diverge from that de-facto norm (red and white octagon). <small>Interestingly enough, you can actually find the Cuban design in the [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] as an alternative design.</small> [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 08:58, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::The "Cuban design" is (or was) a fairly common alternative. It was being installed in the UK up to 1975, and in Italy to 1990. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:06, 13 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) bksghqow5tlzbt2op968v38csl17vgg 4506173 4506169 2022-08-22T12:04:19Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Article on bridges */ swept to [[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/2022]] wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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This includes announcements, initiatives and celebrations as well as issues with certain articles. * Anything that is '''Kosovo or Albania related''' is now meant to go in the [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo and Albania café|Kosovo and Albania café]] instead. This includes announcements, initiatives and celebrations as well as issues with certain articles. '''Pull up a chair and join in the conversation!''' [{{fullurl:Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub|action=edit&section=new}} '''Click here to start a new thread'''] </div> <div style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; text-align: left; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em" class="nomobile"> [[File:Wikivoyage sysop.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] <div class="toccolours mw-collapsible" style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 0px solid #abc;"> Experienced users: '''Please sweep the pub''' <div class="mw-collapsible-content">Keeping the pub clean is a group effort. If we have too many conversations on this page, it gets too noisy and hard to read. If you see an old conversation (i.e. '''a month''' dormant) that could be moved to a [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]], please do so, and add "{{[[Template:Swept|swept]]}}" there, to note that it has been swept in from the pub. Try to place it on the discussion page roughly in chronological order. * A question regarding a destination article should be swept to the article discussion page. * A discussion regarding a policy or the subject of an expedition can be swept to the policy or expedition discussion page. * A simple question asked by a user can be swept to that user's talk page, but consider if the documentation needs a quick update to make it clearer for the next user with the same question. * A pointer to a discussion going on elsewhere, such as a notice of a star nomination or a request to comment on another talk page, can be removed when it is old. Any discussion that occurred in the pub can be swept to where the main discussion took place. 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Our work is almost finished! 🎉 We would love to see these improvements become the default for readers and editors across all wikis. <span style="background-color:#fc3;">In the coming weeks, we will begin conversations on more wikis, including yours. 🗓️</span> We will gladly read your suggestions! The goals of the project are to make the interface more welcoming and comfortable for readers and useful for advanced users. The project consists of a series of feature improvements which make it easier to read and learn, navigate within the page, search, switch between languages, use article tabs and the user menu, and more. The improvements are already visible by default for readers and editors on more than 30 wikis, including Wikipedias in [[:fr:|French]], [[:pt:|Portuguese]], and [[:fa:|Persian]]. The changes apply to the [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=vector}} Vector] skin only, although it will always be possible to revert to the previous version on an individual basis. [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=monobook}} Monobook] or [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=timeless}} Timeless] users will not notice any changes. ; The newest features * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Table of contents|Table of contents]] - our version is easier to reach, gain context of the page, and navigate throughout the page without needing to scroll. It is currently tested across our pilot wikis. It is also available for editors who have opted into the Vector 2022 skin. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Page tools|Page tools]] - now, there are two types of links in the sidebar. There are actions and tools for individual pages (like [[Special:RecentChangesLinked|Related changes]]) and links of the wiki-wide nature (like [[Special:RecentChanges|Recent changes]]). We are going to separate these into two intuitive menus. ; How to enable/disable the improvements [[File:Desktop Improvements - how to enable globally.png|thumb|[[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|{{int:globalpreferences}}]]]] * It is possible to opt-in individually [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|in the appearance tab within the preferences]] by selecting "{{int:skinname-vector-2022}}". Also, it is possible to opt-in on all wikis using the [[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|global preferences]]. * On wikis where the changes are visible by default for all, logged-in users can always opt-out to the Legacy Vector. There is an easily accessible link in the sidebar of the new Vector. ; Learn more and join our events If you would like to follow the progress of our project, you can [[mw:Special:Newsletter/28/subscribe|subscribe to our newsletter]]. You can read the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|pages of the project]], check [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Frequently_asked_questions|our FAQ]], write on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project talk page]], and [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|join an online meeting with us]]. Thank you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 16:59, 21 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23430301 --> :Thank you. :Most of our pages use the pagebanner template to display the table of contents rather than the standard method. Will this be impacted by your proposed changes? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:58, 21 June 2022 (UTC) ::At least in the current version they seem to get along quite well. Page banner still works, but there's an additional TOC in the side bar. You can try for yourself by enabling ''Vector (2022)'' in your preferences. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:22, 22 June 2022 (UTC) :::Try it out: :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page?useskin=Vector-2022 (still cropping the first image, so we only get half of Australia) :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022 :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022&tableofcontents=0 (with the floating Table of Contents disabled) :::[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:31, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks. That looks fine. ::::Looking at an example page, it does appear that slightly less page width is allocated to the article and more to the left column, but I haven't investigated, and the different appearance may be an improvement. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 20:49, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ; Join us on Tuesday Join an online meeting with the team working on the Desktop Improvements! It will take place on '''28 June 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1200 12:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1900 19:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. '''[https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/5304280674 Click here to join]'''. Meeting ID: 5304280674. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kc2hamfYz9 Dial by your location]. The following events will take place on 12 July and 26 July. The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file] and copied to [[etherpad:p/web-team-office-hours|Etherpad]]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We can answer questions asked in English and [[mw:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web/28-06-2022|a number of other languages]]. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk{{@}}wikimedia.org. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 21:44, 23 June 2022 (UTC) {{tracked|T311771}} :I have just posted a new topic here and immediately had to edit it. See: :https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3ATravellers%27_pub&type=revision&diff=4472722&oldid=4472721 [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]],@[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :::This needs [[User:Whatamidoing (WMF)|work-me]] to file a Phab ticket. Thanks for letting me know. I'm curious: could you see the <nowiki><blockquote> tags in the visual editor while you were typing? Did you paste them in, or type them, or use a keyboard shortcut?</nowiki> [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 05:25, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for your prompt reply @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]],believe it or not my memory of this incident is already fuzzy in my memory. I know I originally typed in the ''< blockquote >'' tag, but I may have copy&mpasted it later (I sometimes do that if I have to go investigate somewhere else before posting a half-baked post). ::::I also discovered since, that this version of the software implemented on wiki-voyage (it is different on other wmf-wikis I participate on) has two alternative modes of input (undocumented?): ::::*Visual ::::and ::::*Source ::::I think I was originally put on '''Visual''' by default, but now I am on '''Source''' by default, and I am also seeing a preview pane which was not there before, I think? It would also be great if I could add an edit summary, which I can using the shall-we-call-it-reply software elsewhere. ::::I hope I am making sense in this garbled reply? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 14:41, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::Click on the "Advanced" option above the copyright/licensing statement. Most people don't use a meaningful/custom edit summary in discussions, but you can add one if you want to. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:18, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Edit summaries are very useful also for discussions, especially at busy pages like the pub. It is often the case that some of the threads have gone down some less interesting paths, and I read them only if somebody brings up a new point (mentioned in the edit summary). When there have been new posts in several threads, I might miss some of them, unless the edit summary caught my attention on the watchlist. And the most irritating of all: making an edit to existing posts without telling that in the summary – I scroll down to the end of the thread, find nothing new, check earlier pre-outdent posts, finding nothing there, search for today's date, no match, then click history and diff, to finally find that change of phrasing or whatever, which often didn't add anything of value to what I've already read. Please write "ce" or whatever. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:38, 1 July 2022 (UTC) == Is COVID over? == I was surprised to see this announcement on <nowiki>https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases</nowiki> : <blockquote> As of 20 June 2022, ECDC is discontinuing the data collection and publication of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide. Please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) data on COVID-19 and the WHO Weekly Epidemiological and Weekly Operational Updates page for the non-EU/EEA countries. ECDC will continue providing weekly updates for EU/EEA Member States and report on an ad-hoc basis about significant events related to COVID-19 globally. ECDC has been collecting data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for all countries in the EU/EEA and globally for more than two years. The data collected by ECDC will continue to be available in an archived format.</blockquote>< So it appears that the EU thinks COVID is no longer an issue? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:06, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :COVID will never be "over", in that it will not stop circulating in our lifetimes, but broadly speaking people's lifestyles will continue to get closer to how they were before the pandemic. Evidently ECDC has decided not to publish this particular set of data anymore, but if I understand correctly, other sources are still publishing substantively the same data for the time being. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 22:07, 25 June 2022 (UTC) : It is definitely not over. Current statistics are available from many sources, none 100% reliable. [https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries Worldometers] Probably the most worrisome number is that there are still 18.75 million active cases (diagnosed but not yet either dead or recovered) plus some infected but not diagnosed; those can spread the disease. The US still has about 3.3 million active cases, though that number has been falling. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 03:59, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :: I don't know whether Finland is typical for EU, but here the government more or less gave up on COVID-19 in early spring. They decided that it is spreading too fast to be stopped, that with most of the population triple-vaccinated "few" get a serious disease, and life has to go on. It seems people took them on the word, I think that less than one in ten is using masks. Incidence and death toll have been record high (statistics on cases is unreliable though, as people don't get official tests), but there are only some critical voices. Non-vaccinated have restrictions on passing the border (tests or quarantine required) but vaccinated EU-citizens can come and go as they please, nightclubs etc. are crowded, and big events are taking place like they used to. You can still find masks and tests in any shop, not as in Denmark where that is finished too. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:55, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, in Finland COVID hasn't been the main news topic for several months (partially also due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine). On 1 July they're dropping also the entry restrictions and health controls for people entering from outside the Schengen and in shops I've as of lately seen discounts on home tests and masks being "phased out from our product selection". The Department of Health and Wellbeing (THL) publishes [https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/tautitapaukset/coronamap.html statistics] showing cases and deaths have dropped remarkably since the spring. So at least for the moment it seems to be over, but one can never know what the situation looks like in the autumn. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 18:33, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::: Confirmed cases per 100,000 per 14 days is still in the hundreds, even though you aren't recommended to take an official test unless you get serious symptoms (as in needing hospital care). In some professions the tests are still taken, I assume. Anyway, the incidence – if counting factual cases – seems to be at least as bad as in the late autumn. 30% of actual tests are positive, when the figure used to be ~1% before the vaccines. There are about 10 persons in intensive care, while the number was about 50 at the worst time. Much better now, but far from over. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:00, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::: The health care centre still recommends mask use. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:03, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::Data collection has ended, but I don't think the EU considers COVID to no longer be an issue. I think we should leave, in current circumstances, the COVID notice on our [[main page]] until the end of the year, pending future updates on its spread. Apart from that notice and international travel information, COVID is barely mentioned on this wiki. I think the current notices in place make sense in our environment. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:15, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Right now, the focus where I am in [[New South Wales]] is mostly the flu (for the record, I've caught it twice within the last 31 days, with the last time just 4 days ago, hence why my editing activity has increased). The only news of COVID that I've really been hearing is either about COVID in China, or about our lockdown last year. However, as some countries still have restrictions on entry, I would say keep the COVID banner on the main page until September, and if September is deemed too early, then we can do another review then. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:51, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::In New South Wales, masking is still compulsory on public transport and the majority of people follow the rule. There is also a 7-day isolation rule if you test positive. I disagree about messaging only being about the flu. Public messaging from the government and media has always been about a dual virus winter here over the past few months (encouraging both vaccinations, etc.). In any case, this wiki is about travel, not just living in one's own city. Travellers started to get affected by Covid-19 from Janaury 2020, not March 2020 when most countries first went into lockdown. International travel will also be the last activity/industry that will fully return to normal so it makes sense to keep the notice for a while longer. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 14:34, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::To me, if the purpose is to help people, it can be removed. I don't think the article has been helpful for at least a year if ever. If the purpose is just to have something there, then it could stay or go. I don't think it's necessary to leave it up until every last country has lifted every restriction. Japan hasn't had any meaningful changes in its policies for 2 years in spite of less severe variants and vaccines, but it is already an outlier and becoming increasingly so. The country articles should still have information about entry which is basically the only information people care about. Leaving it until then end of the summer (September) as suggested seems reasonable though. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 14:52, 27 June 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} Most of the world has transitioned to living with the virus. The main exceptions are Japan, China and Taiwan. In the case of China, most of the elderly are unwilling to get vaccinated, and given how Hong Kong's hospitals were overwhelmed (to the point that the mortuaries ran out of space and bodies of COVID victims were piling up in the wards) during their last surge due to the same problem, I don't think China will reopen for the forseeable future. They might want to wait until all these unvaccinated elderly die of other causes before they reopen to foreigners. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :The idea that the pandemic is over is absurd and highly premature. I would strongly suggest for us to wait until at least the end of the year before jumping to conclusions, because it's quite likely that there will be another surge in the fall, and the large number of unvaccinated people around the world are a great source of new strains. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:04, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::I think whether "the pandemic" is over depends a lot on how you define "a pandemic". It's basically a political definition, not a biological one, so reasonable people and organizations can disagree on whether the current state should still be called "a pandemic". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::: Whether it is still a pandemic by some definition is less relevant. Are the restrictions stable enough that they are better handled together with other entry requirements, and in Cope, or in the current boxes? Is the disease different enough (as disease and as a social phenomenon) that it warrants its own article instead of being a bullet in [[Infectuous diseases]]? I think restrictions still vary fast enough that ease of maintenance is important, and then a template is the better solution, and people still see it as different from the flue and tuberculosis. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:39, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::The [https://www.medicinenet.com/pandemic/definition.htm definition of "pandemic"] is basically a medical one. If you'd like to say that the definition of "high degree of death" is a political one, that's another question. "The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020" per the [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria WHO], yet it's considered endemic to Africa, rather than even epidemic. Why? I think in significant part because those with enough money to stanch the death rate mostly live outside of Africa and prefer to ignore the deaths, plus it doesn't get spread around the world in areas with no types of mosquitoes that are vectors. But saying that the definition of "pandemic" is basically political is odd, because most people hadn't heard the word used at all until 2019-20, or at least not since at least the days when AIDS was out of control in their countries (and again, Africa suffers from less medical care; see the pattern?). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:48, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::The definition of pandemic varies between sources. Is it an epidemic [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Dr8dyuzvTkC&pg=PA179#v=onepage&q&f=false "crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people"]? How do you define "affecting", and what constitutes "a large number" of people? Those are both political choices. Is it instead something that happens [https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic "over a wide geographical area and that is of high prevalence, generally affecting a significant proportion of the world’s population"]? Who decides what constitutes "high" prevalence, and "a significant proportion"? Basically, people make these decisions. They'll decide that these effects are really "affecting" you but these others aren't (e.g., every new version of the common cold), or that the people affected aren't "large" or "significant" enough, or that (as with the malaria decision) the key point is that it happens all the time at a fairly stable rate within each population, rather than being new. (Some definitions say that pandemics must always be a new disease, or at least one that almost nobody has immunological resistance to; others don't.) :::::People – not science – pick which definition to apply (different definitions for different conditions), people decide which effects "count" and whether enough people are affected, and then people decide whether to apply this label. There have been hard-and-fast definitions for some similar concepts in the past, but pandemic is a somewhat flexible concept. ("School epidemic" in some places has been defined as a certain percentage of enrolled students being out of school with the same disease/symptoms. An old friend of mine accidentally set off a measles epidemic in her high school in the 1950s. She caught it somewhere, unwittingly brought it to school, and it turned out that almost none of the students in her school had had measles before. The teachers were mostly fine, but a huge number of students were out sick over the next month.) :::::Here at the English Wikivoyage, though, I think LPfi has good advice. We should consider it from the practical angle rather than the "does the current situation technically match my preferred definition" angle. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems to me, the most likely way to have fair definitions of medical concepts is to let public health authorities and not politicians define them. In any case, I think that it's fairly clear that COVID-19 remains a serious disease that's affecting travel in various ways, so we shouldn't be in a rush to deemphasize it and should let the crisis play out. Seeing how there's been a surge each Northern Hemisphere fall, I would suggest waiting till we see what happens in January, 2023 (i.e., after any effects of Christmas/New Years travel and get-togethers are clear) before possibly making any decisions about a fundamental change in coverage here. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:14, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Personally, I think that late January 2023 would be a fine time to discuss it. Christmas travel includes Epiphany in some countries, and if you add two or three weeks after that to find out what happened, then we should have fairly clear information. :::::::Thinking long-term, one possibility is to consider a seasonal cold-and-flu-and-covid page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:36, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That could be a good thing in the longer term, if it's not felt to be giving short shrift to other threats like malaria, zika, dengue, Lyme disease and so forth. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:39, 30 June 2022 (UTC) == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Results of Wiki Loves Folklore 2022 is out! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] Hi, Greetings The winners for '''[[c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' is announced! We are happy to share with you winning images for this year's edition. This year saw over 8,584 images represented on commons in over 92 countries. Kindly see images '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Winners|here]]''' Our profound gratitude to all the people who participated and organized local contests and photo walks for this project. We hope to have you contribute to the campaign next year. '''Thank you,''' '''Wiki Loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 16:12, 4 July 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Distribution_list/Non-Technical_Village_Pumps_distribution_list&oldid=23454230 --> == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Road signs == There have been some discussions and addition and removal of galleries related to European road signs. As European non-driver it is hard for me to guess what signs are important to explain e.g. for US drivers. As the signs are pictogram-based, many of them are intuitive, but certainly not all. I assume other European editors also don't know what would be optimal, so I think we need others to weight in. There are some galleries in [[Driving in Europe]] and more for individual countries. As the variation is small between continental EU countries, there is little need for duplication per se, but I don't know to what extent one can assume drivers to read both the European article and the ones for individual countries (which have their peculiarities). Do drivers study traffic law or traffic signs before driving in a new country? I assume they are not, at least not to any great degree, but I might be wrong, and that would of course affect what we need to tell. Some of the articles became rather picture-heavy with a few less-established editors doing a lot of editing regarding images. I think we shouldn't apply our minimal-use-of-images policy to hard, as most images in these articles are informative rather than decorations. Some are of course also needed to give a feeling for the driving environment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:57, 11 July 2022 (UTC) :As a US driver, I think that stop signs and signs for speed limits would be the most immediately necessary. You can't really drive anywhere if you don't know those two. There are others that might be useful (e.g., Yield) but won't turn up as often. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:00, 11 July 2022 (UTC) ::EU driver here. Wikipedia has a great [[:w:Comparison of European road signs]]. Road signs in Europe are indeed pretty consistent and mostly follow the Vienna conventions. I think it would make sense for the individual ''Driving in country X'' articles to mostly rely on (and prominently link to) a central article about that (e.g. [[Driving in Europe]] or the Rules section of [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]]), so that the country articles can focus on pointing out where the country diverges from the norm in a way that could cause confusion. ::So for example, [[Driving in Europe]] would tell you that stop signs are always stop sign-shaped, always stop sign-colored and ''almost'' always use the word STOP, whereas [[Driving in Turkey]] might tell you that Turkey is pretty much the only country in Europe where they use local language (DUR) instead of STOP. [[Driving in Ireland]] might feel tempted to point out that the country uses [[:w:Comparison_of_MUTCD-influenced_traffic_signs|MUTCD-style]] warning signs, but that's probably more of a ''nice to know''. Pointing out that they (apparently) use [[:w:Belisha beacon]]s for pedestrian crossings would probably be a good idea, though. [[Driving in the Netherlands]] would probably talk about the relevance of blue vs. yellow curbs for parking rather than re-iterating that the prohibitory signs are round? ::Looking at existing ''Driving in X'' articles, I feel that ::* most of the example pictures in [[Driving_in_France#Traffic rules]] are unnecessary, as they are no different from other European countries and thus redundant to [[Driving in Europe]] (currently not linked). ::* [[Driving in Portugal#Road signs]] contains so many redundant examples that it's difficult to identify the ones that are specific to Portugal. ::* [[Driving in Sweden#Road signs]] and [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Road signs]] are mostly redundant too, but at least they stick to the important ones. ::*I don't know how I feel about the use of miniature versions of road signs in lists in [[Driving in Norway#Rules and regulations]] and [[Driving in Iceland#Rules and regulations]]. ::The other articles listed in [[Driving in Europe#Countries]] loo fine to me. Links to [[Driving in Europe]] are largely missing, though. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:49, 12 July 2022 (UTC) :::Australian driver here. Our signage is very similar to US signage, but with four major exceptions: :::* we have give way signs as opposed to yield signs :::* passing cars is called overtaking as passing is only used when you pass cyclists :::* signs that are only used RHS countries are flipped (e.g. roundabout signs) :::* our speed signs is a mix of both US and EU speed signs; we have that white background but use the red circle ([https://goo.gl/maps/uRJbytw9jRVq4SRC9 a sign in the NT for ref]) :::Sometimes we do have our own minor modifications, such as exit signs (cf. [https://goo.gl/maps/nR3uHo2B9Qb75mSp9 US] and [https://goo.gl/maps/JaiaKyXX9qtMvaQGA Aus (specifically Qld)]), but whenever I travel to the US, I've never had an issue with understanding signage. For the record, from my limited experience in NZ, they look very similar to Australian signs but with a few minor differences. :::In Europe, were very different to what I saw in Aus or the US, but thankfully due to standardised signs, I did not have a problem when travelling in different countries (the signs in Norway, albeit different were very similar to the signs in France). However, most EU signs were self-explanatory, so for the most part, comprehending them wasn't a problem. In South and Southeast Asia, they weren't standardised, but they were very similar. ::: Re [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]]'s comment: I understand speed signs (though they're pretty much the same everywhere outside the US, Canada and maybe Liberia), aren't stop signs the same, octagonal sign everywhere? I've yet to see a stop sign that isn't red and octagonal. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::[[File:Japan_road_sign_330-B.svg|thumb|What's this?]] ::::Most places are using red octagons, frequently even with the English word "STOP", but not quite everywhere. Even in places where the red octagon is common, there may be a few old signs that haven't quite been replaced yet or the occasional variation, like [[:File:Blue stop sign - hawaii - oct 2015.jpg|Hawaii's blue stop signs]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:56, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::After doing more digging, it seems [[:File:Cuban Stop Sign.svg|Cuba's stop sign]] is also triangular (like Japan's), but if a country uses the standard octagonal sign, wouldn't it simply make more sense to write that in plain text? (e.g. New Zealand's stop sign is exactly the same as in Australia or the United States or something like that) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:07, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems stop signs are among the most standardized signs worldwide, both in areas that use Vienna convention and MUTCD-style signs. I'd go so far to say that they are not worth mentioning (let alone showing) at all unless they actually diverge from that de-facto norm (red and white octagon). <small>Interestingly enough, you can actually find the Cuban design in the [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] as an alternative design.</small> [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 08:58, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::The "Cuban design" is (or was) a fairly common alternative. It was being installed in the UK up to 1975, and in Italy to 1990. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:06, 13 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) p2jmt3gt9c6bamma1h260eiz8yxwz9t 4506177 4506173 2022-08-22T12:05:38Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Desktop Improvements update */ swept to [[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/2022]] wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. To start a new topic, click the "Add topic" tab, so that it gets added '''at the bottom''' of the page, and sign your post by appending four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>) Before asking a question or making a comment: * Have a look at our [[Wikivoyage:Help|Help]], [[Wikivoyage:FAQ|FAQ]] and [[Wikivoyage:Policies|Policies]] pages. * If you are a '''new user''' and you have any questions about using the website, try the [[Wikivoyage:Arrivals lounge|Arrivals lounge]]. * If you have a '''question or suggestion about a particular article''', use the article's [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]] to keep the discussion associated with that article. * If you'd like to '''draw attention to a comment''' to '''get feedback''' from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]. * If you are '''wanting travel advice on a specific matter''' see the [[Wikivoyage:Tourist office|Tourist Office]]. * If you have an '''issue you need to bring to the attention of an administrator''', try [[Wikivoyage:Vandalism in progress|Vandalism in progress]]. * If you are having a '''problem that you think has to do with the [[mw:|MediaWiki software]]''', please post that on [[phab:|Phabricator]] instead. * If you want to '''celebrate a significant contribution''' to Wikivoyage by yourself or others, hold a party at [[Project:Celebrate a contribution|Celebrate a contribution]]. * Discuss '''issues related to more than one language version''' of Wikivoyage in the [[meta:Wikivoyage/Lounge|Wikivoyage Lounge]] on Meta. * Anything that is '''Nigeria-related''' is now meant to go in the [[Wikivoyage:Nigeria café|Nigeria café]] instead. 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If you see an old conversation (i.e. '''a month''' dormant) that could be moved to a [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]], please do so, and add "{{[[Template:Swept|swept]]}}" there, to note that it has been swept in from the pub. Try to place it on the discussion page roughly in chronological order. * A question regarding a destination article should be swept to the article discussion page. * A discussion regarding a policy or the subject of an expedition can be swept to the policy or expedition discussion page. * A simple question asked by a user can be swept to that user's talk page, but consider if the documentation needs a quick update to make it clearer for the next user with the same question. * A pointer to a discussion going on elsewhere, such as a notice of a star nomination or a request to comment on another talk page, can be removed when it is old. Any discussion that occurred in the pub can be swept to where the main discussion took place. Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == Is COVID over? == I was surprised to see this announcement on <nowiki>https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases</nowiki> : <blockquote> As of 20 June 2022, ECDC is discontinuing the data collection and publication of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide. Please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) data on COVID-19 and the WHO Weekly Epidemiological and Weekly Operational Updates page for the non-EU/EEA countries. ECDC will continue providing weekly updates for EU/EEA Member States and report on an ad-hoc basis about significant events related to COVID-19 globally. ECDC has been collecting data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for all countries in the EU/EEA and globally for more than two years. The data collected by ECDC will continue to be available in an archived format.</blockquote>< So it appears that the EU thinks COVID is no longer an issue? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:06, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :COVID will never be "over", in that it will not stop circulating in our lifetimes, but broadly speaking people's lifestyles will continue to get closer to how they were before the pandemic. Evidently ECDC has decided not to publish this particular set of data anymore, but if I understand correctly, other sources are still publishing substantively the same data for the time being. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 22:07, 25 June 2022 (UTC) : It is definitely not over. Current statistics are available from many sources, none 100% reliable. [https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries Worldometers] Probably the most worrisome number is that there are still 18.75 million active cases (diagnosed but not yet either dead or recovered) plus some infected but not diagnosed; those can spread the disease. The US still has about 3.3 million active cases, though that number has been falling. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 03:59, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :: I don't know whether Finland is typical for EU, but here the government more or less gave up on COVID-19 in early spring. They decided that it is spreading too fast to be stopped, that with most of the population triple-vaccinated "few" get a serious disease, and life has to go on. It seems people took them on the word, I think that less than one in ten is using masks. Incidence and death toll have been record high (statistics on cases is unreliable though, as people don't get official tests), but there are only some critical voices. Non-vaccinated have restrictions on passing the border (tests or quarantine required) but vaccinated EU-citizens can come and go as they please, nightclubs etc. are crowded, and big events are taking place like they used to. You can still find masks and tests in any shop, not as in Denmark where that is finished too. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:55, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, in Finland COVID hasn't been the main news topic for several months (partially also due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine). On 1 July they're dropping also the entry restrictions and health controls for people entering from outside the Schengen and in shops I've as of lately seen discounts on home tests and masks being "phased out from our product selection". The Department of Health and Wellbeing (THL) publishes [https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/tautitapaukset/coronamap.html statistics] showing cases and deaths have dropped remarkably since the spring. So at least for the moment it seems to be over, but one can never know what the situation looks like in the autumn. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 18:33, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::: Confirmed cases per 100,000 per 14 days is still in the hundreds, even though you aren't recommended to take an official test unless you get serious symptoms (as in needing hospital care). In some professions the tests are still taken, I assume. Anyway, the incidence – if counting factual cases – seems to be at least as bad as in the late autumn. 30% of actual tests are positive, when the figure used to be ~1% before the vaccines. There are about 10 persons in intensive care, while the number was about 50 at the worst time. Much better now, but far from over. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:00, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::: The health care centre still recommends mask use. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:03, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::Data collection has ended, but I don't think the EU considers COVID to no longer be an issue. I think we should leave, in current circumstances, the COVID notice on our [[main page]] until the end of the year, pending future updates on its spread. Apart from that notice and international travel information, COVID is barely mentioned on this wiki. I think the current notices in place make sense in our environment. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:15, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Right now, the focus where I am in [[New South Wales]] is mostly the flu (for the record, I've caught it twice within the last 31 days, with the last time just 4 days ago, hence why my editing activity has increased). The only news of COVID that I've really been hearing is either about COVID in China, or about our lockdown last year. However, as some countries still have restrictions on entry, I would say keep the COVID banner on the main page until September, and if September is deemed too early, then we can do another review then. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:51, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::In New South Wales, masking is still compulsory on public transport and the majority of people follow the rule. There is also a 7-day isolation rule if you test positive. I disagree about messaging only being about the flu. Public messaging from the government and media has always been about a dual virus winter here over the past few months (encouraging both vaccinations, etc.). In any case, this wiki is about travel, not just living in one's own city. Travellers started to get affected by Covid-19 from Janaury 2020, not March 2020 when most countries first went into lockdown. International travel will also be the last activity/industry that will fully return to normal so it makes sense to keep the notice for a while longer. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 14:34, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::To me, if the purpose is to help people, it can be removed. I don't think the article has been helpful for at least a year if ever. If the purpose is just to have something there, then it could stay or go. I don't think it's necessary to leave it up until every last country has lifted every restriction. Japan hasn't had any meaningful changes in its policies for 2 years in spite of less severe variants and vaccines, but it is already an outlier and becoming increasingly so. The country articles should still have information about entry which is basically the only information people care about. Leaving it until then end of the summer (September) as suggested seems reasonable though. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 14:52, 27 June 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} Most of the world has transitioned to living with the virus. The main exceptions are Japan, China and Taiwan. In the case of China, most of the elderly are unwilling to get vaccinated, and given how Hong Kong's hospitals were overwhelmed (to the point that the mortuaries ran out of space and bodies of COVID victims were piling up in the wards) during their last surge due to the same problem, I don't think China will reopen for the forseeable future. They might want to wait until all these unvaccinated elderly die of other causes before they reopen to foreigners. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :The idea that the pandemic is over is absurd and highly premature. I would strongly suggest for us to wait until at least the end of the year before jumping to conclusions, because it's quite likely that there will be another surge in the fall, and the large number of unvaccinated people around the world are a great source of new strains. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:04, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::I think whether "the pandemic" is over depends a lot on how you define "a pandemic". It's basically a political definition, not a biological one, so reasonable people and organizations can disagree on whether the current state should still be called "a pandemic". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::: Whether it is still a pandemic by some definition is less relevant. Are the restrictions stable enough that they are better handled together with other entry requirements, and in Cope, or in the current boxes? Is the disease different enough (as disease and as a social phenomenon) that it warrants its own article instead of being a bullet in [[Infectuous diseases]]? I think restrictions still vary fast enough that ease of maintenance is important, and then a template is the better solution, and people still see it as different from the flue and tuberculosis. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:39, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::The [https://www.medicinenet.com/pandemic/definition.htm definition of "pandemic"] is basically a medical one. If you'd like to say that the definition of "high degree of death" is a political one, that's another question. "The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020" per the [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria WHO], yet it's considered endemic to Africa, rather than even epidemic. Why? I think in significant part because those with enough money to stanch the death rate mostly live outside of Africa and prefer to ignore the deaths, plus it doesn't get spread around the world in areas with no types of mosquitoes that are vectors. But saying that the definition of "pandemic" is basically political is odd, because most people hadn't heard the word used at all until 2019-20, or at least not since at least the days when AIDS was out of control in their countries (and again, Africa suffers from less medical care; see the pattern?). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:48, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::The definition of pandemic varies between sources. Is it an epidemic [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Dr8dyuzvTkC&pg=PA179#v=onepage&q&f=false "crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people"]? How do you define "affecting", and what constitutes "a large number" of people? Those are both political choices. Is it instead something that happens [https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic "over a wide geographical area and that is of high prevalence, generally affecting a significant proportion of the world’s population"]? Who decides what constitutes "high" prevalence, and "a significant proportion"? Basically, people make these decisions. They'll decide that these effects are really "affecting" you but these others aren't (e.g., every new version of the common cold), or that the people affected aren't "large" or "significant" enough, or that (as with the malaria decision) the key point is that it happens all the time at a fairly stable rate within each population, rather than being new. (Some definitions say that pandemics must always be a new disease, or at least one that almost nobody has immunological resistance to; others don't.) :::::People – not science – pick which definition to apply (different definitions for different conditions), people decide which effects "count" and whether enough people are affected, and then people decide whether to apply this label. There have been hard-and-fast definitions for some similar concepts in the past, but pandemic is a somewhat flexible concept. ("School epidemic" in some places has been defined as a certain percentage of enrolled students being out of school with the same disease/symptoms. An old friend of mine accidentally set off a measles epidemic in her high school in the 1950s. She caught it somewhere, unwittingly brought it to school, and it turned out that almost none of the students in her school had had measles before. The teachers were mostly fine, but a huge number of students were out sick over the next month.) :::::Here at the English Wikivoyage, though, I think LPfi has good advice. We should consider it from the practical angle rather than the "does the current situation technically match my preferred definition" angle. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems to me, the most likely way to have fair definitions of medical concepts is to let public health authorities and not politicians define them. In any case, I think that it's fairly clear that COVID-19 remains a serious disease that's affecting travel in various ways, so we shouldn't be in a rush to deemphasize it and should let the crisis play out. Seeing how there's been a surge each Northern Hemisphere fall, I would suggest waiting till we see what happens in January, 2023 (i.e., after any effects of Christmas/New Years travel and get-togethers are clear) before possibly making any decisions about a fundamental change in coverage here. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:14, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Personally, I think that late January 2023 would be a fine time to discuss it. Christmas travel includes Epiphany in some countries, and if you add two or three weeks after that to find out what happened, then we should have fairly clear information. :::::::Thinking long-term, one possibility is to consider a seasonal cold-and-flu-and-covid page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:36, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That could be a good thing in the longer term, if it's not felt to be giving short shrift to other threats like malaria, zika, dengue, Lyme disease and so forth. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:39, 30 June 2022 (UTC) == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Results of Wiki Loves Folklore 2022 is out! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] Hi, Greetings The winners for '''[[c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' is announced! We are happy to share with you winning images for this year's edition. This year saw over 8,584 images represented on commons in over 92 countries. Kindly see images '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Winners|here]]''' Our profound gratitude to all the people who participated and organized local contests and photo walks for this project. We hope to have you contribute to the campaign next year. '''Thank you,''' '''Wiki Loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 16:12, 4 July 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Distribution_list/Non-Technical_Village_Pumps_distribution_list&oldid=23454230 --> == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Road signs == There have been some discussions and addition and removal of galleries related to European road signs. As European non-driver it is hard for me to guess what signs are important to explain e.g. for US drivers. As the signs are pictogram-based, many of them are intuitive, but certainly not all. I assume other European editors also don't know what would be optimal, so I think we need others to weight in. There are some galleries in [[Driving in Europe]] and more for individual countries. As the variation is small between continental EU countries, there is little need for duplication per se, but I don't know to what extent one can assume drivers to read both the European article and the ones for individual countries (which have their peculiarities). Do drivers study traffic law or traffic signs before driving in a new country? I assume they are not, at least not to any great degree, but I might be wrong, and that would of course affect what we need to tell. Some of the articles became rather picture-heavy with a few less-established editors doing a lot of editing regarding images. I think we shouldn't apply our minimal-use-of-images policy to hard, as most images in these articles are informative rather than decorations. Some are of course also needed to give a feeling for the driving environment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:57, 11 July 2022 (UTC) :As a US driver, I think that stop signs and signs for speed limits would be the most immediately necessary. You can't really drive anywhere if you don't know those two. There are others that might be useful (e.g., Yield) but won't turn up as often. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:00, 11 July 2022 (UTC) ::EU driver here. Wikipedia has a great [[:w:Comparison of European road signs]]. Road signs in Europe are indeed pretty consistent and mostly follow the Vienna conventions. I think it would make sense for the individual ''Driving in country X'' articles to mostly rely on (and prominently link to) a central article about that (e.g. [[Driving in Europe]] or the Rules section of [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]]), so that the country articles can focus on pointing out where the country diverges from the norm in a way that could cause confusion. ::So for example, [[Driving in Europe]] would tell you that stop signs are always stop sign-shaped, always stop sign-colored and ''almost'' always use the word STOP, whereas [[Driving in Turkey]] might tell you that Turkey is pretty much the only country in Europe where they use local language (DUR) instead of STOP. [[Driving in Ireland]] might feel tempted to point out that the country uses [[:w:Comparison_of_MUTCD-influenced_traffic_signs|MUTCD-style]] warning signs, but that's probably more of a ''nice to know''. Pointing out that they (apparently) use [[:w:Belisha beacon]]s for pedestrian crossings would probably be a good idea, though. [[Driving in the Netherlands]] would probably talk about the relevance of blue vs. yellow curbs for parking rather than re-iterating that the prohibitory signs are round? ::Looking at existing ''Driving in X'' articles, I feel that ::* most of the example pictures in [[Driving_in_France#Traffic rules]] are unnecessary, as they are no different from other European countries and thus redundant to [[Driving in Europe]] (currently not linked). ::* [[Driving in Portugal#Road signs]] contains so many redundant examples that it's difficult to identify the ones that are specific to Portugal. ::* [[Driving in Sweden#Road signs]] and [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Road signs]] are mostly redundant too, but at least they stick to the important ones. ::*I don't know how I feel about the use of miniature versions of road signs in lists in [[Driving in Norway#Rules and regulations]] and [[Driving in Iceland#Rules and regulations]]. ::The other articles listed in [[Driving in Europe#Countries]] loo fine to me. Links to [[Driving in Europe]] are largely missing, though. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:49, 12 July 2022 (UTC) :::Australian driver here. Our signage is very similar to US signage, but with four major exceptions: :::* we have give way signs as opposed to yield signs :::* passing cars is called overtaking as passing is only used when you pass cyclists :::* signs that are only used RHS countries are flipped (e.g. roundabout signs) :::* our speed signs is a mix of both US and EU speed signs; we have that white background but use the red circle ([https://goo.gl/maps/uRJbytw9jRVq4SRC9 a sign in the NT for ref]) :::Sometimes we do have our own minor modifications, such as exit signs (cf. [https://goo.gl/maps/nR3uHo2B9Qb75mSp9 US] and [https://goo.gl/maps/JaiaKyXX9qtMvaQGA Aus (specifically Qld)]), but whenever I travel to the US, I've never had an issue with understanding signage. For the record, from my limited experience in NZ, they look very similar to Australian signs but with a few minor differences. :::In Europe, were very different to what I saw in Aus or the US, but thankfully due to standardised signs, I did not have a problem when travelling in different countries (the signs in Norway, albeit different were very similar to the signs in France). However, most EU signs were self-explanatory, so for the most part, comprehending them wasn't a problem. In South and Southeast Asia, they weren't standardised, but they were very similar. ::: Re [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]]'s comment: I understand speed signs (though they're pretty much the same everywhere outside the US, Canada and maybe Liberia), aren't stop signs the same, octagonal sign everywhere? I've yet to see a stop sign that isn't red and octagonal. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::[[File:Japan_road_sign_330-B.svg|thumb|What's this?]] ::::Most places are using red octagons, frequently even with the English word "STOP", but not quite everywhere. Even in places where the red octagon is common, there may be a few old signs that haven't quite been replaced yet or the occasional variation, like [[:File:Blue stop sign - hawaii - oct 2015.jpg|Hawaii's blue stop signs]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:56, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::After doing more digging, it seems [[:File:Cuban Stop Sign.svg|Cuba's stop sign]] is also triangular (like Japan's), but if a country uses the standard octagonal sign, wouldn't it simply make more sense to write that in plain text? (e.g. New Zealand's stop sign is exactly the same as in Australia or the United States or something like that) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:07, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems stop signs are among the most standardized signs worldwide, both in areas that use Vienna convention and MUTCD-style signs. I'd go so far to say that they are not worth mentioning (let alone showing) at all unless they actually diverge from that de-facto norm (red and white octagon). <small>Interestingly enough, you can actually find the Cuban design in the [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] as an alternative design.</small> [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 08:58, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::The "Cuban design" is (or was) a fairly common alternative. It was being installed in the UK up to 1975, and in Italy to 1990. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:06, 13 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Results of Wiki Loves Folklore 2022 is out! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] Hi, Greetings The winners for '''[[c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' is announced! We are happy to share with you winning images for this year's edition. This year saw over 8,584 images represented on commons in over 92 countries. Kindly see images '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Winners|here]]''' Our profound gratitude to all the people who participated and organized local contests and photo walks for this project. We hope to have you contribute to the campaign next year. '''Thank you,''' '''Wiki Loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 16:12, 4 July 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Distribution_list/Non-Technical_Village_Pumps_distribution_list&oldid=23454230 --> == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Road signs == There have been some discussions and addition and removal of galleries related to European road signs. As European non-driver it is hard for me to guess what signs are important to explain e.g. for US drivers. As the signs are pictogram-based, many of them are intuitive, but certainly not all. I assume other European editors also don't know what would be optimal, so I think we need others to weight in. There are some galleries in [[Driving in Europe]] and more for individual countries. As the variation is small between continental EU countries, there is little need for duplication per se, but I don't know to what extent one can assume drivers to read both the European article and the ones for individual countries (which have their peculiarities). Do drivers study traffic law or traffic signs before driving in a new country? I assume they are not, at least not to any great degree, but I might be wrong, and that would of course affect what we need to tell. Some of the articles became rather picture-heavy with a few less-established editors doing a lot of editing regarding images. I think we shouldn't apply our minimal-use-of-images policy to hard, as most images in these articles are informative rather than decorations. Some are of course also needed to give a feeling for the driving environment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:57, 11 July 2022 (UTC) :As a US driver, I think that stop signs and signs for speed limits would be the most immediately necessary. You can't really drive anywhere if you don't know those two. There are others that might be useful (e.g., Yield) but won't turn up as often. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:00, 11 July 2022 (UTC) ::EU driver here. Wikipedia has a great [[:w:Comparison of European road signs]]. Road signs in Europe are indeed pretty consistent and mostly follow the Vienna conventions. I think it would make sense for the individual ''Driving in country X'' articles to mostly rely on (and prominently link to) a central article about that (e.g. [[Driving in Europe]] or the Rules section of [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]]), so that the country articles can focus on pointing out where the country diverges from the norm in a way that could cause confusion. ::So for example, [[Driving in Europe]] would tell you that stop signs are always stop sign-shaped, always stop sign-colored and ''almost'' always use the word STOP, whereas [[Driving in Turkey]] might tell you that Turkey is pretty much the only country in Europe where they use local language (DUR) instead of STOP. [[Driving in Ireland]] might feel tempted to point out that the country uses [[:w:Comparison_of_MUTCD-influenced_traffic_signs|MUTCD-style]] warning signs, but that's probably more of a ''nice to know''. Pointing out that they (apparently) use [[:w:Belisha beacon]]s for pedestrian crossings would probably be a good idea, though. [[Driving in the Netherlands]] would probably talk about the relevance of blue vs. yellow curbs for parking rather than re-iterating that the prohibitory signs are round? ::Looking at existing ''Driving in X'' articles, I feel that ::* most of the example pictures in [[Driving_in_France#Traffic rules]] are unnecessary, as they are no different from other European countries and thus redundant to [[Driving in Europe]] (currently not linked). ::* [[Driving in Portugal#Road signs]] contains so many redundant examples that it's difficult to identify the ones that are specific to Portugal. ::* [[Driving in Sweden#Road signs]] and [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Road signs]] are mostly redundant too, but at least they stick to the important ones. ::*I don't know how I feel about the use of miniature versions of road signs in lists in [[Driving in Norway#Rules and regulations]] and [[Driving in Iceland#Rules and regulations]]. ::The other articles listed in [[Driving in Europe#Countries]] loo fine to me. Links to [[Driving in Europe]] are largely missing, though. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:49, 12 July 2022 (UTC) :::Australian driver here. Our signage is very similar to US signage, but with four major exceptions: :::* we have give way signs as opposed to yield signs :::* passing cars is called overtaking as passing is only used when you pass cyclists :::* signs that are only used RHS countries are flipped (e.g. roundabout signs) :::* our speed signs is a mix of both US and EU speed signs; we have that white background but use the red circle ([https://goo.gl/maps/uRJbytw9jRVq4SRC9 a sign in the NT for ref]) :::Sometimes we do have our own minor modifications, such as exit signs (cf. [https://goo.gl/maps/nR3uHo2B9Qb75mSp9 US] and [https://goo.gl/maps/JaiaKyXX9qtMvaQGA Aus (specifically Qld)]), but whenever I travel to the US, I've never had an issue with understanding signage. For the record, from my limited experience in NZ, they look very similar to Australian signs but with a few minor differences. :::In Europe, were very different to what I saw in Aus or the US, but thankfully due to standardised signs, I did not have a problem when travelling in different countries (the signs in Norway, albeit different were very similar to the signs in France). However, most EU signs were self-explanatory, so for the most part, comprehending them wasn't a problem. In South and Southeast Asia, they weren't standardised, but they were very similar. ::: Re [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]]'s comment: I understand speed signs (though they're pretty much the same everywhere outside the US, Canada and maybe Liberia), aren't stop signs the same, octagonal sign everywhere? I've yet to see a stop sign that isn't red and octagonal. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::[[File:Japan_road_sign_330-B.svg|thumb|What's this?]] ::::Most places are using red octagons, frequently even with the English word "STOP", but not quite everywhere. Even in places where the red octagon is common, there may be a few old signs that haven't quite been replaced yet or the occasional variation, like [[:File:Blue stop sign - hawaii - oct 2015.jpg|Hawaii's blue stop signs]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:56, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::After doing more digging, it seems [[:File:Cuban Stop Sign.svg|Cuba's stop sign]] is also triangular (like Japan's), but if a country uses the standard octagonal sign, wouldn't it simply make more sense to write that in plain text? (e.g. New Zealand's stop sign is exactly the same as in Australia or the United States or something like that) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:07, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems stop signs are among the most standardized signs worldwide, both in areas that use Vienna convention and MUTCD-style signs. I'd go so far to say that they are not worth mentioning (let alone showing) at all unless they actually diverge from that de-facto norm (red and white octagon). <small>Interestingly enough, you can actually find the Cuban design in the [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] as an alternative design.</small> [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 08:58, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::The "Cuban design" is (or was) a fairly common alternative. It was being installed in the UK up to 1975, and in Italy to 1990. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:06, 13 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) pjmae7otg3pg1kqqya1xc8kvan0edcc 4506181 4506178 2022-08-22T12:09:14Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Results of Wiki Loves Folklore 2022 is out! */ remove old notice wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Road signs == There have been some discussions and addition and removal of galleries related to European road signs. As European non-driver it is hard for me to guess what signs are important to explain e.g. for US drivers. As the signs are pictogram-based, many of them are intuitive, but certainly not all. I assume other European editors also don't know what would be optimal, so I think we need others to weight in. There are some galleries in [[Driving in Europe]] and more for individual countries. As the variation is small between continental EU countries, there is little need for duplication per se, but I don't know to what extent one can assume drivers to read both the European article and the ones for individual countries (which have their peculiarities). Do drivers study traffic law or traffic signs before driving in a new country? I assume they are not, at least not to any great degree, but I might be wrong, and that would of course affect what we need to tell. Some of the articles became rather picture-heavy with a few less-established editors doing a lot of editing regarding images. I think we shouldn't apply our minimal-use-of-images policy to hard, as most images in these articles are informative rather than decorations. Some are of course also needed to give a feeling for the driving environment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:57, 11 July 2022 (UTC) :As a US driver, I think that stop signs and signs for speed limits would be the most immediately necessary. You can't really drive anywhere if you don't know those two. There are others that might be useful (e.g., Yield) but won't turn up as often. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:00, 11 July 2022 (UTC) ::EU driver here. Wikipedia has a great [[:w:Comparison of European road signs]]. Road signs in Europe are indeed pretty consistent and mostly follow the Vienna conventions. I think it would make sense for the individual ''Driving in country X'' articles to mostly rely on (and prominently link to) a central article about that (e.g. [[Driving in Europe]] or the Rules section of [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]]), so that the country articles can focus on pointing out where the country diverges from the norm in a way that could cause confusion. ::So for example, [[Driving in Europe]] would tell you that stop signs are always stop sign-shaped, always stop sign-colored and ''almost'' always use the word STOP, whereas [[Driving in Turkey]] might tell you that Turkey is pretty much the only country in Europe where they use local language (DUR) instead of STOP. [[Driving in Ireland]] might feel tempted to point out that the country uses [[:w:Comparison_of_MUTCD-influenced_traffic_signs|MUTCD-style]] warning signs, but that's probably more of a ''nice to know''. Pointing out that they (apparently) use [[:w:Belisha beacon]]s for pedestrian crossings would probably be a good idea, though. [[Driving in the Netherlands]] would probably talk about the relevance of blue vs. yellow curbs for parking rather than re-iterating that the prohibitory signs are round? ::Looking at existing ''Driving in X'' articles, I feel that ::* most of the example pictures in [[Driving_in_France#Traffic rules]] are unnecessary, as they are no different from other European countries and thus redundant to [[Driving in Europe]] (currently not linked). ::* [[Driving in Portugal#Road signs]] contains so many redundant examples that it's difficult to identify the ones that are specific to Portugal. ::* [[Driving in Sweden#Road signs]] and [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Road signs]] are mostly redundant too, but at least they stick to the important ones. ::*I don't know how I feel about the use of miniature versions of road signs in lists in [[Driving in Norway#Rules and regulations]] and [[Driving in Iceland#Rules and regulations]]. ::The other articles listed in [[Driving in Europe#Countries]] loo fine to me. Links to [[Driving in Europe]] are largely missing, though. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:49, 12 July 2022 (UTC) :::Australian driver here. Our signage is very similar to US signage, but with four major exceptions: :::* we have give way signs as opposed to yield signs :::* passing cars is called overtaking as passing is only used when you pass cyclists :::* signs that are only used RHS countries are flipped (e.g. roundabout signs) :::* our speed signs is a mix of both US and EU speed signs; we have that white background but use the red circle ([https://goo.gl/maps/uRJbytw9jRVq4SRC9 a sign in the NT for ref]) :::Sometimes we do have our own minor modifications, such as exit signs (cf. [https://goo.gl/maps/nR3uHo2B9Qb75mSp9 US] and [https://goo.gl/maps/JaiaKyXX9qtMvaQGA Aus (specifically Qld)]), but whenever I travel to the US, I've never had an issue with understanding signage. For the record, from my limited experience in NZ, they look very similar to Australian signs but with a few minor differences. :::In Europe, were very different to what I saw in Aus or the US, but thankfully due to standardised signs, I did not have a problem when travelling in different countries (the signs in Norway, albeit different were very similar to the signs in France). However, most EU signs were self-explanatory, so for the most part, comprehending them wasn't a problem. In South and Southeast Asia, they weren't standardised, but they were very similar. ::: Re [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]]'s comment: I understand speed signs (though they're pretty much the same everywhere outside the US, Canada and maybe Liberia), aren't stop signs the same, octagonal sign everywhere? I've yet to see a stop sign that isn't red and octagonal. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::[[File:Japan_road_sign_330-B.svg|thumb|What's this?]] ::::Most places are using red octagons, frequently even with the English word "STOP", but not quite everywhere. Even in places where the red octagon is common, there may be a few old signs that haven't quite been replaced yet or the occasional variation, like [[:File:Blue stop sign - hawaii - oct 2015.jpg|Hawaii's blue stop signs]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:56, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::After doing more digging, it seems [[:File:Cuban Stop Sign.svg|Cuba's stop sign]] is also triangular (like Japan's), but if a country uses the standard octagonal sign, wouldn't it simply make more sense to write that in plain text? (e.g. New Zealand's stop sign is exactly the same as in Australia or the United States or something like that) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:07, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems stop signs are among the most standardized signs worldwide, both in areas that use Vienna convention and MUTCD-style signs. I'd go so far to say that they are not worth mentioning (let alone showing) at all unless they actually diverge from that de-facto norm (red and white octagon). <small>Interestingly enough, you can actually find the Cuban design in the [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] as an alternative design.</small> [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 08:58, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::The "Cuban design" is (or was) a fairly common alternative. It was being installed in the UK up to 1975, and in Italy to 1990. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:06, 13 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) hldu5tubj5u1xapvjhha7uzsd0v2oii 4506183 4506181 2022-08-22T12:10:59Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Road signs */ swept to [[Talk:Driving]] wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) dhctyhn0b8r2oi8gu7fwlppa7y2y742 4506188 4506183 2022-08-22T12:14:49Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Another copyvio site */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) k0kk5mqdisy4cm9pe1p42r3ijc90hv7 4506228 4506188 2022-08-22T13:12:12Z LPfi 79572 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ how to use it may be self-explanatory - where to use it is indeed not wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Community members in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|propose statements to use in the Election Compass.]] An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: July 8 - 20: Community members propose statements for the Election Compass July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements July 23 - August 1: Volunteers vote on the statements August 2 - 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements August 15: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August. The Elections Committee will oversee the process, supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance team. MSG will check that the questions are clear, there are no duplicates, no typos, and so on. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 13:26, 11 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 595qwlne9n70oy7tgptnr35k1ljyb77 4506229 4506228 2022-08-22T13:14:49Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Propose statements for the 2022 Election Compass */ delete old notice wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 1vi8lktekx815ieutrgc19aqrazh3nc 4506233 4506229 2022-08-22T13:22:03Z DaGizza 162256 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ question wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) j9p89rdc629q5bp08z03jg4mb5fl194 4506249 4506233 2022-08-22T13:33:30Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) e5w3j2uhadkp5gfldwrhnkjs97pu73j 4506292 4506249 2022-08-22T15:43:48Z WhatamIdoing 855272 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) n6sfq46xu8btaem1pk5mhebjk4y1dxc 4506312 4506292 2022-08-22T16:49:45Z LPfi 79572 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ don't tweak routebox indentation by hand, tweak the template if needed wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 39byg0hc91vm8c4zumgqz4ucy3ew213 4506313 4506312 2022-08-22T16:53:11Z LPfi 79572 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ just use a template parameter if you want such functionality wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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This includes announcements, initiatives and celebrations as well as issues with certain articles. * Anything that is '''Kosovo or Albania related''' is now meant to go in the [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo and Albania café|Kosovo and Albania café]] instead. This includes announcements, initiatives and celebrations as well as issues with certain articles. '''Pull up a chair and join in the conversation!''' [{{fullurl:Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub|action=edit&section=new}} '''Click here to start a new thread'''] </div> <div style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; text-align: left; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em" class="nomobile"> [[File:Wikivoyage sysop.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] <div class="toccolours mw-collapsible" style="background: #f4f7fa; border: 0px solid #abc;"> Experienced users: '''Please sweep the pub''' <div class="mw-collapsible-content">Keeping the pub clean is a group effort. If we have too many conversations on this page, it gets too noisy and hard to read. If you see an old conversation (i.e. '''a month''' dormant) that could be moved to a [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]], please do so, and add "{{[[Template:Swept|swept]]}}" there, to note that it has been swept in from the pub. Try to place it on the discussion page roughly in chronological order. * A question regarding a destination article should be swept to the article discussion page. * A discussion regarding a policy or the subject of an expedition can be swept to the policy or expedition discussion page. * A simple question asked by a user can be swept to that user's talk page, but consider if the documentation needs a quick update to make it clearer for the next user with the same question. * A pointer to a discussion going on elsewhere, such as a notice of a star nomination or a request to comment on another talk page, can be removed when it is old. Any discussion that occurred in the pub can be swept to where the main discussion took place. Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: If we want a see also in the information boxes, then let's add a parameter "seealso=" and put the indentation logic in the infobox template, with in5 as a helper template if needed, but I assume CSS is the better solution. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) quwcfm4l85zqxv3m2m9b4p49ub55db0 4506330 4506313 2022-08-22T17:19:47Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Another copyvio site */ wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::I have, actually, but it was so bloody pathetic that sharing it just seemed like a shame. Nonetheless: ::::Dear James, ::::Thanks so much for running this issue and your draft letter by the Wikimedia legal department! We appreciate your efforts to help address this copyright violation. ::::Best, Rosemary Sanz - Wikimedia Foundation Legal Department ::--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: If we want a see also in the information boxes, then let's add a parameter "seealso=" and put the indentation logic in the infobox template, with in5 as a helper template if needed, but I assume CSS is the better solution. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 8euv71ivhw1sqb17rp0ds0v8ipijhsh 4506351 4506330 2022-08-22T17:51:29Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Another copyvio site */ wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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If you see an old conversation (i.e. '''a month''' dormant) that could be moved to a [[Project:using talk pages|talk page]], please do so, and add "{{[[Template:Swept|swept]]}}" there, to note that it has been swept in from the pub. Try to place it on the discussion page roughly in chronological order. * A question regarding a destination article should be swept to the article discussion page. * A discussion regarding a policy or the subject of an expedition can be swept to the policy or expedition discussion page. * A simple question asked by a user can be swept to that user's talk page, but consider if the documentation needs a quick update to make it clearer for the next user with the same question. * A pointer to a discussion going on elsewhere, such as a notice of a star nomination or a request to comment on another talk page, can be removed when it is old. Any discussion that occurred in the pub can be swept to where the main discussion took place. Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::I have, actually, but it was so bloody pathetic that sharing it just seemed like a shame. Nonetheless: ::::Dear James, ::::Thanks so much for running this issue and your draft letter by the Wikimedia legal department! We appreciate your efforts to help address this copyright violation. ::::Best, Rosemary Sanz - Wikimedia Foundation Legal Department ::--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::Wow, that's like getting a helping hand and a pat on the head, but without the helping hand. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 17:51, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: If we want a see also in the information boxes, then let's add a parameter "seealso=" and put the indentation logic in the infobox template, with in5 as a helper template if needed, but I assume CSS is the better solution. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) rquvd0w6n719uokaqqo1jrzl65c8ubn 4506423 4506351 2022-08-22T21:04:56Z AlasdairW 1812 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::I have, actually, but it was so bloody pathetic that sharing it just seemed like a shame. Nonetheless: ::::Dear James, ::::Thanks so much for running this issue and your draft letter by the Wikimedia legal department! We appreciate your efforts to help address this copyright violation. ::::Best, Rosemary Sanz - Wikimedia Foundation Legal Department ::--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::Wow, that's like getting a helping hand and a pat on the head, but without the helping hand. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 17:51, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: If we want a see also in the information boxes, then let's add a parameter "seealso=" and put the indentation logic in the infobox template, with in5 as a helper template if needed, but I assume CSS is the better solution. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::Why is this linked to [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:Indent (Q5618727)]], not [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:In5 (Q8129687)]]? The link suggests that it has the wrong name. If we must have this, I would prefer the name of "indent". I don't see why indenting by 5 would be so common as to be the default. "In" is a word and I wouldn't automatically think of it as an abbreviation. Conversationally "in 5" means "in 5 minutes" - so an editor might expect this to give a 5 minute break! [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:03, 22 August 2022 (UTC) h87dvpmcf9r1o1pu5rnb0uz2k3edifi 4506428 4506423 2022-08-22T21:37:00Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Another copyvio site */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::I have, actually, but it was so bloody pathetic that sharing it just seemed like a shame. Nonetheless: ::::Dear James, ::::Thanks so much for running this issue and your draft letter by the Wikimedia legal department! We appreciate your efforts to help address this copyright violation. ::::Best, Rosemary Sanz - Wikimedia Foundation Legal Department ::--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::Wow, that's like getting a helping hand and a pat on the head, but without the helping hand. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 17:51, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Another wow from me. "Draft letter"??? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 21:37, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: If we want a see also in the information boxes, then let's add a parameter "seealso=" and put the indentation logic in the infobox template, with in5 as a helper template if needed, but I assume CSS is the better solution. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::Why is this linked to [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:Indent (Q5618727)]], not [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:In5 (Q8129687)]]? The link suggests that it has the wrong name. If we must have this, I would prefer the name of "indent". I don't see why indenting by 5 would be so common as to be the default. "In" is a word and I wouldn't automatically think of it as an abbreviation. Conversationally "in 5" means "in 5 minutes" - so an editor might expect this to give a 5 minute break! [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:03, 22 August 2022 (UTC) jxa26hx4rayec7b8ud7wu2jyiwjyqja 4506429 4506428 2022-08-22T21:37:17Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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Any discussions that do not fall into any of these categories, and are not of any special importance for posterity, should be archived to '''[[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub/Archives]]''' and removed from here. If you are not sure where to put a discussion, let it be—better to spend your efforts on those that you do know where to place.</div> </div></div> {{WikivoyageDoc|collaboration}} <!-- Discussions start here --> __TOC__ __NEWSECTIONLINK__ == How to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? == {{mapframe|55.7773|37.6062|zoom=9}} {{Mapshape}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Central-East|Moscow Central-East]]|wikidata=Q1412002|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#c8aa92|title=[[Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow|Zelenograd and New Moscow]]|wikidata=Q207695,Q462497,Q462589|stroke-opacity=0.1}} {{Mapshapes|Q5499}} <!-- Moscow Metro --> Results as shown on the map, how to fix a bunch of grey unnecessary markers on the map? Can help? thanks. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::I have, actually, but it was so bloody pathetic that sharing it just seemed like a shame. Nonetheless: ::::Dear James, ::::Thanks so much for running this issue and your draft letter by the Wikimedia legal department! We appreciate your efforts to help address this copyright violation. ::::Best, Rosemary Sanz - Wikimedia Foundation Legal Department ::--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::Wow, that's like getting a helping hand and a pat on the head, but without the helping hand. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 17:51, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Another wow from me. "Draft letter"??? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 21:37, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: If we want a see also in the information boxes, then let's add a parameter "seealso=" and put the indentation logic in the infobox template, with in5 as a helper template if needed, but I assume CSS is the better solution. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::Why is this linked to [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:Indent (Q5618727)]], not [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:In5 (Q8129687)]]? The link suggests that it has the wrong name. If we must have this, I would prefer the name of "indent". I don't see why indenting by 5 would be so common as to be the default. "In" is a word and I wouldn't automatically think of it as an abbreviation. Conversationally "in 5" means "in 5 minutes" - so an editor might expect this to give a 5 minute break! [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:03, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::Fixed. I'll also add that even the German Wikivoyage also uses this template, and has no issues with this template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 21:37, 22 August 2022 (UTC) eqw1dlej0x9l5nm2mc4im9r4y8vlicv 4506637 4506429 2022-08-23T06:42:10Z LPfi 79572 /* Template for approval: Template:In5 */ seems to be used only as an ad hoc fix to templates - should we put that in the documentation together with related advice? wikitext text/x-wiki <div style="text-align:left; background: #f4f7fa; border: 1px solid #abc; padding: .3em; margin-bottom: 1.5em"> <div style="text-align:center; font-size:300%; line-height: 1; padding: 10px;">'''Welcome to the pub'''</div> {{shortcut|[[WV:Pub]]|[[WV:TP]]}} [[File:QA_icon_clr.svg|right|frameless|150px|link=]] The Travellers' Pub is for general discussion on Wikivoyage, and the place to ask questions when you're confused, lost, afraid, tired, annoyed, thoughtful, or helpful. 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[[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 17:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Yuriy kosygin|Yuriy kosygin]] We've discussed this quite a number of times before. The issue is this data comes from OpenStreetMap and there's no way to remove the unnecessary grey markers unless you completely comment out the transport lines. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:31, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::Alas... Wikivoyage is really weak, I'm afraid we'll have to draw the route own. [[User:Yuriy_kosygin|✈ IGOR]] ／ [[User talk:Yuriy_kosygin| ✉ TALK?!]] ^{''．WIKIVOYAGER !''} 15:34, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::There has to be a way to fix this idiocy on OpenStreetMap, but in the meantime, we need to eliminate this crap from our site. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:25, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Could we make the gray actually be 100% transparent? It would still be visible, but perhaps not such a disaster. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:38, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::If I recall correctly, the issue at hand was that we couldn't make the distinction between line elements and point elements. I don't master Lua myself, so I can't make sense of whether this would be a viable workaround for [[Module:Mapshapes]]. @[[User:Andree.sk|Andree.sk]], any words on this? <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 18:22, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Mapshapes is just a thin helper to instantiate {{tl|mapshape}}, which is the main culprint. In turn, that one uses the kartographer stuff, which can't be trivially adjusted. But there may be some hacks, I'll try to try something in the coming weeks... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::The only other solution is to manually trace out the route on geojson.io and then add it to the article (see [[Canberra/Acton]] for an example of how this is done) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:32, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::While I don't question this working, it does come with a substantial downside: It's not 'automatically' updated whenever the line changes route (in reality, OSM-contributors update it and we import the dataset they edit). This leaves us with a lot of extra work, which I expect will get out of date quite quickly. Perhaps not for metro's, but definitely for trams or BRT's. Drawing the lines ourselves can work for cities that see regular edits or that have docents capable of editing GeoJSON data (and willing to do so). I strongly prefer making Mapshapes work, even if it's a workaround over manually doing the work ourselves. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 08:30, 1 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} At the German Wikivoyage I added a rule to [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] which hides the grey pushpin markers. <syntaxhighlight lang="css"> /* Removing grey pushpin markers on mapframe maps */ img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e.png"], img[src$="pin-m+7e7e7e@2x.png"] { display: none; } </syntaxhighlight> Unfortunately, I cannot make the edit by myself. But I am sure your admins can do it. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 09:24, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}} given you're the only active interface admin here, can you add the three-line code? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ::I checked the positions of the markers, and they are the stops/stations of the public transport lines. However they don't give the name of the stop, but only the name of the line. The name of the line is already displayed by clicking the line. So, with the present marker texts, no new info is available. If the marker info would have the name of the stop it indicates, displaying them could be useful. I tested from which zoom level displaying the markers is not disturbing anymore, and came to zoom level 14-19 may show the markers, below 14 not. And this zoom level dependent conditional showing of the markers should only be done if the markers contain the names of the stops. If it is impossible to have the names of the stops in the markers, markers should never be shown. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :::While I agree that they could be useful to some extent, the thing is that we can't properly make the distinction between lines, polygons or points/markers in the data that we fetch from OpenStreetMap. At present we also cannot import the names of these stations/halts (I believe this data gets lost between Wikidata and OSM, but I might be wrong). Roland's solution above is just a workaround that hides the marker, but the point itself stays on the map albeit invisible. So long as we can't make the distinction properly, we sadly can't implement these markers in a more useful way either. For that distinction to be made, the Kartographer extension needs additional functionalities, which we've been asking for for several years already. Until we get that, it's either hiding the markers or accepting them as-they-come, the latter of which is a lot less popular. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 12:48, 1 July 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]], do we have any other admins who can do this? Another option would be using JavaScript, but using CSS is much cleaner... Also, alternatively to 'display: none', we could change opacity to e.g. 0.3, that also looks quite ok. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 09:31, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::I really don't know. I hope other admins are reading this thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::This needs an interface admin to do it and as far as I'm aware, {{ping|Andyrom75}} is the only interface admin who has been active recently. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:38, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have at least 2-3 people with those permissions - even if they need guidance for doing technical changes... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:15, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] maybe, then? -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 10:51, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Sorry guys, I've read the conversation just right now. ::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], I have created [[MediaWiki:Kartographer.css]] as per your code, but not so much time for testing. The gray POI has disappeared; it's enough? Any side effect to be checked? ::::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thanks for pinging me twice. Next time, in case of emergency, leave a message on my it:voy talk page. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::It helped, thanks both to you and Roland! :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 19:28, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: There are no side effects. The names of the pushpin images contain their colors, and this particular color is not used elsewhere. Of course, the way proposed is a workaround not a real solution but it is useful. The grey pushpin markers are present up to now, but they are invisible (hidden). --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 04:23, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]], thanks for your confirmation. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:00, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Brilliant work. Thanks to everyone who contributed to finding a workaround.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:52, 14 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Is this something that we should share with other wikis? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:15, 14 July 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} A permanent solution to this problem has been implemented but not published for whatever reason (see https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613). --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 14:14, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Bugfix for grey markers has been deployed today. The CSS workarounds should not be necessary anymore. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 20:25, 19 August 2022 (UTC) == Using a separate colour for freeways on static maps == [[File:Greater Brisbane regions map.png|thumb|350px]] Right now, our current Wikivoyage style for static maps is to use red for a main road, while use yellow for secondary roads. While the criteria for what's a main road and what's a secondary road is fairly arbitrary and up to whoever's making the map to decide, I was wondering whether we should consider using a different colour for freeways/motorways? While I'm still new to this static mapmaking business, I personally find such a distinction of what's an ordinary road and what's a freeway useful, and many people often either want to use freeways or try to avoid them. Our dynamic maps already use a different colour for freeways, so why not static? I wanted to make such a distinction when I made a static map for [[Greater Brisbane]] today (on right), but such a change would be against Wikivoyage-style, so I'm asking the community for input; and if we do use a separate colour to distinguish freeways from normal roads, what would it be? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:24, 5 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions.png|thumb|350px]] :I tried using orange to identify freeways in the map of Southern Tasmania that I just created (on right). Is it obvious that the route coloured orange means a freeway? (I really want answers so I can take note of what I should do differently for my next static map) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:32, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :: What a colour means is never obvious, unless you know something about the destination. The colour could just mean "main highways" or whatever. :: I think that there are many more things that might be interesting for at least some travellers, and most travellers to some destinations. How do we show good cycling routes? Roads with good bus service? Nice pedestrian routes? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:14, 5 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think any colour schemes are immediately obvious wordwide. For a UK map, I would be tempted to use the same as some OS maps - blue for motorways, red for A roads, brown for B roads and yellow for minor roads, but some UK road atlases use green for A roads as this is the colour used on road signs. Another complication is the use of different colour fills for regions - a yellow road on a yellow background isn't good - spot the roads going to Richmond in Southern Tasmania. :::Is it possible to use slightly different line widths to indicate road importance? We also need to allow for things like long distance walking tracks or off-road cycle routes. As both examples have a lot of sea, they could have a key explaining the colours. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:45, 5 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Agreed. Map making 101: Every map needs a legend (key), and every symbol used in that map (intuitive or not) needs to be explained in that legend. That way you can add whatever is needed. Having a consistent style for static maps is a ''nice to have''; it should not get in the way of making maps ''useful''. ::::The color issue mentioned by AlasdairW is part of of a bigger problem: The different elements used in the map are unbalanced in terms of contrast (color, saturation, brightness) and visual weight (size, thickness). ::::1) The lines used for the roads are too thin in relation to everything else. After enlarging enough to properly see the roads, the text labels are way larger than they need to be. This is a static map: pick one scale and apply it consistently, using an appropriate degree of generalization. ::::2) Visual importance of borders (thickness, color contrast of the white vs. area colors) is too high given that areas already have different colors. Line thickness of borders is also inconsistent in the second map. ::::3) In general, having areas colored that heavily (dark & saturated) creates all kinds of problems for the visibility of makers, line elements and text labels. "Brisbane" in the first map is practically unreadable, for example. In [[:File:Georgia_regions_map2.png]], for example, that is much less of an issue due to different color choices. ::::Unfortunately, the region maps template is basically calling for many of these problems to occur. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 13:41, 6 July 2022 (UTC) [[File:Southern Tasmania regions map.png|thumb|350px]] :::::I've added a key to the Southern Tas static map (on right). How does this look? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:24, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::But unfortunately, I have to agree with El Grafo that our region maps are at the very least, unreadable and awful-looking. If I had to design a static map from the start, this is not the way I would do it, but unfortunately the community is unwilling to accept that, in this very day and age, dynamic maps are far superior to static maps. There are few people who can edit static maps in the first place, and the two only editors (excluding myself) that I'm aware of who have even edited in the past month are {{u|Shaundd}} and {{u|SelfieCity}}. The only reason I'm making these maps is because our policy favours static maps in region articles but otherwise I think we need to revamp the region maps template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:15, 9 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::I know this is a minor point, but I like the color scheme you are using. It feels just the right amount of trendy/modern/not outdated. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:11, 9 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I do like the lighter colours in the color scheme though. From [[Template:StdColor]], T1, T6, T8 and T9 feel a bit too dark (hence what's causing these problems), but a static map does look very nice if the right colors are used. So far, my favorite has to be the map I made for [[Southeastern New South Wales]], and I've been trying to make more maps like that. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:37, 10 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Hi {{u|SHB2000}}, I think it's fine if you want to experiment a bit use different colours and distinguish motorways. I did motorways differently for a while on maps I drew but eventually stopped because I felt it was more detail/clutter than benefit and it became another colour that had to integrated with the colour palette (which didn't always work). ::::::::: I also agree with the others above that our standard colours don't always work. I ended up moving away from them so I could get a better contrast between the region colour and the text (improves readability quite a bit). -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:05, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: The problem may be that our regional map template colors were not originally designed to accommodate details like roads. They work fine for plainer regional maps like [[New York (state)]] or [[Massachusetts]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:34, 15 July 2022 (UTC) == Crazy new feature idea -- personal itineraries == What if we had a way for a user (probably a logged-in user) to save individual listings to a custom itinerary? (Not a [[Wikivoyage:Itineraries|Wikivoyage Itinerary]], just in the generic sense of the word.) Or even save individual listings to a Google Map? Some way a user could record places he or she wants to go? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:37, 15 July 2022 (UTC) :Something kinda like this? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500/test places]] --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:29, 15 July 2022 (UTC) ::Roughly, but see my response to WhatamIdoing well below. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) ::The way I understand the idea, is it's like a personalised version of an article, that lists only the POIs that the owner is interested in. That is already doable by a manual copy-and-paste, but I assume the idea is for something more high-tech, where the user could just tap or click a button on a listing in [[Prague]], which copies the listing over to [[ThunderingTyphoons!' Prague itinerary]]. ::That seems like a great idea to me, but I don't know how to implement it.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:22, 16 July 2022 (UTC) *{{o}} First of all, there are multiple issues with this proposal. The first and the foremost is that most readers don't have an account and IP users are not allowed to have user pages or user subpages; IPs periodically change over time so if we are going to be the only Wikimedia project that openly allows such, then we're going to have to do some serious janitorial work in deleting these subpages after a few months. Additionally, this is going to require some brand new tools and gadgets that will take a lot of time – really not worth the time and effort. Finally, saving individual listings to Google Maps is against our [[what not to link to]] policy, so no, I oppose this proposal. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:04, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::What do you mean, IP users are not allowed to have user pages or subpages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:32, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::I don't know whether it's a global policy or a policy only on Meta-Wiki and I think Wikipedia too, but as far as I'm aware, both those projects speedily delete IP userpages or IP subpages as IPs aren't permanently assigned to one user. Our policies don't seem to say anything about this, but maybe {{u|WhatamIdoing}} might be able to explain this better. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::enwiki allows IP user pages, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:220.101.28.25 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:81.168.80.170 [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 14:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::We do, too. IPs' user pages are never deleted here unless they are spam or vandalism. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:50, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Those seem to be at least a decade old though. I just tried making one and the software wouldn't allow me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:23, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::That's very disconcerting. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I managed to create one, first ensuring I was in an incognito window. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 23:25, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::With respect, SHB2000, I think your objections are ill-considered. Firstly, I didn't say anything about IP user pages or subpages; there may very well be ways to implement this that don't rely on them. Second, while it's true that this would require some development effort, you don't even attempt to make a case that the benefit isn't "worth the time and effort". Yes, it would be a lot of effort, but if the return is great enough, it might still be "worth it". (I'm not making a claim either way, just pointing out that you failed to support yours.) Third, [[what not to link to]] is about things that are better done here on Wikivoyage; if you're claiming it shouldn't be on Wikivoyage in the first place, then [[what not to link to]] doesn't apply. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) :::Okay, so if I wasn't clear enough, here's a longer but briefer explanation. Such a tool would work very similar to the already existing editor, but maintaining such scripts is ''very'' difficult (I do maintain a few of these scripts IRL) and even if this went ahead, there are a few issues: :::* Like the listing editor, users will need to have javascript enabled. Without javascript, it simply won't work. :::* If this tool just copies down all the important pieces of a listing to a separate page, the tool needs to give attribution in the edit summary – otherwise, it's a violation of our copyleft license. :::* This won't work for outline articles that have little to no content :::* Users might be intimidated if they want to edit the listing – I'm guessing only maybe 1 or 2 per cent of our readers will know what Wikidata is (which is one of the main sources we use to get coordinates). :::What more, this exact same thing can be done with [http://geojson.io/#map=10/-34.9602/149.1497 geojson.io]. We have few editors who actively maintain scripts like these, and only a fraction out of the few who can will be willing to spend a lot of time and effort into something that isn't even really worth spending that much time anyway. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 19 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for explaining further, but I really think you're getting hung up on implementation details that might not even apply for some of the directions we could go with this feature. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Powers, were you thinking about individual listings (first the museum, then the restaurant, back to the hotel), or about destinations (San Francisco, then Napa Valley, then Yosemite)? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:07, 17 July 2022 (UTC) ::Individual listings. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:53, 18 July 2022 (UTC) * What's stopping a user from creating a personal itinerary in userspace under current policy? I'm curious as to the need for a change. As for as I'm concerned, I could create an itinerary in userspace based on an OSM map, and surely, it wouldn't be deleted as out of scope? I'd prefer for the above reasons to avoid Google Maps. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 21:22, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:I already have that: [[User:AlasdairW/Testpage]]. This is currently showing a few places that I stayed in in 2018. At that time it was used to send to friends showing where I would be staying on a trip - they got the dates etc in an email that linked to this page. *:I would support having a policy that explicitly allowed such a page (for signed in users), as they might be more inclined to also update the article pages at the same time. I think that such pages should stick to using our mapframes, although I would be happy with a tool that allowed a list of lat/longs to exported for use with other tools including Google maps, car GPS systems etc. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:54, 18 July 2022 (UTC) *:Well, willingness and ability to edit wiki pages, primarily, as well as the cumbersome need to copy+paste listings. I'm envisioning a one-click kind of "add to personal itinerary" button on each listing. The use case would be a non-editor coming to Wikivoyage to learn about a destination (or several related ones) and assembling a list/map of highlights she wants to be sure to hit on her trip. Can she just write them down somewhere, or copy+paste them to a personal Google map? Sure, but the proposed feature would remove several steps. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 12:11, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News - Issue 7 == <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1</tvar>|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 22:58, 18 July 2022 (UTC) == "PIN codes" == This redirect was created to go to [[Wikivoyage:Postal codes]], but I daresay, most non-<s>Australians</s>Indians have never heard of this term in a postal context and would expect it to link to an article about banking. Please express your opinion at [[Wikivoyage talk:PIN codes]]. Should we create a disambiguation for two terms that are not destinations, or should we delete the redirect? Those seem to me to be the only two reasonable options. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:12, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :PIN-pass, you pay cash or are you PIN-ing, and more, are usual expressions in The Netherlands.--[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::Right, but this is treating "PIN codes" as an <s>Australian</s>Indian postal expression, and I'm saying that's too obscure to non-<s>Australians</s>Indians to be a good redirect. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:14, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :First of all, remember, [[w:WP:CHEAP|redirects are cheap]] – there is really no point in discussing pointless redirects. The first sentence of [[Wikivoyage:Deletion policy#Redirects]] explicitly says "As a general rule, redirect pages should not be deleted. Redirection pages provide alternative page titles for articles and allow search engines to locate articles by their alternative names.". :Secondly, what made you think that this was an Australian term? The page I linked, [[English language varieties#Connect]] explicitly mentioned that it's sometimes redundantly called such in India (whilst redundant, again, redirects are cheap). Did you think that it was an Australian term just because I created it? I honestly had no idea what that meant before my first trip to India (and I'll add that my driver did constantly mention "PIN code", not "PIN"). :Thirdly, this could have really been handled in a much better way. Unless it's something major (e.g. userban nominations, major proposal change or something alike), this should go in [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment]], not in the pub. Perhaps you missed "If you'd like to draw attention to a comment to get feedback from other Wikivoyagers, try [[Wikivoyage:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]]."? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:17, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::People pay more attention to the Pub. I thought about also putting the announcement in Requests for comment but got lazy. But confusing redirects aren't cheap. If you really want to fight this, then yes, a nomination will need to be made at [[vfd]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :::Btw, sorry if anything about this annoys you, and sorry for getting wrong where "PIN code" comes from, but I also felt like you decided to ignore my reply about how confusing redirects are not cheap, so I had to do something in order to generate more discussion, and I don't think there's any important matter of protocol involved in whether notice is given in requests for comment as well as the pub. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:44, 20 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Now there's a Votes for deletion thread, [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Wikivoyage:PIN codes]]. Feel free to put a notice on Requests for comment if you like. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:21, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi everyone, The Affiliate Representatives have completed their voting period. The selected 2022 Board of Trustees candidates are: * Tobechukwu Precious Friday ([[:m:User:Tochiprecious|Tochiprecious]]) * Farah Jack Mustaklem ([[:m:User:Fjmustak|Fjmustak]]) * Shani Evenstein Sigalov ([[:m:User:Esh77|Esh77]]) * Kunal Mehta ([[:m:User:Legoktm|Legoktm]]) * Michał Buczyński ([[:m:User:Aegis Maelstrom|Aegis Maelstrom]]) * Mike Peel ([[:m:User:Mike Peel|Mike Peel]]) You may see more information about the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Results]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Stats|Statistics]] of this Board election. The Affiliate organizations selected representatives to vote on behalf of the Affiliate organization. The Affiliate Representatives proposed questions for the candidates to answer in mid-June. These answers from candidates and the information provided from the Analysis Committee provided support for the representatives as they made their decision. Please take a moment to appreciate the Affiliate Representatives and Analysis Committee members for taking part in this process and helping to grow the Board of Trustees in capacity and diversity. These hours of volunteer work connect us across understanding and perspective. Thank you for your participation. Thank you to the community members who put themselves forward as candidates for the Board of Trustees. Considering joining the Board of Trustees is no small decision. The time and dedication candidates have shown to this point speaks to their commitment to this movement. Congratulations to those candidates who have been selected. A great amount of appreciation and gratitude for those candidates not selected. Please continue to share your leadership with Wikimedia. What can voters do now? [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Results|Review the results of the Affiliate selection process]]. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Announcing the six candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election|Read more here about the next steps in the 2022 Board of Trustee election]]. Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee''</translate><br /><section end="announcement-content" /> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 19:32, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Another copyvio site == Just as an FYI, I found another copy of Wikivoyage a few days ago: [https://www.travelerandfree.com/ Traveler and Free]. This one is a mirror site, which updates in real time (go ahead and find this very post on their mirror of the Pub!). It's not copyleft-compliant: there's no credit given to WV, and each page has a fraudulent copyright symbol on it. There seems to be real people behind it, as the same site hosts a blog that appears to be original content. On Monday, I sent an email to the address listed on their contact page, and have also notified Wikimedia Legal. Will let you know if there are any developments. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:35, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Their [https://www.travelerandfree.com/terms_of_service terms of service] reads an absolute joke to me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:48, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::Ah, I didn't spot that, but Legal might be interested. It expressly forbids other sites to mirror it! ::Forgot to mention that it's not just a mirror of en.wikivoyage, but of all the language additions.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:57, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::: Thank you for taking action. We should have a page with best practices for these cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:27, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::We do, but it's not very instructive - [[Wikivoyage:Non-compliant redistribution]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:29, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: Thanks. I had forgotten about it. There is even your example letter on the talk page. That page helps quite a bit, although it could be improved. I added a paragraph on contributions with copyright. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:25, 22 July 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|ThunderingTyphoons!}} Any advances? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:15, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I'm afraid not. If other users are interested, I recommend writing your own reports to Wikimedia Legal; they're obviously very busy, but if several Wikivoyagers make some noise about this issue, they're more likely to prioritise our case over other stuff they're doing (I work with lawyers IRL, and that's how they operate).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:26, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::: What can they do, other than giving some general advice? They cannot be our lawyers and they don't have any copyrights to the content. If we sue, they can probably give contacts to lawyers in the right jurisdictions (seems to be England, as the London address is marked as "HQ"), but that's about it, I think. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:38, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: I sent an e-mail of my own. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:05, 1 August 2022 (UTC) : I sent email as well & cc'd legal. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:26, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} It's a bit over a month since you started this thread, but have you received an email from Legal yet? If you haven't yet received one, then I'm afraid they're just going to dismiss it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:14, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::I have, actually, but it was so bloody pathetic that sharing it just seemed like a shame. Nonetheless: ::::Dear James, ::::Thanks so much for running this issue and your draft letter by the Wikimedia legal department! We appreciate your efforts to help address this copyright violation. ::::Best, Rosemary Sanz - Wikimedia Foundation Legal Department ::--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:19, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::Wow, that's like getting a helping hand and a pat on the head, but without the helping hand. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 17:51, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Another wow from me. "Draft letter"??? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 21:37, 22 August 2022 (UTC) == alternative-indy culture == Anyone knows of good guide to alternative-indy culture in any Wikivoyage language? --[[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 19:59, 21 July 2022 (UTC) :Like I said in the Interlingual Lounge, I don't know of any, and that sounds like a travel topic to me, that perhaps you'd like to start, but first, what do you mean by alternative-indy culture and what part of the world would you like to cover? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:16, 21 July 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] TNX :-) I answered [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage/Lounge&oldid=23557712#alternative-indy_culture? there]: "my plan is to cover clubs (different styles) and socio-cultural centers that are non (or even anti) commercial in Croatia. I have friend who is interested in doing it for Slovenia also. We would appreciate to see something similar done elsewhere." ::@ALL here - I am interested in having this done across different language instances, but I am not aware of differences, so will likely experiment and 'innovate' in Incubator. ::-- [[User:Zblace|Zblace]] ([[User talk:Zblace|talk]]) 06:50, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::That seems like a possible travel topic, but it seems to me, the full listings should be in articles for the cities where the clubs are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Vote for Election Compass Statements == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Vote for Election Compass Statements}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hi all, Volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] are invited to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass/Statements|vote for statements to use in the Election Compass]]. You can vote for the statements you would like to see included in the Election Compass on Meta-wiki. An Election Compass is a tool to help voters select the candidates that best align with their beliefs and views. The community members will propose statements for the candidates to answer using a Lickert scale (agree/neutral/disagree). The candidates’ answers to the statements will be loaded into the Election Compass tool. Voters will use the tool by entering in their answer to the statements (agree/disagree/neutral). The results will show the candidates that best align with the voter’s beliefs and views. Here is the timeline for the Election Compass: *<s>July 8 - 20: Volunteers propose statements for the Election Compass</s> *<s>July 21 - 22: Elections Committee reviews statements for clarity and removes off-topic statements</s> *July 23 - August 3: Volunteers vote on the statements *August 4: Elections Committee selects the top 15 statements *August 5 - 12: candidates align themselves with the statements *August 16: The Election Compass opens for voters to use to help guide their voting decision The Elections Committee will select the top 15 statements at the beginning of August Best, Movement Strategy and Governance ''This message was sent on behalf of the Board Selection Task Force and the Elections Committee'' [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:26, 26 July 2022 (UTC) == Mapshape problems == [[File:Mapframe Probl-combi.jpg|thumb|240px|When colors are missing, the map center also changes]] At [[Venice#Get around]] the Mapshape does not work very well. The colors of several areas do not show. Clicking the refresh button of the browser makes the colors show for less than a second. The format of those Mapshapes is: *<nowiki>{{Mapshape|type=geoshape|group=map1|wikidata=...|fill=...|title=...}}</nowiki> It is not constant, this morning the shapes that were not there were different from what I see now, some hours later. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:03, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Opening the page '''now''' (10 minutes later) again, and there is no problem. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:17, 27 July 2022 (UTC) ::Opening the page '''now''' (next day) again, and the problem is back. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:47, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|FredTC}} This issue has been a recurring issue for some time that {{u|LPfi}} and I have noticed. When I made a detailed dynamic map for [[New South Wales]] last November, every single mapshape appeared. Eventually the mapshape for Narrabri Shire disappeared, never to be seen again (even though there was nothing wrong on OSM). A few months later, Tweed Shire and Griffith City Council disappeared, never to be seen again. There have been a few other recent cases too. Here are my suggestions for the time being: :::* For city districts and small regions, manually trace the districts yourself using geojson.io :::* For larger region articles, revert back to using traditional, old static maps. :::Static maps aren't perfect though. The dynamic map in [[Greater Brisbane]] was clearly superior to the static map (that's overly crowded) and some of the colour scheme for regions is basically calling this. I'll need to adjust the colours soon, but in the case for [[Venice]], I think manually tracing out the route using [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io] is a much better alternative to using static maps (I'll help you with tracing the route if needed) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:52, 28 July 2022 (UTC) :::: I am not sure this is the same problem. I haven't noticed the mapshapes appearing for a moment, and that also does not make sense for the description of the bug on Phabricator. The bug we discussed earlier meant, if memory serves, that the database lost mapshapes over time, and the problem was cured for that shape only when it was fetched again, which I think is about weeks rather than hours or minutes. Something disappearing soon after loading a page sounds like a Javacript problem (as Javascript is executed after page load and can change the appearance). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:23, 28 July 2022 (UTC) ::::: I guess we need to open a task in [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/ Phabricator]. Maybe in a year someone will have a look at it... --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::Noticed this again on [[Blue River Provincial Park]]. Never before have I been so grateful for the [https://mapmask-geojson-converter.renek.cc/ mapmask-geojson converter] you made. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:24, 31 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::And again in [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I added an image that also shows a changing map center when colors are missing. This might be useful for problem analysis. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==New topic: [[Personal electric vehicles]]== [[Personal electric vehicles]] is intended to collect information on electric bicycles, e-scooters and similar equipment. Please contribute. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 23:51, 27 July 2022 (UTC) :Thank you for starting this article. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:27, 1 August 2022 (UTC) == Article out-of-date == I need to update [[Ho Chi Minh City]] article in the next days. I ask for somebody to check my edits there. [[User:Claude van der Grift|Claude van der Grift]] ([[User talk:Claude van der Grift|talk]]) 07:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Claude van der Grift}} Sure. Will check your edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Many dynamic maps broken == Dynamic district overview maps which get their boundaries from OpenStreetMap via Wikidata id's are broken all over the site, e.g. [[Paris]] or [[Tokyo]]. This is the error message in the browser console: <code>Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (https://maps.wikimedia.org/geoline?getgeojson=1&ids=Q1083349)</code> The issues with imported OSM elements like boundaries or public transport lines are going on for months, if not 1-2 years already. Really a pity because those dynamic maps could be so useful for the traveller. [[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:22, 30 July 2022 (UTC) :Didn't see the discussion above ("Mapshape problems"). Same thing.--[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 10:42, 30 July 2022 (UTC) == Request for participation in discussion of user rights nomination process == This thread: [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] Many such threads have been closed by non-bureaucrat admins, but at least one admin thinks that's wrong, and current language at [[Wikivoyage:User rights nominations]] states that all such threads have to be closed by bureaucrats. I'm not sure when that language was added and propose to change it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:05, 7 August 2022 (UTC) == Name of articles covering multiple destinations == I was looking for how to name a single article when it covers two or more destinations without a local name for the combined entity. I have seen names like [[Gour-Pandua]] (covering two historic towns) and [[Birbhum-Murshidabad]] (covering two administrative divisions, now renamed Central Bengal), but I don't think these names may sound natural outside India. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 07:43, 11 August 2022 (UTC) :The hyphens look okay to me, although to be clear the article covers two distinct places, rather than one place with a hyphenated name, you might be better using a connective such as "and", e.g. [[Newbury and Thatcham]], [[Windsor and Eton]].--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:07, 11 August 2022 (UTC) ::Agree. If I hadn't read [[Gour-Pandua]], I'd have thought it was the one same place (like [[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park|Leeuwin-Naturaliste]] or Uluru-Kata Tjuta). "And" works just fine (also see [[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]], [[Buffalo/Allentown and the Delaware District]], or [[Dubai/Suburbs and Hatta]]). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 01:38, 12 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Sometimes you just drop one of them. [[Turku]] covers most of Turku, a city of 200,000, and Raisio, a neighbouring town of 25,000 with few attractions. If one of the places is minor and less known, there is usually no need to mention it in the article name. You can still have a redirect and a mention in boldface in the lead. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:11, 12 August 2022 (UTC) == Feature suggestion: Time needed for an activity == The idea would be to display, on the page of each destination, an indication of a reasonable or typical duration (or duration range) that a traveller could allocate to a visit. Indeed, it is very useful to have at least a rough idea of how much time a visit one intends to do will take. It seems more appropriate and easier to define such a duration per visit/activity (e.g. for a specific museum) instead of per destination. The travellers could themselves estimate the total time needed for a destination by adding up the times for each visit they intend to do. Difficulty: The time needed ("minimum time") for a visit is very subjective, as well as a possible sufficient time ("maximum time") for a visit. Idea: Make an average over user-input estimated time spent for an activity (how to do it in practice needs be to define). Any other ideas would be very much welcome! [[User:OttoRuth|OttoRuth]] ([[User talk:OttoRuth|talk]]) 15:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC) : Averages are seldom informative, and they rely critically on the population measured – and we don't have access to any measurements at all. Thus this needs to be the editors subjective guess on typical duration. The information is useful, but I think trying to condense it into a range is difficult and might be counterproductive: "The trail is 2 km, and can be walked in half an hour. However, most visitors come for the bird watching tower, and may dwell there for hours." –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:38, 13 August 2022 (UTC) ::I think that some hint about "time needed" could be very useful. Google Maps used to provide a note about how long people spent in different places, and I sometimes found it useful. ::I think the best way to handle it is in a text-based description. For example, I was in a small museum for the first time this summer. IMO the "time needed" is about an hour. (I stayed about 30 minutes. Others, especially if they were in a group, might stay longer. I doubt that anyone except the paid staff stay there 3+ hours.) It therefore needs a description like "This three-room museum in the historic Teacher's House is a good way to spend an hour when you're in the neighborhood." ::You'd write something quite different in other cases, such as: ::* "Most people will want to spend the whole day. The museum's café is limited to pre-made cold sandwiches, pastries, and coffee, but you can get a re-entry bracelet at the front door, go out for lunch, and come back to tackle the rest of the building", or ::* "This museum is the perfect place for staying cool on a hot afternoon", or ::* "Devotees of the art might plan a multi-day pilgrimage to take full advantage of everything on offer". ::I think that we will provide more information this way than just writing "____ hours". For example, to go back to the museum I saw: I'm telling you something about the size (it's just three rooms, and it used to be a house. Even if you're super-interested in the subject, it's a small place). I'm telling you something about how long it might take (an hour. You can then think about whether you're quicker or slower than most, and thus decide whether that might be closer to 30 minutes or two hours for you). I'm also telling you that it's not worth a special trip ("when you're in the neighborhood"). "One hour" doesn't covey as much. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:09, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Delay of the 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election == Hi all, I am reaching out to you today with an update about the timing of the voting for the Board of Trustees election. As many of you are already aware, this year we are offering an [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Community_Voting/Election_Compass|Election Compass]] to help voters identify the alignment of candidates on some key topics. Several candidates requested an extension of the character limitation on their responses expanding on their positions, and the Elections Committee felt their reasoning was consistent with the goals of a fair and equitable election process. To ensure that the longer statements can be translated in time for the election, the Elections Committee and Board Selection Task Force decided to delay the opening of the Board of Trustees election by one week - a time proposed as ideal by staff working to support the election. Although it is not expected that everyone will want to use the Election Compass to inform their voting decision, the Elections Committee felt it was more appropriate to open the voting period with essential translations for community members across languages to use if they wish to make this important decision. The voting will open on August 23 at 00:00 UTC and close on September 6 at 23:59 UTC. Please find this message translated in additional languages [[m:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Delay of Board of Trustees election|here]]. Best regards, On behalf of the Elections Committee [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:17, 16 August 2022 (UTC) == Notice: Wide-area warning issued for [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]] == In recent months, there is a surge of human trafficking reported in [[Cambodia]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Thailand]], where travellers (mainly Taiwanese travellers, Chinese travellers were more common pre-COVID) were tricked by fake job offers, travelled to and abducted in these countries, and forced to work for criminal syndicates like slaves. In response to the trend, I have issued warnings for articles of [[Cambodia]] (particularly [[Sihanoukville]]), [[Myanmar]] (particularly [[Northern Myanmar]]) and [[Thailand]]. '''References (all in Chinese)''': *[[w:zh:柬埔寨人口販賣事件]], the article recording the surge on Chinese Wikipedia. *[https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-trwa-content-1341-13450-1.html Travel warning (highest level) for Cambodia], issued by [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwanese MFA]]. *[https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Theme.aspx?n=3915&sms=69&s=136 Information page] by the Taiwanese MFA. *[https://www.twreporter.org/a/cambodia-taiwanese-human-trafficking-taiwan-mafia-and-online-gambling News report] by Taiwanese investigative journalist [[w:The Reporter (Taiwan)|The Reporter]], covering the background of the surge and involvement of local Taiwanese gangs. *[https://www.am730.com.hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E6%89%93%E5%B7%A5%E9%99%B7%E9%98%B1-%E8%88%9E%E8%B9%88%E5%93%A1%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E5%8C%96%E5%A6%9D%E5%B8%AB%E6%88%90%E6%96%B0%E7%9B%AE%E6%A8%99-%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E9%9B%86%E5%9C%98%E6%89%AE%E5%AE%A2%E5%95%8F%E5%83%B9%E8%B6%85%E9%9B%A3%E9%98%B2/333875 News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Am730|am730]]. *[https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/article/20220817/s00013/1660672513207/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]], illustrating the death of a victim. *[https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/article/20220817/s00001/1660712991190/ News report] by Hong Kong newspaper [[w:Ming Pao|Ming Pao]] highlighting Hong Kong travellers have also fallen into victim, luckily most of them are successfully rescued. *[https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/taiwan-frets-for-thousands-trafficked-into-cambodia/ News report (in English)] by [[w:The Diplomat|The Diplomat]], illustrating the seriousness of the trend. Please check if there are problems of over-bolding or other grammatical problems, and feel free to add more on advices if necessary.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 06:41, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :Thank you, that's a good addition (the warnings are in 'Work', for anyone else interested). If you haven't already done so, it might be a good idea to add these to zh.wikivoyage.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 07:05, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::This seems horrendous and frightful should definitely be mentioned. Thanks for adding them {{u|廣九直通車}}. Agree with tt! that it might be a good idea to add this to zh.voy. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:31, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I'll keep on my sentry work, just like how I made [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wuhan&diff=3906520&oldid=3906518 my first warning on COVID for Wuhan] (sigh it's almost 2 years and the pandemic still doesn't come to an end...). Will follow up on Chinese Wikivoyage.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:36, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::{{Ping|SHB2000|ThunderingTyphoons!}} While the entire Chinese Wikivoyage is mostly empty (that's why I'm more focused in here), I've also {{done}} with the warnings at there: see [[voy:zh:柬埔寨]], [[voy:zh:泰国]], [[voy:zh:緬甸]] and [[voy:zh:西哈努克]]. Perhaps after there are no further comments, this thread should be swept to the corresponding article talk pages.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:27, 17 August 2022 (UTC) : We do have some cautionary info at [[Working_abroad#Stay_safe]], [[Common_scams#Employment_and_charity_scams]] and [[Volunteer_travel#Be_wary]]. I wonder if those need to be expanded or if some links should be added either in this article or in those. : Certainly variations on the problem are fairly widespread. In my own travels I've encountered: ** Filipinas trapped in exploitive jobs in Saudi Arabia (1980s, not sure if it still happens). She cannot leave the country without an exit visa and getting that requires the boss's signature. He says she's a lazy bitch & he's not signing. She says he beat or raped her, often both. My advice would be don't go anywhere where you'd need an exit visa to leave. ** An agency charging Chinese nurses large up-front fees for placements in Canada on domestic servant visas taking care of disabled people, mostly Alzheimer's patients. Salary might have sounded good to a Chinese, but it was much less than you'd get working at McDonald's and hours were much longer. : Things I've only heard about include an Indian diplomat in the US mistreating domestic help ([[w:Devyani Khobragade incident]]), Fujian girls being smuggled to Taipei being thrown overboard when the Taiwan Coast Guard caught the boats [https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.8872&rep=rep1&type=pdf], Snakehead gangs [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/08/21/13-charged-in-gang-importing-prostitutes/d5985494-a32c-486b-b94c-57eaf13d0823/ importing prostitutes] to the US. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:56, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :: Here pickers of wild berries are imported from e.g. south-east Asia. They often have to take loans for the journey. The buyers of the berries arrange visa, travel, accommodation, intro, transport to the woods etc., but usually do not employ them. One year the harvest was weak and the pickers couldn't pay the loans. Volunteers helped them go to court to claim employment, but the pickers couldn't afford to stay during the multiple-year process, so they settled at terms they could live with. The berry-pickers are still not regarded employees, but to get visas for their labour, the buyers now need to guarantee a minimum income (and there are more eyes on lodgings, rents etc.). We have also had a number of outright illegal arrangements, mainly in other trades. The common denominator seems to be loans and threat of being expelled from the country for illegal work, in the cases where it isn't about direct slavery. For those who have an income at home, the risk of being expelled isn't a reason to remain in slavery, but if you have family you cannot feed without the foreign income ... The criminals may also threaten you and your family in your country of origin, especially if the justice is weak there. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:16, 18 August 2022 (UTC) I support these warnings. Last night I added caution boxes to [[Tachileik]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Tachileik&diff=prev&oldid=4503442] and [[Myawaddy]] [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Myawaddy&diff=prev&oldid=4503441] on the same issue. And it is not just targetting individuals who speak Chinese. Malaysian[https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/malaysian-teenager-forced-to-become-a-scammer-after-falling-for-job-ad] and Indonesian[https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/08/818249/cops-rescue-indonesians-duped-employment-scam] were also targetted by the same group of fraudsters. This merits posting in English to reach as wide audience as possible. I do not think this is the typical "run of the mills" employment scams since those commons scams only want your money. The current scam hold you hostage and force you to work for them. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 01:30, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :I appreciate these kinds of warnings. They are important. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:54, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::'''Update:''' It seems that not only aspirant workers are falling victim, criminals are also targeting the average travellers. Some may recruit workers in local front companies and traffic victims en masse using company tours, others may use individualized vacation invitation to lure them to these countries ([https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%9C%89%E7%B7%9A%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB/51111/%E6%9F%AC%E5%9F%94%E5%AF%A8%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99-4%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%90%E9%A8%99%E5%A5%97%E8%B7%AF%E5%85%A8%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E6%9C%8B%E5%8F%8B%E9%82%80%E6%B3%B0%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C/ see this report by HK TV Channel i-Cable]), all followed up by abduction. I genuinely don't know when will the criminals resort to random abduction if the situation worsens. Given by such worrying scenario, I have raised the warnings to the top of all these articles. Please advice if this is appropriate or they should be send back to stay safe, regards.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 11:42, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ::Also thanks to {{u|OhanaUnited}} for leaving proper warning, have upgraded these warnings to {{tl|warningbox}}based on the template's usage guidelines.[[User:廣九直通車|廣九直通車]] ([[User talk:廣九直通車|talk]]) 13:40, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::I read that [[Laos]] may also be one of the destinations.[https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/19/news/world/hong-kong-sets-up-task-force-on-southeast-asian-job-scams/1855191] I propose adding the same warning to Laos. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:15, 19 August 2022 (UTC) :::: The warningbox at the top of the article should be very brief. Most of the information could be in Work (not necessarily in a warning box), that relevant also for those not intending to find work in Stay safe. Some of this should probably be in [[Working abroad]] and [[Common scams]]. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:36, 20 August 2022 (UTC) == Backlot tourism == I wonder if this would be a viable travel topic. For sure there are numerous film studios that run tours of their backlot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most prominent example, but I wonder if any of the other Hollywood studios still have backlots, or if they have all been replaced by CGI these days. I know that MGM's backlot was demolished in the 1970s to make way for suburban housing developments. Backlots certainly still exist in China, Japan and South Korea for the filming of period dramas, and there are some that you can visit as a tourist. I myself visited one in Kyoto known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, although all the shows are in Japanese so I'm not sure if it will be something English speakers would be interested in. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:52, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :Maybe start be adding a few lines to [[Fiction tourism#Films]], and see how far it takes you? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:59, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::OK. I don't know if that counts as fiction tourism per se, because it's more of a tour to learn about screen productions, but I'll see where I can fit it in that article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:27, 18 August 2022 (UTC) == Invitation to join Movement Strategy Forum == Hello everyone, The [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/ Movement Strategy Forum] (MS Forum) is a multilingual collaborative space for all conversations about Movement Strategy implementation. It provides a great opportunity to share your Movement Strategy(MS) work, find collaborators, and get even more support and ideas for your MS projects. We are inviting all Movement participants to collaborate on the MS Forum. The goal of the forum is to build community collaboration using an inclusive multilingual platform. The [[metawiki:Movement Strategy|Movement Strategy]] is a collaborative effort to imagine and build the future of the Wikimedia Movement. Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy, from a comment to a full-time project. Join this forum with your Wikimedia account, say hi [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/say-hello/79 here] and go ahead and join or start a conversation on the recommendation you are most passionate about! Feel free to discuss your MS project ideas and plans or even reports from MS projects you have worked on. To get started, you can also watch [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/a-walk-through-the-movement-strategy-forum/1431 this video]. The Movement Strategy and Governance team (MSG) launched the proposal for this MS Forum in May. After a 2-month review period, we have just published the [https://forum.movement-strategy.org/t/ms-forum-community-review-report/1436 Community Review Report]. It includes a summary of the discussions, metrics, and information about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at the MS Forum! Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:38, 19 August 2022 (UTC) ==Contribute to the [[Carnival]] article== [[Carnival]] is celebrated in many countries around the world. Please contribute to the article. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:23, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Template for approval: [[Template:In5]] == {{ping|Twsabin}} created this template on Friday and per our ridiculous template policy, it sadly needs consensus. I strongly support using this template; the purpose of the template is pretty self-explanatory. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) : I'd prefer your not calling our policies ridiculous, as it shows little respect for consensus, and such respect is needed for our working together. I think it is very good that this template, like other ones, needs consensus. It might be useful, but where to use it needs to be discussed, as it adds a formatting option not previously available (without using bad or complicated markup). The purpose is obviously to make that formatting option easily available, but the intended use is not documented, nor self-explanatory. Were in our guides should be put 45 consecutive spaces (as in the example)? : I saw it used in multi-paragraph listings. We should probably adjust the listing template to accommodate multiple paragraphs in the content parameter, create a template for that specific use, or discourage multi-paragraph listings. If a listing needs more than one paragraph, it should perhaps be changed into a subsection. : Are there other use cases (not counting templates)? : –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::LPfi, this discussion is specifically about the use of {{tl|In5}}, [[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail|not my opinion regarding templates]]. In5 is self-explanatory, at least to me because In5 = 5 indents by default. {{tlx|In5|8}} might seem a bit confusing but it's an easy-to-use template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So it is, but your comment prompted a reply. The template may be easy to use, but its intended use is not documented nor self-explanatory. Where is it intended to be used? I discussed one use case and asked whether there are other ones. Is its use to be recommended wherever an editor thinks it fits? If it is used instead of semantic markup, it may degrade the accessibility of the site. I don't see where indentation is needed other than at paragraph breaks, where it should be handled by the wikitext line breaks being converted to HTML paragraph breaks (with associated CSS) as appropriate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:11, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Why does the name not follow [[:wikipedia:Template:Indent]], which has also been adopted on five other Wikimedian wikis? "In5" is a lot more ambiguous than "Indent". I also looked at a few places where it is used on Wikipedia and from the small sample it was used to indent footnotes/references and words in infoboxes, neither of which are really applicable here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 13:21, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::It could be used on routeboxes so the names of cardinal points are in line. Regarding the template name, I'd support your proposal to move it to {{tl|indent}}, though I do realise that Wikipedia has both [[w:Template:Indent]] and [[w:Template:In5]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 13:33, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::: I don't think it is appropriate to use it in routeboxes or similar templates in that way. Now the road sign image and the cardinal point names on each side are centred as a unit. If the images on each row are of equal size, then the names will be neatly on each side. If not, then the &amp;nbsp; is much too course to align anything. And we don't want people to tweak the layout of templates on each page were they are used, the logic of the template should handle that (for consistency, ease of editing and conservation of labour). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:49, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::All this template does is add five plain old spaces. It could be replaced in practice by "&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;" (that's a series of five spaces, alternating between regular and non-breaking spaces so that the parser won't collapse them into a single space). It doesn't give you paragraph breaks, so it will not solve the multi-paragraph listings problem. It is currently used in [[Nordic countries#Understand]], inside the blue box, to change the location of [[Template:See also]]. The importer also documented this use at [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Information_boxes&diff=4506152&oldid=4288296&diffmode=source Wikivoyage:Information boxes]. ::I'm not convinced that we should be using {{tl|see also}} inside the information boxes (IMO the links should be inline), but if we are going to, then it is reasonable enough for editors to want some method of producing the expected visual appearance, whether that's through spaces or a template. ::SHB2000, as a side note, I would like you (and every editor at all of the wikis) to consider adopting the ethical stance of not personally enforcing any consensus that you happen to disagree with. That is, please don't violate the agreement yourself, but if someone else does (or might have), you can let its actual supporters address the (potential) problem themselves. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: If we want a see also in the information boxes, then let's add a parameter "seealso=" and put the indentation logic in the infobox template, with in5 as a helper template if needed, but I assume CSS is the better solution. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:53, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::Why is this linked to [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:Indent (Q5618727)]], not [[:wikidata:Q5618727|Template:In5 (Q8129687)]]? The link suggests that it has the wrong name. If we must have this, I would prefer the name of "indent". I don't see why indenting by 5 would be so common as to be the default. "In" is a word and I wouldn't automatically think of it as an abbreviation. Conversationally "in 5" means "in 5 minutes" - so an editor might expect this to give a 5 minute break! [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:03, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::Fixed. I'll also add that even the German Wikivoyage also uses this template, and has no issues with this template. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 21:37, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::: Still, where is it to be used? Three uses have been proposed: fake paragraph breaks, adjusting centring in a template and adding seealso or footnotes to infoboxes. All involve trying to add functionality or fix style issues in templates in an ad hoc manner. Those templates or the usage should be fixed instead. We could keep the template and tell that it is to be used as a temporary fix where needed, and that any such use should be noted on the "fixed" template's talk page, for a discussion on whether it is the template or the usage that should be fixed. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:41, 23 August 2022 (UTC) dhy5febm8yfhdohwfu116hv39snwd45 5 69672 4506166 3662609 2022-08-22T12:01:44Z Ground Zero 1423298 Swept in from pub wikitext text/x-wiki {{infobox|Archived discussions|* [[Wikivoyage talk:How to draw static maps/Archive 2006-2012]]}} ==OSM size woes== Ugh, recent changes to OSM have made exports impossibly big. All SVG exports now run 100+ MB, making them utterly unusable in Inkscape. Does anyone know a way to deal with this? Otherwise I'm going to have to return to the old days of tracing maps... --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:07, 23 February 2013 (UTC) :An example problem was trying to export an SVG of just the area covered by the Adirondack Park—it forces a download of the background image for <big>''The Americas''</big>. Unsurprisingly, ''The Americas'' contain a lot of nodes irrelevant to my task. Similar deal right now trying to just grab the southern half of Saint Petersburg. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:10, 23 February 2013 (UTC) : (edit conflict) I did one yesterday of Copenhagen, 1:20000, 1200x1400 pixels, which was just 17 megs, might just be the specific area that has some very large nodes? [[User:Sertmann|Sertmann]] ([[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]) 02:17, 23 February 2013 (UTC) :: btw, I'm almost certain there is a smart way to delete all the unnecessary nodes outside the image area, I just haven't figured out how yet. That might solve the problem if you are able to at least open the svg, delete those, save it, and reopen. Maybe finding an inkscape forum or IRC channel could enlighten us. [[User:Sertmann|Sertmann]] ([[User talk:Sertmann|talk]]) 02:22, 23 February 2013 (UTC) :::I can usually open them (with 8GB ram), but can't do any edits without crashing Inkscape... It's not just one part of the world—it's anything larger than a very small map. Even the map I'm doing of just a few blocks in Saint Petersburg right now downloaded the background path for the whole of Leningrad Oblast. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 02:25, 23 February 2013 (UTC) ::::I'm throwing out wild guesses here, but I wonder if it's the proximity to the Canadian border that's causing the problem for the Adirondacks. I've noticed that if any part of a shape is visible in (or even just outside) the map area, the entire shape is included in the SVG. St. Petersburg is along the shoreline of the Oblast, so it would make sense that the entire outline gets in. As for a solution, have you tried editing the SVG as an XML text file? 100+MB is a lot for Notepad, but it might work better than Inkscape. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 03:55, 23 February 2013 (UTC) :::::That's not it either—the Adirondacks (and Bogotá, which I just checked) downloads every node in the Americas gray path—right down to [[Tierra del Fuego]]. As best as I could tell, trying to do the southern half of Saint Petersburg downloaded every node for the background shape for ''Eurasia''. That map crashed Inkscape pretty quickly when I tried to zoom out, but I definitely made out the coastline of Korea. I've only tried figuring out what the heck is going on just today, but this problem has been present for at least weeks. :::::Unfortunately, XML exports are pretty useless because of the strict node limits. OSM wouldn't even let me export an XML file for that half of St Petersburg I keep referring to—too big an area (possibly because it's including the entire Eurasian continent?). --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 05:30, 23 February 2013 (UTC) ::::::I've brought this up on the OSM wiki [http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Talk:Export#Export_including_too_many_extraneous_nodes], but I'm not sure whether that was the right place. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 05:46, 23 February 2013 (UTC) :::::::I think you misunderstood me. An SVG file is really just a specialized XML file. SVGs are totally editable in a text editor. If you can find the right tag to remove, you can remove the large shapes in text and make the file small enough to edit in Inkscape. (It may not be easy to identify the right tag, though.) [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 15:19, 23 February 2013 (UTC) ::::::::Gotcha. I have struck out so far, trying to edit the SVG via a text editor without causing the SVG to crash on loading in Inkscape. I did manage to just delete the (continent+ sized) background shape, which drops the size of the [[Talk:Bogotá#8 years later...|Bogotá map]] down from 140MB to 22MB. But this means I can't use OSM to generate coastlines anymore, which is a real shame. I usually would get rid of extraneous nodes in the background shape (which is always too big, just not so ludicrously in the past) by doing an intersection operation with the blue background object that matches the size of the export area, but that operation crashes inkscape without fail when performing it on a shape with millions of nodes. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 19:38, 25 February 2013 (UTC) ::::::::::Well, let us know if you get an answer from the OSM folks. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 01:53, 26 February 2013 (UTC) == Cycle paths == I'm trying to create a cycling map of Copenhagen for the [[Cycling in Copenhagen]] guide, and I'm trying to figure out a way to mark streets with cycle tracks on them (which in Copenhagen means [http://goo.gl/maps/TSRf1 most major streets]). I'm using the standard city map template, but I'm having major problems figuring out a way to this that looks good, I've tried marking the whole street in various colours, but haven't come up with anything I like. Anyone who can come up with a suggestion? It needs to be fairly toned down, since I plan to mark some suggested routes as the maps main feature, but at the same time it should be clear enough to use while biking the town. --[[User:Sertmann|Stefan (sertmann)]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Sertmann|talk]]}</small> 13:50, 25 February 2013 (UTC) :The first thing I'd try would be underlaying the route with a colored path (red, maybe) that slightly exceeds the width of the streets. This would show as a red border on either side of the route. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 18:11, 25 February 2013 (UTC) ::The official D.C. bike routes map [http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/Publication%20Files/On%20Your%20Street/Bicycles%20and%20Pedestrians/Bicycles/Bicycle%20Map/DCBikeMap2012_Fulldoc.pdf] uses a key with dashed lines for off-street trails, solid lines on top of roads with dedicated bike lanes, dotted lines on roads with on-street signed routes, plus four categories of road suitability (colors): good, fair, poor, and prohibited. I think it's pretty effective. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:16, 25 February 2013 (UTC) == What are background and forground? == I am familiar with Inkscape, and am trying to follow the instructions, but I don't understand what are "background" and "forground" supposed to mean, nor do I have any idea where I should draw them. Could someone please explain? Thanks a lot! [[User:Nicolas1981|Nicolas1981]] ([[User talk:Nicolas1981|talk]]) 04:33, 28 March 2013 (UTC) :I wouldn't worry about that. The distinction was between the dark gray background and the light gray foreground (the selected area), but it's not an important one. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 04:35, 28 March 2013 (UTC) ==Non-WV user Burmesedays== I noticed that user [[User:(WT-en) Burmesedays|(WT-en) Burmesedays]] was listed as a potential helper, however as far as I can tell they are a WikiTravel user who has not migrated to WikiVoyage. I removed their reference from the main page, however if I have made an error in doing this then please undo my change and point to the relevant current user? --[[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 08:12, 22 October 2013 (UTC) :It's not that material, but he did come here and was driven away due to a misunderstanding with the display of some of his photos - it's my fond hope that he may return... --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 01:10, 12 January 2014 (UTC) ==Replacing hand-crafted maps with auto-gen crap== Am I incorrect in thinking that [//en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Marys_%28Pennsylvania%29&diff=2503888&oldid=2503597 edits like this] are completely and totally inappropriate? I'm absolutely stunned by the rudeness and arrogance of this edit. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] ^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])} 00:22, 12 January 2014 (UTC) If the static map is well-drawn, up-to-date and helpful there may be very good reasons why it should continue to be displayed in tandem with a dynamic map... :I can certainly understand why this edit might seem brusque and disrespectful to the author of the static map. :Dynamic maps have huge advantages when the reader is online, but... --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 01:08, 12 January 2014 (UTC) :: Continuing to refer to dynamic maps as "auto-gen crap" doesn't help. My personal opinion (and that of others) is that dynamic maps are the way forward, and you (LtPowers, as well as others) have made it clear that you feel that static maps are superior. We're eventually going to have to find some resolution to that difference of opinion, but until that point is reached I thought the focus of the continuing dynamic maps rollout was going to be on articles without Wikivoyage-style maps - that was also previously discussed in a couple of discussion threads at [[Wikivoyage talk:Dynamic maps Expedition]]. We need to answer the question of how the two should co-exist, whether one should be preferred, or whether some other solution is appropriate, but thus far I haven't seen anyone attempting to spearhead that discussion in a way that proposes a compromise solution or otherwise addresses concerns from both sides of the issue. -- [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 01:18, 12 January 2014 (UTC) :::Then you have not been understanding what I have been writing, Ryan. Each has their advantages and disadvantages and most articles would benefit from both types being displayed for the reader. You still have not answered the question that I have posed twice now at [[Wikivoyage talk:Dynamic maps Expedition]]. --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 01:41, 12 January 2014 (UTC) ::::Static maps counteract the wiki idea. Article texts can be supplemented and corrected by any visitor immediately and without prior knowledge. This must also apply to maps. Dynamic maps meet this 100%, even automatically because coordinates should be already registered in the listings. Almost all new editors use dynamic maps intensive. - For static maps, additional software is required. Long training periods are required and extensive data traffic (svg, png). And this is repeated for every single change. Has a new user ever created a static map in ''Wikitravel style'' (yes, Wikitravel) as a SVG file? As long as we use the same images (maps) as Wikitravel [http://wikitravel.org/en/Saint_Marys_(Pennsylvania)], we will never get a better ranking [https://www.google.de/#q=travel+guide+saint+marys]. Graphics are first checked for duplication and classified as a mirror. - Therefore, I am in favor of introducing dynamic maps as soon as possible for all the articles . - Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 07:50, 12 January 2014 (UTC) :::::Yes, that is a powerful exposition for rolling out dynamic maps to all articles as soon as possible. :::::I had forgotten about the SEO advantages, but we may have to leave many of the "inherited" static map images in place since they are so time consuming to create and we have so few who are competent to change them. Would a bot be capable of tweeking each static map file so that it is not a duplicate from the code perspective? --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 19:50, 12 January 2014 (UTC) :::If someone can look at this dynamic map on [[Saint Marys (Pennsylvania)]] and declare it superior to the map that was previously there, then this project is hopeless. The dynamic map is focused only on downtown and gives no sense of the dimensions of what constitutes Saint Marys as a community (versus as a municipal division). Quite frankly, the simple fact that it doesn't display the two main chain hotels in the city ''alone'' justifies calling it "crap". If Joachim or anyone else is going to go around removing hand-crafted maps as soon as they're the least bit out of date, we have a serious problem here. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] ^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])} 01:57, 13 January 2014 (UTC) ::::[[User:LtPowers|Powers]], are you able to suggest any kind of rule for when a static map is sufficiently out of date and should be replaced by a dynamic map? I'm just trying to find any common ground at all here. [[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 02:35, 13 January 2014 (UTC) :::::@[[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]]: This is a dynamic map of high quality. You can move, zoom, or just press the button "Show me all markers". I did not expect that this is so hard to understand. Dynamic maps should always be set to the "best view" and not to a general overview. Then you can discover interesting details. For example, the exact course of the river "Elk Creek" (entered using official maps at a scale of 1:600​​). In the Mapnik layer even the underground course is specially marked. How can you call something like this: "crap"? - Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 06:22, 13 January 2014 (UTC) ::::::There is no reason to make the reader jump through hoops before we show them what they need to know. This is especially true for travelers, as they often need to restrict the amount of data they receive, or even print out our pages before they travel. The ability to zoom in and out is pretty useless if the user doesn't know he needs to do so before hitting Print. ::::::However, this is all beside the point. The point is that there was a good map already in the article, and its errors should have been fixed rather than the entire effort tossed in favor of a quick-and-dirty solution. This is absolutely equivalent to noticing that some operating hours are out-of-date and then choosing to replace the entire contents of the article with content generated from TripAdvisor. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] ^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])} 18:46, 13 January 2014 (UTC) :::::::I do not understand your excitement. In the German Wikivoyage I have dozens of static maps removed and replaced with dynamic maps. No one got upset because the maps were out of date. An update would be too complicated. 50% of these maps I myself had drawn (Inkscape, Zoner Draw-svg etc.). Here is an example [http://www.mappery.com/Hildesheim-Center-Tourist-Map]. You put great importance to the static map. Just put my entries again reversed. I'm not angry with you. This is a wiki. So everyone should be able to live with this. -- Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 05:38, 14 January 2014 (UTC) ::::::::Some things that are worth doing may be more complicated than a quick-and-dirty alternative. That doesn't make them not worth doing. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] ^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])} 15:27, 14 January 2014 (UTC) ::::::::: It is clear that there is disagreement regarding the merits of static vs dynamic maps, and at this point I would suggest we just agree to disagree, and try to respect each other's opinions. We need to move on from "dynamic is good, static is bad" (or vice versa) and try to find a solution that will either work for both sides or make clear that one map type is preferred. -- [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 15:59, 14 January 2014 (UTC) :::::::::: I've already acquiesced to the addition of dynamic maps on articles that are otherwise lacking maps. But I would very much like some assurances that my hard work on maps will not be summarily removed as soon as someone deems them to be "out of date". [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] ^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])} 19:28, 14 January 2014 (UTC) ::::::::::: That compromise works for me at this time - we'll eventually have to find a way to move forward in case of disputes (such as what is currently going on at [[Saint Marys (Pennsylvania)]] and with the stalled starnom for [[El Camino Real]]), and hopefully someone can come up with a viable proposal for doing so that garners support, but there are more than enough articles without maps that I think we can focus on those articles with respect to dynamic maps in the mean time. That's my opinion, anyhow - I'd much rather have an imperfect solution that allows dynamic maps to move forward now on a slightly-limited basis while we work out a solution that can be applied more broadly in the future. Hopefully others can add their own feedback. -- [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 19:42, 14 January 2014 (UTC) :::::::::::: You seem to have ignored my feedback, Ryan. :::::::::::: There is simply no basis for your ''faux'' summary commandment of ::::::::::::*"<span class="bad-example" style="font-family: Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', serif; color: #8B0000;">Do not add a dynamic map when a Wikivoyage-style static map is already present.</span>" :::::::::::: since no rationale for this commandment has yet been advanced despite continuing requests by me to do so! Please replace that commandment with something along the lines of: :::::::::::: "<span class="example" style="font-family: Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', serif; color: #006400;">Do not remove either a dynamic map or a Wikivoyage-style static map from a destination page without a consensus to do so being achieved on the article discussion page first!</span>" --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 23:40, 14 January 2014 (UTC) ==Internal Server Error== To clarify: We use two servers. For HTTPS (mapframe) the Tools Server of the Wikimedia Foundation [http://www.utrace.de/?query=tools.wmflabs.org] in the U.S. Unfortunately, this server is not very reliable. Reasons? - For the full-screen display (HTTP) is used, a server of Hetzner AG in Germany [http://www.utrace.de/?query=maps.wikivoyage-ev.org]. This server is professionally monitored and maintained. Hetzner is a leading web space provider in Europe (30,000 servers, 250,000 domains). So if the full screen map should not run, then I myself once again programmed garbage. - Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 08:24, 12 January 2014 (UTC) :Thanks for that clarification, Joachim. :Since the "mapframe server" is not very reliable, is that an argument in itself for retaining a static map ''in addition'' to a dynamic map on the grounds that even an out of date and incomplete map may be better than none? --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 19:50, 12 January 2014 (UTC) ::If mapframe server fails, there are several ways to go to full screen mode. 1) Click "View full-screen map for ...". 2) Click on the Map icon in the upper right. 3) Click on a marker in the article text. The programs run on the Hetzner server completely independent of the mapfram server. Those are mirrored there twice. Theoretically, a server failure should there hardly noticeable (milliseconds). - But in mapframe window should no error message appear. Better a helpful hint. We work on it. - Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 06:48, 13 January 2014 (UTC) :::Yes, the last two are both methods that work. :::However, as you will see from my screenshot above, sometimes the mapframe server fails big time and then there is no message of "<span class="example" style="font-family: Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', serif; color: #006400;">View full-screen map for ...</span>" displayed at all. :::Also and unfortunately, neither of the latter are completely and intuitively obvious to the casual reader. :::The "Map icon in the upper right" is simultaneously ugly, badly positioned (looking like an afterthought) in relation to the banner and not intuitively obvious as to its function. Would blue text underneath such as "[http://www.example.com full screen dynamic map...]" help? :::Thanks in advance for continuing to work on more helpful error messages, Joachim... --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 07:29, 13 January 2014 (UTC) ::::The first method works also well. You only have inadvertently cut off the link "view full-screen map for ..." on your screen shot. This link comes from Wikimedia server and is always present, regardless of the Wikimedia ''tools'' server [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Mapframe&action=raw]. - The icon on the top right I have not placed anything, just basically proposed. But an improvement, such as according to your proposal I also find necessary. The mapframe idea is also not mine, only the map display. But I find mapframe pretty well done and would fully support it. - Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 08:08, 13 January 2014 (UTC) ::::In general, if a server error. I have sent twice a short e-mail to the administrator address specified in the error message. After 2 or 5 minutes everything was OK. I hope this was not an coincidence. -- Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 08:48, 13 January 2014 (UTC) :::::@[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]]: I've added a tooltip to the geo-icon. For integration into the page banner (which was originally planned) my programming skills are not enough. -- Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 06:07, 16 January 2014 (UTC) ::::::Thanks, Joachim, that hover text of "<span class="bad-example" style="font-family: Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', serif; color: #8B0000;">full screen dynamic map</span>" is an improvement but I would suggest expanding to "<span class="example" style="font-family: Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', serif; color: #006400;">Click for a full screen dynamic map...</span>" might be even better? --[[User:118.93nzp|118.93nzp]] ([[User talk:118.93nzp|talk]]) 07:17, 16 January 2014 (UTC) :::::::Thanks for the hint, I changed the hover text. -- Joachim [[User:Mey2008|Mey2008]] ([[User talk:Mey2008|talk]]) 09:14, 16 January 2014 (UTC) == SVG *and* PNG upload == {{Quote|When the SVG map is finished, a bitmapped file should be created in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format as all web browsers can display PNG files. Then both versions are uploaded: one for future editors to update (SVG), and the other to include in the destination's Wikivoyage article (PNG).}} As I understand it, the mediawiki software automatically converts SVG images to PNG, so why are images uploaded in both formats? Doesn't it make more sense to use the SVG images directly, like in Wikipedia? [[User:Tiago Dias|Tiago Dias]] ([[User talk:Tiago Dias|talk]]) 12:08, 30 March 2014 (UTC) :Two reasons, actually, and thanks for asking; we perhaps should put an explanation on the project page. First, the MediaWiki SVG renderer doesn't handle fonts very well. SVG maps you see on Wikipedia likely have had their text converted into uneditable shapes (text-to-path conversion). Doing so ensures that the text will appear exactly as the author intended... but it makes the text uneditable as text (you can't just type new text, or fix typos easily). But we didn't want to resort to that because we want people to be able to edit the text on our maps easily. Secondly, we tend to create a ''single'' SVG for all language versions of Wikivoyage, and include the language-specific text for each language within the same SVG file. We then export ''only'' the text for a specific language into any single PNG file. So we would have, for example, a single master SVG file, and then several PNG files (English, Russian, German, etc) derived from it. Does that make sense? Feel free to ask any more questions if anything was unclear. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 01:28, 31 March 2014 (UTC) == exporting from Open Street Map == I see the Export tab, but when I click it, I don't get offered any options in relation to settings or file format, just the ability to adjust the boundaries and an Export button (which gives me an OSM extension file). What am I doing wrong? Thanks [[User:Kerry Raymond|Kerry Raymond]] ([[User talk:Kerry Raymond|talk]]) 06:45, 27 May 2014 (UTC) :I found the "Share" tab on the right produces PNG files. Still no option settings, but at least I have a map now. [[User:Kerry Raymond|Kerry Raymond]] ([[User talk:Kerry Raymond|talk]]) 06:59, 27 May 2014 (UTC) ::As noted at [[Wikivoyage:How to draw a map#SVG imports from OSM]], the interface on the main OSM site is effectively broken. Using Maperitive, as described in that section, is probably your best bet if you want to create an SVG using OSM data. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 17:33, 27 May 2014 (UTC) == Fonts == Hi, I was talking with a graphist on Commons and he pointed out two problems with [[:File:Regions map template.svg|our standard fonts]]: * The words, Airport And Train Station uses Blue Highway which [[:m:SVG_fonts|to this page svg fonts]] is not an approved font. * The rest of the text uses DejaVu Sans Condensed. Running Ubuntu and Linux Mint that font has another name, DejaVu Sans Semi-Condensed. Was this a known issue? Is there a solution? --[[User:Nastoshka|Nastoshka]] ([[User talk:Nastoshka|talk]]) 08:13, 2 April 2015 (UTC) :Blue Highway is often used for historical reasons; it's deprecated now but we still use it sometimes. The version of MediaWiki we used to run on Wikitravel didn't support inline SVG rendering. The lack of support for Blue Highway is a minimal issue because we don't display SVGs within articles; we use PNG renderings of master SVG files. (This also allows us to keep map labels for all languages in one SVG file, exporting a different PNG for each language.) :I wasn't aware of the naming issue for DejaVu Sans Condensed. As it's a supported font, I assume there's some sort of workaround in place? :-- [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 00:06, 3 April 2015 (UTC) ::{{ping|LtPowers}} No idea if is there a workaround for the naming issue. Regarding the map labels in one SVG files, the same graphist on Commons suggested that we can keep several labels in several language in the same SVG file without having to export a png file. Take a look [[:c:Commons:Translation_possible/Learn_more#Multiple_translations_within_one_SVG_file|here for more info]]. To switch between two or more language, you need just to add <tt>|lang=en</tt> or <tt>|lang=de</tt>... to the image syntax (e.g.: <code><nowiki>[[File:example.svg|lang=en|thumb|caption]]</nowiki></code>). :: [[:c:Category:Translation_possible_-_SVG_(switch)|here some examples]]. It has two main advantages: ::* Svg files become much less heavy ::* No need to increase tenfold the files on Commons, one png for each language.. ::And one disadvantage: ::* In order to use the switch tag, you need to be able to modify the XML source, that means svg files become more complex. What do you think about? --[[User:Nastoshka|Nastoshka]] ([[User talk:Nastoshka|talk]]) 11:05, 3 April 2015 (UTC) ::::That's an interesting solution! But if Inkscape doesn't support the switch tag, updating the maps would destroy the language switches. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:13, 3 April 2015 (UTC) == Static maps numbering and numbering of markers for dynamic map == There is an interesting point which cropped up in a different discussion ([[Wikivoyage_talk:Map]]) and I thought it's something we should talk about. I have been working on updating/creating static maps from time to time. In the past the numberings on them didn't matter so much, as they were entirely independent, but now listings with coordinates have numbers assigned as they are shown on the dynamic map. When I update/create maps, I usually make sure the numbers on the static map correspond to the numbers assigned to the listings (see [[Unst]] or [[Singapore/Bugis]]) but I realise this is quite stupid, as any update will break the ordering. Furthermore, I notice that in some old maps, if there's more than 9 listings, the numbering will continue with A, B etc, whereas now I have to squeeze in double digit numbers. Another issue I saw is that sometimes there are numbers which I would like to skip on the static map (too close together, so can be merged, or off the map), which now just makes it look like something's missing. Is there any rule/suggestion on how to handle this that I have missed out? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] suggested using letters instead of numbers for static maps, which I think would be a potential solution. [[User:Drat70|Drat70]] ([[User talk:Drat70|talk]]) 01:55, 10 October 2017 (UTC) :If you were to use letters, you may need a legend included in the SVG at the bottom edge to indicate which letter is which POI. That'd be hard to read? [[User:K7L|K7L]] ([[User talk:K7L|talk]]) 02:45, 10 October 2017 (UTC) :: Well, most static maps already have a legend with all the POIs on the map already with the numbers and the names of the POIs. See the maps above for example. [[User:Drat70|Drat70]] ([[User talk:Drat70|talk]]) 04:56, 10 October 2017 (UTC) :::Static maps have used numbers since time immemorial. Why not make the dynamic maps change to letters? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:44, 10 October 2017 (UTC) :::: Sure, either way would work. The aim would be to distinguish then, in which manner we do that is not so important. [[User:Drat70|Drat70]] ([[User talk:Drat70|talk]]) 00:57, 11 October 2017 (UTC) == Colour-blind friendly colours == Hi [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]], I saw you noted a number of maps on [[Wikivoyage:Requests for maps]] were colour-blind unfriendly. Do you have any resources or colour palettes that would be better? I drew the maps for the [[Central Belt]] and [[Scottish Highlands]] that you flagged and the pink-green colour scheme is adapted from [http://colorbrewer2.org Colorbrewer], which indicated the colours were colour-blind safe. I find making maps colour-blind friendly challenging so would be interested to hear if you know of any other sites that are helpful. -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 06:28, 16 November 2018 (UTC) :{{ping|Shaundd}} Hey there, I am partially colour-blind myself ([[w:Color blindness#Red-green color blindness|red-green blindness]]), so that is what most of this is based on. If I cannot see the difference between two colours, or have difficulty to tell them apart, I list them as colour-blind unfriendly. In a nutshell, anything that doesn't fit "our visual style", as I've phrased it, would not be using (parts of) the [[:File:Regions_map_template.svg|template]]. The region colours in there are the ones I use, and, even though I have trouble with them in some cases, they do the job pretty well. Most of the issues I have with the colours in said template are problems introduced by my monitors. The maps you listed aren't the worst offenders and I'm not claiming they are, but I can imagine someone having trouble telling apart {{RbE|#ccf2c2|#ccf2c2|black}} and {{RbE|#fefee0|#fefee0|black}} specifically. That may just be me though. If others disagree with my judgement as well, then feel free to remove those two maps from the list. Again, they're far from the worst offenders :) <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 11:17, 16 November 2018 (UTC) :: Thanks [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]]. Now that you point out the issue with {{RbE|#ccf2c2|#ccf2c2|black}} and {{RbE|#fefee0|#fefee0|black}}, I think that is where I deviated from the recommended colours. Good to know, I'll try to fix that. :: I saw you also listed [[Baden-Württemberg]] (another map of mine) -- which colours are hard to differentiate on that map? It's essentially the standard palette but slightly lighter (to improve contrast between the text and the region colours). I'm also curious what you think of the region maps at [[Mississippi]] and [[Oregon]]. I hope you don't mind me asking, I've been working with different map colours for a few years trying to improve readability and make them more colour-blind friendly. I can judge if there's better contrast between text and background, but I see colours fine so I can't judge if the colour palettes I use are colour-blind friendly or not. Thanks! -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:39, 17 November 2018 (UTC) :::{{ping|Shaundd}} Of these three, Baden-Württemberg is the worst for me. I have no problems with the colours as they appear on the region list, but I think you made the colours on the map lighter? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that makes it to where I have difficulty with {{RbE|#4f93c0|#4f93c0}} and {{RbE|#b383b3|#b383b3}}, as well as {{RbE|#b5d29f|#b5d29f|black}} and {{RbE|#d09440|#d09440}}, which, for the record have no issue with usually. What would improve the situation is a better readable border, like I myself did for [[:Commons:File:Amstelland Wikivoyage Map.png|File:Amstelland Wikivoyage Map.png]]. White borders, however, prove difficult with city maps, since roads on these are intended to be drawn in white, if I'm not mistaken. Feel free to leave the map up though. The dynamic map is showing the colours better. :::As per the other two maps, Mississippi is the opposite of Baden-Württemberg, in that the dynamic map is worse to read while the static map is a-okay. {{RbE|#e0f3f8|#e0f3f8|black}} blends with {{RbE|#ffffbf|#ffffbf|black}} and {{RbE|#ffffbf|#ffffbf|black}} blends with {{RbE|#fee090|#fee090|black}}, but {{RbE|#e0f3f8|#e0f3f8|black}} does not blend with {{RbE|#fee090|#fee090|black}}. The other two colours I have no issues with. For Oregon, I don't have any issues, but I can imagine others having problems with it. {{RbE|#e0f3f8|#e0f3f8|black}} and {{RbE|#d9f0d3|#d9f0d3|black}} specifically would give me issues if the white line wasn't there to draw a border. The border, however, isn't ideal, since it blends with {{RbE|#ffffbf|#ffffbf|black}}. Truth be told, it's hard to optimise for all kinds of colour-blindness since any combination of red, green or blue can be malfunctioning. :::I wouldn't be surprised if there were some sort of online tool that can simulate how colour-blind people see an image. I don't know of any myself, but if someone knows such a tool that would work to simulate the appearance of the maps we make, then that'd be in a lot of people's favour and is most likely worthwhile to link on the project page so we can prevent future issues with maps not being colour-blind friendly. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 17:39, 17 November 2018 (UTC) :::: Hi [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]], thanks. I found a couple of filters (from this article on [https://knightlab.northwestern.edu/2016/07/18/three-tools-to-help-you-make-colorblind-friendly-graphics/ drawing colour-blind friendly graphics]) and they're helpful for highlighting the issues you described above (other than Scottish Highlands, which looks OK in the three filters). I see what you mean by the dynamic Baden-Wurrtemberg map being more distinct than the static, while the reverse is true for Mississippi, as well as the blending problems. I'll take a look at some other maps with the filters on to see how it looks and whether there are any conclusions. Another map that I assume could be problematic is [[Australia]], and the South, Midwest and Texas regions of the [[United States of America]] map could also blend together? -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 07:25, 19 November 2018 (UTC) :::::{{ping|Shaundd}} The US maps look fine to me and I don't think anyone will have too much of an issue with that. Australia is a whole different story though. The Northern Territory, Queensland, South and New South Wales all blend to some degree. When I first looked at it, I honestly thought that the Northern Territory and Queensland were one region together. I'll say again that the Scottish Highlands map isn't the worst case. Looking back at that map, {{RbE|#f5c7ea|#f5c7ea|black}} might actually blend with the water more than {{RbE|#ccf2c2|#ccf2c2|black}} and {{RbE|#fefee0|#fefee0|black}} would blend with each other. I'm now actually doubting if the latter two conflict all that much with each other to begin with. I now also wonder if such a filter was tested on the mapmaking templates. If not, we may have some work ahead of us updating the colours and maps to actually be colour-blind friendly... <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 19:46, 19 November 2018 (UTC) :::::: Hi [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]], I agree on the Scottish Highlands map. When I looked at it again with the filters, I think the biggest problem is the pink region and the blue water. With the US map, it depended on which colour-blindness filter I used. The ones where seeing blue or red were a problem tended to blend the South with other colours. :::::: I'd be surprised if the standard map colours were put through a filter. That template is 9-10 years old and I don't recall there being many web tools available at the time that helped with readability or colour-blindness. Some of the template colours also fail the WCAG 2.0 readability standards (e.g., don't have sufficient contrast between text and background colours), which is why I tend to not use the template. I'd be interested in seeing if we can come up with more readable and colour-blind friendly maps but unfortunately don't have much spare time right now. -[[User:Shaundd|Shaundd]] ([[User talk:Shaundd|talk]]) 21:59, 1 December 2018 (UTC) ==API Key== {{Swept}} On this map it says [https://wikivoyage.toolforge.org/w/poimap2.php?lat=-40.850425&lon=172.447319&zoom=16&layer=W&lang=en&name=Heaphy_Track API key required] when you switch to relief maps. Not sure who to raise this with to see about getting it fixed? [[User:Doc James|<span style="color:#0000f1">'''Travel Doc James'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Doc_James|talk]] · [[Special:Contributions/Doc_James|contribs]] · [[Special:EmailUser/Doc_James|email]]) 17:01, 16 June 2022 (UTC) :Just going by [[phab:T170976|this old phabricator task]], it seems that tool has been depreciated in favour of [[Heaphy_Track#/map/0/10/-40.7681/172.5609|Kartographer]] — are you able to use that instead? [[User:TheresNoTime|TheresNoTime]] ([[User talk:TheresNoTime|talk]]) 20:35, 16 June 2022 (UTC) ::The mapframe in [[Heaphy_Track#Walk]] doesn't appear to show the issue with the relief map layer. It appears that is only an issue with the full page map (from the icon at the top right of most pages. I think that mapframe is Kartographer based, but I don't know about the full page map. (It is worth keeping the full page map as it has some features missing from mapframe as is better for printing.) [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:38, 16 June 2022 (UTC) 7ky0wqwdl5xl2tcv3vo5hl1dt5mh7o6 10 78259 4506565 4504781 2022-08-23T04:44:05Z Ypsilon 1806 wikitext text/x-wiki <!--Please sweep old Discoveries to the archive, which is [[Discover]]. Add them at the top of that page. --> <!--Even if months are always written with two digits, days from 0-9 should be written WITHOUT an extra zero! --> {{#switch: {{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}} | 08-23= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). | 08-24= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. | 08-25= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). | 08-26= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. | 08-27= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. | 08-28= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. | 08-29= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. | 08-30= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. | 08-31= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. | 09-1= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. | 09-2= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. | 09-3= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. | 09-4= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. | 09-5= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. | 09-6= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. | 09-7= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. | 09-8= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. | 09-9= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. | 09-10= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. | 09-11= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. | 09-12= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. | 09-13= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. | 09-14= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. | 09-15= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. | 09-16= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. | 09-17= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. | 09-18= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. | 09-19= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. | 09-20= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. | 09-21= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. | 09-22= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. | 09-23= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. | 09-24= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. | 09-25= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. | 09-26= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. | 09-27= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. | 09-28= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. | 09-29= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. | 09-30= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Pohnpei]] is one of the '''rainiest''' inhabited places in the world. * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. }} <noinclude> {{documentation}} </noinclude> <!-- Days of one month. Copy, paste, and change the month parameter if needed | 01-1= | 01-2= | 01-3= | 01-4= | 01-5= | 01-6= | 01-7= | 01-8= | 01-9= | 01-10= | 01-11= | 01-12= | 01-13= | 01-14= | 01-15= | 01-16= | 01-17= | 01-18= | 01-19= | 01-20= | 01-21= | 01-22= | 01-23= | 01-24= | 01-25= | 01-26= | 01-27= | 01-28= | 01-29= | 01-30= | 01-31= --> fzvgu0g8kdsmjny0k9e4pscc2o8tn8f 4506571 4506565 2022-08-23T04:46:36Z Ypsilon 1806 Undo revision 4506565 by [[Special:Contributions/Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) wikitext text/x-wiki <!--Please sweep old Discoveries to the archive, which is [[Discover]]. Add them at the top of that page. --> <!--Even if months are always written with two digits, days from 0-9 should be written WITHOUT an extra zero! --> {{#switch: {{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}} | 08-20= [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. * The Guildhall in [[Exeter]] is claimed to be the '''oldest municipal building in England''' still serving its original purpose. | 08-21= [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. * The mountains on the [[Musandam Peninsula]] have housed '''extremely isolated communities''' for centuries and many coastal villages can only be reached by boat. | 08-22= [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. | 08-23= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). | 08-24= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. | 08-25= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). | 08-26= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. | 08-27= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. | 08-28= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. | 08-29= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. | 08-30= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. | 08-31= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. | 09-1= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. | 09-2= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. | 09-3= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. | 09-4= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. | 09-5= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. | 09-6= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. | 09-7= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. | 09-8= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. | 09-9= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. | 09-10= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. | 09-11= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. | 09-12= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. | 09-13= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. | 09-14= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. | 09-15= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. | 09-16= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. | 09-17= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. | 09-18= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. | 09-19= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. | 09-20= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. | 09-21= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. | 09-22= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. | 09-23= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. | 09-24= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. | 09-25= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. | 09-26= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. | 09-27= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. | 09-28= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. | 09-29= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. | 09-30= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Pohnpei]] is one of the '''rainiest''' inhabited places in the world. * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. }} <noinclude> {{documentation}} </noinclude> <!-- Days of one month. Copy, paste, and change the month parameter if needed | 01-1= | 01-2= | 01-3= | 01-4= | 01-5= | 01-6= | 01-7= | 01-8= | 01-9= | 01-10= | 01-11= | 01-12= | 01-13= | 01-14= | 01-15= | 01-16= | 01-17= | 01-18= | 01-19= | 01-20= | 01-21= | 01-22= | 01-23= | 01-24= | 01-25= | 01-26= | 01-27= | 01-28= | 01-29= | 01-30= | 01-31= --> 235idnborxp0ezxp5qps7hha66sysch 4506574 4506571 2022-08-23T04:48:58Z Ypsilon 1806 wikitext text/x-wiki <!--Please sweep old Discoveries to the archive, which is [[Discover]]. Add them at the top of that page. --> <!--Even if months are always written with two digits, days from 0-9 should be written WITHOUT an extra zero! --> {{#switch: {{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}} | 08-20= [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. * The Guildhall in [[Exeter]] is claimed to be the '''oldest municipal building in England''' still serving its original purpose. | 08-21= [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * The mountains on the [[Musandam Peninsula]] have housed '''extremely isolated communities''' for centuries and many coastal villages can only be reached by boat. * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). * Eski Juva Bazaar in [[Tashkent]] is the '''biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia''', operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. | 08-22= [[File:Tunnel view, Yosemite.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * The mountains on the [[Musandam Peninsula]] have housed '''extremely isolated communities''' for centuries and many coastal villages can only be reached by boat. * [[Yosemite National Park]] is best known for its '''impressive granite cliffs and domes''' (''Yosemite Valley pictured''). | 08-23= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * The mountains on the [[Musandam Peninsula]] have housed '''extremely isolated communities''' for centuries and many coastal villages can only be reached by boat. | 08-24= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. | 08-25= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). | 08-26= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. | 08-27= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. | 08-28= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. | 08-29= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. | 08-30= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. | 08-31= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. | 09-1= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. | 09-2= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. | 09-3= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. | 09-4= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. | 09-5= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. | 09-6= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. | 09-7= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. | 09-8= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. | 09-9= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. | 09-10= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. | 09-11= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. | 09-12= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. | 09-13= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. | 09-14= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. | 09-15= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. | 09-16= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. | 09-17= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. | 09-18= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. | 09-19= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. | 09-20= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. | 09-21= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. | 09-22= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. | 09-23= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. | 09-24= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. | 09-25= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. | 09-26= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. | 09-27= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. | 09-28= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. | 09-29= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. | 09-30= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Pohnpei]] is one of the '''rainiest''' inhabited places in the world. * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. }} <noinclude> {{documentation}} </noinclude> <!-- Days of one month. Copy, paste, and change the month parameter if needed | 01-1= | 01-2= | 01-3= | 01-4= | 01-5= | 01-6= | 01-7= | 01-8= | 01-9= | 01-10= | 01-11= | 01-12= | 01-13= | 01-14= | 01-15= | 01-16= | 01-17= | 01-18= | 01-19= | 01-20= | 01-21= | 01-22= | 01-23= | 01-24= | 01-25= | 01-26= | 01-27= | 01-28= | 01-29= | 01-30= | 01-31= --> ikro3mkii657ekl4cq5w4jap4jr2zn8 4506576 4506574 2022-08-23T04:49:30Z Ypsilon 1806 wikitext text/x-wiki <!--Please sweep old Discoveries to the archive, which is [[Discover]]. Add them at the top of that page. --> <!--Even if months are always written with two digits, days from 0-9 should be written WITHOUT an extra zero! --> {{#switch: {{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}} | 08-23= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. * The mountains on the [[Musandam Peninsula]] have housed '''extremely isolated communities''' for centuries and many coastal villages can only be reached by boat. | 08-24= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). * [[Shiretoko National Park]] claims '''Japan's largest bear population''', a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. | 08-25= [[File:Fish and Chip Van, Fisherman's Pier, Tobermory - geograph.org.uk - 3047267.jpg|200px|right]] * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. * In [[Tobermory (Scotland)|Tobermory]] you can eat at what said to be the '''only fish & chips van with a Les Routiers award''' (''pictured''). | 08-26= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. * The bronze and porcelain objects on display at the [[Luoyang]] museum give a sense of the '''former grandeur''' of the ancient capital. | 08-27= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. * Namaste ''("I bow to you")'' is the most '''ubiquitous greeting in [[Hindi]]'''; though of Hindu origin it is now mostly secular. | 08-28= [[File:Museo de la Revolución en la Frontera.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. * In the '''Revolution in the Border Museum''' (''pictured'') in [[Juarez]] you can learn about the Mexican Revolution and the history of the city. | 08-29= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. * [[Ashland (Oregon)|Ashland]] is a small town, home of the '''Oregon Shakespeare Festival''', one of the largest and oldest regional theaters in the U.S. | 08-30= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. * [[Fiordland National Park]] is so '''remote and unexplored''' that some speculate that '''species thought extinct in New Zealand''' may still live in the park. | 08-31= [[File:Recoleta-tower-TM.jpg|200px|right]] * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. * [[Buenos Aires/Palermo & Recoleta|Recoleta]] Cemetery (''pictured'') is an '''elegant last resting place''' for eminent residents of Buenos Aires. | 09-1= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. * Injera, a '''spongy, tangy-tasting bread''' made from the grain teff which grows in the highlands, is '''ubiquitous''' in [[Ethiopia]]. | 09-2= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. * You can learn about the '''horrors of the [[Holocaust remembrance|Holocaust]]''' at Nazi concentration camps turned memorials and museums in Central and Eastern Europe. | 09-3= [[File:Vezio Castle.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. * Vezio Castle (''pictured'') above [[Varenna]] is '''home to captive birds of prey''' (owls, hawks, buzzard, falcon) with flight exhibitions on some days. | 09-4= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. * [[London with children]] can be an '''intimidating endeavour''' because of the city's size and congestion, but because of its size, it can also be an incredibly '''rewarding experience''' for children. | 09-5= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. * [[Escaldes-Engordany]] features a '''perfume museum'''. | 09-6= [[File:AE（Ⅱ）kei naritayugawa.JPG|200px|right]] * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. * The Skyliner (''pictured'') is the '''fastest train''' connecting [[Narita Airport]] to Tokyo. | 09-7= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. * Due to '''high crime''' rates, [[Oss]] was referred to as the '''Dutch Chicago''' at the early 19th century, and its inhabitants are still '''occasionally nicknamed "stabbers"'''. | 09-8= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. * You can divide [[Antalya]] into '''three main areas''' as far as tourists are concerned: Kaleiçi, Lara and Konyaaltı. | 09-9= [[File:Kill.Bill.Church.Location.Lancaster.JPG|200px|right]] * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. * The '''"Two Pines wedding chapel in El Paso, Texas" in the movie [[Kill Bill tour|Kill Bill vol. 1]]''' is actually the Sanctuary Adventist Church (''pictured'') in Hi Vista, California. | 09-10= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. * '''[[Yaoundé]]'s restaurants''' mainly offer local and French cuisine. | 09-11= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. * [[Baguio]] is '''abundant in pine trees''', so it is nicknamed the City of Pines. | 09-12= [[File:2012-04-08 Bonn Palais Schaumburg Rückansicht.jpeg|200px|right]] * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. * Until 2001 Palais Schaumburg (''pictured'') in [[Bonn]] '''housed the office of West Germany's chancellor''' and the chancellor's cabinet. | 09-13= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. * In many countries, seemingly [[Travel as a vegetarian|vegetarian dishes]] can actually '''contain meat'''. | 09-14= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. * Stora Helvetet near [[Storlien]] is a railway embankment near the Norwegian border. '''The name means "Big Hell"''' and is named after troubles during construction in year 1877. | 09-15= [[File:Louisiana State Capitol Building.jpg|200px|right]] * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. * Louisiana's State Capitol (''pictured'') in [[Baton Rouge]] is an '''impressive Art Deco style skyscraper'''. | 09-16= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. * There is surprisingly '''no bridge''' between [[Brazzaville]] and Kinshasa - two national capitals on the opposite sides of the Congo River. | 09-17= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. * In [[Whitehorse]], you can find the '''world's biggest wind vane''' at the Yukon Transportation Museum. | 09-18= [[File:National botanical gardens rainforest tour.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. * The [[Canberra/Acton|Australian National Botanic Gardens]] (''pictured'') has '''the largest collection of Australian native flora''' in the country. | 09-19= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. * At the Donglin Academy in [[Wuxi]] you can enjoy '''Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture''' with gardens and classrooms of a famous school that '''prepared its students for the state exam'''. | 09-20= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. * [[Khartoum]] is at the '''confluence of the Blue and White Nile'''. | 09-21= [[File:Jakobstad Tobacco Factory 1.jpg|200px|right]] * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. * The '''former Strengberg tobacco factory''' (''pictured'') with the clock sphere on its roof is one of [[Jakobstad]]'s symbols. | 09-22= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. * In 2005, [[Popayán]] became the first city to be designated a '''City of Gastronomy''' as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. | 09-23= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. * The Water Gallery in [[Jermuk]] is an '''arcade of hot mineral water of different temperatures''' coming out of pipes in the wall. | 09-24= [[File:Mishkal-mosque-Calicut.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. * The mosque Mishkal Masjidh (''pictured'') in [[Kozhikode]] has '''no cupolas or minarets''' and looks like a Hindu temple. | 09-25= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. * [[Ann Arbor]] was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", '''named after the two founders' wives'''. | 09-26= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. * [[Zaragoza]] is well known for of its many '''tapas bars'''. | 09-27= [[File:West Edmonton Mall wing view.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. * [[Edmonton/West End|West Edmonton]] Mall (''indoor pictured'') is the '''largest shopping mall''' in North America. | 09-28= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. * The '''only source of drinking water''' for the island of [[Ulleungdo]] is the 25 meters high '''Bongnae Falls'''. | 09-29= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. * [[Cheb]] is '''pronounced''' "khep" like a German or Scottish "ch" or a Spanish "j" - not as in "Chicken" - '''locals will make fun of you''' if you make this mistake. | 09-30= [[File:Bigsur Morro Rock.jpg|200px|right]] * [[Pohnpei]] is one of the '''rainiest''' inhabited places in the world. * [[Dublin Airport]] closes for Christmas Day and is the '''only major airport''' in the world which '''doesn't stay open''' 365 days of the year. * The great sight at [[Morro Bay]] is the '''surf at the base of Morro Rock''' (''pictured'') which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. }} <noinclude> {{documentation}} </noinclude> <!-- Days of one month. Copy, paste, and change the month parameter if needed | 01-1= | 01-2= | 01-3= | 01-4= | 01-5= | 01-6= | 01-7= | 01-8= | 01-9= | 01-10= | 01-11= | 01-12= | 01-13= | 01-14= | 01-15= | 01-16= | 01-17= | 01-18= | 01-19= | 01-20= | 01-21= | 01-22= | 01-23= | 01-24= | 01-25= | 01-26= | 01-27= | 01-28= | 01-29= | 01-30= | 01-31= --> dkwjwnn1e4tm0f0v6r3leg91tkt044z 5 112082 4506247 4506132 2022-08-22T13:32:51Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Inactivity policy */ wikitext text/x-wiki Why was this moved out of the Wikivoyage shared namespace? &ndash; [[User:(WT-shared) Cacahuate|(WT-shared) <font color="green">cacahuate</font>]] ^{<small>[[User talk:(WT-shared) Cacahuate|<font color="blue">talk</font>]]</small>} 20:58, 7 July 2007 (EDT) : The Wikivoyage Shared namespace is deprecated: [http://shared.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage_Shared:Travellers%27_pub#Move_policy_pages_to_main_namespace] [[User:(WT-shared) Jpatokal|(WT-shared) Jpatokal]] 13:06, 8 July 2007 (EDT) ==Local removal of adminship== {{swept}} {{tracked|43851}} ''This discussion should be moved to [[Wikivoyage talk:Bureaucrats]] once that page has been imported from backups'' We began to have a discussion here [[Wikivoyage talk:Script policy#Ad hoc admin rights]] regarding local bureaucrats ability to remove admin and bureaucrat rights. This was something we always had prior to the move to the WMF. We haven't had much need for the ability, really, but it may be helpful in the future with cases like this one, where a bot needs temporary admin rights. I'm actually not sure what the logic behind denying this ability to bureaucrats is. Would restoring removal of adminship rights seem reasonable [[:m:Bureaucrat#Removing access|locally]]? --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 18:53, 28 December 2012 (UTC) *This is more of a "opt-in" thing; by default WMF wikis require stewards to remove admin/crat rights, unless the wiki decides that they would like the ability. (For comparison the English Wikipedia only had this turned on in 2011). As far as removing crat rights by bureaucrats, that also is possible, but you run the risk of significant damage if a bureaucrat's account gets hacked. --'''[[User:Rschen7754|Rs]][[User talk:Rschen7754|chen]][[Special:Contributions/Rschen7754|7754]]''' 20:05, 28 December 2012 (UTC) *I '''support''' granting 'crats the right to remove admin bits. I'm fine with needing a steward to remove a 'crat bit, though; seems a good safeguard. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 21:56, 28 December 2012 (UTC) * Agree with LtPowers. • • • [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 04:01, 29 December 2012 (UTC) * '''Support''' local removal of admin bit only, per LtPowers. [[User:This, that and the other|This, that and the other]] ([[User talk:This, that and the other|talk]]) 00:58, 30 December 2012 (UTC) * '''Support''' <span style="color:#339989;">–[[User:Sumone10154|'''<span style="color:#339989;">sumone10154</span>''']]^{([[User talk:Sumone10154|<span style="color:#339989;">talk</span>]])}</span> 20:03, 3 January 2013 (UTC) * '''Support''' --[[User:Rogerhc|Rogerhc]] ([[User talk:Rogerhc|talk]]) 04:34, 9 January 2013 (UTC) '''Requested at [[bugzilla:43851]].''' <span style="color:#339989;">–[[User:Sumone10154|'''<span style="color:#339989;">sumone10154</span>''']]^{([[User talk:Sumone10154|<span style="color:#339989;">talk</span>]])}</span> 04:34, 11 January 2013 (UTC) == RenameUser == Do we have a policy on what (when, etc.) username changes are allowed? [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 01:27, 21 February 2013 (UTC) :Yeah, can I change my name to [[User:I'll tell you wycsi]]? [[User:Texugo|Texugo]] ([[User talk:Texugo|talk]]) 01:39, 21 February 2013 (UTC) ::(Tangential comment) Note that this will not change your name across all WMF sites, and if you want to keep your SUL account unified you will need to request a rename at all wikis you have an edit on. --'''[[User:Rschen7754|Rs]][[User talk:Rschen7754|chen]][[Special:Contributions/Rschen7754|7754]]''' 03:25, 21 February 2013 (UTC) :::[[Wikivoyage:How to create a user account#Changing your username]] is the closest we have. [[Wikivoyage talk:How to create a user account#Renames]] touched on this, and my suggested practice would be to not rename (and thereby sever) SUL accounts, and request that users look to rename their global account name. --[[User:Peterfitzgerald|Peter]] <small>^{[[User_talk:Peterfitzgerald|Talk]]}</small> 04:16, 21 February 2013 (UTC) ::::Unfortunately, it is not possible to globally rename users (yet); you have to request a rename from bureaucrats on every site you have an account with edits on. If there are no local bureaucrats on a wiki, you can ask a steward for assistance, but they refuse to do renames on a wiki with bureaucrats. --'''[[User:Rschen7754|Rs]][[User talk:Rschen7754|chen]][[Special:Contributions/Rschen7754|7754]]''' 04:31, 21 February 2013 (UTC) :::::Ah, I guess [//en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:How_to_create_a_user_account&diff=2055102&oldid=2054377 I have a short memory]. Thanks for the reminders, folks. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 01:04, 22 February 2013 (UTC) =='''''Process''''' of revoking admin rights== The (obvious?) and complementary section on ''revoking'' admin rights (as opposed to ''nominating'' someone to be granted them) in the "notice" section at [[Wikivoyage:Administrator nominations]] was [http://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3AAdministrator_nominations&diff=2157143&oldid=2157136 recently removed]. If that is not the obvious place for a nomination and subsequent discussion of revoking admin rights, where then should it be? Should the procedure be kept secret lest it be abused? -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 01:38, 24 February 2013 (UTC) :If you have a problem with a specific admin's status, you should discuss with that admin and others first before initiating any kind of formal unelection procedure. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 18:32, 24 February 2013 (UTC) ::At the moment we're talking about general policy rather than any individual admin qualifying for their status to be revoked, so would you like to add the necessary replacement text to the relevant page - and tell us ::a) where is the right place for a nomination and subsequent discussion of revoking admin rights and ::b) whether the procedure be kept secret lest it be abused? :::I was speaking generally; it may have been clearer if I had said "If, in the future, someone has a problem with a specific admin's status...". If a nomination is deemed necessary, [[Wikivoyage:Administrator nominations]] would be the place for it, but it's not necessary to specify that because the location of the discussion can be explained once the process gets to that point. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 00:55, 25 February 2013 (UTC) ::::So you do think it's best kept a secret amongst ourselves until and unless the need arises? -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 01:19, 25 February 2013 (UTC) :::::It's not a secret, but there's no point in making an open invitation, either. Why is this so important to you? [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 02:26, 25 February 2013 (UTC) ::::::Because of the way Wikitravel went bad. I see the same incipient megalomaniac/Stalinist tendencies here in some quarters. -- [[User:Alice/About_Me|<b><font color="#0000DD">A</font><font color="#0066FF">l</font><font color="#0099FF">i</font><font color="#00CCFF">c</font><font color="#00EEFF">e</font></b>]][[Special:Emailuser/Alice|<font color="#FF3333">^✉</font>]] 07:18, 25 February 2013 (UTC) :::::::I'll just let that comment speak for itself. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 18:00, 25 February 2013 (UTC) == New bureaucrat == Peter is retired and I think we should look for a new crat to fill his space. Please suggest who should be nominated for the cratship? If I would have to nominate someone, that's [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]]. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 18:07, 3 October 2013 (UTC) :Nothing against him, but do we need more crats, especially since renaming will be handled by stewards sometime within the next year? --'''[[User:Rschen7754|Rs]][[User talk:Rschen7754|chen]][[Special:Contributions/Rschen7754|7754]]''' 18:29, 3 October 2013 (UTC) ::I could take it or leave it, but Ikan would be a good choice if we do want another crat. [[User:Texugo|Texugo]] ([[User talk:Texugo|talk]]) 18:37, 3 October 2013 (UTC) :::German version have four crats, Spanish have six, French have five, Italian have six, while Dutch have five, why can't we have one more? --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 18:46, 3 October 2013 (UTC) ::::We actually have 7. [[Special:ListUsers/bureaucrat]]. --'''[[User:Rschen7754|Rs]][[User talk:Rschen7754|chen]][[Special:Contributions/Rschen7754|7754]]''' 18:48, 3 October 2013 (UTC) :::::Ops. I thought we've only 2 left. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 18:51, 3 October 2013 (UTC) ::::::It sounds like we don't need another bureaucrat, then, but thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm perfectly content to remain a regular admin. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:36, 3 October 2013 (UTC) ::::::: We only have two regular users here who are bureaucrats. I'm not clear there is a role for them apart from sysopping. --[[User:Inas|Inas]] ([[User talk:Inas|talk]]) 23:03, 3 October 2013 (UTC) ::::::::Jani and Evan have 'crat status for historical reasons. Roland, DerFussi, and Hans have it for technical reasons (which may be out of date, come to think of it). I originally applied for 'crat status because Ryan was involved in legal proceedings and Peter was going to be on vacation. Absent those factors, I wouldn't have applied. Considering how little there is for us to do at the moment (applications for account merges have dried up to nothing), I don't think there's much of a need for more. [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 23:29, 3 October 2013 (UTC) ===Revisited=== While the workload on bureaucrats is generally very low, I'm going to be traveling extensively later this year, and that will leave only [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] as an active bureaucrat. I think it's important to have more than one person available to handle renames, WT contribution merges, and promote people to admin, so what thoughts do people have about adding a third active bureaucrat? It was suggested above that [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] might be a good option (if he's willing to add a few more buttons), or alternately [[User:Texugo|Texugo]] has been around and active for many years and thus also seems like a good candidate. Thoughts? If there is consensus to add a third, and if someone is willing, then I can start a nomination. -- [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] • ([[User talk:Wrh2|talk]]) • 21:58, 17 May 2014 (UTC) :Thanks for your confidence. I'd prefer to decline, though. Texugo is a great candidate and I think he would have everyone's confidence; he certainly has mine. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:07, 17 May 2014 (UTC) ::I'd be willing to do it. And thanks for the vote of confidence. [[User:Texugo|Texugo]] ([[User talk:Texugo|talk]]) 22:13, 17 May 2014 (UTC) ::: Thanks for the quick responses - I've started a nomination at [[Wikivoyage:Administrator nominations#User:Texugo (for bureaucrat)]]. -- [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 02:04, 18 May 2014 (UTC) == Check Users group == I would like to suggest we have a couple of administrators with [[w:Wikipedia:CheckUser|Check Users]] access. I suspect we have more sock-puppets than we think. In particular I would like to block more Telstra vandal users then we currently have but currently there is the risk of incorrectly hitting and innocent new user. Would like to volunteer myself and {{ping|Ikan Kekek}} who is always active against vandals and disruptors. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 06:49, 25 June 2018 (UTC) :Someone would have to explain to me how to do this. But you know, I think the obvious step is to simply filter out all Telstra users with unregistered email addresses, and I don't understand why no-one with technical knowledge has done this. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:53, 25 June 2018 (UTC) :: I asked about that but could not find anyone who thought it was possible. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 07:03, 25 June 2018 (UTC) ::: Last time we went down this path, we came to the conclusion that for the limited time it was required, that Stewards could do what was required here. I'm not convinced the situation has changed, or that we have a framework ready. --[[User:Inas|Inas]] ([[User talk:Inas|talk]]) 08:59, 26 June 2018 (UTC) :::: With all respect to the current set of stewards, for whatever reason, they can be a fickle lot, the problems need to be voiced with them - as at times they can be unresponsive and choosy. Whereas the checkuser tool with a regular set of admins would, in my opinion be more immediate and helpful to tackle the issue. I would support the tools being given to experienced admins as a potential start. Even in a trial sense, to ascertain the issues from the perspective of being able to ''see'' what is happening. [[User:JarrahTree|JarrahTree]] ([[User talk:JarrahTree|talk]]) 09:24, 26 June 2018 (UTC) ::::: Is creation of CheckUser group a decision of this sites Bureaucrats or of the Stewards? Any process that needs to be initiated? --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 05:43, 27 June 2018 (UTC) ::::::The information is here: [[meta:CheckUser policy#Appointing local Checkusers]]. It looks to me like we would need to nominate two users, have a discussion, and then contact the stewards. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 05:51, 27 June 2018 (UTC) ::::::: Not sure we can get support from 25 contributors but hopefully consensus will be enough. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 08:10, 27 June 2018 (UTC) : Anyone else want to be considered for CheckUser? --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 08:10, 27 June 2018 (UTC) Can we have more info about practice to date, please. At present this function is done for us by Wikimedia stewards, right? How often has WV requested checks by the stewards? For example, how many requests per year over the last 5 years? [[User:Nurg|Nurg]] ([[User talk:Nurg|talk]]) 09:35, 27 June 2018 (UTC) : Not aware of any requests, but maybe other do. Not really what I was looking for. Want to block sockpuppet account when created, not days later when we know what damage has been done. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 11:13, 27 June 2018 (UTC) ::Searching the archive of the [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Steward_requests/Checkuser requests at Meta], it appears there have been two requests in the 5 and a half years of the English WV. Does that sound about right? ::The question re speed of checking is: will it be done faster by one of the 2 or 3 local checkusers, or will it be done faster by one of the 34 stewards that are available? [[User:Nurg|Nurg]] ([[User talk:Nurg|talk]]) 11:25, 27 June 2018 (UTC) ::: Just tested, response is reasonably quick, but not sure how long they would tolerate multiple requests. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 12:53, 27 June 2018 (UTC) I support the idea, but do not (yet) want to put myself forward. I'm still getting a hang of the admin tools. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:41, 27 June 2018 (UTC) : When we're making too many requests from the Stewards for them to satisfy, then we should appoint our own. There is no evidence of any delay being caused by this process. No evidence of dramatic damage being caused by Sockpuppets that is out of control. Until then, there is no need. This is a solution looking for a problem. Our processes for when Checkuser would be used are non-existant, and I'm concerned that without this framework, we shouldn't be going here. Also, the argument of 'quicker response' holds no water. The multiple stewards are nearly always available. Once we appoint checkusers of our own, they will no longer assist - as per their rules. I definitely don't support this proposal at this point. There is no need. --[[User:Inas|Inas]] ([[User talk:Inas|talk]]) 23:33, 27 June 2018 (UTC) :: So why does no one else make requests to the steward? It can take a few hours, depending on the timezone you are on but there is a response. To put things into perspective nearly half of new users and a good number of new pages are [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:TelstraMessage&limit=500 Telstra] entries. More than are currently being marked as such. --[[User:Traveler100|Traveler100]] ([[User talk:Traveler100|talk]]) 16:10, 4 July 2018 (UTC) ::: I think its unrealistic to think that a couple of local checkusers on the local site would result in an improved response time. You'd have to give every active admin checkuser, and I'm certain that's not the intended use of the priv. --[[User:Inas|Inas]] ([[User talk:Inas|talk]]) 05:27, 7 July 2018 (UTC) ::::[[User:Inas]]: Other than "there's no need", which I and others don't agree with, what is your argument against appointing a couple of willing admins as checkusers? What harm could it do? It could clearly do some good for the site, and might be an effective tool against Telstra and the latest "fuerdai" moron. [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:33, 7 July 2018 (UTC) ::::: My arguments are. 1. Once we appoint local, then the stewards would no longer be involved. And this would make us less able to cope with a situation where we actually needed a checkuser, and the relevant admins were travelling, etc. 2. We have no policy around the use of this facility that has been agreed by the community, and acceptable for privacy considerations. 3. We have made no attempt to make use of the existing facility we have for checkuser. Not once. 4. The people arguing in favour are the people who want the authority to do this. This is unhealthy. People arguing in favour should not be putting themselves forward. ::::: So, we end up with a worse response, subject to arbitrary use, without a policy foundation. We shouldn't move forward with this discussion in this quiet admin corner of wikivoyage. We're talking about giving the authority to admins to check the origin IP of accounts on this site without any control on how or when this will be done. This will affect every single user, and the people proposing it should let everyone on the site know that their origin IP (company they are working for, etc) will be used by anonymous admins here without any controls. --[[User:Inas|Inas]] ([[User talk:Inas|talk]]) 09:05, 15 July 2018 (UTC) == Old bureaucrats == Shouldn't there be some kind of procedure, akin to how admin rights are revoked for an inactive account, to strip people who haven't worked here for years of their bureaucrat rights? There is currently one such bureaucrat, [[User:Hansm]], who hasn't made any contributions since [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Hansm 2013]. Doesn't letting them keep "tools which could be dangerous in the wrong hands" pose a security risk? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 09:48, 22 October 2018 (UTC) :Yes. I think we would need to ask a steward to revoke an inactive bureaucrat's status. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:52, 22 October 2018 (UTC) == Inactivity policy == Before we do any of the debureaucratting (if that's a word), I think we should have a policy on what's the time limit for inactive bureaucrats. Unlike inactive admins, inactive bureaucrats pose even more of a security risk – if the account falls into the wrong hands, the compromised account might even have the potential to severely damage the site. From [[Special:Diff/4496900]], {{u|Ikan Kekek}} suggested it could be 1 year, but I think the criteria should be even tighter. Based on Commons' inactive admins policy, I propose that bureaucrats need to: * make at least 10 edits for every 6 months; * make at least two admin actions for every 6 months. If they don't do the following, then it signifies that they really don't need the tools. Their administrator status should however, be unaffected by this. It might seem a bit over the top, but it is a serious security risk. Other thoughts? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:55, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :I think a year is fine. You might be on travel for several months and there might not be pending admin jobs to pick up if you don't have the time to monitor the wiki actively, so 6 months could mean we have to remove and renominate people who have happened to be busy. Being away longer than that, one should perhaps ask for removal of the flag until one comes back. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:39, 8 August 2022 (UTC) ''(originally made on [[Wikivoyage talk:User rights nominations#Bureaucrats must close all user rights nom threads? Why?]] and copied here by ThunderingTyphoons!)'' :: Commons have enough people to choose the most active ones, and here we have people who often are away from home, perhaps where Internet connections are unreliable – also security-wise. I don't think a person who is away for 6 months is unsuitable as bureaucrat. An inactive account is not any more insecure than an active one per se, just that an abandoned account is an unnecessary risk, and that it might not be monitored. Not logging in doesn't prevent you from monitoring your edit history, and not doing administrative actions even less so. Also, other seasoned editors should monitor the logs, so that a compromised account (active or inactive) taking odd administrative action is noticed. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:48, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :: (edit conflit) So why can't such a bureaucrat (or even admin) just ask for their privileges to be suspended for the duration of their trip? Any sysop who did that would surely have the full confidence of other Wikivoyagers when they returned and be quickly restored to the role. If you're going away for months, with no intention of carrying on your sysop role, and possibly no time to even login to WV, that is a security risk. The more responsible thing is surely then to voluntarily give up the role for a limited time, rather than leave without a word for extended periods. And if anyone insisted on keeping the role even when not using it, it would suggest they considered it a status symbol rather than a tool. ::Also, just wondering, are there reasons other than security concerns over potentially-compromised accounts for the number of bureaucrats to be limited? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:49, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :::100 per cent agree with {{u|ThunderingTyphoons!}}. We're less than 1 per cent of the size of Commons; we have eight bureaucrats, but Commons only has seven. Wikidata, a wiki that's also significantly larger than en.voy, only has three. If an account has been inactive for 6 months, then you can safely assume that they're not going to be doing any 'crat duties for a while. This is already evident – within our own 'crat list, per [https://xtools.wmflabs.org/adminstats/en.wikivoyage.org/2021-08-08/2022-08-08?actions=delete|revision-delete|log-delete|restore|re-block|unblock|re-protect|unprotect|rights|merge|import|abusefilter|contentmodel X-tools], only {{u|Ikan Kekek}} has made an admin action, let alone a bureaucrat action. It really just means the other seven are inactive and don't need the tools. :::{{re|ThunderingTyphoons!}} regarding your question, I couldn't find a reason from [[m:Bureaucrat]], but I believe that's the main reason why bureaucrats should be kept to a minimum. That said, I did a bit of digging on other WMF projects and in no other English-language or multilingual project did I find that bureaucrats should be kept to a minimum. In fact, you could even say the same for admins too. But that's a discussion for another day. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:34, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :::: It certainly makes sense for bureaucrats to tell when they are not going to do anything pertaining to that role for months, to alert the other bureaucrats and to let us others know we should ask stewards to do what needs to be done, if all are away. But I don't think we should have stewards remove the flag for somebody being away for a few months. If such announced breaks aren't counted when activity is checked, then that should be told in the policy, and it isn't evident that they shouldn't be. (Another reason to keep bureaucrats few is that the risk of electing somebody unsuitable becomes lower, both because of the raised bar and because of pure probabilities.) –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:58, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :::: (On numbers: it isn't about being many enough to handle the load, but the risk that none is available. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:00, 8 August 2022 (UTC)) :::::If none are available (at least for a week or so), then stewards can handle the job. It's the same reason why we don't have any local CUs, and why we probably won't get one anytime in the next decade. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:07, 8 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::Inactivity may be a reason for removal of bureaucrat rights, but I question the criteria. Admin actions are somewhat orthogonal to a bureaucrat's duties, for starters; I'm not clear what the connection is between the two. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 15:32, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::Btw, I'll be on the road from the 10th-27th and will likely be spending less time on Wikivoyage during much of that period. My feeling is that a year without any edits or activity is simplest to determine, so why don't we start there? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:09, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::: Any edit or action shows that the person is still around and hasn't abandoned the site. Bureaucrat actions shows that the person has time for those duties. I think the former has been the main fear. For the latter, a number of actions per half-year shows very little. They may happen to be around when they are needed one year without being around the next time. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:49, 8 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::{{re|LtPowers}} I hope we don't ever have a [[wikipedia:simple:Wikipedia:Requests_for_de-adminship/Lofty_abyss|Lofty abyss]] situation here, but what I've found is that most admins listed in [[Special:ListUsers/sysop]] make one edit every so often and never use their tools. If they don't use the tools, then they don't need them; that's not the main point here though – why I'm more firm about this for bureaucrats is that, if a 'crat doesn't use their admin tools, then they obviously aren't using their bureaucrat tools and if they aren't using their tools, then they don't need it. :::::::{{re|Ikan Kekek|LPfi}} I still think one year is far too long and poses a significant security risk. Remember, bureaucrat accounts do have the capability to essentially destroy the site, and especially in a wiki where there are few admins around at certain times of the day (particularly between 01:00 to 06:00 UTC). Even say, if a bureaucrat goes on a break for exactly six months (and their tools aren't stripped), and comes back a day, makes two edits (and no admin actions) after and then disappears, never to be seen for a while, then essentially they're not using their tools. While this hasn't exactly been happening here, I'm seeing similar activity levels for about half. (Disclaimer: I've been planning propose reducing the admin inactivity policy from 2 years to 1 year, and will do so once we resolve this discussion – this will bias my opinion about how long can bureaucrats be inactive) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:39, 9 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::All actions can be undone. If a bureaucrat goes crazy, stewards can be called upon to desysop and block them and undo all their actions, but right now, that's a theoretical danger. I think 2 years of inactivity for an admin and 1 for a bureaucrat is simple. I wouldn't want to reduce the inactivity period for admins to 1 year, because that creates more work for us. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:58, 9 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::It does create more work for us, but that's why we have bureaucrats ;-) (plus, Commons does it just fine). The reason I haven't put my hand up for bureaucrat yet is because I think I'm still too new to this community, but I'm happy to do so in order to handle with inactive admins. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:02, 9 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::I would support a minimum requirement of one admin action/edit a year. Compared to Commons, Wikivoyage is not as busy so I don't believe we should be as stringent. A 12 month-timeline also allows editors to come back after a break, perhaps from a long overseas trip, which is more likely to happen in a wiki of travel enthusiasts. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 12:51, 9 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::One reason why the admin/bureaucrat activity requirements are becoming very strict on some wikis is because the rules and policies change regularly and users that return after a break may not move with the times. In contrast, policies on Wikivoyage have been fairly stable. Someone who has been on a hiatus since 2017 could come back tomorrow and edit most things as they did back then without much trouble. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 12:56, 9 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Nothing magical happens at the 6 months point, nor at the point someone becomes inactive. If an admin or bureaucrat account is compromised today and the admin is leaving for a one-month trip to Antarctica, then the cracker has a month for doing what they will. There is little that can be done in a year that cannot be done in a month. The point with the limits is more that somebody who has been absent a year is likely to be absent for five more years, while I think there are many scenarios where one isn't active for a some months and then comes back. Three months on a trip and then returning to a workplace that has gone crazy. When that's over, you might just want to relax with your family. A whole year off more seldom comes unexpectedly, and stewards probably do not mind to flip the flags twice in those cases. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:57, 9 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::To add to [[User:DaGizza|DaGizza]]'s point: Commons is constantly having to delete files, numerous files every day. That is way different from this site. And they are way behind in important work, with things like Valued Image sets having been broken for years and a refusal to change "Quality images candidates" to "Quality image candidates" because no-one is willing to edit all the links. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:44, 9 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::You said: "if a 'crat doesn't use their admin tools, then they obviously aren't using their bureaucrat tools" but again I don't see the connection here. I don't think that's obvious at all. Can you explain why you think it is? [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 19:32, 9 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::The connection is they aren't using their tools. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:53, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::It seems everyone but myself are in favour of adopting a 1-year limit + 1 admin action for inactive bureaucrats. Any final objections before I add this to the policy page? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:46, 16 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::: I assume that means one admin ''or bureaucrat'' action. I don't know if that is important if they otherwise are active, but it does not sound like a burden. No objections. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:06, 16 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::That looks okay (with LPfi's added wording).--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:52, 16 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::This seems sensible. Not taking any admin or bureaucrat actions in a year is not a security risk, but if you're not using your tools at all, why have them? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:33, 16 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::Agreed. {{ping|Rschen7754}} do any pages on meta have to be updated before this is implemented? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 09:44, 17 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::::Just [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Admin_activity_review/Local_inactivity_policies]. (FWIW although I'm not as active here I think 1 year/1 admin action is good - bureaucrats just don't have a lot of tasks anymore like they used to). --'''[[User:Rschen7754|Rs]][[User talk:Rschen7754|chen]][[Special:Contributions/Rschen7754|7754]]''' 18:03, 17 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::::{{done}}. I'll mass mail all 'crats in just a moment. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 06:31, 18 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::::::Mass messaged all 'crats. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 07:55, 18 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Forgot to come back and reply. I could see someone using their bureaucrat tools but not their admin tools, so that's why I said I didn't see a connection. That's been resolved with the adopted wording, though. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 22:49, 20 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::In the x-tool world, admin action = admin and/or bureaucrat action. I thought everyone knew that but it seems not. Apologies if I confused you all. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 09:17, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::: What is the "x-tool world" and why would they be equal? Normally :::::::::::: <math>A = A \cup B \iff A \supseteq B </math> :::::::::::: (in the x-tool world it seems admin action is redefined such that there is no term for plain admin actions, i.e. <math>A \supset B</math> ). :::::::::::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:48, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::<small>Hideous flashbacks from formal logic class.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:32, 22 August 2022 (UTC)</small> l2eqdekf4oqdio53wy9fgaw3t6e5nap 0 112151 4506734 4506038 2022-08-23T10:11:02Z Pashley 1822 /* Festivals */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Christianity-banner1.jpg|caption=The Holy Trinity, by the 14th-century Russian master, Andrei Rublev}} {{featurenomination|ftt}} '''Christianity''' is the world's most prolific religion, with more than 2.38 billion followers, and churches, cathedrals and chapels on every continent including [[Antarctica]]. Many of those are on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. While the great majority of religious people in some countries &mdash; such as most of [[Europe]], the [[Americas]], [[Oceania]] and the [[Philippines]] &mdash; are at least nominally Christian, Christianity is a minority religion in most of [[East Asia]] and the [[Middle East]], while [[Africa]] is nearly evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. Christianity has influenced the culture of the countries it is or has been dominant in and has been influenced by preexisting local cultures, traditions and religions as well, and many important buildings bear witness to the Christian faith of today and bygone eras. ==Understand== {{quote|For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life|author=Gospel of John, 3:16}} Christianity is a '''monotheistic''' religion, believing in one god. It is an Abrahamic religion, descended from the religion of Abraham who (according to scripture) lived in the second millennium BCE and migrated with his family from [[Nasiriyah#See|Ur of the Chaldees]] in what is now Iraq to the "Promised Land" of Israel. The other Abrahamic religions are [[Judaism]], [[Islam]], the [[Baha'i Faith]] (whose Messiah came in the 19th century) and the now very small Mandaean sect (who believe John the Baptist, not Jesus, was the Messiah). [[File:Skogskyrkogarden HolyCross.jpg|thumb|Skogskyrkogården, [[Stockholm/Söderort|southern Stockholm]].]] Christians believe that '''Jesus of Nazareth''' was the Messiah (saviour, deliverer) promised to the Jewish people by various prophecies. He is often called '''Jesus Christ''', from the Greek word Χριστός (''Christós'') which literally means "anointed" but is used to indicate more, in particular to match prophecies that have the Messiah anointed with holy oils. Christians believe that Jesus was conceived by Mary who was a virgin at the time, that as the Son of God he is the only one who can be considered free from sin in his own right, and that his crucifixion was the sacrifice necessary to cleanse humanity of its sins. According to the Biblical account, Jesus was resurrected after his death on the cross and subsequent burial, and appeared before his disciples. Jesus was then raised to Heaven where he awaits the world's decline into sin and tribulation, after which he will return to Earth and pass the final judgment on humanity. The vast majority of Christians today also believe in some form of [[#The_Trinity|Trinity]], which is the belief that God (the Father), Jesus (the Son) and the Holy Spirit are one God in three Persons. See [[#Holy Land]] below for information on visiting the places where Jesus lived and taught. Disagreements about various points of doctrine, about church administration and power within it, and about the Church's political entanglements engendered a number of schisms, destructive wars, and the large number of Christian denominations in existence today. The most notable denominations are the '''Orthodox''' churches, the '''Roman Catholic''' church and various '''Protestant''' churches. Christianity's principal religious text, the '''Bible''', comes in many different editions. All versions of the Bible include an '''Old Testament''', which is basically Jewish scripture from before the time of Jesus, and a '''New Testament''' which recounts Jesus' life (in the '''Gospels''') and later events. The Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox bibles contain differing numbers of books, and the translations from ancient to modern languages often differ as well. As in other religions, interpretations of scripture can also differ significantly between different Christian denominations. Members of the clergy are known as '''priests''' in the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, and as '''ministers''' or '''pastors''' in Protestant churches. '''Friars''' and '''monks''' are not members of the clergy, but are simply men who devote their lives to serving the church, the main difference between the two being that friars work closely with the general community, while monks live secluded lives in cloistered communities and devote their lives to study and meditation. The female equivalent of monks are known as '''nuns'''. See [[#Catholic orders|Catholic orders]] below for more. ===Early history=== Christianity began as a Messianic sect of [[Judaism]], and the early Christians called their houses of prayer synagogues and continued to observe Jewish law, as Jesus had. Obstacles to non-Jews converting to Christianity included [[kosher|laws about kosher food]] and circumcision. After considerable debate, the Church adopted the policy that congregations that did not want to follow these Jewish laws did not have to, because the "New Covenant" of eternal life in Jesus Christ superseded the "Old Covenant" that God made with the Hebrews at [[Mount Sinai]] (as detailed in the Biblical book of ''Exodus''). [[File:Holy sepulchre exterior.jpg|thumb|Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem]] An important event was the conversion of Saul of [[Tarsus]]. This zealous anti-Christian Jew was on his way to [[Damascus]], where he planned to crush the local Christians and stamp out what he saw as a heresy, when he had a vision of Jesus. He then adopted the name Paul and devoted himself to the spread, rather than the annihilation, of Christianity. Paul became one of the leaders of the movement and devoted much time to writing letters (which can be found in ''Epistles'' in the New Testament) inspiring the disparate Christian synagogues and maintaining unity. Communities that he sent epistles to included [[Rome]], [[Corinth]], [[Central Anatolia|Galatia]], [[Ephesus]], [[Philippi]], [[Pamukkale#Other sights|Colossae]] and [[Thessaloniki]]. The Apostles evangelized aggressively and travelled widely. Some have tombs a long way from home; these have churches built over them and have become pilgrimage destinations. *{{listing | name=[[Rome/Vatican#St._Peter's_Basilica|Saint Peter]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Rome | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=St. Peter's Basilica | content=This church is within the [[Vatican City]] and the Pope often presides over ceremonies there or in the adjacent St. Peter's Square. }} *{{listing | name=[[Rome/South#St_Paul's_area|Saint Paul]] | alt=Saint Paul's Outside the Walls | url=https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/index_en.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Rome | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls | content=This church is just outside the Vatican. }} *{{listing | name=Saint James | alt=San Diego in Spanish | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Spain | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santiago de Compostela Cathedral | content=See the article on the pilgrimage, the [[Way of St. James]]. }} *{{listing | name=[[Chennai#Churches|Saint Thomas]] | directions=India | alt=San Tome Church | wikipedia=St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai | content=This tomb and church are in Chennai, formerly known as Madras. It has a museum. Thomas was martyred on nearby Saint Thomas Mount.<br/>There are still groups in India, mainly [[Kerala]], who call themselves Saint Thomas Christians and claim their roots go back to Thomas. They have interesting churches, some very old. According to their legends, Thomas also sailed on [[Maritime Silk Road]] routes to Indonesia and China. }} The [[Roman Empire]] initially considered Christianity just another of numerous Jewish sects, and [[Judaism]] (as the ''religio licita'' or allowed religion) was exempt from the requirement to worship the emperor. Once the Romans realized the new religion was more than that (partly because they were preaching to non-Jews) they tried hard, and often brutally, to suppress it; many of the early Christian missionaries including St. Peter were martyred in horrific ways that are often depicted in Christian paintings and other artwork. The most famous site associated with this persecution is the [[Rome/Colosseo#Colosseum,_Roman_Forum_and_Palatine_Hill|Colosseum]] where, according to legend, many Christians were thrown to the lions or killed in other crowd-pleasing ways. Finally, in 313 AD, Emperor Constantine I announced that Christianity would be tolerated, and himself converted to Christianity. According to the traditional narrative, Constantine had a dream in which he saw a cross of light in the sky, and heard a voice telling him to conquer in its name. Following the dream, Constantine marked his soldiers' shields and weapons with crucifixes and won the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, this convincing him that the Christian God was the one true god. He also called together the [[#The_Trinity|Council of Nicea]] for the Bishops to sort out a consistent doctrine for the whole Church. Under Constantine's successor, Emperor Theodosius I, Christianity was made the official state religion of Rome, and became mandatory for all Roman subjects. Pagans were oppressed as brutally as the Christians had previously been oppressed. Many pagan temples, including some the finest buildings of the time, were destroyed. Once Rome was officially Christian, a great temporal power was behind the religion, and this was probably the most important single event in the post-Peter-and-Paul history of the religion. See [[#Denominations]] below for some of the later history, in particular for the schisms that led from the single church of Roman times to the many that exist today. ===Festivals=== There are many festivals celebrated by Christians, with some even specific to particular sects. However, the two festivals listed below are the most important and celebrated by all Christians, with many otherwise unobservant Christians showing up at church only on these two occasions. *'''[[Easter]]''' – Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross, on a Sunday in March or April. The Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday is known as '''Good Friday''', and is traditionally said to be the day that Jesus was crucified and died. People celebrate with Easter eggs. *'''[[Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas]]''' – Traditionally said to have been the birthday of Jesus, celebrated on 25th December in the Western Christian tradition. People celebrate by giving each other presents. : The unrelated festival of Saint Stephen (the first Christian martyr) on December 26th is often included in Christmas festivities by local tradition. : In many places December 26th is Boxing Day, named for a tradition of preparing boxes for the poor. Stores often have Boxing Day (or even Boxing Week) sales, reducing prices once Christmas is past. Western churches and the Greek Orthodox Church use the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Most Eastern churches use the Julian calendar (introduced by Julius Caesar) and celebrate on Julian December 25, which is January 7th Gregorian. The Armenian church is in between, using the Gregorian calendar but celebrating Christmas on January 6th. Some traditions celebrate '''Advent''', several weeks leading up to Christmas, the '''Twelve Days of Christmas''' and/or '''Lent''', 40 days leading up to Easter. Especially in Catholic countries, '''Carnivale''' is celebrated as a feast just before the austerity of Lent begins. Wikivoyage has a general article on [[Carnivale]] and one on [[Mardi Gras]] (French for Fat Tuesday), Carnivale as celebrated in [[New Orleans]]. That and the huge Carnivale celebration in [[Rio de Janeiro]] are major tourist draws. There are also many other festivals. In Catholic countries nearly every town and village will have a fiesta on the day of its patron saint. One large one is the feast of John the Baptist, on June 24. [[Quebec]] considers ''Saint-Jean Baptiste'' their National Day, and for many Quebecois it is a more important holiday than Canada Day on July 1. St. Patrick's Day, on March 17, is widely celebrated in [[Ireland]] and by the Irish diaspora. In the US, Canada and Australia, even people with no Irish ancestry often wear green for the occasion and many pubs serve green beer. Many Christian festivals are at least partly adaptations of older pagan festivals. Winter solstice celebrations in Germanic Europe had yule logs, evergreen trees, mistletoe and holly long before Christian missionaries arrived. Eggs and bunnies were fertility symbols at pagan spring festivities, but now are seen at Easter. Quebec's St. Jean Baptiste has bonfires, as druidic solstice celebrations did in pre-Roman Gaul. ===Missionaries=== Christians have always included many proselytizers, with some of them dedicating their lives to spreading the Gospel, from the Apostles to the present day. Starting in the Roman era they strove to Christianize all of Europe, and by medieval times they had mostly succeeded; the last major holdouts were the Norse people of [[Nordic countries|Scandinavia]], who were not fully Christianized until the 12th century. Meanwhile Nestorian Christians were evangelizing much of Asia, reaching Korea by the 7th century. During the [[Age of Discovery]], the European explorers and colonisers sent missionaries far and wide in order to convert the native peoples, and in many areas were very successful in gaining converts. Along with the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, the Age of Discovery was one of the most important periods that led to the explosive growth of Christianity, eventually resulting in it becoming the world's most prolific religion, a position it maintains today. In the course of proselytizing, the Catholic church in particular used combinations of carrots and sticks that might seem surprising to modern observers. While the Spanish Empire gave the needed incentive through military force for Natives of the Americas to convert, missionaries often learned local languages, spreading Nahuatl and Guaraní in particular and adapted some customs and celebrations to local mores. Looking at some festivals purporting to honor some saint or other, it takes little imagination that they might just be a "converted" festival of some pre-Christian deity. Missionaries also had and continue to have widely varying approaches to the non-religious aspects of native cultures, from appreciating them to a degree that they were rebuked by the church in Rome, as happened to some Jesuits in China, to stamping them out and burning even their non-religious texts, as sadly befell the Maya culture which lost all but three codices to religious zealotry. To this day missionaries are also often engaged in social works and help the most underserved communities in part in order to convert them but in part also to do good works for good works' sake. That said, less tactful missionaries continue to do harm in otherwise intact communities and are thus often viewed with great skepticism by host governments or even barred from entry. The 19th century with rapidly expanding capitalism in Europe and North America and the widespread pauperism caused by it gave rise to "inner mission" and Catholic social teaching, which were attempts to lure proletarians away from "godless" communism as well as earnest efforts to follow Jesus' teaching that "what you did to the lowest of my brothers you did to me". To this day, various Christian organizations continue to be active in poor communities in the first world providing aid and social work without any overt proselytizing. However, in modern times, the missionary work of American Evangelical pastors in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean has also led to a massive surge of extreme homophobia. ===Buildings=== {{seealso|Architecture#Religious_buildings}} Some main types of Christian buildings and sites are: [[File:Church of Nativity.JPG|thumb|Church of the Nativity, [[Bethlehem]]]] * {{listing | name=Abbey | wikipedia=Abbey | content=A church headed by an abbot/abbess, who is the leader of a community of monks and/or nuns }} * {{listing | name=Basilica | wikipedia=Basilica | content=Either a church built on the rectangular floor plan used in Roman public buildings named basilicas (starting several centuries before Christ), or a church designated as a basilica by the Pope.}} * {{listing | name=Cathedral | wikipedia=Cathedral | content=A prominent church, the seat (''cathedra'') of a bishop }} * {{listing | name=Church | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Church | content=A building dedicated to religious services, prayer and ceremony. }} * {{listing | name=Chapel | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Chapel | content=A small building, or part of a building, set aside for worship. Many chapels are part of a church, set aside either for private worship or as a home for some sacred relic. Many [[castles]] include a chapel. }} * {{listing | name=Monastery | wikipedia=Monastery | content=A place where monks live and worship communally }} * {{listing | name=Convent | wikipedia=Convent | content=A place where nuns live and worship communally }} * '''[[Cemeteries|Cemetery]]''': Can be tied to a Christian congregation or be multi-religious Many of these are major tourist attractions. Some monasteries and convents offer retreats for interested lay people, some with a strong emphasis on their particular religion but others emphasizing non-denominational quiet and contemplation. See various destination articles and the [[#Destinations]] section below for details. A few Christian denominations use other names for their places of worship; Jehovah's Witnesses have a Kingdom Hall, Quakers or Unitarians a Meeting House, Mormons a temple, and so on. ==Denominations== In the first few centuries of Christianity, there were passionate arguments about some key aspects of the faith: * What is the nature of Jesus? Is he divine, human, some combination of those, or something that transcends both?<br/>If he is both divine and human, how are his two natures related? * How are Father and Son related? Is the Son a created being or eternal like the Father?<br/ >If created, is He then somehow subordinate to the Father? * Which texts should be considered sacred? In particular, which of the many Gospels then available should be accepted? Eventually, the church of the Roman Empire mostly settled the question of texts by compiling the New Testament, with only four gospels &mdash; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John &mdash; becoming part of the canon, while all the other gospels were declared heretical, with the death penalty for possessing them. There was controversy over whether to include the Book of Revelation &mdash; the ravings of a madman, divinely inspired, or perhaps both? &mdash; but eventually it was accepted as part of the Roman canon. The other questions were mostly settled at the [[#Nicene Creed|Council of Nicaea]] in 325. Several schisms were to split the church in the years to come, the effects of which can still be felt today in the form of the different denominations of Christianity. ===Gnostics=== [[File:Aveiro March 2012-23.jpg|thumb|Mary Magdalene as portrayed by an 18th-century Portuguese artist]] The Gnostics (from Greek γνωστικός, having knowledge) were an influential tendency among both Jews and Christians starting around 100 CE; they emphasized personal knowledge, obtained via meditation and prayer, over scripture and church teachings. They were heavily persecuted by the Church of the Roman Empire and the movement mostly died out within a few centuries. However, they did have a considerable influence on the Oriental Orthodox churches, especially the Coptic Church. The Gnostics had many documents, including several Gospels, which they considered sacred but which the Church refused to include in the Bible and declared heretical. Some of their stories, while not included in the Biblical canon, are in the Qur'an, the holy book for [[Islam|Muslims]]. *{{listing | name=Coptic Museum | alt= | url=http://www.coptic-cairo.com/museum/museum.html | email= | address=[[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Coptic Museum | content=Houses the ''Nag Hammadi Library'', the largest collection of re-discovered Gnostic Gospels. They were found in the town of Nag Hammadi (near [[Luxor]]) in 1945. }} To the Gnostics, '''Mary Magdalene''' was quite important, and there is a ''Gospel of Mary'' among the Gnostic documents. She is sometimes depicted as a repentant prostitute, but that is nonsense; the notion can be traced back to a 6th-century Pope getting her mixed up with another Mary mentioned in the Bible. Modern scholars believe she was a rich widow from Magdala (a port on the Sea of Galilee near [[Tiberias]]) who financed much of Jesus' ministry. To the Gnostics, though, she was much more than that, one of Jesus' most important disciples. Some of the Gnostic documents portray her as Jesus' wife and/or as the only disciple who fully understood his teachings. ===The Trinity=== The doctrine of the '''Trinity''' &mdash; the belief that Jesus (the Son), God (the Father) and the Holy Spirit are one God in three Persons &mdash; is not stated explicitly anywhere in the Bible, though some theologians have trinitarian interpretations of various passages in both Testaments. The doctrine was not stated in fully-developed form until the 3rd century CE, and not definitively labelled as orthodox teaching until early in the 4th. The First Council of [[Nicaea]] in 325 CE excommunicated the prominent non-trinitarian Arius, declaring his teachings (the Son is a created being, not eternal, and subordinate to the Father) heretical, and agreed on an important document. *{{listing | name=Nicene Creed | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nicene Creed | content=A statement of common beliefs which anyone must accept to be considered a Christian, including the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, the virgin birth, the resurrection and His eventual return to judge humanity. This creed declared an orthodoxy that nearly all bishops could accept, resolving the thorny problems mentioned above. }} All the major Christian denominations today &mdash; Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant &mdash; accept the Nicene Creed as a fundamental part of their doctrine, and many recite or sing it as part of their liturgy. [[Islam]] honours Jesus as a prophet and the Messiah, and reveres many Old Testament prophets as well. However, they do not consider Jesus divine. To them, there is one God, indivisible, and the ideas of worshipping Jesus or of the Trinity are completely unacceptable. [[File:1st-Unitarian.jpg|thumb|Unitarian Meeting House in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], designed by Unitarian [[Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright|Frank Lloyd Wright]]]] ====Non-trinitarians==== Today there are few non-trinitarian Christians, mainly the [[#Mormons|Mormons]], [[#Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses]], the Unitarians, and Iglesia ni Christo. *{{listing | name=Unitarians | alt= | url=https://www.uua.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Unitarianism | Wikipedia=Unitarianism | content=This group began in Europe in the 16th century and today is moderately widespread in North America and parts of Europe, with a few congregations elsewhere. There are no great Unitarian cathedrals to visit, but many of their meeting houses are lovely and several are fine examples of modern architecture. }} *{{listing | name=Iglesia ni Cristo | alt=Church of Christ | url=https://iglesianicristo.net/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Iglesia ni Cristo | content=This church was founded in the [[Philippines]] in 1914 and today has several thousand congregations and a few million members, nearly all in that country. They claim to be restoring the original church, as Christ taught, and are non-trinitarian. Except for a few larger ones, their churches all look exactly identical. }} ===Nestorians=== Nestorius was Archbishop of [[Constantinople]] until the other bishops condemned some of his teachings as heretical at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and removed him from his post. He taught that the human and divine aspects of Christ were two distinct natures, not unified. Today [[Ephesus]] is a major archaeological site and one of Turkey's major tourist attractions. He retired to his home monastery near Antioch, and was later exiled to Egypt. At the time, Antioch was one of the main cities of Syria and a major center of Christianity; today it is [[Antakya]] in Turkey. His interpretation of Christianity lived on in the '''Church of the East''' which never accepted his condemnation by the western bishops. That church was based in Persia and had the support of the [[Persian Empire]], likely mainly for political reasons; the Persians did not want a church with strong ties to either Byzantium or Rome becoming too influential in their territory. The Church of the East sent missionaries east along the [[Silk Road]], reaching China and Korea hundreds of years ahead of other Christians. [[Xi'an]], China has a Nestorian [[Xi'an#Beilin (or Stele) Museum|stele]] (stone monument) from the 7th century, and outside town the [[Daqin pagoda]], a Nestorian church that was built in 635 and was converted to a Buddhist monastery and shrine after the Nestorians died out locally. [[Marco Polo]] mentions a community of Nestorian Christians in [[Kashgar]] in the 13th century. Today, the church, now known as the [http://nestorian.org/ Assyrian Church of the East], still exists but it has not had government support in centuries and is now much smaller than in its heyday. What was once known as Persia is now called [[Iran]] and is almost entirely Muslim, through the Assyrian Church of the East has been officially recognised as a minority religion and is guaranteed representation in the country's legislature. ===Oriental Orthodox Churches=== [[File:2014 Prowincja Kotajk, Klasztor Geghard (02).jpg|thumb|200px|Portal to the cave church of Astvatsatsin, part of a [[Central Armenia#Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery|monastery]] in Armenia which was founded in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 13th]] {{seealso|Churches in Ethiopia}} Some of the earliest Christian churches included the [[Syria|Syriac]] church, centered in [[Antakya|Antioch]], which is now in Turkey; the Coptic church of [[Egypt]] and [[Ethiopia]], and the [[Armenian]] Apostolic church. After the Council of [[Chalcedon]] in 451, these churches disagreed with the council and broke off. The church in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] joined them briefly, but later returned to the main Orthodox fold. There are splendid ancient churches and monasteries, some of them still active, in Ethiopia, Armenia and Georgia. ===The Great Schism=== The '''Great Schism''' separated the '''Roman Catholic Church''' from the '''Eastern Orthodox Churches''', which originally included the Russian, Greek, Georgian, Serbian, Bulgarian and Romanian churches. In 2018, the Ukrainian Church was recognized as a member in its own right, rather than part of the Russian Church, and the Russian Church left in protest. The split was partly a result of the Roman Empire being divided into the Western Roman Empire with its capital in Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) with its capital in Constantinople; each empire supported a different Church (and the Persians supported the Nestorians). An important doctrinal dispute was over the role of the Pope. To Roman Catholics he is ''pontifex maximus'' (the greatest priest) and the undisputed head of the Church. To Orthodox Christians he is just the Bishop of Rome and has no authority outside his See; in particular he does not rule over other bishops, and ''at most'' could be considered ''primus inter pares'' (first among equals). Today the Archbishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, remains the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, while the Archbishop of Constantinople (today's Istanbul), also known as the Ecumenical Patriarch, remains the symbolic leader of the Eastern Orthodox churches. [[File:Moscou.- La Cathédrale Basile-le-Bienheureux.jpg|thumb|St Basil's Cathedral, [[Moscow]]]] The split was a rather gradual affair with controversy from the 4th century on; it became final in 1050 when each side excommunicated many of the other side's bishops. It became rather messy during the [[Crusades]] when large numbers of heavily armed Roman Catholics entered Orthodox territory. At times the two groups co-operated to attack the Muslims, but they also fought each other. Some historians contend that the Crusaders killed more Orthodox and Coptic Christians than they did Muslims. The geographic division remains roughly the same as it's been for centuries, though it is not quite a neat one, as there are also some very longstanding Eastern Rite communities, most notably in [[Western Ukraine]] and [[Lebanon]], which are nevertheless Catholic because they recognize the Pope as their leader, and more recently but in some cases dating back a few hundred years, there have been localized Eastern Orthodox congregations in some mainly Roman Catholic areas of Europe as well. There is for example quite a nice Russian Orthodox church in [[Dresden]] complete with icons and Moscow-style church spires; while it was built in the 19th century, it must have made some Soviet soldiers very homesick during the [[Cold War]]. ===Cathars=== Starting in the 11th century, the Cathars, also known as the "Albigensian Heresy", gained many adherents, especially in [[Occitanie|Languedoc]] which is now in the South of France; the department of [[Aude]] calls itself "Cathar Country" today. There were also Cathars in Northern Italy. The movement was heavily influenced by the Gnostics. [[File:cathars expelled.JPG|thumb|right|Cathars being expelled from [[Carcassonne]] in 1209]] *{{listing | name=Albigensian Crusade | wikipedia=Albigensian Crusade | content=The Catholic Church considered the Cathars a threat and the King of France backed the Church, apparently mainly as an excuse to add Languedoc to his realm. They ordered a crusade against the Cathars and slaughtered tens of thousands of them. }} *{{listing | name=[[Toulouse]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Toulouse | content=This city was the capital of the region and a center of Catharisim. A Papal Legate was assassinated in 1208 while returning to Rome after excommunicating the Count of Toulouse for being too gentle with the Cathars, and the Crusade was the Church's response to the assassination. The city changed hands several times during the Crusade, and various Counts of Toulouse were Cathar leaders.<br />Today Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France and a major tourist destination. }} *{{listing | name=[[Albi]] | wikipedia=Albi | content=This small town is the capital of the department of [[Tarn]]. The crusade was named after it, possibly because it was the seat of a Cathar Bishop. }} *{{listing | name=[[Béziers]] | wikipedia=Massacre at Béziers | content=This town was taken in 1209, early in the Crusade, and much of the population massacred. By some accounts, when the Papal Legate in charge was asked how to distinguish Cathars (who should be killed) from Catholics (who should not) he replied "Kill them all; God will know His own." }} *{{listing | name=[[Carcassonne]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Carcassonne | content=This city surrendered shortly after Béziers; many Cathars were driven from the town, naked by some accounts but "in their shifts and breeches" by others. Later the Cathars took the city back and the crusaders re-took it.</br>Most of the medieval city, including the city wall, still stands and today it is a popular tourist destination. }} *{{listing | name=[[Montségur]] | wikipedia=Siege of Montségur | content=This castle in the mountains of [[Ariège]] near the Spanish border was the last Cathar stronghold to fall, in 1243. Afterward over 200 Cathars who refused to recant their faith were burned alive. }} *{{listing | name=Museum of Catharism | alt= | url=https://www.museeducatharisme.fr/gb/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This museum is in Mazamet where some Cathars took refuge, up in the mountains of Tarn. }} The fighting lasted over 30 years; but by 1245 France and the Church had achieved a complete victory in the field. However, it was not until about 1350 that Catharism was entirely wiped out. The Church created two other institutions, both initially in Toulouse, to help put down the Cathars. [[File:Monastere de Prouille061115.jpg|thumb|Monastery of Prouille]] The '''Dominican Order''' of friars were preachers sent out to spread the Gospel and to counter heresy. Like the Cathars &mdash; and unlike the corrupt churchmen that the Cathars had heaped scorn on &mdash; they lived simply and often preached to the poor. * {{see | name=Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.1878 | long=2.0344 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery | content=Saint Dominic was given land in the village of Prouille, just outside Toulouse. The first building was a residence for Cathar women who had recanted; it soon became a convent for Dominican nuns. Later there was also a monastery for the monks. Both were destroyed during the French Revolution, but they were rebuilt and both are still in use today. }} The '''Inquisition''' was created to root out heresy, in particular the remaining Cathars. It took about 100 years for the remaining Cathars to be annihilated. Inquisitions — against Jews and Muslims after the 1492 Reconquista of Spain from the Moors, against witches, and later against Protestants — continued until some ways into the 19th century. In the early days of the Inquisition most of its judges were Dominican friars. ===Protestants=== Western Christianity was much disrupted during the '''[[Protestant Reformation]]''' when several groups split off from the Roman Catholic Church. As with the Cathars, a major issue was corruption in the Catholic Church. Today there are dozens of Protestant denominations, most of which can trace their doctrines back to one or both of the great 16th century reformers, the German Martin Luther and the French John Calvin. One important difference between Catholic or Orthodox churches and many Protestant churches is that while Orthodox Christians and Catholics venerate icons of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and saints, many Protestant churches are iconoclastic (rejecting the use of icons and in some cases in the past, outright destroying them), with simple churches that are not ornate and feature just a symbolic cross, rather than a crucifix showing the Body of Christ. Protestant churches that do use icons to some degree and sometimes have elaborate architectural decorations include Anglican and Lutheran churches, though the Anglican church also went through an iconoclastic period, during which they destroyed most English Catholic sculptures and paintings. ====Hussites==== The first successful schism in Roman Catholic Europe was the one led by the theologian '''Jan Hus''' (1369–1415), rector of University of [[Prague]]. The reasons for the split were complicated but Hus is generally described as motivated by a desire to reform and renew the Catholic Church. He was burnt at the stake in [[Konstanz]] for alleged heresy. The location of the burning is now marked with a monument, and there is a museum called [[Konstanz#Landmarks|Hus Haus]] in the city's old town. [[File:Prague Castle defenestration site.jpg|thumb|Defenestration monument on right<br/>The tower's top window was used]] From Hus' death on, there were a series of Hussite rebellions against the Catholic Habsburg rulers of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]], and five Roman Catholic [[Crusades]] which the Hussites resisted successfully. *{{see | name=Defenestration of 1618 | wikipedia=Defenestrations of Prague | content=A group of officials delivered a stern message from the Catholic King to the mainly Hussite Estates (parliament). Two were told to leave and the other three, all Catholic hard-liners, were hurled from a window of [[Prague/Castle_and_Lesser_Town#Prague_Castle|Prague Castle]], 21 meters (70 feet) up. They all survived, some writers claiming by miraculous intervention and others saying because they landed in a dung heap. }} This defenestration was one of the main incidents precipitating the [[Thirty Years' War]], a very destructive conflict that lasted until 1648 and eventually involved most of Europe. During the time period of that war, the main Hussite church was the Moravian Brethren; it was heavily persecuted and largely driven underground in its native [[Bohemia]], but spread some in other Protestant regions. * {{listing | name=Comenius | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=John Amos Comenius | content=This Moravian Bishop is considered the main inventor of modern education methods. He advocated such then-radical things as universal education &mdash; educating the lower classes and even girls, not just the sons of the nobility and novice monks &mdash; and using the local language, not just Latin. On a practical level, he helped both Sweden and Britain re-organize their school systems. There is a university named after him in [[Prague]]. }} The Hussite Church still exists, although the present-day population of the Czech Republic is majority Roman Catholic (though largely secular). Today the [https://www.moravian.org/ Moravian Church] is the main religious movement claiming Hussite ancestry; it has over a thousand congregations in many countries, and about 1.1 million members. Moravian churches can be found throughout the Caribbean with their lamb imagery and the words "our lamb has conquered; let us follow him" (Latin: ''Vicit agnus noster, eum sequamur'') very recognizable in places like [[Bluefields]], [[Nicaragua]]. The German name of the Moravian church is Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine (sic!) after their center in the Saxon town of [[Herrnhut]]. There is a [https://www.moravian.edu/ Moravian University] in Pennsylvania. ====Lutherans==== {{seealso|Protestant_Reformation#Martin_Luther}} '''Martin Luther''' (1483–1546) was the first of the great leaders of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. As with the Cathars and Hussites, a major issue was corruption in the Catholic Church; in particular Luther objected to the sale of indulgences, putting a price on forgiveness of sin. [[File:MarienkircheHalle Innenraum 2.jpg|thumb|Interior of the Marktkirche Unser Lieben Frauen (also called the Marienkirche) in [[Halle]], begun as a late [[Gothic]] Catholic cathedral but converted into a Lutheran cathedral even before construction was completed in 1554]] There were also disagreements regarding the interpretation of scripture, such as whether only faith in Jesus Christ is needed for a place in Heaven after death (Luther) or good works are also required (Catholicism) and whether it is necessary to obey the Pope and Catholic Church hierarchy or more important for each Christian to read and understand the Bible individually. Luther translated the Bible into German to let more people read it, in defiance of Church rules that allowed only Greek or Latin editions. His translation was widely distributed due to the recent invention of the printing press, and is still used. *{{see | name=Ninety-five Theses | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ninety-five Theses | content=Luther's declaration of rebellion was mailing this document to the local Archbishop. Some accounts have him also nailing it to a church door in [[Wittenberg]] where he was a professor of theology; certainly it was reprinted and widely circulated. It dealt mainly with forgiveness of sin, with Luther holding that only sincere repentance was required, the Church's tradition of confession was not essential, and sale of indulgences was nonsense. The town has Luther memorials which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. }} *{{see | name=Diet of Worms | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Diet of Worms | content=This was a conference called by the Holy Roman Emperor (see [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]) in 1521 in the city of [[Worms]] (pronounced approximately ''verms'') at which Luther gave a famous speech refusing to recant. After it, the Emperor promulgated the Edict of Worms declaring him a heretic. The town has a [[Worms#Martin Luther monument|monument]] to Luther. }} Luther's followers were known as the Lutherans, and many modern Protestant denominations can trace their roots to this movement. Luther was a well-known and beloved lutenist and composer who appreciated artistic beauty and decoration, and Lutheranism is not an iconoclastic sect, so while Lutheran churches may not be as ornately adorned as Catholic and Orthodox ones, there are often decorations on and in the buildings. ====Calvinists==== {{seealso|Protestant_Reformation#Switzerland}} Subsequently, '''Huldrych Zwingli''' (1484-1531) and '''John Calvin''' (1509–1564) led a truly iconoclastic and severe branch of the Reformation that inspired the Dutch Reformed Church, the French Protestants (Huguenots), English Puritans, the Congregationalists, and the Presbyterians. [[File:Dutch Reformed Church Winburg-001.jpg|thumb|Dutch Reformed Church in Winburg, [[Free State|Free State Province]], [[South Africa]]]] Calvinist churches are generally quite plain, emphasizing symmetry and clarity of form and eschewing all but the simplest ornaments. Many of the early colonies in what is now the United States, especially in [[New England]], were founded by Puritans (English Calvinists) fleeing persecution in Britain. See [[Early_United_States_history#Timeline]] for some of the details. Other Calvinist groups also spread to the colonies; the Congregationalists began in England and the Presbyterians in Scotland, but both exist today in all the countries where British colonists settled. The Dutch Reformed Church is strong in [[South Africa]]. While the French Huguenots began as a powerful group, they were defeated after decades of on-and-off wars, and many of them were faced with an ultimatum: Convert, die or emigrate. Many chose the latter and many German princes, especially the House of Hohenzollern that ruled [[Brandenburg]] and parts of [[Franconia]] accepted the refugees and even built entire neighborhoods for them, which is still very evident in cities like [[Erlangen]]. Others found refuge in other parts of Europe and some went outside Europe; for example, a neighborhood of [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]] is named Huguenot, there is a [[Franschhoek]] ("French Corner") in South Africa and a "France Antarctique" colony in [[Rio de Janeiro]]. Some were able to stay in France; their descendents are a significant minority in parts of [[Provence]] today. The French state has since apologized and officially extended an invitation towards all descendants of Huguenot refugees to return to France, similar to what Spain and Portugal did for the descendants of expelled Sephardic Jews. ====Anabaptists==== This was an evangelical movement that originated in German-speaking parts of Europe. The part of their doctrine that gives them their name is insistence that baptism should be reserved for adults who have professed belief in Christ. Modern denominations with Anabaptist roots are the [[Amish and Mennonites]], the Quakers, and the Hutterites. They were among the most radical Protestants; both Luther and Calvin rejected their teachings. Both Catholic and Protestant churches persecuted them. * {{listing | name=Jakob Hutter | alt= | url= | email= | address=c.1500-1536 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jakob Hutter | content=The founder of the Hutterites was burned at the stake in Innsbruck, in front of the [[Innsbruck#Golden Roof|Golden Roof]]. }} Today they are found mainly in the U.S. and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere where many fled to avoid the persecutions. In particular, there are many in [[Pennsylvania]]. King Charles II had a huge debt to the Penn family and, to avoid having to find the cash, gave William Penn an enormous estate in the New World. Later that estate became the US state of Pennsylvania. Since Penn was a Quaker himself, and a vociferous advocate of religious freedom, he welcomed anabaptist immigrants. Some things common among Anabaptists &mdash; such as faith healing, speaking in tongues, and the emphasis on the importance of the experience of being saved &mdash; are also found among later evangelical movements. ====Evangelical Christianity==== Evangelical Christianity is a fundamentalist Protestant movement, most prominent in the United States, that emphasizes strict Biblical literalism, aggressive proselytizing and the centrality of the "born-again" religious conversion experience. *{{listing | name=Baptists | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Baptists | content=The Baptist church arose in Holland and England in the 17th century. They were influenced by the Anabaptists who had peaked in the 16th century, but are a distinct movement. Today they are a major denomination, especially in the [[South (United States of America)|American South]]. Baptists perform their baptism by full immersion in water, and like the Anabaptists believe that baptism should only be performed on professing adults. }} *{{listing | name=Pentecostals | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Baptists | content=This movement traces its origin to radical Evangelical revival movements in the United Kingdom and the United States in the late 19th century, becoming most established in the latter, where it would play an important role in the charismatic movement. Their doctrine emphasizes having a personal relationship with God through baptism in the Holy Sprit. }} In addition to the aforementioned branches, many Evangelical churches claim to be '''non-denominational'''. Evangelicals are hugely influential in American politics, with right-wing politicians often citing the Bible in order to justify their policy positions. Since the advent of television in the mid 20th century, '''televangelism''' has become a big money industry in the United States with numerous celebrity pastors, and a large number of Evangelical television channels and radio stations to serve its large Christian population. Depending on which church you go to, some theological concepts you may encounter in an Evangelical church include the '''prosperity gospel''', which teaches that financial wealth is God's reward for one's devotion and financial contributions to the church, and '''faith healing''', in which medical interventions are eschewed in favor of prayer. Many Evangelical churches also practice '''speaking in tongues''' during their services, which often sounds like gibberish to outside observers, but is said by believers to be a secret language that only God can understand. Many Evangelical churches also belong to the '''charismatic movement''', with congregation sizes numbering in the thousands, and services that resemble rock and pop concerts, thus leading a popular resurgence of Christianity among many youths. Evangelical Christians also believe that it is their sacred duty to bring about the apocalypse by fulfilling the prophecies in the book of Revelation, and since an ingathering of Jewish exiles into the Land of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem are among the central prophecies, many Evangelicals are among the world's staunchest Zionists. This form of Christianity has been very successfully exported to much of [[Latin America]], the [[Caribbean]] and sub-Saharan [[Africa]], as well as numerous parts of Asia such as [[South Korea]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Singapore]], and is also quite influential in other English-speaking countries like the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]] and [[Australia]], particularly among immigrant communities. The influence of American-inspired Evangelical megachurches is particularly evident in historically [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] South Korea, which boasts 11 of the world's 12 largest Christian congregations, and sends more Evangelical Christian missionaries abroad than any other country except the United States. The main non-Anglophone European Evangelical Lutheran churches are very different from these movements. ===Church of England=== The '''Anglican Church''' (known in the U.S. as the '''Episcopal Church''' to avoid references to the British monarchy) was formed when the Church of England split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534, due to King Henry VIII wanting to get a divorce, which is not allowed under Roman Catholic doctrine. [[File:Westminster Abbey 2015.jpg|thumbnail|Westminster Abbey, [[England]]]] Although considered by many to be a Protestant denomination, it does not share the same Lutheran or Calvinist origins as other Protestant churches, and is in many ways closer to the Catholic and Orthodox churches in doctrine and structure. It is therefore considered by some people to be a completely separate branch from Protestantism. The Anglican Church, like the Catholic, Orthodox and to some extent Lutheran churches, uses icons, and many of its rites continue to be similar to Catholic and Orthodox rites. There is a large range of variation between Anglican congregations; some are "high church", quite close to Catholic in style, while others are "low church", almost Calvinist. This variation is tolerated, sometimes even encouraged, by the church hierarchy. The head of this Church is nominally the British monarch, but the Archbishop of [[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]] is the leading churchman. In the 18th century, John Wesley led a reform movement within the Church of England, influenced by Moravian (Hussite) doctrines. After his death, this evolved into a separate '''Methodist''' church. ===New American churches=== The United States is mostly Protestant, including many Evangelicals, with substantial contingents of Roman Catholics and Episcopalians (known as Anglicans elsewhere), and some Orthodox Christians. It has also been a breeding ground for new Christian movements whose teachings deviate significantly from mainstream Christianity. Those listed below remain popular to this day. Others, such as the Shakers, have virtually died out (but see [[Touring Shaker country]]) and some, such as the Christian Scientists, have been greatly reduced in size. * {{listing | name=Mormons | alt=LDS Church | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | content=The Mormons or '''Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''' are a non-trinitarian sect who believe that Jesus incarnated in North America and preached to the Indians after he was done in Palestine. They have a third testament, the ''Book of Mormon'', describing that ministry. They are forbidden from consuming alcohol, coffee or tea.<br/>The movement began in the Eastern US, but the early Mormons were persecuted there; many Christians considered them heretics or thought some of their customs, such as polygamy, were sinful. Starting in 1846, many Mormons went west along the [[Oregon Trail]]; most settled in [[Utah]], especially around [[Salt Lake City]], and the state continues to have a Mormon majority to this day. Many of the early settlers in what is now [[Grand Teton National Park]] were Mormons and today's tourist sights include some historic Mormon ranches.<br/>You can often see a statue of a person blowing a trumpet on top of the highest spire of Mormon temples; this represents the angel Moroni, who is said to have guarded the golden plates that were the source material for the Book of Mormon before presenting them to the church founder, Joseph Smith. }} * {{listing | name=Seventh-day Adventists | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Seventh-day Adventist Church | content=This group believe the Apocalypse, and the Advent or Second Coming of Jesus, will come soon. Much of their doctrine is similar to that of the Evangelicals or other Protestants. However, unlike most Christians, their sabbath is Saturday (the 7th day, the same day as the Jewish Sabbath) and they follow a version of the Jewish [[kashrut]] dietary laws. They are also strongly pacifist, and forbidden from carrying weapons. }} * {{listing | name=Jehovah's Witnesses | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jehovah's Witnesses | content=This is a non-trinitarian sect who believe the apocalypse is coming soon. They evangelize a lot, often handing out literature on the street or going door-to-door. They do not accept blood transfusions, as they consider this to be in violation of the Biblical prohibition against drinking blood. They also do not vote, work for the government, sing national anthems or salute national flags, as they believe that their allegiance should lie with God and God alone. The name Jehovah is a corruption of YHWH, the name of God as revealed to Moses in the Book of Exodus, and Jehovah's Witnesses invariably refer to God using this name. }} These churches have been heavily involved in missionary activity. For example, all three mentioned above now have many congregations in the Philippines. ===Taiping Heavenly Kingdom=== Possibly the strangest offshoot of Christianity was the Taiping movement in 19th-century China. Their founder Hong Xiuquan claimed to be '''Jesus' younger brother''' and to regularly visit Heaven for chats with the family. Their rebellion against the [[Qing Dynasty]] was the '''bloodiest civil war in history''', killing far more than the American Civil War which was fought at about the same time with better weapons. They controlled about a third of China for over a decade. There is a [[Nanjing#Taiping Kingdom History Museum|museum]] in Nanjing, which was their capital. The rebellion was eventually crushed by the Qing Dynasty, with some help from Western powers and a lot from foreign mercenaries. A historical novel with an account of some of this is [[The_Flashman_Papers#Flashman and the Dragon|Flashman and the Dragon]]. ==Destinations== {{seealso|Christmas and New Year travel|Easter travel}} {{Mapframe|30|-10|zoom=1|height=340|width=520}} ===Holy Land=== The [[Holy Land]] today is divided between [[Israel]], [[Jordan]] and the [[Palestinian territories]]. * {{marker | name=[[Jerusalem]], Israel | lat=31.7833 | long=35.2167 }}. The '''holiest city''' in the religion, site of Jesus' crucifixion and also a holy city for [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]]. The '''Church of the Holy Sepulchre''' stands on the site where Jesus was said to have been buried and resurrected. * {{marker | name=[[Bethlehem]], West Bank | lat=31.703056 | long=35.195556 }}. The birthplace of Jesus according to the New Testament. The '''Church of the Nativity''' stands on the site where Jesus was said to have been born. * {{marker | name=[[Nazareth]], Israel | lat=32.701944 | long=35.303333}}. The hometown of Jesus' family, and believed by many historians to be his actual historical birthplace; he was sometimes called "Jesus of Nazareth". Today one of the centers of the Arab Christian minority in Israel, that - unlike many other Christian minorities in the Middle East - continues to grow and thrive. : According to the Bible, it was here that the archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear the Son of God, an event known as the '''Annunciation'''. The precise location of the Annunciation is a subject of dispute between different Christian denominations; the '''Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation''' sits on top of a spring where Mary was said to have been drawing water when the Annunciation happened in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, and the '''Basilica of the Annunciation''' sits on top of a cave said to be Mary's home and the site of the Annunciation in the Roman Catholic tradition. * {{marker | name=Tel Megiddo, Israel | wikidata=Q208379}}. An archeological site that was once an important Canaanite city-state, and later part of the Kingdom of Israel. According to the Book of Revelation, there will be a great battle between several armies at the site that will herald the beginning of the apocalypse. Today, it is a popular pilgrimage site for Evangelical Christians. The English word "Armageddon" was derived from the name of this site. * {{marker | name=Al-Maghtas, [[Jordan]] | lat=31.837109 | long=35.550301 | url=http://www.baptismsite.com/}}. The site where Jesus was said to have been baptised by John the Baptist. Wikivoyage has links to some of the most important places of Jesus' life at [[Holy_Land#Christian_Holy_Land|Christian Holy Land]] and an itinerary for visiting many of them at [[The Jesus Trail]]. ===Headquarters=== Some places are of interest because they are the main centers of various Christian groups: [[File:Sãopedro1.jpg|thumbnail|St. Peter's Basilica in the [[Vatican]]]] * {{marker | name=[[Vatican City]] | lat=41.904 | long=12.453 }}. An independent state within Rome, center of the Catholic Church and home to '''St Peter's Basilica''' and the '''Sistine Chapel'''; [[Rome]] outside the Vatican is also full of churches, including '''San Giovanni in Laterano''', the Pope's cathedral in his role as Bishop of Rome. * {{marker | name=[[Istanbul]], Turkey | lat=41.013611 | long=28.955000 }}. Formerly Constantinople and is the home of the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, with his cathedral being the '''Church of St George''' in the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City#Q211004|Fener]] district. Scattered over a wider area in the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city]], the former cathedral churches include '''Hagia Irene''', '''Hagia Sophia''', the '''Church of Holy Apostles''', and '''Pammakaristos Church''', all of which serve as mosques or museums today (except the Holy Apostles, which was replaced by the Fatih Mosque on the same site), and contain a variety of Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine) art. [[File:Avignon, Palais des Papes depuis la place devant le petit Palais by JM Rosier.jpg|thumb|Palais des Papes]] * {{marker | name=[[Avignon]] | lat=43.94933 | long=4.80587 | wikipedia=Avignon Papacy }} A series of Popes ruled here 1309–1376, and from 1378 to 1417 there were two men claiming to be Pope, one in Rome and another in Avignon. All of the Avignon Popes were Frenchmen and under the influence of the French kings. : Today Avignon is a popular tourist destination and the medieval town center is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. The imposing [[Avignon#Papal Palace|''Palais des Papes'']] and the nearby cathedral are among the main sights. : One of the [[wine]]s of the Rhone Valley (the region around Avignon) is ''Chateau Neuf du Pape'', which translates to "the Pope's new house". This is one of the great wines of France, definitely worth trying if you like wine and are in the area. The red Chateau Neuf is better known, but there are also some lovely whites. * {{marker | name=[[Moscow]], Russia |lat=55.711111|long= 37.629167}}. The Danilov Monastery, on the right bank of the Moskva River, is the spiritual and administrative center of the Russian Orthodox church. * {{marker | name=[[Cairo]], Egypt | lat=30.033333 | long=31.233333}}. '''Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral''' in Abbassia is the current seat of the Coptic Pope, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the symbolic spiritual leader of the Oriental Orthodox communion. The '''Church and Monastery of St. George''' in the [[Cairo/Old Cairo|Coptic Cairo]] neighbourhood is the current seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. * {{marker | name=[[Alexandria]], Egypt | lat=31.19929 | long=29.90925 }}. Home to '''Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral''', the historical seat of the Coptic Pope. * {{marker | name=[[Echmiadzin]], Armenia | lat=40.16 | long=44.3 }}. The seat of the Armenian Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. * {{marker | name=[[Mtskheta]], Georgia | lat=41.8421889841258 | long=44.72073548432982 }}. The seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church. * {{marker | name=[[Damascus]], Syria | lat=33.5167 | long=36.3000 }}. The '''Cathedral of Saint George''' in Bab Tuma (the old city) is the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Church, an Oriental Orthodox church which started in 512, although it claims succession from St Peter of Antioch, and therefore is ceremonially known as the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. Former seats of the church include the '''Monastery of Saint Ananias''' (Deyrulzafaran) near [[Mardin]], and '''Saint Mary Church''' in [[Homs]]. Damascus is also the seat of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, an autocephalus Greek Orthodox church within the communion of Eastern Orthodoxy; its cathedral is the '''Maryamiyya Church''' on Straight Street (of the New Testament significance). * {{marker | name=[[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia | lat=9.03 | long=38.74 }}. The seat of the Abuna, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. * {{marker | name=[[Erbil]], Iraq | lat=36.191111 | long=44.009167 }}. Home to the '''Cathedral of St. John the Baptist''', the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch, the leader of the Assyrian Church of the East, which reverted to Eastern Christianity (see [[#Nestorians|above]]) after splitting off from the (Eastern-rite) Chaldean Catholic Church. * {{marker | name=[[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]], United Kingdom| lat=51.2783333 | long=1.0775 }}. Home to the '''Canterbury Cathedral''', the church of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church. * {{marker | name=[[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], United States | lat=40.762 | long=-111.954}}. Center of the Latter Day Saints ([[#Mormons|Mormon]]) movement. Notable Mormon sites include the Salt Lake City temple at Temple Square, as well as the Salt Lake City Tabernacle, the home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Non-Mormons are not permitted to enter the temples, and even Mormons may have to prove that they are members in good standing before entering. However, travellers are welcome to look around the outside. * {{marker | name=[[Silver Spring]], [[Maryland]], United States | lat=39.002441 | long=-77.020791}}. Home to the General Conference of [[#Seventh-day Adventists|Seventh-day Adventists]], the headquarters of that church. ===Pilgrimages=== There are various places of pilgrimage around the world that Christians traditionally visit. The age-old way to perform a pilgrimage was on foot or on the back of a horse or donkey. Among the traditional pilgrimages, the following are probably the most famous to do in the traditional way: [[File:Fatima.jpg|thumbnail|The Sanctuary of [[Fátima]] in [[Portugal]]]] * The pilgrimage on foot to {{marker | name=[[Fátima]], Portugal | lat=39.6255524 | long=-8.66592014 }}, in [[Portugal]], ending at the '''Chapel of the Apparitions'''. This commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary reported by three little shepherds – Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta – in 1917. * The '''[[Way of St. James|Way of Saint James]]''', ending at the splendid '''Cathedral of [[Santiago de Compostela]]''', has been an important Catholic pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. * {{marker | name=[[Lourdes]], France|lat=43.1|long=-0.05| }}. The world's best-known center of Marian pilgrimage. Its springs are thought to have healing powers. * {{marker | name=[[Međugorje]], Bosnia and Herzegovina|wikidata=Q94950| }} has been a major site of pilgrimage following claims of visions of the Virgin Mary. * The walk along the '''Via Dolorosa''', the street in [[Jerusalem/Old City#Do|Jerusalem]] on which Jesus is said to have carried his cross, ending at the '''Church of the Holy Sepulchre'''. * '''[[Saint Olaf's Way]]''' to Nidaros Cathedral in [[Trondheim]], Norway, where St. Olaf is buried. * The '''[[Via Maria]]''' is a series of hiking and pilgrimage routes marking a large cross over the map of the formerly [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian lands]], connecting the Marian shrines scattered across the area. * [[The Jesus Trail]] is a 65-km (40 mile) walk through [[Galilee]] that visits many places where Jesus also walked. However, there are many other places of pilgrimage, and most of them are usually no longer approached by taking a long trek. For example, most long-distance travellers to [[Vatican City|The Vatican]] arrive by plane to Rome's [[Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport]]. Several lesser known places also venerate the apparition of Mary or the supposed remains of some saint, especially in Orthodox and Catholic countries. As Melanchton, a 16th century ally of Martin Luther, famously quipped "Fourteen of our twelve apostles are buried in Germany". Oftentimes those religious sites and objects have been a major draw for travellers for centuries and thus (former) "tourism infrastructure" may be an attraction all by itself. ===Catholic orders=== The Roman Catholic church has a number of religious orders, groups of people who are part of a community of consecrated life, and are often heavily involved in missionary work and charitable causes. Orthodox and Anglican churches have similar orders and some Protestant denominations have missionary societies where people dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel and other good works. Many of these orders have impressive churches, monasteries and convents that tourists might want to visit. Some of these groups have also founded various schools and universities around the world, some of which are still very prestigious and known for providing high-quality education. These schools and universities often have impressive historical buildings on their campuses, which can sometimes be visited by tourists, though you may be required to join a guided tour to do so. *{{listing | name=Augustinians | alt=Order of Saint Augustine |wikipedia=Order of Saint Augustine | content=Founded in 1244 by bringing together several groups of hermits following the Rule of Saint Augustine in the [[Tuscany]] region of [[Italy]]. This set of rules was written by St. Augustine of Hippo in 5th century, and emphasised chastity, poverty, obedience, charity and detachment from the world, among others. The Augustinians have been very active in promoting education over the years, having founded numerous schools worldwide. They are perhaps most famous for the monk Gregor Mendel, who was the abbot of the '''St Thomas's Abbey''' in [[Brno]], [[Czech Republic]], and whose experiments on peas formed the basis of modern genetics. Their mother church is the '''Basilica of St. Augustine''' in [[Rome]], Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Benedictines | alt=Order of Saint Benedict |wikipedia=Benedictines | content=A monastic order founded by St. Benedict of Nursia at the '''Abbey of Saint Scholastica''' in [[Subiaco]], Italy in A.D. 529. The are often called the "black monks" because of their practice of dressing in black, and are expected to adhere to a strict communal timetable. They are also known for having played a key role in the development and promotions of [[spas]]. Their mother church is the '''Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino''' in [[Rome]], Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Dominicans | alt=Order of Preachers |wikipedia=Dominican Order | content=Founded in 1216, originally as an order of nuns, by St. Dominic of Caleruega in the '''Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery''' in Prouille (just outside [[Toulouse]]), [[France]] as a counter-movement to the [[#Cathars|Cathars]]. The Dominicans live a frugal lifestyle and place a strong emphasis on education and charity. Their mother church is the '''Basilica of Saint Sabina''' in Rome, Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Franciscans | alt=Order of Friars Minor |wikipedia=Order of Friars Minor | content=Founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, with an emphasis of living a life of austerity. Its mother church is the '''Porziuncola''' in [[Assisi]], Italy, while its founder is entombed in the impressive '''Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi''' in the same city. A related order is the Order of St. Clare, also known as the Poor Clares, an order of nuns founded by St. Clare of Assisi, one of St. Francis' followers. St. Clare is entombed in the '''Basilica di Santa Chiara''' in Assisi. }} *{{listing | name=Hieronymites | alt=Order of Saint Jerome | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hieronymites | content=A cloistered order founded in [[Toledo (Spain)|Toledo]], [[Spain]] in the late 14th century with the aim of emulating the life of the 5th-century Biblical scholar, St. Jerome. Its headquarters today are in the '''Monastery of Santa María del Parral''' in [[Segovia]], Spain. Another famous Hieronymite monastery is the '''Jerónimos Monastery''' in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]], in which the ''pastel de nata'' (Portuguese custard tart) was invented by its monks, and the most famous bakery selling this pastry is the nearby Pastéis de Belém. }} *{{listing | name=Jesuits | alt=Society of Jesus |wikipedia=Society of Jesus | content=An order famous for its charitable work, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola and six other companions, including the famed [[Age of Discovery#St. Francis Xavier|St. Francis Xavier]], in the crypt of the '''Saint-Pierre de Montmartre''' in [[Paris]], [[France]] in 1540. As part of their charitable ventures, the Jesuits founded numerous schools around the world, and for much of their history have played a major role in providing education to the poor. Their mother church today is the '''Church of the Gesù''' in [[Rome]], Italy, in which St. Ignatius is entombed. Another important church is the '''Basilica of Bom Jesus''' in [[Goa]], [[India]], in which St. Francis Xavier is entombed. }} ===Other sites=== {{seealso|Churches in Ethiopia|Churches in South Australia|Churches in Antarctica}} [[File:PARSONS(1808)_p085_Antiochia.jpg|thumb|Antioch in 1808]] * {{marker|lat=36.2000|long=36.1500|type=listing|name=Antioch}}, today [[Antakya]] in Turkey, was a major center of early Christianity, and as of about 400 AD the third largest city in the Roman Empire. * Antioch plus {{marker|lat=36.916666666667|long=34.9|type=listing|name=[[Tarsus]]}}, {{marker|lat=37.941111|long=27.341944|type=listing|name=[[Ephesus]]}} and {{marker|lat=39.7521|long=26.1584|type=listing|name=Alexandria Troas}} (close to [[Geyikli|Geyikli-Dalyan]]) in Turkey, {{marker|lat=37.9667|long=23.7167|type=listing|name=[[Athens]]}}, {{marker|lat=37.9333|long=22.9333|type=listing|name=[[Corinth]]}}, {{marker|lat=40.625|long=22.9725|type=listing|name=[[Thessaloniki]]}} and {{marker|lat=40.4833|long=25.5167|type=listing|name=[[Samothrace]]}} in [[Greece]], {{marker|lat=32.5|long=34.9|type=listing|name=[[Caesarea]]}} in Israel, were cities where St. Paul is supposed to have preached * '''[[Aegean Turkey#Seven Churches of Asia|Seven Churches of Asia]]''', Turkey, are seven major early Christian communities mentioned in the New Testament. * {{marker | name=[[İznik]], Turkey | lat=40.428888888889 | long=29.719444444444 }}. As ancient '''Nicaea''', the town was the site of the First and the Second Councils of Nicaea (or the First and the Seventh Ecumenical Councils), convened in 325 and 787 respectively, inside the former basilica of Hagia Sophia that still stands at the town square, converted into a mosque. The town is connected by the [https://www.toleranceway.com/ Tolerance Way], a hiking trail which commemorates the Roman emperor Galerius's (r. 305–311) Edict of Toleration ending the persecution of Christians, to [[İzmit]] (ancient Nicomedia), where the edict was published. [[File:Castle Uçhisar in Cappadocia.jpg|thumb|Cappadocia]] * {{marker | name=[[Cappadocia]], Turkey | lat=38.6583 | long=34.8536 }}. A refuge for the early Christians where they escaped persecution in numerous underground cities and colorful churches dug into the volcanic rocks of the area. * {{marker | name=[[Selçuk]], Turkey | lat= | long= | wikidata=Q876176 }}. The '''House of the Virgin Mary''' over the hills outside the town is believed to be where Mary spent her last years. The stone building had long been venerated by the local Greek Orthodox, who visited the site annually on the Assumption (Aug 15). It is now a chapel that has been receiving a steady flow of Catholic pilgrims, including several popes, since it was reported in a series of visions of a bedridden Catholic nun from Germany in the 19th century. * {{marker | name=[[Mount Athos]], Greece| lat=40.22 | long=24.26}}. A peninsula with many Orthodox monasteries, where women are not allowed at all * {{marker | name=[[Patmos]], Greece| lat=37.316667 | long=26.5}}. A small Greek island which the Roman Empire used as a place of exile for inconvenient people. An exile named John wrote the Book of Revelation while living there, around 90&nbsp;CE. Today it gets many pilgrims and parts of it are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Most of the pilgrims, and the Monastery of Saint John, are Greek Orthodox. * {{marker | name=[[Taizé Community|Taizé]], France |wikidata=Q111054|lat=46.5136|long=4.6769}}. An ecumenical monastic order in [[Mâcon#Taizé|Taizé near Mâcon]], welcoming people seeking a retreat. A large community of visiting youth, families and people of all ages, in addition to the brothers and sisters. * {{marker | name=[[Aparecida]], Brazil|lat=-22.850583|long=-45.233836| }}. Home to the sanctuary of [[Brazil]]'s patroness, the Holy Virgin Mary of Aparecida * Several places in Germany are important in the history of Lutheranism: The [http://www.wartburg-eisenach.de/ Wartburg], near [[Eisenach]], where Luther translated the bible into German (one of the first and most notable modern vernacular versions of the bible), [[Lutherstadt Wittenberg]] where the 95 Theses were written and where Luther began to preach against the Pope and other, smaller places, mostly in [[Thuringia]]. * '''[[Longobards in Italy, Places of Power (568–774 A.D.)]]''', 7 religious buildings in Italy built during the Early Middle Ages and listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]]. * '''[[Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region]]''' — 16 log churches in Poland and Ukraine, listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]]. * {{listing | name=[[Walls of Jerusalem National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Tasmania, Australia | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q385655 | lastedit=2021-12-04 | content=Has few historical aspects, but everything in the park is named after Bible references as the geological features of the park which resemble the walls of the city of Jerusalem very closely. Listed as a World Heritage Site for its natural beauty. }} ==Talk== Churches tend to use the language of the country they are located in, though this is by no means true in all cases. There are many expatriate churches in many places using the language of a community's homeland, and in some churches another language is used for other reasons. The Roman Catholic church used to employ the '''Latin''' language widely, although this has changed since the 1960s so that services are typically given in the language of the community. The [[Vatican]] is a place where Latin may still be observed in active use. Latin Masses are still offered in many other places around the world as well, and some people find the experience to be superior to a mass in the vernacular. The Roman Catholic church in the diaspora (in places outside the historical Catholic sphere) may also offer masses in the languages of Catholic migrants. There is no unifying language among the Eastern Orthodox churches, though the Greek Orthodox Church, the head church of the Eastern Orthodox churches, uses '''Koine Greek''' as its main liturgical language. The Slavic-speaking Eastern Orthodox churches, such as the Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian Orthodox churches use '''Church Slavonic''' as their liturgical language. In Egypt, '''Coptic''', a language descended from the ancient Egyptian language, is commonly used in the Coptic Orthodox Church within the Oriental Orthodox communion. Egyptian Christians have also attempted to revive the Coptic language as a spoken language outside religious uses with varying degrees of success. The original languages of the Old Testament are the Jewish holy languages of '''Biblical Hebrew''' and '''Aramaic''', while the original language of the New Testament was '''Koine Greek'''. Jesus is widely believed by historians to have been a native speaker of Aramaic. The earliest Christians, especially the educated among them, were usually fluent in Greek and the Septuagint, a Greek version of the Old Testament, was more commonly known among early Christians than the Hebrew Torah, which explains some readings of prophecies that make little sense with the Hebrew text in mind, like making a word that in Hebrew means "young woman" into the Greek word for "virgin" in a prophecy interpreted by most Christians to refer to the birth of the messiah. Some theological disputes are better understood with the intricacies of languages like Ancient Greek or Latin in mind. For example, the phrase "not one iota less" is in part based on a debate whether God-father and Jesus were "homoousios" (of one nature) or "homoiousios" (of a similar nature). As can be seen by this when Greek proficiency in the West and Latin proficiency in the East declined, the churches naturally started drifting apart and ultimately split over disagreements that they may have been able to resolve had the language barrier not stood between them. The most common English-language Bible is the King James Version that was translated from the original Greek and Hebrew by contemporaries of Shakespeare. However, many Evangelical megachurches use newer translations of the Bible that are written in modern vernacular to make their Bibles more accessible to youths, and many Lutheran churches in addition base the translation on the latest research. === Differences === Different Christian groups use different names for activities and events. For example, the word ''mass'' is commonly used in Catholicism, Anglicanism and some Protestant churches but practically never used in Evangelical or Orthodox churches, which use the term ''service'' and ''divine liturgy'' respectively instead. Also, while the term ''saint'' in Catholicism, Anglicanism and Orthodoxy refers to only a select group of individuals, in most Protestant churches the term ''saint'' refers to any born-again Christian. Also, Evangelical churches do not use the term ''saint'' in front of names, so when the Catholic church would say "Saint John" for the apostle, Evangelicals would just say "John". ==See== [[File:Evangeliarium - évangéliaire dit de Charlemagne ou de Godescalc - Jésus-Christ - BNF Gallica.jpg|thumb|An illumination of Christ in Majesty from the Godescalc Evangelistary, written for Charlemagne, King of the [[Franks]] and later the first Holy Roman Emperor, from 781 to 783. This manuscript is in the Bibliothèque Nationale in [[Paris]].]] ===Churches=== Many Christian houses of worship, particularly many Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican ones, are spectacular buildings. On their exteriors, many churches have stone carving, for example in their tympana and niches. In their interiors, many have priceless works of art, in the form of frescoes, framed paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows, mosaics, and woodworking. They may also have relics (the remains of body parts or objects associated with saints or other figures holy to Christians) that inspired the original construction of a cathedral, or famous icons of the Virgin Mary, which are primarily responsible for making the building a place of pilgrimage. In addition, cathedrals and other large churches may have lovely bell towers or baptisteries with separate entrances that are well worth visiting, and particularly old churches may have a crypt that includes artifacts from previous houses of worship the current building was built on top of, and associated museums that house works of art formerly displayed in the church. Protestant churches that are largely unadorned for doctrinal reasons can have a kind of serene, simple beauty all their own. In some old churches, what little was left from the Medieval – Roman Catholic – period has been restored. In some places former mosques have been turned into churches (or vice versa) and more than one church has changed denomination due to the once common principle ''cuius regio eius religio'' (Latin that roughly translates as: Who owns the land decides the faith). This sometimes shows in architecture as well as adornments or the lack thereof. ===Christian art=== [[File:'David' by Michelangelo Fir JBU002.jpg|thumb|Michelangelo's ''David'' is one of countless Biblical works of art.]] Aside from the art you can see in churches, there is much sacred Christian [[visual arts|art]], especially framed paintings and sculptures, in art museums around the world, and there are also many beautifully decorated books of sacred Christian writing, including complete Bibles, separate Old and New Testaments, sets of Gospel readings for a year of masses, books of prayers with music notation for chanting or polyphonic singing (in which several different vocal lines intertwine in different ways) and books of devotional poetry. Through the Middle Ages and up to the Renaissance, Christian art (including post-Biblical stories of saint and martyrs) was the highest genre in [[European art]]. At least up to the [[Thirty Years War]], the Catholic Church was by far the most generous sponsor of artists. One particularly notable style is that of the '''illuminated manuscript''', in which a book is handwritten in calligraphy along with decorative and informative illustrations. Illuminated manuscripts are generally found in libraries — either public libraries, university libraries or indeed church libraries. ==Do== ===Visiting a church=== In many Christian churches, a man should remove his hat, and in some, a woman is expected to cover her head. Depending on the church and what is going on at the time, voices should be kept down, and mobile phones and similar devices should be set to silent. In addition to their architectural, historic and cultural values, churches are places for: * Personal meditation, contemplation and prayer between masses/services * Worship services, which vary widely in style between different churches * Confession of sins or/and counseling * Religious education and spiritual direction * Various sacraments, such as baptism, confirmation, weddings, and funerals * Communal activities, such as shared meals or snacks * Charitable giving and receiving Many churches run '''concert series''' or other performances, some of which are world-famous. Some churches are known for having a great organist, chorus, or solo singers and instrumentalists. See [[#Christian music|Christian music]] below Churches generally have '''pamphlets''' in plain sight of visitors, describing their spiritual mission, schedule of services, communal and charitable activities, what charitable and maintenance/restoration work needs contributions, who to contact to find out more information about all of the above, and often the history of the building and its artworks. While most churches belong to a single congregation, which is responsible for all activities, some are shared, perhaps also with worldly authorities involved. In these cases information in one schedule or at one website may not be complete, but activities may be more varied. The main services are usually held '''Sunday morning''' and on special occasions, but there may be morning or evening prayers and services of other kinds. If the church has services in more than one language, perhaps because of immigrant communities, some of these may be later in the day or at other times. There may also be Bible study, communal activities, concerts etc. Some of these activities may be in a community center instead of in the church. If you are visiting the church to look at the '''architecture and art''', it is better to choose a time when there is no service or other special activity. People may still sit meditating or praying, lighting a candle or otherwise use the church as church. Avoid disturbing them. '''Some events''' may be more or less private even if doors are unlocked. If you want to attend a service – to worship or out of curiosity – going to one that is announced to the public should generally be safe. In touristic places there is sometimes an information desk where you could ask, otherwise you might find a church official with some spare time. Most churches welcome non-Christians to join their '''services and ceremonies'''. When attending, it is appropriate to dress conservatively and show respect; details vary by place. It is a very good idea to learn a bit about the local rules before visiting a place of worship. There is a vast difference between any expected behavior during a service; in some there is a serene atmosphere, where even off-topic whispers are avoided, not to mention taking photographs, eating or checking a mobile phone. The Roman Catholics have an eucharistic fast, not eating for an hour before the communion. On the other hand many churches are more like a modern concert in style, where eating, chatting etc. are welcome. Some even have the eating and drinking as the basis of the service sitting around in a 'Café Style'. Similarly, while some styles of worship involve the congregation quietly listening to a professional choir sing hymns, in others most pieces are sung by all the congregation, and at many churches of people of African heritage in the Americas, the congregation is expected not only to join the choir in singing, but also to clap, even dance. You should avoid leaving the church while the service is in progress, again depending on the type and style of service. After some services, most or all of the participants may stay (or walk somewhere) for a cup of coffee or other refreshments, to socialize with the rest of the congregation, and at small churches you may well be personally welcomed and asked about what brought you here. Services often include '''communion''' (Eucharist): to commemorate Jesus saying to his disciples before the matzoh and wine of the Last Supper "This is my body, this is my blood," Christians may drink some wine or grape juice and eat a sanctified wafer. Depending on their denomination, they may consider that these items mysteriously actually become Christ's body and blood or that they symbolize his body and blood. Non-Christians should abstain, although in some churches you can ask to be blessed instead (often by crossing your arms over your chest or by some similar gesture). Whether Christians of other denominations are allowed to take communion differs. Roman Catholic churches only allow Roman Catholics to take communion, while conversely, many Evangelical churches forbid Roman Catholics from taking communion. On the other hand, Anglican churches usually welcome all Christians to take communion regardless of denomination. If you are Christian and planning to attend services abroad, you might check with your priest with what churches at the destination yours "shares communion". Depending on your faith, this, not whether you are allowed by the church in question, may be important. Big groups that share communion among member churches include the Roman Catholic church, most Eastern Orthodox churches, the Oriental Orthodox churches, and most of the Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopalian churches of Europe. While the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches have a wealth of classical music heritage, actual '''orchestral church services''' in these denominations are rare in modern times, and much of this music is more commonly performed in a symphonic concert setting rather than the liturgical context they were originally intended for. Should you be lucky enough to attend a liturgical orchestral performance of such music, be aware that unlike at a concert, you should ''not'' applaud the performance unless the priest asks the congregation to give the musicians a round of applause, as applause is otherwise considered to be inappropriate in the context of the solemnity of a church service. Sometimes this practice is at least partly extended to any concerts in the church. If you are attending because of a '''ceremony for a friend''', such as a wedding, and aren't sure what to expect, ask your host about suitable dress, what the ceremony will be like and whether you will be expected to do anything other than sit quietly. ===Christian music=== [[Music]] has always been a key part of Christian worship, and composers throughout the ages have set many hymns and prayers to music. The earliest surviving form of notated Christian music is the '''Gregorian chant''', actually a set of Frankish chants recorded by scribes at the command of the Frankish King and first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, around the turn of the 9th century, and then blessed by the Pope. There were originally several styles of church chant, all of which are collectively known as ''plain chant'', meaning that only the melody was chanted, without any countermelodies or harmony, but because of the Pope's imprimatur, Gregorian chant gradually supplanted the other styles to become the single official Roman Catholic chant style. Gregorian chant continues to be regularly performed at Masses in the Vatican City and in various monasteries and convents throughout the world. Gregorian chant later developed into polyphonic chanting during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, though the monophonic chant tradition continued alongside the new styles. Polyphonic treatments of plain chant differ from monophonic Gregorian chants in that different segments of the choir often sing different melodies which are supposed to blend together in harmony (as in the organum of the 12th/13th-century French composer, Perotinus, probably the first man to compose music for performance in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] church of Notre Dame in [[Paris/4th arrondissement|Paris]]) or the same or a similar melody, sung in overlapping imitation (typical of Renaissance practice starting no later than the time of the Guillaume Dufay [c. 1397–1474], from a town near [[Brussels]]). Perhaps the most famous Renaissance-era composers of polyphonic chants and other polyphonic church music are Josquin des Prez (c. 1440–1521), a very highly celebrated [[Burgundy|Burgundian]] composer who worked for the courts of [[Milan]], [[Rome]] (in the Papal Choir) and [[Ferrara]] and as Provost of the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame in [[Condé-sur-l'Escaut]], 50 km from [[Lille]], which was then part of Burgundy; and the Italian, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594), who worked for the Pope in various capacities, including as ''maestro di capella'' (Music Director) of San Giovanni in Laterano in [[Rome/Esquilino-San Giovanni|Rome]]. A special effect was attained by Andrea Gabrieli (1532 or 1533 to 1585) and his nephew, Giovanni (mid 1550s–1612): They placed different choirs in separate choir lofts on either side of the second level of the cathedral of San Marco in [[Venice]], in order to produce an impressive stereophonic effect, also called antiphonal. Both Gabrielis also mixed instruments into the choirs; Giovanni composed some purely instrumental antiphonal music as well, including the ''Sonata Pian'e Forte'', the first piece of European music to explicitly call for soft (''piano'') and loud (''forte'') playing. The instrumental music was also at least as religious as it was secular, as all of the Gabrielis' antiphonal music for San Marco represented a unity between one chorus that represented the Doge (the temporal ruler) and the other, which represented the Archbishop. Music with instrumental accompaniment has been a key part of Western Christian traditions since at least the Baroque period. Many famous composers including those of the First [[Vienna]] school — Joseph Haydn (1732–1809, from the village of Rohrau, [[Lower Austria]]), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791, from [[Salzburg]]), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827, from [[Bonn]]) and Franz Schubert (1797–1828, a native of the Vienna area) — and the aforementioned Dufay, Josquin and Palestrina were Roman Catholic, and set the '''Ordinary of the Mass''' to music — the "Ordinary" consisting of a series of prayers typically chanted by a choir (that is, not just by the priest) during Mass. These days, their settings of the Mass are more frequently performed as concert pieces than as part of the liturgy, but there are exceptions among both Roman Catholic and what are called "High Church Anglican" churches. A special type of Mass that is typically performed at funerals and memorial services is the '''Requiem Mass''', the most famous settings of which were composed by Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901, a famous opera composer who was born in Le Roncole, [[Parma (province)|Province of Parma]] and wrote mostly for La Fenice in [[Venice]]) and Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924, from Pamiers, a small town in [[Ariège]] Department, who had a long career in Paris). In addition to the Mass, other Christian religious genres of work include the Vespers, Psalms, motets, sacred cantatas, oratorios and passions. The best known setting of the '''Vespers''' is probably that by the Mannerist (late Renaissance/early Baroque) composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643, from [[Cremona]], who worked at the Gonzaga court in [[Mantua]] and then as Music Director of San Marco in [[Venice]]). Perhaps the most famous composer of the '''sacred cantata''' is Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750, from [[Eisenach]], who worked for the Ducal court of [[Weimar]], then for the Prince of Anhalt-[[Cöthen]], and then as Music Director of the Thomasschule in [[Leipzig]]), a Lutheran whose sacred cantatas include '''Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben''' (featuring a famous movement known as "Jesus bleibet meine Freude"), and is also well known for his huge repertoire of liturgical works including '''Passions''' that retell the last days of Christ according to the Gospel accounts of St. Matthew and St. John. An example of a well-known motet is Mozart's '''Exsultate, jubilate''', though these days it is very rarely performed in liturgy, but instead often serves as a concert showpiece for the world's leading operatic sopranos. Another important form of Christian music is the oratorio. '''Oratorios''' are in essence similar to operas in structure, the main differences being that oratorios are usually on a sacred subject in contrast to the usually secular subject of operas, and that oratorios are rarely staged, whereas operas usually are. Many musicologists believe the word ''oratorio'' dates back to the time when Giacomo Carissimi (1605–1674) composed sacred music in a style very similar to the then new operatic style of Monteverdi, et al., for sacred concerts he directed at the ''Oratorio del Santissimo Crocifisso'' in [[Rome/Modern Center|Rome]]. Oratorios are typically composed to educate the public about stories in the Bible. The most famous oratorios include '''Messiah''' (which features the famed "Hallelujah Chorus") and '''Solomon''' (which features a famous instrumental passage known as "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba") by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759, who was born in [[Halle]] and attained great fame as Court Composer in [[London]]); Haydn's '''Die Schöpfung''' ("The Creation"); '''Juditha Triumphans''' by the [[Venice|Venetian]], Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741); '''Elijah''' by Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847, from [[Hamburg]]); '''L'enfance du Christ''' by Hector Berlioz (1803–1869, from La Côte-Saint-André, [[Isère]]) and Bach's '''Christmas Oratorio''' and '''Easter Oratorio'''. A form of music unique to the Anglican tradition is the '''anthem''', the most famous composers of which are Henry Purcell (1659–1695, from London) and Handel. A famous example of an Anglican anthem is Handel's '''Zadok the Priest''', which was originally composed for the coronation service of King George II in Westminster Abbey, and continues to be performed at British coronation services to this day. It has also served in a secular context as the inspiration for the anthem of the UEFA Champions' League, the world's most prestigious tournament in club football (soccer). In Eastern Christian traditions, religious music is required to be sung ''a capella'' (that is, without instrumental accompaniment). Perhaps one of the most famous examples of a setting of a divine liturgy is the version of the '''Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom''' by the [[Russia|Russian]] Romantic, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893). There are also very beautiful traditions of sacred choral singing in Russia and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. In the United States, there is also a famous repertoire of African-American church music, such as spirituals and '''Gospel''' singing, which fuse European and African traditions. Gospel services also characteristically include a sing-song style of preaching by the minister during the sermon, which is punctuated by spontaneous cries of "Amen", "Hallelujah" and other comments by members of the congregation in response to the minister's words, and the congregation breaks out in song and dance during the praise and worship phase of the service. Not all primarily African-American churches conduct this type of service, which is especially associated with Baptist and Pentacostal churches; conversely, quite a few primarily white and Asian churches have Gospel services that resemble those in African-American churches to a greater or lesser degree. This style of music has also spread to parts of Africa, which often results in the music incorporating more African elements than the original African-American versions, with one famous example of a group that performs such music being [[South Africa]]'s '''Soweto Gospel Choir'''. Many churches in the Caribbean and Brazil also have services that feature African-influenced singing and dancing. Many Evangelical megachurches also compose their own music, usually in very modern styles, and services as these churches typically resemble rock and pop concerts more than traditional church services, though of course, the subject of the music is sacred rather than secular. A church whose music is well known among charismatic churches worldwide is '''Hillsong Church''' in [[Sydney]], with their music being regularly performed in charismatic churches throughout the world. Due to the use of modern musical styles, Evangelical megachurches tend to be the most popular churches among youths in many countries, and have also attracted more youths to convert to Christianity than any other churches. Its large Evangelical population also means that the United States is home to a thriving Christian pop music industry, with radio stations, charts and record companies dedicated specifically to Christian pop music. Depending on the definition of "Christian", the '''Mormon Tabernacle Choir''' is also a household name in U.S. Christian music. They are perhaps most famous for their rendition of the religious / patriotic "Battle Hymn of the Republic" that originated during the Civil War as new lyrics to a song about anti-slavery radical John Brown. Famously the Mormon version was the first to replace "die" with "live" in a critical section, a tradition since mostly followed by other renditions. ====The organ==== [[File:Stift Altenburg Kirche Orgel 01.JPG|thumb|The splendid 1775 organ of the Altenburg Abbey Church in [[Lower Austria]]]] Pianos are often used in services, especially in African-American churches, but it is above all the organ that has a long history of connection with the church and church music. The ancestor of the organ, the hydraulis, was used as a secular instrument in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times but died out in Western Europe, while continuing to exist and be developed in the Hellenistic "East". However, after a hiatus of a few hundred years, the hydraulis was reintroduced to Western Europe when Pepin (c. 714–768), King of the Franks and father of Charlemagne, was gifted one by Emperor Constantine V of Byzantium. The hydraulis and then organ have been used widely in churches ever since this period. It is even theorized that the word ''organum'', a genre that existed starting no later than the 9th century as a simple form of note-against note polyphony and then developed by the 12th century into one in which one voice holds out plain chant notes while one or more higher voices sing much faster counterpoints to that melody, may owe itself to the organ being used to hold the long notes, though this is uncertain. What is certain is that a very large number of churches have impressive, beautiful organs whose appearance and sound are major draws for visitors and congregants. Many churches also feature their regular organist and/or other organists performing recitals on their organ. ==Buy== [[File:Kevelaer, Kerzenkapelle -- 2014 -- 00721.jpg|thumb|If you feel so inclined, in many churches, you can leave a donation in exchange for a votive candle like one of these]] Some churches have a money box where visitors can pay for candles and booklets or give to the church or its various missions and charities. Others have cafes or gift shops. Some do not want you to give money unless you attend regularly, as their spiritual mission is to welcome all comers, but it is a rare church that wouldn't welcome a sincere donation. Many Protestant churches require their members to contribute 10% of their monthly income to the church. This is known as a '''tithe'''. In addition, churches also collect monetary donations from worshipers at services, which is optional and on top of the tithe. This is known as an '''offering'''. In some places (e.g. Germany or Austria) the tithe is collected by the state on behalf of the churches, meaning it is rather common (and perfectly legal) for an employer to ask for your religion. The aforementioned religious music is of course often available for purchase as are (replicas of) religious artworks. In the past there was also a vibrant trade in (real or fake) reliquiae and indulgences – so vibrant in fact that it kicked off the [[Protestant Reformation]] – but most major denominations have since left this market. The welcoming all comers may extend to concerts, so that they too are free. You can often show appreciation by buying a record or a program sheet, and may sometimes be expected to do the latter. ==Eat== While Roman Catholics, according to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, abstain from meat (other than "[[seafood|fish]]", which historically could include anything from beavers to turtles) on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities, there is not really an equivalent to Muslim ''halal'' or Jewish ''kashrut'' in mainstream Christianity. The Roman Catholic church has since 1983 practiced abstinence during Lent (40 days), which is a personal choice with few prescriptions. Fasting (dietary abstinence) is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means one meal a day (solid food, no restrictions on beverages), or two smaller meals which if added together would not exceed the main meal in quantity. The individual Catholic may choose a way of abstinence during the Lent period, which could very well include dietary abstinence. Children, the sick, retired people and pregnant women are not expected to observe Lent. Many of the newer American branches of Christianity, though, have some stricter dietary laws that are not followed by more traditional Christian denominations. For instance, some evangelical megachurches, as well as the Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons, prohibit consumption of alcohol. Seventh Day Adventists are also encouraged to be vegan and absolutely prohibited from eating pork. Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden from consuming blood and blood products (which includes receiving blood transfusions), so any meat they eat has to be properly drained of blood before consumption. Some denominations celebrate communion in a matter more akin to an actual meal than the mostly symbolic Host eaten in Catholic, Orthodox or Anglican mass. Christian charities and missionaries are also active (almost) worldwide in providing food for the needy. ==Drink== Some churches offer wine (with [[alcohol]]) as part of a communion service. Others will offer a non-alcoholic replacement such as grape juice. The distinction between grape juice and wine postdates Jesus by centuries as only modern pasteurization and refrigeration make it possible to ship or store grape juice without it fermenting. Some denominations of Christianity prohibit or restrict alcohol consumption, while others celebrate it. So whereas a social event organized by a Baptist church in the United States may be strictly alcohol-free (in other words, coffee, apple juice and soda), a Catholic church in Germany is likely to invite all members of the congregation to join the celebrants at a beer hall after a high mass. The beer hall may even be next to the church, and the beer they serve may be brewed by monks. The Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, as well as some Baptist churches prohibit the consumption of [[tea]] and [[coffee]]. ==Sleep== Some monasteries and convents offer accommodation to travellers. Churches and religious community centers are also often used as a place for youth groups of the same or a similar denomination to spend the night, such as Christian Scout groups during ''Hajk'', or anybody at the YMCA accommodations. ==Respect== When visiting a place of worship, the expectation of conservative dress and respectful behavior varies greatly between individual churches, although generally speaking churches will welcome all strangers from all faiths without pre-condition. The main exception is Mormon temples, which bar entry to all non-Mormons. Many architecturally interesting churches belong to styles of Christianity that expect people – especially women – to dress conservatively, and men to remove their hats. Often (especially in the heavily visited cases) this will be spelled out in so many words, but exceptions exist, where you might commit a social ''faux pas'' or even get thrown out of the church, without even knowing. When in doubt, ask a local before heading out. Russian churches in particular require women to cover their hair with a shawl before entering. According to the Bible, God created the world in six days, and then rested the seventh, which among most Christians is the Sunday (cf the [[Judaism#Holidays|Sabbath]]). Resting on that seventh day is one of the Ten Commandments, and churchgoing has been the main activity on that day, with churchgoers traditionally dressing in their best clothes for the occasion; in many traditionally Christian countries most venues have been closed on Sundays, although the interpretation of the commandment has got much more liberal in most Western countries. In some more conservative Christian areas, business may still be mandated by law to close on Sundays. Also where the law says nothing, customs may dictate that some activities are to be avoided on that day. In many branches of Christianity most or some religious holidays (such as Good Friday or All Saints' Day) are considered "silent" days: people are supposed to avoid noisy activities and venues, and shops may be closed also where they stay open on normal Sundays. In other places, all Christian holidays – even more somber ones like Good Friday – are celebrated with music, parades in the streets, drink, merriment and traditions that sometimes predate the local introduction of Christianity. Many churches are conservative on questions such as gender roles and sexuality. Women as priests, homosexuality, contraceptives and abortion are hot-button issues in many churches. Also the view of the Bible differs: dictated by God word by word or also a work written in a historic context? Some churches embrace all of these, while mentioning any of them could get you into trouble in some others. Old and important churches are often "national shrines" of sorts and important figures – both religious and secular – may be buried in or underneath the church. Keep in mind that even if you come to pay respects to Rubén Darío, his final resting place remains the most important Catholic church in [[Nicaragua]]. You should thus approach with respect both towards the people buried there and their literary or philosophical accomplishments, and the faith people express here. Maybe wait until you have left the church, before expressing your opinion on whether or not building this cathedral was a wise use of scarce funds by the Spanish colonial administration. ==See also== ===Christian themes=== * [[Christian sites in Japan]] * [[Christmas and New Year travel]] * [[Easter travel]] ===Religion=== * [[Religion and spirituality]] * [[Buddhism]] * [[Hinduism]] * [[Islam]] * [[Judaism]] * [[Sikhism]] * [[Zoroastrianism]] ===History and architecture=== * [[Archaeological sites]] * [[Architecture]] * [[Historical travel]] * [[Old towns]] {{guidetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Religion and spirituality}} 80hj0cx4zsn4fijeubmm5olf394yq45 4506751 4506734 2022-08-23T10:18:36Z Pashley 1822 /* Festivals */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Christianity-banner1.jpg|caption=The Holy Trinity, by the 14th-century Russian master, Andrei Rublev}} {{featurenomination|ftt}} '''Christianity''' is the world's most prolific religion, with more than 2.38 billion followers, and churches, cathedrals and chapels on every continent including [[Antarctica]]. Many of those are on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. While the great majority of religious people in some countries &mdash; such as most of [[Europe]], the [[Americas]], [[Oceania]] and the [[Philippines]] &mdash; are at least nominally Christian, Christianity is a minority religion in most of [[East Asia]] and the [[Middle East]], while [[Africa]] is nearly evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. Christianity has influenced the culture of the countries it is or has been dominant in and has been influenced by preexisting local cultures, traditions and religions as well, and many important buildings bear witness to the Christian faith of today and bygone eras. ==Understand== {{quote|For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life|author=Gospel of John, 3:16}} Christianity is a '''monotheistic''' religion, believing in one god. It is an Abrahamic religion, descended from the religion of Abraham who (according to scripture) lived in the second millennium BCE and migrated with his family from [[Nasiriyah#See|Ur of the Chaldees]] in what is now Iraq to the "Promised Land" of Israel. The other Abrahamic religions are [[Judaism]], [[Islam]], the [[Baha'i Faith]] (whose Messiah came in the 19th century) and the now very small Mandaean sect (who believe John the Baptist, not Jesus, was the Messiah). [[File:Skogskyrkogarden HolyCross.jpg|thumb|Skogskyrkogården, [[Stockholm/Söderort|southern Stockholm]].]] Christians believe that '''Jesus of Nazareth''' was the Messiah (saviour, deliverer) promised to the Jewish people by various prophecies. He is often called '''Jesus Christ''', from the Greek word Χριστός (''Christós'') which literally means "anointed" but is used to indicate more, in particular to match prophecies that have the Messiah anointed with holy oils. Christians believe that Jesus was conceived by Mary who was a virgin at the time, that as the Son of God he is the only one who can be considered free from sin in his own right, and that his crucifixion was the sacrifice necessary to cleanse humanity of its sins. According to the Biblical account, Jesus was resurrected after his death on the cross and subsequent burial, and appeared before his disciples. Jesus was then raised to Heaven where he awaits the world's decline into sin and tribulation, after which he will return to Earth and pass the final judgment on humanity. The vast majority of Christians today also believe in some form of [[#The_Trinity|Trinity]], which is the belief that God (the Father), Jesus (the Son) and the Holy Spirit are one God in three Persons. See [[#Holy Land]] below for information on visiting the places where Jesus lived and taught. Disagreements about various points of doctrine, about church administration and power within it, and about the Church's political entanglements engendered a number of schisms, destructive wars, and the large number of Christian denominations in existence today. The most notable denominations are the '''Orthodox''' churches, the '''Roman Catholic''' church and various '''Protestant''' churches. Christianity's principal religious text, the '''Bible''', comes in many different editions. All versions of the Bible include an '''Old Testament''', which is basically Jewish scripture from before the time of Jesus, and a '''New Testament''' which recounts Jesus' life (in the '''Gospels''') and later events. The Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox bibles contain differing numbers of books, and the translations from ancient to modern languages often differ as well. As in other religions, interpretations of scripture can also differ significantly between different Christian denominations. Members of the clergy are known as '''priests''' in the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, and as '''ministers''' or '''pastors''' in Protestant churches. '''Friars''' and '''monks''' are not members of the clergy, but are simply men who devote their lives to serving the church, the main difference between the two being that friars work closely with the general community, while monks live secluded lives in cloistered communities and devote their lives to study and meditation. The female equivalent of monks are known as '''nuns'''. See [[#Catholic orders|Catholic orders]] below for more. ===Early history=== Christianity began as a Messianic sect of [[Judaism]], and the early Christians called their houses of prayer synagogues and continued to observe Jewish law, as Jesus had. Obstacles to non-Jews converting to Christianity included [[kosher|laws about kosher food]] and circumcision. After considerable debate, the Church adopted the policy that congregations that did not want to follow these Jewish laws did not have to, because the "New Covenant" of eternal life in Jesus Christ superseded the "Old Covenant" that God made with the Hebrews at [[Mount Sinai]] (as detailed in the Biblical book of ''Exodus''). [[File:Holy sepulchre exterior.jpg|thumb|Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem]] An important event was the conversion of Saul of [[Tarsus]]. This zealous anti-Christian Jew was on his way to [[Damascus]], where he planned to crush the local Christians and stamp out what he saw as a heresy, when he had a vision of Jesus. He then adopted the name Paul and devoted himself to the spread, rather than the annihilation, of Christianity. Paul became one of the leaders of the movement and devoted much time to writing letters (which can be found in ''Epistles'' in the New Testament) inspiring the disparate Christian synagogues and maintaining unity. Communities that he sent epistles to included [[Rome]], [[Corinth]], [[Central Anatolia|Galatia]], [[Ephesus]], [[Philippi]], [[Pamukkale#Other sights|Colossae]] and [[Thessaloniki]]. The Apostles evangelized aggressively and travelled widely. Some have tombs a long way from home; these have churches built over them and have become pilgrimage destinations. *{{listing | name=[[Rome/Vatican#St._Peter's_Basilica|Saint Peter]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Rome | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=St. Peter's Basilica | content=This church is within the [[Vatican City]] and the Pope often presides over ceremonies there or in the adjacent St. Peter's Square. }} *{{listing | name=[[Rome/South#St_Paul's_area|Saint Paul]] | alt=Saint Paul's Outside the Walls | url=https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/index_en.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Rome | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls | content=This church is just outside the Vatican. }} *{{listing | name=Saint James | alt=San Diego in Spanish | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Spain | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santiago de Compostela Cathedral | content=See the article on the pilgrimage, the [[Way of St. James]]. }} *{{listing | name=[[Chennai#Churches|Saint Thomas]] | directions=India | alt=San Tome Church | wikipedia=St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai | content=This tomb and church are in Chennai, formerly known as Madras. It has a museum. Thomas was martyred on nearby Saint Thomas Mount.<br/>There are still groups in India, mainly [[Kerala]], who call themselves Saint Thomas Christians and claim their roots go back to Thomas. They have interesting churches, some very old. According to their legends, Thomas also sailed on [[Maritime Silk Road]] routes to Indonesia and China. }} The [[Roman Empire]] initially considered Christianity just another of numerous Jewish sects, and [[Judaism]] (as the ''religio licita'' or allowed religion) was exempt from the requirement to worship the emperor. Once the Romans realized the new religion was more than that (partly because they were preaching to non-Jews) they tried hard, and often brutally, to suppress it; many of the early Christian missionaries including St. Peter were martyred in horrific ways that are often depicted in Christian paintings and other artwork. The most famous site associated with this persecution is the [[Rome/Colosseo#Colosseum,_Roman_Forum_and_Palatine_Hill|Colosseum]] where, according to legend, many Christians were thrown to the lions or killed in other crowd-pleasing ways. Finally, in 313 AD, Emperor Constantine I announced that Christianity would be tolerated, and himself converted to Christianity. According to the traditional narrative, Constantine had a dream in which he saw a cross of light in the sky, and heard a voice telling him to conquer in its name. Following the dream, Constantine marked his soldiers' shields and weapons with crucifixes and won the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, this convincing him that the Christian God was the one true god. He also called together the [[#The_Trinity|Council of Nicea]] for the Bishops to sort out a consistent doctrine for the whole Church. Under Constantine's successor, Emperor Theodosius I, Christianity was made the official state religion of Rome, and became mandatory for all Roman subjects. Pagans were oppressed as brutally as the Christians had previously been oppressed. Many pagan temples, including some the finest buildings of the time, were destroyed. Once Rome was officially Christian, a great temporal power was behind the religion, and this was probably the most important single event in the post-Peter-and-Paul history of the religion. See [[#Denominations]] below for some of the later history, in particular for the schisms that led from the single church of Roman times to the many that exist today. ===Festivals=== There are many festivals celebrated by Christians, with some even specific to particular sects. However, the two festivals listed below are the most important and celebrated by all Christians, with many otherwise unobservant Christians showing up at church only on these two occasions. *'''[[Easter]]''' – Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross, on a Sunday in March or April. The Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday is known as '''Good Friday''', and is traditionally said to be the day that Jesus was crucified and died. People celebrate with Easter eggs. *'''[[Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas]]''' – Traditionally said to have been the birthday of Jesus, celebrated on 25th December in the Western Christian tradition. People celebrate by giving each other presents. : The unrelated festival of Saint Stephen (the first Christian martyr) on December 26th is often included in Christmas festivities by local tradition. : In many places December 26th is Boxing Day, named for a tradition of preparing boxes for the poor. Stores often have Boxing Day (or even Boxing Week) sales, reducing prices once Christmas is past. Western churches and the Greek Orthodox Church use the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Most Eastern churches use the Julian calendar (introduced by Julius Caesar) and celebrate on Julian December 25, which is January 7th Gregorian. The Armenian church is in between, using the Gregorian calendar but celebrating Christmas on January 6th. Some traditions celebrate '''Advent''', several weeks leading up to Christmas, the '''Twelve Days of Christmas''' and/or '''Lent''', 40 days leading up to Easter. Especially in Catholic countries, '''Carnivale''' is celebrated as a feast just before the austerity of Lent begins. Wikivoyage has a general article on [[Carnivale]] and one on [[Mardi Gras]] (French for Fat Tuesday), Carnivale as celebrated in [[New Orleans]]. That and the huge Carnivale celebration in [[Rio de Janeiro]] are major tourist draws. The feast of ''Santo Niño'', the Holy Child, is held annually on the third Sunday of January. In parts of the Philippines it is one of the year's most important festivals. In [[Cebu Province]] and nearby areas it is called [[Sinulog]], on [[Panay]] Island as Ati-atihan. There are also many other festivals. In Catholic countries nearly every town and village will have a fiesta on the day of its patron saint. One large one is the feast of John the Baptist, on June 24. [[Quebec]] considers ''Saint-Jean Baptiste'' their National Day, and for many Quebecois it is a more important holiday than Canada Day on July 1. St. Patrick's Day, on March 17, is widely celebrated in [[Ireland]] and by the Irish diaspora. In the US, Canada and Australia, even people with no Irish ancestry often wear green for the occasion and many pubs serve green beer. Many Christian festivals are at least partly adaptations of older pagan festivals. Winter solstice celebrations in Germanic Europe had yule logs, evergreen trees, mistletoe and holly long before Christian missionaries arrived. Eggs and bunnies were fertility symbols at pagan spring festivities, but now are seen at Easter. Quebec's St. Jean Baptiste has bonfires, as druidic solstice celebrations did in pre-Roman Gaul. ===Missionaries=== Christians have always included many proselytizers, with some of them dedicating their lives to spreading the Gospel, from the Apostles to the present day. Starting in the Roman era they strove to Christianize all of Europe, and by medieval times they had mostly succeeded; the last major holdouts were the Norse people of [[Nordic countries|Scandinavia]], who were not fully Christianized until the 12th century. Meanwhile Nestorian Christians were evangelizing much of Asia, reaching Korea by the 7th century. During the [[Age of Discovery]], the European explorers and colonisers sent missionaries far and wide in order to convert the native peoples, and in many areas were very successful in gaining converts. Along with the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, the Age of Discovery was one of the most important periods that led to the explosive growth of Christianity, eventually resulting in it becoming the world's most prolific religion, a position it maintains today. In the course of proselytizing, the Catholic church in particular used combinations of carrots and sticks that might seem surprising to modern observers. While the Spanish Empire gave the needed incentive through military force for Natives of the Americas to convert, missionaries often learned local languages, spreading Nahuatl and Guaraní in particular and adapted some customs and celebrations to local mores. Looking at some festivals purporting to honor some saint or other, it takes little imagination that they might just be a "converted" festival of some pre-Christian deity. Missionaries also had and continue to have widely varying approaches to the non-religious aspects of native cultures, from appreciating them to a degree that they were rebuked by the church in Rome, as happened to some Jesuits in China, to stamping them out and burning even their non-religious texts, as sadly befell the Maya culture which lost all but three codices to religious zealotry. To this day missionaries are also often engaged in social works and help the most underserved communities in part in order to convert them but in part also to do good works for good works' sake. That said, less tactful missionaries continue to do harm in otherwise intact communities and are thus often viewed with great skepticism by host governments or even barred from entry. The 19th century with rapidly expanding capitalism in Europe and North America and the widespread pauperism caused by it gave rise to "inner mission" and Catholic social teaching, which were attempts to lure proletarians away from "godless" communism as well as earnest efforts to follow Jesus' teaching that "what you did to the lowest of my brothers you did to me". To this day, various Christian organizations continue to be active in poor communities in the first world providing aid and social work without any overt proselytizing. However, in modern times, the missionary work of American Evangelical pastors in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean has also led to a massive surge of extreme homophobia. ===Buildings=== {{seealso|Architecture#Religious_buildings}} Some main types of Christian buildings and sites are: [[File:Church of Nativity.JPG|thumb|Church of the Nativity, [[Bethlehem]]]] * {{listing | name=Abbey | wikipedia=Abbey | content=A church headed by an abbot/abbess, who is the leader of a community of monks and/or nuns }} * {{listing | name=Basilica | wikipedia=Basilica | content=Either a church built on the rectangular floor plan used in Roman public buildings named basilicas (starting several centuries before Christ), or a church designated as a basilica by the Pope.}} * {{listing | name=Cathedral | wikipedia=Cathedral | content=A prominent church, the seat (''cathedra'') of a bishop }} * {{listing | name=Church | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Church | content=A building dedicated to religious services, prayer and ceremony. }} * {{listing | name=Chapel | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Chapel | content=A small building, or part of a building, set aside for worship. Many chapels are part of a church, set aside either for private worship or as a home for some sacred relic. Many [[castles]] include a chapel. }} * {{listing | name=Monastery | wikipedia=Monastery | content=A place where monks live and worship communally }} * {{listing | name=Convent | wikipedia=Convent | content=A place where nuns live and worship communally }} * '''[[Cemeteries|Cemetery]]''': Can be tied to a Christian congregation or be multi-religious Many of these are major tourist attractions. Some monasteries and convents offer retreats for interested lay people, some with a strong emphasis on their particular religion but others emphasizing non-denominational quiet and contemplation. See various destination articles and the [[#Destinations]] section below for details. A few Christian denominations use other names for their places of worship; Jehovah's Witnesses have a Kingdom Hall, Quakers or Unitarians a Meeting House, Mormons a temple, and so on. ==Denominations== In the first few centuries of Christianity, there were passionate arguments about some key aspects of the faith: * What is the nature of Jesus? Is he divine, human, some combination of those, or something that transcends both?<br/>If he is both divine and human, how are his two natures related? * How are Father and Son related? Is the Son a created being or eternal like the Father?<br/ >If created, is He then somehow subordinate to the Father? * Which texts should be considered sacred? In particular, which of the many Gospels then available should be accepted? Eventually, the church of the Roman Empire mostly settled the question of texts by compiling the New Testament, with only four gospels &mdash; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John &mdash; becoming part of the canon, while all the other gospels were declared heretical, with the death penalty for possessing them. There was controversy over whether to include the Book of Revelation &mdash; the ravings of a madman, divinely inspired, or perhaps both? &mdash; but eventually it was accepted as part of the Roman canon. The other questions were mostly settled at the [[#Nicene Creed|Council of Nicaea]] in 325. Several schisms were to split the church in the years to come, the effects of which can still be felt today in the form of the different denominations of Christianity. ===Gnostics=== [[File:Aveiro March 2012-23.jpg|thumb|Mary Magdalene as portrayed by an 18th-century Portuguese artist]] The Gnostics (from Greek γνωστικός, having knowledge) were an influential tendency among both Jews and Christians starting around 100 CE; they emphasized personal knowledge, obtained via meditation and prayer, over scripture and church teachings. They were heavily persecuted by the Church of the Roman Empire and the movement mostly died out within a few centuries. However, they did have a considerable influence on the Oriental Orthodox churches, especially the Coptic Church. The Gnostics had many documents, including several Gospels, which they considered sacred but which the Church refused to include in the Bible and declared heretical. Some of their stories, while not included in the Biblical canon, are in the Qur'an, the holy book for [[Islam|Muslims]]. *{{listing | name=Coptic Museum | alt= | url=http://www.coptic-cairo.com/museum/museum.html | email= | address=[[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Coptic Museum | content=Houses the ''Nag Hammadi Library'', the largest collection of re-discovered Gnostic Gospels. They were found in the town of Nag Hammadi (near [[Luxor]]) in 1945. }} To the Gnostics, '''Mary Magdalene''' was quite important, and there is a ''Gospel of Mary'' among the Gnostic documents. She is sometimes depicted as a repentant prostitute, but that is nonsense; the notion can be traced back to a 6th-century Pope getting her mixed up with another Mary mentioned in the Bible. Modern scholars believe she was a rich widow from Magdala (a port on the Sea of Galilee near [[Tiberias]]) who financed much of Jesus' ministry. To the Gnostics, though, she was much more than that, one of Jesus' most important disciples. Some of the Gnostic documents portray her as Jesus' wife and/or as the only disciple who fully understood his teachings. ===The Trinity=== The doctrine of the '''Trinity''' &mdash; the belief that Jesus (the Son), God (the Father) and the Holy Spirit are one God in three Persons &mdash; is not stated explicitly anywhere in the Bible, though some theologians have trinitarian interpretations of various passages in both Testaments. The doctrine was not stated in fully-developed form until the 3rd century CE, and not definitively labelled as orthodox teaching until early in the 4th. The First Council of [[Nicaea]] in 325 CE excommunicated the prominent non-trinitarian Arius, declaring his teachings (the Son is a created being, not eternal, and subordinate to the Father) heretical, and agreed on an important document. *{{listing | name=Nicene Creed | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nicene Creed | content=A statement of common beliefs which anyone must accept to be considered a Christian, including the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, the virgin birth, the resurrection and His eventual return to judge humanity. This creed declared an orthodoxy that nearly all bishops could accept, resolving the thorny problems mentioned above. }} All the major Christian denominations today &mdash; Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant &mdash; accept the Nicene Creed as a fundamental part of their doctrine, and many recite or sing it as part of their liturgy. [[Islam]] honours Jesus as a prophet and the Messiah, and reveres many Old Testament prophets as well. However, they do not consider Jesus divine. To them, there is one God, indivisible, and the ideas of worshipping Jesus or of the Trinity are completely unacceptable. [[File:1st-Unitarian.jpg|thumb|Unitarian Meeting House in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], designed by Unitarian [[Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright|Frank Lloyd Wright]]]] ====Non-trinitarians==== Today there are few non-trinitarian Christians, mainly the [[#Mormons|Mormons]], [[#Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses]], the Unitarians, and Iglesia ni Christo. *{{listing | name=Unitarians | alt= | url=https://www.uua.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Unitarianism | Wikipedia=Unitarianism | content=This group began in Europe in the 16th century and today is moderately widespread in North America and parts of Europe, with a few congregations elsewhere. There are no great Unitarian cathedrals to visit, but many of their meeting houses are lovely and several are fine examples of modern architecture. }} *{{listing | name=Iglesia ni Cristo | alt=Church of Christ | url=https://iglesianicristo.net/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Iglesia ni Cristo | content=This church was founded in the [[Philippines]] in 1914 and today has several thousand congregations and a few million members, nearly all in that country. They claim to be restoring the original church, as Christ taught, and are non-trinitarian. Except for a few larger ones, their churches all look exactly identical. }} ===Nestorians=== Nestorius was Archbishop of [[Constantinople]] until the other bishops condemned some of his teachings as heretical at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and removed him from his post. He taught that the human and divine aspects of Christ were two distinct natures, not unified. Today [[Ephesus]] is a major archaeological site and one of Turkey's major tourist attractions. He retired to his home monastery near Antioch, and was later exiled to Egypt. At the time, Antioch was one of the main cities of Syria and a major center of Christianity; today it is [[Antakya]] in Turkey. His interpretation of Christianity lived on in the '''Church of the East''' which never accepted his condemnation by the western bishops. That church was based in Persia and had the support of the [[Persian Empire]], likely mainly for political reasons; the Persians did not want a church with strong ties to either Byzantium or Rome becoming too influential in their territory. The Church of the East sent missionaries east along the [[Silk Road]], reaching China and Korea hundreds of years ahead of other Christians. [[Xi'an]], China has a Nestorian [[Xi'an#Beilin (or Stele) Museum|stele]] (stone monument) from the 7th century, and outside town the [[Daqin pagoda]], a Nestorian church that was built in 635 and was converted to a Buddhist monastery and shrine after the Nestorians died out locally. [[Marco Polo]] mentions a community of Nestorian Christians in [[Kashgar]] in the 13th century. Today, the church, now known as the [http://nestorian.org/ Assyrian Church of the East], still exists but it has not had government support in centuries and is now much smaller than in its heyday. What was once known as Persia is now called [[Iran]] and is almost entirely Muslim, through the Assyrian Church of the East has been officially recognised as a minority religion and is guaranteed representation in the country's legislature. ===Oriental Orthodox Churches=== [[File:2014 Prowincja Kotajk, Klasztor Geghard (02).jpg|thumb|200px|Portal to the cave church of Astvatsatsin, part of a [[Central Armenia#Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery|monastery]] in Armenia which was founded in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 13th]] {{seealso|Churches in Ethiopia}} Some of the earliest Christian churches included the [[Syria|Syriac]] church, centered in [[Antakya|Antioch]], which is now in Turkey; the Coptic church of [[Egypt]] and [[Ethiopia]], and the [[Armenian]] Apostolic church. After the Council of [[Chalcedon]] in 451, these churches disagreed with the council and broke off. The church in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] joined them briefly, but later returned to the main Orthodox fold. There are splendid ancient churches and monasteries, some of them still active, in Ethiopia, Armenia and Georgia. ===The Great Schism=== The '''Great Schism''' separated the '''Roman Catholic Church''' from the '''Eastern Orthodox Churches''', which originally included the Russian, Greek, Georgian, Serbian, Bulgarian and Romanian churches. In 2018, the Ukrainian Church was recognized as a member in its own right, rather than part of the Russian Church, and the Russian Church left in protest. The split was partly a result of the Roman Empire being divided into the Western Roman Empire with its capital in Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) with its capital in Constantinople; each empire supported a different Church (and the Persians supported the Nestorians). An important doctrinal dispute was over the role of the Pope. To Roman Catholics he is ''pontifex maximus'' (the greatest priest) and the undisputed head of the Church. To Orthodox Christians he is just the Bishop of Rome and has no authority outside his See; in particular he does not rule over other bishops, and ''at most'' could be considered ''primus inter pares'' (first among equals). Today the Archbishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, remains the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, while the Archbishop of Constantinople (today's Istanbul), also known as the Ecumenical Patriarch, remains the symbolic leader of the Eastern Orthodox churches. [[File:Moscou.- La Cathédrale Basile-le-Bienheureux.jpg|thumb|St Basil's Cathedral, [[Moscow]]]] The split was a rather gradual affair with controversy from the 4th century on; it became final in 1050 when each side excommunicated many of the other side's bishops. It became rather messy during the [[Crusades]] when large numbers of heavily armed Roman Catholics entered Orthodox territory. At times the two groups co-operated to attack the Muslims, but they also fought each other. Some historians contend that the Crusaders killed more Orthodox and Coptic Christians than they did Muslims. The geographic division remains roughly the same as it's been for centuries, though it is not quite a neat one, as there are also some very longstanding Eastern Rite communities, most notably in [[Western Ukraine]] and [[Lebanon]], which are nevertheless Catholic because they recognize the Pope as their leader, and more recently but in some cases dating back a few hundred years, there have been localized Eastern Orthodox congregations in some mainly Roman Catholic areas of Europe as well. There is for example quite a nice Russian Orthodox church in [[Dresden]] complete with icons and Moscow-style church spires; while it was built in the 19th century, it must have made some Soviet soldiers very homesick during the [[Cold War]]. ===Cathars=== Starting in the 11th century, the Cathars, also known as the "Albigensian Heresy", gained many adherents, especially in [[Occitanie|Languedoc]] which is now in the South of France; the department of [[Aude]] calls itself "Cathar Country" today. There were also Cathars in Northern Italy. The movement was heavily influenced by the Gnostics. [[File:cathars expelled.JPG|thumb|right|Cathars being expelled from [[Carcassonne]] in 1209]] *{{listing | name=Albigensian Crusade | wikipedia=Albigensian Crusade | content=The Catholic Church considered the Cathars a threat and the King of France backed the Church, apparently mainly as an excuse to add Languedoc to his realm. They ordered a crusade against the Cathars and slaughtered tens of thousands of them. }} *{{listing | name=[[Toulouse]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Toulouse | content=This city was the capital of the region and a center of Catharisim. A Papal Legate was assassinated in 1208 while returning to Rome after excommunicating the Count of Toulouse for being too gentle with the Cathars, and the Crusade was the Church's response to the assassination. The city changed hands several times during the Crusade, and various Counts of Toulouse were Cathar leaders.<br />Today Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France and a major tourist destination. }} *{{listing | name=[[Albi]] | wikipedia=Albi | content=This small town is the capital of the department of [[Tarn]]. The crusade was named after it, possibly because it was the seat of a Cathar Bishop. }} *{{listing | name=[[Béziers]] | wikipedia=Massacre at Béziers | content=This town was taken in 1209, early in the Crusade, and much of the population massacred. By some accounts, when the Papal Legate in charge was asked how to distinguish Cathars (who should be killed) from Catholics (who should not) he replied "Kill them all; God will know His own." }} *{{listing | name=[[Carcassonne]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Carcassonne | content=This city surrendered shortly after Béziers; many Cathars were driven from the town, naked by some accounts but "in their shifts and breeches" by others. Later the Cathars took the city back and the crusaders re-took it.</br>Most of the medieval city, including the city wall, still stands and today it is a popular tourist destination. }} *{{listing | name=[[Montségur]] | wikipedia=Siege of Montségur | content=This castle in the mountains of [[Ariège]] near the Spanish border was the last Cathar stronghold to fall, in 1243. Afterward over 200 Cathars who refused to recant their faith were burned alive. }} *{{listing | name=Museum of Catharism | alt= | url=https://www.museeducatharisme.fr/gb/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This museum is in Mazamet where some Cathars took refuge, up in the mountains of Tarn. }} The fighting lasted over 30 years; but by 1245 France and the Church had achieved a complete victory in the field. However, it was not until about 1350 that Catharism was entirely wiped out. The Church created two other institutions, both initially in Toulouse, to help put down the Cathars. [[File:Monastere de Prouille061115.jpg|thumb|Monastery of Prouille]] The '''Dominican Order''' of friars were preachers sent out to spread the Gospel and to counter heresy. Like the Cathars &mdash; and unlike the corrupt churchmen that the Cathars had heaped scorn on &mdash; they lived simply and often preached to the poor. * {{see | name=Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.1878 | long=2.0344 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery | content=Saint Dominic was given land in the village of Prouille, just outside Toulouse. The first building was a residence for Cathar women who had recanted; it soon became a convent for Dominican nuns. Later there was also a monastery for the monks. Both were destroyed during the French Revolution, but they were rebuilt and both are still in use today. }} The '''Inquisition''' was created to root out heresy, in particular the remaining Cathars. It took about 100 years for the remaining Cathars to be annihilated. Inquisitions — against Jews and Muslims after the 1492 Reconquista of Spain from the Moors, against witches, and later against Protestants — continued until some ways into the 19th century. In the early days of the Inquisition most of its judges were Dominican friars. ===Protestants=== Western Christianity was much disrupted during the '''[[Protestant Reformation]]''' when several groups split off from the Roman Catholic Church. As with the Cathars, a major issue was corruption in the Catholic Church. Today there are dozens of Protestant denominations, most of which can trace their doctrines back to one or both of the great 16th century reformers, the German Martin Luther and the French John Calvin. One important difference between Catholic or Orthodox churches and many Protestant churches is that while Orthodox Christians and Catholics venerate icons of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and saints, many Protestant churches are iconoclastic (rejecting the use of icons and in some cases in the past, outright destroying them), with simple churches that are not ornate and feature just a symbolic cross, rather than a crucifix showing the Body of Christ. Protestant churches that do use icons to some degree and sometimes have elaborate architectural decorations include Anglican and Lutheran churches, though the Anglican church also went through an iconoclastic period, during which they destroyed most English Catholic sculptures and paintings. ====Hussites==== The first successful schism in Roman Catholic Europe was the one led by the theologian '''Jan Hus''' (1369–1415), rector of University of [[Prague]]. The reasons for the split were complicated but Hus is generally described as motivated by a desire to reform and renew the Catholic Church. He was burnt at the stake in [[Konstanz]] for alleged heresy. The location of the burning is now marked with a monument, and there is a museum called [[Konstanz#Landmarks|Hus Haus]] in the city's old town. [[File:Prague Castle defenestration site.jpg|thumb|Defenestration monument on right<br/>The tower's top window was used]] From Hus' death on, there were a series of Hussite rebellions against the Catholic Habsburg rulers of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]], and five Roman Catholic [[Crusades]] which the Hussites resisted successfully. *{{see | name=Defenestration of 1618 | wikipedia=Defenestrations of Prague | content=A group of officials delivered a stern message from the Catholic King to the mainly Hussite Estates (parliament). Two were told to leave and the other three, all Catholic hard-liners, were hurled from a window of [[Prague/Castle_and_Lesser_Town#Prague_Castle|Prague Castle]], 21 meters (70 feet) up. They all survived, some writers claiming by miraculous intervention and others saying because they landed in a dung heap. }} This defenestration was one of the main incidents precipitating the [[Thirty Years' War]], a very destructive conflict that lasted until 1648 and eventually involved most of Europe. During the time period of that war, the main Hussite church was the Moravian Brethren; it was heavily persecuted and largely driven underground in its native [[Bohemia]], but spread some in other Protestant regions. * {{listing | name=Comenius | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=John Amos Comenius | content=This Moravian Bishop is considered the main inventor of modern education methods. He advocated such then-radical things as universal education &mdash; educating the lower classes and even girls, not just the sons of the nobility and novice monks &mdash; and using the local language, not just Latin. On a practical level, he helped both Sweden and Britain re-organize their school systems. There is a university named after him in [[Prague]]. }} The Hussite Church still exists, although the present-day population of the Czech Republic is majority Roman Catholic (though largely secular). Today the [https://www.moravian.org/ Moravian Church] is the main religious movement claiming Hussite ancestry; it has over a thousand congregations in many countries, and about 1.1 million members. Moravian churches can be found throughout the Caribbean with their lamb imagery and the words "our lamb has conquered; let us follow him" (Latin: ''Vicit agnus noster, eum sequamur'') very recognizable in places like [[Bluefields]], [[Nicaragua]]. The German name of the Moravian church is Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine (sic!) after their center in the Saxon town of [[Herrnhut]]. There is a [https://www.moravian.edu/ Moravian University] in Pennsylvania. ====Lutherans==== {{seealso|Protestant_Reformation#Martin_Luther}} '''Martin Luther''' (1483–1546) was the first of the great leaders of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. As with the Cathars and Hussites, a major issue was corruption in the Catholic Church; in particular Luther objected to the sale of indulgences, putting a price on forgiveness of sin. [[File:MarienkircheHalle Innenraum 2.jpg|thumb|Interior of the Marktkirche Unser Lieben Frauen (also called the Marienkirche) in [[Halle]], begun as a late [[Gothic]] Catholic cathedral but converted into a Lutheran cathedral even before construction was completed in 1554]] There were also disagreements regarding the interpretation of scripture, such as whether only faith in Jesus Christ is needed for a place in Heaven after death (Luther) or good works are also required (Catholicism) and whether it is necessary to obey the Pope and Catholic Church hierarchy or more important for each Christian to read and understand the Bible individually. Luther translated the Bible into German to let more people read it, in defiance of Church rules that allowed only Greek or Latin editions. His translation was widely distributed due to the recent invention of the printing press, and is still used. *{{see | name=Ninety-five Theses | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ninety-five Theses | content=Luther's declaration of rebellion was mailing this document to the local Archbishop. Some accounts have him also nailing it to a church door in [[Wittenberg]] where he was a professor of theology; certainly it was reprinted and widely circulated. It dealt mainly with forgiveness of sin, with Luther holding that only sincere repentance was required, the Church's tradition of confession was not essential, and sale of indulgences was nonsense. The town has Luther memorials which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. }} *{{see | name=Diet of Worms | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Diet of Worms | content=This was a conference called by the Holy Roman Emperor (see [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]) in 1521 in the city of [[Worms]] (pronounced approximately ''verms'') at which Luther gave a famous speech refusing to recant. After it, the Emperor promulgated the Edict of Worms declaring him a heretic. The town has a [[Worms#Martin Luther monument|monument]] to Luther. }} Luther's followers were known as the Lutherans, and many modern Protestant denominations can trace their roots to this movement. Luther was a well-known and beloved lutenist and composer who appreciated artistic beauty and decoration, and Lutheranism is not an iconoclastic sect, so while Lutheran churches may not be as ornately adorned as Catholic and Orthodox ones, there are often decorations on and in the buildings. ====Calvinists==== {{seealso|Protestant_Reformation#Switzerland}} Subsequently, '''Huldrych Zwingli''' (1484-1531) and '''John Calvin''' (1509–1564) led a truly iconoclastic and severe branch of the Reformation that inspired the Dutch Reformed Church, the French Protestants (Huguenots), English Puritans, the Congregationalists, and the Presbyterians. [[File:Dutch Reformed Church Winburg-001.jpg|thumb|Dutch Reformed Church in Winburg, [[Free State|Free State Province]], [[South Africa]]]] Calvinist churches are generally quite plain, emphasizing symmetry and clarity of form and eschewing all but the simplest ornaments. Many of the early colonies in what is now the United States, especially in [[New England]], were founded by Puritans (English Calvinists) fleeing persecution in Britain. See [[Early_United_States_history#Timeline]] for some of the details. Other Calvinist groups also spread to the colonies; the Congregationalists began in England and the Presbyterians in Scotland, but both exist today in all the countries where British colonists settled. The Dutch Reformed Church is strong in [[South Africa]]. While the French Huguenots began as a powerful group, they were defeated after decades of on-and-off wars, and many of them were faced with an ultimatum: Convert, die or emigrate. Many chose the latter and many German princes, especially the House of Hohenzollern that ruled [[Brandenburg]] and parts of [[Franconia]] accepted the refugees and even built entire neighborhoods for them, which is still very evident in cities like [[Erlangen]]. Others found refuge in other parts of Europe and some went outside Europe; for example, a neighborhood of [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]] is named Huguenot, there is a [[Franschhoek]] ("French Corner") in South Africa and a "France Antarctique" colony in [[Rio de Janeiro]]. Some were able to stay in France; their descendents are a significant minority in parts of [[Provence]] today. The French state has since apologized and officially extended an invitation towards all descendants of Huguenot refugees to return to France, similar to what Spain and Portugal did for the descendants of expelled Sephardic Jews. ====Anabaptists==== This was an evangelical movement that originated in German-speaking parts of Europe. The part of their doctrine that gives them their name is insistence that baptism should be reserved for adults who have professed belief in Christ. Modern denominations with Anabaptist roots are the [[Amish and Mennonites]], the Quakers, and the Hutterites. They were among the most radical Protestants; both Luther and Calvin rejected their teachings. Both Catholic and Protestant churches persecuted them. * {{listing | name=Jakob Hutter | alt= | url= | email= | address=c.1500-1536 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jakob Hutter | content=The founder of the Hutterites was burned at the stake in Innsbruck, in front of the [[Innsbruck#Golden Roof|Golden Roof]]. }} Today they are found mainly in the U.S. and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere where many fled to avoid the persecutions. In particular, there are many in [[Pennsylvania]]. King Charles II had a huge debt to the Penn family and, to avoid having to find the cash, gave William Penn an enormous estate in the New World. Later that estate became the US state of Pennsylvania. Since Penn was a Quaker himself, and a vociferous advocate of religious freedom, he welcomed anabaptist immigrants. Some things common among Anabaptists &mdash; such as faith healing, speaking in tongues, and the emphasis on the importance of the experience of being saved &mdash; are also found among later evangelical movements. ====Evangelical Christianity==== Evangelical Christianity is a fundamentalist Protestant movement, most prominent in the United States, that emphasizes strict Biblical literalism, aggressive proselytizing and the centrality of the "born-again" religious conversion experience. *{{listing | name=Baptists | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Baptists | content=The Baptist church arose in Holland and England in the 17th century. They were influenced by the Anabaptists who had peaked in the 16th century, but are a distinct movement. Today they are a major denomination, especially in the [[South (United States of America)|American South]]. Baptists perform their baptism by full immersion in water, and like the Anabaptists believe that baptism should only be performed on professing adults. }} *{{listing | name=Pentecostals | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Baptists | content=This movement traces its origin to radical Evangelical revival movements in the United Kingdom and the United States in the late 19th century, becoming most established in the latter, where it would play an important role in the charismatic movement. Their doctrine emphasizes having a personal relationship with God through baptism in the Holy Sprit. }} In addition to the aforementioned branches, many Evangelical churches claim to be '''non-denominational'''. Evangelicals are hugely influential in American politics, with right-wing politicians often citing the Bible in order to justify their policy positions. Since the advent of television in the mid 20th century, '''televangelism''' has become a big money industry in the United States with numerous celebrity pastors, and a large number of Evangelical television channels and radio stations to serve its large Christian population. Depending on which church you go to, some theological concepts you may encounter in an Evangelical church include the '''prosperity gospel''', which teaches that financial wealth is God's reward for one's devotion and financial contributions to the church, and '''faith healing''', in which medical interventions are eschewed in favor of prayer. Many Evangelical churches also practice '''speaking in tongues''' during their services, which often sounds like gibberish to outside observers, but is said by believers to be a secret language that only God can understand. Many Evangelical churches also belong to the '''charismatic movement''', with congregation sizes numbering in the thousands, and services that resemble rock and pop concerts, thus leading a popular resurgence of Christianity among many youths. Evangelical Christians also believe that it is their sacred duty to bring about the apocalypse by fulfilling the prophecies in the book of Revelation, and since an ingathering of Jewish exiles into the Land of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem are among the central prophecies, many Evangelicals are among the world's staunchest Zionists. This form of Christianity has been very successfully exported to much of [[Latin America]], the [[Caribbean]] and sub-Saharan [[Africa]], as well as numerous parts of Asia such as [[South Korea]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Singapore]], and is also quite influential in other English-speaking countries like the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]] and [[Australia]], particularly among immigrant communities. The influence of American-inspired Evangelical megachurches is particularly evident in historically [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] South Korea, which boasts 11 of the world's 12 largest Christian congregations, and sends more Evangelical Christian missionaries abroad than any other country except the United States. The main non-Anglophone European Evangelical Lutheran churches are very different from these movements. ===Church of England=== The '''Anglican Church''' (known in the U.S. as the '''Episcopal Church''' to avoid references to the British monarchy) was formed when the Church of England split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534, due to King Henry VIII wanting to get a divorce, which is not allowed under Roman Catholic doctrine. [[File:Westminster Abbey 2015.jpg|thumbnail|Westminster Abbey, [[England]]]] Although considered by many to be a Protestant denomination, it does not share the same Lutheran or Calvinist origins as other Protestant churches, and is in many ways closer to the Catholic and Orthodox churches in doctrine and structure. It is therefore considered by some people to be a completely separate branch from Protestantism. The Anglican Church, like the Catholic, Orthodox and to some extent Lutheran churches, uses icons, and many of its rites continue to be similar to Catholic and Orthodox rites. There is a large range of variation between Anglican congregations; some are "high church", quite close to Catholic in style, while others are "low church", almost Calvinist. This variation is tolerated, sometimes even encouraged, by the church hierarchy. The head of this Church is nominally the British monarch, but the Archbishop of [[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]] is the leading churchman. In the 18th century, John Wesley led a reform movement within the Church of England, influenced by Moravian (Hussite) doctrines. After his death, this evolved into a separate '''Methodist''' church. ===New American churches=== The United States is mostly Protestant, including many Evangelicals, with substantial contingents of Roman Catholics and Episcopalians (known as Anglicans elsewhere), and some Orthodox Christians. It has also been a breeding ground for new Christian movements whose teachings deviate significantly from mainstream Christianity. Those listed below remain popular to this day. Others, such as the Shakers, have virtually died out (but see [[Touring Shaker country]]) and some, such as the Christian Scientists, have been greatly reduced in size. * {{listing | name=Mormons | alt=LDS Church | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | content=The Mormons or '''Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''' are a non-trinitarian sect who believe that Jesus incarnated in North America and preached to the Indians after he was done in Palestine. They have a third testament, the ''Book of Mormon'', describing that ministry. They are forbidden from consuming alcohol, coffee or tea.<br/>The movement began in the Eastern US, but the early Mormons were persecuted there; many Christians considered them heretics or thought some of their customs, such as polygamy, were sinful. Starting in 1846, many Mormons went west along the [[Oregon Trail]]; most settled in [[Utah]], especially around [[Salt Lake City]], and the state continues to have a Mormon majority to this day. Many of the early settlers in what is now [[Grand Teton National Park]] were Mormons and today's tourist sights include some historic Mormon ranches.<br/>You can often see a statue of a person blowing a trumpet on top of the highest spire of Mormon temples; this represents the angel Moroni, who is said to have guarded the golden plates that were the source material for the Book of Mormon before presenting them to the church founder, Joseph Smith. }} * {{listing | name=Seventh-day Adventists | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Seventh-day Adventist Church | content=This group believe the Apocalypse, and the Advent or Second Coming of Jesus, will come soon. Much of their doctrine is similar to that of the Evangelicals or other Protestants. However, unlike most Christians, their sabbath is Saturday (the 7th day, the same day as the Jewish Sabbath) and they follow a version of the Jewish [[kashrut]] dietary laws. They are also strongly pacifist, and forbidden from carrying weapons. }} * {{listing | name=Jehovah's Witnesses | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jehovah's Witnesses | content=This is a non-trinitarian sect who believe the apocalypse is coming soon. They evangelize a lot, often handing out literature on the street or going door-to-door. They do not accept blood transfusions, as they consider this to be in violation of the Biblical prohibition against drinking blood. They also do not vote, work for the government, sing national anthems or salute national flags, as they believe that their allegiance should lie with God and God alone. The name Jehovah is a corruption of YHWH, the name of God as revealed to Moses in the Book of Exodus, and Jehovah's Witnesses invariably refer to God using this name. }} These churches have been heavily involved in missionary activity. For example, all three mentioned above now have many congregations in the Philippines. ===Taiping Heavenly Kingdom=== Possibly the strangest offshoot of Christianity was the Taiping movement in 19th-century China. Their founder Hong Xiuquan claimed to be '''Jesus' younger brother''' and to regularly visit Heaven for chats with the family. Their rebellion against the [[Qing Dynasty]] was the '''bloodiest civil war in history''', killing far more than the American Civil War which was fought at about the same time with better weapons. They controlled about a third of China for over a decade. There is a [[Nanjing#Taiping Kingdom History Museum|museum]] in Nanjing, which was their capital. The rebellion was eventually crushed by the Qing Dynasty, with some help from Western powers and a lot from foreign mercenaries. A historical novel with an account of some of this is [[The_Flashman_Papers#Flashman and the Dragon|Flashman and the Dragon]]. ==Destinations== {{seealso|Christmas and New Year travel|Easter travel}} {{Mapframe|30|-10|zoom=1|height=340|width=520}} ===Holy Land=== The [[Holy Land]] today is divided between [[Israel]], [[Jordan]] and the [[Palestinian territories]]. * {{marker | name=[[Jerusalem]], Israel | lat=31.7833 | long=35.2167 }}. The '''holiest city''' in the religion, site of Jesus' crucifixion and also a holy city for [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]]. The '''Church of the Holy Sepulchre''' stands on the site where Jesus was said to have been buried and resurrected. * {{marker | name=[[Bethlehem]], West Bank | lat=31.703056 | long=35.195556 }}. The birthplace of Jesus according to the New Testament. The '''Church of the Nativity''' stands on the site where Jesus was said to have been born. * {{marker | name=[[Nazareth]], Israel | lat=32.701944 | long=35.303333}}. The hometown of Jesus' family, and believed by many historians to be his actual historical birthplace; he was sometimes called "Jesus of Nazareth". Today one of the centers of the Arab Christian minority in Israel, that - unlike many other Christian minorities in the Middle East - continues to grow and thrive. : According to the Bible, it was here that the archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear the Son of God, an event known as the '''Annunciation'''. The precise location of the Annunciation is a subject of dispute between different Christian denominations; the '''Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation''' sits on top of a spring where Mary was said to have been drawing water when the Annunciation happened in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, and the '''Basilica of the Annunciation''' sits on top of a cave said to be Mary's home and the site of the Annunciation in the Roman Catholic tradition. * {{marker | name=Tel Megiddo, Israel | wikidata=Q208379}}. An archeological site that was once an important Canaanite city-state, and later part of the Kingdom of Israel. According to the Book of Revelation, there will be a great battle between several armies at the site that will herald the beginning of the apocalypse. Today, it is a popular pilgrimage site for Evangelical Christians. The English word "Armageddon" was derived from the name of this site. * {{marker | name=Al-Maghtas, [[Jordan]] | lat=31.837109 | long=35.550301 | url=http://www.baptismsite.com/}}. The site where Jesus was said to have been baptised by John the Baptist. Wikivoyage has links to some of the most important places of Jesus' life at [[Holy_Land#Christian_Holy_Land|Christian Holy Land]] and an itinerary for visiting many of them at [[The Jesus Trail]]. ===Headquarters=== Some places are of interest because they are the main centers of various Christian groups: [[File:Sãopedro1.jpg|thumbnail|St. Peter's Basilica in the [[Vatican]]]] * {{marker | name=[[Vatican City]] | lat=41.904 | long=12.453 }}. An independent state within Rome, center of the Catholic Church and home to '''St Peter's Basilica''' and the '''Sistine Chapel'''; [[Rome]] outside the Vatican is also full of churches, including '''San Giovanni in Laterano''', the Pope's cathedral in his role as Bishop of Rome. * {{marker | name=[[Istanbul]], Turkey | lat=41.013611 | long=28.955000 }}. Formerly Constantinople and is the home of the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, with his cathedral being the '''Church of St George''' in the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City#Q211004|Fener]] district. Scattered over a wider area in the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city]], the former cathedral churches include '''Hagia Irene''', '''Hagia Sophia''', the '''Church of Holy Apostles''', and '''Pammakaristos Church''', all of which serve as mosques or museums today (except the Holy Apostles, which was replaced by the Fatih Mosque on the same site), and contain a variety of Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine) art. [[File:Avignon, Palais des Papes depuis la place devant le petit Palais by JM Rosier.jpg|thumb|Palais des Papes]] * {{marker | name=[[Avignon]] | lat=43.94933 | long=4.80587 | wikipedia=Avignon Papacy }} A series of Popes ruled here 1309–1376, and from 1378 to 1417 there were two men claiming to be Pope, one in Rome and another in Avignon. All of the Avignon Popes were Frenchmen and under the influence of the French kings. : Today Avignon is a popular tourist destination and the medieval town center is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. The imposing [[Avignon#Papal Palace|''Palais des Papes'']] and the nearby cathedral are among the main sights. : One of the [[wine]]s of the Rhone Valley (the region around Avignon) is ''Chateau Neuf du Pape'', which translates to "the Pope's new house". This is one of the great wines of France, definitely worth trying if you like wine and are in the area. The red Chateau Neuf is better known, but there are also some lovely whites. * {{marker | name=[[Moscow]], Russia |lat=55.711111|long= 37.629167}}. The Danilov Monastery, on the right bank of the Moskva River, is the spiritual and administrative center of the Russian Orthodox church. * {{marker | name=[[Cairo]], Egypt | lat=30.033333 | long=31.233333}}. '''Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral''' in Abbassia is the current seat of the Coptic Pope, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the symbolic spiritual leader of the Oriental Orthodox communion. The '''Church and Monastery of St. George''' in the [[Cairo/Old Cairo|Coptic Cairo]] neighbourhood is the current seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. * {{marker | name=[[Alexandria]], Egypt | lat=31.19929 | long=29.90925 }}. Home to '''Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral''', the historical seat of the Coptic Pope. * {{marker | name=[[Echmiadzin]], Armenia | lat=40.16 | long=44.3 }}. The seat of the Armenian Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. * {{marker | name=[[Mtskheta]], Georgia | lat=41.8421889841258 | long=44.72073548432982 }}. The seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church. * {{marker | name=[[Damascus]], Syria | lat=33.5167 | long=36.3000 }}. The '''Cathedral of Saint George''' in Bab Tuma (the old city) is the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Church, an Oriental Orthodox church which started in 512, although it claims succession from St Peter of Antioch, and therefore is ceremonially known as the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. Former seats of the church include the '''Monastery of Saint Ananias''' (Deyrulzafaran) near [[Mardin]], and '''Saint Mary Church''' in [[Homs]]. Damascus is also the seat of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, an autocephalus Greek Orthodox church within the communion of Eastern Orthodoxy; its cathedral is the '''Maryamiyya Church''' on Straight Street (of the New Testament significance). * {{marker | name=[[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia | lat=9.03 | long=38.74 }}. The seat of the Abuna, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. * {{marker | name=[[Erbil]], Iraq | lat=36.191111 | long=44.009167 }}. Home to the '''Cathedral of St. John the Baptist''', the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch, the leader of the Assyrian Church of the East, which reverted to Eastern Christianity (see [[#Nestorians|above]]) after splitting off from the (Eastern-rite) Chaldean Catholic Church. * {{marker | name=[[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]], United Kingdom| lat=51.2783333 | long=1.0775 }}. Home to the '''Canterbury Cathedral''', the church of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church. * {{marker | name=[[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], United States | lat=40.762 | long=-111.954}}. Center of the Latter Day Saints ([[#Mormons|Mormon]]) movement. Notable Mormon sites include the Salt Lake City temple at Temple Square, as well as the Salt Lake City Tabernacle, the home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Non-Mormons are not permitted to enter the temples, and even Mormons may have to prove that they are members in good standing before entering. However, travellers are welcome to look around the outside. * {{marker | name=[[Silver Spring]], [[Maryland]], United States | lat=39.002441 | long=-77.020791}}. Home to the General Conference of [[#Seventh-day Adventists|Seventh-day Adventists]], the headquarters of that church. ===Pilgrimages=== There are various places of pilgrimage around the world that Christians traditionally visit. The age-old way to perform a pilgrimage was on foot or on the back of a horse or donkey. Among the traditional pilgrimages, the following are probably the most famous to do in the traditional way: [[File:Fatima.jpg|thumbnail|The Sanctuary of [[Fátima]] in [[Portugal]]]] * The pilgrimage on foot to {{marker | name=[[Fátima]], Portugal | lat=39.6255524 | long=-8.66592014 }}, in [[Portugal]], ending at the '''Chapel of the Apparitions'''. This commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary reported by three little shepherds – Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta – in 1917. * The '''[[Way of St. James|Way of Saint James]]''', ending at the splendid '''Cathedral of [[Santiago de Compostela]]''', has been an important Catholic pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. * {{marker | name=[[Lourdes]], France|lat=43.1|long=-0.05| }}. The world's best-known center of Marian pilgrimage. Its springs are thought to have healing powers. * {{marker | name=[[Međugorje]], Bosnia and Herzegovina|wikidata=Q94950| }} has been a major site of pilgrimage following claims of visions of the Virgin Mary. * The walk along the '''Via Dolorosa''', the street in [[Jerusalem/Old City#Do|Jerusalem]] on which Jesus is said to have carried his cross, ending at the '''Church of the Holy Sepulchre'''. * '''[[Saint Olaf's Way]]''' to Nidaros Cathedral in [[Trondheim]], Norway, where St. Olaf is buried. * The '''[[Via Maria]]''' is a series of hiking and pilgrimage routes marking a large cross over the map of the formerly [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian lands]], connecting the Marian shrines scattered across the area. * [[The Jesus Trail]] is a 65-km (40 mile) walk through [[Galilee]] that visits many places where Jesus also walked. However, there are many other places of pilgrimage, and most of them are usually no longer approached by taking a long trek. For example, most long-distance travellers to [[Vatican City|The Vatican]] arrive by plane to Rome's [[Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport]]. Several lesser known places also venerate the apparition of Mary or the supposed remains of some saint, especially in Orthodox and Catholic countries. As Melanchton, a 16th century ally of Martin Luther, famously quipped "Fourteen of our twelve apostles are buried in Germany". Oftentimes those religious sites and objects have been a major draw for travellers for centuries and thus (former) "tourism infrastructure" may be an attraction all by itself. ===Catholic orders=== The Roman Catholic church has a number of religious orders, groups of people who are part of a community of consecrated life, and are often heavily involved in missionary work and charitable causes. Orthodox and Anglican churches have similar orders and some Protestant denominations have missionary societies where people dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel and other good works. Many of these orders have impressive churches, monasteries and convents that tourists might want to visit. Some of these groups have also founded various schools and universities around the world, some of which are still very prestigious and known for providing high-quality education. These schools and universities often have impressive historical buildings on their campuses, which can sometimes be visited by tourists, though you may be required to join a guided tour to do so. *{{listing | name=Augustinians | alt=Order of Saint Augustine |wikipedia=Order of Saint Augustine | content=Founded in 1244 by bringing together several groups of hermits following the Rule of Saint Augustine in the [[Tuscany]] region of [[Italy]]. This set of rules was written by St. Augustine of Hippo in 5th century, and emphasised chastity, poverty, obedience, charity and detachment from the world, among others. The Augustinians have been very active in promoting education over the years, having founded numerous schools worldwide. They are perhaps most famous for the monk Gregor Mendel, who was the abbot of the '''St Thomas's Abbey''' in [[Brno]], [[Czech Republic]], and whose experiments on peas formed the basis of modern genetics. Their mother church is the '''Basilica of St. Augustine''' in [[Rome]], Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Benedictines | alt=Order of Saint Benedict |wikipedia=Benedictines | content=A monastic order founded by St. Benedict of Nursia at the '''Abbey of Saint Scholastica''' in [[Subiaco]], Italy in A.D. 529. The are often called the "black monks" because of their practice of dressing in black, and are expected to adhere to a strict communal timetable. They are also known for having played a key role in the development and promotions of [[spas]]. Their mother church is the '''Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino''' in [[Rome]], Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Dominicans | alt=Order of Preachers |wikipedia=Dominican Order | content=Founded in 1216, originally as an order of nuns, by St. Dominic of Caleruega in the '''Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery''' in Prouille (just outside [[Toulouse]]), [[France]] as a counter-movement to the [[#Cathars|Cathars]]. The Dominicans live a frugal lifestyle and place a strong emphasis on education and charity. Their mother church is the '''Basilica of Saint Sabina''' in Rome, Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Franciscans | alt=Order of Friars Minor |wikipedia=Order of Friars Minor | content=Founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, with an emphasis of living a life of austerity. Its mother church is the '''Porziuncola''' in [[Assisi]], Italy, while its founder is entombed in the impressive '''Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi''' in the same city. A related order is the Order of St. Clare, also known as the Poor Clares, an order of nuns founded by St. Clare of Assisi, one of St. Francis' followers. St. Clare is entombed in the '''Basilica di Santa Chiara''' in Assisi. }} *{{listing | name=Hieronymites | alt=Order of Saint Jerome | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hieronymites | content=A cloistered order founded in [[Toledo (Spain)|Toledo]], [[Spain]] in the late 14th century with the aim of emulating the life of the 5th-century Biblical scholar, St. Jerome. Its headquarters today are in the '''Monastery of Santa María del Parral''' in [[Segovia]], Spain. Another famous Hieronymite monastery is the '''Jerónimos Monastery''' in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]], in which the ''pastel de nata'' (Portuguese custard tart) was invented by its monks, and the most famous bakery selling this pastry is the nearby Pastéis de Belém. }} *{{listing | name=Jesuits | alt=Society of Jesus |wikipedia=Society of Jesus | content=An order famous for its charitable work, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola and six other companions, including the famed [[Age of Discovery#St. Francis Xavier|St. Francis Xavier]], in the crypt of the '''Saint-Pierre de Montmartre''' in [[Paris]], [[France]] in 1540. As part of their charitable ventures, the Jesuits founded numerous schools around the world, and for much of their history have played a major role in providing education to the poor. Their mother church today is the '''Church of the Gesù''' in [[Rome]], Italy, in which St. Ignatius is entombed. Another important church is the '''Basilica of Bom Jesus''' in [[Goa]], [[India]], in which St. Francis Xavier is entombed. }} ===Other sites=== {{seealso|Churches in Ethiopia|Churches in South Australia|Churches in Antarctica}} [[File:PARSONS(1808)_p085_Antiochia.jpg|thumb|Antioch in 1808]] * {{marker|lat=36.2000|long=36.1500|type=listing|name=Antioch}}, today [[Antakya]] in Turkey, was a major center of early Christianity, and as of about 400 AD the third largest city in the Roman Empire. * Antioch plus {{marker|lat=36.916666666667|long=34.9|type=listing|name=[[Tarsus]]}}, {{marker|lat=37.941111|long=27.341944|type=listing|name=[[Ephesus]]}} and {{marker|lat=39.7521|long=26.1584|type=listing|name=Alexandria Troas}} (close to [[Geyikli|Geyikli-Dalyan]]) in Turkey, {{marker|lat=37.9667|long=23.7167|type=listing|name=[[Athens]]}}, {{marker|lat=37.9333|long=22.9333|type=listing|name=[[Corinth]]}}, {{marker|lat=40.625|long=22.9725|type=listing|name=[[Thessaloniki]]}} and {{marker|lat=40.4833|long=25.5167|type=listing|name=[[Samothrace]]}} in [[Greece]], {{marker|lat=32.5|long=34.9|type=listing|name=[[Caesarea]]}} in Israel, were cities where St. Paul is supposed to have preached * '''[[Aegean Turkey#Seven Churches of Asia|Seven Churches of Asia]]''', Turkey, are seven major early Christian communities mentioned in the New Testament. * {{marker | name=[[İznik]], Turkey | lat=40.428888888889 | long=29.719444444444 }}. As ancient '''Nicaea''', the town was the site of the First and the Second Councils of Nicaea (or the First and the Seventh Ecumenical Councils), convened in 325 and 787 respectively, inside the former basilica of Hagia Sophia that still stands at the town square, converted into a mosque. The town is connected by the [https://www.toleranceway.com/ Tolerance Way], a hiking trail which commemorates the Roman emperor Galerius's (r. 305–311) Edict of Toleration ending the persecution of Christians, to [[İzmit]] (ancient Nicomedia), where the edict was published. [[File:Castle Uçhisar in Cappadocia.jpg|thumb|Cappadocia]] * {{marker | name=[[Cappadocia]], Turkey | lat=38.6583 | long=34.8536 }}. A refuge for the early Christians where they escaped persecution in numerous underground cities and colorful churches dug into the volcanic rocks of the area. * {{marker | name=[[Selçuk]], Turkey | lat= | long= | wikidata=Q876176 }}. The '''House of the Virgin Mary''' over the hills outside the town is believed to be where Mary spent her last years. The stone building had long been venerated by the local Greek Orthodox, who visited the site annually on the Assumption (Aug 15). It is now a chapel that has been receiving a steady flow of Catholic pilgrims, including several popes, since it was reported in a series of visions of a bedridden Catholic nun from Germany in the 19th century. * {{marker | name=[[Mount Athos]], Greece| lat=40.22 | long=24.26}}. A peninsula with many Orthodox monasteries, where women are not allowed at all * {{marker | name=[[Patmos]], Greece| lat=37.316667 | long=26.5}}. A small Greek island which the Roman Empire used as a place of exile for inconvenient people. An exile named John wrote the Book of Revelation while living there, around 90&nbsp;CE. Today it gets many pilgrims and parts of it are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Most of the pilgrims, and the Monastery of Saint John, are Greek Orthodox. * {{marker | name=[[Taizé Community|Taizé]], France |wikidata=Q111054|lat=46.5136|long=4.6769}}. An ecumenical monastic order in [[Mâcon#Taizé|Taizé near Mâcon]], welcoming people seeking a retreat. A large community of visiting youth, families and people of all ages, in addition to the brothers and sisters. * {{marker | name=[[Aparecida]], Brazil|lat=-22.850583|long=-45.233836| }}. Home to the sanctuary of [[Brazil]]'s patroness, the Holy Virgin Mary of Aparecida * Several places in Germany are important in the history of Lutheranism: The [http://www.wartburg-eisenach.de/ Wartburg], near [[Eisenach]], where Luther translated the bible into German (one of the first and most notable modern vernacular versions of the bible), [[Lutherstadt Wittenberg]] where the 95 Theses were written and where Luther began to preach against the Pope and other, smaller places, mostly in [[Thuringia]]. * '''[[Longobards in Italy, Places of Power (568–774 A.D.)]]''', 7 religious buildings in Italy built during the Early Middle Ages and listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]]. * '''[[Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region]]''' — 16 log churches in Poland and Ukraine, listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]]. * {{listing | name=[[Walls of Jerusalem National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Tasmania, Australia | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q385655 | lastedit=2021-12-04 | content=Has few historical aspects, but everything in the park is named after Bible references as the geological features of the park which resemble the walls of the city of Jerusalem very closely. Listed as a World Heritage Site for its natural beauty. }} ==Talk== Churches tend to use the language of the country they are located in, though this is by no means true in all cases. There are many expatriate churches in many places using the language of a community's homeland, and in some churches another language is used for other reasons. The Roman Catholic church used to employ the '''Latin''' language widely, although this has changed since the 1960s so that services are typically given in the language of the community. The [[Vatican]] is a place where Latin may still be observed in active use. Latin Masses are still offered in many other places around the world as well, and some people find the experience to be superior to a mass in the vernacular. The Roman Catholic church in the diaspora (in places outside the historical Catholic sphere) may also offer masses in the languages of Catholic migrants. There is no unifying language among the Eastern Orthodox churches, though the Greek Orthodox Church, the head church of the Eastern Orthodox churches, uses '''Koine Greek''' as its main liturgical language. The Slavic-speaking Eastern Orthodox churches, such as the Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian Orthodox churches use '''Church Slavonic''' as their liturgical language. In Egypt, '''Coptic''', a language descended from the ancient Egyptian language, is commonly used in the Coptic Orthodox Church within the Oriental Orthodox communion. Egyptian Christians have also attempted to revive the Coptic language as a spoken language outside religious uses with varying degrees of success. The original languages of the Old Testament are the Jewish holy languages of '''Biblical Hebrew''' and '''Aramaic''', while the original language of the New Testament was '''Koine Greek'''. Jesus is widely believed by historians to have been a native speaker of Aramaic. The earliest Christians, especially the educated among them, were usually fluent in Greek and the Septuagint, a Greek version of the Old Testament, was more commonly known among early Christians than the Hebrew Torah, which explains some readings of prophecies that make little sense with the Hebrew text in mind, like making a word that in Hebrew means "young woman" into the Greek word for "virgin" in a prophecy interpreted by most Christians to refer to the birth of the messiah. Some theological disputes are better understood with the intricacies of languages like Ancient Greek or Latin in mind. For example, the phrase "not one iota less" is in part based on a debate whether God-father and Jesus were "homoousios" (of one nature) or "homoiousios" (of a similar nature). As can be seen by this when Greek proficiency in the West and Latin proficiency in the East declined, the churches naturally started drifting apart and ultimately split over disagreements that they may have been able to resolve had the language barrier not stood between them. The most common English-language Bible is the King James Version that was translated from the original Greek and Hebrew by contemporaries of Shakespeare. However, many Evangelical megachurches use newer translations of the Bible that are written in modern vernacular to make their Bibles more accessible to youths, and many Lutheran churches in addition base the translation on the latest research. === Differences === Different Christian groups use different names for activities and events. For example, the word ''mass'' is commonly used in Catholicism, Anglicanism and some Protestant churches but practically never used in Evangelical or Orthodox churches, which use the term ''service'' and ''divine liturgy'' respectively instead. Also, while the term ''saint'' in Catholicism, Anglicanism and Orthodoxy refers to only a select group of individuals, in most Protestant churches the term ''saint'' refers to any born-again Christian. Also, Evangelical churches do not use the term ''saint'' in front of names, so when the Catholic church would say "Saint John" for the apostle, Evangelicals would just say "John". ==See== [[File:Evangeliarium - évangéliaire dit de Charlemagne ou de Godescalc - Jésus-Christ - BNF Gallica.jpg|thumb|An illumination of Christ in Majesty from the Godescalc Evangelistary, written for Charlemagne, King of the [[Franks]] and later the first Holy Roman Emperor, from 781 to 783. This manuscript is in the Bibliothèque Nationale in [[Paris]].]] ===Churches=== Many Christian houses of worship, particularly many Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican ones, are spectacular buildings. On their exteriors, many churches have stone carving, for example in their tympana and niches. In their interiors, many have priceless works of art, in the form of frescoes, framed paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows, mosaics, and woodworking. They may also have relics (the remains of body parts or objects associated with saints or other figures holy to Christians) that inspired the original construction of a cathedral, or famous icons of the Virgin Mary, which are primarily responsible for making the building a place of pilgrimage. In addition, cathedrals and other large churches may have lovely bell towers or baptisteries with separate entrances that are well worth visiting, and particularly old churches may have a crypt that includes artifacts from previous houses of worship the current building was built on top of, and associated museums that house works of art formerly displayed in the church. Protestant churches that are largely unadorned for doctrinal reasons can have a kind of serene, simple beauty all their own. In some old churches, what little was left from the Medieval – Roman Catholic – period has been restored. In some places former mosques have been turned into churches (or vice versa) and more than one church has changed denomination due to the once common principle ''cuius regio eius religio'' (Latin that roughly translates as: Who owns the land decides the faith). This sometimes shows in architecture as well as adornments or the lack thereof. ===Christian art=== [[File:'David' by Michelangelo Fir JBU002.jpg|thumb|Michelangelo's ''David'' is one of countless Biblical works of art.]] Aside from the art you can see in churches, there is much sacred Christian [[visual arts|art]], especially framed paintings and sculptures, in art museums around the world, and there are also many beautifully decorated books of sacred Christian writing, including complete Bibles, separate Old and New Testaments, sets of Gospel readings for a year of masses, books of prayers with music notation for chanting or polyphonic singing (in which several different vocal lines intertwine in different ways) and books of devotional poetry. Through the Middle Ages and up to the Renaissance, Christian art (including post-Biblical stories of saint and martyrs) was the highest genre in [[European art]]. At least up to the [[Thirty Years War]], the Catholic Church was by far the most generous sponsor of artists. One particularly notable style is that of the '''illuminated manuscript''', in which a book is handwritten in calligraphy along with decorative and informative illustrations. Illuminated manuscripts are generally found in libraries — either public libraries, university libraries or indeed church libraries. ==Do== ===Visiting a church=== In many Christian churches, a man should remove his hat, and in some, a woman is expected to cover her head. Depending on the church and what is going on at the time, voices should be kept down, and mobile phones and similar devices should be set to silent. In addition to their architectural, historic and cultural values, churches are places for: * Personal meditation, contemplation and prayer between masses/services * Worship services, which vary widely in style between different churches * Confession of sins or/and counseling * Religious education and spiritual direction * Various sacraments, such as baptism, confirmation, weddings, and funerals * Communal activities, such as shared meals or snacks * Charitable giving and receiving Many churches run '''concert series''' or other performances, some of which are world-famous. Some churches are known for having a great organist, chorus, or solo singers and instrumentalists. See [[#Christian music|Christian music]] below Churches generally have '''pamphlets''' in plain sight of visitors, describing their spiritual mission, schedule of services, communal and charitable activities, what charitable and maintenance/restoration work needs contributions, who to contact to find out more information about all of the above, and often the history of the building and its artworks. While most churches belong to a single congregation, which is responsible for all activities, some are shared, perhaps also with worldly authorities involved. In these cases information in one schedule or at one website may not be complete, but activities may be more varied. The main services are usually held '''Sunday morning''' and on special occasions, but there may be morning or evening prayers and services of other kinds. If the church has services in more than one language, perhaps because of immigrant communities, some of these may be later in the day or at other times. There may also be Bible study, communal activities, concerts etc. Some of these activities may be in a community center instead of in the church. If you are visiting the church to look at the '''architecture and art''', it is better to choose a time when there is no service or other special activity. People may still sit meditating or praying, lighting a candle or otherwise use the church as church. Avoid disturbing them. '''Some events''' may be more or less private even if doors are unlocked. If you want to attend a service – to worship or out of curiosity – going to one that is announced to the public should generally be safe. In touristic places there is sometimes an information desk where you could ask, otherwise you might find a church official with some spare time. Most churches welcome non-Christians to join their '''services and ceremonies'''. When attending, it is appropriate to dress conservatively and show respect; details vary by place. It is a very good idea to learn a bit about the local rules before visiting a place of worship. There is a vast difference between any expected behavior during a service; in some there is a serene atmosphere, where even off-topic whispers are avoided, not to mention taking photographs, eating or checking a mobile phone. The Roman Catholics have an eucharistic fast, not eating for an hour before the communion. On the other hand many churches are more like a modern concert in style, where eating, chatting etc. are welcome. Some even have the eating and drinking as the basis of the service sitting around in a 'Café Style'. Similarly, while some styles of worship involve the congregation quietly listening to a professional choir sing hymns, in others most pieces are sung by all the congregation, and at many churches of people of African heritage in the Americas, the congregation is expected not only to join the choir in singing, but also to clap, even dance. You should avoid leaving the church while the service is in progress, again depending on the type and style of service. After some services, most or all of the participants may stay (or walk somewhere) for a cup of coffee or other refreshments, to socialize with the rest of the congregation, and at small churches you may well be personally welcomed and asked about what brought you here. Services often include '''communion''' (Eucharist): to commemorate Jesus saying to his disciples before the matzoh and wine of the Last Supper "This is my body, this is my blood," Christians may drink some wine or grape juice and eat a sanctified wafer. Depending on their denomination, they may consider that these items mysteriously actually become Christ's body and blood or that they symbolize his body and blood. Non-Christians should abstain, although in some churches you can ask to be blessed instead (often by crossing your arms over your chest or by some similar gesture). Whether Christians of other denominations are allowed to take communion differs. Roman Catholic churches only allow Roman Catholics to take communion, while conversely, many Evangelical churches forbid Roman Catholics from taking communion. On the other hand, Anglican churches usually welcome all Christians to take communion regardless of denomination. If you are Christian and planning to attend services abroad, you might check with your priest with what churches at the destination yours "shares communion". Depending on your faith, this, not whether you are allowed by the church in question, may be important. Big groups that share communion among member churches include the Roman Catholic church, most Eastern Orthodox churches, the Oriental Orthodox churches, and most of the Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopalian churches of Europe. While the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches have a wealth of classical music heritage, actual '''orchestral church services''' in these denominations are rare in modern times, and much of this music is more commonly performed in a symphonic concert setting rather than the liturgical context they were originally intended for. Should you be lucky enough to attend a liturgical orchestral performance of such music, be aware that unlike at a concert, you should ''not'' applaud the performance unless the priest asks the congregation to give the musicians a round of applause, as applause is otherwise considered to be inappropriate in the context of the solemnity of a church service. Sometimes this practice is at least partly extended to any concerts in the church. If you are attending because of a '''ceremony for a friend''', such as a wedding, and aren't sure what to expect, ask your host about suitable dress, what the ceremony will be like and whether you will be expected to do anything other than sit quietly. ===Christian music=== [[Music]] has always been a key part of Christian worship, and composers throughout the ages have set many hymns and prayers to music. The earliest surviving form of notated Christian music is the '''Gregorian chant''', actually a set of Frankish chants recorded by scribes at the command of the Frankish King and first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, around the turn of the 9th century, and then blessed by the Pope. There were originally several styles of church chant, all of which are collectively known as ''plain chant'', meaning that only the melody was chanted, without any countermelodies or harmony, but because of the Pope's imprimatur, Gregorian chant gradually supplanted the other styles to become the single official Roman Catholic chant style. Gregorian chant continues to be regularly performed at Masses in the Vatican City and in various monasteries and convents throughout the world. Gregorian chant later developed into polyphonic chanting during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, though the monophonic chant tradition continued alongside the new styles. Polyphonic treatments of plain chant differ from monophonic Gregorian chants in that different segments of the choir often sing different melodies which are supposed to blend together in harmony (as in the organum of the 12th/13th-century French composer, Perotinus, probably the first man to compose music for performance in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] church of Notre Dame in [[Paris/4th arrondissement|Paris]]) or the same or a similar melody, sung in overlapping imitation (typical of Renaissance practice starting no later than the time of the Guillaume Dufay [c. 1397–1474], from a town near [[Brussels]]). Perhaps the most famous Renaissance-era composers of polyphonic chants and other polyphonic church music are Josquin des Prez (c. 1440–1521), a very highly celebrated [[Burgundy|Burgundian]] composer who worked for the courts of [[Milan]], [[Rome]] (in the Papal Choir) and [[Ferrara]] and as Provost of the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame in [[Condé-sur-l'Escaut]], 50 km from [[Lille]], which was then part of Burgundy; and the Italian, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594), who worked for the Pope in various capacities, including as ''maestro di capella'' (Music Director) of San Giovanni in Laterano in [[Rome/Esquilino-San Giovanni|Rome]]. A special effect was attained by Andrea Gabrieli (1532 or 1533 to 1585) and his nephew, Giovanni (mid 1550s–1612): They placed different choirs in separate choir lofts on either side of the second level of the cathedral of San Marco in [[Venice]], in order to produce an impressive stereophonic effect, also called antiphonal. Both Gabrielis also mixed instruments into the choirs; Giovanni composed some purely instrumental antiphonal music as well, including the ''Sonata Pian'e Forte'', the first piece of European music to explicitly call for soft (''piano'') and loud (''forte'') playing. The instrumental music was also at least as religious as it was secular, as all of the Gabrielis' antiphonal music for San Marco represented a unity between one chorus that represented the Doge (the temporal ruler) and the other, which represented the Archbishop. Music with instrumental accompaniment has been a key part of Western Christian traditions since at least the Baroque period. Many famous composers including those of the First [[Vienna]] school — Joseph Haydn (1732–1809, from the village of Rohrau, [[Lower Austria]]), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791, from [[Salzburg]]), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827, from [[Bonn]]) and Franz Schubert (1797–1828, a native of the Vienna area) — and the aforementioned Dufay, Josquin and Palestrina were Roman Catholic, and set the '''Ordinary of the Mass''' to music — the "Ordinary" consisting of a series of prayers typically chanted by a choir (that is, not just by the priest) during Mass. These days, their settings of the Mass are more frequently performed as concert pieces than as part of the liturgy, but there are exceptions among both Roman Catholic and what are called "High Church Anglican" churches. A special type of Mass that is typically performed at funerals and memorial services is the '''Requiem Mass''', the most famous settings of which were composed by Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901, a famous opera composer who was born in Le Roncole, [[Parma (province)|Province of Parma]] and wrote mostly for La Fenice in [[Venice]]) and Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924, from Pamiers, a small town in [[Ariège]] Department, who had a long career in Paris). In addition to the Mass, other Christian religious genres of work include the Vespers, Psalms, motets, sacred cantatas, oratorios and passions. The best known setting of the '''Vespers''' is probably that by the Mannerist (late Renaissance/early Baroque) composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643, from [[Cremona]], who worked at the Gonzaga court in [[Mantua]] and then as Music Director of San Marco in [[Venice]]). Perhaps the most famous composer of the '''sacred cantata''' is Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750, from [[Eisenach]], who worked for the Ducal court of [[Weimar]], then for the Prince of Anhalt-[[Cöthen]], and then as Music Director of the Thomasschule in [[Leipzig]]), a Lutheran whose sacred cantatas include '''Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben''' (featuring a famous movement known as "Jesus bleibet meine Freude"), and is also well known for his huge repertoire of liturgical works including '''Passions''' that retell the last days of Christ according to the Gospel accounts of St. Matthew and St. John. An example of a well-known motet is Mozart's '''Exsultate, jubilate''', though these days it is very rarely performed in liturgy, but instead often serves as a concert showpiece for the world's leading operatic sopranos. Another important form of Christian music is the oratorio. '''Oratorios''' are in essence similar to operas in structure, the main differences being that oratorios are usually on a sacred subject in contrast to the usually secular subject of operas, and that oratorios are rarely staged, whereas operas usually are. Many musicologists believe the word ''oratorio'' dates back to the time when Giacomo Carissimi (1605–1674) composed sacred music in a style very similar to the then new operatic style of Monteverdi, et al., for sacred concerts he directed at the ''Oratorio del Santissimo Crocifisso'' in [[Rome/Modern Center|Rome]]. Oratorios are typically composed to educate the public about stories in the Bible. The most famous oratorios include '''Messiah''' (which features the famed "Hallelujah Chorus") and '''Solomon''' (which features a famous instrumental passage known as "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba") by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759, who was born in [[Halle]] and attained great fame as Court Composer in [[London]]); Haydn's '''Die Schöpfung''' ("The Creation"); '''Juditha Triumphans''' by the [[Venice|Venetian]], Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741); '''Elijah''' by Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847, from [[Hamburg]]); '''L'enfance du Christ''' by Hector Berlioz (1803–1869, from La Côte-Saint-André, [[Isère]]) and Bach's '''Christmas Oratorio''' and '''Easter Oratorio'''. A form of music unique to the Anglican tradition is the '''anthem''', the most famous composers of which are Henry Purcell (1659–1695, from London) and Handel. A famous example of an Anglican anthem is Handel's '''Zadok the Priest''', which was originally composed for the coronation service of King George II in Westminster Abbey, and continues to be performed at British coronation services to this day. It has also served in a secular context as the inspiration for the anthem of the UEFA Champions' League, the world's most prestigious tournament in club football (soccer). In Eastern Christian traditions, religious music is required to be sung ''a capella'' (that is, without instrumental accompaniment). Perhaps one of the most famous examples of a setting of a divine liturgy is the version of the '''Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom''' by the [[Russia|Russian]] Romantic, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893). There are also very beautiful traditions of sacred choral singing in Russia and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. In the United States, there is also a famous repertoire of African-American church music, such as spirituals and '''Gospel''' singing, which fuse European and African traditions. Gospel services also characteristically include a sing-song style of preaching by the minister during the sermon, which is punctuated by spontaneous cries of "Amen", "Hallelujah" and other comments by members of the congregation in response to the minister's words, and the congregation breaks out in song and dance during the praise and worship phase of the service. Not all primarily African-American churches conduct this type of service, which is especially associated with Baptist and Pentacostal churches; conversely, quite a few primarily white and Asian churches have Gospel services that resemble those in African-American churches to a greater or lesser degree. This style of music has also spread to parts of Africa, which often results in the music incorporating more African elements than the original African-American versions, with one famous example of a group that performs such music being [[South Africa]]'s '''Soweto Gospel Choir'''. Many churches in the Caribbean and Brazil also have services that feature African-influenced singing and dancing. Many Evangelical megachurches also compose their own music, usually in very modern styles, and services as these churches typically resemble rock and pop concerts more than traditional church services, though of course, the subject of the music is sacred rather than secular. A church whose music is well known among charismatic churches worldwide is '''Hillsong Church''' in [[Sydney]], with their music being regularly performed in charismatic churches throughout the world. Due to the use of modern musical styles, Evangelical megachurches tend to be the most popular churches among youths in many countries, and have also attracted more youths to convert to Christianity than any other churches. Its large Evangelical population also means that the United States is home to a thriving Christian pop music industry, with radio stations, charts and record companies dedicated specifically to Christian pop music. Depending on the definition of "Christian", the '''Mormon Tabernacle Choir''' is also a household name in U.S. Christian music. They are perhaps most famous for their rendition of the religious / patriotic "Battle Hymn of the Republic" that originated during the Civil War as new lyrics to a song about anti-slavery radical John Brown. Famously the Mormon version was the first to replace "die" with "live" in a critical section, a tradition since mostly followed by other renditions. ====The organ==== [[File:Stift Altenburg Kirche Orgel 01.JPG|thumb|The splendid 1775 organ of the Altenburg Abbey Church in [[Lower Austria]]]] Pianos are often used in services, especially in African-American churches, but it is above all the organ that has a long history of connection with the church and church music. The ancestor of the organ, the hydraulis, was used as a secular instrument in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times but died out in Western Europe, while continuing to exist and be developed in the Hellenistic "East". However, after a hiatus of a few hundred years, the hydraulis was reintroduced to Western Europe when Pepin (c. 714–768), King of the Franks and father of Charlemagne, was gifted one by Emperor Constantine V of Byzantium. The hydraulis and then organ have been used widely in churches ever since this period. It is even theorized that the word ''organum'', a genre that existed starting no later than the 9th century as a simple form of note-against note polyphony and then developed by the 12th century into one in which one voice holds out plain chant notes while one or more higher voices sing much faster counterpoints to that melody, may owe itself to the organ being used to hold the long notes, though this is uncertain. What is certain is that a very large number of churches have impressive, beautiful organs whose appearance and sound are major draws for visitors and congregants. Many churches also feature their regular organist and/or other organists performing recitals on their organ. ==Buy== [[File:Kevelaer, Kerzenkapelle -- 2014 -- 00721.jpg|thumb|If you feel so inclined, in many churches, you can leave a donation in exchange for a votive candle like one of these]] Some churches have a money box where visitors can pay for candles and booklets or give to the church or its various missions and charities. Others have cafes or gift shops. Some do not want you to give money unless you attend regularly, as their spiritual mission is to welcome all comers, but it is a rare church that wouldn't welcome a sincere donation. Many Protestant churches require their members to contribute 10% of their monthly income to the church. This is known as a '''tithe'''. In addition, churches also collect monetary donations from worshipers at services, which is optional and on top of the tithe. This is known as an '''offering'''. In some places (e.g. Germany or Austria) the tithe is collected by the state on behalf of the churches, meaning it is rather common (and perfectly legal) for an employer to ask for your religion. The aforementioned religious music is of course often available for purchase as are (replicas of) religious artworks. In the past there was also a vibrant trade in (real or fake) reliquiae and indulgences – so vibrant in fact that it kicked off the [[Protestant Reformation]] – but most major denominations have since left this market. The welcoming all comers may extend to concerts, so that they too are free. You can often show appreciation by buying a record or a program sheet, and may sometimes be expected to do the latter. ==Eat== While Roman Catholics, according to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, abstain from meat (other than "[[seafood|fish]]", which historically could include anything from beavers to turtles) on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities, there is not really an equivalent to Muslim ''halal'' or Jewish ''kashrut'' in mainstream Christianity. The Roman Catholic church has since 1983 practiced abstinence during Lent (40 days), which is a personal choice with few prescriptions. Fasting (dietary abstinence) is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means one meal a day (solid food, no restrictions on beverages), or two smaller meals which if added together would not exceed the main meal in quantity. The individual Catholic may choose a way of abstinence during the Lent period, which could very well include dietary abstinence. Children, the sick, retired people and pregnant women are not expected to observe Lent. Many of the newer American branches of Christianity, though, have some stricter dietary laws that are not followed by more traditional Christian denominations. For instance, some evangelical megachurches, as well as the Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons, prohibit consumption of alcohol. Seventh Day Adventists are also encouraged to be vegan and absolutely prohibited from eating pork. Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden from consuming blood and blood products (which includes receiving blood transfusions), so any meat they eat has to be properly drained of blood before consumption. Some denominations celebrate communion in a matter more akin to an actual meal than the mostly symbolic Host eaten in Catholic, Orthodox or Anglican mass. Christian charities and missionaries are also active (almost) worldwide in providing food for the needy. ==Drink== Some churches offer wine (with [[alcohol]]) as part of a communion service. Others will offer a non-alcoholic replacement such as grape juice. The distinction between grape juice and wine postdates Jesus by centuries as only modern pasteurization and refrigeration make it possible to ship or store grape juice without it fermenting. Some denominations of Christianity prohibit or restrict alcohol consumption, while others celebrate it. So whereas a social event organized by a Baptist church in the United States may be strictly alcohol-free (in other words, coffee, apple juice and soda), a Catholic church in Germany is likely to invite all members of the congregation to join the celebrants at a beer hall after a high mass. The beer hall may even be next to the church, and the beer they serve may be brewed by monks. The Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, as well as some Baptist churches prohibit the consumption of [[tea]] and [[coffee]]. ==Sleep== Some monasteries and convents offer accommodation to travellers. Churches and religious community centers are also often used as a place for youth groups of the same or a similar denomination to spend the night, such as Christian Scout groups during ''Hajk'', or anybody at the YMCA accommodations. ==Respect== When visiting a place of worship, the expectation of conservative dress and respectful behavior varies greatly between individual churches, although generally speaking churches will welcome all strangers from all faiths without pre-condition. The main exception is Mormon temples, which bar entry to all non-Mormons. Many architecturally interesting churches belong to styles of Christianity that expect people – especially women – to dress conservatively, and men to remove their hats. Often (especially in the heavily visited cases) this will be spelled out in so many words, but exceptions exist, where you might commit a social ''faux pas'' or even get thrown out of the church, without even knowing. When in doubt, ask a local before heading out. Russian churches in particular require women to cover their hair with a shawl before entering. According to the Bible, God created the world in six days, and then rested the seventh, which among most Christians is the Sunday (cf the [[Judaism#Holidays|Sabbath]]). Resting on that seventh day is one of the Ten Commandments, and churchgoing has been the main activity on that day, with churchgoers traditionally dressing in their best clothes for the occasion; in many traditionally Christian countries most venues have been closed on Sundays, although the interpretation of the commandment has got much more liberal in most Western countries. In some more conservative Christian areas, business may still be mandated by law to close on Sundays. Also where the law says nothing, customs may dictate that some activities are to be avoided on that day. In many branches of Christianity most or some religious holidays (such as Good Friday or All Saints' Day) are considered "silent" days: people are supposed to avoid noisy activities and venues, and shops may be closed also where they stay open on normal Sundays. In other places, all Christian holidays – even more somber ones like Good Friday – are celebrated with music, parades in the streets, drink, merriment and traditions that sometimes predate the local introduction of Christianity. Many churches are conservative on questions such as gender roles and sexuality. Women as priests, homosexuality, contraceptives and abortion are hot-button issues in many churches. Also the view of the Bible differs: dictated by God word by word or also a work written in a historic context? Some churches embrace all of these, while mentioning any of them could get you into trouble in some others. Old and important churches are often "national shrines" of sorts and important figures – both religious and secular – may be buried in or underneath the church. Keep in mind that even if you come to pay respects to Rubén Darío, his final resting place remains the most important Catholic church in [[Nicaragua]]. You should thus approach with respect both towards the people buried there and their literary or philosophical accomplishments, and the faith people express here. Maybe wait until you have left the church, before expressing your opinion on whether or not building this cathedral was a wise use of scarce funds by the Spanish colonial administration. ==See also== ===Christian themes=== * [[Christian sites in Japan]] * [[Christmas and New Year travel]] * [[Easter travel]] ===Religion=== * [[Religion and spirituality]] * [[Buddhism]] * [[Hinduism]] * [[Islam]] * [[Judaism]] * [[Sikhism]] * [[Zoroastrianism]] ===History and architecture=== * [[Archaeological sites]] * [[Architecture]] * [[Historical travel]] * [[Old towns]] {{guidetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Religion and spirituality}} kra7co80m86pkn8gueyqukl0wodgh8e 4506752 4506751 2022-08-23T10:19:42Z Pashley 1822 /* Festivals */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Christianity-banner1.jpg|caption=The Holy Trinity, by the 14th-century Russian master, Andrei Rublev}} {{featurenomination|ftt}} '''Christianity''' is the world's most prolific religion, with more than 2.38 billion followers, and churches, cathedrals and chapels on every continent including [[Antarctica]]. Many of those are on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. While the great majority of religious people in some countries &mdash; such as most of [[Europe]], the [[Americas]], [[Oceania]] and the [[Philippines]] &mdash; are at least nominally Christian, Christianity is a minority religion in most of [[East Asia]] and the [[Middle East]], while [[Africa]] is nearly evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. Christianity has influenced the culture of the countries it is or has been dominant in and has been influenced by preexisting local cultures, traditions and religions as well, and many important buildings bear witness to the Christian faith of today and bygone eras. ==Understand== {{quote|For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life|author=Gospel of John, 3:16}} Christianity is a '''monotheistic''' religion, believing in one god. It is an Abrahamic religion, descended from the religion of Abraham who (according to scripture) lived in the second millennium BCE and migrated with his family from [[Nasiriyah#See|Ur of the Chaldees]] in what is now Iraq to the "Promised Land" of Israel. The other Abrahamic religions are [[Judaism]], [[Islam]], the [[Baha'i Faith]] (whose Messiah came in the 19th century) and the now very small Mandaean sect (who believe John the Baptist, not Jesus, was the Messiah). [[File:Skogskyrkogarden HolyCross.jpg|thumb|Skogskyrkogården, [[Stockholm/Söderort|southern Stockholm]].]] Christians believe that '''Jesus of Nazareth''' was the Messiah (saviour, deliverer) promised to the Jewish people by various prophecies. He is often called '''Jesus Christ''', from the Greek word Χριστός (''Christós'') which literally means "anointed" but is used to indicate more, in particular to match prophecies that have the Messiah anointed with holy oils. Christians believe that Jesus was conceived by Mary who was a virgin at the time, that as the Son of God he is the only one who can be considered free from sin in his own right, and that his crucifixion was the sacrifice necessary to cleanse humanity of its sins. According to the Biblical account, Jesus was resurrected after his death on the cross and subsequent burial, and appeared before his disciples. Jesus was then raised to Heaven where he awaits the world's decline into sin and tribulation, after which he will return to Earth and pass the final judgment on humanity. The vast majority of Christians today also believe in some form of [[#The_Trinity|Trinity]], which is the belief that God (the Father), Jesus (the Son) and the Holy Spirit are one God in three Persons. See [[#Holy Land]] below for information on visiting the places where Jesus lived and taught. Disagreements about various points of doctrine, about church administration and power within it, and about the Church's political entanglements engendered a number of schisms, destructive wars, and the large number of Christian denominations in existence today. The most notable denominations are the '''Orthodox''' churches, the '''Roman Catholic''' church and various '''Protestant''' churches. Christianity's principal religious text, the '''Bible''', comes in many different editions. All versions of the Bible include an '''Old Testament''', which is basically Jewish scripture from before the time of Jesus, and a '''New Testament''' which recounts Jesus' life (in the '''Gospels''') and later events. The Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox bibles contain differing numbers of books, and the translations from ancient to modern languages often differ as well. As in other religions, interpretations of scripture can also differ significantly between different Christian denominations. Members of the clergy are known as '''priests''' in the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, and as '''ministers''' or '''pastors''' in Protestant churches. '''Friars''' and '''monks''' are not members of the clergy, but are simply men who devote their lives to serving the church, the main difference between the two being that friars work closely with the general community, while monks live secluded lives in cloistered communities and devote their lives to study and meditation. The female equivalent of monks are known as '''nuns'''. See [[#Catholic orders|Catholic orders]] below for more. ===Early history=== Christianity began as a Messianic sect of [[Judaism]], and the early Christians called their houses of prayer synagogues and continued to observe Jewish law, as Jesus had. Obstacles to non-Jews converting to Christianity included [[kosher|laws about kosher food]] and circumcision. After considerable debate, the Church adopted the policy that congregations that did not want to follow these Jewish laws did not have to, because the "New Covenant" of eternal life in Jesus Christ superseded the "Old Covenant" that God made with the Hebrews at [[Mount Sinai]] (as detailed in the Biblical book of ''Exodus''). [[File:Holy sepulchre exterior.jpg|thumb|Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem]] An important event was the conversion of Saul of [[Tarsus]]. This zealous anti-Christian Jew was on his way to [[Damascus]], where he planned to crush the local Christians and stamp out what he saw as a heresy, when he had a vision of Jesus. He then adopted the name Paul and devoted himself to the spread, rather than the annihilation, of Christianity. Paul became one of the leaders of the movement and devoted much time to writing letters (which can be found in ''Epistles'' in the New Testament) inspiring the disparate Christian synagogues and maintaining unity. Communities that he sent epistles to included [[Rome]], [[Corinth]], [[Central Anatolia|Galatia]], [[Ephesus]], [[Philippi]], [[Pamukkale#Other sights|Colossae]] and [[Thessaloniki]]. The Apostles evangelized aggressively and travelled widely. Some have tombs a long way from home; these have churches built over them and have become pilgrimage destinations. *{{listing | name=[[Rome/Vatican#St._Peter's_Basilica|Saint Peter]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Rome | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=St. Peter's Basilica | content=This church is within the [[Vatican City]] and the Pope often presides over ceremonies there or in the adjacent St. Peter's Square. }} *{{listing | name=[[Rome/South#St_Paul's_area|Saint Paul]] | alt=Saint Paul's Outside the Walls | url=https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/index_en.html | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Rome | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls | content=This church is just outside the Vatican. }} *{{listing | name=Saint James | alt=San Diego in Spanish | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Spain | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Santiago de Compostela Cathedral | content=See the article on the pilgrimage, the [[Way of St. James]]. }} *{{listing | name=[[Chennai#Churches|Saint Thomas]] | directions=India | alt=San Tome Church | wikipedia=St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai | content=This tomb and church are in Chennai, formerly known as Madras. It has a museum. Thomas was martyred on nearby Saint Thomas Mount.<br/>There are still groups in India, mainly [[Kerala]], who call themselves Saint Thomas Christians and claim their roots go back to Thomas. They have interesting churches, some very old. According to their legends, Thomas also sailed on [[Maritime Silk Road]] routes to Indonesia and China. }} The [[Roman Empire]] initially considered Christianity just another of numerous Jewish sects, and [[Judaism]] (as the ''religio licita'' or allowed religion) was exempt from the requirement to worship the emperor. Once the Romans realized the new religion was more than that (partly because they were preaching to non-Jews) they tried hard, and often brutally, to suppress it; many of the early Christian missionaries including St. Peter were martyred in horrific ways that are often depicted in Christian paintings and other artwork. The most famous site associated with this persecution is the [[Rome/Colosseo#Colosseum,_Roman_Forum_and_Palatine_Hill|Colosseum]] where, according to legend, many Christians were thrown to the lions or killed in other crowd-pleasing ways. Finally, in 313 AD, Emperor Constantine I announced that Christianity would be tolerated, and himself converted to Christianity. According to the traditional narrative, Constantine had a dream in which he saw a cross of light in the sky, and heard a voice telling him to conquer in its name. Following the dream, Constantine marked his soldiers' shields and weapons with crucifixes and won the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, this convincing him that the Christian God was the one true god. He also called together the [[#The_Trinity|Council of Nicea]] for the Bishops to sort out a consistent doctrine for the whole Church. Under Constantine's successor, Emperor Theodosius I, Christianity was made the official state religion of Rome, and became mandatory for all Roman subjects. Pagans were oppressed as brutally as the Christians had previously been oppressed. Many pagan temples, including some the finest buildings of the time, were destroyed. Once Rome was officially Christian, a great temporal power was behind the religion, and this was probably the most important single event in the post-Peter-and-Paul history of the religion. See [[#Denominations]] below for some of the later history, in particular for the schisms that led from the single church of Roman times to the many that exist today. ===Festivals=== There are many festivals celebrated by Christians, with some even specific to particular sects. However, the two festivals listed below are the most important and celebrated by all Christians, with many otherwise unobservant Christians showing up at church only on these two occasions. *'''[[Easter]]''' – Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross, on a Sunday in March or April. The Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday is known as '''Good Friday''', and is traditionally said to be the day that Jesus was crucified and died. People celebrate with Easter eggs. *'''[[Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas]]''' – Traditionally said to have been the birthday of Jesus, celebrated on 25th December in the Western Christian tradition. People celebrate by giving each other presents. : The unrelated festival of Saint Stephen (the first Christian martyr) on December 26th is often included in Christmas festivities by local tradition. : In many places December 26th is Boxing Day, named for a tradition of preparing boxes for the poor. Stores often have Boxing Day (or even Boxing Week) sales, reducing prices once Christmas is past. Western churches and the Greek Orthodox Church use the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Most Eastern churches use the Julian calendar (introduced by Julius Caesar) and celebrate on Julian December 25, which is January 7th Gregorian. The Armenian church is in between, using the Gregorian calendar but celebrating Christmas on January 6th. Some traditions celebrate '''Advent''', several weeks leading up to Christmas, the '''Twelve Days of Christmas''' and/or '''Lent''', 40 days leading up to Easter. Especially in Catholic countries, '''Carnivale''' is celebrated as a feast just before the austerity of Lent begins. Wikivoyage has a general article on [[Carnivale]] and one on [[Mardi Gras]] (French for Fat Tuesday), Carnivale as celebrated in [[New Orleans]]. That and the huge Carnivale celebration in [[Rio de Janeiro]] are major tourist draws. The feast of ''Santo Niño'', the Holy Child, is held annually on the third Sunday of January. In parts of the Philippines it is one of the year's most important festivals. In [[Cebu Province]] and nearby areas it is known as [[Sinulog]], on [[Panay]] Island as Ati-atihan. There are also many other festivals. In Catholic countries nearly every town and village will have a fiesta on the day of its patron saint. One large one is the feast of John the Baptist, on June 24. [[Quebec]] considers ''Saint-Jean Baptiste'' their National Day, and for many Quebecois it is a more important holiday than Canada Day on July 1. St. Patrick's Day, on March 17, is widely celebrated in [[Ireland]] and by the Irish diaspora. In the US, Canada and Australia, even people with no Irish ancestry often wear green for the occasion and many pubs serve green beer. Many Christian festivals are at least partly adaptations of older pagan festivals. Winter solstice celebrations in Germanic Europe had yule logs, evergreen trees, mistletoe and holly long before Christian missionaries arrived. Eggs and bunnies were fertility symbols at pagan spring festivities, but now are seen at Easter. Quebec's St. Jean Baptiste has bonfires, as druidic solstice celebrations did in pre-Roman Gaul. ===Missionaries=== Christians have always included many proselytizers, with some of them dedicating their lives to spreading the Gospel, from the Apostles to the present day. Starting in the Roman era they strove to Christianize all of Europe, and by medieval times they had mostly succeeded; the last major holdouts were the Norse people of [[Nordic countries|Scandinavia]], who were not fully Christianized until the 12th century. Meanwhile Nestorian Christians were evangelizing much of Asia, reaching Korea by the 7th century. During the [[Age of Discovery]], the European explorers and colonisers sent missionaries far and wide in order to convert the native peoples, and in many areas were very successful in gaining converts. Along with the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, the Age of Discovery was one of the most important periods that led to the explosive growth of Christianity, eventually resulting in it becoming the world's most prolific religion, a position it maintains today. In the course of proselytizing, the Catholic church in particular used combinations of carrots and sticks that might seem surprising to modern observers. While the Spanish Empire gave the needed incentive through military force for Natives of the Americas to convert, missionaries often learned local languages, spreading Nahuatl and Guaraní in particular and adapted some customs and celebrations to local mores. Looking at some festivals purporting to honor some saint or other, it takes little imagination that they might just be a "converted" festival of some pre-Christian deity. Missionaries also had and continue to have widely varying approaches to the non-religious aspects of native cultures, from appreciating them to a degree that they were rebuked by the church in Rome, as happened to some Jesuits in China, to stamping them out and burning even their non-religious texts, as sadly befell the Maya culture which lost all but three codices to religious zealotry. To this day missionaries are also often engaged in social works and help the most underserved communities in part in order to convert them but in part also to do good works for good works' sake. That said, less tactful missionaries continue to do harm in otherwise intact communities and are thus often viewed with great skepticism by host governments or even barred from entry. The 19th century with rapidly expanding capitalism in Europe and North America and the widespread pauperism caused by it gave rise to "inner mission" and Catholic social teaching, which were attempts to lure proletarians away from "godless" communism as well as earnest efforts to follow Jesus' teaching that "what you did to the lowest of my brothers you did to me". To this day, various Christian organizations continue to be active in poor communities in the first world providing aid and social work without any overt proselytizing. However, in modern times, the missionary work of American Evangelical pastors in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean has also led to a massive surge of extreme homophobia. ===Buildings=== {{seealso|Architecture#Religious_buildings}} Some main types of Christian buildings and sites are: [[File:Church of Nativity.JPG|thumb|Church of the Nativity, [[Bethlehem]]]] * {{listing | name=Abbey | wikipedia=Abbey | content=A church headed by an abbot/abbess, who is the leader of a community of monks and/or nuns }} * {{listing | name=Basilica | wikipedia=Basilica | content=Either a church built on the rectangular floor plan used in Roman public buildings named basilicas (starting several centuries before Christ), or a church designated as a basilica by the Pope.}} * {{listing | name=Cathedral | wikipedia=Cathedral | content=A prominent church, the seat (''cathedra'') of a bishop }} * {{listing | name=Church | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Church | content=A building dedicated to religious services, prayer and ceremony. }} * {{listing | name=Chapel | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Chapel | content=A small building, or part of a building, set aside for worship. Many chapels are part of a church, set aside either for private worship or as a home for some sacred relic. Many [[castles]] include a chapel. }} * {{listing | name=Monastery | wikipedia=Monastery | content=A place where monks live and worship communally }} * {{listing | name=Convent | wikipedia=Convent | content=A place where nuns live and worship communally }} * '''[[Cemeteries|Cemetery]]''': Can be tied to a Christian congregation or be multi-religious Many of these are major tourist attractions. Some monasteries and convents offer retreats for interested lay people, some with a strong emphasis on their particular religion but others emphasizing non-denominational quiet and contemplation. See various destination articles and the [[#Destinations]] section below for details. A few Christian denominations use other names for their places of worship; Jehovah's Witnesses have a Kingdom Hall, Quakers or Unitarians a Meeting House, Mormons a temple, and so on. ==Denominations== In the first few centuries of Christianity, there were passionate arguments about some key aspects of the faith: * What is the nature of Jesus? Is he divine, human, some combination of those, or something that transcends both?<br/>If he is both divine and human, how are his two natures related? * How are Father and Son related? Is the Son a created being or eternal like the Father?<br/ >If created, is He then somehow subordinate to the Father? * Which texts should be considered sacred? In particular, which of the many Gospels then available should be accepted? Eventually, the church of the Roman Empire mostly settled the question of texts by compiling the New Testament, with only four gospels &mdash; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John &mdash; becoming part of the canon, while all the other gospels were declared heretical, with the death penalty for possessing them. There was controversy over whether to include the Book of Revelation &mdash; the ravings of a madman, divinely inspired, or perhaps both? &mdash; but eventually it was accepted as part of the Roman canon. The other questions were mostly settled at the [[#Nicene Creed|Council of Nicaea]] in 325. Several schisms were to split the church in the years to come, the effects of which can still be felt today in the form of the different denominations of Christianity. ===Gnostics=== [[File:Aveiro March 2012-23.jpg|thumb|Mary Magdalene as portrayed by an 18th-century Portuguese artist]] The Gnostics (from Greek γνωστικός, having knowledge) were an influential tendency among both Jews and Christians starting around 100 CE; they emphasized personal knowledge, obtained via meditation and prayer, over scripture and church teachings. They were heavily persecuted by the Church of the Roman Empire and the movement mostly died out within a few centuries. However, they did have a considerable influence on the Oriental Orthodox churches, especially the Coptic Church. The Gnostics had many documents, including several Gospels, which they considered sacred but which the Church refused to include in the Bible and declared heretical. Some of their stories, while not included in the Biblical canon, are in the Qur'an, the holy book for [[Islam|Muslims]]. *{{listing | name=Coptic Museum | alt= | url=http://www.coptic-cairo.com/museum/museum.html | email= | address=[[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Coptic Museum | content=Houses the ''Nag Hammadi Library'', the largest collection of re-discovered Gnostic Gospels. They were found in the town of Nag Hammadi (near [[Luxor]]) in 1945. }} To the Gnostics, '''Mary Magdalene''' was quite important, and there is a ''Gospel of Mary'' among the Gnostic documents. She is sometimes depicted as a repentant prostitute, but that is nonsense; the notion can be traced back to a 6th-century Pope getting her mixed up with another Mary mentioned in the Bible. Modern scholars believe she was a rich widow from Magdala (a port on the Sea of Galilee near [[Tiberias]]) who financed much of Jesus' ministry. To the Gnostics, though, she was much more than that, one of Jesus' most important disciples. Some of the Gnostic documents portray her as Jesus' wife and/or as the only disciple who fully understood his teachings. ===The Trinity=== The doctrine of the '''Trinity''' &mdash; the belief that Jesus (the Son), God (the Father) and the Holy Spirit are one God in three Persons &mdash; is not stated explicitly anywhere in the Bible, though some theologians have trinitarian interpretations of various passages in both Testaments. The doctrine was not stated in fully-developed form until the 3rd century CE, and not definitively labelled as orthodox teaching until early in the 4th. The First Council of [[Nicaea]] in 325 CE excommunicated the prominent non-trinitarian Arius, declaring his teachings (the Son is a created being, not eternal, and subordinate to the Father) heretical, and agreed on an important document. *{{listing | name=Nicene Creed | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nicene Creed | content=A statement of common beliefs which anyone must accept to be considered a Christian, including the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, the virgin birth, the resurrection and His eventual return to judge humanity. This creed declared an orthodoxy that nearly all bishops could accept, resolving the thorny problems mentioned above. }} All the major Christian denominations today &mdash; Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant &mdash; accept the Nicene Creed as a fundamental part of their doctrine, and many recite or sing it as part of their liturgy. [[Islam]] honours Jesus as a prophet and the Messiah, and reveres many Old Testament prophets as well. However, they do not consider Jesus divine. To them, there is one God, indivisible, and the ideas of worshipping Jesus or of the Trinity are completely unacceptable. [[File:1st-Unitarian.jpg|thumb|Unitarian Meeting House in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], designed by Unitarian [[Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright|Frank Lloyd Wright]]]] ====Non-trinitarians==== Today there are few non-trinitarian Christians, mainly the [[#Mormons|Mormons]], [[#Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses]], the Unitarians, and Iglesia ni Christo. *{{listing | name=Unitarians | alt= | url=https://www.uua.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Unitarianism | Wikipedia=Unitarianism | content=This group began in Europe in the 16th century and today is moderately widespread in North America and parts of Europe, with a few congregations elsewhere. There are no great Unitarian cathedrals to visit, but many of their meeting houses are lovely and several are fine examples of modern architecture. }} *{{listing | name=Iglesia ni Cristo | alt=Church of Christ | url=https://iglesianicristo.net/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Iglesia ni Cristo | content=This church was founded in the [[Philippines]] in 1914 and today has several thousand congregations and a few million members, nearly all in that country. They claim to be restoring the original church, as Christ taught, and are non-trinitarian. Except for a few larger ones, their churches all look exactly identical. }} ===Nestorians=== Nestorius was Archbishop of [[Constantinople]] until the other bishops condemned some of his teachings as heretical at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and removed him from his post. He taught that the human and divine aspects of Christ were two distinct natures, not unified. Today [[Ephesus]] is a major archaeological site and one of Turkey's major tourist attractions. He retired to his home monastery near Antioch, and was later exiled to Egypt. At the time, Antioch was one of the main cities of Syria and a major center of Christianity; today it is [[Antakya]] in Turkey. His interpretation of Christianity lived on in the '''Church of the East''' which never accepted his condemnation by the western bishops. That church was based in Persia and had the support of the [[Persian Empire]], likely mainly for political reasons; the Persians did not want a church with strong ties to either Byzantium or Rome becoming too influential in their territory. The Church of the East sent missionaries east along the [[Silk Road]], reaching China and Korea hundreds of years ahead of other Christians. [[Xi'an]], China has a Nestorian [[Xi'an#Beilin (or Stele) Museum|stele]] (stone monument) from the 7th century, and outside town the [[Daqin pagoda]], a Nestorian church that was built in 635 and was converted to a Buddhist monastery and shrine after the Nestorians died out locally. [[Marco Polo]] mentions a community of Nestorian Christians in [[Kashgar]] in the 13th century. Today, the church, now known as the [http://nestorian.org/ Assyrian Church of the East], still exists but it has not had government support in centuries and is now much smaller than in its heyday. What was once known as Persia is now called [[Iran]] and is almost entirely Muslim, through the Assyrian Church of the East has been officially recognised as a minority religion and is guaranteed representation in the country's legislature. ===Oriental Orthodox Churches=== [[File:2014 Prowincja Kotajk, Klasztor Geghard (02).jpg|thumb|200px|Portal to the cave church of Astvatsatsin, part of a [[Central Armenia#Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery|monastery]] in Armenia which was founded in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 13th]] {{seealso|Churches in Ethiopia}} Some of the earliest Christian churches included the [[Syria|Syriac]] church, centered in [[Antakya|Antioch]], which is now in Turkey; the Coptic church of [[Egypt]] and [[Ethiopia]], and the [[Armenian]] Apostolic church. After the Council of [[Chalcedon]] in 451, these churches disagreed with the council and broke off. The church in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] joined them briefly, but later returned to the main Orthodox fold. There are splendid ancient churches and monasteries, some of them still active, in Ethiopia, Armenia and Georgia. ===The Great Schism=== The '''Great Schism''' separated the '''Roman Catholic Church''' from the '''Eastern Orthodox Churches''', which originally included the Russian, Greek, Georgian, Serbian, Bulgarian and Romanian churches. In 2018, the Ukrainian Church was recognized as a member in its own right, rather than part of the Russian Church, and the Russian Church left in protest. The split was partly a result of the Roman Empire being divided into the Western Roman Empire with its capital in Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) with its capital in Constantinople; each empire supported a different Church (and the Persians supported the Nestorians). An important doctrinal dispute was over the role of the Pope. To Roman Catholics he is ''pontifex maximus'' (the greatest priest) and the undisputed head of the Church. To Orthodox Christians he is just the Bishop of Rome and has no authority outside his See; in particular he does not rule over other bishops, and ''at most'' could be considered ''primus inter pares'' (first among equals). Today the Archbishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, remains the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, while the Archbishop of Constantinople (today's Istanbul), also known as the Ecumenical Patriarch, remains the symbolic leader of the Eastern Orthodox churches. [[File:Moscou.- La Cathédrale Basile-le-Bienheureux.jpg|thumb|St Basil's Cathedral, [[Moscow]]]] The split was a rather gradual affair with controversy from the 4th century on; it became final in 1050 when each side excommunicated many of the other side's bishops. It became rather messy during the [[Crusades]] when large numbers of heavily armed Roman Catholics entered Orthodox territory. At times the two groups co-operated to attack the Muslims, but they also fought each other. Some historians contend that the Crusaders killed more Orthodox and Coptic Christians than they did Muslims. The geographic division remains roughly the same as it's been for centuries, though it is not quite a neat one, as there are also some very longstanding Eastern Rite communities, most notably in [[Western Ukraine]] and [[Lebanon]], which are nevertheless Catholic because they recognize the Pope as their leader, and more recently but in some cases dating back a few hundred years, there have been localized Eastern Orthodox congregations in some mainly Roman Catholic areas of Europe as well. There is for example quite a nice Russian Orthodox church in [[Dresden]] complete with icons and Moscow-style church spires; while it was built in the 19th century, it must have made some Soviet soldiers very homesick during the [[Cold War]]. ===Cathars=== Starting in the 11th century, the Cathars, also known as the "Albigensian Heresy", gained many adherents, especially in [[Occitanie|Languedoc]] which is now in the South of France; the department of [[Aude]] calls itself "Cathar Country" today. There were also Cathars in Northern Italy. The movement was heavily influenced by the Gnostics. [[File:cathars expelled.JPG|thumb|right|Cathars being expelled from [[Carcassonne]] in 1209]] *{{listing | name=Albigensian Crusade | wikipedia=Albigensian Crusade | content=The Catholic Church considered the Cathars a threat and the King of France backed the Church, apparently mainly as an excuse to add Languedoc to his realm. They ordered a crusade against the Cathars and slaughtered tens of thousands of them. }} *{{listing | name=[[Toulouse]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Toulouse | content=This city was the capital of the region and a center of Catharisim. A Papal Legate was assassinated in 1208 while returning to Rome after excommunicating the Count of Toulouse for being too gentle with the Cathars, and the Crusade was the Church's response to the assassination. The city changed hands several times during the Crusade, and various Counts of Toulouse were Cathar leaders.<br />Today Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France and a major tourist destination. }} *{{listing | name=[[Albi]] | wikipedia=Albi | content=This small town is the capital of the department of [[Tarn]]. The crusade was named after it, possibly because it was the seat of a Cathar Bishop. }} *{{listing | name=[[Béziers]] | wikipedia=Massacre at Béziers | content=This town was taken in 1209, early in the Crusade, and much of the population massacred. By some accounts, when the Papal Legate in charge was asked how to distinguish Cathars (who should be killed) from Catholics (who should not) he replied "Kill them all; God will know His own." }} *{{listing | name=[[Carcassonne]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Carcassonne | content=This city surrendered shortly after Béziers; many Cathars were driven from the town, naked by some accounts but "in their shifts and breeches" by others. Later the Cathars took the city back and the crusaders re-took it.</br>Most of the medieval city, including the city wall, still stands and today it is a popular tourist destination. }} *{{listing | name=[[Montségur]] | wikipedia=Siege of Montségur | content=This castle in the mountains of [[Ariège]] near the Spanish border was the last Cathar stronghold to fall, in 1243. Afterward over 200 Cathars who refused to recant their faith were burned alive. }} *{{listing | name=Museum of Catharism | alt= | url=https://www.museeducatharisme.fr/gb/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This museum is in Mazamet where some Cathars took refuge, up in the mountains of Tarn. }} The fighting lasted over 30 years; but by 1245 France and the Church had achieved a complete victory in the field. However, it was not until about 1350 that Catharism was entirely wiped out. The Church created two other institutions, both initially in Toulouse, to help put down the Cathars. [[File:Monastere de Prouille061115.jpg|thumb|Monastery of Prouille]] The '''Dominican Order''' of friars were preachers sent out to spread the Gospel and to counter heresy. Like the Cathars &mdash; and unlike the corrupt churchmen that the Cathars had heaped scorn on &mdash; they lived simply and often preached to the poor. * {{see | name=Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.1878 | long=2.0344 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery | content=Saint Dominic was given land in the village of Prouille, just outside Toulouse. The first building was a residence for Cathar women who had recanted; it soon became a convent for Dominican nuns. Later there was also a monastery for the monks. Both were destroyed during the French Revolution, but they were rebuilt and both are still in use today. }} The '''Inquisition''' was created to root out heresy, in particular the remaining Cathars. It took about 100 years for the remaining Cathars to be annihilated. Inquisitions — against Jews and Muslims after the 1492 Reconquista of Spain from the Moors, against witches, and later against Protestants — continued until some ways into the 19th century. In the early days of the Inquisition most of its judges were Dominican friars. ===Protestants=== Western Christianity was much disrupted during the '''[[Protestant Reformation]]''' when several groups split off from the Roman Catholic Church. As with the Cathars, a major issue was corruption in the Catholic Church. Today there are dozens of Protestant denominations, most of which can trace their doctrines back to one or both of the great 16th century reformers, the German Martin Luther and the French John Calvin. One important difference between Catholic or Orthodox churches and many Protestant churches is that while Orthodox Christians and Catholics venerate icons of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and saints, many Protestant churches are iconoclastic (rejecting the use of icons and in some cases in the past, outright destroying them), with simple churches that are not ornate and feature just a symbolic cross, rather than a crucifix showing the Body of Christ. Protestant churches that do use icons to some degree and sometimes have elaborate architectural decorations include Anglican and Lutheran churches, though the Anglican church also went through an iconoclastic period, during which they destroyed most English Catholic sculptures and paintings. ====Hussites==== The first successful schism in Roman Catholic Europe was the one led by the theologian '''Jan Hus''' (1369–1415), rector of University of [[Prague]]. The reasons for the split were complicated but Hus is generally described as motivated by a desire to reform and renew the Catholic Church. He was burnt at the stake in [[Konstanz]] for alleged heresy. The location of the burning is now marked with a monument, and there is a museum called [[Konstanz#Landmarks|Hus Haus]] in the city's old town. [[File:Prague Castle defenestration site.jpg|thumb|Defenestration monument on right<br/>The tower's top window was used]] From Hus' death on, there were a series of Hussite rebellions against the Catholic Habsburg rulers of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]], and five Roman Catholic [[Crusades]] which the Hussites resisted successfully. *{{see | name=Defenestration of 1618 | wikipedia=Defenestrations of Prague | content=A group of officials delivered a stern message from the Catholic King to the mainly Hussite Estates (parliament). Two were told to leave and the other three, all Catholic hard-liners, were hurled from a window of [[Prague/Castle_and_Lesser_Town#Prague_Castle|Prague Castle]], 21 meters (70 feet) up. They all survived, some writers claiming by miraculous intervention and others saying because they landed in a dung heap. }} This defenestration was one of the main incidents precipitating the [[Thirty Years' War]], a very destructive conflict that lasted until 1648 and eventually involved most of Europe. During the time period of that war, the main Hussite church was the Moravian Brethren; it was heavily persecuted and largely driven underground in its native [[Bohemia]], but spread some in other Protestant regions. * {{listing | name=Comenius | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=John Amos Comenius | content=This Moravian Bishop is considered the main inventor of modern education methods. He advocated such then-radical things as universal education &mdash; educating the lower classes and even girls, not just the sons of the nobility and novice monks &mdash; and using the local language, not just Latin. On a practical level, he helped both Sweden and Britain re-organize their school systems. There is a university named after him in [[Prague]]. }} The Hussite Church still exists, although the present-day population of the Czech Republic is majority Roman Catholic (though largely secular). Today the [https://www.moravian.org/ Moravian Church] is the main religious movement claiming Hussite ancestry; it has over a thousand congregations in many countries, and about 1.1 million members. Moravian churches can be found throughout the Caribbean with their lamb imagery and the words "our lamb has conquered; let us follow him" (Latin: ''Vicit agnus noster, eum sequamur'') very recognizable in places like [[Bluefields]], [[Nicaragua]]. The German name of the Moravian church is Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine (sic!) after their center in the Saxon town of [[Herrnhut]]. There is a [https://www.moravian.edu/ Moravian University] in Pennsylvania. ====Lutherans==== {{seealso|Protestant_Reformation#Martin_Luther}} '''Martin Luther''' (1483–1546) was the first of the great leaders of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. As with the Cathars and Hussites, a major issue was corruption in the Catholic Church; in particular Luther objected to the sale of indulgences, putting a price on forgiveness of sin. [[File:MarienkircheHalle Innenraum 2.jpg|thumb|Interior of the Marktkirche Unser Lieben Frauen (also called the Marienkirche) in [[Halle]], begun as a late [[Gothic]] Catholic cathedral but converted into a Lutheran cathedral even before construction was completed in 1554]] There were also disagreements regarding the interpretation of scripture, such as whether only faith in Jesus Christ is needed for a place in Heaven after death (Luther) or good works are also required (Catholicism) and whether it is necessary to obey the Pope and Catholic Church hierarchy or more important for each Christian to read and understand the Bible individually. Luther translated the Bible into German to let more people read it, in defiance of Church rules that allowed only Greek or Latin editions. His translation was widely distributed due to the recent invention of the printing press, and is still used. *{{see | name=Ninety-five Theses | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ninety-five Theses | content=Luther's declaration of rebellion was mailing this document to the local Archbishop. Some accounts have him also nailing it to a church door in [[Wittenberg]] where he was a professor of theology; certainly it was reprinted and widely circulated. It dealt mainly with forgiveness of sin, with Luther holding that only sincere repentance was required, the Church's tradition of confession was not essential, and sale of indulgences was nonsense. The town has Luther memorials which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. }} *{{see | name=Diet of Worms | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Diet of Worms | content=This was a conference called by the Holy Roman Emperor (see [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]) in 1521 in the city of [[Worms]] (pronounced approximately ''verms'') at which Luther gave a famous speech refusing to recant. After it, the Emperor promulgated the Edict of Worms declaring him a heretic. The town has a [[Worms#Martin Luther monument|monument]] to Luther. }} Luther's followers were known as the Lutherans, and many modern Protestant denominations can trace their roots to this movement. Luther was a well-known and beloved lutenist and composer who appreciated artistic beauty and decoration, and Lutheranism is not an iconoclastic sect, so while Lutheran churches may not be as ornately adorned as Catholic and Orthodox ones, there are often decorations on and in the buildings. ====Calvinists==== {{seealso|Protestant_Reformation#Switzerland}} Subsequently, '''Huldrych Zwingli''' (1484-1531) and '''John Calvin''' (1509–1564) led a truly iconoclastic and severe branch of the Reformation that inspired the Dutch Reformed Church, the French Protestants (Huguenots), English Puritans, the Congregationalists, and the Presbyterians. [[File:Dutch Reformed Church Winburg-001.jpg|thumb|Dutch Reformed Church in Winburg, [[Free State|Free State Province]], [[South Africa]]]] Calvinist churches are generally quite plain, emphasizing symmetry and clarity of form and eschewing all but the simplest ornaments. Many of the early colonies in what is now the United States, especially in [[New England]], were founded by Puritans (English Calvinists) fleeing persecution in Britain. See [[Early_United_States_history#Timeline]] for some of the details. Other Calvinist groups also spread to the colonies; the Congregationalists began in England and the Presbyterians in Scotland, but both exist today in all the countries where British colonists settled. The Dutch Reformed Church is strong in [[South Africa]]. While the French Huguenots began as a powerful group, they were defeated after decades of on-and-off wars, and many of them were faced with an ultimatum: Convert, die or emigrate. Many chose the latter and many German princes, especially the House of Hohenzollern that ruled [[Brandenburg]] and parts of [[Franconia]] accepted the refugees and even built entire neighborhoods for them, which is still very evident in cities like [[Erlangen]]. Others found refuge in other parts of Europe and some went outside Europe; for example, a neighborhood of [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]] is named Huguenot, there is a [[Franschhoek]] ("French Corner") in South Africa and a "France Antarctique" colony in [[Rio de Janeiro]]. Some were able to stay in France; their descendents are a significant minority in parts of [[Provence]] today. The French state has since apologized and officially extended an invitation towards all descendants of Huguenot refugees to return to France, similar to what Spain and Portugal did for the descendants of expelled Sephardic Jews. ====Anabaptists==== This was an evangelical movement that originated in German-speaking parts of Europe. The part of their doctrine that gives them their name is insistence that baptism should be reserved for adults who have professed belief in Christ. Modern denominations with Anabaptist roots are the [[Amish and Mennonites]], the Quakers, and the Hutterites. They were among the most radical Protestants; both Luther and Calvin rejected their teachings. Both Catholic and Protestant churches persecuted them. * {{listing | name=Jakob Hutter | alt= | url= | email= | address=c.1500-1536 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jakob Hutter | content=The founder of the Hutterites was burned at the stake in Innsbruck, in front of the [[Innsbruck#Golden Roof|Golden Roof]]. }} Today they are found mainly in the U.S. and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere where many fled to avoid the persecutions. In particular, there are many in [[Pennsylvania]]. King Charles II had a huge debt to the Penn family and, to avoid having to find the cash, gave William Penn an enormous estate in the New World. Later that estate became the US state of Pennsylvania. Since Penn was a Quaker himself, and a vociferous advocate of religious freedom, he welcomed anabaptist immigrants. Some things common among Anabaptists &mdash; such as faith healing, speaking in tongues, and the emphasis on the importance of the experience of being saved &mdash; are also found among later evangelical movements. ====Evangelical Christianity==== Evangelical Christianity is a fundamentalist Protestant movement, most prominent in the United States, that emphasizes strict Biblical literalism, aggressive proselytizing and the centrality of the "born-again" religious conversion experience. *{{listing | name=Baptists | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Baptists | content=The Baptist church arose in Holland and England in the 17th century. They were influenced by the Anabaptists who had peaked in the 16th century, but are a distinct movement. Today they are a major denomination, especially in the [[South (United States of America)|American South]]. Baptists perform their baptism by full immersion in water, and like the Anabaptists believe that baptism should only be performed on professing adults. }} *{{listing | name=Pentecostals | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Baptists | content=This movement traces its origin to radical Evangelical revival movements in the United Kingdom and the United States in the late 19th century, becoming most established in the latter, where it would play an important role in the charismatic movement. Their doctrine emphasizes having a personal relationship with God through baptism in the Holy Sprit. }} In addition to the aforementioned branches, many Evangelical churches claim to be '''non-denominational'''. Evangelicals are hugely influential in American politics, with right-wing politicians often citing the Bible in order to justify their policy positions. Since the advent of television in the mid 20th century, '''televangelism''' has become a big money industry in the United States with numerous celebrity pastors, and a large number of Evangelical television channels and radio stations to serve its large Christian population. Depending on which church you go to, some theological concepts you may encounter in an Evangelical church include the '''prosperity gospel''', which teaches that financial wealth is God's reward for one's devotion and financial contributions to the church, and '''faith healing''', in which medical interventions are eschewed in favor of prayer. Many Evangelical churches also practice '''speaking in tongues''' during their services, which often sounds like gibberish to outside observers, but is said by believers to be a secret language that only God can understand. Many Evangelical churches also belong to the '''charismatic movement''', with congregation sizes numbering in the thousands, and services that resemble rock and pop concerts, thus leading a popular resurgence of Christianity among many youths. Evangelical Christians also believe that it is their sacred duty to bring about the apocalypse by fulfilling the prophecies in the book of Revelation, and since an ingathering of Jewish exiles into the Land of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem are among the central prophecies, many Evangelicals are among the world's staunchest Zionists. This form of Christianity has been very successfully exported to much of [[Latin America]], the [[Caribbean]] and sub-Saharan [[Africa]], as well as numerous parts of Asia such as [[South Korea]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Singapore]], and is also quite influential in other English-speaking countries like the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]] and [[Australia]], particularly among immigrant communities. The influence of American-inspired Evangelical megachurches is particularly evident in historically [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] South Korea, which boasts 11 of the world's 12 largest Christian congregations, and sends more Evangelical Christian missionaries abroad than any other country except the United States. The main non-Anglophone European Evangelical Lutheran churches are very different from these movements. ===Church of England=== The '''Anglican Church''' (known in the U.S. as the '''Episcopal Church''' to avoid references to the British monarchy) was formed when the Church of England split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534, due to King Henry VIII wanting to get a divorce, which is not allowed under Roman Catholic doctrine. [[File:Westminster Abbey 2015.jpg|thumbnail|Westminster Abbey, [[England]]]] Although considered by many to be a Protestant denomination, it does not share the same Lutheran or Calvinist origins as other Protestant churches, and is in many ways closer to the Catholic and Orthodox churches in doctrine and structure. It is therefore considered by some people to be a completely separate branch from Protestantism. The Anglican Church, like the Catholic, Orthodox and to some extent Lutheran churches, uses icons, and many of its rites continue to be similar to Catholic and Orthodox rites. There is a large range of variation between Anglican congregations; some are "high church", quite close to Catholic in style, while others are "low church", almost Calvinist. This variation is tolerated, sometimes even encouraged, by the church hierarchy. The head of this Church is nominally the British monarch, but the Archbishop of [[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]] is the leading churchman. In the 18th century, John Wesley led a reform movement within the Church of England, influenced by Moravian (Hussite) doctrines. After his death, this evolved into a separate '''Methodist''' church. ===New American churches=== The United States is mostly Protestant, including many Evangelicals, with substantial contingents of Roman Catholics and Episcopalians (known as Anglicans elsewhere), and some Orthodox Christians. It has also been a breeding ground for new Christian movements whose teachings deviate significantly from mainstream Christianity. Those listed below remain popular to this day. Others, such as the Shakers, have virtually died out (but see [[Touring Shaker country]]) and some, such as the Christian Scientists, have been greatly reduced in size. * {{listing | name=Mormons | alt=LDS Church | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | content=The Mormons or '''Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''' are a non-trinitarian sect who believe that Jesus incarnated in North America and preached to the Indians after he was done in Palestine. They have a third testament, the ''Book of Mormon'', describing that ministry. They are forbidden from consuming alcohol, coffee or tea.<br/>The movement began in the Eastern US, but the early Mormons were persecuted there; many Christians considered them heretics or thought some of their customs, such as polygamy, were sinful. Starting in 1846, many Mormons went west along the [[Oregon Trail]]; most settled in [[Utah]], especially around [[Salt Lake City]], and the state continues to have a Mormon majority to this day. Many of the early settlers in what is now [[Grand Teton National Park]] were Mormons and today's tourist sights include some historic Mormon ranches.<br/>You can often see a statue of a person blowing a trumpet on top of the highest spire of Mormon temples; this represents the angel Moroni, who is said to have guarded the golden plates that were the source material for the Book of Mormon before presenting them to the church founder, Joseph Smith. }} * {{listing | name=Seventh-day Adventists | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Seventh-day Adventist Church | content=This group believe the Apocalypse, and the Advent or Second Coming of Jesus, will come soon. Much of their doctrine is similar to that of the Evangelicals or other Protestants. However, unlike most Christians, their sabbath is Saturday (the 7th day, the same day as the Jewish Sabbath) and they follow a version of the Jewish [[kashrut]] dietary laws. They are also strongly pacifist, and forbidden from carrying weapons. }} * {{listing | name=Jehovah's Witnesses | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Jehovah's Witnesses | content=This is a non-trinitarian sect who believe the apocalypse is coming soon. They evangelize a lot, often handing out literature on the street or going door-to-door. They do not accept blood transfusions, as they consider this to be in violation of the Biblical prohibition against drinking blood. They also do not vote, work for the government, sing national anthems or salute national flags, as they believe that their allegiance should lie with God and God alone. The name Jehovah is a corruption of YHWH, the name of God as revealed to Moses in the Book of Exodus, and Jehovah's Witnesses invariably refer to God using this name. }} These churches have been heavily involved in missionary activity. For example, all three mentioned above now have many congregations in the Philippines. ===Taiping Heavenly Kingdom=== Possibly the strangest offshoot of Christianity was the Taiping movement in 19th-century China. Their founder Hong Xiuquan claimed to be '''Jesus' younger brother''' and to regularly visit Heaven for chats with the family. Their rebellion against the [[Qing Dynasty]] was the '''bloodiest civil war in history''', killing far more than the American Civil War which was fought at about the same time with better weapons. They controlled about a third of China for over a decade. There is a [[Nanjing#Taiping Kingdom History Museum|museum]] in Nanjing, which was their capital. The rebellion was eventually crushed by the Qing Dynasty, with some help from Western powers and a lot from foreign mercenaries. A historical novel with an account of some of this is [[The_Flashman_Papers#Flashman and the Dragon|Flashman and the Dragon]]. ==Destinations== {{seealso|Christmas and New Year travel|Easter travel}} {{Mapframe|30|-10|zoom=1|height=340|width=520}} ===Holy Land=== The [[Holy Land]] today is divided between [[Israel]], [[Jordan]] and the [[Palestinian territories]]. * {{marker | name=[[Jerusalem]], Israel | lat=31.7833 | long=35.2167 }}. The '''holiest city''' in the religion, site of Jesus' crucifixion and also a holy city for [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]]. The '''Church of the Holy Sepulchre''' stands on the site where Jesus was said to have been buried and resurrected. * {{marker | name=[[Bethlehem]], West Bank | lat=31.703056 | long=35.195556 }}. The birthplace of Jesus according to the New Testament. The '''Church of the Nativity''' stands on the site where Jesus was said to have been born. * {{marker | name=[[Nazareth]], Israel | lat=32.701944 | long=35.303333}}. The hometown of Jesus' family, and believed by many historians to be his actual historical birthplace; he was sometimes called "Jesus of Nazareth". Today one of the centers of the Arab Christian minority in Israel, that - unlike many other Christian minorities in the Middle East - continues to grow and thrive. : According to the Bible, it was here that the archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear the Son of God, an event known as the '''Annunciation'''. The precise location of the Annunciation is a subject of dispute between different Christian denominations; the '''Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation''' sits on top of a spring where Mary was said to have been drawing water when the Annunciation happened in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, and the '''Basilica of the Annunciation''' sits on top of a cave said to be Mary's home and the site of the Annunciation in the Roman Catholic tradition. * {{marker | name=Tel Megiddo, Israel | wikidata=Q208379}}. An archeological site that was once an important Canaanite city-state, and later part of the Kingdom of Israel. According to the Book of Revelation, there will be a great battle between several armies at the site that will herald the beginning of the apocalypse. Today, it is a popular pilgrimage site for Evangelical Christians. The English word "Armageddon" was derived from the name of this site. * {{marker | name=Al-Maghtas, [[Jordan]] | lat=31.837109 | long=35.550301 | url=http://www.baptismsite.com/}}. The site where Jesus was said to have been baptised by John the Baptist. Wikivoyage has links to some of the most important places of Jesus' life at [[Holy_Land#Christian_Holy_Land|Christian Holy Land]] and an itinerary for visiting many of them at [[The Jesus Trail]]. ===Headquarters=== Some places are of interest because they are the main centers of various Christian groups: [[File:Sãopedro1.jpg|thumbnail|St. Peter's Basilica in the [[Vatican]]]] * {{marker | name=[[Vatican City]] | lat=41.904 | long=12.453 }}. An independent state within Rome, center of the Catholic Church and home to '''St Peter's Basilica''' and the '''Sistine Chapel'''; [[Rome]] outside the Vatican is also full of churches, including '''San Giovanni in Laterano''', the Pope's cathedral in his role as Bishop of Rome. * {{marker | name=[[Istanbul]], Turkey | lat=41.013611 | long=28.955000 }}. Formerly Constantinople and is the home of the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, with his cathedral being the '''Church of St George''' in the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City#Q211004|Fener]] district. Scattered over a wider area in the [[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city]], the former cathedral churches include '''Hagia Irene''', '''Hagia Sophia''', the '''Church of Holy Apostles''', and '''Pammakaristos Church''', all of which serve as mosques or museums today (except the Holy Apostles, which was replaced by the Fatih Mosque on the same site), and contain a variety of Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine) art. [[File:Avignon, Palais des Papes depuis la place devant le petit Palais by JM Rosier.jpg|thumb|Palais des Papes]] * {{marker | name=[[Avignon]] | lat=43.94933 | long=4.80587 | wikipedia=Avignon Papacy }} A series of Popes ruled here 1309–1376, and from 1378 to 1417 there were two men claiming to be Pope, one in Rome and another in Avignon. All of the Avignon Popes were Frenchmen and under the influence of the French kings. : Today Avignon is a popular tourist destination and the medieval town center is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. The imposing [[Avignon#Papal Palace|''Palais des Papes'']] and the nearby cathedral are among the main sights. : One of the [[wine]]s of the Rhone Valley (the region around Avignon) is ''Chateau Neuf du Pape'', which translates to "the Pope's new house". This is one of the great wines of France, definitely worth trying if you like wine and are in the area. The red Chateau Neuf is better known, but there are also some lovely whites. * {{marker | name=[[Moscow]], Russia |lat=55.711111|long= 37.629167}}. The Danilov Monastery, on the right bank of the Moskva River, is the spiritual and administrative center of the Russian Orthodox church. * {{marker | name=[[Cairo]], Egypt | lat=30.033333 | long=31.233333}}. '''Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral''' in Abbassia is the current seat of the Coptic Pope, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the symbolic spiritual leader of the Oriental Orthodox communion. The '''Church and Monastery of St. George''' in the [[Cairo/Old Cairo|Coptic Cairo]] neighbourhood is the current seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. * {{marker | name=[[Alexandria]], Egypt | lat=31.19929 | long=29.90925 }}. Home to '''Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral''', the historical seat of the Coptic Pope. * {{marker | name=[[Echmiadzin]], Armenia | lat=40.16 | long=44.3 }}. The seat of the Armenian Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. * {{marker | name=[[Mtskheta]], Georgia | lat=41.8421889841258 | long=44.72073548432982 }}. The seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church. * {{marker | name=[[Damascus]], Syria | lat=33.5167 | long=36.3000 }}. The '''Cathedral of Saint George''' in Bab Tuma (the old city) is the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Church, an Oriental Orthodox church which started in 512, although it claims succession from St Peter of Antioch, and therefore is ceremonially known as the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. Former seats of the church include the '''Monastery of Saint Ananias''' (Deyrulzafaran) near [[Mardin]], and '''Saint Mary Church''' in [[Homs]]. Damascus is also the seat of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, an autocephalus Greek Orthodox church within the communion of Eastern Orthodoxy; its cathedral is the '''Maryamiyya Church''' on Straight Street (of the New Testament significance). * {{marker | name=[[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia | lat=9.03 | long=38.74 }}. The seat of the Abuna, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. * {{marker | name=[[Erbil]], Iraq | lat=36.191111 | long=44.009167 }}. Home to the '''Cathedral of St. John the Baptist''', the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch, the leader of the Assyrian Church of the East, which reverted to Eastern Christianity (see [[#Nestorians|above]]) after splitting off from the (Eastern-rite) Chaldean Catholic Church. * {{marker | name=[[Canterbury (England)|Canterbury]], United Kingdom| lat=51.2783333 | long=1.0775 }}. Home to the '''Canterbury Cathedral''', the church of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church. * {{marker | name=[[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], United States | lat=40.762 | long=-111.954}}. Center of the Latter Day Saints ([[#Mormons|Mormon]]) movement. Notable Mormon sites include the Salt Lake City temple at Temple Square, as well as the Salt Lake City Tabernacle, the home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Non-Mormons are not permitted to enter the temples, and even Mormons may have to prove that they are members in good standing before entering. However, travellers are welcome to look around the outside. * {{marker | name=[[Silver Spring]], [[Maryland]], United States | lat=39.002441 | long=-77.020791}}. Home to the General Conference of [[#Seventh-day Adventists|Seventh-day Adventists]], the headquarters of that church. ===Pilgrimages=== There are various places of pilgrimage around the world that Christians traditionally visit. The age-old way to perform a pilgrimage was on foot or on the back of a horse or donkey. Among the traditional pilgrimages, the following are probably the most famous to do in the traditional way: [[File:Fatima.jpg|thumbnail|The Sanctuary of [[Fátima]] in [[Portugal]]]] * The pilgrimage on foot to {{marker | name=[[Fátima]], Portugal | lat=39.6255524 | long=-8.66592014 }}, in [[Portugal]], ending at the '''Chapel of the Apparitions'''. This commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary reported by three little shepherds – Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta – in 1917. * The '''[[Way of St. James|Way of Saint James]]''', ending at the splendid '''Cathedral of [[Santiago de Compostela]]''', has been an important Catholic pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. * {{marker | name=[[Lourdes]], France|lat=43.1|long=-0.05| }}. The world's best-known center of Marian pilgrimage. Its springs are thought to have healing powers. * {{marker | name=[[Međugorje]], Bosnia and Herzegovina|wikidata=Q94950| }} has been a major site of pilgrimage following claims of visions of the Virgin Mary. * The walk along the '''Via Dolorosa''', the street in [[Jerusalem/Old City#Do|Jerusalem]] on which Jesus is said to have carried his cross, ending at the '''Church of the Holy Sepulchre'''. * '''[[Saint Olaf's Way]]''' to Nidaros Cathedral in [[Trondheim]], Norway, where St. Olaf is buried. * The '''[[Via Maria]]''' is a series of hiking and pilgrimage routes marking a large cross over the map of the formerly [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian lands]], connecting the Marian shrines scattered across the area. * [[The Jesus Trail]] is a 65-km (40 mile) walk through [[Galilee]] that visits many places where Jesus also walked. However, there are many other places of pilgrimage, and most of them are usually no longer approached by taking a long trek. For example, most long-distance travellers to [[Vatican City|The Vatican]] arrive by plane to Rome's [[Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport]]. Several lesser known places also venerate the apparition of Mary or the supposed remains of some saint, especially in Orthodox and Catholic countries. As Melanchton, a 16th century ally of Martin Luther, famously quipped "Fourteen of our twelve apostles are buried in Germany". Oftentimes those religious sites and objects have been a major draw for travellers for centuries and thus (former) "tourism infrastructure" may be an attraction all by itself. ===Catholic orders=== The Roman Catholic church has a number of religious orders, groups of people who are part of a community of consecrated life, and are often heavily involved in missionary work and charitable causes. Orthodox and Anglican churches have similar orders and some Protestant denominations have missionary societies where people dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel and other good works. Many of these orders have impressive churches, monasteries and convents that tourists might want to visit. Some of these groups have also founded various schools and universities around the world, some of which are still very prestigious and known for providing high-quality education. These schools and universities often have impressive historical buildings on their campuses, which can sometimes be visited by tourists, though you may be required to join a guided tour to do so. *{{listing | name=Augustinians | alt=Order of Saint Augustine |wikipedia=Order of Saint Augustine | content=Founded in 1244 by bringing together several groups of hermits following the Rule of Saint Augustine in the [[Tuscany]] region of [[Italy]]. This set of rules was written by St. Augustine of Hippo in 5th century, and emphasised chastity, poverty, obedience, charity and detachment from the world, among others. The Augustinians have been very active in promoting education over the years, having founded numerous schools worldwide. They are perhaps most famous for the monk Gregor Mendel, who was the abbot of the '''St Thomas's Abbey''' in [[Brno]], [[Czech Republic]], and whose experiments on peas formed the basis of modern genetics. Their mother church is the '''Basilica of St. Augustine''' in [[Rome]], Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Benedictines | alt=Order of Saint Benedict |wikipedia=Benedictines | content=A monastic order founded by St. Benedict of Nursia at the '''Abbey of Saint Scholastica''' in [[Subiaco]], Italy in A.D. 529. The are often called the "black monks" because of their practice of dressing in black, and are expected to adhere to a strict communal timetable. They are also known for having played a key role in the development and promotions of [[spas]]. Their mother church is the '''Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino''' in [[Rome]], Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Dominicans | alt=Order of Preachers |wikipedia=Dominican Order | content=Founded in 1216, originally as an order of nuns, by St. Dominic of Caleruega in the '''Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery''' in Prouille (just outside [[Toulouse]]), [[France]] as a counter-movement to the [[#Cathars|Cathars]]. The Dominicans live a frugal lifestyle and place a strong emphasis on education and charity. Their mother church is the '''Basilica of Saint Sabina''' in Rome, Italy. }} *{{listing | name=Franciscans | alt=Order of Friars Minor |wikipedia=Order of Friars Minor | content=Founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, with an emphasis of living a life of austerity. Its mother church is the '''Porziuncola''' in [[Assisi]], Italy, while its founder is entombed in the impressive '''Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi''' in the same city. A related order is the Order of St. Clare, also known as the Poor Clares, an order of nuns founded by St. Clare of Assisi, one of St. Francis' followers. St. Clare is entombed in the '''Basilica di Santa Chiara''' in Assisi. }} *{{listing | name=Hieronymites | alt=Order of Saint Jerome | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hieronymites | content=A cloistered order founded in [[Toledo (Spain)|Toledo]], [[Spain]] in the late 14th century with the aim of emulating the life of the 5th-century Biblical scholar, St. Jerome. Its headquarters today are in the '''Monastery of Santa María del Parral''' in [[Segovia]], Spain. Another famous Hieronymite monastery is the '''Jerónimos Monastery''' in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]], in which the ''pastel de nata'' (Portuguese custard tart) was invented by its monks, and the most famous bakery selling this pastry is the nearby Pastéis de Belém. }} *{{listing | name=Jesuits | alt=Society of Jesus |wikipedia=Society of Jesus | content=An order famous for its charitable work, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola and six other companions, including the famed [[Age of Discovery#St. Francis Xavier|St. Francis Xavier]], in the crypt of the '''Saint-Pierre de Montmartre''' in [[Paris]], [[France]] in 1540. As part of their charitable ventures, the Jesuits founded numerous schools around the world, and for much of their history have played a major role in providing education to the poor. Their mother church today is the '''Church of the Gesù''' in [[Rome]], Italy, in which St. Ignatius is entombed. Another important church is the '''Basilica of Bom Jesus''' in [[Goa]], [[India]], in which St. Francis Xavier is entombed. }} ===Other sites=== {{seealso|Churches in Ethiopia|Churches in South Australia|Churches in Antarctica}} [[File:PARSONS(1808)_p085_Antiochia.jpg|thumb|Antioch in 1808]] * {{marker|lat=36.2000|long=36.1500|type=listing|name=Antioch}}, today [[Antakya]] in Turkey, was a major center of early Christianity, and as of about 400 AD the third largest city in the Roman Empire. * Antioch plus {{marker|lat=36.916666666667|long=34.9|type=listing|name=[[Tarsus]]}}, {{marker|lat=37.941111|long=27.341944|type=listing|name=[[Ephesus]]}} and {{marker|lat=39.7521|long=26.1584|type=listing|name=Alexandria Troas}} (close to [[Geyikli|Geyikli-Dalyan]]) in Turkey, {{marker|lat=37.9667|long=23.7167|type=listing|name=[[Athens]]}}, {{marker|lat=37.9333|long=22.9333|type=listing|name=[[Corinth]]}}, {{marker|lat=40.625|long=22.9725|type=listing|name=[[Thessaloniki]]}} and {{marker|lat=40.4833|long=25.5167|type=listing|name=[[Samothrace]]}} in [[Greece]], {{marker|lat=32.5|long=34.9|type=listing|name=[[Caesarea]]}} in Israel, were cities where St. Paul is supposed to have preached * '''[[Aegean Turkey#Seven Churches of Asia|Seven Churches of Asia]]''', Turkey, are seven major early Christian communities mentioned in the New Testament. * {{marker | name=[[İznik]], Turkey | lat=40.428888888889 | long=29.719444444444 }}. As ancient '''Nicaea''', the town was the site of the First and the Second Councils of Nicaea (or the First and the Seventh Ecumenical Councils), convened in 325 and 787 respectively, inside the former basilica of Hagia Sophia that still stands at the town square, converted into a mosque. The town is connected by the [https://www.toleranceway.com/ Tolerance Way], a hiking trail which commemorates the Roman emperor Galerius's (r. 305–311) Edict of Toleration ending the persecution of Christians, to [[İzmit]] (ancient Nicomedia), where the edict was published. [[File:Castle Uçhisar in Cappadocia.jpg|thumb|Cappadocia]] * {{marker | name=[[Cappadocia]], Turkey | lat=38.6583 | long=34.8536 }}. A refuge for the early Christians where they escaped persecution in numerous underground cities and colorful churches dug into the volcanic rocks of the area. * {{marker | name=[[Selçuk]], Turkey | lat= | long= | wikidata=Q876176 }}. The '''House of the Virgin Mary''' over the hills outside the town is believed to be where Mary spent her last years. The stone building had long been venerated by the local Greek Orthodox, who visited the site annually on the Assumption (Aug 15). It is now a chapel that has been receiving a steady flow of Catholic pilgrims, including several popes, since it was reported in a series of visions of a bedridden Catholic nun from Germany in the 19th century. * {{marker | name=[[Mount Athos]], Greece| lat=40.22 | long=24.26}}. A peninsula with many Orthodox monasteries, where women are not allowed at all * {{marker | name=[[Patmos]], Greece| lat=37.316667 | long=26.5}}. A small Greek island which the Roman Empire used as a place of exile for inconvenient people. An exile named John wrote the Book of Revelation while living there, around 90&nbsp;CE. Today it gets many pilgrims and parts of it are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Most of the pilgrims, and the Monastery of Saint John, are Greek Orthodox. * {{marker | name=[[Taizé Community|Taizé]], France |wikidata=Q111054|lat=46.5136|long=4.6769}}. An ecumenical monastic order in [[Mâcon#Taizé|Taizé near Mâcon]], welcoming people seeking a retreat. A large community of visiting youth, families and people of all ages, in addition to the brothers and sisters. * {{marker | name=[[Aparecida]], Brazil|lat=-22.850583|long=-45.233836| }}. Home to the sanctuary of [[Brazil]]'s patroness, the Holy Virgin Mary of Aparecida * Several places in Germany are important in the history of Lutheranism: The [http://www.wartburg-eisenach.de/ Wartburg], near [[Eisenach]], where Luther translated the bible into German (one of the first and most notable modern vernacular versions of the bible), [[Lutherstadt Wittenberg]] where the 95 Theses were written and where Luther began to preach against the Pope and other, smaller places, mostly in [[Thuringia]]. * '''[[Longobards in Italy, Places of Power (568–774 A.D.)]]''', 7 religious buildings in Italy built during the Early Middle Ages and listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]]. * '''[[Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region]]''' — 16 log churches in Poland and Ukraine, listed by UNESCO as a [[world heritage site]]. * {{listing | name=[[Walls of Jerusalem National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Tasmania, Australia | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q385655 | lastedit=2021-12-04 | content=Has few historical aspects, but everything in the park is named after Bible references as the geological features of the park which resemble the walls of the city of Jerusalem very closely. Listed as a World Heritage Site for its natural beauty. }} ==Talk== Churches tend to use the language of the country they are located in, though this is by no means true in all cases. There are many expatriate churches in many places using the language of a community's homeland, and in some churches another language is used for other reasons. The Roman Catholic church used to employ the '''Latin''' language widely, although this has changed since the 1960s so that services are typically given in the language of the community. The [[Vatican]] is a place where Latin may still be observed in active use. Latin Masses are still offered in many other places around the world as well, and some people find the experience to be superior to a mass in the vernacular. The Roman Catholic church in the diaspora (in places outside the historical Catholic sphere) may also offer masses in the languages of Catholic migrants. There is no unifying language among the Eastern Orthodox churches, though the Greek Orthodox Church, the head church of the Eastern Orthodox churches, uses '''Koine Greek''' as its main liturgical language. The Slavic-speaking Eastern Orthodox churches, such as the Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian Orthodox churches use '''Church Slavonic''' as their liturgical language. In Egypt, '''Coptic''', a language descended from the ancient Egyptian language, is commonly used in the Coptic Orthodox Church within the Oriental Orthodox communion. Egyptian Christians have also attempted to revive the Coptic language as a spoken language outside religious uses with varying degrees of success. The original languages of the Old Testament are the Jewish holy languages of '''Biblical Hebrew''' and '''Aramaic''', while the original language of the New Testament was '''Koine Greek'''. Jesus is widely believed by historians to have been a native speaker of Aramaic. The earliest Christians, especially the educated among them, were usually fluent in Greek and the Septuagint, a Greek version of the Old Testament, was more commonly known among early Christians than the Hebrew Torah, which explains some readings of prophecies that make little sense with the Hebrew text in mind, like making a word that in Hebrew means "young woman" into the Greek word for "virgin" in a prophecy interpreted by most Christians to refer to the birth of the messiah. Some theological disputes are better understood with the intricacies of languages like Ancient Greek or Latin in mind. For example, the phrase "not one iota less" is in part based on a debate whether God-father and Jesus were "homoousios" (of one nature) or "homoiousios" (of a similar nature). As can be seen by this when Greek proficiency in the West and Latin proficiency in the East declined, the churches naturally started drifting apart and ultimately split over disagreements that they may have been able to resolve had the language barrier not stood between them. The most common English-language Bible is the King James Version that was translated from the original Greek and Hebrew by contemporaries of Shakespeare. However, many Evangelical megachurches use newer translations of the Bible that are written in modern vernacular to make their Bibles more accessible to youths, and many Lutheran churches in addition base the translation on the latest research. === Differences === Different Christian groups use different names for activities and events. For example, the word ''mass'' is commonly used in Catholicism, Anglicanism and some Protestant churches but practically never used in Evangelical or Orthodox churches, which use the term ''service'' and ''divine liturgy'' respectively instead. Also, while the term ''saint'' in Catholicism, Anglicanism and Orthodoxy refers to only a select group of individuals, in most Protestant churches the term ''saint'' refers to any born-again Christian. Also, Evangelical churches do not use the term ''saint'' in front of names, so when the Catholic church would say "Saint John" for the apostle, Evangelicals would just say "John". ==See== [[File:Evangeliarium - évangéliaire dit de Charlemagne ou de Godescalc - Jésus-Christ - BNF Gallica.jpg|thumb|An illumination of Christ in Majesty from the Godescalc Evangelistary, written for Charlemagne, King of the [[Franks]] and later the first Holy Roman Emperor, from 781 to 783. This manuscript is in the Bibliothèque Nationale in [[Paris]].]] ===Churches=== Many Christian houses of worship, particularly many Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican ones, are spectacular buildings. On their exteriors, many churches have stone carving, for example in their tympana and niches. In their interiors, many have priceless works of art, in the form of frescoes, framed paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows, mosaics, and woodworking. They may also have relics (the remains of body parts or objects associated with saints or other figures holy to Christians) that inspired the original construction of a cathedral, or famous icons of the Virgin Mary, which are primarily responsible for making the building a place of pilgrimage. In addition, cathedrals and other large churches may have lovely bell towers or baptisteries with separate entrances that are well worth visiting, and particularly old churches may have a crypt that includes artifacts from previous houses of worship the current building was built on top of, and associated museums that house works of art formerly displayed in the church. Protestant churches that are largely unadorned for doctrinal reasons can have a kind of serene, simple beauty all their own. In some old churches, what little was left from the Medieval – Roman Catholic – period has been restored. In some places former mosques have been turned into churches (or vice versa) and more than one church has changed denomination due to the once common principle ''cuius regio eius religio'' (Latin that roughly translates as: Who owns the land decides the faith). This sometimes shows in architecture as well as adornments or the lack thereof. ===Christian art=== [[File:'David' by Michelangelo Fir JBU002.jpg|thumb|Michelangelo's ''David'' is one of countless Biblical works of art.]] Aside from the art you can see in churches, there is much sacred Christian [[visual arts|art]], especially framed paintings and sculptures, in art museums around the world, and there are also many beautifully decorated books of sacred Christian writing, including complete Bibles, separate Old and New Testaments, sets of Gospel readings for a year of masses, books of prayers with music notation for chanting or polyphonic singing (in which several different vocal lines intertwine in different ways) and books of devotional poetry. Through the Middle Ages and up to the Renaissance, Christian art (including post-Biblical stories of saint and martyrs) was the highest genre in [[European art]]. At least up to the [[Thirty Years War]], the Catholic Church was by far the most generous sponsor of artists. One particularly notable style is that of the '''illuminated manuscript''', in which a book is handwritten in calligraphy along with decorative and informative illustrations. Illuminated manuscripts are generally found in libraries — either public libraries, university libraries or indeed church libraries. ==Do== ===Visiting a church=== In many Christian churches, a man should remove his hat, and in some, a woman is expected to cover her head. Depending on the church and what is going on at the time, voices should be kept down, and mobile phones and similar devices should be set to silent. In addition to their architectural, historic and cultural values, churches are places for: * Personal meditation, contemplation and prayer between masses/services * Worship services, which vary widely in style between different churches * Confession of sins or/and counseling * Religious education and spiritual direction * Various sacraments, such as baptism, confirmation, weddings, and funerals * Communal activities, such as shared meals or snacks * Charitable giving and receiving Many churches run '''concert series''' or other performances, some of which are world-famous. Some churches are known for having a great organist, chorus, or solo singers and instrumentalists. See [[#Christian music|Christian music]] below Churches generally have '''pamphlets''' in plain sight of visitors, describing their spiritual mission, schedule of services, communal and charitable activities, what charitable and maintenance/restoration work needs contributions, who to contact to find out more information about all of the above, and often the history of the building and its artworks. While most churches belong to a single congregation, which is responsible for all activities, some are shared, perhaps also with worldly authorities involved. In these cases information in one schedule or at one website may not be complete, but activities may be more varied. The main services are usually held '''Sunday morning''' and on special occasions, but there may be morning or evening prayers and services of other kinds. If the church has services in more than one language, perhaps because of immigrant communities, some of these may be later in the day or at other times. There may also be Bible study, communal activities, concerts etc. Some of these activities may be in a community center instead of in the church. If you are visiting the church to look at the '''architecture and art''', it is better to choose a time when there is no service or other special activity. People may still sit meditating or praying, lighting a candle or otherwise use the church as church. Avoid disturbing them. '''Some events''' may be more or less private even if doors are unlocked. If you want to attend a service – to worship or out of curiosity – going to one that is announced to the public should generally be safe. In touristic places there is sometimes an information desk where you could ask, otherwise you might find a church official with some spare time. Most churches welcome non-Christians to join their '''services and ceremonies'''. When attending, it is appropriate to dress conservatively and show respect; details vary by place. It is a very good idea to learn a bit about the local rules before visiting a place of worship. There is a vast difference between any expected behavior during a service; in some there is a serene atmosphere, where even off-topic whispers are avoided, not to mention taking photographs, eating or checking a mobile phone. The Roman Catholics have an eucharistic fast, not eating for an hour before the communion. On the other hand many churches are more like a modern concert in style, where eating, chatting etc. are welcome. Some even have the eating and drinking as the basis of the service sitting around in a 'Café Style'. Similarly, while some styles of worship involve the congregation quietly listening to a professional choir sing hymns, in others most pieces are sung by all the congregation, and at many churches of people of African heritage in the Americas, the congregation is expected not only to join the choir in singing, but also to clap, even dance. You should avoid leaving the church while the service is in progress, again depending on the type and style of service. After some services, most or all of the participants may stay (or walk somewhere) for a cup of coffee or other refreshments, to socialize with the rest of the congregation, and at small churches you may well be personally welcomed and asked about what brought you here. Services often include '''communion''' (Eucharist): to commemorate Jesus saying to his disciples before the matzoh and wine of the Last Supper "This is my body, this is my blood," Christians may drink some wine or grape juice and eat a sanctified wafer. Depending on their denomination, they may consider that these items mysteriously actually become Christ's body and blood or that they symbolize his body and blood. Non-Christians should abstain, although in some churches you can ask to be blessed instead (often by crossing your arms over your chest or by some similar gesture). Whether Christians of other denominations are allowed to take communion differs. Roman Catholic churches only allow Roman Catholics to take communion, while conversely, many Evangelical churches forbid Roman Catholics from taking communion. On the other hand, Anglican churches usually welcome all Christians to take communion regardless of denomination. If you are Christian and planning to attend services abroad, you might check with your priest with what churches at the destination yours "shares communion". Depending on your faith, this, not whether you are allowed by the church in question, may be important. Big groups that share communion among member churches include the Roman Catholic church, most Eastern Orthodox churches, the Oriental Orthodox churches, and most of the Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopalian churches of Europe. While the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches have a wealth of classical music heritage, actual '''orchestral church services''' in these denominations are rare in modern times, and much of this music is more commonly performed in a symphonic concert setting rather than the liturgical context they were originally intended for. Should you be lucky enough to attend a liturgical orchestral performance of such music, be aware that unlike at a concert, you should ''not'' applaud the performance unless the priest asks the congregation to give the musicians a round of applause, as applause is otherwise considered to be inappropriate in the context of the solemnity of a church service. Sometimes this practice is at least partly extended to any concerts in the church. If you are attending because of a '''ceremony for a friend''', such as a wedding, and aren't sure what to expect, ask your host about suitable dress, what the ceremony will be like and whether you will be expected to do anything other than sit quietly. ===Christian music=== [[Music]] has always been a key part of Christian worship, and composers throughout the ages have set many hymns and prayers to music. The earliest surviving form of notated Christian music is the '''Gregorian chant''', actually a set of Frankish chants recorded by scribes at the command of the Frankish King and first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, around the turn of the 9th century, and then blessed by the Pope. There were originally several styles of church chant, all of which are collectively known as ''plain chant'', meaning that only the melody was chanted, without any countermelodies or harmony, but because of the Pope's imprimatur, Gregorian chant gradually supplanted the other styles to become the single official Roman Catholic chant style. Gregorian chant continues to be regularly performed at Masses in the Vatican City and in various monasteries and convents throughout the world. Gregorian chant later developed into polyphonic chanting during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, though the monophonic chant tradition continued alongside the new styles. Polyphonic treatments of plain chant differ from monophonic Gregorian chants in that different segments of the choir often sing different melodies which are supposed to blend together in harmony (as in the organum of the 12th/13th-century French composer, Perotinus, probably the first man to compose music for performance in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] church of Notre Dame in [[Paris/4th arrondissement|Paris]]) or the same or a similar melody, sung in overlapping imitation (typical of Renaissance practice starting no later than the time of the Guillaume Dufay [c. 1397–1474], from a town near [[Brussels]]). Perhaps the most famous Renaissance-era composers of polyphonic chants and other polyphonic church music are Josquin des Prez (c. 1440–1521), a very highly celebrated [[Burgundy|Burgundian]] composer who worked for the courts of [[Milan]], [[Rome]] (in the Papal Choir) and [[Ferrara]] and as Provost of the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame in [[Condé-sur-l'Escaut]], 50 km from [[Lille]], which was then part of Burgundy; and the Italian, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594), who worked for the Pope in various capacities, including as ''maestro di capella'' (Music Director) of San Giovanni in Laterano in [[Rome/Esquilino-San Giovanni|Rome]]. A special effect was attained by Andrea Gabrieli (1532 or 1533 to 1585) and his nephew, Giovanni (mid 1550s–1612): They placed different choirs in separate choir lofts on either side of the second level of the cathedral of San Marco in [[Venice]], in order to produce an impressive stereophonic effect, also called antiphonal. Both Gabrielis also mixed instruments into the choirs; Giovanni composed some purely instrumental antiphonal music as well, including the ''Sonata Pian'e Forte'', the first piece of European music to explicitly call for soft (''piano'') and loud (''forte'') playing. The instrumental music was also at least as religious as it was secular, as all of the Gabrielis' antiphonal music for San Marco represented a unity between one chorus that represented the Doge (the temporal ruler) and the other, which represented the Archbishop. Music with instrumental accompaniment has been a key part of Western Christian traditions since at least the Baroque period. Many famous composers including those of the First [[Vienna]] school — Joseph Haydn (1732–1809, from the village of Rohrau, [[Lower Austria]]), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791, from [[Salzburg]]), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827, from [[Bonn]]) and Franz Schubert (1797–1828, a native of the Vienna area) — and the aforementioned Dufay, Josquin and Palestrina were Roman Catholic, and set the '''Ordinary of the Mass''' to music — the "Ordinary" consisting of a series of prayers typically chanted by a choir (that is, not just by the priest) during Mass. These days, their settings of the Mass are more frequently performed as concert pieces than as part of the liturgy, but there are exceptions among both Roman Catholic and what are called "High Church Anglican" churches. A special type of Mass that is typically performed at funerals and memorial services is the '''Requiem Mass''', the most famous settings of which were composed by Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901, a famous opera composer who was born in Le Roncole, [[Parma (province)|Province of Parma]] and wrote mostly for La Fenice in [[Venice]]) and Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924, from Pamiers, a small town in [[Ariège]] Department, who had a long career in Paris). In addition to the Mass, other Christian religious genres of work include the Vespers, Psalms, motets, sacred cantatas, oratorios and passions. The best known setting of the '''Vespers''' is probably that by the Mannerist (late Renaissance/early Baroque) composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643, from [[Cremona]], who worked at the Gonzaga court in [[Mantua]] and then as Music Director of San Marco in [[Venice]]). Perhaps the most famous composer of the '''sacred cantata''' is Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750, from [[Eisenach]], who worked for the Ducal court of [[Weimar]], then for the Prince of Anhalt-[[Cöthen]], and then as Music Director of the Thomasschule in [[Leipzig]]), a Lutheran whose sacred cantatas include '''Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben''' (featuring a famous movement known as "Jesus bleibet meine Freude"), and is also well known for his huge repertoire of liturgical works including '''Passions''' that retell the last days of Christ according to the Gospel accounts of St. Matthew and St. John. An example of a well-known motet is Mozart's '''Exsultate, jubilate''', though these days it is very rarely performed in liturgy, but instead often serves as a concert showpiece for the world's leading operatic sopranos. Another important form of Christian music is the oratorio. '''Oratorios''' are in essence similar to operas in structure, the main differences being that oratorios are usually on a sacred subject in contrast to the usually secular subject of operas, and that oratorios are rarely staged, whereas operas usually are. Many musicologists believe the word ''oratorio'' dates back to the time when Giacomo Carissimi (1605–1674) composed sacred music in a style very similar to the then new operatic style of Monteverdi, et al., for sacred concerts he directed at the ''Oratorio del Santissimo Crocifisso'' in [[Rome/Modern Center|Rome]]. Oratorios are typically composed to educate the public about stories in the Bible. The most famous oratorios include '''Messiah''' (which features the famed "Hallelujah Chorus") and '''Solomon''' (which features a famous instrumental passage known as "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba") by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759, who was born in [[Halle]] and attained great fame as Court Composer in [[London]]); Haydn's '''Die Schöpfung''' ("The Creation"); '''Juditha Triumphans''' by the [[Venice|Venetian]], Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741); '''Elijah''' by Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847, from [[Hamburg]]); '''L'enfance du Christ''' by Hector Berlioz (1803–1869, from La Côte-Saint-André, [[Isère]]) and Bach's '''Christmas Oratorio''' and '''Easter Oratorio'''. A form of music unique to the Anglican tradition is the '''anthem''', the most famous composers of which are Henry Purcell (1659–1695, from London) and Handel. A famous example of an Anglican anthem is Handel's '''Zadok the Priest''', which was originally composed for the coronation service of King George II in Westminster Abbey, and continues to be performed at British coronation services to this day. It has also served in a secular context as the inspiration for the anthem of the UEFA Champions' League, the world's most prestigious tournament in club football (soccer). In Eastern Christian traditions, religious music is required to be sung ''a capella'' (that is, without instrumental accompaniment). Perhaps one of the most famous examples of a setting of a divine liturgy is the version of the '''Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom''' by the [[Russia|Russian]] Romantic, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893). There are also very beautiful traditions of sacred choral singing in Russia and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. In the United States, there is also a famous repertoire of African-American church music, such as spirituals and '''Gospel''' singing, which fuse European and African traditions. Gospel services also characteristically include a sing-song style of preaching by the minister during the sermon, which is punctuated by spontaneous cries of "Amen", "Hallelujah" and other comments by members of the congregation in response to the minister's words, and the congregation breaks out in song and dance during the praise and worship phase of the service. Not all primarily African-American churches conduct this type of service, which is especially associated with Baptist and Pentacostal churches; conversely, quite a few primarily white and Asian churches have Gospel services that resemble those in African-American churches to a greater or lesser degree. This style of music has also spread to parts of Africa, which often results in the music incorporating more African elements than the original African-American versions, with one famous example of a group that performs such music being [[South Africa]]'s '''Soweto Gospel Choir'''. Many churches in the Caribbean and Brazil also have services that feature African-influenced singing and dancing. Many Evangelical megachurches also compose their own music, usually in very modern styles, and services as these churches typically resemble rock and pop concerts more than traditional church services, though of course, the subject of the music is sacred rather than secular. A church whose music is well known among charismatic churches worldwide is '''Hillsong Church''' in [[Sydney]], with their music being regularly performed in charismatic churches throughout the world. Due to the use of modern musical styles, Evangelical megachurches tend to be the most popular churches among youths in many countries, and have also attracted more youths to convert to Christianity than any other churches. Its large Evangelical population also means that the United States is home to a thriving Christian pop music industry, with radio stations, charts and record companies dedicated specifically to Christian pop music. Depending on the definition of "Christian", the '''Mormon Tabernacle Choir''' is also a household name in U.S. Christian music. They are perhaps most famous for their rendition of the religious / patriotic "Battle Hymn of the Republic" that originated during the Civil War as new lyrics to a song about anti-slavery radical John Brown. Famously the Mormon version was the first to replace "die" with "live" in a critical section, a tradition since mostly followed by other renditions. ====The organ==== [[File:Stift Altenburg Kirche Orgel 01.JPG|thumb|The splendid 1775 organ of the Altenburg Abbey Church in [[Lower Austria]]]] Pianos are often used in services, especially in African-American churches, but it is above all the organ that has a long history of connection with the church and church music. The ancestor of the organ, the hydraulis, was used as a secular instrument in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times but died out in Western Europe, while continuing to exist and be developed in the Hellenistic "East". However, after a hiatus of a few hundred years, the hydraulis was reintroduced to Western Europe when Pepin (c. 714–768), King of the Franks and father of Charlemagne, was gifted one by Emperor Constantine V of Byzantium. The hydraulis and then organ have been used widely in churches ever since this period. It is even theorized that the word ''organum'', a genre that existed starting no later than the 9th century as a simple form of note-against note polyphony and then developed by the 12th century into one in which one voice holds out plain chant notes while one or more higher voices sing much faster counterpoints to that melody, may owe itself to the organ being used to hold the long notes, though this is uncertain. What is certain is that a very large number of churches have impressive, beautiful organs whose appearance and sound are major draws for visitors and congregants. Many churches also feature their regular organist and/or other organists performing recitals on their organ. ==Buy== [[File:Kevelaer, Kerzenkapelle -- 2014 -- 00721.jpg|thumb|If you feel so inclined, in many churches, you can leave a donation in exchange for a votive candle like one of these]] Some churches have a money box where visitors can pay for candles and booklets or give to the church or its various missions and charities. Others have cafes or gift shops. Some do not want you to give money unless you attend regularly, as their spiritual mission is to welcome all comers, but it is a rare church that wouldn't welcome a sincere donation. Many Protestant churches require their members to contribute 10% of their monthly income to the church. This is known as a '''tithe'''. In addition, churches also collect monetary donations from worshipers at services, which is optional and on top of the tithe. This is known as an '''offering'''. In some places (e.g. Germany or Austria) the tithe is collected by the state on behalf of the churches, meaning it is rather common (and perfectly legal) for an employer to ask for your religion. The aforementioned religious music is of course often available for purchase as are (replicas of) religious artworks. In the past there was also a vibrant trade in (real or fake) reliquiae and indulgences – so vibrant in fact that it kicked off the [[Protestant Reformation]] – but most major denominations have since left this market. The welcoming all comers may extend to concerts, so that they too are free. You can often show appreciation by buying a record or a program sheet, and may sometimes be expected to do the latter. ==Eat== While Roman Catholics, according to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, abstain from meat (other than "[[seafood|fish]]", which historically could include anything from beavers to turtles) on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities, there is not really an equivalent to Muslim ''halal'' or Jewish ''kashrut'' in mainstream Christianity. The Roman Catholic church has since 1983 practiced abstinence during Lent (40 days), which is a personal choice with few prescriptions. Fasting (dietary abstinence) is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means one meal a day (solid food, no restrictions on beverages), or two smaller meals which if added together would not exceed the main meal in quantity. The individual Catholic may choose a way of abstinence during the Lent period, which could very well include dietary abstinence. Children, the sick, retired people and pregnant women are not expected to observe Lent. Many of the newer American branches of Christianity, though, have some stricter dietary laws that are not followed by more traditional Christian denominations. For instance, some evangelical megachurches, as well as the Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons, prohibit consumption of alcohol. Seventh Day Adventists are also encouraged to be vegan and absolutely prohibited from eating pork. Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden from consuming blood and blood products (which includes receiving blood transfusions), so any meat they eat has to be properly drained of blood before consumption. Some denominations celebrate communion in a matter more akin to an actual meal than the mostly symbolic Host eaten in Catholic, Orthodox or Anglican mass. Christian charities and missionaries are also active (almost) worldwide in providing food for the needy. ==Drink== Some churches offer wine (with [[alcohol]]) as part of a communion service. Others will offer a non-alcoholic replacement such as grape juice. The distinction between grape juice and wine postdates Jesus by centuries as only modern pasteurization and refrigeration make it possible to ship or store grape juice without it fermenting. Some denominations of Christianity prohibit or restrict alcohol consumption, while others celebrate it. So whereas a social event organized by a Baptist church in the United States may be strictly alcohol-free (in other words, coffee, apple juice and soda), a Catholic church in Germany is likely to invite all members of the congregation to join the celebrants at a beer hall after a high mass. The beer hall may even be next to the church, and the beer they serve may be brewed by monks. The Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, as well as some Baptist churches prohibit the consumption of [[tea]] and [[coffee]]. ==Sleep== Some monasteries and convents offer accommodation to travellers. Churches and religious community centers are also often used as a place for youth groups of the same or a similar denomination to spend the night, such as Christian Scout groups during ''Hajk'', or anybody at the YMCA accommodations. ==Respect== When visiting a place of worship, the expectation of conservative dress and respectful behavior varies greatly between individual churches, although generally speaking churches will welcome all strangers from all faiths without pre-condition. The main exception is Mormon temples, which bar entry to all non-Mormons. Many architecturally interesting churches belong to styles of Christianity that expect people – especially women – to dress conservatively, and men to remove their hats. Often (especially in the heavily visited cases) this will be spelled out in so many words, but exceptions exist, where you might commit a social ''faux pas'' or even get thrown out of the church, without even knowing. When in doubt, ask a local before heading out. Russian churches in particular require women to cover their hair with a shawl before entering. According to the Bible, God created the world in six days, and then rested the seventh, which among most Christians is the Sunday (cf the [[Judaism#Holidays|Sabbath]]). Resting on that seventh day is one of the Ten Commandments, and churchgoing has been the main activity on that day, with churchgoers traditionally dressing in their best clothes for the occasion; in many traditionally Christian countries most venues have been closed on Sundays, although the interpretation of the commandment has got much more liberal in most Western countries. In some more conservative Christian areas, business may still be mandated by law to close on Sundays. Also where the law says nothing, customs may dictate that some activities are to be avoided on that day. In many branches of Christianity most or some religious holidays (such as Good Friday or All Saints' Day) are considered "silent" days: people are supposed to avoid noisy activities and venues, and shops may be closed also where they stay open on normal Sundays. In other places, all Christian holidays – even more somber ones like Good Friday – are celebrated with music, parades in the streets, drink, merriment and traditions that sometimes predate the local introduction of Christianity. Many churches are conservative on questions such as gender roles and sexuality. Women as priests, homosexuality, contraceptives and abortion are hot-button issues in many churches. Also the view of the Bible differs: dictated by God word by word or also a work written in a historic context? Some churches embrace all of these, while mentioning any of them could get you into trouble in some others. Old and important churches are often "national shrines" of sorts and important figures – both religious and secular – may be buried in or underneath the church. Keep in mind that even if you come to pay respects to Rubén Darío, his final resting place remains the most important Catholic church in [[Nicaragua]]. You should thus approach with respect both towards the people buried there and their literary or philosophical accomplishments, and the faith people express here. Maybe wait until you have left the church, before expressing your opinion on whether or not building this cathedral was a wise use of scarce funds by the Spanish colonial administration. ==See also== ===Christian themes=== * [[Christian sites in Japan]] * [[Christmas and New Year travel]] * [[Easter travel]] ===Religion=== * [[Religion and spirituality]] * [[Buddhism]] * [[Hinduism]] * [[Islam]] * [[Judaism]] * [[Sikhism]] * [[Zoroastrianism]] ===History and architecture=== * [[Archaeological sites]] * [[Architecture]] * [[Historical travel]] * [[Old towns]] {{guidetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Religion and spirituality}} qc6bnpahu2u2panly3qjy8m55k2je4u 0 119609 4506485 4268964 2022-08-23T02:16:45Z Ground Zero 1423298 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Spis Castle.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[File:Spissky Hrad-LV-2.jpg|thumb|600px|right|Spiš Castle]] '''[http://www.spisskepodhradie.sk/ Spišské Podhradie]''' is a town of 3,800 people (2021) famous for its castle. The Spiš Castle (in Slovak, '''Spišsky hrad''') is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] in the [[Spiš]] region of [[Slovakia]]. Founded in the 12th century, it guarded the borders of the former Szepes (Spiš) county of the former Kingdom of [[Hungary]]. It is one of the largest castle complexes in Europe, with an area of over 40,000 m², and was for many centuries the major centre of power in the region. Today it is one of Slovakia's most visited tourist attractions. You might recognise the castle from your cinema outings: it has been used in many films, including ''Dragonheart'', ''Phoenix'', ''Kull the Conqueror'', ''The Lion in Winter'', and ''The Last Legion''. ==Understand== ===History=== Spiš Castle was built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier castle. It was the political, administrative, economic and cultural centre of Szepes (Spiš) County of the Kingdom of Hungary. Before 1464, it was owned by the kings of Hungary, afterwards (until 1528) by the Zápolya family, the Thurzó family (1531–1635), the Csáky family (1638–1945), and (since 1945) by the state of Slovakia. [[File:Szepescivertanlegi4.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of the Castle]]Originally there was just a Romanesque stone castle with fortifications. A two-story Romanesque palace and a three nave Romanesque-Gothic basilica were constructed by the second half of the 13th century. A second settlement was built beyond the castle walls in the 14th century, by which the castle area was doubled. The castle was completely rebuilt in the 15th century; the castle walls were heightened and a third extramural settlement was constructed. A late Gothic chapel was added around 1470. The Zápolya clan carried out late Gothic transformations, which made the upper castle into a comfortable family residence, typical of late Renaissance residences of the region of the 16th and 17th centuries. The last owners of the Spiš Castle, the Csáky family, abandoned the castle in the early 18th century because they considered it too uncomfortable to live in. They moved to the newly built nearby village castles and palaces near [[Žehra]] and [[Spišský Hrhov]]. In 1780, the castle burned down, and has been in ruins ever since. The castle was partly reconstructed in the second half of the 20th century, and extensive archaeological research was carried out on the site. The reconstructed sections house displays of the Spiš Museum. ===Landscape=== The castle is built on a commanding eminence overlooking the town of [[Spišské Podhradie]] (which means, literally 'under Spiš castle') and the E50 highway; it is almost the first thing visible for traffic emerging from the 5 km. Branisko Tunnel. It also looks across to the tiny mediaeval walled town of [[Spišská Kapitula]] (also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site) on a hill the other side of the town. The castle's powerful domination of the skyline makes this one of the most dramatic landscapes in Slovakia. ==Get in== Spišské Podhradie has bus connections from [[Poprad]]. The rail service has stopped. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} ==See== * {{see | name=Spiš Castle | alt= | url=http://www.spisskyhrad.com | email= | address= | lat=49.000556 | long=20.768333 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Spiš Castle | image=Spisska nova ves...castle.jpg | wikidata=Q205558 | lastedit=2018-09-08 | content= }} * {{see | name=Spišská Kapitula | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=49.0004 | long=20.7409 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Spišská Kapitula | image=Szepesváralja - Castle.jpg | wikidata=Q1042821 | lastedit=2018-09-08 | content=Ecclesiastical town containing a former monastery and St. Martin's Cathedral, which dates back to 1245. }} * {{see | name=Kostol Narodenia Panny Márie | alt=Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary | url=http://podhradie.kapitula.sk/?g=2&ext=55 | email= | address= | lat=49.00096 | long=20.75203 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-09-08 | content=Church built in 1825 on the site of a 13th-century church which was damaged by the 1813 earthquake. }} ==Do== ==Buy== The souvenirs on sale in the little shop in the castle are unfortunately pretty naff. * {{buy | name=Coop supermarket | alt= | url=https://www.coop.sk/ | email= | address=Mariánske námestie | lat=48.99942 | long=20.75409 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 06:30-18:00, Sa 06:30-12:00, Su 08:00-11:00 | price= | lastedit=2018-09-08 | content= }} ==Eat== There is a very basic cafe in the castle grounds, just beyond the entrance. * {{eat | name=Ubytovanie u Kastelana | alt= | url=http://www.ukastelana.eu/en/ | email= | address=Palešovo námestie 362/47 | lat=49.00110 | long=20.75287 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-08 | content=Restaurant and 8 room pension (rooms from €20). }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Penzion Chalupka | alt= | url=http://www.penzionchalupka.sk/chalupka_EN.html | email= | address=Podzámková 415/20 | lat=49.00218 | long=20.75626 | directions= | phone=+421 905 167 003 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=from €15 | lastedit=2018-09-08 | content=Self catering boarding house }} ==Go next== * West to [[Levoča]], [[Spišská Nová Ves]] and [[Poprad]] * Southeast to [[Košice]] {{IsPartOf|Spiš}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|49.0005556|20.7683333}} 7122bqn62msn4ypjoi8uzy54tvsu4qn 0 125175 4506286 4292297 2022-08-22T15:27:55Z 83.252.69.7 /* Go next */ clearer wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Nora_banner.jpg}} '''[http://www.visitnora.se/ Nora]''' is a town in [[Västmanland]]. Nora is one of three towns in Sweden considered to have especially well preserved wooden buildings town centres (the other towns being [[Eksjö]] and [[Hjo]]). ==Understand== [[File:Göthlinska gården 04.JPG|thumb|Göthlinska gården, a preserved bourgeoise dwelling house at the main square]] Nora is a small city with a population of about 12 000 inhabitants. It has an old city centre, packed with tiny boutiques, making Nora a proper merchant city! The town centre still has a large number of wooden houses from the 18th and 19th century. Nora's prosperity was built on mining between the 17th and 20th centuries, as part of the wider mining region [[Bergslagen]]. Much of its mining heritage is preserved today, including Pershyttan, one of the best preserved mining villages in Sweden. In order to benefit the health of the miners, Nora became a centre for apple farming, a tradition kept alive today by the local organization Pomologiskt Centrum. By the nearby lake Norasjön, there is a large island with an adventure park for children. Nora is a destinations for Sweden's oldest normal-track veteran railway. During summer several sections are operated with steam locomotives and old diesel engines. Nora is also renowned for its ice cream parlor NoraGlass, which sells freshly made ice cream and attracts throngs of ice cream lovers during summer. Most Swedes know Nora from Anna Maria Roos 1909 poem and children's song ''Tre små gummor'' about three little old ladies, who travel to the market fair in Nora to eat candy and ride carousels. ==Get in== Regular bus traffic from [[Örebro]], 25 km to the south from Nora. The closest railway station which is trafficked by passenger trains is located in Lindesberg, some {{km|14}} north east from Nora. It is trafficked by the national train operator [https://www.sj.se/en/home.html SJ] and the regional train operator [https://tagibergslagen.se/ Tåg i Bergslagen]. Lindesberg is connected by bus with Nora. Nora is about 30 minutes from Örebro by car, via ''Route 50''. Örebro is located on the European highway E18, connecting [[Stockholm]] with [[Oslo]]. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|59.518|15.032|zoom=13}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q285894}} ==See== [[File:Steam engine TGOJ 125.JPG|thumb|Steam engine of Nora Bergslags Veteran-Jernväg.]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Göthlinska gården | alt= | url=http://www.visitnora.se/se--gora/besoksmal/gothlinska-garden.html | email= | address=Kungsgatan 4 | lat=59.518319 | long=15.041589 | directions=By the main square in the city center | phone=+46 587-811 20 | tollfree= | hours=Guided tours Sa 11.00 end of May-Early Sep; Tu-W 11:00 Jul-mid Aug | price=80 kr | wikidata=Q18290411 | content=A grand building preserved and furnished like a typical Swedish bourgeois home during the turn of the century. The house was constructed in 1793 and the Göthlin family moved here in 1885. Since 1962 it is operated as a museum. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Pershyttan | alt= | url=http://www.visitnora.se/se--gora/besoksmal/pershyttans-kulturreservat.html {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address= | lat=59.5 | long=15 | directions={{km|3}} south of Nora | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Guided tours July-Mid August | price=80 kr | wikipedia=Pershyttan | wikidata=Q2213552 | content=It is a small mining town which can be reached by the museum railway train. The area has been used for mining from the 12th century until 1967. It is home to one of Sweden's best preserved charcoal-fuelled blast furnaces, made in 1856, and a huge water wheel. One of the site's best preserved mines is Lockgruvan, which is also open for guided tours. The site also features a restaurant. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Siggebohyttans bergsmansgård | alt= | url=https://www.olm.se/besok-oss/museet-i-lanet/siggebohyttan.html | email=marie.jansson@olm.se | address= | lat=59.614167 | long=15.039666 | directions={{km|15}} north of Nora | phone=+46 70-2592800 | tollfree= | hours=Open from the middle of June to the middle of August, W-Su, 11:00-17:00. Guided tours at 14.00 | price=50 kr | wikidata=Q3483520 | lastedit=2019-05-15 | content=A museum showing how a [[Bergslagen]] miner could have lived during the end of the 19th century. The farm was purchased by a local history society in 1910, and listed as a historical heritage in 1970. There is also a cafe on the site. }} * {{see | name=Nora Church | alt=Nora kyrka | url=https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/nora | email= | address=Prästgatan 3 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18292550 | lastedit=2021-07-23 | content= }} ==Do== * {{listing | type=do | name=Nora Bergslags Veteran-Jernväg | alt= | url=https://www.nbvj.se/ | email=nbvj@telia.com | address=Järnvägsgatan 1 | lat=59.516583 | long=15.042333 | directions= | phone=+46 587-103 04 | tollfree= | hours=Operated June-August, and during Nora Christmas fare in December | price= | wikidata=Q2071322 | content=A museum railway based at the Nora railway station at the lakeside. The museum railway has a network of 25 kilometer of normal gauge track. This is one of the most genuine old railway environments in Sweden. The station building at Järle is the oldest one in the country. The strech between Nora and Ervalla was the first normal gauge railway in Sweden, opened for traffic March 5, 1856. Several old steam powered locomotives are maintained by volunteers. In summer, a small diesel train takes tourists to Pershyttan, a few kilometers away (see above). }} ==Buy== [[File:Leon. Sandbergs Bosättningsaffär Nora.JPG|thumb|Leon. Sandbergs Bosättningsaffär]] * {{listing | type=buy | name=Leon. Sandbergs Bosättningsaffär | alt= | url=https://leonsandberg.se/ | email= | address=Storgatan 12 | lat=59.5193 | long=15.0396 | directions= | phone=+46 587-31 10 71 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A store for household goods, which has been run by members of the Sandberg family since 1859 in its premises at the main square. }} ==Eat== Local delicacies are cooked and served in some of the heritage railway restaurant wagons. * {{listing | type=eat | name=Bryggerikrogen | alt= | url=http://bryggerikrogen.se/ | email= | address=Prästgatan 42 | lat=59.5203 | long=15.0278 | directions= | phone=+46 587-103 40 | tollfree= | hours=Th-Sa 15.30-late, Also open for lunch F 11.30-13.30 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=A fine dining restaurant listed in the national restaurant guide White guide. The building was constructed in 1893, and used as a beer brewery until the 1950s, so it is only natural that Bryggerikrogen offers plenty of locally made beers! }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Hult säteri | alt= | url=http://www.hultsateri.se/ | email=info@hultsateri.se | address=Hults säteri | lat=59.499451 | long=15.176596 | directions= | phone=+46 587-500 70 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=The hotel restaurant of Hult säteri, located in an old manor. They offer traditional [[Nordic cuisine]] made from local products. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=NoraGlass | alt= | url=https://noraglass.se/in-english/ | email= | address=Storgatan 11 | lat=59.5192 | long=15.0372 | directions= | phone=+46 738 440 700 | tollfree= | hours=10.30-18.30 daily, May-Aug | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=Nora is home to one of Sweden's oldest ice cream manufacturers, NoraGlass. They have served fresh ice cream in waffles since 1923. Aside from their ice cream shop on Storgatan 11, they also operate [https://noraglass.se/strandstugan/ Kafé Strandstugan] (Storgatan 1) and the waffle parlor [https://noraglass.se/selma-g/ Selma G] (Borgmästargatan 1). They are both set on the shores of lake Norasjön, and of course, they both offer delicious NoraGlass ice cream! }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Pizzeria Babylon | alt= | url=http://www.babylon-pizzeria.se/en/index_en.html | email= | address=Kungsgatan 6 | lat=59.5188 | long=15.0414 | directions= | phone=+46 587-130 30 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=A pizzeria. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hult säteri | alt= | url=http://www.hultsateri.se/ | email=info@hultsateri.se | address=Hults säteri | lat=59.499451 | long=15.176596 | directions= | phone=+46 587-500 70 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-05-15 | content=It is located in an old 19th century manor, with a style typical for that time. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Lilla Hotellet | alt= | url=http://lillahotelletnora.se/ | email=info@lillahotelletnora.se | address=Rådstugugatan 14 | lat=59.5176 | long=15.0397 | directions= | phone=+46 587-154 00 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-05-15 | content=Constructed in 1912, this hotel still serves its original function. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Nora Stadshotell | alt= | url=http://www.norastadshotell.se/index.php | email=norastadshotell@home.se | address=Rådstugugatan 21 | lat=59.5189 | long=15.0393 | directions= | phone=+46 587-31 14 35 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-05-15 | content=A private and independently operated hotel, with a lunch and à la carte hotel restaurant, and a hotel pub. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Nora tåghem | alt= | url=http://www.norataghem.se/english/ | email=info@norataghem.se | address=Järnvägsgatan 1 | lat=59.5171 | long=15.0428 | directions= | phone=+46 587-14676 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-05-15 | content=An original and beautiful hostel. Originally set in sleeper wagons parked by the railway station, beautifully located just by Norasjön lake. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Åkerby Herrgård | alt= | url=https://www.akerbyherrgard.se/ | email= | address= | lat=59.5835 | long=14.9706 | directions= | phone=+46 70-696 06 01 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2019-05-15 | content=A hotel and conference center located in a manor by lake Fåsjön, a few km north of Nora. They have a lunch and à la carte lunch restaurant, and organize different activities for their guests. }} ==Connect== ==Cope== * {{listing | name=Police | alt= | url=https://polisen.se/ | email=nora.orebro@polisen.se | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+46 0587-829 00 | tollfree= | hours=M and W morning | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Nora Health Center | alt=Nora vårdcentral | url=https://www.regionorebrolan.se/sv/halsa-och-vard/om-du-behover-vard/vardcentraler-i-orebro-lans-landsting/nora-vardcentral/ | email=nora.prim@orebroll.se | address=Kvarnvägen 11 | lat=59.5214 | long=15.0313 | directions= | phone=+46 587-843 45 | tollfree= | hours=Daytime M-F | price= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Apoteket Kronan | alt=Pharmacy | url=https://www.apoteksgruppen.se/apotek/nora/apoteksgruppen-nora-prastgatan/ | email=direkt@apoteket.se | address=Prästgatan 8 B | lat=59.5200 | long=15.0400 | directions= | phone=+46 587-125 80 | tollfree= | hours=Daytime M-Sa | price= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content= }} ==Go next== [[File:Pershyttan Iron Works .JPG|thumb|Pershyttan]] *In nearby '''Pershyttan''' (4 km) the old iron works are located. The guided tour takes you inside the buildings to see how pig iron was made from iron ore. Nearby, an old mine has been reopened to visitors, though only with a guide. The mine isn't very deep underground and you can always still see daylight. *'''Gyttorp''', a small former industrial village, with an interesting residential architecture, drafted in the 1940s by the British-Swedish architect Raöph Erskine (1914-2005). * '''[[Kopparberg]]''' (50 km to the north) is a village with some beautiful old buildings to visit. The tourist office is located in one of these, the Tingshus (Courthouse) from 1642. Next door is Bergslagsarkivet - an old archive building from the mining company (1876-1877), and a very old grain seed warehouse from the 17th century. Around the corner, there is a small country life museum where the local pensioners give you a personal tour of the premises: a photographer's studio, a shoemaker, a postal office and a goldsmith's workshop. In a shed outside a small reconstruction has been made of a mine. The town also has a beautiful old church (1635) with separate bell tower and stables. * '''[[Grythyttan]]''' with its famous restaurant academy. * '''[[Örebro]]''', the county seat and dominant city, known for its castle. {{IsPartOf|Västmanland}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|59.51913|15.03874|zoom=15}} nsavqrfxpwft8hrm01hlspaboad1gbt 1 125710 4506257 4501712 2022-08-22T13:54:36Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Usable? */ wikitext text/x-wiki ==Destinations== you can pretty much ride a horse anywhere there is dirt, can we do away with the destinations section and focus on making an otherwise well rounded article? --[[User:Lumpytrout|Lumpytrout]] ([[User talk:Lumpytrout|talk]]) 13:29, 28 June 2013 (UTC) :Fully agree. There is no way to give a list of places where you can ride horses (virtually everywhere), nor are there even "main horseriding destination" to highlight. I have removed the section. [[User:Texugo|Texugo]] ([[User talk:Texugo|talk]]) 13:35, 28 June 2013 (UTC) == Where to put something.... == {{swept}} In trying to find a museum that dealt with horse racing I came across this museum connected with Horses and Equestrianism more generally.. [http://www.horsemuseum.co.uk The Museum Of The Horse at The Newcastle Arms, Tuxford] Naturally it should go in the appropriate destination article, but is there a travel topic where it would also fit? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 14:59, 19 January 2019 (UTC) : Perhaps [[Horse riding]], if it is good enough to warrant a significant detour. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:58, 20 January 2019 (UTC) :: Thanks. Due to the efforts of another contributor, another question arose which was to do with when listing racecourses, how to link the fixture/meetings list. Would it be reasonable to link this in what would otherwise be the hours field (I wanted a wider consensus on this)? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 12:51, 20 January 2019 (UTC) :::Something like that's been done for businesses with wildly variable hours before. :::It might be useful to add a summary of whatever can be said, like "Most weekends during spring and summer". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:27, 21 January 2019 (UTC) :::: For Plumpton which i added to [[Lewes]] I linked the meetings/fixtures list. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 13:20, 22 January 2019 (UTC) == Usable? == The article is now said to be usable ("Has at least a good overview of the topic, and some useful material under each heading"). I disagree. Where's the good overview? There is an overview of some equipment, but not on horse riding. Some discussion relevant for Understand (or their own sections), such as choosing a stable, is now in Stay safe. Stay safe should point out the risks to be aware of, but the main discussion on how to find a good stable abroad should be elsewhere. I very much wonder for what audience the article is intended, which is one reason I haven't done much to the article. If the readers need to be told that "stirrups are supports for the rider's feet that hang down on either side of the saddle", then we should give all the beginner's course. I would hope that we have some horsemen or horsewomen who actually have been riding horses abroad at commercial stables (I haven't). Then we might be able to give advice specifically for travellers, which could be useful also for those who master riding their own horse. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:35, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :I agree with you. There's also basically no travel content, i.e. destinations.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:40, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :: We could list museums, such as the one mentioned above, and famous shows. However, if those dominate, the article shifts focus from riding to watching. :: For riding yourself, I don't think we should list destinations (except if some country with a famous equestrian tradition has few options for foreigners). I know a few stables arranging horseback excursions to the woods less than an hours car drive from here, and I have never felt Finland to be the prime riding destination. I think the travel content would be about the difference between riding at a familiar stable and arranging partaking in a riding trip abroad. :: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:26, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, you can go riding almost anywhere, but there are still "prime riding destinations", where a higher than average proportion of visitors will be interested in trying it: the [[New Forest]] in England, and the [[Camargue]] in France spring to mind.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:54, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 3egwv0x1562n3wxbkd6ymqpg1b7763q 4506343 4506257 2022-08-22T17:36:06Z LPfi 79572 /* Usable? */ right, there are relevant destinations, only our articles don't handle that aspect well wikitext text/x-wiki ==Destinations== you can pretty much ride a horse anywhere there is dirt, can we do away with the destinations section and focus on making an otherwise well rounded article? --[[User:Lumpytrout|Lumpytrout]] ([[User talk:Lumpytrout|talk]]) 13:29, 28 June 2013 (UTC) :Fully agree. There is no way to give a list of places where you can ride horses (virtually everywhere), nor are there even "main horseriding destination" to highlight. I have removed the section. [[User:Texugo|Texugo]] ([[User talk:Texugo|talk]]) 13:35, 28 June 2013 (UTC) == Where to put something.... == {{swept}} In trying to find a museum that dealt with horse racing I came across this museum connected with Horses and Equestrianism more generally.. [http://www.horsemuseum.co.uk The Museum Of The Horse at The Newcastle Arms, Tuxford] Naturally it should go in the appropriate destination article, but is there a travel topic where it would also fit? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 14:59, 19 January 2019 (UTC) : Perhaps [[Horse riding]], if it is good enough to warrant a significant detour. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:58, 20 January 2019 (UTC) :: Thanks. Due to the efforts of another contributor, another question arose which was to do with when listing racecourses, how to link the fixture/meetings list. Would it be reasonable to link this in what would otherwise be the hours field (I wanted a wider consensus on this)? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 12:51, 20 January 2019 (UTC) :::Something like that's been done for businesses with wildly variable hours before. :::It might be useful to add a summary of whatever can be said, like "Most weekends during spring and summer". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:27, 21 January 2019 (UTC) :::: For Plumpton which i added to [[Lewes]] I linked the meetings/fixtures list. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 13:20, 22 January 2019 (UTC) == Usable? == The article is now said to be usable ("Has at least a good overview of the topic, and some useful material under each heading"). I disagree. Where's the good overview? There is an overview of some equipment, but not on horse riding. Some discussion relevant for Understand (or their own sections), such as choosing a stable, is now in Stay safe. Stay safe should point out the risks to be aware of, but the main discussion on how to find a good stable abroad should be elsewhere. I very much wonder for what audience the article is intended, which is one reason I haven't done much to the article. If the readers need to be told that "stirrups are supports for the rider's feet that hang down on either side of the saddle", then we should give all the beginner's course. I would hope that we have some horsemen or horsewomen who actually have been riding horses abroad at commercial stables (I haven't). Then we might be able to give advice specifically for travellers, which could be useful also for those who master riding their own horse. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:35, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :I agree with you. There's also basically no travel content, i.e. destinations.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 18:40, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :: We could list museums, such as the one mentioned above, and famous shows. However, if those dominate, the article shifts focus from riding to watching. :: For riding yourself, I don't think we should list destinations (except if some country with a famous equestrian tradition has few options for foreigners). I know a few stables arranging horseback excursions to the woods less than an hours car drive from here, and I have never felt Finland to be the prime riding destination. I think the travel content would be about the difference between riding at a familiar stable and arranging partaking in a riding trip abroad. :: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:26, 15 August 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, you can go riding almost anywhere, but there are still "prime riding destinations", where a higher than average proportion of visitors will be interested in trying it: the [[New Forest]] in England, and the [[Camargue]] in France spring to mind.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 13:54, 22 August 2022 (UTC) :::: You are right, we could list such destinations (after ensuring there is some relevant content in the target articles). [[New Forest]] indeed has New Forest ponies as lead image, but sadly it doesn't suggest getting around by horse or going an a tour with one. [[Camargue]] says in the lead that it is great for horse riding but, likewise, there is no advice. [[Iceland]] mentions horse riding in Sleep, as an activity offered at some farms; nothing in Get around or Do. [[Mongolia]] does mention horse riding both in Get around and Do. I think some Central Asian articles have tours listed. What places in the Americas should be listed? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:35, 22 August 2022 (UTC) g93imbz4icd05by4t7yr58f10djr17w 5 126859 4506161 4303852 2022-08-22T12:00:15Z Ground Zero 1423298 Swept in from pub wikitext text/x-wiki {{infobox|Archived discussions|* [[Wikivoyage talk:How to use dynamic maps/Archive 2013-2018]] }} == layer W always and not just by default == Am I right in assuming that the layer parameter does not accept M, O or anything that is external due to user privacy? At least this is what is written in the description. But also we describe different options, which however have to effect on the displayed map. Should we adjust the documentation therefore? Cheers [[User:Ceever|Ceever]] ([[User talk:Ceever|talk]]) 11:21, 22 September 2019 (UTC) == How-to video: Create district overview maps == {{Swept}} User [[User:*angys*|*angys*]] asked me how to create dynamic district overview maps like in [[Kuala Lumpur]] or [[Amsterdam]]. Thus I made an explanatory video for him. Hopefully it can be helpful to other editors as well: :[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxGt9wxsqyc Create GeoJSON with JOSM and upload to Wikimedia Commons] '''Some additional explanation''' In short there are two options to create a district overview map: :'''1a. geojson.io only''' ::Go to [http://geojson.io/ geojson.io], draw the lines/polygons, give them the desired color and title. Copy the GeoJSON file and proceed to step 2. A certain disadvantage with this solution is, that you cannot merge nodes. So if you have 2 polygons right next to each other, they won't be perfectly aligned. With the solution in 1b this problem is nonexistent. :'''1b. JOSM & geojson.io''' (shown in the video above) ::Draw polygons as desired and export as ''.geojson''. Important: The export of polygons to ''.geojson'' only works as expected in ''JOSM'', if the polygons have a describing tag assigned to it, which is normally applied to an area (e.g. ''landuse=residential'')! You can assign the title tag to each polygon/line right in JOSM, if you don't want to do it in ''geojson.io'' (e.g. ''<nowiki>title=[[Amsterdam/Noord|Noord]]</nowiki>''). :'''2. Upload to Commons''' ::Create a new map in ''Wikimedia Commons'' and paste in the GeoJSON created in 1. :'''3. Create mapmasks''' ::In order to grey out the irrelevant parts of a district article map you can paste the GeoJSON from 2. into the tool [https://rene78.github.io/mapmask-geojson-converter/ Mapmask <-> GeoJSON Converter] to create the mapmask code. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 02:05, 4 February 2020 (UTC) :In case you don't want to give Google clicks: [[:File:Create GeoJSON with JOSM and upload to Wikimedia Commons.webm]]. Thanks for this, Rene. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 02:27, 4 February 2020 (UTC) ::Thanks Justin, sounds like a reasonable alternative. Just the resolution is quite poor. --[[User:Renek78|Renek78]] ([[User talk:Renek78|talk]]) 03:19, 4 February 2020 (UTC) == Help exporting mapframe == {{Swept}} Hello! Basque Wikimedians have created a version of WikiVoyage inside Wikibooks (a temptative to see if we can have a community working on tourism related information). The project is on [[b:eu:Euskal_Herriko_bidaia-gida]], but I would like to start adding the great mapframe option. I think I have copied everything needed ([[b:eu:Lankide:Theklan/Proba_orria]]) but can't get the listing appear on the map. It may be some .js or .css missing (we are working on having permissions for that) but I would like to know if something else is missing. Thanks! -[[User:Theklan|Theklan]] ([[User talk:Theklan|talk]]) 21:35, 18 June 2020 (UTC) : [[User:Atsirlin|Alexander]] who helped with a map problem a few days ago, or [[User:RolandUnger|Roland]] maybe know something? --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 16:29, 19 June 2020 (UTC) :: '''Wikibooks''' appears '''not''' to have '''group''' or '''show''' parameters implemented for '''mapframe''' and '''maplink'''. The same situation exists for '''wikipedia'''. A solution would be to make a single mapframe (FeatureCollection) with multiple features (ie. with type Point). Separate listings (doubling the work required) would use individual maplinks. Copying templates etc. can be useful and yet unsuccessful because of underlying code. I don't think they will change '''Kartographer'''. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 05:06, 20 June 2020 (UTC) :::{{ping|Matroc}} Ok... so it is something that should be implemented in the core and cannot be solved with the templates? -[[User:Theklan|Theklan]] ([[User talk:Theklan|talk]]) 15:58, 20 June 2020 (UTC) :::: What I posted was an observation from what I experienced with '''wikipedia'''. First I would find out for sure if this is indeed the issue from those that know more than I. '''Note''': from mediawiki.org - ''The groups feature is only available in Wikivoyage (per VisualEditor team request)''. If something can be modified to make templates etc. work as envisaged would be great (best outcome). If not, then templates etc. would probably need to be modified (perhaps re-imagined) to produce some semblance of what you are trying to achieve. Don't give up... wait and see!. there are plenty of great minds out there and an awesome community. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 04:34, 21 June 2020 (UTC) == Mapshapes missing == I can't figure out why the mapshapes for Zambia and Zimbabwe are not showing on the second map at [[Southern Africa#Cities]]. It seems everything is right on Wikidata and OpenStreetMap. Any ideas? [[User:Travelwriter1000|Travelwriter1000]] ([[User talk:Travelwriter1000|talk]]) 15:41, 24 August 2021 (UTC) :Same problem at [[Namibia#Regions]] and [[Southwest Angola]], for example. The mapshapes are [[:commons:Data:Angola/Cunene.map|absolutely there on Wikidata]]. I'm probably asking in the wrong place. [[User:Travelwriter1000|Travelwriter1000]] ([[User talk:Travelwriter1000|talk]]) 18:59, 24 August 2021 (UTC) == How to color a map == {{swept}} At [[Florida Panhandle]] there is a map of the region which is supposed to be colored as stated at [[Florida Panhandle#Regions]]. However, the Emerald Coast and Forgotten Coast are miscolored, one being colored in gray and the other not being colored at all -- and, for that matter, I can't even tell from this which subregion is which. Could someone point out a help page or guide which explains how we color maps like this? --[[User:Metropolitan90|Metropolitan90]] ([[User talk:Metropolitan90|talk]]) 04:18, 29 August 2021 (UTC) :I believe {{u|SelfieCity}} might know more about coloured maps, but I think this also has something to do with Wikidata. I think hex colours are also used, but not too sure. <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 04:27, 29 August 2021 (UTC) ::On my screen the colors look fine. However, I’m aware that regions on dynamic maps intermittently don’t show, which is why we like static maps. I could do more to distinguish between the two purple colors, but I’m not sure how to fix the intermittent problem. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 11:25, 29 August 2021 (UTC) ::(edit conflict) {{ping|Metropolitan90}} [[Wikivoyage:Dynamic_maps_Expedition|Dynamic maps expedition]] and [[Wikivoyage:How_to_use_dynamic_maps|How to use dynamic maps]] seem to be the pages you're looking for. ::That said, I see no miscolouring myself by looking at the source code for #Regions. All of them use the same standard colours in the dynamic map template ({{tl|mapshape}}) as they do in {{tl|Regionlist}}. That said, mapshapes are printed with an opacity of what I believe is 50%, so that the underlying map can still be seen and used. This can mess with colours a bit. That said, have a look at {{tl|StdColor}} and pick out alternative standard colours that would be more distinguishable from each other, and then enter those codes (T##) into the mapshape and regionlist templates. For maps with only a handful of regions I usually stick with T2, T5, T7, T9 and T10 myself, but legibility of the colours can also be improved by not letting regions with similar colours border each other. -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 11:33, 29 August 2021 (UTC) :::I'm not sure what's changed since I started this thread, since I don't see any edits to the page since then, but now I can see four different colors for the four regions on the map. (Previously, it had not been clear to me that one of the regions was noncontiguous.) So if someone solved the problem, thank you to that person. Thank you to Wauteurz for providing some additional links as well. --[[User:Metropolitan90|Metropolitan90]] ([[User talk:Metropolitan90|talk]]) 16:11, 29 August 2021 (UTC) ::::Yes. As I noted in my previous comment, it’s an intermittent problem. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 16:20, 29 August 2021 (UTC) :::::I wonder if there's anything that can be done about it. I see it all the time on the Portugal articles. Even the country article uses a dynamic map, because the regions changed not long ago, and I have zero static map skills. I suspect that OpenStreetMap is throttling us. Wikidata could also be the culprit, but that's unlikely; I think they're just a part of the chain of events between OSM and WV. [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 20:14, 29 August 2021 (UTC) ::::::Do the regions fall on government boundaries? If so, making a static map isn’t hard. However, if they don’t follow political boundaries, I’m not sure how to convert to a Wikivoyage-style static map. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 12:28, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :::::::I know I will swerve off-topic, as I have some fairly strong opinions about maps here, but I'll try to steer away from those. :::::::{{ping|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} There is indeed a fix and it is a relatively easy fix, though it is a different approach altogether: Make a dynamic map with static regions instead of relying on the Wikidata/OSM link. What does that mean? It means creating a GeoJSON file through one of several online tools such as [https://geoman.io/geojson-editor geoman.io] and/or [https://geojson.io/ geojson.io], exporting those files, and uploading them to Commons, to then use them in the dynamic map directly. This is already done for quite a few districts, such as those for [[Amsterdam]]. If Wikidata proves to be unreliable over time, which in this case would apply, I'd suggest we cut out that middleman and call the regions from Commons directly. The bonus advantage being that GeoJSONs take a lot less time to create than static maps, meaning that they're easier to update and easier to make. Honestly, I think that Wikivoyage would benefit from making this the standard for countries and everything above it, as it is by far more reliable. It feels to me as if most of the problems we experience with dynamic maps is with Wikidata, OSM or the link between those two. :::::::{{ping|SelfieCity}} Boundaries don't matter that much on static maps. I personally take screenshots of OSM, stitch them together, and build static maps on top of them. Lousy stitching makes a few alignment errors here and there, but nothing that would matter in the long run. If you have enough detail on those screenshots, the political boundaries don't matter that much at all, as you can often find the features on the map that the boundaries-to-be-drawn are based upon. The problem with static maps is moreso that if you want to do them well, they take an awfully long time to make. I've got maps in the works that are 80% done, with just infrastructure to add, but that is tedious work, and I am a bit of a perfectionist myself. Regardless, I have maps for [[Wales]] and [[Brussels]] that are in that phase, with about 20 hours of work on both, but finishing them is annoying work that I keep on putting off. Updating maps is even less enjoyable. :::::::Here's something I wonder though: Would more people be interested in creating maps (in general) if the information was less all-over the place. For dynamic maps specifically, information is spread between expeditions, WV namespace and templates. For static maps, there's a sizeable learning curve to overcome. Also, do we still see static maps as a necessity? I would argue that they're not. A well-made dynamic map does the same as a static map would, but a lot better. For one, it is zoom-able, scrollable and browse-able, whereas a static map is just a JPEG or PNG and needs additional information written in text to back it up. This is definitely off-topic from this discussion though, but I am still wondering about this. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 15:15, 31 August 2021 (UTC) ::::::::I've always felt that static maps are outside of my skill set, and that makes it more difficult to consider improvements in regional organization of articles, as I mentioned in [[Talk:Northern Ontario]] recently. A "how to" guide would get me started on trying to create maps. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 16:32, 31 August 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}} I like static maps due to their reliability, but the info about GeoJSON does shift my opinion toward dynamic maps. Wauteurz, what program do you use to import static map layers? I’d be interested in trying but question whether the info at our tutorial is up to date. And do you use Inkscape? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 21:05, 31 August 2021 (UTC) :{{Ping|SelfieCity}} Following [[User:Ground Zero|GZ]]'s response above, I've gone ahead and compiled the pages I know of into [[User:Wauteurz/Mapmaking|a single place with a bit of context]] so it's at least a bit easier to find for now. If you'll look at the comments I added in the source text, then yes, you would find that I tend to agree that the information we supply is in most cases outdated, superfluous, or just unnecessary and causing more confusion than needed. For example, some of the services/tools listed aren't working any more due to mergers or changes of hosts - heck, even OSM itself only allows for exporting XML data. That's hardly useful for static maps. Giving half a dozen different methods doesn't make troubleshooting that easy either. Regardless, my process uses: :* The equipment I use is Inkscape indeed (v0.98 because I don't like 1.x, but that's because of personal preference); :* The Windows Snippet Tool or a similar program that lets you capture what is displayed in a single active window; :* Firefox, but any modern browser should work. :The process then is as follows: :* Boot up Inkscape, and create a layer for the background material. I often name it "src" or "map". Names don't matter though, it's whatever works for you. :* Open up OpenStreetMap in your browser, and using Inspect Element (Shortcut: F12), remove the headers and adjust the window. This would need more explanation in a real manual for sure, but the elements are transparent anyway, so it's not an essential step, merely a convenient one. The only element I leave is the scale bar in the bottom left for the one our map needs. You should be able to mouse-over elements on the page to see what's what and then be able to disable those elements. If you pick the wrong thing, then simply undo with Ctrl+Z. It doesn't require a lot of knowledge, but you need to know what to remove. :* Scroll to a scale that you want, and start making screenshots with some overlap on each other, then paste these into Inkscape lining them up properly as you go. This will create some error margin, but if you take your time, it'll be acceptable for a static map. :*: ''Sidenote, there may be free-to-use source material available that's easier to work with than OSM screenshots. The Netherlands, for example, has [https://opentopo.nl/htm/rasterkaarten.htm OpenTopo]. Also, tools exist for automatic stitching, Photoshop is one of them. I don't like working with Adobe programs though, so I avoid it myself.'' :* Once the map is done, lock it in your layers menu so you can't accidentally move things about, and start adding the other layers. They should, from top to bottom, be something along the lines of: Frame (Map edges and elements such as the title and scale bar), Annotation (labels and markers), Infrastructure (rail, then highway and national routes), Water (seas, rivers, streams and lakes), Borders (optionally sublayers for the lines and fill, but you can combine both into one shape. Whatever works best for you), after that the previously mentioned map layer, and at the very bottom a background layer with a solid colour for "Other regions" or open water, whichever one is more numerous. :* From there, you can add things in whatever order you want. Pretty much everything is done with the Bézier tool. I personally do waterways before borders, as borders can be defined by waterways, and I don't like having the borders overlap with waterways. :*:''Also a sidenote, I colour water a bit different from the templates. Open water becomes {{RbE|#abd4e0|#abd4e0}} for me. It looks more vibrant and attractive. I can't reliably apply the pattern in the templates myself, and besides, that pattern makes things like ferry routes difficult to make out.'' :If you want to have some reference maps from me, I consider my maps for [[Sydfynske Øhav]] and [[Luxembourg]] to be my best. For static layers on dynamic maps, I will be making a proper manual someday once I've figured it out myself. I'm working on expanding [[Rotterdam]] to have districts, so I am working on a map for it in that context. As another note, I am also working on making a [[User:Wauteurz/Palette|better palette for region colours]], since, well, {{tl|StdColor}} isn't close to perfect, and being colourblind myself, there's three colours in there that I avoid at all cost. All that considered, perhaps a discussion on the future of maps is in place. Going all-in on dynamic would make switching palettes a lot easier, and would uncomplicate the entire mapmaking process a tonne. :Also, a final thought, when updating/rewriting the manuals, would it perhaps be easier to link to YouTube for Inkscape tutorials? I guess it depends a lot on the person, but I hardly have patience to sit down and read the Inkscape written manual, and seeing someone do something similar before your own eyes makes the process easier to replicate. That's all personal experience though. I'm not even sure the spam filter will accept YouTube links to be made in the first place... <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 22:12, 31 August 2021 (UTC) ::Would it be OK to link to YouTube, considering what's stated in [[what not to link to]]? '''''Avoid linking to secondary sources.''' For example, avoid links to: Personal image galleries and photo/video sharing websites (Flickr, Webshots, YouTube, etc)''. We'd have to agree on an exception or change the guidelines (which are also under discussion in relation to [[London on foot‎‎]]). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:53, 1 September 2021 (UTC) :::Hmm. Does that policy apply outside the main/article namespace? [[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo 2500]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:49, 1 September 2021 (UTC) ::::Do you mean on talk pages? No, it doesn't apply to talk pages. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:54, 1 September 2021 (UTC) :::::No, anywhere outside travel pages (aka mainspace). So does it apply to pages in the Wikivoyage space? (eg [[WV:$]]). <font face="BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></font> 04:41, 1 September 2021 (UTC) ::::::[[External links]] doesn't give that exception, right? If you'd like to propose that, please start a thread at [[Wikivoyage talk:External links]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:18, 1 September 2021 (UTC) :::::::It's not worth generalizing everything on YouTube into the trash, because specifically for Inkscape tutorials, there are ones out there that are considerably more useful and more accessible than Inkscape's own manual. [https://logosbynick.com/category/open-source/ Logos By Nick] comes to mind. Nevertheless, YouTube is globally blacklisted, and whitelisting it here likely causes more damage than needed, as I don't think a specific namespace can get an exception. I don't see a need for discussion as many of the tutorials I would want to link are also available through these creators' own websites, which can be linked instead. External links does not seem to cover Wikivoyage namespace, so it seems that we're fine on that front, but correct me if I am wrong. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 11:29, 1 September 2021 (UTC) :{{ping|Wauteurz}} Thanks for the very detailed explanation. I’m inferring that you trace the OSM map rather than import its data? <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 10:23, 1 September 2021 (UTC) ::{{ping|SelfieCity}} Correct. My method more or less fits in under "2. Maps drawn by hand" in [[Wikivoyage:How_to_draw_static_maps#Creating_your_map|the manual]]. 1 isn't supported by OSM any more while 3 and 4 require the creator to review the map on what to include (not every road is necessary). I personally find it better practise to rely more on myself in that case and to just draw the entire thing from scratch. It perhaps makes the process somewhat longer, but I don't mind that much. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 11:08, 1 September 2021 (UTC) :::Google isn't blacklisted on this site; it's just not supposed to be linked in articles. Therefore, this proposed exception is worth a discussion. The object of a discussion isn't to hinder but to make sure decisions are made collectively. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:47, 1 September 2021 (UTC) ::::[[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]], thanks for the information. I might have some time to work on this during the Labor Day weekend. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">Selfie City</font>]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="blue">talk</font>]] | [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="blue">contributions</font>]]) 11:25, 4 September 2021 (UTC) == "neighbourhood maps" == {{Swept}} I've always wondered on how these should be formatted. They're not usually standard in district articles (and in fact, the only one I could find was [[Sydney/City East]]), but I did a small experiment today with [[Canberra/Civic]] with the use of a "neighbourhood map" (or whatever they're called). It did leave me with three questions though, merely because we don't have other examples of such maps and I'd like some answers before I implement more of these maps. # Which section should a map like this go in? For [[Canberra/Civic]], I chose "districts", but [[Sydney/City East]] has it in an "Orientation" section in Understand # Do the duplicate maps pose an issue? # Do these maps help? I guess it helps to sort of know which neighbourhoods are in a certain district, but then you don't ''need'' to know, and it might appear too encyclopedic. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:23, 13 June 2022 (UTC) :I don't have any advice for you or answers to your questions, but I like what you've done. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:26, 13 June 2022 (UTC) :: [[Image policy#Minimal use of images]] and [[WV:Map]]: do we really need to display multiple dynamic maps in one article? It seems redundant and tiresome to me. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 17:30, 13 June 2022 (UTC) ::: Can't we integrate the neighbourhoods into the normal map. Probably opacity should be tweaked for them not to dominate. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:02, 13 June 2022 (UTC) ::::{{re|LPfi}} [[Special:PermaLink/4467260]] is what it would look like if we merged the maps together. As someone with visual impairments, I find the second map (the one with listings) hard to read with all the colours as all the listings look cluttered, making it hard to identify where the POI is located. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:18, 14 June 2022 (UTC) ::::: I lessened the opacity of the districts. Is <s>[[Special:Permalink/4467746|this]]</s> [[Special:Permalink/4467763|this]] still hard to read? It could still be lessened a tad if needed. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:56, 15 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::My eyes still prefer the map without the mapmasks, and I think the older map is easier to read for people with visual impairments. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:11, 15 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::: OK. I undid the edit. I hope you noticed that I linked the previous version (oops), now fixed. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:10, 15 June 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think that the neighborhood map ''needs'' to be dynamic, but since dynamic is what we've got/until someone wants to make a static map, I've no objection to it being a dynamic map. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:28, 15 June 2022 (UTC) ::::I might be in the minority, but I actually think a dynamic map is better for all region articles, and not just bottom level region articles, and it brings me to the question; are there any users here who can make a static map? I've tried to make several static maps before, but unfortunately [[Wikivoyage:How to draw static maps]] is either unclear or out-of-date, and the only successful one that I've managed to draw was [[:File:Mungo NP static map.svg]], and that also looks terrible. Anecdotally speaking, the only time where I've found a static map way more helpful was when I was in [[Yosemite National Park]] earlier this year (and T-mobile was not that great in the [[Sierra Nevada]], but I didn't really need the map since it was a second visit to Yosemite). They're often difficult and time consuming to make, and they become hard to modify when change is required. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:44, 15 June 2022 (UTC) :::::I'm sure they have all of those downsides, but I understand that dynamic maps don't print properly, which is also a problem. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:11, 15 June 2022 (UTC) :::::Yes, I can make static maps, although I do not have much experience with this particular kind of map. I've never done it for WV, because it's a lot of work if you want to do it right. I don't really think it's worth the effort: 1) I'd never use a WV map (static nor dynamic) for actual navigation. That's what navigation apps (preferably with offline options) and proper paper maps are for. 2) I've been meaning to update the static map in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] for years now. But it's a raster graphics file, so in order to make clean changes, I'd basically have to re-create the whole map ([[Wikivoyage:How to draw static maps]] has some really bad advice in that regard). Even if it was SVG, I'd probably rather make a new one, because there's only so much you can do in a graphics program compared to something like Qqis. 3) The styles for static city/district and especially country/region maps look like it's still 2007. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 15:40, 16 June 2022 (UTC) :::{{re|Ibaman}} I made a static map but it's togglable. Does it still look a bit redundant? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:25, 27 June 2022 (UTC) sr3bc00a7c6mqpmq8btdm9r9wc4affn 0 126977 4506463 4506022 2022-08-23T01:11:21Z Anyone150 1516949 /* By car */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Lordsburg''' is in [[Southwest New Mexico|Southwest]] [[New Mexico]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Lordburg in an east/west direction. It is the main stopping area when traveling from Benson and Las Cruces. Lordsburg is accessed from Exits 20 to 24 with Exit 22 specifically into town as Main St. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Motel Dr''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 20/20A of I-10, through downtown Lordsburg, back to I-10 at Exit 24. [[File:US 70.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 494.svg|22px]] '''Main St/Duncan Highway''' divides the town in directional halves, from east to west. Going east on US-70, it goes concurrently on I-10 to [[Las Cruces]] (at Exit 135). Going west US 70 winds its way north, as Duncan Highway, towards [[Globe_(Arizona)|Globe]] (where it ends), through [[Safford_(Arizona)|Safford, Arizona]]. Main St goes south, past I-10, as NM-494 towards Shakespeare Ghost Town. It is accesed from Exit #22 of I-10. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840280 | email= | address=(bus station) 112 Wabash St | lat=32.34390 | long=-108.71303 | directions=Small blue white building next to McDonald's | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. They also have another route on US 70 connecting Lordsburg to Phoenix through Duncan, Safford, Bylas, Peridot, Globe, Peridot, Apache Jct and Mesa. Check schedules. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=El Paso Los Angeles Limousine Express | alt= | url=http://www.eplalimo.com | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 1105 S Main St | lat=32.34386 | long=-108.71299 | directions= | phone=+1-915-532-4061 | tollfree=+1-866 691-9732 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone with pick-up or drop-off confirmed. Bus travels primarily between Los Angeles, El Monte, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson and El Paso on I-10. Additional stops are by appointment only. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt=Operated by Intermex Transportation | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/lordsburg-nm | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Center at 900 W Motel Dr|lat=32.3533 | long=-108.7368 | directions=Bus will board at Love's Travel Stop at the west curb of the semitruck lot, on the side adjacent to Goldhill Outpost | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Service Los Angeles, Phoenix/Tempe, Tucson and El Paso. }} ===By train=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Amtrak | alt= | url=https://www.amtrak.com/stations/ldb | email= | address=E Motel Dr and Center St| lat=32.35004 | long=-108.70706 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image= | content=Served by two routes: the [http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train ''Sunset Limited''] and [http://www.amtrak.com/texas-eagle-train ''Texas Eagle'']. As this is an unmanned platform with a shelter, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone to be presented to the conductor at boarding. }} ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Shakespeare Ghost Town | alt= | url=http://www.shakespeareghostown.com | email= | address=Ghost Town Rd west of NM Hwy 494 | lat=32.325608 | long=-108.738322 | directions=2.5 mi south of Lordsburg | phone=+1 575 542-9034 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A former mining town that was largely abandoned by the 1890s. Closed unless a tour is previously arranged. Self guided tours are not allowed. }} * {{see | name=Shakespeare Cemetery | alt= | url= | email= | address=NM Hwy 494 at Ghost Town Rd | lat=32.323985 | long=-108.728161 | directions=south of Lordsburg | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This old cemetery, just to the east of the ghost town of Shakespeare, was the final resting place of many Shakespeare residents. }} ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Charro | alt= | url= | email= | address=209 Southern Pacific Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 542-3400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Kranberry's | alt= | url= | email= | address=1405 Main St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 542-9400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Ramona's Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=904 E Motel Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 542-3030 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Benson (Arizona)|Benson]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[Deming]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Willcox]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | minorr2=[[Deming]] | image3=US 70.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Globe (Arizona)|Globe]] | minorl3=[[Safford (Arizona)|Safford]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Las Cruces]] | minorr3=[[Deming]] | image4=New Mexico 90.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=SW | majorl4=END | minorl4= | directionr4=NE | majorr4=END | minorr4=[[Silver City]] }} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|32.346944|-108.707222}} n7uw17v4uebv604t5v2xv2ns4jxyben 4506488 4506463 2022-08-23T02:24:50Z 131.191.91.0 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Lordsburg''' is in [[Southwest New Mexico|Southwest]] [[New Mexico]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== [[File:I-10.svg|22px]] '''Interstate 10 (I-10)''' passes through Lordburg in an east/west direction. It is the main stopping area when traveling from Benson and Las Cruces. Lordsburg is accessed from Exits 20 to 24 with Exit 22 specifically into town as Main St. [[File:Business_Loop_10.svg|22px]] '''Motel Dr''' serves as local street (Old US 80) from Exits 20/20A of I-10, through downtown Lordsburg, back to I-10 at Exit 24. [[File:US 70.svg|22px]] & [[File:New Mexico 494.svg|22px]] '''Main St/Duncan Highway''' divides the town in directional halves, from east to west. Going east on US-70, it goes concurrently on I-10 to [[Las Cruces]] (at Exit 135). Going west US 70 winds its way north, as Duncan Highway, towards [[Globe_(Arizona)|Globe]] (where it ends), through [[Safford_(Arizona)|Safford, Arizona]]. Main St goes south, past I-10, as NM-494 towards Shakespeare Ghost Town. It is accesed from Exit #22 of I-10. ===By bus=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound | alt= | url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-840280 | email= | address=(bus station) 112 Wabash St | lat=32.34390 | long=-108.71303 | directions=Small blue white building next to McDonald's | phone=+1 575 542-8819 | tollfree=+1 800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound primarily travel on I-10 between [[El Paso#By bus|El Paso]], Lordsburg, [[Tucson#By_bus|Tucson]] and [[Phoenix#By bus|Phoenix]]. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. They also have another route on US 70 connecting Lordsburg to Phoenix through Duncan, Safford, Bylas, Peridot, Globe, Peridot, Apache Jct and Mesa. Check schedules. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=El Paso Los Angeles Limousine Express | alt= | url=http://www.eplalimo.com | email= | address=(bus stop) McDonald's at 1105 S Main St | lat=32.34386 | long=-108.71299 | directions= | phone=+1-915-532-4061 | tollfree=+1-866 691-9732 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-10 | content=As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone with pick-up or drop-off confirmed. Bus travels primarily between Los Angeles, El Monte, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson and El Paso on I-10. Additional stops are by appointment only. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Flixbus | alt=Operated by Intermex Transportation | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/lordsburg-nm | email= | address=(bus stop) Love's Travel Center at 900 W Motel Dr|lat=32.3533 | long=-108.7368 | directions=Bus will board at Love's Travel Stop at the west curb of the semitruck lot, on the side adjacent to Goldhill Outpost | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-14 | content=Service Los Angeles, Phoenix/Tempe, Tucson and El Paso. }} ===By train=== * {{listing | type=go | name=Amtrak | alt= | url=https://www.amtrak.com/stations/ldb | email= | address=E Motel Dr and Center St| lat=32.35004 | long=-108.70706 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | image= | content=Served by two routes: the [http://www.amtrak.com/sunset-limited-train ''Sunset Limited''] and [http://www.amtrak.com/texas-eagle-train ''Texas Eagle'']. As this is an unmanned platform with a shelter, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone to be presented to the conductor at boarding. }} ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Shakespeare Ghost Town | alt= | url=http://www.shakespeareghostown.com | email= | address=Ghost Town Rd west of NM Hwy 494 | lat=32.325608 | long=-108.738322 | directions=2.5 mi south of Lordsburg | phone=+1 575 542-9034 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A former mining town that was largely abandoned by the 1890s. Closed unless a tour is previously arranged. Self guided tours are not allowed. }} * {{see | name=Shakespeare Cemetery | alt= | url= | email= | address=NM Hwy 494 at Ghost Town Rd | lat=32.323985 | long=-108.728161 | directions=south of Lordsburg | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=This old cemetery, just to the east of the ghost town of Shakespeare, was the final resting place of many Shakespeare residents. }} ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=El Charro | alt= | url= | email= | address=209 Southern Pacific Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 542-3400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Kranberry's | alt= | url= | email= | address=1405 Main St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 542-9400 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{eat | name=Ramona's Cafe | alt= | url= | email= | address=904 E Motel Dr | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 575 542-3030 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Amtrak Sunset Limited icon.png | imagesize1=75 | image1a=Amtrak Texas Eagle icon.png | imagesize1a=75 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Tucson]] | minorl1=[[Benson (Arizona)|Benson]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[San Antonio]] | minorr1=[[Deming]] | image2=I-10.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Tucson]] | minorl2=[[Willcox]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=[[Las Cruces]] | minorr2=[[Deming]] | image3=US 70.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=W | majorl3=[[Globe (Arizona)|Globe]] | minorl3=[[Safford (Arizona)|Safford]] | directionr3=E | majorr3=[[Las Cruces]] | minorr3=[[Deming]] | image4=New Mexico 90.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=SW | majorl4=END | minorl4= | directionr4=NE | majorr4=END | minorr4=[[Silver City]] }} {{IsPartOf|Southwest New Mexico}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|32.346944|-108.707222}} h6l7sapbu12jghcw3d6nkewm24u504u 0 127756 4506191 4504650 2022-08-22T12:18:36Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Belghoria Expressway - Kolkata 2011-09-09 4956 (cropped).JPG|pgname=Northern fringes}} [[File:Amarabati Crossing - Sodepur 7456.JPG|thumb|200px|Amarabati crossing, Sodepur]] The '''northern fringes''' of [[Kolkata]] is a large urbanised industrial area from Naihati at the north to Cossipore and Dum Dum at the south. ==Understand== The district includes Dum Dum, Nagerbazar, Belghoria, Dakshineswar, Nimta, Birati, Kamarhati, Sukchar, Khardaha, Panihati, Ghola, Sodepur, Titagarh, New Barrackpore, Madhyamgram, Hridaypur etc. The once-flourishing manufacturing belt still has some units working well, but the industrial area is no longer in the pink of health and is often in the news for the wrong reasons. The main line of the Eastern Bengal Railway, which once served to link Kolkata with the eastern part of Bengal (now Bangladesh), ran through this area. The area has a mixed population - a high percentage of Hindi-speaking people from [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]] and refugees from East Pakistan (now [[Bangladesh]]), generally outnumbering the local population. ==Get in== ===By train=== [[File:KolkataLocalTrain.JPG|thumb|200px|right|An EMU train at Hridaypur railway station]] The main line links Sealdah and Ranaghat. A branch line links Dum Dum to Bangaon, near the India-Bangladesh border. The Calcutta Chord line links Dum Dum to Dankuni on the Howrah-Bardhaman Chord line. The main stations in the region are: * {{Go | name=Agarpara railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.6821 | long= 88.3851| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{go | name=Barasat Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Barasat | lat=22.72412 | long=88.48373 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4858453 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content= }} * {{go | name=Belgharia railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Belghoria | lat=22.66136 | long=88.38922 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q25549258 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content= }} * {{Go | name=Birati railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.6646 | long=88.4274 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{Go | name=Bisharpara-Kodalia railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.6766 | long=88.4348 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{Go | name=Dum Dum Cantonment railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.637 | long=88.412 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{go | name=Dum Dum Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dum Dum | lat=22.6209 | long=88.3933 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15215337 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content=Changeover to metro railway at Dum Dum metro station. }} * {{Go | name=Durganagar railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.6509 | long=88.4194 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{Go | name=Hridaypur railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.7112 | long=88.4701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{go | name=Jagaddal railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.851679 | long=88.395407 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q31296981 | lastedit=2022-07-25 | content= }} * {{Go | name=Kakinara railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.8663 | long=88.4051 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Kanchrapara railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Station Rd, Kanchrapara | lat=22.946261 | long=88.451348 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kanchrapara railway station | wikidata=Q48733054 | lastedit=2019-04-09 | content= }} * {{Go | name=Khardaha railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.7248 | long=88.3777 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{Go | name=Madhyamgram railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.6948 | long=88.4528 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{go | name=Naihati Junction railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Naihati | lat=22.8871 | long=88.4175 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15260806 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content= }} * {{go | name=New Barrackpore railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.6868 | long=88.4446 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q55888217 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content= }} * {{go | name=Shyamnagar railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shyamnagar | lat=22.828516 | long=88.380189 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56280798 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content= }} * {{go | name=Sodpur railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Sodepur | lat=22.69964 | long=88.382297 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56280762 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content= }} * {{go | name=Titagarh railway station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Titagarh | lat=22.741126 | long=88.374584 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56280776 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content= }} ===By metro=== Metro railway is the fastest and the most convenient way to reach the northern fringes. However, only one route runs along this district from north to south. This means one may have to change to other modes of transport to reach one's destination. The metro runs from Dakshineswar in the northern fringes to Kavi Subhash (New Garia) in the [[Kolkata/Southern fringes|southern fringes]]. The metro route in the northern fringes is overground. Trains run every 10-15 minutes and at ₹5-₹15. It runs from 7:02AM to 9:49PM from Monday to Saturday and 10:02AM to 9:49PM on Sunday. The metro stations in the northern fringes are: * {{Go|type= | name=Dakshineswar metro station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dakshineswar | lat=22.653971 | long=88.363724 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Dakshineswar metro station | wikidata=Q63092256 | content= }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Baranagar metro station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dunlop, Baranagar | lat=22.653529 | long=88.378873 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Baranagar metro station | wikidata=Q63092244 | content= }} * {{listing|type=go | name=Noapara metro station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Noapara, Baranagar | lat=22.639722 | long=88.393889 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Noapara metro station | wikidata=Q14942939 | content= }} * {{go | name=Dum Dum metro station | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dum Dum | lat=22.621111 | long=88.392778 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5313576 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content=Changeover to overground suburban railway at Dum Dum railway station. }} ===By car=== The two main roads leading into the area from Kolkata are Barrackpore Trunk Road and Jessore Road (NH 34). Jessore Road is linked with the junction point of NH 2 and NH 6 at Dankuni via Belghoria Expressway across Nivedita Setu. Direct roads link Barrackpore with Barasat and Sodepur with Madhyamgram. Kalyani Expressway is another important link in the area. ===By boat=== There are a set of parallel bridges across the Hooghly River - Vivekananda Setu and Nivedita Setu - between Dakshineswar and Bally. Between Naihati and Bandel, there only is a railway bridge. There are numerous ferry points (locally known as ghats) connecting the two banks of the Hooghly River. ==See== {{Mapframe|22.71|88.43|zoom=12|width=450|height=600}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q4863174,Q4863170}} {{mapshapes|Q1048849}} [[File:Kolkatatemple.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Dakshineswar Kali Temple]] * {{see | name=Clive's House | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rastraguru Avenue, Nagerbazar | lat=22.626404 | long=88.416153 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56152584 | lastedit=2022-07-25 | content=A rather mysterious building, it is considered the first pucca brick and cement building in the northern fringes of Kolkata, possibly built by the Portuguese. What is definitely known is that it was used by British soldiers when they first started coming into the country and then Robert Clive took it over, renovated it, added a floor to the single-storeyed building and made it his country house around 1757-60. }} *{{see | name=Dakshineswar Kali Temple | alt= | url=http://www.dakshineswarkalitemple.org | email= | address=Dakshineswar | lat=22.655 | long=88.357778 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1157765 | lastedit=2022-07-15 | content=The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni between 1847 and 1855. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was the head and only priest of this temple from 1856 to 1886. After his death, it has been taken over by the West Bengal Government. It attracts thousands of worshipers around the year. There are several other temples in the large complex and a ghat (steps leading to the river) on the bank of the Hooghly River. Beside it, you can see the temple of "Radha Gobinda" a famous temple of Lord Krishna and Radha. You will even be able to see the twelve temples of Lord Shiva. }} * {{see | name=Rishi Bankim Chandra's residence and museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Naihati | lat=22.8832 | long= 88.4164| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name=Brahmamoyee Kali Temple | alt= | url= | email= | address=Mulajore, Shyamnagar | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18988414 | lastedit=2022-07-26 | content=A replica of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Barasat Stadium | alt=Watch football matches | url= | email= | address=Barasat | lat=22.7175 | long=88.4787 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-25 | content= }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Big Bazaar Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address= College More, M.B. Road, Birati| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{Buy | name= Khadi Pratisthan| alt= | url= | email= | address=Sodepur | lat=22.6998 | long= 88.3791 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Founded in 1925 by Satish Chandra Dasgupta, a close aide of Mahatma Gandhi. }} * {{buy | name=Saha Textile | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/SahaTextile | email= | address=Haritala, Barasat | lat=22.7202 | long=88.4885 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{buy | name=Sriniketan Fashions | alt= | url= http://sriniketan.com/ | email= | address= Station Road, Sodepur| lat=22.7005 | long=88.3783 | directions= | phone= +91 33 25834436, +91 33 25834437, +91 33 25834438 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Sher-e-Punjab | alt= | url= | email= | address=Jessore Road, Sukanta Nagar | lat=22.6774 | long=88.4463 | directions= | phone= +91 33 25672848 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=11AM-midnight | price= | content=Quality Punjabi dhaba food. Chinese & Thai dishes also available. AC or open-air seating. Drinks served. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Hotel Airways | alt= | url= | email= | address= Motilal Colony, Rajbari| lat= 22.6467| long=88.4341 | directions=Near Airport No. 2 Gate | phone=+91 33 25132106 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Gateway Continental | alt= | url= | email= | address=Crossing of VIP Road (Kazi Nazrul Islam Sarani) and Jessore Road | lat=22.6419 | long=88.4307 | directions=Near Airport No. 1 Gate | phone= +91 33 25118324 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Annapurna Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=Taki Road | lat= 22.7174| long=88.4917 | directions= | phone=+91 9433275251 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Windsor | alt= | url= | email= | address=Rishi Bankim Chandra Road | lat=22.7199 | long=88.4871 | directions= | phone=+91 9831260630 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Palash Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=125 Jessore Road | lat= 22.7219 | long=88.4897 | directions=Near Barasat Hospital | phone=+91 33 25523042 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} ==Connect== ==Stay safe== For the past several years Barasat has, from time to time, been in the news for crime in general and against women in particular. The victims have generally been local people and life has gone on. However, those traveling to Barasat may keep a note of the emergency police number: 100. ==Go next== * [[Kolkata/Baranagar|Baranagar]] * [[Kolkata/Barrackpore|Barrackpore]] * [[Kolkata/North|North Kolkata]] {{routebox | placename=the northern fringes of [[Kolkata]] | image1=Kolkata Metro Logo.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=END | minorl1= | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Kolkata/Esplanade|Esplanade]] | minorr1=[[Kolkata/North|Shobhabazar Sutanuti]] | link1= | caption1= | image2=WB_SH1-IND.png | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Kolkata/Barrackpore|Barrackpore]] | minorl2=[[Kolkata/Baranagar|Baranagar]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Kolkata/Esplanade|Esplanade]] | minorr2=[[Kolkata/North|North Kolkata]] | link2= | caption2= }} {{IsPartOf|Kolkata}} {{usabledistrict}} {{geo|22.7253|88.4383|zoom=11}} hs08s08qspiqtbmgxaoq3cj9tlo2rox 1 128691 4506179 4462108 2022-08-22T12:08:00Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Is COVID over? */ new section wikitext text/x-wiki ==Travel health== I started this article before I realized there's an article called [[Travel health]]. I think this article will supersede that one, and that that article should eventually be merged here, with a redirect. However, some of the topics linked to in that thread deserve treatment in this article, such as [[sun protection]], [[altitude sickness]], and [[cold weather]]. Anyone who would like to help would meet with my sincerest thanks. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:28, 6 October 2013 (UTC) :Vaccines could strip us of our right to metaphysical/psychic abilities (and damage our auric fields). --[[User:Lo Ximiendo|Lo Ximiendo]] ([[User talk:Lo Ximiendo|talk]]) 18:54, 23 May 2014 (UTC) ::Besides, I could go for a nosode (rhymes with episode) instead. --[[User:Lo Ximiendo|Lo Ximiendo]] ([[User talk:Lo Ximiendo|talk]]) 18:56, 23 May 2014 (UTC) == Topic for immunization certificates == {{swept}} I just deleted a WP link for "carte jaune" from the [[Madagascar]] article. I figure that if we need to explain what this document is, it's important to international travelers and should be explained somewhere on this site. Is it? If so, where? And if not, I think it probably should be, and then we can link that wherever appropriate. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:24, 1 February 2015 (UTC) : I believe they mean the [[Yellow_fever#Vaccination|Yellow fever vaccination certificate]]. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:42, 1 February 2015 (UTC) ::I was assuming they meant a yellow card that's internationally recognized and can show various vaccinations. I have one that I used in the 70s for travel to Malaysia and India, among other places. Yellow fever was only one of the vaccinations listed. I haven't traveled anywhere for decades where I was required to show a record of vaccinations, though. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:46, 1 February 2015 (UTC) :::Actually, didn't [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] visit Madagascar recently? He should probably know about what kind of certificates are required. So far I haven't visited any country where any kind of vaccination certificate would be required. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 16:14, 1 February 2015 (UTC) :::: There were a few countries in Africa that required proof of yellow fever vaccination so I got into the habit of keeping my vaccination card in my passport. According to the [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/Madagascar CDC], proof of vaccination is required in Madagascar only if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present, so someone flying through Kenya might be required to have been vaccinated. -- [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 16:26, 1 February 2015 (UTC) :::: I went to Madagascar last year and was not asked for anything but my passport. [[User:Nicolas1981|Nicolas1981]] ([[User talk:Nicolas1981|talk]]) 03:33, 5 February 2015 (UTC) == Alternative banner for this article? == [[File:Pharmacy_banner.JPG|right|thumb|500px|Banner currently used in this article]] [[File:Stay_Healthy_WV_banner.jpg|right|thumb|500px|Suggested new alternative banner]] I created a new alternative banner for this article (I initially created it first and foremost so that it would be used at the top of the parallel article in the Hebrew edition of Wikivoyage, yet I later decided to also suggest that the English Wikivoyage community would consider using it here as well). So, which banner do you prefer having at the top of this article? [[User:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|ויקיג&#39;אנקי]] ([[User talk:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|talk]]) 19:39, 12 August 2015 (UTC) :I prefer the new image, it appears to be more related to health than the old one... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 19:43, 12 August 2015 (UTC) ::Respectfully, I find myself unable to approve of the new banner. I realize, of course, that the fact that we are looking at any old pharmacy is by no means immediately apparent to viewers of the current banner, so in theory, I would support a banner that's more clearly on-topic, but the new banner is a fuzzy, poor-quality image, so I vote a pretty strong "No" to this proposed substitution. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:12, 12 August 2015 (UTC) :::Would be better, but image has been scaled up, need a better one. I like the red atmosphere though. Hopefully a similar better pic can be found :-) [[User:Syced|Syced]] ([[User talk:Syced|talk]]) 07:38, 13 August 2015 (UTC) :::: I would support a similar banner of better photographic quality. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:05, 3 September 2017 (UTC) :::::The current one is bad. There must be something better out there. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 03:23, 9 October 2018 (UTC) == Pollution == WHO says [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160927144248.htm 92% of the world’s population exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution]. Article includes a map. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:01, 29 September 2016 (UTC) == Online prescriptions == I removed most of what an IP user added, about online prescriptions: : In the [[United Kingdom]] it is unusually hard to get a prescription if you are a foreigner traveling there. : Luckily there are certain safe and regulated online doctor services that can offer you prescription medicine and advise from reliable doctors if you become ill on your travel. If you are buying online you should be careful to [http://www.theonlinesurgery.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-a-safe-online-doctor-or-pharmacy/ check the athenticity] and regulatory clearance of the website you are using before you make the purchase. : They usually do an online consultation, you can pay for your medication using any credit card and they will send over the meds to your hotel or place of stay anywhere in the UK. This gives you an option to get quick reliable and economical health assistance in an expensive place like the UK. I would like to have some evidence that these services are indeed safe, legal and reliable before letting them stay in our article. How can a doctor prescribe medication without being able to physically examine the patient? (I know there are [[:w:International maritime signal flags|signal flags]] for the purpose, but then the captain had at least some medical training – and the alternative would have been worse). --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:00, 28 October 2016 (UTC) :Some common conditions don't require "physically" examining the patient, especially if it's a chronic or recurrent condition. Telemedicine is suitable for some conditions (and some circumstances, e.g., if the nearest prescriber is many hours away) but not for others. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:18, 2 November 2016 (UTC) ==Make "Stay healthy" a sub-category of "Stay safe"?== : ''See [[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub#Merging "stay safe" and "stay healthy"?]]'' There is an idea to merge the ''Stay healthy'' sections of destination articles with ''Stay safe''. Thereby, this topic would be a sub-category of [[Stay safe]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:03, 3 September 2017 (UTC) ::I '''oppose''' this suggestion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:41, 4 September 2017 (UTC) ::: I think both are quite long, and combining the advice would make them less to the point. But they could be better coordinated. Better cross-linking and some rewriting would help. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:49, 4 September 2017 (UTC) ::'''Oppose'''. There are some cases in which a health issue is a safety issue, but that's not so most of the other cases. --[[User:Zerabat|Zerabat]] ([[User talk:Zerabat|talk]]) 15:16, 8 October 2018 (UTC) ==Links to useful sources== If these are permitted, will place them in this very useful article: * Discussion of meds/device restrictions by Singapore could use link to their site where restrictions are defined and permissions may be obtained...[http://www.hsa.gov.sg/content/hsa/en/Health_Products_Regulation/Consumer_Information/Personal_Import_Regulations/bringing_personal_medication_into_Singapore.html]. Would readers be well-served by links to sites of other countries (especially those with major restrictions/penalties) to learn if full or limited permissions can be obtained, why and how? * Could improve understanding about useful contents for travel health kits by linking to article from the U.S. Center for Disease Control, i.e., [https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/the-pre-travel-consultation/travel-health-kits]. : Notice excellent contributions by the usual "star" contributors. Regards, [[User:Hennejohn|Hennejohn]] ([[User talk:Hennejohn|talk]]) 16:46, 30 September 2017 (UTC) == Negative bias from Western-centric POV against the so-called 3rd World == {{quote|'''Get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling, '''especially when travelling abroad to''' tropical or '''third-world areas'''}} Are you, writer of the article, assuming the so-called Third World areas are dirty and poor, prone to virulent epidemies all the time? About 3rd World, I guess it refers to the concept you can find in Wikipedia (and in this case, 3rd World comprises lots of totally different places with different healthcare statuses), otherwise, what areas are considered "Third World-class" areas?. I suppose the writer is US or European citizen with little knowledge about other less developed areas of the World the writer doesn't know, with a stereotypical preconception about them. I can understand about the tropical destinations because those areas are full of life and living threats (yellow fever, dengue, ...) but "third-world areas" seems to be derogative to me. I'd say "areas/places with poor environmental health/low quality healthcare systems" instead. How can this be rewritten? --[[User:Zerabat|Zerabat]] ([[User talk:Zerabat|talk]]) 15:09, 8 October 2018 (UTC) :Sigh. Look at a map of the endemic areas for certain diseases. They do tend to be tropical. And "Trikont" (LatAm, Africa, Asia) [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 15:36, 8 October 2018 (UTC) ::Zerabat agrees about tropical places and is only objecting to the somewhat dated term "Third World". I think we could rewrite the notice something like this: ::'''Get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling, '''especially when travelling to areas where the diseases are endemic and standards of sanitation and health care are low'''. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:08, 8 October 2018 (UTC) :::That might work... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 18:29, 8 October 2018 (UTC) :::That seems a bit long and puts the onus on the reader to know where exactly these endemic areas are. I'd keep the old wording but swap "third-world" out with "developing." This also has the benefit of being more correct; after all, Switzerland is technically a third-world country. [[User:ARR8|ARR8]] ([[User talk:ARR8|talk]]) 22:45, 8 October 2018 (UTC) ::::An impoverished country is not necessarily "developing"; it might be poor and staying poor, or even going from bad to worse. If we need to say "impoverished" or "tropical" we should say so as the target audience is someone who has never visited a new country and has no idea whether a claim that a specific area is "developing" is true, is sarcasm or is merely euphemism. Say what you mean. [[User:K7L|K7L]] ([[User talk:K7L|talk]]) 01:00, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :::::We ought to say whatever is the most accurate and would be the best understood by our readers. I'm not sure where this places any of these terms. "Third world" is not a very specific term; I'm not sure most people would know what this term is referring to. :::::I agree with [[User:K7L|K7L]] about the term "developing"; it's not very accurate. I think the term "impoverished" is probably the best term unless we're going to write a long list of all the countries where diseases are widespread. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 03:21, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :::::: I'm fine with "impoverished." [[User:ARR8|ARR8]] ([[User talk:ARR8|talk]]) 03:44, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :::::::For better or worse, "developing countries" is a standard term, even though, as one book I read put it, some of them are not developing at a rate worthy of note. See for instance our article on [[Travel in developing countries]]. I think "impoverished countries" sounds overly negative. But developing countries are a pretty mixed bag, including places like [[Chile]] with adequate health care. Why not refer to the standards of health care in the countries rather than their economic development? Or if we need to refer to economic development, how about "low-income countries"? :::::::Regardless, I think we should keep the word "tropical". —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 03:49, 9 October 2018 (UTC) ::::::::I understand, Costa Rica has a very good health system, and certainly, Cuba is known for its good primary care and then some. I think that making overbroad generalizations won't be too helpful, and if it's not easy for readers to find out which countries and regions have a low standard of health and sanitation, we should tell them which ones do. And they're certainly not all in the "developing world". As good as health care in the U.S. can be for the super-rich, there are some hospitals that are known as places to die, and I daresay, the correlation between local income and standard of care does tend to apply in the U.S., though not nearly so automatically on a country-by-country basis. But we need to make a decision about how much detail we want to go into in this article, as opposed to country and region articles. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:46, 9 October 2018 (UTC) {{outdent}}What if we just really simplified it? Like this: {{quote|'''Get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling, '''when travelling abroad'''.}} Or: {{quote|'''When travelling abroad, get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling.}} Are these a little simpler? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 13:56, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :In fact they are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:25, 9 October 2018 (UTC) ::They are simpler. I think this article should indicate in some way that dangerous diseases are more prevalent in warmer/tropical countries, but I suppose that doesn't have to be in the "Vaccines" section. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 01:12, 10 October 2018 (UTC) :::Okay. Should I make the change, or which is the preferred one? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 02:57, 10 October 2018 (UTC) ::::For what it's worth, the second version reads a little better to me. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:54, 10 October 2018 (UTC) :::::I like Ikan Kekek suggestion, because is not misleading and give enough details without leaving behind crucial information, but of course 2nd suggestions are OK too. --[[User:Zerabat|Zerabat]] ([[User talk:Zerabat|talk]]) 23:02, 11 October 2018 (UTC) ::::::I'll wait a little longer for other opinions before making any final changes. By the way, what does POV mean in the context of this discussion? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 00:46, 12 October 2018 (UTC) :::::::Point of view. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:12, 12 October 2018 (UTC) {{outdent}}I see. Thanks. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 03:57, 12 October 2018 (UTC) == Separate page for sexual health? == {{swept}} Opinions on whether it might be worth creating a comprehensive article on sexual health while travelling? It's not often covered in 'stay healthy' subsections, and there's some information in the 'women travellers' page but it seems quite general, and some of it might even be better off in a specific sexual health page. Information on contraceptives, morning-after pills, regional laws (and/or attitudes), STI testing, where to go (pharmacy? hospital? private companies?) and what to ask for; costs (eg. free in much of Europe); high-risk regions etc ... thoughts? - Eben [[User:PresumingEb|PresumingEb]] ([[User talk:PresumingEb|talk]]) 04:04, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :I support such an article if there's useful material to put in it. But I'm having trouble envisioning what it would contain other than (a) general sexual health advice unrelated to travel, (b) location-specific information that should go in destination articles, or (c) general medical information that could go in [[Stay healthy]]. I've only thought about this for a few minutes, though, so there may be possibilities I haven't thought of. I would say start a section in [[Stay healthy]] (which already discusses condoms), and if it gets long split off a separate article. :Some countries' "Stay healthy" sections give the HIV rate and some other sexual health–related information, by the way. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 04:46, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::I tend to agree with Granger. And what ever happened with the proposal for [https://gynopedia.org/Welcome_to_Gynopedia Gynopedia] to become a Wikimedia site? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:43, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :::There is a [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=Gynopedia&go=Go&ns0=1&ns9=1&ns11=1&ns12=1&ns200=1&ns202=1 0% chance] of that becoming a WMF site. Where did you hear about any such proposal? —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 06:50, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the responses, I'll go with a 'stay healthy' section for now [[User:PresumingEb|PresumingEb]] ([[User talk:PresumingEb|talk]]) 14:43, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :::::[[User:Koavf|Justin]], the idea was brought up when Gynopedia links were posted in some Wikivoyage articles and we deleted them. Why would that be an impossible proposal? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:28, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::::::In 19 years, the WMF have only adopted one project, which itself was fairly active and represented a new kind of knowledge for the community and that was after years and years of discussion. This is a much less active, extremely niche site that provides some combination of a travel guide (Wikivoyage), tutorial (Wikibooks), and includes info on how to break several contentious laws. I can't imagine the scenario where this site would be adopted by the WMF and even if it were, it wouldn't be for a decade. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 19:52, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :::::::Thanks for your reply. I don't think contraception and women's health are "extremely niche" issues, though! On the project Wikimedia adopted, you mean Wikivoyage? How many years was that under discussion? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:45, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::::::::Hm. Shows what I know--looks like the discussion at Meta was only about 18 months. Could have sworn it was a few years. Sorry for taht. But yes, I think that the subdomain of women's health is a very niche thing--it's a subfield of a field. Why not WikiMedicine generally? Why a wiki only about women's health? Why host material that is illegal and dangerous about some sub-sub-topic that can be (and is) discussed by other projects? Sister projects are different ''kinds'' of knowledge, not different sorts of information. There isn't WikiMaps: there are maps on Commons that are used on Wikivoyage. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 05:25, 17 June 2019 (UTC) == HIV prevention == {{swept}} There is a relatively new anti-HIV drug called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis); one pill a day greatly reduces the chance of the virus taking hold if you are exposed to it. [https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html CDC] says "Daily PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%." Use a condom as well & the risk is lowered further. We have warnings about AIDS at places like [[Thailand#Prostitution]] and a redirect at [[HIV]] to a section of the "infectious diseases" article; I'm about to add a redirect for [[AIDS]] to the same section. Costs for PrEP are all over the map; PBS says [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/8-things-didnt-know-truvadaprep $1300 for a month's supply in the US], but it is [https://www.get-prep.com/prep-costs under C$300 in Canada] and [https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/08/hiv-prevention-drug-prep-likely-to-be-approved-for-federal-subsidy A$40] in Australia. I think we should cover this since it reduces a risk that some travellers do take. However, I am not sure where coverage should go. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:49, 27 June 2019 (UTC) :PrEP is not "a drug". It's "the process of taking anti-HIV drugs to prevent an HIV infection". The one-pill-a-day formulation is convenient but not the only way to do it. :As to where to stick it, maybe a sentence near [[Stay healthy#Condoms]] would also be appropriate? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:06, 27 June 2019 (UTC) ::The Australian cost is the state subsidised cost of a prescription, which would only be available to locals and possibly some visitors. It is not a useful figure for comparison, just as there is no point in listing the countries where it would be free. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:13, 27 June 2019 (UTC) == Getting ill abroad == [[Getting sick in a foreign country]] redirects to [[{{PAGENAME}}#What to do if you get sick or injured]]; I don't feel it covers all the theme. It covered emergency number, seeing a doctor and insurance for medical treatment. I added some issues, such as getting somewhere to stay and somebody to check up on you. I don't know how these are handled generally. I could imagine that hotels aren't too keen on getting customers with a contagious disease. You may be travelling alone, or with a company that will continue their itinerary. Even in Finland, where you'd think things are thought out – at the point your acute problem has been fixed, you are mostly sent "home" with no regard of whether you are able to travel there or even whether you have somewhere to go. If you insist, you'd get the social services arrange things for you, but if you don't, you'd be left to yourself. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:10, 5 June 2022 (UTC) :So maybe this needs to be an article, with subsections for different countries? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:18, 5 June 2022 (UTC) :: I think it should be an article. However, many of the issues are similar across many countries, and I assume the advice would be, so best described in other sections of that article. Country sections are good if we have the information and a country differs, but I think a well-developed general discussion is more important than writing about the dozen or so (?) countries for which we have specific information. This cannot be an unusual problem, so consulates, hotels and travel bureaux should know how to handle it (but when I checked Finland's pages, there was more or less nothing). Also, unless there is country-specific legislation on it, I'd assume hotel chains have policy across countries. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:30, 5 June 2022 (UTC) == Is COVID over? == I was surprised to see this announcement on <nowiki>https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases</nowiki> : <blockquote> As of 20 June 2022, ECDC is discontinuing the data collection and publication of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide. Please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) data on COVID-19 and the WHO Weekly Epidemiological and Weekly Operational Updates page for the non-EU/EEA countries. ECDC will continue providing weekly updates for EU/EEA Member States and report on an ad-hoc basis about significant events related to COVID-19 globally. ECDC has been collecting data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for all countries in the EU/EEA and globally for more than two years. The data collected by ECDC will continue to be available in an archived format.</blockquote>< So it appears that the EU thinks COVID is no longer an issue? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:06, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :COVID will never be "over", in that it will not stop circulating in our lifetimes, but broadly speaking people's lifestyles will continue to get closer to how they were before the pandemic. Evidently ECDC has decided not to publish this particular set of data anymore, but if I understand correctly, other sources are still publishing substantively the same data for the time being. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 22:07, 25 June 2022 (UTC) : It is definitely not over. Current statistics are available from many sources, none 100% reliable. [https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries Worldometers] Probably the most worrisome number is that there are still 18.75 million active cases (diagnosed but not yet either dead or recovered) plus some infected but not diagnosed; those can spread the disease. The US still has about 3.3 million active cases, though that number has been falling. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 03:59, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :: I don't know whether Finland is typical for EU, but here the government more or less gave up on COVID-19 in early spring. They decided that it is spreading too fast to be stopped, that with most of the population triple-vaccinated "few" get a serious disease, and life has to go on. It seems people took them on the word, I think that less than one in ten is using masks. Incidence and death toll have been record high (statistics on cases is unreliable though, as people don't get official tests), but there are only some critical voices. Non-vaccinated have restrictions on passing the border (tests or quarantine required) but vaccinated EU-citizens can come and go as they please, nightclubs etc. are crowded, and big events are taking place like they used to. You can still find masks and tests in any shop, not as in Denmark where that is finished too. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:55, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, in Finland COVID hasn't been the main news topic for several months (partially also due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine). On 1 July they're dropping also the entry restrictions and health controls for people entering from outside the Schengen and in shops I've as of lately seen discounts on home tests and masks being "phased out from our product selection". The Department of Health and Wellbeing (THL) publishes [https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/tautitapaukset/coronamap.html statistics] showing cases and deaths have dropped remarkably since the spring. So at least for the moment it seems to be over, but one can never know what the situation looks like in the autumn. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 18:33, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::: Confirmed cases per 100,000 per 14 days is still in the hundreds, even though you aren't recommended to take an official test unless you get serious symptoms (as in needing hospital care). In some professions the tests are still taken, I assume. Anyway, the incidence – if counting factual cases – seems to be at least as bad as in the late autumn. 30% of actual tests are positive, when the figure used to be ~1% before the vaccines. There are about 10 persons in intensive care, while the number was about 50 at the worst time. Much better now, but far from over. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:00, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::: The health care centre still recommends mask use. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:03, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::Data collection has ended, but I don't think the EU considers COVID to no longer be an issue. I think we should leave, in current circumstances, the COVID notice on our [[main page]] until the end of the year, pending future updates on its spread. Apart from that notice and international travel information, COVID is barely mentioned on this wiki. I think the current notices in place make sense in our environment. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:15, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Right now, the focus where I am in [[New South Wales]] is mostly the flu (for the record, I've caught it twice within the last 31 days, with the last time just 4 days ago, hence why my editing activity has increased). The only news of COVID that I've really been hearing is either about COVID in China, or about our lockdown last year. However, as some countries still have restrictions on entry, I would say keep the COVID banner on the main page until September, and if September is deemed too early, then we can do another review then. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:51, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::In New South Wales, masking is still compulsory on public transport and the majority of people follow the rule. There is also a 7-day isolation rule if you test positive. I disagree about messaging only being about the flu. Public messaging from the government and media has always been about a dual virus winter here over the past few months (encouraging both vaccinations, etc.). In any case, this wiki is about travel, not just living in one's own city. Travellers started to get affected by Covid-19 from Janaury 2020, not March 2020 when most countries first went into lockdown. International travel will also be the last activity/industry that will fully return to normal so it makes sense to keep the notice for a while longer. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 14:34, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::To me, if the purpose is to help people, it can be removed. I don't think the article has been helpful for at least a year if ever. If the purpose is just to have something there, then it could stay or go. I don't think it's necessary to leave it up until every last country has lifted every restriction. Japan hasn't had any meaningful changes in its policies for 2 years in spite of less severe variants and vaccines, but it is already an outlier and becoming increasingly so. The country articles should still have information about entry which is basically the only information people care about. Leaving it until then end of the summer (September) as suggested seems reasonable though. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 14:52, 27 June 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} Most of the world has transitioned to living with the virus. The main exceptions are Japan, China and Taiwan. In the case of China, most of the elderly are unwilling to get vaccinated, and given how Hong Kong's hospitals were overwhelmed (to the point that the mortuaries ran out of space and bodies of COVID victims were piling up in the wards) during their last surge due to the same problem, I don't think China will reopen for the forseeable future. They might want to wait until all these unvaccinated elderly die of other causes before they reopen to foreigners. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :The idea that the pandemic is over is absurd and highly premature. I would strongly suggest for us to wait until at least the end of the year before jumping to conclusions, because it's quite likely that there will be another surge in the fall, and the large number of unvaccinated people around the world are a great source of new strains. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:04, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::I think whether "the pandemic" is over depends a lot on how you define "a pandemic". It's basically a political definition, not a biological one, so reasonable people and organizations can disagree on whether the current state should still be called "a pandemic". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::: Whether it is still a pandemic by some definition is less relevant. Are the restrictions stable enough that they are better handled together with other entry requirements, and in Cope, or in the current boxes? Is the disease different enough (as disease and as a social phenomenon) that it warrants its own article instead of being a bullet in [[Infectuous diseases]]? I think restrictions still vary fast enough that ease of maintenance is important, and then a template is the better solution, and people still see it as different from the flue and tuberculosis. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:39, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::The [https://www.medicinenet.com/pandemic/definition.htm definition of "pandemic"] is basically a medical one. If you'd like to say that the definition of "high degree of death" is a political one, that's another question. "The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020" per the [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria WHO], yet it's considered endemic to Africa, rather than even epidemic. Why? I think in significant part because those with enough money to stanch the death rate mostly live outside of Africa and prefer to ignore the deaths, plus it doesn't get spread around the world in areas with no types of mosquitoes that are vectors. But saying that the definition of "pandemic" is basically political is odd, because most people hadn't heard the word used at all until 2019-20, or at least not since at least the days when AIDS was out of control in their countries (and again, Africa suffers from less medical care; see the pattern?). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:48, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::The definition of pandemic varies between sources. Is it an epidemic [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Dr8dyuzvTkC&pg=PA179#v=onepage&q&f=false "crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people"]? How do you define "affecting", and what constitutes "a large number" of people? Those are both political choices. Is it instead something that happens [https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic "over a wide geographical area and that is of high prevalence, generally affecting a significant proportion of the world’s population"]? Who decides what constitutes "high" prevalence, and "a significant proportion"? Basically, people make these decisions. They'll decide that these effects are really "affecting" you but these others aren't (e.g., every new version of the common cold), or that the people affected aren't "large" or "significant" enough, or that (as with the malaria decision) the key point is that it happens all the time at a fairly stable rate within each population, rather than being new. (Some definitions say that pandemics must always be a new disease, or at least one that almost nobody has immunological resistance to; others don't.) :::::People – not science – pick which definition to apply (different definitions for different conditions), people decide which effects "count" and whether enough people are affected, and then people decide whether to apply this label. There have been hard-and-fast definitions for some similar concepts in the past, but pandemic is a somewhat flexible concept. ("School epidemic" in some places has been defined as a certain percentage of enrolled students being out of school with the same disease/symptoms. An old friend of mine accidentally set off a measles epidemic in her high school in the 1950s. She caught it somewhere, unwittingly brought it to school, and it turned out that almost none of the students in her school had had measles before. The teachers were mostly fine, but a huge number of students were out sick over the next month.) :::::Here at the English Wikivoyage, though, I think LPfi has good advice. We should consider it from the practical angle rather than the "does the current situation technically match my preferred definition" angle. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems to me, the most likely way to have fair definitions of medical concepts is to let public health authorities and not politicians define them. In any case, I think that it's fairly clear that COVID-19 remains a serious disease that's affecting travel in various ways, so we shouldn't be in a rush to deemphasize it and should let the crisis play out. Seeing how there's been a surge each Northern Hemisphere fall, I would suggest waiting till we see what happens in January, 2023 (i.e., after any effects of Christmas/New Years travel and get-togethers are clear) before possibly making any decisions about a fundamental change in coverage here. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:14, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Personally, I think that late January 2023 would be a fine time to discuss it. Christmas travel includes Epiphany in some countries, and if you add two or three weeks after that to find out what happened, then we should have fairly clear information. :::::::Thinking long-term, one possibility is to consider a seasonal cold-and-flu-and-covid page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:36, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That could be a good thing in the longer term, if it's not felt to be giving short shrift to other threats like malaria, zika, dengue, Lyme disease and so forth. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:39, 30 June 2022 (UTC) [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 12:08, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 7t37xdm1wbdf81nn2t52et1fni4in5p 4506180 4506179 2022-08-22T12:08:32Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Is COVID over? */ wikitext text/x-wiki ==Travel health== I started this article before I realized there's an article called [[Travel health]]. I think this article will supersede that one, and that that article should eventually be merged here, with a redirect. However, some of the topics linked to in that thread deserve treatment in this article, such as [[sun protection]], [[altitude sickness]], and [[cold weather]]. Anyone who would like to help would meet with my sincerest thanks. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:28, 6 October 2013 (UTC) :Vaccines could strip us of our right to metaphysical/psychic abilities (and damage our auric fields). --[[User:Lo Ximiendo|Lo Ximiendo]] ([[User talk:Lo Ximiendo|talk]]) 18:54, 23 May 2014 (UTC) ::Besides, I could go for a nosode (rhymes with episode) instead. --[[User:Lo Ximiendo|Lo Ximiendo]] ([[User talk:Lo Ximiendo|talk]]) 18:56, 23 May 2014 (UTC) == Topic for immunization certificates == {{swept}} I just deleted a WP link for "carte jaune" from the [[Madagascar]] article. I figure that if we need to explain what this document is, it's important to international travelers and should be explained somewhere on this site. Is it? If so, where? And if not, I think it probably should be, and then we can link that wherever appropriate. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:24, 1 February 2015 (UTC) : I believe they mean the [[Yellow_fever#Vaccination|Yellow fever vaccination certificate]]. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 15:42, 1 February 2015 (UTC) ::I was assuming they meant a yellow card that's internationally recognized and can show various vaccinations. I have one that I used in the 70s for travel to Malaysia and India, among other places. Yellow fever was only one of the vaccinations listed. I haven't traveled anywhere for decades where I was required to show a record of vaccinations, though. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:46, 1 February 2015 (UTC) :::Actually, didn't [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] visit Madagascar recently? He should probably know about what kind of certificates are required. So far I haven't visited any country where any kind of vaccination certificate would be required. [[User:Ypsilon|ϒpsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 16:14, 1 February 2015 (UTC) :::: There were a few countries in Africa that required proof of yellow fever vaccination so I got into the habit of keeping my vaccination card in my passport. According to the [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/Madagascar CDC], proof of vaccination is required in Madagascar only if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present, so someone flying through Kenya might be required to have been vaccinated. -- [[User:Wrh2|Ryan]] &bull; ([[User talk:Wrh2|talk]]) &bull; 16:26, 1 February 2015 (UTC) :::: I went to Madagascar last year and was not asked for anything but my passport. [[User:Nicolas1981|Nicolas1981]] ([[User talk:Nicolas1981|talk]]) 03:33, 5 February 2015 (UTC) == Alternative banner for this article? == [[File:Pharmacy_banner.JPG|right|thumb|500px|Banner currently used in this article]] [[File:Stay_Healthy_WV_banner.jpg|right|thumb|500px|Suggested new alternative banner]] I created a new alternative banner for this article (I initially created it first and foremost so that it would be used at the top of the parallel article in the Hebrew edition of Wikivoyage, yet I later decided to also suggest that the English Wikivoyage community would consider using it here as well). So, which banner do you prefer having at the top of this article? [[User:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|ויקיג&#39;אנקי]] ([[User talk:ויקיג&#39;אנקי|talk]]) 19:39, 12 August 2015 (UTC) :I prefer the new image, it appears to be more related to health than the old one... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 19:43, 12 August 2015 (UTC) ::Respectfully, I find myself unable to approve of the new banner. I realize, of course, that the fact that we are looking at any old pharmacy is by no means immediately apparent to viewers of the current banner, so in theory, I would support a banner that's more clearly on-topic, but the new banner is a fuzzy, poor-quality image, so I vote a pretty strong "No" to this proposed substitution. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:12, 12 August 2015 (UTC) :::Would be better, but image has been scaled up, need a better one. I like the red atmosphere though. Hopefully a similar better pic can be found :-) [[User:Syced|Syced]] ([[User talk:Syced|talk]]) 07:38, 13 August 2015 (UTC) :::: I would support a similar banner of better photographic quality. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:05, 3 September 2017 (UTC) :::::The current one is bad. There must be something better out there. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 03:23, 9 October 2018 (UTC) == Pollution == WHO says [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160927144248.htm 92% of the world’s population exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution]. Article includes a map. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:01, 29 September 2016 (UTC) == Online prescriptions == I removed most of what an IP user added, about online prescriptions: : In the [[United Kingdom]] it is unusually hard to get a prescription if you are a foreigner traveling there. : Luckily there are certain safe and regulated online doctor services that can offer you prescription medicine and advise from reliable doctors if you become ill on your travel. If you are buying online you should be careful to [http://www.theonlinesurgery.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-a-safe-online-doctor-or-pharmacy/ check the athenticity] and regulatory clearance of the website you are using before you make the purchase. : They usually do an online consultation, you can pay for your medication using any credit card and they will send over the meds to your hotel or place of stay anywhere in the UK. This gives you an option to get quick reliable and economical health assistance in an expensive place like the UK. I would like to have some evidence that these services are indeed safe, legal and reliable before letting them stay in our article. How can a doctor prescribe medication without being able to physically examine the patient? (I know there are [[:w:International maritime signal flags|signal flags]] for the purpose, but then the captain had at least some medical training – and the alternative would have been worse). --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:00, 28 October 2016 (UTC) :Some common conditions don't require "physically" examining the patient, especially if it's a chronic or recurrent condition. Telemedicine is suitable for some conditions (and some circumstances, e.g., if the nearest prescriber is many hours away) but not for others. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:18, 2 November 2016 (UTC) ==Make "Stay healthy" a sub-category of "Stay safe"?== : ''See [[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub#Merging "stay safe" and "stay healthy"?]]'' There is an idea to merge the ''Stay healthy'' sections of destination articles with ''Stay safe''. Thereby, this topic would be a sub-category of [[Stay safe]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 20:03, 3 September 2017 (UTC) ::I '''oppose''' this suggestion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:41, 4 September 2017 (UTC) ::: I think both are quite long, and combining the advice would make them less to the point. But they could be better coordinated. Better cross-linking and some rewriting would help. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:49, 4 September 2017 (UTC) ::'''Oppose'''. There are some cases in which a health issue is a safety issue, but that's not so most of the other cases. --[[User:Zerabat|Zerabat]] ([[User talk:Zerabat|talk]]) 15:16, 8 October 2018 (UTC) ==Links to useful sources== If these are permitted, will place them in this very useful article: * Discussion of meds/device restrictions by Singapore could use link to their site where restrictions are defined and permissions may be obtained...[http://www.hsa.gov.sg/content/hsa/en/Health_Products_Regulation/Consumer_Information/Personal_Import_Regulations/bringing_personal_medication_into_Singapore.html]. Would readers be well-served by links to sites of other countries (especially those with major restrictions/penalties) to learn if full or limited permissions can be obtained, why and how? * Could improve understanding about useful contents for travel health kits by linking to article from the U.S. Center for Disease Control, i.e., [https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/the-pre-travel-consultation/travel-health-kits]. : Notice excellent contributions by the usual "star" contributors. Regards, [[User:Hennejohn|Hennejohn]] ([[User talk:Hennejohn|talk]]) 16:46, 30 September 2017 (UTC) == Negative bias from Western-centric POV against the so-called 3rd World == {{quote|'''Get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling, '''especially when travelling abroad to''' tropical or '''third-world areas'''}} Are you, writer of the article, assuming the so-called Third World areas are dirty and poor, prone to virulent epidemies all the time? About 3rd World, I guess it refers to the concept you can find in Wikipedia (and in this case, 3rd World comprises lots of totally different places with different healthcare statuses), otherwise, what areas are considered "Third World-class" areas?. I suppose the writer is US or European citizen with little knowledge about other less developed areas of the World the writer doesn't know, with a stereotypical preconception about them. I can understand about the tropical destinations because those areas are full of life and living threats (yellow fever, dengue, ...) but "third-world areas" seems to be derogative to me. I'd say "areas/places with poor environmental health/low quality healthcare systems" instead. How can this be rewritten? --[[User:Zerabat|Zerabat]] ([[User talk:Zerabat|talk]]) 15:09, 8 October 2018 (UTC) :Sigh. Look at a map of the endemic areas for certain diseases. They do tend to be tropical. And "Trikont" (LatAm, Africa, Asia) [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 15:36, 8 October 2018 (UTC) ::Zerabat agrees about tropical places and is only objecting to the somewhat dated term "Third World". I think we could rewrite the notice something like this: ::'''Get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling, '''especially when travelling to areas where the diseases are endemic and standards of sanitation and health care are low'''. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:08, 8 October 2018 (UTC) :::That might work... [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 18:29, 8 October 2018 (UTC) :::That seems a bit long and puts the onus on the reader to know where exactly these endemic areas are. I'd keep the old wording but swap "third-world" out with "developing." This also has the benefit of being more correct; after all, Switzerland is technically a third-world country. [[User:ARR8|ARR8]] ([[User talk:ARR8|talk]]) 22:45, 8 October 2018 (UTC) ::::An impoverished country is not necessarily "developing"; it might be poor and staying poor, or even going from bad to worse. If we need to say "impoverished" or "tropical" we should say so as the target audience is someone who has never visited a new country and has no idea whether a claim that a specific area is "developing" is true, is sarcasm or is merely euphemism. Say what you mean. [[User:K7L|K7L]] ([[User talk:K7L|talk]]) 01:00, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :::::We ought to say whatever is the most accurate and would be the best understood by our readers. I'm not sure where this places any of these terms. "Third world" is not a very specific term; I'm not sure most people would know what this term is referring to. :::::I agree with [[User:K7L|K7L]] about the term "developing"; it's not very accurate. I think the term "impoverished" is probably the best term unless we're going to write a long list of all the countries where diseases are widespread. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 03:21, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :::::: I'm fine with "impoverished." [[User:ARR8|ARR8]] ([[User talk:ARR8|talk]]) 03:44, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :::::::For better or worse, "developing countries" is a standard term, even though, as one book I read put it, some of them are not developing at a rate worthy of note. See for instance our article on [[Travel in developing countries]]. I think "impoverished countries" sounds overly negative. But developing countries are a pretty mixed bag, including places like [[Chile]] with adequate health care. Why not refer to the standards of health care in the countries rather than their economic development? Or if we need to refer to economic development, how about "low-income countries"? :::::::Regardless, I think we should keep the word "tropical". —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 03:49, 9 October 2018 (UTC) ::::::::I understand, Costa Rica has a very good health system, and certainly, Cuba is known for its good primary care and then some. I think that making overbroad generalizations won't be too helpful, and if it's not easy for readers to find out which countries and regions have a low standard of health and sanitation, we should tell them which ones do. And they're certainly not all in the "developing world". As good as health care in the U.S. can be for the super-rich, there are some hospitals that are known as places to die, and I daresay, the correlation between local income and standard of care does tend to apply in the U.S., though not nearly so automatically on a country-by-country basis. But we need to make a decision about how much detail we want to go into in this article, as opposed to country and region articles. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:46, 9 October 2018 (UTC) {{outdent}}What if we just really simplified it? Like this: {{quote|'''Get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling, '''when travelling abroad'''.}} Or: {{quote|'''When travelling abroad, get any recommended vaccinations''', starting 8 weeks before travelling.}} Are these a little simpler? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 13:56, 9 October 2018 (UTC) :In fact they are. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:25, 9 October 2018 (UTC) ::They are simpler. I think this article should indicate in some way that dangerous diseases are more prevalent in warmer/tropical countries, but I suppose that doesn't have to be in the "Vaccines" section. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 01:12, 10 October 2018 (UTC) :::Okay. Should I make the change, or which is the preferred one? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 02:57, 10 October 2018 (UTC) ::::For what it's worth, the second version reads a little better to me. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:54, 10 October 2018 (UTC) :::::I like Ikan Kekek suggestion, because is not misleading and give enough details without leaving behind crucial information, but of course 2nd suggestions are OK too. --[[User:Zerabat|Zerabat]] ([[User talk:Zerabat|talk]]) 23:02, 11 October 2018 (UTC) ::::::I'll wait a little longer for other opinions before making any final changes. By the way, what does POV mean in the context of this discussion? <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 00:46, 12 October 2018 (UTC) :::::::Point of view. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:12, 12 October 2018 (UTC) {{outdent}}I see. Thanks. <small>--Comment by </small> '''[[User:SelfieCity|<font color="#808000">Selfie City</font>]]''' ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">talk</font>]] about my [[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|<font color="#ac6600">contributions</font>]]) 03:57, 12 October 2018 (UTC) == Separate page for sexual health? == {{swept}} Opinions on whether it might be worth creating a comprehensive article on sexual health while travelling? It's not often covered in 'stay healthy' subsections, and there's some information in the 'women travellers' page but it seems quite general, and some of it might even be better off in a specific sexual health page. Information on contraceptives, morning-after pills, regional laws (and/or attitudes), STI testing, where to go (pharmacy? hospital? private companies?) and what to ask for; costs (eg. free in much of Europe); high-risk regions etc ... thoughts? - Eben [[User:PresumingEb|PresumingEb]] ([[User talk:PresumingEb|talk]]) 04:04, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :I support such an article if there's useful material to put in it. But I'm having trouble envisioning what it would contain other than (a) general sexual health advice unrelated to travel, (b) location-specific information that should go in destination articles, or (c) general medical information that could go in [[Stay healthy]]. I've only thought about this for a few minutes, though, so there may be possibilities I haven't thought of. I would say start a section in [[Stay healthy]] (which already discusses condoms), and if it gets long split off a separate article. :Some countries' "Stay healthy" sections give the HIV rate and some other sexual health–related information, by the way. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 04:46, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::I tend to agree with Granger. And what ever happened with the proposal for [https://gynopedia.org/Welcome_to_Gynopedia Gynopedia] to become a Wikimedia site? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:43, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :::There is a [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=Gynopedia&go=Go&ns0=1&ns9=1&ns11=1&ns12=1&ns200=1&ns202=1 0% chance] of that becoming a WMF site. Where did you hear about any such proposal? —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 06:50, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the responses, I'll go with a 'stay healthy' section for now [[User:PresumingEb|PresumingEb]] ([[User talk:PresumingEb|talk]]) 14:43, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :::::[[User:Koavf|Justin]], the idea was brought up when Gynopedia links were posted in some Wikivoyage articles and we deleted them. Why would that be an impossible proposal? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:28, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::::::In 19 years, the WMF have only adopted one project, which itself was fairly active and represented a new kind of knowledge for the community and that was after years and years of discussion. This is a much less active, extremely niche site that provides some combination of a travel guide (Wikivoyage), tutorial (Wikibooks), and includes info on how to break several contentious laws. I can't imagine the scenario where this site would be adopted by the WMF and even if it were, it wouldn't be for a decade. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 19:52, 16 June 2019 (UTC) :::::::Thanks for your reply. I don't think contraception and women's health are "extremely niche" issues, though! On the project Wikimedia adopted, you mean Wikivoyage? How many years was that under discussion? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:45, 16 June 2019 (UTC) ::::::::Hm. Shows what I know--looks like the discussion at Meta was only about 18 months. Could have sworn it was a few years. Sorry for taht. But yes, I think that the subdomain of women's health is a very niche thing--it's a subfield of a field. Why not WikiMedicine generally? Why a wiki only about women's health? Why host material that is illegal and dangerous about some sub-sub-topic that can be (and is) discussed by other projects? Sister projects are different ''kinds'' of knowledge, not different sorts of information. There isn't WikiMaps: there are maps on Commons that are used on Wikivoyage. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 05:25, 17 June 2019 (UTC) == HIV prevention == {{swept}} There is a relatively new anti-HIV drug called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis); one pill a day greatly reduces the chance of the virus taking hold if you are exposed to it. [https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html CDC] says "Daily PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%." Use a condom as well & the risk is lowered further. We have warnings about AIDS at places like [[Thailand#Prostitution]] and a redirect at [[HIV]] to a section of the "infectious diseases" article; I'm about to add a redirect for [[AIDS]] to the same section. Costs for PrEP are all over the map; PBS says [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/8-things-didnt-know-truvadaprep $1300 for a month's supply in the US], but it is [https://www.get-prep.com/prep-costs under C$300 in Canada] and [https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/08/hiv-prevention-drug-prep-likely-to-be-approved-for-federal-subsidy A$40] in Australia. I think we should cover this since it reduces a risk that some travellers do take. However, I am not sure where coverage should go. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 14:49, 27 June 2019 (UTC) :PrEP is not "a drug". It's "the process of taking anti-HIV drugs to prevent an HIV infection". The one-pill-a-day formulation is convenient but not the only way to do it. :As to where to stick it, maybe a sentence near [[Stay healthy#Condoms]] would also be appropriate? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:06, 27 June 2019 (UTC) ::The Australian cost is the state subsidised cost of a prescription, which would only be available to locals and possibly some visitors. It is not a useful figure for comparison, just as there is no point in listing the countries where it would be free. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:13, 27 June 2019 (UTC) == Getting ill abroad == [[Getting sick in a foreign country]] redirects to [[{{PAGENAME}}#What to do if you get sick or injured]]; I don't feel it covers all the theme. It covered emergency number, seeing a doctor and insurance for medical treatment. I added some issues, such as getting somewhere to stay and somebody to check up on you. I don't know how these are handled generally. I could imagine that hotels aren't too keen on getting customers with a contagious disease. You may be travelling alone, or with a company that will continue their itinerary. Even in Finland, where you'd think things are thought out – at the point your acute problem has been fixed, you are mostly sent "home" with no regard of whether you are able to travel there or even whether you have somewhere to go. If you insist, you'd get the social services arrange things for you, but if you don't, you'd be left to yourself. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:10, 5 June 2022 (UTC) :So maybe this needs to be an article, with subsections for different countries? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 12:18, 5 June 2022 (UTC) :: I think it should be an article. However, many of the issues are similar across many countries, and I assume the advice would be, so best described in other sections of that article. Country sections are good if we have the information and a country differs, but I think a well-developed general discussion is more important than writing about the dozen or so (?) countries for which we have specific information. This cannot be an unusual problem, so consulates, hotels and travel bureaux should know how to handle it (but when I checked Finland's pages, there was more or less nothing). Also, unless there is country-specific legislation on it, I'd assume hotel chains have policy across countries. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:30, 5 June 2022 (UTC) == Is COVID over? == {{Swept}} I was surprised to see this announcement on <nowiki>https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases</nowiki> : <blockquote> As of 20 June 2022, ECDC is discontinuing the data collection and publication of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide. Please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) data on COVID-19 and the WHO Weekly Epidemiological and Weekly Operational Updates page for the non-EU/EEA countries. ECDC will continue providing weekly updates for EU/EEA Member States and report on an ad-hoc basis about significant events related to COVID-19 globally. ECDC has been collecting data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for all countries in the EU/EEA and globally for more than two years. The data collected by ECDC will continue to be available in an archived format.</blockquote>< So it appears that the EU thinks COVID is no longer an issue? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:06, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :COVID will never be "over", in that it will not stop circulating in our lifetimes, but broadly speaking people's lifestyles will continue to get closer to how they were before the pandemic. Evidently ECDC has decided not to publish this particular set of data anymore, but if I understand correctly, other sources are still publishing substantively the same data for the time being. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 22:07, 25 June 2022 (UTC) : It is definitely not over. Current statistics are available from many sources, none 100% reliable. [https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries Worldometers] Probably the most worrisome number is that there are still 18.75 million active cases (diagnosed but not yet either dead or recovered) plus some infected but not diagnosed; those can spread the disease. The US still has about 3.3 million active cases, though that number has been falling. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 03:59, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :: I don't know whether Finland is typical for EU, but here the government more or less gave up on COVID-19 in early spring. They decided that it is spreading too fast to be stopped, that with most of the population triple-vaccinated "few" get a serious disease, and life has to go on. It seems people took them on the word, I think that less than one in ten is using masks. Incidence and death toll have been record high (statistics on cases is unreliable though, as people don't get official tests), but there are only some critical voices. Non-vaccinated have restrictions on passing the border (tests or quarantine required) but vaccinated EU-citizens can come and go as they please, nightclubs etc. are crowded, and big events are taking place like they used to. You can still find masks and tests in any shop, not as in Denmark where that is finished too. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:55, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::Yes, in Finland COVID hasn't been the main news topic for several months (partially also due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine). On 1 July they're dropping also the entry restrictions and health controls for people entering from outside the Schengen and in shops I've as of lately seen discounts on home tests and masks being "phased out from our product selection". The Department of Health and Wellbeing (THL) publishes [https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/tautitapaukset/coronamap.html statistics] showing cases and deaths have dropped remarkably since the spring. So at least for the moment it seems to be over, but one can never know what the situation looks like in the autumn. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 18:33, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::: Confirmed cases per 100,000 per 14 days is still in the hundreds, even though you aren't recommended to take an official test unless you get serious symptoms (as in needing hospital care). In some professions the tests are still taken, I assume. Anyway, the incidence – if counting factual cases – seems to be at least as bad as in the late autumn. 30% of actual tests are positive, when the figure used to be ~1% before the vaccines. There are about 10 persons in intensive care, while the number was about 50 at the worst time. Much better now, but far from over. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:00, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::: The health care centre still recommends mask use. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:03, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::Data collection has ended, but I don't think the EU considers COVID to no longer be an issue. I think we should leave, in current circumstances, the COVID notice on our [[main page]] until the end of the year, pending future updates on its spread. Apart from that notice and international travel information, COVID is barely mentioned on this wiki. I think the current notices in place make sense in our environment. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 13:15, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Right now, the focus where I am in [[New South Wales]] is mostly the flu (for the record, I've caught it twice within the last 31 days, with the last time just 4 days ago, hence why my editing activity has increased). The only news of COVID that I've really been hearing is either about COVID in China, or about our lockdown last year. However, as some countries still have restrictions on entry, I would say keep the COVID banner on the main page until September, and if September is deemed too early, then we can do another review then. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:51, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::In New South Wales, masking is still compulsory on public transport and the majority of people follow the rule. There is also a 7-day isolation rule if you test positive. I disagree about messaging only being about the flu. Public messaging from the government and media has always been about a dual virus winter here over the past few months (encouraging both vaccinations, etc.). In any case, this wiki is about travel, not just living in one's own city. Travellers started to get affected by Covid-19 from Janaury 2020, not March 2020 when most countries first went into lockdown. International travel will also be the last activity/industry that will fully return to normal so it makes sense to keep the notice for a while longer. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 14:34, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::::To me, if the purpose is to help people, it can be removed. I don't think the article has been helpful for at least a year if ever. If the purpose is just to have something there, then it could stay or go. I don't think it's necessary to leave it up until every last country has lifted every restriction. Japan hasn't had any meaningful changes in its policies for 2 years in spite of less severe variants and vaccines, but it is already an outlier and becoming increasingly so. The country articles should still have information about entry which is basically the only information people care about. Leaving it until then end of the summer (September) as suggested seems reasonable though. [[User:ChubbyWimbus|ChubbyWimbus]] ([[User talk:ChubbyWimbus|talk]]) 14:52, 27 June 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}} Most of the world has transitioned to living with the virus. The main exceptions are Japan, China and Taiwan. In the case of China, most of the elderly are unwilling to get vaccinated, and given how Hong Kong's hospitals were overwhelmed (to the point that the mortuaries ran out of space and bodies of COVID victims were piling up in the wards) during their last surge due to the same problem, I don't think China will reopen for the forseeable future. They might want to wait until all these unvaccinated elderly die of other causes before they reopen to foreigners. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :The idea that the pandemic is over is absurd and highly premature. I would strongly suggest for us to wait until at least the end of the year before jumping to conclusions, because it's quite likely that there will be another surge in the fall, and the large number of unvaccinated people around the world are a great source of new strains. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:04, 27 June 2022 (UTC) ::I think whether "the pandemic" is over depends a lot on how you define "a pandemic". It's basically a political definition, not a biological one, so reasonable people and organizations can disagree on whether the current state should still be called "a pandemic". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:08, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::: Whether it is still a pandemic by some definition is less relevant. Are the restrictions stable enough that they are better handled together with other entry requirements, and in Cope, or in the current boxes? Is the disease different enough (as disease and as a social phenomenon) that it warrants its own article instead of being a bullet in [[Infectuous diseases]]? I think restrictions still vary fast enough that ease of maintenance is important, and then a template is the better solution, and people still see it as different from the flue and tuberculosis. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:39, 28 June 2022 (UTC) ::::The [https://www.medicinenet.com/pandemic/definition.htm definition of "pandemic"] is basically a medical one. If you'd like to say that the definition of "high degree of death" is a political one, that's another question. "The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000 in 2020" per the [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria WHO], yet it's considered endemic to Africa, rather than even epidemic. Why? I think in significant part because those with enough money to stanch the death rate mostly live outside of Africa and prefer to ignore the deaths, plus it doesn't get spread around the world in areas with no types of mosquitoes that are vectors. But saying that the definition of "pandemic" is basically political is odd, because most people hadn't heard the word used at all until 2019-20, or at least not since at least the days when AIDS was out of control in their countries (and again, Africa suffers from less medical care; see the pattern?). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:48, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::The definition of pandemic varies between sources. Is it an epidemic [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Dr8dyuzvTkC&pg=PA179#v=onepage&q&f=false "crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people"]? How do you define "affecting", and what constitutes "a large number" of people? Those are both political choices. Is it instead something that happens [https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic "over a wide geographical area and that is of high prevalence, generally affecting a significant proportion of the world’s population"]? Who decides what constitutes "high" prevalence, and "a significant proportion"? Basically, people make these decisions. They'll decide that these effects are really "affecting" you but these others aren't (e.g., every new version of the common cold), or that the people affected aren't "large" or "significant" enough, or that (as with the malaria decision) the key point is that it happens all the time at a fairly stable rate within each population, rather than being new. (Some definitions say that pandemics must always be a new disease, or at least one that almost nobody has immunological resistance to; others don't.) :::::People – not science – pick which definition to apply (different definitions for different conditions), people decide which effects "count" and whether enough people are affected, and then people decide whether to apply this label. There have been hard-and-fast definitions for some similar concepts in the past, but pandemic is a somewhat flexible concept. ("School epidemic" in some places has been defined as a certain percentage of enrolled students being out of school with the same disease/symptoms. An old friend of mine accidentally set off a measles epidemic in her high school in the 1950s. She caught it somewhere, unwittingly brought it to school, and it turned out that almost none of the students in her school had had measles before. The teachers were mostly fine, but a huge number of students were out sick over the next month.) :::::Here at the English Wikivoyage, though, I think LPfi has good advice. We should consider it from the practical angle rather than the "does the current situation technically match my preferred definition" angle. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:56, 29 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems to me, the most likely way to have fair definitions of medical concepts is to let public health authorities and not politicians define them. In any case, I think that it's fairly clear that COVID-19 remains a serious disease that's affecting travel in various ways, so we shouldn't be in a rush to deemphasize it and should let the crisis play out. Seeing how there's been a surge each Northern Hemisphere fall, I would suggest waiting till we see what happens in January, 2023 (i.e., after any effects of Christmas/New Years travel and get-togethers are clear) before possibly making any decisions about a fundamental change in coverage here. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:14, 29 June 2022 (UTC) :::::::Personally, I think that late January 2023 would be a fine time to discuss it. Christmas travel includes Epiphany in some countries, and if you add two or three weeks after that to find out what happened, then we should have fairly clear information. :::::::Thinking long-term, one possibility is to consider a seasonal cold-and-flu-and-covid page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:36, 30 June 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That could be a good thing in the longer term, if it's not felt to be giving short shrift to other threats like malaria, zika, dengue, Lyme disease and so forth. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:39, 30 June 2022 (UTC) efc72j4ja5tua00h7eq8h7wjrarjxwa 0 129693 4506299 4461530 2022-08-22T16:04:24Z Max980301 106949 /* See */ Added listing for National Aviation Museum of Korea wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Seoul West.jpg}} [[File:Gaehwasan mountain in Seoul, Korea 20130204 125337.jpg|300px|thumb|Gawhwa mountain in the Gangseo district]] The districts of '''[http://www.gangseo.seoul.kr/site/english_new/contents/main/index.htm Gangseo]''' (강서) and '''[http://www.yangcheon.go.kr/ Yangcheon]''' (양천) are in the west of the city of [[Seoul]]. {{pagebanner}} The jurisdiction is composed of 18 buildings including Mok 1–5, Sinwol 1-7 and Sinjeong 1–7. The former place name in the present It was named Yangcheon in 1310 (Koryo Chungseon King) and changed from the name of a small rock to a beautiful place where the bright sun and stream flow. In 1914, it was merged into Gimpo-gun, and was divided into Yangdong-myeon and Yangseo-myeon. In 1935, Yangdong-myeon and Yangseo-myeon were incorporated into Seoul in 1963. After being divided into Yeongdeungpo-gu from Gangdeung-gu in 1977, it became a large-scale residential complex. In 1988, Gangseo-gu was divided into three districts: Mok-dong, Sinjeong-dong, and Sinwol-dong. There are many broadcasting and media companies in Mok-dong, including Broadcasting Hall, SBS and CBS. Commercial activities are centered on 11 general retail markets including Mok-dong Market and Singok Market, and Hyundai Department Store Mok-dong Branch, Home Plus Mok-dong Branch, and E-Mart Mok-dong Branch. In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, 15 neighborhood parks, including the Paris Park in Mok-dong, are distributed throughout the residence. In Mok-dong, there is the first stadium built in western Seoul. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|37.554|126.833|zoom=12|layer=M}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q50192, Q50420}} {{Mapshapes|Q16950}} ===By plane=== : ''More details on airport connections can be read in the main [[Seoul#By plane|Seoul]] article'' {{marker|type=go|name=Gimpo International Airport|lat=37.56|long=126.799}} ({{IATA|GMP}}) is the second most important airport in the country after [[Incheon International Airport|Incheon]], and offers flights to [[Busan]], [[Jeju]] and other Korean cities. Additionally it offers international flights to [[Japan]] and [[China]]. There are direct train and bus options to both Incheon airport and Seoul station, as well as subway lines 5 and 9. ===By train=== If you are flying in via [[Incheon International Airport]], then the A'Rex train will bring you here in a swift 30 minutes, as well as quickly connecting to the central Seoul Station. ===By subway=== * '''Gangseo''' is served by subway lines 2, 5 and 9. *The 24-km Gimpo Gold Line automated light metro (opened in Sep 2019) runs northwest from Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul via Gimpo City Hall to Yangchon. The Gimpo Gold Line connects with Seoul Metro lines 5 and 9, and the Arex rail link to Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park | alt=강서습지생태공원 | url=http://hangang.seoul.go.kr/eng/ | email= | address=279-23, Yangcheon-ro 27-gil, Gangseo (방화동) 서울시 강서구 양천로27길 279-23 | lat=37.5879 | long=126.8158 | directions=Banghwa Station, Metro Line 5, Exit 2 | phone=+82 2-3780-0621 (~3) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₩3,500 | lastedit=2015-06-07 | content=Wetland ecological park on the Hangang river. }} * {{see | name=Heojun Museum | alt=허준박물관 | url=http://www.heojun.seoul.kr/ | email= | address=Gayang 2-dong, Gangseo | lat=37.5678 | long=126.8513 | directions=Metro line 9, Yancheong Hyanggyo station is the closest. | phone=+82 2-3661-8666 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-06-07 | content=Museum dedicated to Heo Jun, a court physician during the Joseon dynasty. He wrote the defining texts on Korean Traditional Medicine, and is highly regarded for all oriental medicine branches throughout east Asia. }} * {{see | name=Hyperion Towers | alt=하이페리온 타워 | url= | email= | address= |lat=37.5273 | long=126.8747 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-06-20 | content=Three residential skyscrapers. Tower A, the tallest of them, is with 256 meters the second tallest building in Seoul. The bottom floors are made up of the Hyundai department store. }} * {{see | name=Herdsman indoor ice rink | alt=목동 아이스링크장 | url= http://www.mdicerink.com/ | email= | address= |lat=37.530701 | long=126.879057 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2649-8454 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Weekend 12:00-18:00 /Public Holidays 12:00-18:00 (Closed on Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok) /Weekdays 14:00-18:00 | price= 4000won-adult, 3500won - student | content= Indoor ice arena in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The main stadium is on the ground, the secondary stadium is a stadium in the basement. Opening on December 1, 1989, the capacity is 5,000 people. }} * {{see | name=Mokdong SBS| alt=목동 sbs | url= http://www.sbs.co.kr/ | email= | address= |lat=37.52894 | long=126.8735 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2061-0006| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | content= One of Korea's leading broadcasters. Located in Mok-dong. The clear glass allows you to watch radio broadcasts in real time. Also can see entertainers coming to work. }} * {{see | name=Paris park| alt=파리공원 | url= | email= | address= |lat=37.5345 | long=126.8769| directions= | phone=+82 2 2620-3570| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | content= The park was opened on July 1, 1987 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Korea established diplomatic relations with France in 1886. In 1986, the Seoul Plaza was set up in Paris, and the Paris Plaza was set up in Seoul. Major facilities include Seoul Plaza, Paris Plaza, Hanbul Madang, Outdoor Stage Plaza, Pond, and Fountain. In addition, there are sports facilities such as a basketball court, gate ball, iron rod, and weights. }} * {{see | name=Anyangcheon| alt=안양천 | url= | email= | address= |lat= | long=| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= free | content= It is a river that joins the Han River, Seongsan Bridge, passing through Geumcheon-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu, Yangcheon-gu. The place name means that the river flows to Anyang. This river is connected to the Han River. The park is long along the river. }} * {{see | name=National Aviation Museum of Korea | alt=국립항공박물관 | url=https://aviation.or.kr/eng/index.do | email= | address=Haneul-gil 177 (Gonghang-dong 1373-5). Gangseo-gu | lat=37.55674 | long=126.80854 | directions=Ride a shuttle bus at the Gimpo Airport Domestic Terminal. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. Closed on Mondays, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok. | price=Free | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Opened in 2020, this museum shows the history of general and Korean aviation, current and future of the aviation industry. It houses many retired airplanes like F-51 and T-50. }} ===Cultural Heritage=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Yangcheon archaeological site in Seoul| alt=서울양천고성지 | url= | email= | address=8-4, Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.574654| long=126.8403036 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=It was designated Historic Site No. 372 on March 10, 1992. It has a designated area of 29,370 square meters and 762 stone blocks (about 218m). Its existence is also confirmed in the literature such as New Jeungdong Yeoji Seongram, and remains of stone confirming that it is a castle ruins. In addition, it is towering on the Han River field and is one of the strongholds that have defended the Han River since the Three Kingdoms. This is regarded as an important monument to the research of old defense facilities. It is an acid built around the top of Joseon Dynasty. The preservation status of all regions, including the northern part, is good, except that the top is flattened from the Japanese colonial period. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Yak-sa-sa Three-storied Pagodal| alt=약사사 삼층석탐 | url= | email= | address=322-2, Gaehwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5830508| long=126.8034636 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=In 1980, it was designated as Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 39. It is a three-story stone tower made of granite. The upper floor fell off into an elongated tower 4 meters high. The podium was woven into a face stone, one sheet per side, on a wide slab of stone. The base is made of four stones. Each layer represented a universe. Various studies show that the pagoda was built in the late Goryeo period, when Buddhist art retreated. The Jungjung Pagoda in the original temple of the stone pagoda shows the transition process of Pagoda architecture since the middle of Goryeo. Also on the grounds of the stone pagoda, there is a stone statue of Buddha (tangible cultural property 40) with a circular stone crest on its head. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Seoul Yangcheon Repair Association Drainage Pump Station| alt=서울 구 양천수리조합 배수펌프장 | url= | email= | address=282, Yangcheon-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5670753| long=126.8268621| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Seoul Yangcheon Repair Association Drainage Pump Station; Built in 1926 on a concrete retaining wall, it is a Japanese-style wooden structure building, which is the only agricultural drainage pump that has been confirmed to date among the modern industrial heritages of the Japanese colonial period. When it is architecturally valuable. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Huh-ga rock| alt=허가바위 | url= | email= | address=1-2, Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5683614| long=126.8506602| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=It was designated as Seoul Monument No. 11 on December 24, 1991. Located in front of the main gate of Yeongdeungpo Highland, there is a natural cave under the rock. The oysters are about 6m wide, 2m long and 5m high, with a large hole for 10 people. It is known as the birthplace of Yangcheonheo according to the story that Yang Sunheo's ancestor, Heo Sunmun, was born in a cave. According to the literature, Heo Sun-moon lived in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, and helped and provided military beauty as the Taejo of Goryeo crossed the river as it passed to conquer the canopy.The first place in Gangseo-gu means rock and is probably derived from the cave. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Seong Siheon, Drowning record| alt=성시헌 익사공신록 | url= | email= | address=406-63, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Koreal | lat=37.5257965| long=126.8720242| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A textbook given to a subordinate in the country, a drowning textbook given to Seong Si-heon, one of the 48 who helped the role of Gwanghae-gun in 513 (1613). Its contents were raised by one class, but also by parents and wives by one class, and the eldest son inherited and did not lose the block, forever. If there are no children, even the son-in-law and even his son-in-law were raised. In addition, six people, three slaves, three soldiers, ten fields of rice fields, five pieces of silver, one piece of cloth, and one horse were given. This memorandum is considered a valuable resource for examining the history of Gwanghae-gun. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Mokdong Hyundai Department Store | alt= 목동 현대 백화점 | url= http://www.ehyundai.com/newPortal/DP/DP000000_V.do?branchCd=B00142000 | email= | address=Hyundai Department Store Mok-dong Branch, 257 Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul South Korea | lat=37.526907| long=126.8748 | directions=Next to Ohmokgyo Station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sunday ~ Monday 10:30-20:00 (Extended 20:30); Tuesday ~ Thursday 10:30-20:00 Friday ~ Saturday 10:30-20:30 | content=Mokdong Hyundai Department Store is the largest shopping mall in Yangcheon-gu. It is in the same building as Mok-dong Hyperion. Completed in 2003, it was the tallest building in Korea between 2002 and 2004. Department stores are located in the 1st to 4th floors. There is an underground parking lot from basement 2 to basement 6 The department store is divided into two buildings. One is where you sell luxury goods. The other is food and clothing sales. Both are connected to each other underground. There is a food code in the basement and a movie theater, CGV. }} * {{buy | name=Mokdong Happy Department Store | alt= 목동 행복한 세상 백화점| url= https://www.haengbok.com/ | email= | address=309, Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. | lat=37.5289128| long=126.8759938 | directions=Next to Ohmokgyo Station | phone=+82 2 6678-9000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:30-20:00 daily | content=Happy Department Store is a department store in South Korea and is located at 309, Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Sales facilities are available from 1st basement to 4th floor, and parking is possible from 2nd basement to 5th basement. Easy Casual is located on the first basement floor. On the first and third floors, there are fashion goods, women's, and men's clothing. The fourth floor is a sporting goods store. 5F: Restaurant ; 6th ~ 8th floor: Megabox (representative movie theater in Korea such as CGV); 9th floor (roof): Rooftop garden }} ==Eat== * {{listing | type=eat | name=Puoco | alt= 푸꼬 | url=| email= | address= 917-9, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat= 37.5281166 | long=126.8758832 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2062-0411 | hours= Hours 11:30-22:00; Recess 15:00-17:00| price=10,000 won~20.000 won | content=A place that sells Italian dishes such as pizza and spaghetti. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= Il Mirak | alt= 일미락 | url= | email= | address=406-126 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5253169 | long=126.872987 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2642-9292| hours= Mon-Sat: 12:00-24:00 Sun: 12:00-22:00 Last Order Mon-Sat: 23:00, Sun: 21:00 | price=Whole pork belly (180g)17,000 won, Log meat (180g)17,000 won, Whole Ribs (180g)17,000 won, Korean Beef Loin (160g)38,000 won | content=a pork restaurant. You can grill pork in Korean style. Side dishes are provided free of charge. Il Mirak can buy meat and other side menus (noodles, rice, jjigae). }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=O-mok-jib | alt= 오목집 | url= | email= | address=Paragon B1, 155 Mokdongseo-ro, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5294505 | long= 126.8751424 | directions= | phone=+82 2 6737-6692| hours= 11:00-23:00 | price= 20,000-30,000 won | content= Sell Korean ham hocks.The meat is tender, and it is also a great place to meet.The seafood soup comes out basically.Other menu items include seafood pajeon and various noodles. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Lim Kkeok-kimchi Stew | alt=임꺽정 김치찌개 | url= | email= | address=405-178, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5227251 | long=126.8738308 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2645-8252| hours= 10: 00-22: 00 | price=10,000 won~15,000won | content=It sells various kinds of jjigae such as kimchi jjigae, a Korean traditional food. The price is relatively cheap. it can also add other side menus such as ham, ramen and vermicelli. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=| hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Manda Store | alt=만담상점 | url= | email= | address= 905-33 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat= 37.5317382 | long= 126.875946| directions= | phone=+82 2 2651-2459| hours=Hours 17:30-00:30 | price=10,000 won-20,000 won | content=Mandam Big Chicken. Thick clothes are thick and steamed. The outside is crispy. The peculiarity is the cabbage coleslaw, not chicken radish. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Alcohol Tree | alt=알콜트리 | url= | email= | address=406-227, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul| lat=37.5258551 | long=126.87471 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2642-3012 | hours= Opening hours Sun-Thu: 19:00-03:00; Fri-Sat: 19:00-04:00 | price= 20,000-30,000 won }} * {{drink | name=New York Night Market| alt=뉴욕야시장 | url= | email= | address=406-180, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul| lat=37.5247472| long=126.8748797 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2651-1104 | hours= 17:00-03:00; Last Order 01:30| price= 10,000 ~ 20,000 won }} *{{drink | name=Shaivana Mokdong 41 Tower| alt=샤이바나 목동41타워점| url= | email= | address=Mok-dong 917-9 Hyundai 41 Tower 2F 202 Shaivana| lat=37.5281211| long=126.8758117 | directions= | phone=+82 2 612-0334 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=~10:00pm | price=5,000won | content=It is said that Madeleine is delicious. }} *{{drink | name=Gil | alt=길 | url= | email= | address=406-205, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5257101| long=126.8744998 | directions= | phone=+82 2 553-6131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It's a nice cocktail bar. }} *{{drink | name=Pu cafe | alt=푸 카페 | url= | email= | address=404-177, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5241684| long=126.8761442 | directions= | phone=+82 2 565-1993 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mon-Fri 10:00 ~ 22:00 | price= | content=It is easy to get near the department store. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name= Ramada Encore Seoul Magok | alt= | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/seoul-south-korea/ramada-encore-seoul-magok/overview | email= | address=161 11 Magokjungang ro Gangseo-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 21619000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-09-20 | content= }} * {{sleep | name= Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/selcs-courtyard-seoul-botanic-park/ | email= | address=Magokjungang 12-Ro 10 | lat=37.5671 | long=126.8291 | directions= | phone=+82 2 6946-7000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-09-20 | content= }} ==Connect== {{outlinedistrict}} {{IsPartOf|Seoul}} {{geo|37.55438|126.83304}} prj5wcw57ry4fh16ko5t7jsmhgrwzyx 4506300 4506299 2022-08-22T16:05:51Z Max980301 106949 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Seoul West.jpg}} [[File:Gaehwasan mountain in Seoul, Korea 20130204 125337.jpg|300px|thumb|Gawhwa mountain in the Gangseo district]] The districts of '''[http://www.gangseo.seoul.kr/site/english_new/contents/main/index.htm Gangseo]''' (강서) and '''[http://www.yangcheon.go.kr/ Yangcheon]''' (양천) are in the west of the city of [[Seoul]]. {{pagebanner}} The jurisdiction is composed of 18 buildings including Mok 1–5, Sinwol 1-7 and Sinjeong 1–7. The former place name in the present It was named Yangcheon in 1310 (Koryo Chungseon King) and changed from the name of a small rock to a beautiful place where the bright sun and stream flow. In 1914, it was merged into Gimpo-gun, and was divided into Yangdong-myeon and Yangseo-myeon. In 1935, Yangdong-myeon and Yangseo-myeon were incorporated into Seoul in 1963. After being divided into Yeongdeungpo-gu from Gangdeung-gu in 1977, it became a large-scale residential complex. In 1988, Gangseo-gu was divided into three districts: Mok-dong, Sinjeong-dong, and Sinwol-dong. There are many broadcasting and media companies in Mok-dong, including Broadcasting Hall, SBS and CBS. Commercial activities are centered on 11 general retail markets including Mok-dong Market and Singok Market, and Hyundai Department Store Mok-dong Branch, Home Plus Mok-dong Branch, and E-Mart Mok-dong Branch. In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, 15 neighborhood parks, including the Paris Park in Mok-dong, are distributed throughout the residence. In Mok-dong, there is the first stadium built in western Seoul. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|37.554|126.833|zoom=12|layer=M}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q50192, Q50420}} {{Mapshapes|Q16950}} ===By plane=== : ''More details on airport connections can be read in the main [[Seoul#By plane|Seoul]] article'' {{marker|type=go|name=Gimpo International Airport|lat=37.56|long=126.799}} ({{IATA|GMP}}) is the second most important airport in the country after [[Incheon International Airport|Incheon]], and offers flights to [[Busan]], [[Jeju]] and other Korean cities. Additionally it offers international flights to [[Japan]] and [[China]]. There are direct train and bus options to both Incheon airport and Seoul station, as well as subway lines 5 and 9. ===By train=== If you are flying in via [[Incheon International Airport]], then the A'Rex train will bring you here in a swift 30 minutes, as well as quickly connecting to the central Seoul Station. ===By subway=== * '''Gangseo''' is served by subway lines 2, 5 and 9. *The 24-km Gimpo Gold Line automated light metro (opened in Sep 2019) runs northwest from Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul via Gimpo City Hall to Yangchon. The Gimpo Gold Line connects with Seoul Metro lines 5 and 9, and the Arex rail link to Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park | alt=강서습지생태공원 | url=http://hangang.seoul.go.kr/eng/ | email= | address=279-23, Yangcheon-ro 27-gil, Gangseo (방화동) 서울시 강서구 양천로27길 279-23 | lat=37.5879 | long=126.8158 | directions=Banghwa Station, Metro Line 5, Exit 2 | phone=+82 2-3780-0621 (~3) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₩3,500 | lastedit=2015-06-07 | content=Wetland ecological park on the Hangang river. }} * {{see | name=Heojun Museum | alt=허준박물관 | url=http://www.heojun.seoul.kr/ | email= | address=Gayang 2-dong, Gangseo | lat=37.5678 | long=126.8513 | directions=Metro line 9, Yancheong Hyanggyo station is the closest. | phone=+82 2-3661-8666 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-06-07 | content=Museum dedicated to Heo Jun, a court physician during the Joseon dynasty. He wrote the defining texts on Korean Traditional Medicine, and is highly regarded for all oriental medicine branches throughout east Asia. }} * {{see | name=Hyperion Towers | alt=하이페리온 타워 | url= | email= | address= |lat=37.5273 | long=126.8747 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-06-20 | content=Three residential skyscrapers. Tower A, the tallest of them, is with 256 meters the second tallest building in Seoul. The bottom floors are made up of the Hyundai department store. }} * {{see | name=Herdsman indoor ice rink | alt=목동 아이스링크장 | url= http://www.mdicerink.com/ | email= | address= |lat=37.530701 | long=126.879057 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2649-8454 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Weekend 12:00-18:00 /Public Holidays 12:00-18:00 (Closed on Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok) /Weekdays 14:00-18:00 | price= 4000won-adult, 3500won - student | content= Indoor ice arena in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The main stadium is on the ground, the secondary stadium is a stadium in the basement. Opening on December 1, 1989, the capacity is 5,000 people. }} * {{see | name=Mokdong SBS| alt=목동 sbs | url= http://www.sbs.co.kr/ | email= | address= |lat=37.52894 | long=126.8735 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2061-0006| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | content= One of Korea's leading broadcasters. Located in Mok-dong. The clear glass allows you to watch radio broadcasts in real time. Also can see entertainers coming to work. }} * {{see | name=Paris park| alt=파리공원 | url= | email= | address= |lat=37.5345 | long=126.8769| directions= | phone=+82 2 2620-3570| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | content= The park was opened on July 1, 1987 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Korea established diplomatic relations with France in 1886. In 1986, the Seoul Plaza was set up in Paris, and the Paris Plaza was set up in Seoul. Major facilities include Seoul Plaza, Paris Plaza, Hanbul Madang, Outdoor Stage Plaza, Pond, and Fountain. In addition, there are sports facilities such as a basketball court, gate ball, iron rod, and weights. }} * {{see | name=Anyangcheon| alt=안양천 | url= | email= | address= |lat= | long=| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= free | content= It is a river that joins the Han River, Seongsan Bridge, passing through Geumcheon-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu, Yangcheon-gu. The place name means that the river flows to Anyang. This river is connected to the Han River. The park is long along the river. }} * {{see | name=National Aviation Museum of Korea | alt=국립항공박물관 | url=https://aviation.or.kr/eng/index.do | email= | address=Haneul-gil 177 (Gonghang-dong 1373-5). Gangseo-gu | lat=37.55674 | long=126.80854 | directions=Ride a shuttle bus at the Gimpo Airport Domestic Terminal. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. Closed on Mondays, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok. | price=Free | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Opened in 2020, this museum shows the history of general and Korean aviation, current and future of the aviation industry. It houses many retired airplanes like F-51 and T-50. }} ===Cultural Heritage=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Yangcheon archaeological site in Seoul| alt=서울양천고성지 | url= | email= | address=8-4, Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.574654| long=126.8403036 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=It was designated Historic Site No. 372 on March 10, 1992. It has a designated area of 29,370 square meters and 762 stone blocks (about 218m). Its existence is also confirmed in the literature such as New Jeungdong Yeoji Seongram, and remains of stone confirming that it is a castle ruins. In addition, it is towering on the Han River field and is one of the strongholds that have defended the Han River since the Three Kingdoms. This is regarded as an important monument to the research of old defense facilities. It is an acid built around the top of Joseon Dynasty. The preservation status of all regions, including the northern part, is good, except that the top is flattened from the Japanese colonial period. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Yak-sa-sa Three-storied Pagodal| alt=약사사 삼층석탐 | url= | email= | address=322-2, Gaehwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5830508| long=126.8034636 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=In 1980, it was designated as Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 39. It is a three-story stone tower made of granite. The upper floor fell off into an elongated tower 4 meters high. The podium was woven into a face stone, one sheet per side, on a wide slab of stone. The base is made of four stones. Each layer represented a universe. Various studies show that the pagoda was built in the late Goryeo period, when Buddhist art retreated. The Jungjung Pagoda in the original temple of the stone pagoda shows the transition process of Pagoda architecture since the middle of Goryeo. Also on the grounds of the stone pagoda, there is a stone statue of Buddha (tangible cultural property 40) with a circular stone crest on its head. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Seoul Yangcheon Repair Association Drainage Pump Station| alt=서울 구 양천수리조합 배수펌프장 | url= | email= | address=282, Yangcheon-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5670753| long=126.8268621| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Seoul Yangcheon Repair Association Drainage Pump Station; Built in 1926 on a concrete retaining wall, it is a Japanese-style wooden structure building, which is the only agricultural drainage pump that has been confirmed to date among the modern industrial heritages of the Japanese colonial period. When it is architecturally valuable. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Huh-ga rock| alt=허가바위 | url= | email= | address=1-2, Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5683614| long=126.8506602| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=It was designated as Seoul Monument No. 11 on December 24, 1991. Located in front of the main gate of Yeongdeungpo Highland, there is a natural cave under the rock. The oysters are about 6m wide, 2m long and 5m high, with a large hole for 10 people. It is known as the birthplace of Yangcheonheo according to the story that Yang Sunheo's ancestor, Heo Sunmun, was born in a cave. According to the literature, Heo Sun-moon lived in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, and helped and provided military beauty as the Taejo of Goryeo crossed the river as it passed to conquer the canopy.The first place in Gangseo-gu means rock and is probably derived from the cave. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Seong Siheon, Drowning record| alt=성시헌 익사공신록 | url= | email= | address=406-63, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Koreal | lat=37.5257965| long=126.8720242| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A textbook given to a subordinate in the country, a drowning textbook given to Seong Si-heon, one of the 48 who helped the role of Gwanghae-gun in 513 (1613). Its contents were raised by one class, but also by parents and wives by one class, and the eldest son inherited and did not lose the block, forever. If there are no children, even the son-in-law and even his son-in-law were raised. In addition, six people, three slaves, three soldiers, ten fields of rice fields, five pieces of silver, one piece of cloth, and one horse were given. This memorandum is considered a valuable resource for examining the history of Gwanghae-gun. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Mokdong Hyundai Department Store | alt= 목동 현대 백화점 | url= http://www.ehyundai.com/newPortal/DP/DP000000_V.do?branchCd=B00142000 | email= | address=Hyundai Department Store Mok-dong Branch, 257 Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul South Korea | lat=37.526907| long=126.8748 | directions=Next to Ohmokgyo Station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sunday ~ Monday 10:30-20:00 (Extended 20:30); Tuesday ~ Thursday 10:30-20:00 Friday ~ Saturday 10:30-20:30 | content=Mokdong Hyundai Department Store is the largest shopping mall in Yangcheon-gu. It is in the same building as Mok-dong Hyperion. Completed in 2003, it was the tallest building in Korea between 2002 and 2004. Department stores are located in the 1st to 4th floors. There is an underground parking lot from basement 2 to basement 6 The department store is divided into two buildings. One is where you sell luxury goods. The other is food and clothing sales. Both are connected to each other underground. There is a food code in the basement and a movie theater, CGV. }} * {{buy | name=Mokdong Happy Department Store | alt= 목동 행복한 세상 백화점| url= https://www.haengbok.com/ | email= | address=309, Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. | lat=37.5289128| long=126.8759938 | directions=Next to Ohmokgyo Station | phone=+82 2 6678-9000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:30-20:00 daily | content=Happy Department Store is a department store in South Korea and is located at 309, Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Sales facilities are available from 1st basement to 4th floor, and parking is possible from 2nd basement to 5th basement. Easy Casual is located on the first basement floor. On the first and third floors, there are fashion goods, women's, and men's clothing. The fourth floor is a sporting goods store. 5F: Restaurant ; 6th ~ 8th floor: Megabox (representative movie theater in Korea such as CGV); 9th floor (roof): Rooftop garden }} ==Eat== * {{listing | type=eat | name=Puoco | alt= 푸꼬 | url=| email= | address= 917-9, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat= 37.5281166 | long=126.8758832 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2062-0411 | hours= Hours 11:30-22:00; Recess 15:00-17:00| price=10,000 won~20.000 won | content=A place that sells Italian dishes such as pizza and spaghetti. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= Il Mirak | alt= 일미락 | url= | email= | address=406-126 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5253169 | long=126.872987 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2642-9292| hours= Mon-Sat: 12:00-24:00 Sun: 12:00-22:00 Last Order Mon-Sat: 23:00, Sun: 21:00 | price=Whole pork belly (180g)17,000 won, Log meat (180g)17,000 won, Whole Ribs (180g)17,000 won, Korean Beef Loin (160g)38,000 won | content=a pork restaurant. You can grill pork in Korean style. Side dishes are provided free of charge. Il Mirak can buy meat and other side menus (noodles, rice, jjigae). }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=O-mok-jib | alt= 오목집 | url= | email= | address=Paragon B1, 155 Mokdongseo-ro, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5294505 | long= 126.8751424 | directions= | phone=+82 2 6737-6692| hours= 11:00-23:00 | price= 20,000-30,000 won | content= Sell Korean ham hocks.The meat is tender, and it is also a great place to meet.The seafood soup comes out basically.Other menu items include seafood pajeon and various noodles. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Lim Kkeok-kimchi Stew | alt=임꺽정 김치찌개 | url= | email= | address=405-178, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5227251 | long=126.8738308 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2645-8252| hours= 10: 00-22: 00 | price=10,000 won~15,000won | content=It sells various kinds of jjigae such as kimchi jjigae, a Korean traditional food. The price is relatively cheap. it can also add other side menus such as ham, ramen and vermicelli. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=| hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Manda Store | alt=만담상점 | url= | email= | address= 905-33 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat= 37.5317382 | long= 126.875946| directions= | phone=+82 2 2651-2459| hours=Hours 17:30-00:30 | price=10,000 won-20,000 won | content=Mandam Big Chicken. Thick clothes are thick and steamed. The outside is crispy. The peculiarity is the cabbage coleslaw, not chicken radish. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Alcohol Tree | alt=알콜트리 | url= | email= | address=406-227, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul| lat=37.5258551 | long=126.87471 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2642-3012 | hours= Opening hours Sun-Thu: 19:00-03:00; Fri-Sat: 19:00-04:00 | price= 20,000-30,000 won }} * {{drink | name=New York Night Market| alt=뉴욕야시장 | url= | email= | address=406-180, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul| lat=37.5247472| long=126.8748797 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2651-1104 | hours= 17:00-03:00; Last Order 01:30| price= 10,000 ~ 20,000 won }} *{{drink | name=Shaivana Mokdong 41 Tower| alt=샤이바나 목동41타워점| url= | email= | address=Mok-dong 917-9 Hyundai 41 Tower 2F 202 Shaivana| lat=37.5281211| long=126.8758117 | directions= | phone=+82 2 612-0334 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=~10:00pm | price=5,000won | content=It is said that Madeleine is delicious. }} *{{drink | name=Gil | alt=길 | url= | email= | address=406-205, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5257101| long=126.8744998 | directions= | phone=+82 2 553-6131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It's a nice cocktail bar. }} *{{drink | name=Pu cafe | alt=푸 카페 | url= | email= | address=404-177, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5241684| long=126.8761442 | directions= | phone=+82 2 565-1993 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mon-Fri 10:00 ~ 22:00 | price= | content=It is easy to get near the department store. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name= Ramada Encore Seoul Magok | alt= | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/seoul-south-korea/ramada-encore-seoul-magok/overview | email= | address=161 11 Magokjungang ro Gangseo-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 21619000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-09-20 | content= }} * {{sleep | name= Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/selcs-courtyard-seoul-botanic-park/ | email= | address=Magokjungang 12-Ro 10 | lat=37.5671 | long=126.8291 | directions= | phone=+82 2 6946-7000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-09-20 | content= }} ==Connect== {{outlinedistrict}} {{IsPartOf|Seoul}} {{geo|37.55438|126.83304}} mcwm5xh4aw9oiktzb88rl770fcx6bvu 4506302 4506300 2022-08-22T16:12:56Z Max980301 106949 /* By plane */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Seoul West.jpg}} [[File:Gaehwasan mountain in Seoul, Korea 20130204 125337.jpg|300px|thumb|Gawhwa mountain in the Gangseo district]] The districts of '''[http://www.gangseo.seoul.kr/site/english_new/contents/main/index.htm Gangseo]''' (강서) and '''[http://www.yangcheon.go.kr/ Yangcheon]''' (양천) are in the west of the city of [[Seoul]]. {{pagebanner}} The jurisdiction is composed of 18 buildings including Mok 1–5, Sinwol 1-7 and Sinjeong 1–7. The former place name in the present It was named Yangcheon in 1310 (Koryo Chungseon King) and changed from the name of a small rock to a beautiful place where the bright sun and stream flow. In 1914, it was merged into Gimpo-gun, and was divided into Yangdong-myeon and Yangseo-myeon. In 1935, Yangdong-myeon and Yangseo-myeon were incorporated into Seoul in 1963. After being divided into Yeongdeungpo-gu from Gangdeung-gu in 1977, it became a large-scale residential complex. In 1988, Gangseo-gu was divided into three districts: Mok-dong, Sinjeong-dong, and Sinwol-dong. There are many broadcasting and media companies in Mok-dong, including Broadcasting Hall, SBS and CBS. Commercial activities are centered on 11 general retail markets including Mok-dong Market and Singok Market, and Hyundai Department Store Mok-dong Branch, Home Plus Mok-dong Branch, and E-Mart Mok-dong Branch. In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, 15 neighborhood parks, including the Paris Park in Mok-dong, are distributed throughout the residence. In Mok-dong, there is the first stadium built in western Seoul. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|37.554|126.833|zoom=12|layer=M}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q50192, Q50420}} {{Mapshapes|Q16950}} ===By plane=== : ''More details on airport connections can be read in the main [[Seoul#By plane|Seoul]] article'' {{marker|type=go|name=Gimpo International Airport|lat=37.56|long=126.799}} ({{IATA|GMP}}) is the second most important airport in the country after [[Incheon International Airport|Incheon]], and offers flights to [[Busan]], [[Jeju]] and other Korean cities. Additionally it offers international flights to [[Japan]] and [[China]]. There are direct train and bus options to both Incheon airport and Seoul station, as well as subway lines 5 and 9. Also, there's an outdoor observation deck in the domestic terminal. ===By train=== If you are flying in via [[Incheon International Airport]], then the A'Rex train will bring you here in a swift 30 minutes, as well as quickly connecting to the central Seoul Station. ===By subway=== * '''Gangseo''' is served by subway lines 2, 5 and 9. *The 24-km Gimpo Gold Line automated light metro (opened in Sep 2019) runs northwest from Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul via Gimpo City Hall to Yangchon. The Gimpo Gold Line connects with Seoul Metro lines 5 and 9, and the Arex rail link to Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport. ==See== * {{see | name=Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park | alt=강서습지생태공원 | url=http://hangang.seoul.go.kr/eng/ | email= | address=279-23, Yangcheon-ro 27-gil, Gangseo (방화동) 서울시 강서구 양천로27길 279-23 | lat=37.5879 | long=126.8158 | directions=Banghwa Station, Metro Line 5, Exit 2 | phone=+82 2-3780-0621 (~3) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=₩3,500 | lastedit=2015-06-07 | content=Wetland ecological park on the Hangang river. }} * {{see | name=Heojun Museum | alt=허준박물관 | url=http://www.heojun.seoul.kr/ | email= | address=Gayang 2-dong, Gangseo | lat=37.5678 | long=126.8513 | directions=Metro line 9, Yancheong Hyanggyo station is the closest. | phone=+82 2-3661-8666 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-06-07 | content=Museum dedicated to Heo Jun, a court physician during the Joseon dynasty. He wrote the defining texts on Korean Traditional Medicine, and is highly regarded for all oriental medicine branches throughout east Asia. }} * {{see | name=Hyperion Towers | alt=하이페리온 타워 | url= | email= | address= |lat=37.5273 | long=126.8747 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-06-20 | content=Three residential skyscrapers. Tower A, the tallest of them, is with 256 meters the second tallest building in Seoul. The bottom floors are made up of the Hyundai department store. }} * {{see | name=Herdsman indoor ice rink | alt=목동 아이스링크장 | url= http://www.mdicerink.com/ | email= | address= |lat=37.530701 | long=126.879057 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2649-8454 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= Weekend 12:00-18:00 /Public Holidays 12:00-18:00 (Closed on Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok) /Weekdays 14:00-18:00 | price= 4000won-adult, 3500won - student | content= Indoor ice arena in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The main stadium is on the ground, the secondary stadium is a stadium in the basement. Opening on December 1, 1989, the capacity is 5,000 people. }} * {{see | name=Mokdong SBS| alt=목동 sbs | url= http://www.sbs.co.kr/ | email= | address= |lat=37.52894 | long=126.8735 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2061-0006| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | content= One of Korea's leading broadcasters. Located in Mok-dong. The clear glass allows you to watch radio broadcasts in real time. Also can see entertainers coming to work. }} * {{see | name=Paris park| alt=파리공원 | url= | email= | address= |lat=37.5345 | long=126.8769| directions= | phone=+82 2 2620-3570| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | content= The park was opened on July 1, 1987 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Korea established diplomatic relations with France in 1886. In 1986, the Seoul Plaza was set up in Paris, and the Paris Plaza was set up in Seoul. Major facilities include Seoul Plaza, Paris Plaza, Hanbul Madang, Outdoor Stage Plaza, Pond, and Fountain. In addition, there are sports facilities such as a basketball court, gate ball, iron rod, and weights. }} * {{see | name=Anyangcheon| alt=안양천 | url= | email= | address= |lat= | long=| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= free | content= It is a river that joins the Han River, Seongsan Bridge, passing through Geumcheon-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu, Yangcheon-gu. The place name means that the river flows to Anyang. This river is connected to the Han River. The park is long along the river. }} * {{see | name=National Aviation Museum of Korea | alt=국립항공박물관 | url=https://aviation.or.kr/eng/index.do | email= | address=Haneul-gil 177 (Gonghang-dong 1373-5). Gangseo-gu | lat=37.55674 | long=126.80854 | directions=Ride a shuttle bus at the Gimpo Airport Domestic Terminal. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. Closed on Mondays, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok. | price=Free | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Opened in 2020, this museum shows the history of general and Korean aviation, current and future of the aviation industry. It houses many retired airplanes like F-51 and T-50. }} ===Cultural Heritage=== * {{listing | type=see | name=Yangcheon archaeological site in Seoul| alt=서울양천고성지 | url= | email= | address=8-4, Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.574654| long=126.8403036 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=It was designated Historic Site No. 372 on March 10, 1992. It has a designated area of 29,370 square meters and 762 stone blocks (about 218m). Its existence is also confirmed in the literature such as New Jeungdong Yeoji Seongram, and remains of stone confirming that it is a castle ruins. In addition, it is towering on the Han River field and is one of the strongholds that have defended the Han River since the Three Kingdoms. This is regarded as an important monument to the research of old defense facilities. It is an acid built around the top of Joseon Dynasty. The preservation status of all regions, including the northern part, is good, except that the top is flattened from the Japanese colonial period. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Yak-sa-sa Three-storied Pagodal| alt=약사사 삼층석탐 | url= | email= | address=322-2, Gaehwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5830508| long=126.8034636 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=In 1980, it was designated as Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 39. It is a three-story stone tower made of granite. The upper floor fell off into an elongated tower 4 meters high. The podium was woven into a face stone, one sheet per side, on a wide slab of stone. The base is made of four stones. Each layer represented a universe. Various studies show that the pagoda was built in the late Goryeo period, when Buddhist art retreated. The Jungjung Pagoda in the original temple of the stone pagoda shows the transition process of Pagoda architecture since the middle of Goryeo. Also on the grounds of the stone pagoda, there is a stone statue of Buddha (tangible cultural property 40) with a circular stone crest on its head. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Seoul Yangcheon Repair Association Drainage Pump Station| alt=서울 구 양천수리조합 배수펌프장 | url= | email= | address=282, Yangcheon-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5670753| long=126.8268621| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Seoul Yangcheon Repair Association Drainage Pump Station; Built in 1926 on a concrete retaining wall, it is a Japanese-style wooden structure building, which is the only agricultural drainage pump that has been confirmed to date among the modern industrial heritages of the Japanese colonial period. When it is architecturally valuable. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Huh-ga rock| alt=허가바위 | url= | email= | address=1-2, Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5683614| long=126.8506602| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=It was designated as Seoul Monument No. 11 on December 24, 1991. Located in front of the main gate of Yeongdeungpo Highland, there is a natural cave under the rock. The oysters are about 6m wide, 2m long and 5m high, with a large hole for 10 people. It is known as the birthplace of Yangcheonheo according to the story that Yang Sunheo's ancestor, Heo Sunmun, was born in a cave. According to the literature, Heo Sun-moon lived in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, and helped and provided military beauty as the Taejo of Goryeo crossed the river as it passed to conquer the canopy.The first place in Gangseo-gu means rock and is probably derived from the cave. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Seong Siheon, Drowning record| alt=성시헌 익사공신록 | url= | email= | address=406-63, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Koreal | lat=37.5257965| long=126.8720242| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A textbook given to a subordinate in the country, a drowning textbook given to Seong Si-heon, one of the 48 who helped the role of Gwanghae-gun in 513 (1613). Its contents were raised by one class, but also by parents and wives by one class, and the eldest son inherited and did not lose the block, forever. If there are no children, even the son-in-law and even his son-in-law were raised. In addition, six people, three slaves, three soldiers, ten fields of rice fields, five pieces of silver, one piece of cloth, and one horse were given. This memorandum is considered a valuable resource for examining the history of Gwanghae-gun. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Mokdong Hyundai Department Store | alt= 목동 현대 백화점 | url= http://www.ehyundai.com/newPortal/DP/DP000000_V.do?branchCd=B00142000 | email= | address=Hyundai Department Store Mok-dong Branch, 257 Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul South Korea | lat=37.526907| long=126.8748 | directions=Next to Ohmokgyo Station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sunday ~ Monday 10:30-20:00 (Extended 20:30); Tuesday ~ Thursday 10:30-20:00 Friday ~ Saturday 10:30-20:30 | content=Mokdong Hyundai Department Store is the largest shopping mall in Yangcheon-gu. It is in the same building as Mok-dong Hyperion. Completed in 2003, it was the tallest building in Korea between 2002 and 2004. Department stores are located in the 1st to 4th floors. There is an underground parking lot from basement 2 to basement 6 The department store is divided into two buildings. One is where you sell luxury goods. The other is food and clothing sales. Both are connected to each other underground. There is a food code in the basement and a movie theater, CGV. }} * {{buy | name=Mokdong Happy Department Store | alt= 목동 행복한 세상 백화점| url= https://www.haengbok.com/ | email= | address=309, Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. | lat=37.5289128| long=126.8759938 | directions=Next to Ohmokgyo Station | phone=+82 2 6678-9000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:30-20:00 daily | content=Happy Department Store is a department store in South Korea and is located at 309, Mokdong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Sales facilities are available from 1st basement to 4th floor, and parking is possible from 2nd basement to 5th basement. Easy Casual is located on the first basement floor. On the first and third floors, there are fashion goods, women's, and men's clothing. The fourth floor is a sporting goods store. 5F: Restaurant ; 6th ~ 8th floor: Megabox (representative movie theater in Korea such as CGV); 9th floor (roof): Rooftop garden }} ==Eat== * {{listing | type=eat | name=Puoco | alt= 푸꼬 | url=| email= | address= 917-9, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat= 37.5281166 | long=126.8758832 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2062-0411 | hours= Hours 11:30-22:00; Recess 15:00-17:00| price=10,000 won~20.000 won | content=A place that sells Italian dishes such as pizza and spaghetti. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= Il Mirak | alt= 일미락 | url= | email= | address=406-126 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5253169 | long=126.872987 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2642-9292| hours= Mon-Sat: 12:00-24:00 Sun: 12:00-22:00 Last Order Mon-Sat: 23:00, Sun: 21:00 | price=Whole pork belly (180g)17,000 won, Log meat (180g)17,000 won, Whole Ribs (180g)17,000 won, Korean Beef Loin (160g)38,000 won | content=a pork restaurant. You can grill pork in Korean style. Side dishes are provided free of charge. Il Mirak can buy meat and other side menus (noodles, rice, jjigae). }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=O-mok-jib | alt= 오목집 | url= | email= | address=Paragon B1, 155 Mokdongseo-ro, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5294505 | long= 126.8751424 | directions= | phone=+82 2 6737-6692| hours= 11:00-23:00 | price= 20,000-30,000 won | content= Sell Korean ham hocks.The meat is tender, and it is also a great place to meet.The seafood soup comes out basically.Other menu items include seafood pajeon and various noodles. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Lim Kkeok-kimchi Stew | alt=임꺽정 김치찌개 | url= | email= | address=405-178, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5227251 | long=126.8738308 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2645-8252| hours= 10: 00-22: 00 | price=10,000 won~15,000won | content=It sells various kinds of jjigae such as kimchi jjigae, a Korean traditional food. The price is relatively cheap. it can also add other side menus such as ham, ramen and vermicelli. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=| hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Manda Store | alt=만담상점 | url= | email= | address= 905-33 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat= 37.5317382 | long= 126.875946| directions= | phone=+82 2 2651-2459| hours=Hours 17:30-00:30 | price=10,000 won-20,000 won | content=Mandam Big Chicken. Thick clothes are thick and steamed. The outside is crispy. The peculiarity is the cabbage coleslaw, not chicken radish. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Alcohol Tree | alt=알콜트리 | url= | email= | address=406-227, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul| lat=37.5258551 | long=126.87471 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2642-3012 | hours= Opening hours Sun-Thu: 19:00-03:00; Fri-Sat: 19:00-04:00 | price= 20,000-30,000 won }} * {{drink | name=New York Night Market| alt=뉴욕야시장 | url= | email= | address=406-180, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul| lat=37.5247472| long=126.8748797 | directions= | phone=+82 2 2651-1104 | hours= 17:00-03:00; Last Order 01:30| price= 10,000 ~ 20,000 won }} *{{drink | name=Shaivana Mokdong 41 Tower| alt=샤이바나 목동41타워점| url= | email= | address=Mok-dong 917-9 Hyundai 41 Tower 2F 202 Shaivana| lat=37.5281211| long=126.8758117 | directions= | phone=+82 2 612-0334 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=~10:00pm | price=5,000won | content=It is said that Madeleine is delicious. }} *{{drink | name=Gil | alt=길 | url= | email= | address=406-205, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5257101| long=126.8744998 | directions= | phone=+82 2 553-6131 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=It's a nice cocktail bar. }} *{{drink | name=Pu cafe | alt=푸 카페 | url= | email= | address=404-177, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | lat=37.5241684| long=126.8761442 | directions= | phone=+82 2 565-1993 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mon-Fri 10:00 ~ 22:00 | price= | content=It is easy to get near the department store. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name= Ramada Encore Seoul Magok | alt= | url=https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/seoul-south-korea/ramada-encore-seoul-magok/overview | email= | address=161 11 Magokjungang ro Gangseo-gu | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+82 2 21619000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-09-20 | content= }} * {{sleep | name= Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/selcs-courtyard-seoul-botanic-park/ | email= | address=Magokjungang 12-Ro 10 | lat=37.5671 | long=126.8291 | directions= | phone=+82 2 6946-7000 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2018-09-20 | content= }} ==Connect== {{outlinedistrict}} {{IsPartOf|Seoul}} {{geo|37.55438|126.83304}} e6i58mg96o4qh5n4pz5uafsg0fh2iif 0 130950 4506543 4371256 2022-08-23T04:09:01Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* General precaution */ Should note that the temperatures in the weather forecast example are obviously in Fahrenheit. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Severe weather.jpg}} '''Severe weather''' is the generic term for any dangerous weather phenomenon with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life. Severe weather can occur anywhere in the world, and there are different types of it, which can depend on geography, topography, and atmospheric conditions. High winds, hail, excessive precipitation, and wildfires are forms and effects of severe weather, as are thunderstorms, tornadoes, waterspouts, and cyclones. Regional and seasonal severe weather phenomena include blizzards, snowstorms, ice storms, and dust storms. Travellers are strongly advised to be aware of any risk of severe weather affecting their area as they may affect any travel plans. Attractions may be closed, [[transportation]] will likely be impeded, and even your life may be at risk! ==General precaution== {{quote|Climate is what we expect. Weather is what we get.|author=Attributed to Mark Twain}} The best advice for travellers is to first '''research the climate of your destination'''; if any risk of severe weather is the norm for the time period that you travel, you are advised to prepare for unpredictability regarding the weather. The predicted weather on your travel plan may only come out at the earliest 2 weeks before your travel and becomes more accurate only as the day gets closer, so you should plan ahead while at the same time be flexible, especially on where to go and what to wear. [[File:Newspaper weather forecast - today and tomorrow.svg|thumb|An example of a weather forecast in a newspaper or on the internet (with temperatures in Fahrenheit)|alt=|339x339px]] As weather can change somewhat on a day-to-day or even hour-to-hour basis, '''check the weather forecast''' for your destination before and during your travel to be aware of any forthcoming weather threats on your destination, using either local TV and radio or your smartphone app. While television weather forecasts may be shown in different languages, their weather symbols (those that indicate for example sunny, rainy, or partly cloudy weather) are usually comprehensible. There are also radio stations which just transmit weather forecasts; Canada and USA reserve seven frequencies (162.4 to 162.55MHz in 0.025MHz steps) for weather radio, there's also one channel reserved on marine VHF radio for marine weather. Most of the world uses Celsius and millimeter as their temperature and precipitation intensity, respectively, while the USA uses Fahrenheit and inches. A few countries with close ties to the U.S. (Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Liberia, Palau, The Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands) also use Fahrenheit. See [[metric and imperial equivalents]] for details and conversions between these measurement systems. One inch of precipitation equals to 25mm (2.5cm) of liquid in the rain gauge, higher amounts mean that more rain is falling and severe weather may be happening. Many weather forecasts also use the overly complicated unit "liters per square meter", which they seem to think sounds more intuitive than "millimeter", but the two units are exactly the same with the former just being a roundabout way to express the latter. Marine and aeronautical forecasts are likely to use nautical miles per hour (knots) and will report conditions (such as rough seas for mariners) to suit their specific target audience. {| style="text-align:center; margin-bottom:3em; margin:1.5em; padding:5px;" align="right" |- | |colspan="2" |&larr;'''frigid''' |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:gray">'''freezing'''</span> |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:#2a4b8d">'''cold'''</span> |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:teal">'''cool'''</span> |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:green">'''mild'''</span> |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:olive">'''warm'''</span> |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:red">'''hot'''</span> |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:#b32425">'''swelter'''</span> |colspan="2" |<span style="padding-left:10px; color:maroon">'''cooked'''</span>&rarr; |- style="line-height:200%" ! style=|°C&nbsp; | -40||-18||<span style="padding-left:10px; color:gray">-10</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:gray">-7</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#2a4b8d"> 0</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#2a4b8d">4</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:teal">7</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:teal">10</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:green">13</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:green">15</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:olive">18</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:olive">21</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:red">24</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:red">26</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#b32425">30</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#b32425">32</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:maroon">35</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:maroon">38</span> |- style="line-height:125%" ! style=|°F&nbsp; | -40 || 0 || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:gray">14</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:gray">20</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#2a4b8d">32</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#2a4b8d">40</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:teal">45</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:teal">50</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:green">55</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:green">60</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:olive">65</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:olive">70</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:red">75</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:red">80</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#b32425">85</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:#b32425">90</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:maroon">95</span> || <span style="padding-left:10px; color:maroon">100</span> |+''Temperature ranges and conversions'' |} If a severe weather does exist in the area that you wish to travel, you are highly suggested to have a change of travel plan; if a blizzard is occurring at the ski resort that you wished to go, you should go to an alternative resort, or perhaps go to the beaches or downtown if the weather there is better. If it does or will happen to where you are right now, '''obey all commands and warnings''' from local authorities; do not risk yourself by disregarding any threats. Getting in and out of the area will be difficult because of severe weather: roads may be closed, flights or cruises may be delayed or even cancelled. Trains are sometimes the last thing still running, but when overhead wires have been hit and cut by trees and no Diesel locomotive is available, there is little the railway can do. '''Check your transportation provider''' regarding any alternative arrangements, compensation or rebooking. Keep your composure when interacting with them as weather is always beyond their control and they would have got the same complaints from other travellers that are stuck with you. Contact any people you will meet or the hotels you'll stay at your destination or your workplace and someone at your departure point to give updates on your expected arrival time and alternative arrangements. ==Geography== {{seealso|Biomes and ecosystems}} The world can be divided between climate zones, with local variations due to landforms. '''Coastal regions''' have modest temperature variations, but tend to have more wind and precipitation than inland regions. '''Mountains and highlands''' are usually colder than lower lands, and can have more wind and precipitation. ==Cyclone== [[File:Katrina 2nd landfall.jpg|thumbnail|Hurricane Katrina making landfall in [[Louisiana]] (2005)|180x180px]] {{main|Cyclones}} A '''[[cyclone]]''', also known as a '''hurricane''' (in the Americas) or '''typhoon''' (in Asia and Oceania), is an organized rotating precipitation system packed with damaging winds and heavy rain. Effects include but are not limited to: windstorm, very heavy rain which can lead to widespread flooding and mudslides, thunderstorms, and high waves. They occur mainly in [[tropics|tropical]] and subtropical regions, but there are also extratropical cyclones that occur far from the equator, often as remnants of a tropical cyclone. Cyclone wind speeds vary from tropical storm winds to category 5 storms, which can have winds above {{convert|170|mph|m/s}}. Generally, cyclones lose energy once they hit land, but they can still cause great damage along coastlines and, in some cases, inland areas. Cyclones form in the oceans and usually travel west until they reach land. ==Thunderstorm== {{main|Thunderstorms}} Thunderstorms are storms with lightning and the associated thunder, but dangers include heavy rain, strong gusty wind and possibly hail. While most lightning strikes from inside or between clouds, some does hit the ground and causes a wide range of effects from electric damage to fires and death of persons hit.[[File:Lighting demage on a tree.jpg|thumb|upright|Tree struck by lightning]] A sometimes dangerous occurrence in a thunderstorm is '''hail'''. Hail occurs when solid balls of ice (hailstones) fall to the ground during a thunderstorm; while hail is not usually dangerous due to its small size, hailstones can sometimes reach the size of golf balls, and if they reach this size they can shatter car windshields and knock people unconscious. When there is a threat of hail, get yourself and all of your belongings indoors as soon as possible, and do not go near windows or openings while inside that indoor space. ===Tornado=== {{main|Tornado safety}} In some places, particularly in the [[Great Plains]] region of the [[United States of America|United States]], you can get '''tornadoes''' in a thunderstorm. Tornadoes are extreme winds that spin in a small area, and blow everything near them inward and upward. Tornadoes typically come with little warning, and they are powerful enough to destroy houses. Tornadoes are easy to spot during the day but harder to spot during the night. However, if you notice a funnel reaching downward from a dark cloud or you see objects flying, you are probably about to see a tornado. Also, hail often occurs before a tornado. If you know there is a high chance of tornadoes but it is nighttime and you can't see any, follow the weather forecasts on TV or radio. Sometimes, sirens will give warning of a tornado in the vicinity, in which case you need to '''seek shelter''' immediately. The best places to be when inside are in interior rooms (such as hallways or windowless basements) with as few doors as possible and '''no windows''' and as few large pieces of furniture as possible, such as dressers, bookshelves, or credenzas, as these may fall on you. Note that '''no room is entirely safe''' as tornadoes have the power to rip off roofs and in some cases floors. If outside, get inside as quickly as possible, driving to the nearest viable option if necessary, avoid trees, loose items (like farming equipment), bridges/overpasses, and – most importantly – the tornado itself. Due to the heavy rains that occur during a thunderstorm, and therefore when tornadoes are around, getting away from a tornado by driving can be difficult. If outside when debris and objects get thrown around, get down in the nearest ditch or gully, covering your head with your hands; if in a car, park the car, remain seated, and keep all parts of you below the windows with your head covered. ==Fog== Surprisingly, fog is the '''most lethal''' kind of weather in some parts of the world. The deaths are usually caused by '''[[driving#Stay safe|traffic accidents]]''' that become much more likely when visibility is reduced. In the same way, fog can be lethal in places where you must find your way or watch your step, for instance mountain environments. Fog is most common in the early morning just before sunrise, though there are places where fog is most common during other parts of the day. When driving a car in fog, go slow. If fog is very thick, you might need to wait it out. Sometimes there is fog only in valleys or by bodies of water; when driving downhill visibility can be abruptly reduced unless you are alert. With a boat, mooring in a safe place is the best option, but if that is not possible you have to quickly note your position and keep track of your movement, especially if you do not have a GPS. Remember your fog signals, avoid shipping lanes and choose a route that is safe in these circumstances. GPS does not show other vessels; even a radar shows only some of them. There are variants of fog that are extra nasty. '''[[Smog]]''' is smoke plus fog, generally found in areas with heavy industry or where coal is used for domestic heating as in parts of northern China. It can be particularly bad if there is an inversion in the atmosphere, for example around Los Angeles cold air coming in off the Pacific sometimes forms a layer that seals off the air below it so that smoke cannot escape. '''Vog''' is [[volcanoes|volcanic]] smog, water droplets with dissolved gasses from an eruption, sometimes with dust as well. The main gas is sulphur dioxide which combines with water to form a strong acid, so vog is seriously irritating to eyes and throat; with heavy exposure or for vulnerable people, it can even be fatal. ==Floods== {{see also|Flash floods}} Sometimes, large amounts of rain occur within short amounts of time, causing floods that rise very quickly. These can be extremely dangerous and are called '''flash floods'''. As a general rule, if weather forecasts predict very heavy rains in the near future, or a flash flood has already started, get to high ground as soon as possible. Also, avoid rivers or camping in narrow canyons during the times of the year when heavy rainstorms or thunderstorms are likely, since these can flood very quickly. There are risks involved also in more slow flooding. You have some time to prepare, but if the roads around you are flooded you may not be able to leave. Driving in flood water is as dangerous as in the case of a flash flood, and the shores of rivers may collapse. There will be debris in the water, so wading or boating can be dangerous. The water is probably also unhealthy, as result of flooded fields and sewage systems. After heavy rain there is also a risk of mudslides. These are like avalanches, but the soil itself getting unstable when wet enough. Near [[volcanoes]] there may be a risk of ''lahars'', a particularly dangerous type of mudslide created when a deposit of volcanic ash gets wet. These can be deadly since they often occur with little warning and can move quickly over long distances. ==Heatwave== <!-- This should be split to [[Hot Weather]]? --> {{main|Hot weather}} : ''See [[Arid region safety]] for places with persistently hot and dry climate.'' Heatwaves are abnormally high temperatures for a period of a couple of days. They can cause discomfort and health risk, even to those that are seemingly prepared. Though a general definition of heatwave is when temperatures that are about 27°C (80°F) or above, its effect can be dramatically different depending on humidity, which affects the temperature that one feels on its skin, and the average temperatures for a particular place. A person experiencing a dry heatwave may begin to feel discomfort when it is 32°C (90°F), but at the same temperature and 75% humidity, 90°F will feel like 43°C (109°F)! Avoid strenuous activities outside, especially during the afternoon when the temperature is the hottest. Drink lots of fluid as that will cool you down while at the same time replacing the fluids in your body exerted by the heat. Do not wear any dark clothing, as it absorbs heat and will make your body lose fluid even quicker. It is a good idea to stay much of the time somewhere indoors where cooling systems are usually found, or go to a park and sit under a tree to avoid the sun; if you choose to enjoy the sun instead, wear a sunscreen or preferably lightweight sport fabrics, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head. '''Do not leave children and pets in your car''' as the inside car temperature can rise quicker than the outside, and can soon be outright dangerous. Children and elderly people are especially prone to heat related illness, from cramps to heatstroke; you should regularly check how they feel, and go for emergency treatment as soon as the symptoms show up. ==Cold weather== {{main|Cold weather}} {{see also|Ice safety|Snow safety|Winter driving}} [[Cold weather]] is an issue in winter sports, in wintertime in temperate areas, when visiting high mountains – even by driving over mountain passes – and year round in the Arctic and Antarctic. Cold weather is part of everyday life for the residents of these areas and for visits in the cities the cold is rarely a threat. Some preparations, like having adequate clothes, will make your visit much more comfortable, will let you stay outside for longer times, and may allow you to enjoy even quite severe circumstances. When venturing out on the countryside or out in the wilderness, or even driving along less busy roads, neglecting basic precautions can mean risking your life. In places like Finnish Lapland, a sunny day at -10°C may turn into -25°C (+14 to -13°F) at night, which means much more clothing will be needed. In mountainous areas even more extreme changes are common. This means you should be aware of possible changes at least when returning to your base will take substantial time (do not count on taxis if you are returning when everybody else is). If there is wind, the cold may find its way through your clothing and windchill will add to the cold, such that at 10 m/s (22,5 mph), -10°C (+15°F) will feel like -20°C (-5°F). In temperatures near or below freezing, snowfall is usually possible. Snowfall or blowing snow can severely limit the visibility, like dense fog or worse. Snow and ice can hide dangers, such as clefts in the rock, and make a lake look like a field. While frozen lakes and rivers are often used for transport, [[Ice safety|weak ice]] is a severe risk. Snowfall can also severely hamper orientation. Without anything to guide them, humans have a natural tendency to walk in circles as their strides are slightly longer on one side. In heavy snow, this can make you totally lost and you'd be surprised to hear how many people died of exhaustion or exposure just a few kilometers from safety. A [[orienteering|compass]] will help avoid this, just make sure you know the direction to a safe area you cannot miss (near the poles, note the difference between magnetic and geographic north). A map can of course allow more flexible options. A [[GPS]] may feel even better, but take care about it not dying from exhausted batteries, moisture or cold – a compass still makes a good backup. When driving in a white-out (blizzard-like conditions with minuscule visibility), drive slower than the posted speed limit, but not too slow as to cause vehicles behind you hit you. In most places the roads will have some form of marker to follow. In daytime, use full headlights to make you visible for meeting traffic, in dark or dusk fog lights or low beam are much better, as the falling snow is not what you want to see. Do not pull over and park your car on the shoulder unless it is your last resort, as it can be hit by other traffic or snowploughs. Instead drive until you find a safer exit, such as to a small village. If you get stuck or park somewhere with no people, do not try to walk to safety, but stay in your vehicle for shelter and wait for help to arrive. The best option for white-out conditions is to not go out at all, but if you are caught in this scenario the best chances of survival are much like that of high fog. ==Air pollution== {{main|Air pollution}} '''[[Air pollution]]''', including '''smog''', is a nuisance in some large cities, worsened when air is dry and stagnant. Visitors with asthma or other medical conditions might be affected even by mild air pollution, and when it gets severe, it's unhealthy for everyone. In case of severe smog or an existing medical condition, it is unwise to get out and travel; if you have to, wear an '''N95 mask'''. Look out for weather advisories, and for long-term stays, consider buying an '''air filter'''. ==See also== * [[Arid region safety]] * [[Earthquake safety]] * [[Outdoor life]] * [[Sunburn and sun protection]] * [[Tornado safety]] * [[Wildfires]] * [[Weather records]] {{usabletopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Stay safe}} 5826imborkqfczo1gqi1sj2jc8w5qwm 1 132974 4506184 3708569 2022-08-22T12:11:16Z Ground Zero 1423298 Swept in from pub wikitext text/x-wiki ==World's most deadly highways== I found [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2578430/The-real-roads-hell-Interactive-map-reveals-worlds-22-deadly-highways.html an interesting and informative news story]. Perhaps we can incorporate some information in the relevant articles sometime soon. --[[User:Saqib|Saqib]] ([[User talk:Saqib|talk]]) 21:39, 11 March 2014 (UTC) Tricky - there are some quite ambivalent/paradoxical issues here - (a) is it a good idea to identify places that are not worth taking a car/vehicle to? (b) if indeed wikivoyage is a positive site - with a commercial newspaper touting scary footage of absurd driving locations, is it worth really indulging? - Surely more generic comments for some countries would be better - for regions rather than sites [[User:SatuSuro|sats]] ([[User talk:SatuSuro|talk]]) 09:52, 12 March 2014 (UTC) == A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion == The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion: * [[commons:File:Newfoundland Moose Sign.jpg|Newfoundland Moose Sign.jpg]]<!-- COMMONSBOT: discussion | 2019-01-15T23:53:28.728560 | Newfoundland Moose Sign.jpg --> Participate in the deletion discussion at the [[commons:Commons:Deletion requests/File:Newfoundland Moose Sign.jpg|nomination page]]. —[[User:Community Tech bot|Community Tech bot]] ([[User talk:Community Tech bot|talk]]) 23:53, 15 January 2019 (UTC) [[File:Road ends road sign in Australia.JPG|thumb|100px|Road ends]] [[File:AustraliaSign.jpg|thumb|100px|Australian unfenced road]] [[File:MUTCD-CA SW59.svg|thumb|100px|Beware of the bears]] ::For reference [[:File:Gros Morne NP 03.jpg]] depicts a similar road sign, but with more background, which may help in looking for a replacement if the file is deleted. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 00:04, 16 January 2019 (UTC) ::: The road sign is clearly the focus of that image too, so ''de minimis'' does not apply. What did the sign look like in 1968 or 1941 (i.e. one where Canadian copyright has expired and which is free also in USA)? Alternatively an old comics image could perhaps be used. --[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:17, 16 January 2019 (UTC) ::::I doubt that there was such a sign in 1941, and in the 1960s it probably just was text "beware of moose". We can think a bit wider. A replacement image could be any other interesting road sign, but equally it could be a picture of a road or vehicles. Here are some possibilities. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 21:42, 16 January 2019 (UTC) == Road signs == {{swept}} There have been some discussions and addition and removal of galleries related to European road signs. As European non-driver it is hard for me to guess what signs are important to explain e.g. for US drivers. As the signs are pictogram-based, many of them are intuitive, but certainly not all. I assume other European editors also don't know what would be optimal, so I think we need others to weight in. There are some galleries in [[Driving in Europe]] and more for individual countries. As the variation is small between continental EU countries, there is little need for duplication per se, but I don't know to what extent one can assume drivers to read both the European article and the ones for individual countries (which have their peculiarities). Do drivers study traffic law or traffic signs before driving in a new country? I assume they are not, at least not to any great degree, but I might be wrong, and that would of course affect what we need to tell. Some of the articles became rather picture-heavy with a few less-established editors doing a lot of editing regarding images. I think we shouldn't apply our minimal-use-of-images policy to hard, as most images in these articles are informative rather than decorations. Some are of course also needed to give a feeling for the driving environment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:57, 11 July 2022 (UTC) :As a US driver, I think that stop signs and signs for speed limits would be the most immediately necessary. You can't really drive anywhere if you don't know those two. There are others that might be useful (e.g., Yield) but won't turn up as often. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:00, 11 July 2022 (UTC) ::EU driver here. Wikipedia has a great [[:w:Comparison of European road signs]]. Road signs in Europe are indeed pretty consistent and mostly follow the Vienna conventions. I think it would make sense for the individual ''Driving in country X'' articles to mostly rely on (and prominently link to) a central article about that (e.g. [[Driving in Europe]] or the Rules section of [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]]), so that the country articles can focus on pointing out where the country diverges from the norm in a way that could cause confusion. ::So for example, [[Driving in Europe]] would tell you that stop signs are always stop sign-shaped, always stop sign-colored and ''almost'' always use the word STOP, whereas [[Driving in Turkey]] might tell you that Turkey is pretty much the only country in Europe where they use local language (DUR) instead of STOP. [[Driving in Ireland]] might feel tempted to point out that the country uses [[:w:Comparison_of_MUTCD-influenced_traffic_signs|MUTCD-style]] warning signs, but that's probably more of a ''nice to know''. Pointing out that they (apparently) use [[:w:Belisha beacon]]s for pedestrian crossings would probably be a good idea, though. [[Driving in the Netherlands]] would probably talk about the relevance of blue vs. yellow curbs for parking rather than re-iterating that the prohibitory signs are round? ::Looking at existing ''Driving in X'' articles, I feel that ::* most of the example pictures in [[Driving_in_France#Traffic rules]] are unnecessary, as they are no different from other European countries and thus redundant to [[Driving in Europe]] (currently not linked). ::* [[Driving in Portugal#Road signs]] contains so many redundant examples that it's difficult to identify the ones that are specific to Portugal. ::* [[Driving in Sweden#Road signs]] and [[Driving in the United Kingdom#Road signs]] are mostly redundant too, but at least they stick to the important ones. ::*I don't know how I feel about the use of miniature versions of road signs in lists in [[Driving in Norway#Rules and regulations]] and [[Driving in Iceland#Rules and regulations]]. ::The other articles listed in [[Driving in Europe#Countries]] loo fine to me. Links to [[Driving in Europe]] are largely missing, though. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:49, 12 July 2022 (UTC) :::Australian driver here. Our signage is very similar to US signage, but with four major exceptions: :::* we have give way signs as opposed to yield signs :::* passing cars is called overtaking as passing is only used when you pass cyclists :::* signs that are only used RHS countries are flipped (e.g. roundabout signs) :::* our speed signs is a mix of both US and EU speed signs; we have that white background but use the red circle ([https://goo.gl/maps/uRJbytw9jRVq4SRC9 a sign in the NT for ref]) :::Sometimes we do have our own minor modifications, such as exit signs (cf. [https://goo.gl/maps/nR3uHo2B9Qb75mSp9 US] and [https://goo.gl/maps/JaiaKyXX9qtMvaQGA Aus (specifically Qld)]), but whenever I travel to the US, I've never had an issue with understanding signage. For the record, from my limited experience in NZ, they look very similar to Australian signs but with a few minor differences. :::In Europe, were very different to what I saw in Aus or the US, but thankfully due to standardised signs, I did not have a problem when travelling in different countries (the signs in Norway, albeit different were very similar to the signs in France). However, most EU signs were self-explanatory, so for the most part, comprehending them wasn't a problem. In South and Southeast Asia, they weren't standardised, but they were very similar. ::: Re [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]]'s comment: I understand speed signs (though they're pretty much the same everywhere outside the US, Canada and maybe Liberia), aren't stop signs the same, octagonal sign everywhere? I've yet to see a stop sign that isn't red and octagonal. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:57, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::[[File:Japan_road_sign_330-B.svg|thumb|What's this?]] ::::Most places are using red octagons, frequently even with the English word "STOP", but not quite everywhere. Even in places where the red octagon is common, there may be a few old signs that haven't quite been replaced yet or the occasional variation, like [[:File:Blue stop sign - hawaii - oct 2015.jpg|Hawaii's blue stop signs]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:56, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::After doing more digging, it seems [[:File:Cuban Stop Sign.svg|Cuba's stop sign]] is also triangular (like Japan's), but if a country uses the standard octagonal sign, wouldn't it simply make more sense to write that in plain text? (e.g. New Zealand's stop sign is exactly the same as in Australia or the United States or something like that) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:07, 13 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::It seems stop signs are among the most standardized signs worldwide, both in areas that use Vienna convention and MUTCD-style signs. I'd go so far to say that they are not worth mentioning (let alone showing) at all unless they actually diverge from that de-facto norm (red and white octagon). <small>Interestingly enough, you can actually find the Cuban design in the [[:w:Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] as an alternative design.</small> [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 08:58, 13 July 2022 (UTC) :::::::The "Cuban design" is (or was) a fairly common alternative. It was being installed in the UK up to 1975, and in Italy to 1990. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:06, 13 July 2022 (UTC) 983y57975ond1ebynk6zsxw7uwx68zt 0 134229 4506198 4504775 2022-08-22T12:26:22Z 195.59.210.210 /* By bus */ Deleted listing for Jass - Website is no longer available, redirects to NSFW. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco banner.jpg|caption=San Francisco viewed through the Golden Gate Bridge|dotm=yes|star=yes|toc=yes|origin=0.8,0}} {{printDistricts}} The centerpiece of the [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]], '''[https://www.sftravel.com/ San Francisco]''' is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. The cultural center of northern [[California]], San Francisco is renowned for its mixture of scenic beauty and unique culture that makes it one of the most vibrant and desirable cities in the nation, if not the world. Sandwiched between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean on a small square of land seven miles (11 km) on each side, San Francisco offers a wealth of treasures for the visitor, from the windswept and often foggy bay to the steep hills lined with Victorian homes that overlook the spectacular scenery of the city. Great ethnic and cultural diversity shows itself in the city's varied neighborhoods, from the crowded and exciting streets of Chinatown to the eclectic attitudes of the Castro and the gleaming condominium towers built on the city's more recently gained tech-savvy reputation. And yet San Francisco is just one of the cities which makes up the entire San Francisco Bay Area. At the center of a metropolitan area of 9.7 million people (2018), the city is a fantastic base to explore the treasures of San Francisco's neighbors to the east across the Bay Bridge, to the north past the Golden Gate Bridge, and to the south down the peninsula. There's enough to see that one could devote a lifetime to exploring the region, and it'll become clear why people continue to make their way to this special place. ==Districts== Each district of San Francisco carries its own unique and distinct culture. This map is predominantly based on the 11 official governmental districts of San Francisco, but it has been adapted to suit the purposes of this travel guide. Some districts of particular interest to travelers have been broken up into popular neighborhood groupings, while others, mainly residential districts, have been merged. {{Mapframe|37.75714|-122.43516|height=420|width=480|zoom=12|staticmap=San Francisco districts map.png}} {{Mapshape|type=page|wikicommons=San_Francisco_Districts.map}} <!-- {{mapshapes|Q278074}} --><!-- Muni Metro --> {{Regionlist | region1name=[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]] | region1color=#dcdc71 | region1description=Fashionable neighborhoods, e.g., the Marina District, Cow Hollow, and Pacific Heights, with extensive views and historical landmarks — Fort Mason, The Presidio, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. | region2name=[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]] | region2color=#cc66cc | region2description=A touristy waterfront neighborhood which encompasses Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, and the ferry launch to Alcatraz Island, as well as a plethora of seafood restaurants and souvenir stores. | region3name=[[San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill|Nob Hill-Russian Hill]] | region3color=#6ca4ca | region3description=Two ritzy neighborhoods with upscale hotels, cable cars, panoramic views and steep inclines. | region4name=[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown-North Beach]] | region4color=#e8ba37 | region4description=Two vibrant immigrant communities; the crowded and largest Chinatown outside of Asia next to the stylish laid back 'Little Italy', as well as Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower. | region5name=[[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Union Square-Financial District]] | region5color=#de6e6e | region5description=Union Square is the center of shopping, theater and art in the city, next to the many skyscrapers of downtown and Market Street. | region6name=[[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center-Tenderloin]] | region6color=#817cc0 | region6description=The neoclassical Civic Center next to the grit of the Tenderloin. While the 'Loin' is grittier compared to its ritzier neighbors downtown, there is still plenty of interesting architecture and attractions to see here. | region7name=[[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa ''(South of Market)'']] | region7color=#83b76b | region7description=A rapidly changing neighborhood of downtown that is the center of a lot of new construction, including new skyscrapers; some of the city's newest museums; Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants; and Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. | region8name=[[San Francisco/Western Addition|Western Addition]] | region8color=#c5a0c6 | region8description=A historic neighborhood with many Victorian homes that was once a hotbed of African-American culture. Within the area is also Japantown, once the center of San Francisco's Japanese population, still populated with many Japanese stores and restaurants, and hotels that cater to Japanese travelers. | region9name=[[San Francisco/Haight|Haight]] | region9color=#8ed7d8 | region9description=Famous for being the home of the Hippie movement, this once bohemian area is still an eclectic treasure. | region10name=[[San Francisco/The Avenues|The Avenues]] | region10color=#a4c97d | region10description=Includes both the foggy Sunset and Richmond Districts, separated by the scenic and lush Golden Gate Park and bounded on the west by Ocean Beach. | region11name=[[San Francisco/Twin Peaks-Lake Merced|Twin Peaks-Lake Merced]] | region11color=#c38888 | region11description=Covering most of southwestern San Francisco, this area is home to many of the taller hills of San Francisco and the large Lake Merced park, which contains the San Francisco Zoo. | region12name=[[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|Castro-Noe Valley]] | region12color=#9c94cd | region12description=Colorful and cohesive, the Castro is historically known for being the cultural center of the city's LGBTQ community. Nearby Noe Valley offers excellent restaurants and shops along pleasantly walkable streets. | region13name=[[San Francisco/Mission|Mission]] | region13color=#c584ab | region13description=This vibrant area is home to a large Hispanic community as well as new urban artisans, and is a center of San Francisco night life. For visitors wishing to get off the beaten tourist paths and catch some local flavor, this is the place to go. | region14name=[[San Francisco/Bernal Heights|Bernal Heights]] | region14color=#bfeb9c | region14description=A charming neighborhood atop a hill on the southern side of the city and a cultural center for San Francisco's lesbian community. | region15name=[[San Francisco/Southeast|Southeast San Francisco]] | region15color=#c0b870 | region15description=A mostly lower income residential area, this district contains several bay-side neighborhoods and many nice parks. }} ==Understand== ===History=== Prior to European settlement in the area, the peninsula that now contains San Francisco was home to the Yelamu tribe, who were part of the larger Ohlone language group which stretched south from the Bay Area to the [[Big Sur]] of California. Due to San Francisco's characteristic foggy weather, the earliest European explorers completely bypassed what would later be called the Golden Gate and the San Francisco Bay. The first European settlement in the area was founded by the Spanish in 1776 as a '''mission''' community surrounding the Mission San Francisco de Asís, in what is today called the Mission Dolores in the Mission District. In addition to the mission, a military fort was built near the Golden Gate: El Presidio. Upon gaining independence from Spain in 1821, the area became part of Mexico. Under Mexican rule, the mission system gradually came to an end and private ownership of land became a possibility. In 1835, an Englishman named William Richardson founded the town of '''Yerba Buena''', the first significant settlement on the peninsula outside of the Mission Dolores area. As the new settlement gradually grew, Yerba Buena developed a street plan and became attractive to settlers. Following the Mexican-American War the United States claimed California, and in July 1846 the U.S. Navy arrived to raise the American flag above Yerba Buena. Over the next couple of years, California officially became part of the United States and the name of the town was changed from Yerba Buena to San Francisco. In 1848 the '''California Gold Rush''' started in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Prior to the opening of the Transcontinental Railroad, getting to San Francisco involved an arduous overland journey or a lengthy voyage by sea, but that didn't stop waves of fortune-seeking immigrants from making the trip, increasing the city's population from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands. Many who made their fortunes then settled in San Francisco, which at the time was the largest, most exciting city in California. Like other large cities, eventually San Francisco developed into districts by nationality or social status: the Italians in North Beach, the Chinese in Chinatown, and the wealthy mining and railroad titans on Nob Hill. During the gold rush years many major businesses were created and flourished in San Francisco (Wells Fargo Bank, Levis, Bank of America), and famous and infamous personalities alike settled in the city. Of course, with all this success came problems: the rapid growth of the city outstripped any efforts at city planning, meaning proper sanitation and infrastructure were largely undeveloped, which led to a cholera outbreak in 1855. Violence and corruption were evident, and anti-immigrant violence resulted in many race riots. {{infobox|Emperor Norton|[[File:Nortonplaque3-01.png|200px|right]]In 1859 '''Joshua Abraham Norton''', who had been a wealthy businessman prior to losing his fortune on Peruvian rice, proclaimed himself "Norton I, Emperor of the United States" and later "Protector of Mexico". While he was widely seen as eccentric, he was quite popular among many inhabitants of San Francisco due to his "decrees" calling for the dissolution of Congress or the construction of bridges or tunnels to cross San Francisco Bay. One of his more eccentric (though widely popular) edicts was banning use of the word "Frisco" (then as now a common shorthand for the city hated by its residents) and imposing a $25 penalty on its use. While Norton did not ever have any real authority, he was beloved by many of San Francisco's inhabitants and inspired many books and newspaper articles, both during and after his lifetime. When he died in 1880, some 10,000 people attended his funeral. |}} In the 1890s, there was a large campaign to modernize and beautify the city, the success of which led some officials to proudly call San Francisco the "Paris of the West." But in 1906, a devastating '''earthquake''' shook the city and a resulting fire leveled much of the city (in fact, almost 90% of the total damage was from the fire, and not from the quake). Nevertheless, officials at the time immediately set out on a plan to rebuild the city, with new parks, boulevards, the current civic center complex, and landmarks such as the Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill. In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific Exposition (where the Palace of Fine Arts complex is now) to showcase the completely rebuilt city. The ''Balclutha'', a ship that traveled to Oregon to acquire lumber for this purpose, is now docked in San Francisco as a museum and venue for historical reenactors to educate elementary-school students. In the wake of the Great Depression of the 1930s, San Francisco remained largely unscathed. In fact, it was during this time that the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge were conceived and built. It was also during this time that the federal government established a prison on Alcatraz Island, which would hold some of the most notorious criminals of the era. After World War II, San Francisco continued to grow in population. Aggressive urban planning projects led to a changing skyline, with more highrises in the city's financial district and new freeways rimming the city's waterfront. But in some sense the years after World War II were also unique in what ''didn't'' happen; while cable cars were once commonplace throughout North America, San Francisco remains the last place to still have them in daily use as actual transportation. Sprawl and auto-centric development have also happened in San Francisco, but less so than in most other American cities and it is therefore still one of the best destinations to explore the [[United States without a car]]. In later years, the waterfront freeways were deemed an eyesore and eventually torn down and replaced with the far more pleasant Embarcadero Boulevard. Besides being a beautiful city to visit, from the 1950s forward San Francisco became known as the city of the cool, quirky, unusual, and '''counterculture'''. There were the Beatniks of the 1950s and 60s, and the hippies in the 1960s and 70s. "Only in San Francisco" became part of the lexicon to describe San Francisco's counterculture and rebel population, a reputation that still exists today. The film industry also made San Francisco world-famous and instantly recognizable; the city provides a superb backdrop for a movie, regardless of genre or topic. Since 2000, San Francisco has experienced a '''development boom'''. Even with the burst of the dot-com bubble, the economy has remained robust and the city government pushed for redevelopment of its blighted industrial section known as "South of Market". Today, the SoMa area is crowded with new condominium and office buildings, new tourist attractions, and dot-com industries. The city's efforts shielded it somewhat from the 2008 recession and subsequent real estate crash. Today the financial sector is second only to tourism as San Francisco's largest industry, with the city consistently remaining at the top five of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The rise of [[Silicon Valley]] and high-tech industries have also contributed significantly to San Francisco's economy, with many tech workers living in San Francisco but commuting to the rest of the Bay Area for work. San Francisco is not without its problems, however, as the large influx of high-income university-educated professionals in the tech and finance sectors has also led to skyrocketing rents and consumer prices, which have made San Francisco among the most expensive cities in the world, and driving many long-time low-income residents into homelessness. ===Climate=== :"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." — attributed to Mark Twain {{Climate | units = Imperial | janhigh = 56 | febhigh = 60 | marhigh = 61 | aprhigh = 63 | mayhigh = 64 | junhigh = 66 | julhigh = 66 | aughigh = 66 | sephigh = 70 | octhigh = 69 | novhigh = 64 | dechigh = 57 | janlow = 46 | feblow = 48 | marlow = 49 | aprlow = 50 | maylow = 51 | junlow = 53 | jullow = 54 | auglow = 54 | seplow = 56 | octlow = 55 | novlow = 51 | declow = 47 | janprecip = 4.1 | febprecip = 3.5 | marprecip = 2.9 | aprprecip = 1.5 | mayprecip = 0.5 | junprecip = 0.2 | julprecip = 0 | augprecip = 0 | sepprecip = 0.2 | octprecip = 1.1 | novprecip = 2.6 | decprecip = 3.9 | janh2o = | febh2o = | marh2o = | aprh2o = | mayh2o = | junh2o = | julh2o = | augh2o = | seph2o = | octh2o = | novh2o = | dech2o = | description = {{forecastNOAA|San Francisco|37.77|-122.41}} }} The best time to visit San Francisco is late September through October, when it is relatively the warmest. All year long, it never gets too cold for winter clothing, and it rarely gets warm enough for shorts and sandals. You will typically need a sweater after sunset, and a windbreaker if you're out by the western part of the peninsula. Prepare to dress in layers to adequately face the microclimates––wind conditions can change within less than a mile's walk. San Francisco has a mild climate, with cool, wet winters and dry summers. In most months, you can expect the high temperature to be in the upper 50s, 60s or low 70s °F (15-25 °C). However, these mild temperature readings belie a unique climate not shared by other major cities in the state or country. Summer days usually start out under fog, slowly burning off towards the ocean into a sunny albeit windy afternoon. Measurable precipitation during the summer months is rare, although light drizzle is possible. Humidity is very constant, but rarely uncomfortable. At late afternoon, when the fog and wind returns people generally find themselves needing a jacket (and this is summer!). There are some days when the fog lingers all day. In the winter, the rainy season is in full swing. That being said, the chances for a calm, windless, sunny day are actually higher in the winter than in the summer! However, the overall temperatures are going to be lower in the winter. There have long been one-week warm spells in February. In the last couple years (2021-2022), these have gotten longer, lasting through February and even into January. Spring and fall are not so much seasons in themselves in San Francisco, but rather they are quick transitional periods with some days resembling summer and others the winter. Fall in particular is a good time to visit because the summer wind & fog has mostly gone, but the rainy season has not yet started. The late summer month of September, as summer transitions into fall, is the warmest and driest month of the entire year for San Francisco. Heat waves can occasionally occur around this time of year. Within these general rules, San Francisco also has a series of microclimates created by the city's topography and maritime setting. Large hills in the city's center block much of the fog, wind, and precipitation that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean. Because of this, there can be significant weather differences in different parts of the city and the surrounding Bay Area at the same time. Generally, the more windward areas along the coast (e.g., the Outer Sunset) are cooler and foggier, while the more leeward areas in the east are warmer and drier (e.g., the Mission). Temperature differences of 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit or so are common on days where the fog persists on the western side of the city. These differences continue as you move east, out of the city, into the East bay, and into the outer East Bay (on the other side of the hills from Berkeley and Oakland), where it can be much hotter and drier. Local meteorologists routinely have three forecasts: one for the coast, one for the bay, and one for the inland areas. In short, if you don't like the weather, perhaps travel a few miles east or west to your desired climate. ===Read=== San Francisco literature finds its roots in the city's long and often tumultuous history, its diversity, and its attraction to eclectic characters; the city was a major center for the Beat poetry movement and seems to also hold an uncanny attraction for science fiction writers. Among the most famous works set in San Francisco: *Jack Kerouac spent a lot of time in San Francisco, and portions of two of his most influential works are set here: ''On the Road'' and ''The Dharma Bums''. Both are accounts of Kerouac examining his place in the universe; the first a tale of a man traveling the country, the second a story of someone looking for the simple life. *''The Maltese Falcon'', Dashiell Hammett. A gripping detective novel set in San Francisco that would come to define the private detective genre. The novel follows private eye Sam Spade as he tries to retrieve a valuable bird figurine, and has been adapted into film twice, including one where Spade was played by none other than Humphrey Bogart. *''Tales of the City'', Armistead Maupin. A famous series which offers an excellent look into 1970s San Francisco, particularly the city's counter culture and alternative lifestyles. * Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson lived in the Western Addition in the mid-60s and the city appears in many of his books and articles. *Philip K. Dick spent much of his life in the San Francisco area, and among his novels set here are ''Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?'', set in a post-apocalyptic near future where androids serve humankind and bounty hunters are called in to "retire" androids that become too independent, and ''The Man in the High Castle'', an alternate universe novel where Japan and Germany won World War II. *The Bridge trilogy (''Virtual Light'', ''Idoru'', and ''All Tomorrow's Parties''), William Gibson. Set in a futuristic San Francisco following a massive earthquake, in which the city has been rebuilt using nanotechnology and a race is on to control the new cyberspace technology. *''Altered Carbon'', Richard K. Morgan. Also set in a futuristic San Francisco, where human personalities can be stored digitally and downloaded into new bodies. *''The Crying of Lot 49'', Thomas Pynchon. A renowned novel which follows a woman who sinks into paranoia as she attempts to unravel a worldwide conspiracy. *''The Joy Luck Club'', Amy Tan. A story of four Chinese American immigrant families who start a club and spend their time playing the Chinese game of Mahjong and tell of their struggles in traveling to America. *''The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test'', Tom Wolfe. A nonfictional account which perfectly captures the Hippie movement, following a band of psychedelic drug users across the country in their painted school bus. *''Barbary Coast'', Herbert Asbury. For a nonfictional work on the tumultuous early history of San Francisco, this is an excellent choice. ===Watch=== San Francisco has been the backdrop for many films, due in part to the Bay Area's vibrant filmmaking community and the city's proximity to Hollywood. The production companies of George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, along with the animation company Pixar are just a few of the big players who call the San Francisco area home. Among the better films set in San Francisco: * ''The Maltese Falcon'' (John Huston, 1941). Humphrey Bogart stars as a San Francisco private detective dealing with three unscrupulous adventurers who compete to obtain a fabulous jewel-encrusted statuette of a falcon. * ''Dark Passage'' (Delmer Daves, 1947). An offbeat film noir featuring two icons of the genre, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. The city's dark alleyways and side streets are on prominent display throughout the eccentric story of a man wrongly accused of murder and an enigmatic woman who lives in a lavish art deco apartment on top of the Filbert Steps. * ''Vertigo'' (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958). While it's not the only Hitchcock film set in San Francisco (portions of ''The Birds'' are set here), ''Vertigo'' really packs in a lot the city, following a private investigator who suffers from acrophobia as he uncovers the mystery of one woman's peculiar behavior and travels from one San Francisco landmark to the next. * ''Bullitt'' (Peter Yates, 1968). A very popular and highly influential crime thriller starring Steve McQueen (who also starred in the locally-set ''The Towering Inferno'') and featuring one of the best car chase scenes in the history of cinema. * ''Psych-Out'' (Richard Rush, 1968). An incredibly trippy film with psychedelic music (including an appearance from Strawberry Alarm Clock), recreational drugs, and Haight-Ashbury — Hippies aplenty in this one. * ''Dirty Harry'' (Don Siegel, 1971). Another cop film set in San Francisco (in addition, all but one of the sequels were also set here), starring Clint Eastwood chasing down sadistic killers and asking people if they feel lucky. Well do they, punk? * ''Invasion of the Body Snatchers'' (Philip Kaufman, 1978). Emotionless drones impersonating people and hatched from pods take over San Francisco in this classic science fiction flick. * A whole host of great films have been set at Alcatraz; among them are ''Escape from Alcatraz'' (Don Siegel, 1979), ''Birdman of Alcatraz'' (John Frankenheimer, 1962), ''The Rock'' (Michael Bay, 1996), and the very influential ''Point Blank'' (John Boorman, 1967). * ''48 Hrs.'' (Walter Hill, 1982). Often credited with starting the buddy-cop genre, this flick follows a hot-headed cop who has to team up with a wisecracking convict in order to find two cop killers in the crime-ridden underworld of San Francisco. * ''Chan Is Missing'' (Wayne Wang, 1982). Illustrating the problems experienced by Chinese-Americans, this film tells the story of two taxi drivers searching Chinatown for a man who ran off with their money. * ''Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' (Leonard Nimoy, 1986). In the 23rd century, San Francisco is the home of Starfleet Command and humpback whales have long been extinct. In this installment of the popular franchise, Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew have to time travel to a more contemporary San Francisco to bring back a couple of whales and save Earth. * ''Milk'' (Gus Van Sant, 2008). A biopic on the life of Harvey Milk, the former San Francisco City Supervisor in the late 1970s and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office. This story still holds sway for many San Franciscans given the city's role in the ongoing gay rights movement. * ''La Mission'' (Peter Bratt, 2009). Ultra-macho ex-con Che Rivera learns the true meaning of being a father when he discovers his son is gay. Low-key, intimate cinematography of the Mission District abounds in this film. ===Architecture=== [[File:Palace of fine arts.jpg|thumb|300px|The Palace of Fine Arts]] San Francisco is known for its Victorian architecture, particularly in the central and northern neighborhoods (e.g., Haight-Ashbury, Alamo Square, Noe Valley, Castro, Nob Hill, and Pacific Heights). The city has one of the most restrictive building and planning codes in the world, which helps preserve the historical architecture in certain areas and create a severe shortage of housing stock, which drives up the price of housing. The exorbitant price of housing, both buying and renting, is a favorite topic of San Francisco locals. It helps to explain why there are so few families in San Francisco (another favorite topic). San Francisco has also undergone high-rise construction boom centered in SoMa, just south of what was historically the center of downtown. This was one of the few areas of the city left for development (i.e. without entrenched anti-development policies). Unlike other major cities like New York and Chicago, San Francisco is not known for having buildings built by star architects. This may be due to the difficulty of getting projects approved in the city. ===Culture=== San Francisco prides itself on its openness to diversity in race, gender, sexual orientation and personal style. This trait is widely considered to be one of the defining features of the city, and it draws both visitors and transplants alike. '''Tobacco''' smokers beware: as in the rest of California, smoking is illegal in bars, restaurants, and other public places. Additionally, the City of San Francisco has a local ordinance that require smokers to go all the way to the curb (or if there is no curb, at least 25 feet from any building - not simply the entrances). Bay Area people can be particularly vocal about personal habits, so take care and be mindful and respectful of others when smoking, even in places where it is allowed. On the other hand, smoking '''marijuana''' is remarkably well-tolerated. While still illegal under federal law, California law allows for the possession, use, and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and over. Using marijuana in public is illegal, but this rarely enforced. You shouldn't smoke marijuana just anywhere, and the rules of etiquette are difficult to navigate. You might find people smoking marijuana at large concerts, but not small concerts, or people smoking marijuana on a street corner in the middle of the day in some neighborhoods (e.g., Haight-Ashbury) but frowned upon in others (e.g., the Financial District). '''Public nudity''' has been celebrated among some residents. However, this has not been without controversy, and there is now a law banning some public nudity, with nudists actively opposing the law. It's worth mentioning that natives tend to dislike many of the '''nicknames''' given to their city. Instead of saying "San Fran", "Frisco", or "SFO", most refer to San Francisco by its full name or just "The City". The Bay Area has of one of the most vibrant '''high-tech''' startup scenes in the world. While the venture capital firms are largely in the South Bay, many of the small startups and tech workers are in San Francisco. ===Tourist information=== San Francisco's visitor information centers offer maps, brochures and other information for tourists. * {{listing | name=San Francisco Visitor Information Center | url=http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/ | email= | address=900 Market St | lat= | long= | directions=next to the cable car turnaround at Market & Powell, near [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Union Square]] | phone=+1-415-391-2000 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-362-7323 | hours=May through October: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su and holidays 9AM-3PM. November through April: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa and holidays 9AM-3PM. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day | price= | content=Visitor Center run by the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. }} * {{listing | name=California Welcome Center | url=http://www.visitcwc.com/destinations/sanfrancisco/index.php | email=info@pier39.com | address=[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]], Pier 39, Building P, Second Level | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-981-1280 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of several California Welcome Centers across the state. }} ==Talk== English is the dominant language spoken in San Francisco. San Francisco is home to the second largest Chinese community in the United States after [[New York City]], and [[Cantonese phrasebook|Cantonese]] is commonly spoken in the various Chinese-dominated neighborhoods, with an increasing [[Chinese phrasebook|Mandarin]]-speaking minority. Like much of California, there is also a large Latin American population, so [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]] is also commonly spoken in San Francisco, especially in the [[San Francisco/Mission|Mission District]]. In addition, there is also a large Filipino community, and [[Filipino phrasebook|Tagalog]] is commonly heard in Filipino neighborhoods. Most municipal government services are available in English, Cantonese, Spanish and Tagalog. ==Get in== [[File:San Francisco International Airport at night.jpg|thumb|400px|San Francisco International Airport at night]] ===By plane=== * {{listing | type=go | name=[[San Francisco International Airport]] | alt={{IATA|SFO}} | url=https://FlySFO.com | email= | address= | lat=37.618889 | long=-122.375 | directions= | phone=+1-800-435-9736 | tollfree= |fax=| hours= | price= | wikidata=Q8688 | lastedit=2019-09-02 | content=Located about 10&nbsp;mi (16&nbsp;km) south of the city, is the Bay Area's major international airport (and one of the busiest in the nation) and has numerous passenger amenities including a wide range of food and drink establishments, shopping, baggage storage, public showers, a medical clinic, and assistance for lost or stranded travelers and military personnel. SFO has four terminals; as a rule of thumb, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines use Terminal 2, United Airlines has Terminal 3, most other domestic carriers use Terminal 1, and all foreign airlines use the International Terminal. SFO is infamous for its weather delays, so check if Oakland Airport has service from your origin as well. Oakland is closer to Downtown San Francisco than SFO is and fog free. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Oakland International Airport | alt={{IATA|OAK}} | url=https://www.oaklandairport.com/ | email= | address= | lat=37.721389 | long=-122.220833 | directions= | phone=+1-510-563-3300 | tollfree= |fax=| hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1165584 | lastedit=2019-09-02 | content=In the [[East Bay (Bay Area)|East Bay]] provides service to numerous destinations in the United States as well as [[Mexico]]. Oakland is primarily used by low-cost carriers, and is a major hub for Southwest Airlines. BART provides metro service to SF. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport | alt={{IATA|SJC}} | url=https://www.flysanjose.com/ | email= | address= | lat=37.362778 | long=-121.929167 | directions= | phone=+1-408-277-4759 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1257392 | lastedit=2019-09-02 | content=In [[Silicon Valley]] about 1 hour south of San Francisco, attracts Bay Area residents who find SFO to be inconveniently distant from their homes. Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier here as well, but a number of long-haul international carriers serve the airport as well. }} [[Oakland]] and [[San Jose (California)|San Jose]] tend to offer more discount airline flights, while San Francisco Airport attracts more international flights and can be more convenient for those staying in the city. Private pilots should consider Oakland ({{IATA|OAK}}) rather than SFO, as the separate general aviation field there is more accommodating to light aircraft. ====Public airport transportation==== San Francisco and Oakland Airports are connected to downtown SF by the [http://www.bart.gov Bay Area Rapid Transit ('''BART''')] system. Passengers arriving in SFO can walk (5 minutes from United's domestic terminal) or take a free airport shuttle (AirTrain) to the BART station (which is adjacent to the G side of the International Terminal). The BART ride from SFO to San Francisco's downtown stations costs $8.95 one-way and runs frequently, every 15 or 20 minutes depending on the time of day. BART trains run through San Bruno, South San Francisco, Colma, and Daly City before reaching the city of San Francisco, from where the [http://www.sfmuni.com SF MUNI] can take travelers anywhere in the city. BART operates to midnight from 4AM on weekdays, 6AM on Saturdays and 8AM on Sundays. SFO is also connected to San Francisco by [http://www.samtrans.com/ SamTrans] routes [http://www.samtrans.com/schedulesandmaps/timetables/292.html 292], [http://www.samtrans.com/schedulesandmaps/timetables/397.html 397], and [http://www.samtrans.com/schedulesandmaps/timetables/398.html 398]. Routes 292, 397, and 398 are $2 to San Francisco and they are operating non-stop. From Oakland Airport, passengers can take a [http://www.bart.gov/guide/airport/inbound_oak people mover] to the BART station and continue there directly to San Francisco. The fare from Oakland Airport to downtown San Francisco via the people mover and BART is $10.20 (of which the connector comprises $6). The total fare will automatically be deducted from your transit ticket/Clipper Card. The San Jose airport is served by a free shuttle to both VTA Light Rail and [http://www.caltrain.com/ Caltrain] called the Airport Flyer — [http://www.vta.org/routes/rt10 VTA Route #10]. Passengers arriving in San Jose can use Caltrain to reach San Francisco directly (this costs $7.50 one-way). Caltrain also links with the BART system at the Millbrae intermodal station. Also, when riding Caltrain, be sure to buy your ticket at the automated station kiosks before boarding, as they are not sold on the trains. ====Private airport transportation==== Taxis are considerably more expensive than the public transportation options. A taxi from SFO to the city can easily cost more than $40, and over $60 from OAK. Ride sharing services such as Uber or Lyft can be as low as $35 to/from SFO and $40 to OAK at low traffic times, but can be more expensive than a regular taxi at busy times. Pickups from both airports are in different locations than the taxis - at departures (not arrivals) at SFO, and at the signposted "Smartphone App Rides" section at 2E on the second curb away from arrivals at OAK. Taxi and van prices from San Jose to San Francisco are significantly higher, easily over $100. Shared vans will cost around $14. If you plan to drive from a car rental area near the SFO airport to downtown San Francisco, you can take the 101 freeway. When returning a rental car to SFO, remember to take the rental car exit, otherwise you will have to wind your way slowly back to the rental car center. ===By train=== '''[[Amtrak]]''', +1-800-872-7245 serves the [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]] with long-distance and intercity trains. San Francisco's long distance station is across the bay, outside city limits, in [[Emeryville]]. Passengers can arrive in {{listing | type=go | name=Emeryville | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=37.840682 | long=-122.292477 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q14681935 | content= }} or [[Oakland]]'s {{listing | type=go | name=Jack London Square Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=37.7942 | long=-122.2747 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Jack London Square station, October 2018.JPG | content= }} in the [[East Bay (Bay Area)|East Bay]] and may take an '''Amtrak Thruway''' bus over the Bay Bridge to San Francisco's Amtrak stops at the Salesforce Transit Center at Mission & Fremont St; the Embarcadero Center (Drumm & California St) in the Financial District; Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf, and at several other downtown destinations (Amtrak passengers are not subjected to any extra charge for the bus). Travelers on some shorter distance Amtrak routes can also transfer to '''BART''' trains at the Richmond or Oakland Coliseum stations. Alternatively, riders approaching the Bay Area from the south may transfer to '''[http://www.caltrain.com Caltrain]''' at [[San Jose (California)|San Jose]]'s Diridon Station for a direct ride to Fourth and King Streets in San Francisco. A particularly scenic method is to disembark at Jack London Square and take the ferry (San Francisco Bay Ferry) to San Francisco. [[Amtrak]] routes serving the Bay Area are: *'''The [[California Zephyr]]''' runs daily between [[Chicago]] and [[Emeryville]] with connections to/from the east coast. *'''[http://www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train The Coast Starlight]''' runs daily between [[Seattle]], [[Portland (Oregon)|Portland]], Emeryville, and [[Los Angeles]]. To reach San Francisco, either transfer to Caltrain in San Jose or to the Amtrak bus in Emeryville. *'''[http://www.capitolcorridor.org/ The Capitol Corridor]''' runs 16 times daily (11 on weekends and holidays) between [[Sacramento]] and Emeryville, with some trains continuing to [[San Jose (California)|San Jose]]. Caltrain is the best bet to get between San Jose and San Francisco, but the most convenient transfer to San Francisco is via the Amtrak bus at Emeryville or to BART at either the Richmond station north of Emeryville or the Oakland Coliseum station for trains continuing south of Emeryville. Discount BART tickets can be purchased in the cafe car. *'''[http://www.amtrak.com/san-joaquin-train The San Joaquins]''' runs 5 times daily between [[Bakersfield]], [[Stockton (California)|Stockton]] and Emeryville. Travelers on the San Joaquins can continue on to San Francisco via the Amtrak bus at Emeryville or by transferring to the BART at the Richmond station. Discount BART tickets can be purchased in the cafe car. There are two regional rail systems which serve San Francisco: '''[http://www.caltrain.com Caltrain]''', +1-510-817-1717 operates a regional rail service from [[San Jose (California)|San Jose]] to its San Francisco terminal at Fourth and King in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]]. The service also runs between San Jose and [[Gilroy]] during rush hour. Caltrain is very useful for travel between San Francisco and communities on the [[Peninsula (Bay Area)|Peninsula]], [[Silicon Valley]] or [[South Bay (Bay Area)|South Bay]]. On weekdays Caltrain provides two trains per hour for most of the day but run more during commute hours, including "Baby Bullet" limited services that cruise between San Francisco and San Jose in 57 minutes; on weekends and public holidays trains run hourly, except that after 10PM only one train runs, leaving at midnight. The 4th & King terminal is served by Muni Metro (see '[[San Francisco#Get around|Get around]]') giving connections to the rest of the city. Fares vary depending on how far you go. Tickets must be purchased before boarding the train from ticket vending machines at any of the stations or from ticket clerks at staffed stations. Tickets are checked on the trains and anyone found without a ticket is liable to a substantial fine. Cyclists should use the designated car at the northern end of the train; bike space is often limited during commute hours. '''[http://www.bart.gov Bay Area Rapid Transit]''' ('''BART'''), +1-415-989-2278 provides a regional frequent rail service connecting much of the [[East Bay (Bay Area)|East Bay]] and [[Contra Costa County]] with San Francisco and the San Francisco Airport through the Transbay Tube, a tunnel underneath San Francisco Bay. BART operates five routes, of which four run through San Francisco. There are three or four trains per hour on each route; consequently trains within San Francisco are generally less than a 5-minute wait. In the East Bay, BART runs mostly on elevated track; in downtown San Francisco it runs in a subway under Market Street, and several underground stations provide easy access to downtown areas and simple transfers to the Muni Metro subway. BART also meets Caltrain at [[Millbrae]]. Bicycles are allowed on BART except between stations designated in the schedule brochure during commute hours. Fares vary depending with distance traveled, and start at $1.75 for trips within the city. You will need to insert your ticket into barriers when entering and exiting the system. Tickets hold a balance, deducting the appropriate price for each trip, so someone who plans to use the system several times can buy a $10 or $20 ticket and not worry about fares until the card is used up. The BART vending machines accept any credit card only twice within any 24 hour period. BART also accepts the Clipper Card, and BART ticket machines can be used to refill Clipper Cards, sold at the manned booth. ===By bus=== {{listing | type=go | name=Salesforce Transit Center | alt=formerly Transbay Terminal| url=https://salesforcetransitcenter.com/ | email= | address=425 Mission | lat=37.78851 | long=-122.39800 | directions=Huge multi-block complex bounded by Mission, Howard, Beale and 2nd Streets. Marker at approximately where the main entrance at (Minna St & Shaw Alley). | phone= | tollfree= |fax=| hours= | price= |wikidata=| image=Greyhound and Amtrak buses at Temporary Transbay Terminal, December 2017.JPG | lastedit=2019-09-02 | content=The location serves as a mall, bus station and an outdoor park at the roof top. The bus station is served by Greyhound, AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit, MUNI and WestCat Lynx. SamTrans & Capitol Corridor/Amtrak Thruway are at Fremont & Mission St. Other intercity bus companies have their own bus stops in different parts of the city. Check schedules and websites: }} * {{go | name=FlixBus | alt=Operated by TourCoach to L.A. & Universal Limo to Sacramento | url=https://www.flixbus.com/bus/san-francisco-ca | email= | address=(bus stop) 409 Townsend St | lat= | long= | directions=Bus will board on the south side of the intersection of Townsend St and 5th St. The stop is located at a white curbside designated by a green FlixBus sign. Across the street is the "User Testing" building and several bike racks. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-31 | content=They also have additional stops at the Daly City BART station (500 John Daly Blvd) and next to the Beach & Hyde St Cable Car station at Fisherman's Wharf (700 Beach St). Goes east to Sacramento via UC Berkely and UMall in Davis; and south to Los Angeles via San Jose, Gilroy and Avenal. Some continue from Los Angeles to Ontario via Claremont. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Greyhound Lines | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com| email= | address=Salesforce Transit Center | lat= | long= | directions=Bus deck level 3. | phone=+1-415-495-1569 | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-22 | content=Greyhound travels to the Bay Area primarily on US Hwy 101/I-280 (Arcata-San Francisco and Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-San Francisco on two separate routes); Interstate 80 (San Francisco-Reno); I-580/CA Hwy 99 (San Francisco-Modesto-Bakersfield-Los Angeles); and [[Interstate 5]] (San Francisco-San Jose-Gilroy-[[Avenal]]-Los Angeles). Passengers can transfer to other buses in [[San Jose (California)#By bus|San Jose]], [[Reno#By_bus|Reno]], [[Bakersfield#By bus|Bakersfield]], [[Oakland#By bus|Oakland]], [[Sacramento#By bus|Sacramento]], [[Fresno#By bus|Fresno]] and [[Los Angeles#By bus|Los Angeles]] to get to other cities and towns. }} * {{go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/ | email= | address=(bus stop) Spring Restaurant at 590 Van Ness Ave | lat= | long= | directions=SE corner of Van Ness Ave and Golden Gate Ave | phone=+1-408-729-7885 | tollfree=+1-888-834-9336 | hours= | price=$60-65 to Bay Area from Los Angeles | content=Travels between SoCal ([[San Diego]], [[El Monte]], Los Angeles, [[Westminster (California)|Westminster]]) and northern California (San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento). }} * {{listing | name="Cabin" | alt=formerly Sleep Bus | url=https://www.ridecabin.com/ | email= | address=(Bus stop) Bayside Lot at 1 Bryant St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-25 | content=Overnight service to the Los Angeles area (Ocean & Arizona Ave in Palisades Park in [[Santa Monica]]) from San Francisco (Bayside Lot @ 1 Bryant St). This is an actual sleeper bus featuring twin size bunk beds with privacy curtains, power outlets, and free wifi. }} Some of the above long-distance bus companies also make stops in Oakland and San Jose (and/or additional Bay Area cities) to pick up passengers on the outbound trip and drop off on the inbound trip. Several regional bus systems serve San Francisco from the surrounding areas in the greater Bay Area. '''[http://www.511.org 511.org]''' compiles information from all of the Bay Area's different regional bus, train and ferry systems into one site including a handy trip planner program. Basic services are provided to major destinations or cities at all times, with the greatest amount of service provided during rush hour into SF in the morning and leaving at night. The bus services share a central San Francisco terminal at the Transbay Terminal in SoMa on Beale St between Mission and Howard Streets. *'''[http://www.actransit.org AC Transit]''', +1-510-891-4700, from [[Oakland]], [[Berkeley]], [[Alameda]], and other East Bay cities. *'''[http://www.goldengatetransit.org Golden Gate Transit]''', +1-415-455-2000, from Sonoma and Marin counties, north of the Golden Gate Bridge. *'''[http://www.samtrans.com SamTrans]''', +1-510-817-1717, from San Mateo County, on the peninsula south of San Francisco. *'''[http://www.westcat.org/ WestCAT]''', +1-510-724-7993, from Contra Costa County, on the East Bay northeast of Oakland. ===By boat=== [[File:Us-ca-sanfran-frombay.jpg|thumb|600px|right|San Francisco and Alcatraz from a Sausalito ferry]] In many ways a boat is the ideal way to approach San Francisco. The city's spectacular skyline is best appreciated from the water, and from the deck of a boat the bay and its bridges and islands can be viewed as a whole. [[Cruise ships]] and private yachts are regular visitors to San Francisco, and passenger ferries regularly link other [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]] cities to San Francisco. Ferries run to San Francisco from [[Larkspur]], [[Sausalito]] and [[Tiburon]] in [[Marin County]], from [[Vallejo]] in [[Solano County]] and from [[Richmond_(California)|Richmond]], [[Alameda]] and [[Oakland]] in the [[East Bay (Bay Area)|East Bay]]. In San Francisco, the ferries dock at one or both of the city's two ferry terminals at [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]] and the [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Ferry Building]], the later of which is a very short walk from the Amtrak San Francisco bus stop as well as Embarcadero Station, where the BART and Muni trains stop, and the stop for the historic streetcars that run above ground down Market Street. For more information on boat connections: *'''[http://www.goldengateferry.org Golden Gate Ferries]''', +1-415-455-2000. Serving Larkspur and Sausalito. *'''[http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com Blue and Gold Fleet]''', +1-415-705-8200. Serving Alameda, Angel Island, Oakland, Sausalito, and Tiburon. *'''[http://sanfranciscobayferry.com/ San Francisco Bay Ferry]''', +1-877-705-8291. Serving Alameda, Harbor Bay (in Alameda), Oakland, Richmond, and Vallejo. ===By car=== There are four major highway approaches to San Francisco. '''US 101''' comes up the eastern side of the SF peninsula and is the most direct route from the south, although it often backs up with traffic. '''Interstate 280''' is a more scenic route into the city from the same direction, but with poorer connections than 101. '''Interstate 80''' approaches the city from the east over the San Francisco Bay Bridge. From the north, '''US 101''' takes you over the Golden Gate Bridge. Traffic is heavy and parking is limited and expensive, so you will likely be better off parking outside the city at a BART, Caltrain, or ferry station. Walking or MUNI can get you around once inside San Francisco. ==Get around== {{see also|Bay Area public transit}} ===Navigating=== [[File:Noleftturns.jpg|thumb|right|No left turns (or U-turns) allowed on 19th Avenue]] '''Cross streets'''. San Francisco streets are numbered (100 per block) from the beginning of the street, and even and odd numbers are always on opposite sides. In the absence of GPS navigation, it is best when getting an address to also ask for a cross street or neighborhood name. Most of the time, if a street touches Market Street (San Francisco's main street), that's the zero block. Addresses change by 100 each block, so a building at 1275 Foo street is often 12 to 13 blocks away from where Foo St. hits Market St. '''Numbered streets and avenues'''. San Francisco has both numbered streets, in the Mission, the Castro, and SoMa, and numbered avenues in the largely residential Sunset and Richmond districts. Mixing numbered streets and avenues when asking directions may leave you miles from your destination. This can be confusing, as San Franciscans will not say "Street" or "Avenue" unless it is required to avoid ambiguity. Thus, they won't say "I live on Fifth Avenue," but will say "I live near Fifth and Geary." Street signs generally don't have "Street" or "Avenue" either; they just say "GEARY" or "MASONIC", although numbered streets and avenues do. '''Multiple street grids'''. One of the most confusing aspects of driving in San Francisco is the presence of multiple street grids, particularly in the downtown area where two grids intersect at an angle along Market Street. Even more confusing are streets in the middle of the standard blocks, like New Montgomery Street. '''No left turns'''. Several key San Francisco arterial streets, including 19th Avenue and Market Street, do not have space for dedicated left turn lanes and therefore bear '''No left turn''' signs at most intersections. As a result, you will be frustrated when you drive for miles on these streets with no opportunity to turn left. The trick, of course, is to go around the block with multiple right turns ''after'' passing one's desired street, which requires you to stay in the right lane, not the left lane. ===On foot=== Walking can be an enticing option to get from one neighborhood to another, as the city is compact and most of the tourist sites are in its northeastern portion. San Francisco is a city of friendly neighborhoods, but it is also a big city so be aware of your surroundings and keep in mind the dangers that commonly accompany a city of San Francisco's size. However, streets that often go straight up and down hills may make walking challenging when attempting the uphill portions (but provide good exercise). Driving can be difficult up and down hills but have breathtaking views. There are many stairway walks scattered throughout the city when the streets are too steep. You can find '''maps''' that include hiking trails, bikeways, and the grade pitch of all streets marked in varying colors by how steep each segment is, that can help you orient to city walks suitable to your ability and temperament, such as the downloadable map issued by the [http://www.sfbike.org/?maps San Francisco Bicycle Coalition]. Locals ''rarely'' use the designations "street" or "avenue," even when differentiating the numbered streets and avenues. Numbered roads designated "Street" are on the east side of the city, south of Market in Downtown, Castro, Noe Valley, and Mission. Numbered roads designated "Avenue" put you in the Richmond and Sunset districts on the west side. ===By public transit=== [[File:San francisco rail system.png|thumb|375px|San Francisco rail systems (click to enlarge)]] [[File:Sunnyvale Caltrain Station on a rainy day.jpg|thumb|right|Caltrain is San Francisco's commuter rail line.]] San Francisco has one of the most comprehensive public transportation systems in the United States—arguably the most comprehensive system west of Chicago—and is expanding its network with a regional transportation hub in SoMa and a new subway line going under downtown. Transport services within San Francisco are provided by several agencies, but transferring between them is easy now with a '''Clipper Card'''. Clipper is accepted on essentially every transit system you'll encounter: *[http://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit Muni] — Metro, streetcars, buses, and cable cars within San Francisco proper. This is the main public transit system you'll use for getting around in San Francisco. *BART — Regional train services in the San Francisco Bay Area. You'll mainly use this to get in and out of San Francisco, but you may use it, for example, to get between Downtown and the Mission. It overlaps with Muni along Market Street in Downtown. When you enter one of the stations on Market Street, be sure you get on the right system—either Muni or BART—for where you're trying to go. If not, you'll need to exit and beg the toll operators in the booths to refund your fare. Note that while BART fares are distance based, it charges an "Excursion Fare" if you enter and leave the system at the same station, so don't assume if you enter BART by mistake you can just put your ticket in the exit gate and not be charged because you didn't go anywhere. *Caltrain — Commuter rail services to San Jose and cities in between, like Palo Alto (where Stanford University is located). *Ferry services — Golden Gate Ferries to the North Bay and San Francisco Bay Ferry to the East Bay (Blue & Gold Fleet ferries do not accept Clipper Card). *Many other regional bus systems in the Bay Area — Golden Gate Transit/Marin Transit (Marin County) and samTrans (Peninsula), among others. Information on all the Bay Area's transit agencies can be found by dialing '''511''' while in the Bay Area or by visiting [http://511.org/ the 511 website], which has a useful trip planner. ====Public transit payment==== [[File:Clipper card tagging use.jpg|thumb|250px|The Clipper Card in action]] *The Clipper Card was fully introduced in 2010 and is a contact-less, multi-agency fare card similar to Octopus in [[Hong Kong]], EZ-Link in [[Singapore]] and Charlie Card in [[Boston]]. Clipper Cards can be purchased [http://www.clippercard.com/ online], at any MUNI ticket machine as well as at select retail locations around the city, especially Walgreens. **New cards incur a one time $3 fee (except when purchased online in conjunction and linked with a credit card for autoload). The cards themselves have no expiration date and can always be reloaded with cash or passes, so be sure to hang on to yours for future visits. Clipper can either be set up with pay as you go with all transfers calculated automatically, a passport (daily and weekly passes) or a monthly pass. If you want to avoid the Clipper fee, most fares on Bay Area transit agencies except monthly passes are available in paper form, for which a Clipper is required. **Muni has also created a single-use "Clipper Ticket" as the new subway turnstiles no longer accept cash. You can still pay with exact change when boarding a streetcar above ground or a bus. *[https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/fares/munimobile MuniMobile] is a mobile app that can be used for purchasing and activating tickets. *If you plan on using the cable cars during your visit, a '''MUNI passport''' is a great value. A one-day passport (either as a scratch card sold at retail locations or loaded onto a Clipper Card) costs $22 (only $13 with Clipper or MuniMobile app) and includes Cable Cars (normally $8 a ride) as well as all other MUNI rail and bus services. Three and seven-day paper passports are also available at $33 and $43, respectively. Passports are '''not''' valid on BART, ferries, Caltrain, or any regional municipal bus outside San Francisco &mdash; you'll need to load cash onto your Clipper Card if you plan on using any of these services. A "day" is a calendar day, not a 24-hour period. *Without a passport, the basic cash Muni fare is $2.75 ($2.50 Clipper/MuniMobile) for adults and $1.35 ($1.25 Clipper/MuniMobile) for children ages 5-17, seniors 65 and older and the disabled. *Muni operates on a '''proof of payment''' basis, sometimes called an "honor system with teeth." Each fare paid is valid for '''two hours of travel''' on the Muni system (light rail, streetcar, or bus but not Cable Cars) including transfers and even return trips, as long as all travel is completed within the two hour limit. If you're using a Clipper Card, be sure you "tag on" at any of the readers located near the streetcar or bus door to pay your fare and start the two hour clock. People using Clipper, a transfer or a passport can board at any door. Otherwise, board at the front door, pay cash, and keep the paper transfer ticket that the driver gives you as proof of payment. A benefit of cash is that the manually adjusted transfers will often give you more than two hours of riding. Muni fare inspectors and sometimes the police randomly patrol streetcars, subway stations and buses with handheld Clipper Card readers checking for proper fare. Residents who ride Muni regularly report being checked once or twice a week on some lines, infrequently or never on others. The fine for being caught without proof of payment is $200, although tourists may be issued a warning if it's their first offense. The onus is on you to keep track of the time. If you are using a Clipper card and are unsure if your time has run out, just tag the card onto the reader to check. If you have time left, you will not charged again. *Cable Cars are not included in these transfers and cost $8 per ride (one way, no transfers), or $20 per day. Before 7AM and after 9PM, seniors and disabled pay $3 for cable car rides. Muni Passports and FastPasses greatly reduce this cost, including cable cars in the regular daily, weekly or monthly fares. ====Planning your public transit trip==== *Since there are multiple overlapping transit systems, the best way to plan your trip is to use an online service which integrates information from the various transit agencies (e.g., [http://www.511.org/ 511] or a third party service like Google/Yahoo/Apple maps). *Muni arrival times for many lines are available at the bus/train stop (look for an overhead LED display at bus stops) or online at [http://www.nextmuni.com NextMuni]. The sites listed above integrate information from NextMuni. An unofficial site is [http://www.rescuemuni.org/nextbus-pda.html RescueMuni.com], which often has information on routes that are not listed officially. *A portable wallet-sized map of San Francisco and all its public transit (Muni, BART, Caltrain) is also available at stores around the city, at the Powell & Market cable car ticket booth, or through their website [http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mcust/custtips.htm#buymap online]. Many of the city's bus stops also have posted copies of this map with the location of the stop marked, a godsend for lost pedestrians. ====Muni==== Again, this is the main system you'll use when you're in the city. Muni consists of several types of trains and buses: [[File:1948 Cincinnati Street Railway Streetcar Running on San Francisco Muni.jpg|thumb|250px|Streetcar on the Embarcadero]] *'''Muni Metro''' (Lines {{rint|sanfrancisco|J}}, {{rint|sanfrancisco|K}}, {{rint|sanfrancisco|L}}, {{rint|sanfrancisco|M}}, {{rint|sanfrancisco|N}}, and {{rint|sanfrancisco|T}}) is a modern light rail and subway system. It connects many southern and western neighborhoods to downtown, with connections to BART and Caltrain. Outside of the Market Street/Twin Peaks subway tunnel, Muni Metro operates as a surface light rail system, running in the center of the street with stops every couple of blocks. (Many of these stops are not wheelchair accessible - check the map to see which ones are.) Tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines before boarding; if the stop does not have such a machine and you do not have a ticket, you must board through the front door and buy one from the driver or risk being fined by a fare inspector. Muni Metro operates seven days a week from 4:30AM to 1:30AM. Between 1:30AM and 5AM, OWL Buses substitute for Metro service. *The '''{{rint|sanfrancisco|E}} Embarcadero and {{rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves Lines''' use '''historic streetcars''', in original colors from several cities in the US and [[Milan]], [[Italy]]. The {{rint|sanfrancisco|F}} runs from Fisherman's Wharf south along the waterfront Embarcadero to the ferry building at the foot of Market Street, then up Market Street on the surface to the Castro district. The {{rint|sanfrancisco|E}} runs the length of Embarcadero from Fisherman's Wharf to the 4th & King Caltrain station. Board through the front door and buy tickets from the operator if you do not already have a transfer or pass. [[File:Cable cars SF.jpg|thumb|250px|Cablecar at Powell & Market]] *The world-famous '''Cable Cars''' run on three lines in the steep streets between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf: the north-south '''Powell-Mason''' and '''Powell-Hyde''' lines and the east-west '''California Street''' line. These cars are a fun ride, especially if you get to stand on the running board, if a bit impractical for everyday use (though residents of Nob and Russian Hills do, in fact, use them on a regular basis). The cable car is such an attraction that, especially on weekends, it takes longer to wait in line to ride up Powell Street than it does to walk the short but sloping distance. If you want to save yourself time standing in line at the turnaround, just walk up a couple of blocks to the next stop — the conductors save a few spaces for people boarding along the way; you won't get first choice of seats, but you'll save yourself a long time standing in line. Another option is to ride the California Street line - it's less iconic than the other lines but if you just want to ride a cable car and don't care about the postcard views it's usually much less busy. Board through any door or just grab a pole on the running boards; tickets are checked and sold by a uniformed conductor. Do not buy tickets from anyone off the car except for clearly marked ticket booths — scam artists are common. If buying a ticket on board, try to bring exact change, as conductors do not always have it. *Diesel and electric trolley '''buses''' serve the rest of the city. You can board through any door if you have a Clipper Card (just touch the card to the card reader) or proof of payment (a Muni passport or a transfer). If you don't, board through the front door and buy tickets from the driver. Buses are scheduled every 2 minutes on a few lines in rush hour, 8 to 12 minutes on most lines during the day, and 15 to 20 minutes at night or between outlying neighborhoods. From your phone, use [http://www.nextmuni.com NextMuni] or dial 511 to learn when the next 3 actual buses are likely to reach a particular stop. Breakdowns or "bunching", leading to waits of 30 minutes or more, are possible. Sometimes a parallel bus line just a few blocks' walk away will be arriving sooner. Main service runs between 6AM and midnight. ** '''Owl''' services run every 30 minutes overnight on key routes. Some of these are shortened versions of daytime routes. Two, the 90 and 91, combine daytime routes into longer nighttime journeys. ** '''Rapid''' bus routes— with an "R" after the route number—operate along some busy corridors that lack rail lines (Fulton, Geary, and Mission, for instance). These only stop at major intersections rather than every couple of blocks. Tourists who aren't sure exactly where they're going should consider avoiding the Rapids, so they don't end up 10 blocks beyond where they want to be. ** '''Express''' buses—with route numbers containing "AX", "BX", or "X"–are mostly rush-hours, peak-direction services for commuters. While of limited use to visitors, they could come in handy if your visit includes places in the western or southern areas of the city. ====Other public transit options==== These are mainly used for getting in and out of the city: [[File:BART train at Lafayette station, January 2014.jpg|thumb|250px|A BART train]] *'''BART''', the regional metro, has eight stations in San Francisco, making it a nice way to get between well-trafficked parts of the city, especially downtown and the Mission. BART gets you across the Bay to [[Berkeley]] and [[Oakland]] and to the airports of San Francisco and Oakland. BART Trains run over 107 miles (172&nbsp;km) of track, serving 46 stations. BART trains operate on third rail power and accelerate to speeds approaching 70 mph (110&nbsp;km/h). BART operates from 4AM to midnight M-F, 6AM to midnight Sat, and 8AM to midnight Sun. On weekdays, BART trains depart downtown San Francisco stations at three to four minute intervals. Outer stations in far outlying suburbs have a maximum wait of fifteen to twenty minutes between trains. After 12:30AM, AC Transit and other east bay transit providers provide late-night bus service, serving principal BART stations until about 6AM. BART routes are named for the two terminus stations, not by line color as denoted on the system map. For more information on BART, see the 'Get in' section above. *'''Caltrain''' has three stops within San Francisco. Other than the 4th and King terminal in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]], these are the 22nd St. Station and the Bayshore Station (off Tunnel Ave), neither of which are particularly attractive for visitors. Of interest to visitors who wish to travel outside of the city is the [[Palo Alto]] Station (at University Avenue), across the street from the campus of Stanford University, and [[San Jose (California)|San Jose]] Diridon Station. Caltrain operates fast frequent commuter rail service, seven days a week. Service generally runs from 5AM to midnight. For more information on Caltrain, see the 'Get in' section above. ===By bike=== If you have strong legs and can tolerate traffic with intermittent bike lanes, bicycles can be a convenient form of transportation in San Francisco. Although it's dense, San Francisco is fairly small in land area—just 7x7 miles from north to south and east to west—so it's fairly quick to get from one end to the other. But much of the terrain is hilly and hard to pedal up. '''Do not''' be misled by maps depicting the city's strict, regular street grid, as even the straightest of San Francisco's streets might include steep hills or even staircases instead of a roadway. San Franciscans who bike frequently find ways to "wiggle" — taking winding routes to avoid hills — around the steepest hills in the city. You might try using this [http://www.flattestroute.com/ flat route finder]. You can also put your bike on the front of the Muni buses if you get desperate. Some maps compress the horizontal scale of the western half of the city. A classic and relatively easy ride is from the tip of Golden Gate Park's panhandle in the Haight, along paths and JFK Drive through the park to Ocean Beach. JFK Drive is lightly trafficked, and closed to cars on Sundays. Downtown, SoMa, and the Sunset, and Richmond districts are relatively flat. There are a number of bike paths and bike routes on city streets; the '''[http://www.sfbike.org/ San Francisco Bike Coalition]''' keeps a lot of information about them. There are a number of bike rental companies in town, including [https://wheelfunrentals.com/ '''Wheel Fun Rentals'''], '''[http://dylanstours.com/ Dylan's Bike Rental]''', '''[http://baycitybike.com/ Bay City Bike]''' and '''[http://www.blazingsaddles.com/ Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals]''' with locations in Fisherman's Wharf, and the '''[http://www.thebikehut.com/ Bike Hut]''' in SoMa. San Francisco Bicycle Rentals, with shops at Haight, Fisherman's Wharf and Ferry Building, charges $5 extra to drop off a bike at a different shop. The Golden Gate Bridge has sectioned off pathways on each side for pedestrians and bicyclists. If you choose to ride a bicycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, be aware that walkers always stay on the east side of the bridge and bikes are often to ride on the west (ocean) side of the bridge. When the bridge is closed to pedestrians during nighttime, you may continue to bicycle across by stopping to press the buzzer at the automatically closed gates to be buzzed in and out. It is a pet peeve of many locals to have to dodge bicycles while jogging or strolling. * {{listing | name=Bay Wheels | alt= | url=https://help.baywheels.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=$9/24 hours; $22/3 days | wikidata=Q16971391 | content=A new bikesharing program that has stations located throughout the Downtown area, particularly the Financial District, around the Civic Center, and in SoMa, with a few in North Beach and along the Embarcadero. A pass entitles you to unlimited rides under 30 minutes. Use Lyft or their own app to unlock bikes and pay for your rides. }} Watch out for the numerous streetcar and cable car tracks in the street. You don't want to get your bike's wheels caught in the groove next to the rail, or the slot for the cable car's grip. Like anywhere, when crossing train tracks, you should approach them from as close to perpendicular as you can. ===By taxi=== For a large city, San Francisco taxis are surprisingly inefficient and expensive, starting at $3.10 just for getting in the door. You can get an idea of how much particular taxi trips cost in San Francisco using the [http://sfmta.com/getting-around/taxi/taxi-rates SFMTA's webpage]. Except for near downtown business hotels, tourist destinations, and nightlife areas, taxis can be hard to find and hail—and calling for a taxi can mean a 30-45 minute wait, if the driver shows up at all. If you are heading to the airport, call ahead with a specific pickup time to one of the many taxi companies. Schedule your taxi ahead of time because if you are going beyond 15 miles, you will end up paying 50% extra. There has been considerable controversy in San Francisco about increasing the number of taxis, but the situation is improving. Before coming to San Francisco, download apps for some popular alternatives to hailing a taxi (e.g. Uber, Lyft, and the taxi hailing app). ===By Uber or Lyft=== Lyft and Uber are the two major players in San Francisco that provide a ride-hailing platform for taxi-like services. Uber is vastly larger, and Lyft is originally known for a whimsical, homespun feel. These two companies are very price-competitive, with prices often differing by only a few cents, although it's sometimes useful to compare prices for some rides, like going to the airport, which may differ by several dollars. Before your visit, download and install the Uber and Lyft applications to your smartphone, and set them up with your credit card information. When you need a ride anywhere in the city, launch either app and arrange a ride. There is always a very good number of ride-hailing drivers available at all times, so you typically can get a ride within 10 minutes or less. You can share the ride with strangers ("Lyft Line" or "Uber Pool") for a reduced price and longer ride times, or you can keep the ride private if you want to arrive to your destination as quickly as possible. Both apps have different options for the kind of ride you can hail. Lyft and Uber are by far the quickest way to get around the city, though a typical ride roughly costs twice as much as public transit. Lyft and Uber drivers are not employed by either company, although there is a screening process. The drivers are everyday people who use the app to sell rides in their own vehicles, so treat them respectfully as you would a friend giving you a ride. If you have any concerns or complaints about your ride, contact Lyft or Uber and they will typically respond in a timely manner. ===By car=== [[File:San Francisco street on Nob Hill.jpg|thumb|300px|Parking can seem like a perilous task in San Francisco]] [[File:LombardStreet.jpg|thumb|Lombard Street is very, very windy]] Perpetually-clogged traffic, steep hills, a confusing system of '''one-way streets''' downtown, expensive parking, and a fleet of parking control officers who zealously enforce parking laws can make driving in San Francisco extremely frustrating. Visitors to the city should seriously consider alternatives to driving when possible. A car is only useful for visiting destinations outside of the city, and even then you may be better off using public transit (especially crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County), a taxi, or another car sharing service. Car rental is expensive, registration fees are the highest in any U.S. state, and because collisions are common, rates for liability insurance (legally required) are high as well. In addition, traffic from the Golden Gate Bridge uses surface streets either along CA-1, 19th Avenue or US-101 on Lombard and Van Ness. The most difficult problem with a car in San Francisco is parking. It is scarce throughout the city. Garages, where they are available, are expensive ($20–30/day downtown). The city has a variable-pricing scheme which makes parking on the most popular streets parking even more expensive. San Francisco has some of the strictest parking laws and enforcement in the country. For day trips into the city, consider a park-and-ride at a [[Peninsula (Bay Area)|Peninsula]] Caltrain or BART station, at an [[East Bay (Bay Area)|East Bay]] BART station, or at a North Bay ferry terminal. When parking on a hill (there are many in San Francisco), '''always''' apply the parking brake and turn your wheels ("curb your wheels") so that the car will roll into the sidewalk instead of the street if the brakes give out. For example, when the car is facing uphill, turn the wheels toward the street; when facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb. Failure to park properly risks having your car roll downhill, and it is against the law; you ''will'' be ticketed for failing to curb your wheels. When parking on any street, pay extremely close attention to all street signs, e.g., no parking during rush hour times (typically 7-9 am and 4-7 pm), street cleaning every two weeks or every morning, loading-only zones, etc. The SFMTA enforces these street signs very religiously. You ''will'' get a parking ticket (or worst, your car will get towed ''and'' ticketed) for even the smallest infractions. Also pay attention to any red curbs, which indicate no parking. If your vehicle gets towed, you must pay an exorbitant amount of money at the city pound to retrieve it ($300 or more), plus the fine on the parking ticket. The typical parking ticket usually costs at least $70. Vehicle break-ins are common occurrences in San Francisco. At best, a car window could get smashed and some valuables stolen, and at worst, the car could get stolen (although this is more of a problem for older cars). When leaving your car on the street overnight, take everything with you; never leave anything visible in the car. '''Motorcycles and scooters''' are common in San Francisco, for good reason. The city is one of the most motorcycle-friendly places in the U.S. Street parking for motorcycles is plentiful and very cheap ($0.30 to $0.80 an hour). There are several motorcycle rental shops, along with many dealers, service shops, and motorcyclist hangouts. As elsewhere in California, motorcyclists and passengers are required to wear helmets. When parking on the street, it is legal to park in between cars, as long as the parking meter is paid for. Parking on sidewalks is illegal. "Lane splitting" (riding in between two lanes) is legal in California, but there are specific rules. Look up these rules on the [https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv California Department of Motor Vehicles] website. Motorcycle theft is a problem; always use a disk lock or secure your bike to a stationary object using a cable or chain. '''Segways''' are somewhat popular among tourists. If you want to blend in, avoid them. So far there is only one authorized Segway dealer that rents out [http://www.siliconsegway.com/ Segways], though various tour operators (many of whom operate from [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]) offer guided trips throughout the city. ==See== San Francisco has much to see — these are just the most significant sights. For more detail see the individual district sections, often linked from this entry. Two passes are available which offer discounts to many interesting attractions: * {{listing | name=San Francisco CityPASS | alt= | url=http://www.citypass.com/san-francisco | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A relatively cheap and easy way to cover many attractions of the city is the CityPASS. For a cost of $94 for adults and $69 for children 5-11, you get admission to the California Academy of Sciences, a Blue and Gold Fleet bay cruise, the Aquarium of the Bay, and a choice between the Exploratorium or same-day admission to both the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor. A CityPASS works for nine consecutive days starting with the use of your first ticket (each ticket only accounts for one visit to each attraction). The pass also includes seven consecutive days of MUNI and cable car fares. }} * {{listing | name=Go San Francisco Card | alt= | url=http://www.gosanfranciscocard.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Cost of passes vary; see website | content=Another easy way to cover many attractions and tours is the Go San Francisco Card. This card covers admission to numerous attractions and activities, including sightseeing tours, bay cruises, an Alcatraz tour, and numerous museums. Various pass options are available, such as an all-inclusive pass that covers admission to all participating attractions but is only available in 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7-day periods, to "Explorer" and "Family Fun" passes that cover admission to only 4 or 5 attractions but are good for a full 30 days. }} ===Itineraries=== There are many highlight walks you can take to really capture the feel of the city and see a whole lot of attractions at the same time. Some of the best ones are: [[File:The Filbert Steps 1.jpg|thumb|250px|Looking up the Filbert Steps, just one of the city's many charming stairways]] *'''[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|The Marina and the Presidio]]'''. Starting at Fort Mason on the eastern end of the Marina District, a stroll along the marina and the adjacent green will offer you excellent views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. At the other end of the Marina District, you can cross Marina Boulevard into the neighborhood to see the spectacular Palace of the Fine Arts and continue further inland into the heart of the Presidio, or you can proceed along the shoreline through Crissy Field to the Golden Gate Bridge. *'''[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Cow Hollow]]'''. Union Street between Gough and Fillmore is one of the city's finest shopping streets outside of the city center. *'''[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Pacific Heights]]'''. Fillmore Street between Pine and Broadway is lined with a good mix of shopping, views, steep slopes, and some of the city's largest and most expensive homes. Continue west along Broadway to Lyon Street and you'll be at the top of the Lyon Street Steps, a long staircase with superb views over the Bay and the Palace of the Fine Arts that's popular with local joggers. *'''[[San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill|Russian Hill]]'''. Cozy and welcoming Russian Hill offers plenty of tucked-away stairways and hidden treasures for those who wander away from the cable cars rumbling along Hyde Street or the well-trafficked crooked section of Lombard Street. Stroll down the steps of Vallejo or Francisco Street, wander through the shady alleys past charming gardens and Victorian houses, and test your stamina on some of the city's steepest streets. *'''[[San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill|Nob Hill]]'''. California Street between Mason and Leavenworth sits atop lavish Nob Hill, where cable cars ply the center of the street past the grand hotels and luxury apartment buildings surrounding the Gothic-style Grace Cathedral. *'''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Telegraph Hill]]'''. Numerous tucked-away staircases, most notably the Greenwich and Filbert Steps on the east side of Telegraph Hill, offer a strenuous and unforgettably beautiful walk up to Coit Tower, past cottages, tranquil gardens, and wonderful views of the Bay, the skyline, and the surrounding hills. You might even be lucky enough to encounter Telegraph Hill's resident flock of wild parrots on the way. *'''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|North Beach]]'''. Busy Columbus Avenue cuts diagonally across the street grid from Fisherman's Wharf to the landmark Transamerica Pyramid skyscraper in the Financial District, passing through the heart of North Beach with its grand churches and famous cafés once populated with Beat poets. *'''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown]]'''. Grant Street between Bush and Broadway takes you through the bustling heart of the famous district. Returning by the parallel Stockton or Powell will give you a better feeling of the day-to-day life of the residents, and are both good for those looking for imported commodities such as tea or herbs. *'''[[San Francisco/Western Addition|Fillmore]]'''. Post Street from Laguna to Fillmore takes you past the upscale shopping and restaurants of Japantown. Turning left onto Fillmore Street, continuing across Geary and ending at Turk, takes you past internationally known jazz venues and a mix of Black and Korean-owned shops. *'''[[San Francisco/Haight|Haight Ashbury]]'''. Haight Street from Divisadero to Stanyan covers the shopping district made famous in the 1960s for its hippie culture; at Stanyan the street becomes a path through Golden Gate Park to a popular site (then and now) for relaxing and concerts. For a quieter walk, stroll south on Ashbury from Haight, past Victorians that were once the home to 1960s celebrities, then turn left on Frederick for a steep climb through Buena Vista Park, past stately oaks and splendid views of the skyline. *'''[[San Francisco/The Avenues|Ocean Beach]]'''. Ocean Beach is entirely open to pedestrians in both the Richmond and Sunset districts from the Cliff House restaurant in the north to the zoo in the south. For a shorter walk, the windmills near Lincoln at the end of Golden Gate Park offer a good base for a stroll north. *'''[[San Francisco/The Avenues#Lands End|Lands End]]'''. Starting from the Cliff House at the north end of Ocean Beach, you can take a spectacular walk along the coastline with views over steep cliffs, crashing waves, shipwrecks, as well as the ocean and the Golden Gate. At the other end of the trail is the upscale neighborhood of Sea Cliff, home to the scenic China Beach tucked into a sea cove. Along the way you can take short detours to the intriguing ruins of Sutro Baths or venture uphill to the Legion of Honor museum with its excellent European art collection. *'''[[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|Castro and Noe Valley]]'''. Market Street from Church to Castro followed by a left down Castro to 19th takes you through the center of the city's famous gay mecca. Continuing up Castro Street over the hill from there takes you to 24th, the main drag of bohemian Noe Valley. *'''[[San Francisco/Mission|Mission]]'''. Mission Street between 15th and Cesar Chavez streets provides a look at a neighborhood famous for its Latino food and culture. Parallel to Mission and just a block to the west, Valencia Street is lined with many higher end boutiques and offbeat cafés starting to characterize the neighborhood, and has little of the grit of Mission Street. 16th Street between Mission and Guerrero offers a diversity of cuisine and several hip bars. ===Landmarks=== [[File:Prsf Bay fog.jpg|thumb|350px|right|The Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio]] Perhaps the most recognizable landmark in San Francisco and one of the most famous bridges in the world, the '''Golden Gate Bridge''', spanning the [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]], has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and is the first thing you see of San Francisco if driving in from the north, as it is one of the major road routes into and out of the city. Overlooking the Golden Gate is the '''Presidio''', a former military post with beautiful architecture and a very scenic park setting. Just outside the Presidio is the gorgeous '''Palace of Fine Arts''', built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition and reminiscent of Roman and Greek architecture. Within the center of the city, the famous '''cable cars''' run up and down the hills of San Francisco between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf and offer quite a ride (see above under [[San Francisco#Get around|Get around]] for more info). Atop one of those hills, Telegraph Hill in [[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|North Beach]], is '''Coit Tower''', a gleaming white tower dedicated to the San Francisco firefighters. At {{ft|275}} high, the hill is a healthy hike from the nearby neighborhoods just below. Another prominent tower nearby is the '''Transamerica Pyramid''', the tallest and most recognizable building in the San Francisco skyline, located among the skyscrapers and highrises of the [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Financial District]]. Perhaps the most famous view of that skyline is from '''Alamo Square Park''' in the [[San Francisco/Western Addition|Western Addition]] district, home to the famous '''Painted Ladies''' row of Victorian houses, with many other pretty Victorians encircling the lovely park. Over on [[San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill|Russian Hill]] is the famous stretch of '''Lombard Street''' between Hyde & Leavenworth, the (nearly) crookedest street in America. The city also has a twistier but less scenic stretch of street, '''Vermont Street''' on [[San Francisco/Southeast|Potrero Hill]]. Other street oddities in San Francisco include '''22nd Street''' between Vicksburg and Church in [[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|Noe Valley]] and '''Filbert Street''' between Leavenworth and Hyde on [[San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill|Russian Hill]] — At a 31.5% grade, these streets share the honor of the steepest streets in San Francisco. ===Neighborhoods=== [[File:Chinatown2 SF.jpg|thumb|200px|Chinatown]] San Francisco is also well known for its collection of unique and intriguing neighborhoods. Most tourists start with '''[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]'''; although many of the locals consider it a tourist trap, it is a great place to see amazing street entertainers, watch sea lions, visit museums, or take a cruise to the infamous '''Alcatraz Prison''' or the pleasant '''Angel Island'''. Working fishing boats still come into the small harbor here, and the district is home to several excellent seafood restaurants. The fresh breeze from the bay can provide a bracing setting. '''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown]]''', centered around Grant Street from Bush to Columbus, is part tourist trap, part an exhibit of local life. Good eating places abound, and the side streets especially have stores one wouldn't find in a mall. Stockton Street is where most locals do their shopping for groceries; be sure to sample some of the dim sum and other specialties offered in the many bustling shops. However, many local Chinese prefer to eat and shop in the new Chinatowns located in other neighborhoods such as on Clement Street between 2nd and 12th Avenues in the Inner [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Richmond]] neighborhood. The Muni #1 (California) and #2 (Clement, does not run at night) buses get people from one Chinatown to the other. Closer to Downtown is the '''[[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]]''', with its impressive Beaux Arts buildings including '''City Hall''' and the '''War Memorial Veterans Building''', the celebrated Asian Art Museum, music and theater venues (including large concert halls and a renowned Symphony and Opera), and the main public library. Nearby, within the highrises of Downtown, [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Union Square]] is the heart of the city's main shopping and hotel district, while [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]] to the south is rapidly gentrifying, home to the city's main convention center and several new museums. To the west of Downtown is '''[[San Francisco/Haight|Haight Ashbury]]''', famous for being a center of the Hippie movement in the 60s and 70s. While tourism has softened the image of the neighborhood somewhat, the area still retains its distinct feel with small organic coffee shops and store after store selling marijuana-themed goods, tie dye tee shirts and hand bands. Nearby at the top of Market Street is the '''[[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|Castro]]''', the center of San Francisco's Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transgender (LGBT) community, with numerous theaters and small shops and restaurants. Next door is the '''[[San Francisco/Mission|Mission District]]''', home to the '''Mission Dolores Church''', one of the oldest structures in the city, and a fantastic collection of murals of all sorts on the walls of many nearby buildings, especially on alleys between Market and Valencia. '''Treasure Island''', an artificial island half-way between San Francisco and Oakland connected to the Bay Bridge, has excellent views of the San Francisco and Oakland skylines and quirky structures from the international fairground-turned-navy base-turned-neighborhood. Accessible by Muni bus #25 from the Transbay Terminal in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]]. ===Museums=== [[File:Legion of Honor, San Francisco.jpg|thumb|300px|California Palace of the Legion of Honor]] When the morning is foggy, you may want to spend a few hours in one of the city's many world-class museums. Many museums offer free admission on certain days during the first week of every month. [[San Francisco/The Avenues#Golden Gate Park|Golden Gate Park]] is home to the copper-clad '''M.H. de Young Memorial Museum''', which houses an impressive collection of contemporary and indigenous art. The de Young Museum's former Asian collection is now permanently housed in the '''Asian Art Museum of San Francisco''', located in the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]]. Across from the de Young Museum stands the '''California Academy of Sciences''', which holds a huge array of science exhibits, including an aquarium and a natural history museum. [[San Francisco/The Avenues#Lands End|Lincoln Park]], across the Richmond district from Golden Gate Park, is the home of the '''California Palace of the Legion of Honor''', which houses an incredible collection of European art and makes for a good companion visit to de Young Museum, given that admission to either includes same-day admission to the other. In [[San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill|Nob Hill]], the '''Cable Car Museum''' offers exhibits on the famous moving landmarks of San Francisco and the opportunity to view the machinery that powers the cable cars. Another fun transportation museum is the small but charming '''San Francisco Railway Museum''', on the streetcar line in the [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Financial District]]. Nearby [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]] is home to a growing number of museums, most notably the extensive, and renowned '''San Francisco Museum of Modern Art''', but also smaller specialized museums like the '''Yerba Buena Center for the Arts''', the '''Children's Creativity Museum''', the '''Cartoon Art Museum''', the '''Museum of the African Diaspora''', the '''California Historical Society Museum''', and the '''Contemporary Jewish Museum'''. Down near the [[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|Castro]] is the '''GLBT History Museum''', while a hill overlooking the Castro holds the '''Randall Museum''', a lovely little children's museum off the beaten path. At the '''Hyde Street Pier''' in [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]] you can board several historical ships, including the 1886 ''Balclutha'' clipper ship, a walking-beam ferry, a steam tug, and a coastal schooner. At Pier 45 just to the east, the World War II submarine '''USS Pampanito''' and the World War II Liberty Ship '''SS Jeremiah O'Brien''' can be visited. Nearby is the '''Aquarium of the Bay''' on Pier 39 and the '''Wax Museum'''. Just down the Embarcadero from the Wharf is the '''Exploratorium''' at Pier 15, which will keep your kids busy for an entire day with their science and perception exhibits. And just outside the Wharf in the [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Marina]] district is '''Fort Mason''', home to a few cultural museums. ===Parks and outdoors=== [[File:Temple of Music SF.JPG|thumb|350px|Temple of Music Golden Gate Park]] San Francisco has numerous parks, ranging from the tiny to the huge. The most famous of them is '''Golden Gate Park''' in [[San Francisco/The Avenues|The Avenues]], a massive (roughly 1/2 mile-by-four mile) urban oasis with windmills, bison, museums, a carousel and much more hidden among its charms. The park contains the antique palatial greenhouse of the '''Conservatory of Flowers''', the modern and ethnic art focused '''de Young Museum''', the large '''Japanese Tea Garden''', the new '''California Academy of Sciences''' building designed by Renzo Piano and the '''Strybing Arboretum''', a collection of plants from across the temperate world. Defining the extreme northwestern corner of the city is '''Lands End''' in [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Richmond]], which provides majestic views of the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge from the ocean side, and the Pacific Ocean itself. At the extreme western end the well known '''Cliff House''' provides both semi-casual and a more formal eating and drinking place overlooking the intriguing ruins of '''Sutro Baths'''. Near the physical center of the city is the '''[[San Francisco/Twin Peaks-Lake Merced|Twin Peaks]]''', one of San Francisco's highest points (875' above sea level); providing spectacular views in all directions. Tour buses can get backed up here during the day, but it's a great place to really appreciate the city from above, especially at and after sunset. Temperatures up there can be quite a bit lower than in the rest of the city, so bring a jacket. Nearby in the [[San Francisco/Twin Peaks-Lake Merced|Lake Merced]] area is the '''San Francisco Zoo''', a large and well maintained zoo which is a great place to go if you are traveling with children or have a fondness for penguins, primates, lions or llamas. While not particularly well known for its '''beaches''', San Francisco has a couple of good ones along the Pacific Ocean — but the water is brisk, the winds can be rough, and due to strong rip currents swimming at any of them is not recommended. '''Ocean Beach''' along the [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Sunset]] district is the largest and most famous beach, with plenty of sand and people enjoying themselves. '''China Beach''' in [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Richmond]] and '''Baker Beach''' in [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]] are smaller, rather secluded beaches with lovely views. Off the coast of San Francisco is one of the most productive marine environments on Earth, which attracts abundant marine life including blue whales, gray whales, humpback whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, leatherback sea turtles, and many species of seabirds. The rocky '''Farallon Islands''', roughly 30 miles offshore from San Francisco, are part of a National Marine Sanctuary and provide nesting habitat for tens of thousands of seabirds. The islands are also known for attracting large numbers of great white sharks from September through November. It is possible to take '''boat tours''' to the Farallon Islands throughout most of the year and go '''whale watching''', departing from [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]] or the [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Marina]] in San Francisco. On sunny days hipsters flock to '''Mission Dolores Park''', so named due to its location across the street from the Mission Dolores Basilica. The park often comes to resemble a large party, with music, coolers of beer and, er, uh...medical marijuana treatment. Mission Dolores Park is situated on a slight slope on the edge of the [[San Francisco/Mission|Mission]] neighborhood, just a few blocks from the district's many restaurants and bars. The east side of the park is bounded by Dolores Street, a hilly and scenic drive lined with palm trees and Victorians. In the southern half of the city is the often overlooked but wonderful '''[[San Francisco/Bernal Heights|Bernal Heights]] Park''', a small park on top of a hill overlooking the entire eastern half of the city, with excellent views of the skyscrapers in the Financial District, the Mission District, and the hills in the southeastern corner of the city. A wide trail runs around the base of the park below the peak which can be walked in ten to fifteen minutes. Bernal Heights Park is dog friendly, so much so that a coyote is often observed there. ==Do== ===Harbor tours=== [[File:Way To Alcatraz.JPG|thumb|300px|Approaching the Island of Alcatraz]] One of the best ways to see San Francisco is from the waters of San Francisco Bay. There are many companies offering harbor tours of varying durations and prices but they all provide marvelous views of the bay, the bridges, the island of Alcatraz and the city. Only specific island tours are allowed to land at Alcatraz, but the typical harbor tour will circle the island at a slow crawl, giving you plenty of opportunity to photograph the now-inactive prison from the water. Also consider taking a ferry from San Francisco across the bay to [[Tiburon]], [[Sausalito]], or [[Alameda]]. Same views for a fraction of the price. Most tours leave from docks at [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]] near Pier 39. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks along the waterfront walk. Buy tickets a day or two in advance during the summer high season. Boats usually leave roughly hourly starting around 10AM and ending around 5PM. Multi-lingual guides are available on some tours. Prices range from $20–40, more for sunset, dinner, or whale watching tours. *Even on a sunny day the bay can be chilly, so be sure to bring a sweater as well as sun screen. *Some boats have snack bars on board, but bring your own water and treats to avoid paying high costs or going without. There are now limited refreshments and a souvenirs shop on Alcatraz. ===Performing arts=== [[File:SFSymphony Hall.jpg|thumb|300px|Davies Symphony Hall]] * San Francisco has a '''Half-Price Ticket Booth''' in the middle of [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Union Square]], where tickets for most San Francisco theater performances can be purchased the day of the performance for half-price. Run by [http://www.theatrebayarea.org/ Theatre Bay Area], all service fees collected from the sale of tickets by [http://www.tixbayarea.org/ TIX Bay Area] goes right back into the theater community. * '''Go to a concert, a play, a jazz or a folk-song performance'''. There are performances most days to choose from by the '''[http://sfopera.com/ San Francisco Opera]''', the '''[http://www.sfsymphony.org San Francisco Symphony]''', in '''[http://sfwmpac.org/herbst/ht_index.html Herbst Theater]''' (where the United Nations charter was signed), in the '''[http://www.oldfirstconcerts.org Old First Church]''', and for musicals in the '''Orpheum''' or the '''[http://www.bestofbroadway-sf.com Golden Gate Theaters]''', all located in or near the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]]. The museum of the '''[http://www.thinker.org Legion of Honor]''', located in [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Lincoln Park]] overlooking the Golden Gate (north end of 34th Ave), has organ concerts which can be heard in many of its galleries, Saturdays and Sundays at 4PM, as well as music performances in its '''Florence Gould Theater''' by the '''[http://www.sflyricopera.org San Francisco Lyric Opera]'''. For the fall and spring jazz festivals look into [http://www.sfjazz.com the SFJAZZ calendar]. San Francisco also has many jazz clubs, best found by browsing the web (an excellent site is [http://www.sfstation.com SFStation.com]). Contemporary bands are featured at The '''[http://www.thefillmore.com Fillmore Auditorium]''' and less frequently at the large '''Bill Graham Civic Auditorium''' in the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]]. There is an annual '''[http://www.sfblues.com blues festival]''' in late September, at various locations, and at least two great '''bluegrass music festivals''' each year — during [http://www.sfbluegrass.org/ February] around the area and [http://www.strictlybluegrass.com late September or October] in [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Golden Gate Park]]. Many events are listed by the [http://www.cityboxoffice.com City Box Office]. * '''Ballet''' of the world class variety can be seen for only $10. '''[http://www.sfballet.org/ San Francisco Ballet]''' sells standing room tickets (with excellent views from the back of the orchestra) for their shows at the '''War Memorial Opera House''' in [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]] during the afternoon of each performance as well as two hours before showtime. * '''Plays''' are performed at the '''Geary''' (by the '''[http://www.act-sfbay.org American Conservatory Theater]'''), '''Curran''', and the '''[http://www.marineclub.com/theatre.php Marines Memorial]''' theatres near [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District#Performing arts|Union Square]], and at the small '''[https://www.nctcsf.org/ New Conservatory Theater]''' near the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]]. * '''Musicals''' from Broadway and Los Angeles are shown at the traditional '''Golden Gate''' and '''Orpheum''' theaters on Market, near the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]]. For outrageous fun, princes and paupers go to '''[http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com Beach Blanket Babylon]''' in [[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|North Beach]]. Teenagers are welcome at the Sunday matinees. It considers itself the longest running musical revue in theater history. ===Events=== There is an incredible array of events going on in San Francisco — virtually every day there will be something of interest to anyone going on, and San Francisco's mild climate ensures that practically every weekend will bring another major festival or some sort of large event. Listed here are just some of the really big events going on: ====Cultural events==== * {{event | name=Cherry Blossom Festival | alt= | url=http://nccbf.org | email= | year= | month= | date= | endmonth= | enddate= | location= | country= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=[[San Francisco/Western Addition|Western Addition]]. April. In Japantown, this kid-friendly event includes a parade, a street fair, and music. }} * '''[https://www.friendssfpl.org/bigbooksale.html Big Book Sale]:''' Fort Mason. A gigantic book sale where dozens of private libraries are donated and put on display. Cheap prices and hidden gems make this feel like an adult scavenger hunt. * {{event | name=San Francisco International Film Festival | alt= | url=https://sffilm.org/ | email= | year= | month= | date= | endyear= | endmonth= | enddate= | location= | country= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Based at the Presidio in [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]], but smaller events take place throughout the city. Two weeks in Apr/May. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society who are based in the Presidio, but the arthouse movies, documentaries, and short films are shown throughout the city. }} * {{event | name=Union Street Art Festival | alt= | url=https://unionstreetfest.com/ | email= | year= | month= | date= | endmonth= | enddate= | location= | country= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=[[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]]. First weekend in June. This festival attracts many local artists who line the streets displaying their arts and crafts, along with live jazz and classical music performances and an organic farmer's market. }} * {{event | name=Haight Ashbury Street Fair | alt= | url=http://www.haightashburystreetfair.org/ | email= | year= | month= | date= | endmonth= | enddate= | location= | country= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=[[San Francisco/Haight|Haight]]. On the second Sunday of June, people pack the Upper Haight for this event featuring local bands, food stalls and plenty of shopping. }} * {{event | name=Fringe Festival | alt= | url=http://www.sffringe.org/ | email= | year= | month= | date= | endmonth= | enddate= | location= | country= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Taking place at various theaters in the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center-Tenderloin]] area. Just after Labor Day in September. A 10-day festival about theatrical experimentation and having fun, even if you don't know what you're doing exactly. }} * {{event | name=Folsom Street Fair | alt= | url=http://www.folsomstreetevents.org/ | email= | year= | month= | date= | endmonth= | enddate= | location= | country= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Unsurprisingly, on Folsom in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]], last Sunday in September. Advertised as the world's largest leather/fetish event. Not really one for the kids. }} ====Holidays==== * {{do | name=Chinese New Year Festivities | alt= | url=http://www.chineseparade.com/ | email= | address=[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=January or February. The San Francisco version of the Chinese New Year dates way back, with a colorful, vibrant parade with decorative costumes, lions, deafening firecrackers, "lucky-money" envelopes, colorful banners, ornately themed floats, martial arts groups, stilt walkers, acrobats, and, of course, a 200-foot Golden Dragon. }} * {{do | name=Easter Parade and Spring Celebration | alt= | url= | email= | address=Union Street in [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The kid-friendly but diverse festivities include a petting zoo, pony rides, live music, train rides, alfresco dining, and a parade. }} * {{do | name=Fourth of July | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=San Francisco's main Independence Day celebrations take place on [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]. There is lots of free entertainment during the day, culminating with an impressive fireworks display from the foot of Municipal Pier, and at the other end of the Wharf from barges moored off the north of Pier 39. }} * {{do | name=Italian Heritage Parade | alt= | url=https://sfitalianheritage.org/ | email= | address=[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|North Beach]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=This hugely popular parade celebrates Italian heritage. Handmade floats run all the way from Fisherman's Wharf up Columbus Avenue through North Beach. }} * {{do | name=Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ghirardelli Square | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ghirardelli Square, Fishermans' Wharf | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=End of November. Ring in the holiday season by attending the festivities at Ghirardelli Square. There's theater, live music, and then at the end they decorate a 45-foot Christmas tree with ornaments, lights, and chocolate bars. }} ====LGBT community events==== San Francisco is famous for its exuberant and visible lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, who always put together some very festive events: * {{do | name=Pink Saturday | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A street party in the [[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|Castro]] on the Saturday night before the Pride Parade and Celebration. }} * {{do | name=San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade and Celebration | alt= | url=http://www.sfpride.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=One of the largest gay pride parades and festivals in North America, centered in the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]] area. It's a huge, happy, chaotic celebration of diversity, politics, sexuality, and San Francisco wackiness, on the last weekend in June. About a dozen stages and spaces offer everything from square dancing to hip-hop, from a family garden to Leather Alley. It's a movement, it's a market, it's a party. The parade and celebration are for everyone—straight and gay are welcome. }} * {{do | name=Halloween in the Castro | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Halloween, the holiday when everyone puts on a mask, has long been a special time for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to take off the "straight-looking mask" they sometimes wore all year, and be themselves. What remains today is a huge, sometimes poorly controlled, street party in the [[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|Castro]] on the evening of October 31 each year. Police efforts have attempted to tame this and it has been much diminished. }} ====Outdoor and recreational events==== * {{do | name=Critical Mass | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=On the last Friday of each month, bicyclists in San Francisco (and about 200 like-minded cities world-wide) gather at the north end of Market Street on the Embarcadero and ride en masse to some destination, demonstrating their right to use the roads. If you are driving in SF on a Critical Mass day, you will want to listen for radio traffic reports, but if you are stopped by the mass the best thing to do is maintain a good sense of humor and remember that it will all pass in about 5 minutes. Tempers can and do flare, and there have been cases where run-ins with drivers and bicyclists have gotten violent. If your car is surrounded by bikes, definitely do not move until they have passed or they might feel threatened. }} * {{do | name=Bay to Breakers | alt= | url=http://baytobreakers.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Third Sunday in May. An annual footrace that is one of the largest in the country. The route runs from Downtown to Ocean Beach. Many runners do the whole thing in costume, wearing anything from elaborate costumes to wearing almost nothing at all, lending a party atmosphere to the event. }} * {{do | name=Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon | alt= | url=http://www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Second Sunday in June. Participants (which often include world champions and Olympic medalists) swim 1.5 miles through chilly waters, bike 18 miles, and then run an extra 8 miles. The course winds its way throughout the city, but the transition and finish line is at Marina Green in the [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]] area. }} * {{do | name=Fleet Week | alt= | url=http://fleetweeksf.org/ | email= | address=[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Usually held in the first week of October, it's a tribute to the men and women in the armed forces. A flotilla of Navy ships dock on the Wharf in parade fashion, and there are many free Deck tours available from crew members. There are also several air displays by the Navy flyers. }} * {{do | name=Sunday Streets | alt= | url=http://www.sundaystreetssf.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=An approximately monthly event rotating through various neighborhoods where the local main street is closed to car traffic for a pedestrian street fair. }} ===Sports=== [[File:AT&T Park Overlooking San Francisco Bay.jpg|thumb|300px|Oracle Park]] The Bay Area has several professional sports teams, although most of those teams play in nearby [[San Jose (California)|San Jose]] and [[Oakland]] rather than San Francisco itself. The [[National Football League]]'s '''San Francisco 49ers''' moved from Candlestick Park (which has since been demolished) in San Francisco to [[Santa Clara (California)|Santa Clara]] in 2014. The '''San Francisco Giants''' are the city's [[Baseball in the United States|Major League Baseball]] team, playing their home games at the lovely Oracle Park (recently renamed from AT&T Park) in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]] and commanding a large and devoted fan base. With the Niners' move to Santa Clara, the Giants were the only team in America's major sports leagues playing in the city itself for a few years, but they've now been joined by the [[Basketball in North America|NBA's]] '''Golden State Warriors''', which moved from their longtime home in Oakland to the new Chase Center, located on the Mission Bay waterfront a few blocks south of Oracle Park, in 2019. As far as college sports go in San Francisco, the only NCAA Division I program in the city itself is the '''San Francisco Dons''', representing the University of San Francisco and playing various college sports including baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball at their campus in [[San Francisco/Western Addition|Western Addition]]. The '''San Francisco State Gators''', an NCAA Division II program, play various college sports including baseball, basketball and soccer at their campus near [[San Francisco/Twin Peaks-Lake Merced|Lake Merced]]. However, if you're interested in college football, you'll have to leave the city to see it—neither of the city's NCAA programs has a football team. The Bay Area's three Division I football teams are in Berkeley (California), the Peninsula near Palo Alto (Stanford), and in Silicon Valley (San Jose State). ===Local music=== San Francisco is a hotbed for underground music; a highly diverse array of musical styles is represented (e.g., rock, pop, experimental, weird folk, and avant-jazz). Shows occur every night, with as many as fifteen small shows occurring each Thursday through Saturday night. Much of this activity is not always well covered in the mainstream media; useful community-driven resources for finding about local shows include the [http://transbaycalendar.org Transbay Calendar]. ==Learn== There are three world-class research universities in the Bay Area: '''[http://www.ucsf.edu University of California, San Francisco]''' with two large campuses in San Francisco focused on biomedical research and training; '''[http://www.berkeley.edu University of California, Berkeley]''' in [[Berkeley]]; and '''[http://www.stanford.edu Stanford University]''' in [[Palo Alto]]. Many of the major businesses in the area have a connection to one of these universities. The '''University of California, San Francisco''' is one of the city's largest employers and is dedicated solely to the education of health and the biomedical sciences. Unlike many other universities, it does not have undergraduate programs and only admits graduate students. Also in the University of California system is the '''Hastings College of the Law''', a major law school located in downtown San Francisco. The '''San Francisco State University''' is another major public university that offers a broader range of studies than the UC colleges in the city. Rounding off the city's public colleges is the '''City College of San Francisco''', a two-year community college. San Francisco also has numerous private colleges and universities, some of them large, such as the '''University of San Francisco''' located in the Richmond district, and '''Academy of Art University''' with properties throughout the city. ==Work== While San Francisco's economy is linked to it being a world-class tourist attraction, its economy is diversified. The largest employment sectors are professional services, government, finance, trade, and tourism. Its frequent portrayal in music, films, literature and popular culture has helped make the city and its landmarks known throughout the world. San Francisco has developed a large tourist infrastructure with numerous hotels, restaurants, and top-notch convention facilities. While it's been a long time since people considered Montgomery Street in the [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Financial District]] to be the "Wall Street of the West", San Francisco remains the undisputed financial capital of the West Coast, home to the headquarters of some of the world's major financial institutions such as Wells Fargo Bank as well as the regional headquarters of the United States Federal Reserve. Many major financial institutions and banks are based in the city or have set up regional headquarters here. San Francisco's proximity to Silicon Valley has made the city increasingly attractive for high-tech companies. While most of the large technology companies are in the valley, many tech workers live in San Francisco and commute to work. San Francisco has also been making itself a center of biotechnology. ==Buy== {{SeeDistricts}} San Francisco is the arguably most expensive city in the U.S., and prices of many things, including groceries, restaurant meals and rent have even surpassed those of notoriously expensive New York City. If you want it, chances are likely you can get it in San Francisco. There are a wide range of small and locally owned businesses throughout the city's neighborhoods; in fact, San Francisco has for the most part repelled the development of large chain retailers and big box stores that are common across America. If it's tourist trinkets you're looking for, '''[[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]]''' has the typical souvenir, T-shirt, and camera shops, along with plenty of specialty stores. However, San Francisco's most popular shopping area is '''[[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Union Square]]''', which has all the big national department stores (Macy's, Saks, Nordstrom, etc.) and plenty of fancy boutique stores, as well as a few shopping centers thrown in. For small, upscale boutiques, '''Union Street''', '''Fillmore Street''', and '''Chestnut Street''' in the [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Golden Gate]] area are lined with unique and trendy places, and all three streets are among the best spots in the city to window shop. '''[[San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill|Nob Hill]]''' is also full of specialty places. But if you don't have a luxury dollar to spend and still want to walk away with something unique, there are plenty of shops in '''[[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown]]''' for you, selling Oriental handicrafts of all descriptions, and no chain stores in sight. '''[[San Francisco/Western Addition|Japantown]]''' also offers plenty of great shops selling authentic souvenirs, including the excellent Kinokuniya Stationery/Bookstore. The '''[[San Francisco/Haight|Haight]]''' is full of excellent independent record and book stores, with Amoeba Music dominating the scene. For basic supplies, try the ubiquitous 7-Eleven convenience stores and Walgreens pharmacies. If you need groceries, Safeway is the dominant supermarket chain in the city. There are Safeway stores in SoMa, near Fisherman's Wharf, and near the Financial District, but not near Union Square. The closest supermarket to Union Square is the upscale Bristol Farms supermarket at Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre. ==Eat== [[File:Sanfran 2 bg 032605.jpg|thumb|250px|Crabs at Fisherman's Wharf]] {{SeeDistricts}} San Francisco is a "foodie" city with a vast array of restaurants. In fact, San Francisco has more restaurants per capita than any major city in North America, with 1 restaurant for every 250 residents (in comparison, New York City has 1 restaurant for every 940 residents). The price range is huge, of course, and you can spend anywhere from a small fortune to a couple bucks for every type of cuisine. In addition to the range of ethnic restaurants you'd expect to find, bay area food culture focuses on "artisanal" food (see the Ferry Building) and fresh fruits and vegetables (see Alice Waters), drawing from the nearby farms in California. San Francisco is known for specialties such as the '''Mission burrito''', and '''cioppino'''. The Mission burrito is considered to have been invented in the Mission District, and in fact there is a particular taqueria on Valencia Street that claims credit for the invention, although their burritos are just OK and a number of taquerias in the Mission serve much better examples of the style. Burritos are much larger than tacos and contain rice, making them even more filling. Cioppino started as a fisherman's stew in North Beach and is a local variation on stews from the region of [[Liguria]], from which many 19th-century San Franciscan fishermen hailed. It's a large tomato- and white wine-based soupy stew of fish and seafood with bread. A more recently invented local specialty in San Francisco is the '''sushi burrito''', which, as the name suggests, is a cross between a sushi and a burrito, and was created by local fast-casual chain '''[https://www.sushirrito.com Sushirrito]''' in 2008. In San Francisco, you would be well-served by using an online restaurant rating website to find the best restaurants. Yelp.com, for example, is actively maintained by San Franciscans. All the best restaurants (and bars) are mobbed on the weekends, so you'll do well to check out the availability on opentable.com or similar websites. Ethnic food and neighborhoods: * You can still find some ethnic food districts in San Francisco. Some of these, like North Beach, have become museums for tourists, while others, such as the (Inner) Mission and Chinatown, are still strongly ethnic neighborhoods which maintain their native food culture. In truth, the food culture in the city is oriented less around ethnic districts than restaurant areas. In the Mission, for example, you will find not just Mexican food but rather excellent options of many kinds (e.g., Sushi, Indian, Italian, Thai, etc.) * With the largest [[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|Chinatown]] in North America as well as one of the largest Chinese communities in the West, there are many exceptional restaurants serving '''dim sum''' and other Chinese delicacies found throughout the city. This localized Chinese cuisine has its feet in Hong Kong and America, and is different from what many visitors are accustomed to — it is common to hear complaints from Chinese or US Midwestern visitors that Chinese food here is not like the food back home. There are several main types of Chinese restaurants in San Francisco: those primarily serving immigrants from Hong Kong ("Hong Kong style") which commonly have signs on the wall in Chinese characters, live fish and shellfish tanks and some exotic main ingredients, such as pig's blood or sea cucumber; those primarily serving San Franciscans who are not Asian immigrants ("California Chinese") which commonly have Westernized table service, low fat content and more emphasis on fresh vegetables; those primarily serving tourists or other people accustomed to Chinese food as it is commonly served in the United States ("Americanized Chinese"); and those primarily serving immigrants from other areas or a particular dietary need or interest (regional cuisines, vegetarian, Muslim). There may be some mixing between these various classifications and each category may influence the others. For instance, the Americanized dish known as '''Chop Suey''' is often not served even at Americanized Chinese restaurants in San Francisco and your moo shu may come with flour tortillas in place of rice pancakes, while Chinese vegetables such as bok choy and pea sprouts may turn up on your plate at California Cuisine style restaurants. * Other regional Chinese cuisines have made inroads, and if you can't find them in San Francisco, you can often find them elsewhere in the Bay Area. * San Francisco is also one of the best places in the nation for other Asian cuisine: Korean, Thai, Indian, and Japanese. '''Sushi''' is a local obsession. [[San Francisco/Western Addition|Japantown]] and the [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Richmond]] district have more than their fair share of excellent sushi chefs. * Inexplicably to many locals, [[San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf|Fisherman's Wharf]] remains a popular place for tourists to find fresh but overpriced '''seafood''', especially clam chowder and crabs cooked to order. * For tourists, [[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|North Beach]] is the place to go for '''Italian food'''. The restaurants along Columbus, which cater to tourists, are overpriced. You can, of course, find great Italian and pizza all over the city. * The [[San Francisco/Mission|Mission]] and are great for '''Mexican''', '''Salvadoran''' and Latin American cuisine of all sorts, as is much of Mission Street south though [[Bernal Heights]], the [[Excelsior]], and [[Crocker-Amazon]]. San Francisco restaurants are also very '''corkage friendly'''. Average corkage fee appears to be in the $15 range, with some of the more pricey places charging $25–35. '''Vegetarians and vegans''' will find SF a paradise, however contrary to popular belief the city has one of the lowest rates of vegetarian consumers in the nation. ==Drink== {{SeeDistricts}} ===Bars and clubs=== The best way to find a good '''bar''' or '''club''' is to ask the advice of a local; but barring that a copy of ''The SF Bay Guardian'' or the ''SF Weekly'' or a quick search on yelp/google will help you find something suited to your personal taste. The great diversity of nightlife in San Francisco, sometimes within one neighborhood, reflects the diversity of cultures there. Here's a sampling: *If you want door-to-door bar hopping at friendly bars that serve PBR tall boys, definitely go to "Polk Gulch" in the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Tenderloin]] and work your way north through bars such as '''Mayes''' and '''Hemlock'''. *Head to the [[San Francisco/Golden Gate|Marina]] for mid-20s to mid-30s professionals (and those visiting from Los Angeles) as well as a college atmosphere clubbing scene around super packed club/bars such as '''Circa'''. *Are you into clubs? If you want to commit to a single venue for the night and club the night away, pay the necessary cover at high end clubs in South of Market ([[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]]) such as '''The Grand''' and '''Manor West''', where you can find left-over dot-commers and hipsters hanging out on the street. If you're in the mood for world class clubbing, '''Ruby Skye''' near [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District#Drink|Union Square]] is a must visit place; the SF equivalent of a Vegas club, but be prepared to buy tickets ahead of time and wait in line. *[[San Francisco/Castro-Noe Valley|The Castro]] primarily serves San Francisco's gay men, while [[San Francisco/Bernal Heights|Bernal Heights]] has some notable lesbian bars. *The [[San Francisco/Mission|Mission]] offers a more down to earth vibe that still lets you get your dance on; a bonus with this is that you can end the night with a great burrito from one of the local Mission taquerias. *With a large Irish population, San Francisco has a number of very good Irish pubs (e.g., Danny Coyle's in the [[San Francisco/Haight|Haight]], Four Deuces in the [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Sunset]], and many others). [[San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach|North Beach]] is home to several dance clubs and strip clubs. *If you like soccer (football) and all things English, you should stop into the '''Kezar Pub''', at the edge of the Haight-Ashbury District, or [[San Francisco/Haight|Lower Haight]]'s '''Mad Dog In the Fog'''. The pub quiz and bar food are good. Swill some pints and stay in the dark. Good for an entire day's worth of drinking. ===Beer=== San Francisco, despite being much smaller than New York City, sports more [[alcoholic beverages|microbreweries]]. '''Anchor Brewing Company''' (makers of Anchor Steam, found throughout the US) is brewed on [[San Francisco/Southeast|Potrero Hill]], though it is generally not open to the public (tours are available by reservation). They maintain a beer garden at the Yard at Mission Rock, just across from the ballpark. Similarly, '''Speakeasy Ales & Lagers''' opens its doors on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons, though its location in [[San Francisco/Southeast|Hunter's Point]] makes it a long Muni ride if you're traveling without a car. The other microbreweries are housed in brewpubs: * '''Beach Chalet''' & '''Park Chalet''' are at the Pacific end of [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Golden Gate Park]], where you can enjoy a view of the ocean or sit in the lawn area. * '''Pizza Orgasmica''' in the [[San Francisco/The Avenues|Richmond District]] specializes in California-style pizza. * '''Magnolia Brewing Company''' is in the heart of the [[San Francisco/Haight|Haight]], and operates a second restaurant down the street, '''The Alembic''', as well as well as a barbeque joint with their beers in Dogpatch, '''Smokestack'''. * '''Thirsty Bear''' in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]] caters mostly to the happy hour crowd. * '''21st Amendment''', also in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]], is three blocks away from the Giants' home at AT&T Park. * '''Social Kitchen & Brewery''' is in the Sunset District, a block from Golden Gate Park. * '''Southern Pacific Brewing Company''' is a large bar in the Mission District. * '''Cellarmaker Brewing Company''' is a highly regarded brewery in SoMa, with an emphasis on hop-driven beers. Other destinations for beer drinkers include the '''City Beer Store and Tasting Bar''' on Folsom St in [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]] (your best bet for beer to go), the [[San Francisco/Mission|Mission's]] '''Monk's Kettle''', and the famous '''Toronado Pub''' on lower [[San Francisco/Haight|Haight Street]], which specializes in Belgian ales. The surrounding Alameda, San Mateo, and Marin Counties also host many microbreweries worth trying. Many of these are accessible by BART. And although Santa Rosa is 45 minutes north of San Francisco, no beer lovers should skip the renowned '''Russian River Brewing Company''' in downtown Santa Rosa. ==Sleep== {{seeDistricts}} San Francisco offers a wide range of accommodations, from a healthy supply of hostels and budget hotels to the lavish, luxurious hotels in the city center, as well as just about everything in-between. The majority of accommodations are in the northeastern portion of the city, in and around the popular areas of Downtown, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf. As one moves into the mostly residential neighborhoods to the west, the sleeping options filter down to small inns and bed and breakfasts. Decide if you want to be in walking distance of your destinations, or are up to driving and parking (which can be quite an undertaking in some of the busier areas of San Francisco) or taking public transit. If you have a specific destination in mind, look also in the [[San Francisco#Districts|Districts]] sections. Hotel costs are particularly variable in San Francisco. The price of a night's stay, especially in the [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]] neighborhood, depends significantly on what's happening [http://www.moscone.com/site/do/event/list at the Moscone Convention Center that week]. Hotel rates can triple when the biggest events are underway. If your trip dates are flexible, you can save a lot of money by avoiding busy dates (it amounts to about half the year). In general, the biggest hotels are more expensive than smaller chains and local outfits. If you'd rather stay closer to the San Francisco International Airport, there are plenty of standard airport accommodations in the cities surrounding the airport — [[Brisbane (California)|Brisbane]], [[Burlingame]], [[Millbrae]], [[San Bruno]] and [[South San Francisco]]. From there, you can drive or take BART or Caltrain into San Francisco. ==Connect== The '''area codes''' for San Francisco are 415 and 628. You must dial 1+area code+number for all calls within the city (if you're using a mobile phone, the "1" is not necessary). For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number (again, the "1" is not needed when using a mobile phone), and for international calls, dial 011+country code+city code(if applicable)+number. '''Pay phones''' are getting less and less commonplace as nearly everyone in San Francisco has a mobile phone. They only take coins and phone cards with a dial-to-use number. Local calls start at $0.50. To get online, '''internet cafes''' are available at a sprinkling of city center locations. Many coffee houses and cafes also offer '''wireless''' connection for free or a small fee. Free access is available in [[San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District|Union Square]]. For a more scenic place to check your email try the Apple Store on Stockton at Ellis near Market in Union Square or any of the many public libraries, especially the main branch on Market near [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]] station. Blue mailboxes for '''mail''' such as letters and postcards are on many street corners. USPS post offices sell stamps and ship packages, and several private companies provide additional services. ==Stay safe== A look at Stanley Robert's ''People Behaving Badly'' series will give you an inside look of usually petty crime in the city. However, it is very unlikely you'll encounter any violent or petty crime as long as you use your common sense and are vigilant. The areas that one should be most cautious are in the neighborhoods of Bayview-Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, Sunnydale, Ingleside, and Potrero Hill in [[San Francisco/Southeast|Southeast]] San Francisco, as well as the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Tenderloin]], parts of [[San Francisco/Western Addition|Western Addition]] (including the Fillmore District), and parts of the [[San Francisco/Mission|Mission]]. San Francisco is still susceptible to violent crime, and most of these murders occur in the southeast, less economically fortunate, neighborhoods of the city. Gang violence touches even busy and thriving areas such as the Mission Street retail corridor, although most instances of violent crime are directed to specific targets and are not random acts. The [[San Francisco/SoMa|SoMa]] district used to be somewhat dangerous; however, gentrification (something that has become fairly common and a social issue in SF) has transformed it into a rather hip and much safer neighborhood with plenty of art galleries and clubs. However, it is best to be careful even now. San Francisco also has the largest homeless population per capita in the United States. If someone begs from you, you may either politely say you do not have any change or just keep walking, and he or she will generally leave you alone. The main homeless area is around 6th and Market, heading towards the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Civic Center]], and in the [[San Francisco/Civic Center-Tenderloin|Tenderloin]]. [[San Francisco/Haight|Haight Ashbury]] also has lots of [[Begging|panhandlers]], and the area near Golden Gate Park at the end of Haight Street near Stanyan is notorious for junkies and should be avoided at night. Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and other forms of petty crime are common as with any other large city. Be especially cautious on crowded Muni trains and buses, in heavily touristed areas such as Fisherman's Wharf, and during the busy holiday shopping season. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, especially when parking on public streets. Car break-ins are very common in San Francisco, and any valuables in plain sight are in danger of being stolen. During your visit, you will probably see small piles of broken glass on sidewalks throughout the city, which are the result of such crimes. If you cannot carry all valuables with you, try to keep them in the trunk and park your vehicle in secure parking garages, which are slightly safer than street parking but are not completely free from crime either. Bicycle theft is extremely common so bikes should be securely locked to a sturdy surface, even if you're going to only be gone a minute. Be careful to check for ticks after hiking in fields in the Bay Area. There is a high rate of lyme disease transmission in the Bay Area. If a bulls' eye rash develops at the tick bite site, immediately seek medical help and treatment with antibiotics. Rogue waves can occur at Ocean Beach along the Pacific edge of San Francisco. It is not uncommon for unsuspecting tourists to be swept out to sea during high surf conditions. A good rule of thumb is to avoid facing away from the ocean. Strong currents are also a hazard for swimmers. ==Cope== ===Publications=== *'''[http://www.sfgate.com/ San Francisco Chronicle]'''. The main newspaper in San Francisco. $1.50 daily, $3.00 Sunday. *'''[http://www.sfexaminer.com/ San Francisco Examiner]'''. A free daily newspaper. *'''[http://www.sfweekly.com/ SF Weekly]'''. A popular free-weekly distributed across the city. *'''[http://www.sfbayview.com/ San Francisco Bay View]'''. Politics, economics, and news from a progressive African American perspective. *'''[http://www.asianweek.com/ AsianWeek]'''. A weekly paper, one of the largest English language publications for Asian-Americans. *'''[http://www.ebar.com/ Bay Area Reporter]'''. Free-weekly serving the LGBT community. *'''[http://www.sfbaytimes.com/ San Francisco Bay Times]'''. Another free-weekly LGBT newspaper. *'''[http://www.sanfranmag.com/ San Francisco Magazine]'''. A monthly magazine devoted to Bay Area culture. ===Consulates=== San Francisco is home to many people of different nationalities and language backgrounds. Therefore, many countries have established full service consulates (Consulates-General) in San Francisco to provide consular services for their nationals living in (northern) California and in the adjacent states in the northwestern part of the U.S. (or the entire west coast) as well as visa services for others seeking to visit their respective countries (if required). The Honorary Consulates are there for commercial and business purposes and offer limited or no consular services except in emergency situations. Most of the consulates are in downtown San Francisco and in the adjacent Pacific Heights & SoMa areas. They can also be located in other parts of town too: * {{flag|Australia}} {{listing | name=Australia | url=http://www.usa.embassy.gov.au/whwh/SanFranCG.html | email= | address=575 Market St Ste 1800 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-644-3620 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-536-1982 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Belgium}} {{listing | name=Belgium (Honorary) | alt= | url= | email=consubelsf@gmail.com | address=1663 Mission St Ste 400 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-861-9910 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-861-9801 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Brazil}} {{listing | name=Brazil | url=http://saofrancisco.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/ | email=brazilsf@brazilsf.org | address=300 Montgomery St Ste 300 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-981-8170 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-986-4625 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Canada}} {{listing | name=Canada | alt= | url=http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/united_states-etats_unis/san_francisco.aspx?lang=eng | email=sfran@international.gc.ca | address=580 California St, 14F | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-834-3180 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-834-3189 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Chile}} {{listing | name=Chile | url=http://chileabroad.gov.cl/san-francisco/en/ | email=cgchile.sf@minrel.gov.cl | address=870 Market St Ste 1058 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-982-7662, +1-415-982-7665 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-982-2384 | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | content= }} * {{flag|China}} {{listing | name=China, People's Republic of | url=http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/ | email= | address= 1450 Laguna St | lat= | long= | directions=Hwy 101 to Fell St exit | phone= +1-415-674-2940 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 9AM-noon, 1-3PM | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Colombia}} {{listing | name=Colombia | url=http://sanfrancisco.consulado.gov.co/en | address= 595 Market St #1190 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +1-415-495-7195 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= |wikidata=|lastedit=2020-04-20 | content= }} * {{flag|El Salvador}} {{listing | name=El Salvador | alt= | url=http://elsalvadorsf.org | email=consuladosanfrancisco@rree.gob.sv | address=507 Polk St, Ste #280 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 415-771-8524 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 7:30AM-2PM | price= | lastedit=2017-06-10 | content= }} * {{flag|France}} {{listing | name=France | url=http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org/spip.php?rubrique2 | email= | address=88 Kearny St,Ste 600 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-616-4906 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-433-8357 | hours=M-F 9AM-noon for French nationals; Visa Section M W 9AM-noon, 2-3:30PM and Tu Th F 9AM-12:30PM | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Germany}} {{listing | name=Germany | url=http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/03__Consulates/San__Francisco/00/__Home.html | email= | address=1960 Jackson St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-775-1061 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-775-0187 | hours=M-F 9AM-noon | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Greece}} {{listing | name=Greece | url=http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/AuthoritiesAbroad/North+America/USA/GeneralConsulateSanFrancisco/en-US/ | email=sfgr@greekembassy.org | address=2441 Gough St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-775-2102 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-776-6815 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Guatemala}} {{listing | name=Guatemala | alt= | url=http://www.minex.gob.gt/ | email= | address=544 Golden Gate Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 415-563-8319 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 8AM-2PM | price= | lastedit=2017-06-10 | content= }} * {{flag|Honduras}} {{listing | name=Honduras | alt= | url=http://www.hondurasemb.org/site/ | email= | address=870 Market St, Ste 875 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 415-392-0076 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 9AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2017-06-10 | content= }} * {{flag|India}} {{listing | name=India | alt= | url=http://www.cgisf.org/ | email= | address=540 Arguello Blvd | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-668-0662, +1-415-668-0683 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-668-9764 | hours= | price= | content= }} ** {{listing | name=Cox and King Global Services | alt=CKGS | url=https://www.in.ckgs.us/ | email= | address=225 Bush St, Level 1, San Francisco | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 516-206-1483, +1 646-589-0888 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=The processing of Indian passports, visas, OCI cards, PIO cards and the renunciation of Indian citizenship has been outsourced. }} * {{flag|Indonesia}} {{listing | name=Indonesia | alt= | url=https://www.kemlu.go.id/sanfrancisco/en/default.aspx | email=consulate@indonesia-sanfrancisco.net | address=1111 Columbus Ave | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-474-9571 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-441-4320 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Ireland}} {{listing | name=Ireland | alt= | url=https://www.dfa.ie/irish-consulate/sanfrancisco/ | email= | address=100 Pine St 33F | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-392-4214 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-392-0885 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Israel}} {{listing | name=Israel | url= | address=456 Montgomery St # 2100 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-844-7500 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=|lastedit=2020-04-20 | content= }} * {{flag|Italy}} {{listing | name=Italy | url=http://www.conssanfrancisco.esteri.it | email=visti.sanfrancisco@esteri.it | address=2590 Webster St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-292-9210, +1-415-931-4924 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-931-7205 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Japan}} {{listing | name=Japan | url=http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/ | email=con-e@sr.mofa.go.jp | address=275 Battery St, Suite 2100 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-780-6000 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-767-4200 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Kazakhstan}} {{listing | type=listing | name=Kazakhstan | alt= | url=https://kazakhembus.com/about-the-embassy/consulates-general/consulate-general-in-san-francisco | email= | address=456 Montgomery St #950 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-628-236-1030 ext 104 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-04-20 | content= }} * {{flag|Luxembourg}} {{listing | name=Luxembourg | alt= | url= https://sanfrancisco.mae.lu/en | email= | address=1 Sansome St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-788-0816 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM | price= | wikidata=|lastedit=2020-04-22 | content= }} * {{flag|Mexico}} {{listing | name=Mexico | url=http://www.sre.gob.mx/sanfrancisco | email= | address=532 Folsom St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-354-1732 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-495-3971 | hours= | price= | content=Mexico maintains additional consulates in Calexico, Fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Jose and Santa Ana. }} * {{flag|Monaco}} {{listing | name=Monaco (Honorary)| url=https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/embassy/consulate-general-of-monaco-in-san-francisco-united-states-of-america/ | address=2643 Union St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-749-1663 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=|lastedit=2020-04-20 | content= }} * {{flag|Mongolia}} {{listing | type=listing | name=Mongolia | alt= | url=http://mongolianembassy.us/ | email= | address=465 California St #200, | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-622-4000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=|lastedit=2020-04-20 | content= }} * {{flag|the Netherlands}} {{listing | name=Netherlands | alt= | url=https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/united-states/about-us/consulate-general-in-san-francisco | email=sfn@minbuza.nl | address=1 Montgomery St Ste 3100, visiting address 120 Kearney St Ste 3100 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 415-291-2033 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Nicaragua}} {{listing | name=Nicaragua | url= | email= | address=870 Market St #518 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-765-6821 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-399-9775 | hours= M-Sa 9AM-2PM | price= | content= }} * {{flag|New Zealand}} {{listing | name=New Zealand (Honorary) | url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Embassies/1-NZ-representatives-overseas/0-embassies-list.php?country=United%20states%20of%20America | email=NewZealandHCSF@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-399-1255 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-399-9775 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Norway}} {{listing | name=Norway | alt= | url=https://www.norway.no/en/usa/norway-usa/san-fransisco/ | email=cqsfo@mfa.no | address=20 California St, 6th Floor | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-986-0766 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-986-3318 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Peru}} {{listing | name=Peru | alt= | url=http://www.consulado.pe/es/SanFrancisco/ | email= | address=870 Market St, Ste 1075 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 415-362-5185, +1 415-215-6668 (emergencies) | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-F 9AM-2PM| price= | lastedit=2017-06-10 | content= }} * {{flag|the Philippines}} {{listing | name=Philippines | url=http://www.philippinessanfrancisco.org/ | email= | address=447 Sutter St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-433-6666 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-421-2641 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Portugal}} {{listing | name=Portugal | alt= | url=https://saofrancisco.consuladoportugal.mne.gov.pt/ | email=sfrancisco@mne.pt | address=3298 Washington St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-346-3400 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-346-1440 | hours=M Tu Th F 8:30AM–3:30PM | price= | lastedit=2020-11-14 | content= }} * {{flag|Russia}} {{listing | name=Russian Federation | alt= | url=https://sanfrancisco.mid.ru/en_US/contact-us | email=russianvisa@att.net | address=2790 Green St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-928-6878, +1-202-939-8907 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-929-0306 | hours=Closed till further notice | price= | content=Due to tensions between U.S. and Russian relations, the consulate in San Francisco has been closed. }} * {{flag|Singapore}} {{listing | name=Singapore | alt= | url= https://www.mfa.gov.sg/sanfrancisco | email= | address= 595 Market St #2450 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-543-0474 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M-F 9AM-1PM | price= | content= }} * {{flag|South Korea}} {{listing | name=Korea, Republic of | alt= | url=http://usa-sanfrancisco.mofa.go.kr/english/am/usa-sanfrancisco/main/index.jsp | email= | address=3500 Clay St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-921-2251 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-921-5946 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-06-10 | content= }} * {{flag|Spain}} {{listing | name=Spain | url=http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/sanfrancisco/en/ | email=Cog.sanfrancisco@maec.es | address=1405 Sutter St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-922-2995, +1-415-922-2996 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-931-9706 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Sweden}} {{listing | type=listing | name=Sweden | alt= | url=https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/usa-san-francisco/contact/# | email=sf@consulateofsweden.org | address=505 Sansome Street, Suite 1010 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-788-2631 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Switzerland}} {{listing | name=Switzerland | url=http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/nameri/vusa/cgsf.html | email=sfr.vertretung@eda.admin.ch | address=456 Montgomery St Ste 1500 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-788-2272 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-788-1402 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Taiwan}} {{listing | name=Taiwan, Republic of China (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) | url=http://www.taiwanembassy.org/US/SFO/ | email=tecosf@sbcglobal.net | address=555 Montgomery St, Suite 501 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-362-7680 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-364-5629 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Tonga}} {{listing | name=Tonga | alt= | url=http://www.tongaconsul.com/ | email=ConsulateGeneralOfTonga@gmail.com | address=1350 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 610, Burlingame | lat= | long= | directions=One Bay Plaza Bldg | phone=+1-650-685-1001 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-06-10 | content= }} * {{flag|Ukraine}} {{listing | name=Ukraine | alt= | url=http://san-francisco.mfa.gov.ua/en | email= | address=530 Bush St, Suite 402 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-398-0240, +1-415-690-0460 (emergencies only) | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-06-10 | content= }} * {{flag|the United Kingdom}} {{listing | name=United Kingdom | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-san-francisco | email= | address=1 Sansome St Ste 850 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-617-1300 | tollfree= | fax=+1-415-434-2018 | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Uruguay}} {{listing | name=Uruguay | url= | email= | address=351 California St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-986-5222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Venezuela}} {{listing | name=Venezuela | url= | email= | address= 1700 California St, Unit 420| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-234-5245 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M-F 9:30AM-1:30PM | price= | content= }} * {{flag|Vietnam}} {{listing | name=Vietnam | url= https://vietnamconsulate-sf.org/en/2017/05/11/visa/ | email= | address=1700 California St #580 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-415-922-1707 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM| price= | content= }} Some of the countries maintain a consulate in both [[Los Angeles#Consulates|Los Angeles]] and San Francisco while others have a consulate in one city or the other. ==Go next== Bikes can be rented from around the northern waterfront (Pier 41/Fisherman's Wharf/Aquatic Park area) or near Golden Gate Park for trips to [[Marin County]] via the Golden Gate Bridge. Stanyan near Haight at the end of the park has several good shops. Golden Gate Transit also serves the North Bay from San Francisco, and has bike racks on most buses. === Bay Area === *[[San Jose (California)|'''San Jose''']] — The heart of Silicon Valley and the biggest city in Bay Area. Take Caltrain there. *'''[[Oakland]]''' — A diverse and vibrant city, Oakland was once considered San Francisco's "sister city," and has been regaining that title due to a general renaissance of the city. Although not a major tourist destination, it's worth a visit for its many distinct and charming neighborhoods. Take BART, or the ferry for great views. *'''[[Berkeley]]''' — Home to the University of California, Berkeley is one of the nation's most progressive communities. Also a hub of liberal political activism for the past several decades. It is also home to quite a few superb restaurants. Accessible by BART's Richmond Line. *'''[[Sausalito]]''' — Enjoy a ferry ride across the bay to beautiful Sausalito where you can walk along the water and admire the San Francisco skyline. Stroll to the waterfront restaurants, shops, and galleries. *'''[[Healdsburg]]''' — A charming Wine Country town located among some of California's greatest wine appellations: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill. Relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, with excellent restaurants, shopping and wine tasting. About 70 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. *'''[[Napa Valley]]''' — The main wine growing region in the United States, a trip to the many wineries makes for a fun day, while those wanting a longer adventure can relax in any one of the many spas, bed and breakfasts, or other lodging options. Take the ferry to Vallejo, then VINE bus #11 to the City of Napa. *'''[[Muir Woods]]''' — A 560-acre forest of old-growth redwood trees located in [[Mill Valley]] just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods is a pleasant respite from the city, and accessible by Golden Gate Transit on summer weekends. *'''[[Point Reyes National Seashore]]''' — Located just north of San Francisco along the [[Pacific Coast Highway]] (State Highway 1), Point Reyes is a beautiful seashore that is particularly nice to visit when gray whales are migrating along the coast, usually best in mid-January and then from March through May. *'''[[Peninsula (Bay Area)|Peninsula]]''' — Just south of San Francisco, the peninsula has excellent nature preserves. **'''[[Palo Alto]]''' — On the Peninsula south of the city, Palo Alto has some of the richest neighborhoods in all of California and makes for a beautiful drive with views of the coastline and magnificent mansions. Accessible by Caltrain. **'''[[Burlingame]]''' — Another well off neighborhood on the Peninsula, Burlingame has a lovely downtown area with plenty of shops, dining and streets lined with cypress trees. Accessible by Caltrain. *'''[[Monterey (California)|Monterey]]''' — An otherwise quiet beach town home to one of the country's best aquariums. Accessible by Amtrak, Greyhound, or the Monterey Airbus from SFO. *'''[[Santa Cruz (California)|Santa Cruz]]''' — Located on the coast north of [[Monterey (California)|Monterey Bay]], this funky town is home to surfers, the beautiful and tech-savvy University of California, Santa Cruz, and a popular boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Mountains north of town are a great place for outdoor recreation such as hiking, and home to misty forests of famous, enormous redwood trees. Take Caltrain to San Jose, then SC Metro #17 bus. *'''[[Vallejo]]''' — Home to a wildlife theme park, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Accessible by ferry. **'''[[Livermore]]''' — A suburban city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The Livermore Valley is "wine country", and produces some of California's best wines. Accessible by BART. ** '''[[Pleasanton]]''' — City located near Livermore, with an abundance of upscale restaurants and wine country. Accessible by BART. === California === *'''[[Yosemite National Park]]''' — Tours from San Francisco make for a wonderful day trip, although you will spend around 10 hours travelling for less than 4 in the park. Make sure to visit the amazing Giant Sequoias. *'''[[Lake Tahoe]]''' — Buses and one Amtrak train per day link the Bay Area to nearby Truckee, and as with Yosemite, travel even by car to and from would consume much of the day. However, the spectacular alpine setting and winter ski and snowboard options surrounding the Lake make Tahoe an unforgettable destination. *'''[[Sacramento]]''' is a nice city to visit, and is only a 1 1/2 hour drive without traffic, which is unlikely. Other travel options include Megabus, Flixbus, Amtrak, and Greyhound. *You can also head down Highway 1 or 101 down the Coast and more interesting sites leading to '''[[Los Angeles]]''' will be seen. === Beyond === * You can also head up 101 to the '''[[Pacific Northwest]]''', head east into '''[[Nevada]]''', and get on a flight virtually anywhere at '''[[San Francisco International Airport|SFO Airport.]]''' {{routebox | image1=I-80.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=END | minorl1= | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Sacramento]] | minorr1=[[Oakland]] | image2=I-280.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=END | minorl2= | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[San Jose (California)|San Jose]] | minorr2=[[Daly City]] | image3=US 101.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=[[Santa Rosa (California)|Santa Rosa]] | minorl3=[[Sausalito]] | directionr3=S | majorr3=[[San Jose (California)|San Jose]] | minorr3=[[Brisbane (California)|Brisbane]] | image4=California 1.svg | imagesize4=22 | directionl4=N | majorl4=[[Fort Bragg]] | minorl4=[[Sausalito]] ← Merges with [[File:US 101.svg|18px]] | directionr4=S | majorr4=[[Santa Cruz (California)|Santa Cruz]] | minorr4=[[Daly City]] }} {{isPartOf|Bay Area}} {{geo|37.7857|-122.4061|zoom=12}} {{starcity}} ce6vzfl05tv0molrthcn0hf1ltm3u1r 0 135790 4506446 4493211 2022-08-22T23:14:55Z The dog2 35982 /* Abandoned mining communities */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Oradour banner.jpg|caption=Oradour, France, razed during World War II}} [[Image:Craco0010.jpg|thumb|300px|Old town of Craco, Italy]] A '''ghost town''' is a place where physical evidence remains to mark the site of a once-active human settlement which has been abandoned, leaving few or no inhabitants. ==Understand== {{mapframe}} There is no commonly accepted definition of a ghost town. It is usually implied to have enough remaining or partially remaining buildings to look like a town. Some ghost towns might have a handful of permanent inhabitants; hospitality staff, researchers, or inhabitants who never left. A few ghost towns are part of [[Exclusion Zone|exclusion zones]] due to man-made or natural disasters. More commonly, ghost towns quietly appear when the reason for the town's creation no longer exists. A [[mining tourism|mining town]] is abandoned once too little ore remains to be profitable, a [[rail travel|railway town]] is abandoned once the train no longer stops, a [[industrial tourism|manufacturing town]] is abandoned when its last factory closes. Occasionally a village can avoid becoming a ghost town by finding a new vocation to replace a dying industry, but this becomes substantially more difficult if the town site is far off the beaten path. While some ghost towns have been partially restored and commercialised as tourist traps, many more are in remote or awkward locations where the abandoned buildings are left to be slowly reclaimed by the elements. While legal consequences for trespassing are improbable in many of these locations, the [[leave-no-trace]] principle remains vital so that subsequent travellers may view these sites without key pieces being damaged, removed or buried in rubbish. Regardless of location, some ghost towns (or older parts of them) are [[archaeological sites]]. Once no physical evidence remains, a settlement is typically removed from lists of ghost towns. Examples would include towns entirely flooded by hydroelectric development or wilfully demolished, if no traces remain of the former village. Some ghost towns have been used as motion picture sets, and become destinations of [[fiction tourism]]. == Natural disasters == [[Image:Plymouth_Montserrat_Heli.jpg|thumb|Plymouth, capital of Montserrat]] * {{listing | name=[[Craco]] | directions=[[Italy]] | wikidata=Q52285 | content=Abandoned in 1963 due to landslides and has since then been used as a cinematic filming location. }} * {{listing | name=[[Pompeii]] | directions=[[Italy]] | wikidata=Q43332 | content=Destroyed by the eruption of the [[Vesuvius]] in AD&nbsp;79, now an archaeological site. }} * {{listing | name=[[Herculaneum]] | directions=[[Italy]] | wikidata=Q178813 | content=Destroyed by the Vesuvius, with buildings better preserved than in Pompeii. }} * {{listing | name=[[Soufrière Hills Volcano Hazard Zone|Plymouth (Montserrat)]] | wikidata=Q30990 | content=nominally capital of Montserrat but inaccessible and buried under volcanic ash since 1996. }} * {{listing | name=Brigham City | wikidata=Q482976 | directions=near [[Winslow (Arizona)]] USA | content=An 1876 Mormon town abandoned in 1881 due to flash flooding; 37 buildings have been partially restored. }} * {{listing | name=[[Chicoutimi-Jonquière|Saint-Jean-Vianney]] | directions=Shipshaw (Québec) | wikidata=Q3462515 | content=Built on unstable Leda clay, was abandoned after a May 4, 1971 landslide swallowed 38 homes, killing 31. Its remaining homes were physically relocated to Arvida, leaving little at the site except a crater, a stone monument and some damaged road. In 1989-91, tiny Lemieux (Ontario) abandoned its Leda clay town site to avoid a similar fate, leaving behind just a marker and a local graveyard. }} * The original town of Poggioreale (nowadays known as Poggioreale Vecchia, Old Poggioreale) in the [[Trapani (province)|Trapani province]] in western Sicily was largely destroyed in the 1968 Belice earthquake. After the quake, a new Poggioreale was built at a location supposedly safer from future earthquakes about 4 km to the south, leaving the old one as a ghost town. Similarly, many other towns in the Belice Valley including Gibellina, Vita, Santa Margherita di Belice and Salaparuta were rebuilt at locations some distance away from the original towns. * {{listing | name=[[Schokland]] | directions=[[Netherlands]] | wikidata=Q69307 | content=The island village had to be evacuated in 1859, as more and more of the island's clay was eaten up by the stormy waters of the Zuiderzee. After a [[Afsluitdijk|dike]] was completed to close off the connection of the Zuiderzee with the open sea, the water around Schokland was drained off in 1942 and it was made a part of the mainland. However, the settlement was never resumed, and the well-preserved ghost village is now a museum. }} == Man-made disaster == [[Image:Kayaköy hill.jpg|thumb|Abandoned houses of Kayaköy, after a population exchange due to a treaty]] === Environmental === * {{listing | name=[[Centralia (Pennsylvania)|Centralia]] | directions=Pennsylvania, USA | wikidata=Q492386 | content=Demolished due to an underground mine fire, which was ignited in 1962 and has been burning ever since. As of 2020, five residents and many empty streets remain. }} * {{listing | name=[[Miami_(Oklahoma)#Picher|Picher]] | directions=Oklahoma, USA | wikidata=Q2844779 | content=Lead-mining towns Picher, Treece and Cardin were already in the process of being abandoned due to lead contamination and mine shafts undermining the town site when an EF4 tornado swept in 2008, leaving a mile-wide swath of devastation which was never repaired. Many or most buildings have now been demolished; the last operating business, Gary Linderman's Old Miner's Pharmacy, closed in 2015.}} * {{listing | name=Times Beach | directions=near [[St. Louis]], Missouri, USA | wikidata=Q2434664 | content=Abandoned and demolished due to dioxin contamination and flooding, now Route 66 State Park. One building remains as the park's visitor center, but is cut off from the rest of the park as the Route 66 highway bridge has deteriorated beyond use.}} * {{listing | name=Wittenoom | directions=[[Pilbara]], Western Australia | wikidata=Q3569521 | content=Former asbestos mining town, contaminated with crocidolite asbestos dust and abandoned decades after the mine closed.}} === Nuclear === [[Image:Pripjaty városközpontja.jpg|thumb|Pripyat in the Chernobyl exclusion zone]] * {{listing | name=Namie (浪江町), Futaba (双葉町) and Ōkuma (大熊町) | directions=towns in [[Fukushima (prefecture)|Fukushima prefecture]], Japan | wikidata=Q171178 | content=In [[exclusion zone]] due to tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi [[nuclear tourism|nuclear reactors]]. Local buildings damaged by the 2011 earthquake were never repaired.}} * {{listing | name=[[Pripyat]] | directions=Chornobyl Oblast, [[Ukraine]] | wikidata=Q486 | content=Abandoned due to April 26, 1986 nuclear reactor fire and radioactive contamination, five years before the fall of the [[Soviet Union]]. Visits were by guided tour only; even these appear to have stopped due to the 2022 Russian invasion. Unsurprisingly there are very strict rules concerning radiation hygiene, which the invaders neglected at their peril.}} === War and forced relocation === [[Image:Ani church.jpg|thumb|A church in Ani, near Turkey-Armenia border, abandoned as result of an invasion]] [[Image:Nicosia Airport insite 2.JPG|thumbnail|Inside Nicosia airport's main terminal building]] * {{listing | name=[[Ani]] | directions=near [[Turkey]]-[[Armenia]] border | wikidata=Q546010 | content=Was part of Armenia until an Ottoman Turkish invasion (sometime after the 1917 Russian Revolution) drove out the local Armenian population. Now uninhabited, but popular among travellers to [[Kars]].}} * {{listing | name=[[Kayaköy]] | directions=near [[Fethiye]] in Lycia, Turkey | wikidata=Q1168408 | content=Under the Treaty of Lausanne, a group of Muslim farmers was forced to relocate to this mountain village from Greek Macedonia. For want of flat land for agriculture, many left; due to a 1957 earthquake and decades of neglect, this place is now partially abandoned.}} * {{listing | name=[[Oradour-sur-Glane]] | directions=near Limoges, France | wikidata=Q836897 | content=An entire village massacred and burned by the Gestapo during [[World War II in Europe|World War II]]; the ruins of the town have been left undisturbed and a museum constructed nearby.}} * {{listing | name=[[Mariupol]] | directions=[[Eastern Ukraine]] | wikidata=Q37133 | content=A once-bustling Russian-speaking Ukrainian metropolis of 430,000 people built around two massive steel mills on the shores of the sea of Azov. Destroyed in a 78-day siege by 20,000 Russian troops during that country's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The city, now largely in ruins, is no longer functional nor habitable.}} * {{listing | name=[[Nineveh]] | directions=opposite Mosul, Iraq on Tigris River | wikidata=Q5680 | content=Extant since Biblical times; the capital of a Neo-Assyrian Empire which began to unravel due to civil war after the 627 BC death of king Ashurbanipal. Sacked by the Babylonians, Chaldeans, Medes, Persians, Scythians and Cimmerians in 612 BC and razed to the ground. An archaeological site since 1842 and occasional target of reconstruction attempts, it has apparently been destroyed by the so-called "Islamic State," though the full extent of the damage is hard to verify.}} * {{listing | name=Varosha | directions=near [[Famagusta]], Cyprus | wikidata=Q75666 | content=The population of this now-abandoned seaside resort, which served as a playground for the international jet set before its abandonment, was forced out during the August 1974 Turkish occupation of [[Northern Cyprus]]. Turkish military stubbornly kept everyone at bay until October 2020, when a single street through the town leading to a beach was opened to the public. The rest of the district is still cordoned off, as are most, if not all, of the buildings along that street, which is in a heavy contrast with the crumbling surroundings it runs through due to its brand new surface, sidewalks, street furniture, and bicycle lane.}} * Little remains of {{listing | name=Billmuthausen | directions=in southern [[Thuringia]], East Germany (founded 1340, demolished 1978) | wikidata=Q862907 | content=Destroyed by Communist authorities because of its proximity to the "Iron Curtain" border, just a village cemetery, an electrical transformer hut and the village well remain. A church was rebuilt and a memorial constructed after the end of the [[Cold War Europe|cold war]]. Many Eastern villages within {{km|5}} of the border fared worse; all that remains of Bardowiek, [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern|northwest Mecklenburg]] is an electrical transformer building and some hamlets are gone with no trace at all.}} * {{listing | name=[[Agdam]] | directions=in [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], an unrecognised state on the [[Azerbaijan]]-[[Armenia]] border | wikidata=Q540844 | content=A busy town until the Nagorno-Karabakh war and the battle which ruined the city in July 1993. Today it is deserted.}} * {{listing | name=Nicosia airport | directions=In the UN buffer zone between Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus | wikidata=Q1432185 | content=Was the main airport of Cyprus until the Turkish invasion in 1974, now stranded in a no-man's-land between [[Nicosia]], Cyprus and Turkish-occupied [[Nicosia (North)|North Nicosia]]. No longer used for commercial operations, but functions as the headquarters for the UN peacekeeping force. Most buildings including the main terminal (just used for six years when the airport was closed) plus a Cyprus Airways jet on the runway are withering away.}} * {{listing | name=Akarmara | directions=near Tkvarcheli in eastern [[Abkhazia]] | wikidata=Q270535 | content=Was a thriving Soviet coal mining town before it was abandoned during the Georgian-Abkhazian War in the early 1990s. Due to the humid subtropical climate of the area, a lush forest is now eerily covering the remains of the town.}} * {{listing | name=[[Bokor National Park|Bokor Hill Station]] | directions=Cambodia | wikidata=Q559155 | content=Founded by the French colonialists high up the mountains in the 1920s to escape the heat and humidity of [[Phnom Penh]], the resort was first abandoned in the 1940s, during the [[Indochina Wars|First Indochina War]]. In the 1960s, it was repopulated, this time serving the Cambodian high society, only to be abandoned again in the 1970s when the Khmer Rouge took over the area. It was one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge well into the early 1990s, after their brutal regime fell in most of the rest of the country. The crumbling ruins of the once fashionable resort now attract a certain number of visitors from nearby [[Sihanoukville]].}} == Economic abandonment == === Deserted medieval villages === [[Image:Gainsthorpe Deserted Medieval Village - geograph.org.uk - 1563865.jpg|thumb|What remains of metropolitan Gainsthorpe]] [[Image:Wharram Percy, St Martins Church - geograph.org.uk - 659805.jpg|thumb|Ruin of St Martin's parish church, Wharram Percy]] An abandoned village, in archaeology, is an abandoned settlement with few visible remains. Some are solely [[archaeological sites]] &mdash; in others, some remnants of a town site can still be seen, but on a smaller scale than in a ghost town. The [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] and [[German phrasebook|German]] languages refer to a deserted medieval village as a ''Wüstung''. In some, a drop in population due to the Black Death of 1348–49 caused the few remaining residents in a marginal location to move to a more viable settlement, in others, crop failures on marginal lands or the enclosure of formerly-common arable farmland by lords of feudal manors caused peasant farmers to relocate in search of a livelihood. Wars and general "bad times" were also often a reason for villages to become deserted. In Central Europe a lot of villages became deserted in the course of the 1618-1648 "[[Thirty Years War]]" that killed more than half the population in some areas. * [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/gainsthorpe-medieval-village/ Gainsthorpe medieval village], south of Hibaldstow in [[Lincolnshire]], [[England]]. A clearly-marked but desolate archaeological site now in the care of English Heritage. * Old Wolverton, between Bletchley and [[Milton Keynes]] in the [[United Kingdom]], slightly northwest of the modern Wolverton settlement. Deserted 1654 as common arable land was enclosed and converted to pasture by local land lords, eliminating the livelihood of feudal peasants who once farmed the land. Two village ponds and field patterns marking a deserted village are all that remain. * Wharram Percy, on the western edge of the chalk Wolds of [[North Yorkshire]], is visible as a ruined parish church at the side of a small pond. The rest of the former village, demolished by a feudal lord for conversion into sheep pasture, is now merely an archaeological site. === Fisheries, islands and outports === * Garden Island, in the [[Thousand Islands]] (Ontario, Canada). The Calvin Shipyard's (1836-1914) proprietors owned the entire island, which included an incorporated village, public library and company store. The business relied on plentiful, inexpensive local timber which eventually became scarce. The island lost its ferry service in 1976; the former machine shop was destroyed by fire in the 1980s. Little remains except some private cottages, a road network and a few ruins. * [[Grand Bruit]], east of [[Port aux Basques]] and Rose Blanche in Newfoundland, abandoned 2010 and now silent. Accessible only by boat and economically dependent on fisheries. Atlantic cod stocks collapsed in the 1990s, the schoolhouse closed in 2007, the coastal ferry last stopped here July 8, 2010. Petites, a similar Newfoundland outport near [[Port aux Basques#Rose Blanche|Rose Blanche]], was abandoned in 2003 and Great Harbour Deep, on the eastern side of the [[Great Northern Peninsula]], was abandoned in 2002. The Rock was originally colonised as a string of tiny outports, coastal fishing villages accessible by boat in an era before highways and motorcars; provincial government paid residents to abandon three hundred of these tiny villages from 1954-1975 to avoid the cost of extending services to small, isolated populations. In most, houses were loaded onto barges and moved to other outports by sea. Grand Bruit's 31 residents left houses and furnishings behind; some are used seasonally as cottages. * [[Grytviken]] in the British Antarctic Territory operated as a whaling station until 1966. The last events in the area were two minor battles during the Falklands War. Today it's a ghost town and a popular stop on cruises to Antarctica. * Kirovsky in [[Kamchatka]] was a Soviet town with catching and processing fish being its economic base. It could support as much as 4,000 inhabitants before it was abandoned in 1964 as the fish stocks got depleted due to the Japanese drift netting in the area. An iconic concrete building right on the coast, half eaten by the sea and wave action and often likened to a scene from a post-apocalyptic film, is the only remain of the town. === Gold rush towns === [[Image:A363, Rhyolite, Nevada, USA, John S Cook and Company building, 2004.jpg|thumb|Cook Bank building in Rhyolite, Nevada]] Common in North America as colonisation pushed settlements westward in the 1800s, a gold or silver rush typically involved towns of as many as a few thousand people constructed in remote wilderness almost overnight once word was out that prospectors had spotted precious metals. Most of these [[mining tourism|mining towns]] disappeared as quickly as they had formed, their original purpose ended as soon as valuable minerals had been depleted. * [[Quesnel#Barkerville|Barkerville]] (BC), Canada — An 1861 gold rush town, once with a population as high as 5,000, was abandoned by the turn of the century. * Bodie (California), USA — Now part of Bodie State Historic Park, between [[Bridgeport (California)]] and [[Mono Lake]]. The "Deadwood" of the Eastern Sierra, Bodie is preserved in a state of arrested decay. A small portion of town (about 110 structures) is still standing, including one of the many gold mills. Interiors remain as they were left, visitors walk the deserted streets of a once-bustling town where shelves were left still stocked with goods. * [[Custer Ghost Town|Custer]] (Idaho), USA — A gold mining boom town (1896-1910) abandoned on resource depletion; adjacent mining town Bonanza was destroyed by fires in 1889 and 1897. Now state parkland with picnic area. * Goldfield, near [[Apache Junction]] (Arizona), USA — An 1892 gold mining town abandoned five years later when the gold was depleted, now rebuilt as a tourist attraction due to its proximity to [[Phoenix]]. * [[Oroville (Washington)#Molson|Molson]], near Oroville (Washington), USA — An 1896 gold rush on the Canadian border brought 300 people; the town's founders never registered the land and were forced to relocate the settlement a half-mile away in 1909. A railroad ran from 1906 to 1935. The principal mining and farming industries began to die in the 1920s, the [[border controls|border station]] closed in 1941 and the post office was abandoned in 1967. A small collection of empty buildings and a schoolhouse museum remain today. * [[Oatman]] (Arizona), USA — Defunct western gold town on bypassed highway, established early 1900s and abandoned in the 1930s. Wild burros and [[Route 66]] tourists still roam the streets. * Rhyolite, near [[Beatty]] (Nevada), USA — Founded as a mine town in 1905, Rhyolite quickly became the third largest city in Nevada. After a little more than a decade, the gold was depleted and the inhabitants gone. Today the Cook Bank building is Nevada's most frequently photographed ruin. * [[Lander#South Pass City|South Pass City]], near [[Lander]] (Wyoming) USA on the [[Oregon Trail]], is a 19th-century gold mining town abandoned in the 1950s. Now a tourist ghost town. * Walhalla ([[Gippsland]], Victoria) Australia — An 1863 gold rush town, the last mine closed in 1914. Portions of the town were rebuilt after 1977 for tourism and cottages. === Abandoned mining communities === [[Image:Chloride TownCenter.JPG|thumb|Downtown Chloride, Arizona]] [[Image:Battle-Ship Island Nagasaki Japan.jpg|thumb|Battleship Island off Nagasaki, Japan]] * Calico (in [[San Bernardino]], [[California]]), USA — A silver mining town that was founded in 1881, and largely abandoned at around the turn of the 20th century after the mine depleted. Walter Knott, the founder of Knott's Berry Farm, purchased the town from its owners in 1951, and restored it to its appearance during the silver rush era, and converted it into a tourist attraction honoring the pioneers. * [[Chloride]] (Arizona), USA — A silver mining town (1862-1944), once population 2,000, was largely abandoned once the silver chloride deposits were depleted; just 250 people remain. * Gagnon and Fire Lake, near [[Quebec Route 389]], Canada - Built to serve mines which closed as iron ore prices collapsed; the villages were abandoned and largely dismantled in 1985. A couple of large silos remain. [[Schefferville]] came close to the same fate, but still has a few hundred people - many Aboriginal. * [[Southeast Arizona#Ghost Town Trail|Gleeson, Courtland, Pearce and Cochise]] (Arizona), USA — A string of copper mining towns was abandoned once the ore was depleted. * Gunkanjima (端島 or Hashima, known also as Battleship Island) off [[Nagasaki]], Japan — A former city (once the record holder for highest population density in the world) and mining community has been a ghost town since 1974 as a result of a Japanese coal mining crisis in the 1960s, but remains accessible by organized boat tours. * [[Kadykchan]], Magadan Oblast, Russian Far East — A coal mining town quickly waned after its mine was closed down due to an accident and the skyrocketing costs as the government subsidies were done away with alongside communism. The final blow to the town was a hot water system failure in what is among the coldest areas on earth. Kadykchan is traversed by the [[Kolyma Highway]], which connects it with other semi-abandoned towns deep inside the taiga. * Kolmanskop (near [[Lüderitz]]), Namibia — A desert town abandoned in 1956 after its diamond field ran out. Its German colonial buildings, now under knee-deep sand, are the destination of daily tours from Lüderitz. * [[Ny-Ålesund]], Svalbard, Norway — A 1916 coal mining town, which housed 400 people at its peak, was shut down in 1962 after an explosion killed 21. Ny-Ålesund (78.916°N, 11.933°E) reopened in 1968 as an Arctic research base. * Pyramiden — One of three [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-era mining towns on [[Svalbard]]; the Svalbard Treaty granted [[Norway]] sovereignty but allowed all treaty signatories to exploit natural resources. Abandoned in 1998 as too costly to operate, leaving [[Barentsburg]] (Баренцбург) as the only remaining Russian settlement on Svalbard. Reachable seasonally by ship from [[Longyearbyen]] in Norway's high Arctic. * Sego (near [[Thompson Springs]], Utah) USA — A coal-mining town abandoned in the 1950s. A boarding house, company store, and some foundations and dugouts are all that remain. * [[Jussarö|Jussarö island]] south of [[Raseborg]] on the southern coast is Finland's only ghost mining town. The rugged and scenic island hosts by design a guest marina ( 59°49,6‘N 23°34,1‘E) on the [[Hanko]]-[[Helsinki]] southern route. === Railway and highway abandonment === [[Image:Rhyolite Train Station 20061124.JPG|thumb|Las Vegas and Tonopah rail station in Rhyolite (Nevada).]] * [[Amboy]] (California), USA — created as one in a series of alphabetically-named rail towns at which steam trains once stopped to take on water. The train no longer stops. * Cisco, near [[Moab]] (Utah), USA — [[old west]] rail town, a saloon and water-refilling station for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad mentioned in Johnny Cash song "Cisco Clifton's Fillin Station". The town's decline coincided with the demise of the steam locomotive. * [[Cooladdi]] (Queensland), Australia — pre-dated the arrival of the railway, but died after the rails were rerouted away from the town. * [[Depot Harbour]] (Ontario), Canada — [[Great Lakes]] cargo port serving a rail line which crossed Algonquin Provincial Park to [[Ottawa]]. The rail line fell into disuse as competing railways were consolidated and was abandoned. * [[Glenrio]] (New Mexico and Texas), USA — Former railway town (the tracks are now gone) and Route 66 rest stop (bypassed by a freeway, now I-40). [[Texola]], a rail town on Route 66 just across the border from Texas to Oklahoma, is almost as dead; as of 2010, only three dozen people remained. * Hackberry (Arizona), USA — An 1875 mining town west of [[Peach Springs]]; the silver mine closed in 1919 amid legal infighting between its owners. [[Route 66]] came to town in 1926; Arizona 66 from [[Kingman]] to [[Seligman]] (82 miles) was bypassed by I-40 on a more direct 69-mile route in the 1970s. Hackberry was abandoned from 1978 to 1992, Valentine and Truxton also became highway ghost towns while Peach Springs was kept marginally alive by the Hualapai nation. * [[Lyndhurst (South Australia)|Lyndhurst]] ([[South Australia]], Australia) and [[Farina]] are just a fraction of its original size after the Ghan railway (earlier called the Great Northern Railway) did its last run via Lyndhurst in 1980. The Ghan now runs more a northwestern alignment towards Coober Pedy these days rather than a northeastern. === Abandoned military installations === [[File:Jussarö building3.jpg|250px|thumbnail|Mining building on Jussarö, Finland]] * Jussarö, an island near [[Raseborg]], Finland — Former iron ore mining site used by the army for urban war simulations (1967-2005), then abandoned. A lighthouse still stands on the island. * [[Peenemünde]], in northeastern Germany near the Polish border — V1 and V2 rockets were built and launched here by the Germans during WW2. The abandoned sites are today an open air museum. * Skrunda-1 radar base, near [[Kuldīga]], Latvia — Soviet over-the-horizon radar installation, dismantled 1998 and abandoned. Sixty buildings included apartment blocks, a school, barracks and an officers club; effectively, a former village of 5000 people. A private Latvian company Iniciative Europa purchased the site for 170,000 Latvian lats in 2010 but, as of 2012, the property remains abandoned with a lone guard blocking the main entrance to visitors. === Industrial abandonment === [[File:Fordlandia.JPG|thumb|Fordlândia, an abandoned rubber plantation]] * [[Fordlândia]] was established as a rubber plantation for the Ford Motor Company in the middle of the Brazilian jungle in 1928. However as the management didn't know anything about tropical agriculture and the indigenous workforce was badly treated (which even led to an uprising in 1930), the project turned into a fiasco pretty quickly. Ford made a new attempt in nearby [[Belterra]] (where rubber is still produced); however, the invention of synthetic rubber made Henry Ford's grandson sell everything to the Brazilian government in 1945 for about 1% of what they had invested in the projects over the years. Today you can visit the ruins of the plantation by car or tour from [[Santarém (Brazil)]]. * Val-Jalbert, near [[Lac St. Jean|Roberval]] (Québec) - Industrial town built around a mechanical pulp and paper mill, powered by a waterfall. Obsolete once pulp for paper was manufactured using chemical (not mechanical) process, now a commercial tourism site with a small modern hydroelectric generating station. === Abandoned resorts === * Arlington (Missouri), opposite [[Jerome (Missouri)|Jerome]] on Gasconade River. Originally served by the Pacific Railroad, Stony Dell Resort was a popular pre-World War 2 [[Route 66]] rest stop in the [[Ozarks]], with a pool fed from underground streams. Portions were destroyed when the highway was realigned and widened, the rest is ruins. The original bridge across Little Piney Creek was removed, forcing traffic to bypass the village on what is now I-44. A few miles northeast, a deteriorating ghost tourist court (John's Modern Cabins, near Vernelle's Motel in Newburg) rests abandoned since the 1970s. * Elkmont (Tennessee), founded in 1908 by the Little River Lumber Company as a logging town, later a resort with a hotel. When [[Great Smoky Mountains National Park]] was created, former cottage owners in Elkmont were initially permitted to lease their properties back. This ended in 1992 as the government refused to renew the leases. The former Wonderland Park Hotel structure collapsed in 2005; some other abandoned buildings survive as the Elkmont Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. * [[Prora]] in northeastern Germany was projected as a monstrous Baltic Sea resort for 20,000 travellers by the Nazis in the 1930s. Construction was almost finished when the [[World War II in Europe|Second World War]] broke out, but the resort never did open. Part of it was later used as barracks by the East German military. Today a small part of it is an official museum and another part of it has been refurbished and is used as a hotel, but most of the buildings are empty. * [[Salton Sea]], a shallow expanse of water in the Californian desert accidentally created in 1905 when the Colorado River was diverted to the basin it occupies for irrigation, had a booming tourist trade in the 1950s and '60s in the towns that line its shores. However, it all came to an end in the 1980s as the lake's salinity and pollution levels increased to such an extent that there were massive fish die-offs. The former resorts that surround the lake are now semi-ghost towns; [[Bombay Beach]] in particular is (in)famous for its former beachside trailer park with abandoned structures encrusted by salt. * [[Tskaltubo]] was a premier Soviet spa resort in the Caucasus, featuring a gorgeous Stalinist architecture in a beautifully landscaped setting, now mostly derelict and overgrown. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the number of visitors reduced to a trickle, so some of the buildings were converted to the use of ethnic Georgians fleeing the conflict in nearby Abkhazia, and those that weren't, simply got abandoned. * Yashima, Kagawa Prefecture (屋島) near [[Takamatsu]], Shikoku, Japan. Resort with six hotels, a cable car and a few shops built during a 1980s real estate boom, now abandoned. ===Casualties of urbanization=== Abandoned villages out in the countryside, left to deteriorate as their inhabitants all moved to the cities. * Village without People (无人村) in [[Kaiping]], [[China]]. A tall watchtower and a couple of small neighborhoods of traditional Chinese houses, some with remnants of furniture, pottery, and clothes inside, slowly being reclaimed by the trees and vines since its last residents moved out in 1998. * {{marker |name=Roveraia |lat=43.5865564|long=11.7064576}} near Pratovalle, [[Arezzo]], [[Tuscany]], was a partisan base during World War II. It was abandoned between the 1960s and the 1980s. Now it is in ruderal state, with vegetation beginning to take over. Two projects have been proposed for the recovery of the village: **In 2011 the proposal of Movimento Libero Perseo Roveraia Eco-lab, based on sustainability; **In 2019 there was a proposal aiming to recover the village with a mix of functions called ''Ecomuseum of Pratomagno''. === Failed economic developments === [[File:Site of Helsinki's First Church 2.jpg|thumb|The first version of Helsinki used to be located here]] Cities have been built as planned communities and never occupied: * {{listing | name=Burj Al Babas | wikidata=Q60842230 | directions=near [[Bolu#Go next|Mudurnu]], Turkey | content=A mountain resort aimed at the [[Persian Gulf|Gulf]] market, the construction of Burj Al Babas was started in 2014. However, in 2019 the developers filed for bankruptcy, so this is a surreal setting of several hundreds of identical château-like villas — some with almost finished façades, some only in the form of a concrete shell — in the middle of nowhere. }} * A China International Trust and Investment Corporation development, Kilamba New City (30km/18miles from [[Luanda]], Angola) was designed to house a half-million people but (as of 2013) had less than a tenth that due to the lack of a middle class able to afford mortgage loans. One school remains open, serving primarily students arriving by bus from other towns. * [[Helsinki]] was first founded by the Swedish king in 1550 [[Helsinki/Inner East|at the mouth of Vantaa river]]. Intended as a competitor to the [[Hansa|Hanseatic]] city of [[Tallinn]], the new city failed to attract inhabitants, and after fires and disease outbreaks, the village disappeared in a little more than a century. While Helsinki eventually started growing in the late 18th century at the southern tip of Helsinki peninsula (about 5 kilometers further southwest), a few stones marking the site of Helsinki's first church is the only thing left of the original city. ==Stay safe== As these sites are mostly abandoned, their condition is deteriorating rapidly. Roads are often unmaintained. Bridges and structures, if in poor condition, may not be able to bear your weight. The floorboards of abandoned buildings may be rotten and ready to break; buildings may be close to roof collapse. Sites may also be contaminated with anything from broken glass to asbestos to [[California#Disease|disease-ridden animal droppings]]. If a site was abandoned due to man-made environmental disaster, it may still be heavily contaminated. [[Pripyat|Chernobyl]] and [[Fukushima (prefecture)|Fukushima]] are prime examples, with actively enforced [[Exclusion Zone|exclusion zones]] with high levels of radioactive contamination. ==See also== * [[Archaeological sites]] * [[Old towns]], historic sites which are still inhabited * [[Pioneer villages]], living history museums or open-air museums which reconstruct an entire working town * [[Architecture]] and [[Urbex]] {{PartOfTopic|Historical travel}} {{usabletopic}} tfj7e00u3dmlbevxlk7ed5f5qclcjbd 4506447 4506446 2022-08-22T23:15:45Z The dog2 35982 /* Abandoned mining communities */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Oradour banner.jpg|caption=Oradour, France, razed during World War II}} [[Image:Craco0010.jpg|thumb|300px|Old town of Craco, Italy]] A '''ghost town''' is a place where physical evidence remains to mark the site of a once-active human settlement which has been abandoned, leaving few or no inhabitants. ==Understand== {{mapframe}} There is no commonly accepted definition of a ghost town. It is usually implied to have enough remaining or partially remaining buildings to look like a town. Some ghost towns might have a handful of permanent inhabitants; hospitality staff, researchers, or inhabitants who never left. A few ghost towns are part of [[Exclusion Zone|exclusion zones]] due to man-made or natural disasters. More commonly, ghost towns quietly appear when the reason for the town's creation no longer exists. A [[mining tourism|mining town]] is abandoned once too little ore remains to be profitable, a [[rail travel|railway town]] is abandoned once the train no longer stops, a [[industrial tourism|manufacturing town]] is abandoned when its last factory closes. Occasionally a village can avoid becoming a ghost town by finding a new vocation to replace a dying industry, but this becomes substantially more difficult if the town site is far off the beaten path. While some ghost towns have been partially restored and commercialised as tourist traps, many more are in remote or awkward locations where the abandoned buildings are left to be slowly reclaimed by the elements. While legal consequences for trespassing are improbable in many of these locations, the [[leave-no-trace]] principle remains vital so that subsequent travellers may view these sites without key pieces being damaged, removed or buried in rubbish. Regardless of location, some ghost towns (or older parts of them) are [[archaeological sites]]. Once no physical evidence remains, a settlement is typically removed from lists of ghost towns. Examples would include towns entirely flooded by hydroelectric development or wilfully demolished, if no traces remain of the former village. Some ghost towns have been used as motion picture sets, and become destinations of [[fiction tourism]]. == Natural disasters == [[Image:Plymouth_Montserrat_Heli.jpg|thumb|Plymouth, capital of Montserrat]] * {{listing | name=[[Craco]] | directions=[[Italy]] | wikidata=Q52285 | content=Abandoned in 1963 due to landslides and has since then been used as a cinematic filming location. }} * {{listing | name=[[Pompeii]] | directions=[[Italy]] | wikidata=Q43332 | content=Destroyed by the eruption of the [[Vesuvius]] in AD&nbsp;79, now an archaeological site. }} * {{listing | name=[[Herculaneum]] | directions=[[Italy]] | wikidata=Q178813 | content=Destroyed by the Vesuvius, with buildings better preserved than in Pompeii. }} * {{listing | name=[[Soufrière Hills Volcano Hazard Zone|Plymouth (Montserrat)]] | wikidata=Q30990 | content=nominally capital of Montserrat but inaccessible and buried under volcanic ash since 1996. }} * {{listing | name=Brigham City | wikidata=Q482976 | directions=near [[Winslow (Arizona)]] USA | content=An 1876 Mormon town abandoned in 1881 due to flash flooding; 37 buildings have been partially restored. }} * {{listing | name=[[Chicoutimi-Jonquière|Saint-Jean-Vianney]] | directions=Shipshaw (Québec) | wikidata=Q3462515 | content=Built on unstable Leda clay, was abandoned after a May 4, 1971 landslide swallowed 38 homes, killing 31. Its remaining homes were physically relocated to Arvida, leaving little at the site except a crater, a stone monument and some damaged road. In 1989-91, tiny Lemieux (Ontario) abandoned its Leda clay town site to avoid a similar fate, leaving behind just a marker and a local graveyard. }} * The original town of Poggioreale (nowadays known as Poggioreale Vecchia, Old Poggioreale) in the [[Trapani (province)|Trapani province]] in western Sicily was largely destroyed in the 1968 Belice earthquake. After the quake, a new Poggioreale was built at a location supposedly safer from future earthquakes about 4 km to the south, leaving the old one as a ghost town. Similarly, many other towns in the Belice Valley including Gibellina, Vita, Santa Margherita di Belice and Salaparuta were rebuilt at locations some distance away from the original towns. * {{listing | name=[[Schokland]] | directions=[[Netherlands]] | wikidata=Q69307 | content=The island village had to be evacuated in 1859, as more and more of the island's clay was eaten up by the stormy waters of the Zuiderzee. After a [[Afsluitdijk|dike]] was completed to close off the connection of the Zuiderzee with the open sea, the water around Schokland was drained off in 1942 and it was made a part of the mainland. However, the settlement was never resumed, and the well-preserved ghost village is now a museum. }} == Man-made disaster == [[Image:Kayaköy hill.jpg|thumb|Abandoned houses of Kayaköy, after a population exchange due to a treaty]] === Environmental === * {{listing | name=[[Centralia (Pennsylvania)|Centralia]] | directions=Pennsylvania, USA | wikidata=Q492386 | content=Demolished due to an underground mine fire, which was ignited in 1962 and has been burning ever since. As of 2020, five residents and many empty streets remain. }} * {{listing | name=[[Miami_(Oklahoma)#Picher|Picher]] | directions=Oklahoma, USA | wikidata=Q2844779 | content=Lead-mining towns Picher, Treece and Cardin were already in the process of being abandoned due to lead contamination and mine shafts undermining the town site when an EF4 tornado swept in 2008, leaving a mile-wide swath of devastation which was never repaired. Many or most buildings have now been demolished; the last operating business, Gary Linderman's Old Miner's Pharmacy, closed in 2015.}} * {{listing | name=Times Beach | directions=near [[St. Louis]], Missouri, USA | wikidata=Q2434664 | content=Abandoned and demolished due to dioxin contamination and flooding, now Route 66 State Park. One building remains as the park's visitor center, but is cut off from the rest of the park as the Route 66 highway bridge has deteriorated beyond use.}} * {{listing | name=Wittenoom | directions=[[Pilbara]], Western Australia | wikidata=Q3569521 | content=Former asbestos mining town, contaminated with crocidolite asbestos dust and abandoned decades after the mine closed.}} === Nuclear === [[Image:Pripjaty városközpontja.jpg|thumb|Pripyat in the Chernobyl exclusion zone]] * {{listing | name=Namie (浪江町), Futaba (双葉町) and Ōkuma (大熊町) | directions=towns in [[Fukushima (prefecture)|Fukushima prefecture]], Japan | wikidata=Q171178 | content=In [[exclusion zone]] due to tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi [[nuclear tourism|nuclear reactors]]. Local buildings damaged by the 2011 earthquake were never repaired.}} * {{listing | name=[[Pripyat]] | directions=Chornobyl Oblast, [[Ukraine]] | wikidata=Q486 | content=Abandoned due to April 26, 1986 nuclear reactor fire and radioactive contamination, five years before the fall of the [[Soviet Union]]. Visits were by guided tour only; even these appear to have stopped due to the 2022 Russian invasion. Unsurprisingly there are very strict rules concerning radiation hygiene, which the invaders neglected at their peril.}} === War and forced relocation === [[Image:Ani church.jpg|thumb|A church in Ani, near Turkey-Armenia border, abandoned as result of an invasion]] [[Image:Nicosia Airport insite 2.JPG|thumbnail|Inside Nicosia airport's main terminal building]] * {{listing | name=[[Ani]] | directions=near [[Turkey]]-[[Armenia]] border | wikidata=Q546010 | content=Was part of Armenia until an Ottoman Turkish invasion (sometime after the 1917 Russian Revolution) drove out the local Armenian population. Now uninhabited, but popular among travellers to [[Kars]].}} * {{listing | name=[[Kayaköy]] | directions=near [[Fethiye]] in Lycia, Turkey | wikidata=Q1168408 | content=Under the Treaty of Lausanne, a group of Muslim farmers was forced to relocate to this mountain village from Greek Macedonia. For want of flat land for agriculture, many left; due to a 1957 earthquake and decades of neglect, this place is now partially abandoned.}} * {{listing | name=[[Oradour-sur-Glane]] | directions=near Limoges, France | wikidata=Q836897 | content=An entire village massacred and burned by the Gestapo during [[World War II in Europe|World War II]]; the ruins of the town have been left undisturbed and a museum constructed nearby.}} * {{listing | name=[[Mariupol]] | directions=[[Eastern Ukraine]] | wikidata=Q37133 | content=A once-bustling Russian-speaking Ukrainian metropolis of 430,000 people built around two massive steel mills on the shores of the sea of Azov. Destroyed in a 78-day siege by 20,000 Russian troops during that country's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The city, now largely in ruins, is no longer functional nor habitable.}} * {{listing | name=[[Nineveh]] | directions=opposite Mosul, Iraq on Tigris River | wikidata=Q5680 | content=Extant since Biblical times; the capital of a Neo-Assyrian Empire which began to unravel due to civil war after the 627 BC death of king Ashurbanipal. Sacked by the Babylonians, Chaldeans, Medes, Persians, Scythians and Cimmerians in 612 BC and razed to the ground. An archaeological site since 1842 and occasional target of reconstruction attempts, it has apparently been destroyed by the so-called "Islamic State," though the full extent of the damage is hard to verify.}} * {{listing | name=Varosha | directions=near [[Famagusta]], Cyprus | wikidata=Q75666 | content=The population of this now-abandoned seaside resort, which served as a playground for the international jet set before its abandonment, was forced out during the August 1974 Turkish occupation of [[Northern Cyprus]]. Turkish military stubbornly kept everyone at bay until October 2020, when a single street through the town leading to a beach was opened to the public. The rest of the district is still cordoned off, as are most, if not all, of the buildings along that street, which is in a heavy contrast with the crumbling surroundings it runs through due to its brand new surface, sidewalks, street furniture, and bicycle lane.}} * Little remains of {{listing | name=Billmuthausen | directions=in southern [[Thuringia]], East Germany (founded 1340, demolished 1978) | wikidata=Q862907 | content=Destroyed by Communist authorities because of its proximity to the "Iron Curtain" border, just a village cemetery, an electrical transformer hut and the village well remain. A church was rebuilt and a memorial constructed after the end of the [[Cold War Europe|cold war]]. Many Eastern villages within {{km|5}} of the border fared worse; all that remains of Bardowiek, [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern|northwest Mecklenburg]] is an electrical transformer building and some hamlets are gone with no trace at all.}} * {{listing | name=[[Agdam]] | directions=in [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], an unrecognised state on the [[Azerbaijan]]-[[Armenia]] border | wikidata=Q540844 | content=A busy town until the Nagorno-Karabakh war and the battle which ruined the city in July 1993. Today it is deserted.}} * {{listing | name=Nicosia airport | directions=In the UN buffer zone between Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus | wikidata=Q1432185 | content=Was the main airport of Cyprus until the Turkish invasion in 1974, now stranded in a no-man's-land between [[Nicosia]], Cyprus and Turkish-occupied [[Nicosia (North)|North Nicosia]]. No longer used for commercial operations, but functions as the headquarters for the UN peacekeeping force. Most buildings including the main terminal (just used for six years when the airport was closed) plus a Cyprus Airways jet on the runway are withering away.}} * {{listing | name=Akarmara | directions=near Tkvarcheli in eastern [[Abkhazia]] | wikidata=Q270535 | content=Was a thriving Soviet coal mining town before it was abandoned during the Georgian-Abkhazian War in the early 1990s. Due to the humid subtropical climate of the area, a lush forest is now eerily covering the remains of the town.}} * {{listing | name=[[Bokor National Park|Bokor Hill Station]] | directions=Cambodia | wikidata=Q559155 | content=Founded by the French colonialists high up the mountains in the 1920s to escape the heat and humidity of [[Phnom Penh]], the resort was first abandoned in the 1940s, during the [[Indochina Wars|First Indochina War]]. In the 1960s, it was repopulated, this time serving the Cambodian high society, only to be abandoned again in the 1970s when the Khmer Rouge took over the area. It was one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge well into the early 1990s, after their brutal regime fell in most of the rest of the country. The crumbling ruins of the once fashionable resort now attract a certain number of visitors from nearby [[Sihanoukville]].}} == Economic abandonment == === Deserted medieval villages === [[Image:Gainsthorpe Deserted Medieval Village - geograph.org.uk - 1563865.jpg|thumb|What remains of metropolitan Gainsthorpe]] [[Image:Wharram Percy, St Martins Church - geograph.org.uk - 659805.jpg|thumb|Ruin of St Martin's parish church, Wharram Percy]] An abandoned village, in archaeology, is an abandoned settlement with few visible remains. Some are solely [[archaeological sites]] &mdash; in others, some remnants of a town site can still be seen, but on a smaller scale than in a ghost town. The [[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]] and [[German phrasebook|German]] languages refer to a deserted medieval village as a ''Wüstung''. In some, a drop in population due to the Black Death of 1348–49 caused the few remaining residents in a marginal location to move to a more viable settlement, in others, crop failures on marginal lands or the enclosure of formerly-common arable farmland by lords of feudal manors caused peasant farmers to relocate in search of a livelihood. Wars and general "bad times" were also often a reason for villages to become deserted. In Central Europe a lot of villages became deserted in the course of the 1618-1648 "[[Thirty Years War]]" that killed more than half the population in some areas. * [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/gainsthorpe-medieval-village/ Gainsthorpe medieval village], south of Hibaldstow in [[Lincolnshire]], [[England]]. A clearly-marked but desolate archaeological site now in the care of English Heritage. * Old Wolverton, between Bletchley and [[Milton Keynes]] in the [[United Kingdom]], slightly northwest of the modern Wolverton settlement. Deserted 1654 as common arable land was enclosed and converted to pasture by local land lords, eliminating the livelihood of feudal peasants who once farmed the land. Two village ponds and field patterns marking a deserted village are all that remain. * Wharram Percy, on the western edge of the chalk Wolds of [[North Yorkshire]], is visible as a ruined parish church at the side of a small pond. The rest of the former village, demolished by a feudal lord for conversion into sheep pasture, is now merely an archaeological site. === Fisheries, islands and outports === * Garden Island, in the [[Thousand Islands]] (Ontario, Canada). The Calvin Shipyard's (1836-1914) proprietors owned the entire island, which included an incorporated village, public library and company store. The business relied on plentiful, inexpensive local timber which eventually became scarce. The island lost its ferry service in 1976; the former machine shop was destroyed by fire in the 1980s. Little remains except some private cottages, a road network and a few ruins. * [[Grand Bruit]], east of [[Port aux Basques]] and Rose Blanche in Newfoundland, abandoned 2010 and now silent. Accessible only by boat and economically dependent on fisheries. Atlantic cod stocks collapsed in the 1990s, the schoolhouse closed in 2007, the coastal ferry last stopped here July 8, 2010. Petites, a similar Newfoundland outport near [[Port aux Basques#Rose Blanche|Rose Blanche]], was abandoned in 2003 and Great Harbour Deep, on the eastern side of the [[Great Northern Peninsula]], was abandoned in 2002. The Rock was originally colonised as a string of tiny outports, coastal fishing villages accessible by boat in an era before highways and motorcars; provincial government paid residents to abandon three hundred of these tiny villages from 1954-1975 to avoid the cost of extending services to small, isolated populations. In most, houses were loaded onto barges and moved to other outports by sea. Grand Bruit's 31 residents left houses and furnishings behind; some are used seasonally as cottages. * [[Grytviken]] in the British Antarctic Territory operated as a whaling station until 1966. The last events in the area were two minor battles during the Falklands War. Today it's a ghost town and a popular stop on cruises to Antarctica. * Kirovsky in [[Kamchatka]] was a Soviet town with catching and processing fish being its economic base. It could support as much as 4,000 inhabitants before it was abandoned in 1964 as the fish stocks got depleted due to the Japanese drift netting in the area. An iconic concrete building right on the coast, half eaten by the sea and wave action and often likened to a scene from a post-apocalyptic film, is the only remain of the town. === Gold rush towns === [[Image:A363, Rhyolite, Nevada, USA, John S Cook and Company building, 2004.jpg|thumb|Cook Bank building in Rhyolite, Nevada]] Common in North America as colonisation pushed settlements westward in the 1800s, a gold or silver rush typically involved towns of as many as a few thousand people constructed in remote wilderness almost overnight once word was out that prospectors had spotted precious metals. Most of these [[mining tourism|mining towns]] disappeared as quickly as they had formed, their original purpose ended as soon as valuable minerals had been depleted. * [[Quesnel#Barkerville|Barkerville]] (BC), Canada — An 1861 gold rush town, once with a population as high as 5,000, was abandoned by the turn of the century. * Bodie (California), USA — Now part of Bodie State Historic Park, between [[Bridgeport (California)]] and [[Mono Lake]]. The "Deadwood" of the Eastern Sierra, Bodie is preserved in a state of arrested decay. A small portion of town (about 110 structures) is still standing, including one of the many gold mills. Interiors remain as they were left, visitors walk the deserted streets of a once-bustling town where shelves were left still stocked with goods. * [[Custer Ghost Town|Custer]] (Idaho), USA — A gold mining boom town (1896-1910) abandoned on resource depletion; adjacent mining town Bonanza was destroyed by fires in 1889 and 1897. Now state parkland with picnic area. * Goldfield, near [[Apache Junction]] (Arizona), USA — An 1892 gold mining town abandoned five years later when the gold was depleted, now rebuilt as a tourist attraction due to its proximity to [[Phoenix]]. * [[Oroville (Washington)#Molson|Molson]], near Oroville (Washington), USA — An 1896 gold rush on the Canadian border brought 300 people; the town's founders never registered the land and were forced to relocate the settlement a half-mile away in 1909. A railroad ran from 1906 to 1935. The principal mining and farming industries began to die in the 1920s, the [[border controls|border station]] closed in 1941 and the post office was abandoned in 1967. A small collection of empty buildings and a schoolhouse museum remain today. * [[Oatman]] (Arizona), USA — Defunct western gold town on bypassed highway, established early 1900s and abandoned in the 1930s. Wild burros and [[Route 66]] tourists still roam the streets. * Rhyolite, near [[Beatty]] (Nevada), USA — Founded as a mine town in 1905, Rhyolite quickly became the third largest city in Nevada. After a little more than a decade, the gold was depleted and the inhabitants gone. Today the Cook Bank building is Nevada's most frequently photographed ruin. * [[Lander#South Pass City|South Pass City]], near [[Lander]] (Wyoming) USA on the [[Oregon Trail]], is a 19th-century gold mining town abandoned in the 1950s. Now a tourist ghost town. * Walhalla ([[Gippsland]], Victoria) Australia — An 1863 gold rush town, the last mine closed in 1914. Portions of the town were rebuilt after 1977 for tourism and cottages. === Abandoned mining communities === [[Image:Chloride TownCenter.JPG|thumb|Downtown Chloride, Arizona]] [[Image:Battle-Ship Island Nagasaki Japan.jpg|thumb|Battleship Island off Nagasaki, Japan]] * Calico (in [[San Bernardino County]], [[California]]), USA — A silver mining town that was founded in 1881, and largely abandoned at around the turn of the 20th century after the mine depleted. Walter Knott, the founder of Knott's Berry Farm, purchased the town from its owners in 1951, and restored it to its appearance during the silver rush era, and converted it into a tourist attraction honoring the pioneers. * [[Chloride]] (Arizona), USA — A silver mining town (1862-1944), once population 2,000, was largely abandoned once the silver chloride deposits were depleted; just 250 people remain. * Gagnon and Fire Lake, near [[Quebec Route 389]], Canada - Built to serve mines which closed as iron ore prices collapsed; the villages were abandoned and largely dismantled in 1985. A couple of large silos remain. [[Schefferville]] came close to the same fate, but still has a few hundred people - many Aboriginal. * [[Southeast Arizona#Ghost Town Trail|Gleeson, Courtland, Pearce and Cochise]] (Arizona), USA — A string of copper mining towns was abandoned once the ore was depleted. * Gunkanjima (端島 or Hashima, known also as Battleship Island) off [[Nagasaki]], Japan — A former city (once the record holder for highest population density in the world) and mining community has been a ghost town since 1974 as a result of a Japanese coal mining crisis in the 1960s, but remains accessible by organized boat tours. * [[Kadykchan]], Magadan Oblast, Russian Far East — A coal mining town quickly waned after its mine was closed down due to an accident and the skyrocketing costs as the government subsidies were done away with alongside communism. The final blow to the town was a hot water system failure in what is among the coldest areas on earth. Kadykchan is traversed by the [[Kolyma Highway]], which connects it with other semi-abandoned towns deep inside the taiga. * Kolmanskop (near [[Lüderitz]]), Namibia — A desert town abandoned in 1956 after its diamond field ran out. Its German colonial buildings, now under knee-deep sand, are the destination of daily tours from Lüderitz. * [[Ny-Ålesund]], Svalbard, Norway — A 1916 coal mining town, which housed 400 people at its peak, was shut down in 1962 after an explosion killed 21. Ny-Ålesund (78.916°N, 11.933°E) reopened in 1968 as an Arctic research base. * Pyramiden — One of three [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-era mining towns on [[Svalbard]]; the Svalbard Treaty granted [[Norway]] sovereignty but allowed all treaty signatories to exploit natural resources. Abandoned in 1998 as too costly to operate, leaving [[Barentsburg]] (Баренцбург) as the only remaining Russian settlement on Svalbard. Reachable seasonally by ship from [[Longyearbyen]] in Norway's high Arctic. * Sego (near [[Thompson Springs]], Utah) USA — A coal-mining town abandoned in the 1950s. A boarding house, company store, and some foundations and dugouts are all that remain. * [[Jussarö|Jussarö island]] south of [[Raseborg]] on the southern coast is Finland's only ghost mining town. The rugged and scenic island hosts by design a guest marina ( 59°49,6‘N 23°34,1‘E) on the [[Hanko]]-[[Helsinki]] southern route. === Railway and highway abandonment === [[Image:Rhyolite Train Station 20061124.JPG|thumb|Las Vegas and Tonopah rail station in Rhyolite (Nevada).]] * [[Amboy]] (California), USA — created as one in a series of alphabetically-named rail towns at which steam trains once stopped to take on water. The train no longer stops. * Cisco, near [[Moab]] (Utah), USA — [[old west]] rail town, a saloon and water-refilling station for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad mentioned in Johnny Cash song "Cisco Clifton's Fillin Station". The town's decline coincided with the demise of the steam locomotive. * [[Cooladdi]] (Queensland), Australia — pre-dated the arrival of the railway, but died after the rails were rerouted away from the town. * [[Depot Harbour]] (Ontario), Canada — [[Great Lakes]] cargo port serving a rail line which crossed Algonquin Provincial Park to [[Ottawa]]. The rail line fell into disuse as competing railways were consolidated and was abandoned. * [[Glenrio]] (New Mexico and Texas), USA — Former railway town (the tracks are now gone) and Route 66 rest stop (bypassed by a freeway, now I-40). [[Texola]], a rail town on Route 66 just across the border from Texas to Oklahoma, is almost as dead; as of 2010, only three dozen people remained. * Hackberry (Arizona), USA — An 1875 mining town west of [[Peach Springs]]; the silver mine closed in 1919 amid legal infighting between its owners. [[Route 66]] came to town in 1926; Arizona 66 from [[Kingman]] to [[Seligman]] (82 miles) was bypassed by I-40 on a more direct 69-mile route in the 1970s. Hackberry was abandoned from 1978 to 1992, Valentine and Truxton also became highway ghost towns while Peach Springs was kept marginally alive by the Hualapai nation. * [[Lyndhurst (South Australia)|Lyndhurst]] ([[South Australia]], Australia) and [[Farina]] are just a fraction of its original size after the Ghan railway (earlier called the Great Northern Railway) did its last run via Lyndhurst in 1980. The Ghan now runs more a northwestern alignment towards Coober Pedy these days rather than a northeastern. === Abandoned military installations === [[File:Jussarö building3.jpg|250px|thumbnail|Mining building on Jussarö, Finland]] * Jussarö, an island near [[Raseborg]], Finland — Former iron ore mining site used by the army for urban war simulations (1967-2005), then abandoned. A lighthouse still stands on the island. * [[Peenemünde]], in northeastern Germany near the Polish border — V1 and V2 rockets were built and launched here by the Germans during WW2. The abandoned sites are today an open air museum. * Skrunda-1 radar base, near [[Kuldīga]], Latvia — Soviet over-the-horizon radar installation, dismantled 1998 and abandoned. Sixty buildings included apartment blocks, a school, barracks and an officers club; effectively, a former village of 5000 people. A private Latvian company Iniciative Europa purchased the site for 170,000 Latvian lats in 2010 but, as of 2012, the property remains abandoned with a lone guard blocking the main entrance to visitors. === Industrial abandonment === [[File:Fordlandia.JPG|thumb|Fordlândia, an abandoned rubber plantation]] * [[Fordlândia]] was established as a rubber plantation for the Ford Motor Company in the middle of the Brazilian jungle in 1928. However as the management didn't know anything about tropical agriculture and the indigenous workforce was badly treated (which even led to an uprising in 1930), the project turned into a fiasco pretty quickly. Ford made a new attempt in nearby [[Belterra]] (where rubber is still produced); however, the invention of synthetic rubber made Henry Ford's grandson sell everything to the Brazilian government in 1945 for about 1% of what they had invested in the projects over the years. Today you can visit the ruins of the plantation by car or tour from [[Santarém (Brazil)]]. * Val-Jalbert, near [[Lac St. Jean|Roberval]] (Québec) - Industrial town built around a mechanical pulp and paper mill, powered by a waterfall. Obsolete once pulp for paper was manufactured using chemical (not mechanical) process, now a commercial tourism site with a small modern hydroelectric generating station. === Abandoned resorts === * Arlington (Missouri), opposite [[Jerome (Missouri)|Jerome]] on Gasconade River. Originally served by the Pacific Railroad, Stony Dell Resort was a popular pre-World War 2 [[Route 66]] rest stop in the [[Ozarks]], with a pool fed from underground streams. Portions were destroyed when the highway was realigned and widened, the rest is ruins. The original bridge across Little Piney Creek was removed, forcing traffic to bypass the village on what is now I-44. A few miles northeast, a deteriorating ghost tourist court (John's Modern Cabins, near Vernelle's Motel in Newburg) rests abandoned since the 1970s. * Elkmont (Tennessee), founded in 1908 by the Little River Lumber Company as a logging town, later a resort with a hotel. When [[Great Smoky Mountains National Park]] was created, former cottage owners in Elkmont were initially permitted to lease their properties back. This ended in 1992 as the government refused to renew the leases. The former Wonderland Park Hotel structure collapsed in 2005; some other abandoned buildings survive as the Elkmont Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. * [[Prora]] in northeastern Germany was projected as a monstrous Baltic Sea resort for 20,000 travellers by the Nazis in the 1930s. Construction was almost finished when the [[World War II in Europe|Second World War]] broke out, but the resort never did open. Part of it was later used as barracks by the East German military. Today a small part of it is an official museum and another part of it has been refurbished and is used as a hotel, but most of the buildings are empty. * [[Salton Sea]], a shallow expanse of water in the Californian desert accidentally created in 1905 when the Colorado River was diverted to the basin it occupies for irrigation, had a booming tourist trade in the 1950s and '60s in the towns that line its shores. However, it all came to an end in the 1980s as the lake's salinity and pollution levels increased to such an extent that there were massive fish die-offs. The former resorts that surround the lake are now semi-ghost towns; [[Bombay Beach]] in particular is (in)famous for its former beachside trailer park with abandoned structures encrusted by salt. * [[Tskaltubo]] was a premier Soviet spa resort in the Caucasus, featuring a gorgeous Stalinist architecture in a beautifully landscaped setting, now mostly derelict and overgrown. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the number of visitors reduced to a trickle, so some of the buildings were converted to the use of ethnic Georgians fleeing the conflict in nearby Abkhazia, and those that weren't, simply got abandoned. * Yashima, Kagawa Prefecture (屋島) near [[Takamatsu]], Shikoku, Japan. Resort with six hotels, a cable car and a few shops built during a 1980s real estate boom, now abandoned. ===Casualties of urbanization=== Abandoned villages out in the countryside, left to deteriorate as their inhabitants all moved to the cities. * Village without People (无人村) in [[Kaiping]], [[China]]. A tall watchtower and a couple of small neighborhoods of traditional Chinese houses, some with remnants of furniture, pottery, and clothes inside, slowly being reclaimed by the trees and vines since its last residents moved out in 1998. * {{marker |name=Roveraia |lat=43.5865564|long=11.7064576}} near Pratovalle, [[Arezzo]], [[Tuscany]], was a partisan base during World War II. It was abandoned between the 1960s and the 1980s. Now it is in ruderal state, with vegetation beginning to take over. Two projects have been proposed for the recovery of the village: **In 2011 the proposal of Movimento Libero Perseo Roveraia Eco-lab, based on sustainability; **In 2019 there was a proposal aiming to recover the village with a mix of functions called ''Ecomuseum of Pratomagno''. === Failed economic developments === [[File:Site of Helsinki's First Church 2.jpg|thumb|The first version of Helsinki used to be located here]] Cities have been built as planned communities and never occupied: * {{listing | name=Burj Al Babas | wikidata=Q60842230 | directions=near [[Bolu#Go next|Mudurnu]], Turkey | content=A mountain resort aimed at the [[Persian Gulf|Gulf]] market, the construction of Burj Al Babas was started in 2014. However, in 2019 the developers filed for bankruptcy, so this is a surreal setting of several hundreds of identical château-like villas — some with almost finished façades, some only in the form of a concrete shell — in the middle of nowhere. }} * A China International Trust and Investment Corporation development, Kilamba New City (30km/18miles from [[Luanda]], Angola) was designed to house a half-million people but (as of 2013) had less than a tenth that due to the lack of a middle class able to afford mortgage loans. One school remains open, serving primarily students arriving by bus from other towns. * [[Helsinki]] was first founded by the Swedish king in 1550 [[Helsinki/Inner East|at the mouth of Vantaa river]]. Intended as a competitor to the [[Hansa|Hanseatic]] city of [[Tallinn]], the new city failed to attract inhabitants, and after fires and disease outbreaks, the village disappeared in a little more than a century. While Helsinki eventually started growing in the late 18th century at the southern tip of Helsinki peninsula (about 5 kilometers further southwest), a few stones marking the site of Helsinki's first church is the only thing left of the original city. ==Stay safe== As these sites are mostly abandoned, their condition is deteriorating rapidly. Roads are often unmaintained. Bridges and structures, if in poor condition, may not be able to bear your weight. The floorboards of abandoned buildings may be rotten and ready to break; buildings may be close to roof collapse. Sites may also be contaminated with anything from broken glass to asbestos to [[California#Disease|disease-ridden animal droppings]]. If a site was abandoned due to man-made environmental disaster, it may still be heavily contaminated. [[Pripyat|Chernobyl]] and [[Fukushima (prefecture)|Fukushima]] are prime examples, with actively enforced [[Exclusion Zone|exclusion zones]] with high levels of radioactive contamination. ==See also== * [[Archaeological sites]] * [[Old towns]], historic sites which are still inhabited * [[Pioneer villages]], living history museums or open-air museums which reconstruct an entire working town * [[Architecture]] and [[Urbex]] {{PartOfTopic|Historical travel}} {{usabletopic}} qezrv03hk4jti8fqv1yty49f7r626hl 0 137992 4506250 4504936 2022-08-22T13:36:47Z OhanaUnited 76122 /* From Frankfurt (Germany) - 7.75-8 hours */ fix, not a header wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''[https://www.admtl.com/en Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport]''' ({{IATA|YUL}}) ({{phone|+1 514-633-3333}} / {{phone|+1 800-465-1213}}), also known to locals as Dorval Airport, is Canada's third busiest airport. It is located in the [[Montreal/West Island|West Island]] area of Montreal. In 2019, the airport served 20.3 million passengers. The airport serves destinations within [[North America]], [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and [[Asia]]. It is the only airport serving passengers in [[Montreal]]. == Understand == Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is commonly also known as, and was previously officially named Montreal-Dorval International Airport. The airport was renamed after Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Canada's 15th Prime Minister. Aside from being the airport for the second most populated metropolitan area in Canada it is the main airport to reach United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is located in Montreal. Prior to the 1970s, this airport served the most passengers in Canada, but it was overtaken by other airports for a number of reasons including population gain in other regions, but in particular due to a decision by the federal government to open Mirabel airport in 1975, which operated until 2004. Mirabel airport, which is much further from downtown Montreal, was intended to replace Montreal-Dorval International Airport, and for over two decades Mirabel was the only airport in the area permitted to handle international flights. Having the two airports adversely impacted the attractiveness of travel connections through Montreal, as a traveler might fly internationally through Mirabel and then have to transfer to Dorval to fly domestically. In 2004, after Mirabel airport stopped handling passenger flights, all passenger flights resumed taking place at the now named Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. == Flights == Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is a single terminal operation with a small satellite terminal building located northeast of the main terminal building. The airport is a hub for [https://www.aircanada.com/ Air Canada]. === Departures === There is a border pre-clearance facility for flights to the [[United States of America]], where passengers get to complete the immigration and customs process in Canada before their flight. === Arrivals === International arrivals to Canada, including those from the US, require clearing passport control and customs at the airport. Passengers scan their passports, have photos taken, and make customs declarations at multi-language self-serve computer kiosks before interacting with a border security agent. === Destinations === ==== Direct flights from within [[Canada]] ==== * From [[Calgary]] ([[Alberta]]) - 4 hours * From [[Charlottetown]] ([[Prince Edward Island]]) - 1.75 hours * From [[Edmonton]] (Alberta) - 4 hours * From [[Fredericton]] ([[New Brunswick]]) - 1.25 hours * From [[Halifax]] ([[Nova Scotia]]) - 1.5-1.75 hours * From [[Moncton]] (New Brunswick) - 1.5-1.75 hours * From [[Ottawa]] ([[Ontario]]) - 45 minutes * From [[Rouyn-Noranda]] ([[Quebec]]) - 1 hour * From [[Saskatoon]] ([[Saskatchewan]]) - 3.25 hours * From [[St. John's]] ([[Newfoundland and Labrador]]) - 3 hours * From [[Toronto]] (Ontario) - 1.25 hours * From [[Vancouver]] ([[British Columbia]]) - 4.5-4.75 hours * From [[Winnipeg]] ([[Manitoba]]) - 2.5 hours ==== Direct flights from the [[United States of America]] ==== * From [[Atlanta]] ([[Georgia (state)|Georgia]]) - 2.75 hours * From [[Boston]] ([[Massachusetts]]) - 1.25 hours * From [[Chicago]] ([[Illinois]]) - 2-2.25 hours * From [[Dallas]] ([[Texas]]) - 3.5 hours * From [[Denver]] ([[Colorado]]) - 3.75 hours * From [[Las Vegas]] ([[Nevada]]) - 4.75 hours * From [[Los Angeles]] ([[California]]) - 5.25 hours * From [[New York City]] ([[New York (state)|New York)]] - 1.5 hours * From [[Miami]] ([[Florida]]) - 3.5 hours * From [[Phoenix]] ([[Arizona]]) - 4.75 hours * From [[San Francisco]] (California) - 5.25-5.5 hours * From [[Washington, D.C.]] - 1.75-2 hours ==== Direct flights from elsewhere in [[North America]] ==== * From [[Mexico City]] ([[Mexico]]) - 5.25-5.5 hours * From [[Saint-Pierre]] ([[France]]) - 3.5 hours. ==== Direct flights from [[Europe]] ==== * From [[Athens]] ([[Greece]]) - 10 hours * From [[Barcelona]] ([[Spain]]) - 8.5 hours * From [[Dublin]] ([[Ireland]]) - 6.5 hours * From [[London]] ([[United Kingdom]]) - 7.25 hours * From [[Paris]] ([[France]]) - 7.50-7.75 hours * From [[Frankfurt]] ([[Germany]]) - 7.75-8 hours * From [[Geneva]] ([[Switzerland]]) - 8.25 hours * From [[Lisbon]] ([[Portugal]]) - 7.25 hours * From [[Munich]] (Germany) - 8 hours * From [[Rome]] ([[Italy]]) - 8.75 hours * From [[Zurich]] (Switzerland) - 8.25 hours ==== Direct flights from [[Africa]] ==== * From [[Cairo]] ([[Egypt]]) - 11 hours * From [[Casablanca]] ([[Morocco|Morrocco]]) - 7.25 hours === Direct flights from [[Asia]] === * From [[Doha]] ([[Qatar]]) - 13.25 hours * From [[Delhi|New Delhi]] ([[India]]) - 15.75 hours * From [[Tokyo]] ([[Japan]]) - 12.25 hours === Airlines === Canadian airlines operating to Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport: * {{listing|name=Air Canada|alt=|url=https://www.aircanada.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1-514-393-3333|tollfree=+1-888-247-2262|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's largest airline with hubs in [[Vancouver]], [[Calgary]], [[Toronto]], and Montreal. It operates across Canada and services international destinations. Some flights from Toronto arrive from Toronto Pearson International Airport and some from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.}} * {{Listing|name=Air Creebec|url=https://www.aircreebec.ca/|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-567-6567|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Regional airline operating primarily in [[Northern Ontario]] and [[Northern Quebec]].}} * {{listing|name=Air Inuit|alt=|url=http://www.airinuit.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-361-2965|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-02-03|content=Operates flights from communities in [[Northern Quebec]].}} * {{Listing|name=Air Transat|url=https://www.airtransat.com/|phone=+1-514-636-3630|tollfree=+1-877-872-6728|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's third largest airline with some year round destinations and specializing in seasonal flights from vacation destinations (Europe in the summer and warmer, southern international destinations in the winter).}} * {{listing|name=Canadian North|alt=|url=https://canadiannorth.com/|email=contact@canadiannorth.com|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-267-1247|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=A regional airline primarily operating flights in the [[Northwest Territories]] and [[Nunavut]], and flights from that region to a few large cities in Canada.}} * {{Listing|name=Flair Airlines|url=https://flyflair.com/|tollfree=+1-833-711-2333|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=A low-cost airline with flights across much of Canada.}} * {{Listing|name=Pascan Aviation|url=https://www.pascan.com/|email=info@pascan.com|phone=+1-450-443-0500|tollfree=+1-888-313-8777|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=A regional airline operating in [[Quebec]] and [[Labrador]].}} * {{Listing|name=PAL Airlines|url=https://www.palairlines.ca|email=reservations@palairlines.ca|tollfree=+1-800-563-2800|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=One of the largest regional airlines operating in [[Quebec]] and [[Atlantic Canada]], and to [[Ottawa]].}} * {{listing|name=Porter Airlines|alt=|url=https://www.flyporter.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-619-8622|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=Operates flights in [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], [[Atlantic Canada]], and some flights from the [[United States of America]]. Ots turboprop plane flights from [[Toronto]] leave from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The airline's jet plane flights and flights by all other airlines almost exclusively leave from Toronto Pearson International Airport.}} * {{Listing|name=Sunwing Airlines|url=https://www.sunwing.ca/|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-786-9464|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Low cost Canadian airline that operates some flights within Canada throughout the year and specializes in seasonal flights to warmer, southern international vacation destinations in the winter.}} * {{Listing|name=Westjet|url=https://www.westjet.com/|tollfree=+1-877-952-0100|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's second largest airline services with hubs in [[Calgary]] and [[Toronto]]. It operates across Canada and services international destinations.}} Other airlines: * {{Listing|name=Air Saint-Pierre|url=http://airsaintpierre.com|phone=+508-41-00-00|tollfree=+1-877-277-7765|lastedit=2022-04-29|content=Operates flights from [[Saint-Pierre and Miquelon]], two small islands that are a territorial overseas collectivity of [[France]], located just south of Newfoundland.}} The airport is served by all major airlines from the [[United States of America]]. == Ground transportation == {{Mapframe|45.457|-73.7511|zoom=15|width=350|height=300}} === Public transit === '''[https://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/bus/shuttle/747-yul-montreal-trudeau-airport-downtown-shuttle STM Airport Express bus 747]''' offers service between the airport and Montreal 24 hours a day. A single fare will cost $11 (exact change in coins only when paid in the bus, as of July 2022) and includes unlimited use of the STM bus and metro network for the following 24 hours. There's a machine that takes credit cards inside the arrivals area where you can purchase fares (including a three-day pass for $21.25). To get to the bus stop leave the arrivals area and go to the right. There is an area to line up for the 747 buses. The bus travels non-stop to and from Lionel-Groulx metro station (25-35 minutes from airport) on the Green and Orange metro lines. Some buses continue to various downtown stops (the bus's marquee will state which), including Berri-UQAM metro station (45-70 minutes from airport) on the Green, Orange, and Yellow metro lines. It is possible to go downtown by the cheaper regular '''public transit system'''. Late at night, it is all right, but during peak hours, you will need to complete several transfers with potentially crowded vehicles, so it is really only best to do so only if you are on a very low budget and/or have very light baggage. Between 05:00 and 01:00, take [https://www.stm.info/en STM] bus 204 east (''est'') which leaves from outside arrivals every 30 min to ''Gare Dorval'' (Dorval Train Station). Check that the driver is not going west (''ouest'') as both ways are served from almost the same place, and the sign does not say. You can also use the 209 on weekdays to get to Gare Dorval. Also, be sure to keep the ticket that the driver will give you as it is a transfer which you will need later. From Gare Dorval, use your transfer ticket to catch any one of buses 211, 411, 405, 425, or 485 to Lionel-Groulx metro station. Also make sure it is going east as the same routes go west too. Your transfer will then let you into the metro. Take the Montmorency-bound orange line or the Honoré-Beaugrand-bound green line into downtown on the metro. It costs $3.50 (July 2022), but exact change in coins only must be provided to the first driver. Between 05:00 and 01:00, for the same price ($3.50, exact change in coins only, July 2022), take bus 356 (again, check that the driver is going east, not west) directly into downtown via Sherbrooke. This bus runs relatively close to most downtown hotels. However, if needed, a transfer can be completed to access the rest of the city. See the STM's trip planner or Google Maps for more details. At ''Gare Dorval'' it is also possible to catch the [https://exo.quebec/en/trip-planner/train/vaudreuil%E2%80%93hudson Exo] commuter rail to downtown (Direction Lucien L'Allier), during the day from 06:00 to 20:00 for a single one-way fare of $6, leading to the downtown station of ''Lucien L'Allier'' which is also atop the Lucien L'Allier metro station. === By train === {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 514-989-2626|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Offers free shuttle connects the airport with Dorval station, located 2.5 km drove away. Intercity train routes between Montreal and the following terminus stations stop at this station: [[Ottawa]], [[Chicoutimi-Jonquière|Jonquière]], [[Senneterre]], and [[Toronto]].}} === By taxi === The '''taxi''' fare to and from downtown is a fixed price of $41 (a sticker on the window behind the driver gives the boundaries of the zone where the flat fare applies; if you are going from or to places outside this zone, you will have to pay a metered fare with a minimum rate of $17.45). === By ride hailing === Ride hailing rides are only permitted by booking the ride on an app, and pick ups are only permitted at Door 6 on the Departures level and Door 20 on the Arrivals level. Ride hailing is available from: * {{Listing|name=Uber|url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/airports/yul/|lastedit=2022-08-15|content=}} === By car === Travel time to the airport from the city centre can be as much as an hour, depending on traffic. Is west of the city centre on Expressway (''Autoroute'') 20. === By car rental === The following car rental companies serve this airport: * {{Listing|name=Alamo|url=https://www.alamo.ca/|phone=+1 514-633-1222|tollfree=+1-800-462-5266|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Avis|url=https://www.avis.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-1902|tollfree=+1-800-879-2847|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Budget|url=https://www.budget.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-0052|tollfree=+1-800-268-8970|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Dollar|url=https://www.dollarcanada.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-800-4000|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Enterprise|url=https://www.enterprise.ca/|phone=+1-514-631-4545|tollfree=+1-800-736-8222|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Hertz|url=https://www.hertz.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-263-0678|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=National|url=https://www.nationalcar.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9030|tollfree=+1-800-227-7368|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Thrifty|url=https://www.thrifty.com|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-847-4389|lastedit=2022-08-15}} == Wait == === Lounges === Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport has the following airport lounges: * {{Listing|name=Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge|url=https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/fly/premium-services/maple-leaf-lounges/maple-leaf-lounge-details.html#/!lounge@montreal|address=Domestic departures: between Gates 1 and 3; US Transborder departures: between Gates 72 and 73; International departures: near Gate 52|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} * {{Listing|name=Air France / KLM Lounge|url=https://wwws.airfrance.us/information/prepare/salons/yul|address=International departures: between Gates 55 and 57|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} * {{Listing|name=Desjardins Odyssey Lounge|url=https://www.desjardins.com/ca/personal/goals-life-events/travel/odyssey-lounge/index.jsp|address=International departures: Gate 63|lastedit=2022-08-16}} * {{Listing|name=Montreal National Bank Lounge|url=https://www.nbc.ca/personal/mastercard-credit-cards/lounge.html|address=International departures: near Gate 53|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} == Eat and drink == Below is a partial list of places to eat and drink at the airport. === Pre-security departures area === * {{Eat|name=St-Hubert Express|url=https://www.st-hubert.com/en/restaurants/eatatsthubert/sthubertexpress.html|address=|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=Daily 11AM - 8PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A regional chain of restaurants based in Quebec, serving Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick.}} === Domestic departures === * {{Eat|name=YUL Pizza|address=Near Gate 51|phone=+1 514-631-6134|hours=Daily 11AM-9PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} === US tranborder departures === * {{Eat|name=Houston Avenue Bar & Grill|url=http://houstonresto.com/en|address=near Gate 77|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=Daily 4-8PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} === International departures === * {{Eat|name=L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel|address=near Gate 52|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=4 AM-10 PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} * {{Drink|name=U Bar|address=near Gate 53|phone=+1 514-631-6134|hours=Daily 4AM-11PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A bar serving alcohol.}} == Buy == Below is a partial list of stores in the airport. === Domestic departures === * {{Buy|name=The Source|url=https://thesource.com/|address=near Gate 49|phone=+1 514-631-2832|hours=Daily 3-9PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A retail chain across Canada that sells electronics, such as smartphones and headphones.}} === US transborder departures === * {{Buy|name=Maison de la Presse|address=near Gate 82|hours=Daily 5:30AM - 6:30PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Sells newspapers, magazines, books, and travel essentials.}} === International departures === * {{Buy|name=Duty Free - The Loop|url=https://www.theloopdutyfree.ca/|address=near Gate 52|phone=+1 514-636-1227|hours=Daily 4AM - 11PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Duty free shop, selling products such as fragrances, cosmetics, chocolate, alcohol, and sunglasses.}} == Connect == Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal using the hotspot name YUL Wi-Fi. The connection lasts for 60 minutes, but you continue having internet access by starting a new session. == Cope == Smoking is only permitted at designated outdoor areas in front of the terminal. Cannabis consumption is not permitted on site. Luggage carts are free to use and are available at parking lots, at airport drop off areas, and in baggage claim. {{Listing|name=Cloakroom|url=https://www.admtl.com/en/shopping/services/consigne/consigne-arrivals-public-area|phone=+1 514-633-2076|hours=Daily 6AM-10PM (Lost and found M- 9 AM-5PM)|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Luggage storage is available, charged on a per day rate. Luggage charge ranges from $7 to $10 per day, depending on the size of the bag. Shrink wrapped luggage storage is not permitted. This also the site where lost and found is located with lost items stored for up to 60 days.}} == Sleep == === In the airport === * {{Sleep|name=Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulma-montreal-airport-marriott-in-terminal-hotel/overview/|address=800 Place Leigh Capreol|lat=45.45593|long=-73.75193|directions=at the south end of the airport terminal, just before traffic traveling along side the airport terminal leaves the airport|phone=+1 514-636-6700|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The only in-terminal hotel at the airport.}} === Near the airport === * {{Sleep|name=Aloft Montreal Airport|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulal-aloft-montreal-airport/overview/|address=500 Boulevard McMillan|lat=45.45277|long=-73.74070|phone=+1 514-633-0900|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The third closest hotel to the airport at about 900 m away.}} * {{Sleep|name=Doubletree By Hilton Montreal Airport|url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yqbdadt-doubletree-montreal-airport/|address=705 Avenue Michel-Jasmin|lat=45.45022|long=-73.74047|phone=+1 514-631-4811|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The fourth closest hotel to the airport at 1.6 km away, near Dorval VIA Rail Canada station.}} * {{Sleep|name=Fairfield Inn & Suites Montreal Airport|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulfi-fairfield-inn-and-suites-montreal-airport/overview/|address=700 Avenue Michel-Jasmin|lat=45.44960|long=-73.73968|phone=+1 514-631-2424|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The fifth closest hotel to the airport at 1.6 km away, near Dorval VIA Rail Canada station.|tollfree=+1-877-731-2424}} * {{Sleep|name=Quality Inn & Suites Aéroport P.E. Montréal-Trudeau Airport|address=1010 chemin Herron|lat=45.44740|long=-73.74809|phone=+1 438-300-3129|checkin=15:00|checkout=11:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|directions=About 2.7 km from the airport.}} * {{Sleep|name=Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulsa-sheraton-montreal-airport-hotel/overview/|address=555 Boulevard McMillan|lat=45.45359|long=-73.74143|phone=+1 514-631-2411|tollfree=+1-800-325-3535|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The second closest hotel to the airport at about 800 m away.}} {{outlineairport}} {{IsPartOf|Montreal}} {{geo|45.46|-73.74}} 7rw8yn6qgfzhy7ajxjaarmdd50nj93a 4506251 4506250 2022-08-22T13:38:10Z OhanaUnited 76122 /* Airlines */ Updated listing for Air Canada wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''[https://www.admtl.com/en Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport]''' ({{IATA|YUL}}) ({{phone|+1 514-633-3333}} / {{phone|+1 800-465-1213}}), also known to locals as Dorval Airport, is Canada's third busiest airport. It is located in the [[Montreal/West Island|West Island]] area of Montreal. In 2019, the airport served 20.3 million passengers. The airport serves destinations within [[North America]], [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and [[Asia]]. It is the only airport serving passengers in [[Montreal]]. == Understand == Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is commonly also known as, and was previously officially named Montreal-Dorval International Airport. The airport was renamed after Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Canada's 15th Prime Minister. Aside from being the airport for the second most populated metropolitan area in Canada it is the main airport to reach United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is located in Montreal. Prior to the 1970s, this airport served the most passengers in Canada, but it was overtaken by other airports for a number of reasons including population gain in other regions, but in particular due to a decision by the federal government to open Mirabel airport in 1975, which operated until 2004. Mirabel airport, which is much further from downtown Montreal, was intended to replace Montreal-Dorval International Airport, and for over two decades Mirabel was the only airport in the area permitted to handle international flights. Having the two airports adversely impacted the attractiveness of travel connections through Montreal, as a traveler might fly internationally through Mirabel and then have to transfer to Dorval to fly domestically. In 2004, after Mirabel airport stopped handling passenger flights, all passenger flights resumed taking place at the now named Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. == Flights == Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is a single terminal operation with a small satellite terminal building located northeast of the main terminal building. The airport is a hub for [https://www.aircanada.com/ Air Canada]. === Departures === There is a border pre-clearance facility for flights to the [[United States of America]], where passengers get to complete the immigration and customs process in Canada before their flight. === Arrivals === International arrivals to Canada, including those from the US, require clearing passport control and customs at the airport. Passengers scan their passports, have photos taken, and make customs declarations at multi-language self-serve computer kiosks before interacting with a border security agent. === Destinations === ==== Direct flights from within [[Canada]] ==== * From [[Calgary]] ([[Alberta]]) - 4 hours * From [[Charlottetown]] ([[Prince Edward Island]]) - 1.75 hours * From [[Edmonton]] (Alberta) - 4 hours * From [[Fredericton]] ([[New Brunswick]]) - 1.25 hours * From [[Halifax]] ([[Nova Scotia]]) - 1.5-1.75 hours * From [[Moncton]] (New Brunswick) - 1.5-1.75 hours * From [[Ottawa]] ([[Ontario]]) - 45 minutes * From [[Rouyn-Noranda]] ([[Quebec]]) - 1 hour * From [[Saskatoon]] ([[Saskatchewan]]) - 3.25 hours * From [[St. John's]] ([[Newfoundland and Labrador]]) - 3 hours * From [[Toronto]] (Ontario) - 1.25 hours * From [[Vancouver]] ([[British Columbia]]) - 4.5-4.75 hours * From [[Winnipeg]] ([[Manitoba]]) - 2.5 hours ==== Direct flights from the [[United States of America]] ==== * From [[Atlanta]] ([[Georgia (state)|Georgia]]) - 2.75 hours * From [[Boston]] ([[Massachusetts]]) - 1.25 hours * From [[Chicago]] ([[Illinois]]) - 2-2.25 hours * From [[Dallas]] ([[Texas]]) - 3.5 hours * From [[Denver]] ([[Colorado]]) - 3.75 hours * From [[Las Vegas]] ([[Nevada]]) - 4.75 hours * From [[Los Angeles]] ([[California]]) - 5.25 hours * From [[New York City]] ([[New York (state)|New York)]] - 1.5 hours * From [[Miami]] ([[Florida]]) - 3.5 hours * From [[Phoenix]] ([[Arizona]]) - 4.75 hours * From [[San Francisco]] (California) - 5.25-5.5 hours * From [[Washington, D.C.]] - 1.75-2 hours ==== Direct flights from elsewhere in [[North America]] ==== * From [[Mexico City]] ([[Mexico]]) - 5.25-5.5 hours * From [[Saint-Pierre]] ([[France]]) - 3.5 hours. ==== Direct flights from [[Europe]] ==== * From [[Athens]] ([[Greece]]) - 10 hours * From [[Barcelona]] ([[Spain]]) - 8.5 hours * From [[Dublin]] ([[Ireland]]) - 6.5 hours * From [[London]] ([[United Kingdom]]) - 7.25 hours * From [[Paris]] ([[France]]) - 7.50-7.75 hours * From [[Frankfurt]] ([[Germany]]) - 7.75-8 hours * From [[Geneva]] ([[Switzerland]]) - 8.25 hours * From [[Lisbon]] ([[Portugal]]) - 7.25 hours * From [[Munich]] (Germany) - 8 hours * From [[Rome]] ([[Italy]]) - 8.75 hours * From [[Zurich]] (Switzerland) - 8.25 hours ==== Direct flights from [[Africa]] ==== * From [[Cairo]] ([[Egypt]]) - 11 hours * From [[Casablanca]] ([[Morocco|Morrocco]]) - 7.25 hours === Direct flights from [[Asia]] === * From [[Doha]] ([[Qatar]]) - 13.25 hours * From [[Delhi|New Delhi]] ([[India]]) - 15.75 hours * From [[Tokyo]] ([[Japan]]) - 12.25 hours === Airlines === Canadian airlines operating to Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport: * {{listing | name=Air Canada | alt= | url=https://www.aircanada.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-514-393-3333 | tollfree=+1-888-247-2262 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Canada's largest airline with hubs in [[Vancouver]], [[Calgary]], [[Toronto]], and Montreal. It operates across Canada and services international destinations. Most flights from Toronto arrive from Toronto Pearson International Airport and some from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. }} * {{Listing|name=Air Creebec|url=https://www.aircreebec.ca/|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-567-6567|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Regional airline operating primarily in [[Northern Ontario]] and [[Northern Quebec]].}} * {{listing|name=Air Inuit|alt=|url=http://www.airinuit.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-361-2965|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-02-03|content=Operates flights from communities in [[Northern Quebec]].}} * {{Listing|name=Air Transat|url=https://www.airtransat.com/|phone=+1-514-636-3630|tollfree=+1-877-872-6728|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's third largest airline with some year round destinations and specializing in seasonal flights from vacation destinations (Europe in the summer and warmer, southern international destinations in the winter).}} * {{listing|name=Canadian North|alt=|url=https://canadiannorth.com/|email=contact@canadiannorth.com|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-267-1247|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=A regional airline primarily operating flights in the [[Northwest Territories]] and [[Nunavut]], and flights from that region to a few large cities in Canada.}} * {{Listing|name=Flair Airlines|url=https://flyflair.com/|tollfree=+1-833-711-2333|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=A low-cost airline with flights across much of Canada.}} * {{Listing|name=Pascan Aviation|url=https://www.pascan.com/|email=info@pascan.com|phone=+1-450-443-0500|tollfree=+1-888-313-8777|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=A regional airline operating in [[Quebec]] and [[Labrador]].}} * {{Listing|name=PAL Airlines|url=https://www.palairlines.ca|email=reservations@palairlines.ca|tollfree=+1-800-563-2800|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=One of the largest regional airlines operating in [[Quebec]] and [[Atlantic Canada]], and to [[Ottawa]].}} * {{listing|name=Porter Airlines|alt=|url=https://www.flyporter.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-619-8622|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=Operates flights in [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], [[Atlantic Canada]], and some flights from the [[United States of America]]. Ots turboprop plane flights from [[Toronto]] leave from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The airline's jet plane flights and flights by all other airlines almost exclusively leave from Toronto Pearson International Airport.}} * {{Listing|name=Sunwing Airlines|url=https://www.sunwing.ca/|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-786-9464|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Low cost Canadian airline that operates some flights within Canada throughout the year and specializes in seasonal flights to warmer, southern international vacation destinations in the winter.}} * {{Listing|name=Westjet|url=https://www.westjet.com/|tollfree=+1-877-952-0100|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's second largest airline services with hubs in [[Calgary]] and [[Toronto]]. It operates across Canada and services international destinations.}} Other airlines: * {{Listing|name=Air Saint-Pierre|url=http://airsaintpierre.com|phone=+508-41-00-00|tollfree=+1-877-277-7765|lastedit=2022-04-29|content=Operates flights from [[Saint-Pierre and Miquelon]], two small islands that are a territorial overseas collectivity of [[France]], located just south of Newfoundland.}} The airport is served by all major airlines from the [[United States of America]]. == Ground transportation == {{Mapframe|45.457|-73.7511|zoom=15|width=350|height=300}} === Public transit === '''[https://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/bus/shuttle/747-yul-montreal-trudeau-airport-downtown-shuttle STM Airport Express bus 747]''' offers service between the airport and Montreal 24 hours a day. A single fare will cost $11 (exact change in coins only when paid in the bus, as of July 2022) and includes unlimited use of the STM bus and metro network for the following 24 hours. There's a machine that takes credit cards inside the arrivals area where you can purchase fares (including a three-day pass for $21.25). To get to the bus stop leave the arrivals area and go to the right. There is an area to line up for the 747 buses. The bus travels non-stop to and from Lionel-Groulx metro station (25-35 minutes from airport) on the Green and Orange metro lines. Some buses continue to various downtown stops (the bus's marquee will state which), including Berri-UQAM metro station (45-70 minutes from airport) on the Green, Orange, and Yellow metro lines. It is possible to go downtown by the cheaper regular '''public transit system'''. Late at night, it is all right, but during peak hours, you will need to complete several transfers with potentially crowded vehicles, so it is really only best to do so only if you are on a very low budget and/or have very light baggage. Between 05:00 and 01:00, take [https://www.stm.info/en STM] bus 204 east (''est'') which leaves from outside arrivals every 30 min to ''Gare Dorval'' (Dorval Train Station). Check that the driver is not going west (''ouest'') as both ways are served from almost the same place, and the sign does not say. You can also use the 209 on weekdays to get to Gare Dorval. Also, be sure to keep the ticket that the driver will give you as it is a transfer which you will need later. From Gare Dorval, use your transfer ticket to catch any one of buses 211, 411, 405, 425, or 485 to Lionel-Groulx metro station. Also make sure it is going east as the same routes go west too. Your transfer will then let you into the metro. Take the Montmorency-bound orange line or the Honoré-Beaugrand-bound green line into downtown on the metro. It costs $3.50 (July 2022), but exact change in coins only must be provided to the first driver. Between 05:00 and 01:00, for the same price ($3.50, exact change in coins only, July 2022), take bus 356 (again, check that the driver is going east, not west) directly into downtown via Sherbrooke. This bus runs relatively close to most downtown hotels. However, if needed, a transfer can be completed to access the rest of the city. See the STM's trip planner or Google Maps for more details. At ''Gare Dorval'' it is also possible to catch the [https://exo.quebec/en/trip-planner/train/vaudreuil%E2%80%93hudson Exo] commuter rail to downtown (Direction Lucien L'Allier), during the day from 06:00 to 20:00 for a single one-way fare of $6, leading to the downtown station of ''Lucien L'Allier'' which is also atop the Lucien L'Allier metro station. === By train === {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 514-989-2626|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Offers free shuttle connects the airport with Dorval station, located 2.5 km drove away. Intercity train routes between Montreal and the following terminus stations stop at this station: [[Ottawa]], [[Chicoutimi-Jonquière|Jonquière]], [[Senneterre]], and [[Toronto]].}} === By taxi === The '''taxi''' fare to and from downtown is a fixed price of $41 (a sticker on the window behind the driver gives the boundaries of the zone where the flat fare applies; if you are going from or to places outside this zone, you will have to pay a metered fare with a minimum rate of $17.45). === By ride hailing === Ride hailing rides are only permitted by booking the ride on an app, and pick ups are only permitted at Door 6 on the Departures level and Door 20 on the Arrivals level. Ride hailing is available from: * {{Listing|name=Uber|url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/airports/yul/|lastedit=2022-08-15|content=}} === By car === Travel time to the airport from the city centre can be as much as an hour, depending on traffic. Is west of the city centre on Expressway (''Autoroute'') 20. === By car rental === The following car rental companies serve this airport: * {{Listing|name=Alamo|url=https://www.alamo.ca/|phone=+1 514-633-1222|tollfree=+1-800-462-5266|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Avis|url=https://www.avis.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-1902|tollfree=+1-800-879-2847|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Budget|url=https://www.budget.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-0052|tollfree=+1-800-268-8970|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Dollar|url=https://www.dollarcanada.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-800-4000|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Enterprise|url=https://www.enterprise.ca/|phone=+1-514-631-4545|tollfree=+1-800-736-8222|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Hertz|url=https://www.hertz.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-263-0678|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=National|url=https://www.nationalcar.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9030|tollfree=+1-800-227-7368|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Thrifty|url=https://www.thrifty.com|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-847-4389|lastedit=2022-08-15}} == Wait == === Lounges === Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport has the following airport lounges: * {{Listing|name=Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge|url=https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/fly/premium-services/maple-leaf-lounges/maple-leaf-lounge-details.html#/!lounge@montreal|address=Domestic departures: between Gates 1 and 3; US Transborder departures: between Gates 72 and 73; International departures: near Gate 52|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} * {{Listing|name=Air France / KLM Lounge|url=https://wwws.airfrance.us/information/prepare/salons/yul|address=International departures: between Gates 55 and 57|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} * {{Listing|name=Desjardins Odyssey Lounge|url=https://www.desjardins.com/ca/personal/goals-life-events/travel/odyssey-lounge/index.jsp|address=International departures: Gate 63|lastedit=2022-08-16}} * {{Listing|name=Montreal National Bank Lounge|url=https://www.nbc.ca/personal/mastercard-credit-cards/lounge.html|address=International departures: near Gate 53|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} == Eat and drink == Below is a partial list of places to eat and drink at the airport. === Pre-security departures area === * {{Eat|name=St-Hubert Express|url=https://www.st-hubert.com/en/restaurants/eatatsthubert/sthubertexpress.html|address=|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=Daily 11AM - 8PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A regional chain of restaurants based in Quebec, serving Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick.}} === Domestic departures === * {{Eat|name=YUL Pizza|address=Near Gate 51|phone=+1 514-631-6134|hours=Daily 11AM-9PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} === US tranborder departures === * {{Eat|name=Houston Avenue Bar & Grill|url=http://houstonresto.com/en|address=near Gate 77|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=Daily 4-8PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} === International departures === * {{Eat|name=L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel|address=near Gate 52|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=4 AM-10 PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} * {{Drink|name=U Bar|address=near Gate 53|phone=+1 514-631-6134|hours=Daily 4AM-11PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A bar serving alcohol.}} == Buy == Below is a partial list of stores in the airport. === Domestic departures === * {{Buy|name=The Source|url=https://thesource.com/|address=near Gate 49|phone=+1 514-631-2832|hours=Daily 3-9PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A retail chain across Canada that sells electronics, such as smartphones and headphones.}} === US transborder departures === * {{Buy|name=Maison de la Presse|address=near Gate 82|hours=Daily 5:30AM - 6:30PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Sells newspapers, magazines, books, and travel essentials.}} === International departures === * {{Buy|name=Duty Free - The Loop|url=https://www.theloopdutyfree.ca/|address=near Gate 52|phone=+1 514-636-1227|hours=Daily 4AM - 11PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Duty free shop, selling products such as fragrances, cosmetics, chocolate, alcohol, and sunglasses.}} == Connect == Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal using the hotspot name YUL Wi-Fi. The connection lasts for 60 minutes, but you continue having internet access by starting a new session. == Cope == Smoking is only permitted at designated outdoor areas in front of the terminal. Cannabis consumption is not permitted on site. Luggage carts are free to use and are available at parking lots, at airport drop off areas, and in baggage claim. {{Listing|name=Cloakroom|url=https://www.admtl.com/en/shopping/services/consigne/consigne-arrivals-public-area|phone=+1 514-633-2076|hours=Daily 6AM-10PM (Lost and found M- 9 AM-5PM)|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Luggage storage is available, charged on a per day rate. Luggage charge ranges from $7 to $10 per day, depending on the size of the bag. Shrink wrapped luggage storage is not permitted. This also the site where lost and found is located with lost items stored for up to 60 days.}} == Sleep == === In the airport === * {{Sleep|name=Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulma-montreal-airport-marriott-in-terminal-hotel/overview/|address=800 Place Leigh Capreol|lat=45.45593|long=-73.75193|directions=at the south end of the airport terminal, just before traffic traveling along side the airport terminal leaves the airport|phone=+1 514-636-6700|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The only in-terminal hotel at the airport.}} === Near the airport === * {{Sleep|name=Aloft Montreal Airport|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulal-aloft-montreal-airport/overview/|address=500 Boulevard McMillan|lat=45.45277|long=-73.74070|phone=+1 514-633-0900|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The third closest hotel to the airport at about 900 m away.}} * {{Sleep|name=Doubletree By Hilton Montreal Airport|url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yqbdadt-doubletree-montreal-airport/|address=705 Avenue Michel-Jasmin|lat=45.45022|long=-73.74047|phone=+1 514-631-4811|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The fourth closest hotel to the airport at 1.6 km away, near Dorval VIA Rail Canada station.}} * {{Sleep|name=Fairfield Inn & Suites Montreal Airport|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulfi-fairfield-inn-and-suites-montreal-airport/overview/|address=700 Avenue Michel-Jasmin|lat=45.44960|long=-73.73968|phone=+1 514-631-2424|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The fifth closest hotel to the airport at 1.6 km away, near Dorval VIA Rail Canada station.|tollfree=+1-877-731-2424}} * {{Sleep|name=Quality Inn & Suites Aéroport P.E. Montréal-Trudeau Airport|address=1010 chemin Herron|lat=45.44740|long=-73.74809|phone=+1 438-300-3129|checkin=15:00|checkout=11:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|directions=About 2.7 km from the airport.}} * {{Sleep|name=Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulsa-sheraton-montreal-airport-hotel/overview/|address=555 Boulevard McMillan|lat=45.45359|long=-73.74143|phone=+1 514-631-2411|tollfree=+1-800-325-3535|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The second closest hotel to the airport at about 800 m away.}} {{outlineairport}} {{IsPartOf|Montreal}} {{geo|45.46|-73.74}} ed7tfsf4f8gyfh2d99bcmyaqz5mbi14 4506524 4506251 2022-08-23T03:14:55Z OhanaUnited 76122 custom banner wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|YUL Wikivoyage banner.jpg}} '''[https://www.admtl.com/en Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport]''' ({{IATA|YUL}}) ({{phone|+1 514-633-3333}} / {{phone|+1 800-465-1213}}), also known to locals as Dorval Airport, is Canada's third busiest airport. It is located in the [[Montreal/West Island|West Island]] area of Montreal. In 2019, the airport served 20.3 million passengers. The airport serves destinations within [[North America]], [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and [[Asia]]. It is the only airport serving passengers in [[Montreal]]. == Understand == Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is commonly also known as, and was previously officially named Montreal-Dorval International Airport. The airport was renamed after Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Canada's 15th Prime Minister. Aside from being the airport for the second most populated metropolitan area in Canada it is the main airport to reach United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is located in Montreal. Prior to the 1970s, this airport served the most passengers in Canada, but it was overtaken by other airports for a number of reasons including population gain in other regions, but in particular due to a decision by the federal government to open Mirabel airport in 1975, which operated until 2004. Mirabel airport, which is much further from downtown Montreal, was intended to replace Montreal-Dorval International Airport, and for over two decades Mirabel was the only airport in the area permitted to handle international flights. Having the two airports adversely impacted the attractiveness of travel connections through Montreal, as a traveler might fly internationally through Mirabel and then have to transfer to Dorval to fly domestically. In 2004, after Mirabel airport stopped handling passenger flights, all passenger flights resumed taking place at the now named Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. == Flights == Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is a single terminal operation with a small satellite terminal building located northeast of the main terminal building. The airport is a hub for [https://www.aircanada.com/ Air Canada]. === Departures === There is a border pre-clearance facility for flights to the [[United States of America]], where passengers get to complete the immigration and customs process in Canada before their flight. === Arrivals === International arrivals to Canada, including those from the US, require clearing passport control and customs at the airport. Passengers scan their passports, have photos taken, and make customs declarations at multi-language self-serve computer kiosks before interacting with a border security agent. === Destinations === ==== Direct flights from within [[Canada]] ==== * From [[Calgary]] ([[Alberta]]) - 4 hours * From [[Charlottetown]] ([[Prince Edward Island]]) - 1.75 hours * From [[Edmonton]] (Alberta) - 4 hours * From [[Fredericton]] ([[New Brunswick]]) - 1.25 hours * From [[Halifax]] ([[Nova Scotia]]) - 1.5-1.75 hours * From [[Moncton]] (New Brunswick) - 1.5-1.75 hours * From [[Ottawa]] ([[Ontario]]) - 45 minutes * From [[Rouyn-Noranda]] ([[Quebec]]) - 1 hour * From [[Saskatoon]] ([[Saskatchewan]]) - 3.25 hours * From [[St. John's]] ([[Newfoundland and Labrador]]) - 3 hours * From [[Toronto]] (Ontario) - 1.25 hours * From [[Vancouver]] ([[British Columbia]]) - 4.5-4.75 hours * From [[Winnipeg]] ([[Manitoba]]) - 2.5 hours ==== Direct flights from the [[United States of America]] ==== * From [[Atlanta]] ([[Georgia (state)|Georgia]]) - 2.75 hours * From [[Boston]] ([[Massachusetts]]) - 1.25 hours * From [[Chicago]] ([[Illinois]]) - 2-2.25 hours * From [[Dallas]] ([[Texas]]) - 3.5 hours * From [[Denver]] ([[Colorado]]) - 3.75 hours * From [[Las Vegas]] ([[Nevada]]) - 4.75 hours * From [[Los Angeles]] ([[California]]) - 5.25 hours * From [[New York City]] ([[New York (state)|New York)]] - 1.5 hours * From [[Miami]] ([[Florida]]) - 3.5 hours * From [[Phoenix]] ([[Arizona]]) - 4.75 hours * From [[San Francisco]] (California) - 5.25-5.5 hours * From [[Washington, D.C.]] - 1.75-2 hours ==== Direct flights from elsewhere in [[North America]] ==== * From [[Mexico City]] ([[Mexico]]) - 5.25-5.5 hours * From [[Saint-Pierre]] ([[France]]) - 3.5 hours. ==== Direct flights from [[Europe]] ==== * From [[Athens]] ([[Greece]]) - 10 hours * From [[Barcelona]] ([[Spain]]) - 8.5 hours * From [[Dublin]] ([[Ireland]]) - 6.5 hours * From [[London]] ([[United Kingdom]]) - 7.25 hours * From [[Paris]] ([[France]]) - 7.50-7.75 hours * From [[Frankfurt]] ([[Germany]]) - 7.75-8 hours * From [[Geneva]] ([[Switzerland]]) - 8.25 hours * From [[Lisbon]] ([[Portugal]]) - 7.25 hours * From [[Munich]] (Germany) - 8 hours * From [[Rome]] ([[Italy]]) - 8.75 hours * From [[Zurich]] (Switzerland) - 8.25 hours ==== Direct flights from [[Africa]] ==== * From [[Cairo]] ([[Egypt]]) - 11 hours * From [[Casablanca]] ([[Morocco|Morrocco]]) - 7.25 hours === Direct flights from [[Asia]] === * From [[Doha]] ([[Qatar]]) - 13.25 hours * From [[Delhi|New Delhi]] ([[India]]) - 15.75 hours * From [[Tokyo]] ([[Japan]]) - 12.25 hours === Airlines === Canadian airlines operating to Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport: * {{listing | name=Air Canada | alt= | url=https://www.aircanada.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-514-393-3333 | tollfree=+1-888-247-2262 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Canada's largest airline with hubs in [[Vancouver]], [[Calgary]], [[Toronto]], and Montreal. It operates across Canada and services international destinations. Most flights from Toronto arrive from Toronto Pearson International Airport and some from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. }} * {{Listing|name=Air Creebec|url=https://www.aircreebec.ca/|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-567-6567|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Regional airline operating primarily in [[Northern Ontario]] and [[Northern Quebec]].}} * {{listing|name=Air Inuit|alt=|url=http://www.airinuit.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-361-2965|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2017-02-03|content=Operates flights from communities in [[Northern Quebec]].}} * {{Listing|name=Air Transat|url=https://www.airtransat.com/|phone=+1-514-636-3630|tollfree=+1-877-872-6728|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's third largest airline with some year round destinations and specializing in seasonal flights from vacation destinations (Europe in the summer and warmer, southern international destinations in the winter).}} * {{listing|name=Canadian North|alt=|url=https://canadiannorth.com/|email=contact@canadiannorth.com|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-800-267-1247|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=A regional airline primarily operating flights in the [[Northwest Territories]] and [[Nunavut]], and flights from that region to a few large cities in Canada.}} * {{Listing|name=Flair Airlines|url=https://flyflair.com/|tollfree=+1-833-711-2333|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=A low-cost airline with flights across much of Canada.}} * {{Listing|name=Pascan Aviation|url=https://www.pascan.com/|email=info@pascan.com|phone=+1-450-443-0500|tollfree=+1-888-313-8777|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=A regional airline operating in [[Quebec]] and [[Labrador]].}} * {{Listing|name=PAL Airlines|url=https://www.palairlines.ca|email=reservations@palairlines.ca|tollfree=+1-800-563-2800|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=One of the largest regional airlines operating in [[Quebec]] and [[Atlantic Canada]], and to [[Ottawa]].}} * {{listing|name=Porter Airlines|alt=|url=https://www.flyporter.com/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=+1-888-619-8622|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-04-27|content=Operates flights in [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], [[Atlantic Canada]], and some flights from the [[United States of America]]. Ots turboprop plane flights from [[Toronto]] leave from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The airline's jet plane flights and flights by all other airlines almost exclusively leave from Toronto Pearson International Airport.}} * {{Listing|name=Sunwing Airlines|url=https://www.sunwing.ca/|phone=|tollfree=+1-877-786-9464|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Low cost Canadian airline that operates some flights within Canada throughout the year and specializes in seasonal flights to warmer, southern international vacation destinations in the winter.}} * {{Listing|name=Westjet|url=https://www.westjet.com/|tollfree=+1-877-952-0100|lastedit=2022-04-25|content=Canada's second largest airline services with hubs in [[Calgary]] and [[Toronto]]. It operates across Canada and services international destinations.}} Other airlines: * {{Listing|name=Air Saint-Pierre|url=http://airsaintpierre.com|phone=+508-41-00-00|tollfree=+1-877-277-7765|lastedit=2022-04-29|content=Operates flights from [[Saint-Pierre and Miquelon]], two small islands that are a territorial overseas collectivity of [[France]], located just south of Newfoundland.}} The airport is served by all major airlines from the [[United States of America]]. == Ground transportation == {{Mapframe|45.457|-73.7511|zoom=15|width=350|height=300}} === Public transit === '''[https://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/bus/shuttle/747-yul-montreal-trudeau-airport-downtown-shuttle STM Airport Express bus 747]''' offers service between the airport and Montreal 24 hours a day. A single fare will cost $11 (exact change in coins only when paid in the bus, as of July 2022) and includes unlimited use of the STM bus and metro network for the following 24 hours. There's a machine that takes credit cards inside the arrivals area where you can purchase fares (including a three-day pass for $21.25). To get to the bus stop leave the arrivals area and go to the right. There is an area to line up for the 747 buses. The bus travels non-stop to and from Lionel-Groulx metro station (25-35 minutes from airport) on the Green and Orange metro lines. Some buses continue to various downtown stops (the bus's marquee will state which), including Berri-UQAM metro station (45-70 minutes from airport) on the Green, Orange, and Yellow metro lines. It is possible to go downtown by the cheaper regular '''public transit system'''. Late at night, it is all right, but during peak hours, you will need to complete several transfers with potentially crowded vehicles, so it is really only best to do so only if you are on a very low budget and/or have very light baggage. Between 05:00 and 01:00, take [https://www.stm.info/en STM] bus 204 east (''est'') which leaves from outside arrivals every 30 min to ''Gare Dorval'' (Dorval Train Station). Check that the driver is not going west (''ouest'') as both ways are served from almost the same place, and the sign does not say. You can also use the 209 on weekdays to get to Gare Dorval. Also, be sure to keep the ticket that the driver will give you as it is a transfer which you will need later. From Gare Dorval, use your transfer ticket to catch any one of buses 211, 411, 405, 425, or 485 to Lionel-Groulx metro station. Also make sure it is going east as the same routes go west too. Your transfer will then let you into the metro. Take the Montmorency-bound orange line or the Honoré-Beaugrand-bound green line into downtown on the metro. It costs $3.50 (July 2022), but exact change in coins only must be provided to the first driver. Between 05:00 and 01:00, for the same price ($3.50, exact change in coins only, July 2022), take bus 356 (again, check that the driver is going east, not west) directly into downtown via Sherbrooke. This bus runs relatively close to most downtown hotels. However, if needed, a transfer can be completed to access the rest of the city. See the STM's trip planner or Google Maps for more details. At ''Gare Dorval'' it is also possible to catch the [https://exo.quebec/en/trip-planner/train/vaudreuil%E2%80%93hudson Exo] commuter rail to downtown (Direction Lucien L'Allier), during the day from 06:00 to 20:00 for a single one-way fare of $6, leading to the downtown station of ''Lucien L'Allier'' which is also atop the Lucien L'Allier metro station. === By train === {{listing|name=VIA Rail Canada|alt=|url=https://www.viarail.ca/|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 514-989-2626|tollfree=+1-888-842-7245|hours=|price=|lastedit=2022-03-31|content=Offers free shuttle connects the airport with Dorval station, located 2.5 km drove away. Intercity train routes between Montreal and the following terminus stations stop at this station: [[Ottawa]], [[Chicoutimi-Jonquière|Jonquière]], [[Senneterre]], and [[Toronto]].}} === By taxi === The '''taxi''' fare to and from downtown is a fixed price of $41 (a sticker on the window behind the driver gives the boundaries of the zone where the flat fare applies; if you are going from or to places outside this zone, you will have to pay a metered fare with a minimum rate of $17.45). === By ride hailing === Ride hailing rides are only permitted by booking the ride on an app, and pick ups are only permitted at Door 6 on the Departures level and Door 20 on the Arrivals level. Ride hailing is available from: * {{Listing|name=Uber|url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/airports/yul/|lastedit=2022-08-15|content=}} === By car === Travel time to the airport from the city centre can be as much as an hour, depending on traffic. Is west of the city centre on Expressway (''Autoroute'') 20. === By car rental === The following car rental companies serve this airport: * {{Listing|name=Alamo|url=https://www.alamo.ca/|phone=+1 514-633-1222|tollfree=+1-800-462-5266|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Avis|url=https://www.avis.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-1902|tollfree=+1-800-879-2847|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Budget|url=https://www.budget.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-0052|tollfree=+1-800-268-8970|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Dollar|url=https://www.dollarcanada.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-800-4000|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Enterprise|url=https://www.enterprise.ca/|phone=+1-514-631-4545|tollfree=+1-800-736-8222|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Hertz|url=https://www.hertz.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-263-0678|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=National|url=https://www.nationalcar.ca/|phone=+1 514-636-9030|tollfree=+1-800-227-7368|lastedit=2022-08-15}} * {{Listing|name=Thrifty|url=https://www.thrifty.com|phone=+1 514-636-9530|tollfree=+1-800-847-4389|lastedit=2022-08-15}} == Wait == === Lounges === Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport has the following airport lounges: * {{Listing|name=Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge|url=https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/fly/premium-services/maple-leaf-lounges/maple-leaf-lounge-details.html#/!lounge@montreal|address=Domestic departures: between Gates 1 and 3; US Transborder departures: between Gates 72 and 73; International departures: near Gate 52|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} * {{Listing|name=Air France / KLM Lounge|url=https://wwws.airfrance.us/information/prepare/salons/yul|address=International departures: between Gates 55 and 57|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} * {{Listing|name=Desjardins Odyssey Lounge|url=https://www.desjardins.com/ca/personal/goals-life-events/travel/odyssey-lounge/index.jsp|address=International departures: Gate 63|lastedit=2022-08-16}} * {{Listing|name=Montreal National Bank Lounge|url=https://www.nbc.ca/personal/mastercard-credit-cards/lounge.html|address=International departures: near Gate 53|lastedit=2022-08-16|content=}} == Eat and drink == Below is a partial list of places to eat and drink at the airport. === Pre-security departures area === * {{Eat|name=St-Hubert Express|url=https://www.st-hubert.com/en/restaurants/eatatsthubert/sthubertexpress.html|address=|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=Daily 11AM - 8PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A regional chain of restaurants based in Quebec, serving Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick.}} === Domestic departures === * {{Eat|name=YUL Pizza|address=Near Gate 51|phone=+1 514-631-6134|hours=Daily 11AM-9PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} === US tranborder departures === * {{Eat|name=Houston Avenue Bar & Grill|url=http://houstonresto.com/en|address=near Gate 77|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=Daily 4-8PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} === International departures === * {{Eat|name=L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel|address=near Gate 52|phone=+1 514-633-9972|hours=4 AM-10 PM|lastedit=2022-08-17}} * {{Drink|name=U Bar|address=near Gate 53|phone=+1 514-631-6134|hours=Daily 4AM-11PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A bar serving alcohol.}} == Buy == Below is a partial list of stores in the airport. === Domestic departures === * {{Buy|name=The Source|url=https://thesource.com/|address=near Gate 49|phone=+1 514-631-2832|hours=Daily 3-9PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=A retail chain across Canada that sells electronics, such as smartphones and headphones.}} === US transborder departures === * {{Buy|name=Maison de la Presse|address=near Gate 82|hours=Daily 5:30AM - 6:30PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Sells newspapers, magazines, books, and travel essentials.}} === International departures === * {{Buy|name=Duty Free - The Loop|url=https://www.theloopdutyfree.ca/|address=near Gate 52|phone=+1 514-636-1227|hours=Daily 4AM - 11PM|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Duty free shop, selling products such as fragrances, cosmetics, chocolate, alcohol, and sunglasses.}} == Connect == Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal using the hotspot name YUL Wi-Fi. The connection lasts for 60 minutes, but you continue having internet access by starting a new session. == Cope == Smoking is only permitted at designated outdoor areas in front of the terminal. Cannabis consumption is not permitted on site. Luggage carts are free to use and are available at parking lots, at airport drop off areas, and in baggage claim. {{Listing|name=Cloakroom|url=https://www.admtl.com/en/shopping/services/consigne/consigne-arrivals-public-area|phone=+1 514-633-2076|hours=Daily 6AM-10PM (Lost and found M- 9 AM-5PM)|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=Luggage storage is available, charged on a per day rate. Luggage charge ranges from $7 to $10 per day, depending on the size of the bag. Shrink wrapped luggage storage is not permitted. This also the site where lost and found is located with lost items stored for up to 60 days.}} == Sleep == === In the airport === * {{Sleep|name=Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulma-montreal-airport-marriott-in-terminal-hotel/overview/|address=800 Place Leigh Capreol|lat=45.45593|long=-73.75193|directions=at the south end of the airport terminal, just before traffic traveling along side the airport terminal leaves the airport|phone=+1 514-636-6700|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The only in-terminal hotel at the airport.}} === Near the airport === * {{Sleep|name=Aloft Montreal Airport|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulal-aloft-montreal-airport/overview/|address=500 Boulevard McMillan|lat=45.45277|long=-73.74070|phone=+1 514-633-0900|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The third closest hotel to the airport at about 900 m away.}} * {{Sleep|name=Doubletree By Hilton Montreal Airport|url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yqbdadt-doubletree-montreal-airport/|address=705 Avenue Michel-Jasmin|lat=45.45022|long=-73.74047|phone=+1 514-631-4811|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The fourth closest hotel to the airport at 1.6 km away, near Dorval VIA Rail Canada station.}} * {{Sleep|name=Fairfield Inn & Suites Montreal Airport|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulfi-fairfield-inn-and-suites-montreal-airport/overview/|address=700 Avenue Michel-Jasmin|lat=45.44960|long=-73.73968|phone=+1 514-631-2424|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The fifth closest hotel to the airport at 1.6 km away, near Dorval VIA Rail Canada station.|tollfree=+1-877-731-2424}} * {{Sleep|name=Quality Inn & Suites Aéroport P.E. Montréal-Trudeau Airport|address=1010 chemin Herron|lat=45.44740|long=-73.74809|phone=+1 438-300-3129|checkin=15:00|checkout=11:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|directions=About 2.7 km from the airport.}} * {{Sleep|name=Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel|url=https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulsa-sheraton-montreal-airport-hotel/overview/|address=555 Boulevard McMillan|lat=45.45359|long=-73.74143|phone=+1 514-631-2411|tollfree=+1-800-325-3535|checkin=15:00|checkout=12:00|lastedit=2022-08-17|content=The second closest hotel to the airport at about 800 m away.}} {{outlineairport}} {{IsPartOf|Montreal}} {{geo|45.46|-73.74}} g3bmbfrhjh0jv3opgyw9qp6pew52qfm 0 139517 4506494 4503630 2022-08-23T02:44:35Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* NFC East */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|American Football Gameplay Banner.jpg|alt=Players lined up on a football field|ftt=yes}} [[File:Gillette Stadium02.jpg|thumb|300px|An NFL football stadium|alt=A full stadium with an open roof]] Although '''American football''' (the term "football" in this article will mean American football unless otherwise noted) is played throughout the world, it is still mostly seen as "America's sport" and is the most popular sport in the [[United States of America|United States]]. By far the best talent plays in the United States' National Football League (NFL), so football enthusiasts worldwide will most likely have to travel to the USA to see their idols play live, even with the occasional NFL or college football match held outside of North America. Additionally, in many areas of the country (especially those that lack top-level pro teams), there is a huge following for collegiate and even high school football—millions of adults and youth play the game so no matter where you are in North America, you aren't far from football for several months out of the year. For the purposes of this article the [[Canada|Canadian]] variety of the game—mostly played in the Canadian Football League (CFL)—will be considered the same sport, even though the differences in rules and gameplay are more than trivial. ==Understand== ===History=== Football finds its origins in '''[[Rugby football|rugby]]''', which bears some general similarities to gridiron-style football. ([[Association football]]—or "soccer"—also split from rugby around the same time, albeit in a very different direction.) The first football games were played by the colleges of the Northeastern United States, with the first recognized football game taking place in 1869, soon followed by the establishment of a standard set of rules and intercollegiate play. The game closely resembled rugby, but as it evolved through the 1870s and 80s football began to break from its rugby roots, particularly with the innovation of the "line of scrimmage" and the "snap" (passing the ball backwards at the start of play). '''Walter Camp''', then-captain of Yale's football team and now considered the "Father of American Football", was instrumental in securing rule changes that effectively created the modern sport of football. Further innovations followed in the early decades of the 20th century, such as the establishment of the forward pass and the current point system and field dimensions. During this time, the collegiate leagues established a governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the tradition of annual postseason '''bowl games'''. The era also saw the rise of '''professional football''', with the 1920 creation of the National Football League, which quickly established itself as the premier professional league, but nonetheless had to fight off rival claimants to major league status during almost all of its first five decades of existence. Eventually, the NFL would come to surpass the collegiate leagues in popularity, and by the late 1960s football was the most popular sport in the United States. 1960 saw the establishment of the American Football League, a rival professional league which soon proved fierce competition for playing talent with the NFL, though the rivalry quickly came to an end when the two leagues agreed to a merger in 1966, which instituted a championship game to be played between the champions of each league: the '''Super Bowl'''. The AFL–NFL rivalry arguably helped football surpass [[Baseball in the United States|baseball]] in popularity and grow as a sport as the game went from 12&nbsp;teams in 1959, only two of which played south of [[Washington, D.C.]] or west of [[Chicago]] (both in California), to 26 in 1970 upon completion of the merger. Both game attendance and TV ratings also grew very fast during that period of time. Today, the NFL and the NCAA remain far and away the most popular football leagues in the world, with both having made attempts since the 1990s to promote football abroad, the most notable of which is the yearly NFL international series in London. The Super Bowl is the single most important game on the American sporting calendar, and perennially one of the most-watched television events every year, with hundreds of millions tuning in from around the world for the only football game they will watch until the following February. Due to a number of rules that ensure competitiveness, such as the '''draft''', the '''salary cap''', or revenue sharing for TV revenue, the NFL is one of the most balanced professional sports leagues in the world and many teams have gone from championship contender to the bottom of their division or the other way round in just a few years. This makes "'''dynasties'''" of teams appearing in and winning multiple Super Bowls in a short span of time all the more impressive, as unlike in other sports, simply outspending opponents to get the best players is not a feasible tactic. ===Rules=== [[File:US Navy 081109-N-9818V-324 - MCPON Joe R. Campa - NFL coin toss.jpg|thumb|250px|Each game begins with a '''coin toss''' to determine which team will initially possess the ball|alt=Players and officials looking up at a tossed coin]] The following is a brief overview of the basics of American football, as played in the NFL (there are some small differences in the NCAA or high school matches): Football is played by two teams of '''11&nbsp;players''' on the field who face off trying to advance an elongated ellipsoid ball (often described as looking like an egg) towards the '''end zone''' and its tall yellow '''goalpost''', where points can be scored. The offense has '''four''' opportunities (called '''downs''') to advance the ball '''10&nbsp;yards''' ({{convert|10|yd|m|disp=out|abbr=off}}). Each new down begins where the preceding down ended (i.e. where the ball carrying player was "marked down" or—in the case of an incomplete pass—at the previous spot). If the 10&nbsp;yards have been achieved, a new set of four downs starts. If a net distance of 10&nbsp;yards has not been achieved after four downs, the offense must turn the ball over to the other team. Oftentimes, a down is synonymous with a play but if a penalty is called on the defensive, the offensive may be given extra opportunities or even an all-new first down to start over after a particularly egregious defensive infraction. In very few cases will the offense risk turning the ball over on downs when they are in a disadvantageous field position; instead, they almost always elect to '''punt''' on fourth down. Punting means kicking the ball away out of the hand towards the opposing team (much like a goalkeeper does in soccer). However, if the field position is good enough (usually within 35 yards of the end zone) a field goal will be attempted (see below). In rare cases, including cases where the offensive team is trailing by more than three points or only needs a couple yards to gain, the team may try to "go for it", i.e. convert the first down. [[File:2007 Hawaii Bowl - Boise State University vs East Carolina University - BSU offense.jpg|thumb|250px|The line of scrimmage at the start of play|alt=Players crouched on either side of a football]] Each play starts with a '''snap''', in which the ball is passed backwards to the '''quarterback''', away from the line of scrimmage. The ball may then be advanced through '''passing''' with one forward pass (subject to some other preconditions as well) and unlimited backward passes (which are rarely used) permitted per play. Passing is almost exclusively the domain of the quarterback, who is usually the best paid and most prestigious player on the field. He is the ''de facto'' team captain and guides the other offensive players. If a forward pass is not caught before it hits the ground, the referee signals an incomplete pass, the play ends ("is blown dead") and the next play begins at the spot where the previous one started. The ball may also be advanced by '''running''' (carrying it forward) which is usually done by a '''running back'''. The other positions on the offense are the '''wide receivers''', who catch forward passes; the '''offensive linemen''', who try to clear a space for the running back to run through and are also responsible for protecting the quarterback; and the '''tight end''' (not always present), a larger receiver who may be called on to either catch passes or block, depending on the play call. The '''defense''' tries to stop the offense's advance by '''tackling''' the player that carries the ball. There are three basic defensive positions. The '''defensive linemen''' try to prevent the offense from pushing the defense back and will try to reach the quarterback on passing plays. '''Linebackers''', who play behind the defensive linemen, have perhaps the broadest role. Depending on what the offense does, they may rush the passer, cover a running back or tight end on a pass pattern, or try to chase down a running back. '''Defensive backs''', divided into '''cornerbacks''' who play at the edges of the defense and '''safeties''' who play in the middle of the field, are usually assigned to a specific receiver or area and try to prevent the receivers from catching the ball or catch it themselves. If they catch it themselves, it is called an '''interception''' and possession of the football changes to the other team. If a player who had control of the ball drops the ball, or a backwards pass or snap is not caught, it is called a '''fumble'''. When the ball is fumbled, any player of either team may take the ball and advance it (for an exception to ''that'' rule, found only in the NFL, see Wikipedia's article on the [[w:Holy Roller (American football)#Reaction|"Holy Roller" play]]). Lost fumbles and interceptions are collectively referred to as '''turnovers''', and one of the most important aspects in winning the game is to turn the ball over less than the opponent does. Typically a team that turns the ball over three or more times loses the game. [[File:Week218.JPG|thumb|250px|A player scores a leaping touchdown|alt=A player diving with his back to the ground as he crosses into the end zone]] '''Scoring''' is done through one of three means. The most common and coveted is a '''touchdown''': when a player enters the opponent's end zone with the ball, or catches the ball inside the opponent's end zone. Unlike in rugby, and despite its name, touching the ball to the ground is not required. A touchdown is worth six points, and further points may be earned by either a two-point conversion (another touchdown from the two-yard line) or a single point by touchdown kick (which is similar to a field goal). As the touchdown kick is by far the preferred option and has a success rate well over 90% (in the NFL at least; in youth and amateur leagues that rate may be considerably lower), touchdowns are often perceived to be worth seven points. '''Field goals''' are scored by kicking the ball through the yellow goalpost from a place kick, and are worth three points. A very rare drop kick can also be attempted instead of the place kick when attempting a field goal or one-point conversion, whereby the ball is dropped and immediately kicked through the goalposts on hitting the ground—only one has been successfully converted in NFL football since 1941. Least commonly, the defense can score a two-point '''safety''' if the opposing offense is brought down within their own end zone. Even more uncommon is a different type of two-point safety (also called a '''defensive conversion'''), scored if the defense forces a turnover (blocked kick, interception, fumble) on a conversion attempt ''and'' returns the ball to the opponent's end zone. Fouls, or '''penalties''', are signaled through yellow '''flags''' (orange in Canada) which are thrown onto the field by an official. Enforcing the penalty involves placing the ball some distance forward or back, to the detriment of the offending side. Common penalties include unnecessary roughness, any type of illegal motion prior to the snap (such as a false start or crossing the line of scrimmage) and holding (grabbing a player who doesn't have the ball). Each game lasts for four '''quarters''' of 15&nbsp;minutes each, although each team is allowed a limited number of '''timeouts''' to briefly stop the clock. As the clock stops or keeps running depending on what happened in the previous play, "clock management" is one of the most crucial and complicated aspects of tactics at the highest level, particularly in the last few minutes of a half. After the first two quarters, an extended break called '''half-time''' occurs where the two teams return to their locker rooms to recover. During this intermission, '''entertainment''' is provided for the fans, such as a cheerleading or a marching band performance, or a pop music concert in the case of major events. When the teams return from the break, the end zones are swapped for the second half of the game. As American football allows an unlimited number of substitutions, players tend to specialize in either offense or defense, and the entire team is usually substituted whenever there is a stoppage during or after a turnover. This means that touchdowns by defensive players are a rare event, and typically only occur if a pass by the offensive team is intercepted, or if a fumble by the offensive team is recovered by the defensive team in a good position. While even the NFL has a few players that play "both ways" (J. J. Watt is a commonly cited example), this is more common in youth or developmental leagues or outside North America, as some players so far outrank others in talent that the additional strain and less rest is not a deciding factor. It is more common for an otherwise defensive or offensive player to play on special teams, often in a role broadly similar to his role on scrimmage downs. ==Going to a game== [[File:Benstailgate.JPG|thumb|A typical tailgate party|alt=Fans in jerseys standing behind open SUVs]] [[File:16014-event-First Tailgate-4376 (20628755893).jpg|thumb|alt=A woman tossing a cornhole bag in front of her board while a man stands beside her|Tailgaters often pass the time with lawn games like cornhole]] If you're a football fan and like to travel, it's very easy to combine the two. You can plan your trips about when and where your team is playing. There is nothing as exciting as watching your team on the road. Getting tickets to a football game is no different than other spectator sports. NFL ticket prices range from around $40 in the upper decks to thousands of dollars for up-close seats on the sidelines. Major college football prices are comparable, and sometimes even more. There are usually a lot of tickets from season ticket holders available through re-sellers; these are a good way to get a better seat for a nicer price. NFL teams play one game a week; most are on Sundays, with one marquee match-up on Monday night and one or two on the prior Thursday evening. Sunday afternoons see sports bars filled as the NFL plays more than half a dozen games that all start at 1PM Eastern Time (another smaller set starts at 4:30PM ET, and the weekend's marquee game kicks off around 8:20 ET). The football season is significantly shorter than most other sports due to the high-impact play, so each team only has 17&nbsp;games—with each team having eight and nine home games in alternating seasons—along with one ''bye'' week somewhere in the middle of the season to give the players a rest. College football has claimed Saturdays as its domain, which is why the NFL avoids that day of the week until after the college season ends, with the earliest games starting around noon and continuing throughout the day. At the high school level, Friday night is football night in most areas of the country. Because of how the clock stops between many plays, football games are '''very long'''. In NFL, the average game lasts about '''3¼ hours''', and college games are even longer averaging closer to 3½ hours. Those are ''averages'', which means some games last longer; a particularly long game can stretch to almost 4 hours, even without overtime. (High school football is shorter and faster, usually around 2–2¼ hours.) Once you add time to get to your seats before the game, then get out of the stadium and back home after the game, expect to set aside '''no less than 5–6 hours''' to attend an NFL or college game, and longer if you're tailgating (see below). Nowadays, you should expect to go through a quick '''security screening''' before entering the stadium. You'll have to empty your pockets and pass through a metal detector. The NFL has [http://www.nfl.com/qs/allclear/index.jsp restrictions on what you can bring in]: except for small clutch bags, only specific clear bags are allowed, and all bags are checked. At most stadiums '''you can't bring in alcohol, drinks, or food''', because stadiums make a lot of money on concession sales. Water is generally allowed, but may have to be in a factory-sealed bottle. College football games are also beginning to implement clear-bag restrictions similar to the ones imposed by the NFL, and most other limitations still apply. High school football games are generally unrestricted, or might have a cursory security screening. (Alcohol cannot be brought in and is not sold at high school and some college games, because so many attendees are underage.) These events will also offer some memorabilia and concessions as well but at a much lower price than the pros. Whatever game you go to, check the stadium's and team's rules before packing your bag; if you can bring in food and drinks, this is a good way to save money. As mentioned above, there is some pageantry and spectacle around games. The '''half-time show''' can be flashy and feature famous musicians but even a smaller game will have elaborate choreography and musical performances from marching bands. Cheerleaders are athletes in their own right with dance moves, acrobatics, and songs to charm the crowd. More prominent games may even be accompanied by fireworks, air shows, the presentation of trophies, and other accompanying events. ===Tailgating=== '''Tailgating''' is a social event that's strongly associated with football games. A tailgate party usually means grilling some food, drinking beer, playing lawn games like catch or cornhole, and of course discussing the upcoming game and football in general. Some teams have now formalized this with "official" tailgating parties at least for important games. Tailgaters may either have a close group of friends who are sharing their food or they could open up their space to anyone who wanders by to talk football and eat snacks. Some will even act like unlicensed food vendors, selling bottled water or freshly-grilled food. For attendees like casual fans, the event ''is'' the tailgate and some may not even enter the stadium for the show if they are having a good time listening to music and playing games. ==National Football League== {{Mapframe|40.71|-98.96|zoom=4|layer=M|height=450|width=640|name=Map of professional gridiron football stadiums in Canada and the United States|alt=A map of North America centered on the United States}} The '''[https://www.nfl.com/ National Football League]''' (NFL) is the premier football league in the world and has become synonymous with the sport in some areas and languages. Its '''regular season''' runs traditionally from the weekend after Labor Day (in September) to the weekend after Christmas, with the post-season '''playoffs''' occupying most of January and culminating in the '''Super Bowl''' on the second Sunday of February. The regular season lasts 18&nbsp;weeks in total, with each team playing 17&nbsp;games and getting one&nbsp;bye week, the shortest season of any major sports league in the USA. Most games are played on Sundays, with a small set of Monday night and Thursday night matches each week during the regular season. There is also a '''pre-season''' played for about a month prior to the official games starting. These games don't always feature the main stars of the NFL but are a much cheaper and less crowded alternative if you want to try out a pro football game. It's also an opportunity to see players who may never make the field or to see trick plays and experiments from squads who are testing out their strategies for the upcoming season. The NFL consists of 32&nbsp;teams in a "closed" system, which means that unlike most European sports leagues there is no promotion or relegation, but rather the same 32&nbsp;teams playing in the same cities every season, unless a team is relocated, folds, or is added via expansion (none of which occur very often these days). What this means for the traveller is that, save for rare instances, if you want to watch NFL football you'll have to go to one of the cities listed below. Keep in mind that as the NFL is the most popular sports league in the world when measured in per game attendance, tickets will be expensive and hard to come by, especially for popular teams such as the Green Bay Packers. The '''Pro Bowl''', the NFL's version of an all-star game, is held the weekend before the Super Bowl but has often been regarded as an afterthought, because many players don't play their full game in fear of injuries. In addition, the NFL now does not allow players on Super Bowl teams to play in the Pro Bowl for the same reason. (Any player named to the Pro Bowl whose team makes the Super Bowl is replaced for the Pro Bowl, but is still considered a Pro Bowl selection because many player contracts contain bonuses for Pro Bowl selections.) However, both combine to make players a lot more relaxed and visibly enjoying themselves. Some fans get a kick about attending every active stadium in the league. Every stadium is going to provide a unique football viewing experience. Below is a list of all NFL teams ordered by conference and division as of the upcoming 2022 season and their current home venues: ===AFC East=== * '''[https://www.buffalobills.com/ Buffalo Bills]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=42.774 | long=-78.787|name=Highmark Stadium}}, [[Orchard Park]], [[New York (state)|New York]]&nbsp;– The Bills are noted for two things: one, undyingly loyal fans and two, their record run of four straight AFC Championships in the early 1990s (and the also-record four straight Super Bowl losses). A horrifying playoff drought of 17 seasons finally ended in 2017 when they earned a postseason berth by the skin of their teeth. (Their first post-drought playoff ''win'', however, wouldn't happen until January 2021.) The Bills' stadium can get bitterly cold and covered in snow during winter months, but the tailgating atmosphere is second to none. * '''[https://www.miamidolphins.com/ Miami Dolphins]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=25.958056 | long=-80.238889|name=Hard Rock Stadium}}, [[Miami Gardens]], [[Florida]]&nbsp;– Once a prolific team, having made it to the Super Bowl several times, they have entered a slump since the 1990s and usually play second fiddle in their division to the dominant Patriots, and are sometimes even surpassed by the Jets or the Bills. They are to date the only NFL team ever to achieve a "perfect season" while playing in the NFL in the 1972 season, which they culminated with a win in Super Bowl VII. * '''[https://www.patriots.com/ New England Patriots]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=42.090944 | long=-71.264344|name=Gillette Stadium}}, [[Foxborough]], [[Massachusetts]]&nbsp;– The most successful NFL team of the 21st century (after decades of irrelevance), the Patriots have enjoyed an unprecedented level of success under quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, making regular Super Bowl appearances and winning six before Brady left for Tampa Bay. Their success has earned them both a widespread fan base and many detractors willing to root for practically any team as long as it plays the Patriots in an important game. A highlight of home games is the End Zone Militia, a group of men in Revolutionary War dress who fire a salute from the end zone when the Patriots score. * '''[https://www.newyorkjets.com/ New York Jets]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=40.813611 | long=-74.074444|name=MetLife Stadium}}, [[East Rutherford]], [[New Jersey]]&nbsp;– Despite playing in the [[New York City]] area, the Jets tend to take a backseat to the more famous New York Giants, with which they share a stadium. They were the first AFL team and to date the biggest underdog (by Las Vegas point spread) to win a Super Bowl, upsetting the then-Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. However, this has so far proven their only Super Bowl win. MetLife is one of the newest stadiums in the NFL and the second-largest, able to host over 80,000 attendees. ===AFC North=== [[File:Pittsburgh Steeler fans 16 Sept 2007.jpg|thumb|300px|Steelers fans waving "terrible towels"|alt=A large crowd of Steelers fans with golden towels]] * '''[https://www.baltimoreravens.com/ Baltimore Ravens]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=39.277881 | long=-76.622639|name=M&T Bank Stadium}}, [[Baltimore]] (in [[Baltimore/South Baltimore|South Baltimore]])&nbsp;– Named for Edgar Allen Poe's famous poem, the Ravens have enjoyed great success during their time in Baltimore, becoming a regular fixture in the playoffs. They are the product of a controversial and curious relocation of the Cleveland Browns in 1996, with the Ravens officially entering the league as an expansion team, despite them continuing with almost all their players and coaches as well as the same owner from their days in Cleveland. * '''[https://www.bengals.com/ Cincinnati Bengals]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=39.095444 | long=-84.516039|name=Paycor Stadium}}, [[Cincinnati]]&nbsp;– After years of frustration, the Bengals found new fire in the 2010s, and after another down period later that decade, reached the Super Bowl in 2021 (though losing), much to the delight of their fans. Cincinnati fans are noted for their "Who Dey!" chant, more specifically, "''Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? ...Nobody!''" Before finally getting a corporate name in 2022, their stadium was known as Paul Brown Stadium, after the namesake of the Cleveland Browns, who was instrumental in the history of both Ohio teams. * '''[https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/ Cleveland Browns]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=41.506111 | long=-81.699444|name=FirstEnergy Stadium}}, [[Cleveland]] (in [[Cleveland/Downtown|Downtown Cleveland]])&nbsp;– Despite a storied history, the Browns have had very little success to speak of in the last few decades (bottoming out in 2017, when they played only the second winless season in NFL history). Even the first signs of a resurgence in 2020 (which saw them earn their first playoff win in more than 20 years) haven't done much to mitigate the bitterness that Clevelanders still feel about the controversial relocation of the previous Browns franchise to Baltimore in 1995 and the three inactive seasons that followed. By necessity, Browns supporters are notoriously loyal: a curiosity of the fanbase is the "Dawg Pound" section behind the end zone, where fans often wear canine-related masks and costumes. * '''[https://www.steelers.com/ Pittsburgh Steelers]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=40.446667 | long=-80.015833|name=Acrisure Stadium}}, [[Pittsburgh]] (in the [[Pittsburgh/North Side|North Side]])&nbsp;– The oldest franchise of the AFC (one of the three that moved from the NFL after the merger), the Steelers share the record for most Super Bowl victories, with six, and their wide-reaching and devoted fanbase makes them one of the most recognized teams in the NFL. Expect to view a sea of yellow and black terrible towels waving in the air whenever a play goes their way. ===AFC South=== * '''[https://www.houstontexans.com/ Houston Texans]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=29.684722 | long=-95.410833|name=NRG Stadium}}, [[Houston]] (in [[Houston/South Main|South Main]])&nbsp;– The newest franchise in the NFL, dating back only to 2002. Due in part to their short history, they are one of three AFC teams to have never played in a Super Bowl. They are also the only team that has never played in a conference championship game. In spite of this, they have had several competitive seasons in the 2010s. * '''[https://www.colts.com/ Indianapolis Colts]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=39.760056 | long=-86.163806|name=Lucas Oil Stadium}}, [[Indianapolis]]&nbsp;– The Colts have proved fierce competitors in the 21st century, making regular playoff appearances. Once an NFL team from Baltimore, they first moved to the AFC upon the AFL–NFL merger and later controversially relocated to Indianapolis "overnight". Peyton Manning used to play here until 2011 and is both credited with spurring the construction of their stadium ("the house that Peyton built") and the team's enduring success which continued under successor quarterback Andrew Luck until his unexpected retirement just before the 2019 season. * '''[https://www.jaguars.com/ Jacksonville Jaguars]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=30.323889 | long=-81.6375|name=TIAA Bank Field}}, [[Jacksonville]]&nbsp;– The less successful of the 1995 expansion teams (and one of the three AFC teams to never make it to a Super Bowl), they are struggling on and off the field, having trouble selling out their stadium. As they play at least one "home" game per season in [[London]], where their owner also owns a soccer team, relocation speculations had been rampant, but subsided after the team added a gigantic video board to its stadium and took out a few thousand seats (increasing fan comfort in the process). * '''[https://www.titansonline.com/ Tennessee Titans]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=36.166389 | long=-86.771389|name=Nissan Stadium}}, [[Nashville]]&nbsp;– Formerly the Houston Oilers, they were the last team to have relocated prior to the Rams' and Chargers' sequential moves back to LA. The Titans have made it to the Super Bowl once since playing in Tennessee, famously losing one yard short of overtime in 2000 against the St. Louis Rams. ===AFC West=== [[File:Black Hole at Falcons at Raiders 11-2-08.JPG|thumb|300px|The "Black Hole" of Raiders fans|alt=Goal posts with a banner hung behind them reading "Black Hole".]] * '''[https://www.denverbroncos.com/ Denver Broncos]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=39.743889 | long=-105.02|name=Empower Field at Mile High}}, [[Denver]]&nbsp;– The Broncos are among the most successful NFL teams, making frequent playoff runs and winning three Super Bowls, most recently in the 2015 season. They have had a number of famous quarterbacks, most notably John Elway, who won two Super Bowls as the Broncos quarterback in his final two seasons as a player and now manages the franchise; and Peyton Manning, who played his final four seasons in Denver after being let go by Indianapolis, with the Broncos' most recent Super Bowl win coming in ''his'' last game. * '''[https://www.chiefs.com/ Kansas City Chiefs]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=39.048889 | long=-94.483889|name=Arrowhead Stadium}}, [[Kansas City]]&nbsp;– The Chiefs enjoy one of the most rabid fanbases in football, and home crowds are noted for such antics as shouting "Chiefs!" as the final word of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the intimidating chant of "We're gonna beat the hell outta you... you... you, you, you, you!" You may want to bring earplugs along; fans of the Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks (see NFC West section) from time to time try to set new world records for measured crowd noise at outdoor venues. The Chiefs hold the record for now at 142.2&nbsp;decibels, beyond the threshold of human pain. * '''[https://www.raiders.com/ Las Vegas Raiders]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=36.09075 | long=-115.183722 |name=Allegiant Stadium}}, [[Las Vegas]] (outside the city limits, just [[Las Vegas/West of I-15|west]] of the Strip)&nbsp;– The Raiders ended their second stint in [[Oakland]] in the 2019 season, and started play in a new domed stadium in 2020. Among the most recognizable football teams, the Raiders are noted for their intensely passionate fans, the most visible of whom show up at games wearing intimidating costumes as members of the "Raider Nation". A very successful team for most of their history in Oakland, Los Angeles, and then Oakland again, they entered a severe decline in the 2000s, which they had started to climb out of in their final years in Oakland. The team's merchandise is iconic and widespread and can be found far away from Las Vegas or Oakland. * '''[https://www.chargers.com/ Los Angeles Chargers]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=33.95345 | long=-118.3392 |name=SoFi Stadium}}, [[Inglewood]], [[California]]&nbsp;– After 56&nbsp;seasons in [[San Diego]], the Chargers returned to their original home of [[Los Angeles]] (where they played their first season in the old AFL) in 2017. After three seasons at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, the Chargers moved into their permanent home of SoFi Stadium in 2020, which they share with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFC West. Though the Chargers have won the AFL championship once (prior to the merger and thus the Super Bowl), they have never won the Super Bowl, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in their sole appearance. ===NFC East=== * '''[https://www.dallascowboys.com/ Dallas Cowboys]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=32.747778 | long=-97.092778|name=AT&T Stadium}}, [[Arlington (Texas)|Arlington]], [[Texas]]&nbsp;– A widely-known team with a national following, the Cowboys are among the most successful NFL teams. They play in a lavish domed stadium, which includes one of the world's largest video displays hanging over the field. The Cowboys like to call themselves "America's team" and as such are either ardently loved or hated by most people who care for football, with fans often accused of jumping on the bandwagon in the Cowboys' successful times. A special feature of the Cowboys' schedule is their annual Thanksgiving game (in late November, frequently against Washington, for a "Cowboys and Indians" theme). * '''[https://www.giants.com/ New York Giants]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=40.813611 | long=-74.074444|name=MetLife Stadium}}, [[East Rutherford]], [[New Jersey]]&nbsp;– One of the oldest and most successful franchises in the NFL, the Giants are based in the [[New York City]] area and share a stadium with the Jets of the AFC. Since Peyton's little brother Eli Manning became their quarterback in 2004, they haven't made the playoffs very often, but when they have they've been hugely successful, upsetting New England twice in the Super Bowl in the 2000s. * '''[https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/ Philadelphia Eagles]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=39.900833 | long=-75.1675|name=Lincoln Financial Field}}, [[Philadelphia]] (in [[Philadelphia/South|South Philly]])&nbsp;– Sports-crazy Philadelphia is extremely loyal to its football team, which is noted for its heated rivalry with the Giants. The Eagles were the only NFC East team that hadn't won a Super Bowl until 2018 (2017 season), when they scored an upset victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. * '''[https://commanders.com/ Washington Commanders]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=38.907778 | long=-76.864444|name=FedEx Field}}, [[Largo (Maryland)|Landover]], [[Maryland]]&nbsp;– The team formerly known as the "Redskins" has had its glory days, most recently in 1991 with their latest of three Super Bowl wins. Increasing pressure to change their former name, which is seen as blatantly racist and offensive by many indigenous Americans, finally culminated with the announcement that the moniker would be retired in 2020, replaced with "Commanders" in 2022. They find themselves at the bottom of the NFC East more times than not. ===NFC North=== [[File:Cheeseheads in Stadium (14819823518).jpg|thumb|A cheeseheaded Packers fan|alt=A man wearing a green Packers jersey and a large wedge of fake cheese on his head]] * '''[https://www.chicagobears.com/ Chicago Bears]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=41.8625 | long=-87.616667|name=Soldier Field}}, [[Chicago]] (in [[Chicago/Near South|Near South]])&nbsp;– One of the oldest NFL franchises in the oldest stadium, "Da Bears" are among the most recognized and successful teams in the NFL, and have a long-standing rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. Like a handful of the northernmost teams, expect some brutally cold games with the wind whipping off Lake Michigan in this open-air stadium. The Bears may not be long for Soldier Field, however, as the team is on the verge of buying the property of the now-closed Arlington Park horse track in the northwest suburb of [[Arlington Heights]] and building a new stadium. * '''[https://www.detroitlions.com/ Detroit Lions]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=42.34 | long=-83.045556|name=Ford Field}}, [[Detroit]] (in [[Detroit/Downtown|Downtown Detroit]])&nbsp;– While the Lions can claim four pre-merger NFL championships (the last dating from 1957), they haven't made it to the Super Bowl ever, the only NFC team with that distinction. Furthermore, they are the only team to have multiple seasons with no wins. Lions fans have a lot of heart to stick with the team. As with the Cowboys, the Lions have an annual game on Thanksgiving. * '''[https://www.packers.com/ Green Bay Packers]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=44.501 | long=-88.062|name=Lambeau Field}}, [[Green Bay]], [[Wisconsin]]&nbsp;– The last of the small town teams from the founding of the NFL, the Packers have a powerful connection with their city and are the only community-owned major sports franchise in the USA. Packers fans also feel a strong connection to Vince Lombardi, who coached Green Bay to victory in the first two Super Bowls (hence why the Super Bowl trophy today bears his name). Despite being based in a small city, the Packers have a large and devoted following, who are often referred to as "cheeseheads" owing to their practice of wearing foam cheese-shaped hats. The team's success in the early years of the NFL as well as their championship "three-peat" in the 1960s (a feat that no other team in professional football has accomplished since) have made Green Bay one of the most storied franchises in football. Come dressed cozy, as this is another open-air stadium that gets extremely chilly. * '''[https://www.vikings.com/ Minnesota Vikings]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=44.973889 | long=-93.258056 |name=U.S. Bank Stadium}}, [[Minneapolis]] (in [[Minneapolis/Downtown|Downtown Minneapolis]])&nbsp;– Vikings fans are noted for their practice of often wearing "Helga hats", purple Viking helmets with blond braids. A highlight of home games is the blowing of a loud viking horn to announce the arrival of the home team or celebrating a touchdown, which is often answered by the fans with horns of their own. They moved into a new stadium built on the site of their former stadium, the Metrodome, in 2016. The new stadium is loaded with all of the latest bells and whistles, including a largely transparent fixed roof and the closest seats to the field in any NFL stadium. ===NFC South=== * '''[https://www.atlantafalcons.com/ Atlanta Falcons]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=33.755361 | long=-84.401192|name=Mercedes-Benz Stadium}}, [[Atlanta]] (in [[Atlanta/Downtown|Downtown Atlanta]])&nbsp;– Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a mixed soccer and football facility, opened for the 2017 season as the replacement for the nearby Georgia Dome (which has since been demolished). While the South as a whole is crazy about all forms of football (from high school to the NFL) and Georgia is no exception to this rule, the Falcons are often regarded as an afterthought in national sports media. The team has made it to two Super Bowls but lost both, most recently in dramatic fashion in overtime, giving up the biggest lead ever overcome in the Super Bowl in the process. * '''[https://www.panthers.com/ Carolina Panthers]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=35.225833 | long=-80.852778|name=Bank of America Stadium}}, [[Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]] (in [[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown Charlotte]])&nbsp;– The other 1995 expansion team, they have enjoyed more success than the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars and are among the top playoff contenders nearly every year, most recently losing to the Broncos in Super Bowl&nbsp;50. * '''[https://www.neworleanssaints.com/ New Orleans Saints]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=29.950833 | long=-90.081111|name=Caesars Superdome}}, [[New Orleans]] (in the [[New Orleans/Central Business District|CBD]])&nbsp;– When the Saints go marching in, you can bet on New Orleans fans to cheer them on. The Saints are strongly identified with the city and have proved to be competitors since the mid-2000s. Their reemergence after Hurricane Katrina, as well as their Super Bowl win after years of abysmal performance that earned them the moniker of "Ain'ts", have often been cited as influencing the culture of the city deeply and giving locals hope in difficult times. [[File:Raymond James Stadium03.jpg|thumb|300px|The Buccaneers' pirate ship|alt=A large pirate ship behind the seats in the stadium]] * '''[https://www.buccaneers.com/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=27.975833 | long=-82.503333|name=Raymond James Stadium}}, [[Tampa]]&nbsp;– Have most recently enjoyed success under former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, winning the Super Bowl in his first season (2020). Brady had announced his retirement after the 2021 season, but changed his mind a month later. The Bucs' stadium is noted for its replica pirate ship, which besides being a great prop has cannons which fire confetti and even mini footballs into the crowd below. Although the Buccaneers are rarely contenders, they put on a fun show. Make sure to bring sunscreen as you will spend several hours in the sunlight at this open-air venue. ===NFC West=== * '''[https://www.azcardinals.com/ Arizona Cardinals]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=33.5275 | long=-112.2625|name=State Farm Stadium}}, [[Glendale (Arizona)|Glendale]], [[Arizona]]&nbsp;– The oldest continuously run professional football team, having played in Chicago and St. Louis prior to their move to the [[Phoenix]] area, the "Bird Gang" have had some playoff success, but also hold the longest championship drought in football, with their last championship won in 1947. * '''[https://www.therams.com/ Los Angeles Rams]''', '''SoFi Stadium''', [[Inglewood]], [[California]]&nbsp;– The reigning Super Bowl champions (2021 season), winning their first title in their L.A. history in their current stadium, the newest in the league. They also played in and lost the Super Bowl in 2018, before the new stadium opened in 2020 but after having returned from St. Louis in 2016. Before this current run of success, the Rams' last major successes were during their incredible runs in St. Louis with Kurt Warner at quarterback in the late 90s and early 2000s, which earned them two Super Bowl appearances and one title, as well as the nickname "greatest show on turf" for the offense of those years. The Rams actually started their life in Cleveland, and became the first NFL team on the West Coast in 1946. The Rams moved from their previous home of the L.A. Coliseum to the suburb of Inglewood in 2020, playing in a new stadium that they share with the Chargers. The most expensive stadium in history, costing about $5 billion, it's a unique combination of open-air and covered stadium, with a roof covering the entire field and seating area but still open to the elements. * '''[https://www.49ers.com/ San Francisco 49ers]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=37.403 | long=-121.97|name=Levi's Stadium}}, [[Santa Clara (California)|Santa Clara]], [[California]]&nbsp;– Based in the [[Bay Area (California)|Bay Area]], the 'Niners are among the most successful teams in the NFL, with a string of Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. Before losing to the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, they had five Super Bowl wins with no losses, the longest streak of unbeaten appearances in the Super Bowl to date. In 2014, the team moved out of [[San Francisco]] proper to play in the suburb of Santa Clara; the stadium is next to the team's headquarters. * '''[https://www.seahawks.com/ Seattle Seahawks]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=47.5952 | long=-122.3316|name=Lumen Field}}, [[Seattle]] (in [[Seattle/Sodo-Georgetown|Sodo]])&nbsp;– The Seahawks have had considerable success in the 2010s (winning Super Bowl XLVIII and appearing in XLIX), with a passionate (and ''loud'', owing to the stadium's design) fanbase that is collectively referred to as the "12th Man", who are honored with a giant #12 flag raised at the start of each home game. ===NFL International Series=== Even though gridiron football is strongly associated with North America, the NFL has long had ambitions to make the sport a worldwide phenomenon, starting with a short-lived European league in the 1990s and early 2000s. The '''[http://search.nfl.com/search?query=nfl%20international%20series NFL International Series]''' is a set of regular season games that take place outside the United States, the only NFL matches that do so. The International Series premiered in 2007 and has been regularly held in [[London/North|North London]]'s {{Marker|type=see|lat=51.555833 | long=-0.279722|name=Wembley Stadium}}. Originally a once-a-year event, the series has since expanded to three games a season (extending to stadiums beyond just Wembley), and further expanded to four for 2017. Only three games were played in 2018, but the series returned to four games in 2019. Though the quality of the teams playing in London hasn't always been top-notch (usually it's been teams that are unlikely to contend for the playoffs that take part), nearly every game of the International Series has sold out and the NFL tries to attract fan and media attention by hosting events throughout the game weekend, often including former or current NFL superstars. All NFL teams have competed other than the Green Bay Packers, which will play in the series for the first time in 2022. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a particularly strong following in the UK, in no small part because that team's owner also owns a soccer club in London. [[File:Wembley Stadium NFL Int'l Series 2013.JPG|thumb|250px|Wembley Stadium decorated for the International Series|alt=Wembley Stadium from the outside featuring a football player on a screen]] Once the schedule for each season is set, as per the North American convention, the designated "home" team will be mentioned second. Games will be held in the following venues in [[London]]: * One game will be at Wembley Stadium in each season from 2022 to 2024. The Jaguars will host a 2022 game at Wembley. * At least two games each season at {{Marker|type=see|lat=51.60475 |long=-0.066417 |name=Tottenham Hotspur Stadium}}, the new home of Tottenham Hotspur (aka Spurs) of soccer's Premier League, from 2019–2027. The stadium had originally been set to open in time for the 2018 NFL season, but due to construction delays only one NFL game was scheduled there for that season, and that game was ultimately moved to Wembley. The Packers and New Orleans Saints will each "host" a game at this stadium in 2022. [[Germany]] will be added to the list of countries hosting International Series games starting in 2022, with at least one game in each season through 2025. The first game in the Germany series will be at Allianz Arena in [[Munich]], with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers "hosting" the Seattle Seahawks. Concerns about the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] led to the NFL canceling all international games in 2020, with the games moved back to the United States. The league had already announced that the Jacksonville Jaguars would "host" two of the 2020 games, and the Miami Dolphins would "host" one. The dates for the next set of London games are expected to be announced in May 2022, at or near the time the rest of the NFL schedule is announced. ===Other NFL games outside the US=== Some exhibition and regular season NFL games have been held in Canada, Mexico or other places outside of the US in the past, but this is no longer being done. However, a game between the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders (the designated home team) was held at [[Mexico City]]'s {{Marker|type=see|lat=19.302994|long=-99.150492|name=Estadio Azteca}} on November 21, 2016. With that game selling out, the NFL announced that it would return to Mexico City in 2017, with the Raiders "hosting" the New England Patriots on 19 November at Estadio Azteca. That game also sold out, and the NFL announced it would hold at least one Mexico City game each season through 2021. The 2018 game, however, was moved to Los Angeles on less than a week's notice due to issues with the playing field. The Arizona Cardinals were set to be the "home" team for the 2020 Mexico City game, with the date and opponent unannounced. That game was also moved to the United States due to COVID-19, and no games were held outside the US in 2021 either. The Cardinals will be the designated home team for a November 21, 2022 game in Mexico City against the San Francisco 49ers. ===Super Bowl and Pro Bowl=== The '''Super Bowl''', the NFL championship game that pits the AFC champion against the best of the NFC, is the '''biggest single-day event in sports''' and one of the most watched TV programs worldwide every year. Many fans dream of seeing a Super Bowl live once in their lifetime, but tickets sell out extremely quickly and unless you have luck, patience, a lot of money, or know the right people getting tickets is extremely hard, if not impossible. The Super Bowl is a major annual event in the United States and has even become something of an unofficial holiday, drawing the attention even of people who don't typically follow football. There has been a media obsession with Super Bowl commercials, due to the exceptionally high cost of airtime during the Super Bowl television broadcast and the increasingly theatrical nature of these advertisements. Super Bowl Sunday is also one of the busiest days for food delivery of any kind—[[tipping|tip]] accordingly—and high amounts of [[Fast food in North America|fast food]] are eaten. Even if you can't make it to the game, being in the city of the Super Bowl during Super Bowl weekend can be a worthwhile reason for travel all by itself. The highlight of Super Bowl festivities is the '''[http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/nflexperience NFL Experience]''', a fan festival that takes place the week prior to the game in the host city and has lots of games, vendors, a giant souvenir/collectibles store and autograph opportunities. You can get free gear, participate in virtual reality football games, go [[zip-lining]], and generally be in the center of the action without actually attending the game itself. Wherever the Super Bowl is held, expect packed hotels, more expensive [[Flying in the United States|flights]] (or [[Intercity bus travel in the United States|bus]]/[[Amtrak|train]] tickets if and where applicable) and a general state far from normalcy in and around the host city. Venues are chosen and announced years ahead and the date has shifted from being in January for several years to being held on the second full weekend in February. (The most recent change was due to the NFL expanding its regular season from 16 to 17 games in 2021.) The next events are scheduled to be: * '''Super Bowl LVII''', February 12, 2023 / State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona * '''Super Bowl LVIII''', February 11, 2024 / Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas * '''Super Bowl LIX''', February 9, 2025 / Caesars Superdome, New Orleans Finally, the '''Pro Bowl''' is an all-star match played a week before the Super Bowl. For several years, this one-off game was played in [[Hawaii]], but has since moved to the US mainland, most recently to [[Las Vegas]] for the 2022 edition (2021 season). The Pro Bowl is a more low-key event than the Super Bowl—e.g., the NFL does not allow players from the Super Bowl teams to play in the Pro Bowl, to avoid injuries and focus on the big game. But for someone who is even a casual fan, the Pro Bowl is a unique experience to see several of the game's greatest players having fun. Events will frequently include older stars who have retired and may be honored at the proceedings. ==College football== [[File:Cheerleaders (4005477383).jpg|thumb|300px|Cheerleaders at a college football match|alt=Several women held in the air kicking with men below them]] College football is the primary and almost only source of talent for the NFL. The college season runs roughly concurrent with the NFL season, with most games held on Saturdays. In college football, there are several divisions that represent different levels of play (so that lower division schools rarely compete against higher division ones), and teams usually play in or close to the town the university they represent is located. Post-season "bowl games" also usually take place at fixed locations. === Structure === As mentioned before, college football is separated into different levels of play. However, the most prominent college football programs belong to the NCAA's '''Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)''', part of Division I. Within the FBS are the Power 5 conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference, Southeastern Conference), which (in addition to independent Notre Dame, an ACC member for non-football sports) represent the highest standard of play in collegiate football. Below is a selection of the most prominent college football teams in the United States, sorted by region: ==== [[South (United States of America)|The South]] ==== * '''[https://rolltide.com/ Alabama Crimson Tide]''', '''Bryant–Denny Stadium''', [[Tuscaloosa]], [[Alabama]] – College football is practically a religion in Alabama, and the Crimson Tide represent the state's premier program. The Tide are known for a pair of highly successful coaches: Bear Bryant, who led the team to 6 national championships during the 60s and 70s, and current coach Nick Saban, who in his 15 seasons has led the team to 6 championships, most recently in 2020. * '''[https://auburntigers.com/index.aspx?path=football Auburn Tigers]''', '''Jordan–Hare Stadium''', [[Auburn (Alabama)|Auburn]], Alabama – The other major conference team in Alabama has a storied rivalry with the Crimson Tide. The Iron Bowl game between the two teams is traditionally played in the last week of the regular season, and while the Tigers lag behind in terms of on-field success, their fans can be just as rabid in their support of their team. * '''[https://clemsontigers.com/ Clemson Tigers]''', '''Memorial Stadium''', [[Clemson]], [[South Carolina]] – Clemson has found major success under coach Dabo Swinney, winning two national championships in the last part of the 2010s (2016 and 2018 seasons, defeating Alabama for both). * '''[https://georgiadogs.com/ Georgia Bulldogs]''', '''Sanford Stadium''', [[Athens (Georgia)|Athens]], [[Georgia (state)|Georgia]] - The Bulldogs' rabid fans stuck with their team through the years following their national championship in 1980, and have been rewarded with another national title in 2021. * '''[https://www.lsusports.net/ LSU Tigers]''', '''Tiger Stadium''', [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]] – A traditional national contender, most recently winning the 2019 national championship, with a home field that boasts one of the most distinctive atmospheres in the sport, especially for night games. ==== [[Mid-Atlantic]] ==== * '''[https://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/football Army Black Knights]''', '''Michie Stadium''', [[Highlands (New York)|West Point]], New York – The oldest of the country's service academies plays in a scenic stadium on the banks of the Hudson River, with extensive military pageantry and the entire Corps of Cadets (except for those on the field or on guard duty) cheering on the Black Knights from a dedicated section. See also the [[#Army–Navy Game|section on the Army–Navy Game]]. * '''[https://navysports.com/sports/football Navy Midshipmen]''', '''Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium''', [[Annapolis]], Maryland – Much the same type of experience as an Army game, though in not quite as scenic a setting; substitute "Brigade of Midshipmen" for "Corps of Cadets". See also the [[#Army–Navy Game|section on the Army–Navy Game]]. * '''[https://gopsusports.com/ Penn State Nittany Lions]''', '''Beaver Stadium''', [[State College]], [[Pennsylvania]]&nbsp;– While the Eagles and Steelers draw the most attention in the state's two largest cities, the Nittany Lions rule the state's center. A traditional national contender with a storied history, they are also notable for their "White Outs", night games in which all fans are encouraged to wear white. ==== [[Midwest|The Midwest]] ==== * '''[https://mgoblue.com/ Michigan Wolverines]''', '''Michigan Stadium''', [[Ann Arbor]], [[Michigan]]&nbsp;– The Wolverines have a long and storied history, and enthusiastic supporters. Their home field, nicknamed "The Big House", is the largest non-motorsports stadium in the United States. * '''[https://gophersports.com/sports/football Minnesota Golden Gophers]''', '''Huntington Bank Stadium''', [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]] * '''[https://und.com/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish]''', '''Notre Dame Stadium''', [[South Bend]], [[Indiana]]&nbsp;– One of the few independent programs remaining in the FBS has an iconic place in college football lore. The Fighting Irish are the team of the "Gipper", the "Four Horsemen", and coaches Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, and Ara Parseghian. * '''[https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ Ohio State Buckeyes]''', '''Ohio Stadium''', [[Columbus]], [[Ohio]]&nbsp;– Ohio may have two NFL teams, but the Buckeyes command the entire state's loyalty. Their rivalry with the Wolverines is as fierce as ever. * '''[https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football Wisconsin Badgers]''', '''Camp Randall Stadium''', [[Madison]], [[Wisconsin]] ==== [[Texas]] ==== * '''[https://texassports.com/ Texas Longhorns]''', '''Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium''', [[Austin]], [[Texas]]&nbsp;– "The Eyes of Texas" lie upon the Longhorns, despite the domination of the 1960s and 70s being a memory. * '''[https://12thman.com/ Texas A&M Aggies]''', '''Kyle Field''', [[Bryan-College Station|College Station]], Texas&nbsp;– The Aggies also command a large fanbase in Texas, despite laboring under the shadow of their more successful rivals, the Longhorns, for a very long time. The "12th Men" at Kyle Field are known for their numerous traditions and chants. ==== [[Great Plains]] ==== * '''[https://huskers.com/ Nebraska Cornhuskers]''', '''Memorial Stadium''', [[Lincoln (Nebraska)|Lincoln]], [[Nebraska]]&nbsp;– Even after the dominance of the 1990s faded away, Nebraska's love for their Huskers is so fierce that, when filled to capacity, Memorial Stadium becomes the state's third largest city, and every Cornhusker football home game since 1962 has been sold out. * '''[https://gobison.com/sports/football North Dakota State Bison]'''. '''Fargodome''', [[Fargo]], [[North Dakota]] – Though '''''not''''' an FBS program, the Bison are notable as the utterly dominant force of the ''other'' level of D-I football, the '''Football Championship Subdivision'''. NDSU's 2021 FCS title was its ninth in 11 seasons. * '''[https://soonersports.com/ Oklahoma Sooners]''', '''Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium''', [[Norman (Oklahoma)|Norman]], [[Oklahoma]] ==== [[California]] ==== * '''[https://calbears.com/sports/football California Golden Bears]''', '''California Memorial Stadium''', [[Berkeley]], California * '''[https://gostanford.com/sports/football Stanford Cardinal]''', '''Stanford Stadium''', [[Palo Alto]], California * '''[https://usctrojans.com/ USC Trojans]''', '''Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum''', Los Angeles, California (in Exposition Park, at the northern edge of [[Los Angeles/South Central|South Central]]) – The most storied team on the West Coast, with numerous national titles, legendary players, and decades-long rivalries with Notre Dame and fellow Los Angeles school UCLA. ==== Inland West ([[Rocky Mountains (United States of America)|Rockies]] and [[Southwest (United States of America)|Southwest]]) ==== * '''[https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football Air Force Falcons]''', '''Falcon Stadium''', just to the north of [[Colorado Springs]], Colorado – The newest of the Division I service academies offers much the same military pageantry as Army and Navy, with a military fly-by before each home game. * '''[https://byucougars.com/home/football BYU Cougars]''', '''LaVell Edwards Stadium''', [[Provo]], Utah – The only school outside of today's Power Five conferences to claim an FBS title in the modern era (1984), though it's on its way to the Big 12 Conference in 2023. While not quite at the rarefied level they reached in the 1980s, the Cougars are still a very competitive program, with a spicy rivalry against Utah. * '''[https://utahutes.com/sports/football Utah Utes]''', '''Rice–Eccles Stadium''', [[Salt Lake City]] – BYU's eternal rival has enjoyed solid success in the current century. The Utes' home stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and the Olympic cauldron still stands just outside the stadium, although it's no longer at its original location. ===Regular season=== There are numerous college football conferences in the United States. Teams play both in-conference and out-of-conference games. If you are interested in seeing a college football game somewhere where you are visiting, look at the websites of local colleges for schedule and other useful information. The atmosphere at college games is very different from what you would experience at an NFL game, with a lot more '''cheerleading''' (cheerleaders are those pretty women in flashy uniforms, often partnered with muscular men in slightly less flashy uniforms, who chant things and do dance and sometimes acrobatic moves) and performances by the college's pep band (a marching band) and dance team (more pretty women in flashy uniforms, but they only dance and don't do acrobatics) during halftime and other breaks in the action. There are myriad local rivalries; some teams located close to an opponent (e.g. Michigan and Michigan State or Texas and Texas A&M) may have a crowd made up of even contingents for both squads, although this normally happens only when the game is held at a neutral site within easy reach of both fanbases (e.g. Oklahoma–Texas, held in [[Dallas]], and Florida–Georgia, held in [[Jacksonville (Florida)|Jacksonville]]). Outright hooliganism or violence is rare, but emotions can run high and these can result in especially rowdy audiences. ====Conference championship games==== Since the 2018 season, all 10 FBS conferences have held championship games. Six of these feature the champions of the league's two football divisions, namely those of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten Conference, Mid-American Conference (MAC), Mountain West Conference (MW), Southeastern Conference (SEC), and Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The other four—the American Athletic Conference (The American), Big 12 Conference, Conference USA (C-USA), and Pac-12 Conference—instead feature the top two teams in the final conference standings. All conference championship games are held on the first full weekend of December. The Power Five conferences all hold their title games in NFL stadiums, as does the Mid-American Conference. * Games with permanent sites ** '''ACC''' – Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, home of the Carolina Panthers. ** '''Big Ten''' – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, home of the Colts. ** '''Big 12''' – AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. ** '''MAC''' – Ford Field in Detroit, home of the Lions. ** '''Pac-12''' – Allegiant Stadium just outside the Las Vegas city limits, home of the Raiders. ** '''SEC''' – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home of the Falcons. * The other four Group of Five leagues—'''The American''', '''C-USA''', '''MW''', and '''SBC'''—play their championship games on campus. The American and C-USA title games are hosted by the team with the best conference record; the others are hosted by the divisional champion with the better conference record. The ACC and MW will eliminate their football divisions after the 2022 season, with championship games from 2023 forward featuring the top two teams in the conference standings. The ACC will continue to hold its title game in Charlotte; the MW title game will still hosted by the team with the better record. With C-USA shrinking from 14 members to 11 in 2022 and 9 in 2023, it abandoned its divisional lineup and adopted a single league table. The SBC expanded to 14 members for the 2022 season; the only change to its championship (at least for 2022) was its divisional alignment. Further conference realignment is set to take effect between 2023 and 2025. However, due to a change in NCAA rules surrounding conference championship games, it's an open question whether any conference will keep or adopt a divisional structure. (Said change directly led to the ACC, MW, and Pac-12 eliminating football divisions, with the Pac-12 doing so in 2022 and the others in 2023.) * The American will expand to 14 members in 2023. * The Big 12 will add four schools in 2023, expanding its membership to as many as 14. Conference mainstays Oklahoma and Texas have announced their departure for the SEC no later than 2025, but they may leave sooner. Barring further realignment, the Big 12 will return to 12 members once those two schools leave. * The Big Ten will expand to 16 members in 2024. * The Pac-12 will contract to 10 members in 2024. * The SEC will expand to 16 members no later than 2025. ====Army–Navy Game==== Another prominent college football event is the '''[https://armynavygame.com Army–Navy Game]''', the annual matchup between the teams of two of the country's five military academies—the '''Army Black Knights''' of the United States Military Academy and '''Navy Midshipmen''' of the United States Naval Academy. The game, held on the second Saturday of December (the week after FBS conference championship games), is steeped in military pageantry and decades-old traditions, and is a unique combination of bitter competitiveness and mutual respect. Even though neither team has been nationally relevant in the modern era, thanks to players being subject to mandatory military commitments and weight limits, the game remains nationally televised to this day, and is now the last game of college football's regular season. While the game has been played in a number of places during its history, it's usually played in Philadelphia at the Eagles' home of Lincoln Financial Field. ====Ivy League==== Much like the Army-Navy game, the "Ivy League" - the conference of America's preeminent and most traditional educational institutions on the East Coast - has over a century of tradition, pageantry and rivalries, but in terms of the likelihood of any of the players on the field ever playing in the NFL, they are an afterthought. In part this is due to the Ivy League not giving scholarships based on sports ability alone. In addition, the Ivies play in Division I FCS, the second tier of NCAA football. That said, Ivy League alumni who've played an important part in the early history of the sport (for example, Walter Camp attended Harvard, and coached Amos Alonzo Stagg at Yale) continue to shape the game and its equipment with a former Harvard Quarterback founding the Xenith company that introduced a few innovations in helmet design. ====HBCU football==== Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)—schools founded during the era of legal segregation to educate African Americans—have unique football traditions of their own. Before the Civil Rights Movement, many traditional flagship universities in the South were off-limits to African Americans, with some not even allowed to play against integrated teams, much less all-black ones. Talented black players in the South who wanted to play in college had two options—leave the region, or play at an HBCU. In the immediate post-World War II era, many HBCU stars made their way to the NFL, with a significant number becoming all-time greats. The rival leagues the NFL had to fend off in the 1940s (AAFC) and 1960s (AFL) both became known for drafting more people from HBCUs and other small universities overlooked by the established and more conservative NFL. With integration, almost all of the most talented black players now attend traditional major schools, both within and outside the South, but the traditions of black college football are still a significant part of African-American culture—even if all of the HBCUs now play in Division I FCS, or in lower levels of college football. Similarly HBCUs now admit white students and they have of course taken to the Football field just as well as black students.<!--GFL great Casey Therriault is one such example of a white HBCU alumn--> Many HBCU games are marketed as "classics", often held at neutral sites and some in distant cities. When marketed in this way, the game is typically the culmination of several days of festivities, with concerts, parties, and "battles of the bands". The last of these involves special performances by the marching bands of the schools involved; HBCU bands are famous for incorporating extensive theatrics into their musical performances, and are not to be missed, whether at a halftime show or at an outside event. ====Sprint football==== A little-known variant of college football governed completely outside the NCAA structure, sprint football is played under standard college rules, but its players can weigh no more than 178 pounds (81 kg). This weight limit places a premium on speed and agility. As of the upcoming 2022 season, 15 schools play this variant (some of which also have full-sized teams), divided into two leagues. The [https://sprintfootball.com Collegiate Sprint Football League] features 9 schools in the northeastern quadrant of the country, including Army, Navy, and a couple of Ivy League schools. The [https://midwestsprintfootball.com Midwest Sprint Football League], starting play in 2022, has 6 schools in the Midwest and Upper South. ===Bowl games and the College Football Playoff=== [[File:Nuestros Angeles de El Salvador.jpg|thumb|Dancers at the Rose Parade|alt=Women in elaborate dresses covered in flowers]] For several decades, there was no championship tournament in Division I college football, unlike the NFL's Super Bowl or the NCAA's Final Four in basketball, but the post-season has been restructured into a unique tournament style. After the regular season, starting before Christmas and going until January, there are numerous bowl games. These games are heavily advertised and extremely profitable for the schools whose teams are picked to play in them, and also for the TV networks that offer live coverage. Some have long traditions, while others are much newer. The most famous is the '''Rose Bowl''' in [[Pasadena]], which takes place every New Year's Day and is ushered in with a parade, but the '''Sugar Bowl''' (in the [[New Orleans]] Saints' stadium), the '''Cotton Bowl''' (in the Cowboys' stadium in [[Arlington (Texas)|Arlington]]), and the '''Orange Bowl''' (in the [[Miami]] Dolphins' stadium) are also famous and take place around New Year's. Since the 2014 season, these four bowls, along with the '''Fiesta Bowl''' (in the Arizona Cardinals' stadium [[Glendale (Arizona)|near Phoenix]]) and '''Peach Bowl''' (in the [[Atlanta]] Falcons' stadium), are part of the '''College Football Playoff''' (CFP), the de facto national championship for major college football. Two of the six previously mentioned bowl games rotate as hosts of CFP semifinal games, while slots in the other four games are filled by other top teams. The winners of the two semifinals advance to the '''College Football Playoff National Championship''', whose host is determined by open bidding several years in advance. Sites for the championship game have been announced through the 2023 season (with the title game being played early in the next calendar year): * '''2023''': SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California (home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams), 9 January * '''2024''': NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas (home of the Houston Texans), 8 January Bowl games are huge events, so tickets may be ''expensive'' and hard to come by, especially for the major bowls listed above. The lower divisions of college football each play a traditional single-elimination tournament, just like the majority of NCAA sports (with baseball and softball as the most notable exceptions). ===Events outside the USA=== From time to time colleges hold games outside the USA, while some of these are exhibition games of either sub-par American colleges or against local teams that don't stand much of a chance, there are sometimes regular games of two American college teams against each other in order to raise awareness for the sport and boost revenue for teams that have trouble selling out their home games. An additional enticement for teams is that an NCAA rule allows teams that play a game outside the continental U.S. (including the University of Hawaii and all of its home opponents) to schedule 13 regular-season games instead of the normal limit of 12; the extra game is invariably played at home. ==Canadian Football League== [[File:Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, August 2005.jpg|thumb|A CFL stadium. Note the goal posts on the goal lines, in contrast to the goal posts on the end lines in an NFL stadium.|alt=Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton]] The '''Canadian Football League''' (CFL) is the second professional league of the sport. Canadian football has significantly different rules from the American version of the sport: *there are three downs instead of four, *12 players instead of 11, * larger playing fields ({{yd|110}} long + two {{yd|20}} end zones, and {{yd|65}} wide) These rules cause football to be more of a passing game in Canada than the United States. In addition, while American football places the goal posts at the end lines, Canadian football places the goal posts at the goal lines. The Canadian rules are actually closer to the "Ur-Football" Walter Camp envisioned way back when, with most differences originating with innovations on the U.S. side of the border. The scoring is for the most part similar to American football, except that in Canadian football, players may also score a "single" or "rouge", which is worth 1 point, if the ball is kicked into the end zone other than during a successful field goal, and the defence fails to get the ball out. While the level of play was comparable prior to the advent of television, the CFL is nowadays often regarded as a lesser league than the NFL, due to — among other things — lower salaries, attendance figures and TV ratings. The NFL is very popular among sports fans in Canada. For three disastrous seasons in the mid-1990s, the CFL experimented with fielding teams in the U.S. Besides the odd result of Baltimore (then without an NFL franchise) becoming Canadian champion once, it hasn't left much of a mark upon the league. Several CFL players have played in the NFL and vice versa, and due to the differences in rules and tactics not every former NFL great was successful after moving north, while others, like quarterback Doug Flutie, who was short but a great passer, did much better in the CFL than they had in the NFL. Additionally, play in the CFL is far more competitive: in the decade of the 2010s, all but one of the nine CFL teams won the championship, whereas the NFL had seven different champions out of 32 teams. The Canadian season overlaps the NFL, running roughly June–November with each team playing '''18&nbsp;games''' and getting two bye weeks. The championship game, the '''Grey Cup''', is usually played in '''late November'''. ===East Division=== * '''[http://ticats.ca/ Hamilton Tiger-Cats]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=43.252572 | long=-79.830247|name=Tim Hortons Field}}, [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]]&nbsp;– Playing in one of the smallest markets in North America and close to Canada's largest city, the Tiger-Cats are the result of a merger of two teams shortly after World War II. Their style of play is as resilient and plucky as their franchise history. If you want to blend in with the locals, paint some whiskers onto your face (and even if you're from out of town, that's okay—Hamilton prides itself on having a huge percentage of non-native fans). A final source of local pride is that the Ticats are the only CFL team to defeat an American one in exhibition play, besting the Buffalo Bills in 1961. (This may be a sore spot as the NFL hasn't extended the offer for cross-league play since!) Unfortunately for their fans, they're the only team that has failed to lift the Grey Cup in the 21st century, having last won it in 1999. (The Ticats lost three Grey Cup finals in the 2010s, and also lost the 2021 final.) * '''[https://en.montrealalouettes.com/ Montreal Alouettes]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=45.510083 | long=-73.580667|name=Percival Molson Memorial Stadium}} ''(Stade Percival-Molson)'', [[Montreal]] (in [[Montreal/Downtown|Downtown Montreal]])&nbsp;– The Alouettes are true survivors, having folded and been revived twice in their history (most recently in 1996, when the aforementioned Baltimore Stallions were the last U.S. CFL team to throw in the towel and move north of the border). Brush up a little on your [[French phrasebook|French]] and try to catch a Labour Day Classic against rival Ottawa RedBlacks on the Thursday or Friday prior to the holiday. (And in case you're wondering: ''alouette'' means "lark", and is also the title of a famous French-Canadian folk song.) * '''[https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/ Ottawa RedBlacks]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=45.398178 | long=-75.68365|name=TD Place Stadium}}, [[Ottawa]]&nbsp;– They are the newest addition to the league, having first taken the field in 2014. Ottawa's original team, the Rough Riders, was a founding member of the CFL and played for 120&nbsp;seasons. (The new franchise is named after color scheme of the Rough Riders, but did not take up the old name due to its similarity to the Saskatchewan ''Roughriders'' in the Western Division.) In only their third season, they were the CFL champions. Their historic field, which has been in operation for a variety of sports events since the 1870s, hosted the 105th Grey Cup in 2017 in a special ceremony recognizing 150&nbsp;years of Canadian confederation. * '''[https://www.argonauts.ca/ Toronto Argonauts]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat= 43.632778 | long=-79.418611|name=BMO Field}}, [[Toronto]] (in [[Toronto/Harbourfront|Harbourfront]])&nbsp;– Founded in 1873, the Argonauts have racked up a record 17 championships, including the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 and the 105th in 2017. This legacy also includes two rivalries lasting over a century with Hamilton- and Ottawa-based teams. You also can't miss the "Argonotes" — a volunteer group of musicians that play classic rock tunes and fight songs in a marching band style. ===West Division=== * '''[https://www.bclions.com/ BC Lions]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=49.276667 | long=-123.111944|name=BC Place}}, [[Vancouver]] (in [[Vancouver/Yaletown-False Creek|Yaletown]])&nbsp;– Since the 1990s, they have been one of the CFL's most consistent teams, playing in 20 consecutive playoffs. Their gorgeous BC Place stadium is nestled on the water of False Creek. * '''[https://www.stampeders.com/ Calgary Stampeders]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=51.070328 | long=-114.121389|name=McMahon Stadium}}, [[Calgary]] (in [[Calgary/Northwest|Northwest Calgary]])&nbsp;– One quirk of this long-standing franchise is that their fans bring horses (real ones) into hotels on the day of the Grey Cup, whether or not their team makes it to the end of the postseason. This bizarre tradition, now covered by Canadian national media as part of Grey Cup festivities, dates back more than 70&nbsp;years. If you see a home game of theirs in McMahon Stadium, make sure to take in some of the surrounding University of Calgary campus. They also have the distinction of the only perfect season in CFL history, from 1948—which incidentally was the first year of the aforementioned equine tradition. * '''[https://www.goelks.com/ Edmonton Elks]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=53.559722 | long=-113.476111|name=Commonwealth Stadium}}, [[Edmonton]] (in [[Edmonton/Central|Central Edmonton]])&nbsp;– Possibly the most successful team in CFL history, the former "Eskimos" have lost some of their competitiveness, but have still racked up 14&nbsp;Grey Cups, including an unprecedented streak of five in the 1980s. (The moniker became the Elks in 2021.) Matches against their rivals the Stampeders are particularly electrifying. Games are typically packed, as EE usually has the largest average attendance of a CFL team. Make sure that you watch the cheerleading squad as it's one of the few co-ed ones in major league sports. * '''[https://www.riderville.com/ Saskatchewan Roughriders]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=50.450478 | long=-104.633217 |name=Mosaic Stadium}}, [[Regina]]&nbsp;– The Roughriders are community-owned and a staple of this comparatively tiny market, having been founded in 1910. Fans are so loyal that matches against their rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers usually sell out before the season even starts. Due to the colours of their uniforms, Roughriders fans will adorn themselves with helmets carved from watermelon and oftentimes a flag of the team's logo tied as a cape. * '''[https://www.bluebombers.com/ Winnipeg Blue Bombers]''', {{Marker|type=see|lat=49.807778 | long=-97.143056|name=IG Field}}, [[Winnipeg]]&nbsp;– The Blue Bombers had a long Grey Cup drought, now emphatically ended, and substantial administrative turnover for the past 30&nbsp;years but have maintained one of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports with the Roughriders. If you attend a home game, enjoy their new stadium and take a look at the walk of fame which recognizes a long history of contenders from years gone by — the Bombers have had down times, but they're never out for good. The Bombers have won the two most recent Grey Cups, ending a nearly 30-year drought in 2019 and repeating in 2021 (no 2020 season was held thanks to COVID). ==Other leagues== ===Minor and indoor leagues=== As football is very popular in the United States, there are minor leagues to serve cities without a NFL franchise. These leagues aren't officially recognized by the NFL or any other governing body, and thus tend to make their own rules, sometimes with "gimmicky" innovations to attract viewers. Unlike baseball, the overwhelming majority of NFL players come directly from college leagues and very few players from minor leagues ever make it to the NFL. Due to the lower public interest and revenue, minor leagues are rather volatile with teams frequently folding, relocating, or switching leagues. Many minor leagues have had to cease operations in their entirety and even the Arena Football League had to cancel one season on short notice due to economic problems. Some minor leagues play a spring schedule to avoid competition with the NFL's fall schedule. ====Indoor football==== [[File:Tampa Bay at Iowa 6.1.13.JPG|alt=Players setting up on an arena football field|thumb|You can literally reach out and touch the players at this 2013 arena football match between the Tampa Bay Storm and the Iowa Barnstormers (although it's not recommended).]] The most successful minor league had been the indoor '''Arena Football League''', which played on a shorter field with modified rules to adapt to the indoor environment. In both attendance and quality of play, the Arena Football League was the most "major" of the minor leagues and some players (notably Kurt Warner) managed to make an NFL roster after having previously played arena football. By comparison with NFL games, which tend to pack in sellout crowds of mostly casual fans, the fans at arena football games were fewer in number but more diehard. There's also less pageantry incorporated into the games, but concession and merchandise were much more affordable. If you are in the front lines of any game played under indoor rules, regardless of the league, you will be immediately next to the field of play as well. An indoor league game may be a cheaper and more exciting option for someone who isn't accustomed to gridiron football. The AFL had enjoyed significant success in the 1990s and the first years of the 21st century, but by the end of the decade ran into financial trouble, folding after its 2007 season. However, the AFL had a flourishing minor league at the time, and several teams from that league bought the original AFL's assets in a bankruptcy auction, relaunching the AFL in 2009. After a few years, the revived league ran into its own financial problems, ceasing all operations and also filing for bankruptcy liquidation after the 2019 season. ====Other minor leagues==== A variety of other minor leagues pop up and fold from time to time. None of them are "professional" in the strict sense of the term, although they tend to pay their players some money. As this is an extremely volatile market, teams and even entire leagues have folded before ever playing a single down of football. Indoor leagues other than the AFL are especially noted for their volatility. There are even women's football matches, although these are rare. Expect these other leagues to play on high school or university fields. Notably, in the late 2010s, two minor outdoor leagues announced plans to play spring seasons, thereby avoiding head-on conflict with the NFL. The first was the '''Alliance of American Football''', which began play in 2019 with ambitions of becoming an unofficial developmental league for the NFL. However, despite good reviews and decent TV ratings, the league didn't make it to the end of its first season, with its main investor pulling the plug that April. The second, which started play in February 2020, is a revival of the '''[https://www.xfl.com/ XFL]'''. It was initially owned by professional wrestling impresario Vince McMahon, who also founded the original XFL, which played only one season in 2001. The first XFL, also a spring league, was widely criticized for a lack of high-level player talent, and perhaps more so for taking a "sports entertainment" approach to football similar to that seen in modern pro wrestling. McMahon hired several experienced football executives for the revived league, and publicly distanced the new XFL from his main business of WWE. The new XFL has marketed itself more as a complement to the NFL instead of a direct competitor. It launched with eight teams, all in cities that are current or former homes of NFL teams. The XFL also didn't finish its first season, though for an entirely different reason—it was one of countless sports leagues throughout the world that were disrupted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. It paid all players their base pay and benefits for the entire 2020 season, and originally planned to resume in February 2021 but has since pushed back its return to 2023. During its hiatus, it was bought out of bankruptcy by a group led by WWE megastar turned Hollywood A-list actor Dwayne Johnson, and has since announced a partnership with the NFL in which the XFL will serve as a test bed for rules changes and help to develop coaches and game officials. In the meantime, a new version of the '''[https://usfl2.com United States Football League]''' began play in April 2022. The new league, partly owned by Fox Sports, paid for the rights to use most of the intellectual property of its 1980s predecessor—the league name and logo, and most of the old league's team names and logos. The new USFL launched with 8 teams and played its first regular season entirely in [[Birmingham (Alabama)|Birmingham, Alabama]]; due to conflicts with Birmingham hosting the 2022 World Games, the playoffs were held in [[Canton (Ohio)|Canton, Ohio]]. The 2023 season will likely see at least some teams moving to their nominal home markets. ===High school football=== [[File:Marching Mounties (10038140523).jpg|alt=A huge light pointed toward a football field|thumb|The ''Friday night lights'' illuminating this Pennsylvania football field may be meager compared to the lavish stadiums of the NFL but the stakes can feel just as high in small communities across the United States.]] Though not professional play, high school football is extremely popular in many towns and small cities across North America, particularly in the American South and the Midwest, where local followings can rival the passion of even college and NFL team fans. High school games typically take place on Friday nights, and like college games usually have cheerleading squads, marching bands, and mascots to entertain fans. As an event, in many small towns and rural regions of the States, a high school football game serves as a huge communal event that brings together different generations and classes who may not otherwise mix. In many of these places, businesses will close for the game and some (e.g. restaurants) will have ''extended'' hours afterward. With very few exceptions, high school games will be played in open air and that includes during some sweltering August games in Texas as well as frigid December matches in Montana. ==Leagues outside the U.S. and Canada== <!--this section needs updating--> [[File:Galaxy-RunIn.jpg|alt=Players run by flares on the field|thumb|Although particularly associated with North America, gridiron-style football has had a foothold in Germany since the 1970s. This entrance by the [[Frankfurt]] Galaxy taking the field against the [[Hamburg]] Sea Devils occurred in the 2007 final season of NFL Europa.]] There is a football world cup held every four years since 1999 with the next event scheduled for the summer of 2019, with eight teams participating. While football is almost exclusively played in fall and winter in the US and Canada, it is much more of a summer sport in Europe, with many countries having little or no overlap between their domestic football season and the NFL season. This is in part to avoid cannibalizing the market share of NFL and domestic football, but also because most European teams play on natural turf; often on fields shared with soccer teams. The other international competition is the European championship with domestic European leagues supplying almost all of the players (both the NFL and top college teams don't allow their players to play for national teams) the last event was 2014 in Austria with the final drawing 27,000 spectators to Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium where '''Germany''' beat '''Austria''' in double overtime to win its second title in a row and third overall. The next European championship is scheduled to be held in Germany in 2018 with all games planned to be held in [[Frankfurt]]. There are national amateur or semi-pro leagues in a number of countries with the [http://www.gfl.info/ German Football League] in [[Germany]], the [http://www.afboe.at/ Austrian Football League] in [[Austria]] (with one team in [[Prague]] and another in [[Ljubljana]]) or the [https://xleague.jp/ X League] in '''[[Japan]]''' drawing notable crowds for important games and some teams playing in modern stadiums on par with professional sports. American football also enjoys quite some support in '''Mexico''' and in fact, the attendance record for an NFL game was set during a one-off game in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca. There has been some form of college football since the 1920s and the current organization [http://deportes.terra.com.mx/futbol-americano/onefa/ ONEFA] has been organizing a national college championship since 1978. Mexico launched [http://www.lfa.mx/ a fully professional league] in 2016 with four teams in Mexico City, which has since expanded to 9 teams for the next season in 2020 (Monterrey and Saltillo in 2017, Puebla City and Toluca in 2019, and Querétaro for 2020). Mexico also participates in World Cups of American Football, where the National Team usually fights for third place with Japan behind dominant Canada and USA. The best club teams of Europe meet every year in the [http://www.bigsix.eu/ Big Six] invitation tournament, with all games but the final held at the normal home venues or alternative bigger stadiums in the same city of the participating teams. For the 2017 season, the participating teams were: [http://www.newyorker-lions.de/ New Yorker Lions] (from [[Braunschweig]]), the [[Berlin]] [http://www.berlin-rebels.de/ Rebels], [[Frankfurt]] [http://www.frankfurt-universe.de/ Universe], the [[Amsterdam]] [http://crusaders.nl/ Crusaders], the [[Milan]]o [http://www.seamen.it/ Seamen], and the [[Badalona]] [http://badalonadracs.es/ Dracs]. In 2017, Braunschweig defended its title against the Samsung Frankfurt Universe in Eurobowl&nbsp;XXXI held in Frankfurt. While national finals in Europe have often been held at neutral sites, the Eurobowl is usually held in the home stadium of one of the participants and as such venue and exact date are subject to change. Rough dates for the 2018 season have already been announced, but as the participating teams have not been announced yet neither venues nor exact dates are known. Another European competition, the EFL Bowl has been introduced when the Euro Bowl was changed to its current "big six" format and has been won by a German entrant in all of its first three seasons. However, EFL Bowl IV saw no German participation with the Thonon Black Panthers from France beating Italy's Milano Rhinos. According to official announcements the winner of the EFL Bowl is to play a promotion/relegation round against the last placed big six participant (similar to the mode for ice hockey world championships), but participants in both big six and EFL Bowl have in the past been chosen for off the field factors such as willingness and ability to pay rather than mere on the field performance. A new pan-European league of American football, the [https://europeanleague.football/ European League of Football] (ELF) started play in 2021 with six teams in Germany and one each in Spain ([[Barcelona]]; playing home games in [[Reus]]) and Poland ([[Wroclaw]]). Several of their teams use old NFL Europe names (with permission by the NFL) and the rules are modified NFL rules for the most part while most other Football competitions in Europe use modified NCAA rules. ==Other football sites== [[File:Packers Statue Green Bay Wisconsin.JPG|thumb|210px|Football statue in downtown Green Bay, a place with a deep and abiding love for its venerable football franchise.|alt=A large statue of a Packer catching a football.]] * {{listing | name=Pro Football Hall of Fame | alt= | url=http://www.profootballhof.com | email= | address=221 George Halas Dr NW, [[Canton (Ohio)|Canton]], [[Ohio]] | lat=40.8211 | long=-81.3978 | directions= | phone=+1 330 456-8207 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Summer (Memorial Day&nbsp;– Labor Day) 9AM–8PM daily, fall–spring 9AM–5PM daily; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas | price=Adults $25, seniors $21, children 6-12 $18, children under 6 free | wikipedia=Pro Football Hall of Fame | image=Football Hall of Fame.JPG | wikidata=Q778412 | lastedit=2017-09-08 | content=Hosting the world's largest collection of pro football memorabilia, this site also features the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery and GameDay Stadium theater, which shows the deep archive of NFL Films documentaries. It is undergoing a mammoth expansion in preparation of the NFL's centennial in 2020. The Hall hosts an induction ceremony and Pro Football Hall of Fame Game to kick off the preseason each year. }} *{{listing | name=NCAA Hall of Champions | alt= | url=http://www.ncaahallofchampions.org/ | email= | address=700 W Washington St, [[Indianapolis]] | lat=39.7676939 | long=-86.1712112 | directions=Westside of Downtown | phone=+1 317-916-4255 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu–Sa 10AM–5PM, Su noon–5PM | price=$5, $3 youth and seniors 60+, free for kids under 5 | wikipedia=NCAA Hall of Champions | image=NCAA_Headquarters_Indianapolis_-_panoramio.jpg | wikidata=Q6952965 | content=This is the headquarters of the NCAA, in White River State Park. Explore the history of college athletics—from hockey to basketball, cross-country skiing to football. Check out a film about NCAA sports, and be sure to check out the spirit section. Gift shop. }} * {{listing | name=College Football Hall of Fame | alt= | url=http://www.cfbhall.com/ | email= | address=250 Marietta St NW, [[Atlanta/Downtown|Downtown Atlanta]], [[Georgia (state)|Georgia]] | lat=33.7597 | long=-84.3950 | directions= | phone=+1 404-880-4800 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Su-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-6PM | price=Adults $21.99, children 3-12 $17.99, children under 3 free, seniors and students $18.99 | wikipedia=College Football Hall of Fame | image=College Football Hall of Fame building.jpg | wikidata=Q747833 | lastedit=2017-09-08 | content=This {{convert|94526|ft2|m2|adj=on}} museum includes {{convert|50000|ft2|m2}} of exhibit space and a 45-yard football field dedicated to college football with memorabilia and interactive exhibits in downtown Atlanta. }} * {{listing | name=Canadian Football Hall of Fame | alt= | url=http://cfhof.ca/ | email= | address=Tim Hortons Field, 64 Melrose Ave. N., [[Hamilton (Ontario)|Hamilton]], [[Ontario]] | lat=43.252572 | long=-79.830247 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W 9AM-noon, Sa 4–7PM (public) | price=Free | wikipedia=Canadian Football Hall of Fame | image= | wikidata=Q3517653 | lastedit=2019-09-30 | content=This {{convert|10000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} museum, located at the club level of Tim Hortons Field, explores the history of the Canadian code, featuring busts of all Hall of Fame members and a rotating collection of exhibits. The Hall also organizes traveling exhibits throughout Canada. In addition to the public hours, the museum is open on days of Hamilton Tiger-Cats home games; club-level ticket holders have access throughout the game, and the museum is opened to all other ticket holders 15 minutes after the final whistle (closing 1 hour after the game). }} ==Work== Almost all top-flight football teams outside of North America employ some American talent in their top teams; if you're a former college player, you might have a chance to get paid playing football in Europe at usually around five hundred to several thousand euros per month, plus various benefits such as health insurance, a car or a free apartment for the duration of your stay with the team. Due to rules in some countries (notably Germany) limiting the number of foreign players and because EU legislation mandates EU citizens be treated equally to local nationals, you may be even more valuable and sought after if you have some dual nationality (e.g. Canadian and French). Most "import" players use their time in Europe traveling and you will likely have enough free time during weeks without a game or even in some cases between training days to explore both your host city and the near and far surroundings. Don't be surprised if you are asked to help train youth teams or represent the team at social events, particularly in small town teams. Import players are often "the face of the team" and are seen as an ambassador of sorts of both their home country and their team with a lot of curiosity, admiration but also skepticism coming your way. Teams or individuals that made bad experiences with previous imports may well be skeptical at first, but if you behave appropriately and give your all on the field, you will quickly find a new family with the team, its fans and management. Many teams also rely on American coaches, so if you are a certified football coach or former player wishing to become a coach, you might find employment opportunities in this field. A website that is dedicated to connecting coaches, teams and players is [http://www.europlayers.com/ found here]. {{PartOfTopic|Spectator sports}} {{guidetopic}} pirfv0ag06vqo6tabipe76zhpqxpc7j 0 139974 4506553 4503944 2022-08-23T04:32:13Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Respect */ The US has different copyright laws for older works. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Duke Humfreys Library Oxford banner.jpg|caption=Duke Humfrey's Library, Oxford. Featured in several films, including 'Harry Potter' series}} '''Fiction tourism''' aims at locations famous from literature, motion pictures, television series, video games, comic books and other media. Among featured destinations are film sets, other shooting locations, TV or motion picture studios, theme parks, and museums. Some of these have [[guided tours]] and other organized hospitality for fiction tourists. ==Specific works, franchises and genres== {{quote|Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.|author=Jessamyn West}} While series such as ''[[Breaking Bad Tour|Breaking Bad]]'' and ''[[The Wire Tour|The Wire]]'' mostly take place within one city, others are spread out across a country, or even several continents. ===Multiple media=== [[File:Alice, Llandudno (geograph 3163936).jpg|thumb|Alice in Wonderland, Wales, UK]] * [[Astrid Lindgren tourism]] (primarily [[Sweden]]) * [[Disney]] tourism. :: Winnie the Pooh's ''Hundred Acre Wood'' in [[literary tourism]] is [[Ashdown Forest]]'s Five Hundred Acre Wood near [[Hartfield]], UK. :: [[Radiator Springs]] of ''Cars'' is based on multiple real US [[Route 66]] locations * [[Assassin's Creed Tour|''Assassin's Creed'' Tour]] - a video game that takes place in multiple countries in different eras * [[Ghost of Tsushima Tour]] - A PlayStation game set during the Mongolian invasions of the island of [[Tsushima]] in [[Japan]] * The [[Trojan War]] described in Homer's ''Iliad'' supposedly took place in ancient [[Troy (Turkey)|Troy]], in what is now [[Turkey]]. Its ruins were discovered in the 19th century and have been partly excavated. * [[Monty Python]] * [[Nordic Noir]], including franchises such as ''Pusher'', ''The Killing'', ''Beck'', and ''Wallander'' ** [[Millennium Tour]] * [[Horror fiction]] * [[Anime and Manga in Japan]] * [[Bollywood tourism]] * [[Dracula]] set in Transylvania, [[Romania]] and [[Whitby]], Yorkshire, England. * [[Universal Studios]] (studio tours & theme parks in [[Universal City#Universal Studios Hollywood|Universal City, California]] and [[Universal_Orlando|Orlando, Florida]]) ===Books=== * [[Exodus of Moses]], according to the Bible's Old Testament * [[Trojan War]], a legendary war of the 12th century BC, retold in the Iliad and Odyssey and the Aeneid * ''[[One Thousand and One Nights]]'' * [[Robin Hood]], a noble thief in English folklore set in Sherwood Forest, [[Nottinghamshire]] * [[Jane Austen tourism]] * [[Frankenstein]] set in Germany and [[Geneva]], Switzerland. * [[Travels of Hans Christian Andersen]], author of ''The Little Mermaid'', ''The Ugly Duckling'' and other fairy tales * ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]''; recreating Jules Verne's 19th-century adventure novel * [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim|Kipling's ''Kim'']], through much of northern [[India]] and parts of [[Pakistan]] during the [[British Raj]] * [[The Flashman Papers]], comic novels about a cowardly and lecherous British officer in Victoria's time * [[Nils Holgersson's Journey Across Sweden]] * [[Emigrants tour]], following Vilhelm Moberg's book series about emigrants from Sweden to the United States. * ''Twilight'', is a series of four vampire-themed fantasy romance novels by American author Stephenie Meyer, as well as three companion novels. The story in the novel was set primarily in the small town of [[Forks#See|Forks]], [[Olympic_Peninsula|Washington]] with real places in and around the town identified from the novel. ''Twilight'' the movie (2008), based on the novel, was filmed primarily in [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland]], [[Oregon]] while its continual saga, ''Twilight: New Moon'' (2009) was filmed mainly in [[Vancouver]], [[Lower_Mainland|British Columbia]], though the Volterra scenes were actually filmed in [[Montepulciano]], [[Italy]]. Some of the scenes from both films also took place in other locations in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. ===Films=== * [[Back to the Future tourism|''Back to the Future'' tourism]] A 1985-1990 trilogy film, set in the fictional town of Hill Valley, California, which was filmed in several real places in the [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles Metropolitan Area]] (Hill Valley in 1955, 1985 & 2015) and [[Sonora_(California)|Sonora CA]] (Hill Valley in 1885). * ''[[Bandit Run]]'', the race from ''Smokey and the Bandit'' * ''Cars'' A 2006 animated film by Pixar, set in the fictional village of [[Radiator Springs]], which is a composite of several real places along [[Route 66]] and a couple of other places not on that highway, all in the [[United States of America]]. * [[DC Extended Universe tourism|''DC Extended Universe'' tourism]] * ''[[Easy Rider]]'', a 1969 road movie, featuring a motorcycle ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans. * [[Fast & Furious tourism|''Fast & Furious'' tourism]] * ''[[Forrest Gump tour]]'' showcases the great events of the [[postwar United States]]. While the story is told to be set in Alabama, most of the filming took place in [[Beaufort_(South_Carolina)|Beaufort]], South Carolina and in the surrounding cities/town of [[Golden_Corner|South Carolina]] and nearby [[Savannah|Savannah GA]]. Other places used to support the filming and the storyline are in Los Angeles, CA and Washington, DC. * [[Harry Potter tourism|''Harry Potter'' tourism]] (primarily [[United Kingdom]]) - locations where the film series was filmed. * [[James Bond tourism|''James Bond'' tourism]] * ''[[In July]]'' — the itinerary of the protagonists of a 2000 German road movie across Europe * [[Indiana Jones tourism|''Indiana Jones'' tourism]] * [[Kill Bill tourism|''Kill Bill'' tourism]] * [[The Lord of the Rings tourism|''The Lord of the Rings'' tourism]] (primarily [[New Zealand]]) - locations where the film series was filmed. * [[Marvel Cinematic Universe tourism|''Marvel Cinematic Universe'' tourism]] * [[Mission Impossible tourism|''Mission Impossible'' tourism]] * [[Matrix tourism|''Matrix '' tourism]] * ''Shawshank Redemption'' A 1994 film based on Steven King's novella, ''Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption'' (1982) and inspired by Clint Eastwood's ''Escape from Alcatraz'' (1979), set in a fictional "Shawshank Prison" somewhere in [[Maine]], but actually filmed in [[Mansfield_(Ohio)#See|Mansfield, Ohio]] and in the nearby towns of [[Ashland_(Ohio)#See|Ashland]] and [[Upper Sandusky#See|Upper Sandusky]], [[West_Central_Ohio|Ohio]]. * [[Star Wars tourism|''Star Wars'' tourism]] * [[Terminator tourism|''Terminator'' tourism]] - a time-travel franchise mostly associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger's cyborg character. Much of the plots are filmed in and around the Los Angeles area. ===TV shows=== * [[Game of Thrones tourism|''Game of Thrones'' tourism]] (primarily [[Northern Ireland]], but also [[Croatia]], [[Iceland]], [[Malta]], [[Morocco]] and [[Spain]]) * [[Seinfeld Tour|''Seinfeld'']] (primarily [[New_York_City|New York]], but also in [[Los Angeles]]) * [[Breaking Bad Tour|''Breaking Bad'']] * [[X-Files tourism|''X-Files'' tourism]] * ''[[The Wire Tour|The Wire]]'' * [[Friends Tour|''Friends'']] (primarily [[New_York_City|New York]], but also in [[Los Angeles]]) * [[Turkish TV series tourism]] — the featured locations in the Turkish drama series with the largest international following ===Board games=== [[Carcassonne]] is a French city that was fought over in the 13th century during the Crusade against the [[Christianity#Cathars|Cathars]]; much of the medieval city has been preserved and today it is a popular tourist destination. There is a [https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/carcassone/ board game] called Carcassonne; it emphasizes development of the countryside, not battles. Some visitors bring a copy to play in the location, perhaps in the shadow of the city wall. Our articles on [[Chess]], [[Go]], [[Shogi]] (Japanese chess) and [[Xiangqi]] (Chinese chess) have links to sites associated with those games. The musical ''Chess'' takes place in [[Merano]] in Italy; an earlier version in [[Bangkok]] in Thailand as well. ==Locations== {{Mapframe|30|-10|zoom=2|layer=M|height=400|width=600}} ===Africa=== ====[[Namibia]]==== The Namibian desert is the shooting location of the 2015 film ''Mad Max: Fury Road'' ====[[South Africa]]==== * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Soweto]] in [[Johannesburg]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-26.222 | long=27.890 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=''District 9'' was filmed in South Africa in the townships of Soweto, though the actual area they filmed in was set to be demolished (that's why they were able to blow up parts of it for the film). }} ====[[Tunisia]]==== * {{listing | name=[[Matmata]] | directions=[[Tunisia]] | lat=33.5426389| long=9.9668056 | content=Scenes of the desert planet '''Tatooine''' in a number of ''Star Wars'' films were filmed here. Also see the nearby town of [[Tataouine]], where a little filming was also done. }} ===Asia=== * [[Hong Kong]]: The city's narrow streets and neon lights influenced various cyberpunk-topic fictions, most notably the ''Ghost in the Shell'' series. * [[Mumbai]], India: The home of Bollywood. * [[Yongin]], [[Miryang]] and other locations around [[South Korea]] are visited by domestic and international fans of K-drama shot there. * [[Kaiping]], in southern China, is known for its UNESCO-listed "castles", strange houses built by overseas Chinese. It was the setting for the hit Chinese movie ''Let the Bullets Fly''. * Many films about the [[Vietnam War]] have been shot in the [[Philippines]], mostly in Luzon. ''Apocalypse Now'' was mostly filmed in [[Zambales]], and Chuck Norris' ''Missing in Action'' movies were mostly filmed near [[Cuenca_(Batangas)#Mount_Maculot|Cuenca, Batangas]]. * {{see | name=Super Nintendo World | alt= | url=https://super-nintendo-world.usj.co.jp/en/us/about | email= | address=2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan | lat=34°39′53 | long=135°25′59 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=An entire theme park dedicated to Super Mario, based on the visual style of Super Mario 3D World. It's based inside Universal Studios Japan. }} * [[Kyoto]] is home to many of Japan's film studios, and Toei's outdoor set where Samurai movies are filmed may be visited. ===Europe=== [[File:Secret Intelligence Services building in Vauxhall.jpg|thumbnail|Fans of the world's most famous agent will immediately recognize this building]] ====Nordic countries==== * {{listing | name=[[Stockholm]], Sweden | lat=59.333 | long=18.066 | content=Location of many [[Nordic Noir]] works, such as the [[Millennium Tour|Millennium series]], the ''Martin Beck'' franchise, and ''Let the Right One In''. See [[Stockholm in fiction]]. }} * {{listing | name=[[Ystad]], Sweden | lat=55.4167 | long=13.8333 | content=Home of Detective Wallander. }} * {{listing | name=[[Copenhagen]], Denmark | lat=55.6762 | long=12.5675 | content=Denmark's capital is known for its diverse architecture (including a 21st century waterfront), and is the location for Nordic Noir works, such as the ''Pusher'' series, ''The Killing'', and ''The Bridge''. }} * {{see | name=Hans Christian Andersen Museum | alt= | url=http://museum.odense.dk/en/museums/hans-christian-andersen-museum | email= | address=Bangs Boder 29 | lat=55.39866 | long=10.39060 | directions= | phone=+45 65 51 46 01 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10AM-5PM | price=55 DKK for entrance | content=A museum dedicated to the city's most famous son, author and poet Hans Christian Andersen, most famous for his fairy tales and in particular The Ugly Duckling and the Little Mermaid. Part of the museum is located in the house where Andersen was supposedly born (though he would never confirm it). The impressive collection is mainly documents from his life and times, period furniture, and many drawings and paper clippings he is famous for at home. }} ====Central Europe==== * {{listing | name=[[Salzburg]], Austria | lat=47.8000 | long=13.0500 | content=Home of the classic musical ''Sound of Music''; though most locals and most Austrians have never heard of it. }} * [[Görlitz]] is one of the few cities in Central Europe with an [[old town]] that looks convincingly "pre World War II" and as such many movies set in that era have been made here since the 1990s. * [[Munich]] is home to the Bavaria Film Studios where both German and international films have been shot. Also, probably half of the many German crime drama series take place in Munich. *Babelsberg, a suburb of [[Berlin]] and administratively part of [[Potsdam]] also has [http://www.filmpark-babelsberg.de/en/ film studios] where - among others - one of the longest running German soap operas ("Gute Zeiten schlechte Zeiten" aka GZSZ) is shot. * {{see | name=Castle Frankenstein | alt= | url=http://www.burg-frankenstein.de/ | email= | address= | lat=49.7932 | long=8.6684 | directions=[[Darmstadt]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Is a hilltop castle located near Darmstadt in Mühltal. The castle is first mentioned in the records in the year 948, and initial construction of the castle ruins remaining today began in the 13th century. The 14th and 15th centuries saw expansion, followed by construction of reinforcements in the 16th. It was owned by the Barons von Frankenstein who owned most of the surrounding land until 1662, when the Baron of that time sold the property to the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. There have been claims that the castle may have inspired the Mary Shelley novel, [[Frankenstein]]. While Shelley is known to have travelled through this area in 1814, historical scholars believe that she did not visit this castle. There are special dinners for Halloween and for other occasions. It is also possible to hike up to the castle. }} *The scenery of [[Switzerland]] has been used in many Indian movies of the past 50 years, with the mountains, forests and lakes serving as the background for many songs, scenes and even entire films. For example, Dilwale Dilwale Le Jaayenge (DDLJ), the famous film commonly cited as inspiring Switzerland as the premier destination for Indian movie shoots, had scenes shot in [[Gstaad]] and [[Saanen]], with other movies quickly following suit. The soaring peaks and small towns on the [[Bernese Highlands]] make the region particularly popular for filmmakers and tourists alike. ====Britain and Ireland==== * [[London]]: See [[Literary London]] for complete coverage. ** While the ''[[James Bond tourism|James Bond]]'' series have been filmed all around the world, all of them also feature London — at the very least the MI6 headquarters. Also, countless other British and non-British movies and tv-series take place and have been filmed in London. * ''[[Braveheart tourism|Braveheart]]'' was recorded in [[Scotland]] ([[Glencoe]], [[Stirling]], [[Loch Leven]] and [[Glen Nevis]]) as well as [[Ireland]]. [[File:Scott Neeson on the set of Braveheart, 1995.jpg|180px|thumb|alt=Braveheart, 1995|Braveheart, 1995]] * The BBC equivalent of that one rock in Southern California (see below) is Harriet Hole in Dinorwic Slate Quarry in Wales, where according to one probably apocryphal account two series were shot at the same time without either production knowing of the other, thus the two got in the way of each other. [[File:Globe theatre london.jpg|180px|thumb|alt=Globe theatre london|Globe theatre london]] * [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] has five sites closely associated with '''Shakespeare'''. A combi-ticket (called "The Full Story") is best value and they can all be seen in the course of an afternoon. Three are central: Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley Street is the obvious starting point. In later life he bought a house at New Place - it's long been demolished, but you visit to see the garden there, and the adjoining Nash's House where his grand-daughter Elizabeth lived. His daughter Susanna married Dr John Hall, and Hall's Croft was their house. A mile west in the hamlet of Shottery is Anne Hathaway's Cottage, where she grew up before marrying Shakespeare. Three miles west in Wilmcote is Mary Arden's Farm, childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. His plays are regularly performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the centre of Stratford. [[File:Portmeirion view of central plaza.jpg|180px|thumb|alt=Portmeirion view of central plaza|Portmeirion view of central plaza]] * {{see | name=[[Portmeirion]] Village | alt= | url=http://www.portmeirion-village.com/ | email=info@portmeirion-village.com | address= | lat=52.91483 | long=-4.09726 | directions=Portmeirion is 1 ½ miles South of [[Porthmadog]] | phone=+44 1766 770000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Portmeirion was created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976. The location of the cult 60s TV series The Prisoner, "I am not a number. I am a free man" It was also a stand-in for 15th century Italy in ''Doctor Who: The Masque Of Mandragora''. }} * {{see | name=The National Videogame Museum| url=http://www.thenvm.org/ | address=Castle House, Angel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LN, United Kingdom | lat=53.3837 | long=-1.4656 | | phone=+44 114 321 0299 | content=Not to be confused with the other National Videogame Museum in [[Frisco]], [[Texas]], this establishment is in [[Sheffield]], [[England]]. }} ====France==== * [[Paris]], one of the world's most prominent cities, has been the backdrop of many films, both French and international. It was also in Paris the world's first public movie screening took place in 1895. ====Balkans==== * What does a fictional Apache chief that was dreamed up by someone from [[Radebeul]], [[Saxony]] have to do with [[Croatia]]? Well, when the works of Karl May about Old Shatterhand, Winnetou and all the others were put to film by German companies, they found that (then) Yugoslavia was much cheaper than the actual Llano Estancado and people in their target audience would neither notice or care, so the site of Winnetou's death is indeed to be found in Croatia, [[Trogir]] looks a lot like the [[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]] of the third movie and when going through [[Plitvice Lakes National Park]] you might find the heroes of your youth come back to life. To add yet another wrinkle, the very successful early 21st century parody on the Karl May movies "Der Schuh des Manitu" ("The shoe of Manitou") was shot in neither the Balkans nor North America but instead in Spain. ===Oceania=== ====Australia==== * {{listing | name=[[Melbourne/Box Hill and Glen Waverley]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] | lat=-37.8588 | long=145.1720 | content=The classic Australian soap opera, ''Neighbours'', is set in a small cul-de-sac in Vermont South, in [[Melbourne|Melbourne's]] south-east. }} * '''Sydney''' — Did you know that the sci-fi movie ''The Matrix'' and its sequels largely were filmed in Sydney? Unsurprisingly also many Australian films are set in the country's largest city. The city is also home to [http://www.foxstudiosaustralia.com/ Fox Studios Australia], the largest film production facility in Australia. * {{listing | name=[[Sydney/Manly]] | lat=-33.8060 | long=151.2948 | content=The classic Australian TV series, ''Out of the blue'', fully filmed in Manly. }} ====New Zealand==== * [[New Zealand]]: Famous for the ''[[Lord of the Rings tourism|Lord of the Rings]]'' franchise. ** [[Matamata]] – the set of Hobbiton is still here and can be visited ** [[Tongariro National Park]] – the location of some scenes, such as Mordor ** [[Queenstown (New Zealand)|Queenstown]] – another location, and has ''Lord of the Rings'' tours ** [[Wellington]] – home to [http://wetaworkshop.com/ Weta Studios], the film studio that made the films, as well many of the filming locations. Many companies conduct ''Lord of the Rings'' tours to the various filming locations. ===North America=== ==== Mexico ==== * The seaside town of [[Acapulco]] is where some episodes of the Mexican TV series ''El Chavo del Ocho'' and ''El Chapulín Colorado'' were recorded in the 1970s. {{see | name=Hotel Emporio Acapulco | url=https://hotelesemporio.com/ | email= | address=Av Costera Miguel Alemán 121, Fracc Magallanes, Magallanes, Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., México | lat=16.859499 | long=-99.873600 | directions=[[Acapulco]], [[Guerrero]] | phone=+52 744 469 0505 | tollfree= | fax= | wikipedia= | hours= | lastedit=2020-01-11 | content=Two episodes of the Mexican TV series ''El Chavo del Ocho'' and one episode of ''El Chapulín Colorado'' were recorded inside this hotel in the Mexican city of Acapulco in 1977. The destination has become very popular with tourists from Hispanic America and Brazil. | wikidata=|alt=}} ====United States==== The fiction of the [[Old West]] is set all across the western United States - shooting locations of Western movies often included places far away from the US, for monetary or political reasons. * [[Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]] &mdash; The Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station was the location of the Terran stargate! The stargate is located underneath the former North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters. *[[Devils Tower National Monument]], [[Wyoming]] &mdash; Made famous in Spielberg's ''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' as a site of first contact, transmitted psychically to abduction victims. =====California===== [[File:LeoCarrilloBeach-02s.jpg|400px|thumbnail|Leo Carrillo Beach, the backdrop for many film and TV scenes]] <blockquote>''In California, they don't throw their garbage away - they make it into TV shows.'' &ndash; <small>Woody Allen</small></blockquote> [[California]] in general has been (and continues to be) used for many films given that it is the center of the American mainstream film industry and offers a wide variety of different landscapes that can be used to represent different environments; for example, [[Santa Clarita Valley#See|one rock in Southern California]] has reportedly been used as a backdrop in dozens of incredibly varied movies. * '''[[Los Angeles]]''' is quite arguably the greatest place in the world for cinema tourism, being the home to '''[[Hollywood]]''' and the backdrop for countless movies; so many that it would be absurd to try and list even just the most famous ones here. Besides the touristy district of Hollywood, with its star-lined Walk of Fame, numerous old theaters and iconic [[signs]], most of the active film and television studios are located in adjacent communities, such as [[Burbank]], the home of Warner Brothers, Disney, and NBC-Universal, [[Los Angeles/West|Century City]], headquarters of 20th Century Fox, [[Culver City]] with its historic film studios, and [[Los Angeles/Wilshire|Fairfax]], home to CBS' main television studio. Many of these studios offer tours and with careful planning it is possible to obtain tickets to a taping of a television show. The Los Angeles area is also home to theme parks such as [[Universal City|Universal Studios]] and [[Disneyland]], both large-scale celebrations of their company's respective films. Throughout the Greater Los Angeles area a number of private homes, (non-film) businesses, schools, college campuses, malls, hospitals and parks have been used as settings or backdrops for various movies and television programs while what went on inside may have been filmed inside these buildings, back at the studio or at another location. An example is [[Torrance#See|Torrance High School]] which served as the fictional "West Beverly High School" for the TV Series ''Beverly Hills 90210'' and from 2008 to 2013 as "Ulysses S. Grant High School" in ''The Secret Life of the American Teenager'' among other movies such as ''The Wild Life, Not Another Teen Movie, Whatever It Takes, Cursed, Wild Things 3,'' and ''Bruce Almighty.'' A lot of these settings including this high school and many private homes used in movie and TV shoots are at most viewable from the street and cannot be visited by the public. :* The '''Bradbury Building''' in downtown LA is an iconic piece of Victorian architecture that's been used in many films, including ''Blade Runner'' and ''The Artist''. :* {{see | name=Leo Carrillo Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=34.043974 | long=-118.935035 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-03 | content= Movies filmed here include ''Grease'', ''Gidget'', 1984's ''The Karate Kid'', ''The Craft'', ''Point Break'', ''The Usual Suspects'', ''Inception'', and ''Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus'', and in the first season's opening scene of episode 1 of ''The Rockford Files''. }} :* {{listing | type=see | name=Vazquez Rocks | alt= | url= | email= | address=Agua Dulce | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Iconic to the point of cliche, dramatic sandstone formations seen in hundreds of TV shows, movies, commercials, and music videos. Particularly featured in Science Fiction and Western films and TV, though in their first cinematic appearance they represented Tibet. }} :* {{marker|type=see|name=Zuma Beach|lat=34.0201|long=-118.8293}} and {{marker|type=see|name=Westward Beach|lat=34.0044|long=-118.8110}} near {{marker|type=see|name=Point Dume|url=https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=623|lat=34.0020|long=-118.8068}} in Malibu have been the filming locations for numerous movies and TV programs such as ''Planet of the Apes, I Dream of Jeannie, D-Day 6th of June (1956); D-Day Battle of Omaha Beach (2019); Iron Man Parts 1-3, Fast & Furious, Lucifer, Star Trek Enterprise-Earth Beach, Knight and Day,'', etc. The nearby {{marker|type=see|name=Malibu State Park in Agoura Hills|url=http://www.malibucreekstatepark.org/MASH.html|lat=34.0964627|long=-118.7464849}} served as the filming location (in place of Korea) for M*A*S*H Tv series. :* {{marker|type=see|name=LAC+USC Medical Center|url=|lat=|long=}} :* {{marker|type=see|name=Griffith Park|url=|lat=|long=}} :* {{marker|type=see|name=Los Angeles Arboretum|url=|lat=|long=}} *Despite the name, the annual '''San Diego Comic-Con''' has become a major event in the cinema world. Taking place in [[San Diego]] every July, this is one of the world's biggest fan conventions and tickets are expensive and hard to get, but if you're lucky enough to get inside you can expect plenty of big-name film and television stars and producers, in addition to representatives of major toy manufacturers and the video game and comic industries, showing up to offer sneak peeks at major upcoming releases. * '''[[San Francisco]]''' has been the backdrop for numerous famous films, including Alfred Hitchcock's ''Vertigo'', the ''Dirty Harry'' series, and the action movie ''The Rock''. * {{see | name=Los Angeles Convention Center | alt= | url=https://e3expo.com/ | email= | address=1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | lat=34.0403 | long=-118.2696 | directions= | phone=+1 213 741-1151 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-03 | content=The [[Los Angeles]] Convention Center is the location of the yearly E3 (The Electronic Entertainment Expo) convention for new video games and consoles. The next opening is from June 12th to June 15th, 2021. }} =====Midwest===== * '''[[Chicago]]''' — the country's third largest city (and historically its "second city") is also featured in several movies, some of them being ''The Blues Brothers'', ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off'', ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'', ''The Fugitive'', ''Batman Begins'', ''Breakfast Club'', and ''Chicago''. ** Union Station - among other films, the famous staircase shootout with the imperiled baby carriage in ''The Untouchables'' was filmed here. =====East Coast===== * '''[[New York City]]''' has been the backdrop for countless motion pictures and television series not to mention all the video games set here; again, so many that it would be fruitless to try and list them all here. In contrast to L.A., New York is more reputed for its indie film scene, with [[Manhattan#Film|numerous excellent theaters]] catering to that clientele and oftentimes hosting discussions with the makers of some fine, lesser-known films. Additionally, most of America's major media and television networks are headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, with most of the popular late night and morning talk shows taped here, usually with tickets available to the public. ** '''Cortlandt Alley''' in Chinatown. Contrary to popular portrayal in film, New York only has a handful of dark, dingy alleys, and most of them are off-limits to filming. So if a scene takes place in an alley in a film or TV show filmed in New York, it was almost certainly filmed here. * {{listing | name=[[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]] | lat=39.29219 | long=-76.60955 | content=[[The Wire Tour]] is an itinerary for the acclaimed HBO series ''The Wire''. }} * '''[[Washington, D.C.]]''': Any film involving the American political leadership in any form or role will have Washington as a backdrop — frequent appearances are made by the White House, U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon, across the Potomac in [[Arlington (Virginia)|Arlington, Virginia]]. * '''[[Seneca Falls]]''' is widely believed to be the original '''Baxter Falls''' in the holiday classic ''It's a Wonderful Life''. * [[Manchester-by-the-Sea]] for the eponymous 2017 film * {{listing | name=St. Andrew's School | directions=Middleton, [[Delaware]] | wikidata=Q1802429 | content=Setting of the 1989 film ''Dead Poets Society'', described to take place in [[Vermont]]. }} =====Southwest===== * {{listing | name=[[Albuquerque]], [[New Mexico]] | lat=35.08444| long=-106.65111 | content=The [[Breaking Bad Tour]] showcases the location of acclaimed AMC series ''Breaking Bad''. }} * [[Route 66]] has been the setting for many films, such as ''The Grapes of Wrath''. Pixar's ''Cars'' contains [[Radiator Springs|cartoon versions]] of some real places on the route and parodies a [[Monument Valley]] side trip as "Ornament Valley". * {{listing | name=[[Monument Valley]], [[Arizona]] | lat=36.9833 | long=-110.1000 | content=An iconic scenery, used in countless Western films (see [[Old West]]). }} * {{listing | name=National Videogame Museum, [[Frisco (Texas)|Frisco]], [[Texas]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=33.1435 | long=-96.8353 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A museum celebrating the rich history of video games. They also have a large version of pong. }} * {{listing | name=[[Alamogordo]], [[New Mexico]] | lat=32.886631| long=-105.960747 | content=The location of the Atari Video game burial, a mass burial of unsold Atari games, most notably E.T. Previously thought to have been an urban legend, most of the copies have now been sold.}} =====Northwest===== * {{listing | name=[[Forks]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]] | lat= 47.951111 | long=-124.384722 | content=Main setting for the ''Twilight'' literary and film franchise. }} * {{listing | name=[[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]] | lat=47.6032 | long=-122.3303 | content=Setting for series such as ''Frasier'' and ''Grey's Anatomy'', as well as films such as ''It Happened at the World's Fair'', ''The Parallax View'', ''Singles'', and ''Sleepless in Seattle''. }} ====Canada==== * {{listing | name=[[Toronto]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.7 | long=-79.4167 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place where a surprising number of movies (and series) were shot that are set elsewhere. If you come to the city you might notice that some houses that are in New York or San Francisco according to your favorite sitcom are actually here. The University of Toronto site has a [http://maps.library.utoronto.ca/filmmap/ map] of film and TV locations in the city. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Vancouver]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=49.2 | long=-123 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Another place where a number of television series and movies have been filmed at such as ''Crush (1993)''; ''Smallville'', ''Stargate'', ''X-Files'' , '' Battlestar Galactica'' among others have been filmed in Vancouver. Some of the backdrops for some of the televisions shows are out of this world. Vancouver has had to stand in for numerous other places and few shows shot in Vancouver are actually set there, leading to the quip that "Vancouver doesn't even look like Vancouver" }} * {{see | name=Green Gables Heritage Place | url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/pe/greengables | email= | address=Route 6, Cavendish | lat=46.4884229 | long=-63.3823395 | directions=[[Cavendish (Prince Edward Island)|Cavendish]], [[Prince Edward Island]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipedia=Green Gables (Prince Edward Island) | hours=May 1-Oct 31: daily 9AM-5PM; Nov 1-30: open by special appointment only; Dec 1 2017-Apr 14 2018: closed for the season | price= | lastedit=2017-05-14 | content=Author Lucy Maud Montgomery visited the farm as a young girl and based the location of her best-selling "Anne" series of books on the Green Gables farm. The farmhouse exterior has not changed significantly over time, and its interior decor and artifacts depict the late Victorian Period in rural Prince Edward Island. | wikidata=Q1109932}} ===South America=== ====Brazil==== Many Brazilian action films have taken place in favelas (slums) of [[Rio de Janeiro]], such as ''City of God'', the two ''Elite Squad'' movies and ''Last Stop 174''. One of those favelas where some of this filmes were shot is ''Tavares Bastos'', located at Catete neighborhood, in South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. In addition to these films, in this favela was recorded the music video ''Beautiful'' by Snoop Dog and Pharrell. ==Fan conventions and trade shows== Fan groups often hold conventions for like-minded people to gather and share their love for the specific genres. Similarly, industry groups often hold their own events to announce the development of new products to the press. While hundreds of such events exist, the ones listed here are particularly notable for showcasing works that are at the pinnacle of their respective genres. ===Comic books=== * '''[https://www.comic-con.org/cci San Diego Comic-Con]''' in [[San Diego]], [[United States of America|United States]] * '''[https://www.comiket.co.jp/index_e.html Comiket]''' in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] *'''[https://www.ccxp.com.br/ Comic-Con Experience (CCXP)]''' in [[São Paulo]], [[Brazil]] === Anime and manga === * '''[https://www.animextreme.com.br/ Animextreme]''' in [[Porto Alegre]], Brazil * [https://animefriends.com.br/ '''Anime Friends'''] in São Paulo, Brazil * '''[https://www.comicfiesta.org/ Comic Fiesta]''' in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia ===Fantasy and science fiction=== * '''[https://www.dragoncon.org/ Dragon Con]''' in [[Atlanta]], United States ===Video games=== * '''[https://www.e3expo.com/ E3]''' in [[Los Angeles]], United States * '''[https://expo.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs Tokyo Game Show]''' in [[Chiba]], Japan * '''[https://www.gamescom.global/ Gamescom]''' in [[Cologne]], [[Germany]] *'''[https://www.brasilgameshow.com.br/ Brasil Game Show]''', in São Paulo, Brazil ==Backlots== Film studios had traditionally built massive backlots simulating localities or time periods. However, with the rise of commercial air travel, studios have increasingly turned on on-location filming instead, and advances in computer technology have led to an increasing number of productions being shot indoors against a green screen, with the background later added using computer-generated imagery (CGI), thus obviating the need for backlots and physical sets. These, coupled with the boom in real estate prices, means that backlots are increasingly few and far between, with most of the Hollywood studios such as MGM and RKO having sold off their backlots to property developers in the 1970s, who have proceeded to demolish the film sets and replace them with suburban housing. Nevertheless, a few of the Hollywood studios have retained parts of their backlots and converted them into tourist attractions that you can visit. Backlots also continue to be used extensively in East Asia for the filming of period dramas. * {{listing | type=red |name=Universal Studios Hollywood | url=http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com | address=[[Universal City]], [[California]], [[United States of America]] | lat= | long= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Universal Studios Hollywood | image=Universal Studios Hollywood globe base 2.JPG | wikidata=Q1337576 | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=The original backlot tour, with the theme park having been developed specifically to provide tours of the Universal backlot. Today, the Studio Tour with a tram ride through the backlot is still the main highlight of the theme park.}} *{{listing | type=red | name=Toei Kyoto Studio Park | alt=東映太秦映画村, ''tōei uzumasa eigamura'' | url=http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/ | email= | address=[[Kyoto/Arashiyama|Arashiyama]], [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11103541 | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=An active film studio owned by the Toei Company, one of Japan's largest entertainment companies. The highlight is the backlot with recreated Edo-period streets, where many Japanese period dramas (時代劇 ''jidaigeki'') were filmed. While the popularity of Japanese period dramas has drastically declined since their heyday in the 1960s, the backlot continues to be in active use, so you may catch a filming session going on if you're lucky. Also has many shows and exhibits about filming techniques, as well as plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied, provided of course they can speak and understand Japanese. }} * {{listing | type=red | name=Yongin Daejanggeum Park | alt=용인 대장금 파크 | url=http://djgpark.imbc.com/lang/English.html?langType=English | email= | address=[[Yongin]], [[South Korea]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15622253 | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=Backlot owned by South Korean television station MBC, used for the filming of Korean period dramas (사극 ''sageuk''), including numerous famous ones that have taken much of Asia by storm. It is named after Daejanggeum, the first Korean period drama to have become popular outside South Korea. The backlot is divided into three different areas, evoking the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo and Joseon eras respectively. It is still in active use, so you could potentially catch your favourite South Korean actors in action if you are lucky. }} * {{listing | type=red | name=Hengdian World Studios | alt=横店影视城, ''héngdiàn yǐngshìchéng'' | url=https://www.hengdianworld.com/en/ | email= | address=Hengdian, [[Zhejiang]], [[China]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikidata=Q740442 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=Film studio used for the filming of Chinese period dramas, which claims to have the largest backlot in the world. Regardless of the veracity of the claim, the backlot is a massive one, divided into numerous zones evoking different periods of Chinese history from the Qin Dynasty all the way up to the Republic of China era. Among the highlights of the studio are a replica of the [[Forbidden City]], as well as a replica of the palace of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China. It is still in active use, so you could possibly catch filming in action if you are lucky. It is also often used in the filming of Korean period dramas for the scenes that are set in China. }} ==Respect== Many destinations (especially film and literature settings, and current and former celebrity homes) are private property. Some are off limits to the public. Even if they can be legally approached, trespassing or excessive photography might disturb residents. In most countries, works of fiction become public domain 70 years after the author's death, which means that most modern works are proprietary. Businesses (including [[guided tours]] and merchandisers) might need a license to make profit from those franchises. The United States is for now the main exception. For works first published before 1978, copyright term is 95 years from first publication (with the official public domain date being January 1 of the 96th year). For example, the famed American novel ''The Great Gatsby'' (by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and published in 1925) entered the public domain in most countries in 2011 (Fitzgerald died in 1940), but did not enter the US public domain until 2021. ==See also== * [[Fringe phenomena]] and [[UFOs]] * [[Historical travel]] * [[Literary travel]] * [[Music]] * [[Reenactment and LARP]] * [[Religion and spirituality]] and [[Holy Land]] for destinations in religious texts {{PartOfTopic|Cultural attractions}} {{outlinetopic}} 226cqmd21e08m4pk1v719pgwpj0pqi7 4506556 4506553 2022-08-23T04:34:04Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Respect */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Duke Humfreys Library Oxford banner.jpg|caption=Duke Humfrey's Library, Oxford. Featured in several films, including 'Harry Potter' series}} '''Fiction tourism''' aims at locations famous from literature, motion pictures, television series, video games, comic books and other media. Among featured destinations are film sets, other shooting locations, TV or motion picture studios, theme parks, and museums. Some of these have [[guided tours]] and other organized hospitality for fiction tourists. ==Specific works, franchises and genres== {{quote|Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.|author=Jessamyn West}} While series such as ''[[Breaking Bad Tour|Breaking Bad]]'' and ''[[The Wire Tour|The Wire]]'' mostly take place within one city, others are spread out across a country, or even several continents. ===Multiple media=== [[File:Alice, Llandudno (geograph 3163936).jpg|thumb|Alice in Wonderland, Wales, UK]] * [[Astrid Lindgren tourism]] (primarily [[Sweden]]) * [[Disney]] tourism. :: Winnie the Pooh's ''Hundred Acre Wood'' in [[literary tourism]] is [[Ashdown Forest]]'s Five Hundred Acre Wood near [[Hartfield]], UK. :: [[Radiator Springs]] of ''Cars'' is based on multiple real US [[Route 66]] locations * [[Assassin's Creed Tour|''Assassin's Creed'' Tour]] - a video game that takes place in multiple countries in different eras * [[Ghost of Tsushima Tour]] - A PlayStation game set during the Mongolian invasions of the island of [[Tsushima]] in [[Japan]] * The [[Trojan War]] described in Homer's ''Iliad'' supposedly took place in ancient [[Troy (Turkey)|Troy]], in what is now [[Turkey]]. Its ruins were discovered in the 19th century and have been partly excavated. * [[Monty Python]] * [[Nordic Noir]], including franchises such as ''Pusher'', ''The Killing'', ''Beck'', and ''Wallander'' ** [[Millennium Tour]] * [[Horror fiction]] * [[Anime and Manga in Japan]] * [[Bollywood tourism]] * [[Dracula]] set in Transylvania, [[Romania]] and [[Whitby]], Yorkshire, England. * [[Universal Studios]] (studio tours & theme parks in [[Universal City#Universal Studios Hollywood|Universal City, California]] and [[Universal_Orlando|Orlando, Florida]]) ===Books=== * [[Exodus of Moses]], according to the Bible's Old Testament * [[Trojan War]], a legendary war of the 12th century BC, retold in the Iliad and Odyssey and the Aeneid * ''[[One Thousand and One Nights]]'' * [[Robin Hood]], a noble thief in English folklore set in Sherwood Forest, [[Nottinghamshire]] * [[Jane Austen tourism]] * [[Frankenstein]] set in Germany and [[Geneva]], Switzerland. * [[Travels of Hans Christian Andersen]], author of ''The Little Mermaid'', ''The Ugly Duckling'' and other fairy tales * ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]''; recreating Jules Verne's 19th-century adventure novel * [[On the trail of Kipling's Kim|Kipling's ''Kim'']], through much of northern [[India]] and parts of [[Pakistan]] during the [[British Raj]] * [[The Flashman Papers]], comic novels about a cowardly and lecherous British officer in Victoria's time * [[Nils Holgersson's Journey Across Sweden]] * [[Emigrants tour]], following Vilhelm Moberg's book series about emigrants from Sweden to the United States. * ''Twilight'', is a series of four vampire-themed fantasy romance novels by American author Stephenie Meyer, as well as three companion novels. The story in the novel was set primarily in the small town of [[Forks#See|Forks]], [[Olympic_Peninsula|Washington]] with real places in and around the town identified from the novel. ''Twilight'' the movie (2008), based on the novel, was filmed primarily in [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland]], [[Oregon]] while its continual saga, ''Twilight: New Moon'' (2009) was filmed mainly in [[Vancouver]], [[Lower_Mainland|British Columbia]], though the Volterra scenes were actually filmed in [[Montepulciano]], [[Italy]]. Some of the scenes from both films also took place in other locations in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. ===Films=== * [[Back to the Future tourism|''Back to the Future'' tourism]] A 1985-1990 trilogy film, set in the fictional town of Hill Valley, California, which was filmed in several real places in the [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles Metropolitan Area]] (Hill Valley in 1955, 1985 & 2015) and [[Sonora_(California)|Sonora CA]] (Hill Valley in 1885). * ''[[Bandit Run]]'', the race from ''Smokey and the Bandit'' * ''Cars'' A 2006 animated film by Pixar, set in the fictional village of [[Radiator Springs]], which is a composite of several real places along [[Route 66]] and a couple of other places not on that highway, all in the [[United States of America]]. * [[DC Extended Universe tourism|''DC Extended Universe'' tourism]] * ''[[Easy Rider]]'', a 1969 road movie, featuring a motorcycle ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans. * [[Fast & Furious tourism|''Fast & Furious'' tourism]] * ''[[Forrest Gump tour]]'' showcases the great events of the [[postwar United States]]. While the story is told to be set in Alabama, most of the filming took place in [[Beaufort_(South_Carolina)|Beaufort]], South Carolina and in the surrounding cities/town of [[Golden_Corner|South Carolina]] and nearby [[Savannah|Savannah GA]]. Other places used to support the filming and the storyline are in Los Angeles, CA and Washington, DC. * [[Harry Potter tourism|''Harry Potter'' tourism]] (primarily [[United Kingdom]]) - locations where the film series was filmed. * [[James Bond tourism|''James Bond'' tourism]] * ''[[In July]]'' — the itinerary of the protagonists of a 2000 German road movie across Europe * [[Indiana Jones tourism|''Indiana Jones'' tourism]] * [[Kill Bill tourism|''Kill Bill'' tourism]] * [[The Lord of the Rings tourism|''The Lord of the Rings'' tourism]] (primarily [[New Zealand]]) - locations where the film series was filmed. * [[Marvel Cinematic Universe tourism|''Marvel Cinematic Universe'' tourism]] * [[Mission Impossible tourism|''Mission Impossible'' tourism]] * [[Matrix tourism|''Matrix '' tourism]] * ''Shawshank Redemption'' A 1994 film based on Steven King's novella, ''Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption'' (1982) and inspired by Clint Eastwood's ''Escape from Alcatraz'' (1979), set in a fictional "Shawshank Prison" somewhere in [[Maine]], but actually filmed in [[Mansfield_(Ohio)#See|Mansfield, Ohio]] and in the nearby towns of [[Ashland_(Ohio)#See|Ashland]] and [[Upper Sandusky#See|Upper Sandusky]], [[West_Central_Ohio|Ohio]]. * [[Star Wars tourism|''Star Wars'' tourism]] * [[Terminator tourism|''Terminator'' tourism]] - a time-travel franchise mostly associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger's cyborg character. Much of the plots are filmed in and around the Los Angeles area. ===TV shows=== * [[Game of Thrones tourism|''Game of Thrones'' tourism]] (primarily [[Northern Ireland]], but also [[Croatia]], [[Iceland]], [[Malta]], [[Morocco]] and [[Spain]]) * [[Seinfeld Tour|''Seinfeld'']] (primarily [[New_York_City|New York]], but also in [[Los Angeles]]) * [[Breaking Bad Tour|''Breaking Bad'']] * [[X-Files tourism|''X-Files'' tourism]] * ''[[The Wire Tour|The Wire]]'' * [[Friends Tour|''Friends'']] (primarily [[New_York_City|New York]], but also in [[Los Angeles]]) * [[Turkish TV series tourism]] — the featured locations in the Turkish drama series with the largest international following ===Board games=== [[Carcassonne]] is a French city that was fought over in the 13th century during the Crusade against the [[Christianity#Cathars|Cathars]]; much of the medieval city has been preserved and today it is a popular tourist destination. There is a [https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/carcassone/ board game] called Carcassonne; it emphasizes development of the countryside, not battles. Some visitors bring a copy to play in the location, perhaps in the shadow of the city wall. Our articles on [[Chess]], [[Go]], [[Shogi]] (Japanese chess) and [[Xiangqi]] (Chinese chess) have links to sites associated with those games. The musical ''Chess'' takes place in [[Merano]] in Italy; an earlier version in [[Bangkok]] in Thailand as well. ==Locations== {{Mapframe|30|-10|zoom=2|layer=M|height=400|width=600}} ===Africa=== ====[[Namibia]]==== The Namibian desert is the shooting location of the 2015 film ''Mad Max: Fury Road'' ====[[South Africa]]==== * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Soweto]] in [[Johannesburg]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-26.222 | long=27.890 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=''District 9'' was filmed in South Africa in the townships of Soweto, though the actual area they filmed in was set to be demolished (that's why they were able to blow up parts of it for the film). }} ====[[Tunisia]]==== * {{listing | name=[[Matmata]] | directions=[[Tunisia]] | lat=33.5426389| long=9.9668056 | content=Scenes of the desert planet '''Tatooine''' in a number of ''Star Wars'' films were filmed here. Also see the nearby town of [[Tataouine]], where a little filming was also done. }} ===Asia=== * [[Hong Kong]]: The city's narrow streets and neon lights influenced various cyberpunk-topic fictions, most notably the ''Ghost in the Shell'' series. * [[Mumbai]], India: The home of Bollywood. * [[Yongin]], [[Miryang]] and other locations around [[South Korea]] are visited by domestic and international fans of K-drama shot there. * [[Kaiping]], in southern China, is known for its UNESCO-listed "castles", strange houses built by overseas Chinese. It was the setting for the hit Chinese movie ''Let the Bullets Fly''. * Many films about the [[Vietnam War]] have been shot in the [[Philippines]], mostly in Luzon. ''Apocalypse Now'' was mostly filmed in [[Zambales]], and Chuck Norris' ''Missing in Action'' movies were mostly filmed near [[Cuenca_(Batangas)#Mount_Maculot|Cuenca, Batangas]]. * {{see | name=Super Nintendo World | alt= | url=https://super-nintendo-world.usj.co.jp/en/us/about | email= | address=2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan | lat=34°39′53 | long=135°25′59 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=An entire theme park dedicated to Super Mario, based on the visual style of Super Mario 3D World. It's based inside Universal Studios Japan. }} * [[Kyoto]] is home to many of Japan's film studios, and Toei's outdoor set where Samurai movies are filmed may be visited. ===Europe=== [[File:Secret Intelligence Services building in Vauxhall.jpg|thumbnail|Fans of the world's most famous agent will immediately recognize this building]] ====Nordic countries==== * {{listing | name=[[Stockholm]], Sweden | lat=59.333 | long=18.066 | content=Location of many [[Nordic Noir]] works, such as the [[Millennium Tour|Millennium series]], the ''Martin Beck'' franchise, and ''Let the Right One In''. See [[Stockholm in fiction]]. }} * {{listing | name=[[Ystad]], Sweden | lat=55.4167 | long=13.8333 | content=Home of Detective Wallander. }} * {{listing | name=[[Copenhagen]], Denmark | lat=55.6762 | long=12.5675 | content=Denmark's capital is known for its diverse architecture (including a 21st century waterfront), and is the location for Nordic Noir works, such as the ''Pusher'' series, ''The Killing'', and ''The Bridge''. }} * {{see | name=Hans Christian Andersen Museum | alt= | url=http://museum.odense.dk/en/museums/hans-christian-andersen-museum | email= | address=Bangs Boder 29 | lat=55.39866 | long=10.39060 | directions= | phone=+45 65 51 46 01 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10AM-5PM | price=55 DKK for entrance | content=A museum dedicated to the city's most famous son, author and poet Hans Christian Andersen, most famous for his fairy tales and in particular The Ugly Duckling and the Little Mermaid. Part of the museum is located in the house where Andersen was supposedly born (though he would never confirm it). The impressive collection is mainly documents from his life and times, period furniture, and many drawings and paper clippings he is famous for at home. }} ====Central Europe==== * {{listing | name=[[Salzburg]], Austria | lat=47.8000 | long=13.0500 | content=Home of the classic musical ''Sound of Music''; though most locals and most Austrians have never heard of it. }} * [[Görlitz]] is one of the few cities in Central Europe with an [[old town]] that looks convincingly "pre World War II" and as such many movies set in that era have been made here since the 1990s. * [[Munich]] is home to the Bavaria Film Studios where both German and international films have been shot. Also, probably half of the many German crime drama series take place in Munich. *Babelsberg, a suburb of [[Berlin]] and administratively part of [[Potsdam]] also has [http://www.filmpark-babelsberg.de/en/ film studios] where - among others - one of the longest running German soap operas ("Gute Zeiten schlechte Zeiten" aka GZSZ) is shot. * {{see | name=Castle Frankenstein | alt= | url=http://www.burg-frankenstein.de/ | email= | address= | lat=49.7932 | long=8.6684 | directions=[[Darmstadt]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Is a hilltop castle located near Darmstadt in Mühltal. The castle is first mentioned in the records in the year 948, and initial construction of the castle ruins remaining today began in the 13th century. The 14th and 15th centuries saw expansion, followed by construction of reinforcements in the 16th. It was owned by the Barons von Frankenstein who owned most of the surrounding land until 1662, when the Baron of that time sold the property to the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. There have been claims that the castle may have inspired the Mary Shelley novel, [[Frankenstein]]. While Shelley is known to have travelled through this area in 1814, historical scholars believe that she did not visit this castle. There are special dinners for Halloween and for other occasions. It is also possible to hike up to the castle. }} *The scenery of [[Switzerland]] has been used in many Indian movies of the past 50 years, with the mountains, forests and lakes serving as the background for many songs, scenes and even entire films. For example, Dilwale Dilwale Le Jaayenge (DDLJ), the famous film commonly cited as inspiring Switzerland as the premier destination for Indian movie shoots, had scenes shot in [[Gstaad]] and [[Saanen]], with other movies quickly following suit. The soaring peaks and small towns on the [[Bernese Highlands]] make the region particularly popular for filmmakers and tourists alike. ====Britain and Ireland==== * [[London]]: See [[Literary London]] for complete coverage. ** While the ''[[James Bond tourism|James Bond]]'' series have been filmed all around the world, all of them also feature London — at the very least the MI6 headquarters. Also, countless other British and non-British movies and tv-series take place and have been filmed in London. * ''[[Braveheart tourism|Braveheart]]'' was recorded in [[Scotland]] ([[Glencoe]], [[Stirling]], [[Loch Leven]] and [[Glen Nevis]]) as well as [[Ireland]]. [[File:Scott Neeson on the set of Braveheart, 1995.jpg|180px|thumb|alt=Braveheart, 1995|Braveheart, 1995]] * The BBC equivalent of that one rock in Southern California (see below) is Harriet Hole in Dinorwic Slate Quarry in Wales, where according to one probably apocryphal account two series were shot at the same time without either production knowing of the other, thus the two got in the way of each other. [[File:Globe theatre london.jpg|180px|thumb|alt=Globe theatre london|Globe theatre london]] * [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] has five sites closely associated with '''Shakespeare'''. A combi-ticket (called "The Full Story") is best value and they can all be seen in the course of an afternoon. Three are central: Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley Street is the obvious starting point. In later life he bought a house at New Place - it's long been demolished, but you visit to see the garden there, and the adjoining Nash's House where his grand-daughter Elizabeth lived. His daughter Susanna married Dr John Hall, and Hall's Croft was their house. A mile west in the hamlet of Shottery is Anne Hathaway's Cottage, where she grew up before marrying Shakespeare. Three miles west in Wilmcote is Mary Arden's Farm, childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. His plays are regularly performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the centre of Stratford. [[File:Portmeirion view of central plaza.jpg|180px|thumb|alt=Portmeirion view of central plaza|Portmeirion view of central plaza]] * {{see | name=[[Portmeirion]] Village | alt= | url=http://www.portmeirion-village.com/ | email=info@portmeirion-village.com | address= | lat=52.91483 | long=-4.09726 | directions=Portmeirion is 1 ½ miles South of [[Porthmadog]] | phone=+44 1766 770000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Portmeirion was created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976. The location of the cult 60s TV series The Prisoner, "I am not a number. I am a free man" It was also a stand-in for 15th century Italy in ''Doctor Who: The Masque Of Mandragora''. }} * {{see | name=The National Videogame Museum| url=http://www.thenvm.org/ | address=Castle House, Angel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LN, United Kingdom | lat=53.3837 | long=-1.4656 | | phone=+44 114 321 0299 | content=Not to be confused with the other National Videogame Museum in [[Frisco]], [[Texas]], this establishment is in [[Sheffield]], [[England]]. }} ====France==== * [[Paris]], one of the world's most prominent cities, has been the backdrop of many films, both French and international. It was also in Paris the world's first public movie screening took place in 1895. ====Balkans==== * What does a fictional Apache chief that was dreamed up by someone from [[Radebeul]], [[Saxony]] have to do with [[Croatia]]? Well, when the works of Karl May about Old Shatterhand, Winnetou and all the others were put to film by German companies, they found that (then) Yugoslavia was much cheaper than the actual Llano Estancado and people in their target audience would neither notice or care, so the site of Winnetou's death is indeed to be found in Croatia, [[Trogir]] looks a lot like the [[Santa Fe (New Mexico)|Santa Fe]] of the third movie and when going through [[Plitvice Lakes National Park]] you might find the heroes of your youth come back to life. To add yet another wrinkle, the very successful early 21st century parody on the Karl May movies "Der Schuh des Manitu" ("The shoe of Manitou") was shot in neither the Balkans nor North America but instead in Spain. ===Oceania=== ====Australia==== * {{listing | name=[[Melbourne/Box Hill and Glen Waverley]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] | lat=-37.8588 | long=145.1720 | content=The classic Australian soap opera, ''Neighbours'', is set in a small cul-de-sac in Vermont South, in [[Melbourne|Melbourne's]] south-east. }} * '''Sydney''' — Did you know that the sci-fi movie ''The Matrix'' and its sequels largely were filmed in Sydney? Unsurprisingly also many Australian films are set in the country's largest city. The city is also home to [http://www.foxstudiosaustralia.com/ Fox Studios Australia], the largest film production facility in Australia. * {{listing | name=[[Sydney/Manly]] | lat=-33.8060 | long=151.2948 | content=The classic Australian TV series, ''Out of the blue'', fully filmed in Manly. }} ====New Zealand==== * [[New Zealand]]: Famous for the ''[[Lord of the Rings tourism|Lord of the Rings]]'' franchise. ** [[Matamata]] – the set of Hobbiton is still here and can be visited ** [[Tongariro National Park]] – the location of some scenes, such as Mordor ** [[Queenstown (New Zealand)|Queenstown]] – another location, and has ''Lord of the Rings'' tours ** [[Wellington]] – home to [http://wetaworkshop.com/ Weta Studios], the film studio that made the films, as well many of the filming locations. Many companies conduct ''Lord of the Rings'' tours to the various filming locations. ===North America=== ==== Mexico ==== * The seaside town of [[Acapulco]] is where some episodes of the Mexican TV series ''El Chavo del Ocho'' and ''El Chapulín Colorado'' were recorded in the 1970s. {{see | name=Hotel Emporio Acapulco | url=https://hotelesemporio.com/ | email= | address=Av Costera Miguel Alemán 121, Fracc Magallanes, Magallanes, Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., México | lat=16.859499 | long=-99.873600 | directions=[[Acapulco]], [[Guerrero]] | phone=+52 744 469 0505 | tollfree= | fax= | wikipedia= | hours= | lastedit=2020-01-11 | content=Two episodes of the Mexican TV series ''El Chavo del Ocho'' and one episode of ''El Chapulín Colorado'' were recorded inside this hotel in the Mexican city of Acapulco in 1977. The destination has become very popular with tourists from Hispanic America and Brazil. | wikidata=|alt=}} ====United States==== The fiction of the [[Old West]] is set all across the western United States - shooting locations of Western movies often included places far away from the US, for monetary or political reasons. * [[Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]] &mdash; The Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station was the location of the Terran stargate! The stargate is located underneath the former North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters. *[[Devils Tower National Monument]], [[Wyoming]] &mdash; Made famous in Spielberg's ''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' as a site of first contact, transmitted psychically to abduction victims. =====California===== [[File:LeoCarrilloBeach-02s.jpg|400px|thumbnail|Leo Carrillo Beach, the backdrop for many film and TV scenes]] <blockquote>''In California, they don't throw their garbage away - they make it into TV shows.'' &ndash; <small>Woody Allen</small></blockquote> [[California]] in general has been (and continues to be) used for many films given that it is the center of the American mainstream film industry and offers a wide variety of different landscapes that can be used to represent different environments; for example, [[Santa Clarita Valley#See|one rock in Southern California]] has reportedly been used as a backdrop in dozens of incredibly varied movies. * '''[[Los Angeles]]''' is quite arguably the greatest place in the world for cinema tourism, being the home to '''[[Hollywood]]''' and the backdrop for countless movies; so many that it would be absurd to try and list even just the most famous ones here. Besides the touristy district of Hollywood, with its star-lined Walk of Fame, numerous old theaters and iconic [[signs]], most of the active film and television studios are located in adjacent communities, such as [[Burbank]], the home of Warner Brothers, Disney, and NBC-Universal, [[Los Angeles/West|Century City]], headquarters of 20th Century Fox, [[Culver City]] with its historic film studios, and [[Los Angeles/Wilshire|Fairfax]], home to CBS' main television studio. Many of these studios offer tours and with careful planning it is possible to obtain tickets to a taping of a television show. The Los Angeles area is also home to theme parks such as [[Universal City|Universal Studios]] and [[Disneyland]], both large-scale celebrations of their company's respective films. Throughout the Greater Los Angeles area a number of private homes, (non-film) businesses, schools, college campuses, malls, hospitals and parks have been used as settings or backdrops for various movies and television programs while what went on inside may have been filmed inside these buildings, back at the studio or at another location. An example is [[Torrance#See|Torrance High School]] which served as the fictional "West Beverly High School" for the TV Series ''Beverly Hills 90210'' and from 2008 to 2013 as "Ulysses S. Grant High School" in ''The Secret Life of the American Teenager'' among other movies such as ''The Wild Life, Not Another Teen Movie, Whatever It Takes, Cursed, Wild Things 3,'' and ''Bruce Almighty.'' A lot of these settings including this high school and many private homes used in movie and TV shoots are at most viewable from the street and cannot be visited by the public. :* The '''Bradbury Building''' in downtown LA is an iconic piece of Victorian architecture that's been used in many films, including ''Blade Runner'' and ''The Artist''. :* {{see | name=Leo Carrillo Beach | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=34.043974 | long=-118.935035 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-03 | content= Movies filmed here include ''Grease'', ''Gidget'', 1984's ''The Karate Kid'', ''The Craft'', ''Point Break'', ''The Usual Suspects'', ''Inception'', and ''Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus'', and in the first season's opening scene of episode 1 of ''The Rockford Files''. }} :* {{listing | type=see | name=Vazquez Rocks | alt= | url= | email= | address=Agua Dulce | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Iconic to the point of cliche, dramatic sandstone formations seen in hundreds of TV shows, movies, commercials, and music videos. Particularly featured in Science Fiction and Western films and TV, though in their first cinematic appearance they represented Tibet. }} :* {{marker|type=see|name=Zuma Beach|lat=34.0201|long=-118.8293}} and {{marker|type=see|name=Westward Beach|lat=34.0044|long=-118.8110}} near {{marker|type=see|name=Point Dume|url=https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=623|lat=34.0020|long=-118.8068}} in Malibu have been the filming locations for numerous movies and TV programs such as ''Planet of the Apes, I Dream of Jeannie, D-Day 6th of June (1956); D-Day Battle of Omaha Beach (2019); Iron Man Parts 1-3, Fast & Furious, Lucifer, Star Trek Enterprise-Earth Beach, Knight and Day,'', etc. The nearby {{marker|type=see|name=Malibu State Park in Agoura Hills|url=http://www.malibucreekstatepark.org/MASH.html|lat=34.0964627|long=-118.7464849}} served as the filming location (in place of Korea) for M*A*S*H Tv series. :* {{marker|type=see|name=LAC+USC Medical Center|url=|lat=|long=}} :* {{marker|type=see|name=Griffith Park|url=|lat=|long=}} :* {{marker|type=see|name=Los Angeles Arboretum|url=|lat=|long=}} *Despite the name, the annual '''San Diego Comic-Con''' has become a major event in the cinema world. Taking place in [[San Diego]] every July, this is one of the world's biggest fan conventions and tickets are expensive and hard to get, but if you're lucky enough to get inside you can expect plenty of big-name film and television stars and producers, in addition to representatives of major toy manufacturers and the video game and comic industries, showing up to offer sneak peeks at major upcoming releases. * '''[[San Francisco]]''' has been the backdrop for numerous famous films, including Alfred Hitchcock's ''Vertigo'', the ''Dirty Harry'' series, and the action movie ''The Rock''. * {{see | name=Los Angeles Convention Center | alt= | url=https://e3expo.com/ | email= | address=1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | lat=34.0403 | long=-118.2696 | directions= | phone=+1 213 741-1151 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2015-10-03 | content=The [[Los Angeles]] Convention Center is the location of the yearly E3 (The Electronic Entertainment Expo) convention for new video games and consoles. The next opening is from June 12th to June 15th, 2021. }} =====Midwest===== * '''[[Chicago]]''' — the country's third largest city (and historically its "second city") is also featured in several movies, some of them being ''The Blues Brothers'', ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off'', ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'', ''The Fugitive'', ''Batman Begins'', ''Breakfast Club'', and ''Chicago''. ** Union Station - among other films, the famous staircase shootout with the imperiled baby carriage in ''The Untouchables'' was filmed here. =====East Coast===== * '''[[New York City]]''' has been the backdrop for countless motion pictures and television series not to mention all the video games set here; again, so many that it would be fruitless to try and list them all here. In contrast to L.A., New York is more reputed for its indie film scene, with [[Manhattan#Film|numerous excellent theaters]] catering to that clientele and oftentimes hosting discussions with the makers of some fine, lesser-known films. Additionally, most of America's major media and television networks are headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, with most of the popular late night and morning talk shows taped here, usually with tickets available to the public. ** '''Cortlandt Alley''' in Chinatown. Contrary to popular portrayal in film, New York only has a handful of dark, dingy alleys, and most of them are off-limits to filming. So if a scene takes place in an alley in a film or TV show filmed in New York, it was almost certainly filmed here. * {{listing | name=[[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]] | lat=39.29219 | long=-76.60955 | content=[[The Wire Tour]] is an itinerary for the acclaimed HBO series ''The Wire''. }} * '''[[Washington, D.C.]]''': Any film involving the American political leadership in any form or role will have Washington as a backdrop — frequent appearances are made by the White House, U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon, across the Potomac in [[Arlington (Virginia)|Arlington, Virginia]]. * '''[[Seneca Falls]]''' is widely believed to be the original '''Baxter Falls''' in the holiday classic ''It's a Wonderful Life''. * [[Manchester-by-the-Sea]] for the eponymous 2017 film * {{listing | name=St. Andrew's School | directions=Middleton, [[Delaware]] | wikidata=Q1802429 | content=Setting of the 1989 film ''Dead Poets Society'', described to take place in [[Vermont]]. }} =====Southwest===== * {{listing | name=[[Albuquerque]], [[New Mexico]] | lat=35.08444| long=-106.65111 | content=The [[Breaking Bad Tour]] showcases the location of acclaimed AMC series ''Breaking Bad''. }} * [[Route 66]] has been the setting for many films, such as ''The Grapes of Wrath''. Pixar's ''Cars'' contains [[Radiator Springs|cartoon versions]] of some real places on the route and parodies a [[Monument Valley]] side trip as "Ornament Valley". * {{listing | name=[[Monument Valley]], [[Arizona]] | lat=36.9833 | long=-110.1000 | content=An iconic scenery, used in countless Western films (see [[Old West]]). }} * {{listing | name=National Videogame Museum, [[Frisco (Texas)|Frisco]], [[Texas]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=33.1435 | long=-96.8353 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A museum celebrating the rich history of video games. They also have a large version of pong. }} * {{listing | name=[[Alamogordo]], [[New Mexico]] | lat=32.886631| long=-105.960747 | content=The location of the Atari Video game burial, a mass burial of unsold Atari games, most notably E.T. Previously thought to have been an urban legend, most of the copies have now been sold.}} =====Northwest===== * {{listing | name=[[Forks]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]] | lat= 47.951111 | long=-124.384722 | content=Main setting for the ''Twilight'' literary and film franchise. }} * {{listing | name=[[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]] | lat=47.6032 | long=-122.3303 | content=Setting for series such as ''Frasier'' and ''Grey's Anatomy'', as well as films such as ''It Happened at the World's Fair'', ''The Parallax View'', ''Singles'', and ''Sleepless in Seattle''. }} ====Canada==== * {{listing | name=[[Toronto]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.7 | long=-79.4167 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A place where a surprising number of movies (and series) were shot that are set elsewhere. If you come to the city you might notice that some houses that are in New York or San Francisco according to your favorite sitcom are actually here. The University of Toronto site has a [http://maps.library.utoronto.ca/filmmap/ map] of film and TV locations in the city. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Vancouver]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=49.2 | long=-123 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Another place where a number of television series and movies have been filmed at such as ''Crush (1993)''; ''Smallville'', ''Stargate'', ''X-Files'' , '' Battlestar Galactica'' among others have been filmed in Vancouver. Some of the backdrops for some of the televisions shows are out of this world. Vancouver has had to stand in for numerous other places and few shows shot in Vancouver are actually set there, leading to the quip that "Vancouver doesn't even look like Vancouver" }} * {{see | name=Green Gables Heritage Place | url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/pe/greengables | email= | address=Route 6, Cavendish | lat=46.4884229 | long=-63.3823395 | directions=[[Cavendish (Prince Edward Island)|Cavendish]], [[Prince Edward Island]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipedia=Green Gables (Prince Edward Island) | hours=May 1-Oct 31: daily 9AM-5PM; Nov 1-30: open by special appointment only; Dec 1 2017-Apr 14 2018: closed for the season | price= | lastedit=2017-05-14 | content=Author Lucy Maud Montgomery visited the farm as a young girl and based the location of her best-selling "Anne" series of books on the Green Gables farm. The farmhouse exterior has not changed significantly over time, and its interior decor and artifacts depict the late Victorian Period in rural Prince Edward Island. | wikidata=Q1109932}} ===South America=== ====Brazil==== Many Brazilian action films have taken place in favelas (slums) of [[Rio de Janeiro]], such as ''City of God'', the two ''Elite Squad'' movies and ''Last Stop 174''. One of those favelas where some of this filmes were shot is ''Tavares Bastos'', located at Catete neighborhood, in South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. In addition to these films, in this favela was recorded the music video ''Beautiful'' by Snoop Dog and Pharrell. ==Fan conventions and trade shows== Fan groups often hold conventions for like-minded people to gather and share their love for the specific genres. Similarly, industry groups often hold their own events to announce the development of new products to the press. While hundreds of such events exist, the ones listed here are particularly notable for showcasing works that are at the pinnacle of their respective genres. ===Comic books=== * '''[https://www.comic-con.org/cci San Diego Comic-Con]''' in [[San Diego]], [[United States of America|United States]] * '''[https://www.comiket.co.jp/index_e.html Comiket]''' in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] *'''[https://www.ccxp.com.br/ Comic-Con Experience (CCXP)]''' in [[São Paulo]], [[Brazil]] === Anime and manga === * '''[https://www.animextreme.com.br/ Animextreme]''' in [[Porto Alegre]], Brazil * [https://animefriends.com.br/ '''Anime Friends'''] in São Paulo, Brazil * '''[https://www.comicfiesta.org/ Comic Fiesta]''' in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia ===Fantasy and science fiction=== * '''[https://www.dragoncon.org/ Dragon Con]''' in [[Atlanta]], United States ===Video games=== * '''[https://www.e3expo.com/ E3]''' in [[Los Angeles]], United States * '''[https://expo.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs Tokyo Game Show]''' in [[Chiba]], Japan * '''[https://www.gamescom.global/ Gamescom]''' in [[Cologne]], [[Germany]] *'''[https://www.brasilgameshow.com.br/ Brasil Game Show]''', in São Paulo, Brazil ==Backlots== Film studios had traditionally built massive backlots simulating localities or time periods. However, with the rise of commercial air travel, studios have increasingly turned on on-location filming instead, and advances in computer technology have led to an increasing number of productions being shot indoors against a green screen, with the background later added using computer-generated imagery (CGI), thus obviating the need for backlots and physical sets. These, coupled with the boom in real estate prices, means that backlots are increasingly few and far between, with most of the Hollywood studios such as MGM and RKO having sold off their backlots to property developers in the 1970s, who have proceeded to demolish the film sets and replace them with suburban housing. Nevertheless, a few of the Hollywood studios have retained parts of their backlots and converted them into tourist attractions that you can visit. Backlots also continue to be used extensively in East Asia for the filming of period dramas. * {{listing | type=red |name=Universal Studios Hollywood | url=http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com | address=[[Universal City]], [[California]], [[United States of America]] | lat= | long= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Universal Studios Hollywood | image=Universal Studios Hollywood globe base 2.JPG | wikidata=Q1337576 | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=The original backlot tour, with the theme park having been developed specifically to provide tours of the Universal backlot. Today, the Studio Tour with a tram ride through the backlot is still the main highlight of the theme park.}} *{{listing | type=red | name=Toei Kyoto Studio Park | alt=東映太秦映画村, ''tōei uzumasa eigamura'' | url=http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/ | email= | address=[[Kyoto/Arashiyama|Arashiyama]], [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q11103541 | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=An active film studio owned by the Toei Company, one of Japan's largest entertainment companies. The highlight is the backlot with recreated Edo-period streets, where many Japanese period dramas (時代劇 ''jidaigeki'') were filmed. While the popularity of Japanese period dramas has drastically declined since their heyday in the 1960s, the backlot continues to be in active use, so you may catch a filming session going on if you're lucky. Also has many shows and exhibits about filming techniques, as well as plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied, provided of course they can speak and understand Japanese. }} * {{listing | type=red | name=Yongin Daejanggeum Park | alt=용인 대장금 파크 | url=http://djgpark.imbc.com/lang/English.html?langType=English | email= | address=[[Yongin]], [[South Korea]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q15622253 | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=Backlot owned by South Korean television station MBC, used for the filming of Korean period dramas (사극 ''sageuk''), including numerous famous ones that have taken much of Asia by storm. It is named after Daejanggeum, the first Korean period drama to have become popular outside South Korea. The backlot is divided into three different areas, evoking the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo and Joseon eras respectively. It is still in active use, so you could potentially catch your favourite South Korean actors in action if you are lucky. }} * {{listing | type=red | name=Hengdian World Studios | alt=横店影视城, ''héngdiàn yǐngshìchéng'' | url=https://www.hengdianworld.com/en/ | email= | address=Hengdian, [[Zhejiang]], [[China]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikidata=Q740442 | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-18 | content=Film studio used for the filming of Chinese period dramas, which claims to have the largest backlot in the world. Regardless of the veracity of the claim, the backlot is a massive one, divided into numerous zones evoking different periods of Chinese history from the Qin Dynasty all the way up to the Republic of China era. Among the highlights of the studio are a replica of the [[Forbidden City]], as well as a replica of the palace of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China. It is still in active use, so you could possibly catch filming in action if you are lucky. It is also often used in the filming of Korean period dramas for the scenes that are set in China. }} ==Respect== Many destinations (especially film and literature settings, and current and former celebrity homes) are private property. Some are off limits to the public. Even if they can be legally approached, trespassing or excessive photography might disturb residents. In most countries, works of fiction become public domain 70 years after the author's death, which means that most modern works are proprietary. Businesses (including [[guided tours]] and merchandisers) might need a license to make profit from those franchises. The United States is for now the main exception. While newer works have the "life plus 70" term—or for "works for hire", which covers most films, 95 years from publication—those first published before 1978 are protected for 95 years from first publication (with the official public domain date being January 1 of the 96th year). For example, the famed American novel ''The Great Gatsby'' (by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and published in 1925) entered the public domain in most countries in 2011 (Fitzgerald died in 1940), but did not enter the US public domain until 2021. ==See also== * [[Fringe phenomena]] and [[UFOs]] * [[Historical travel]] * [[Literary travel]] * [[Music]] * [[Reenactment and LARP]] * [[Religion and spirituality]] and [[Holy Land]] for destinations in religious texts {{PartOfTopic|Cultural attractions}} {{outlinetopic}} sg49sqodgrmuiraqivzk9l3phams3ot 0 144179 4506291 4475085 2022-08-22T15:42:03Z The dog2 35982 /* Dynasties and capitals */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Departure Herald banner.jpg|caption='Departure Herald', a 16th century painting}} The empires in [[China|Chinese]] history were some of [[Asia]]'s greatest civilizations. Although civilizations in China have existed since the 3rd millennium BCE, the Empire was finally united in 221&nbsp;BCE and fell with the revolution in 1911. {| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" | [[China]] historical travel topics:<br>'''[[Imperial China]] → [[Chinese revolutions]]'''<br>[[Long March]] • [[World War II in China]] |} ==Understand== [[File:The Great wall - by Hao Wei.jpg|thumb|The Great Wall of China is one of the most recognizable structures of Imperial China.]] The borders of the empire varied greatly over time and Chinese influence has always extended well beyond those borders. This influence can be seen in many aspects of culture, perhaps most obviously in the fact that Japanese can still be written in characters based on the Chinese ones, and both Vietnamese and Korean used to be written mostly in Chinese characters. Social etiquette in [[Vietnam]], [[Korea]] and [[Japan]] continues to be strongly influenced by Confucianism, and their traditional architecture, particularly of Buddhist temples and the residences of the nobility, bear a distinct resemblance to that of China. In addition to areas that were directly ruled as part of the empire, there were a number of tributary states. At various times these included [[Vietnam]], [[Korea]], [[Burma]], [[Tibet]], [[Okinawa]], [[Manchuria]], [[Mongolia]], [[Malacca]], areas that are now part of the Chinese state as [[Ningxia]], [[Gansu]], [[Qinghai]], [[Xinjiang]] and [[Inner Mongolia]], and a large chunk of what is now the [[Russian Far East]]. Formally, all these states recognized the Son of Heaven (Chinese emperor) as their overlord, but this form covered a range of relationships. In some cases it was merely a formality, while in others a Chinese legate to the tributary court had a great deal of influence, and in some the local ruler was a puppet. In still others it was mainly a way for the Emperor to save face while bribing a powerful neighbor not to attack; the outside ruler would come to court, formally submit and pay tribute, then go home laden with outrageously rich gifts. An important concept in Chinese historiography was the Mandate of Heaven (天命; ''tiānmìng'') bestowed upon emperors. Emperors who lost power have in hindsight been said to have lost the Mandate of Heaven, because of tyranny, incompetence, or corruption. The last dynasty to rule the empire, the Qing, fell in 1911 and was replaced by the '''Republic of China''', also known as '''Nationalist China'''. The following decades were marked by warlord conflict, the Chinese Civil War, the [[Pacific War]] against Japan, and the [[Long March]], which led to the foundation of the '''People's Republic of China''' in 1949, which has ruled the Chinese mainland since then. See [[Chinese Revolutions]] for this period. ==Dynasties and capitals== China was an empire from at least 1700 BCE until 1911 CE, and the names of various ruling dynasties, rather than dates, are often used to refer to time periods, much as people in the west might refer to "Elizabethan England" or "pre-Columbian Mexico". The great golden ages of Chinese civilisation were the Han (206 BCE to 200CE) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. Many cities have served as the capital of China, or of various smaller states in periods when China was divided. [[Beijing]] and [[Nanjing]] mean northern capital and southern capital respectively; each has been the capital several times, and so has [[Xi'an]]. * Legend has it that the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (三皇五帝 sān huáng wǔ dì), who were mythical God-like kings, ruled China from about 2852 BCE to 2205 BCE. * The [[Liangzhu Culture]] were the last Neolithic (Stone Age) culture in the region around [[Lake Tai]], 3400-2250 BCE. They were quite advanced for the era with irrigation and some cities. * The '''Xia Dynasty''' (夏朝 Xià cháo) is said to have ruled the Yellow River valley area from about 2100 BCE to 1600 BCE, though some experts consider this more legend than history. Excavations at [[Erlitou]] in western [[Henan]] show that, at the very least, an early Bronze Age civilization had already developed by that period. Some experts contend that Erlitou was the Xia capital, but that claim is disputed. [[Luoyang]] is the nearest modern city and there is a fine museum, in the suburban area that was once Erlitou, dedicated to Erlitou artifacts. * The '''Shang Dynasty''' (商朝 Shāng cháo), 1700-1027 BCE, are the first dynasty for which there is solid archaeological evidence. They ruled only the [[Along the Yellow River|Yellow River]] basin and had their capital near [[Anyang]] in Henan. Written Chinese characters began to develop during this time, as evidenced by court records carved on turtle and cattle bones. * The '''Zhou Dynasty''' (周朝 Zhōu cháo), 1027-256 BCE, had their first capital at Hao near modern [[Xi'an]]. After a military defeat in 771 BCE, they continued as the Eastern Zhou with capital [[Luoyang]]. The Zhou were the longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history (about 800 years), and the first to expand the empire south into the [[Along the Yangtze River|Yangtze River]] basin and the region around [[Lake Tai]]. The Zhou adopted a decentralized system of government, in which many feudal lords were given a high degree of autonomy in governing their respective territories, which included the right to raise their own armies, though the king was recognised as first among equals and given tributes by the feudal lords in exchange for these privileges. **Overlapping the Eastern Zhou were the '''Spring and Autumn Period''' (春秋时代 chūnqiū shídài), 771 to 403 BCE and the '''Warring States Period''' (战国时代 zhànguó shídài), 475-221 BCE. Although the Zhou King continued to be the nominal ruler of all of China during most of this period, in practice it was a period of political turmoil with power being divided among the various feudal lords, who often fought wars among themselves to expand their own influence. :: Famous Chinese philosophers like Confucius and Laozi (also spelt Lao-Tzu), the founder of Taoism, lived during the Spring and Autumn Period and most scholars date Sun Tzu's ''Art of War'' to that period as well. The second most important Confucian thinker, Mencius, and the second most famous Taoist, Zhuangzi (also spelt Chuang-Tzu), lived during the Warring States period. : The Zhou Dynasty ceased to exist in 256 BCE, overthrown by the state of Qin. [[File:General view of a section of the terracotta warriors (35519047732).jpg|thumb|The Terracotta Army protected the mausoleum of a Qin Emperor.]] * The '''Qin Dynasty''' (秦朝 Qín cháo), 221-206 BCE was established when King Ying Zheng of Qin defeated the six other feudal states, and became the first ruler to unite an area anything like all of China. The empire thus united, Ying Zheng took a new title: Qin Shi Huangdi - the First August Emperor of Qin. The Qin were the first to introduce a centralized system of government for all of China, with a standardised system of weights and measures, writing and currency, and also the first to expand the Chinese civilization further south into what is today [[Fujian]] and [[Guangdong]]. Qin Shi Huangdi was notoriously tyrannical, known for his draconian punishments for even the most minor crimes, and for working his subjects to death in order to build the [[Great Wall of China]] and his massive tomb. Their capital was at [[Xianyang]], near modern [[Xi'an]], and the "terracotta army" which is now a great tourist attraction was built for Qin Shi Huangdi's tomb. The English word "China," and the word "Chin" in languages of India, probably comes from their name. * The '''Han Dynasty''' (汉朝 Hàn cháo), 206 BCE-220 CE, had its first capital at Chang'an (near modern day Xi'an), and after a brief interruption by the short-lived Xin Dynasty, was restored as the Eastern Han with its capital at Luoyang. This was the period of the first [[Silk Road]] trade and also the period when paper and the magnetic compass were invented. The Chinese still use Han as the name of their largest ethnic group and Chinese characters are still called "hànzì" (汉字) in Chinese, with similar cognates in Korean and Japanese. The Han is considered by most Chinese to be the first golden age in Chinese civilisation. Emperor Wu, the seventh emperor of the dynasty, is known for pacifying the Xiongnu, a confederation of nomadic tribes who inherited the Eurasian Steppes. Under his rule, the empire's boundaries were extended west to what is today [[Xinjiang]], as well as into what is today [[North Korea]] and [[Northern Vietnam]]. His tomb, the Maoling Mausoleum, is the largest of the Han imperial tombs, and while the burial chamber itself has not been excavated, the surrounding complex can be visited. The Yangling Mausoseum, the tomb of Emperor Jing, the fifth emperor, is known for the large number of miniature terracotta figurines that have been excavated. * The fall of the Han Dynasty saw China split into the three states of Wèi (魏), Shǔ (蜀) and Wú (吴), known collectively as the '''Three Kingdoms''' (三国 sān guó). Despite lasting for only about 60 years, it is a greatly romanticized period of Chinese history. The capitals of the three states were at [[Xuchang]], [[Chengdu]] and [[Nanjing]]. * The '''Jin Dynasty''' (晋朝 Jìn cháo), briefly re-unified China from 280-317. Though they continued to exist until 420, they only controlled a small area for most of the period. During the unified period, the capital was at Luoyang and later Chang'an. * From 317-581, China was divided. Capitals of various important states included Luoyang, Nanjing and Suzhou. * The short-lived '''Sui Dynasty''' (隋朝 Suí cháo), 581-618, managed to re-unify China. It had its capital at Chang'an. The dynasty instituted the imperial examination system, which attempted to select officials by ability rather than family background, and embarked on major public works projects including the [[Along the Grand Canal|Grand Canal]] but was bankrupted through massive military campaigns in Korea. * The '''Tang Dynasty''' (唐朝 Táng cháo), 618-907, had its capital at Chang'an. This was the golden age of Chinese poetry, Buddhism and statecraft, and saw the revival and expansion of the Silk Road. It saw the expansion of the imperial examination system, which eventually grew into the main method used to select court officials. The Tang is considered by most Chinese to be the second golden age in Chinese civilisation, and Chinatowns overseas are often known as "Street of the Tang People" (唐人街 Tángrén jiē) in Chinese. The Qianling Mausoleum in Xianyang, the best preserved of the Tang imperial tombs, is the tomb of Emperor Gaozong, the third emperor and his wife, Empress Wu Zetian, who would become the only woman to ever be crowned Emperor of China. China's oldest surviving wooden building, the Great Buddha Hall of Nanchan Temple in [[Mount Wutai]], dates back to this period. Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of the dynasty, is known for being one of the most capable emperors to ever rule over China, and was a brilliant military commander who pacified the Eastern and Western Turks, establishing Chinese control once again over most of the former Han territories; his tomb is the largest in the world by land area. * China was then divided once again for about fifty years, during which it was under control of several small short-lived states. The capitals of the various states included [[Fuzhou]], [[Guangzhou]], [[Yangzhou]], [[Changsha]] and many others. [[File:Liuhe Pagoda 2016 January.jpg|thumb|A Song Dynasty Pagoda]] * The '''Song Dynasty''' (宋朝 Sòng cháo), 960-1279, again unified most of China and had its capital at [[Kaifeng]] until it fell to the Jurchens. They then continued as the Southern Song with their capital initially in [[Nanjing]], before later moving it to [[Hangzhou]]. Although militarily weak, the Song is considered to be China's economic golden age, having reached a level of commercial and economic development unmatched in the West until the [[Industrial Revolution]]. [[Marco Polo]], who was in Hangzhou a few years after the Mongol conquest, describes it as one of the richest and most beautiful cities on Earth. * The '''Liao Dynasty''' (辽朝 Liáo cháo) were ethnic Khitans. They ruled over much of what is today [[Northeast China]], [[Inner Mongolia]], [[Mongolia]] and part of [[North Korea]] and the [[Russian Far East]] from 916–1125, during which they fought an inconclusive war with the Song, before eventually being defeated by the Jurchens. Their capital was at Shangjing, which was located in what is today [[Chifeng]], [[Inner Mongolia]]. * The '''[[Western Xia]]''' (西夏 Xī Xià) were ethnic Tanguts. They ruled over what is today [[Gansu]], [[Ningxia]] and parts of Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, [[Qinghai]], [[Xinjiang]] and [[Shaanxi]] from 1038–1227, and fought a series of inconclusive wars with the Song before eventually being wiped out by the Mongols. Their capital was at Xingqing, which is today the city of [[Yinchuan]]. * The '''Jin Dynasty''' (金朝 Jīn cháo) were Jurchens or Churchens, invaders from [[Manchuria]]. After defeating the Khitans, they proceeded to conquer all Song territory north of the Huai River, ruling over much of northern China from 1115-1243. They fought a series of inconclusive wars with the Southern Song, before eventually being defeated by the Mongols; their capital was Beijing. * The '''Yuan Dynasty''' (元朝 Yuán cháo), 1279-1368, were Mongols who made China part of their great [[Mongol Empire]]. Genghis Khan defeated the Jurchens and Tanguts and took northern China; his grandson Kublai Khan defeated the Song and reunified China. They used the area that is now Beijing as their capital. [[Marco Polo]] visited it; he called it ''Canbulac'', the Khan's camp. [[File:Forbidden City (25737200388).jpg|thumb|The [[Forbidden City]]]] * The '''Ming Dynasty''' (明朝 Míng cháo), 1368-1644, were Han (ethnic Chinese) who took power after a peasant revolt against the Mongols. They initially had Nanjing as their capital then moved the capital to Beijing. They built many of Beijing's famous buildings including the [[Beijing/Forbidden City|Forbidden City]] and the Temple of Heaven. It was during this period that Admiral [[Voyages of Zheng He|Zheng He]] set out on a voyage to distant lands, establishing the first Chinese contact with [[Malacca]], and even reaching the eastern coast of [[Africa]]. Several of the most famous Chinese novels including "Journey to The West" (西游记 Xīyóujì), "Water Margin" (水浒传 shuǐhǔzhuàn) and "Romance of The Three Kingdoms" (三国演义 Sānguóyǎnyì) were written during this period. * The '''Qing Dynasty''' (清朝 Qīng cháo), 1616-1911, were Manchus, descendants of the Jurchens who previously established the Jin Dynasty. They were initially founded as the Later Jin with their capital in Mukden (modern-day [[Shenyang]]), and subsequently changed their name to Qing in 1636, before conquering the Han Chinese heartland in 1644. Following the conquest of China, they moved their capital to Beijing, where they built the Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace (now in ruins) and Yonghe Temple. The famous Chinese novel, "Dream of the Red Chamber" (红楼梦 Hónglóumèng) was written during this period. The Chinese empire grew to its current geographical size largely during this period, incorporating the western regions of [[Xinjiang]] and [[Tibet]]. * '''The Republic of China''' (中华民国 Zhōnghuá Mínguó), which ruled from 1911 to 1949, moved the capital back to Nanjing. Since retreating from the mainland in 1949, they have controlled [[Taiwan]] and a few small islands off the coast of Fujian. [[Taipei]] is their "temporary capital". During the [[Pacific War|Second World War]], [[Chongqing]] was also a temporary capital. * Beijing has been the capital of the '''People's Republic of China''' (中华人民共和国 Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó) since the Communist victory in the civil war in 1949. ==Destinations== The capitals of various dynasties or smaller states include: * [[Anyang]] &mdash; last capital of the Shang Dynasty * [[Beijing]] &mdash; the name translates as "northern capital"; the current capital of China, and capital during the Yuan and Qing dynasties, and most of the Ming. * [[Nanjing]] &mdash; "southern capital"; capital during the early part of the Ming Dynasty, as well as during the Republic of China era. * [[Xi'an]] &mdash; formerly known as Chang'an, capital during the Qin, Western Han and Tang dynasties * [[Luoyang]] &mdash; capital of the Eastern Han dynasty * [[Kaifeng]] &mdash; capital of the Northern Song dynasty * [[Hangzhou]] &mdash; capital of the Southern Song dynasty * [[Yinchuan]] &mdash; capital of the [[Western Xia]] * [[Lhasa]] &mdash; capital of Tibet * [[Shenyang]] &mdash; first capital of the Later Jin Dynasty, which would later be re-named the Qing Dynasty, prior to their conquest of the Chinese heartland Great engineering works include the [[Great Wall of China]] and the [[Grand Canal]]. The [[Imperial tombs of the Ming and Qing dynasties]] are in several cities, and Yinchuan has tombs from the Western Xia. Imperial tombs of various Chinese dynasties are scattered throughout China, usually close to the capitals of the respective dynasties. Western powers and Japan looted many of China's finest artifacts over the course of several wars during the late Qing Dynasty and Republic of China era, and many of the emperors' finest treasures were brought to Taiwan by the retreating Nationalists during the Chinese Civil War. Moreover, many artifacts that remained in China were later destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. All of this means that some of the greatest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts can be found in the [[Taipei/Shilin#National Palace Museum|National Palace Museum]] in Taipei, and in foreign museums such as the [[Metropolitan Museum|Metropolitan Museum of Art]] in New York City, the [[British Museum]] in London, the [[Toronto/Yorkville_and_the_Annex#Royal_Ontario_Museum|Royal Ontario Museum]] in Toronto and [[Tokyo/Ueno#Tokyo National Museum|Tokyo National Museum]]. == Eighteen Provinces == The [[Mongol Empire]] conquered China and many nearby areas in the 13th century and Kublai Khan became the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. His empire included several areas that had not previously been considered part of China, though some had been tributary states and all had felt Chinese influence: * Mongolia itself, today split into the independent country [[Mongolia]] and the Chinese province [[Inner Mongolia]] * The territory of Mongol allies the Uyghurs, now known as [[Xinjiang]] * The territory of the [[Western Xia]], today's [[Ningxia]] and [[Gansu]] * [[Manchuria]] (including what is today part of the [[Russian Far East]]) * [[Tibet]] Most of these are still part of the Chinese state, though other regions the Yuan Dynasty held are not. The Ming Dynasty would restore ethnic Han rule over China and drive the Mongols back to the steppes, though they did not expand their control beyond the Han Chinese heartland. Subsequently, the Manchu Qing Dynasty would first subsume the Mongols, before conquering the Han Chinese heartland with the help of the Mongols. They would then expand the empire's boundaries by conquering the Tibetan Empire and what is today Xinjiang, gaining control of most of the former Yuan-controlled territories in the process. They also managed to conquer Taiwan, placing it under common rule with the Chinese mainland for the first time. The boundaries of modern-day China largely correspond to the territories formerly held by the Qing, albeit having lost some territories to European and Japanese colonialism, and as a result of the Chinese Civil War. Some Western writers use the term '''China proper''' to indicate the core Han Chinese regions of China, excluding tributary states or ethnic minority areas, but there is no consensus to the exact extent of this core. The term '''Eighteen Provinces''' (一十八行省 Pinyin: Yīshíbā Xíngshěng, or 十八省 Shíbā Shěng) was used in Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) administration. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) used fifteen administrative divisions, and the Qing adopted and modified their system. Both the Nationalists (1912-1949) and the Communists (1949-date) kept most of the Qing system and in general modern boundaries correspond to the older ones, though there have been some changes. The 18 provinces in Qing times were: * [[Anhui]] * [[Fujian]], which included [[Taiwan]] from 1683 to 1887, after which Taiwan was made a separate province. * [[Gansu]], including what is now the separate area of [[Ningxia]] * [[Guangdong]], including what is now the separate province of [[Hainan]]. ** [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]] were parts of Guangdong, then colonies of Western powers; they are now special administrative regions of China. * [[Guangxi]] * [[Guizhou]] * [[Henan]] * [[Hubei]] * [[Hunan]] * [[Jiangsu]], including what is now [[Shanghai]] municipality * [[Jiangxi]] * [[Shaanxi]] * [[Shandong]] * [[Shanxi]] * [[Sichuan]], including what is now [[Chongqing]] municipality * [[Yunnan]] * [[Zhejiang]] * [[Zhili]], a province that no longer exists; most of it became modern [[Hebei]] and the rest became the municipalities of Beijing and [[Tianjin]] In the early 18th century the Qing re-arranged things along the southwestern border, absorbing parts of the former [[Tibetan Empire]] into their own. The Tibetan province of Amdo became the Qing Empire's 19th province, [[Qinghai]], and chunks from the Tibetan province of Kham were added to Sichuan and Yunnan. ==Itineraries== * [[Silk Road]] * [[On the trail of Marco Polo]] * [[Along the Yellow River]] * [[Along the Yangtze River]] * [[Along the Grand Canal]] * [[Yunnan tourist trail]] * [[Overland to Tibet]] * [[Hong Kong to Kunming overland]] ==See also== * [[Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties]] * [[Chinese provinces and regions]] * [[Pre-modern Japan]] * [[Pre-modern Korea]] * [[Western Xia]] {{PartOfTopic|Historical travel|China}} {{outlinetopic}} {{RelatedWikipedia|History of China#Chinese Empire|rel=y}} 09d64aggzwqarks381fi0bi696a6hma 0 145805 4506721 4505540 2022-08-23T10:05:40Z Sbb1413 2217354 Redirected page to [[Guwahati]] wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Guwahati]] 82hc5llqdsbexfjb6mtgm3y9b3bngw6 0 145970 4506269 4445385 2022-08-22T14:44:57Z 83.252.69.7 /* Sleep */ Updated listing for Vandrarhem Garvaren wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Eksjö_Banner.jpg}} '''Eksjö''' is a town in the [[Småland]] province with 10,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of Eksjö Municipality, which has roughly 17,000 inhabitants. It is notable as one of the best preserved old wood-towns in Sweden. ==Understand== Eksjö developed during the medieval era as a natural meeting place on the roads connecting the bishoprics [[Linköping]], [[Växjö]] and [[Kalmar]]. The city was entirely destroyed in 1568 during the Nordic Seven Years war, but was later rebuilt some 500 meters from its original location. The new city stretched in a north-south direction with the northern half separated from the southern by the church, city square, and latter also the city hotel. A major disaster hit the city in 1856 when the southern half of the city was destroyed in a major fire. Another setback for Eksjö came in the 1860s, as it was decided that the major railway connecting [[Stockholm]] with southern Sweden and [[Malmö]] would not pass Eksjö but rather the town [[Nässjö]] some 16 kilometers west of Eksjö. Due to this Eksjö was not as heavily industrialized as other cities, and as all resources where devoted to rebuilding the southern half of the city there was no urban renewal of its northern half. As a consequence of this the northern half of central Eksjö (a.k.a. ''"Gamla Stan"'' or ''"Old town"'') is one of the best preserved traditional wooden towns in Sweden, with many houses from the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. The southern half is dominated by neo-classicist stone buildings from the latter part of the 19th century. Eksjö has been an important military city since the 15th century and is today the seat of Eksjö garrison. It is also the seat for Höglandssjukhuset ("The Highland Hospital"). Settlements include Eksjö, Mariannelund, Ingatorp, Hult, Hjältevad and Bruzaholm. ===Tourist office=== * {{listing | name=Eksjö Tourist Center | alt= | url=http://www.visiteksjo.se/en/ | email=turism@eksjo.se | address=Norra Storgatan 29 B | lat=57.669131 | long=14.969377 | directions=Along the "Old town" main street | phone=+46 381 36170 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M&ndash;F 09:00&ndash;17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content= }} ==Get in== [[File:Eksjö station.JPG|thumb|Eksjö Central Station]] {{marker|type=go|name=Eksjö Central Station|url=|lat=57.663791|long=14.975535}} only serves minor regional trains. However, all trains connecting [[Stockholm]] with [[Malmö]] pass through [[Nässjö]] {{km|16}} West of Eksjö. From Nässjö you can continue towards Eksjö by bus. Most buses to Eksjö stop by the Central Station. [https://vastervikexpress.se/ Västervikexpress] has a route from [[Gothenburg]] to Eksjö. Eksjö is located on the intersection of Routes 40 and 32. Route 40 stretches in a West-East direction and connects to Nässjö and [[Jönköping]] in the west and continues towards [[Vimmerby]] and [[Västervik]] in the east. Route 32 continues towards [[Mjölby]] in the north and [[Vetlanda]] in the south. [http://www.jonkopingairport.se/engelska/jonkoping-airport.html Jönköping Airport] {{IATA|JKG}} is the closest airport. However, it mainly serves domestic flights. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|57.667054|14.971168|zoom=15}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q512035}} Eksjö city is very small and is best seen by foot. The rest of the municipality is most easily accessed by car. ==See== * {{see | name=Aschanska gården | alt=The Aschan house | url=https://www.eksjo.se/underwebbar/eksjomuseum/aschanskagarden/besokaschanskagarden | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 18 | lat=57.667719 | long=14.970772 | directions= | phone=+46 381-365 72 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Only assessable during guided tours. Daily English language tours Jun 20&ndash;Aug 20 at 16:00. Pre-booked tours on demand | price=50&nbsp;kr, cash only. Booking your own tour costs 350&nbsp;kr plus 40&nbsp;kr per visitor | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A preserved 19th century middle class home. }} * {{see | name=Eksjö kyrka | alt=Eksjö church | url=https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/sodravedbopastorat/eksjo-forsamling | email= | address=Norra Kyrkogatan | lat=57.667269 | long=14.971686 | directions= | phone=+46 381-66 23 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Built in 1889. }} * {{see | name=Eksjö Museum | alt= | url=http://www.eksjomuseum.se | email= | address=Österlånggatan 31 | lat=57.669529 | long=14.970836 | directions= | phone=+46 381-361 60 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M&ndash;F 11:00&ndash;18:00, Sa Su 11:00&ndash;15:00 | price=50&nbsp;kr | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Contains exhibitions regarding the history of Eksjö, the military history of Småland and 20th-century artist Albert Engström who was born in the nearby village Hult. }} * {{see | name=Fornminnesgården | alt=Folklore Museum | url=https://www.hembygd.se/eksjo | email= | address=Arendt Byggmästares gata 22 | lat=57.669140 | long=14.969854 | directions= | phone=+46 381-13779 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open July & August, 12-15 F&Sa | price=20&nbsp;kr | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A local arts-and-crafts museum in a 17th-century coppersmith's house. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Eksjö Town Festival | alt= | url=http://www.eksjostadsfest.se/ | email=info@fiestaeksjo.se | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+46 720088820 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Musical concerts on several live stages in central Eksjö one weekend in late August. }} * {{do | name=Moose-safari in Skullaryd moosepark | alt= | url=http://skullaryd-algpark.se/en/home.html| email=info@skullaryd-algpark.se | address= | lat=57.759476 | long=14.918323 | directions=13 kilometers north of Eksjö | phone=+46 73-812 28 68 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= |Open in July and August, 10:00&ndash;15:00 daily, with safari tours at 11:00 & 14:00 | price=175&nbsp;kr for adults, 75&nbsp;kr for children | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content= }} * {{do | name=Skurugata | alt= | url=http://www.visiteksjo.se/en/explore-skurugata/ | email= | address= | lat=57.701042 | long=15.087506 | directions=14 kilometers north-east of Eksjö | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A ravine with a lot of beautiful natural scenery, rumored to be the hiding place of trolls and bandits. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Antikt & gjutjärn | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nybrogatan 7 | lat=57.665757 | long=14.971148 | directions= | phone=+46 708475014 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Literally "Antiquities & cast iron". Has a flea market in the basement. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Amazing Taste | alt= | url= | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 23 | lat=57.668171 | long=14.969976 | directions= | phone=+46 38110020 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content=Do you need any additional recommendations with a name like that? }} * {{eat | name=Eksjö stadshotell | alt=Eksjö City Hotel | url=http://www.eksjostadshotell.se/ | email=info@eksjostadshotell.se | address=Stora Torget | lat=57.666844 | long=14.969925 | directions= | phone=+46 381-130 20 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Lunch M-Sa 11:30-15:00. A la carte menu M-Th & Sa 18:00-22:00. Dinner F 16:00-22:00 | price= | content=One of the fancier restaurants in the city is in the city hotel. }} * {{eat | name=Peking Restaurang | url=http://luthagens.se/ | | address=Norra Storgatan 38 | lat=57.669479 | long=14.969386 | directions= | phone=+46 381-132 88 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A Chinese restaurant with a nice outdoor seating. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Sunrise | alt= | url=http://www.sunrise-eksjo.se/index2.html | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 19 | lat=57.667988 | long=14.970313 | directions= | phone=+46 38112120 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Via Vinetto | alt= | url=http://www.via-venetto.se/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Österlånggatan 33 | lat=57.669840 | long=14.970542 | directions= | phone=+46 38113111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content=A pizzeria. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Lennarts konditori | alt= | url=https://lennartskonditori.se/ | email=nya@lennartskonditori.se | address=Stora torget | lat=57.667430 | long=14.971010 | directions= | phone=+46 381-61 13 90 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A nice café by the main square. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Eksjö stadshotell | alt=Eksjö City Hotel | url=http://www.eksjostadshotell.se/ | email=info@eksjostadshotell.se | address=Stora Torget | lat=57.666853 | long=14.969962 | directions= | phone=+46 381-130 20 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotell Vaxblekaregården Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vaxblekaregarden.com/ | email=info@vaxblekaren.se | address=Arendt Byggmästares gata 8 | lat=57.668125 | long=14.971049 | directions= | phone=+46 381 140 40 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Eksjö Vandrarhem | alt= | url=http://www.eksjovandrarhem.se/ | email=info@eksjovandrarhem.se | address=Norra Storgatan 29 | lat=57.669079 | long=14.968576 | directions= | phone=+46 381-133 00 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Vandrarhem Garvaren | alt= | url=http://www.vandrarhem-garvaren.com | email=info@vandrarhem-garvaren.com | address=Österlånggatan 31 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+46 72 3200275 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-05 | content=Nice hostel in the centre of town. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Hultsfred]] - famous for its pop festival. * [[Jönköping]] - the biggest city in Småland is located on the shores of lake Vättern. Known as "Sweden's Jerusalem". * [[Kalmar]] - famous for its medieval castle, where the Kalmar Union was founded in 1397. * [[Nybro]] - centre of ''"Glasriket"'' (the realm of glass), Småland's historical glassworks, whereof several are still acitve today. * [[Oskarshamn]] - a coastal town with a nearby archipelago. * [[Vimmerby]] - home of Astrid Lindgren and seat for the Astrid Lindgren's World theme park. * [[Växjö]] - seat of Kronoberg County, the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö, and home to the main campus of Linnaeus University. * [[Älmhult]] - The first IKEA store, and birthplace of [[Carl Linnaeus tourism|Carl Linnaeus]]. {{IsPartOf|Småland}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|57.666944|14.970278}} 6k9s5jii6jbh0etbw3w8k0mhovs11rf 4506289 4506269 2022-08-22T15:35:45Z 83.252.69.7 /* Sleep */ Updated listing for Vandrarhem Garvaren wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Eksjö_Banner.jpg}} '''Eksjö''' is a town in the [[Småland]] province with 10,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of Eksjö Municipality, which has roughly 17,000 inhabitants. It is notable as one of the best preserved old wood-towns in Sweden. ==Understand== Eksjö developed during the medieval era as a natural meeting place on the roads connecting the bishoprics [[Linköping]], [[Växjö]] and [[Kalmar]]. The city was entirely destroyed in 1568 during the Nordic Seven Years war, but was later rebuilt some 500 meters from its original location. The new city stretched in a north-south direction with the northern half separated from the southern by the church, city square, and latter also the city hotel. A major disaster hit the city in 1856 when the southern half of the city was destroyed in a major fire. Another setback for Eksjö came in the 1860s, as it was decided that the major railway connecting [[Stockholm]] with southern Sweden and [[Malmö]] would not pass Eksjö but rather the town [[Nässjö]] some 16 kilometers west of Eksjö. Due to this Eksjö was not as heavily industrialized as other cities, and as all resources where devoted to rebuilding the southern half of the city there was no urban renewal of its northern half. As a consequence of this the northern half of central Eksjö (a.k.a. ''"Gamla Stan"'' or ''"Old town"'') is one of the best preserved traditional wooden towns in Sweden, with many houses from the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. The southern half is dominated by neo-classicist stone buildings from the latter part of the 19th century. Eksjö has been an important military city since the 15th century and is today the seat of Eksjö garrison. It is also the seat for Höglandssjukhuset ("The Highland Hospital"). Settlements include Eksjö, Mariannelund, Ingatorp, Hult, Hjältevad and Bruzaholm. ===Tourist office=== * {{listing | name=Eksjö Tourist Center | alt= | url=http://www.visiteksjo.se/en/ | email=turism@eksjo.se | address=Norra Storgatan 29 B | lat=57.669131 | long=14.969377 | directions=Along the "Old town" main street | phone=+46 381 36170 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M&ndash;F 09:00&ndash;17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content= }} ==Get in== [[File:Eksjö station.JPG|thumb|Eksjö Central Station]] {{marker|type=go|name=Eksjö Central Station|url=|lat=57.663791|long=14.975535}} only serves minor regional trains. However, all trains connecting [[Stockholm]] with [[Malmö]] pass through [[Nässjö]] {{km|16}} West of Eksjö. From Nässjö you can continue towards Eksjö by bus. Most buses to Eksjö stop by the Central Station. [https://vastervikexpress.se/ Västervikexpress] has a route from [[Gothenburg]] to Eksjö. Eksjö is located on the intersection of Routes 40 and 32. Route 40 stretches in a West-East direction and connects to Nässjö and [[Jönköping]] in the west and continues towards [[Vimmerby]] and [[Västervik]] in the east. Route 32 continues towards [[Mjölby]] in the north and [[Vetlanda]] in the south. [http://www.jonkopingairport.se/engelska/jonkoping-airport.html Jönköping Airport] {{IATA|JKG}} is the closest airport. However, it mainly serves domestic flights. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|57.667054|14.971168|zoom=15}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q512035}} Eksjö city is very small and is best seen by foot. The rest of the municipality is most easily accessed by car. ==See== * {{see | name=Aschanska gården | alt=The Aschan house | url=https://www.eksjo.se/underwebbar/eksjomuseum/aschanskagarden/besokaschanskagarden | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 18 | lat=57.667719 | long=14.970772 | directions= | phone=+46 381-365 72 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Only assessable during guided tours. Daily English language tours Jun 20&ndash;Aug 20 at 16:00. Pre-booked tours on demand | price=50&nbsp;kr, cash only. Booking your own tour costs 350&nbsp;kr plus 40&nbsp;kr per visitor | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A preserved 19th century middle class home. }} * {{see | name=Eksjö kyrka | alt=Eksjö church | url=https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/sodravedbopastorat/eksjo-forsamling | email= | address=Norra Kyrkogatan | lat=57.667269 | long=14.971686 | directions= | phone=+46 381-66 23 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Built in 1889. }} * {{see | name=Eksjö Museum | alt= | url=http://www.eksjomuseum.se | email= | address=Österlånggatan 31 | lat=57.669529 | long=14.970836 | directions= | phone=+46 381-361 60 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M&ndash;F 11:00&ndash;18:00, Sa Su 11:00&ndash;15:00 | price=50&nbsp;kr | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Contains exhibitions regarding the history of Eksjö, the military history of Småland and 20th-century artist Albert Engström who was born in the nearby village Hult. }} * {{see | name=Fornminnesgården | alt=Folklore Museum | url=https://www.hembygd.se/eksjo | email= | address=Arendt Byggmästares gata 22 | lat=57.669140 | long=14.969854 | directions= | phone=+46 381-13779 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open July & August, 12-15 F&Sa | price=20&nbsp;kr | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A local arts-and-crafts museum in a 17th-century coppersmith's house. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Eksjö Town Festival | alt= | url=http://www.eksjostadsfest.se/ | email=info@fiestaeksjo.se | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+46 720088820 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Musical concerts on several live stages in central Eksjö one weekend in late August. }} * {{do | name=Moose-safari in Skullaryd moosepark | alt= | url=http://skullaryd-algpark.se/en/home.html| email=info@skullaryd-algpark.se | address= | lat=57.759476 | long=14.918323 | directions=13 kilometers north of Eksjö | phone=+46 73-812 28 68 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= |Open in July and August, 10:00&ndash;15:00 daily, with safari tours at 11:00 & 14:00 | price=175&nbsp;kr for adults, 75&nbsp;kr for children | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content= }} * {{do | name=Skurugata | alt= | url=http://www.visiteksjo.se/en/explore-skurugata/ | email= | address= | lat=57.701042 | long=15.087506 | directions=14 kilometers north-east of Eksjö | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A ravine with a lot of beautiful natural scenery, rumored to be the hiding place of trolls and bandits. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Antikt & gjutjärn | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nybrogatan 7 | lat=57.665757 | long=14.971148 | directions= | phone=+46 708475014 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Literally "Antiquities & cast iron". Has a flea market in the basement. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Amazing Taste | alt= | url= | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 23 | lat=57.668171 | long=14.969976 | directions= | phone=+46 38110020 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content=Do you need any additional recommendations with a name like that? }} * {{eat | name=Eksjö stadshotell | alt=Eksjö City Hotel | url=http://www.eksjostadshotell.se/ | email=info@eksjostadshotell.se | address=Stora Torget | lat=57.666844 | long=14.969925 | directions= | phone=+46 381-130 20 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Lunch M-Sa 11:30-15:00. A la carte menu M-Th & Sa 18:00-22:00. Dinner F 16:00-22:00 | price= | content=One of the fancier restaurants in the city is in the city hotel. }} * {{eat | name=Peking Restaurang | url=http://luthagens.se/ | | address=Norra Storgatan 38 | lat=57.669479 | long=14.969386 | directions= | phone=+46 381-132 88 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A Chinese restaurant with a nice outdoor seating. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Sunrise | alt= | url=http://www.sunrise-eksjo.se/index2.html | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 19 | lat=57.667988 | long=14.970313 | directions= | phone=+46 38112120 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Via Vinetto | alt= | url=http://www.via-venetto.se/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Österlånggatan 33 | lat=57.669840 | long=14.970542 | directions= | phone=+46 38113111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content=A pizzeria. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Lennarts konditori | alt= | url=https://lennartskonditori.se/ | email=nya@lennartskonditori.se | address=Stora torget | lat=57.667430 | long=14.971010 | directions= | phone=+46 381-61 13 90 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A nice café by the main square. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Eksjö stadshotell | alt=Eksjö City Hotel | url=http://www.eksjostadshotell.se/ | email=info@eksjostadshotell.se | address=Stora Torget | lat=57.666853 | long=14.969962 | directions= | phone=+46 381-130 20 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotell Vaxblekaregården Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vaxblekaregarden.com/ | email=info@vaxblekaren.se | address=Arendt Byggmästares gata 8 | lat=57.668125 | long=14.971049 | directions= | phone=+46 381 140 40 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Eksjö Vandrarhem | alt= | url=http://www.eksjovandrarhem.se/ | email=info@eksjovandrarhem.se | address=Norra Storgatan 29 | lat=57.669079 | long=14.968576 | directions= | phone=+46 381-133 00 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Vandrarhem Garvaren | alt= | url=http://www.vandrarhem-garvaren.com | email=info@vandrarhem-garvaren.com | address=Österlånggatan 31 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+46 72 3200275 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-05 | content=Nice hostel in the centre of the old town. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Hultsfred]] - famous for its pop festival. * [[Jönköping]] - the biggest city in Småland is located on the shores of lake Vättern. Known as "Sweden's Jerusalem". * [[Kalmar]] - famous for its medieval castle, where the Kalmar Union was founded in 1397. * [[Nybro]] - centre of ''"Glasriket"'' (the realm of glass), Småland's historical glassworks, whereof several are still acitve today. * [[Oskarshamn]] - a coastal town with a nearby archipelago. * [[Vimmerby]] - home of Astrid Lindgren and seat for the Astrid Lindgren's World theme park. * [[Växjö]] - seat of Kronoberg County, the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö, and home to the main campus of Linnaeus University. * [[Älmhult]] - The first IKEA store, and birthplace of [[Carl Linnaeus tourism|Carl Linnaeus]]. {{IsPartOf|Småland}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|57.666944|14.970278}} cnvtfc9s7p4w53f88dag1bb43epkjt0 4506295 4506289 2022-08-22T15:47:47Z Ibaman 195012 /* Sleep */ geo fix wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Eksjö_Banner.jpg}} '''Eksjö''' is a town in the [[Småland]] province with 10,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of Eksjö Municipality, which has roughly 17,000 inhabitants. It is notable as one of the best preserved old wood-towns in Sweden. ==Understand== Eksjö developed during the medieval era as a natural meeting place on the roads connecting the bishoprics [[Linköping]], [[Växjö]] and [[Kalmar]]. The city was entirely destroyed in 1568 during the Nordic Seven Years war, but was later rebuilt some 500 meters from its original location. The new city stretched in a north-south direction with the northern half separated from the southern by the church, city square, and latter also the city hotel. A major disaster hit the city in 1856 when the southern half of the city was destroyed in a major fire. Another setback for Eksjö came in the 1860s, as it was decided that the major railway connecting [[Stockholm]] with southern Sweden and [[Malmö]] would not pass Eksjö but rather the town [[Nässjö]] some 16 kilometers west of Eksjö. Due to this Eksjö was not as heavily industrialized as other cities, and as all resources where devoted to rebuilding the southern half of the city there was no urban renewal of its northern half. As a consequence of this the northern half of central Eksjö (a.k.a. ''"Gamla Stan"'' or ''"Old town"'') is one of the best preserved traditional wooden towns in Sweden, with many houses from the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. The southern half is dominated by neo-classicist stone buildings from the latter part of the 19th century. Eksjö has been an important military city since the 15th century and is today the seat of Eksjö garrison. It is also the seat for Höglandssjukhuset ("The Highland Hospital"). Settlements include Eksjö, Mariannelund, Ingatorp, Hult, Hjältevad and Bruzaholm. ===Tourist office=== * {{listing | name=Eksjö Tourist Center | alt= | url=http://www.visiteksjo.se/en/ | email=turism@eksjo.se | address=Norra Storgatan 29 B | lat=57.669131 | long=14.969377 | directions=Along the "Old town" main street | phone=+46 381 36170 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M&ndash;F 09:00&ndash;17:00 | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content= }} ==Get in== [[File:Eksjö station.JPG|thumb|Eksjö Central Station]] {{marker|type=go|name=Eksjö Central Station|url=|lat=57.663791|long=14.975535}} only serves minor regional trains. However, all trains connecting [[Stockholm]] with [[Malmö]] pass through [[Nässjö]] {{km|16}} West of Eksjö. From Nässjö you can continue towards Eksjö by bus. Most buses to Eksjö stop by the Central Station. [https://vastervikexpress.se/ Västervikexpress] has a route from [[Gothenburg]] to Eksjö. Eksjö is located on the intersection of Routes 40 and 32. Route 40 stretches in a West-East direction and connects to Nässjö and [[Jönköping]] in the west and continues towards [[Vimmerby]] and [[Västervik]] in the east. Route 32 continues towards [[Mjölby]] in the north and [[Vetlanda]] in the south. [http://www.jonkopingairport.se/engelska/jonkoping-airport.html Jönköping Airport] {{IATA|JKG}} is the closest airport. However, it mainly serves domestic flights. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|57.667054|14.971168|zoom=15}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q512035}} Eksjö city is very small and is best seen by foot. The rest of the municipality is most easily accessed by car. ==See== * {{see | name=Aschanska gården | alt=The Aschan house | url=https://www.eksjo.se/underwebbar/eksjomuseum/aschanskagarden/besokaschanskagarden | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 18 | lat=57.667719 | long=14.970772 | directions= | phone=+46 381-365 72 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Only assessable during guided tours. Daily English language tours Jun 20&ndash;Aug 20 at 16:00. Pre-booked tours on demand | price=50&nbsp;kr, cash only. Booking your own tour costs 350&nbsp;kr plus 40&nbsp;kr per visitor | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A preserved 19th century middle class home. }} * {{see | name=Eksjö kyrka | alt=Eksjö church | url=https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/sodravedbopastorat/eksjo-forsamling | email= | address=Norra Kyrkogatan | lat=57.667269 | long=14.971686 | directions= | phone=+46 381-66 23 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Built in 1889. }} * {{see | name=Eksjö Museum | alt= | url=http://www.eksjomuseum.se | email= | address=Österlånggatan 31 | lat=57.669529 | long=14.970836 | directions= | phone=+46 381-361 60 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M&ndash;F 11:00&ndash;18:00, Sa Su 11:00&ndash;15:00 | price=50&nbsp;kr | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Contains exhibitions regarding the history of Eksjö, the military history of Småland and 20th-century artist Albert Engström who was born in the nearby village Hult. }} * {{see | name=Fornminnesgården | alt=Folklore Museum | url=https://www.hembygd.se/eksjo | email= | address=Arendt Byggmästares gata 22 | lat=57.669140 | long=14.969854 | directions= | phone=+46 381-13779 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open July & August, 12-15 F&Sa | price=20&nbsp;kr | wikipedia= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A local arts-and-crafts museum in a 17th-century coppersmith's house. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Eksjö Town Festival | alt= | url=http://www.eksjostadsfest.se/ | email=info@fiestaeksjo.se | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+46 720088820 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=Musical concerts on several live stages in central Eksjö one weekend in late August. }} * {{do | name=Moose-safari in Skullaryd moosepark | alt= | url=http://skullaryd-algpark.se/en/home.html| email=info@skullaryd-algpark.se | address= | lat=57.759476 | long=14.918323 | directions=13 kilometers north of Eksjö | phone=+46 73-812 28 68 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= |Open in July and August, 10:00&ndash;15:00 daily, with safari tours at 11:00 & 14:00 | price=175&nbsp;kr for adults, 75&nbsp;kr for children | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content= }} * {{do | name=Skurugata | alt= | url=http://www.visiteksjo.se/en/explore-skurugata/ | email= | address= | lat=57.701042 | long=15.087506 | directions=14 kilometers north-east of Eksjö | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A ravine with a lot of beautiful natural scenery, rumored to be the hiding place of trolls and bandits. }} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Antikt & gjutjärn | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nybrogatan 7 | lat=57.665757 | long=14.971148 | directions= | phone=+46 708475014 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Literally "Antiquities & cast iron". Has a flea market in the basement. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Amazing Taste | alt= | url= | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 23 | lat=57.668171 | long=14.969976 | directions= | phone=+46 38110020 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content=Do you need any additional recommendations with a name like that? }} * {{eat | name=Eksjö stadshotell | alt=Eksjö City Hotel | url=http://www.eksjostadshotell.se/ | email=info@eksjostadshotell.se | address=Stora Torget | lat=57.666844 | long=14.969925 | directions= | phone=+46 381-130 20 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Lunch M-Sa 11:30-15:00. A la carte menu M-Th & Sa 18:00-22:00. Dinner F 16:00-22:00 | price= | content=One of the fancier restaurants in the city is in the city hotel. }} * {{eat | name=Peking Restaurang | url=http://luthagens.se/ | | address=Norra Storgatan 38 | lat=57.669479 | long=14.969386 | directions= | phone=+46 381-132 88 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=A Chinese restaurant with a nice outdoor seating. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Sunrise | alt= | url=http://www.sunrise-eksjo.se/index2.html | email= | address=Norra Storgatan 19 | lat=57.667988 | long=14.970313 | directions= | phone=+46 38112120 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Via Vinetto | alt= | url=http://www.via-venetto.se/ {{dead link|December 2020}} | email= | address=Österlånggatan 33 | lat=57.669840 | long=14.970542 | directions= | phone=+46 38113111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-05 | content=A pizzeria. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Lennarts konditori | alt= | url=https://lennartskonditori.se/ | email=nya@lennartskonditori.se | address=Stora torget | lat=57.667430 | long=14.971010 | directions= | phone=+46 381-61 13 90 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-07-10 | content=A nice café by the main square. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Eksjö stadshotell | alt=Eksjö City Hotel | url=http://www.eksjostadshotell.se/ | email=info@eksjostadshotell.se | address=Stora Torget | lat=57.666853 | long=14.969962 | directions= | phone=+46 381-130 20 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Hotell Vaxblekaregården Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.vaxblekaregarden.com/ | email=info@vaxblekaren.se | address=Arendt Byggmästares gata 8 | lat=57.668125 | long=14.971049 | directions= | phone=+46 381 140 40 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Eksjö Vandrarhem | alt= | url=http://www.eksjovandrarhem.se/ | email=info@eksjovandrarhem.se | address=Norra Storgatan 29 | lat=57.669079 | long=14.968576 | directions= | phone=+46 381-133 00 | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Vandrarhem Garvaren | alt= | url=http://www.vandrarhem-garvaren.com | email=info@vandrarhem-garvaren.com | address=Österlånggatan 31 | lat=57.6695465 | long=14.9686322 | directions=town centre | phone=+46 72 3200275 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-05 | content=Nice hostel. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Hultsfred]] - famous for its pop festival. * [[Jönköping]] - the biggest city in Småland is located on the shores of lake Vättern. Known as "Sweden's Jerusalem". * [[Kalmar]] - famous for its medieval castle, where the Kalmar Union was founded in 1397. * [[Nybro]] - centre of ''"Glasriket"'' (the realm of glass), Småland's historical glassworks, whereof several are still acitve today. * [[Oskarshamn]] - a coastal town with a nearby archipelago. * [[Vimmerby]] - home of Astrid Lindgren and seat for the Astrid Lindgren's World theme park. * [[Växjö]] - seat of Kronoberg County, the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö, and home to the main campus of Linnaeus University. * [[Älmhult]] - The first IKEA store, and birthplace of [[Carl Linnaeus tourism|Carl Linnaeus]]. {{IsPartOf|Småland}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|57.666944|14.970278}} rvm8gqqjx7vws8umpei4zch05bzdnfs 1 147642 4506797 2915371 2022-08-23T11:24:52Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Banner */ new section wikitext text/x-wiki == How far is Melbourne Airport really? == In the "Get in" section", it's stated that "Melbourne Airport is a couple of hours away", but also: "[...] Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to Geelong and take about an hour." Google Maps tells me Southern Cross Station is 22 minutes from Melbourne Airport by car, so how is it "a couple of hours" from Melbourne Airport to Geelong? --[[User:Red trela|Red Trela]] ([[User talk:Red trela|talk]]) 01:53, 4 January 2016 (UTC) : Not sure about the problem you are stating? If you take a look at any map it will show a direct motorway taking you from Melbourne CBD to Geelong taking about an hour. Melbourne airport is half an hour to the north, and not between Melbourne and Geelong. --[[User:Andrewssi2|Andrewssi2]] ([[User talk:Andrewssi2|talk]]) 02:18, 4 January 2016 (UTC) == Banner == Current is not in a 7:! ratio. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:24, 23 August 2022 (UTC) [[File:View of Geelong across Corio Bay from Moorpanyal Park, 2010.jpg|thumb|700px|Banner 0]] [[File:Geelong banner.jpg|thumb|700px|Banner 1]] 6sgmbtuz0sbkuthb5zg47v5314b6bjb 0 148002 4506333 4504425 2022-08-22T17:23:08Z Anyone150 1516949 /* [[California]] */ Updated listing for [[File:I-8.svg|25px]] East El Centro wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Interstate 5 banner Kern County, CA.jpg|caption=Kern County, California}} [[File:I-5.svg|200px|frameless|right]] '''Interstate 5''' (I-5) is a [[United States]] interstate highway that starts at the border with [[Mexico]] in [[San Ysidro]], California and runs 1381 miles (2223 km) north through the states of [[California]], [[Oregon]] and [[Washington (state)|Washington]] to the border with [[Canada]] in [[Blaine]], Washington. It serves as an important north-south transportation corridor along the U.S west coast connecting the major cities of [[San Diego]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland]], [[Tacoma]] and [[Seattle]]; the three state capitals of California ([[Sacramento]]), Oregon ([[Salem_(Oregon)|Salem]]) and Washington ([[Olympia_(Washington)|Olympia]]); and two additional major cities in neighboring countries ([[Tijuana]] & [[Vancouver]]) just over the international borders. ==Understand== Interstate 5 (I-5) replaces the former US Route 99 (Pacific Hwy Auto Trail from before 1926) from Blaine, WA to Los Angeles and the old US Route 101 from Los Angeles to San Diego, the main north-south route along the west coast. The old U.S. Highway 99 then continued east along the present Interstate 10 from Los Angeles to [[Indio]] CA. From Indio U.S. Highway 99 turns south towards the Mexican border in [[Calexico]], on CA-86, along the western shores of the [[Salton Sea]]; and from [[Brawley]] to Calexico on CA-111. Segments of the old US Highway 99 have been re-numbered as State Route 99 (SR-99) in Washington, Oregon and California. Other segments in Washington state have also have been renumbered as WA-11, WA-529 and WA-539; and as OR-273 & OR-66 between Ashland and the California border in Oregon. Other parts of the old Hwy 99 have been decommissioned altogether as a U.S. and state highway (not numbered) but are still represented by being named "Pacific Highway" (in OR & WA); "Golden State", "County Rd 99", "Old Highway 101" (in CA); "Old Highway 99" or by a different name (in all three states). The old Highway 99/101 can serve as an alternate scenic drive alongside the present I-5 corridor in rural areas while passing through urban areas (or in small towns) as local streets. It is accessible from I-5 through multiple exits in all three states. Because of its continuity and its close proximity to the I-5 corridor, in most places, the old Highway 99/101 can also serve as an alternate route around a traffic jam on I-5 due to a collision or some other blockage. There are other sections of the old Highway 99 that are decommissioned as a road for vehicle travel and are used primarily as walking and bicycling trails. There are no toll segments on the "Freeway". ==Prepare== {{see also|Driving in the United States}} You'll obviously need to bring a vehicle, but there is nothing really necessary for the route unless you want to eat your own food or you're coming from another country, in which case you might need passports, for example, to [[Interstate 5#Get in|get in]]. ==Get in== Interstate 5 continues north as BC-Hwy 99 to [[Cache Creek]] through [[Vancouver]], the [[Sunshine Coast_(British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] and [[Whistler]] from the Canadian/U.S. border in [[Blaine]], Washington, and south to [[Cabo San Lucas]] through [[Tijuana]] and [[Ensenada]] in the Baja California Peninsula as Mexico Federal Hwy 1 from the U.S./Mexican border in [[San Ysidro]], California. I-5 intersects other major US interstate highways diverging to/from different directions such as I-15 and I-8 in [[San Diego]]; I-10 in [[Los Angeles]]; I-80 in [[Sacramento]]; I-84 in [[Portland (Oregon)|Portland]]; I-90 in [[Seattle]] and various three digit interstates (serving as local auxiliary highways), state and U.S highways in the three states it passes through. ===By plane=== {{see also|Air travel in the United States}} The Interstate 5 corridor can be accessed by plane through [[San Diego#By plane|San Diego]], [[Santa Ana (California)#By plane|Santa Ana]], [[Burbank#Get in|Burbank]], [[Sacramento#By plane|Sacramento]], [[Medford_(Oregon)#By plane|Medford]], [[Portland (Oregon)#By plane|Portland]], [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport|Seattle]], [[Everett_(Washington)#By plane|Everett]] and [[Bellingham (Washington)#By plane|Bellingham]] with airports next to or near the freeway. In other cities, such as [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] and [[Long Beach#By plane|Long Beach]] the airport can be further away (20-40 mi/32-64 km) from the I-5 corridor on another highway. From outside the U.S. the I-5 corridor is also accessed from [[Vancouver#By plane|Vancouver International Airport]] and [[Tijuana#By plane|Tijuana's General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport]]. ==Go== ===By train=== {{see also|Rail travel in the United States}} [http://www.amtrak.com Amtrak] operates trains "more or less" along the Interstate 5 corridor serving the major west coast cities. Some segments are further away such as the segment from Emeryville to Oxnard in California while other parts of the route are practically next to the freeway such as the segment between Longview and Centralia in Washington state. The following routes operate along the I-5 corridor: :* '''[http://www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train Amtrak Coast Starlight]''' runs once daily between [[Los Angeles#By_train|Los Angeles]] and [[Seattle#By_train|Seattle]] via [[Portland (Oregon)#By_train|Portland]], Klamath Falls, Redding, [[Sacramento#By_train|Sacramento]], [[Oakland#By_train|San Francisco Bay Area]], Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley and Van Nuys. It shares the same route with the ''Cascades'' between Seattle and Eugene, with the same stops (except Tukwila, [[Vancouver_(Washington)|Vancouver, Washington]], and Oregon City); and with the ''Pacific Surfliner'' between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles (see below). :* '''[[Amtrak Cascades]]''' runs between Seattle and Portland four times daily serving Tukwila, Tacoma, Lacey (Olympia), Centralia and Kelso in Washington state. They run from Seattle to [[Vancouver]] via Everett, Stanwood, Mt Vernon & Bellingham twice daily and from Portland to Eugene via Oregon City, Salem & Albany twice daily. Additional service from Seattle to Vancouver and from Portland to Eugene are provided on the Amtrak Thruway Bus. :* '''[http://www.pacificsurfliner.com/ Pacific Surfliner]''' [[San Luis Obispo]], [[Santa Barbara]], [[Oxnard]], [[Los Angeles#By train|Los Angeles]] & [[San Diego#By_train|San Diego]]. The segment of this route closest or parallel to the I-5 corridor is between Simi Valley and San Diego. Passengers continue south towards the Mexican border in San Ysidro on the [https://www.sdmts.com/schedules-real-time-maps-and-routes/trolley SDMTS 'UC San Diego Blue Line' Trolley] from the American Plaza Station, across the street the Santa Fe Station. :* '''[https://amtraksanjoaquins.com/ San Joaquins]''' Sacramento, Merced, [[Stockton]], [[Fresno]] and [[Bakersfield]]. Some trains on this route will go west towards Emeryville and Oakland from Stockton instead of continuing north to Sacramento. This route is then connected to Los Angeles from Bakersfield and from Stockton & Sacramento to Redding by Thruway buses via I-5. ===By bus=== {{see also|Long-distance bus travel in the United States}} There are several bus companies operating buses along the I-5/CA-Hwy 99 corridor with Greyhound, Flixbus and Fronteras del Norte serving the entire length while other companies operate buses along certain sections of the I-5 corridor in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon or Washington) or California to make the trip possible without a car: * {{listing | type=listing | name=Greyhound Lines, Bolt Bus, Cruceros USA | alt= | url=http://www.greyhound.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-231-2222 | hours= | price= | content=Travels along the entire I-5/CA-Hwy 99 corridor between [[Tijuana#By bus|Tijuana]], [[San Diego#By bus|San Diego]], [[Los Angeles#By bus|Los Angeles]], [[Sacramento#By bus|Sacramento]], [[Portland (Oregon)#By bus|Portland]], [[Seattle#By bus|Seattle]],[[Vancouver#By bus|Vancouver BC]] and several smaller cities/towns in between each of the above cities. Some of their schedules run contiguously between Seattle and Los Angeles while others break up the trip in Sacramento and/or Portland, requiring a layover or transfer. '''Cruceros USA''' is their cross-border shuttle connecting Los Angeles to Tijuana via Santa Ana. }} * {{listing | counter= | type=go | name=BellAir Airporter | alt= | url=http://www.airporter.com/shuttle | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-866-235-5247 | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Goes up from SeaTac & downtown Seattle to Stanwood, Burlington/Mt Vernon, Bellingham & Blaine on one route and a separate route to Anacortes and the [[San Juan Islands|San Juan]] ferry terminal from Burlington. }} * {{listing | counter= | name=Cantrail & Amtrak Cascades Thruway Bus | alt= | url=http://www.cantrail.com | email= | address=(bus stops) Seattle's King Street Station & Vancouver's Pacific Station. Additional stops at Sandmans Signature Hotel and Pacific Inn in Surrey. No additional stops in the U.S. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-877-940-5561 | fax= | hours= | price=$40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11. | content=Operates direct express buses between Seattle and Vancouver, BC }} * {{listing | name=Flixbus | alt= | url=http://www.flixbus.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 855 626-8585 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-05-02 | content=Travels along the I-5 corridor between Seattle and Eugene on one segment and from San Francisco to Los Angeles on another. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Fronteras del Norte | alt= | url=https://travelfronteras.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 323 587-5233 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-05-29 | content=Connects Pasco, Sunnyside & Yakima WA in eastern Washington (state) to Los Angeles and the Mexican border in San Ysidro via Portland, OR. They travel along I-5 between Portland, Los Angeles and the Mexican border in San Ysidro. }} * {{listing | counter= | type=go | name=Hoang Express | alt= | url=http://www.xedohoang.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 714 839-3500 | tollfree=+1-888-834-9336 | fax= | hours= | price=$60-65 to Bay Area; $80 to Sacramento | content=Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Sacramento along the I-5 corridor. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=International Bus Lines | alt=formerly Intercalifornias | url=https://www.ibuslines.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree=+1-888-834-9336 | fax= | hours= | price=Prices vary depending on your destination | content=Buses goes up from Tijuana to San Ysidro, Santa Ana, Los Angeles San Fernando, Bakersfield, Fresno, and San Jose/Stockton (route splits/joins in Madero) along the I-5/CA-99 corridor. }} * {{listing | name=Lower Columbia CAP | alt= | url=http://www.lowercolumbiacap.org/get-help/transportation | email= | address=Longview Transit Center | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 360 200-4911 or +1 360 200-4910 | tollfree= | hours= | price=$2 Each Way | content=Rural public bus system connecting [[Longview (Washington)|Longview]] to [[Vancouver_(Washington)|Vancouver, WA]] through Kalama, and [[Woodland (Washington)|Woodland]]. Connections to Greyhound in [[Kelso_(Washington)|Kelso]] if using this option. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Oregon Point-Cascade Point Line & Amtrak Cascades Thruway Bus | alt=Operated by MTR Western | url=http://oregon-point.com/cascades-point/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 541 484-4100 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-16 | content=Bus between Portland, Woodburn, Salem, Albany & Eugene. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Oregon Point-Southwest Point | alt=Operated by Klamath Shuttle | url=http://www.southwest-point.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 541 883-2609 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-12-22 | content=Connects [[Brookings-Harbor|Brookings]] to [[Klamath Falls]] via [[Crescent City#By bus|Crescent City]], [[Grants Pass#By_bus|Grants Pass]], Gold Hill, [[Medford_(Oregon)#By bus|Medford]] and [[Ashland_(Oregon)|Ashland]], etc. }} * {{listing | counter= | name=Quick Shuttle | url=http://www.quickcoach.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone = | tollfree=+1-800-665-2122 | fax= | hours= | price=Fares from Vancouver to Downtown Seattle are round-trip; $36 one-way, $65. From Vancouver to SeaTac, fares are $49 one-way, $87 round-trip. | content= Runs between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Stops in Downtown Seattle (outside the Best Western at 200 Taylor Ave N) and SeaTac Airport (at the main terminal near south end of baggage claim, outside door 00, bays 11-16. Provides affordable and reliable transportation from Seatac Airport, Downtown Seattle, Bellingham Airport to Vancouver Airport, Downtown Vancouver and Cruise Ship Terminals. }} * {{listing | name=Rapid Connections LLC | alt= | url=http://rapidconnectionllc.com/ | email= | address=| lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 559 442-3000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-07 | content=Buses goes up to Sacramento via San Fernando, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, [[Stockton (California)|Stockton]] and several other places along SR-99; and down to Tijuana via Santa Ana and [[San Ysidro]]. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Tufesa | alt= | url=http://www.tufesa.com.mx | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 213 489-8079 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Prices vary depending on your destination | content=Connects Los Angles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); San Francisco Bay Area; and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). }} There are additional express and local buses operating as local public transportation along the I-5 corridor at varying distances in different places. These options are generally cheaper than Greyhound or other intercity carriers for the same distances. See "By bus" under "Get in" and "Get around" in the article of a particular city or locale and under "Get around" in a state article for an additional list of other bus companies serving the west coast. ==Drive== {{Mapframe|41|-120|zoom=6|height=1100|type=geoline}}<!--Interstate 5.map--> Mile markers are statewide mileposts, starting with "0" at the south border of each state which increases as you go north and then starts over at "0" when crossing the state line into the next state. So going south the numbers on the mileposts will decrease and then start over at the highest number (276 in Washington, 308 in Oregon & 796 in California) when crossing a state line. The exit numbers correspond with the mileposts so some numbers may be skipped if the exits are further apart from one to the next. Other exits that are one next to the other or "2 in 1" may have the same exit number followed by an "A", "B" or even a "C" such as "Exit #100A" to get on A St, "Exit #100B" to get on B St and so forth. === [[California]] === The maximum speed limit is 70 mph (112 km/h) for cars on rural stretches and 65 mph (104 km/h) in urban areas or lower if posted otherwise. Speed limit for large trucks is 55 mph (88 km/h) in both rural and urban areas. [[File:California 99.svg|38px|frameless|left]] From its southern end near Wheeler Ridge (Exit 221 of I-5) to its northern end at SR 36 in Red Bluff, State Route (SR) 99 goes through the densely populated eastern parts of the valley. Cities served include [[Bakersfield]], [[Delano]], [[Tulare]], [[Visalia]], [[Kingsburg]], [[Selma_(California)|Selma]], [[Fresno]], [[Madera]], [[Yosemite National Park]], [[Merced]], [[Turlock]], [[Modesto]], [[Manteca]], [[Stockton]], [[Sacramento]], [[Yuba City]], and [[Chico]]. SR 99 replaces US Route 99 between Wheeler Ridge and Sacramento and US Route 99E from Sacramento to Red Bluff (as the Golden State Freeway). Interstate 5 bypasses the Central Valley along its western edge between Wheelers Ridge and Sacramento and replaces US Route 99W between Sacramento and Red Bluff as the Westside Freeway. <br> [[File:US_99_(CA_historic).svg|38px|frameless|left]] [[File:Business_Loop_5_(CA).svg|38px|frameless|left]] Historically US Route 99 splits in Sacramento at the present junction of State Route (SR) 99 and US Route 50. US Route 99W goes west from Sacramento to Davis along I-80 (formerly US Hwy 40), from Davis to Woodland on Road 99, and alongside I-5 from Woodland to Red Bluff. The old US Route 99E goes east along I-80/US Route 50 to Roseville. SR-65 from Roseville to Olivehurst; SR-70 from Olivehurst to Yuba City and on the Golden State Freeway (present day CA-99) from Yuba City to Red Bluff. The remaining segments in northern California, to Oregon, have been decommissioned as a US or state highway except SR 273 through Anderson and Redding; SR 263 and a section of SR 96 between Holbrook and Yreka; or as Business Loop (BL) 5 through different towns along the way in northern California. In southern California the old Highway 99 continues east along the present Interstate 10 from Los Angeles to Indio and than SR 86 from Indio to Brawley along the western shores of the [[Salton Sea]]. From Brawley to the Mexican border in Calexico the Old Hwy 99 follows SR-111. In everywhere else the Old Hwy 99 exists as local roads/streets named "Old Highway 99", "State Highway 99W", "Golden State", "Road 99" or by a different name from a time before the Golden State Freeway (US Route 99/99E, Los Angeles to Red Bluff) and the Cascade Wonderland Freeway (from Red Bluff to the Oregon border) were built in the 1940s through the 1950s which are described throughout this article in the below: ==== [[San Diego County|San Diego area]] ==== * {{listing | name=[[San Diego/San Ysidro|San Ysidro]] | alt=Mile 0 | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.54419 | long=-117.03218 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=San_Ysidro,_San_Diego | image=CBP_San_Diego_Operations_-_San_Ysidro_(28601995876).jpg | wikidata=Q3471654 | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=Border crossing. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-805.svg|25px]] North (NB); Camino de la Plaza (SB) | alt=Exit 1A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=Interstate 805 serves as a local auxillary/by-pass highway that continues {{mile|32}} around to the [[San_Diego/Mid-City|eastside]] through the North Park, Mission Valley, Clairemont, and University City neighborhoods. It rejoins I-5 at Exit 32 in Sorrento Valley. If you miss this exit there are numerous east-west roads connecting the 5 to the 805 further north. The other exit 1A from the southbound lanes only goes into Camino de la Plaza which accesses the [https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/las-americas Las Americas Premium Outlets], San Ysidro Village Mall and the border station parking for those who plan to take a day trip into Tijuana by foot and not drive across the border. It is closer to the PedWest port of entry which is closer to Plaza Viva and downtown Tijuana than the main border crossing east of I-5. Last USA exit before the border crossing into Mexico for southbound travelers. }} :* {{listing | name=Via de San Ysidro | alt=Exit 1B| url= | lat= | long= | wikipedia=Border_Field_State_Park | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-04 | content=Accessible from both directions. Access to I-805 from the southbound lanes via W San Ysidro Blvd as there is no direct access to I-805 at Exit 1A from the southbound lanes. }} :* {{listing | name=San Ysidro Blvd, Dairy Mart Rd(NB); Dairy Mart Rd (SB) | alt=Exit 2 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Border_Field_State_Park | wikidata=Q4944563 | lastedit=2022-08-04 | content=Dairy Mart Rd goes south and than curves west as Monumental Rd to [https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=664 Border Field State Park] (at the beach by the border) through [https://www.friendshippark.org International Park] and the Tijuana River Reserve. North bound exits go into San Ysidro Blvd. Take a left on San Ysidro Blvd, after exit, to reach Dairy Mart Rd. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 905.svg|25px]] East, Tocayo Ave | alt=Exit 3 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-04 | content=SR-905 goes east to the Otay Mesa border crossing (for trucks) and into Otay Mesa, an industrial neighborhood east of Tijuana. The road goes past I-805, the industrial Otay Mesa neighborhood on the American side, CBX airport terminal (access to Tijuana airport from the American side), and the Brown Field Airport. Going west of I-5, SR-905 ends and becomes Tocayo Ave. }} * {{listing | name=[[Chula Vista]] | alt=Exits 7A-9 | lat=32.6278 | long=-117.0481 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are five exits for Chula Vista. }} * {{listing | name=[[National City]] | alt=Exits 10-12 | lat=32.6781 | long=-117.0992 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are four exits for National City. }} * {{listing | name=[[San Diego]] | alt=Exits 13A-36 | lat=32.7157 | long=-117.1611 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are over thirty exits for San Diego. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 15.svg|25px]] Riverside (Interstate 15) | alt=Exit 13A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=Interstate 15 runs {{mi|1433}} north from southern California to the Canadian border in [[Sweet Grass]] through Nevada, NW corner of Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Montana. The same highway continues another 108 km to [[Lethbridge]] AB as Hwy 4. It is the most convenient route for travelers going to the [[Inland Empire]] and [[Las Vegas]] and another way to reach the [[San Diego/North|local communities]] of Miramar, Mira Mesa and [[Poway]] and to [[Escondido]] in [[North_County_(San_Diego_County)|North San Diego County]] from San Diego (proper). From here the exit is marked as State Route (SR) 15 which becomes I-15 north of its junction with I-8. }} :* {{listing | name="[[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] San Diego Airport, Sassafras St" (SB Side); "Pacific Highway" (NB Side) | alt=Exit 18A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content=Travelers going towards {{marker|type=go|name=San Diego International Airport (Limbaugh Field)|url=https://www.san.org|lat=32.7318 | long=-117.2024}} from the northbound lanes would exit off at 17A just north of downtown San Diego.The rental car center can be reached through Washington St at Exit 19 from both directions. }} :* {{listing | name=Washington St | alt=Exit 18B | url= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=[[San_Diego/Old_Town-Mission_Valley|Old Town Ave]] | alt=Exit 19 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content=Nearest access to [[San_Diego/Old_Town-Mission_Valley|Old Town San Diego]] from Interstate 5. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-8.svg|25px]] East El Centro | alt=Exit 20 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content=Interstate 8 begins/ends {{mile|2.5}} west of the I-5 corridor at its junction with Nimtz & Sunset Cliff Blvd. It goes {{mile|347}} east across the Cuyamaca Mountains, Imperial Valley and Sonoran Deserts to its junction with I-10 in [[Casa Grande]], AZ. It passes through [[El Centro]], [[Yuma]] and Gila Bend before reaching Casa Grande. Locally it crosses I-15/SR-15 (Exit 7); and serves Old Town (Taylor St & Hotel Circle @ Exit 3); [[La Mesa]] (Exits 11-14); [[El Cajon]] (Exits 15-20) and Alpine (Exits 30 & 33) before heading up the Cuyamaca Mountains and into the Imperial Valley. Travelers going towards Phoenix can exit from I-8 at AZ-85 (AZ Exit 115) in Gila Bend and go north along AZ-85 to I-10 in Buckeye, west of Phoenix. Others going to the Mexican border at Mexicali can leave I-8 at CA-111 (Exit 118A) and go south on CA-111 into [[Calexico]]. }} :* {{listing | name=Sea World Dr, Tecolote Road | alt=Exit 21 | url= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content=Go west on Sea World Drive to reach [https://seaworld.com/san-diego/ Sea World] at Mission Bay. Road continues past Sea World towards the beaches as W Mission Bay Dr and ends at its intersection with Mission Blvd in the [[San_Diego/Mission_Beach-Pacific_Beach|Mission Beach neighborhood]]. }} * {{listing | name=[[Encinitas]] | alt=Exits 39-41B | lat=33.0370 | long=-117.2920 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are four exits for Encinitas. }} * {{listing | name=[[Carlsbad (California)|Carlsbad]] | alt=Exits 43-51A | lat=33.1581 | long=-117.3506 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are eight exits for Carlsbad. }} * {{listing | name=[[Oceanside]] | alt=Exits 51B-54C | lat=33.1959 | long=-117.3795 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are seven exits for Oceanside. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra02.htm Aliso Creek Rest Area] | alt=Exit 59 (northbound), Exit 60 (southbound) / Mile 59.87 | lat=33.26577 | long=-117.43297 | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content='''Closed for maintenance''' Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone, vending machines and RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=Basilone Road | alt=Exit 71 / Mile 71.3 | lat=33.3854 | long=-117.5831 | lastedit=2016-03-19 | content=There are a handful of fast food restaurants, a commissary, and a single gas station on the east side of the interstate, but these lie behind a gate to Camp Pendleton Marine Base and are thus off-limits to non-military travelers. Less than a mile south of this exit, San Onofre State Beach is publicly accessible and is a popular surfing spot that also offers camping. A short distance further south, the now-decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is visible just west of the interstate; the station's twin spherical containment buildings famously inspired Frank Drebin in ''The Naked Gun'' to lament that "''everywhere I look something reminds me of her''". }} ==== [[Orange County (California)|Orange County]] and [[Los Angeles]]==== Past the Camp Pendleton Marine Base the interstate enters the large conurbation of cities in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. This section is multi-lane (3 to 8) in both directions and is busy with traffic at nearly all times of the day. If at all possible avoid driving at peak commuter times. Some drivers may be tempted to take Interstate 405 as an alternate route, but check traffic conditions before doing so as it is often even worse for traffic congestion. * {{listing | name=[[San Clemente]] | alt=Exits 73-77 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-16 | content=There are five exits for San Clemente. [[El Camino Real]] runs almost parallel to the highway and has a number of restaurants, many of which are Mexican. {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Dana Point]] | alt=Exits 78-79 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are two exits for Dana Point. }} * {{listing | name=[[San Juan Capistrano]] | alt=Exits 81-83 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are three exits for San Juan Capistrano. }} * {{listing | name=[[Mission Viejo]] | alt=Exits 85A-88 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are four exits for Mission Viejo. }} * {{listing | name=[[Laguna Hills]] | alt=Exits 89-92 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are four exits for Laguna Hills. }} * {{listing | name=[[Irvine]] | alt=Exits 94-100 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are eight exits for Irvine. }} :* {{listing | name=Sand Canyon, Old Town, East Irvine | alt=Exit 96 / Mile 96.22 | url= | email= | address= | lat=33.677684 | long=-117.758272 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-16 | content=In addition to the chance to have a Knowlwood Burger in a building built in 1900, check out the 19th-century Irvine Bean and Growers Association Building.{{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Tustin]] | alt=Exits 101-103 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are four exits for Tustin. }} * {{listing | name=[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] | alt=Exits 103-105 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are five exits for Santa Ana. }} <!-- * [[Orange]] --> * {{listing | name=[[Anaheim]] | alt=Exits 109-113 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content=There are seven exits for Anaheim. }} <!-- *[[Fullerton]] *[[Buena Park]] --> * {{listing | name=[[File:California 39.svg|25px]] [[Buena Park]] | alt=Exit 116 / Mile 115.71 | url= | email= | address= | lat=33.858949 | long=-117.998036 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=On Beach Blvd there are a number of chain hotels and restaurants such as Fuddruckers. {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} <!-- *[[La Mirada]] *[[Norwalk]] *[[Santa Fe Springs]] *[[Downey]] *[[City of Commerce]] *[[Los Angeles/Eastside]] :* {{listing | name=Triggs St | alt=Exit 130A | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Access from northbound lanes only. No return to freeway. }} :* {{listing | name=Grand Vista Ave | alt=Exit 130B | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Access from northbound lanes only. No return to freeway. }} :* {{listing | name=Olympic Blvd | alt=Exit 131A | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Access from southbound lanes only. No return to freeway. }} :* {{listing | name=Eastern Ave / Indiana Ave| alt=Exit 132 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Signed as Indiana Ave from the southbound lanes and as Eastern Ave from the northbound lanes }} :* {{listing | name=Grand Vista Ave | alt=Exit 133 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Access from northbound lanes only. No return to freeway. }} *[[Los Angeles/Downtown]] *[[Los Angeles/Northwest]] *[[Glendale (California)]] *[[Burbank]] *[[North Valley]] --> * {{listing | name=[[Santa Clarita]] | alt=Exits 163-172 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are eight exits for Santa Clarita. }} ** {{listing | name=[[Magic Mountain]] Parkway | alt=Exit 170 / Mile 170.23 | url= | email= | address= | lat=34.4232 | long=-118.5833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-19 | content=The famous Magic Mountain amusement park is along the western side of the freeway and is home to roller coasters that have held world records for height and speed; freeway travelers will have an excellent view of thrill seekers taking the plunge over one of the many terrifying hills on the park's iconic rides. There are gas stations, chain restaurants and hotels at the exit that cater to park visitors, but expect heavier than normal traffic in the area during the summer when the park is busiest. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} ==== Tehachapi Mountains ==== The road climbs out of the San Fernando Valley, which although multi-lane will have slow-moving traffic before entering the Santa Clarita Valley. Oddly, at one point the north and south bound carriageways cross and run for a number of miles separate from one another. * {{listing | name=[[Castaic]] | alt=Exit 176 / Mile 176.15 | url= | email= | address= | lat=34.495923 | long=-118.623901 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content={{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra04.htm Tejon Pass Rest Area] | alt=Exit 206 / Mile 205.97 | address= | lat=34.82699 | long=-118.87220 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone, vending machines and RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=Lebec Road | alt=Exit 207 / Mile 206.88 | lat=34.8395 | long=-118.8632 | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=The highway descends at a sharp six percent grade through a curving path within Grapevine Canyon from Lebec down to the Central Valley. The original route was infamous for its accidents until being straightened and widened between 1933-34. This stretch of road is known as [[The Grapevine]] and is often closed during storms when driving conditions become treacherous. }} ==== [[San Joaquin Valley|Central Valley]] ==== Most of this section is two-lane carriageway in both directions, running straight with only small rises though sparsely populated areas. Most of the route here is uninteresting, though in some places small detours reveal points of interest. * {{listing | name=Laval Road | alt=Exit 219A & B / Mile 218.79 | lat=34.9863 | long=-118.9453 | lastedit=2016-01-14 | content=The Laval Road exit has undergone dramatic development by the Tejon Ranch Corporation and now offers significant amenities for travelers. The Outlets at Tejon have over 70 outlet stores. Food options include Chipotle, Subway, Starbucks, In-N-Out, Panda Express, Black Bear Diner, and Carl's Jr. Gas options include Shell, Travel America, Chevron, Mobil, and Petro. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:California 99.svg|25px]] [[Bakersfield]]-[[Fresno]] | alt=Exit 221 | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.0064 | long=-118.9518 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-04-11 | content=The Golden State Freeway continues north as SR-99 towaards Sacramento. It passes through [[Bakersfield]], [[Madera]], [[Merced]], [[Fresno]], [[Turlock]], [[Stockton_(California)|Stockton]] and other cities towns of the [[San_Joaquin_Valley#Cities|Central Valley]]. I-5 exits off to the right and forms the Westside Freeway which goes through Los Banos, Tracy, Jct I-580, Lodi and Stockton. The cities along the Golden State Freeway (SR-99) can still be accessed from the Westside Freeway (I-5) on different east-west roads crossing over I-5. This exit is accessed only by northbound traffic while southbound traffic on I-5 merges into the Golden State Freeway (SR-99) which continues south as I-5. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:California 223.svg|25px]] Bear Mountain Rd | alt=Exit 239 | url= | email= | address= | lat=35.20913 | long=-119.16290 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-04-11 | content=Goes east {{mi|30}} to its other end at SR-58, east of Bakersfield and another {{mi|107}} east to Exit #179 of I-15 in [[Barstow]] on SR-58. This a ''shortcut'' to ''bypass'' the Los Angeles area from Bakersfield or anywhere north along the I-5/SR-99 corridor to Las Vegas (I-15); Phoenix (I-40/US Hwy 93); the Grand Canyon (I-40), etc through [[Barstow#Get in|Barstow]] and to San Bernardino & Riverside (US Hwy 395, I-15, 215) through Kramer Jct and [[Victorville]]. There are no (fuel, restaurant, supermarket, lodging, etc) services off the freeway but the next set of services are in the town of Arvin {{mi|25}} east along SR-223. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:California 58.svg|25px]] [[Buttonwillow]] & [[McKittrick]] | alt=Exit 257 / Mile 257.42 | address= | lat=35.4005 | long=-119.3995 | directions= | lastedit=2016-01-14 | content=The town of Buttonwillow is actually five miles west of the interstate, but more than enough gas stations, fast food restaurants and even a couple of motels are clustered just off of the east side of the highway. For those heading north, services start to become sparse, so this is a stop worth considering if your gas tank is heading towards empty. Chevron, Mobil, Arco, Shell, and Travel Centers of America are all fuel options, while food options include Starbucks, Denny's, Carl's Jr, McDonald's, Taste of India, and Tita's Pupuseria. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra06.htm Buttonwillow Rest Area] | alt=Exit 259 / Mile 259.38 | lat=35.41764 | long=-119.42295 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Lost Hills]] | alt=Exit 278 / Mile 278.29 | address= | lat=35.616829 | long=-119.654217 | directions= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=Just off the highway are a number of gas stations and fast food establishments. The town further down the road only really caters for local agricultural workers. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=Twisselman Road | alt=Exit 288 / Mile 287.62 | address= | lat=35.7319 | long=-119.7394 | directions= | lastedit=2016-01-16 | content=This exit lacks services, but may be worth a stop between October and March to visit the Kern National Wildlife refuge. The refuge is about seven miles east of the interstate. It is a winter home to herons, cranes, hawks, ducks, and many, many other species of birds. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:California 41.svg|25px]] [[Kettleman City]] | alt=Exit 309 / Mile 308.90 | address= | lat=35.981490 | long=-119.960272 | directions= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content= }} * {{listing | type=go | name= [http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra08.htm Coalinga/Avenal Rest Area] | alt=Exit 320 / Mile 320.45 | lat=36.08857 | long=-120.11406 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[File:California 198.svg|25px]] [[Lemoore]] & [[Hanford]] | alt=Exit 334 / Mile 333.89 | lat=36.2543 | long=-120.2440 | lastedit=2016-01-14 | content=It is in the midst of a long stretch of empty highway; this exit has the Harris Ranch Complex, which sells fuel and food, and has a farm stand, a Tesla Supercharger, and lodging. The main ranch building offers a pretty good bakery, and those seeking out a steak won't be disappointed by the restaurant. If long drives aren't your thing, the location is approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and thus offers a good place to stop and spend the night. The town of [[Coalinga]] is 13 miles southwest of this exit and has additional amenities. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra10.htm John "Chuck" Erreca Rest Area] | alt=Exit 386 / Mile 385.83 | lat=36.86421 | long=-120.78334 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[File:California 133.svg|25px]] [[File:California 152.svg|25px]] [[Los Banos]] | alt=Exit 403 / Mile 402.76 | url= | email= | address= | lat=37.056773 | long=-120.969633 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=CA-152 west is the main route through the hills to [[Gilroy]] and onward to either [[San Jose (California)|San Jose]] (via 101-N) or [[Monterey Bay]] (via CA-156). Los Banos, 6 miles east on CA-152, offers amenities for travelers. One exit west (at CA-33) is a Petro station with reasonable restaurant. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:California 33.svg|25px]] [[Santa Nella]] | alt=Exit 407 / Mile 407.02 | lat=37.1069 | long=-121.0163 | lastedit=2016-01-14 | content=This exit has several gas stations and a handful of motels. Food options are plentiful and include a Starbucks and an In-N-Out, and for those who have been seeing the many billboards during hours of travel, this is the northern half of the Pea Soup Andersen's chain and its namesake soup. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Gustine]] | alt=Exit 418 / Mile 417.57 | address= | lat=37.246210 | long=-121.089009 | directions= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content= }} * {{listing | name=[[Patterson]] | alt=Eit 434 / Mile 433.52 | address= | lat=37.463738 | long=-121.180286 | directions= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content= }} * {{listing | name=[[Westley]] | alt=Exit 441 / Mile 440.73 | address= | lat=37.540111 | long=-121.267520 | directions= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content={{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra12.htm Westley Rest Area] | alt=Exit 445 / Mile 444.86 | lat=37.58263 | long=-121.32284 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone, vending machines and RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[File:I-580.svg|25px]] Tracy San Francisco (northbound only) | alt=Exit 446 / Mile 446.35 | lat=37.5934 | long=-121.3366 | lastedit=2016-01-14 | content=The two right lanes exit from the freeway to continue towards Stockton and Sacramento as the West Side Freeway (I-5) while the two left lanes continue north/northwest as the William Elton Brown Freeway (I-580) towards Tracy and San Francisco through the [[East Bay]]. From the northbound lanes only. Southbound traffic merges into the William Elton Brown Freeway from the right and continue south as the West Side Freeway (I-5). }} * {{listing | name=To [[File:I-205.svg|25px]] [[File:I-580.svg|25px]] San Francisco (southbound only) | alt=Exit 458B / Mile 458.34 | lat=37.7697 | long=-121.3287 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=I-205 takes southbound drivers to [[San Francisco]] via the [[East Bay]]. }} <!-- *[[Lathrop]] --> * {{listing | name=[[Stockton (California)|Stockton]] | alt=Exits 469-481 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=There are eleven exits for Stockton. }} <!-- *[[Elk Grove]] --> ==== [[Sacramento Valley]] ==== The Sacramento Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies north of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and is drained by the Sacramento River. It encompasses all or parts of ten Northern California counties. Although many areas of the Sacramento Valley are rural, it contains several urban areas, including the state capital, Sacramento. * {{listing | name=[[Elk Grove]] | alt=Exits 498-508 | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.4182 | long=-121.3949 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=There are four exits to Elk Grove. }} :* {{listing | name=Twin Cities Rd | alt=Exit 498| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Hood Franklin Rd | alt=Exit 504 | url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Elk Grove Blvd | alt=Exit 506| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Laguana Blvd | alt=Exit 510 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=The main road into town from the I-5 corridor. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} * {{listing | name=[[Sacramento]] | alt=Exits 510-525 | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.5685 | long=-121.5109 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sacramento, California | image=Sacramento,-California---State-Capitol_(cropped).jpg | wikidata=Q18013 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=The Sacramento and American Rivers played prominent roles in the city's and county's development, and today offer outdoor opportunities ranging from boating to fishing to birdwatching. California's oldest incorporated city and capital is located at the rivers' confluence, and visitors will appreciate its historic districts and more than 25 museums. There are 15 exits into Sacramento. }} :* {{listing | name=Consumnes River Blvd | alt=Exit 510| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=To [[File:California 160.svg|25px]] Pocket Rd; Meadowview Rd to [[File:California 160.svg|25px]] south Freeport | alt=Exit 512| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Florin Rd| alt=Exit 513| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=43rd Ave | alt=Exit 514 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=Southbound access only. Return to northbound lanes only. }} :* {{listing | name=Fruitridge Rd, Seamas Ave | alt=exit 515 | url= | lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Sutterville Rd | alt=exit 516 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:US 50.svg|25px]] to [[File:California 99.svg|25px]] [[South Lake Tahoe]] [[San Francisco]] | alt=Exit 518 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-04-12 | content=US Hwy 50 connects Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe via Jct Hwy 99, Rancho Cordova, Folsom and Placerville in the east. Going west, US Hwy 50 goes across West Sacramento and ends at Exit #81 of I-80, {{mi|4.5}} west of the I-5 corridor. SR- 99 goes south through the [[San Joaquin Valley]] which begins {{mi|2}} east of the I-5 corridor from US-Hwy 50. It goes through Elk Grove, [[Lodi]], [[Stockton_(California)|Stockton]], [[Turlock]], [[Merced]], [[Madera]], [[Fresno]] and [[Bakersfield]] in the [[San Joaquin Valley#Cities|San Joaquin Valley]] as the Golden State Freeway before rejoining I-5 at MM 221 south of Bakersfield. Going north the old US Hwy 99 follows the Golden State Hwy (CA-Hwy 99) and splits at its present junction with US Hwy 50 to become US Hwy 99E & 99W. The old US Hwy 99W follows US Hwy 50/I-80 west to Davis and then north toward the present day I-5 in Woodland on Road 99. The old US Hwy 99E follows Business Spur (BS)-80/I-80 to Roseville; CA-Hwy 65 from Roseville to Olivehurst; CA-70 from Olivehurst to Yuba City and the Golden State Hwy (present CA-99) from Yuba City to Red Bluff. The "old US Highway 99E/W" are not signed. }} :* {{listing | name=Q St at Exit 519A & J St at Exit 519B | alt=Exits 519A & 519B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-16 | content=Access into downtown Sacramento from I-5. Additional downtown exits are on US Hwy 50. Access to [[Sacramento#By train|Sacramento Valley (Amtrak) Station]] via J St at Exit 519B to 401 i St. }} :* {{listing | name=Richards Blvd | alt=Exits 520 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-16 | content=Local access to the industrial areas north of Sacramento. There are a series of restaurants and hotels clustered around this exit and the Greyhound bus station down the street at 420 Richards Blvd. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-80.svg|25px]] East Reno, West San Francisco | alt=Exit 522 / Mile 522.26 | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.625 | long=-121.5171 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Interstate 80 is the second longest interstate in the country, traveling approximately 2900 miles from [[San Francisco]] in the west to [[New York City]] in the east. It is the most convenient route to San Francisco and to [[Lake Tahoe]] and [[Reno]] in the other direction. Local access to Davis, North Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Roseville and Auburn are along I-80. }} :* {{listing | name=Garden Highway | alt=Exit 521/521A| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=Signed as exit 521 from the southbound lanes and 521A at the northbound lanes. }} :* {{listing | name=Arena Blvd | alt=Exit 524| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | type=listing | name=Del Paso Road | alt=Exit 525A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-04-12 | content=Local access to the northern suburbs surrounding North Natomas Regional Park in Sacramento County. {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} Majority of the services are east of the freeway at Del Paso Rd & E Commerce Way. There are some on the opposite of the freeway at Del Paso and E Centro Rd too. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 99.svg|25px]] Yuba City Marysville | alt=Exit 525B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-04-12 | content=From here SR-99 and I-5 runs parallel to each other to Red Bluff at Exit 649. SR-99 passes through [[Yuba City]], [[Marysville_(California)|Marysville]] and [[Chico_(California)|Chico]] while I-5 goes through Woodland, Williams and Willows to reach Red Bluff. Additional connections between the SR-99 corridor and I-5 by various east-west roads. The old US Route 99E follows present day CA-Hwy 99 from Yuba City to Red Bluff while the old US Route 99W goes along side I-5 (as a separate 2 lane road) from Woodland to Red Bluff. }} :* {{listing | name=Metro Air Pkwy | alt=Exit 527| url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} :* {{go | name=[[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] [[Sacramento#By plane|Sacramento International Airport]] | alt=Exit 528 / Mile 528 | url=http://www.sacairports.org/ | email= | address= | lat=38.695556 | long=-121.590833 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Sacramento International Airport | wikidata=Q1432668 | lastedit=2020-02-26 | content=Dedicated exit with direct access to Sacramento International Airport from I-5 via Airport Blvd, {{mi|10.5}} NW of downtown Sacramento. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra14.htm Elkhorn Rest Area] (southbound only) | alt=Exit 529 / Mile 529.26 | lat=38.67305 | long=-121.60629 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} <!-- *[[Woodland (California)]] --> * {{listing | name=[[File:I-505.svg|25px]] Winters San Francisco | alt=Exit 553 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-08-27 | content=Connects I-5 to [[Vacaville]] along the I-80 corridor. I-505 ends at Exit #56 of I-80 in Vacaville. If coming from Dunnigan or anywhere north and going west towards the San Francisco Bay Area on I-80 this would be the route to take without going through Woodland or Sacramento. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra15.htm Dunnigan Rest Area] | alt=Exit 557 / Mile 556.52 | lat=38.88744 | long=-121.97649 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:California 20.svg|25px]] Colusa & Clear Lake | alt=Exit 578 / Mile 578 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-14 | content=SR-20 connects [[Fort Bragg]] in the west to Exit #161 of I-80 in Yuba pass, {{mi|58}} west of Reno, in the east. SR-20 passes through [[Willits]], [[Clearlake|Clear Lake]], Jct I-5 north of Williams, [[Yuba City]] and [[Nevada City]]. Travelers coming from Williams or anywhere north and going towards Lake Tahoe or Reno would take this route without going through Sacramento and to avoid heavier local traffic in/around Sacramento. This is also one of two exits for local access into [[Williams_(California)|Williams]] {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Williams_(California)|Williams]] | alt=Exit 577 / Mile 577 | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.1569 | long=-122.1440 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | image=Entrance_arch_to_Williams,_California.jpg | wikipedia=Williams, California | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-02-26 | content=Go west on 'E' Street into town from the freeway off ramps. The town of Williams, CA is just west of the freeway. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra17.htm Maxwell Rest Area] | alt=Exit 583 / Mile 583.41 | lat=39.24122 | long=-122.18212 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra19.htm Willows Rest Area] | alt=Exit 608 / Mile 608.00 | lat=39.59255 | long=-122.20917 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and RV sanitation station. No vending machines. {{toilet-icon}} }} ==== [[Shasta Cascades|Shasta Cascades Region]] ==== The Shasta Cascades region is home to volcanoes, lush forests, high mountains, and clear lakes. California is the most populous state in the US, but you wouldn't suspect it from traveling through most of this region, which is generally wild and remote. <!-- *[[Corning (California)]] --> * {{listing | name=[[File:California 32.svg|25px]] [[w:Chico, California|Chico]] & Orland | alt=Exit 619 / Mile 619 | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.7508 | long=-122.2060 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-14 | content=The town of [[Chico_(California)|Chico]] is actually {{mi|20}} east of the interstate at Orland. There are several gas stations, fast food restaurants, a couple of motels, and a RV campground accessible from highway in the town of Orland. For those coming from north of Red Bluff you can exit off at "SR-36 Antelope Blvd" at Exit #649 to reach Chico via Hwy 99. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra21.htm Lt. John C. Helmick Rest Area] | alt=Exit 633 / Mile 632.73 | lat=39.95023 | long=-122.20043 | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content='''Closed for maintenance''' Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra23.htm Herbert S. Miles Rest Area] | alt=Exit 656 / Mile 655.66 | lat=40.27020 | long=-122.26912 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Red Bluff]] | alt=Exits 647-653 | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.1781 | long=-122.2359 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content=There are six exits for Red Bluff. }} :* {{listing | name=S Main St | alt=Exit 647 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=Access to Main St from south of town. Main St (BL-5 & Old Hwy 99) goes north into town from this exit. Access from northbound lanes only. Southbound traffic exit would get off at Diamond Ave (Exit 647B) and turn right (north) on Diamond Ave to get onto S Main St. Additional access to this segment of Old Hwy 99 (Main St) are through Exits 649, 650 and 651 (from SB side only). }} ::* {{listing | name=Diamond Ave | alt=Exit 647B | url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=Access from southbound lanes only. Take a right on Diamond Ave to get onto S Main St. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 36.svg|25px]] to [[File:California 99.svg|25px]] Antelope Blvd, Chico | alt=Exit 649 accessed from both directions | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-16 | content=The intersection with the Golden State Highway is (SR-99, formerly US Route 99E) {{mile|2.1}} east along Antelope Blvd (SR-36) from I-5. The Golden State Hwy (Hwy 99) goes down towards Exit 525B north of Sacramento through [[Chico]] and [[Yuba City]] as a separate highway. SR-36 itself continues {{mile|106}} east to US-395 in [[Susanville]] and go another {{mile|86}} south to Reno on US-395. If going west on SR-36 go north on Main St (right turn from Antelope Blvd), through downtown Red Bluff and a left on Beegum Rd north of town. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=Adobe Rd | alt=Exit 650 | url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=Go west on Adobe Rd to get to Main St from both directions of I-5. }} :* {{listing | name=Main St | alt=Exit 651 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=Access into Main St from the southbound lanes only. Return to northbound only. Main St (BL-5) is the the Old Hwy 99 through Red Bluff. SR-36 (second right on Beegum Rd) goes {{mile|142}} west, through [[Mad River]], to [[Fortuna_(California)|Fortuna]] which is {{mile|17.5}} south of [[Eureka]] on US Hwy 101. To go east on SR-36 continue south on Main St, through downtown Red Bluff, and take a left on Antelope Blvd (Exit 649 from I-5). Additional access to this segment of Old Hwy 99 (Main St) are through Exits 647/647B, 649 and 650 . }} :* {{listing | name=Wilcox Golf Rd | alt=Exit 652 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=As the name implied alongside of the freeway there is a local [https://www.wilcoxoaksgolfclub.com/ Wilcox Oaks Golf Club] northwest of the highway junction along Wilcox Golf Rd. There are no other lodging, gasoline or restaurant/grocery store options at this exit. }} :* {{listing | name=Jelly Ferry's Rd | alt=Exit 653 | url= |lat=|long= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content= }} * {{listing | name=[[Anderson_(California)|Anderson]] | alt=Exits 667-670 | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.4493 | long=-122.3001 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-17 | content=is named after Elias Anderson, who granted the Oregon and California Railroad trackage rights and land for a station. Today, the city has a population of 9,000, and is about {{mile|10}} south of Redding. There are five exits for Anderson. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 273.svg|25px]] North | alt=Exit 667B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-17 | content=Old US Hwy 99 follows CA-Hwy 273 through Anderson (un-named locally) and becomes Market St north of town. It continues through Redding as Market St and connects back to the I-5 corridor at Exit 681B. It is only accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 going south from CA-Hwy 273. }} :* {{listing | name=Deschutes Rd Factory Outlets Dr | alt=Exit 667A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-17 | content=Accessible from both directions. {{lodging-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Redding]] | alt=Exits 675-682 | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.5733 | long=-122.3818 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Redding,_California | wikidata=Q495361 | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content= For anyone visiting, Redding and the surrounding has numerous outdoor and indoor activities. Including two lakes and an inactive volcano within close driving distance. Plus many parks, hiking trails, and adequate shopping. There are seven exits for Redding. }} :* {{listing | name=S Bonnyview Rd, Churn Creek Rd | alt=Exit 675 | url= | lat= | long= | directions= | Wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Cypress Ave | alt=Exit 677 | url= | lat= | long= | directions= | Wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content= }} :* {{listing | name="[[File:California 44.svg|25px]] [[Lassen_Volcanic_National_Park|Lassen National Park]], West" (NB); "[[File:California 44.svg|25px]] [[Eureka]], Susanville" (SB) | alt=Exit 678A & B (NB); 678B (SB) | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=SR 44 goes east towards [[Susanville]] through the [[Lassen Volcanic National Park]] and west to SR-299 (Market & Eureka Way) in downtown Redding. For those going towards Reno or Lake Tahoe one can take this route to US Hwy 395 in Susanville and to Reno on US Hwy 395 or on SR 36 and 89 towards [[Truckee]] (Exit 188 @ I-80) from Lake Almanor. Check weather and traffic reports during the winter as the roads towards Reno and/or towards Oregon may be closed due to high standing snow before proceeding. Locally [https://www.mtshastamall.com/en.html Mt Shasta Mall] and the surrounding stores, restaurants, hotels and gas station are immediately accessible from this exit.. {{lodging-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} [[File:MUTCD_I-6.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-7.svg|25px]]. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 299.svg|25px]] Lake Blvd | alt=Exit 680 | url= | email= | address= | lat=40.6123 | long=-122.3633 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Modoc National Forest | wikidata=Q6889555 | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=Going east SR-299 goes up through [https://www.fs.usda.gov/modoc/ Modoc National Forest] in [[Modoc County]], towards the Nevada state line near [[Cedarville]]. Going west SR-299 goes into downtown Redding and then go west towards [[Arcata]] through [[Weaverville]] and [[Willow Creek]]. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 273.svg|25px]] Market St | alt=Exit 681B is only accessible from southbound lanes | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-17 | content=The old US Hwy 99 follows CA-Hwy 273 through the northern suburbs of Redding to reach downtown Redding. Accessible from the southbound lanes only, no return to freeway going south. Northbound traffic can only merge into I-5 going north from CA-Hwy 273. The old Hwy 99 follows CA-Hwy 273 through Redding, to Anderson where it rejoins I-5 at Exit 667A. }} :* {{listing | name=Twin Views Blvd | alt=Exit 681 (NB) & 681A (SB) | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-17 | content=Local access into the northern neighborhoods of Redding from both directions of I-5. This exit is numbered 681 from the northbound lanes and 681A from the southbound lanes. {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} :* {{listing | name=Oasis Rd| alt=Exit 682 | url= | lat= | long= | directions= | Wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content= }} <!-- *[[Shasta Lake]] --> * {{listing | name=Bridge Bay Road | alt=Exit 690 / Mile 690.48 | lat=| long= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=The interstate crosses Shasta Lake, California's largest reservoir, just north of Bridge Bay - the lake level at the crossing provides a quick way to judge the health of the state's water supply. The Bridge Bay Resort is just off of the exit at the marina and offers a restaurant and lodging, but the beautiful scenery will be of more interest to most travelers. Houseboats are a popular rental option on the lake, and over one hundred of them can sometimes be seen docked in Bridge Bay. {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra25.htm O'Brien Rest Area] (northbound only) | alt=Exit 694 / Mile 693.88 | lat=40.79424 | long=-122.31876 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra26.htm Lakehead Rest Area] (southbound only) | alt=Exit 705 / Mile 704.50 | lat=40.91890 | long=-122.39823 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Dunsmuir]] | alt=Exits 730-734 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content=There are three exits for Dunsmuir. }} * {{listing | name=[[Mount Shasta]] | alt=Exits 738-741 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content=There are three exits for Mount Shasta City. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 89.svg|25px]] McCloud Reno | alt=Exit 739 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-16 | content=Hwy 89 goes through the town of McCloud in the Shasta Trinity National Forest and through Lassen National Forest to Exit 188B of I-80 in [[Truckee]], near [[Lake Tahoe]], {{mile|32}} southwest of Reno. If coming from Mt Shasta or anywhere north and going towards Reno or Lake Tahoe on I-80 this would be the route to take without going all the way down through Redding or Sacramento. This route (or parts of) may be closed during the winter due to high standing snow. Therefore, check weather and traffic reports during the winter before using this route in the winter. Chains may be required if the road is open during the winter. This exit is named "McCloud" from the northbound lanes. }} * {{listing | name=[[Weed]] | alt=Exits 743-751 | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.4229 | long=-122.3874 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content=Despite what you might think, the city's name has nothing to do with cannabis—instead, it comes from the founder of the local lumber mill and pioneer Abner Weed, who discovered that the area's strong winds were helpful in drying lumber. Weed was home to a thriving lumber industry from its founding in 1901 to as late as the 1980s. The historic industrial area at the northeast corner of town has been plagued with environmental concerns and clean-up efforts as a result of chemicals used for wood treatment and glue. There are four exits for Weed. }} :* {{listing | name=Summit Dr, Truck Village Dr| alt=Exit 743 | lat= | long= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=[[Weed#Sleep|Vista Dr]] | alt=Exit 745 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-11 | content=Multiple restaurants and hotels clustered off of this exit. See 'Eat' and 'Sleep' in the Weed Article. Also the location of the Greyhound stop (at Dos Amigos Restaurant) (bus stop symbol not signposted). {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} [[File:MUTCD_I-6.svg|25px]]. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:US 97.svg|25px]] S Weed Blvd Klamath Falls | alt=Exit 747 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-11 | content='Downtown' Weed and the south end of US Hwy 97 on the Volcanic Legacy Byway. US Hwy 97 runs parallel with the I-5 corridor to the Canadian border in [[Oroville_(Washington)|Oroville WA]] through [[Klamath Falls]], [[Crater Lake National Park]], [[Bend]], [[Redmond_(Oregon)|Redmond]], [[The Dalles]] in [[Central Oregon]]; and [[Yakima]], [[Ellensburg]], [[Wenatchee]] and [[North Cascades National Park]] in [[Columbia_River_Plateau|Eastern Washington]]. BL-5 (Old Highway 99) goes south from downtown Weed to Vista DR (Exit 745) as S Weed Blvd goes south along the westside of the freeway. }} :* {{listing | name="Edgewood Rd, Gazelle" (NB Side); "Stewart Springs Rd, Edgewood Rd" (SB Side) | alt=Exit 751 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content=Old Hwy 99 goes north from here, along the west side of the Pacific Wonderland Fwy (I-5), through Gazelle, to Yreka. The old Hwy 99 iis also accessible from Exits 766, 770 and 773. Going south Edgewood Rd parallels the east side of the freeway into town (Weed). }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra28.htm Weed Airport Rest Area] | alt=Exit 753 / Mile 753.43 | lat=41.49205 | long=-122.46298 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Yreka]] | alt=Exits 766-776 | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.7309 | long=-122.633 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Yreka,_California | image=Yreka_statue.jpg | wikidata=Q2565455 | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=With a population of 7500 (2019), Yreka is home to the College of the Siskiyous, Klamath National Forest Interpretive Museum and the Siskiyou County Museum. There are five exits to Yreka. }} :* {{listing | name=Grenada, [[Gazelle]] | alt=Exit 766 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content=The old Highway 99 goes along the west side of I-5 at this point between Yreka and Jct 751 north of Weed. Go south along the Old Highway 99 from this exit to get to [[Gazelle]]. Grenada is just on the opposite side (east) of I-5 from the Old Highway 99 via 97-99 Cutoff Rd that crosses over the freeway. }} :* {{listing | name=Easy St, Shamrock Rd | alt=Exit 770 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=The old Hwy 99 goes along the west side of i-5 of as East St at this point. It connects Yreka to Jct/Exit 751 through Grenada and Gazelle. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 3.svg|25px]] "Fort Jones Etna" (SB Side) / "Yreka" (NB Side) | alt=Exit 773 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=The Old Highway 99 turns on Westside Rd from Main St (left turn if going south on Main), south of this junction, south of the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The Old Highway 99 follows along the west side of the freeway as "Westside Rd" which becomes "Easy St" and "Old Highway 99 S" to Jct/Exit 751. Additional access to this segment of Old Hwy 99 are at Exits 770, 766 and 751. Going north, S Main St (SR-3) goes into downtown Yreka. }} :* {{listing | name=Miner St, N Foothills Dr | alt=Exit 775 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=The most direct way into downtown as W Miner St. The Old Highway 99 goes (N-S) through town as Main St. Main St becomes SR-263 north of town and SR-3 south of town. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:California 3.svg|25px]] Montague | alt=Exit 776 | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.7823 | long=-122.5276 | | wikipedia=Montague,_California | wikidata=Q175682 | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=Goes east to the town of Montague and south through Yreka as Main St. Road continues south from Yreka through Coffee Creek & Trinity Center to SR-299 in [[Weaverville]]. So if going towards Weaverville, Eureka, Arcata or anywhere that direction from Yreka this another route to take to avoid going further down into Redding. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=[http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/ra/ra29.htm Randolph C. Collier Rest Area] | alt=Exit 786 / Mile 785.81 | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.8535 | long=-122.5725 | | lastedit=2016-03-22 | content='''Closed for maintenance''' Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[File:California 96.svg|25px]] Willow Creek | alt=Exit 786 | url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/klamath/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Klamath National Forest | image=Klamath_National_Forest_Map.png | wikidata=Q6419646 | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=SR 96 goes south/southwest towards [[Arcata]] and [[Eureka]] through [[Willow Creek]] in the Six Rivers National Forest. It cuts through the Klamath National Forest to get to Willow Creek. From Willow Creek go west on SR-299 to Arcata. The Old Highway 99 follows [[File:California 96.svg|25px]] and [[File:California 263.svg|25px]] from this exit to Yreka. This exit is only accessible from the southbound lanes and only merges into the northbound lanes. No return to the southbound lanes. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Hornbrook]] | alt=Exits 789 &790 | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.901089 | long=-122.565982 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hornbrook,_California | wikidata=Q2340899 | lastedit=2016-01-16 | content={{fuel-icon}}. Hornbrook can be accessed from Exits 789 (Henley Hornbrook) and 790 (Hornbrook Hwy-Ditch Creek) }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Hornbook Inspection Station | alt=Mile 791, 7 miles south of the state line | url=https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/ExteriorExclusion/borders.html | email= | address=14601 I-5 | lat=41.9288 | long=-122.5816 | directions= | phone=+1 530 475-3100 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Southbound traffic must stop for agricultural inspection. They're looking for fruits, vegetables, firewood, hay, nursery stocks and anything invasive that may be in violation of state and federal quarantine laws. }} * {{listing | name=Hilt Rd | alt=Exit 796 | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.9929 | long=-122.6029 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hilt,_California | wikidata=Q65043813 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Local access road to the nearby communities of Hilt, Cole and the surrounding areas. {{fuel-icon}}. }} === [[Oregon]] === The maximum rural speed limit is 70 mph (112 km/h) & 60 mph for large trucks which is more relevant along I-84 between The Dalles & the Snake River (Idaho border). The I-5 corridor remains at 65 mph (104km/h) in rural areas and 55-60 mph in urban areas or lower if posted otherwise. The stretch of I-5 between Portland & Eugene remains at 55-60mph (88-100km/h). Interstate travelers in Oregon should be aware that it is illegal to pump your own gas in the counties through which I-5 passes (although Oregon law changed in 2018 to allow stations in certain counties to offer self-service, I-5 doesn't pass through any of them). When you arrive at a filling station wait for an attendant to come to your car rather than attempting to get out and fill up your car on your own. [[File:OR 99.svg|38px|frameless|left]] The present State Routes (SR) 99, 99E and 99W and Interstate 5 follow the former US Highway 99 very closely as the Pacific Highway (or by another name), through the entire state. SR 99 runs concurrently with the present I-5 between Eugene and Grants Pass except the stretch through Sutherlin, Roseburg and Winston as the Oakland-Shady Tree Hwy. And the Rogue Valley Hwy from Grants Pass (exit 58) to Ashland (exit 14) SR 99 through Grants Pass, Gold Hill, Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland. From Ashland to the border with California the Old Hwy 99 follows SR 66 to the south of Emigrant Lake and as SR 273 from Emigrant Lake to the California border. Going north from Cottage Grove, SR 99 goes through Eugene as a series of local streets and north to Junction City where it splits between OR 99E & OR 99W (formerly US Hwy 99E & 99W), through the Willamette Valley, to Portland where they rejoin before crossing the Columbia River into Washington:<br> [[File:OR 99E.svg|22px]] Junction City, Halsey, [[Albany_(Oregon)|Albany]], [[Salem_(Oregon)|Salem]], [[Woodburn]], Canby, [[Oregon City]], [[Gladstone]], [[Milwaukie]], [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland]]<br> [[File:I-5.svg|22px]] [[Eugene]], [[Albany_(Oregon)|Albany]], [[Salem_(Oregon)|Salem]], [[Wilsonville]], [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland]]<br> [[File:OR 99W.svg|22px]] Junction City, [[Corvallis]], Amity, [[Monmouth_(Oregon)|Monmouth]], [[McMinnville_(Oregon)|McMinnville]], [[Newberg]], [[Tigard]], [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland]]<br> which are described throughout the article in the below: ====[[Southern Oregon]]==== Southern Oregon has become a popular retirement community over the past few decades; what was once a lumber-oriented economy has gradually adapted to service and tourism-based businesses. Like much of Oregon, the outdoors are one of the region's most valued assets, but more visible products include pears, wine, and timber products. The region is primarily composed of mountains and high desert, while the Rogue Valley, Grants Pass, and Klamath regions are home to agricultural, commercial, and industrial enterprises. * {{listing | name=Siskiyou Summit | alt=Exit 1 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Old Hwy 99 S winds alongside of I-5 as a two lane highway in the mountains from Exit #1 to OR-Hwy 66 in Ashland. It crosses I-5 at Exits #6 and 14 (as SR 66). Accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 from here. Access from the southbound lanes of I-5 (and northbound return to I-5) from Exit 6 only. The Cascade Wonderland Highway (CA) becomes Pacific Highway (OR) upon crossing the state line. }} * {{listing | name=Mount Ashland | alt=Exit 6 | url= | email= | address= | lat=| long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Old Hwy 99 S runs parallel to the I-5 corridor between Exit #1 and OR-Hwy 66 in Ashland at Exit #14. This exit is accessible from both directions of I-5. {{Lodging-icon}}. }} * {{listing | name=[[Ashland_(Oregon)|Ashland]] | alt=Exits 11-19 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.1855 | long=-122.6659 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ashland, Oregon | wikidata=Q450100 | lastedit=2017-06-02 | content=A small town that is home to the Tony award winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival that has productions from February to October. There are three exits to Ashland. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] Siskiyou Blvd Ashland | alt=Exit 11 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=OR Hwy 99 diverges from I-5 and runs parallel through Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford and Grants Pass. Hwy 99 intersects I-5 at Exits 35, 43, 45 and 58. }} :*{{marker|type=go|name=Welcome Center & Rest Area|url=|lat=42.1676 | long=-122.6526}} Accessible from the northbound lanes only. :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 66.svg|25px]] Ashland Klamath Falls | alt=Exit 14 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=SR 66 goes west into town as Ashland St towards [https://sou.edu Southern Oregon State University] and east and then south, parallel, along I-5 as Green Springs Hwy (Old Hwy 99) to [[File:OR 273.svg|25px]] (Old Hwy 99 S) south of Emigrant Lake. From Emigrant Lake SR 66 continues east towards [[Klamath Falls]] while Old Hwy 99 S continues south towards the state line at Exit 1. }} :* {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Talent]] | alt=Exit 21 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Talent,_Oregon | wikidata=Q2106770 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=Phoenix (Oregon) | alt=Exit 24 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Phoenix,_Oregon | image=Fern_Valley_Interchange_(14067137767).jpg | wikidata=Q1922043 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Medford_(Oregon)|Medford]] | alt=Exits 27 & 30 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.326515 | long=-122.875595 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Medford, Oregon | image=Medford_Viaduct.jpg | wikidata=Q836663 | lastedit=2017-06-02 | content=Southern Oregon's largest and most diverse city, brimming with historical and cultural attractions while offering regional tax-free shopping. Medford is the county seat of Jackson County, and is the commercial and medical hub of southern Oregon. Its autumns tend to be very mild, and dry when compared to the rest of the state. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 62.svg|25px]] [[File:OR 238.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] North Medford, [[Crater Lake]] | alt=Exit 30 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Access to {{marker|type=go|name=Medford Rogue Valley International Airport |url=http://jacksoncountyor.org/airport |lat=42.3684 | long=-122.8740}}, [https://www.roguevalleymall.com/ Rogue Valley Mall] and the surrounding retail stores, restaurants and hotels for supplies, food and/or a night's stay. SR-62 continues north and east towards [[Crater Lake]]. Immediate left (north) on Biddle Rd from SR-62, follow signs to Airport Rd to reach the airport. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=Central Point Eagle Point | alt=Exit 33 | url= | email= | address= | lat=| long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Central_Point,_Oregon | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Also another way to access the airport. Go east on E Pine which become Biddle Rd. Follow signs to the terminal {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] to [[File:OR 234.svg|25px]] Scenic Byway & Gold Hill | alt=Exit 40 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.426 | long=-123.0423 | directions= | wikipedia=Gold_Hill,_Oregon | wikidata=Q3109513 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Exit into the town of Gold Hill. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] Rogue River Route | alt=Exits 43 & 45A | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.4286 | long=-123.0971 | directions= | wikipedia=Rogue Valley | wikidata=Q10825386 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Additional access to Hwy 99 in Rogue River Valley between Grants Pass and Medford. Both exits are named as "Rogue Valley Route" and are accessible from both directions. }} * {{listing | name=Valley of the Rogue State Park | alt=Exits 45B | url=https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=76 | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Valley_of_the_Rogue_State_Park | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=The park offers a year-round, full-service campground, a nature trail, a day-use area, and river access for boating, fishing, and swimming. }} * {{listing | name=City of Rogue River | alt=Exit 48 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.4322 | long=-123.1700| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Rogue River, Oregon | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Grants Pass]] | alt=Exits 55-61 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.439007 | long=-123.328393 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Grants_Pass,_Oregon | image="It's_the_Climate"_sign_in_Grants_Pass,_Oregon.jpg | wikidata=Q143405 | lastedit=2017-06-02 | content=Grants Pass is the county seat of Josephine County and is famous for its white river rafting in the Rogue River. It is also the gateway to the nearby Oregon Caves National Monument 30 miles (48 km) south of the city. I-5 goes east-west from Central Point (Exit #33), through Grants Pass, to Merlin Rd (Exit #61). There are two exits to Grants Pass. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:US 199.svg|25px]] S Grants Pass Crescent City | alt=Exit 55 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Connects the I-5 corridor to [[Crescent City]] in the [[North Coast_(California)|northern California coast]]. From Crescent City one can go north on US Hwy 101 to reach the [[Southern Oregon Coast]]. Locally US Hwy 199 accesses the local neighborhoods in south Grants Pass as Grants Pass Pkwy and Redwood Hwy. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] to [[File:US 199.svg|25px]] Grants Pass City Center | alt=Exit 58 | url= | email=| | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Access into downtown Grants Pass via NE Scoville which becomes NE 6th St. From downtown go north on NE 7th St to return to the freeway. SR-99 passes through downtown Grants Pass as NE 6/7th St and east towards Medford as Rogue River Hwy. }} :* {{listing | name=Merlin Rd | alt=Exit 61 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Local road to the town of Merlin. }} * {{listing | name=Hugo | alt=Exit 66 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content=Monument Dr to Hugo an unincorporated community name after a longtime farmer and resident, Hugo Garber in 1896. The townsite was a flag stop for the train to Grants Pass and Medford from the time before the automobile. Nowadays it's a farming community surrounded by cherry farms. }} * {{listing | name=Sunny Valley | alt=Exit 71 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Wolf Creek | alt=Exit 76 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.6951 | long=-123.3947 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | image=Wolf_Creek_Tavern.jpg | wikipedia=Wolf_Creek,_Oregon | wikidata=Q3710338 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=unincorporated town. }} * {{listing | name=Glendale | alt=Exit 80 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.7453 | long=-123.3713 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Glendale, Oregon | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content=The Glendale Valley Rd leads traffic from the freeway to the town of Glendale, Oregon. }} :* {{listing | name=Barton Road | alt=Exit 83 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | wikipedia=Glendale, Oregon | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Quines Creek Rd | alt=Exit 86 | url= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Azalea Galesville Reservoire | alt=Exit 88 | url= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Canyonville]] | alt=Exit 98 | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.9262 | long=-123.2804 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Canyonville,_Oregon | wikidata=Q2622557 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Myrtle Creek | alt=Exit 108 | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.0247 | long=-123.2979 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Myrtle Creek,_Oregon | wikidata=Q981114 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] to [[File:OR 42.svg|25px]] Dillard Coos Bay | alt=Exit 112 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content= Accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 from here. SR-99 leaves the I-5 to loop into the towns of Dillard and Winston. From Winston SR-42 goes west to [[Coos Bay]] at the coast. SR-42 returns to the freeway at Exit 119 while SR-99 continues north, as a separate road, towards Roseburg. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] South [[File:OR 42.svg|25px]] Winston Dillard Coos Bay | alt=Exit 119 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-23 | content=Signed as "Dillard Coos Bay" from the northbound lanes. SR 42 goes southwest to the towns of Dillard and Winston where SR-42 continues west to Coos Bay. SR-99 follows SR 42 through Dillard and Winston, from Roseburg, before rejoining I-5 at mile 112 to continue towards Grants Pass. }} * {{listing | name=[[Roseburg]] | alt=Exits 120-129 | url= | email= | address= | lat=43.2135 | long=-123.3552 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Roseburg,_Oregon | wikidata=Q846170 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=There are 7 exits to Roseburg. }} :* {{listing | name="[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] South Roseburg"(NB side); "[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] Green District Roseburg"(SB side); | alt=Exit 120 | url= | | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=State Route (SR) 99 winds along the Umpqua River, from exit 112, through Dillard, Winston and Green south of Roseburg. It passes under I-5 (at this point) as the Coos Bay-Roseburg Hwy and goes into town as Stephens (NB) and Pine (SB). }} :* {{listing | name=McClain Ave | alt=Exit 121 | url= | | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Fairgrounds Umpqua Park | alt=Exit 123 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Portland Ave goes across over the freeway to the [https://www.douglascountyspeedway.com/schedule Douglas County Speedway] and the [http://douglasfairgrounds.com/ Douglas County Fairgrounds]. }} :* {{listing | name="[[File:OR 138.svg|25px]] Crater Lake Diamond Lake" (NB side); "[[File:OR 138.svg|25px]] City Center Diamond Lake" (SB side) | alt=Exit 124 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=This is also the main exit into downtown Roseburg which is across the Umpqua River, east of the I-5 corridor. SR-138 continues {{mile|98}} east, across Umpqua National Forest, to [[Crater Lake]]. Hwy 99 goes 20 miles along I-5 through Roseburg, Union Gap, Sutherlin, Oakland and merges back into I-5 at mile marker 140 (into NB side only)(Exit to Hwy 99 at Exit 140 is from SB side only). }} :* {{listing | name=Roseburg, Garden Valley Blvd | alt=Exit 125 | url= | | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=N. Roseburg, NW Edenbower Blvd| alt=Exit 127 | url= | | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Winchester Wilbur | alt=Exit 129 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=NB traffic exits into Hwy 99 which runs along the east side of I-5. SB traffic exits, into Del Rio/Umpqua College Rd which goes over I-5 to Hwy 99. NW College Rd continues east to [https://www.umpqua.edu Umpqua Community College] (for local access). Umpqua College Rd becomes Del Rio Rd west of I-5. }} ====[[Willamette Valley]]==== The Willamette Valley is centered around the Willamette River, and home to the state's three largest cities and much of the state's agriculture industry and the Oregon Wine Country: * {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] Cottage Grove | alt=Exit 170 | url=| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-17 | content=OR-Hwy 99 goes alongside of I-5 as a two lane highway from Exit #170 to Exit 188 in Goshen. It passes through Cottage Grove and Creswell. This exit is accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 going south. Hwy 99 goes along I-5 to Oakland (Oregon) at Exit #140 where it splits as a separate highway, alongside I-5 to Exit #120 south of Roseburg. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Eugene]]-[[w:Springfield,_Oregon|Springfield]]| alt=Exits 189-195B | url= | email= | address= | lat=44.052069 | long=-123.086754 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | image=Photocollageofeugene.png | price= | lastedit=2017-06-02 | content=The second-largest city in Oregon, home to the University of Oregon Ducks. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 58.svg|25px]] Oakridge Klamath Falls | alt=Exit 188 | url=| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-17 | content=From the southbound lanes there's only one exit leaving the freeway towards SR-58 and it splits again towards towards Goshen (SR-99) and "Oakridge Klamath Falls" (SR-58). From the northbound lanes Exit #188A forms SR-58 going towards Oakridge while Exit 188B (a separate exit) ends into Franklin Blvd which goes south into Goshen as SR-99. }} :* {{listing | name=30th Ave South Eugene | alt=Exit 189 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-17 | content=From here one can approach Eugene from the south via 30th Ave or continue north on Franklin Blvd into Springfield. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99.svg|25px]] [[File:OR 126.svg|25px]] University of Oregon Eugene Downtown | alt=Exit 192 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-17 | content=From the south, downtown can be reached via Franklin Blvd (Hwy 99) which also passes by the [https://www.uoregon.edu U of Oregon campus]. This exit is only accessible from the northbound lanes and only goes west into Eugene. Going south SR-99 merges onto I-5 from mile marker 192 and runs concurrent with I-5 to Exit #188 where it forms a separate parallel route through Cottage Grove and Goshen. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-105.svg|25px]] [[File:OR 126.svg|25px]] [[Eugene]]-[[w:Springfield,_Oregon|Springfield]] | alt=Exits 194A & B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Photocollageofeugene.png | lastedit=2017-06-02 | content=This highway connects into downtown Eugene as I-105 and continues east into Springfield as SR-126. Follow Exit/off ramp 194A to Sprinfield and Exit/off ramp 194B towards Eugene. }} :* {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:OR 569.svg|25px]] Randy Pape Beltline [[Eugene]]-[[w:Springfield,_Oregon|Springfield]]| alt=Exits 195 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | image=Photocollageofeugene.png | price= | lastedit=2017-06-02 | content=The Randy Pape Beltine serves as a circular freeway to circle around the Eugene-Springfield area as a way to connect the outer suburbs to each other without going into downtown. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:OR 228.svg|25px]] [[w:Halsey, Oregon|Halsey]] - [[w:Brownsville, Oregon|Brownsville]] | alt=Exit 216 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-09-24 | content=Holly Sweet Home Rd goes east/west, connecting Halsey (west, Jct 99E) to Brownsville (east). }}{{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} * {{listing | name=[[File:OR 34.svg|25px]] [[Corvallis_(Oregon)|Corvallis]] - [[w:Lebanon,_Oregon|Lebanon]] | alt=Exit 228 | url= | email= | address= | lat=44.5559 | long=-123.0616 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-09-24 | content=Corvallis (the home of [https://oregonstate.edu Oregon State University] ) (and Jct 99W) is {{mi|11}} west from the I-5/SR-34 junction while Least is {{mi|8}} east. }}{{fuel-icon}} * {{listing | name=[[Albany_(Oregon)|Albany]] | alt=Exits 233 - 235 | url= | email= | address= | lat=44.63538 | long=-123.1069 | directions=west of I-5. | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-09-24 | content=The town is known as the "hub of the valley" as it sits at the confluence of the Willamette River and Calapooia Rivers. Albany's streets are lined with historic homes and a carousel museum. Its location in the Willamette Valley, known for its wine, allows the town to offer locally made wine, as well as cider and beer. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:US 20.svg|25px]] Santiam Hwy Albany-[[w:Lebanon, Oregon|Lebanon]] | alt=Exit 233| | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Signed as "Lebanon Sweet home"' from the 'southbound lanes. Travelers coming from the north and going towards Lebanon (SE) or Corvallis (SW) can use this exit and go on US Hwy 20 instead of going to Hwy 34 at exit 228. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=Fair/Expo Center Knox Butte Rd | alt=Exit 234/234A| | url=https://www.lcfairexpo.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Access to local Albany Municipal Airport (general aviation only) and Linn County fairgrounds. Exits 234 & 234A are two separate exits but are signed the same from both directions. Exit 234 is accessible from the ''northbound'' lanes only to Knox Butte Rd E while Exit 234A, just south of 234B, is accessible from the ''southbound'' lanes only. Exit 234A goes into Albany Ave SE/Airport Rd Se, west of the freeway, which intersects Pacific Blvd SE (Hwy 99E). {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} ::* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99E.svg|25px]] Albany | alt=Exit 234B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Accessible from ''southbound'' lanes only. Hwy 99E goes south into town as Pacific Blvd SE and follows I-5 north to Salem. From Albany Hwy 99E continues south towards Junction City (where it merges with Hwy 99W into Hwy 99) through Tangent, Halsey and Harrisburg. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing|name=Millersburg |alt=Exit 235|url=|lat=|long=|content=Accessible from ''southbound'' lanes into Old Salem Rd NE. Exit #235 are two separate exits which are accessible from one side of the freeway only.}} ::* {{listing | name=Viewcrest | alt=Exit 235 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Accessible from ''northbound'' lanes into Century Dr NE, parallel along the east side of the freeway. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Salem_(Oregon)|Salem]] | alt=Exits 248-260B | url= | email= | address= | lat=44.942898 | long=-123.035096 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Salem, Oregon | image=Oregon_State_Capitol_1.jpg | wikidata=Q43919 | lastedit=2017-06-02 | content=The capital city of Oregon, traditionally known for being low-key, the downtown area is showing the early signs of rejuvenation. }} :* {{listing|name=Sunnyside Turner|alt=Exit 248|url=|lat=|long=|comment=go east on Delany Rd SE to get to the town of Turner go west to Sunnyside Rd SE and then go north on Sunnyside to get into town}} :* {{listing|name=Commercial St SE|alt=Exit 249|url=|lat=|long=|content=Major thoroughfare into town (Salem) from the south}} :* {{listing|name=Keubler Blvd|alt=Exit 252|url=|lat=|long=}} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 22.svg|25px]] [[File:OR 99E.svg|25px]] [[Detroit_Lake_State_Recreation_Area|Detroit Lake]] [[Bend]] | alt=Exit 253 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-10 | content=OR Hwy 22 & Bus 99E goes northwesterly into town as Mission St SE. OR-Hwy 22 then goes across the Willamette River into West Salem and another {{mile|25}} west to OR-Hwy 18 in Willamina via OR-Hwy 99W in Rickreall which is the gateway towards the Yamhill Valley Wine Country (north on 99W towards McMinnville). Going east OR-Hwy 22 passes by Detroit Lake and Mt Jefferson towards US Hwy 20. It continues into Bend as US Hwy 20. Going south OR Hwy 99E follows I-5 to Exit 234B in Albany. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 213.svg|25px]] Market St Silverton | alt=Exit 256 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Closest exit to downtown and the state capitol. }} There are multiple roads/bridges crossing over I-5 between Hwy 22 at mm 253 and Hwy 99E at mm 258 that are not accessible. This is the only exit to take between Hwy 22 and 99E. :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99E.svg|25px]] Portland Rd NE | alt=Exit 258 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-10 | content=OR-Hwy 99E goes N/NE towards Portland through Woodburn, Canby and Oregon City and towards Albany along I-5 in the other direction. Going into town Portland Rd NE (Hwy Bus-99E) passes the by state fairgrounds where it becomes Fairgrounds Rd the rest of the way into downtown Salem. }} :* {{listing | name=Chemawa Road - Keizer | alt=Exit 260 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} ====[[Portland Metropolitan Area]]==== The Portland Metropolitan area is a large conurbation of cities (municipalities) surrounding Portland, Oregon in the northern end of the Willamette Valley and Southwest Washington (Clark County, WA) at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. * {{listing | name=[[Wilsonville]] | alt= | url=Exits 283 & 286 | email= | address= | lat=45.3030 | long=-122.7693 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-20 | content=Located within the Portland metropolitan area, the city also includes the planned communities of Charbonneau on the south side of the river, and Villebois on the western edge. The city is bisected by Interstate 5 and includes I-5's Boone Bridge over the Willamette. }} :* {{listing | name=Wilsonville Rd | alt=Exit 283 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content={{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing|name=Ellingson Rd, Boones Ferry Rd |alt=Exit 286|lat=|long=|content={{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[File:I-205.svg|25px]] [[Oregon City]] | alt=Exit 288 | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.368654 | long=-122.758060 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=I-205 goes north to [[Oregon City]], [[Gladstone (Oregon)|Gladstone]], and the [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland International Airport]]; reconnects with I-5 north of [[Vancouver (Washington)|Vancouver, WA]] at Exit 7 (Washington). }} * {{listing | name=Nyberg Rd Tualatin Sherwood Rd | alt=Exit 289 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-10 | content=Tualatin Sherwood Rd goes {{mile|5}} across towards OR Hwy 99W in Sherwood through Tualatin. From Sherwood travelers can continue into Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville in the '''Yamhill Valley Wine Country''', a world-renowned wine tasting destination. }} * {{listing | name=[[Tigard]] and [[Lake Oswego]] | alt=Exits 291-293 | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.4210 | long=-122.7442 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content= }} :* {{listing|name=SW Carman Dr|alt=Exit 291|lat=|long=|content=}} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 217.svg|25px]] | alt=Exit 292 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=Connects to [[Tigard]] (SR-99W); [[Beaverton]] and ends at US-26 west. Serves as a partial western bypass for northbound drivers to connect with [[Hillsboro (Oregon)|Hillsboro]] (via US Hwy 26 & SR-8) and the [[Northern Oregon Coast]] (US Hwy 26). SR-217 ends east of I-5 where the same road becomes SW Kruse Way leading into [[Lake Oswego]] a wealthy suburban enclave. }} :* {{listing|name=SW Haines St|alt=Exit 293|lat=|long=|content=}} * {{listing | name=[[Portland (Oregon)|Portland]] | alt=Exits 294-308. There are 18 exits into Portland | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.51261 | long=-122.68163 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Portland, Oregon | wikidata=Q6106 | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=The largest city in Oregon, and a cultural center for the region. Known for its food and music scenes, and counter-cultural attitudes. Thousands of acres of gardens, parks, and trails to explore, as well as a multitude of shops and restaurants spread across several neighborhoods. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99W.svg|25px]] [[Tigard]] & [[Portland (Oregon)/Southwest| Southwest Portland]] | alt=Exit 294 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-09 | content=SR-99W officially begins/ends here. It goes west through [[Tigard]], King City, Sherwood, [[Newberg]] and [[McMinnville_(Oregon)|McMinnville]] in the '''Yamhill Valley Wine Country''', Going into Portland the road becomes SW Barbur Blvd through Southwest Portland and into downtown Portland as SW Naito Pkwy (Front Ave). The old 99W continues along Naito Pkwy through downtown to the Steele Bridge where crosses over the Willamette River and continues north along N Interstate Ave. It rejoins into I-5 at Exit 306. }} :* {{listing|name=SW Taylors Ferry Rd|alt=Exit 295|lat=|long=|content=Access from northbound lanes only. Exit 295 are two separate exits to different local surface street at opposite sides of the freeway.}} ::* {{listing | name=SW Capitol Hwy | alt=Exit 295 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Access from southbound lanes only. Locally SW Capitol Hwy goes south from the I-5/Barbur Blvd corridor to [https://www.pcc.edu Portland Community College Sylvan Campus (PCC)] the largest community college in Oregon. }} :* {{listing|name=SW Barbur Blvd|alt=Exit 296A|lat=|long=|content=Barbur Blvd is the old Hwy 99W. Access from southbound lanes only.}} :* {{listing|name=SW Terwilliger Blvd|alt=Exit 297|lat=|long=|content=}} :* {{listing|name=SW Corbett Ave|alt=Exit 298|lat=|long=|content=Access to a local street from northbound side only}} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 43.svg|25px]] [[File:US 26.svg|25px]] Macadam / Ross Island Bridge | alt=Exit 299A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=US Hwy 26 crosses over the Willamette River on the Ross Island bridge. US 26 goes through SE Portland as SE Powell and continues east towards [[Bend]] in Central Oregon through [[Gresham]], [[Sandy]], [[Mount Hood|Mount Hood/Government Camp]] and [[Madras_(Oregon)|Madras]]. SR-43 goes south along the west side of the Willamette River as SW Macadam towards Oregon City through [[Lake Oswego]] and West Linn. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-405.svg|25px]] North to City Center [[File:US 26.svg|25px]] West; [[File:I-5.svg|25px]] North to Seattle [[File:I-84.svg|25px]] | alt=Exit 299B (from left lanes of the northbound side) into I-405 | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.50769 | long=-122.6696 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Marquam Bridge | image=MarquamBridgeHill.jpg | wikidata=Q6772478 | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=Interstate 5 crosses the Willamette River on the Marquam Bridge and continues north towards Seattle from the other side of the river. Interstate 405 is a local auxiliary highway that continues {{mile|4.5}} around downtown Portland (westside of the Willamette River) to the Fremont Bridge where it rejoins I-5 in the other side of the Willamette River. I-405 connects the I-5 corridor to downtown and to US Hwy 26 west (Exit 1D of I-405) towards [[Beaverton]],[[Hillsboro_(Oregon)|Hillsboro]] and [[Seaside]]. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-84.svg|25px]] [[File:US 30.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] [[The Dalles]] | alt=Exit 300 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=After exiting from I-5 the off-ramp splits with one lane going right into SE Water Ave & Yamhill for local access to the warehouses and to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in southeast Portland while the other lane continues into I-84. Access from the ''northbound'' lanes only. }} ::* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99E.svg|25px]] [[Oregon City]] OMSI [[File:US 26.svg|25px]] East | alt=Exit 300B | url=https://omsi.edu | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-10 | content=Off ramp splits again after exiting from I-5. Left lane goes into Morrison Bridge east which leads towards another off ramp to MLK south (99E to Oregon City and OMSI) or continue east on SE Belmont. Right lane goes into Morrison Bridge west going into downtown Portland. Road becomes SW Washington St in downtown. Access from the ''southbound'' lanes only. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-84.svg|25px]] [[File:US 30.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] East [[The Dalles]] | alt=Exit 301 (southbound) / 300 (northbound) | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.524897 | long=-122.665353 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=I-84 passes through Portland's [[Portland (Oregon)/Eastside|Eastside]] and through the [[Mt. Hood and Columbia Gorge|Columbia Gorge]] to [[Hood River]], [[The Dalles]], [[Pendleton]] and [[Boise|Boise, ID]]. Travelers going to {{marker|type=go|name=Portland International Airport|url=https://www.flypdx.com|lat=45.5894 | long=-122.5937}} can follow I-84 to I-205 North towards Seattle at Exit #8 of I-84 and then to Airport Way W from Exit #24A of I-205. Likewise travelers can also go north towards the airport on NE 82nd (OR Hwy-213) from Exit #5 of I-84. }} :* {{listing | name=NE Broadway-Weidler Moda Center | alt=Exit 302A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Access to NE Broadway (WB) from the southbound lanes and NE Weidler (EB) from the northbound lanes. Nearest access to the [http://veterans.coliseumportland.org/ Portland Memorial Coliseum], [https://www.oregoncc.org/en Oregon Convention Center] and the [http://www.modaportland.com/ Moda Center (Rose Quarter)] all hosting different sporting events, concerts/performances and conventions throughout the year. {{fuel-icon}} {{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-405.svg|25px]] [[File:US 30.svg|25px]] West Beaverton St Helens (Fremont Bridge) | alt=Exit 302B | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.5379 | long=-122.6831 | directions=Fremont Bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Fremont_Bridge_(Portland,_Oregon) | image=FremontBridgePano.jpg | wikidata=Q3396538 | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=I-405 connects [[Portland (Oregon)/Northwest|Northwest Portland]] and downtown Portland from the I-5 corridor, while US 30 branches off from the west end of the Fremont Bridge and continues along the Willamette River through the northwest industrial areas to Sauvie Island, Scappoose, Saint Helens and [[Astoria]]. I-405 then joins I-5 at the west end of the Marquem Bridge south of downtown Portland. }} :* {{listing | name=Swan Island, N Killingsworth | alt=Exit 303 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Exit accesses N Going St (to Swan Island) and Killingsworth. Both are connected by local paralell roads at both sides, without re-entering the freeway. }} :* {{listing|name=N Caesar Chavez Blvd |alt=Exit 304|lat=|long=}} :* {{listing|name=[[File:US 30.svg|25px]] N Lombard St|alt=Exit 305A|lat=|long=|content=Accessible from the northbound lanes only}} :* {{listing|name=Columbia Blvd|alt=Exit 306A|lat=|long=|content=Accessible from the northbound lanes only}} :* {{listing | name=Interstate Ave Portland International Raceway | alt=Exit 306 | url=https://www.portlandraceway.com/ | email= | address= | lat=45.5968 | long=-122.6875 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Portland International Raceway | wikidata=Q2662150 | lastedit=2020-11-10 | content=Interstate Ave served as the "Old Hwy 99W" (not signed) through North Portland. The Old Hwy 99W crosses into downtown from N Interstate via the (black) Steele Bridge and continued along the downtown waterfront as Naito Pkwy. It goes through Southwest Portland as SW Barbur Blvd to it junction with I-5 at Exit 294 where OR-Hwy 99W officially begins. On some maps OR-Hwy 99W begins at SW Naito Pkwy and Clay St in downtown Portland. This exit (#306) is only accessible from the southbound lanes. From the northbound lanes take Exit 306B towards "Victory Lane/Expo Center" and take a left on N Victory Ln to reach Interstate Ave & the Portland International Raceway. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:OR 99E.svg|25px]] MLK Jr Blvd & Marine Dr | alt=Exit 307 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-11-10 | content=OR-Hwy 99E begins here and goes parallel I-5 along the east side towards Salem. It goes through northeast and southeast Portland as Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Hwy 99E branches between NE Weidler and SE Mill St. Southbound traffic continue on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd while northbound traffic travel along Grand Ave. It continues south from SE Mill St to [[Oregon City]] as SE McCloughlin Blvd. This is where the old US Hwy 99 split between US Hwy 99E & 99W. }} :* {{listing | name=Hayden Island ODOTS Permits | alt=Exit 308 | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.6115 | long=-122.6791 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hayden Island, Portland, Oregon | wikidata=Q5686334 | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=Access to [http://jantzenbeachpdx.com/ Jantzen Beach Shopping Center] on Hayden Island. There are other restaurants, hotels and retails stores surrounding the Jantzen Beach mall for food, fuel, supplies and/or a night's stay. Exit is signposted "Hayden Island ODOTS Permits" from both directions. ODOTS permits are for commercial truck drivers to travel through the state. }} === [[Washington (state)|Washington]] === The maximum speed limit is 70 MPH (112 km/h) for cars & 60 MPH (100 km/h) for large trucks on rural stretches and 60 MPH (100 km/h) in urban areas or lower if posted otherwise. Some of the highway rest stops in Washington are also staffed by volunteers from different local religious and fraternal organizations such as the Lions Club or Elk's Club to offer free coffee, tea, water and cookies to travelers. Some even offer home baked goods such as brownies too. A donation of any amount is appreciated in the can provided on the counter. Rest stops in Washington state do not have exit numbers but rather marked with a blue sign rather than the green sign.<br> [[File:WA-99.svg|38px|frameless|left]] Unlike California and Oregon only a short segment of the Old Hwy 99 (({{mile|47}} long) between [[Interstate 5#Fife|Fife]] and [[Interstate 5#Everett|Everett]] have been commissioned as State Route (SR) 99. The remaining segments have been decommissioned as a US or state highway except SR 11 (Chuckanaut Dr) between Burlington and Bellingham, a section of SR-529 between Everett and Marysville; SR-539 from north of Bellingham to the Canadian border and a part of SR 505 concurrent with Jackson Hwy through Toledo. In everywhere else the Old Hwy 99 exists as local roads named "Old Highway 99", "Pacific" or by a different name or concurrently on Interstate 5. There have been different alignments and re-alignments throughout its existence before 1940 which are included in some parts of this article but not all. Most of the segments described in this article are what is/was there as US Highway 99 when Interstate 5 was built in 1964-69:<br> ====[[Southwest Washington]]==== * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Vancouver (Washington)|Vancouver]] | alt=Exits 1A-7 | url= | lat=45.626 | long=-122.675 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Vancouver, Washington | image=Vancouver WA Collage.jpg | wikidata=Q234053 | lastedit=2019-06-04 | content=Fourth largest city in Washington and oldest permanent settlement in the Pacific Northwest; not to be confused with [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia|BC]], [[Canada]]. }} :* {{listing | type=listing| name=[[File:WA-14.svg|25px]] East Camas | alt=Exit 1A | url= | email=| lat= | long= | directions=| | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=Goes through the [[Columbia River Gorge]] along the Washington side of the Columbia River to Exit 131 of I-82 in [[Columbia_River_Plateau|Eastern Washington]], north of Hermiston. In town the highway ends at Washington & W 5th St in downtown Vancouver. Exit 1B goes from the northbound lanes to E 6th St & C St. This is also another way to reach the airport. Go east on SR 14 to I-205 and then south on I-205 to NE Airport Way (Exit 24) on the other side of the Columbia River. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-501.svg|25px]] E Mill Plain Blvd | alt=Exit 1C | url= | lat= | long= | directions=| | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-12 | content=Major east-west road through town. Access to the Historic Ft Vancouver and the adjacent old military base of the same name just east of the freeway. Going the other direction Mill Plain goes into downtown Vancouver. Exit 1D continues north to 4th Plain, another local east-west road. }} :* {{listing | name=Old Hwy 99 | alt=Exit 3 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-12 | content=Going north, Old Hwy 99 becomes NE 20th Ave (north of the I-205 jct), NE Union Rd and NE 15th Ave and ends at NE 179th at Exit 9. Going south, the Old Hwy 99 becomes Main St ending at E 5th & Main in downtown. }} :* {{listing | type=listing | name=NE 78th St (Hazel Dell) | alt=Exit 4 | url= | lat= | long= | directions=| | lastedit=2019-06-25 | content=Local east-west street with multiple places for Lodging, fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Costco, Fred Meyer, O'Reillys Auto Parts, etc) surrounding the I-5/Trosper Rd Jct. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-205.svg|25px]][[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] NE 134th St Salem | alt=Exit 7 | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.7285 | long=-122.656 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-04 | content=I-205 goes south to the [[Portland_(Oregon)|Portland International Airport]] (via NE Airport Way at Exit #24 from southbound lanes & 24A of the northbound lanes of I-205), East Portland, [[Gladstone (Oregon)|Gladstone]], and [[Oregon City]]; and reconnects with I-5 at Exit 288 (Oregon) south of Portland. This exit is only accessible from the southbound lanes only. From the Northbound lanes Exit off at ''NE 134th St/ E WSU Vancouver'' (Exit 7A) and go east on NE 134th St to I-205. }} :* {{listing | type=listing | name=NE 179th St | alt=Exit 9 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | lastedit=2019-06-25 | content=Location of [https://www.clarkcoeventcenter.com/events Clark County Fairgrounds] at west side of freeway. The Old Hwy 99 is NE 15th Ave running along the eastside of the freeway from NE 179th St. The same road becomes NE Union, NE 20th, NE Hwy 99, crosses I-5 at Exit 3 and becomes Main St. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:WA-502.svg|25px]] Battleground | alt=Exit 11 | url= | email= | address= | lat=45.7811 | long=-122.673 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Battleground,_Washington | wikidata=Q810999 | lastedit=2019-07-12 | content=The town of Battleground is 6 miles (10km) east of the freeway along NE 219th. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Gee Creek I-5 NB | alt=Exit 11 / Mile 11 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/gee-creek-i-5-northbound | email= | address= | lat=45.7776 | long=-122.6691 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-05-03 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines, RV sanitation station, and electrical vehicle charging station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Gee Creek I-5 SB| alt=Mile 12 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/gee-creek-i-5-southbound | lat=45.7996 | long=-122.6808 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=La Center Cowlitz Reservation | alt=Exit 16 | url= | directions= | wikipedia=La_Center,_Washington | wikidata=Q1506592 | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content= }} * {{listing | name=[[File:WA-503.svg|25px]] [[Woodland_(Washington)|Woodland]] Cougar | alt=Exit 21 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Woodland, Washington | image=CedarCreekGristMill2007.jpg | wikidata=Q1191430 | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=SR-503 goes east through Woodland and connects to FR-90 in Cougar along the southside of Mt St Helens. It is also another way to access [[Mount_St._Helens|Mt St Helens]] from Portland and Southwest Washington. There are a series of gas stations, restaurants, motels and a couple of groceries stores to stock up. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=Dike Access Rd | alt=Exit 22 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-09 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Kalama | alt=Exits 27 - 32 | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.0075 | long=-122.8454 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kalama,_Washington | image=Kalama,_WA_-_N_First_St_02.jpg | wikidata=Q1516195 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Exit 30 goes into downtown Kalama while Exit 27 access the industrial areas south of Kalama (Port of Kalama). Pin is at Exit #30. There are three exits to Kalama/Port of Kalama. }} :* {{listing | name=Todd Rd, Port of Kalama | alt=Exit 27| url= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-09 | content=Going north Todd Rd goes towards downtown Kalama as the Old Pacific Hwy S, along the east side of I-5. }} :* {{listing | name=Kalama | alt=Exit 30 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-09 | content=Downtown Kalama. The old Hwy 99 goes through downtown Kalama as 1st St and becomes Meeker north of town, winding towards Kelso River Rd, along the east side of I-5. The northbound exit goes into E Frontage Rd while the southbound exit goes into W Frontage Rd. After exiting, southbound travelers can take a left on Oak St and a right on E Frontage Rd on the other side of the freeway to get into town. }} :* {{listing | name=Kalama River Rd| alt=Exit 32 | url= | email= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-09 | content= }} * {{listing | name=[[Kelso (Washington)|Kelso]] & [[Longview_(Washington)|Longview]] | alt=Exits 36-46 | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.141944 | long=-122.906111 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Kelso,_Washington | image=Longviewwa1.jpg | wikidata=Q868654 | lastedit=2019-06-04 | content=Five exits to Kelso; SR-432 (Exit 36) and Pleasant Hil Rd & Headquarters Rd (Exit 39). SR-432 provide access to neighboring [[Longview (Washington)|Longview]] west of the Cowlitz River. SR-4 continues west along the Washington side of the Colombia River to US Hwy 101 north of [[Astoria]], Oregon. Likewise travelers can also cross the Columbia River from Longview into Rainier, OR and continue towards Astoria on US Hwy 30. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-432.svg|25px]] Talley Way | alt=Exit 36B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-21 | content= Goes from Exit 36B of I-5 to 3rd Ave and aound town as Industrial Ave to SR-4 west of town. To go into town go past 3rd Ave and continue onto Tennant Way (follow signs) which ends at 15th Ave/Oregon Way, just south of town. Exit 36A diverge into Kelso Dr which is local road that runs parallel (at 35 mph) along I-5 at the east side of the freeway from Talley Way (Exit 36) to Allen St (Exit 39). }} ::* {{listing | name=Kelso Dr | alt=Exit 36A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-09 | content=The same exit (Exit 36B) splits after leaving the freeway with 36A leading into a roundabout at Kelso Dr. Going south the Old Hwy 99 become Old Pacific Hwy towards Kalama River Rd (Exit 32) and north towards Allen St at Exit 39 alongside the eastside of I-5. This exit is accessible from the northbound lanes only. Southbound traffic would leave the freeway at Allen St, turn left at Allen St and right (south) of Kelso Dr. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-4.svg|25px]] Allen St to [[Kelso_(Washington)|Kelso]] | alt=Exit 39 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-21 | content=Allen St is the main road into [[Kelso]] from the I-5 corridor and is the beginning of SR-4 which goes out through and past Kelso and Lonview towards [[Ilwaco]] & [[Long Beach_(Washington)|Longbeach]] out in the coast. There are multiple places for Lodging, fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Safeway, Red Lion Inn, Three Rivers Mall, Target, etc) accessible from this exit. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=N Kelso Ave | alt=Exit 40 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-21 | content=Local access to local residential neighborhoods north of Kelso. }} :* {{listing | name=Lexington Bridge Dr | alt=Exit 42 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-21 | content=Local access to residential neighborhoods north Kelso. }} :* {{listing | name=Headquarter Rd/Pleasant Hill Rd | alt=Exit 46 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-21 | content= }} * {{listing | name=[[File:WA-504.svg|25px]] Castle Rock | alt=Exit 49 | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.284549 | long=-122.902701 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Castle_Rock,_Washington | wikidata=Q1023555 | lastedit=2021-05-15 | content=SR-504 goes {{mi|52}} east to the [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31562 Johnston Ridge Observatory] in [[Mount St. Helens]]. There is a [https://parks.state.wa.us/245/Mount-St-Helens Visitors' Center] closer to the freeway, only {{mi|5}} east. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Toutle River I-5 NB | alt=Mile 54 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/toutle-river-i-5-northbound | email= | address= | lat=46.3509 | long=-122.9043 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and visitors info. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{go | name=Toutle River I-5 SB | alt=Mile 54 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/toutle-river-i-5-southbound | email= | address= | lat=46.3523 | long=-122.9079 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-05-15 | content=Restrooms, water and picnic tables. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}}. }} * {{listing | name=Jackson Hwy | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.3905 | long=-122.9021 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Jackson Hwy is the segment of old hwy 99 through Toledo, Chehalis and Centralia in Lewis County. Exit is signposted as "Jackson Hwy Barnes Dr" from the southbound lanes. In downtown Chehalis Jackson Hwy becomes Market St.The Old Hwy 99 intersects with I-5 at Exits 82 and 88. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:WA-506.svg|25px]] Toledo Vader Rd | alt=Exit 60 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | image=Toledo,_WA_-_shops_on_Cowlitz_St_03.jpg | wikipedia=Toledo,_Washington | wikidata=Q1515635 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Local road to access the town of Toledo. The other exit for going towards Vader is at Exit 59. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:WA-505.svg|25px]] Winlock Toledo | alt=Exit 63 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikipedia=Winlock,_Washington | image=WinlockEgg.jpg | wikidata=Q1502266 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=SR 505 goes across I-5 connecting Toledo to Winlock. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:US 12.svg|25px]] East to Morton Yakima | alt=Exit 68 | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.548 | long=-122.877 | directions= | lastedit=2019-06-20 | content=US Hwy 12 goes east through the Cascade Mountains between [[Mount Rainier]] and [[Mount St Helens]] to Exit 31 on I-82 north of [[Yakima]]. Travelers can get to Mt Rainier from US Hwy 12 via SR 7 at Morton or SR 123 in Packwood and to Mt St Helens on SR 131/FR 25 in Randle. Going westbound, US Hwy 12 goes north along I-5 from Exit 68 to Exit 88. }} * {{listing | name=[[File:WA-508.svg|25px]] Napavine Onalaska | alt=Exit 71 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikipedia=Napavine,_Washington | wikidata=Q1510290 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=W Forest Napavine Rd/Main Ave connects Napavine in the west and Onalaska in the east }} * {{listing | name=[[Chehalis]] | alt=Exits 72-79 | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.6604 | long=-122.9784 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Chehalis,_Washington | image=Lewis_County_Historic_Courthouse.jpg | wikidata=Q249441 | lastedit=2019-06-20 | content=Chehalis is a small town and the county seat of Lewis County. There are five exits to Chehalis. The pin is at SR-6 / W Main St at Exit #76 which connects I-5 to downtown Chehalis. }} :* {{listing | name=Rush Rd | alt=Exit 72 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-13 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Labree Rd| alt=Exit 74| url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-13 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=13th St | alt=Exit 76 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-13 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-6.svg|25px]] West Pe Ell & [[Raymond]] | alt=Exit 77 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-21 | content=Connects Chehalis to [[Raymond]] and [[South_Bend (Washington)|South Bend]] by Willapa Bay at the coas via the town of Pe Elit. Going east it goes into downtown Chehalis as Main St. }} :* {{listing | type=listing | name=NW Chamber of Commerce Way | alt=Exit 79 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-20 | content=A local NW/SE street in Chehalis where there are multiple places for fuel, restaurants, a strip mall (Grocery Outlet, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Dollar Tree, Taco del Mar, Starbucks, Wendy's, etc); Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc for supplies. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Centralia_(Washington)|Centralia]] | alt=Exits 81-82 | url= | email= | address= | lat=46.7191 | long=-122.9542 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | image=Centralia_Downtown_Historic_District.jpg | wikipedia=Centralia,_Washington | wikidata=Q868700 | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Founded as a railroad town, Centralia's economy was originally dependent on such extractive industries as coal, lumber and agriculture. It was named in reference to the midway point between Tacoma and Kalama (which were originally the NP's Washington termini), but proved to have longevity when it became the midpoint between Seattle and Portland after I-5 was built. There are two exits to Centralia {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-507.svg|25px]] Mellen St City Center | alt=Exit 81 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-11 | content=Accessible only from the northbound lanes only. From the southbound lanes exit at Harrison Ave (Exit #82) and follow the parallel side road past Harrison, past the merging lane (do not re-enter freeway) to Mellen St. Follow signs. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} [[File:MUTCD_I-6.svg|25px]] (at Chevron Gas Station). }} :* {{listing | name=Harrison Ave Factory Outlet Way | alt=Exit 82 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=Accessible from both directions. Harrison Ave is the segment of the Old Hwy 99 going into downtown Centralia where Old Hwy 99 goes north-south, through downtown, as Pearl St (SB) and Tower Ave (NB). Going towards Chehalis the old Hwy 99 becomes Kesky Ave (SB)/National Ave (NB) between Centralia and Chehalis. Going west from this junction, Harrison Ave curves northwards, alongside I-5, as 'Old Highway 99' towards US Hwy 12 in Grand Mound by Exit #88. There are multiple places for Lodging, fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Bugerville USA, Dennys', Safeway, [http://centraliafactoryoutlet.com/store-directory/ Centralia Outlets], Goodwill, etc) in the immediate areas. Click [[Centralia_(Washington)#Sleep|here]] for a list of hotel/motels in the area. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:US 12.svg|25px]] [[Aberdeen_(Washington)|Aberdeen]] -Tenino | alt=Exit 88 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-10 | content=US Hwy 12 goes west towards Aberdeen through Rochester and Elma. US Hwy 12 ends at SR 8 in Elma. If coming from Centralia or anywhere south and going west towards Aberdeen this would be the route take without going through Olympia. If Going eastbound, US Hwy 12 goes south along I-5 from Exit 88 to Exit 68. Old Hwy 99 SW goes northeast from here to Tenino. From Tenino the Old Hwy 99 goes into Tumwater where it becomes Capitol Blvd. Going south Old Hwy 99 parallels along the west side of I-5 to Harrison Ave in Centralia at Exit #82 from its intersection of US Hwy 12 and Old Hwy 99 SW /Elderberry SW. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}}. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Scatter Creek I-5 NB| alt=Mile 90 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/scatter-creek-i-5-northbound | lat=46.8353 | long=-122.9852 | lastedit=2016-03-20 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Maytown I-5 SB | alt=Mile 93 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/maytown-i-5-southbound | email= | address= | lat=46.87109 | long=-122.9703 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-06-02 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables and visitors info. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} ====[[Seattle|Seattle Metropolitan Area]] in [[Puget Sound|The Puget Sound Region]]==== North of Olympia the interstate enters the large conurbation of cities in Thurston, Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. This section is multi-lane (3 to 5) in both directions and is busy with traffic at nearly all times of the day. If at all possible avoid driving at peak commuter times. Some drivers may be tempted to take Interstate 405 through Bellevue as an alternate route, but check traffic conditions before doing so as it is often even worse for traffic congestion than Interstate 5. * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Tumwater]] | alt=Exits 99-103 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.0072 | long=-122.9096 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Tumwater,_Washington | image=Tumwater_pano_01.jpg | wikidata=Q1507493 | lastedit=2019-06-25 | content=Southernmost city of the Puget Sound Region and the Olympia conurbation. There are four exits to Tumwater from I-5. }} :* {{listing | name=Trosper Rd SW | alt=Exit #102 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-25 | content=There are multiple places for [[Tumwater#Sleep|Lodging]], fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Costco, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, etc) surrounding the I-5/Trosper Rd Jct. Trosper ends at Capitol Blvd (Old Hwy 99), which parallels I-5 along the east. Capitol Blvd goes north through Tumwater into downtown Olympia at 4th Ave. The Old Hwy 99 then follows 4th Ave (WB )/ State (EB) through downtown and along E Martin Way through the eastside of Olympia and Lacey towards the Nisqually Tideflats at Exit 116. Going south/southeast on Capitol Blvd it becomes Old Hwy 99 SE towards Tenino. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing|name=Desuchutes Way |alt=Exit 103|lat=|long=|content=Access from northbound lanes only}} * {{listing | name=[[Olympia (Washington)|Olympia]] | alt=Exits 104-108 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.0357 | long=-122.9048 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Olympia,_Washington | image=2009-0606-WashingtonStateCapitol.jpg | wikidata=Q42735 | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=The capital of Washington offers an unusually large and active arts and music scene for a city of its size, and its identity as a city remains distinct despite strong influences from Seattle, Tacoma and Everett to the north and from Portland/Vancouver to the south. Olympia is somewhat of a breeding ground for Pacific Northwest alternative culture having spawned or influenced many of the region's better-known personalities. North of Exit #104 (US-101) I-5 curves eastward and become an east-west highway through Olympia, Lacey and Joint Base Lewis McChord where it curves northwards again. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:US 101.svg|25px]] North [[Aberdeen_(Washington)|Aberdeen]] [[Port Angeles]] | alt=Exit 104 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.020982 | long=-122.906404 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=U.S. Route 101 in Washington | wikidata=Q410892 | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=US 101 begins/ends here. It goes west from I-5 to the third exit where US 101 exit off to the right and goes north towards [[Shelton_(Washington)|Shelton]] and around the [[Olympic Peninsula]] via [[Port Angeles]]. The highway itself continues west as [[File:WA-8.svg|25px]] towards [[Aberdeen (Washington)|Aberdeen]] from the US Hwy 101 turnoff. There are two additional local exits to Olympia along US Hwy 101 between I-5 and where US Hwy 101 goes north towards Shelton. }} :* {{listing | name=City Center, State Capitol, Port of Olympia | alt=Exit 105 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Closet exit to downtown, the state capitol and the Port of Olympia (via downtown) from both directions. }} :* {{listing | name=Pacific Ave Se | alt=Exit 107 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Prior to 1936 (before Martin Way was built) the old Highway 99 follows Pacific Ave SE from Lacey into downtown Olympia. Once in downtown Olympia the old Hwy 99 goes along State Ave (WB) / 4th Ave (EB) to Capitol Way S. It goes south through town as Capitol Way S and become Capital Blvd in Tumwater.. Going east from here, Pacific Ave SE goes through Lacey and around St Claire as Old Pacific Hwy SE & Nisqually Rd SE to Exit 116 of I-5 in the Nisqually tideflats. After E Martin Way was built in 1936 the old Hwy 99 was re-routed to E Martin Way from between its intersection with Pacific Ave and 4th Ave /State Ave, across town, to the Nisqually tide flats (Exit 116 at I-5). }} :* {{listing | name=Sleater Kinney Rd/College St | alt=Exit 108 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=access to [https://www.stmartin.edu/ St Martins College]. }} * {{listing | name=[[Lacey]] | alt=Exits 109-116 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.0487 | long=-122.819 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lacey,_Washington | wikidata=Q970086 | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=Suburban city northeast of Olympia. I-5 goes east-west through Lacey, from Olympia to the Nisqually River at the Pierce/Thurston County line. }} * {{listing | name=Dupont | alt=Exits 116 & 119 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.0879 | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=DuPont, Washington | image=Dupont, WA 06.jpg | wikidata=Q128112 | lastedit=2022-07-13 | content= }} Due to long term construction activities along the freeway, through Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), from Center Dr (Exit #118) to Gravelly Lake #134 the speed limit is reduced to 50 mph. Exits into local side streets may of changed so follow signs closely and prepare for heavy traffic of less than 50 mph going through this area. There are limited or no access through JBLM to reach other surface roads in adjacent civilian areas. * {{listing | name=Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) | alt=Ft Lewis & McChord AFB, Exits 120-125 | url=https://home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord/ | email= | address= | lat=47.1087 | long=-122.5549 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Joint_Base_Lewis–McChord | image=62nd_AW_C-17_loading_Army_personnel_from_Fort_Lewis.jpg | wikidata=Q999280 | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=a U.S. military installation home to I Corps and 62d Airlift Wing 9.1 miles (14.6 km) south-southwest of Tacoma under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Headquarters, Joint Base Lewis–McChord. Joint Base Lewis–McChord is a training and mobilization center for all services and is the only Army power projection base west of the Rocky Mountains in the Continental United States. Its geographic location provides rapid access to the deep water ports of Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle for deploying equipment. There is a '''visitors center''' off Exit #120, and another one at Exit #125. A valid DoD ID card or visitor pass is required to enter the installation and is checked for by military police on the roads going into the military base. ID is also checked for those going into the military base by public transportation. There is a gas station and a series of restaurants lined up along Berkeley Ave in Tilicum, outside the military base, and are accessible from Exit #122 {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=Lakewood | alt=Exits 122-127 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.1471 | long=-122.5046 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lakewood, Washington | image=Lakewood, WA - BNSF bridge over Interstate 5.jpg | wikidata=Q983791 | content=Suburban city southwest of Tacoma with a high number of US military personnel and their families living there due to its proximity to JBLM. I-5 goes east-west between Olympia and SR-512. }} :* {{listing | name=Berkely St Madigan | alt=Exit 122A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-13 | content=Exit 122A & B are connected to each other by Union Ave SW (local street) along the west of I-5. This access the local Lakewood neighborhood north/east of I-5 by American Lake and the front gate of Camp Murray National Guard Base. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=Thorne Lake JBLM Logistics | alt=Exit 122B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-13 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Gravelly Lake Dr Sw | alt=Exit #124 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-20 | content=The old Hwy 99 follows Pacific Hwy Sw from its intersection with Gravelly Lake Dr (Exit 124) into Tacoma. After crossing the SR-512 intersection the same road becomes S Tacoma Way the rest of the way north. After passing S 38th St, S Tacoma Way curves to the right (east) and becomes E 26th after crossing Pacific Ave. E 26th goes by the Tacoma Dome and ends at its intersection with E Puyallup Ave. The old Hwy 99 follows Puyallup Ave as Pacific Hwy into Fife where it becomes SR-99 the rest of the way to Seattle. {{fuel-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=Bridgeport Way | alt=Exit 125 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-13 | content=Bridgeport is the most direct route into Lakewood Town Center (closest thing to a 'downtown Lakewood'). Bridgeport continues north through University Place, from Lakewood, and becomes S Jackson St in Tacoma where one can access Hwy 16 going into [[Gig Harbor]] without going into the I-5/SR-16 in in Tacoma if coming from the south. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-512.svg|25px]] South Tacoma Way | alt=Exit 127 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=SR 512 goes east towards [[Puyallup]] home of the Western Washington State Fair. It goes around Puyallup and continues northwards as SR-167 towards Renton. Second exit from I-5 going east is SR 7 which is the road leading towards [https://www.plu.edu Pacific Lutheran University] and [[Mount Rainier]]. Going west, SR-512 ends at Pacific Hwy/South Tacoma Way (Old Hwy 99). {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}}. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Tacoma]] | alt=Exits 127-135 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.2554 | long=-122.4418 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Tacoma, Washington | image=Tacoma skyline behind East 21st Street Bridge.jpg | wikidata=Q199797 | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=Washington's second largest city and formerly all industrial. The city center has been beautified, and the city now offers attractions such as the famous [https://www.americascarmuseum.org/ America's Car Museum], [https://www.museumofglass.org/ Museum of Glass], [https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance-park/ Point Defiance Park], and the [http://www.washingtonhistory.org/ Washington State History Museum]. There are seven exits to Tacoma from I-5. }} :* {{listing | name=S 84th St | alt=Exit 128 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-13 | content=The exit is only accessible from the ''northbound'' lanes which goes into S Hosmer/S Steele St (a north-south road). Go left (north) on Hosmer to get to S 84th or right (south) on Steele to get to SR-512. There are a series of [[Tacoma#South Tacoma| hotels/motels]] (of 'South Tacoma') along this road from the 7200-9000 block which are also accessible from S 72nd/74th (next north) via S Hosmer. Entry into the freeway is only onto the southbound lanes from here. (see 'South Tacoma' under 'Sleep' in the Tacoma article for a list of hotels). {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[Tacoma#Sleep|S 72nd St / S 74th St]] | alt=Exit 129 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-09 | content=A local east/west street in South Tacoma where there are multiple places for [[Tacoma#South Tacoma|Lodging]] (in 'South Tacoma'), single Valero Gas Station for fuel and Tacoma Place for [[Tacoma#Buy|food]] (Apple Bee's, Dairy Queen, Famous Dave's BBQ, Olive Garden, Pho Ever, Popeye's, Shari's, Starbucks, Subway, WinCo, etc). {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=S 56th St University Place | alt=Exit 130 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content={{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}}. }} Due to long term construction activities along the freeway from S 38th through Fife the I-5/SR-16 interchange, the adjacent exit configurations and the freeway lane alignments between Exits 137A-B through 132 are subject to change. Speed limit through this segment is 50 mph. Follow signs closely and prepare for heavy traffic of less than 50 mph through this area. :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-16.svg|25px]] West [[Gig Harbor]] [[Bremerton]]; S 38th St west Tacoma Mall | alt=Exit 132 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/TNBTolling/tnbtollrates.htm | email= | address= | lat=47.229673 | long=-122.460114 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Washington State Route 16 | image=I-5_southbound_from_McKinley_Way_in_Tacoma_(20248941025).jpg | wikidata=Q835385 | lastedit=2019-06-05 | content=SR 16 provides additional access to Tacoma before crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to [[Gig Harbor]] in the [[Kitsap Peninsula]] and continues north to [[Bremerton]]. There is a toll to cross the Narrows Bridge coming to Tacoma from Gig Harbor (south-east direction) but NOT for going into the Kitsap Peninsula. Access to S 38th St, the location of [[Tacoma#Buy|Tacoma Mall]] and the surrounding retail venues, is also the same as SR-16 from both directions. Follow signs closely. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-705.svg|25px]] North to City Center & E 26th to Tacoma Dome, [[File:WA-7.svg|25px]] South (to East Tacoma via Pacific Hwy) | alt=Exit 133 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.2334 | long=-122.432 | directions=Signed as "City Center" | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Interstate 705 | image=I-705_approaching_WA-509.jpg | wikidata=Q743669 | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=I-705 connects I-5 at Exit 132/133 to downtown Tacoma and the Tacoma Dome (first exit to E 26th). Going north of downtown Tacoma the road becomes Schuster Pkwy (40 mph) which goes into Old Town Tacoma (N 30th St & Schuster Pkwy) where it becomes N Ruston Way along the waterfront at much slower speeds (20 mph), towards Point Defiance Park and Point Defiance Ferry Terminal to Vashon Island. Going south SR-7 ends at S 38th St to access the south and east neighborhoods. SR-7 continues south along Pacific Hwy towards Mt Rainier. Old Hwy 99 crosses under I-705 as E 26th St and becomes S Tacoma Way west of its intersection with Pacific Hwy. The Old Hwy 99 follows S Tacoma Way/Pacific SW to its intersection with Gravelly Lake at Exit 124 of I-5. Going the other way (east) E 26th goes by the Tacoma Dome and end its intersection with E Puyallup Ave. Old Hwy 99 follows E Puyallup Ave (Pacific Hwy after crossing Puyallup River) into Fife where it becomes SR-99 (Pacific Hwy). ({{food-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} in downtown Tacoma, around the Tacoma Dome and along Ruston Way, The [[File:MUTCD_I-6.svg|25px]], [[File:MUTCD_I-7.svg|25px]] are [[Tacoma#By bus|along E Puyallup Ave]], are accessed from E 26th St from I-705 or Portland Ave at Exit 134 of I-5). }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Fife_(Washington)|Fife]] | alt=Exits 136 (Port of Tacoma Rd) & 137 (54th St E) | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.2410 | long=-122.3570 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Fife,_Washington | wikidata=Q1510211 | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=Suburban and industrial city northeast of Tacoma. I-5 goes east-west from SR 16 in Tacoma, through Fife, to the Pierce/King County line at the "Fife Curves". There are two exits to Fife. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-99.svg|25px]] North 54th Ave E Fife | alt=Exit #137 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Washington State Route 99#Fife_to_SeaTac | wikidata=Q837100 | lastedit=2019-06-25 | content=SR-99 officially begins from 54th Ave E & Pacific Hwy which runs parallel north/west of I-5 from Fife through Federal Way, Des Moines, SeaTac (and airport) and breaks at its junction with SR-518 in Tukwila/SeaTac. The road continues north through Tukwila as International Blvd to its junction with SR-599 where become Hwy 99 once again. There are numerous stores, strip malls, restaurants and hotels/motels along the SR-99 corridor which can be accessed from multiple exits along the I-5 corridor. Going towards Tacoma the Old Hwy 99 continues west on Pacific Hwy which becomes Puyallup Ave after crossing the Puyallup River in Tacoma. ({{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing|name=Port of Tacoma Rd/20th Ave E|alt=Exit 136|lat=|long=|content=Access from the southbound lanes only}} ::* {{listing|name=20th Ave E|alt=Exit 136A |lat=|long=|content=Access from northbound lanes only.}} ::* {{listing|name=Port of Taomca E|alt=Exit 136B |lat=|long=|content=Access from northbound lanes only.}} * {{listing | type=go | name=SeaTac Rest Stop I-5 NB | alt=Mile 140 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/seatac-i-5-northbound | | lat=47.2711 | long=-122.3145 | directions= | lastedit=2019-07-13 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Federal Way]] | alt=Exits 142B-147 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.3152 | long=-122.2976 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Federal_Way,_Washington | image=Federal Way Transit Center Clock Skyline.png | wikidata=Q821112 | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=Federal Way is a suburban city of 90,000 inhabitants and is home to World Vision and Weyerhaeuser. There are three exits to Federal Way. The marker for Federal Way is at S 320th which is the location of the Federal Way commons and the surrounding retail venues, restaurants and hotels (core area of Federal Way and the closest thing to a 'downtown') {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-18.svg|25px]] East [[Auburn_(Washington)|Auburn]]; West S 348th St | alt=Exit 142A & 142B | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.2897 | long=-122.3065 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Washington State Route 18 | image=I-5_south_at_WA-18,_Federal_Way.jpg | wikidata=Q835776 | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=Connects I-5 to [[Auburn_(Washington)|Auburn]], Maple Valley and Covington in the southeast part of [[King County]]. SR 18 ends at Exit #25 of I-90 in [[North Bend_(Washington)|North Bend]]. If coming from Federal Way or anywhere south and going east towards Spokane on I-90 this would be the route take without going through Seattle and Bellevue. SR-18 continues west to Pacific Hwy (SR 99) in Federal Way (accessed from 142B from both directions towards S 348th St). The same road continues west of Pacific Hwy as S 348th St at slower speeds. If merging in from SR-18 to I-5 southbound the road spits between I-5 southbound and Enchanted Pkwy (SR-161). }} :* {{listing|name=S 320th St|alt=Exit 143|lat=|long=}} Serves as the major east-west arterial route through Federal Way. :* {{listing|name=S 317th St|alt= |lat=|long=}} Accessible only to carpools (of 2 or more); buses and mopeds. Exit and merging ramps are on left side in both directions. Yes they do check for violators of the carpool only rule. :* {{listing|name=S 272nd St|alt=Exit 147|lat=|long=}} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:WA-516.svg|25px]] Kent-Des Moines Hwy | alt=Exits 149 (SB side); 149A & 149B (NB side) | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-30 | content=Local east-west highway, crossing under I-5, connecting Des Moines in the west to [[Kent_(Washington)|Kent]] in the east. }} * {{listing | name=[[Tukwila]] and [[SeaTac|Sea-Tac]] | alt=Exits 151-156 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-20 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=S 200th St, Military Rd | alt=Exit 151 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content= }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] S 188th St - Orilla Rd S | alt=Exit 152 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-09 | content=Another way to access the airport in [[SeaTac]]. There's a gas station to fill up the tank before returning a rental car and a Motel 6 S 188th St. Going the other direction the road winds down into Kent Valley as Orilla Rd S. Additional hotels are further in along International Blvd. {{lodging-icon}} {{fuel-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[Tukwila#Buy|Southcenter]] | alt=Exit 153 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-17 | content=Access into Southcenter Mall from the northbound lanes. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-405.svg|25px]] North [[Bellevue]]; [[File:WA-518.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] West [[SeaTac]] | alt=Exit 154 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.4623 | long=-122.2644 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=Interstate 405 serves a local auxillary/by-pass highway that continues {{mile|32}} around Lake Washington through the eastside cities of [[Renton]], Newcastle, [[Bellevue]], [[Kirkland]], [[Bothell]], [[Woodinville]] and [[Redmond_(Washington)|Redmond]] (via SR-520 at Exit 14 in Bellevue). It rejoins I-5 at Exit 182 in [[Lynnwood]]. Additional connections to Seattle from I-405, across Lake Washington, can be made through I-90 and SR-520 and around the north shores of Lake Washington, on Lake City Way (SR 522) through Bothell, Lake City and Northgate. Going west, I-405 becomes SR-518 towards [[Burien]] and {{marker|type=go|name=[[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]|url=|lat=47.4435 | long=-122.3023}}. The airport can also be accessed from S 188th St from Exit #152. This off-ramp from the northbound lanes of I-5 splits between I-405 north and SR-518 west. Access from the northbound lanes only. After exiting the off-ramp splits again with one lane going west into SR-518 and the other lane going east onto I-405. }} ::* {{listing | name=[[File:I-405.svg|25px]] [[Renton]] | alt=Exit 154A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Access to I-405 from the southbound lanes only. Access from the left side. }} ::* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-518.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] SeaTac Airport Southcenter | alt=Exit 154B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Access from the southbound lanes only on the right side. After exiting I-5 the offramp splits again with one lane going towards Southcenter Blvd and the other lane getting on SR-518 towards the airport and [[Burien]]. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-599.svg|25px]] [[Tukwila]] (NB); Interurban Ave (SB) | alt=Exit 156 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.4842 | long=-122.2733 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Washington State Route 99#Seattle_and_Aurora_Avenue | image=Duwamish_River_at_South_Park.jpg | wikidata=Q837100 | lastedit=2019-06-27 | content=Access to SR-599 is only accessible from the northbound (NB) lanes. From the southbound (SB) lanes Exit 156 only goes into Interurban Ave, a local street through [[Tukwila]]. SR-599 becomes [[File:WA-99.svg|25px]] at its junction with Tukwila International Blvd. It continues north through [[Seattle/Sodo-Georgetown|Sodo/Georgetown]] along the Duwamish River and under downtown Seattle through the Viaduct Tunnel. From north of downtown Seattle, WA-Hwy 99 goes up through [[Seattle/Ballard|Ballard]] and [[Seattle/North|North Seattle]] as N Aurora Ave. It's also another way to reach West Seattle and Whitecenter from the south at the SR 99/509 junction via Highland Park Way SW. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Seattle]] | alt=Exits 157-175 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=By far the largest city in the region and in the state. It is the heart of a vibrant metropolitan area and a major tourist destination. There are 18 exits to Seattle proper from the I-5 corridor. }} :* {{listing | type=listing | name=Airport Way / E Marginal Way | alt=Exit 158 | url= | address= | lat=47.5078 | long=-122.2815 | directions=| wikipedia=Boeing_Field | image=King_County_International_Airport.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-27 | content=Access to Boeing Field/King County Airport and The [https://www.museumofflight.org/ Museum of Flight] and to Rainier Valley in South Seattle on Ryan Ave. }} :* {{listing | name=[[Seattle/West Seattle|West Seattle Bridge]] & [[Seattle/South|Beacon Hill]] | alt=Exits 163 & 163A | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.57164 | long=-122.32031 | directions=Just south of downtown Seattle | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=West_Seattle_Bridge_from_12th_Ave_S_Viewpoint_01_-_cropped.jpg | lastedit=2016-03-30 | content=West Seattle Bridge closed for repairs. Go on SR-599 from Exit 156 to get to West Seattle. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:I-90.svg|25px]] East; James St & Deerborne St in Downtown Seattle | alt=Exits 164 & 164A | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.59415 | long=-122.32064 | directions=Just south of downtown Seattle | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Safeco_Field_and_CenturyLink_Field_in_Seattle,_WA.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=Interstate 90 is the longest interstate in the country, traveling approximately {{mi|3020}} from Seattle in the west to [[Boston]] in the east. It is the most convenient route for travelers going to [[Palouse (Washington)|Eastern Washington]] and [[Northern Idaho]] and another way to cross Lake Washington (without toll) from Seattle to [[Bellevue]] and [[Mercer Island]] locally. The off ramp from the northbound lanes is at Exit #164A. From the southbound lanes the freeway splits with the two left lanes (Exit #164) going towards "Bellevue & Spokane" via I-90 while the two right lanes continue south towards "Tacoma & Portland". }} :* {{listing | name=E Martinez Dr | alt=164B | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-21 | content=Goes onto I-90 West towards its west end at T-Mobile Field. The road forks to the right towards 4th Ave at Century Link Field at Royal Brougham and to S third, south of T-Mobile Field ([[File:MUTCD_I-9.svg|25px]]). }} :* {{listing | name=[[Seattle/Downtown|Downtown Seattle]] & [[Seattle/Capitol_Hill-Central_District|Capitol Hill]] | alt=Exits 165 - 168A | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Just south of downtown Seattle | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Seattle_Skyline_WSB.jpg | lastedit=2016-03-30 | content=The Seneca St exit is at the left (#165) while the Olive St exit is to the right (#166). Exit 168A also goes into the Capital Neighborhood via Lakeview Blvd E. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-520.svg|25px]] Toll Bridge to [[Bellevue]] [[Kirkland]] | alt=Exit 168B | url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/520/520tollrates.htm | email= | address= | lat=47.64203 | long=-122.32395 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | image=Aerial_520_Bridge_August_2009.JPG | price=Toll varies from $0 (Midnight to 5AM) to $5.55 (peak weekday travel times) | lastedit=2016-03-30 | content=SR-520 crosses Lake Washington into [[Kirkland]] & [[Redmond (Washington)|Redmond]] (Home of Microsoft). There's a toll to go across the bridge in both directions. Rather than setting up toll booths to collect toll cameras are installed to read the "Good to Go" tags on the windshields and the license plates of passing vehicles and deduct the toll from the pre-paid account behind the "Good to Go" tag. If there's no money on deposit or no tags installed a bill (for the toll) is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. }} :* {{listing | name=NE 45th St | alt=Exit 169 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.6613 | long=-122.322 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Udistrict1.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-08 | content=Access to [[Seattle/University_District|University District]] (to the east) the home of [https://www.washington.edu University of Washington] and [[Seattle/Fremont|Fremont-Wallingford]] (to the west). }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Edmonds]]/SR-104 | alt=Exit 177 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.7778 | long=-122.3179 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Edmonds, Washington | image=Washington_State_Ferry_6428.JPG | wikidata=Q1055845 | lastedit=2016-03-30 | content=SR-104 goes west into the Edmonds Ferry Terminal with ferries going to Kingston }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Lynnwood]] | alt=Exits 178-181 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Lynnwood, Washington | image=Interstate_5_northbound_in_Lynnwood,_WA.jpg | wikidata=Q852607 | lastedit=2016-03-30 | content=There are three exits through Lynnwood }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=I-405/SR-525 | alt=Exit 182 | url= | lat=47.8318 | long=-122.2627 | directions=| lastedit=2016-03-30 | content=Jct I-405 from Exit 182 to get to [[Woodinville]], [[Bothell]], [[Kirkland]], [[Bellevue]] and [[Renton]] east of Lake Washington. Rejoins I-5, 30 mi south at Exit #154. I-405 becomes SR-525 west of I-5 going towards the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal via Paine Field . }} * {{go | name=Silver Lake Rest Stop I-5 SB | alt=Mile 188 | url=https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/silver-lake-i-5-southbound | email= | address= | lat=47.9024 | long=-122.2155 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-09-21 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station {{toilet-icon}}. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Everett_(Washington)|Everett]] | alt=Exits 186-198 | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.9781 | long=-122.2090 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Everett, Washington | image=Everett Station and Everett skyline, April 2020.jpg | wikidata=Q392599 | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=Everett is home to the largest public marina on the west coast of the United States and the assembly plant for the large Boeing 747, 767, 777 and the Dreamliner (787) jumbo jets which is open for public tours. Everett is accessed from exits #186 (128th St SW) through #198 (WA-529 West Broadway) along I-5, there are 6 exits to Everett. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-526.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] West Mukilteo-Whidbey Island Ferry / [[File:WA-527.svg|25px]] to [[File:WA-99.svg|25px]] Everett Mall Way | alt=Exit 189 | url=https://www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/scheduledetailbyroute.aspx?route=muk-cl | email= | address= | lat=47.918 | long=-122.207 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Washington_State_Route_99#Shoreline_and_Snohomish_County | image=Everett_Mall_Way_(SR_99)_northbound_at_4th_Avenue,_Everett.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-30 | content=SR-526 goes west towards [[Mukilteo]] and the [[Everett_(Washington)#By plane|Paine Field Airport]]. SR-99 begins from its intersection with SR-526 and Broadway, going southwest through Everett Mall, south Everett, Lynnwood, Aurora Village, Shoreline and into North Seattle as SE Everett Mall Way, Evergreen Way, Pacific Hwy and Aurora. There are numerous stores, strip malls, restaurants and hotels/motels along the SR-99 corridor which can be accessed from multiple exits along the I-5 corridor. Going north from the SR-526 interchange, SE Everett Mall Way becomes Broadway (old Hwy 99) which is a major north south corridor through Everett. }} :* {{listing | name=Broadway & 41st Ave | alt=Exit 192 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=US_2_eastbound_near_Everett.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=Local access to south of Everett via 41st Ave which crosses over the freeway. Go west to get to Broadway. Accessible from both directions and goes by Evergreen Cemetery. }} :* {{listing | name=To [[File:WA-529.svg|25px]] Pacific Ave City Center | alt=Exit 193 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=US_2_eastbound_near_Everett.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=Direct and closest access into downtown Everett and the downtown [[Everett_(Washington)#By bus|Everett Station]] [[File:MUTCD_I-6.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-7.svg|25px]] . }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:US 2.svg|25px]] [[Snohomish]] & [[Wenatchee]] | alt=Exit 194 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long=| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=US_2_eastbound_near_Everett.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=US-2 goes east to [[Leavenworth (Washington)|Leavenworth]] and [[Wenatchee]] in the [[North Central Cascades]] or go west into downtown Everett on Pacific Ave. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-529.svg|25px]] South Broadway & Port of Everett | alt=Exit 198 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long=| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Washington_State_Route_529 | image=Snohomish_River_Bridge_on_SR_529_in_2009.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-30 | content=The 'Old Hwy 99' continues from State St in Marysville into Everett where it continues south as Broadway which is the main north-south corridor through Everett. It continues south towards Seattle as SR-99 from its intersection with SR-526 (Exit 189) at Everett Mall as SE Everett Mall Way and Evergreen Way. This exit is only accessible from the southbound lanes. SR-529 goes around town as W Marine View Dr and east towards Jct US Hwy 2 as Everett Ave (Exit 194). }} * {{listing | name=[[File:WA-528.svg|25px]] [[Marysville_(Washington)|Marysville]] Tulalip | alt=Exit 199 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Washington_State_Route_529 | image=Snohomish_River_Bridge_on_SR_529_in_2009.jpg | lastedit=2019-06-30 | content=SR 528 goes east-west connecting the Tulalip Indian Reservation to Marysville. It goes west from I-5 as Marine Dr and east into downtown Marysville as 4th Ave. 'Old Hwy 99' goes north-south through downtown Marysville as State St and becomes Smokey Point Blvd north of town along I-5 to SR-530 at Exit 212 where it rejoins I-5. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Smokey Point Rest Stop I-5 NB | alt=Mile 207 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/smokey-point-i-5-northbound | email= | address= | lat=48.1688 | long=-122.1888 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-05-03 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Smokey Point Rest Stop I-5 SB | alt=Mile 207 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/smokey-point-i-5-southbound | email= | address= | lat=48.1691 | long=-122.1943 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-05-03 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station {{toilet-icon}} }} ====[[Northwest Cascades]]==== * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:WA-530.svg|25px]] Arlington Darrington | alt=Exit 208 | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.2387 | long=-122.2408 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=Old Hwy 99 follows along Smokey Point Blvd, parallel along the east side of I-5, into Marysville where it becomes State St. The old Hwy 99 crosses over I-5 into Everett from Marysville as SR-529 at Exit 198 (southbound access only).{{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[File:WA-532.svg|25px]] West Stanwood [[Camano Island]] | alt=Exit 212 | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.2387 | long=-122.2408 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content= }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Mount Vernon_(Washington)|Mt Vernon]] | alt=Exits 224-227 | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.42 | long=-122.326111 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Mount_Vernon,_Washington | image=Tulips_-_Mount_Vernon,_Washington_State.jpg | wikidata=Q866311 | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=County seat and primary city of Skagit County, Washington that was voted "#1 Best Small City in America" in 1998 by the New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities. It is known for its annual ''Tulip Festival'' in April. }} :* {{listing | name=Old Hwy 99 South Rd | alt=Exit 224 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-10-31 | content=The Old Hwy 99 follows along "Old Hwy 99 South Rd", parallel along the west side of I-5, enters into downtown Mount Vernon where it splits into S 2nd St (northbound)/3rd St (southbound). The old Hwy 99 crosses over I-5 north of downtown Mt Vernon and become N 4th St & Riverside along the east side of I-5. It crosses over the Skagit River and goes through Burlington as Burlington Blvd to the SR 11 junction with I-5 at Exit 231. But the road continues another {{mile|11}} north to Null Rd at Exit #242 as "Old Hwy 99 North Rd". This exit is only accessible from the northbound lanes only. }} :* {{listing | name=Anderson Rd | alt=Exit 225 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-31 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=Broad Rd | alt=Exit 226 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-10-31 | content=Direct access into downtown Mount Vernon and the [[Mount Vernon_(Washington)#By bus|Mt Vernon Transportation Center]] for Amtrak, Greyhound and Skagit Transit 105 E Kincaid. [[File:MUTCD_I-6.svg|25px]] [[File:MUTCD_I-7.svg|25px]]. }} * {{listing | type=listing | name=[[Burlington_(Washington)|Burlington]] | alt=Exits 229-231 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Burlington,_Washington | image=Burlington_WV_banner.jpg | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=There are three exits in Burlington. }} :* {{listing | name=George Hopper Rd | alt=Exit 229 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-02 | content=Local & "big box" shopping outlets such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart Supercenter, etc are located off this exit. Old Hwy 99 is Burlington Blvd, a local throughfare through Burlington and is accessible from this exit. {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-20.svg|25px]] [[Burlington_(Washington)|Burlington]] [[Anacortes]] | alt=Exit 230 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-02 | content=SR-20 goes west to Anacortes, the [[San Juan Islands|San Juan Ferry Terminal]] and [[Whidbey Island]] through Deception Pass and east to [[Okanogan]] through the [[North Cascades National Park]] (also be sure to see more on [[The North Cascade Loop]] itinerary article as to what else is there to do and see there). {{food-icon}} {{fuel-icon}} {{lodging-icon}}. }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-11.svg|25px]] Chuckanut Dr & Bow-Edison | alt=Exit 231 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-02 | content=Going north the Old Hwy 99 follows Chuckanut Dr (SR-11) along the shores of Bellingham Bay into Bellingham. Going South the Old Hwy 99 goes back into Burlington as Burlington Blvd, crosses the Skagit River and becomes N Riverside Dr to go into Mt Vernon. }} * {{listing | name=[[Bellingham_(Washington)|Bellingham]] | alt=Exits 250-258 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bellingham,_Washington | image=Bellingham_Banner.jpg | wikidata=Q430267 | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=The home of Western Washington University, the departure point for the Alaska Ferry going up to SE Alaska, and the largest city in this part of the state. It was an industrial town based on coal mining and timber and is now more environmentally conscious culture with environmentally friendly practices, such as recycling and the gateway to outdoor activities. Activities range from skiing on nearby Mt. Baker to whale watching near the San Juan Islands. Downtown exits are at 'Lakeway Dr' (exit 253) and 'State Iowa Streets' (exit 254). }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-11.svg|25px]] Old Fairhaven Pkwy, Chuckanut Dr | alt=Exit 250 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=Go west from here into the Fairhaven neighborhood where the {{marker|type=go|name=Bellingham Cruise and Ferry Terminals|url=https://www.portofbellingham.com/495/Bellingham-Cruise-Terminal|lat=48.7213 | long=-122.5115}} are at. The terminal serves as a ferry terminal for the [[Alaska_Marine_Highway|Alaska Ferries]], and as Amtrak and Greyhound stations. Chuckanut Dr (old Hwy 99) (begins south of S 12th & Old Fairhaven Pkwy) and wind its way into Burlington (Exit 231) through Larrabbee State Park. Going north the old Hwy 99 follows S State St (along water front), becomes 'Boulevard' and goes through downtown as N Forest St (N/E bound) and N State St (S/W bound) to Iowa St. }} :* {{listing | name=Samish Way, Western Washington University | alt=Exit 252| url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-22 | content=Access from ''northbound'' lanes only. Return to freeway to ''southbound'' only. }} :* {{listing | name=Lakeway Dr | alt=Exit 253| url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-22 | content= }} :* {{listing | name=State St Iowa St| alt=Exit 254| url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-22 | content=State and Iowa Streets streets are like main street through downtown Bellingham. Going south the old Hwy 99 follows S State St (along water front), becomes 'Boulevard' and goes into Fairhaven as S 11th & 12th St }} :* {{listing | name=[[File:WA-539.svg|25px]] Meridian St, Bellis Fair - Mall Pkwy| alt=Exit 256 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-06-07 | content=Connects directly to the [[Lynden]]-[[Langley (British Columbia)|Aldergrove]] border crossing, where it becomes BC-13 in Canada. Also provides access to SR-546 near Lynden, which gives access to the [[Sumas]]-[[Abbotsford|Huntingdon]] border crossing. See ''[[Northwest Cascades#By car]]'' for more Canada-United States border crossing information. }} :* {{listing | name=Northwest Ave | alt=Exit 257| url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-22 | content= }} :* {{go | name=[[File:MUTCD_I-5.svg|25px]] [[Bellingham_(Washington)#By plane|Bakerview Road Bellingham International Airport]] | alt=Exit 258 | url=https://www.portofbellingham.com/888/Airport | email= | address= | lat=48.79546 | long=-122.53302 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Bellingham International Airport | wikidata=Q1657287 | content=Location of Bellingham International Airport, {{mile|4.5}} north/northwest of downtown, west of the freeway via Airport Rd and Airport Way from this exit. }} * {{listing | name=[[Ferndale_(Washington)|Ferndale]] | alt=Exits 262 & 263 | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-04-02 | content=Two exits to access Ferndale from both directions. }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Custer Rest Area I-5 NB | alt=Mile 267 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/custer-i-5-northbound | email= | address= | lat=48.9091279 | long=-122.622030442 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-05-03 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitor info, and vending machines. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | type=go | name=Custer Rest Area I-5 SB | alt=Mile 269 | url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/safety/rest-areas/custer-i-5-southbound | email= | address= | lat=48.9266689 | long=-122.646182122 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-05-03 | content=Restrooms, water, picnic tables, vending machines and electrical vehicle charging station. No RV sanitation station. {{toilet-icon}} }} * {{listing | name=[[Blaine]] | alt=Exits 270-276 | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.997859 | long=-122.752640 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-01-15 | content=Trucks & buses exit off at SR-543 (Second to the last at Exit #275) and cross through a separate checkpoint, 5 mi (8 km) east of the I-5/BC-99 crossing at Peace Arch Park for going in both directions. SR-543 becomes BC-15 after crossing into Canada. There are 4 exits in Blaine. }} ==Stay safe== When on the road, most of the journey is straightforward freeway driving. If it is winter, it is wise to check the weather conditions at the [https://www.tripcheck.com/TextPages/RCreport.asp?curRegion=7 Siskiyou pass] before crossing the border from California into Oregon. Snowy conditions are not uncommon, and officials usually close the road if things become too dangerous. A closure can be waited out in the Shasta or Redding area on the California side, or Ashland and Medford on the Oregon side. It is also possible to detour along the coast. == Alternative routes == Alternatives for traveling north/south through California include US-Hwy 101, [[El Camino Real]] and the [[Pacific Coast Highway]] in the west, or US-Hwy 395 along the [[Eastern Sierra]] and east of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington. All of these are more scenic and interesting routes but are much longer and slower and are more of a journey to experience than just for getting from A to B. SR-99, US-395, US-Hwy 101 and Old Hwy 99/Pacific Hwy are also local streets/roads at slower speeds through some of the cities and towns they pass through. In some places the de-commissioned "Old Hwy 99" can have a different local street name rather than "Pacific Hwy" or "Old Highway 99". ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=I-5.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Whistler]] | minorl1=[[Vancouver]] ← becomes [[File:BC-99.svg|16px|link=]] ← [[File:Aiga immigration.svg|18px]] (Peace Arch Park) | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Seattle]] | minorr1=[[Ferndale_(Washington)|Ferndale]] → [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]] | image2=I-5.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=[[Los Angeles]] | minorl2=[[San Diego]] ← [[Chula Vista]] | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Ensenada]] | minorr2=([[San Ysidro]]) [[File:Aiga immigration.svg|18px]] → Becomes [[File:Carretera federal 1D.svg|18px]] → [[Tijuana]] }} * [[Vancouver|Vancouver, BC]] is the next stop along I-5 for northbound travelers * [[Tijuana]] and the rest of [[Baja California]] border the I-5 corridor to the south. {{usableitinerary}} {{PartOfItinerary|North America itineraries}} <maplink 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is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the Eurovelo Bicycle route 8 (EV8). ==Get around== {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} c72su61xzqncoam1p30xnvjh9k11rto 4506323 4506322 2022-08-22T17:13:18Z Kondephy 95177 /* By Bicycle */Add e6 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the Eurovelo Bicycle route 8 (EV8). === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} ggfj088jxxicmh73n6asiyoxm89ncth 4506324 4506323 2022-08-22T17:13:40Z Kondephy 95177 /* By Foot */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the Eurovelo Bicycle route 8 (EV8). === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} shxpnaka8c65rkch84pjz1d1z0z7hqc 4506327 4506324 2022-08-22T17:16:29Z Kondephy 95177 /* By Bicycle */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} dsxckizn529dl40kzk3lwbor62iibp7 4506430 4506327 2022-08-22T21:39:17Z Kondephy 95177 /* Get around */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The city spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|long=20.25918|name=International Ferry Port Terminal|image=}} in the south over the domestic terminal next to the actual city center up to the archeological museum. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} 1i5ss3reulh9ipwapawsq62vzpvdp8k 4506431 4506430 2022-08-22T21:41:45Z Kondephy 95177 /* Get around */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The city spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|long=20.25918|name=International Ferry Port Terminal|image=}} in the south over the {{Marker |lat=39.49782|long=20.26302|name=domestic terminal|image=}} next to the actual city center up to the archeological museum in the north. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} 0nm7s6cp62r2d84lvq7d1gvkgsvcrzn 4506432 4506431 2022-08-22T21:45:02Z Kondephy 95177 /* Get around */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The city spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|type=go|long=20.25918|name=International Ferry Port Terminal|image=}} in the south over the {{Marker |lat=39.49782|long=20.26302|type=go|name=domestic terminal|image=}} next to the actual city center up to the {{Marker |lat=39.51142|long=20.25882|type=see|name=archeological museum |image=}}in the north. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} cfsi75nmgm8qeosztaytg43jy32pmxb 4506435 4506432 2022-08-22T21:52:57Z Kondephy 95177 /* Get around */Add bike share wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The actual city mainly spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|type=go|long=20.25918|name=International ferry port terminal|image=}} in the south over the {{Marker |lat=39.49782|long=20.26302|type=go|name=domestic terminal|image=}} next to the actual city center up to the {{Marker |lat=39.51142|long=20.25882|type=see|name=archeological museum |image=}} in the north. ===By Foot=== You can walk all distances in town in half an hour. ===Bike Sharing=== Igoumenitsa operates a station based bike sharing system with stations at least at both ports. To register you need a credit card. You'll get a 7h free ride upon registration which is enough for a nice half day trip to Drepanos Beach (see next section) on the cycle path. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} 3rwfwwe66bop979jk1splm671az1i3y 4506437 4506435 2022-08-22T21:55:50Z Kondephy 95177 /* Bike Sharing */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The actual city mainly spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|type=go|long=20.25918|name=International ferry port terminal|image=}} in the south over the {{Marker |lat=39.49782|long=20.26302|type=go|name=domestic terminal|image=}} next to the actual city center up to the {{Marker |lat=39.51142|long=20.25882|type=see|name=archeological museum |image=}} in the north. ===By Foot=== You can walk all distances in town in half an hour. ===Bike Sharing=== Igoumenitsa operates a station based bike sharing system [https://igoumenitsa.cyclopolis.gr/ Cyclopolis] with stations at least at both ports. To register you need a credit card. You'll get a 7h free ride upon registration which is enough for a nice half day trip to Drepanos Beach (see next section) on the cycle path. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} 5dmy2gei72nzlqnfszkcuumrdje9xzj 4506438 4506437 2022-08-22T22:04:45Z Kondephy 95177 /* Bike Sharing */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The actual city mainly spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|type=go|long=20.25918|name=International ferry port terminal|image=}} in the south over the {{Marker |lat=39.49782|long=20.26302|type=go|name=domestic terminal|image=}} next to the actual city center up to the {{Marker |lat=39.51142|long=20.25882|type=see|name=archeological museum |image=}} in the north. ===By Foot=== You can walk all distances in town in half an hour. ===Bike Sharing=== Igoumenitsa operates a station based bike sharing system [https://igoumenitsa.cyclopolis.gr/ Cyclopolis] with stations at least at both ports. To register you need a credit card. You'll get a 7h free ride upon registration which is enough for a nice half day trip to Drepanos Beach (see next section) on the cycle path. ===Taxi=== [http://radiotaxi-igoumenitsa.gr/ Radio Taxi Igoumenitsa] costs 1.25€/km (as of August 2022). They also drive long distances (e.g. Athens) and to the '''Albania'''n border Mavromati/Qafë Botë (40€) or further to [[Sarandë]] for 105€. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} 0sochlkfz5e9oa7lr93jtpw68odhshj 4506439 4506438 2022-08-22T22:05:47Z Kondephy 95177 /* Do */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The actual city mainly spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|type=go|long=20.25918|name=International ferry port terminal|image=}} in the south over the {{Marker |lat=39.49782|long=20.26302|type=go|name=domestic terminal|image=}} next to the actual city center up to the {{Marker |lat=39.51142|long=20.25882|type=see|name=archeological museum |image=}} in the north. ===By Foot=== You can walk all distances in town in half an hour. ===Bike Sharing=== Igoumenitsa operates a station based bike sharing system [https://igoumenitsa.cyclopolis.gr/ Cyclopolis] with stations at least at both ports. To register you need a credit card. You'll get a 7h free ride upon registration which is enough for a nice half day trip to Drepanos Beach (see next section) on the cycle path. ===Taxi=== [http://radiotaxi-igoumenitsa.gr/ Radio Taxi Igoumenitsa] costs 1.25€/km (as of August 2022). They also drive long distances (e.g. Athens) and to the '''Albania'''n border Mavromati/Qafë Botë (40€) or further to [[Sarandë]] for 105€. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use, e.g. with bike sharing). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). A taxi is 10€. ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} bxges27bozt0tpqq1kn6gezlld4wjao 4506443 4506439 2022-08-22T22:11:35Z Kondephy 95177 /* Get around */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Igoumenitsa Banner.JPG}} [[File:Ladohori Igoumenitsa New Port.JPG|thumb|300px|Igoumenitsa New port]] '''Igoumenitsa''' is a city in [[Epirus]]. ==Understand== Igoumenitsa is a main gateway to [[Northern Greece]], being the arrival port of many ferry services from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]], [[Brindisi]], and [[Venice]] in [[Italy]]. It's also the starting point of "Egnatia Odos", a modern motorway which ends to the Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi, providing a fast access to [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Istanbul]]. With a population of around 25,000 people, Igoumenitsa is a relatively large town, close to some pleasant beaches. ==Get in== === By bus === {{Marker|type=go |lat=39.4945 |long=20.2630 |zoom=17 |name=KTEL intercity buses |image= |url=http://www.ktel-thesprotias.gr/routes}} operates 5 daily trips to/from [[Ioannina]] and 2 daily trips to/from [[Thessaloniki]]. The nearest rail hub is [[Larissa]], change bus at Ioannina to get there. Also buses to [[Parga]] (via [[Sivota]]) but no services on Saturday or Sunday. === By boat === [http://www.anek.gr ANEK Lines],[http://www.superfast.com/ Superfast Ferries] and [http://www.minoan.gr Minoan Lines] operate a daily service from [[Ancona]], [[Bari]] and [[Trieste]]. [http://www.grimaldi-lines.com Grimaldi ferries] sail from [[Brindisi]] to Igoumenitsa twice a day. There are hourly ferries to [[Corfu]] (1.5h) from where you can catch speed boats to [[Sarandë]], Albania (30min). Account for delays when choosing this option to cross from Albania to Greece or vice versa. === By Bicycle === Igoumenitsa lies on the [[EuroVelo cycling routes]] EV8. === By Foot=== Igoumenitsa is the beginning/end of the Greece section of the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6_European_long_distance_path European hiking trail E6]. ==Get around== The actual city mainly spreads 2.5km along the coast from the {{Marker |lat=39.48874|type=go|long=20.25918|name=International ferry port terminal|image=}} in the south over the {{Marker |lat=39.49782|long=20.26302|type=go|name=domestic terminal|image=}} (next to the actual city center) up to the {{Marker |lat=39.51142|long=20.25882|type=see|name=archeological museum |image=}} in the north. ===By Foot=== You can walk all distances in town in half an hour. ===Bike Sharing=== Igoumenitsa operates a station based bike sharing system [https://igoumenitsa.cyclopolis.gr/ Cyclopolis] with stations at least at both ports. To register you need a credit card. You'll get a 7h free ride upon registration which is enough for a nice half day trip to Drepanos Beach (see next section) on the cycle path. ===Taxi=== [http://radiotaxi-igoumenitsa.gr/ Radio Taxi Igoumenitsa] costs 1.25€/km (as of August 2022). They also drive long distances (e.g. Athens) and to the '''Albania'''n border Mavromati/Qafë Botë (40€) or further to [[Sarandë]] for 105€. {{mapframe}} ==See== ==Do== * Go swimming at {{Marker |lat=39.50638|long=20.22211|name=Drepanos Beach|image=}}, a long bay next to the bay of Igoumenitsa. The beach is all sand and there are multiple bars that offer sunbeds. However the beach is long enough that you can also choose a spot on your own, if you're lucky even with shadow from a tree. It's 7km from the international port terminal and 5km from the northern end of the city. As of August 2022 there is a brand new paved cycling and walking path from the end of the sea side promenade up to the camping at Drepanos beach. It's completely separated from the road (hence safe to use, e.g. with bike sharing). The last 2km next to the beach are without any shadow. There is also a bus (line 2) going to Drepanos beach once per hour (ask camping staff or people working at bars). A taxi is 10€. ==Buy== ==Eat== North of the domestic terminal there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas. ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Acropolis | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50361 | long=20.26338 | directions= | phone=+30 26650 28346 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Egnatia | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 23648 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=El Greco | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=39.50649 | long=20.26289| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Stavrodromi | alt= | url=http://www.stavrodromihotel.gr | email= | address=16, Souliou | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+30 26650 22343 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2016-02-25 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Ioannina]] * The seaside resort of {{Marker |lat=39.407 |long=20.242 |zoom=13 |name=[[Sivota]] |image=}} is just 25 km away. * [[Sarandë]] in Albania (60km) {{routebox | image1=Tabliczka E90.svg | imagesize1=30 | directionl1=W | majorl1={{flag|Europe}}{{flag|Italy}} [[Brindisi]] | minorl1=[[File:Ferry.png|20px]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Thessaloniki]] | minorr1=[[Ioannina]] }} {{IsPartOf|Epirus}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|39.5010|20.2648|zoom=15}} 6naxu7tbzfydckg49bx81e6lyrjguxy 2 148969 4506791 3961850 2022-08-23T10:56:24Z CheeseCrisps 1192928 wikitext text/x-wiki {{#babel:nl|en-4|fr-2|de-2|no-2|pt-2|es-1|cs-0}} Dutch guy.<br> Docent for [[Benelux]], [[Netherlands]] and [[Leiden]], where I live.<br>Contact me on my talk page. Visited:<br> {{flag|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]]<br> {{flag|Belgium}} [[Belgium]]<br> {{flag|Germany}} [[Germany]]<br> {{flag|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]<br> {{flag|Ireland}} [[Ireland]]<br> {{flag|Norway}} [[Norway]]<br> {{flag|Poland}} [[Poland]]<br> {{flag|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]<br> {{flag|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]<br> {{flag|Austria}} [[Austria]]<br> {{flag|Italy}} [[Italy]]<br> {{flag|Malta}} [[Malta]]<br> {{flag|Cyprus}} [[Cyprus]]<br> {{flag|Greece}} [[Greece]]<br> {{flag|Andorra}} [[Andorra]]<br> {{flag|Spain}} [[Spain]]<br> {{flag|Luxembourg}} [[Luxembourg]]<br> {{flag|France}} [[France]]<br> {{flag|Russia}} [[Russia]]<br> {{flag|Latvia}} [[Latvia]]<br> {{flag|Portugal}} [[Portugal]] (only {{flag|Azores}} [[Azores]])<br> {{flag|Croatia}} [[Croatia]]<br> {{flag|Morocco}} [[Morocco]]<br> {{flag|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]<br> {{flag|China}} [[China]] {{flag|Ghana}} [[Ghana]] 1wef5rw1ygfnz1k91h92rnbkyaqdp8y 4506792 4506791 2022-08-23T10:56:45Z CheeseCrisps 1192928 wikitext text/x-wiki {{#babel:nl|en-4|fr-2|de-2|no-2|pt-2|es-1|cs-0}} Dutch guy.<br> Docent for [[Benelux]], [[Netherlands]] and [[Leiden]], where I live.<br>Contact me on my talk page. Visited:<br> {{flag|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]]<br> {{flag|Belgium}} [[Belgium]]<br> {{flag|Germany}} [[Germany]]<br> {{flag|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]<br> {{flag|Ireland}} [[Ireland]]<br> {{flag|Norway}} [[Norway]]<br> {{flag|Poland}} [[Poland]]<br> {{flag|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]<br> {{flag|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]<br> {{flag|Austria}} [[Austria]]<br> {{flag|Italy}} [[Italy]]<br> {{flag|Malta}} [[Malta]]<br> {{flag|Cyprus}} [[Cyprus]]<br> {{flag|Greece}} [[Greece]]<br> {{flag|Andorra}} [[Andorra]]<br> {{flag|Spain}} [[Spain]]<br> {{flag|Luxembourg}} [[Luxembourg]]<br> {{flag|France}} [[France]]<br> {{flag|Russia}} [[Russia]]<br> {{flag|Latvia}} [[Latvia]]<br> {{flag|Portugal}} [[Portugal]] {{flag|Croatia}} [[Croatia]]<br> {{flag|Morocco}} [[Morocco]]<br> {{flag|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]<br> {{flag|China}} [[China]] {{flag|Ghana}} [[Ghana]] g5d4qs4wwh199l0ddiywndgfezaucth 4506793 4506792 2022-08-23T10:56:56Z CheeseCrisps 1192928 wikitext text/x-wiki {{#babel:nl|en-4|fr-2|de-2|no-2|pt-2|es-1|cs-0}} Dutch guy.<br> Docent for [[Benelux]], [[Netherlands]] and [[Leiden]], where I live.<br>Contact me on my talk page. Visited:<br> {{flag|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]]<br> {{flag|Belgium}} [[Belgium]]<br> {{flag|Germany}} [[Germany]]<br> {{flag|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]<br> {{flag|Ireland}} [[Ireland]]<br> {{flag|Norway}} [[Norway]]<br> {{flag|Poland}} [[Poland]]<br> {{flag|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]<br> {{flag|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]<br> {{flag|Austria}} [[Austria]]<br> {{flag|Italy}} [[Italy]]<br> {{flag|Malta}} [[Malta]]<br> {{flag|Cyprus}} [[Cyprus]]<br> {{flag|Greece}} [[Greece]]<br> {{flag|Andorra}} [[Andorra]]<br> {{flag|Spain}} [[Spain]]<br> {{flag|Luxembourg}} [[Luxembourg]]<br> {{flag|France}} [[France]]<br> {{flag|Russia}} [[Russia]]<br> {{flag|Latvia}} [[Latvia]]<br> {{flag|Portugal}} [[Portugal]]<br> {{flag|Croatia}} [[Croatia]]<br> {{flag|Morocco}} [[Morocco]]<br> {{flag|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]<br> {{flag|China}} [[China]] {{flag|Ghana}} [[Ghana]] gcqg92jjdbg0isqe1he6inzx32lr7uf 0 150769 4506628 4462436 2022-08-23T06:11:07Z 1.132.106.142 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mesopotamia_Banner.jpg}} '''Mesopotamia''', the land of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, contains the heritage of one of the world's oldest civilizations. ==Understand== {{quote|He carved on a stone stela all of his toils,<br>and built the wall of Uruk-Haven,<br>the wall of the sacred Eanna Temple, the holy sanctuary.|author=Epic of Gilgamesh}} [[File:Meso2mil-English.JPG|thumb|300px|Mesopotamia]] Mesopotamia is in the [[Middle East]], in present-day [[Iraq]], with parts of it in [[Syria]], [[Turkey]] and [[Kuwait]]. The Land of the Two Rivers, as Mesopotamia is sometimes called, had many probable "firsts", such as writing, mathematics, medicine, natural science, measurements of time, the wheel, urban planning and centralized government; the main contenders are [[Ancient Egypt]] and [[Ancient China]]. Mesopotamia has a prominent role in the Abrahamite religions — [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]] — and a shared history with the [[Holy Land]]. The Israelites' exile in Babylon around 600&nbsp;BCE is well described in the Old Testament, and is one of the oldest Biblical events supported by historical records. Like many other ancient empires, Babylon primarily became known among Europeans through the Bible. Most ancient civilizations, especially those in the Mesopotamian region, arose at and around rivers, and were highly dependent on them for farming, water supply, and transportation. Many empires rose and fell here—'''Sumeria''', '''Akkad''', '''Babylon''', and '''Assyria''' are the best-known in [[Historical travel|historical circles]] today. The '''Epic of Gilgamesh''' is a famous piece of ancient Mesopotamian literature, and one of its stories, the story of Utnapishtim, is a great flood story that resembles the story of Noah in the [[Judaism|Bible]]. The land between the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] and the Persian Gulf is called the ''Fertile Crescent'', especially when referring to the region's ancient history; however, due to erosion and overgrazing in modern times, the Fertile Crescent is less productive today than it was in ancient times. The land later became a subject under many global empires: the [[Hittites]], the [[Hellenic Empire]], the [[Roman Empire]], various incarnations of the [[Persian Empire]], the [[Mongol Empire]], the Caliphate of [[Baghdad]] (see [[Islamic Golden Age]]), the [[Ottoman Empire]], and the [[British Empire]]. Mesopotamia has been devastated by war more than once in history, and western Iraq and most of Syria is, as of 2016, a dangerous destination, where many archaeological sites have been torn down. ==Destinations== {{mapframe}} *{{listing | type=listing | name=[[Babylon]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.541781 | long=44.431644 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Babylon | wikidata=Q5684 | lastedit=2019-04-06 | content=This old, and extremely famous, ancient city is often associated with Biblical history; Babylon managed to again rise to prominence as the Chaldean Empire, after the fall of the Assyrians. }} *{{listing | type=listing | name=[[Ur]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=30.962222 | long=46.104444 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ur | wikidata=Q5699 | lastedit=2019-04-06 | content=An early city in the region, in the Bible this city is associated with Abram (also known as Abraham). }} *{{Marker|type=listing|name=Nimrud|wikidata=Q237614|lat=|long=}} and {{Marker|type=listing|name=Nineveh|wikidata=Q5680|lat=|long=}} were severely damaged by the so-called Islamic State during the 2014-17 Civil War. Nineveh was an important Assyrian city and it is mentioned in the Biblical book of Jonah. == See also == *[[Pre-Islamic Arabia]] *[[War zone safety|War zones]] {{outlinetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Historical travel|Middle East}} 8gqb6fyqqi8g3b8neve0jr8jb8b4k4u 4506813 4506628 2022-08-23T11:50:59Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/1.132.106.142|1.132.106.142]] ([[User talk:1.132.106.142|talk]]) to last version by [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mesopotamia_Banner.jpg}} '''Mesopotamia''', the land of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, contains the heritage of one of the world's oldest civilizations. ==Understand== {{quote|He carved on a stone stela all of his toils,<br>and built the wall of Uruk-Haven,<br>the wall of the sacred Eanna Temple, the holy sanctuary.|author=Epic of Gilgamesh}} [[File:Meso2mil-English.JPG|thumb|300px|Mesopotamia]] Mesopotamia is in the [[Middle East]], in present-day [[Iraq]], with parts of it in [[Syria]], [[Turkey]] and [[Kuwait]]. The Land of the Two Rivers, as Mesopotamia is sometimes called, had many probable "firsts", such as writing, mathematics, natural science, measurements of time, the wheel, urban planning and centralized government; the main contenders are [[Ancient Egypt]] and [[Ancient China]]. Mesopotamia has a prominent role in the Abrahamite religions — [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]] — and a shared history with the [[Holy Land]]. The Israelites' exile in Babylon around 600&nbsp;BCE is well described in the Old Testament, and is one of the oldest Biblical events supported by historical records. Like many other ancient empires, Babylon primarily became known among Europeans through the Bible. Most ancient civilizations, especially those in the Mesopotamian region, arose at and around rivers, and were highly dependent on them for farming, water supply, and transportation. Many empires rose and fell here—'''Sumeria''', '''Akkad''', '''Babylon''', and '''Assyria''' are the best-known in [[Historical travel|historical circles]] today. The '''Epic of Gilgamesh''' is a famous piece of ancient Mesopotamian literature, and one of its stories, the story of Utnapishtim, is a great flood story that resembles the story of Noah in the [[Judaism|Bible]]. The land between the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] and the Persian Gulf is called the ''Fertile Crescent'', especially when referring to the region's ancient history; however, due to erosion and overgrazing in modern times, the Fertile Crescent is less productive today than it was in ancient times. The land later became a subject under many global empires: the [[Hittites]], the [[Hellenic Empire]], the [[Roman Empire]], various incarnations of the [[Persian Empire]], the [[Mongol Empire]], the Caliphate of [[Baghdad]] (see [[Islamic Golden Age]]), the [[Ottoman Empire]], and the [[British Empire]]. Mesopotamia has been devastated by war more than once in history, and western Iraq and most of Syria is, as of 2016, a dangerous destination, where many archaeological sites have been torn down. ==Destinations== {{mapframe}} *{{listing | type=listing | name=[[Babylon]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=32.541781 | long=44.431644 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Babylon | wikidata=Q5684 | lastedit=2019-04-06 | content=This old, and extremely famous, ancient city is often associated with Biblical history; Babylon managed to again rise to prominence as the Chaldean Empire, after the fall of the Assyrians. }} *{{listing | type=listing | name=[[Ur]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=30.962222 | long=46.104444 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ur | wikidata=Q5699 | lastedit=2019-04-06 | content=An early city in the region, in the Bible this city is associated with Abram (also known as Abraham). }} *{{Marker|type=listing|name=Nimrud|wikidata=Q237614|lat=|long=}} and {{Marker|type=listing|name=Nineveh|wikidata=Q5680|lat=|long=}} were severely damaged by the so-called Islamic State during the 2014-17 Civil War. Nineveh was an important Assyrian city and it is mentioned in the Biblical book of Jonah. == See also == *[[Pre-Islamic Arabia]] *[[War zone safety|War zones]] {{outlinetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Historical travel|Middle East}} 2tsscdx9x4l3vs8xfnjxh8hjdels1i0 0 151723 4506668 4255049 2022-08-23T08:27:00Z Cgbraschi 107335 /* Spain */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q45|opacity=0.15}} {{Regionlist | regionmap=Caminos Santiago actuales Portugal.svg | regionmaptext=Map of The Portuguese Way | regionmapsize=420px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 | regionmapLat=40.25 | regionmapLong=-8 | regionmapZoom=6 }} The '''Portuguese Way''' is the collective name for the various routes of the [[Way of St. James]] from several places in [[Portugal]] to [[Santiago de Compostela]] in [[Galicia]], [[Spain]]. ==Understand== The Portuguese Way ([[Portuguese phrasebook|Portuguese]]: ''Caminho Português'', [[Galician phrasebook|Galician]]: ''Camiño Portugués'', [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]]: ''Camino Portugués'') represents approaches from the south to the Way of St. James (Portuguese: ''Caminhos de Santiago'', Galician: ''O Camiño de Santiago'', Spanish: ''Camino de Santiago''), a Roman Catholic pilgrimage. Catholics believe that Santiago de Compostela holds the tomb of Saint James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. ==Prepare== ==Get in== Pilgrims typically begin their journey in [[Lisbon]] or [[Porto]]. ==Walk== [[File:Way of Saint James in Pinhão, Douro Valley, Portugal.jpg|thumb|Yellow arrow and modern, stylized scallop shell route marker.]] The route is marked with yellow arrows and scallop shells. Recently-placed shell markers have a modern, stylized appearance. Older markers look more like real scallop shells. ===Caminho Central Português=== The Central Portuguese Way is the main route through Portugal, from Lisbon to Porto, then continuing north into Spain. Following are the major cities from south to north. ====Portugal==== * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Lisbon]]|wikidata=Q432290}} (Portuguese: Lisboa) — The way begins at Lisbon Cathedral (''Sé de Lisboa''). * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Coimbra]]|wikidata=Q45412}} * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Porto]]|wikidata=Q36433}} * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Ponte de Lima]]|wikidata=Q490180}} ====Spain==== * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Tui]]|wikidata=Q824122}} (Spanish: Tuy) * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[O Porriño]]|wikidata=Q1616392}} (Spanish: Porriño) * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Redondela]]|wikidata=Q833032}} * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Pontevedra]]|wikidata=Q12411}} * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Caldas de Reis]]|wikidata=Q1448886}} (Spanish: Caldas de Reyes) * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Padrón]]|wikidata=Q500494}} * {{marker|type=maroon|name=[[Santiago de Compostela]]|wikidata=Q14314}} — Your final destination, the city of Saint James. ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{outlineitinerary}} {{PartOfItinerary|Europe itineraries}} 0xgsctjqebul4w33nnyf1td2rn7gwd8 0 152337 4506301 4482552 2022-08-22T16:10:51Z Max980301 106949 /* See */ added Korea's aviation museum wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|WV banner Aviation history Planes on display in Sinsheim.jpg|ftt=yes}} '''Aviation history''' in the context of [[historical travel|museum and history tourism]] invokes various aspects of [[science tourism]], including both [[air travel|civil]] and [[military tourism|military]] aviation. ==Understand== [[File:Wright flyer - full.jpg|thumb|The Wright ''Flyer'' on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington]] {{Mapframe|30|-10|zoom=1|height=340|width=520}} The question of "where and when was the first powered flight" is controversial; some say it was made in [[Kitty Hawk]] in 1903 by the Wright brothers on their ''Flyer'' (a catapult was needed, and witness report is scarce as the Wright brothers worked in secrecy and were afraid of industrial espionage); others give this honor to Brazilian inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont and his ''14-bis''. On 23 October 1906, he took off under the aircraft's own power before a large crowd of witnesses, at the grounds of [[Paris]]' Château de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne, for a distance of 60 m (197 ft) at a height of about 5 m (16 ft), the first powered heavier-than-air flight in Europe to be certified by the Aéro Club de France and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). This controversy is not meant to be a subject of a travel guide, but repays study to science and history aficionados. However, this wasn't the first time man was flying. Otto Lilienthal experimented with gliders a decade before, and already in 1783 the Montgolfier brothers took off in the world's first manned hot air balloon. Even though "lighter than air" flight had thus been proved feasible in the 18th century, throughout much of the 19th century many people - including respected scientists like Lord Kelvin - doubted that "heavier than air" aviation would ever become possible. However, the brothers Wright proved the skeptics wrong and by the time [[World War I]] began, planes had become a military asset in reconnaissance if not necessarily in the fighting. While Zeppelins were an impressive feat of human engineering, their high up front investment cost and their initial technological problems that were only figured out by the time the Hindenburg disaster (owing due to highly flammable hydrogen being used instead of helium which at the time was almost entirely under US control) happened, stalled their development in the 1930s. Today blimps, airships that unlike Zeppelins get their shape from gas pressure rather than an interior skeleton, are a minor factor in aviation and like balloons are a sideshow in today's aviation picture that is dominated by "heavier than air" to the point that [[flying]] is almost universally understood to mean airplanes. ===Military aviation=== {{Seealso|Military tourism}} Balloons had seen some occasional usage for reconnaissance during the 19th century. Austrian troops bombed [[Venice]] from the air in 1849 and the [[American Civil War]] saw reconnaissance balloons, which were however hampered by the lack of efficient long distance communication like radio. Aviation was however dismissed as a tool by many military experts even after the first practicable airplanes emerged. Aviation played a small role in the [[World War I|Great War]] but became a major contributor (and strategic component) in [[World War II]]. World War I produced the first "flying aces", pilots who were celebrated for their prowess in air to air combat and there was much mythology around the supposed chivalry of aerial combat compared to the increasingly brutal, senseless and industrialized slaughter in the trenches - however, most of those stories have little basis in fact. An aerial attack on [[Pearl Harbor]] was a key step in the escalation of the [[Pacific War]], while bombing of cities and civilian populations was widespread in [[World War II in Europe]]. Cities like [[Coventry]], [[Guernica]], [[Rotterdam]] (bombed after the Netherlands had already surrendered) and later [[Hamburg]], [[Dresden]] or [[Berlin]] were leveled almost entirely by aerial bombardment and bear the scars of this new type of warfare to this day. Timber framed houses and a densely built historical [[old town]] used to be hallmarks of most cities in central Europe, but the bombing (and subsequent short-sighted urban planning) ensured that they would become a rarity in major cities. Aviation also revolutionized military logistics. While earlier an army had to chose between moving along supply lines or keeping to a deliberate pace while supply lines in their rear were ensured or "living off the land", by the time of World War II it became conceivable to supply an army by air and as the Soviets had to learn during the 1940s Berlin blockade, the same applied to entire civilian cities. While the common image of the "raisin bomber" has them delivering mostly food, as a matter of fact coal was the single most common delivery item and the planes even flew in an entire power plant for West-Berlin which had until then depended partially on the surrounding area for its power needs. In Southeast Asia, the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M '''Zero''' fighter would gain a fearsome reputation, as the outdated aircraft left behind by the British to defend their colonies were no match for the more advanced Japanese fighters. The tide of the war would eventually begin to turn against Japan in the Battle of [[Midway Islands|Midway]], June 1942, when the Americans sank Japan's four largest aircraft carriers and were thus able to gain aerial superiority for the rest of the war. The [[Korean War]] and [[Vietnam War]] saw aerial bombardment on a heretofore unprecedented scale and there were more bombs dropped on the jungles of Indochina during that war than on the cities of Europe during World War II. There have thankfully been few symmetric wars since, but industrial powers often use aerial bombardment in asymmetric wars as it poses less danger to their own soldiers than ground fighting. However, it is harder to distinguish civilians from military targets from the air, a fact that insurgents, terrorist groups and others sometimes use as a military tactic and for propaganda efforts. Aerial superiority would once again prove crucial in the 1982 [[Falkland Islands|Falklands]] War, where the Argentine Dassault Mirage IIIEA and Douglas A-4 Skyhawk aircraft proved no match for the British Harriers, eventually leading to victory for the British and the surrender of the Argentinian occupation force. The huge distances involved also showed the limits of even a modern military to project its power as many airplanes had to refuel in the [[Azores]] and [[Tristan da Cunha]] on their way from the British mainland to the Falklands. ===Commercial air travel=== [[File:KLM Intercontinental Service Poster (19290381268).jpg|thumb|Airlines were offering flights to the other side of the world as early as the 1930s.]] Commercial heavier than air air travel was born in the years between the two world wars, and saw flying become a viable transport option for travelling long distance. Some of today's global aviation icons, including Australia's '''Qantas''', the Netherlands' '''KLM''' and '''Air France''' were founded during that period. '''Delta Air Lines''' can also trace its origins back to several companies founded in the 1920s. In the interwar period, [[Germany]], which had been forbidden to develop military aviation under the Versailles Treaty developed a "civil" aviation program that just "happened to" include airplanes that were virtually identical in form, performance, payload capability, range and speed to then-current military models. In that era the first incarnation of Deutsche Luft-Hansa was founded, but the current company of that name is legally distinct from the modern day Lufthansa, which Lufthansa likes to point out when their 1932 PR flights for Hitler or wartime crimes are the topic of conversation, but likes to forget when old interwar airplanes are flown around in the name of tradition. Numerous factors, not least of which military considerations and the fact that many high-ranking Nazis personally disliked Zeppelins (Göring had been a military pilot in World War I) as well as the fact that the US did not wish to deliver helium to Nazi Germany, causing Zeppelins to continue to be filled with flammable Hydrogen, led to a chain of events that ended the only notable passenger Zeppelin program. While airships of some forms continue to have certain military applications and are still used for their novelty value in sightseeing and advertising, overall the "golden era" of the rigid airship went up in smoke in Lakehurst in 1937. The 1950s and 1960s became known as the "Golden Age of Air Travel", when flying was a privilege only for the filthy rich, and airlines competed with each other to offer the most luxurious onboard service with the most attractive stewardesses. The introduction of the first jet airliner, the '''de Havilland Comet''', in 1952 ushered in the jet age, which allowed aircraft to cover distances more quickly than ever before. Some icons of that era include '''Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)''' and '''Trans World Airlines (TWA)''' of the United States, which closed down in 1991 and 2001 respectively, and '''British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC)''', which was merged into British Airways in 1974. Among the most prestigious airline routes from that era are the London-New York and London-Sydney routes, which continue to be operated as the flagship routes of British Airways and Qantas Respectively. In the 1970s, two iconic airliners were introduced into commercial passenger service: the '''Boeing 747''', also known as the Jumbo Jet, in 1970, and the supersonic '''Concorde''' in 1976. The Concorde would cover the distance between London's Heathrow Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in under 3 hours, shaving over 2 hours off the time taken by subsonic jets. However, due to its high operating cost, ticket prices on the Concorde were exorbitant (even more expensive than first class on subsonic airliners), making it a popular aircraft for celebrities, but otherwise unaffordable for much of the general public. The Concorde would cease to operate in the early 21st century, with British Airways retiring their last Concorde in 2003. While the Concorde was a limited commercial success for Air France and British Airways, it was never even close to recovering any of the development costs invested by the French and British states, driving Europe towards consolidation in aircraft manufacture. At the same time, the Soviet supersonic plane, the Tupolev Tu-144 fared worse, being withdrawn from service after only a few years. Other supersonic passenger jet proposals, including one by Boeing never went past the planning stage. The Concorde is one of the best preserved planes in history in the sense that a big portion of the total planes produced are still extant and can be visited. In a sense, the Concorde on the ground is more accessible to the average person than it ever was during its flying days. On the other hand, the Boeing 747 was a huge success, becoming the preferred medium to long-haul aircraft for many airlines all over the world (and even for short-haul but high-volume domestic routes in [[Japan]]), , and while it's due to stop production in 2022 and has been largely superseded by newer and more modern aircraft for passenger service today, it is still widely used as a freighter. At the end of the 1970s, deregulation of the airline industry started with the passing of the Airline Deregulation Act in the United States in 1978. This resulted in a fall in ticket prices, making air travel accessible to much of the middle class in developed countries for the first time. However, the advent of stronger anti-discrimination laws in Western countries during that period made it illegal to favour hiring cabin crew of a particular age or gender, marking an end to the era of young, attractive stewardesses. The lower ticket prices would also translate to a fall in service standards in economy class, as airlines were now able to offer less frills in exchange for better prices. In the 1990s, the [[European Union]] adopted an increasingly "open skies" policy, which - combined with privatization of the flag carriers, the advent of [[high speed rail]] and the fall of the Iron Curtain - led to an intensely competitive market which has still not settled into any sort of stable equilibrium. In the 1990s, commercial aircraft manufacturing was consolidated into the duopoly of '''Boeing''', based in the United States, and '''Airbus''', based in Western [[Europe]]. While the manufacturing of large commercial aircraft is still dominated by the two aforementioned companies, the market for smaller regional aircraft is more competitive, with the most notable manufacturers being Brazil's '''Embraer''', Canada's '''Bombardier''' and France's '''Avions de transport régional (ATR)''', though the regional jet divisions of the former two have been acquired by Boeing and Airbus respectively. Russian and Chinese manufacturers (with the help and some outright owned by their respective governments) are making an effort to enter the regional jet market and eventually even to challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly of bigger jets, but thus far they haven't been all that successful outside of their own countries. At the beginning of the 21st century, budget carriers expanded exponentially, the best known ones being '''Southwest Airlines''' in the United States, '''Ryanair''' in Europe and '''AirAsia''' in Southeast Asia. These airlines offer a no-frills service with rock-bottom ticket prices, with the option of paying extra for some of the frills offered in full-service airlines, making air travel finally accessible to much of the working class. This has shaken the airline industry to its core, resulting in the bankruptcy of many full-service airlines that were unable to compete, and many of the surviving ones cutting back further on service in economy class in order to offer competitive prices with the budget carriers. At the same time, many airlines are competing to offer the most luxurious [[First and business class flights|first and business class]] products, with the introduction of lie-flat seats in long-haul business class. This has led to the modern trend where airlines are stripping more and more frills from economy class in order to cut costs, while at the same time offering more and more luxurious first and business class products. However, low-cost airlines also take advantage of numerous subsidies and underhand business tactics. Airports like [[Hahn]] (Germany) never made a profit and can never hope to. If local politicians raise landing fees, the airline abandons the airport. Similarly, pilots are often with an airline for an exceedingly short time and paid much less than industry averages. Some airlines even go as far as implementing "pay to fly" where pilots have to pay for the "privilege" of accruing the flight hours necessary for keeping their license. In 2017 several things happened to Ryanair that called into question their business model, including strike attempts and a severe shortage of pilots not on holiday. Competition from high speed rail seems to be the only serious threat aviation as a mode of transport faces in the 21st century. Many routes in Asia and Europe where trains now take four hours or less from city center to city center have seen airlines forced to cut prices, reduce frequency or drop out of the market entirely. At the same time [[air rail alliances]] have ensured that some airlines are able to cut down on uneconomical feeder flights, replacing them with trains. == See == ===Australia=== [[File:Qantas Boeing 707 and Boeing 747-200 at Longreach's Qantas Founders Outback Museum.jpg|thumb|Qantas aircraft at the Qantas Founders Museum]] {{see also|Royal Flying Doctor Service tourism|Military museums and sites in Australia}} *{{see | name=Aviation Heritage Centre | alt= | url=http://www.darwinsairwar.com.au | email= | address=[[Darwin]] | lat=-12.424551 | long=130.895494 | directions= | phone=+61 8 8947 2145 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Has an impressive collection of aircraft and displays depicting the Territory’s involvement in aviation from the early pioneers to the jet age. The prize exhibit is a B-52 bomber on permanent loan from the United States Air Force, one of only two on public display outside the U.S. The centre is 8&nbsp;km from Darwin city and is on the site of fierce air combat that took place overhead during World War II. }} * {{see | name=Qantas Founders' Museum | alt= | url=http://www.qfom.com.au/ | email= | address=[[Longreach]] Airport | lat=-23.439627 | long=144.271229 | directions=on the highway, east of town | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$21+ | wikipedia=Qantas_Founders_Outback_Museum | image=Qantas-Longreach-Museum.jpg | wikidata=Q1326506 | lastedit=2017-03-19 | content=It's not affiliated with Qantas, but it celebrates their early years in the town that they started from. A range of history and static exhibits. Offers expensive but interesting tours of an ex-Qantas 707 and 747-200 including wing walks and access to the under carriage. A worthy pilgrimage site for air enthusiasts. }} ===Brazil=== * {{see | name=Brazilian Aerospace Museum | alt=Museu Aeroespacial | url=http://www.musal.aer.mil.br/ | email= | address=Av. Marechal Fontenelle - Sulacap | lat=-22.884542 | long=-43.390025 | directions=[[Rio de Janeiro/Zona Norte]] | phone=+55 21 2108-8954 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-F 9AM-3PM, weekends 9:30AM-4PM | price= | wikipedia=Museu Aeroespacial | image=14bis MUSAL.JPG | wikidata=Q6940593 | content=Opened as ''Campo dos Afonsos'' airfield, it is the "cradle of Brazilian military aviation" and site of the first aeronautical organization created in Brazil: the ''Aeroclube do Brasil'' (Flying club of Brazil), on October 1911. Nowadays, the area is one of the Brazilian Air Force's main airbases, with the adjacent museum, that houses a good collection of planes, engines, etc. including replicas of Santos-Dumont's main machines, the ''14-bis'' and the ''Demoiselle''. }} * {{see | name=Cabangu Museum | alt=Santos-Dumont's birthplace | url= | email= | address= | lat=-21.425556 | long=-43.674167 | directions=16 km from [[Santos Dumont]], [[Minas Gerais]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Cabangu Museum | wikidata=Q5666625 | lastedit=2016-10-10 | content=The house where Alberto Santos-Dumont was born, in his family's coffee farm, is now a museum dedicated to his childhood. }} * {{see | name=Santos Dumont's house | alt=A Encantada | url= | email= | address=Rua do Encanto, 22 | lat=-22.5103412 | long=-43.1842278 | directions=[[Petrópolis]] | phone=+55 24 2247 5222 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00-17:30 (ticket until 17:00) | price=R$ 8 (full price), R$ 4 (half price) | image=Petropolis-CasaSantosDumont.jpg | wikidata=Q10333434 | lastedit=2015-09-29 | content=Nicknamed "The Enchanted", this chalet in Alpine style was Alberto Santos Dumont's summer residence. Having purchased a seemingly useless hillside lot, he smartly designed the house himself, allegedly to win a bet with his friends, who doubted it could be done; nowadays it's a museum showing his objects, books, letters and furniture, as well as some famous domestic inventions of his: an alcohol-fueled hot shower, and an entrance staircase with paddle-shaped steps, which can only be used starting with the right foot. There's also the Centro Cultural 14a, attached to the house, where you can watch a short film about him. The space has tactile models and accessibility for visitors with special needs. }} ===Canada=== * {{see | name=National Air Force Museum of Canada|alt= formerly known as the RCAF Memorial Museum | url=http://airforcemuseum.ca | email= | address=220 RCAF Road, [[Trenton (Ontario)|CFB Trenton (8 Wing)]] | lat=44.115656 | long=-77.550658 | directions=[[Trenton_(Ontario)|Trenton]], [[Ontario]] | phone=+1 613-965-RCAF | tollfree=+1-866-701-7223 | fax= | hours=10AM-5PM | price=Free | content=Dedicated to preserving the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Opened April 1, 1984 on the RCAF's 60th anniversary. Home to a large collection of RCAF aircraft and artifacts, including North America's only Halifax Bomber. }} * {{see | name=Gander International Airport | alt= | url=http://www.ganderairport.com/ | email= | address=1000 James Boulevard | lat=48.9369 | long=-54.5681 | directions=[[Gander]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] | phone=+1 709-256-6677 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia=Gander International Airport | image=Gander International Airport (satellite view).jpg | wikidata=Q1431350 | content=Once the main stopover point for trans-Atlantic flights between North America and Europe, it has since declined drastically in importance because advances in technology have led to longer range aircraft that can fly nonstop between the major European and North American cities. However, the 1950s terminal building survives, and Gander's air traffic control continues to play a crucial role in trans-Atlantic flights. On September 11, 2001 many flights were re-routed through the airport and the locals accommodated them in a great spirit of kindness that was celebrated in the news the world over as one piece of good news on a terrible day. Lufthansa (which is in the habit of naming planes after German cities) even named a plane after Gander in honor of the town and its citizens. }} ===China=== * {{see | name=China Aviation Museum | alt=中国民航博物馆; Zhōngguó Mínháng Bówùguǎn | url= | email= | address=Datangshan, Chanping District (昌平区小汤山) | lat=40.183167| long=116.35675 | directions=[[Beijing/Northern Suburbs]]. About 50km outside Beijing, (as of October 2011) take Bus 643 from Tiantongyuan North Subway Station (天通苑北) on Line 5 | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=8AM-5:30PM | price=Entrance to the ground exhibits were free (Oct 2011). There is an entrance fee to the indoor display and hanger ¥20, and an extra ¥10 if you want to board Chairman Mao's plane and another ¥10 to board a DC-8 (Orbis), and ¥10 to sit in a MIG-15 | content=A must see for all aviation fans. It is probably better known by the name Datangshan. The museum hosts over 200 exhibits, many of them very rare. }} === Finland === * {{see | name=Suomen Ilmailumuseo | alt=Finnish Aviation museum | url=http://www.ilmailumuseo.fi/ | email=info@suomenilmailumuseo.fi | address=Tietotie 3 | lat=60.3040 | long=24.9611 | directions=[[Vantaa]] | phone=+358 9 870-0870 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00–17:00 | price=€9/6 | content=Near Helsinki-Vantaa airport. A museum with over 70 planes (both civilian and military) as well as plane parts, equipment and photos. }} *{{see | name=The Aviation Museum of Central Finland | url=http://www.airforcemuseum.fi/ | email= | address=Tikkakoskentie 125 | lat=62.3876 | long=25.6780 | directions=Tikkakoski district, 20 km from [[Jyväskylä]] to north | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€10/5; simulator €40–70 | content=Small army airplanes and equipment inside a museum building, especially from World War II. Simulator hours (Saturdays; Messerschmitt Bf 109) must be booked in advance. }} ===France=== * {{see | name=Musée de l’air et de l’espace | alt=Le Bourget airport | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.9471 | long=2.4349 | directions=11 km from [[Paris]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Musée de l’air et de l’espace | wikidata=Q1189955 | lastedit=2019-04-26 | content=[[Le Bourget]], [[London]]'s Croydon and [[Berlin]]'s Tempelhof were "the trio of Classic European airports" whose design influenced all others that came later. It's famous as the landing site for Charles Lindbergh's historic solo transatlantic crossing in 1927, and as the departure point two weeks earlier for the French biplane The White Bird (''L'Oiseau Blanc''), which took off in its own attempt at a trans-Atlantic flight but then mysteriously disappeared (the only known remaining piece — the jettisoned main landing gear — is kept here). Now, besides hosting the biannual Paris Air Show, it's France's main state-owned aviation museum. Its highlights include a Concorde prototype, and remnants of the unarmed P-38 flown by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry on his last mission, recovered from the Mediterranean Sea. }} [[File:Vol de Santos-Dumont.JPG|thumb|right|Monument to Santos-Dumont flight, Bagatelle field, [[Paris]]]] * {{see | name=Bagatelle field | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=48.871667 | long=2.247222 | directions=[[Paris/16th arrondissement]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-04 | content=Site of Santos-Dumont's first flight. A monument was built to commemorate this achievement. }} === Germany === [[File:Dornier-Museum bei Nacht.jpg|thumbnail|right|Dornier Museum at night]] Germany was among the forefront of lighter than air flying for the first third of the 20th century and the name of Count Zeppelin still stands for a rigid, skeleton based airship (as opposed to frameless blimps). Germany also saw aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal conduct more and more audacious experiments until one finally killed him, in part due the then insufficiently understood phenomenon of stall. After Germany lost World War I, the Treaty of Versailles stipulated tight limits on armament, among them the prohibition of an air force. However, even during Weimar times, the government tried to avoid following the rules and the aid to private and civil aviation during the 1920s and 1930s was one way the various governments circumvented those prohibitions. This led both to passenger airlines of high repute (Lufthansa in its first incarnation among them) and an air force (''Luftwaffe'') in good fighting shape come World War II. Together with new and improved tanks, the latter revolutionized warfare, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. When the Nazis got in power they also encouraged gliding as a hobby to build a stock of young men familiar with aerodynamics and the basics of flying "on the cheap" and again circumventing prohibitions of the Versailles Treaty. Today the remnants of the companies that pioneered German aviation form the core of Airbus, one of the two largest plane manufacturers in the world and even the Zeppelin company is still around building small semi-rigid airships (basically blimps with a keel) as a side venture. *{{see | name=Dornier Museum | alt= | url=http://www.dorniermuseum.de/en/home.html | email= | address=Claude-Dornier-Platz 1 | lat=47.670515 | long=9.517937 | directions=close to the [[Friedrichshafen]] airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=May-Oct (summer): daily 09:00-17:00. Nov-Apr (winter): Tu-Su 10:00-17:00, M closed | price=€9 adults, €4.50 children, €7 concessions |lastedit=2016-09-17| content=Everybody can be a pioneer – this is the central message of the Dornier Museum Friedrichshafen, opened in the summer of 2009, offering a 100 years of aviation and aerospace history as a fascinating experience. The extraordinary architecture accommodates almost 400 exhibits on 5000 m², including 12 original aircraft, 7 exhibits from space travel and a full-size model. }} *{{see | name=Zeppelin Museum | alt= | url=http://www.zeppelin-museum.de/ | email= | address=Seestraße 22 | lat=47.65056 | long=9.48303 | directions=[[Friedrichshafen]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€8 adults, €4 concessions | wikipedia=Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen | image=Außenansicht Zeppelin Museum.jpg | wikidata=Q191427 | content=Situated in the historic harbour station building, this museum presents the world‘s largest collection on the subject of airship history, construction and travel. Under the same roof you can visit an important collection of art dating from the late Middle Ages to the present day. The main attraction is the 33 m long reconstruction of part of the ''LZ 129 Hindenburg'' in its original size, which visitors can board just as the original passengers did in the 1930s. The authentically fitted passenger rooms give an impression of how people travelled during the period of the “silver giants”. Two entire storeys of the Zeppelin Museum are dedicated to different aspects of Zeppelin history and technology. In addition to the permanent exhibition the museum organizes special events and temporary exhibitions. The Zeppelin company also offers [http://www.zeppelinflug.de/en/ tours] with a modern airship produced by Zeppelin albeit not ''a'' Zeppelin in the technological sense (i.e. the structure is not held up by an interior skeleton although it does have a keel) starting at €200 a pop. }} * {{see | name=Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr | alt=German Air Force Museum; RAF Gatow | url=http://www.mhm-gatow.de | email=info@mhm-gatow.de | address=Am Flugplatz Gatow 33 | lat=52.473056 | long=13.144722 | directions=[[Berlin/North]]; from S+U Rathaus Spandau, take Bus 135 | phone=+49 30 368 7260 1 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Militärhistorisches Museum Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow | image=LUFTWAFFEN MUSEUM RAF GATOW BERLIN GERMANY JUNE 2013 (9040885653).jpg | wikidata=Q461359 | lastedit=2021-09-02 | content=At a former Luftwaffe and Royal Air Force (RAF) airfield, RAF Gatow, which served as West Berlin's third airport until 1994. The museum's focus is on military history, particularly the history of the Luftwaffe of the Bundeswehr, with a collection of more than 200,000 items, including 155 aeroplanes, 5,000 uniforms and 30,000 books. There are also displays (including aeroplanes) on the history of the airfield when it was used by the RAF. Aircraft include reproductions of Otto Lilienthal's gliders, of World War I planes such as the Fokker E.III triplane, and World War II planes such as the Bf 109 and Me-262, as well as at least one aircraft of every type ever to serve in the air forces of East and West Germany. Most of those postwar aircraft are stored outside on the tarmac and runways, however, and many are in bad condition. There are long term restoration projects, including a Focke-Wulf Fw 190. }} * {{see | name=Auto & Technik Museum | alt= | url=http://sinsheim.technik-museum.de | email= | address= | lat=49.2386 | long=8.89722 | directions=close to [[Sinsheim]]; signposted from exits 33 or 34 on the A6 Autobahn. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=open daily | price= | wikipedia=Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim | image=Concorde und Tu-144 Auto- und Technikmuseum Sinsheim.jpg | wikidata=Q374459 | content=Has interesting displays of many vintage and historic cars, motorcycles, other machinery, and an extensive collection of aircraft, including a Russian Tupolev 144 and Anglo-French Concorde. }} * {{see | name=Otto Lilienthal Museum | alt= | url=http://www.lilienthal-museum.de | email=info@lilienthal-museum.de | address=Ellbogenstraße 1 | lat=53.8539 | long=13.7047 | directions=[[Anklam]], [[Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania]] | phone=+49-3971-245500 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10:00-17:00 | price= | wikipedia=Otto Lilienthal Museum | image=Otto-Lilienthal-Museum.JPG | wikidata=Q881418 | lastedit=2016-10-05 | content=Set up on Lilienthal’s birthplace, founded in 1927. On exhibition are various objects belonging to the life and work of Otto Lilienthal, essays, documents, including a photo archive, replicas and models of all known gliders and aircraft of Lilienthal, and a large collection of hang gliders and models of aircraft. Moreover, it shows the history of brothers Otto and Gustav Lilienthal, very prolific inventors of steam engines, toys, as well as initiators of numerous social and cultural projects. Otto Lilienthal was the namesake of defunct Tegel Airport in Berlin. }} [[File:Airport map TXL EN.svg|thumb|Plan of Tegel Airport (TXL)]] * {{see | name=Tegel International Airport | alt=Flughafen Berlin-Tegel "Otto Lilienthal" | url=http://www.berlin-airport.de/en/travellers-txl/index.php | email= | address=[[Berlin/Reinickendorf and Spandau]] | lat=52.554 | long=13.2919 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Berlin Tegel Airport | image=Berlin-Tegel from the air.jpg | wikidata=Q9688 | lastedit=2020-06-10 | content=Tegel was the airport for the French sector and later the dominant airport of West Berlin during the Cold War. It was planned as a double hexagon, though only one hexagon was ever built (Terminal A) plus two non-hexagonal terminals (Terminals C and D). It ceased operations in 8 November 2020. Due to legal and safety reasons, Tegel was held operational for air traffic for another six months, without handling any scheduled services, before being decomissioned as an aviation facility on 3 May 2021. The minor military area on the northern side of Tegel will still be used for governmental helicopter flights until 2029; the main terminal will be kept as workspace by a university of applied sciences. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Tempelhof Airport | alt= | url=http://www.berlin-airport.de | email= | address=[[Berlin/Tempelhof and Neukölln]] | lat=52.473611 | long=13.401667 | directions=Take {{rint|berlin|U6}} to "Platz der Luftbrücke", "Paradestraße" or "Tempelhof" to enter the park. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Sunrise to sunset | price=The park is free; guided tour in the building €15 | wikipedia=Berlin Tempelhof Airport | image=Gegenanflug Tempelhof.jpg | wikidata=Q9686 | content=The "mother of all airports", according to Sir Norman Foster, is a huge relic of the pre-war era. First flights on what was then a parade ground were already undertaken in the first decade of the 20th century, before it became a full-on airport in the 1920s with such dignitaries as president Friedrich Ebert among the first passengers. Tempelhof was one of the first airports to feature a major terminal building (at the time the biggest building in the world before being surpassed by the Pentagon), the first to be linked to the urban rail network of its city (the Berlin U-Bahn) and was a major hotspot of the cold war, including a flight operated by Polish LOT intended for (East-) Berlin-Schönefeld being hijacked and abducted there to escape from the East to the West. The iconic terminal building (built during the Nazi era) was the hot spot of the Berlin airlift (''Berliner Luftbrücke'') in 1948-49. In 1951 a monument was added to its entrance square - then renamed "Airlift Square" - to commemorate the airlifts over the Berlin Blockade. The airport was featured in movies like Billy Wilder's ''One Two Three''. Tempelhof closed as an airport on October 30, 2008. Nowadays, the airfield is a spacious park with many visitors in summer and fall. The terminal building is still fascinating - the halls and neighbouring buildings, intended to become the gateway to Europe, are still known among the largest built entities worldwide. The terminal building is used as a venue of fashion weeks or fairs. Tempelhof, in the 21st century, was a hot-button political issue: first it was the subject of a failed ballot measure to keep it open as an airport. A few years later, a ballot measure to prevent new construction on its outskirts was successful, thus preserving the urban open space at the cost of an exacerbated housing shortage. }} * {{see | name=Cargolifter Hall | alt=Tropical Islands | url=http://www.tropical-islands.de/ | email= | address= | lat=52.0375 | long=13.748611 | directions=go south from Berlin-Schönefeld for around {{km|50}} on the A 13 (Berlin-Dresden) Autobahn; there is [[Intercity buses in Germany|long distance bus service]] and a free shuttle bus from the Brand train station, too | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Tropical Islands Resort | image=Tropical Islands 01.jpg | wikidata=Q511276 | lastedit=2017-12-20 | content=This is one of the remnants of one of the most curious chapters of semi-rigid airship history. During the 1990s and early 2000s it seemed as if rigid airships were making a comeback for cargo. Zeppelin actually started building airships again (though none with a full interior skeleton) but all eyes were on a startup that promised to do great things with a new cargo airship and collected investor money to make that dream a reality. However, after building a scale model and a gigantic airship hall in the nowhere of rural [[Brandenburg]], the company had to acknowledge that they had vastly underestimated the costs of their endeavor and as no more money was forthcoming, the company shut down in 2002. But all was not lost, as an investor bought up the airship hall; not to store airships, mind you - there's surprisingly little demand for that - they built one of the biggest indoor swimming pool / landscape attractions. After ''that'' venture went through some financial trouble it seems to have stabilized for now and while it does not really promote its airship-related history, the hall is nonetheless impressive and visitors can get a glimpse of the vast scale of the airship that never was. }} * {{see | name=Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=53.535833 | long=9.836944 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport | image=A380 first touchdown hamburg.jpg | wikidata=Q663819 | lastedit=2019-01-25 | content=Airbus, as a European company with various European states being stakeholders, produces their aircraft all throughout Europe, but Finkenwerder is where customers get their new planes. The airport is also used for flights by the Airbus company, and you can get a guided tour. }} * {{see | name=Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleißheim | alt= | url=http://www.deutsches-museum.de/en/flugwerft/ | email= | address= | lat=48.2464 | long=11.5578 | directions=[[Oberschleißheim]] north of [[Munich]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1000654 | lastedit=2020-11-30 | content=Part of the ''Deutsches Museum'', a museum set up by the visionary Oscar von Miller with the slightly megalomaniacal proposition of being a "museum of everything (technology)". While the main museum in [[Munich/Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt]] still houses a few aerospace related exhibits, the majority of the planes got too large for the main museum and are thus housed here, outside Munich proper. }} ===India=== * {{see | name=Indian Air Force Museum | alt= | url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/air-force-museum | email= | address= | lat=28.573889 | long=77.116944 | directions=adjacent to the Palam Air Force Station in [[Delhi]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Indian Air Force Museum, Palam | image=Entrance to Air Force Museum, Palam, New Delhi.JPG | wikidata=Q15228644 | lastedit=2016-10-05 | content=The display gallery contains historic photographs, memorabilia, uniforms and personal weapons of the Indian Air Force, from its inception in 1932. This gallery leads to a hangar exhibiting small aircraft and Air Force assets like anti-aircraft guns, vehicles and ordnance. Larger aircraft are exhibited outside the hangar, along with several war trophies, radar equipment and captured enemy vehicles. }} *{{see | name=Naval Aviation Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=15.380833 | long= 73.831389 | directions=[[Vasco da Gama]], adjacent to the Dabolim airport | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM–5PM | price=Admission is free | content= This museum contains exhibits that showcase the evolution of the Indian Naval Air Arm over decades. It's divided into two main parts, an outdoor exhibit and a two-storeyed indoor gallery. This is a great place to see vintage aircraft like the Sealands, Doves, Alizes, Seahawks, Vampires, a Super Constellation and Hughes helicopters, along with the relatively newer Sea Harriers. It claims to be the only one of its kind in Asia. }} ===Italy=== [[Image:Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72 2009-06-06.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A seaplane at the Italian Air Force museum]] * {{see | name=Italian Air Force Museum | alt=Museo Storico Aeronautica Militare | url=http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/storia/museostorico/Pagine/default.aspx | email=musexpo@tiscali.it | address=Vigna Di Valle | lat=42.085049 | long=12.217108 | directions=on the southernmost point of [[Lake Bracciano]], between Bracciano and Anguillara | phone=+39 0699887509 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:30-16:30 in winter and 09:30-17:30 in summer | price=Free | content=A superb collection of planes housed in the hangars of Italy's first seaplane base. Exhibits range from the pioneers of flight and World War I fighters up to Italian military planes of the present day. This is one of the largest collections of its type in the world, really well displayed. }} * {{see | name=Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology | alt=Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia | url=http://www.museoscienza.org/ | email= | address=S.Vittore Street | lat=45.46230 | long=9.17046 | directions=[[Milan/West]], reachable by bus or subway, line MM2 Sant'Ambrogio Station | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Hosted in a former monastery, San Vittore al Corpo. The Air Transport section exhibits several airplanes, including a Farman 1909 replica and an original Macchi MC 205 V used during World War II. There are also modern military aircraft, like an Italian Fiat G.91, a North American F-86K and a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak. }} * {{see | name=Gianni Caproni Aeronautical Museum | alt=Museo dell’Aeronautica Gianni Caproni | url=http://www.museocaproni.it/index.php/en/ | email= | address=Via Lidorno, 3 | lat=46.0209 | long=11.1269 | directions=[[Trento]], adjacent to the airport | phone=+39 461-944 888 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= Italy's oldest aviation museum, and the country's oldest corporate museum, established in 1927. Just outside the museum and airport, a Lockheed F-104G Starfighter is pointed to the sky, and stands as a gate guardian. }} ===Japan=== * {{see | name=Museum of Aeronautical Science | alt=航空科学博物館 kōkū kagaku hakubutsukan | url=http://www.aeromuseum.or.jp/ | email= | address= | lat=35.740225 | long=140.397967 | directions=[[Narita]], about 15min by bus from [[Narita Airport]] (''JR/Keisei Station''). | phone=+81 479 78-0557 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM-5PM., Closed year end and new years holidays | price= | wikipedia=Museum of Aeronautical Science | image=Museum of Aeronautical Sciences.JPG | wikidata=Q11613905 | content=The Museum of Aeronautical Science displays relevant artifacts to the aviation history of Japan, including aircraft. Also of note is the observation deck on the fifth floor, with views over Narita Airport. From here you can watch aircraft landing and departing, log numbers, and take photographs. }} * {{see | name=Tokorozawa Aviation Museum | alt=所沢航空発祥記念館 | url=http://tam-web.jsf.or.jp/ | email= | address=1-13 Namiki | lat=35.7989 | long=139.472 | directions=[[Tokorozawa]] | phone=+81 4-2996-2225 | tollfree= | fax=+81 4-2996-2531 | hours=9:30AM-5PM | price= | wikipedia=Tokorozawa Aviation Museum | image=Tokorozawa Aviation Museum in Koku-koen park 060910.jpg | wikidata=Q1041232 | content=Japan's first airfield, which started operations in 1911 with a flight by Yoshitoshi Tokugawa. The original single runway is still visible and has been incorporated into the larger multifunction Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park, adjacent to the museum. It contains aircraft and other displays (many of which interactive), and an IMAX theatre. }} ===Latvia=== * {{see | name=Riga Aviation Museum | url=http://www.aviamuseum.org/EN/index.html | email= | address= | lat=56.92560 | long=23.98073 | directions=At [[Riga/Pārdaugava|Riga-Spilve International Airport]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=09:00-18:00 | price=€5 | content=Bored at the airport? Check out the Riga Aviation museum, which contains several rare aircraft. }} ===New Zealand=== * {{see | name=Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre | url=http://www.omaka.org.nz/ | email=info@omaka.org.nz | address=79 Aerodrome Rd, [[Blenheim (New Zealand)]] | lat=-41.5375 | long=173.9280 | directions=beside Omaka Aerodrome (not Blenheim Airport) 5&nbsp;km from town, route sign-posted off SH6 | phone = +64 3 579 1305 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM) except 25–26 Dec | price=Adult $25, child (5–14) $10, concessions available | priceextra= | content=Collection of World War I planes lovingly restored and captured in realistic settings. Part of the attraction is the association of Peter Jackson (of Lord of the Rings fame) and Weta Workshop with the display. His team has turned what could be just a collection of planes into a drama enjoyed by even those with little interest in aviation or military history. Worth it. Has a cafe. }} ===Poland=== *{{see | name=Polish Aviation Museum | alt=Muzeum Lotnictwa | url=http://www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl/indexen.php | email= | address=al. Jana Pawła II 39 | lat=50.0777862 | long=19.976092 | directions=Czyżyny district, [[Kraków/East]] | phone=+48 12 640 99 60 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 09:00 - 17:00 | price=Tuesdays free | content=A museum consisting of a new pavilion (good contemporary architecture) and few hangars filled with over two hundred historic gliders, aircraft, helicopters and more. Among them is a collection of 22 extremely rare antique planes that once belonged to Hermann Göring. The museum stands on the grounds of the Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield, one of the oldest military airfields in Europe. }} ===Russia=== [[File:Sukhoi Alley at Monino (8911664897).jpg|thumb|The "Sukhoi Alley" at the Central Air Force Museum]] * {{see | name=Museum of the Great Patriotic War | alt=Центральный музей Великой Отечественной войны | url=http://www.poklonnayagora.ru/ | email= | address=Ploschad Pobedy (Площадь Победы), 3 | lat=55.7308 | long=37.505 | directions=[[Moscow/Outskirts]], M: Park Pobedy | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-19:00, Th 10:00-20:00 | price=- Adults RUB200, Seniors, students RUB100 | wikipedia=Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Moscow | image=Museum_of_the_Great_Patriotic_War_Moscow.jpg | wikidata=Q190694 | content=Impressive museum, features an external section with displays of vintage Soviet aircraft flown in World War II. }} * {{see | name=Memorial Museum of Astronautics | alt=Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics or Memorial Museum of Space Exploration, | url=http://www.space-museum.ru/ | email=cosmomuseum@yandex.ru | address=Prospekt Mira (просп. Мира), 111 | lat=55.822733 | long=37.63971 | directions=[[Moscow/Outskirts]], M:VDNkH (ВДНХ) or Monorail | phone=+7 (495) 683-7968 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 11:00-19:00 | price= | wikipedia=Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics | image=| wikidata=Q1638035 | content=A museum in Moscow, dedicated to space exploration.- The museum contains a wide variety of space-related exhibits and models which explore the history of flight; astronomy; space exploration; space technology; and space in the arts. The museum's collection holds approximately 85,000 different items. }} * {{see | name=Central Air Force Museum | alt=Центральный музей Военно-воздушных сил РФ | url=http://www.monino.ru | email= | address= | lat=55.8326 | long=38.1837 | directions=Monino, [[East Moscow Oblast]], about 40 km east of Moscow. Take a local train from the Yaroslavl Station in Moscow. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=W-F 09:30-13:30, 14:15-17:00, Sa Su 09:00-14:00 | price= | wikipedia=Central Air Force Museum | image=Aviation museum in Monino.jpg | wikidata=Q190445 | lastedit=2016-10-07 | content=173 Russian and Soviet military planes and 127 engines, including rarities and prototypes, are on display in the Central Air Force museum. In addition you can see uniforms, weapons and other air force equipment. Descriptions of exhibits are for the most part in Russian only, with some English translations available. The museum is on a military base, so there's identity check on entry (foreigners no longer need a special permit). Check if the museum is open before visiting, it was planned to close for an unspecified time in the summer 2016 but it has still received reviews in September 2016. }} ===Singapore=== * {{see | name=Kallang Airport | alt= | url= | email= | address=9 Kallang Airport Way | lat=1.307407 | long=103.873626 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=free | wikidata=Q6353550 | content=Singapore's first purpose-built civil aviation airport, opened in 1937 and regarded as one of the finest in the [[British Empire]] at the time of its opening. It was a major stop on the "Kangaroo Route" between [[London]] and [[Sydney]] for both Qantas and BOAC. Malayan Airways, the precursor of today's award-winning Singapore Airlines, was founded here in 1947. It was closed in 1955 after the completion of a new airport at Paya Lebar, though the Art Deco terminal building still stands, and the former runway survives in part as a public road known as Old Airport Road. British Airways and Qantas continue to operate their London-Sydney flights with a stop in Singapore, albeit using the much bigger and more modern [[Singapore Changi Airport|Changi Airport]]. }} ===South Korea=== * {{see | name=National Aviation Museum of Korea | alt=국립항공박물관 | url=https://aviation.or.kr/eng/index.do | email= | address=Haneul-gil 177 (Gonghang-dong 1373-5). Gangseo-gu | lat=37.55674 | long=126.80854 | directions=Ride a shuttle bus at the Gimpo Airport Domestic Terminal. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. Closed on Mondays, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok. | price=Free | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Opened in 2020, this museum shows the history of general and Korean aviation, current and future of the aviation industry. It houses not only retired airplanes from historic F-51, F-86, but also Korean-built T-50 and KC-100. There are many exhibits about civilian aviation industry as well. }} ===Sweden=== * {{see | name=Scandinavian Airlines Collection | alt= | url=https://arlandaflygsamlingar.se/medlemmar/eng_hemsida/ | email= | address=Kabinvägen, Hangar 4 airside | lat=59.6524 | long=17.9470 | directions=[[Stockholm Arlanda Airport]] | phone=+46 8-593 600 33 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu Th 10:00-15:00, or by appointment | price= | content=Aircraft, uniforms and furnishing from early Scandinavian aviation. }} * {{see | name=Swedish Air Force Museum | alt=Flygvapenmuseum | url=http://www.flygvapenmuseum.se/en/ | email= | address=Carl Cederströms gata 2 | lat=58.409978 | long=15.523191 | directions=[[Linköping]] | phone=+46 13-495 97 00 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The museum in the suburb of Malmen features over a hundred aircraft from the early 20th century to the modern age. }} ===Ukraine=== * {{see | name=Ukrainian State Aviation Museum | alt=Державний музей авіації України (Жуляни) | url=http://aviamuseum.com.ua/en | email=info@aviamuseum.com.ua | address=Medovaya str., 1 | lat=50.40790 | long=30.44938 | directions=[[Kyiv]], inside the old Zhulyany Airport | phone=+380 44 241-2583, +380 44 461-6485, +380 44 451-8314 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=50 грн | lastedit=2016-06-10 | content=Many impressive Soviet civil and military aircraft on display, including an An-2, Tu-104, Il-62, Il-76, an Il-86 and constantly improving. The museum is opposite to the airport terminal, which is an industrial zone. To get there, you can either take Trolleybus #9 from the main train station - Kyiv Passazhyrskyi (South exit)/Vokzalna metro stop or #22 from Shuliavska (Шулявська) metro station, both until Sevastopolska Square. From there, take the minibus 220 that will take you straight to the museum (last stop). Walking in the surrounding area after dark is not advisable as the area is poorly lit and stray dogs are present. }} === United Kingdom === * {{see | name=Royal Air Force Museum London | alt=former RAF Hendon airfield | url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk | email= | address=Grahame Park Way, [[London]] NW9 5LL | lat=51.6 | long=-0.246 | directions= | phone=+44 20 8205-2266 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=Free (but parking charges apply) | wikipedia=Royal Air Force Museum London | image=Raf-first-100-years credit-jigsaw.jpg | wikidata=Q1890450 | lastedit=2016-09-30 | content=A nationally important collection of military aircraft, including a few that served with the RAF's foes. }} * {{see | name=Imperial War Museum Duxford | alt=RAF Duxford | url=http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=52.0959 | long=0.1321 | directions=near [[Cambridge (England)|Cambridge]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Imperial War Museum Duxford | wikidata=Q1758240 | content=This World War II airfield, the main filming location for the famous ''Battle of Britain'' movie with Michael Caine, nowadays houses the Imperial War Museum's aircraft collection, and is the largest aviation museum in Europe, featuring a fleet of lovingly mantained Spitfires and Tiger Moths that fly almost daily. As well as military aircraft, it houses a large collection of non-military aircraft including a Concorde. There is also a land warfare museum attached that has many examples of armoured vehicles from the First World War onwards. A proper visit needs a full day. Bus Citi 7 takes about an hour to get there from the city centre or the bus station. Make sure that you board the Citi 7 bus that says Duxford as the Citi 7 bus also goes to two other places. Also note the time of the last bus to leave the museum as later buses go to the village of Duxford but not out to the museum. Flight shows are sometimes held; these days will be very busy. }} * {{see | name=Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum | alt=FAST | url=http://www.airsciences.org.uk/ | email= | address=Trenchard House, 85 Farnborough Road, GU14 6TF | lat=51.282258 | long=-0.753196 | directions=[[Farnborough]], [[Hampshire]] | phone=+44 1252 375050 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Sa Su bank holiday M 10AM-4PM | price=Free | wikipedia=Farnborough Air Sciences Trust | image=Replica of Samuel Franklin Cody's first powered plane - geograph.org.uk - 1554366.jpg | wikidata=Q5435974 | lastedit=2017-01-08 | content=The birthplace of British aviation, Farnborough was used for research and development of balloon technology as early as the 1880s. After the first powered flight in Britain in 1908, the town became heavily involved in the aerospace industry, and saw many landmark moments throughout the 20th century, including one of the claimants for first jet aircraft, and the development of Anglo-French supersonic airliner ''Concorde''. The FAST Museum charts this history, and you can also visit other sites and monuments connected to the industry around town. }} * {{see | name=The Shuttleworth Collection | alt= | url=http://www.shuttleworth.org/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=near [[Biggleswade]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-02 | content=Collection of vintage aircraft. }} * {{see | name=National Museum of Flight Scotland | alt= | url= | email= | address=East Fortune Airfield EH39 5LF | lat=56.001 | long=-2.709 | directions=off A1 near [[Haddington]] east of Edinburgh | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Apr-Oct daily 10:00-17:00, Nov-Mar Sa Su 10:00-16:00 | price=Adult £12 | lastedit=2019-01-22 | content=4 hangars of aircraft, including Concorde G-BOAA. }} === United States === {{main|Aviation history in the United States}} The United States has many sites and museums where a traveller can learn about aviation history. See Wikivoyage's [[Aviation history in the United States]] article for aviation history in the United States. === Scale-model collections === Ever since there has been aviation, there have been skilled model-makers creating scale representations, with many flying models engineered to the same exacting precision of their full-scale counterparts. Reportedly, 'model' flying machines -such as kites in China- got airborne centuries before manned flight first took place. Whilst a number of the museums mentioned above may have aviation models on show, those noted in this section are specifically scale model collections. * {{see | name=National Model Aviation Museum | alt= | url=http://www.modelaircraft.org/museum/museuminfo.aspx | email= | address=5151 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana | lat= | long= | directions=[[Indiana]], [[USA]] | phone=+1 765 287-1256 ext 504 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=$5 | lastedit=2016-12-25 | content= }} * {{see | name= The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=311 Baumgarten Street, Schulenburg, Texas | lat= | long= | directions=[[Schulenburg]], [[USA]] | phone=+1 979-743-6559 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-12-25 | content= }} ==Do== The museums listed above may also offer activities like flight simulators, or on special occasions, tour flights. ===Events=== <!--More air shows: https://www.milavia.net/airshows/calendar/showdates-2020.html airshowinfo.eu--> Here are some notable air shows around the world, but there are many more. As there are many in the United States where there are often several taking place around the country each summer weekend, see [[Aviation history in the United States]] for a list in the United States. * {{do | name=Abbotsford International Air Show | url=http://www.abbotsfordairshow.com/ | email= | address=[[Abbotsford]] International Airport | lat=49.0245 | long=-122.3614 | directions=Trans-Canada Highway 1 to exit 87 (Clearbrook), follow signs for airshow to King Road. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Held the second weekend in August, it attracts visitors from all over the world. Flight demonstrations primarily by Canadian and US craft. Static displays of aircraft, Canadian Forces units, and local police and RCMP detachments. }} * {{do | name=Aero India | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Bangalore]] | lat=13.13127 | long=77.61548 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Held in the second week of February every alternate year (the next one is in 2021), this is Asia's premier air show. Spanning 5 days but open to the public only on the last 3 days (F-Su), the show at Yelahanka Air Force Base in the northern part of Bangalore comprises a defence exhibition and air show. Fighter jets from around the world are on flying and on static display. Normally, there are two air shows every day - one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Tickets can be purchased online or at select outlets - scan the newspapers for more information. (Purchasing a ticket at outlets requires you to show a photo identification and tickets are non-transferable.) }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo | alt= | url=http://www.aadexpo.co.za/ | email= | address=Air Force Base Waterkloof, [[Pretoria]] | lat=-25.8214 | long=28.2213 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-05-02 | content=A combined airshow and trade exhibition, also open to the public, taking place biannually in September. There are planes on display, aerobatics and parachuting shows and hands-on activities for kids. }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Australian International Airshow | alt=Avalon Airshow | url=https://www.airshow.net.au/| email= | address=Avalon Airport | lat=-38.042 | long=144.469 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Australian International Airshow | wikidata=Q4824330 | lastedit=2020-05-02 | content=Described by the organizers as the biggest airshow in the Southern Hemisphere (and the 2017 show had more than 200,000 visitors), it takes place biannually in odd years. Military aircraft from different countries' airforces as far as from the UK and USA are often on display and performing. Manufacturers display new military planes and helicopters, but also civilian planes. }} * {{do | name=China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition | alt=中国国际航空航天博览会 | url=http://www.airshow.com.cn/Category_1214/Index.aspx | email=zhuhai@airshow.com.cn | address= | lat=22.014599 | long=113.382511 | directions=near the [[Zhuhai]] Airport | phone=+86 756 3375602 | tollfree= | fax=+86 756 3376415 | hours= | price= | content=Held every two years, it's the biggest airshow in China, attracting thousands of people and companies around the world including well-known Boeing, Airbus and Ilyushin. Chinese-made military aircraft, which can be rare to spot, may also show up. This show has already become the top card of Zhuhai. }} *{{do| name= Eastbourne Airbourne| url= http://www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk/ | year= 2019| month= August| date= 15 | endyear= | endmonth= | enddate=18 | address= [[Eastbourne]] Seafront| country= |lat=50.7655 | long=0.2939 | content= This is an annual airshow that takes place over the sea. Every summer, the Red Arrows, helicopters, parachutists, and other fast jets come and fly for four days. There are other ground attractions too, including live music, with the local paper claiming that 12,000 people watched Scouting for Girls perform in 2015. The main attractions are at the Western Lawns near the Wishtower, although you can get some pretty good views from the foot of the South Downs. It's free, although the organisers appreciate donations as it is quite expensive to run.| phone= +44 1323 415 415 (phone number of the Eastbourne tourism agency)}} * {{do | name=Farnborough International Airshow | alt= | url=https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/ | email= | address=[[Farnborough]], [[United Kingdom]]| | lat=51.276667 | long=-0.774167 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=20-26 July 2020 | price= | wikipedia=Farnborough Airshow | image=Eurofighter typhoon.jpg | wikidata=Q1396967 | lastedit=2018-09-01 | content=Held in Farnborough Airport for one week in July every two years. Public days are the last weekend only, although there are many locations around town to watch the displays all week. Local pub beer gardens, such as The Swan and The Prince Alexander are good places to try. On-site, exhibits cover civilian & military aircraft both static and as an aerial display. The show's stunning highlight is the RAF display team the "Red Arrows". You can also visit town during the so-called "practice week", which normally lasts a week to ten days before the show opens, although flying display times are unpredictable and often repetitive. }} * {{do | name=ILA Berlin Air Show | alt= | url=http://www.ila-berlin.com/ila2016/home/index_e.cfm | email= | address= [[Berlin]] ExpoCenter Airport, Messestrasse 1, 12529 Schönefeld| lat=52.366667 | long= 13.503333 | directions=18 km southeast of Berlin | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-11 | content=The Berlin Air Show held in mid-May demonstrates the capabilities and achievements of all areas of the global aerospace industry. }} * {{do | name=MAKS | alt=Moscow Air Show | url=http://www.aviasalon.com/en | email= | address=Ramenskoye Airport | lat=55.558333 | long= 38.146389 | directions= 40 km southeast of central [[Moscow]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-11 | content=International Air Show held near Moscow. The first show, Mosaeroshow-92, was held in 1992. Since 1993, it was renamed "MAKS" and is held in odd years. }} * {{do | name=Paris Air Show | alt= | url=https://www.gifas.asso.fr/en/paris-air-show | email= | address= Le Bourget Airport | lat=48.9555| long=2.4324 | directions=[[Paris]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-10-11 | content=The world's calendar-oldest air show. It's held in odd-numbered years. The Paris event starts with four professional days closed to the general public, and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday the public, including children, are allowed in. }} *{{do| name=Royal International Air Tattoo | url=http://www.airtattoo.com/ | year=2020 | month=July | date=17 | endyear= | endmonth= | enddate=19 | address=RAF [[Fairford]] | country= | lat=51.682222 | long=-1.79 | wikipedia=Royal International Air Tattoo | wikidata=Q2461476 | content=The world's largest military airshow. It's held the third weekend in July every year, and usually sees about 150,000 visitors. Military aircraft from all over the world are on display.}} * {{do | name=Sunderland Airshow | alt= | url=https://www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/sunderland-airshow-2020 | email= | address=[[Sunderland]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7639728| wikipedia=Sunderland International Airshow | content=Europe's largest free airshow, every year on Roker seafront usually on the last weekend of July }} * {{listing | type=do | name=Warbirds Over Wanaka | alt= | url=http://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/ | email= | address=[[Wanaka]] | lat=-44.7218 | long=169.2460 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-01-22 | content=An air show held every second Easter long weekend. The next show is in 2022. See over 50 aircraft from the biplanes of World War I, the stars of World War II, the Korea fighters and the jets of Vietnam. Also military vehicles and Harley Davidson motorcycles. }} ==Sleep== See [[Aviation history in the United States]] for destinations in the United States. * {{sleep | name=Jumbostay | alt= | url=http://www.jumbostay.com/ | email= | address= | lat=59.63986 | long=17.93887 | directions=[[Arlanda]] airport, north of [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | content=Jumbovägen 4 near Arlanda Airport, is a bit of a novelty and near the airport. A decommissioned Boeing 747 Jumbo jet converted into a backpackers' hostel. Everything inside is new and clean, and linen comes included on made beds. Flat screen TV's in each room are a luxury for hostels, and if you really want to splash out, there is the cockpit suite. On the downside, not much of an atmosphere once you get over the novelty of staying in a jet. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Costa Verde | alt= | url=https://costaverde.com/accommodations-2/727-fuselage-home/ | email= | address=Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+506 2777 0584 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2020-05-14 | content=Set on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this is a laid-back hotel with converted planes. }} ==See also== * [[Historical travel]] * [[Military tourism]] and [[nuclear tourism]] * [[RFDS tourism]], Australia's flying doctors * [[Science tourism]] and [[heritage railways]] * [[Space flight sites]]; places on Earth related to [[space]] travel {{PartOfTopic|Historical travel}} {{guidetopic}} q8stt6xe670sxncks4do523j68njfay 0 153982 4506220 4417999 2022-08-22T12:57:40Z Yvwv 100394 /* Sculpture */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|European art banner Bacchus and Ariadne.jpg|caption=Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian}} [[Visual art]] of centuries past with origin in [[Europe]] is a popular attraction; seeing an impressive collection can be one of the most memorable parts of your trip. (For more recent artistic traditions, see [[Modern and contemporary art]].) ==Understand== The art described in this article was, at the time it was made (in Europe from the 15th to the 19th century) known just as "art", and is usually categorized by period, genre, medium, and country. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the study and recognition of art broadened, and came to include folk art and modern art. Most non-European art used to have lower status in Europe and among people of European heritage. It was labeled with terms such as ''primitive art'' or ''tribal art'', with some exceptions; art from [[Imperial China]] and [[pre-modern Japan]] was highly appreciated in Europe. The institutions have given more recognition to non-Western art today; the Louvre devotes a whole section to pre-colonial art from Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Similarly, the status of artists has changed - while most notable artists of the Renaissance could make a living with government or church work, later artists like van Gogh struggled to keep financially afloat and there is even "outsider art" made by people who have seemingly no connection to the wider art world - some of them patients in mental institutions or people who lived a "normal" life producing art that only came to the attention of the wider world after their death. ===Periods and styles=== The art in European [[museums]] usually originates from what can be broadly called the [[Middle Ages]] and [[early modern period]]: i.e. up to the late 19th century. Artistic moments and periods have usually been defined by posterity, and contain expressions of painting, sculpture, interior design, [[architecture]] and [[literature]]. They overlap in time, and were usually more prominent in some countries than others. '''Medieval art''' includes works from the 5th to the 15th centuries. Many styles came and went during this 1,000-year period; some of the most prolific are Romanesque and Gothic art. With its origins in [[Ancient Greece]] and the [[Roman Empire]], the '''Renaissance''' was a period especially remembered for its art; see [[Medieval and Renaissance Italy]]. Oil paintings on canvas became widespread in the 15th century. The painters were usually not celebrities in their time, and many of the "old masters" are anonymous. Oftentimes art was produced by apprentices of a master under the "collective name" of the master, and it is thus often difficult to identify who painted what, even if the names of people who might have contributed are known. '''Mannerism''' (or ''Late Renaissance'') was a 16th-century movement to refine Renaissance art techniques, such as shading, perspective, and anatomic realism, though the result was often asymmetry such as elongated necks. '''Baroque''' was a 17th- to 18th-century art style recognized for florid ornamentation, rich colours, nudity, and motion. '''Rococo''' art, which was popular in the mid 18th century, took the Baroque penchant for decoration further and concentrated on pleasing the viewer, not necessarily moving them. '''Neoclassicism''' was an 18th- to 19th-century style, a kind of updated version of ancient Greek and Roman style, often based quite directly on ancient art and known for geometric symmetry and harmony. '''Romanticism''' was a mainly 19th-century style which revolted against rationality and the industrial revolution, promoting individualism, spirituality, mythology, nature, and cultural heritage. Many Romantic artworks were inspired by folklore, folk culture and history, and expressed the national identity of countries in Europe and on other continents. From the mid-19th century, [[photography]] made other arts increasingly unnecessary as documentary media. Some painters began challenging the norms of art with schools such as ''Impressionism'', marking the origin of '''[[modern and contemporary art]]'''. These works were originally dismissed as "mundane art" or "not art" (fascists called it ''degenerate art''), and took a generation or more to find recognition. For historical reasons, pre-modern and modern works of art are usually displayed in different museums. ===Genres=== [[File:Midvinterblot (Carl Larsson) - Nationalmuseum - edited.jpg|thumb|400px|''Midwinter Sacrifice'' ("Midvinterblot") is a 1915 colossal painting by Carl Larsson, commissioned for the National Museum of Fine Arts in [[Stockholm]], represents the height of national romantic painting in the early 20th century. Some artists and museums had a role as nation-builders, and their presentations of history and mythology were often biased for heroic stories, in this case the [[Old Norse]]. This painting depicts semi-legendary king Domalde, who gave his life for redemption from the gods following bad harvests.]] Art had a clear ''hierarchy of genres'', in which the highest-ranked art was historical art including Biblical scenes, history of [[Christianity]], [[Ancient Greece|Graeco-Roman mythology]], and profane history. Mundane motifs such as portraits, genre painting (scenes of everyday life), landscapes, animals and still lifes were easier to depict, and therefore had lower status. '''Biblical art''' and '''Christian art''' depict events from the Old and New Testament, or post-Biblical figures such as saints or martyrs. Many of these works are part of church [[architecture]], as sculptures, reliefs, murals or altars. Among the most common Old Testament themes are the Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, the [[Exodus of Moses]], Hebrew kings, and the Prophecies. New Testament art describes Jesus and his apostles, with the crucifixion as the most iconic event, represented at nearly all Christian buildings in some form. As the Bible was by far the most widespread book in pre-industrial Europe (together with cathecisms and other Christian literature), and the churches were the dominant communication platforms up to the 16th century [[Protestant Reformation]], Christian art was the highest genre. Cities with a Christian tradition usually have a patron saint, depicted in statues and paintings around the city. '''Mythological art''' usually depicts Greek mythology, in many cases in its Roman interpretations, including well-known legends such as the [[Trojan War]]. Many of these works are inspired by preserved Graeco-Roman art. In the [[Nordic countries]], romanticized depictions of Norse mythology were popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Non-religious '''historical art''' depicts battles, coronations, the [[Age of Discovery]] and other historical events, in many cases commissioned centuries after the depicted event. Historical art became a dominant genre with the national romanticism of the 19th century. Many historical paintings are large in format, with plenty of detail to provide a complex narrative, taking months or years to finish. They were usually sponsored by a head of state, or someone else of great wealth, for purpose of propaganda and prestige. Many of these paintings are printed in history books, and become the canonized image of historical events that took place before the age of photography, some of them more famous than the event itself. '''Portraits''' of royals and other people of high estate were usually commissioned by the model, and are today more commonly kept in [[palaces]] or private collections, than in museums. '''Genre art''' depicted mundane scenes (such as working people or maritime painting), usually in a realistic manner. While some genre paintings were as elaborate as the historical paintings, they had lower status. They were especially prevalent in the Benelux and Germany. These motifs were called ''impressions'', and became typical to the impressionist movement of the late 19th century. In modern times, these works are appreciated for describing the lifestyle of common people, who were otherwise omitted from early modern art and literature. '''Landscapes''', '''[[architecture]]''' and '''animals''' were perceived as easy motifs, and were of low status. '''Still life''' painting was considered the lowest genre of all. These still allowed painters to practice their skills to depict perspective, light and colour. The selection of the motif could also contain allegory and symbolism; a common theme was ''vanitas''; the certainty of death. '''Folk art''' is art made by common people, usually not commissioned by governments, aristocrats or institutions. Folk art had low status before the 19th century, and is an often overlooked part of Europe's cultural heritage, rarely seen in museums. ===Sculpture=== The Graeco-Roman civilizations left behind many statues and other sculptures, which inspired Europeans. Gothic sculptures are prevalent in [[Gothic architecture|Gothic churches]]. Renaissance sculpture had an ambition to copy the ancient tradition. '''Marble''' has been a popular material for human statues, allowing a skin-like texture. As marble is brittle and does not carry its own weight as easily as the human models do, marble statues need a strong base. '''Granite''' is among the most common rocks. Difficult to work by hand, it was up to the 18th century mostly used for gravestones. With steam power for mining, cutting and transportation, granite monuments became more prevalent. '''Bronze''' is used for casted statues, allowing copies. '''Wood''' is cheap, but less durable. Wood sculptures have mainly been used for interiors and folk art. Many wood objects have been lost to fire. ==Buy== {{seealso|Art and antiques shopping}} Most well-known original works are not on the market, or unaffordable for the average traveller. Since copyright of art usually expires 70 years after the artist's death (which puts practically all art made before 1850 in the public domain), reproductions are easy to find and buy. ==Destinations== {{Mapframe|50|15|zoom=3|layer=W|height=400|width=400}} ===Europe=== Most European cities have some art on display. Here is a list of the most renowned and representative exhibitions. * {{see | name=Musée du Louvre | alt= | url=http://www.louvre.fr/ | email= | address=Place du Carrousel | lat=48.86106 | long=2.33562 | directions=[[Paris/1st arrondissement|1st arrondissement]], [[Paris]], France | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Its exhibits come from such diverse origins as [[ancient Egypt]], [[classical Greece]] and the [[Roman Empire]], medieval Europe, and Napoleonic France. Its most famous exhibit, of course, is Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Mona Lisa (French: ''La Joconde'', Italian: ''La Gioconda''), generally to be found surrounded by hordes of camera-flashing tourists. The Louvre poses many of the same challenges to the visitor as Paris itself; overwhelming in size, crowded in high seasons, and much information available only in French. If you want to see everything in the Louvre, plan ''at least'' two full days. However, it is better to pick and choose, as the collection was assembled with an eye to completeness rather than quality. }} * {{see | name=National Gallery | url=http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/ | email= | address=Trafalgar Sq, WC2 5DN | lat= 51.5089061| long= -0.128392 | directions=[[London/Leicester Square]] | phone =+44 20 7747-2885 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-18:00 daily except F until 21:00 | price=Free | wikipedia=National Gallery | content=Houses the British national collection of western European art dating from the 13th to 19th centuries. A truly awe-inspiring collection, notable works include Hans Holbein's ''The Ambassadors'', Van Gogh's ''Sunflowers'' and Constable's ''The Haywain''. The vast majority of art is free of charge to visit. Temporary exhibitions are generally fairly costly, but invariably well researched and presented. The audioguides are very comprehensive, have comments on most of the paintings in the museum, and are free though this fact is not advertised. A donation is suggested. In addition to courses, workshops, lectures and other events, the National Gallery has free talks and tours every day. | wikidata=Q180788}} [[File:Retrato_del_Papa_Inocencio_X._Roma,_by_Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Pope Innocent X by Diego Velázquez, 1650, in the Doria Pamphili gallery, Rome]] *{{listing | type=see | name=Museo del Prado | alt= | url=http://www.museodelprado.es/en/visit-the-museum/ | email= | address=Paseo de Prado | lat=40.41381 | long=-3.69224 | directions=[[Madrid]], Spain | phone=+34 913 302 800 (information), +34 902 107 077 (ticket sales) | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 10:00-19:00; closed/shortened hrs on some holidays; extended hrs for special exhibits; last admission 30 min before closing | price=€14/16 (adults/special exhibits), €7 (seniors 65+), free (children/students under 25); free admission M-Sa 18:00-20:00, Su/holidays 17:00-19:00; additional obligatory fee for special exhibits | image=Madrid - Museo del Prado.jpg | content=One of the finest art collections in the world and the best collection of classical art in Madrid. It includes many different collections: the Spanish (El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya), the Flemish and Dutch (Rubens, van Dyck, and Brueghel), Italian (Botticelli, Tintoretto, Titian, Caravaggio, and Veronese) and German (Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach, and Baldung Grien).<br /><br />Some highlights not to miss at the Prado include the Bosch masterpiece ''The Garden of Earthly Delights'', Velázquez's masterpiece ''Las Meninas'', the ''Black Paintings'', ''The Third of May 1808'', as well as the pair of paintings The Clothed Maja (''La maja vestida'') and The Naked Maja (''La maja desnuda'') by Goya, ''Adoration of the Shepards'' by El Greco, and ''David with the Head of Goliath'' by Caravaggio. An easily overlooked gem is a copy of the famous "Mona Lisa" also painted in Da Vinci's workshop which you can see here without the crowds and with much more possibility to study it in detail. Be sure to walk along ''Paseo del Prado'', a pedestrian walkway full of fountains and trees near the museum. Visitors can bypass the often extremely long queues by purchasing tickets beforehand by phone or online for an additional fee per ticket. An affordable café and cafeteria-style restaurant are on the ground floor, along with a gift shop. No food, drinks, backpacks or umbrellas are permitted (a bag check is just inside the main entrance). Photography not permitted. }} [[File:Raphael Madonna with Beardless St. Joseph.jpg|thumb|Raphael's ''Madonna with Beardless St. Joseph'' in the State Hermitage Museum]] * {{see | name=State Hermitage Museum | alt=Государственный Эрмита́ж, gosudarstvenny ermitazh,Зимний дворец, zimniy dvorets, Winter Palace | url=http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/ | email= | address=Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Dvortsovaya Square). Palace Embankment, 38 | lat=59.941 | long=30.3129 | directions=[[Saint Petersburg]], Russia | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:30–18:00 (W till 21:00) | price={{RUB|400}} foreigners; {{RUB|250}} citizens of Russia & Belarus; free for students of all nationalities; free on the first Thu of the month (''{{RUB|200}} to take photos & videos'') | content=The Hermitage is Saint Petersburg's prime attraction, a massive palace-museum showing the highlights of a collection of over 3 million pieces spanning the globe. Hosted in the Winter Palace, the former main residence of the Russian tsars, and several other historic buildings nearby, the Hermitage is one of the world's great museums, with an imposing setting displaying priceless works by Rembrandt, Raphael, Rubens, Velázquez, Michelangelo, van Dyck, Matisse and many more. It is possible, though not required, to get a tour guide. They can charge as much as $100 but they can tell you more about the building and the items and take you directly to the items you want to see. For many, finding their own way through the opulent interiors, huge and intricate enough to get some people lost, and exploring corners off the beaten path (and the complex is huge enough to have some) may be an attraction in itself. A popular story describes a foreign diplomat insisting to be guided, blindfolded, directly to the Rembrandts, so not to be distracted by the tremendous glittery. Sometimes the museum will limit the admission rate because of the numbers already in the museum. Large bags aren't allowed in the museum; there is a massive cloakroom downstairs for jackets and bags. }} [[File:Creación de Adán (Miguel Ángel).jpg|thumb|Michelangelo's ''The Creation of Adam'' in the Sistine Chapel]] * {{see | name=The Vatican Museum | alt= | url=http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html | email= | address=Viale Vaticano | lat=41.90676 | long=12.45386 | directions=[[Vatican City]] | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00 (ticket office closes at 16:00), Sun closed (except last Sunday of the month, when it is free, crowded, and open 09:00-14:00 with last admission at 12:30). The museum is closed for holidays on: Jan 1 & 6, Feb 11 & 22, Mar 19 & 28, Jun 29, Aug 15, Nov 1, and Dec 8 & 26 | price=€16 adults, €8 concessions. Additional €4 booking fee per ticket if booked online in advance | lastedit=2016-03-02 | content=One of the greatest art galleries in the world, the museum is most famous for its spiral staircase, the Raphael Rooms and the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel famous for Michelangelo's frescoes. Much of the museum is organized so you follow a one-way route leading to Raphael's rooms and the Sistine Chapel but there is much more to see as well. If you are very short of time, it will take at least an hour to visit the Sistine Chapel. The Museum is usually the most hot and crowded on Saturdays, Mondays, the last Sunday of the month, rainy days, and days before or after a holiday but, basically, it is crowded every day and if you want to see the gems that it contains you will have to tolerate the crowds or sign up to very expensive private tours after the museum is closed to everyone else. Dress code: no short shorts or bare shoulders. There are often lengthy queues from the entrance that stretch around the block in the early morning. Non-guided visitors should join the queue that is to the left as you are facing the entrance; the queue on the right is intended for guided group visitors. You can [https://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do book online] in advance and with a booking you can skip the queue. Audio-guides are available from the top of the escalator/ramp for €7. Two people can share a single unit plugging in a standard set of earphones. }} * {{see | name=National Museum of Fine Arts | alt=Nationalmuseum | url=http://www.nationalmuseum.se/sv/English-startpage/ | email= | address=Södra Blasieholmshamnen, [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] | lat=59.32845 | long=18.07802 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q842858 | content=Sweden's national museum for European art opened in 1866. A renovation for accessibility and climate control was finished in 2018. The museum exhibits works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Renoir, Degas and Gauguin, as well as well-known Swedish artists such as Carl Larsson, Ernst Josephson, C F Hill and Anders Zorn. The museum also has a collection of applied art, interior design, and industrial design. }} * {{see | name=Uffizi | alt= | url=https://www.uffizi.it/en | email= | address=Piazzale degli Uffizi, [[Florence]], [[Italy]] | lat=43.7684 | long=11.2556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= Perhaps Italy's most famous art museum, housing the collection formerly owned by the famed Medici family, and one of the world's foremost collections of Italian Renaissance art. }} * {{see | name=Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze | alt= | url=http://galleriaaccademiafirenze.beniculturali.it/ | email= | address=58–60 via Ricasoli, [[Florence]], [[Italy]] | lat=43.77694 | long=11.25873 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit= | content= Home to the famous statue of David by Michelangelo. }} * {{see | name=Alte Pinakothek | alt= | url=https://www.pinakothek.de/besuch/alte-pinakothek | email= | address=Barer Straße 27 | lat=48.148333 | long=11.57 | directions=[[Munich/Maxvorstadt]], Tram 27, 28: Pinakotheken | phone=+49 89 23805216 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, Tu 10:00-20:00, closed on Mondays and major holidays | price=Adults: €7, Concessions: €5, Sundays: €1 | wikipedia=Alte Pinakothek | image=Alte_Pinakothek.jpg | wikidata=Q154568 | content=Contains hundreds of great European masterworks dating from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including the largest Rubens collection in the world. The Alte Pinakothek underwent a major four-year closing and renovation, but reopened in 2017. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Neue Pinakothek | alt= | url=http://www.pinakothek.de/en/neue-pinakothek | email= | address=Barer Straße 29 | lat=48.14997 | long=11.57094 | directions=[[Munich/Maxvorstadt]], Tram 27, 28: Pinakotheken | phone=+49 89 23805195 | tollfree= | hours=Th-M 10:00-18:00, W 10:00-20:00, closed on Tuesdays and major holidays | price=Adults: €7, concessions: €5, Sundays: €1 | content=The Neue Pinakothek's collection includes 19th-century European paintings and sculptures, and was also renovated. Perhaps the most popular of the Pinakotheks, there is also a very nice cafe here. '''Closed for renovation until 2025.''' }} * {{see | name=Rijksmuseum | alt= | url=https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en | email=info@rijksmuseum.nl | address=Museumstraat 1 | lat=52.359969 | long=4.885325 | directions=[[Amsterdam/Zuid]], Tram 2, 5 or 12 to Rijksmuseum | phone=+31 20 6747 000 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 09:00-17:00 | price=€20/adult, €19/adult online, €10/European Youth Card, children free, no student discounts | wikipedia=Rijksmuseum | image=Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.jpg | wikidata=Q190804 | lastedit=2020-10-26 | content=The largest and most prestigious museum for art and history in the Netherlands: works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and other Dutch masters. Its garden has a curious collection of architecture and has free entrance during museum opening times. Recommend to get there early to avoid long queues and crowds, then head first for the second floor to see the Rembrandt classics and others such as Avercamp's Winter Landscape with Skaters. }} * {{see | name=Musées Royaux des Beaux Arts de Belgique - Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van België | alt=Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium | url=http://www.fine-arts-museum.be/ | email= | address=Rue de la Régence-Regentschapstraat 3, at Place Royale-Koningsplein | lat=50.84175 | long=4.35771 | directions=[[Brussels/Pentagon]] | phone=+32 2 508-3211 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Features both historical art and modern art in the one building. In a vast museum of several buildings, this complex combines the Musée d'Art Ancien-Museum voor Oude Kunst and the Musée d'Art Moderne-Museum voor Moderne Kunst under one roof (connected by a passage). The collection shows off works, most of them Belgian, from the 14th to the 20th century, starting in the historical section, with Hans Memling's portraits from the late 15th century, which are marked by sharp lifelike details, works by Hiëronymus Bosch, and Lucas Cranach's Adam and Eve. You should particularly seek out the subsequent rooms featuring Pieter Brueghel, including his Adoration of the Magi. Don't miss his unusual Fall of the Rebel Angels, with grotesque faces and beasts. But don't fear, many of Brueghel's paintings, like those depicting Flemish village life, are of a less fiery nature. Later artists represented include Rubens, Van Dyck, Frans Hals, and Rembrandt. Next door, in a circular building connected to the main entrance, the modern art section has an emphasis on underground works - if only because the museum's eight floors are all below ground level. The collection includes works by van Gogh, Matisse, Dalí, Tanguy, Ernst, Chagall, Miró, and local boys Magritte, Delvaux, De Braekeleer and Permeke. Don't miss David's famous "Death of Marat.". }} *{{listing | type=see | name=Tretyakov Gallery | alt=Государственная Третьяковская Галерея | url=http://www.tretyakov.ru | email= | address=Yakimanka district, Lavrushinsky Lane, 10 | lat=55.741389 | long=37.620278 | directions=[[Moscow/Central-South]], Metro: Tretyakovskaya or Novokuznetskaya | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Th-F 10:00-21:00 (ticket office and last admission until 20.00); Tu,W,Sa,Su 10:00-18:00 (ticket office and last admission until 17.00). Closed Mondays. | price=Adults: {{RUB|450}}, Students: {{RUB|300}} | wikipedia=Tretyakov Gallery | wikidata=Q183334 | content=One of the world's greatest museums, this is probably the one to choose if you only want to visit one museum in Moscow. In contrast to the worldwide collection of the '''Pushkin Museum''', the Tretyakov is mostly a collection of Russian art. It has the best collection of Russian icons and many of the most famous pieces of modern Russian artists like Ilya Repin. }} ::(NB: There are actually two Tretyakov museums now, the classic one and the 20th Century one. The classic one is where it has always been, the 20th Century one is in the Artist's House Cultural Centre across from Gorky Park. They charge separate entry fees.) * {{see | name=Kunsthistorisches Museum | alt=Museum of Fine Arts | url=http://www.khm.at/ | email=info@khm.at | address=Maria-Theresien-Platz | lat=48.20379 | long=16.361796 | directions=[[Vienna/Innere Stadt]], U2/U3 Volkstheater, tram D, 1, 2, 46, 49, bus 2A, 57A Burgring Maria-Theresien-Platz Stop | phone=+43 1 52524-0 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Tu W F-Su 10:00–18:00, Th 10:00–21:00 | price=€14 (adults), €11 (concessions); admission includes entry to the Ephesos Museum, Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, and Collection of Arms and Armour (see listing below under ''New Palace'') | wikipedia=Kunsthistorisches Museum | image=Wien Kunsthistorisches Museum Nov2006.jpg | wikidata=Q95569 | content=One of the world's greatest art museums and in a palace that is a work of art itself. Serious art fans may wish to devote more than a day to its treasures. There is no other word to describe the ''Kunst'' other than mind-boggling. It contains a world-class exhibit of the Habsburgs' art collection, including Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bosch, and Brueghel. The museum has an excellent collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art. The coin & medals collection is also exhaustive in its scope. The museum cafe is a bit pricey, but good, and in a beautiful setting. Hand-held photography is permitted. }} ===Outside Europe=== [[File:El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos, called) - Christ on the Cross - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|El Greco's ''Christ on the Cross'' at the National Museum of Western Art]] * {{see | name=National Museum of Western Art | alt=国立西洋美術館, Kokuritsu Seiyō Bijutsukan? | url=http://www.nmwa.go.jp/ | email= | address=[[Ueno, Tokyo]] | lat=35.715460 | long=139.775677 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM-5PM | price=Entry &yen;500; free admission on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month | wikidata=Q1362629 | content=Houses one of Asia's most extensive collection of Western art, including the original of Rodin's famous ''The Thinker''. It is listed as a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO World Heritage]] as part of "The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement". }} * {{see | name=Metropolitan Museum of Art | alt= | url=https://www.metmuseum.org/ | email= | address=1000 Fifth Ave, [[Central Park]], [[New York City]], [[United States of America|United States]] | lat=40.7794 | long=-73.9631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th 10am-5.30pm; F-Sa 10am-9pm | price=$25 adults, $17 senior citizens (65 and over), $12 students, free for children aged 12 and under | wikidata=Q160236 | content=Known in short as ''The Met'', perhaps the most famous museum in New York City, and so large that it will take you more than a day to see the entire collection. Boasts an impressive collection of art from around the world, ranging from ancient Greek and Roman pottery and sculptures to 19th-century European paintings by masters such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. }} * {{see | name=The Cloisters | alt= | url=https://metmuseum.org/visit/met-cloisters | email= | address=99 Margaret Corbin Dr, Fort Tyron Park, [[New York City]], [[United States of America|United States]] | lat=40.8648 | long=-73.9319 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th 10am-5.15pm; F-Sa 10am-4.45pm | price=$25 adults, $17 senior citizens (65 and over), $12 students, free for children aged 12 and under | wikidata=Q1138030 | content=A branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to medieval European art, most famous for its unicorn tapestries. The museum was assembled in part from cloisters transported stone by stone from Europe, hence its name. }} * {{see | name=National Gallery of Victoria | alt= | url=http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ | email= | address=180 St Kilda Rd, [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]] | lat=-37.822595 | long=144.968634 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 10am-5pm | price=free for permanent exhibits | wikidata=Q1464509 | content=The oldest and most visited art museum in Australia, with a comprehensive collection including works by the old masters, and European art all the way up to the late 19th century. }} * {{see | name=Art Institute of Chicago | alt= | url=https://www.artic.edu/ | email= | address=111 S Michigan Ave, [[Chicago]], [[United States of America|United States]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Th-Mon 11am-6pm | price=$25 adults | wikidata=Q239303 | content=One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, home to a vast collection of European and American paintings. }} ==See also== * [[Grand Tour]] * [[Monarchies]] for Royal art collections * [[Urban sketching]] {{outlinetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Visual arts}} mpvgl5dkf94hrv64lzysvtc2ry53dpm 0 154429 4506671 4505487 2022-08-23T08:34:00Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* See */ moved from Other wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Tolagnaro Fort Dauphin Madagascar banner.jpg|caption=Fort Dauphin, Madagascar}} The '''East African Islands''' are in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of [[Africa]]. [[Madagascar]] is by far the biggest, and a continent on its own when it comes to wildlife. Most of the smaller islands are independent nations, or associated with [[France]], and known as luxury beach [[resorts]]. ==Countries and territories== {{Regionlist | regionmap=East African islands.png | regionmaptext=East African islands | regionmapsize=300px | region1name=[[Comoros]] | region1color=#ff006f | region1items= | region1description=A small island group in the Mozambique Channel and an historic crossroad of cultures | region2name=[[Madagascar]] | region2color=#79ad81 | region2items= | region2description=Expect the unexpected in the land of the lemurs and the so-called eighth continent | region3name=[[Mauritius]] | region3color=#0a00fb | region3items=including [[Rodrigues]] | region3description=An island with a population mainly descended from Indian indentured labourers | region4name=[[Réunion]] | region4color=#cc00fe | region4items= | region4description=A piece of France all the way in the Indian Ocean | region5name=[[Seychelles]] | region5color=#fe0000 | region5items= | region5description=A group of 115 islands northeast of Madagascar and the smallest country in Africa by both area and population }} ===Disputed territories=== {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Mayotte]] | region1color=#ae87bf | region1items= | region1description=Geographically and culturally part of the Comoros and formerly ruled by France as part of the Comoros, it voted to remain part of France when the rest of the Comoros opted for independence. Today, it is claimed by both France and Comoros, but remains under de facto French control with many of the islanders who live in Mayotte choosing to remain a part of France. }} ===Other islands=== Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues are collectively known as the '''Mascarene Islands'''. The region also has some small islands administered by [[France]], without regular transportation or hospitality venues. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Europa Island]]|wikidata=Q193089}} &mdash; a small atoll with an unpaved airstrip. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=The [[Glorioso Islands]]|wikidata=Q236601}} &mdash; are all part of a small atoll with one airstrip and some anchorages. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Tromelin]]|wikidata=Q234208}} &mdash; is a small uninhabited island claimed by Mauritius. The islands along Africa's coast, such as [[Socotra]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Mafia Island]], the [[Bazaruto Archipelago]] and [[Ilha de Mozambique]], have natural and cultural similarities to these islands. They are described as part of their respective country. {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#ff006f|title=[[Comoros]]|wikidata=Q970}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#79ad81|title=[[Madagascar]]|wikidata=Q1019}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#0a00fb|title=[[Mauritius]]|wikidata=Q1027}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#ae87bf|title=[[Mayotte]]|wikidata=Q17063}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#cc00fe|title=[[Réunion]]|wikidata=Q17070}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#fe0000|title=[[Seychelles]]|wikidata=Q1042}} ==Cities== {{mapframe}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Antananarivo]]|wikidata=Q3915}} — also known as Tana, is the capital of Madagascar * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mamoudzou]]|wikidata=Q132676}} — the largest town in Mayotte * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Moroni (Comoros)|Moroni]]|wikidata=Q3901}} — capital and largest city of the Comoros * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Louis]]|wikidata=Q3929}} — the capital of Mauritius * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Denis (Réunion)|Saint-Denis]]|wikidata=Q47045}} — the largest town in Réunion * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Victoria (Seychelles)|Victoria]]|wikidata=Q3940}} — the capital of the Seychelles and one of the smallest capitals in the world ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Andasibe-Mantadia National Park]]|wikidata=Q2519690}} — the home of the indri lemurs * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Andringitra National Park]]|wikidata=Q1116933}} — one of the most biologically diverse areas in all of Madagascar * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Black River Gorges]]|wikidata=Q2421766}} — a national park in the mountains of Mauritius * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Moheli]]|wikidata=Q271797}} — the smallest and perhaps the most beautiful of the Comoro Islands * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Rodrigues]]|wikidata=Q208668}} — "Mauritius 25 years ago" * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Réunion National Park]]|wikidata=Q550389}} – parts of it are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] renowned for its mountainous scenery which includes {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Piton de la Fournaise]]|wikidata=Q1049644}}, a volcano in the national park ==Understand== Both the natural and human history of the East African islands differs from the history of continental Africa. 90% of the wildlife of Madagascar is found nowhere else on the planet. The first inhabitants of Madagascar arrived from [[Southeast Asia]], while the locals of [[India]]n origin form the majority in Mauritius and substantial minorities in Réunion and Seychelles. Arab trade and exploration flourished in the region between the 10th and 16th centuries. The Arabs also brought [[Islam]] to the lands, and it took in a big way in the Comoros and Mayotte. European influence and colonialism began in the 15th century, as Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama found the [[Cape Route]] from Europe to India. The Portuguese, Dutch and English set up trading posts in the region for the East Indian Companies. By the 19th century, [[France]] became the major colonial power on the islands, and still possesses some of them. ==Talk== French is the ''lingua franca'' of the islands. People in Madagascar speak [[Malagasy phrasebook|Malagasy]], an Austronesian language. ==Get in== As most of these islands have been part of the French Empire or are still governed from Paris in some form, many intercontinental flights arrive from France; especially [[Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport]] ({{IATA|CDG}}) and [[Orly Airport]] ({{IATA|ORY}}). The more touristed islands receive flights from hubs in Europe and Asia. Flying is also the most practical way to travel between the islands, since [[cruise ships]] and [[ferries]] are few and far between. ==Get around== ===By plane=== There are some domestic flights within Madagascar and you can "island hop" to some extent but some connections are awkward and it may sometimes be easier to fly back to the mainland or even to France for some trips. ===By boat=== You CAN get between different countries/territories on boats, but they are slow and expensive. ==See== * Wildlife of these islands differs greatly from mainland Africa. Lemurs on Madagascar are among the biggest drawcards. * [[Andasibe-Mantadia National Park]] on Madagascar is home to the indri lemurs * [[Andringitra National Park]] is — one of the most biologically diverse areas in all of Madagascar. * Black River Gorges are a national park in the mountains of Mauritius. * [[Moheli]] is the most beautiful of the Comoros. * [[Réunion National Park]] has mountainous scenery including the active volcano of [[Piton de la Fournaise]]. ==Do== Obviously, these islands are great for [[water sport]]. Even the smaller islands have great inland sceneries for [[outdoor life]]. ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== The East African Islands are generally much safer than most of mainland Africa, although safety varies from island to island. Réunion and Mayotte have comparable safety to metropolitan France. ==Go next== * [[East Africa]] * [[France]] * [[South Africa]] {{IsPartOf|Africa}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|-14.2|54.03|zoom=6}} c98ycfj4piqumesmhqasx7rncmpklau 4506672 4506671 2022-08-23T08:34:31Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Other destinations */ moved to See wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Tolagnaro Fort Dauphin Madagascar banner.jpg|caption=Fort Dauphin, Madagascar}} The '''East African Islands''' are in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of [[Africa]]. [[Madagascar]] is by far the biggest, and a continent on its own when it comes to wildlife. Most of the smaller islands are independent nations, or associated with [[France]], and known as luxury beach [[resorts]]. ==Countries and territories== {{Regionlist | regionmap=East African islands.png | regionmaptext=East African islands | regionmapsize=300px | region1name=[[Comoros]] | region1color=#ff006f | region1items= | region1description=A small island group in the Mozambique Channel and an historic crossroad of cultures | region2name=[[Madagascar]] | region2color=#79ad81 | region2items= | region2description=Expect the unexpected in the land of the lemurs and the so-called eighth continent | region3name=[[Mauritius]] | region3color=#0a00fb | region3items=including [[Rodrigues]] | region3description=An island with a population mainly descended from Indian indentured labourers | region4name=[[Réunion]] | region4color=#cc00fe | region4items= | region4description=A piece of France all the way in the Indian Ocean | region5name=[[Seychelles]] | region5color=#fe0000 | region5items= | region5description=A group of 115 islands northeast of Madagascar and the smallest country in Africa by both area and population }} ===Disputed territories=== {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Mayotte]] | region1color=#ae87bf | region1items= | region1description=Geographically and culturally part of the Comoros and formerly ruled by France as part of the Comoros, it voted to remain part of France when the rest of the Comoros opted for independence. Today, it is claimed by both France and Comoros, but remains under de facto French control with many of the islanders who live in Mayotte choosing to remain a part of France. }} ===Other islands=== Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues are collectively known as the '''Mascarene Islands'''. The region also has some small islands administered by [[France]], without regular transportation or hospitality venues. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Europa Island]]|wikidata=Q193089}} &mdash; a small atoll with an unpaved airstrip. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=The [[Glorioso Islands]]|wikidata=Q236601}} &mdash; are all part of a small atoll with one airstrip and some anchorages. * {{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Tromelin]]|wikidata=Q234208}} &mdash; is a small uninhabited island claimed by Mauritius. The islands along Africa's coast, such as [[Socotra]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Mafia Island]], the [[Bazaruto Archipelago]] and [[Ilha de Mozambique]], have natural and cultural similarities to these islands. They are described as part of their respective country. {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#ff006f|title=[[Comoros]]|wikidata=Q970}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#79ad81|title=[[Madagascar]]|wikidata=Q1019}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#0a00fb|title=[[Mauritius]]|wikidata=Q1027}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#ae87bf|title=[[Mayotte]]|wikidata=Q17063}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#cc00fe|title=[[Réunion]]|wikidata=Q17070}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#fe0000|title=[[Seychelles]]|wikidata=Q1042}} ==Cities== {{mapframe}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Antananarivo]]|wikidata=Q3915}} — also known as Tana, is the capital of Madagascar * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mamoudzou]]|wikidata=Q132676}} — the largest town in Mayotte * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Moroni (Comoros)|Moroni]]|wikidata=Q3901}} — capital and largest city of the Comoros * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Louis]]|wikidata=Q3929}} — the capital of Mauritius * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Denis (Réunion)|Saint-Denis]]|wikidata=Q47045}} — the largest town in Réunion * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Victoria (Seychelles)|Victoria]]|wikidata=Q3940}} — the capital of the Seychelles and one of the smallest capitals in the world ==Understand== Both the natural and human history of the East African islands differs from the history of continental Africa. 90% of the wildlife of Madagascar is found nowhere else on the planet. The first inhabitants of Madagascar arrived from [[Southeast Asia]], while the locals of [[India]]n origin form the majority in Mauritius and substantial minorities in Réunion and Seychelles. Arab trade and exploration flourished in the region between the 10th and 16th centuries. The Arabs also brought [[Islam]] to the lands, and it took in a big way in the Comoros and Mayotte. European influence and colonialism began in the 15th century, as Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama found the [[Cape Route]] from Europe to India. The Portuguese, Dutch and English set up trading posts in the region for the East Indian Companies. By the 19th century, [[France]] became the major colonial power on the islands, and still possesses some of them. ==Talk== French is the ''lingua franca'' of the islands. People in Madagascar speak [[Malagasy phrasebook|Malagasy]], an Austronesian language. ==Get in== As most of these islands have been part of the French Empire or are still governed from Paris in some form, many intercontinental flights arrive from France; especially [[Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport]] ({{IATA|CDG}}) and [[Orly Airport]] ({{IATA|ORY}}). The more touristed islands receive flights from hubs in Europe and Asia. Flying is also the most practical way to travel between the islands, since [[cruise ships]] and [[ferries]] are few and far between. ==Get around== ===By plane=== There are some domestic flights within Madagascar and you can "island hop" to some extent but some connections are awkward and it may sometimes be easier to fly back to the mainland or even to France for some trips. ===By boat=== You CAN get between different countries/territories on boats, but they are slow and expensive. ==See== * Wildlife of these islands differs greatly from mainland Africa. Lemurs on Madagascar are among the biggest drawcards. * [[Andasibe-Mantadia National Park]] on Madagascar is home to the indri lemurs * [[Andringitra National Park]] is — one of the most biologically diverse areas in all of Madagascar. * Black River Gorges are a national park in the mountains of Mauritius. * [[Moheli]] is the most beautiful of the Comoros. * [[Réunion National Park]] has mountainous scenery including the active volcano of [[Piton de la Fournaise]]. ==Do== Obviously, these islands are great for [[water sport]]. Even the smaller islands have great inland sceneries for [[outdoor life]]. ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== The East African Islands are generally much safer than most of mainland Africa, although safety varies from island to island. Réunion and Mayotte have comparable safety to metropolitan France. ==Go next== * [[East Africa]] * [[France]] * [[South Africa]] {{IsPartOf|Africa}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|-14.2|54.03|zoom=6}} hdabrhhf5xoqey5sja5epj2whj23ec7 4506674 4506672 2022-08-23T08:36:14Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Other islands */ Rodrigues moved here wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Tolagnaro Fort Dauphin Madagascar banner.jpg|caption=Fort Dauphin, Madagascar}} The '''East African Islands''' are in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of [[Africa]]. [[Madagascar]] is by far the biggest, and a continent on its own when it comes to wildlife. Most of the smaller islands are independent nations, or associated with [[France]], and known as luxury beach [[resorts]]. ==Countries and territories== {{Regionlist | regionmap=East African islands.png | regionmaptext=East African islands | regionmapsize=300px | region1name=[[Comoros]] | region1color=#ff006f | region1items= | region1description=A small island group in the Mozambique Channel and an historic crossroad of cultures | region2name=[[Madagascar]] | region2color=#79ad81 | region2items= | region2description=Expect the unexpected in the land of the lemurs and the so-called eighth continent | region3name=[[Mauritius]] | region3color=#0a00fb | region3items=including [[Rodrigues]] | region3description=An island with a population mainly descended from Indian indentured labourers | region4name=[[Réunion]] | region4color=#cc00fe | region4items= | region4description=A piece of France all the way in the Indian Ocean | region5name=[[Seychelles]] | region5color=#fe0000 | region5items= | region5description=A group of 115 islands northeast of Madagascar and the smallest country in Africa by both area and population }} ===Disputed territories=== {{Regionlist | region1name=[[Mayotte]] | region1color=#ae87bf | region1items= | region1description=Geographically and culturally part of the Comoros and formerly ruled by France as part of the Comoros, it voted to remain part of France when the rest of the Comoros opted for independence. Today, it is claimed by both France and Comoros, but remains under de facto French control with many of the islanders who live in Mayotte choosing to remain a part of France. }} ===Other islands=== * {{marker|type=other |name=[[Rodrigues]]|wikidata=Q208668}} — "Mauritius 25 years ago". Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues are collectively known as the '''Mascarene Islands'''. * {{marker|type=other |name=[[Europa Island]]|wikidata=Q193089}} &mdash; a small atoll with an unpaved airstrip. * {{marker|type=other |name=The [[Glorioso Islands]]|wikidata=Q236601}} &mdash; are all part of a small atoll with one airstrip and some anchorages. * {{marker|type=other |name=[[Tromelin]]|wikidata=Q234208}} &mdash; is a small uninhabited island claimed by Mauritius. The islands along Africa's coast, such as [[Socotra]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Mafia Island]], the [[Bazaruto Archipelago]] and [[Ilha de Mozambique]], have natural and cultural similarities to these islands. They are described as part of their respective country. {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#ff006f|title=[[Comoros]]|wikidata=Q970}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#79ad81|title=[[Madagascar]]|wikidata=Q1019}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#0a00fb|title=[[Mauritius]]|wikidata=Q1027}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#ae87bf|title=[[Mayotte]]|wikidata=Q17063}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#cc00fe|title=[[Réunion]]|wikidata=Q17070}} {{mapshape|type=geoshape|fill=#fe0000|title=[[Seychelles]]|wikidata=Q1042}} ==Cities== {{mapframe}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Antananarivo]]|wikidata=Q3915}} — also known as Tana, is the capital of Madagascar * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mamoudzou]]|wikidata=Q132676}} — the largest town in Mayotte * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Moroni (Comoros)|Moroni]]|wikidata=Q3901}} — capital and largest city of the Comoros * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Port Louis]]|wikidata=Q3929}} — the capital of Mauritius * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Denis (Réunion)|Saint-Denis]]|wikidata=Q47045}} — the largest town in Réunion * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Victoria (Seychelles)|Victoria]]|wikidata=Q3940}} — the capital of the Seychelles and one of the smallest capitals in the world ==Understand== Both the natural and human history of the East African islands differs from the history of continental Africa. 90% of the wildlife of Madagascar is found nowhere else on the planet. The first inhabitants of Madagascar arrived from [[Southeast Asia]], while the locals of [[India]]n origin form the majority in Mauritius and substantial minorities in Réunion and Seychelles. Arab trade and exploration flourished in the region between the 10th and 16th centuries. The Arabs also brought [[Islam]] to the lands, and it took in a big way in the Comoros and Mayotte. European influence and colonialism began in the 15th century, as Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama found the [[Cape Route]] from Europe to India. The Portuguese, Dutch and English set up trading posts in the region for the East Indian Companies. By the 19th century, [[France]] became the major colonial power on the islands, and still possesses some of them. ==Talk== French is the ''lingua franca'' of the islands. People in Madagascar speak [[Malagasy phrasebook|Malagasy]], an Austronesian language. ==Get in== As most of these islands have been part of the French Empire or are still governed from Paris in some form, many intercontinental flights arrive from France; especially [[Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport]] ({{IATA|CDG}}) and [[Orly Airport]] ({{IATA|ORY}}). The more touristed islands receive flights from hubs in Europe and Asia. Flying is also the most practical way to travel between the islands, since [[cruise ships]] and [[ferries]] are few and far between. ==Get around== ===By plane=== There are some domestic flights within Madagascar and you can "island hop" to some extent but some connections are awkward and it may sometimes be easier to fly back to the mainland or even to France for some trips. ===By boat=== You CAN get between different countries/territories on boats, but they are slow and expensive. ==See== * Wildlife of these islands differs greatly from mainland Africa. Lemurs on Madagascar are among the biggest drawcards. * [[Andasibe-Mantadia National Park]] on Madagascar is home to the indri lemurs * [[Andringitra National Park]] is — one of the most biologically diverse areas in all of Madagascar. * Black River Gorges are a national park in the mountains of Mauritius. * [[Moheli]] is the most beautiful of the Comoros. * [[Réunion National Park]] has mountainous scenery including the active volcano of [[Piton de la Fournaise]]. ==Do== Obviously, these islands are great for [[water sport]]. Even the smaller islands have great inland sceneries for [[outdoor life]]. ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== The East African Islands are generally much safer than most of mainland Africa, although safety varies from island to island. Réunion and Mayotte have comparable safety to metropolitan France. ==Go next== * [[East Africa]] * [[France]] * [[South Africa]] {{IsPartOf|Africa}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|-14.2|54.03|zoom=6}} sujcpc6xs19zbtx6be9jx6txvzfff8o 1 154451 4506675 4506098 2022-08-23T08:40:45Z Grahamsands 2164467 /* Island formats */ Parks moved to See wikitext text/x-wiki == Extremely remote islands == Should we give equal billing to [[Europa Island]] and the [[Glorioso Islands]], which are very difficult to visit and lack accommodations, or should we list them below the list of nations, with links but not a color, as in: There are also two remote French possessions: '''[[Europa Island]]''' is a small atoll with an unpaved airstrip and no public accommodations The '''[[Glorioso Islands]]''' are all part of a small atoll with one airstrip, some anchorages and no public accommodations I think at any rate that they should not be put in the list alphabetically. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:10, 7 February 2017 (UTC) == Capitalization == Shouldn't this region be "East African Islands"? It seems bizarre to capitalize only the adjective phrase and not the noun. Does anyone disagree with my proposed change, and if so, why? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:12, 6 March 2017 (UTC) :Frankly I have an inherent tendency to see nouns as more "capital letter worthy" than adjectives and consider the concept of "proper adjectives" a bit odd, so I agree with you on that one. Plus, having it all have capital letters is a bit more aesthetically pleasing to me. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 18:14, 6 March 2017 (UTC) ::"East" is capitalized because it's the first word of the title. "African" is a proper adjective. "East African Islands" is not a proper noun and should not be capitalized as a whole. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:04, 7 March 2017 (UTC) :::I disagree. We are treating this as the name of a region. I would consider it improper to use sentence case, as if this were just a section of an article and not an article title. How many destination articles have lowercase words (other than "the" and the like) in their titles? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:08, 8 March 2017 (UTC) ::::I agree with LtPowers - the East African islands are a grouping that we've created for the purposes of this guide, not a region recognized by a government or international body. [[WV:capitalization]] addresses a similar issue: "Points of the compass (north, southeast, etc.)... are capitalized only when they form part of a proper name, such as Northwest Territories or South Korea. Where the name of a region has attained the status of proper names (as with the North of England, Southern California or Western Europe), then the direction word is capitalized. Otherwise it is not, as with eastern Spain or southwest Angola. If you are not sure whether a region has attained proper-name status, assume it has not." I don't think that these islands have attained proper-name status. We're not Germans, after all (not that there's anything wrong with being German.) [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 02:02, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::::I completely agree with [[WV:Capitalization]] - as concerns prose, not article titles. I think that leaving "islands" as a lowercase word in a title is very weird. This is a title. Title capitalization, in which all words except for "the", "a", "of" and the like are capitalized, should be used. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:27, 9 March 2017 (UTC) ::::::Like [[w:WP:TITLEFORMAT|Wikipedia:Manual of Style]], we use sentence case for titles, not title case. For example, [[Winter in the Nordic countries]] (''not'' Nordic Countries), [[Next-to-impossible destinations]], [[Traveling with high blood pressure]], [[Dealing with emergencies]], [[Renting a motorhome in New Zealand]], [[Rail travel in Africa]], and so on. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) :::::::Those are travel topics; this is a region. Not the same at all. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:57, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::::::: Where is that <s>distortion</s> ''distinction'' made in WV policies or in the WP style guide? And isn't "Nordic countries" a region? [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 11:51, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::::::::OK, it is. So what it comes down to is this: I find it bizarre and bad-looking to treat region articles as prose, rather than titles. Do what you want, but I think it looks bad. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:38, 9 March 2017 (UTC) I think East African Islands looks more aesthetically pleasing than randomly capitalizing an adjective and not doing the same for a noun. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 20:42, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :Well, "East" is capitalized because its the first word. I really think that these sort of decisions should be made on the basis of principle-based policy, rather than what people think "looks best". But we probably won't face many of these situations, so I'll let it go. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 21:22, 9 March 2017 (UTC) ::We have no obligation to follow WP policies on title case vs. sentence case. I for one think title case is not entirely a bad idea for article-titles. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 21:30, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::That would be a discussion for [[Wikivoyage talk:Naming conventions]]. For now, we should be consistent with other existing article titles like [[Nordic countries]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 00:25, 16 March 2017 (UTC) == Outdated East Africa regions map == {{swept}} Well and good that we now treat [[Somaliland]] as an independent country and the [[East African islands]] as a separate region. Can someone please update the East Africa regions map to reflect that? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 16:18, 11 February 2017 (UTC) == Island formats == As work in progress, I am following the same format as most other "island" collective pages, by simply marking the islands. Trying to mark the cities just blots out the islands, and adding in the parks blots out both - these can be mentioned in See & Do. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], you've reverted back to the previous unreadable layout, please explain. [[User:Grahamsands|Grahamsands]] ([[User talk:Grahamsands|talk]]) 18:53, 21 August 2022 (UTC) :Agree. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 19:15, 21 August 2022 (UTC) ::I found your layout even more unreadable because you removed the static map and per [[Wikivoyage:Map]], a static map is strongly favoured for regions with multiple countries breadcrumbed underneath it, compared to your use of markers with whole swathes of text that's completely out-of-style. Although I'm a strong advocate for using dynamic maps, not in this case – the static map clearly highlighted the countries better, and we also don't use markers for regions. I'm not sure which other "island" collective pages you're referring to. All the other "island" collective articles that I've aware of but [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]], the [[Lesser Antilles]] (and I plan to make one) and [[Antarctic islands]] use a static map, and it looks perfectly fine. Make your argument on [[Wikivoyage talk:Map]] if you want to make your argument. A crowded dynamic map in this case does not particularly matter because the reader can always zoom in, but they probably won't, because there's a good static map. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:41, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So take a look at either map and tell me where is Reunion, and where is Port Louis? ::: A format designed for land countries needs some adaptation for islands that are tiny dots on the map, though their archipelago nations may be large. You could only focus down on Reunion by knowing where Reunion is. The problem is simply solved by setting an island marker on its chief city, removing all other markers but mentioning key sites (7 +/- 2) in See & Do. Clicking on the island bluelink brings up the next level of detail. [[User:Grahamsands|Grahamsands]] ([[User talk:Grahamsands|talk]]) 09:16, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Right, let's take this a step at a time and see what we can all agree on. First, I've moved all the Parks and similar to See and unmarkered - they just clutter the map at zoom=4. Rodrigues however I treated as "other island". I shifted those markers to green to avoid populating the Indian Ocean with railway stations. [[User:Grahamsands|Grahamsands]] ([[User talk:Grahamsands|talk]]) 08:40, 23 August 2022 (UTC) 2jrg252p25aamuu0w6xha6ub7xc9io6 4506743 4506675 2022-08-23T10:15:26Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Island formats */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki == Extremely remote islands == Should we give equal billing to [[Europa Island]] and the [[Glorioso Islands]], which are very difficult to visit and lack accommodations, or should we list them below the list of nations, with links but not a color, as in: There are also two remote French possessions: '''[[Europa Island]]''' is a small atoll with an unpaved airstrip and no public accommodations The '''[[Glorioso Islands]]''' are all part of a small atoll with one airstrip, some anchorages and no public accommodations I think at any rate that they should not be put in the list alphabetically. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:10, 7 February 2017 (UTC) == Capitalization == Shouldn't this region be "East African Islands"? It seems bizarre to capitalize only the adjective phrase and not the noun. Does anyone disagree with my proposed change, and if so, why? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:12, 6 March 2017 (UTC) :Frankly I have an inherent tendency to see nouns as more "capital letter worthy" than adjectives and consider the concept of "proper adjectives" a bit odd, so I agree with you on that one. Plus, having it all have capital letters is a bit more aesthetically pleasing to me. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 18:14, 6 March 2017 (UTC) ::"East" is capitalized because it's the first word of the title. "African" is a proper adjective. "East African Islands" is not a proper noun and should not be capitalized as a whole. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 20:04, 7 March 2017 (UTC) :::I disagree. We are treating this as the name of a region. I would consider it improper to use sentence case, as if this were just a section of an article and not an article title. How many destination articles have lowercase words (other than "the" and the like) in their titles? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:08, 8 March 2017 (UTC) ::::I agree with LtPowers - the East African islands are a grouping that we've created for the purposes of this guide, not a region recognized by a government or international body. [[WV:capitalization]] addresses a similar issue: "Points of the compass (north, southeast, etc.)... are capitalized only when they form part of a proper name, such as Northwest Territories or South Korea. Where the name of a region has attained the status of proper names (as with the North of England, Southern California or Western Europe), then the direction word is capitalized. Otherwise it is not, as with eastern Spain or southwest Angola. If you are not sure whether a region has attained proper-name status, assume it has not." I don't think that these islands have attained proper-name status. We're not Germans, after all (not that there's anything wrong with being German.) [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 02:02, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::::I completely agree with [[WV:Capitalization]] - as concerns prose, not article titles. I think that leaving "islands" as a lowercase word in a title is very weird. This is a title. Title capitalization, in which all words except for "the", "a", "of" and the like are capitalized, should be used. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:27, 9 March 2017 (UTC) ::::::Like [[w:WP:TITLEFORMAT|Wikipedia:Manual of Style]], we use sentence case for titles, not title case. For example, [[Winter in the Nordic countries]] (''not'' Nordic Countries), [[Next-to-impossible destinations]], [[Traveling with high blood pressure]], [[Dealing with emergencies]], [[Renting a motorhome in New Zealand]], [[Rail travel in Africa]], and so on. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) :::::::Those are travel topics; this is a region. Not the same at all. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:57, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::::::: Where is that <s>distortion</s> ''distinction'' made in WV policies or in the WP style guide? And isn't "Nordic countries" a region? [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 11:51, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::::::::OK, it is. So what it comes down to is this: I find it bizarre and bad-looking to treat region articles as prose, rather than titles. Do what you want, but I think it looks bad. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:38, 9 March 2017 (UTC) I think East African Islands looks more aesthetically pleasing than randomly capitalizing an adjective and not doing the same for a noun. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 20:42, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :Well, "East" is capitalized because its the first word. I really think that these sort of decisions should be made on the basis of principle-based policy, rather than what people think "looks best". But we probably won't face many of these situations, so I'll let it go. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 21:22, 9 March 2017 (UTC) ::We have no obligation to follow WP policies on title case vs. sentence case. I for one think title case is not entirely a bad idea for article-titles. [[User:Hobbitschuster|Hobbitschuster]] ([[User talk:Hobbitschuster|talk]]) 21:30, 9 March 2017 (UTC) :::That would be a discussion for [[Wikivoyage talk:Naming conventions]]. For now, we should be consistent with other existing article titles like [[Nordic countries]]. [[User:LtPowers|Powers]] <small>^{([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]])}</small> 00:25, 16 March 2017 (UTC) == Outdated East Africa regions map == {{swept}} Well and good that we now treat [[Somaliland]] as an independent country and the [[East African islands]] as a separate region. Can someone please update the East Africa regions map to reflect that? -- [[User:AndreCarrotflower|AndreCarrotflower]] ([[User talk:AndreCarrotflower|talk]]) 16:18, 11 February 2017 (UTC) == Island formats == As work in progress, I am following the same format as most other "island" collective pages, by simply marking the islands. Trying to mark the cities just blots out the islands, and adding in the parks blots out both - these can be mentioned in See & Do. [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], you've reverted back to the previous unreadable layout, please explain. [[User:Grahamsands|Grahamsands]] ([[User talk:Grahamsands|talk]]) 18:53, 21 August 2022 (UTC) :Agree. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 19:15, 21 August 2022 (UTC) ::I found your layout even more unreadable because you removed the static map and per [[Wikivoyage:Map]], a static map is strongly favoured for regions with multiple countries breadcrumbed underneath it, compared to your use of markers with whole swathes of text that's completely out-of-style. Although I'm a strong advocate for using dynamic maps, not in this case – the static map clearly highlighted the countries better, and we also don't use markers for regions. I'm not sure which other "island" collective pages you're referring to. All the other "island" collective articles that I've aware of but [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]], the [[Lesser Antilles]] (and I plan to make one) and [[Antarctic islands]] use a static map, and it looks perfectly fine. Make your argument on [[Wikivoyage talk:Map]] if you want to make your argument. A crowded dynamic map in this case does not particularly matter because the reader can always zoom in, but they probably won't, because there's a good static map. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:41, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: So take a look at either map and tell me where is Reunion, and where is Port Louis? ::: A format designed for land countries needs some adaptation for islands that are tiny dots on the map, though their archipelago nations may be large. You could only focus down on Reunion by knowing where Reunion is. The problem is simply solved by setting an island marker on its chief city, removing all other markers but mentioning key sites (7 +/- 2) in See & Do. Clicking on the island bluelink brings up the next level of detail. [[User:Grahamsands|Grahamsands]] ([[User talk:Grahamsands|talk]]) 09:16, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Right, let's take this a step at a time and see what we can all agree on. First, I've moved all the Parks and similar to See and unmarkered - they just clutter the map at zoom=4. Rodrigues however I treated as "other island". I shifted those markers to green to avoid populating the Indian Ocean with railway stations. [[User:Grahamsands|Grahamsands]] ([[User talk:Grahamsands|talk]]) 08:40, 23 August 2022 (UTC) ::::Without looking at the map, Réunion is to the southwest of Mauritius and southeast of [[Antananarivo]] and [[Port Louis]] is situated on the west coast of Mauritius. I still object to moving the ODs to "see" because this will be an outlier and the reason I gave above. Can we come to an agreement before changing the format? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:15, 23 August 2022 (UTC) 91zv4h1dhnml8xgngw6299qdt5csotx 0 158869 4506408 4457007 2022-08-22T20:03:14Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Get around */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Chablis Grand Cru vineyards.jpg|caption=Chablis Grand Cru vineyards}} '''Bourgogne-Franche-Comté''' is a region of east-central [[France]], created in 2016 through administrative reorganisation from [http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/ Burgundy] and [http://en.franche-comte.org/ Franche-Comté]. Noted for its rich history and diverse scenery, the region stretches from the rolling Burgundy wine country in the west to the [[Jura (France)|Jura]] Mountains and [[Switzerland|Swiss]] border in the east. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe|47.462|5.136|zoom=7}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q18578267}} [[File:Beaune, Hotel-Dieu - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder.jpg|thumb|300px|The Hotel-Dieu of Beaune]] ===Cities=== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dijon]]|lat=47.2906|long=5.0428|wikidata=Q7003}} — capital of the region, former power-base of the Dukes of Burgundy, loaded with history in each corner of its downtown streets *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Auxerre]]|lat=47.7986|long=3.5672|wikidata=Q167600}} — with a relatively compact old town, Auxerre is pleasant to walk through and features some beautiful, very old buildings including the Old Abbey of St. Germain, whose crypt contains frescos from the time of Charlemagne *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Beaune]]|lat=47.025|long=4.8397|wikidata=Q16121}} — capital of the Dukes of Burgundy after Dijon, a well-to-do city that features the beautiful Hôtel-Dieu with the ''Polyptych of the Apocalypse'' by Rogier van der Weyden *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Besançon]]|lat=47.24|long=6.02|wikidata=Q37776}} — Besançon has a beautiful old city, great art and architecture, with a Vauban-designed citadel which is surrounded by beautiful green hills, and the atmosphere of a university city as well as one of history and commerce. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dole]]|lat=47.092222|long=5.489722|wikidata=Q205586}} — mediaeval capital of the Free County of Burgundy *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mâcon]]|lat=46.3063|long=4.8313|wikidata=Q174247}} — colourful city on the river Saône, gateway to the Beaujolais wine region *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sens]]|lat=48.1975|long=3.2877|wikidata=Q212420}} — historically important city with a famous Gothic cathedral and other striking buildings from those heady times in its past ===Towns=== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Aiserey]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q46986}} - small commune with a castle *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Autun]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q190827}} — small hill town with very well-preserved ancient Roman walls and a great Romanesque cathedral *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Avallon]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q207572}} — small walled town on a rocky outcrop with possible Arthurian links *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chablis]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q331232}} — home to the most famous Burgundy white wine *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Châtillon-sur-Seine]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q244707}} — known for its 12th-century churches, flowers and the beauty of the surrounding area *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Époisses]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q287529}} — a small village, best known for its cheese; it also has its own château *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Migennes]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q229688}} — small town with a great market hall known for its local food and drink *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q908874}} — Jura mountain village with good local produce *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nevers]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q166997}} — town on the river Loire which attracts pilgrims visiting the earthly remains of Saint Bernadette, of [[Lourdes]] fame *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Paray-le-Monial]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q654255}} — small town with attractive 11th-century basilica *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Claude]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q212444}} — known for its museum of diamonds, gemstones and pipes *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saulieu]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q373927}} — a small town that features the Gothic Saint-Andoche Basilica *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Semur-en-Auxois]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q236579}} — a walled medieval town in the heart of the Côte-d'Or, situated on the banks of the Armançon, which has a striking skyline and a beautiful collegiate church *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vannaire]]|wikidata=Q298944}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vesoul]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q203309}} — an old town and fine arts museum *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vézelay]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q204979}} — hill village that's home to the famous Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay, start of many a [[way of Saint James|pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela]] ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Forêts National Park]]|wikidata=Q3364499}} – France's newest national park (since 2021), and the first in lowland forests *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Morvan Regional Natural Park]]|lat=47.162|long=4.05|wikidata=Q2138345}} — a protected area of woodlands, lakes and traditional farmland *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Taizé Community]]|wikidata=Q501933}} – a monastic community and pilgrimage site ==Understand== [[File:Lac d' Antre.jpg|thumb|300px|Haut-Jura regional park]] The entire area formed the heart of the Kingdom, and later Duchy, of Burgundy for 1000 years in the middle ages, but was absorbed into the [[Kingdom of France]] from the 15th century onwards. In 2016, the two regions of Burgundy and Franche-Comté voluntarily merged to form the present Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, as part of national territorial reform. They were the only two regions to have already bilaterally expressed a wish to merge before the national law was passed, probably due to their strong historical ties. Burgundy and Franche-Comté have a rich architectural inheritance of remarkable buildings, including castles and major Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals. The vineyards of the region are some of the most prestigious in the world, with the Burgundy wine region including Beaujolais and Chablis. Aside from cities and towns, many of them walled, the countryside is dotted with numerous pleasant and picturesque villages. The region also offers natural beauty. Burgundy has lakes and forests, and plenty of opportunities for fishing, walking or riding. A gentle landscape of hillsides covered with vineyards lines the river Loire. The Nièvre holds a vast area of wild countryside ideal both for sport and cultural activities. The Jura is a low range of wooded mountains with many gorges, caves and rocky peaks, which gave its name to the Jurassic period. ==Talk== This is France, so surprisingly people here mainly speak '''[[French]]'''! A swiftly-declining number of people in Burgundy speak a dialect of French called '''Burgundian''' / '''Bourguignon'''. The Jura mountains are part of the '''Arpitan'''-speaking region. Arpitan, also known as Franco-Provençal, is a Romance language spoken mainly by older people in rural areas. As far as '''English''' is concerned, it is quite likely that travellers will be able to find speakers in tourist areas, and the larger towns and cities such as [[Besançon]]. As soon as you venture into less-populated areas, some knowledge of French becomes essential. At any rate, having a few basic phrases at your disposal is fundamental politeness, and efforts to speak the language - however clumsy - will help endear you to the locals much more than if you stubbornly stick to English. ==Get in== [[File:Eglise de l'abbaye St Germain à Auxerre DSC 0007.JPG|thumb|270px|View of part of Auxerre, featuring the Abbey of Saint-Germain]] ===By car=== The A5 and A6 autoroutes both connect the region to [[Paris]]. The A6 heads south to [[Lyon]], a hub of highways coming from southern Europe. The A40 brings traffic from [[Geneva]]. ''For more detail on the region's autoroute system, see [[#Get around|below.]]'' ===By train=== The '''[http://www.sncf.com/en/trains/tgv TGV]''' runs from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to [[Dijon]] (1h 35 min), [[Besançon]] (2h) and [[Belfort]] (2h 15 min). These stations are also served by TGV services from other cities in France ([[Lille]], [[Lyon]], [[Mulhouse]], [[Strasbourg]]) and neighbouring countries ([[Basel]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Geneva]], [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], [[Milan]]) ===By plane=== The region has one tiny commercial airport, '''[http://www.aeroportdolejura.com/en/ Dole-Jura]''', which receives Ryanair flights from Fez, Marrakech and Porto. The nearest large international airports offering flights from English-speaking countries are '''[http://www.euroairport.com/en/ Euroairport]''' (near to the Swiss city of [[Basel]], but actually in the French town of Saint-Louis, Haut-Rhin) and '''[https://www.gva.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx Geneva]''', which straddles the French-Swiss border. ==Get around== [[File:Quai Vauban 2.jpg|thumb|Boat on the Doubs River in Besançon]] ===By car=== The region is well-connected by road, with the following motorways (''autoroutes'') being particularly useful: * '''A6''': ''[[Île-de-France]], from [[Paris]]'', [[Auxerre]], [[Avallon]], [[Morvan Regional Natural Park|Morvan]], [[Beaune]], A36, [[Mâcon]], ''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]], towards [[Lyon]]'' * '''A31''': ''[[Grand-Est]], from [[Nancy]]'', [[Dijon]] (A39), A36, Beaune, A6 * '''A36''': Beaune (A6, A31), Dole (A39), [[Besançon]], Belfort, ''Grand-Est, towards [[Mulhouse]]'' * '''A39''': Dijon, A31, Dole (A36), Jura, ''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]], towards Bourg-en-Bresse'' * '''A77''': ''[[Centre-Val de Loire]], from Paris (via A6)'', Loire Valley, [[Nevers]] ===By train=== An extensive local rail network is operated by '''[https://www.ter.sncf.com/bourgogne-franche-comte TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté]'''. Besançon and Dijon are linked by the TGV. ===By bike=== There is an extensive network of cycle routes, which is an excellent and relaxing way to explore the region, whether among the Burgundy vineyards or the hills of Franche-Comté. ===By boat== [https://www.leboat.com/boating-vacations/france/burgundy/nivernais-loire#tab2 Le Boat] rents boats of various sizes for multi-day canal and river cruising in the region. No boating licence is required. ==See== [[File:Saline de Salins-les-Bains 007.jpg|thumbnail|The salt works of Salins-les-Bains]] [[File:Cascade du Bief de la ruine en avril.jpg|thumb|Bief de la Ruine, Jura]] * Two historic '''salt production sites''' in the region are inscribed on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]; the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans and the saltworks of Salins-les-Bains. * '''Notre Dame du Haut''' in Ronchamp, a chapel designed by the architect Le Corbusier. It's one of 17 buildings worldwide by Corbusier to be listed as a World Heritage site. *'''Villages''' - Many villages of the region have old medieval centres. Walk around, find a bar, drink a glass of wine and enjoy. *'''Castles''' - there are hundreds of castles in Burgundy. Many can be visited. Wikipedia has a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_France#Bourgogne-Franche-Comt.C3.A9 list] of all the castles of the region. * {{listing | type=see | name=Guédelon Castle | alt=Château de Guédelon | url=https://www.guedelon.fr/ | email=guedelon@guedelon.fr | address=Route départementale 955, 89520 Treigny | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 86 45 66 66 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 86 45 66 67 | hours= | price=Adults {{EUR|14}}, students {{EUR|13}}, children {{EUR|11}}, under 5 free | wikipedia=Guédelon Castle | image=Guédelon 2017.jpg | wikidata=Q1557685 | lastedit=2020-06-17 | content=An archaeological experiment started in 1997, the castle has been under construction for 2 decades using only tools, materials, and techniques known in medieval France in that era. All handling, transport, and masonry work is completed with manual labour. As of 2020 construction is nearing completion. The construction site is open to the public and can be visited to collect funds for further construction. }} *{{do | name=MuséoParc Alésia | alt= | url=http://www.alesia.com/ | email= | address=1 Route des Trois Ormeaux, 21150 Alise-Sainte-Reine | lat= | long= | directions=Train: Gare des Laumes-Alésia | phone=+33 3 80 96 96 23 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open every day, 10:00&ndash;17:00 (winter) / 18:00 (spring and autumn) / 19:00 (summer) | price=€12 adults, €10 concessions, €7 children | lastedit=2017-01-17 | content=An archaeological museum with a multimedia exhibition, reconstructed fortifications, the remains of a Gallo-Roman city, statue of Vercingetorix. }} * The '''[http://www.jura-tourism.com/Jura-experiencing-the-unexpected/Waterfalls-lakes-and-swimming Région des Lacs]''' consists of nine lakes of crystal blue water. Here motor-powered boats are prohibited and fishing regulated. It runs from Clairvaux-les-lacs, to Doucier Via Les Frasnois and the Cascades du Herisson. The lakes are a haven for locals on hot summer weekends, and a great place for a barbecue or picnic. Water temperatures are usually around 20°c, and make for a very refreshing dip after a long hike. ===Rivers=== * '''Doubs''' -a lovely river winding round the area - best known parts probably the '''Gorges du Doubs''', the '''Saut du Doubs''' and the river's source, the last two being near the Swiss border. * '''Loue''' - a beautiful tributary of the '''Doubs''' noted for its stunning source scenery, gorges and pretty riverside villages, particularly '''Ornans''' with its [http://www2.doubs.fr/courbet/ museum] of Gustave Courbet in the house where the poet was born, '''Lods''' and '''Mouthier-Haute-Pierre'''. * '''Lison''' - tributary of the '''Loue''' another river with a magnificent source in limestone cliffs. * '''Hérisson''' - a smaller river but with the '''[http://www.cascades-du-herisson.fr/ Cascades du Hérisson]''', a fine series of waterfalls - crowded with picnics on a Sunday. ===Cirques=== A cirque is a glacial valley in the shape of a circus amphitheatre, where the name comes from. Cirques are a common geological feature of the Jura. All these provide spectacular viewpoints and are not far apart so a very enjoyable drive can encompass them all. * '''Cirque de Baume''' - a fascinating horseshoe whose charms are increased by the villages of '''Baume-les-Dames''' and '''Baume-les-Messieurs''', the latter with an abbey. * '''Cirque de Consolation''' * '''Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval''' * '''Cirque de Ladoye''' ==Do== [[File:Carte-echappee-jurassienne.jpg|thumb|L'échappée jurassienne from CDT Jura]] *{{see | name=L'Echappée jurassienne | alt= | url=http://www.echappee-jurassienne.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The main walking route of the Jura connects the plains of Dole to the heights of Les Rousses, a ski resort. Its 260 km of trails allow you to discover its forests, Grande Saline and Saline Royale classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, as well as vineyards, refreshing lakes and waterfalls, and spectacular landscapes shaped by a particular geology. You can choose a walk of any length, from a couple of hours to a fortnight or longer. }} ===Wine tours=== *'''Route des Grands Crus''' - The approximately 60 km route runs along the foot of the Côte d'Or from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south, via many of the great appellations of Burgundy wines. It takes visitors through the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune and the hills of the Hautes-Côtes. The route passes 33 towns and villages, including [[Beaune]], and runs by many picturesque churches. *'''Route Touristique des Grands Vin de Bourgogne''' - This 100 km route is a continuation of the Route des Grands Crus and runs from Santenay to Saint-Gengoux-le-National. The route is well marked and can be travelled easily by car and bike. *'''Routes des Vins Mâconnais-Beaujolais''' – This route is a way to discover the vineyards of Upper Mâconnais and leads along Lugny, Burgy, Fleurville, Saint-Albain, Mâcon, Péronne, Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé and Bissy-la-Mâconnaise. *'''Route des Vignobles de l'Yonne''' – This route takes you through the vineyards of the Yonne, called wine of Lower Burgundy, and includes the vineyards of Chablis, Auxerre, Vézelay, Tonnerre and Joigny. ==Eat== {{seealso|French cuisine}} [[File:Coq au vin simmering.jpg|thumb|Coq au vin]] [[File:Cooked snails.JPG|thumb|Escargots de Bourgogne]] [[File:Comte AOP.jpg|thumb|A slab of Comté]] Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is home to many dishes that have become synonymous with French cooking all over the world; the best among them use the local wine as a key ingredient. ===Regional specialities=== *'''Anis de Flavigny''' – Sweets made from anise and covered with sugar syrup *'''Bœuf bourguignon''' – Beef stewed in red wine *'''Coq au vin''' – Chicken with mushrooms and herbs in a red wine sauce *'''Escargots de Bourgogne''' – Snails with herbs and garlic butter *'''Gougères''' – Cheese puffs *'''Jambon persillé''' — Terrine of shoulder ham and parsley with '''Bourgogne Aligoté''' white wine * '''Moutarde de Dijon''' – The archetypal French mustard is nowadays not from Dijon but from neighbouring Chevigny-Saint-Sauveur ===Cheese=== A significant part of the regional cuisine. '''Comté''' is a creamy local variety of Gruyère, and is the region's signature cheese. Elsewhere, '''morbier''' is a semi-soft cows' milk cheese with a thin blue layer running through the middle. This cheese has made it into the kitchen in a regional speciality, the ''morbiflette''. If you know a thing or two about French gastronomy, you'll guess this is a tartiflette (potato, lardon and onion gratin) made with morbier. Some chefs will switch the lardons for a more typical sausage of the region. Also to try are '''Citeaux''' and '''Époisses'''. Lastly, your inner child may appreciate munching processed lunchbox favourite '''La vache qui rit''' (The Laughing Cow) on her home turf. ===Restaurants=== Of the 25 three-star Michelin restaurants in France, three can be found in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. *{{eat | name=La Côte Saint-Jacques | alt= | url=http://www.cotesaintjacques.com/ | email= | address=14, faubourg de Paris, Joigny 89300 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 86 62 09 70 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Le Relais Bernard Loiseau | alt= | url=http://www.bernard-loiseau.com/fr/index.php | email= | address=2, rue Argentine, Saulieu 21210 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 80 90 53 53 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Maison Lameloise | alt= | url=http://www.lameloise.fr/en/ | email= | address=36, place d'Armes, Chagny 71150 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 85 87 65 65 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} But you do not have to go to a starred restaurant for good food. Even in the smallest villages you will find good traditional restaurants, while along the roads you will find '''restaurants routiers''' where you can order '''le menu / plat du jour''' for a very reasonable price. ==Drink== {{Infobox|Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé !|Every third Thursday of November, the new Beaujolais wine arrives at bars and restaurants across France and select places around the world. This wine is from the historical Beaujolais province and wine-producing region north of [[Lyon]] that covers parts of the northern part of the [[Rhône]] ([[Rhône-Alpes]]) and parts of the southern part of the Saône-et-Loire. It is a young wine meant to be drunk as soon as possible as it does not age very well.}} '''Wine''' is unmistakably the most well-known product in Burgundy. From north to south, the most famous and recognisable wines of the region grow on carefully exposed soils: Chablis, Côteaux de l'Auxerrois, Côte-de-Nuits, Côte-de-Beaune, Hautes-Côtes, Côtes Chalonnaise et Mâconnais, and Pouilly-sur-Loire. Away from wine, '''Crème de cassis''' is sweet dark red liqueur with the taste of blackcurrant ==Sleep== The cities and towns have a range of hotels to suit any need. Accommodation in the rural areas consists of guesthouses, self-catering gîtes and camping. You can pitch a tent almost anywhere without concerning the locals. Camper vans can be parked overnight in most public parking areas. ==Go next== [[File:Auxey-Duresses paysage.jpg|thumb|Typical vineyard landscape in Côte d'Or|350px]] *Visitors inspired by the Jura may long to see bigger mountains - look no further than the '''[[Alps]]''', just to the east in both [[French Alps|France]] and [[Swiss Alps|Switzerland]]. *'''[[Geneva]]''' is an international capital of diplomacy and [[Switzerland]]'s main Francophone city, fronting the famous lake. *'''[[Grand Est]]''', the large region to the north, has everything from landscapes scarred by the world wars, to a unique fusion of French and Germanic cultures. *France's second metropolis, '''[[Lyon]]''', only a hop away on the TGV, is considered the gastronomic capital of either France, Europe or the world (depending on whom you ask!). Safe to say, the grub is good. ===Wine=== Continue your wine odyssey in any direction you choose: *'''North''' will take you into '''[[Champagne]]''' country, or follow the Swiss border to reach '''[[Alsace]]''''s white wines *'''East''' of Jura, tucked behind Lake Geneva, is the '''[[Savoie]]''', a small Alpine region. *'''West''' leads to the '''[[Loire Valley]]''', France's largest wine region. *'''South''' of Beaujolais immediately lands you in the '''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes|Rhône Valley]]'''. {{IsPartOf|France}} {{outlineregion}} {{Geo|47.19|4.83|zoom=8}} a511zbbvmogmhvvws5u8y0dv0rq2aws 4506409 4506408 2022-08-22T20:03:27Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* =By boat */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Chablis Grand Cru vineyards.jpg|caption=Chablis Grand Cru vineyards}} '''Bourgogne-Franche-Comté''' is a region of east-central [[France]], created in 2016 through administrative reorganisation from [http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/ Burgundy] and [http://en.franche-comte.org/ Franche-Comté]. Noted for its rich history and diverse scenery, the region stretches from the rolling Burgundy wine country in the west to the [[Jura (France)|Jura]] Mountains and [[Switzerland|Swiss]] border in the east. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe|47.462|5.136|zoom=7}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q18578267}} [[File:Beaune, Hotel-Dieu - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder.jpg|thumb|300px|The Hotel-Dieu of Beaune]] ===Cities=== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dijon]]|lat=47.2906|long=5.0428|wikidata=Q7003}} — capital of the region, former power-base of the Dukes of Burgundy, loaded with history in each corner of its downtown streets *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Auxerre]]|lat=47.7986|long=3.5672|wikidata=Q167600}} — with a relatively compact old town, Auxerre is pleasant to walk through and features some beautiful, very old buildings including the Old Abbey of St. Germain, whose crypt contains frescos from the time of Charlemagne *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Beaune]]|lat=47.025|long=4.8397|wikidata=Q16121}} — capital of the Dukes of Burgundy after Dijon, a well-to-do city that features the beautiful Hôtel-Dieu with the ''Polyptych of the Apocalypse'' by Rogier van der Weyden *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Besançon]]|lat=47.24|long=6.02|wikidata=Q37776}} — Besançon has a beautiful old city, great art and architecture, with a Vauban-designed citadel which is surrounded by beautiful green hills, and the atmosphere of a university city as well as one of history and commerce. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dole]]|lat=47.092222|long=5.489722|wikidata=Q205586}} — mediaeval capital of the Free County of Burgundy *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mâcon]]|lat=46.3063|long=4.8313|wikidata=Q174247}} — colourful city on the river Saône, gateway to the Beaujolais wine region *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sens]]|lat=48.1975|long=3.2877|wikidata=Q212420}} — historically important city with a famous Gothic cathedral and other striking buildings from those heady times in its past ===Towns=== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Aiserey]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q46986}} - small commune with a castle *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Autun]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q190827}} — small hill town with very well-preserved ancient Roman walls and a great Romanesque cathedral *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Avallon]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q207572}} — small walled town on a rocky outcrop with possible Arthurian links *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chablis]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q331232}} — home to the most famous Burgundy white wine *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Châtillon-sur-Seine]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q244707}} — known for its 12th-century churches, flowers and the beauty of the surrounding area *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Époisses]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q287529}} — a small village, best known for its cheese; it also has its own château *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Migennes]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q229688}} — small town with a great market hall known for its local food and drink *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q908874}} — Jura mountain village with good local produce *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nevers]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q166997}} — town on the river Loire which attracts pilgrims visiting the earthly remains of Saint Bernadette, of [[Lourdes]] fame *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Paray-le-Monial]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q654255}} — small town with attractive 11th-century basilica *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Claude]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q212444}} — known for its museum of diamonds, gemstones and pipes *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saulieu]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q373927}} — a small town that features the Gothic Saint-Andoche Basilica *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Semur-en-Auxois]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q236579}} — a walled medieval town in the heart of the Côte-d'Or, situated on the banks of the Armançon, which has a striking skyline and a beautiful collegiate church *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vannaire]]|wikidata=Q298944}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vesoul]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q203309}} — an old town and fine arts museum *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vézelay]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q204979}} — hill village that's home to the famous Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay, start of many a [[way of Saint James|pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela]] ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Forêts National Park]]|wikidata=Q3364499}} – France's newest national park (since 2021), and the first in lowland forests *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Morvan Regional Natural Park]]|lat=47.162|long=4.05|wikidata=Q2138345}} — a protected area of woodlands, lakes and traditional farmland *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Taizé Community]]|wikidata=Q501933}} – a monastic community and pilgrimage site ==Understand== [[File:Lac d' Antre.jpg|thumb|300px|Haut-Jura regional park]] The entire area formed the heart of the Kingdom, and later Duchy, of Burgundy for 1000 years in the middle ages, but was absorbed into the [[Kingdom of France]] from the 15th century onwards. In 2016, the two regions of Burgundy and Franche-Comté voluntarily merged to form the present Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, as part of national territorial reform. They were the only two regions to have already bilaterally expressed a wish to merge before the national law was passed, probably due to their strong historical ties. Burgundy and Franche-Comté have a rich architectural inheritance of remarkable buildings, including castles and major Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals. The vineyards of the region are some of the most prestigious in the world, with the Burgundy wine region including Beaujolais and Chablis. Aside from cities and towns, many of them walled, the countryside is dotted with numerous pleasant and picturesque villages. The region also offers natural beauty. Burgundy has lakes and forests, and plenty of opportunities for fishing, walking or riding. A gentle landscape of hillsides covered with vineyards lines the river Loire. The Nièvre holds a vast area of wild countryside ideal both for sport and cultural activities. The Jura is a low range of wooded mountains with many gorges, caves and rocky peaks, which gave its name to the Jurassic period. ==Talk== This is France, so surprisingly people here mainly speak '''[[French]]'''! A swiftly-declining number of people in Burgundy speak a dialect of French called '''Burgundian''' / '''Bourguignon'''. The Jura mountains are part of the '''Arpitan'''-speaking region. Arpitan, also known as Franco-Provençal, is a Romance language spoken mainly by older people in rural areas. As far as '''English''' is concerned, it is quite likely that travellers will be able to find speakers in tourist areas, and the larger towns and cities such as [[Besançon]]. As soon as you venture into less-populated areas, some knowledge of French becomes essential. At any rate, having a few basic phrases at your disposal is fundamental politeness, and efforts to speak the language - however clumsy - will help endear you to the locals much more than if you stubbornly stick to English. ==Get in== [[File:Eglise de l'abbaye St Germain à Auxerre DSC 0007.JPG|thumb|270px|View of part of Auxerre, featuring the Abbey of Saint-Germain]] ===By car=== The A5 and A6 autoroutes both connect the region to [[Paris]]. The A6 heads south to [[Lyon]], a hub of highways coming from southern Europe. The A40 brings traffic from [[Geneva]]. ''For more detail on the region's autoroute system, see [[#Get around|below.]]'' ===By train=== The '''[http://www.sncf.com/en/trains/tgv TGV]''' runs from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to [[Dijon]] (1h 35 min), [[Besançon]] (2h) and [[Belfort]] (2h 15 min). These stations are also served by TGV services from other cities in France ([[Lille]], [[Lyon]], [[Mulhouse]], [[Strasbourg]]) and neighbouring countries ([[Basel]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Geneva]], [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], [[Milan]]) ===By plane=== The region has one tiny commercial airport, '''[http://www.aeroportdolejura.com/en/ Dole-Jura]''', which receives Ryanair flights from Fez, Marrakech and Porto. The nearest large international airports offering flights from English-speaking countries are '''[http://www.euroairport.com/en/ Euroairport]''' (near to the Swiss city of [[Basel]], but actually in the French town of Saint-Louis, Haut-Rhin) and '''[https://www.gva.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx Geneva]''', which straddles the French-Swiss border. ==Get around== [[File:Quai Vauban 2.jpg|thumb|Boat on the Doubs River in Besançon]] ===By car=== The region is well-connected by road, with the following motorways (''autoroutes'') being particularly useful: * '''A6''': ''[[Île-de-France]], from [[Paris]]'', [[Auxerre]], [[Avallon]], [[Morvan Regional Natural Park|Morvan]], [[Beaune]], A36, [[Mâcon]], ''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]], towards [[Lyon]]'' * '''A31''': ''[[Grand-Est]], from [[Nancy]]'', [[Dijon]] (A39), A36, Beaune, A6 * '''A36''': Beaune (A6, A31), Dole (A39), [[Besançon]], Belfort, ''Grand-Est, towards [[Mulhouse]]'' * '''A39''': Dijon, A31, Dole (A36), Jura, ''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]], towards Bourg-en-Bresse'' * '''A77''': ''[[Centre-Val de Loire]], from Paris (via A6)'', Loire Valley, [[Nevers]] ===By train=== An extensive local rail network is operated by '''[https://www.ter.sncf.com/bourgogne-franche-comte TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté]'''. Besançon and Dijon are linked by the TGV. ===By bike=== There is an extensive network of cycle routes, which is an excellent and relaxing way to explore the region, whether among the Burgundy vineyards or the hills of Franche-Comté. ===By boat=== [https://www.leboat.com/boating-vacations/france/burgundy/nivernais-loire#tab2 Le Boat] rents boats of various sizes for multi-day canal and river cruising in the region. No boating licence is required. ==See== [[File:Saline de Salins-les-Bains 007.jpg|thumbnail|The salt works of Salins-les-Bains]] [[File:Cascade du Bief de la ruine en avril.jpg|thumb|Bief de la Ruine, Jura]] * Two historic '''salt production sites''' in the region are inscribed on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]; the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans and the saltworks of Salins-les-Bains. * '''Notre Dame du Haut''' in Ronchamp, a chapel designed by the architect Le Corbusier. It's one of 17 buildings worldwide by Corbusier to be listed as a World Heritage site. *'''Villages''' - Many villages of the region have old medieval centres. Walk around, find a bar, drink a glass of wine and enjoy. *'''Castles''' - there are hundreds of castles in Burgundy. Many can be visited. Wikipedia has a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_France#Bourgogne-Franche-Comt.C3.A9 list] of all the castles of the region. * {{listing | type=see | name=Guédelon Castle | alt=Château de Guédelon | url=https://www.guedelon.fr/ | email=guedelon@guedelon.fr | address=Route départementale 955, 89520 Treigny | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 86 45 66 66 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 86 45 66 67 | hours= | price=Adults {{EUR|14}}, students {{EUR|13}}, children {{EUR|11}}, under 5 free | wikipedia=Guédelon Castle | image=Guédelon 2017.jpg | wikidata=Q1557685 | lastedit=2020-06-17 | content=An archaeological experiment started in 1997, the castle has been under construction for 2 decades using only tools, materials, and techniques known in medieval France in that era. All handling, transport, and masonry work is completed with manual labour. As of 2020 construction is nearing completion. The construction site is open to the public and can be visited to collect funds for further construction. }} *{{do | name=MuséoParc Alésia | alt= | url=http://www.alesia.com/ | email= | address=1 Route des Trois Ormeaux, 21150 Alise-Sainte-Reine | lat= | long= | directions=Train: Gare des Laumes-Alésia | phone=+33 3 80 96 96 23 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open every day, 10:00&ndash;17:00 (winter) / 18:00 (spring and autumn) / 19:00 (summer) | price=€12 adults, €10 concessions, €7 children | lastedit=2017-01-17 | content=An archaeological museum with a multimedia exhibition, reconstructed fortifications, the remains of a Gallo-Roman city, statue of Vercingetorix. }} * The '''[http://www.jura-tourism.com/Jura-experiencing-the-unexpected/Waterfalls-lakes-and-swimming Région des Lacs]''' consists of nine lakes of crystal blue water. Here motor-powered boats are prohibited and fishing regulated. It runs from Clairvaux-les-lacs, to Doucier Via Les Frasnois and the Cascades du Herisson. The lakes are a haven for locals on hot summer weekends, and a great place for a barbecue or picnic. Water temperatures are usually around 20°c, and make for a very refreshing dip after a long hike. ===Rivers=== * '''Doubs''' -a lovely river winding round the area - best known parts probably the '''Gorges du Doubs''', the '''Saut du Doubs''' and the river's source, the last two being near the Swiss border. * '''Loue''' - a beautiful tributary of the '''Doubs''' noted for its stunning source scenery, gorges and pretty riverside villages, particularly '''Ornans''' with its [http://www2.doubs.fr/courbet/ museum] of Gustave Courbet in the house where the poet was born, '''Lods''' and '''Mouthier-Haute-Pierre'''. * '''Lison''' - tributary of the '''Loue''' another river with a magnificent source in limestone cliffs. * '''Hérisson''' - a smaller river but with the '''[http://www.cascades-du-herisson.fr/ Cascades du Hérisson]''', a fine series of waterfalls - crowded with picnics on a Sunday. ===Cirques=== A cirque is a glacial valley in the shape of a circus amphitheatre, where the name comes from. Cirques are a common geological feature of the Jura. All these provide spectacular viewpoints and are not far apart so a very enjoyable drive can encompass them all. * '''Cirque de Baume''' - a fascinating horseshoe whose charms are increased by the villages of '''Baume-les-Dames''' and '''Baume-les-Messieurs''', the latter with an abbey. * '''Cirque de Consolation''' * '''Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval''' * '''Cirque de Ladoye''' ==Do== [[File:Carte-echappee-jurassienne.jpg|thumb|L'échappée jurassienne from CDT Jura]] *{{see | name=L'Echappée jurassienne | alt= | url=http://www.echappee-jurassienne.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The main walking route of the Jura connects the plains of Dole to the heights of Les Rousses, a ski resort. Its 260 km of trails allow you to discover its forests, Grande Saline and Saline Royale classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, as well as vineyards, refreshing lakes and waterfalls, and spectacular landscapes shaped by a particular geology. You can choose a walk of any length, from a couple of hours to a fortnight or longer. }} ===Wine tours=== *'''Route des Grands Crus''' - The approximately 60 km route runs along the foot of the Côte d'Or from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south, via many of the great appellations of Burgundy wines. It takes visitors through the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune and the hills of the Hautes-Côtes. The route passes 33 towns and villages, including [[Beaune]], and runs by many picturesque churches. *'''Route Touristique des Grands Vin de Bourgogne''' - This 100 km route is a continuation of the Route des Grands Crus and runs from Santenay to Saint-Gengoux-le-National. The route is well marked and can be travelled easily by car and bike. *'''Routes des Vins Mâconnais-Beaujolais''' – This route is a way to discover the vineyards of Upper Mâconnais and leads along Lugny, Burgy, Fleurville, Saint-Albain, Mâcon, Péronne, Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé and Bissy-la-Mâconnaise. *'''Route des Vignobles de l'Yonne''' – This route takes you through the vineyards of the Yonne, called wine of Lower Burgundy, and includes the vineyards of Chablis, Auxerre, Vézelay, Tonnerre and Joigny. ==Eat== {{seealso|French cuisine}} [[File:Coq au vin simmering.jpg|thumb|Coq au vin]] [[File:Cooked snails.JPG|thumb|Escargots de Bourgogne]] [[File:Comte AOP.jpg|thumb|A slab of Comté]] Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is home to many dishes that have become synonymous with French cooking all over the world; the best among them use the local wine as a key ingredient. ===Regional specialities=== *'''Anis de Flavigny''' – Sweets made from anise and covered with sugar syrup *'''Bœuf bourguignon''' – Beef stewed in red wine *'''Coq au vin''' – Chicken with mushrooms and herbs in a red wine sauce *'''Escargots de Bourgogne''' – Snails with herbs and garlic butter *'''Gougères''' – Cheese puffs *'''Jambon persillé''' — Terrine of shoulder ham and parsley with '''Bourgogne Aligoté''' white wine * '''Moutarde de Dijon''' – The archetypal French mustard is nowadays not from Dijon but from neighbouring Chevigny-Saint-Sauveur ===Cheese=== A significant part of the regional cuisine. '''Comté''' is a creamy local variety of Gruyère, and is the region's signature cheese. Elsewhere, '''morbier''' is a semi-soft cows' milk cheese with a thin blue layer running through the middle. This cheese has made it into the kitchen in a regional speciality, the ''morbiflette''. If you know a thing or two about French gastronomy, you'll guess this is a tartiflette (potato, lardon and onion gratin) made with morbier. Some chefs will switch the lardons for a more typical sausage of the region. Also to try are '''Citeaux''' and '''Époisses'''. Lastly, your inner child may appreciate munching processed lunchbox favourite '''La vache qui rit''' (The Laughing Cow) on her home turf. ===Restaurants=== Of the 25 three-star Michelin restaurants in France, three can be found in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. *{{eat | name=La Côte Saint-Jacques | alt= | url=http://www.cotesaintjacques.com/ | email= | address=14, faubourg de Paris, Joigny 89300 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 86 62 09 70 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Le Relais Bernard Loiseau | alt= | url=http://www.bernard-loiseau.com/fr/index.php | email= | address=2, rue Argentine, Saulieu 21210 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 80 90 53 53 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Maison Lameloise | alt= | url=http://www.lameloise.fr/en/ | email= | address=36, place d'Armes, Chagny 71150 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 85 87 65 65 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} But you do not have to go to a starred restaurant for good food. Even in the smallest villages you will find good traditional restaurants, while along the roads you will find '''restaurants routiers''' where you can order '''le menu / plat du jour''' for a very reasonable price. ==Drink== {{Infobox|Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé !|Every third Thursday of November, the new Beaujolais wine arrives at bars and restaurants across France and select places around the world. This wine is from the historical Beaujolais province and wine-producing region north of [[Lyon]] that covers parts of the northern part of the [[Rhône]] ([[Rhône-Alpes]]) and parts of the southern part of the Saône-et-Loire. It is a young wine meant to be drunk as soon as possible as it does not age very well.}} '''Wine''' is unmistakably the most well-known product in Burgundy. From north to south, the most famous and recognisable wines of the region grow on carefully exposed soils: Chablis, Côteaux de l'Auxerrois, Côte-de-Nuits, Côte-de-Beaune, Hautes-Côtes, Côtes Chalonnaise et Mâconnais, and Pouilly-sur-Loire. Away from wine, '''Crème de cassis''' is sweet dark red liqueur with the taste of blackcurrant ==Sleep== The cities and towns have a range of hotels to suit any need. Accommodation in the rural areas consists of guesthouses, self-catering gîtes and camping. You can pitch a tent almost anywhere without concerning the locals. Camper vans can be parked overnight in most public parking areas. ==Go next== [[File:Auxey-Duresses paysage.jpg|thumb|Typical vineyard landscape in Côte d'Or|350px]] *Visitors inspired by the Jura may long to see bigger mountains - look no further than the '''[[Alps]]''', just to the east in both [[French Alps|France]] and [[Swiss Alps|Switzerland]]. *'''[[Geneva]]''' is an international capital of diplomacy and [[Switzerland]]'s main Francophone city, fronting the famous lake. *'''[[Grand Est]]''', the large region to the north, has everything from landscapes scarred by the world wars, to a unique fusion of French and Germanic cultures. *France's second metropolis, '''[[Lyon]]''', only a hop away on the TGV, is considered the gastronomic capital of either France, Europe or the world (depending on whom you ask!). Safe to say, the grub is good. ===Wine=== Continue your wine odyssey in any direction you choose: *'''North''' will take you into '''[[Champagne]]''' country, or follow the Swiss border to reach '''[[Alsace]]''''s white wines *'''East''' of Jura, tucked behind Lake Geneva, is the '''[[Savoie]]''', a small Alpine region. *'''West''' leads to the '''[[Loire Valley]]''', France's largest wine region. *'''South''' of Beaujolais immediately lands you in the '''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes|Rhône Valley]]'''. {{IsPartOf|France}} {{outlineregion}} {{Geo|47.19|4.83|zoom=8}} czk54f052bpn9iuexgi4ra4rz7enc80 4506411 4506409 2022-08-22T20:05:40Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* By boat */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Chablis Grand Cru vineyards.jpg|caption=Chablis Grand Cru vineyards}} '''Bourgogne-Franche-Comté''' is a region of east-central [[France]], created in 2016 through administrative reorganisation from [http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/ Burgundy] and [http://en.franche-comte.org/ Franche-Comté]. Noted for its rich history and diverse scenery, the region stretches from the rolling Burgundy wine country in the west to the [[Jura (France)|Jura]] Mountains and [[Switzerland|Swiss]] border in the east. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe|47.462|5.136|zoom=7}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q18578267}} [[File:Beaune, Hotel-Dieu - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder.jpg|thumb|300px|The Hotel-Dieu of Beaune]] ===Cities=== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dijon]]|lat=47.2906|long=5.0428|wikidata=Q7003}} — capital of the region, former power-base of the Dukes of Burgundy, loaded with history in each corner of its downtown streets *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Auxerre]]|lat=47.7986|long=3.5672|wikidata=Q167600}} — with a relatively compact old town, Auxerre is pleasant to walk through and features some beautiful, very old buildings including the Old Abbey of St. Germain, whose crypt contains frescos from the time of Charlemagne *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Beaune]]|lat=47.025|long=4.8397|wikidata=Q16121}} — capital of the Dukes of Burgundy after Dijon, a well-to-do city that features the beautiful Hôtel-Dieu with the ''Polyptych of the Apocalypse'' by Rogier van der Weyden *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Besançon]]|lat=47.24|long=6.02|wikidata=Q37776}} — Besançon has a beautiful old city, great art and architecture, with a Vauban-designed citadel which is surrounded by beautiful green hills, and the atmosphere of a university city as well as one of history and commerce. *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Dole]]|lat=47.092222|long=5.489722|wikidata=Q205586}} — mediaeval capital of the Free County of Burgundy *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Mâcon]]|lat=46.3063|long=4.8313|wikidata=Q174247}} — colourful city on the river Saône, gateway to the Beaujolais wine region *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Sens]]|lat=48.1975|long=3.2877|wikidata=Q212420}} — historically important city with a famous Gothic cathedral and other striking buildings from those heady times in its past ===Towns=== *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Aiserey]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q46986}} - small commune with a castle *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Autun]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q190827}} — small hill town with very well-preserved ancient Roman walls and a great Romanesque cathedral *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Avallon]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q207572}} — small walled town on a rocky outcrop with possible Arthurian links *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Chablis]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q331232}} — home to the most famous Burgundy white wine *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Châtillon-sur-Seine]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q244707}} — known for its 12th-century churches, flowers and the beauty of the surrounding area *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Époisses]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q287529}} — a small village, best known for its cheese; it also has its own château *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Migennes]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q229688}} — small town with a great market hall known for its local food and drink *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q908874}} — Jura mountain village with good local produce *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Nevers]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q166997}} — town on the river Loire which attracts pilgrims visiting the earthly remains of Saint Bernadette, of [[Lourdes]] fame *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Paray-le-Monial]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q654255}} — small town with attractive 11th-century basilica *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saint-Claude]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q212444}} — known for its museum of diamonds, gemstones and pipes *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Saulieu]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q373927}} — a small town that features the Gothic Saint-Andoche Basilica *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Semur-en-Auxois]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q236579}} — a walled medieval town in the heart of the Côte-d'Or, situated on the banks of the Armançon, which has a striking skyline and a beautiful collegiate church *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vannaire]]|wikidata=Q298944}} *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vesoul]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q203309}} — an old town and fine arts museum *{{marker|type=city|name=[[Vézelay]]|lat=|long=|wikidata=Q204979}} — hill village that's home to the famous Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay, start of many a [[way of Saint James|pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela]] ==Other destinations== *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Forêts National Park]]|wikidata=Q3364499}} – France's newest national park (since 2021), and the first in lowland forests *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Morvan Regional Natural Park]]|lat=47.162|long=4.05|wikidata=Q2138345}} — a protected area of woodlands, lakes and traditional farmland *{{marker|type=vicinity|name=[[Taizé Community]]|wikidata=Q501933}} – a monastic community and pilgrimage site ==Understand== [[File:Lac d' Antre.jpg|thumb|300px|Haut-Jura regional park]] The entire area formed the heart of the Kingdom, and later Duchy, of Burgundy for 1000 years in the middle ages, but was absorbed into the [[Kingdom of France]] from the 15th century onwards. In 2016, the two regions of Burgundy and Franche-Comté voluntarily merged to form the present Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, as part of national territorial reform. They were the only two regions to have already bilaterally expressed a wish to merge before the national law was passed, probably due to their strong historical ties. Burgundy and Franche-Comté have a rich architectural inheritance of remarkable buildings, including castles and major Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals. The vineyards of the region are some of the most prestigious in the world, with the Burgundy wine region including Beaujolais and Chablis. Aside from cities and towns, many of them walled, the countryside is dotted with numerous pleasant and picturesque villages. The region also offers natural beauty. Burgundy has lakes and forests, and plenty of opportunities for fishing, walking or riding. A gentle landscape of hillsides covered with vineyards lines the river Loire. The Nièvre holds a vast area of wild countryside ideal both for sport and cultural activities. The Jura is a low range of wooded mountains with many gorges, caves and rocky peaks, which gave its name to the Jurassic period. ==Talk== This is France, so surprisingly people here mainly speak '''[[French]]'''! A swiftly-declining number of people in Burgundy speak a dialect of French called '''Burgundian''' / '''Bourguignon'''. The Jura mountains are part of the '''Arpitan'''-speaking region. Arpitan, also known as Franco-Provençal, is a Romance language spoken mainly by older people in rural areas. As far as '''English''' is concerned, it is quite likely that travellers will be able to find speakers in tourist areas, and the larger towns and cities such as [[Besançon]]. As soon as you venture into less-populated areas, some knowledge of French becomes essential. At any rate, having a few basic phrases at your disposal is fundamental politeness, and efforts to speak the language - however clumsy - will help endear you to the locals much more than if you stubbornly stick to English. ==Get in== [[File:Eglise de l'abbaye St Germain à Auxerre DSC 0007.JPG|thumb|270px|View of part of Auxerre, featuring the Abbey of Saint-Germain]] ===By car=== The A5 and A6 autoroutes both connect the region to [[Paris]]. The A6 heads south to [[Lyon]], a hub of highways coming from southern Europe. The A40 brings traffic from [[Geneva]]. ''For more detail on the region's autoroute system, see [[#Get around|below.]]'' ===By train=== The '''[http://www.sncf.com/en/trains/tgv TGV]''' runs from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to [[Dijon]] (1h 35 min), [[Besançon]] (2h) and [[Belfort]] (2h 15 min). These stations are also served by TGV services from other cities in France ([[Lille]], [[Lyon]], [[Mulhouse]], [[Strasbourg]]) and neighbouring countries ([[Basel]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Geneva]], [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], [[Milan]]) ===By plane=== The region has one tiny commercial airport, '''[http://www.aeroportdolejura.com/en/ Dole-Jura]''', which receives Ryanair flights from Fez, Marrakech and Porto. The nearest large international airports offering flights from English-speaking countries are '''[http://www.euroairport.com/en/ Euroairport]''' (near to the Swiss city of [[Basel]], but actually in the French town of Saint-Louis, Haut-Rhin) and '''[https://www.gva.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx Geneva]''', which straddles the French-Swiss border. ==Get around== [[File:Quai Vauban 2.jpg|thumb|Boat on the Doubs River in Besançon]] ===By car=== The region is well-connected by road, with the following motorways (''autoroutes'') being particularly useful: * '''A6''': ''[[Île-de-France]], from [[Paris]]'', [[Auxerre]], [[Avallon]], [[Morvan Regional Natural Park|Morvan]], [[Beaune]], A36, [[Mâcon]], ''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]], towards [[Lyon]]'' * '''A31''': ''[[Grand-Est]], from [[Nancy]]'', [[Dijon]] (A39), A36, Beaune, A6 * '''A36''': Beaune (A6, A31), Dole (A39), [[Besançon]], Belfort, ''Grand-Est, towards [[Mulhouse]]'' * '''A39''': Dijon, A31, Dole (A36), Jura, ''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]], towards Bourg-en-Bresse'' * '''A77''': ''[[Centre-Val de Loire]], from Paris (via A6)'', Loire Valley, [[Nevers]] ===By train=== An extensive local rail network is operated by '''[https://www.ter.sncf.com/bourgogne-franche-comte TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté]'''. Besançon and Dijon are linked by the TGV. ===By bike=== There is an extensive network of cycle routes, which is an excellent and relaxing way to explore the region, whether among the Burgundy vineyards or the hills of Franche-Comté. ===By boat=== [https://www.leboat.com/boating-vacations/france/burgundy/nivernais-loire#tab2 Le Boat] rents boats of various sizes for multi-day canal and river cruising in the region from bases in [[Migennes]], Châtillon-sur-Loire, Tannay, and Decize. No boating licence is required. ==See== [[File:Saline de Salins-les-Bains 007.jpg|thumbnail|The salt works of Salins-les-Bains]] [[File:Cascade du Bief de la ruine en avril.jpg|thumb|Bief de la Ruine, Jura]] * Two historic '''salt production sites''' in the region are inscribed on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]; the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans and the saltworks of Salins-les-Bains. * '''Notre Dame du Haut''' in Ronchamp, a chapel designed by the architect Le Corbusier. It's one of 17 buildings worldwide by Corbusier to be listed as a World Heritage site. *'''Villages''' - Many villages of the region have old medieval centres. Walk around, find a bar, drink a glass of wine and enjoy. *'''Castles''' - there are hundreds of castles in Burgundy. Many can be visited. Wikipedia has a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_France#Bourgogne-Franche-Comt.C3.A9 list] of all the castles of the region. * {{listing | type=see | name=Guédelon Castle | alt=Château de Guédelon | url=https://www.guedelon.fr/ | email=guedelon@guedelon.fr | address=Route départementale 955, 89520 Treigny | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 86 45 66 66 | tollfree= | fax=+33 3 86 45 66 67 | hours= | price=Adults {{EUR|14}}, students {{EUR|13}}, children {{EUR|11}}, under 5 free | wikipedia=Guédelon Castle | image=Guédelon 2017.jpg | wikidata=Q1557685 | lastedit=2020-06-17 | content=An archaeological experiment started in 1997, the castle has been under construction for 2 decades using only tools, materials, and techniques known in medieval France in that era. All handling, transport, and masonry work is completed with manual labour. As of 2020 construction is nearing completion. The construction site is open to the public and can be visited to collect funds for further construction. }} *{{do | name=MuséoParc Alésia | alt= | url=http://www.alesia.com/ | email= | address=1 Route des Trois Ormeaux, 21150 Alise-Sainte-Reine | lat= | long= | directions=Train: Gare des Laumes-Alésia | phone=+33 3 80 96 96 23 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Open every day, 10:00&ndash;17:00 (winter) / 18:00 (spring and autumn) / 19:00 (summer) | price=€12 adults, €10 concessions, €7 children | lastedit=2017-01-17 | content=An archaeological museum with a multimedia exhibition, reconstructed fortifications, the remains of a Gallo-Roman city, statue of Vercingetorix. }} * The '''[http://www.jura-tourism.com/Jura-experiencing-the-unexpected/Waterfalls-lakes-and-swimming Région des Lacs]''' consists of nine lakes of crystal blue water. Here motor-powered boats are prohibited and fishing regulated. It runs from Clairvaux-les-lacs, to Doucier Via Les Frasnois and the Cascades du Herisson. The lakes are a haven for locals on hot summer weekends, and a great place for a barbecue or picnic. Water temperatures are usually around 20°c, and make for a very refreshing dip after a long hike. ===Rivers=== * '''Doubs''' -a lovely river winding round the area - best known parts probably the '''Gorges du Doubs''', the '''Saut du Doubs''' and the river's source, the last two being near the Swiss border. * '''Loue''' - a beautiful tributary of the '''Doubs''' noted for its stunning source scenery, gorges and pretty riverside villages, particularly '''Ornans''' with its [http://www2.doubs.fr/courbet/ museum] of Gustave Courbet in the house where the poet was born, '''Lods''' and '''Mouthier-Haute-Pierre'''. * '''Lison''' - tributary of the '''Loue''' another river with a magnificent source in limestone cliffs. * '''Hérisson''' - a smaller river but with the '''[http://www.cascades-du-herisson.fr/ Cascades du Hérisson]''', a fine series of waterfalls - crowded with picnics on a Sunday. ===Cirques=== A cirque is a glacial valley in the shape of a circus amphitheatre, where the name comes from. Cirques are a common geological feature of the Jura. All these provide spectacular viewpoints and are not far apart so a very enjoyable drive can encompass them all. * '''Cirque de Baume''' - a fascinating horseshoe whose charms are increased by the villages of '''Baume-les-Dames''' and '''Baume-les-Messieurs''', the latter with an abbey. * '''Cirque de Consolation''' * '''Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval''' * '''Cirque de Ladoye''' ==Do== [[File:Carte-echappee-jurassienne.jpg|thumb|L'échappée jurassienne from CDT Jura]] *{{see | name=L'Echappée jurassienne | alt= | url=http://www.echappee-jurassienne.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=The main walking route of the Jura connects the plains of Dole to the heights of Les Rousses, a ski resort. Its 260 km of trails allow you to discover its forests, Grande Saline and Saline Royale classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, as well as vineyards, refreshing lakes and waterfalls, and spectacular landscapes shaped by a particular geology. You can choose a walk of any length, from a couple of hours to a fortnight or longer. }} ===Wine tours=== *'''Route des Grands Crus''' - The approximately 60 km route runs along the foot of the Côte d'Or from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south, via many of the great appellations of Burgundy wines. It takes visitors through the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune and the hills of the Hautes-Côtes. The route passes 33 towns and villages, including [[Beaune]], and runs by many picturesque churches. *'''Route Touristique des Grands Vin de Bourgogne''' - This 100 km route is a continuation of the Route des Grands Crus and runs from Santenay to Saint-Gengoux-le-National. The route is well marked and can be travelled easily by car and bike. *'''Routes des Vins Mâconnais-Beaujolais''' – This route is a way to discover the vineyards of Upper Mâconnais and leads along Lugny, Burgy, Fleurville, Saint-Albain, Mâcon, Péronne, Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé and Bissy-la-Mâconnaise. *'''Route des Vignobles de l'Yonne''' – This route takes you through the vineyards of the Yonne, called wine of Lower Burgundy, and includes the vineyards of Chablis, Auxerre, Vézelay, Tonnerre and Joigny. ==Eat== {{seealso|French cuisine}} [[File:Coq au vin simmering.jpg|thumb|Coq au vin]] [[File:Cooked snails.JPG|thumb|Escargots de Bourgogne]] [[File:Comte AOP.jpg|thumb|A slab of Comté]] Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is home to many dishes that have become synonymous with French cooking all over the world; the best among them use the local wine as a key ingredient. ===Regional specialities=== *'''Anis de Flavigny''' – Sweets made from anise and covered with sugar syrup *'''Bœuf bourguignon''' – Beef stewed in red wine *'''Coq au vin''' – Chicken with mushrooms and herbs in a red wine sauce *'''Escargots de Bourgogne''' – Snails with herbs and garlic butter *'''Gougères''' – Cheese puffs *'''Jambon persillé''' — Terrine of shoulder ham and parsley with '''Bourgogne Aligoté''' white wine * '''Moutarde de Dijon''' – The archetypal French mustard is nowadays not from Dijon but from neighbouring Chevigny-Saint-Sauveur ===Cheese=== A significant part of the regional cuisine. '''Comté''' is a creamy local variety of Gruyère, and is the region's signature cheese. Elsewhere, '''morbier''' is a semi-soft cows' milk cheese with a thin blue layer running through the middle. This cheese has made it into the kitchen in a regional speciality, the ''morbiflette''. If you know a thing or two about French gastronomy, you'll guess this is a tartiflette (potato, lardon and onion gratin) made with morbier. Some chefs will switch the lardons for a more typical sausage of the region. Also to try are '''Citeaux''' and '''Époisses'''. Lastly, your inner child may appreciate munching processed lunchbox favourite '''La vache qui rit''' (The Laughing Cow) on her home turf. ===Restaurants=== Of the 25 three-star Michelin restaurants in France, three can be found in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. *{{eat | name=La Côte Saint-Jacques | alt= | url=http://www.cotesaintjacques.com/ | email= | address=14, faubourg de Paris, Joigny 89300 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 86 62 09 70 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Le Relais Bernard Loiseau | alt= | url=http://www.bernard-loiseau.com/fr/index.php | email= | address=2, rue Argentine, Saulieu 21210 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 80 90 53 53 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{eat | name=Maison Lameloise | alt= | url=http://www.lameloise.fr/en/ | email= | address=36, place d'Armes, Chagny 71150 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 3 85 87 65 65 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} But you do not have to go to a starred restaurant for good food. Even in the smallest villages you will find good traditional restaurants, while along the roads you will find '''restaurants routiers''' where you can order '''le menu / plat du jour''' for a very reasonable price. ==Drink== {{Infobox|Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé !|Every third Thursday of November, the new Beaujolais wine arrives at bars and restaurants across France and select places around the world. This wine is from the historical Beaujolais province and wine-producing region north of [[Lyon]] that covers parts of the northern part of the [[Rhône]] ([[Rhône-Alpes]]) and parts of the southern part of the Saône-et-Loire. It is a young wine meant to be drunk as soon as possible as it does not age very well.}} '''Wine''' is unmistakably the most well-known product in Burgundy. From north to south, the most famous and recognisable wines of the region grow on carefully exposed soils: Chablis, Côteaux de l'Auxerrois, Côte-de-Nuits, Côte-de-Beaune, Hautes-Côtes, Côtes Chalonnaise et Mâconnais, and Pouilly-sur-Loire. Away from wine, '''Crème de cassis''' is sweet dark red liqueur with the taste of blackcurrant ==Sleep== The cities and towns have a range of hotels to suit any need. Accommodation in the rural areas consists of guesthouses, self-catering gîtes and camping. You can pitch a tent almost anywhere without concerning the locals. Camper vans can be parked overnight in most public parking areas. ==Go next== [[File:Auxey-Duresses paysage.jpg|thumb|Typical vineyard landscape in Côte d'Or|350px]] *Visitors inspired by the Jura may long to see bigger mountains - look no further than the '''[[Alps]]''', just to the east in both [[French Alps|France]] and [[Swiss Alps|Switzerland]]. *'''[[Geneva]]''' is an international capital of diplomacy and [[Switzerland]]'s main Francophone city, fronting the famous lake. *'''[[Grand Est]]''', the large region to the north, has everything from landscapes scarred by the world wars, to a unique fusion of French and Germanic cultures. *France's second metropolis, '''[[Lyon]]''', only a hop away on the TGV, is considered the gastronomic capital of either France, Europe or the world (depending on whom you ask!). Safe to say, the grub is good. ===Wine=== Continue your wine odyssey in any direction you choose: *'''North''' will take you into '''[[Champagne]]''' country, or follow the Swiss border to reach '''[[Alsace]]''''s white wines *'''East''' of Jura, tucked behind Lake Geneva, is the '''[[Savoie]]''', a small Alpine region. *'''West''' leads to the '''[[Loire Valley]]''', France's largest wine region. *'''South''' of Beaujolais immediately lands you in the '''[[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes|Rhône Valley]]'''. {{IsPartOf|France}} {{outlineregion}} {{Geo|47.19|4.83|zoom=8}} a1ivgo9km6d6lc9muekxk43d3xns8vp 0 159586 4506611 4477241 2022-08-23T05:35:41Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Go next */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Panitanki''' is a village in the [[North Bengal]] region of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. ==Understand== It is a popular border crossing on the Indian side of the Nepal border. ==Get in== Buses and shared taxis from [[Siliguri]] (One hour) and shared taxis from [[Darjeeling]] (four hours). It is 1.7km from the adjoining Nepalese border town of [[Kakarbhitta]]. Travellers have the option of walking of taking a rickshaw between the two locations. ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling]] - a hill station and popular tourist destination. Around four hours by shared taxi. * [[Kakarbhitta]] - the Nepalese town across the border - buses to Kathmandu. * [[Kathmandu]] - 12 or 13 hours from across the border. * [[Siliguri]] - a large city with shopping, hotels, airport, and major railway junction. Around one hour by bus or shared taxi. {{IsPartOf|Darjeeling Hills}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|26.6399|88.1700}} rsgfoqhluxw8j3xj0452chsztn4sgxh 4506613 4506611 2022-08-23T05:36:43Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Panitanki''' is a village in the [[Darjeeling Hills]] of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. ==Understand== It is a popular border crossing on the Indian side of the Nepal border. ==Get in== Buses and shared taxis from [[Siliguri]] (One hour) and shared taxis from [[Darjeeling]] (four hours). It is 1.7km from the adjoining Nepalese border town of [[Kakarbhitta]]. Travellers have the option of walking of taking a rickshaw between the two locations. ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling]] - a hill station and popular tourist destination. Around four hours by shared taxi. * [[Kakarbhitta]] - the Nepalese town across the border - buses to Kathmandu. * [[Kathmandu]] - 12 or 13 hours from across the border. * [[Siliguri]] - a large city with shopping, hotels, airport, and major railway junction. Around one hour by bus or shared taxi. {{IsPartOf|Darjeeling Hills}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|26.6399|88.1700}} b0muhkvyyvfg5wne7k90cmpfdiag44x 3 161576 4506243 3418658 2022-08-22T13:32:01Z Vincent Vega 1606435 Vincent Vega moved page [[User talk:TheMrP]] to [[User talk:P1]]: Automatically moved page while renaming the user "[[Special:CentralAuth/TheMrP|TheMrP]]" to "[[Special:CentralAuth/P1|P1]]" wikitext text/x-wiki Hello, TheMrP! [[Wikivoyage:Welcome, newcomers|Welcome]] to [[Wikivoyage:About|Wikivoyage]]. To help get you started contributing, we've created a [[Wikivoyage:Tips for new contributors|tips for new contributors]] page, full of helpful links about [[Wikivoyage:Directory of policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]] and [[Wikivoyage:Manual of style|style]], as well as some important information on [[Wikivoyage:Copyleft|copyleft]] and basic stuff like [[Wikivoyage:How to edit a page|how to edit a page]]. If you need help, check out [[Wikivoyage:Help|Help]], or post a message in the [[Wikivoyage:Travellers' pub|travellers' pub]]. If you are familiar with Wikipedia, take a look over some of the [[Wikivoyage:Welcome, Wikipedians|differences]] here. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 22:14, 11 February 2018 (UTC) p3uk8ymusn9l8c2tv4or3ibwv4teluv 0 162910 4506268 4463988 2022-08-22T14:35:31Z MuzikMachine 2162786 Corrected Region - part of Columbia-Rockies. Added Routebox. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Mount Revelstoke NP banner Indian Paintbrush.jpg}} '''[https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/revelstoke Mount Revelstoke National Park]''' is a [[Canadian National Parks|national park]] in the [[Columbia-Rockies]] of [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. [[File:Mount Revelstoke National Park 1.jpg|right|thumb| Meadow near the summit]] ==Understand== {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q862265|type=geoline}} {{Mapframe|51.0966|-118.0584|zoom=11|width=500|height=500}} Mount Revelstoke National Park is adjacent to the city of [[Revelstoke]]. The park is relatively small for a Canadian national park, covering 260 km² (100 sq mi). It is in the Selkirk Mountains and was founded in 1914. Approximately 600,000 visitors enter Mount Revelstoke and nearby Glacier National Park each year. * {{listing | name=Park office | alt= | url= | email=RevGlacier.Reception@pc.gc.ca | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 250-837-7500 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} ===History=== ===Landscape=== ===Flora and fauna=== This national park protects a small herd of the threatened woodland caribou as well as providing habitats for cougars, grizzly bears, lynxes, black bears, red foxes, moose, martens, coyotes, a variety of bats, wolf packs, several species of shrews, voles, mice, wolverines, and mountain goats. ===Climate=== The park contains a portion of one of the world's few inland temperate rain forests. Steep, rugged mountains can be found in a warm, moist climate. A variety of plant and animal life is typical with stands of old-growth Western Redcedar and Western Hemlock, a forest type which is rapidly declining outside of protected areas. The park's inland rainforest also has an isolated population of banana slugs which marks the eastern boundary of their distribution in North America. ==Get in== Mount Revelstoke National Park is in southeastern British Columbia, a 6-hour drive from [[Vancouver]] or 4½-hour drive from [[Calgary]] along the Trans-Canada Highway. The town of Revelstoke is adjacent to the western entrance and serves as a base for exploring the park. Access is by highway. The community of Revelstoke, 800 m southwest of the park, is almost halfway from Calgary to Vancouver. It is served by small (charter) aircraft and by commercial bus lines. The Trans Canada Highway (Highway #1) is the point of access for visitors. It runs just inside the park's boundary for 13 km along the southeast perimeter of the park. ==Fees and permits== The park is open year-round but its upper reaches can be snowbound into July. Many facilities are closed from October to May. Daily fees (2018): *Adult $ 7.80 *Senior $ 6.80 *Youth free *Family/group $ 15.70 Annual pass until June 30/after June 30 (2018): *Adult $29.40/$39.20 *Senior $25.75/$34.30 *Youth and children free *Family/group $73.50/$78.50 Fishing per permit (2018): *Daily $9.80 *Annual $34.30 {{Canadian national park passes}} ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== *{{Do|name=Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway|lat=51.0083|long=-118.2014|lastedit=2022-06-09|content=Is a paved mountain road open during the snow free months. The parkway begins in the rainforests of the park’s southwest corner, winds upward through the sub-alpine forests and ends in the rolling sub-alpine wildflower meadows. The Monashee Mountains rise to the west, with the Selkirk range to the east.}} *{{Do|name=Giant Cedars Boardwalk|lat=51.10689|long=-117.90644|lastedit=2022-06-09|content=Is a 500-m (0.3-mi) interpretive trail that twists through a stand of old-growth western red cedar and hemlock trees, some more than 800 years old. Exhibits along the way explore the secrets of this inland rainforest.}} *{{Do|name=Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk|lat=51.08573|long=-117.92122|lastedit=2022-06-09|content=Is a 1.2-km (0.75-mi) interpretive trail that leads through valley bottom rainforest and fragile wetlands inhabited by muskrats, beavers, bears and the strange skunk cabbage plant. Exhibits also help to identify the many birds that migrate from South and Central America to the Skunk Cabbage area each year.}} ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ===Lodging=== ===Camping=== ===Backcountry=== Backcountry use and camping per permit (2018): *Overnight, per person $9.80 *Season, per person $68.70 *Caribou Cabin, per night $14.70 ==Stay safe== * {{listing | name=Emergency | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1-877-852-3100 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content= }} ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=BC-1 (TCH).svg | imagesize1=22 | link1=Trans-Canada Highway | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Kamloops]] | minorl1=[[Revelstoke]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Banff]] | minorr1=[[Glacier National Park (British Columbia)|Glacier National Park]] }} {{IsPartOf|Columbia-Rockies}} {{usablepark}} {{geo|51.0858|-118.066|zoom=13}} n2ye8y9z4pu5q8yw6v54wjlsrpxxlta 0 163512 4506589 4498645 2022-08-23T05:17:58Z 3knolls 2179953 /* By bus */specified wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Wv Ariano Irpino banner.jpg}} '''Ariano Irpino''' is a town in [[Campania]]. It is known as ''la Città del Tricolle'' ("the City of the Three Knolls") because it towers on three rounded hills. [[File:Ariano Irpino full view.jpg|thumb|350px|The Three Knolls of Ariano Irpino]] ==Understand== Ariano Irpino lies upon the [[Irpinia]]n Apennines and is almost centred between the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its population is roughly 22,500 (2017) and its elevation is 788 metres (2,585 ft) above sea level, which brings the town a mild climate in summer and some snow in winter. It used to be called ''Ariano'' or weirdly ''Ariano di Puglia'' ("Apulian Ariano"), although it was never part of [[Apulia]]. Ariano Irpino was legally granted the status of ''città'' ("city") in 1952. The official and most widely spoken language in Ariano Irpino is Italian. A variety of Irpinian dialect (similar to Neapolitan) is used too. English is the most commonly spoken foreign language, although the average knowledge of English is far from excellent. The town has very ancient origins, and there are two archaeological sites in the area: the Neolithic village of "La Starza" (the oldest in Campania) and the Roman village of "Aequum Tuticum" (a road junction between the Via Traiana and the Via Herculea). The historical centre of Ariano has medieval origins. Founded by the Lombards, it assumed great importance under the Normans. King Roger II lived there and held the famous "Assizes of Ariano" (in the 12th century). It was devastated by the Saracens of Lucera, but rose again under the Angevins. It was one of the first southern towns to free itself from the feudal yoke (in 1585). ==Get in== === By plane === Naples International Airport ({{IATA|NAP}}) (''Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli'', also known as ''Capodichino Airport'') is 100 km away from the town, which is easily accessible via A16 highway. From the airport you can also take an AIR bus for €5; you should buy your ticket at a bar or a kiosk specifying the destination ("Ariano Irpino"). There are several AIR buses on working days and Saturdays, but only a few on Sundays. Other useful facilities are the intercontinental [[Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport|Fiumicino Airport]] (near [[Rome]], 275 km away), and the smaller national [[Foggia]] [https://www.aeroportidipuglia.it/homepagefoggia Gino Lisa Airport], which is only 60 km away. ===By train=== [[File:Ariano Irpino train station.jpg|thumb|The railway station in a verdant valley, with an InterCity train stopping]] Ariano Irpino railway station is 6 km away from the town; there is only a couple of trains a day connecting [https://www.romatermini.com/en/ Rome] (with stops in [[Benevento]], [[Telese Terme|Telese]], [[Caserta]], [[Variano Patenora|Vairano]], [[Cassino]], [[Frosinone]], [[Anagni]]) and [https://www.baricentrale.it/en/ Bari] (with stops in [[Foggia]], [[Barletta]], [[Trani]], [[Bisceglie]], [[Molfetta]]). No taxis and only a few buses are available at the station. Alternatively you can arrive at [http://www.napolicentrale.it/en Napoli Centrale train station] and take an AIR bus to Ariano Irpino. You can also get to [[Foggia]] railway station and there take an AIR bus to Ariano Irpino, but on working days only. * {{listing | type=go | name=Ariano Irpino railway station | alt=Stazione di Ariano Irpino | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.181904 | long=15.117644 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q3968899 | lastedit=2020-04-18 | content= }} === By bus === [http://www.air-spa.it AIR bus] daily connects the town with [[Avellino]] and [[Naples]]; on working days (Monday to Saturday) there are bus links with [[Benevento]] and [[Foggia]] too. === By car === Ariano Irpino is directly connected with the A16 highway by [[Grottaminarda]] junction. The trip takes generally less than 2 hours from [[Naples]] or [[Bari]], and at most 3 hours from [[Rome]]. Alternatively, you can follow the A14 highway [[Pescara]]-Bari, exit at [[Foggia]] and subsequently take the SS 90 road for Naples. ==Get around== {{mapframe|41.152943|15.0896513|zoom=15|layer=W}} Except at peak hours, traffic is flowing and parking is easy and cheap. Most distances in the historic centre are small and can be walked in a matter of minutes: only remember to always look left for incoming cars or motorbikes because circulation follows European standards. The bus terminal is a 10-minute walk-away, but you can conveniently use the intermediate stops. There is also ''Circolare'', an [http://www.amutrasporti.it urban bus service] that connects all points of the town (except the train station), but the frequency is poor (1 every hour on weekdays, 1 every 2 hours on holidays); you will pay €1.20 if you buy the ticket onboard the bus, but only €1 if you buy it at an authorized selling point or tobacco shops (Tabaccheria, easily identified by a big white "T" on a rectangular black field). In any case the validity is one hour. ==See== Despite wars and earthquakes the town retains several historic buildings and ancient sights. [[File:Campanile Cattedrale - panoramio.jpg|thumb|The Cathedral's belltower]] * {{see | name=Cathedral | alt=Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta | url= | email= | address=Piazza Duomo | lat=41.1527| long=15.0878 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Ariano Irpino Cathedral | wikidata=Q2942545 | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=The Romanesque cathedral preserves a High-Medieval baptismal font, various artistic works and a silver museum, while nearby are the bishop's palace, many other churches, the diocesan museum and the museum dedicated to Giuseppina Arcucci, founder of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit's nuns. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Norman Castle | alt=Castello Normanno | url= | email= | address=Piazza Lusi | lat=41.1537979 | long=15.0904814 | directions= | phone=+39 0825 875-100 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 10:30-12:30, 17:00-19:00 | price= | wikidata=Q41540094 | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=Founded by the Lombards, this castle became very important under the Normans, when it was the head of a powerful county; there did King Roger II stay and there he held the Assizes of Ariano and coined the ducat. Later the castle was remodeled by the Aragonese and today houses the museum of Norman civilization. All around the castle there is a wide and panoramic public park. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Palazzo San Giacomo | alt= | url= | email= | address=Via Tranesi | lat=41.15026 | long=15.08462 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Ariano Irpino, San Giacomo hospital-museum.jpeg | lastedit=2019-05-15 | content=On a cliff overlooking the [[Irpinia]]n valleys, it used to be a hospital. Thereabouts were many ancient majolica furnaces, and nowadays the building houses a permanent exhibition of majolica art. }} * {{see | name=Palazzo Forte | alt= | url= | email= | address=Via D'Afflitto | lat=41.152943 | long=15.0896513 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=Home of the European Centre for Norman Studies, and the Archaeological, Civic & Ceramics Museum. The town has a long, ancient history and is still a center of ceramics manufacturing. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Palazzo Bevere | alt= | url= | email= | address=Via Mancini | lat=41.153632 | long=15.0895936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Ariano Irpino Palazzo Bevere.jpeg | lastedit=2019-05-16 | content=It is a majestic building that in 18th century was converted into a high-school complex. Today it hosts a branch of the University of Samnium. }} * {{see | name=Norman Civilization Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lusi square (Norman Castle) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q48805466 | lastedit= | content=Set in an evocative historical setting, it houses weapons and artifacts of all kinds dating back to the Middle Ages in general and to the Norman era in particular. }} * {{see | name=Civic and Ceramics Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Via d'Afflitto (Forte Palace) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q66715890 | lastedit= | content=In addition to numerous prints and period images, the Museum exhibits a wide range of local majolica and ceramics dating back to the 12th century. }} * {{see | name=Silver Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Piazza Plebiscito (Cathedral Basilica) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q48805869 | lastedit= | content=Inside it houses a good number of ancient finely worked silver works, although the most precious find is a case containing two Holy Thorns of Christ donated to the city by King Charles of Anjou in the 13th century. }} * {{see | name=Diocesan Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Via Annunziata (at Piazza Duomo) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q55360311 | lastedit= | content=Divided into several sections, the museum contains paintings, textiles, wood and stone from the entire diocese, attested since the 10th century. }} * {{see | name=Arcucci Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Via Mancini | lat= | long= | directions=behind the town hall, at the Sisters of the Holy Spirit | phone=+39 0825 871480 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q47341860 | lastedit= | content=Dedicated to the founder of an entire female religious order, it houses ancient monastic finds as well as contemporary artistic works of the missionary field. }} * {{see | name=Archaeological Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Via Donato Anzani (Forte Palace) | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+39 0825 824935 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q28670024 | lastedit= | content=Next to the Civic Museum, it exhibits archaeological finds from the nearby Valle del Miscano, continuously populated since the Paleolithic. }} * {{see | name=Biogeo, Museum of the History of Life and Earth | alt= | url= | email= | address=contrada Camporeale | lat= | long= | directions=inside the Biogem research center, 8 km from the centre | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidataQ4914621= | lastedit= | content=This curious museum provides, thanks to paleontological finds, reproductions and multimedia supports, a realistic and compelling picture of the origin and evolution of life on Earth. }} * {{see | name=Sanctuary of the Madonna of Valleluogo | alt= | url= | email= | address=Valleluogo district | lat= | long= | directions=in a green valley 4 km from the centre, along the provincial road to Montecalvo | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q52323761 | lastedit= | content=Ancient Marian sanctuary built near a water mill after the Madonna appeared to the miller's daughter. The mill is also well preserved and can be visited. }} * {{see | name=La Starza | alt= | url= | email= | address=contrada Cristina | lat= | long= | directions=12 km from the city centre, along the SS 90 Bis | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q45257955 | lastedit= | content=Neolithic village (near a chalk cliff at 410 m asl), the oldest in Campania, populated continuously from the sixth millennium BC until around 900 BC The area is rich in woods and water (there is also a small lake with the spring spring in use since ancient times) . }} * * {{see | name=Aequum Tuticum | alt= | url= | email= | address=contrada S.Eleuterio | lat= | long= | directions=16 km from the city centre, along the SS 90 Bis | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit= | content=Ancient Roman village (on a plateau at 575 m asl), at the intersection between the Via Traiana and the Via Herculea. In the early Middle Ages the village, located along the Via Francigena , came back to life, but only for a few centuries. However, nearby it is still possible to admire several majestic medieval farms. }} ==Do== [[File:Villa Comunale di Ariano Irpino.jpg|thumb|The flowery Public Park around the Norman Castle]] Halfway between the Romanesque Cathedral and the Norman Castle, along via Tribunali street, there is the Communal Cinema-Theatre. Instead the nightclubs are in the suburbs, along the statal road. * '''Ariano International Film Festival''' (AIFF), July and August. International film festival. * '''Historical re-enactment''' of the gift of the Holy Thorns, August. Ancient historical reenactment. * '''Pizza party''' (in Bosco Frólice, a large green area 5 km from the city center). Simple icon time.svg August. Traditional appointment dedicated to good food and excellent company. modification * '''Ariano Folkfestival''' (AFF), August and December. International folk music festival ==Learn== [https://www.biogem.it/index.php/it/ BioGeM] is a university consortium based in Ariano Irpino. Its campus runs master's degrees in biomedical, biochemical and bio-juridical fields. The town is also home to [http://www.unipegaso.it/website/ateneo/sedi/ariano-irpino Pegaso e-learning university] and the [http://www.cesn.it/ European Center for Norman Studies]. ==Work== An employment office is available along SS-90 statal road, but if you want to find a job in a short time ask around at the hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. However, learning Italian is a worthwhile activity if you plan to stay in Ariano Irpino for any length of time. ==Buy== [[File:Ariano Irpino - Civic Museum of Ceramics - Ancient majolica art.jpg|thumb|upright|Ancient majolica on show at the Civic Museum of Ceramics]] In the historic center there is plenty of small and typical shops, among which the traditional majolica ones stand out. There are important fairs on Palm Sunday, on Sunday in Albis, on June 13th, on July 16th and on November 1st. The weekly market takes place on Wednesday. Large distribution chains find a place in the outskirts, with two big fairs: on the second Sunday of May in Cardito suburb, and on the first Sunday of August in Martiri suburb. ==Eat== *'''La Pignata''', a high level restaurant near the bus terminal, offers many typical local products. *'''San Domenico''', another medium-level restaurant, is just in front of the police station. *'''Agrodolce Zincone''', the most convenient bistro in the historical centre, next to the Romanic Cathedral *Pizzerias, delis, rotisseries and pastry shops are everywhere, whereas agritourism accommodations are numerous in the countryside. ==Drink== [[File:Ariano irpino via russo anzani.jpg|thumb|A night view of the town]] The typical place for nightlife ''movida'' is around the bars and cafes on Piazza Duomo, Piazza Plebiscito and Piazza Ferrara, within the old town. Many pubs are also in Piazza Pasteni, at the terminal bus, becoming busy after about 22:00. If you want to venture to the outskirts of the city, there are many clubs and discos along the statal road. ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Casa Vacanze L' Archetto | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/casavacanzelarchetto/ | email= | address=Via R. D'Afflitto, 33 | lat=41.1528 | long=15.0894 | directions= | phone=+39 333 330 8537 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-28 | content=Vacation apartment with balcony overlooking the town. }} A few luxury hotels are instead in the suburbs, along the statal road. ==Connect== The town has a free network of public Wi-Fi access, which covers several areas in the historic centre with each area being indicated by a special signal. ==Cope== ===Hospitals=== * {{listing | name=Saint Ottone Frangipane Hospital | alt=Ospedale Sant'Ottone Frangipane | wikidata=Q54972754 | url=https://www.aslavellino.it/index.php/it/azienda/strutture/presidi-ospedalieri/presidio-ospedaliero-sant-ottone-frangipane | email=direzionepoariano@aslavellino.it | address=Via Russo Maddalena | lat=41.1481 | long=15.08371 | directions= | phone=+39 0825 877111 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Go next== All around the town there are several medieval villages, each of them with only hundreds or, at most, a few thousand inhabitants. Among them, [[Zungoli]], [[Savignano Irpino]] and [[Greci]] better retain their ancient shape and the surrounding natural environment. From Ariano Irpino it is also very easy to reach the provincial capital [[Avellino]] (50 km away) and the regional capital [[Naples]] (100 km away) by car or public transport. {{routebox | image1=Strada Statale 90 Italia.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=NE | majorl1=[[Foggia]] | minorl1=merges into [[File:Autostrada A14 Italia.svg|24px]] | directionr1=SO | minorr1=merges into [[File:Autostrada A16 Italia.svg|24px]] | majorr1=[[Benevento]] → [[Avellino]] → [[Napoli]] }} {{geo|41.1554|15.0989}} {{IsPartOf|Avellino (province)}} {{outlinecity}} 9r7mpffmkosnitnpyrjydeejasn2wys 0 164659 4506348 4391590 2022-08-22T17:42:51Z The dog2 35982 /* Japan */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|ConwyCastleTownRiver01 (cropped).jpg}} {{mapframe|||zoom=1|name=Map of castles around the world}} '''Castles''' are fortified residences built in [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]] and [[Japan]] during the Middle Ages by nobility or [[monarchies]] and by military orders. ==Understand== {{seealso|Medieval Europe|Islamic Golden Age|Pre-modern Japan}} While [[fortifications]] and [[grand houses|stately homes]] have been known since ancient times, the combination of those functions arose in Europe around AD&nbsp;900, as strongholds of local feudal lords, to hold off enemy raids by [[Vikings and the Old Norse|Vikings]], Magyars, [[Saracens]] and nomads, as well as rival lords. While we do not know a specific "year zero" of castle construction, the rise of castles in the 10th century is one of the features that define the transition from Early Middle Ages to the High Middle Ages. '''Knights''', men of noble birth skilled in warfare from horseback, became organized in religious orders, which commissioned many of the castles. Castles went through many stages of development, to respond to military and economic needs. They were usually built on high ground, to improve their role of defense, as well as their role for observation and prestige. A castle was usually the dominant building of a town, only contested by the church. The adoption of gunpowder weapons from the 14th to the 17th centuries made castles gradually less useful as fortifications, and replaced by bastion forts. The style with towers and battlements remained as ornaments of palaces and [[grand houses]] well into the 19th century (see [[Renaissance architecture]]), and can still be seen in novelty architecture. == Europe == === Cyprus === Three [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] castles, strategically positioned so as to allow fire signalling between each other, adorn the [[Northern Cyprus|Kyrenia Mountains]]. They were built (or re-built) by the Lusignans, a royal family of French origin, who established a kingdom on the island facing the [[Holy Land]] during the [[Crusades|Third Crusade]]. * {{listing | type=see | name=St Hilarion Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Kyrenia district#See|south of Kyrenia, off the highway to Nicosia]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q2302532 | lastedit= | content=The best preserved and most easily accessible of the trio. Some say it is the inspiration behind [[Disney]]'s Sleeping Beauty. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Buffavento Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Kyrenia#Go next|east of Kyrenia, near Çataköy]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q301376 | lastedit= | content=On a lofty position, this is the highest of the mountain castles of Cyprus—and it's little wonder its name means "the challenger of the winds" in Italian. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Kantara Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Famagusta district (North)#See|at the base of the Karpaz Peninsula]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q1271457 | lastedit= | content=Kantara lies east of the other two, and affords commanding views over the Karpas Peninsula, the long, finger-like cape of Cyprus extending towards the [[Levant]]. }} === Czech Republic === * {{listing | type=see | name=Český Krumlov Castle | alt= | url=https://www.zamek-ceskykrumlov.cz/en | email= | address=Zámek 59, 381 01 [[Český Krumlov]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q2164919 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content=Home to a Baroque theatre, which is the only one in Europe that has survived in its original 18th-century configuration with no modern additions. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Prague Castle | alt= | url=https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors | email= | address=Hradčany, 119 08 [[Prague]] 1 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q193369 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content=Formerly the seats of the Kings of Bohemia, and today the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Křivoklát Castle | alt= | url=https://www.hrad-krivoklat.cz/en | email= | address=Křivoklát 47, 270 23 [[Central Bohemia|Křivoklát]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q1012808 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} === France === [[File:Falaise chateau guillaume conquerant 2.jpg|thumb|Château de Falaise]] [[File:Château de Montsoreau, depuis la rive droite de la Loire.jpg|thumb|[[Montsoreau]] and its Castle]] *{{listing | type=see | name=Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant de Falaise | alt= | url=http://www.chateau-guillaume-leconquerant.fr/ | email= | address=[[Falaise]], Normandy | lat=48.8932 | long=-0.2039 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Château de Falaise | image=Falaise chateau guillaume conquerant 2.jpg | wikidata=Q1011692 | content=The, ''Place Guillaume le Conquérant'' - William the Conquerer's birthplace and an important stronghold of the Dukes of Normandy and English kings until the French king Phillipe Augustus wrested the castle from the hands of King John in 1204. The castle remains an impressive example of Norman fortification. Excellent audio-visual displays. English guided tours available (phone ahead). Castle shop. }} * {{see | name=Château de Montsoreau-Musée d'art contemporain | alt= | url=http://www.chateau-montsoreau.com/wordpress/fr/accueil/ | email=contact@chateau-montsoreau.com | address=[[Montsoreau|Château de Montsoreau]] | lat=47.215556 | long=0.062222 | directions= | phone=+33 2 41 67 12 60 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art | image=Château de Montsoreau, depuis la rive droite de la Loire.jpg | wikidata=Q36698440 | content={{UNESCO}} Housed in the first castle of the Loire to have been built, this museum contains the world's largest collection of Art & Language works, assembled by Philippe Méaille during the last 25 years. Art & Language is a British art movement that has invented and deeply influenced conceptual art and music. The museum includes most famous works of Art & Language, including their renowned ''Mirror piece'', and hosts at least two temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists a year, and many conferences. Photography is permitted. Backpacks are not permitted, but there are free lockers after entrance. }} * {{see | name=Château de Pierrefonds | alt= | url=http://www.chateau-pierrefonds.fr/en/ | email= | address=[[Hauts-de-France|Pierrefonds]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+33 2 41 67 12 60 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | image= | wikidata=Q376699 | content=A castle dating back to the 12th century, though it was renovated in the 19th century. Nevertheless, many of the original fortifications survive. Commonly used as a filming location for television series set in medieval times, perhaps most notably the BBC television series Merlin. }} === Germany === [[File:BurgRheinstein02.jpg|thumb|Burg Rheinstein on the [[Rheinburgenweg]]]] [[Image:Harburg in Schwaben, Burg 20170826 001.jpg|thumb|Harburg Castle on the [[Romantic Road]]]] Germany has an abundance of castles as the medieval period saw a vast amount of small and tiny polities gaining ''de facto'' independence and there were several low ranking noblemen who had their own castle as a defense in case of (frequent) feuds or a safe haven from which to strike trade routes and the likes. The 13th century with the almost total collapse of central authority in the Holy Roman Empire saw a high point in feuding but even after feuds were largely eliminated and legal recourse for disputes was established new castles were constructed for various defensive and - increasingly - representative purposes. * {{see | name=Marksburg | alt= | url=http://www.marksburg.de/ | email= | address=[[Braubach]], Rhineland-Palatinate | lat=50.271960 | long=7.649388 | directions= | phone=+49 2627 536 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Marksburg | wikidata=Q257210 | lastedit=2016-01-24 | content=Medieval castle above the town of Braubach. Probably one of the best preserved in Germany as it was never taken. Open to the public. }} * {{see | name=Burgruine Streitburg | alt= | url= | email= | address=Wiesenttal, [[Forchheim]], Upper Franconia| lat=49.8129 | long=11.2207 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Streitburg Castle | image=Burgruine Streitberg01.jpg | wikidata=Q1015542 | lastedit=2018-06-08 | content=This ruined castle is on a hill right next to the hill ''Neideck'' stands on (see below) "Streit" means "quarrel" in German and the tale goes that the two neighboring castles had a quarrel with each other leading to the destruction of both. The actual history doesn't confirm that tale but locals like to tell it regardless. }} * {{see | name=Burgruine Neideck | alt= | url= | email= | address=Wiesenttal, [[Forchheim]], Upper Franconia | lat=49.8087 | long=11.2322 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Neideck Castle | image=2015 Ruine Neideck 05.jpg | wikidata=Q1015426 | lastedit=2018-06-08 | content=Next to Streitburg on a neighboring hill, this castle ("Neid" means envy) is said to have fallen victim to the same quarrel as Streitburg although, again, the actual history was different. }} * {{see | name=[[Nuremberg]] Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=49.4579 | long=11.0759 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Nuremberg Castle | image=Nuernberg Burg Panorama PtGUI.jpg | wikidata=Q707396 | lastedit=2018-06-09 | content=Dating in its earliest parts to around the year 1000, this castle was at times an important residence for the Emperor when he traveled around his realm. Later the castle became a major symbol of the independent ''Freie Reichsstadt'' that was only subject to the emperor (and that only in theory) and it remains to this day a symbol of the largest city in [[Franconia]]. As the former lords of this castle were the ancestors of German Kaisers Wilhelm I and Wilhelm II they liked to make some Romantic gesture harkening back to the origins of their house and trying to link their ''Reich'' to that of which Nuremberg had once been part. The later decision of the Nazis to hold their big rallies in Nuremberg was later also linked to Nuremberg's imperial history. }} * {{see|name=[[Harburg]] Castle|url=https://www.burg-harburg.de|email=|address=Burgstr. 1, 86655 Harburg (Schwaben)|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|lastedit=2021-11-08|content=One of the largest, oldest and best preserved castles in southern Germany. Extensive mediaeval complex from the 11th / 12th century. Originally it was a Staufer castle and was owned by the princely House of Oettingen-Wallerstein.|wikidata=Q1012188}} === Italy === Italy was comprised of numerous city-states and small kingdoms from the fall of the Roman Empire until its reunification in the 19th century, many of which were frequently at war with each other, and numerous castles were built to protect the leaders of these small states. * {{listing | type=see | name=Castello di Donnafugata | alt= | url=https://www.comune.ragusa.gov.it/turismo/castello/index.html | email= | address=Contrada, 97100 [[Ragusa (province)|Donnafugata]] RG | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q1048852 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Castello normanno-svevo di Gioia del Colle | alt= | url=http://www.gioiadelcolle.info/il-castello-normanno-svevo/ | email= | address=SPiazza dei Martiri 1799, 1, 70023 [[Bari (province)|Gioia del Colle]] BA | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q3662983 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Castel del Monte | alt= | url=https://www.casteldelmonte.beniculturali.it/en/1/home | email= | address=Strada Statale 170, 76123 [[Andria]] BT | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q215897 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Castello di Roccascalegna | alt= | url=https://www.castelloroccascalegna.com/ | email= | address=Piazza Umberto I, 66040 [[Chieti (province)|Roccascalegna]] CH | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q3662840 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} === Portugal === * {{see | name=Castelo de Óbidos | alt= | url=https://turismo.obidos.pt/en/2021/04/09/castle/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2579998 | lastedit=2021-07-25 | content= }} * {{see | name=Castelo de São Jorge | alt= | url=https://castelodesaojorge.pt/en/ | email= | address=Rua de Santa Cruz, [[Lisbon]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q636780 | lastedit=2021-07-25 | content= }} ===Spain=== '''''Alcázar''''' is the [[Spanish phrasebook|Spanish]] word for Moorish castles, and was derived from the [[Arabic phrasebook|Arabic]] word القصر (''al-qaṣr''). As this suggest, most castles with that name were built during Arab rule, though it is also used for a few castles the were built after the resumption of Catholic rule following the Reconquista. * {{listing | type=see | name=Alcazaba | alt= | url=http://alcazabaygibralfaro.malaga.eu/en/alcazaba | email= | address=Calle Alcazabilla, 2, 29012 [[Málaga]] | lat=36.721389 | long=-4.415556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Alcazaba of Málaga | wikidata= | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Alcázar de Segovia | alt= | url=https://www.alcazardesegovia.com/ | email= | address=Plaza Reina Victoria Eugenia, s/n, 40003 [[Segovia]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q557337 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Alhambra | alt= | url=https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/en | email= | address=Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 [[Granada]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q47476 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Castillo de Gibralfaro | alt= | url=http://alcazabaygibralfaro.malaga.eu/en/gibralfaro-castle | email= | address=Camino Gibralfaro, 11, 29016 [[Málaga]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata=Q1049197 | lastedit=2020-11-12 | content= }} === United Kingdom === {{main|Castles in Britain and Ireland}} {{Mapframe|54|-5|zoom=5|layer=M|height=500|width=400|name=Map of [[Castles in Britain and Ireland]]}} [[File:Windsor 2012-08-20.jpg|thumb|Windsor Castle]] True Castles (those built for defensive purposes) in the United Kingdom were constructed from the start of Norman Conquest onward, until the early 17th century when developments in military technology rendered them less effective from a defensive viewpoint. Sometimes the castles were built on or near the basis of early pre-Norman fortifications. Whilst there are true castles in Scotland (notably Edinburgh and Stirling), there are also a number of tower-houses (effectively fortified residences). ====Northern Ireland==== * {{see | name=Carrickfergus Castle | alt= | url=https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/carrickfergus-castle-p674971 | email= | address=Marine Hwy, Carrickfergus BT38 7BG | lat=54.713606 | long=-5.806197 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Carrickfergus Castle | lastedit=2019-11-13 | content= }} ====Scotland==== * {{listing | type=see | name=Edinburgh Castle | alt= | url=https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/ | email= | address=Castlehill, [[Edinburgh]] EH1 2NG | lat=55.948539 | long=-3.200455 | directions= | phone=+44 131 225 9846 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Edinburgh Castle | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-11-13 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Stirling Castle | alt= | url=https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/ | email= | address=Castle Esplanade, [[Stirling]] FK8 1EJ | lat=56.123758 | long=-3.947713 | directions= | phone=+44 1786 450000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Stirling Castle | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-11-13 | content= }} ====England==== * {{listing | type=see | name=Tower of London | alt=White Tower | url=https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/ | email= | address=St Katharine's & Wapping, [[London]] EC3N 4AB | lat=51.508080 | long=-0.076010 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Tower of London | lastedit=2019-11-13 | content= }} * {{see| name=Windsor Castle | alt= | url=https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle | email=| address=[[Windsor and Eton|Windsor]], SL4 1NJ | lat=51.483333 | long=-0.604167 | directions=| phone= | tollfree= | fax=| hours= | price=| wikipedia=Windsor Castle | wikidata=Q42646| content=It was built by William the Conqueror following the Norman invasion in the 11th century, and has been used by the British royal family since the reign of King Henry I. It is the largest inhabited castle in the world and used by the Queen as her primary weekend residence, though the state rooms are open to the public when not in use for state ceremonies.}} * {{listing | type=see| name=Dover Castle | alt= | url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/ | email=| address=Castle Hill Rd, [[Dover]] CT16 1HU | lat=51.129579 | long=1.321235 | directions=| phone=+44 370 333 1181 | tollfree=| hours= | price=| wikipedia=Dover Castle | wikidata=| lastedit=2019-11-13| content=}} * {{see | name=Warwick Castle | alt= | url=https://www.warwick-castle.com/ | email= | address=[[Warwick (England)|Warwick]] CV34 4QU | lat=52.279362 | long=-1.584982 | directions= | phone=+44 871 265 2000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Warwick Castle | lastedit=2019-11-13 | content= }}<!-- Dover,  Edinburgh, Stirling?  Leeds Castle in Kent?  &c.  --> ====Wales==== * {{listing | type=see | name=Beaumaris Castle | alt= | url=https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/beaumaris-castle | email= | address= Castle St, [[Beaumaris]] LL58 8AP | lat=53.264791 | long=-4.089749 | directions= | phone=+44 1248 810361 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Beaumaris Castle | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-11-13 | content= }} * {{see | name=Caernarfon Castle | alt=Carnarvon Castle | url=http://www.caernarfon-castle.co.uk/ | email= | address=Castle Ditch, [[Caernarfon]], LL55 2AY | lat=53.1393 | long=-4.2769 | directions= | phone=+44 1286 677617 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | wikipedia=Caernarfon Castle | content=(Welsh: ''Castell Caernarfon''). An impressive work began in 1283 by England's King Edward I as his planned seat of power in his attempt to subjugate [[Wales]]. Like [[Beaumaris]], this castle was quite functional, although never 100% completed. Notable use of this castle has included the investiture of a Princes of Wales on at least two occasions. | wikidata=Q275128}} == Middle East == {{see also|Desert Castles}} === Syria === * {{see | name=Masyaf Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q602945 | lastedit=2020-12-07 | content=Base of the Hashashin (Assassin) brotherhood during the [[Crusades]]. Featured in the ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' video game series. }} * {{see | name=[[Krak des Chevaliers]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q177549 | lastedit=2020-12-07 | content=Crusader castle, one of the most important preserved medieval castles in the world and a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. }} * {{see | name=Sahyun Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q277531 | lastedit=2020-12-07 | content=Also known as the Castle of Saladin and a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. }} === Yemen === * {{see | name=Al-Qahira Castle | alt= | url= | email= | address=[[Ta'izz]] | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q12233400 | lastedit=2020-12-08 | content=On the slopes of Mount Sabr, built in 12th century. }} == East Asia == ===China=== Although China does not have a tradition of castle-building per se, the [[Forbidden City]] is surrounded by fortifications, making it resemble a castle in this respect. ===Japan=== {{main|Japanese castles}} [[File:Himeji castle in may 2015.jpg|thumb|Himeji Castle, one of the most famous examples of a Japanese castle.]] While different in style from their European counterparts, Japan was also a nation of castle builders during the feudal period from the start of the Kamakura Period (12th century) to the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (17th century). Unlike most surviving European castles, the main keeps (天守閣 ''tenshukaku'') of Japanese castles were largely made of wood, so many have either decomposed or been lost to fire over the years. In addition, unlike in Europe, the main keep of the castle was a purely military structure and not the lord's residence; there was typically a separate set of palace buildings where the lord lived, next to the main keep. * {{see | name=Nijo Castle | alt=二条城 | url=https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/?lang=en | email= | address=〒604-8301 Kyoto Prefecture, [[Kyoto]], Nakagyo Ward, Nijojocho, 541 | lat=35.014167 | long=135.7475 | directions=Kyoto Subway Nijojo-mae sation | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1013399 | lastedit=2020-10-04 | content=Served as the Tokugawa Shogun's residence whenever he was visiting the emperor in Kyoto, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not classified as an original castle as the main keep was burnt down in a fire in 1750, but the outer fortifications and main palace buildings survive. Famous for its "nightingale floors", which were deliberately designed to squeak when someone walks on them so the Shogun and his guards could be alerted to any potential assassins. }} * {{see | name=Himeji Castle | alt=姫路城 | url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/guide/castle_en.html | email= | address=〒670-0012 Hyōgo Prefecture, [[Himeji]], Honmachi, 68 | lat=34.839444 | long=134.693889 | directions=JR Himeji station | phone=+81 79 285 1146 | tollfree= | fax=+81 79 222 6050 | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Himeji Castle | content=The only original Japanese castle to have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site to date, known for its white keep. Although the main keep is the original one, the palace buildings that served as the lord's residence have not survived. | wikidata=Q188754}} == See also == *[[Fortifications]] - *[[Grand and Great houses]] - chateux, stately home, manor house, Schloss, Resedenz, palace *[[Forts and palaces of India]] {{PartOfTopic|Architecture}} {{outlinetopic}} 2kq14cas8tsj5nzsczf2wdmrtb6p2bh 0 164939 4506547 4485395 2022-08-23T04:19:41Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Highest peaks per continent */ Puncak Jaya is usually considered the highest point on the Australian continent. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Geographical records banner Dead Sea.jpg|caption=Dead Sea 417m below sea level}} For anyone who has ever spent time reading the ''Guinness Book of Records'', records are often shocking and amazing. However, people often forget about the '''natural records''' &mdash; natural oddities and occurrences on the planet itself that we live on. ==Understand== Many geographical records are some of the most dramatic places on Earth. While northernmost and southernmost points have nothing spectacular in themselves, their location make them rather unique places to visit. Meanwhile, highest elevations and bodies of water records are often amazing sights and make interesting tourist destinations or tourist stops. ==Destinations== {{Mapframe|0|0|zoom=1|width=550|height=520}}While there are regional extreme points as well as global extreme points (like the [[Denali National Park|highest point in the United States]]), due to the number of record-breaking places around the world only global records are included here. They are listed by their location, not by the records themselves. The name of the place that breaks the record is in '''bold''' and the record it breaks is in ''italics''. Accessibility describes how easily a destination can be reached, and varies from easy to very difficult. === Cardinal points === ==== Northernmost and southernmost points of land on Earth ==== * Due to the remoteness of the Arctic north and the existence of temporary islands in this region, there is no definitely established northernmost area of land on Earth north of Greenland with the exception of {{Listing|name=Kaffeklubben Island|alt=Northernmost land on Earth|url=|email=|address=|lat=83.619058|long=-31.211608|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|accessibility=very difficult|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=This sandy, barren island isn't much of an attraction except for this record it quite possibly breaks, although there are very small sandbanks to the north that may or may not still exist as of 2018. Accessibility: very difficult.}} * {{marker | name=The [[South Pole]] | type=listing | lat=-90.00 | long=0.00 }} is the ''southernmost land on Earth'' - though the land lies about 2500 m below the ice cap. The pole has regular but pricey tourist flights. Accessibility: moderately difficult. But feel free to join one of the organised ski-treks from the coast, which renders it very difficult. ====Northernmost points of continents==== This can be somewhat complicated due to the fact that there often islands off the shores of the continents themselves. Generally on this list, if there are large islands, those are listed, but islets are not usually counted as northernmost points of continents here. An exception to this rule, however, is [[Oceania]]. Because basically all of Oceania consists of islands, small islands are not ignored as northernmost points in that continent. The following are listed by the latitude of their northernmost point (northernmost first, southernmost last): *This is [[Greenland]]'s '''Kaffeklubben Island'''. Please see the listing in [[#Northernmost and southernmost points of land on Earth]] for more information. *North of [[Siberia]] are some islands, including {{listing | name=Komsomolets Island | alt=Northernmost point in [[Asia]] | url= | email= | address= | lat=81.240622 | long=95.641714 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-06-19 | content=A large ice-covered area means that the exact northernmost point could be either 81.21 degrees north if no land is under the ice or 81.27 degrees north if land is under the ice. Accessibility: very difficult. }} *This northernmost point isn't so well known: {{Listing|name=Rudolf Island, [[Franz Josef Land]], [[Russia]]|alt=European record|url=|email=|address=|lat=81.858882|long=59.126654|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=It's just a little farther north than [[Svalbard]], an island group that is part of [[Norway]]. Accessibility: difficult to very difficult.|price=}} *Excluding small offshore islands, Africa's northernmost reach into the Mediterranean is close to {{Listing|name=[[Bizerte]], [[Tunisia]]|alt=City close to the northernmost point in [[Africa]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=37.275879|long=9.877601|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=This city is northwest of [[Tunis]] and the northernmost end of the city marks the eastern end of the northernmost piece of coastline in Africa. Accessibility: moderately easy.|price=}} *When you exclude coral reefs, this one is {{Listing|name=Green Island, [[Hawaii]]|alt=Northernmost point in [[Oceania]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=28.391598|long=-178.292608|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=However, if you exclude the [[United States]] territories, the northernmost island region is the [[Marshall Islands]]. Accessibility (for Green Island): difficult; however, easy access for visiting the nearby Hawaiian Islands, which are also part of Oceania.|price=}} *In [[Colombia]], there is a region of sparsely populated desert, the {{Listing|name=[[La Guajira]] coastline|alt=Northernmost point in [[South America]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=12.458489|long=-71.664803|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=It may seem odd that this region is desert, but this biome can actually be found in northern [[Venezuela]] as well. Accessibility: moderately difficult; no proper road leads to this section of coastline.|price=}} * The Antarctic mainland's northernmost point is {{marker | name=Cape Legoupil | type=listing | lat=-63.317 | long=-57.900 }} at the tip of the [[Antarctic Peninsula]]; the Chilean base Bernado O'Higgins is 30 km away. This is so far north, it's three times further from the South Pole than it is from the South American mainland across 1600 km of stormy ocean. Islands stretch out beyond and those south of 60 South are considered part of the continent as they're governed by the same Antarctic Treaty, whilst those north of that line are [[Subantarctic islands]] and considered separate. On that basis, the northernmost point of all Antarctica is on {{marker | name=[[Antarctic islands | Coronation Island]] | lat=-60.521 | long=-45.715 }}, one chilly slab of glacier. The Peninsula is routinely visited by cruise ships, but they seldom venture this way, so accessibility of both the Cape and this island is very difficult. ==== Southernmost points of continents ==== The following are ordered from the south by the latitude of their southernmost point: * Antarctica has the world's ultimate southernmost point, the '''[[South Pole]]'''. * The southernmost point of South America is difficult to pinpoint because the southern tip of this continent consists of many islands, big and small. However, the southernmost island of South America is {{Listing|name=Isle Hornos, [[Chile]]|alt=Southernmost island in [[South America]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=-55.952056|long=-67.275451|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=This island is essentially the cape, and there is a monument on the island dedicated to Cape Horn. That makes it quite clearly the southernmost land in South America.|price=}} * This is definitely something hard to affirm due to the existence of the [[Subantarctic Islands|Subantarctic]] Auckland Island and Adams Island. But these islands are Subantarctic Islands, and therefore cannot be considered part of Oceania. Instead go to the {{Listing|name=Snares Islands, [[New Zealand]]|alt=Southernmost island in [[Oceania]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=-48.062208|long=166.496496|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=These islands are islets, but as mentioned above, Oceania is an exception to the islets rule due to the fact there are no dominating landmasses on Oceania. (Even though [[Australia]] is a large landmass, it's not the dominant landmass because people in [[French Polynesia]] would not see themselves as Australians like people on [[Martha's Vineyard]] would see themselves as [[United States of America|Americans]].) However, the Snares Islands could be regarded as Subantarctic Islands, which would make Murphy Island, a tiny island close to a large island that is close to New Zealand's southern island, the southernmost land in Oceania.|price=}} * While [[Cape Town]] is often assumed to be the southern end of Africa, this title actually has to go to {{Listing|name=[[Agulhas National Park]]|alt=Southernmost point in [[South Africa]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=-34.828512|long=20.009888|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=There is a lighthouse and monument at this point.|price=}} * While [[Singapore/Sentosa and Harbourfront|Sentosa]] in Singapore likes to claim that it is the southernmost point of Asia, a small island in Asia that lies quite definitely south of the equator is the {{listing|name=[[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]|alt=Southernmost island in [[Asia]]|wikidata=Q36004}}, an Australian external territory about 2700 kilometres northwest of the mainland. However, if the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are disregarded because it's an Australian territory, then the {{Listing|name=Pulau Ndana Island, [[East Timor]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=-10.987729|long=122.870529}}. * There isn't much on the {{Listing|name=[[Panama]]-[[Colombia]] border|alt=Southernmost point in [[North America]]|url=|email=|address=|lat=7.222378|long=-77.893097|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=The nearest point of interest is [[Darien National Park]] and the Darien Gap.|price=}} * Europe is difficult to define because it's as much a cultural and political entity as it is geographical. The southernmost point on its mainland is {{marker | name=[[Tarifa]] | type=listing | lat=36.001 | long=-5.611 }} in Spain, where a causeway leads to Isla de las Palomas. Island contenders further south are Cape Trypiti (34.805° N) on the Greek island of [[Crete | Gavdos]], Akrotiri on [[Cyprus]] (34.566° N, this island is part of the EU but geographically in Asia Minor, and the tip is an air base, off-limits) and La Restinga on [[El Hierro]] (27.641° N and part of Spain, but mid-Atlantic). ==== Westernmost points of continents ==== Arranged by longitude from the westernmost to the easternmost. * The westernmost point in all North America is {{Marker|type=listing|lat=52.921 | long=172.438|name=Cape Wrangell|alt=westernmost point in North America}} on Attu Island of the [[Aleutian Islands]]. It's so far west that it's in the Eastern Hemisphere. The westernmost point on the mainland is Cape of Prince Wales, a part of Alaska peeking out towards the Diomedes. * [[Easter Island]] might be regarded as both the easternmost point of Oceania and the westernmost point of South America. Otherwise the westernmost land administered by a South American country is on {{Marker|type=listing|lat=1.6788 | long=-92.0092 |name=Darwin Island|alt=westernmost point in South America}}, one of the smaller [[Galapagos Islands]], and probably the closest to the Equator of all cardinal extreme points in this list. Punto Parinas in the northwestern corner of Peru is the westernmost point of mainland South America. * The westernmost point part of Europe is geologically on the North American plate; the {{Marker|type=listing|lat=39.4953 | long=-31.2754|name=Monchique Islet}} right outside [[Flores (Azores)]]. The westernmost point on the mainland is likewise part of Portugal; it's [[Cabo da Roca]]. * Africa's westernmost point is on {{Marker|type=listing|lat=17.046 | long=-25.360|name=[[Santo Antão]]|alt=westernmost point in Africa}}, while the westernmost point on the mainland is in a major city — [[Dakar]]. * The westernmost point in Asia is {{Marker|type=listing|lat=39.4796 | long=26.0637|name=[[Babakale]]}}, a village and a point jutting out into the Aegean Sea. * Australia has some territories to the west in the Indian Ocean, and if regarded as part of Oceania on this basis, [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands|McDonald Island]] would be the westernmost point. Otherwise, the title would go to a tip on the {{Marker|type=listing|lat=-25.586 | long=112.938|name=[[Dirk Hartog Island]]}}, with the westernmost point on the mainland just south of this island. ==== Easternmost points of continents ==== Arranged by longitude from the easternmost to the westernmost. * The definition of the easternmost point of Oceania is a bit tricky. The Easter Island can be regarded as both the westernmost point of South America and the easternmost point of Oceania. The easternmost point definitely not part of some other continent is {{Marker|type=listing|lat=-24.390 | long=-128.293|name=[[Henderson Island]]}}. Both of these are so far east, they're deep into the Western Hemisphere. For Oceania, it's meaningless to look for any "mainland" easternmost point. * Asia's easternmost point is the {{Marker|type=listing|lat=65.801 | long=-168.999|name=[[Big Diomede]]}}. The nearest mainland point, Cape Dezhnev, is only about 50 km northwest. These points too are so far east, they're in the Western Hemisphere. * Europe's easternmost point is also one of its northernmost, {{Marker|type=listing|lat=76.70 | long=69.09|name=Cape Flissingsky}} in the northerneastern end of [[Novaya Zemlya]]. The easternmost mainland point is undefined, as the border between Europe and Asia isn't as strictly defined as other continental borders. * The easternmost point of all Africa is {{Marker|type=listing|lat=-19.711 | long=63.502|name=[[Rodrigues]]}}, a remote island, part of Mauritius. On the mainland, the easternmost point is Ras Hafun on the east coast of the Horn of Africa. * Also North America's easternmost point is very far north; {{Marker|type=listing|lat=81.32 | long=-11.50|name=Nordostrundingen}} in [[Greenland]]. The easternmost point on the mainland is Cape Saint Charles, [[Labrador]]. * {{Marker|type=listing|lat=-20.4972 | long=-28.8477|name=Ilha do Sul}} far out in the Atlantic is the easternmost point of South America. The easternmost mainland point is much easier to access, it's Ponta do Seixas in [[João Pessoa]]. === Elevation === ==== Highest and lowest points on Earth ==== * If want to want to feel on top of the world, go to {{Listing|name=Mount Everest|alt=Highest location above sea level|url=|email=|address=|lat=27.988206|long=86.925081|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|accessibility=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=Accessibility: very difficult.}} * Everest is not the point furthest away from the center of the Earth, however. As the Earth is a bit "wider" around the Equator, this distinction goes to {{Marker|type=listing|lat=-1.4699 | long=-78.8165|name=[[Riobamba#Do|Chimborazo]]}}. Accessibility: difficult * "What is the world's tallest mountain?" is a bit of a trick question. {{Marker|type=listing|lat=19.820664 | long=-155.468066 | name=Mauna Kea}} on [[Big Island|Hawaii's Big Island]] reaches 4207 metres above sea level. However, as the mountain makes up the whole island, and has its base on the seafloor, it is more than 10,000 meters tall. * But if you're feeling down, go to the {{Listing|name=Dead Sea shoreline|alt=Lowest land not water-covered|url=|email=|address=|lat=31.768449|long=35.508121|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|accessibility=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=Every bus tour calls here. Accessibility: easy.}} * Keep digging. The Antarctic ice cap is 4 km thick in places, and depresses the earth's crust. The world's lowest inland spot, not covered by ocean or other liquid water, is believed to be the '''Byrd Subglacial Basin''' in [[West Antarctica]], 2870 m below sea-level. Accessibility: impossible. ====Highest peaks per continent==== ''See also [[Seven Summits]]'' <!--a lot of this section was copied from [[Seven Summits]], so please make tweaks, turn into markers, and format like the rest--> * Mount Everest, Asia, 8,848 m * Aconcagua, South America, 6,961 m * Denali, North America, 6,194 m * Kilimanjaro, Africa, 5,895 m * Elbrus, Europe, 5,642 m * Vinson, Antarctica, 4,892 m * The highest point in Oceania is disputed. ** Mount Kosciusko, at 2,228 m, is the highest point on the Australian mainland. ** However, the island of New Guinea is on the Australian plate and thus considered part of that continent. The island's highest point is Puncak Jaya (also known as Carstensz Pyramid) on the Indonesian side of the island, at 4,884 m. === Most remote points === ==== Poles of inaccessibility per continent ==== ''Continents listed in alphabetical order'' * In Africa, the pole of inaccessibility is at 5.65°N 26.17°E, 1,814 km (1,127 mi) from the coast, near the town of Obo in the [[Central African Republic]] and close to the country's tripoint with [[South Sudan]], and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. * In Antarctica, the southern pole of inaccessibility is the point on the Antarctic continent most distant from the Southern Ocean. A variety of coordinate locations have been given for this pole. The discrepancies are due to the question of whether the "coast" is measured to the grounding line or to the edges of ice shelves, the difficulty of determining the location of the "solid" coastline, the movement of ice sheets and improvements in the accuracy of survey data over the years, as well as possible topographical errors. The pole of inaccessibility commonly refers to the site of the {{Marker|type=listing|name=[[East Antarctica|Soviet Union research station]]|lat=-85.5|long=65.47}}. This lies 878 km (546 mi) from the South Pole, at an elevation of 3,718 m (12,198 ft). However, the exact location of this base has shifted over the years. *In Australia, the continental pole of inaccessibility is located either at 23.17°S 132.27°E or at 23°2′S 132°10′E, 920 km (570 mi) from the nearest coastline, approximately 161 km (100 miles) west-northwest of [[Alice Springs]]. The nearest town is Papunya, [[Northern Territory]], about 30 km (19 mi) to the southwest of both locations. In 2016, the Turner Twins reached the continental pole of inaccessibility of 23°2′S 132°10′E flying paramotors. * In Eurasia, the Continental Pole of Inaccessibility lies in northwestern China, near the [[Kazakhstan]] border. Earlier calculations suggested that it is 2,645 km (1,644 mi) from the nearest coastline, located at 46°17′N 86°40′E, approximately 320 km (200 mi) north of the city of [[Ürümqi]], in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, in the Dzoosotoyn Elisen Desert. The nearest settlement to this location is {{Marker|type=listing|name=Suluk|lat=46.15|long=86.5}}, which is about 10 km (6.2 mi) to the east. However, the previous pole location disregards the Gulf of Ob as part of the oceans, and one study proposes two other locations as the ones farther from any ocean (within the uncertainty of coastline definition): EPIA1 44.29°N 82.19°E and EPIA2 45.28°N 88.14°E, located around 2,500 km (1560 mi) from the oceans. These points lie in a close triangle about the Dzungarian Gate, a significant historical gateway to migration between the East and West. EPIA2 is located near a settlement called ''K̂as K̂îr Su'' in a region named ''K̂îzîlk̂um'' (قىزىلقۇم) in the Karamgay Township (zh), Burultokay County. * In North America, the continental pole of inaccessibility is in southwest South Dakota about 11 km (7 mi) north of the town of Allen, located 1,650 km (1,030 mi) from the nearest coastline at 43.36°N 101.97°W. The Canadian pole of inaccessibility is allegedly in Jackfish River, Alberta 59.03°N 112.82°W, a few kilometres up the Peace River from where the Jackfish River (one of six Canadian rivers of that name) flows through it. * In South America, the continental pole of inaccessibility is in Brazil at 14.05°S 56.85°W, near Arenápolis. In 2017, the Turner Twins became the first adventurers to reach the South American Pole of Inaccessibility. === Bodies of Water === ====Rivers==== * This is a somewhat debated issue, but the longest river is most likely the {{Listing|name=[[Nile]] River|alt=Longest river|url=|email=|address=|lat=24.601214|long=32.913028|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|accessibility=|wikipedia=|wikidata=|image=|lastedit=2018-06-19|content=This river flows all the way from Lake Victoria north to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and goes through lush regions and deserts. However, the [[Amazon River]] has been considered the longest river in some records, as well as the largest by discharge and drainage area. Accessibility: moderately easy.}} ==== Lakes ==== * Interestingly, the largest lake doesn't have the word "lake" in it, but is instead called the {{listing | name=Caspian Sea | alt=Largest lake | url= | email= | address= | lat=41.405666 | long=51.012988 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | accessibility= | lastedit=2018-06-19 | content=This lake sits at an elevation below sea level and, although you would think it was an ocean due to its saltiness and great size, does not connect to other oceans so it is considered to be a lake. However, there are many other large lakes, including the [[Great Lakes]] and in the past the Aral Sea, which was similar in size to the Caspian Sea until agricultural water usage brought down the lake's size. The deepest lake is Lake Baikal in Russia, which was an obstacle for the construction of the [[Transsiberian Railway]] Accessibility: moderately easy. }} *The deepest lake in the world is {{listing | name=Lake Baikal | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=53.278791 | long=108.044253 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | accessibility= | lastedit=2018-06-19 | content=The lake in southeastern [[Russia]] has its deepest points at {{m|1642}} below its surface: {{m|1186.5}} below sea level. There is a large island in the lake called [[Olkhon Island]]. |wikidata=|wikipedia=|image=|price=}} *<!--highest waterfall, largest volume waterfall + ?--> ==Stay safe== Record-breaking often means '''dangerous''': many record-breaking locations with dramatic scenery, such as the Grand Canyon, provide greater risks to the traveler due to inherent factors such as elevation change. ==See also== * [[Developmental records]] * [[Next-to-impossible destinations]] * [[Weather records]] {{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} bf6o8phd92uj4t5x9pa9zeooqh63wb6 0 166382 4506542 4484622 2022-08-23T04:02:32Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Mediterranean */ No part of NSW has a Mediterranean climate, AFAIK. However, the Adelaide area (and much of coastal SA) does have it. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Groot River Banner.jpg}} [[File:World Köppen Classification (with authors).svg|thumb|Köppen–Geiger climate map|alt=|467x467px]]'''Biomes and ecosystems''' is a travel topic describing different types of biomes and ecosystems and where you can find them. ==Understand== === Climates === Around the world, there are various [[Biomes and ecosystems|biomes]] with vegetation that depends on the climate patterns of the region. For example, wet regions around the equator are [[tropical rainforests]], and dry regions typically farther from the equator are [[deserts]]. There are some basic types of climates as designated by Köppen, found in various regions of the world: * Tropical (Type A): Warm/hot and often wet. This is what you get in tropical rainforests and most of the [[tropics]] region in general. Most places near the equator (like the northern part of [[South America]], [[Central America]], parts of [[Southeast Asia]], some of [[Africa]], etc.) have this kind of climate. * Dry (Type B): Low precipitation. This is what you get in [[deserts]]. Usually, deserts have low populations because [[water]] is necessary for survival. They're found in [[northern Africa]], [[southern Africa]], [[Australia]], and many other places; a full list can be found at the [[deserts]] article. * Temperate (Type C): Not exceptionally hot or exceptionally cold, but with a range of temperatures over the course of the year and distinct seasons. [[Britain and Ireland|Britain]] is a good example, along with [[New Zealand]] and much of the [[Mediterranean]]. * Continental (Type D): Cold winters and hot summers, and moderate precipitation. This type of climate occurs in much of [[Canada]], [[Russia]], Eastern Europe, northern [[China]], and the northern [[United States]]. * Polar (Type E): Dry and bone-chillingly cold for most, if not all of the year. These places have low populations, or no people at all and include [[Antarctica]] and most of [[Greenland]]. These regions are often covered with ice sheets, and are divided into "tundra" and "ice cap" climates. Climates vary over long periods of time, and major natural disasters can influence them for shorter periods. Well-known periods of climate change include the Medieval Warm Period that occurred during the Middle Ages and the "Little Ice Age" at the end of the Middle Ages. === Biomes === '''Biomes''' are large regions that have similar climates, flora, and fauna. To divide the world into a few ecological zones is a difficult attempt, notably because of the small-scale variations that exist everywhere on earth and because of the gradual changeover from one biome to the other. Their boundaries must therefore be drawn arbitrarily and their characterization made according to the average conditions that predominate in them. === Ecosystems === '''Ecosystems''' are more specific than biomes, being a community made up of living organisms and nonliving components such as air, water, and mineral soil. In an ecosystem, living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components interact through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Ecosystems can be of any size but each ecosystem has a specific, limited space, and there are too many ecosystems around the world to be listed in this article. === Ecoregions === '''Ecoregions''' are regions with similar endemic species. Most of them correlate at least partially with the world's continents and/or climate regions, and include many different biomes and ecosystems: * [[Eurasian wildlife]] in Europe, northern Asia and north Africa * [[African wildlife]] in sub-Saharan Africa * [[South Asian wildlife]] in south and southeast Asia * [[Australasian wildlife]] in Australia and New Zealand * [[North American wildlife]] in most of North America * [[South American wildlife]] in Central and South America * [[Wildlife of the Southern Ocean]] around Antarctica == Prepare == Whenever you're traveling to a destination, you should check both the weather and the climate of where you're visiting. Wikivoyage provides graphs on many destination articles that show average high and low temperatures for each month in a particular city. For example, the climate data for [[Acadia National Park]]: {{climate | units = imperial |align=center | janhigh = 31 | febhigh = 35 | marhigh = 42 | aprhigh = 53 | mayhigh = 65 | junhigh = 74 | julhigh = 79 | aughigh = 78 | sephigh = 71 | octhigh = 59 | novhigh = 48 | dechigh = 37 | janlow = 14 | feblow = 17 | marlow = 25 | aprlow = 35 | maylow = 45 | junlow = 54 | jullow = 59 | auglow = 59 | seplow = 52 | octlow = 42 | novlow = 33 | declow = 21 | janprecip = 4.9 | febprecip = 4.4 | marprecip = 5.4 | aprprecip = 4.8 | mayprecip = 4.6 | junprecip = 4.1 | julprecip = 3.5 | augprecip = 3.3 | sepprecip = 4.5 | octprecip = 5.3 | novprecip = 6.5 | decprecip = 5.5 | description = {{ForecastNOAA|Acadia National Park|44.3738|-68.2591}} &#160;&#160; Data from [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datatools/normals NOAA (1981-2010)] }} == Biomes == [[File:Manu_National_Park-71.jpg|link=https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/File:Manu_National_Park-71.jpg|thumb|300px|The Amazonia area in Peru]] ===[[Tropical rainforests|Tropical rainforest]]=== {{See also|Tropics|Central Africa|Southeast Asia|Amazonia|Far North Queensland|Papua New Guinea}} These regions are characterized by continual humid heat, dense jungle, heavy rainfall, and numerous large rivers. They can be found close to the equator, particularly in [[Brazil]], [[Central Africa]], [[Malaysia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Queensland]] and [[Papua New Guinea]] but are shrinking in area due to the intense logging rate in Brazil and some other countries. While tropical islands such as [[Bali]] are among the most beautiful — and popular — tourist destinations on the planet, inland tropical destinations tend to be off the beaten path. ===[[Subtropical rainforests|Subtropical rainforest]]=== : ''See also: [[Southern United States]], [[South (Brazil)|South of Brazil]], parts of [[Southeast (Brazil)|Southeast of Brazil]], [[India]], [[East Asia]], [[Mexico]], [[Middle East]], [[New South Wales]], [[South East Queensland]], [[Western Australia]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]]'' The farther you go away from the equator, the more temperature variations occur between summer and winter. While temperature variations between the seasons are still not large around 20° north, and aren't extreme at 30°, the variations are enough to create a change in the climate and flora and fauna. Flora in a subtropical region partially resembles a temperate forest as there exists a mixture of temperate and tropical plants in these subtropical rainforests. The amount of rainfall in a subtropical region is not as much as would be expected in somewhere like the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and due to the intertropical low pressure zone (the ITCZ) moving with the seasons, rainfall totals vary greatly by month, with summer months receiving the highest rainfall of the year. ===[[Deserts|Desert]]=== :[[File:Sangar_western_sahara.jpg|thumb|300px|Sahara Desert]] : ''See also: [[Arid region safety]], [[Northern Africa]], [[Southwestern United States]], much of [[Mexico]], [[Middle East]], much of the Australian [[Outback]], [[Southern Africa]], and much of [[Central Asia]]'' Deserts are dry regions where relatively little vegetation occurs, and they generally consist of either sand dunes or rock formations, often surrounded by semi-desert regions with shrubs and other small plants. They can reach temperatures higher than those in the tropical and subtropical regions but the lack of humidity makes desert heat not quite as unbearable on a degree-to-degree scale; and while in a tropical climate {{F|90}} is unbearable, in a desert climate to reach the same unbearable heat the temperature has to be about {{F|100}}. However, desert climates reach higher temperatures than tropical ones, and in Death Valley the North American record high was made in this valley, with the temperature passing {{F|130}}. Due to the lack of rainfall, much of Antarctica is technically a desert, but as a biome it qualifies as a Type E ice cap climate due to its extremely cold temperatures unlike anywhere else on Earth. ====[[High-elevation deserts|High-elevation desert]]==== : ''See also: [[Arid region safety]], [[Cold weather]], [[Tibet]], [[Nevada]], and parts of other Western states'' In high-elevation deserts, the amount of precipitation is slightly higher than what would be experienced in a low-elevation desert because the high elevation captures more precipitation. The higher elevation causes relatively cooler year-round temperatures than those experienced in most lower-elevation deserts. High deserts are often (but not always) farther north than ordinary deserts, intensifying the possibilities of extreme cold during the winter and giving them a continental climate. (Indeed, high-elevation deserts are found inland on large continents.) ===[[Mediterranean climates|Mediterranean]]=== [[File:Vineyards_in_Chianti_Country.jpg|thumb|300px|Vineyards in Italy]] : ''See also: parts of [[California]], [[Southern Europe]], central and northern [[Israel]], [[South Africa]], much of coastal [[South Australia]] and [[Western Australia]], [[South East Queensland]], northern [[North Island]], [[Lebanon]], and [[Turkey]], and parts of [[North Africa]]'' These areas can be quite varying in their vegetation, but are generally thought of one due to similarities in climate, which consists of fairly cool winters and hot summers, with most of the rainfall occurring in winter, and the [[wine]]-growing for the most part limited to Mediterranean climate regions. Population densities are usually quite high in these regions because, while temperatures can get hot in summer, the overall climate is tolerable and habitable compared to that of deserts or tropical regions. === Temperate and continental === : ''See also: [[Canada]], much of the [[United States]], [[Europe]], [[Russia]], [[Central Asia]] and northern [[East Asia]], [[Tasmania]], [[New Zealand]], [[Patagonia]]'' Temperate climates are common in the Northern Hemisphere, and temperate regions are characterized by four seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter. Differences in precipitation are not as pronounced around the year and during the winter snow is possible or even expected in much of the temperate zone. Plants are growing only for a part of the year. Much of the parts the furthest away from the equator (and at high altitudes elsewhere) is covered by boreal forest, where pine and spruce dominate and are green also in winter; in Eurasia this is ''taiga''. Temperate regions are known as "subarctic" if they receive cold winters and are far from the equator. In the taiga belt and the subarctic regions evaporation is low due to low temperatures, and mires and bogs are common. Continental climates typically border temperate climates and like temperate regions receive four seasons; but in a continental climate seasonal differences are exaggerated, and winters can be bitterly cold and summers hot. The distinction between temperate and continental is not always a clear one. ==== Grassland ==== [[File:Saskatchewan_-_Grasslands_National_Park_02.JPG|thumb|300px|Grasslands National Park in Canada]] Grasslands go by various names in different parts of the world, varying from the savanna in Africa to the Eurasian steppe and the prairie of the [[Midwestern United States]] and of the south of the Canadian [[Prairies]]. Trees are rare in grasslands, except by rivers and creeks, but farming is fairly common. The climate factors that cause grasslands are varied but in many cases an underlying factor is moderate annual rainfall or semi-arid conditions, climate types most trees cannot survive. ==== Forest ==== {{See also|Boreal forest}} Many temperate forests, unlike tropical forests, have to endure cold weather in winter but rarely extreme heat, even in summer. They occur in northern areas, south of the tundra, and certain high-elevation areas farther south. ===[[Tundra]]=== : ''See also: [[Cold weather]], far northern parts of [[Canada]], [[Alaska]], [[Nordic countries]] and [[Russia]] as well as [[Subantarctic Islands]]'' On the tundra the vegetation is low, dominated by mosses, grasses and shrubs, or even lichen. Temperatures vary from cool in the summer to cold or extremely cold for the rest of the year. In mid-summer the [[Midnight sun|sun doesn't set]] for several weeks or months, and correspondingly in the winter it doesn't rise for a similar period. Human population densities are low, with very few cities, but the summer can see quite lively animal life, especially migrating birds. [[File:8857-grandidier-channel-polar-star.jpg|thumb|300px|Antarctica]] ===[[Arctic]]/[[Antarctica|Antarctic]]=== {{Seealso|Cold weather}} Permanently covered in snow and ice, vegetation in the Arctic and Antarctic is mostly limited to liverworts, lichen and mosses on ice-free shores, and most animals depend on the sea. Human habitation is limited to research stations, where crew and supplies are flown in and out. Temperatures rarely if ever raise above freezing, and in the winter temperatures below -50°C (-60°F) aren't unheard of in the Arctic and coastal Antarctica. In inland Antarctica, such temperatures are guaranteed in winter. In the summer the sun is up all day and night, and in the winter the sun doesn't rise at all. At the poles, the sun rises above the horizon at the spring equinox, and drops below it at the autumn equinox. Everywhere in Antarctica's inland is cold and dry. The continent's population consists of scientists who do not settle in Antarctica permanently. == See == === Regions === The section below lists regions of the Earth (like particular deserts, etc.) where you can find a certain type of biome. For specific destinations, please see the [[Biomes and ecosystems#Destinations|destination section]], which comes after this one. ==== Tropical ==== [[File:Regenwald am Río Cuyabeno, nahe Laguna Grande.jpg|thumb|Rainforest in Ecuador]] * {{see|name=Amazon Rainforest|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=-3.911434|long=-62.339730|directions=[[Amazonia]] &mdash; much of [[Brazil]] but also the eastern parts of [[Peru]] and [[Bolivia]] as demonstrated by the picture at the beginning of the [[Biomes and ecosystems#Biomes|Biomes]] section|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=The main rainforest in the world, it is now threatened by the Brazilian logging industry. The Amazon Rainforest is also home to a great number of rivers, including primarily the Amazon but many of that river's tributaries as well.}} *{{see|name=[[Central Africa|Central African]] Rainforest|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=0|long=21.812689|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=Like the Indonesian Rainforest, the Central African Rainforest is the location of apes, in particular the gorilla and chimpanzee. The makes it a destination for some tourists despite the dangers of venturing into the jungle.}} *{{see|name=[[Southeast Asia|Southeast Asian]] Rainforest|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=3.487177|long=97.426141|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=Southeast Asia, along with {{marker|type=see|name=[[Far North Queensland]]|wikidata=Q1396047}} in [[Queensland]], is another rainforest region. Indonesia is where you can find the orangutan ape.}} * {{see | name=[[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Western Australia]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q672805 | lastedit=2022-02-18 | content=On the other side of Australia, the Kimberley experiences hot and humid climates all around, and its wildlife mostly represents a mix of dry tropical and subtropical areas. However, it is not commonly well known given its isolation and remoteness. }} ==== Sub-tropical ==== * {{see|name=[[Florida]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=27.865128|long=-82.814378|directions=[[Southern United States]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=All of this state is low-lying and extends farther south than [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Louisiana]] &mdash; the states to the west. Therefore, Florida is one of the most tropical regions of the contiguous United States, and experiences a hot, humid climate in summer.}} * {{see | name=[[Central Queensland]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=[[Queensland]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5061728 | lastedit=2022-02-18 | content=Whilst parts of the region are tropical, just south of the tropical [[Far North Queensland]], most of the state has a humid climate where it rarely gets cold, and therefore a popular tourist destination. }} ==== Desert ==== *{{see|name=Mojave Desert|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=34.929247|long=-115.352956|directions=[[Southwestern United States]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This desert is known for the cactus plants that grow there.}} *{{see|name=[[Sahara]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=21.645814|long=16|directions=[[Northern Africa]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This is an extremely large desert covering the northern part of Africa; in it are several countries, along with the [[Bir Tawil]] region that is not claimed by any country in the world.}} * {{see | name=[[Outback]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-25 | long=130 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-18 | content=A large group of deserts and dry areas which are classified as "The Outback", each and every area being unique in its own way. }} ==== High-elevation desert ==== * {{see|name=[[Great Basin]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=38.765171|long=-113.175956|directions=Much of the interior of the American West|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=Much of the American West is a high plateau with scattered mountain ridges. Most of the trees are at higher elevations in the mountain ranges, with the lowest valleys of the basin being very desert-like. It can be crossed by taking the [[Loneliest Road in America]].}} *{{see|name=[[Tibet]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=32.193035|long=85.789790|directions=North of the Himalaya mountain range and in the western part of [[China]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=Tibet rests at a much higher elevation than much of the Great Basin. However, there are similarities between the two regions; particularly the mountain ranges that are scattered throughout both of them. Tibet is the dry side of the Himalayas; on the other side of Earth's highest mountain range, in [[India]], the climate is generally much wetter.}} ==== Grassland ==== [[File:Ms_744_obs_natiabouani_02.jpg|thumb|300px|African savanna]] *{{see|name=African Savanna|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=8.460533|long=16.327160|directions=Parts of [[Central Africa]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=There are a couple different regions of savanna in Africa, some with more trees and some with fewer trees depending on their geographic region. The '''Sahel''', a belt of drier grasslands and acacia savannas, lies to the north, between the Sudanian Savanna and the Sahara Desert. To the south the forest-savanna mosaic is a transition zone between the Sudanian Savanna and the Guinean moist forests and Congolian forests that lie nearer the equator. The '''Sudanian Savanna''' is a broad belt of tropical savanna that runs east and west across the African continent, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the western lowlands in the east.}} *{{see|name=American Prairie|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=44.02126|long=-102.5129|directions=East of the [[Rocky Mountains]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=The American Prairie is a very flat, grassy area with few interruptions &mdash; however, [[Theodore Roosevelt National Park]], the [[Badlands]], the [[Black Hills]], and some scattered buttes interrupt the largely flat landscape.}} *{{see | name=Eurasian Steppe | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=51.004395 | long=35.766856 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=This ecoregion, also known as the Great Steppe or the steppes, is in the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome. It stretches across a large area that goes from [[Romania]] to [[Manchuria]], and is contiguous with the exception of an isolated steppe around [[Hungary]]. }} * {{see | name=[[Central West (New South Wales)]]| alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1069118 | lastedit=2022-02-18 | content=Between the Australian Outback and the Blue Mountains near Sydney, this area is mostly with flat and very grassy. There are a couple of mountainous areas here and there, but there's very little. }} ==== Temperate forest ==== * {{see|name=Eurasian Taiga |alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=61.663236|long=89.885906|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=Much of [[Russia]] &mdash; a ''huge'' land area, that is &mdash; is forested. However, the forests in this region face some of the coldest temperatures reached on Earth, particularly in the [[Russian Far East]], during the winter. There are a few cities, like [[Yakutsk]], but the overall population density is low. Even though this region is beautiful, there are many risks involved with visiting, like the loneliness, [[cold weather]], and [[dangerous animals]], so visits should be well planned. The taiga also continues west all the way to the Atlantic Ocean across the [[Nordic countries]], where it is easier and safer to [[Hiking in the Nordic countries|explore]], with better transport infrastructure, communication network coverage and shorter distances between cities and towns (still long compared to e.g. Central Europe).}} * {{see|name=[[Canada|Canadian]] Shield|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=50.701439|long=-89.570376|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This region is fairly similar to the Russian taiga &mdash; it, too, is a huge land area that gets extremely cold weather and poor road connections. The population of the Canadian Shield is even less than the Russian Taiga's population.}} * {{see | name=European broad-leaf forests | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=49.8 | long=9.4 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-04 | content=Except for the northernmost and southernmost parts of the continent, [[Europe]]'s forests are in general temperate broad-leaf forests with trees such as beech, elm, maple and oak. The trees drop their leaves in the autumn, and new leaves appear in the spring giving the forests a completely different appearance depending on the season. Similar forests are also prevalent for instance in southern parts of Canada, and some parts of the United States and East Asia. }} ==== Tundra ==== * {{see|name=Many [[Subantarctic Islands]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=-48.703229|long=68.984677|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=There are a surprising number of fairly large islands south of [[Oceania]], [[Africa]], and near the southern tip of [[South America]]. These islands resemble [[Iceland]] and the [[Faeroe Islands]], but have little or no population. They vary from more habitable islands like the [[Falklands]] to the cold [[South Georgia Island]].}} *{{see|name=[[North Slope]] Borough, [[Alaska]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=69.369924|long=-154.404718|directions=Take the Dalton Highway north from [[Fairbanks]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=Long, sloping plain with a lot of oil and not much else. The main community is [[Barrow]], which has only a few thousand inhabitants.}} *{{see|name=Northern [[Russia]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=72.916488|long=95.064952|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=North of Russia's taiga landscape begins to look much more Arctic, culminating in desert-like landscapes on the islands of the Arctic Ocean that belong to Russia.}} ==== Arctic/Antarctic ==== * {{see|name=[[Greenland]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=61.909569|long=-43.846596|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=While Greenland does actually have some farming country and rivers, most of the island (especially the interior) consists of a gigantic ice shield. There is practically no population on the ice shield, and getting to it is no easy experience either.}} * {{see | name=[[Antarctica]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-70 | long=-61 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-02 | content=The coldest place on Earth, through its encirling Southern Ocean that keeps out warmer water, the high altitude of its plateau - the South Pole is at 2830 m - and hurricane-force winds. Penguins and similar hardy species can only survive around its coasts with access to unfrozen sea. There's no vegetation, except scraps of lichen on the [[Antarctic islands]] - these also have ice-free patches of land and sea-inlets make possible bases and research stations. }} === Destinations === The following are specific locations that showcase the scenery of each biome. For information about larger areas associated with a particular biome, please see the [[Biomes and ecosystems#Regions|regions section]] above.{{mapframe|42|-99|zoom=3|width=500|height=370|name=Destinations representing various biomes in North America}} ==== Tropical ==== * {{see | name=Wet Tropics of Queensland | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1135808 | lastedit=2022-02-18 | content=A world heritage site in [[Far North Queensland]] (mostly comprised of the [[Daintree Rainforest]]), and the world's oldest living rainforest. The rainforests take up about 894,420 hectares. }} ==== Sub-tropical ==== * {{see|name=[[Everglades]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=25.306631|long=-80.935671|directions=Southern [[Florida]], west of [[Miami]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This park is known for its alligators but is also a large, protected area for the typical subtropical/tropical flora.}} * {{see|name=[[Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge|Okefenokee Swamp]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=30.746938|long=-82.241100|directions=Southern [[Georgia (state)|Georgia]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=}} * {{see | name=[[Kakadu National Park]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q189657 | lastedit=2022-02-18 | content=Although it's a bit of a vis-a-vis situation when it comes to whether Kakadu is a tropical park or a sub-tropical park as it's just 14 degrees south of the equator, but the flora and fauna found are mostly that of a sub-tropical area. }} ==== Desert ==== *{{see|name=[[Bir Tawil]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=21.906813|long=33.892101|directions=Between [[Sudan]] and [[Egypt]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This desert region is between Egypt and Sudan, and no country wants the land. Therefore, many individuals have claimed it an given it various names, such as the "Kingdom of North Sudan".}} * {{see|name=[[Guadalupe Island]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=29.012961|long=-118.267433|directions=West of [[Baja California]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This island, which is one of Earth's most remote places, has largely desert landscape, although there are small woodlands scattered at the island's higher elevations. The great cliffs on the island are also extremely high, reaching at their highest point a few thousand feet.}} ==== High desert ==== * {{listing | type=see | name=[[Monument Valley]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=36.987018 | long=-110.088651 | directions=[[Arizona]] and [[Utah]] | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2018-08-12 | content=The "typical" Western scene featured in most Western movies. Even though much of the West does not closely resemble Monument Valley, its rock formations have become famous around the world. The place itself is inside the [[Navajo Nation]]. }} *{{see|name=Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=39.462619|long=-116.999382|directions=Scattered regions of the American West, some of which is in [[Nevada]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This national forest includes many juniper woodlands. While this may not be considered desert, the only reason it is not desert is the high elevation. The valleys below show that the region would normally be much drier if it was not placed to catch the rain.}} ==== Grassland ==== * {{see|name=[[Grasslands National Park]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=49.141970|long=-107.436831|directions=[[Saskatchewan]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=Grasslands National Park is a Canadian national park located near the village of Val Marie, Saskatchewan, and one of 44 national parks and park reserves in Canada's national park system (though one of only two in Saskatchewan itself). This national park is north from the American state of Montana and lies adjacent to the international boundary.}} ==== Temperate forest ==== * {{see|name=[[Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks|King's Canyon National Park/Sequoia National Park]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=36.522912|long=-118.633214|directions=[[Sierra Nevada]] mountain range in [[California]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=}} * {{see | name=[[Beech Forests of Europe]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2018-09-04 | content=Much of Europe that's not cultivated or urbanized is made up of different temperate broad-leaf forests, including beech forests. This natural [[world heritage site]] is composed of 78 beech forests around the continent. }} * {{see|name=[[Białowieża National Park|Białowieża]]/[[Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park|Belovezhskaya Forest]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=52.6667|long=23.8333|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=|content=Shared by [[Poland]] and [[Belarus]], this is the last remnant of the primeval broadleaf forest that once covered most of temperate Europe.}} * {{see | name=[[Gondwana Rainforests of Australia]] | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-29.273328 | long=151.467096 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-07-18 | content=The last remnants of the oldest rainforests of the world. }} ==== Tundra ==== {{mapframe|45|65|zoom=2|width=500|height=475|name=Destinations related to biomes and ecosystems in Eurasia and part of Africa}} * {{see|name=[[Bering Land Bridge National Preserve]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=66.043217|long=-164.036115|directions=Between [[Russia]] and [[Alaska]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This park is close to the Bering Strait and therefore is not far from Little Diomede (see below listing).}} * {{see|name=[[Little Diomede]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=65.757786|long=-168.936900|directions=Between [[Russia]] and [[Alaska]]|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=An island with a very small population. It is notable because it marks the western end of North America.}} ==== Arctic/Antarctic ==== * {{see|name=[[Northeast Greenland National Park]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=78.403203|long=-27.180017|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=A gigantic national park, but it is extremely &mdash; emphasis on extremely &mdash; remote.}} * {{marker | name=[[Antarctic Peninsula]] | type=see | lat=-65.000 | long=-61.000 }} has the best of Antarctica's scenery and wildlife, and is routinely visited on cruises. ==== Multiple biomes ==== * {{see|name=The [[Grand Canyon]]|alt=|url=|email=|address=|lat=36.08|long=-112.04|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|lastedit=2018-08-12|content=This is one of the deepest canyons in the world, and consequently there are significant differences between the vegetation at the top of the canyon and the vegetation at the bottom. Information about how the different elevations in the canyon affect plant life can be found on the [https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/plants.htm United States National Parks website].}} == Stay safe == === Weather === Visit the tropical, subtropical, and desert biomes in winter; Mediterranean, grassland, and high desert biomes in either spring or fall; and temperate forest, tundra, and Arctic/Antarctic biomes in summer. However, Earth is such a large planet with so many different climate types, land formations, and natural disasters that you must check a destination's general climate and weather conditions before visiting and not rely solely upon the above generalization. === Wildlife === Not only do different biomes have varying climates, but they also have varying wildlife. Viewing wildlife is an important and exciting reason to travel to other biomes; however, different wildlife means that on your journey to another biome you will encounter flora and fauna, probably some of them dangerous, that you have never been in contact with before. Below are some examples of dangerous fauna that can be encountered in different biomes: * Bears: temperate forest (black bears and grizzly bears), tundra (grizzly bears and polar bears), Arctic (polar bears) * Lions, but not mountain lions: African savanna * Leopards: Old World tropical * Tigers: largely tropical; however, there are also Siberian tigers, which are far from tropical creatures == Respect == === Endangered animals === {{see also|Animal ethics}} While oak trees or ladybugs may be common in your neighborhood and each individual living thing might not seem very important, in many biomes there are animals which are severely threatened due to loss of their habitat (often due to development), poaching, or because they have always lived in small numbers. When people interfere with species that would naturally exist in small numbers, there is a high risk of the species dying out completely. Once a species dies out, other species can be put at risk as well, and a domino effect can then occur that results in the complete destruction of an ecosystem. Fortunately, this has not occurred in nature yet, but with human populations continually rising and therefore high consumption rates of food, water, plastics, etc., the risk of habitat destruction (particularly in less developed countries) increases with time unless people [[Responsible travel|travel responsibly]]. == See also ==<!-- Topics like animals, etc. can be included here --> * [[Animals]] ** [[Animal ethics]] * [[Cold weather]] * [[Foraging]] * [[Hot weather]] * [[Outdoor life]] * [[Severe weather]]{{PartOfTopic|Natural attractions}} {{usabletopic}} i7ze84947fqldggxfjxak45eirqj27w 0 166964 4506361 4506123 2022-08-22T18:24:54Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Jaynagar Pano-1.jpg|caption=Panoramic View of Dwadash Temple in Jaynagar}} {{Otheruses|Jaynagar (disambiguation)}} '''Jaynagar Majilpur''' ([[Bengali]]: জয়নগর মজিলপুর, [[Hindi]]: जयनगर मजिलपुर) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]], [[India]]. It is a part of the [[Kolkata/Southern fringes|southern fringes]] of [[Kolkata]]. ==Understand== Jaynagar Majilpur is in the GMT+5:30 (Indian Standard Time) time zone. ===Climate=== The climate is tropical — like the rest of the Gangetic [[West Bengal]]. The hallmark is the Monsoon — from early June to mid September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid November to mid February) and humid during summer. Temperature: 40&nbsp;°C in May (Max) & 10&nbsp;°C in January (Min) Relative Humidity: Between 55% in March & 98% in July Rainfall: 1,579&nbsp;mm (Normal) ===History=== This city carries the memory of a very significant incident in the history of the [[Bengal]]. When Raja Pratapaditya Roy, the last Bengal's independent Hindu king at [[Jessore]] was defeated by the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] forces, the State Diwan's (Grand Vizier) family and the State Priest's family were forced to flee to avoid persecution and conversion. They settled down in this city, to form the estate of the Duttas, and the Brahmin priest, Sree Krishna Udgata, who came over, settled down in what is today the Bhattacharya Para. All the Bhattacharyas in the city are his scions, with the current 13th generation being settled out of the town. The city was also called "Half-[[Calcutta]]" owing to the development it had seen before Indian independence, with stalwarts like Shivnath Shastri emerging. It was also a centre for active freedom fighting, with names like Kanailal Bhattacharya and Rajaram Bhattacharya to name a few. The city is famous for the ancient Dhanwantary Kali Temple, believed to listen to the prayers of her devotees promptly. An annual event is held, called the "Besher Mela", where the goddess Kali is dressed up as Radha Krishna and other goddesses. It attracts thousands of devotees, and is one of the most iconic yearly events in the city. Also, by the express direction of the Dhanwantary Kali, every year, during Kali Puja, it is mandatory to host a Kali Puja in every Brahmin household of the place. It used to be a big annual festival, with hundreds of houses performing Kali Puja on the night of the Diwali, and going out on the next day in a beautifully orchestrated procession, going around the city, before the immersion or the "Bisarjan". However, over the past few years, the number of houses performing Kali Puja has fallen drastically, now performed in only twenty odd houses. This has been mainly due to the gradual outward immigration of people from the hamlet, the reluctancy of the younger generation, and their inability to get hold of funds considering the deteriorating economic condition of Bengal, the rise of public subscription or locally called "Barowari Puja" and also the rise of Muslim immigrants and converts, who have posed problems while the peaceful immersion procession was on its way. The city has an ancient crematorium, believed to behaunted, by the name of "Buro'r Ghaat" (the Old man's Ghaat). It was once connected to the Ganges, but has silted up since. ===Economy=== Initially, most of the residents of Jaynagar Majilpur were government employees. Gradually, the importance of the city increased due to its geographic location and now it is also a business hub. Due to its historical importance, the city also earns a good number of tourists, thus making tourism another prominent industry there. The city has been witnessing radical changes, along with rapid development in segments like industry, real estate and education, since the advent of the twenty-first century. The changes are with respect to infrastructure and industrial growth for knowledge-based industries. Housing co-operatives and flats, shopping malls, multiplexes, hotels, sports complexes have also come up. ==Get in== ===By plane=== The nearest airport is the [http://www.kolkatainternationalairport.com Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport] ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. Once you get off, you will need to take a taxi or hire a car. The distance to Jaynagar Majilpur is about {{km|49}}, and the drive can take between 75 to 90 minutes depending on the traffic. ===By train=== Railway is the primary mode of transport in Jaynagar Majilpur. The city is served by the Jaynagar Majilpur railway station on the Sealdah–Namkhana line of Kolkata Suburban Railway with an approximate {{km|49}} distance from Sealdah railway station. It is under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway zone. Jaynagar Majilpur railway station is one of the busiest railway stations of Sealdah railway division. More than 30 pairs of E.M.U. Local Trains ply through the railway station on a daily basis. ===By bus=== Jaynagar Majilpur is also connected by road. The entire area of this city is well connected through the State Highway–1. Buses like Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC), Express ply their trade here. Buses available for all over [[Kolkata]] and suburbs. ===By taxi=== [[Kolkata]]'s taxis are allowed into Jaynagar Majilpur. The prepaid taxi service available at the airport is the recommended hassle-free way of getting to Jaynagar Majilpur. The fare you pay at the counter includes the toll you need to pay when you leave [[Kolkata]]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|22.1751965|88.4200762|zoom=12}} {{mapshapes|Q2330643}} ===By rickshaw=== The cycle-rickshaw is the most convenient mean of transport in Jaynagar Majilpur. It is very cheap and can accommodate two adults. The fare is not determined by meter by the respective rickshaw association. Unlike auto-rickshaws, they go to any place in a particular region. However after 22:00 rickshaw drivers may demand an exorbitant fees, and the same goes for times during natural calamities such as heavy rainfall. ===By auto-rickshaw=== There are shared auto-rickshaws i.e. the auto-rickshaws don't ferry just a single person but four person at a time. The fare is not set by meters, as fares are fixed by the auto-rickshaw associations. Auto-rickshaws have a fixed route and a vehicle of that route travel in that particular route only. However unlike taxis, they don't refuse passengers. The fare of an auto-rickshaw is much less than that of a taxi (for example, ₹7-10). Be prepared to give the exact fare as they are very reluctant to give change. ===By car=== Cars by app-based services such as OLA and Uber are easily available (round-the-clock), reasonably priced, comfortable and have been embraced by citizens. Privately owned rental car places are available throughout the city. Rates depend on the make, model, size and comfort level of the car. Agreements are flexible, for example, cars can be rented even for couple of hours at an hourly rate. Most rental cars are accompanied with a driver from the rental agency. ==Talk== Being in [[West Bengal]], the native language of the people of Jaynagar Majilpur is [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]]. However, most educated people speak Hindi and English as well. Many shopkeepers and taxi drivers are able to communicate in broken English, and government offices will typically have English-speaking staff on duty. Although it is generally not a problem getting by with English, learning some Bengali will make your trip much smoother. ==See== * {{see | name= Jaychandi Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1743 | long= 88.4166 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Dwadash Shiv Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1775 | long= 88.4209 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Radhaballabh Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1791 | long= 88.4229 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Shyamsundar Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1841 | long= 88.4285 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Dhanwantari Kali Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1716 | long= 88.4204 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Satsang Thakurbari (Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1703 | long= 88.4211 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Moyda Kalibari | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.2007 | long= 88.4606 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Ramkrishna Ashram | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1571 | long= 88.4402 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== ==Learn== ==Work== Volunteering is a real option here with several opportunities. ==Buy== Jaynagar Majilpur is one of the major shopping areas of [[South 24 Parganas]] district. There are many shopping malls in this city where all types of branded products are available. ==Eat== Jaynagar Majilpur is famous for the confectionery of "Jaynagarer Moa", made with ''Nolen Gur'' (jaggery made from date palm tree extract with exquisite taste and aroma), ''Kanakchur Khoi'' (a form of popped rice made from a special variety of aromatic rice), ''Gawa Ghee'' (a type of clarified butter made from cow's milk), ''Elach'' (cardamom), and ''Posto'' (poppy seed). Both ''Nolen Gur'' and ''Kanakchur Rice'' are winter products, available around November to January, and hence "Jaynagarer Moa" is available during this period only. There are over 250 sweetmeat shops around the city, which produce it with the original ingredients. The "Jaynagarer Moa" manufacturers in Jaynagar Majilpur had been attempting to get ''Geographical Indication'' status for "Jaynagarer Moa". Besides, there are many shops of other Bengali confectionery too. There are plenty of non-vegetarian Bengali restaurants here. The city also has many excellent North Indian and South Indian vegetarian restaurants ranging from budget to expensive ones. Jaynagar Majilpur is also the home of Indian Chinese food. Chinese restaurants are everywhere so try the Indian variant of hot and sour soup and the famous Indian Chinese dish of chilli chicken. It serves the best of the Chinese dishes and you will find plenty of large, small & medium restaurants. There are some restaurants serving Thai, Mediterranean or Italian food. ==Drink== There are plent of places to buy alcohol around the city. Jaynagar Majilpur has many pubs and bars, which are frequented by the youngsters as well as its older residents. ==Sleep== Jaynagar Majilpur has a large number of hotels, lodges and guesthouses. ==Connect== Public call booths can be found easily throughout the city from where local, national, and international calls can be made. Else local sim card can be used for connectivity. Cell phone coverage is excellent with all major mobile service providers offering their services in the city. The area '''dialing code''' for Jaynagar Majilpur is '''3218'''. From overseas dial +91 3218 XXX XXX, from within India dial 03218 XXX XXX. For mobile phones, dial +91 XXXXX XXXXX. Jaynagar Majilpur has only one area code (03218). Internet cafes are also available in plenty and charges between 10-25/hour. You need to show your identity card to use internet in those cafes. ===Important numbers=== * {{listing | name=Municipality | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1749 | long= 88.4201 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220210 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1775 | long= 88.4225 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220220 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Police Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1753 | long= 88.4206 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220203 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Fire Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1610 | long= 88.4348 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Telephone Exchange | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1745 | long= 88.4197 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220252 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Stay safe== Jaynagar Majilpur is the safest city in [[West Bengal]], and the people are friendly and helpful, unlike in most of [[Bengal]]'s other cities. ===Emergency numbers=== * {{listing | name=Police | phone=100 }} * {{listing | name=Fire | phone=101 }} * {{listing | name=Ambulance | phone=102 }} ==Cope== ==Go next== * [[Kolkata]] {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|22.1751965|88.4200762|zoom=13}} {{style|See listings should include, at the minimum, a description of what their significance is and what there is for visitors to see and do. Street addresses, phone numbers, URLs, admissions fees, etc. should also be added where relevant.}} qo83m2rvuphdhecj9ejwag7t37y63a4 4506362 4506361 2022-08-22T18:25:14Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Jaynagar Pano-1.jpg|caption=Panoramic View of Dwadash Temple in Jaynagar}} {{Otheruses}} '''Jaynagar Majilpur''' ([[Bengali]]: জয়নগর মজিলপুর, [[Hindi]]: जयनगर मजिलपुर) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]], [[India]]. It is a part of the [[Kolkata/Southern fringes|southern fringes]] of [[Kolkata]]. ==Understand== Jaynagar Majilpur is in the GMT+5:30 (Indian Standard Time) time zone. ===Climate=== The climate is tropical — like the rest of the Gangetic [[West Bengal]]. The hallmark is the Monsoon — from early June to mid September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid November to mid February) and humid during summer. Temperature: 40&nbsp;°C in May (Max) & 10&nbsp;°C in January (Min) Relative Humidity: Between 55% in March & 98% in July Rainfall: 1,579&nbsp;mm (Normal) ===History=== This city carries the memory of a very significant incident in the history of the [[Bengal]]. When Raja Pratapaditya Roy, the last Bengal's independent Hindu king at [[Jessore]] was defeated by the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] forces, the State Diwan's (Grand Vizier) family and the State Priest's family were forced to flee to avoid persecution and conversion. They settled down in this city, to form the estate of the Duttas, and the Brahmin priest, Sree Krishna Udgata, who came over, settled down in what is today the Bhattacharya Para. All the Bhattacharyas in the city are his scions, with the current 13th generation being settled out of the town. The city was also called "Half-[[Calcutta]]" owing to the development it had seen before Indian independence, with stalwarts like Shivnath Shastri emerging. It was also a centre for active freedom fighting, with names like Kanailal Bhattacharya and Rajaram Bhattacharya to name a few. The city is famous for the ancient Dhanwantary Kali Temple, believed to listen to the prayers of her devotees promptly. An annual event is held, called the "Besher Mela", where the goddess Kali is dressed up as Radha Krishna and other goddesses. It attracts thousands of devotees, and is one of the most iconic yearly events in the city. Also, by the express direction of the Dhanwantary Kali, every year, during Kali Puja, it is mandatory to host a Kali Puja in every Brahmin household of the place. It used to be a big annual festival, with hundreds of houses performing Kali Puja on the night of the Diwali, and going out on the next day in a beautifully orchestrated procession, going around the city, before the immersion or the "Bisarjan". However, over the past few years, the number of houses performing Kali Puja has fallen drastically, now performed in only twenty odd houses. This has been mainly due to the gradual outward immigration of people from the hamlet, the reluctancy of the younger generation, and their inability to get hold of funds considering the deteriorating economic condition of Bengal, the rise of public subscription or locally called "Barowari Puja" and also the rise of Muslim immigrants and converts, who have posed problems while the peaceful immersion procession was on its way. The city has an ancient crematorium, believed to behaunted, by the name of "Buro'r Ghaat" (the Old man's Ghaat). It was once connected to the Ganges, but has silted up since. ===Economy=== Initially, most of the residents of Jaynagar Majilpur were government employees. Gradually, the importance of the city increased due to its geographic location and now it is also a business hub. Due to its historical importance, the city also earns a good number of tourists, thus making tourism another prominent industry there. The city has been witnessing radical changes, along with rapid development in segments like industry, real estate and education, since the advent of the twenty-first century. The changes are with respect to infrastructure and industrial growth for knowledge-based industries. Housing co-operatives and flats, shopping malls, multiplexes, hotels, sports complexes have also come up. ==Get in== ===By plane=== The nearest airport is the [http://www.kolkatainternationalairport.com Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport] ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. Once you get off, you will need to take a taxi or hire a car. The distance to Jaynagar Majilpur is about {{km|49}}, and the drive can take between 75 to 90 minutes depending on the traffic. ===By train=== Railway is the primary mode of transport in Jaynagar Majilpur. The city is served by the Jaynagar Majilpur railway station on the Sealdah–Namkhana line of Kolkata Suburban Railway with an approximate {{km|49}} distance from Sealdah railway station. It is under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway zone. Jaynagar Majilpur railway station is one of the busiest railway stations of Sealdah railway division. More than 30 pairs of E.M.U. Local Trains ply through the railway station on a daily basis. ===By bus=== Jaynagar Majilpur is also connected by road. The entire area of this city is well connected through the State Highway–1. Buses like Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC), Express ply their trade here. Buses available for all over [[Kolkata]] and suburbs. ===By taxi=== [[Kolkata]]'s taxis are allowed into Jaynagar Majilpur. The prepaid taxi service available at the airport is the recommended hassle-free way of getting to Jaynagar Majilpur. The fare you pay at the counter includes the toll you need to pay when you leave [[Kolkata]]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|22.1751965|88.4200762|zoom=12}} {{mapshapes|Q2330643}} ===By rickshaw=== The cycle-rickshaw is the most convenient mean of transport in Jaynagar Majilpur. It is very cheap and can accommodate two adults. The fare is not determined by meter by the respective rickshaw association. Unlike auto-rickshaws, they go to any place in a particular region. However after 22:00 rickshaw drivers may demand an exorbitant fees, and the same goes for times during natural calamities such as heavy rainfall. ===By auto-rickshaw=== There are shared auto-rickshaws i.e. the auto-rickshaws don't ferry just a single person but four person at a time. The fare is not set by meters, as fares are fixed by the auto-rickshaw associations. Auto-rickshaws have a fixed route and a vehicle of that route travel in that particular route only. However unlike taxis, they don't refuse passengers. The fare of an auto-rickshaw is much less than that of a taxi (for example, ₹7-10). Be prepared to give the exact fare as they are very reluctant to give change. ===By car=== Cars by app-based services such as OLA and Uber are easily available (round-the-clock), reasonably priced, comfortable and have been embraced by citizens. Privately owned rental car places are available throughout the city. Rates depend on the make, model, size and comfort level of the car. Agreements are flexible, for example, cars can be rented even for couple of hours at an hourly rate. Most rental cars are accompanied with a driver from the rental agency. ==Talk== Being in [[West Bengal]], the native language of the people of Jaynagar Majilpur is [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]]. However, most educated people speak Hindi and English as well. Many shopkeepers and taxi drivers are able to communicate in broken English, and government offices will typically have English-speaking staff on duty. Although it is generally not a problem getting by with English, learning some Bengali will make your trip much smoother. ==See== * {{see | name= Jaychandi Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1743 | long= 88.4166 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Dwadash Shiv Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1775 | long= 88.4209 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Radhaballabh Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1791 | long= 88.4229 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Shyamsundar Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1841 | long= 88.4285 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Dhanwantari Kali Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1716 | long= 88.4204 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Satsang Thakurbari (Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1703 | long= 88.4211 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Moyda Kalibari | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.2007 | long= 88.4606 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Ramkrishna Ashram | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1571 | long= 88.4402 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== ==Learn== ==Work== Volunteering is a real option here with several opportunities. ==Buy== Jaynagar Majilpur is one of the major shopping areas of [[South 24 Parganas]] district. There are many shopping malls in this city where all types of branded products are available. ==Eat== Jaynagar Majilpur is famous for the confectionery of "Jaynagarer Moa", made with ''Nolen Gur'' (jaggery made from date palm tree extract with exquisite taste and aroma), ''Kanakchur Khoi'' (a form of popped rice made from a special variety of aromatic rice), ''Gawa Ghee'' (a type of clarified butter made from cow's milk), ''Elach'' (cardamom), and ''Posto'' (poppy seed). Both ''Nolen Gur'' and ''Kanakchur Rice'' are winter products, available around November to January, and hence "Jaynagarer Moa" is available during this period only. There are over 250 sweetmeat shops around the city, which produce it with the original ingredients. The "Jaynagarer Moa" manufacturers in Jaynagar Majilpur had been attempting to get ''Geographical Indication'' status for "Jaynagarer Moa". Besides, there are many shops of other Bengali confectionery too. There are plenty of non-vegetarian Bengali restaurants here. The city also has many excellent North Indian and South Indian vegetarian restaurants ranging from budget to expensive ones. Jaynagar Majilpur is also the home of Indian Chinese food. Chinese restaurants are everywhere so try the Indian variant of hot and sour soup and the famous Indian Chinese dish of chilli chicken. It serves the best of the Chinese dishes and you will find plenty of large, small & medium restaurants. There are some restaurants serving Thai, Mediterranean or Italian food. ==Drink== There are plent of places to buy alcohol around the city. Jaynagar Majilpur has many pubs and bars, which are frequented by the youngsters as well as its older residents. ==Sleep== Jaynagar Majilpur has a large number of hotels, lodges and guesthouses. ==Connect== Public call booths can be found easily throughout the city from where local, national, and international calls can be made. Else local sim card can be used for connectivity. Cell phone coverage is excellent with all major mobile service providers offering their services in the city. The area '''dialing code''' for Jaynagar Majilpur is '''3218'''. From overseas dial +91 3218 XXX XXX, from within India dial 03218 XXX XXX. For mobile phones, dial +91 XXXXX XXXXX. Jaynagar Majilpur has only one area code (03218). Internet cafes are also available in plenty and charges between 10-25/hour. You need to show your identity card to use internet in those cafes. ===Important numbers=== * {{listing | name=Municipality | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1749 | long= 88.4201 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220210 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1775 | long= 88.4225 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220220 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Police Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1753 | long= 88.4206 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220203 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Fire Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1610 | long= 88.4348 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Telephone Exchange | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1745 | long= 88.4197 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220252 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Stay safe== Jaynagar Majilpur is the safest city in [[West Bengal]], and the people are friendly and helpful, unlike in most of [[Bengal]]'s other cities. ===Emergency numbers=== * {{listing | name=Police | phone=100 }} * {{listing | name=Fire | phone=101 }} * {{listing | name=Ambulance | phone=102 }} ==Cope== ==Go next== * [[Kolkata]] {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|22.1751965|88.4200762|zoom=13}} {{style|See listings should include, at the minimum, a description of what their significance is and what there is for visitors to see and do. Street addresses, phone numbers, URLs, admissions fees, etc. should also be added where relevant.}} 6mhibibqyefxbfttkh0078d1qyve8od 4506363 4506362 2022-08-22T18:25:50Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Jaynagar Pano-1.jpg|caption=Panoramic View of Dwadash Temple in Jaynagar}} {{Otheruses|Jaynagar}} '''Jaynagar Majilpur''' ([[Bengali]]: জয়নগর মজিলপুর, [[Hindi]]: जयनगर मजिलपुर) is a city in [[Southeast Bengal]], [[India]]. It is a part of the [[Kolkata/Southern fringes|southern fringes]] of [[Kolkata]]. ==Understand== Jaynagar Majilpur is in the GMT+5:30 (Indian Standard Time) time zone. ===Climate=== The climate is tropical — like the rest of the Gangetic [[West Bengal]]. The hallmark is the Monsoon — from early June to mid September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid November to mid February) and humid during summer. Temperature: 40&nbsp;°C in May (Max) & 10&nbsp;°C in January (Min) Relative Humidity: Between 55% in March & 98% in July Rainfall: 1,579&nbsp;mm (Normal) ===History=== This city carries the memory of a very significant incident in the history of the [[Bengal]]. When Raja Pratapaditya Roy, the last Bengal's independent Hindu king at [[Jessore]] was defeated by the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] forces, the State Diwan's (Grand Vizier) family and the State Priest's family were forced to flee to avoid persecution and conversion. They settled down in this city, to form the estate of the Duttas, and the Brahmin priest, Sree Krishna Udgata, who came over, settled down in what is today the Bhattacharya Para. All the Bhattacharyas in the city are his scions, with the current 13th generation being settled out of the town. The city was also called "Half-[[Calcutta]]" owing to the development it had seen before Indian independence, with stalwarts like Shivnath Shastri emerging. It was also a centre for active freedom fighting, with names like Kanailal Bhattacharya and Rajaram Bhattacharya to name a few. The city is famous for the ancient Dhanwantary Kali Temple, believed to listen to the prayers of her devotees promptly. An annual event is held, called the "Besher Mela", where the goddess Kali is dressed up as Radha Krishna and other goddesses. It attracts thousands of devotees, and is one of the most iconic yearly events in the city. Also, by the express direction of the Dhanwantary Kali, every year, during Kali Puja, it is mandatory to host a Kali Puja in every Brahmin household of the place. It used to be a big annual festival, with hundreds of houses performing Kali Puja on the night of the Diwali, and going out on the next day in a beautifully orchestrated procession, going around the city, before the immersion or the "Bisarjan". However, over the past few years, the number of houses performing Kali Puja has fallen drastically, now performed in only twenty odd houses. This has been mainly due to the gradual outward immigration of people from the hamlet, the reluctancy of the younger generation, and their inability to get hold of funds considering the deteriorating economic condition of Bengal, the rise of public subscription or locally called "Barowari Puja" and also the rise of Muslim immigrants and converts, who have posed problems while the peaceful immersion procession was on its way. The city has an ancient crematorium, believed to behaunted, by the name of "Buro'r Ghaat" (the Old man's Ghaat). It was once connected to the Ganges, but has silted up since. ===Economy=== Initially, most of the residents of Jaynagar Majilpur were government employees. Gradually, the importance of the city increased due to its geographic location and now it is also a business hub. Due to its historical importance, the city also earns a good number of tourists, thus making tourism another prominent industry there. The city has been witnessing radical changes, along with rapid development in segments like industry, real estate and education, since the advent of the twenty-first century. The changes are with respect to infrastructure and industrial growth for knowledge-based industries. Housing co-operatives and flats, shopping malls, multiplexes, hotels, sports complexes have also come up. ==Get in== ===By plane=== The nearest airport is the [http://www.kolkatainternationalairport.com Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport] ({{IATA|CCU}}) in [[Kolkata]]. Once you get off, you will need to take a taxi or hire a car. The distance to Jaynagar Majilpur is about {{km|49}}, and the drive can take between 75 to 90 minutes depending on the traffic. ===By train=== Railway is the primary mode of transport in Jaynagar Majilpur. The city is served by the Jaynagar Majilpur railway station on the Sealdah–Namkhana line of Kolkata Suburban Railway with an approximate {{km|49}} distance from Sealdah railway station. It is under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway zone. Jaynagar Majilpur railway station is one of the busiest railway stations of Sealdah railway division. More than 30 pairs of E.M.U. Local Trains ply through the railway station on a daily basis. ===By bus=== Jaynagar Majilpur is also connected by road. The entire area of this city is well connected through the State Highway–1. Buses like Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC), Express ply their trade here. Buses available for all over [[Kolkata]] and suburbs. ===By taxi=== [[Kolkata]]'s taxis are allowed into Jaynagar Majilpur. The prepaid taxi service available at the airport is the recommended hassle-free way of getting to Jaynagar Majilpur. The fare you pay at the counter includes the toll you need to pay when you leave [[Kolkata]]. ==Get around== {{mapframe|22.1751965|88.4200762|zoom=12}} {{mapshapes|Q2330643}} ===By rickshaw=== The cycle-rickshaw is the most convenient mean of transport in Jaynagar Majilpur. It is very cheap and can accommodate two adults. The fare is not determined by meter by the respective rickshaw association. Unlike auto-rickshaws, they go to any place in a particular region. However after 22:00 rickshaw drivers may demand an exorbitant fees, and the same goes for times during natural calamities such as heavy rainfall. ===By auto-rickshaw=== There are shared auto-rickshaws i.e. the auto-rickshaws don't ferry just a single person but four person at a time. The fare is not set by meters, as fares are fixed by the auto-rickshaw associations. Auto-rickshaws have a fixed route and a vehicle of that route travel in that particular route only. However unlike taxis, they don't refuse passengers. The fare of an auto-rickshaw is much less than that of a taxi (for example, ₹7-10). Be prepared to give the exact fare as they are very reluctant to give change. ===By car=== Cars by app-based services such as OLA and Uber are easily available (round-the-clock), reasonably priced, comfortable and have been embraced by citizens. Privately owned rental car places are available throughout the city. Rates depend on the make, model, size and comfort level of the car. Agreements are flexible, for example, cars can be rented even for couple of hours at an hourly rate. Most rental cars are accompanied with a driver from the rental agency. ==Talk== Being in [[West Bengal]], the native language of the people of Jaynagar Majilpur is [[Bengali phrasebook|Bengali]]. However, most educated people speak Hindi and English as well. Many shopkeepers and taxi drivers are able to communicate in broken English, and government offices will typically have English-speaking staff on duty. Although it is generally not a problem getting by with English, learning some Bengali will make your trip much smoother. ==See== * {{see | name= Jaychandi Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1743 | long= 88.4166 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Dwadash Shiv Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1775 | long= 88.4209 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Radhaballabh Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1791 | long= 88.4229 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Shyamsundar Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1841 | long= 88.4285 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Dhanwantari Kali Mandir | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1716 | long= 88.4204 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Satsang Thakurbari (Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra) | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1703 | long= 88.4211 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Moyda Kalibari | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.2007 | long= 88.4606 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{see | name= Ramkrishna Ashram | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1571 | long= 88.4402 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== ==Learn== ==Work== Volunteering is a real option here with several opportunities. ==Buy== Jaynagar Majilpur is one of the major shopping areas of [[South 24 Parganas]] district. There are many shopping malls in this city where all types of branded products are available. ==Eat== Jaynagar Majilpur is famous for the confectionery of "Jaynagarer Moa", made with ''Nolen Gur'' (jaggery made from date palm tree extract with exquisite taste and aroma), ''Kanakchur Khoi'' (a form of popped rice made from a special variety of aromatic rice), ''Gawa Ghee'' (a type of clarified butter made from cow's milk), ''Elach'' (cardamom), and ''Posto'' (poppy seed). Both ''Nolen Gur'' and ''Kanakchur Rice'' are winter products, available around November to January, and hence "Jaynagarer Moa" is available during this period only. There are over 250 sweetmeat shops around the city, which produce it with the original ingredients. The "Jaynagarer Moa" manufacturers in Jaynagar Majilpur had been attempting to get ''Geographical Indication'' status for "Jaynagarer Moa". Besides, there are many shops of other Bengali confectionery too. There are plenty of non-vegetarian Bengali restaurants here. The city also has many excellent North Indian and South Indian vegetarian restaurants ranging from budget to expensive ones. Jaynagar Majilpur is also the home of Indian Chinese food. Chinese restaurants are everywhere so try the Indian variant of hot and sour soup and the famous Indian Chinese dish of chilli chicken. It serves the best of the Chinese dishes and you will find plenty of large, small & medium restaurants. There are some restaurants serving Thai, Mediterranean or Italian food. ==Drink== There are plent of places to buy alcohol around the city. Jaynagar Majilpur has many pubs and bars, which are frequented by the youngsters as well as its older residents. ==Sleep== Jaynagar Majilpur has a large number of hotels, lodges and guesthouses. ==Connect== Public call booths can be found easily throughout the city from where local, national, and international calls can be made. Else local sim card can be used for connectivity. Cell phone coverage is excellent with all major mobile service providers offering their services in the city. The area '''dialing code''' for Jaynagar Majilpur is '''3218'''. From overseas dial +91 3218 XXX XXX, from within India dial 03218 XXX XXX. For mobile phones, dial +91 XXXXX XXXXX. Jaynagar Majilpur has only one area code (03218). Internet cafes are also available in plenty and charges between 10-25/hour. You need to show your identity card to use internet in those cafes. ===Important numbers=== * {{listing | name=Municipality | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1749 | long= 88.4201 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220210 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Post Office | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1775 | long= 88.4225 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220220 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Police Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1753 | long= 88.4206 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220203 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Fire Station | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1610 | long= 88.4348 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220000 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} * {{listing | name=Telephone Exchange | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= 22.1745 | long= 88.4197 | directions= | phone= +91 3218 220252 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Stay safe== Jaynagar Majilpur is the safest city in [[West Bengal]], and the people are friendly and helpful, unlike in most of [[Bengal]]'s other cities. ===Emergency numbers=== * {{listing | name=Police | phone=100 }} * {{listing | name=Fire | phone=101 }} * {{listing | name=Ambulance | phone=102 }} ==Cope== ==Go next== * [[Kolkata]] {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|22.1751965|88.4200762|zoom=13}} {{style|See listings should include, at the minimum, a description of what their significance is and what there is for visitors to see and do. Street addresses, phone numbers, URLs, admissions fees, etc. should also be added where relevant.}} 2zs19f9jtvjad1fk4lfnzksrlrdlg1e 0 167948 4506374 4503342 2022-08-22T18:42:15Z Merely another passerby 2261208 Updated fares in transportations section. Added detail to Eat and drink section. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|İstanbul Yeni Havalimanı airport Dec 2019 (cropped).jpg}} '''[https://www.istairport.com/en Istanbul Airport]''', also known as '''Istanbul New Airport''', ({{IATA|IST}}) is the primary of two passenger airports serving the city of [[Istanbul]], (the other being Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side). It is 35 km north of Istanbul on the European side of the city. Just about every major city in Europe (including European Russia) has a direct flight to and from IST, and there are extensive connections across the Middle East, with destinations to the Far East, Africa and North America also served. Many of these are operated by the national carrier Turkish Airlines, either itself or via code-share agreements. ==Understand== {{infobox|Well-connected|Istanbul has been a center for trade and travel for centuries, and at the nexus of Orient and Occident, its airport has come to serve the same role in the modern era. Turkish Airlines likes to claim (and Lufthansa likes to rival this claim) that they are the '''airline with destinations in the most countries'''; certainly many countries are reachable from Istanbul Airport. The only other airport that can challenge the FRA-IST rivalry when it comes to number of countries served is [[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport]] with the globally well-connected KLM and the Dutch tradition for trade and travel dating back centuries.}} Overcrowding at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, one of the busiest in Europe, was compounded by the fact that there was no room for expansion there due to the urban buildup around the airport. Thus, a new airport started construction as one of several Turkish megaprojects in the 2010s. There were many delays to opening, and flights were transferred to the airport in stages. Beginning October 29, 2018, a limited number of Turkish Airlines flights to Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, Baku in Azerbaijan, and Ercan in Northern Cyprus began operating from Istanbul Airport. In early 2019, some short-haul Turkish Airlines services to several European cities and Kuwait were added. Finally, on April 7, 2019, all flights were transferred when the airport became fully operational. There are two websites for the airport: * [http://www.igairport.com/en/ One] about the construction of the airport, and *[https://www.istairport.com/en the other] for travellers, and for passenger information. === Visa === See [[Turkey#Get in]] for visa requirements. From 2020, most EU, UK, CIS and South American visitors do not need a visa. Those from many other countries including Australia, Canada and US can get an e-visa online, valid for 90 days. You can also get one on arrival at the airport, at a higher price. You do not need a visa if you are just transiting the airport to another country, including to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. ==Flights== [[File:İstanbul_Havalimanı_Airport_2019_20.jpg|thumb|Terminal entrance door 1]] [[File:IST airport terminal layout (departures).png|thumb|Istanbul airport departures layout (including terminal entrance doors, check-in aisles and gates)]] There is one [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/ terminal] with 5 concourses (A, B, D, F and G). Due to the long distances between concourses and possible security checks the minimum connection time (MCT) is 75 minutes. Each concourse extends out from the central area where the check-in counters, security checkpoints and baggage claim are situated. The C and E gates connect directly to the main terminal and are therefore not considered independent concourses. === Domestic flights === All major cities in Turkey, and quite a few medium-sized towns, have at least one daily flight to IST, with the capital, Ankara enjoying an almost hourly frequency. Concourse G (in the southeast) is reserved solely for domestic flights, although 3 passenger boarding bridges of Concourse F (which is directly to the north of Concourse G) have also been allocated for domestic flights. For domestic flights use entrance doors No. 1 and 2 at departures level. Domestic check-in procedures can be completed at aisle D check-in counters, or alternatively at the self check-in kiosks at aisle E. Upon completing procedures, all passengers need to pass through the security check opposite aisle D. Priority lanes and direct access to the Turkish Airlines Domestic Lounge is available to those with the appropriate ticket or status. === International flights === Turkish Airlines international economy class passengers can enter check-in areas using the entrance doors No. 3 and 4 at departures level. Check-in procedures can be completed at aisles F, G, H and J. International business class and Star Alliance Gold card passengers should use entrance door No. 5 Special check-in counters are available in the following aisles: * Aisle E for self check-in kiosks * Aisle G for passengers with disabilities and those travelling in large groups * Aisle H for family check-in counters and for unaccompanied minors * Aisle K for flights subject to special security (US, UK and Canada) * Aisle L for Turkish Airlines business class and Star Alliance Gold card passengers *Aisles A to C and M to S for all other carriers (non Turkish Airlines flights) Upon completing check-in, to reach the gates all passengers need to pass through the security check opposite aisles G, H, J and K. ==Ground transportation== {{mapframe|41.263|28.742|zoom=12}} {{mapshape}} As of August 2022, the only direct way to access the airport is by car or bus. The journey time from Central Istanbul is about 60 minutes. The airport will eventually be served by the new M11 line of the Istanbul Metro. One branch terminating temporarily at Kağıthane station is expected to commence service in October 2022, another terminating at Halkalı is scheduled for spring 2023. === By bus === All buses depart from -2 level, which is one floor below the arrivals level. 21 bus routes by five operators run from the airport almost around the clock. Fare payment is by [[Istanbul#Istanbulkart|IstanbulKart]] (Istanbul's public transport smart card). These are available for both purchase (6 TL) and top-up (in case you already own one) at the airport from either the automated machines (cash only) or the Havaist ticket counters (cash and credit cards accepted). If you do not intend to use the expensive Havaist coaches, a payment of 20 TL (since only notes are accepted) for deposit and top-up is sufficient to get you into the city by iETT bus. '''Note''', some locals might recommend a top-up of 50 TL or so, but they generally expect tourists to take the more expensive Havaist services. The operators are: * '''[https://istanbulseyahat.com.tr/havalimani-seferleri Istanbul Seyahat]''' have two routes as of August 2022. You can book online in advance, if you're confident of your arrival time. **Istanbul airport – [[Çorlu]] – [[Tekirdağ]], every 2 hours 07:00-01:30 Adult fare 150 TL. Change at Tekirdağ for frequent buses to the [[Eceabat|Gallipoli]] peninsula and [[Çanakkale]]. **Istanbul airport – [[Lüleburgaz]] (adult fare 170 TL) – Babaeski (adult fare 180 TL)– [[Edirne]] (adult fare 200 TL) every 2 hours 08:30-22:30. * '''[https://bus.burulas.com.tr/en/Bus BBBUS]''' a long distance coach operator serving the city of [[Bursa]] that commenced in [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/transport/airport-transfers/burulas-bbbus April 2021]. You can book online in advance via their website. **Istanbul airport – [[Bursa]], (non-stop service). Twice daily 08:30 and 17:00. Adult fare 175 TL. **Istanbul airport – [[Yalova]] – Orhangazi – [[Gemlik]] – [[Bursa]]. Four times daily 01:45, 14:00, 20:00, 23:00. Adult fare 175 TL. * '''[https://www.havalines.com/en Havalines]''' a long distance coach service operating the Kocaeli-Sakarya route that commenced in [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/transport/airport-transfers/havalines December 2021]. You can book online in advance via their website. The service operates three times per day (08:30, 14:00 and 19.30). ** Istanbul airport – [[Gebze]], (adult fare 85 TL) – [[Izmit|İzmit]], (adult fare 100 TL) – [[Eastern Marmara|Sakarya]], (adult fare 125 TL). *'''[http://hava.ist/en/ Havaist]''' - Composed of a fleet of over 100 forty-six seat luxury coaches with plenty of space for luggage, seat-back screens, onboard WiFi and at-seat USB power sockets. As of August 2022 they operate [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/transport/airport-transfers/havaist 10 routes] covering [https://hava.ist/en/Voyage/Stations 40 stops] with frequencies varying from 30-90 minutes. As an alternative to using an Istanbulkart, fares can be pre-purchased online via their website or the Havaist app, although the interface is still mostly in Turkish. An account must be created and credit preloaded. The balance is then represented by a QR code within the associated Havaist App. When scanned by an onboard reader the appropriate fare is deducted. Children up to the age of 5 travel free. The most useful route for tourists is HVIST-16 serving Taksim. The former IST-20 service to Sultanahmet has not yet been reinstated post-COVID-19 shutdown. Stops that have interchanges with metro lines (or are within walking distance) are indicated in bold in the table below with a coloured roundel indicating the line. {| class="wikitable" !Route !Stops !Journey Time (mins) !Fare (TL) |- |'''HVIST-5''' OTOGAR – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |[[Istanbul#Esenler bus station (Esenler otogar)|'''Esenler Otogar''']] {{rint|brt|}} {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m1a}}{{rint|istanbul|m1b}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.0403|long=28.8946}} – Hasdal – Goktürk – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |60-75 |40 |- |'''HVIST-6''' HALKALI – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |'''Halkalı istasyon''' {{rint|rail|}}{{rint|istanbul|marmaray}} {{rint|park|}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.0188|long=28.767}} – Halkalı Meydan – Güneşpark Evleri – Atatürk Mahallesi (Arenapark) – '''Demirciler Sitesi (Mall)''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|M9}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.064528|long=28.806833}} – '''Başakşehir Metrokent''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m3}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.108401978|long=28.801064994}} – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |60-75 |38 |- |'''HVIST-8''' BEYlLIKDÜZÜ – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Beylikdüzü (Marmarapark AVM) – Tüyap – Büyükçekmece – Tepecik – Serbest Bölge – Çatalca Devlet Hastanesi – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |75-90 |50 |- |'''HVIST-9''' AVCILAR – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Avcılar Cami – Haramidere San. Sit (Torium) – Bahçeşehir Merkez – Ispartakule Blokları – Istanbul Airport |90 |40 |- |'''HVIST-10''' BAKIRKÖY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Bakırköy ido iskelesi {{rint|ferry|}} – Ataköy 3. Kısım – '''Şirinevler''' {{rint|park|}} {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m1a}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=40.992086|long=28.844693}} – Yenibosna (Kuleli) – Istanbul Airport |90 |46 |- |'''HVIST-12''' BEYAZIT MEYDAN – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Beyazıt Meydan – '''Aksaray Metro''' {{rint|tram|}}{{rint|istanbul|t1}} {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m1b}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.010785958|long=28.949758005}} – '''Ulubatlı''' {{rint|park|}} {{rint|tram|}}{{rint|istanbul|t4}} {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m1a}}{{rint|istanbul|m1b}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.024060001|long=28.930461}} – Ayvansaray – Nurtepe Viyadük – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |90 |52 |- |'''HVIST-13''' SABIHA GÖKCEN AIRPORT – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Sabiha Gökçen Airport {{rint|air}} – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |110 |65 |- |'''HVIST-14''' KADIKÖY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Kadıköy {{rint|ferry|}} – '''Acıbadem Metro Istasyonu''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m4}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.001670001|long=29.045527}} – '''Yenisahra''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m4}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=40.9853582|long=29.0895396}} – Tepeüstü – Kavacık Köprüsü – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |120 |57 |- |'''HVIST-15''' BEŞİKTAŞ MEYDAN – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Beşiktaş Meydan {{rint|ferry|}} – '''Zincirlikuyu Metrobus''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m6}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.067107006|long=29.014037012}} – '''4. Levent''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m2}} {{rint|istanbul|m6}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.087517008|long=29.007013009}} – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |75 |44 |- |'''HVIST-16''' TAKSIM – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |'''Taksim''' {{rint|incline|}}{{rint|istanbul|f1}} {{rint|heritagetram|}}{{rint|istanbul|t2}} {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m2}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.0411952|long=28.9847822}} – Piyalepasa – Nurtepe Viyadük – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |90 |42 |} *'''[https://www.iett.istanbul/en/main/pages/access-to-airports/798 iETT]''' - These are regular buses with limited luggage space. Slower, but more economical than the Havaist coaches, they operate 6 routes as of August 2022. Stops that have interchanges with metro lines (or are within walking distance) are indicated in bold in the table below with a coloured roundel indicating the line. {| class="wikitable" !Route !Stops !Journey Time (mins) !Fare (TL) |- |'''[https://www.iett.istanbul/en/main/hatlar/H-1/MAHMUTBEY%20METRO%20-%20İSTANBUL%20HAVALİMANI-İETT-Otobüs-Sefer-Saatleri-ve-Durakları H-1]''' MAHMUTBEY METRO – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |'''Mahmutbey Metro''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m3}}{{rint|istanbul|m7}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.05488802577459|long=28.830849017899517}} – Mahmutbey iski – Karacaoğlan ilkokulu – inönü Caddesi – (Ateştuğla) – Halkalı Caddesi – Pirireis – 15 Temmuz Mahallesi – Sanayi Mahallesi – ikitelli Köprüsü – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |45-60 |15 |- |[https://www.iett.istanbul/en/main/hatlar/H-2/MECİDİYEKÖY%20-%20İSTANBUL%20HAVALİMANI-İETT-Otobüs-Sefer-Saatleri-ve-Durakları '''H-2'''] MECIDIYEKOY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |'''Mecidiyeköy Metrobüs''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m2}}{{rint|istanbul|m7}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.06656513738005|long=28.99220963845013}} – Çağlayan Yolu – Nurtepe Viyadük – Afet Koordinasyon Merkezi – Karayollari 1 bölge Müdürlüğü – Hasdal – (Orman Yolu) – Kıyı Emniyeti – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |45-60 |15 |- |[https://www.iett.istanbul/en/main/hatlar/H-3/HALKALI%20-%20İSTANBUL%20HAVALİMANI-İETT-Otobüs-Sefer-Saatleri-ve-Durakları '''H-3'''] HALKALI – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Gümrük – '''Halkalı Marmaray''' {{rint|express|}}{{rint|istanbul|marmaray}} {{rint|park|}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.0188|long=28.767}} – Gültepe Camii – Göl Konutları – Bezirganbahçe Toki – Toki Konutları – istasyon Mahallesi Muhtarliği – Sakarya Sokak – (Yenidoğan) – (Şehit Münir Alkan) – (Mehmet Akif Ersoy Hastanesi) – Avrupa Konutları 3 – Halkalı Polis Merkezi – Halkalı Park – Koca Ali Sokak – Güneşpark Evleri – Halkalı Yolu – ikitelli Caddesi – Atatürk Mahallesi – iETT ikitelli Garajı – (Tem Yolu) – imsan (Sanayi Sitesi) – (Masko 3) – Masko 2 – '''Masko 1''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|M9}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.063893499947866|long=28.803769592420416}} – Demirciler Sitesi – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |45-75 |15 |- |'''[https://www.iett.istanbul/en/main/hatlar/H-6/MESCİDİSELAM/ARNAVUTKÖY-İSTANBUL%20HAVALİMANI-İETT-Otobüs-Sefer-Saatleri-ve-Durakları H-6]''' YUNUS EMRE MAH. – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |Yunus Emre Mahallesi – Tuz Deposu – Mimar Sinan Bulvarı – Halk Ekmek Fabrikası – Hükümet Konağı – Haci Mehmet Cingil – (Malkoçoğlu) – Ortaokulu – Hayırlioğlu Camii – '''Mescid-i Selam (Camii)''' {{rint|tram|}}{{rint|istanbul|t4}} – isfalt – Habipler Mahallesi – Habipler – Tepe üstü – Arnavutköy Yolu – Sıncanlar – Fenertepe Yolu – Fenertepe – Kayabaşı Yolu – Orman İşletmesi – Balcılar – Boğazköy Tesisler – Çamlık – Yol Bakım – Boğazköy Yolu – Arnavutköy Devlet Hastanesi – Fatih Caddesi – Gaziosmanpaşa Caddesi – Necip Fazıl Caddesi – (Arnavutköy Merkez) – (Mehmet Akif Caddesi) – Arnavutköy – Redif Sokak – Osmangazi Caddesi – Cemal Reşit Rey ilkokulu – Kozlar – Hazreti Ömer Camii – Kiptaş Konutları – Arnavutköy Belediye – Taşoluk Yeşil Cami – Anafartalar Ortaokulu – Taşoluk Yolu – Hasan Tahsin Cad. – Yavuz Selim Mahallesi – Çardaktepe – Nargül Sokak – Osmanlı Konakları – Sancaktepe – Taşoluk Belediyesi – Fatih Caddesi – Çangalçeşme Yolu – Çamlık Mahallesi – Terkos Yolu – Çamlıktepe – Mesire Yeri – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |45-75 |15 |- |'''[https://www.iett.istanbul/en/main/hatlar/H-8/HACIOSMAN/SARIYER-İSTANBUL%20HAVALİMANI-İETT-Otobüs-Sefer-Saatleri-ve-Durakları H-8]''' HACIOSMAN / SARIYER – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |'''Hacıosman Metro''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m2}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=41.13951401919137|long=29.03064926900116}} – Hacıosman – Hacıosman Bayırı Caddesi – Sarıyer – (Bahçeköy Öğrenci Yurdu) – (Şifa) – Yusuf Ziya Stadı – Hüseyin Kalkavan Lisesi – (Alt Sokak) – Köşebaşı – Maden Kocataş – Maden Mahallesi – Maden Üstü – (Rumelifener Yolu) – Acarlar – Nalbantçeşme – Gürgensu Sitesi – Nalbanttepe – Zekeriyaköy Trafo – Bahçeköy Yolu – Zekeriyaköy Yolu – Demirciköy Yolu – Ormanada – Kuzey Konakları – Yeşilvadi Fidanlığı – Yeşil Vadi – Uskumruköy Yolu – Şehitlik Mevkii – Aslan Fidanlığı – Kilyos Mezarlığı – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |50 |15 |- |'''[https://www.iett.istanbul/en/main/hatlar/H-9/CEVİZLİBAĞ-İSTANBUL%20HAVALİMANI-İETT-Otobüs-Sefer-Saatleri-ve-Durakları H-9]''' CEVIZLIBAG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT |'''Cevizlibağ''' {{rint|tram|}}{{rint|istanbul|t1}} – Nakliyeciler Sitesi – Tınaztepe – Kocatepe – (Bakırköy Adliyesi) – '''incirli Metrobus''' {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m1a}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=40.997573124067756|long=28.872263461699504}} – incirli E-5 – '''Bahçelievler '''{{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m1a}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=40.99574017358439|long=28.864456616013697}} – (Dr. Sadi Konuk Devlet Hastenesi) – Çocuk Sitesi – Ataköy Geçit – '''Şirinevler''' {{rint|park|}} {{rint|metro|}}{{rint|istanbul|m1a}} {{Marker|type=go|lat=40.99158912625033|long=28.844304447737454}} – Kuleli – Kültür Üniversitesi – Istanbul Airport {{rint|air}} |75-90 |15 |} === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/transport/airport-transfers/taxi By taxi] === There are three types of taxi at Istanbul Airport, orange (economy) taxis, turquoise (comfort) taxis and black (premium) taxis. The orange and turquoise taxis can carry 4 passengers whilst the black taxis can carry up to 8 passengers. Whichever you decide to use always insist on use of the meter as there are no fixed prices to the city. Many taxis now accept credit cards for payment, however there is a small surcharge which is indicated by an official sticker in the window. Istanbul Airport has published some guideline fares (August 2022). These rates are for both day and night but do not including highway or bridge tolls. [[File:İstanbul_Havalimanı_Airport_2019_21.jpg|thumb|420px|orange, turquoise and black taxis outside the arrivals level exit door 9]] {| class="wikitable" |+ !Destination district !Orange Taxi !Turquoise Taxi !Black Luxury Taxi |- |[[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Aksaray]] |325 TL |380 TL |560 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Bakırköy]] |350 TL |420 TL |630 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Bosphorus|Beşiktaş]] |325 TL |380 TL |560 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Beylikdüzü]] |435 TL |510 TL |760 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Bosphorus|Etiler]] |310 TL |365 TL |520 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Asian Side|Kadıköy]] |435 TL |510 TL |760 TL |- |[[Istanbul/New City|Levent]] |280 TL |325 TL |465 TL |- |[[Istanbul/New City|Maslak]] |280 TL |325 TL |465 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Otogar]] |310 |365 TL |520 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Asian Side|Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı]] |550 TL |630 TL |910 TL |- |[[Istanbul/New City|Şişli - Mecidiyeköy]] |310 TL |365 TL |520 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Sultanahmet]] - Sirkeci |350 TL |420 TL |590 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Galata|Taksim]] |310 TL |365 TL |520 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Bosphorus|Tarabya]] |310 TL |365 TL |520 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Asian Side|Tuzla]] |620 TL |700 TL |1040 TL |- |[[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Yeşilköy]] |310 TL |365 TL |520 TL |} === By metro === After much delay the first phase of the new M11 line is scheduled for opening in October 2022. The following information is provided to assist those planning trips in Autumn / Winter 2022, but be aware last minute changes are not unheard of in Turkey. The initial phase will serve 6 stops running from the airport as far as Kağıthane where an interchange with the M7 line is possible. At time of writing (August 2022) an anticipated journey time of 30 minutes is expected, with ticket pricing yet to be confirmed. {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse" |+'''Istanbul Metro {{rint|istanbul|m11}}: Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport – Halkalı''' !Station !District !Anticipated opening !Nearby Public Transport Connections !Notes |- |Gayrettepe |[[Istanbul/New City|Şişli]] |Late 2022 | | |- |'''Kağıthane''' {{rint|wheelchair}} |[[Istanbul/New City|Kağıthane]] | rowspan="7" |'''October 2022''' |{{rint|metro}} '''Istanbul Metro:''' {{rint|istanbul|m7}} <br>{{rint|bus|1}} '''İETT Bus:''' 39Ç, 41ST, 41Y, 44B, 46Ç, 46T, 48, 48H, 48N, 48T, 62, 63, 64Ç, 65A, 65G, 399B | * [https://www.google.com/maps/place/41°04'49.4%22N+28°58'15.6%22E/@41.0806871,28.9717886,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x6d2419de9bd73675!8m2!3d41.0804!4d28.971?hl=en Underground station]. Platform 2 for trains to airport. The above-ground M7 Metro lines are an approximately 200 meter walk. * Hotels nearby: Four Points by Sheraton, Delta Hotels by Marriott * POI: Kağıthane Creek |- |'''Hasdal {{rint|wheelchair}}''' | rowspan="4" |[[Istanbul/Golden Horn|Eyüpsultan]] |{{rint|bus|1}} '''İETT Bus:''' 48, 48A, 48E, 48F, 48Y, H-2 | * [https://www.google.com/maps/place/41°07'16.9%22N+28°56'48.8%22E/@41.12136,28.9457957,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xb3ec3a59ad9021c0!8m2!3d41.12136!4d28.94689?hl=en Underground station]. Platform 2 for trains to airport. * POI: Istanbul University, (new) Faculty of Medicine, Çapa Hospital・Istanbul (new) Police Department |- |'''Kemerburgaz {{rint|wheelchair}}''' |{{rint|bus|1}} '''İETT Bus:''' 48, 48A, 48C, 48D, 48E, 48G, 48K, 48KA, 48L, 48P, 48R, 48Y | * [https://www.google.com/maps/place/41°09'34.2%22N+28°54'36.0%22E/@41.1600452,28.909029,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x31eece9e7fe04f2!8m2!3d41.1595!4d28.91?hl=en Underground station]. Platform 2 for trains to airport. * POI: Kemerburgaz Cemetery・Kemerburgaz Forest |- |'''Göktürk {{rint|wheelchair}}''' |{{rint|bus|1}} '''İETT Bus:''' 48, 48A, 48C, 48D, 48E, 48G, 48K, 48KA, 48L, 48P, 48Y | * [https://www.google.com/maps/place/41°10'35.7%22N+28°53'02.9%22E/@41.17659,28.880867,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x7d5d25b8e059b05!8m2!3d41.17659!4d28.88415?hl=en Underground station]. Platform 2 for trains to airport. * POI: Göktürk Ponds National Park・Göktürk Cemetery・Istanbul Forest Nursery |- |'''İhsaniye {{rint|wheelchair}}''' |{{rint|bus|1}} '''İETT Bus:''' 48F, 48KA, 48M, 48P | * [https://www.google.com/maps/place/41°14'34.7%22N+28°48'31.3%22E/@41.24296,28.8075957,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xcc18797604549cbd!8m2!3d41.24296!4d28.80869?hl=en Underground station]. Platform 2 for trains to airport. * POI: İhsaniye Cemetery |- |Satellite Terminal {{rint|air}} (future) | rowspan="5" |[[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Arnavutköy]] | | |- |'''Istanbul Airport: ''Havalimanı Terminal 1 {{rint|air}}'' {{rint|wheelchair}}''' |{{rint|bus|1}} '''İETT Bus:''' H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, H-8, H-9 <br>{{rint|brt|1}} '''Airport coach services:''' Havaist, Havalines, BBUS, Istanbul Seyahat <br>{{rint|rail}} '''TCDD:''' High Speed Train (commencing late 2023) | * Underground station. Platform 1 for trains to Kağıthane. * POI: Istanbul Airport main terminal {{rint|air}}・Istanbul airport viewing terrace・Ali Kuşçu Mosque |- |Cargo Terminal {{rint|air}} (future) | rowspan="8" |2023 | | |- |Arnavutköy 1 | | |- |Arnavutköy 2 | | |- |Fenertepe | rowspan="3" |[[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Başakşehir]] | | |- |Kayaşehir Merkez | | |- |Olimpiyat | | |- |Halkalı Stadı | rowspan="2" |[[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Küçükçekmece]] | | |- |Halkalı | | |} === [https://istairport.com/en/passenger/transport/airport-transfers/airport-car-rental By rental car] === If you plan to rent a car for the duration of your stay, the airport has a glut of car rental companies on site including both well known International chains and local enterprises. Many are open 24 hours a day and their offices are clustered in the arrivals hall [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=doorD02&toTitle=Door%209 opposite meeting point 3 / exit door 9]. The airport is located at exit K7 on the O-7 / Otoyol 7 (English: Motorway-7). This is sometimes also referred to as Kuzey Marmara Otoyolu (Northern Marmara Highway). A typical journey into one of the European side districts will take about an hour. === By Uber === Uber is also available at Istanbul airport. Vehicle types are the same as those listed in [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/transport/airport-transfers/taxi taxi section]. To use Uber cars, you need to go up from the Arrivals floor to the Departure floor and then request a trip on the app. In comparison to taxis, Uber cars are slightly more expensive, but are more regulated. A few tips to ensure a safe and pleasant Uber trip: * Verify the number plate of the vehicle and driver name via the app before getting into any car. Sometimes, some taxi drivers may solicit customers and even deceive you to get in their cars, claiming they are the Uber driver that you are waiting for. Remember not to jump into the car if the plate number doesn't match the one on the profile, even if the driver shows you your trip request on his Uber app. Such drivers are likely to be scammers. * Remember to validate fares at the end of the trip. If the final fare is way off the estimated cost, you can verify the cost by multiplying the rate by trip distance shown on the receipt. * Report the driver in case you have any poor experiences. ==Get around== [[File:IST airport terminal layout (transfer).png|thumb|Istanbul airport terminal layout for connecting passengers (including gates and security checkpoints)]] Since there is only one terminal built so far, with no rail or bus transfer system in place, you will probably have to walk everywhere. It can take quite a while to walk between gates, especially if they are an opposite ends of the huge terminal with its long concourses, so allocate sufficient time for connections. Estimated times to walk from the central terminal area to furthest gates at the end of each concourse (gates A11, B15, D17, F16 and G11) are around 15-20 minutes. There is also a buggy service priced at [https://www.igapass.com/en/iga-buggy-p-9000 5 EUR] (free for iGA pass members; those over 65 years of age; families with children aged between 0-2 years old and expectant mothers). There are four buggy stations, three in the International departures area of the terminal and one in the domestic section. The locations are as follows: * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?toTitle=Buggy%20Car%20Park&id=buggyFT03 Western Buggy Station] (international departures area): located across from gate C1 * Northern Buggy Station (international departures area): located after the stairs leading down to the D gates * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?toTitle=Buggy%20Car%20Park&id=buggyFT02 Eastern Buggy Station] (international departures area): located across from gate E1 * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?toTitle=Buggy%20Car%20Park&from=gateEP29&fromTitle=Gate%20D5&toTitle=Buggy%20Car%20Park&id=buggyEP01 Domestic Buggy Station]: located across from the stairs leading down to domestic departures For transfer passengers who are required to re-clear security and whose connection time is less than 60 minutes, there are Short Connection areas in each concourse which avoid the need to traverse the length of the concourse to the central transfer hall. The locations are as follows: * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDFP03 Concourse A]: Mid-concourse, opposite gate A5 * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDFP04 Concourse B]: Opposite gate B8 * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDFP02 Concourse D]: At the very far end of the concourse, near gate D16 * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDFP01 Concourse F]: Opposite gate F8 ==Wait== Turkish Airlines offers '''free guided tours of Istanbul's sights''' to their passengers under a program called Touristanbul. This program includes transport from and to the airport and a traditional Turkish meal. The conditions are: you need to have a layover of at least six hours and at most 24 hours, between 09:00 and 18:00 and, in addition, both your arriving and departing flights must be international and operated by Turkish Airlines. No prior reservation is needed for these tours, you only need to proceed through customs and immigration and after that to the [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDD49&toTitle=Turkish%20Airlines%20Hotel%20Desk%20/%20touristanbul "hotel desk"] in the arrivals hall (near meeting point 4 / opposite Exit door 14) . The airline has more detailed [https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-gb/flights/fly-different/touristanbul/ information] on its home page. Remember to check if [[Turkey#Visas|you need a visa to enter Turkey]]. === Museums and exhibitions === As of August 2021, Istanbul Airport Museum is exhibiting 316 works from 29 museums, on the international departures floor. Various other semi-permanent exhibitions are dotted around the concourses, details of which can be found [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/museums-and-exhibitions online]. === Lounges === * '''Turkish Airlines Business Class [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDH02 Lounge]''' (take up escalator near gate E1) * '''Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDH05 Lounge]''' (take up escalator near gate C1) * '''Turkish Airlines Exclusive [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDH04 Lounge]''' (opening postponed due to COVID-19) * '''Turkish Airlines Arrival [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDD50 Lounge]''' (close to door 14, arrivals level. Opening postponed due to COVID-19) * '''Turkish Airlines Domestic [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDD62 Lounge]''' (take elevators opposite gate G6) * '''IGA [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDH17 Lounge]''' (pay per use lounge, priced at €50 + tax, (€32.50 if over 65) but includes Fast Track, Priority Check-in and Buggy service if pre-booked) * '''Skyteam [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDH16 Lounge]''' * '''Emirates Lounge''' (opening postponed due to COVID-19) *'''Komyuniti [https://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotel-istanbul-airport-landside Lounge]''' (Landside, within the Yotel near entrance 7, departures level. €40 + tax inclusive of food and drinks. Showers also available.) *'''Komyuniti [https://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotelair-istanbul-airport-airside/eat-and-drink Lounge]''' (Airside, within the YotelAir. €40 + tax inclusive of food and drinks. €50 + tax inclusive of food, drinks and shower. Shower only access is €15 + tax.) === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/youth-lounge Youth Lounge] === Not to be confused with the traditional airport lounges, this is a specially designed zone located on a mezzanine above the duty free shops in the international departures area. It is aimed at passengers between the ages of 15 and 30. Facilities include both free and paid Wi-Fi options, Playstation, an audio system and large screen projector, table football, popular comics and free board games. It is intended that this area will also host live performances on an occasional basis.[https://www.istairport.com/en/announcements/special-youth-lounge-for-our-young-guests] === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/airport-library Library] === Istanbul Airport Library, which contains more than 2,000 books, is located in the [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDEP51&toTitle=Library domestic departures area] just before gate G2. === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/spotter Plane spotting] === This viewing terrace, overlooking runway 1 and the Air Traffic Control Tower, offers the opportunity to while away a few hours at the airport. Transportation to the spotter area is provided by İGA with vehicles departing from column no.7 on the -2 floor. As of August 2022, it is only available by pre-booking and open on Saturday (14:00 - 17:00). It is free of charge, however it is landside, so remember to check if [[Turkey#Visas|you need a visa to enter Turkey]]. Those unable to enter Turkey and still wishing for some fresh air can access the [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/fresh-air-terrace outdoor terrace] near the B gates ==Eat and drink== A wide variety of food outlets are available both airside and landside, with both Turkish and International cuisine being well catered for. A current list of outlets can be found on the [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage official airport website]. === Dietary requirements === The airport website lists a few outlets that may be helpful to those with dietary restrictions. ==== Vegan / vegetarian friendly ==== [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/brewmark?locale=en Brewmark], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/gram?locale=en Gram], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/simit-sarayi?locale=en Simit Sarayı], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/tadinda-anadolu?locale=en Tadında Anadolu], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/tickerdaze?locale=en Tickerdaze], and [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/yo-sushi?locale=en Yo! Sushi]. ==== Gluten-free options ==== [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/brewmark?locale=en Brewmark], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/mood-up?locale=en Mood Up], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/tickerdaze?locale=en Tickerdaze]. ==== Infant formula / children menu's ==== For those with infants HIPP Infant Formula is available from [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage?locale=en Mvnch], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/cay-saati?locale=en Çay Saati] and [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/enva?locale=en Enva]. In addition many of the food outlets offer kid's menus including [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/popeyes?locale=en Popeyes], [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/food-beverage/burger-king?locale=en Burger King] and Gloria Jean's. ==Buy== As with most modern international airports, there are shops galore in addition to the obligatory duty free stores. In certain concourses you might be forgiven for thinking you were in a shopping mall. A current list of retailers can be found on the [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/food-beverage-and-shopping/shopping official airport website]. ==Connect== * '''[https://www.istairport.com/en/announcements/free-wifi-at-istanbul-airport WiFi]:''' Up to 1 hour of free Wi-Fi internet service is provided. Users must register with their mobile phone number to receive a code via SMS for activation. For those without a mobile phone, access codes can be obtained from kiosks by providing your passport number. A [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/services/free-wi-fi-at-istanbul-airport?locale=en video] on the airport website details the procedure. ==Cope== {{Infobox|Travellers with Disabilities and Special Needs|2='''Transportation:''' * '''Taxis''': Accessible vehicles available upon request at the stand * '''iETT buses''': All buses are fully accessible * '''Havist coaches''': ** To get to the city from the airport submit a request at the Havaist counter on -2 floor one hour in advance ** To get to the airport from the city you must submit a request to [https://hava.ist/en/Page/Contact Havaist] at least 6 hours in advance * '''Parking''': Disabled passengers can park free for up to 15 days provided they are present in the vehicle and submit relevant documentation (disabled ID issued by a relevant ministry, disability report or registered vehicle license of the disabled issued in their name) '''Wheelchairs:''' * '''Passengers:''' book with airline at least 48 hours before flight. Upon arrival use the phones located to the right of the terminal entrance doors. You can then take a seat on the bench right after the entrance door whilst you wait * '''Non-passengers:''' guests who have come to send off or greet passengers may take advantage of a free wheelchair at the information desks across from doors [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=infoFT01&toTitle=Information 2] and [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?toTitle=Information&id=infoFT02 5] on the departures level, and the information desks at the meeting point on the arrivals floor. (You will need to leave ID or passport as a deposit) '''Restrooms:''' Accessible restrooms whose doors open through sensor detection, lock from inside with a button, and give audible “occupied/vacant” warnings are standard across the airport. Wheelchair friendly toilets are available at 5 locations: * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?toTitle=Accessible%20Restroom&id=disabledFT09 across from check-in island E] (landside) * across from gate A2 (airside) * across from gate B1 (airside) * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=disabledEP17&toTitle=Accessible%20Restroom between gates D2 and D4] (airside) * across from gate F1 (airside) '''Visually impaired services:''' There is Four-lane Tactile Paving * '''Departures''': At entrance doors 1, 3 and 7 tactile paving extends from the sidewalk over the footbridge, with a junction to the right leading to the Assistance Call Point phone, while the other leads to the entrance door itself. Between the entrance door and vestibules (200m) is a floor mat irrigated with sanitizer therefore tactile paving is not available in this section. The vestibules are wind speed sensitive, however, from time to time the door on the left may be open. Unless the vestibules are open, White Cane users may use this door and after passing through then turning right they may follow the tactile paving again. The tactile paving extends straight through the priority security checkpoint. (When passengers arrive at X-Ray / security they may place White Canes, which are subject to controls, in a box and pass through, or can demand a pat-down if they want to pass with White Cane in hand). After security the tactile paving leads to the information desk * '''Arrivals''': Tactile paving marked with directional guidance starts at the exit doors of the baggage claim in both Domestic and International sections, and extends to information desks at the meeting points. When traced to the exit doors, the tactile paving extends from exit door 9 to the taxi ranks and to the elevators to the public transport floor Braille encoded boards are located: * on all toilet doors * in all elevators * at all information desks (explaining services available on the current floor) Loud Steps: Using Loud Steps, passengers can find places and boarding gates, get a step-by-step route, learn their current location and what is ahead in the direction they hold their phones. You can watch a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfFRZsQ7hfg&t=4s&ab_channel=%C4%B0GAIstanbulAirport video] with further details online. Passengers using a mobile phone with the 'voice assistant' feature, can directly access “Loud Steps” when they open the map within the Istanbul Airport app. Passengers not using the 'voice assistant' feature, can tap on the walking human icon in the top right after opening the map, so that the map will open with the loud steps interface. '''Hearing impaired services:''' For passengers using hearing aids, induction loop services are available: * in all elevators * at all information desks * at iGA Lost property offices * at the manual/cash payment kiosks in the red and green car parks (floor P3) * at the arriving passenger floor valet payment kiosk For passengers using sign language, orange-colored ‘Ask Me’ digital information kiosks located throughout the terminal provide video information using sign language. In addition, passengers who communicate using sign language can make contact between 8am and 5pm (weekdays) via the ‘IGA Video Call Center’ option in the iGA Cares section of the Istanbul Airport mobile app or [https://istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/iga-cares/sign-language istairport.com] '''Invisible disabilities:''' * '''The Sunflower Lanyard''': Recognized in many locations world-wide, alerts staff to hidden disabilities such as autism, dementia, anxiety disorders and speech/hearing impairments. These can be claimed free of charge at the information desks * '''Very Special Guest card''': Passengers with Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy, who may feel distressed by the sounds and crowd around the Airport and need quiet and less crowded areas, may benefit from the privileges offered by iGA Very Special Guest Card. Card holders may rest in Very Special Guest Rooms. These rooms are located [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?toTitle=Accessible%20Restroom&id=IDEP58 opposite gate G6] (domestic), and opposite gate B1 (international). Amongst other amenities these rooms have a separate isolated quiet area furnished with soft materials that can be used during episodes. Card holders may also use iGA Buggys free of charge, if accompanied and use priority security and passport control points. You can apply for the Very Special Guest Card [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/iga-cares/circulation-areas/application-form online]. A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsGjNJPWA_M&t=32s&ab_channel=%C4%B0GAIstanbulAirport video] with further details is available * '''Special guides for Autistic passengers''': The airport has created two special guides ** [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger_web/Documents/Otizm-Ozelinde-Giden-Yolcu-Havalimani-Rehberi-ENG-.pdf Departing passengers guide] ** [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger_web/Documents/Otizm-Ozelinde-Gelen-Yolcu-Havalimani-Rehberi-ENG.pdf Arriving passengers guide]}} === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/children-and-family-friendly Children] === The airport has been designed to be child and family friendly, including family priority car parking spaces, security check points, privacy rooms, stroller loans and free buggy services for those with infants aged up to the age of two. There is also a children's play area located at each of the five piers. === '''Electric Vehicle Charge Points''' === As of 2021, it hasn't been determined if there any electric vehicles charge stations within the airport car parks. However if you need an emergency top up it is confirmed that the nearby mosque (Ali Kuşçu) in the Airport City development has 7 electric vehicle spots in its car park, but their power output is unknown. === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/fresh-air-terrace Fresh Air] === A non-smoking fresh air terrace is located on the left side, right next to the pier where the B gates are located. === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/health-services Health Services] === Istanbul Airport has a number of service points to meet the health needs of passengers including Mobile health stations, First aid / emergency services, Pharmacies and PCR test centre. === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/infant-care-rooms Infant Care Rooms] === Guests who wish to breastfeed or change the diapers of their babies may use one of 9 dedicated Infant Care rooms. All are equipped with breastfeeding chairs and baby changing units. === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/lost-and-found Lost and Found] === * '''[https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDFT91&toTitle=Lost%20and%20Found Airside]''': You can find the iGA Lost and Found Property offices in front of gate C3 after Passport Control. * '''Landside:''' To collect lost property landside head to the Lost & Found Office located across from R check-in island (Entrance no. 7 on the departures level). Property is held for 3 months after which time if remaining unclaimed it will be disposed of. The exception is foodstuffs, these are destroyed after 24 hours. The call centre can be reached on 444 1 442 by phone or WhatsApp. To report lost property at the airport you must complete the following [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/lost-and-found form]. Any property lost or left on an aircraft should be reported to the airline directly. === Left Luggage / Lockers === * '''Airside''': You can only pay for this service by credit card. The fees as of September 2021 are as follows: **Between 0-3 hours; luggage €5 (€3.25 if over 65), pochette-bag €2 (€1.30 if over 65), cloakroom €2 (€1.30 if over 65) **Between 3-6 hours; luggage €9 (€5.85 if over 65), pochette-bag €3 (€1.95 if over 65), cloakroom €3 (€1.95 if over 65) **Between 6-9 hours; luggage €16 (€10.40 if over 65), pochette-bag €6 (€3.90 if over 65), cloakroom €6 (€3.90 if over 65) * '''Landside''': There are two Left Luggage areas available in the arrivals level in addition to lockers. The initial fee for the lockers for up to 12 hours storage is 40 TL for small bags and 60 TL for large bags. A further fee of 40 TL (small bags) / 60 TL (large bags) is charged for every 24 hours thereafter. The locations are: **in the [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?toTitle=Left%20Luggage&id=leftD01 far eastern corner] of the arrivals hall after meeting point 3 (exit door 8) **[https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=leftD02&toTitle=Left%20Luggage opposite meeting point 4] (exit door 14) === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/travelling-with-pets-airport Pets and Service Animals] === Two free-of-charge pet rooms / toilets, where you can see to the basic needs of our little friends, can be found after the security checkpoints on the Departures floor. * Near the West wing museum and İGA Lounge Floor (airside) * [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=wcFT04&toTitle=Restroom Restroom area] across from the İGA Sleepods (airside) === [https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/airport-guide/airport-services/prayer-rooms Prayer Rooms] === There are 3 prayer rooms in the airport in total, at the service of individuals from all religions. * 1 in Departures Floor F Pier * 1 in Departures Floor International Terminal Airside * 1 in Arrivals Floor International Terminal Meeting Point Hall In addition 44 muslim prayer rooms (half of them serving men and the other half women only) are dotted throughout the concourses. ==Sleep== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=YotelAir | alt= | url=https://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotelair-istanbul-airport-airside | email=istanbul.reservation@yotel.com | address=Tayakadın Mahallesi, Terminal Caddesi No:1 Arnavutköy | lat= | long= | directions=Airside: in the Duty Free Area after passport control and security. Landside: use entrance Door 7 at departures level. | phone=+90 212 942 6666 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=From €70 for 4 hours | lastedit=2019-06-18 | content=The only on-site hotel at Istanbul Airport. It has 451 rooms (174 rooms airside and 277 rooms landside). }} *'''[https://www.istairport.com/en/announcements/iga-sleepod-the-easiest-way-to-get-some-rest-at-the-airport IGA Sleepods]'''. Sleeping pods are [https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/?id=IDFT287&toTitle=İGA%20Sleepod located airside] close to the entrance to the D gates. These are available at a price of €8 per hour (€4.90 if over 65) between the hours of 07:00-19:00 and €11 per hour (€6.85 if over 65) between the hours of 19:00-07:00 (pillows and blankets are a €3 option). ==Nearby== The airport is so far from anywhere (one of the main criticisms regarding the relocation from Atatürk Airport) that it seems there is nowhere in particular worth seeking out nearby. Provided that you have your [[Turkey#Entry requirements|visa]] in order and can arrange transportation, relatively close by sites in the lush countryside of Istanbul's north include '''[[Istanbul/Golden Horn#Q6079382|Kemerburgaz]]''' and '''[[Istanbul/Bosphorus#Q2734907|Belgrad Forest]]''', which has many [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman-era]] '''aqueducts''' that blend perfectly with their jungle-like surroundings to the east, and mysterious '''Byzantine ruins''' scattered in the forests, the as-yet peaceful {{marker|wikidata=Q4171154|name=Lake Terkos}} and extensive under-developed '''beaches''' on the Black Sea coast to [[Istanbul/Western Suburbs|the west]]. === [https://www.igairport.com/en/istanbul-airport/istanbul-airport-city Airport City] === This new district will be formed of a mixed-use development comprised of four main zones. The Core Zone, although still mostly a construction site, is taking shape just in front of the current terminal area. This zone will be a short walk from the terminal itself via a new public plaza and will ultimately have direct access from the airports' metro and rail stations. The finished development will include an aviation academy / university, retail, open-spaces, residential apartments, commercial office space, a world class hospital facility and some very much-needed hotels. In addition, the Core Zone will be home to a cultural and conference center which includes a museum, exhibition spaces and convention halls. ==== Ali Kuşçu Camii-i-Şerifi ==== No doubt you will have noticed this, the only finished structure within Airport City as of 2021, on your approach to the terminal building. If you have plenty of time before your check in closes it may or may not be worth a look depending on your level of interest in modern places of worship. The parking lot located to the south of the mosque has a capacity of 260 (15 reserved for disabled vehicles, 7 for electric vehicles). Named after the Turkish astronomer, mathematician and linguist {{listing| wikidata=Q423644}}, it is formed of a courtyard with its central fountain, a small dome above an entrance leading inside flanked by a pair of 55m high minarets, and the main prayer hall with the grand dome and mahfil area. 72 coloured glass panels rise from the turquoise blue carpets inside this dome, topped with decorative mesh panels, which continue the pattern skywards. At the top of the mesh panels is ornamentation made of box profile on which the 99 names of Allah are inscribed in gold leaf in a modernized Kufic script, all within the belt section. While the top of this section now forms the roof, there is further decorative work in the form of the Ikhlas Surah at the top of the dome with 4 verses arranged between the ribs. {{routebox | image1=D020-TR.svg | imagesize1=35 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Edirne]] | minorl1=[[Saray]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[File:Noun Ocean 1639439 006699.svg|18px]] Bosphorus | minorr1='''[[Istanbul]]''' | image2=O7-TR_sign.svg | imagesize2=30 | directionl2=W | majorl2=Ends at [[File:E80-TR.png|35px]] at Kınalı ([[Çorlu|W]] / [[Istanbul|E]]) | minorl2= | directionr2=E | majorr2=Ends at [[File:E80-TR.png|35px]] at Hendek ([[İzmit|W]] / [[Abant|E]]) | minorr2=[[File:Suspension bridge icon.svg|40px]] Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge → [[Gebze]] }} {{IsPartOf|Istanbul}} {{outlineairport}} {{geo|41.265|28.743}} fa1v03c21nc50jya148wyw0yms78v0j 2 168672 4506245 3659754 2022-08-22T13:32:01Z Vincent Vega 1606435 Vincent Vega moved page [[User:TheMrP]] to [[User:P1]]: Automatically moved page while renaming the user "[[Special:CentralAuth/TheMrP|TheMrP]]" to "[[Special:CentralAuth/P1|P1]]" wikitext text/x-wiki Hi, I'm Peyton. I've lived in the [[Metro Atlanta]] area, in [[Georgia (U.S. state)]] for most of my life; however, I plan upon moving to the [[Greater Boston]] area soon. gronci9ia14bb4wpmo7xdsnqivbkt9z 0 173221 4506378 4503641 2022-08-22T18:50:32Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Sports */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{Pagebanner|pgname=Downtown Cincinnati}} [[File:Cincinnatimap.png|alt=|right|220x220px|Map of Downtown Cincinnati]] '''Downtown Cincinnati''', sometimes referred to as the "Central Business District", is the city's center. With many major attractions, it's the most interesting part of the city for most visitors. == Understand == Downtown's north-south streets can be easily remembered by the mnemonic: '''B'''ig '''S'''trong '''M'''en '''W'''ill '''V'''ery '''R'''arely '''E'''at '''P'''ork '''C'''hops Going east to west this stands for: '''B'''roadway '''S'''ycamore '''M'''ain '''W'''alnut '''V'''ine '''R'''ace '''E'''lm '''P'''lum '''C'''entral. The Cincinnati skyline is breathtaking—especially at night—when viewed from Devou Park in northern Kentucky, Mount Echo in Price Hill, or Eden Park and neighboring Mt. Adams. == Get in == == Get around == ==See== {{Mapframe}} {{Mapshape|title=Cincinnati Bell Connector<br/>(Cincinnati streetcar)|wikidata=Q3537097|type=geoline|stroke=#0000FF|stroke-width=4|stroke-opacity=1}} [[File:Carew_Tower_Cincinnati.JPG|thumb|333x333px|Carew Tower, Cincinnati's 2nd tallest building.]] * {{see|name=Carew Tower & Observation Deck|alt=|url=|email=|address=441 Vine St|lat=39.10083|long=-84.5132|directions=|phone=+1 513 579-9735|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-Sa 10AM-5:30PM, Su 11AM-5PM|price=Adults $2, children $1|content=The Carew Tower served as the basis for the design of the later Empire State Building. During the mid- to late-1980s, a giant inflatable gorilla was attached to the upper floors! Notice the Art Deco interior of the common areas as you follow the signs to find the elevators. You have to change elevators and then take the stairs up the final level to make it to the 49th floor. The 49th floor of Cincinnati's 2nd tallest building provides a breathtaking, inexpensive, and gorilla-less view of the city. Take a high-speed elevator to the 45th floor, then choose from walking up four flights of stairs or taking another elevator to the 48th floor and walking up one flight. The admission is collected once you reach the top.|image=Cincinnati-carew-tower.jpg|wikipedia=Carew Tower|wikidata=Q152129}} * {{listing | type=see | name=Fountain Square | alt= | url=http://www.myfountainsquare.com | email= | address=Fifth and Vine Streets | lat=39.101634 | long=-84.512476 | directions=sandwiched between the Westin Hotel, Macy's, Carew Tower, and the Fifth Third building | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5474767 | content=The renovated Fountain Square holds the Tyler Davidson Fountain, restaurants, an ice skating rink, a big screen video board, free Wi-Fi, and a hands-on water wall! }}[[File:JohnARoeblingSuspensionBridge-01.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Roebling Suspension Bridge from Smale Park]] * {{see|name=John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge|alt=|url=http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/suspension.html|email=|address=|lat=39.092231|long=-84.509569|directions=Riverfront|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 1,057 feet (322 m) when the first pedestrians crossed on December 1, 1866 &mdash; a status it maintained until 1883. You can still walk across it today and tour the Riverside Drive historic district - one of the oldest neighborhoods in the region in [[Covington (Kentucky)|Covington]] It served as the prototype for Roebling's design of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. This bridge was featured in the movie ''Rain Man''.|image=CovingtonKY JARoeblingBridge.jpg|wikipedia=John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge|wikidata=Q153672}} * {{listing | type=see | name=Merchantile Library | alt= | url=https://mercantilelibrary.com/ | email= | address=414 Walnut Street, 11th Floor | lat=39.101 | long=-84.5111 | directions=Merchantile Center; Ask the concierge downstairs how to get to the 11th floor. | phone=+1-513-621-0717 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 9AM-5:30PM; Sa 10AM-3PM | price= | wikipedia=Mercantile Library of Cincinnati | image=Mercantile library cincinnati se 12 5 2008 7106.jpg | wikidata=Q6818027 | lastedit=2015-10-28 | content=Non-members can browse but not check out books during business hours and it's open to the public. Old-school private library complete with busts of famous literary figures, artwork, globes, dusty stacks of books and spiral staircases. Also hosted here are frequently literary events, lectures and local public affairs talks. Its worth a look to see a unique library space. }} === Religious buildings === [[File:Plum_Street_Temple.JPG|thumb|333x333px|Plum Street Temple, also known as Wise Temple]] * {{see|name=Isaac M. Wise Temple|alt=Plum Street Temple|url=http://www.wisetemple.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=233C0AC7-5004-D739-A58DD65AA7DC222B|email=|address=726 Plum Street, at the corner of Plum and Eighth Streets|lat=39.103672|long=-84.518069|directions=|phone=+1 513 793-2556|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=Built in 1865-1866 for B'nai Yeshurun, this is one of the best-preserved Moorish Revival buildings of the 19th century. This was also major pioneering center for the development of Reform Judaism.|image=Plum Street Temple.JPG|wikipedia=Isaac M. Wise Temple|wikidata=Q1100476}} * {{listing | type=see | name=Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral | alt= | url=http://www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org/ | email=Info@StPeterinChainsCathedral.org | address=325 W 8th St | lat=39.10364 | long=-84.5189 | directions= | phone=+1 513 421-5354 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q154215 | lastedit=2019-07-04 | content=Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral is a beautifully and ornate cathedral, a recommended sight for anyone traveling through Cincinnati. St. Peter in Chains Cathedral was the city's tallest structure when completed, as well as one of its most elegant buildings. Copying elements from classical Athenian buildings, architect Henry Walter produced one of the finest neoclassical Greek revival buildings in the United States with a look that is quite a bit more Byzantine than one would expect from a normal Catholic church. Well worth a look, particularly if you can get inside! }} * {{see|name=Sherith Isreal Temple|alt=|url=|email=|address=Ruth Lyons Way|lat=39.10333|long=-84.51052|directions=Alley between 6th/7th Walnut and Vine|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=Like most old large cities in the US alleyways have old houses and buildings on them, Cincinnati is no exception, though not as many survived the onslaught of mid-late 20th century urban destruction as are in Philly or Boston. In one of these alleys is the oldest synagogue west of the Appalachian mountains, that was saved by being converted to condominiums in the early 2000s. This is a private residence, but should be something noted by travelers who happen to be next to ''Restaurant Row/The Aronoff Center''. The alley is well lit and fairly wide as its branded the ''Backstage District''.|wikipedia=Sherith Israel Temple (Cincinnati, Ohio)|wikidata=Q7495032}} === Museums and galleries === [[File:CenterForContemporaryArtStreetView.jpg|thumb|The Contemporary Arts Center]] [[File:National_Underground_Railroad_Freedom_Center.JPG|thumb|250x250px|The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center]] * {{see|name=Contemporary Arts Center|alt=|url=http://www.contemporaryartscenter.org/|email=|address=44 East Sixth St|lat=39.1029|long=-84.5122|directions=Across from the Aronoff Center|phone=+1 513 345-8400|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M 10AM-9PM, W-F 10AM-6PM, Sa-Su 11AM-6PM|price=Adults $7.50, senior (65+) $6.50, student w/ID $5.50, children (3-13) $4.50|content=The CAC is one of the regional leaders in thought-provoking art; the building is a piece of art with some of Cincinnati's boldest architecture. The center has also been the center of controversy; some may not see the "art" in some exhibits. If you do get this kind of art, hop one door north on Walnut to the ''21C Museum Hotel'' for a few more exhibits in its publicly open/free museum, for info on staying there see details under the '''Sleep''' section below.|image=Contemp Art Center.JPG|wikipedia=Contemporary Arts Center|wikidata=Q5164962}} * {{see|name=National Underground Railroad Freedom Center|alt=|url=http://www.freedomcenter.org|email=|address=50 East Freedom Way|lat=39.0979|long=-84.51148|directions=Riverfront|phone=+1 513 333-7500|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Tu-Su 11AM-5PM (closed: Labor Day, September 7, October 15 at 14:00, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)|price=Adults $12, seniors $10, children $8|content=The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum of conscience; it offers lessons on the struggle for freedom in the past, in the present, and for the future as it attempts to challenge visitors to contemplate the meaning of freedom in their own lives. Its location recognizes the significant role of Cincinnati, where thousands of slaves escaped to freedom by crossing the Ohio River, in the history of the [[Underground Railroad]].|image=NationalUndergroundRailroadFreedomCenter.jpg|wikipedia=National Underground Railroad Freedom Center|wikidata=Q14691014}} * {{see|name=Taft Museum of Art|alt=|url=http://www.taftmuseum.org|email=taftmuseum@taftmuseum.org|address=316 Pike St|lat=39.1025|long=-84.503333|directions=east end of Fourth Street, across from Lytle Park|phone=+1 513 241-0343|tollfree=|fax=+1 513 241-2266|hours=Tu W F 11AM-5PM, Th 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25|price=Adults: $7, seniors (60 and over): $5, students (over 18): $5, youth (18 and under): free. Free admission on Wednesdays. Parking costs an additional $3|content=The Taft Museum of Art is known as one of the finest small art museums in America. A National Historic Landmark built around 1820, the Taft is home to an extensive art collection that includes European and American master paintings; Chinese porcelains; and European decorative arts.|image=TaftMuseum.jpg|wikipedia=Taft Museum of Art|wikidata=Q7675043}} *{{see|name=Cincinnati Fire Museum|alt=|url=http://www.cincyfiremuseum.com/|email=|address=315 West Court St|lat=39.105278|long=-84.519444|directions=|phone=+1 513 621-5553|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su noon-4PM. Closed all holidays|price=Adults $6, seniors $5, children $4|content=''The'' museum for all of us, who wanted to be a firefighter, but never became one. The museum documents the history of firefighting and it's fitting that the museum is in Cincinnati, which was the first place in America to have a fully paid professional fire department.|wikipedia=Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati|wikidata=Q5120254}} * {{see|name=Weston Art Gallery|alt=|url=http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery|email=WestonArtGallery@CincinnatiArts.org|address=650 Walnut St|lat=39.10356|long=-84.51179|directions=corner of 7th and Walnut, connected to the Aronoff Center|phone=+1 513 977-4165|tollfree=|fax=+1 513 977-4182|hours=Tu-Sa 10AM-5:30PM. Su noon-5PM|price=Free|content=The Weston Art Gallery is in the Aranoff Center for the Arts. Exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, prints, photography, textiles, independent film, performance and electronic media. Ten diverse exhibitions are programmed annually in the gallery's 3,500 square foot museum-quality space.}} === Parks and squares === [[File:Piatt-Park-4.jpg|thumb|Piatt Park]] *{{see|name=Sawyer Point|alt=|url=http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-3036-/|email=|address=720 E. Pete Rose Way|lat=39.10146|long=-84.50012|directions=Riverfront|phone=+1 513 352-4000|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Daily 6AM-11PM|price=|content=Sawyer Point is one of Cincinnati's party parks, where in the summer radio stations throw free outdoor concerts. The park is also used to host the Tall Stacks festival. A popular place to laze about is the Serpentine Wall steps that lead into the Ohio River.|wikipedia=Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman's Cove|wikidata=Q17087703}} *{{see | name=Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park | alt= | url=http://www.cincinnatiparks.com/river-parks/theodore-m-berry-international-friendship-park/ | email= | address=1101 Riverside Dr | lat=39.10614 | long=-84.49342 | directions=along Cincinnati's downtown eastern riverfront area | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q49570068 | content=The park is named in honor of Cincinnati's first African American mayor, Theodore M. Berry. This park features an International Plaza with ceremonial flags, an earth sculpture in the form of two interlocking hands, a pavilion to provide settings for communal gatherings, celebrations and events, Commissioned sculptures, a serpentine-shaped sitting wall, garden areas representative of the continents, and a bike trail. }} *{{see|name=Piatt Park|alt=Garfield Park|url=http://www.cincinnatiparks.com/index.php/piatt-park|email=|address=|lat=39.1042|long=-84.5163|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=Also known as Garfield Park for its statue of President Garfield, its more of a two block long public square than a park, at 200 years old this is the oldest park in the city. Elegantly landscaped, a good place to take a break while exploring downtown by foot. In the summer there is even music sometimes on weekdays aimed at workers on lunch break.|image=Piatt-Park-3.jpg|wikipedia=Piatt Park|wikidata=Q12065807}} ==Do== * {{do|name=Arnoff Center for the Arts|alt=|url=http://cincinnatiarts.org/aronoff|email=|address=650 Walnut St|lat=39.10357|long=-84.51181|directions=Walnut and 6th|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$9-30|content=This is the main place in Cincinnati to see a Broadway musical, famous stand up comics, the Cincinnati Ballet and other large scale performing arts events.}} * {{do | name=Taft Theater | alt= | url=http://tafttheatre.org/ | email= | address=317 East 5th St | lat=39.10164 | long=-84.50772 | directions=5th and Sycamore | phone=+1 513 232-6220 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q14691320 | content=A large old venue that's good for seeing bigger comedians or musical acts. }} * {{do|name=Cincinnati Shakespeare Company|alt=|url=http://www.cincyshakes.com/|email=|address=718 Race St|lat=39.10387|long=-84.51558|directions=South of Garfield Place|phone=+1 513 381-2273|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=Th & Su: adult $37, senior $27, student $22; F Sa: adult $35, senior $31, student $26|content=Well-regarded local theater troupe specializing in Shakespearean and Classic plays.|wikipedia=Cincinnati Shakespeare Company|wikidata=Q27951104}} * {{do | name=Hard Rock Casino | alt=formerly Jack Casino | url=https://www.hardrockcasinocincinnati.com/ | email= | address=1000 Broadway St | lat=39.1071 | long=-84.50761 | directions=At the NE edge of Downtown | phone=+1 513-250-3150 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5905997 | lastedit=2020-11-08 | content=Hard Rock Casino is an urban casino, and one of four that were given special permission by the state of Ohio to operate. Horseshoe Casino boasts 100,000 square feet of gambling floorspace. It features approximately 1,700 slot machines, 85 table games and a poker room. The Casino also has five restaurants including Prism Steak and Seafood and Cincinnati Food Hall, with Italian, Asian, and BBQ options. }} *{{do|name=Stratus Helicopters|alt=|url=http://www.stratushelicopters.com/index.php?page=scenic-city-tours|email=|address=99 Riverboat Row, Newport|lat=39.09376|long=-84.50025|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Th-Su noon-10PM spring/summer, 3-8PM fall & winter|price=|content=Though it's in Newport, this company provides various tours of scenic Cincinnati from the air in a helicopter. Included on the itinerary is a date night tour. Tours last anywhere from 10 min to a few hours.}} === Festivals === [[File:Taste-of-Cincinnati-2009.jpg|thumb|crowds at the Taste of Cincinnati]] *{{do | name=Bunbury Music Festival | alt= | url=https://bunburyfestival.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Sawyer Point | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Mid July see website | price= | wikidata=Q4997427 | content=Annual festival happening around mid-July, featuring 100s of (mostly rock) bands on multiple stages along Cincinnati's riverfront parks. The festival was founded by MidPoint Music Festival co-founder and former Fountain Square managing director Bill Donabedian. Reaching beyond music, the festival integrates eco-friendly and technology initiatives. }} *{{do|name=Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion|url=http://www.midwestbfrc.com|email=|address=|lat=|long=|directions=Sawyer Point Park|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=Conceived in 1986 by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, the Black Family Reunion Celebration is a 4-day cultural weekend event which brings consumers, corporations, communities and government agencies together to focus on the historic strengths and traditional values of the Black Family.}} *{{do | name=Oktoberfest | alt= | url=https://www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com | email= | address=Fifth St | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=$3 and above depending on restaurant booth | wikidata=Q17084250 | content=Cincinnati remembers its German history with a two day festival dedicated to beer and the marriage of Bavarian royalty. Cincinnati's Oktoberfest draws 500,000 over two days (Munich's Oktoberfest draws 6 million over two weeks) making it second biggest Oktoberfest after Munich's. On the Sunday everyone gathers at Fountain Square to participate in the "World's Largest Chicken Dance." Second and Third streets are closed along the interstate and lined with food vendors, beer tents (both local and Bavarian breweries participate), souvenir stalls, and music stages. Some of the acts are local rock bands, but rest assured, there are plenty of accordions and tubas for the traditionalists. The Thursday before hosts the "Running of the Wieners" on Freedom Way, where 100 dachshund owners enter their dogs to see who's the fastest in a 100-foot dash. This is a must for any visitor to Cincinnati. Oktoberfest is held in mid to late September. }} *{{do|name=PNC MidPoint's Indie Summer|alt=|url=http://www.myfountainsquare.com/indiesummer|email=|address=5th and Vine|lat=|long=|directions=Fountain Square|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=7:00-11:00 Fridays from June to September|price=Free|content=Fountain Square on Friday nights is the place to be for all fans of independent rock music. Local, regional, and national bands perform every Friday night from 7 to 11PM.}} *{{do | name=Party in the Park | alt= | url=https://www.cincinnatiparks.com/party-park-seasongood-square/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Riverfront | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Held several times through out the summer, 8,000 locals and visitors are entertained by the hottest musical acts and cold draft beers. The party is held at Yeatman's Cove. }} *{{do | name=Riverfest | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Riverfront | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5120217 | content=Riverfest is Cincinnati's largest bash and is held on the banks of the Ohio during the Labor Day weekend. The event is essentially the spectacular Rozzi's fireworks display, which last for half-an-hour and is choreographed to music by local radio station WEBN. There's also a famous race between rubber ducks called the '''[http://www.rubberduckregatta.org/ Rubber Duck Regatta]'''. }} * {{do | name=Taste of Cincinnati | alt= | url=http://www.taste-of-cincinnati.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=Fifth Street | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=$3 and above depending on restaurant booth | wikidata=Q7687698 | content=Taste of Cincinnati is held every Memorial Day weekend and draws 500,000 people each year. More than 40 restaurants sell their food for $5 or less. Live musical acts are there for entertainment once you're full. }} === Sports === {{infobox|Who Dey|The term always refers to the Cincinnati Bengals and can be used as a cheer or a greeting among Bengals fans. At Bengals games fans screaming "Who Dey!" often leads to an entire section chanting the Who Dey chant: "Who dey! Who dey! Who dey think going to beat dem Bengals?" The answer is an extended "Nobody!" The origin of the chant comes from beer vendors of Cincinnati beer Hudy (Hudepohl) shouting the name at the front of each section. One particular section of Riverfront stadium during the 1981 Super Bowl season always erupting into the chant during games that the Bengals were winning. Eventually that chant spread to the entire stadium and is now ubiquitous at Bengals games even when they aren't winning.}} * {{do|name=Cincinnati Bengals|alt=|url=http://www.bengals.com|email=|address=1 Paul Brown Stadium|lat=|long=|directions=Riverfront|phone=+1 513 621-8383|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=For more than a decade, the Bengals were the punchline of a joke about the [[American Football|NFL]]. No more, though. The Bengals showed their first signs of life in the current century with the hiring of head coach Marcin Lewis in 2003, capped off by consecutive playoff appearances from 2011–2015, but was let go after the 2018 season with no playoff wins to show for it. Lewis' replacement Zac Taylor brought the Bengals back with the arrival of quarterback Joe Burrow, who came back from a serious knee injury in 2020 to lead the 2021 Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, followed by two more playoff wins and a losing Super Bowl appearance. Since their turnaround, a visit to a Bengals game is recommended &mdash; if you can get a ticket. Their current home is '''Paycor Stadium''', which before 2022 had been known as Paul Brown Stadium, named for the Hall of Fame founder and owner/first head coach of the team in their American Football League days. Before that, Brown was affiliated with and gave the name to the original Cleveland Browns, one of the Bengals' fiercest rivals.|wikipedia=Cincinnati Bengals|wikidata=Q223511}} [[File:Great_American_Ballpark_2006.jpg|right|thumb|280x280px|Great American Ball Park is close to Cincinnati's Waterfront]] * {{do|name=Cincinnati Reds|alt=|url=https://www.mlb.com/reds|email=|address=100 Main St|lat=|long=|directions=Great American Ball Park; Corner of Main Street and Second Street|phone=+1 513 765-7000|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=Ballpark tours $17 adults, $15 students/seniors|content=The "Big Red Machine" has always been a leader in [[Baseball in the United States|professional baseball]] since its formation as the first professional baseball team. The team earned their nickname during the 1970s, when the team made six post-season appearances and won two World Series with the likes of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Tony Pérez and manager Sparky Anderson. The Reds' new home is '''Great American Ball Park,''' on the downtown riverfront near the site of the stadium it replaced, the now-demolished Riverfront Stadium. Tickets run $7-67, with most seats $22 or less. If you are on a budget, the Reds allow spectators to bring in their own food and drink. Drinks must be non-alcoholic, and in a sealed, clear plastic container. No cans or glass may be brought in. Coolers must be soft-sided and be able to fit underneath your seat. Ballpark tours that take you onto the field and behind-the-scenes are available at 11:30AM and 1:30PM on Saturdays off-season and non-game days during the season, with extra tours available on days with a night game.|wikipedia=Cincinnati Reds|wikidata=Q826751}} * {{do|name=ECHL Hockey Cincinnati Cyclones|alt=|url=http://www.cycloneshockey.com/|email=|address=Heritage Bank Center|lat=|long=|directions=Riverfront|phone=+1 513 421-PUCK|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$10-20|content=Hockey has a long legacy in Cincinnati. In the 1950s, Cincinnati was home to the Cincinnati Mohawks, five-time winners of the International Hockey League's Turner Cup. In the 1970s, Cincinnati was home to a World Hockey Association team, in the Cincinnati Stingers, and an American Hockey League team, in the Cincinnati Swords. Then came the Cyclones (1990-2004, 2006-present), and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (1997-2005). The Cincinnati Gardens was frequented by the likes of Barry Melrose, Don Biggs, Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky on a pretty regular basis. Now, the second incarnation of the Cincinnati Cyclones play in the East Coast Hockey League and are 2007-2008 ECHL champions. Crowds run 1,000-3,000 on a weeknight and 4,000-9,000 people on a weekend, far below the capacity of 12,000, so tickets should be easy to come by. However, crowds have grown significantly during the latter part of the 2007-2008 season. Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Championship game has the largest crowd in seven years to see an ECHL championship game, with 8,676 in attendance. Game 6, and final game, had 12,722 in attendance, a league record for a post-season game.|wikipedia=Cincinnati Cyclones|wikidata=Q1092226}} ==Buy== * {{buy|name=Saks Fifth Avenue|alt=|url=|email=|address=101 West 5th St|directions=Fifth and Race Streets, Opposite Hilton Netherlands Plaza Hotel|lat=39.10084|long=-84.51473|phone=+1 513 421-6800|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-W 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM|price=|content=A branch of the upscale department store selling high-priced designer goods.}} * {{buy|name=Bengals Pro Shop|alt=|url=http://proshop.bengals.com/|email=|address=|directions=Riverfront, in Paycor Stadium.|lat=39.09538|long=-84.51606|phone=|tollfree=+1-866-774-4776|fax=|hours=W-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 6AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM, M-Tu contact vendors|price=|content=Get your Bengals gear here.}} * {{buy|name=Ohio Book Store|alt=|url=http://www.ohiobookstore.net/|email=|address=726 Main St|directions=|lat=39.10462|long=-84.51040|phone=+1 513 621-5142|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-Sa 9AM - 4:45PM|price=|content=With 4 stories of shop space, this is a particularly large version of the classic musty bookstore. They specialize in vintage and rare books, and even will do book binding repair as well.}} ==Eat== {{Eatpricerange|$15 or less|$16 - 25|$25 or more}} === Budget === * {{eat|name=Ingredients|alt=|url=http://www.ingredientsforyou.com|email=|address=21 E. 5th St|lat=39.10165|long=-84.50945|directions=inside Westin Hotel Atrium|phone=+1 513 852-2740|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=Ingredients is restaurant with a unique concept and motto: "some assembly required". Ingredients serves salads, paninis, sandwiches, and pizzas all made to order. The ingredients used are all gourmet and very tasty!}} * {{eat|name=Izzy's|alt=|url=http://www.izzys.com|email=|address=800 Elm St|lat=39.10436|long=-84.51703|directions=|phone=+1 513 241-6246|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-5PM|price=|content=Izzy's is well known for its Reubens and other corned beef sandwiches. This deli has other delicious sandwiches and its corned beef is available to purchase at any Kroger's grocery store. Served with your sandwich is a big potato pancake. There are multiple locations in the Cincinnati area.}} * {{eat | name=Saigon Subs and Rolls | alt= | url= | email= | address=151 W 4th St | lat=39.09932 | long=-84.51558 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-10-05 | content=Cheap and cheerful lunch-only sot spot for pho, banh mi, etc. Gets crowded if you go right at noon on a weekday. }} === Mid-range === * {{eat|name=Christian Moerlein Lager House|alt=|url=http://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com/|email=|address=115 Joe Nuxhall Way|lat=39.09618|long=-84.50839|directions=The Banks|phone=+1 513 421-2337|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=$6-28|content=A microbrewery, restaurant, event space, and beerhall/garden devoted to Cincinnati's rich brewing heritage which has panoramic views of the city, the Roebling Bridge, the river and the sports stadiums. The Lager House is decorated with old advertisements, signs, bottles and other memorabilia harking back to the time when Cincinnati was one of the world's foremost beer producers. The menu features both beers produced by Cincinnati icon Christian Moerlein (with some even unique to the space) and many guest beers from all over the world and the menu has many dishes where beer is a main ingredient.}} * {{eat|name=Nicholson's Tavern & Pub|alt=|url=http://www.nicholsonspub.com/|email=|address=625 Walnut St|lat=39.10342|long=-84.51199|directions=Across from the Aronoff Center|phone=+1 513 564-9111|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-9PM|price=$20-50 a person|content=Probably has the best selection of Scotch in the city! This place servers standard British pub food, though on the anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns birthday they do sever haggis (sometime in January), check website for details.}} * {{eat|name=Shanghai Mama's|alt=|url=http://www.shanghaimamas.com|email=|address=216 E 6th St|lat=39.10304|long=-84.50978|directions=|phone=+1 513 241-7777|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-Th 11AM-9:30PM; F 11AM-3AM; Sa 5PM-3AM|price=$10-15|content=Shanghai Mama's is a great place to grab some late-night grub. You can't go wrong with any of their noodle or rice dishes. They also feature soups and vegetarian options.}} === Splurge === * {{eat|name=Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse|alt=|url=http://jeffruby.com/|email=|address=700 Walnut St|lat=39.10405|long=-84.51194|directions=Across from the Aronoff Center|phone=+1 513 784-1200|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-Th 5PM-10PM; F Sa 5-11PM|price=Roughly $31 and up|content=Upscale steakhouse owned by Jeff Ruby, who gained fame in 2007 for kicking O.J. Simpson out of his restaurant in Louisville, and made more headlines during the 2016 US presidential campaign by (temporarily) banning Donald Trump from the same location.}} * {{eat|name=Montgomery Inn Ribs|alt=|url=http://www.montgomeryinn.com/|email=|address=925 Riverside Drive (formerly Eastern Avenue)|lat=39.10363|long=-84.49607|directions=Riverfront, near Sawyer Point|phone=+1 513 721-7427|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 3-11PM, Su 3-10PM|price=|content=Renowned as the place to go for great baby-back ribs, Montgomery Inn has become one of Cincinnati's most beloved eateries. The flagship restaurant is in the village of Montgomery, in the northeast suburbs.}} * {{eat|name=Palomino|alt=|url=http://www.palomino.com/|email=|address=505 Vine St|lat=39.10143|long=-84.51325|directions=Fountain Square|phone=+1 513 381-1300|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Lunch: M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM. Dinner: Su-Th 5-10PM, F Sa 5-11PM|price=$31-50|content=Palomino is a vibrant restaurant, bar and rotisserie famous for its style, hardwood fired Mediterranean cooking and versatile, imaginative menu. Great view of Fountain Square too!}} ==Drink== After a few years of Kentucky getting the attention, the center of nightlife in Cincinnati has shifted to the area near Fountain Square and the Arnoff Center, or '''Restaurant Row''' generally bounded by 8th St to the North, 5th St to the South, Vine St to the West and Main St to the East. The area is always busy on weekends, especially with many young professionals. Over the last few years it has been slowly growing with many new bars/clubs and other night spots opening up. * {{drink|name=Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant|alt=|url=http://www.rockbottom.com|email=|address=10 Fountain Square|lat=39.10192|long=-84.51250|directions=On Fountain Square|phone=+1 513 621-1588|tollfree=|fax=+1 513 621-1722|hours=M-Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su noon-9PM|price=|content=Part of the Rockbottom Brewery chain. Features beer brewed on-site and typical bar food. Wouldn't be special except that its a place to get beer on the square.}} * {{drink|name=The Dock|alt=|url=http://www.thedockcomplex.com/|email=|address=603 W. Pete Rose Way|lat=39.09568|long=-84.52113|directions=|phone=+1 513 241-5623|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Tu-Th Su 8PM-2:30AM, F Sa 8PM-4AM|price=|content=Gay night club.}} * {{drink|name=Igby's|alt=|url=http://www.igbysbar.com|email=|address=122 E 6th St|lat=39.10291|long=-84.51078|directions=Restaurant Row|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=Gorgeous rehab of an old NYC style building downtown, featuring 3 stories. Crowd can be post-college frat boy with money on weekend nights, which could be minus or a plus depending on who you are, but the bar is gorgeous. Of particular note is an outdoor balcony on the 2nd floor where you can view the crowds of drunk people below on a Saturday night. Pricey by Cincinnati standards.}} * {{drink|name=Arnold's Bar and Grill|alt=|url=http://arnoldsbarandgrill.com|email=|address=210 E 8th St|lat=39.10514|long=-84.51011|directions=Main and 8th|phone=+1 513 421-6234|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-F 11AM-2:30AM, Sa 4:30PM-2:30AM|price=|content=Founded in 1860, this is the oldest continuously operating bar in Cincinnati. Food was added during prohibition, snd a bathtub which was rumored to be a source of bootleg gin. has a courtyard as well as live music from varied genera.|wikipedia=Arnold's Bar and Grill|image=Arnold's Bar & Grill in Cincinnati OH USA.jpg|wikidata=Q23074148}} * {{drink | name=Holy Grail Tavern & Grille | alt= | url= | email= | address=161 Joe Nuxhall Way | lat=39.09755 | long=-84.50891 | directions=Right across the street from the stadium | phone=+1 513 621-2222 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 11AM - 2AM; M-Th 4PM-2:30AM; F 2PM-2:30AM; Sa Su 11AM-2:30AM | price= | content=Not necessarily the best bar in town, but if you fancy yourself a big sports fan and want to be packed in with a lot of like minded people this is your spot. Right across from the Great American Ballpark and close to Paul Brown Stadium, this place gets packed on game days. }} * {{drink|name=The Blue Wisp Jazz Club|alt=|url=http://www.thebluewisp.com.com/|email=|address=700 Race St|lat=39.10357|long=-84.51516|directions=|phone=+1 513 241-WISP|tollfree=|fax=|hours=Su-W 9AM-midnight, Th-Sa 9:30PM-1:30AM|price=|content=Well regarded local jazz club now in a new location a bit closer to the action at Fountain Square. The old location unfortunately is now a parking lot.}} *{{drink|name=21C Cocktail Terrace|alt=|url=http://www.21ccocktailterrace.com|email=|address=609 Walnut St|lat=39.10294|long=-84.51186|directions=Enter at side alley just past 21C Hotel|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=Classy rooftop bar, pricey and part of the 21C Museum Hotel, with sweeping views of Downtown and Mt. Adams.}} == Sleep == {{sleeppricerange|under $75|$76 - 125|$126 and over}} === Mid-range === * {{sleep|name=Residence Inn Cincinnati Downtown|alt=|url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cvgcd-residence-inn-cincinnati-downtown/|email=|address=506 E 4th St|lat=39.10159|long=-84.50439|directions=Across from Lytle Park|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|checkin=|checkout=|price=$150-200|content=Very highly rated hotel in a historic apartment building.}} === Splurge === [[File:The_Cincinnatian_Hotel.jpg|thumb|250x250px|The Cincinnatian Hotel.]] * {{sleep | name=Cincinnatian Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cvgccqq-the-cincinnatian-hotel/ | email= | address=601 Vine St | lat=39.102447 | long=-84.513286 | directions= | phone=+1 513 381-3000 | tollfree= | checkin=3PM | checkout=Noon | price=Single: $165, suites: $254-1,500 | wikidata=Q7126174 | lastedit=2021-09-19 | content=In downtown Cincinnati near Fountain Square and within walking distance of the convention center and the major businesses in the city. No pets allowed (service animals are allowed). }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hilton Netherland Plaza | alt= | url=https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ohio/hilton-cincinnati-netherland-plaza-CVGNPHF/index.html | email= | address=35 West Fifth St | lat=39.10085 | long=-84.51416 | directions=Inside Carew Tower | phone=+1 513 421-9100 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=The former Netherland Plaza Hotel, a favorite of Bing Crosby and many other celebrities who frequented Cincinnati during its golden age of WLW radio. Hilton's historic luxury hotel in Cincinnati is the inside of historic Carew Tower Complex in the heart of Cincinnati (Fourth and Vine Streets). The Carew Tower is the 2nd tallest building in Downtown Cincinnati, and an Art Deco architectural landmark. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hyatt Regency | alt= | url=https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ohio/hyatt-regency-cincinnati/cinci | email= | address=151 West Fifth St | lat=39.10066 | long=-84.51560 | directions=One block west of Fountain Square | phone=+1 513 579-1234 | tollfree= | fax=+1 513 579-0107 | checkin= | checkout= | price= | content=Central hotel with a sports bar and hosts Jazz concerts on Fridays during the summer. The hotel is circular shaped, which, depending on your luck may give you a view of a parking lot, another hotel, or Carew Tower and the Fifth Third Building. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Westin Cincinnati | alt= | url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cvgwi-the-westin-cincinnati/ | email= | address=21 E. 5th St | lat=39.10074 | long=-84.51229 | directions=across from Fountain Square and adjacent to Carew Tower | phone=+1 513 621-7700 | tollfree= | fax=+1 513 852-5670 | checkin= | checkout= | price=$255-300 | content=The Westin is across the street from Fountain Square and is connect to Carew Tower via the skywalk. The hotel offers a great view of adjacent Fountain Square. All rooms are non-smoking. }} * {{sleep|name=21C Museum Hotel Cincinnati|alt=|url=http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati/|email=cincy.reservations@21cHotels.com|address=609 Walnut St|lat=39.10314|long=-84.51230|directions=Restaurant Row by the CAC|phone=+1 513 578-6600|tollfree=|fax=+1 513 578-6601|checkin=|checkout=|price=|content=Remodel of the old Metropole hotel, this is a high end boutique with a free art museum and high end restaurant (the Metropole) attached. Even the rooms here are a work of art, highly recommended for special occasions.}} == Connect == [[File:PLCH_Main_Library_2.jpg|thumb|Main Library]] * {{listing|name=Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County|alt=|url=http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/|email=|address=800 Vine St|lat=39.105|long=-84.513333|directions=Downtown, in the vicinity of Aronoff Center|phone=+1 513 369-6900|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-W 9AM-9PM, Th-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 1-5PM|price=Free|wikipedia=Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County|wikidata=Q5492644|image=Carnegie lib 700 2.jpg|content=Visitors should visit the information desk on the ground floor. Ask a librarian to give you access to the Internet. Access is usually for an hour, but can be extended. Due to a long-standing trust fund of sorts and the city's rich history, this is one of the better libraries in the United States having some of the countries highest circulation rates.}} * {{listing | name=U.S. Post Office, Downtown Office | alt= | url=http://www.usps.com | email= | address=525 Vine St. (2nd floor) | lat=39.10185 | long=-84.51359 | directions=CBD | phone= | tollfree=+1-800-275-8777 | hours=M-F 8AM-5PM | price= | content= }} == Cope == === Banks === * {{buy|name=Fifth Third|url=http://www.53.com|email=|address=429-433 Vine St|directions=Lobby of Carew Tower, Across the street from garage of Westin Hotel|lat=39.10097|long=-84.51315|phone=+1 513 579-5580|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-F 8:30AM-5PM|price=|content=}} * {{buy|name=PNC|alt=|url=https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking.html|email=|address=632 Vine St|directions=On the corner of 7th and Vine St|lat=39.10350|long=-84.51339|phone=+1 513-579-2345|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=}} * {{buy|name=PNC|url=http://www.pnc.com|email=|address=3 W Fourth St|directions=4th St and Vine St|lat=39.09987|long=-84.51296|phone=+1 513 241-8385|tollfree=|fax=|hours=M-F 9AM-5PM, closed Sa Su|price=|content=}} * {{buy|name=Key Bank|url=|email=|address=580 Walnut St|directions=6th and Walnut|lat=39.10255|long=-84.51145|phone=+1 513 579-5023|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|content=}} === Religious services === * {{listing|name=Plum Street/Wise Temple|alt=|url=http://www.wisetemple.org/|email=|address=726 Plum St|lat=39.103672|long=-84.518069|directions=|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=Isaac M. Wise Temple|wikidata=Q1100476|image=Plum Street Temple.JPG|content=According to the Temple's website, the Reform movement of Judaism was organized here 160 years ago.}} * {{listing | name=St. Louis Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=E Eighth St | lat=39.10458 | long=-84.51237 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Roman Catholic church on eastern Downtown. The Chancery offices are here, as is the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Catholic Schools Office. }} * {{listing|name=St. Francis Xavier Church|alt=|url=|email=|address=Sycamore St|lat=39.103333|long=-84.509167|directions=on Eastern Downtown between Sixth and Seventh Sts|phone=|tollfree=|fax=|hours=|price=|wikipedia=St. Francis Xavier Church (Cincinnati, Ohio)|wikidata=Q7588019|image=StFrancisXavierChurch frontview.jpg|content=Roman Catholic Jesuit Church.}} {{IsPartOf|Cincinnati}} {{outlinedistrict}} esko7fozrfvfulglzc484p01dzqf0bw 0 173389 4506186 4506102 2022-08-22T12:13:12Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Traditional drinks */Minor wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, But also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, a delicacy of Sumatran and Javanese. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', Native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie Tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} colbuefc6nyl2l7g2swdnahpfs02b4k 4506203 4506186 2022-08-22T12:38:28Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* National main dishes */Fixed typo wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, a delicacy of Sumatran and Javanese. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', Native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie Tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} a76rn747pws4wkhm72bp9cj7n6k8d9z 4506206 4506203 2022-08-22T12:47:10Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Noodles */Fixed typo wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, a delicacy of Sumatran and Javanese. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie Tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} chk2cktf2tlh3m4r0z9gitrnvsapcbg 4506509 4506206 2022-08-23T03:03:02Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Noodles */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, a delicacy of Sumatran and Javanese. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} dk589veac6hh4q4st10ooq74zandnjx 4506513 4506509 2022-08-23T03:05:02Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Soups */ complete information wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} cnvp00tljeiisun36uap04zed6edx3f 4506521 4506513 2022-08-23T03:09:22Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ complete information wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} nmie64h4uun1khisf8jigde5zvocdsw 4506528 4506521 2022-08-23T03:17:28Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ complete information wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also ''gorengan'' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} agx2m4t5p46l4a4pyqbgsr7nqvdjbih 4506529 4506528 2022-08-23T03:17:46Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 6hafeij1ww7c1n3xkyvtyasdl771w72 4506530 4506529 2022-08-23T03:19:06Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} huqeamr43i29p2u0hc25uy6fb1a2xxb 4506532 4506530 2022-08-23T03:32:17Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ complete information wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal ABC, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} rripb71thvwfe90wu2358qvcjn0yef3 4506533 4506532 2022-08-23T03:33:54Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce (''kecap manis''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin'') and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} oeywsu49kjmg3zbbwzb7zw6oxxuonmq 4506534 4506533 2022-08-23T03:35:10Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} e7sbox1do4xcuzdgsy17tr317x3xkys 4506535 4506534 2022-08-23T03:36:43Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 6oomo0856c3xu1cxgm7788kykkqdl3k 4506544 4506535 2022-08-23T04:13:38Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ complete information wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its sepcialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segitiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} gqa7xj4tyk73m5d6bkbsl59ivt4uet4 4506545 4506544 2022-08-23T04:15:19Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segitiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', but most Indonesian shops won't have it. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} k9mn42edkw8zxxcj62o9sju0h86siqr 4506546 4506545 2022-08-23T04:18:30Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segitiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 2kw8nx7f3rjzw93wxixvhcz30yl0gj1 4506551 4506546 2022-08-23T04:29:00Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Sumatra */ add a picture wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segitiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} b9wfcf32j6cx6g2pt0buz8zj0z7mp24 4506552 4506551 2022-08-23T04:30:22Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Sumatra */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segitiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} abexo5jze8tiqdh4lm1gkmpvj7qdtuj 4506554 4506552 2022-08-23T04:32:42Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Tea */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segitiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. Wedang means "hot water". * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} gif96et8tuounhtyxuy6t2q3u6nqwj9 4506558 4506554 2022-08-23T04:37:42Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Traditional drinks */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segitiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} rgmh51lr7skqnh2myaumkzu3diesm47 4506561 4506558 2022-08-23T04:38:33Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 50if11t6zqcx9sp4gi76mjzvsaueflp 4506568 4506561 2022-08-23T04:45:01Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ complete information wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal Colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} je5i0dr83h4884jlha0a1y7vya0wzrd 4506585 4506568 2022-08-23T05:06:04Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Maluku */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 8izasvi6s48fmy4gu11ktu2abli1rw6 4506586 4506585 2022-08-23T05:08:11Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Desserts */ add a dessert wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== {{main|Papua#Eat}} [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 6rdtke6rg3tw76gqtxnmzk1fask6ava 4506602 4506586 2022-08-23T05:28:05Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Papuan */ the article of the link is not completed wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with Ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} npr7tp5cesnwakere184hckpyjxf92b 4506655 4506602 2022-08-23T08:10:25Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Maluku */Fixed typo wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''Tahu tek''''' or '''''Tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 7t3j2av00x1jyt1bvyz84ak4cwqkgaz 4506657 4506655 2022-08-23T08:13:14Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */Fixed typo wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, ''tempe'' and ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 06dseb8t1apkry5nym8rhdaa0iimplt 4506658 4506657 2022-08-23T08:14:12Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */Added content wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'',or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} gw9o0hodday6wkvqbb7ayih0jb0n11h 4506659 4506658 2022-08-23T08:15:08Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 Fixed typo wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} tul79376ua250utftpa0l3cdtvc4e2a 4506676 4506659 2022-08-23T08:43:05Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * '''''Bubur ayam''''', rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} li7iey5tiu8o4li012rekphpwndufvb 4506688 4506676 2022-08-23T09:01:21Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Rice */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * '''''Ketupat''''' and '''''lontong''''', rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * '''''Nasi goreng''''', the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * '''''Nasi kuning''''', yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * '''''Nasi liwet''''', white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * '''''Nasi Padang''''', white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * '''''Nasi uduk''''', slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} kwz6d3m42dmu8wf472pradtpbii5ff2 4506692 4506688 2022-08-23T09:10:31Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Rice */ added links wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or '''''mie ayam''''', fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 55j51o7je4x7p548b9yprsu2eypbgdn 4506693 4506692 2022-08-23T09:13:54Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* National main dishes */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== You can easily find Betawi cuisine in [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). It served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' and ''telur dadar''. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', a snakehead fish in black soup. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', a typical Betawi beef soto. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} hqmg51oslq2uzlpfni0pn0j11e1y3jj 4506695 4506693 2022-08-23T09:19:57Z Jpatokal 692 /* Betawi */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * '''''Ayam bakar''''', grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * '''''Gado-gado''''', blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * '''''Sate''''' (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} pxs00ujqhg0phon9orywk0x8piifnap 4506696 4506695 2022-08-23T09:20:47Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish originated from Taliwang in West Nusa Tenggara. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} t3ice7lhnggaa1c3gal8g5qmv47e5tv 4506698 4506696 2022-08-23T09:24:09Z Jpatokal 692 /* Nusa Tenggara */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Saus sambal, Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} rv420ji4bhweil47a43xwr5gyw6p5rm 4506700 4506698 2022-08-23T09:31:28Z Jpatokal 692 /* Condiments */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: *'''''Bakso''''' (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. *'''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. *'''''Pindang''''' — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. *'''''Rawon''''' (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. *'''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). *'''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. *'''''Soto''''' — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 3bi8d0duemq5m0chn78kh0gtq2joi50 4506713 4506700 2022-08-23T09:52:20Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Soups */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * '''''Gudeg''''', jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * '''''Pecel''''', a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * '''''Pempek''''' or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * '''''Rendang''''', a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} 2gfl8tpfhcrka8hnzd36guloeqj9fmc 4506718 4506713 2022-08-23T10:01:49Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * {{listing|name=''Gudeg''|wikidata=Q980840}}, jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * {{listing|name=''Pecel''|wikidata=Q5261363}}, a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * {{listing|name=''Pempek''|wikidata=Q4200659}} or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * {{listing|name=''Rendang''|wikidata=Q1520293}}, a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Siomay''|wikidata=Q7525342}}, an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling with vegetables served in peanut sauce. It can be combined with {{listing|name=''batagor''|wikidata=Q4868531}}. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * '''''Bika Ambon''''', a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * '''''Kue leker''''', a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * '''''Klepon''''', a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * '''''Naga sari''''' (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * '''''Pukis''''', like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} kouz6awni36fnqt4gkm8tksjbfzsksq 4506735 4506718 2022-08-23T10:11:26Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Desserts */ added links wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * {{listing|name=''Gudeg''|wikidata=Q980840}}, jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * {{listing|name=''Pecel''|wikidata=Q5261363}}, a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * {{listing|name=''Pempek''|wikidata=Q4200659}} or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * {{listing|name=''Rendang''|wikidata=Q1520293}}, a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Siomay''|wikidata=Q7525342}}, an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling with vegetables served in peanut sauce. It can be combined with {{listing|name=''batagor''|wikidata=Q4868531}}. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * {{listing|name=''Bika Ambon''|wikidata=Q4907305}}, a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * {{listing|name=''Kue leker''|wikidata=Q7377183}}, a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * {{listing|name=''Klepon''|wikidata=Q5262436}}, a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * {{listing|name=''Naga sari''|wikidata=Q4189615}} (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * {{listing|name=''Pukis''|wikidata=Q19944109}}, like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} q73cdb4b1yuqs916nlw9gn6raoebqs4 4506744 4506735 2022-08-23T10:15:38Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * {{listing|name=''Gudeg''|wikidata=Q980840}}, jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''sambal goreng krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * {{listing|name=''Pecel''|wikidata=Q5261363}}, a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * {{listing|name=''Pempek''|wikidata=Q4200659}} or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * '''''Perkedel''''', deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * {{listing|name=''Rendang''|wikidata=Q1520293}}, a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Siomay''|wikidata=Q7525342}}, an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling with vegetables served in peanut sauce. It can be combined with {{listing|name=''batagor''|wikidata=Q4868531}}. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * {{listing|name=''Bika Ambon''|wikidata=Q4907305}}, a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * {{listing|name=''Kue leker''|wikidata=Q7377183}}, a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * {{listing|name=''Klepon''|wikidata=Q5262436}}, a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * {{listing|name=''Naga sari''|wikidata=Q4189615}} (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * {{listing|name=''Pukis''|wikidata=Q19944109}}, like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} d6k4i7afdrtfvipt8ua5c7iws3prv6e 4506748 4506744 2022-08-23T10:17:11Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Main dishes */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * {{listing|name=''Gudeg''|wikidata=Q980840}}, jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''sambal goreng krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * {{listing|name=''Pecel''|wikidata=Q5261363}}, a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * {{listing|name=''Pempek''|wikidata=Q4200659}} or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * {{listing|name=''Perkedel''|wikidata=Q20128299}}, deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * {{listing|name=''Rendang''|wikidata=Q1520293}}, a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Siomay''|wikidata=Q7525342}}, an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling with vegetables served in peanut sauce. It can be combined with {{listing|name=''batagor''|wikidata=Q4868531}}. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * {{listing|name=''Bika Ambon''|wikidata=Q4907305}}, a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * {{listing|name=''Kue leker''|wikidata=Q7377183}}, a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * {{listing|name=''Klepon''|wikidata=Q5262436}}, a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * {{listing|name=''Naga sari''|wikidata=Q4189615}} (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * {{listing|name=''Pukis''|wikidata=Q19944109}}, like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * '''''Es campur''''', "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * '''''Es puter''''' is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * '''''Es teler''''' is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} gjh09wsw0wbyof2ss1e42jtamiyx4ex 4506757 4506748 2022-08-23T10:23:39Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Desserts */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * {{listing|name=''Gudeg''|wikidata=Q980840}}, jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''sambal goreng krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * {{listing|name=''Pecel''|wikidata=Q5261363}}, a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * {{listing|name=''Pempek''|wikidata=Q4200659}} or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * {{listing|name=''Perkedel''|wikidata=Q20128299}}, deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * {{listing|name=''Rendang''|wikidata=Q1520293}}, a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Siomay''|wikidata=Q7525342}}, an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling with vegetables served in peanut sauce. It can be combined with {{listing|name=''batagor''|wikidata=Q4868531}}. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * {{listing|name=''Bika Ambon''|wikidata=Q4907305}}, a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * {{listing|name=''Kue leker''|wikidata=Q7377183}}, a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * {{listing|name=''Klepon''|wikidata=Q5262436}}, a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * {{listing|name=''Naga sari''|wikidata=Q4189615}} (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * {{listing|name=''Pukis''|wikidata=Q19944109}}, like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * {{listing|name=''Es campur''|wikidata=Q4201778}}, "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * {{listing|name=''Es puter''|wikidata=Q19725637}} is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * {{listing|name=''Es teler''|wikidata=Q5396648}} is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *'''''Mie Aceh''''', an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} h7ug9nh1wb7v9sjhcs7286v25h73b1b 4506760 4506757 2022-08-23T10:25:18Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Acehnese */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * {{listing|name=''Gudeg''|wikidata=Q980840}}, jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''sambal goreng krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * {{listing|name=''Pecel''|wikidata=Q5261363}}, a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * {{listing|name=''Pempek''|wikidata=Q4200659}} or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * {{listing|name=''Perkedel''|wikidata=Q20128299}}, deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * {{listing|name=''Rendang''|wikidata=Q1520293}}, a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Siomay''|wikidata=Q7525342}}, an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling with vegetables served in peanut sauce. It can be combined with {{listing|name=''batagor''|wikidata=Q4868531}}. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * {{listing|name=''Bika Ambon''|wikidata=Q4907305}}, a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * {{listing|name=''Kue leker''|wikidata=Q7377183}}, a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * {{listing|name=''Klepon''|wikidata=Q5262436}}, a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * {{listing|name=''Naga sari''|wikidata=Q4189615}} (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * {{listing|name=''Pukis''|wikidata=Q19944109}}, like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * {{listing|name=''Es campur''|wikidata=Q4201778}}, "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * {{listing|name=''Es puter''|wikidata=Q19725637}} is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * {{listing|name=''Es teler''|wikidata=Q5396648}} is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *{{listing|name=''Mie Aceh''|wikidata=Q4208154}}, an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie kopyok''''', boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} ahrgi4i0vl0x1qnkve98prri8a5r8iq 4506763 4506760 2022-08-23T10:27:03Z M.akbar.raf 2272255 /* Noodles */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Indonesian_cuisine_banner_2b.jpg|pgname=Indonesian cuisine}} {{Asian cuisines}} '''Indonesian cuisine''' is an umbrella term referring to the culinary traditions spanning the archipelago of [[Indonesia]], using different ingredients and spices to create a rich and flavourful masterpiece. It also influences the cuisine of neighbouring [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. ==Understand== With 17,000 islands to choose from, Indonesian food is an umbrella term covering a vast variety of regional cuisines found across the nation. But, if used without further qualifiers, the term tends to mean the food originally from the central and eastern parts of the main island Java. Now widely available throughout the archipelago, Javanese cuisine features an array of simply seasoned dishes, the predominant flavourings the Javanese favour being peanuts, chillies, sugar (especially Javanese coconut sugar), and various aromatic spices. All too often, many backpackers seem to fall into a rut of eating nothing but nasi goreng (fried rice), but there are much more interesting options lurking about if you're adventurous enough to seek them out. In addition to Javanese cuisine, Minang and Sundanese dishes have spread throughout the country. ==National main dishes== The predominant cuisine in Indonesia is Javanese. As the name indicates, it originates from the main island of [[Java]], but the cuisine has absorbed many influences: originally Chinese ingredients like noodles and tofu are now an integral part of Indonesian cooking, and the Dutch left an abiding love for breads and cakes. Javanese migrants have brought their dishes across the entire archipelago, so these dishes are available essentially everywhere. Not only Javanese, but also, as well as Minang cuisine that has spread throughout Indonesia. The most famous is ''Nasi Padang''. Another food ''Rendang'' has become the national dish of Indonesia. Other, Sundanese cuisines, ''siomay'' and ''batagor'', and Palembangese ''pempek'' can be easily found all over the main island of Indonesia. ===Rice=== [[Image:Nasi Goreng in Bali.jpg|thumb|Backpacker staple ''nasi goreng'', topped with a fried egg to make it ''special'']] The Indonesian staple is ''nasi putih'' (white rice), while ''ketan'' (sticky rice) is frequently used for particular dishes and many snacks. Red rice is available and rapidly becoming more popular. Rice is so important that it has several different names depending on what stage in the growing/consumption process it is in, from ''padi'' when growing in the rice paddy (hence the English word), ''gabah'' when harvested but not yet husked, ''beras'' in the cleaned state before being cooked, and ''nasi'' once steamed on your plate. Rice is served up in many forms including: * {{listing|name=''Bubur ayam''|wikidata=Q17049555}}, rice porridge with toppings and chicken broth, popular at breakfast, generally salty. * {{listing|name=''Ketupat''|wikidata=Q1520778}} and {{listing|name=''Lontong''|wikidata=Q1683716}}, rice wrapped in leaves and cooked so it compresses into a cake. Often served with vegetables (''sayur'') cooked in coconut milk soup. * {{listing|name=''Nasi goreng''|wikidata=Q510666}}, the ubiquitous fried rice; order it ''special'' to get an egg on top. Eaten at any time, even breakfast. * {{listing|name=''Nasi kuning''|wikidata=Q3269818}}, yellow spiced rice; popular at breakfast, the festive ceremonial dish version is moulded into a sharp cone called a ''tumpeng''. * {{listing|name=''Nasi liwet''|wikidata=Q6967048}}, white rice served with roughly shredded chicken, ''opor'' (coconut milk soup), eggs and other add-ons, including internal organs and quail eggs, traditionally served late at night. * {{listing|name=''Nasi Padang''|wikidata=Q17054040}}, white steamed rice served with numerous curries and other toppings, originally from [[Padang]] but assimilated throughout the country with lots of variations and adjustments to taste. * {{listing|name=''Nasi uduk''|wikidata=Q3236175}}, slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, eaten with topping (omelette, fried chicken, etc.); popular at breakfast. ''Bubur ayam'', ''lontong/ketupat sayur'', and also ''nasi kuning'' are usually available in the morning only. ===Noodles=== [[Image:Wonogiri-style noodle soup mie ayam.jpg|thumb|''Mie ayam bakso'', chicken noodles with beef balls.]] Noodles (''mi'' or ''mie'') come in a close second in the popularity contest. Most stalls nowadays offer '''''bakmi''''' or {{listing|name=''mie ayam''|wikidata=Q16765345}}, fresh noodles with shredded chicken and one kind of vegetable and cost Rp10,000. Every region has its own specialty of noodle dishes. * '''''Bihun''''', long, thin, white (poorer quality are blue), round rice flour noodles are usually fried or added to certain dishes. * '''''Kuetiaw/kwetiau/kway-tiau''''', flat rice noodles most commonly fried up with soy sauce, but can also be served in broth-based soups (less commonly). * '''''Pangsit''''', the Indonesia version of wonton, this Chinese "ravioli" pasta are stuffed with a bit of meat and are very soft, most often served fried in or with soup, or served "wet" in broth. * '''''So'un''''', long, thin, usually transparent (best quality), round vermicelli ("glass" or "bean thread" noodles) made of starch from beans, cassava and other sources are usually used in soups. ===Soups=== [[File:Pindang Patin Palembang 2.jpg|thumb|''Pindang patin'', a catfish sour soup]] Soups (''sop'') and watery curries are also common. Soup can be the main course, not just a starter: * {{listing|name=''Bakso''|wikidata=Q843795}} (BA'-so) — beef, chicken, fish, or prawn balls in broth with glass noodles. Bakso from [[Malang]] and [[Solo]] is very well-known in Indonesia. * '''''Lodeh''''' (LOH-day) — thin coconut milk broth. Usually vegetable-based, but ''lodeh tempe'' is also found. * {{listing|name=''Pindang''|wikidata=Q19738844}} — Indonesian fish soup, the technique is native to Sumatra especially in [[Palembang]], but has spread to Java and Kalimantan. In Maluku and Papua, there is a fish soup with turmeric called '''''ikan kuah kuning'''''. * {{listing|name=''Rawon''|wikidata=Q4200763}} (RAH-won) — spicy beef soup, coloured black by the ''keluak'' nut ''Pangium edule'', a speciality of [[East Java]]. * '''''Sayur asam''''' — from the Sundanese cuisine of [[West Java]]. Clear vegetable soup soured with ''asem Jawa'' (tamarind) and ''belimbing wuluh'' (a variety of starfruit ''Averrhoa bilimbi''). * '''''Sayur bening''''' — spinach and cubed chayote in clear broth. * {{listing|name=''Soto''|wikidata=Q5117388}} — Indonesian chicken or beef soup. Widely available, with many local variations. ===Main dishes=== [[Image:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|thumb|''Gudeg'', jackfruit stew served with an egg]] [[Image:IndonesianFood SapoTauhu.JPG|thumb|Chinese-style tofu and seafood ''sapo'' claypot]] [[Image:Mutton satay from H. Faqih, Jombang, 2017-09-19 02.jpg|thumb|''Sate kambing'', a goat satay dish]] Popular main dishes include: * {{listing|name=''Ayam bakar''|wikidata=Q16836241}}, grilled chicken. * '''''Ayam goreng''''', deep-fried chicken. * '''''Cap cay''''', Chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, usually with chicken, beef or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Gado-gado''|wikidata=Q209304}}, blanched vegetables with peanut sauce. The two version, ''gado-gado Betawi'' [[Jakarta]] and ''gado-gado [[Surabaya]]'' is very common dish. The difference is the vegetables they use and the ingredient of the peanut sauce. * {{listing|name=''Gudeg''|wikidata=Q980840}}, jackfruit stew from [[Yogyakarta]]. It always equipped with various kinds of side dishes, two of which are '''''sambal goreng krecek''''' (cow or buffalo skin in spicy chili paste sauce and '''''bacem''''' (traditional Javanese cooking method, egg, ''tempe'', or ''tahu'' boiled in coconut water mix with spices and brown sugar, then fried). * '''''Ikan bakar''''', grilled fish. * '''''Ketoprak''''', a vegetarian dish from Jakarta, mainly consists of ketupat, ''tahu'' (tofu), ''toge'' (beansprouts), peanut sauce; it is sometimes served with boiled or fried egg. The similar dish with ''petis'' (black coloured shrimp paste sauce) '''''tahu tek''''' or '''''tahu telor''''', also popular in East Java and Eastern Indonesia. * {{listing|name=''Pecel''|wikidata=Q5261363}}, a Javanese salad with peanut sauce. It is usually eaten with carbs (steamed rice, ''lontong'' or ''ketupat'') also '''''gorengan''''' (fritter) such as ''Bakwan sayur'', ''Tahu isi/tahu susur'' or ''Tempe mendoan''. * {{listing|name=''Pempek''|wikidata=Q4200659}} or ''empek-empek'' comes from [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]] and is made from ''ikan tenggiri'' (mackerel) and tapioca, with different shapes (''lenjer'', ''keriting''), some of which may contain an egg (''kapal selam''), some form of onion (''adaan'') or papaya (''pistel''), steamed and then deep-fried and served with chopped cucumbers in a sweet and spicy vinegar- and sugar-based sauce (''cuko''). Some recipes taste fishy while others are fresh. Beware ''pempek'' that is very cheaply priced - it probably has a disproportionate amount of tapioca and will be rubbery. Good pempek should be mildly crunchy outside and soft (but very slightly rubbery) inside, and the sauce's flavour should be able to soak into it after a while. * {{listing|name=''Perkedel''|wikidata=Q20128299}}, deep-fried patties of potato and meat or vegetables (adopted from the Dutch ''frikadel''). * {{listing|name=''Rendang''|wikidata=Q1520293}}, a spicy, dry coconut curry from Padang; the most famous type is beef rendang. * '''''Sapo''''', Chinese-style claypot stew, usually with tofu, vegetables and meat or seafood. * {{listing|name=''Siomay''|wikidata=Q7525342}}, an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling with vegetables served in peanut sauce. It can be combined with {{listing|name=''batagor''|wikidata=Q4868531}}. * {{listing|name=''Sate''|wikidata=Q209253}} (satay), grilled chicken, beef, goat or, rarely, lamb, horse, or rabbit on a skewer and served with sauce (several varieties, but peanut sauce is most common). The vegetarian version of satay is also common in Indonesia like ''sate jamur'' (oyster mushroom satay) and ''sate kere'' from ''gembus'' (Javanese dregs tofu). ===Condiments=== [[File:Cabe Rawit.JPG|thumb|Tiny but brutally hot ''cabe rawit'' chilis.]] [[File:ABC Sambal Asli.jpg|thumb|Sambal Asli ABC, a popular brand of ''saus sambal'', Indonesia's spicy answer to ketchup]] Chillies (''cabe'' or ''lombok'') are made into a vast variety of sauces and dips known as '''''sambal''''' and '''''saus sambal'''''. The simplest and perhaps most common is ''sambal ulek'' (also spelled ''oelek''), which is just chillies and salt with perhaps a dash of lime ground together using a mortar and pestle. There are many other kinds of ''sambal'' like ''sambal pecel'' (with ground peanuts), ''sambal terasi'' (with dried shrimp paste), ''sambal tumpeng'', ''sambal mangga'' (with mango strips), ''sambal hijau'' (using green chilli), ''sambal bajak'' (fried, usually with tomatoes), etc. Many of these can be ''very'' spicy indeed, so be careful if you're asked whether you would like your dish ''pedas'' (spicy). There may be a bottle of something that looks like ketchup on your table: this is Sambal ABC (''ah-beh-cheh''), one of the brands of ''saus sambal'', a fiery garlic and chilli sauce, or one of its many imitators (the real thing is branded ''Asli'', "Original"). Crackers known as '''''kerupuk''''' (''krupuk'' or ''keropok'', it's the same word spelled differently) accompany almost every meal and are a traditional snack too. They can be made from almost any grain, fruit, vegetable or seed imaginable, including many never seen outside Indonesia, but perhaps the most common are the thin, light pink, rectangular ''kerupuk udang'', made with dried shrimp, and the slightly bitter, small and thin, light yellow ''emping'', made from the nuts of the ''melinjo'' (Gnetum gnemon) fruit, as well as those made with cassava or fish, both of which are usually large, round or square and white or orange off-white, although smaller varieties exist with vivid colours like pink. Most ''kerupuk'' is fried in oil, but a machine has been devised that can instantly cook a chip with high heat. In a pinch, kerupuk that has been created by pouring the batter in a curly pattern can be soaked in broth to do double duty as noodles - a good way to make use of soggy krupuk. What North Americans call chips and others call crisps (not to be confused with '''''kentang goreng''''', or French fries) are '''''keripik''''' to Indonesians. Potato chips exist, but they play second fiddle to cassava chips, and you can also find chips made from other fruits and tubers, such as sweet potatoes and bananas. Keripik is not as commonly eaten as kerupuk, and it is best to eat both kinds immediately or store them in an airtight container as they readily absorb moisture in the air and become soggy. Sweet, vinegary pickled vegetables called '''acar''' ("ah-CHAR") are often served with certain dishes, especially noodles and soups. It almost always contains chopped-up cucumber, but may also have chili peppers, chopped carrots, and shallots in it. Typical condiments for ladling on yourself include sweet soy sauce ('''''kecap manis'''''), a sweetened aromatic soy sauce, originating in Indonesia, which has a darker color, a viscous syrupy consistency, and a molasses-like flavor due to the generous addition of palm sugar or jaggery. Each region has its specialty brand of ''kecap manis'' such as Mirama in [[Semarang]], Segi Tiga in [[Majalengka]], Siong Hin (SH) in [[Tangerang]], Zebra in [[Bogor]] etc. More or less, there are a hundred regional brands of ''kecap manis''. The other condiments are salty soy sauce (''kecap asin''), and ''cuka'' (vinegar). If you're looking for Western tomato sauce, you can try asking for ''saus tomat'', available at the convenience store or mini-mart. ===Desserts=== [[File:Martabak manis complit.jpg|thumb|300px|Martabak manis|alt=Martabak manis complit.jpg]] Dessert in the Western sense is not common in Indonesia, but there are plenty of snacks to tickle your sweet tooth. '''''Kue''''' covers a vast array of cakes and certain pastries made from coconut, rice or wheat flour and sugar. Colourful, sweet, and often dry and a little bland, they're meant to be eaten with tea or coffee. '''''Kue kering''''' usually refers to biscuits and come in a vast variety. '''''Roti''''' (bread) and western-style cakes have gained popularity, mostly in large cities, but traditional and Dutch breads and pastries are available in many bakeries and supermarkets. Some popular traditional desserts include: * {{listing|name=''Bika Ambon''|wikidata=Q4907305}}, a somewhat pleasantly rubbery yeast-raised cake from Medan that has an enjoyably aromatic taste. * '''''Cantik manis''''', sweetened firm rice flour pudding with colourful balls of tapioca and some people like to eat Javanese (block) sugar by itself. its texture and flavour make it enjoyable for many. * {{listing|name=''Kue leker''|wikidata=Q7377183}}, a type of Indonesian crepe, made with wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. * {{listing|name=''Klepon''|wikidata=Q5262436}}, a Javanese favourite, balls of rice flour filled with liquified Javanese sugar and coated with shredded coconut. * '''''Lapis legit''''', an egg-based cake of many thin layers, often flavoured with certain spices. * '''''Martabak manis''''' aka '''''kue Bandung''''' or '''''terang bulan''''', yeast-raised flat bread cooked fresh and with chocolate, cheese, nuts, or any combination of the three. Not to be confused with the savory Indian ''murtabak''. * {{listing|name=''Naga sari''|wikidata=Q4189615}} (lit.: the essence of dragon), banana inside of firm rice flour pudding that has been steamed in banana leaves. * '''''Pisang goreng''''', batter-fried banana. * '''''Pisang molen''''', the banana version of pigs in a blanket. * '''''Puding''''', a pudding made firm with agar-agar and served with ''vla'' poured over it, which is a sauce. * {{listing|name=''Pukis''|wikidata=Q19944109}}, like a half-pancake with various toppings already added. Some cakes and pastries here may be served with sweetened meat floss (''abon'') or a liberal dose of shredded cheese, and one favourite during Ramadan is the Dutch ''kaastengels'', a rectangular cheese-flavoured cookie that is only slightly sweet. Due to the hot climate, various desserts based on ice (''es'') are very popular. Avoid stores that are not clearly using commercially packaged ice. * '''''Es buah''''', "fruit ice", is shredded ice mixed with fruits and sometimes sweet potatoes or nuts and topped with coconut cream or condensed milk. * {{listing|name=''Es campur''|wikidata=Q4201778}}, "mixed ice", is much the same but with ingredients like red beans, grass jelly, coconut, and more. * '''''Es cao''''' or '''''cincau''''', an iced of black or green grass jelly. * '''''Es cendol''''' or '''''dawet''''', an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. * {{listing|name=''Es puter''|wikidata=Q19725637}} is traditional Indonesian ice cream, made from coconut milk and flavored with anything from chocolate to durians. * {{listing|name=''Es teler''|wikidata=Q5396648}} is an Indonesian fruit cocktail. Avocado, coconut meat, grass jelly, jackfruit, and other fruits are served with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and pandanus leaf. The most famous chain of ''es teler'' is Es Teler 77. * '''''Rujak es krim''''', [[Yogyakarta]] ice cream with '''''rujak''''' (sliced of fruits in a sweet, sour, and spicy sambal). ===Fruit=== Perhaps the cheapest, tastiest and healthiest option, though, is to buy some unprepared '''''buah segar''''' (fresh fruit) with rotating variations throughout the year. Popular options include '''''mangga''''' (mango), '''''pepaya''''' (papaya), '''''pisang''''' (banana), '''''apel''''' (apple), '''''kiwi''''' (kiwi fruit), '''''belimbing''''' (starfruit), '''''semangka''''' (watermelon), '''''melon''''' (honeydew melon) and '''''jambu biji''''' (guava), but more exotic options you're unlikely to see outside Southeast Asia include the scaly-skinned crisp '''''salak''''' (snakefruit), '''''jambu air''''' (rose apple), '''''duku''''' (lanzones), '''''gandaria''''' (plum mango), '''''rambutan''''' (Nephelium lappaceum fruit, whose name aptly means "the hairy one"), the ball-shaped '''''markisa''''' (fresh passionfruit, much larger than the sad, wrinkly specimens seen in the West) and the Queen of Fruits, the incomparably tasty '''''manggis''''' (mangosteen). Probably the most infamous Indonesian fruit, though, is the '''''durian'''''. Named after the Indonesian word for ''thorn'', it resembles an armor-plated coconut larger than a human head, and it has a powerful odour often likened to rotting garbage or the smell used in natural gas. Inside is yellow creamy flesh, which has a unique sweet, custardy, avocadoey taste and texture. It's prohibited in most hotels and taxis but can be found in traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants. Don't panic - it's just a fruit, even if it does look like a spiked fragmentation bomb. The durian has three cousins, all seasonally available. * '''''cempedak''''' (Artocarpus integer fruit), very similar to jackfruit but the flesh is a darker, near-orange colour. * '''''nangka''''' (jackfruit), the world's largest fruit, which can easily grow to be over 20 kg. Looks similar to the durian, but has a sweet, candy-like flavour and no offensive smell, and the unripe fruit is used in the famous Yogyakartan ''gudeg'' curry. Due to the enormous size, often sold already peeled. * '''''sukun''''' (breadfruit), rounder and less scaly, usually cut and fried to be eaten for a snack. Tastes like jackfruit but smells weakly like durian, usually no longer than 30 cm. <gallery mode=packed> Salak 53674922 74b687a382 o d.jpg|Snakefruit (''salak'') Rambutan_Binjai_Pasar_Baru_Jakarta.JPG|Rambutan for sale Mangosteens - whole and opened.jpg|Mangosteen (''manggis'') Durian in black.jpg |Durian JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg|Peeling jackfruit </gallery> ==Regional cuisines== While Javanese food is predominant on the main islands, there are many regional cuisines to explore. They're covered in detail in the regional articles linked below, but here's a quick overview. ===Acehnese=== [[File:Ayam Tangkap.jpg|thumb|''Ayam tangkap'']] The foods from [[Aceh]] province. *'''''Ayam tangkap''''', Acehnese cuisine is made from fried chicken with special herbs and spices. *{{listing|name=''Mie Aceh''|wikidata=Q4208154}}, an Acehnese curried spicy noodle dish. The thick yellow noodle is served with slices of beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, and seafood, such as shrimp or crab. *'''''Mie caluk''''', a noodle dish which is commonly found in traditional markets and food courts in Pidie Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency. It is a noodle dish served with a splash of thick spicy sauce made from a mixture of tomato, chili pepper or chili sauce, coconut milk, ground peanuts, spiced with shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus leaf, and served with pieces of vegetables, sliced cucumber, and ''krupuk'' (crackers). *'''''Sate gurita''''', an octopus satay of [[Sabang (Indonesia)|Sabang]]. *'''''Sie reuboh''''', made from beef or buffalo stew that is only seasoned with shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, red chilies, and pepper. ===Balinese=== [[File:Babi Guling-Roast suckling pig-01.jpg|thumb|Roast suckling pig (''babi guling'') in Bali]] {{main|Bali#Eat}} Hindu [[Bali]] does not have the Muslim taboo against pigs, so '''pork''' is very popular on the island. * '''''Babi guling''''', roast suckling pig, hugely popular and very tasty. * '''''Betutu''''', a Balinese dish of steamed or roasted chicken or duck in rich spices. * '''''Lawar''''', "salads" of chopped coconut, garlic, and chili pepper, often with pork or chicken meat or blood mixed in. * '''''Rujak kuah pindang''''', slices of fruits smothered in a broth made from fish, salt, shrimp paste, and chili. * '''''Sate lilit''''', the Balinese spin on satay, using minced meat pressed onto lemongrass skewers. * '''''Tipat cantok''''', boiled vegetables and ''ketupat'' (rice cake), served with peanut sauce. * '''''Tum ayam''''', spiced steamed chicken in banana leaf. ===Banjarese=== [[File:Soto Banjar Bang Amat.jpg|thumb|''Soto Banjar'' in [[Banjarmasin]]]] You may see Banjarese cuisine in [[South Kalimantan]]. *'''''Mandai''''', a Banjarese side dish of fried ''cempedak'' fruit skin. *'''''Mie bancir''''', This noodle is named so because the presentation is not dry and not too wet and is topped with chicken meat, pond duck eggs, and ''limau kuit'', a citrus which are typical of South Kalimantan. *'''''Nasi kuning haruan''''', a yellow-coloured rice with snakehead fish in '''''masak habang''''' (Banjarese red sauce). *'''''Soto Banjar''''', a typical Banjarese chicken soto. ===Batak=== [[File:Arsik Ikan Mas 1.jpg|thumb|Carp ''Arsik'']] [[North Sumatra]] is a home of Batak cuisine. *'''''Arsik''''', a Batak style spicy fish dish. *'''''Dali Ni Horbo''''', a dish made from water buffalo milk. *'''''Mie gomak''''', a Batak thick spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth, the specialty of Toba Batak region of North Sumatra. *'''''Na Niura''''', the complete raw fish is served with condiments, so that would make the fish feel better without cooking, which means that the spices that are cooked goldfish. *'''''Ombus-ombus''''', a North Tapanuli dish of cakes made of rice flour was given sugar in the center and wrapped in banana leaves. *'''''Sambal tuktuk''''', a traditional hot and spicy condiment typically served in Batak cuisine. ===Betawi=== Jakarta was once known as ''Batavia'', so Betawi cuisine originates from [[Greater Jakarta]]. ====Rice==== [[File:Nasi Kebuli Jakarta.JPG|thumb|''Nasi kebuli'']] * '''''Nasi kebuli''''', an Arab-Betawi dish. This rice is cooked with mutton broth, goat's milk and ghee, served with fried mutton and sometimes sprinkled with sliced ​​dates or raisins. * '''''Nasi ulam''''', steamed rice served with various herbs and vegetables. The herbs are being used especially the leaves of ''pegagan'' (Centella asiatica). Served with various side dishes such as ''dendeng'' beef jerky and omelette. ====Noodles==== * '''''Mie juhi''''', native noodle dish of Betawi, noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce. * '''''Mie kangkung''''', a Chinese-Betawi dish. Noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce. ====Soups==== * '''''Gabus pucung''''', snakehead fish (''gabus'') flavored with fermented black ''keluwek'' nuts. * '''''Soto Betawi''''', beef offal soup with diced tomatoes and slices of fried potato. ===Buginese and Makassarese=== [[File:Sop Konro.JPG|thumb|''Konro'' in [[Makassar]]]] Buginese and Makassarese cuisine is a common daily meal in [[South Sulawesi]]. *'''''Barongko''''', a mashed banana mixed with eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and salt then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. *'''''Coto''''', a spiced beef soup. *'''''Es pisang ijo''''', a cold banana wrapped in green dough dessert. *'''''Jalangkote''''', fried dumpling stuffed with rice vermicelli, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs. The spicy, sweet, and sour sauce will be dipped into prior to be eaten. *'''''Konro''''', a rib of beef dish. *'''''Mie kering Makassar''''', a Chinese-Makassarese cuisine, a type of dried noodle served with thick gravy and sliced chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, liver, and squid. ===Javanese=== [[File:Mie Kopyok Semarang.jpg|thumb|''Mie kopyok'']] Although Javanese cuisine already exists in almost all parts of Indonesia, there are Javanese dishes that are only available on the island of Java such as [[Central Java]] and [[East Java]] which are typical foods of each cities. ====Rice==== * '''''Lontong balap''''', made of lontong (pressed rice cake), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce. It is served with clam satay. You can find this dish in [[Surabaya]]. * '''''Nasi krawu''''', a delicacy of Gresik, [[East Java]]. The rice served with banana leaves and its side dishes are beef cutlets, beef stews, beef offal, sambal petis and serundeng. ====Noodles==== * {{listing|name=''Mie kopyok''|wikidata=Q19746254}}, boiled noodles served in garlic soup, slices of fried tofu, lontong, bean sprouts, and crushed of kerupuk gendar, sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, and fried shallot. It is served with kecap manis on top. It is specialty from [[Semarang]]. ====Seafood==== * '''''Kare rajungan''''', a blue crab curry soup. The specialty of Tuban, East Java. ===Maluku=== [[File:Maluku dishes.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A set of Maluku dishes, ''Ikan kuah kuning'', ''papeda'', ''sambal colo-colo'', and ''ikan bakar'']] Maluku cuisine usually is dominated by seafood because of the abundance of seafood there. *'''''Gohu ikan''''', a local ''sashimi'' of [[Ternate]]. a cubed tuna or skipjack, salt, lime, basil, hot cooking oil mixed in a raw state. *'''''Ikan kuah kuning''''', a saltwater fish in a yellow soup. *'''''Nasi kelapa''''', a rice dish with grated coconut mixed with chillies, shallots, and orange juice. *'''''Papeda''''', a congee made from sago starch, eaten with ikan kuah kuning. *'''''Sambal colo-colo''''', fresh raw sambal of bird's eye chili, shallots, red tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar, mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui and basil. *'''''Tumis bia''''', a spicy stir-fried sea snail. ===Minahasan=== {{main|Manado#Eat}} [[File:Tinutuan bubur Manado.JPG|thumb|''Tinutuan'']] Minahasan cuisine hails from [[Manado]] in [[North Sulawesi]], and is also known as Manado or Manadonese. A Christian stronghold, the Minahasa are famous for two things: extreme amounts of chilli and other spices, and eating unusual bushmeat including fruit bats (''paniki'') and dog meat (''rintek wuuk''). Classic dishes include: * '''''Ayam rica-rica''''', chicken with murderously spicy red chilli sauce * '''''Sambal dabu-dabu''''', a type of spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu consists of diced red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt, sugar, and mixed with fresh calamansi juice. * '''''Tinutuan''''', a goopy but tasty porridge of rice, pumpkin and vegetables. The tinutuan is added a yellow noodle called '''''miedal'''''. * '''''Woku''''', an Indonesian type of bumbu (spice mixture) found in Manado cuisine. Almost any kind of meat, poultry, and seafood can be made as a woku dish. The most common and popular are '''''ayam woku''''' (chicken woku) and '''''kakap woku''''' (red snapper woku). ===Minang=== [[File:Minangkabau cuisine Bukittingi.jpg|thumb| Various kinds of Minang dishes]] Minang or Minangkabau cuisine also known as Padang cuisine is originating from [[West Sumatra]]. * '''''Ayam pop''''', Padang style chicken. The dish contains skinless pale fried chicken that has been boiled or steamed prior to frying. * '''''Balado''''', a type of hot and spicy bumbu (spice mixture) found in Minang cuisine. Balado sauce is made by stir-frying ground red hot chili pepper with other spices including garlic, shallot, tomato, and kaffir lime (leaves, fruit, or both) in coconut or palm oil. * '''''Dendeng batokok''''', thin crispy beef. * '''''Gulai''''', a type of food containing rich, spicy and succulent curry-like sauce. * '''''Itiak lado mudo''''', processed duck meat and special spices and then mixed with curly green chili that has been ground. * '''''Nasi Kapau''''', a Minangkabau steamed rice topped with various choices of dishes originated from Nagari Kapau, [[Bukittinggi]]. * '''''Lemang''''', a Minangkabau traditional food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. * '''''Tambusu''''', the beef intestines are filled with eggs and tofu. ===Nusa Tenggara=== [[File:Pelecing kangkung.JPG|thumb|''Plecing kangkung'']] [[Nusa Tenggara]] has a lot of specialty dishes among the islands. * '''''Ayam Taliwang''''', a spicy Indonesian ayam bakar (grilled chicken) dish. Often considered [[Lombok]]'s top dish, but actually hails from the town of [[Taliwang]] in neighboring [[Sumbawa]]. * '''''Plecing kangkung''''', an Indonesian spicy water spinach dish from the island of [[Lombok]]. ''Plecing kangkung'' is made from blanched water spinach leaves and served cold with ''plecing'' sambal made from ground red chili pepper, shallot, garlic, bird's eye chili, candlenut, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, salt, and sugar. * '''''Se'i''''', a slice of Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, [[West Timor]], East Nusa Tenggara. It may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork (''se'i babi''), beef (''se'i sapi'') or game animals such as venison (''se'i rusa'') as common offerings. It is served with specialty condiment called '''''sambal lu'at'''''. * '''''Singang''''', a typical [[Sumbawa]] fish soup. ===Palembangese=== [[File:Tekwan.JPG|thumb|''Tekwan'']] Besides ''pempek'', which is well known throughout Indonesia, there are several other Palembangese foods that are worth trying. * '''''Kue srikaya''''', sweet green pandan cake. * '''''Lenggang''''', the dough of sago flour and fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then burned. * '''''Mie celor''''', noodle soup dish served in a coconut milk and shrimp-based broth, specialty of [[Palembang]] city. * '''''Tekwan''''', a Palembangese fish cake soup. ===Papuan=== [[File:Bersama Bakar Batu.jpg|thumb|Traditional method of cooking called ''Bakar batu'']] [[Papua]]n food revolves around a Melanesian diet of boar, sweet potato and taro cooked in some hot stones called '''''Barapen''''' or '''''Bakar batu'''''. It can be found in the highlands of Papua. In lowland and coastal areas, freshwater and marine products are the main food. *'''''Abon gulung''''', rolls with ''abon'' (floss) in the middle. A delicacy of Manokwari city. *'''''Keladi tumbuk''''', boiled taro then pounded until smooth. It is served with ferns, papaya flowers, smoked fish, and sambal. *'''''Keripik keladi''''', a sweet and spicy taro chips from [[Sorong]]. *'''''Kue lontar''''', a condensed milk pie. *'''''Sate rusa''''', a deer satay, specialty of Merauke city. *'''''Udang selingkuh''''', a crayfish dish in [[Baliem Valley]]. *'''''Ulat sagu''''', raw sago caterpillar. ===Riau Malay=== [[File:Resep Mie Lendir Kuliner Khas Batam.jpg|thumb|''Mie lendir'' in [[Batam]]]] *'''''Gulai ikan patin''''', a catfish curry soup. ====Noodles==== *'''''Mie lendir''''', has a thick brown sauce, this sauce is mixed with several ingredients such as peanuts and sweet potatoes which are the basic ingredients in the sauce. *'''''Mie sagu''''', a noodle dish made from sago starch. *'''''Mie tarempa''''', The food was discovered in the Anambas Island Regency. Mie tarempa is unique for its reddish looks, optional choice of meat, and wide and chewy noodles. The taste of the dish can be described as a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy. ===Sundanese=== [[Image:NasiTimbelAyamPenyet.JPG|thumb|[[West Java|Sundanese]] ''nasi timbel'' (rice in banana leaf) with ''ayam penyet'' ("smashed" fried chicken), ''sambal'' chili sauce and ''lalapan'' fresh veggies]] {{main|West Java#Eat}} '''Sundanese cuisine''' originates from [[West Java]], but can be found nationwide. It's characterized by heavy use of raw vegetables, which are rarely seen elsewhere in the archipelago. Key dishes include: * '''''Cilok''''', a Sundanese snack, ball-shaped dumpling made from aci (tapioca starch). * '''''Karedok''''', similar to gado-gado, but the vegetables are finely chopped and mostly raw. * '''''Lalap''''', raw vegetables dipped in sambal. * '''''Mie kocok''''', a beef noodle soup. The dish consists of noodles served in rich beef consommé soup, ''kikil'' (beef tendon or slices of cow's trotters), bean sprouts, and ''bakso'' (beef meatball), kaffir lime juice, and sprinkled with sliced fresh celery, scallion, and fried shallot. * '''''Nasi timbel''''', white steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a common accompaniment to [[West Java|Sundanese]] food. * '''''Nasi tutug oncom''''', rice mixed with oncom fermented beans. * '''''Sate maranggi''''', a beef satay served with raw sambal of tomato, chilli, shallot, and lime. ==Drink== [[File:IndonesianFood JusAlpokat.JPG|thumb|Avocado juice (''jus alpokat'') with a squirt of chocolate syrup or condensed chocolate milk]] Quite a few Indonesians believe that cold drinks are unhealthy, so specify ''dingin'' when ordering if you prefer your water, bottled tea or beer cold, rather than at room temperature. ===Juices=== Fruit juices &mdash; prefixed by ''jus'' for plain juice, ''panas'' for heated (usually only citrus drinks), or ''es'' if served with ice (not to be confused with the dessert ''es buah''); are popular with Indonesians and visitors alike. Just about every Indonesian tropical fruit can be juiced. ''Jus alpukat'', found only in Indonesia, is a tasty drink made from avocados, usually with some condensed chocolate milk or, at more expensive places, chocolate syrup poured around the inside of the glass prior to filling it. For a total refreshment, you can try ''air kelapa'' (coconut water), easily found at virtually every beach in the country. Some juices have become special region beverages like [[Medan]]'s ''Jus martabe'' made from tamarillo and passion fruit also [[Ambon]]'s ''Jus gandaria'' made from plum-mango. Still, in [[Depok]], there are juices for food souvenirs that are ''jus belimbing'' (starfruit juice), ''jus lidah buaya'' (aloe vera juice), and ''jus rumput laut'' (seaweed juice). It is very common to mix some fruits and vegetables into a single drink. ===Coffee=== [[File:Kopi Luwak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|''Kopi luwak'' beans being dried in the sun]] Indonesians drink both ''kopi'' (coffee) at least as long as they have had vast quantities of sugar added in. An authentic cup of coffee, known as ''kopi tubruk'', is strong and sweet, but let the grounds settle to the bottom of the cup before you drink it. Some coffee beans are named after areas and have different tastes, those are: ====Bali==== *'''''Kopi Kintamani''''' ====Java==== *'''''Kopi Garut Cibeureum''''' *'''''Kopi Ijen Raung''''' *'''''Kopi Muria''''' *'''''Kopi Temanggung''''' *'''''Kopi Wonosobo Bowongso''''' ====Nusa Tenggara==== *'''''Kopi Flores Bajawa''''' ====Papua==== *'''''Kopi Moanemani''''' *'''''Kopi Wamena''''' ====Sulawesi==== *'''''Kopi Toraja''''' ====Sumatra==== *'''''Kopi Aceh Gayo''''' *'''''Kopi Bengkulu''''' *'''''Kopi Lampung''''' *'''''Kopi Mandailing''''' *'''''Kopi Sidikalang''''' No travel guide would be complete without mentioning the infamous '''''kopi luwak''''', coffee made from coffee fruit which has been eaten, the beans partially digested and then excreted by the ''luwak'' (palm civet), but even in Indonesia this is an exotic delicacy costing upwards of Rp200,000 for a small pot of brew. However, conservationists advise against this drink due to the cruel conditions in which many of the civet cats are kept. But now many stalls in the shopping malls serve up to 20 combinations of coffee beans and produce with grinding and coffee maker for less than Rp20,000, but be ready to stand when you drink it. [[File:Es kopi susu kekinian di Yogyakarta, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Es kopi susu gula aren'' in [[Yogyakarta|Jogja]]]] There are numerous regional coffee drinks around Indonesia such as: *'''''Es kopi susu gula aren''''', an iced milk coffee with palm sugar. *'''''Kopi dabe''''', a coffee boiled with cloves, nutmeg, pandan, and cinnamon in a clay pot. A [[Tidore]] drink. *'''''Kopi jahe''''', a coffee with ginger. *'''''Kopi joss''''', [[Yogyakarta]] coffee drink with hot charcoal. *'''''Kopi khop''''', the coffee is served in a glass that is placed upside down on a small plate and drunk by sipping or sucking the coffee liquid in the small plate until leaving the coffee grounds in the upside-down glass. An [[Aceh]] specialty. *'''''Kopi pala''''', a coffee drink with nutmeg become specialty from [[Banda Islands]]. *'''''Kopi rarobang''''', a coffee drink from [[Ambon]]. A coffee mixed with white ginger, honey, and walnuts. *'''''Kopi takar''''', In [[North Sumatra]], precisely at Mandhailing Natal, you can enjoy a coffee with palm sugar served with coconut shells. This black coffee is also given cinnamon which is usually used for sipping coffee. ===Tea=== [[Image:Tehbotol.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Tehbotol Sosro, Indonesia's answer to Coca-Cola]] Tea (''teh'') is also quite popular among Indonesian because there are a lot of tea plantations around the country like in Java, Sumatra, and a small part of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Every food stall always serves tea in hot or iced. Besides common ice or hot tea, there are some tea drinks in Indonesia: *'''''Teh hijau''''', a green tea. *'''''Teh hitam''''', a black tea. *'''''Teh merah''''', a red tea. It is produced in [[West Java]]. *'''''Teh poci''''', a tea specially brewed in clay pots and cups. This drink is added with rock sugar and drunk hot. You can easily find it in [[Tegal]]. *'''''Teh putih''''', a white tea. *'''''Teh serai''''', a tea drink with lemongrass. *'''''Teh susu''''', a milk tea. There are two versions, use fresh milk or condensed milk. *'''''Teh talua''''', a drink from [[West Sumatra]] made from tea powder, raw egg, sugar, and citrus. The Coke-like glass bottles '''''Teh botol''''' of the '''Sosro''' brand of sweet bottled tea and cartons and bottles of '''''Fruit Tea''''' are ubiquitous with various flavours of fruits, as is '''''Tebs''''', a carbonated tea. In shopping areas, you can often find vendors selling freshly poured large cups of tea, often jasmines, such as 2Tang or the stronger Tong Tji jasmine, fruit, and lemon teas for as little as Rp2,000. ===''Jamu''=== [[File:Jamu Beras Kencur (Keras).jpg|thumb|''Beras kencur'']] The label '''''jamu''''' covers a vast range of local medicinal drinks for various diseases. Jamu are available in ready-to-drink form, in powder sachets or capsules, or sold by women walking around with a basket of bottles wrapped to them by a colourful length of Batik ''kain'' (cloth). Most of them are bitter or sour and drunk for the supposed effect, not the taste. Famous brands of jamu include '''Iboe''', '''Sido Muncul''', '''Jago''', and '''Nyonya Meneer'''; avoid buying jamu from the street as the water quality is dubious. Some well-known jamu include: * '''''Beras kencur''''' (from rice, sand ginger and brown sugar) &mdash; cough, fatigue. * '''''Galian singset''''' &mdash; weight reduction. * '''''Gula asem''''' (from tamarind and brown sugar) &mdash; rich in vitamin C. * '''''Kunyit asam''''' (from tamarind, turmeric) &mdash; for skin care, canker sores. * '''''Temulawak''''' (from curcuma) &mdash; for liver disease. Chase a sour or bitter jamu with ''beras kencur'', which has a taste slightly reminiscent of anise. If you'd like a ''semeriwing'' (cooling) effect, request ''kapu laga'' (cardamom) or, for heating, add ginger. ===Traditional drinks=== ''Wedang'' means "drinks brewed with hot water" in Indonesian. [[File:Bandrek Bandung.JPG|thumb|''Bandrek'' in [[Bandung]]]] * '''''Air guraka''''', [[Ternate]] hot drink made from ginger, brown sugar, and walnut. * '''''Bajigur''''', made from coffee, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk, sugar palm fruit, and vanillin. * '''''Bandrek''''', made from brown sugar, ginger, pandanus (aka screwpine) leaf, coconut meat, clove bud, salt, cinnamon, and coffee. * '''''Cinna-Ale''''', made from cinnamon, ginger, tamarind, sand ginger, and 13 other spices. * '''''Cendol''''' or '''''Dawet''''', made from rice flour, sago palm flour, pandanus leaf, salt, food colouring additives in a coconut milk and Javanese sugar liquid. * '''''Es kuwut''''', a drink from [[Bali]], made from coconut, citrus, honeydew, and ''selasih'' (basil seeds). * '''''Es lidah buaya''''', a drink from [[West Kalimantan]], made from aloe vera, French basil, Javanese black jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandanus leaf, and sugar. * '''''Es selendang mayang''''', a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice. * '''''Ronde''''', made from ginger, powdered glutinous rice, peanut, salt, and sugar. * '''''Saraba''''', the hot drink is made from ginger water mixed with brown sugar, eggs, and milk or coconut milk stew. Specialty from [[Makassar]]. * '''''STMJ''''', a hot drink made from milk, raw egg, honey, and ginger. * '''''Wedang kacang tanah''''', peanut hot drink from [[Semarang]]. * '''''Wedang sekoteng''''', made from ginger, green pea, peanut, pomegranate, milk, sugar, and salt. * '''''Wedang serbat''''', made from star anise, cardamon, tamarind, ginger, and sugar. * '''''Wedang uwuh''''', made from herbs and sappanwood. A "Red" wedang is common in [[Central Java]]. ===Alcohol=== [[File:Bintang Beer by the Beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bintang Beer is Indonesia's most famous beer brand.]] Islam is the religion of the majority of Indonesians, but alcohol is widely available in most areas, especially in upscale restaurants and bars. Public displays of drunkenness are strongly frowned upon and in the larger cities are likely to make you a victim of crime or get you arrested by police. Do not drive if you are drunk. The legal drinking age is 21 and supermarkets have begun enforcing ID checks for alcohol purchases. In staunchly Islamic areas such as [[Aceh]] alcohol is banned and those caught with alcohol can be caned. Indonesia's most popular tipple is '''[http://www.multibintang.co.id/ Bintang]''' ''bir'' (beer), a standard-issue lager available more or less everywhere, although the locals like theirs lukewarm. Other popular beers include '''[http://www.balihaibeer.com/ Bali Hai]''' and '''[http://www.deltajkt.co.id/web/index2.php?mod=products Anker] {{dead link|December 2020}}'''. In mid-April 2015, supermarkets and mini markets across Indonesia are "clean", meaning they no longer sell alcoholic drinks. However, cafes, bars and restaurants with appropriate licenses can continue to sell alcoholic drinks, including hard liquor. Tourist areas are exempted at the discretion of each regent and mayor, who can decide which area with small vendors or 'warung' can serve/sell 1-5% alcohol drinks. They can cost as much as Rp50,000 in a fancy bar, but a more usual bar/restaurant price for Bintang is Rp25,000-35,000 for a big 0.65&nbsp;litre bottle. Wine is expensive and only available in expensive restaurants and bars in large hotels. Although you can still find some wines in the big supermarkets within some big malls in big cities. Almost all of it is imported, but there are a few local vintners of varying quality on [[Bali]] whose wine is cheaper. 30 percent of alcohol drinks are imported and new taxation scheme of imported alcohol drinks are 150 percent of base price and 90 percent of base price for imported beers. Various traditional alcoholic drinks are also available: * '''''Arak''''' &mdash; the distilled version of ''tuak'', up to 40%. * '''''Brem''''' &mdash; [[Bali]]nese-style sweet glutinous rice wine. * '''''Tuak''''' &mdash; sugar palm wine (15% alcohol). Exercise some caution in choosing what and where to buy &mdash; homemade moonshine may contain all sorts of nasty impurities. In May 2009, 23 people, including four tourists, were killed by adulterated, or possibly inadvertently contaminated illicitly-supplied arak distributed in Java, Bali and Lombok. In many other cases, tourists have been blinded or killed by methanol in drinks. If you want to save money in Indonesia, don't do it by buying the cheapest alcohol you can find. Buying it at supermarkets would usually be the safest option. ==Restaurants== Many food stalls are easy to find, from big cities to sub-districts or villages with the majority of the menu being rice with vegetables and protein side dishes. Also, mineral water, tea, lemonade, or instant coffee have become a standard drink in the food stall. ===Type of restaurants=== There are '''travelling vendors''' who carry a basket of pre-prepared food (usually women), or who carry two small wooden cabinets on a bamboo stick (usually men), who may serve light snacks or even simple meals, some of which are very cheap and enjoyable. Other travelling vendors use pedaled rickshaws and pushed food carts. [[File:Lesehan Malioboro Yogyakarta.jpg|thumb|A ''lesehan'' style of ''kaki lima'']] The fastest way to grab a bite is to visit a '''kaki lima''', literally "five feet". Depending on whom you ask, they're named either after the mobile stalls' three wheels plus the owner's two feet, or the "five-foot way" pavements. These can be found by the side of the road in any Indonesian city, town or village, usually offering up simple fares like fried rice, noodles, meatball soup, siomay (dimsum) and porridge. At night, a kaki lima can turn into a ''lesehan'' (sitting on the floor with mat and table) eatery simply by providing some bamboo mats or carpet for customers to sit on and chat, but they may provide plastic stools or even benches, and tables. A step up from the kaki lima is the '''warung''' (or the old spelling waroeng), a slightly less mobile stall offering much the same food, but perhaps a few plastic stools and a tarp for shelter. Some warung are permanent structures. [[File:Sebuah restoran Padang di Jakarta.jpg|thumb|Artfully stacked bowls in the window are a sure sign of a ''nasi padang'' restaurant]] A rather more comfortable option is the '''rumah makan''' (lit: eating house), a basic restaurant more often than not specializes in a certain cuisine. Padang restaurants, easily identified by their soaring Minangkabau roofs, typically offer rice and an array of curries and dishes to go along with it. Ordering is particularly easy: just sit down, and your table will promptly fill up with countless small plates of dishes. Eat what you want and pay for what you eat. Buffets (prasmanan or buffet) and steam-boat restaurants are self-service choices, but the former should be approached warily (see above). Another easy mid-range option in larger cities is to look out for food courts (known there as '''Pujasera''', short for Pusat Jajanan Serba Ada, which translates to All-in-one snack center in English) and Indonesian restaurants in shopping malls, which combine air conditioning with hygienic if rather predictable/boring food. A '''restoran''' indicates more of a Western-style eating experience, with air conditioners, table cloths, table service, and prices to match. Especially in Jakarta and Bali, it's possible to find very good restaurants offering authentic fare from around the world, but you'll be lucky to escape for under Rp100,000 a head. ===Chains=== Most chain restaurants in Indonesia have ample seating areas. Most offer meals set, so it is one of the cheapest (and most often, also the cleanest) option. Famous chains to look for: *'''Hoka Hoka Bento''' (also known as Hokben) offers Japanese-style fast food. (And no, there is no Hoka Hoka Bento in Japan!). You can get rice with teriyaki and fried chicken, egg roll, or shrimp for about Rp50,000 or less, plus a drink, salad, and miso soup. *'''Bakmi GM''' is famous for its ubiquitous types of noodle entrées (including its very own special version of noodle dish) and its fried wontons (pangsit goreng), although it also offers dishes of rice. A good meal usually costs Rp50,000 or less. *'''Es Teler 77''' is one of the oldest fast food chains in Indonesia, in business since 1982, and has more than 200 outlets throughout Indonesia. Offers Indonesian dishes such as '''bakso''', and as its name suggests, '''es teler'''. Dishes cost about Rp50,000 (incl. Food + Drinks). *Indonesia's '''Pizza Hut''' restaurants look like more of a fine dining option rather than a fast food franchise like its original location, the United States. The pizzas have more generous types of toppings and crust, and also more options for sides & pasta. It is also famous for its waitresses or waiters who would make miniatures from balloons to children. In addition, also operates a separate business unit called '''PHD''' (Pizza Hut Delivery) with its own menu exclusive for delivery in selected cities. *'''Kebab Turki Baba Rafi''' is the world's largest kebab restaurant chain. The kebabs, shawarma, hot dogs, and fries are very affordable for a quick meal. It can usually be found as food court stalls. *Most imported minimart stores such as '''FamilyMart''', '''Circle K''' and '''Lawson''' provide prepared meals that the staff can heat for you, in addition to the usual groceries you typically find, for less than Rp30,000. Local chains such as '''Indomaret''' and '''Alfamart''' have a lot more branches but are more like a typical minimart. At best it provides bread or salad as a prepared meal, though nowadays both Indomaret and Alfamart are stepping up their quality to provide similar services as the imported convenience stores. *'''Transmart''' or '''Lotte Mart''' supermarkets have areas for products such as bakery & snacks, but most people will do a takeaway instead of a dine-in although some seating is available. American fast food franchises McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, or A&W also maintain their presence in just about every mall in Indonesia. Other chains from around the globe, such as the world-famous '''Yoshinoya''', can be found in more upscale malls. ===Ordering=== Outside the touristy bits of Bali, a typical Indonesian menu is a sparse affair listing the name of the dish, the price and nothing else. Street stalls tend to specialize quite narrowly and the menu is often just a single dish, whose name is painted onto the stall itself. Learning some basic food terms like such as ''goreng'' (deep-fried or stir-fried), ''bakar'' (grilled), ''rebus'' (boiled), ''kuah'' (in gravy), ''mi or mie'' (noodle) will take you a long way. At almost all Indonesian restaurants you can just sit down and a waiter will come take your order. You can order dishes simply by pointing at them on the menu, saying ''ini'' (this one). The waiter will ask, how much? You may say ''satu'' (one), or ''dua'' (two) etc. You can also use your finger for the amount of food you order. Then, the waiter will repeat your order for your confirmation. If you want to leave, call the waiter by raising your right hand and saying ''mau bayar'' or ''minta bil nya'' and the waiter will give you the bill. Or, you may go to the cashier before you leave. ==Dietary restrictions== Indonesia off the beaten track can be a tough place if you have dietary restrictions. ===Eating vegetarian=== [[File:Tumis kangkung Makassar.JPG|thumb|Water spinach dish]] Strict vegetarians and vegans will have a tough time in Indonesia, as the concept is poorly understood, and avoiding fish and shrimp-based condiments is a challenge. '''''Tahu''''' (tofu aka soybean curd) and its chunkier, indigenous cousin '''''tempe''''' (soybean cake) are an essential part of the diet, but they are often served with non-vegetarian condiments. For example, the ubiquitous ''sambal'' chili pastes very often contain shrimp, and ''kerupuk'' crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with ''nasi goreng'', nearly always contain shrimp or fish. (Those that resemble potato chips, on the other hand, are usually fine.) You can, however, ask them to make something without meat, which can be indicated by asking for "vegetarian" or ''tanpa daging, tanpa hasil laut'' (without meat, without seafood)". ''Gado-gado'' ("salad" with peanut sauce) is typically vegetarian, ''nasi goreng'' can be if prepared without meat. Restaurants are usually willing to take special orders. ===Eating halal=== With nearly 90% of Indonesians practicing Islam, eating halal is generally not an issue, although you may need a little more effort if you travel within a Muslim minority area such as Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Genuine halal restaurants have a certificate issued by the '''Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)''' hung on their wall, and this also includes most fast food chains, however even those that do not have the certificate are by default halal except Chinese restaurants and those otherwise explicitly indicated with the word pork (''babi'') or ''non-halal''. Most restaurants at hotels generally are not halal as they serve alcohol, but with the exception of Chinese restaurants, they do not generally serve pork. ===Allergies=== Allergies are poorly understood in Indonesia. A severe soy allergy is basically incompatible with Indonesian food, since soy sauce, tofu, tempeh etc are ubiquitous. The rice-based diet makes staying gluten free easier, but cross-contamination is hard to avoid. ==Respect== ===Etiquette=== Eating with your hand (instead of utensils like forks and spoons) is very common. The basic idea is to use four of your fingers to pack together a little ball of rice and other things, which can then be dipped into sauces before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb. There's one basic rule of etiquette to observe: '''Use only your right hand''', as the left hand is deemed as impolite. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes: instead, use the left hand to serve yourself with utensils and then dig in. However, eating by hand is frowned upon in "classier" places. If you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint. Equally common are chopsticks, forks, spoons, and knives, although knives are somewhat rare, except for upscale restaurants. It is considered polite and a sign of enjoyment to eat quickly, and some people view burping as a compliment. ==See also== * [[Cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] * [[South Asian cuisine]] * [[Australian cuisine]] {{PartOfTopic|Food and drink|Southeast Asia}} {{usabletopic}} ki2olhhvremsrbtp2pjsfz5b0uh6dw3 0 173441 4506334 4426417 2022-08-22T17:24:04Z Travel Avenger 2275209 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Itinerary banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to enter Canada. Americans that do not meet the exemption can travel through Canada by car if they are heading to/from Alaska for work or going to a primary residence. See the [[Canada#Get in|Canada page]] for the latest entry requirements, including information the use of [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html ArriveCAN] for all travellers regardless of vaccination status. The following applies to those who '''do not''' meet the fully vaccinated exemption: *Follow all of Canada's [[Canada#Get in|entry requirements]] for land border crossings, which include a negative COVID test result before entering the country. *If driving north to Alaska, you must enter Canada through one of five designated border checkpoints: Abbotsford-Huntingdon, Osoyoos or Kingsgate in British Columbia, Coutts in Alberta, or North Portal in Saskatchewan. If travelling south from Alaska to the contiguous U.S., you may enter Canada at any border checkpoint. *Upon entry into Canada you will receive a COVID self-test kit which must be completed and submitted within 24 hours. You will also receive a vehicle transit tag that must be hung from your rearview mirror. The tag indicates the latest date by which you must depart Canada. *While in transit, you are asked to take the most direct route to your destination. You must not make any unnecessary stops (i.e., stopping at tourist destinations or national parks), wear a facial covering, maintain social distancing and remain in your vehicle as much as possible. *Before re-entering the U.S., you must report to the Canadian border authorities to confirm that you are leaving Canada. Failure to comply with quarantine requirements and testing is punishable by a fine of up to $750,000, imprisonment, or transfer to a designated quarantine facility. Your other options are the [[Alaska Marine Highway System]], or using a barge to ship your vehicle to Alaska or the Lower 48 and flying to the arrival port to obtain your vehicle. Before your journey, consult with [https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/border#transit-alaska-us Canada's government page on land crossings] for the latest requirements. | lastedit=2022-04-08 }} There are a number of different options when driving through [[Canada]] between the [[contiguous United States]] or "Lower 48" and the [[Alaska Highway]], which connects with [[Alaska]]. There are three main corridors which connect the [[Pacific Northwest]] and [[Rocky Mountains (United States of America)|Rocky Mountains]] regions of the [[United States]], with a number of deviations and additional options depending on your point of origin. == Understand == The Alaska Highway was completed in 1943 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a military access road during the [[Pacific War]]. The Yukon and British Columbia sections were turned over to Canada six months after the end of the war and it was opened to civilian traffic in 1948. [[Dawson Creek|Dawson Creek, British Columbia]] is ''Mile Zero'' of the Alaska Highway. The original access routes were Alberta & British Columbia Highway 2 from [[Edmonton]], to Dawson Creek, and later the John Hart Highway (then-BC Hwy 2) from [[Prince George]] to Dawson Creek. The Alaska portion of the Alaska Highway was proposed to be designated as US Route 97, leading to a series of British Columbia highways being re-designated as BC Hwy 97 between Washington state and the Yukon; however, the Yukon did not participate, and the plan was ultimately cancelled. Since that time, other corridors have been developed to improve access to the Alaska Highway and depend on how much time you have and what you like to do. There are three routes that lead to Dawson Creek, and a number of deviations from the main routes are possible, allowing you to customize the route to your personal schedule and interests. According to ''[http://www.themilepost.com/ The Milepost]'', the primary choices to get to the Alaska Highway from the Lower 48 are: * '''East Access Route''' - from [[Montana]] (Interstate 15), through [[Alberta]] * '''Central Access Route''' - from eastern [[Washington state]] (US Highway 97) through [[British Columbia]] and [[Alberta]] * '''West Access Route''' - from western [[Washington state]] ([[Interstate 5]]) through [[British Columbia]] You can also reach Dawson Creek from Eastern Canada or the Eastern US by taking the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] to Edmonton, then Highway 2. == Prepare == {{see also|Alaska Highway#Prepare}} Get a copy of The Milepost, either in print or eBook form. (Print would be a better idea once you hit the road.) Billing itself as "the Bible of north country travel," this guidebook covers the entire northwestern corner of North America in rich detail. == Get in == === By car === The access routes start [[Great Falls (Montana)|Great Falls, Montana]]; [[Ellensburg|Ellensburg, Washington]] (where US Highway 97 intersects Interstate 90); and [[Seattle]]; however, that can be accessed from various points in Canada and the United States. For travelers coming from the eastern United States and Canada, they can take the Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16) and arrive in Edmonton. === By plane === There are various airports, depending on how much additional driving you want to do. '''Edmonton''' ({{IATA|YEG}}) is the nearest major international airport to mile zero of the Alaska Highway, with '''Calgary''' ({{IATA|YYC}}), '''Vancouver''' ({{IATA|YVR}}), '''Seattle''' ({{IATA|SEA}}), and '''Great Falls''' ({{IATA|GTF}}) also being options. == Drive == === East Access Route === {{mapframe|show=east|name=Map of the East Access Route}} Runs from Great Falls, MT to Dawson Creek, BC, the majority of this route is a four-lane divided highway. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Great Falls (Montana)|Great Falls]]|wikidata=Q466190}} ''(exits 278-290)'' - head north on I-15. * {{marker|type=black|group=east|name=U.S.-Canada border|lat=48.998|long=-111.960}} ''([[Sweetgrass|Sweetgrass, MT]]/Coutts, AB)'' - open 24 hours, I-15 becomes Alberta Hwy 4. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Lethbridge]]|wikidata=Q270887}} - population 98,000; follow Hwy 3 (Crowsnest Highway) west * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Fort Macleod]]|wikidata=Q2128700}} - population 3,000, follow Hwy 2 north. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Calgary]]|wikidata=Q36312}} ''(exits 232-271)'' - population 1.2 million, the largest city in Alberta and Canada’s fourth largest metropolitan area. Travellers can either take Hwy 2 (Deerfoot Trail) through the city or Hwy 201 (Stoney Trail) as a bypass route. Intersects the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] (Hwy 1), which provides access to Banff. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Red Deer]]|wikidata=Q23025}} ''(exits 394-405)'' - population 100,000. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Edmonton]]|wikidata=Q2096}} - population 930,000, capital and second largest city in Alberta. Travellers can take Hwy 216 (Anthony Henday Drive) as a bypass route to the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16) and continue west. * {{marker|type=black|group=east|name=Jct Hwy 43|lat=53.570192|long=-114.221437}} ''(exit 340)'' - Hwy 16 continues west to Jasper, follow Hwy 43 north. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Whitecourt]]|wikidata=Q984214}} - population 10,000. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Valleyview]]|wikidata=Q1743736}} - population 1,900; Hwy 49 provides access to Peace River and the [[Mackenzie Highway]], connecting to the [[Northwest Territories]]. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Grande Prairie]]|wikidata=Q642900}} - population 63,000. * {{marker|type=black|group=east|name=Alberta/British Columbia border|lat=55.480636|long=-120.000059}} - AB Hwy 43 becomes BC Hwy 2. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Dawson Creek]]|wikidata=Q1012625}} - population 13,000; mile zero Alaska Highway. ==== Alternate routes ==== * Travellers coming from '''central and eastern Canada and the United States''' can approach Edmonton from the east via the [[Trans-Canada Highway|Trans-Canada]]/[[Yellowhead Highway]] (Hwy 16) and link with East Access Route. Major border crossings include the Portal–North Portal Border Crossing (US 52/SK Hwy 39) near [[Estevan]], [[Saskatchewan]] and the Pembina–Emerson Border Crossing (I-29/MB Hwy 75) south of [[Winnipeg]]. * From '''Calgary''', follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Canmore]]|wikidata=Q991515}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Banff]]|wikidata=Q58337}} to the [[Icefields Parkway]] (Hwy 93) and travel north to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Jasper]]|wikidata=Q999429}}. Follow Highway 16 east to Highway 40 near Hinton and connect with the [[Driving between the contiguous United States and the Alaska Highway#Central Access Route|Central Access Route]]. * From '''Edmonton''', follow Hwy 2 north through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Athabasca]]|wikidata=Q754638}}, {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Slave Lake]]|wikidata=Q163977}}, and {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Peace River (Alberta)|Peace River]]|wikidata=Q1743985}}, following the original overland access route to the Alaska Highway. Reconnect with the East Access Route at Grande Prairie or take a cutoff via Hwy 49 to Dawson Creek; or follow Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) to Highway 40 near Hinton and connect with the Central Access Route. === Central Access Route === {{mapframe|show=central|name=Map of the Central Access Route}} [[File:Yellowhead Highway divides at AB40 by Hinton.jpg|thumb|"Scenic Route to Alaska" sign via Hwy 40 near Hinton.]] Runs from Ellensburg, Washington to Grande Prairie, Alberta through Washington’s [[North Central Cascades|Okanogan]] valley and British Columbia’s [[Okanagan]] valley, the latter being a popular tourist area. Mostly a two lane highway. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Ellensburg]]|wikidata=Q868684}} ''(I-90 exit 106)'' - population 19,000; exit Interstate 90 and travel north on US 97. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Wenatchee]]|wikidata=Q958596}} - population 32,700, intersects US 2. * {{marker|type=black|group=central|name=U.S.-Canada border|lat=49.0000|long=-119.4627}} ''([[Oroville (Washington)|Oroville, WA]]/[[Osoyoos|Osoyoos, BC]])'', open 24 hours, US 97 becomes BC Hwy 97. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Penticton]]|wikidata=Q935519}} - population 33,000 and major tourist destination. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Kelowna]]|wikidata=Q232226}} - population 115,000, largest city in the Okanagan and major tourist destination, intersects Hwy 97C just south of the city in [[Peachland]]. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Vernon (British Columbia)|Vernon]]|wikidata=Q985671}} - population 38,500 and popular tourist destination. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Kamloops]]|wikidata=Q473209}} - population 90,000; follow Hwy 5 (Yellowhead Highway) north (exit 374). * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Clearwater (British Columbia)|Clearwater]]|wikidata=Q2978764}} - population 7,000, provides access to [[Wells Gray Provincial Park]]. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Tete Jaune Cache]]|wikidata=Q1386148}} - follow Hwy 16 (Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway) east, western gateway to [[Mount Robson Provincial Park]]. * {{marker|type=black|group=central|name=Alberta/British Columbia border|lat=52.882012|long=-118.448485}} * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Jasper]]|wikidata=Q999429}} ''(inside [[Jasper National Park]])'' - population 4,600 and major tourist destination. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Hinton]]|wikidata=Q1016692}} - population 9,900; follow Hwy 40 (Bighorn Highway) north. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Grande Cache]]|wikidata=Q1542954}} - population 3,500. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Grande Prairie]]|wikidata=Q642900}} - population 63,000; merges with '''East Access Route''' (Hwy 43) and continues to {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Dawson Creek]]|wikidata=Q1012625}}. ==== Alternate routes ==== * From '''Peachland''' (just south of Kelowna), follow Hwy 97C west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=central|name=[[Merritt]]|wikidata=Q1025990}}, where travelers can either travel north on Hwy 5 (Coquihalla Highway) and reconnect with the Central Access Route in Kamloops, or continue on Hwy 97C to Cache Creek and connect with the West Access Route. * From '''Kamloops''', follow Hwy 1/Hwy 97 west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=central|name=[[Cache Creek]]|wikidata=Q986003}} and connect with the West Access Route; this allows travelers to follow Route 97 the entire way. * From '''Tete Jaune Cache''', follow Hwy 16 (Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway) west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=central|name=[[Prince George]]|wikidata=Q590205}} and connect with the West Access Route. === West Access Route === {{mapframe|show=west|name=Map of the West Access Route}} Runs from Seattle, WA to Dawson Creek, BC - linking the [[Interstate 5]] corridor with the Alaska Highway. ''Note: There are four land border crossings can used to cross into Canada; see [[Lower Mainland#From Washington state]] for more border information. This itinerary shows the shortest distance and bypasses metropolitan Vancouver.'' * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Seattle]]|wikidata=Q5083}} - city population 609,000/metro population 3.9 million; travel north on I-5 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]|wikidata=Q430267}} ''(exits 250-258)'' - population 90,000; access to the [[Alaska Marine Highway]]; I-5 continues north to the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings and is the most direct route to [[Vancouver]]. Follow SR 539 north (exit 256) * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Lynden]]|wikidata=Q1507840}} - population 12,000. SR 539 continues north to the Lynden-Aldergrove border crossing; follow SR 546 east and continue north on SR 9. * {{marker|type=black|group=west|name=U.S.-Canada border|lat=49.0024|long=-122.2654}} ''([[Sumas|Sumas, WA]]/Huntingdon, BC)'' - open 24 hours: WA SR 9 becomes BC Hwy 11 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} - population 141,000. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) east, Hwy 1 west heads into Vancouver. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} - population 6,200. The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) leave the freeway at exit 170 (the freeway becomes Hwy 5 (Coquihalla Highway)), continue north on Hwy 1. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Cache Creek]]|wikidata=Q986003}} - population 1,000. Hwy 1 east and Hwy 97 south continue towards Kamloops, continue north on Hwy 97. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Williams Lake]]|wikidata=Q2039207}} - population 10,800 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Quesnel]]|wikidata=Q2067514}} - population 10,000 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Prince George]]|wikidata=Q590205}} - population 79,000. Largest city in northern British Columbia, intersects Hwy 16 (Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway) * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Chetwynd]]|wikidata=Q987459}} - population 2,600, intersects Hwy 29. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Dawson Creek]]|wikidata=Q1012625}} - population 13,000; mile zero Alaska Highway ==== Alternate routes ==== * From '''Bellingham''', continue into {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} and go north on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy 99) through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Squamish]]|wikidata=Q1342280}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}}, reconnecting with the Western Access Route near Cache Creek. * From '''Prince George''', follow the Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16) west, either taking the isolated '''[[Stewart-Cassiar Highway]]''' (Hwy 37 north) at {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Kitwanga]]|wikidata=Q6418667}}, located west of [[New Hazelton]], and linking with the Alaska Highway near {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Watson Lake]]|wikidata=Q1025947}}; or continuing west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Prince Rupert]]|wikidata=Q1015639}} and linking with the [[Alaska Marine Highway]] ferry. * From '''Chetwynd''', follow Hwy 29 through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Hudson’s Hope]]|wikidata=Q14874625}} and connect with the Alaska Highway near {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Fort St. John]]|wikidata=Q23021}}. == Stay safe == When driving to Alaska or the contiguous United States via Canada, you are subject to customs laws that are enforced by the Canadian Government. Make sure you declare any items that you have in your vehicle that may be prohibited in Canada; if you're unsure what needs to be declared, check the [https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html Canada Customs] web site in advance or ask the customs officers. The worst that can happen for a declared item is that it will be taken away but trying to import an illegal item without declaring it will be treated as attempted smuggling and therefore subject to severe penalties. * There are restrictions if you are carrying certain items such as guns. If you have firearms, you are required to declare them. Many firearms that are legal in some states are illegal in Canada; see our [[Recreational_shooting#Canada|summary]] of Canadian gun laws. * Canada and some U.S. states, including Alaska, have legalized [[Cannabis|marijuana]]. It is illegal to take marijuana across state borders, into Canada from the US, or into the US from Canada, and penalties are severe. * Canada and the US have quite similar laws on prescription drugs, so those will not usually be problematic. You should declare them and bring copies of the prescriptions. Medical marijuana is the exception; it might be possible to import it, but only with complicated paperwork. It will be easier to just buy what you need in Canada; both medical and recreational cannabis are legal and widely available. Don't bring any into the US, though. If you feel driving to Alaska isn't worth the risk, you can, bypass it by taking your car onboard the [[Alaska Marine Highway]] or by sending your barge over to Alaska or the lower 48 and flying to the port where you'll receive your vehicle. == Go next == Continue to [[Alaska]] on the [[Alaska Highway]]. {{Usableitinerary}} {{geo|53|-117|zoom=5}} {{PartOfItinerary|North America itineraries}} o0lnvxomgp4i16sqn5gd36cbwhfrob4 4506338 4506334 2022-08-22T17:28:53Z Ibaman 195012 punctuation; the commas are needed and smartly placed. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Itinerary banner.jpg}} {{COVID-19 box|Fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to enter Canada. Americans that do not meet the exemption can travel through Canada by car if they are heading to/from Alaska for work or going to a primary residence. See the [[Canada#Get in|Canada page]] for the latest entry requirements, including information the use of [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html ArriveCAN] for all travellers regardless of vaccination status. The following applies to those who '''do not''' meet the fully vaccinated exemption: *Follow all of Canada's [[Canada#Get in|entry requirements]] for land border crossings, which include a negative COVID test result before entering the country. *If driving north to Alaska, you must enter Canada through one of five designated border checkpoints: Abbotsford-Huntingdon, Osoyoos or Kingsgate in British Columbia, Coutts in Alberta, or North Portal in Saskatchewan. If travelling south from Alaska to the contiguous U.S., you may enter Canada at any border checkpoint. *Upon entry into Canada you will receive a COVID self-test kit which must be completed and submitted within 24 hours. You will also receive a vehicle transit tag that must be hung from your rearview mirror. The tag indicates the latest date by which you must depart Canada. *While in transit, you are asked to take the most direct route to your destination. You must not make any unnecessary stops (i.e., stopping at tourist destinations or national parks), wear a facial covering, maintain social distancing and remain in your vehicle as much as possible. *Before re-entering the U.S., you must report to the Canadian border authorities to confirm that you are leaving Canada. Failure to comply with quarantine requirements and testing is punishable by a fine of up to $750,000, imprisonment, or transfer to a designated quarantine facility. Your other options are the [[Alaska Marine Highway System]], or using a barge to ship your vehicle to Alaska or the Lower 48 and flying to the arrival port to obtain your vehicle. Before your journey, consult with [https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/border#transit-alaska-us Canada's government page on land crossings] for the latest requirements. | lastedit=2022-04-08 }} There are a number of different options when driving through [[Canada]] between the [[contiguous United States]] or "Lower 48" and the [[Alaska Highway]], which connects with [[Alaska]]. There are three main corridors which connect the [[Pacific Northwest]] and [[Rocky Mountains (United States of America)|Rocky Mountains]] regions of the [[United States]], with a number of deviations and additional options depending on your point of origin. == Understand == The Alaska Highway was completed in 1943 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a military access road during the [[Pacific War]]. The Yukon and British Columbia sections were turned over to Canada six months after the end of the war and it was opened to civilian traffic in 1948. [[Dawson Creek|Dawson Creek, British Columbia]] is ''Mile Zero'' of the Alaska Highway. The original access routes were Alberta & British Columbia Highway 2 from [[Edmonton]], to Dawson Creek, and later the John Hart Highway (then-BC Hwy 2) from [[Prince George]] to Dawson Creek. The Alaska portion of the Alaska Highway was proposed to be designated as US Route 97, leading to a series of British Columbia highways being re-designated as BC Hwy 97 between Washington state and the Yukon; however the Yukon did not participate and the plan was ultimately cancelled. Since that time, other corridors have been developed to improve access to the Alaska Highway, and depend on how much time you have and what you like to do. There are three routes that lead to Dawson Creek, and a number of deviations from the main routes are possible, allowing you to customize the route to your personal schedule and interests. According to ''[http://www.themilepost.com/ The Milepost]'', the primary choices to get to the Alaska Highway from the Lower 48 are: * '''East Access Route''' - from [[Montana]] (Interstate 15), through [[Alberta]] * '''Central Access Route''' - from eastern [[Washington state]] (US Highway 97) through [[British Columbia]] and [[Alberta]] * '''West Access Route''' - from western [[Washington state]] ([[Interstate 5]]) through [[British Columbia]] You can also reach Dawson Creek from Eastern Canada or the Eastern US by taking the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] to Edmonton, then Highway 2. == Prepare == {{see also|Alaska Highway#Prepare}} Get a copy of The Milepost, either in print or eBook form. (Print would be a better idea once you hit the road.) Billing itself as "the Bible of north country travel," this guidebook covers the entire northwestern corner of North America in rich detail. == Get in == === By car === The access routes start [[Great Falls (Montana)|Great Falls, Montana]]; [[Ellensburg|Ellensburg, Washington]] (where US Highway 97 intersects Interstate 90); and [[Seattle]]; however, that can be accessed from various points in Canada and the United States. For travelers coming from the eastern United States and Canada, they can take the Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16) and arrive in Edmonton. === By plane === There are various airports, depending on how much additional driving you want to do. '''Edmonton''' ({{IATA|YEG}}) is the nearest major international airport to mile zero of the Alaska Highway, with '''Calgary''' ({{IATA|YYC}}), '''Vancouver''' ({{IATA|YVR}}), '''Seattle''' ({{IATA|SEA}}), and '''Great Falls''' ({{IATA|GTF}}) also being options. == Drive == === East Access Route === {{mapframe|show=east|name=Map of the East Access Route}} Runs from Great Falls, MT to Dawson Creek, BC, the majority of this route is a four lane divided highway. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Great Falls (Montana)|Great Falls]]|wikidata=Q466190}} ''(exits 278-290)'' - head north on I-15. * {{marker|type=black|group=east|name=U.S.-Canada border|lat=48.998|long=-111.960}} ''([[Sweetgrass|Sweetgrass, MT]]/Coutts, AB)'' - open 24 hours, I-15 becomes Alberta Hwy 4. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Lethbridge]]|wikidata=Q270887}} - population 98,000; follow Hwy 3 (Crowsnest Highway) west * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Fort Macleod]]|wikidata=Q2128700}} - population 3,000, follow Hwy 2 north. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Calgary]]|wikidata=Q36312}} ''(exits 232-271)'' - population 1.2 million, the largest city in Alberta and Canada’s fourth largest metropolitan area. Travellers can either take Hwy 2 (Deerfoot Trail) through the city or Hwy 201 (Stoney Trail) as a bypass route. Intersects the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] (Hwy 1), which provides access to Banff. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Red Deer]]|wikidata=Q23025}} ''(exits 394-405)'' - population 100,000. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Edmonton]]|wikidata=Q2096}} - population 930,000, capital and second largest city in Alberta. Travellers can take Hwy 216 (Anthony Henday Drive) as a bypass route to the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16) and continue west. * {{marker|type=black|group=east|name=Jct Hwy 43|lat=53.570192|long=-114.221437}} ''(exit 340)'' - Hwy 16 continues west to Jasper, follow Hwy 43 north. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Whitecourt]]|wikidata=Q984214}} - population 10,000. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Valleyview]]|wikidata=Q1743736}} - population 1,900; Hwy 49 provides access to Peace River and the [[Mackenzie Highway]], connecting to the [[Northwest Territories]]. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Grande Prairie]]|wikidata=Q642900}} - population 63,000. * {{marker|type=black|group=east|name=Alberta/British Columbia border|lat=55.480636|long=-120.000059}} - AB Hwy 43 becomes BC Hwy 2. * {{marker|type=city|group=east|name=[[Dawson Creek]]|wikidata=Q1012625}} - population 13,000; mile zero Alaska Highway. ==== Alternate routes ==== * Travellers coming from '''central and eastern Canada and the United States''' can approach Edmonton from the east via the [[Trans-Canada Highway|Trans-Canada]]/[[Yellowhead Highway]] (Hwy 16) and link with East Access Route. Major border crossings include the Portal–North Portal Border Crossing (US 52/SK Hwy 39) near [[Estevan]], [[Saskatchewan]] and the Pembina–Emerson Border Crossing (I-29/MB Hwy 75) south of [[Winnipeg]]. * From '''Calgary''', follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Canmore]]|wikidata=Q991515}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Banff]]|wikidata=Q58337}} to the [[Icefields Parkway]] (Hwy 93) and travel north to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Jasper]]|wikidata=Q999429}}. Follow Highway 16 east to Highway 40 near Hinton and connect with the [[Driving between the contiguous United States and the Alaska Highway#Central Access Route|Central Access Route]]. * From '''Edmonton''', follow Hwy 2 north through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Athabasca]]|wikidata=Q754638}}, {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Slave Lake]]|wikidata=Q163977}}, and {{marker|type=vicinity|group=east|name=[[Peace River (Alberta)|Peace River]]|wikidata=Q1743985}}, following the original overland access route to the Alaska Highway. Reconnect with the East Access Route at Grande Prairie, or take a cutoff via Hwy 49 to Dawson Creek; or follow Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) to Highway 40 near Hinton and connect with the Central Access Route. === Central Access Route === {{mapframe|show=central|name=Map of the Central Access Route}} [[File:Yellowhead Highway divides at AB40 by Hinton.jpg|thumb|"Scenic Route to Alaska" sign via Hwy 40 near Hinton.]] Runs from Ellensburg, Washington to Grande Prairie, Alberta through Washington’s [[North Central Cascades|Okanogan]] valley and British Columbia’s [[Okanagan]] valley, the latter being a popular tourist area. Mostly a two lane highway. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Ellensburg]]|wikidata=Q868684}} ''(I-90 exit 106)'' - population 19,000; exit Interstate 90 and travel north on US 97. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Wenatchee]]|wikidata=Q958596}} - population 32,700, intersects US 2. * {{marker|type=black|group=central|name=U.S.-Canada border|lat=49.0000|long=-119.4627}} ''([[Oroville (Washington)|Oroville, WA]]/[[Osoyoos|Osoyoos, BC]])'', open 24 hours, US 97 becomes BC Hwy 97. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Penticton]]|wikidata=Q935519}} - population 33,000 and major tourist destination. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Kelowna]]|wikidata=Q232226}} - population 115,000, largest city in the Okanagan and major tourist destination, intersects Hwy 97C just south of the city in [[Peachland]]. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Vernon (British Columbia)|Vernon]]|wikidata=Q985671}} - population 38,500 and popular tourist destination. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Kamloops]]|wikidata=Q473209}} - population 90,000; follow Hwy 5 (Yellowhead Highway) north (exit 374). * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Clearwater (British Columbia)|Clearwater]]|wikidata=Q2978764}} - population 7,000, provides access to [[Wells Gray Provincial Park]]. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Tete Jaune Cache]]|wikidata=Q1386148}} - follow Hwy 16 (Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway) east, western gateway to [[Mount Robson Provincial Park]]. * {{marker|type=black|group=central|name=Alberta/British Columbia border|lat=52.882012|long=-118.448485}} * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Jasper]]|wikidata=Q999429}} ''(inside [[Jasper National Park]])'' - population 4,600 and major tourist destination. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Hinton]]|wikidata=Q1016692}} - population 9,900; follow Hwy 40 (Bighorn Highway) north. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Grande Cache]]|wikidata=Q1542954}} - population 3,500. * {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Grande Prairie]]|wikidata=Q642900}} - population 63,000; merges with '''East Access Route''' (Hwy 43) and continues to {{marker|type=city|group=central|name=[[Dawson Creek]]|wikidata=Q1012625}}. ==== Alternate routes ==== * From '''Peachland''' (just south of Kelowna), follow Hwy 97C west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=central|name=[[Merritt]]|wikidata=Q1025990}}, where travelers can either travel north on Hwy 5 (Coquihalla Highway) and reconnect with the Central Access Route in Kamloops, or continue on Hwy 97C to Cache Creek and connect with the West Access Route. * From '''Kamloops''', follow Hwy 1/Hwy 97 west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=central|name=[[Cache Creek]]|wikidata=Q986003}} and connect with the West Access Route; this allows travelers to follow Route 97 the entire way. * From '''Tete Jaune Cache''', follow Hwy 16 (Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway) west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=central|name=[[Prince George]]|wikidata=Q590205}} and connect with the West Access Route. === West Access Route === {{mapframe|show=west|name=Map of the West Access Route}} Runs from Seattle, WA to Dawson Creek, BC - linking the [[Interstate 5]] corridor with the Alaska Highway. ''Note: There are four land border crossings can used to cross into Canada; see [[Lower Mainland#From Washington state]] for more border information. This itinerary shows the shortest distance and bypasses metropolitan Vancouver.'' * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Seattle]]|wikidata=Q5083}} - city population 609,000/metro population 3.9 million; travel north on I-5 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]]|wikidata=Q430267}} ''(exits 250-258)'' - population 90,000; access to the [[Alaska Marine Highway]]; I-5 continues north to the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings and is the most direct route to [[Vancouver]]. Follow SR 539 north (exit 256) * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Lynden]]|wikidata=Q1507840}} - population 12,000. SR 539 continues north to the Lynden-Aldergrove border crossing; follow SR 546 east and continue north on SR 9. * {{marker|type=black|group=west|name=U.S.-Canada border|lat=49.0024|long=-122.2654}} ''([[Sumas|Sumas, WA]]/Huntingdon, BC)'' - open 24 hours: WA SR 9 becomes BC Hwy 11 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Abbotsford]]|wikidata=Q271730}} - population 141,000. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) east, Hwy 1 west heads into Vancouver. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Hope (British Columbia)|Hope]]|wikidata=Q1610654}} - population 6,200. The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) leave the freeway at exit 170 (the freeway becomes Hwy 5 (Coquihalla Highway)), continue north on Hwy 1. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Cache Creek]]|wikidata=Q986003}} - population 1,000. Hwy 1 east and Hwy 97 south continue towards Kamloops, continue north on Hwy 97. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Williams Lake]]|wikidata=Q2039207}} - population 10,800 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Quesnel]]|wikidata=Q2067514}} - population 10,000 * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Prince George]]|wikidata=Q590205}} - population 79,000. Largest city in northern British Columbia, intersects Hwy 16 (Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway) * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Chetwynd]]|wikidata=Q987459}} - population 2,600, intersects Hwy 29. * {{marker|type=city|group=west|name=[[Dawson Creek]]|wikidata=Q1012625}} - population 13,000; mile zero Alaska Highway ==== Alternate routes ==== * From '''Bellingham''', continue into {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Vancouver]]|wikidata=Q24639}} and go north on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy 99) through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Squamish]]|wikidata=Q1342280}} and {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Whistler]]|wikidata=Q203122}}, reconnecting with the Western Access Route near Cache Creek. * From '''Prince George''', follow the Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16) west, either taking the isolated '''[[Stewart-Cassiar Highway]]''' (Hwy 37 north) at {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Kitwanga]]|wikidata=Q6418667}}, located west of [[New Hazelton]], and linking with the Alaska Highway near {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Watson Lake]]|wikidata=Q1025947}}; or continuing west to {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Prince Rupert]]|wikidata=Q1015639}} and linking with the [[Alaska Marine Highway]] ferry. * From '''Chetwynd''', follow Hwy 29 through {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Hudson’s Hope]]|wikidata=Q14874625}} and connect with the Alaska Highway near {{marker|type=vicinity|group=west|name=[[Fort St. John]]|wikidata=Q23021}}. == Stay safe == When driving to Alaska or the contiguous United States via Canada, you are subject to customs laws that are enforced by the Canadian Government. Make sure you declare any items that you have in your vehicle that may be prohibited in Canada; if you're unsure what needs to be declared, check the [https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html Canada Customs] web site in advance or ask the customs officers. The worst that can happen for a declared item is that it will be taken away, but trying to import an illegal item without declaring it will be treated as attempted smuggling and therefore subject to severe penalties. * There are restrictions if you are carrying certain items such as guns. If you have firearms, you are required to declare them. Many firearms that are legal in some states are illegal in Canada; see our [[Recreational_shooting#Canada|summary]] of Canadian gun laws. * Canada and some U.S. states, including Alaska, have legalized [[Cannabis|marijuana]]. It is illegal to take marijuana across state borders, into Canada from the US, or into the US from Canada, and penalties are severe. * Canada and the US have quite similar laws on prescription drugs, so those will not usually be problematic. You should declare them and bring copies of the prescriptions. Medical marijuana is the exception; it might be possible to import it, but only with complicated paperwork. It will be easier to just buy what you need in Canada; both medical and recreational cannabis are legal and widely available. Don't bring any into the US, though. If you feel driving to Alaska isn't worth the risk, you can, bypass it by taking your car onboard the [[Alaska Marine Highway]] or by sending your barge over to Alaska or the lower 48 and flying to the port where you'll receive your vehicle. == Go next == Continue to [[Alaska]] on the [[Alaska Highway]]. {{Usableitinerary}} {{geo|53|-117|zoom=5}} {{PartOfItinerary|North America itineraries}} r6dornwe6lmehbbqyqjsk3xzew8wd6q 0 173814 4506701 4452977 2022-08-23T09:35:26Z Gbuca 2275256 /* Do */ Updated listing for Lura Agroturizëm wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Gjilani (cropped).jpg}} '''Gjilan''' is a town in [[Kosovo]], in the southeast linked with the highway of [[Pristina]], Serbian Border and North Macedonian Border. ==Understand== [[File:Gjilani pas dite.jpg|thumb|Gjilan]] In the Ottoman Defter of 1455, it is said that this settlement had 41 houses, and according to the cadastral de fi cation of 1566–1974, there were 38 houses and 12 single. This place of residence is later mentioned in written documents and in different descriptive directions. Another opinion says that an Ottoman officer who stayed in this settlement was from an Gjejlan, somewhere in [[Syria]] or elsewhere in the [[Middle East]] and has baptized with that name, while the most realistic opinion lies in the fact that in Gjilan, around the year 1750 the (Gjinolli Family) was established, which came from Novoberdo, belonging to the Gjinaj tribe, so also this family (Bahti Beg Gjinolli) got its name. It is said that the first settlement of Gjilan was the most northwest in today's Dardania I neighborhood, but since 1830 it included a fire and burned completely. The Gjinolli family then moved the city to the east, in the midst of today's commodity and market house, a neighborhood that also called Begler's Corner. [[File:Permendorja Agim Ramadani.JPG|thumb|right|100px|Statue of Agim Ramadani, poet and KLA commander]] The icons of the city are: * '''Idriz Seferi''' who died in war for the freedom in 927. * '''Agim Ramadani''' who died in the last war against Serbian occupation in 1999. * '''Rexhep Mala''' who died protecting himself in a fight with the Serbian Police in 1984. * '''Nuhi Berisha''' who also died in the same night with his friend Rexhep Mala in 1984. ==Get in== ===By bus=== *From [[Bujanoc]] to [[Prishtina]] stop at the bus station here. There are also dedicated buses from Pristina bus station (60 minutes) cost €2. *From [[Ferizaj]] stops at the bus station (30 min) cost €1.50. *From [[Prizren]] stops here (120 min) costing €5. ==Get around== [[File:Muzeu i Gjilanit.jpg|thumb|right|City Museum]] === By foot === The mosque and the church (roughly 500 meters from the bus station) can be accessed from Ibrahim Rugova st. through forward to the Mosque Xhamia e Madhe and left at Nena Tereze st. to the Orthodox church. The museum is near of post and telecom of the city. ===By taxi=== * {{listing | name=Taxi Luli | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-LULI-0800-66-666-130981540274332/ | email= | address=Nato 99 | lat=42.47229 | long=21.45038 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=0800-66-666 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxi Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-Shaqa-216313775851052/ | email= | address=Haki Myderizi | lat=42.47098 | long=21.45455 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=08000-1000 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==See== {{Mapframe|42.46351|21.46938|zoom=15}} * {{listing | type=see | name= Atik Mosque | alt= | url= | email= | address= Zija Shemsiu| lat=42.46775 | long=21.46768 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46546 | long=21.46925 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-16:00 | price=€1 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Square | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46235 | long=21.46824 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Municipal Assembly | alt= | url=http://gjilani-komuna.org/ | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46309 | long=21.46948 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-17:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Dardania I and II | alt= | url= | email= | address=Muharrem Ibrahimi | lat=42.4683 | long=21.4556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} [[File:Gnjilane, crkva Sv. Nikolaja (1861.).JPG|thumb|St. Nicolas Church]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Orthodox Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nena Tereze | lat=42.46404 | long=21.46664 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Hill of Martyrs | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lot Vaku | lat=42.45777 | long=21.45800 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Livoqi Lake | alt= | url= | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.4632 | long=21.4164 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia=| wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Mirusha River | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.46400 | long=21.46966 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Parku1.JPG|thumb|Park]] Makresh i Epërm region is mountainous area with developed agrouturism. Numerous villas are available. * {{sleep | name=Lura Agroturizëm | alt=Lura | url=https://visitlura.com | email=info@visitlura.com | address=Makresh i Epërm | lat=42.55645 | long=21.44478 | directions=from Gjilan, head towards Novoberdo | phone=+38344554468 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=11:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-03-27 | content=Lura includes: restaurant with local food and products from area farmers, guesthouses for accommodation, wine and brandy cellar, outdoor terrace, orchard, gardens and other recreational spaces.<br />Besides the restaurant and guest houses for accommodation, Lura is known for the processing of fruit from the orchard which is located in the village and produces several types of brandy in the traditional way. Different vegetables are also cultivated in the gardens of Lure, which are then used fresh in cooking. A mini-chicken farm completes this agrotourism.<br />Lura is owned and managed by the Buca family, a family that moved from the city to the countryside to invest in this form of combined agriculture and tourism. }} * {{do | name=GuideKS | alt=Kosovo Tourist Guides Association | url=https://guideks.org | email=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | address=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38349372639 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. }} ==Buy== ==Eat== [[File:Sahat Kulla, Gjilan.jpg|thumb|Clocktower]] * {{eat | name=Baresha | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbaresha | email= | address=Pasjak | lat=42.48117 | long=21.42027 | directions= | phone=+383 44 151 159 | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 23:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content=Meat with sauce. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Labinoti Steak House | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Steak-House-Labinoti-271730236704046/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46907 | long=21.43613 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Steak }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Pojata | alt= | url=https://gjirafa.biz/restaurant--pizzeria-pojata-1 | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46891 | long=21.43898 | directions= | phone=+383 44 709 853 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 00:00| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= French fries }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Garden | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restorantgardengjilan/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46901 | long=21.44028 | directions= | phone=+38344154177 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Beef. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= Sky Rooftop| alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restaurant-Sky-Rooftop-368962950517731/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46937 | long=21.44030 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 20:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Lasagna. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Vali Ranch | alt= | url=http://vali-ranch.com/ | email=info@vali-ranch.com | address=Vellezerit Rexhepi | lat=42.51399 | long=21.53522 | directions= | phone=+38345506863 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 23:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Italian pastas. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/shaqarestaurant/ | email= | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44930 | long=21.46151 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Pizzas. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Gersheta | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/gershetaResort/ | email= | address=Gjilan-Stanishor | lat=42.53228 | long=21.45269 | directions= | phone=+38345611050 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Traditional food. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Bujana | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbujana/ | email= | address=Lidhja e Prizrenit | lat=42.45803 | long=21.47182 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content=Traditional food sauce with bread. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Papaku | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Te-Papaku-Gjilan/458306510847193 | email= | address=Zija Shemsiu | lat=42.46856 | long=21.46586 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Tribeca | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/trbcaffe/ | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46730 | long=21.46789 | directions= | phone=+38349777345 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Savanna Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/barsavannaa/ | email= | address=Abdullah Tahiri | lat=42.46592 | long=21.47401 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Kristal| alt= | url=https://www.kosovo-holidays.com/kosovo/gjilan/hotels/kristal-hotel | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46357 | long=21.46986 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Astoria Resort| alt= | url=http://www.astorialuxury-spa.com/ | email=info@astorialuxury-spa.com | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44529 | long=21.45917 | directions= | phone=+38344888838 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Planet Resort | alt= | url=http://planet-gjilan.com/ | email=info@planet-gjilan.com | address=Egnatia | lat=42.48734 | long=21.53842 | directions= | phone=+38344134073 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Go next== Go in [[Prishtina]] to northwest and to [[Ferizaj]] to the southwest. [[Novo Brdo]] nearby is a rural area rich with history. {{geo|42.46|21.47}} {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{usablecity}} su6h43wmchwgb17n5ejem0zhs9tanvg 4506702 4506701 2022-08-23T09:38:24Z Gbuca 2275256 /* Do */ Updated listing for Lura Agroturizëm wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Gjilani (cropped).jpg}} '''Gjilan''' is a town in [[Kosovo]], in the southeast linked with the highway of [[Pristina]], Serbian Border and North Macedonian Border. ==Understand== [[File:Gjilani pas dite.jpg|thumb|Gjilan]] In the Ottoman Defter of 1455, it is said that this settlement had 41 houses, and according to the cadastral de fi cation of 1566–1974, there were 38 houses and 12 single. This place of residence is later mentioned in written documents and in different descriptive directions. Another opinion says that an Ottoman officer who stayed in this settlement was from an Gjejlan, somewhere in [[Syria]] or elsewhere in the [[Middle East]] and has baptized with that name, while the most realistic opinion lies in the fact that in Gjilan, around the year 1750 the (Gjinolli Family) was established, which came from Novoberdo, belonging to the Gjinaj tribe, so also this family (Bahti Beg Gjinolli) got its name. It is said that the first settlement of Gjilan was the most northwest in today's Dardania I neighborhood, but since 1830 it included a fire and burned completely. The Gjinolli family then moved the city to the east, in the midst of today's commodity and market house, a neighborhood that also called Begler's Corner. [[File:Permendorja Agim Ramadani.JPG|thumb|right|100px|Statue of Agim Ramadani, poet and KLA commander]] The icons of the city are: * '''Idriz Seferi''' who died in war for the freedom in 927. * '''Agim Ramadani''' who died in the last war against Serbian occupation in 1999. * '''Rexhep Mala''' who died protecting himself in a fight with the Serbian Police in 1984. * '''Nuhi Berisha''' who also died in the same night with his friend Rexhep Mala in 1984. ==Get in== ===By bus=== *From [[Bujanoc]] to [[Prishtina]] stop at the bus station here. There are also dedicated buses from Pristina bus station (60 minutes) cost €2. *From [[Ferizaj]] stops at the bus station (30 min) cost €1.50. *From [[Prizren]] stops here (120 min) costing €5. ==Get around== [[File:Muzeu i Gjilanit.jpg|thumb|right|City Museum]] === By foot === The mosque and the church (roughly 500 meters from the bus station) can be accessed from Ibrahim Rugova st. through forward to the Mosque Xhamia e Madhe and left at Nena Tereze st. to the Orthodox church. The museum is near of post and telecom of the city. ===By taxi=== * {{listing | name=Taxi Luli | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-LULI-0800-66-666-130981540274332/ | email= | address=Nato 99 | lat=42.47229 | long=21.45038 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=0800-66-666 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxi Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-Shaqa-216313775851052/ | email= | address=Haki Myderizi | lat=42.47098 | long=21.45455 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=08000-1000 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==See== {{Mapframe|42.46351|21.46938|zoom=15}} * {{listing | type=see | name= Atik Mosque | alt= | url= | email= | address= Zija Shemsiu| lat=42.46775 | long=21.46768 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46546 | long=21.46925 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-16:00 | price=€1 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Square | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46235 | long=21.46824 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Municipal Assembly | alt= | url=http://gjilani-komuna.org/ | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46309 | long=21.46948 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-17:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Dardania I and II | alt= | url= | email= | address=Muharrem Ibrahimi | lat=42.4683 | long=21.4556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} [[File:Gnjilane, crkva Sv. Nikolaja (1861.).JPG|thumb|St. Nicolas Church]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Orthodox Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nena Tereze | lat=42.46404 | long=21.46664 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Hill of Martyrs | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lot Vaku | lat=42.45777 | long=21.45800 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Livoqi Lake | alt= | url= | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.4632 | long=21.4164 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia=| wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Mirusha River | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.46400 | long=21.46966 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Parku1.JPG|thumb|Park]] Makresh i Epërm region is mountainous area with developed agrouturism. Numerous villas are available. * {{sleep | name=Lura Agroturizëm | alt=Lura | url=https://visitlura.com | email=info@visitlura.com | address=Makresh i Epërm | lat=42.55645 | long=21.44478 | directions=from Gjilan, head towards Novoberdo | phone=+38344554468 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=11:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-03-27 | content=Lura includes: restaurant with local food and products from area farmers, guesthouses for accommodation, wine and brandy cellar, outdoor terrace, orchard, gardens and other recreational spaces.<br />Besides the restaurant and guest houses for accommodation, Lura is known for the processing of fruit from the orchard which is located in the village and produces several types of brandy in the traditional way. Different vegetables are also cultivated in the gardens of Lura, which are then used fresh in cooking. A mini-chicken farm completes this agrotourism.<br />Lura is owned and managed by the Buca family, a family that moved from the city to the countryside to invest in this form of combined agriculture and tourism. }} * {{do | name=GuideKS | alt=Kosovo Tourist Guides Association | url=https://guideks.org | email=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | address=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38349372639 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. }} ==Buy== ==Eat== [[File:Sahat Kulla, Gjilan.jpg|thumb|Clocktower]] * {{eat | name=Baresha | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbaresha | email= | address=Pasjak | lat=42.48117 | long=21.42027 | directions= | phone=+383 44 151 159 | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 23:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content=Meat with sauce. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Labinoti Steak House | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Steak-House-Labinoti-271730236704046/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46907 | long=21.43613 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Steak }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Pojata | alt= | url=https://gjirafa.biz/restaurant--pizzeria-pojata-1 | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46891 | long=21.43898 | directions= | phone=+383 44 709 853 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 00:00| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= French fries }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Garden | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restorantgardengjilan/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46901 | long=21.44028 | directions= | phone=+38344154177 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Beef. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= Sky Rooftop| alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restaurant-Sky-Rooftop-368962950517731/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46937 | long=21.44030 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 20:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Lasagna. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Vali Ranch | alt= | url=http://vali-ranch.com/ | email=info@vali-ranch.com | address=Vellezerit Rexhepi | lat=42.51399 | long=21.53522 | directions= | phone=+38345506863 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 23:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Italian pastas. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/shaqarestaurant/ | email= | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44930 | long=21.46151 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Pizzas. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Gersheta | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/gershetaResort/ | email= | address=Gjilan-Stanishor | lat=42.53228 | long=21.45269 | directions= | phone=+38345611050 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Traditional food. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Bujana | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbujana/ | email= | address=Lidhja e Prizrenit | lat=42.45803 | long=21.47182 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content=Traditional food sauce with bread. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Papaku | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Te-Papaku-Gjilan/458306510847193 | email= | address=Zija Shemsiu | lat=42.46856 | long=21.46586 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Tribeca | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/trbcaffe/ | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46730 | long=21.46789 | directions= | phone=+38349777345 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Savanna Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/barsavannaa/ | email= | address=Abdullah Tahiri | lat=42.46592 | long=21.47401 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Kristal| alt= | url=https://www.kosovo-holidays.com/kosovo/gjilan/hotels/kristal-hotel | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46357 | long=21.46986 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Astoria Resort| alt= | url=http://www.astorialuxury-spa.com/ | email=info@astorialuxury-spa.com | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44529 | long=21.45917 | directions= | phone=+38344888838 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Planet Resort | alt= | url=http://planet-gjilan.com/ | email=info@planet-gjilan.com | address=Egnatia | lat=42.48734 | long=21.53842 | directions= | phone=+38344134073 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Go next== Go in [[Prishtina]] to northwest and to [[Ferizaj]] to the southwest. [[Novo Brdo]] nearby is a rural area rich with history. {{geo|42.46|21.47}} {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{usablecity}} 949uctaqbmp27n10fsko0nv6zsttp7y 4506784 4506702 2022-08-23T10:38:53Z 185.171.62.44 /* Sleep */ Added listing for JONI RANCH wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Gjilani (cropped).jpg}} '''Gjilan''' is a town in [[Kosovo]], in the southeast linked with the highway of [[Pristina]], Serbian Border and North Macedonian Border. ==Understand== [[File:Gjilani pas dite.jpg|thumb|Gjilan]] In the Ottoman Defter of 1455, it is said that this settlement had 41 houses, and according to the cadastral de fi cation of 1566–1974, there were 38 houses and 12 single. This place of residence is later mentioned in written documents and in different descriptive directions. Another opinion says that an Ottoman officer who stayed in this settlement was from an Gjejlan, somewhere in [[Syria]] or elsewhere in the [[Middle East]] and has baptized with that name, while the most realistic opinion lies in the fact that in Gjilan, around the year 1750 the (Gjinolli Family) was established, which came from Novoberdo, belonging to the Gjinaj tribe, so also this family (Bahti Beg Gjinolli) got its name. It is said that the first settlement of Gjilan was the most northwest in today's Dardania I neighborhood, but since 1830 it included a fire and burned completely. The Gjinolli family then moved the city to the east, in the midst of today's commodity and market house, a neighborhood that also called Begler's Corner. [[File:Permendorja Agim Ramadani.JPG|thumb|right|100px|Statue of Agim Ramadani, poet and KLA commander]] The icons of the city are: * '''Idriz Seferi''' who died in war for the freedom in 927. * '''Agim Ramadani''' who died in the last war against Serbian occupation in 1999. * '''Rexhep Mala''' who died protecting himself in a fight with the Serbian Police in 1984. * '''Nuhi Berisha''' who also died in the same night with his friend Rexhep Mala in 1984. ==Get in== ===By bus=== *From [[Bujanoc]] to [[Prishtina]] stop at the bus station here. There are also dedicated buses from Pristina bus station (60 minutes) cost €2. *From [[Ferizaj]] stops at the bus station (30 min) cost €1.50. *From [[Prizren]] stops here (120 min) costing €5. ==Get around== [[File:Muzeu i Gjilanit.jpg|thumb|right|City Museum]] === By foot === The mosque and the church (roughly 500 meters from the bus station) can be accessed from Ibrahim Rugova st. through forward to the Mosque Xhamia e Madhe and left at Nena Tereze st. to the Orthodox church. The museum is near of post and telecom of the city. ===By taxi=== * {{listing | name=Taxi Luli | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-LULI-0800-66-666-130981540274332/ | email= | address=Nato 99 | lat=42.47229 | long=21.45038 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=0800-66-666 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxi Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-Shaqa-216313775851052/ | email= | address=Haki Myderizi | lat=42.47098 | long=21.45455 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=08000-1000 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==See== {{Mapframe|42.46351|21.46938|zoom=15}} * {{listing | type=see | name= Atik Mosque | alt= | url= | email= | address= Zija Shemsiu| lat=42.46775 | long=21.46768 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46546 | long=21.46925 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-16:00 | price=€1 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Square | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46235 | long=21.46824 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Municipal Assembly | alt= | url=http://gjilani-komuna.org/ | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46309 | long=21.46948 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-17:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Dardania I and II | alt= | url= | email= | address=Muharrem Ibrahimi | lat=42.4683 | long=21.4556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} [[File:Gnjilane, crkva Sv. Nikolaja (1861.).JPG|thumb|St. Nicolas Church]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Orthodox Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nena Tereze | lat=42.46404 | long=21.46664 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Hill of Martyrs | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lot Vaku | lat=42.45777 | long=21.45800 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Livoqi Lake | alt= | url= | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.4632 | long=21.4164 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia=| wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Mirusha River | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.46400 | long=21.46966 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Parku1.JPG|thumb|Park]] Makresh i Epërm region is mountainous area with developed agrouturism. Numerous villas are available. * {{sleep | name=Lura Agroturizëm | alt=Lura | url=https://visitlura.com | email=info@visitlura.com | address=Makresh i Epërm | lat=42.55645 | long=21.44478 | directions=from Gjilan, head towards Novoberdo | phone=+38344554468 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=11:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-03-27 | content=Lura includes: restaurant with local food and products from area farmers, guesthouses for accommodation, wine and brandy cellar, outdoor terrace, orchard, gardens and other recreational spaces.<br />Besides the restaurant and guest houses for accommodation, Lura is known for the processing of fruit from the orchard which is located in the village and produces several types of brandy in the traditional way. Different vegetables are also cultivated in the gardens of Lura, which are then used fresh in cooking. A mini-chicken farm completes this agrotourism.<br />Lura is owned and managed by the Buca family, a family that moved from the city to the countryside to invest in this form of combined agriculture and tourism. }} * {{do | name=GuideKS | alt=Kosovo Tourist Guides Association | url=https://guideks.org | email=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | address=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38349372639 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. }} ==Buy== ==Eat== [[File:Sahat Kulla, Gjilan.jpg|thumb|Clocktower]] * {{eat | name=Baresha | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbaresha | email= | address=Pasjak | lat=42.48117 | long=21.42027 | directions= | phone=+383 44 151 159 | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 23:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content=Meat with sauce. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Labinoti Steak House | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Steak-House-Labinoti-271730236704046/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46907 | long=21.43613 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Steak }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Pojata | alt= | url=https://gjirafa.biz/restaurant--pizzeria-pojata-1 | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46891 | long=21.43898 | directions= | phone=+383 44 709 853 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 00:00| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= French fries }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Garden | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restorantgardengjilan/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46901 | long=21.44028 | directions= | phone=+38344154177 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Beef. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= Sky Rooftop| alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restaurant-Sky-Rooftop-368962950517731/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46937 | long=21.44030 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 20:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Lasagna. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Vali Ranch | alt= | url=http://vali-ranch.com/ | email=info@vali-ranch.com | address=Vellezerit Rexhepi | lat=42.51399 | long=21.53522 | directions= | phone=+38345506863 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 23:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Italian pastas. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/shaqarestaurant/ | email= | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44930 | long=21.46151 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Pizzas. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Gersheta | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/gershetaResort/ | email= | address=Gjilan-Stanishor | lat=42.53228 | long=21.45269 | directions= | phone=+38345611050 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Traditional food. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Bujana | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbujana/ | email= | address=Lidhja e Prizrenit | lat=42.45803 | long=21.47182 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content=Traditional food sauce with bread. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Papaku | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Te-Papaku-Gjilan/458306510847193 | email= | address=Zija Shemsiu | lat=42.46856 | long=21.46586 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Tribeca | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/trbcaffe/ | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46730 | long=21.46789 | directions= | phone=+38349777345 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Savanna Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/barsavannaa/ | email= | address=Abdullah Tahiri | lat=42.46592 | long=21.47401 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Kristal| alt= | url=https://www.kosovo-holidays.com/kosovo/gjilan/hotels/kristal-hotel | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46357 | long=21.46986 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Astoria Resort| alt= | url=http://www.astorialuxury-spa.com/ | email=info@astorialuxury-spa.com | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44529 | long=21.45917 | directions= | phone=+38344888838 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Planet Resort | alt= | url=http://planet-gjilan.com/ | email=info@planet-gjilan.com | address=Egnatia | lat=42.48734 | long=21.53842 | directions= | phone=+38344134073 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{eat | name=JONI RANCH | alt=joni ranch Berivojce | url= | email= | address=Kamenice | lat=42.564 | long=21.585 | directions=200 meters near the village of Berivojce | phone=+38348117117 | tollfree= | hours= | price=0.70 EUR and up | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=In JONI RANCH you will have the opportunity to visit all types of horses and their breeds as well as taste all the traditional foods. }} ==Go next== Go in [[Prishtina]] to northwest and to [[Ferizaj]] to the southwest. [[Novo Brdo]] nearby is a rural area rich with history. {{geo|42.46|21.47}} {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{usablecity}} lrny1uroegoutmc520jsfcih0e9kdbx 4506820 4506784 2022-08-23T11:57:50Z Ibaman 195012 copyedit per [[WV:Tone]] and [[Don't tout]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Gjilani (cropped).jpg}} '''Gjilan''' is a town in [[Kosovo]], in the southeast linked with the highway of [[Pristina]], Serbian Border and North Macedonian Border. ==Understand== [[File:Gjilani pas dite.jpg|thumb|Gjilan]] In the Ottoman Defter of 1455, it is said that this settlement had 41 houses, and according to the cadastral de fi cation of 1566–1974, there were 38 houses and 12 single. This place of residence is later mentioned in written documents and in different descriptive directions. Another opinion says that an Ottoman officer who stayed in this settlement was from an Gjejlan, somewhere in [[Syria]] or elsewhere in the [[Middle East]] and has baptized with that name, while the most realistic opinion lies in the fact that in Gjilan, around the year 1750 the (Gjinolli Family) was established, which came from Novoberdo, belonging to the Gjinaj tribe, so also this family (Bahti Beg Gjinolli) got its name. It is said that the first settlement of Gjilan was the most northwest in today's Dardania I neighborhood, but since 1830 it included a fire and burned completely. The Gjinolli family then moved the city to the east, in the midst of today's commodity and market house, a neighborhood that also called Begler's Corner. [[File:Permendorja Agim Ramadani.JPG|thumb|right|100px|Statue of Agim Ramadani, poet and KLA commander]] The icons of the city are: * '''Idriz Seferi''' who died in war for the freedom in 927. * '''Agim Ramadani''' who died in the last war against Serbian occupation in 1999. * '''Rexhep Mala''' who died protecting himself in a fight with the Serbian Police in 1984. * '''Nuhi Berisha''' who also died in the same night with his friend Rexhep Mala in 1984. ==Get in== ===By bus=== *From [[Bujanoc]] to [[Prishtina]] stop at the bus station here. There are also dedicated buses from Pristina bus station (60 minutes) cost €2. *From [[Ferizaj]] stops at the bus station (30 min) cost €1.50. *From [[Prizren]] stops here (120 min) costing €5. ==Get around== [[File:Muzeu i Gjilanit.jpg|thumb|right|City Museum]] === By foot === The mosque and the church (roughly 500 meters from the bus station) can be accessed from Ibrahim Rugova st. through forward to the Mosque Xhamia e Madhe and left at Nena Tereze st. to the Orthodox church. The museum is near of post and telecom of the city. ===By taxi=== * {{listing | name=Taxi Luli | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-LULI-0800-66-666-130981540274332/ | email= | address=Nato 99 | lat=42.47229 | long=21.45038 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=0800-66-666 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | name=Taxi Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Taxi-Shaqa-216313775851052/ | email= | address=Haki Myderizi | lat=42.47098 | long=21.45455 | directions= | phone= | tollfree=08000-1000 | hours= | price=€0.85/km | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==See== {{Mapframe|42.46351|21.46938|zoom=15}} * {{listing | type=see | name= Atik Mosque | alt= | url= | email= | address= Zija Shemsiu| lat=42.46775 | long=21.46768 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Museum | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46546 | long=21.46925 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-16:00 | price=€1 | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=City Square | alt= | url= | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46235 | long=21.46824 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Municipal Assembly | alt= | url=http://gjilani-komuna.org/ | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46309 | long=21.46948 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00-17:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Dardania I and II | alt= | url= | email= | address=Muharrem Ibrahimi | lat=42.4683 | long=21.4556 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} [[File:Gnjilane, crkva Sv. Nikolaja (1861.).JPG|thumb|St. Nicolas Church]] * {{listing | type=see | name=Orthodox Church | alt= | url= | email= | address=Nena Tereze | lat=42.46404 | long=21.46664 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Hill of Martyrs | alt= | url= | email= | address=Lot Vaku | lat=42.45777 | long=21.45800 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Livoqi Lake | alt= | url= | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.4632 | long=21.4164 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia=| wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=see | name=Mirusha River | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=42.46400 | long=21.46966 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Do== [[File:Parku1.JPG|thumb|Park]] * {{do | name=GuideKS | alt=Kosovo Tourist Guides Association | url=https://guideks.org | email=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | address=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38349372639 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. }} ==Buy== ==Eat== [[File:Sahat Kulla, Gjilan.jpg|thumb|Clocktower]] * {{eat | name=Baresha | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbaresha | email= | address=Pasjak | lat=42.48117 | long=21.42027 | directions= | phone=+383 44 151 159 | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 23:00 | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content=Meat with sauce. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Labinoti Steak House | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Steak-House-Labinoti-271730236704046/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46907 | long=21.43613 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Steak }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Pojata | alt= | url=https://gjirafa.biz/restaurant--pizzeria-pojata-1 | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46891 | long=21.43898 | directions= | phone=+383 44 709 853 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 00:00| price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= French fries }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Garden | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restorantgardengjilan/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46901 | long=21.44028 | directions= | phone=+38344154177 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 22:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Beef. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name= Sky Rooftop| alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Restaurant-Sky-Rooftop-368962950517731/ | email= | address=Fehmi Agani | lat=42.46937 | long=21.44030 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=10:00 - 20:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Lasagna. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Vali Ranch | alt= | url=http://vali-ranch.com/ | email=info@vali-ranch.com | address=Vellezerit Rexhepi | lat=42.51399 | long=21.53522 | directions= | phone=+38345506863 | tollfree= | hours=08:00 - 23:00 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Italian pastas. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Shaqa | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/shaqarestaurant/ | email= | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44930 | long=21.46151 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=24/7 | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Pizzas. }} *{{listing | type=eat | name=Gersheta | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/gershetaResort/ | email= | address=Gjilan-Stanishor | lat=42.53228 | long=21.45269 | directions= | phone=+38345611050 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= Traditional food. }} * {{listing | type=eat | name=Bujana | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/restaurantbujana/ | email= | address=Lidhja e Prizrenit | lat=42.45803 | long=21.47182 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-29 | content=Traditional food sauce with bread. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Papaku | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Te-Papaku-Gjilan/458306510847193 | email= | address=Zija Shemsiu | lat=42.46856 | long=21.46586 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Tribeca | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/trbcaffe/ | email= | address=Adem Jashari | lat=42.46730 | long=21.46789 | directions= | phone=+38349777345 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=drink | name=Savanna Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/barsavannaa/ | email= | address=Abdullah Tahiri | lat=42.46592 | long=21.47401 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Hotel Kristal| alt= | url=https://www.kosovo-holidays.com/kosovo/gjilan/hotels/kristal-hotel | email= | address=Ibrahim Rugova | lat=42.46357 | long=21.46986 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Astoria Resort| alt= | url=http://www.astorialuxury-spa.com/ | email=info@astorialuxury-spa.com | address=Skenderbeu | lat=42.44529 | long=21.45917 | directions= | phone=+38344888838 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Planet Resort | alt= | url=http://planet-gjilan.com/ | email=info@planet-gjilan.com | address=Egnatia | lat=42.48734 | long=21.53842 | directions= | phone=+38344134073 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2019-07-28 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Joni Ranch | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kamenice | lat=42.564 | long=21.585 | directions=200 m near the village of Berivojce | phone=+38348117117 | tollfree= | hours= | price=0.70 EUR and up | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=All types of horses and their breeds, as well as traditional foods. }} Makresh i Epërm region is mountainous area with developed agrouturism. Numerous villas are available. * {{sleep | name=Lura Agroturizëm | alt=Lura | url=https://visitlura.com | email=info@visitlura.com | address=Makresh i Epërm | lat=42.55645 | long=21.44478 | directions=from Gjilan, head towards Novoberdo | phone=+38344554468 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=11:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-03-27 | content=Lura includes: restaurant with local food and products from area farmers, guesthouses for accommodation, wine and brandy cellar, outdoor terrace, orchard, gardens and other recreational spaces. Lura is known for the processing of fruit from the orchard, and produces several types of brandy in the traditional way. Different vegetables are also cultivated and then used fresh in cooking. There's a mini-chicken farm as well. }} ==Go next== Go in [[Prishtina]] to northwest and to [[Ferizaj]] to the southwest. [[Novo Brdo]] nearby is a rural area rich with history. {{geo|42.46|21.47}} {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{usablecity}} tdf705ctvrhhe6wta7ecvktapw4oqn9 0 173849 4506449 4474141 2022-08-22T23:28:06Z The dog2 35982 /* Europe */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Age of Discovery Banner.jpg}} The '''Age of Discovery''', also known as the '''Age of Exploration''', was the period from the 15th century to the late 18th, when Europeans set sail to discover and explore other lands. It also marked the beginning of European colonialism and the start of the Mercantilist Age, as well as the beginning of globalization. While the European explorers did discover many uninhabited islands, for the most part they were exploring lands that had been discovered and settled by other people thousands of years before. The widely-used term "Age of Discovery" reflects the Eurocentric view of the world that existed at the time. For this article, we focus on seaborne exploration and consider the Age of Exploration to end with the navigators Cook, Vancouver, Tasman and Flinders exploring the Pacific in the late 18th century. This excludes various expansions over land &mdash; the [[Russian Empire]], the [[Ottoman Empire]], [[Imperial China]], America's [[Old West]] and so on &mdash; and more recent explorations in the [[Arctic]], [[Antarctica]] and [[Space]]. The article ''[[In the footsteps of explorers]]'' takes a broader approach to exploration, including explorers from other time-periods and those not from Europe. ==Understand== {{seealso|Early modern Europe}} Though the great voyages of the Age of Discovery were not the world's first or the first major ones by Europeans, they were very influential. Trade routes had been maintained between the [[Roman Empire]] and the East via the [[Silk Road]] for many centuries. The period from the 5th to the 15th century AD is in Europe known as the [[Medieval Europe|Middle Ages]], earlier implied to be a "dark" age between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance and Age of Discovery. This view is today dismissed, and there were indeed many great explorers during the time, both Europeans and others. [[Vikings]] reached North America around 1000&nbsp;CE. [[Marco Polo]]'s book, published around 1300, told of the riches of the East and strongly influenced later exploration. The [[Islamic Golden Age]] produced explorers such as Ibn Battuta, who travelled further than any known person before him. China's [[Imperial China|Ming Dynasty]] sent the [[Voyages of Zheng He|Ming Treasure Voyages]] across the South China Sea and Indian Ocean in the 15th century, making it as far the [[East Africa|east coast of Africa]]. The European Age of Discovery began in 1415, as the Portuguese captured the Moorish port of [[Ceuta]] in North Africa, marking the start of the [[Portuguese Empire]]. They were pioneers in the Age of Exploration, discovering the system of ocean currents and prevailing winds in the Atlantic Ocean, and striving to improve their shipbuilding and seamanship skills in order to use it. The understanding of the trade winds, and the development of triangular sails capable of crosswind sailing, enabled Europeans to sail across oceans and establish global empires. [[File:Portuguese discoveries and explorationsV2en.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Portuguese discoveries and explorations: first arrival places and dates; main Portuguese spice trade routes (blue)]] The Portuguese were the first Europeans to expand over the seas since the [[Vikings]]. First they discovered and settled some nearby and until then uninhabited archipelagos, [[Madeira]] in 1418 and the [[Azores]] in 1427. Inaugurated around 1433, the [[Sagres]] nautical school, sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), was set up to study the maritime exploration of the Atlantic Ocean, which led to the reaching of [[Greenland]], [[Newfoundland]], [[Labrador]], and the west coast of Africa. The discovery of a passable route around [[Boujdour|Cape Bojador]] by Portuguese mariner Gil Eanes in 1434 was a major breakthrough for European seamanship, of almost mystical significance. After Prince Henry's death, his pupils continued to voyage further and further, enabling [[Portugal]] to begin a major chapter in world history with the New World discoveries and a monopoly over trade between the Orient and Western Europe. The Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias would become the first European to sight and sail around the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. Explorers Vasco da Gama and Pedro Álvares Cabral reached India in 1498 and Brazil in 1500, respectively, setting in motion the colonial scheme of occupation and exploitation. Other countries soon joined in. Spain sent [[Voyages of Columbus|Columbus]] on a series of voyages starting in 1492, and also sent out voyages under other commanders; in 1519 they sent out the [[Magellan]] expedition, the first circumnavigation of the world. In the process, Magellan would become the first European to sail through "the Strait that shall forever bear his name", in 1520. This would be the main route for ships sailing between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans until the first European sighting and rounding of Cape Horn further south by the Dutch navigator Willem Schouten in 1616. John Cabot explored [[Newfoundland]] and nearby areas for the British starting in 1497. French exploratory voyages began around 1508 under Giovanni da Verrazzano, and what is now [[Quebec]] was claimed for the [[Kingdom of France]] by Jacques Cartier by 1540. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach [[Indonesia]], in 1512, with British and Dutch traders not far behind. The {{marker | name=Treaty of Tordesillas| wikipedia=Treaty of Tordesillas}} was signed in 1494 after the Pope mediated in a dispute between Portugal and Spain; it divided the non-Christian world between those two powers. The Protestant powers and even Catholic France ignored it. [[File:Spain_and_Portugal.png|thumb|upright=1.35|The Pope divides the world]] * Spain was granted the right to occupy much of the New World, plus most of the Pacific. They soon grabbed most of the Americas, except Portuguese Brazil and various areas where the British, Dutch or French beat them to it. * Portugal got [[Brazil]] and was granted a free hand in the Old World, except for Christian Europe. They rushed to establish bases (though generally not large colonies) all along the trade routes to the riches of the East. They held [[Angola]], [[Goa]] and [[Macau]] until the late 20th century. They were also in [[Sri Lanka]], [[Malacca]], the [[Spice Islands]] and [[Taiwan]] until the Dutch or the British displaced them. The treaty allowed either nation to intrude into the other's zone provided the area was not yet colonized, they formed alliances with local rulers, and they spread the Faith. At least in the mind of the Spanish King, this justified taking the [[Philippines]] in the 1560s. It was the Portuguese, from their base in Macau, who first began serious trade with China and Japan. Later, other European powers and the US joined in. However, both countries would maintain relatively isolationist trade policies until the 19th century, when the British forced China into very unfavorable trade terms following their victory in the First Opium War in 1842, and the Americans forced Japan to open up during the Black Ships incident in 1853. Italy did not develop its own colonial empire until the late 19th century &mdash; they took [[Eritrea]] in 1882, [[Somalia]] in 1889, [[Libya]] in 1911, [[Ethiopia]] in 1936, and had a few small concessions in [[China]] &mdash; but many of the explorers in the early days were Italians. These included Columbus, Cabot, Verrazzano and Magellan's chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta. Along with military conquest and commerce, the other goal of imperialism was [[Christianity|Christianizing]] the indigenous peoples, which was the role of missionaries. And except in [[Islam|Muslim]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]], [[Sikhism|Sikh]] and most [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] areas, and nations with their own longstanding Christian churches, they were very successful in attaining converts, eventually leading to Christianity becoming the world's most prolific religion, a position it maintains today. Many of the early missionaries to nations far from Europe took fascinating journeys which can be retraced, and there are many historical missions around the world with functioning churches and museums that can be visited. The Europeans often maintained control over their colonies through a "divide and conquer" strategy, in which they would deliberately stoke tensions between different groups. Moreover, many people were shipped between far flung regions of the colonial empires to provide labour for the respective colonial masters. This has resulted in significant ethnic and religious tensions that have persisted even after the colonies gained independence, sometimes even resulting in civil wars or genocides. The Age of Discovery also left a huge impact on global culinary culture, and many ingredients now seen as integral parts of many [[Europe]]an cuisines such as potatoes, tomatoes and cocoa actually have their origins in the [[Americas]]. Similarly, chillis have become an integral part of many [[Asia]]n and [[Africa]]n cuisines despite their origin in what is today southern [[Mexico]] and [[Central America]], having been brought to these areas by Spanish and Portuguese traders in the 16th century, and likewise, maize, which is native to southern Mexico, has become a staple in many African cuisines. Coffee had its origins in the [[Horn of Africa]], but is now also grown in many other parts of the world, including parts of the Americas and Southeast Asia. Unlike native American ingredients, native Australian ingredients have a comparatively minor impact on the global culinary scene, the sole exception being the macadamia nut, which is now one of [[Hawaii]]'s most famed exports. ==Explorers== This section lists many of the more famous explorers of the period. ===Christopher Columbus=== Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was a [[Genoa|Genoese]] colonizer and explorer who made several voyages across in Atlantic in the service of the Spanish crown from 1492-1502, thus kickstarting the Age of Discovery and the formation of the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish colonial empire]]. While he never set foot in what are now the states of the [[United States of America]], his voyages are celebrated in the form of the public holiday Columbus Day. *''See the article on the [[Voyages of Columbus]] for more information.'' ===Vasco da Gama=== Vasco da Gama (c.1460-1524) was a Portuguese explorer who became the first European to reach [[India]] by sea, going around [[Africa]] in the process. His voyages thus allowed Portugal to establish a [[Portuguese Empire|colonial empire]] in much of Africa and Asia. *''See the article on the [[Cape Route]] for more information.'' ===Ferdinand Magellan=== Ferdinand Magellan (c.1480-1521) was a Portuguese explorer in the service of the Spanish crown who organised the first circumnavigation of the globe, and became the first European to reach Asia from the east, by first sailing through [[Punta Arenas|the strait that was later named after him]]. Magellan himself was killed in a tribal war in [[Mactan]] in what is now the [[Philippines]], and the circumnavigation was completed by his subordinate commander Juan Sebastián Elcano. *''See the article on the [[Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation]] for more information.'' ===John Cabot=== John Cabot, or Giovanni Caboto, was a [[Venice|Venetian]] working for the English King who made three trips west from [[Bristol]] in 1497 and 1498. The records are scanty and their interpretation controversial, but it seems that he was the first European since the [[Vikings]] to reach [[Newfoundland]]. One of his sons, Sebastian, was also an explorer; working for the English King between 1504 and 1512 he explored the North American coast as far south as [[Chesapeake Bay]] and became the first to look for the Northwest Passage, following the north coast of what is now [[Quebec]] until the weather forced him to turn back. Later he worked for Spain exploring South America. ===Jacques Cartier=== Jacques Cartier (1491-1557) was a [[Brittany|Breton]] who explored the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Saint Lawrence River for France between 1531 and 1542. He was the first European to reach what were then indigenous settlements and are now [[Quebec City]] and [[Montreal]]. He could not go beyond Montreal due to rapids. He did not command the third voyage in 1541-42. This was to be France's first attempt at establishing a permanent settlement in the New World, and overall command was given to de Roberval who was to be governor of the colony; Cartier was chief navigator. The colony failed, but by then Cartier was already retired in [[St Malo]]. ===St. Francis Xavier=== St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a [[Navarre|Navarrese]] Catholic missionary who was one of the founders of the Society of Jesus ([[Jesuits]]). He led evangelization efforts in much of the Portuguese colonial empire in Asia, in particular India, and became the first Christian missionary to reach [[Borneo]], the [[Maluku|Maluku Islands]] and [[Japan]]. He was on a diplomatic mission to [[China]] when he fell ill and died on the island of Shangchuan near [[Taishan City|Taishan]], [[Guangdong]]. Initially buried on a beach on the island, the site on which the St. Francis Church now stands, his body was later exhumed and moved to St Paul's Church in [[Malacca]] (now in ruins). He would later be moved again to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in [[Goa]], where he lies to this day. ===Sir Francis Drake=== Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) was an English explorer and privateer, famous for sailing around the world, including leading the first circumnavigation of the globe under a single commander from 1577 to 1580, and for his many raids on Spanish waters. The most notable of these were his attack on [[Cartagena (Colombia)|Cartagena de Indias]] in April 1586 with 23 ships and 3,000 men, burning 200 houses and the cathedral, and departing only after a ransom was paid a month later; and the "singeing of King Philip's beard" in 1587, against [[Cádiz]], [[A Coruña]] and the Spanish Armada, occupying the harbours and destroying 37 naval and merchant ships. Legend says, on his return, he raided and destroyed the old [[Sagres]] school, a Spanish asset at this time; when ''Golden Hinde'' arrived and docked at the Tower of London, Queen Elizabeth I went aboard with the French ambassador, announced him "Sir", and handed the Frenchman a sword to perform the deed (and embroil the French and Spanish empires against each other). His legacy is mixed; in Latin America, ''El Draque'' is remembered mostly as a pirate, whereas the Anglosphere sees him as a bona fide explorer. ===Samuel de Champlain=== Samuel de Champlain (1567–1635) was a French colonist, navigator, cartographer, draftsman, soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and chronicler. He made between 21 and 29 trips across the Atlantic Ocean, and founded [[Quebec City]], and New France, on 3 July 1608. An important figure in Canadian history, Champlain created the first accurate coastal map during his explorations, and founded various colonial settlements. ===Abel Tasman=== [[File:Tasmanroutes.PNG|thumb|The route of Abel Tasman's 1642 and 1644 voyages in the service of the Dutch East India Company]] In November 1642, Dutch East India Company commander Abel Tasman, exploring from [[Mauritius]] under orders of Anthony van Diemen, governor-general of the [[Dutch Empire|Dutch East Indies]], found [[Tasmania]] island, and claimed it. He named it "Van Diemen's Land" after his patron. A cape and a group of islands in northern [[New Zealand]] are still called by names given by Tasman while underway. He reportedly reached [[Fiji]] and [[Tonga]], later returning to [[Jakarta|Batavia]]. His second voyage took place in 1644; he mapped a part of Australia's northern coast, but failed to find the Torres Strait and a possible trade route, and the expedition was deemed a failure. ===Vitus Bering=== [[File:Berings ships wrecked.jpg|thumb|right | 250px|Vitus Bering's expedition being wrecked on the Aleutian Islands in 1741.]] [[File:The grave of Vitus Bering.jpg|thumb|right | 250px|The grave of Vitus Bering on Bering island]] Danish cartographer and explorer Vitus Jonassen Bering (1681-1741), also known as Ivan Ivanovich Bering, an officer in the Russian Navy, explored the Bering Sea region and claimed [[Kamchatka]] (1725-28) and [[Alaska]] (1741) on behalf of the [[Russian Empire]]. The Bering Strait, the Bering Sea, Bering Island (where he is buried, after dying while underway), the Bering Glacier and the Bering Land Bridge were all named in his honor. He was neither the first Russian to sight North America (that having been achieved by Mikhail Gvozdev during the 1730s), nor the first Russian to pass through the strait which now bears his name (an honour which goes to the relatively unknown 17th-century expedition of Semyon Dezhnev). Reports from his second voyage were jealously guarded by the Russian administration, preventing Bering's story from being retold in full for at least a century after his death. Nonetheless, Bering's achievements, both as an individual explorer and as a leader of the second expedition, have never been doubted. Captain James Cook, despite knowledge of Dezhnev's earlier expedition, chose to use the name "Bering Strait". ===James Cook=== Born in 1728, Cook joined the Royal Navy in 1755, eventually rising to the rank of captain. He saw action in the Seven Years' War and subsequently surveyed and mapped much of the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River during the siege of Quebec, which brought him to the attention of the Admiralty and Royal Society. This led to his commission in 1766 as commander of HM Bark ''Endeavour'' for the first of three expeditions around the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand, as well as the first European contact and waypoint naming on the eastern coastline of Australia. He was killed at [[Big Island|Kealakekua Bay]] in Hawaii on 14 February 1779, in a conflict with locals. *''See the article on the [[Voyages of James Cook]] for more information. '' ===Louis Antoine de Bougainville=== Louis-Antoine, Comte de Bougainville (1729–1811) from [[Saint-Malo]] was a French admiral and explorer. A contemporary of James Cook, he took part in the Seven Years' War in North America and the American Revolutionary War against Britain. Bougainville later gained fame for his expeditions, including a scientific circumnavigation of the globe in 1763, the first recorded settlement on the [[Falkland Islands|"Isles Malouines"]], and voyages into the Pacific Ocean. [[Bougainville]] Island of [[Papua New Guinea]], as well as the ''Bougainvillea'' genus of tropical ornamental plants, were named after him. ===George Vancouver=== Vancouver was a British officer of the Royal Navy best known for his 1791–95 expedition, to lay formal [[British Empire|British claim]] and start colonization of North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions previously mapped by James Cook. The [[Canada|Canadian]] city of [[Vancouver]], as well as the nearby [[Vancouver Island]] were named after him. *''See the article on the [[Voyages of George Vancouver]] for more information. '' ===Matthew Flinders=== [[File:StatueOfMatthewFlinders.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Statue of Flinders along North Terrace, [[Adelaide]]]] Captain Matthew Flinders (1774–1814) was an English navigator, cartographer and officer of the Royal Navy who led the second circumnavigation of New Holland, that he would subsequently call "Australia", and identified it as a continent. Flinders made three voyages to the Southern Ocean between 1791 and 1810. Today, Flinders is often forgotten about in his home country (England), but he is well known to Australians, and many places in Australia are named after him. *''See the article on the [[Voyages of Matthew Flinders]] for more information. '' ==See== Wikivoyage has itinerary articles for some of the greatest voyages of the Age of Discovery: *[[Voyages of Columbus]] — Spain to the Caribbean, 1492 *[[Cape Route]] — Vasco da Gama, Portugal to India by going south around Africa, 1498 *[[Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation]] — around the world, by going past the southern tip of mainland South America, 1519-1521 *[[Voyages of James Cook]] — United Kingdom to [[Oceania|the Pacific]], 1766-1780 *[[Voyages of George Vancouver]] — United Kingdom to the west coast of [[North America]], 1791–1795 *[[Voyages of Matthew Flinders]] — United Kingdom to [[Australia]], 1791-1810 ===Europe=== In '''[[Lisbon]]''', the capital of Portugal, see the ''Torre de Belém'' where Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages to distant lands, and where they disembarked on their return to the motherland. The Museu da Marinha (Maritime Museum) in the Belém district, evokes Portugal's domination of the seas. Its collections include model ships from the Age of Discovery onward. The oldest exhibit is a wooden figure representing the Archangel Raphael that accompanied Vasco da Gama on his voyage to India. '''[[Seville]]''' was the main base for Spanish expeditions in this period and has the ''General Archive of the Indies'', a library of documents on Spanish exploration and colonization. In '''[[Saint-Malo]]''', France, you can visit the Jacques Cartier Museum in his former house, which has been restored and fitted out to evoke the daily life and travels of Cartier who explored and claimed Canada for France in the mid-16th century. In '''[[Bristol]]''', in the United Kingdom, you can board the ''Matthew of Bristol'', a replica of the ship used by John Cabot (an Italian also known as Giovanni Caboto) to explore the coast of North America for England. In '''[[London]]''', in the United Kingdom, you can board a replica of Sir Francis Drake's ''The Golden Hinde'' built using traditional methods. Buckland Abbey, in Yelverton near '''[[Plymouth (England)|Plymouth]]''', was owned by Sir Francis Drake, and is now a museum. A number of mementos of his life are displayed there. ===Americas=== In '''[[Santo Domingo]]''', the capital of the Dominican Republic, you can visit the "Faro a Colon", a huge lighthouse and monument built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492. It is also a museum that claims to house his remains. Santo Domingo was the first major European settlement in the New World. Christopher Columbus walked these streets! The Cathedral of '''[[Seville]]''', Spain, has the results of DNA testing to back its claim to having the explorer's remains. In '''[[Punta Arenas]]''', Chile, the Museo Nao Victoria hosts a replica of the ''Nao Victoria'', one of the ships used by Juan Sebastián Elcano, a Spaniard, who completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth (1519-21). It also has a replica of the HMS ''Beagle''. '''[[Sitka]]''' in Alaska is a Russian-born city, the former capital of Russian Alaska. ===Africa=== '''[[Mossel Bay]]''', South Africa, has a Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex with information about European explorers and a replica of the ship used by 15th-century Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias. At '''Kwaaihoek''', Alexandria, near [[Port Elizabeth]] in South Africa, the Dias Cross Memorial is a replica of the cross erected in 1488 by Bartolomeu Diaz, the famous Portuguese navigator. ===Asia=== '''[[Malacca]]''' was first colonised by the Portuguese in 1511, after Alfonso de Albuquerque defeated the Malacca Sultanate in a war. The Dutch would gain control of it after defeating the Portuguese in a war in 1641. It would remain under Dutch rule until the signing of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty in 1824, when the British took over Malacca in exchange for the Dutch taking the British colonies in Sumatra. Today, you can visit the Portuguese settlement, where descendants of the Portuguese colonisers who intermarried with the locals reside, and some continue to speak a Portuguese-based creole. It is also a good place to sample the distinctive Portuguese Eurasian cuisine. Other sites dating back to the Portuguese colonial era include the ruins of the ''A Famosa'' fort and the Church of Saint Paul. Several Dutch colonial buildings also survive, including the ''Stadhuys'' and the adjacent Christ Church. '''[[Penang]]''' was colonised by the British in 1786, when the Sultan of [[Kedah]] sold it to Captain Francis Light of the British East India Company, making it the first British colony in Southeast Asia. Today, [[George Town (Malaysia)|George Town]], the capital of Penang, is known for being one of the best preserved examples of a British colonial capital in Southeast Asia. Light died of malaria in 1794, and is buried in the Old Protestant Cemetery on the island, where his grave can be visited. '''[[Macau]]''' was colonised by Portugal in 1557, when China's Ming Dynasty granted them the right to establish a permanent trading post as gratitude for helping the Chinese to eliminate coastal pirates, making it the first European colony in East Asia. Portugal would hold on to Macau until 1999, when it was returned to China, which incidentally also marked the end of European colonialism in Asia. Today, Macau is home to an exceptionally high concentration of well-preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, particularly around the ''Largo do Senado'', complete with the traditional Portuguese pavement, and you could easily mistake it for somewhere in Europe were it not for the people and Chinese-language signs. There is also the Ruins of Saint Paul, the remnants of a Portuguese Roman Catholic church that was destroyed in a fire in 1835. Another legacy of Portuguese rule is the unique Macanese cuisine, with perhaps its most famous dish being the Macanese egg tart, which was originally derived from the Portuguese ''pastel de nata''. '''[[Taiwan]]''''s history is more complex. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to sight it in 1544 and named it ''Ilha Formosa'' (beautiful island), the name by which it first became known to the West. Formosa was the usual name in English until it was replaced by the Chinese name "Taiwan" in the late 20th century. The Spanish held parts of it in the early 1600s but were driven out by the Dutch, who were driven out by [[Ming Dynasty]] loyalist Koxinga (known in China as Zheng Chenggong) in 1661. He set up an independent kingdom which lasted until the [[Qing Dynasty]] invaded in 1683. The Qing kept control until 1895 when Japan took the island. Japan was forced to give it back to China in 1945 after their defeat in [[Pacific War|World War II]]. [[Gulangyu]] in [[Xiamen]] has a [[Gulangyu#History_and_culture_museums|museum for Koxinga]] who drove the Dutch out of Taiwan. Although popularly remembered as a pirate in the West, he is one of the few historical leaders considered a hero by the governments in both Beijing and Taipei; defeating the foreign devils makes him a good guy in everyone's books. There are also numerous sites dedicated to him across the strait in [[Tainan]], including the Chih-kan Tower and several temples. Tainan is also home to the ruins of several forts that were built during the Dutch colonial period. The first Europeans to reach the [[Philippines]] were a Spanish expedition under [[Magellan]] in the 1520s, during which Magellan himself was killed in [[Mactan]] by local tribal chief Lapu-Lapu. The Spanish returned to colonize in the 1560s and held it until 1898 when the Americans took it over (along with [[Cuba]], [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Guam]]) after the Spanish-American War. Today many [[Philippines#Historical_and_cultural_attractions|attractions]] in the country are remnants of the Spanish colonial period, with the city of [[Vigan]] being perhaps the best preserved example of a Spanish colonial city in the country. ==See also== Wikivoyage also has a number of articles on things that were influenced by European exploration and colonialism. The "Big Five" colonial empires were: *[[British Empire]] including the "jewel in the crown", the [[British Raj]] *[[Dutch Empire]] *[[French Colonial Empire]] *[[Portuguese Empire]] *[[Spanish Empire]] Other articles on related topics include: *[[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] *[[Atlantic slave trade]] *[[Danish Empire]] *[[Swedish Empire]] *[[Russian Empire]] and its successor, the [[Soviet Union]] *[[Indigenous cultures of North America]] *[[Indigenous cultures of South America]] *[[Indigenous Australian culture]] *[[Maori culture]] *[[Western food in Asia]] The Germans, Italians and Belgians also built smaller colonial empires. Wikivoyage does not have articles on the German, Italian and Belgian colonial empires (as of May 2022), but there is an article on [[German East Africa]]. The descendants of European colonists in thirteen British colonies in North America would declare independence as the [[United States of America]] in 1776, with the new country beginning its expansion shortly after, and subsequently building a colonial empire of its own in the 19th and 20th centuries. {{usabletopic}} {{PartOfTopic|In the footsteps of explorers}} avsfhw0fbtaica1fsbo50yeu4ve38bi 0 178487 4506337 4498032 2022-08-22T17:28:47Z 197.234.221.226 wikitext text/x-wiki 4506339 4506337 2022-08-22T17:29:07Z Ibaman 195012 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/197.234.221.226|197.234.221.226]] ([[User talk:197.234.221.226|talk]]) to last version by [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sosnogorsk banner Yugyd Lun City Park.jpg|Municipal park "Yugyd Lun"}} [[File:Храмовый комплекс.jpg|thumb|300px|Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov and the Church of the Holy Myrrhbearers]] '''Sosnogorsk''' ([[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]: Сосного́рск) is in the center [[Komi Republic]] of [[Northwestern Russia]]. It was founded in 1939 as a railway station and later became home to a gulag. Today it is a small city of about 26,000 on the left bank of the Izhma River. Until 1957, it was known as Izhma (И́жма). ==Understand== ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=12|layer=W|63.595|53.928|width=350|height=350}} ===By plane=== The closest airport is at [[Ukhty]]. ===By train=== Trains through Sosnogorsk go on to [[Vorkuta]] or [[Labytnangi]]. From [[Moscow]]'s Yaroslavl Station there is a direct train, Moscow-Sosnogorsk. ==Get around== There are three bus routes in town: 11, 19, and 21. ==See== {{listing|type=see | name=Memorial Museum of Local History | alt=Историко-краеведческий мемориальный музей | url= | email= | address=ул.Пионерская, д.18 | lat=63.5909 | long=53.9363 | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== In July, Sosnogorsk hosts the annual Komi Republic jazz, pop, and rock music festival! ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Komi Republic}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|63.595|53.928}} g4cqtgm1ggm0bs9xd7iums281fwpbk4 4506340 4506339 2022-08-22T17:29:25Z Ibaman 195012 Protected "[[Sosnogorsk]]": Target page for a block evading user ([Edit=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (expires 17:29, 22 November 2022 (UTC)) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sosnogorsk banner Yugyd Lun City Park.jpg|Municipal park "Yugyd Lun"}} [[File:Храмовый комплекс.jpg|thumb|300px|Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov and the Church of the Holy Myrrhbearers]] '''Sosnogorsk''' ([[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]: Сосного́рск) is in the center [[Komi Republic]] of [[Northwestern Russia]]. It was founded in 1939 as a railway station and later became home to a gulag. Today it is a small city of about 26,000 on the left bank of the Izhma River. Until 1957, it was known as Izhma (И́жма). ==Understand== ==Get in== {{mapframe|zoom=12|layer=W|63.595|53.928|width=350|height=350}} ===By plane=== The closest airport is at [[Ukhty]]. ===By train=== Trains through Sosnogorsk go on to [[Vorkuta]] or [[Labytnangi]]. From [[Moscow]]'s Yaroslavl Station there is a direct train, Moscow-Sosnogorsk. ==Get around== There are three bus routes in town: 11, 19, and 21. ==See== {{listing|type=see | name=Memorial Museum of Local History | alt=Историко-краеведческий мемориальный музей | url= | email= | address=ул.Пионерская, д.18 | lat=63.5909 | long=53.9363 | directions= | phone= | fax= | hours= | price= | content= }} ==Do== In July, Sosnogorsk hosts the annual Komi Republic jazz, pop, and rock music festival! ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Komi Republic}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|63.595|53.928}} g4cqtgm1ggm0bs9xd7iums281fwpbk4 0 182031 4506253 4506066 2022-08-22T13:46:23Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Do */Not really open in the woods wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Fordingbridge banner Breamore House.JPG|caption=Breamore House}} '''Fordingbridge''' is a small town in [[Hampshire]], on the northwestern edge of the [[New Forest]] National Park. The town itself is mostly known for its 13th-century bridge over the River Avon, but the nearby villages of '''Breamore''' and '''Rockbourne''' each have sights of their own, from the remains of a 2000-year old mansion, to a fascinating agricultural museum. Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside of farmland and forest offers some great outdoor pursuits, chief among them fishing, riding and watersports. ==Understand== [[Image:The river Avon, Fordingbridge, Hampshire - geograph.org.uk - 1170792.jpg|thumb|300px|The River Avon and Great Bridge]] The River Avon that flows through these parts is not the same river that Shakespeare's [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]] is upon, nor is it the one that goes through [[Bath]] and [[Bristol]]. ''Avon'' is in fact a Celtic word meaning "river", but the irony of naming several watercourses in their newly-conquered country "River River" was lost on the Anglo-Saxons. This Avon rises in the Wiltshire downs, flows lazily past [[Stonehenge]] and south through [[Salisbury]] to Fordingbridge, from where it meanders on to meet the sea near [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]]. It is a quintessential southern English chalk stream, with water clear as glass and high numbers of fish, particularly brown trout, pike and perch. There has been a crossing over the Avon here in the form of a ford or a bridge for longer than the records go back, but the current seven-arched stone '''Great Bridge''' was built in the 13th century, and widened and reinforced in the 19th. The bridge was once an important access point to the New Forest, so much so that the lord of the manor was for many centuries charged with ensuring no poachers smuggled game out of the forest by means of the bridge. People caught poaching were liable to lose a hand or be blinded. The celebrated Welsh portrait artist '''Augustus John''' lived in Fordingbridge for over 30 years until his death in 1961. The polyamorous John fathered at least seven children, and it is said that even as an old man he used to affectionately pat the head of every Fordingbridge kid he passed, just in case. Evidently he still inspires a good deal of local pride, as not only have they erected a statue to him, they've also named a pub and even a whole new neighbourhood after him. '''Fordingbridge''' is a typical small Hampshire town, with a population of around 6,000. It was a market town in the medieval era, but those days of regional importance are far behind it. The laidback town centre is not especially lovely, but there are some old buildings of note such as the parish church and an Art Deco cinema. Most of the shops are independents rather than chains, making Fordingbridge a good place to shop for local produce. North of Fordingbridge, two outlying parishes covered by this article are definitely worth your time: '''Breamore''' has a Tudor mansion with several attractions on its estate; '''Rockbourne''' is an idyllic village that's home to an excavated Roman villa. ===Tourist information=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Information Office | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridge.gov.uk/fordingbridge-information-office/ | email=information@fordingbridge.gov.uk | address=Kings Yard, 23 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9283 | long=-1.7896 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 560 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Tourist information, fishing permits and internet access. }} ==Get in== On the northwestern edge of the New Forest and very close to the borders with [[Dorset]] and [[Wiltshire]], Fordingbridge is {{convert|12|miles}} south of the cathedral city of [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]. {{mapframe|50.9275|-1.7901|zoom=11}} ===By car=== By far the best means of reaching Fordingbridge, not least because most of the area's attractions are out of the town. The A338 Salisbury to [[Bournemouth]] road passes just to the east of the town centre. At [[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]], {{convert|6|miles}} further south, the road meets the A31 trunk road, which handles most traffic from [[Southampton]], [[Dorchester]] and [[London]]. The main {{marker|type=go|name=[https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1399/Fordingbridge-Car-Park-Fordingbridge car park]|lat=50.9277|long=-1.7919}} can be accessed via (and is signposted from) Shaftesbury Street. For satnavs, use the postcode "SP6 1AQ". ===By public transport=== Fordingbridge lost its railway line in the 1960s, and the nearest station is now at Salisbury, which receives '''trains''' from towns and cities across southern Britain, including London, [[Southampton]], [[Bristol]], [[Cardiff]] and [[Exeter]]. See [[Salisbury (England)#By train|Salisbury#By train]] for more details. The Salisbury Reds '''bus''' service [https://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/services/SQ/X3 X3] runs from Salisbury's main square to Bournemouth via Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Adult fares are around £5 for a single and £7.50 for a return; pay by cash or contactless. The bus runs every 30 min for most of M-Sa; an hourly service operates before 9AM and after 7PM on these days, and all day on Su and public holidays. Journey times are: from Salisbury 25 min; from Ringwood 15 min; from Bournemouth 1 hr. Drop-off and pick-up at Fordingbridge is at the {{marker|type=go|name=Post Office bus stop|lat=50.9285|long=-1.7887}} on Salisbury Street, two minutes' walk from the information centre and museum. ===On foot=== The [https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/walking/avonvalley Avon Valley Path] is a 34-mile (55-km) trail linking Salisbury to [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] via Fordingbridge, broadly following the River Avon through pretty Hampshire and Wiltshire countryside. ==Get around== Fordingbridge is a small town that any able-bodied person can comfortably navigate on foot. If you're visiting attractions in the surrounding area, you need your own motorised transport as aside from the X3 bus, there's no local public transport to speak of. Even the New Forest's famously dense [https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/app/uploads/2018/01/New-Forest-Cycle-Routes-Map.pdf warren of cycling trails] seems to have almost completely bypassed Fordingbridge; the few cycle routes that exist aren't segregated from road traffic . * {{go | name=Express Cars Fordingbridge | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Private hire taxis, the only firm in town. }} ==See== The town of Fordingbridge will likely only take half a day at most to explore, but the nearby villages of Breamore and Rockbourne each merit their own side trips. ===Fordingbridge=== [[File:St Mary, Fordingbridge - geograph.org.uk - 1508695.jpg|thumb|300px|St Mary's, Fordingbridge]] * {{see | name=Great Bridge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7889 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-19 | content=One of only two bridges in the UK with seven arches, this is a pretty spot to take in the river. If the constant stream of traffic puts you off, you can get a more peaceful view of the ancient crossing from [[#Do|Riverside Park]]. }} * {{see | name=Augustus John Statue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9273 | long=-1.789 | directions=on the right river bank, just north of the bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Grade II-listed bronze sculpture of the Fordingbridge artist, by Ivor Roberts-Jones. In contrast to many overidealised memorial statues, John is depicted as rather showing his age, looking unsteady on his feet, albeit still brimming with passion and something akin to defiance. }} * {{see | name=Fordingbridge Museum | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk | address=King’s Yard, Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.928434 | long=-1.790113 | directions=next to the tourist office | phone=+44 1425 655 222 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-Halloween M-Sa 11AM-4PM | price=Free, donations welcome | wikidata=Q59536579 | lastedit=2020-12-30 | content=Volunteer-run museum which, over two floors of a former granary, packs in displays on almost every aspect of local life and history you could think of: small businesses, archive photos, Augustus John, town life during the Victorian and wartime eras, the local footie club... }} * {{see | name=St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge | alt= | url=https://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/stmarys-fordingbridge/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address=Church Street, SP6 1BB | lat=50.9208 | long=-1.79509 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7594329 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Anglo-Saxon St Mary's was rebuilt from circa 1150 until 1230 by the Normans. It's attractive, if fairly typical of rural churches in the region, with the main historical interest being two memorials: one to Charles Chubb, the locksmith and safe manufacturer; the other to James Seton, a young man whose sad claim to fame is for being the last person to be killed in a duel on English soil, in 1845. }} ===Breamore=== Breamore (say "Bremmer") is {{convert|3|miles}} north of Fordingbridge, on the A338 Salisbury Road whose traffic rather spoils this otherwise attractive village's atmosphere. However, while there are undoubtedly some pretty cottages and a set of stocks to photograph as you pass through, the main attractions here are north-west of the village proper, on the estate of Breamore House. By car, follow the brown signs from the main road, or by bus the X3 drops you by the village hall, about a mile's walk from the house. * {{see | name=Breamore House | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com | email=breamore@btinternet.com | address=SP6 2DF | lat=50.9705 | long=-1.7839 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 858 | tollfree= | hours=Apr and Oct: Tu, Su noon-5:30PM; May-Sept: Tu-Th Su noon-5:30PM; and open bank holidays throughout the year | price=Adult £9.50, senior £8, child (5-15 years) £6, under 5 free | wikipedia=Breamore House | image=BreamoreHouse.jpg | wikidata=Q4959727 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=An Elizabethan (late 16th century) manor house with very fine period furniture, paintings, and tapestries. Each of the main rooms is seemingly frozen in a particular era, from the Tudor great hall and bedrooms, to the Stuart dining room and Regency-era drawing rooms. The house was built on the site of an Augustinian monastery, a victim of the Reformation, and has been in the hands of the Hulse family for nine generations. The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. }} [[File:BreamoreHouse.jpg|thumb|300px|Breamore House]] :*{{see | name=St Mary's Church, Breamore | alt= | url=http://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/breamore/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address= | lat=50.9693 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia=Breamore#St Mary's Church | image=The Anglo-Saxon Church of St Mary - Breamore - geograph.org.uk - 870238.jpg | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A handsome flint church whose external architecture has scarcely been altered since the 10th century, having survived a millennium during which almost every other Saxon church in the country was extensively modified by successive generations of 'improvers' who thought they knew better. The insides were messed with a bit more, yet many of the original features remain. Look out for an exceedingly rare example of a surviving Old English inscription, above a sturdy arched doorway, along with an equally old and rare 'rood' (depiction of Jesus on the cross) and other ancient wall paintings. It's no exaggeration to say that this is one of England's most historically important churches. }} :* {{see | name=Countryside Museum | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com/page80.html | email= | address= | lat=50.9673 | long=-1.7849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Open same days as house, 1-5PM | price=Included in entry to Breamore House, or if just visiting museum: adult £4, senior £3.50, child (5-15 years) £3, under 5 free | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=The comprehensive collection of steam-powered farm machinery, including a gorgeous red traction engine called "The Dreadnought", is just the start. This museum brings Breamore life as it was 100+ years ago into the present day with a replica farm worker's cottage, and faithful recreations of numerous village amenities: the schoolroom, smithy, dairy, brewery, the wheelwright's shop, the saddler's shop, a laundry... Fully accessible to wheelchair users. }} :* {{see | name=Breamore Mizmaze | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=50.9816 | long=-1.80015 | directions={{mi|1}} on foot from house. Walk left of the clock tower, enter the woods and climb uphill until you reach the top, bear left through a clump of yew trees and you'll see the maze. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Accessible daily, during daylight hours | price=Free - not necessary to purchase entry to the estate | wikipedia=Mizmaze#Breamore Mizmaze | image=The Breamore Mizmaze - geograph.org.uk - 24118.jpg | wikidata=Q17641056 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A medieval turf maze in a grove of yew trees atop Breamore Down, one of only two surviving examples in England. Composed of concentric rings which lead to the centre and bisected by a Christian cross, it is believed to have been created by the monks of Breamore Priory, who apparently crawled to the middle on their knees while praying as penitence. The maze is fenced off, so you can't try it out, but you can see all of it and the hike to get there offers some fab views over the countryside. }} ===Rockbourne=== {{mi|4}} north-west of Fordingbridge, the prosperous village of Rockbourne makes a pleasant half-day trip. The archaeological remains of a Roman villa are the main attraction, and are reached just before the village on a drive from Fordingbridge via Station Road and Rockbourne Road. [[File:Rockbourne villa hypocaustum.JPG|thumb|300px|Hypocausts provided underfloor heating and hot bathwater to Rockbourne's Romans]] * {{see | name=Rockbourne Roman Villa | alt= | url=https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/rockbourne-roman-villa | email=enquiries@hampshireculture.org.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 3PG | lat=50.9526 | long=-1.83065 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 541 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adult £4.50, concession £3.50, child (5-15 years) £2.25, under 5 free | wikidata=Q7354971 | lastedit=2021-02-21 | content=This luxurious courtyard villa was built during the first five centuries of the common era, and subsequently vanished beneath the earth before being rediscovered by a farmer's dog in 1942. The few visible remains include an excavated portion of hypocaust and some wonderfully-preserved mosaic. The adjacent museum houses other Roman objects discovered at the villa and in the local area: tools, pottery, a hoard of coins, a mysterious skeleton, and two 3rd-century milestones with Latin inscription. Kids can make their own mosaic and dress up as a centurion. On-site café and picnic area. }} The villa and museum will take no more than an hour or two, but it would be a shame to leave without seeing the charming village, best accomplished on foot. A walk from the villa car park up the lane to the brilliant Rose and Thistle pub (see [[#Rockbourne 2|below]]) is a mile each way and allows you to see the best of Rockbourne's thatched brick-and-timber cottages and well-tended gardens. Running parallel to a chalk stream called Sweatfords Water, the lane is very quiet with little traffic, which is just as well because there's no pedestrian path. If fly fishing is more your thing, a few hours at Rockbourne Trout Fishery (downstream on Sweatfords Water, see [[#trout|below]]) may be just the ticket. === Elsewhere === * '''Alderholt Mill''' on Sandleheath Rd has been restored and also has B&B accommodation, see Sleep. ==Do== Thanks to its proximity to the New Forest National Park, there is a lot of outdoor space in and around Fordingbridge and a variety of activities to suit most interests. ===Fordingbridge=== * {{do | name=Riverside Park | alt=Fordingbridge Park or Recreation Ground | url= | email= | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.9266 | long=-1.7876 | directions=left bank of the river, off Bridge Street | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Despite not knowing what to call itself, this has pretty much everything you'd want from a small town park: a decent-sized playground, sports pitches, a snack kiosk that makes its own ice lollies, and even a shingle beach where you can paddle or swim in the languid waters of the Avon. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing (angling) in the Avon | alt= | url=http://www.riversidekiosk.co.uk/FISHING.php | email=nige@riversidekiosk.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7539 797 510 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Daily dawn-dusk, kiosk 7AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=One day permit: adult £5, concession £2.50, under-16 free. Purchase from Riverside Kiosk in the park, or from the information centre in town. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£6/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-12-26 | content=Fish anywhere along the river's course through the park and try your luck at landing grayling, pike, perch, roach, or trout. }} * {{do | name=Regal Cinema | alt= | url=http://www.theregalcinema.org/ | email=info@theregalcinema.org | address=35 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.926 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 602 | tollfree= | hours=Box office M-F 8:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM | price=Ticket prices can vary, but most are £10.70 for adults and £7.70 for children and students | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Classy Art Deco cinema, built in 1933 and lovingly restored in 2016. The façade is nice, but the lobby and the bar are something else, so make sure you allow some time to enjoy them before or after the film. The intimate 30-seat auditorium makes each screening - of film, live theatre or opera - special. }} ===Further afield=== * {{do | name=Arniss Equestrian | alt= | url=https://www.arnissequestrian.co.uk/Home | email=enquiries@arnissequestrian.co.uk | address=Southampton Road, Godshill, SP6 2JX | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.7528 | directions={{mi|2}} E of town centre, via B3078. Turn R off road onto narrow driveway marked by wooden sign. | phone=+44 1425 654 114 | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=Lessons: 30 min from £33 pp, 1 hr £35 pp; hacks: 1 hr from £45 pp, 2 hr from £80 pp, 3 hr £115 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=British Horse Society and Pony Club-accredited stables offering group and private tuition at all levels of experience. Or you can enjoy some of the finest horse country in England with a guided "hack" (leisure ride) into the New Forest. }} {{anchor|axe}} * {{do | name=Insight Activities | alt=archery & axe throwing | url=https://insightactivities.co.uk/ | email= | address=Feather Down Farm, SP6 3DA | lat=50.9142 | long=-1.8107 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed ''Somerley / Harbridge'' | phone=+44 7752 302 010 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Booking essential | price=Archery only (2 hr): £25 pp; archery, crossbow and axe throwing (2 hr 30 min): £35 pp; siege the castle (2 hr): £30 pp; combat tag (2 hr): £30 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=Email via [https://insightactivities.co.uk/ online contact form] (page bottom). Supervised fun with mediaeval weapons in the woods! Guided sessions for absolute beginners in longbow archery, crossbow shooting and axe throwing. The tuition is personable and humorous with an emphasis on safety and proper technique. Combine a lesson with an activity: in 'Siege the Castle', groups design their own giant projectile and fire at a model castle, while 'Combat Tag' combines a number of archery team games - back-to-back duelling, capture the flag and something called 'death match'. The archery range is open to all ages, while the other activities aren't suitable for children under 12. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Water Park | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.8998 | long=-1.7825 | directions=2½ mi (4 km) S of town via A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-early Nov. Times and days vary, but most often W-Su noon-8PM. Check [https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/opening-times/ site] | price=Wakeboarding: 15-minute lesson £35, 2 hr on main course £30. Aquapark 1 hr £20. Kayaking 1 hr £20/£30 single/double kayak. Paddleboarding 1 hr £20. Swimming £7. Wetsuits for hire £5 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=A private lake for water sports and activities. There are two wakeboard systems; one for beginners to practise (15 min lessons are usually enough even for first-timers), and a main course on which to try out tricks, jumps and rails. The Aqua Park features two floating obstacle courses with hurdles, climbing walls, slides and more. For a more relaxing activity, the park also offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and freshwater swimming. The park also has a campsite (see [[#NFWP camp|below]]). }} {{anchor|trout}} * {{do | name=Rockbourne Trout Fishery | alt= | url=http://www.rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk/ | email=info@rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 1QG | lat=50.9441 | long=-1.816 | directions=2¾ mi (4.3 km) NW of town, via Station Rd and Rockbourne Rd | phone=+44 1725 518 603 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=Day tickets from £48; tuition 1 hr £40, 3 hr £100; tackle / rods for hire £15 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=Fish for trout at this complex of six lakes with exclusive access to a 1-mile stretch of pristine chalk stream. The wild Hampshire natives are brown trout, though other species have been brought in from around the world to supplement these. At the end of the day, you can swap your catch for a packet of smoked trout. }} ===Events=== * {{do | name=Fordingbridge Festival | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridgefestival.com/ | email=fordingbridgeevents@gmail.com | address= | lat=50.9244 | long=-1.7876 | directions=Riverside Park | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July 2022 | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Annual community festival on a Saturday in mid-July. Expect heavy horse obstacle racing, dog shows, tug of war, falconry, arts and crafts, and live music. }} * {{do | name=Pumpkin Pastures | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.923 | long=-1.786 | directions=slip road off A338 just south of the Riverside Park | phone=+44 7904 280 832 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Mid-Oct until Halloween daily 9:30AM-4PM. Early bonfire night '''fireworks display''', Sat 30 Oct 6PM | price=Free entry and parking. Pumpkins from £1 each. Fireworks £5 pp | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Pick your own pumpkins: choose from 30 varieties (and not just the bright orange ones), explore recipes, or carve your own jack-o-lantern. Family-friendly games, seasonal crafts, and hot and cold refreshments are all part of the fun. }} ==Buy== Fordingbridge is no retail paradise, but its small high street has managed to conserve a number of interesting independent stores. One success story is the number of shops selling local food and drink produce. ===Specialist=== * {{buy | name=All The Cool Stuff | alt= | url=https://allthecoolstuff.co.uk/ | email=sales@allthecoolstuff.co.uk | address=64 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 696 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-01-03 | content=Children big and small love this toy store, selling figurines, playsets, games and other collectibles. Wide range of brands from Lego and Playmobil to Star Wars, Transformers, My Little Pony and Sylvanian Families. Even better, the owner knows his Stormtroopers from his Decepticons. }} * {{buy | name=The Fordingbridge Bookshop | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgebooks.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgebooks.com | address=15 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9281 | long=-1.7898 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 725 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=A friendly and knowledgeable couple staff this shop which has everything you'd expect from a chain (including next-day in-store delivery), plus extras that only an independent could provide: hot drinks while you browse, a piano to tinkle on if you're brave enough and, most importantly, plenty of local interest books. }} * {{buy | name=Timothy's | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Timothysfordingbridge/ | email= | address=10 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9274 | long=-1.7902 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 657 755 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Ladies' clothing, accessories and interior design. Full of beautiful and original things, this shop attracts customers from far and wide. }} [[Image:Town Hall Fordingbridge Hants - geograph.org.uk - 155776.jpg|thumb|300px|The High Street and Town Hall]] ===Local produce=== * {{buy | name=D Price Butchers | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/DPricebutchers/ | email= | address=69 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9265 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 7:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Delightfully old-fashioned butcher shop which, as the handpainted sign over the door proudly boasts, is "licensed to sell game and venison". The vast majority of their meat comes from Hampshire or Dorset, and much of it from the New Forest. Try their breakfast special - pork sausage and a fried egg dripping with yolk served in a bagel; it ain't kosher, but it sure is tasty! }} * {{buy | name=The Cottage Loaf | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/thecottageloaffordingbridge/ | email=thecottageloafbakery@gmail.com | address=51-53 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 460 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 9AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Artisan bakery known for its sourdough breads and seasonal cakes and pastry. Takeaway only. }} * {{buy | name=The Gourmet Grocer | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/TheGourmetGrocer.UK/ | email=thegourmetgrocer@outlook.com | address=71C High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7923 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 658 007 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Foodie heaven. The colourful wall of fruit and veg is just the start: you may also be tempted by their charcuterie and cheese counter, focaccia selection, preserves and condiments. If you're self-catering in the area, why not try one of their recipe boxes? }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk | address=Whitsbury Road, SP6 1NQ | lat=50.9367 | long=-1.7956 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Opened in 2021. A vast range of exquisitely-presented groceries from Hampshire and Dorset. Loads of affordable fresh veg, cheese, preserves, pastries and wine, while the dry-aging meat is a sight to behold. Hot and cold ready meals prepared on-site. Staff are friendly and knowledgable about food. }} * {{buy | name=Hockey's Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/ | email=naturalmeats@hockeysfarm.co.uk | address=South Gorley, SP6 2PW | lat=50.8924 | long=-1.7711 | directions={{mi|3}} S of Fordingbridge. Turn L off the A338 at North Gorley, then fork R and continue through village. | phone=+44 1425 652 542 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=This shop's tagline is "Bring the New Forest home", and that's exactly what you can do with their range of regional food and drink produce. Hockey's butcher much of their own meat, and source the rest from nearby farms; their pigs forage for acorns and mushrooms in the traditional way in the forest during autumn. It's not all raw protein, though, as you can also pick up local fruit and veg, dairy, beer and cider. Further information on provenance is published on [https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/produc-suppliers their website]. }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Country Market | alt= | url=https://hampshirecountrymarkets.co.uk/about/fordingbridge%20country%20market-2.html | email= | address=Avonway Community Centre, Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.927 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 350 | tollfree= | hours=F 9:30AM-11:30AM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=A weekly homemade market for fresh bread and cakes, seasonal fruit and veg, preserves, flowers and knitwear. }} ===Supermarkets=== There are no large supermarkets in Fordingbridge, but two small branches of national chains: * {{buy | name=Co-op | alt= | url=https://www.coop.co.uk/store-finder/SP6-1AX/38-50-high-street | email= | address=38-50 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Tesco Express | alt= | url=https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/uk/?bID=2537&sc_cmp=ref*yg*stc*2537 | email= | address=10 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AF | lat=50.9280 | long=-1.7895 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 6AM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} For a bigger shop, [[Ringwood (England)#Buy|Ringwood]] has full-sized Sainsbury's and Waitrose stores. ==Eat and drink== Ultra-local '''[http://www.fordingbridgefudge.co.uk/ Fordingbridge fudge]''', made in town with milk and butter from a herd of Guernseys who graze on pastures less than a mile away, is a traditional treat to sample while here. The classic flavours are butter and vanilla, but for something a bit more special, try the chocolate orange, or else the New Forest honey and cream. Buy it from Gourmet Grocer, Hockey's Farm Shop or the kiosk in the Riverside Park. Every pub in the area serves food, though their kitchens mostly close at 9PM. ===Fordingbridge=== [[Image:Head of Augustus John Sculpture in Fordingbridge.jpg|thumb|Augustus John's head]] * {{eat | name=Belinda's | alt= | url=https://www.belindas-bakery.co.uk/ | email= | address=18-20 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.927 | long=-1.79 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 118 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Chatty bakery and tea shop, popular for its artisan bread, cakes, and sausage rolls. }} * {{eat | name=Bridges | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Bridges-Coffee-Dining-169641866493540/ | email= | address=26 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7911 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 149 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-4PM | price=Full English / veggie breakfast £7.50, lunches £5-£9, cream tea £6 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Great café open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Fine collection of baguettes and paninis, garnished jacket spuds, and a few hot meals (cottage pie, macaroni cheese...) Something sweet for afters? Look no further than their amazing Dorset apple cake with clotted cream. }} * {{eat | name=Fordingbridge Kebab House | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgekebabhouse.com/ | email= | address=9 Provost Street, SP6 1AY | lat=50.9261 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 433 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 3PM-10PM | price=Meals £5-£8 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Locally-popular fast food shop for kebabs, burgers, chicken and pizza, all freshly made to order. Limited indoor seating. }} * {{eat | name=Raj of India | alt= | url= | email= | address=75 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JG | lat=50.927 | long=-1.796 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 056 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-2:30PM / 6PM-11:30PM | price=Mains £6-£11 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=In Britain, all the best neighbourhood curry houses inspire loyal local followings for their friendly service of well-cooked old favourites at a reasonable price. This is such a place. }} * {{eat | name=La Lambretta | alt= | url=https://lambrettafordingbridge.com/ | email=marco@lalambretta.co.uk | address=1 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.9267 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 656 192 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 5:30PM-9PM | price=Mains £10-£19, pizzas £9-£14 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Above-average Italian food served in a smart red-brick and white-tablecloth restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Pullman dining carriage at the Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/restaurant | email=info@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.8056 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Mains £14-£18, Isle of Wight sirloin £26 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content="First class" modern British dining in a space designed to resemble a Pullman carriage entering a tunnel; in summer, the tables spill onto an outdoor terrace which is like a station platform from the age of steam. The hotel also serves its own brand of bitter, amber ale, and cider. }} * {{eat | name=The George | alt= | url=https://www.georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk/ | email=info@georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk | address=14 Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.927 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 040 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa noon-3PM / 5:30PM-10PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £12-£26; children's menu mains £9 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=18th-century riverside gastropub serving Hampshire favourites: steak and chips, chalk stream trout, lobster linguine. Save room for the local cheese board. The very sad selection of draught beers is made up for by extensive wine and cocktail lists. On sunny days, the outdoor terrace has a prime view of the Great Bridge. }} * {{eat | name=The Three Lions | alt= | url=http://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9212 | long=-1.7736 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 11AM-11PM, kitchen closed W Th | price=Daily mains £17-£29, Sunday mains £14-£17 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=Classic English and French cuisine using local ingredients. The simple menu has only five dishes in each course. }} ===Breamore=== * {{eat | name=The Bat & Ball | alt= | url=https://batandballbreamore.co.uk/ | email=info@batandballbreamore.co.uk | address=Salisbury Road, Breamore, SP6 2EA | lat=50.9601 | long=-1.7750 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 252 | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM | price=Mains £13-£22. Sunday lunch: adult £15, child £7 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=International pub grub with great choice of dishes from fish to grills, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. Large beer garden with awnings, and three fireplaces inside. }} ===Rockbourne=== * {{eat | name=The Rose and Thistle | alt= | url=https://roseandthistle.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@roseandthistle.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, Rockbourne, SP6 3NL | lat=50.964853 | long=-1.84056 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 236 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-F noon-2PM / 6-9:30PM, Sa noon-9:30PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £13-£18 | wikidata=Q26461106 | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Characterful thatched pub-restaurant with cosy interior and lovely beer garden. Owned by a consortium of villagers, it's had a reputation for good seasonal food for donkey's years. The menu has little in the way of vegetarian or vegan food, but chef can accommodate. Local real ale and cider on tap. }} ==Sleep== The main forms of accommodation in the area are self-catering holiday lets and campsites. There are no large hotels in Fordingbridge (you'll find a Premier Inn in [[Ringwood (England)#Sleep|Ringwood]]), but a handful of small-scale operations may be of interest: * {{sleep | name=The Ship Inn | alt= | url=https://shipinnfordingbridge.co.uk/rooms/ | email=shipinnthebridge@yahoo.co.uk | address=68 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7926 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 371 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80 | lastedit=2021-01-02 | content=Traditional inn with four en-suite rooms, some of which have sweet original features. Continental breakfast included. Greene King pub, so food and beer nothing spectacular, but the rest of the town is on your doorstep. }} [[Image:Water Mill, Alderholt, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 11289.jpg|thumb|300px|Alderholt Mill]] * {{sleep | name=Alderholt Mill | alt= | url=https://www.alderholtmill.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@alderholtmill.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 1PU | lat=50.928152 | long=-1.831764 | directions=On the Dorset side of the county border, {{mi|2}} west of Fordingbridge via Station Rd and Alderholt Rd | phone=+44 1425 653 130 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80-£120 per night; self-catering £360-£430 per week | wikidata=Q26609240 | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Charming wisteria-covered B&B at a working watermill, with one self-catering cottage (sleeps two). All rooms en-suite. Attractive gardens with a mill pond, outdoor seating and BBQ available to use. And yes, you can buy a bag of flour from the mill. }} * {{sleep | name=The Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/ | email=reservations@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.928 | long=-1.805 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles: rooms £125-£195 per night; cottage £245 for two nights minimum stay | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Opened in the 1860s, this inn once served rail travellers arriving in town from the station next door, but declined when the trains stopped running. Restored to its late Victorian glory in 2019, this is now a smart boutique hotel and bar with five en-suite rooms (including one wheelchair-accessible), each themed around a famous train service of yore. They also have a "railway cottage" that sleeps four, with a lounge, kitchenette and dining area. See ''[[#pullman|Eat]]'' for details on Pullman 'dining car' restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Three Lions | alt= | url=https://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/rooms | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9213 | long=-1.7737 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles from £95 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=A range of en-suite twin, double, and family rooms overlooking the gardens and forest. All rooms have access to communal gardens and sauna, while some rooms have a private terrace with hot tub. Continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. }} ===Camping=== * {{sleep | name=Amy's Camping | alt= | url=https://amys-camping-fordingbridge.business.site/ | email= | address=Bowerwood Cottages, 1 Ashford Road, SP6 3BU | lat=50.924 | long=-1.812 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) west of Fordingbridge via B3078 | phone=+44 7717 313 663 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Contact site for pitch rates | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Email through website. Peaceful field for pitching a tent. Clean toilets and showers. Child and dog-friendly with play equipment. A small enclosure with sheep and chickens cultivates a rustic atmosphere. }} * {{sleep | name=Cae Malwen Farm | alt= | url=https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/South_East/Hampshire/Fordingbridge/cae_malwen_farm/ | email= | address=Rockbourne, SP6 3NE | lat=50.96027 | long=-1.8357 | directions=At the end of a short narrow lane off the main Rockbourne road | phone=+44 7554 400 744 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=10AM-8PM | checkout=4PM | price=Tent pitch from £24 per night | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-14 | content=Very peaceful basic campsite with no facilities other than a washroom (the name is Welsh for "Snail Field"). Campfires and barbecues are allowed, but there's a no-noise policy after dark. Children and dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Harry's Meadow | alt= | url=https://www.newforestcampsite.com/harrys-meadow/ | email= | address=Hale Lane, SP6 2RE | lat=50.967 | long=-1.741 | directions= | phone=+44 7534 006137 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Tent £20 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Large campsite on Hale Park Estate, open July-Aug. Dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Hill Cottage Farm | alt= | url=https://www.hillcottagefarmcampingandcaravanpark.co.uk/ | email=info@hillcottagefarm.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 3EG | lat=50.9193 | long=-1.8323 | directions={{mi|2}} W of town, via B3078; follow brown signs from Alderholt village centre | phone=+44 1425 650 513 | tollfree= | checkin=any time | checkout=11AM | price=Pitches from £21 per night, shepherd's hut from £36 per night, lodge from £100 per night plus £100 refundable deposit | lastedit=2021-03-17 | content=Camping and caravan park inside Dorset by a cat's whisker. In addition to the traditional tent, caravan, and motorhome pitches, the site also has accommodation for hire. If a 'luxury lodge' with double beds, en-suite shower room and full kitchen sounds like cheating, then a more basic 'shepherd's hut' might be more to your taste. Children and leashed dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Midgham Farm | alt=Feather Down | url=https://www.featherdown.co.uk/location/midgham-farm/ | email=info@featherdown.co.uk | address=Midgham, SP6 3BY | lat=50.9136 | long=-1.8071 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed Somerley / Harbridge | phone=+44 1420 80804 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=4 nights from £400, 7 nights from £800 | lastedit=2021-03-13 | content=Glamping on a working family farm. Choose between a canvas or log cabin (all sleep 6), which come with fully made-up double / bunk beds, private shower, living and cooking areas, running water and log-burning stove. BBQ facilities and on-site shop. Private fishing and swimming in the river. Archery and axe-throwing at [[#axe|Insight Activities]] next-door. }} {{anchor|NFWP camp}} * {{sleep | name=New Forest Water Park Camping | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/activities/camping/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.9008 | long=-1.7856 | directions=use main park entrance on A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | checkin=noon-9PM | checkout=11AM | price=Per night: adult £15, child aged 4-16 £5, under 4 free | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Rustic woodland campsite for tents and campervans (no electric hook-ups). Every pitch has a firepit. Under-21s must be "accompanied by an adult" (yes, really). No dogs or rowdy groups. }} * {{sleep | name=Sandy Balls Holiday Village | alt= | url=https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/sandy-balls/ | email= | address=Southampton Road, SP6 2JZ | lat=50.93057 | long=-1.7605 | directions=on B3078, {{mi|2}} east of town | phone=+44 1442 508 850 (Hertfordshire number) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Per night: caravans from £110, lodges from £450 | wikidata=Q7417140 | lastedit=2021-02-20 | content=Despite a name straight out of ''Carry On Camping'', this rather large resort of static caravans and wood cabins is perfectly family-friendly, with great access to nature and numerous facilities (play areas, dog park, pools...) and activities (archery, cycling, fishing...) to keep everyone entertained. You don't even need to leave to get fed and watered, as they also have a restaurant, pub and minimarket. }} ==Connect== ===Phone=== Two area codes for landline phone numbers cover the area. Fordingbridge's is '''01425''' ('''+44 1425''' from outside the UK), and Rockbourne's is '''01725''' ('''+44 1725'''); Breamore is split between the two areas. ===Internet=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Library | alt= | url=https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/libraryfinder/fordingbridge | email= | address=Roundhill, SP6 1AQ | lat=50.9318 | long=-1.7915 | directions= | phone=+44 300 555 1387 (non-geographic) | tollfree= | hours=W F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-1PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=The municipal library offers computers, printing and photocopying facilities. No Wi-Fi. }} ==Go next== ===[[New Forest]]=== * [[Brockenhurst]] - a woodland town that's home to the annual New Forest show * [[Burley (England)|Burley]] - a New Forest village with a new age/witchy atmosphere * [[Lyndhurst]] - the ever-popular tourism capital of the forest ===Further afield=== * [[Bournemouth]] - a large seaside resort with seven golden miles of sandy beach and a vibrant nightlife * [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] - Bournemouth's quieter and more genteel eastern neighbour has beaches and a natural harbour * [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] - a cathedral city with the best remaining of only four original copies of the Magna Carta * [[Wimborne Minster]] - home to a rare chained library and a one-tenth scale model town {{routebox | image1=UK road A338.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorl1=[[#Breamore|Breamore]] | directionr1=S | minorr1=[[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]] (junction [[Image:UK road A31.svg|30px]]) | majorr1=[[Bournemouth]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{guidecity}} {{geo|50.9275|-1.7901}} go2zltzi0llmp4xxep8m2ssfzn0blq7 4506368 4506253 2022-08-22T18:35:52Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Events */ Updated listing for Fordingbridge Festival wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Fordingbridge banner Breamore House.JPG|caption=Breamore House}} '''Fordingbridge''' is a small town in [[Hampshire]], on the northwestern edge of the [[New Forest]] National Park. The town itself is mostly known for its 13th-century bridge over the River Avon, but the nearby villages of '''Breamore''' and '''Rockbourne''' each have sights of their own, from the remains of a 2000-year old mansion, to a fascinating agricultural museum. Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside of farmland and forest offers some great outdoor pursuits, chief among them fishing, riding and watersports. ==Understand== [[Image:The river Avon, Fordingbridge, Hampshire - geograph.org.uk - 1170792.jpg|thumb|300px|The River Avon and Great Bridge]] The River Avon that flows through these parts is not the same river that Shakespeare's [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]] is upon, nor is it the one that goes through [[Bath]] and [[Bristol]]. ''Avon'' is in fact a Celtic word meaning "river", but the irony of naming several watercourses in their newly-conquered country "River River" was lost on the Anglo-Saxons. This Avon rises in the Wiltshire downs, flows lazily past [[Stonehenge]] and south through [[Salisbury]] to Fordingbridge, from where it meanders on to meet the sea near [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]]. It is a quintessential southern English chalk stream, with water clear as glass and high numbers of fish, particularly brown trout, pike and perch. There has been a crossing over the Avon here in the form of a ford or a bridge for longer than the records go back, but the current seven-arched stone '''Great Bridge''' was built in the 13th century, and widened and reinforced in the 19th. The bridge was once an important access point to the New Forest, so much so that the lord of the manor was for many centuries charged with ensuring no poachers smuggled game out of the forest by means of the bridge. People caught poaching were liable to lose a hand or be blinded. The celebrated Welsh portrait artist '''Augustus John''' lived in Fordingbridge for over 30 years until his death in 1961. The polyamorous John fathered at least seven children, and it is said that even as an old man he used to affectionately pat the head of every Fordingbridge kid he passed, just in case. Evidently he still inspires a good deal of local pride, as not only have they erected a statue to him, they've also named a pub and even a whole new neighbourhood after him. '''Fordingbridge''' is a typical small Hampshire town, with a population of around 6,000. It was a market town in the medieval era, but those days of regional importance are far behind it. The laidback town centre is not especially lovely, but there are some old buildings of note such as the parish church and an Art Deco cinema. Most of the shops are independents rather than chains, making Fordingbridge a good place to shop for local produce. North of Fordingbridge, two outlying parishes covered by this article are definitely worth your time: '''Breamore''' has a Tudor mansion with several attractions on its estate; '''Rockbourne''' is an idyllic village that's home to an excavated Roman villa. ===Tourist information=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Information Office | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridge.gov.uk/fordingbridge-information-office/ | email=information@fordingbridge.gov.uk | address=Kings Yard, 23 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9283 | long=-1.7896 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 560 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Tourist information, fishing permits and internet access. }} ==Get in== On the northwestern edge of the New Forest and very close to the borders with [[Dorset]] and [[Wiltshire]], Fordingbridge is {{convert|12|miles}} south of the cathedral city of [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]. {{mapframe|50.9275|-1.7901|zoom=11}} ===By car=== By far the best means of reaching Fordingbridge, not least because most of the area's attractions are out of the town. The A338 Salisbury to [[Bournemouth]] road passes just to the east of the town centre. At [[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]], {{convert|6|miles}} further south, the road meets the A31 trunk road, which handles most traffic from [[Southampton]], [[Dorchester]] and [[London]]. The main {{marker|type=go|name=[https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1399/Fordingbridge-Car-Park-Fordingbridge car park]|lat=50.9277|long=-1.7919}} can be accessed via (and is signposted from) Shaftesbury Street. For satnavs, use the postcode "SP6 1AQ". ===By public transport=== Fordingbridge lost its railway line in the 1960s, and the nearest station is now at Salisbury, which receives '''trains''' from towns and cities across southern Britain, including London, [[Southampton]], [[Bristol]], [[Cardiff]] and [[Exeter]]. See [[Salisbury (England)#By train|Salisbury#By train]] for more details. The Salisbury Reds '''bus''' service [https://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/services/SQ/X3 X3] runs from Salisbury's main square to Bournemouth via Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Adult fares are around £5 for a single and £7.50 for a return; pay by cash or contactless. The bus runs every 30 min for most of M-Sa; an hourly service operates before 9AM and after 7PM on these days, and all day on Su and public holidays. Journey times are: from Salisbury 25 min; from Ringwood 15 min; from Bournemouth 1 hr. Drop-off and pick-up at Fordingbridge is at the {{marker|type=go|name=Post Office bus stop|lat=50.9285|long=-1.7887}} on Salisbury Street, two minutes' walk from the information centre and museum. ===On foot=== The [https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/walking/avonvalley Avon Valley Path] is a 34-mile (55-km) trail linking Salisbury to [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] via Fordingbridge, broadly following the River Avon through pretty Hampshire and Wiltshire countryside. ==Get around== Fordingbridge is a small town that any able-bodied person can comfortably navigate on foot. If you're visiting attractions in the surrounding area, you need your own motorised transport as aside from the X3 bus, there's no local public transport to speak of. Even the New Forest's famously dense [https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/app/uploads/2018/01/New-Forest-Cycle-Routes-Map.pdf warren of cycling trails] seems to have almost completely bypassed Fordingbridge; the few cycle routes that exist aren't segregated from road traffic . * {{go | name=Express Cars Fordingbridge | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Private hire taxis, the only firm in town. }} ==See== The town of Fordingbridge will likely only take half a day at most to explore, but the nearby villages of Breamore and Rockbourne each merit their own side trips. ===Fordingbridge=== [[File:St Mary, Fordingbridge - geograph.org.uk - 1508695.jpg|thumb|300px|St Mary's, Fordingbridge]] * {{see | name=Great Bridge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7889 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-19 | content=One of only two bridges in the UK with seven arches, this is a pretty spot to take in the river. If the constant stream of traffic puts you off, you can get a more peaceful view of the ancient crossing from [[#Do|Riverside Park]]. }} * {{see | name=Augustus John Statue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9273 | long=-1.789 | directions=on the right river bank, just north of the bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Grade II-listed bronze sculpture of the Fordingbridge artist, by Ivor Roberts-Jones. In contrast to many overidealised memorial statues, John is depicted as rather showing his age, looking unsteady on his feet, albeit still brimming with passion and something akin to defiance. }} * {{see | name=Fordingbridge Museum | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk | address=King’s Yard, Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.928434 | long=-1.790113 | directions=next to the tourist office | phone=+44 1425 655 222 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-Halloween M-Sa 11AM-4PM | price=Free, donations welcome | wikidata=Q59536579 | lastedit=2020-12-30 | content=Volunteer-run museum which, over two floors of a former granary, packs in displays on almost every aspect of local life and history you could think of: small businesses, archive photos, Augustus John, town life during the Victorian and wartime eras, the local footie club... }} * {{see | name=St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge | alt= | url=https://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/stmarys-fordingbridge/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address=Church Street, SP6 1BB | lat=50.9208 | long=-1.79509 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7594329 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Anglo-Saxon St Mary's was rebuilt from circa 1150 until 1230 by the Normans. It's attractive, if fairly typical of rural churches in the region, with the main historical interest being two memorials: one to Charles Chubb, the locksmith and safe manufacturer; the other to James Seton, a young man whose sad claim to fame is for being the last person to be killed in a duel on English soil, in 1845. }} ===Breamore=== Breamore (say "Bremmer") is {{convert|3|miles}} north of Fordingbridge, on the A338 Salisbury Road whose traffic rather spoils this otherwise attractive village's atmosphere. However, while there are undoubtedly some pretty cottages and a set of stocks to photograph as you pass through, the main attractions here are north-west of the village proper, on the estate of Breamore House. By car, follow the brown signs from the main road, or by bus the X3 drops you by the village hall, about a mile's walk from the house. * {{see | name=Breamore House | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com | email=breamore@btinternet.com | address=SP6 2DF | lat=50.9705 | long=-1.7839 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 858 | tollfree= | hours=Apr and Oct: Tu, Su noon-5:30PM; May-Sept: Tu-Th Su noon-5:30PM; and open bank holidays throughout the year | price=Adult £9.50, senior £8, child (5-15 years) £6, under 5 free | wikipedia=Breamore House | image=BreamoreHouse.jpg | wikidata=Q4959727 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=An Elizabethan (late 16th century) manor house with very fine period furniture, paintings, and tapestries. Each of the main rooms is seemingly frozen in a particular era, from the Tudor great hall and bedrooms, to the Stuart dining room and Regency-era drawing rooms. The house was built on the site of an Augustinian monastery, a victim of the Reformation, and has been in the hands of the Hulse family for nine generations. The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. }} [[File:BreamoreHouse.jpg|thumb|300px|Breamore House]] :*{{see | name=St Mary's Church, Breamore | alt= | url=http://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/breamore/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address= | lat=50.9693 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia=Breamore#St Mary's Church | image=The Anglo-Saxon Church of St Mary - Breamore - geograph.org.uk - 870238.jpg | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A handsome flint church whose external architecture has scarcely been altered since the 10th century, having survived a millennium during which almost every other Saxon church in the country was extensively modified by successive generations of 'improvers' who thought they knew better. The insides were messed with a bit more, yet many of the original features remain. Look out for an exceedingly rare example of a surviving Old English inscription, above a sturdy arched doorway, along with an equally old and rare 'rood' (depiction of Jesus on the cross) and other ancient wall paintings. It's no exaggeration to say that this is one of England's most historically important churches. }} :* {{see | name=Countryside Museum | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com/page80.html | email= | address= | lat=50.9673 | long=-1.7849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Open same days as house, 1-5PM | price=Included in entry to Breamore House, or if just visiting museum: adult £4, senior £3.50, child (5-15 years) £3, under 5 free | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=The comprehensive collection of steam-powered farm machinery, including a gorgeous red traction engine called "The Dreadnought", is just the start. This museum brings Breamore life as it was 100+ years ago into the present day with a replica farm worker's cottage, and faithful recreations of numerous village amenities: the schoolroom, smithy, dairy, brewery, the wheelwright's shop, the saddler's shop, a laundry... Fully accessible to wheelchair users. }} :* {{see | name=Breamore Mizmaze | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=50.9816 | long=-1.80015 | directions={{mi|1}} on foot from house. Walk left of the clock tower, enter the woods and climb uphill until you reach the top, bear left through a clump of yew trees and you'll see the maze. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Accessible daily, during daylight hours | price=Free - not necessary to purchase entry to the estate | wikipedia=Mizmaze#Breamore Mizmaze | image=The Breamore Mizmaze - geograph.org.uk - 24118.jpg | wikidata=Q17641056 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A medieval turf maze in a grove of yew trees atop Breamore Down, one of only two surviving examples in England. Composed of concentric rings which lead to the centre and bisected by a Christian cross, it is believed to have been created by the monks of Breamore Priory, who apparently crawled to the middle on their knees while praying as penitence. The maze is fenced off, so you can't try it out, but you can see all of it and the hike to get there offers some fab views over the countryside. }} ===Rockbourne=== {{mi|4}} north-west of Fordingbridge, the prosperous village of Rockbourne makes a pleasant half-day trip. The archaeological remains of a Roman villa are the main attraction, and are reached just before the village on a drive from Fordingbridge via Station Road and Rockbourne Road. [[File:Rockbourne villa hypocaustum.JPG|thumb|300px|Hypocausts provided underfloor heating and hot bathwater to Rockbourne's Romans]] * {{see | name=Rockbourne Roman Villa | alt= | url=https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/rockbourne-roman-villa | email=enquiries@hampshireculture.org.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 3PG | lat=50.9526 | long=-1.83065 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 541 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adult £4.50, concession £3.50, child (5-15 years) £2.25, under 5 free | wikidata=Q7354971 | lastedit=2021-02-21 | content=This luxurious courtyard villa was built during the first five centuries of the common era, and subsequently vanished beneath the earth before being rediscovered by a farmer's dog in 1942. The few visible remains include an excavated portion of hypocaust and some wonderfully-preserved mosaic. The adjacent museum houses other Roman objects discovered at the villa and in the local area: tools, pottery, a hoard of coins, a mysterious skeleton, and two 3rd-century milestones with Latin inscription. Kids can make their own mosaic and dress up as a centurion. On-site café and picnic area. }} The villa and museum will take no more than an hour or two, but it would be a shame to leave without seeing the charming village, best accomplished on foot. A walk from the villa car park up the lane to the brilliant Rose and Thistle pub (see [[#Rockbourne 2|below]]) is a mile each way and allows you to see the best of Rockbourne's thatched brick-and-timber cottages and well-tended gardens. Running parallel to a chalk stream called Sweatfords Water, the lane is very quiet with little traffic, which is just as well because there's no pedestrian path. If fly fishing is more your thing, a few hours at Rockbourne Trout Fishery (downstream on Sweatfords Water, see [[#trout|below]]) may be just the ticket. === Elsewhere === * '''Alderholt Mill''' on Sandleheath Rd has been restored and also has B&B accommodation, see Sleep. ==Do== Thanks to its proximity to the New Forest National Park, there is a lot of outdoor space in and around Fordingbridge and a variety of activities to suit most interests. ===Fordingbridge=== * {{do | name=Riverside Park | alt=Fordingbridge Park or Recreation Ground | url= | email= | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.9266 | long=-1.7876 | directions=left bank of the river, off Bridge Street | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Despite not knowing what to call itself, this has pretty much everything you'd want from a small town park: a decent-sized playground, sports pitches, a snack kiosk that makes its own ice lollies, and even a shingle beach where you can paddle or swim in the languid waters of the Avon. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing (angling) in the Avon | alt= | url=http://www.riversidekiosk.co.uk/FISHING.php | email=nige@riversidekiosk.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7539 797 510 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Daily dawn-dusk, kiosk 7AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=One day permit: adult £5, concession £2.50, under-16 free. Purchase from Riverside Kiosk in the park, or from the information centre in town. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£6/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-12-26 | content=Fish anywhere along the river's course through the park and try your luck at landing grayling, pike, perch, roach, or trout. }} * {{do | name=Regal Cinema | alt= | url=http://www.theregalcinema.org/ | email=info@theregalcinema.org | address=35 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.926 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 602 | tollfree= | hours=Box office M-F 8:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM | price=Ticket prices can vary, but most are £10.70 for adults and £7.70 for children and students | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Classy Art Deco cinema, built in 1933 and lovingly restored in 2016. The façade is nice, but the lobby and the bar are something else, so make sure you allow some time to enjoy them before or after the film. The intimate 30-seat auditorium makes each screening - of film, live theatre or opera - special. }} ===Further afield=== * {{do | name=Arniss Equestrian | alt= | url=https://www.arnissequestrian.co.uk/Home | email=enquiries@arnissequestrian.co.uk | address=Southampton Road, Godshill, SP6 2JX | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.7528 | directions={{mi|2}} E of town centre, via B3078. Turn R off road onto narrow driveway marked by wooden sign. | phone=+44 1425 654 114 | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=Lessons: 30 min from £33 pp, 1 hr £35 pp; hacks: 1 hr from £45 pp, 2 hr from £80 pp, 3 hr £115 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=British Horse Society and Pony Club-accredited stables offering group and private tuition at all levels of experience. Or you can enjoy some of the finest horse country in England with a guided "hack" (leisure ride) into the New Forest. }} {{anchor|axe}} * {{do | name=Insight Activities | alt=archery & axe throwing | url=https://insightactivities.co.uk/ | email= | address=Feather Down Farm, SP6 3DA | lat=50.9142 | long=-1.8107 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed ''Somerley / Harbridge'' | phone=+44 7752 302 010 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Booking essential | price=Archery only (2 hr): £25 pp; archery, crossbow and axe throwing (2 hr 30 min): £35 pp; siege the castle (2 hr): £30 pp; combat tag (2 hr): £30 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=Email via [https://insightactivities.co.uk/ online contact form] (page bottom). Supervised fun with mediaeval weapons in the woods! Guided sessions for absolute beginners in longbow archery, crossbow shooting and axe throwing. The tuition is personable and humorous with an emphasis on safety and proper technique. Combine a lesson with an activity: in 'Siege the Castle', groups design their own giant projectile and fire at a model castle, while 'Combat Tag' combines a number of archery team games - back-to-back duelling, capture the flag and something called 'death match'. The archery range is open to all ages, while the other activities aren't suitable for children under 12. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Water Park | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.8998 | long=-1.7825 | directions=2½ mi (4 km) S of town via A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-early Nov. Times and days vary, but most often W-Su noon-8PM. Check [https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/opening-times/ site] | price=Wakeboarding: 15-minute lesson £35, 2 hr on main course £30. Aquapark 1 hr £20. Kayaking 1 hr £20/£30 single/double kayak. Paddleboarding 1 hr £20. Swimming £7. Wetsuits for hire £5 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=A private lake for water sports and activities. There are two wakeboard systems; one for beginners to practise (15 min lessons are usually enough even for first-timers), and a main course on which to try out tricks, jumps and rails. The Aqua Park features two floating obstacle courses with hurdles, climbing walls, slides and more. For a more relaxing activity, the park also offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and freshwater swimming. The park also has a campsite (see [[#NFWP camp|below]]). }} {{anchor|trout}} * {{do | name=Rockbourne Trout Fishery | alt= | url=http://www.rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk/ | email=info@rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 1QG | lat=50.9441 | long=-1.816 | directions=2¾ mi (4.3 km) NW of town, via Station Rd and Rockbourne Rd | phone=+44 1725 518 603 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=Day tickets from £48; tuition 1 hr £40, 3 hr £100; tackle / rods for hire £15 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=Fish for trout at this complex of six lakes with exclusive access to a 1-mile stretch of pristine chalk stream. The wild Hampshire natives are brown trout, though other species have been brought in from around the world to supplement these. At the end of the day, you can swap your catch for a packet of smoked trout. }} ===Events=== * {{do | name=Fordingbridge Festival | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridgefestival.com/ | email=fordingbridgeevents@gmail.com | address= | lat=50.9244 | long=-1.7876 | directions=Riverside Park | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July 2023 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Annual community festival on a Saturday in mid-July. Expect heavy horse obstacle racing, dog shows, tug of war, falconry, arts and crafts, and live music. }} * {{do | name=Pumpkin Pastures | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.923 | long=-1.786 | directions=slip road off A338 just south of the Riverside Park | phone=+44 7904 280 832 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Mid-Oct until Halloween daily 9:30AM-4PM. Early bonfire night '''fireworks display''', Sat 30 Oct 6PM | price=Free entry and parking. Pumpkins from £1 each. Fireworks £5 pp | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Pick your own pumpkins: choose from 30 varieties (and not just the bright orange ones), explore recipes, or carve your own jack-o-lantern. Family-friendly games, seasonal crafts, and hot and cold refreshments are all part of the fun. }} ==Buy== Fordingbridge is no retail paradise, but its small high street has managed to conserve a number of interesting independent stores. One success story is the number of shops selling local food and drink produce. ===Specialist=== * {{buy | name=All The Cool Stuff | alt= | url=https://allthecoolstuff.co.uk/ | email=sales@allthecoolstuff.co.uk | address=64 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 696 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-01-03 | content=Children big and small love this toy store, selling figurines, playsets, games and other collectibles. Wide range of brands from Lego and Playmobil to Star Wars, Transformers, My Little Pony and Sylvanian Families. Even better, the owner knows his Stormtroopers from his Decepticons. }} * {{buy | name=The Fordingbridge Bookshop | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgebooks.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgebooks.com | address=15 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9281 | long=-1.7898 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 725 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=A friendly and knowledgeable couple staff this shop which has everything you'd expect from a chain (including next-day in-store delivery), plus extras that only an independent could provide: hot drinks while you browse, a piano to tinkle on if you're brave enough and, most importantly, plenty of local interest books. }} * {{buy | name=Timothy's | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Timothysfordingbridge/ | email= | address=10 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9274 | long=-1.7902 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 657 755 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Ladies' clothing, accessories and interior design. Full of beautiful and original things, this shop attracts customers from far and wide. }} [[Image:Town Hall Fordingbridge Hants - geograph.org.uk - 155776.jpg|thumb|300px|The High Street and Town Hall]] ===Local produce=== * {{buy | name=D Price Butchers | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/DPricebutchers/ | email= | address=69 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9265 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 7:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Delightfully old-fashioned butcher shop which, as the handpainted sign over the door proudly boasts, is "licensed to sell game and venison". The vast majority of their meat comes from Hampshire or Dorset, and much of it from the New Forest. Try their breakfast special - pork sausage and a fried egg dripping with yolk served in a bagel; it ain't kosher, but it sure is tasty! }} * {{buy | name=The Cottage Loaf | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/thecottageloaffordingbridge/ | email=thecottageloafbakery@gmail.com | address=51-53 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 460 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 9AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Artisan bakery known for its sourdough breads and seasonal cakes and pastry. Takeaway only. }} * {{buy | name=The Gourmet Grocer | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/TheGourmetGrocer.UK/ | email=thegourmetgrocer@outlook.com | address=71C High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7923 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 658 007 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Foodie heaven. The colourful wall of fruit and veg is just the start: you may also be tempted by their charcuterie and cheese counter, focaccia selection, preserves and condiments. If you're self-catering in the area, why not try one of their recipe boxes? }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk | address=Whitsbury Road, SP6 1NQ | lat=50.9367 | long=-1.7956 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Opened in 2021. A vast range of exquisitely-presented groceries from Hampshire and Dorset. Loads of affordable fresh veg, cheese, preserves, pastries and wine, while the dry-aging meat is a sight to behold. Hot and cold ready meals prepared on-site. Staff are friendly and knowledgable about food. }} * {{buy | name=Hockey's Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/ | email=naturalmeats@hockeysfarm.co.uk | address=South Gorley, SP6 2PW | lat=50.8924 | long=-1.7711 | directions={{mi|3}} S of Fordingbridge. Turn L off the A338 at North Gorley, then fork R and continue through village. | phone=+44 1425 652 542 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=This shop's tagline is "Bring the New Forest home", and that's exactly what you can do with their range of regional food and drink produce. Hockey's butcher much of their own meat, and source the rest from nearby farms; their pigs forage for acorns and mushrooms in the traditional way in the forest during autumn. It's not all raw protein, though, as you can also pick up local fruit and veg, dairy, beer and cider. Further information on provenance is published on [https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/produc-suppliers their website]. }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Country Market | alt= | url=https://hampshirecountrymarkets.co.uk/about/fordingbridge%20country%20market-2.html | email= | address=Avonway Community Centre, Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.927 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 350 | tollfree= | hours=F 9:30AM-11:30AM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=A weekly homemade market for fresh bread and cakes, seasonal fruit and veg, preserves, flowers and knitwear. }} ===Supermarkets=== There are no large supermarkets in Fordingbridge, but two small branches of national chains: * {{buy | name=Co-op | alt= | url=https://www.coop.co.uk/store-finder/SP6-1AX/38-50-high-street | email= | address=38-50 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Tesco Express | alt= | url=https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/uk/?bID=2537&sc_cmp=ref*yg*stc*2537 | email= | address=10 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AF | lat=50.9280 | long=-1.7895 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 6AM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} For a bigger shop, [[Ringwood (England)#Buy|Ringwood]] has full-sized Sainsbury's and Waitrose stores. ==Eat and drink== Ultra-local '''[http://www.fordingbridgefudge.co.uk/ Fordingbridge fudge]''', made in town with milk and butter from a herd of Guernseys who graze on pastures less than a mile away, is a traditional treat to sample while here. The classic flavours are butter and vanilla, but for something a bit more special, try the chocolate orange, or else the New Forest honey and cream. Buy it from Gourmet Grocer, Hockey's Farm Shop or the kiosk in the Riverside Park. Every pub in the area serves food, though their kitchens mostly close at 9PM. ===Fordingbridge=== [[Image:Head of Augustus John Sculpture in Fordingbridge.jpg|thumb|Augustus John's head]] * {{eat | name=Belinda's | alt= | url=https://www.belindas-bakery.co.uk/ | email= | address=18-20 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.927 | long=-1.79 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 118 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Chatty bakery and tea shop, popular for its artisan bread, cakes, and sausage rolls. }} * {{eat | name=Bridges | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Bridges-Coffee-Dining-169641866493540/ | email= | address=26 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7911 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 149 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-4PM | price=Full English / veggie breakfast £7.50, lunches £5-£9, cream tea £6 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Great café open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Fine collection of baguettes and paninis, garnished jacket spuds, and a few hot meals (cottage pie, macaroni cheese...) Something sweet for afters? Look no further than their amazing Dorset apple cake with clotted cream. }} * {{eat | name=Fordingbridge Kebab House | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgekebabhouse.com/ | email= | address=9 Provost Street, SP6 1AY | lat=50.9261 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 433 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 3PM-10PM | price=Meals £5-£8 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Locally-popular fast food shop for kebabs, burgers, chicken and pizza, all freshly made to order. Limited indoor seating. }} * {{eat | name=Raj of India | alt= | url= | email= | address=75 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JG | lat=50.927 | long=-1.796 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 056 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-2:30PM / 6PM-11:30PM | price=Mains £6-£11 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=In Britain, all the best neighbourhood curry houses inspire loyal local followings for their friendly service of well-cooked old favourites at a reasonable price. This is such a place. }} * {{eat | name=La Lambretta | alt= | url=https://lambrettafordingbridge.com/ | email=marco@lalambretta.co.uk | address=1 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.9267 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 656 192 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 5:30PM-9PM | price=Mains £10-£19, pizzas £9-£14 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Above-average Italian food served in a smart red-brick and white-tablecloth restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Pullman dining carriage at the Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/restaurant | email=info@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.8056 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Mains £14-£18, Isle of Wight sirloin £26 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content="First class" modern British dining in a space designed to resemble a Pullman carriage entering a tunnel; in summer, the tables spill onto an outdoor terrace which is like a station platform from the age of steam. The hotel also serves its own brand of bitter, amber ale, and cider. }} * {{eat | name=The George | alt= | url=https://www.georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk/ | email=info@georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk | address=14 Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.927 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 040 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa noon-3PM / 5:30PM-10PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £12-£26; children's menu mains £9 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=18th-century riverside gastropub serving Hampshire favourites: steak and chips, chalk stream trout, lobster linguine. Save room for the local cheese board. The very sad selection of draught beers is made up for by extensive wine and cocktail lists. On sunny days, the outdoor terrace has a prime view of the Great Bridge. }} * {{eat | name=The Three Lions | alt= | url=http://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9212 | long=-1.7736 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 11AM-11PM, kitchen closed W Th | price=Daily mains £17-£29, Sunday mains £14-£17 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=Classic English and French cuisine using local ingredients. The simple menu has only five dishes in each course. }} ===Breamore=== * {{eat | name=The Bat & Ball | alt= | url=https://batandballbreamore.co.uk/ | email=info@batandballbreamore.co.uk | address=Salisbury Road, Breamore, SP6 2EA | lat=50.9601 | long=-1.7750 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 252 | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM | price=Mains £13-£22. Sunday lunch: adult £15, child £7 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=International pub grub with great choice of dishes from fish to grills, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. Large beer garden with awnings, and three fireplaces inside. }} ===Rockbourne=== * {{eat | name=The Rose and Thistle | alt= | url=https://roseandthistle.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@roseandthistle.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, Rockbourne, SP6 3NL | lat=50.964853 | long=-1.84056 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 236 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-F noon-2PM / 6-9:30PM, Sa noon-9:30PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £13-£18 | wikidata=Q26461106 | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Characterful thatched pub-restaurant with cosy interior and lovely beer garden. Owned by a consortium of villagers, it's had a reputation for good seasonal food for donkey's years. The menu has little in the way of vegetarian or vegan food, but chef can accommodate. Local real ale and cider on tap. }} ==Sleep== The main forms of accommodation in the area are self-catering holiday lets and campsites. There are no large hotels in Fordingbridge (you'll find a Premier Inn in [[Ringwood (England)#Sleep|Ringwood]]), but a handful of small-scale operations may be of interest: * {{sleep | name=The Ship Inn | alt= | url=https://shipinnfordingbridge.co.uk/rooms/ | email=shipinnthebridge@yahoo.co.uk | address=68 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7926 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 371 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80 | lastedit=2021-01-02 | content=Traditional inn with four en-suite rooms, some of which have sweet original features. Continental breakfast included. Greene King pub, so food and beer nothing spectacular, but the rest of the town is on your doorstep. }} [[Image:Water Mill, Alderholt, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 11289.jpg|thumb|300px|Alderholt Mill]] * {{sleep | name=Alderholt Mill | alt= | url=https://www.alderholtmill.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@alderholtmill.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 1PU | lat=50.928152 | long=-1.831764 | directions=On the Dorset side of the county border, {{mi|2}} west of Fordingbridge via Station Rd and Alderholt Rd | phone=+44 1425 653 130 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80-£120 per night; self-catering £360-£430 per week | wikidata=Q26609240 | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Charming wisteria-covered B&B at a working watermill, with one self-catering cottage (sleeps two). All rooms en-suite. Attractive gardens with a mill pond, outdoor seating and BBQ available to use. And yes, you can buy a bag of flour from the mill. }} * {{sleep | name=The Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/ | email=reservations@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.928 | long=-1.805 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles: rooms £125-£195 per night; cottage £245 for two nights minimum stay | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Opened in the 1860s, this inn once served rail travellers arriving in town from the station next door, but declined when the trains stopped running. Restored to its late Victorian glory in 2019, this is now a smart boutique hotel and bar with five en-suite rooms (including one wheelchair-accessible), each themed around a famous train service of yore. They also have a "railway cottage" that sleeps four, with a lounge, kitchenette and dining area. See ''[[#pullman|Eat]]'' for details on Pullman 'dining car' restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Three Lions | alt= | url=https://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/rooms | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9213 | long=-1.7737 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles from £95 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=A range of en-suite twin, double, and family rooms overlooking the gardens and forest. All rooms have access to communal gardens and sauna, while some rooms have a private terrace with hot tub. Continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. }} ===Camping=== * {{sleep | name=Amy's Camping | alt= | url=https://amys-camping-fordingbridge.business.site/ | email= | address=Bowerwood Cottages, 1 Ashford Road, SP6 3BU | lat=50.924 | long=-1.812 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) west of Fordingbridge via B3078 | phone=+44 7717 313 663 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Contact site for pitch rates | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Email through website. Peaceful field for pitching a tent. Clean toilets and showers. Child and dog-friendly with play equipment. A small enclosure with sheep and chickens cultivates a rustic atmosphere. }} * {{sleep | name=Cae Malwen Farm | alt= | url=https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/South_East/Hampshire/Fordingbridge/cae_malwen_farm/ | email= | address=Rockbourne, SP6 3NE | lat=50.96027 | long=-1.8357 | directions=At the end of a short narrow lane off the main Rockbourne road | phone=+44 7554 400 744 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=10AM-8PM | checkout=4PM | price=Tent pitch from £24 per night | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-14 | content=Very peaceful basic campsite with no facilities other than a washroom (the name is Welsh for "Snail Field"). Campfires and barbecues are allowed, but there's a no-noise policy after dark. Children and dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Harry's Meadow | alt= | url=https://www.newforestcampsite.com/harrys-meadow/ | email= | address=Hale Lane, SP6 2RE | lat=50.967 | long=-1.741 | directions= | phone=+44 7534 006137 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Tent £20 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Large campsite on Hale Park Estate, open July-Aug. Dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Hill Cottage Farm | alt= | url=https://www.hillcottagefarmcampingandcaravanpark.co.uk/ | email=info@hillcottagefarm.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 3EG | lat=50.9193 | long=-1.8323 | directions={{mi|2}} W of town, via B3078; follow brown signs from Alderholt village centre | phone=+44 1425 650 513 | tollfree= | checkin=any time | checkout=11AM | price=Pitches from £21 per night, shepherd's hut from £36 per night, lodge from £100 per night plus £100 refundable deposit | lastedit=2021-03-17 | content=Camping and caravan park inside Dorset by a cat's whisker. In addition to the traditional tent, caravan, and motorhome pitches, the site also has accommodation for hire. If a 'luxury lodge' with double beds, en-suite shower room and full kitchen sounds like cheating, then a more basic 'shepherd's hut' might be more to your taste. Children and leashed dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Midgham Farm | alt=Feather Down | url=https://www.featherdown.co.uk/location/midgham-farm/ | email=info@featherdown.co.uk | address=Midgham, SP6 3BY | lat=50.9136 | long=-1.8071 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed Somerley / Harbridge | phone=+44 1420 80804 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=4 nights from £400, 7 nights from £800 | lastedit=2021-03-13 | content=Glamping on a working family farm. Choose between a canvas or log cabin (all sleep 6), which come with fully made-up double / bunk beds, private shower, living and cooking areas, running water and log-burning stove. BBQ facilities and on-site shop. Private fishing and swimming in the river. Archery and axe-throwing at [[#axe|Insight Activities]] next-door. }} {{anchor|NFWP camp}} * {{sleep | name=New Forest Water Park Camping | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/activities/camping/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.9008 | long=-1.7856 | directions=use main park entrance on A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | checkin=noon-9PM | checkout=11AM | price=Per night: adult £15, child aged 4-16 £5, under 4 free | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Rustic woodland campsite for tents and campervans (no electric hook-ups). Every pitch has a firepit. Under-21s must be "accompanied by an adult" (yes, really). No dogs or rowdy groups. }} * {{sleep | name=Sandy Balls Holiday Village | alt= | url=https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/sandy-balls/ | email= | address=Southampton Road, SP6 2JZ | lat=50.93057 | long=-1.7605 | directions=on B3078, {{mi|2}} east of town | phone=+44 1442 508 850 (Hertfordshire number) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Per night: caravans from £110, lodges from £450 | wikidata=Q7417140 | lastedit=2021-02-20 | content=Despite a name straight out of ''Carry On Camping'', this rather large resort of static caravans and wood cabins is perfectly family-friendly, with great access to nature and numerous facilities (play areas, dog park, pools...) and activities (archery, cycling, fishing...) to keep everyone entertained. You don't even need to leave to get fed and watered, as they also have a restaurant, pub and minimarket. }} ==Connect== ===Phone=== Two area codes for landline phone numbers cover the area. Fordingbridge's is '''01425''' ('''+44 1425''' from outside the UK), and Rockbourne's is '''01725''' ('''+44 1725'''); Breamore is split between the two areas. ===Internet=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Library | alt= | url=https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/libraryfinder/fordingbridge | email= | address=Roundhill, SP6 1AQ | lat=50.9318 | long=-1.7915 | directions= | phone=+44 300 555 1387 (non-geographic) | tollfree= | hours=W F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-1PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=The municipal library offers computers, printing and photocopying facilities. No Wi-Fi. }} ==Go next== ===[[New Forest]]=== * [[Brockenhurst]] - a woodland town that's home to the annual New Forest show * [[Burley (England)|Burley]] - a New Forest village with a new age/witchy atmosphere * [[Lyndhurst]] - the ever-popular tourism capital of the forest ===Further afield=== * [[Bournemouth]] - a large seaside resort with seven golden miles of sandy beach and a vibrant nightlife * [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] - Bournemouth's quieter and more genteel eastern neighbour has beaches and a natural harbour * [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] - a cathedral city with the best remaining of only four original copies of the Magna Carta * [[Wimborne Minster]] - home to a rare chained library and a one-tenth scale model town {{routebox | image1=UK road A338.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorl1=[[#Breamore|Breamore]] | directionr1=S | minorr1=[[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]] (junction [[Image:UK road A31.svg|30px]]) | majorr1=[[Bournemouth]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{guidecity}} {{geo|50.9275|-1.7901}} 5blk34f5enaofekjo6cggslph25uln3 4506376 4506368 2022-08-22T18:47:21Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* New Forest */ + Ringwood wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Fordingbridge banner Breamore House.JPG|caption=Breamore House}} '''Fordingbridge''' is a small town in [[Hampshire]], on the northwestern edge of the [[New Forest]] National Park. The town itself is mostly known for its 13th-century bridge over the River Avon, but the nearby villages of '''Breamore''' and '''Rockbourne''' each have sights of their own, from the remains of a 2000-year old mansion, to a fascinating agricultural museum. Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside of farmland and forest offers some great outdoor pursuits, chief among them fishing, riding and watersports. ==Understand== [[Image:The river Avon, Fordingbridge, Hampshire - geograph.org.uk - 1170792.jpg|thumb|300px|The River Avon and Great Bridge]] The River Avon that flows through these parts is not the same river that Shakespeare's [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]] is upon, nor is it the one that goes through [[Bath]] and [[Bristol]]. ''Avon'' is in fact a Celtic word meaning "river", but the irony of naming several watercourses in their newly-conquered country "River River" was lost on the Anglo-Saxons. This Avon rises in the Wiltshire downs, flows lazily past [[Stonehenge]] and south through [[Salisbury]] to Fordingbridge, from where it meanders on to meet the sea near [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]]. It is a quintessential southern English chalk stream, with water clear as glass and high numbers of fish, particularly brown trout, pike and perch. There has been a crossing over the Avon here in the form of a ford or a bridge for longer than the records go back, but the current seven-arched stone '''Great Bridge''' was built in the 13th century, and widened and reinforced in the 19th. The bridge was once an important access point to the New Forest, so much so that the lord of the manor was for many centuries charged with ensuring no poachers smuggled game out of the forest by means of the bridge. People caught poaching were liable to lose a hand or be blinded. The celebrated Welsh portrait artist '''Augustus John''' lived in Fordingbridge for over 30 years until his death in 1961. The polyamorous John fathered at least seven children, and it is said that even as an old man he used to affectionately pat the head of every Fordingbridge kid he passed, just in case. Evidently he still inspires a good deal of local pride, as not only have they erected a statue to him, they've also named a pub and even a whole new neighbourhood after him. '''Fordingbridge''' is a typical small Hampshire town, with a population of around 6,000. It was a market town in the medieval era, but those days of regional importance are far behind it. The laidback town centre is not especially lovely, but there are some old buildings of note such as the parish church and an Art Deco cinema. Most of the shops are independents rather than chains, making Fordingbridge a good place to shop for local produce. North of Fordingbridge, two outlying parishes covered by this article are definitely worth your time: '''Breamore''' has a Tudor mansion with several attractions on its estate; '''Rockbourne''' is an idyllic village that's home to an excavated Roman villa. ===Tourist information=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Information Office | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridge.gov.uk/fordingbridge-information-office/ | email=information@fordingbridge.gov.uk | address=Kings Yard, 23 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9283 | long=-1.7896 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 560 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Tourist information, fishing permits and internet access. }} ==Get in== On the northwestern edge of the New Forest and very close to the borders with [[Dorset]] and [[Wiltshire]], Fordingbridge is {{convert|12|miles}} south of the cathedral city of [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]. {{mapframe|50.9275|-1.7901|zoom=11}} ===By car=== By far the best means of reaching Fordingbridge, not least because most of the area's attractions are out of the town. The A338 Salisbury to [[Bournemouth]] road passes just to the east of the town centre. At [[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]], {{convert|6|miles}} further south, the road meets the A31 trunk road, which handles most traffic from [[Southampton]], [[Dorchester]] and [[London]]. The main {{marker|type=go|name=[https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1399/Fordingbridge-Car-Park-Fordingbridge car park]|lat=50.9277|long=-1.7919}} can be accessed via (and is signposted from) Shaftesbury Street. For satnavs, use the postcode "SP6 1AQ". ===By public transport=== Fordingbridge lost its railway line in the 1960s, and the nearest station is now at Salisbury, which receives '''trains''' from towns and cities across southern Britain, including London, [[Southampton]], [[Bristol]], [[Cardiff]] and [[Exeter]]. See [[Salisbury (England)#By train|Salisbury#By train]] for more details. The Salisbury Reds '''bus''' service [https://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/services/SQ/X3 X3] runs from Salisbury's main square to Bournemouth via Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Adult fares are around £5 for a single and £7.50 for a return; pay by cash or contactless. The bus runs every 30 min for most of M-Sa; an hourly service operates before 9AM and after 7PM on these days, and all day on Su and public holidays. Journey times are: from Salisbury 25 min; from Ringwood 15 min; from Bournemouth 1 hr. Drop-off and pick-up at Fordingbridge is at the {{marker|type=go|name=Post Office bus stop|lat=50.9285|long=-1.7887}} on Salisbury Street, two minutes' walk from the information centre and museum. ===On foot=== The [https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/walking/avonvalley Avon Valley Path] is a 34-mile (55-km) trail linking Salisbury to [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] via Fordingbridge, broadly following the River Avon through pretty Hampshire and Wiltshire countryside. ==Get around== Fordingbridge is a small town that any able-bodied person can comfortably navigate on foot. If you're visiting attractions in the surrounding area, you need your own motorised transport as aside from the X3 bus, there's no local public transport to speak of. Even the New Forest's famously dense [https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/app/uploads/2018/01/New-Forest-Cycle-Routes-Map.pdf warren of cycling trails] seems to have almost completely bypassed Fordingbridge; the few cycle routes that exist aren't segregated from road traffic . * {{go | name=Express Cars Fordingbridge | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Private hire taxis, the only firm in town. }} ==See== The town of Fordingbridge will likely only take half a day at most to explore, but the nearby villages of Breamore and Rockbourne each merit their own side trips. ===Fordingbridge=== [[File:St Mary, Fordingbridge - geograph.org.uk - 1508695.jpg|thumb|300px|St Mary's, Fordingbridge]] * {{see | name=Great Bridge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7889 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-19 | content=One of only two bridges in the UK with seven arches, this is a pretty spot to take in the river. If the constant stream of traffic puts you off, you can get a more peaceful view of the ancient crossing from [[#Do|Riverside Park]]. }} * {{see | name=Augustus John Statue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9273 | long=-1.789 | directions=on the right river bank, just north of the bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Grade II-listed bronze sculpture of the Fordingbridge artist, by Ivor Roberts-Jones. In contrast to many overidealised memorial statues, John is depicted as rather showing his age, looking unsteady on his feet, albeit still brimming with passion and something akin to defiance. }} * {{see | name=Fordingbridge Museum | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk | address=King’s Yard, Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.928434 | long=-1.790113 | directions=next to the tourist office | phone=+44 1425 655 222 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-Halloween M-Sa 11AM-4PM | price=Free, donations welcome | wikidata=Q59536579 | lastedit=2020-12-30 | content=Volunteer-run museum which, over two floors of a former granary, packs in displays on almost every aspect of local life and history you could think of: small businesses, archive photos, Augustus John, town life during the Victorian and wartime eras, the local footie club... }} * {{see | name=St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge | alt= | url=https://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/stmarys-fordingbridge/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address=Church Street, SP6 1BB | lat=50.9208 | long=-1.79509 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7594329 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Anglo-Saxon St Mary's was rebuilt from circa 1150 until 1230 by the Normans. It's attractive, if fairly typical of rural churches in the region, with the main historical interest being two memorials: one to Charles Chubb, the locksmith and safe manufacturer; the other to James Seton, a young man whose sad claim to fame is for being the last person to be killed in a duel on English soil, in 1845. }} ===Breamore=== Breamore (say "Bremmer") is {{convert|3|miles}} north of Fordingbridge, on the A338 Salisbury Road whose traffic rather spoils this otherwise attractive village's atmosphere. However, while there are undoubtedly some pretty cottages and a set of stocks to photograph as you pass through, the main attractions here are north-west of the village proper, on the estate of Breamore House. By car, follow the brown signs from the main road, or by bus the X3 drops you by the village hall, about a mile's walk from the house. * {{see | name=Breamore House | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com | email=breamore@btinternet.com | address=SP6 2DF | lat=50.9705 | long=-1.7839 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 858 | tollfree= | hours=Apr and Oct: Tu, Su noon-5:30PM; May-Sept: Tu-Th Su noon-5:30PM; and open bank holidays throughout the year | price=Adult £9.50, senior £8, child (5-15 years) £6, under 5 free | wikipedia=Breamore House | image=BreamoreHouse.jpg | wikidata=Q4959727 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=An Elizabethan (late 16th century) manor house with very fine period furniture, paintings, and tapestries. Each of the main rooms is seemingly frozen in a particular era, from the Tudor great hall and bedrooms, to the Stuart dining room and Regency-era drawing rooms. The house was built on the site of an Augustinian monastery, a victim of the Reformation, and has been in the hands of the Hulse family for nine generations. The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. }} [[File:BreamoreHouse.jpg|thumb|300px|Breamore House]] :*{{see | name=St Mary's Church, Breamore | alt= | url=http://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/breamore/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address= | lat=50.9693 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia=Breamore#St Mary's Church | image=The Anglo-Saxon Church of St Mary - Breamore - geograph.org.uk - 870238.jpg | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A handsome flint church whose external architecture has scarcely been altered since the 10th century, having survived a millennium during which almost every other Saxon church in the country was extensively modified by successive generations of 'improvers' who thought they knew better. The insides were messed with a bit more, yet many of the original features remain. Look out for an exceedingly rare example of a surviving Old English inscription, above a sturdy arched doorway, along with an equally old and rare 'rood' (depiction of Jesus on the cross) and other ancient wall paintings. It's no exaggeration to say that this is one of England's most historically important churches. }} :* {{see | name=Countryside Museum | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com/page80.html | email= | address= | lat=50.9673 | long=-1.7849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Open same days as house, 1-5PM | price=Included in entry to Breamore House, or if just visiting museum: adult £4, senior £3.50, child (5-15 years) £3, under 5 free | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=The comprehensive collection of steam-powered farm machinery, including a gorgeous red traction engine called "The Dreadnought", is just the start. This museum brings Breamore life as it was 100+ years ago into the present day with a replica farm worker's cottage, and faithful recreations of numerous village amenities: the schoolroom, smithy, dairy, brewery, the wheelwright's shop, the saddler's shop, a laundry... Fully accessible to wheelchair users. }} :* {{see | name=Breamore Mizmaze | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=50.9816 | long=-1.80015 | directions={{mi|1}} on foot from house. Walk left of the clock tower, enter the woods and climb uphill until you reach the top, bear left through a clump of yew trees and you'll see the maze. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Accessible daily, during daylight hours | price=Free - not necessary to purchase entry to the estate | wikipedia=Mizmaze#Breamore Mizmaze | image=The Breamore Mizmaze - geograph.org.uk - 24118.jpg | wikidata=Q17641056 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A medieval turf maze in a grove of yew trees atop Breamore Down, one of only two surviving examples in England. Composed of concentric rings which lead to the centre and bisected by a Christian cross, it is believed to have been created by the monks of Breamore Priory, who apparently crawled to the middle on their knees while praying as penitence. The maze is fenced off, so you can't try it out, but you can see all of it and the hike to get there offers some fab views over the countryside. }} ===Rockbourne=== {{mi|4}} north-west of Fordingbridge, the prosperous village of Rockbourne makes a pleasant half-day trip. The archaeological remains of a Roman villa are the main attraction, and are reached just before the village on a drive from Fordingbridge via Station Road and Rockbourne Road. [[File:Rockbourne villa hypocaustum.JPG|thumb|300px|Hypocausts provided underfloor heating and hot bathwater to Rockbourne's Romans]] * {{see | name=Rockbourne Roman Villa | alt= | url=https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/rockbourne-roman-villa | email=enquiries@hampshireculture.org.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 3PG | lat=50.9526 | long=-1.83065 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 541 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adult £4.50, concession £3.50, child (5-15 years) £2.25, under 5 free | wikidata=Q7354971 | lastedit=2021-02-21 | content=This luxurious courtyard villa was built during the first five centuries of the common era, and subsequently vanished beneath the earth before being rediscovered by a farmer's dog in 1942. The few visible remains include an excavated portion of hypocaust and some wonderfully-preserved mosaic. The adjacent museum houses other Roman objects discovered at the villa and in the local area: tools, pottery, a hoard of coins, a mysterious skeleton, and two 3rd-century milestones with Latin inscription. Kids can make their own mosaic and dress up as a centurion. On-site café and picnic area. }} The villa and museum will take no more than an hour or two, but it would be a shame to leave without seeing the charming village, best accomplished on foot. A walk from the villa car park up the lane to the brilliant Rose and Thistle pub (see [[#Rockbourne 2|below]]) is a mile each way and allows you to see the best of Rockbourne's thatched brick-and-timber cottages and well-tended gardens. Running parallel to a chalk stream called Sweatfords Water, the lane is very quiet with little traffic, which is just as well because there's no pedestrian path. If fly fishing is more your thing, a few hours at Rockbourne Trout Fishery (downstream on Sweatfords Water, see [[#trout|below]]) may be just the ticket. === Elsewhere === * '''Alderholt Mill''' on Sandleheath Rd has been restored and also has B&B accommodation, see Sleep. ==Do== Thanks to its proximity to the New Forest National Park, there is a lot of outdoor space in and around Fordingbridge and a variety of activities to suit most interests. ===Fordingbridge=== * {{do | name=Riverside Park | alt=Fordingbridge Park or Recreation Ground | url= | email= | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.9266 | long=-1.7876 | directions=left bank of the river, off Bridge Street | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Despite not knowing what to call itself, this has pretty much everything you'd want from a small town park: a decent-sized playground, sports pitches, a snack kiosk that makes its own ice lollies, and even a shingle beach where you can paddle or swim in the languid waters of the Avon. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing (angling) in the Avon | alt= | url=http://www.riversidekiosk.co.uk/FISHING.php | email=nige@riversidekiosk.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7539 797 510 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Daily dawn-dusk, kiosk 7AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=One day permit: adult £5, concession £2.50, under-16 free. Purchase from Riverside Kiosk in the park, or from the information centre in town. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£6/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-12-26 | content=Fish anywhere along the river's course through the park and try your luck at landing grayling, pike, perch, roach, or trout. }} * {{do | name=Regal Cinema | alt= | url=http://www.theregalcinema.org/ | email=info@theregalcinema.org | address=35 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.926 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 602 | tollfree= | hours=Box office M-F 8:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM | price=Ticket prices can vary, but most are £10.70 for adults and £7.70 for children and students | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Classy Art Deco cinema, built in 1933 and lovingly restored in 2016. The façade is nice, but the lobby and the bar are something else, so make sure you allow some time to enjoy them before or after the film. The intimate 30-seat auditorium makes each screening - of film, live theatre or opera - special. }} ===Further afield=== * {{do | name=Arniss Equestrian | alt= | url=https://www.arnissequestrian.co.uk/Home | email=enquiries@arnissequestrian.co.uk | address=Southampton Road, Godshill, SP6 2JX | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.7528 | directions={{mi|2}} E of town centre, via B3078. Turn R off road onto narrow driveway marked by wooden sign. | phone=+44 1425 654 114 | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=Lessons: 30 min from £33 pp, 1 hr £35 pp; hacks: 1 hr from £45 pp, 2 hr from £80 pp, 3 hr £115 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=British Horse Society and Pony Club-accredited stables offering group and private tuition at all levels of experience. Or you can enjoy some of the finest horse country in England with a guided "hack" (leisure ride) into the New Forest. }} {{anchor|axe}} * {{do | name=Insight Activities | alt=archery & axe throwing | url=https://insightactivities.co.uk/ | email= | address=Feather Down Farm, SP6 3DA | lat=50.9142 | long=-1.8107 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed ''Somerley / Harbridge'' | phone=+44 7752 302 010 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Booking essential | price=Archery only (2 hr): £25 pp; archery, crossbow and axe throwing (2 hr 30 min): £35 pp; siege the castle (2 hr): £30 pp; combat tag (2 hr): £30 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=Email via [https://insightactivities.co.uk/ online contact form] (page bottom). Supervised fun with mediaeval weapons in the woods! Guided sessions for absolute beginners in longbow archery, crossbow shooting and axe throwing. The tuition is personable and humorous with an emphasis on safety and proper technique. Combine a lesson with an activity: in 'Siege the Castle', groups design their own giant projectile and fire at a model castle, while 'Combat Tag' combines a number of archery team games - back-to-back duelling, capture the flag and something called 'death match'. The archery range is open to all ages, while the other activities aren't suitable for children under 12. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Water Park | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.8998 | long=-1.7825 | directions=2½ mi (4 km) S of town via A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-early Nov. Times and days vary, but most often W-Su noon-8PM. Check [https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/opening-times/ site] | price=Wakeboarding: 15-minute lesson £35, 2 hr on main course £30. Aquapark 1 hr £20. Kayaking 1 hr £20/£30 single/double kayak. Paddleboarding 1 hr £20. Swimming £7. Wetsuits for hire £5 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=A private lake for water sports and activities. There are two wakeboard systems; one for beginners to practise (15 min lessons are usually enough even for first-timers), and a main course on which to try out tricks, jumps and rails. The Aqua Park features two floating obstacle courses with hurdles, climbing walls, slides and more. For a more relaxing activity, the park also offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and freshwater swimming. The park also has a campsite (see [[#NFWP camp|below]]). }} {{anchor|trout}} * {{do | name=Rockbourne Trout Fishery | alt= | url=http://www.rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk/ | email=info@rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 1QG | lat=50.9441 | long=-1.816 | directions=2¾ mi (4.3 km) NW of town, via Station Rd and Rockbourne Rd | phone=+44 1725 518 603 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=Day tickets from £48; tuition 1 hr £40, 3 hr £100; tackle / rods for hire £15 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=Fish for trout at this complex of six lakes with exclusive access to a 1-mile stretch of pristine chalk stream. The wild Hampshire natives are brown trout, though other species have been brought in from around the world to supplement these. At the end of the day, you can swap your catch for a packet of smoked trout. }} ===Events=== * {{do | name=Fordingbridge Festival | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridgefestival.com/ | email=fordingbridgeevents@gmail.com | address= | lat=50.9244 | long=-1.7876 | directions=Riverside Park | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July 2023 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Annual community festival on a Saturday in mid-July. Expect heavy horse obstacle racing, dog shows, tug of war, falconry, arts and crafts, and live music. }} * {{do | name=Pumpkin Pastures | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.923 | long=-1.786 | directions=slip road off A338 just south of the Riverside Park | phone=+44 7904 280 832 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Mid-Oct until Halloween daily 9:30AM-4PM. Early bonfire night '''fireworks display''', Sat 30 Oct 6PM | price=Free entry and parking. Pumpkins from £1 each. Fireworks £5 pp | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Pick your own pumpkins: choose from 30 varieties (and not just the bright orange ones), explore recipes, or carve your own jack-o-lantern. Family-friendly games, seasonal crafts, and hot and cold refreshments are all part of the fun. }} ==Buy== Fordingbridge is no retail paradise, but its small high street has managed to conserve a number of interesting independent stores. One success story is the number of shops selling local food and drink produce. ===Specialist=== * {{buy | name=All The Cool Stuff | alt= | url=https://allthecoolstuff.co.uk/ | email=sales@allthecoolstuff.co.uk | address=64 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 696 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-01-03 | content=Children big and small love this toy store, selling figurines, playsets, games and other collectibles. Wide range of brands from Lego and Playmobil to Star Wars, Transformers, My Little Pony and Sylvanian Families. Even better, the owner knows his Stormtroopers from his Decepticons. }} * {{buy | name=The Fordingbridge Bookshop | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgebooks.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgebooks.com | address=15 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9281 | long=-1.7898 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 725 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=A friendly and knowledgeable couple staff this shop which has everything you'd expect from a chain (including next-day in-store delivery), plus extras that only an independent could provide: hot drinks while you browse, a piano to tinkle on if you're brave enough and, most importantly, plenty of local interest books. }} * {{buy | name=Timothy's | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Timothysfordingbridge/ | email= | address=10 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9274 | long=-1.7902 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 657 755 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Ladies' clothing, accessories and interior design. Full of beautiful and original things, this shop attracts customers from far and wide. }} [[Image:Town Hall Fordingbridge Hants - geograph.org.uk - 155776.jpg|thumb|300px|The High Street and Town Hall]] ===Local produce=== * {{buy | name=D Price Butchers | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/DPricebutchers/ | email= | address=69 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9265 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 7:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Delightfully old-fashioned butcher shop which, as the handpainted sign over the door proudly boasts, is "licensed to sell game and venison". The vast majority of their meat comes from Hampshire or Dorset, and much of it from the New Forest. Try their breakfast special - pork sausage and a fried egg dripping with yolk served in a bagel; it ain't kosher, but it sure is tasty! }} * {{buy | name=The Cottage Loaf | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/thecottageloaffordingbridge/ | email=thecottageloafbakery@gmail.com | address=51-53 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 460 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 9AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Artisan bakery known for its sourdough breads and seasonal cakes and pastry. Takeaway only. }} * {{buy | name=The Gourmet Grocer | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/TheGourmetGrocer.UK/ | email=thegourmetgrocer@outlook.com | address=71C High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7923 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 658 007 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Foodie heaven. The colourful wall of fruit and veg is just the start: you may also be tempted by their charcuterie and cheese counter, focaccia selection, preserves and condiments. If you're self-catering in the area, why not try one of their recipe boxes? }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk | address=Whitsbury Road, SP6 1NQ | lat=50.9367 | long=-1.7956 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Opened in 2021. A vast range of exquisitely-presented groceries from Hampshire and Dorset. Loads of affordable fresh veg, cheese, preserves, pastries and wine, while the dry-aging meat is a sight to behold. Hot and cold ready meals prepared on-site. Staff are friendly and knowledgable about food. }} * {{buy | name=Hockey's Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/ | email=naturalmeats@hockeysfarm.co.uk | address=South Gorley, SP6 2PW | lat=50.8924 | long=-1.7711 | directions={{mi|3}} S of Fordingbridge. Turn L off the A338 at North Gorley, then fork R and continue through village. | phone=+44 1425 652 542 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=This shop's tagline is "Bring the New Forest home", and that's exactly what you can do with their range of regional food and drink produce. Hockey's butcher much of their own meat, and source the rest from nearby farms; their pigs forage for acorns and mushrooms in the traditional way in the forest during autumn. It's not all raw protein, though, as you can also pick up local fruit and veg, dairy, beer and cider. Further information on provenance is published on [https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/produc-suppliers their website]. }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Country Market | alt= | url=https://hampshirecountrymarkets.co.uk/about/fordingbridge%20country%20market-2.html | email= | address=Avonway Community Centre, Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.927 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 350 | tollfree= | hours=F 9:30AM-11:30AM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=A weekly homemade market for fresh bread and cakes, seasonal fruit and veg, preserves, flowers and knitwear. }} ===Supermarkets=== There are no large supermarkets in Fordingbridge, but two small branches of national chains: * {{buy | name=Co-op | alt= | url=https://www.coop.co.uk/store-finder/SP6-1AX/38-50-high-street | email= | address=38-50 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Tesco Express | alt= | url=https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/uk/?bID=2537&sc_cmp=ref*yg*stc*2537 | email= | address=10 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AF | lat=50.9280 | long=-1.7895 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 6AM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} For a bigger shop, [[Ringwood (England)#Buy|Ringwood]] has full-sized Sainsbury's and Waitrose stores. ==Eat and drink== Ultra-local '''[http://www.fordingbridgefudge.co.uk/ Fordingbridge fudge]''', made in town with milk and butter from a herd of Guernseys who graze on pastures less than a mile away, is a traditional treat to sample while here. The classic flavours are butter and vanilla, but for something a bit more special, try the chocolate orange, or else the New Forest honey and cream. Buy it from Gourmet Grocer, Hockey's Farm Shop or the kiosk in the Riverside Park. Every pub in the area serves food, though their kitchens mostly close at 9PM. ===Fordingbridge=== [[Image:Head of Augustus John Sculpture in Fordingbridge.jpg|thumb|Augustus John's head]] * {{eat | name=Belinda's | alt= | url=https://www.belindas-bakery.co.uk/ | email= | address=18-20 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.927 | long=-1.79 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 118 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Chatty bakery and tea shop, popular for its artisan bread, cakes, and sausage rolls. }} * {{eat | name=Bridges | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Bridges-Coffee-Dining-169641866493540/ | email= | address=26 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7911 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 149 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-4PM | price=Full English / veggie breakfast £7.50, lunches £5-£9, cream tea £6 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Great café open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Fine collection of baguettes and paninis, garnished jacket spuds, and a few hot meals (cottage pie, macaroni cheese...) Something sweet for afters? Look no further than their amazing Dorset apple cake with clotted cream. }} * {{eat | name=Fordingbridge Kebab House | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgekebabhouse.com/ | email= | address=9 Provost Street, SP6 1AY | lat=50.9261 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 433 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 3PM-10PM | price=Meals £5-£8 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Locally-popular fast food shop for kebabs, burgers, chicken and pizza, all freshly made to order. Limited indoor seating. }} * {{eat | name=Raj of India | alt= | url= | email= | address=75 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JG | lat=50.927 | long=-1.796 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 056 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-2:30PM / 6PM-11:30PM | price=Mains £6-£11 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=In Britain, all the best neighbourhood curry houses inspire loyal local followings for their friendly service of well-cooked old favourites at a reasonable price. This is such a place. }} * {{eat | name=La Lambretta | alt= | url=https://lambrettafordingbridge.com/ | email=marco@lalambretta.co.uk | address=1 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.9267 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 656 192 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 5:30PM-9PM | price=Mains £10-£19, pizzas £9-£14 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Above-average Italian food served in a smart red-brick and white-tablecloth restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Pullman dining carriage at the Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/restaurant | email=info@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.8056 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Mains £14-£18, Isle of Wight sirloin £26 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content="First class" modern British dining in a space designed to resemble a Pullman carriage entering a tunnel; in summer, the tables spill onto an outdoor terrace which is like a station platform from the age of steam. The hotel also serves its own brand of bitter, amber ale, and cider. }} * {{eat | name=The George | alt= | url=https://www.georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk/ | email=info@georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk | address=14 Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.927 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 040 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa noon-3PM / 5:30PM-10PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £12-£26; children's menu mains £9 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=18th-century riverside gastropub serving Hampshire favourites: steak and chips, chalk stream trout, lobster linguine. Save room for the local cheese board. The very sad selection of draught beers is made up for by extensive wine and cocktail lists. On sunny days, the outdoor terrace has a prime view of the Great Bridge. }} * {{eat | name=The Three Lions | alt= | url=http://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9212 | long=-1.7736 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 11AM-11PM, kitchen closed W Th | price=Daily mains £17-£29, Sunday mains £14-£17 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=Classic English and French cuisine using local ingredients. The simple menu has only five dishes in each course. }} ===Breamore=== * {{eat | name=The Bat & Ball | alt= | url=https://batandballbreamore.co.uk/ | email=info@batandballbreamore.co.uk | address=Salisbury Road, Breamore, SP6 2EA | lat=50.9601 | long=-1.7750 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 252 | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM | price=Mains £13-£22. Sunday lunch: adult £15, child £7 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=International pub grub with great choice of dishes from fish to grills, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. Large beer garden with awnings, and three fireplaces inside. }} ===Rockbourne=== * {{eat | name=The Rose and Thistle | alt= | url=https://roseandthistle.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@roseandthistle.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, Rockbourne, SP6 3NL | lat=50.964853 | long=-1.84056 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 236 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-F noon-2PM / 6-9:30PM, Sa noon-9:30PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £13-£18 | wikidata=Q26461106 | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Characterful thatched pub-restaurant with cosy interior and lovely beer garden. Owned by a consortium of villagers, it's had a reputation for good seasonal food for donkey's years. The menu has little in the way of vegetarian or vegan food, but chef can accommodate. Local real ale and cider on tap. }} ==Sleep== The main forms of accommodation in the area are self-catering holiday lets and campsites. There are no large hotels in Fordingbridge (you'll find a Premier Inn in [[Ringwood (England)#Sleep|Ringwood]]), but a handful of small-scale operations may be of interest: * {{sleep | name=The Ship Inn | alt= | url=https://shipinnfordingbridge.co.uk/rooms/ | email=shipinnthebridge@yahoo.co.uk | address=68 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7926 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 371 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80 | lastedit=2021-01-02 | content=Traditional inn with four en-suite rooms, some of which have sweet original features. Continental breakfast included. Greene King pub, so food and beer nothing spectacular, but the rest of the town is on your doorstep. }} [[Image:Water Mill, Alderholt, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 11289.jpg|thumb|300px|Alderholt Mill]] * {{sleep | name=Alderholt Mill | alt= | url=https://www.alderholtmill.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@alderholtmill.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 1PU | lat=50.928152 | long=-1.831764 | directions=On the Dorset side of the county border, {{mi|2}} west of Fordingbridge via Station Rd and Alderholt Rd | phone=+44 1425 653 130 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80-£120 per night; self-catering £360-£430 per week | wikidata=Q26609240 | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Charming wisteria-covered B&B at a working watermill, with one self-catering cottage (sleeps two). All rooms en-suite. Attractive gardens with a mill pond, outdoor seating and BBQ available to use. And yes, you can buy a bag of flour from the mill. }} * {{sleep | name=The Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/ | email=reservations@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.928 | long=-1.805 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles: rooms £125-£195 per night; cottage £245 for two nights minimum stay | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Opened in the 1860s, this inn once served rail travellers arriving in town from the station next door, but declined when the trains stopped running. Restored to its late Victorian glory in 2019, this is now a smart boutique hotel and bar with five en-suite rooms (including one wheelchair-accessible), each themed around a famous train service of yore. They also have a "railway cottage" that sleeps four, with a lounge, kitchenette and dining area. See ''[[#pullman|Eat]]'' for details on Pullman 'dining car' restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Three Lions | alt= | url=https://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/rooms | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9213 | long=-1.7737 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles from £95 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=A range of en-suite twin, double, and family rooms overlooking the gardens and forest. All rooms have access to communal gardens and sauna, while some rooms have a private terrace with hot tub. Continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. }} ===Camping=== * {{sleep | name=Amy's Camping | alt= | url=https://amys-camping-fordingbridge.business.site/ | email= | address=Bowerwood Cottages, 1 Ashford Road, SP6 3BU | lat=50.924 | long=-1.812 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) west of Fordingbridge via B3078 | phone=+44 7717 313 663 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Contact site for pitch rates | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Email through website. Peaceful field for pitching a tent. Clean toilets and showers. Child and dog-friendly with play equipment. A small enclosure with sheep and chickens cultivates a rustic atmosphere. }} * {{sleep | name=Cae Malwen Farm | alt= | url=https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/South_East/Hampshire/Fordingbridge/cae_malwen_farm/ | email= | address=Rockbourne, SP6 3NE | lat=50.96027 | long=-1.8357 | directions=At the end of a short narrow lane off the main Rockbourne road | phone=+44 7554 400 744 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=10AM-8PM | checkout=4PM | price=Tent pitch from £24 per night | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-14 | content=Very peaceful basic campsite with no facilities other than a washroom (the name is Welsh for "Snail Field"). Campfires and barbecues are allowed, but there's a no-noise policy after dark. Children and dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Harry's Meadow | alt= | url=https://www.newforestcampsite.com/harrys-meadow/ | email= | address=Hale Lane, SP6 2RE | lat=50.967 | long=-1.741 | directions= | phone=+44 7534 006137 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Tent £20 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Large campsite on Hale Park Estate, open July-Aug. Dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Hill Cottage Farm | alt= | url=https://www.hillcottagefarmcampingandcaravanpark.co.uk/ | email=info@hillcottagefarm.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 3EG | lat=50.9193 | long=-1.8323 | directions={{mi|2}} W of town, via B3078; follow brown signs from Alderholt village centre | phone=+44 1425 650 513 | tollfree= | checkin=any time | checkout=11AM | price=Pitches from £21 per night, shepherd's hut from £36 per night, lodge from £100 per night plus £100 refundable deposit | lastedit=2021-03-17 | content=Camping and caravan park inside Dorset by a cat's whisker. In addition to the traditional tent, caravan, and motorhome pitches, the site also has accommodation for hire. If a 'luxury lodge' with double beds, en-suite shower room and full kitchen sounds like cheating, then a more basic 'shepherd's hut' might be more to your taste. Children and leashed dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Midgham Farm | alt=Feather Down | url=https://www.featherdown.co.uk/location/midgham-farm/ | email=info@featherdown.co.uk | address=Midgham, SP6 3BY | lat=50.9136 | long=-1.8071 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed Somerley / Harbridge | phone=+44 1420 80804 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=4 nights from £400, 7 nights from £800 | lastedit=2021-03-13 | content=Glamping on a working family farm. Choose between a canvas or log cabin (all sleep 6), which come with fully made-up double / bunk beds, private shower, living and cooking areas, running water and log-burning stove. BBQ facilities and on-site shop. Private fishing and swimming in the river. Archery and axe-throwing at [[#axe|Insight Activities]] next-door. }} {{anchor|NFWP camp}} * {{sleep | name=New Forest Water Park Camping | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/activities/camping/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.9008 | long=-1.7856 | directions=use main park entrance on A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | checkin=noon-9PM | checkout=11AM | price=Per night: adult £15, child aged 4-16 £5, under 4 free | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Rustic woodland campsite for tents and campervans (no electric hook-ups). Every pitch has a firepit. Under-21s must be "accompanied by an adult" (yes, really). No dogs or rowdy groups. }} * {{sleep | name=Sandy Balls Holiday Village | alt= | url=https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/sandy-balls/ | email= | address=Southampton Road, SP6 2JZ | lat=50.93057 | long=-1.7605 | directions=on B3078, {{mi|2}} east of town | phone=+44 1442 508 850 (Hertfordshire number) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Per night: caravans from £110, lodges from £450 | wikidata=Q7417140 | lastedit=2021-02-20 | content=Despite a name straight out of ''Carry On Camping'', this rather large resort of static caravans and wood cabins is perfectly family-friendly, with great access to nature and numerous facilities (play areas, dog park, pools...) and activities (archery, cycling, fishing...) to keep everyone entertained. You don't even need to leave to get fed and watered, as they also have a restaurant, pub and minimarket. }} ==Connect== ===Phone=== Two area codes for landline phone numbers cover the area. Fordingbridge's is '''01425''' ('''+44 1425''' from outside the UK), and Rockbourne's is '''01725''' ('''+44 1725'''); Breamore is split between the two areas. ===Internet=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Library | alt= | url=https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/libraryfinder/fordingbridge | email= | address=Roundhill, SP6 1AQ | lat=50.9318 | long=-1.7915 | directions= | phone=+44 300 555 1387 (non-geographic) | tollfree= | hours=W F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-1PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=The municipal library offers computers, printing and photocopying facilities. No Wi-Fi. }} ==Go next== ===[[New Forest]]=== * [[Brockenhurst]] - a woodland town that's home to the annual New Forest show * [[Burley (England)|Burley]] - a New Forest village with a new age/witchy atmosphere * [[Lyndhurst]] - the ever-popular tourism capital of the forest * [[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]] - small market town with several parks and nature reserves on its doorstep ===Further afield=== * [[Bournemouth]] - a large seaside resort with seven golden miles of sandy beach and a vibrant nightlife * [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] - Bournemouth's quieter and more genteel eastern neighbour has beaches and a natural harbour * [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] - a cathedral city with the best remaining of only four original copies of the Magna Carta * [[Wimborne Minster]] - home to a rare chained library and a one-tenth scale model town {{routebox | image1=UK road A338.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorl1=[[#Breamore|Breamore]] | directionr1=S | minorr1=[[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]] (junction [[Image:UK road A31.svg|30px]]) | majorr1=[[Bournemouth]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{guidecity}} {{geo|50.9275|-1.7901}} cdka1cjpeixdfknu2tkoogu3hhoro04 4506381 4506376 2022-08-22T18:58:04Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Go next */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Fordingbridge banner Breamore House.JPG|caption=Breamore House}} '''Fordingbridge''' is a small town in [[Hampshire]], on the northwestern edge of the [[New Forest]] National Park. The town itself is mostly known for its 13th-century bridge over the River Avon, but the nearby villages of '''Breamore''' and '''Rockbourne''' each have sights of their own, from the remains of a 2000-year old mansion, to a fascinating agricultural museum. Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside of farmland and forest offers some great outdoor pursuits, chief among them fishing, riding and watersports. ==Understand== [[Image:The river Avon, Fordingbridge, Hampshire - geograph.org.uk - 1170792.jpg|thumb|300px|The River Avon and Great Bridge]] The River Avon that flows through these parts is not the same river that Shakespeare's [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]] is upon, nor is it the one that goes through [[Bath]] and [[Bristol]]. ''Avon'' is in fact a Celtic word meaning "river", but the irony of naming several watercourses in their newly-conquered country "River River" was lost on the Anglo-Saxons. This Avon rises in the Wiltshire downs, flows lazily past [[Stonehenge]] and south through [[Salisbury]] to Fordingbridge, from where it meanders on to meet the sea near [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]]. It is a quintessential southern English chalk stream, with water clear as glass and high numbers of fish, particularly brown trout, pike and perch. There has been a crossing over the Avon here in the form of a ford or a bridge for longer than the records go back, but the current seven-arched stone '''Great Bridge''' was built in the 13th century, and widened and reinforced in the 19th. The bridge was once an important access point to the New Forest, so much so that the lord of the manor was for many centuries charged with ensuring no poachers smuggled game out of the forest by means of the bridge. People caught poaching were liable to lose a hand or be blinded. The celebrated Welsh portrait artist '''Augustus John''' lived in Fordingbridge for over 30 years until his death in 1961. The polyamorous John fathered at least seven children, and it is said that even as an old man he used to affectionately pat the head of every Fordingbridge kid he passed, just in case. Evidently he still inspires a good deal of local pride, as not only have they erected a statue to him, they've also named a pub and even a whole new neighbourhood after him. '''Fordingbridge''' is a typical small Hampshire town, with a population of around 6,000. It was a market town in the medieval era, but those days of regional importance are far behind it. The laidback town centre is not especially lovely, but there are some old buildings of note such as the parish church and an Art Deco cinema. Most of the shops are independents rather than chains, making Fordingbridge a good place to shop for local produce. North of Fordingbridge, two outlying parishes covered by this article are definitely worth your time: '''Breamore''' has a Tudor mansion with several attractions on its estate; '''Rockbourne''' is an idyllic village that's home to an excavated Roman villa. ===Tourist information=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Information Office | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridge.gov.uk/fordingbridge-information-office/ | email=information@fordingbridge.gov.uk | address=Kings Yard, 23 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9283 | long=-1.7896 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 560 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Tourist information, fishing permits and internet access. }} ==Get in== On the northwestern edge of the New Forest and very close to the borders with [[Dorset]] and [[Wiltshire]], Fordingbridge is {{convert|12|miles}} south of the cathedral city of [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]. {{mapframe|50.9275|-1.7901|zoom=11}} ===By car=== By far the best means of reaching Fordingbridge, not least because most of the area's attractions are out of the town. The A338 Salisbury to [[Bournemouth]] road passes just to the east of the town centre. At [[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]], {{convert|6|miles}} further south, the road meets the A31 trunk road, which handles most traffic from [[Southampton]], [[Dorchester]] and [[London]]. The main {{marker|type=go|name=[https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1399/Fordingbridge-Car-Park-Fordingbridge car park]|lat=50.9277|long=-1.7919}} can be accessed via (and is signposted from) Shaftesbury Street. For satnavs, use the postcode "SP6 1AQ". ===By public transport=== Fordingbridge lost its railway line in the 1960s, and the nearest station is now at Salisbury, which receives '''trains''' from towns and cities across southern Britain, including London, [[Southampton]], [[Bristol]], [[Cardiff]] and [[Exeter]]. See [[Salisbury (England)#By train|Salisbury#By train]] for more details. The Salisbury Reds '''bus''' service [https://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/services/SQ/X3 X3] runs from Salisbury's main square to Bournemouth via Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Adult fares are around £5 for a single and £7.50 for a return; pay by cash or contactless. The bus runs every 30 min for most of M-Sa; an hourly service operates before 9AM and after 7PM on these days, and all day on Su and public holidays. Journey times are: from Salisbury 25 min; from Ringwood 15 min; from Bournemouth 1 hr. Drop-off and pick-up at Fordingbridge is at the {{marker|type=go|name=Post Office bus stop|lat=50.9285|long=-1.7887}} on Salisbury Street, two minutes' walk from the information centre and museum. ===On foot=== The [https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/walking/avonvalley Avon Valley Path] is a 34-mile (55-km) trail linking Salisbury to [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] via Fordingbridge, broadly following the River Avon through pretty Hampshire and Wiltshire countryside. ==Get around== Fordingbridge is a small town that any able-bodied person can comfortably navigate on foot. If you're visiting attractions in the surrounding area, you need your own motorised transport as aside from the X3 bus, there's no local public transport to speak of. Even the New Forest's famously dense [https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/app/uploads/2018/01/New-Forest-Cycle-Routes-Map.pdf warren of cycling trails] seems to have almost completely bypassed Fordingbridge; the few cycle routes that exist aren't segregated from road traffic . * {{go | name=Express Cars Fordingbridge | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 000 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Private hire taxis, the only firm in town. }} ==See== The town of Fordingbridge will likely only take half a day at most to explore, but the nearby villages of Breamore and Rockbourne each merit their own side trips. ===Fordingbridge=== [[File:St Mary, Fordingbridge - geograph.org.uk - 1508695.jpg|thumb|300px|St Mary's, Fordingbridge]] * {{see | name=Great Bridge | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7889 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-19 | content=One of only two bridges in the UK with seven arches, this is a pretty spot to take in the river. If the constant stream of traffic puts you off, you can get a more peaceful view of the ancient crossing from [[#Do|Riverside Park]]. }} * {{see | name=Augustus John Statue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.9273 | long=-1.789 | directions=on the right river bank, just north of the bridge | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Grade II-listed bronze sculpture of the Fordingbridge artist, by Ivor Roberts-Jones. In contrast to many overidealised memorial statues, John is depicted as rather showing his age, looking unsteady on his feet, albeit still brimming with passion and something akin to defiance. }} * {{see | name=Fordingbridge Museum | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgemuseum.co.uk | address=King’s Yard, Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.928434 | long=-1.790113 | directions=next to the tourist office | phone=+44 1425 655 222 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-Halloween M-Sa 11AM-4PM | price=Free, donations welcome | wikidata=Q59536579 | lastedit=2020-12-30 | content=Volunteer-run museum which, over two floors of a former granary, packs in displays on almost every aspect of local life and history you could think of: small businesses, archive photos, Augustus John, town life during the Victorian and wartime eras, the local footie club... }} * {{see | name=St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge | alt= | url=https://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/stmarys-fordingbridge/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address=Church Street, SP6 1BB | lat=50.9208 | long=-1.79509 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7594329 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Anglo-Saxon St Mary's was rebuilt from circa 1150 until 1230 by the Normans. It's attractive, if fairly typical of rural churches in the region, with the main historical interest being two memorials: one to Charles Chubb, the locksmith and safe manufacturer; the other to James Seton, a young man whose sad claim to fame is for being the last person to be killed in a duel on English soil, in 1845. }} ===Breamore=== Breamore (say "Bremmer") is {{convert|3|miles}} north of Fordingbridge, on the A338 Salisbury Road whose traffic rather spoils this otherwise attractive village's atmosphere. However, while there are undoubtedly some pretty cottages and a set of stocks to photograph as you pass through, the main attractions here are north-west of the village proper, on the estate of Breamore House. By car, follow the brown signs from the main road, or by bus the X3 drops you by the village hall, about a mile's walk from the house. * {{see | name=Breamore House | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com | email=breamore@btinternet.com | address=SP6 2DF | lat=50.9705 | long=-1.7839 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 858 | tollfree= | hours=Apr and Oct: Tu, Su noon-5:30PM; May-Sept: Tu-Th Su noon-5:30PM; and open bank holidays throughout the year | price=Adult £9.50, senior £8, child (5-15 years) £6, under 5 free | wikipedia=Breamore House | image=BreamoreHouse.jpg | wikidata=Q4959727 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=An Elizabethan (late 16th century) manor house with very fine period furniture, paintings, and tapestries. Each of the main rooms is seemingly frozen in a particular era, from the Tudor great hall and bedrooms, to the Stuart dining room and Regency-era drawing rooms. The house was built on the site of an Augustinian monastery, a victim of the Reformation, and has been in the hands of the Hulse family for nine generations. The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. }} [[File:BreamoreHouse.jpg|thumb|300px|Breamore House]] :*{{see | name=St Mary's Church, Breamore | alt= | url=http://www.avp-benefice.org.uk/churches/breamore/ | email=office@avonvalleychurches.org.uk | address= | lat=50.9693 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 163 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikipedia=Breamore#St Mary's Church | image=The Anglo-Saxon Church of St Mary - Breamore - geograph.org.uk - 870238.jpg | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A handsome flint church whose external architecture has scarcely been altered since the 10th century, having survived a millennium during which almost every other Saxon church in the country was extensively modified by successive generations of 'improvers' who thought they knew better. The insides were messed with a bit more, yet many of the original features remain. Look out for an exceedingly rare example of a surviving Old English inscription, above a sturdy arched doorway, along with an equally old and rare 'rood' (depiction of Jesus on the cross) and other ancient wall paintings. It's no exaggeration to say that this is one of England's most historically important churches. }} :* {{see | name=Countryside Museum | alt= | url=http://www.breamorehouse.com/page80.html | email= | address= | lat=50.9673 | long=-1.7849 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Open same days as house, 1-5PM | price=Included in entry to Breamore House, or if just visiting museum: adult £4, senior £3.50, child (5-15 years) £3, under 5 free | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=The comprehensive collection of steam-powered farm machinery, including a gorgeous red traction engine called "The Dreadnought", is just the start. This museum brings Breamore life as it was 100+ years ago into the present day with a replica farm worker's cottage, and faithful recreations of numerous village amenities: the schoolroom, smithy, dairy, brewery, the wheelwright's shop, the saddler's shop, a laundry... Fully accessible to wheelchair users. }} :* {{see | name=Breamore Mizmaze | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=50.9816 | long=-1.80015 | directions={{mi|1}} on foot from house. Walk left of the clock tower, enter the woods and climb uphill until you reach the top, bear left through a clump of yew trees and you'll see the maze. | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Accessible daily, during daylight hours | price=Free - not necessary to purchase entry to the estate | wikipedia=Mizmaze#Breamore Mizmaze | image=The Breamore Mizmaze - geograph.org.uk - 24118.jpg | wikidata=Q17641056 | lastedit=2020-12-29 | content=A medieval turf maze in a grove of yew trees atop Breamore Down, one of only two surviving examples in England. Composed of concentric rings which lead to the centre and bisected by a Christian cross, it is believed to have been created by the monks of Breamore Priory, who apparently crawled to the middle on their knees while praying as penitence. The maze is fenced off, so you can't try it out, but you can see all of it and the hike to get there offers some fab views over the countryside. }} ===Rockbourne=== {{mi|4}} north-west of Fordingbridge, the prosperous village of Rockbourne makes a pleasant half-day trip. The archaeological remains of a Roman villa are the main attraction, and are reached just before the village on a drive from Fordingbridge via Station Road and Rockbourne Road. [[File:Rockbourne villa hypocaustum.JPG|thumb|300px|Hypocausts provided underfloor heating and hot bathwater to Rockbourne's Romans]] * {{see | name=Rockbourne Roman Villa | alt= | url=https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/rockbourne-roman-villa | email=enquiries@hampshireculture.org.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 3PG | lat=50.9526 | long=-1.83065 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 541 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Adult £4.50, concession £3.50, child (5-15 years) £2.25, under 5 free | wikidata=Q7354971 | lastedit=2021-02-21 | content=This luxurious courtyard villa was built during the first five centuries of the common era, and subsequently vanished beneath the earth before being rediscovered by a farmer's dog in 1942. The few visible remains include an excavated portion of hypocaust and some wonderfully-preserved mosaic. The adjacent museum houses other Roman objects discovered at the villa and in the local area: tools, pottery, a hoard of coins, a mysterious skeleton, and two 3rd-century milestones with Latin inscription. Kids can make their own mosaic and dress up as a centurion. On-site café and picnic area. }} The villa and museum will take no more than an hour or two, but it would be a shame to leave without seeing the charming village, best accomplished on foot. A walk from the villa car park up the lane to the brilliant Rose and Thistle pub (see [[#Rockbourne 2|below]]) is a mile each way and allows you to see the best of Rockbourne's thatched brick-and-timber cottages and well-tended gardens. Running parallel to a chalk stream called Sweatfords Water, the lane is very quiet with little traffic, which is just as well because there's no pedestrian path. If fly fishing is more your thing, a few hours at Rockbourne Trout Fishery (downstream on Sweatfords Water, see [[#trout|below]]) may be just the ticket. === Elsewhere === * '''Alderholt Mill''' on Sandleheath Rd has been restored and also has B&B accommodation, see Sleep. ==Do== Thanks to its proximity to the New Forest National Park, there is a lot of outdoor space in and around Fordingbridge and a variety of activities to suit most interests. ===Fordingbridge=== * {{do | name=Riverside Park | alt=Fordingbridge Park or Recreation Ground | url= | email= | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.9266 | long=-1.7876 | directions=left bank of the river, off Bridge Street | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Despite not knowing what to call itself, this has pretty much everything you'd want from a small town park: a decent-sized playground, sports pitches, a snack kiosk that makes its own ice lollies, and even a shingle beach where you can paddle or swim in the languid waters of the Avon. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing (angling) in the Avon | alt= | url=http://www.riversidekiosk.co.uk/FISHING.php | email=nige@riversidekiosk.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7539 797 510 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Daily dawn-dusk, kiosk 7AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=One day permit: adult £5, concession £2.50, under-16 free. Purchase from Riverside Kiosk in the park, or from the information centre in town. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£6/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-12-26 | content=Fish anywhere along the river's course through the park and try your luck at landing grayling, pike, perch, roach, or trout. }} * {{do | name=Regal Cinema | alt= | url=http://www.theregalcinema.org/ | email=info@theregalcinema.org | address=35 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.926 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 602 | tollfree= | hours=Box office M-F 8:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM | price=Ticket prices can vary, but most are £10.70 for adults and £7.70 for children and students | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=Classy Art Deco cinema, built in 1933 and lovingly restored in 2016. The façade is nice, but the lobby and the bar are something else, so make sure you allow some time to enjoy them before or after the film. The intimate 30-seat auditorium makes each screening - of film, live theatre or opera - special. }} ===Further afield=== * {{do | name=Arniss Equestrian | alt= | url=https://www.arnissequestrian.co.uk/Home | email=enquiries@arnissequestrian.co.uk | address=Southampton Road, Godshill, SP6 2JX | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.7528 | directions={{mi|2}} E of town centre, via B3078. Turn R off road onto narrow driveway marked by wooden sign. | phone=+44 1425 654 114 | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=Lessons: 30 min from £33 pp, 1 hr £35 pp; hacks: 1 hr from £45 pp, 2 hr from £80 pp, 3 hr £115 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=British Horse Society and Pony Club-accredited stables offering group and private tuition at all levels of experience. Or you can enjoy some of the finest horse country in England with a guided "hack" (leisure ride) into the New Forest. }} {{anchor|axe}} * {{do | name=Insight Activities | alt=archery & axe throwing | url=https://insightactivities.co.uk/ | email= | address=Feather Down Farm, SP6 3DA | lat=50.9142 | long=-1.8107 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed ''Somerley / Harbridge'' | phone=+44 7752 302 010 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Booking essential | price=Archery only (2 hr): £25 pp; archery, crossbow and axe throwing (2 hr 30 min): £35 pp; siege the castle (2 hr): £30 pp; combat tag (2 hr): £30 pp | lastedit=2021-03-18 | content=Email via [https://insightactivities.co.uk/ online contact form] (page bottom). Supervised fun with mediaeval weapons in the woods! Guided sessions for absolute beginners in longbow archery, crossbow shooting and axe throwing. The tuition is personable and humorous with an emphasis on safety and proper technique. Combine a lesson with an activity: in 'Siege the Castle', groups design their own giant projectile and fire at a model castle, while 'Combat Tag' combines a number of archery team games - back-to-back duelling, capture the flag and something called 'death match'. The archery range is open to all ages, while the other activities aren't suitable for children under 12. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Water Park | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.8998 | long=-1.7825 | directions=2½ mi (4 km) S of town via A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | hours=Easter-early Nov. Times and days vary, but most often W-Su noon-8PM. Check [https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/opening-times/ site] | price=Wakeboarding: 15-minute lesson £35, 2 hr on main course £30. Aquapark 1 hr £20. Kayaking 1 hr £20/£30 single/double kayak. Paddleboarding 1 hr £20. Swimming £7. Wetsuits for hire £5 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=A private lake for water sports and activities. There are two wakeboard systems; one for beginners to practise (15 min lessons are usually enough even for first-timers), and a main course on which to try out tricks, jumps and rails. The Aqua Park features two floating obstacle courses with hurdles, climbing walls, slides and more. For a more relaxing activity, the park also offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and freshwater swimming. The park also has a campsite (see [[#NFWP camp|below]]). }} {{anchor|trout}} * {{do | name=Rockbourne Trout Fishery | alt= | url=http://www.rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk/ | email=info@rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, SP6 1QG | lat=50.9441 | long=-1.816 | directions=2¾ mi (4.3 km) NW of town, via Station Rd and Rockbourne Rd | phone=+44 1725 518 603 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 8AM-7PM / dusk (winter) | price=Day tickets from £48; tuition 1 hr £40, 3 hr £100; tackle / rods for hire £15 | lastedit=2021-04-22 | content=Fish for trout at this complex of six lakes with exclusive access to a 1-mile stretch of pristine chalk stream. The wild Hampshire natives are brown trout, though other species have been brought in from around the world to supplement these. At the end of the day, you can swap your catch for a packet of smoked trout. }} ===Events=== * {{do | name=Fordingbridge Festival | alt= | url=https://www.fordingbridgefestival.com/ | email=fordingbridgeevents@gmail.com | address= | lat=50.9244 | long=-1.7876 | directions=Riverside Park | phone= | tollfree= | hours=July 2023 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Annual community festival on a Saturday in mid-July. Expect heavy horse obstacle racing, dog shows, tug of war, falconry, arts and crafts, and live music. }} * {{do | name=Pumpkin Pastures | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgepumpkinpastures.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 1AN | lat=50.923 | long=-1.786 | directions=slip road off A338 just south of the Riverside Park | phone=+44 7904 280 832 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=Mid-Oct until Halloween daily 9:30AM-4PM. Early bonfire night '''fireworks display''', Sat 30 Oct 6PM | price=Free entry and parking. Pumpkins from £1 each. Fireworks £5 pp | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Pick your own pumpkins: choose from 30 varieties (and not just the bright orange ones), explore recipes, or carve your own jack-o-lantern. Family-friendly games, seasonal crafts, and hot and cold refreshments are all part of the fun. }} ==Buy== Fordingbridge is no retail paradise, but its small high street has managed to conserve a number of interesting independent stores. One success story is the number of shops selling local food and drink produce. ===Specialist=== * {{buy | name=All The Cool Stuff | alt= | url=https://allthecoolstuff.co.uk/ | email=sales@allthecoolstuff.co.uk | address=64 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 650 696 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-01-03 | content=Children big and small love this toy store, selling figurines, playsets, games and other collectibles. Wide range of brands from Lego and Playmobil to Star Wars, Transformers, My Little Pony and Sylvanian Families. Even better, the owner knows his Stormtroopers from his Decepticons. }} * {{buy | name=The Fordingbridge Bookshop | alt= | url=http://www.fordingbridgebooks.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgebooks.com | address=15 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB | lat=50.9281 | long=-1.7898 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 725 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 10AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2020-12-27 | content=A friendly and knowledgeable couple staff this shop which has everything you'd expect from a chain (including next-day in-store delivery), plus extras that only an independent could provide: hot drinks while you browse, a piano to tinkle on if you're brave enough and, most importantly, plenty of local interest books. }} * {{buy | name=Timothy's | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Timothysfordingbridge/ | email= | address=10 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9274 | long=-1.7902 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 657 755 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Ladies' clothing, accessories and interior design. Full of beautiful and original things, this shop attracts customers from far and wide. }} [[Image:Town Hall Fordingbridge Hants - geograph.org.uk - 155776.jpg|thumb|300px|The High Street and Town Hall]] ===Local produce=== * {{buy | name=D Price Butchers | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/DPricebutchers/ | email= | address=69 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9265 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Sa 7:30AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Delightfully old-fashioned butcher shop which, as the handpainted sign over the door proudly boasts, is "licensed to sell game and venison". The vast majority of their meat comes from Hampshire or Dorset, and much of it from the New Forest. Try their breakfast special - pork sausage and a fried egg dripping with yolk served in a bagel; it ain't kosher, but it sure is tasty! }} * {{buy | name=The Cottage Loaf | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/thecottageloaffordingbridge/ | email=thecottageloafbakery@gmail.com | address=51-53 High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 460 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 9AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Artisan bakery known for its sourdough breads and seasonal cakes and pastry. Takeaway only. }} * {{buy | name=The Gourmet Grocer | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/TheGourmetGrocer.UK/ | email=thegourmetgrocer@outlook.com | address=71C High Street, SP6 1AS | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7923 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 658 007 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Foodie heaven. The colourful wall of fruit and veg is just the start: you may also be tempted by their charcuterie and cheese counter, focaccia selection, preserves and condiments. If you're self-catering in the area, why not try one of their recipe boxes? }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk/ | email=info@fordingbridgefarmshop.co.uk | address=Whitsbury Road, SP6 1NQ | lat=50.9367 | long=-1.7956 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 228 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Opened in 2021. A vast range of exquisitely-presented groceries from Hampshire and Dorset. Loads of affordable fresh veg, cheese, preserves, pastries and wine, while the dry-aging meat is a sight to behold. Hot and cold ready meals prepared on-site. Staff are friendly and knowledgable about food. }} * {{buy | name=Hockey's Farm Shop | alt= | url=https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/ | email=naturalmeats@hockeysfarm.co.uk | address=South Gorley, SP6 2PW | lat=50.8924 | long=-1.7711 | directions={{mi|3}} S of Fordingbridge. Turn L off the A338 at North Gorley, then fork R and continue through village. | phone=+44 1425 652 542 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=This shop's tagline is "Bring the New Forest home", and that's exactly what you can do with their range of regional food and drink produce. Hockey's butcher much of their own meat, and source the rest from nearby farms; their pigs forage for acorns and mushrooms in the traditional way in the forest during autumn. It's not all raw protein, though, as you can also pick up local fruit and veg, dairy, beer and cider. Further information on provenance is published on [https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/produc-suppliers their website]. }} * {{buy | name=Fordingbridge Country Market | alt= | url=https://hampshirecountrymarkets.co.uk/about/fordingbridge%20country%20market-2.html | email= | address=Avonway Community Centre, Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.927 | long=-1.794 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 350 | tollfree= | hours=F 9:30AM-11:30AM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=A weekly homemade market for fresh bread and cakes, seasonal fruit and veg, preserves, flowers and knitwear. }} ===Supermarkets=== There are no large supermarkets in Fordingbridge, but two small branches of national chains: * {{buy | name=Co-op | alt= | url=https://www.coop.co.uk/store-finder/SP6-1AX/38-50-high-street | email= | address=38-50 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9269 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Tesco Express | alt= | url=https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/uk/?bID=2537&sc_cmp=ref*yg*stc*2537 | email= | address=10 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AF | lat=50.9280 | long=-1.7895 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 6AM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content= }} For a bigger shop, [[Ringwood (England)#Buy|Ringwood]] has full-sized Sainsbury's and Waitrose stores. ==Eat and drink== Ultra-local '''[http://www.fordingbridgefudge.co.uk/ Fordingbridge fudge]''', made in town with milk and butter from a herd of Guernseys who graze on pastures less than a mile away, is a traditional treat to sample while here. The classic flavours are butter and vanilla, but for something a bit more special, try the chocolate orange, or else the New Forest honey and cream. Buy it from Gourmet Grocer, Hockey's Farm Shop or the kiosk in the Riverside Park. Every pub in the area serves food, though their kitchens mostly close at 9PM. ===Fordingbridge=== [[Image:Head of Augustus John Sculpture in Fordingbridge.jpg|thumb|Augustus John's head]] * {{eat | name=Belinda's | alt= | url=https://www.belindas-bakery.co.uk/ | email= | address=18-20 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.927 | long=-1.79 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 118 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-3PM | price= | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Chatty bakery and tea shop, popular for its artisan bread, cakes, and sausage rolls. }} * {{eat | name=Bridges | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Bridges-Coffee-Dining-169641866493540/ | email= | address=26 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9272 | long=-1.7911 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 149 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-4PM | price=Full English / veggie breakfast £7.50, lunches £5-£9, cream tea £6 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Great café open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Fine collection of baguettes and paninis, garnished jacket spuds, and a few hot meals (cottage pie, macaroni cheese...) Something sweet for afters? Look no further than their amazing Dorset apple cake with clotted cream. }} * {{eat | name=Fordingbridge Kebab House | alt= | url=https://fordingbridgekebabhouse.com/ | email= | address=9 Provost Street, SP6 1AY | lat=50.9261 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 433 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 3PM-10PM | price=Meals £5-£8 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Locally-popular fast food shop for kebabs, burgers, chicken and pizza, all freshly made to order. Limited indoor seating. }} * {{eat | name=Raj of India | alt= | url= | email= | address=75 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JG | lat=50.927 | long=-1.796 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 056 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-2:30PM / 6PM-11:30PM | price=Mains £6-£11 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=In Britain, all the best neighbourhood curry houses inspire loyal local followings for their friendly service of well-cooked old favourites at a reasonable price. This is such a place. }} * {{eat | name=La Lambretta | alt= | url=https://lambrettafordingbridge.com/ | email=marco@lalambretta.co.uk | address=1 Shaftesbury Street, SP6 1JF | lat=50.9267 | long=-1.7928 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 656 192 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 5:30PM-9PM | price=Mains £10-£19, pizzas £9-£14 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Above-average Italian food served in a smart red-brick and white-tablecloth restaurant. }} * {{eat | name=Pullman dining carriage at the Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/restaurant | email=info@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.9287 | long=-1.8056 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Mains £14-£18, Isle of Wight sirloin £26 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content="First class" modern British dining in a space designed to resemble a Pullman carriage entering a tunnel; in summer, the tables spill onto an outdoor terrace which is like a station platform from the age of steam. The hotel also serves its own brand of bitter, amber ale, and cider. }} * {{eat | name=The George | alt= | url=https://www.georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk/ | email=info@georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk | address=14 Bridge Street, SP6 1AH | lat=50.927 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 652 040 | tollfree= | hours=W-Sa noon-3PM / 5:30PM-10PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £12-£26; children's menu mains £9 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=18th-century riverside gastropub serving Hampshire favourites: steak and chips, chalk stream trout, lobster linguine. Save room for the local cheese board. The very sad selection of draught beers is made up for by extensive wine and cocktail lists. On sunny days, the outdoor terrace has a prime view of the Great Bridge. }} * {{eat | name=The Three Lions | alt= | url=http://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9212 | long=-1.7736 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 11AM-11PM, kitchen closed W Th | price=Daily mains £17-£29, Sunday mains £14-£17 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=Classic English and French cuisine using local ingredients. The simple menu has only five dishes in each course. }} ===Breamore=== * {{eat | name=The Bat & Ball | alt= | url=https://batandballbreamore.co.uk/ | email=info@batandballbreamore.co.uk | address=Salisbury Road, Breamore, SP6 2EA | lat=50.9601 | long=-1.7750 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 512 252 | tollfree= | hours=Su-Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM | price=Mains £13-£22. Sunday lunch: adult £15, child £7 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=International pub grub with great choice of dishes from fish to grills, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. Large beer garden with awnings, and three fireplaces inside. }} ===Rockbourne=== * {{eat | name=The Rose and Thistle | alt= | url=https://roseandthistle.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@roseandthistle.co.uk | address=Rockbourne Road, Rockbourne, SP6 3NL | lat=50.964853 | long=-1.84056 | directions= | phone=+44 1725 518 236 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-F noon-2PM / 6-9:30PM, Sa noon-9:30PM, Su noon-6PM | price=Mains £13-£18 | wikidata=Q26461106 | lastedit=2021-10-05 | content=Characterful thatched pub-restaurant with cosy interior and lovely beer garden. Owned by a consortium of villagers, it's had a reputation for good seasonal food for donkey's years. The menu has little in the way of vegetarian or vegan food, but chef can accommodate. Local real ale and cider on tap. }} ==Sleep== The main forms of accommodation in the area are self-catering holiday lets and campsites. There are no large hotels in Fordingbridge (you'll find a Premier Inn in [[Ringwood (England)#Sleep|Ringwood]]), but a handful of small-scale operations may be of interest: * {{sleep | name=The Ship Inn | alt= | url=https://shipinnfordingbridge.co.uk/rooms/ | email=shipinnthebridge@yahoo.co.uk | address=68 High Street, SP6 1AX | lat=50.9268 | long=-1.7926 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 654 371 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80 | lastedit=2021-01-02 | content=Traditional inn with four en-suite rooms, some of which have sweet original features. Continental breakfast included. Greene King pub, so food and beer nothing spectacular, but the rest of the town is on your doorstep. }} [[Image:Water Mill, Alderholt, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 11289.jpg|thumb|300px|Alderholt Mill]] * {{sleep | name=Alderholt Mill | alt= | url=https://www.alderholtmill.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@alderholtmill.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 1PU | lat=50.928152 | long=-1.831764 | directions=On the Dorset side of the county border, {{mi|2}} west of Fordingbridge via Station Rd and Alderholt Rd | phone=+44 1425 653 130 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles £80-£120 per night; self-catering £360-£430 per week | wikidata=Q26609240 | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Charming wisteria-covered B&B at a working watermill, with one self-catering cottage (sleeps two). All rooms en-suite. Attractive gardens with a mill pond, outdoor seating and BBQ available to use. And yes, you can buy a bag of flour from the mill. }} * {{sleep | name=The Railway Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com/ | email=reservations@railwayhotelfordingbridge.com | address=116 Station Road, SP6 1DG | lat=50.928 | long=-1.805 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 653 388 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles: rooms £125-£195 per night; cottage £245 for two nights minimum stay | lastedit=2020-12-28 | content=Opened in the 1860s, this inn once served rail travellers arriving in town from the station next door, but declined when the trains stopped running. Restored to its late Victorian glory in 2019, this is now a smart boutique hotel and bar with five en-suite rooms (including one wheelchair-accessible), each themed around a famous train service of yore. They also have a "railway cottage" that sleeps four, with a lounge, kitchenette and dining area. See ''[[#pullman|Eat]]'' for details on Pullman 'dining car' restaurant. }} * {{sleep | name=Three Lions | alt= | url=https://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/rooms | email=enquiries@thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk | address=Stuckton Road, SP6 2HF | lat=50.9213 | long=-1.7737 | directions={{mi|1}} SE of town centre | phone=+44 1425 652 489 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=B&B doubles from £95 | lastedit=2021-10-06 | content=A range of en-suite twin, double, and family rooms overlooking the gardens and forest. All rooms have access to communal gardens and sauna, while some rooms have a private terrace with hot tub. Continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. }} ===Camping=== * {{sleep | name=Amy's Camping | alt= | url=https://amys-camping-fordingbridge.business.site/ | email= | address=Bowerwood Cottages, 1 Ashford Road, SP6 3BU | lat=50.924 | long=-1.812 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) west of Fordingbridge via B3078 | phone=+44 7717 313 663 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Contact site for pitch rates | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Email through website. Peaceful field for pitching a tent. Clean toilets and showers. Child and dog-friendly with play equipment. A small enclosure with sheep and chickens cultivates a rustic atmosphere. }} * {{sleep | name=Cae Malwen Farm | alt= | url=https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/South_East/Hampshire/Fordingbridge/cae_malwen_farm/ | email= | address=Rockbourne, SP6 3NE | lat=50.96027 | long=-1.8357 | directions=At the end of a short narrow lane off the main Rockbourne road | phone=+44 7554 400 744 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=10AM-8PM | checkout=4PM | price=Tent pitch from £24 per night | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-03-14 | content=Very peaceful basic campsite with no facilities other than a washroom (the name is Welsh for "Snail Field"). Campfires and barbecues are allowed, but there's a no-noise policy after dark. Children and dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Harry's Meadow | alt= | url=https://www.newforestcampsite.com/harrys-meadow/ | email= | address=Hale Lane, SP6 2RE | lat=50.967 | long=-1.741 | directions= | phone=+44 7534 006137 (mobile) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Tent £20 | lastedit=2021-04-29 | content=Large campsite on Hale Park Estate, open July-Aug. Dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Hill Cottage Farm | alt= | url=https://www.hillcottagefarmcampingandcaravanpark.co.uk/ | email=info@hillcottagefarm.co.uk | address=Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, SP6 3EG | lat=50.9193 | long=-1.8323 | directions={{mi|2}} W of town, via B3078; follow brown signs from Alderholt village centre | phone=+44 1425 650 513 | tollfree= | checkin=any time | checkout=11AM | price=Pitches from £21 per night, shepherd's hut from £36 per night, lodge from £100 per night plus £100 refundable deposit | lastedit=2021-03-17 | content=Camping and caravan park inside Dorset by a cat's whisker. In addition to the traditional tent, caravan, and motorhome pitches, the site also has accommodation for hire. If a 'luxury lodge' with double beds, en-suite shower room and full kitchen sounds like cheating, then a more basic 'shepherd's hut' might be more to your taste. Children and leashed dogs welcome. }} * {{sleep | name=Midgham Farm | alt=Feather Down | url=https://www.featherdown.co.uk/location/midgham-farm/ | email=info@featherdown.co.uk | address=Midgham, SP6 3BY | lat=50.9136 | long=-1.8071 | directions=1½ mi (3 km) SW of town. Follow B3078 until L turn at staggered crossroads signed Somerley / Harbridge | phone=+44 1420 80804 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=4 nights from £400, 7 nights from £800 | lastedit=2021-03-13 | content=Glamping on a working family farm. Choose between a canvas or log cabin (all sleep 6), which come with fully made-up double / bunk beds, private shower, living and cooking areas, running water and log-burning stove. BBQ facilities and on-site shop. Private fishing and swimming in the river. Archery and axe-throwing at [[#axe|Insight Activities]] next-door. }} {{anchor|NFWP camp}} * {{sleep | name=New Forest Water Park Camping | alt= | url=https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/activities/camping/ | email=info@newforestwaterpark.co.uk | address=Ringwood Road, SP6 2EY | lat=50.9008 | long=-1.7856 | directions=use main park entrance on A338 | phone=+44 1425 656 868 | tollfree= | checkin=noon-9PM | checkout=11AM | price=Per night: adult £15, child aged 4-16 £5, under 4 free | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=Rustic woodland campsite for tents and campervans (no electric hook-ups). Every pitch has a firepit. Under-21s must be "accompanied by an adult" (yes, really). No dogs or rowdy groups. }} * {{sleep | name=Sandy Balls Holiday Village | alt= | url=https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/sandy-balls/ | email= | address=Southampton Road, SP6 2JZ | lat=50.93057 | long=-1.7605 | directions=on B3078, {{mi|2}} east of town | phone=+44 1442 508 850 (Hertfordshire number) | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price=Per night: caravans from £110, lodges from £450 | wikidata=Q7417140 | lastedit=2021-02-20 | content=Despite a name straight out of ''Carry On Camping'', this rather large resort of static caravans and wood cabins is perfectly family-friendly, with great access to nature and numerous facilities (play areas, dog park, pools...) and activities (archery, cycling, fishing...) to keep everyone entertained. You don't even need to leave to get fed and watered, as they also have a restaurant, pub and minimarket. }} ==Connect== ===Phone=== Two area codes for landline phone numbers cover the area. Fordingbridge's is '''01425''' ('''+44 1425''' from outside the UK), and Rockbourne's is '''01725''' ('''+44 1725'''); Breamore is split between the two areas. ===Internet=== * {{listing | name=Fordingbridge Library | alt= | url=https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/libraryfinder/fordingbridge | email= | address=Roundhill, SP6 1AQ | lat=50.9318 | long=-1.7915 | directions= | phone=+44 300 555 1387 (non-geographic) | tollfree= | hours=W F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-1PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-04-28 | content=The municipal library offers computers, printing and photocopying facilities. No Wi-Fi. }} ==Go next== ===[[New Forest]]=== * [[Brockenhurst]] - a woodland town that's home to the annual New Forest show * [[Burley (England)|Burley]] - a New Forest village with a new age/witchy atmosphere * [[Lyndhurst]] - the ever-popular tourism capital of the forest * [[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]] - small market town with several parks and nature reserves on its doorstep ===Further afield=== * [[Bournemouth]] - a large seaside resort with seven golden miles of sandy beach and a vibrant nightlife * [[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] - Bournemouth's quieter and more genteel eastern neighbour has beaches and a natural harbour * [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] - a cathedral city with the best-preserved of only four original copies of the Magna Carta * [[Wimborne Minster]] - home to a rare chained library and a one-tenth scale model town {{routebox | image1=UK road A338.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorl1=[[#Breamore|Breamore]] | directionr1=S | minorr1=[[Ringwood (England)|Ringwood]] (junction [[Image:UK road A31.svg|30px]]) | majorr1=[[Bournemouth]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{guidecity}} {{geo|50.9275|-1.7901}} buvm4ud1eto8kxhh7eojtx8gnew49iv 0 184478 4506388 4502390 2022-08-22T19:17:01Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Do */ info scarce and confusing wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ringwood WV banner Liberty's (higher resolution).jpg|caption=Tawny Eagle in Liberty's Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre|pgname=Ringwood}} '''Ringwood''' is a town on the edge of the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], right on the border with [[Dorset]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The A31 trunk road runs from the end of the M27 motorway through the New Forest, past Ringwood, and on towards Dorchester. About a mile west of Ringwood, the A31 has a major junction with the A338 expressway, which brings traffic from the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole conurbation. The A338 also continues north of Ringwood as a single-carriageway road to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Approximate driving distances: * From [[Bournemouth]], via A338 – {{mi|12}} * From [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], via A338 – {{mi|17}} * From [[Southampton]], via M27 and A31 – {{mi|22}} * From [[Dorchester]], via A35 and A31 – {{mi|35}} * From [[London]], via M3, M27 and A31 – {{mi|100}} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Meeting House Lane | lat=50.847 | long=-1.791 | content=The main bus stops in town, where all buses from other cities stop, including the National Express. }} Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from [[London]] or [[Heathrow Airport]] (approx. 2½ hours) and from [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] (approx. 5 hours). For more local travel, the most frequent bus routes are the X3 running between [[Bournemouth]] and [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and the X6 which runs from [[Poole]]. ===On foot=== * Avon Valley Path between Salisbury and Christchurch, following the Avon River. 35 miles. * [https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sport-leisure/walking/walking-in-east-dorset/castleman-trailway.aspx Castleman Trailway] between Ringwood and Poole, following disused train tracks. 15 miles. Also suitable for cycling and horse-riding. ==Get around== {{mapframe|lat=50.85|long=-1.78|zoom=12}} ===On foot=== It is easy to walk around the town, as it is only about a mile wide and mostly flat. There are some signposts near the town centre that show popular walking/cycling routes such as the Avon Valley Path. Google Maps works well for navigating in the town, and also shows the Ringwood sections of the Avon Valley Path and the Castleman Trailway. ===By bus=== There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane. ===By car=== Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around. There is a large paid car park (both short-stay and long-stay) at Meeting House Lane, with street parking available almost everywhere else. However, in the evenings and on warm holidays the roads can be very busy as people queue to join the A31, so it may be faster to walk. A car will be very useful to have when visiting the various countryside attractions outside the town. ==See== * {{see | name=St Peter and St Paul Church | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbenefice.org.uk/about-us/our-churches/st-peter-st-paul-ringwood/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8483 | long=-1.7952 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 489898 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free, donations welcome | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross. }} * {{see | name=Meeting House & History Centre | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodmeetinghouse.org/ | email= | address=22 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7921 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480656 | tollfree= | hours=Open for visits M Tu, Th-Sa 10AM-noon, W 10AM-2:30PM. Times vary for events and exhibitions | price=Entry by spare change | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts is on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions. }} * {{see | name=Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre | alt= | url=https://libertysfalconry.com/ | email= | address=Crow Lane, BH24 3DZ | lat=50.8362 | long=-1.771 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476487 | tollfree= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar Sa Su and Feb half-term 10AM-4PM | price=Adult £11.95, senior £10.95, child (3-15 yr) £5.95 | image=Aquila rapax -Libertys Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Hampshire, England -head-8a.jpg | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs. }} * {{see | name=Poulner Baptist Chapel | alt= | url=https://www.poulnerchapel.org.uk/ | email= | address=Linford Road, Hangersley, BH24 3HZ | lat=50.858468 | long=-1.759093 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Poulner Chapel 1840 - geograph.org.uk - 19885.jpg | wikidata=Q26387291 | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=Worth a look if you're passing is this unusual thatched chapel with whitewashed mud walls and a gracefully crumbling churchyard. If the modern chapel next door is open, it may be possible to look inside. }} ==Do== [[File:Avon Heath, footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1740831.jpg|thumb|300px|Sandy footpath through Avon Heath]] * {{do | name=Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve | alt=Hampshire Wildlife Trust | url=https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve | email=Robert.Chapman@hiwwt.org.uk | address=Ellingham Drove, BH24 3PJ | lat=50.874 | long=-1.787 | directions={{marker|name=Car and bike park|lat=50.8723|long=-1.7859}} outside education centre. Bus: X3 to Ellingham Crossroads, 500-m walk from centre | phone=+44 1425 472760 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; centre and car park open 9AM-4:30PM, closed 25 Dec | price=Entry by donation (suggested £4 pp) | wikidata=Q95736187 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Northern Commons | alt=National Trust | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/new-forest-northern-commons | email=info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Rockford Car Park, Ellingham Drove, BH24 3NF | lat=50.873 | long=-1.7683 | directions=Bus: X3 to Ellingham Cross, just over {{mi|1}} on foot | phone=+44 1425 650035 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; car park open dawn-dusk | price=Free entry and parking | lastedit=2021-05-20 | content=Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the tune of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. }} * {{do | name=Avon Heath Country Park | alt=Dorset County Council | url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park.aspx | email=avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk | address=Brocks Pine, St Leonards, BH24 2DH | lat=50.831944 | long=-1.819444 | directions=Off A31, {{mi|2}} W of Ringwood. Bus: 38 to St Leonard's Hotel, 10 min walk from park | phone=+44 1425 478082 | tollfree= | hours=Park daily 8:30AM-6:30PM / dusk (whichever is sooner). Visitor centre daily 10AM-4PM | price=Free. Parking 2 hr £3, 4 hr £6, all day £8. Barbecue day hire £40 | wikidata=Q60744834 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Explore several miles of walking and cycling trail through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. }} [[File:In the tree tops, Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1175326.jpg|thumb|300px|Fun in the tree tops at Moors Valley]] * {{do | name=Moors Valley Country Park and Forest | alt=Dorset County Council / Forestry England | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ | email=rangers@moors-valley.co.uk | address=Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET | lat=50.8508 | long=-1.85028 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) W of Ringwood. Leave A31 at Ashley Heath turnoff, then follow brown signs. Bus: 38 to Castleman Trailway (stop ''dordmdam''), ½ mi (600 m) from main entrance. Walk or cycle from Ringwood via Castleman Trailway. | phone=+44 1425 470721 | tollfree= | hours=Daily Sep-Mar 8AM-5PM, Apr-Aug 8AM-6PM/7PM during school holidays. Closed 25 Dec | price=Free entry. Parking charges [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/visitor-information/car-charges/ apply], up to £15 for whole day | wikidata=Q6908472 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling and callisthenic trails. Free [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/audiotrail/ audio] and [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/mindfulness/ mindfulness] trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping. }} ** {{do | name=Cycle Hire | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/cycle-hire/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM to mid-afternoon | price=£10 deposit (for up to four bikes) plus adult/child bike 1 hr £7/£6, 2 hr £13/£10, 3 hr £18/£13, all day £22/£17. Helmets free; trailers, tagalongs and child seat extra | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Proof of ID required. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing in Moors Lake | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/fishing/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=15 Jun-15 Mar, same hours as park | price=Adult £4.80, child/concession £4.10. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£8/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning. }} ** {{do | name=Golf | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/ | email=golf@moors-valley.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 479776 | tollfree= | hours=Advance booking and payment mandatory | price=Oct-Mar: 11/18 holes M-Sa £13/£20, Sa, Su, holidays £15/£25; Apr-Oct 11/18 holes M-Sa £16/£24, Sa, Su, holidays £19/£29. Good discounts for under-25s | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s. }} ** {{do | name=Go Ape | alt= | url=https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley | email=questions@goape.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1603 895500 (national number) | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-7PM, booking essential | price=High rope courses from £20-£33, depending on difficulty, nets from £20, segway from £35 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr). }} ** {{do | name=Hawks in the Forest | alt= | url=https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/ | email=hawksintheforest@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7954 522843 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=One adult £50, two adults £70, four adults £120; children £15, family (two adults, two children) £80 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups. }} ** {{do | name=Moors Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.853 | long=-1.85283 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471415 | tollfree= | hours=Winter weekends and school holidays 10AM-4PM, summer daily 10AM-5PM | price=Return trip: adult £4.35, child £2.90. Footplate courses £180-£225 incl lunch and refreshments | wikidata=Q6908474 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Email via [https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/find-us/ online contact form]. }} * {{do | name=Fishing at Bisterne Estate | alt= | url=https://bisterne.com/bisterne-coarse-fishing/ | email= | address=Enter estate at and buy tickets from 28 Bisterne, Bisterne, BH24 3BN | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content= }} <!--Bagnum Equestrian - http://www.bagnumequestrian.co.uk/--> ==Buy== Ringwood's '''[https://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/market-locations/?market=17 farmers market]''' takes place at Gateway Square on the last Saturday of the month, 10AM-2PM. There is also a smaller market on the High Street every Wednesday, 8AM-3PM, which sells food, clothes and crafts among other things. * {{buy | name=Roebridge Natural Food Market | alt= | url=https://roebridgefoods.co.uk/ | email= | address=Unit 3, Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8467 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 473133 | tollfree= | hours=M-W 9AM-5:30PM, Th F 9AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-5:30PM, Su 9AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-13 | content=Small regional chain of greengrocers stocking local produce including New Forest mushrooms and Dorset chillies. Also sells nuts and free-range eggs. }} <!--The Furlong - shopping centre - https://thefurlong.co.uk/ Ringwood Tackle - fishing shop - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057312383954--> ===Supermarkets=== * {{buy | name=Sainsbury's | alt= | url=https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2128/ringwood?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext&y_source=1_MTU1NjY3MTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=24 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Waitrose | alt= | url=https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/203.html?utm_source=GMBlistings&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=203&y_source=1_MTA4NTgwNzQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=The Furlong, BH25 1AT | lat=50.8479 | long=-1.7936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Lidl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839808 | long=-1.783631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= }} ==Eat== [[File:Blashford Lakes - geograph.org.uk - 1287681.jpg|thumb|300px|Blashford Lakes]] ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Café Velo | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/cafevelo.co.uk/ | email=cafeveloringwood@outlook.com | address=2 Star Lane, BH24 1AL | lat=50.8471 | long=-1.7940 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480410 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-2PM, closed Tu | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Cyclists' café for locally-sourced brunch and lunch. Veggie and vegan options. Bike storage and water bottle filling available }} * {{eat | name=Indian Tree | alt= | url=http://indiantreefood.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 Market Place, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846883 | long=-1.794390 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476563 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways. }} * {{eat | name=Price's Fish And Chips | alt= | url=http://www.pricesfishandchips.co.uk/ | email= | address=38 Christchurch Road, BH24 1DN | lat=50.845 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480290 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch W-Sa noon-1:45PM, dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM | price=Medium cod, chips and side £8.50 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Popular traditional chippy. For something a bit different, try their homemade sweet chilli fishcakes. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Fromage to Yours | alt= | url= | email=info@fromagetoyours.co.uk | address=2 Fridays Court, BH24 1AB | lat=50.8461 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470263 | tollfree= | hours=M 10AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM | price=Paninis £6-£7.50, salads £5-£10, platters £23-£33 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Café-deli specialising in local cheese and charcuterie, served in salads, paninis and on sharing platters. }} * {{eat | name=The Old Cottage | alt= | url=https://www.oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 West Street, BH24 1DZ | lat=50.846639 | long=-1.796543 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 474283 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch Tu-Su noon-2:30PM, Dinner Tu-Th 6PM-9PM, F-Sa 6PM-9:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options. }} <!--Framptons - https://www.framptonsbar.co.uk/new_forest/ Wox Thai Fusion - https://woxrestaurant.uk/ Bakehouse24 - https://bakehouse24.com/ The Old Cottage - https://oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ --> ==Drink== [[File:Ringwood Brewery Razorback (Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Co.).jpg|thumb|Razor Back best bitter is Ringwood's original brew.]] * {{drink | name=Ringwood Brewery | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/ | email=store@ringwoodbrewery.co.uk | address=138 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AP | lat=50.841 | long=-1.787 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470303 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, tap room from 11AM | price= | wikidata=Q7335015 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Tap room and beer shop for Ringwood beers; buy 'em by the pint, jug, flaggon, piggon, or even firkin (that's 72 pints!) The brewery no longer offers tours. }} * {{drink | name=Inn On The Furlong | alt= | url=https://theinnonthefurlong.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@theinnonthefurlong.co.uk | address=12 Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1EY | lat=50.846878 | long=-1.792411 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 475139 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26451043 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=18th-century free house with good range of beers and cocktails. }} * {{drink | name=The Original White Hart | alt= | url=https://www.originalwhitehartpub.co.uk/ | email=originalwhitehart.ringwood@marstons.co.uk | address=4 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846828 | long=-1.793936 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472702 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26387292 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=17th-century coaching inn. Although it's a Marstons pub, it also serves Ringwood ales. Sports on the telly and pool table. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome. }} * {{drink | name=The Elm Tree | alt= | url=https://theelmtreeringwood.co.uk/ | email=info@elmtreeringwood.co.uk | address=Hightown Road, BH24 3DY | lat=50.84319 | long=-1.76583 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472516 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th noon-10:30PM, F Sa noon-11:30PM, Su noon-9PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Thatched cottage with cosy interior and large beer garden. Live sports on TVs. Basic cheap pub food available, which gets mixed reviews. }} * {{drink | name=The White Hart Inn | alt= | url=https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/ | email= | address=171 Southampton Road, BH24 1HU | lat=50.85174 | long=-1.77382 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 483123 | tollfree= | hours=Su-W noon-11PM, Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-midnight | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Email via [https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/contact-us/ online contact form]. In the residential neighbourhood of Poulner is this characterful low-ceilinged pub with pool table, darts and dominoes. Lounge chairs and picnic blankets in the garden in summer. }} <!--The Cellar - https://www.thecellarringwood.com/--> ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Dunnroaming | alt= | url=https://www.176dunnroaming.co.uk/ | email=176dunnroaming@gmail.com | address=176 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8392 | long=-1.7840 | directions= | phone=+44 7508 810336 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10AM | price=From £71, booked in advance. Copious breakfast included | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Two en-suite twin rooms with blackout curtains. Free Wi-Fi and luggage store. Off-street parking. }} * {{sleep | name=Premier Inn | alt= | url=https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/ringwood/ringwood.html?cid=GLBC_RINFOR | email= | address=Forest Gate Business Park, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839919 | long=-1.782032 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 206667 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=noon | price=From £42 for a double room, booked in advance | lastedit=2021-07-09 | content=Around a 15 min walk from the high street. Several accessible rooms. Free parking and Wi-Fi. On-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner. }} * {{sleep | name=Moortown Lodge | alt= | url=https://moortownlodge.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@moortownlodge.co.uk | address=244 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8378 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471 404 | tollfree= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10:30AM | price=B&B doubles from £140 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A Georgian hunting lodge converted into a boutique B&B with ensuite rooms for couples - each room has one double or super king-size bed. Good breakfasts, including vegetarian and vegan. }} Many of the pubs and inns in town also offer accommodation, all from about £70 per night when booked in advance. ===Camping=== Always popular in the New Forest. * {{sleep | name=Fernwood Glamping | alt= | url=https://www.fernwood-ringwood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Fernwood, Hangersley Hill, BH24 3JN | lat=50.8571 | long=-1.7598 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476892, +44 7730 586601 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=5-10PM | checkout=10AM | price=Two adults: one night £100, two nights or more £80 per night. Children: £20 per night. Add £10 per night during summer peak | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Stay in a red Romany caravan or corrugated shepherd's hut in a quiet setting on the edge of town. The caravan and hut each sleep two adults and two kids, and come equipped with bedding and basic toiletries, a minifridge and kettle. Bring your own camp cooker or barbecue, or make use of the firepit. No dogs. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * '''The [[New Forest]]''' - Ringwood is on the outskirts of the National Park which has many footpaths and bridleways. * '''[[Fordingbridge]]''' - A smaller town to the north has both river and forest activities, plus access to a stately home and Roman villa. * '''[[Bournemouth]]''' - Its beach is very popular in the summer, and the town is the main shopping/nightlife area for people in Ringwood. * '''[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]''' - Home to Salisbury Cathedral and a gateway to Stonehenge * '''[[Southampton]]''' - The port for many cruises, with good connections to other cities in the UK. {{routebox | image1=UK_road_A31.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Dorchester]] | minorl1=[[Wimborne Minster]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Image:UK-Motorway-M27.svg|40px]] → [[Southampton]] | minorr1=[[New Forest]] | image2=UK road A338.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=SW | majorl2=[[Bournemouth]] | minorl2=[[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] | directionr2=N | majorr2=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorr2=[[Fordingbridge]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|50.85|-1.78}} 62ng0c2q8ngmaa5nrqvt9ir6br3kz4t 4506389 4506388 2022-08-22T19:18:29Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Do */ info on fishery scarce and confusing wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ringwood WV banner Liberty's (higher resolution).jpg|caption=Tawny Eagle in Liberty's Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre|pgname=Ringwood}} '''Ringwood''' is a town on the edge of the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], right on the border with [[Dorset]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The A31 trunk road runs from the end of the M27 motorway through the New Forest, past Ringwood, and on towards Dorchester. About a mile west of Ringwood, the A31 has a major junction with the A338 expressway, which brings traffic from the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole conurbation. The A338 also continues north of Ringwood as a single-carriageway road to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Approximate driving distances: * From [[Bournemouth]], via A338 – {{mi|12}} * From [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], via A338 – {{mi|17}} * From [[Southampton]], via M27 and A31 – {{mi|22}} * From [[Dorchester]], via A35 and A31 – {{mi|35}} * From [[London]], via M3, M27 and A31 – {{mi|100}} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Meeting House Lane | lat=50.847 | long=-1.791 | content=The main bus stops in town, where all buses from other cities stop, including the National Express. }} Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from [[London]] or [[Heathrow Airport]] (approx. 2½ hours) and from [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] (approx. 5 hours). For more local travel, the most frequent bus routes are the X3 running between [[Bournemouth]] and [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and the X6 which runs from [[Poole]]. ===On foot=== * Avon Valley Path between Salisbury and Christchurch, following the Avon River. 35 miles. * [https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sport-leisure/walking/walking-in-east-dorset/castleman-trailway.aspx Castleman Trailway] between Ringwood and Poole, following disused train tracks. 15 miles. Also suitable for cycling and horse-riding. ==Get around== {{mapframe|lat=50.85|long=-1.78|zoom=12}} ===On foot=== It is easy to walk around the town, as it is only about a mile wide and mostly flat. There are some signposts near the town centre that show popular walking/cycling routes such as the Avon Valley Path. Google Maps works well for navigating in the town, and also shows the Ringwood sections of the Avon Valley Path and the Castleman Trailway. ===By bus=== There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane. ===By car=== Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around. There is a large paid car park (both short-stay and long-stay) at Meeting House Lane, with street parking available almost everywhere else. However, in the evenings and on warm holidays the roads can be very busy as people queue to join the A31, so it may be faster to walk. A car will be very useful to have when visiting the various countryside attractions outside the town. ==See== * {{see | name=St Peter and St Paul Church | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbenefice.org.uk/about-us/our-churches/st-peter-st-paul-ringwood/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8483 | long=-1.7952 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 489898 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free, donations welcome | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross. }} * {{see | name=Meeting House & History Centre | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodmeetinghouse.org/ | email= | address=22 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7921 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480656 | tollfree= | hours=Open for visits M Tu, Th-Sa 10AM-noon, W 10AM-2:30PM. Times vary for events and exhibitions | price=Entry by spare change | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts is on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions. }} * {{see | name=Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre | alt= | url=https://libertysfalconry.com/ | email= | address=Crow Lane, BH24 3DZ | lat=50.8362 | long=-1.771 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476487 | tollfree= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar Sa Su and Feb half-term 10AM-4PM | price=Adult £11.95, senior £10.95, child (3-15 yr) £5.95 | image=Aquila rapax -Libertys Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Hampshire, England -head-8a.jpg | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs. }} * {{see | name=Poulner Baptist Chapel | alt= | url=https://www.poulnerchapel.org.uk/ | email= | address=Linford Road, Hangersley, BH24 3HZ | lat=50.858468 | long=-1.759093 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Poulner Chapel 1840 - geograph.org.uk - 19885.jpg | wikidata=Q26387291 | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=Worth a look if you're passing is this unusual thatched chapel with whitewashed mud walls and a gracefully crumbling churchyard. If the modern chapel next door is open, it may be possible to look inside. }} ==Do== [[File:Avon Heath, footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1740831.jpg|thumb|300px|Sandy footpath through Avon Heath]] * {{do | name=Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve | alt=Hampshire Wildlife Trust | url=https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve | email=Robert.Chapman@hiwwt.org.uk | address=Ellingham Drove, BH24 3PJ | lat=50.874 | long=-1.787 | directions={{marker|name=Car and bike park|lat=50.8723|long=-1.7859}} outside education centre. Bus: X3 to Ellingham Crossroads, 500-m walk from centre | phone=+44 1425 472760 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; centre and car park open 9AM-4:30PM, closed 25 Dec | price=Entry by donation (suggested £4 pp) | wikidata=Q95736187 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Northern Commons | alt=National Trust | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/new-forest-northern-commons | email=info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Rockford Car Park, Ellingham Drove, BH24 3NF | lat=50.873 | long=-1.7683 | directions=Bus: X3 to Ellingham Cross, just over {{mi|1}} on foot | phone=+44 1425 650035 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; car park open dawn-dusk | price=Free entry and parking | lastedit=2021-05-20 | content=Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the tune of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. }} * {{do | name=Avon Heath Country Park | alt=Dorset County Council | url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park.aspx | email=avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk | address=Brocks Pine, St Leonards, BH24 2DH | lat=50.831944 | long=-1.819444 | directions=Off A31, {{mi|2}} W of Ringwood. Bus: 38 to St Leonard's Hotel, 10 min walk from park | phone=+44 1425 478082 | tollfree= | hours=Park daily 8:30AM-6:30PM / dusk (whichever is sooner). Visitor centre daily 10AM-4PM | price=Free. Parking 2 hr £3, 4 hr £6, all day £8. Barbecue day hire £40 | wikidata=Q60744834 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Explore several miles of walking and cycling trail through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. }} [[File:In the tree tops, Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1175326.jpg|thumb|300px|Fun in the tree tops at Moors Valley]] * {{do | name=Moors Valley Country Park and Forest | alt=Dorset County Council / Forestry England | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ | email=rangers@moors-valley.co.uk | address=Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET | lat=50.8508 | long=-1.85028 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) W of Ringwood. Leave A31 at Ashley Heath turnoff, then follow brown signs. Bus: 38 to Castleman Trailway (stop ''dordmdam''), ½ mi (600 m) from main entrance. Walk or cycle from Ringwood via Castleman Trailway. | phone=+44 1425 470721 | tollfree= | hours=Daily Sep-Mar 8AM-5PM, Apr-Aug 8AM-6PM/7PM during school holidays. Closed 25 Dec | price=Free entry. Parking charges [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/visitor-information/car-charges/ apply], up to £15 for whole day | wikidata=Q6908472 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling and callisthenic trails. Free [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/audiotrail/ audio] and [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/mindfulness/ mindfulness] trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping. }} ** {{do | name=Cycle Hire | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/cycle-hire/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM to mid-afternoon | price=£10 deposit (for up to four bikes) plus adult/child bike 1 hr £7/£6, 2 hr £13/£10, 3 hr £18/£13, all day £22/£17. Helmets free; trailers, tagalongs and child seat extra | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Proof of ID required. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing in Moors Lake | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/fishing/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=15 Jun-15 Mar, same hours as park | price=Adult £4.80, child/concession £4.10. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£8/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning. }} ** {{do | name=Golf | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/ | email=golf@moors-valley.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 479776 | tollfree= | hours=Advance booking and payment mandatory | price=Oct-Mar: 11/18 holes M-Sa £13/£20, Sa, Su, holidays £15/£25; Apr-Oct 11/18 holes M-Sa £16/£24, Sa, Su, holidays £19/£29. Good discounts for under-25s | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s. }} ** {{do | name=Go Ape | alt= | url=https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley | email=questions@goape.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1603 895500 (national number) | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-7PM, booking essential | price=High rope courses from £20-£33, depending on difficulty, nets from £20, segway from £35 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr). }} ** {{do | name=Hawks in the Forest | alt= | url=https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/ | email=hawksintheforest@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7954 522843 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=One adult £50, two adults £70, four adults £120; children £15, family (two adults, two children) £80 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups. }} ** {{do | name=Moors Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.853 | long=-1.85283 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471415 | tollfree= | hours=Winter weekends and school holidays 10AM-4PM, summer daily 10AM-5PM | price=Return trip: adult £4.35, child £2.90. Footplate courses £180-£225 incl lunch and refreshments | wikidata=Q6908474 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Email via [https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/find-us/ online contact form]. }} * {{do | name=Bagnum Equestrian | alt= | url=http://www.bagnumequestrian.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content= }} ==Buy== Ringwood's '''[https://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/market-locations/?market=17 farmers market]''' takes place at Gateway Square on the last Saturday of the month, 10AM-2PM. There is also a smaller market on the High Street every Wednesday, 8AM-3PM, which sells food, clothes and crafts among other things. * {{buy | name=Roebridge Natural Food Market | alt= | url=https://roebridgefoods.co.uk/ | email= | address=Unit 3, Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8467 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 473133 | tollfree= | hours=M-W 9AM-5:30PM, Th F 9AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-5:30PM, Su 9AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-13 | content=Small regional chain of greengrocers stocking local produce including New Forest mushrooms and Dorset chillies. Also sells nuts and free-range eggs. }} <!--The Furlong - shopping centre - https://thefurlong.co.uk/ Ringwood Tackle - fishing shop - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057312383954--> ===Supermarkets=== * {{buy | name=Sainsbury's | alt= | url=https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2128/ringwood?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext&y_source=1_MTU1NjY3MTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=24 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Waitrose | alt= | url=https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/203.html?utm_source=GMBlistings&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=203&y_source=1_MTA4NTgwNzQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=The Furlong, BH25 1AT | lat=50.8479 | long=-1.7936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Lidl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839808 | long=-1.783631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= }} ==Eat== [[File:Blashford Lakes - geograph.org.uk - 1287681.jpg|thumb|300px|Blashford Lakes]] ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Café Velo | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/cafevelo.co.uk/ | email=cafeveloringwood@outlook.com | address=2 Star Lane, BH24 1AL | lat=50.8471 | long=-1.7940 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480410 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-2PM, closed Tu | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Cyclists' café for locally-sourced brunch and lunch. Veggie and vegan options. Bike storage and water bottle filling available }} * {{eat | name=Indian Tree | alt= | url=http://indiantreefood.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 Market Place, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846883 | long=-1.794390 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476563 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways. }} * {{eat | name=Price's Fish And Chips | alt= | url=http://www.pricesfishandchips.co.uk/ | email= | address=38 Christchurch Road, BH24 1DN | lat=50.845 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480290 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch W-Sa noon-1:45PM, dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM | price=Medium cod, chips and side £8.50 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Popular traditional chippy. For something a bit different, try their homemade sweet chilli fishcakes. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Fromage to Yours | alt= | url= | email=info@fromagetoyours.co.uk | address=2 Fridays Court, BH24 1AB | lat=50.8461 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470263 | tollfree= | hours=M 10AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM | price=Paninis £6-£7.50, salads £5-£10, platters £23-£33 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Café-deli specialising in local cheese and charcuterie, served in salads, paninis and on sharing platters. }} * {{eat | name=The Old Cottage | alt= | url=https://www.oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 West Street, BH24 1DZ | lat=50.846639 | long=-1.796543 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 474283 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch Tu-Su noon-2:30PM, Dinner Tu-Th 6PM-9PM, F-Sa 6PM-9:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options. }} <!--Framptons - https://www.framptonsbar.co.uk/new_forest/ Wox Thai Fusion - https://woxrestaurant.uk/ Bakehouse24 - https://bakehouse24.com/ The Old Cottage - https://oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ --> ==Drink== [[File:Ringwood Brewery Razorback (Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Co.).jpg|thumb|Razor Back best bitter is Ringwood's original brew.]] * {{drink | name=Ringwood Brewery | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/ | email=store@ringwoodbrewery.co.uk | address=138 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AP | lat=50.841 | long=-1.787 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470303 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, tap room from 11AM | price= | wikidata=Q7335015 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Tap room and beer shop for Ringwood beers; buy 'em by the pint, jug, flaggon, piggon, or even firkin (that's 72 pints!) The brewery no longer offers tours. }} * {{drink | name=Inn On The Furlong | alt= | url=https://theinnonthefurlong.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@theinnonthefurlong.co.uk | address=12 Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1EY | lat=50.846878 | long=-1.792411 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 475139 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26451043 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=18th-century free house with good range of beers and cocktails. }} * {{drink | name=The Original White Hart | alt= | url=https://www.originalwhitehartpub.co.uk/ | email=originalwhitehart.ringwood@marstons.co.uk | address=4 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846828 | long=-1.793936 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472702 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26387292 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=17th-century coaching inn. Although it's a Marstons pub, it also serves Ringwood ales. Sports on the telly and pool table. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome. }} * {{drink | name=The Elm Tree | alt= | url=https://theelmtreeringwood.co.uk/ | email=info@elmtreeringwood.co.uk | address=Hightown Road, BH24 3DY | lat=50.84319 | long=-1.76583 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472516 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th noon-10:30PM, F Sa noon-11:30PM, Su noon-9PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Thatched cottage with cosy interior and large beer garden. Live sports on TVs. Basic cheap pub food available, which gets mixed reviews. }} * {{drink | name=The White Hart Inn | alt= | url=https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/ | email= | address=171 Southampton Road, BH24 1HU | lat=50.85174 | long=-1.77382 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 483123 | tollfree= | hours=Su-W noon-11PM, Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-midnight | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Email via [https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/contact-us/ online contact form]. In the residential neighbourhood of Poulner is this characterful low-ceilinged pub with pool table, darts and dominoes. Lounge chairs and picnic blankets in the garden in summer. }} <!--The Cellar - https://www.thecellarringwood.com/--> ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Dunnroaming | alt= | url=https://www.176dunnroaming.co.uk/ | email=176dunnroaming@gmail.com | address=176 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8392 | long=-1.7840 | directions= | phone=+44 7508 810336 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10AM | price=From £71, booked in advance. Copious breakfast included | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Two en-suite twin rooms with blackout curtains. Free Wi-Fi and luggage store. Off-street parking. }} * {{sleep | name=Premier Inn | alt= | url=https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/ringwood/ringwood.html?cid=GLBC_RINFOR | email= | address=Forest Gate Business Park, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839919 | long=-1.782032 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 206667 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=noon | price=From £42 for a double room, booked in advance | lastedit=2021-07-09 | content=Around a 15 min walk from the high street. Several accessible rooms. Free parking and Wi-Fi. On-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner. }} * {{sleep | name=Moortown Lodge | alt= | url=https://moortownlodge.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@moortownlodge.co.uk | address=244 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8378 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471 404 | tollfree= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10:30AM | price=B&B doubles from £140 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A Georgian hunting lodge converted into a boutique B&B with ensuite rooms for couples - each room has one double or super king-size bed. Good breakfasts, including vegetarian and vegan. }} Many of the pubs and inns in town also offer accommodation, all from about £70 per night when booked in advance. ===Camping=== Always popular in the New Forest. * {{sleep | name=Fernwood Glamping | alt= | url=https://www.fernwood-ringwood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Fernwood, Hangersley Hill, BH24 3JN | lat=50.8571 | long=-1.7598 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476892, +44 7730 586601 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=5-10PM | checkout=10AM | price=Two adults: one night £100, two nights or more £80 per night. Children: £20 per night. Add £10 per night during summer peak | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Stay in a red Romany caravan or corrugated shepherd's hut in a quiet setting on the edge of town. The caravan and hut each sleep two adults and two kids, and come equipped with bedding and basic toiletries, a minifridge and kettle. Bring your own camp cooker or barbecue, or make use of the firepit. No dogs. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * '''The [[New Forest]]''' - Ringwood is on the outskirts of the National Park which has many footpaths and bridleways. * '''[[Fordingbridge]]''' - A smaller town to the north has both river and forest activities, plus access to a stately home and Roman villa. * '''[[Bournemouth]]''' - Its beach is very popular in the summer, and the town is the main shopping/nightlife area for people in Ringwood. * '''[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]''' - Home to Salisbury Cathedral and a gateway to Stonehenge * '''[[Southampton]]''' - The port for many cruises, with good connections to other cities in the UK. {{routebox | image1=UK_road_A31.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Dorchester]] | minorl1=[[Wimborne Minster]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Image:UK-Motorway-M27.svg|40px]] → [[Southampton]] | minorr1=[[New Forest]] | image2=UK road A338.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=SW | majorl2=[[Bournemouth]] | minorl2=[[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] | directionr2=N | majorr2=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorr2=[[Fordingbridge]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|50.85|-1.78}} nvytsrjlmmgdll2o3tqd7q947iup4ep 4506393 4506389 2022-08-22T19:21:18Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Do */ Updated listing for Bagnum Equestrian - fill in some wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ringwood WV banner Liberty's (higher resolution).jpg|caption=Tawny Eagle in Liberty's Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre|pgname=Ringwood}} '''Ringwood''' is a town on the edge of the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], right on the border with [[Dorset]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The A31 trunk road runs from the end of the M27 motorway through the New Forest, past Ringwood, and on towards Dorchester. About a mile west of Ringwood, the A31 has a major junction with the A338 expressway, which brings traffic from the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole conurbation. The A338 also continues north of Ringwood as a single-carriageway road to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Approximate driving distances: * From [[Bournemouth]], via A338 – {{mi|12}} * From [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], via A338 – {{mi|17}} * From [[Southampton]], via M27 and A31 – {{mi|22}} * From [[Dorchester]], via A35 and A31 – {{mi|35}} * From [[London]], via M3, M27 and A31 – {{mi|100}} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Meeting House Lane | lat=50.847 | long=-1.791 | content=The main bus stops in town, where all buses from other cities stop, including the National Express. }} Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from [[London]] or [[Heathrow Airport]] (approx. 2½ hours) and from [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] (approx. 5 hours). For more local travel, the most frequent bus routes are the X3 running between [[Bournemouth]] and [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and the X6 which runs from [[Poole]]. ===On foot=== * Avon Valley Path between Salisbury and Christchurch, following the Avon River. 35 miles. * [https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sport-leisure/walking/walking-in-east-dorset/castleman-trailway.aspx Castleman Trailway] between Ringwood and Poole, following disused train tracks. 15 miles. Also suitable for cycling and horse-riding. ==Get around== {{mapframe|lat=50.85|long=-1.78|zoom=12}} ===On foot=== It is easy to walk around the town, as it is only about a mile wide and mostly flat. There are some signposts near the town centre that show popular walking/cycling routes such as the Avon Valley Path. Google Maps works well for navigating in the town, and also shows the Ringwood sections of the Avon Valley Path and the Castleman Trailway. ===By bus=== There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane. ===By car=== Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around. There is a large paid car park (both short-stay and long-stay) at Meeting House Lane, with street parking available almost everywhere else. However, in the evenings and on warm holidays the roads can be very busy as people queue to join the A31, so it may be faster to walk. A car will be very useful to have when visiting the various countryside attractions outside the town. ==See== * {{see | name=St Peter and St Paul Church | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbenefice.org.uk/about-us/our-churches/st-peter-st-paul-ringwood/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8483 | long=-1.7952 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 489898 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free, donations welcome | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross. }} * {{see | name=Meeting House & History Centre | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodmeetinghouse.org/ | email= | address=22 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7921 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480656 | tollfree= | hours=Open for visits M Tu, Th-Sa 10AM-noon, W 10AM-2:30PM. Times vary for events and exhibitions | price=Entry by spare change | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts is on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions. }} * {{see | name=Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre | alt= | url=https://libertysfalconry.com/ | email= | address=Crow Lane, BH24 3DZ | lat=50.8362 | long=-1.771 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476487 | tollfree= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar Sa Su and Feb half-term 10AM-4PM | price=Adult £11.95, senior £10.95, child (3-15 yr) £5.95 | image=Aquila rapax -Libertys Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Hampshire, England -head-8a.jpg | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs. }} * {{see | name=Poulner Baptist Chapel | alt= | url=https://www.poulnerchapel.org.uk/ | email= | address=Linford Road, Hangersley, BH24 3HZ | lat=50.858468 | long=-1.759093 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Poulner Chapel 1840 - geograph.org.uk - 19885.jpg | wikidata=Q26387291 | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=Worth a look if you're passing is this unusual thatched chapel with whitewashed mud walls and a gracefully crumbling churchyard. If the modern chapel next door is open, it may be possible to look inside. }} ==Do== [[File:Avon Heath, footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1740831.jpg|thumb|300px|Sandy footpath through Avon Heath]] * {{do | name=Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve | alt=Hampshire Wildlife Trust | url=https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve | email=Robert.Chapman@hiwwt.org.uk | address=Ellingham Drove, BH24 3PJ | lat=50.874 | long=-1.787 | directions={{marker|name=Car and bike park|lat=50.8723|long=-1.7859}} outside education centre. Bus: X3 to Ellingham Crossroads, 500-m walk from centre | phone=+44 1425 472760 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; centre and car park open 9AM-4:30PM, closed 25 Dec | price=Entry by donation (suggested £4 pp) | wikidata=Q95736187 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Northern Commons | alt=National Trust | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/new-forest-northern-commons | email=info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Rockford Car Park, Ellingham Drove, BH24 3NF | lat=50.873 | long=-1.7683 | directions=Bus: X3 to Ellingham Cross, just over {{mi|1}} on foot | phone=+44 1425 650035 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; car park open dawn-dusk | price=Free entry and parking | lastedit=2021-05-20 | content=Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the tune of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. }} * {{do | name=Avon Heath Country Park | alt=Dorset County Council | url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park.aspx | email=avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk | address=Brocks Pine, St Leonards, BH24 2DH | lat=50.831944 | long=-1.819444 | directions=Off A31, {{mi|2}} W of Ringwood. Bus: 38 to St Leonard's Hotel, 10 min walk from park | phone=+44 1425 478082 | tollfree= | hours=Park daily 8:30AM-6:30PM / dusk (whichever is sooner). Visitor centre daily 10AM-4PM | price=Free. Parking 2 hr £3, 4 hr £6, all day £8. Barbecue day hire £40 | wikidata=Q60744834 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Explore several miles of walking and cycling trail through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. }} [[File:In the tree tops, Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1175326.jpg|thumb|300px|Fun in the tree tops at Moors Valley]] * {{do | name=Moors Valley Country Park and Forest | alt=Dorset County Council / Forestry England | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ | email=rangers@moors-valley.co.uk | address=Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET | lat=50.8508 | long=-1.85028 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) W of Ringwood. Leave A31 at Ashley Heath turnoff, then follow brown signs. Bus: 38 to Castleman Trailway (stop ''dordmdam''), ½ mi (600 m) from main entrance. Walk or cycle from Ringwood via Castleman Trailway. | phone=+44 1425 470721 | tollfree= | hours=Daily Sep-Mar 8AM-5PM, Apr-Aug 8AM-6PM/7PM during school holidays. Closed 25 Dec | price=Free entry. Parking charges [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/visitor-information/car-charges/ apply], up to £15 for whole day | wikidata=Q6908472 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling and callisthenic trails. Free [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/audiotrail/ audio] and [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/mindfulness/ mindfulness] trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping. }} ** {{do | name=Cycle Hire | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/cycle-hire/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM to mid-afternoon | price=£10 deposit (for up to four bikes) plus adult/child bike 1 hr £7/£6, 2 hr £13/£10, 3 hr £18/£13, all day £22/£17. Helmets free; trailers, tagalongs and child seat extra | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Proof of ID required. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing in Moors Lake | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/fishing/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=15 Jun-15 Mar, same hours as park | price=Adult £4.80, child/concession £4.10. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£8/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning. }} ** {{do | name=Golf | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/ | email=golf@moors-valley.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 479776 | tollfree= | hours=Advance booking and payment mandatory | price=Oct-Mar: 11/18 holes M-Sa £13/£20, Sa, Su, holidays £15/£25; Apr-Oct 11/18 holes M-Sa £16/£24, Sa, Su, holidays £19/£29. Good discounts for under-25s | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s. }} ** {{do | name=Go Ape | alt= | url=https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley | email=questions@goape.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1603 895500 (national number) | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-7PM, booking essential | price=High rope courses from £20-£33, depending on difficulty, nets from £20, segway from £35 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr). }} ** {{do | name=Hawks in the Forest | alt= | url=https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/ | email=hawksintheforest@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7954 522843 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=One adult £50, two adults £70, four adults £120; children £15, family (two adults, two children) £80 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups. }} ** {{do | name=Moors Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.853 | long=-1.85283 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471415 | tollfree= | hours=Winter weekends and school holidays 10AM-4PM, summer daily 10AM-5PM | price=Return trip: adult £4.35, child £2.90. Footplate courses £180-£225 incl lunch and refreshments | wikidata=Q6908474 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Email via [https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/find-us/ online contact form]. }} * {{do | name=Bagnum Equestrian | alt= | url=http://www.bagnumequestrian.co.uk/ | email= | address=Bagnum Lane, BH24 3BZ | lat=50.8246 | long=-1.7536 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476263 | tollfree= | hours=W-Su 8:30AM-5:30PM | price= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Email via [http://bagnumequestrian.co.uk/contact/ online contact form]. }} ==Buy== Ringwood's '''[https://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/market-locations/?market=17 farmers market]''' takes place at Gateway Square on the last Saturday of the month, 10AM-2PM. There is also a smaller market on the High Street every Wednesday, 8AM-3PM, which sells food, clothes and crafts among other things. * {{buy | name=Roebridge Natural Food Market | alt= | url=https://roebridgefoods.co.uk/ | email= | address=Unit 3, Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8467 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 473133 | tollfree= | hours=M-W 9AM-5:30PM, Th F 9AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-5:30PM, Su 9AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-13 | content=Small regional chain of greengrocers stocking local produce including New Forest mushrooms and Dorset chillies. Also sells nuts and free-range eggs. }} <!--The Furlong - shopping centre - https://thefurlong.co.uk/ Ringwood Tackle - fishing shop - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057312383954--> ===Supermarkets=== * {{buy | name=Sainsbury's | alt= | url=https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2128/ringwood?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext&y_source=1_MTU1NjY3MTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=24 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Waitrose | alt= | url=https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/203.html?utm_source=GMBlistings&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=203&y_source=1_MTA4NTgwNzQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=The Furlong, BH25 1AT | lat=50.8479 | long=-1.7936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Lidl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839808 | long=-1.783631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= }} ==Eat== [[File:Blashford Lakes - geograph.org.uk - 1287681.jpg|thumb|300px|Blashford Lakes]] ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Café Velo | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/cafevelo.co.uk/ | email=cafeveloringwood@outlook.com | address=2 Star Lane, BH24 1AL | lat=50.8471 | long=-1.7940 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480410 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-2PM, closed Tu | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Cyclists' café for locally-sourced brunch and lunch. Veggie and vegan options. Bike storage and water bottle filling available }} * {{eat | name=Indian Tree | alt= | url=http://indiantreefood.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 Market Place, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846883 | long=-1.794390 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476563 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways. }} * {{eat | name=Price's Fish And Chips | alt= | url=http://www.pricesfishandchips.co.uk/ | email= | address=38 Christchurch Road, BH24 1DN | lat=50.845 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480290 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch W-Sa noon-1:45PM, dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM | price=Medium cod, chips and side £8.50 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Popular traditional chippy. For something a bit different, try their homemade sweet chilli fishcakes. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Fromage to Yours | alt= | url= | email=info@fromagetoyours.co.uk | address=2 Fridays Court, BH24 1AB | lat=50.8461 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470263 | tollfree= | hours=M 10AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM | price=Paninis £6-£7.50, salads £5-£10, platters £23-£33 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Café-deli specialising in local cheese and charcuterie, served in salads, paninis and on sharing platters. }} * {{eat | name=The Old Cottage | alt= | url=https://www.oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 West Street, BH24 1DZ | lat=50.846639 | long=-1.796543 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 474283 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch Tu-Su noon-2:30PM, Dinner Tu-Th 6PM-9PM, F-Sa 6PM-9:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options. }} <!--Framptons - https://www.framptonsbar.co.uk/new_forest/ Wox Thai Fusion - https://woxrestaurant.uk/ Bakehouse24 - https://bakehouse24.com/ The Old Cottage - https://oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ --> ==Drink== [[File:Ringwood Brewery Razorback (Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Co.).jpg|thumb|Razor Back best bitter is Ringwood's original brew.]] * {{drink | name=Ringwood Brewery | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/ | email=store@ringwoodbrewery.co.uk | address=138 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AP | lat=50.841 | long=-1.787 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470303 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, tap room from 11AM | price= | wikidata=Q7335015 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Tap room and beer shop for Ringwood beers; buy 'em by the pint, jug, flaggon, piggon, or even firkin (that's 72 pints!) The brewery no longer offers tours. }} * {{drink | name=Inn On The Furlong | alt= | url=https://theinnonthefurlong.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@theinnonthefurlong.co.uk | address=12 Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1EY | lat=50.846878 | long=-1.792411 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 475139 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26451043 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=18th-century free house with good range of beers and cocktails. }} * {{drink | name=The Original White Hart | alt= | url=https://www.originalwhitehartpub.co.uk/ | email=originalwhitehart.ringwood@marstons.co.uk | address=4 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846828 | long=-1.793936 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472702 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26387292 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=17th-century coaching inn. Although it's a Marstons pub, it also serves Ringwood ales. Sports on the telly and pool table. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome. }} * {{drink | name=The Elm Tree | alt= | url=https://theelmtreeringwood.co.uk/ | email=info@elmtreeringwood.co.uk | address=Hightown Road, BH24 3DY | lat=50.84319 | long=-1.76583 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472516 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th noon-10:30PM, F Sa noon-11:30PM, Su noon-9PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Thatched cottage with cosy interior and large beer garden. Live sports on TVs. Basic cheap pub food available, which gets mixed reviews. }} * {{drink | name=The White Hart Inn | alt= | url=https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/ | email= | address=171 Southampton Road, BH24 1HU | lat=50.85174 | long=-1.77382 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 483123 | tollfree= | hours=Su-W noon-11PM, Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-midnight | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Email via [https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/contact-us/ online contact form]. In the residential neighbourhood of Poulner is this characterful low-ceilinged pub with pool table, darts and dominoes. Lounge chairs and picnic blankets in the garden in summer. }} <!--The Cellar - https://www.thecellarringwood.com/--> ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Dunnroaming | alt= | url=https://www.176dunnroaming.co.uk/ | email=176dunnroaming@gmail.com | address=176 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8392 | long=-1.7840 | directions= | phone=+44 7508 810336 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10AM | price=From £71, booked in advance. Copious breakfast included | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Two en-suite twin rooms with blackout curtains. Free Wi-Fi and luggage store. Off-street parking. }} * {{sleep | name=Premier Inn | alt= | url=https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/ringwood/ringwood.html?cid=GLBC_RINFOR | email= | address=Forest Gate Business Park, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839919 | long=-1.782032 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 206667 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=noon | price=From £42 for a double room, booked in advance | lastedit=2021-07-09 | content=Around a 15 min walk from the high street. Several accessible rooms. Free parking and Wi-Fi. On-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner. }} * {{sleep | name=Moortown Lodge | alt= | url=https://moortownlodge.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@moortownlodge.co.uk | address=244 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8378 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471 404 | tollfree= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10:30AM | price=B&B doubles from £140 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A Georgian hunting lodge converted into a boutique B&B with ensuite rooms for couples - each room has one double or super king-size bed. Good breakfasts, including vegetarian and vegan. }} Many of the pubs and inns in town also offer accommodation, all from about £70 per night when booked in advance. ===Camping=== Always popular in the New Forest. * {{sleep | name=Fernwood Glamping | alt= | url=https://www.fernwood-ringwood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Fernwood, Hangersley Hill, BH24 3JN | lat=50.8571 | long=-1.7598 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476892, +44 7730 586601 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=5-10PM | checkout=10AM | price=Two adults: one night £100, two nights or more £80 per night. Children: £20 per night. Add £10 per night during summer peak | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Stay in a red Romany caravan or corrugated shepherd's hut in a quiet setting on the edge of town. The caravan and hut each sleep two adults and two kids, and come equipped with bedding and basic toiletries, a minifridge and kettle. Bring your own camp cooker or barbecue, or make use of the firepit. No dogs. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * '''The [[New Forest]]''' - Ringwood is on the outskirts of the National Park which has many footpaths and bridleways. * '''[[Fordingbridge]]''' - A smaller town to the north has both river and forest activities, plus access to a stately home and Roman villa. * '''[[Bournemouth]]''' - Its beach is very popular in the summer, and the town is the main shopping/nightlife area for people in Ringwood. * '''[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]''' - Home to Salisbury Cathedral and a gateway to Stonehenge * '''[[Southampton]]''' - The port for many cruises, with good connections to other cities in the UK. {{routebox | image1=UK_road_A31.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Dorchester]] | minorl1=[[Wimborne Minster]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Image:UK-Motorway-M27.svg|40px]] → [[Southampton]] | minorr1=[[New Forest]] | image2=UK road A338.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=SW | majorl2=[[Bournemouth]] | minorl2=[[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] | directionr2=N | majorr2=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorr2=[[Fordingbridge]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|50.85|-1.78}} d2oqsp8cjd7yn7krfsu8y1cn5ynf2lk 4506421 4506393 2022-08-22T21:01:11Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Do */ Updated listing for Bagnum Equestrian Centre - Fill in the rest wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ringwood WV banner Liberty's (higher resolution).jpg|caption=Tawny Eagle in Liberty's Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre|pgname=Ringwood}} '''Ringwood''' is a town on the edge of the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], right on the border with [[Dorset]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The A31 trunk road runs from the end of the M27 motorway through the New Forest, past Ringwood, and on towards Dorchester. About a mile west of Ringwood, the A31 has a major junction with the A338 expressway, which brings traffic from the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole conurbation. The A338 also continues north of Ringwood as a single-carriageway road to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Approximate driving distances: * From [[Bournemouth]], via A338 – {{mi|12}} * From [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], via A338 – {{mi|17}} * From [[Southampton]], via M27 and A31 – {{mi|22}} * From [[Dorchester]], via A35 and A31 – {{mi|35}} * From [[London]], via M3, M27 and A31 – {{mi|100}} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Meeting House Lane | lat=50.847 | long=-1.791 | content=The main bus stops in town, where all buses from other cities stop, including the National Express. }} Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from [[London]] or [[Heathrow Airport]] (approx. 2½ hours) and from [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] (approx. 5 hours). For more local travel, the most frequent bus routes are the X3 running between [[Bournemouth]] and [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and the X6 which runs from [[Poole]]. ===On foot=== * Avon Valley Path between Salisbury and Christchurch, following the Avon River. 35 miles. * [https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sport-leisure/walking/walking-in-east-dorset/castleman-trailway.aspx Castleman Trailway] between Ringwood and Poole, following disused train tracks. 15 miles. Also suitable for cycling and horse-riding. ==Get around== {{mapframe|lat=50.85|long=-1.78|zoom=12}} ===On foot=== It is easy to walk around the town, as it is only about a mile wide and mostly flat. There are some signposts near the town centre that show popular walking/cycling routes such as the Avon Valley Path. Google Maps works well for navigating in the town, and also shows the Ringwood sections of the Avon Valley Path and the Castleman Trailway. ===By bus=== There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane. ===By car=== Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around. There is a large paid car park (both short-stay and long-stay) at Meeting House Lane, with street parking available almost everywhere else. However, in the evenings and on warm holidays the roads can be very busy as people queue to join the A31, so it may be faster to walk. A car will be very useful to have when visiting the various countryside attractions outside the town. ==See== * {{see | name=St Peter and St Paul Church | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbenefice.org.uk/about-us/our-churches/st-peter-st-paul-ringwood/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8483 | long=-1.7952 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 489898 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free, donations welcome | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross. }} * {{see | name=Meeting House & History Centre | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodmeetinghouse.org/ | email= | address=22 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7921 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480656 | tollfree= | hours=Open for visits M Tu, Th-Sa 10AM-noon, W 10AM-2:30PM. Times vary for events and exhibitions | price=Entry by spare change | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts is on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions. }} * {{see | name=Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre | alt= | url=https://libertysfalconry.com/ | email= | address=Crow Lane, BH24 3DZ | lat=50.8362 | long=-1.771 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476487 | tollfree= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar Sa Su and Feb half-term 10AM-4PM | price=Adult £11.95, senior £10.95, child (3-15 yr) £5.95 | image=Aquila rapax -Libertys Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Hampshire, England -head-8a.jpg | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs. }} * {{see | name=Poulner Baptist Chapel | alt= | url=https://www.poulnerchapel.org.uk/ | email= | address=Linford Road, Hangersley, BH24 3HZ | lat=50.858468 | long=-1.759093 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Poulner Chapel 1840 - geograph.org.uk - 19885.jpg | wikidata=Q26387291 | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=Worth a look if you're passing is this unusual thatched chapel with whitewashed mud walls and a gracefully crumbling churchyard. If the modern chapel next door is open, it may be possible to look inside. }} ==Do== [[File:Avon Heath, footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1740831.jpg|thumb|300px|Sandy footpath through Avon Heath]] * {{do | name=Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve | alt=Hampshire Wildlife Trust | url=https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve | email=Robert.Chapman@hiwwt.org.uk | address=Ellingham Drove, BH24 3PJ | lat=50.874 | long=-1.787 | directions={{marker|name=Car and bike park|lat=50.8723|long=-1.7859}} outside education centre. Bus: X3 to Ellingham Crossroads, 500-m walk from centre | phone=+44 1425 472760 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; centre and car park open 9AM-4:30PM, closed 25 Dec | price=Entry by donation (suggested £4 pp) | wikidata=Q95736187 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Northern Commons | alt=National Trust | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/new-forest-northern-commons | email=info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Rockford Car Park, Ellingham Drove, BH24 3NF | lat=50.873 | long=-1.7683 | directions=Bus: X3 to Ellingham Cross, just over {{mi|1}} on foot | phone=+44 1425 650035 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; car park open dawn-dusk | price=Free entry and parking | lastedit=2021-05-20 | content=Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the tune of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. }} * {{do | name=Avon Heath Country Park | alt=Dorset County Council | url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park.aspx | email=avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk | address=Brocks Pine, St Leonards, BH24 2DH | lat=50.831944 | long=-1.819444 | directions=Off A31, {{mi|2}} W of Ringwood. Bus: 38 to St Leonard's Hotel, 10 min walk from park | phone=+44 1425 478082 | tollfree= | hours=Park daily 8:30AM-6:30PM / dusk (whichever is sooner). Visitor centre daily 10AM-4PM | price=Free. Parking 2 hr £3, 4 hr £6, all day £8. Barbecue day hire £40 | wikidata=Q60744834 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Explore several miles of walking and cycling trail through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. }} [[File:In the tree tops, Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1175326.jpg|thumb|300px|Fun in the tree tops at Moors Valley]] * {{do | name=Moors Valley Country Park and Forest | alt=Dorset County Council / Forestry England | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ | email=rangers@moors-valley.co.uk | address=Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET | lat=50.8508 | long=-1.85028 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) W of Ringwood. Leave A31 at Ashley Heath turnoff, then follow brown signs. Bus: 38 to Castleman Trailway (stop ''dordmdam''), ½ mi (600 m) from main entrance. Walk or cycle from Ringwood via Castleman Trailway. | phone=+44 1425 470721 | tollfree= | hours=Daily Sep-Mar 8AM-5PM, Apr-Aug 8AM-6PM/7PM during school holidays. Closed 25 Dec | price=Free entry. Parking charges [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/visitor-information/car-charges/ apply], up to £15 for whole day | wikidata=Q6908472 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling and callisthenic trails. Free [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/audiotrail/ audio] and [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/mindfulness/ mindfulness] trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping. }} ** {{do | name=Cycle Hire | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/cycle-hire/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM to mid-afternoon | price=£10 deposit (for up to four bikes) plus adult/child bike 1 hr £7/£6, 2 hr £13/£10, 3 hr £18/£13, all day £22/£17. Helmets free; trailers, tagalongs and child seat extra | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Proof of ID required. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing in Moors Lake | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/fishing/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=15 Jun-15 Mar, same hours as park | price=Adult £4.80, child/concession £4.10. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£8/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning. }} ** {{do | name=Golf | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/ | email=golf@moors-valley.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 479776 | tollfree= | hours=Advance booking and payment mandatory | price=Oct-Mar: 11/18 holes M-Sa £13/£20, Sa, Su, holidays £15/£25; Apr-Oct 11/18 holes M-Sa £16/£24, Sa, Su, holidays £19/£29. Good discounts for under-25s | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s. }} ** {{do | name=Go Ape | alt= | url=https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley | email=questions@goape.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1603 895500 (national number) | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-7PM, booking essential | price=High rope courses from £20-£33, depending on difficulty, nets from £20, segway from £35 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr). }} ** {{do | name=Hawks in the Forest | alt= | url=https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/ | email=hawksintheforest@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7954 522843 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=One adult £50, two adults £70, four adults £120; children £15, family (two adults, two children) £80 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups. }} ** {{do | name=Moors Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.853 | long=-1.85283 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471415 | tollfree= | hours=Winter weekends and school holidays 10AM-4PM, summer daily 10AM-5PM | price=Return trip: adult £4.35, child £2.90. Footplate courses £180-£225 incl lunch and refreshments | wikidata=Q6908474 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Email via [https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/find-us/ online contact form]. }} * {{do | name=Bagnum Equestrian Centre | alt= | url=http://www.bagnumequestrian.co.uk/ | email= | address=Bagnum Lane, BH24 3BZ | lat=50.8246 | long=-1.7536 | directions=3 1/2 mi (5.5 km) SE of town, via B3347, Rod Ln, and Charles Ln | phone=+44 1425 476263 | tollfree= | hours=W-Su 8:30AM-5:30PM | price=Hacks 1 hr £40, 1 hr 30 min £52, 2 hr £65. 30-min walkout £22 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Email via [http://bagnumequestrian.co.uk/contact/ online contact form]. Stables that cater to riders of all abilities from ages 6 and up. Take part in a hack - a group ride out into the New Forest or, if a complete novice you may prefer a walk-out, where your horse's reins are held by an instructor on foot. }} ==Buy== Ringwood's '''[https://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/market-locations/?market=17 farmers market]''' takes place at Gateway Square on the last Saturday of the month, 10AM-2PM. There is also a smaller market on the High Street every Wednesday, 8AM-3PM, which sells food, clothes and crafts among other things. * {{buy | name=Roebridge Natural Food Market | alt= | url=https://roebridgefoods.co.uk/ | email= | address=Unit 3, Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8467 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 473133 | tollfree= | hours=M-W 9AM-5:30PM, Th F 9AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-5:30PM, Su 9AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-13 | content=Small regional chain of greengrocers stocking local produce including New Forest mushrooms and Dorset chillies. Also sells nuts and free-range eggs. }} <!--The Furlong - shopping centre - https://thefurlong.co.uk/ Ringwood Tackle - fishing shop - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057312383954--> ===Supermarkets=== * {{buy | name=Sainsbury's | alt= | url=https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2128/ringwood?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext&y_source=1_MTU1NjY3MTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=24 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Waitrose | alt= | url=https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/203.html?utm_source=GMBlistings&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=203&y_source=1_MTA4NTgwNzQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=The Furlong, BH25 1AT | lat=50.8479 | long=-1.7936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Lidl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839808 | long=-1.783631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= }} ==Eat== [[File:Blashford Lakes - geograph.org.uk - 1287681.jpg|thumb|300px|Blashford Lakes]] ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Café Velo | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/cafevelo.co.uk/ | email=cafeveloringwood@outlook.com | address=2 Star Lane, BH24 1AL | lat=50.8471 | long=-1.7940 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480410 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-2PM, closed Tu | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Cyclists' café for locally-sourced brunch and lunch. Veggie and vegan options. Bike storage and water bottle filling available }} * {{eat | name=Indian Tree | alt= | url=http://indiantreefood.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 Market Place, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846883 | long=-1.794390 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476563 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways. }} * {{eat | name=Price's Fish And Chips | alt= | url=http://www.pricesfishandchips.co.uk/ | email= | address=38 Christchurch Road, BH24 1DN | lat=50.845 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480290 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch W-Sa noon-1:45PM, dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM | price=Medium cod, chips and side £8.50 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Popular traditional chippy. For something a bit different, try their homemade sweet chilli fishcakes. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Fromage to Yours | alt= | url= | email=info@fromagetoyours.co.uk | address=2 Fridays Court, BH24 1AB | lat=50.8461 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470263 | tollfree= | hours=M 10AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM | price=Paninis £6-£7.50, salads £5-£10, platters £23-£33 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Café-deli specialising in local cheese and charcuterie, served in salads, paninis and on sharing platters. }} * {{eat | name=The Old Cottage | alt= | url=https://www.oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 West Street, BH24 1DZ | lat=50.846639 | long=-1.796543 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 474283 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch Tu-Su noon-2:30PM, Dinner Tu-Th 6PM-9PM, F-Sa 6PM-9:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options. }} <!--Framptons - https://www.framptonsbar.co.uk/new_forest/ Wox Thai Fusion - https://woxrestaurant.uk/ Bakehouse24 - https://bakehouse24.com/ The Old Cottage - https://oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ --> ==Drink== [[File:Ringwood Brewery Razorback (Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Co.).jpg|thumb|Razor Back best bitter is Ringwood's original brew.]] * {{drink | name=Ringwood Brewery | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/ | email=store@ringwoodbrewery.co.uk | address=138 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AP | lat=50.841 | long=-1.787 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470303 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, tap room from 11AM | price= | wikidata=Q7335015 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Tap room and beer shop for Ringwood beers; buy 'em by the pint, jug, flaggon, piggon, or even firkin (that's 72 pints!) The brewery no longer offers tours. }} * {{drink | name=Inn On The Furlong | alt= | url=https://theinnonthefurlong.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@theinnonthefurlong.co.uk | address=12 Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1EY | lat=50.846878 | long=-1.792411 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 475139 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26451043 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=18th-century free house with good range of beers and cocktails. }} * {{drink | name=The Original White Hart | alt= | url=https://www.originalwhitehartpub.co.uk/ | email=originalwhitehart.ringwood@marstons.co.uk | address=4 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846828 | long=-1.793936 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472702 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26387292 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=17th-century coaching inn. Although it's a Marstons pub, it also serves Ringwood ales. Sports on the telly and pool table. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome. }} * {{drink | name=The Elm Tree | alt= | url=https://theelmtreeringwood.co.uk/ | email=info@elmtreeringwood.co.uk | address=Hightown Road, BH24 3DY | lat=50.84319 | long=-1.76583 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472516 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th noon-10:30PM, F Sa noon-11:30PM, Su noon-9PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Thatched cottage with cosy interior and large beer garden. Live sports on TVs. Basic cheap pub food available, which gets mixed reviews. }} * {{drink | name=The White Hart Inn | alt= | url=https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/ | email= | address=171 Southampton Road, BH24 1HU | lat=50.85174 | long=-1.77382 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 483123 | tollfree= | hours=Su-W noon-11PM, Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-midnight | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Email via [https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/contact-us/ online contact form]. In the residential neighbourhood of Poulner is this characterful low-ceilinged pub with pool table, darts and dominoes. Lounge chairs and picnic blankets in the garden in summer. }} <!--The Cellar - https://www.thecellarringwood.com/--> ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Dunnroaming | alt= | url=https://www.176dunnroaming.co.uk/ | email=176dunnroaming@gmail.com | address=176 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8392 | long=-1.7840 | directions= | phone=+44 7508 810336 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10AM | price=From £71, booked in advance. Copious breakfast included | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Two en-suite twin rooms with blackout curtains. Free Wi-Fi and luggage store. Off-street parking. }} * {{sleep | name=Premier Inn | alt= | url=https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/ringwood/ringwood.html?cid=GLBC_RINFOR | email= | address=Forest Gate Business Park, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839919 | long=-1.782032 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 206667 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=noon | price=From £42 for a double room, booked in advance | lastedit=2021-07-09 | content=Around a 15 min walk from the high street. Several accessible rooms. Free parking and Wi-Fi. On-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner. }} * {{sleep | name=Moortown Lodge | alt= | url=https://moortownlodge.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@moortownlodge.co.uk | address=244 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8378 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471 404 | tollfree= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10:30AM | price=B&B doubles from £140 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A Georgian hunting lodge converted into a boutique B&B with ensuite rooms for couples - each room has one double or super king-size bed. Good breakfasts, including vegetarian and vegan. }} Many of the pubs and inns in town also offer accommodation, all from about £70 per night when booked in advance. ===Camping=== Always popular in the New Forest. * {{sleep | name=Fernwood Glamping | alt= | url=https://www.fernwood-ringwood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Fernwood, Hangersley Hill, BH24 3JN | lat=50.8571 | long=-1.7598 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476892, +44 7730 586601 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=5-10PM | checkout=10AM | price=Two adults: one night £100, two nights or more £80 per night. Children: £20 per night. Add £10 per night during summer peak | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Stay in a red Romany caravan or corrugated shepherd's hut in a quiet setting on the edge of town. The caravan and hut each sleep two adults and two kids, and come equipped with bedding and basic toiletries, a minifridge and kettle. Bring your own camp cooker or barbecue, or make use of the firepit. No dogs. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * '''The [[New Forest]]''' - Ringwood is on the outskirts of the National Park which has many footpaths and bridleways. * '''[[Fordingbridge]]''' - A smaller town to the north has both river and forest activities, plus access to a stately home and Roman villa. * '''[[Bournemouth]]''' - Its beach is very popular in the summer, and the town is the main shopping/nightlife area for people in Ringwood. * '''[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]''' - Home to Salisbury Cathedral and a gateway to Stonehenge * '''[[Southampton]]''' - The port for many cruises, with good connections to other cities in the UK. {{routebox | image1=UK_road_A31.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Dorchester]] | minorl1=[[Wimborne Minster]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Image:UK-Motorway-M27.svg|40px]] → [[Southampton]] | minorr1=[[New Forest]] | image2=UK road A338.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=SW | majorl2=[[Bournemouth]] | minorl2=[[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] | directionr2=N | majorr2=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorr2=[[Fordingbridge]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|50.85|-1.78}} rgjddonecrqwa1vqzuqttta1c2rk0ew 4506422 4506421 2022-08-22T21:01:50Z ThunderingTyphoons! 106394 /* Do */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ringwood WV banner Liberty's (higher resolution).jpg|caption=Tawny Eagle in Liberty's Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre|pgname=Ringwood}} '''Ringwood''' is a town on the edge of the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], right on the border with [[Dorset]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The A31 trunk road runs from the end of the M27 motorway through the New Forest, past Ringwood, and on towards Dorchester. About a mile west of Ringwood, the A31 has a major junction with the A338 expressway, which brings traffic from the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole conurbation. The A338 also continues north of Ringwood as a single-carriageway road to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Approximate driving distances: * From [[Bournemouth]], via A338 – {{mi|12}} * From [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], via A338 – {{mi|17}} * From [[Southampton]], via M27 and A31 – {{mi|22}} * From [[Dorchester]], via A35 and A31 – {{mi|35}} * From [[London]], via M3, M27 and A31 – {{mi|100}} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Meeting House Lane | lat=50.847 | long=-1.791 | content=The main bus stops in town, where all buses from other cities stop, including the National Express. }} Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from [[London]] or [[Heathrow Airport]] (approx. 2½ hours) and from [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] (approx. 5 hours). For more local travel, the most frequent bus routes are the X3 running between [[Bournemouth]] and [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and the X6 which runs from [[Poole]]. ===On foot=== * Avon Valley Path between Salisbury and Christchurch, following the Avon River. 35 miles. * [https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sport-leisure/walking/walking-in-east-dorset/castleman-trailway.aspx Castleman Trailway] between Ringwood and Poole, following disused train tracks. 15 miles. Also suitable for cycling and horse-riding. ==Get around== {{mapframe|lat=50.85|long=-1.78|zoom=12}} ===On foot=== It is easy to walk around the town, as it is only about a mile wide and mostly flat. There are some signposts near the town centre that show popular walking/cycling routes such as the Avon Valley Path. Google Maps works well for navigating in the town, and also shows the Ringwood sections of the Avon Valley Path and the Castleman Trailway. ===By bus=== There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane. ===By car=== Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around. There is a large paid car park (both short-stay and long-stay) at Meeting House Lane, with street parking available almost everywhere else. However, in the evenings and on warm holidays the roads can be very busy as people queue to join the A31, so it may be faster to walk. A car will be very useful to have when visiting the various countryside attractions outside the town. ==See== * {{see | name=St Peter and St Paul Church | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbenefice.org.uk/about-us/our-churches/st-peter-st-paul-ringwood/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8483 | long=-1.7952 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 489898 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free, donations welcome | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross. }} * {{see | name=Meeting House & History Centre | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodmeetinghouse.org/ | email= | address=22 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7921 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480656 | tollfree= | hours=Open for visits M Tu, Th-Sa 10AM-noon, W 10AM-2:30PM. Times vary for events and exhibitions | price=Entry by spare change | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts is on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions. }} * {{see | name=Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre | alt= | url=https://libertysfalconry.com/ | email= | address=Crow Lane, BH24 3DZ | lat=50.8362 | long=-1.771 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476487 | tollfree= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar Sa Su and Feb half-term 10AM-4PM | price=Adult £11.95, senior £10.95, child (3-15 yr) £5.95 | image=Aquila rapax -Libertys Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Hampshire, England -head-8a.jpg | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs. }} * {{see | name=Poulner Baptist Chapel | alt= | url=https://www.poulnerchapel.org.uk/ | email= | address=Linford Road, Hangersley, BH24 3HZ | lat=50.858468 | long=-1.759093 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Poulner Chapel 1840 - geograph.org.uk - 19885.jpg | wikidata=Q26387291 | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=Worth a look if you're passing is this unusual thatched chapel with whitewashed mud walls and a gracefully crumbling churchyard. If the modern chapel next door is open, it may be possible to look inside. }} ==Do== [[File:Avon Heath, footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1740831.jpg|thumb|300px|Sandy footpath through Avon Heath]] * {{do | name=Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve | alt=Hampshire Wildlife Trust | url=https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve | email=Robert.Chapman@hiwwt.org.uk | address=Ellingham Drove, BH24 3PJ | lat=50.874 | long=-1.787 | directions={{marker|name=Car and bike park|lat=50.8723|long=-1.7859}} outside education centre. Bus: X3 to Ellingham Crossroads, 500-m walk from centre | phone=+44 1425 472760 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; centre and car park open 9AM-4:30PM, closed 25 Dec | price=Entry by donation (suggested £4 pp) | wikidata=Q95736187 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Northern Commons | alt=National Trust | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/new-forest-northern-commons | email=info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Rockford Car Park, Ellingham Drove, BH24 3NF | lat=50.873 | long=-1.7683 | directions=Bus: X3 to Ellingham Cross, just over {{mi|1}} on foot | phone=+44 1425 650035 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; car park open dawn-dusk | price=Free entry and parking | lastedit=2021-05-20 | content=Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the tune of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. }} * {{do | name=Avon Heath Country Park | alt=Dorset County Council | url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park.aspx | email=avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk | address=Brocks Pine, St Leonards, BH24 2DH | lat=50.831944 | long=-1.819444 | directions=Off A31, {{mi|2}} W of Ringwood. Bus: 38 to St Leonard's Hotel, 10 min walk from park | phone=+44 1425 478082 | tollfree= | hours=Park daily 8:30AM-6:30PM / dusk (whichever is sooner). Visitor centre daily 10AM-4PM | price=Free. Parking 2 hr £3, 4 hr £6, all day £8. Barbecue day hire £40 | wikidata=Q60744834 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Explore several miles of walking and cycling trail through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. }} [[File:In the tree tops, Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1175326.jpg|thumb|300px|Fun in the tree tops at Moors Valley]] * {{do | name=Moors Valley Country Park and Forest | alt=Dorset County Council / Forestry England | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ | email=rangers@moors-valley.co.uk | address=Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET | lat=50.8508 | long=-1.85028 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) W of Ringwood. Leave A31 at Ashley Heath turnoff, then follow brown signs. Bus: 38 to Castleman Trailway (stop ''dordmdam''), ½ mi (600 m) from main entrance. Walk or cycle from Ringwood via Castleman Trailway. | phone=+44 1425 470721 | tollfree= | hours=Daily Sep-Mar 8AM-5PM, Apr-Aug 8AM-6PM/7PM during school holidays. Closed 25 Dec | price=Free entry. Parking charges [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/visitor-information/car-charges/ apply], up to £15 for whole day | wikidata=Q6908472 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling and callisthenic trails. Free [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/audiotrail/ audio] and [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/mindfulness/ mindfulness] trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping. }} ** {{do | name=Cycle Hire | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/cycle-hire/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM to mid-afternoon | price=£10 deposit (for up to four bikes) plus adult/child bike 1 hr £7/£6, 2 hr £13/£10, 3 hr £18/£13, all day £22/£17. Helmets free; trailers, tagalongs and child seat extra | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Proof of ID required. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing in Moors Lake | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/fishing/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=15 Jun-15 Mar, same hours as park | price=Adult £4.80, child/concession £4.10. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£8/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning. }} ** {{do | name=Golf | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/ | email=golf@moors-valley.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 479776 | tollfree= | hours=Advance booking and payment mandatory | price=Oct-Mar: 11/18 holes M-Sa £13/£20, Sa, Su, holidays £15/£25; Apr-Oct 11/18 holes M-Sa £16/£24, Sa, Su, holidays £19/£29. Good discounts for under-25s | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s. }} ** {{do | name=Go Ape | alt= | url=https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley | email=questions@goape.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1603 895500 (national number) | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-7PM, booking essential | price=High rope courses from £20-£33, depending on difficulty, nets from £20, segway from £35 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr). }} ** {{do | name=Hawks in the Forest | alt= | url=https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/ | email=hawksintheforest@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7954 522843 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=One adult £50, two adults £70, four adults £120; children £15, family (two adults, two children) £80 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups. }} ** {{do | name=Moors Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.853 | long=-1.85283 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471415 | tollfree= | hours=Winter weekends and school holidays 10AM-4PM, summer daily 10AM-5PM | price=Return trip: adult £4.35, child £2.90. Footplate courses £180-£225 incl lunch and refreshments | wikidata=Q6908474 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Email via [https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/find-us/ online contact form]. }} * {{do | name=Bagnum Equestrian Centre | alt= | url=http://www.bagnumequestrian.co.uk/ | email= | address=Bagnum Lane, BH24 3BZ | lat=50.8246 | long=-1.7536 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) SE of town, via B3347, Rod Ln, and Charles Ln | phone=+44 1425 476263 | tollfree= | hours=W-Su 8:30AM-5:30PM | price=Hacks 1 hr £40, 1 hr 30 min £52, 2 hr £65. 30-min walkout £22 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Email via [http://bagnumequestrian.co.uk/contact/ online contact form]. Stables that cater to riders of all abilities from ages 6 and up. Take part in a hack - a group ride out into the New Forest or, if a complete novice you may prefer a walk-out, where your horse's reins are held by an instructor on foot. }} ==Buy== Ringwood's '''[https://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/market-locations/?market=17 farmers market]''' takes place at Gateway Square on the last Saturday of the month, 10AM-2PM. There is also a smaller market on the High Street every Wednesday, 8AM-3PM, which sells food, clothes and crafts among other things. * {{buy | name=Roebridge Natural Food Market | alt= | url=https://roebridgefoods.co.uk/ | email= | address=Unit 3, Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8467 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 473133 | tollfree= | hours=M-W 9AM-5:30PM, Th F 9AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-5:30PM, Su 9AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-13 | content=Small regional chain of greengrocers stocking local produce including New Forest mushrooms and Dorset chillies. Also sells nuts and free-range eggs. }} <!--The Furlong - shopping centre - https://thefurlong.co.uk/ Ringwood Tackle - fishing shop - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057312383954--> ===Supermarkets=== * {{buy | name=Sainsbury's | alt= | url=https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2128/ringwood?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext&y_source=1_MTU1NjY3MTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=24 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Waitrose | alt= | url=https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/203.html?utm_source=GMBlistings&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=203&y_source=1_MTA4NTgwNzQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=The Furlong, BH25 1AT | lat=50.8479 | long=-1.7936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Lidl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839808 | long=-1.783631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= }} ==Eat== [[File:Blashford Lakes - geograph.org.uk - 1287681.jpg|thumb|300px|Blashford Lakes]] ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Café Velo | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/cafevelo.co.uk/ | email=cafeveloringwood@outlook.com | address=2 Star Lane, BH24 1AL | lat=50.8471 | long=-1.7940 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480410 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-2PM, closed Tu | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Cyclists' café for locally-sourced brunch and lunch. Veggie and vegan options. Bike storage and water bottle filling available }} * {{eat | name=Indian Tree | alt= | url=http://indiantreefood.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 Market Place, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846883 | long=-1.794390 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476563 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways. }} * {{eat | name=Price's Fish And Chips | alt= | url=http://www.pricesfishandchips.co.uk/ | email= | address=38 Christchurch Road, BH24 1DN | lat=50.845 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480290 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch W-Sa noon-1:45PM, dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM | price=Medium cod, chips and side £8.50 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Popular traditional chippy. For something a bit different, try their homemade sweet chilli fishcakes. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Fromage to Yours | alt= | url= | email=info@fromagetoyours.co.uk | address=2 Fridays Court, BH24 1AB | lat=50.8461 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470263 | tollfree= | hours=M 10AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM | price=Paninis £6-£7.50, salads £5-£10, platters £23-£33 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Café-deli specialising in local cheese and charcuterie, served in salads, paninis and on sharing platters. }} * {{eat | name=The Old Cottage | alt= | url=https://www.oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 West Street, BH24 1DZ | lat=50.846639 | long=-1.796543 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 474283 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch Tu-Su noon-2:30PM, Dinner Tu-Th 6PM-9PM, F-Sa 6PM-9:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options. }} <!--Framptons - https://www.framptonsbar.co.uk/new_forest/ Wox Thai Fusion - https://woxrestaurant.uk/ Bakehouse24 - https://bakehouse24.com/ The Old Cottage - https://oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ --> ==Drink== [[File:Ringwood Brewery Razorback (Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Co.).jpg|thumb|Razor Back best bitter is Ringwood's original brew.]] * {{drink | name=Ringwood Brewery | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/ | email=store@ringwoodbrewery.co.uk | address=138 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AP | lat=50.841 | long=-1.787 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470303 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, tap room from 11AM | price= | wikidata=Q7335015 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Tap room and beer shop for Ringwood beers; buy 'em by the pint, jug, flaggon, piggon, or even firkin (that's 72 pints!) The brewery no longer offers tours. }} * {{drink | name=Inn On The Furlong | alt= | url=https://theinnonthefurlong.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@theinnonthefurlong.co.uk | address=12 Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1EY | lat=50.846878 | long=-1.792411 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 475139 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26451043 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=18th-century free house with good range of beers and cocktails. }} * {{drink | name=The Original White Hart | alt= | url=https://www.originalwhitehartpub.co.uk/ | email=originalwhitehart.ringwood@marstons.co.uk | address=4 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846828 | long=-1.793936 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472702 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26387292 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=17th-century coaching inn. Although it's a Marstons pub, it also serves Ringwood ales. Sports on the telly and pool table. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome. }} * {{drink | name=The Elm Tree | alt= | url=https://theelmtreeringwood.co.uk/ | email=info@elmtreeringwood.co.uk | address=Hightown Road, BH24 3DY | lat=50.84319 | long=-1.76583 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472516 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th noon-10:30PM, F Sa noon-11:30PM, Su noon-9PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Thatched cottage with cosy interior and large beer garden. Live sports on TVs. Basic cheap pub food available, which gets mixed reviews. }} * {{drink | name=The White Hart Inn | alt= | url=https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/ | email= | address=171 Southampton Road, BH24 1HU | lat=50.85174 | long=-1.77382 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 483123 | tollfree= | hours=Su-W noon-11PM, Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-midnight | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Email via [https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/contact-us/ online contact form]. In the residential neighbourhood of Poulner is this characterful low-ceilinged pub with pool table, darts and dominoes. Lounge chairs and picnic blankets in the garden in summer. }} <!--The Cellar - https://www.thecellarringwood.com/--> ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Dunnroaming | alt= | url=https://www.176dunnroaming.co.uk/ | email=176dunnroaming@gmail.com | address=176 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8392 | long=-1.7840 | directions= | phone=+44 7508 810336 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10AM | price=From £71, booked in advance. Copious breakfast included | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Two en-suite twin rooms with blackout curtains. Free Wi-Fi and luggage store. Off-street parking. }} * {{sleep | name=Premier Inn | alt= | url=https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/ringwood/ringwood.html?cid=GLBC_RINFOR | email= | address=Forest Gate Business Park, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839919 | long=-1.782032 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 206667 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=noon | price=From £42 for a double room, booked in advance | lastedit=2021-07-09 | content=Around a 15 min walk from the high street. Several accessible rooms. Free parking and Wi-Fi. On-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner. }} * {{sleep | name=Moortown Lodge | alt= | url=https://moortownlodge.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@moortownlodge.co.uk | address=244 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8378 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471 404 | tollfree= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10:30AM | price=B&B doubles from £140 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A Georgian hunting lodge converted into a boutique B&B with ensuite rooms for couples - each room has one double or super king-size bed. Good breakfasts, including vegetarian and vegan. }} Many of the pubs and inns in town also offer accommodation, all from about £70 per night when booked in advance. ===Camping=== Always popular in the New Forest. * {{sleep | name=Fernwood Glamping | alt= | url=https://www.fernwood-ringwood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Fernwood, Hangersley Hill, BH24 3JN | lat=50.8571 | long=-1.7598 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476892, +44 7730 586601 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=5-10PM | checkout=10AM | price=Two adults: one night £100, two nights or more £80 per night. Children: £20 per night. Add £10 per night during summer peak | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Stay in a red Romany caravan or corrugated shepherd's hut in a quiet setting on the edge of town. The caravan and hut each sleep two adults and two kids, and come equipped with bedding and basic toiletries, a minifridge and kettle. Bring your own camp cooker or barbecue, or make use of the firepit. No dogs. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * '''The [[New Forest]]''' - Ringwood is on the outskirts of the National Park which has many footpaths and bridleways. * '''[[Fordingbridge]]''' - A smaller town to the north has both river and forest activities, plus access to a stately home and Roman villa. * '''[[Bournemouth]]''' - Its beach is very popular in the summer, and the town is the main shopping/nightlife area for people in Ringwood. * '''[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]''' - Home to Salisbury Cathedral and a gateway to Stonehenge * '''[[Southampton]]''' - The port for many cruises, with good connections to other cities in the UK. {{routebox | image1=UK_road_A31.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Dorchester]] | minorl1=[[Wimborne Minster]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Image:UK-Motorway-M27.svg|40px]] → [[Southampton]] | minorr1=[[New Forest]] | image2=UK road A338.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=SW | majorl2=[[Bournemouth]] | minorl2=[[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] | directionr2=N | majorr2=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorr2=[[Fordingbridge]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|50.85|-1.78}} 1n966tlc9dy0151519e5hxalsddt1sh 4506424 4506422 2022-08-22T21:29:46Z SHB2000 2248002 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) to last version by [[User:Mitchea99|Mitchea99]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg|pgname=Ringwood}} '''Ringwood''' is a town on the edge of the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], right on the border with [[Dorset]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The A31 trunk road runs from the end of the M27 motorway through the New Forest, past Ringwood, and on towards Dorchester. About a mile west of Ringwood, the A31 has a major junction with the A338 expressway, which brings traffic from the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole conurbation. The A338 also continues north of Ringwood as a single-carriageway road to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Approximate driving distances: * From [[Bournemouth]], via A338 – {{mi|12}} * From [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], via A338 – {{mi|17}} * From [[Southampton]], via M27 and A31 – {{mi|22}} * From [[Dorchester]], via A35 and A31 – {{mi|35}} * From [[London]], via M3, M27 and A31 – {{mi|100}} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Meeting House Lane | lat=50.847 | long=-1.791 | content=The main bus stops in town, where all buses from other cities stop, including the National Express. }} Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from [[London]] or [[Heathrow Airport]] (approx. 2½ hours) and from [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] (approx. 5 hours). For more local travel, the most frequent bus routes are the X3 running between [[Bournemouth]] and [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and the X6 which runs from [[Poole]]. ===On foot=== * Avon Valley Path between Salisbury and Christchurch, following the Avon River. 35 miles. * [https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sport-leisure/walking/walking-in-east-dorset/castleman-trailway.aspx Castleman Trailway] between Ringwood and Poole, following disused train tracks. 15 miles. Also suitable for cycling and horse-riding. ==Get around== {{mapframe|lat=50.85|long=-1.78|zoom=12}} ===On foot=== It is easy to walk around Ringwood, the town is only about a mile wide and mostly flat. There are some signposts near the town centre that show popular walking/cycling routes such as the Avon Valley Path. Google Maps works well for navigating in the town, and also shows the Ringwood sections of the Avon Valley Path and the Castleman Trailway. ===On bus=== There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane. ===By car=== Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around. There is a large paid car park (both short-stay and long-stay) at Meeting House Lane, with street parking available almost everywhere else. However, in the evenings and on warm holidays the roads can be very busy as people queue to join the A31, so it may be faster to walk. ==See== * {{see | name=St Peter and St Paul Church | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbenefice.org.uk/about-us/our-churches/st-peter-st-paul-ringwood/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8483 | long=-1.7952 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 489898 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free, donations welcome | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross. }} * {{see | name=Meeting House & History Centre | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodmeetinghouse.org/ | email= | address=22 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7921 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480656 | tollfree= | hours=Open for visits M Tu, Th-Sa 10AM-noon, W 10AM-2:30PM. Times vary for events and exhibitions | price=Entry by spare change | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts are on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions. }} * {{see | name=Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre | alt= | url=https://libertysfalconry.com/ | email= | address=Crow Lane, BH24 3DZ | lat=50.8362 | long=-1.771 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476487 | tollfree= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar Sa Su and Feb half-term 10AM-4PM | price=Adult £11.95, senior £10.95, child (3-15 yr) £5.95 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which also puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve | alt=Hampshire Wildlife Trust | url=https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve | email=Robert.Chapman@hiwwt.org.uk | address=Ellingham Drove, BH24 3PJ | lat=50.874 | long=-1.787 | directions={{marker|name=Car and bike park|lat=50.8723|long=-1.7859}} outside education centre. Bus: X3 to Ellingham Crossroads, 500-m walk from centre | phone=+44 1425 472760 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; centre and car park open 9AM-4:30PM, closed 25 Dec | price=Entry by donation (suggested £4 pp) | wikidata=Q95736187 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Northern Commons | alt=National Trust | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/new-forest-northern-commons | email=info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Rockford Car Park, Ellingham Drove, BH24 3NF | lat=50.873 | long=-1.7683 | directions=Bus: X3 to Ellingham Cross, just over {{mi|1}} on foot | phone=+44 1425 650035 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; car park open dawn-dusk | price=Free entry and parking | lastedit=2021-05-20 | content=Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the tune of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. }} * {{do | name=Avon Heath Country Park | alt=Dorset County Council | url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park.aspx | email=avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk | address=Brocks Pine, St Leonards, BH24 2DH | lat=50.831944 | long=-1.819444 | directions=Off A31, {{mi|2}} W of Ringwood. Bus: 38 to St Leonard's Hotel, 10 min walk from park | phone=+44 1425 478082 | tollfree= | hours=Park daily 8:30AM-6:30PM / dusk (whichever is sooner). Visitor centre daily 10AM-4PM | price=Free. Parking 2 hr £3, 4 hr £6, all day £8. Barbecue day hire £40 | wikidata=Q60744834 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Explore several miles of walking and cycling trail through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. }} * {{do | name=Moors Valley Country Park and Forest | alt=Dorset County Council / Forestry England | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ | email=rangers@moors-valley.co.uk | address=Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET | lat=50.8508 | long=-1.85028 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) W of Ringwood. Leave A31 at Ashley Heath turnoff, then follow brown signs. Bus: 38 to Castleman Trailway (stop ''dordmdam''), ½ mi (600 m) from main entrance. Walk or cycle from Ringwood via Castleman Trailway. | phone=+44 1425 470721 | tollfree= | hours=Daily Sep-Mar 8AM-5PM, Apr-Aug 8AM-6PM/7PM during school holidays. Closed 25 Dec | price=Free entry. Parking charges [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/visitor-information/car-charges/ apply], up to £15 for whole day | wikidata=Q6908472 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling and callisthenic trails. Free [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/audiotrail/ audio] and [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/mindfulness/ mindfulness] trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping. }} ** {{do | name=Cycle Hire | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/cycle-hire/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM to mid-afternoon | price=£10 deposit (for up to four bikes) plus adult/child bike 1 hr £7/£6, 2 hr £13/£10, 3 hr £18/£13, all day £22/£17. Helmets free; trailers, tagalongs and child seat extra | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Proof of ID required. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing in Moors Lake | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/fishing/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=15 Jun-15 Mar, same hours as park | price=Adult £4.80, child/concession £4.10. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£8/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning. }} ** {{do | name=Golf | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/ | email=golf@moors-valley.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 479776 | tollfree= | hours=Advance booking and payment mandatory | price=Oct-Mar: 11/18 holes M-Sa £13/£20, Sa, Su, holidays £15/£25; Apr-Oct 11/18 holes M-Sa £16/£24, Sa, Su, holidays £19/£29. Good discounts for under-25s | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s. }} ** {{do | name=Go Ape | alt= | url=https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley | email=questions@goape.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1603 895500 (national number) | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-7PM, booking essential | price=High rope courses from £20-£33, depending on difficulty, nets from £20, segway from £35 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr). }} ** {{do | name=Hawks in the Forest | alt= | url=https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/ | email=hawksintheforest@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7954 522843 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=One adult £50, two adults £70, four adults £120; children £15, family (two adults, two children) £80 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups. }} ** {{do | name=Moors Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.853 | long=-1.85283 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471415 | tollfree= | hours=Winter weekends and school holidays 10AM-4PM, summer daily 10AM-5PM | price=Return trip: adult £4.35, child £2.90. Footplate courses £180-£225 incl lunch and refreshments | wikidata=Q6908474 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Email via [https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/find-us/ online contact form]. }} * {{do | name=Ringwood Brewery | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/ | email=store@ringwoodbrewery.co.uk | address=138 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AP | lat=50.841 | long=-1.787 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470303 | tollfree= | hours=Tours closed due to COVID. Normally at least once daily except W. Shop: Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM | price=Tour: adult £12, child (aged 8-17 only) £6 | wikidata=Q7335015 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Informative and entertaining tours of the brewery with a knowledgable guide. Count on around two hours for the tour and a ''lot'' of free samples at the end. Tour customers can get discounts both from the brewery shop and also from some local restaurants. }} ==Buy== Ringwood's '''[https://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/market-locations/?market=17 farmers market]''' takes place at Gateway Square on the last Saturday of the month, 10AM-2PM. There is also a smaller market on the High Street every Wednesday, 8AM-3PM, which sells food, clothes and crafts among other things. * {{buy | name=Roebridge Natural Food Market | alt= | url=https://roebridgefoods.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8467 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} ===Supermarkets=== * {{buy | name=Sainsbury's | alt= | url=https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2128/ringwood?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext&y_source=1_MTU1NjY3MTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=24 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Waitrose | alt= | url=https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/203.html?utm_source=GMBlistings&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=203&y_source=1_MTA4NTgwNzQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=The Furlong, BH25 1AT | lat=50.8479 | long=-1.7936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Lidl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839808 | long=-1.783631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= }} ==Eat== ===Takeaway=== * {{eat | name=Price's Fish And Chips | alt= | url=http://www.pricesfishandchips.co.uk/ | email= | address=38 Christchurch Road, BH24 1DN | lat=50.845 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480290 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch W-Sa 12PM-1:45PM, Dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Traditional fish and chips at a good value, the set meals are £10 or under. }} * {{eat | name=Chinatown | alt= | url= | email= | address=44 Southampton Road, BH24 1JD | lat=50.847 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471622 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-Su 5PM-10PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=The usual Chinese takeaway fare, with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Most dishes are £5-£6. }} ===Restaurants=== * {{eat | name=Indian Tree | alt= | url=http://indiantreefood.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 Market Place, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846883 | long=-1.794390 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476563 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways. }} * {{eat | name=Prezzo | alt= | url=https://www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk/restaurant/ringwood/ | email= | address=27 Market Place, BH24 1AN | lat=50.846763 | long=-1.795195 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471200 | tollfree= | hours=12PM-10PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= Probably the only chain restaurant in town, serving Italian pizza and pasta dishes. A decent children's menu. Most dishes are £10-£14. }} * {{eat | name=The Old Cottage | alt= | url=https://www.oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 West Street, BH24 1DZ | lat=50.846639 | long=-1.796543 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 474283 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch Tu-Su 12PM-2:30PM, Dinner Tu-Th 6PM-9PM, F-Sa 6PM-9:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Original White Hart Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address=4 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW | lat=50.84692 | long=-1.79437 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-26 | content= }} * {{drink | name=The Elm Tree | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hightown, Ringwood, BH24 3DY | lat=50.84319 | long=-1.76583 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-26 | content= }} * {{drink | name=White Heart | alt= | url= | email= | address=171 Southampton Road, Ringwood, BH24 1HU | lat=50.85174 | long=-1.77382 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-26 | content= }} * {{drink | name=David Lloyd | alt= | url= | email= | address=242 Christchurch Road, Ringwood, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8373 | long=-1.78365 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-26 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Inn On The Furlong | alt= | url= | email= | address=12 Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1EY | lat=50.84678 | long=-1.7918 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-02-26 | content= }} ==Sleep== Many of the pubs and inns in town also offer accommodation. * {{sleep | name=Premier Inn | alt= | url=https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/ringwood/ringwood.html?cid=GLBC_RINFOR | email= | address=Forest Gate Business Park, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839919 | long=-1.782032 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 206667 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=12PM | checkout=12PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Accommodation from around £42 for a double room, booked in advance, as is standard for the chain. Around a 15 minute walk from the high street but conveniently next to Lidl. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * '''The [[New Forest]]''' - Ringwood is on the outskirts of the National Park which has many hiking routes. * '''[[Bournemouth]]''' - Its beach is very popular in the summer, and the town is the main shopping/nightlife area for people in Ringwood. * '''[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]''' - Home to Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge * '''[[Southampton]]''' - The port for many cruises, with good connections to other cities in the UK. {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|50.85|-1.78}} 5z8qh9ndu0kk19mb8f0nazu2k0wr1zv 4506426 4506424 2022-08-22T21:30:06Z SHB2000 2248002 Undo revision 4506424 by [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|SHB2000]] ([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]])fingerslip. sorry wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Ringwood WV banner Liberty's (higher resolution).jpg|caption=Tawny Eagle in Liberty's Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre|pgname=Ringwood}} '''Ringwood''' is a town on the edge of the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], right on the border with [[Dorset]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The A31 trunk road runs from the end of the M27 motorway through the New Forest, past Ringwood, and on towards Dorchester. About a mile west of Ringwood, the A31 has a major junction with the A338 expressway, which brings traffic from the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole conurbation. The A338 also continues north of Ringwood as a single-carriageway road to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Approximate driving distances: * From [[Bournemouth]], via A338 – {{mi|12}} * From [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]], via A338 – {{mi|17}} * From [[Southampton]], via M27 and A31 – {{mi|22}} * From [[Dorchester]], via A35 and A31 – {{mi|35}} * From [[London]], via M3, M27 and A31 – {{mi|100}} ===By bus=== * {{go | name=Meeting House Lane | lat=50.847 | long=-1.791 | content=The main bus stops in town, where all buses from other cities stop, including the National Express. }} Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from [[London]] or [[Heathrow Airport]] (approx. 2½ hours) and from [[Birmingham (England)|Birmingham]] (approx. 5 hours). For more local travel, the most frequent bus routes are the X3 running between [[Bournemouth]] and [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] and the X6 which runs from [[Poole]]. ===On foot=== * Avon Valley Path between Salisbury and Christchurch, following the Avon River. 35 miles. * [https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sport-leisure/walking/walking-in-east-dorset/castleman-trailway.aspx Castleman Trailway] between Ringwood and Poole, following disused train tracks. 15 miles. Also suitable for cycling and horse-riding. ==Get around== {{mapframe|lat=50.85|long=-1.78|zoom=12}} ===On foot=== It is easy to walk around the town, as it is only about a mile wide and mostly flat. There are some signposts near the town centre that show popular walking/cycling routes such as the Avon Valley Path. Google Maps works well for navigating in the town, and also shows the Ringwood sections of the Avon Valley Path and the Castleman Trailway. ===By bus=== There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane. ===By car=== Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around. There is a large paid car park (both short-stay and long-stay) at Meeting House Lane, with street parking available almost everywhere else. However, in the evenings and on warm holidays the roads can be very busy as people queue to join the A31, so it may be faster to walk. A car will be very useful to have when visiting the various countryside attractions outside the town. ==See== * {{see | name=St Peter and St Paul Church | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbenefice.org.uk/about-us/our-churches/st-peter-st-paul-ringwood/ | email= | address= | lat=50.8483 | long=-1.7952 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 489898 | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free, donations welcome | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross. }} * {{see | name=Meeting House & History Centre | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodmeetinghouse.org/ | email= | address=22 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7921 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480656 | tollfree= | hours=Open for visits M Tu, Th-Sa 10AM-noon, W 10AM-2:30PM. Times vary for events and exhibitions | price=Entry by spare change | lastedit=2021-06-16 | content=Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts is on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions. }} * {{see | name=Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre | alt= | url=https://libertysfalconry.com/ | email= | address=Crow Lane, BH24 3DZ | lat=50.8362 | long=-1.771 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476487 | tollfree= | hours=Apr-Sep daily 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar Sa Su and Feb half-term 10AM-4PM | price=Adult £11.95, senior £10.95, child (3-15 yr) £5.95 | image=Aquila rapax -Libertys Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Hampshire, England -head-8a.jpg | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs. }} * {{see | name=Poulner Baptist Chapel | alt= | url=https://www.poulnerchapel.org.uk/ | email= | address=Linford Road, Hangersley, BH24 3HZ | lat=50.858468 | long=-1.759093 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Poulner Chapel 1840 - geograph.org.uk - 19885.jpg | wikidata=Q26387291 | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=Worth a look if you're passing is this unusual thatched chapel with whitewashed mud walls and a gracefully crumbling churchyard. If the modern chapel next door is open, it may be possible to look inside. }} ==Do== [[File:Avon Heath, footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1740831.jpg|thumb|300px|Sandy footpath through Avon Heath]] * {{do | name=Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve | alt=Hampshire Wildlife Trust | url=https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve | email=Robert.Chapman@hiwwt.org.uk | address=Ellingham Drove, BH24 3PJ | lat=50.874 | long=-1.787 | directions={{marker|name=Car and bike park|lat=50.8723|long=-1.7859}} outside education centre. Bus: X3 to Ellingham Crossroads, 500-m walk from centre | phone=+44 1425 472760 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; centre and car park open 9AM-4:30PM, closed 25 Dec | price=Entry by donation (suggested £4 pp) | wikidata=Q95736187 | lastedit=2021-05-04 | content=A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs. }} * {{do | name=New Forest Northern Commons | alt=National Trust | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/new-forest-northern-commons | email=info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk | address=Rockford Car Park, Ellingham Drove, BH24 3NF | lat=50.873 | long=-1.7683 | directions=Bus: X3 to Ellingham Cross, just over {{mi|1}} on foot | phone=+44 1425 650035 | tollfree= | hours=24 hours daily; car park open dawn-dusk | price=Free entry and parking | lastedit=2021-05-20 | content=Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the tune of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. }} * {{do | name=Avon Heath Country Park | alt=Dorset County Council | url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park.aspx | email=avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk | address=Brocks Pine, St Leonards, BH24 2DH | lat=50.831944 | long=-1.819444 | directions=Off A31, {{mi|2}} W of Ringwood. Bus: 38 to St Leonard's Hotel, 10 min walk from park | phone=+44 1425 478082 | tollfree= | hours=Park daily 8:30AM-6:30PM / dusk (whichever is sooner). Visitor centre daily 10AM-4PM | price=Free. Parking 2 hr £3, 4 hr £6, all day £8. Barbecue day hire £40 | wikidata=Q60744834 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Explore several miles of walking and cycling trail through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. }} [[File:In the tree tops, Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1175326.jpg|thumb|300px|Fun in the tree tops at Moors Valley]] * {{do | name=Moors Valley Country Park and Forest | alt=Dorset County Council / Forestry England | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ | email=rangers@moors-valley.co.uk | address=Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET | lat=50.8508 | long=-1.85028 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) W of Ringwood. Leave A31 at Ashley Heath turnoff, then follow brown signs. Bus: 38 to Castleman Trailway (stop ''dordmdam''), ½ mi (600 m) from main entrance. Walk or cycle from Ringwood via Castleman Trailway. | phone=+44 1425 470721 | tollfree= | hours=Daily Sep-Mar 8AM-5PM, Apr-Aug 8AM-6PM/7PM during school holidays. Closed 25 Dec | price=Free entry. Parking charges [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/visitor-information/car-charges/ apply], up to £15 for whole day | wikidata=Q6908472 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling and callisthenic trails. Free [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/audiotrail/ audio] and [https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/mindfulness/ mindfulness] trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping. }} ** {{do | name=Cycle Hire | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/cycle-hire/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM to mid-afternoon | price=£10 deposit (for up to four bikes) plus adult/child bike 1 hr £7/£6, 2 hr £13/£10, 3 hr £18/£13, all day £22/£17. Helmets free; trailers, tagalongs and child seat extra | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Proof of ID required. }} ** {{do | name=Fishing in Moors Lake | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/fishing/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=15 Jun-15 Mar, same hours as park | price=Adult £4.80, child/concession £4.10. You must also have a [https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence rod fishing licence] from the Environment Agency (£8/£12/£30 per day/week/year) | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning. }} ** {{do | name=Golf | alt= | url=https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/ | email=golf@moors-valley.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1425 479776 | tollfree= | hours=Advance booking and payment mandatory | price=Oct-Mar: 11/18 holes M-Sa £13/£20, Sa, Su, holidays £15/£25; Apr-Oct 11/18 holes M-Sa £16/£24, Sa, Su, holidays £19/£29. Good discounts for under-25s | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s. }} ** {{do | name=Go Ape | alt= | url=https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley | email=questions@goape.co.uk | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 1603 895500 (national number) | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9AM-7PM, booking essential | price=High rope courses from £20-£33, depending on difficulty, nets from £20, segway from £35 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr). }} ** {{do | name=Hawks in the Forest | alt= | url=https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/ | email=hawksintheforest@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+44 7954 522843 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours=By appointment only | price=One adult £50, two adults £70, four adults £120; children £15, family (two adults, two children) £80 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups. }} ** {{do | name=Moors Valley Railway | alt= | url=https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/ | email= | address= | lat=50.853 | long=-1.85283 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471415 | tollfree= | hours=Winter weekends and school holidays 10AM-4PM, summer daily 10AM-5PM | price=Return trip: adult £4.35, child £2.90. Footplate courses £180-£225 incl lunch and refreshments | wikidata=Q6908474 | lastedit=2021-05-11 | content=Email via [https://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/find-us/ online contact form]. }} * {{do | name=Bagnum Equestrian Centre | alt= | url=http://www.bagnumequestrian.co.uk/ | email= | address=Bagnum Lane, BH24 3BZ | lat=50.8246 | long=-1.7536 | directions=3½ mi (5.5 km) SE of town, via B3347, Rod Ln, and Charles Ln | phone=+44 1425 476263 | tollfree= | hours=W-Su 8:30AM-5:30PM | price=Hacks 1 hr £40, 1 hr 30 min £52, 2 hr £65. 30-min walkout £22 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Email via [http://bagnumequestrian.co.uk/contact/ online contact form]. Stables that cater to riders of all abilities from ages 6 and up. Take part in a hack - a group ride out into the New Forest or, if a complete novice you may prefer a walk-out, where your horse's reins are held by an instructor on foot. }} ==Buy== Ringwood's '''[https://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/market-locations/?market=17 farmers market]''' takes place at Gateway Square on the last Saturday of the month, 10AM-2PM. There is also a smaller market on the High Street every Wednesday, 8AM-3PM, which sells food, clothes and crafts among other things. * {{buy | name=Roebridge Natural Food Market | alt= | url=https://roebridgefoods.co.uk/ | email= | address=Unit 3, Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8467 | long=-1.7922 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 473133 | tollfree= | hours=M-W 9AM-5:30PM, Th F 9AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-5:30PM, Su 9AM-4PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-13 | content=Small regional chain of greengrocers stocking local produce including New Forest mushrooms and Dorset chillies. Also sells nuts and free-range eggs. }} <!--The Furlong - shopping centre - https://thefurlong.co.uk/ Ringwood Tackle - fishing shop - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057312383954--> ===Supermarkets=== * {{buy | name=Sainsbury's | alt= | url=https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2128/ringwood?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=yext&y_source=1_MTU1NjY3MTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=24 Meeting House Lane, BH24 1EY | lat=50.8468 | long=-1.7917 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Waitrose | alt= | url=https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/203.html?utm_source=GMBlistings&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=203&y_source=1_MTA4NTgwNzQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl | email= | address=The Furlong, BH25 1AT | lat=50.8479 | long=-1.7936 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7:30AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-05-05 | content= }} * {{buy | name=Lidl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839808 | long=-1.783631 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content= }} ==Eat== [[File:Blashford Lakes - geograph.org.uk - 1287681.jpg|thumb|300px|Blashford Lakes]] ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Café Velo | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/cafevelo.co.uk/ | email=cafeveloringwood@outlook.com | address=2 Star Lane, BH24 1AL | lat=50.8471 | long=-1.7940 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480410 | tollfree= | hours=9AM-2PM, closed Tu | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Cyclists' café for locally-sourced brunch and lunch. Veggie and vegan options. Bike storage and water bottle filling available }} * {{eat | name=Indian Tree | alt= | url=http://indiantreefood.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 Market Place, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846883 | long=-1.794390 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476563 | tollfree= | hours=5PM-11PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways. }} * {{eat | name=Price's Fish And Chips | alt= | url=http://www.pricesfishandchips.co.uk/ | email= | address=38 Christchurch Road, BH24 1DN | lat=50.845 | long=-1.789 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 480290 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch W-Sa noon-1:45PM, dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM | price=Medium cod, chips and side £8.50 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Popular traditional chippy. For something a bit different, try their homemade sweet chilli fishcakes. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Fromage to Yours | alt= | url= | email=info@fromagetoyours.co.uk | address=2 Fridays Court, BH24 1AB | lat=50.8461 | long=-1.7914 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470263 | tollfree= | hours=M 10AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM | price=Paninis £6-£7.50, salads £5-£10, platters £23-£33 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Café-deli specialising in local cheese and charcuterie, served in salads, paninis and on sharing platters. }} * {{eat | name=The Old Cottage | alt= | url=https://www.oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ | email= | address=14 West Street, BH24 1DZ | lat=50.846639 | long=-1.796543 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 474283 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch Tu-Su noon-2:30PM, Dinner Tu-Th 6PM-9PM, F-Sa 6PM-9:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-07-07 | content=Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options. }} <!--Framptons - https://www.framptonsbar.co.uk/new_forest/ Wox Thai Fusion - https://woxrestaurant.uk/ Bakehouse24 - https://bakehouse24.com/ The Old Cottage - https://oldcottagerestaurant.co.uk/ --> ==Drink== [[File:Ringwood Brewery Razorback (Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Co.).jpg|thumb|Razor Back best bitter is Ringwood's original brew.]] * {{drink | name=Ringwood Brewery | alt= | url=https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/ | email=store@ringwoodbrewery.co.uk | address=138 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AP | lat=50.841 | long=-1.787 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 470303 | tollfree= | hours=M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, tap room from 11AM | price= | wikidata=Q7335015 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Tap room and beer shop for Ringwood beers; buy 'em by the pint, jug, flaggon, piggon, or even firkin (that's 72 pints!) The brewery no longer offers tours. }} * {{drink | name=Inn On The Furlong | alt= | url=https://theinnonthefurlong.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@theinnonthefurlong.co.uk | address=12 Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1EY | lat=50.846878 | long=-1.792411 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 475139 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 9:30AM-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26451043 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=18th-century free house with good range of beers and cocktails. }} * {{drink | name=The Original White Hart | alt= | url=https://www.originalwhitehartpub.co.uk/ | email=originalwhitehart.ringwood@marstons.co.uk | address=4 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW | lat=50.846828 | long=-1.793936 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472702 | tollfree= | hours=Daily noon-11PM | price= | wikidata=Q26387292 | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=17th-century coaching inn. Although it's a Marstons pub, it also serves Ringwood ales. Sports on the telly and pool table. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome. }} * {{drink | name=The Elm Tree | alt= | url=https://theelmtreeringwood.co.uk/ | email=info@elmtreeringwood.co.uk | address=Hightown Road, BH24 3DY | lat=50.84319 | long=-1.76583 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 472516 | tollfree= | hours=M-Th noon-10:30PM, F Sa noon-11:30PM, Su noon-9PM | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Thatched cottage with cosy interior and large beer garden. Live sports on TVs. Basic cheap pub food available, which gets mixed reviews. }} * {{drink | name=The White Hart Inn | alt= | url=https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/ | email= | address=171 Southampton Road, BH24 1HU | lat=50.85174 | long=-1.77382 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 483123 | tollfree= | hours=Su-W noon-11PM, Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-midnight | price= | lastedit=2021-07-15 | content=Email via [https://www.whitehartinnpoulner.co.uk/contact-us/ online contact form]. In the residential neighbourhood of Poulner is this characterful low-ceilinged pub with pool table, darts and dominoes. Lounge chairs and picnic blankets in the garden in summer. }} <!--The Cellar - https://www.thecellarringwood.com/--> ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Dunnroaming | alt= | url=https://www.176dunnroaming.co.uk/ | email=176dunnroaming@gmail.com | address=176 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8392 | long=-1.7840 | directions= | phone=+44 7508 810336 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10AM | price=From £71, booked in advance. Copious breakfast included | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-30 | content=Two en-suite twin rooms with blackout curtains. Free Wi-Fi and luggage store. Off-street parking. }} * {{sleep | name=Premier Inn | alt= | url=https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/ringwood/ringwood.html?cid=GLBC_RINFOR | email= | address=Forest Gate Business Park, BH24 3AS | lat=50.839919 | long=-1.782032 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 206667 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=noon | price=From £42 for a double room, booked in advance | lastedit=2021-07-09 | content=Around a 15 min walk from the high street. Several accessible rooms. Free parking and Wi-Fi. On-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner. }} * {{sleep | name=Moortown Lodge | alt= | url=https://moortownlodge.co.uk/ | email=enquiries@moortownlodge.co.uk | address=244 Christchurch Road, BH24 3AS | lat=50.8378 | long=-1.7832 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 471 404 | tollfree= | checkin=4PM | checkout=10:30AM | price=B&B doubles from £140 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A Georgian hunting lodge converted into a boutique B&B with ensuite rooms for couples - each room has one double or super king-size bed. Good breakfasts, including vegetarian and vegan. }} Many of the pubs and inns in town also offer accommodation, all from about £70 per night when booked in advance. ===Camping=== Always popular in the New Forest. * {{sleep | name=Fernwood Glamping | alt= | url=https://www.fernwood-ringwood.co.uk/ | email= | address=Fernwood, Hangersley Hill, BH24 3JN | lat=50.8571 | long=-1.7598 | directions= | phone=+44 1425 476892, +44 7730 586601 (mobile) | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=5-10PM | checkout=10AM | price=Two adults: one night £100, two nights or more £80 per night. Children: £20 per night. Add £10 per night during summer peak | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=Stay in a red Romany caravan or corrugated shepherd's hut in a quiet setting on the edge of town. The caravan and hut each sleep two adults and two kids, and come equipped with bedding and basic toiletries, a minifridge and kettle. Bring your own camp cooker or barbecue, or make use of the firepit. No dogs. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== * '''The [[New Forest]]''' - Ringwood is on the outskirts of the National Park which has many footpaths and bridleways. * '''[[Fordingbridge]]''' - A smaller town to the north has both river and forest activities, plus access to a stately home and Roman villa. * '''[[Bournemouth]]''' - Its beach is very popular in the summer, and the town is the main shopping/nightlife area for people in Ringwood. * '''[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]]''' - Home to Salisbury Cathedral and a gateway to Stonehenge * '''[[Southampton]]''' - The port for many cruises, with good connections to other cities in the UK. {{routebox | image1=UK_road_A31.svg | imagesize1=40 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Dorchester]] | minorl1=[[Wimborne Minster]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Image:UK-Motorway-M27.svg|40px]] → [[Southampton]] | minorr1=[[New Forest]] | image2=UK road A338.svg | imagesize2=40 | directionl2=SW | majorl2=[[Bournemouth]] | minorl2=[[Christchurch (England)|Christchurch]] | directionr2=N | majorr2=[[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] | minorr2=[[Fordingbridge]] }} {{IsPartOf|Hampshire}} {{usablecity}} {{geo|50.85|-1.78}} 1n966tlc9dy0151519e5hxalsddt1sh 3 185278 4506666 4504669 2022-08-23T08:25:28Z ArchiverBot 469122 Bot: Archiving 2 threads from [[User talk:SHB2000]] (ARCHIVE FULL) wikitext text/x-wiki {| style="width: 100%; border: 1px solid #060; background: #dfd; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px;" |- | style="width: 20%; text-align:left; font-size: 90%" | ← [[User talk:SHB2000/Archive 2021|2021]] | style="text-align: center" | '''Archives for 2022''' | style="width: 20%; text-align:right; font-size: 90%" | ([[User talk:SHB2000/Archive {{CURRENTYEAR}}|current]]) [[User talk:SHB2000/Archive 2023|2023]] → |} {{talkarchive}} This page contains all the discussions from 2022. ---- == How we will see unregistered users == <section begin=content/> Hi! 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If you want to make sure you don’t miss technical changes on the Wikimedia wikis, you can [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|subscribe]] to [[m:Tech/News|the weekly technical newsletter]]. We have [[m:IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation#IP Masking Implementation Approaches (FAQ)|two suggested ways]] this identity could work. '''We would appreciate your feedback''' on which way you think would work best for you and your wiki, now and in the future. You can [[m:Talk:IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation|let us know on the talk page]]. You can write in your language. The suggestions were posted in October and we will decide after 17 January. Thank you. /[[m:User:Johan (WMF)|Johan (WMF)]]<section end=content/> 18:14, 4 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Johan (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Johan_(WMF)/Target_lists/Admins2022(3)&oldid=22532499 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/02|Tech News: 2022-02]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W02"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/02|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] A <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>oauth_consumer</code></bdi> variable has been added to the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/AbuseFilter|AbuseFilter]] to enable identifying changes made by specific tools. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T298281] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] Gadgets are [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/ResourceLoader/Migration_guide_(users)#Package_Gadgets|now able to directly include JSON pages]]. This means some gadgets can now be configured by administrators without needing the interface administrator permission, such as with the Geonotice gadget. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T198758] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] Gadgets [[mw:Extension:Gadgets#Options|can now specify page actions]] on which they are available. For example, <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>|actions=edit,history</code></bdi> will load a gadget only while editing and on history pages. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T63007] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] Gadgets can now be loaded on demand with the <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>withgadget</code></bdi> URL parameter. This can be used to replace [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Snippets/Load JS and CSS by URL|an earlier snippet]] that typically looks like <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>withJS</code></bdi> or <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>withCSS</code></bdi>. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T29766] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] At wikis where [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Communities/How to configure the mentors' list|the Mentorship system is configured]], you can now use the Action API to get a list of a [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Mentor_dashboard|mentor's]] mentees. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T291966] * The heading on the main page can now be configured using <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">[[MediaWiki:Mainpage-title-loggedin]]</span> for logged-in users and <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">[[MediaWiki:Mainpage-title]]</span> for logged-out users. Any CSS that was previously used to hide the heading should be removed. [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Small_wiki_toolkits/Starter_kit/Main_page_customization#hide-heading] [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T298715] * Four special pages (and their API counterparts) now have a maximum database query execution time of 30 seconds. These special pages are: RecentChanges, Watchlist, Contributions, and Log. This change will help with site performance and stability. You can read [https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org/thread/IPJNO75HYAQWIGTHI5LJHTDVLVOC4LJP/ more details about this change] including some possible solutions if this affects your workflows. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T297708] * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Features/Sticky Header|sticky header]] has been deployed for 50% of logged-in users on [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Frequently asked questions#pilot-wikis|more than 10 wikis]]. This is part of the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements|Desktop Improvements]]. See [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Participate|how to take part in the project]]. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.17|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-11|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-12|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-13|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Events''' * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022|Community Wishlist Survey 2022]] begins. All contributors to the Wikimedia projects can propose for tools and platform improvements. The proposal phase takes place from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-10|en}} 18:00 UTC to {{#time:j xg|2022-01-23|en}} 18:00 UTC. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community_Wishlist_Survey/FAQ|Learn more]]. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/02|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W02"/> 01:24, 11 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22562156 --> == Website that you may find helpful == I noticed you were creating articles for World Heritage Sites that lack them. https://www.worldheritagesite.org/ is in my opinion the best place to research these sites and has useful information that's aimed at tourists rather than conservationists, also the official UNESCO website's design is really bad in my opinion. Here's the pages on [https://www.worldheritagesite.org/list/Ichkeul+National+Park Ichkeul] and [https://www.worldheritagesite.org/list/Tsodilo Tsodilo] [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 06:41, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :Thanks for the link. I'd never known that website and I agree that it is definitely much much better than [https://whc.unesco.org/ whc.unesco.org]. I think {{u|Ypsilon}} created an article for most world heritage sites, although there were some like [[Dinosaur Provincial Park]] that was only created in 2021. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:17, 12 January 2022 (UTC) : Yes, when new WHS come up (after their yearly conference every July) I add the UNESCO icons to banners of articles we have and create new articles if the site [[Wikivoyage:What is an article?|merits its own article]]. --[[User:Ypsilon|Ypsilon]] ([[User talk:Ypsilon|talk]]) 12:46, 15 January 2022 (UTC) == ''This Month in GLAM'': December 2021 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XI, Issue XII, December 2021</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/Australia report|Australia report]]: Writing The Record: the Australian Music Wikipedia project launches * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/Colombia report|Colombia report]]: We were editing about Bogotan writers * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/Croatia report|Croatia report]]: Ab ovo. Towards future reports... * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: The New Zealand Wikidata thesis project * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/Poland report|Poland report]]: Safeguarding the heritage of a community * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/Sweden report|Sweden report]]: Commons project with Göteborg museums was a success; Digital humaniora meets Wikidata; HBTQI, Europeana and WiR * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: 2021 in Review * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: Smithsonian Institution Training * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: Adding more Structured Data on Commons statements * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/WMF GLAM report|WMF GLAM report]]: Some structured data developments * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: January's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/December 2021/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 10:46, 12 January 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=22518926 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/03|Tech News: 2022-03]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W03"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/03|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * When using [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:WikiEditor|WikiEditor]] (also known as the 2010 wikitext editor), people will now see a warning if they link to disambiguation pages. If you click "{{int:Disambiguator-review-link}}" in the warning, it will ask you to correct the link to a more specific term. You can [[m:Community Wishlist Survey 2021/Warn when linking to disambiguation pages#Jan 12, 2021: Turning on the changes for all Wikis|read more information]] about this completed 2021 Community Wishlist item. * You can [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools#subscribe|automatically subscribe to all of the talk page discussions]] that you start or comment in using [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk pages project/Feature summary|DiscussionTools]]. You will receive [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Notifications|notifications]] when another editor replies. This is available at most wikis. Go to your [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion|Preferences]] and turn on "{{int:discussiontools-preference-autotopicsub}}". [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T263819] * When asked to create a new page or talk page section, input fields can be [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Creating_pages_with_preloaded_text|"preloaded" with some text]]. This feature is now limited to wikitext pages. This is so users can't be tricked into making malicious edits. There is a discussion about [[phab:T297725|if this feature should be re-enabled]] for some content types. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.18|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-18|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-19|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-20|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Events''' * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022|Community Wishlist Survey 2022]] continues. All contributors to the Wikimedia projects can propose for tools and platform improvements. The proposal phase takes place from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-10|en}} 18:00 UTC to {{#time:j xg|2022-01-23|en}} 18:00 UTC. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community_Wishlist_Survey/FAQ|Learn more]]. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/03|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W03"/> 19:55, 17 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22620285 --> == Template == I was reading [[Ancient Mesopotamia]] and I found template listings instead of template marker. Which template do you think is more suitable for ancient sites? For [[Ancient Kangleipak]], I used template marker! [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 11:33, 18 January 2022 (UTC) :Either is generally fine. We don't have a style on this. [[Ancient Egypt]], [[Ned Kelly tourism]] (I wrote that one so I remember it well), or [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] seem to use listings while [[New South Wales national parks]] (it still sits a red link farm :-( although it looks much better than it was in August) uses markers. It's really up to you to pick which style you prefer. :[[Anime and manga in Japan]] is another one, but it uses the see, do, eat, sleep et cetera listings depending on the category it falls under. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:52, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ::Have you decided to create a banner? For that, have you found any suitable image for [[Ancient Kangleipak]]? If not, what will one of these look like in banner format? ::[[File:Uttra Sanglen.JPG|thumb]] ::[[File:Temple at Kangla.jpg|thumb]] ::[[File:Kangla Fort Complex, Imphal (10).jpeg|thumb]] [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:22, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ::::If not perfectly suitable, shall we make a collage? Is collage allowed in Wikivoyage banners? [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:23, 18 January 2022 (UTC) :::::I'll see how they look on croptool. And from [[Wikivoyage:Image policy]], I don't think it's allowed. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:25, 18 January 2022 (UTC) :::::The lions don't seem to fit and the second seems to cut out most of it. Do you have any other image suggestions which can hopefully fit the 7:1 banner ratio? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:29, 18 January 2022 (UTC) {{clear}} ::::::Sure, I will search for it. :-) [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 04:01, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::@[[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] Hey Haoreima. Was wondering if you found an alternative that I can crop. Just needs to be over 2100x300 pixels and fit in a 7:1 ratio. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:14, 29 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Thank you a lot for your concern. Only a few people are kind like you. Oh, I am just searching for it. Presently, I don't. If not found appropriate, I will have to capture some photos myself. :) [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:17, 29 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: :-) Take your time. There's no hurry. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:18, 29 January 2022 (UTC) == Nigeria == I'm wondering if it makes sense to put off article mergers and deletions until after January 31. It's only a couple of weeks, and new article creation will probably settle down after then. I don't think were going to have much success in encouraging quality over quantity at this point. What do you think? [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 23:29, 18 January 2022 (UTC) :Okay sure. I'll put off everything until then. But what about those that fail [[wiaa]] such as the hotel I put up for deletion? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:32, 18 January 2022 (UTC) == Australian markets == I made a mention of the Sydney Fish Market, Central Market in Adelaide, and Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne in the section about markets. I wonder if the Fremantle Markets should get a mention too. I know locals from Fremantle do not like it when people refer to it as part of Perth, but in practice it really is part of the Perth metropolitan area. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 22:03, 20 January 2022 (UTC) :Yeah, I know someone from Fremantle who now lives in my neighbourhood and they usually insist that they were not from Perth even though it's merely in the southwestern suburbs of Perth. I'd say mention it :As a side note, should something like this also go in [[Shopping in Australia]]? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:06, 20 January 2022 (UTC) ::I guess they could. Whenever I wanted to buy macadamia nuts to bring back to Singapore as souvenirs for friends and relatives, Central Market was where I would go. Speaking of which, are there any other food markets that you think are worth a mention? [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 22:09, 20 January 2022 (UTC) :::Maybe Paddy's Market in [[Sydney/City South|Haymarket]] could also get a mention. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:13, 20 January 2022 (UTC) ::::In that case, maybe you could expand the section somewhat to give more information about traditional food markets. I'm not sure if there are any in Brisbane given that I last visited Brisbane when I was 7 years old. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 22:32, 20 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Sure, I'll expand that section. re Brisbane, I don't know about the ones in Brisbane either merely because I never went to any of them. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:34, 20 January 2022 (UTC) == This Month in Education: January 2022 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:40px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This Month in Education</span><br/> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:20px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; width:900px;"> Volume 11 • Issue 1 • January 2022</span> ---- <span style="font-size:larger;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/January 2022|Contents]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/January 2022/Headlines|Headlines]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe]]</span> ---- <span style="color:white; font-size:26px; font-family:Montserrat; display:block; background:#92BFB1; width:100%;">In This Issue</span></div> <div style="text-align: left; column-count: 2; column-width: 35em; -moz-column-count: 2; -moz-column-width: 35em; -webkit-column-count: 2; -webkit-column-width: 35em;"> * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/30-h Wikipedia Article Writing Challenge|30-h Wikipedia Article Writing Challenge]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/Announcing Wiki Workshop 2022|Announcing Wiki Workshop 2022]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/Final exhibition about Cieszyn Silesia region|Final exhibition about Cieszyn Silesia region]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/Join us this February for the EduWiki Week|Join us this February for the EduWiki Week]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/Offline Education project WikiChallenge closed its third edition|Offline Education project WikiChallenge closed its third edition]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom ToT Experience of a Filipina Wikimedian|Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom ToT Experience of a Filipina Wikimedian]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/Welcoming new trainers of the Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom program|Welcoming new trainers of the Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom program]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/January 2022/Wikimedia Israel’s education program: Students enrich Hebrew Wiktionary with Biblical expressions still in use in modern Hebrew|Wikimedia Israel’s education program: Students enrich Hebrew Wiktionary with Biblical expressions still in use in modern Hebrew]] </div></div> <div style="margin-top:10px; text-align: center; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[:m:User:ZI Jony|ZI Jony]] 17:29, 24 January 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/This_Month_in_Education&oldid=22669905 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/04|Tech News: 2022-04]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W04"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/04|Translations]] are available. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.19|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-25|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-26|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-01-27|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). * The following languages can now be used with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:SyntaxHighlight|syntax highlighting]]: BDD, Elpi, LilyPond, Maxima, Rita, Savi, Sed, Sophia, Spice, .SRCINFO. * You can now access your watchlist from outside of the user menu in the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements|new Vector skin]]. The watchlist link appears next to the notification icons if you are at the top of the page. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T289619] '''Events''' * You can see the results of the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Coolest Tool Award|Coolest Tool Award 2021]] and learn more about 14 tools which were selected this year. * You can [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community_Wishlist_Survey/Help_us|translate, promote]], or comment on [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022/Proposals|the proposals]] in the Community Wishlist Survey. Voting will begin on {{#time:j xg|2022-01-28|en}}. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/04|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W04"/> 21:38, 24 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22644148 --> == Camping in Australia == I wonder if you want to start this topic. Camping is quite a nice way to experience nature in Australia, and, and if you're familiar, you can cover some of the legal considerations as well. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 01:03, 25 January 2022 (UTC) :I actually had [[User:SHB2000/Camping in Australia|this]] in my userspace since July (feel free to edit it). Coincidentally, I stumbled across it yesterday, and I was actually planning to revive that. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:05, 25 January 2022 (UTC) == Review of Cocos Malay phrasebook == Hi, I have recently been inactive here, but I have returned to work on the [[Cocos Malay phrasebook]]. Considering it is nearly finished (and I will complete it soon), could you please review it and change its status from "outline" to the appropriate status? Thanks. [[User:Basa Pulu Kokos|Basa Pulu Kokos]] ([[User talk:Basa Pulu Kokos|talk]]) 03:25, 25 January 2022 (UTC) :Hello [[User:Basa Pulu Kokos|Basa Pulu Kokos]], per [[Wikivoyage:Phrasebook status]], there needs to be a pronunciation guide before such an upgrade. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:34, 25 January 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Basa Pulu Kokos|Basa Pulu Kokos]] I upgraded it to usable with a link to the [[Malay phrasebook]]. Thanks for creating that phrasebook :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:29, 26 January 2022 (UTC) == ''The Signpost'': 30 January 2022 == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[File:WikipediaSignpostIcon.svg|40px|right]] ''News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia''</div> <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * Special report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Special report|WikiEd course leads to Twitter harassment]] * News and notes: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/News and notes|Feedback for Board of Trustees election]] * Interview: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Interview|CEO Maryana Iskander "four weeks in"]] * Black History Month: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Black History Month|What are you doing for Black History Month?]] * Deletion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Deletion report|Ringing in the new year: Subject notability guideline under discussion]] * WikiProject report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/WikiProject report|The Forgotten Featured]] * Arbitration report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Arbitration report|New arbitrators look at new case and antediluvian sanctions]] * Traffic report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Traffic report|The most viewed articles of 2021]] * Gallery: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Gallery|No Spanish municipality without a photograph]] * Obituary: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Obituary|Twofingered Typist]] * Op-Ed: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Op-Ed|Identifying and rooting out climate change denial]] * Essay: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Essay|The prime directive]] * Opinion: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Opinion|Should the Wikimedia Foundation continue to accept cryptocurrency donations?]] * In the media: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/In the media|Fuzzy-headed government editing]] * Recent research: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Recent research|Articles with higher quality ratings have fewer "knowledge gaps"]] * Serendipity: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Serendipity|Pooh entered the Public Domain – but Tigger has to wait two more years]] * Crossword: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-01-30/Crossword|Cross swords with a crossword]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'''[[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Read this Signpost in full]]''' · [[w:en:Wikipedia:Signpost/Single|Single-page]] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Signpost|Unsubscribe]] · [[m:Global message delivery|Global message delivery]] 20:56, 30 January 2022 (UTC) </div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:Bri@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Signpost&oldid=22692815 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/05|Tech News: 2022-05]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W05"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/05|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] If a gadget should support the new <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>?withgadget</code></bdi> URL parameter that was [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/02|announced]] 3 weeks ago, then it must now also specify <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>supportsUrlLoad</code></bdi> in the gadget definition ([[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:Gadgets#supportsUrlLoad|documentation]]). [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T29766] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.20|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-01|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-02|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-03|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Future changes''' * A change that was [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2021/16|announced]] last year was delayed. It is now ready to move ahead: ** The user group <code>oversight</code> will be renamed <code>suppress</code>. This is for [[phab:T109327|technical reasons]]. This is the technical name. It doesn't affect what you call the editors with this user right on your wiki. This is planned to happen in three weeks. You can comment [[phab:T112147|in Phabricator]] if you have objections. As usual, these labels can be translated on translatewiki ([[phab:T112147|direct links are available]]) or by administrators on your wiki. '''Events''' * You can vote on proposals in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022|Community Wishlist Survey]] between 28 January and 11 February. The survey decides what the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech team]] will work on. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/05|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W05"/> 17:42, 31 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Johan (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22721804 --> == Block of [[User:112.134.171.76|112.134.171.76]] == You and I can both see the telltale signs of a hotel publicist, but I don't think their listings were that bad, and I was going to either edit my post or add another one to the effect that I didn't actually revert their listing. Plus, we didn't warn that IP before a block. So I would lift the block, but I wasn't going to do so without contacting you. What do you think? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:06, 1 February 2022 (UTC) :Nevermind, I see your explanation. Good call. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:06, 1 February 2022 (UTC) ::Yeah I warned the IP on another page regarding the use of USD for destinations clearly where USD won't be accepted in [[User talk:116.206.244.93]] and [[User talk:175.157.226.124]] but they just ignored me :-(. For that, per [[Wikivoyage:How to handle unwanted edits#Escalating user blocks]], I blocked them for three days. Not to forget the touting... <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:11, 1 February 2022 (UTC) :::Also looks like one of their edit was [[Special:Diff/4378194|reverted]] by {{ping|Ibaman}}. Currently on the hunt or further edits by this IP-hopping tout. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:19, 1 February 2022 (UTC) ::::A few years ago, loads of Ascott properties were listed throughout the world by folks who if I remember listed only them and one other chain. We should be on the lookout for that. I delisted one Ascott property this user added, as there were plenty of other hotels listed in that article and no real reason to play around with a touting paid publicist. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:30, 1 February 2022 (UTC) :::::This IP seems to be adding a lot of Parkroyal listings too. Perhaps time to delist all of them? --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:31, 1 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::I don't know. It's always hard to know which listings were added legitimately on this site. For that reason, I never trust hotel or restaurant listings here and always cross-reference them with other sites. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:37, 1 February 2022 (UTC) == program vs programme == To answer your question, in Singapore "program" is used in the context of a computer program, but otherwise, it's always "programme". So essentially, the same as in the UK. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 16:04, 2 February 2022 (UTC) :I see. Was just asking because in Australia, it's "program" for everything, similar to the U.S. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:19, 2 February 2022 (UTC) == "Exact date not relevant" == You changed "Newly built in the last several years" to "Newly built" in [[Kabul]], as "exact date not relevant in a travel guide". The exact date is not, but "newly built" needs at least a year. In this case an IP editor had copied the listing from WT, and the venue was "newly built in the last several years" already back in 2013. Not that critical for a cricket stadium, but from another IP it was added that the airport is "fully open", also a WT copy, and also that wording was there in 2013. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:58, 3 February 2022 (UTC) :I'm not sure whether you're talking about the right diff – my edit was [[Special:Diff/4382704]] which was a copyedit and removing 15 from August 15. Was there an edit conflict or something? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:02, 3 February 2022 (UTC) :: Oops. It seems the IP editor added a redundant listing. Ours had been edited to remove the odd "in the last several years". I removed ours thinking it was the newly added one, and as it had "changed" from last I checked, I though it must have been edited in the only edit made since it was added. Sorry. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:48, 3 February 2022 (UTC) :::No problems. That edit history with two IPs copying was confusing at first, but thanks for handling the copyvio. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:50, 3 February 2022 (UTC) == Tentative list == Just making sure you're aware than on the UNESCO tentative list just means that the government as submitted to unesco for review and unesco hasn't reviewed it yet. Your description of Qajartalik on [[Qikertaaluk Island]] made it seem like it was already a unesco site. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 02:22, 4 February 2022 (UTC) :Yes, I'm well aware of it. I should have perhaps worded it better on [[Qikertaaluk Island]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:21, 4 February 2022 (UTC) == it takes a while sometime == walking the nullarbor for instance, which on some wikis is no longer a plain ? I'm back and intact, sorry for the delay in replies at various instances... [[User:JarrahTree|JarrahTree]] ([[User talk:JarrahTree|talk]]) 01:14, 7 February 2022 (UTC) :Hey [[User:JarrahTree|JarrahTree]]. Nice to see you back :-) No need to be sorry, I guess technical issues are out of what you're in control of. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:26, 7 February 2022 (UTC) == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/06|Tech News: 2022-06]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W06"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/06|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * English Wikipedia recently set up a gadget for dark mode. You can enable it there, or request help from an [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Interface administrators|interface administrator]] to set it up on your wiki ([[w:en:Wikipedia:Dark mode (gadget)|instructions and screenshot]]). * Category counts are sometimes wrong. They will now be completely recounted at the beginning of every month. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T299823] '''Problems''' * A code-change last week to fix a bug with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Live preview|Live Preview]] may have caused problems with some local gadgets and user-scripts. Any code with skin-specific behaviour for <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>vector</code></bdi> should be updated to also check for <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>vector-2022</code></bdi>. [[phab:T300987|A code-snippet, global search, and example are available]]. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.21|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-08|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-09|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-10|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/06|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W06"/> 21:16, 7 February 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22765948 --> == Request for semi-protection: [[North Korea]] == I would like to request the semi-protection (only allow autoconfirmed and confirmed users to edit) for the page [[North Korea]]. It is clearly a vandalism target page and many instances of vandalism have occurred on the page. Thanks. [[User:Basa Pulu Kokos|Basa Pulu Kokos]] ([[User talk:Basa Pulu Kokos|talk]]) 09:46, 11 February 2022 (UTC) :I started a discussion at [[Talk:North Korea#Protection]] many moons ago. It didn't get the consensus to so unfortunately can't do. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:48, 11 February 2022 (UTC) ::I don't think you need consensus to temporarily semi-protect the article if you think that's warranted. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 15:51, 11 February 2022 (UTC) :::Much of those edits were by Brendan (which isn't vandalism but still unconstructive). Page protecting against him won't do anything. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:11, 11 February 2022 (UTC) == Basa Pulu Kokos == They're block-evading?? Did they do anything wrong on this site? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:08, 12 February 2022 (UTC) :They're now globally locked by {{u|Sotiale}}, but it's the same user as Te Reo Ahitereiria according to a CU investigation (see [[m:Steward requests/Checkuser#Basa Pulu Kokos@en.wikivoyage]]). Only did the additional block in order to enable autoblock on the IP they used. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:22, 12 February 2022 (UTC) ::I see. What did they do wrong on other sites? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:31, 12 February 2022 (UTC) :::Vandalism at least, according to [[w:Special:Contributions/Te Reo Ahitereiria]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:00, 12 February 2022 (UTC) :::@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] Looks like they're back on [[m:Special:Diff/22833501|meta]] making personal attacks against Graham87. I'd not be surprised if they're back here. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:25, 14 February 2022 (UTC) == ''This Month in GLAM'': January 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue I, January 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Belgium report|Belgium report]]: Belgium report * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Brazil report|Brazil report]]: A portable museum experience to digitize and share collections online * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Colombia report|Colombia report]]: Let's celebrate the Public domain day with Wikisource * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Estonia report|Estonia report]]: Mobile Photo Studio + New Cooperations * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Finland report|Finland report]]: Photowalks in Helsinki, autumn 2021 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: Training course for Musée de l'armée staff members; Journée Wikimédia Culture et numérique 2022; Wikiway * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Indonesia report|Indonesia report]]: GLAM Indonesia wrap-up; Public Domain Day 2022 in Indonesia; #1Lib1Ref * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Italy report|Italy report]]: Collaborations and new projects in January * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Romania report|Romania report]]: About #1lib1ref activities in Romania (and Moldova) * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Serbia report|Serbia report]]: Successful end of the Old and even more successful beginning of the New year * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Spain report|Spain report]]: BiBat Museum and libraries * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Sweden report|Sweden report]]: Uploads of photographs taken by Swedish missionaries in China; Sörmlands museum's first contributions * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Khalili Collections and British Library * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: Report from DPLA * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/AvoinGLAM report|AvoinGLAM report]]: Hello, world! * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: Results and summaries; Helping with getting Pattypan back on track; Working with partners to make content available * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report|Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report]]: February 22: Meetup about SDC support in OpenRefine * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/WMF GLAM report|WMF GLAM report]]: Wikimedia campaigns for librarians and museum workers; Community Wishlist Survey; and Wikimedia query services * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: February's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/January 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 18:31, 12 February 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=22740271 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/07|Tech News: 2022-07]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W07"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/07|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Purge|Purging]] a category page with fewer than 5,000 members will now recount it completely. This will allow editors to fix incorrect counts when it is wrong. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T85696] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.22|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-15|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-16|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-17|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] In the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:AbuseFilter|AbuseFilter]] extension, the <code dir=ltr>rmspecials()</code> function has been updated so that it does not remove the "space" character. Wikis are advised to wrap all the uses of <code dir=ltr>rmspecials()</code> with <code dir=ltr>rmwhitespace()</code> wherever necessary to keep filters' behavior unchanged. You can use the search function on [[Special:AbuseFilter]] to locate its usage. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T263024] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/07|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W07"/> 19:18, 14 February 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22821788 --> == Fix typos in one click == The word is "thoroughly", not [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Correct_typos_in_one_click/4 "throughly"] Please amend these to the correct spelling, and please make sure you're double checking your own spelling before using this tool.[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 17:31, 16 February 2022 (UTC) : I am also confused by the talk page messages. I have seen two of them in the last days, but that's just in articles that happen to be on my watchlist. They are very confusing and hard to decipher, and those two seemed to be obvious non-typos. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:04, 16 February 2022 (UTC) ::Apologies for not checking properly. Will do in future. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:51, 16 February 2022 (UTC) == Problem edits on sv-voy == I checked the edits on sv-voy. Surprisingly good Swedish and no false information. Whether to use native or translated names is a difficult judgement, I'd need to check sources for best practises on each name. I think there is too little activity over there to spend energy on fighting blocked users doing harmless edits, and possibly explaining reverts. If unconstructive reverts – even well-justified ones – start to dominate, the project has a hard time attracting users. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:24, 16 February 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] That's interesting to know. Is Swedish easier for machine translations to get accurate than Finnish? I once heard that Finnish isn't easy to learn and machine translations to get perfect, which explains the unusual previous edits by Luchy04. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:33, 17 February 2022 (UTC) :: Swedish is a Germanic language like German and English, while Finnish isn't even an Indo-European one. Relations between words in Finnish are encoded in suffixes in a sometimes very intricate way, so getting it right requires semantic understanding. Translating word for word, with just a little tweaking, such as between Germanic languages, may give comprehensible results when translating into Finnish, but seldom anything resembling idiomatic language, and the other way round the result is often pure nonsense – which is the result also when trying to get idiomatic language without really understanding the semantics. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:12, 17 February 2022 (UTC) :::That makes sense. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:16, 17 February 2022 (UTC) :::: If Silicon Valley had been in Finland, we might have got good machine translations between, say, Finnish and Hungarian. Translating across language families is harder, and the language models developed for Indo-European languages don't work with Finnish. Now, Finland has quite some high-tech and linguistic know-how and high-level research, and the need for machine translation across language boundaries (such as to Swedish and English), so we will probably see reasonable machine translations at some point. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:22, 17 February 2022 (UTC) :::::Yeah, it's interesting to see more and more languages that have machine translators these days. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:29, 17 February 2022 (UTC) == Loktak lake == Hello SHB2000! In simple english wikipedia article [[:wikipedia:simple:Loktak lake]], similar things are going on by an anonymous like the one done in wikivoyage [[India]] page, which needs reverting. I reverted two times. Now, it's still re editing it. What shall we do? [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 16:13, 21 February 2022 (UTC) :Are you suggesting a Wikivoyage article should be written about this lake? Based on the Simple Wikipedia entry, it doesn't come close to passing the [[Wikivoyage:What is an article]] test. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:27, 21 February 2022 (UTC) ::{{Ping|Ikan Kekek}} No! I am reminding about the persistent vandalism that took place in the wikivoyage article [[India]]. Similar things happen in simple english wikipedia article "Loktak lake". As of now, idk what to do. So, I was asking SHB2000! [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 02:35, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::You mean that obnoxious user is there? If you're an admin there, block, revert and if necessary, semi-protect the article for a relatively short time. If not, let others deal with it. I'm not sure what else to say. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:14, 22 February 2022 (UTC) ::::That IP hopping user has [[w:WP:CIR]] issues and was very brave to revert someone who's been active since the times of Wikitravel and such they were rightly blocked for vandalising pages. For this IP, I warned them on their talk. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:19, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::I don't think that user is incompetent, just nasty, rigid and often wrong. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:24, 22 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Them not willing to take messages given to them and then accuse both of us of "edit-warring" is definitely incompetent, on top of being nasty, rigid and wrong 90pc of the time. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:27, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::No, it's reflexively blaming others. That's not incompetent, just anti-social. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:34, 22 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Makes sense. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:34, 22 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Yeah! Thanks for warning that ip. Meanwhile, I have added more and more references to the article about the very fact so that such arguments may not happen in future. :-) [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 05:36, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Unfortunately, that editor is an IP hopping user so they could be back under another IP. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:38, 22 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::The first reason (though unreasonable) given by that ip was "not mentioned in Regular English Wikipedia article". Yes, "Loktak lake-World's only floating lake" isn't mentioned in Regular English article but it's not a reasonable argument. :-) [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 05:39, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::::That IP comes up with weird and insane arguments just to get an article the way they want it to be. The page history for [[Quetzaltenango]] is an interesting one to look at. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:44, 22 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::::Thanks the article [[Quetzaltenango]] is protected. Else, there might be further troubles. On the other hand, as you said, it came true. That ip returns with [https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/89.8.106.16 another ip]. As of now, he only talks in the talk page and idk if he will do the same thing again. [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 05:49, 22 February 2022 (UTC) == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/08|Tech News: 2022-08]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W08"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/08|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[Special:Nuke|Special:Nuke]] will now provide the standard deletion reasons (editable at <bdi lang="en" dir="ltr">[[MediaWiki:Deletereason-dropdown]]</bdi>) to use when mass-deleting pages. This was [[m:Community Wishlist Survey 2022/Admins and patrollers/Mass-delete to offer drop-down of standard reasons, or templated reasons.|a request in the 2022 Community Wishlist Survey]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T25020] * At Wikipedias, all new accounts now get the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Feature_summary|Growth features]] by default when creating an account. Communities are encouraged to [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Growth/Tools/Account_creation|update their help resources]]. Previously, only 80% of new accounts would get the Growth features. A few Wikipedias remain unaffected by this change. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301820] * You can now prevent specific images that are used in a page from appearing in other locations, such as within PagePreviews or Search results. This is done with the markup <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code><nowiki>class=notpageimage</nowiki></code></bdi>. For example, <code><nowiki>[[File:Example.png|class=notpageimage]]</nowiki></code>. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301588] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] There has been a change to the HTML of Special:Contributions, Special:MergeHistory, and History pages, to support the grouping of changes by date in [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Skin:Minerva_Neue|the mobile skin]]. While unlikely, this may affect gadgets and user scripts. A [[phab:T298638|list of all the HTML changes]] is on Phabricator. '''Events''' * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022/Results|Community Wishlist Survey results]] have been published. The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey/Updates/2022 results#leaderboard|ranking of prioritized proposals]] is also available. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.23|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-22|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-23|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-02-24|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Future changes''' * The software to play videos and audio files on pages will change soon on all wikis. The old player will be removed. Some audio players will become wider after this change. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:TimedMediaHandler/VideoJS_Player|The new player]] has been a beta feature for over four years. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T100106][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T248418] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] Toolforge's underlying operating system is being updated. If you maintain any tools there, there are two options for migrating your tools into the new system. There are [[wikitech:News/Toolforge Stretch deprecation|details, deadlines, and instructions]] on Wikitech. [https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/cloud-announce@lists.wikimedia.org/thread/EPJFISC52T7OOEFH5YYMZNL57O4VGSPR/] * Administrators will soon have [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2021/(Un)delete associated talk page|the option to delete/undelete]] the associated "talk" page when they are deleting a given page. An API endpoint with this option will also be available. This was [[m:Community Wishlist Survey 2021/Admins and patrollers/(Un)delete associated talk page|a request from the 2021 Wishlist Survey]]. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/08|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W08"/> 19:12, 21 February 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Trizek (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22847768 --> == ''The Signpost'': 27 February 2022 == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[File:WikipediaSignpostIcon.svg|40px|right]] ''News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia''</div> <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * From the team: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/From the team|Selection of a new ''Signpost'' Editor-in-Chief]] * News and notes: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/News and notes|Impacts of Russian invasion of Ukraine]] * Opinion: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Opinion|Why student editors are good for Wikipedia]] * Special report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Special report|A presidential candidate's team takes on Wikipedia]] * In the media: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/In the media|Wiki-drama in the UK House of Commons]] * Serendipity: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Serendipity|War photographers: from Crimea (1850s) to the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022)]] * Technology report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Technology report|Community Wishlist Survey results]] * WikiProject report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/WikiProject report|10 years of tea]] * Featured content: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Featured content|Featured Content returns]] * Deletion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Deletion report|The 10 most SHOCKING deletion discussions of February]] * Recent research: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Recent research|How editors and readers may be emotionally affected by disasters and terrorist attacks]] * Arbitration report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Arbitration report|Parties remonstrate, arbs contemplate, skeptics coordinate]] * By the numbers: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/By the numbers|Does birthplace affect the frequency of Wikipedia biography articles?]] * Gallery: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Gallery|The vintage exhibit]] * Traffic report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Traffic report|Euphoria, Pamela Anderson, lies and Netflix]] * News from Diff: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/News from Diff|The Wikimania 2022 Core Organizing Team]] * Crossword: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Crossword|A Crossword, featuring Featured Articles]] * Humour: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-02-27/Humour|Notability of mailboxes]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'''[[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Read this Signpost in full]]''' · [[w:en:Wikipedia:Signpost/Single|Single-page]] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Signpost|Unsubscribe]] · [[m:Global message delivery|Global message delivery]] 20:22, 27 February 2022 (UTC) <!-- Sent via script ([[w:en:User:Evad37/SPS]]) --></div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:JPxG@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Signpost&oldid=22829521 --> == This Month in Education: February 2022 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:40px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This Month in Education</span> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:20px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; width:900px;"> Volume 11 • Issue 2 • February 2022</span> ---- <span style="font-size:larger;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/February 2022|Contents]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/February 2022/Headlines|Headlines]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe]]</span> ---- <div style="color:white; font-size:1.8em; font-family:Montserrat; background:#92BFB1; width:100%;">In This Issue</div> </div> <div style="column-count: 2; column-width: 35em;"> * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/February 2022/Open Foundation West Africa Expands Open Movement With UHAS|Open Foundation West Africa Expands Open Movement With UHAS]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/February 2022/Celebrating the 18th anniversary of Ukrainian Wikipedia|Celebrating the 18th anniversary of Ukrainian Wikipedia]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/February 2022/Integrating Wikipedia in the academic curriculum in a university in Mexico|Integrating Wikipedia in the academic curriculum in a university in Mexico]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/February 2022/Results of "Reading Wikipedia" workshop in the summer school of Plan Ceibal in Uruguay|Results of "Reading Wikipedia" workshop in the summer school of Plan Ceibal in Uruguay]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/February 2022/WikiFundi, offline editing plateform : last release notes and how-tos|WikiFundi, offline editing plateform : last release notes and how-tos]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/February 2022/Writing Wikipedia as an academic assignment in STEM fields|Writing Wikipedia as an academic assignment in STEM fields]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/February 2022/The Learning and Connection – 1Lib1Ref with African Librarians|The Learning and Connection – 1Lib1Ref with African Librarians]] </div> </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; text-align: center; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[:m:User:ZI Jony|ZI Jony]] 15:09, 28 February 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/This_Month_in_Education&oldid=22886200 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/09|Tech News: 2022-09]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W09"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/09|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * When searching for edits by [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Tags|change tags]], e.g. in page history or user contributions, there is now a dropdown list of possible tags. This was [[m:Community Wishlist Survey 2022/Miscellaneous/Improve plain-text change tag selector|a request in the 2022 Community Wishlist Survey]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T27909] * Mentors using the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Mentor_dashboard|Growth Mentor dashboard]] will now see newcomers assigned to them who have made at least one edit, up to 200 edits. Previously, all newcomers assigned to the mentor were visible on the dashboard, even ones without any edit or ones who made hundred of edits. Mentors can still change these values using the filters on their dashboard. Also, the last choice of filters will now be saved. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301268][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T294460] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] The user group <code>oversight</code> was renamed <code>suppress</code>. This is for [[phab:T109327|technical reasons]]. You may need to update any local references to the old name, e.g. gadgets, links to Special:Listusers, or uses of [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Magic_words|NUMBERINGROUP]]. '''Problems''' * The recent change to the HTML of [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Tracking changes|tracking changes]] pages caused some problems for screenreaders. This is being fixed. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T298638] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.24|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-01|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-02|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-03|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Future changes''' * Working with templates will become easier. [[m:WMDE_Technical_Wishes/Templates|Several improvements]] are planned for March 9 on most wikis and on March 16 on English Wikipedia. The improvements include: Bracket matching, syntax highlighting colors, finding and inserting templates, and related visual editor features. * If you are a template developer or an interface administrator, and you are intentionally overriding or using the default CSS styles of user feedback boxes (the classes: <code dir=ltr>successbox, messagebox, errorbox, warningbox</code>), please note that these classes and associated CSS will soon be removed from MediaWiki core. This is to prevent problems when the same class-names are also used on a wiki. Please let us know by commenting at [[phab:T300314]] if you think you might be affected. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/09|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W09"/> 23:00, 28 February 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22902593 --> == Re:Space centres and flight-sites in India == '''<u>Here are some museums which are operated fully or partly by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</u>''' * [https://www.birlasciencecentre.org/space-museum/ '''BM Birla Space Museum'''] (operated in collaboration with ISRO)- Located in [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]]. * [https://spacemuseum.vssc.gov.in/index.html '''Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Space Museum''']- (fully operated by ISRO)- Located in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]]. * [https://www.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATION/ '''Space Theme Park (SDSC)'''] (the main launch site for ISRO)- Located in [[Sriharikota]] island. This place is not open to public at all times. Before any launch, registration opens on the website provided above, and tourists and enthusiasts can register themselves to get into the Launch gallery. '''<u>For launch/flight Site-</u>''' * '''[https://www.shar.gov.in/sdscshar/index.jsp Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC)]''' which is technically and professionally called the '''Sriharikota Range (SHAR)''' can be added [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Satish+Dhawan+Space+Centre/@13.7301385,80.1894542,12z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3a4da27eef264eaf:0xe9dec0ba1d50651f!8m2!3d13.7258653!4d80.2265545 (13.7325, 80.2279)] '''<u>For Space Centres-</u>''' {{mapframe}} {| class="wikitable" |+ Major Indian Space Flight Centres ! Centre !! Location !! Notes!! Geo-location |- | [https://www.sac.gov.in/Vyom/index.jsp '''Space Applications Centre (SAC)'''] || [[Ahmedabad]] ||Mainly for Research and development||{{marker|type=go|name=SAC|lat=23.028|long=72.518}} |- | [https://www.vssc.gov.in/ '''Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)'''] || [[Thiruvananthapuram]] ||Research Centre||{{marker|type=go|name=VSSC|lat=8.518|long=76.887}} |- | [https://www.ursc.gov.in/ '''U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)'''] || [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]]||Satellite development and manufacturing||{{marker|type=go|name=URSC|lat=12.961|long=77.654}} |- | [https://www.lpsc.gov.in/ '''Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)'''] || [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]]||Developing rocket engines||{{marker|type=go|name=LPSC1|lat=8.8101|long=76.9885}}{{marker|type=go|name=LPSC2|lat=13.3051|long=77.7136}} |- | [https://www.shar.gov.in/sdscshar/index.jsp '''Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR'''] || [[Sriharikota]] Range||The main centre where the launches take place||{{marker|type=go|name=SDSC|lat=13.7436|long=80.2251}} |- | [https://www.istrac.gov.in/index.html '''ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC)'''] || [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]]||Similar to NASA's DSN.||{{marker|type=go|name=ISTRAC|lat=13.035|long=77.5123}} |} [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 06:27, 2 March 2022 (UTC) :{{re|2006nishan178713}} Nice work. I was always curious as to why there was no sites in India and it was one of the reasons I opposed a feature nomination because it was so US-Euro centric with barely any sites in Asia, which has two of the four largest space agencies. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:30, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ::Yes, it is Western-centric. Also ISRO is kind of conservative and doesn't publicise that much. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 06:39, 2 March 2022 (UTC) :::Makes sense. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:41, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ::::I think that due to the COVID pandemic, the Space Theme Park and the launch gallery registration is halted temporarily. [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 11:30, 2 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Yeah many places have been hit by Covid, but I think you can still mention them, just mention that it is temporarily halted. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:34, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::I will do it after 9th of March, probably next Thursday, I will be busy from tomorrow. By the way, can you give me some idea about how to create a static map like the one below? It's not urgent. Cheers!! [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 11:58, 2 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::There's a good tutorial at [[Wikivoyage:How to draw static maps]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:09, 2 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Thanks [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 08:03, 3 March 2022 (UTC) == Comment in Star nominations: == Your comment "Pretty much so" of 08:45, 1 March 2022 (UTC) appears to be in the wrong place based on indentation and relevance to the text above. Should it refer to the previous comment of mine? [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage:Star_nominations&diff=next&oldid=4398513 diff] Also, I will take you up on your offer to explain/demonstrate/link to help for making a static map toggleable. Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 10:00, 2 March 2022 (UTC) {{Regionlist | regionmap=Dive sites of the Whittle Rock Reef high resolution.png | regionmaptext=Map of the Whittle Rock main reef | regionmapsize=500px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 }} :Yes, I think I put it in the wrong place. For the togglable static map, all that needs to be added to the page is the following code: <pre> {{Regionlist | regionmap=Dive sites of the Whittle Rock Reef high resolution.png | regionmaptext=Map of the Whittle Rock main reef | regionmapsize=<replace this with the size you want>px | regionInteractiveMap=map1 }} </pre> :Not sure on what size would suit, but as an example, if I use 500px, I get the following on the right, except that the markers showing on this page would be of those in India because of the markers listed above, but that won't be the case with [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock]] article and it should give you the markers listed there. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:17, 2 March 2022 (UTC) == What happened? == Asking about [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Your_Evil_Alter_Ego this]. Something went on off-site? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:21, 5 March 2022 (UTC) :Their username is very much a personal attack on ShakespeareFan00, and their editing shows that too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 21:43, 5 March 2022 (UTC) :I unblocked them, except for editing that one userspace draft. I'll fully unblock them once they respond. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 22:17, 5 March 2022 (UTC) ::Hmmm...totally not obvious to me. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 08:21, 6 March 2022 (UTC) :::The thing that's suspicious to me is that how can a brand new user with only two global edits have a username of "Tour Evil Alter Ego" (which I suspect the "your" refers to ShakespeareFan00) not be intimidating ShakespeareFan00. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:42, 6 March 2022 (UTC) == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/10|Tech News: 2022-10]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W10"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/10|Translations]] are available. '''Problems''' * There was a problem with some interface labels last week. It will be fixed this week. This change was part of ongoing work to simplify the support for skins which do not have active maintainers. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301203] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.25|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-08|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-09|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-10|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/10|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W10"/> 21:16, 7 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22958074 --> == Addition of religion == Hello SHB2000! I was thinking about altering this file by adding a new symbol: [[Image:Religions 4x5.png|thumb|250px|Symbols of religions]] This is the new symbol:- [[Image:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|250px]] What do you think? [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:25, 8 March 2022 (UTC) :It would be nice to add, but unfortunately, I'm not too sure how to do add it though. I could do it if it's an svg file through Inkscape, but this seems to be a png file :-(. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:28, 8 March 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks for reply! I will put this issue at Commons' village pump. I was once reluctant to do so because of a slightly relevant discrimination once happened with me in [[:w:simple:Talk:Main Page#Request for addition of name for religion|Simple English Wikipedia]]. :-) [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:37, 8 March 2022 (UTC) :::To make a complete row, I have to find three more symbols, among which I found two more:- :::ancient Egyptian religion symbol [[File:Ankh (SVG) blu.svg|thumb|200px]] :::ancient Greek religion symbol[[File:Hellenism symbol.svg|thumb|200px]] :::I need one more. Could you please discover one? Else, people in Commons may not be willing to help me. [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:46, 8 March 2022 (UTC) ::::It's ok. I found it. The fourth is Celtic/Gallic religion. [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 18:03, 8 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Rastafari could be a good addition too. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 23:30, 8 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::Can do it if you give me the svg file. Won't take too long. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:03, 9 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::If you get the svg file, will you revert the existing file or create a new file derived from the former one? [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 05:04, 9 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Per [[c:COM:OVERWRITE]], upload a new file. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:07, 9 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Thanks! I will inform you as soon as I get that! :) [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:40, 9 March 2022 (UTC) == Kick scooter wording == In an edit summary on [[Helsinki]] you asked "can someone check this paragraph that it's not duplicated from somewhere else?" I think all kick scooter entries in Finland are copied more or less verbatim by [[User:Vkem]] (often without logging in) from my wordings in [[Turku]]. As I changed my wording, it usually propagated to their edits, with a significant lag (I assume they added it to some bot script, which they didn't update regularly). While the copying infringes on my copyright and I don't like them copying my text in this way (no attribution or reference whatsoever), I am not going to make a fuzz about it. The correction of grammar should of course be done in all the articles where the phrase can be found :-( –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:50, 9 March 2022 (UTC) : Aside from copyright, the problem is the same as with mobile phones in Nigeria: such detailed text suggests that the facts are valid locally, and I don't trust Vkem to have checked more than some of the points made. Attribution would be no issue for me without that aspect. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:56, 9 March 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks for checking the kick scooter thing. :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:30, 9 March 2022 (UTC) == ''This Month in GLAM'': February 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue II, February 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Albania report|Albania report]]: Traditional Food Photography * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Belgium report|Belgium report]]: Shakespeare is dead - Contemporary playwriting festival; Public Domain Day Belgium 2022 (10/02) report * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Estonia report|Estonia report]]: An examples of a visual storytelling – two virtual exhibitions * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: Wikimedian in Residence in Clermont Auvergne * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Italy report|Italy report]]: New agreement for Wiki Loves Monument Italy 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Kosovo report|Kosovo report]]: Traditional Food Photography * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Netherlands report|Netherlands report]]: New photo collections of Alkmaar, Wiki goes Caribbean meeting, contemporary art Wikidata import and knowledge platform for GLAMS * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: National Digital Forum and Editing in a Time of COVID * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Nigeria report|Nigeria report]]: 1Lib1Ref 2022 Kwara * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Poland report|Poland report]]: New GLAM-Wiki partnerships and cooperations * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Serbia report|Serbia report]]: A month in the sign of 1Lib1Ref * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Sweden report|Sweden report]]: Additional photos from Swedish missionairies; Historical maps of Ukraine * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Khalili Collections * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Ukraine report|Ukraine report]]: Stand with Ukraine! * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: Women's History Month activities * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/AvoinGLAM report|AvoinGLAM report]]: February in AvoinGLAM * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: Encyclopaedia of Life release their 2 million species descriptions under CC0 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report|Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report]]: Editing SDC with OpenRefine; Monthly OpenRefine and Wikimedia office hours * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: March's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/February 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 16:19, 12 March 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=22892827 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/11|Tech News: 2022-11]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W11"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/11|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * In the Wikipedia Android app [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Apps/Team/Android/Communication#Updates|it is now possible]] to change the toolbar at the bottom so the tools you use more often are easier to click on. The app now also has a focused reading mode. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T296753][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T254771] '''Problems''' * There was a problem with the collection of some page-view data from June 2021 to January 2022 on all wikis. This means the statistics are incomplete. To help calculate which projects and regions were most affected, relevant datasets are being retained for 30 extra days. You can [[m:Talk:Data_retention_guidelines#Added_exception_for_page_views_investigation|read more on Meta-wiki]]. * There was a problem with the databases on March 10. All wikis were unreachable for logged-in users for 12 minutes. Logged-out users could read pages but could not edit or access uncached content then. [https://wikitech.wikimedia.org/wiki/Incident_documentation/2022-03-10_MediaWiki_availability] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/wmf.26|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-15|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-16|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-17|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.38/Roadmap|calendar]]). * When [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:System_message#Finding_messages_and_documentation|using <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>uselang=qqx</code></bdi> to find localisation messages]], it will now show all possible message keys for navigation tabs such as "{{int:vector-view-history}}". [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T300069] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] Access to [[{{#special:RevisionDelete}}]] has been expanded to include users who have <code dir=ltr>deletelogentry</code> and <code dir=ltr>deletedhistory</code> rights through their group memberships. Before, only those with the <code dir=ltr>deleterevision</code> right could access this special page. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301928] * On the [[{{#special:Undelete}}]] pages for diffs and revisions, there will be a link back to the main Undelete page with the list of revisions. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T284114] '''Future changes''' * The Wikimedia Foundation has announced the IP Masking implementation strategy and next steps. The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation#feb25|announcement can be read here]]. * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Apps/Android FAQ|Wikipedia Android app]] developers are working on [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Apps/Team/Android/Communication|new functions]] for user talk pages and article talk pages. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T297617] '''Events''' * The [[mw:Wikimedia Hackathon 2022|Wikimedia Hackathon 2022]] will take place as a hybrid event on 20-22 May 2022. The Hackathon will be held online and there are grants available to support local in-person meetups around the world. Grants can be requested until 20 March. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/11|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W11"/> 22:08, 14 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=22993074 --> == [[User:ShakespeareFan00/Da%27nunder]] == Feel free to edit. I had some things I was world-building with, but would appreciate some input from yourself and the other Australian contingent on Wikiovage. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 11:09, 4 March 2022 (UTC) :Pretty cool draft :-). I'm curious as to where you had gotten the name '' Androostun''. Can't relate it to any Australian place name, and the closest I can think of is Adelaide – was it a made up one? The New Woomera one is interesting, and couldn't help but laugh at the vegemite reference ;-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:12, 4 March 2022 (UTC) : Androoostun is a contraction of 'Andrews Town' and was developed specifically for the article. I'd imagined the Hibern Isles, to essentially have a more Celtic and Gaelic character (ie. Scots/Irish influences) then Nova Australis. : Well the other 'ration' item on early survery ships I should probably might mention would be the Soychkio sausage, which is a soy/bean/cereal based processed sausage. If you combine it with Vegeimite in a roll, you get the Dan'under variant on the Hot dog. :lol: [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 12:01, 4 March 2022 (UTC) :lol. i'm kinda curious to see how the draft will turn out ;-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:06, 4 March 2022 (UTC) : Well, I'm still world-building, and I'd appreciate it being a joint effort, so please feel free to edit. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 12:56, 4 March 2022 (UTC) {{ping|SHB2000}} The draft is a little bit more mature. I'd really appreciate an Australian Wikivoyager leaving some comments on the talk page on whats missing or doesn't make sense. I've been wondering what I can have as "Ute" equivalent. My thinking was some sort of light-to cargo quadcopter or ultralight? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:31, 8 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] Had a read of it, and I can't really see anything that's missing – looking good :-). As a suggestion, the external territories of Australia ([[Norfolk Island]], [[Christmas Island]], [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]) and possibly include the uninhabited ones such as [[Ashmore and Cartier Islands]], [[Coral Sea Islands]], or [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands]] could act like moons. Maybe a joke about the largely unrecognised [[w:Australian Antarctic Territory]] too. Don't know how to implement that though. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:11, 14 March 2022 (UTC) :Generally Terrestrial Worlds, don't necessarily have more than 1 or 2 moons. I'll bear it in mind though.. Maybe one of the Moons is a Penal colony, or where they ship the people that bring in 'item zero' at the NQZ? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 11:46, 14 March 2022 (UTC) : I also challange you to work out where I got the 'Sydbourne' opera productions titles from ;) [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 12:51, 14 March 2022 (UTC) == Triple 0 response times.. == Is this a concern of relevance to a traveller? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZQ4rtTsAdE https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/politics/opposition-slams-victorian-government-over-triplezero-review/news-story/820b7ab4494c09cad435b31a99f26a5a The basic concern expressed in media coverage seems to be that in Victoria. Triple Zero(000) response times might be longer than people expect. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 14:39, 16 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] Not sure. I didn't know about that until now, as most of the news feed here in NSW is about the floods and the Russia-Ukraine invasion. Don't really have an opinion on it tbh. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:54, 17 March 2022 (UTC) == Growth Newsletter #20 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> [[File:Growth team logo - Icon only.svg|right|frameless]] Welcome to the twentieth newsletter from the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth|Growth team]]! The Growth team's objective is to work on software changes that help retain new contributors in Wikimedia projects. === Suggested edits === As of February, 300,000 suggested edits have been completed since the feature was first deployed in December 2019. '''[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Personalized first day/Structured tasks/Add a link|Add a link]]''' is the team's first structured task, deployed in May 2021. It has improved outcomes for newcomers. The team is now working on a second iteration based on community feedback and data analysis. Improvements will include: improved algorithmic suggestions, guardrails to prevent too many similar links to be added, and clearer encouragement for users to continue making edits. After adding these improvements, we will deploy this task to more Wikipedias. '''[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Personalized first day/Structured tasks/Add an image|Add an image]]''' is the second structured task built by our team. It was deployed in November 2021 to four pilot Wikipedias. This is a more challenging task for newcomers. However, it adds more value to articles (so far, over 1,000 images have been added). We are currently learning from communities and from the data on what is working well and what needs improvements. The project page contains [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Personalized first day/Structured tasks/Add an image#design|links to interactive prototypes]]. We are very interested to [[mw:Talk:Growth|hear your thoughts on this idea]] as we build and test the early versions. We will soon deploy this task to more Wikipedias as a test. "Add a link" and "Add an image" now both have a limitation on how many of these tasks newcomers can do per day. It is meant to discourage careless newcomers from making too many problematic edits. === Positive reinforcement === Over the last two years, the Growth team has focused on building suggested edits: easy tasks for newcomers to start with. We have learned with this experience that these tasks help many newcomers to make their first edits. Now, the team is starting a new project : "[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Positive reinforcement|positive reinforcement]]". Its goal is to make newcomers proud of their editing and to make them want to come back for more of them. With the positive reinforcement project, we are considering three kinds of features: * '''Impact stats''': give newcomers the ability to see how many people read the articles they edit. * '''Leveling up''': encourage newcomers to progress from easier tasks to harder tasks. * '''Personalized praise''': encourage mentors and other editors to "thank" and award newcomers for good work. This project is just beginning, and we hope for community thoughts on the direction. We know that things can wrong if we offer the wrong incentives to newcomers, so we want to be careful. Please visit [[mw:Talk:Growth/Positive reinforcement|the talk page]] to help guide the project! === News for mentors === * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Mentor dashboard|mentor dashboard]] is available at all wikis. It helps mentors see who their mentees are and keep track of their activity. It is automatically activated [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Communities/How to configure the mentors' list#create|where a list of mentors has been created]]. If you need assistance to create a list of mentors, please [[mw:talk:Growth|contact us]]. * The mentor dashboard has a new module: settings. It is now possible for mentors to define their status (active or away). They can specify the volume of questions they want to receive, and they can claim mentees in an easier way. It is also possible for mentors to quit, which will automatically reassign their mentees to other mentors. * We are [[phab:T287915|working on an ability]] for a mentee to opt-out (and back in) to having a mentor. * Previously, in the table that displays mentees activity, the filters displayed all mentees, even the ones with zero edits or lots of edits. [[phab:T301268|We have changed this]] so that only mentees with between 1 and 500 edits are visible by default. Mentors can change this value in their filters. * We are currently [[phab:T264343|working on a special page]] for mentors to sign-up. Some wikis have created userboxes that mentors can display on the user pages. If your wiki has one, please link it [[d:Q109498957|to Wikidata]]! === Scaling === Previously, at most Wikipedias, only 80% of newcomers were getting the Growth features. This was done for experimentation, to have a control group. We have changed this setting. Now 100% of new accounts at all Wikipedias get the Growth features ([[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/FAQ#pilot|except a few, kept as test wikis]]). We invite communities to update their onboarding documentation and tutorials. Please include the Growth features in it. To help you, [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Growth/Tools/Account creation|we have created an help page]] that can be translated and adapted to your wiki. === How to help === Do you have questions about the Growth features? [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/FAQ|This translatable FAQ]] contains answers to the most common questions about the Growth team work. We regularly update it. Interface translations are important for newcomers. Please help for your language, by [https://translatewiki.net/w/i.php?title=Special:Translate&group=ext-growthexperiments&language=&filter=&action=translate translating or copyediting] interface translations for the Growth features. ''<small>'''[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Newsletters|Growth team's newsletter]]''' prepared by [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth|the Growth team]] and posted by [[m:User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]] • [[mw:Talk:Growth|Give feedback]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/Growth team updates|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].</small>'' </div> 17:11, 16 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Trizek (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Growth_team_updates&oldid=23002302 --> == possible duplication of Glacier National Park disambiguation == I noticed your work on Glacier National Park, but you may have introduced a duplicate. A redirect of Glacier National Park to/from Glacier National Park (disambiguation) page and merge of links may be necessary or other disambiguation text between the two - see https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers%27_pub#Are_these_duplicate_disambiguation_pages? [[User:Wolfgang8741|Wolfgang8741]] ([[User talk:Wolfgang8741|talk]]) 17:04, 17 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Wolfgang8741|Wolfgang8741]] Apologies about that :-(. Seems to be fixed by Mx. Granger now. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:14, 18 March 2022 (UTC) == Lengthening of block == You lengthened [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Block/70.71.87.75 this block] from 2 hours to 3 days without giving a reason. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:36, 18 March 2022 (UTC) :per [[Wikivoyage:How to handle unwanted edits]], the first block should be three days. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 00:42, 18 March 2022 (UTC) ::We have latitude to give a briefer block first if we want to. Had that user come back and continued disrupting, they would have gotten a 3-day block quickly. Now, I arguably look a little silly. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:50, 18 March 2022 (UTC) == "a settlement needs to have 10k inhabitants to be called a 'city'"? == Maybe in Australia. There is no such rule in the U.S. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 05:30, 18 March 2022 (UTC) :I thought that was an internationally agreed term. Doing some more research, there seems to be conflicting definitions on how many are needed for a city, but I've never heard a city of 1.5k as a city. However, [[w:City#Meaning|Wikipedia]] seems to say that in the US, a city can have a minimum between 1,500 and 5,000. I'll revert my edit. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:35, 18 March 2022 (UTC) ::Oh I've noticed you've copyedited it. Thanks for doing that. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 05:36, 18 March 2022 (UTC) :::I don't think Wikipedia is right. Different states have different definitions. In New York, the Village of Hempstead has over 55,000 inhabitants, the Hamlet of Riverhead has around 15,000, and the City of Sherill has just over 3,000. Look at [[w:List of cities in Alaska]], too. The smallest one had 21 inhabitants as of the 2020 Census. See also [[w:Kupreanof, Alaska]]. It's an incorporated city. Someone needs to edit the conflicted statement on Wikipedia. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:02, 18 March 2022 (UTC) ::::I just looked at your link. You misread it: "Common population definitions for an urban area (city or town) range between 1,500 and 50,000 people, with most U.S. states using a minimum between 1,500 and 5,000 inhabitants.[13][14] Some jurisdictions set no such minima.[15]" You had to pay attention to the word "most" and/or read the next sentence. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:03, 18 March 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 5 == I'm sorry about the late delivery of this newsletter. Within the newsletter was material about an ongoing vote, which closes in under 20 hours. Please share the information links with interested users: [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Project|Project Overview]] • [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct|Universal Code of Conduct]] • [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|Enforcement guidelines]] (proposed) • [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voting|Voting]] • [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voter information|Voter information]] • '''[[metawiki:Special:SecurePoll/vote/391|Voting link]]''' <section begin="ucoc-newsletter" /> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 5, January 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ----Welcome to the fifth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News (formerly known as Universal Code of Conduct News)! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly or bi-weekly to subscribers. Please remember to subscribe [[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive these updates.<div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Call for Feedback about the Board elections''' - We invite you to give your feedback on the upcoming WMF Board of Trustees election. This call for feedback went live on 10th January 2022 and will be concluded on 16th February 2022. ([[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Call_for_Feedback_about_the_Board_elections|continue reading]]) * '''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification''' - In 2021, the WMF asked communities about how to enforce the Universal Code of Conduct policy text. The revised draft of the enforcement guidelines should be ready for community vote in March. ([[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Universal_Code_of_Conduct_Ratification|continue reading]]) * '''Movement Strategy Implementation Grants''' - As we continue to review several interesting proposals, we encourage and welcome more proposals and ideas that target a specific initiative from the Movement Strategy recommendations. ([[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Movement_Strategy_Implementation_Grants|continue reading]]) * '''The New Direction for the Newsletter''' - As the UCoC Newsletter transitions into MSG Newsletter, join the facilitation team in envisioning and deciding on the new directions for this newsletter. ([[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#The_New_Direction_for_the_Newsletter|continue reading]]) * '''Diff Blogs''' - Check out the most recent publications about MSG on Wikimedia Diff. ([[metawiki:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Diff_Blogs|continue reading]]) </div><section end="ucoc-newsletter" />[[User:Xeno (WMF)|Xeno (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Xeno (WMF)|talk]]) 04:15, 21 March 2022 (UTC) == Taking a step back == {{Swept}} As you probably know, I'm very active here, and that's because I, just like most of you do, edit this travel guide in my leisure time. But these days, I've been endlessly obsessed with the one user from [[Queensland]] that we all know. And I can probably confidently say that 95 percent of my <span class="plainlinks">[https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3AContributions&target=SHB2000&namespace=all&tagfilter=mw-rollback recent rollbacks used]</span> are reverting him, and it's become a bad habit – and it's just as unproductive, and we all know that there's better things to do than rollbacking copyvios and doing /64 blocks. And then there's the case of an LTA who I now feel like an absolute idiot into thinking they were a good faith user. And my rant could go on. On top of that, real life issues mean that I can no longer edit as much as I used to, and so just a quick note to let you all know that I won't be much active in the near future – for at least the end of this year. With that being said, you will still see me make an edit now and then, add some coordinates, and probably do a couple of rollbacks on edits by Brendan, and probably close vfd nominations. I'm not leaving forever, and I do hope I can come back and become more active when things have settled, but until then, I wish the best for the community :-) --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:08, 14 February 2022 (UTC) :I'm sure we'll all be happy to see you whenever it works out. Who knows, maybe we'll be lucky and that will even be before the end of the year. :(Don't blame yourself for believing people to be good until thoroughly proven otherwise. That's a sign that you're a good person!) [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:00, 14 February 2022 (UTC) ::Have a great real life and we'll still be here whenever you drop by. Thanks for all the great work you do! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:13, 14 February 2022 (UTC) :Recharge your batteries, SHB. We all hope that you'll feel better soon and if you are up to freely giving your labor and expertise, we'd love to have it. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 20:50, 14 February 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks to all of you :) I'm not gone forever tho, so you'll still see me popping around. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:26, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::: Thanks from me too for what you've done. Good luck with your life, and I'll be glad to see you here, regardless of whether you are going to do much or little. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:49, 15 February 2022 (UTC) == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/12|Tech News: 2022-12]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W12"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/12|Translations]] are available. '''New code release schedule for this week''' * There will be four MediaWiki releases this week, instead of just one. This is an experiment which should lead to fewer problems and to faster feature updates. The releases will be on all wikis, at different times, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. You can [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Release Engineering Team/Trainsperiment week|read more about this project]]. '''Recent changes''' * You can now set how many search results to show by default in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-searchoptions|your Preferences]]. This was the 12th most popular wish in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022/Results|Community Wishlist Survey 2022]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T215716] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] The Jupyter notebooks tool [[wikitech:PAWS|PAWS]] has been updated to a new interface. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T295043] '''Future changes''' * Interactive maps via [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] will soon work on wikis using the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:FlaggedRevs|FlaggedRevisions]] extension. [https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/ Please tell us] which improvements you want to see in Kartographer. You can take this survey in simple English. [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WMDE_Technical_Wishes/Geoinformation] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/12|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W12"/> 16:01, 21 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Trizek (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23034693 --> == Main page photo credits == Thought you should know that when updating [[Main Page/Photo credits]] you are supposed to use the uncropped image not the cropped banner. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 02:41, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :Why though? Since we're featuring the derivative work, per the licensing requirements, we're supposed to use the derivative work – meaning attributing both the original copyright holder and the author of the derivative work. The original copyright holder has no control over the derivative work and so technically not giving attribution to the derivative would theoretically be a copyvio. However, most of us who cropped the photos won't really mind too much, but it's good to get into the habit of correct attribution. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:53, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::I don’t know enough about copyright to answer your question but if you look at previous revisions of the page it has featured uncropped images since 2013. If you want this changed go ask on a talk page or the pub. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 18:10, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::: I am not aware of any discussion on this, and the instructions for updating say little. Cropping may not reach the threshold of originality needed for copyright, so the only copyright holder may be the author of the original photo (and possibly those of photographed works). That copyright holder needs to be attributed, but they may not like how we cropped their image – and anyway, as separate image, the original is often nicer – so showing their version makes sense. I don't know whether that's the reasoning behind the practice, just trying to come up with a plausible explanation. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:12, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::::But we have no control over the license used here, and if the copyright holder doesn't like the way we cropped it, too bad. CC BY SA licenses are irrevocable. Cropping is still a derivative work and per the license, it does not matter whether it's a simple crop, or a large photoshop of the original, and as such, we have to attribute both the original copyright holder and the author of the derivative work. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:31, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::::: If the crop is below the threshold of originality it does not get a copyright and thus it can be used with no licence from the person who did the crop; the only relevant licence is then that of the underlying work. Out of courtesy we should still attribute the person who did the crop, but out of courtesy we should also give credit for the work the original author created, especially if the crop is odd in some way. At least some licences require you to tell about changes you made, so this is a reason to somehow notice that it wasn't the original that we used. But, anyway, I think this is enough reasoning from my part, unless we start a discussion on how we should attribute people regarding these images, and such a discussion should probably be had in the Pub. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:32, 23 March 2022 (UTC) == I am also in doubt == I am also in doubt about that matter. But I have no intention of touting or promotion. So, I used the links from the Google Maps (which are the primary source for their location and basic information). I am not sure if all these sacred sites have their own official websites or not. [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 08:41, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :Another thing, I still don't know how to extract coordinates (latitudes and longitudes) from the Google Maps. [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 08:42, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::Yeah tbh since about a quarter of the active Wikivoyage community knows you, it's obvious it's no form of promotion but if the sites don't have their own websites, what you can do is just link the relevant city article and then add the link from that city article. For some article that resembles something like that, an article I've recently been working on is [[Tasmanian national parks]], and in particular take a look at the national parks (though this section violates [[WV:IP]]) and the historic sites sections (which is currently a work in progress). It's not perfect, but the point is that they are not directly linked from the topic article, but rather mentioned in all the relevant destination articles. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:53, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::@[[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] Also regarding the coordinates, it's actually pretty easy to do. I found it difficult in my early days of contributing to this site, but I quickly got the hang of it. [[Special:Diff/4414347]] is my latest example of adding coordinates, in which I entered -43.73314 and 170.0952 into my lat and long parameters. :::The first thing you'll need to note is that Google Maps won't allow you to pinpoint the exact coordinates at once. What I do is I pinpoint them a bit off to the side, in which this case, I pinpointed it on -43.73314, 170.094996 and then adjusted it to the right a bit. There is also a good guide at [[Wikivoyage:Dynamic maps Expedition]]. Let me know if you need any more help. I'd be happy to explain :-) Also while I'm at it, there's a good tool when using the listing editor too which all you need to do is pinpoint the spot and then you've got your coords. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:19, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the suggestion of getting latitudes and longitudes. I understand now. But about the first reply you told me, I still have a little confusion. Could you do one for me so that I may be able to understand properly? After that, I will handle the remaining. [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 13:09, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::::{{re|Haoreima}} Sorry for the late reply. I did it on the second one using [[Imphal]] as an example. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:44, 29 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::Thanks for doing that! Since Imphal is a large place, it has many sacred sites of Panthoibi herself. Shall I add all in the list in the same way like you added? [[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 12:23, 29 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[WV:PF|Go ahead]] and add them in whichever city, town or destination it is located in. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:48, 29 March 2022 (UTC) == This Month in Education: March 2022 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:40px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This Month in Education</span> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:20px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; width:900px;"> Volume 11 • Issue 3 • March 2022</span> ---- <span style="font-size:larger;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/March 2022|Contents]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/March 2022/Headlines|Headlines]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe]]</span> ---- <span style="color:white; font-size:26px; font-family:Montserrat; display:block; background:#92BFB1; width:100%;">In This Issue</span></div> <div style="text-align: left; column-count: 2; column-width: 35em; -moz-column-count: 2; -moz-column-width: 35em; -webkit-column-count: 2; -webkit-column-width: 35em;"> * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/Arte+Feminismo Pilipinas:Advocacy on Women Empowerment|Arte+Feminismo Pilipinas:Advocacy on Women Empowerment]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/The edit-a-thon on Serbian Wikipedia on the occasion of Edu Wiki Week|The edit-a-thon on Serbian Wikipedia on the occasion of Edu Wiki Week]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/Call for Participation: Higher Education Survey|Call for Participation: Higher Education Survey]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/Collection of Good Practices in Wikipedia Education|Collection of Good Practices in Wikipedia Education]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/Conversation: Open education in the Wikimedia Movement views from Latin America|Conversation: Open education in the Wikimedia Movement views from Latin America]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/EduWiki Week 2022, celebrations and learnings|EduWiki Week 2022, celebrations and learnings]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/EduWiki Week in Armenia|EduWiki Week in Armenia]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/Open Education Week at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León|Open Education Week at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/Wikipedia + Education Talk With Leonard Hagan|Wikipedia + Education Talk With Leonard Hagan]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/March 2022/Wikimedia Israel cooperates with Yad Vashem in developing a training course for teachers|Wikimedia Israel cooperates with Yad Vashem in developing a training course for teachers]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; text-align: center; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[:m:User:ZI Jony|ZI Jony]] 16:58, 25 March 2022 (UTC)</div> </div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/This_Month_in_Education&oldid=23020683 --> == ''The Signpost'': 27 March 2022 == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[File:WikipediaSignpostIcon.svg|40px|right]] ''News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia''</div> <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * From the team: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/From the team|We stand in solidarity with Ukraine]] * News and notes: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/News and notes|Of safety and anonymity]] * Eyewitness Wikimedian – Kharkiv, Ukraine: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Eyewitness Wikimedian – Kharkiv, Ukraine|Countering Russian aggression with a camera]] * Eyewitness Wikimedian – Vinnytsia, Ukraine: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Eyewitness Wikimedian – Vinnytsia, Ukraine|War diary]] * Eyewitness Wikimedian – Western Ukraine: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Eyewitness Wikimedian – Western Ukraine|Working with Wikipedia helps]] * Disinformation report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Disinformation report|The oligarchs' socks]] * In the media: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/In the media|Ukraine, Russia, and even some other stuff]] * Recent research: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Recent research|Top scholarly citers, lack of open access references, predicting editor departures]] * Wikimedian perspective: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Wikimedian perspective|My heroes from Russia, Ukraine & beyond]] * Discussion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Discussion report|Athletes are less notable now]] * Technology report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Technology report|2022 Wikimedia Hackathon]] * Arbitration report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Arbitration report|Skeptics given heavenly judgement, whirlwind of Discord drama begins to spin for tropical cyclone editors]] * Traffic report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Traffic report|War, what is it good for?]] * Deletion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Deletion report|Ukraine, werewolves, Ukraine, YouTube pundits, and Ukraine]] * Gallery: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Gallery|"All we are saying is, give peace a chance..."]] * From the archives: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/From the archives|Burn, baby burn]] * Essay: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Essay|Yes, the sky is blue]] * Tips and tricks: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/Tips and tricks|Become a keyboard ninja]] * On the bright side: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-03-27/On the bright side|The bright side of news]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'''[[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Read this Signpost in full]]''' · [[w:en:Wikipedia:Signpost/Single|Single-page]] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Signpost|Unsubscribe]] · [[m:Global message delivery|Global message delivery]] 20:53, 27 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Sent via script ([[w:en:User:Evad37/SPS]]) --></div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:JPxG@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Signpost&oldid=23068306 --> == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/13|Tech News: 2022-13]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W13"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/13|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * There is a simple new Wikimedia Commons upload tool available for macOS users, [[c:Commons:Sunflower|Sunflower]]. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.5|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-29|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-30|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-03-31|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of regular database maintenance. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-03-29|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s3.dblist targeted wikis]) and on {{#time:j xg|2022-03-31|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s5.dblist targeted wikis]). [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301850][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T303798] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/13|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W13"/> 19:55, 28 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23073711 --> == type=vicinity == I think it'd be better to reserve "type=vicinity" to destinations that are in the vicinity. I don't know whether the designation used is visible anywhere at the moment, but you never know. Before the last rewrite of the template, hovering over a marker would say something like "show map for this vicinity marker"; something like that could be added somewhere by somebody. Instead, if you want a red marker, write "type=red" (choose among colours listed). Maybe that requires adding "red" to the show parameter of the dynamic map, but having to do that is not counter-intuitive, we just need to add it to the documentation. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:01, 30 March 2022 (UTC) : Better yet, we should have a standard on what markers to use for "other destinations". Have we had one? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:02, 30 March 2022 (UTC) ::I use "type=other" for "other destinations", because it seems intuitive. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 10:48, 30 March 2022 (UTC) :::Intuitive but also confusing, because the markers on the map have the same color as type=listing. So if you use both, you get 2x a green marker with nr 1 on the map. [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:07, 30 March 2022 (UTC) ::::I've always thought that we were meant to use "city" for cities and "vicinity" for listings in "other destinations". iirc, in my early days at this site, I saw a mix of both no type (which defaults to listing) and vicinity. I've just been standardizing them since. {{marker|lat=-30|long=150|type=other|name=Using other}} could work, but the reason why I thought we used the dark red color was to distinguish them from the normal forestgreen color. A quick look on [[Special:PermaLink/4129235#Other destinations]] tells me we've been using it for quite some time. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:22, 30 March 2022 (UTC) :::::[[Special:PermaLink/4276092]] too. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:30, 30 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::{{ping|FredTC}} I rarely or never specify "type=listing" (though I sometimes leave it in by default). When I list "other destinations", it's usually in a region or country article, so the main types are "type=other" and "type=city". —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 08:36, 1 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::{{ping|Mx. Granger}} I checked a few countries from [[Middle East]] and already nr 3 ([[Iran]]) would have double green marker numbers if "vicinity" would be changed into "other". Something strange happened when I was trying to check, after making the change, using "Show preview" the markers in the text turned green, but the markers on the map were unchanged. After using "Publish changes" the markers on the map turned green, causing a situation with 2x a green "1" an 2x a green "2". I also checked the other countries of Middle East and they would not have that problem, so you are not at all the only one "rarely or never" creating the situation. But still I think that someone not knowing about this, could create situations with double numbers on the map. The <nowiki>{{listing|...}}</nowiki> always had green markers and that should stay that way. But I think a <nowiki>{{marker|type=other|...}}</nowiki> and also a <nowiki>{{listing|type=other|...}}</nowiki> should not create green markers. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:13, 1 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::::The problem in the [[Iran]] article is the embassies, which should not be listed there. Embassy listings should be in city articles, not country articles. It's also worth noting that [[Iran]] currently has double red markers (for "type=go" and "type=vicinity") – slightly different shades of red, but that's not obvious unless you're paying close attention. So it seems to me the Iran article is an argument for using green rather than red for "other destinations". But maybe choosing some other color would be best. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 12:56, 1 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::::{{ping|Mx. Granger}} Yes, I agree that the embassies should not be in the country article. But then there still is a color problem. The colors come from [[:Module:TypeToColor]], so, if we want a different color for "other" because it is equal to "listing" and also a different color for "vicinity" because there is too little difference with the color of "go", a change to that module must be made. I have put all colors that are used for existing "type=" values in the regionlist below and made suggestions for "other" and "vicinity". To change the module is simple, I see no edit restrictions. But I think it should be discussed somewhere first, because the module is heavily used. What do you think? --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 13:35, 2 April 2022 (UTC) {{Regionlist | region1color=#000000 | region1name=drink | region1description=000000 | region2color=#000080 | region2name=sleep | region2description=000080 | region3color=#0000FF | region3name=city | region3description=0000FF | region4color=#008080 | region4name=buy | region4description=008080 | region5color=#228B22 | region5name=listing | region5description=228B22 | region6color=#228B22 | region6name=other (now)| region6description=228B22 | region7color=#C08080 | region7name=other (possible alternative)| region7description=C08080 | region8color=#4169E1 | region8name=view | region8description=4169E1 | region9color=#4682B4 | region9name=see | region9description=4682B4 | region10color=#800000 | region10name=vicinity (now)| region10description=800000 | region11color=#80C0C0 | region11name=vicinity (possible alternative)| region11description=80C0C0 | region12color=#800080 | region12name=around | region12description=800080 | region13color=#808080 | region13name=do | region13description=808080 | region14color=#A52A2A | region14name=go | region14description=A52A2A | region15color=#D2691E | region15name=eat | region15description=D2691E }} {{outdent}} Your suggestions seem fine to me, but I agree that it merits wider discussion. Probably at the pub? —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 18:12, 2 April 2022 (UTC) : Yes. One thing to keep in mind is accessibility. Are these colours "web safe" (no real problem any more, I think, but one might want to check) and distinguishable for those with colour sight issues? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:01, 2 April 2022 (UTC) ::A late response but to @[[User:Mx. Granger|Mx. Granger]], I am confused by your edit summary in [[Special:Diff/4421171]]. Namely, what "consensus"? As I pointed out some examples on some high profile pages, these have been in use for a long time. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:21, 7 April 2022 (UTC) :::Also more examples: [[Special:PermaLink/4141034|1]] [[Special:PermaLink/4385295|2]] [[Special:PermaLink/4084821|3]] [[Special:PermaLink/4219800|4]] [[Special:PermaLink/4323520|5]] [[Special:PermaLink/4374042|6]] [[Special:PermaLink/4205247|7]] [[Special:PermaLink/4194006|8]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:36, 7 April 2022 (UTC) ::::The site is currently inconsistent: currently, some articles use "vicinity" markers for other destinations, while other articles use "other" markers for other destinations. I don't think we have consensus about which way to resolve this inconsistency, so I ask that you hold off on making mass changes until we get consensus. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 13:37, 7 April 2022 (UTC) :::::That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 21:20, 7 April 2022 (UTC) == [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/14|Tech News: 2022-14]] == <section begin="technews-2022-W14"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/14|Translations]] are available. '''Problems''' * For a few days last week, edits that were suggested to newcomers were not tagged in the [[{{#special:recentchanges}}]] feed. This bug has been fixed. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T304747] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.6|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-05|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-06|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-07|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-04-07|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s4.dblist targeted wikis]). '''Future changes''' * Starting next week, Tech News' title will be translatable. When the newsletter is distributed, its title may not be <code dir=ltr>Tech News: 2022-14</code> anymore. It may affect some filters that have been set up by some communities. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T302920] * Over the next few months, the "[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Growth/Tools/Add a link|Add a link]]" Growth feature [[phab:T304110|will become available to more Wikipedias]]. Each week, a few wikis will get the feature. You can test this tool at [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth#deploymentstable|a few wikis where "Link recommendation" is already available]]. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/14|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W14"/> 21:01, 4 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23097604 --> == Tech News: 2022-15 == <section begin="technews-2022-W15"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/15|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * There is a new public status page at <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">[https://www.wikimediastatus.net/ www.wikimediastatus.net]</span>. This site shows five automated high-level metrics where you can see the overall health and performance of our wikis' technical environment. It also contains manually-written updates for widespread incidents, which are written as quickly as the engineers are able to do so while also fixing the actual problem. The site is separated from our production infrastructure and hosted by an external service, so that it can be accessed even if the wikis are briefly unavailable. You can [https://diff.wikimedia.org/2022/03/31/announcing-www-wikimediastatus-net/ read more about this project]. * On Wiktionary wikis, the software to play videos and audio files on pages has now changed. The old player has been removed. Some audio players will become wider after this change. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:TimedMediaHandler/VideoJS_Player|The new player]] has been a beta feature for over four years. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T100106][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T248418] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.7|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-12|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-13|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-14|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/15|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W15"/> 19:44, 11 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23124108 --> == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 6 == <section begin="ucoc-newsletter"/> <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 6, April 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the sixth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board of trustees elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while the more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> *'''Leadership Development -''' A Working Group is Forming! - The application to join the Leadership Development Working Group closed on April 10th, 2022, and up to 12 community members will be selected to participate in the working group. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A1|continue reading]]) *'''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification Results are out! -''' The global decision process on the enforcement of the UCoC via SecurePoll was held from 7 to 21 March. Over 2,300 eligible voters from at least 128 different home projects submitted their opinions and comments. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A2|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Discussions on Hubs -''' The Global Conversation event on Regional and Thematic Hubs was held on Saturday, March 12, and was attended by 84 diverse Wikimedians from across the movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A3|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Strategy Grants Remain Open! -''' Since the start of the year, six proposals with a total value of about $80,000 USD have been approved. Do you have a movement strategy project idea? Reach out to us! ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A4|continue reading]]) *'''The Movement Charter Drafting Committee is All Set! -''' The Committee of fifteen members which was elected in October 2021, has agreed on the essential values and methods for its work, and has started to create the outline of the Movement Charter draft. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A5|continue reading]]) *'''Introducing Movement Strategy Weekly -''' Contribute and Subscribe! - The MSG team have just launched the updates portal, which is connected to the various Movement Strategy pages on Meta-wiki. Subscriber to get up-to-date news about the various ongoing projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A6|continue reading]]) *'''Diff Blogs -''' Check out the most recent publications about the UCoC on Wikimedia Diff. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A7|continue reading]]) </div><section end="ucoc-newsletter"/> Thanks for reading. [[User:Xeno (WMF)|Xeno (WMF)]] 02:24, 13 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Xeno (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Movement_Strategy_and_Governance/Newsletter/Subscribe&oldid=23137838 --> == ''This Month in GLAM'': March 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue III, March 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Argentina report|Argentina report]]: Visual culture, human rights and digitization * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Australia report|Australia report]]: Australia grows gender equity for International Women's Day * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Belgium report|Belgium report]]: Collaboration with GLAM institutes in Belgium * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Brazil report|Brazil report]]: Pills of GLAM * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Croatia report|Croatia report]]: ...starting bottom-up in indie archive! * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Estonia report|Estonia report]]: Glass, Books and Paintings * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: Mooc Wikidata * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/India report|India report]]: Wikimedian-in-Residence program initiated at the Research Institute of World's Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritage in Arunachal Pradesh * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Italy report|Italy report]]: The growth of sharing on Wikimedia projects * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Netherlands report|Netherlands report]]: Letters from Sierra Leone: the Sjoerd Hofstra photo collection in a new light * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: Forming Wikimedia Aotearoa and the Aotearoa New Zealand Theses Project * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Serbia report|Serbia report]]: News in Wikipedian in residence projects * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Spain report|Spain report]]: WikiToro * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Sweden report|Sweden report]]: The Unique Historical Kalmar County project continues ...; WikiGap x 3; Students writing articles * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Khalili Collections * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Uruguay report|Uruguay report]]: GLAM Activities by Wikimedia Uruguay * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: Women's History Month * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: UN Environment Programme sharing their knowledge on Wikipedia. Logo competition * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report|Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report]]: OpenRefine: survey for Structured Data on Commons features * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/WMF GLAM report|WMF GLAM report]]: Commons APP calls, Bophana documentaries, and Image Description Week * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: April's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/March 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 08:44, 13 April 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=23092895 --> == Airport in another country == Hi, SHB2000. Great work as always, but I don't agree with your reasoning [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Bakassi&curid=189609&diff=4430951&oldid=4354872 here]. It's completely reasonable to mention an airport in another country if it's the closest and it's not that hard to get across the border. My issue with that listing is solely that a lat number is given, as I don't want it to have geo and distort the focus of the article's map. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:19, 17 April 2022 (UTC) :Yeah I should've been more clearer in [[Special:Diff/4430951|diff 4430951]]. The problem with this one was that this editor has been adding airports kilometres away from a destination, completely unrelated and it seems to me they only added that because it appeared close on a map. Of course, there isn't an issue with listing an airport if it's the primary way of entering the destination. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:46, 17 April 2022 (UTC) ::It's also fine to mention that airport and link to the most relevant article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 02:49, 17 April 2022 (UTC) :::Sorry to butt in, but in the case of Malabo airport, it's not just that it isn't in Nigeria, it's that it is not even on the African continent. One would have to ''fly'' from Malabo to the city in question. Also, Equatorial Guinea is a notoriously difficult country to get into, and its airline is not permitted to fly into many countries because if its safety record. This is not like flying to Buffalo to get to the Niagara Peninsula, which would make a lot of sense.[[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 02:57, 17 April 2022 (UTC) ::::Got it. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 03:03, 17 April 2022 (UTC) :::::It's also worth noting that {{u|Roovinn}} had [[Talk:Equatorial_Guinea#Visas_for_Equatorial_Guinea|trouble figuring out]] the visa regulations for EG because per [[Equatorial Guinea#Get in]], it really is confusing. Doesn't really [[ttcf|serve the traveller]] by listing it. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:08, 17 April 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-16 == <section begin="technews-2022-W16"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/16|Translations]] are available. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.8|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-19|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-20|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-21|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-04-19|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s7.dblist targeted wikis]) and on {{#time:j xg|2022-04-21|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s8.dblist targeted wikis]). * Administrators will now have [[m:Community Wishlist Survey 2021/(Un)delete associated talk page|the option to delete/undelete the associated "Talk" page]] when they are deleting a given page. An API endpoint with this option is also available. This concludes the [[m:Community Wishlist Survey 2021/Admins and patrollers/(Un)delete associated talk page|11th wish of the 2021 Community Wishlist Survey]]. * On [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements#test-wikis|selected wikis]], 50% of logged-in users will see the new [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Features/Table of contents|table of contents]]. When scrolling up and down the page, the table of contents will stay in the same place on the screen. This is part of the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements|Desktop Improvements]] project. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T304169] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] Message boxes produced by MediaWiki code will no longer have these CSS classes: <code dir=ltr>successbox</code>, <code dir=ltr>errorbox</code>, <code dir=ltr>warningbox</code>. The styles for those classes and <code dir=ltr>messagebox</code> will be removed from MediaWiki core. This only affects wikis that use these classes in wikitext, or change their appearance within site-wide CSS. Please review any local usage and definitions for these classes you may have. This was previously announced in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/09|28 February issue of Tech News]]. '''Future changes''' * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] will become compatible with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:FlaggedRevs|FlaggedRevisions page stabilization]]. Kartographer maps will also work on pages with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Pending changes|pending changes]]. [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WMDE_Technical_Wishes/Geoinformation#Project_descriptions] The Kartographer documentation has been thoroughly updated. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:Kartographer/Getting_started] [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:VisualEditor/Maps] [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:Kartographer] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/16|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W16"/> 23:12, 18 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23167004 --> == Ogoja == That looks like it was my fault. I probably confused Rivers State with Cross River State. Thanks gor fixing it. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 11:16, 23 April 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] No problems, and apologies for my harsh sounding edit summary. I think we both know that [[User talk:Grace789|someone]] who's responsible for me getting pissed when something's in the wrong spot. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:38, 23 April 2022 (UTC) ::No apology necessary. I understand your frustration, and it was careless of me not to check the location on the map, so I deserved to be called out for it. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 18:53, 23 April 2022 (UTC) == This Month in Education: April 2022 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:40px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This Month in Education</span> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:20px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; width:900px;"> Volume 11 • Issue 4 • April 2022</span> ---- <span style="font-size:larger;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/April 2022|Contents]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/April 2022/Headlines|Headlines]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe]]</span> ---- <span style="color:white; font-size:26px; font-family:Montserrat; display:block; background:#92BFB1; width:100%;">In This Issue</span></div> <div style="text-align: left; column-count: 2; column-width: 35em; -moz-column-count: 2; -moz-column-width: 35em; -webkit-column-count: 2; -webkit-column-width: 35em;"> * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/April 2022/Audio-Educational Seminar of Wikimedia Mexico|Audio-Educational Seminar of Wikimedia Mexico]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/April 2022/Dagbani Wikimedians using digital TV broadcast to train Wikipedia contributors in Ghana|Dagbani Wikimedians using digital TV broadcast to train Wikipedia contributors in Ghana]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/April 2022/Digital Education & The Open Space With Herbert Acheampong|Digital Education & The Open Space With Herbert Acheampong]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/April 2022/HerStory walks as a part of edit-a-thons|HerStory walks as a part of edit-a-thons]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/April 2022/Join us for Wiki Workshop 2022|Join us for Wiki Workshop 2022]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/April 2022/The youngest member of Tartu Wikiclub is 15-year-old student|The youngest member of Tartu Wikiclub is 15-year-old student]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; text-align: center; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[:m:User:ZI Jony|ZI Jony]] 12:52, 24 April 2022 (UTC)</div> </div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/This_Month_in_Education&oldid=23177152 --> == ''The Signpost'': 24 April 2022 == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[File:WikipediaSignpostIcon.svg|40px|right]] ''News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia''</div> <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * News and notes: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/News and notes|Double trouble]] * In the media: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/In the media|The battlegrounds outside and inside Wikipedia]] * Special report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Special report|Ukrainian Wikimedians during the war]] * Eyewitness Wikimedian – Vinnytsia, Ukraine: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Eyewitness Wikimedian – Vinnytsia, Ukraine|War diary (Part 2)]] * Technology report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Technology report|8-year-old attribution issues in Media Viewer]] * Featured content: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Featured content|Wikipedia's best content from March]] * In focus: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/In focus|Editing difficulties on Russian Wikipedia]] * Gallery: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Gallery|A voyage around the world with WLM winners]] * Interview: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Interview|On a war and a map]] * Serendipity: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Serendipity|Wikipedia loves photographs, but hates photographers]] * Traffic report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Traffic report|Justice Jackson, the Smiths, and an invasion]] * Recent research: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Recent research|Student edits as "civic engagement"; how Wikipedia readers interact with images]] * News from the WMF: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/News from the WMF|How Smart is the SMART Copyright Act?]] * Essay: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Essay|The problem with elegant variation]] * Humour: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/Humour|Really huge message boxes]] * From the archives: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-04-24/From the archives|Wales resigned WMF board chair in 2006 reorganization]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'''[[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Read this Signpost in full]]''' · [[w:en:Wikipedia:Signpost/Single|Single-page]] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Signpost|Unsubscribe]] · [[m:Global message delivery|Global message delivery]] 20:45, 24 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Sent via script ([[w:en:User:Evad37/SPS]]) --></div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:JPxG@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Signpost&oldid=23092862 --> == Tech News: 2022-17 == <section begin="technews-2022-W17"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/17|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * On [https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/dblists/group1.dblist many wikis] (group 1), the software to play videos and audio files on pages has now changed. The old player has been removed. Some audio players will become wider after this change. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:TimedMediaHandler/VideoJS_Player|The new player]] has been a beta feature for over four years. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T100106][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T248418] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.9|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-26|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-27|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-04-28|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-04-26|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s2.dblist targeted wikis]). * Some very old browsers and operating systems are no longer supported. Some things on the wikis might look weird or not work in very old browsers like Internet Explorer 9 or 10, Android 4, or Firefox 38 or older. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T306486] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/17|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W17"/> 22:56, 25 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23187115 --> == Tech News: 2022-18 == <section begin="technews-2022-W18"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/18|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * On [https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/dblists/group2.dblist all remaining wikis] (group 2), the software to play videos and audio files on pages has now changed. The old player has been removed. Some audio players will become wider after this change. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:TimedMediaHandler/VideoJS_Player|The new player]] has been a beta feature for over four years. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T100106][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T248418] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.10|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-03|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-04|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-05|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Future changes''' * The developers are working on talk pages in the [[mw:Wikimedia Apps/Team/iOS|Wikipedia app for iOS]]. You can [https://wikimedia.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9GBcHczQGLbQWTY give feedback]. You can take the survey in English, German, Hebrew or Chinese. * [[m:WMDE_Technical_Wishes/VisualEditor_template_dialog_improvements#Status_and_next_steps|Most wikis]] will receive an [[m:WMDE_Technical_Wishes/VisualEditor_template_dialog_improvements|improved template dialog]] in VisualEditor and New Wikitext mode. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T296759] [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T306967] * If you use syntax highlighting while editing wikitext, you can soon activate a [[m:WMDE_Technical_Wishes/Improved_Color_Scheme_of_Syntax_Highlighting#Color-blind_mode|colorblind-friendly color scheme]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T306867] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] Several CSS IDs related to MediaWiki interface messages will be removed. Technical editors should please [[phab:T304363|review the list of IDs and links to their existing uses]]. These include <code dir=ltr>#mw-anon-edit-warning</code>, <code dir=ltr>#mw-undelete-revision</code> and 3 others. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/18|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W18"/> 19:34, 2 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23232924 --> == removed headline == Hey, you removed the headline "in the city center" from the Budget eats in the Bucharest article. For the reader it's helpful to see that all the following entries are in the city center so that the tourist does not need to go to the outskirts to have a budget dish. [[User:Flightnavigator|Flightnavigator]] ([[User talk:Flightnavigator|talk]]) 14:07, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :That is only useful if there are listings mentioned all over a city, but if there are no listings mentioned outside the city centre, then you do not need a double section header IMO. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 14:12, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :: I think [[Special:Diff/4442504/4442627|this]] was a good way to handle it – if all budget places really are in the centre. [[User:Flightnavigator|Flightnavigator]], is that so, or is it just the mentioned ones that are there? In that case perhaps "all these" instead of "all of them". –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:30, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::the advantage of this subheadline is, that somebody else could simply add the subheadline ''====near the city center:===='' for a restaurant that is near the city center. Or for restaurants which are in another interesting area. [[User:Flightnavigator|Flightnavigator]] ([[User talk:Flightnavigator|talk]]) 08:51, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::: The Mediawiki heading styles make little difference between H3 and H4 headings, which makes them confusing. I think the non-heading text is better for these specifications, at least in many cases. As long as the lists are short (4–5 items?) it is enough that you can click Budget in the menu, and you see the rest when looking at that section. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:14, 5 May 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-19 == <section begin="technews-2022-W19"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/19|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * You can now see categories in the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Apps/Team/Android|Wikipedia app for Android]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T73966] '''Problems''' * Last week, there was a problem with Wikidata's search autocomplete. This has now been fixed. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T307586] * Last week, all wikis had slow access or no access for 20 minutes, for logged-in users and non-cached pages. This was caused by a problem with a database change. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T307647] '''Changes later this week''' * There is no new MediaWiki version this week. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T305217#7894966] * [[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Geoinformation#Current issues|Incompatibility issues]] with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:FlaggedRevs|FlaggedRevs extension]] will be fixed: Deployment is planned for May 10 on all wikis. Kartographer will then be enabled on the [[phab:T307348|five wikis which have not yet enabled the extension]] on May 24. * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements|Vector (2022)]] skin will be set as the default on several more wikis, including Arabic and Catalan Wikipedias. Logged-in users will be able to switch back to the old Vector (2010). See the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/2022-04 for the largest wikis|latest update]] about Vector (2022). '''Future meetings''' * The next [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|open meeting with the Web team]] about Vector (2022) will take place on 17 May. The following meetings are currently planned for: 7 June, 21 June, 5 July, 19 July. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/19|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W19"/> 15:23, 9 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Trizek (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23256717 --> == ''This Month in GLAM'': April 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue IV, April 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Australia report|Australia report]]: Growing the record of Australian Music * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Belgium report|Belgium report]]: About African Pagnes and Belgian music * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Brazil report|Brazil report]]: Brazil wins the first place in WLM 2021 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: French GLAM meeting * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Italy report|Italy report]]: Work with GLAMs on Wikisourse and Wikimedia Commons * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Mexico report|Mexico report]]: GLAM professionals add an image and become Wikipedians; Edificio Carolino Edit-a-thon * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: People in Paleontology, Digikult, and copyright term extension for New Zealand * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Nigeria report|Nigeria report]]: Wikidata for Nigerian Novelist and Novel * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Poland report|Poland report]]: Wikiresidence in progress and workshop Evolution in GLAM in Poland * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Serbia report|Serbia report]]: Important activities within the GLAM * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Sweden report|Sweden report]]: Training at the National Archives of Sweden; Training at the Stockholm City Museum; Training at the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology; Improved images from Swedish Performing Arts Agency * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Switzerland report|Switzerland report]]: Wikidata Coffee Breaks * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Khalili Collections * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Uruguay report|Uruguay report]]: Wikimedistas de Uruguay report * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: WVU Libraries; Earth Day-2022-SWC; Wiki-Gap * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/AvoinGLAM report|AvoinGLAM report]]: Open Access vs NFT, GLAM School, Saami language, family trees * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: Enter our logo competition; IGO/INGO; Needs assessments research results; Wrapping up some ISA-things * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/WMF GLAM report|WMF GLAM report]]: 1Lib1Ref, Image Description Week, Commons calls, and the Add an image events * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: May's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 04:22, 10 May 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=23247018 --> == 'Go next' section of country articles == It's not true that country articles don't have a 'Go next' section. It's only not included in the country template... As in the Israel article you indeed removed useful information for the reader and traveller. Still an island can have ferries and low-priced flights to other countries, that is good to know to plan the further travel route. Just think about the growing number of digital nomads. Even though Iceland is an expensive country, it doesn't cost much to fly out of it. [[User:Flightnavigator|Flightnavigator]] ([[User talk:Flightnavigator|talk]]) 10:33, 12 May 2022 (UTC) :It would be worth revisiting [[Wikivoyage talk:Country article template#Go next]], which was never concluded, despite a consensus in favour being either achieved or at least achievable.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 16:23, 12 May 2022 (UTC) == Update on expedition pages for Albania and Kosovo for the Wikivoyage Edit-a-thon, 2022 == Hi @[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]]! I am @[[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] from the [[Wikipedia:Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group|Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group]]. This year, we are hosting the Summer of Wikivoyage Edit-a-thon in the South-East area of Albania to write about different travel destinations of Albania and Kosovo in English, May 20-22. Also, we are inviting everyone to join us online [https://meet.jit.si/WoALUG here], Saturday and Sunday, at 09:30-17:00 (GMT+2) Time Zone. Could you please update the [[Wikivoyage:Albania Expedition|Albania]] and [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo Expedition|Kosovo]] Expedition pages for 2022? --[[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 07:36, 13 May 2022 (UTC)Thank you! :@[[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] Great to hear that. Happy to to update the stats. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:39, 13 May 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], thank you so much! [[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 07:42, 13 May 2022 (UTC) :::Did an update today, though the links in the bottom table no longer works. I'll do another update around 2022-05-23 after the edit-a-thon has concluded. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:02, 13 May 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-20 == <section begin="technews-2022-W20"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/20|Translations]] are available. '''Changes later this week''' * Some wikis can soon use the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Growth/Tools/Add a link|add a link]] feature. This will start on Wednesday. The wikis are {{int:project-localized-name-cawiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-hewiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-hiwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-kowiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-nowiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-ptwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-simplewiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-svwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-ukwiki/en}}. This is part of the [[phab:T304110|progressive deployment of this tool to more Wikipedias]]. The communities can [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Community configuration|configure how this feature works locally]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T304542] * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Hackathon 2022|Wikimedia Hackathon 2022]] will take place online on May 20–22. It will be in English. There are also local [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Hackathon 2022/Meetups|hackathon meetups]] in Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Nigeria and the United States. Technically interested Wikimedians can work on software projects and learn new skills. You can also host a session or post a project you want to work on. * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.12|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-17|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-18|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-19|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Future changes''' * You can soon edit translatable pages in the visual editor. Translatable pages exist on for examples Meta and Commons. [https://diff.wikimedia.org/2022/05/12/mediawiki-1-38-brings-support-for-editing-translatable-pages-with-the-visual-editor/] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/20|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W20"/> 18:58, 16 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23291515 --> == Size of cities == Prompted by [[Special:Diff/4361918/4415249|this edit]] I wonder what people in general would recognize as a city. If Kópavogur with 35,966 inhabitants is "far from" being recognised as a city, then many Finnish province capitals, such as [[Kajaani]], [[Kotka]], [[Mikkeli]] and [[Vaasa]] might not be recognised as such either (Kajaani has 36,500). When starting editing Wikivoyage, I thought it was odd to call Finnish towns "cities", but I have been thinking the usage just differs around the world. My original thought was that [[Helsinki]] would be the only one qualifying, and this seems to confirm that interpretation, that towns with 50,000–150,000 inhabitants should just be called towns (except for the article class – the 100-inhabitants [[Kilpisjärvi]] has a "city" article). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:22, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :It really depends on what the classification is. I usually call a settlement that has fewer than 10k a town, a settlement between 10k-50k a small city, 50k-200k a regional city, while anything over 200k as a major city. But when "city" is used alone, I'd tend to think of a settlement over 50k. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:27, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::If you don't mind my interjecting a comment: We've discussed this before. I think Australia may have some clearer definitions of "city" by population than other countries. I agree with LPfi's point of view on this. Whether it's a small city or not is somewhat contextual. In the Northeastern U.S., it would be. In Iceland, I bet it wouldn't be. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:47, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::: {{ping|Ikan Kekek}} Wouldn't be what? The context is that we now say (about [[Reykjavík]], in [[Nordic history]]): :::: "Iceland's oldest settlement and by far the only thing most (Europeans) would recognize as a "city" in Iceland." ::: and SHB2000 commented: :::: "it's not just Europeans – the next most populous city in Iceland is Kópavogur which only has a population of 35,966, which is tiny compared to Reykjavík" ::: So we now say that Kópavogur with 36,000 inhabitants by far wouldn't be recognised as a city. If 10–50k would make it a small city, how is it by far not recognised as a city at all? In US it would also be a small city, but in Iceland it wouldn't be a small city, but would it still be a city? Or aren't small cities cities? I am really confused now. ::: (There might be issues about Icelandic cities not looking like cities, but if that's the case, SHB2000's comment still doesn't make sense to me.) ::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:24, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Perspectives on this really vary by country (and maybe by region). A settlement of 30,000 in Uruguay is considered a city, but put the same settlement in southeastern China and it would be considered a small town. For this reason, I disagree with the linked edit – there is no universal standard of what constitutes a city. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 09:36, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::To reply to "Wouldn't be what?": Wouldn't be a small city, as opposed to a large one. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:31, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::In the United Kingdom, various settlements are officially classified as being a "town" or a "city". Historically towns with a cathedral were cities, but that classification has long since dissappeared. As an example, as part of Queen Elizabeth's plainum jubilee celebrations, six British towns and two towns in Britihs overseas territories were upgraded to cities. See '''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61505857 here]'''. [[User:Martinvl|Martinvl]] ([[User talk:Martinvl|talk]]) 21:42, 20 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Fascinating, thanks! Wow, Stanley, Falkland Islands as a city! And this: ::::::::''The new cities can expect a boost to local communities and the opening up of new opportunities for people who live there, the Cabinet Office said. It cited research that suggested previous winner Perth, in Scotland, saw the local economy expand by 12% in the decade it was granted city status, after it put them on the international map as a place to do business.'' [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 01:54, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I'd never thought that the Falklands would ever have cities ;-). This is fascinating news! <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:59, 21 May 2022 (UTC) == empty section header == hey, i thought i forgot the splurge headline in the my first Luxembourg (city) edit and brought it back, because I didn't see, that you took it out. is there a rule, that there should be no empty splurge header? imo having it rather encourages people to add listings. without it, it looks like the splurge header is missing imo. [[User:Flightnavigator|Flightnavigator]] ([[User talk:Flightnavigator|talk]]) 13:08, 17 May 2022 (UTC) :Grouping eat or sleep listings into price range is entirely optional, and when there are empty optional section headers, it does not give a good look on Wikivoyage. If someone does find a splurge restaurant, then they can add it back, but until then, it sits of no use. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:02, 18 May 2022 (UTC) :: I am not sure about that. In a place with few restaurants, we need no subheadings, but I am sure there are splurge restaurants in Luxembourg, and I am sure some travellers want to eat at them. Thus there is a deficiency, which we should want to make obvious to readers and editors alike. Passer-by editors won't know that there should be a splurge heading, so they won't add it. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:56, 18 May 2022 (UTC) :::If editors are adding it just so "someone else" to add content, that unfortunately will not happen, based on an [[User_talk:SHB2000/Archive_2021#Your_experiment|experiment]] I did at the end of last year with MoS tags, with an active contributor. In this case, an empty splurge section doesn't help travellers, and hoping for passer-by editors or someone else to do it is even worse in my opinion. Either leave the section and add a restaurant, or don't include it – it's as simple as that. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:08, 18 May 2022 (UTC) :::: If it "does not give a good look" so be it. If I write a stub, I don't want it to look like a guide. Let's have that ugly empty section there to warn readers the article hasn't been written properly (yet). It is an easy way to warn readers – and for a place like Luxembourg, I am sure somebody will fill it in in not too many years. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:49, 19 May 2022 (UTC) == Amusment Parks... == A long time ago I started the Amusement parks topic.. However, outside of the UK .. I didn't know that much about smaller but notable parks. Would you be able to consider adding some for your region, or at least add some listings to the relevant city pages with a cross reference? Another consideration is that I wasn't sure if Sea World was an Amusement Park or a Zoo for Wikivoyage purposes. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:46, 18 May 2022 (UTC) :[[Amusement parks]] seems to cover all the important theme parks that I known of, except that there's no link to [[Gold Coast/Northern suburbs]], where all the theme parks are located in. I'll add a link to that in just a moment. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:30, 19 May 2022 (UTC) ::Done. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:31, 19 May 2022 (UTC) : None in Western Australia then? Hmm... Also I am suprised Australia hadn't got it's own Diggerland (for context- https://www.diggerland.com/ ) yet :) [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 11:24, 19 May 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]]: Unfortunately, I haven't been to WA yet. I've been wanting to for some time, but never really got the chance to. I did find a link to [https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/things-to-do/must-do-and-top-10/popular-amusement-and-theme-parks the WA tourism website] though, which has all the popular amusement parks. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:40, 19 May 2022 (UTC) ::: Hmm not seeing any on the scale of the 'resort' parks on the Gold Coast though.. hmmm.. Thanks for the updates. I would also possibly suggest adding an explainer about Luna Park in the relevant pages. It's older than the modern resorts IIRC? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 11:49, 19 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yep. There were some celebrations in Milsons Point two years ago when Luna Park turned 85. The Melbourne one is even older, and it's turning 110 later this year. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:34, 21 May 2022 (UTC) == Sorry for overlooking deleting the templates from articles == It didn't occur to me at all, which is kind of crazy. Thank you for taking care of it. I'm on the road now, and don't have much time for Wikivoyage. I will not forget next time. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 03:44, 22 May 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Ground Zero}} Not a problem. It's a weird thing with templates, and I wish we had a bot like CommonsDelinker but removes templates instead. Enjoy traveling though :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:47, 22 May 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-21 == <section begin="technews-2022-W21"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/21|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * Administrators using the mobile web interface can now access Special:Block directly from user pages. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T307341] * The <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">[https://www.wiktionary.org/ www.wiktionary.org]</span> portal page now uses an automated update system. Other [[m:Project_portals|project portals]] will be updated over the next few months. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T304629] '''Problems''' * The Growth team maintains a mentorship program for newcomers. Previously, newcomers weren't able to opt out from the program. Starting May 19, 2022, newcomers are able to fully opt out from Growth mentorship, in case they do not wish to have any mentor at all. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T287915] * Some editors cannot access the content translation tool if they load it by clicking from the contributions menu. This problem is being worked on. It should still work properly if accessed directly via Special:ContentTranslation. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308802] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.13|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-24|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-25|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-26|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Future changes''' * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] Gadget and user scripts developers are invited to give feedback on a [[mw:User:Jdlrobson/Extension:Gadget/Policy|proposed technical policy]] aiming to improve support from MediaWiki developers. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308686] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/21|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W21"/> 00:21, 24 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23317250 --> == ''The Signpost'': 29 May 2022 == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[File:WikipediaSignpostIcon.svg|40px|right]] ''News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia''</div> <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * From the team: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/From the team|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/From the team]] * News and notes: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/News and notes|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/News and notes]] * Community view: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Community view|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Community view]] * Opinion: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Opinion|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Opinion]] * In the media: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/In the media|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/In the media]] * Special report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Special report|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Special report]] * In focus: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/In focus|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/In focus]] * Discussion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Discussion report|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Discussion report]] * WikiProject report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/WikiProject report|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/WikiProject report]] * Technology report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Technology report|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Technology report]] * Featured content: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Featured content|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Featured content]] * Interview: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Interview|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Interview]] * Serendipity: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Serendipity|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Serendipity]] * Recent research: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Recent research|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Recent research]] * Tips and tricks: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Tips and tricks|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Tips and tricks]] * Traffic report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Traffic report|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Traffic report]] * News from Diff: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/News from Diff|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/News from Diff]] * News from the WMF: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/News from the WMF|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/News from the WMF]] * Video: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Video|How the entire country of Qatar was blocked from editing]] * Gallery: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Gallery|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Gallery]] * From the archives: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/From the archives|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/From the archives]] * Essay: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Essay|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Essay]] * Humour: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Humour|en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-05-29/Humour]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'''[[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Read this Signpost in full]]''' · [[w:en:Wikipedia:Signpost/Single|Single-page]] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Signpost|Unsubscribe]] · [[m:Global message delivery|Global message delivery]] 20:48, 29 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Sent via script ([[w:en:User:Evad37/SPS]]) --></div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:JPxG@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Signpost&oldid=23323647 --> == Tech News: 2022-22 == <section begin="technews-2022-W22"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/22|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] In the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:AbuseFilter|AbuseFilter]] extension, an <code dir=ltr>ip_in_ranges()</code> function has been introduced to check if an IP is in any of the ranges. Wikis are advised to combine multiple <code dir=ltr>ip_in_range()</code> expressions joined by <code>|</code> into a single expression for better performance. You can use the search function on [[Special:AbuseFilter|Special:AbuseFilter]] to locate its usage. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T305017] * The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation/IP Info feature|IP Info feature]] which helps abuse fighters access information about IPs, [[m:Special:MyLanguage/IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation/IP Info feature#May 24, 2022|has been deployed]] to all wikis as a beta feature. This comes after weeks of beta testing on test.wikipedia.org. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.14|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-05-31|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-01|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-02|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-05-31|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s5.dblist targeted wikis]). * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools#New topic tool|New Topic Tool]] will be deployed for all editors at most wikis soon. You will be able to opt out from within the tool and in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion|Preferences]]. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Talk_pages_project/New_discussion][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T287804] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|Advanced item]] The [[:mw:Special:ApiHelp/query+usercontribs|list=usercontribs API]] will support fetching contributions from an [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Range blocks#Non-technical explanation|IP range]] soon. API users can set the <code>uciprange</code> parameter to get contributions from any IP range within [[:mw:Manual:$wgRangeContributionsCIDRLimit|the limit]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T177150] * A new parser function will be introduced: <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code><nowiki>{{=}}</nowiki></code></bdi>. It will replace existing templates named "=". It will insert an [[w:en:Equals sign|equal sign]]. This can be used to escape the equal sign in the parameter values of templates. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T91154] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/22|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W22"/> 20:29, 30 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Trizek (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23340178 --> == This Month in Education: May 2022 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:40px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This Month in Education</span> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:20px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; width:900px;"> Volume 11 • Issue 5 • May 2022</span> ---- <span style="font-size:larger;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/May 2022|Contents]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/May 2022/Headlines|Headlines]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe]]</span> ---- <span style="color:white; font-size:26px; font-family:Montserrat; display:block; background:#92BFB1; width:100%;">In This Issue</span></div> <div style="text-align: left; column-count: 2; column-width: 35em; -moz-column-count: 2; -moz-column-width: 35em; -webkit-column-count: 2; -webkit-column-width: 35em;"> * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Wiki Hackathon in Kwara State|Wiki Hackathon in Kwara State]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Introduction of the Wikimedia Fan Club to Kwara State University Malete|Introduction of the Wikimedia Fan Club to Kwara State University Malete]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Education in Kosovo|Education in Kosovo]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Bringing the Wikiprojects to the Island of Catanduanes|Bringing the Wikiprojects to the Island of Catanduanes]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Tyap Wikipedia Goes Live|Tyap Wikipedia Goes Live]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Spring 1Lib1Ref edition in Poland|Spring 1Lib1Ref edition in Poland]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Tyap Editors Host Maiden Wiktionary In-person Training Workshop|Tyap Editors Host Maiden Wiktionary In-person Training Workshop]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Wikibooks project in teaching|Wikibooks project in teaching]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/Africa Eduwiki Network Hosted Conversation about Wikimedian in Education with Nebojša Ratković|Africa Eduwiki Network Hosted Conversation about Wikimedian in Education with Nebojša Ratković]] * [[m:Education/News/May 2022/My Journey In The Wiki-Space By Thomas Baah|My Journey In The Wiki-Space By Thomas Baah]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; text-align: center; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education| Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[:m:User:ZI Jony|ZI Jony]] 02:54, 1 June 2022 (UTC)</div> </div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/This_Month_in_Education&oldid=23351176 --> == Tech News: 2022-23 == <section begin="technews-2022-W23"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/23|Translations]] are available. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.15|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-07|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-08|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-09|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] A new <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>str_replace_regexp()</code></bdi> function can be used in [[Special:AbuseFilter|abuse filters]] to replace parts of text using a [[w:en:Regular expression|regular expression]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T285468] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/23|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W23"/> 02:46, 7 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23366979 --> == "Brendan's content cannot stay" == Yes it can in the rare cases in which it improves articles, especially when someone else takes responsibility for it. Edit warring over that [[ttcf|hurts the traveller]]. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:53, 11 June 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Ikan Kekek}} In [[Special:Diff/4465327]], I removed "<font color="green">The colorful street art, which can be seen on one of the islands</font>". That's the typical kind of content he adds to country/region articles. If we let this one go, then you could argue in leaving all his trivial edits that we usually rollback. You were right to restore the capitalization error he fixed, but if we let the trivial content stay, you could argue in keeping all of his articles for every farming town in the midst of nowhere. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:59, 11 June 2022 (UTC) ::No, only trivial improvements stay, not useless articles that may contain copyvio or racist remarks to boot. But I hadn't noticed I had restored "The colorful street art, which can be seen on one of the islands". That needs to go, but the capitalization should be corrected. Sorry for not paying enough attention. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:24, 11 June 2022 (UTC) :::No problems. We all make that mitsake. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:28, 11 June 2022 (UTC) ::::<small>*mistake --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:29, 11 June 2022 (UTC)</small> == ''This Month in GLAM'': May 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue V, May 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Albania report|Albania report]]: Summer of Wikivoyage 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Argentina report|Argentina report]]: Face-to-face and virtual events on May * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Australia report|Australia report]]: Over 1000 references added in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand for #1Lib1Ref * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Belgium report|Belgium report]]: New Wikidata Property * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Brazil report|Brazil report]]: Wiki Loves Espírito Santo is a sucess * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Estonia report|Estonia report]]: From university to library * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Finland report|Finland report]]: Photowalks in Southern Finland, spring 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: International Museum Day 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/India report|India report]]: Digitization of Tibetan Buddhist canons, The International Museum Day 2022 Wikidata Competition * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Italy report|Italy report]]: May in and for museums * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Kosovo report|Kosovo report]]: Cooperation with the National Gallery of Kosova and Summer of Wikivoyage 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Malaysia report|Malaysia report]]: WikiGap Malaysia 2022 @ Kuala Lumpur Library * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: Pacific Arts Aotearoa Wikiproject, Auckland Museum's Exploratory Study and Report back on #1Lib1Ref * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Poland report|Poland report]]: Wikipedian in residence in the National Museum in Cracow; Training at the Wawel Royal Castle National Art Collection; How can we make GLAM’s digital resources more reusable in education?; The International Museum Day 2022 Wikidata Competition * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Serbia report|Serbia report]]: New GLAM brochure and Wikilive 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Sweden report|Sweden report]]: Rembrandt and others – drawings from the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm; Stockholm Museum of Women’s History; The map book of Heinrich Thome; Sörmland Museum; Wikidata competition – International Museum Day 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Switzerland report|Switzerland report]]: Diversity in GLAM Program * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Khalili Collections * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Uruguay report|Uruguay report]]: Wikimedistas de Uruguay report: 1bib1ref, Museum of Natural History, and more! * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: Hackathons and Edit-a-thons * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: International Energy Agency share their knowledge and graphics on Wikipedia * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report|Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report]]: Uploading files to Wikimedia Commons with OpenRefine: looking for test uploads! * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/WMF GLAM report|WMF GLAM report]]: Results from 1Lib1Ref May 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: June's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/May 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 14:14, 13 June 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=23345409 --> == Tech News: 2022-24 == <section begin="technews-2022-W24"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/24|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * All wikis can now use [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] maps. Kartographer maps now also work on pages with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Pending changes|pending changes]]. [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WMDE_Technical_Wishes/Geoinformation#Project_descriptions][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T307348] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.16|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-14|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-15|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-16|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-06-14|en}} at 06:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s6.dblist targeted wikis]). [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T300471] * Starting on Wednesday, a new set of Wikipedias will get "[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Growth/Tools/Add a link|Add a link]]" ({{int:project-localized-name-abwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-acewiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-adywiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-afwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-akwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-alswiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-amwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-anwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-angwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-arcwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-arzwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-astwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-atjwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-avwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-aywiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-azwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-azbwiki/en}}). This is part of the [[phab:T304110|progressive deployment of this tool to more Wikipedias]]. The communities can [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Community configuration|configure how this feature works locally]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T304548] * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools#New topic tool|New Topic Tool]] will be deployed for all editors at Commons, Wikidata, and some other wikis soon. You will be able to opt out from within the tool and in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion|Preferences]]. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Talk_pages_project/New_discussion][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T287804] '''Future meetings''' * The next [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|open meeting with the Web team]] about Vector (2022) will take place today (13 June). The following meetings will take place on: 28 June, 12 July, 26 July. '''Future changes''' * By the end of July, the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements|Vector 2022]] skin should be ready to become the default across all wikis. Discussions on how to adjust it to the communities' needs will begin in the next weeks. It will always be possible to revert to the previous version on an individual basis. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/2022-04 for the largest wikis|Learn more]]. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/24|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W24"/> 16:59, 13 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23389956 --> == A banner please == Hello SHB2000! Could you please create a banner for Classical Meitei from this: [[:commons:File:Numit_Kappa.jpg]]? --[[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]] ([[User talk:Haoreima|talk]]) 06:38, 15 June 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Haoreima|Haoreima]]: {{done}} <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:59, 15 June 2022 (UTC) == Your email == I'd answer your question with "it's most likely", you know. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 12:02, 20 June 2022 (UTC) :Okay, good to have confirmation. Will rollback the IP edits. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:03, 20 June 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-25 == <section begin="technews-2022-W25"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/25|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Apps/Team/Android|Wikipedia App for Android]] now has an option for editing the whole page at once, located in the overflow menu (three-dots menu [[File:Ic more vert 36px.svg|15px|link=|alt=]]). [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T103622] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] Some recent database changes may affect queries using the [[m:Research:Quarry|Quarry tool]]. Queries for <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>site_stats</code></bdi> at English Wikipedia, Commons, and Wikidata will need to be updated. [[phab:T306589|Read more]]. * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] A new <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>user_global_editcount</code></bdi> variable can be used in [[Special:AbuseFilter|abuse filters]] to avoid affecting globally active users. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T130439] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.17|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-21|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-22|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-23|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * Users of non-responsive skins (e.g. MonoBook or Vector) on mobile devices may notice a slight change in the default zoom level. This is intended to optimize zooming and ensure all interface elements are present on the page (for example the table of contents on Vector 2022). In the unlikely event this causes any problems with how you use the site, we'd love to understand better, please ping <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">[[m:User:Jon (WMF)|Jon (WMF)]]</span> to any on-wiki conversations. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T306910] '''Future changes''' * The Beta Feature for [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools|DiscussionTools]] will be updated throughout July. Discussions will look different. You can see [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk pages project/Usability/Prototype|some of the proposed changes]]. * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] Parsoid's HTML output will soon stop annotating file links with different <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>typeof</code></bdi> attribute values, and instead use <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>mw:File</code></bdi> for all types. Tool authors should adjust any code that expects: <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>mw:Image</code></bdi>, <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>mw:Audio</code></bdi>, or <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>mw:Video</code></bdi>. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T273505] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/25|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W25"/> 20:18, 20 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23425855 --> == Politically inspired vandalism == Hello SHB2000, [[User:ArticCynda|ArticCynda]] is accusing you (via [[Kaspiysk]], and also via [[Murmansk Oblast]]) and [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] (via [[Murmansk Oblast]]) of Politically inspired vandalism (Dutch: Politiek geïnspireerd vandalisme). In both cases IP-edits were reverted by you and Ibaman. AC is mentioning this at the Dutch and French Travellers pub with wording that doen not describe the edits involved very accurately. Could you take a look at these actions? [[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 01:53, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :{{re|FredTC}} Thanks for the notice. I'll take a look and reply to both of them. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:57, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::Done. Replied on both. I do also have a [[User:SHB2000/IPs|log]] if you want to see what the edits looked like. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:14, 26 June 2022 (UTC) == ''The Signpost'': 26 June 2022 == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[File:WikipediaSignpostIcon.svg|40px|right]] ''News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia''</div> <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * News and notes: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/News and notes|WMF inks new rules on government-ordered takedowns, blasts Russian feds' censor demands, spends big bucks]] * In the media: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/In the media|Editor given three-year sentence, big RfA makes news, Guy Standing takes it sitting down]] * Special report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Special report|"Wikipedia's independence" or "Wikimedia's pile of dosh"?]] * Discussion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Discussion report|MoS rules on CCP name mulled, XRV axe plea nulled, BLPPROD drafting bid pulled]] * Opinion: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Opinion|Picture of the Day – how Adam plans to ru(i)n it]] * Featured content: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Featured content|Articles on Scots' clash, Yank's tux, Austrian's action flick deemed brilliant prose]] * Essay: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Essay|RfA trend line haruspicy: fact or fancy?]] * Recent research: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Recent research|Wikipedia versus academia (again), tables' "immortality" probed]] * Serendipity: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Serendipity|Was she really a Swiss lesbian automobile racer?]] * News from the WMF: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/News from the WMF|Wikimedia Enterprise signs first deals]] * Traffic report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Traffic report|Top view counts for shows, movies, and celeb lawsuit that keeps on giving]] * Gallery: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Gallery|Celebration of summer, winter]] * Humour: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-06-26/Humour|Shortcuts, screwballers, Simon & Garfunkel]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'''[[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Read this Signpost in full]]''' · [[w:en:Wikipedia:Signpost/Single|Single-page]] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Signpost|Unsubscribe]] · [[m:Global message delivery|Global message delivery]] 22:34, 26 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Sent via script ([[w:en:User:Evad37/SPS]]) --></div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:JPxG@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Signpost&oldid=23439210 --> == Rhotic South Australian accent == Where do you find them. Even people from Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln or Alice Springs that I have met had a pretty much general Australian accent. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 16:59, 27 June 2022 (UTC) :According to [[w:Rhoticity in English#Australia]] (where I even found out that some parts of South Australia have a rhotic South Australian accent), along the coastline (outside Adelaide, Mt Gambier or major cities). I suppose it's similar when you go to [[Otago]] or [[Southland]] in South Island where in major cities like Invercargill or Dunedin where you'll hear the standard NZ accent by most. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:58, 27 June 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-26 == <section begin="technews-2022-W26"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/26|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Enterprise|Wikimedia Enterprise]] API service now has self-service accounts with free on-demand requests and monthly snapshots ([https://enterprise.wikimedia.com/docs/ API documentation]). Community access [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Enterprise/FAQ#community-access|via database dumps & Wikimedia Cloud Services]] continues. * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] [[d:Special:MyLanguage/Wikidata:Wiktionary#lua|All Wikimedia wikis can now use Wikidata Lexemes in Lua]] after creating local modules and templates. Discussions are welcome [[d:Wikidata_talk:Lexicographical_data#You_can_now_reuse_Wikidata_Lexemes_on_all_wikis|on the project talk page]]. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.18|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-28|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-29|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-06-30|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-06-28|en}} at 06:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s7.dblist targeted wikis]). [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T311033] * Some global and cross-wiki services will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-06-30|en}} at 06:00 UTC. This will impact ContentTranslation, Echo, StructuredDiscussions, Growth experiments and a few more services. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T300472] * Users will be able to sort columns within sortable tables in the mobile skin. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T233340] '''Future meetings''' * The next [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|open meeting with the Web team]] about Vector (2022) will take place tomorrow (28 June). The following meetings will take place on 12 July and 26 July. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/26|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W26"/> 20:03, 27 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23453785 --> == This Month in Education: June 2022 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:2.9em; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This Month in Education</span> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:1.4em; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> Volume 11 • Issue 6 • June 2022</span> <div style="border-top:1px solid #a2a9b1; border-bottom:1px solid #a2a9b1; padding:0.5em; font-size:larger; margin-bottom:0.2em">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/June 2022|Contents]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/June 2022/Headlines|Headlines]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe]]</div> <div style="color:white; font-size:1.8em; font-family:Montserrat; background:#92BFB1;">In This Issue</div></div> <div style="text-align: left; column-count: 2; column-width: 35em;"> * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/Black Lunch Table: Black History Month with Igbo Wikimedians User Group|Black Lunch Table: Black History Month with Igbo Wikimedians User Group]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/Bolivian Teachers Welcomed Wikipedia in their Classroom|Bolivian Teachers Welcomed Wikipedia in their Classroom]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/Educational program & Wikivoyage in Ukrainian University|Educational program & Wikivoyage in Ukrainian University]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/The Great Learning and Connection: Experience from AFLIA|The Great Learning and Connection: Experience from AFLIA]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/New Mexico Students Join Wikimedia Movement Through WikiForHumanRights Campaign|New Mexico Students Join Wikimedia Movement Through WikiForHumanRights Campaign]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/The school wiki-project run by a 15 year old student came to an end|The school wiki-project run by a 15 year old student came to an end]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/The students of Kadir Has University, Istanbul contribute Wikimedia projects in "Civic Responsibility Project" course|The students of Kadir Has University, Istanbul contribute Wikimedia projects in "Civic Responsibility Project" course]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/Wiki Trip with Vasil Kamami Wikiclub to Berat, the town of one thousand windows|Wiki Trip with Vasil Kamami Wikiclub to Berat, the town of one thousand windows]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/Wikiclubs in Albania|Wikiclubs in Albania]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/Wikidata in the classroom FGGC Bwari Experience|Wikidata in the classroom FGGC Bwari Experience]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/Wikipedia and Secondary Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand|Wikipedia and Secondary Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/June 2022/А large-scale online course for teaching beginners to work in Wikipedia has been developed in Russia|А large-scale online course for teaching beginners to work in Wikipedia has been developed in Russia]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; text-align: center; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[:m:User:ZI Jony|ZI Jony]] 18:50, 4 July 2022 (UTC)</div> </div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/This_Month_in_Education&oldid=23406065 --> == Tech News: 2022-27 == <section begin="technews-2022-W27"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/27|Translations]] are available. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.19|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-05|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-06|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-07|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-07-05|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s6.dblist targeted wikis]) and on {{#time:j xg|2022-07-07|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s4.dblist targeted wikis]). * The Beta Feature for [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools|DiscussionTools]] will be updated throughout July. Discussions will look different. You can see [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk pages project/Usability/Prototype|some of the proposed changes]]. * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=| Advanced item]] This change only affects pages in the main namespace in Wikisource. The Javascript config variable <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>proofreadpage_source_href</code></bdi> will be removed from <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Interface/JavaScript#mw.config|mw.config]]</code></bdi> and be replaced with the variable <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>prpSourceIndexPage</code></bdi>. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T309490] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/27|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W27"/> 19:32, 4 July 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23466250 --> == Growth team newsletter #21 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> [[File:Growth team logo - Icon only.svg|right|frameless]] Welcome to the twenty-first newsletter from the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth|Growth team]]! === New project: Positive reinforcement === [[File:Growth's Positive reinforcement – Impact Module version A.png|thumb|Mockup of the Impact module, redesigned to add Positive reinforcement.|alt=Design mockup of the Positive reinforcement module for mobile users. The new module is first a summary of the number of views and can be expanded to show stats, graphs, and other contribution information.]] * The Growth team started a new project: [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Positive reinforcement|'''Positive reinforcement''']]. We want newcomers to understand there is an interest in regularly editing Wikipedia, and we want to improve new editor retention. * We asked users from Arabic, Bangla, Czech and French Wikipedia about their feedback. Some people participated at mediawiki.org as well. * We [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Positive reinforcement#Community%20discussion|summarized the initial feedback]] gathered from these community discussions, along with how we plan to iterate based on that feedback. * The first Positive Reinforcement idea is a redesign of the impact module: incorporating stats, graphs, and other contribution information. This idea received the widest support, and we plan to start our work based on the design illustrated on the side. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk:Growth/Positive reinforcement|Please let us know what you think of this project]], in any language. === For mentors === *We have worked on two new features, to inform them about the mentorship: ** [[phab:T287915|In the Mentor module, we now provide more information about the public nature of the mentors/newcomer relationship and the fact that talk pages are public.]] ** [[phab:T287915|We now allow newcomers to opt-in and opt-out of mentorship.]] === Scaling === * '''"Add a link" available at more wikis''' ― [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Growth/Tools/Add a link|Add a link]] feature has been deployed to more wikis: {{int:project-localized-name-cawiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-hewiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-hiwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-kowiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-nowiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-ptwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-simplewiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-svwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-ukwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-abwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-acewiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-adywiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-afwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-akwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-alswiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-amwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-anwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-angwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-arcwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-arzwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-astwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-atjwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-avwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-aywiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-azwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-azbwiki/en}}. This is part of the progressive deployment of this tool to more Wikipedias. The communities can [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Community configuration|configure locally how this feature works]]. * '''"Add an image" available at more wikis''' ― [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Growth/Tools/Add an image|Add an image]] feature will be deployed to more wikis: {{int:project-localized-name-elwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-idwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-plwiki/en}}{{int:comma-separator/en}}{{int:project-localized-name-zhwiki/en}}. These communities will be able to [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Community configuration|configure locally how this feature works]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301601] === Suggested edits === * '''Selecting topics''' ― We have created an "AND" filter to the list of topics at Special:Homepage. This way, newcomers can decide to select very specific topics ("Transportation" AND "Asia") or to have a broader selection ("Transportation" OR "Asia"). At the moment this feature is tested at [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/FAQ#pilot|pilot wikis]]. * '''Changes for Add a link''' ― [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Personalized first day/Structured tasks/Add a link/Iteration 2|We have built several improvements]] that came from community discussion and from data analysis. They will be available soon at the wikis. ** ''Algorithm improvements'' ― The algorithm now avoids recommending links in sections that usually don't have links and for first names. Also, it now limits each article to only having three link suggestions by default (limited to the highest accuracy suggestions of all the available ones in the article). ** ''User experience improvements'' ― We added a confirmation dialog when a user exits out of suggestion mode prior to making changes. We also improved post-edit dialog experience and allow newcomers to browse through task suggestions from the post-edit dialog. ** ''Community configuration'' ― We allow communities to set a maximum number of links per article via [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Community configuration|Special:EditGrowthConfig]]. ** ''Future change for Add a link feature'' ― We will suggest underlinked articles in priority. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T301096] * '''Patrolling suggested edits''' ― Some users at Arabic Wikipedia, Spanish Wikipedia, and Russian Wikipedia told us that "Add a link" and "Add an image" edits can be challenging to patrol. We are now brainstorming improvements to help address this challenge. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Personalized first day/Structured tasks/Community feedback|We have already some ideas and we started some work to address this challenge.]] If you have any thoughts to add about the challenges of reviewing these tasks or how we should improve these tasks further, [[mw:Topic:Wxeg55pwt4gamva8|please let us know]], in any language. === Community configuration === Communities can configure how the features work, using [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Community configuration|Special:EditGrowthConfig]]. * Communities can set the maximum number of "add an image" suggested tasks a newcomer can complete daily. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308543] * Future change: allow communities to customize the "add a link" quality gate threshold easily, using [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Community configuration|Special:EditGrowthConfig]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308543] ''<small>'''[[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth/Newsletters|Growth team's newsletter]]''' prepared by [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Growth|the Growth team]] and posted by [[m:User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]] • [[mw:Talk:Growth|Give feedback]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/Growth team updates|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].</small>'' </div> 13:03, 5 July 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Trizek (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Growth_team_updates&oldid=23396204 --> == ''This Month in GLAM'': June 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue VI, June 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Albania report|Albania report]]: CEE Spring 2022 in Albania and Kosovo * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Argentina report|Argentina report]]: In the middle of new projects * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Australia report|Australia report]]: A celebration, a commitment, an edit-a-thon: Know My Name returns for 2022 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Belgium report|Belgium report]]: Heritage and Wikimedian in Residence * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Brazil report|Brazil report]]: FIRST WikiCon Brazil & Three States of GLAM * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Croatia report|Croatia report]]: Network(ing) effect(s) * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: French open content report promotion * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Italy report|Italy report]]: Opening and closing projects in June * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Kosovo report|Kosovo report]]: Edit-a-thon with Kino Lumbardhi; DokuTech; CEE Spring 2022 in Albania and Kosovo * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: West Coast Wikipedian at Large and Auckland Museum updates * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Poland report|Poland report]]: Wikipedian in residence in the National Museum in Cracow; The next online meeting within the cycle of monthly editing GLAM meetings; Steps to communicate GLAM partnerships better and involve the Wikimedian community * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Sweden report|Sweden report]]: 100 000 memories from the Nordic Museum; Report from the Swedish National Archives * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Switzerland report|Switzerland report]]: Diversity in GLAM Program * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Featured images and cultural diversity * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: Fifty Women Sculptors; Juneteenth Edit-a-thon; Juneteenth Photobooths 2022; Wiknic June 2022; New York Botanical Garden June 2022; LGBT Pride Month * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report|Structured Data on Wikimedia Commons report]]: Structured data on Commons editing now possible with OpenRefine 3.6; file uploading with 3.7 * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: July's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/June 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 03:46, 11 July 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=23471794 --> == Tech News: 2022-28 == <section begin="technews-2022-W28"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/28|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * In the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements|Vector 2022 skin]], the page title is now displayed above the tabs such as Discussion, Read, Edit, View history, or More. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates#Page title/tabs switch|Learn more]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T303549] * [[File:Octicons-tools.svg|15px|link=|alt=|Advanced item]] It is now possible to easily view most of the configuration settings that apply to just one wiki, and to compare settings between two wikis if those settings are different. For example: [https://noc.wikimedia.org/wiki.php?wiki=jawiktionary Japanese Wiktionary settings], or [https://noc.wikimedia.org/wiki.php?wiki=eswiki&compare=eowiki settings that are different between the Spanish and Esperanto Wikipedias]. Local communities may want to [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Requesting_wiki_configuration_changes|discuss and propose changes]] to their local settings. Details about each of the named settings can be found by [[mw:Special:Search|searching MediaWiki.org]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308932] *The Anti-Harassment Tools team [[m:Special:MyLanguage/IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation/IP Info feature#May|recently deployed]] the IP Info Feature as a [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-betafeatures|Beta Feature at all wikis]]. This feature allows abuse fighters to access information about IP addresses. Please check our update on [[m:Special:MyLanguage/IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation/IP Info feature#April|how to find and use the tool]]. Please share your feedback using a link you will be given within the tool itself. '''Changes later this week''' * There is no new MediaWiki version this week. * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-07-12|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s3.dblist targeted wikis]). '''Future changes''' * The Beta Feature for [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools|DiscussionTools]] will be updated throughout July. Discussions will look different. You can see [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk pages project/Usability/Prototype|some of the proposed changes]]. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/28|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W28"/> 19:25, 11 July 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23502519 --> == RevDel request == #[[Special:Diff/4484257]] #[[Special:Diff/4484260]] #this very edit Ty in advance! [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 12:28, 16 July 2022 (UTC) :Done. Did you want me to only revdel the IP? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:38, 16 July 2022 (UTC) ::Thank you, yes. [[User:Twsabin|Twsabin]] ([[User talk:Twsabin|talk]]) 12:39, 16 July 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 7 == <section begin="msg-newsletter"/> <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 7, July-September 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Initiatives|Movement Strategy recommendations]], other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation. The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy/Updates|Movement Strategy Weekly]] will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> * '''Movement sustainability''': Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A1|continue reading]]) * '''Improving user experience''': recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A2|continue reading]]) * '''Safety and inclusion''': updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A3|continue reading]]) * '''Equity in decisionmaking''': reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A4|continue reading]]) * '''Stakeholders coordination''': launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A5|continue reading]]) * '''Leadership development''': updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A6|continue reading]]) * '''Internal knowledge management''': launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A7|continue reading]]) * '''Innovate in free knowledge''': high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A8|continue reading]]) * '''Evaluate, iterate, and adapt''': results from the Equity Landscape project pilot ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A9|continue reading]]) * '''Other news and updates''': a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/7#A10|continue reading]]) </div><section end="msg-newsletter"/> [[User:RamzyM (WMF)|RamzyM (WMF)]] 01:39, 18 July 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:RamzyM (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Movement_Strategy_and_Governance/Newsletter/Subscribe&oldid=23527297 --> == Tech News: 2022-29 == <section begin="technews-2022-W29"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/29|Translations]] are available. '''Problems''' * The feature on mobile web for [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Extension:NearbyPages|Nearby Pages]] was missing last week. It will be fixed this week. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T312864] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.21|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-19|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-20|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-21|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). '''Future changes''' * The [[mw:Technical_decision_making/Forum|Technical Decision Forum]] is seeking [[mw:Technical_decision_making/Community_representation|community representatives]]. You can apply on wiki or by emailing <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">TDFSupport@wikimedia.org</span> before 12 August. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/29|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W29"/> 23:00, 18 July 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23517957 --> == Your email == I would say "per the choice of articles to edit, it seems very likely", oh yes. Hope you're doing well, too. [[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 12:40, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :Okay good to have some conformation. Shall we block then? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:41, 20 July 2022 (UTC) == Green text == Do with this what you wish, but I just want to tell you: the non-standard green text you use for quotes is more or less unreadable for me, with my normal settings. I can read it by highlighting it (getting the colours in reverse) or doing some other tricks, but I might not bother to every time, and when I encounter it in a few posts after each other at Commons (where it seems to have gotten common), I often leave that thread unread. I don't know from where it comes, it seems to be marked just as "<nowiki><font face="Georgia" color="green"></nowiki>", which I doubt you are typing in each time. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 14:05, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|LPfi}} I'm typing that each time. If there was something that I could substitute, I'd have used <nowiki><span style="color:#006400; font-family:Georgia">text</span></nowiki>, but there is no template for that so I use the slightly simpler code soon to be depreciated. But if it's a bit unreadable, I'll try and not to use it. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:08, 21 July 2022 (UTC) == Nothing personal == I had a rough night and I'm still having a rough time, so I'm probably more irritable than usual. Nothing personal; I just don't like that redirect and would like for you to understand that I've been on this site and its predecessor since probably 2004 (I'd have to look at my pre-registered history of IPs), and trying to hold me to some protocol you think is set in stone and arguing on the basis of rules you take to be inflexible is not a good way to go. Asking whether you'd agree to a deletion is not a violation of protocol and posting to the pub about most anything you'd like to call attention to are not violations of protocol. Those are both common things that have been done for as long as I can remember. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:35, 20 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Ikan Kekek}} I do apologize if I went overly hasty with nitpicking policy and also apologies for the late response – don't know how I missed this (I think it conflicted with Ibaman's). I guess we have different opinions but that's why votes for deletion (aka Articles for deletion / Requests for deletion / Deletion requests etc.) exists. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:28, 22 July 2022 (UTC) ::You're absolutely right. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:28, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Gaddige Kenddganeshwara Temple == Are you sure a listing somewhere isn't warranted? Per [[w:Gaddige Kenddganeshwara]], it's a 17th-century temple, and photos I found in a web search look nice. Unfortunately, the [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gaddige_Kenddganeshwara 3 photos on Commons] suck. -- [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 06:30, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Ikan Kekek}} A lot of temples in Kerala were constructed before the 17th century. Architecturally, it may look nice, but most other Hindu temples in Kerala look similar. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:22, 24 July 2022 (UTC) ::OK, if you're sure, I'll defer to you. To an American, anything that old that's at least somewhat pretty seems worth a mention, but I've been to India and know how old continuous civilization has been there. Varanasi, for example, I believe I remember is a very old city. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:27, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::Before I went to India, anything that was over 150 years really fascinated me as there are few structures older than 200 years and whilst there were many Indigenous sites, a lot of them were destroyed during colonial times. Until I went to India where I visited temples that were built in the early 12th or 13th century – completely changed how I thought of "historic". Sometimes "historic" in the Australian or American sense does make me laugh (and I'm sure you'd have heard of the Windsor Castle joke). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:32, 24 July 2022 (UTC) ::::Which one is that? Yeah, London is quite historic, too. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:58, 24 July 2022 (UTC) :::::Well, an American tourist was outside Windsor Castle and admired the classic structure. But they were so bothered by the noise of the nearby Heathrow Airport that they exclaimed "Why did they build the castle so close to the airport?". But yeah, Europe has a lot of nice historic places. I've only really gotten the opportunity to visit France and England's historic sites, but I've yet to visit Italy's, Spain's, Hungary's – and a lot of other European countries' historic sites. I do plan to visit Italy and Spain sometime within the next few years though, hopefully when airfares aren't ridiculously high and travelling 16,000 km across the globe isn't easy ;-). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:06, 24 July 2022 (UTC) ::::::No, it isn't. I laughed out loud at the joke. Ancient Roman ruins are all over the place in Italy, and there are also a lot of Etruscan sites and relics and Greek ruins in parts of Italy where those civilizations used to be. I'll tell you a story about my first visit to Arezzo another day. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:15, 24 July 2022 (UTC) == Australian HSR == I just want to say, I hope they built it at some point. When I was living in Adelaide, I always thought it would be nice to have a HSR to Melbourne. And in fact, Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne is actually the right distance to have HSR. It would have made the journey possible in 3 hours. Unfortunately, I don't think there is the political will to make it happen, so for now, Australians will just have to watch from the distance and marvel at the convenience of HSR travel in China, Japan and Europe. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 16:28, 25 July 2022 (UTC) :Until very recently, it was a dream but things have really taken a turn since [[w:Dominic Perrottet|Dominic Perrottet]] became the NSW premier. Whilst a Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne corridor is far-fetched at this stage, construction for the Sydney-Central Coast-[[Newcastle (New South Wales)|Newcastle]] is likely to start soon. From a recent 320-page document highlighting the future of high-speed rail, at the moment, there are only plans to build high-speed rail between Sydney-Newcastle, Sydney-Canberra, Sydney-Wollongong and maybe Sydney-Bathurst but those were announced by the state government. I believe Albanese does have plans to eventually build this project, but I believe the Sydney-Newcastle route will be the main priority, at least for now. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:14, 26 July 2022 (UTC) ::Hopefully it's more than just talk this time. I must say I found the high-speed trains in China, Japan and Taiwan quite pleasant to use when I visited those countries, it would certainly be nice for Australians to have that as an option. My hope is that one day you will have a line from Cairns all the way down to Melbourne along the east coast, and perhaps from Melbourne to Adelaide. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:18, 26 July 2022 (UTC) :::Cairns or Townsville seem unlikely (not even by 2050), but it might as well be built by the Queensland government instead of the federal govt. But I do hope they eventually convert the entire Bruce Highway into a motorway (I believe it's one of the Queensland Government's long-term projects). Regarding a Melbourne-Adelaide HSR, I personally think a full freeway is more viable in the short- and mid-term (currently only 271 km of ≈800 km is a freeway), but who knows whether Adelaide will eventually be connected by HSR? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:58, 27 July 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-30 == <section begin="technews-2022-W30"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/30|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * The <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">[https://www.wikibooks.org/ www.wikibooks.org]</span> and <span class="mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr">[https://www.wikiquote.org/ www.wikiquote.org]</span> portal pages now use an automated update system. Other [[m:Project_portals|project portals]] will be updated over the next few months. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T273179] '''Problems''' * Last week, some wikis were in read-only mode for a few minutes because of an emergency switch of their main database ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s7.dblist targeted wikis]). [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T313383] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.22|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-26|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-27|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-07-28|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * The external link icon will change slightly in the skins Vector legacy and Vector 2022. The new icon uses simpler shapes to be more recognizable on low-fidelity screens. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T261391] * Administrators will now see buttons on user pages for "{{int:changeblockip}}" and "{{int:unblockip}}" instead of just "{{int:blockip}}" if the user is already blocked. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308570] '''Future meetings''' * The next [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|open meeting with the Web team]] about Vector (2022) will take place tomorrow (26 July). '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/30|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W30"/> 19:27, 25 July 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23545370 --> == ''The Signpost'': 1 August 2022 == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[File:WikipediaSignpostIcon.svg|40px|right]] ''News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia''</div> <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> * From the editors: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/From the editors|Rise of the machines, or something]] * News and notes: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/News and notes|Information considered harmful]] * In the media: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/In the media|Censorship, medieval hoaxes, "pathetic supervillains", FB-WMF AI TL bid, dirty duchess deeds done dirt cheap]] * Op-Ed: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Op-Ed|The "recession" affair]] * Eyewitness Wikimedian – Vinnytsia, Ukraine: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Eyewitness Wikimedian – Vinnytsia, Ukraine|War diary (part 3)]] * Election guide: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Election guide|The chosen six: 2022 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees elections]] * Community view: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Community view|Youth culture and notability]] * Opinion: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Opinion|Criminals among us]] * Arbitration report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Arbitration report|Winds of change blow for cyclone editors, deletion dustup draws toward denouement]] * Deletion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Deletion report|This is Gonzo Country]] * Discussion report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Discussion report|Notability for train stations, notices for mobile editors, noticeboards for the rest of us]] * Traffic report: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Traffic report|US TV, JP ex-PM, outer space, and politics of IN, US, UK top charts for July]] * Featured content: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Featured content|A little list with surprisingly few lists]] * Tips and tricks: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Tips and tricks|Cleaning up awful citations with Citation bot]] * In focus: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/In focus|Wikidata insights from a handy little tool]] * On the bright side: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/On the bright side|Ukrainian Wikimedians during the war — three (more) stories]] * Essay: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Essay|How to research an image]] * Recent research: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Recent research|A century of rulemaking on Wikipedia analyzed]] * Serendipity: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Serendipity|Don't cite Wikipedia]] * Gallery: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Gallery|A backstage pass]] * From the archives: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/From the archives|2012 Russian Wikipedia shutdown as it happened]] * Humour: [[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-01/Humour|Why did the chicken cross the road?]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'''[[w:en:Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost|Read this Signpost in full]]''' · [[w:en:Wikipedia:Signpost/Single|Single-page]] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Signpost|Unsubscribe]] · [[m:Global message delivery|Global message delivery]] 00:42, 1 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Sent via script ([[w:en:User:Evad37/SPS]]) --></div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:JPxG@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Signpost&oldid=23554609 --> == Tech News: 2022-31 == <section begin="technews-2022-W31"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/31|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * Improved [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Displaying_a_formula#Phantom|LaTeX capabilities for math rendering]] are now available in the wikis thanks to supporting <bdi lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><code>Phantom</code></bdi> tags. This completes part of [[m:Community_Wishlist_Survey_2022/Editing/Missing_LaTeX_capabilities_for_math_rendering|the #59 wish]] of the 2022 Community Wishlist Survey. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.23|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-02|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-03|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-04|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:WikiEditor/Realtime_Preview|Realtime Preview]] will be available as a Beta Feature on wikis in [https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists%2Fgroup0.dblist Group 0]. This feature was built in order to fulfill [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community_Wishlist_Survey_2021/Real_Time_Preview_for_Wikitext|one of the Community Wishlist Survey proposals]]. '''Future changes''' * The Beta Feature for [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools|DiscussionTools]] will be updated throughout August. Discussions will look different. You can see [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk pages project/Usability/Prototype|some of the proposed changes]]. '''Future meetings''' * This week, three meetings about [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements|Vector (2022)]] with live interpretation will take place. On Tuesday, interpretation in Russian will be provided. On Thursday, meetings for Arabic and Spanish speakers will take place. [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|See how to join]]. '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/31|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W31"/> 21:22, 1 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23615613 --> == This Month in Education: July 2022 == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:2.9em; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This Month in Education</span> <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00A7E2; font-size:1.4em; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> Volume 11 • Issue 7 • July 2022</span> <div style="border-top:1px solid #a2a9b1; border-bottom:1px solid #a2a9b1; padding:0.5em; font-size:larger; margin-bottom:0.2em">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/July 2022|Contents]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/Newsletter/July 2022/Headlines|Headlines]] • [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe]]</div> <div style="color:white; font-size:1.8em; font-family:Montserrat; background:#92BFB1;">In This Issue</div></div> <div style="text-align: left; column-count: 2; column-width: 35em;"> * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/July 2022/Wikimedia Chile launched a teacher guidebook with Wiki tools for Heritage Education|Wikimedia Chile launched a teacher guidebook with Wiki tools for Heritage Education]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/July 2022/Wikimedia Serbia received a new accreditation for the professional development program|Wikimedia Serbia received a new accreditation for the professional development program]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/July 2022/Wikimedia for Illiterate Persons|Wikimedia for Illiterate Persons]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/July 2022/EtnoWiki edit-a-thon in Poland|Polish Wikipedia is enriched with new EtnoWiki content]] * [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Education/News/July 2022/Career Education through Wikipedia|Career Education through Wikipedia]] </div> <div style="margin-top:10px; text-align: center; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[:m:User:ZI Jony|ZI Jony]] 17:39, 3 August 2022 (UTC)</div> </div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/This_Month_in_Education&oldid=23607963 --> == Tech News: 2022-32 == <section begin="technews-2022-W32"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/32|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Meta:GUS2Wiki/Script|GUS2Wiki]] copies the information from [[{{#special:GadgetUsage}}]] to an on-wiki page so you can review its history. If your project isn't already listed on the [[d:Q113143828|Wikidata entry for Project:GUS2Wiki]] you can either run GUS2Wiki yourself or [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Meta:GUS2Wiki/Script#Opting|make a request to receive updates]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T121049] '''Changes later this week''' * There is no new MediaWiki version this week. * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-09|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s5.dblist targeted wikis]) and on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-11|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s2.dblist targeted wikis]). '''Future meetings''' * The [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon|Wikimania Hackathon]] will take place online from August 12–14. Don't miss [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon/Schedule|the pre-hacking showcase]] to learn about projects and find collaborators. Anyone can [[phab:/project/board/6030/|propose a project]] or [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon/Schedule|host a session]]. [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon/Newcomers|Newcomers are welcome]]! '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/32|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W32"/> 19:50, 8 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23627807 --> == ''This Month in GLAM'': July 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue VII, July 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Argentina report|Argentina report]]: Provinces: our main characters * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Brazil report|Brazil report]]: Brazil holds its National Wiki Conference, and many GLAM partners join * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Colombia report|Colombia report]]: A very busy July for Colombian libraries / Un Julio bastante movido para las bibliotecas colombianas * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: Wikimedian in residence in Clermont-Ferrand * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: News from Auckland Museum, the West Coast, and New Zealand's thesis repositories * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Poland report|Poland report]]: Edit-a-thon in the National Museum in Cracow, GLAM editing contest on the collection of artworks * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Portugal report|Portugal report]]: Portugal’s first GLAM-Wiki open access museum project is launched!! * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Serbia report|Serbia report]]: Presentation of GLAM activities at Edu Wiki Camp * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Khalili Collections * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: GLAM for the Masses * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/AvoinGLAM report|AvoinGLAM report]]: Wikimania * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: Wikimania activities * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/WMF GLAM report|WMF GLAM report]]: What next for 1Lib1Ref? * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: August's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 01:24, 9 August 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=23554599 --> snmifnt137vu8d0146wqxuu61qhuqsl 0 186253 4506305 4283257 2022-08-22T16:20:09Z Mwehle 2194659 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|caption=Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a UNESCO world heritage site|unesco=yes}} '''Belém''' is a district in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]. ==Get in== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q413311, Q1017927, Q18500330|stroke-width=0}} Take bus '''728''' to the west (direction Restelo), which follows the coast line and provides an express service with few stops. Or take the Cascais suburban train (line ''Cascais todos'' or ''Oeiras''; the express trains don't stop in Belém) to Belém and walk to the attractions. Tram '''{{rint|lisbon|15e}}''' to the west (Algés direction) follows the Junqueira residential line. Check the route map inside the tram: it helps to find a right station for most famous of Belém attractions. The extensive bus network also serves Belém from various departure points around the city and can be less busy than the tram. To reach the waterfront attractions such as Belem Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos from the town centre/tram line, you must cross over the railway line by the footbridges – there is one at the railway station and another near Belem Tower, and a tunnel by the Monument to the Discoverers. ==See== [[File:Torre Belém April 2009-4a.jpg|thumb|Torre de Belém]] [[File:Mosteiro dos Jeronimo (346721179).jpg|thumb|The sheer size of the Jeronimos Monastery is astounding enough, coupled with the ornate Gothic decoration]] [[File:Museu Nacional dos Coches (4904043960).jpg|thumb|Museu Nacional dos Coches]] [[File:Jardim Botânico da Ajuda.jpg|thumb|Ponte 25 de Abril seen from the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda]] This monument-packed area is a must-see place, and it contains Lisbon's two {{UNESCO}}s: the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. * {{see | name=Ajuda Botanical Gardens | alt=Jardim Botânico da Ajuda | url=http://www.isa.ulisboa.pt/jba/apresentacao | email=botanicoajuda@isa.ulisboa.pt | address=Calçada da Ajuda | lat=38.706208 | long=-9.200807 | directions=Tram stop {{station|Calçada da Ajuda (GNR)|18e}} | phone=+351 21 362 2503 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 09:00-20:00 (summer), 09:00-18:00 (winter) | price=€2 | image=Visão geral do Jardim Botânico da Ajuda.jpg | wikidata=Q5394216 | content=The botanical garden of Ajuda is one of the oldest gardens in Europe and is considered the first in Portugal. After the earthquake that occurred in 1755, the homeless Portuguese royal family decided to build a new royal residence at Ajuda but also gardens around it. This 10-acre garden was laid out in from 1858-1873. }} * {{see | name=Centro Cultural de Belém | alt=CCB, Belém Cultural Center | url=https://www.ccb.pt/en/ | email= | address=Praça do Império | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+351 21 361 2400 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1054277 | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=CCB is a {{m2|140000}} complex of artistic and cultural venues. It has spaces for meetings and conferences, performing arts (film, opera, ballet, theatre, and music), and art exhibits (art, architecture, design, and photography). }} * {{see | name=Monument to the Discoveries | alt=Padrão dos Descobrimentos | url=http://www.padraodosdescobrimentos.pt/ | email= | address= | lat=38.693611 | long=-9.205556 | directions=Tram stop {{station|Mosteiro dos Jerónimos|15e}} | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=€4 | wikipedia=Padrão dos Descobrimentos | image=Belem.Padrao09.jpg | wikidata=Q1133712 | content=Climbing the monument gives you a spectacular view of Belém. }} * {{see | name=Mosteiro dos Jerónimos | alt=Jerónimos Monastery | url=http://www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt/en/museus-e-monumentos/dgpc/m/mosteiro-dos-jeronimos/ | email= | address=Praça do Império | lat= | long= | directions=Tram stop {{station|Mosteiro dos Jerónimos|15e}} | phone=+351 21 362 0034 | tollfree= | hours=Oct-May: Tu-Su 10:00-17:30; May-Sep: Tu-Su 10:00-18:30; last entry 30 min before closing; closed 1 Jan, Easter, 1 May, 13 Jun, and 25 Dec | price=€10 (adults), €5 (seniors/students/youth card), free (children under 12); free admission to the church and on first Sun of the month. Note that tickets are sold from the neighbouring archeological museum, not at the monastery entrance | wikidata=Q272781 | lastedit=2017-05-08 | content=A {{UNESCO}}, the monastery was built in the 16th century and is an outstanding example of the Portuguese late Gothic Manueline style. }} * {{see | name=Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology | alt=MAAT – Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia | url=https://www.maat.pt/en | email=maat@edp.pt | address=Avenida Brasília | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+351 21 002 8130 | tollfree= | hours=W–M 11:00–19:00 (Jun–Sep: F Sa until 22:00), closed Tu | price=Adults {{EUR|9}}, kids 12+/students/seniors 65+ {{EUR|6}}, kids under 12 free,15 Jul–31 Aug: 20% discount off all tickets (admission includes Tejo Power Station) | wikidata=Q27522479 | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=This museum of contemporary art is housed in a riverside building of contemporary design. }} * {{see | name=Museu Colecção Berardo | alt= | url=http://www.museuberardo.com/ | email= | address=Centro Cultural de Belém | lat=38.695521 | long=-9.208378 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-19:00 | price=€5 | wikipedia=Berardo Collection Museum | image=Berardo Collection Museum.png | wikidata=Q2191491 |lastedit=2019-08-02| content=The permanent collection of the museum consists of the Berardo Collection, which is made up of modern and contemporary art, with major art movements like abstract expressionism, Abstraction-Création, action painting, body Art, constructivism, cubism, De Stijl, digital art, experimental art, geometric abstraction, kinetic art, minimal art, neo-expressionism, neo-plasticism, neo-Realism, op art, photography, photorealism, pop art, realism, suprematism, surrealism. Includes artists like Piet Mondrian, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock, and Francis Bacon. }} * {{see | name=Museu da Marinha | alt=Navy Museum | url=https://ccm.marinha.pt/pt/museu/ | email= | address=Praça do Império | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+351 21 362-0019 | tollfree= | hours=May–Sep 10:00–18:00 daily, Oct–Apr 10:00–17 daily | price=Adults {{EUR|6.50}}, seniors 65+ & youths 4–12 {{EUR|3.25}}, kids 0–3 free, family (2 adults & 2 youths) {{EUR|14.60}} | wikidata=Q1540177 | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=One of the most important in Europe, evoking Portugal's domination of the seas. Its colossal 17,000 items are installed in the west wing of Jerónimos Monastery, and include model ships from the Age of Discovery onward. The oldest exhibit is a wooden figure representing the Archangel Raphael that accompanied Vasco da Gama on his voyage to India. }} * {{see | name=Museu Nacional dos Coches | alt=National Coach Museum | url=http://museudoscoches.pt/pt/ | email= | address=Praça Afonso de Albuquerque, Belem | lat=38.697778 | long=-9.199722 | directions=Tram or train to Belem | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-18:00 | price=€5 | wikipedia=National Coach Museum | image=Museu dos Coches 03 (17685165883).jpg | wikidata=Q1659559 | content=Housed in the former riding school of the palace, don't miss the world's largest collection of horse-drawn coaches and other royal vehicles. One of Lisbon's many unusual museums. In the "Museum street", Belem. }} * {{see | name=Planetário Calouste Gulbenkian | alt=Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium | url=https://ccm.marinha.pt/pt/planetario | email=planetario@marinha.pt | address=Praça do Império | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+351 21 097 7350 | tollfree= | hours=Temporarily closed for renovations; planned reopening Oct 2021 | price=Adults {{EUR|5}}, seniors 65+ & kids 4-12 {{EUR|2.50}}, kids 0-3 free, family (2 adults & 2 youths) {{EUR|12}} | wikidata=Q10350266 | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=The planetarium has 32 star projectors, capable of presenting more than 9,000 stars. It holds a chunk of moon rock given by U.S. President Richard Nixon. }} *{{see | name=Ponte 25 de Abril | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.68975 | long=-9.177194 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=25 de Abril Bridge | image=25th April Bridge and boat.JPG | wikidata=Q721152 | content=This sister bridge of the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge was designed by the same architect in 1966 to connect Lisbon with the Setubal peninsula across the Tagus (Tejo) River. Formerly known as the Salazar Bridge, it was renamed after the Carnation Revolution which, on 25 April 1974, ended the dictatorship. }} * {{see | name=Statue to Afonso de Albuquerque | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=38.69667 | long=-9.20027 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=In front of the former Royal Palace of Belém, now the Presidential Palace, there is a massive statue looking out to sea, representing Afonso de Albuquerque, second ruler of Portuguese India in the early 16th century. }} * {{see | name=Tejo Power Station | alt=Central Tejo, f/k/a Museu da Electricidade, Electricity Museum | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Admission included in the price of the [[#Q27522479|Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology]] | wikidata=Q968458 | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=This disused power station is now a museum dedicated to the science, industry, and history of electricity production in Portugal. }} * {{see | name=Torre de Belém | alt=Belem Tower | url=http://www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt/en/museus-e-monumentos/dgpc/m/torre-de-belem/ | email= | address=Av. Brasília | lat= | long= | directions=Tram stop {{station|Largo da Princesa|15e}} | phone=+351 21 362 0034 | tollfree= | hours=Oct-May: Tu-Su 10:00-17:30; May-Sep: Tu-Su 10:00-18:30; last entry 30 min before closing; closed 1 Jan, Easter, 1 May, 13 Jun, and 25 Dec | price=€6 (adults), €3 (seniors/students/youth card), free (children under 12); free admission on first Sun of the month. Combined ticket with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos €12, combined ticket with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Museu Nacional de Arqueologia €16, combined ticket with 5 other sites €25 (see website for details) | wikidata=Q215003 | lastedit=2017-05-08 | content=A {{UNESCO}}, the iconic fortified tower was built in the early 16th century in the late Gothic Manueline style as a fortress. It was said to be the last thing Portuguese explorers saw when departing, and the first thing they saw upon return. It was later used as a prison for political prisoners, and is today one of the most recognized symbols of Lisbon and Portugal. }} ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Eneko Lisboa | alt= | url=https://www.enekoatxalisboa.com/ | email=reservas@enekoatxalisboa.com | address=Rua Maria Luisa Holstein 15 | lat=38.7037 | long=-9.1765 | directions= | phone=+351 21 583 3275 | tollfree= | hours=W–Sa 19:00–22:30, closed Su–Tu | price={{EUR|110-125}} | lastedit=2021-07-19 | content=Michelin-starred restaurant by Spanish Basque chef Eneko Atxa. Attached to a more laid-back space called "Basque". }} * {{eat | name=Feitoria | alt= | url=https://www.restaurantefeitoria.com/ | email=reservationsbelem@altishotels.com | address=Doca do Bom Sucesso | lat=38.6934 | long=-9.2105 | directions=Altis Belém Hotel & Spa | phone=+351 21 040 0208 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Sa 19:00–22:30, closed Su M | price={{EUR|120-140}} | lastedit=2021-07-19 | content=Michelin-starred seafood restaurant by the docks. }} * {{eat | name=A Marítima do Restelo | alt= | url=https://maritimadorestelo.negocio.site/ | email= | address=Rua Bartolomeu Dias 110 | lat=38.6953 | long=-9.2124 | directions= | phone=+351 21 301 0577 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Sa 12:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30, Su 12:00–15:30, closed M | price=Mid-range | lastedit=2021-07-22 | content=Seafood restaurant by the water. }} * {{eat | name=Prova - Enoteca | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/ProvaEnoteca/ | email=geral@provaenoteca.com | address=Rua Duarte Pacheco Pereira 9E | lat=38.6984 | long=-9.2186 | directions= | phone=+351 21 581 9080 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Sa 11:00–15:00 & 18:00–22:00, Su 11:00–15:00, closed M | price={{EUR|9-40}} | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=Modern, urban wine bar serving seafood and sausage & cheese platters in a convivial atmosphere. }} * {{eat | name=Taberna dos Ferreiros | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Taberna-dos-Ferreiros-171245370157256/ | email=tabernadosferreirosmrp@gmail.com | address=Travessa Ferreiros a Belém 5 | lat=38.6976 | long=-9.2019 | directions= | phone=+351 21 587 3837 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Sa 12:00–16:30 & 19:00–22:00, Su 12:00–16:30, closed M | price={{EUR|10-25}} | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=A fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine. }} ==Drink== [[File:Pasteis de Belem (4128575449).jpg|thumb|There is absolutely no way you can leave Lisbon without tasting the Pasteis de Belem]] * {{drink | name=Pastéis de Belém | alt=Antiga Confeitaria de Belém | url=http://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/ | email= | address=Rua de Belém 84 | lat=38.69763 | long=-9.20301 | directions=take eléctrico #15E from Praça do Comércio, or the Cascais suburban train line from Cais do Sodré station, to Belém stop | phone=+351 21 363 74 23 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 08:00-23:00 | price= | image=Pasteis de Belem (4128575449).jpg | lastedit=2017-05-01 | content=The most famous of pastelarias, and justly so. They are served right out of the oven there, with the side of confectioner's sugar and cinnamon. As you navigate through the tile-covered labyrinthine passages of the expansive shop, stop to look at the workers behind glass panels turning the endless stream of these delicacies, just baked, each in its own little ramekin, over onto the waiting trays. These are absolutely a must-eat and you can't possibly regret it. }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Altis Belem Hotel & Spa | alt= | url=https://www.altishotels.com/EN/HotelAltisBelem/Luxury-Hotel-Lisbon/ | email=reservations.belem@altishotels.com | address=Doca do Bom Sucesso | lat=38.6933 | long=-9.2108 | directions= | phone=+351 21 040 0200 | tollfree= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=12:00 | price={{EUR|143-302}} | lastedit=2021-07-22 | content=Five-star, 50-room hotel overlooking the Tagus with pool, spa, gym, bar, and free Wi-Fi. }} * {{sleep | name=Hotel Jerónimos 8 | alt= | url=https://www.almeidahotels.pt/en/hotels-lisbon | email=Jeronimos8@almeidahotels.pt | address=Rua dos Jerónimos 8 | lat=38.6986 | long=-9.205 | directions= | phone=+351 21 360 0900 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price={{EUR|137-235}} | lastedit=2021-07-22 | content=Four-star, 65-room hotel with bar, sauna, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. }} * {{sleep | name=Nau Palácio do Governador | alt= | url=https://www.palaciogovernador.com/en/ | email=bookings@nauhotels.com | address=Rua Bartolomeu Dias 117 | lat=38.6949 | long=-9.2148 | directions= | phone=+351 21 300 7009 | tollfree= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=12:00 | price={{EUR|119-248}} | lastedit=2021-07-22 | content=Five-star, 60 room hotel with spa, gym, two swimming pools, business centre, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. }} *{{sleep | name=Pestana Palace Lisboa | alt= | url=https://www.pestanacollection.com/en/hotel/pestana-palace | email=reservas.portugal@pestana.com | address=Rua Jau 54 | lat=38.7037 | long=-9.1868 | directions= | phone=+351 21 361 5600 | tollfree= | checkin=16:00 | checkout=11:00 | price={{EUR|191-362}} | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=Five-star, 192-room hotel in an old palace, with a wonderful garden and luxury spa. }} *{{sleep | name=Vila Galé Ópera | alt= | url=https://www.vilagale.com/en/hotels/lisbon-coast/vila-gale-opera | email=opera@vilagale.pt | address=Travessa Conde da Ponte | lat=38.6999 | long=-9.1802 | directions= | phone=+351 21 360 5400 | tollfree= | checkin=14:00 | checkout=12:00 | price={{EUR|64-173}} | lastedit=2021-07-21 | content=Four-star, 259-room hotel next to the Tagus River. Adjoins Lisbon’s Congress Centre and the lively nightlife of Lisbon’s Docas area. }} ==Connect== {{IsPartOf|Lisbon}} {{usabledistrict}} {{geo|38.7|-9.2}} 06i0h2vxizxafw3z7bhz51zaqm3ilw0 2 186378 4506786 4500056 2022-08-23T10:44:19Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {| |- | style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;background:#356158" | <div style="color:black; font-size:100%; font-size: 1.8em; line-height: normal; padding-top: .4em;"> Articles and pages </div> These include ones that I have either created or heavily worked on. Key: * '''Guide''' or (g): 38 * '''''Star''''' or (s): 3 * ''Featured'' or (f) Numbers here include articles created on the French Wikivoyage. Outline articles, usable articles and informative articles are not marked as pretty much most other articles I have created or have heavily worked on fall into one of the three status types. Full up-to-date list at [https://xtools.wmflabs.org/pages/en.wikivoyage.org/SHB2000/0 X-tools] <!--{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Name |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| insert content here |}--> {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Wikivoyage Pages |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| * [[Wikivoyage:Informative articles]] * [[Wikivoyage:Nigeria café]] and its subpages * [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo and Albania café]] * [[Wikivoyage:Event articles]] * [[Wikivoyage:Event article status]] |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| City and City districts in Australia |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| {{mapframe|show=red}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Adaminaby]]|wikidata=Q351613}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Adelaide/City and North Adelaide]]|wikidata=Q4681820}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Adelaide/Port Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor]]|wikidata=Q3908652}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Adelaide/Salisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully]]|wikidata=Q3945542}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Adelaide/South and East]]|wikidata=Q110553237}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Adelaide/West Adelaide]]|wikidata=Q3108740}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Balranald]]|wikidata=Q805508}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Bedourie]]|wikidata=Q813934}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Brewarrina]]|wikidata=Q911376}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Civic]]|wikidata=Q4421073}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Acton]]|wikidata=Q482055}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Airport and East]]|wikidata=Q16894530}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/North Canberra]]|wikidata=Q1075115}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/South Canberra]]|wikidata=Q1075108}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Belconnen]]|wikidata=Q492147}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Gungahlin]]|wikidata=Q491937}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Hall]]|wikidata=Q823475}} (s) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden]]|wikidata=Q1075130}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Canberra/Tuggeranong and Country ACT]]|wikidata=Q279146}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Carlton]]|wikidata=Q21915616}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Foster (Victoria)|Foster]]|wikidata=Q3749041}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Gold Coast/Burleigh Heads]]|wikidata=Q4999119}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Gold Coast/Main Beach]]|wikidata=Q6735931}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Gold Coast/Northern suburbs]]|wikidata=Q111653443}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Gold Coast/Southport]]|wikidata=Q1002144}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Innamincka]]|wikidata=Q1663872}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Horsham (Victoria)|Horsham]]|wikidata=Q1629019}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Keith]]|wikidata=Q1735638}} * {{Marker|type=red|name=[[Kingston (Tasmania)|Kingston]]|wikidata=Q942696}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[La Perouse]]|wikidata=Q2918153}} (g) * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Lyndhurst (South Australia)|Lyndhurst]]|wikidata=Q1878807}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Mallacoota]]|wikidata=Q1002461}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Lucknow (New South Wales)|Lucknow]]|wikidata=Q21907913}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Ouse]]|wikidata=Q7111326}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Parkes]]|wikidata=Q605513}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Redland City]]|wikidata=Q1492782}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Stanwell Park]]|wikidata=Q493166}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Sunshine Coast]]|wikidata=Q828357}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Tibooburra]]|wikidata=Q7800468}} * {{marker|type=red|name=[[Wentworth (New South Wales)|Wentworth]]|wikidata=Q3107680}} |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Articles on fr.voy |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| * [[voy:fr:Glen Innes|Glen Innes]] * [[voy:fr:Grande barrière de corail|Grande barrière de corail]] (Great Barrier Reef) * [[voy:fr:Hobart|Hobart]] * [[voy:fr:Johor Bahru|Johor Bahru]] * [[voy:fr:Kurnell|Kurnell]] * [[voy:fr:Kiama|Kiama]] * [[voy:fr:Thredbo|Thredbo]] * [[voy:fr:Parc national de Canyonlands|Parc national de Canyonlands]] * [[voy:fr:Parc national de Kakadu|Parc national de Kakadu]] * '''[[voy:fr:Parc national d'Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa|Parc national d'Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa]]''' (g) * [[voy:it:Parco nazionale di Kenai Fjords|Parco nazionale di Kenai Fjords]] (this one is on it.voy though) * [[voy:fr:Yulara|Yulara]] '''Sydney''' * [[voy:fr:Centre-ville de Sydney|Centre-ville de Sydney]] * [[voy:fr:La Perouse|La Perouse]] * [[voy:fr:Perisher|Perisher]] * [[voy:fr:Parc national Royal|Parc national Royal]] |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| City, city districts and airports outside Australia |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| {{mapframe|show=magenta}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Aasiaat]]|wikidata=Q211218}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport]]|wikidata=Q127671}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Arviat]]|wikidata=Q643346}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Auki]]|wikidata=Q538476}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Bueng Kan]]|wikidata=Q1001862}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Grande-Terre]]|wikidata=Q527799}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Eastend]]|wikidata=Q1521430}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Fossholl]]|wikidata=Q1137629}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Grand-Pré]]|wikidata=Q1100749}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Hyangsan County]]||wikidata=Q705492}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Île Amsterdam]]|wikidata=Q194215}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Inukjuak]]|wikidata=Q991143}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Joggins]]|wikidata=Q1070033}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Kainantu]]|wikidata=Q4208534}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Kangiqsujuaq]]|wikidata=Q991497}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Kennedy Space Center]]|wikidata=Q48821}}³ * {{Marker|type=magenta|name=[[Klaksvík]]|wikidata=Q189361}} (g) * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Lauwaki]]|wikidata=Q25701}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Le Mont-Dore]]|wikidata=Q9732}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Livingston Island]]|wikidata=Q856906}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Lviv Oblast]]|wikidata=Q164193}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[North Arm]]|wikidata=Q7053964}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Okahandja]]|wikidata=Q597491}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Palikir]]|wikidata=Q42751}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Qikertaaluk Island]]|wikidata=Q55630883}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Richmond/Northside]]|wikidata=Q7056739|lat=37.626766|long=-77.452510}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Ross Ice Shelf]]|wikidata=Q200255}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Saint-Leu]]|wikidata=Q1649363}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Tsodilo]]|wikidata=Q214007}} * {{marker|type=magenta|name=[[Żejtun]]|wikidata=Q44392}} |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| New South Wales parks |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| {{mapframe|show=blue|name=Map of NSW parks}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Abercrombie River National Park]]|wikidata=Q319327}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Bald Rock National Park]]|wikidata=Q804731}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Ben Boyd National Park]]|wikidata=Q816395}} (g) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Berowra Valley National Park]]|wikidata=Q39080126}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Budderoo National Park]]|wikidata=Q956929}} (g) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Bungonia National Park]]|wikidata=Q1009486}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Cape Byron State Conservation Area]]|wikidata=Q109544378}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Cattai National Park]]|wikidata=Q1051319}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Coolah Tops National Park]]|wikidata=Q1129687}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Dharawal National Park]]|wikidata=Q1207569}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Dharug National Park]]|wikidata=Q1207619}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Dorrigo National Park]]|wikidata=Q524956}} (g) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Gardens of Stone National Park]]|wikidata=Q1494110}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Garigal National Park]]|wikidata=Q944803}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Georges River National Park]]|wikidata=Q1165056}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Goobang National Park]]|wikidata=Q1537463}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Gundabooka National Park]]|wikidata=Q1165288}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Heathcote National Park]]|wikidata=Q948585}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Hunter Wetlands National Park]]|wikidata=Q1638093}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Kamay Botany Bay National Park]]|wikidata=Q894672}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Kinchega National Park]]|wikidata=Q1511987}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Malabar Headland National Park]]|wikidata=Q21971995}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Marramarra National Park]]|wikidata=Q1164875}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Mallanganee National Park]]|wikidata=Q1165123}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Mebbin National Park]]|wikidata=Q368670}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Mount Kaputar National Park]]|wikidata=Q1950327}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Mungo National Park]]|wikidata=Q1670728}} (g) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Myall Lakes National Park]]|wikidata=Q1581582}} (g) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park]]|wikidata=Q109849429}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Nattai National Park]]|wikidata=Q1571056}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[New England National Park]]|wikidata=Q1982368}} (g) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Nightcap National Park]]|wikidata=Q1573530}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Sturt National Park]]|wikidata=Q972962}} (g) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Sydney Harbour National Park]]|wikidata=Q746452}} (s) * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Thirlmere Lakes National Park]]|wikidata=Q1134729}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Tomaree National Park]]|wikidata=Q1165291}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Weddin Mountains National Park]]|wikidata=Q953920}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Werakata National Park]]|wikidata=Q1165053}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Wyrrabalong National Park]]|wikidata=Q1164806}} * {{marker|type=blue|name=[[Yarrangobilly Caves]]|wikidata=Q8049538}} |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Interstate Australian parks |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| {{mapframe|show=blue,orange|name=Map of Australian parks}} '''Queensland''' * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Capricornia Cays National Park]]|wikidata=Q1034937}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Daintree Rainforest]]|wikidata=Q5209517}} (g) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Fort Lytton National Park]]|wikidata=Q48642}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Glass House Mountains]]|wikidata=Q1529753}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola)]]|wikidata=Q47738150}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Lamington National Park]]|wikidata=Q751274}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Munga-Thirri National Park]]|wikidata=Q2288381}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Porcupine Gorge National Park]]|wikidata=Q1525623}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Springbrook National Park]]|wikidata=Q1848058}} '''South Australia''' * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Adelaide/Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park—Winaityinaityi Pangkara]]|wikidata=Q19870520}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Adelaide/Belair National Park]]|wikidata=Q643818}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Gawler Ranges National Park]]|wikidata=Q1496499}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Great Australian Bight Marine Park]]|wikidata=Q1544205}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park]]|wikidata=Q426073}} – also worth noting that this was Wikivoyage's first "informative" article * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park]]|wikidata=Q7521082}} (g) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Naracoorte Caves National Park]]|wikidata=Q1135796}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Nilpena Ediacara National Park]]|wikidata=Q21929336}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area]]|wikidata=Q19598165}} '''Tasmania''' * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Douglas-Apsley National Park]]|wikidata=Q1251931}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Hartz Mountains National Park]]|wikidata=Q827519}} (g) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Kent Group National Park]]|wikidata=Q21930359}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Mole Creek Karst National Park]]|wikidata=Q827526}} (g) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Mount Field National Park]]|wikidata=Q1905973}} (g) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Mount William National Park]]|wikidata=Q491972}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Narawntapu National Park]]|wikidata=Q1465468}} (g) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[South Bruny National Park]]|wikidata=Q830099}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Tasman National Park]]|wikidata=Q925214}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Rocky Cape National Park]]|wikidata=Q655191}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Walls of Jerusalem National Park]]|wikidata=Q385655}} (g) '''Victoria''' * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Alpine National Park]]|wikidata=Q1291186}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park]]|wikidata=Q5050535}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Point Nepean National Park]]|wikidata=Q62414611}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Port Campbell National Park]]|wikidata=Q735229}} (g) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Yarra Ranges National Park]]|wikidata=Q1333875}} '''Western Australia''' * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Karijini National Park]]|wikidata=Q1729357}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park]]|wikidata=Q60167}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Nambung National Park]]|wikidata=Q1362815}} (Pinnacles Desert) * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Mount Augustus National Park]]|wikidata=Q14631116}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Murujuga National Park]]|wikidata=Q66764512}} '''Others''' * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Judbarra / Gregory National Park]]|wikidata=Q1229653}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Canberra/Namadgi National Park|Namadgi National Park]]|wikidata=Q1635824}} * {{marker|type=orange|name=[[Pulu Keeling National Park]]|wikidata=Q2118039}} |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| French parks |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| {{mapframe|show=forestgreen}} '''Metropolitan French parks''' * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Calanques National Park]]|wikidata=Q2600427}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Cévennes National Park]]|wikidata=Q1368807}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Écrins National Park]]|wikidata=Q476446}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Forêts National Park]]|wikidata=Q3364499}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Mercantour National Park]]|wikidata=Q1535042}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Port-Cros National Park]]|wikidata=Q388279}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Pyrénées National Park]]|wikidata=Q738435}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Vanoise National Park]]|wikidata=Q174250}} '''Overseas French parks''' * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Guiana Amazonian Park]]|wikidata=Q665459}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Guadeloupe National Park]]|wikidata=Q1028479}} * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Réunion National Park]]|wikidata=Q550389}} ** {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Cirque de Cilaos]]|wikidata=Q1093094}} ** {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Cirque de Mafate]]|wikidata=Q131830}} '''New Caledonia''' * {{marker|type=forestgreen|name=[[Blue River Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q3364739}} Maybe I'll [[User:SHB2000/French National Parks|this]] list which I used to use as a checklist into a travel topic. |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Other parks |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| {{mapframe|show=chocolate}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Arikok National Park]]|wikidata=Q2028082}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Chiribiquete National Park]]|wikidata=Q2603196}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Dinosaur Provincial Park]]|wikidata=Q289466}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Doubtful Sound]]|wikidata=Q575365}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar National Biosphere Reserve]]|wikidata=Q3821829}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Forlandet National Park]]|wikidata=Q1437363}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument]]|wikidata=Q1542529}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Golden Gate National Recreation Area]]|wikidata=Q1456206}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Hemis National Park]]|wikidata=Q1604804}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Ichkeul National Park]]|wikidata=Q13220079}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Indre Wijdefjorden National Park]]|wikidata=Q1661839}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park]]|wikidata=Q703967}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Kaibab Plateau]]|wikidata=Q2487634}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Ķemeri National Park]]|wikidata=Q1395739}}¹ * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Kodachrome Basin State Park]]|wikidata=Q129567}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Médanos de Coro National Park]]|wikidata=Q1244809}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve]]|wikidata=Q3301928}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Mount Merbabu National Park]]|wikidata=Q598893}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Noatak National Preserve]]|wikidata=Q662726}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Orhei National Park]]|wikidata=Q15838244}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Paparoa National Park]]|wikidata=Q1075151}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument]]|wikidata=Q2403172}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Patagonia National Park (Chile)]]|wikidata=Q16622740}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Shey-Phoksundo National Park]]|wikidata=Q3236458}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[South Penghu Marine National Park]]|wikidata=Q15941118}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Sør-Spitsbergen National Park]]|wikidata=Q1577229}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument]]|wikidata=Q8554430}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Suwarrow National Park]]|wikidata=Q4315054}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Ulaagchinii Khar Nuur National Park]]|wikidata=Q95927289}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Varangerhalvøya National Park]]|wikidata=Q1400776}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Vermilion Cliffs National Monument]]|wikidata=Q653233}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[Whanganui National Park]]|wikidata=Q141735}} * {{marker|type=chocolate|name=[[White Desert National Park]]|wikidata=Q12241355}} |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Itineraries |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| * [[Alpine Way]] (merged to [[Kosciuszko National Park]]) * '''[[Anne Beadell Highway]]''' (g) * [[Grand Pacific Drive]] * [[Hiking the Piton de la Fournaise]] * [[Kjölur]]<!--Q2141229--> * '''[[Mount Kosciuszko summit trails]]''' (g) * [[National Route 83]] * [[Overland Track]] * '''[[Overland travel between Melbourne and Adelaide]]''' (g) * [[Strzelecki Track]] * [[Tongariro Northern Circuit]] * [[Tren de las Sierras]] * [[Tourist Drive 30]] * '''[[Tourist Drive 33]]''' (g) |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Travel topics |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| * [[Astrotourism in Australia]] * '''[[Australian cuisine]]''' (g) * [[Australian National Reserve System]] ** [[Marine parks in Australia]] ** [[National parks in Australia]] *** [[New South Wales national parks]] *** [[National parks in the Northern Territory]] *** [[Queensland national parks]] *** [[South Australian national parks]] *** '''[[Tasmanian national parks]]''' (g) *** [[Victorian national parks]] * '''[[Aviation history in the United States]]''' (g) * '''[[Cambodian cuisine]]''' (g) * [[Camping in Israel]] * [[Churches in Antarctica]] * [[Churches in South Australia]] * [[Danish Empire]] * [[Dark Sky Parks in the United States]] * [[Driving in New Caledonia]] * [[Driving in Réunion]] * [[Elephants]] * [[Fjords]] * [[Great Artesian Basin]] * [[Hiking and bushwalking in Australia]] * [[Hiking in Kosciuszko National Park]] * [[Hiking in Northwestern Georgia]] * [[Hiking in Réunion]] * [[Kanak culture in New Caledonia]] * [[Natural harbours]] * '''[[Ned Kelly tourism]]''' (g) * [[New Zealand Great Walks]] * [[New Zealand national parks]] * [[Overseas Chinese cuisine]] * [[Paleontology in Australia]] * [[Palaeontology in Canada]] * [[Public transport in Sydney]] * [[RFDS tourism]] * [[Shopping in Australia]] * [[Tattoos]] * [[Ukrainian national parks]] * [[Voyages of Matthew Flinders]] |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Region / extraregion articles |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| * [[Greater Brisbane]] * [[Federal Capital Territory]] * [[Sapphire Coast]] * '''[[Southeastern New South Wales]]''' (g) * [[Eastern Tasmania]] * [[Western Tasmania]] * [[Eastern New England]] * [[Southern New England]] * [[Western New England]] * [[Australian Alps]] * [[Australian Indian Ocean Territories]] * [[Northern Australia]] * [[Ningaloo Coast]] |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| Maplines |- |style="text-align:left; font-size:88%;"| * [[E8 through Finland and Norway]] {{User:SHB2000/E8}} * [[Tourist Drive 33]] * [[Oxley Highway]] * [[Gippsland Plains Rail Trail]] * [[Quebec Route 389]] {{User:SHB2000/QR389}} * [[Oodnadatta Track]] * [[Interstate 5]] (the last one is taken from Commons and the data is in the public domain){{User:SHB2000/I5}} {{User:SHB2000/spt}} |} {| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin:auto; clear:both; padding:1px; border:1px solid #c0c0c0; background:#fff; float:none" !colspan="0" style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:.4em; text-align:center; background-color:#f0f2f5; font-size:88%; color:#000000;"| A map of destination articles I've created or heavily worked on |- |style="text-align:center; font-size:88%;"| This does not include region articles. {{mapframe|width=1100|height=500|align=center}} |} |} hxesru19s1lxsz3yg6wra3rh04piuq2 0 186473 4506807 4296936 2022-08-23T11:48:45Z SHB2000 2248002 merge per talk. a year is more than enough for this redundant stub to stay wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Hiking in the Nording countries]] <!-- {{pagebanner}} : ''See [[Hiking in the Nordic countries]] for practical information.'' <!-- User:Bohwaz | Please don't move this page to "Hiking in Sweden". The name is chosen on purpose to avoid confusion with "Hiking in the Nordic countries". --> == Long distance hikes == In Swedish, ''leden'' means ''trail''. * [[Bergslagsleden]] in central Sweden ([[Örebro County]]) winds its way in old forests of [[Bergslagen]]. It is 280 km long and finishes after the Tiveden National Park, along the Vättern lake. * [[Jämtlandstriangeln]] * [[Kungsleden]] from [[Abisko]] to [[Hemavan]] is probably the best known trail, with its first section (in the fells of [[Norrbotten|Northern Lapland]]) being the most popular * [[Padjelantaleden]] starts from [[Kvikkjokk]] and links to the Kungsleden * [[Skåneleden]] * [[Södra Kungsleden]], a trail through Sweden's southern mountain region, in Dalarna, Härjedalen and Jämtland * [[Västra Vätterleden]] starts from the end of the [[Bergslagsleden]] and continues South for 195 km. == Areas with short walks == * [[Tiveden National Park]] has short loops, up to 9.5 km long {{PartOfTopic|Hiking|the Nordic countries}} {{outlinetopic}} {{merge|Hiking in the Nordic countries|reason=For more practical reasons.}} 9h7vfk5d2kgrdskmdrmbeijf08u5onv 0 186966 4506277 4504740 2022-08-22T15:09:58Z El Grafo 37725 /* Eat */ general description wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Schmallenberg''' is a rural area in the ''Sauerland'' region of [[South Westphalia]]. Marketed as ''Schmallenberger Sauerland'', it is a recognised health resort and popular vacation destination for hiking, winter sports, and other outdoor activities. ==Understand== Schmallenberg is the third-largest municipality in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] after [[Cologne]] and [[Münster]], with a population of 25,000 in 2020, 6,100 of whom live in the main town. Of course that's only if you go by area – it's also remarkably sparse in population compared to most other parts of NRW. The municipality covers more than 300&nbsp;km² and consists of the town {{marker|type=city|name=Schmallenberg|lat=51.153611|long=8.285278}} and about 80 villages and hamlets that were incorporated into Schmallenberg in 1975. The whole area shares a single postal code (57392) and street addresses will not tell you whether a place is located in the core town Schmallenberg or far away in one of the surrounding villages. === History === [[File:Schmallenberg Sauerland-Ost 012.jpg|thumb|upright|Aerial view of the historic town centre with its characteristic parallel main roads]] Archaeological records suggests that the area has been inhabited since the iron age (around 200 BC). Remains of a hillfort from that time can still be seen on top of the ''Wilzenberg'' mountain to the east of the town. Written records start with the foundation of the Grafschaft Abbey at the foot of the same mountain in 1072. For its protection, a small castle (''Smale Burg'' in contemporary language) was constructed on a ridge above the Lenne river around 1200. Over time, the castle disappeared, but a fortified settlement remained and gained city rights in 1244. The current appearance of the historic core city was shaped in the 19th century, after in 1822 a fire destroyed the city almost completely sparing no more than 16 houses and the church. As a consequence, the city was rebuild with not one but two unusually wide main roads, so that future fires would not spread so easily. The architecture from that time takes a local spin on the contemporary Prussian classicism by including traditional elements such as black timber framing and slate-covered roofs and walls. More traditional architecture can still be found in many of the older villages. From the 19th century on, and especially after World War II, Schmallenberg became the center of the local textile industry. Most competitors from that era did not survive the age of globalization, though. Only Falke is still going strong, focusing on high-end socks, stockings, and other knitwear. Still producing locally, the company is one of the most important employers – and the reason the city proudly wears its nickname ''Strumpfstadt'' (stocking city). === Landscape === [[File:LSG Schmallenberg Süd-Ost, 1, Lenne, Schmallenberg, Hochsauerlandkreis.jpg|thumb|a typical view of the landscape]] Schmallenberg's landscape is typical for a German [[:w:Mittelgebirge|Mittelgebirge]]. Its rolling hills and medium high mountains range from about 330 to 830 metres above sea level. In the valleys along the clear creeks, you will find many small villages with their typical black and white houses. The lower elevations are characterised by agricultural use. In the spring, canola fields and meadows full of dandelions form oceans of yellow flowers. Later in the year, wheat and corn dominate the scene. On the poorer, shallower soils higher up, plantations of Christmas trees (an important export commodity) are a common sight. The ridges and mountain tops are covered by a mix of old spruce and beech forests as well new forest developing on former clear cuts. The landscape's modern day appearance is the result of a long history. Formerly covered in ancient beech forests, the region was largely deforested over the centuries, leading to soil degradation and acidification. In the late 18th century, high demand for wood led to rapid re-forestation with monocultures of fast-growing spruce trees. These would characterize the higher elevations for the following 200 years until the early 21st century. [[File:Schmallenberg-Wormbach Kreuzbergkapelle Sauerland-Ost 2 mk.jpg|thumb|This beautiful little chapel on a hill was hidden in the forest until the storm exposed it.]] This changed rapidly when, during a single night in 2007, winter storm ''Kyrill'' wiped out entire forests of the flat-rooted spruce. Residents and long-term regular visitors were equally shocked, but soon learned to appreciate the new views and increased diversity in the recovering landscape. From the the late 2010s on, rising temperatures and prolonged drought facilitated a devastating spread of the bark beetle, destroying large parts of the remaining spruce forests. As forest owners ponder their options facing climate change, many see this as a chance to reconsider and move towards a more natural and robust forest structure. === Tourism === [[File:Skiverleih - Skiverhuur.jpg|thumb|upright|Many places are prepared for visitors from the Netherlands.]] Like the rest of the mountainous parts of the Sauerland, Schmallenberg is a popular holiday location. City folk from the [[Ruhr]] love to come for a couple of days in nature. Yellow license plates from the [[Netherlands]] are a common sight, especially in winter. The main tourist information centre is located in Schmallenberg, and there's another one in Bad Fredeburg. Many of the more tourist-oriented villages [https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/nc/informieren/kontakt/ have at least a number you can call]. Guests who stay over night will be issued a [https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/en/inform/schmallenberg-sauerland-card/ ''Schmallenberger SauerlandCard''] by their hosts. It gives you considerable discounts on public transport and most tourist attractions in Schmallenberg. The card also includes everything the regular [https://www.sauerland.com/Planen-Buchen/Sauerland-Card ''SauerlandCard''] offers, encouraging you to also visit the neighbouring regions of the Sauerland. * {{listing | name=Tourist-Information Schmallenberger Sauerland | alt=Holz- und Touristikzentrum | url=https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/nc/en/inform/contact/ | email=info@schmallenberger-sauerland.de | address= Poststraße 7, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.15319 | long=8.28081 | directions=north-west of the historical centre, behind the parking lots | phone=+49 2972 974 00 | tollfree= | hours= M-Th 09:00–17:00, F 09:00–18:00, Sa 09:30–13:00; Apr–Oct: also Su 10:00–13:00; holidays 10:00–13:00; closed on Dec 26th & Jan 1st | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-17 | content=Main tourist info. }} * {{listing | name=Touristinformation Bad Fredeburg | alt= | url=https://www.bad-fredeburg.de/bad-fredeburg/service-kontakt/ | email=info@bad-fredeburg.de | address=Am Kurhaus 4, 57392 Schmallenberg (Bad Fredeburg) | lat=51.19022 | long=8.31237 | directions= | phone= +49 2974 7037| tollfree= | hours=M–F 08:30–12:30 & 13:30–17:00 | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-17 | content= }} ==Get in== ===By car=== There is no [[Driving in Germany|Autobahn]] nearby, so expect between 45&nbsp;min to 2&nbsp;hr of cross-country driving, depending on where you're coming from. Below are a couple of suggestions for commonly used routes from different directions. These are using high-level ''Bundesstraße'' type roads as much as possible for easy driving and navigation. From north-westerly directions, e.g. coming from the [[Ruhr Area]], [[Münsterland]], or the [[Netherlands]], Schmallenberg can be reached quite conveniently. Exit the A&nbsp;46 in Enste or Meschede and follow the B&nbsp;55 and B&nbsp;511 south. Coming from [[Cologne]], a common route is to take the A&nbsp;4 and A&nbsp;45 to Olpe, from where you'll follow the B&nbsp;55, L&nbsp;715, and B&nbsp;236 via [[Bilstein]] and Lennestadt-Altenhundem. This route also works well when you're coming from southerly places like [[Frankfurt]] or even [[Nuremberg]]. There are other options from this direction that are shorter, but as they all cross the Rothaar mountains on curvy roads rather than going around them via Autobahn, they do not offer much in terms of travel time or fuel efficiency. Coming from the south on the A&nbsp;7 or from the east on the A&nbsp;4 (e.g. from [[Erfurt]]), a common route is to merge onto the A&nbsp;5 and then almost immediately exit in Alsfeld-Ost. From there, follow the B&nbsp;62 and B&nbsp;252 to Münchhausen, from where the B&nbsp;236 will take you to Schmallenberg via [[Hallenberg]] and Winterberg. The first part of this is not much fun to drive due to the high number of trucks and speed cameras along the B&nbsp;62, so if you have time to spare maybe consider a slower alternative through the countryside. Coming from easterly places like [[Leipzig]], there's no really convenient route available either. You can take the A&nbsp;44 west from [[Kassel]] and after a short while take exit Zierenberg to get on the B&nbsp;251 towards [[Korbach]]. From there it's various local roads until Winterberg and then the B&nbsp;236 to Schmallenberg. From the northeast, you can aim for [[Bestwig]] and then take the L&nbsp;776 (locally named ''Heringhauser Straße'') south towards Bad Fredeburg. ===By bus=== Schmallenberg is part of the [http://www.rlg-online.de/ Regionalverkehr Ruhr-Lippe] (RLG) Network. The town is connected to the surrounding cities through a number hourly bus connections available: *[[Winterberg]] via line S40, travel time 1&nbsp;hour *[[Eslohe]] via line R96, travel time 30&nbsp;minutes *[[Meschede]] via line S90, travel time 1&nbsp;hour *[[Lennestadt]]-Altenhundem via line SB9, travel time 30&nbsp;minutes [https://global.flixbus.com Flixbus] has a stop in Schmallenberg-Bödefeld, that is served by a single route from [[Amsterdam]] via [[Arnhem]] and the [[Ruhr area]]. ===By train=== The city is not directly accessibly by train. The closest train stations are in Lennestadt-Altenhundem, Meschede, Winterberg, and Aue-Wingeshausen. ===On foot=== There are several long-distance hiking trails passing through Schmallenberg. The [[E1 Long Distance Path]] passes though some of the most beautiful villages in the area. The 157-km [https://www.rothaarsteig.de/ Rothaarsteig] that connects [[Brilon]] and [[Dillenburg]] runs along the ridge of the Rothaar mountains in the South. The 251-km [https://www.sauerland-hoehenflug.de/ Sauerland-Höhenflug] cuts through the municipality from east to west. ===By bike=== Schmallenberg is connected to Lennestadt and Eslohe through the [https://www.nrw-tourism.com/a-sauerland-cycle-circuit Sauerland Cycle Circuit] (SauerlandRadring), a looped scenic bike road running largely on former railway lines. There's also a northern extension that connects to the [https://www.nrw-tourism.com/a-ruhrtalradweg Ruhr Valley Cycle Path] (Ruhrtalradweg). The [http://www.lenneroute.de/ Lenneroute], a 142-km bike route from Winterberg to [[Hagen]] along the Lenne river also passes through Schmallenberg. ===By plane=== There are no airports with scheduled traffic close-by. For business jets and the like, Siegerland airport ({{IATA|SGE}}) is the closest option. The local airfield will do fine for most sports planes, but if your MOTM exceeds 3&nbsp;t Meschede (ICAO: EDKM) can be an alternative. * {{go | name=Schmallenberg-Rennefeld Airfield | alt=ICAO: EDKR | url=http://www.rennefeld.de | email= | address= | lat=51.161667 | long=8.262222 | directions=north-west of the core town, between the villages of Werpe and Wormbach | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1433839 | lastedit=2021-08-20 | content=The local airfield is used for all kinds of air sports and can be quite busy on a summer weekend. The 875-&nbsp;×&nbsp;30-m grass runway is straight, well-maintained and easy to approach. Pilots from elsewhere are welcome, but you better make sure they know you are coming so someone can hop on the tower (PPR; VFR only; max. 3,000&nbsp;kg MTOM). }} ==Get around== {{Mapframe|51.18|8.3|width=500|zoom=11|layer=M}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q5628}} ===By car=== Usually, taking the car will be the most convenient way to get around. Depending on your vehicle and driving experience, the curvy mountain roads (although usually well maintained) can be a bit challenging – especially in winter. Roadside parking in the core of Schmallenberg is free, but limited to two hours at daytime. If you plan to stay longer, consider the {{marker|name=parking lot|lat=51.15178|long=8.28056}} behind the ''Stadthalle'', which is both free and unlimited. In Bad Fredeburg, the large {{marker|name=parking lot|lat=51.19026|long=8.31317}} behind the ''Kurhaus'' usually is a good choice. Residential areas and villages are generally safe to park in too – the largest danger would be giant tractors squeezing through, so make sure to leave some space. Outside the settlements, there are plenty of parking lots for hikers (''Wanderparkplatz'') placed strategically close to the trail heads. As of 2022, charging stations for electrical cars are still relatively sparse, but hotels are starting to realise the demand. ===On foot=== Most villages are small enough to be conquered on foot, and the same is true for the historical centre of Schmallenberg. Outside the buildup areas, there are hiking routes galore (see ''Do'' section). Although the terrain can be steep sometimes, heavy mountain boots are by no means required here. The smaller paths are well-maintained and many routes follow the forestry roads, so that a pair of light trail shoes will suffice on most occasions. ===By bike=== Historically, bikes were never really viable option for anything but sports and child's play. That's partially because of the sweat-inducing terrain, but also because cars and bikes do not work well together on the curvy roads. But the rise of pedelecs and e-bikes negates the former, and the authorities have started to work on the latter by building a network of dedicated bike paths between the villages. Today, renting a bike is a great way to explore the area as long as you stay away from the major roads. Get an electrified mountain bike, and there's hardly any place you cannot reach on two wheels. ===By public transport=== Bus time tables for the RLG routes are available from [https://www.rlg-online.de/fahrgast/fahrt-planen/verbindungsauskunft their website]. The ''Schmallenberg Sauerland Tourism GmbH'' operates several routes of hiking buses and on-demand hiking taxis that bring you to the start of your hike or pick you up at the end of the trail. See [https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/en/inform/schmallenberg-sauerland-card/ their info page for the Schmallenberg Sauerland Card] for details. In addition to that, there is the [http://buergerbus-schmallenberg.de/ Bürgerbus project]: small buses driven by (properly trained) volunteer citizens on certain days visit some of those villages that otherwise would be without public transport at all. ===By cab=== Pretty much the only reason the average able-bodied local would ever consider taking a taxi here is for getting home from the pub or <span dir="ltr" lang="de">Schützenfest</span> at the neighbor village late at night. If you intend to take a cab home at this time, plan ahead and call well in advance. There are only two regular taxi companies in the city: [https://www.taxi-spieler.de/ Taxi Spieler] ({{phone| +49 2972 92 10 92}}) and [https://www.taxi-habbel.de/ Taxi Habbel] ({{phone| +49 2972 55 55}}). ===By plane=== Schmallenberg-Rennefeld airfield (see ''Get in'') is a great home base for cross-country flights in light aircraft and gliders. There is much to see, few airspace restrictions around and plenty of other little airfields to discover. For the motor-less, the terrain makes for good thermals; and if the wind blows just right across the ridge of the ''Rothaar Mountains'', you may find yourself in the lucky position to enjoy the quiet lift of a lee wave. ==See== The catholic church has played a major role throughout the history of the region. Almost every village has an old church or at least a little white chapel to discover, and most of them are unlocked throughout the day. Most notable are probably the 13th century Romanesque churches in Berghausen and Wormbach. * {{see | name=St. Cyriakus church | alt= | url=https://www.romanische-kirche-berghausen.de/ | email= | address= | lat=51.1859 | long=8.24446 | directions=in the village centre of Berghausen | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | wikidata=Q1282015 | lastedit=2022-08-15 | content=Built at the very beginning of the 13th century, this is not only one of the oldest churches in the area, it is also very well-preserved. The original contemporary frescoes were hidden under layers of paint for centuries and only recently rediscovered. }} * {{see | name=St. Peter & Paul church | alt= | url= | email= | address=Alt Wormbach 2, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.1672 | long=8.25704 | directions=in the village centre of Wormbach | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Open daily | price=Free | wikidata=Q1491687 | lastedit=2022-08-15 | content=Wormbach has been a place of worship since long before Christianity replaced pagan beliefs. Later, became an important center for early Christianisation. The romanesque church from the mid-13th century also has re-discovered frescoes, including a mysterious set of zodiac signs that's still puzzling historians. The much younger altarpiece and other baroque style parts of the interior give the place a very different feel from the more plain appearance of the neighbouring Berghausen. }} ==Do== === Outdoor activities === '''Hiking''' is very popular among visitors and locals alike. Whether you'd like to take a quick walk around the village or lust for a multi-day trail, there's something available for almost anyone. General information is available from [https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/en/experience/active-offers/hiking/ the tourist information's webpages]. An interactive online map with detailed information on individual routes plus gpx and kml downloads are available from [https://regio.outdooractive.com/oar-schmallenberg/en/ the region's official portal at outdooractive.com]. For mobile phones, it is suggested to use the dedicated smartphone apps for the South Westphalia region (free for [https://apps.apple.com/de/app/sauerland-siegerland-wittgenstein/id419603712 iphone] and [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.alpstein.alpregio.Sauerland&hl=de android]). Paper maps with 1:25.000 scale and hillshading are available at the tourist information in Schmallenberg and [https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/besonderes/shop/#!/Wanderkarte-Schmallenberger-Sauerland/p/452275786/category=0 the online shop]. Routes are usually well-maintained and clearly marked. If you don't know where to start, maybe consider one of the ''Golddorf'' trails that circle around some of the most beautiful villages in the region. Schmallenberg has a lot to offer in terms of '''winter sports'''. If the conditions are right, there are dozens of lifts and about 400 km of prepared cross-country trails [https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/nc/en/experience/active-offers/winter-sports/ available] ([https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/fileadmin/Kundenbereich/Downloads/Winter/Wintersportkarte_Schmallenberger_Sauerland_klein.pdf PDF map]). And if it's just not quite cold enough, nearby [[Winterberg]] up the mountain range can usually still squeeze a few flakes out of their snow machines. * {{do | name=Greenhill Bikepark | alt= | url=https://greenhill-bikepark.de/ | email=info@greenhill-bikepark.de | address= | lat=51.23527 | long=8.35688 | directions=at the ski lift south of Gellinghausen | phone=+49 2977 709 513 7 | tollfree= | hours=F–Su 10:00–18:00, Th 15:00–19:00 | price=€32.50 (full day, grownup). Parking is free, €5 per night if you stay in your camper (limited, no reservations) | lastedit=2022-08-15 | content=Downhill bike park with a wide variety of different trails and a lift go get you back to the top. It is suggested to make a reservation online in advance, as the number of tickets per day is limited. Helmet mandatory. Rental bikes and protection equipment available (first come first serve). }} === Health resorts === The region boast a total of 5 state-recognized ''Kurorte'' (health resorts). The core town as well as the villages of {{marker|type=city|name=Ohlenbach|wikidata=Q2016479|lat=51.16695|long=8.44292}} and {{marker|type=city|name=Nordenau|wikidata=Q1300061|lat=|long=}} are recognised for their clear air and thus classified as a ''Luftkurort. {{marker|type=city|name=Grafschaft|wikidata=Q1541601|lat=|long=}}'' has a long history of treating miners from the [[Ruhr|Ruhrgebiet]] for their occupational lung diseases. Today it is known for its healthy climate and a highly specialised lung clinic. Finally, {{Marker|type=city|name=Bad Fredeburg|wikidata=Q798686}} is a recognised spa town that offers traditional ''Kneipp'' hydrotherapy. === On a rainy day === * {{do | name=Freizeitwelt Sauerland | alt= | url=https://www.freizeitwelt-sauerland.de/ | email=info@freizeitwelt-sauerland.de | address=Auf dem Loh 12, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.1633 | long=8.28855 | directions= | phone=+49 2972 978 555 | tollfree= | hours=M–W 14:00–22:00, Th F 14:00–00:00, Sa 10:00–00:00, Su 10:00–20:00; opens at 10:00 on public holidays and during school holidays; Thiko's Kinderland always closes at 19:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-01-25 | content=What started as an indoor playground for children has rapidly grown into a centre for all kinds of recreational activities. Due to limited capacity in times of COVID-19, it is recommended to book a time slot in advance online. As usual with these kinds of venues, bringing your own food and drinks is not allowed. |image=File:Luftaufnahme Freizeitwelt Sauerland.jpg }} **{{do |name = [https://www.freizeitwelt-sauerland.de/thikos-kinderland/ Thiko's Kinderland] | content = 1600 m² of indoor playground and another 1400 m² outdoors from May to September. Bring socks for indoors and be prepared for more than just a little splash of water outdoors. | price = The 4-hour ticket costs €9 for children older than 2 and €5.50 for grown-ups and younger children }} **{{do | name = [https://www.freizeitwelt-sauerland.de/kletterhalle-sauerland/ Kletterhalle Sauerland] | content= Indoor climbing centre with climbing walls, high ropes course, slack line and a micro bowling alley. | price = Prices vary depending on what you do there }} **{{do | name = [https://www.freizeitwelt-sauerland.de/jump/ Jump] | content =500 m² of trampolines on steroids. Minimum age is 10 years (7 years from 10:00–13:00 on weekends), grown-ups welcome. Make sure there are no zippers, rivets, or other sharp parts on your clothes, as they could damage you or the equipment. | price = €9 per person per hour. For reasons of security and hygiene, you'll also have to buy a pair of special socks for €3 the first time you go there }} **{{do|name=[https://www.freizeitwelt-sauerland.de/hologate/ Hologate] | content=Changing selection of [https://www.hologate.com/games/ hologate virtual reality games]. A maximum of 4 people can play at the same time, but you can come with a larger group and take turns. |price=€75 per group for half an hour }} * {{do | name=Local heritage museum | alt=Westfälisches Schieferbergbau- und Heimatmuseum Holthausen | url=https://www.museum-holthausen.de/ | email=info@museum-holthausen.de | address=Kirchstraße 7, 57392 Schmallenberg-Holthausen | lat=51.18298 | long=8.33829 | directions=Note: Make sure to actually go to Holthausen, as there are 2 more "Kirchstraße" in other villages nearby. | phone=+49 2974 6932 | tollfree= | hours=W F Sa 14:00–17:00; Su 10:00–13:00 | price=Grownups €5, kids €2.50 | lastedit=2022-08-15 | content=On about 2.500 m² you will find information about slate mining and other aspects of local history. Includes a large gallery of South Westphalian artists. }} ==Buy== For a town of its size, Schmallenberg still maintains a remarkable selection of independent, family-owned shops and stores along its parallel main streets, the ''Weststraße'' and the ''Oststraße''. * {{buy | name=Kompass | alt= | url=https://www.wanderladen.de/ | email=kompass@wanderladen.de | address=Am Radring 2, 57392 Schmallenberg (Bad Fredeburg) | lat=51.18447 | long=/8.31247 | directions= | phone=+49 2974 837 27 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 09:30–12:30 & 14:00–18:00, Sa 09:30–13:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-12 | content=Outdoor and hiking supplies – without doubt the best address if you need a last minute backpack or a new pair of hiking boots. }} * {{buy | name=Falke factory outlet | alt= | url=https://www.falke.com/de_de/store/de/schmallenberg/ | email= | address=Ohlgasse 5, 57692 Schmallenberg | lat=51.14597 | long=8.28086 | directions= | phone=+49 2972 799 773 49 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 10:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–16:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-12 | content=When visiting the self-proclaimed city of stockings, you've got to check out some knitted goods for your feet. Stockings, tights, sportswear and of course high-tech socks for every occasion: running, hiking, skiing, or even arctic expeditions. You might even get a good deal on second grade quality items with minor blemishes. }} ==Eat== As you would expect in a rural area with many hard-working people, the local cuisine always had a certain focus on getting calories on the table. Many restaurants offer local game from the forests and trout from the creeks. On the other end of the culinary spectrum, things are steadily improving, though. Vegetarians should be able to get by quite well nowadays, while vegans may still have to look around a bit to find something appealing. * {{eat | name=Stoffels | alt= | url=https://www.hotel-stoffels.de/index.html | email=info@hotel-stoffels.de | address=Weststraße 29, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.14881 | long=8.2841 | directions= | phone=+49 2972 2537 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-11 | content=Hotel, restaurant, cafe, pub — the Stoffels does it all, does it well, and does it with an atmosphere. }} ==Drink== This is the country side. Which means that there are no clubs, period. There are a couple of decent pubs in Schmallenberg and Bad Fredeburg, but other than that, most of the drinking tends to happen in someone's backyard or at some kind of cultural or not-so-cultural event. ===Pubs & locations === * {{drink | name=Schaukelstuhl | alt= | url= | email= | address=Altstadt 2, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.19102 | long=8.31025 | directions=in the town centre of Bad Fredeburg | phone=+49 2974 6761 | tollfree= | hours=W 19:00–00:00, Th–Sa 19:00–02:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-01-25 | content=Pubs come and go, but it seems like the Schaukelstuhl (''rocking chair'') has always been there. Rustic atmosphere and a decent selection of cocktails. }} * {{drink | name=Gasthof Mönig | alt=Beim Schacka | url=http://www.gasthof-moenig.de/ | email= | address=Oststraße 15, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.15103 | long=8.28475 | directions= | phone=+49 2972 961264 | tollfree= | hours=Th–Su 17:00–05:00 | price= | lastedit=2022-01-25 | content=The ambience of this place falls into the awkward zone of being too old to be hip and too new to be rustic, and that's exactly what makes it authentic. That, and the Innkeeper, who is well-known for his love for the blues and rock'n'roll. }} * {{drink | name=Habbel's | alt= | url=https://www.habbels-schmallenberg.de/ | email= | address=Bahnhofstraße 5, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.153362 | long=8.284421 | directions= | phone=+49 2972 974382 | tollfree= | hours=Sa | price= | lastedit=2022-08-10 | content=The Habbel's is one of Schmallenberg's major cultural hot spots. It was built in 1929 as a dance and theatre hall and converted into a cinema in the 1950s. In the 2000s it was modernised and turned back into a general-purpose event location. Typically open on Saturday evenings, with a mixed program from hard rock tribute bands and 1980s dance parties to jazz and cabaret. }} ===Events=== In the summer months, there's always a Schützenfest going on somewhere. *{{event| name=Waldfest | | frequency = Yearly on Whitsunday/Pentecost | lat = 51.11299 | long = 8.34076 | content = At its core, the Waldfest in Latrop is just another German folk festival with bratwurst, beer and blasmusik. It's the location that makes it special: At the very end of the village, they put up tents and little food stands deep in the forest right under the big old beech trees. If the weather is nice, many people from the surrounding place take this as an opportunity for a (often beer-fuled) hike.}} ==Sleep== In terms of accommodation, Schmallenberg has [https://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/nc/en/accommodation/ something to offer] for almost everyone. There are fancy four-star hotels, cozy inns, holiday homes, and camping grounds; almost all of them family-owned. The ''Ferienhof'' (vacation farm) concept has proven particularly popular with families: Around the turn of the century, some farmers began to abandon agriculture as their main source of income. Keeping only a small stock of animals, they converted their barns and stables into guest rooms and offered them to stressed-out city-dwellers looking for peace and quiet. Nowadays, there are several of these family-run businesses embedded in the villages, offering a gently romanticized version of farm life in a child-friendly environment. * {{sleep | name=Hotel Deimann | alt= | url=https://www.deimann.de/ | email=info@deimann.de | address=Alte Handelsstraße 5, 57362 Schmallenberg | lat=51.15977 | long=8.34043 | directions=east of the core town in the village of Winkhausen | phone=+49 2975 810 | tollfree= | checkin=15:00 | checkout=11:00 | price=double rooms from €222 | lastedit=2022-01-20 | content=Well known as the #1 luxury hotel in the area, and there's some tough competition around. Plenty of opportunities for all kinds of wellness, the golf course lies just a few hundred metres up the hill, and you won't even have to bring your own Porsche, as they have one available for renting during the summer months. }} ==Connect== Mobile phone connectivity has been improved during the past years, but is still worse than you might expect in Germany. In the core city, 4G mobile network is reliably available. In some of the more remote villages and mountainous areas, however, the signal can be weak or even non-existent. A couple of local businesses have joined the [[:w:en:Freifunk|Freifunk]] initiative of the neighboring City of Winterberg, offering free WiFi hotspots for anyone ([https://map.freifunk-winterberg.net/#!/en/map map available here]). ==Stay safe== In case of a medical emergency, do not hesitate to call {{phone|112}} – depending on where you are, it may take quite a while for an ambulance to reach you. The nearest hospitals with an emergency ward are [https://www.hospitalgesellschaft.com/krankenhaeuser/st-josefs-hospital-lennestadt/patienteninformationen/zahlen-und-fakten.html St. Josefs in Lennestadt-Altenhundem] and [https://www.gesundheitszentrum-winterberg.de/kontakt/ St. Franziskus in Winterberg]. For everyday problems, the [https://www.mvz-bad-fredeburg.de/ ''MVZ'' in Bad Fredeburg] should be able to help you (call ahead!). Outside their opening hours, you can try the ''Notfallpraxis'' next door. The local police station is located in Bad Fredeburg, not in Schmallenberg as one might expect. * {{listing | name=Police station | alt=Polizeiwache Schmallenberg | address=Mothmecke 7, 57392 Schmallenberg | lat=51.19187 | long=8.30912 | directions=across the road and down the hill from the church in Bad Fredeburg | phone=+49 2974 96940 3811 | hours= | lastedit=2022-02-01 }} ==Go next== * [[Winterberg]] for more hiking an skiing * [[Bestwig]] for the ''Fort Fun'' theme park and a tour through the Ramsbeck mine {{routebox | image1=Logo Wanderweg Rothaarsteig 2014.jpg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=E | majorr1=[[Brilon]] | minorr1=[[Winterberg]] | directionr1=W | majorl1=[[Dillenburg]] | minorl1=[[Hilchenbach]] | link1=Rothaarsteig | image2=Bundesstraße 236 number.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=[[Iserlohn]] | minorl2=[[Lennestadt]] | directionr2=E | minorr2=[[Winterberg]] | majorr2=[[Allendorf (Eder)]] | image3=Bundesstraße 511 number.svg | imagesize3=22 | directionl3=N | majorl3=Ends at [[File:Bundesstraße 55 number.svg|20px]] | minorl3=[[Eslohe]]-Bremke | directionr3=S | majorr3=END | minorr3= }} {{IsPartOf|South Westphalia}} {{usableruralarea}} {{geo|51.153611|8.285278}} 0i15apn2sxi3u005yncrsubz96g9ir0 0 187328 4506391 4293108 2022-08-22T19:20:28Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Understand */ The Cut-Through needs explanation. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Pikeville''' is the county seat of Pike County in the [[Kentucky Appalachians]]. ==Understand== Surrounded by hills and remoteness, Pikeville is an incongruous Appalachian town that actually seems to be going places, with schools in optometry and osteopathic medicine and a major multi-purpose arena, a big step from its beginnings back in 1824. How urban planners and engineers managed to fit everything in the narrow Levisa Fork valley is a bit of an enigma in itself. The downtown area is in a horseshoe-shaped bend along the historic course of the Levisa Fork. In 1960, local leaders started advocating a rerouting of the railroad that ran through that area. By 1965, the plan grew into an even more ambitious engineering feat—the rerouting of the Levisa Fork itself, eliminating the almost yearly flood threat to downtown. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started work on the Pikeville Cut-Through, one of the largest earthmoving projects in the country's history, in 1973. A new channel for the river was created, cutting off the old horseshoe bend, with the railroad lines and a major new highway built through the new channel but safely above flood level. Once the river was rerouted, the coal tipples and railroad tracks were removed from downtown and the old riverbed was filled in, creating a significant amount of new downtown land. The project was completed in 1987. ==Get in== It's really out there where a lot of spindly eastern Kentucky highways come together, notably Hwy 23. If you managed to make it here, then good job. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dils Cemetery | alt= | url= | email= | address=at junction of Chloe St and S Bypass Rd (Hwy 1460) | lat=37.47780 | long=-82.51485 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=Place where Randall McCoy, of Hatfield-McCoy fame, is buried. }} * {{see | name=Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum | alt= | url=https://bigsandyheritage.com/ | email= | address=172 Division St | lat=37.47856 | long=-82.51673 | directions= | phone=+1 606 213-0134 | tollfree= | hours=M, Th-Sa 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=Learn about Daniel Boone and how to be a mountain man and such things. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Bob Amos Park | alt= | url=http://www.kentuckytourism.com/outdoor-adventure/attraction/biking/bob-amos-park-complex/733/ | email= | address=424 Bob Amos Dr | lat=37.4725 | long=-82.5388 | directions= | phone=+1 606 437-5129 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=What's peculiar about this park is the '''Pikeville Cut-Through Overlook''', where an overlook allows you to gaze out upon the town and Levisa Fork valley and where a fairly monumental engineering task of cutting through a hillside was made. }} * {{do | name=The Appalachian Center for the Arts | alt= | url=http://www.theapparts.org/ | email= | address=218 2nd St | lat=37.47998 | long=-82.51862 | directions= | phone=+1 606 262-4004 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=Local repertory company and gallery with archeological exhibits even sometimes. }} If you're here in mid-April, you can try the '''Hillbilly Days Festival''' for a taste of some authentic flair and culture. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Hampton Inn Pikeville | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/pkvkyhx-hampton-pikeville/ | email= | address=831 Hambley Blvd | lat=37.47743 | long=-82.52098 | directions= | phone=+1 606 432-8181 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$123 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=This one has a nice brick facade, looks like it belongs in New York City really. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kentucky Appalachians}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|37.4772|-82.53|zoom=13}} 2di5m285x9rjsesceg0lsw5icnu74lh 4506394 4506391 2022-08-22T19:22:40Z Dale Arnett 737490 /* Do */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Pikeville''' is the county seat of Pike County in the [[Kentucky Appalachians]]. ==Understand== Surrounded by hills and remoteness, Pikeville is an incongruous Appalachian town that actually seems to be going places, with schools in optometry and osteopathic medicine and a major multi-purpose arena, a big step from its beginnings back in 1824. How urban planners and engineers managed to fit everything in the narrow Levisa Fork valley is a bit of an enigma in itself. The downtown area is in a horseshoe-shaped bend along the historic course of the Levisa Fork. In 1960, local leaders started advocating a rerouting of the railroad that ran through that area. By 1965, the plan grew into an even more ambitious engineering feat—the rerouting of the Levisa Fork itself, eliminating the almost yearly flood threat to downtown. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started work on the Pikeville Cut-Through, one of the largest earthmoving projects in the country's history, in 1973. A new channel for the river was created, cutting off the old horseshoe bend, with the railroad lines and a major new highway built through the new channel but safely above flood level. Once the river was rerouted, the coal tipples and railroad tracks were removed from downtown and the old riverbed was filled in, creating a significant amount of new downtown land. The project was completed in 1987. ==Get in== It's really out there where a lot of spindly eastern Kentucky highways come together, notably Hwy 23. If you managed to make it here, then good job. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dils Cemetery | alt= | url= | email= | address=at junction of Chloe St and S Bypass Rd (Hwy 1460) | lat=37.47780 | long=-82.51485 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=Place where Randall McCoy, of Hatfield-McCoy fame, is buried. }} * {{see | name=Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum | alt= | url=https://bigsandyheritage.com/ | email= | address=172 Division St | lat=37.47856 | long=-82.51673 | directions= | phone=+1 606 213-0134 | tollfree= | hours=M, Th-Sa 10AM-4PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=Learn about Daniel Boone and how to be a mountain man and such things. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Bob Amos Park | alt= | url=http://www.kentuckytourism.com/outdoor-adventure/attraction/biking/bob-amos-park-complex/733/ | email= | address=424 Bob Amos Dr | lat=37.4725 | long=-82.5388 | directions= | phone=+1 606 437-5129 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=What's peculiar about this park is the '''Pikeville Cut-Through Overlook''', where an overlook allows you to gaze out upon the town and Levisa Fork valley, where the aforementioned engineering task of cutting through a hillside was made. }} * {{do | name=The Appalachian Center for the Arts | alt= | url=http://www.theapparts.org/ | email= | address=218 2nd St | lat=37.47998 | long=-82.51862 | directions= | phone=+1 606 262-4004 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=Local repertory company and gallery with archeological exhibits even sometimes. }} If you're here in mid-April, you can try the '''Hillbilly Days Festival''' for a taste of some authentic flair and culture. ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Hampton Inn Pikeville | alt= | url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/pkvkyhx-hampton-pikeville/ | email= | address=831 Hambley Blvd | lat=37.47743 | long=-82.52098 | directions= | phone=+1 606 432-8181 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price=$123 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-09-12 | content=This one has a nice brick facade, looks like it belongs in New York City really. }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kentucky Appalachians}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|37.4772|-82.53|zoom=13}} 5piiogznyljb5newg0cf1k9xsinzxiw 0 187968 4506304 4459688 2022-08-22T16:15:05Z Ground Zero 1423298 /* Get in */ just booked online wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|North Ronaldsay banner Old mills at Nesstoun.jpg|caption=Old mills at Nesstoun}} '''North Ronaldsay''' is the most northerly of the [[Orkney Islands]] of Scotland. It's 3 miles long by a mile wide, low-lying, and in 2011 had a population of 72. It's named for Rögnvald Kali Kolsson or St Ronald (1100-1158), who was Earl of Orkney and founder of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. [[South Ronaldsay]] is also named for him so he book-ends the Orkney archipelago. == Get in == [[File:North Ronaldsay - geograph.org.uk - 67138.jpg | thumb | 300px | Old Beacon and damaged Sheep Dyke ]] [http://www.orkneyferries.co.uk/ Orkney Ferries] sail from [[Kirkwall]]. May-Sept they sail twice a week: on Fridays direct taking 2 hr 40 min, on Tuesdays either the outward or return sailing is via [[Papa Westray]] and takes 15 min longer. They sail once a week in winter: the 2022/23 timetable is not yet published. Return fares until May 2023 are adult £11, conc £8, child £5.50, and car (which few visitors need) £26. {{marker | name=Hollandstoun pier | type=go | lat=59.356 | long=-2.441 }} is the landing point for ferries. [https://www.loganair.co.uk/ Loganair] fly year round 2 or 3 times a day from Kirkwall, taking 15 min direct; some flights also call at [[Eday]] or [[Papa Westray]]. Book online, or call them on {{phone|+44 1856 872494}}. The schedule enables day trips in both directions. Fares are heavily subsidised and in 2022 an adult day-return is £36, but only £21 if you stay overnight on the island. '''The''' {{marker | name=airport | type=go | lat=59.368 | long=-2.431 }} ({{IATA|NRL}}) is central. The terminal is just a small waiting room with a shed for the fire truck. == Get around == {{mapframe | 59.370 | -2.410 | height=600 | width=600 | zoom=13 }} Walk, it's not worth bringing a car. Tommy Muir's taxi meets arriving flights, tel +44 1857 63244. == See == * '''[https://www.nrbo.org.uk/ The Bird Observatory]''' is 100 yards north of the ferry pier. It's open all year and has accommodation. * '''Stan Stane''' is in a field north of the observatory. It's 13 ft tall and pierced by a hole. * '''The Sheep Dyke''' rings the island, 12 miles round. It's a dry-stone wall that keeps the sheep off the fields and forces them to live on the beach, eating the kelp. The sheep are feral, and their genetics suggest they were introduced from Scandinavia away back in the Iron Age with very little cross-breeding since. The breed is considered endangered, with only 600 pure-breed females; the only other flock is on Auskerry off the island of Stronsay. They're stocky and primarily used for wool: the meat has a distinctive salty, iodine taste. The wall was built in 1832 as a work-creation project when the kelp industry collapsed, along with nine "punds" - sheep pens, still used for lambing and shearing. Storms are damaging the wall faster than it can be maintained, but in 2016 the island appointed a warden to repair it. She's described this as "a mammoth task", implying another reason why the wall keeps getting bashed down. * {{marker | name=Broch of Burrian | type=see | wikidata =Q15108049 }} is an Iron Age fortified dwelling, though it may have been inhabited as late as the 9th century AD. It has defensive earthworks and very sturdy walls. * '''Old Kirk''' is the ruin of a 19th century church with a graveyard. It's just south of the airport. * {{marker | name=Dennis Head Old Beacon | type=see | wikidata=Q5258500 }} is a partly dismantled lighthouse, lit from 1789. It wasn't very effective and was unlit from 1809 as other Orkney lighthouses sprang up, but was retained as a day-mark, with its curious spherical tip added. The lightkeepers' houses here are also ruined. * {{see | name=The lighthouse | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dennis Ness KW17 2BG | lat=59.390 | long=-2.381 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Mar-Sept Tu-Su 11:30-17:00 | price=Adult £6, child £3 | wikipedia=North Ronaldsay Lighthouse | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-13 | content=This is still in use - Britain's tallest, at 139 ft / 42 m, and you can ascend the spiral staircase within. From 1806 the Old Beacon was considered redundant when Start Point lighthouse was completed on [[Sanday]], but North Ronaldsay's reefs soon forced a re-think. The low-lying island is difficult to spot in poor light, and a tall light was therefore needed, and built in 1852 with Alan Stevenson the architect. There's a visitor centre with cafe, and the keepers' cottages are available for self-catering. }} * '''Dark skies:''' there's very little light pollution, so Sept-April if you go outside on a clear night and give your eyes 20 min to adjust, the sky will fill with celestial objects. May-Aug it's a lost cause as the midsummer sky never gets properly dark. == Do == [[File:North Ronaldsay Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 1759322.jpg | thumb | 300px | The 1852 Lighthouse ]] * '''Look up your ancestors''' at the archives in the New Kirk. Open daily, donation. * '''[https://www.nrsheepfestival.com/ Sheep Fest]''' is a fortnight of summer community events, including repairing the sheep dyke. The next is 1-12 Aug 2022. == Buy == * The bird observatory and the Post Office have a few supplies. Easting Road Store in the north of the island has closed down. * [https://www.northronaldsayyarn.co.uk/ Yarn from North Ronaldsay] is a knitware business using wool from the island sheep. It's based at the lighthouse visitor centre, same hours. == Eat & Drink == * The bird observatory and the lighthouse visitor centre cafe are the only choices. == Sleep == * The Bird Observatory has half-board in the guest house for £65 pp and in the hostel for £42 pp. Camping with use of the facilities is £5 pp. * In 2021 no other B&Bs are open and only self-catering is available, at the Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages, Nouster, Brig, Quoybanks, Dennishill and Verracott. == Connect == As of Oct 2021, there is a patchy signal on North Ronaldsay from O2 and Vodafone. 5G has not reached the island. == Go next == * In summer you can sail to [[Westray]], but all routes eventually bring you back to [[Kirkwall]] on the Orkney Mainland. * The next island north, [[Fair Isle]], is part of the [[Shetland Islands]] and you have to double back via Shetland Mainland to get there. {{geo|59.370|-2.420}} {{IsPartOf|Orkney Islands}} {{usablecity}} hws434u621wdqzn84lsoi299loxqqd5 0 188340 4506468 4427202 2022-08-23T01:44:46Z Ground Zero 1423298 Cean up wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|pgname=Notre-Dame-de-Montauban}} '''Notre-Dame-de-Montauban''' is a charming locality in Middle Batiscanie on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, in the regional county municipality of [[Mékinac]]. This municipality, split by the course of the Batiscan River, includes the main village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges and the village of Montauban-les-Mines. This locality has a territory of {{km2|174}} with 800 full-time inhabitants (2021) and some seasonal residents. This municipality has several campgrounds and rental cabins. The main village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges is located at the junction of the route de La Traverse (coming from Lac-aux-Sables) and route 367 (rue Principale). == Understand == The Batiscan River flows north to south over {{km|196}} starting at Édouard Lake in [[Mauricie]]. It flows into the St. Lawrence River at [[Batiscan]]. The main village of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban is located on the east side of a segment of this river. From 1852, the Price Brothers and Company began to harvest the forest in the Batiscan Valley. The transport of wood by flotation on the Batiscan River was abandoned in 1963. === Economy === At the end of 19th century, logging was the main driver of economic development; the course of the Batiscan river then made it possible to transport logs by flotation, following the current to the mills downstream. In the 21st century, the main economic vocations of the territory of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban are recreational and tourist activities (vacation, camping, hunting and fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiles), forestry, agriculture and certain businesses. local. Resort hamlets have developed around Lake Charest (near the village of Montauban) and Lake Georges. === History === The colonization of the territory of Notre-Dame-des-Anges began around 1870. At the end of the 19th century, its territory straddled the cantons of Chavigny (north bank of the Batiscan) and Montauban (south bank). In 1871, the settlers built a first wooden bridge. In 1872, Father Narcisse Bellenger, missionary-colonizer, designated the emerging community "colony of Notre-Dame de la Batiscan". He built the Bellenger establishment with a two-storey barn serving respectively as a reception for the settlers and a warehouse. The Bellenger-Goulet mill has been established. In 1877, the colony was renamed "Notre-Dame-des-Anges de la rivière Batiscan" at the inauguration of the first chapel which burned down twenty years later. In 1879, the parish will be designated Notre-Dame-des-Anges de Montauban. In 1880, the Bellenger-Goulet flour mill began operations. In 1908, the first chapel was burnt down. The iron bridge spanning the Batiscan River was erected in 1909 on the same site as the first bridge; the latter had been rebuilt and renovated several times. The railway line was inaugurated in 1897. === Read === F. Chateauvert et J. Bertrand, ''Notre-Dame-de-Montauban a cent ans'' (Notre-Dame-de-Montauban is one hundred years old): ''1879-1979'' éditions du Centenaire, 1979. == Get in == The territory of Notre-Dame-des-Anges is accessible by road vehicle, ATV, snowmobile and even with light boats (via the Batiscan river). === By car === * From [[Montreal]] ({{km|230}}. Time: 2 hr 33 min. Take highway 40 (north shore) eastbound, to Trois-Rivières; Highway 55 North, to the Saint-Maurice River; Route 153 North, passing through Saint-Tite, Sainte-Thècle, Hervey-Jonction and Lac-aux-Sables, where you have to take the Chemin de la Traverse to the village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges. * From [[Quebec City]]. ({{km|118}}. Time: 1 hr 25 min. Take highway 40 westbound to Grondines; then take route 363 to Rang 1 Price in Lac-aux-Sables; then rue Principale (route 367) crossing the village of Montauban-les-Mines, to the village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges. === Trails === The Quad trail ([https://www.quadmekinac2011.com Quad trail]) passes through the forest north of Lac-aux-Sables. ==Get around== {{mapframe|layer=W}}{{mapshape}} * {{listing | type=go | name =Sonic Station-Service | alt =| url= | email = | address =487, avenue des Loisirs | lat= 46.87631 | long =-72.30833 | direction = | phone =+1 418-336-2041 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-10-28 | content = Service station for motor vehicles. }} * {{listing | type=go | name = Borne véhicule électrique - municipalité Notre-Dame-de-Montauban| alt =| url= | email = | address =Centre sportif Jules-Paquin - 505, avenue des Loisirs | lat= 46.87752 | long =-72.30823 | direction = | phone = | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-10-28 | content = Charging stations for electric vehicle batteries. }} ==See== * {{see | name=Église catholique de Notre-Dame-des-Anges | alt=Catholique church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges | url= |facebook=| email= | address=422, rue Principale | lat=46.87857 | long=-72.30911 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2016 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{see | name=Cimetière de Notre-Dame-des-Anges | alt=Cemetery of Notre-Dame-des-Anges | url= |facebook=| email= | address=100-110, rue du Puit | lat=46.87748 | long=-72.30715 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2016 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-29 | content= }} * {{see | name=La Pointe du Canotier | alt=The tip of the boater | url= |facebook=| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} === Scenic tours === * {{do | name=Parcours historique Notre-Dame-de-Montauban | alt=Notre-Dame-de-Montauban historical route | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email=loisirs.ndm@regionmekinac.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2640 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | facebook= | content=Historical route with 13 historical interpretation panels in the village of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Parc des Chutes-de-Montauban | alt=Chutes-de-Montauban Park | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email=info@audomainefamilial.com | address=Route du Moulin | lat=46.88698 | long=-72.30231 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2640 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Park established in 1979 as part of the centenary celebrations of the municipality of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. This park runs along the west bank of the Batiscan River for about a kilometer. Visitors can admire several falls and waterfalls (elevation). The municipality has built a raised walkway leading visitors to a belvedere in order to observe more closely the Falls of the Nine (also called "fall of the five dollars" inadvertently because of the resemblance of the image affixed on a five-dollar bill issued in 1954). It is designated "fall of the Nine" because it is the ninth portage going up the Batiscan river. The Chutes-de-Montauban Park hiking trail is integrated into the Montauban trail, a 17-km section of the [[Trans Canada Trail]], which crosses the country. }} * {{do | name=Exit Nature | alt= | url=http://www.exitnature.com/ | email=info@exitnature.com | address=429, route Rousseau | lat=46.90396 | long=-72.28502 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | facebook= | content= }} * {{do | name=Sentier national | alt=National trail | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=The {{km|17.4}} national trail begins on the east bank of the Batiscan River (intersection of route 367 and Rang du Soleil), downstream from the “Neuf” falls (formerly referred to as similar to the falls of the “Five Canadian Dollars”), in Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. The path follows the river for more than a kilometer, in order to enter the boreal forest in order to move towards Mont Otis (summit culminating at 325 m.). Formerly designated “Mont Saint-Amand”, this toponym was replaced in 1979 by “Mont Otis” (also nicknamed “Cap à Ti-Fred”), as part of the town's centenary celebrations; this new toponymic designation evokes the memory of the first pioneer to settle. At the top, the 180 degree panorama is splendid. The path stretches to the regional natural park of Portneuf; its route passes near Lac des Pins and crosses Chemin du Lac-du-Castor. A shorter option of the trail is a {{km|3.4}} loop, starting from the Cohabitat Mont Otis campsite. Finally, a linear segment of one km in the Parc des Chutes de Montauban allows access to the fall of Neuf, which shows a drop of about ten meters on the Batiscan river. }} ;Hiking in the National Trail (section Notre-Dame-de-Montauban) {| align="center" rules="all" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" style="text-align:left; border: 1px solid #999; border-right: 2px solid #999; border-bottom: 2px solid #999; margin-top: 1em" |- ! !!Walking path!!Length!!Elevation!!Type!!Grade |- valign="top" |1 || Sentier des Mélodies || {{km|1.0}} || ||Linear||Beginer |- |2 || Sentier Passe à Ti-Fred|| {{km|0.8}}|| ||Linear||Intermediate |- |3 || Sentier du Soleil||{{km|1.0}}||{{m|170}}||Linear||Intermediate |- |4 || Sentier Montauban (SNQ) - Sentier national ||{{km|17.4}}||{{m|200}}|||Linear||Intermediate |- |} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Savonnerie Les semeurs de Jardins | alt=Soap factory the garden sowers | url=| email=lessemeursdejardins@xittel.ca | address=+1 418-336-3336 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Casse-croûte La Bouffe Des Chutes | alt= | url= | email= | address=142, rue du Pont | lat=46.88214 | long=-72.30453 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-3261 | tollfree= | hours=Restaurant open in summer season | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Seasonal snack-style restaurant serving residents, vacationers and tourists. Take-out orders. }} * {{eat | name=Le Mirad'Or | alt= | url= | email= | address=411, route de la Traverse | lat=46.86986 | long=-72.32424 | directions=coming from Lac-aux-Sables, take the Traverse route; the Mirad'Or is located at the intersection of the Chute du Huit road | phone=+1 418-336-2919 | tollfree= | hours=From mid-June to mid-September, by reservation | price= | lastedit=2021-10-29 | facebook=https://www.facebook.com/miradormontauban/ | content=Vegetable stand and vegetarian tasting. Terrace overlooking the vegetable garden and the Batiscan river. Table d'hôte cooked with vegetables from the garden and homemade products, every evening. Other services: picnic, garden tour, launching of pleasure craft, recreational kayak rental, lodging service. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Bar du Cinq Dollars | alt=Five Dollars Bar | url= | email= | address=100 route Rousseau | lat=46.88558 | long=-72.29738 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2008 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Lounge bar on the east bank of the Batiscan River upstream from the Chute du Neuf. }} ==Sleep== ===Camping=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Campement Mont Otis | alt= | url=https://cohabitatmontotis.org | facebook=| email= | address=+1 514 882-4441 | lat=46.89898 | long=-72.328149 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2488 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | arrival= | leave= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Rustic campsite in a forest area on the east bank of the Batiscan river. It is located on the west side of Mount Otis. Nautical equipment rental service: canoes, kayaks. A shuttle service is available on site. Access to the national hiking trail and swimming in the waters of the Batiscan river. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Camping La mine d'Or | alt= | url=https://www.campinglaminedor.com/ | facebook=| email=info2@campinglaminedor.com | address=200, rue du Camping | lat=46.82844 | long=-72.32214 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2971 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Campsite offering a beach, swimming pool, family activities and chalet rental service. }} * {{sleep | name=Le Domaine naturiste Le Cyprès | alt= | url=http://www.domainelecypres.com/index.html | email=domainelecypres@gmail.com | address=708, route de la Chute du Huit | lat=46.85659 | long=-72.35756 | directions=coming from Lac-aux-Sables, take the Traverse route; then the Chute du Eight road | phone=+1 418-336-2573 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Naturist-style campsite established on the east bank of the Batiscan river. Campsites with services for motorhomes, trailers, tent trailers and tents. Inground heated swimming pool with deckchairs, tables and umbrellas. Beach on the bank of the Batiscan river. Spa, indoor bath and sauna. Canoeing for more than 8 km, between two falls. Peach. Event hall with a summer program. Main activities available: tennis court, children's games, mini-golf, marquee, volleyball, badminton, pétanque. Seasonal member (May to October) with regular land or without land. }} * {{sleep | name=Domaine du lac Galette | alt= | url=https://domainedulacgalette.com/ | email=gestionmultieco@hotmail.com | address=431, chemin du Lac-de-la-Galette | lat=46.87602 | long=-72.3484 | directions= | phone=+1 418-326-0786 | tollfree= | hours= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Possibility of renting seven accommodations (cabins and ready to camp) and several camping sites. }} ===Chalet, gîte, inn=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Chalet des Mésanges | alt= | url= | wikipédia=| email= | address=110, chemin des Mésanges| lat=46.90424 | long=-72.31752 | directions= | phone=+1 418-561-6182 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Accommodation service on the shores of Lake Georges, at the edge of the Portneuf and Mauricie regions. Wild environment offering tranquility. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Chalet du lac Carillon | alt= | url= | email= | address=230, rue des Mélodies | lat=46.85168 | long=-72.21010 | directions= | phone=+1 418-694-9517 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Chalet with a panoramic view on lac Carillon. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Domaine du lac Galette | alt= | url=https://domainedulacgalette.com/ | facebook= https://www.facebook.com/Domainedugalette| email=gestionmultieco@hotmail.com | address=431, chemin du Lac-de-la-Galette | lat=46.90188 | long=-72.23537 | directions= | phone=+1 418-326-0786 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content=Possibility of renting seven accommodations (cabins and ready to camp) and several camping sites. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=L'érablière du Castor | alt= | url= | email=gestionmultieco@hotmail.com | address=250, rue de l'Arc-en-ciel | lat=46.88726 | long=-72.21594 | directions= | phone=+1 418-326-0786 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content= }} ==Cope== * {{do | name=Centre sportif Jules Paquin | alt= | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email=loisirs.ndm@regionmekinac.com | address=505, avenue des Loisirs | lat=46.87748 | long=-72.30838 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2939, +1 418-336-2640 ext 237| tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content= }} * {{do | name=Rampe de mise à l'eau d'embarcations de plaisance au lac Trois-milles | alt=Pleasure craft launching ramp at Lac Trois-Miles| url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=access via Chemin du Lac Trois-Milles Est and Chemin du lac des 3 camps | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{do | name=Rampe de mise à l'eau d'embarcations de plaisance sur la rivière Batiscan | alt=Pleasure craft launching ramp on the Batiscan River | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=access via the Pointe du Canotier and the Presque Île Bélanger (Route de la Traverse) | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content=Small boats only. }} ====Public library==== * {{do | name=Bibliothèque municipale | alt=Public Library | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Vacationers and citizens can use the services of the municipal library to consult or borrow: books, comics, magazines and CD-ROMs. }} == Go next == {{mapgroup|target=Q3344602}} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Rivière-à-Pierre]] | | wikidata=Q3433614 | lastedit=2021-10-18 | content= Granite is the soul of the place: the stonemasons have shaped the quarries of granite stones from the dozen granite quarries exploited throughout history. The most famous work of granite is the monolithic granite cross shaped by craftsmen from Rivière-à-Pierre and erected in Gaspé to commemorate in 1934 the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Jacques Cartier in America. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Lac-aux-Sables]] | wikidata=Q3214670 | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Lac-aux-Sables is an internationally renowned recreational tourism centre. Its beach, stretching for nearly 0.6 km, is one of the most beautiful in the Mauricie. The resort and camping increase the population to nearly 3,500 people in the summer season. While the Hervey-Jonction sector has a whole railway history; this sector is endowed with the Zec Tawachiche which offers forestry activities services, in particular camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Saint-Ubalde]] | wikidata=Q3463457 | lastedit=2021-10-18 | content=Renowned across Canada for its potato cultivation; its sandy soils favour this kind of culture. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[ZEC Tawachiche]] | alt= | url=http://www.zectawachiche.reseauzec.com | email= | address= | lat=47.0297 | long=-72.5001 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3575076 | lastedit=2021-10-19 | content=ZEC mainly in the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables (Hervey-Jonction sector), and partly in the unorganized territories of Lac-Masketsi and Lac-Lapeyère. This area is south of the ZEC de la Bessonne. The Tawachiche and Tawachiche Ouest rivers cross its territory. This ZEC in Moyen-Mauricie is popular for recreational and tourist activities. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Portneuf Wildlife Reserve]] | alt=Réserve faunique de Portneuf | wikidata=Q3457206 | lastedit=2021-10-19 | content=A wildlife reserve administered by SÉPAQ. }} {{usableruralarea}} {{IsPartOf|Mékinac}} {{geo|46.8076|-72.4013|zoom=13}} 53rgsy92ot4efutudqhhgtm7ldecsj6 4506469 4506468 2022-08-23T01:44:56Z Ground Zero 1423298 Clean up wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|pgname=Notre-Dame-de-Montauban}} '''Notre-Dame-de-Montauban''' is a charming locality in Middle Batiscanie on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, in the regional county municipality of [[Mékinac]]. This municipality, split by the course of the Batiscan River, includes the main village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges and the village of Montauban-les-Mines. This locality has a territory of {{km2|174}} with 800 full-time inhabitants (2021) and some seasonal residents. This municipality has several campgrounds and rental cabins. The main village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges is located at the junction of the route de La Traverse (coming from Lac-aux-Sables) and route 367 (rue Principale). == Understand == The Batiscan River flows north to south over {{km|196}} starting at Édouard Lake in [[Mauricie]]. It flows into the St. Lawrence River at [[Batiscan]]. The main village of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban is located on the east side of a segment of this river. From 1852, the Price Brothers and Company began to harvest the forest in the Batiscan Valley. The transport of wood by flotation on the Batiscan River was abandoned in 1963. === Economy === At the end of 19th century, logging was the main driver of economic development; the course of the Batiscan river then made it possible to transport logs by flotation, following the current to the mills downstream. In the 21st century, the main economic vocations of the territory of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban are recreational and tourist activities (vacation, camping, hunting and fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiles), forestry, agriculture and certain businesses. local. Resort hamlets have developed around Lake Charest (near the village of Montauban) and Lake Georges. === History === The colonization of the territory of Notre-Dame-des-Anges began around 1870. At the end of the 19th century, its territory straddled the cantons of Chavigny (north bank of the Batiscan) and Montauban (south bank). In 1871, the settlers built a first wooden bridge. In 1872, Father Narcisse Bellenger, missionary-colonizer, designated the emerging community "colony of Notre-Dame de la Batiscan". He built the Bellenger establishment with a two-storey barn serving respectively as a reception for the settlers and a warehouse. The Bellenger-Goulet mill has been established. In 1877, the colony was renamed "Notre-Dame-des-Anges de la rivière Batiscan" at the inauguration of the first chapel which burned down twenty years later. In 1879, the parish will be designated Notre-Dame-des-Anges de Montauban. In 1880, the Bellenger-Goulet flour mill began operations. In 1908, the first chapel was burnt down. The iron bridge spanning the Batiscan River was erected in 1909 on the same site as the first bridge; the latter had been rebuilt and renovated several times. The railway line was inaugurated in 1897. === Read === F. Chateauvert et J. Bertrand, ''Notre-Dame-de-Montauban a cent ans'' (Notre-Dame-de-Montauban is one hundred years old): ''1879-1979'' éditions du Centenaire, 1979. == Get in == The territory of Notre-Dame-des-Anges is accessible by road vehicle, ATV, snowmobile and even with light boats (via the Batiscan river). === By car === * From [[Montreal]] ({{km|230}}. Time: 2 hr 33 min. Take highway 40 (north shore) eastbound, to Trois-Rivières; Highway 55 North, to the Saint-Maurice River; Route 153 North, passing through Saint-Tite, Sainte-Thècle, Hervey-Jonction and Lac-aux-Sables, where you have to take the Chemin de la Traverse to the village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges. * From [[Quebec City]]. ({{km|118}}. Time: 1 hr 25 min. Take highway 40 westbound to Grondines; then take route 363 to Rang 1 Price in Lac-aux-Sables; then rue Principale (route 367) crossing the village of Montauban-les-Mines, to the village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges. === Trails === The Quad trail ([https://www.quadmekinac2011.com Quad trail]) passes through the forest north of Lac-aux-Sables. ==Get around== {{mapframe|layer=W}}{{mapshape}} * {{listing | type=go | name =Sonic Station-Service | alt =| url= | email = | address =487, avenue des Loisirs | lat= 46.87631 | long =-72.30833 | direction = | phone =+1 418-336-2041 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-10-28 | content = Service station for motor vehicles. }} * {{listing | type=go | name = Borne véhicule électrique - municipalité Notre-Dame-de-Montauban| alt =| url= | email = | address =Centre sportif Jules-Paquin - 505, avenue des Loisirs | lat= 46.87752 | long =-72.30823 | direction = | phone = | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-10-28 | content = Charging stations for electric vehicle batteries. }} ==See== * {{see | name=Église catholique de Notre-Dame-des-Anges | alt=Catholique church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges | url= |facebook=| email= | address=422, rue Principale | lat=46.87857 | long=-72.30911 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2016 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{see | name=Cimetière de Notre-Dame-des-Anges | alt=Cemetery of Notre-Dame-des-Anges | url= |facebook=| email= | address=100-110, rue du Puit | lat=46.87748 | long=-72.30715 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2016 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-29 | content= }} * {{see | name=La Pointe du Canotier | alt=The tip of the boater | url= |facebook=| email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} === Scenic tours === * {{do | name=Parcours historique Notre-Dame-de-Montauban | alt=Notre-Dame-de-Montauban historical route | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email=loisirs.ndm@regionmekinac.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2640 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | facebook= | content=Historical route with 13 historical interpretation panels in the village of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Parc des Chutes-de-Montauban | alt=Chutes-de-Montauban Park | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email=info@audomainefamilial.com | address=Route du Moulin | lat=46.88698 | long=-72.30231 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2640 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Park established in 1979 as part of the centenary celebrations of the municipality of Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. This park runs along the west bank of the Batiscan River for about a kilometer. Visitors can admire several falls and waterfalls (elevation). The municipality has built a raised walkway leading visitors to a belvedere in order to observe more closely the Falls of the Nine (also called "fall of the five dollars" inadvertently because of the resemblance of the image affixed on a five-dollar bill issued in 1954). It is designated "fall of the Nine" because it is the ninth portage going up the Batiscan river. The Chutes-de-Montauban Park hiking trail is integrated into the Montauban trail, a 17-km section of the [[Trans Canada Trail]], which crosses the country. }} * {{do | name=Exit Nature | alt= | url=http://www.exitnature.com/ | email=info@exitnature.com | address=429, route Rousseau | lat=46.90396 | long=-72.28502 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | facebook= | content= }} * {{do | name=Sentier national | alt=National trail | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=Free | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=The {{km|17.4}} national trail begins on the east bank of the Batiscan River (intersection of route 367 and Rang du Soleil), downstream from the “Neuf” falls (formerly referred to as similar to the falls of the “Five Canadian Dollars”), in Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. The path follows the river for more than a kilometer, in order to enter the boreal forest in order to move towards Mont Otis (summit culminating at 325 m.). Formerly designated “Mont Saint-Amand”, this toponym was replaced in 1979 by “Mont Otis” (also nicknamed “Cap à Ti-Fred”), as part of the town's centenary celebrations; this new toponymic designation evokes the memory of the first pioneer to settle. At the top, the 180 degree panorama is splendid. The path stretches to the regional natural park of Portneuf; its route passes near Lac des Pins and crosses Chemin du Lac-du-Castor. A shorter option of the trail is a {{km|3.4}} loop, starting from the Cohabitat Mont Otis campsite. Finally, a linear segment of one km in the Parc des Chutes de Montauban allows access to the fall of Neuf, which shows a drop of about ten meters on the Batiscan river. }} ;Hiking in the National Trail (section Notre-Dame-de-Montauban) {| align="center" rules="all" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" style="text-align:left; border: 1px solid #999; border-right: 2px solid #999; border-bottom: 2px solid #999; margin-top: 1em" |- ! !!Walking path!!Length!!Elevation!!Type!!Grade |- valign="top" |1 || Sentier des Mélodies || {{km|1.0}} || ||Linear||Beginer |- |2 || Sentier Passe à Ti-Fred|| {{km|0.8}}|| ||Linear||Intermediate |- |3 || Sentier du Soleil||{{km|1.0}}||{{m|170}}||Linear||Intermediate |- |4 || Sentier Montauban (SNQ) - Sentier national ||{{km|17.4}}||{{m|200}}|||Linear||Intermediate |- |} ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Savonnerie Les semeurs de Jardins | alt=Soap factory the garden sowers | url=| email=lessemeursdejardins@xittel.ca | address=+1 418-336-3336 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content= }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Casse-croûte La Bouffe Des Chutes | alt= | url= | email= | address=142, rue du Pont | lat=46.88214 | long=-72.30453 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-3261 | tollfree= | hours=Restaurant open in summer season | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Seasonal snack-style restaurant serving residents, vacationers and tourists. Take-out orders. }} * {{eat | name=Le Mirad'Or | alt= | url= | email= | address=411, route de la Traverse | lat=46.86986 | long=-72.32424 | directions=coming from Lac-aux-Sables, take the Traverse route; the Mirad'Or is located at the intersection of the Chute du Huit road | phone=+1 418-336-2919 | tollfree= | hours=From mid-June to mid-September, by reservation | price= | lastedit=2021-10-29 | facebook=https://www.facebook.com/miradormontauban/ | content=Vegetable stand and vegetarian tasting. Terrace overlooking the vegetable garden and the Batiscan river. Table d'hôte cooked with vegetables from the garden and homemade products, every evening. Other services: picnic, garden tour, launching of pleasure craft, recreational kayak rental, lodging service. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Bar du Cinq Dollars | alt=Five Dollars Bar | url= | email= | address=100 route Rousseau | lat=46.88558 | long=-72.29738 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2008 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Lounge bar on the east bank of the Batiscan River upstream from the Chute du Neuf. }} ==Sleep== ===Camping=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Campement Mont Otis | alt= | url=https://cohabitatmontotis.org | facebook=| email= | address=+1 514 882-4441 | lat=46.89898 | long=-72.328149 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2488 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | arrival= | leave= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Rustic campsite in a forest area on the east bank of the Batiscan river. It is located on the west side of Mount Otis. Nautical equipment rental service: canoes, kayaks. A shuttle service is available on site. Access to the national hiking trail and swimming in the waters of the Batiscan river. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Camping La mine d'Or | alt= | url=https://www.campinglaminedor.com/ | facebook=| email=info2@campinglaminedor.com | address=200, rue du Camping | lat=46.82844 | long=-72.32214 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2971 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Campsite offering a beach, swimming pool, family activities and chalet rental service. }} * {{sleep | name=Le Domaine naturiste Le Cyprès | alt= | url=http://www.domainelecypres.com/index.html | email=domainelecypres@gmail.com | address=708, route de la Chute du Huit | lat=46.85659 | long=-72.35756 | directions=coming from Lac-aux-Sables, take the Traverse route; then the Chute du Eight road | phone=+1 418-336-2573 | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Naturist-style campsite established on the east bank of the Batiscan river. Campsites with services for motorhomes, trailers, tent trailers and tents. Inground heated swimming pool with deckchairs, tables and umbrellas. Beach on the bank of the Batiscan river. Spa, indoor bath and sauna. Canoeing for more than 8 km, between two falls. Peach. Event hall with a summer program. Main activities available: tennis court, children's games, mini-golf, marquee, volleyball, badminton, pétanque. Seasonal member (May to October) with regular land or without land. }} * {{sleep | name=Domaine du lac Galette | alt= | url=https://domainedulacgalette.com/ | email=gestionmultieco@hotmail.com | address=431, chemin du Lac-de-la-Galette | lat=46.87602 | long=-72.3484 | directions= | phone=+1 418-326-0786 | tollfree= | hours= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Possibility of renting seven accommodations (cabins and ready to camp) and several camping sites. }} ===Chalet, gîte, inn=== * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Chalet des Mésanges | alt= | url= | wikipédia=| email= | address=110, chemin des Mésanges| lat=46.90424 | long=-72.31752 | directions= | phone=+1 418-561-6182 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Accommodation service on the shores of Lake Georges, at the edge of the Portneuf and Mauricie regions. Wild environment offering tranquility. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Chalet du lac Carillon | alt= | url= | email= | address=230, rue des Mélodies | lat=46.85168 | long=-72.21010 | directions= | phone=+1 418-694-9517 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Chalet with a panoramic view on lac Carillon. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=Domaine du lac Galette | alt= | url=https://domainedulacgalette.com/ | facebook= https://www.facebook.com/Domainedugalette| email=gestionmultieco@hotmail.com | address=431, chemin du Lac-de-la-Galette | lat=46.90188 | long=-72.23537 | directions= | phone=+1 418-326-0786 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content=Possibility of renting seven accommodations (cabins and ready to camp) and several camping sites. }} * {{listing | type=sleep | name=L'érablière du Castor | alt= | url= | email=gestionmultieco@hotmail.com | address=250, rue de l'Arc-en-ciel | lat=46.88726 | long=-72.21594 | directions= | phone=+1 418-326-0786 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content= }} ==Cope== * {{do | name=Centre sportif Jules Paquin | alt= | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email=loisirs.ndm@regionmekinac.com | address=505, avenue des Loisirs | lat=46.87748 | long=-72.30838 | directions= | phone=+1 418-336-2939, +1 418-336-2640 ext 237| tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content= }} * {{do | name=Rampe de mise à l'eau d'embarcations de plaisance au lac Trois-milles | alt=Pleasure craft launching ramp at Lac Trois-Miles| url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=access via Chemin du Lac Trois-Milles Est and Chemin du lac des 3 camps | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{do | name=Rampe de mise à l'eau d'embarcations de plaisance sur la rivière Batiscan | alt=Pleasure craft launching ramp on the Batiscan River | url=https://www.notredamedemontauban.com/ | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions=access via the Pointe du Canotier and the Presque Île Bélanger (Route de la Traverse) | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content=Small boats only. }} ====Public library==== * {{do | name=Bibliothèque municipale | alt=Public Library | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Vacationers and citizens can use the services of the municipal library to consult or borrow: books, comics, magazines and CD-ROMs. }} == Go next == {{mapgroup|target=Q3344602}} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Rivière-à-Pierre]] | | wikidata=Q3433614 | lastedit=2021-10-18 | content= Granite is the soul of the place: the stonemasons have shaped the quarries of granite stones from the dozen granite quarries exploited throughout history. The most famous work of granite is the monolithic granite cross shaped by craftsmen from Rivière-à-Pierre and erected in Gaspé to commemorate in 1934 the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Jacques Cartier in America. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Lac-aux-Sables]] | wikidata=Q3214670 | lastedit=2021-10-28 | content=Lac-aux-Sables is an internationally renowned recreational tourism centre. Its beach, stretching for nearly 0.6 km, is one of the most beautiful in the Mauricie. The resort and camping increase the population to nearly 3,500 people in the summer season. While the Hervey-Jonction sector has a whole railway history; this sector is endowed with the Zec Tawachiche which offers forestry activities services, in particular camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Saint-Ubalde]] | wikidata=Q3463457 | lastedit=2021-10-18 | content=Renowned across Canada for its potato cultivation; its sandy soils favour this kind of culture. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[ZEC Tawachiche]] | alt= | url=http://www.zectawachiche.reseauzec.com | email= | address= | lat=47.0297 | long=-72.5001 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3575076 | lastedit=2021-10-19 | content=ZEC mainly in the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables (Hervey-Jonction sector), and partly in the unorganized territories of Lac-Masketsi and Lac-Lapeyère. This area is south of the ZEC de la Bessonne. The Tawachiche and Tawachiche Ouest rivers cross its territory. This ZEC in Moyen-Mauricie is popular for recreational and tourist activities. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Portneuf Wildlife Reserve]] | alt=Réserve faunique de Portneuf | wikidata=Q3457206 | lastedit=2021-10-19 | content=A wildlife reserve administered by SÉPAQ. }} {{usableruralarea}} {{IsPartOf|Mékinac}} {{geo|46.8076|-72.4013|zoom=13}} lcg8ezbbim39wel9h424larum9h1i4c 0 188547 4506331 4325297 2022-08-22T17:20:23Z 66.113.51.131 Update Dinosaur Center info, add Copper Creek wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''[https://visitchoteau.com/ Choteau]''' is in [[Russell Country]], [[Montana]], and is the and the county seat of Teton County. ==Understand== ==Get in== Choteau is located on U.S. 89 at the northern terminus of U.S. 287. ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Montana Dinosaur Center | alt=Two Medicine Dinosaur Center | url=https://tmdinosaur.org/ | email=info@tmdinosaur.org | address=120 2nd Ave S, Bynum, MT 59419 | lat=47.9759529 | long=-112.311517 | directions=Next to Trex Agate Shop in Bynum | phone=+1 406-469-2211 | tollfree=+1 800-238-6873 | hours=9a-6p Sunday - Friday; May 1 - Labor Day | price=$5 museum admission, $110 dig site tour, $225 fossil dig expedition | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content= }} * {{see | name=Old Trail Museum | alt= | url=http://oldtrailmuseum.org/ | email= | address=823 Main Ave N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-5332 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Do== Choteau has a number of guides, outfitters, and other local experts for hiking, hunting, or fishing. ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=John Henry's Restaurant | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/johnhenrysfamilyrestaurant/ | email= | address=215 Main Ave N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-5642 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Log Cabin Cafe | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Log-Cabin-Cafe/137065646368632 | email= | address=102 Main Ave N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-2888 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Outpost Deli | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/outpostdeli/ | email= | address=824 Main Ave N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-5330 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Copper Creek Coffee | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/coppercreekcoffee/ | email=ChoteauCopperCreekCoffee@gmail.com | address=501 Main Ave N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-3868 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Stage Stop Inn | alt= | url=https://www.stagestopinn.com/ | email= | address=1005 Main Ave N | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-5900 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Big Sky Motel | alt= | url= | email= | address=209 Main Ave S | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-5318 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Gunther Motel | alt= | url= | email= | address=20 7th Ave SW | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 406-466-5444 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=US 89.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=N | majorl1=[[Fort Macleod]] | minorl1=[[Browning]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=[[Great Falls (Montana)|Great Falls]] | minorr1=[[Sun River]] | image2=US 287.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=N | majorl2=END | minorl2= | directionr2=S | majorr2=[[Helena (Montana)|Helena]] | minorr2=[[Wolf Creek (Montana)|Wolf Creek]] }} {{IsPartOf|Russell Country}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo|47.816667|-112.183333}} e26gubncpv97t1z148vwmkf2e46c8iy 3 188837 4506455 4505587 2022-08-23T00:13:18Z MediaWiki message delivery 421098 /* Tech News: 2022-34 */ new section wikitext text/x-wiki {{DISPLAYTITLE:<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">User talk:SHB2000</span>}} {{/header}} <!--{{Archive basics |archive = User talk:SHB2000/Archive 2022 |counter = 1 }}--> {{Auto archiving |archive = User talk:SHB2000/Archive 2022 |algo = old(14d) |counter = 1 |minthreadsleft = 1 |minthreadstoarchive = 1 |archiveheader = {{talk archive}} }} == Tech News: 2022-32 == <section begin="technews-2022-W32"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/32|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Meta:GUS2Wiki/Script|GUS2Wiki]] copies the information from [[{{#special:GadgetUsage}}]] to an on-wiki page so you can review its history. If your project isn't already listed on the [[d:Q113143828|Wikidata entry for Project:GUS2Wiki]] you can either run GUS2Wiki yourself or [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Meta:GUS2Wiki/Script#Opting|make a request to receive updates]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T121049] '''Changes later this week''' * There is no new MediaWiki version this week. * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-09|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s5.dblist targeted wikis]) and on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-11|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s2.dblist targeted wikis]). '''Future meetings''' * The [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon|Wikimania Hackathon]] will take place online from August 12–14. Don't miss [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon/Schedule|the pre-hacking showcase]] to learn about projects and find collaborators. Anyone can [[phab:/project/board/6030/|propose a project]] or [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon/Schedule|host a session]]. [[wmania:Special:MyLanguage/Hackathon/Newcomers|Newcomers are welcome]]! '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/32|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W32"/> 19:50, 8 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23627807 --> == ''This Month in GLAM'': July 2022 == {| style="width:100%;" | valign="top" align="center" style="border:1px gray solid; padding:1em;" | {| align="center" |- | style="text-align: center;" | [[File:This Month in GLAM logo 2018.png|350px|center|link=outreach:GLAM/Newsletter]]<br /> <hr /> <div style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;">[[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022|<span style="color:darkslategray;">This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue VII, July 2022</span>]]</div> <hr /><br /> |- style="text-align: center;" | <span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman;"> '''<u>Headlines</u>'''</span> |- style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center;" | <div style="text-align:left; column-count:2; column-width:28em; -moz-column-count:2; -moz-column-width:28em; -webkit-column-count:2; -webkit-column-width:28em; vertical-align:top;"> * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Argentina report|Argentina report]]: Provinces: our main characters * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Brazil report|Brazil report]]: Brazil holds its National Wiki Conference, and many GLAM partners join * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Colombia report|Colombia report]]: A very busy July for Colombian libraries / Un Julio bastante movido para las bibliotecas colombianas * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/France report|France report]]: Wikimedian in residence in Clermont-Ferrand * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/New Zealand report|New Zealand report]]: News from Auckland Museum, the West Coast, and New Zealand's thesis repositories * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Poland report|Poland report]]: Edit-a-thon in the National Museum in Cracow, GLAM editing contest on the collection of artworks * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Portugal report|Portugal report]]: Portugal’s first GLAM-Wiki open access museum project is launched!! * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Serbia report|Serbia report]]: Presentation of GLAM activities at Edu Wiki Camp * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/UK report|UK report]]: Khalili Collections * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/USA report|USA report]]: GLAM for the Masses * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/AvoinGLAM report|AvoinGLAM report]]: Wikimania * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Content Partnerships Hub report|Content Partnerships Hub report]]: Wikimania activities * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/WMF GLAM report|WMF GLAM report]]: What next for 1Lib1Ref? * [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Contents/Events|Calendar]]: August's GLAM events </div> |- | style="font-family:Times New Roman; text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter|Read this edition in full]] &bull; [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/July 2022/Single|Single-page]] |- | valign="top" colspan="2" style="padding:0.5em; font-family:Times New Roman;text-align:center; font-size:85%;" | To assist with preparing the newsletter, please visit the [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Newsroom|newsroom]]. Past editions may be viewed [[outreach:GLAM/Newsletter/Archives|here]]. |- |} |} <div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:GLAM/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in GLAM'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/GLAM|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · [[:m:User:Romaine|Romaine]] 01:24, 9 August 2022 (UTC)</div> <!-- Message sent by User:Romaine@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/GLAM&oldid=23554599 --> == Busses == Just a note: bus is ''buss'' in Swedish (buses: ''bussar''), so it is easy to get the double s there when one is a bit absent-minded. Should still be corrected, of course, thanks for that. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:21, 9 August 2022 (UTC) :Just to confuse matters, the form ''busses'' is a conjugation of the verb ''to bus'' (also ''bussing, bussed'', presumably because by eye ''busing/bused'' ought to be pronounced "byoozing/byoozed").--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:48, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::It's really why we should've all adopted Webster's reforms ;-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:52, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Fuck no! ;-) Diversity is beautiful.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:57, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::They are more logical though... I mean, look how ugly manoeuvre, south west, or musick is spelled compared to maneuver, southwest or music ;-) – or maybe I'm just salty that I screwed up pieces of code because I accidentally spelled "center" as "centre" a few times (wasn't too hard of a fix though). Thankfully the world got together and dropped the k in the last one. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:17, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::: I am really thankful to automatic indentation of code, or syntax highlighters (which serve the same purpose not only as side effect). They prevent misspelling keywords. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:24, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::Me too. I've probably saved hours due to automatic indentation. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:26, 10 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::I won't deny Webster spellings are (marginally) more phonetic, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. British spelling usually retains the etymology of a word better, making the rich and global origins of our vocabulary more obvious. ::::::: And regarding language diversity, I love how the French word ''[auto]bus'' (plural: ''[auto]bus'') has been borrowed by most European languages, but each language has used its own grammar and spelling rules to impart a unique twist: English ''bus'' (pl. ''buses''), Swedish ''buss'' (pl. ''bussar''), German ''Bus'' (pl. ''Busse''), Welsh ''bws'' (pl. ''bysiau''), Spanish ''autobús'' (pl. ''autobuses''), Romanian ''autobuz'' (pl. ''autobuze''), Turkish ''otobüs'' (''otobüsler'')... Same for so many words relating to modern technology.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 14:23, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::But the British also did make some changes during the 19th century, like changing all -ize words to -ise or program to programme just to make English slightly closer to French. Mais j'aime le français pour la même raison ;-). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:36, 10 August 2022 (UTC) == Mogollon Rim edit conflict == Hi there... we had a minor edit collision on article [[Mogollon Rim]]. I was doing a sizeable content addition while you were adding a banner. Being someone what, not sure of the procedure here or if it would otherwise alert you, so thought I'd reach out. Didn't mean to stomp on your edit; I put your picture in as a comment in case you/someone wants to revert to it. Regarding my banner selection, not sure if it meets the size specs (tho it did seem to crop it nicely), however the scene with the trees imho reflects the area better (typing as an Arizona resident). thanks , and appreciate the guidance you've given [[User:BrianM0000|BrianM0000]] ([[User talk:BrianM0000|talk]]) 08:43, 13 August 2022 (UTC) :Hi {{u|BrianM0000}}, feel free to replace the banner if you want – just make sure the banner is in a 7:1 ratio (I'll crop it to a 7:1 ratio if needed). While I have visited Petrified Forest NP before, I don't know whole lot about Eastern Arizona and you obviously know better than I do. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:46, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Chinese on Christmas Island == You said that "[[Special:Diff/4482029/4500174|given that Chinese is more widely spoken in Christmas Island, and the fact that C comes before M, I think it makes sense to put the Chinese translation before the Malay]]". However, in Talk Chinese isn't mentioned: : "As a territory of Australia, English is the most common language spoken on Christmas Island, but is not universal. Many older residents speak Malay as a first language. However, unlike Cocos Island, all signs are in English." If Chinese is important, something should be said about who speak it. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:12, 13 August 2022 (UTC) :I'm not too sure; my info is from the encyclopedia, but I'll check the <abbr title="Australian Bureau of Statistics">ABS</abbr> to see whether the encyclopedia was right. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 00:13, 14 August 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-33 == <section begin="technews-2022-W33"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/33|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * The Persian (Farsi) Wikipedia community decided to block IP editing from October 2021 to April 2022. The Wikimedia Foundation's Product Analytics team tracked the impact of this change. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation/IP Editing Restriction Study/Farsi Wikipedia|An impact report]] is now available. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.25|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-16|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-17|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-18|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-16|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s1.dblist targeted wikis]) and on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-18|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s8.dblist targeted wikis]). * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:WikiEditor/Realtime_Preview|Realtime Preview]] will be available as a Beta Feature on wikis in [https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists%2Fgroup1.dblist Group 1]. This feature was built in order to fulfill [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community_Wishlist_Survey_2021/Real_Time_Preview_for_Wikitext|one of the Community Wishlist Survey proposals]]. '''Future changes''' * The Beta Feature for [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools|DiscussionTools]] will be updated throughout August. Discussions will look different. You can see [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk pages project/Usability/Prototype|some of the proposed changes]]. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Talk_pages_project/Usability#4_August_2022][https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Talk_pages_project/Usability#Phase_1:_Topic_containers][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T312672] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/33|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W33"/> 21:09, 15 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23658001 --> == Mapshapehelp, please == Hey SHB2000, I merged Concord and Lincoln (Massachusetts), but can't figure out how to get mapshape to include both towns. Could you lend a hand [[Concord (Massachusetts)|here]]? Thank you. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 12:44, 21 August 2022 (UTC) : Exactly. Thank you. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 12:46, 21 August 2022 (UTC) ::Not a problem :-). Just a handy tip from me: if you need some help with some simple stuff about maps, I'd recommend using [[Southeastern New South Wales]] and its subregions like the [[Snowy Mountains]] or the [[Sapphire Coast]] as a guide. I learned how to do this using [[Berlin]] and [[Singapore]] as guides, but now that I've mostly mastered using mapshapes and mapmasks, I wouldn't recommend them. Regards, --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:56, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-34 == <section begin="technews-2022-W34"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/34|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * Two problems with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] maps have been fixed. Maps are no longer shown as empty when a geoline was created via VisualEditor. Geolines consisting of points with QIDs (e.g., subway lines) are no longer shown with pushpins. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308560] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.26|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-23|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-24|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-25|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-25|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s4.dblist targeted wikis]). * The colours of links and visited links will change. This is to make the difference between links and other text more clear. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T213778] '''Future changes''' * The new [{{int:discussiontools-topicsubscription-button-subscribe}}] button [[mw:Talk pages project/Notifications#12 August 2022|helps newcomers get answers]]. The Editing team is enabling this tool everywhere. You can turn it off in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion|your preferences]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T284489] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/34|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W34"/> 00:13, 23 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23675501 --> layviru6vw6bt8lc40nuvurcfj0w3l2 4506667 4506455 2022-08-23T08:25:37Z ArchiverBot 469122 Bot: Archiving 2 threads (older than 14 days) to [[User talk:SHB2000/Archive 2022]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{DISPLAYTITLE:<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">User talk:SHB2000</span>}} {{/header}} <!--{{Archive basics |archive = User talk:SHB2000/Archive 2022 |counter = 1 }}--> {{Auto archiving |archive = User talk:SHB2000/Archive 2022 |algo = old(14d) |counter = 1 |minthreadsleft = 1 |minthreadstoarchive = 1 |archiveheader = {{talk archive}} }} == Busses == Just a note: bus is ''buss'' in Swedish (buses: ''bussar''), so it is easy to get the double s there when one is a bit absent-minded. Should still be corrected, of course, thanks for that. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:21, 9 August 2022 (UTC) :Just to confuse matters, the form ''busses'' is a conjugation of the verb ''to bus'' (also ''bussing, bussed'', presumably because by eye ''busing/bused'' ought to be pronounced "byoozing/byoozed").--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:48, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::It's really why we should've all adopted Webster's reforms ;-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:52, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::: Fuck no! ;-) Diversity is beautiful.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:57, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::They are more logical though... I mean, look how ugly manoeuvre, south west, or musick is spelled compared to maneuver, southwest or music ;-) – or maybe I'm just salty that I screwed up pieces of code because I accidentally spelled "center" as "centre" a few times (wasn't too hard of a fix though). Thankfully the world got together and dropped the k in the last one. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:17, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::: I am really thankful to automatic indentation of code, or syntax highlighters (which serve the same purpose not only as side effect). They prevent misspelling keywords. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:24, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::Me too. I've probably saved hours due to automatic indentation. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:26, 10 August 2022 (UTC) :::::::I won't deny Webster spellings are (marginally) more phonetic, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. British spelling usually retains the etymology of a word better, making the rich and global origins of our vocabulary more obvious. ::::::: And regarding language diversity, I love how the French word ''[auto]bus'' (plural: ''[auto]bus'') has been borrowed by most European languages, but each language has used its own grammar and spelling rules to impart a unique twist: English ''bus'' (pl. ''buses''), Swedish ''buss'' (pl. ''bussar''), German ''Bus'' (pl. ''Busse''), Welsh ''bws'' (pl. ''bysiau''), Spanish ''autobús'' (pl. ''autobuses''), Romanian ''autobuz'' (pl. ''autobuze''), Turkish ''otobüs'' (''otobüsler'')... Same for so many words relating to modern technology.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 14:23, 10 August 2022 (UTC) ::::::::But the British also did make some changes during the 19th century, like changing all -ize words to -ise or program to programme just to make English slightly closer to French. Mais j'aime le français pour la même raison ;-). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:36, 10 August 2022 (UTC) == Mogollon Rim edit conflict == Hi there... we had a minor edit collision on article [[Mogollon Rim]]. I was doing a sizeable content addition while you were adding a banner. Being someone what, not sure of the procedure here or if it would otherwise alert you, so thought I'd reach out. Didn't mean to stomp on your edit; I put your picture in as a comment in case you/someone wants to revert to it. Regarding my banner selection, not sure if it meets the size specs (tho it did seem to crop it nicely), however the scene with the trees imho reflects the area better (typing as an Arizona resident). thanks , and appreciate the guidance you've given [[User:BrianM0000|BrianM0000]] ([[User talk:BrianM0000|talk]]) 08:43, 13 August 2022 (UTC) :Hi {{u|BrianM0000}}, feel free to replace the banner if you want – just make sure the banner is in a 7:1 ratio (I'll crop it to a 7:1 ratio if needed). While I have visited Petrified Forest NP before, I don't know whole lot about Eastern Arizona and you obviously know better than I do. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:46, 13 August 2022 (UTC) == Chinese on Christmas Island == You said that "[[Special:Diff/4482029/4500174|given that Chinese is more widely spoken in Christmas Island, and the fact that C comes before M, I think it makes sense to put the Chinese translation before the Malay]]". However, in Talk Chinese isn't mentioned: : "As a territory of Australia, English is the most common language spoken on Christmas Island, but is not universal. Many older residents speak Malay as a first language. However, unlike Cocos Island, all signs are in English." If Chinese is important, something should be said about who speak it. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:12, 13 August 2022 (UTC) :I'm not too sure; my info is from the encyclopedia, but I'll check the <abbr title="Australian Bureau of Statistics">ABS</abbr> to see whether the encyclopedia was right. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 00:13, 14 August 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-33 == <section begin="technews-2022-W33"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/33|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * The Persian (Farsi) Wikipedia community decided to block IP editing from October 2021 to April 2022. The Wikimedia Foundation's Product Analytics team tracked the impact of this change. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/IP Editing: Privacy Enhancement and Abuse Mitigation/IP Editing Restriction Study/Farsi Wikipedia|An impact report]] is now available. '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.25|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-16|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-17|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-18|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-16|en}} at 07:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s1.dblist targeted wikis]) and on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-18|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s8.dblist targeted wikis]). * The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:WikiEditor/Realtime_Preview|Realtime Preview]] will be available as a Beta Feature on wikis in [https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists%2Fgroup1.dblist Group 1]. This feature was built in order to fulfill [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community_Wishlist_Survey_2021/Real_Time_Preview_for_Wikitext|one of the Community Wishlist Survey proposals]]. '''Future changes''' * The Beta Feature for [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools|DiscussionTools]] will be updated throughout August. Discussions will look different. You can see [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Talk pages project/Usability/Prototype|some of the proposed changes]]. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Talk_pages_project/Usability#4_August_2022][https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Talk_pages_project/Usability#Phase_1:_Topic_containers][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T312672] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/33|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W33"/> 21:09, 15 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23658001 --> == Mapshapehelp, please == Hey SHB2000, I merged Concord and Lincoln (Massachusetts), but can't figure out how to get mapshape to include both towns. Could you lend a hand [[Concord (Massachusetts)|here]]? Thank you. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 12:44, 21 August 2022 (UTC) : Exactly. Thank you. [[User:Ground Zero|Ground Zero]] ([[User talk:Ground Zero|talk]]) 12:46, 21 August 2022 (UTC) ::Not a problem :-). Just a handy tip from me: if you need some help with some simple stuff about maps, I'd recommend using [[Southeastern New South Wales]] and its subregions like the [[Snowy Mountains]] or the [[Sapphire Coast]] as a guide. I learned how to do this using [[Berlin]] and [[Singapore]] as guides, but now that I've mostly mastered using mapshapes and mapmasks, I wouldn't recommend them. Regards, --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 12:56, 21 August 2022 (UTC) == Tech News: 2022-34 == <section begin="technews-2022-W34"/><div class="plainlinks"> Latest '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|tech news]]''' from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/34|Translations]] are available. '''Recent changes''' * Two problems with [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] maps have been fixed. Maps are no longer shown as empty when a geoline was created via VisualEditor. Geolines consisting of points with QIDs (e.g., subway lines) are no longer shown with pushpins. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T292613][https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T308560] '''Changes later this week''' * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] The [[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/wmf.26|new version]] of MediaWiki will be on test wikis and MediaWiki.org from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-23|en}}. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis and some Wikipedias from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-24|en}}. It will be on all wikis from {{#time:j xg|2022-08-25|en}} ([[mw:MediaWiki 1.39/Roadmap|calendar]]). * [[File:Octicons-sync.svg|12px|link=|alt=|Recurrent item]] Some wikis will be in read-only for a few minutes because of a switch of their main database. It will be performed on {{#time:j xg|2022-08-25|en}} at 7:00 UTC ([https://noc.wikimedia.org/conf/highlight.php?file=dblists/s4.dblist targeted wikis]). * The colours of links and visited links will change. This is to make the difference between links and other text more clear. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T213778] '''Future changes''' * The new [{{int:discussiontools-topicsubscription-button-subscribe}}] button [[mw:Talk pages project/Notifications#12 August 2022|helps newcomers get answers]]. The Editing team is enabling this tool everywhere. You can turn it off in [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion|your preferences]]. [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T284489] '''''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News|Tech news]]''' prepared by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/Writers|Tech News writers]] and posted by [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:MediaWiki message delivery|bot]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News#contribute|Contribute]]&nbsp;• [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Tech/News/2022/34|Translate]]&nbsp;• [[m:Tech|Get help]]&nbsp;• [[m:Talk:Tech/News|Give feedback]]&nbsp;• [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/Tech ambassadors|Subscribe or unsubscribe]].'' </div><section end="technews-2022-W34"/> 00:13, 23 August 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/Tech_ambassadors&oldid=23675501 --> 8de5hmt9cculsebpya1e5sjfyeoaq2s 0 189624 4506809 4423507 2022-08-23T11:49:36Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Iyana-Iba''' is a town under [[Alimosho]] Local government area in [[Lagos State]], [[Southwest Nigeria]]. It is dominated by people of different ethnic groups - Yorubas, Igbo, and the Hausas. Majority of its occupant speak English averagely. ==Get in== ===By bus=== You can get a bus to Iyana-Iba from most bus terminals in Lagos State, especially from [[Iyana-ipaja]]. ===By car=== You can get in to Iyana-Iba by car too. You can also rent an Uber or Taxify ride. ==See== * {{see | name= Lagos State University | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= Higher Institution owned by the [[Lagos State]] Government }} ==Do== ===Cinemas=== * {{do | name= Masas Cinema | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{do | name=Afrolankz Theatre | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{do | name= Marturion Cinema | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Buy== There is a local market at the bus stop where you can get almost all of your local needs. * {{buy | name=Alaba Intl Market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= This is one of the biggest markets in Nigeria in terms of electronics equipments }} * {{buy | name=IYALAJE STORE | alt= | url= | email= | address= 1, time and tyde,great challenge road ,iyano school ojo Lagos, 300001, Iba| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +234 802 368 4074 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{buy | name=234 supermarket Services | alt= | url= | email= | address= 2 Iyana Isashi rd Iyana Isashi bus stop, Lagos - Badagry Expy, Ojo, Lagos | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{buy | name= Rafat Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address= Iba Housing Estate, Zone A, Ojo, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Eat== You would mostly get local foods at this area. You can get rice, beans, yam, amala and other local foods here. * {{eat | name= Igboezue Resturants | alt= | url= | email= | address= Iyan-iba road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{eat | name= Iya gift resturant | alt= | url= | email= | address= 19 Iyana school, Iba road.| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{eat | name= Blue Shop | alt= | url= | email= | address= Iba Housing Estate, Last Bus Stop, Ojo, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name= In-House Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address= Ojo 102101, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{drink | name= Ogbona Bar| alt= | url= | email= | address= Shop No. L 44, Alabarago Market, Iyanaba, Lagos - Badagry Expy, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Happy Hour place | alt= | url= | email= | address= 14 Iyana Era Rd, Ojo 102101, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ama Point Restaurant and Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name= Ausken Royal Hotel| alt= | url= | email= | address= 16, Oba Daoudu Street, Ojo, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= #7000 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{sleep | name= Pride Okin Resort | alt= | url= | email= | address= 1, Amy Iw eh Street Off Isuti Road, Igando, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{sleep | name= White Royal Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address= Onilu Village 102213, Lagos | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Connect== There is MTN, Airtel, Glo and Etisalat available in both 3g and 4g. You don't need to woory about network in this area ==Go next== *[[Alimosho]] *[[Iyana-ipaja]] *[[Ojo]] *[[Ikeja]] {{IsPartOf|Alimosho}} {{outlinedistrict}} {{geo|6.5122105|3.2002785|13}} {{merge|Alimosho|per talk}} 8fljx9u5zaizvcp0u4fcilni1d7s83d 4506810 4506809 2022-08-23T11:50:02Z SHB2000 2248002 SHB2000 moved page [[Lagos/Iyana-Iba]] to [[Lagos City/Iyana-Iba]]: fix wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Iyana-Iba''' is a town under [[Alimosho]] Local government area in [[Lagos State]], [[Southwest Nigeria]]. It is dominated by people of different ethnic groups - Yorubas, Igbo, and the Hausas. Majority of its occupant speak English averagely. ==Get in== ===By bus=== You can get a bus to Iyana-Iba from most bus terminals in Lagos State, especially from [[Iyana-ipaja]]. ===By car=== You can get in to Iyana-Iba by car too. You can also rent an Uber or Taxify ride. ==See== * {{see | name= Lagos State University | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= Higher Institution owned by the [[Lagos State]] Government }} ==Do== ===Cinemas=== * {{do | name= Masas Cinema | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{do | name=Afrolankz Theatre | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{do | name= Marturion Cinema | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Buy== There is a local market at the bus stop where you can get almost all of your local needs. * {{buy | name=Alaba Intl Market | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= This is one of the biggest markets in Nigeria in terms of electronics equipments }} * {{buy | name=IYALAJE STORE | alt= | url= | email= | address= 1, time and tyde,great challenge road ,iyano school ojo Lagos, 300001, Iba| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= +234 802 368 4074 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{buy | name=234 supermarket Services | alt= | url= | email= | address= 2 Iyana Isashi rd Iyana Isashi bus stop, Lagos - Badagry Expy, Ojo, Lagos | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{buy | name= Rafat Supermarket | alt= | url= | email= | address= Iba Housing Estate, Zone A, Ojo, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Eat== You would mostly get local foods at this area. You can get rice, beans, yam, amala and other local foods here. * {{eat | name= Igboezue Resturants | alt= | url= | email= | address= Iyan-iba road| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{eat | name= Iya gift resturant | alt= | url= | email= | address= 19 Iyana school, Iba road.| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{eat | name= Blue Shop | alt= | url= | email= | address= Iba Housing Estate, Last Bus Stop, Ojo, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name= In-House Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address= Ojo 102101, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{drink | name= Ogbona Bar| alt= | url= | email= | address= Shop No. L 44, Alabarago Market, Iyanaba, Lagos - Badagry Expy, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Happy Hour place | alt= | url= | email= | address= 14 Iyana Era Rd, Ojo 102101, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Ama Point Restaurant and Bar | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name= Ausken Royal Hotel| alt= | url= | email= | address= 16, Oba Daoudu Street, Ojo, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= #7000 | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{sleep | name= Pride Okin Resort | alt= | url= | email= | address= 1, Amy Iw eh Street Off Isuti Road, Igando, Lagos| lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} * {{sleep | name= White Royal Hotel | alt= | url= | email= | address= Onilu Village 102213, Lagos | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-12-18 | content= }} ==Connect== There is MTN, Airtel, Glo and Etisalat available in both 3g and 4g. You don't need to woory about network in this area ==Go next== *[[Alimosho]] *[[Iyana-ipaja]] *[[Ojo]] *[[Ikeja]] {{IsPartOf|Alimosho}} {{outlinedistrict}} {{geo|6.5122105|3.2002785|13}} {{merge|Alimosho|per talk}} 8fljx9u5zaizvcp0u4fcilni1d7s83d 1 189637 4506818 4348562 2022-08-23T11:54:37Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Merge to Alimosho? */ new section wikitext text/x-wiki == Place in breadcrumb hierarchy? == This is in Lagos state, not Lagos city, right? If so, this shouldn't be treated as a district article and should be renamed to [[Iyana-Iba]]. If so, it should be [[WV:Breadcrumb navigation|breadcrumbed]] to Lagos, not Alimosho. Please clarify. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 22:48, 18 December 2021 (UTC) == Merge to [[Alimosho]]? == This district article was unilaterally created without prior discussion and is not listed as a district of [[Lagos City]]. Furthermore, it's stubby, orphaned, and has no useful travel information (many of the listings here aren't even in Iyana-Iba!) to merit its own article. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:54, 23 August 2022 (UTC) qaici8idx1tk2mxp8mmkgysxlyhwllc 0 189686 4506804 4365155 2022-08-23T11:45:58Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Go next */ + merge tag wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Africa}} '''LUFASI Nature Park''' (Lekki Urban Forest Animal Shelter Initiative Nature Park) is a park in Lekki-Epe area of [[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]. LUFASI Nature Park is along the Lekki-Epe expressway close to Sangotedo area of the state and not so far from the popular Lagos Business School. ==Understand== '''LUFASI Nature Park''' which is an urban forest park is built on 20 hectares of land along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. The nature park comprises of a relaxation center for adults, a play park and a football pitch for the young ones or young adults. The LUFASI Nature Park is established in 2013 and is one of the very popular nature parks in Lagos and Nigeria. Since its inception, the nature park has been a center for nature and leisure walks, outdoor sports, field research, school excursion amongst others. Some amenities in LUFASI Nature Park are: *Eco hall for environmental education classes *Forest Tour *Animal Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre *Lake Nora *Volley Ball Pitch *Basketball Pitch and many others ===History=== LUFASI Nature Park was set up in 2013 as a Non-Government Organization (NGO) with the sole point of safeguarding nature and ensuring untamed life and imperiled species. It was established by Desmond Majekodunmi, an admirer of creatures, an Engineer, and an ecological lobbyist. The park is also responsible for advocacy, research, and education in Nigeria as it has been used as a research and educational park. The Park sits on 20 hectares of forest land in the Lekki area of Lagos. It officially launched in Nov 2016. The Park serves as a shelter for rescuing endangered animals as it has been continuously doing this. It is a combination of a conservation center, recreational center, and animal shelter. LUFASI Nature park has become one of the popular tourist attractions in Lekki. ==Get in== {{Mapframe|6.4648|3.6546|zoom=14}} ===By car=== LUFASI Nature Park is located around the Lekki-Epe area of Lagos which is a very popular area in Lagos. You can get into LUFASI Nature Park by car or by your personal car, in case you are not familiar with the route, just put 'LUFASI Nature Park' on google map and follow the prompt direction and you will find your way to LUFASI Nature Park. Another way is to use the popular car-hailing services in Nigeria, like Uber, Bolt, and others. ===By bus=== There are special 'white buses' that ply Lagos Island, you can easily board them and they will drop you at the park ==Fees and permits== Admission tickets into the LUFASI Nature Park are as follows: *Adults ₦1,000 *Children ₦500 Once you have paid the fees, you are permitted to start exploring the park and all of the facilities. ==Get around== Visitors to LUFASI Nature Park can get around the park immediately after they pay the entry fee, they have the opportunity to get around the whole nature park. ==See== *'''The Children Play Area''' - There is a children's play area in the LUFASI Nature Park, so it is a place to take your children and wards too. The children's play area is composed of swings, slides, etc. *'''Lake Moses''': It has two artificial lakes at different points of the park. One of the lakes is Lake Moses. This is a lake you should ensure by all means to see when you visit the nature park. *'''Lake Nora''': This is the second lake at the Park. *'''The Picnic Area''': It also has an outdoor area for picnics and family gatherings, a tourist would really love to come here with their family and friend, it will be a maximum funfair. *'''Volleyball Pitch''': There is never a dull moment at the park. It has several sporting facilities. *'''Football Pitch''': It has a five aside football pitch. ==Do== There are a lot of things visitors or tourists can do in LUFASI Nature Park. Some of them include: *Going to see the pond, you would see some ducks swimming in it, it usually has a very beautiful sight, you will be able to take photos with those sights and you should request a tour guide to take you around the Nature Park. You should also move to places where animals are kept, you will see different animals like tortoises, Monkeys, donkeys, and others. You should also look and check out the popular Ekki Forest and a lot of historic sites found there. ==Eat and drinks== At the nature park, Different kinds of food and drinks are sold there. Roasted meat and chicken, soft drinks, energy drinks, coconut, and a lot more are being sold in the LUFASI Nature Park. Of course, Besides, people who want to have a get-together or picnics also make use of the LUFASI Nature park, they are allowed to bring in their own food and drinks. ==Stay safe== COVID-19 Protocols are strictly followed. The use of a face mask is compulsory. There is compulsory checking of temperature at the point of entry, once anyone's temperature is above normal, the fellow would be denied access to the Nature Park. The LUFASI Nature Park is also safe, with security operatives around to ensure the safety of tourist, so tourist have nothing to fear or fright about. ==Go next== *[[Lekki Conservation Centre]] {{merge|Eti-Osa|per talk page}} {{Geo|6.4648|3.6546}} {{IsPartOf|Lagos State}} {{usablepark}} 8beohv98wctohp0nge03rsuui39trau 0 190037 4506297 4486338 2022-08-22T15:59:32Z Veillg1 253590 /* See */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{otheruses|Saint-Siméon}} {{pagebanner|Port-au-Persil - Anse (1) (cropped).jpg}} '''Saint-Siméon''' is a picturesque municipality of the regional county municipality (MRC) of [[Charlevoix-Est]], in the administrative region of [[Quebec Region|Capitale-Nationale]], in [[Quebec]], in [[Canada]]. It is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, west of the Saguenay River. The main tourist attractions in Saint-Siméon are vacationing, hiking in the forest, mountain climbing, visiting lighthouses and docks, observing marine mammals and smelt fishing. ==Understand== Saint-Siméon is a village of approximately 1200 people. Besides the main village, this municipality has four hamlets: Port-au-Persil, Rivière-Noire, Baie-des-Rochers and Port-aux-Quilles. It includes the western terminus of a ferry from the Société des traversiers du Québec which crosses to [[Rivière-du-Loup]] at [[Bas-Saint-Laurent]] on the south shore of the Saint-Laurent river. Saint-Siméon is registered among the [https://www.villages-relais.qc.ca/ Villages-relais du Québec]. This municipality is on along Route 138 which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. ==Get in== The village of Saint-Siméon is accessible by road, boat (via the St. Lawrence River), snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles. ===By car=== * From [[Tadoussac]] ({{km|40}}, 53 min), take the Tadoussac-Baie Sainte-Catherine ferry; take route [[Image:Qc138.svg|18px]] (westbound) to the village of Saint-Siméon. * From [[Quebec City]] ({{km|174}}, 2 hours), take route [[Image:Qc138.svg|18px]] eastbound up to village of Saint-Siméon. ===By bus=== * {{Listing|name=Intercar|url=http://www.intercar.ca/|email=serviceclient@intercar.ca|address=Stops at 517, rue Saint-Laurent|phone=+1-418-547-2167|tollfree=+1-800-806-2167|lastedit=2022-05-01|content=Operates bus routes within [[Quebec]].}} Operates a daily route between [[Baie-Comeau]] and [[Montreal]] including stops in Forestville, [[Tadoussac]], [[Baie-Sainte-Catherine]], Saint-Siméon, [[La Malbaie]], [[Clermont (Quebec)|Clermont]], [[Saint-Hilarion]], [[Baie-Saint-Paul]], [[Saint-Tite-des-Caps]], [[Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré]], [[Boischatel]], and [[Quebec City]]. Trips toward Baie-Comeau start from Quebec City and do not include a stop in Montreal. ===By boat=== * {{go|name=Traverse Rivière-du-Loup Saint-Siméon|alt=|url=https://traverserdl.com|email=|address=199, rue Hayward, Rivière-du-Loup|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 418-862-5094|tollfree=|hours=|price=$21/adult, $14.10/child (7-12), $19.10/senior (65+), free for children 6 and under, $49.90/vehicle (up to 6.4 m long)|content=100-car seasonal ferry, operating daily from Easter (March or April) to early January. The ferry crosses the St. Lawrence River between [[Rivière-du-Loup]] and Saint-Siméon (1 hour 5 minutes). The ferry has lunch counter, and during high season only has an on-board restaurant. Depending on the season, there are 2 to 4 round trips per day.}} Saint-Siméon is accessible seasonally by pleasure boats at the following quays: *{{see | name=Quai du village de Saint-Simon | alt=Saint-Simon Village Quay | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=747, route 138 | lat=47.84093 | long=-69.87333| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Quay located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} *{{see | name=Quai de Port-au-Persil | alt=Port-au-Persil quay | url= | email= | address=chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80711 | long=-69.89806| directions= near the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Quai du parc municipal de Baie-des-Rochers | alt=Baie-des-Rochers municipal park wharf | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle | lat=47.95365 | long=-69.81181 | directions=in the Baie des Rochers. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=The island of the Baie des Rochers protects this bay against large waves and strong winds. }} ==Get around== {{Mapframe|47.8416|-69.8779|zoom=13}} === Gas Stations === * {{listing | type=go | name =Station service - Shell | alt =| url=https://find.shell.com/ca/fuel/12658584-st-laurent-st-simeon | email = | address =481, rue St-Laurent | lat =47.83929 | long =-69.88126 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5338 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} * {{listing | type=go | name =Station service - Pétro-Canada | alt =| url=https://www.petro-canada.ca/en/personal/gas-station-locations/517-rue-stlaurent-stsimon | email = | address =517, rue St-Laurent | lat =47.83745 | long =-69.88169 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5373 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} === Charging stations === * {{listing | type=go | name =Electric vehicle terminal | alt =| url= | email = | address =418, route 138 | lat =47.84194 | long =-69.88081 | direction = | phone =+1 800-686-9243 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} * {{listing | type=go | name =BRCC Saint-Siméon - Municipal terminal for electric vehicles | alt =| url= | email = | address =route 138 | lat =46.83835 | long =-69.88168 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5373 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} ==See== *{{see | name=Phare de Cap-au-Saumon | alt=Cap-au-Saumon Lighthouse | url= | email= | address=340, rue Principale | lat=47.77070 | long=-69.90593| directions=accessible by a forest road from the Port au Persil path | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Pavillon d'accueil Vues sur Port-au-Persil | alt=Reception pavilion Views of Port-au-Persil | url= | email= | address=300, Mclaren| lat=47.80736 | long=-69.90004| directions=on the point facing the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Quai promenade Port-au-Persil | alt=Port-au-Persil promenade quay | url= | email= | address=chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80711 | long=-69.89806| directions=near the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Halte municipale Port au Persil | alt=Port au Persil municipal stop | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=664, chemin de Port au Persil no. 492 | lat=47.80798 | long=-69.89918| directions=in the Port au Persil sector | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Plage du village de Saint-Simon | alt=Beach of the village of Saint-Simon | url= | email= | address=route 138 | lat=47.84944 | long=-69.87253| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Beach between the mouth of the Rivière Noire and the Motel and Chalets Bo-Fleuve Évangeline. }} *{{see | name=Quai de Saint-Simon | alt=Quai de Saint-Simon | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=747, route 138 | lat=47.84093 | long=-69.87333| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Quay located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} *{{see | name=Phare du Cap de la Tête au Chien | alt=Lighthouse of Cap de la Tête au Chien | url=https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1597 | email= | address=S | lat=47.91369 | long=-69.80659| directions=access from Route 138 (facing Lake Ennis) via a small forest road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Point of historical interest. Located on a rocky summit along the St. Lawrence River in the Port-aux-Quilles sector. }} *{{see | name=Parc municipal de Baie-des-Rochers | alt=Baie-des-Rochers municipal park | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/tourisme-baie-des-rochers-sentiers/ | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle |lat=47.95365 | long=-69.81181| directions=access from the Baie-des-Rochers hamlet on route 138 via rue de la Chapelle (3.5 km trip) | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=This park is opposite the Baie des Rochers island. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Bosco Charlevoix| atl= | url=https://boscocharlevoix.ca/ | email= | address=1030, rue Principale | lat=47.88401 | long=-69.92195 | directions= | phone=+1 581-777-2623 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bosco Charlevoix is an adventure organization that offers guided dog sledding and sea kayaking excursions. }} * {{do | name=Parc d'aventure en montagne les Palissades de Charlevoix| atl=The Palissades de Charlevoix mountain adventure park | url=https://www.tourisme-charlevoix.com/attraits/parc-daventure-en-montagne-les-palissades-lascensation/ | email=info@rocgyms.com | address=1000, route 170 | lat=47.89775 | long=-69.98871 | directions= | phone=+1 418-647-4422 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Mountain adventure park of international caliber for the practice of mountain adventure sports such as hiking, climbing, via ferrata, aerial at 60 m altitude, abseiling of 70 m and the double zipline of the lake (250 m). The site has a granite wall four kilometers wide by 400 m high. }} * {{do | name=Sentier Chute à ma Grand-Mère| atl=Path falls to my grandmother | url= | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle | lat=47.95437| long=-69.82122 | directions=Access from the Baie-des-Rochers hamlet on route 138 via rue de la Chapelle (2.8 km route), leading to Baie-des-Rochers municipal park. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Footpath in forest area. }} * {{do | name=Sentier de l'Orignac Est| atl=L'Orignac East Trail | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.84523 | long=-69.87841 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Beginning trail near rue St-Laurent and rue Tremblay, in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} ==Buy== ;Food/alcohol * {{buy | name=Marché Tradition - Alimentation HJM inc | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address=481, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83849 | long=-69.88086 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5338 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=General grocery store. }} * {{buy | name=Dépanneur Saint-Siméon | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address=517, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83692 | long=-69.88163 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5373 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{buy | name=La Ferme des Quatre-Temps Port-au-Persil | alt= | url=https://www.fermeportaupersil.com/ | facebook=| email=giteauboisdormant@cgocable.ca | address=800, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80205 | long=-69.90840 | directions= | phone=+1 418 362-3182 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Agricultural project aimed at promoting ecological, diversified and sustainable agriculture. Culture inspired by principles of agroecology and an entrepreneurial approach to agriculture. }} * {{buy | name=La Ferme de l'Âne du Saint-Laurent | alt= | url=https://shamane-cosmetiques.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=975, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.79618 | long=-69.91245 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-1264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Livestock farm. Offer of various cosmetics including donkey milk soap. }} * {{buy | name=Les Jardins Boréals | alt= | url=https://www.jardinsboreals.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=406, route 170 | lat=47.87821 | long=-69.90844 | directions= | phone=+1 418 633-0944 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Charlevoix company specializing in the production of organic vegetable plants, herbs and edible flowers. }} ;Others * {{buy | name=Poterie de Port-au-Persil | alt= | url=http://www.poteriedeportaupersil.com/index_en.html | email= | address=1001, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82176 | long=-69.89422 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2349 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Magasin de poterie. }} * {{buy | name=Savonnerie Shamâme | alt= | url= | email= | address=1065, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.81952 | long=-69.89914 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-1264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Artisanat. }} ==Eat== ===Restaurants=== * {{eat | name=Auberge sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.aubergesurmer.com/fr-ca | email= | address=109, rue du Quai | lat=47.84058 | long=-69.87504 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-2674 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Free Wi-Fi. Complex including restaurant, motel and cabins. View of the beach and the sea. }} * {{eat | name=Chez Laurie | alt= | url=http://chez-laurie.edan.io/ | email= | address=127, rue du Festival | lat=47.84361 | long=-69.87697 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-1515 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Meal served on site or to take away. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Quévillon | alt= | url=http://le-quevillon.elax.io/ | email= | address=139, rue du Festival | lat=47.84453 | long=-69.87780 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-2203 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Fast food. Meals on site. Take out orders. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.aubergesurmer.com/fr-ca/restaurant | email= | address=103, rue du Quai | lat=47.84063 | long=-69.87478 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Restaurant overlooking the beach and the river. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant L'Horizon | alt= | url= | email= | address=775, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82859 | long=-60.88745 | directions= | phone=+1 418-471-0606 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Meals on site. Take out orders. }} ===Snack=== * {{eat | name=Casse Croute 2b Inc | alt= | url= | email= | address=720, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83140 | long=-69.88603 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5375 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Bar laitier | alt=Milk bar | url= | email= | address=130, rue du Quai | lat=47.84106 | long=-69.87518 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Dairy bar located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, opposite the ferry dock. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Bar-Terrasse-Billard de Siméon | alt= | url= | email= | address=318, rue Saint-Laurent | lat=47.84474 | long=-69.87793 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Inns, hotels and motels=== * {{sleep | name=Motel et Chalets Bo-Fleuve Evangeline | url=https://www.goexploria.com/company/22013/motel-et-chalets-bo-fleuve-evangeline | email= | address=245, rue St-Laurent lat=47.85017 | long=-69.87230 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel La Gentilhommière | url= | email= | address=275, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.84814 | long=-69.87538| directions=along the St. Lawrence River and the Black River | phone=+1 418 638-2302 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Cofotel | url= | email= | address=385, rue St-Laurent| lat=47.84205 | long=-69.88004 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone=+1 418 638-2227 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Vue Belvédère | alt= | url= | email= | address=130, rue du Quai | lat=47.84153 | long=-69.87609 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, 280 m from the ferry dock | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Heated outdoor swimming pool. View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Chalets Flots-Bleus | url= | email= | address=101, rue du Festival | lat=47.84061 | long=-69.87505 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, 280 m from the ferry dock | phone=+1 418 638-2227 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Auberge sur Mer | url= | email= | address=109, rue du Quai | lat=47.84037 | long=-69.87505 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone=+1 418 638-2674 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel l'Horizon inc | alt= | url= | email= | address=777, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82818 | long=-69.88742 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=La Montagne des boies | url= | email= | address=999, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.79498 | long=-69.91340 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Suburban hotel. }} ===Gîte=== * {{sleep | name=Gîte aux Tournesols| url= | email= | address=571, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83475 | long=-69.88394 | directions= | phone=+1 418 955-9779 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=B&B. }} * {{sleep | name=Ranch La Licorne inc | url= | email= | address=1640, route 138 | lat=47.81335 | long=-69.93628| directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2716 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=La maison Harvey | url=http://lamaisonharvey.e-monsite.com/ | email= | address=1230, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.82049 | long=-69.89456 | directions= | phone=+1 450-774-0515 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Chalet rental. Ancestral piece-by-piece architecture dating from 1869. Location on a large lot with a view of the river. Capacity for up to eight people. Indoor spa and two-seater sauna. }} * {{sleep | name=Port-au-Persil.com | url= | email= | address=chemin des Plateaux | lat=47.81542 | long=-69.90452 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Vacation home. }} * {{sleep | name=Gîte Entre Mer Et Monts| url= | email= | address=476, route 138 | lat=47.08794 | long=-69.72596 | directions= | phone=+1 418 237-4391 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=B&B. }} ===Camping=== *{{sleep | name=Camping municipal de Saint-Siméon | alt=Saint-Siméon Municipal Campground | url= | email= | address=120, rue du Festival | lat=47.84280 | long=-69.87615 | directions=along the St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, next to the ferry dock | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Camping Levesque | alt= | url=http://www.campinglevesque.com/ | email= | address=40, chemin de Port aux Quilles (route 138) | lat=47.86248 | long=-69.86769 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-6220 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=This campsite has been a family business for 65 years. This campsite offers 36 sites, with community hall. Sandy beach, children's play area, pottery workshop every day (Porterie Port au Persil). }} *{{sleep | name=Camping Falaise sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.camping-falaisesurmer.com/ | email= | address=148, rue Saint-David | lat=47.83216 | long=-69.87848 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-3838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Camp Arthur Savard | alt= | url=https://camparthursavard.com/ | email= | address=100, Côte de la Jetée | lat=47.85908 | long=-69.92195 | directions= | phone=+1 418 520-9359 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Wild camping, dog sledding, chalet, hiking, Fat bikes, cross-country skiing, snowshoes, and snowmobiling. }} ===Outfitters=== *{{sleep | name=ZEC Buteux Bas-Saguenay | alt= | url=https://zecbuteux.reseauzec.com/ | email=zecbuteux@reseauzec.com | address=31, chemin du Lac du Port aux Quilles | lat=47.89779 | long=-69.87134 | directions=reception opposite Lake Elzéar, at the junction of Route 138 and Chemin du Lac de Port aux Quilles | phone=+1 418 638-2788| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) offers hunting services (woodcock, white-tailed deer, pheasant, grouse, hare, moose, black bear, grouse), camping and other outdoor activities (access to a beach, canoe, canoe -camping, mushroom picking, berry picking, kakak, snowmobile, wading, fly fishing, ice fishing, hiking, mountain biking. }} *{{sleep | name=Pourvoirie Humanité | alt= | url=https://pourvoiriehumanite.com/ | email=info@pourvoiriehumanite.com | address=324, rue Belley (administration) | lat=47.84537 | long=-69.88711 | directions=Office located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. | phone=+1 418 638-5151| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=4-star chalets that can accommodate from 2 to 12 people. Each chalet has its own dock and boats. Main activities: fishing, paddleboarding, jumping, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, excursions. }} *{{sleep | name=Pourvoirie Club Bataram | alt= | url= | email= | address=route 170 | lat=47.90955 | long=-70.04348 | directions= | phone=+1 418 439-1717| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Hunting and fishing outfitter. }} ==Cope== * {{listing | name=Bibliothèque Henri-Brassard | alt=Henri-Brassard Library | url= | email= | address=505, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83699 | long=-69.88071 | directions= | phone=+1 418-365-5143 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content=Municipal library. }} * {{listing | name=Jardin communautaire | alt=Community garden | url= | email= | address=505, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83676 | long=-69.88095 | directions= | phone=+1 418-365-5143 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Qc138.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Quebec City]] | minorl1=[[La Malbaie]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Sept-Îles]] | minorr1=[[Tadoussac]] | image2=Qc170.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=Alma | minorl2=[[Saguenay|Chicoutimi]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=ENDS | minorr2= }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[La Malbaie]] | alt= | url=https://www.ville.lamalbaie.qc.ca/ | facebook=| email= | address= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q142113 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.5923 | long=-70.1505 | content=A super-tourist municipality on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, offering many recreational and tourism activities, a developed reception infrastructure (resorts, accommodation, restaurants, shops, Charlevoix casino, Richelieu manor, golf, hiking, museums) and many attractions around the bay and the La Malbaie River. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Sagard (Quebec)]] | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3461352 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.9761 | long=-70.0681 | content=An unorganized territory of the MRC de Charlevoix-Est. This territory is famous for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna. }} {{mapgroup|target=}} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Mont-Élie]] | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3321635 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.8767 | long=-70.351 | content=An unorganized territory of the MRC de Charlevoix-Est. This territory is famous for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Baie-Sainte-Catherine]] | alt= | url=https://www.baiestecatherine.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=308, rue Leclerc, Baie-Sainte-Catherine (Québec) G0T 1A0 | directions= | phone=+1 418-620-5020 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3230999 | lastedit=2021-12-23 | lat=48.0423 | long=-69.733 | content=A municipality on the west shore of the Saguenay River and the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. The Baie-Sainte-Catherine-Tadoussac ferry serves hundreds of thousands of passengers per year and road vehicles. The Pointe-Noire observation and interpretation center and the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Marine Park attract many visitors. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Saguenay–Saint-Laurent Marine Park]] | alt= | url=https://parcmarin.qc.ca/ | facebook=| email=info.parcmarin@pc.gc.ca | address= | directions= | phone=+1 418-231-2344 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q862222 | lastedit=2021-12-15 | lat=48.13333 | long=-69.73333 | content=A marine protected area of the St. Lawrence River and Saguenay rivers, covering {{convert|1245|km|2}}. Its mission is to protect all species including the beluga and the blue whale. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, ROMM and GREMM teach boaters to navigate in whale habitat. Whale watching tours or cruises are offered to tourists. }} {{geo|47.8911|-69.9079}} {{IsPartOf|North Shore (Quebec)}} {{usablecity}} mv4nnajjhs0hcprc55f5beewdn23t0g 4506298 4506297 2022-08-22T16:00:35Z Veillg1 253590 /* Inns, hotels and motels */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{otheruses|Saint-Siméon}} {{pagebanner|Port-au-Persil - Anse (1) (cropped).jpg}} '''Saint-Siméon''' is a picturesque municipality of the regional county municipality (MRC) of [[Charlevoix-Est]], in the administrative region of [[Quebec Region|Capitale-Nationale]], in [[Quebec]], in [[Canada]]. It is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, west of the Saguenay River. The main tourist attractions in Saint-Siméon are vacationing, hiking in the forest, mountain climbing, visiting lighthouses and docks, observing marine mammals and smelt fishing. ==Understand== Saint-Siméon is a village of approximately 1200 people. Besides the main village, this municipality has four hamlets: Port-au-Persil, Rivière-Noire, Baie-des-Rochers and Port-aux-Quilles. It includes the western terminus of a ferry from the Société des traversiers du Québec which crosses to [[Rivière-du-Loup]] at [[Bas-Saint-Laurent]] on the south shore of the Saint-Laurent river. Saint-Siméon is registered among the [https://www.villages-relais.qc.ca/ Villages-relais du Québec]. This municipality is on along Route 138 which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. ==Get in== The village of Saint-Siméon is accessible by road, boat (via the St. Lawrence River), snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles. ===By car=== * From [[Tadoussac]] ({{km|40}}, 53 min), take the Tadoussac-Baie Sainte-Catherine ferry; take route [[Image:Qc138.svg|18px]] (westbound) to the village of Saint-Siméon. * From [[Quebec City]] ({{km|174}}, 2 hours), take route [[Image:Qc138.svg|18px]] eastbound up to village of Saint-Siméon. ===By bus=== * {{Listing|name=Intercar|url=http://www.intercar.ca/|email=serviceclient@intercar.ca|address=Stops at 517, rue Saint-Laurent|phone=+1-418-547-2167|tollfree=+1-800-806-2167|lastedit=2022-05-01|content=Operates bus routes within [[Quebec]].}} Operates a daily route between [[Baie-Comeau]] and [[Montreal]] including stops in Forestville, [[Tadoussac]], [[Baie-Sainte-Catherine]], Saint-Siméon, [[La Malbaie]], [[Clermont (Quebec)|Clermont]], [[Saint-Hilarion]], [[Baie-Saint-Paul]], [[Saint-Tite-des-Caps]], [[Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré]], [[Boischatel]], and [[Quebec City]]. Trips toward Baie-Comeau start from Quebec City and do not include a stop in Montreal. ===By boat=== * {{go|name=Traverse Rivière-du-Loup Saint-Siméon|alt=|url=https://traverserdl.com|email=|address=199, rue Hayward, Rivière-du-Loup|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 418-862-5094|tollfree=|hours=|price=$21/adult, $14.10/child (7-12), $19.10/senior (65+), free for children 6 and under, $49.90/vehicle (up to 6.4 m long)|content=100-car seasonal ferry, operating daily from Easter (March or April) to early January. The ferry crosses the St. Lawrence River between [[Rivière-du-Loup]] and Saint-Siméon (1 hour 5 minutes). The ferry has lunch counter, and during high season only has an on-board restaurant. Depending on the season, there are 2 to 4 round trips per day.}} Saint-Siméon is accessible seasonally by pleasure boats at the following quays: *{{see | name=Quai du village de Saint-Simon | alt=Saint-Simon Village Quay | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=747, route 138 | lat=47.84093 | long=-69.87333| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Quay located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} *{{see | name=Quai de Port-au-Persil | alt=Port-au-Persil quay | url= | email= | address=chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80711 | long=-69.89806| directions= near the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Quai du parc municipal de Baie-des-Rochers | alt=Baie-des-Rochers municipal park wharf | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle | lat=47.95365 | long=-69.81181 | directions=in the Baie des Rochers. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=The island of the Baie des Rochers protects this bay against large waves and strong winds. }} ==Get around== {{Mapframe|47.8416|-69.8779|zoom=13}} === Gas Stations === * {{listing | type=go | name =Station service - Shell | alt =| url=https://find.shell.com/ca/fuel/12658584-st-laurent-st-simeon | email = | address =481, rue St-Laurent | lat =47.83929 | long =-69.88126 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5338 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} * {{listing | type=go | name =Station service - Pétro-Canada | alt =| url=https://www.petro-canada.ca/en/personal/gas-station-locations/517-rue-stlaurent-stsimon | email = | address =517, rue St-Laurent | lat =47.83745 | long =-69.88169 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5373 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} === Charging stations === * {{listing | type=go | name =Electric vehicle terminal | alt =| url= | email = | address =418, route 138 | lat =47.84194 | long =-69.88081 | direction = | phone =+1 800-686-9243 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} * {{listing | type=go | name =BRCC Saint-Siméon - Municipal terminal for electric vehicles | alt =| url= | email = | address =route 138 | lat =46.83835 | long =-69.88168 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5373 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} ==See== *{{see | name=Phare de Cap-au-Saumon | alt=Cap-au-Saumon Lighthouse | url= | email= | address=340, rue Principale | lat=47.77070 | long=-69.90593| directions=accessible by a forest road from the Port au Persil path | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Pavillon d'accueil Vues sur Port-au-Persil | alt=Reception pavilion Views of Port-au-Persil | url= | email= | address=300, Mclaren| lat=47.80736 | long=-69.90004| directions=on the point facing the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Quai promenade Port-au-Persil | alt=Port-au-Persil promenade quay | url= | email= | address=chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80711 | long=-69.89806| directions=near the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Halte municipale Port au Persil | alt=Port au Persil municipal stop | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=664, chemin de Port au Persil no. 492 | lat=47.80798 | long=-69.89918| directions=in the Port au Persil sector | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Plage du village de Saint-Simon | alt=Beach of the village of Saint-Simon | url= | email= | address=route 138 | lat=47.84944 | long=-69.87253| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Beach between the mouth of the Rivière Noire and the Motel and Chalets Bo-Fleuve Évangeline. }} *{{see | name=Quai de Saint-Simon | alt=Quai de Saint-Simon | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=747, route 138 | lat=47.84093 | long=-69.87333| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Quay located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} *{{see | name=Phare du Cap de la Tête au Chien | alt=Lighthouse of Cap de la Tête au Chien | url=https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1597 | email= | address=S | lat=47.91369 | long=-69.80659| directions=access from Route 138 (facing Lake Ennis) via a small forest road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Point of historical interest. Located on a rocky summit along the St. Lawrence River in the Port-aux-Quilles sector. }} *{{see | name=Parc municipal de Baie-des-Rochers | alt=Baie-des-Rochers municipal park | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/tourisme-baie-des-rochers-sentiers/ | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle |lat=47.95365 | long=-69.81181| directions=access from the Baie-des-Rochers hamlet on route 138 via rue de la Chapelle (3.5 km trip) | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=This park is opposite the Baie des Rochers island. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Bosco Charlevoix| atl= | url=https://boscocharlevoix.ca/ | email= | address=1030, rue Principale | lat=47.88401 | long=-69.92195 | directions= | phone=+1 581-777-2623 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bosco Charlevoix is an adventure organization that offers guided dog sledding and sea kayaking excursions. }} * {{do | name=Parc d'aventure en montagne les Palissades de Charlevoix| atl=The Palissades de Charlevoix mountain adventure park | url=https://www.tourisme-charlevoix.com/attraits/parc-daventure-en-montagne-les-palissades-lascensation/ | email=info@rocgyms.com | address=1000, route 170 | lat=47.89775 | long=-69.98871 | directions= | phone=+1 418-647-4422 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Mountain adventure park of international caliber for the practice of mountain adventure sports such as hiking, climbing, via ferrata, aerial at 60 m altitude, abseiling of 70 m and the double zipline of the lake (250 m). The site has a granite wall four kilometers wide by 400 m high. }} * {{do | name=Sentier Chute à ma Grand-Mère| atl=Path falls to my grandmother | url= | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle | lat=47.95437| long=-69.82122 | directions=Access from the Baie-des-Rochers hamlet on route 138 via rue de la Chapelle (2.8 km route), leading to Baie-des-Rochers municipal park. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Footpath in forest area. }} * {{do | name=Sentier de l'Orignac Est| atl=L'Orignac East Trail | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.84523 | long=-69.87841 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Beginning trail near rue St-Laurent and rue Tremblay, in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} ==Buy== ;Food/alcohol * {{buy | name=Marché Tradition - Alimentation HJM inc | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address=481, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83849 | long=-69.88086 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5338 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=General grocery store. }} * {{buy | name=Dépanneur Saint-Siméon | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address=517, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83692 | long=-69.88163 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5373 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{buy | name=La Ferme des Quatre-Temps Port-au-Persil | alt= | url=https://www.fermeportaupersil.com/ | facebook=| email=giteauboisdormant@cgocable.ca | address=800, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80205 | long=-69.90840 | directions= | phone=+1 418 362-3182 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Agricultural project aimed at promoting ecological, diversified and sustainable agriculture. Culture inspired by principles of agroecology and an entrepreneurial approach to agriculture. }} * {{buy | name=La Ferme de l'Âne du Saint-Laurent | alt= | url=https://shamane-cosmetiques.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=975, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.79618 | long=-69.91245 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-1264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Livestock farm. Offer of various cosmetics including donkey milk soap. }} * {{buy | name=Les Jardins Boréals | alt= | url=https://www.jardinsboreals.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=406, route 170 | lat=47.87821 | long=-69.90844 | directions= | phone=+1 418 633-0944 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Charlevoix company specializing in the production of organic vegetable plants, herbs and edible flowers. }} ;Others * {{buy | name=Poterie de Port-au-Persil | alt= | url=http://www.poteriedeportaupersil.com/index_en.html | email= | address=1001, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82176 | long=-69.89422 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2349 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Magasin de poterie. }} * {{buy | name=Savonnerie Shamâme | alt= | url= | email= | address=1065, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.81952 | long=-69.89914 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-1264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Artisanat. }} ==Eat== ===Restaurants=== * {{eat | name=Auberge sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.aubergesurmer.com/fr-ca | email= | address=109, rue du Quai | lat=47.84058 | long=-69.87504 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-2674 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Free Wi-Fi. Complex including restaurant, motel and cabins. View of the beach and the sea. }} * {{eat | name=Chez Laurie | alt= | url=http://chez-laurie.edan.io/ | email= | address=127, rue du Festival | lat=47.84361 | long=-69.87697 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-1515 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Meal served on site or to take away. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Quévillon | alt= | url=http://le-quevillon.elax.io/ | email= | address=139, rue du Festival | lat=47.84453 | long=-69.87780 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-2203 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Fast food. Meals on site. Take out orders. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.aubergesurmer.com/fr-ca/restaurant | email= | address=103, rue du Quai | lat=47.84063 | long=-69.87478 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Restaurant overlooking the beach and the river. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant L'Horizon | alt= | url= | email= | address=775, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82859 | long=-60.88745 | directions= | phone=+1 418-471-0606 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Meals on site. Take out orders. }} ===Snack=== * {{eat | name=Casse Croute 2b Inc | alt= | url= | email= | address=720, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83140 | long=-69.88603 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5375 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Bar laitier | alt=Milk bar | url= | email= | address=130, rue du Quai | lat=47.84106 | long=-69.87518 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Dairy bar located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, opposite the ferry dock. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Bar-Terrasse-Billard de Siméon | alt= | url= | email= | address=318, rue Saint-Laurent | lat=47.84474 | long=-69.87793 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Inns, hotels and motels=== * {{sleep | name=Motel et Chalets Bo-Fleuve Evangeline | url=https://www.goexploria.com/company/22013/motel-et-chalets-bo-fleuve-evangeline | email= | address=245, rue St-Laurent| lat=47.85017 | long=-69.87230 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel La Gentilhommière | url= | email= | address=275, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.84814 | long=-69.87538| directions=along the St. Lawrence River and the Black River | phone=+1 418 638-2302 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Cofotel | url= | email= | address=385, rue St-Laurent| lat=47.84205 | long=-69.88004 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone=+1 418 638-2227 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Vue Belvédère | alt= | url= | email= | address=130, rue du Quai | lat=47.84153 | long=-69.87609 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, 280 m from the ferry dock | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Heated outdoor swimming pool. View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Chalets Flots-Bleus | url= | email= | address=101, rue du Festival | lat=47.84061 | long=-69.87505 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, 280 m from the ferry dock | phone=+1 418 638-2227 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Auberge sur Mer | url= | email= | address=109, rue du Quai | lat=47.84037 | long=-69.87505 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone=+1 418 638-2674 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel l'Horizon inc | alt= | url= | email= | address=777, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82818 | long=-69.88742 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=La Montagne des boies | url= | email= | address=999, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.79498 | long=-69.91340 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Suburban hotel. }} ===Gîte=== * {{sleep | name=Gîte aux Tournesols| url= | email= | address=571, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83475 | long=-69.88394 | directions= | phone=+1 418 955-9779 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=B&B. }} * {{sleep | name=Ranch La Licorne inc | url= | email= | address=1640, route 138 | lat=47.81335 | long=-69.93628| directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2716 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=La maison Harvey | url=http://lamaisonharvey.e-monsite.com/ | email= | address=1230, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.82049 | long=-69.89456 | directions= | phone=+1 450-774-0515 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Chalet rental. Ancestral piece-by-piece architecture dating from 1869. Location on a large lot with a view of the river. Capacity for up to eight people. Indoor spa and two-seater sauna. }} * {{sleep | name=Port-au-Persil.com | url= | email= | address=chemin des Plateaux | lat=47.81542 | long=-69.90452 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Vacation home. }} * {{sleep | name=Gîte Entre Mer Et Monts| url= | email= | address=476, route 138 | lat=47.08794 | long=-69.72596 | directions= | phone=+1 418 237-4391 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=B&B. }} ===Camping=== *{{sleep | name=Camping municipal de Saint-Siméon | alt=Saint-Siméon Municipal Campground | url= | email= | address=120, rue du Festival | lat=47.84280 | long=-69.87615 | directions=along the St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, next to the ferry dock | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Camping Levesque | alt= | url=http://www.campinglevesque.com/ | email= | address=40, chemin de Port aux Quilles (route 138) | lat=47.86248 | long=-69.86769 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-6220 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=This campsite has been a family business for 65 years. This campsite offers 36 sites, with community hall. Sandy beach, children's play area, pottery workshop every day (Porterie Port au Persil). }} *{{sleep | name=Camping Falaise sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.camping-falaisesurmer.com/ | email= | address=148, rue Saint-David | lat=47.83216 | long=-69.87848 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-3838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Camp Arthur Savard | alt= | url=https://camparthursavard.com/ | email= | address=100, Côte de la Jetée | lat=47.85908 | long=-69.92195 | directions= | phone=+1 418 520-9359 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Wild camping, dog sledding, chalet, hiking, Fat bikes, cross-country skiing, snowshoes, and snowmobiling. }} ===Outfitters=== *{{sleep | name=ZEC Buteux Bas-Saguenay | alt= | url=https://zecbuteux.reseauzec.com/ | email=zecbuteux@reseauzec.com | address=31, chemin du Lac du Port aux Quilles | lat=47.89779 | long=-69.87134 | directions=reception opposite Lake Elzéar, at the junction of Route 138 and Chemin du Lac de Port aux Quilles | phone=+1 418 638-2788| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) offers hunting services (woodcock, white-tailed deer, pheasant, grouse, hare, moose, black bear, grouse), camping and other outdoor activities (access to a beach, canoe, canoe -camping, mushroom picking, berry picking, kakak, snowmobile, wading, fly fishing, ice fishing, hiking, mountain biking. }} *{{sleep | name=Pourvoirie Humanité | alt= | url=https://pourvoiriehumanite.com/ | email=info@pourvoiriehumanite.com | address=324, rue Belley (administration) | lat=47.84537 | long=-69.88711 | directions=Office located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. | phone=+1 418 638-5151| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=4-star chalets that can accommodate from 2 to 12 people. Each chalet has its own dock and boats. Main activities: fishing, paddleboarding, jumping, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, excursions. }} *{{sleep | name=Pourvoirie Club Bataram | alt= | url= | email= | address=route 170 | lat=47.90955 | long=-70.04348 | directions= | phone=+1 418 439-1717| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Hunting and fishing outfitter. }} ==Cope== * {{listing | name=Bibliothèque Henri-Brassard | alt=Henri-Brassard Library | url= | email= | address=505, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83699 | long=-69.88071 | directions= | phone=+1 418-365-5143 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content=Municipal library. }} * {{listing | name=Jardin communautaire | alt=Community garden | url= | email= | address=505, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83676 | long=-69.88095 | directions= | phone=+1 418-365-5143 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Qc138.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Quebec City]] | minorl1=[[La Malbaie]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Sept-Îles]] | minorr1=[[Tadoussac]] | image2=Qc170.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=Alma | minorl2=[[Saguenay|Chicoutimi]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=ENDS | minorr2= }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[La Malbaie]] | alt= | url=https://www.ville.lamalbaie.qc.ca/ | facebook=| email= | address= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q142113 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.5923 | long=-70.1505 | content=A super-tourist municipality on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, offering many recreational and tourism activities, a developed reception infrastructure (resorts, accommodation, restaurants, shops, Charlevoix casino, Richelieu manor, golf, hiking, museums) and many attractions around the bay and the La Malbaie River. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Sagard (Quebec)]] | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3461352 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.9761 | long=-70.0681 | content=An unorganized territory of the MRC de Charlevoix-Est. This territory is famous for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna. }} {{mapgroup|target=}} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Mont-Élie]] | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3321635 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.8767 | long=-70.351 | content=An unorganized territory of the MRC de Charlevoix-Est. This territory is famous for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Baie-Sainte-Catherine]] | alt= | url=https://www.baiestecatherine.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=308, rue Leclerc, Baie-Sainte-Catherine (Québec) G0T 1A0 | directions= | phone=+1 418-620-5020 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q3230999 | lastedit=2021-12-23 | lat=48.0423 | long=-69.733 | content=A municipality on the west shore of the Saguenay River and the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. The Baie-Sainte-Catherine-Tadoussac ferry serves hundreds of thousands of passengers per year and road vehicles. The Pointe-Noire observation and interpretation center and the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Marine Park attract many visitors. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Saguenay–Saint-Laurent Marine Park]] | alt= | url=https://parcmarin.qc.ca/ | facebook=| email=info.parcmarin@pc.gc.ca | address= | directions= | phone=+1 418-231-2344 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q862222 | lastedit=2021-12-15 | lat=48.13333 | long=-69.73333 | content=A marine protected area of the St. Lawrence River and Saguenay rivers, covering {{convert|1245|km|2}}. Its mission is to protect all species including the beluga and the blue whale. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, ROMM and GREMM teach boaters to navigate in whale habitat. Whale watching tours or cruises are offered to tourists. }} {{geo|47.8911|-69.9079}} {{IsPartOf|North Shore (Quebec)}} {{usablecity}} iap4363p027e9eq81q4glw9vb9oq0sc 4506320 4506298 2022-08-22T17:03:01Z Ground Zero 1423298 Excessive detail wikitext text/x-wiki {{otheruses|Saint-Siméon}} {{pagebanner|Port-au-Persil - Anse (1) (cropped).jpg}} '''Saint-Siméon''' is a picturesque municipality in the administrative region of [[Quebec Region|Capitale-Nationale]], in [[Quebec]], in [[Canada]]. It is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, west of the Saguenay River. The main tourist attractions in Saint-Siméon are vacationing, hiking in the forest, mountain climbing, visiting lighthouses and docks, observing marine mammals and smelt fishing. ==Understand== Saint-Siméon is a village of approximately 1200 people. Besides the main village, this municipality has four hamlets: Port-au-Persil, Rivière-Noire, Baie-des-Rochers and Port-aux-Quilles. It includes the western terminus of a ferry from the Société des traversiers du Québec which crosses to [[Rivière-du-Loup]] at [[Bas-Saint-Laurent]] on the south shore of the Saint-Laurent river. Saint-Siméon is registered among the [https://www.villages-relais.qc.ca/ Villages-relais du Québec]. This municipality is on along Route 138 which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. ==Get in== The village of Saint-Siméon is accessible by road, boat (via the St. Lawrence River), snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles. ===By car=== * From [[Tadoussac]] ({{km|40}}, 53 min), take the Tadoussac-Baie Sainte-Catherine ferry; take route [[Image:Qc138.svg|18px]] (westbound) to the village of Saint-Siméon. * From [[Quebec City]] ({{km|174}}, 2 hours), take route [[Image:Qc138.svg|18px]] eastbound up to village of Saint-Siméon. ===By bus=== * {{Listing|name=Intercar|url=http://www.intercar.ca/|email=serviceclient@intercar.ca|address=Stops at 517, rue Saint-Laurent|phone=+1-418-547-2167|tollfree=+1-800-806-2167|lastedit=2022-05-01|content=Operates bus routes within [[Quebec]].}} Operates a daily route between [[Baie-Comeau]] and [[Montreal]] including stops in Forestville, [[Tadoussac]], [[Baie-Sainte-Catherine]], Saint-Siméon, [[La Malbaie]], [[Clermont (Quebec)|Clermont]], [[Saint-Hilarion]], [[Baie-Saint-Paul]], [[Saint-Tite-des-Caps]], [[Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré]], [[Boischatel]], and [[Quebec City]]. Trips toward Baie-Comeau start from Quebec City and do not include a stop in Montreal. ===By boat=== * {{go|name=Traverse Rivière-du-Loup Saint-Siméon|alt=|url=https://traverserdl.com|email=|address=199, rue Hayward, Rivière-du-Loup|lat=|long=|directions=|phone=+1 418-862-5094|tollfree=|hours=|price=$21/adult, $14.10/child (7-12), $19.10/senior (65+), free for children 6 and under, $49.90/vehicle (up to 6.4 m long)|content=100-car seasonal ferry, operating daily from Easter (March or April) to early January. The ferry crosses the St. Lawrence River between [[Rivière-du-Loup]] and Saint-Siméon (1 hour 5 minutes). The ferry has lunch counter, and during high season only has an on-board restaurant. Depending on the season, there are 2 to 4 round trips per day.}} Saint-Siméon is accessible seasonally by pleasure boats at the following quays: *{{see | name=Quai du village de Saint-Simon | alt=Saint-Simon Village Quay | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=747, route 138 | lat=47.84093 | long=-69.87333| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Quay located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} *{{see | name=Quai de Port-au-Persil | alt=Port-au-Persil quay | url= | email= | address=chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80711 | long=-69.89806| directions= near the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Quai du parc municipal de Baie-des-Rochers | alt=Baie-des-Rochers municipal park wharf | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle | lat=47.95365 | long=-69.81181 | directions=in the Baie des Rochers. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=The island of the Baie des Rochers protects this bay against large waves and strong winds. }} ==Get around== {{Mapframe|47.8416|-69.8779|zoom=13}} === Gas Stations === * {{listing | type=go | name =Station service - Shell | alt =| url=https://find.shell.com/ca/fuel/12658584-st-laurent-st-simeon | email = | address =481, rue St-Laurent | lat =47.83929 | long =-69.88126 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5338 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} * {{listing | type=go | name =Station service - Pétro-Canada | alt =| url=https://www.petro-canada.ca/en/personal/gas-station-locations/517-rue-stlaurent-stsimon | email = | address =517, rue St-Laurent | lat =47.83745 | long =-69.88169 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5373 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} === Charging stations === * {{listing | type=go | name =Electric vehicle terminal | alt =| url= | email = | address =418, route 138 | lat =47.84194 | long =-69.88081 | direction = | phone =+1 800-686-9243 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} * {{listing | type=go | name =BRCC Saint-Siméon - Municipal terminal for electric vehicles | alt =| url= | email = | address =route 138 | lat =46.83835 | long =-69.88168 | direction = | phone =+1 418-638-5373 | fax = | hourly = | price = | lastedit = 2021-12-27 | content = }} ==See== *{{see | name=Phare de Cap-au-Saumon | alt=Cap-au-Saumon Lighthouse | url= | email= | address=340, rue Principale | lat=47.77070 | long=-69.90593| directions=accessible by a forest road from the Port au Persil path | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Pavillon d'accueil Vues sur Port-au-Persil | alt=Reception pavilion Views of Port-au-Persil | url= | email= | address=300, Mclaren| lat=47.80736 | long=-69.90004| directions=on the point facing the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Quai promenade Port-au-Persil | alt=Port-au-Persil promenade quay | url= | email= | address=chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80711 | long=-69.89806| directions=near the Port au Persil cove | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Halte municipale Port au Persil | alt=Port au Persil municipal stop | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=664, chemin de Port au Persil no. 492 | lat=47.80798 | long=-69.89918| directions=in the Port au Persil sector | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content= }} *{{see | name=Plage du village de Saint-Simon | alt=Beach of the village of Saint-Simon | url= | email= | address=route 138 | lat=47.84944 | long=-69.87253| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Beach between the mouth of the Rivière Noire and the Motel and Chalets Bo-Fleuve Évangeline. }} *{{see | name=Quai de Saint-Simon | alt=Quai de Saint-Simon | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/ | email= | address=747, route 138 | lat=47.84093 | long=-69.87333| directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Quay located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} *{{see | name=Phare du Cap de la Tête au Chien | alt=Lighthouse of Cap de la Tête au Chien | url=https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1597 | email= | address=S | lat=47.91369 | long=-69.80659| directions=access from Route 138 (facing Lake Ennis) via a small forest road | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=Point of historical interest. Located on a rocky summit along the St. Lawrence River in the Port-aux-Quilles sector. }} *{{see | name=Parc municipal de Baie-des-Rochers | alt=Baie-des-Rochers municipal park | url=https://www.saintsimeon.ca/tourisme/tourisme-baie-des-rochers-sentiers/ | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle |lat=47.95365 | long=-69.81181| directions=access from the Baie-des-Rochers hamlet on route 138 via rue de la Chapelle (3.5 km trip) | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | wikipédia= | widata= | hours= | price= | content=This park is opposite the Baie des Rochers island. }} ==Do== * {{do | name=Bosco Charlevoix| atl= | url=https://boscocharlevoix.ca/ | email= | address=1030, rue Principale | lat=47.88401 | long=-69.92195 | directions= | phone=+1 581-777-2623 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Bosco Charlevoix is an adventure organization that offers guided dog sledding and sea kayaking excursions. }} * {{do | name=Parc d'aventure en montagne les Palissades de Charlevoix| atl=The Palissades de Charlevoix mountain adventure park | url=https://www.tourisme-charlevoix.com/attraits/parc-daventure-en-montagne-les-palissades-lascensation/ | email=info@rocgyms.com | address=1000, route 170 | lat=47.89775 | long=-69.98871 | directions= | phone=+1 418-647-4422 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Mountain adventure park of international caliber for the practice of mountain adventure sports such as hiking, climbing, via ferrata, aerial at 60 m altitude, abseiling of 70 m and the double zipline of the lake (250 m). The site has a granite wall four kilometers wide by 400 m high. }} * {{do | name=Sentier Chute à ma Grand-Mère| atl=Path falls to my grandmother | url= | email= | address=rue de la Chapelle | lat=47.95437| long=-69.82122 | directions=Access from the Baie-des-Rochers hamlet on route 138 via rue de la Chapelle (2.8 km route), leading to Baie-des-Rochers municipal park. | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Footpath in forest area. }} * {{do | name=Sentier de l'Orignac Est| atl=L'Orignac East Trail | url= | email= | address= | lat=47.84523 | long=-69.87841 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | content=Beginning trail near rue St-Laurent and rue Tremblay, in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. }} ==Buy== ;Food/alcohol * {{buy | name=Marché Tradition - Alimentation HJM inc | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address=481, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83849 | long=-69.88086 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5338 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=General grocery store. }} * {{buy | name=Dépanneur Saint-Siméon | alt= | url= | facebook=| email= | address=517, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83692 | long=-69.88163 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5373 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{buy | name=La Ferme des Quatre-Temps Port-au-Persil | alt= | url=https://www.fermeportaupersil.com/ | facebook=| email=giteauboisdormant@cgocable.ca | address=800, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.80205 | long=-69.90840 | directions= | phone=+1 418 362-3182 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Agricultural project aimed at promoting ecological, diversified and sustainable agriculture. Culture inspired by principles of agroecology and an entrepreneurial approach to agriculture. }} * {{buy | name=La Ferme de l'Âne du Saint-Laurent | alt= | url=https://shamane-cosmetiques.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=975, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.79618 | long=-69.91245 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-1264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Livestock farm. Offer of various cosmetics including donkey milk soap. }} * {{buy | name=Les Jardins Boréals | alt= | url=https://www.jardinsboreals.com/ | facebook=| email= | address=406, route 170 | lat=47.87821 | long=-69.90844 | directions= | phone=+1 418 633-0944 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Charlevoix company specializing in the production of organic vegetable plants, herbs and edible flowers. }} ;Others * {{buy | name=Poterie de Port-au-Persil | alt= | url=http://www.poteriedeportaupersil.com/index_en.html | email= | address=1001, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82176 | long=-69.89422 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2349 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Magasin de poterie. }} * {{buy | name=Savonnerie Shamâme | alt= | url= | email= | address=1065, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.81952 | long=-69.89914 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-1264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Artisanat. }} ==Eat== ===Restaurants=== * {{eat | name=Auberge sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.aubergesurmer.com/fr-ca | email= | address=109, rue du Quai | lat=47.84058 | long=-69.87504 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-2674 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Free Wi-Fi. Complex including restaurant, motel and cabins. View of the beach and the sea. }} * {{eat | name=Chez Laurie | alt= | url=http://chez-laurie.edan.io/ | email= | address=127, rue du Festival | lat=47.84361 | long=-69.87697 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-1515 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Meal served on site or to take away. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Quévillon | alt= | url=http://le-quevillon.elax.io/ | email= | address=139, rue du Festival | lat=47.84453 | long=-69.87780 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-2203 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Fast food. Meals on site. Take out orders. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.aubergesurmer.com/fr-ca/restaurant | email= | address=103, rue du Quai | lat=47.84063 | long=-69.87478 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Restaurant overlooking the beach and the river. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant L'Horizon | alt= | url= | email= | address=775, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82859 | long=-60.88745 | directions= | phone=+1 418-471-0606 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Meals on site. Take out orders. }} ===Snack=== * {{eat | name=Casse Croute 2b Inc | alt= | url= | email= | address=720, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83140 | long=-69.88603 | directions= | phone=+1 418-638-5375 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Bar laitier | alt=Milk bar | url= | email= | address=130, rue du Quai | lat=47.84106 | long=-69.87518 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Dairy bar located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, opposite the ferry dock. }} ==Drink== * {{listing | type=drink | name=Bar-Terrasse-Billard de Siméon | alt= | url= | email= | address=318, rue Saint-Laurent | lat=47.84474 | long=-69.87793 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikipedia= | wikidata= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Sleep== ===Inns, hotels and motels=== * {{sleep | name=Motel et Chalets Bo-Fleuve Evangeline | url=https://www.goexploria.com/company/22013/motel-et-chalets-bo-fleuve-evangeline | email= | address=245, rue St-Laurent| lat=47.85017 | long=-69.87230 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel La Gentilhommière | url= | email= | address=275, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.84814 | long=-69.87538| directions=along the St. Lawrence River and the Black River | phone=+1 418 638-2302 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Cofotel | url= | email= | address=385, rue St-Laurent| lat=47.84205 | long=-69.88004 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone=+1 418 638-2227 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Vue Belvédère | alt= | url= | email= | address=130, rue du Quai | lat=47.84153 | long=-69.87609 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, 280 m from the ferry dock | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Heated outdoor swimming pool. View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel Chalets Flots-Bleus | url= | email= | address=101, rue du Festival | lat=47.84061 | long=-69.87505 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, 280 m from the ferry dock | phone=+1 418 638-2227 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Auberge sur Mer | url= | email= | address=109, rue du Quai | lat=47.84037 | long=-69.87505 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone=+1 418 638-2674 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=View of the river. }} * {{sleep | name=Motel l'Horizon inc | alt= | url= | email= | address=777, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.82818 | long=-69.88742 | directions=in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=La Montagne des boies | url= | email= | address=999, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.79498 | long=-69.91340 | directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2421 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Suburban hotel. }} ===Gîte=== * {{sleep | name=Gîte aux Tournesols| url= | email= | address=571, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83475 | long=-69.88394 | directions= | phone=+1 418 955-9779 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=B&B. }} * {{sleep | name=Ranch La Licorne inc | url= | email= | address=1640, route 138 | lat=47.81335 | long=-69.93628| directions= | phone=+1 418 638-2716 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=La maison Harvey | url=http://lamaisonharvey.e-monsite.com/ | email= | address=1230, chemin de Port au Persil | lat=47.82049 | long=-69.89456 | directions= | phone=+1 450-774-0515 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Chalet rental. Ancestral piece-by-piece architecture dating from 1869. Location on a large lot with a view of the river. Capacity for up to eight people. Indoor spa and two-seater sauna. }} * {{sleep | name=Port-au-Persil.com | url= | email= | address=chemin des Plateaux | lat=47.81542 | long=-69.90452 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Vacation home. }} * {{sleep | name=Gîte Entre Mer Et Monts| url= | email= | address=476, route 138 | lat=47.08794 | long=-69.72596 | directions= | phone=+1 418 237-4391 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=B&B. }} ===Camping=== *{{sleep | name=Camping municipal de Saint-Siméon | alt=Saint-Siméon Municipal Campground | url= | email= | address=120, rue du Festival | lat=47.84280 | long=-69.87615 | directions=along the St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon, next to the ferry dock | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Camping Levesque | alt= | url=http://www.campinglevesque.com/ | email= | address=40, chemin de Port aux Quilles (route 138) | lat=47.86248 | long=-69.86769 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-6220 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=This campsite has been a family business for 65 years. This campsite offers 36 sites, with community hall. Sandy beach, children's play area, pottery workshop every day (Porterie Port au Persil). }} *{{sleep | name=Camping Falaise sur Mer | alt= | url=https://www.camping-falaisesurmer.com/ | email= | address=148, rue Saint-David | lat=47.83216 | long=-69.87848 | directions=on the edge of the St. Lawrence River | phone=+1 418 638-3838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content= }} *{{sleep | name=Camp Arthur Savard | alt= | url=https://camparthursavard.com/ | email= | address=100, Côte de la Jetée | lat=47.85908 | long=-69.92195 | directions= | phone=+1 418 520-9359 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Wild camping, dog sledding, chalet, hiking, Fat bikes, cross-country skiing, snowshoes, and snowmobiling. }} ===Outfitters=== *{{sleep | name=ZEC Buteux Bas-Saguenay | alt= | url=https://zecbuteux.reseauzec.com/ | email=zecbuteux@reseauzec.com | address=31, chemin du Lac du Port aux Quilles | lat=47.89779 | long=-69.87134 | directions=reception opposite Lake Elzéar, at the junction of Route 138 and Chemin du Lac de Port aux Quilles | phone=+1 418 638-2788| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) offers hunting services (woodcock, white-tailed deer, pheasant, grouse, hare, moose, black bear, grouse), camping and other outdoor activities (access to a beach, canoe, canoe -camping, mushroom picking, berry picking, kakak, snowmobile, wading, fly fishing, ice fishing, hiking, mountain biking. }} *{{sleep | name=Pourvoirie Humanité | alt= | url=https://pourvoiriehumanite.com/ | email=info@pourvoiriehumanite.com | address=324, rue Belley (administration) | lat=47.84537 | long=-69.88711 | directions=Office located in the heart of the village of Saint-Siméon. | phone=+1 418 638-5151| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=4-star chalets that can accommodate from 2 to 12 people. Each chalet has its own dock and boats. Main activities: fishing, paddleboarding, jumping, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, excursions. }} *{{sleep | name=Pourvoirie Club Bataram | alt= | url= | email= | address=route 170 | lat=47.90955 | long=-70.04348 | directions= | phone=+1 418 439-1717| tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | checkin= | checkout= | lastedit=2021-12-27 | content=Hunting and fishing outfitter. }} ==Cope== * {{listing | name=Bibliothèque Henri-Brassard | alt=Henri-Brassard Library | url= | email= | address=505, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83699 | long=-69.88071 | directions= | phone=+1 418-365-5143 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content=Municipal library. }} * {{listing | name=Jardin communautaire | alt=Community garden | url= | email= | address=505, rue St-Laurent | lat=47.83676 | long=-69.88095 | directions= | phone=+1 418-365-5143 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2021-10-27 | content= }} ==Connect== ==Go next== {{routebox | image1=Qc138.svg | imagesize1=22 | directionl1=W | majorl1=[[Quebec City]] | minorl1=[[La Malbaie]] | directionr1=E | majorr1=[[Sept-Îles]] | minorr1=[[Tadoussac]] | image2=Qc170.svg | imagesize2=22 | directionl2=W | majorl2=Alma | minorl2=[[Saguenay|Chicoutimi]] | directionr2=E | majorr2=ENDS | minorr2= }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[La Malbaie]] | wikidata=Q142113 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.5923 | long=-70.1505 | content=A super-tourist municipality on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, offering many recreational and tourism activities, a developed reception infrastructure (resorts, accommodation, restaurants, shops, Charlevoix casino, Richelieu manor, golf, hiking, museums) and many attractions around the bay and the La Malbaie River. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Sagard (Quebec)]] | wikidata=Q3461352 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.9761 | long=-70.0681 | content=An unorganized territory of the MRC de Charlevoix-Est. This territory is famous for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna. }} {{mapgroup|target=}} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Mont-Élie]] | wikidata=Q3321635 | lastedit=2021-12-27 | lat=47.8767 | long=-70.351 | content=An unorganized territory of the MRC de Charlevoix-Est. This territory is famous for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Baie-Sainte-Catherine]] | wikidata=Q3230999 | lastedit=2021-12-23 | lat=48.0423 | long=-69.733 | content=A municipality on the west shore of the Saguenay River and the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. The Baie-Sainte-Catherine-Tadoussac ferry serves hundreds of thousands of passengers per year and road vehicles. The Pointe-Noire observation and interpretation center and the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Marine Park attract many visitors. }} * {{mapgroup-item | name=[[Saguenay–Saint-Laurent Marine Park]] | wikidata=Q862222 | lastedit=2021-12-15 | lat=48.13333 | long=-69.73333 | content=A marine protected area of the St. Lawrence River and Saguenay rivers. Its mission is to protect all species including the beluga and the blue whale. Whale watching tours or cruises are offered to tourists. }} {{geo|47.8911|-69.9079}} {{IsPartOf|North Shore (Quebec)}} {{usablecity}} fkize021k0pq9pmxnx9msao6fnnfdt7 4 190546 4506171 4487007 2022-08-22T12:03:20Z Ground Zero 1423298 wikitext text/x-wiki == No description when hovering over links == {{tracked|T295255}} There used to be a description when hovering over links but now these appear blank, can someone fix this. I think this may have happened when the table of contents vanished. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 05:49, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :It still works for me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:42, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :: Do you mean the pop-up window with an image and some of the article text? For me, there are pop-ups, but the half that should have text is empty. I think they were not divided in that way before, so has there been some kind of change? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:04, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::: I see three kinds, the ones I am used to, with or without the text, and the horizontally divided ones without text. Some versions are probably from my cache. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:06, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::Thanks for posting this note. I've filed a bug report. ::::If it still works for you, then you might be using the [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets|gadget]] "Navigation popups: page previews and editing functions popup when hovering over an internal link". Try it in a private/incognito window to see the simplified Page Previews (what almost all readers see). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:38, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::: Thank you for filing the bug. I get the text on maybe a third of the links, including for pages I haven't visited for a while, so it is probably WMF's cache, not mine, that handle them. An example article and an example link from there seem to be needed at Phabricator. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:43, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::Thank you! The ones I see have a photo but no text. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 19:01, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::@[[User:Jdlrobson|Jdlrobson]] has gotten the bug organized. I don't know how long it will take to get things fixed, but it's starting the process. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:32, 9 November 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}} While we're on the topic, is there a way to get the navigation popups to show a more interesting image instead of whatever happens to be in the first listing/marker in the article? It's unfortunate that when I hover over a link, the picture that comes up is often of an airport or some other unphotogenic transportation infrastructure instead of something more interesting and representative of the destination. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 16:06, 29 November 2021 (UTC) :If memory serves, there is no clean way to do this. I suspect that @[[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] will be able to provide a definitive answer. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:13, 29 November 2021 (UTC) ::I can only point towards the documentation for the gadget ([[w:Wikipedia:Tools/Navigation_popups#Features]]), which seem to indicate that it ''is'' possible to override which image is shown (see the bulletpoint equivalents of 2a and 2b). I have no experience using that particular feature, so I'd suggest testing it in a sandbox, and asking on the docs' talkpage if you have any difficulties. [[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Quiddity (WMF)|talk]]) 22:37, 29 November 2021 (UTC) :::{{ping|Quiddity (WMF)}} Thanks! Copying the relevant bullet point here for others' benefit. :::* The image shown in the preview can be controlled by adding an image hint to the article, in the form of an invisible HTML comment: {{nowrap|<code><nowiki>&lt;!-- popup [[File:Desired_Preview_Image.jpg]] --&gt;</nowiki></code>}}. :::I've tried to implement this in [[Guangzhou]] but with no success – the popup still shows a boring train station from [[Guangzhou#Get in]], not the first image in the article and not the one in the HTML comment. I'll wait a while to see if there's a cache somewhere that needs to catch up, and if not then I'll ask on the docs' talk page. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 21:07, 30 November 2021 (UTC) ::::@[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]] After two days, I'm also seeing the same train station when on incognito mode. However, it does work with the gadget. So likely not cache. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:02, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::I take it the HTML comment fix only applies to the "navigation popups" gadget, and not to the "page previews" that are shown to unregistered users and users who don't have the gadget enabled. Is there a way to fix this for page previews (as opposed to the navigation popups gadget)? {{ping|WhatamIdoing|Quiddity (WMF)}} —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 10:55, 2 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::Other suggestion, add the file and make the size as 1px. Have never tried that out before, but I'll experiment it soon. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:59, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::That also doesn't seem to work. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:01, 2 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::For the extension version (PagePreviews) that unregistered users see, it uses another extension (PageImages) to select the image. The detailed technical docs of how it ''currently'' works are at [[mw:Extension:PageImages#Image_choice]]. However, there is an ongoing discussion, and it looks like some development work from a volunteer-developer, in [[phab:T91683]] ("Allow editors control of the page image") about making it more editor-overridable. HTH! [[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Quiddity (WMF)|talk]]) 20:26, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::Thanks! It looks like there are some options for changing the algorithm that chooses images. I guess the simplest fix would be to set $wgPageImagesLeadSectionOnly to true so that PagePreviews only uses images from the lead. Then we would probably want to make sure articles have an image in the lead if possible (which is a nice thing to do anyway). What do others think about this idea? —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 06:52, 3 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::Many major destinations and Star articles lack images in the lead section. For articles that I've created or heavily edited, I avoid lead-section images so as not to clash/compete with banner images. I usually place the first image in Understand. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:28, 4 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::Sometimes a lede image (such as the one seen in [[Zion National Park]]) actually resolves the job at times. I generally like to include one in the lede, but not all the time such as the one seen in [[Hartz Mountains National Park]] (but instead you see a boring tree). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:36, 4 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::{{ping|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} In that case, if we implement my suggestion, I think we would need to either add images to the leads of those articles or accept that their previews will not have images. To me that seems worth it for the sake of avoiding these boring images of airports and train stations in so many articles' previews. I'd say no image in the preview is better than an image of an unremarkable train station. But of course I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 13:28, 5 December 2021 (UTC) == Closing the comment period for the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Draft Guidelines == Thank you for your continued comments and ideas on the Universal Code of Conduct enforcement guidelines. Your responses have helped to build a stronger Universal Code of Conduct. If you have not already provided your comments, now is the time as the drafting committee has been [[:m:Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Drafting_committee/Phase_2_meeting_summaries|meeting to update the enforcement guidelines]]. The drafting committee wants to consider all comments as they make their updates. Please submit any comments by the end of November. The Committee hopes to finish its revisions before the end of the year, and the revised guidelines will be published as soon as they have been completed. The next steps for the Universal Code of Conduct include conversations about ratification of the enforcement guidelines. There will be [[:m:Universal_Code_of_Conduct/2021_consultations/Roundtable_discussions|a conversation about ratification on Nov 29]]. The Wikimedia Foundation will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees about the ratification of the guidelines in December. The recommendations will inform the next steps in the Universal Code of Conduct process. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 15:53, 25 November 2021 (UTC) == Talk to the Community Tech: The future of the Community Wishlist Survey == [[File:Magic Wand Icon 229981 Color Flipped.svg|100px|right]] Hello! We, the team working on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey|Community Wishlist Survey]], would like to invite you to an online meeting with us. It will take place on [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20211130T1700 '''{{#time:j xg|2021-11-30}} ({{#time:l|2021-11-30}}), {{#time:H:i e|17:00|en|1}}'''] on Zoom, and will last an hour. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/82035401393 '''Click here to join''']. '''Agenda''' * Changes to the Community Wishlist Survey 2022. Help us decide. * Become a Community Wishlist Survey Ambassador. Help us spread the word about the CWS in your community. * Questions and answers '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes without attribution will be taken and published on Meta-Wiki. The presentation (all points in the agenda except for the questions and answers) will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Polish, Spanish, German, and Italian. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them [[m:Talk:Community Wishlist Survey|on the Community Wishlist Survey talk page]] or send to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:NRodriguez (WMF)|Natalia Rodriguez]] (the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] manager) will be hosting this meeting. '''Invitation link''' * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/82035401393 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>82035401393</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/keu6UeRT0T Dial by your location] We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 20:03, 26 November 2021 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=20689952 --> == Upcoming Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections == The Board of Trustees is preparing a call for feedback about the upcoming Board Elections, from January 7 - February 10, 2022. While details will be finalized the week before the call, we have confirmed at least two questions that will be asked during this call for feedback: *What is the best way to ensure fair representation of emerging communities among the Board? *What involvement should candidates have during the election? While additional questions may be added, the Movement Strategy and Governance team wants to provide time for community members and affiliates to consider and prepare ideas on the above confirmed questions before the call opens. Community members can also organise local conversations during the call. You can find more information about this upcoming call for feedback [[:meta:Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees/Call for feedback:2022 Board of Trustees election/Upcoming Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections|here]]. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 23:46, 23 December 2021 (UTC) == Proof of age == On the pages for UK, USA and probably several others, we say you need an ID to show you are over 18/21/whatever to be let in to bars or allowed to buy alcohol. I suppose that is true for young people, but isn't the bouncer allowed to believe the word of a 50 years old? Here most shops require people looking younger than 30 to show an ID, and I think that gives a good margin (drinking age is 18), enough to perhaps leave some non-teenager foreigners thirsty. Should we try to say explicitly when these requirements concern or don't concern also people who don't look like teenagers? You might not want to carry your passport needlessly, and that is often your only acceptable ID. Are other IDs commonly accepted round the world? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:19, 4 January 2022 (UTC) : We have considered a [[youth travel]] article for the benefits and concerns that young people can meet when travelling. Can also be mentioned in [[travelling with children]] and [[senior travel]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:21, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::In the US, the law doesn't require you to show an id; the law requires the business to comply with the selling age. Therefore, each business makes its own business policy decision about how to stay in legal compliance. I have seen places that card everyone except obviously elderly people, and I have seen places that don't seem to card anyone. It is typical to have staff guess at ages and card only the people who look younger, but there is no standard. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:58, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I suppose a 50 years old would count as "obviously elderly" in this context, which would mean they wouldn't need to show IDs anywhere. It was the same here, but now the 30 years have become a stated standard, perhaps because of some campaign. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:58, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I've been rejected entry into bars and refuse service at liquor stores in the U.S. for not carrying my passport back when I was new here and only had my Australian driving licence. Now that I have my U.S. driving licence, I can use that as my proof of age, but before I got it, it was a hit and miss as to whether my Australian licence was accepted as proof of age. I guess it might be state dependent, because I noticed that my Australian ID was more likely to be accepted in New York than in Chicago. ::::In Singapore they are actually quite strict about this; foreign-issued I.D. cards are generally not accepted, with the exception of Malaysian identity cards, which some businesses accept. If you are working or studying in Singapore you will be issued a work permit and student pass respectively, and that can be used as your I.D. card, but if you are a tourist, you have to bring your passport. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 21:08, 4 January 2022 (UTC) :::::There are plenty of bars in New York that require proof of age from everyone, regardless of how old they are. Anyone who wants to go to bars should bring a picture ID with proof of age, just to avoid the possibility of being refused entry. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:09, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::::LP, I know of one restaurant where the standard was "white hair". A 50-year-old would probably be carded there. (That restaurant usually hired teenagers for the serving staff, and you probably don't want your business to depend on whether a 16 year old guessed right.) [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:06, 5 January 2022 (UTC) ::::: This was a while back (like 2011?). In Atlanta, a bar accepted my Canadian driver license as proof of age ID. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:41, 5 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm 56, and it's not at all uncommon for me to be carded in New York, although now, all bets are off because you have to show ID and proof of vaccination, anyway (and furthermore, I haven't been inside a bar in several weeks for safety reasons). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:50, 5 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Canadian licences are different from other foreign licences because of the close relationship between the U.S. and Canada. In much the same way, New Zealand licences are more likely to be recognised in Australia than other foreign licences. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 06:39, 7 January 2022 (UTC) == Wiki Loves Folklore is back! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] You are humbly invited to participate in the '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' an international photography contest organized on Wikimedia Commons to document folklore and intangible cultural heritage from different regions, including, folk creative activities and many more. It is held every year from the '''1st till the 28th''' of February. You can help in enriching the folklore documentation on Commons from your region by taking photos, audios, videos, and [https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UploadWizard&campaign=wlf_2022 submitting] them in this commons contest. You can also [[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Organize|organize a local contest]] in your country and support us in translating the [[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Translations|project pages]] to help us spread the word in your native language. Feel free to contact us on our [[:c:Commons talk:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|project Talk page]] if you need any assistance. '''Kind regards,''' '''Wiki loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 13:14, 9 January 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Tiven2240/wlf&oldid=22560402 --> == Community Wishlist Survey 2022 == [[File:Community Wishlist Survey Lamp.svg|right|200px]] The '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022|Community Wishlist Survey 2022]]''' is now open!''' This survey is the process where communities decide what the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] team should work on over the next year. We encourage everyone to submit proposals until the deadline on '''23 January''', or comment on other proposals to help make them better. '' The communities will vote on the proposals between 28 January and 11 February. The Community Tech team is focused on tools for experienced Wikimedia editors. You can write proposals in any language, and we will translate them for you. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your proposals! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 18:10, 10 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22399355 --> == Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections is now open == The Call for Feedback: Board of Trustees elections is now open and will close on 7 February 2022. With this Call for Feedback, the Movement Strategy and Governance team is taking a different approach. This approach incorporates community feedback from 2021. Instead of leading with proposals, the Call is framed around key questions from the Board of Trustees. The key questions came from the feedback about the 2021 Board of Trustees election. The intention is to inspire collective conversation and collaborative proposal development about these key questions. There are two confirmed questions that will be asked during this Call for Feedback: #What is the best way to ensure more diverse representation among elected candidates? The Board of Trustees noted the importance of selecting candidates who represent the full diversity of the Wikimedia movement. The current processes have favored volunteers from North America and Europe. #What are the expectations for the candidates during the election? Board candidates have traditionally completed applications and answered community questions. How can an election provide appropriate insight into candidates while also appreciating candidates’ status as volunteers? There is one additional question that may be presented during the Call about selection processes. This question is still under discussion, but the Board wanted to give insight into the confirmed questions as soon as possible. Hopefully if an additional question is going to be asked, it will be ready during the first week of the Call for Feedback. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees/Call for feedback: Board of Trustees elections|Join the conversation.]] Best, Movement Strategy and Governance, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:44, 11 January 2022 (UTC) == XTools EditCounterOptIn == There's a useful tool named [https://xtools.wmflabs.org/ XTools] that can show you data about your or someone else's editing, such as what pages you've edited the most, how many edits you've made in a month, and several other interesting stats. It's helpful for a lot of things, such as knowing if an editor is active or inactive, seeing if someone is more focused on mainspace or projectspace, and keeping track of what the quality of the articles you've made the most edits to is. For many projects (including most of the largest), every XTools statistic is opted into by default. However, on Wikivoyage, most of the stats require manually creating [[Special:MyPage/EditCounterOptIn.js]], which makes it a lot less useful. Would there be any interest in making XTools opt-in by default on Wikivoyage? [[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet]] ([[User talk:Vaticidalprophet|talk]]) 17:51, 8 January 2022 (UTC) :I prefer the current system, which I think maintains more privacy. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 19:14, 8 January 2022 (UTC) ::I don't have a strong view for myself, but I do think that whenever someone expresses a preference for privacy, then we should support that as much as we can. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:20, 8 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I agree. Those who want to see the stats about themselves can opt in. Seeing the stats about others can be useful, but I think privacy concerns have a higher weight. I am really worried about how much one could figure out about and through your activities on Wikipedia and related sites, but at least not everything is made easily available. Most people don't understand the issues, so we cannot expect them to opt out from anything. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:50, 9 January 2022 (UTC) :I'd favour the current system. Whether someone's made edits to mainspace or projectspace can already be seen, it's just which articles they've contributed to the most needs the authorization. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:43, 13 January 2022 (UTC) ::(after one month), I now favour @[[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet's]] proposal because I'd like to know which articles have been internally copied without attribution by a certain editor (includes both pages they have created and pages they haven't created but improved). I won't mention the name of the editor, but I'm happy to tell which one thru [[Special:EmailUser/SHB2000|email]]. Similarly, there's another editor who has added hundreds of listings that are in the wrong article – both the pages they created, and ones that they have improved. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:55, 2 February 2022 (UTC) == Talk to the Community Tech == [[File:Community Wishlist Survey Lamp.svg|150px|right]] {{int:Hello}} We, the team working on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey|Community Wishlist Survey]], would like to invite you to an online meeting with us. It will take place on [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220119T1800 '''{{#time:j xg|2022-01-19}} ({{#time:l|2022-01-19}}), {{#time:H:i e|18:00|en|1}}'''] on Zoom, and will last an hour. This external system is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/85804347114 '''Click here to join''']. '''Agenda''' * Bring drafts of your proposals and talk to to a member of the Community Tech Team about your questions on how to improve the proposal '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes without attribution will be taken and published on Meta-Wiki. The presentation (all points in the agenda except for the questions and answers) will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Polish, Spanish, and German. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them [[m:Talk:Community Wishlist Survey|on the Community Wishlist Survey talk page]] or send to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:NRodriguez (WMF)|Natalia Rodriguez]] (the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] manager) will be hosting this meeting. '''Invitation link''' * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/85804347114 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>85804347114</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/keu6UeRT0T Dial by your location] We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 00:21, 18 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22399355 --> == Subscribe to the This Month in Education newsletter - learn from others and share your stories == Dear community members, Greetings from the EWOC Newsletter team and the education team at Wikimedia Foundation. We are very excited to share that we on tenth years of Education Newsletter ([[m:Education/News|This Month in Education]]) invite you to join us by [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|subscribing to the newsletter on your talk page]] or by [[m:Education/News/Newsroom|sharing your activities in the upcoming newsletters]]. The Wikimedia Education newsletter is a monthly newsletter that collects articles written by community members using Wikimedia projects in education around the world, and it is published by the EWOC Newsletter team in collaboration with the Education team. These stories can bring you new ideas to try, valuable insights about the success and challenges of our community members in running education programs in their context. If your affiliate/language project is developing its own education initiatives, please remember to take advantage of this newsletter to publish your stories with the wider movement that shares your passion for education. You can submit newsletter articles in your own language or submit bilingual articles for the education newsletter. For the month of January the deadline to submit articles is on the 20th January. We look forward to reading your stories. Older versions of this newsletter can be found in the [[outreach:Education/Newsletter/Archives|complete archive]]. More information about the newsletter can be found at [[m:Education/News/Publication Guidelines|Education/Newsletter/About]]. For more information, please contact spatnaik{{@}}wikimedia.org. ------ <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[User:ZI Jony|<span style="color:#8B0000">'''ZI Jony'''</span>]] [[User talk:ZI Jony|^{<span style="color:Green"><i>(Talk)</i></span>}]], {{<includeonly>subst:</includeonly>#time:l G:i, d F Y|}} (UTC)</div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:ZI_Jony/MassMessage/Awareness_of_Education_Newsletter/List_of_Village_Pumps&oldid=21244129 --> == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 5 == <section begin="ucoc-newsletter"/> :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5/Global message|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5/Global message}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' <span style="font-size:200%;">''' Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 5, January 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the fifth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News (formerly known as Universal Code of Conduct News)! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly or bi-weekly to subscribers. Please remember to subscribe [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive these updates. <div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> *'''Call for Feedback about the Board elections''' - We invite you to give your feedback on the upcoming WMF Board of Trustees election. This call for feedback went live on 10th January 2022 and will be concluded on 7th February 2022. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Call for Feedback about the Board elections|continue reading]]) *'''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification''' - In 2021, the WMF asked communities about how to enforce the Universal Code of Conduct policy text. The revised draft of the enforcement guidelines should be ready for community vote in March. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Universal Code of Conduct Ratification|continue reading]]) * '''Movement Strategy Implementation Grants''' - As we continue to review several interesting proposals, we encourage and welcome more proposals and ideas that target a specific initiative from the Movement Strategy recommendations. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Movement Strategy Implementation Grants|continue reading]]) * '''The New Direction for the Newsletter''' - As the UCoC Newsletter transitions into MSG Newsletter, join the facilitation team in envisioning and deciding on the new directions for this newsletter. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#The New Direction for the Newsletter|continue reading]]) *'''Diff Blogs''' - Check out the most recent publications about MSG on Wikimedia Diff. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Diff Blogs|continue reading]])</div><section end="ucoc-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 08:21, 20 January 2022 (UTC) == The Wikivoyage influence == If you are interested in design, I encourage you to spend a moment at the [https://su.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepas Main Page at the Sudanese Wikipedia]. It looks to me like they have adopted Wikivoyage's carousel system. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:51, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :That's really interesting. One thing I felt that English Wikivoyage has done better than the English Wikipedia is have a more modern and better looking main page. The current English Wikipedia main page was designed in March 2006, an eternity ago in internet time. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 03:48, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::The [[:b:Main Page|English Wikibooks]]' main page looks like it was designed a long time ago, much more old-fashioned than Wikipedia's. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:51, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::Tangential, but while on the topic of front page design, [[:w:nv:]] has rainbow gradients that I always liked, even if they are probably not attractive to everyone. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 10:19, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[:w:se:]] (Sami language) got a professional redesign and now incorporates culturally relevant elements. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:31, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::That's interesting because it looks to have some responsive design that I don't recall seeing on any wikis. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 21:42, 23 January 2022 (UTC) == Desktop Improvements update and Office Hours invitation == Hello. I wanted to give you an update about the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]] project, which the Wikimedia Foundation Web team has been working on for the past few years. The goals of the project are to make the interface more welcoming and comfortable for readers and useful for advanced users. The project consists of a series of feature improvements which make it easier to read and learn, navigate within the page, search, switch between languages, use article tabs and the user menu, and more. The improvements are already visible by default for readers and editors on 24 wikis, including Wikipedias in [[:fr:|French]], [[:pt:|Portuguese]], and [[:fa:|Persian]]. The changes apply to the [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=vector}} Vector] skin only. [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=monobook}} Monobook] or [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=timeless}} Timeless] users are not affected. === Features deployed since our last update === * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/User_menu|User menu]] - focused on making the navigation more intuitive by visually highlighting the structure of user links and their purpose. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Sticky Header|Sticky header]] - focused on allowing access to important functionality (logging in/out, history, talk pages, etc.) without requiring people to scroll to the top of the page. For a full list of the features the project includes, please visit our [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project page]]. We also invite you to our [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Updates|Updates page]]. [[File:Table_of_contents_shown_on_English_Wikipedia_02.webm|thumb|600px|center|The features deployed already and the table of contents that's currently under development]] <br clear=all> === How to enable the improvements === [[File:Desktop Improvements - how to enable globally.png|thumb|[[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|{{int:globalpreferences}}]]]] * It is possible to opt-in individually [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|in the appearance tab within the preferences]] by unchecking the "{{int:prefs-vector-enable-vector-1-label}}" box. (It has to be empty.) Also, it is possible to opt-in on all wikis using the [[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|global preferences]]. * If you think this would be good as a default for all readers and editors of this wiki, feel free to start a conversation with the community and contact me. * On wikis where the changes are visible by default for all, logged-in users can always opt-out to the Legacy Vector. There is an easily accessible link in the sidebar of the new Vector. === Learn more and join our events === If you would like to follow the progress of our project, you can [[mw:Special:Newsletter/28/subscribe|subscribe to our newsletter]]. You can read the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|pages of the project]], check [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Frequently_asked_questions|our FAQ]], write on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project talk page]], and join an online meeting with us ([https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220127T1500 '''{{#time:j xg|2022-01-27}} ({{#time:l|2022-01-27}}), {{#time:H:i e|15:00|en|1}}''']). How to join our online meeting * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/89205402895 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>89205402895</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kdPQ6k2Bcm Dial by your location] {{int:Feedback-thanks-title}}! On behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation Web team, [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 22:11, 24 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22626210 --> == Updates on the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines Review == Hello everyone, The '''[[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) Enforcement Guidelines]]''' were published 24 January 2022 as a proposed way to apply the [[m:Universal Code of Conduct|Universal Code of Conduct]] across the movement. Comments about the guidelines can be shared here or [[m:Talk:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|the Meta-wiki talk page]]. There will be conversations on Zoom on 4 February 2022 at 15:00 UTC, 25 February 2022 at 12:00 UTC, and 4 March 2022 at 15:00 UTC. '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Conversations|Join the UCoC project team and drafting committee members to discuss the guidelines and voting process]].''' The [[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Project#Timeline|timeline is available on Meta-wiki]]. The voting period is March 7 to 21. '''[[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voting|See the voting information page for more details]].''' You can read the full announcement [[m:Updates on the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines Review|here]]. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Sincerely, Movement Strategy and Governance<br/> Wikimedia Foundation [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:36, 4 February 2022 (UTC) == Script error on [[Airport articles]] == Happy new year to everyone. From [[Airport articles#Brisbane|Brisbane]] down, the information is replaced by a script error with red text reading: "The time allocated for running scripts has expired." Does anyone know what's causing this and how to fix it? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:51, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :This seems to be a [[mw:Extension:Scribunto|Lua]] problem where there are too many modules in one page. Do you know if it ever worked? Were a bunch of new entries added? Did a template used on this page get changed so that it calls multiple modules? —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 11:57, 11 January 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks Justin. In answer to your questions in order: Yes, no (both with certainty). I don't know.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:59, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::Hm. Weird that it just started then. As someone who doesn't know a lot about modules, I would recommend that a quick fix is to split the article by continents and file a ticket at [[:phab:]]. Someone smarter than me may know more (but that's always true about everything :/). —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 12:01, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::: Works for me now. Perhaps there were some temporary load issues spilling over on the processor time measured (or changing the limits)? Anyway, it might be good not to push the limits. Wikivoyage is quite heavy on processing; are there ways to optimise the listing templates, or other ways to avoid certain pages be very processing-heavy? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:33, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::::It's also working for me too. We can always file a Phabricator ticket if it becomes a recurring problem. I think we're 14 airports away before we have to split in some way, either by using different colour markers or separate sub-articles.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:03, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :That sounds like the [[:w:en:Wikipedia:Template limits#Post-expand_include_size|PEIS]] limit, if anyone is curious. I asked around after it a little while ago but couldn't find anyone who would admit to fully understanding how the devs decided what the limit should be. The workaround is straightforward: split large pages, and optimize templates. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:32, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :: Most time is used for fetching the Wikidata datasets, as you can learn it from html code. It contains a <code>NewPP limit report</code>. Getting the entities takes about 6 seconds which is a huge value which is maybe attributed to the complex airport datasets (and which increases by time because of software additions). The total Lua computing time is near the 10-seconds limit, i.e., sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't work. I made a copy to the German Wikivoyage at [[:de:Benutzer:RolandUnger/Flughäfen]]. It confirmed the huge computing time for getting the entities. But it also shows that the listing scripts can be optimized because it takes only 8 seconds computing time at all which is less by 2 seconds compared to the English Wikivoyage. This shorter computing time prevents any Lua time errors. :: Under normal conditions, in locations articles can be fetched up to 250 different Wikidata sets as can be seen from [[:de:Halle (Saale)]]. Surely, the computing times of <code>Scribunto_LuaSandboxCallback::getEntity</code> and <code>Scribunto_LuaSandboxCallback::callParserFunction</code> should be reduced. And sometimes I made a bug report on phabricator but only minor changes were made removing the bugs. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 16:46, 11 January 2022 (UTC) Since getting fundamental changes to the amount of memory we have is difficult and relies on developers, I propose that we split this article preemptively. We can locally control how many templates and scripts are on a page, so we should be on the lookout for pages that we think may fail. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 18:27, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :Also, it's failing for me around New York City now. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 18:32, 11 January 2022 (UTC) : Can someone check this article again? -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 04:07, 12 January 2022 (UTC) : Nevermind -- I republished the article with no changes and I could see the article. Once I looked elsewhere and came back it was showing errors. One can get page to appear if they ?action=purge (Purge article) - This points me to think in the direction of memory as well.. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 04:15, 12 January 2022 (UTC) * We could remove the Wikidata calls from that article without doing much harm. Every airport listed has a wikilink to its Wikivoyage article, so the Wikidata and Wikipedia icons are not really needed. We may as well encourage readers to click on the internal link and read our article instead of going to Wikipedia or Wikidata. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 19:52, 12 January 2022 (UTC) ** Just first copy the coords from Wikidata to the listing, unless they are there already, to avoid having to copy them by hand later. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:09, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :Take a look at Airport articles/Sandbox. This article is based on [[Module:Marker]] <small>(currently through [[Template:Listing/sandbox]] and [[Template:Marker/sandbox]])</small> instead of [[Module:Map]]. :If you compare the LUA profile of [[Airport articles]] vs Airport articles/Sandbox, you'll see that the first one download 85 Wikidata instances while the second zero. That's why the loading time has been dramatically reduced. To properly compare the loading time you should purge the articles, opening at the same time the following two links: :# https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Airport_articles&action=purge :# https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Airport_articles/Sandbox&action=purge :If there is a consensus to go in this direction I'll complete the new module to allow to retrive the coords when missing, '''BUT''' take into account that anytime the coords will be downloaded from Wikidata (because not written explicitly into the listing template), this will affect again the performance (less than they do today, but still affect). --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:10, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Koavf|Justin]], [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], [[User:Matroc|Matroc]], [[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]: what's your feedback between: ::#use the current template (coords -and potentially other info- are always downloaded from Wikidata regardless what's written in the wikicode) ::#use the new module as it is (no coords from Wikidata) ::#use a new revised module (that will download the coords from wikidata, only when not provided within the listing). ::Let me know and I'll proceed accordingly, --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:41, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::I think #3 should be just fine, especially if a bot checks coordinates and imports them every [x] days from Wikidata. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 08:43, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Ditto as Justin. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:49, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::: I'm happy to go with anything that works.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:09, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: If #3 is easy to implement and not too heavy, I think that's the ideal solution. We should copy most coords to the listings – at the latest when the templates time out – but there will be new listings from time to time, and coords are not always listed for them. A bot importing coordinates would be nice, but I think new airport articles are created seldom enough that it can be handled by hand, if we get into the habit or are reminded when there are too many listings lacking them. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:37, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::I prefer #3 without a bot. Sometimes I don't want the coordinates from Wikidata (e.g., when I want coords for the entrance but they want coords for the center of the attraction). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:22, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I prefer #3 with a bot which only downloads the co-ordinates if they are missing from the article. Sometimes our co-ordinates are deliberately quite different from WD, listings for large features like rivers are an extreme example. ::::::::On other articles, an additional benefit of having the co-ordinates in the article is that this displays the markers on the full screen map (from the icon at the top right of a destination article). Wikidata co-ordinates aren't displayed on the full screen map. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:19, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :I've just updated the module, now it retrives the coords from Wikidata if not present in the listing. :The effect in the article (where are present 80 listing with coords and 5 without) is that now just 5 Wikidata entities are queried for coords. As anticipated this cause a loading time increased that is difficult to estimate because too many factors affect it (that's why sometimes the original article was perfectly rendered and sometimes got LUA error in its bottom part), but roughly I would say at least 1 second more. :Before put it into "production", feel free to perform some test using "Template:Listing/sandbox" instead of "Template:Listing" and let me know when and if you are confident for the switch. :After put it into production we should monitor [[:Category:Pages_with_script_errors|this category]] to be sure that no further article will converge here. Any page of that category needs to be fixed. PS There are already few articles there... --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:21, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::I've just cleaned all the "Pages_with_script_errors". The remaining two are there for different reasons. ::* User:Buzzy: uses 291 markers with 291 wikidata parameters without coords; using the module and adding the coords the issue will be solved ::* User:Pbsouthwood/Dive_sites: uses 553 markers; too much. I suppose the only way to solve the problem is to split the page in two or more subpages. ::--[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 23:42, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::Without any further feedback, I've boldly put into production the new revised module. Please, promptly highlight (& ping) me any issue you may notice. As expected User:Buzzy page has been automatically fixed, although it takes almost 8 seconds to elaborate the code (very close to the 10 seconds limit). The other one will keep on failing randomly as previously explained. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 20:02, 20 January 2022 (UTC) :::: I think that #3 is a viable solution. :::* Consider changing the editor to automatically supply the missing lat/long coordinates from Wikidata if needed. (Chop format them up to 6 numbers on right of period). Otherwise enter lat/long manually? :::* Airport articles will soon hit the infamous 99 limit. Perhaps use color markers to avoid numbering issue? :::* Maps - Perhaps use group and show. 1 main map for all (with a legend pointing to each area) - individual maps for groupings ie. Africa, Asia etc. or a page link to the main map centering on the area of interest. This might reduce mapbuilding costs as well. If time permits I will see if I can make an example. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 06:07, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::* Example I made - this will remain for a few days if interested - [[User:Matroc/Laboratory1|'''Example''']] -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 18:50, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:Matroc|Matroc]], if you are talking of the listing editor in your first point, I can say that the wikidata sync is possible but shall be explicitly requested by the user (it's not automatic) and regarding the coords, it already round the number with just 6 decimals. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:22, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: Great! Thanks for input! -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 18:50, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === Image parameter does not work anymore === In listings like <nowiki>{{see ..., image=name.jpg, ...}}</nowiki> the image does not show anymore on the mapframe map. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:57, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :I noticed that on [[Tasmanian national parks]] today. I simply ignored it because I thought it was a single-article issue and there were already images listed below but it seems that it's happening sitewide. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:00, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Andyrom75}} needs to test [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Marker&action=history his changes] to {{tl|Marker}} again/better :) The version before the change works OK. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 07:13, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], as said by [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]], I confirm that I need to work on that. Currently I focused my attention on coordinates. Sorry for the temporary disservice. :::Just one thing. To show the picture passed through the "name" parameter is relatively easy and won't affect the performance, but to download the image from Wikidata may have an impact on page loading time (see above discussion about coords where the community decide to go for solution #3). :::I can follow the same approach, but let's keep in mind the collateral effect. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:37, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Okay sure. Whichever one works is fine for me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:39, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], now the manually input image is shown in the map. To use the Wikidata image I would like to hear more feedback. Although I've noticed that [[module:map]] already did it, so I exclude to achieve worse performances. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:21, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::There's no way we can exclude image fetching from WD, short of running a bot, which will do the sync WD->WV Articles regularly. That would require non-trivial logic to not overwrite manually entered images... IMO if a page is giving timeout errors, it's time to split it or optimize the software/increase limits. But this particular functionality is my personal favorite of the markers, I very very very strongly oppose removing it! ;-) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 11:46, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], just implemented the Wikidata image retrieval. Roughly it has an impact of 10% on performance (clearly it depends on the number of listings/markers that require such service). User:Buzzy page reenter into the [[:Category:Pages with script errors]] :-( Let's monitor that category to be sure that no other article will flow down there. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:17, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :Right now there is no indication of an image at the "mouse over" event for the map markers. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:01, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], I'm not sure I got your point. Could you tell me which article and which listing/marker are you looking at? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 11:42, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::The affected articles have to be refreshed (e.g. do an edit+don't change anything+press 'publish'), probably it will happen automagically, in time. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 11:51, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I tried it with [[Rome/South]]. At the left side see-22 has an image, nearby see-19 has no image. The "mouse over" info does not show a difference; only if you click the marker, you get the picture (22) or the text becomes bold (19). I did a few chages in the article, but that did not change the "mouse over" behavior. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:19, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Hmm, I cannot even get a mouse-over with older marker template (but the problem could be also my settings, or that something further changed... in any case I never used this, was only clicking on the markers in the map). While we are at it, also the external links aren't highlighted now in the markers. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 12:31, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], honestly I don't recall such behavior inside the map. A similar behavior happens when you stop over a blue wikilink inside the text and you have activated the "Navigation popups" gadget. However, this is something managed server side by the map extension, hence we shouldn't be able to alter it client side. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:20, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === Wikipedia icon on listings and markers === In [[Southwest National Park]] and [[Tasmanian national parks]], I noticed that the Wikipedia icon has changed. Any reason to this? I preferred the old one. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:21, 21 January 2022 (UTC) : Seems to be the caused by the same as above... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 07:40, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Andyrom75}}? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:42, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], fixed. I forgot that the en:voy icon is different from the it:voy icon. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:37, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the fix :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:39, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === NA creates coords at 0,0 === Per [[template:see]] when NA is added to a see listing it should create no marker but if you look at [[Swedish Empire]] "Skattkammaren" which has coords of NA has a marker at 0,0 when it should have none. How do you fix this? [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 01:58, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}}, did you accidentally do something? [[Yosemite National Park]] is also another example of where coords are concentrated at 0,0. :All I would say is to omit the coords altogether. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:00, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], I can fix it but I was wondering why inserting "NA" in place of leaving lat/long parameters just blank? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:15, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::Not sure. I usually just leave it blank, but a lot of articles use "NA" for some reason. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:16, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], since in the past you worked on on both [[Template:Marker]] and [[Module:Map]] maybe you can tell me which is the reason to adopt the "NA" coords approach instead of leaving them blanks. This issue can be fi in two ways: restore the "NA" approach or to bot-clean the "NA" occurrences. In it:voy we never use "NA", here there are around 250 articles that use it and checking some of those I tend to suppose that is a wrong use, but this is just my opinion. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:25, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::The reason for this was that sometimes listings have coords in wikidata, but we don't actually want the coords. Mostly it's stuff like festivals, which have coords (even worse if it's at different place every year) of the city where it occurs - but we don't need that. So people here decided we'll use NA to force-remove the coords from the listings, even if they have some in WD. :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 08:51, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], sorry for late answer but I was out during this sunny Saturday :-P ::::::I would say that if the WD coords are wrong shall be deleted or updated, at least that's what I'm used to to do. If a festival change place is an information that shall be regularly updated like the prices, opening time, etc. I still don't see the need of those "NA" coords. Do you think it worth to reopen the conversation? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 19:19, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::: In some cases the need might need to be discussed, but I don't think there always should be a marker. The typical example I have stumbled into is where the festival (or whatever) is at a venue which already is listed. I think pointing to the venue in the directions parameter is better than having two markers on top of each other. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:29, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::If it's a listing and you specify WD, it will become a marker automagically... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:34, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Isn't NA there exactly to avoid that? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:38, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Yep... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 21:57, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Sunny Saturday? I don't know what you are talking about - it's been raining, snowing and windy all day! :-D :::::::Check [[Template_talk:Marker#Coordinates being created without being manually set]] and [[Template_talk:Marker#Wikidata lat/longs]]. There will probably be another discussion somewhere, but the bottom line is that WD and WV have different target. So coords WD has may not be of any interest to WV, but it may be interesting e.g. to wikipedia, or for some data mining. IMO there's no "shame" in sometimes only picking data we need from WD, so NA is okay for me (but in the end, I never used it nor don't I particularly care)... And mainly, I don't really want to be involved in re-discussing the topic - since you opened the Pandora's box by touching this thing, you'll have to do the argumentation... :-P -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:33, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], sorry to hear that, so I would avoid to tell you that I was walking barefoot on the forshore ... a bit unsual for January here as well, but why not :-P ::::::::Coming back to point. ::::::::Inside the conversation that you linked I've found the following points: ::::::::* The listing could be linked to the wrong Wikidata entity (e.g. association that organize an event in place of the event itself), hence I would say that the wikidata parameter shall be deleted ::::::::* The information on wikidata are wrong (not only relevant to coords), hence I would say that the wikidata info shall be updated/corrected, to grant such benefit to all the WMF projects that use Wikidata &mdash; however let's recall that WD info are just a fallback when local info are missing ::::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], if I got correctly your point, you are describing a situation when two or more listing have the same location. In the affirmative case I would say that is fine. Let's think on Asian shops that are located in different floor of the same building, or maybe western malls where different restaurants can be found in it. ::::::::Notwithstanding this, if there is a real consensus on re-establish the "NA" feature, I'll do it, although I think is a good idea. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:29, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Shops on different floors is of course a possible situation, but I think it is rare, except when they are in the same mall, which could be pointed at instead of giving coordinates to individual shops; people aren't navigating by GPS indoors. Overlapping markers are problematic, as you don't get to see the individual ones without zooming in. This is of course a trade off; we would have markers for a listed shop and an adjacent restaurant (except in the mall case). ::::::::: A different scenario is when a festival is all around the town. You might want a marker on a ticket office or similar, but sometimes that would be a stretch or even misleading. And you wouldn't want markers for half a dozen events at the tourist office, or at the stadium. ::::::::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:59, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] in Asian metropolis is quite common to have shops, restaurants, etc, in different floor of the same building (not a mall, just an Nth floor commercial building), and since all of them are advertised (generally in local language), it's very complicated to understand where you have to go :-D ::::::::::A festival in my opinion it's similar to a huge airport. Lets' consider JFK or CDG. We have reference coords to locate it "in the world", then if we want to point out specific things (e.g. terminal, car rentals, parking, shops, etc.) we can still use markers typically not associated to Wikidata. ::::::::::That's said, I'm still not in favor of "NA" feature but I'll follow community's will. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:35, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::: If the coords are useful in a specific case, of course they should be included, as I said about adjacent shops. NA is useful if there are (enough) cases where the marker makes more harm than good. I have seen it as useful in several cases, so I tend to think it should be available. One more case: for festivals that move around, you said the coords should be updated. Yes they should. But next years location may be somewhere I cannot easily find coordinates to (such a venue called on the web site by a local term unknown to me), and removing last year's misleading ones, I'd just get the headquarters' from WD, in another town. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:54, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::A case where NA is useful is where the WD lat/long is that of an office which is closed to visitors. A festival may sell tickets from the tourist office, but be "based" in an industrial estate, because that is where they store the equipment between events. WP still wants tha address of the office in the industrial estate. ::::::::::::Another example is [[England#Preservation_trusts]] where English Heritage has the lat/long of an office but travellers are intersted in the castles etc that they run, and should not try to visit the office. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 10:59, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], in my opinion if the coords in a festival entity are the one of the association that organize the festival, the coords are wrong and should be moved from here to the association entity (if any). :However, in the meanwhile I'm going to work to restore this functionality, but I still hope the community's decision will go in the other direction :-) --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:53, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::Just adding my voice to the chorus – I think the NA functionality is important for cases like those stated above. Thank you for working on this, Andyrom75. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 15:16, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::I also support NA, which I've used in the past in some cases, such as when multiple points of interest are found at approximately the same coordinates. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:47, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I should have restored the NA feature. Please check and let me know. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 23:24, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Fine now, Thanks [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 23:30, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|Andyrom75}}. Some articles use N/A. Is it hard to get also that variant working, or should we search for such articles? I haven't seen n/a, but that is the correct spelling according to Wiktionary, so it might have to be checked also. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:07, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], I would suggest to use just one single way to avoid the use of Wikidata. This way will go into the template manual and the articles that already use "NA" will be a clear example of how it should work. Because of this I suggest to find & replace all the other similar occurrences. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 13:14, 25 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::A search of insource:"lat=N/A" returned just one article. I have taken care of a few earlier. Is that the way to find them or may I have missed some of them? (I tried also n/a and spaces around the equal mark). [[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:53, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::I think [[User:LPfi|you]] changed them all. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:43, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: OK, thanks. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:38, 25 February 2022 (UTC) === Elements not showing on Helsinki/Central === Something is wrong with the map at [[Helsinki/Central]]. When the page loads, the map initially shows all the locations of the elements in the article, but then they all immediately disappear and there is no way to get them back. Individual elements can be viewed by clicking on the element in the article text, but there is no way to seem them all at once on the map. The maps on other subpages of [[Helsinki]] seem to work OK, it's just Central that is broken. What is causing this? [[User:JIP|JIP]] ([[User talk:JIP|talk]]) 19:33, 23 January 2022 (UTC) : Maps in other articles have the same issue. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:44, 23 January 2022 (UTC) I have edited several pages today [[Faversham]] and [[Sittingbourne]] they are displaying on both my computer and phone without mapframe elements showing. --[[User:RobThinks|RobThinks]] ([[User talk:RobThinks|talk]]) 20:37, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::The problem seems to have gone away now. The map elements on [[Helsinki/Central]], [[Faversham]] and [[Sittingbourne]] work OK now. [[User:JIP|JIP]] ([[User talk:JIP|talk]]) 23:38, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:JIP|JIP]], sorry for the yesterday temporary disservice (almost a couple of hours) but I was working on the previous topic. As you can see, 10 minutes before your last post, I solved it. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:20, 24 January 2022 (UTC) === [[:Category:Listing without plain text name]] === With the new module I took the chance to categorize all the article that has at least one marker/listing with conflicting information, hence with an external link (url parameter) and with a wikilink name in place of a plain text one (name parameter). In such case, I've simply ignored the url parameter waiting for any volunteer that would fix. However, I'd like to know if this choice is fine for the community or if there is a different opinion on how to treat these cases. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:39, 24 January 2022 (UTC) :I have just seen that [[Denver]] is in this category, because there is a wikilink in the listing name of Denver International Airport. I don't think that this is a problem, but others may disagree. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:15, 24 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], regarding Denver you can compare the followings: ::* "[[Denver#Centennial Airport|Centennial Airport]]" whose name is NOT a wikilink and it's used for the provided external link ::* "[[Denver#Denver International Airport|Denver International Airport]]" whose name IS a wikilink and it's used for the wikilink, ignoring the provided external link ::--[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 12:08, 25 January 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I have removed the wikilink. I recognise that this is the best approach for consistency. However I am still not 100% convinced that this is the most useful for readers in the particular case where we have a dedicated article on the airport. The external link is now more prominent than the internal one. When the wikilink was there, the external link was still reachable by clinking on the icon after the wikilink. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:28, 26 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] reverted the edit on Denver, and may wish to comment here. ::::A stronger case for saying wikilinks are ok in listing names is [[Castles]]. Here several of the castles have wikilinks as part of the name. In this case the castles don't have external links, and it seems verbose to say "Nuremberg Castle, [[Nuremberg]]" rather than "[[Nuremberg]] Castle". [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:08, 26 January 2022 (UTC) :::::My thoughts are that if we have a link for that POI, then we don't need to include the external link – the external link should be in the linked article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:25, 26 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], on it:voy, as you can see for example on [[:it:Aeroporti in Italia]], I've used a different approach, starting from the assumption that originally the listings were not supposed to have a wikilink in the name parameter (so we normally remove those wikilinks). ::::::Basically, if on it:voy, exists an article associated to the provided wikidata parameter, the template shows automatically the Wikivoyage icon with the relevant wikilink, so the name will be free to accomodate the URL. ::::::Do you think that this approach would be suitable for en:voy as well? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 15:22, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Mostly, if we have an article we want to link that, and the external link should be found in the article in question. I have used internal and external link mostly when the internal one is a redlink. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:37, 28 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Ditto as LPfi. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:40, 28 January 2022 (UTC) == Page views last year == The [https://pageviews.toolforge.org/siteviews/?platform=all-access&source=pageviews&agent=user&start=2021-01&end=2021-12&sites=en.wikivoyage.org sitewide page views] showed a slightly strange pattern last year. We had two big spikes. The first spike, however, didn't correlate with a spike [https://pageviews.toolforge.org/siteviews/?platform=all-sites&source=unique-devices&start=2021-01&end=2021-12&sites=en.wikivoyage.org in unique devices] (the second did). To get a clearer view, it may be helpful to click the option for "Begin at zero" on the graph. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 04:01, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :The first spike in February and March was similar to a spike in February 2018. For many of us it was during a time of near lockdown, and so was prob1ably caused my armchair travellers, unlike the second peak in August which was when travel was easier for many. From May 2020 onwards, the average monthly page views is about 2/3 of months before. The trends for other languages have some similarities. :Looking at individual articles, [[Around the World in Eighty Days]] has grown in popularity from being the 65th most popular page in September to the 4th most popular last month. A BBC TV series very loosely based on the book started showing in late December, which has obviously caused this. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 00:42, 6 February 2022 (UTC) == Related pages links at the bottom of the page == Hi all, Can anyone point me to where the explanation for the related pages links displayed below articles can be found? Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:07, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *{{Ping|Pbsouthwood}} This is our policy on [[Wikivoyage:Internal links]]. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 17:03, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *:The template is useful for fixing strange suggestions or prioritizing certain articles. Another way to fix strange suggestions is to edit the linked article. *:The linked pages are chosen according to how similar the articles seem to be. You can check the results for any article by putting <code>morelike:Article</code> into the regular search bar. For example, the nine pages listed at the bottom of [[Iowa]] match the first nine search results at [[Special:Search/morelike:Iowa]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:52, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *::Thanks {{ping|WhatamIdoing}}, This is what I was looking for. How are the articles actually selected? (what makes one "morelike" another?} Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 18:20, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *:::I've heard that it looks for similar words and similar links. The official documentation is at https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/query-dsl-mlt-query.html [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:54, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *::::Thanks {{ping|WhatamIdoing}}, your ability to come up with a useful answer is much appreciated. Am I correct in assuming that the template you mention above is <nowiki>{{related}}</nowiki>, and that those articles tagged as related will jump to the top of the queue? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 05:30, 7 February 2022 (UTC) *:::::Yes, that's the template. I believe that if you use the template (or its underlying magic word) that the rest of the automatic list is completely suppressed (not just the top of the queue). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:37, 7 February 2022 (UTC) == Template:Confused should be wrapped with noexcerpt span == In response to [https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Topic:Wpsv3pxf0lklbomj&topic_showPostId=wq2br4tzj6qnbp54&fromnotif=1#flow-post-wq2br4tzj6qnbp54 my question at the Wikimedia support desk], [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] explained that the problem was caused by [[:Template:Confused]] not being wrapped in <syntaxhighlight inline><span class="noexcerpt"> ... </span></syntaxhighlight>. I propose that we do this, as it seems costless to readers/editors and would improve compatibility with the Wikimedia API. (Other templates, e.g. [[:Template:Other uses]], are already wrapped.) I apparently have rights to do this myself, and it looks simple enough, but I don't particularly want to, given that I have zero experience editing Wikimedia templates and I don't know their pitfalls. If we agree that this should be done, I am hoping that somebody with a bit more experience in this area could make the change. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 13:52, 15 February 2022 (UTC) : It seemed to be a no-brainer, so I did the change. If somebody sees any pitfalls, please check or undo. In the bug discussion, also "role=note" was recommended, but I am not sure what that does, so did not add it. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 14:11, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks. Weirdly, the [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/Sun_River API call's] "extract" value is just a <syntaxhighlight inline>\n</syntaxhighlight> character now. Wondering out loud... would your change propagate that fast to the API? Damn, I should have tested it immediately before posting here. I guess I'll give it a few days and try again and if it's still being weird I'll follow up somewhere. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 14:26, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::I moved the image out of the way in [[Sun River|the article]] just in case that was causing any weirdness. Will see what happens. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 14:40, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::: I first tried to include everything in the &lt;span>&lt;/span>, but that made the ":" not work. Seems it uses the first paragraph, and the ":" line is interpreted as that first line. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:TextExtracts Extension:TextExtracts] does not tell how to get around this. Adding a blank line? But span shouldn't span paragraph breaks. HTML for the ":"? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:17, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::Do you think the ":" is what [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] was referring to in the second half of the response? I think he might be saying we shouldn't use the ":" for indentation and instead use the CSS styling he suggests – this might allow us to kill two birds with one stone, but also seems to relate to a larger issue with our use of ":" in templates. I wonder if that CSS styling is documented anywhere. I could ask him in my MW support thread (though I kinda hate pestering those guys). [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:55, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::: Probably yes, to all of those. MediaWiki should have rendered ":" as &lt;span ...> to begin with, but I suppose it is too late for that. I don't know what side effects changing the ":" to something else in all templates would have, but perhaps some of the technical folks here could comment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:22, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay I followed up on my MW thread. Will report back. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 22:35, 15 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::Hi [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] responded and kindly implemented some fixes over here. The [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/Sun_River extract] for [[Sun River]] works now, but it is a bit of a naive solution and in his response [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] notes a couple points of action: 1) He provides an example of using CSS styling to implement the indent, rather than using the ":"; 2) Noting the weirdness with the [[:Template:Page banner]] in interacting with the extract parser, he suggests we "definitely add 'noexcerpt' to the hidden span with country data". I'll admit that (1) is a bit over my head and (2) I don't really understand, although it seems it might be a quick fix for somebody who knew what they were doing. So, a couple questions... do you understand both (1) and (2)? And do you think there is any fierce urgency to pursue these fixes now? One benefit that [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] mentioned was improved Google indexing, which might be a win for the site as a whole. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 18:04, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I'll take a look later. Ping me if I haven't commented here in a week. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:24, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Will do. Thanks. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 00:39, 23 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Hi [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], as promised. Personally, I'm not too fussed about this. If you feel like taking a look at [https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Topic:Wpsv3pxf0lklbomj&topic_showPostId=wq2br4tzj6qnbp54&fromnotif=1#flow-post-wq2br4tzj6qnbp54 TheDJ's suggestions], fantastic. But I'm not really sure of their importance and if you don't have the bandwidth right now I'm happy to shelve this to potentially bring it up again if I notice any weirdness in the future. Thanks, [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:35, 2 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Thanks. I think I am going to do it at some time – not knowing how this works bugs me – but I think I'd better save it for another time. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:58, 2 March 2022 (UTC) == Survey: Help improve Kartographer == [[File:Technical_Wishes_Geoinfo_Logo.svg|right|200px]] Do you create interactive maps with [[mw:Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] (mapframe)? If your answer is yes, we would like to hear from you. Please take part in our survey and help improve Kartographer! '''Where do you run into problems using it? Which new features would you like to see?''' Editors of all experience levels and with all workflows around Kartographer are welcome to participate. '''Here is the survey: https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/ ''' * The survey is open until March 31. * It takes 10-15 minutes to complete. * The survey is anonymous. You don't need to register, and we will not store any personal data which identifies you, such as your name or IP address. Unfortunately, the survey is only available in English, but we have tried our best to use simple English and to add visual examples. If English is not your native language, it might help to use a translation tool in your browser. Some background: Wikimedia Germany's [[m:WMDE Technical Wishes|Technical Wishes team]] is currently working on the [[mw:Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer extension]]. Over the last few months, we have been working on a solution to make this software usable on [[phab:T191585|wikis where it isn’t available yet]]. In the next phase of the project, we are planning to improve Kartographer itself. Because Kartographer is used quite a lot on this wiki, we would love to hear about your experiences. More information on our work with Kartographer and the focus area of Geoinformation can be found [[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Geoinformation|on our project page]]. Thank you for your help! – [[User:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|Johanna Strodt (WMDE)]] ([[User talk:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|talk]]) 08:51, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :Who are our best map people? What problems are we having? This is a ''really'' important opportunity to ask for what we need, and we should not miss it. We've got 10 days. What can we do, to help them understand what we need? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:09, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::As someone who likes experimenting with dynamic maps, if there's two thing that I'd like, it's that we have ::* topographic maps (showing elevation) – useful for remote areas where elevations matter and can travellers plan ::* Get maps designed to look both from the perspective of the North and South Poles. Useful for travel topics such as [[Northern Lights]] <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:18, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::: Isn't that about using a different map projection (such as a "polar Azimuthal equidistant projection"? Do the underlying tool's provide that as an option? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 07:39, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], Would this be relevant to the [[Template talk:Regionlist#"Hack" for toggling static and dynamic maps on destination articles|failure]] of [[Template:Regionlist]] to toggle on mobile? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:01, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*:Yes, I'm sure that's something they should be hearing about. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] I think this is more a Wikimedia issue than a Kartographer one, however, if they would solve it I'll be more than glad :-) [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:37, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom75]], @[[User:JIP|JIP]], @[[User:Matroc|Matroc]], @[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], you all mentioned map problems and templates above on this page. Would you please click on https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/ and tell Johanna about it? The survey has several questions (e.g., are you mostly a reader, an editor, a template maintainer?) and the third page is all about problems. There are places to add your own text, and links to prior discussions are helpful. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:48, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::Done. Thanks @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] for the ping. [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::: Ah rats. I only saw this survey just now. I remember that there was an issue with this extension if the points cross over the 180th meridian. The points don't show side by side if it crosses this line, but rather wrapped around the prime meridian. You can see that in [[Taveuni]] in Fiji. (Others like the [[Kiribati]], [[Aleutian Islands]] in Alaska, [[Chukotka]] in Russia and Antarctica are also susceptible). [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 14:36, 12 April 2022 (UTC) == Join the Community Resilience and Sustainability Conversation Hour with Maggie Dennis == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Leadership Development Working Group/Participate/Announcement| You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24/Announcement|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24/Announcement}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' The [[m:Community Resilience and Sustainability|Community Resilience and Sustainability]] team at the Wikimedia Foundation is hosting a conversation hour led by its Vice President [[m:User:Mdennis (WMF)|Maggie Dennis]]. Topics within scope for this call include Movement Strategy, Board Governance, Trust and Safety, the Universal Code of Conduct, Community Development, and Human Rights. Come with your questions and feedback, and let's talk! You can also send us your questions in advance. The meeting will be on 24 March 2022 at 15:00 UTC ([https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1648134035 check your local time]). You can [[m:IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24|read details on Meta-wiki]]. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 11:38, 21 March 2022 (UTC) == Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement guidelines ratification voting is now closed == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message| You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Greetings, The ratification voting process for the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|revised enforcement guidelines]] of the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct|Universal Code of Conduct]] (UCoC) came to a close on 21 March 2022. Over 2300 Wikimedians voted across different regions of our movement. Thank you to everyone who participated in this process! The scrutinizing group is now reviewing the vote for accuracy, so please allow up to two weeks for them to finish their work. The final results from the voting process will be announced [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voting/Results|here]], along with the relevant statistics and a summary of comments as soon as they are available. Please check out [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voter information|the voter information page]] to learn about the next steps. You can comment on the project talk page [[m:Talk:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|on Meta-wiki]] in any language. You may also contact the UCoC project team by email: ucocproject[[File:At sign.svg|16x16px|link=|(_AT_)]]wikimedia.org Best regards, Movement Strategy and Governance [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:11, 23 March 2022 (UTC) == Shan Wikivoyage is live == [[:shn:]] is being imported as we speak: a pretty incredible achievement for that community, as its 3.3&nbsp;million speakers are localized in [[Burma]] and there is not a large Internet presence there as well as some serious internal difficulties with different ethnic populations, so congrats on all their hard work and {{lang|shn|တွၼ်ႈ}} ({{lang|my|ကြို+ဆို+ပါ၏}}) to our comrades who are spreading free knowledge and culture for the world's benefit. <ins>(Sorry to all of my new Shan friends: I am too ignorant to use the interjection "welcome" and only know the verb...)</ins> —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 15:58, 23 March 2022 (UTC) == Extracts broken == Extracts for a huge number of Wikivoyage articles on the V1 Rest API seem to suddenly be missing. For example, [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/France France] (empty string in the "extract" field) and [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/New_York_City NYC] (just a newline character). Did something change here recently? Thanks. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:41, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]], could you check again? [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:50, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom75]], still seems to be the case. I asked over at [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Topic:Wsb67vfdy0ig2ej5 mw too]. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:56, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::For comparison, [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/London London] still works, but comparing the [[London]] vs. [[New York City]] articles I don't see anything that looks like a salient difference. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:04, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::Update: it's the page banner template. I tested it on [[Fada]]. Removing the page banner template restored the extract in the REST API summary call. But London has a page banner template as well, so I'm really not sure what is going on. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:13, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::I see the following output: <div class="cassetto mw-collapsible mw-collapsed mw-made-collapsible" style="background:#FFFFFF;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:1px solid #AAAAAA"><span class="mw-collapsible-toggle mw-collapsible-toggle-default mw-collapsible-toggle-collapsed" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false">X</span><div class="titolo" style="background:#EFEFEF">France</div><div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: none;"> {"type":"standard","title":"France","displaytitle":"France","namespace":{"id":0,"text":""},"wikibase_item":"Q142","titles":{"canonical":"France","normalized":"France","display":"France"},"pageid":11954,"thumbnail":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/France-regions-2017.svg/306px-France-regions-2017.svg.png","width":306,"height":320},"originalimage":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/France-regions-2017.svg/619px-France-regions-2017.svg.png","width":619,"height":647},"lang":"en","dir":"ltr","revision":"4414523","tid":"6336fcb0-aac5-11ec-834b-93b7d2471af3","timestamp":"2022-03-23T16:22:04Z","description":"country in Western Europe","description_source":"central","coordinates":{"lat":47,"lon":2},"content_urls":{"desktop":{"page":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France","revisions":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=history","edit":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=edit","talk":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:France"},"mobile":{"page":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France","revisions":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:History/France","edit":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=edit","talk":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:France"}},"extract":"","extract_html":"<p></p>"}</div></div> <div class="cassetto mw-collapsible mw-collapsed mw-made-collapsible" style="background:#FFFFFF;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:1px solid #AAAAAA"><span class="mw-collapsible-toggle mw-collapsible-toggle-default mw-collapsible-toggle-collapsed" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false">X</span><div class="titolo" style="background:#EFEFEF">London</div><div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: none;"> {"type":"standard","title":"London","displaytitle":"London","namespace":{"id":0,"text":""},"wikibase_item":"Q84","titles":{"canonical":"London","normalized":"London","display":"London"},"pageid":20053,"thumbnail":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Routemaster_RM871.jpg/320px-Routemaster_RM871.jpg","width":320,"height":249},"originalimage":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Routemaster_RM871.jpg","width":3133,"height":2441},"lang":"en","dir":"ltr","revision":"4395617","tid":"33a442d0-aa63-11ec-a29e-0be729167ba7","timestamp":"2022-02-24T14:54:41Z","description":"capital and largest city of the United Kingdom","description_source":"central","coordinates":{"lat":51.5086,"lon":-0.1264},"content_urls":{"desktop":{"page":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London","revisions":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=history","edit":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=edit","talk":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:London"},"mobile":{"page":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London","revisions":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:History/London","edit":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=edit","talk":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:London"}},"extract":"Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of England, and of the wider United Kingdom, it is also the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of a little over 8 million, but the estimate of between 12 and 14 million people in the greater metropolitan area better reflects its size and importance. Considered one of the world's leading \"global cities\", London remains an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade.","extract_html":"<p>Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, <b><span class=\"external text\">London</span></b> is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of England, and of the wider United Kingdom, it is also the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, <b>Greater London</b> has an official population of a little over 8 million, but the estimate of between 12 and 14 million people in the greater metropolitan area better reflects its size and importance. Considered one of the world's leading \"global cities\", London remains an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade.</p>"}</div></div> :::Is it ok? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:27, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Compare the "extract" field on those two. Notice the France one is empty (""), while the London one has the extract ("Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural..."). The extract field is what websites (like Google with en.wp) use to create page summaries in their results. For some reason this seems to be missing in a ton (maybe the majority) of wv pages now. The mediawiki extract parser is choking on something. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:32, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Ok, how's this for a crazy idea? I'd like to minimize the problem, and right now I am assuming that the problem, or at least the code that is choking the parser, lies somewhere in the Pagebanner template. What if I created a new, temporary template (not entirely sure that I have the permissions to do this), and I copied the Pagebanner template code to that new template. I then pick some obscure page, let's say [[Fada]], where I replace the Pagebanner template with my own copy. I can then start deleting components in my own template until I find the line that is breaking the parser. Armed with that information (assuming my plan works), I can then approach the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Parsing MediaWiki parsing team] and say, "hey, I believe this code is breaking the parser". With luck they'd be able to tell me whether it is a problem on our end or on their end and perhaps even what to do about it. Does this sound insane? If it does, anyone have a better idea on how I can sandbox/start tackling this? Thanks, [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 15:40, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: Not a crazy idea. The approach is often used for finding a software bug: try to find the simplest code that triggers it. There are bugs that are hard to find this way, especially those that appear in a quasi-random fashion, such as often when [[:w:race condition|race condition]]s or exhaustion of some odd resource are involved. If this started to happen recently, without changes to the template, it can easily be something odd. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:08, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Oh... yeah... I think we got ourselves a [[w:Heisenbug|Heisenbug]]. Added my test template to [[Fada]], extract returned properly. Then rolled it back to original page template banner and the extract is still there :facepalm: [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 18:53, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::Freaking bizarre. All it takes to restore the extract is to delete the Pagebanner template, save the page, and then restore it. Seems like this is definitely one for the Mediawiki folks. Thanks all. [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], perhaps you could delete [[Template:Test1pagebanner]] when you get a chance? [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:24, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::: Thanks for trying it out. I leave the test template for the time being, we might still want to do some experimenting. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:40, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Good point, cheers. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:43, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Update: Looks like there's a [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T295255 bug report] out for this (or at least a very similar issue)... since November :/ [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:06, 25 March 2022 (UTC) == Importante message from WikiSP == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> === Important Message === <div style="background-color: #e9f0f5; max-width: 62rem; margin: 1rem auto 3.5rem auto; font-family: sans;"> <hr> <div style="margin: 60px; background: #ffffff; padding: 1em;"> <div style="font-size: x-large; line-height: normal; padding-top: .4em; color: #303e49; font-weight: bold;">Help us!</div> <hr> [[File:Wikisp-logo-icon-black.svg|120px|right]] <p>We, Wikimedia Small Projects in Spanish, as an official affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation watch over all the small projects of the movement and carry out initiatives for the communities to benefit. Today we have made a request for general support to fund our annual action plan.<br><br> '''What will we do?''' * DataVoyage in Commons: An editing workshop on how to collaborate with Wikidata, Wikivoyage and Commons (eswikivoyage only), * Wikivoyage 10: A contest celebrating Wikivoyage's ten years as part of the Wikimedia family (all communities), * Wikivoyage Asian Month: A contest in which you can write guides related to Asia (all communities), * Wikivoyage mobile app: A prototype that will allow mobile access to Wikivoyages * Small Projects Conference: A conference where we talk about all the small projects of the Wikimedia movement, as well as agreements and ideas to implement in the future.<br><br> '''What can you do?''' * '''Start a discussion''' among yourselves to come up with other initiatives that will further benefit the communities and notify Wikimedia Small Projects so that they can be implemented next year. * '''Support the request'''' by placing your signature in the discussion: [[:m:Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Plan de actividades de Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023#Communities support|Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023#Communities support]] * '''Volunteer in one of our initiatives''': Are you interested in collaborating directly in our initiatives? Let us know! <br> We are here to change course and it is only possible with your support! </p> <br> <span style="background-color: #acb7c0; border: 1px solid #acb7c0; border-radius: 2px; line-height: 1.05; padding: 0.4em 0.8em; margin: 2px; display: inline-block;">[[m:Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Plan de actividades de Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023|<span style="color: #ffffff;">Learn more</span>]]</span> </div> <hr> </div></div> 21:28, 23 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Galahad (WMSP)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Galahad/Wikivoyage&oldid=23047882 --> :Wikivoyage's 10th anniversary is already coming up?! It feels like the 5th was just a little while ago. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:41, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::I wasn't here back in 2018, but time really has flown since then. It seems that the museum piece (aka The Other Site) is only getting worse day by day based on a weekly check I do. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:52, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::This is what I can do for the upcoming 10-year anniversary of [[Wikivoyage]]. A video to put on the [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8KElojBDUbwTHc07X_l1g YouTube channel]. Video- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b4EJKWyB9bZDibAEmDgGQ0wfPsYCsw-q/view . It took about 2 hours. Suggest some changes or correction and feel free to criticize Cheers! :) [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 19:41, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::@[[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]] Nice video – don't think there's anything criticise, even if you go extra nitpicky ;-). The only thing I'd say is that the 31000 could become 32000 soon (we currently have {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}, and if we manage to create a little over 700, it may become 32000 soon). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:14, 27 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Yes! [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 12:44, 27 March 2022 (UTC) :And, of course, it's been around since 2003, but was only adopted later. It was a very early MediaWiki wiki. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 22:08, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :If we count since the first wikivoyage was migrated would be Sep 23. If we count since the first wikivoyage accepted, Jan 07 (eswikivoyage). But our birthday is Jan 15! [[User:Galahad|Galahad]] ([[User talk:Galahad|''sasageyo!'']])^{([[:es::User talk:Galahad|''esvoy'']])} 23:50, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::I remember @[[User:GVarnum-WMF|GVarnum-WMF]] saying something about trying to make a list of the birthdays-as-celebrated a while ago. I assume that the Wikivoyages are on the list for January 15th. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:01, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::Hi @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], have you seen this [[metawiki:List_of_Wikimedia_birthdays|List of Wikimedia Birthdays]]? [[User:MPourzaki (WMF)|MPourzaki (WMF)]] ([[User talk:MPourzaki (WMF)|talk]]) 20:16, 30 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the link, @[[User:MPourzaki (WMF)|MPourzaki (WMF)]]. It looks like all of the Wikivoyages are on the "needs verification" list, and only English and German are listed separately. @[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] and [[User:DerFussi|DerFussi]], can you check the German "birthday" on that page? English is correct, as far as I know. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 00:23, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::: {{Ping|WhatamIdoing}} There are two Wikivoyage birthdays: On Dec. 10, 2006, Wikivoyage went online in Germany as a new project forked from Wikitravel (so Wikivoyage is now 15 years old). On Jan. 15, 2013, Wikivoyage officially became a Wikimedia project. On this day, the Wikipedia turned 12. On Nov. 9, 2012 Wikivoyage was available from Wikimedia servers. On [[:de:Wikivoyage:Chronik/2012|Sep. 23, 2012]] the English Wikivoyage was started, in [[:de:Wikivoyage:Chronik/2012|October, 2012]] the Netherlandish, French, Swedish and Russian ones followed. In the list mentioned above I added the Italian Wikivoyage which was started on the 1st Wikivoyage birthday. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 05:09, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page English Wikivoyage at the Wayback Machine]. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 05:34, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I understand it's inconvenient, as the original name has changed hands, but shouldn't we also keep in mind the date when the project was started as a private initiative on a private server? I think that for the early contributors the unfortunate things that happened in-between is a parenthesis that doesn't mean the origins are to be forgotten. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:46, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I think this particular list is only for "official birthdays", which may or may not have much relationship to first edits. Whatever date each Wikivoyage (or other) community prefers to count as their anniversary is the one that belongs in this list. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:01, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::I think it's a good idea to write down the history, but that would belong on another page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:02, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :(Aside) Has anyone tried to make 'travel' video content? I am thinking more in the viewn of the Holiday shows the BBC used to have as opposed to "Since the dawn, Time-Life has been presenting it's majestic hyperbole across screens globally. Seldom have the eyes..." type travelouge. [[Special:Contributions/88.97.96.89|88.97.96.89]] 14:35, 27 March 2022 (UTC) ::[[m:VideoWiki]] lets you make a sort of narrated slideshow. You can include both video and still images. The machine-generated voice option is not impressive, but recording a real voice means that you can't change the text later. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:46, 27 March 2022 (UTC) == LintErrors == Thanks to some efforts earlier, I am reasonably satisfied that the 'content' side of English Wikivoyage has been de-linted as far as I am able to without additional expertise. What remains unlinted is User pages, and what are essentially Talk and discussion namespaces, but a consensus has emerged that these should not be adjusted (even in good faith.) Congratulations. It only took 4 years to de-lint English Wikivoayge :). [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 15:54, 13 April 2022 (UTC) :Where's the discussion about delinting user pages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:00, 13 April 2022 (UTC) : I don't have the specfic discussion to hand, but it was what I had been advised off wiki by a number of contributors (not necessarily directly on Wikivoyage though). In any event non account-holder changes to userspace pages are now generally considered bad practice I've been told. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:29, 13 April 2022 (UTC) : If you have admin/custodian status and want to resolve the few remaining LintErrors in User and various talk namespaces (most likely signatures that were accepted under previous versions of Mediawiki/HTML/CSS etc.) , I can't stop you obviously. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:31, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::I don't care about this kind of stuff, but I was asking because I didn't remember seeing a discussion on this topic. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:57, 13 April 2022 (UTC) :::Also, some consensus on another Wiki does not apply to Wikivoyage. So if you really want to know what people on Wikivoyage think, you have to actually ask them... [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:03, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::::Sure, but what we care about and what we ''should'' care about are not necessarily the same thing. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 21:08, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::::: I think the work in mainspace was good, as broken syntax may result in broken pages for some readers. For user space, more discussion would be needed. For some users it is no problem – many like other contributors fixing things on their user pages – for others it may be problematic, especially if the fix breaks something else and they aren't here to revert or complain. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:36, 14 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::There is a table of the lint errors at [https://fireflytools.toolforge.org/fireflytools/linter/enwikivoyage fireflytools]. For things such as the obsolete font tags, if those were to be fixed by updating them to span tags, then I think that should be done by via a bot account. -- [[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] ([[User talk:WOSlinker|talk]]) 11:17, 14 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::See also [[Special:LintErrors]]. The "high priority" items are generally things that have the potential to make a page look visibly broken. Ideally there would be none of those in any namespace, though obviously many people will decide that it is not worth their own time and efforts to fix problems in low-traffic user pages. I wouldn't be inclined to stop anyone from fixing errors anywhere. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:01, 14 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I notice that a dive site template has "bogus file parameters" of (NNNpx). This seems to be explanatory text in examples. How do we normally handle that? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:16, 21 April 2022 (UTC) == New competition on English Wikipedia and related SiteNotice request == A popular article writing competition ''CEE Spring'' (about '''Central and Eastern Europe'''; now with special subcategory about '''Esperanto''') '''[[w:en:Wikipedia:CEE Spring 2022|is happening on the English Wikipedia]]''' until the 31st May 2022. I warmly invite you to participate, write some article and win a valuable prize! If you have question, I will happily answer it on the competition page talk. Also, for more wide outreach, I have just [[:meta:CentralNotice/Request/CEE Spring 2022 English|asked for a CentralNotice]], which should appear also in this project. If you have a comment on the request, you are welcome to write it on the request page. --[[User:KuboF Hromoslav|KuboF Hromoslav]] ([[User talk:KuboF Hromoslav|talk]]) 18:30, 3 May 2022 (UTC) :Better still for this wiki, '''write Wikivoyage articles about Central and Eastern Europe'''. [[User:Nurg|Nurg]] ([[User talk:Nurg|talk]]) 05:06, 4 May 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 6 == <section begin="ucoc-newsletter"/> <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 6, April 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the sixth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board of trustees elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while the more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> *'''Leadership Development -''' A Working Group is Forming! - The application to join the Leadership Development Working Group closed on April 10th, 2022, and up to 12 community members will be selected to participate in the working group. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A1|continue reading]]) *'''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification Results are out! -''' The global decision process on the enforcement of the UCoC via SecurePoll was held from 7 to 21 March. Over 2,300 eligible voters from at least 128 different home projects submitted their opinions and comments. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A2|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Discussions on Hubs -''' The Global Conversation event on Regional and Thematic Hubs was held on Saturday, March 12, and was attended by 84 diverse Wikimedians from across the movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A3|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Strategy Grants Remain Open! -''' Since the start of the year, six proposals with a total value of about $80,000 USD have been approved. Do you have a movement strategy project idea? Reach out to us! ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A4|continue reading]]) *'''The Movement Charter Drafting Committee is All Set! -''' The Committee of fifteen members which was elected in October 2021, has agreed on the essential values and methods for its work, and has started to create the outline of the Movement Charter draft. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A5|continue reading]]) *'''Introducing Movement Strategy Weekly -''' Contribute and Subscribe! - The MSG team have just launched the updates portal, which is connected to the various Movement Strategy pages on Meta-wiki. Subscriber to get up-to-date news about the various ongoing projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A6|continue reading]]) *'''Diff Blogs -''' Check out the most recent publications about Movement Strategy on Wikimedia Diff. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A7|continue reading]]) </div><section end="ucoc-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 10:27, 13 April 2022 (UTC) == Join the Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan conversations with Maryana Iskander == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/Conversations/Announcement|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/Conversations/Announcement}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hello, The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Communications|Movement Communications]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance|Movement Strategy and Governance]] teams invite you to discuss the '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/draft|2022-23 Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan]]''', a plan of record for the Wikimedia Foundation's work. These conversations continue [[m:User:MIskander-WMF|Maryana Iskander]]'s [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Chief Executive Officer/Maryana’s Listening Tour|Wikimedia Foundation Chief Executive Officer listening tour]]. The conversations are about these questions: * The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia 2030|2030 Wikimedia Movement Strategy]] sets a direction toward "knowledge as a service" and "knowledge equity". The Wikimedia Foundation wants to plan according to these two goals. How do you think the Wikimedia Foundation should apply them to our work? * The Wikimedia Foundation continues to explore better ways of working at a regional level. We have increased our regional focus in areas like grants, new features, and community conversations. What is working well? How can we improve? * Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy process. Let's collect your activities, ideas, requests, and lessons learned. How can the Wikimedia Foundation better support the volunteers and affiliates working in Movement Strategy activities? You can find [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/draft/Your Input|'''the schedule of calls on Meta-wiki''']]. The information will be available in multiple languages. Each call will be open to anyone to attend. Live interpretation will be available in some calls. Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:49, 15 April 2022 (UTC) == Let's talk about the Desktop Improvements == [[File:New table of contents shown on English wikipedia.png|thumb]] Hello! Have you noticed that some wikis have a different desktop interface? Are you curious about the next steps? Maybe you have questions or ideas regarding the design or technical matters? Join an online meeting with the team working on the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]]! It will take place on '''29 April 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220429T1300 13:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220429T1800 18:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/88045453898 '''Click here to join''']. Meeting ID: 88045453898. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kcOMICmyyA Dial by your location]. '''Agenda''' * Update on the recent developments * Questions and answers, discussion '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Italian, and Polish. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 00:35, 26 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23142195 --> : Is this about Vector 2022? I won't be at the meeting, but I certainly don't like the development. Luckily, Monobook is still there for me. I made a comment at their feedback page, but last I checked (long after I made the comment) nobody had answered. My primary concern is that the layout is miserable unless you have a wide enough browser window (I like narrow ones), and that many important links are hidden to have a "cleaner" look (mostly in a drop-down menu; I even cannot just type in an article name, I have to either maximise the window first, or go to the search page, or just edit the URL in the browser's address field). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:01, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::Pinging @[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]]. LP, it sounds like your screen is narrower than the header, with the result that the search box (which AIUI is meant to be both bigger and centered than in the 2010 version of Vector) is missing/collapsed/unusable. Is that right? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:11, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::If anyone wants to see the options, click these links: :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=monobook :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=vector :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=vector-2022 :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=minerva (mobile site, which works on desktop devices, too – some readers, but not many editors, prefer this) :::These links won't change your preferences. They'll only load the skin for this one page/one time. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:14, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::: Yes. My browser window is narrower than the header. Not my screen though, but I use several windows, e.g. to see a Wikipedia page and a map while I am editing a Wikivoyage guide. I have yet to understand why people keep to the one-application-at-the-time style from before windowing systems were introduced. The alt-tab function helps a bit, but that I used (shift-control-^, if memory serves) already with the [[:w:VT220|VT220]] text terminals of the 1980s. Thanks for the skin links. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:31, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::::: And it's not only the header. The left-margin menu pushes down the content, so that I have to scroll down every time I load a new page. Very frustrating. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:34, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::Hey @[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], I'm sorry for not answering! Let me answer your questions here. ::::::* As for the left-margin menu, if you collapse it, it should stay collapsed and not push down the content. ::::::* Regarding the question you asked on the project talk page ("does the empty space to the right of the margin menu really give the best possible experience") we are still building the new interface, one feature improvement at a time. The empty space you have referred to is temporary. Now, we're working on [[mw:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Features/Page tools|page tools]] which will make a clear distinction between wiki-wide links (like Recent changes) and page-related links (like Related changes) and bring balance to the space on both sides of the content area. ::::::* The narrow screen... I'll talk about that with the team. Generally, we are aiming to make the interface usable on narrow screens or vertical screens (although not mobile). We're trying to keep the minimal threshold of the default experience as narrow as possible. ::::::* In this context, that thing with the left-margin menu and other things... I think it'd fit to the last phase of the project when we'll be working on aesthetic refinements to the entire interface (as opposed to improving individual features). ::::::[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 16:50, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::* Thanks for the tips on collapsing the menu. I didn't notice that possibility. However, when I tested it now, I had to collapse it separately on any new page when following links. :::::::* Nice that you'll get rid of the empty space. When I tried the skin, I did not find any discussion on unsolved problems or on which deficiencies were about yet unimplemented aspects and which were intended features. I might not have looked deep enough. Separation between page tools and other links seems a good goal; I hope the links will still be easily available to users like me, who know the links and can disregard those not needed at the moment (a need you seem to acknowledge). :::::::* Really nice. As of now I got some of the problems with my default window width, while others surfaced with width I use only occasionally. It is important though, to be able to get a narrow window in certain situations, and being able to get rid of the left margin is then an immense help. I hope the suggested new placement of the table of contents won't infer with this.<br/>(I think it is important to make the distinction between window and screen size explicit in any design discussion, as common or realistic widths of the former aren't restricted to those of the latter, and I have seen web pages that adjust to the latter, more or less ignoring the former, which should be the relevant one.) :::::::* OK, you know better when and how to do those things, they just should be fixed before general roll-out. ::::::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:02, 27 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::: Ah! Now the collapsing worked. I hadn't enabled Javascript for the Mediawiki site, and enabling it did not have immediate effect. Hm. I have enabled Javascript for all Wikimedia projects I visit regularly, but I am a regular contributor. Is the casual visitor with Javascript disabled (for all or some of the domains) a use case you take into consideration? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:07, 27 April 2022 (UTC) == 2022 Board of Trustees Call for Candidates == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' The Board of Trustees seeks candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Announcement/Call_for_Candidates|'''Read more on Meta-wiki.''']] The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] is here! Please consider submitting your candidacy to serve on the Board of Trustees. The Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees oversees the Wikimedia Foundation's operations. Community-and-affiliate selected trustees and Board-appointed trustees make up the Board of Trustees. Each trustee serves a three year term. The Wikimedia community has the opportunity to vote for community-and-affiliate selected trustees. The Wikimedia community will vote to fill two seats on the Board in 2022. This is an opportunity to improve the representation, diversity, and expertise of the Board as a team. Who are potential candidates? Are you a potential candidate? Find out more on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Apply to be a Candidate|Apply to be a Candidate page]]. Thank you for your support, Movement Strategy and Governance on behalf of the Elections Committee and the Board of Trustees [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 12:53, 26 April 2022 (UTC) == Next steps: Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) and UCoC Enforcement Guidelines == The Community Affairs Committee of the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees would like to thank everyone who participated in the recently concluded community vote on the Enforcement Guidelines for the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC). While the Enforcement Guidelines did reach a threshold of support necessary for the Board to review, we encouraged voters, regardless of which way they were voting, to provide feedback on the elements of the enforcement guidelines that they felt needed to be changed or fixed, as well as why, in case it seemed advisable to launch a further round of edits that would address community concerns. Foundation staff who have been reviewing comments have advised us of some of the emerging themes, and as a result we have decided as Community Affairs Committee to ask the Foundation to reconvene the drafting committee and to undertake another community engagement to refine the enforcement guidelines based on the community feedback received from the recently concluded vote. Further, we are aware of the concerns with the note 3.1 in the Universal Code of Conduct Policy. We are directing the Foundation to facilitate a review of this language to ensure that the Policy meets its intended purposes of supporting a safe and inclusive community, without waiting for the planned review of the entire Policy at the end of year. Please visit [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Board noticeboard/April 2022 - Board of Trustees on Next steps: Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) and UCoC Enforcement Guidelines|here]] to read the full announcement. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 11:53, 28 April 2022 (UTC) == Make working with templates easier: One more improvement coming soon. == Hello, one more change from WMDE’s focus area “[[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Templates|Templates]]” is coming to your wiki soon: In '''syntax highlighting''' ([[Mw:Extension:CodeMirror|CodeMirror extension]]), you’ll be able to activate a '''colorblind-friendly color scheme''' with a user setting. ([[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Improved Color Scheme of Syntax Highlighting#Color-blind mode|project page]]) Deployment is planned for May 10. This is the last set of improvements from WMDE’s focus area “Templates”. We would love to [[m:Talk:WMDE Technical Wishes/Improved Color Scheme of Syntax Highlighting|hear your feedback]]. Thanks for being one of the first wikis to get the improvements from our project, and for giving valuable feedback! – [[User:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|Johanna Strodt (WMDE)]] ([[User talk:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|talk]]) 09:55, 29 April 2022 (UTC) == FYI: Relevant social network/app == https://travelfacets.com/ —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 20:33, 1 May 2022 (UTC) == Editing news 2022 #1 == <section begin="message"/><i>[[metawiki:VisualEditor/Newsletter/2022/April|Read this in another language]] • [[m:VisualEditor/Newsletter|Subscription list for this multilingual newsletter]]</i> [[File:Junior Contributor New Topic Tool Completion Rate.png|thumb|New editors were more successful with this new tool.]] The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools#New discussion tool|New topic tool]] helps editors create new ==Sections== on discussion pages. New editors are more successful with this new tool. You can [[mw:Talk pages project/New topic#21 April 2022|read the report]]. Soon, the Editing team will offer this to all editors at the 20 Wikipedias that participated in the test. You will be able to turn it off at [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion]].<section end="message"/> [[User:Whatamidoing (WMF)|Whatamidoing (WMF)]] 18:55, 2 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/VisualEditor/Newsletter/Wikis_with_VE&oldid=22019984 --> == Template for approval: [[Template:ColonialEmpires]] == Didn't create the template, but submitting it for community approval anyway (per our controversially strict policy on templates). Helps readers navigate through our colonialism articles and currently produces the following output: {{ColonialEmpires}} Don't see any reason to oppose this template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:28, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :To what extent were the Ottoman and Austrian Empires colonial? Weren't they mostly more traditional multi-national empires? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:33, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::Should the template then be renamed to [[Template:Empires]], and the "Colonial empires" line be replaced with "Empires"? But then we'd also have to include the [[Tibetan Empire]], the [[Mongol Empire]] and so on. {{ping|The dog2}}, any suggestions? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:38, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::Do we really need the template? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:48, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::We have [[Template:NordicCountries]], and this is similar to that one, so why not? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:52, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::::No, it's not, because it's very clear what the Nordic countries are. My suggestion is, if you think it's really important to have an article that simply links all the articles about empires, create it and link everything there, with 1-liner listings. I'm going to '''oppose''' the use of this template. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 13:03, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::Didn't we just discuss an article on colonialism above (see [[#"Article" on colonialism]])? Also, the template is in use for all the articles linked, snd I'm not sure if it's worth removing them tbh. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:22, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::I decided to create this template as an alternative to actually creating an article that would have hardly any travel content. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] is mostly right about Austria-Hungary, but they they had a concession zone in China, which for all intents and purposes was a colony, albeit a very small one. I think we can restrict inclusion to just European-style colonial empires that arose out of the [[Age of Discovery]]. Japan is included here because even though it is not a Western country, Japan adopted its model of colonialism from the West. I don't think the Ottoman Empire had colonies, which is why I originally did not include it, but I could be wrong. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 14:53, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That's a possible solution. I'd like to say, though, that there is no need or call for creating an article about empires, because there's already a [[Monarchies]] article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}}The United States has always been a republic since its founding, but it had (and some would argue continues to have) overseas colonies. So in that sense, it could loosely be considered a colonial empire, even if it did not technically have an emperor in charge. And likewise, there were periods of time that France and the Netherlands had colonial empires even though they were republics. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:32, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :Also, from a traveller's perspective, I think the question would be if there are any listing of places overseas where you can go and see the legacy of colonial rule. In the case of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there are colonial buildings in Tianjin that you can still go and see today. And likewise, there are lots of Russian colonial buildings you can see in Harbin and Dalian. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:43, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::The usual traveller's perspective of the Austrian/Austro-Hungarian Empire is that it left a huge mark on Central Europe. It's much more unusual to look for the relics of their much briefer presence in Tianjin. And Russian colonialism was mostly focused on capturing and settling eastward and incorporating all that territory through annexation, just as the greater part of U.S. colonialism was focused on doing the same thing westward. It's the complexities of these situations that make the oversimplification of a template problematic. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:13, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::OK, let's see what others say. My view is that we can loosely consider the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires to be colonial empires, since it is a fact that they had overseas colonies, regardless of how small or few they were. I'd remove the the Ottoman Empire because it was a classical contiguous multi-ethnic empire with no overseas colonies ([[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] was the one who added it, so maybe he can comment if I'm wrong on this), much like China and the Mongol Empire. The Philippines was an American colony, so I'd consider the U.S. to have been a colonial power, perhaps still one if you consider the likes to Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to be colonies. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:41, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::I think we need to have a more general conversation about whether we want any navbox-style templates at all. If we don't want articles to contain a one-size-fits-all set of links to other articles, then there's no point in talking about whether we want this particular collection of one-size-fits-all set of links. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:47, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::: I don't much like the navboxes even on Wikipedia, and I think it is sufficiently easy to link related articles in context, in the running text. However, I have understood that some people like them, so I haven't been fighting them too hard. This specific grouping has additional problems: what articles are related isn't well defined, and not all of the listed articles tell about the colonialist aspect of the empires (is listing a few destinations and sights really enough?). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:16, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm also not convinced this grouping makes sense for travellers. If someone wants to travel to places related to the Japanese colonial empire, does that mean they're also likely to be interested in the Swedish colonial empire? Other navigation templates I've seen serve travellers with a certain interest – [[Template:Asian cuisines]] and similar for foodies, the one at [[American Civil War]] for US history buffs, the one at [[Australasian wildlife]] for wildlife enthusiasts. Are there empire enthusiasts who would find this template useful? —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 09:44, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Not sure to be fair, but it's definitely better than having an article on [[Colonialism]]. I could see that happening on the encyclopedia, but find it hard on a travel guide (or even Wikibooks to be fair). <small>(also, for the cuisine one, maybe [[Template:Asian cuisines]] is a bit of a misleading template, but [[Template:EuropeanCuisines]] has a similar purpose, but doesn't have anything misleading in it, but same thing...)</small>. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:59, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I still think that a travel guide to colonialism could make sense, if well-written. I don't see that any of us would write that article (lack of time, skill or interest). For Wikibooks, I can very well see such a book written. Why not? That too would be hard (I don't know which is harder), but if you are a history teacher, you might want that book for your pupils. For travellers it is much more of a niche topic. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:27, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] For what it's worth, de.voy also uses these navboxes in destination articles, such as the one seen in [[:de:Piton des Neiges#Weblinks]], [[:de:Südamerika]] or [[:de:Southland#Weblinks]]. We could follow de.voy, but I'm not a fan of de.voy slapping it into nearly every single region article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:05, 5 May 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}}I don't know how a travel topic on colonialism in general will work. I don't think there are any monuments to colonialism in general. But on the other hand, there are numerous historical monuments and buildings in distant lands from their respective metropoles that are a reminder of that legacy of colonial rule. If you go to Hanoi for instance, there are so many French colonial buildings, and likewise, there are so many British colonial buildings if you go to Yangon. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:09, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :I'm not sure that people travel for the purpose of seeing monuments to colonialism, so I'm not sure that it's a pointful page to create. I'm not aware of any monuments to the general concept of colonialism, but there are many, many monuments to the local history of colonialism. See, e.g., all the statues of Christopher Columbus in the Americas, or the bells along [[El Camino Real]] in California. The length of [[w:en:Colonial empire#List%20of%20colonial%20empires|w:en:Colonial empire#List of colonial empires]] makes me suspect that "history of colonialism" overlaps substantially with "history of the world since Alexander the Great". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:17, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::Precisely. Which I would say we should limit inclusion in the template to only European-style colonial empires that developed starting from the [[Age of Discovery]], in order to keep this to a manageable size, and because that is what people typically think of when we talk about "colonies". That means that the only remaining empires to be added, if an when their articles get created, are the American, Belgian, German and Italian empires. I know that the Russian Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire were primarily contiguous multi-ethnic empires, but they did have overseas colonies, so they can stay. On the other hand, I'd get rid of the Ottoman Empire because it did not have overseas colonies. I think this template helps with ease of navigation, as someone who is interested in exploring the legacy of the colonial age might learn from our article that Russia had overseas colonies too, for instance, and plan a trip to see the legacy of Russian colonialism. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:19, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::We're getting into complexities here. I've mentioned before that Russian and American colonialism was primarily directed at contiguous land to the east and west respectively that was settled by members of the ruling ethnicity and annexed, and the Austrian Empire was known for being a multi-national empire in the center of Europe; its overseas possessions are a very minor, almost incidental point and didn't exist for most of its history. So I don't like a one-size-fits-all treatment of these powers. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:34, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yes, I took note of that. The United States had Liberia and the Philippines though, which were overseas colonies in the traditional European sense. Russia had a few colonial possessions in China which also fit that bill (and I'm not counting the likes of Vladivostok here, which was Chinese territory that Russia annexed, and is today part of Russia). [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:39, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::Northeastern China is contiguous with Russia, so that fits the pattern of colonialism in Siberia, and concentrating on former or even current overseas colonies of the U.S. distorts the overwhelming history of U.S. colonialism that has primarily consisted of settling territories with white people and incorporating them as states. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:42, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::That's true of Northeastern China, but Russia also had colonial possessions in Tianjin and Hankou (today part of Wuhan), although those were much smaller than the one in Northeast China. And I think the Russians also had a small short-lived colony in Africa before they were driven out by the French. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:52, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::Regarding Russian colonialism, what about [[w:Russian America]]? There are also Russian colonial sites that travelers can visit, such as [[w:Russian Fort Elizabeth]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:05, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::: The template might help those who want to read about colonial empires. But what about those who want to read about empires in general? Should there be another template for that? Perhaps a third for European empires, a forth for European history, and so on. I don't see colonialism as the focal point of [[Swedish Empire]], [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] or [[Russian Empire]]. The empires might have been colonialist, but our articles are mostly about other aspects. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:33, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::They're not the focal points, but the overseas possessions are also listed. It would not make sense to create articles to specifically cover the overseas colonies of Austria-Hungary and Russia given that there weren't many, and those that existed were small. However, they should be and are listed in the respective articles about those empires. Similarly, the article on the British Empire should cover Ireland even though Ireland was never technically a "colony", but regarded as part of the UK (although any fair-minded person can't deny that the Irish were treated as colonial subjects and not citizens during the Great Potato Famine). [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:42, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::The more we talk about this, the more I think we should delete this template and replace it with only the relevant links, in normal sentences, in articles. That means that instead of (not "in addition to") sticking [[Template:ColonialEmpires]] in the eleven articles linked there, we write sentences in places like [[Sweden#Understand]] and [[Wismar#Understand]] that link to [[Swedish Empire]], and even sentences in articles like [[Spanish Empire]] and [[Portuguese Empire]] to explain that they were rivals. What we wouldn't do is assume that people reading a travel guide want to compare see a list of all articles on empires, including empires that have no connection to each other. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:17, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Readers who want to read about empires in general should go to Wikipedia. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:30, 6 May 2022 (UTC) : '''Oppose''' since it is not very travel-related & the topic is too complex for the template to work well. : It does not have the German or American colonies. What about various Islamic Caliphates? Weren't there once Empires in sub-saharan Africa? : It omits [[Imperial China]], [[Alexander the Great]]'s empire, [[Roman Empire]], [[Persian Empire]] & the [[Mongol Empire]], all of which conquered other nations. One could argue that those were contiguous land-based empires, so not in this category, but then the Russian, Ottoman & Austro-Hungarian empires were mostly like that too. : What about Russia's control of Eastern Europe in the [[Cold War]] period, CIA support for various coups, US invasions in Latin America, recent Chinese land grabbing such as [[Spratly Islands]]? Those all look like rather nasty imperialism to me, but not like topics that belong in a travel guide. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 08:04, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::Those empire articles you linked are not colonial empires. Also, we're not handling individual colonies in this template, only the various travel topics about colonial articles. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:06, 6 May 2022 (UTC) :::I agree with [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] on this: "The more we talk about this, the more I think we should delete this template and replace it with only the relevant links, in normal sentences, in articles." [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:14, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::These are not articles about imperialism in general. These are articles that have listings of where you can go to see the legacy of having been ruled by that empire. Articles about imperialism in general do not belong on Wikivoyage unless there are monuments to imperialism that are tourist attractions. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:09, 6 May 2022 (UTC) :::::And with regard to American, German, Italian and Belgian colonies, my plan was to add them to the template once the articles on those empires are created. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:16, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::My thoughts are with The dog2 on this one, but if we cannot agree to what should be included, then we should only include what can be found in the "Colonial" section of the Modern Empires section in [[w:Template:Empires]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:27, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::I don't think there is a consensus to support the continued use of this navbox. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:24, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::To [[User:The dog2|The dog2]]: Sure, a good travel article about the Russian colonial legacy in the U.S. could be written. If it is written, I don't think [[Russian America]] is a good title, because there have been several waves of immigration from Russia/the U.S.S.R. that do not relate to Russian colonialism in the Americas. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:37, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::In view of the lack of approval of this template, I've [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Template:ColonialEmpires|nominated it for deletion]]. Please participate in the discussion in that thread. Thanks, everybody! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:41, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :I'm not opposed to this template by any means. Omitting the whataboutism that is half the discussions above, I think this template could better be renamed something along the lines of (<abbr title="'Modern' might be useful to use in order to distinguish between pre-mediaeval empires (take ±1200 AD as a reference year to exclude the Frankish Empire and such, while including the Ottoman Empire) and that in very recent history.">modern</abbr>) <abbr title="A nation state's desire to spread its influence across the globe by holding and controlling land, either overseas or not.">imperialism</abbr> instead of colonialism. As others have said, not all of these are strictly colonial, but all of them are [[w:Imperialism|imperialist]] in nature. The articles are mostly interlinked in both the articles themselves as well as the "See also" sections, and I can see a template being useful because of that. Strong '''support''' from me for this template as {{tl|ModernImperialEmpires}} or similar, and somewhat milder support as-is. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 22:00, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::If so, what would you do with [[Mughal Empire]]? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:44, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::That would depend on the scope of the template. If it's modern imperial empires only, I wouldn't include it. Modern imperialism is generally a term reserved for just European empires. The Ottoman Empire also is debatable for that reason. Ideally, I'd class the Ottoman and Mughal Empires, as well as some others as the [[w:Gunpowder empires]], either in a sister template, or as a second grouping within this template (the scope of which would then be Modern Empires). My own grouping would look like such: ::::; Modern Imperialist Empires¹ ::::: [[Austria-Hungary]] • [[British Empire|British]] • [[Danish Empire|Danish]] • [[Dutch Empire|Dutch]] • [[French colonial empire|French]] • [[Japanese colonial empire|Japanese (colonial)]] • [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] • [[Russian Empire|Russian]] • [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] • [[Swedish Empire|Swedish]]. ::::; Gunpowder Empires ::::: [[Imperial China|China]]² • [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] • [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] • [[Pre-modern Japan|Japan (pre-modern)]] • [[Safavid Empire|Safavid]] ::::<small>(1) One could call this European Empires, but the inclusion of Japan would be strange in that case. Its colonial empire however, largely formed as a response to European imperialism, so the name wouldn't be wrong, just not intuitive.<br/>(2) I am not well-versed in Chinese history, but I believe this mostly includes the Ming and Qing dynasties.</small> :::If there's any other empires that could be included, let me know and I'll update this list. [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 10:55, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::If you are talking about empires that have existed since 1200 AD, the Mughal Empire can't be excluded (and I have no idea what you mean by "modern imperial empires": it was certainly a huge empire that conquered a lot of territory and threw its weight around), but it's an empire that was '''victimized''' by colonialism, not a colonial empire. Moreover, there have been empires in Africa since then, too. And I would observe that what we have right now is an absurd situation, in which there is a consensus or near-consensus in this thread against using this template, but a consensus in [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Template:ColonialEmpires]] to keep this template and use it for...'''something'''. So anyone who doesn't want us to use a navbar for some more or less arbitrary grouping of empires should please participate in the Votes for deletion thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:46, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::If there's something that will always annoy me, it's people taking my words to imply a message that I do not stand behind. Though I appreciate your input, I'd also appreciate it if you didn't do that again. Going point by point for the sake of clarity: :::::* 1200 AD is an arbitrary point I set for the sake of illustration. It isn't set in stone. If you want a better boundary, might I suggest the Age of Discovery up to the Age of Decolonisation (i.e., ±1450 - ±1950). I am willing to consider any other boundaries for the template's scope if you have any to bring forward. :::::* Modern Imperial Empires are empires that practise modern imperialism; they are generally speaking European (excluding Japan post-1850s and some others) and were created with colonialism and exploitation of said colonies for benefit of the homeland in mind. :::::* Mughal Empire: I never said the Mughal Empire was not a victim of colonialism, nor that it was a colonial empire. This part of the discussion is my attempt to take what's useful of this template, and to suggest ways in which it can improve. The template's current scope around colonialism has proven to be controversial with some, so my proposal omits that basis. Therefore, anything I have said in this part of the discussion cannot be taken to represent my opinions on colonialism. Please take that context into account when next paraphrasing me. :::::* African empires: This entire discussion is filled with whataboutism (why include X and not Y?), which I am trying to move away from. I am not saying that there is no place for African, or any kind of empire within my ''suggestion'' for an ''improved scope''. I don't include them as they haven't been raised yet, and since I want to move away from the "what to list"-discussion, and into an actual discussion about the usefulness of this template. :::::* Consensus: Here, the arguments against the template are arguments predominantly against what it does and doesn't see as colonialism, as well as concerns about how travel-related it is. The latter it isn't on its own, but it supports articles that all revolve around [[historical travel]], thus being useful to the site. The former meanwhile isn't an argument against this template being useful, which is what template approval discussions ought to revolve around. By illustrating what it can be, I am trying to shift the conversation more into a nuanced "what can be"-discussion than a black-or-white "use it or trash it"-discussion, as I believe the second to be less fruitful. :::::I truly believe in this template's usefulness, and I am trying to seek a way in which it can work for more people. The way I see it, most of this discussion is off-the-rails and missing the point of a template approval discussion. :::::-- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 17:35, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::"Modern Imperial Empires are empires that practise modern imperialism" is a circular definition. Explain what that means and, for example, how it could include Russia but exclude the Mughal or Songhai Empires. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:25, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Pointing out why something might not make sense is not "whataboutism." To begin with, I subscribe to [[User:WhatamIdoing]]'s thinking about this template as per se not useful to travelers, but I am also seeing, so far, that is isn't very useful to try to classify empires in any general sense in regard to travel. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:28, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::And we should not use Eurocentric terms like "gunpowder empires." From the Wikipedia article about the term that you linked, read [[w:Gunpowder empires#Recent views on the concept]]. Besides, it's an obscure term that I managed to avoid knowing for 57 years while knowing and even teaching plenty about history. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:33, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::For the first, refer to the sentence after it: "They are generally speaking European (excluding Japan post-1850s and some others) and were created with colonialism and exploitation of said colonies for benefit of the homeland in mind." Mughal and Songhai are not included for a difference in technologies available to them compared to modern imperialist empires. Russia is included, due to it functioning similar to Austro-Hungary when it comes to imperialism: Expand into adjacent lands, make them core territory, and repeat. I am oversimplifying, but categorisation requires generalisation of some sort. :::::::::The template isn't useful to every traveller, but doesn't need to be. It is instead useful to a historically interested traveller, as many individual colonies belonged to more than one coloniser during their existence. :::::::::I cannot stress enough that nothing in the example above is set in stone. I used Gunpowder Empires as an example, not as what should be implemented. Feel free to come with better alternatives if you have them. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 19:26, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::I don't think the differences in technology of armaments are very relevant to travelers. My suggested alternative is to include a section of links to articles on empires in the [[Monarchies]] article, with a 1-liner listing for each. That way, no navbar is needed and no agreement on any kind of classification is needed, either. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:29, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Again, simplifying here, but clubs and spears have a different appeal than rifles and muskets for many. The first can be seen as primitive, while the second can be more advanced. I think you're underestimating the technological differences there. To some with historical interest, they have very different appeals. The link with Monarchies, as I pointed out in the VfD thread, is too forced to work well. :::::::::::Honestly, I can get behind not having a navbar, but a suitable replacement definitely can benefit the traveller for the reasons I listed in the VfD thread. An underlying general article on colonialism, empires or imperialism can definitely be of benefit, albeit for a somewhat niche audience, but niche articles we already have plenty of, so that shouldn't be an issue, right? [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 20:10, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::I don't think the differences in technology have an effect on the impressiveness of the sights travelers can see that come down to us from the empires in question. To be honest, there's probably nothing more impressive than the Sphinx and pyramids of ancient Egypt, but I haven't seen them in person. I have seen the Taj Mahal, the Red Forts in Delhi and Agra, the Great Wall of China and the temple complexes in Prambanan and Borobudur, not to mention the Parthenon, Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Roman Forum and the Maison Carree in Nimes. But I digress. You'll see that I'm warming to the idea of a carefully circumscribed and aggressively travel-related article about colonialism in the Vfd thread. I'd be OK with it if it starts with the ancient Phoenicians; has disclaimers that the topic is controversial but as this is a travel guide, we are being merely descriptive; and stipulates that we are concentrating on overseas colonization. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:30, 8 May 2022 (UTC) [outdent]<br/> I don't think the articles on empires were written as a series on colonialism. I am not very happy about a template making it seem they were. If we want a template, why is it not about empires in general, or about historic realms? I think people reading about historic empires are likely to be interested in historic realms (although perhaps not all of them). Assuming they are interested in colonialism is to jump to conclusions. Of course some are. But as many of them are probably interested in some other aspect of the empire they are reading about: its languages, its modern successors, its cities, its arts, you name it. My impression is that the template is there because somebody wanted the article on colonialism, and this is what they thought they'd be able to get. I think I prefer the article [[Colonialism]]. It seems nobody is going to write a good thorough travel article on the theme in the foreseeable future, but what about one with a paragraph or two on colonial empires, linking those and related articles, such as European history and Age of Discovery, and then going on to tell about destinations where it is easy to see (or study) heritage of several colonial empires – checking that those aspects are covered in the destination articles? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:25, 11 May 2022 (UTC) :Just so people know, I've moved a draft of the deleted [[User:The dog2/American colonialism|American colonialism]] article to my userspace, which I am happy for others to edit too. I guess we can expand the scope to also including the westward expansion of the United States, and sites that commemorate things like the genocide of the Native Americans. I'm trying to add listings of sites that actual remind people of the legacy of American colonial rule so it can be reinstated into articlespace. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:17, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::Who's your audience for that page? What traveller do you imagine would be using that guide? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:49, 12 May 2022 (UTC) :::It's aimed at people who want to see the legacy of American colonial rule in various different parts of the world. Something along the lines of the articles of the other colonial empires. But as [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] mentioned, a large part of American colonialism was expanding Westward by genociding the Native Americans, settling their lands with white people, and later granting statehood to the the colonies once the white population was large enough. So while we already have an [[Old West]] article covering that aspect of American colonialism, I guess that aspect should at least be mentioned in an article about American colonialism, but with the focus of the article being the listing of overseas sites where you can go and explore the legacy of American colonial rule. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Do many such people exist? ::::I can easily imagine someone wanting to understand a specific country's history. For example, if you are interested in the Philippines, then you would be interested in Spanish colonization (16th to 19th centuries), US colonization (first half of 20th century), and Japanese colonization (a couple of years around WWII). I'm having trouble imagining a person who says "My goal is to see every place in the world that <this country> colonized". Without a mental picture of the traveller, it's hard to form a hypothesis about what kind of information might be useful or relevant in the article. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:08, 13 May 2022 (UTC) == Call for Election Volunteers == The Movement Strategy and Governance team is looking for community members to serve as election volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|upcoming Board of Trustees election]]. The idea of the Election Volunteer Program came up during the 2021 Wikimedia Board of Trustees Election. This program turned out to be successful. With the help of Election Volunteers we were able to increase outreach and participation in the election by 1,753 voters over 2017. Overall turnout was 10.13%, 1.1 percentage points more, and 214 wikis were represented in the election. A total of 74 wikis that did not participate in 2017 produced voters in the 2021 election. Can you help change the participation for this year's? Election volunteers will help in the following areas: * Translate short messages and announce the ongoing election process in community channels * Optional: Monitor community channels for community comments and questions Volunteers should: * Maintain the friendly space policy during conversations and events * Present the guidelines and voting information to the community in a neutral manner Do you want to be an election volunteer and ensure your community is represented in the vote? Sign up [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Election Volunteers/About|here]] to receive updates. You can use the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Talk:Movement Strategy and Governance/Election Volunteers/About|talk page]] for questions about translation. [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:12, 4 May 2022 (UTC) == Summer of Wikivoyage 2022, Kosovo and Albania == Hi everyone! On May 20-22, 2022, the [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians%20of%20Albanian%20Language%20User%20Group Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group] is hosting the Summer of Wikivoyage Edit-a-thon 2022 to improve the content of touristic and travel destinations of Kosovo and Albania. This year, we will focus on South-East Albania, but all improvements are welcome. Should you edit with us, feel free to join us on [https://meet.jit.si/WoALUG Jitsi], Saturday and Sunday 20-21 May, at 9:30 - 17:00 (GMT+2) Time Zone. Here are the [[Wikivoyage:Albania_Expedition|Albania]] and [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo_Expedition|Kosovo]] expedition pages. You can also edit without joining the call. Please register for tracking the contributions on the edit-a-thon [https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/WoALUG/Summer%20of%20Wikivoyage%202022,%20Albania%20and%20Kosovo Outreach Dashboard]. Thank you! --[[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 08:08, 13 May 2022 (UTC) :Cool! I won't be around for this, but good luck with everything, and thanks to the group for making this a successful recurring event.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:43, 13 May 2022 (UTC) ::Thank you @[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] [[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 09:13, 17 May 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Vyolltsa}} I look forward to it, even though I barely know anything about Albania and Kosovo. Can you double check the Outreach Dashboard link? It appears to be broken. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 05:08, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::Nice! Good to know this is occurring for another year. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 10:54, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:OhanaUnited|OhanaUnited]] Hello! I am sending you the [[wmfdashboard:courses/WoALUG/Summer_of_Wikivoyage_2022,_Albania_and_Kosovo|Outreach Dashboard link]]! Thank you! [[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 09:14, 17 May 2022 (UTC) Could somebody help us update [[Wikivoyage:Albania_Expedition|Albania]] and [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo_Expedition|Kosovo]] expedition pages with the lastest statistics. Thanks! [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 09:32, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :I did an update on May 13 – which was last week (but forgot to update the <code>update</code> parameter). I'll do another update once the edit-a-thon is over. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:56, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::If I'm not mistaken, current stats seem old. We would appreciate an update so we can use the missingle sections table to address them. [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 13:13, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :::Are you talking about the bottom table? The bottom table no longer works for some reason. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:31, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yes, ok then. ::::Thank you all for the support. I hope some good work has been done, and cleanup is not too tedious. We had 5-6 completely new people. [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 07:36, 23 May 2022 (UTC) :::::It's over already? Yes, I saw a lot of excellent new content. Thanks! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:38, 23 May 2022 (UTC) :::::{{re|Arianit}} Did another update just now, though I'm not sure what's going on with the numbers on [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo Expedition]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:07, 23 May 2022 (UTC) == Let's talk about the Desktop Improvements == [[File:WP20Symbols MediaWiki light background.svg|200px|right]] Hello! Have you noticed that some wikis have a [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|different desktop interface]]? Are you curious about the next steps? Maybe you have questions or ideas regarding the design or technical matters? Join an online meeting with the team working on the Desktop Improvements! It will take place on '''17 May 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220517T1200 12:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220517T1900 19:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. '''[https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/86217494304 Click here to join]'''. Meeting ID: 86217494304. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/k7CirSh8W Dial by your location]. '''Agenda''' * Update on the recent developments * Questions and answers, discussion '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, Italian, Polish; also, only at the first meeting: Farsi, Vietnamese; only at the second meeting: Portuguese, Spanish, Russian. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 05:02, 14 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23142195 --> :Disclaimer: Szymon (aka User:Tar Lócesilion) is one of my teammates at work. I haven't talked to him about this, and he doesn't know I'm posting this. :I've been thinking about this change to "new Vector" (Vector 2022). I think the Wikivoyages should make this change. Some recent (Wikipedia-centric) market research said that readers think the old design (Vector 2010) is looking outdated. Making the switch might require a little work (obviously, we will want to double-check key features like the Page Banners), and any big change can take a couple of weeks for individuals (i.e., those of us reading this page) to get used to. But when I think about this community's values, looking like a modern, up-to-date website that is easily differentiated from competitors is one of the things we care about, and adopting this change would be a straightforward way to achieve our goals and support the group's values. :If you want to see what it looks like right now, click on https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Turin?useskin=vector-2022 If you want to see what it looks like without the new floating TOC, click on https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Turin?useskin=vector-2022&tableofcontents=0 :I don't know what the team's deployment process is (I can ask Szymon, if you want), but since it's already deployed at many wikis, including the French Wikipedia, I'd guess that any community that says "We checked it out, and we want you to put us on the list for the next round" will be accepted. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:29, 15 May 2022 (UTC) :: The left margin menus pushing down content on narrow windows is a show-stopper if it affects many people. Has the skin really been tested thoroughly enough to be put in production to "look like a modern, up-to-date" skin? Wikivoyagers may access the site from odd hardware over sketchy connections, so some thought should be put in how to check the functionality. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:37, 15 May 2022 (UTC) :::I've clicked the << to hide the left margin menu (which I think is the default?), so I don't see that. I think the best way to test it is to have editors using it for a couple of weeks. We can file bug reports in [[Pharping|phab:]] if we need to. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:16, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::::I think it needs better testing before it gets implemented here. If I'm not mistaken, on [[Main Page]] map, anything east of Nepal or Sri Lanka gets cut off. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:26, 16 May 2022 (UTC) :::::Yes, it gets cropped when I look at it. It's probably a consequence of their "fixed width" design. That should be fixable, though. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:11, 16 May 2022 (UTC) == "Infact" == I just edited out all instances of "infact" from this site. Please don't add more. :-) The expression is "in fact," two words, but it can usually be dispensed with. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:26, 22 May 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] Thanks for the edits :-) I must admit that I have a bad habit of writing "in fact" as one word (and I almost did just then), but thanks for the fixes. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:10, 23 May 2022 (UTC) ::Sure thing. Not all of the edits in question were by you. :-) [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:06, 23 May 2022 (UTC) == Help archiving a talk page == Could someone please help me archive [[Talk:Bulgaria]]? I've already copied the old comments to a subpage and linked the subpage in the main talk, you only have to delete the old discussions. I can't do that because I'm too new and trying to do that triggers the page blanking filter. I want to start a new discussion about regions, and the old stuff on the talk page has made it unwieldy. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 16:59, 17 June 2022 (UTC) :It's done. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 17:12, 17 June 2022 (UTC) ::If you want to discuss regions, we should unarchive the previous regions discussion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:54, 17 June 2022 (UTC) sozuei2y1y4j44r2ngere9vqwz2dodo 4506172 4506171 2022-08-22T12:04:08Z Ground Zero 1423298 wikitext text/x-wiki == No description when hovering over links == {{tracked|T295255}} There used to be a description when hovering over links but now these appear blank, can someone fix this. I think this may have happened when the table of contents vanished. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 05:49, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :It still works for me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:42, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :: Do you mean the pop-up window with an image and some of the article text? For me, there are pop-ups, but the half that should have text is empty. I think they were not divided in that way before, so has there been some kind of change? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:04, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::: I see three kinds, the ones I am used to, with or without the text, and the horizontally divided ones without text. Some versions are probably from my cache. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:06, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::Thanks for posting this note. I've filed a bug report. ::::If it still works for you, then you might be using the [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets|gadget]] "Navigation popups: page previews and editing functions popup when hovering over an internal link". Try it in a private/incognito window to see the simplified Page Previews (what almost all readers see). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:38, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::: Thank you for filing the bug. I get the text on maybe a third of the links, including for pages I haven't visited for a while, so it is probably WMF's cache, not mine, that handle them. An example article and an example link from there seem to be needed at Phabricator. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:43, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::Thank you! The ones I see have a photo but no text. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 19:01, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::@[[User:Jdlrobson|Jdlrobson]] has gotten the bug organized. I don't know how long it will take to get things fixed, but it's starting the process. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:32, 9 November 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}} While we're on the topic, is there a way to get the navigation popups to show a more interesting image instead of whatever happens to be in the first listing/marker in the article? It's unfortunate that when I hover over a link, the picture that comes up is often of an airport or some other unphotogenic transportation infrastructure instead of something more interesting and representative of the destination. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 16:06, 29 November 2021 (UTC) :If memory serves, there is no clean way to do this. I suspect that @[[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] will be able to provide a definitive answer. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:13, 29 November 2021 (UTC) ::I can only point towards the documentation for the gadget ([[w:Wikipedia:Tools/Navigation_popups#Features]]), which seem to indicate that it ''is'' possible to override which image is shown (see the bulletpoint equivalents of 2a and 2b). I have no experience using that particular feature, so I'd suggest testing it in a sandbox, and asking on the docs' talkpage if you have any difficulties. [[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Quiddity (WMF)|talk]]) 22:37, 29 November 2021 (UTC) :::{{ping|Quiddity (WMF)}} Thanks! Copying the relevant bullet point here for others' benefit. :::* The image shown in the preview can be controlled by adding an image hint to the article, in the form of an invisible HTML comment: {{nowrap|<code><nowiki>&lt;!-- popup [[File:Desired_Preview_Image.jpg]] --&gt;</nowiki></code>}}. :::I've tried to implement this in [[Guangzhou]] but with no success – the popup still shows a boring train station from [[Guangzhou#Get in]], not the first image in the article and not the one in the HTML comment. I'll wait a while to see if there's a cache somewhere that needs to catch up, and if not then I'll ask on the docs' talk page. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 21:07, 30 November 2021 (UTC) ::::@[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]] After two days, I'm also seeing the same train station when on incognito mode. However, it does work with the gadget. So likely not cache. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:02, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::I take it the HTML comment fix only applies to the "navigation popups" gadget, and not to the "page previews" that are shown to unregistered users and users who don't have the gadget enabled. Is there a way to fix this for page previews (as opposed to the navigation popups gadget)? {{ping|WhatamIdoing|Quiddity (WMF)}} —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 10:55, 2 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::Other suggestion, add the file and make the size as 1px. Have never tried that out before, but I'll experiment it soon. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:59, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::That also doesn't seem to work. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:01, 2 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::For the extension version (PagePreviews) that unregistered users see, it uses another extension (PageImages) to select the image. The detailed technical docs of how it ''currently'' works are at [[mw:Extension:PageImages#Image_choice]]. However, there is an ongoing discussion, and it looks like some development work from a volunteer-developer, in [[phab:T91683]] ("Allow editors control of the page image") about making it more editor-overridable. HTH! [[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Quiddity (WMF)|talk]]) 20:26, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::Thanks! It looks like there are some options for changing the algorithm that chooses images. I guess the simplest fix would be to set $wgPageImagesLeadSectionOnly to true so that PagePreviews only uses images from the lead. Then we would probably want to make sure articles have an image in the lead if possible (which is a nice thing to do anyway). What do others think about this idea? —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 06:52, 3 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::Many major destinations and Star articles lack images in the lead section. For articles that I've created or heavily edited, I avoid lead-section images so as not to clash/compete with banner images. I usually place the first image in Understand. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:28, 4 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::Sometimes a lede image (such as the one seen in [[Zion National Park]]) actually resolves the job at times. I generally like to include one in the lede, but not all the time such as the one seen in [[Hartz Mountains National Park]] (but instead you see a boring tree). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:36, 4 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::{{ping|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} In that case, if we implement my suggestion, I think we would need to either add images to the leads of those articles or accept that their previews will not have images. To me that seems worth it for the sake of avoiding these boring images of airports and train stations in so many articles' previews. I'd say no image in the preview is better than an image of an unremarkable train station. But of course I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 13:28, 5 December 2021 (UTC) == Closing the comment period for the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Draft Guidelines == Thank you for your continued comments and ideas on the Universal Code of Conduct enforcement guidelines. Your responses have helped to build a stronger Universal Code of Conduct. If you have not already provided your comments, now is the time as the drafting committee has been [[:m:Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Drafting_committee/Phase_2_meeting_summaries|meeting to update the enforcement guidelines]]. The drafting committee wants to consider all comments as they make their updates. Please submit any comments by the end of November. The Committee hopes to finish its revisions before the end of the year, and the revised guidelines will be published as soon as they have been completed. The next steps for the Universal Code of Conduct include conversations about ratification of the enforcement guidelines. There will be [[:m:Universal_Code_of_Conduct/2021_consultations/Roundtable_discussions|a conversation about ratification on Nov 29]]. The Wikimedia Foundation will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees about the ratification of the guidelines in December. The recommendations will inform the next steps in the Universal Code of Conduct process. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 15:53, 25 November 2021 (UTC) == Talk to the Community Tech: The future of the Community Wishlist Survey == [[File:Magic Wand Icon 229981 Color Flipped.svg|100px|right]] Hello! We, the team working on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey|Community Wishlist Survey]], would like to invite you to an online meeting with us. It will take place on [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20211130T1700 '''{{#time:j xg|2021-11-30}} ({{#time:l|2021-11-30}}), {{#time:H:i e|17:00|en|1}}'''] on Zoom, and will last an hour. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/82035401393 '''Click here to join''']. '''Agenda''' * Changes to the Community Wishlist Survey 2022. Help us decide. * Become a Community Wishlist Survey Ambassador. Help us spread the word about the CWS in your community. * Questions and answers '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes without attribution will be taken and published on Meta-Wiki. The presentation (all points in the agenda except for the questions and answers) will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Polish, Spanish, German, and Italian. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them [[m:Talk:Community Wishlist Survey|on the Community Wishlist Survey talk page]] or send to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:NRodriguez (WMF)|Natalia Rodriguez]] (the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] manager) will be hosting this meeting. '''Invitation link''' * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/82035401393 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>82035401393</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/keu6UeRT0T Dial by your location] We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 20:03, 26 November 2021 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=20689952 --> == Upcoming Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections == The Board of Trustees is preparing a call for feedback about the upcoming Board Elections, from January 7 - February 10, 2022. While details will be finalized the week before the call, we have confirmed at least two questions that will be asked during this call for feedback: *What is the best way to ensure fair representation of emerging communities among the Board? *What involvement should candidates have during the election? While additional questions may be added, the Movement Strategy and Governance team wants to provide time for community members and affiliates to consider and prepare ideas on the above confirmed questions before the call opens. Community members can also organise local conversations during the call. You can find more information about this upcoming call for feedback [[:meta:Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees/Call for feedback:2022 Board of Trustees election/Upcoming Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections|here]]. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 23:46, 23 December 2021 (UTC) == Proof of age == On the pages for UK, USA and probably several others, we say you need an ID to show you are over 18/21/whatever to be let in to bars or allowed to buy alcohol. I suppose that is true for young people, but isn't the bouncer allowed to believe the word of a 50 years old? Here most shops require people looking younger than 30 to show an ID, and I think that gives a good margin (drinking age is 18), enough to perhaps leave some non-teenager foreigners thirsty. Should we try to say explicitly when these requirements concern or don't concern also people who don't look like teenagers? You might not want to carry your passport needlessly, and that is often your only acceptable ID. Are other IDs commonly accepted round the world? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:19, 4 January 2022 (UTC) : We have considered a [[youth travel]] article for the benefits and concerns that young people can meet when travelling. Can also be mentioned in [[travelling with children]] and [[senior travel]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:21, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::In the US, the law doesn't require you to show an id; the law requires the business to comply with the selling age. Therefore, each business makes its own business policy decision about how to stay in legal compliance. I have seen places that card everyone except obviously elderly people, and I have seen places that don't seem to card anyone. It is typical to have staff guess at ages and card only the people who look younger, but there is no standard. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:58, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I suppose a 50 years old would count as "obviously elderly" in this context, which would mean they wouldn't need to show IDs anywhere. It was the same here, but now the 30 years have become a stated standard, perhaps because of some campaign. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:58, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I've been rejected entry into bars and refuse service at liquor stores in the U.S. for not carrying my passport back when I was new here and only had my Australian driving licence. Now that I have my U.S. driving licence, I can use that as my proof of age, but before I got it, it was a hit and miss as to whether my Australian licence was accepted as proof of age. I guess it might be state dependent, because I noticed that my Australian ID was more likely to be accepted in New York than in Chicago. ::::In Singapore they are actually quite strict about this; foreign-issued I.D. cards are generally not accepted, with the exception of Malaysian identity cards, which some businesses accept. If you are working or studying in Singapore you will be issued a work permit and student pass respectively, and that can be used as your I.D. card, but if you are a tourist, you have to bring your passport. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 21:08, 4 January 2022 (UTC) :::::There are plenty of bars in New York that require proof of age from everyone, regardless of how old they are. Anyone who wants to go to bars should bring a picture ID with proof of age, just to avoid the possibility of being refused entry. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:09, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::::LP, I know of one restaurant where the standard was "white hair". A 50-year-old would probably be carded there. (That restaurant usually hired teenagers for the serving staff, and you probably don't want your business to depend on whether a 16 year old guessed right.) [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:06, 5 January 2022 (UTC) ::::: This was a while back (like 2011?). In Atlanta, a bar accepted my Canadian driver license as proof of age ID. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:41, 5 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm 56, and it's not at all uncommon for me to be carded in New York, although now, all bets are off because you have to show ID and proof of vaccination, anyway (and furthermore, I haven't been inside a bar in several weeks for safety reasons). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:50, 5 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Canadian licences are different from other foreign licences because of the close relationship between the U.S. and Canada. In much the same way, New Zealand licences are more likely to be recognised in Australia than other foreign licences. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 06:39, 7 January 2022 (UTC) == Wiki Loves Folklore is back! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] You are humbly invited to participate in the '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' an international photography contest organized on Wikimedia Commons to document folklore and intangible cultural heritage from different regions, including, folk creative activities and many more. It is held every year from the '''1st till the 28th''' of February. You can help in enriching the folklore documentation on Commons from your region by taking photos, audios, videos, and [https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UploadWizard&campaign=wlf_2022 submitting] them in this commons contest. You can also [[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Organize|organize a local contest]] in your country and support us in translating the [[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Translations|project pages]] to help us spread the word in your native language. Feel free to contact us on our [[:c:Commons talk:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|project Talk page]] if you need any assistance. '''Kind regards,''' '''Wiki loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 13:14, 9 January 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Tiven2240/wlf&oldid=22560402 --> == Community Wishlist Survey 2022 == [[File:Community Wishlist Survey Lamp.svg|right|200px]] The '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022|Community Wishlist Survey 2022]]''' is now open!''' This survey is the process where communities decide what the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] team should work on over the next year. We encourage everyone to submit proposals until the deadline on '''23 January''', or comment on other proposals to help make them better. '' The communities will vote on the proposals between 28 January and 11 February. The Community Tech team is focused on tools for experienced Wikimedia editors. You can write proposals in any language, and we will translate them for you. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your proposals! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 18:10, 10 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22399355 --> == Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections is now open == The Call for Feedback: Board of Trustees elections is now open and will close on 7 February 2022. With this Call for Feedback, the Movement Strategy and Governance team is taking a different approach. This approach incorporates community feedback from 2021. Instead of leading with proposals, the Call is framed around key questions from the Board of Trustees. The key questions came from the feedback about the 2021 Board of Trustees election. The intention is to inspire collective conversation and collaborative proposal development about these key questions. There are two confirmed questions that will be asked during this Call for Feedback: #What is the best way to ensure more diverse representation among elected candidates? The Board of Trustees noted the importance of selecting candidates who represent the full diversity of the Wikimedia movement. The current processes have favored volunteers from North America and Europe. #What are the expectations for the candidates during the election? Board candidates have traditionally completed applications and answered community questions. How can an election provide appropriate insight into candidates while also appreciating candidates’ status as volunteers? There is one additional question that may be presented during the Call about selection processes. This question is still under discussion, but the Board wanted to give insight into the confirmed questions as soon as possible. Hopefully if an additional question is going to be asked, it will be ready during the first week of the Call for Feedback. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees/Call for feedback: Board of Trustees elections|Join the conversation.]] Best, Movement Strategy and Governance, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:44, 11 January 2022 (UTC) == XTools EditCounterOptIn == There's a useful tool named [https://xtools.wmflabs.org/ XTools] that can show you data about your or someone else's editing, such as what pages you've edited the most, how many edits you've made in a month, and several other interesting stats. It's helpful for a lot of things, such as knowing if an editor is active or inactive, seeing if someone is more focused on mainspace or projectspace, and keeping track of what the quality of the articles you've made the most edits to is. For many projects (including most of the largest), every XTools statistic is opted into by default. However, on Wikivoyage, most of the stats require manually creating [[Special:MyPage/EditCounterOptIn.js]], which makes it a lot less useful. Would there be any interest in making XTools opt-in by default on Wikivoyage? [[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet]] ([[User talk:Vaticidalprophet|talk]]) 17:51, 8 January 2022 (UTC) :I prefer the current system, which I think maintains more privacy. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 19:14, 8 January 2022 (UTC) ::I don't have a strong view for myself, but I do think that whenever someone expresses a preference for privacy, then we should support that as much as we can. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:20, 8 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I agree. Those who want to see the stats about themselves can opt in. Seeing the stats about others can be useful, but I think privacy concerns have a higher weight. I am really worried about how much one could figure out about and through your activities on Wikipedia and related sites, but at least not everything is made easily available. Most people don't understand the issues, so we cannot expect them to opt out from anything. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:50, 9 January 2022 (UTC) :I'd favour the current system. Whether someone's made edits to mainspace or projectspace can already be seen, it's just which articles they've contributed to the most needs the authorization. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:43, 13 January 2022 (UTC) ::(after one month), I now favour @[[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet's]] proposal because I'd like to know which articles have been internally copied without attribution by a certain editor (includes both pages they have created and pages they haven't created but improved). I won't mention the name of the editor, but I'm happy to tell which one thru [[Special:EmailUser/SHB2000|email]]. Similarly, there's another editor who has added hundreds of listings that are in the wrong article – both the pages they created, and ones that they have improved. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:55, 2 February 2022 (UTC) == Talk to the Community Tech == [[File:Community Wishlist Survey Lamp.svg|150px|right]] {{int:Hello}} We, the team working on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey|Community Wishlist Survey]], would like to invite you to an online meeting with us. It will take place on [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220119T1800 '''{{#time:j xg|2022-01-19}} ({{#time:l|2022-01-19}}), {{#time:H:i e|18:00|en|1}}'''] on Zoom, and will last an hour. This external system is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/85804347114 '''Click here to join''']. '''Agenda''' * Bring drafts of your proposals and talk to to a member of the Community Tech Team about your questions on how to improve the proposal '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes without attribution will be taken and published on Meta-Wiki. The presentation (all points in the agenda except for the questions and answers) will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Polish, Spanish, and German. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them [[m:Talk:Community Wishlist Survey|on the Community Wishlist Survey talk page]] or send to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:NRodriguez (WMF)|Natalia Rodriguez]] (the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] manager) will be hosting this meeting. '''Invitation link''' * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/85804347114 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>85804347114</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/keu6UeRT0T Dial by your location] We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 00:21, 18 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22399355 --> == Subscribe to the This Month in Education newsletter - learn from others and share your stories == Dear community members, Greetings from the EWOC Newsletter team and the education team at Wikimedia Foundation. We are very excited to share that we on tenth years of Education Newsletter ([[m:Education/News|This Month in Education]]) invite you to join us by [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|subscribing to the newsletter on your talk page]] or by [[m:Education/News/Newsroom|sharing your activities in the upcoming newsletters]]. The Wikimedia Education newsletter is a monthly newsletter that collects articles written by community members using Wikimedia projects in education around the world, and it is published by the EWOC Newsletter team in collaboration with the Education team. These stories can bring you new ideas to try, valuable insights about the success and challenges of our community members in running education programs in their context. If your affiliate/language project is developing its own education initiatives, please remember to take advantage of this newsletter to publish your stories with the wider movement that shares your passion for education. You can submit newsletter articles in your own language or submit bilingual articles for the education newsletter. For the month of January the deadline to submit articles is on the 20th January. We look forward to reading your stories. Older versions of this newsletter can be found in the [[outreach:Education/Newsletter/Archives|complete archive]]. More information about the newsletter can be found at [[m:Education/News/Publication Guidelines|Education/Newsletter/About]]. For more information, please contact spatnaik{{@}}wikimedia.org. ------ <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[User:ZI Jony|<span style="color:#8B0000">'''ZI Jony'''</span>]] [[User talk:ZI Jony|^{<span style="color:Green"><i>(Talk)</i></span>}]], {{<includeonly>subst:</includeonly>#time:l G:i, d F Y|}} (UTC)</div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:ZI_Jony/MassMessage/Awareness_of_Education_Newsletter/List_of_Village_Pumps&oldid=21244129 --> == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 5 == <section begin="ucoc-newsletter"/> :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5/Global message|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5/Global message}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' <span style="font-size:200%;">''' Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 5, January 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the fifth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News (formerly known as Universal Code of Conduct News)! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly or bi-weekly to subscribers. Please remember to subscribe [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive these updates. <div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> *'''Call for Feedback about the Board elections''' - We invite you to give your feedback on the upcoming WMF Board of Trustees election. This call for feedback went live on 10th January 2022 and will be concluded on 7th February 2022. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Call for Feedback about the Board elections|continue reading]]) *'''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification''' - In 2021, the WMF asked communities about how to enforce the Universal Code of Conduct policy text. The revised draft of the enforcement guidelines should be ready for community vote in March. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Universal Code of Conduct Ratification|continue reading]]) * '''Movement Strategy Implementation Grants''' - As we continue to review several interesting proposals, we encourage and welcome more proposals and ideas that target a specific initiative from the Movement Strategy recommendations. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Movement Strategy Implementation Grants|continue reading]]) * '''The New Direction for the Newsletter''' - As the UCoC Newsletter transitions into MSG Newsletter, join the facilitation team in envisioning and deciding on the new directions for this newsletter. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#The New Direction for the Newsletter|continue reading]]) *'''Diff Blogs''' - Check out the most recent publications about MSG on Wikimedia Diff. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Diff Blogs|continue reading]])</div><section end="ucoc-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 08:21, 20 January 2022 (UTC) == The Wikivoyage influence == If you are interested in design, I encourage you to spend a moment at the [https://su.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepas Main Page at the Sudanese Wikipedia]. It looks to me like they have adopted Wikivoyage's carousel system. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:51, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :That's really interesting. One thing I felt that English Wikivoyage has done better than the English Wikipedia is have a more modern and better looking main page. The current English Wikipedia main page was designed in March 2006, an eternity ago in internet time. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 03:48, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::The [[:b:Main Page|English Wikibooks]]' main page looks like it was designed a long time ago, much more old-fashioned than Wikipedia's. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:51, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::Tangential, but while on the topic of front page design, [[:w:nv:]] has rainbow gradients that I always liked, even if they are probably not attractive to everyone. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 10:19, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[:w:se:]] (Sami language) got a professional redesign and now incorporates culturally relevant elements. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:31, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::That's interesting because it looks to have some responsive design that I don't recall seeing on any wikis. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 21:42, 23 January 2022 (UTC) == Desktop Improvements update and Office Hours invitation == Hello. I wanted to give you an update about the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]] project, which the Wikimedia Foundation Web team has been working on for the past few years. The goals of the project are to make the interface more welcoming and comfortable for readers and useful for advanced users. The project consists of a series of feature improvements which make it easier to read and learn, navigate within the page, search, switch between languages, use article tabs and the user menu, and more. The improvements are already visible by default for readers and editors on 24 wikis, including Wikipedias in [[:fr:|French]], [[:pt:|Portuguese]], and [[:fa:|Persian]]. The changes apply to the [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=vector}} Vector] skin only. [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=monobook}} Monobook] or [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=timeless}} Timeless] users are not affected. === Features deployed since our last update === * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/User_menu|User menu]] - focused on making the navigation more intuitive by visually highlighting the structure of user links and their purpose. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Sticky Header|Sticky header]] - focused on allowing access to important functionality (logging in/out, history, talk pages, etc.) without requiring people to scroll to the top of the page. For a full list of the features the project includes, please visit our [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project page]]. We also invite you to our [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Updates|Updates page]]. [[File:Table_of_contents_shown_on_English_Wikipedia_02.webm|thumb|600px|center|The features deployed already and the table of contents that's currently under development]] <br clear=all> === How to enable the improvements === [[File:Desktop Improvements - how to enable globally.png|thumb|[[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|{{int:globalpreferences}}]]]] * It is possible to opt-in individually [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|in the appearance tab within the preferences]] by unchecking the "{{int:prefs-vector-enable-vector-1-label}}" box. (It has to be empty.) Also, it is possible to opt-in on all wikis using the [[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|global preferences]]. * If you think this would be good as a default for all readers and editors of this wiki, feel free to start a conversation with the community and contact me. * On wikis where the changes are visible by default for all, logged-in users can always opt-out to the Legacy Vector. There is an easily accessible link in the sidebar of the new Vector. === Learn more and join our events === If you would like to follow the progress of our project, you can [[mw:Special:Newsletter/28/subscribe|subscribe to our newsletter]]. You can read the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|pages of the project]], check [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Frequently_asked_questions|our FAQ]], write on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project talk page]], and join an online meeting with us ([https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220127T1500 '''{{#time:j xg|2022-01-27}} ({{#time:l|2022-01-27}}), {{#time:H:i e|15:00|en|1}}''']). How to join our online meeting * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/89205402895 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>89205402895</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kdPQ6k2Bcm Dial by your location] {{int:Feedback-thanks-title}}! On behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation Web team, [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 22:11, 24 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22626210 --> == Updates on the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines Review == Hello everyone, The '''[[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) Enforcement Guidelines]]''' were published 24 January 2022 as a proposed way to apply the [[m:Universal Code of Conduct|Universal Code of Conduct]] across the movement. Comments about the guidelines can be shared here or [[m:Talk:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|the Meta-wiki talk page]]. There will be conversations on Zoom on 4 February 2022 at 15:00 UTC, 25 February 2022 at 12:00 UTC, and 4 March 2022 at 15:00 UTC. '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Conversations|Join the UCoC project team and drafting committee members to discuss the guidelines and voting process]].''' The [[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Project#Timeline|timeline is available on Meta-wiki]]. The voting period is March 7 to 21. '''[[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voting|See the voting information page for more details]].''' You can read the full announcement [[m:Updates on the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines Review|here]]. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Sincerely, Movement Strategy and Governance<br/> Wikimedia Foundation [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:36, 4 February 2022 (UTC) == Script error on [[Airport articles]] == Happy new year to everyone. From [[Airport articles#Brisbane|Brisbane]] down, the information is replaced by a script error with red text reading: "The time allocated for running scripts has expired." Does anyone know what's causing this and how to fix it? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:51, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :This seems to be a [[mw:Extension:Scribunto|Lua]] problem where there are too many modules in one page. Do you know if it ever worked? Were a bunch of new entries added? Did a template used on this page get changed so that it calls multiple modules? —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 11:57, 11 January 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks Justin. In answer to your questions in order: Yes, no (both with certainty). I don't know.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:59, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::Hm. Weird that it just started then. As someone who doesn't know a lot about modules, I would recommend that a quick fix is to split the article by continents and file a ticket at [[:phab:]]. Someone smarter than me may know more (but that's always true about everything :/). —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 12:01, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::: Works for me now. Perhaps there were some temporary load issues spilling over on the processor time measured (or changing the limits)? Anyway, it might be good not to push the limits. Wikivoyage is quite heavy on processing; are there ways to optimise the listing templates, or other ways to avoid certain pages be very processing-heavy? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:33, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::::It's also working for me too. We can always file a Phabricator ticket if it becomes a recurring problem. I think we're 14 airports away before we have to split in some way, either by using different colour markers or separate sub-articles.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:03, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :That sounds like the [[:w:en:Wikipedia:Template limits#Post-expand_include_size|PEIS]] limit, if anyone is curious. I asked around after it a little while ago but couldn't find anyone who would admit to fully understanding how the devs decided what the limit should be. The workaround is straightforward: split large pages, and optimize templates. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:32, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :: Most time is used for fetching the Wikidata datasets, as you can learn it from html code. It contains a <code>NewPP limit report</code>. Getting the entities takes about 6 seconds which is a huge value which is maybe attributed to the complex airport datasets (and which increases by time because of software additions). The total Lua computing time is near the 10-seconds limit, i.e., sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't work. I made a copy to the German Wikivoyage at [[:de:Benutzer:RolandUnger/Flughäfen]]. It confirmed the huge computing time for getting the entities. But it also shows that the listing scripts can be optimized because it takes only 8 seconds computing time at all which is less by 2 seconds compared to the English Wikivoyage. This shorter computing time prevents any Lua time errors. :: Under normal conditions, in locations articles can be fetched up to 250 different Wikidata sets as can be seen from [[:de:Halle (Saale)]]. Surely, the computing times of <code>Scribunto_LuaSandboxCallback::getEntity</code> and <code>Scribunto_LuaSandboxCallback::callParserFunction</code> should be reduced. And sometimes I made a bug report on phabricator but only minor changes were made removing the bugs. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 16:46, 11 January 2022 (UTC) Since getting fundamental changes to the amount of memory we have is difficult and relies on developers, I propose that we split this article preemptively. We can locally control how many templates and scripts are on a page, so we should be on the lookout for pages that we think may fail. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 18:27, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :Also, it's failing for me around New York City now. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 18:32, 11 January 2022 (UTC) : Can someone check this article again? -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 04:07, 12 January 2022 (UTC) : Nevermind -- I republished the article with no changes and I could see the article. Once I looked elsewhere and came back it was showing errors. One can get page to appear if they ?action=purge (Purge article) - This points me to think in the direction of memory as well.. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 04:15, 12 January 2022 (UTC) * We could remove the Wikidata calls from that article without doing much harm. Every airport listed has a wikilink to its Wikivoyage article, so the Wikidata and Wikipedia icons are not really needed. We may as well encourage readers to click on the internal link and read our article instead of going to Wikipedia or Wikidata. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 19:52, 12 January 2022 (UTC) ** Just first copy the coords from Wikidata to the listing, unless they are there already, to avoid having to copy them by hand later. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:09, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :Take a look at Airport articles/Sandbox. This article is based on [[Module:Marker]] <small>(currently through [[Template:Listing/sandbox]] and [[Template:Marker/sandbox]])</small> instead of [[Module:Map]]. :If you compare the LUA profile of [[Airport articles]] vs Airport articles/Sandbox, you'll see that the first one download 85 Wikidata instances while the second zero. That's why the loading time has been dramatically reduced. To properly compare the loading time you should purge the articles, opening at the same time the following two links: :# https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Airport_articles&action=purge :# https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Airport_articles/Sandbox&action=purge :If there is a consensus to go in this direction I'll complete the new module to allow to retrive the coords when missing, '''BUT''' take into account that anytime the coords will be downloaded from Wikidata (because not written explicitly into the listing template), this will affect again the performance (less than they do today, but still affect). --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:10, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Koavf|Justin]], [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], [[User:Matroc|Matroc]], [[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]: what's your feedback between: ::#use the current template (coords -and potentially other info- are always downloaded from Wikidata regardless what's written in the wikicode) ::#use the new module as it is (no coords from Wikidata) ::#use a new revised module (that will download the coords from wikidata, only when not provided within the listing). ::Let me know and I'll proceed accordingly, --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:41, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::I think #3 should be just fine, especially if a bot checks coordinates and imports them every [x] days from Wikidata. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 08:43, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Ditto as Justin. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:49, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::: I'm happy to go with anything that works.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:09, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: If #3 is easy to implement and not too heavy, I think that's the ideal solution. We should copy most coords to the listings – at the latest when the templates time out – but there will be new listings from time to time, and coords are not always listed for them. A bot importing coordinates would be nice, but I think new airport articles are created seldom enough that it can be handled by hand, if we get into the habit or are reminded when there are too many listings lacking them. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:37, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::I prefer #3 without a bot. Sometimes I don't want the coordinates from Wikidata (e.g., when I want coords for the entrance but they want coords for the center of the attraction). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:22, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I prefer #3 with a bot which only downloads the co-ordinates if they are missing from the article. Sometimes our co-ordinates are deliberately quite different from WD, listings for large features like rivers are an extreme example. ::::::::On other articles, an additional benefit of having the co-ordinates in the article is that this displays the markers on the full screen map (from the icon at the top right of a destination article). Wikidata co-ordinates aren't displayed on the full screen map. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:19, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :I've just updated the module, now it retrives the coords from Wikidata if not present in the listing. :The effect in the article (where are present 80 listing with coords and 5 without) is that now just 5 Wikidata entities are queried for coords. As anticipated this cause a loading time increased that is difficult to estimate because too many factors affect it (that's why sometimes the original article was perfectly rendered and sometimes got LUA error in its bottom part), but roughly I would say at least 1 second more. :Before put it into "production", feel free to perform some test using "Template:Listing/sandbox" instead of "Template:Listing" and let me know when and if you are confident for the switch. :After put it into production we should monitor [[:Category:Pages_with_script_errors|this category]] to be sure that no further article will converge here. Any page of that category needs to be fixed. PS There are already few articles there... --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:21, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::I've just cleaned all the "Pages_with_script_errors". The remaining two are there for different reasons. ::* User:Buzzy: uses 291 markers with 291 wikidata parameters without coords; using the module and adding the coords the issue will be solved ::* User:Pbsouthwood/Dive_sites: uses 553 markers; too much. I suppose the only way to solve the problem is to split the page in two or more subpages. ::--[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 23:42, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::Without any further feedback, I've boldly put into production the new revised module. Please, promptly highlight (& ping) me any issue you may notice. As expected User:Buzzy page has been automatically fixed, although it takes almost 8 seconds to elaborate the code (very close to the 10 seconds limit). The other one will keep on failing randomly as previously explained. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 20:02, 20 January 2022 (UTC) :::: I think that #3 is a viable solution. :::* Consider changing the editor to automatically supply the missing lat/long coordinates from Wikidata if needed. (Chop format them up to 6 numbers on right of period). Otherwise enter lat/long manually? :::* Airport articles will soon hit the infamous 99 limit. Perhaps use color markers to avoid numbering issue? :::* Maps - Perhaps use group and show. 1 main map for all (with a legend pointing to each area) - individual maps for groupings ie. Africa, Asia etc. or a page link to the main map centering on the area of interest. This might reduce mapbuilding costs as well. If time permits I will see if I can make an example. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 06:07, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::* Example I made - this will remain for a few days if interested - [[User:Matroc/Laboratory1|'''Example''']] -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 18:50, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:Matroc|Matroc]], if you are talking of the listing editor in your first point, I can say that the wikidata sync is possible but shall be explicitly requested by the user (it's not automatic) and regarding the coords, it already round the number with just 6 decimals. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:22, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: Great! Thanks for input! -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 18:50, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === Image parameter does not work anymore === In listings like <nowiki>{{see ..., image=name.jpg, ...}}</nowiki> the image does not show anymore on the mapframe map. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:57, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :I noticed that on [[Tasmanian national parks]] today. I simply ignored it because I thought it was a single-article issue and there were already images listed below but it seems that it's happening sitewide. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:00, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Andyrom75}} needs to test [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Marker&action=history his changes] to {{tl|Marker}} again/better :) The version before the change works OK. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 07:13, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], as said by [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]], I confirm that I need to work on that. Currently I focused my attention on coordinates. Sorry for the temporary disservice. :::Just one thing. To show the picture passed through the "name" parameter is relatively easy and won't affect the performance, but to download the image from Wikidata may have an impact on page loading time (see above discussion about coords where the community decide to go for solution #3). :::I can follow the same approach, but let's keep in mind the collateral effect. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:37, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Okay sure. Whichever one works is fine for me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:39, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], now the manually input image is shown in the map. To use the Wikidata image I would like to hear more feedback. Although I've noticed that [[module:map]] already did it, so I exclude to achieve worse performances. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:21, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::There's no way we can exclude image fetching from WD, short of running a bot, which will do the sync WD->WV Articles regularly. That would require non-trivial logic to not overwrite manually entered images... IMO if a page is giving timeout errors, it's time to split it or optimize the software/increase limits. But this particular functionality is my personal favorite of the markers, I very very very strongly oppose removing it! ;-) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 11:46, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], just implemented the Wikidata image retrieval. Roughly it has an impact of 10% on performance (clearly it depends on the number of listings/markers that require such service). User:Buzzy page reenter into the [[:Category:Pages with script errors]] :-( Let's monitor that category to be sure that no other article will flow down there. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:17, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :Right now there is no indication of an image at the "mouse over" event for the map markers. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:01, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], I'm not sure I got your point. Could you tell me which article and which listing/marker are you looking at? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 11:42, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::The affected articles have to be refreshed (e.g. do an edit+don't change anything+press 'publish'), probably it will happen automagically, in time. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 11:51, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I tried it with [[Rome/South]]. At the left side see-22 has an image, nearby see-19 has no image. The "mouse over" info does not show a difference; only if you click the marker, you get the picture (22) or the text becomes bold (19). I did a few chages in the article, but that did not change the "mouse over" behavior. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:19, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Hmm, I cannot even get a mouse-over with older marker template (but the problem could be also my settings, or that something further changed... in any case I never used this, was only clicking on the markers in the map). While we are at it, also the external links aren't highlighted now in the markers. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 12:31, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], honestly I don't recall such behavior inside the map. A similar behavior happens when you stop over a blue wikilink inside the text and you have activated the "Navigation popups" gadget. However, this is something managed server side by the map extension, hence we shouldn't be able to alter it client side. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:20, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === Wikipedia icon on listings and markers === In [[Southwest National Park]] and [[Tasmanian national parks]], I noticed that the Wikipedia icon has changed. Any reason to this? I preferred the old one. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:21, 21 January 2022 (UTC) : Seems to be the caused by the same as above... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 07:40, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Andyrom75}}? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:42, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], fixed. I forgot that the en:voy icon is different from the it:voy icon. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:37, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the fix :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:39, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === NA creates coords at 0,0 === Per [[template:see]] when NA is added to a see listing it should create no marker but if you look at [[Swedish Empire]] "Skattkammaren" which has coords of NA has a marker at 0,0 when it should have none. How do you fix this? [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 01:58, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}}, did you accidentally do something? [[Yosemite National Park]] is also another example of where coords are concentrated at 0,0. :All I would say is to omit the coords altogether. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:00, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], I can fix it but I was wondering why inserting "NA" in place of leaving lat/long parameters just blank? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:15, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::Not sure. I usually just leave it blank, but a lot of articles use "NA" for some reason. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:16, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], since in the past you worked on on both [[Template:Marker]] and [[Module:Map]] maybe you can tell me which is the reason to adopt the "NA" coords approach instead of leaving them blanks. This issue can be fi in two ways: restore the "NA" approach or to bot-clean the "NA" occurrences. In it:voy we never use "NA", here there are around 250 articles that use it and checking some of those I tend to suppose that is a wrong use, but this is just my opinion. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:25, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::The reason for this was that sometimes listings have coords in wikidata, but we don't actually want the coords. Mostly it's stuff like festivals, which have coords (even worse if it's at different place every year) of the city where it occurs - but we don't need that. So people here decided we'll use NA to force-remove the coords from the listings, even if they have some in WD. :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 08:51, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], sorry for late answer but I was out during this sunny Saturday :-P ::::::I would say that if the WD coords are wrong shall be deleted or updated, at least that's what I'm used to to do. If a festival change place is an information that shall be regularly updated like the prices, opening time, etc. I still don't see the need of those "NA" coords. Do you think it worth to reopen the conversation? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 19:19, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::: In some cases the need might need to be discussed, but I don't think there always should be a marker. The typical example I have stumbled into is where the festival (or whatever) is at a venue which already is listed. I think pointing to the venue in the directions parameter is better than having two markers on top of each other. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:29, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::If it's a listing and you specify WD, it will become a marker automagically... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:34, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Isn't NA there exactly to avoid that? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:38, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Yep... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 21:57, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Sunny Saturday? I don't know what you are talking about - it's been raining, snowing and windy all day! :-D :::::::Check [[Template_talk:Marker#Coordinates being created without being manually set]] and [[Template_talk:Marker#Wikidata lat/longs]]. There will probably be another discussion somewhere, but the bottom line is that WD and WV have different target. So coords WD has may not be of any interest to WV, but it may be interesting e.g. to wikipedia, or for some data mining. IMO there's no "shame" in sometimes only picking data we need from WD, so NA is okay for me (but in the end, I never used it nor don't I particularly care)... And mainly, I don't really want to be involved in re-discussing the topic - since you opened the Pandora's box by touching this thing, you'll have to do the argumentation... :-P -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:33, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], sorry to hear that, so I would avoid to tell you that I was walking barefoot on the forshore ... a bit unsual for January here as well, but why not :-P ::::::::Coming back to point. ::::::::Inside the conversation that you linked I've found the following points: ::::::::* The listing could be linked to the wrong Wikidata entity (e.g. association that organize an event in place of the event itself), hence I would say that the wikidata parameter shall be deleted ::::::::* The information on wikidata are wrong (not only relevant to coords), hence I would say that the wikidata info shall be updated/corrected, to grant such benefit to all the WMF projects that use Wikidata &mdash; however let's recall that WD info are just a fallback when local info are missing ::::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], if I got correctly your point, you are describing a situation when two or more listing have the same location. In the affirmative case I would say that is fine. Let's think on Asian shops that are located in different floor of the same building, or maybe western malls where different restaurants can be found in it. ::::::::Notwithstanding this, if there is a real consensus on re-establish the "NA" feature, I'll do it, although I think is a good idea. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:29, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Shops on different floors is of course a possible situation, but I think it is rare, except when they are in the same mall, which could be pointed at instead of giving coordinates to individual shops; people aren't navigating by GPS indoors. Overlapping markers are problematic, as you don't get to see the individual ones without zooming in. This is of course a trade off; we would have markers for a listed shop and an adjacent restaurant (except in the mall case). ::::::::: A different scenario is when a festival is all around the town. You might want a marker on a ticket office or similar, but sometimes that would be a stretch or even misleading. And you wouldn't want markers for half a dozen events at the tourist office, or at the stadium. ::::::::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:59, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] in Asian metropolis is quite common to have shops, restaurants, etc, in different floor of the same building (not a mall, just an Nth floor commercial building), and since all of them are advertised (generally in local language), it's very complicated to understand where you have to go :-D ::::::::::A festival in my opinion it's similar to a huge airport. Lets' consider JFK or CDG. We have reference coords to locate it "in the world", then if we want to point out specific things (e.g. terminal, car rentals, parking, shops, etc.) we can still use markers typically not associated to Wikidata. ::::::::::That's said, I'm still not in favor of "NA" feature but I'll follow community's will. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:35, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::: If the coords are useful in a specific case, of course they should be included, as I said about adjacent shops. NA is useful if there are (enough) cases where the marker makes more harm than good. I have seen it as useful in several cases, so I tend to think it should be available. One more case: for festivals that move around, you said the coords should be updated. Yes they should. But next years location may be somewhere I cannot easily find coordinates to (such a venue called on the web site by a local term unknown to me), and removing last year's misleading ones, I'd just get the headquarters' from WD, in another town. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:54, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::A case where NA is useful is where the WD lat/long is that of an office which is closed to visitors. A festival may sell tickets from the tourist office, but be "based" in an industrial estate, because that is where they store the equipment between events. WP still wants tha address of the office in the industrial estate. ::::::::::::Another example is [[England#Preservation_trusts]] where English Heritage has the lat/long of an office but travellers are intersted in the castles etc that they run, and should not try to visit the office. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 10:59, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], in my opinion if the coords in a festival entity are the one of the association that organize the festival, the coords are wrong and should be moved from here to the association entity (if any). :However, in the meanwhile I'm going to work to restore this functionality, but I still hope the community's decision will go in the other direction :-) --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:53, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::Just adding my voice to the chorus – I think the NA functionality is important for cases like those stated above. Thank you for working on this, Andyrom75. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 15:16, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::I also support NA, which I've used in the past in some cases, such as when multiple points of interest are found at approximately the same coordinates. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:47, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I should have restored the NA feature. Please check and let me know. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 23:24, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Fine now, Thanks [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 23:30, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|Andyrom75}}. Some articles use N/A. Is it hard to get also that variant working, or should we search for such articles? I haven't seen n/a, but that is the correct spelling according to Wiktionary, so it might have to be checked also. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:07, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], I would suggest to use just one single way to avoid the use of Wikidata. This way will go into the template manual and the articles that already use "NA" will be a clear example of how it should work. Because of this I suggest to find & replace all the other similar occurrences. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 13:14, 25 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::A search of insource:"lat=N/A" returned just one article. I have taken care of a few earlier. Is that the way to find them or may I have missed some of them? (I tried also n/a and spaces around the equal mark). [[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:53, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::I think [[User:LPfi|you]] changed them all. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:43, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: OK, thanks. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:38, 25 February 2022 (UTC) === Elements not showing on Helsinki/Central === Something is wrong with the map at [[Helsinki/Central]]. When the page loads, the map initially shows all the locations of the elements in the article, but then they all immediately disappear and there is no way to get them back. Individual elements can be viewed by clicking on the element in the article text, but there is no way to seem them all at once on the map. The maps on other subpages of [[Helsinki]] seem to work OK, it's just Central that is broken. What is causing this? [[User:JIP|JIP]] ([[User talk:JIP|talk]]) 19:33, 23 January 2022 (UTC) : Maps in other articles have the same issue. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:44, 23 January 2022 (UTC) I have edited several pages today [[Faversham]] and [[Sittingbourne]] they are displaying on both my computer and phone without mapframe elements showing. --[[User:RobThinks|RobThinks]] ([[User talk:RobThinks|talk]]) 20:37, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::The problem seems to have gone away now. The map elements on [[Helsinki/Central]], [[Faversham]] and [[Sittingbourne]] work OK now. [[User:JIP|JIP]] ([[User talk:JIP|talk]]) 23:38, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:JIP|JIP]], sorry for the yesterday temporary disservice (almost a couple of hours) but I was working on the previous topic. As you can see, 10 minutes before your last post, I solved it. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:20, 24 January 2022 (UTC) === [[:Category:Listing without plain text name]] === With the new module I took the chance to categorize all the article that has at least one marker/listing with conflicting information, hence with an external link (url parameter) and with a wikilink name in place of a plain text one (name parameter). In such case, I've simply ignored the url parameter waiting for any volunteer that would fix. However, I'd like to know if this choice is fine for the community or if there is a different opinion on how to treat these cases. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:39, 24 January 2022 (UTC) :I have just seen that [[Denver]] is in this category, because there is a wikilink in the listing name of Denver International Airport. I don't think that this is a problem, but others may disagree. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:15, 24 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], regarding Denver you can compare the followings: ::* "[[Denver#Centennial Airport|Centennial Airport]]" whose name is NOT a wikilink and it's used for the provided external link ::* "[[Denver#Denver International Airport|Denver International Airport]]" whose name IS a wikilink and it's used for the wikilink, ignoring the provided external link ::--[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 12:08, 25 January 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I have removed the wikilink. I recognise that this is the best approach for consistency. However I am still not 100% convinced that this is the most useful for readers in the particular case where we have a dedicated article on the airport. The external link is now more prominent than the internal one. When the wikilink was there, the external link was still reachable by clinking on the icon after the wikilink. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:28, 26 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] reverted the edit on Denver, and may wish to comment here. ::::A stronger case for saying wikilinks are ok in listing names is [[Castles]]. Here several of the castles have wikilinks as part of the name. In this case the castles don't have external links, and it seems verbose to say "Nuremberg Castle, [[Nuremberg]]" rather than "[[Nuremberg]] Castle". [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:08, 26 January 2022 (UTC) :::::My thoughts are that if we have a link for that POI, then we don't need to include the external link – the external link should be in the linked article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:25, 26 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], on it:voy, as you can see for example on [[:it:Aeroporti in Italia]], I've used a different approach, starting from the assumption that originally the listings were not supposed to have a wikilink in the name parameter (so we normally remove those wikilinks). ::::::Basically, if on it:voy, exists an article associated to the provided wikidata parameter, the template shows automatically the Wikivoyage icon with the relevant wikilink, so the name will be free to accomodate the URL. ::::::Do you think that this approach would be suitable for en:voy as well? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 15:22, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Mostly, if we have an article we want to link that, and the external link should be found in the article in question. I have used internal and external link mostly when the internal one is a redlink. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:37, 28 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Ditto as LPfi. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:40, 28 January 2022 (UTC) == Page views last year == The [https://pageviews.toolforge.org/siteviews/?platform=all-access&source=pageviews&agent=user&start=2021-01&end=2021-12&sites=en.wikivoyage.org sitewide page views] showed a slightly strange pattern last year. We had two big spikes. The first spike, however, didn't correlate with a spike [https://pageviews.toolforge.org/siteviews/?platform=all-sites&source=unique-devices&start=2021-01&end=2021-12&sites=en.wikivoyage.org in unique devices] (the second did). To get a clearer view, it may be helpful to click the option for "Begin at zero" on the graph. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 04:01, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :The first spike in February and March was similar to a spike in February 2018. For many of us it was during a time of near lockdown, and so was prob1ably caused my armchair travellers, unlike the second peak in August which was when travel was easier for many. From May 2020 onwards, the average monthly page views is about 2/3 of months before. The trends for other languages have some similarities. :Looking at individual articles, [[Around the World in Eighty Days]] has grown in popularity from being the 65th most popular page in September to the 4th most popular last month. A BBC TV series very loosely based on the book started showing in late December, which has obviously caused this. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 00:42, 6 February 2022 (UTC) == Related pages links at the bottom of the page == Hi all, Can anyone point me to where the explanation for the related pages links displayed below articles can be found? Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:07, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *{{Ping|Pbsouthwood}} This is our policy on [[Wikivoyage:Internal links]]. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 17:03, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *:The template is useful for fixing strange suggestions or prioritizing certain articles. Another way to fix strange suggestions is to edit the linked article. *:The linked pages are chosen according to how similar the articles seem to be. You can check the results for any article by putting <code>morelike:Article</code> into the regular search bar. For example, the nine pages listed at the bottom of [[Iowa]] match the first nine search results at [[Special:Search/morelike:Iowa]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:52, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *::Thanks {{ping|WhatamIdoing}}, This is what I was looking for. How are the articles actually selected? (what makes one "morelike" another?} Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 18:20, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *:::I've heard that it looks for similar words and similar links. The official documentation is at https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/query-dsl-mlt-query.html [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:54, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *::::Thanks {{ping|WhatamIdoing}}, your ability to come up with a useful answer is much appreciated. Am I correct in assuming that the template you mention above is <nowiki>{{related}}</nowiki>, and that those articles tagged as related will jump to the top of the queue? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 05:30, 7 February 2022 (UTC) *:::::Yes, that's the template. I believe that if you use the template (or its underlying magic word) that the rest of the automatic list is completely suppressed (not just the top of the queue). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:37, 7 February 2022 (UTC) == Template:Confused should be wrapped with noexcerpt span == In response to [https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Topic:Wpsv3pxf0lklbomj&topic_showPostId=wq2br4tzj6qnbp54&fromnotif=1#flow-post-wq2br4tzj6qnbp54 my question at the Wikimedia support desk], [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] explained that the problem was caused by [[:Template:Confused]] not being wrapped in <syntaxhighlight inline><span class="noexcerpt"> ... </span></syntaxhighlight>. I propose that we do this, as it seems costless to readers/editors and would improve compatibility with the Wikimedia API. (Other templates, e.g. [[:Template:Other uses]], are already wrapped.) I apparently have rights to do this myself, and it looks simple enough, but I don't particularly want to, given that I have zero experience editing Wikimedia templates and I don't know their pitfalls. If we agree that this should be done, I am hoping that somebody with a bit more experience in this area could make the change. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 13:52, 15 February 2022 (UTC) : It seemed to be a no-brainer, so I did the change. If somebody sees any pitfalls, please check or undo. In the bug discussion, also "role=note" was recommended, but I am not sure what that does, so did not add it. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 14:11, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks. Weirdly, the [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/Sun_River API call's] "extract" value is just a <syntaxhighlight inline>\n</syntaxhighlight> character now. Wondering out loud... would your change propagate that fast to the API? Damn, I should have tested it immediately before posting here. I guess I'll give it a few days and try again and if it's still being weird I'll follow up somewhere. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 14:26, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::I moved the image out of the way in [[Sun River|the article]] just in case that was causing any weirdness. Will see what happens. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 14:40, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::: I first tried to include everything in the &lt;span>&lt;/span>, but that made the ":" not work. Seems it uses the first paragraph, and the ":" line is interpreted as that first line. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:TextExtracts Extension:TextExtracts] does not tell how to get around this. Adding a blank line? But span shouldn't span paragraph breaks. HTML for the ":"? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:17, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::Do you think the ":" is what [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] was referring to in the second half of the response? I think he might be saying we shouldn't use the ":" for indentation and instead use the CSS styling he suggests – this might allow us to kill two birds with one stone, but also seems to relate to a larger issue with our use of ":" in templates. I wonder if that CSS styling is documented anywhere. I could ask him in my MW support thread (though I kinda hate pestering those guys). [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:55, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::: Probably yes, to all of those. MediaWiki should have rendered ":" as &lt;span ...> to begin with, but I suppose it is too late for that. I don't know what side effects changing the ":" to something else in all templates would have, but perhaps some of the technical folks here could comment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:22, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay I followed up on my MW thread. Will report back. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 22:35, 15 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::Hi [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] responded and kindly implemented some fixes over here. The [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/Sun_River extract] for [[Sun River]] works now, but it is a bit of a naive solution and in his response [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] notes a couple points of action: 1) He provides an example of using CSS styling to implement the indent, rather than using the ":"; 2) Noting the weirdness with the [[:Template:Page banner]] in interacting with the extract parser, he suggests we "definitely add 'noexcerpt' to the hidden span with country data". I'll admit that (1) is a bit over my head and (2) I don't really understand, although it seems it might be a quick fix for somebody who knew what they were doing. So, a couple questions... do you understand both (1) and (2)? And do you think there is any fierce urgency to pursue these fixes now? One benefit that [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] mentioned was improved Google indexing, which might be a win for the site as a whole. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 18:04, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I'll take a look later. Ping me if I haven't commented here in a week. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:24, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Will do. Thanks. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 00:39, 23 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Hi [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], as promised. Personally, I'm not too fussed about this. If you feel like taking a look at [https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Topic:Wpsv3pxf0lklbomj&topic_showPostId=wq2br4tzj6qnbp54&fromnotif=1#flow-post-wq2br4tzj6qnbp54 TheDJ's suggestions], fantastic. But I'm not really sure of their importance and if you don't have the bandwidth right now I'm happy to shelve this to potentially bring it up again if I notice any weirdness in the future. Thanks, [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:35, 2 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Thanks. I think I am going to do it at some time – not knowing how this works bugs me – but I think I'd better save it for another time. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:58, 2 March 2022 (UTC) == Survey: Help improve Kartographer == [[File:Technical_Wishes_Geoinfo_Logo.svg|right|200px]] Do you create interactive maps with [[mw:Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] (mapframe)? If your answer is yes, we would like to hear from you. Please take part in our survey and help improve Kartographer! '''Where do you run into problems using it? Which new features would you like to see?''' Editors of all experience levels and with all workflows around Kartographer are welcome to participate. '''Here is the survey: https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/ ''' * The survey is open until March 31. * It takes 10-15 minutes to complete. * The survey is anonymous. You don't need to register, and we will not store any personal data which identifies you, such as your name or IP address. Unfortunately, the survey is only available in English, but we have tried our best to use simple English and to add visual examples. If English is not your native language, it might help to use a translation tool in your browser. Some background: Wikimedia Germany's [[m:WMDE Technical Wishes|Technical Wishes team]] is currently working on the [[mw:Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer extension]]. Over the last few months, we have been working on a solution to make this software usable on [[phab:T191585|wikis where it isn’t available yet]]. In the next phase of the project, we are planning to improve Kartographer itself. Because Kartographer is used quite a lot on this wiki, we would love to hear about your experiences. More information on our work with Kartographer and the focus area of Geoinformation can be found [[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Geoinformation|on our project page]]. Thank you for your help! – [[User:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|Johanna Strodt (WMDE)]] ([[User talk:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|talk]]) 08:51, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :Who are our best map people? What problems are we having? This is a ''really'' important opportunity to ask for what we need, and we should not miss it. We've got 10 days. What can we do, to help them understand what we need? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:09, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::As someone who likes experimenting with dynamic maps, if there's two thing that I'd like, it's that we have ::* topographic maps (showing elevation) – useful for remote areas where elevations matter and can travellers plan ::* Get maps designed to look both from the perspective of the North and South Poles. Useful for travel topics such as [[Northern Lights]] <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:18, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::: Isn't that about using a different map projection (such as a "polar Azimuthal equidistant projection"? Do the underlying tool's provide that as an option? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 07:39, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], Would this be relevant to the [[Template talk:Regionlist#"Hack" for toggling static and dynamic maps on destination articles|failure]] of [[Template:Regionlist]] to toggle on mobile? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:01, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*:Yes, I'm sure that's something they should be hearing about. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] I think this is more a Wikimedia issue than a Kartographer one, however, if they would solve it I'll be more than glad :-) [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:37, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom75]], @[[User:JIP|JIP]], @[[User:Matroc|Matroc]], @[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], you all mentioned map problems and templates above on this page. Would you please click on https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/ and tell Johanna about it? The survey has several questions (e.g., are you mostly a reader, an editor, a template maintainer?) and the third page is all about problems. There are places to add your own text, and links to prior discussions are helpful. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:48, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::Done. Thanks @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] for the ping. [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::: Ah rats. I only saw this survey just now. I remember that there was an issue with this extension if the points cross over the 180th meridian. The points don't show side by side if it crosses this line, but rather wrapped around the prime meridian. You can see that in [[Taveuni]] in Fiji. (Others like the [[Kiribati]], [[Aleutian Islands]] in Alaska, [[Chukotka]] in Russia and Antarctica are also susceptible). [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 14:36, 12 April 2022 (UTC) == Join the Community Resilience and Sustainability Conversation Hour with Maggie Dennis == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Leadership Development Working Group/Participate/Announcement| You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24/Announcement|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24/Announcement}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' The [[m:Community Resilience and Sustainability|Community Resilience and Sustainability]] team at the Wikimedia Foundation is hosting a conversation hour led by its Vice President [[m:User:Mdennis (WMF)|Maggie Dennis]]. Topics within scope for this call include Movement Strategy, Board Governance, Trust and Safety, the Universal Code of Conduct, Community Development, and Human Rights. Come with your questions and feedback, and let's talk! You can also send us your questions in advance. The meeting will be on 24 March 2022 at 15:00 UTC ([https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1648134035 check your local time]). You can [[m:IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24|read details on Meta-wiki]]. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 11:38, 21 March 2022 (UTC) == Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement guidelines ratification voting is now closed == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message| You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Greetings, The ratification voting process for the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|revised enforcement guidelines]] of the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct|Universal Code of Conduct]] (UCoC) came to a close on 21 March 2022. Over 2300 Wikimedians voted across different regions of our movement. Thank you to everyone who participated in this process! The scrutinizing group is now reviewing the vote for accuracy, so please allow up to two weeks for them to finish their work. The final results from the voting process will be announced [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voting/Results|here]], along with the relevant statistics and a summary of comments as soon as they are available. Please check out [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voter information|the voter information page]] to learn about the next steps. You can comment on the project talk page [[m:Talk:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|on Meta-wiki]] in any language. You may also contact the UCoC project team by email: ucocproject[[File:At sign.svg|16x16px|link=|(_AT_)]]wikimedia.org Best regards, Movement Strategy and Governance [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:11, 23 March 2022 (UTC) == Shan Wikivoyage is live == [[:shn:]] is being imported as we speak: a pretty incredible achievement for that community, as its 3.3&nbsp;million speakers are localized in [[Burma]] and there is not a large Internet presence there as well as some serious internal difficulties with different ethnic populations, so congrats on all their hard work and {{lang|shn|တွၼ်ႈ}} ({{lang|my|ကြို+ဆို+ပါ၏}}) to our comrades who are spreading free knowledge and culture for the world's benefit. <ins>(Sorry to all of my new Shan friends: I am too ignorant to use the interjection "welcome" and only know the verb...)</ins> —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 15:58, 23 March 2022 (UTC) == Extracts broken == Extracts for a huge number of Wikivoyage articles on the V1 Rest API seem to suddenly be missing. For example, [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/France France] (empty string in the "extract" field) and [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/New_York_City NYC] (just a newline character). Did something change here recently? Thanks. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:41, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]], could you check again? [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:50, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom75]], still seems to be the case. I asked over at [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Topic:Wsb67vfdy0ig2ej5 mw too]. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:56, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::For comparison, [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/London London] still works, but comparing the [[London]] vs. [[New York City]] articles I don't see anything that looks like a salient difference. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:04, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::Update: it's the page banner template. I tested it on [[Fada]]. Removing the page banner template restored the extract in the REST API summary call. But London has a page banner template as well, so I'm really not sure what is going on. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:13, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::I see the following output: <div class="cassetto mw-collapsible mw-collapsed mw-made-collapsible" style="background:#FFFFFF;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:1px solid #AAAAAA"><span class="mw-collapsible-toggle mw-collapsible-toggle-default mw-collapsible-toggle-collapsed" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false">X</span><div class="titolo" style="background:#EFEFEF">France</div><div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: none;"> {"type":"standard","title":"France","displaytitle":"France","namespace":{"id":0,"text":""},"wikibase_item":"Q142","titles":{"canonical":"France","normalized":"France","display":"France"},"pageid":11954,"thumbnail":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/France-regions-2017.svg/306px-France-regions-2017.svg.png","width":306,"height":320},"originalimage":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/France-regions-2017.svg/619px-France-regions-2017.svg.png","width":619,"height":647},"lang":"en","dir":"ltr","revision":"4414523","tid":"6336fcb0-aac5-11ec-834b-93b7d2471af3","timestamp":"2022-03-23T16:22:04Z","description":"country in Western Europe","description_source":"central","coordinates":{"lat":47,"lon":2},"content_urls":{"desktop":{"page":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France","revisions":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=history","edit":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=edit","talk":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:France"},"mobile":{"page":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France","revisions":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:History/France","edit":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=edit","talk":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:France"}},"extract":"","extract_html":"<p></p>"}</div></div> <div class="cassetto mw-collapsible mw-collapsed mw-made-collapsible" style="background:#FFFFFF;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:1px solid #AAAAAA"><span class="mw-collapsible-toggle mw-collapsible-toggle-default mw-collapsible-toggle-collapsed" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false">X</span><div class="titolo" style="background:#EFEFEF">London</div><div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: none;"> {"type":"standard","title":"London","displaytitle":"London","namespace":{"id":0,"text":""},"wikibase_item":"Q84","titles":{"canonical":"London","normalized":"London","display":"London"},"pageid":20053,"thumbnail":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Routemaster_RM871.jpg/320px-Routemaster_RM871.jpg","width":320,"height":249},"originalimage":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Routemaster_RM871.jpg","width":3133,"height":2441},"lang":"en","dir":"ltr","revision":"4395617","tid":"33a442d0-aa63-11ec-a29e-0be729167ba7","timestamp":"2022-02-24T14:54:41Z","description":"capital and largest city of the United Kingdom","description_source":"central","coordinates":{"lat":51.5086,"lon":-0.1264},"content_urls":{"desktop":{"page":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London","revisions":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=history","edit":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=edit","talk":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:London"},"mobile":{"page":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London","revisions":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:History/London","edit":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=edit","talk":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:London"}},"extract":"Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of England, and of the wider United Kingdom, it is also the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of a little over 8 million, but the estimate of between 12 and 14 million people in the greater metropolitan area better reflects its size and importance. Considered one of the world's leading \"global cities\", London remains an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade.","extract_html":"<p>Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, <b><span class=\"external text\">London</span></b> is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of England, and of the wider United Kingdom, it is also the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, <b>Greater London</b> has an official population of a little over 8 million, but the estimate of between 12 and 14 million people in the greater metropolitan area better reflects its size and importance. Considered one of the world's leading \"global cities\", London remains an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade.</p>"}</div></div> :::Is it ok? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:27, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Compare the "extract" field on those two. Notice the France one is empty (""), while the London one has the extract ("Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural..."). The extract field is what websites (like Google with en.wp) use to create page summaries in their results. For some reason this seems to be missing in a ton (maybe the majority) of wv pages now. The mediawiki extract parser is choking on something. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:32, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Ok, how's this for a crazy idea? I'd like to minimize the problem, and right now I am assuming that the problem, or at least the code that is choking the parser, lies somewhere in the Pagebanner template. What if I created a new, temporary template (not entirely sure that I have the permissions to do this), and I copied the Pagebanner template code to that new template. I then pick some obscure page, let's say [[Fada]], where I replace the Pagebanner template with my own copy. I can then start deleting components in my own template until I find the line that is breaking the parser. Armed with that information (assuming my plan works), I can then approach the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Parsing MediaWiki parsing team] and say, "hey, I believe this code is breaking the parser". With luck they'd be able to tell me whether it is a problem on our end or on their end and perhaps even what to do about it. Does this sound insane? If it does, anyone have a better idea on how I can sandbox/start tackling this? Thanks, [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 15:40, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: Not a crazy idea. The approach is often used for finding a software bug: try to find the simplest code that triggers it. There are bugs that are hard to find this way, especially those that appear in a quasi-random fashion, such as often when [[:w:race condition|race condition]]s or exhaustion of some odd resource are involved. If this started to happen recently, without changes to the template, it can easily be something odd. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:08, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Oh... yeah... I think we got ourselves a [[w:Heisenbug|Heisenbug]]. Added my test template to [[Fada]], extract returned properly. Then rolled it back to original page template banner and the extract is still there :facepalm: [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 18:53, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::Freaking bizarre. All it takes to restore the extract is to delete the Pagebanner template, save the page, and then restore it. Seems like this is definitely one for the Mediawiki folks. Thanks all. [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], perhaps you could delete [[Template:Test1pagebanner]] when you get a chance? [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:24, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::: Thanks for trying it out. I leave the test template for the time being, we might still want to do some experimenting. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:40, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Good point, cheers. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:43, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Update: Looks like there's a [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T295255 bug report] out for this (or at least a very similar issue)... since November :/ [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:06, 25 March 2022 (UTC) == Importante message from WikiSP == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> === Important Message === <div style="background-color: #e9f0f5; max-width: 62rem; margin: 1rem auto 3.5rem auto; font-family: sans;"> <hr> <div style="margin: 60px; background: #ffffff; padding: 1em;"> <div style="font-size: x-large; line-height: normal; padding-top: .4em; color: #303e49; font-weight: bold;">Help us!</div> <hr> [[File:Wikisp-logo-icon-black.svg|120px|right]] <p>We, Wikimedia Small Projects in Spanish, as an official affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation watch over all the small projects of the movement and carry out initiatives for the communities to benefit. Today we have made a request for general support to fund our annual action plan.<br><br> '''What will we do?''' * DataVoyage in Commons: An editing workshop on how to collaborate with Wikidata, Wikivoyage and Commons (eswikivoyage only), * Wikivoyage 10: A contest celebrating Wikivoyage's ten years as part of the Wikimedia family (all communities), * Wikivoyage Asian Month: A contest in which you can write guides related to Asia (all communities), * Wikivoyage mobile app: A prototype that will allow mobile access to Wikivoyages * Small Projects Conference: A conference where we talk about all the small projects of the Wikimedia movement, as well as agreements and ideas to implement in the future.<br><br> '''What can you do?''' * '''Start a discussion''' among yourselves to come up with other initiatives that will further benefit the communities and notify Wikimedia Small Projects so that they can be implemented next year. * '''Support the request'''' by placing your signature in the discussion: [[:m:Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Plan de actividades de Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023#Communities support|Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023#Communities support]] * '''Volunteer in one of our initiatives''': Are you interested in collaborating directly in our initiatives? Let us know! <br> We are here to change course and it is only possible with your support! </p> <br> <span style="background-color: #acb7c0; border: 1px solid #acb7c0; border-radius: 2px; line-height: 1.05; padding: 0.4em 0.8em; margin: 2px; display: inline-block;">[[m:Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Plan de actividades de Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023|<span style="color: #ffffff;">Learn more</span>]]</span> </div> <hr> </div></div> 21:28, 23 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Galahad (WMSP)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Galahad/Wikivoyage&oldid=23047882 --> :Wikivoyage's 10th anniversary is already coming up?! It feels like the 5th was just a little while ago. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:41, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::I wasn't here back in 2018, but time really has flown since then. It seems that the museum piece (aka The Other Site) is only getting worse day by day based on a weekly check I do. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:52, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::This is what I can do for the upcoming 10-year anniversary of [[Wikivoyage]]. A video to put on the [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8KElojBDUbwTHc07X_l1g YouTube channel]. Video- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b4EJKWyB9bZDibAEmDgGQ0wfPsYCsw-q/view . It took about 2 hours. Suggest some changes or correction and feel free to criticize Cheers! :) [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 19:41, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::@[[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]] Nice video – don't think there's anything criticise, even if you go extra nitpicky ;-). The only thing I'd say is that the 31000 could become 32000 soon (we currently have {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}, and if we manage to create a little over 700, it may become 32000 soon). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:14, 27 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Yes! [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 12:44, 27 March 2022 (UTC) :And, of course, it's been around since 2003, but was only adopted later. It was a very early MediaWiki wiki. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 22:08, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :If we count since the first wikivoyage was migrated would be Sep 23. If we count since the first wikivoyage accepted, Jan 07 (eswikivoyage). But our birthday is Jan 15! [[User:Galahad|Galahad]] ([[User talk:Galahad|''sasageyo!'']])^{([[:es::User talk:Galahad|''esvoy'']])} 23:50, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::I remember @[[User:GVarnum-WMF|GVarnum-WMF]] saying something about trying to make a list of the birthdays-as-celebrated a while ago. I assume that the Wikivoyages are on the list for January 15th. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:01, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::Hi @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], have you seen this [[metawiki:List_of_Wikimedia_birthdays|List of Wikimedia Birthdays]]? [[User:MPourzaki (WMF)|MPourzaki (WMF)]] ([[User talk:MPourzaki (WMF)|talk]]) 20:16, 30 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the link, @[[User:MPourzaki (WMF)|MPourzaki (WMF)]]. It looks like all of the Wikivoyages are on the "needs verification" list, and only English and German are listed separately. @[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] and [[User:DerFussi|DerFussi]], can you check the German "birthday" on that page? English is correct, as far as I know. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 00:23, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::: {{Ping|WhatamIdoing}} There are two Wikivoyage birthdays: On Dec. 10, 2006, Wikivoyage went online in Germany as a new project forked from Wikitravel (so Wikivoyage is now 15 years old). On Jan. 15, 2013, Wikivoyage officially became a Wikimedia project. On this day, the Wikipedia turned 12. On Nov. 9, 2012 Wikivoyage was available from Wikimedia servers. On [[:de:Wikivoyage:Chronik/2012|Sep. 23, 2012]] the English Wikivoyage was started, in [[:de:Wikivoyage:Chronik/2012|October, 2012]] the Netherlandish, French, Swedish and Russian ones followed. In the list mentioned above I added the Italian Wikivoyage which was started on the 1st Wikivoyage birthday. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 05:09, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page English Wikivoyage at the Wayback Machine]. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 05:34, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I understand it's inconvenient, as the original name has changed hands, but shouldn't we also keep in mind the date when the project was started as a private initiative on a private server? I think that for the early contributors the unfortunate things that happened in-between is a parenthesis that doesn't mean the origins are to be forgotten. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:46, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I think this particular list is only for "official birthdays", which may or may not have much relationship to first edits. Whatever date each Wikivoyage (or other) community prefers to count as their anniversary is the one that belongs in this list. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:01, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::I think it's a good idea to write down the history, but that would belong on another page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:02, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :(Aside) Has anyone tried to make 'travel' video content? I am thinking more in the viewn of the Holiday shows the BBC used to have as opposed to "Since the dawn, Time-Life has been presenting it's majestic hyperbole across screens globally. Seldom have the eyes..." type travelouge. [[Special:Contributions/88.97.96.89|88.97.96.89]] 14:35, 27 March 2022 (UTC) ::[[m:VideoWiki]] lets you make a sort of narrated slideshow. You can include both video and still images. The machine-generated voice option is not impressive, but recording a real voice means that you can't change the text later. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:46, 27 March 2022 (UTC) == LintErrors == Thanks to some efforts earlier, I am reasonably satisfied that the 'content' side of English Wikivoyage has been de-linted as far as I am able to without additional expertise. What remains unlinted is User pages, and what are essentially Talk and discussion namespaces, but a consensus has emerged that these should not be adjusted (even in good faith.) Congratulations. It only took 4 years to de-lint English Wikivoayge :). [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 15:54, 13 April 2022 (UTC) :Where's the discussion about delinting user pages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:00, 13 April 2022 (UTC) : I don't have the specfic discussion to hand, but it was what I had been advised off wiki by a number of contributors (not necessarily directly on Wikivoyage though). In any event non account-holder changes to userspace pages are now generally considered bad practice I've been told. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:29, 13 April 2022 (UTC) : If you have admin/custodian status and want to resolve the few remaining LintErrors in User and various talk namespaces (most likely signatures that were accepted under previous versions of Mediawiki/HTML/CSS etc.) , I can't stop you obviously. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:31, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::I don't care about this kind of stuff, but I was asking because I didn't remember seeing a discussion on this topic. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:57, 13 April 2022 (UTC) :::Also, some consensus on another Wiki does not apply to Wikivoyage. So if you really want to know what people on Wikivoyage think, you have to actually ask them... [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:03, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::::Sure, but what we care about and what we ''should'' care about are not necessarily the same thing. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 21:08, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::::: I think the work in mainspace was good, as broken syntax may result in broken pages for some readers. For user space, more discussion would be needed. For some users it is no problem – many like other contributors fixing things on their user pages – for others it may be problematic, especially if the fix breaks something else and they aren't here to revert or complain. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:36, 14 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::There is a table of the lint errors at [https://fireflytools.toolforge.org/fireflytools/linter/enwikivoyage fireflytools]. For things such as the obsolete font tags, if those were to be fixed by updating them to span tags, then I think that should be done by via a bot account. -- [[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] ([[User talk:WOSlinker|talk]]) 11:17, 14 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::See also [[Special:LintErrors]]. The "high priority" items are generally things that have the potential to make a page look visibly broken. Ideally there would be none of those in any namespace, though obviously many people will decide that it is not worth their own time and efforts to fix problems in low-traffic user pages. I wouldn't be inclined to stop anyone from fixing errors anywhere. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:01, 14 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I notice that a dive site template has "bogus file parameters" of (NNNpx). This seems to be explanatory text in examples. How do we normally handle that? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:16, 21 April 2022 (UTC) == New competition on English Wikipedia and related SiteNotice request == A popular article writing competition ''CEE Spring'' (about '''Central and Eastern Europe'''; now with special subcategory about '''Esperanto''') '''[[w:en:Wikipedia:CEE Spring 2022|is happening on the English Wikipedia]]''' until the 31st May 2022. I warmly invite you to participate, write some article and win a valuable prize! If you have question, I will happily answer it on the competition page talk. Also, for more wide outreach, I have just [[:meta:CentralNotice/Request/CEE Spring 2022 English|asked for a CentralNotice]], which should appear also in this project. If you have a comment on the request, you are welcome to write it on the request page. --[[User:KuboF Hromoslav|KuboF Hromoslav]] ([[User talk:KuboF Hromoslav|talk]]) 18:30, 3 May 2022 (UTC) :Better still for this wiki, '''write Wikivoyage articles about Central and Eastern Europe'''. [[User:Nurg|Nurg]] ([[User talk:Nurg|talk]]) 05:06, 4 May 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 6 == <section begin="ucoc-newsletter"/> <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 6, April 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the sixth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board of trustees elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while the more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> *'''Leadership Development -''' A Working Group is Forming! - The application to join the Leadership Development Working Group closed on April 10th, 2022, and up to 12 community members will be selected to participate in the working group. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A1|continue reading]]) *'''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification Results are out! -''' The global decision process on the enforcement of the UCoC via SecurePoll was held from 7 to 21 March. Over 2,300 eligible voters from at least 128 different home projects submitted their opinions and comments. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A2|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Discussions on Hubs -''' The Global Conversation event on Regional and Thematic Hubs was held on Saturday, March 12, and was attended by 84 diverse Wikimedians from across the movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A3|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Strategy Grants Remain Open! -''' Since the start of the year, six proposals with a total value of about $80,000 USD have been approved. Do you have a movement strategy project idea? Reach out to us! ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A4|continue reading]]) *'''The Movement Charter Drafting Committee is All Set! -''' The Committee of fifteen members which was elected in October 2021, has agreed on the essential values and methods for its work, and has started to create the outline of the Movement Charter draft. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A5|continue reading]]) *'''Introducing Movement Strategy Weekly -''' Contribute and Subscribe! - The MSG team have just launched the updates portal, which is connected to the various Movement Strategy pages on Meta-wiki. Subscriber to get up-to-date news about the various ongoing projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A6|continue reading]]) *'''Diff Blogs -''' Check out the most recent publications about Movement Strategy on Wikimedia Diff. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A7|continue reading]]) </div><section end="ucoc-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 10:27, 13 April 2022 (UTC) == Join the Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan conversations with Maryana Iskander == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/Conversations/Announcement|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/Conversations/Announcement}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hello, The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Communications|Movement Communications]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance|Movement Strategy and Governance]] teams invite you to discuss the '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/draft|2022-23 Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan]]''', a plan of record for the Wikimedia Foundation's work. These conversations continue [[m:User:MIskander-WMF|Maryana Iskander]]'s [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Chief Executive Officer/Maryana’s Listening Tour|Wikimedia Foundation Chief Executive Officer listening tour]]. The conversations are about these questions: * The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia 2030|2030 Wikimedia Movement Strategy]] sets a direction toward "knowledge as a service" and "knowledge equity". The Wikimedia Foundation wants to plan according to these two goals. How do you think the Wikimedia Foundation should apply them to our work? * The Wikimedia Foundation continues to explore better ways of working at a regional level. We have increased our regional focus in areas like grants, new features, and community conversations. What is working well? How can we improve? * Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy process. Let's collect your activities, ideas, requests, and lessons learned. How can the Wikimedia Foundation better support the volunteers and affiliates working in Movement Strategy activities? You can find [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/draft/Your Input|'''the schedule of calls on Meta-wiki''']]. The information will be available in multiple languages. Each call will be open to anyone to attend. Live interpretation will be available in some calls. Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:49, 15 April 2022 (UTC) == Let's talk about the Desktop Improvements == [[File:New table of contents shown on English wikipedia.png|thumb]] Hello! Have you noticed that some wikis have a different desktop interface? Are you curious about the next steps? Maybe you have questions or ideas regarding the design or technical matters? Join an online meeting with the team working on the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]]! It will take place on '''29 April 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220429T1300 13:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220429T1800 18:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/88045453898 '''Click here to join''']. Meeting ID: 88045453898. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kcOMICmyyA Dial by your location]. '''Agenda''' * Update on the recent developments * Questions and answers, discussion '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Italian, and Polish. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 00:35, 26 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23142195 --> : Is this about Vector 2022? I won't be at the meeting, but I certainly don't like the development. Luckily, Monobook is still there for me. I made a comment at their feedback page, but last I checked (long after I made the comment) nobody had answered. My primary concern is that the layout is miserable unless you have a wide enough browser window (I like narrow ones), and that many important links are hidden to have a "cleaner" look (mostly in a drop-down menu; I even cannot just type in an article name, I have to either maximise the window first, or go to the search page, or just edit the URL in the browser's address field). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:01, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::Pinging @[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]]. LP, it sounds like your screen is narrower than the header, with the result that the search box (which AIUI is meant to be both bigger and centered than in the 2010 version of Vector) is missing/collapsed/unusable. Is that right? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:11, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::If anyone wants to see the options, click these links: :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=monobook :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=vector :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=vector-2022 :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=minerva (mobile site, which works on desktop devices, too – some readers, but not many editors, prefer this) :::These links won't change your preferences. They'll only load the skin for this one page/one time. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:14, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::: Yes. My browser window is narrower than the header. Not my screen though, but I use several windows, e.g. to see a Wikipedia page and a map while I am editing a Wikivoyage guide. I have yet to understand why people keep to the one-application-at-the-time style from before windowing systems were introduced. The alt-tab function helps a bit, but that I used (shift-control-^, if memory serves) already with the [[:w:VT220|VT220]] text terminals of the 1980s. Thanks for the skin links. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:31, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::::: And it's not only the header. The left-margin menu pushes down the content, so that I have to scroll down every time I load a new page. Very frustrating. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:34, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::Hey @[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], I'm sorry for not answering! Let me answer your questions here. ::::::* As for the left-margin menu, if you collapse it, it should stay collapsed and not push down the content. ::::::* Regarding the question you asked on the project talk page ("does the empty space to the right of the margin menu really give the best possible experience") we are still building the new interface, one feature improvement at a time. The empty space you have referred to is temporary. Now, we're working on [[mw:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Features/Page tools|page tools]] which will make a clear distinction between wiki-wide links (like Recent changes) and page-related links (like Related changes) and bring balance to the space on both sides of the content area. ::::::* The narrow screen... I'll talk about that with the team. Generally, we are aiming to make the interface usable on narrow screens or vertical screens (although not mobile). We're trying to keep the minimal threshold of the default experience as narrow as possible. ::::::* In this context, that thing with the left-margin menu and other things... I think it'd fit to the last phase of the project when we'll be working on aesthetic refinements to the entire interface (as opposed to improving individual features). ::::::[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 16:50, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::* Thanks for the tips on collapsing the menu. I didn't notice that possibility. However, when I tested it now, I had to collapse it separately on any new page when following links. :::::::* Nice that you'll get rid of the empty space. When I tried the skin, I did not find any discussion on unsolved problems or on which deficiencies were about yet unimplemented aspects and which were intended features. I might not have looked deep enough. Separation between page tools and other links seems a good goal; I hope the links will still be easily available to users like me, who know the links and can disregard those not needed at the moment (a need you seem to acknowledge). :::::::* Really nice. As of now I got some of the problems with my default window width, while others surfaced with width I use only occasionally. It is important though, to be able to get a narrow window in certain situations, and being able to get rid of the left margin is then an immense help. I hope the suggested new placement of the table of contents won't infer with this.<br/>(I think it is important to make the distinction between window and screen size explicit in any design discussion, as common or realistic widths of the former aren't restricted to those of the latter, and I have seen web pages that adjust to the latter, more or less ignoring the former, which should be the relevant one.) :::::::* OK, you know better when and how to do those things, they just should be fixed before general roll-out. ::::::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:02, 27 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::: Ah! Now the collapsing worked. I hadn't enabled Javascript for the Mediawiki site, and enabling it did not have immediate effect. Hm. I have enabled Javascript for all Wikimedia projects I visit regularly, but I am a regular contributor. Is the casual visitor with Javascript disabled (for all or some of the domains) a use case you take into consideration? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:07, 27 April 2022 (UTC) == 2022 Board of Trustees Call for Candidates == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' The Board of Trustees seeks candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Announcement/Call_for_Candidates|'''Read more on Meta-wiki.''']] The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] is here! Please consider submitting your candidacy to serve on the Board of Trustees. The Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees oversees the Wikimedia Foundation's operations. Community-and-affiliate selected trustees and Board-appointed trustees make up the Board of Trustees. Each trustee serves a three year term. The Wikimedia community has the opportunity to vote for community-and-affiliate selected trustees. The Wikimedia community will vote to fill two seats on the Board in 2022. This is an opportunity to improve the representation, diversity, and expertise of the Board as a team. Who are potential candidates? Are you a potential candidate? Find out more on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Apply to be a Candidate|Apply to be a Candidate page]]. Thank you for your support, Movement Strategy and Governance on behalf of the Elections Committee and the Board of Trustees [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 12:53, 26 April 2022 (UTC) == Next steps: Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) and UCoC Enforcement Guidelines == The Community Affairs Committee of the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees would like to thank everyone who participated in the recently concluded community vote on the Enforcement Guidelines for the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC). While the Enforcement Guidelines did reach a threshold of support necessary for the Board to review, we encouraged voters, regardless of which way they were voting, to provide feedback on the elements of the enforcement guidelines that they felt needed to be changed or fixed, as well as why, in case it seemed advisable to launch a further round of edits that would address community concerns. Foundation staff who have been reviewing comments have advised us of some of the emerging themes, and as a result we have decided as Community Affairs Committee to ask the Foundation to reconvene the drafting committee and to undertake another community engagement to refine the enforcement guidelines based on the community feedback received from the recently concluded vote. Further, we are aware of the concerns with the note 3.1 in the Universal Code of Conduct Policy. We are directing the Foundation to facilitate a review of this language to ensure that the Policy meets its intended purposes of supporting a safe and inclusive community, without waiting for the planned review of the entire Policy at the end of year. Please visit [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Board noticeboard/April 2022 - Board of Trustees on Next steps: Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) and UCoC Enforcement Guidelines|here]] to read the full announcement. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 11:53, 28 April 2022 (UTC) == Make working with templates easier: One more improvement coming soon. == Hello, one more change from WMDE’s focus area “[[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Templates|Templates]]” is coming to your wiki soon: In '''syntax highlighting''' ([[Mw:Extension:CodeMirror|CodeMirror extension]]), you’ll be able to activate a '''colorblind-friendly color scheme''' with a user setting. ([[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Improved Color Scheme of Syntax Highlighting#Color-blind mode|project page]]) Deployment is planned for May 10. This is the last set of improvements from WMDE’s focus area “Templates”. We would love to [[m:Talk:WMDE Technical Wishes/Improved Color Scheme of Syntax Highlighting|hear your feedback]]. Thanks for being one of the first wikis to get the improvements from our project, and for giving valuable feedback! – [[User:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|Johanna Strodt (WMDE)]] ([[User talk:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|talk]]) 09:55, 29 April 2022 (UTC) == FYI: Relevant social network/app == https://travelfacets.com/ —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 20:33, 1 May 2022 (UTC) == Editing news 2022 #1 == <section begin="message"/><i>[[metawiki:VisualEditor/Newsletter/2022/April|Read this in another language]] • [[m:VisualEditor/Newsletter|Subscription list for this multilingual newsletter]]</i> [[File:Junior Contributor New Topic Tool Completion Rate.png|thumb|New editors were more successful with this new tool.]] The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools#New discussion tool|New topic tool]] helps editors create new ==Sections== on discussion pages. New editors are more successful with this new tool. You can [[mw:Talk pages project/New topic#21 April 2022|read the report]]. Soon, the Editing team will offer this to all editors at the 20 Wikipedias that participated in the test. You will be able to turn it off at [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion]].<section end="message"/> [[User:Whatamidoing (WMF)|Whatamidoing (WMF)]] 18:55, 2 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/VisualEditor/Newsletter/Wikis_with_VE&oldid=22019984 --> == Template for approval: [[Template:ColonialEmpires]] == Didn't create the template, but submitting it for community approval anyway (per our controversially strict policy on templates). Helps readers navigate through our colonialism articles and currently produces the following output: {{ColonialEmpires}} Don't see any reason to oppose this template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:28, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :To what extent were the Ottoman and Austrian Empires colonial? Weren't they mostly more traditional multi-national empires? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:33, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::Should the template then be renamed to [[Template:Empires]], and the "Colonial empires" line be replaced with "Empires"? But then we'd also have to include the [[Tibetan Empire]], the [[Mongol Empire]] and so on. {{ping|The dog2}}, any suggestions? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:38, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::Do we really need the template? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:48, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::We have [[Template:NordicCountries]], and this is similar to that one, so why not? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:52, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::::No, it's not, because it's very clear what the Nordic countries are. My suggestion is, if you think it's really important to have an article that simply links all the articles about empires, create it and link everything there, with 1-liner listings. I'm going to '''oppose''' the use of this template. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 13:03, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::Didn't we just discuss an article on colonialism above (see [[#"Article" on colonialism]])? Also, the template is in use for all the articles linked, snd I'm not sure if it's worth removing them tbh. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:22, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::I decided to create this template as an alternative to actually creating an article that would have hardly any travel content. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] is mostly right about Austria-Hungary, but they they had a concession zone in China, which for all intents and purposes was a colony, albeit a very small one. I think we can restrict inclusion to just European-style colonial empires that arose out of the [[Age of Discovery]]. Japan is included here because even though it is not a Western country, Japan adopted its model of colonialism from the West. I don't think the Ottoman Empire had colonies, which is why I originally did not include it, but I could be wrong. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 14:53, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That's a possible solution. I'd like to say, though, that there is no need or call for creating an article about empires, because there's already a [[Monarchies]] article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}}The United States has always been a republic since its founding, but it had (and some would argue continues to have) overseas colonies. So in that sense, it could loosely be considered a colonial empire, even if it did not technically have an emperor in charge. And likewise, there were periods of time that France and the Netherlands had colonial empires even though they were republics. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:32, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :Also, from a traveller's perspective, I think the question would be if there are any listing of places overseas where you can go and see the legacy of colonial rule. In the case of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there are colonial buildings in Tianjin that you can still go and see today. And likewise, there are lots of Russian colonial buildings you can see in Harbin and Dalian. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:43, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::The usual traveller's perspective of the Austrian/Austro-Hungarian Empire is that it left a huge mark on Central Europe. It's much more unusual to look for the relics of their much briefer presence in Tianjin. And Russian colonialism was mostly focused on capturing and settling eastward and incorporating all that territory through annexation, just as the greater part of U.S. colonialism was focused on doing the same thing westward. It's the complexities of these situations that make the oversimplification of a template problematic. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:13, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::OK, let's see what others say. My view is that we can loosely consider the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires to be colonial empires, since it is a fact that they had overseas colonies, regardless of how small or few they were. I'd remove the the Ottoman Empire because it was a classical contiguous multi-ethnic empire with no overseas colonies ([[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] was the one who added it, so maybe he can comment if I'm wrong on this), much like China and the Mongol Empire. The Philippines was an American colony, so I'd consider the U.S. to have been a colonial power, perhaps still one if you consider the likes to Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to be colonies. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:41, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::I think we need to have a more general conversation about whether we want any navbox-style templates at all. If we don't want articles to contain a one-size-fits-all set of links to other articles, then there's no point in talking about whether we want this particular collection of one-size-fits-all set of links. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:47, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::: I don't much like the navboxes even on Wikipedia, and I think it is sufficiently easy to link related articles in context, in the running text. However, I have understood that some people like them, so I haven't been fighting them too hard. This specific grouping has additional problems: what articles are related isn't well defined, and not all of the listed articles tell about the colonialist aspect of the empires (is listing a few destinations and sights really enough?). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:16, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm also not convinced this grouping makes sense for travellers. If someone wants to travel to places related to the Japanese colonial empire, does that mean they're also likely to be interested in the Swedish colonial empire? Other navigation templates I've seen serve travellers with a certain interest – [[Template:Asian cuisines]] and similar for foodies, the one at [[American Civil War]] for US history buffs, the one at [[Australasian wildlife]] for wildlife enthusiasts. Are there empire enthusiasts who would find this template useful? —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 09:44, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Not sure to be fair, but it's definitely better than having an article on [[Colonialism]]. I could see that happening on the encyclopedia, but find it hard on a travel guide (or even Wikibooks to be fair). <small>(also, for the cuisine one, maybe [[Template:Asian cuisines]] is a bit of a misleading template, but [[Template:EuropeanCuisines]] has a similar purpose, but doesn't have anything misleading in it, but same thing...)</small>. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:59, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I still think that a travel guide to colonialism could make sense, if well-written. I don't see that any of us would write that article (lack of time, skill or interest). For Wikibooks, I can very well see such a book written. Why not? That too would be hard (I don't know which is harder), but if you are a history teacher, you might want that book for your pupils. For travellers it is much more of a niche topic. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:27, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] For what it's worth, de.voy also uses these navboxes in destination articles, such as the one seen in [[:de:Piton des Neiges#Weblinks]], [[:de:Südamerika]] or [[:de:Southland#Weblinks]]. We could follow de.voy, but I'm not a fan of de.voy slapping it into nearly every single region article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:05, 5 May 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}}I don't know how a travel topic on colonialism in general will work. I don't think there are any monuments to colonialism in general. But on the other hand, there are numerous historical monuments and buildings in distant lands from their respective metropoles that are a reminder of that legacy of colonial rule. If you go to Hanoi for instance, there are so many French colonial buildings, and likewise, there are so many British colonial buildings if you go to Yangon. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:09, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :I'm not sure that people travel for the purpose of seeing monuments to colonialism, so I'm not sure that it's a pointful page to create. I'm not aware of any monuments to the general concept of colonialism, but there are many, many monuments to the local history of colonialism. See, e.g., all the statues of Christopher Columbus in the Americas, or the bells along [[El Camino Real]] in California. The length of [[w:en:Colonial empire#List%20of%20colonial%20empires|w:en:Colonial empire#List of colonial empires]] makes me suspect that "history of colonialism" overlaps substantially with "history of the world since Alexander the Great". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:17, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::Precisely. Which I would say we should limit inclusion in the template to only European-style colonial empires that developed starting from the [[Age of Discovery]], in order to keep this to a manageable size, and because that is what people typically think of when we talk about "colonies". That means that the only remaining empires to be added, if an when their articles get created, are the American, Belgian, German and Italian empires. I know that the Russian Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire were primarily contiguous multi-ethnic empires, but they did have overseas colonies, so they can stay. On the other hand, I'd get rid of the Ottoman Empire because it did not have overseas colonies. I think this template helps with ease of navigation, as someone who is interested in exploring the legacy of the colonial age might learn from our article that Russia had overseas colonies too, for instance, and plan a trip to see the legacy of Russian colonialism. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:19, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::We're getting into complexities here. I've mentioned before that Russian and American colonialism was primarily directed at contiguous land to the east and west respectively that was settled by members of the ruling ethnicity and annexed, and the Austrian Empire was known for being a multi-national empire in the center of Europe; its overseas possessions are a very minor, almost incidental point and didn't exist for most of its history. So I don't like a one-size-fits-all treatment of these powers. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:34, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yes, I took note of that. The United States had Liberia and the Philippines though, which were overseas colonies in the traditional European sense. Russia had a few colonial possessions in China which also fit that bill (and I'm not counting the likes of Vladivostok here, which was Chinese territory that Russia annexed, and is today part of Russia). [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:39, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::Northeastern China is contiguous with Russia, so that fits the pattern of colonialism in Siberia, and concentrating on former or even current overseas colonies of the U.S. distorts the overwhelming history of U.S. colonialism that has primarily consisted of settling territories with white people and incorporating them as states. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:42, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::That's true of Northeastern China, but Russia also had colonial possessions in Tianjin and Hankou (today part of Wuhan), although those were much smaller than the one in Northeast China. And I think the Russians also had a small short-lived colony in Africa before they were driven out by the French. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:52, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::Regarding Russian colonialism, what about [[w:Russian America]]? There are also Russian colonial sites that travelers can visit, such as [[w:Russian Fort Elizabeth]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:05, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::: The template might help those who want to read about colonial empires. But what about those who want to read about empires in general? Should there be another template for that? Perhaps a third for European empires, a forth for European history, and so on. I don't see colonialism as the focal point of [[Swedish Empire]], [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] or [[Russian Empire]]. The empires might have been colonialist, but our articles are mostly about other aspects. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:33, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::They're not the focal points, but the overseas possessions are also listed. It would not make sense to create articles to specifically cover the overseas colonies of Austria-Hungary and Russia given that there weren't many, and those that existed were small. However, they should be and are listed in the respective articles about those empires. Similarly, the article on the British Empire should cover Ireland even though Ireland was never technically a "colony", but regarded as part of the UK (although any fair-minded person can't deny that the Irish were treated as colonial subjects and not citizens during the Great Potato Famine). [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:42, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::The more we talk about this, the more I think we should delete this template and replace it with only the relevant links, in normal sentences, in articles. That means that instead of (not "in addition to") sticking [[Template:ColonialEmpires]] in the eleven articles linked there, we write sentences in places like [[Sweden#Understand]] and [[Wismar#Understand]] that link to [[Swedish Empire]], and even sentences in articles like [[Spanish Empire]] and [[Portuguese Empire]] to explain that they were rivals. What we wouldn't do is assume that people reading a travel guide want to compare see a list of all articles on empires, including empires that have no connection to each other. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:17, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Readers who want to read about empires in general should go to Wikipedia. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:30, 6 May 2022 (UTC) : '''Oppose''' since it is not very travel-related & the topic is too complex for the template to work well. : It does not have the German or American colonies. What about various Islamic Caliphates? Weren't there once Empires in sub-saharan Africa? : It omits [[Imperial China]], [[Alexander the Great]]'s empire, [[Roman Empire]], [[Persian Empire]] & the [[Mongol Empire]], all of which conquered other nations. One could argue that those were contiguous land-based empires, so not in this category, but then the Russian, Ottoman & Austro-Hungarian empires were mostly like that too. : What about Russia's control of Eastern Europe in the [[Cold War]] period, CIA support for various coups, US invasions in Latin America, recent Chinese land grabbing such as [[Spratly Islands]]? Those all look like rather nasty imperialism to me, but not like topics that belong in a travel guide. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 08:04, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::Those empire articles you linked are not colonial empires. Also, we're not handling individual colonies in this template, only the various travel topics about colonial articles. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:06, 6 May 2022 (UTC) :::I agree with [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] on this: "The more we talk about this, the more I think we should delete this template and replace it with only the relevant links, in normal sentences, in articles." [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:14, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::These are not articles about imperialism in general. These are articles that have listings of where you can go to see the legacy of having been ruled by that empire. Articles about imperialism in general do not belong on Wikivoyage unless there are monuments to imperialism that are tourist attractions. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:09, 6 May 2022 (UTC) :::::And with regard to American, German, Italian and Belgian colonies, my plan was to add them to the template once the articles on those empires are created. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:16, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::My thoughts are with The dog2 on this one, but if we cannot agree to what should be included, then we should only include what can be found in the "Colonial" section of the Modern Empires section in [[w:Template:Empires]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:27, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::I don't think there is a consensus to support the continued use of this navbox. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:24, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::To [[User:The dog2|The dog2]]: Sure, a good travel article about the Russian colonial legacy in the U.S. could be written. If it is written, I don't think [[Russian America]] is a good title, because there have been several waves of immigration from Russia/the U.S.S.R. that do not relate to Russian colonialism in the Americas. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:37, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::In view of the lack of approval of this template, I've [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Template:ColonialEmpires|nominated it for deletion]]. Please participate in the discussion in that thread. Thanks, everybody! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:41, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :I'm not opposed to this template by any means. Omitting the whataboutism that is half the discussions above, I think this template could better be renamed something along the lines of (<abbr title="'Modern' might be useful to use in order to distinguish between pre-mediaeval empires (take ±1200 AD as a reference year to exclude the Frankish Empire and such, while including the Ottoman Empire) and that in very recent history.">modern</abbr>) <abbr title="A nation state's desire to spread its influence across the globe by holding and controlling land, either overseas or not.">imperialism</abbr> instead of colonialism. As others have said, not all of these are strictly colonial, but all of them are [[w:Imperialism|imperialist]] in nature. The articles are mostly interlinked in both the articles themselves as well as the "See also" sections, and I can see a template being useful because of that. Strong '''support''' from me for this template as {{tl|ModernImperialEmpires}} or similar, and somewhat milder support as-is. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 22:00, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::If so, what would you do with [[Mughal Empire]]? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:44, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::That would depend on the scope of the template. If it's modern imperial empires only, I wouldn't include it. Modern imperialism is generally a term reserved for just European empires. The Ottoman Empire also is debatable for that reason. Ideally, I'd class the Ottoman and Mughal Empires, as well as some others as the [[w:Gunpowder empires]], either in a sister template, or as a second grouping within this template (the scope of which would then be Modern Empires). My own grouping would look like such: ::::; Modern Imperialist Empires¹ ::::: [[Austria-Hungary]] • [[British Empire|British]] • [[Danish Empire|Danish]] • [[Dutch Empire|Dutch]] • [[French colonial empire|French]] • [[Japanese colonial empire|Japanese (colonial)]] • [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] • [[Russian Empire|Russian]] • [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] • [[Swedish Empire|Swedish]]. ::::; Gunpowder Empires ::::: [[Imperial China|China]]² • [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] • [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] • [[Pre-modern Japan|Japan (pre-modern)]] • [[Safavid Empire|Safavid]] ::::<small>(1) One could call this European Empires, but the inclusion of Japan would be strange in that case. Its colonial empire however, largely formed as a response to European imperialism, so the name wouldn't be wrong, just not intuitive.<br/>(2) I am not well-versed in Chinese history, but I believe this mostly includes the Ming and Qing dynasties.</small> :::If there's any other empires that could be included, let me know and I'll update this list. [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 10:55, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::If you are talking about empires that have existed since 1200 AD, the Mughal Empire can't be excluded (and I have no idea what you mean by "modern imperial empires": it was certainly a huge empire that conquered a lot of territory and threw its weight around), but it's an empire that was '''victimized''' by colonialism, not a colonial empire. Moreover, there have been empires in Africa since then, too. And I would observe that what we have right now is an absurd situation, in which there is a consensus or near-consensus in this thread against using this template, but a consensus in [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Template:ColonialEmpires]] to keep this template and use it for...'''something'''. So anyone who doesn't want us to use a navbar for some more or less arbitrary grouping of empires should please participate in the Votes for deletion thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:46, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::If there's something that will always annoy me, it's people taking my words to imply a message that I do not stand behind. Though I appreciate your input, I'd also appreciate it if you didn't do that again. Going point by point for the sake of clarity: :::::* 1200 AD is an arbitrary point I set for the sake of illustration. It isn't set in stone. If you want a better boundary, might I suggest the Age of Discovery up to the Age of Decolonisation (i.e., ±1450 - ±1950). I am willing to consider any other boundaries for the template's scope if you have any to bring forward. :::::* Modern Imperial Empires are empires that practise modern imperialism; they are generally speaking European (excluding Japan post-1850s and some others) and were created with colonialism and exploitation of said colonies for benefit of the homeland in mind. :::::* Mughal Empire: I never said the Mughal Empire was not a victim of colonialism, nor that it was a colonial empire. This part of the discussion is my attempt to take what's useful of this template, and to suggest ways in which it can improve. The template's current scope around colonialism has proven to be controversial with some, so my proposal omits that basis. Therefore, anything I have said in this part of the discussion cannot be taken to represent my opinions on colonialism. Please take that context into account when next paraphrasing me. :::::* African empires: This entire discussion is filled with whataboutism (why include X and not Y?), which I am trying to move away from. I am not saying that there is no place for African, or any kind of empire within my ''suggestion'' for an ''improved scope''. I don't include them as they haven't been raised yet, and since I want to move away from the "what to list"-discussion, and into an actual discussion about the usefulness of this template. :::::* Consensus: Here, the arguments against the template are arguments predominantly against what it does and doesn't see as colonialism, as well as concerns about how travel-related it is. The latter it isn't on its own, but it supports articles that all revolve around [[historical travel]], thus being useful to the site. The former meanwhile isn't an argument against this template being useful, which is what template approval discussions ought to revolve around. By illustrating what it can be, I am trying to shift the conversation more into a nuanced "what can be"-discussion than a black-or-white "use it or trash it"-discussion, as I believe the second to be less fruitful. :::::I truly believe in this template's usefulness, and I am trying to seek a way in which it can work for more people. The way I see it, most of this discussion is off-the-rails and missing the point of a template approval discussion. :::::-- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 17:35, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::"Modern Imperial Empires are empires that practise modern imperialism" is a circular definition. Explain what that means and, for example, how it could include Russia but exclude the Mughal or Songhai Empires. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:25, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Pointing out why something might not make sense is not "whataboutism." To begin with, I subscribe to [[User:WhatamIdoing]]'s thinking about this template as per se not useful to travelers, but I am also seeing, so far, that is isn't very useful to try to classify empires in any general sense in regard to travel. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:28, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::And we should not use Eurocentric terms like "gunpowder empires." From the Wikipedia article about the term that you linked, read [[w:Gunpowder empires#Recent views on the concept]]. Besides, it's an obscure term that I managed to avoid knowing for 57 years while knowing and even teaching plenty about history. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:33, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::For the first, refer to the sentence after it: "They are generally speaking European (excluding Japan post-1850s and some others) and were created with colonialism and exploitation of said colonies for benefit of the homeland in mind." Mughal and Songhai are not included for a difference in technologies available to them compared to modern imperialist empires. Russia is included, due to it functioning similar to Austro-Hungary when it comes to imperialism: Expand into adjacent lands, make them core territory, and repeat. I am oversimplifying, but categorisation requires generalisation of some sort. :::::::::The template isn't useful to every traveller, but doesn't need to be. It is instead useful to a historically interested traveller, as many individual colonies belonged to more than one coloniser during their existence. :::::::::I cannot stress enough that nothing in the example above is set in stone. I used Gunpowder Empires as an example, not as what should be implemented. Feel free to come with better alternatives if you have them. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 19:26, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::I don't think the differences in technology of armaments are very relevant to travelers. My suggested alternative is to include a section of links to articles on empires in the [[Monarchies]] article, with a 1-liner listing for each. That way, no navbar is needed and no agreement on any kind of classification is needed, either. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:29, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Again, simplifying here, but clubs and spears have a different appeal than rifles and muskets for many. The first can be seen as primitive, while the second can be more advanced. I think you're underestimating the technological differences there. To some with historical interest, they have very different appeals. The link with Monarchies, as I pointed out in the VfD thread, is too forced to work well. :::::::::::Honestly, I can get behind not having a navbar, but a suitable replacement definitely can benefit the traveller for the reasons I listed in the VfD thread. An underlying general article on colonialism, empires or imperialism can definitely be of benefit, albeit for a somewhat niche audience, but niche articles we already have plenty of, so that shouldn't be an issue, right? [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 20:10, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::I don't think the differences in technology have an effect on the impressiveness of the sights travelers can see that come down to us from the empires in question. To be honest, there's probably nothing more impressive than the Sphinx and pyramids of ancient Egypt, but I haven't seen them in person. I have seen the Taj Mahal, the Red Forts in Delhi and Agra, the Great Wall of China and the temple complexes in Prambanan and Borobudur, not to mention the Parthenon, Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Roman Forum and the Maison Carree in Nimes. But I digress. You'll see that I'm warming to the idea of a carefully circumscribed and aggressively travel-related article about colonialism in the Vfd thread. I'd be OK with it if it starts with the ancient Phoenicians; has disclaimers that the topic is controversial but as this is a travel guide, we are being merely descriptive; and stipulates that we are concentrating on overseas colonization. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:30, 8 May 2022 (UTC) [outdent]<br/> I don't think the articles on empires were written as a series on colonialism. I am not very happy about a template making it seem they were. If we want a template, why is it not about empires in general, or about historic realms? I think people reading about historic empires are likely to be interested in historic realms (although perhaps not all of them). Assuming they are interested in colonialism is to jump to conclusions. Of course some are. But as many of them are probably interested in some other aspect of the empire they are reading about: its languages, its modern successors, its cities, its arts, you name it. My impression is that the template is there because somebody wanted the article on colonialism, and this is what they thought they'd be able to get. I think I prefer the article [[Colonialism]]. It seems nobody is going to write a good thorough travel article on the theme in the foreseeable future, but what about one with a paragraph or two on colonial empires, linking those and related articles, such as European history and Age of Discovery, and then going on to tell about destinations where it is easy to see (or study) heritage of several colonial empires – checking that those aspects are covered in the destination articles? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:25, 11 May 2022 (UTC) :Just so people know, I've moved a draft of the deleted [[User:The dog2/American colonialism|American colonialism]] article to my userspace, which I am happy for others to edit too. I guess we can expand the scope to also including the westward expansion of the United States, and sites that commemorate things like the genocide of the Native Americans. I'm trying to add listings of sites that actual remind people of the legacy of American colonial rule so it can be reinstated into articlespace. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:17, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::Who's your audience for that page? What traveller do you imagine would be using that guide? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:49, 12 May 2022 (UTC) :::It's aimed at people who want to see the legacy of American colonial rule in various different parts of the world. Something along the lines of the articles of the other colonial empires. But as [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] mentioned, a large part of American colonialism was expanding Westward by genociding the Native Americans, settling their lands with white people, and later granting statehood to the the colonies once the white population was large enough. So while we already have an [[Old West]] article covering that aspect of American colonialism, I guess that aspect should at least be mentioned in an article about American colonialism, but with the focus of the article being the listing of overseas sites where you can go and explore the legacy of American colonial rule. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Do many such people exist? ::::I can easily imagine someone wanting to understand a specific country's history. For example, if you are interested in the Philippines, then you would be interested in Spanish colonization (16th to 19th centuries), US colonization (first half of 20th century), and Japanese colonization (a couple of years around WWII). I'm having trouble imagining a person who says "My goal is to see every place in the world that <this country> colonized". Without a mental picture of the traveller, it's hard to form a hypothesis about what kind of information might be useful or relevant in the article. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:08, 13 May 2022 (UTC) == Call for Election Volunteers == The Movement Strategy and Governance team is looking for community members to serve as election volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|upcoming Board of Trustees election]]. The idea of the Election Volunteer Program came up during the 2021 Wikimedia Board of Trustees Election. This program turned out to be successful. With the help of Election Volunteers we were able to increase outreach and participation in the election by 1,753 voters over 2017. Overall turnout was 10.13%, 1.1 percentage points more, and 214 wikis were represented in the election. A total of 74 wikis that did not participate in 2017 produced voters in the 2021 election. Can you help change the participation for this year's? Election volunteers will help in the following areas: * Translate short messages and announce the ongoing election process in community channels * Optional: Monitor community channels for community comments and questions Volunteers should: * Maintain the friendly space policy during conversations and events * Present the guidelines and voting information to the community in a neutral manner Do you want to be an election volunteer and ensure your community is represented in the vote? Sign up [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Election Volunteers/About|here]] to receive updates. You can use the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Talk:Movement Strategy and Governance/Election Volunteers/About|talk page]] for questions about translation. [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:12, 4 May 2022 (UTC) == Summer of Wikivoyage 2022, Kosovo and Albania == Hi everyone! On May 20-22, 2022, the [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians%20of%20Albanian%20Language%20User%20Group Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group] is hosting the Summer of Wikivoyage Edit-a-thon 2022 to improve the content of touristic and travel destinations of Kosovo and Albania. This year, we will focus on South-East Albania, but all improvements are welcome. Should you edit with us, feel free to join us on [https://meet.jit.si/WoALUG Jitsi], Saturday and Sunday 20-21 May, at 9:30 - 17:00 (GMT+2) Time Zone. Here are the [[Wikivoyage:Albania_Expedition|Albania]] and [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo_Expedition|Kosovo]] expedition pages. You can also edit without joining the call. Please register for tracking the contributions on the edit-a-thon [https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/WoALUG/Summer%20of%20Wikivoyage%202022,%20Albania%20and%20Kosovo Outreach Dashboard]. Thank you! --[[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 08:08, 13 May 2022 (UTC) :Cool! I won't be around for this, but good luck with everything, and thanks to the group for making this a successful recurring event.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:43, 13 May 2022 (UTC) ::Thank you @[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] [[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 09:13, 17 May 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Vyolltsa}} I look forward to it, even though I barely know anything about Albania and Kosovo. Can you double check the Outreach Dashboard link? It appears to be broken. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 05:08, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::Nice! Good to know this is occurring for another year. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 10:54, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:OhanaUnited|OhanaUnited]] Hello! I am sending you the [[wmfdashboard:courses/WoALUG/Summer_of_Wikivoyage_2022,_Albania_and_Kosovo|Outreach Dashboard link]]! Thank you! [[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 09:14, 17 May 2022 (UTC) Could somebody help us update [[Wikivoyage:Albania_Expedition|Albania]] and [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo_Expedition|Kosovo]] expedition pages with the lastest statistics. Thanks! [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 09:32, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :I did an update on May 13 – which was last week (but forgot to update the <code>update</code> parameter). I'll do another update once the edit-a-thon is over. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:56, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::If I'm not mistaken, current stats seem old. We would appreciate an update so we can use the missingle sections table to address them. [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 13:13, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :::Are you talking about the bottom table? The bottom table no longer works for some reason. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:31, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yes, ok then. ::::Thank you all for the support. I hope some good work has been done, and cleanup is not too tedious. We had 5-6 completely new people. [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 07:36, 23 May 2022 (UTC) :::::It's over already? Yes, I saw a lot of excellent new content. Thanks! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:38, 23 May 2022 (UTC) :::::{{re|Arianit}} Did another update just now, though I'm not sure what's going on with the numbers on [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo Expedition]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:07, 23 May 2022 (UTC) == Let's talk about the Desktop Improvements == [[File:WP20Symbols MediaWiki light background.svg|200px|right]] Hello! Have you noticed that some wikis have a [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|different desktop interface]]? Are you curious about the next steps? Maybe you have questions or ideas regarding the design or technical matters? Join an online meeting with the team working on the Desktop Improvements! It will take place on '''17 May 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220517T1200 12:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220517T1900 19:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. '''[https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/86217494304 Click here to join]'''. Meeting ID: 86217494304. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/k7CirSh8W Dial by your location]. '''Agenda''' * Update on the recent developments * Questions and answers, discussion '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, Italian, Polish; also, only at the first meeting: Farsi, Vietnamese; only at the second meeting: Portuguese, Spanish, Russian. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 05:02, 14 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23142195 --> :Disclaimer: Szymon (aka User:Tar Lócesilion) is one of my teammates at work. I haven't talked to him about this, and he doesn't know I'm posting this. :I've been thinking about this change to "new Vector" (Vector 2022). I think the Wikivoyages should make this change. Some recent (Wikipedia-centric) market research said that readers think the old design (Vector 2010) is looking outdated. Making the switch might require a little work (obviously, we will want to double-check key features like the Page Banners), and any big change can take a couple of weeks for individuals (i.e., those of us reading this page) to get used to. But when I think about this community's values, looking like a modern, up-to-date website that is easily differentiated from competitors is one of the things we care about, and adopting this change would be a straightforward way to achieve our goals and support the group's values. :If you want to see what it looks like right now, click on https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Turin?useskin=vector-2022 If you want to see what it looks like without the new floating TOC, click on https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Turin?useskin=vector-2022&tableofcontents=0 :I don't know what the team's deployment process is (I can ask Szymon, if you want), but since it's already deployed at many wikis, including the French Wikipedia, I'd guess that any community that says "We checked it out, and we want you to put us on the list for the next round" will be accepted. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:29, 15 May 2022 (UTC) :: The left margin menus pushing down content on narrow windows is a show-stopper if it affects many people. Has the skin really been tested thoroughly enough to be put in production to "look like a modern, up-to-date" skin? Wikivoyagers may access the site from odd hardware over sketchy connections, so some thought should be put in how to check the functionality. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:37, 15 May 2022 (UTC) :::I've clicked the << to hide the left margin menu (which I think is the default?), so I don't see that. I think the best way to test it is to have editors using it for a couple of weeks. We can file bug reports in [[Pharping|phab:]] if we need to. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:16, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::::I think it needs better testing before it gets implemented here. If I'm not mistaken, on [[Main Page]] map, anything east of Nepal or Sri Lanka gets cut off. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:26, 16 May 2022 (UTC) :::::Yes, it gets cropped when I look at it. It's probably a consequence of their "fixed width" design. That should be fixable, though. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:11, 16 May 2022 (UTC) == "Infact" == I just edited out all instances of "infact" from this site. Please don't add more. :-) The expression is "in fact," two words, but it can usually be dispensed with. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:26, 22 May 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] Thanks for the edits :-) I must admit that I have a bad habit of writing "in fact" as one word (and I almost did just then), but thanks for the fixes. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:10, 23 May 2022 (UTC) ::Sure thing. Not all of the edits in question were by you. :-) [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:06, 23 May 2022 (UTC) == Help archiving a talk page == Could someone please help me archive [[Talk:Bulgaria]]? I've already copied the old comments to a subpage and linked the subpage in the main talk, you only have to delete the old discussions. I can't do that because I'm too new and trying to do that triggers the page blanking filter. I want to start a new discussion about regions, and the old stuff on the talk page has made it unwieldy. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 16:59, 17 June 2022 (UTC) :It's done. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 17:12, 17 June 2022 (UTC) ::If you want to discuss regions, we should unarchive the previous regions discussion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:54, 17 June 2022 (UTC) == Article on bridges == I wonder if there are any engineers here who would be able to write an article on famous bridges. Of course, the ones that immediately come to mind are New York City's Brooklyn Bridge, London's Tower Bridge, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but I believe there would be numerous others that could be mentioned in such an article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:12, 20 June 2022 (UTC) ivfljodqrwaomjnbhj8hmldg3tnsdit 4506176 4506172 2022-08-22T12:05:24Z Ground Zero 1423298 wikitext text/x-wiki == No description when hovering over links == {{tracked|T295255}} There used to be a description when hovering over links but now these appear blank, can someone fix this. I think this may have happened when the table of contents vanished. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 05:49, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :It still works for me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:42, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :: Do you mean the pop-up window with an image and some of the article text? For me, there are pop-ups, but the half that should have text is empty. I think they were not divided in that way before, so has there been some kind of change? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:04, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::: I see three kinds, the ones I am used to, with or without the text, and the horizontally divided ones without text. Some versions are probably from my cache. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:06, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::Thanks for posting this note. I've filed a bug report. ::::If it still works for you, then you might be using the [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets|gadget]] "Navigation popups: page previews and editing functions popup when hovering over an internal link". Try it in a private/incognito window to see the simplified Page Previews (what almost all readers see). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:38, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::: Thank you for filing the bug. I get the text on maybe a third of the links, including for pages I haven't visited for a while, so it is probably WMF's cache, not mine, that handle them. An example article and an example link from there seem to be needed at Phabricator. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:43, 7 November 2021 (UTC) ::::::Thank you! The ones I see have a photo but no text. [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 19:01, 7 November 2021 (UTC) :::::::@[[User:Jdlrobson|Jdlrobson]] has gotten the bug organized. I don't know how long it will take to get things fixed, but it's starting the process. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:32, 9 November 2021 (UTC) {{outdent}} While we're on the topic, is there a way to get the navigation popups to show a more interesting image instead of whatever happens to be in the first listing/marker in the article? It's unfortunate that when I hover over a link, the picture that comes up is often of an airport or some other unphotogenic transportation infrastructure instead of something more interesting and representative of the destination. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 16:06, 29 November 2021 (UTC) :If memory serves, there is no clean way to do this. I suspect that @[[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] will be able to provide a definitive answer. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:13, 29 November 2021 (UTC) ::I can only point towards the documentation for the gadget ([[w:Wikipedia:Tools/Navigation_popups#Features]]), which seem to indicate that it ''is'' possible to override which image is shown (see the bulletpoint equivalents of 2a and 2b). I have no experience using that particular feature, so I'd suggest testing it in a sandbox, and asking on the docs' talkpage if you have any difficulties. [[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Quiddity (WMF)|talk]]) 22:37, 29 November 2021 (UTC) :::{{ping|Quiddity (WMF)}} Thanks! Copying the relevant bullet point here for others' benefit. :::* The image shown in the preview can be controlled by adding an image hint to the article, in the form of an invisible HTML comment: {{nowrap|<code><nowiki>&lt;!-- popup [[File:Desired_Preview_Image.jpg]] --&gt;</nowiki></code>}}. :::I've tried to implement this in [[Guangzhou]] but with no success – the popup still shows a boring train station from [[Guangzhou#Get in]], not the first image in the article and not the one in the HTML comment. I'll wait a while to see if there's a cache somewhere that needs to catch up, and if not then I'll ask on the docs' talk page. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 21:07, 30 November 2021 (UTC) ::::@[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]] After two days, I'm also seeing the same train station when on incognito mode. However, it does work with the gadget. So likely not cache. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:02, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::I take it the HTML comment fix only applies to the "navigation popups" gadget, and not to the "page previews" that are shown to unregistered users and users who don't have the gadget enabled. Is there a way to fix this for page previews (as opposed to the navigation popups gadget)? {{ping|WhatamIdoing|Quiddity (WMF)}} —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 10:55, 2 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::Other suggestion, add the file and make the size as 1px. Have never tried that out before, but I'll experiment it soon. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:59, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::That also doesn't seem to work. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:01, 2 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::For the extension version (PagePreviews) that unregistered users see, it uses another extension (PageImages) to select the image. The detailed technical docs of how it ''currently'' works are at [[mw:Extension:PageImages#Image_choice]]. However, there is an ongoing discussion, and it looks like some development work from a volunteer-developer, in [[phab:T91683]] ("Allow editors control of the page image") about making it more editor-overridable. HTH! [[User:Quiddity (WMF)|Quiddity (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Quiddity (WMF)|talk]]) 20:26, 2 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::Thanks! It looks like there are some options for changing the algorithm that chooses images. I guess the simplest fix would be to set $wgPageImagesLeadSectionOnly to true so that PagePreviews only uses images from the lead. Then we would probably want to make sure articles have an image in the lead if possible (which is a nice thing to do anyway). What do others think about this idea? —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 06:52, 3 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::Many major destinations and Star articles lack images in the lead section. For articles that I've created or heavily edited, I avoid lead-section images so as not to clash/compete with banner images. I usually place the first image in Understand. --[[User:Nelson Ricardo 2500|Nelson Ricardo]] ([[User talk:Nelson Ricardo 2500|talk]]) 01:28, 4 December 2021 (UTC) :::::::::::Sometimes a lede image (such as the one seen in [[Zion National Park]]) actually resolves the job at times. I generally like to include one in the lede, but not all the time such as the one seen in [[Hartz Mountains National Park]] (but instead you see a boring tree). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 01:36, 4 December 2021 (UTC) ::::::::::::{{ping|Nelson Ricardo 2500}} In that case, if we implement my suggestion, I think we would need to either add images to the leads of those articles or accept that their previews will not have images. To me that seems worth it for the sake of avoiding these boring images of airports and train stations in so many articles' previews. I'd say no image in the preview is better than an image of an unremarkable train station. But of course I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 13:28, 5 December 2021 (UTC) == Closing the comment period for the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Draft Guidelines == Thank you for your continued comments and ideas on the Universal Code of Conduct enforcement guidelines. Your responses have helped to build a stronger Universal Code of Conduct. If you have not already provided your comments, now is the time as the drafting committee has been [[:m:Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Drafting_committee/Phase_2_meeting_summaries|meeting to update the enforcement guidelines]]. The drafting committee wants to consider all comments as they make their updates. Please submit any comments by the end of November. The Committee hopes to finish its revisions before the end of the year, and the revised guidelines will be published as soon as they have been completed. The next steps for the Universal Code of Conduct include conversations about ratification of the enforcement guidelines. There will be [[:m:Universal_Code_of_Conduct/2021_consultations/Roundtable_discussions|a conversation about ratification on Nov 29]]. The Wikimedia Foundation will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees about the ratification of the guidelines in December. The recommendations will inform the next steps in the Universal Code of Conduct process. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 15:53, 25 November 2021 (UTC) == Talk to the Community Tech: The future of the Community Wishlist Survey == [[File:Magic Wand Icon 229981 Color Flipped.svg|100px|right]] Hello! We, the team working on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey|Community Wishlist Survey]], would like to invite you to an online meeting with us. It will take place on [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20211130T1700 '''{{#time:j xg|2021-11-30}} ({{#time:l|2021-11-30}}), {{#time:H:i e|17:00|en|1}}'''] on Zoom, and will last an hour. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/82035401393 '''Click here to join''']. '''Agenda''' * Changes to the Community Wishlist Survey 2022. Help us decide. * Become a Community Wishlist Survey Ambassador. Help us spread the word about the CWS in your community. * Questions and answers '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes without attribution will be taken and published on Meta-Wiki. The presentation (all points in the agenda except for the questions and answers) will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Polish, Spanish, German, and Italian. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them [[m:Talk:Community Wishlist Survey|on the Community Wishlist Survey talk page]] or send to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:NRodriguez (WMF)|Natalia Rodriguez]] (the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] manager) will be hosting this meeting. '''Invitation link''' * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/82035401393 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>82035401393</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/keu6UeRT0T Dial by your location] We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 20:03, 26 November 2021 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=20689952 --> == Upcoming Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections == The Board of Trustees is preparing a call for feedback about the upcoming Board Elections, from January 7 - February 10, 2022. While details will be finalized the week before the call, we have confirmed at least two questions that will be asked during this call for feedback: *What is the best way to ensure fair representation of emerging communities among the Board? *What involvement should candidates have during the election? While additional questions may be added, the Movement Strategy and Governance team wants to provide time for community members and affiliates to consider and prepare ideas on the above confirmed questions before the call opens. Community members can also organise local conversations during the call. You can find more information about this upcoming call for feedback [[:meta:Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees/Call for feedback:2022 Board of Trustees election/Upcoming Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections|here]]. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 23:46, 23 December 2021 (UTC) == Proof of age == On the pages for UK, USA and probably several others, we say you need an ID to show you are over 18/21/whatever to be let in to bars or allowed to buy alcohol. I suppose that is true for young people, but isn't the bouncer allowed to believe the word of a 50 years old? Here most shops require people looking younger than 30 to show an ID, and I think that gives a good margin (drinking age is 18), enough to perhaps leave some non-teenager foreigners thirsty. Should we try to say explicitly when these requirements concern or don't concern also people who don't look like teenagers? You might not want to carry your passport needlessly, and that is often your only acceptable ID. Are other IDs commonly accepted round the world? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:19, 4 January 2022 (UTC) : We have considered a [[youth travel]] article for the benefits and concerns that young people can meet when travelling. Can also be mentioned in [[travelling with children]] and [[senior travel]]. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 16:21, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::In the US, the law doesn't require you to show an id; the law requires the business to comply with the selling age. Therefore, each business makes its own business policy decision about how to stay in legal compliance. I have seen places that card everyone except obviously elderly people, and I have seen places that don't seem to card anyone. It is typical to have staff guess at ages and card only the people who look younger, but there is no standard. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:58, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I suppose a 50 years old would count as "obviously elderly" in this context, which would mean they wouldn't need to show IDs anywhere. It was the same here, but now the 30 years have become a stated standard, perhaps because of some campaign. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:58, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I've been rejected entry into bars and refuse service at liquor stores in the U.S. for not carrying my passport back when I was new here and only had my Australian driving licence. Now that I have my U.S. driving licence, I can use that as my proof of age, but before I got it, it was a hit and miss as to whether my Australian licence was accepted as proof of age. I guess it might be state dependent, because I noticed that my Australian ID was more likely to be accepted in New York than in Chicago. ::::In Singapore they are actually quite strict about this; foreign-issued I.D. cards are generally not accepted, with the exception of Malaysian identity cards, which some businesses accept. If you are working or studying in Singapore you will be issued a work permit and student pass respectively, and that can be used as your I.D. card, but if you are a tourist, you have to bring your passport. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 21:08, 4 January 2022 (UTC) :::::There are plenty of bars in New York that require proof of age from everyone, regardless of how old they are. Anyone who wants to go to bars should bring a picture ID with proof of age, just to avoid the possibility of being refused entry. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:09, 4 January 2022 (UTC) ::::LP, I know of one restaurant where the standard was "white hair". A 50-year-old would probably be carded there. (That restaurant usually hired teenagers for the serving staff, and you probably don't want your business to depend on whether a 16 year old guessed right.) [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:06, 5 January 2022 (UTC) ::::: This was a while back (like 2011?). In Atlanta, a bar accepted my Canadian driver license as proof of age ID. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 22:41, 5 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm 56, and it's not at all uncommon for me to be carded in New York, although now, all bets are off because you have to show ID and proof of vaccination, anyway (and furthermore, I haven't been inside a bar in several weeks for safety reasons). [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 23:50, 5 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Canadian licences are different from other foreign licences because of the close relationship between the U.S. and Canada. In much the same way, New Zealand licences are more likely to be recognised in Australia than other foreign licences. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 06:39, 7 January 2022 (UTC) == Wiki Loves Folklore is back! == <div lang="en" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr"> {{int:please-translate}} [[File:Wiki Loves Folklore Logo.svg|right|150px|frameless]] You are humbly invited to participate in the '''[[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|Wiki Loves Folklore 2022]]''' an international photography contest organized on Wikimedia Commons to document folklore and intangible cultural heritage from different regions, including, folk creative activities and many more. It is held every year from the '''1st till the 28th''' of February. You can help in enriching the folklore documentation on Commons from your region by taking photos, audios, videos, and [https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UploadWizard&campaign=wlf_2022 submitting] them in this commons contest. You can also [[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Organize|organize a local contest]] in your country and support us in translating the [[:c:Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022/Translations|project pages]] to help us spread the word in your native language. Feel free to contact us on our [[:c:Commons talk:Wiki Loves Folklore 2022|project Talk page]] if you need any assistance. '''Kind regards,''' '''Wiki loves Folklore International Team''' --[[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 13:14, 9 January 2022 (UTC) </div> <!-- Message sent by User:Tiven2240@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Tiven2240/wlf&oldid=22560402 --> == Community Wishlist Survey 2022 == [[File:Community Wishlist Survey Lamp.svg|right|200px]] The '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey 2022|Community Wishlist Survey 2022]]''' is now open!''' This survey is the process where communities decide what the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] team should work on over the next year. We encourage everyone to submit proposals until the deadline on '''23 January''', or comment on other proposals to help make them better. '' The communities will vote on the proposals between 28 January and 11 February. The Community Tech team is focused on tools for experienced Wikimedia editors. You can write proposals in any language, and we will translate them for you. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your proposals! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 18:10, 10 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22399355 --> == Call for Feedback about the Board of Trustees elections is now open == The Call for Feedback: Board of Trustees elections is now open and will close on 7 February 2022. With this Call for Feedback, the Movement Strategy and Governance team is taking a different approach. This approach incorporates community feedback from 2021. Instead of leading with proposals, the Call is framed around key questions from the Board of Trustees. The key questions came from the feedback about the 2021 Board of Trustees election. The intention is to inspire collective conversation and collaborative proposal development about these key questions. There are two confirmed questions that will be asked during this Call for Feedback: #What is the best way to ensure more diverse representation among elected candidates? The Board of Trustees noted the importance of selecting candidates who represent the full diversity of the Wikimedia movement. The current processes have favored volunteers from North America and Europe. #What are the expectations for the candidates during the election? Board candidates have traditionally completed applications and answered community questions. How can an election provide appropriate insight into candidates while also appreciating candidates’ status as volunteers? There is one additional question that may be presented during the Call about selection processes. This question is still under discussion, but the Board wanted to give insight into the confirmed questions as soon as possible. Hopefully if an additional question is going to be asked, it will be ready during the first week of the Call for Feedback. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees/Call for feedback: Board of Trustees elections|Join the conversation.]] Best, Movement Strategy and Governance, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:44, 11 January 2022 (UTC) == XTools EditCounterOptIn == There's a useful tool named [https://xtools.wmflabs.org/ XTools] that can show you data about your or someone else's editing, such as what pages you've edited the most, how many edits you've made in a month, and several other interesting stats. It's helpful for a lot of things, such as knowing if an editor is active or inactive, seeing if someone is more focused on mainspace or projectspace, and keeping track of what the quality of the articles you've made the most edits to is. For many projects (including most of the largest), every XTools statistic is opted into by default. However, on Wikivoyage, most of the stats require manually creating [[Special:MyPage/EditCounterOptIn.js]], which makes it a lot less useful. Would there be any interest in making XTools opt-in by default on Wikivoyage? [[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet]] ([[User talk:Vaticidalprophet|talk]]) 17:51, 8 January 2022 (UTC) :I prefer the current system, which I think maintains more privacy. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 19:14, 8 January 2022 (UTC) ::I don't have a strong view for myself, but I do think that whenever someone expresses a preference for privacy, then we should support that as much as we can. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 22:20, 8 January 2022 (UTC) ::: I agree. Those who want to see the stats about themselves can opt in. Seeing the stats about others can be useful, but I think privacy concerns have a higher weight. I am really worried about how much one could figure out about and through your activities on Wikipedia and related sites, but at least not everything is made easily available. Most people don't understand the issues, so we cannot expect them to opt out from anything. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:50, 9 January 2022 (UTC) :I'd favour the current system. Whether someone's made edits to mainspace or projectspace can already be seen, it's just which articles they've contributed to the most needs the authorization. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:43, 13 January 2022 (UTC) ::(after one month), I now favour @[[User:Vaticidalprophet|Vaticidalprophet's]] proposal because I'd like to know which articles have been internally copied without attribution by a certain editor (includes both pages they have created and pages they haven't created but improved). I won't mention the name of the editor, but I'm happy to tell which one thru [[Special:EmailUser/SHB2000|email]]. Similarly, there's another editor who has added hundreds of listings that are in the wrong article – both the pages they created, and ones that they have improved. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:55, 2 February 2022 (UTC) == Talk to the Community Tech == [[File:Community Wishlist Survey Lamp.svg|150px|right]] {{int:Hello}} We, the team working on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Wishlist Survey|Community Wishlist Survey]], would like to invite you to an online meeting with us. It will take place on [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220119T1800 '''{{#time:j xg|2022-01-19}} ({{#time:l|2022-01-19}}), {{#time:H:i e|18:00|en|1}}'''] on Zoom, and will last an hour. This external system is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/85804347114 '''Click here to join''']. '''Agenda''' * Bring drafts of your proposals and talk to to a member of the Community Tech Team about your questions on how to improve the proposal '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes without attribution will be taken and published on Meta-Wiki. The presentation (all points in the agenda except for the questions and answers) will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Polish, Spanish, and German. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them [[m:Talk:Community Wishlist Survey|on the Community Wishlist Survey talk page]] or send to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/User:NRodriguez (WMF)|Natalia Rodriguez]] (the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Community Tech|Community Tech]] manager) will be hosting this meeting. '''Invitation link''' * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/85804347114 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>85804347114</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/keu6UeRT0T Dial by your location] We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 00:21, 18 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22399355 --> == Subscribe to the This Month in Education newsletter - learn from others and share your stories == Dear community members, Greetings from the EWOC Newsletter team and the education team at Wikimedia Foundation. We are very excited to share that we on tenth years of Education Newsletter ([[m:Education/News|This Month in Education]]) invite you to join us by [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|subscribing to the newsletter on your talk page]] or by [[m:Education/News/Newsroom|sharing your activities in the upcoming newsletters]]. The Wikimedia Education newsletter is a monthly newsletter that collects articles written by community members using Wikimedia projects in education around the world, and it is published by the EWOC Newsletter team in collaboration with the Education team. These stories can bring you new ideas to try, valuable insights about the success and challenges of our community members in running education programs in their context. If your affiliate/language project is developing its own education initiatives, please remember to take advantage of this newsletter to publish your stories with the wider movement that shares your passion for education. You can submit newsletter articles in your own language or submit bilingual articles for the education newsletter. For the month of January the deadline to submit articles is on the 20th January. We look forward to reading your stories. Older versions of this newsletter can be found in the [[outreach:Education/Newsletter/Archives|complete archive]]. More information about the newsletter can be found at [[m:Education/News/Publication Guidelines|Education/Newsletter/About]]. For more information, please contact spatnaik{{@}}wikimedia.org. ------ <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[[m:Education/Newsletter/About|About ''This Month in Education'']] · [[m:Global message delivery/Targets/This Month in Education|Subscribe/Unsubscribe]] · [[m:MassMessage|Global message delivery]] · For the team: [[User:ZI Jony|<span style="color:#8B0000">'''ZI Jony'''</span>]] [[User talk:ZI Jony|^{<span style="color:Green"><i>(Talk)</i></span>}]], {{<includeonly>subst:</includeonly>#time:l G:i, d F Y|}} (UTC)</div></div> <!-- Message sent by User:ZI Jony@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:ZI_Jony/MassMessage/Awareness_of_Education_Newsletter/List_of_Village_Pumps&oldid=21244129 --> == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 5 == <section begin="ucoc-newsletter"/> :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5/Global message|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5/Global message}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' <span style="font-size:200%;">''' Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 5, January 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the fifth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News (formerly known as Universal Code of Conduct News)! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly or bi-weekly to subscribers. Please remember to subscribe [[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive these updates. <div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> *'''Call for Feedback about the Board elections''' - We invite you to give your feedback on the upcoming WMF Board of Trustees election. This call for feedback went live on 10th January 2022 and will be concluded on 7th February 2022. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Call for Feedback about the Board elections|continue reading]]) *'''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification''' - In 2021, the WMF asked communities about how to enforce the Universal Code of Conduct policy text. The revised draft of the enforcement guidelines should be ready for community vote in March. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Universal Code of Conduct Ratification|continue reading]]) * '''Movement Strategy Implementation Grants''' - As we continue to review several interesting proposals, we encourage and welcome more proposals and ideas that target a specific initiative from the Movement Strategy recommendations. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Movement Strategy Implementation Grants|continue reading]]) * '''The New Direction for the Newsletter''' - As the UCoC Newsletter transitions into MSG Newsletter, join the facilitation team in envisioning and deciding on the new directions for this newsletter. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#The New Direction for the Newsletter|continue reading]]) *'''Diff Blogs''' - Check out the most recent publications about MSG on Wikimedia Diff. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/5#Diff Blogs|continue reading]])</div><section end="ucoc-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 08:21, 20 January 2022 (UTC) == The Wikivoyage influence == If you are interested in design, I encourage you to spend a moment at the [https://su.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepas Main Page at the Sudanese Wikipedia]. It looks to me like they have adopted Wikivoyage's carousel system. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:51, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :That's really interesting. One thing I felt that English Wikivoyage has done better than the English Wikipedia is have a more modern and better looking main page. The current English Wikipedia main page was designed in March 2006, an eternity ago in internet time. [[User:DaGizza|<font color="teal">Gizza</font>]]^{(<i>[[User_talk:DaGizza|<font color="teal">roam</font>]]</i>)} 03:48, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::The [[:b:Main Page|English Wikibooks]]' main page looks like it was designed a long time ago, much more old-fashioned than Wikipedia's. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:51, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::Tangential, but while on the topic of front page design, [[:w:nv:]] has rainbow gradients that I always liked, even if they are probably not attractive to everyone. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 10:19, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[:w:se:]] (Sami language) got a professional redesign and now incorporates culturally relevant elements. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 21:31, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::That's interesting because it looks to have some responsive design that I don't recall seeing on any wikis. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 21:42, 23 January 2022 (UTC) == Desktop Improvements update and Office Hours invitation == Hello. I wanted to give you an update about the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]] project, which the Wikimedia Foundation Web team has been working on for the past few years. The goals of the project are to make the interface more welcoming and comfortable for readers and useful for advanced users. The project consists of a series of feature improvements which make it easier to read and learn, navigate within the page, search, switch between languages, use article tabs and the user menu, and more. The improvements are already visible by default for readers and editors on 24 wikis, including Wikipedias in [[:fr:|French]], [[:pt:|Portuguese]], and [[:fa:|Persian]]. The changes apply to the [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=vector}} Vector] skin only. [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=monobook}} Monobook] or [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=timeless}} Timeless] users are not affected. === Features deployed since our last update === * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/User_menu|User menu]] - focused on making the navigation more intuitive by visually highlighting the structure of user links and their purpose. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Sticky Header|Sticky header]] - focused on allowing access to important functionality (logging in/out, history, talk pages, etc.) without requiring people to scroll to the top of the page. For a full list of the features the project includes, please visit our [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project page]]. We also invite you to our [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Updates|Updates page]]. [[File:Table_of_contents_shown_on_English_Wikipedia_02.webm|thumb|600px|center|The features deployed already and the table of contents that's currently under development]] <br clear=all> === How to enable the improvements === [[File:Desktop Improvements - how to enable globally.png|thumb|[[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|{{int:globalpreferences}}]]]] * It is possible to opt-in individually [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|in the appearance tab within the preferences]] by unchecking the "{{int:prefs-vector-enable-vector-1-label}}" box. (It has to be empty.) Also, it is possible to opt-in on all wikis using the [[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|global preferences]]. * If you think this would be good as a default for all readers and editors of this wiki, feel free to start a conversation with the community and contact me. * On wikis where the changes are visible by default for all, logged-in users can always opt-out to the Legacy Vector. There is an easily accessible link in the sidebar of the new Vector. === Learn more and join our events === If you would like to follow the progress of our project, you can [[mw:Special:Newsletter/28/subscribe|subscribe to our newsletter]]. You can read the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|pages of the project]], check [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Frequently_asked_questions|our FAQ]], write on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project talk page]], and join an online meeting with us ([https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220127T1500 '''{{#time:j xg|2022-01-27}} ({{#time:l|2022-01-27}}), {{#time:H:i e|15:00|en|1}}''']). How to join our online meeting * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/89205402895 Join online] * Meeting ID: <span dir=ltr>89205402895</span> * [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kdPQ6k2Bcm Dial by your location] {{int:Feedback-thanks-title}}! On behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation Web team, [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 22:11, 24 January 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=22626210 --> == Updates on the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines Review == Hello everyone, The '''[[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) Enforcement Guidelines]]''' were published 24 January 2022 as a proposed way to apply the [[m:Universal Code of Conduct|Universal Code of Conduct]] across the movement. Comments about the guidelines can be shared here or [[m:Talk:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|the Meta-wiki talk page]]. There will be conversations on Zoom on 4 February 2022 at 15:00 UTC, 25 February 2022 at 12:00 UTC, and 4 March 2022 at 15:00 UTC. '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Conversations|Join the UCoC project team and drafting committee members to discuss the guidelines and voting process]].''' The [[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Project#Timeline|timeline is available on Meta-wiki]]. The voting period is March 7 to 21. '''[[m:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voting|See the voting information page for more details]].''' You can read the full announcement [[m:Updates on the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines Review|here]]. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Sincerely, Movement Strategy and Governance<br/> Wikimedia Foundation [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:36, 4 February 2022 (UTC) == Script error on [[Airport articles]] == Happy new year to everyone. From [[Airport articles#Brisbane|Brisbane]] down, the information is replaced by a script error with red text reading: "The time allocated for running scripts has expired." Does anyone know what's causing this and how to fix it? --[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:51, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :This seems to be a [[mw:Extension:Scribunto|Lua]] problem where there are too many modules in one page. Do you know if it ever worked? Were a bunch of new entries added? Did a template used on this page get changed so that it calls multiple modules? —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 11:57, 11 January 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks Justin. In answer to your questions in order: Yes, no (both with certainty). I don't know.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:59, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::Hm. Weird that it just started then. As someone who doesn't know a lot about modules, I would recommend that a quick fix is to split the article by continents and file a ticket at [[:phab:]]. Someone smarter than me may know more (but that's always true about everything :/). —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 12:01, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::: Works for me now. Perhaps there were some temporary load issues spilling over on the processor time measured (or changing the limits)? Anyway, it might be good not to push the limits. Wikivoyage is quite heavy on processing; are there ways to optimise the listing templates, or other ways to avoid certain pages be very processing-heavy? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:33, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :::::It's also working for me too. We can always file a Phabricator ticket if it becomes a recurring problem. I think we're 14 airports away before we have to split in some way, either by using different colour markers or separate sub-articles.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 15:03, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :That sounds like the [[:w:en:Wikipedia:Template limits#Post-expand_include_size|PEIS]] limit, if anyone is curious. I asked around after it a little while ago but couldn't find anyone who would admit to fully understanding how the devs decided what the limit should be. The workaround is straightforward: split large pages, and optimize templates. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:32, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :: Most time is used for fetching the Wikidata datasets, as you can learn it from html code. It contains a <code>NewPP limit report</code>. Getting the entities takes about 6 seconds which is a huge value which is maybe attributed to the complex airport datasets (and which increases by time because of software additions). The total Lua computing time is near the 10-seconds limit, i.e., sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't work. I made a copy to the German Wikivoyage at [[:de:Benutzer:RolandUnger/Flughäfen]]. It confirmed the huge computing time for getting the entities. But it also shows that the listing scripts can be optimized because it takes only 8 seconds computing time at all which is less by 2 seconds compared to the English Wikivoyage. This shorter computing time prevents any Lua time errors. :: Under normal conditions, in locations articles can be fetched up to 250 different Wikidata sets as can be seen from [[:de:Halle (Saale)]]. Surely, the computing times of <code>Scribunto_LuaSandboxCallback::getEntity</code> and <code>Scribunto_LuaSandboxCallback::callParserFunction</code> should be reduced. And sometimes I made a bug report on phabricator but only minor changes were made removing the bugs. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 16:46, 11 January 2022 (UTC) Since getting fundamental changes to the amount of memory we have is difficult and relies on developers, I propose that we split this article preemptively. We can locally control how many templates and scripts are on a page, so we should be on the lookout for pages that we think may fail. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 18:27, 11 January 2022 (UTC) :Also, it's failing for me around New York City now. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 18:32, 11 January 2022 (UTC) : Can someone check this article again? -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 04:07, 12 January 2022 (UTC) : Nevermind -- I republished the article with no changes and I could see the article. Once I looked elsewhere and came back it was showing errors. One can get page to appear if they ?action=purge (Purge article) - This points me to think in the direction of memory as well.. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 04:15, 12 January 2022 (UTC) * We could remove the Wikidata calls from that article without doing much harm. Every airport listed has a wikilink to its Wikivoyage article, so the Wikidata and Wikipedia icons are not really needed. We may as well encourage readers to click on the internal link and read our article instead of going to Wikipedia or Wikidata. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 19:52, 12 January 2022 (UTC) ** Just first copy the coords from Wikidata to the listing, unless they are there already, to avoid having to copy them by hand later. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:09, 12 January 2022 (UTC) :Take a look at Airport articles/Sandbox. This article is based on [[Module:Marker]] <small>(currently through [[Template:Listing/sandbox]] and [[Template:Marker/sandbox]])</small> instead of [[Module:Map]]. :If you compare the LUA profile of [[Airport articles]] vs Airport articles/Sandbox, you'll see that the first one download 85 Wikidata instances while the second zero. That's why the loading time has been dramatically reduced. To properly compare the loading time you should purge the articles, opening at the same time the following two links: :# https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Airport_articles&action=purge :# https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Airport_articles/Sandbox&action=purge :If there is a consensus to go in this direction I'll complete the new module to allow to retrive the coords when missing, '''BUT''' take into account that anytime the coords will be downloaded from Wikidata (because not written explicitly into the listing template), this will affect again the performance (less than they do today, but still affect). --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:10, 18 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Koavf|Justin]], [[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]], [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], [[User:Matroc|Matroc]], [[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]: what's your feedback between: ::#use the current template (coords -and potentially other info- are always downloaded from Wikidata regardless what's written in the wikicode) ::#use the new module as it is (no coords from Wikidata) ::#use a new revised module (that will download the coords from wikidata, only when not provided within the listing). ::Let me know and I'll proceed accordingly, --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:41, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::I think #3 should be just fine, especially if a bot checks coordinates and imports them every [x] days from Wikidata. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 08:43, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Ditto as Justin. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:49, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::: I'm happy to go with anything that works.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:09, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: If #3 is easy to implement and not too heavy, I think that's the ideal solution. We should copy most coords to the listings – at the latest when the templates time out – but there will be new listings from time to time, and coords are not always listed for them. A bot importing coordinates would be nice, but I think new airport articles are created seldom enough that it can be handled by hand, if we get into the habit or are reminded when there are too many listings lacking them. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:37, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::I prefer #3 without a bot. Sometimes I don't want the coordinates from Wikidata (e.g., when I want coords for the entrance but they want coords for the center of the attraction). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:22, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I prefer #3 with a bot which only downloads the co-ordinates if they are missing from the article. Sometimes our co-ordinates are deliberately quite different from WD, listings for large features like rivers are an extreme example. ::::::::On other articles, an additional benefit of having the co-ordinates in the article is that this displays the markers on the full screen map (from the icon at the top right of a destination article). Wikidata co-ordinates aren't displayed on the full screen map. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:19, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :I've just updated the module, now it retrives the coords from Wikidata if not present in the listing. :The effect in the article (where are present 80 listing with coords and 5 without) is that now just 5 Wikidata entities are queried for coords. As anticipated this cause a loading time increased that is difficult to estimate because too many factors affect it (that's why sometimes the original article was perfectly rendered and sometimes got LUA error in its bottom part), but roughly I would say at least 1 second more. :Before put it into "production", feel free to perform some test using "Template:Listing/sandbox" instead of "Template:Listing" and let me know when and if you are confident for the switch. :After put it into production we should monitor [[:Category:Pages_with_script_errors|this category]] to be sure that no further article will converge here. Any page of that category needs to be fixed. PS There are already few articles there... --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:21, 19 January 2022 (UTC) ::I've just cleaned all the "Pages_with_script_errors". The remaining two are there for different reasons. ::* User:Buzzy: uses 291 markers with 291 wikidata parameters without coords; using the module and adding the coords the issue will be solved ::* User:Pbsouthwood/Dive_sites: uses 553 markers; too much. I suppose the only way to solve the problem is to split the page in two or more subpages. ::--[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 23:42, 19 January 2022 (UTC) :::Without any further feedback, I've boldly put into production the new revised module. Please, promptly highlight (& ping) me any issue you may notice. As expected User:Buzzy page has been automatically fixed, although it takes almost 8 seconds to elaborate the code (very close to the 10 seconds limit). The other one will keep on failing randomly as previously explained. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 20:02, 20 January 2022 (UTC) :::: I think that #3 is a viable solution. :::* Consider changing the editor to automatically supply the missing lat/long coordinates from Wikidata if needed. (Chop format them up to 6 numbers on right of period). Otherwise enter lat/long manually? :::* Airport articles will soon hit the infamous 99 limit. Perhaps use color markers to avoid numbering issue? :::* Maps - Perhaps use group and show. 1 main map for all (with a legend pointing to each area) - individual maps for groupings ie. Africa, Asia etc. or a page link to the main map centering on the area of interest. This might reduce mapbuilding costs as well. If time permits I will see if I can make an example. -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 06:07, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::* Example I made - this will remain for a few days if interested - [[User:Matroc/Laboratory1|'''Example''']] -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 18:50, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:Matroc|Matroc]], if you are talking of the listing editor in your first point, I can say that the wikidata sync is possible but shall be explicitly requested by the user (it's not automatic) and regarding the coords, it already round the number with just 6 decimals. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:22, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: Great! Thanks for input! -- [[User:Matroc|Matroc]] ([[User talk:Matroc|talk]]) 18:50, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === Image parameter does not work anymore === In listings like <nowiki>{{see ..., image=name.jpg, ...}}</nowiki> the image does not show anymore on the mapframe map. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 06:57, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :I noticed that on [[Tasmanian national parks]] today. I simply ignored it because I thought it was a single-article issue and there were already images listed below but it seems that it's happening sitewide. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:00, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Andyrom75}} needs to test [https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Marker&action=history his changes] to {{tl|Marker}} again/better :) The version before the change works OK. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 07:13, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], as said by [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]], I confirm that I need to work on that. Currently I focused my attention on coordinates. Sorry for the temporary disservice. :::Just one thing. To show the picture passed through the "name" parameter is relatively easy and won't affect the performance, but to download the image from Wikidata may have an impact on page loading time (see above discussion about coords where the community decide to go for solution #3). :::I can follow the same approach, but let's keep in mind the collateral effect. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:37, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Okay sure. Whichever one works is fine for me. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:39, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], now the manually input image is shown in the map. To use the Wikidata image I would like to hear more feedback. Although I've noticed that [[module:map]] already did it, so I exclude to achieve worse performances. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:21, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::There's no way we can exclude image fetching from WD, short of running a bot, which will do the sync WD->WV Articles regularly. That would require non-trivial logic to not overwrite manually entered images... IMO if a page is giving timeout errors, it's time to split it or optimize the software/increase limits. But this particular functionality is my personal favorite of the markers, I very very very strongly oppose removing it! ;-) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 11:46, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], just implemented the Wikidata image retrieval. Roughly it has an impact of 10% on performance (clearly it depends on the number of listings/markers that require such service). User:Buzzy page reenter into the [[:Category:Pages with script errors]] :-( Let's monitor that category to be sure that no other article will flow down there. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:17, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :Right now there is no indication of an image at the "mouse over" event for the map markers. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 11:01, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], I'm not sure I got your point. Could you tell me which article and which listing/marker are you looking at? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 11:42, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::The affected articles have to be refreshed (e.g. do an edit+don't change anything+press 'publish'), probably it will happen automagically, in time. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 11:51, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I tried it with [[Rome/South]]. At the left side see-22 has an image, nearby see-19 has no image. The "mouse over" info does not show a difference; only if you click the marker, you get the picture (22) or the text becomes bold (19). I did a few chages in the article, but that did not change the "mouse over" behavior. --[[User:FredTC|FredTC]] ([[User talk:FredTC|talk]]) 12:19, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Hmm, I cannot even get a mouse-over with older marker template (but the problem could be also my settings, or that something further changed... in any case I never used this, was only clicking on the markers in the map). While we are at it, also the external links aren't highlighted now in the markers. -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 12:31, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], honestly I don't recall such behavior inside the map. A similar behavior happens when you stop over a blue wikilink inside the text and you have activated the "Navigation popups" gadget. However, this is something managed server side by the map extension, hence we shouldn't be able to alter it client side. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:20, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === Wikipedia icon on listings and markers === In [[Southwest National Park]] and [[Tasmanian national parks]], I noticed that the Wikipedia icon has changed. Any reason to this? I preferred the old one. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:21, 21 January 2022 (UTC) : Seems to be the caused by the same as above... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 07:40, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::{{ping|Andyrom75}}? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 07:42, 21 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], fixed. I forgot that the en:voy icon is different from the it:voy icon. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:37, 21 January 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the fix :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:39, 21 January 2022 (UTC) === NA creates coords at 0,0 === Per [[template:see]] when NA is added to a see listing it should create no marker but if you look at [[Swedish Empire]] "Skattkammaren" which has coords of NA has a marker at 0,0 when it should have none. How do you fix this? [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 01:58, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :{{ping|Andyrom75}}, did you accidentally do something? [[Yosemite National Park]] is also another example of where coords are concentrated at 0,0. :All I would say is to omit the coords altogether. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 02:00, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], I can fix it but I was wondering why inserting "NA" in place of leaving lat/long parameters just blank? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:15, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::Not sure. I usually just leave it blank, but a lot of articles use "NA" for some reason. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:16, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], since in the past you worked on on both [[Template:Marker]] and [[Module:Map]] maybe you can tell me which is the reason to adopt the "NA" coords approach instead of leaving them blanks. This issue can be fi in two ways: restore the "NA" approach or to bot-clean the "NA" occurrences. In it:voy we never use "NA", here there are around 250 articles that use it and checking some of those I tend to suppose that is a wrong use, but this is just my opinion. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 08:25, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::The reason for this was that sometimes listings have coords in wikidata, but we don't actually want the coords. Mostly it's stuff like festivals, which have coords (even worse if it's at different place every year) of the city where it occurs - but we don't need that. So people here decided we'll use NA to force-remove the coords from the listings, even if they have some in WD. :) -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 08:51, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], sorry for late answer but I was out during this sunny Saturday :-P ::::::I would say that if the WD coords are wrong shall be deleted or updated, at least that's what I'm used to to do. If a festival change place is an information that shall be regularly updated like the prices, opening time, etc. I still don't see the need of those "NA" coords. Do you think it worth to reopen the conversation? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 19:19, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::: In some cases the need might need to be discussed, but I don't think there always should be a marker. The typical example I have stumbled into is where the festival (or whatever) is at a venue which already is listed. I think pointing to the venue in the directions parameter is better than having two markers on top of each other. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:29, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::If it's a listing and you specify WD, it will become a marker automagically... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:34, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Isn't NA there exactly to avoid that? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:38, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Yep... -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 21:57, 22 January 2022 (UTC) :::::::Sunny Saturday? I don't know what you are talking about - it's been raining, snowing and windy all day! :-D :::::::Check [[Template_talk:Marker#Coordinates being created without being manually set]] and [[Template_talk:Marker#Wikidata lat/longs]]. There will probably be another discussion somewhere, but the bottom line is that WD and WV have different target. So coords WD has may not be of any interest to WV, but it may be interesting e.g. to wikipedia, or for some data mining. IMO there's no "shame" in sometimes only picking data we need from WD, so NA is okay for me (but in the end, I never used it nor don't I particularly care)... And mainly, I don't really want to be involved in re-discussing the topic - since you opened the Pandora's box by touching this thing, you'll have to do the argumentation... :-P -- [[User_talk:Andree.sk|andree]] 20:33, 22 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::[[User:Andree.sk|Andree]], sorry to hear that, so I would avoid to tell you that I was walking barefoot on the forshore ... a bit unsual for January here as well, but why not :-P ::::::::Coming back to point. ::::::::Inside the conversation that you linked I've found the following points: ::::::::* The listing could be linked to the wrong Wikidata entity (e.g. association that organize an event in place of the event itself), hence I would say that the wikidata parameter shall be deleted ::::::::* The information on wikidata are wrong (not only relevant to coords), hence I would say that the wikidata info shall be updated/corrected, to grant such benefit to all the WMF projects that use Wikidata &mdash; however let's recall that WD info are just a fallback when local info are missing ::::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], if I got correctly your point, you are describing a situation when two or more listing have the same location. In the affirmative case I would say that is fine. Let's think on Asian shops that are located in different floor of the same building, or maybe western malls where different restaurants can be found in it. ::::::::Notwithstanding this, if there is a real consensus on re-establish the "NA" feature, I'll do it, although I think is a good idea. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:29, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::: Shops on different floors is of course a possible situation, but I think it is rare, except when they are in the same mall, which could be pointed at instead of giving coordinates to individual shops; people aren't navigating by GPS indoors. Overlapping markers are problematic, as you don't get to see the individual ones without zooming in. This is of course a trade off; we would have markers for a listed shop and an adjacent restaurant (except in the mall case). ::::::::: A different scenario is when a festival is all around the town. You might want a marker on a ticket office or similar, but sometimes that would be a stretch or even misleading. And you wouldn't want markers for half a dozen events at the tourist office, or at the stadium. ::::::::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:59, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] in Asian metropolis is quite common to have shops, restaurants, etc, in different floor of the same building (not a mall, just an Nth floor commercial building), and since all of them are advertised (generally in local language), it's very complicated to understand where you have to go :-D ::::::::::A festival in my opinion it's similar to a huge airport. Lets' consider JFK or CDG. We have reference coords to locate it "in the world", then if we want to point out specific things (e.g. terminal, car rentals, parking, shops, etc.) we can still use markers typically not associated to Wikidata. ::::::::::That's said, I'm still not in favor of "NA" feature but I'll follow community's will. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 10:35, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::: If the coords are useful in a specific case, of course they should be included, as I said about adjacent shops. NA is useful if there are (enough) cases where the marker makes more harm than good. I have seen it as useful in several cases, so I tend to think it should be available. One more case: for festivals that move around, you said the coords should be updated. Yes they should. But next years location may be somewhere I cannot easily find coordinates to (such a venue called on the web site by a local term unknown to me), and removing last year's misleading ones, I'd just get the headquarters' from WD, in another town. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:54, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::A case where NA is useful is where the WD lat/long is that of an office which is closed to visitors. A festival may sell tickets from the tourist office, but be "based" in an industrial estate, because that is where they store the equipment between events. WP still wants tha address of the office in the industrial estate. ::::::::::::Another example is [[England#Preservation_trusts]] where English Heritage has the lat/long of an office but travellers are intersted in the castles etc that they run, and should not try to visit the office. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 10:59, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], in my opinion if the coords in a festival entity are the one of the association that organize the festival, the coords are wrong and should be moved from here to the association entity (if any). :However, in the meanwhile I'm going to work to restore this functionality, but I still hope the community's decision will go in the other direction :-) --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:53, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::Just adding my voice to the chorus – I think the NA functionality is important for cases like those stated above. Thank you for working on this, Andyrom75. —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 15:16, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::I also support NA, which I've used in the past in some cases, such as when multiple points of interest are found at approximately the same coordinates. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 18:47, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::::I should have restored the NA feature. Please check and let me know. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 23:24, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::Fine now, Thanks [[User:Tai123.123|Tai123.123]] ([[User talk:Tai123.123|talk]]) 23:30, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::::: {{ping|Andyrom75}}. Some articles use N/A. Is it hard to get also that variant working, or should we search for such articles? I haven't seen n/a, but that is the correct spelling according to Wiktionary, so it might have to be checked also. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:07, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], I would suggest to use just one single way to avoid the use of Wikidata. This way will go into the template manual and the articles that already use "NA" will be a clear example of how it should work. Because of this I suggest to find & replace all the other similar occurrences. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 13:14, 25 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::::A search of insource:"lat=N/A" returned just one article. I have taken care of a few earlier. Is that the way to find them or may I have missed some of them? (I tried also n/a and spaces around the equal mark). [[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 13:53, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::I think [[User:LPfi|you]] changed them all. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:43, 25 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: OK, thanks. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:38, 25 February 2022 (UTC) === Elements not showing on Helsinki/Central === Something is wrong with the map at [[Helsinki/Central]]. When the page loads, the map initially shows all the locations of the elements in the article, but then they all immediately disappear and there is no way to get them back. Individual elements can be viewed by clicking on the element in the article text, but there is no way to seem them all at once on the map. The maps on other subpages of [[Helsinki]] seem to work OK, it's just Central that is broken. What is causing this? [[User:JIP|JIP]] ([[User talk:JIP|talk]]) 19:33, 23 January 2022 (UTC) : Maps in other articles have the same issue. /[[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] ([[User talk:Yvwv|talk]]) 19:44, 23 January 2022 (UTC) I have edited several pages today [[Faversham]] and [[Sittingbourne]] they are displaying on both my computer and phone without mapframe elements showing. --[[User:RobThinks|RobThinks]] ([[User talk:RobThinks|talk]]) 20:37, 23 January 2022 (UTC) ::The problem seems to have gone away now. The map elements on [[Helsinki/Central]], [[Faversham]] and [[Sittingbourne]] work OK now. [[User:JIP|JIP]] ([[User talk:JIP|talk]]) 23:38, 23 January 2022 (UTC) :::[[User:JIP|JIP]], sorry for the yesterday temporary disservice (almost a couple of hours) but I was working on the previous topic. As you can see, 10 minutes before your last post, I solved it. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 09:20, 24 January 2022 (UTC) === [[:Category:Listing without plain text name]] === With the new module I took the chance to categorize all the article that has at least one marker/listing with conflicting information, hence with an external link (url parameter) and with a wikilink name in place of a plain text one (name parameter). In such case, I've simply ignored the url parameter waiting for any volunteer that would fix. However, I'd like to know if this choice is fine for the community or if there is a different opinion on how to treat these cases. --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 14:39, 24 January 2022 (UTC) :I have just seen that [[Denver]] is in this category, because there is a wikilink in the listing name of Denver International Airport. I don't think that this is a problem, but others may disagree. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:15, 24 January 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], regarding Denver you can compare the followings: ::* "[[Denver#Centennial Airport|Centennial Airport]]" whose name is NOT a wikilink and it's used for the provided external link ::* "[[Denver#Denver International Airport|Denver International Airport]]" whose name IS a wikilink and it's used for the wikilink, ignoring the provided external link ::--[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 12:08, 25 January 2022 (UTC) :::Thanks. I have removed the wikilink. I recognise that this is the best approach for consistency. However I am still not 100% convinced that this is the most useful for readers in the particular case where we have a dedicated article on the airport. The external link is now more prominent than the internal one. When the wikilink was there, the external link was still reachable by clinking on the icon after the wikilink. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 22:28, 26 January 2022 (UTC) ::::[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] reverted the edit on Denver, and may wish to comment here. ::::A stronger case for saying wikilinks are ok in listing names is [[Castles]]. Here several of the castles have wikilinks as part of the name. In this case the castles don't have external links, and it seems verbose to say "Nuremberg Castle, [[Nuremberg]]" rather than "[[Nuremberg]] Castle". [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 23:08, 26 January 2022 (UTC) :::::My thoughts are that if we have a link for that POI, then we don't need to include the external link – the external link should be in the linked article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 23:25, 26 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::[[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]], [[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]], on it:voy, as you can see for example on [[:it:Aeroporti in Italia]], I've used a different approach, starting from the assumption that originally the listings were not supposed to have a wikilink in the name parameter (so we normally remove those wikilinks). ::::::Basically, if on it:voy, exists an article associated to the provided wikidata parameter, the template shows automatically the Wikivoyage icon with the relevant wikilink, so the name will be free to accomodate the URL. ::::::Do you think that this approach would be suitable for en:voy as well? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 15:22, 27 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Mostly, if we have an article we want to link that, and the external link should be found in the article in question. I have used internal and external link mostly when the internal one is a redlink. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 08:37, 28 January 2022 (UTC) ::::::::Ditto as LPfi. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:40, 28 January 2022 (UTC) == Page views last year == The [https://pageviews.toolforge.org/siteviews/?platform=all-access&source=pageviews&agent=user&start=2021-01&end=2021-12&sites=en.wikivoyage.org sitewide page views] showed a slightly strange pattern last year. We had two big spikes. The first spike, however, didn't correlate with a spike [https://pageviews.toolforge.org/siteviews/?platform=all-sites&source=unique-devices&start=2021-01&end=2021-12&sites=en.wikivoyage.org in unique devices] (the second did). To get a clearer view, it may be helpful to click the option for "Begin at zero" on the graph. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 04:01, 5 February 2022 (UTC) :The first spike in February and March was similar to a spike in February 2018. For many of us it was during a time of near lockdown, and so was prob1ably caused my armchair travellers, unlike the second peak in August which was when travel was easier for many. From May 2020 onwards, the average monthly page views is about 2/3 of months before. The trends for other languages have some similarities. :Looking at individual articles, [[Around the World in Eighty Days]] has grown in popularity from being the 65th most popular page in September to the 4th most popular last month. A BBC TV series very loosely based on the book started showing in late December, which has obviously caused this. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 00:42, 6 February 2022 (UTC) == Related pages links at the bottom of the page == Hi all, Can anyone point me to where the explanation for the related pages links displayed below articles can be found? Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 13:07, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *{{Ping|Pbsouthwood}} This is our policy on [[Wikivoyage:Internal links]]. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 17:03, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *:The template is useful for fixing strange suggestions or prioritizing certain articles. Another way to fix strange suggestions is to edit the linked article. *:The linked pages are chosen according to how similar the articles seem to be. You can check the results for any article by putting <code>morelike:Article</code> into the regular search bar. For example, the nine pages listed at the bottom of [[Iowa]] match the first nine search results at [[Special:Search/morelike:Iowa]]. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:52, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *::Thanks {{ping|WhatamIdoing}}, This is what I was looking for. How are the articles actually selected? (what makes one "morelike" another?} Cheers, &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 18:20, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *:::I've heard that it looks for similar words and similar links. The official documentation is at https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/query-dsl-mlt-query.html [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:54, 6 February 2022 (UTC) *::::Thanks {{ping|WhatamIdoing}}, your ability to come up with a useful answer is much appreciated. Am I correct in assuming that the template you mention above is <nowiki>{{related}}</nowiki>, and that those articles tagged as related will jump to the top of the queue? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 05:30, 7 February 2022 (UTC) *:::::Yes, that's the template. I believe that if you use the template (or its underlying magic word) that the rest of the automatic list is completely suppressed (not just the top of the queue). [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:37, 7 February 2022 (UTC) == Template:Confused should be wrapped with noexcerpt span == In response to [https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Topic:Wpsv3pxf0lklbomj&topic_showPostId=wq2br4tzj6qnbp54&fromnotif=1#flow-post-wq2br4tzj6qnbp54 my question at the Wikimedia support desk], [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] explained that the problem was caused by [[:Template:Confused]] not being wrapped in <syntaxhighlight inline><span class="noexcerpt"> ... </span></syntaxhighlight>. I propose that we do this, as it seems costless to readers/editors and would improve compatibility with the Wikimedia API. (Other templates, e.g. [[:Template:Other uses]], are already wrapped.) I apparently have rights to do this myself, and it looks simple enough, but I don't particularly want to, given that I have zero experience editing Wikimedia templates and I don't know their pitfalls. If we agree that this should be done, I am hoping that somebody with a bit more experience in this area could make the change. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 13:52, 15 February 2022 (UTC) : It seemed to be a no-brainer, so I did the change. If somebody sees any pitfalls, please check or undo. In the bug discussion, also "role=note" was recommended, but I am not sure what that does, so did not add it. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 14:11, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::Thanks. Weirdly, the [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/Sun_River API call's] "extract" value is just a <syntaxhighlight inline>\n</syntaxhighlight> character now. Wondering out loud... would your change propagate that fast to the API? Damn, I should have tested it immediately before posting here. I guess I'll give it a few days and try again and if it's still being weird I'll follow up somewhere. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 14:26, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::I moved the image out of the way in [[Sun River|the article]] just in case that was causing any weirdness. Will see what happens. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 14:40, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::: I first tried to include everything in the &lt;span>&lt;/span>, but that made the ":" not work. Seems it uses the first paragraph, and the ":" line is interpreted as that first line. [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:TextExtracts Extension:TextExtracts] does not tell how to get around this. Adding a blank line? But span shouldn't span paragraph breaks. HTML for the ":"? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:17, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::Do you think the ":" is what [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] was referring to in the second half of the response? I think he might be saying we shouldn't use the ":" for indentation and instead use the CSS styling he suggests – this might allow us to kill two birds with one stone, but also seems to relate to a larger issue with our use of ":" in templates. I wonder if that CSS styling is documented anywhere. I could ask him in my MW support thread (though I kinda hate pestering those guys). [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:55, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::: Probably yes, to all of those. MediaWiki should have rendered ":" as &lt;span ...> to begin with, but I suppose it is too late for that. I don't know what side effects changing the ":" to something else in all templates would have, but perhaps some of the technical folks here could comment. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 20:22, 15 February 2022 (UTC) ::::::Okay I followed up on my MW thread. Will report back. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 22:35, 15 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::Hi [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] responded and kindly implemented some fixes over here. The [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/Sun_River extract] for [[Sun River]] works now, but it is a bit of a naive solution and in his response [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] notes a couple points of action: 1) He provides an example of using CSS styling to implement the indent, rather than using the ":"; 2) Noting the weirdness with the [[:Template:Page banner]] in interacting with the extract parser, he suggests we "definitely add 'noexcerpt' to the hidden span with country data". I'll admit that (1) is a bit over my head and (2) I don't really understand, although it seems it might be a quick fix for somebody who knew what they were doing. So, a couple questions... do you understand both (1) and (2)? And do you think there is any fierce urgency to pursue these fixes now? One benefit that [[User:TheDJ|TheDJ]] mentioned was improved Google indexing, which might be a win for the site as a whole. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 18:04, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I'll take a look later. Ping me if I haven't commented here in a week. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:24, 22 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Will do. Thanks. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 00:39, 23 February 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Hi [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], as promised. Personally, I'm not too fussed about this. If you feel like taking a look at [https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Topic:Wpsv3pxf0lklbomj&topic_showPostId=wq2br4tzj6qnbp54&fromnotif=1#flow-post-wq2br4tzj6qnbp54 TheDJ's suggestions], fantastic. But I'm not really sure of their importance and if you don't have the bandwidth right now I'm happy to shelve this to potentially bring it up again if I notice any weirdness in the future. Thanks, [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:35, 2 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::: Thanks. I think I am going to do it at some time – not knowing how this works bugs me – but I think I'd better save it for another time. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:58, 2 March 2022 (UTC) == Survey: Help improve Kartographer == [[File:Technical_Wishes_Geoinfo_Logo.svg|right|200px]] Do you create interactive maps with [[mw:Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer]] (mapframe)? If your answer is yes, we would like to hear from you. Please take part in our survey and help improve Kartographer! '''Where do you run into problems using it? Which new features would you like to see?''' Editors of all experience levels and with all workflows around Kartographer are welcome to participate. '''Here is the survey: https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/ ''' * The survey is open until March 31. * It takes 10-15 minutes to complete. * The survey is anonymous. You don't need to register, and we will not store any personal data which identifies you, such as your name or IP address. Unfortunately, the survey is only available in English, but we have tried our best to use simple English and to add visual examples. If English is not your native language, it might help to use a translation tool in your browser. Some background: Wikimedia Germany's [[m:WMDE Technical Wishes|Technical Wishes team]] is currently working on the [[mw:Help:Extension:Kartographer|Kartographer extension]]. Over the last few months, we have been working on a solution to make this software usable on [[phab:T191585|wikis where it isn’t available yet]]. In the next phase of the project, we are planning to improve Kartographer itself. Because Kartographer is used quite a lot on this wiki, we would love to hear about your experiences. More information on our work with Kartographer and the focus area of Geoinformation can be found [[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Geoinformation|on our project page]]. Thank you for your help! – [[User:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|Johanna Strodt (WMDE)]] ([[User talk:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|talk]]) 08:51, 21 March 2022 (UTC) :Who are our best map people? What problems are we having? This is a ''really'' important opportunity to ask for what we need, and we should not miss it. We've got 10 days. What can we do, to help them understand what we need? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:09, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::As someone who likes experimenting with dynamic maps, if there's two thing that I'd like, it's that we have ::* topographic maps (showing elevation) – useful for remote areas where elevations matter and can travellers plan ::* Get maps designed to look both from the perspective of the North and South Poles. Useful for travel topics such as [[Northern Lights]] <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:18, 21 March 2022 (UTC) ::: Isn't that about using a different map projection (such as a "polar Azimuthal equidistant projection"? Do the underlying tool's provide that as an option? [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 07:39, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], Would this be relevant to the [[Template talk:Regionlist#"Hack" for toggling static and dynamic maps on destination articles|failure]] of [[Template:Regionlist]] to toggle on mobile? &bull; &bull; &bull; [[User:Pbsouthwood|Peter (Southwood)]] [[User talk:Pbsouthwood|^(talk)]]: 14:01, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*:Yes, I'm sure that's something they should be hearing about. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:43, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :*::@[[User:Pbsouthwood|Pbsouthwood]] I think this is more a Wikimedia issue than a Kartographer one, however, if they would solve it I'll be more than glad :-) [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:37, 22 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom75]], @[[User:JIP|JIP]], @[[User:Matroc|Matroc]], @[[User:FredTC|FredTC]], you all mentioned map problems and templates above on this page. Would you please click on https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/ and tell Johanna about it? The survey has several questions (e.g., are you mostly a reader, an editor, a template maintainer?) and the third page is all about problems. There are places to add your own text, and links to prior discussions are helpful. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:48, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::Done. Thanks @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] for the ping. [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:35, 22 March 2022 (UTC) ::: Ah rats. I only saw this survey just now. I remember that there was an issue with this extension if the points cross over the 180th meridian. The points don't show side by side if it crosses this line, but rather wrapped around the prime meridian. You can see that in [[Taveuni]] in Fiji. (Others like the [[Kiribati]], [[Aleutian Islands]] in Alaska, [[Chukotka]] in Russia and Antarctica are also susceptible). [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 14:36, 12 April 2022 (UTC) == Join the Community Resilience and Sustainability Conversation Hour with Maggie Dennis == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Leadership Development Working Group/Participate/Announcement| You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24/Announcement|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24/Announcement}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' The [[m:Community Resilience and Sustainability|Community Resilience and Sustainability]] team at the Wikimedia Foundation is hosting a conversation hour led by its Vice President [[m:User:Mdennis (WMF)|Maggie Dennis]]. Topics within scope for this call include Movement Strategy, Board Governance, Trust and Safety, the Universal Code of Conduct, Community Development, and Human Rights. Come with your questions and feedback, and let's talk! You can also send us your questions in advance. The meeting will be on 24 March 2022 at 15:00 UTC ([https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1648134035 check your local time]). You can [[m:IRC office hours/Office hours 2022-03-24|read details on Meta-wiki]]. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 11:38, 21 March 2022 (UTC) == Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement guidelines ratification voting is now closed == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message| You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Vote/Closing message}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Greetings, The ratification voting process for the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|revised enforcement guidelines]] of the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct|Universal Code of Conduct]] (UCoC) came to a close on 21 March 2022. Over 2300 Wikimedians voted across different regions of our movement. Thank you to everyone who participated in this process! The scrutinizing group is now reviewing the vote for accuracy, so please allow up to two weeks for them to finish their work. The final results from the voting process will be announced [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voting/Results|here]], along with the relevant statistics and a summary of comments as soon as they are available. Please check out [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines/Voter information|the voter information page]] to learn about the next steps. You can comment on the project talk page [[m:Talk:Universal Code of Conduct/Enforcement guidelines|on Meta-wiki]] in any language. You may also contact the UCoC project team by email: ucocproject[[File:At sign.svg|16x16px|link=|(_AT_)]]wikimedia.org Best regards, Movement Strategy and Governance [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:11, 23 March 2022 (UTC) == Shan Wikivoyage is live == [[:shn:]] is being imported as we speak: a pretty incredible achievement for that community, as its 3.3&nbsp;million speakers are localized in [[Burma]] and there is not a large Internet presence there as well as some serious internal difficulties with different ethnic populations, so congrats on all their hard work and {{lang|shn|တွၼ်ႈ}} ({{lang|my|ကြို+ဆို+ပါ၏}}) to our comrades who are spreading free knowledge and culture for the world's benefit. <ins>(Sorry to all of my new Shan friends: I am too ignorant to use the interjection "welcome" and only know the verb...)</ins> —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 15:58, 23 March 2022 (UTC) == Extracts broken == Extracts for a huge number of Wikivoyage articles on the V1 Rest API seem to suddenly be missing. For example, [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/France France] (empty string in the "extract" field) and [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/New_York_City NYC] (just a newline character). Did something change here recently? Thanks. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:41, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]], could you check again? [[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 16:50, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::[[User:Andyrom75|Andyrom75]], still seems to be the case. I asked over at [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Topic:Wsb67vfdy0ig2ej5 mw too]. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 16:56, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::For comparison, [https://en.wikivoyage.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/London London] still works, but comparing the [[London]] vs. [[New York City]] articles I don't see anything that looks like a salient difference. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:04, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::Update: it's the page banner template. I tested it on [[Fada]]. Removing the page banner template restored the extract in the REST API summary call. But London has a page banner template as well, so I'm really not sure what is going on. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:13, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::I see the following output: <div class="cassetto mw-collapsible mw-collapsed mw-made-collapsible" style="background:#FFFFFF;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:1px solid #AAAAAA"><span class="mw-collapsible-toggle mw-collapsible-toggle-default mw-collapsible-toggle-collapsed" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false">X</span><div class="titolo" style="background:#EFEFEF">France</div><div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: none;"> {"type":"standard","title":"France","displaytitle":"France","namespace":{"id":0,"text":""},"wikibase_item":"Q142","titles":{"canonical":"France","normalized":"France","display":"France"},"pageid":11954,"thumbnail":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/France-regions-2017.svg/306px-France-regions-2017.svg.png","width":306,"height":320},"originalimage":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/France-regions-2017.svg/619px-France-regions-2017.svg.png","width":619,"height":647},"lang":"en","dir":"ltr","revision":"4414523","tid":"6336fcb0-aac5-11ec-834b-93b7d2471af3","timestamp":"2022-03-23T16:22:04Z","description":"country in Western Europe","description_source":"central","coordinates":{"lat":47,"lon":2},"content_urls":{"desktop":{"page":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France","revisions":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=history","edit":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=edit","talk":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:France"},"mobile":{"page":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France","revisions":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:History/France","edit":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/France?action=edit","talk":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:France"}},"extract":"","extract_html":"<p></p>"}</div></div> <div class="cassetto mw-collapsible mw-collapsed mw-made-collapsible" style="background:#FFFFFF;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:1px solid #AAAAAA"><span class="mw-collapsible-toggle mw-collapsible-toggle-default mw-collapsible-toggle-collapsed" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false">X</span><div class="titolo" style="background:#EFEFEF">London</div><div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: none;"> {"type":"standard","title":"London","displaytitle":"London","namespace":{"id":0,"text":""},"wikibase_item":"Q84","titles":{"canonical":"London","normalized":"London","display":"London"},"pageid":20053,"thumbnail":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Routemaster_RM871.jpg/320px-Routemaster_RM871.jpg","width":320,"height":249},"originalimage":{"source":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Routemaster_RM871.jpg","width":3133,"height":2441},"lang":"en","dir":"ltr","revision":"4395617","tid":"33a442d0-aa63-11ec-a29e-0be729167ba7","timestamp":"2022-02-24T14:54:41Z","description":"capital and largest city of the United Kingdom","description_source":"central","coordinates":{"lat":51.5086,"lon":-0.1264},"content_urls":{"desktop":{"page":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London","revisions":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=history","edit":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=edit","talk":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:London"},"mobile":{"page":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London","revisions":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:History/London","edit":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/London?action=edit","talk":"https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Talk:London"}},"extract":"Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of England, and of the wider United Kingdom, it is also the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of a little over 8 million, but the estimate of between 12 and 14 million people in the greater metropolitan area better reflects its size and importance. Considered one of the world's leading \"global cities\", London remains an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade.","extract_html":"<p>Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, <b><span class=\"external text\">London</span></b> is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of England, and of the wider United Kingdom, it is also the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, <b>Greater London</b> has an official population of a little over 8 million, but the estimate of between 12 and 14 million people in the greater metropolitan area better reflects its size and importance. Considered one of the world's leading \"global cities\", London remains an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade.</p>"}</div></div> :::Is it ok? --[[User:Andyrom75|<span style="color:#BB0000; font-family:Papyrus; font-size:12px">'''Andyrom75'''</span>]] ([[User talk:Andyrom75|talk]]) 17:27, 23 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Compare the "extract" field on those two. Notice the France one is empty (""), while the London one has the extract ("Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural..."). The extract field is what websites (like Google with en.wp) use to create page summaries in their results. For some reason this seems to be missing in a ton (maybe the majority) of wv pages now. The mediawiki extract parser is choking on something. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 17:32, 23 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Ok, how's this for a crazy idea? I'd like to minimize the problem, and right now I am assuming that the problem, or at least the code that is choking the parser, lies somewhere in the Pagebanner template. What if I created a new, temporary template (not entirely sure that I have the permissions to do this), and I copied the Pagebanner template code to that new template. I then pick some obscure page, let's say [[Fada]], where I replace the Pagebanner template with my own copy. I can then start deleting components in my own template until I find the line that is breaking the parser. Armed with that information (assuming my plan works), I can then approach the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Parsing MediaWiki parsing team] and say, "hey, I believe this code is breaking the parser". With luck they'd be able to tell me whether it is a problem on our end or on their end and perhaps even what to do about it. Does this sound insane? If it does, anyone have a better idea on how I can sandbox/start tackling this? Thanks, [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 15:40, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: Not a crazy idea. The approach is often used for finding a software bug: try to find the simplest code that triggers it. There are bugs that are hard to find this way, especially those that appear in a quasi-random fashion, such as often when [[:w:race condition|race condition]]s or exhaustion of some odd resource are involved. If this started to happen recently, without changes to the template, it can easily be something odd. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 18:08, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::: Oh... yeah... I think we got ourselves a [[w:Heisenbug|Heisenbug]]. Added my test template to [[Fada]], extract returned properly. Then rolled it back to original page template banner and the extract is still there :facepalm: [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 18:53, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::Freaking bizarre. All it takes to restore the extract is to delete the Pagebanner template, save the page, and then restore it. Seems like this is definitely one for the Mediawiki folks. Thanks all. [[User:LPfi|LPfi]], perhaps you could delete [[Template:Test1pagebanner]] when you get a chance? [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:24, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::: Thanks for trying it out. I leave the test template for the time being, we might still want to do some experimenting. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:40, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::Good point, cheers. [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:43, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::Update: Looks like there's a [https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T295255 bug report] out for this (or at least a very similar issue)... since November :/ [[User:Brycehughes|Brycehughes]] ([[User talk:Brycehughes|talk]]) 19:06, 25 March 2022 (UTC) == Importante message from WikiSP == <div class="plainlinks mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"> === Important Message === <div style="background-color: #e9f0f5; max-width: 62rem; margin: 1rem auto 3.5rem auto; font-family: sans;"> <hr> <div style="margin: 60px; background: #ffffff; padding: 1em;"> <div style="font-size: x-large; line-height: normal; padding-top: .4em; color: #303e49; font-weight: bold;">Help us!</div> <hr> [[File:Wikisp-logo-icon-black.svg|120px|right]] <p>We, Wikimedia Small Projects in Spanish, as an official affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation watch over all the small projects of the movement and carry out initiatives for the communities to benefit. Today we have made a request for general support to fund our annual action plan.<br><br> '''What will we do?''' * DataVoyage in Commons: An editing workshop on how to collaborate with Wikidata, Wikivoyage and Commons (eswikivoyage only), * Wikivoyage 10: A contest celebrating Wikivoyage's ten years as part of the Wikimedia family (all communities), * Wikivoyage Asian Month: A contest in which you can write guides related to Asia (all communities), * Wikivoyage mobile app: A prototype that will allow mobile access to Wikivoyages * Small Projects Conference: A conference where we talk about all the small projects of the Wikimedia movement, as well as agreements and ideas to implement in the future.<br><br> '''What can you do?''' * '''Start a discussion''' among yourselves to come up with other initiatives that will further benefit the communities and notify Wikimedia Small Projects so that they can be implemented next year. * '''Support the request'''' by placing your signature in the discussion: [[:m:Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Plan de actividades de Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023#Communities support|Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023#Communities support]] * '''Volunteer in one of our initiatives''': Are you interested in collaborating directly in our initiatives? Let us know! <br> We are here to change course and it is only possible with your support! </p> <br> <span style="background-color: #acb7c0; border: 1px solid #acb7c0; border-radius: 2px; line-height: 1.05; padding: 0.4em 0.8em; margin: 2px; display: inline-block;">[[m:Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Plan de actividades de Wikimedia Small Projects 2022-2023|<span style="color: #ffffff;">Learn more</span>]]</span> </div> <hr> </div></div> 21:28, 23 March 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Galahad (WMSP)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Galahad/Wikivoyage&oldid=23047882 --> :Wikivoyage's 10th anniversary is already coming up?! It feels like the 5th was just a little while ago. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:41, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::I wasn't here back in 2018, but time really has flown since then. It seems that the museum piece (aka The Other Site) is only getting worse day by day based on a weekly check I do. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 20:52, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :::This is what I can do for the upcoming 10-year anniversary of [[Wikivoyage]]. A video to put on the [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8KElojBDUbwTHc07X_l1g YouTube channel]. Video- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b4EJKWyB9bZDibAEmDgGQ0wfPsYCsw-q/view . It took about 2 hours. Suggest some changes or correction and feel free to criticize Cheers! :) [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 19:41, 25 March 2022 (UTC) ::::@[[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]] Nice video – don't think there's anything criticise, even if you go extra nitpicky ;-). The only thing I'd say is that the 31000 could become 32000 soon (we currently have {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}, and if we manage to create a little over 700, it may become 32000 soon). <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:14, 27 March 2022 (UTC) :::::Yes! [[User:2006nishan178713|2006nishan178713]]^{[[User talk:2006nishan178713|t@lk]]} 12:44, 27 March 2022 (UTC) :And, of course, it's been around since 2003, but was only adopted later. It was a very early MediaWiki wiki. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 22:08, 24 March 2022 (UTC) :If we count since the first wikivoyage was migrated would be Sep 23. If we count since the first wikivoyage accepted, Jan 07 (eswikivoyage). But our birthday is Jan 15! [[User:Galahad|Galahad]] ([[User talk:Galahad|''sasageyo!'']])^{([[:es::User talk:Galahad|''esvoy'']])} 23:50, 24 March 2022 (UTC) ::I remember @[[User:GVarnum-WMF|GVarnum-WMF]] saying something about trying to make a list of the birthdays-as-celebrated a while ago. I assume that the Wikivoyages are on the list for January 15th. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:01, 25 March 2022 (UTC) :::Hi @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]], have you seen this [[metawiki:List_of_Wikimedia_birthdays|List of Wikimedia Birthdays]]? [[User:MPourzaki (WMF)|MPourzaki (WMF)]] ([[User talk:MPourzaki (WMF)|talk]]) 20:16, 30 March 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for the link, @[[User:MPourzaki (WMF)|MPourzaki (WMF)]]. It looks like all of the Wikivoyages are on the "needs verification" list, and only English and German are listed separately. @[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] and [[User:DerFussi|DerFussi]], can you check the German "birthday" on that page? English is correct, as far as I know. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 00:23, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::: {{Ping|WhatamIdoing}} There are two Wikivoyage birthdays: On Dec. 10, 2006, Wikivoyage went online in Germany as a new project forked from Wikitravel (so Wikivoyage is now 15 years old). On Jan. 15, 2013, Wikivoyage officially became a Wikimedia project. On this day, the Wikipedia turned 12. On Nov. 9, 2012 Wikivoyage was available from Wikimedia servers. On [[:de:Wikivoyage:Chronik/2012|Sep. 23, 2012]] the English Wikivoyage was started, in [[:de:Wikivoyage:Chronik/2012|October, 2012]] the Netherlandish, French, Swedish and Russian ones followed. In the list mentioned above I added the Italian Wikivoyage which was started on the 1st Wikivoyage birthday. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 05:09, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :::::: [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page English Wikivoyage at the Wayback Machine]. --[[User:RolandUnger|RolandUnger]] ([[User talk:RolandUnger|talk]]) 05:34, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::: I understand it's inconvenient, as the original name has changed hands, but shouldn't we also keep in mind the date when the project was started as a private initiative on a private server? I think that for the early contributors the unfortunate things that happened in-between is a parenthesis that doesn't mean the origins are to be forgotten. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 06:46, 31 March 2022 (UTC) ::::::::I think this particular list is only for "official birthdays", which may or may not have much relationship to first edits. Whatever date each Wikivoyage (or other) community prefers to count as their anniversary is the one that belongs in this list. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:01, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :::::::::I think it's a good idea to write down the history, but that would belong on another page. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:02, 31 March 2022 (UTC) :(Aside) Has anyone tried to make 'travel' video content? I am thinking more in the viewn of the Holiday shows the BBC used to have as opposed to "Since the dawn, Time-Life has been presenting it's majestic hyperbole across screens globally. Seldom have the eyes..." type travelouge. [[Special:Contributions/88.97.96.89|88.97.96.89]] 14:35, 27 March 2022 (UTC) ::[[m:VideoWiki]] lets you make a sort of narrated slideshow. You can include both video and still images. The machine-generated voice option is not impressive, but recording a real voice means that you can't change the text later. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:46, 27 March 2022 (UTC) == LintErrors == Thanks to some efforts earlier, I am reasonably satisfied that the 'content' side of English Wikivoyage has been de-linted as far as I am able to without additional expertise. What remains unlinted is User pages, and what are essentially Talk and discussion namespaces, but a consensus has emerged that these should not be adjusted (even in good faith.) Congratulations. It only took 4 years to de-lint English Wikivoayge :). [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 15:54, 13 April 2022 (UTC) :Where's the discussion about delinting user pages? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:00, 13 April 2022 (UTC) : I don't have the specfic discussion to hand, but it was what I had been advised off wiki by a number of contributors (not necessarily directly on Wikivoyage though). In any event non account-holder changes to userspace pages are now generally considered bad practice I've been told. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:29, 13 April 2022 (UTC) : If you have admin/custodian status and want to resolve the few remaining LintErrors in User and various talk namespaces (most likely signatures that were accepted under previous versions of Mediawiki/HTML/CSS etc.) , I can't stop you obviously. [[User:ShakespeareFan00|ShakespeareFan00]] ([[User talk:ShakespeareFan00|talk]]) 16:31, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::I don't care about this kind of stuff, but I was asking because I didn't remember seeing a discussion on this topic. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 16:57, 13 April 2022 (UTC) :::Also, some consensus on another Wiki does not apply to Wikivoyage. So if you really want to know what people on Wikivoyage think, you have to actually ask them... [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:03, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::::Sure, but what we care about and what we ''should'' care about are not necessarily the same thing. —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 21:08, 13 April 2022 (UTC) ::::: I think the work in mainspace was good, as broken syntax may result in broken pages for some readers. For user space, more discussion would be needed. For some users it is no problem – many like other contributors fixing things on their user pages – for others it may be problematic, especially if the fix breaks something else and they aren't here to revert or complain. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:36, 14 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::There is a table of the lint errors at [https://fireflytools.toolforge.org/fireflytools/linter/enwikivoyage fireflytools]. For things such as the obsolete font tags, if those were to be fixed by updating them to span tags, then I think that should be done by via a bot account. -- [[User:WOSlinker|WOSlinker]] ([[User talk:WOSlinker|talk]]) 11:17, 14 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::See also [[Special:LintErrors]]. The "high priority" items are generally things that have the potential to make a page look visibly broken. Ideally there would be none of those in any namespace, though obviously many people will decide that it is not worth their own time and efforts to fix problems in low-traffic user pages. I wouldn't be inclined to stop anyone from fixing errors anywhere. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:01, 14 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I notice that a dive site template has "bogus file parameters" of (NNNpx). This seems to be explanatory text in examples. How do we normally handle that? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:16, 21 April 2022 (UTC) == New competition on English Wikipedia and related SiteNotice request == A popular article writing competition ''CEE Spring'' (about '''Central and Eastern Europe'''; now with special subcategory about '''Esperanto''') '''[[w:en:Wikipedia:CEE Spring 2022|is happening on the English Wikipedia]]''' until the 31st May 2022. I warmly invite you to participate, write some article and win a valuable prize! If you have question, I will happily answer it on the competition page talk. Also, for more wide outreach, I have just [[:meta:CentralNotice/Request/CEE Spring 2022 English|asked for a CentralNotice]], which should appear also in this project. If you have a comment on the request, you are welcome to write it on the request page. --[[User:KuboF Hromoslav|KuboF Hromoslav]] ([[User talk:KuboF Hromoslav|talk]]) 18:30, 3 May 2022 (UTC) :Better still for this wiki, '''write Wikivoyage articles about Central and Eastern Europe'''. [[User:Nurg|Nurg]] ([[User talk:Nurg|talk]]) 05:06, 4 May 2022 (UTC) == Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 6 == <section begin="ucoc-newsletter"/> <div style = "line-height: 1.2"> <span style="font-size:200%;">'''Movement Strategy and Governance News'''</span><br> <span style="font-size:120%; color:#404040;">'''Issue 6, April 2022'''</span><span style="font-size:120%; float:right;">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6|'''Read the full newsletter''']]</span> ---- Welcome to the sixth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board of trustees elections and other relevant MSG topics. This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while the more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Global message delivery/Targets/MSG Newsletter Subscription|here]] if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter. </div><div style="margin-top:3px; padding:10px 10px 10px 20px; background:#fffff; border:2px solid #808080; border-radius:4px; font-size:100%;"> *'''Leadership Development -''' A Working Group is Forming! - The application to join the Leadership Development Working Group closed on April 10th, 2022, and up to 12 community members will be selected to participate in the working group. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A1|continue reading]]) *'''Universal Code of Conduct Ratification Results are out! -''' The global decision process on the enforcement of the UCoC via SecurePoll was held from 7 to 21 March. Over 2,300 eligible voters from at least 128 different home projects submitted their opinions and comments. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A2|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Discussions on Hubs -''' The Global Conversation event on Regional and Thematic Hubs was held on Saturday, March 12, and was attended by 84 diverse Wikimedians from across the movement. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A3|continue reading]]) *'''Movement Strategy Grants Remain Open! -''' Since the start of the year, six proposals with a total value of about $80,000 USD have been approved. Do you have a movement strategy project idea? Reach out to us! ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A4|continue reading]]) *'''The Movement Charter Drafting Committee is All Set! -''' The Committee of fifteen members which was elected in October 2021, has agreed on the essential values and methods for its work, and has started to create the outline of the Movement Charter draft. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A5|continue reading]]) *'''Introducing Movement Strategy Weekly -''' Contribute and Subscribe! - The MSG team have just launched the updates portal, which is connected to the various Movement Strategy pages on Meta-wiki. Subscriber to get up-to-date news about the various ongoing projects. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A6|continue reading]]) *'''Diff Blogs -''' Check out the most recent publications about Movement Strategy on Wikimedia Diff. ([[:m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Newsletter/6#A7|continue reading]]) </div><section end="ucoc-newsletter"/> [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 10:27, 13 April 2022 (UTC) == Join the Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan conversations with Maryana Iskander == :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/Conversations/Announcement|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/Conversations/Announcement}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' Hello, The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Communications|Movement Communications]] and [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance|Movement Strategy and Governance]] teams invite you to discuss the '''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/draft|2022-23 Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan]]''', a plan of record for the Wikimedia Foundation's work. These conversations continue [[m:User:MIskander-WMF|Maryana Iskander]]'s [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Chief Executive Officer/Maryana’s Listening Tour|Wikimedia Foundation Chief Executive Officer listening tour]]. The conversations are about these questions: * The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia 2030|2030 Wikimedia Movement Strategy]] sets a direction toward "knowledge as a service" and "knowledge equity". The Wikimedia Foundation wants to plan according to these two goals. How do you think the Wikimedia Foundation should apply them to our work? * The Wikimedia Foundation continues to explore better ways of working at a regional level. We have increased our regional focus in areas like grants, new features, and community conversations. What is working well? How can we improve? * Anyone can contribute to the Movement Strategy process. Let's collect your activities, ideas, requests, and lessons learned. How can the Wikimedia Foundation better support the volunteers and affiliates working in Movement Strategy activities? You can find [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Annual Plan/2022-2023/draft/Your Input|'''the schedule of calls on Meta-wiki''']]. The information will be available in multiple languages. Each call will be open to anyone to attend. Live interpretation will be available in some calls. Best regards, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 09:49, 15 April 2022 (UTC) == Let's talk about the Desktop Improvements == [[File:New table of contents shown on English wikipedia.png|thumb]] Hello! Have you noticed that some wikis have a different desktop interface? Are you curious about the next steps? Maybe you have questions or ideas regarding the design or technical matters? Join an online meeting with the team working on the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]]! It will take place on '''29 April 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220429T1300 13:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220429T1800 18:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/88045453898 '''Click here to join''']. Meeting ID: 88045453898. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kcOMICmyyA Dial by your location]. '''Agenda''' * Update on the recent developments * Questions and answers, discussion '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, French, Italian, and Polish. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 00:35, 26 April 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23142195 --> : Is this about Vector 2022? I won't be at the meeting, but I certainly don't like the development. Luckily, Monobook is still there for me. I made a comment at their feedback page, but last I checked (long after I made the comment) nobody had answered. My primary concern is that the layout is miserable unless you have a wide enough browser window (I like narrow ones), and that many important links are hidden to have a "cleaner" look (mostly in a drop-down menu; I even cannot just type in an article name, I have to either maximise the window first, or go to the search page, or just edit the URL in the browser's address field). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 10:01, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::Pinging @[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]]. LP, it sounds like your screen is narrower than the header, with the result that the search box (which AIUI is meant to be both bigger and centered than in the 2010 version of Vector) is missing/collapsed/unusable. Is that right? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:11, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::If anyone wants to see the options, click these links: :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=monobook :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=vector :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=vector-2022 :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub?useskin=minerva (mobile site, which works on desktop devices, too – some readers, but not many editors, prefer this) :::These links won't change your preferences. They'll only load the skin for this one page/one time. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:14, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::: Yes. My browser window is narrower than the header. Not my screen though, but I use several windows, e.g. to see a Wikipedia page and a map while I am editing a Wikivoyage guide. I have yet to understand why people keep to the one-application-at-the-time style from before windowing systems were introduced. The alt-tab function helps a bit, but that I used (shift-control-^, if memory serves) already with the [[:w:VT220|VT220]] text terminals of the 1980s. Thanks for the skin links. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:31, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::::: And it's not only the header. The left-margin menu pushes down the content, so that I have to scroll down every time I load a new page. Very frustrating. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 16:34, 26 April 2022 (UTC) ::::::Hey @[[User:LPfi|LPfi]], I'm sorry for not answering! Let me answer your questions here. ::::::* As for the left-margin menu, if you collapse it, it should stay collapsed and not push down the content. ::::::* Regarding the question you asked on the project talk page ("does the empty space to the right of the margin menu really give the best possible experience") we are still building the new interface, one feature improvement at a time. The empty space you have referred to is temporary. Now, we're working on [[mw:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Features/Page tools|page tools]] which will make a clear distinction between wiki-wide links (like Recent changes) and page-related links (like Related changes) and bring balance to the space on both sides of the content area. ::::::* The narrow screen... I'll talk about that with the team. Generally, we are aiming to make the interface usable on narrow screens or vertical screens (although not mobile). We're trying to keep the minimal threshold of the default experience as narrow as possible. ::::::* In this context, that thing with the left-margin menu and other things... I think it'd fit to the last phase of the project when we'll be working on aesthetic refinements to the entire interface (as opposed to improving individual features). ::::::[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 16:50, 26 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::* Thanks for the tips on collapsing the menu. I didn't notice that possibility. However, when I tested it now, I had to collapse it separately on any new page when following links. :::::::* Nice that you'll get rid of the empty space. When I tried the skin, I did not find any discussion on unsolved problems or on which deficiencies were about yet unimplemented aspects and which were intended features. I might not have looked deep enough. Separation between page tools and other links seems a good goal; I hope the links will still be easily available to users like me, who know the links and can disregard those not needed at the moment (a need you seem to acknowledge). :::::::* Really nice. As of now I got some of the problems with my default window width, while others surfaced with width I use only occasionally. It is important though, to be able to get a narrow window in certain situations, and being able to get rid of the left margin is then an immense help. I hope the suggested new placement of the table of contents won't infer with this.<br/>(I think it is important to make the distinction between window and screen size explicit in any design discussion, as common or realistic widths of the former aren't restricted to those of the latter, and I have seen web pages that adjust to the latter, more or less ignoring the former, which should be the relevant one.) :::::::* OK, you know better when and how to do those things, they just should be fixed before general roll-out. ::::::: –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:02, 27 April 2022 (UTC) :::::::: Ah! Now the collapsing worked. I hadn't enabled Javascript for the Mediawiki site, and enabling it did not have immediate effect. Hm. I have enabled Javascript for all Wikimedia projects I visit regularly, but I am a regular contributor. Is the casual visitor with Javascript disabled (for all or some of the domains) a use case you take into consideration? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 09:07, 27 April 2022 (UTC) == 2022 Board of Trustees Call for Candidates == :''[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short|You can find this message translated into additional languages on Meta-wiki.]]'' :''<div class="plainlinks">[[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short|{{int:interlanguage-link-mul}}]] • [https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Translate&group=page-{{urlencode:Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Announcement/Call for Candidates/Short}}&language=&action=page&filter= {{int:please-translate}}]</div>'' The Board of Trustees seeks candidates for the 2022 Board of Trustees election. [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Announcement/Call_for_Candidates|'''Read more on Meta-wiki.''']] The [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|2022 Board of Trustees election]] is here! Please consider submitting your candidacy to serve on the Board of Trustees. The Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees oversees the Wikimedia Foundation's operations. Community-and-affiliate selected trustees and Board-appointed trustees make up the Board of Trustees. Each trustee serves a three year term. The Wikimedia community has the opportunity to vote for community-and-affiliate selected trustees. The Wikimedia community will vote to fill two seats on the Board in 2022. This is an opportunity to improve the representation, diversity, and expertise of the Board as a team. Who are potential candidates? Are you a potential candidate? Find out more on the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/Apply to be a Candidate|Apply to be a Candidate page]]. Thank you for your support, Movement Strategy and Governance on behalf of the Elections Committee and the Board of Trustees [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 12:53, 26 April 2022 (UTC) == Next steps: Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) and UCoC Enforcement Guidelines == The Community Affairs Committee of the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees would like to thank everyone who participated in the recently concluded community vote on the Enforcement Guidelines for the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC). While the Enforcement Guidelines did reach a threshold of support necessary for the Board to review, we encouraged voters, regardless of which way they were voting, to provide feedback on the elements of the enforcement guidelines that they felt needed to be changed or fixed, as well as why, in case it seemed advisable to launch a further round of edits that would address community concerns. Foundation staff who have been reviewing comments have advised us of some of the emerging themes, and as a result we have decided as Community Affairs Committee to ask the Foundation to reconvene the drafting committee and to undertake another community engagement to refine the enforcement guidelines based on the community feedback received from the recently concluded vote. Further, we are aware of the concerns with the note 3.1 in the Universal Code of Conduct Policy. We are directing the Foundation to facilitate a review of this language to ensure that the Policy meets its intended purposes of supporting a safe and inclusive community, without waiting for the planned review of the entire Policy at the end of year. Please visit [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation Board noticeboard/April 2022 - Board of Trustees on Next steps: Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) and UCoC Enforcement Guidelines|here]] to read the full announcement. Best, [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 11:53, 28 April 2022 (UTC) == Make working with templates easier: One more improvement coming soon. == Hello, one more change from WMDE’s focus area “[[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Templates|Templates]]” is coming to your wiki soon: In '''syntax highlighting''' ([[Mw:Extension:CodeMirror|CodeMirror extension]]), you’ll be able to activate a '''colorblind-friendly color scheme''' with a user setting. ([[m:WMDE Technical Wishes/Improved Color Scheme of Syntax Highlighting#Color-blind mode|project page]]) Deployment is planned for May 10. This is the last set of improvements from WMDE’s focus area “Templates”. We would love to [[m:Talk:WMDE Technical Wishes/Improved Color Scheme of Syntax Highlighting|hear your feedback]]. Thanks for being one of the first wikis to get the improvements from our project, and for giving valuable feedback! – [[User:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|Johanna Strodt (WMDE)]] ([[User talk:Johanna Strodt (WMDE)|talk]]) 09:55, 29 April 2022 (UTC) == FYI: Relevant social network/app == https://travelfacets.com/ —[[User:Koavf|Justin (<span style="color:grey">ko'''a'''vf</span>)]]<span style="color:red">❤[[User talk:Koavf|T]]☮[[Special:Contributions/Koavf|C]]☺[[Special:Emailuser/Koavf|M]]☯</span> 20:33, 1 May 2022 (UTC) == Editing news 2022 #1 == <section begin="message"/><i>[[metawiki:VisualEditor/Newsletter/2022/April|Read this in another language]] • [[m:VisualEditor/Newsletter|Subscription list for this multilingual newsletter]]</i> [[File:Junior Contributor New Topic Tool Completion Rate.png|thumb|New editors were more successful with this new tool.]] The [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Help:DiscussionTools#New discussion tool|New topic tool]] helps editors create new ==Sections== on discussion pages. New editors are more successful with this new tool. You can [[mw:Talk pages project/New topic#21 April 2022|read the report]]. Soon, the Editing team will offer this to all editors at the 20 Wikipedias that participated in the test. You will be able to turn it off at [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing-discussion]].<section end="message"/> [[User:Whatamidoing (WMF)|Whatamidoing (WMF)]] 18:55, 2 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:Quiddity (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_message_delivery/Targets/VisualEditor/Newsletter/Wikis_with_VE&oldid=22019984 --> == Template for approval: [[Template:ColonialEmpires]] == Didn't create the template, but submitting it for community approval anyway (per our controversially strict policy on templates). Helps readers navigate through our colonialism articles and currently produces the following output: {{ColonialEmpires}} Don't see any reason to oppose this template. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:28, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :To what extent were the Ottoman and Austrian Empires colonial? Weren't they mostly more traditional multi-national empires? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 11:33, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::Should the template then be renamed to [[Template:Empires]], and the "Colonial empires" line be replaced with "Empires"? But then we'd also have to include the [[Tibetan Empire]], the [[Mongol Empire]] and so on. {{ping|The dog2}}, any suggestions? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:38, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::Do we really need the template? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 12:48, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::We have [[Template:NordicCountries]], and this is similar to that one, so why not? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 12:52, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::::No, it's not, because it's very clear what the Nordic countries are. My suggestion is, if you think it's really important to have an article that simply links all the articles about empires, create it and link everything there, with 1-liner listings. I'm going to '''oppose''' the use of this template. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 13:03, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::Didn't we just discuss an article on colonialism above (see [[#"Article" on colonialism]])? Also, the template is in use for all the articles linked, snd I'm not sure if it's worth removing them tbh. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:22, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::I decided to create this template as an alternative to actually creating an article that would have hardly any travel content. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] is mostly right about Austria-Hungary, but they they had a concession zone in China, which for all intents and purposes was a colony, albeit a very small one. I think we can restrict inclusion to just European-style colonial empires that arose out of the [[Age of Discovery]]. Japan is included here because even though it is not a Western country, Japan adopted its model of colonialism from the West. I don't think the Ottoman Empire had colonies, which is why I originally did not include it, but I could be wrong. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 14:53, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::That's a possible solution. I'd like to say, though, that there is no need or call for creating an article about empires, because there's already a [[Monarchies]] article. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}}The United States has always been a republic since its founding, but it had (and some would argue continues to have) overseas colonies. So in that sense, it could loosely be considered a colonial empire, even if it did not technically have an emperor in charge. And likewise, there were periods of time that France and the Netherlands had colonial empires even though they were republics. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:32, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :Also, from a traveller's perspective, I think the question would be if there are any listing of places overseas where you can go and see the legacy of colonial rule. In the case of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there are colonial buildings in Tianjin that you can still go and see today. And likewise, there are lots of Russian colonial buildings you can see in Harbin and Dalian. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:43, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::The usual traveller's perspective of the Austrian/Austro-Hungarian Empire is that it left a huge mark on Central Europe. It's much more unusual to look for the relics of their much briefer presence in Tianjin. And Russian colonialism was mostly focused on capturing and settling eastward and incorporating all that territory through annexation, just as the greater part of U.S. colonialism was focused on doing the same thing westward. It's the complexities of these situations that make the oversimplification of a template problematic. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:13, 4 May 2022 (UTC) :::OK, let's see what others say. My view is that we can loosely consider the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires to be colonial empires, since it is a fact that they had overseas colonies, regardless of how small or few they were. I'd remove the the Ottoman Empire because it was a classical contiguous multi-ethnic empire with no overseas colonies ([[User:Yvwv|Yvwv]] was the one who added it, so maybe he can comment if I'm wrong on this), much like China and the Mongol Empire. The Philippines was an American colony, so I'd consider the U.S. to have been a colonial power, perhaps still one if you consider the likes to Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to be colonies. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:41, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::I think we need to have a more general conversation about whether we want any navbox-style templates at all. If we don't want articles to contain a one-size-fits-all set of links to other articles, then there's no point in talking about whether we want this particular collection of one-size-fits-all set of links. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 20:47, 4 May 2022 (UTC) ::::: I don't much like the navboxes even on Wikipedia, and I think it is sufficiently easy to link related articles in context, in the running text. However, I have understood that some people like them, so I haven't been fighting them too hard. This specific grouping has additional problems: what articles are related isn't well defined, and not all of the listed articles tell about the colonialist aspect of the empires (is listing a few destinations and sights really enough?). –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 07:16, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::I'm also not convinced this grouping makes sense for travellers. If someone wants to travel to places related to the Japanese colonial empire, does that mean they're also likely to be interested in the Swedish colonial empire? Other navigation templates I've seen serve travellers with a certain interest – [[Template:Asian cuisines]] and similar for foodies, the one at [[American Civil War]] for US history buffs, the one at [[Australasian wildlife]] for wildlife enthusiasts. Are there empire enthusiasts who would find this template useful? —[[User:Mx. Granger|Granger]]&nbsp;([[User talk:Mx. Granger|talk]] '''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Mx. Granger|contribs]]) 09:44, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Not sure to be fair, but it's definitely better than having an article on [[Colonialism]]. I could see that happening on the encyclopedia, but find it hard on a travel guide (or even Wikibooks to be fair). <small>(also, for the cuisine one, maybe [[Template:Asian cuisines]] is a bit of a misleading template, but [[Template:EuropeanCuisines]] has a similar purpose, but doesn't have anything misleading in it, but same thing...)</small>. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:59, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::: I still think that a travel guide to colonialism could make sense, if well-written. I don't see that any of us would write that article (lack of time, skill or interest). For Wikibooks, I can very well see such a book written. Why not? That too would be hard (I don't know which is harder), but if you are a history teacher, you might want that book for your pupils. For travellers it is much more of a niche topic. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 11:27, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::@[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] For what it's worth, de.voy also uses these navboxes in destination articles, such as the one seen in [[:de:Piton des Neiges#Weblinks]], [[:de:Südamerika]] or [[:de:Southland#Weblinks]]. We could follow de.voy, but I'm not a fan of de.voy slapping it into nearly every single region article. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:05, 5 May 2022 (UTC) {{outdent}}I don't know how a travel topic on colonialism in general will work. I don't think there are any monuments to colonialism in general. But on the other hand, there are numerous historical monuments and buildings in distant lands from their respective metropoles that are a reminder of that legacy of colonial rule. If you go to Hanoi for instance, there are so many French colonial buildings, and likewise, there are so many British colonial buildings if you go to Yangon. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:09, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :I'm not sure that people travel for the purpose of seeing monuments to colonialism, so I'm not sure that it's a pointful page to create. I'm not aware of any monuments to the general concept of colonialism, but there are many, many monuments to the local history of colonialism. See, e.g., all the statues of Christopher Columbus in the Americas, or the bells along [[El Camino Real]] in California. The length of [[w:en:Colonial empire#List%20of%20colonial%20empires|w:en:Colonial empire#List of colonial empires]] makes me suspect that "history of colonialism" overlaps substantially with "history of the world since Alexander the Great". [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:17, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::Precisely. Which I would say we should limit inclusion in the template to only European-style colonial empires that developed starting from the [[Age of Discovery]], in order to keep this to a manageable size, and because that is what people typically think of when we talk about "colonies". That means that the only remaining empires to be added, if an when their articles get created, are the American, Belgian, German and Italian empires. I know that the Russian Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire were primarily contiguous multi-ethnic empires, but they did have overseas colonies, so they can stay. On the other hand, I'd get rid of the Ottoman Empire because it did not have overseas colonies. I think this template helps with ease of navigation, as someone who is interested in exploring the legacy of the colonial age might learn from our article that Russia had overseas colonies too, for instance, and plan a trip to see the legacy of Russian colonialism. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:19, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::We're getting into complexities here. I've mentioned before that Russian and American colonialism was primarily directed at contiguous land to the east and west respectively that was settled by members of the ruling ethnicity and annexed, and the Austrian Empire was known for being a multi-national empire in the center of Europe; its overseas possessions are a very minor, almost incidental point and didn't exist for most of its history. So I don't like a one-size-fits-all treatment of these powers. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:34, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yes, I took note of that. The United States had Liberia and the Philippines though, which were overseas colonies in the traditional European sense. Russia had a few colonial possessions in China which also fit that bill (and I'm not counting the likes of Vladivostok here, which was Chinese territory that Russia annexed, and is today part of Russia). [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:39, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::Northeastern China is contiguous with Russia, so that fits the pattern of colonialism in Siberia, and concentrating on former or even current overseas colonies of the U.S. distorts the overwhelming history of U.S. colonialism that has primarily consisted of settling territories with white people and incorporating them as states. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:42, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::That's true of Northeastern China, but Russia also had colonial possessions in Tianjin and Hankou (today part of Wuhan), although those were much smaller than the one in Northeast China. And I think the Russians also had a small short-lived colony in Africa before they were driven out by the French. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 18:52, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::Regarding Russian colonialism, what about [[w:Russian America]]? There are also Russian colonial sites that travelers can visit, such as [[w:Russian Fort Elizabeth]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 04:05, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::: The template might help those who want to read about colonial empires. But what about those who want to read about empires in general? Should there be another template for that? Perhaps a third for European empires, a forth for European history, and so on. I don't see colonialism as the focal point of [[Swedish Empire]], [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] or [[Russian Empire]]. The empires might have been colonialist, but our articles are mostly about other aspects. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 19:33, 5 May 2022 (UTC) ::::They're not the focal points, but the overseas possessions are also listed. It would not make sense to create articles to specifically cover the overseas colonies of Austria-Hungary and Russia given that there weren't many, and those that existed were small. However, they should be and are listed in the respective articles about those empires. Similarly, the article on the British Empire should cover Ireland even though Ireland was never technically a "colony", but regarded as part of the UK (although any fair-minded person can't deny that the Irish were treated as colonial subjects and not citizens during the Great Potato Famine). [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:42, 5 May 2022 (UTC) :::::The more we talk about this, the more I think we should delete this template and replace it with only the relevant links, in normal sentences, in articles. That means that instead of (not "in addition to") sticking [[Template:ColonialEmpires]] in the eleven articles linked there, we write sentences in places like [[Sweden#Understand]] and [[Wismar#Understand]] that link to [[Swedish Empire]], and even sentences in articles like [[Spanish Empire]] and [[Portuguese Empire]] to explain that they were rivals. What we wouldn't do is assume that people reading a travel guide want to compare see a list of all articles on empires, including empires that have no connection to each other. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 03:17, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Readers who want to read about empires in general should go to Wikipedia. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:30, 6 May 2022 (UTC) : '''Oppose''' since it is not very travel-related & the topic is too complex for the template to work well. : It does not have the German or American colonies. What about various Islamic Caliphates? Weren't there once Empires in sub-saharan Africa? : It omits [[Imperial China]], [[Alexander the Great]]'s empire, [[Roman Empire]], [[Persian Empire]] & the [[Mongol Empire]], all of which conquered other nations. One could argue that those were contiguous land-based empires, so not in this category, but then the Russian, Ottoman & Austro-Hungarian empires were mostly like that too. : What about Russia's control of Eastern Europe in the [[Cold War]] period, CIA support for various coups, US invasions in Latin America, recent Chinese land grabbing such as [[Spratly Islands]]? Those all look like rather nasty imperialism to me, but not like topics that belong in a travel guide. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 08:04, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::Those empire articles you linked are not colonial empires. Also, we're not handling individual colonies in this template, only the various travel topics about colonial articles. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:06, 6 May 2022 (UTC) :::I agree with [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] on this: "The more we talk about this, the more I think we should delete this template and replace it with only the relevant links, in normal sentences, in articles." [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 10:14, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::These are not articles about imperialism in general. These are articles that have listings of where you can go to see the legacy of having been ruled by that empire. Articles about imperialism in general do not belong on Wikivoyage unless there are monuments to imperialism that are tourist attractions. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:09, 6 May 2022 (UTC) :::::And with regard to American, German, Italian and Belgian colonies, my plan was to add them to the template once the articles on those empires are created. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 19:16, 6 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::My thoughts are with The dog2 on this one, but if we cannot agree to what should be included, then we should only include what can be found in the "Colonial" section of the Modern Empires section in [[w:Template:Empires]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 03:27, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::I don't think there is a consensus to support the continued use of this navbox. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:24, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::To [[User:The dog2|The dog2]]: Sure, a good travel article about the Russian colonial legacy in the U.S. could be written. If it is written, I don't think [[Russian America]] is a good title, because there have been several waves of immigration from Russia/the U.S.S.R. that do not relate to Russian colonialism in the Americas. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:37, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::In view of the lack of approval of this template, I've [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Template:ColonialEmpires|nominated it for deletion]]. Please participate in the discussion in that thread. Thanks, everybody! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 21:41, 7 May 2022 (UTC) :I'm not opposed to this template by any means. Omitting the whataboutism that is half the discussions above, I think this template could better be renamed something along the lines of (<abbr title="'Modern' might be useful to use in order to distinguish between pre-mediaeval empires (take ±1200 AD as a reference year to exclude the Frankish Empire and such, while including the Ottoman Empire) and that in very recent history.">modern</abbr>) <abbr title="A nation state's desire to spread its influence across the globe by holding and controlling land, either overseas or not.">imperialism</abbr> instead of colonialism. As others have said, not all of these are strictly colonial, but all of them are [[w:Imperialism|imperialist]] in nature. The articles are mostly interlinked in both the articles themselves as well as the "See also" sections, and I can see a template being useful because of that. Strong '''support''' from me for this template as {{tl|ModernImperialEmpires}} or similar, and somewhat milder support as-is. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 22:00, 7 May 2022 (UTC) ::If so, what would you do with [[Mughal Empire]]? [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 00:44, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::That would depend on the scope of the template. If it's modern imperial empires only, I wouldn't include it. Modern imperialism is generally a term reserved for just European empires. The Ottoman Empire also is debatable for that reason. Ideally, I'd class the Ottoman and Mughal Empires, as well as some others as the [[w:Gunpowder empires]], either in a sister template, or as a second grouping within this template (the scope of which would then be Modern Empires). My own grouping would look like such: ::::; Modern Imperialist Empires¹ ::::: [[Austria-Hungary]] • [[British Empire|British]] • [[Danish Empire|Danish]] • [[Dutch Empire|Dutch]] • [[French colonial empire|French]] • [[Japanese colonial empire|Japanese (colonial)]] • [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] • [[Russian Empire|Russian]] • [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] • [[Swedish Empire|Swedish]]. ::::; Gunpowder Empires ::::: [[Imperial China|China]]² • [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] • [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] • [[Pre-modern Japan|Japan (pre-modern)]] • [[Safavid Empire|Safavid]] ::::<small>(1) One could call this European Empires, but the inclusion of Japan would be strange in that case. Its colonial empire however, largely formed as a response to European imperialism, so the name wouldn't be wrong, just not intuitive.<br/>(2) I am not well-versed in Chinese history, but I believe this mostly includes the Ming and Qing dynasties.</small> :::If there's any other empires that could be included, let me know and I'll update this list. [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 10:55, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::If you are talking about empires that have existed since 1200 AD, the Mughal Empire can't be excluded (and I have no idea what you mean by "modern imperial empires": it was certainly a huge empire that conquered a lot of territory and threw its weight around), but it's an empire that was '''victimized''' by colonialism, not a colonial empire. Moreover, there have been empires in Africa since then, too. And I would observe that what we have right now is an absurd situation, in which there is a consensus or near-consensus in this thread against using this template, but a consensus in [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion#Template:ColonialEmpires]] to keep this template and use it for...'''something'''. So anyone who doesn't want us to use a navbar for some more or less arbitrary grouping of empires should please participate in the Votes for deletion thread. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 14:46, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::If there's something that will always annoy me, it's people taking my words to imply a message that I do not stand behind. Though I appreciate your input, I'd also appreciate it if you didn't do that again. Going point by point for the sake of clarity: :::::* 1200 AD is an arbitrary point I set for the sake of illustration. It isn't set in stone. If you want a better boundary, might I suggest the Age of Discovery up to the Age of Decolonisation (i.e., ±1450 - ±1950). I am willing to consider any other boundaries for the template's scope if you have any to bring forward. :::::* Modern Imperial Empires are empires that practise modern imperialism; they are generally speaking European (excluding Japan post-1850s and some others) and were created with colonialism and exploitation of said colonies for benefit of the homeland in mind. :::::* Mughal Empire: I never said the Mughal Empire was not a victim of colonialism, nor that it was a colonial empire. This part of the discussion is my attempt to take what's useful of this template, and to suggest ways in which it can improve. The template's current scope around colonialism has proven to be controversial with some, so my proposal omits that basis. Therefore, anything I have said in this part of the discussion cannot be taken to represent my opinions on colonialism. Please take that context into account when next paraphrasing me. :::::* African empires: This entire discussion is filled with whataboutism (why include X and not Y?), which I am trying to move away from. I am not saying that there is no place for African, or any kind of empire within my ''suggestion'' for an ''improved scope''. I don't include them as they haven't been raised yet, and since I want to move away from the "what to list"-discussion, and into an actual discussion about the usefulness of this template. :::::* Consensus: Here, the arguments against the template are arguments predominantly against what it does and doesn't see as colonialism, as well as concerns about how travel-related it is. The latter it isn't on its own, but it supports articles that all revolve around [[historical travel]], thus being useful to the site. The former meanwhile isn't an argument against this template being useful, which is what template approval discussions ought to revolve around. By illustrating what it can be, I am trying to shift the conversation more into a nuanced "what can be"-discussion than a black-or-white "use it or trash it"-discussion, as I believe the second to be less fruitful. :::::I truly believe in this template's usefulness, and I am trying to seek a way in which it can work for more people. The way I see it, most of this discussion is off-the-rails and missing the point of a template approval discussion. :::::-- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 17:35, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::"Modern Imperial Empires are empires that practise modern imperialism" is a circular definition. Explain what that means and, for example, how it could include Russia but exclude the Mughal or Songhai Empires. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:25, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::Pointing out why something might not make sense is not "whataboutism." To begin with, I subscribe to [[User:WhatamIdoing]]'s thinking about this template as per se not useful to travelers, but I am also seeing, so far, that is isn't very useful to try to classify empires in any general sense in regard to travel. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:28, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::And we should not use Eurocentric terms like "gunpowder empires." From the Wikipedia article about the term that you linked, read [[w:Gunpowder empires#Recent views on the concept]]. Besides, it's an obscure term that I managed to avoid knowing for 57 years while knowing and even teaching plenty about history. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 18:33, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::For the first, refer to the sentence after it: "They are generally speaking European (excluding Japan post-1850s and some others) and were created with colonialism and exploitation of said colonies for benefit of the homeland in mind." Mughal and Songhai are not included for a difference in technologies available to them compared to modern imperialist empires. Russia is included, due to it functioning similar to Austro-Hungary when it comes to imperialism: Expand into adjacent lands, make them core territory, and repeat. I am oversimplifying, but categorisation requires generalisation of some sort. :::::::::The template isn't useful to every traveller, but doesn't need to be. It is instead useful to a historically interested traveller, as many individual colonies belonged to more than one coloniser during their existence. :::::::::I cannot stress enough that nothing in the example above is set in stone. I used Gunpowder Empires as an example, not as what should be implemented. Feel free to come with better alternatives if you have them. <br/> -- [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 19:26, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::I don't think the differences in technology of armaments are very relevant to travelers. My suggested alternative is to include a section of links to articles on empires in the [[Monarchies]] article, with a 1-liner listing for each. That way, no navbar is needed and no agreement on any kind of classification is needed, either. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 19:29, 8 May 2022 (UTC) :::::::::::Again, simplifying here, but clubs and spears have a different appeal than rifles and muskets for many. The first can be seen as primitive, while the second can be more advanced. I think you're underestimating the technological differences there. To some with historical interest, they have very different appeals. The link with Monarchies, as I pointed out in the VfD thread, is too forced to work well. :::::::::::Honestly, I can get behind not having a navbar, but a suitable replacement definitely can benefit the traveller for the reasons I listed in the VfD thread. An underlying general article on colonialism, empires or imperialism can definitely be of benefit, albeit for a somewhat niche audience, but niche articles we already have plenty of, so that shouldn't be an issue, right? [[User:Wauteurz|Wauteurz]] ([[User talk:Wauteurz|talk]]) 20:10, 8 May 2022 (UTC) ::::::::::::I don't think the differences in technology have an effect on the impressiveness of the sights travelers can see that come down to us from the empires in question. To be honest, there's probably nothing more impressive than the Sphinx and pyramids of ancient Egypt, but I haven't seen them in person. I have seen the Taj Mahal, the Red Forts in Delhi and Agra, the Great Wall of China and the temple complexes in Prambanan and Borobudur, not to mention the Parthenon, Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Roman Forum and the Maison Carree in Nimes. But I digress. You'll see that I'm warming to the idea of a carefully circumscribed and aggressively travel-related article about colonialism in the Vfd thread. I'd be OK with it if it starts with the ancient Phoenicians; has disclaimers that the topic is controversial but as this is a travel guide, we are being merely descriptive; and stipulates that we are concentrating on overseas colonization. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:30, 8 May 2022 (UTC) [outdent]<br/> I don't think the articles on empires were written as a series on colonialism. I am not very happy about a template making it seem they were. If we want a template, why is it not about empires in general, or about historic realms? I think people reading about historic empires are likely to be interested in historic realms (although perhaps not all of them). Assuming they are interested in colonialism is to jump to conclusions. Of course some are. But as many of them are probably interested in some other aspect of the empire they are reading about: its languages, its modern successors, its cities, its arts, you name it. My impression is that the template is there because somebody wanted the article on colonialism, and this is what they thought they'd be able to get. I think I prefer the article [[Colonialism]]. It seems nobody is going to write a good thorough travel article on the theme in the foreseeable future, but what about one with a paragraph or two on colonial empires, linking those and related articles, such as European history and Age of Discovery, and then going on to tell about destinations where it is easy to see (or study) heritage of several colonial empires – checking that those aspects are covered in the destination articles? –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 15:25, 11 May 2022 (UTC) :Just so people know, I've moved a draft of the deleted [[User:The dog2/American colonialism|American colonialism]] article to my userspace, which I am happy for others to edit too. I guess we can expand the scope to also including the westward expansion of the United States, and sites that commemorate things like the genocide of the Native Americans. I'm trying to add listings of sites that actual remind people of the legacy of American colonial rule so it can be reinstated into articlespace. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 15:17, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::Who's your audience for that page? What traveller do you imagine would be using that guide? [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 15:49, 12 May 2022 (UTC) :::It's aimed at people who want to see the legacy of American colonial rule in various different parts of the world. Something along the lines of the articles of the other colonial empires. But as [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] mentioned, a large part of American colonialism was expanding Westward by genociding the Native Americans, settling their lands with white people, and later granting statehood to the the colonies once the white population was large enough. So while we already have an [[Old West]] article covering that aspect of American colonialism, I guess that aspect should at least be mentioned in an article about American colonialism, but with the focus of the article being the listing of overseas sites where you can go and explore the legacy of American colonial rule. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 17:12, 12 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Do many such people exist? ::::I can easily imagine someone wanting to understand a specific country's history. For example, if you are interested in the Philippines, then you would be interested in Spanish colonization (16th to 19th centuries), US colonization (first half of 20th century), and Japanese colonization (a couple of years around WWII). I'm having trouble imagining a person who says "My goal is to see every place in the world that <this country> colonized". Without a mental picture of the traveller, it's hard to form a hypothesis about what kind of information might be useful or relevant in the article. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:08, 13 May 2022 (UTC) == Call for Election Volunteers == The Movement Strategy and Governance team is looking for community members to serve as election volunteers in the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022|upcoming Board of Trustees election]]. The idea of the Election Volunteer Program came up during the 2021 Wikimedia Board of Trustees Election. This program turned out to be successful. With the help of Election Volunteers we were able to increase outreach and participation in the election by 1,753 voters over 2017. Overall turnout was 10.13%, 1.1 percentage points more, and 214 wikis were represented in the election. A total of 74 wikis that did not participate in 2017 produced voters in the 2021 election. Can you help change the participation for this year's? Election volunteers will help in the following areas: * Translate short messages and announce the ongoing election process in community channels * Optional: Monitor community channels for community comments and questions Volunteers should: * Maintain the friendly space policy during conversations and events * Present the guidelines and voting information to the community in a neutral manner Do you want to be an election volunteer and ensure your community is represented in the vote? Sign up [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Movement Strategy and Governance/Election Volunteers/About|here]] to receive updates. You can use the [[m:Special:MyLanguage/Talk:Movement Strategy and Governance/Election Volunteers/About|talk page]] for questions about translation. [[User:Zuz (WMF)|Zuz (WMF)]] ([[User talk:Zuz (WMF)|talk]]) 17:12, 4 May 2022 (UTC) == Summer of Wikivoyage 2022, Kosovo and Albania == Hi everyone! On May 20-22, 2022, the [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians%20of%20Albanian%20Language%20User%20Group Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group] is hosting the Summer of Wikivoyage Edit-a-thon 2022 to improve the content of touristic and travel destinations of Kosovo and Albania. This year, we will focus on South-East Albania, but all improvements are welcome. Should you edit with us, feel free to join us on [https://meet.jit.si/WoALUG Jitsi], Saturday and Sunday 20-21 May, at 9:30 - 17:00 (GMT+2) Time Zone. Here are the [[Wikivoyage:Albania_Expedition|Albania]] and [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo_Expedition|Kosovo]] expedition pages. You can also edit without joining the call. Please register for tracking the contributions on the edit-a-thon [https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/WoALUG/Summer%20of%20Wikivoyage%202022,%20Albania%20and%20Kosovo Outreach Dashboard]. Thank you! --[[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 08:08, 13 May 2022 (UTC) :Cool! I won't be around for this, but good luck with everything, and thanks to the group for making this a successful recurring event.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:43, 13 May 2022 (UTC) ::Thank you @[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] [[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 09:13, 17 May 2022 (UTC) :{{re|Vyolltsa}} I look forward to it, even though I barely know anything about Albania and Kosovo. Can you double check the Outreach Dashboard link? It appears to be broken. [[User:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: #0000FF;">OhanaUnited</b>]][[User talk:OhanaUnited|<b style="color: green;">^{Talk page}</b>]] 05:08, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::Nice! Good to know this is occurring for another year. <small>--Comment by </small> [[User:SelfieCity|Selfie City]] ([[User_talk:SelfieCity|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/SelfieCity|contributions]]) 10:54, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:OhanaUnited|OhanaUnited]] Hello! I am sending you the [[wmfdashboard:courses/WoALUG/Summer_of_Wikivoyage_2022,_Albania_and_Kosovo|Outreach Dashboard link]]! Thank you! [[User:Vyolltsa|Vyolltsa]] ([[User talk:Vyolltsa|talk]]) 09:14, 17 May 2022 (UTC) Could somebody help us update [[Wikivoyage:Albania_Expedition|Albania]] and [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo_Expedition|Kosovo]] expedition pages with the lastest statistics. Thanks! [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 09:32, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :I did an update on May 13 – which was last week (but forgot to update the <code>update</code> parameter). I'll do another update once the edit-a-thon is over. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 10:56, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::If I'm not mistaken, current stats seem old. We would appreciate an update so we can use the missingle sections table to address them. [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 13:13, 21 May 2022 (UTC) :::Are you talking about the bottom table? The bottom table no longer works for some reason. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 13:31, 21 May 2022 (UTC) ::::Yes, ok then. ::::Thank you all for the support. I hope some good work has been done, and cleanup is not too tedious. We had 5-6 completely new people. [[User:Arianit|Arianit]] ([[User talk:Arianit|talk]]) 07:36, 23 May 2022 (UTC) :::::It's over already? Yes, I saw a lot of excellent new content. Thanks! [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 07:38, 23 May 2022 (UTC) :::::{{re|Arianit}} Did another update just now, though I'm not sure what's going on with the numbers on [[Wikivoyage:Kosovo Expedition]]. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:07, 23 May 2022 (UTC) == Let's talk about the Desktop Improvements == [[File:WP20Symbols MediaWiki light background.svg|200px|right]] Hello! Have you noticed that some wikis have a [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|different desktop interface]]? Are you curious about the next steps? Maybe you have questions or ideas regarding the design or technical matters? Join an online meeting with the team working on the Desktop Improvements! It will take place on '''17 May 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220517T1200 12:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220517T1900 19:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. '''[https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/86217494304 Click here to join]'''. Meeting ID: 86217494304. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/k7CirSh8W Dial by your location]. '''Agenda''' * Update on the recent developments * Questions and answers, discussion '''Format''' The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. We can answer questions asked in English, Italian, Polish; also, only at the first meeting: Farsi, Vietnamese; only at the second meeting: Portuguese, Spanish, Russian. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk@wikimedia.org. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 05:02, 14 May 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23142195 --> :Disclaimer: Szymon (aka User:Tar Lócesilion) is one of my teammates at work. I haven't talked to him about this, and he doesn't know I'm posting this. :I've been thinking about this change to "new Vector" (Vector 2022). I think the Wikivoyages should make this change. Some recent (Wikipedia-centric) market research said that readers think the old design (Vector 2010) is looking outdated. Making the switch might require a little work (obviously, we will want to double-check key features like the Page Banners), and any big change can take a couple of weeks for individuals (i.e., those of us reading this page) to get used to. But when I think about this community's values, looking like a modern, up-to-date website that is easily differentiated from competitors is one of the things we care about, and adopting this change would be a straightforward way to achieve our goals and support the group's values. :If you want to see what it looks like right now, click on https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Turin?useskin=vector-2022 If you want to see what it looks like without the new floating TOC, click on https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Turin?useskin=vector-2022&tableofcontents=0 :I don't know what the team's deployment process is (I can ask Szymon, if you want), but since it's already deployed at many wikis, including the French Wikipedia, I'd guess that any community that says "We checked it out, and we want you to put us on the list for the next round" will be accepted. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:29, 15 May 2022 (UTC) :: The left margin menus pushing down content on narrow windows is a show-stopper if it affects many people. Has the skin really been tested thoroughly enough to be put in production to "look like a modern, up-to-date" skin? Wikivoyagers may access the site from odd hardware over sketchy connections, so some thought should be put in how to check the functionality. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 17:37, 15 May 2022 (UTC) :::I've clicked the << to hide the left margin menu (which I think is the default?), so I don't see that. I think the best way to test it is to have editors using it for a couple of weeks. We can file bug reports in [[Pharping|phab:]] if we need to. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 18:16, 15 May 2022 (UTC) ::::I think it needs better testing before it gets implemented here. If I'm not mistaken, on [[Main Page]] map, anything east of Nepal or Sri Lanka gets cut off. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:26, 16 May 2022 (UTC) :::::Yes, it gets cropped when I look at it. It's probably a consequence of their "fixed width" design. That should be fixable, though. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 16:11, 16 May 2022 (UTC) == "Infact" == I just edited out all instances of "infact" from this site. Please don't add more. :-) The expression is "in fact," two words, but it can usually be dispensed with. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 20:26, 22 May 2022 (UTC) :@[[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] Thanks for the edits :-) I must admit that I have a bad habit of writing "in fact" as one word (and I almost did just then), but thanks for the fixes. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 08:10, 23 May 2022 (UTC) ::Sure thing. Not all of the edits in question were by you. :-) [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 09:06, 23 May 2022 (UTC) == Help archiving a talk page == Could someone please help me archive [[Talk:Bulgaria]]? I've already copied the old comments to a subpage and linked the subpage in the main talk, you only have to delete the old discussions. I can't do that because I'm too new and trying to do that triggers the page blanking filter. I want to start a new discussion about regions, and the old stuff on the talk page has made it unwieldy. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 16:59, 17 June 2022 (UTC) :It's done. [[User:Daggerstab|Daggerstab]] ([[User talk:Daggerstab|talk]]) 17:12, 17 June 2022 (UTC) ::If you want to discuss regions, we should unarchive the previous regions discussion. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 17:54, 17 June 2022 (UTC) == Article on bridges == I wonder if there are any engineers here who would be able to write an article on famous bridges. Of course, the ones that immediately come to mind are New York City's Brooklyn Bridge, London's Tower Bridge, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but I believe there would be numerous others that could be mentioned in such an article. [[User:The dog2|The dog2]] ([[User talk:The dog2|talk]]) 20:12, 20 June 2022 (UTC) == Desktop Improvements update == [[File:Table of contents shown on English Wikipedia 02.webm|thumb]] ; Making this the new default Hello. I wanted to give you an update about the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|Desktop Improvements]] project, which the Wikimedia Foundation Web team has been working on for the past few years. Our work is almost finished! 🎉 We would love to see these improvements become the default for readers and editors across all wikis. <span style="background-color:#fc3;">In the coming weeks, we will begin conversations on more wikis, including yours. 🗓️</span> We will gladly read your suggestions! The goals of the project are to make the interface more welcoming and comfortable for readers and useful for advanced users. The project consists of a series of feature improvements which make it easier to read and learn, navigate within the page, search, switch between languages, use article tabs and the user menu, and more. The improvements are already visible by default for readers and editors on more than 30 wikis, including Wikipedias in [[:fr:|French]], [[:pt:|Portuguese]], and [[:fa:|Persian]]. The changes apply to the [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=vector}} Vector] skin only, although it will always be possible to revert to the previous version on an individual basis. [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=monobook}} Monobook] or [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}|useskin=timeless}} Timeless] users will not notice any changes. ; The newest features * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Table of contents|Table of contents]] - our version is easier to reach, gain context of the page, and navigate throughout the page without needing to scroll. It is currently tested across our pilot wikis. It is also available for editors who have opted into the Vector 2022 skin. * [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Features/Page tools|Page tools]] - now, there are two types of links in the sidebar. There are actions and tools for individual pages (like [[Special:RecentChangesLinked|Related changes]]) and links of the wiki-wide nature (like [[Special:RecentChanges|Recent changes]]). We are going to separate these into two intuitive menus. ; How to enable/disable the improvements [[File:Desktop Improvements - how to enable globally.png|thumb|[[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|{{int:globalpreferences}}]]]] * It is possible to opt-in individually [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|in the appearance tab within the preferences]] by selecting "{{int:skinname-vector-2022}}". Also, it is possible to opt-in on all wikis using the [[Special:GlobalPreferences#mw-prefsection-rendering|global preferences]]. * On wikis where the changes are visible by default for all, logged-in users can always opt-out to the Legacy Vector. There is an easily accessible link in the sidebar of the new Vector. ; Learn more and join our events If you would like to follow the progress of our project, you can [[mw:Special:Newsletter/28/subscribe|subscribe to our newsletter]]. You can read the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|pages of the project]], check [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements/Frequently_asked_questions|our FAQ]], write on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|project talk page]], and [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web|join an online meeting with us]]. Thank you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 16:59, 21 June 2022 (UTC) <!-- Message sent by User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SGrabarczuk_(WMF)/sandbox/MM/En_fallback&oldid=23430301 --> :Thank you. :Most of our pages use the pagebanner template to display the table of contents rather than the standard method. Will this be impacted by your proposed changes? [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 18:58, 21 June 2022 (UTC) ::At least in the current version they seem to get along quite well. Page banner still works, but there's an additional TOC in the side bar. You can try for yourself by enabling ''Vector (2022)'' in your preferences. [[User:El Grafo|El Grafo]] ([[User talk:El Grafo|talk]]) 14:22, 22 June 2022 (UTC) :::Try it out: :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page?useskin=Vector-2022 (still cropping the first image, so we only get half of Australia) :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022 :::* https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Special:Random?useskin=Vector-2022&tableofcontents=0 (with the floating Table of Contents disabled) :::[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 17:31, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks. That looks fine. ::::Looking at an example page, it does appear that slightly less page width is allocated to the article and more to the left column, but I haven't investigated, and the different appearance may be an improvement. [[User:AlasdairW|AlasdairW]] ([[User talk:AlasdairW|talk]]) 20:49, 22 June 2022 (UTC) ; Join us on Tuesday Join an online meeting with the team working on the Desktop Improvements! It will take place on '''28 June 2022 at [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1200 12:00 UTC] and [https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220628T1900 19:00 UTC]''' on Zoom. '''[https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/5304280674 Click here to join]'''. Meeting ID: 5304280674. [https://wikimedia.zoom.us/u/kc2hamfYz9 Dial by your location]. The following events will take place on 12 July and 26 July. The meeting will not be recorded or streamed. Notes will be taken in a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G4tfss-JBVxyZMxGlOj5MCBhOO-0sLekquFoa2XiQb8/edit# Google Docs file] and copied to [[etherpad:p/web-team-office-hours|Etherpad]]. [[mw:User:OVasileva_(WMF)|Olga Vasileva]] (the Product Manager) will be hosting this meeting. The presentation part will be given in English. At this meeting, both [[foundation:Friendly_space_policy|Friendly space policy]] and the [[mw:Special:MyLanguage/Code_of_Conduct|Code of Conduct]] for Wikimedia technical spaces apply. Zoom is not subject to the [[foundation:Privacy_policy|WMF Privacy Policy]]. We can answer questions asked in English and [[mw:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements/Updates/Talk to Web/28-06-2022|a number of other languages]]. If you would like to ask questions in advance, add them on the [[mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop_Improvements|talk page]] or send them to sgrabarczuk{{@}}wikimedia.org. We hope to see you! [[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]] ([[User talk:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|talk]]) 21:44, 23 June 2022 (UTC) {{tracked|T311771}} :I have just posted a new topic here and immediately had to edit it. See: :https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage%3ATravellers%27_pub&type=revision&diff=4472722&oldid=4472721 [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) ::@[[User:SGrabarczuk (WMF)|SGrabarczuk (WMF)]],@[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 15:22, 25 June 2022 (UTC) :::This needs [[User:Whatamidoing (WMF)|work-me]] to file a Phab ticket. Thanks for letting me know. I'm curious: could you see the <nowiki><blockquote> tags in the visual editor while you were typing? Did you paste them in, or type them, or use a keyboard shortcut?</nowiki> [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 05:25, 26 June 2022 (UTC) ::::Thanks for your prompt reply @[[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]],believe it or not my memory of this incident is already fuzzy in my memory. I know I originally typed in the ''< blockquote >'' tag, but I may have copy&mpasted it later (I sometimes do that if I have to go investigate somewhere else before posting a half-baked post). ::::I also discovered since, that this version of the software implemented on wiki-voyage (it is different on other wmf-wikis I participate on) has two alternative modes of input (undocumented?): ::::*Visual ::::and ::::*Source ::::I think I was originally put on '''Visual''' by default, but now I am on '''Source''' by default, and I am also seeing a preview pane which was not there before, I think? It would also be great if I could add an edit summary, which I can using the shall-we-call-it-reply software elsewhere. ::::I hope I am making sense in this garbled reply? [[User:Ottawahitech|Ottawahitech]] ([[User talk:Ottawahitech|talk]]) 14:41, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::Click on the "Advanced" option above the copyright/licensing statement. Most people don't use a meaningful/custom edit summary in discussions, but you can add one if you want to. [[User:WhatamIdoing|WhatamIdoing]] ([[User talk:WhatamIdoing|talk]]) 19:18, 26 June 2022 (UTC) :::::: Edit summaries are very useful also for discussions, especially at busy pages like the pub. It is often the case that some of the threads have gone down some less interesting paths, and I read them only if somebody brings up a new point (mentioned in the edit summary). When there have been new posts in several threads, I might miss some of them, unless the edit summary caught my attention on the watchlist. And the most irritating of all: making an edit to existing posts without telling that in the summary – I scroll down to the end of the thread, find nothing new, check earlier pre-outdent posts, finding nothing there, search for today's date, no match, then click history and diff, to finally find that change of phrasing or whatever, which often didn't add anything of value to what I've already read. Please write "ce" or whatever. –[[User:LPfi|LPfi]] ([[User talk:LPfi|talk]]) 12:38, 1 July 2022 (UTC) f5xwe8kj8dv5ga004g4d3ve1oyhat2s 0 191132 4506193 4503010 2022-08-22T12:20:27Z SHB2000 2248002 /* By bus */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Civic banner 1.jpg|pgname=Civic}} [[File:NewActon Precinct.jpg|thumb|300px|The NewActon Precinct]] Officially known as Canberra's '''city''', '''Civic''' is what is now Walter Burley Griffin's design for a Civic Centre. Established in 1927, it's one of the oldest centres of Canberra and is the capital's central business district, surrounded by [[Canberra/North Canberra|North Canberra]] and [[Canberra/Acton|Acton]]. Though not particularly large and has very few tall sky-rise buildings, it's the only CBD of its size located in inland Australia (the next closest you could find is [[Toowoomba]] CBD). There isn't one agreed way to call this district, but Wikivoyage has chosen to go with "Civic" for simplicity. Other names for Civic include the city, Canberra CBD, or Canberra City Centre. What you see on signage may also be confusing, as whoever designed them couldn't pick a name for consistency. ==Understand== ===History=== {{infobox|Why are there few high-rise buildings in Civic?|If you're unaware of the exact specifications that the National Capital Plan requires, then you might wonder why there are few high-rise buildings in the downtown area of a city of 467,000. Especially when other Australian cities of a similar size like [[Newcastle (New South Wales)|Newcastle]] and [[Sunshine Coast]] have many, why can't Canberra have many, especially when it's Australia's capital? The answer lies within the [https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/DownloadFile/ni/2008-27/copy/82874/PDF/2008-27.PDF RL 617 requirements] (a document which simply sums up building restrictions in Civic), which states that no building can exceed 617 meters in elevation. However, Civic itself is 567 m, capping the maximum at around 50 m (about 14 storeys). The primary reason was so Parliament House will still dominate the surrounding area.}} Civic was established in 1927, 14 years after Canberra was. It now makes up Burley Griffin's original plan for a Civic Centre with nearby Russell planned to be Canberra's "Market Centre". Instead, Russell is now the headquarters of the <abbr title="Australian Defence Force">ADF</abbr> which has resulted in many markets and malls in Civic, way more than what was in Burley Griffin's original plan. However, due to Civic's height restrictions along with the lack of space, many larger stores and markets can now be found in [[Canberra/Belconnen|Belconnen]], Canberra's second largest town centre (excluding Civic and Queanbeyan). Before Civic was established, there wasn't a clear town or city centre – the closest that resembled anything like one was [[Queanbeyan]] town centre, but Queanbeyan is in NSW, not in the ACT. Even though Civic is nearing celebrating its centenary, it's still a relatively new central business district and whilst you'll find a ton of historic buildings and sites in the CBDs of [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]] or even tiny little [[Hobart]], there are very few in Civic, and most would fail the criteria for being "historic" in [[Tasmania]], possibly Sydney and certainly not the Old World (most of it, at least). This has left the few that are considered historic in a Canberran context, to be the major things to "see" in Civic. Canberra's important buildings are mostly not in Civic (they're in [[Canberra/South Canberra|South Canberra]]), whilst museums are scattered throughout Canberra but with only one in Civic. Canberrans also don't tend to really pride in these buildings, so some like the Sydney building may look good on the outside, but are in a state of despair on the inside. Even that said, there are only two important historic buildings or sites in Civic, the '''[[#Sydney and Melbourne buildings|Sydney and Melbourne buildings]]'''. Contrary to all the negativity with Canberra's historic sites, there is one thing that Canberra has that most other Australian cities don't have – a town square. Out of the six state capitals (plus [[Darwin]] for inclusion's sake), only [[Adelaide]] has one: [[Adelaide/City and North Adelaide|Victoria Square]]. However, [[#Civic Square|Civic Square]] was not designed by Burley Griffin (it was completed in 1961, well after Burley Griffin's time) but instead by Yuncken Freeman (an Australian architecture firm) architects, though it was in Griffin's original plan, with the location purposefully chosen to be the centrepiece of Canberra, linking City Hill and [[Canberra/North Canberra#Parks and lookouts|Mount Ainslie]], which has lead to [[#Canberra Theatre|Canberra Theatre]] and several other government buildings popping up. ===Orientation=== The "City" as it's officially called, is divided into five districts. However, in practice, with the exception of NewActon, nobody but the ACT government ever uses these districts and the only time you will ever see these names are on road signs, and these names are not very consistent. Likewise, though this part of Canberra is called "Civic", you will almost never see it on signage; instead, you'll primarily see "City" or if you're somewhere closer to Civic, signs might point out to a specific part of Civic such as City West or City Centre. Strangely, "City Centre"<!--do not decapitalize--> can either mean the entirety of Civic, or it can just refer to the northeast of the district, but in typical ACT fashion, signage is sloppy when picking one area for consistency. <!--these aren't additional districts, this is supposed to resemble something like [[Sydney/City East]]--> <!--City Hill comes first given it's the most prominent – do not alphabetize--> <!--if regionlist fails to display the dynamic map {{mapframe|show=mask1|name=Map of Civic's districts}}--> {{Regionlist |regionmap=Civic regions map.png |regionInteractiveMap=map1 |show=mask1 |height=500 |regionmapsize=500px |regionmaptext=Color-coded map of Civic's districts |regionmapZoom=15 |region1name=City Hill |region1color=#a977df |region1description=The most prominent point of Civic for passer-by visitors containing many trees on a hill and Civic Square, an important location within Civic containing the Sydney and Melbourne buildings, the Canberra Museum and Gallery, the Australian Capital Territory's Legislative Assembly Building and a few other buildings. |region2name=City Centre / Civic Centre |region2color=#d09440 |region2description=It's a bit unclear on what this section of Civic is exactly called, but this part of Civic contains Canberra's main shopping precinct, Canberra Centre. Treat yourself to hundreds of stores and restaurants, whether it's for a quick lunch break, Saturday afternoon shopping or whether you'd like to take something home with you from Canberra. |region3name=City East |region3color=#18d04d |region3description=Not the most attractive part of Civic as it's rather just filled with corporate offices but it does get filled with gamblers since it contains Canberra's only purpose-built casino: Casino Canberra. |region4name=City West |region4color=#14a9d2 |region4description=Straddles along the edge of the Australian National University containining many cafes and restaurants. In many retrospects, City West acts as an "in-between" location between the centre and the Australian National University. |region5name=NewActon Cultural and Cinema Precinct (NewActon Precinct)<!--sic - do NOT change to New Acton.--> |region5color=#a8a43e |region5description=Dubbed by ''This is Canberra'' as "[https://thisiscanberra.com/newacton-canberras-little-piece-of-new-york/ Canberra’s little piece of New York]", this vibrant and lively has a whole cafes, bars, cinemas and anything you'd find that characterises cities known for culture like New York City or Melbourne crammed in a single block. Some would classify this new precinct as part of [[Canberra/Acton|Acton]], but it's covered in this guide for practical purposes. }} ===Read=== There are few publically available books about Civic, and often those that can be found are only found within Canberra. But in spite of that, it doesn't mean there are few books about Civic – in fact, the '''[[Canberra/South Canberra#National Library of Australia |National Library of Australia]]''' (NLA) in Parliamentary Triangle, South Canberra has a sizable amount about Civic. Many are online-only, and can be found on the [https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/ library's catalogue]. * '''''Civic: the living city''''' by Tony Powell ({{ISBN|9780646449487}}<!--or 0646449486-->). Not a very popular book but it does go into great depths about Civic's city planning and why Civic is planned the way it is. The book is a bit hard to find though; few bookstores in Civic have the book but it can be found at the airport, or alternatively, you may want to borrow it online from the [https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3546314/Holdings? National Library of Australia] (NLA). ==Get in== As with any city's downtown area, Civic is well-connected by both road and light rail. ===By bus=== [[File:City Bus Interchange.jpg|thumb|250px|ACTION buses at the City Interchange]] All buses to Civic stop at one interchange, {{marker|type=go|name=City Interchange|lat=-35.278476|long=149.130054}}; one of few in Canberra to have both bus and light rail services. Being in the centre of Canberra, there are many lines that connect to the rest of Canberra. The ideal way to get into Civic by bus is using these R-routes (i.e. the main important routes), which as follows: * '''R2''' from [[Canberra/Belconnen|Belconnen]] to the northwest and the [[Canberra/South Canberra#Buy|Canberra Outlet Centre]] in Fyshwick to the southeast * '''R3''' from [[Canberra/Airport and East|Canberra Airport]] to the east, and Spence/Belconnen to the northwest * '''R4''' from Belconnen to the northwest, and [[Canberra/Tuggeranong and Country ACT|Tuggeranong]] passing [[Canberra/South Canberra|South Canberra]] to the south. * '''R5''' from Lanyon Marketplace in Tuggeranong in the south, terminating in Civic. * '''R6''' from [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden|Woden]] in the southwest via Barton. If you're arriving from '''[[Canberra/South Canberra#By train|Canberra Railway Station]]''' in Kingston, South Canberra, then use this rapid route. * '''R7''' from [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden|Weston Creek]] also from the southwest * '''R10''' from [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden|Molonglo]] in the southwest There are also other ordinary bus lines. Unlike the R-routes, services are not very frequent, and these routes come from rather obscure or specific places, such as the Australian Defence Force Academy or the National Museum of Australia. With the exception of bus line '''53''' to/from the National Museum of Australia in [[Canberra/Acton|Acton]] and the Dickson Shops in [[Canberra/North Canberra|North Canberra]], all ordinary bus lines terminate at Civic. Otherwise, the ordinary bus routes as follows: * '''31''' from the Dickson Shops in North Canberra passing Braddon * '''32''' from several interchanges in Belconnen, including Cohen Street Interchange, Westfield Belconnen and Belconnen Interchange and a lot of other minor stops along the way. However, if you're coming to Civic from these interchanges, you're better off taking the R2, 3 or 4 lines that don't go the long and convoluted way. * '''50''' from Watson Terminus in North Canberra, passing the Dickson Shops * '''51''' from the Dickson Shops but passing Lyneham instead * '''54''' from Majura Business Park near the airport * '''55''' from the Australian Defence Force Academy passing the Royal Military College * '''56''' from Fyshwick * '''59''' from Woden Interchange passing the [[Canberra/South Canberra|South Canberra]] section of Barton * '''182''' from Lanyon Marketplace in Tuggeranong via the Majura Parkway (M23) ===By car=== {{infobox|Finding parking|Though the standard expression anyone will say when heading to a mid-sized or large city's central business district is "Do not drive", driving in Canberra's is actually quite tolerable – except, finding parking can be hard at best, and a nightmare at worst. Luckily for you, parking isn't all that expensive and at the very max, you'll have to pay $16 for a day. Within Civic, there are three main paid carparks, all operated by Secure Parking. There's a fourth one but it's a monthly-only carpark, centred for workers, not travellers. * The first and largest is the parking at '''[[#Canberra Centre|Canberra Centre]]'''. It's a multi-storey carpark, and if you're going to by in the city all day or doing a few hours worth of shopping, you can pay $14 rooftop parking (which actually takes up the top three floors); * {{marker|type=go|name=City West Car Park|url=https://www.secureparking.com.au/en-au/car-parks/australia/australian-capital-territory/canberra/canberra-cbd/city-west-car-park|lat=-35.2786|long=149.1253}} in City West, with hourly parking from $6.50 and early-bird parking from $14. * {{marker|type=go|name=Marcus Clarke Car Park|url=https://www.secureparking.com.au/en-au/car-parks/australia/australian-capital-territory/canberra/canberra-cbd/121-marcus-clarke-car-park|lat=-35.27753|long=149.12546}} in City West, with hourly parking from $6.50, rooftop parking from $16, and early-bird parking from $14. There are also three other carparks within London Cct in City Hull, but those aren't operated by Secure Parking. They do tend to get filled up pretty quickly, and these parking lots are centred for those working in Civic, not one-off travellers. Alternatively, there is street parking available, but very limited in Civic. Need not worry – Braddon just to the north has a reasonably amount of metered street parking along Lonsdale St, and it's cheaper than parking in the Civic too – a win-win if you don't mind the 100-metre walk.}} Being at the centre of Canberra, Civic is well connected by several ways. Many are good quality roads, some of which are freeways, though the prime route which many travellers use is Northbourne Avenue from the north. '''Northbourne Avenue''' (A23) is the main artery connecting Civic to NSW. It runs right through the centre of Civic. If you're entering the ACT via the '''Federal Highway''' (M23), then all you need to do is to simply stay on the same road until you reach Civic. If you're coming from the northern districts – namely, anywhere from [[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]], [[Canberra/Hall|Hall]] or from [[New South Wales]] via the '''Barton Highway''' (A25), stay on Barton Highway and once you're at the Federal Hwy/Barton Hwy/Northbourne Ave intersection, turn right onto Northbourne Avenue until you arrive at Civic. '''Parkes Way''' (unnumbered) doesn't exactly pass through Civic, but marks Civic' southern border, bypassing the city, and the easiest and fastest way if you're coming from the [[Canberra/Tuggeranong and Country ACT|Tuggeranong]], [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden|Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley]], and [[Canberra/Belconnen|Belconnen]]. There are three exits along the freeway, and one massive roundabout at the very end. '''Commonwealth Avenue''' (A23) connects Capital and State Circles to Civic. From Woden use Adelaide Avenue northeast into [[Canberra/South Canberra|South Canberra]], which should later spit you out onto Commonwealth Avenue. From the [[Canberra/Airport and East|airport]], head west onto Pialligo Drive west and then onto Morshead Drive. Continue until Coranderrk Street from where you'll need to turn right at the massive roundabout and then you've basically arrived at Civic. And if you're coming back from the snow (i.e. the [[Snowy Mountains]]), keep following the Monaro Highway (A23) which later becomes the freeway-grade Majura Parkway (M23) and exit onto Morshead Drive. Once you've exited, turn left until you've arrived at Civic. ===By light rail=== Civic has connections to and [[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]] passing by [[Canberra/North Canberra|North Canberra]] via Northbourne Avenue (A23). From Gungahlin, the '''R1''' route starts at the town centre and heads east for a few metres until it changes direction and heads south, passing Dickson Interchange before terminating at the {{marker|type=go|name=Alinga Street station|lat=-35.27796|long=149.129325}}, just north of the Alinga Street/Northbourne Avenue intersection. The route is fairly short, and services are frequent, so you won't need any special planning ahead to use the light rail. There are plans to extend the line down southwest towards [[Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden|Woden]] along either Capital or State Circle and Adelaide Avenue through the middle of the freeway. Construction is expected to start soon in 2023 and is projected to open in 2025. {{mapframe|-35.2812|149.1292|zoom=15|name=Map of Civic|align=center|width=100%|height=500}}<!--{{mapshape|wikidata=Q4421073}}--> {{Mapshapes|Q16927042}} <!--R1: Canberra Light Rail--> ==See== [[File:Canberra Museum and Gallery viewed from Civic Square.jpg|thumb|250px|The Canberra Museum and Gallery from Civic Square]] [[File:City Hill and Northbourne Avenue viewed from London Circuit.jpg|thumb|250px|Centenary Column from London Cct]] When it comes to things to see, Civic has very little to offer. Unlike Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, most of Canberra's museums aren't located in Civic but in the areas surrounding Civic such as [[Canberra/Acton|Acton]] or [[Canberra/South Canberra|South Canberra]]. Nevertheless, the Civic has some buildings with some unique architecture, making Canberra quite a different CBD compared to other Australian CBDs. Most of Civic's sights are located in {{marker|type=see|name=Civic Square|lat=-35.281269|long=149.131018}}, a small block in 180 London Cct, including the Legislative Assembly building, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Civic Library and Canberra Theatre. Its location was deliberately chosen to be directly in line with [[Canberra/North Canberra#In nature reserves|Mount Ainslie]]; if you want to see it for real, stand at the very centre of the lookout, and whilst Anzac Parade will certainly take the spotlight, look a bit to the right and you'll see the square perfectly in line with City Hill and Ainslie Avenue. * {{see | name=Artworld ADG | alt= | url=http://www.aboriginaldream.com/ | email=dream@aboriginaldream.com | address=cnr London Cct and Gordon St | lat=-35.2823 | long=149.1252 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 2922 | tollfree= | hours=F {{time|11AM|6PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-05-30 | content=An Aboriginal art gallery that is sister to the [[Canberra/Gungahlin, Belconnen and Hall#Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery|Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery]] in Nicholls. It's a smaller version of the art gallery in Nicholls, but there are still plenty of Aboriginal artworks and artifacts on display. However, do note this place is not wheelchair accessible. }} * {{see | name=Canberra Museum and Gallery | alt=CMAG | url=http://www.cmag.com.au/ | email=cmag@act.gov.au | address=176 London Cct | lat=-35.2807 | long=149.131 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6207 3968 | tollfree= | hours=M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su noon-5PM | price=Free | wikidata=Q495518 | content=A museum and art gallery featuring works and exhibits of the local region. Also features the ''Sydney Nolan Collection'' - the works of Sir Sydney Nolan, a famous Australian artist. }} * {{see | name=Glebe Park | alt= | url= | email= | address=cnr Bunda St, Akuna St and Cooyong St | lat=-35.28227 | long=149.13629 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5567441 | lastedit=2022-06-30 | content=Where's Canberra's Hype Park you ask? This small 40-ha park is a remnant of land that was allocated in the 1840s to the Anglican church, but today is a nice spot to go for a stroll. If you're into photography and want to see some autumn colours, the leaves have a strong autumn foliage, making it a great spot for photography. }} * {{see | name=Sydney and Melbourne buildings | alt= | url= | email= | address=cnr London Cct and Northbourne Ave | lat=-35.279 | long=149.13 | directions=the Sydney Building is on the east side of Northbourne Avenue, and the Melbourne Building is on the west side | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=These two large buildings in the centre of Civic were the first commercially-funded buildings in Canberra, and have been important local landmarks since the 1920s. Both buildings are surrounded by loggias modelled on those of buildings in [[Florence]], Italy. They are occupied by a mix of restaurants (most of which are quite good), nightclubs, pubs and small businesses, but much of the Sydney Building is in a fairly poor state of repair. Plans to revitalise the buildings are regularly proposed, but never go far. }} There are a few memorials and monuments in Civic, though only a fraction when you compare it to just ANZAC Avenue alone in Campbell, [[Canberra/North Canberra|North Canberra]]. They're not popular destinations, and if you're time limited, you can see them while driving and still not miss anything important or notable about these memorials and monuments. * {{see | name=ACT Memorial | alt=Australian Capital Territory Memorial | url=http://www.memorial.act.gov.au/ | email= | address=London Cct / Vernon Circle | lat=-35.2808 | long=149.132 | directions=opposite Civic Square | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q4650886 | lastedit=2022-04-25 | content=A war memorial erected in August 2006 to honour those from the Australian Capital Territory who served in all wars. }} * {{see | name=Canberra Centenary Column | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=-35.2814 | long=149.129 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q18386365 | lastedit=2022-03-28 | content=A 8.5-m sculpture built to commemorate the Canberra's centenary, and unveiled on 11 March 2014. The top of the base is inlaid with glass tiles and has a steel covering etched with images depicting Canberra's 100-year history and was designed by local artist Geoff Farquhar-Still. The design was inspired by the "Commencement Column" that was proposed to have been built when Canberra was founded, but was never completed. }} [[File:ACT Legislative Assembly building November 2021.jpg|thumb|250px|The Legislative Assembly Building in November 2021]] Civic has its fair share of government offices, both a mix of federal (that's no surprise as it's the ACT) and territory government offices. Most of the territory buildings are of little interest, and if you're to be honest, would you really want to go and visit some random old building that you cannot enter? The same goes with federal, except there aren't any of interest as all of the important ones are in [[Canberra/South Canberra|South Canberra]]. * {{see | name=Legislative Assembly Building | alt= | url=https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/ | email=laeducation@parliament.act.gov.au | address=Civic Square, London Circuit | lat=-35.2816 | long=149.1312 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6205 3016 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6518198 | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Building, also known as the South Building, which although may first seem like any other "government building", the building does indeed have some educational programs, and you can make a booking if you want to visit the assembly – see the [https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/visit-and-learn website] for more details. }} * {{see | name=Reserve Bank of Australia Building | alt= | url= | email= | address=20-22 London Cct | lat=-35.2804 | long=149.127 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q60746498 | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=A heritage-listed bank building designed by Howlett and Bailey in 1962 and built from 1963 to 1965 by Civil & Civic which was the old RBA building (the current RBA head office is now in Sydney). It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004. }} ==Do== [[File:Casino Canberra Sign .jpg|thumb|250px|Outside Casino Canberra]] Civic isn't really a place to "do" things. Perhaps humorously, the most strenuous thing is maneuvering around the city, scrambling for parking or if it's not a very good day, then maybe both. While there have been several entertainment venues that have opened and closed in Civic, many have closed and in some cases like the former Center<!--sic--> Cinema, have been taken over by dining establishments. * {{do | name=Casino Canberra | alt= | url=http://casinocanberra.com.au | email= | address=21 Binara St | lat=-35.2833 | long=149.134 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6243 3700 | tollfree= | hours=Daily {{time|12PM|4AM}} | price= | wikidata=Q1047578 | lastedit=2022-03-30 | content=Perhaps Canberra's equivalent of Melbourne's Crown Casino, with multiple gambling areas, a sports bar, and an eatery but the casino is quite compact. }} * {{do | name=Canberra Theatre Centre | alt=Canberra Theatre | url= | email= | address= | lat=-35.2818 | long=149.1305 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q2878077 | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=Canberra’s central performing arts venue, Australia’s first performing arts centre, and the first Australian Government initiated performing arts centre to be completed having opened on 24 June 1965 with a gala performance by the Australian Ballet. }} * {{do | name=Palace Electric Cinemas | alt= | url=http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/electric/ | email= | address=Ground Floor, 2 Phillip Law St | lat=-35.2849 | long=149.12301 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6222 4900 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-15 | content=There's not a whole lot that's very unique to this cinema, except, this is primarily how NewActon's full name came to be. It has a bit of a modern and traditional look, but the choice is limited. }} ==Buy== [[File:Temporary picnic area in Garema Place October 2017.jpg|thumb|250px|City Walk]] There are three major shopping precincts in Civic: * {{buy | name=Canberra Centre | alt= | url=http://canberracentre.com.au | email= | address=Bunda St | lat=-35.2794 | long=149.1336 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247-5611 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q5031247 | lastedit=2015-02-27 | content=Canberra's second largest shopping mall covering a large section of Canberra's shopping district. It has department stores, food hall and eateries, specialty shops for adults and kids fashion both upmarket and basic. There are also electronics, books, CDs, souvenirs and Australian made products. }} * '''City Walk''' (coloured teal on the map) is an outdoor pedestrian mall in Civic that is home to a large range of shopping outlets, alfresco dining and a few bars. The mall is also home to the Canberra Merry-Go-Round and the Canberra Times fountain. **'''Garema Place''' is not part of City Walk, but it's just a spur from City Walk that also has lots of restaurants and stores. There's also a small hidden path to access it from Bunda Street just next to Gus' Place, but it's very easy to miss. * '''Petrie Plaza''' is a shorter pedestrian mall that was created in 1965 by pedestrianising Petrie Street. It doesn't have as many stores or dining precincts as City Walk does, but it's got a lot in the centre (whether it be the gardens, sculptures, a carousel etc.). All three are within the northeast of Civic (within what you see in red under Civic Centre as seen [[#Orientation|on the map]]). They're all essentially interconnected and some would argue that City Walk and Petrie Plaza are simply a part of the greater Canberra Centre. If you're just doing some shopping in Canberra, chances are, you might not even realise that you've left Canberra Centre and its "sub-malls" as they're very interconnected. Do be aware that finding a place to park your car can get very tricky, even on weekends, and it gets chaotic on weekends. There are a few carparks, but these aren't large when you compare it to the average Westfield in the Big 5. In typical ACT fashion, signage is poor and sloppy and you might need to scramble, make a few wrong left turns, have accidentally ended up on the highly pedestrianised Bunda Street (which can take you a few minutes to get from one end to the other) before finally reaching the centre's carparks. ===Book and gift stores=== If you're a person into books, souvenirs or want to take some gifts for those back home, Civic has several book and gift stores. Like all other stores in Civic, most are in either Canberra Centre or the pedestrian malls. * {{buy | name=Australian Choice | alt= | url=https://australianchoice.com.au/ | email=contact@australianchoice.com.au | address=Shop 12, Ground Floor, Canberra Centre | lat= | long= | directions=see [[#Canberra Centre|Canberra Centre]] | phone=+61 2 6257 5315 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-27 | content=A family owned gift store that has an extensive range of souvenirs for you to take home. However, a lot of the souvenirs here are more "Australia specific" rather than Canberra specific, but there's a common Indigenous theme that distinguishes this shop from your average souvenir store. }} * {{buy | name=Dymocks Canberra | alt= | url=https://www.dymocks.com.au/stores/act/dymocks-canberra | email= | address=Shop CL17 Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Civic | lat=-35.28042 | long=149.1328 | directions=behind the escalators in the Canberra Centre's food court | phone=+61 2 6257 5057 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=While part of a fairly unexciting national chain, this branch of Dymocks has an unusually well-chosen stock. Other, and less interesting, Dymocks branches are located in Belconnen Mall and the Tuggeranong Hyperdome. }} * {{buy | name=Robinsons Bookshop Canberra | alt= | url=https://www.robinsonsbooks.com.au/robinsonsbooks-v02.php | email=canberracentre@robinsonsbooks.com.au | address=Shop DF24, Canberra Centre | lat= | long= | directions=next to the Apple Store in [[#Canberra Centre|Canberra Centre]] | phone=+61 3 9783 6488 | tollfree= | hours=M–Th 9AM–5:30PM; F 9AM–9PM; Sa 9AM–5PM; Su 10AM–4PM | price= | lastedit=2022-06-28 | content=There's a lot of unexpected finds in this bookshop, but the range is rather limited and is slightly pricey compared to other Canberran bookshops. }} ===Clothing stores=== If you're heading out to the [[Snowy Mountains|Snowies]] and forgot to bring your puffy jacket or skipants, then need not worry, there are plenty of clothing stores in Civic that'll have them. Clothing as a whole can be a bit more expensive and cheaper than the price you'll find in Sydney at the same time, but range and variety isn't compromised (so no American chains that've left Australia for ripping Australians with cheap, old-fashioned clothes or even Australian stores that might have a tendency for slack in regional areas). ==Eat== Civic is one of only only places in Canberra where you can find a whole amplitude of [[Australian cuisine#Ethnic cuisines|ethnic cuisines]] to eat, with the other being the [[Canberra/North Canberra|Dickson Shops]] just a few kilometres to the north; unlike Dickson, Civic is not limited to Chinese or East/Southeast Asian cuisine, and you can find plenty of flavours from Italy, India, Turkey – you name it. There are two main precincts in Civic whose specialty ''is'' food, plus the Canberra Centre/City Walk. * '''Canberra Centre''' and '''City Walk''' may be known for shopping, but there are a sizable number of restaurants of all kind. * '''Sydney Building''' and a few surrounding buildings house a number of high-end splurge restaurants (and most of Civic's), as well as a number of Asian and Indian restaurants. * '''City West''' may look like a continuation of the Civic Centre's, but it's ''very'' different – lots of Italian, Japanese (yes, it's Asian, but the Japanese restaurants are somewhat evenly split up), and the further west you go from the Melbourne Building, the more cafes you'll see, reflecting Australia's coffee culture. ===Budget=== * {{eat | name=Civic Asian Noodle House | alt= | url=https://civicasiannoodlehouseonline.com.au/ | email= | address=Sydney Building, 34 Northbourne Ave | lat=-35.278828 | long=149.1288 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 5145 (landline), +61 405 558 353 (mobile) | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Good laksa and pad thai at reasonable prices (ranging around $15) in a relaxed atmosphere. }} * {{eat | name=CBD Dumpling House | alt= | url= | email= | address=Shop FG13C Canberra Centre (148 Bunda St) | lat=-35.27766 | long=149.1334 | directions=enter from Scotts Crossing | phone=+61 2 6262 8855 | tollfree= | hours={{time|11:30AM|3PM}}, <abbr title="17:00–22:00">5–10PM</abbr> | price= | lastedit=2017-07-29 | content=Large and very popular Asian restaurant. Specialises in dumplings, but has a good mix of other Asian dishes. }} * {{eat | name=Fekerte’s Ethiopian | alt= | url= | email= | address=Phillip Law St | lat=-35.2848 | long=149.123 | directions=near Ovolo Nishi | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=A budget Ethiopian restaurant with some very flavourful spicy dishes and a whole slew of vegan and vegetarian options. It's one of only three Ethiopian restaurants in Canberra (with one being Ethiopia Down Under in Woden and the other in Civic). Both dine-in and takeaway are available. }} * {{eat | name=Flavours Of Ethiopia | alt= | url=http://flavoursofethiopia.weebly.com/ | email= | address=33 Allara St, City Walk | lat=-35.2832 | long=149.1336 | directions= | phone=+61 413 655 472 | tollfree= | hours=M–Sa {{time|11:15AM|8:30PM}} (closed Su) | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-30 | content=Civic's second Ethiopian restaurant (and one of three in Canberra) best known for its curry sauces and samosas, owned by an Ethiopian couple (so it's indeed really authentic). There's plenty of traditionals to choose from with prices no higher than $20 per person. }} * {{eat | name=Happy’s Chinese Restaurant | alt= | url=https://www.happys.com.au/ | email= | address=1/17 Garema Pl | lat=-35.2782 | long=149.1316 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6249 7015 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch: W–M 11:30AM–2PM (closed Tuesdays); dinner: Su–Th 5–9PM, F Sa 5–10PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=A simple Cantonese restaurant that's been in this area for quite a long time. The menu is not very extensive, but nearly all of them are value-for-price. The size of the restaurant is a bit small though. }} * {{eat | name=Indo Cafe | alt= | url=http://www.indocafe.com.au/ | email=yetty@indocafe.com.au | address=Ground Floor, Nesuto Apartments, London Cct | lat=-35.2822 | long=149.1326 | directions= | phone=+61 411 038 803 | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|11AM|3PM}} (closed Sa Su) | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-30 | content=Though it's called a cafe, it's not really a cafe but just a good place to have some cheap traditional Indonesian eats with takeaway lunch specials priced at $8. }} * {{eat | name=Kebaba | alt= | url=https://kebaba.com.au/take-away/ | email= | address=Shop 4, 86-96 Bunda St | lat=-35.2782 | long=149.1323 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6113 0346 | tollfree= | hours=Su–W 9AM–midnight; Th 9AM–2AM; F Sa 10AM–5AM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=Has some traditional Turkish adana kebabs, pide and falafel. However, the portions are known to be rather small compared to a typical HSP (halal snack pack). }} * {{eat | name=LanZhou Beef Noodle | alt=Lanzhou Beef Noodle | url=https://www.lanzhoubeefnoodle-canberra.com.au/ | email= | address=28 University Ave | lat=-35.2798 | long=149.1257 | directions= | phone=+61 493 395 023 | tollfree= | hours=Su–F {{time|11AM|8:15PM}} (closed Saturdays) | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=A small noodle shop that brings the flavours from [[Lanzhou]] (a city in northwest China) and best known for its Lanzhou beef noodles. There are some rather exotic meals on the menu, but otherwise nearly everything found is either chicken or beef. }} * {{eat | name=Ming’s Pantry | alt=Ming’s Pantry Malaysian Street Food | url=https://www.facebook.com/139362503406102/posts/mings-pantry-malaysian-street-food/442671839741832/ | email= | address=Mayfair Building, G22/45 West Row | lat=-35.2785 | long=149.1273 | directions= | phone=+61 451 304 030 | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|11AM|9PM}}; Sa {{time|11AM|2:30PM}}, <abbr title="17:00–21:00">5–9PM</abbr> (closed Su). | price= | lastedit=2022-08-14 | content=There isn't a whole lot to say about this place – except that you can get some really good yet cheap Malaysian food. The signature chicken and many of their other dishes tend to be a bit large, but who doesn't want to share a meal? (unless you're [[travelling alone]]). }} * {{eat | name=Ms Ba Cô | alt=Ms. Ba Cô | url=https://www.msbaco.com/ | email=msbacostreetfood@gmail.com | address=4-6/108 Bunda St | lat=-35.2784 | long=149.1324 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 5396 | tollfree= | hours=Daly {{time|8AM|8PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=Though it's only a budget restaurant, it's a Vietnamese favourite in Canberra. It's a family-owned restaurant, so there's some family recipes too and its name, ''Ba Cô '', translates to "three girls" in English, symbolising the family's three daughters. }} * {{eat | name=Wild Panda | alt= | url=https://wildpanda.com.au/ | email=info@wildpanda.com.au | address=40 Marcus Clarke St | lat=-35.2786 | long=149.1268 | directions=next to Subway | phone=+61 408 579 666 | tollfree= | hours=Daily <abbr title="11:00–21:00">11AM–9PM</abbr> | price= | lastedit=2022-08-14 | content=A Western Chinese restaurant that veers towards the higher end of a budget restaurant, with portions surprisingly, not as large as many other Chinese restaurants. Through quality ain't their strong point, their hot noodles and dumplings are. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{eat | name=Bicicletta Restaurant | alt= | url=https://www.bicicletta.com.au/ | email=gallery.rest@peppers.com.au | address=1/15 Edinburgh Ave | lat=-35.2846 | long=149.1239 | directions=near Peppers Gallery Hotel | phone=+61 2 6175 2222 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Sa 5–10PM (closed Su M) | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=Find some excellent homemade pizza, pasta and other Italian favourites in this authentic Italian restaurant, but with local ingredients. The wine list is a pretty selective one, and so are the daily specials. }} * {{eat | name=Blu Ginger | alt= | url=https://www.bluginger.com.au/ | email= | address=2/5-21 Genge St | lat=-35.2770 | long=149.13205 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 2228 | tollfree= | hours=Su–W 11AM–3PM, 5–10PM, Th–Sa 11AM–3PM, 5–10:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-30 | content=Lots of authentic classic curries in a very traditional, cozy setting that resembles a traditional Indian structure. It's best known for its butter chicken and korma, but their other options are also well worth a try. The tables can fill up quickly, so try and make a [https://www.bluginger.com.au/book-a-table/ booking] if you can. }} * {{eat | name=Briscola Italian | alt= | url=http://briscolapizzeria.com.au/ | email= | address=60 Alinga St | lat=-35.2785 | long=149.1283 | directions=in ground floor of Melbourne Building | phone=+61 2 6248 5444 | tollfree= | hours=Lunch: T–Su noon–2PM (closed Mondays), Dinner: Su–Th 5:30–8:30PM; F Sa 5:30–9PM | price= | lastedit=2022-06-14 | content=Discover some "old fashioned" as dubbed by the restaurant themselves with some good classic Southern Italian cuisine. It won the Canberra’s Best Italian Restaurant award in 2015, and it's always been family owned by traditional Italians. }} * {{eat | name=Chez Kimchi | alt= | url=https://m.facebook.com/chezkimchi/ | email= | address=68/70 Bunda St | lat=-35.2779 | long=149.1322 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 5525 | tollfree= | hours=M Tu closed, W Th Su 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–9:30PM, F Sa 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–10:30PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-30 | content=A modern Korean restaurant with a good variety of chicken available. You can't go past the Gangjung, a very flavourful and tasty chicken and Chez Kimchi's local specialty. }} * {{eat | name=The City Labor Club | alt=Canberra Labor Club | url=https://www.laborclub.com.au/venues/city/ | email=admin@laborclub.com.au | address=16 Petrie Plaza | lat=-35.2799 | long=149.1317 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 0404 | tollfree= | hours=M–W 9AM–midnight, Th F 9AM–1AM, Sa 10AM–1AM, Su 10AM–midnight | price= | lastedit=2022-06-09 | content=It's Civic's branch of the Canberra chain Canberra Labor Club with a nice relaxed atmosphere with rather spacious lounges with modern Australian cuisine. The modern Australian restaurant has great cocktails, lunch, gaming machines and Wi-Fi. }} * {{eat | name=Edo Tori | alt= | url=https://www.edotori.com.au/ | email=info@edotori.com.au | address=43 Northbourne Ave | lat=-35.2789 | long=149.1287 | directions=in Melbourne Building | phone=+61 2 5119 2494 | tollfree= | hours=Daily 11:30AM–late | price=Feed me menu: {{AUD|59}}; lunch express: {{AUD|39}}; Zeitaku feed me {{AUD|89}}pp | lastedit=2022-08-15 | content=A modern Australianised Japanese restaurant with the strange slogan "Save Water, Drink Beer" with a strong emphasis on drinks. It's borderline between mid-range and splurge, but the quality is worth the bucks. Oh, and not to forget, if you're a sushi craver, they have sushi; it's somewhat discreet. }} * {{eat | name=Kebaba Turkish Grill Bar | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Kebaba-Turkish-Grill-Bar-1739731602996311/ | email= | address=11 East Row | lat=-35.27934 | long=149.1302 | directions= | phone=+61 2 5105 4757 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-03-30 | content=A Turkish grill bar that offers both dining in and takeaway. Depending on what you order, there is a chance that you can see your own meal being made. }} * {{eat | name=Kinn Thai | alt= | url=http://kinnrestaurant.com.au/canberra/ | email=canberra@kinnrestaurant.com.au | address=Shop FG03, Canberra Centre | lat= -35.2775776| long=149.1324284 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 1277 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-07 | content=A Thai restaurant with street food (or specifically street lunch) with great Thai chicken, seafood and has a great variety of vegetarian options. Chilli basin chicken, anyone? }} * {{eat | name=Koko Black | alt= | url=https://www.kokoblack.com/ | email= | address=Bunda St, Canberra Centre North Quarter | lat=-35.27971 | long=149.1328 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Warm and tasty chocolate shop with a second to none chocolate selection as well as an innovative and interesting hot chocolate and drink menu. Nice, welcoming decor. }} * {{eat | name=Madam Lu Malaysian Restaurant | alt= | url=https://madamlu.net/ | email= | address=20/42 West Row | lat=-35.278993 | long=149.1279 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 5201 | tollfree= | hours=11AM–2:30PM, 5–9PM (closed Sundays) | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-03-30 | content=A Malaysian restaurant but with many Chinese inspired dishes. However, do be aware that the food here come in large portions, and so be careful in what you order – it could be larger than what you might be expecting. }} * {{eat | name=Močan & Green Grout | alt=Močan and Green Grout | url=https://mocanandgreengrout.net/ | email= | address=1/19 Marcus Clarke St | lat=-35.2849 | long=149.1250 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6162 2909 | tollfree= | hours=Daily {{time|7AM|4PM}} (kitchen closes {{time|2PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=A classic ordinary typical modern-Australian restaurant, but it has an open-air kitchen. Unfortunately, the menu is very limited and there's a 10 per cent surcharge on weekends and public holidays. }} * {{eat | name=The Golden Drum | alt= | url= | email= | address=1/14 Childers St | lat=-35.2791 | long=149.1247 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6162 1882 | tollfree= | hours=M–F 11AM–2:30PM, 5–9PM Sa Su 5–9PM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-31 | content=Classic traditional Chinese restaurant with lots of beef and pork options. Do be aware that there are some items on this menu that may seem "exotic", but there are plenty of meals that aren't. }} * {{eat | name=The Tasty Hill | alt= | url=http://thetastyhill.com/ | email=thetastyhill@gmail.com | address=Shop 1/3 16 Moore St | lat=-35.2760 | long=149.1285 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6152 0363 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Su <abbr title="17:00–22:00">5–10PM</abbr> (closed M) | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=No, you're not going to be licking hills (or hill?) at this restaurant, instead this is a Korean charcoaal barbecue restaurant where you'll be licking some tasty barbecue chicken or wagyu beef (yep, a misleading name). But if you're after traditional Korean food, noodles, or soup, they do have some available – it's just not their main specialty. }} * {{eat | name=Zoo Bar | alt= | url=https://www.zoobar.com.au/ | email=info@zoobar.com.au | address=Level 3, 17 London Cct | lat=-35.28025 | long=149.1263 | directions= | phone=1300 966 227 (domestic) | tollfree= | hours=Tu W 11AM–10PM; Th 11AM–1AM; F 11AM–3AM; Sa 3PM–3AM (closed Su M) | price= | lastedit=2022-06-18 | content=Best known for its wide range of cocktails and beers available. There's some great modern Australian cuisine available in a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. If you're here on a Saturday night, Zoo Bar is known to go full on and claims itself as the "new home of music in the capital"<!--src: https://www.zoobar.com.au/home/milehigh-->. }} ===Splurge=== * {{eat | name=Akiba | alt= | url=http://www.akiba.com.au/ | email= | address=40 Bunda St | lat=-35.2778 | long=149.1314 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6162 0602 | tollfree= | hours=M–W <abbr title="17:00–23:00">5–11PM</abbr>; Th–Su <abbr title="11:30–00:00">11:30AM–midnight</abbr> | price= | lastedit=2022-05-30 | content=A modern Asian BBQ store with some great flavours and cocktails, particularly specialising in Japanese cuisine and barbecue. Do be aware though, that the portions are very large, so don't go ordering too much. }} * {{eat | name=Courgette Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.courgette.com.au/ | email= | address=54 Marcus Clarke St | lat=-35.276251 | long=149.1269 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 4042 | tollfree= | hours=M–Sa <abbr title="12:00–15:00">noon–3PM</abbr>, <abbr title="18:00–21:00">6–9PM</abbr> (closed Sundays) | price= | content=Sister restaurant to [[Canberra/South Canberra#Aubergine Restaurant|Aubergine Restaurant]], fine dining. And as the name of the restaurant suggests, the restaurant specialises in zucchini based meals. }} * {{eat | name=Iori Japanese Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.iori.com.au/ | email= | address=41 East Row | lat=-35.278923 | long=149.1304 | directions=in Sydney Building | phone=+61 2 6257 2334 | tollfree= | hours=M–Th <abbr title="18:00–21:00">6–9PM</abbr>; Fr Sa <abbr title="18:00–21:30">6–9:30PM</abbr>; closed Sundays | price=Minimum $40 per person | lastedit=2022-03-30 | content=A Japanese restaurant with some cosy settings with a mix of Japanese and Western food. The lighting tends to be quite nice, also being a mix of Western and Japanese styles. A particularly popular special of theirs is the Seared Salmon Roll. }} * {{eat | name=SoLita Pizzeria, Restaurant & Bar | alt= | url=http://solita.com.au/ | email= | address=143 London Cct | lat=-35.279526 | long=149.1307 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 1010 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Th noon–2PM, 5–9PM, Fr noon–2PM, 5–9:30PM, Sa 5–9:30PM, closed Su M | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-03-30 | content=A mix of Naples (an Italian city in Campania, Southern Italy) cuisine and Australian cuisine. The name of the restaurant comes from "'''So'''uth of '''Li'''ttle I'''ta'''ly", and the range of pasta coming from Canberra may surprise you – because there's quite a lot. }} * {{eat | name=The Meat & Wine Co. | alt= | url=https://themeatandwineco.com/canberra-restaurants/canberra-cbd/ | email=canberra@themeatandwineco.com | address=Ground Floor, 220 London Cct | lat=-35.283035 | long=149.131247 | directions=cnr Constitution Ave and London Cct | phone=+61 2 5134 5988 | tollfree= | hours=Tu–Sa {{time|noon|10PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-07-30 | content=It's one of Canberra's finest steak restaurants and has an excellent selection of wine (they've very nitpicky with the selection; only the finest make it). It's got a bit of a traditional yet modern feel and look. There are two things that this restaurant is known for: its diverse a la carte menu and [https://themeatandwineco.com/aged/ "aged"] steak. }} * {{eat | name=Wilma | alt= | url=https://wilmabbq.com.au/ | email= | address=1 Genge St. | lat=-35.277491 | long=149.1318 | directions=cnr Bunda and Genge Streets | phone=+61 2 6171 2092 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-04-08 | content=Sister to several Canberran restaurants, this splurge restaurant perhaps has some of the finest seafood and barbecue meat one could find in Canberra. Base banquets are from $75 per person while baller banquets are $95 per person. }} ===Cafes=== [[File:Gus' Place September 2017.jpg|thumb|250px|Gus's cafe – what was the first outdoor pavement cafe in Canberra is now an all common sight in Civic]] * {{eat | name=Brew and Brew Cafe | alt= | url=https://thebrewandbrew.com.au/ | email=hello@thebrewandbrew.com.au | address=2 Constitution Ave | lat=-35.2838 | long=149.1314 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6248 6927 | tollfree= | hours=Cafe: M–F {{time|6AM|3PM}}; espresso bar: M–F {{time|6AM|4PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content=A cafe and a bar with lots of savory treats and a wide range of meat and bread. A la carte breakfast and lunch are available and have an excellent, fine-picked wine selection, with a strong local emphasis. Wine is picked and only wines from the Canberra region (i.e. the ACT and the wineries in NSW near the ACT) are served. }} * {{eat | name=Blue Olive Cafe | alt= | url=https://www.blueolivecafe.com.au/ | email= | address=56 Alinga St | lat=-35.278427 | long=149.128239 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 4600 | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|7AM|3PM}} | price= | lastedit=2015-02-27 | content=Famous for their delicious New York style sandwiches. Great coffee and breakfast menu, wonderful service. }} * {{eat | name=Cafe Alibi | alt= | url=http://www.cafealibi.com.au/ | email=enquiries@cafealibi.com.au | address=5 Farrell Pl | lat=-35.2812 | long=149.1247 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6152 0606 | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|7:15AM|4PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-08-07 | content=Just another ordinary, Australian cafe but with a wide selection of toasties. }} * {{eat | name=The Cupping Room | alt= | url=http://www.thecuppingroom.com.au/ | email= | address=1/1-13 University Ave | lat=-35.2805 | long=149.126 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|7:30AM|3PM}}; Sa Su {{time|8AM|3PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-08-16 | content=A traditional cafe with a very long takeaway menu. }} * {{eat | name=East Row Specialty Coffee | alt= | url=https://www.eastrowspecialtycoffee.com.au/ | email=info@eastrowspecialitycoffee.com.au | address=Cnr London Cct and East Row, Sydney Building | lat=-35.2795 | long=149.1303 | directions= | phone=+61 493 050 331 | tollfree= | hours=M–Sa {{time|7AM|3PM}}; Su {{time|8AM|2PM}} | price=Breakfast: $16–22; lunch: $19–25; sides: $3–8.50 | lastedit=2022-08-05 | content=It's best known for its specialty coffee (well, it's in its name) with an all-day breakfast and has a decent variety for lunch – halloumi burgers, gnocchi, or barramundi, you call it! If you're just popping in for a quick drink on a hot summer day, there are some good smoothies and shakes, but the smoothies and shakes might not be as good as their coffee. }} * {{eat | name=Gus' | alt= | url=https://gusplace.com.au/ | email= | address=8/68 Bunda St | lat=-35.2778 | long=149.1319 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6248 5729 | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|7:30AM|2:30PM}}; Sa Su {{time|8AM|2:30PM}} | price= | wikidata=Q5620602 | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=This cafe opened in 1969 and later became the first outdoor pavement cafe in Canberra. It is one of the oldest and best known cafes in Canberra and one of the first European-style cafes in Australia. It has both outdoor and indoor dining areas. }} * {{eat | name=The Moment Canberra | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/moment.the.509 | email= | address=Shop EG01B, 148 Bunda St | lat=-35.2788 | long=149.1333 | directions= | phone=+61 410 925 122 | tollfree= | hours=Su–Th {{time|11AM|8PM}}; F {{time|10:30AM|8PM}}; Sa {{time|10:30AM|8:30PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-13 | content=A bubble tea store (boba tea for speakers of American English) all ranging between $6 and $7 (which is actually quite cheap by Australian standards). }} * {{eat | name=The Whale Tea | alt= | url=https://the-whale-tea-desserts.business.site/ | email= | address=191/260 City Walk | lat=-35.28195 | long=149.1332 | directions= | phone=+61 449 650 027 | tollfree= | hours=Su–Th {{time|11:30AM|8:30PM}}; F Sa {{time|11:30AM|10:30PM}} | price=Medium: $6.80; large: $7.50 | lastedit=2022-08-07 | content=Another bubble tea store with lots of great fruit and milk tea. They've also got some cakes available. }} ==Drink== [[File:Sydney Building.jpg|thumb|250px|The fairly unattractive Sydney Building houses several bars and clubs]] You may encounter that nearly every bar, club and pub is closed during Sundays, but there is always some available at Bunda Street if you're desperate for a drink or two on a Sunday. * {{drink | name=Bleachers Sports Bar | alt= | url=https://bleachers.bar/ | email= | address=33 Northbourne Ave | lat=-35.2792 | long=149.1287 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6113 9058 | tollfree= | hours=Daily {{time|9AM|11PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-31 | content=A mid-range bar with a large great emphasis on sport (well, that's why it's in its name), and Asaki beer, a type of Japanese beer. The range of food is reasonable, but not very large by Canberra standards. }} * {{drink | name=Cube | alt= | url=http://www.cubenightclub.com.au/ | email= | address=33 Petrie Plaza | lat=-35.279652 | long=149.1312 | directions=downstairs from Antigo's cafe | phone=+61 2 6257 1110 | tollfree= | hours=Opens Th 8PM, F 9PM, Sa 10PM, Su 9PM; closes 5AM | price= | content=Canberra's only gay nightclub with a variety of theme nights. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest. }} * {{drink | name=Hippo Co | alt=Hippo Lounge | url=http://www.hippoco.com.au/ | email= | address=Upstairs, 1/17 Garema Pl | lat=-35.278111 | long=149.1315 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-11 | content=Cocktail bar with an intimate setting amidst Baroque-meets-student-digs decor. There's also live Jazz on Wednesday nights. }} * {{drink | name=King O'Malleys | alt= | url=http://www.kingomalleys.com.au/ | email= | address=131 City Walk | lat=-35.2784 | long=149.1311 | directions= | phone=+61 2 625 70111 | tollfree= | hours=Daily {{time|11AM|9PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-02-11 | content=Large Irish pub with a relaxed atmosphere, does pub-style meals lunch and dinner and a home for all types. }} * {{drink | name=Mooseheads | alt=East Row - London Cct - City | url=http://www.mooseheads.com.au/ | email= | address=105 London Cct | lat=-35.279366 | long=149.1297 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=A bar with local history. It burnt down and was restored, Mooseheads is famous as an Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) hangout. }} * {{drink | name=Parlour Wine Room | alt= | url=http://www.parlour.net.au/ | email= | address=16 Kendall Ln | lat=-35.284925 | long=149.1239 | directions=Behind Rydges Lakeside | phone=+61 2 6257 7325 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | content=Very intimate comfortable lounge bar, great selection of wines. }} * {{drink | name=PJs in the City | alt= | url=https://pjsinthecity.com/ | email= | address=West Row | lat=-35.2785 | long=149.1281 | directions=inside the Melbourne Building | phone=+61 2 6230 1261 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-27 | content=Another Irish themed bar like King O'Malley's with a very casual feel. It's also got a branch in [[Canberra/Tuggeranong and Country ACT|Tuggeranong]] in the south. }} * {{drink | name=sideway | alt= | url=http://sidewaybc.com/ | email= | address=Level 1/21 E Row | lat=-35.279249 | long=149.1302 | directions= | phone=+61 410 476 791 | tollfree= | hours=W–Sa, sometimes on Su 7PM–late | price= | lastedit=2022-02-11 | content=Located inside the Sydney building, this bar does have a bit of a rough and tumble reputation. Nevertheless, there's plenty of good <abbr title="alcohol">alcos</abbr> available. }} * {{drink | name=The Highball Express | alt= | url=http://www.highballexpress.com.au/ | email=upgrade@highballexpress.com.au | address=1/82 Alinga St, Canberra | lat=-35.278626 | long=149.1285 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6179 8973 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-02-09 | content=A high-end pub that specialises in American and Central American drinks – not the ordinary kind of pub in Canberra. }} * {{drink | name=White Rabbit Cocktail Room | alt= | url=http://www.whiterabbitroom.com.au/ | email= | address=65 Northbourne Ave | lat=-35.277795 | long=149.1289 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6257 7779 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-02-11 | content=Cocktail and tapas venue with polished floors and patterned wallpaper, hosting DJ nights. }} ==Sleep== [[File:Novotel Canberra January 2014.jpg|thumb|300px|The outside of Novotel in January 2014]] Civic's accommodation is, for the most part, very similar to any other city centre. Generally clean, have decent facilities (by NSW or Queensland standards), but a bit devoid on budget accommodation and bed and breakfasts. The former is because, well, all the cheap accommodation can be found in Gungahlin, and the latter is because all the B&Bs are located right to the north of Civic in Braddon along Northbourne Avenue. ===Budget=== * {{sleep | name=Canberra City YHA | alt= | url=http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/canberra/canberra-city-backpackers-hostel/ | email=canberracity@yhansw.org.au | address=7 Akuna St | lat=-35.281662 | long=149.1324 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6248 9155 | tollfree= | fax=+61 2 6249 1731 | checkin=1PM | checkout=11AM | price= | content=Beds in a shared dormitory from $26 per night. Double or twin rooms from $76 per night. Family rooms $96 per night. }} ===Mid-range=== * {{sleep | name=BreakFree Capital Tower | alt= | url=https://www.mantrahotels.com/breakfree-capital-tower/ | email=capitaltower.res@breakfree.com.au | address=2 Marcus Clarke St | lat=-35.2847 | long=149.1261 | directions= | phone=1300 987 603 (domestic) | tollfree=1800 676 241 | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-14 | content=Self-contained accommodation with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Most of the apartments come with a balcony, laundry and kitchen while outdoor facilities include tennis courts, a spa, a pool and a gym. }} * {{sleep | name=Nesuto Canberra Apartment Hotel | alt= | url=https://www.nesuto.com/canberra | email=reception.canberra@nesuto.com | address=2 Akuna St | lat=-35.2819 | long=149.1327 | directions= | phone=+61 2 622 91234 | tollfree=1800 188 388 | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=10AM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-14 | content=Self-contained apartments with all the essentials you can expect to find in a normal apartment. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, a tennis court, a gym, a spa and sauna. There is parking available at the hotel, but a surcharge applies. }} * {{sleep | name=Nishi Boutique Hotel | alt=Ovolo Nishi | url=https://ovolohotels.com/ovolo/nishi/ | email= | address=25 Edinburgh Ave | lat=-35.2847 | long=149.1228 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6287 6287 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-30 | content=A very unusual shaped boutique hotel with traditional spacious rooms. The precinct includes a bar, a restaurant and an indoor gym, and is known to be LGBT friendly. However, the events hall downstairs can get very noisy during night, disturbing your sleep. }} * {{sleep | name=Novotel Canberra Hotel | alt= | url=http://novotelcanberra.com.au/ | email=H2796-RE@accor.com | address=65 Northbourne Ave | lat=-35.277615 | long=149.1289 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6245-5000 | tollfree= | fax=+61 2 6245 5100 | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price=Rate range $150–250 | content=Novotel Canberra accommodates business and convention visitors, and families travelling with children. Directly above the Canberra Coach Terminal. }} * {{sleep | name=Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra | alt= | url=https://all.accor.com/hotel/B3T5/index.en.shtml | email= | address=15 Edinburgh Ave | lat=-35.2845 | long=149.1238 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6175 2222 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=10AM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-30 | content=A lively art-themed hotel that includes free parking, Wi-Fi and breakfast. The rooms are fairly spacious, and the staff are known to be very friendly, but housekeeping services are not great. }} * {{sleep | name=QT Canberra | alt=Rydges Lakeside Canberra | url=https://www.qthotels.com/canberra/ | email= reservations_qtcanberra@evt.com | address=1 London Cct | lat=-35.283611 | long=149.125556 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6247 6244 | tollfree= | checkin=2PM | checkout=11AM | price= | wikidata=Q106915568 | content=Rydges Lakeside Canberra is on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, walking distance to Civic. Has large rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a grill and some excellent views over Lake Burley Griffin. }} * {{sleep | name=The Sebel Canberra Civic | alt= | url=https://all.accor.com/hotel/B4D4/index.en.shtml | email=info@thesebelcanberra.com.au | address=197 London Cct | lat=-35.2815 | long=149.1321 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6267 5675 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=2PM | checkout=10AM | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-05-30 | content=A small hotel but with reasonably sized rooms and staff are known to be friendly. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, breakfast and laundry service. }} ===Splurge=== * {{sleep | name=Crowne Plaza Canberra | alt= | url=https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/canberra/cbrbs/hoteldetail | email=reservations.cbrbs@ihg.com | address=1 Binara St | lat=-35.2828 | long=149.1348 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6274 5500 | tollfree= | checkin={{time|3PM}} | checkout={{time|11AM}} | price=From $300 | lastedit=2022-08-07 | content=A very accessible hotel and the closest to the [[Canberra/Civic#Casino Canberra|the city's only casino]]. It's no different from the global chain's other hotels and includes free parking, a pool, a gym/fitness centre, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. The beds are generally lush, but it comes at a high cost. }} ==Connect== There are plenty of places you can go to in Civic that has [http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/digital/cbrfree-public-wifi CBRfree public Wi-Fi], mostly inside restaurants and at the museum. As it's the central business district of a capital city, there is good 5G coverage by all the three major providers. ==Go next== You probably won't be spending much time in Civic, unless you're here for a business trip or decided to book accommodation here, but as Civic is the centrepiece of Canberra, there are a number of other places in Canberra easily accessible from Civic, both by car and by public transport. This list only includes destinations easily accessible via foot. *'''[[Canberra/North Canberra#Commonwealth and Kings Parks|Commonwealth Park]]''' is just southeast of Civic and can be reached on foot simply by crossing the bridge over Parkes Way. Next to Commonwealth Park is Blundell's Cottage in Kings Park, an important historic site of Canberra. *If you haven't already, go explore '''[[Canberra/South Canberra#In Parliamentary Triangle|Parliamentary Triangle]]''', where most of Canberra's important landmarks are. *For university tourers, Australia's top university, the '''[[Canberra/Acton|Australian National University]]''' (ANU) borders Civic right to the west. *This one requires you to go on a little bit of a longer walk, but it's still close by; '''[[Canberra/North Canberra#Anzac Parade|ANZAC Parade]]''' contains most of Canberra's war memorials, including the Australian War Memorial. {{routebox2 |name=Civic |temp1={{AUR|A23}} |directionr1=NE |minorr1=[[Canberra/North Canberra|North Canberra]] → merges with {{AUR|M23}} |majorr1=[[Goulburn]] |directionl1=SE |minorl1= [[Canberra/South Canberra|South Canberra]] |majorl1= [[Canberra/Tuggeranong and Country ACT|Tuggeranong]] |temp2=<small style=" white-space:nowrap; 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nominations]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Hall banner.jpg|pgname=Hall|caption=A front view of the Daughters at Hall Cafe|star=yes}} Have you ever wondered whether there were any towns in [[Canberra]] before the ACT was established? '''Hall''' is one of the last few remnants of what was NSW bushland before the capital was established. The historic village of 271 (2016) has a distinct identity and resembles a classic rural Australian town, but is in fact only separated from the Canberra suburbs by about a kilometre of countryside. Hall was proclaimed in 1882, over 30 years before Canberra. It was named after NSW farmer Henry Hall. Today, that year is scattered around the small village in the names of stores, the museum, and on signs. The town is nestled between the two large residential districts of [[Canberra/Belconnen|Belconnen]] and [[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]] with the [[New South Wales]] border to the north, making it disguised on a map. If you're driving between Melbourne and Canberra or Adelaide and Canberra or anywhere using the Barton Highway, you may notice brown tourist "Hall" signs, also hidden and discreet; this discreetness makes Hall a hidden gem of Canberra. ==Get in and around== {{mapframe|-35.171067|149.063167|zoom=14|width=400|name=Map of Hall|height=340|staticmap=Hall map.png}} The first thing you will need to realise is that Hall is not on the beaten track, and the most practical way to get into the village is by car even though it's just 12 km northwest of [[Canberra/Civic|Civic]]. There are no ACTION buses that run to Hall, though there are NSW buses that stop by Hall. There are only three roads that enter Hall, all of which are side roads off '''Barton Highway'''. Follow the A25 signs; however as signage is a dog's breakfast in the ACT, you might still see the now-decommissioned green and gold National Highway 25 signs or even incorrectly-signed black and white National Route 25 signs. The side streets are Victoria Street (one northbound, and one southbound) and Gladstone Street. If you're coming by bus, then use [https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/qcity-transit/843/77843 NSW bus route '''843''']. The route runs between the City Interchange in Civic and [[Yass]], with stops in Belconnen and Murrumbateman. Hall is tiny – not even {{km2|3}} – and you can pretty much get around by walking. You ''might'' want to take your car out to St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church, but otherwise, everything can be done on foot. Arguably, this may be beneficial as parking is somewhat limited in Hall (except for the few parking slots near the Canberra Centenary Trail), and you really wouldn't want to manoeuvre around in traffic during the markets, would you? ==See== As Hall is just a tiny village, there is not much to see, and nearly everything can be visited in an hour or two. * {{see | name=Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre | alt= | url=https://museum.hall.act.au/ | email=museum@hall.act.au | address=17-19 Palmer St | lat=-35.167517 | long=149.069362 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Th {{time|9AM|12PM}}, Su {{time|12PM|4PM}}, 1st Sunday of every month: {{time|10AM|4PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-03-25 | content=The small district's local museum housed in the former Hall Primary School tells the history of the first teachers at bush schools in Australia, before 1940. The museum also contains some historic photos from Belconnen, Gungahlin, and Hall during the settlement era. }} * {{see | name=St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church | alt=St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church<!--note: the actual church's name has the period in "St.", but the website doesn't--> | url=http://holyspiritgungahlin.org.au/ | email= | address=220 Victoria St | lat=-35.16275 | long=149.06557 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6242 9622 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-06-06 | content=It's a bit to the north of the town, this catholic church was built in 1910 and laid in 1907, which wasn't exactly when this town was established, but it was still three years before Canberra was. The architecture of the church still resembles the typical architecture of the early 20th century. Masses happen every Sunday, but very few actually attend the masses. <!--listing passes [[wv:worship]] – in a town with not much to see, and known for its architecture-->. }} There are two parks within Hall: {{marker|type=see|name=Hall Park|lat=-35.172014|long=149.069861}} and {{marker|type=see|name=Hall Village Reserve|lat=-35.168348|long=149.068048}}, both easily findable. They're both pretty ordinary parks in most respects and have nothing unique though. ==Do== * {{do | name=Hall Showground | alt= | url= | email= | address=cnr Gladstone and Hall Sts | lat=-35.170294 | long=149.074377 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-05 | content=The village's local showground where the Sunday markets and events usually occur. Apart from that, there is not much and it looks like rather any other rural Australian or NSW town's showground. }} * '''Bushwalk to''' {{marker|type=see|name=One Tree Hill Lookout|lat=-35.142098|long=149.091424}}: while this lookout is in Gungahlin, one of the two bushwalking trails that lead up to the lookout starts at the corner of Hoskins and Hall Streets that gives an impressive view of Canberra from the north. The bushwalk should take about an hour (one-way) due to the ascent involved, via the Canberra Centenary Trail. Just next to the trail is a small carpark, which doesn't have many spaces available but few actually use that carpark in the first place. ==Buy== [[File:Shop 3.JPG|thumb|300px|The Hall streetscape]] * {{buy | name=Hartley Hall Markets | alt= | url=https://www.hartley.org.au/event/hartley-hall-markets/home | email=hallmarkets@hartley.org.au | address=Hall Village Showground, Victoria St | lat=-35.169654 | long=149.073638 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6282 4411 | tollfree= | hours=first Su of month (except Jan) {{time|10AM}}-{{time|3PM}} | price=$2-5 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=The historic village hosts a monthly market that raises money for local charity Hartley Lifecare. There are hundreds of stalls selling gifts, art, craft, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, and children’s toys. }} * {{buy | name=Farmer Brown's Free Range Eggs | alt= | url=http://www.farmerbrownseggs.com/ | email= | address=2 Alexandra St | lat=-35.1713 | long=149.0694 | directions= | phone=+61 402 840 834 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=One of Farmer Brown's self-serve outlets that entirely sells free-range eggs. The hens here have a lot of room (for those concerned about [[animal ethics]]) and whilst it may be a bit pricey, they do taste great. }} * {{buy | name=JellyBug Treasures | alt= | url=http://jellybugtreasures.com.au/ | email= | address=10 Victoria St | lat=-35.1699 | long=149.0699 | directions= | phone=+61 412 360 140 | tollfree= | hours=Th–M 10AM–4PM | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=A small shop full of Australian-made homeware products such as pots, tins, clocks, frames, or candles, just to name a few. }} ==Eat== [[File:Daughters HALL ACT Cafe-1 (25676769688) (without black outline).jpg|thumb|300px|Outside Daughters at Hall]] Hall has a few places to eat mostly located along the town's main street; Victoria Street. Except for 1882 Hall, which is a reasonably sized mid-range restaurant, all the others are small cafes or places where you can go to buy specialised food. * {{eat | name=1882 Hall | alt= | url=http://www.1882hall.com.au/ | email= | address=13 Gladstone St | lat=-35.1708 | long=149.0708 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 2113 | tollfree= | hours=W <abbr title="17:30–22:00">5:30–10PM</abbr>, Th F {{time|12PM|10PM}}, Sa Su {{time|8AM|10PM}} <!--According to website, breakfast and lunch still closed, but due to restart "Thursday 10th August" (so Wed 10th or Thu 11th). Check hours then.--> | price=Mains $30-40, pizza $23-25. Set menu (F Sa) 2 courses $55, 3 courses $65 | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content=Email via [https://1882hall.com.au/contact-us-2/ online contact form]. With a name commemorating the year the township was established, the largest restaurant in Hall serves some of the best Canberran food, beer, and wine. Mains include posh fish and chips, duck confit, and pumpkin gnocchi. They also do a creative woodfired pizza menu, for eat-in or takeaway - potato and rosemary or garlic prawns, anyone? }} * {{eat | name=Daughters at Hall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/daughtersathall/ | email=daughters.hall@gmail.com | address=5 Victoria St | lat=-35.1704 | long=149.0697 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 2457 | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|6:30AM|3PM}}, Sa Su {{time|8AM|3PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-05 | content=A classic rural Australian cafe, best known for its ''Yes Mumma'', that is, creamy oats with apples, cream, and crumbles. Other than that, there are many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options also available. }} * {{eat | name=Kynefin Cafe | alt= | url=http://www.kynefin.com/ | email=hello@kynefin.com | address=2-4 Victoria St | lat=-35.1709 | long=149.0706 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 9777 | tollfree= | hours=W–F {{time|8:30AM|3PM}}, Sa Su {{time|8AM|3PM}}, last orders {{time|2PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A small cafe with lots of tasty British pastries. The name of the cafe is inspired by the [[Welsh phrasebook|Welsh]] word ''cynefin'', meaning "habitat", reflecting the quaint, familiar feeling of both the cafe and Hall. }} * {{eat | name=Sugar Plum Fairy Cakes | alt= | url=http://www.sugarplumfairycakes.com.au/ | email= | address=2/8 Victoria St | lat=-35.1702 | long=149.0701 | directions= | phone=+61 432 101 179 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-F {{time|7AM|4:30PM}} Sa Su {{time|7AM|2PM}} | price=Cookies $5, 6 cupcakes $40, cakes from $150 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=It's not very large by any means, but they do a delicious and fancy range of cakes (particularly cupcakes), plus coffee. }} ==Drink== There are many places to go wine-tasting surrounding Hall, but only one within Hall. The rest are in Murrumbateman and surrounds but in [[New South Wales]], and hence not covered in this article. * {{drink | name=Capital Wines | alt= | url=https://www.capitalwines.com.au/ | email=info@capitalwines.com.au | address=13 Gladstone St | lat=-35.1706 | long=149.0709 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 2022 | tollfree= | hours=Th–M {{time|10:30AM|5PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-05 | content=Has wine tasting in some of the Australian Capital Territory's few wine regions with lots of Canberra labels on there. The wines are from the few surrounding wineries (in NSW), making it a great place to go to if you'd like to try the local wine. }} ==Sleep== There is no accommodation in Hall, and the closest you can find is in either [[Canberra/Belconnen|Belconnen]] or [[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]]. ==Connect== Telstra, Optus, and even Vodafone have good 5G coverage in Hall, owing to its close proximity to the residential districts of Canberra. However, there are no [http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/digital/cbrfree-public-wifi CBRfree public Wi-Fi] locations in Hall. {{routebox2 |name=Hall |temp1={{AUR|A25}} |directionl1=NW |majorl1=[[Yass]] |minorl1=[[Murrumbateman]] |directionr1=SE |minorr1=[[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]] |majorr1=[[Canberra/North Canberra|North Canberra]] }} {{IsPartOf|Canberra}} {{guidedistrict}} {{geo|-35.169167|149.069167}} 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'''Hall''' is one of the last few remnants of what was NSW bushland before the capital was established. The historic village of 271 (2016) has a distinct identity and resembles a classic rural Australian town, but is in fact only separated from the Canberra suburbs by about a kilometre of countryside. Hall was proclaimed in 1882, over 30 years before Canberra. It was named after NSW farmer Henry Hall. Today, that year is scattered around the small village in the names of stores, the museum, and on signs. The town is nestled between the two large residential districts of [[Canberra/Belconnen|Belconnen]] and [[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]] with the [[New South Wales]] border to the north, making it disguised on a map. If you're driving between Melbourne and Canberra or Adelaide and Canberra or anywhere using the Barton Highway, you may notice brown tourist "Hall" signs, also hidden and discreet; this discreetness makes Hall a hidden gem of Canberra. ==Get in and around== {{mapframe|-35.171067|149.063167|zoom=14|width=400|name=Map of Hall|height=340|staticmap=Hall map.png}} The first thing you will need to realise is that Hall is not on the beaten track, and the most practical way to get into the village is by car even though it's just 12 km northwest of [[Canberra/Civic|Civic]]. There are no ACTION buses that run to Hall, though there are NSW buses that stop by Hall. There are only three roads that enter Hall, all of which are side roads off '''Barton Highway'''. Follow the A25 signs; however as signage is a dog's breakfast in the ACT, you might still see the now-decommissioned green and gold National Highway 25 signs or even incorrectly-signed black and white National Route 25 signs. The side streets are Victoria Street (one northbound, and one southbound) and Gladstone Street. If you're coming by bus, then use [https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/qcity-transit/843/77843 NSW bus route '''843''']. The route runs between the City Interchange in Civic and [[Yass]], with stops in Belconnen and Murrumbateman. Hall is tiny – not even {{km2|3}} – and you can pretty much get around by walking. You ''might'' want to take your car out to St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church, but otherwise, everything can be done on foot. Arguably, this may be beneficial as parking is somewhat limited in Hall (except for the few parking slots near the Canberra Centenary Trail), and you really wouldn't want to manoeuvre around in traffic during the markets, would you? ==See== As Hall is just a tiny village, there is not much to see, and nearly everything can be visited in an hour or two. * {{see | name=Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre | alt= | url=https://museum.hall.act.au/ | email=museum@hall.act.au | address=17-19 Palmer St | lat=-35.167517 | long=149.069362 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Th {{time|9AM|12PM}}, Su {{time|12PM|4PM}}, 1st Sunday of every month: {{time|10AM|4PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-03-25 | content=The small district's local museum housed in the former Hall Primary School tells the history of the first teachers at bush schools in Australia, before 1940. The museum also contains some historic photos from Belconnen, Gungahlin, and Hall during the settlement era. }} * {{see | name=St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church | alt=St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church<!--note: the actual church's name has the period in "St.", but the website doesn't--> | url=http://holyspiritgungahlin.org.au/ | email= | address=220 Victoria St | lat=-35.16275 | long=149.06557 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6242 9622 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-06-06 | content=It's a bit to the north of the town, this catholic church was built in 1910 and laid in 1907, which wasn't exactly when this town was established, but it was still three years before Canberra was. The architecture of the church still resembles the typical architecture of the early 20th century. Masses happen every Sunday, but very few actually attend the masses. <!--listing passes [[wv:worship]] – in a town with not much to see, and known for its architecture-->. }} There are two parks within Hall: {{marker|type=see|name=Hall Park|lat=-35.172014|long=149.069861}} and {{marker|type=see|name=Hall Village Reserve|lat=-35.168348|long=149.068048}}, both easily findable. They're both pretty ordinary parks in most respects and have nothing unique though. ==Do== * {{do | name=Hall Showground | alt= | url= | email= | address=cnr Gladstone and Hall Sts | lat=-35.170294 | long=149.074377 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-05 | content=The village's local showground where the Sunday markets and events usually occur. Apart from that, there is not much and it looks like rather any other rural Australian or NSW town's showground. }} * '''Bushwalk to''' {{marker|type=see|name=One Tree Hill Lookout|lat=-35.142098|long=149.091424}}: while this lookout is in Gungahlin, one of the two bushwalking trails that lead up to the lookout starts at the corner of Hoskins and Hall Streets that gives an impressive view of Canberra from the north. The bushwalk should take about an hour (one-way) due to the ascent involved, via the Canberra Centenary Trail. Just next to the trail is a small carpark, which doesn't have many spaces available but few actually use that carpark in the first place. ==Buy== [[File:Shop 3.JPG|thumb|300px|The Hall streetscape]] * {{buy | name=Hartley Hall Markets | alt= | url=https://www.hartley.org.au/event/hartley-hall-markets/home | email=hallmarkets@hartley.org.au | address=Hall Village Showground, Victoria St | lat=-35.169654 | long=149.073638 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6282 4411 | tollfree= | hours=first Su of month (except Jan) {{time|10AM}}-{{time|3PM}} | price=$2-5 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=The historic village hosts a monthly market that raises money for local charity Hartley Lifecare. There are hundreds of stalls selling gifts, art, craft, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, and children’s toys. }} * {{buy | name=Farmer Brown's Free Range Eggs | alt= | url=http://www.farmerbrownseggs.com/ | email= | address=2 Alexandra St | lat=-35.1713 | long=149.0694 | directions= | phone=+61 402 840 834 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=One of Farmer Brown's self-serve outlets that entirely sells free-range eggs. The hens here have a lot of room (for those concerned about [[animal ethics]]) and whilst it may be a bit pricey, they do taste great. }} * {{buy | name=JellyBug Treasures | alt= | url=http://jellybugtreasures.com.au/ | email= | address=10 Victoria St | lat=-35.1699 | long=149.0699 | directions= | phone=+61 412 360 140 | tollfree= | hours=Th–M 10AM–4PM | price= | lastedit=2022-07-31 | content=A small shop full of Australian-made homeware products such as pots, tins, clocks, frames, or candles, just to name a few. }} ==Eat== [[File:Daughters HALL ACT Cafe-1 (25676769688) (without black outline).jpg|thumb|300px|Outside Daughters at Hall]] Hall has a few places to eat mostly located along the town's main street; Victoria Street. Except for 1882 Hall, which is a reasonably sized mid-range restaurant, all the others are small cafes or places where you can go to buy specialised food. * {{eat | name=1882 Hall | alt= | url=http://www.1882hall.com.au/ | email= | address=13 Gladstone St | lat=-35.1708 | long=149.0708 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 2113 | tollfree= | hours=W <abbr title="17:30–22:00">5:30–10PM</abbr>, Th F {{time|12PM|10PM}}, Sa Su {{time|8AM|10PM}} <!--According to website, breakfast and lunch still closed, but due to restart "Thursday 10th August" (so Wed 10th or Thu 11th). Check hours then.--> | price=Mains $30-40, pizza $23-25. Set menu (F Sa) 2 courses $55, 3 courses $65 | lastedit=2022-08-03 | content=Email via [https://1882hall.com.au/contact-us-2/ online contact form]. With a name commemorating the year the township was established, the largest restaurant in Hall serves some of the best Canberran food, beer, and wine. Mains include posh fish and chips, duck confit, and pumpkin gnocchi. They also do a creative woodfired pizza menu, for eat-in or takeaway - potato and rosemary or garlic prawns, anyone? }} * {{eat | name=Daughters at Hall | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/daughtersathall/ | email=daughters.hall@gmail.com | address=5 Victoria St | lat=-35.1704 | long=149.0697 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 2457 | tollfree= | hours=M–F {{time|6:30AM|3PM}}, Sa Su {{time|8AM|3PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-05 | content=A classic rural Australian cafe, best known for its ''Yes Mumma'', that is, creamy oats with apples, cream, and crumbles. Other than that, there are many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options also available. }} * {{eat | name=Kynefin Cafe | alt= | url=http://www.kynefin.com/ | email=hello@kynefin.com | address=2-4 Victoria St | lat=-35.1709 | long=149.0706 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 9777 | tollfree= | hours=W–F {{time|8:30AM|3PM}}, Sa Su {{time|8AM|3PM}}, last orders {{time|2PM}} | price= | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=A small cafe with lots of tasty British pastries. The name of the cafe is inspired by the [[Welsh phrasebook|Welsh]] word ''cynefin'', meaning "habitat", reflecting the quaint, familiar feeling of both the cafe and Hall. }} * {{eat | name=Sugar Plum Fairy Cakes | alt= | url=http://www.sugarplumfairycakes.com.au/ | email= | address=2/8 Victoria St | lat=-35.1702 | long=149.0701 | directions= | phone=+61 432 101 179 | tollfree= | hours=Tu-F {{time|7AM|4:30PM}} Sa Su {{time|7AM|2PM}} | price=Cookies $5, 6 cupcakes $40, cakes from $150 | lastedit=2022-08-01 | content=It's not very large by any means, but they do a delicious and fancy range of cakes (particularly cupcakes), plus coffee. }} ==Drink== There are many places to go wine-tasting surrounding Hall, but only one within Hall. The rest are in Murrumbateman and surrounds but in [[New South Wales]], and hence not covered in this article. * {{drink | name=Capital Wines | alt= | url=https://www.capitalwines.com.au/ | email=info@capitalwines.com.au | address=13 Gladstone St | lat=-35.1706 | long=149.0709 | directions= | phone=+61 2 6230 2022 | tollfree= | hours=Th–M {{time|10:30AM|5PM}} | price= | wikidata= | lastedit=2022-06-05 | content=Has wine tasting in some of the Australian Capital Territory's few wine regions with lots of Canberra labels on there. The wines are from the few surrounding wineries (in NSW), making it a great place to go to if you'd like to try the local wine. }} ==Sleep== There is no accommodation in Hall, and the closest you can find is in either [[Canberra/Belconnen|Belconnen]] or [[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]]. ==Connect== Telstra, Optus, and even Vodafone have good 5G coverage in Hall, owing to its close proximity to the residential districts of Canberra. However, there are no [http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/digital/cbrfree-public-wifi CBRfree public Wi-Fi] locations in Hall. {{routebox2 |name=Hall |temp1={{AUR|A25}} |directionl1=NW |majorl1=[[Yass]] |minorl1=[[Murrumbateman]] |directionr1=SE |minorr1=[[Canberra/Gungahlin|Gungahlin]] |majorr1=[[Canberra/North Canberra|North Canberra]] }} {{IsPartOf|Canberra}} {{stardistrict}} {{geo|-35.169167|149.069167}} 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-35.14202651298449 ], [ 149.09147825092074, -35.142073669279675 ], [ 149.09140147268772, -35.14210026322479 ] ] } } ] } </maplink> k8crnr30sk8wyx11a1fraiwpsvx5ivs 0 192900 4506710 4457106 2022-08-23T09:49:00Z Gbuca 2275256 /* Eat */ Added listing for Lura Agroturizem wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Novo Brdo''' is a town in the [[Gjilani]] district of eastern [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== In Latin documents written as Novus Mons, Nova Monte in some documents by Republic of Ragusa, and in Saxon miners' documents as Nyeuberghe was mentioned in the historical documents as early as 1326. Novo Brdo was a metropolis at the time, with a huge medieval fortress built on the top of an extinct volcano cone, the remains of which can be visited today, and residential sections sprawling all around. In the outer wall of the fortress, a large cross is visible, built into the stones. The castle, or fortress, was thought at one point to have dated back to the Byzantine Empire. First of June 1455 Novo Berda was sieged by Ottoman Empire for the second time where the last Despot in Fortress was Lekë Shpani (Alessio Span) Albanian, son of Pjeter Spani from Principality of Drishti (Drivast) Albania. Legend says when Novoberdo was a city with 40 thousand inhabitant London was village. ==Get in== Novo Brdo is one point of a triangle with [[Pristina]] and [[Gjilani]]. It is 57 min. (41.7 km) from Pristina via M25-2 and R123 and 39 min. from Gjilani (31.8 km) via M25-2 and R123. Taxis from Pristina and Gjilani cost 20-25 euros one way, 40-45 euros round trip. ==Get around== There is no public transport in Novo Brdo, only taxis and tours. [[File:Novo Brdo (Artana) Old Mine - Roman Shafts.jpg|thumb|201x201px|Novo Brdo (Artana) Old Mine - Roman Shaft]] ==See== Novo Brdo (Artana) it is known for very rich place in heritage, from the Medieval Fortress and monuments around like the Saint Nikola Cathedral, Osman Effendi Mosque, Sheh Mehmed Tomb, The foundations of Saint John Church, The ruins of Saxon Church Saint Maria, The old mine ventilation shafts of Roman Empire, etc. ==Do== * {{do | name=Hiking | alt=Kosovo Tourist Guides Association | url=https://guideks.org | email=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38349372639 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=Hiking can be done on your own. If you however wish to engage a local guide, GuideKS is the umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. }} ==Buy== ''What would be good to buy in this city? Local crafts or other specialties? Souvenirs of the region? Is this a centre of fashion or electronics shopping? Good place to buy travel equipment, general goods or anything else?'' ''Where are the main commercial districts, the main street or high street in the village? Is there a local farmers' market or fair?'' * {{buy | name=Name of the store or venue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$price range (if possible to determine) | content=One to five sentences about the goods sold, specialties, atmosphere, service, parking, what have you. }} ==Eat== ''For restaurant listings and other food-related stuff. Mention any local specialties or oddities. Specific restaurant listings should be in the format below. Also, give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try for finding a restaurant on one's own. Some travellers like (or have) to make their own food – include local food-shopping options if possible.'' * {{eat | name=Name of Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.restaurant.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$lowprice-$highprice (if possible to determine) | content=One to three sentences about the food, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. }} * {{eat | name=Lura Agroturizem | alt=Lura | url=http://www.visitlura.com | email=info@visitlura.com | address=Makresh i Eperm | lat=42.55645 | long=21.44478 | directions=From Novoberdo, head towards Gjilan | phone=+38344554468 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Aerial_photography_of_Lura_-_North_side.jpg | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Lura includes: restaurant with local food and products from area farmers, guesthouses for accommodation, wine and brandy cellar, outdoor terrace, orchard, gardens and other recreational spaces.<br />Besides the restaurant and guest houses for accommodation, Lura is known for the processing of fruit from the orchard which is located in the village and produces several types of brandy in the traditional way. Different vegetables are also cultivated in the gardens of Lura, which are then used fresh in cooking. A mini-chicken farm completes this agrotourism.<br />Lura is owned and managed by the Buca family, a family that moved from the city to the countryside to invest in this form of combined agriculture and tourism. }} ==Drink== ''For bars, clubs, and other nightlife. Yes, many people go out to clubs and don't drink; the name of the section is still '''Drink'''. Mention any local specialties or oddities, and give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try. Good things to mention: dress code, entrance fees, safety concerns, solo-woman friendly or pick-up bar, good/bad nights).'' * {{drink | name=Name of Bar | alt= | url=http://www.bar.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$beerprice draft/bottle beers, $wellprice well drinks | content=One to three sentences about the drinks, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. }} ''There is overlap between this section and others, particularly "eat". An English-style pub serves food, as does a "bar and grill". The choice to classify these as restaurants vs. nightlife is often an arbitrary one, but each establishment is normally listed in one section only.'' ''Establishments serving coffee or tea belong in "eat" if you can get a meal there. If they're marketed as nightlife (and not as food) they might fit in "drink", but at that point this section needs to be split into subsections as "English pubs", "blaring discos" and "all-night cafés" are very different in nature.'' ''Winery or brewery tours are also a grey area in that they may qualify as activities ("do"). If an establishment is already listed as something to "do" or somewhere to "eat", don't list it again as nightlife just because there's something to "drink" here.'' ==Sleep== ''This is for helping the traveller find a place to lay his/her weary head: hotels, motels, hostels, campgrounds, pensions, etc. Give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try to find lodging. Other good info to include is high/low season, the importance of reservation, things to request (quiet room, view, airport pick up, etc).'' * {{sleep | name=Name of Place | alt= | url=http://www.hotel.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | checkin=Check-in time | checkout=Check-out time | price=$lowprice-$highprice | content=One to three sentences about the service, atmosphere, view, rooms, what have you. }} ==Connect== ''Information on communications – phone, Internet, other. This is where you'd list Internet cafes or computer rental centers for staying in touch by email or on the Web. If there are free or paid wireless Internet hotspots in the district, name them here. Long-distance telephone centers, where travelers can pay to make long-distance telephone calls, would be useful here, too.'' * {{listing | name=Name of Internet Café | alt= | url=http://www.internetcafe.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$rate per hour | content=One to three sentences about the computers, connectivity, food or beverages available. }} ==Go next== ''Information about nearby destinations that would serve as a good "next stop." Provide a brief description of other nearby destination suggestions, neighboring cities or day-trip ideas. Don't duplicate information that's up in "Get in."'' ''This is normally a place to list adjacent destinations which have their own articles (for instance, [[Minneapolis]] is near [[Saint Paul]] and [[Ottawa]] is near [[Gatineau]]). If a city is on a major highway or rail line, the "go next" section will normally contain a {{tl|routebox}} listing the next stops on the line in each direction.'' ''In rare cases, day trips to adjacent villages too small to have their own page could be accommodated by splitting this section into two, "nearby" and "go next", as:'' :''Nearby'' ::''A tiny village'' ::* ''Listing for the one attraction in a tiny village'' ::''Another tiny village'' ::* ''Individual listing in another tiny village'' :''Go next'' ::* ''Names of nearby places with their own Wikivoyage articles'' ::* ''Routeboxes for major rail and road links through the town'' ''It is normally only necessary to do this for sparsely-populated rural areas around small towns. Listings for suburbs of a city go in the main body of that city's article, or in districts of a huge city.'' * [[Gjilani|Gjilan]] * [[Pristina|Prishtina]] {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlineruralarea}} {{geo|42.60947|21.4372880}} cne709d9lwzftzdkddn4iqjhcwy5wwu 4506714 4506710 2022-08-23T09:53:31Z Gbuca 2275256 /* Sleep */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} '''Novo Brdo''' is a town in the [[Gjilani]] district of eastern [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== In Latin documents written as Novus Mons, Nova Monte in some documents by Republic of Ragusa, and in Saxon miners' documents as Nyeuberghe was mentioned in the historical documents as early as 1326. Novo Brdo was a metropolis at the time, with a huge medieval fortress built on the top of an extinct volcano cone, the remains of which can be visited today, and residential sections sprawling all around. In the outer wall of the fortress, a large cross is visible, built into the stones. The castle, or fortress, was thought at one point to have dated back to the Byzantine Empire. First of June 1455 Novo Berda was sieged by Ottoman Empire for the second time where the last Despot in Fortress was Lekë Shpani (Alessio Span) Albanian, son of Pjeter Spani from Principality of Drishti (Drivast) Albania. Legend says when Novoberdo was a city with 40 thousand inhabitant London was village. ==Get in== Novo Brdo is one point of a triangle with [[Pristina]] and [[Gjilani]]. It is 57 min. (41.7 km) from Pristina via M25-2 and R123 and 39 min. from Gjilani (31.8 km) via M25-2 and R123. Taxis from Pristina and Gjilani cost 20-25 euros one way, 40-45 euros round trip. ==Get around== There is no public transport in Novo Brdo, only taxis and tours. [[File:Novo Brdo (Artana) Old Mine - Roman Shafts.jpg|thumb|201x201px|Novo Brdo (Artana) Old Mine - Roman Shaft]] ==See== Novo Brdo (Artana) it is known for very rich place in heritage, from the Medieval Fortress and monuments around like the Saint Nikola Cathedral, Osman Effendi Mosque, Sheh Mehmed Tomb, The foundations of Saint John Church, The ruins of Saxon Church Saint Maria, The old mine ventilation shafts of Roman Empire, etc. ==Do== * {{do | name=Hiking | alt=Kosovo Tourist Guides Association | url=https://guideks.org | email=guidesinkosovo@gmail.com | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38349372639 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-05-21 | content=Hiking can be done on your own. If you however wish to engage a local guide, GuideKS is the umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. }} ==Buy== ''What would be good to buy in this city? Local crafts or other specialties? Souvenirs of the region? Is this a centre of fashion or electronics shopping? Good place to buy travel equipment, general goods or anything else?'' ''Where are the main commercial districts, the main street or high street in the village? Is there a local farmers' market or fair?'' * {{buy | name=Name of the store or venue | alt= | url= | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$price range (if possible to determine) | content=One to five sentences about the goods sold, specialties, atmosphere, service, parking, what have you. }} ==Eat== ''For restaurant listings and other food-related stuff. Mention any local specialties or oddities. Specific restaurant listings should be in the format below. Also, give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try for finding a restaurant on one's own. Some travellers like (or have) to make their own food – include local food-shopping options if possible.'' * {{eat | name=Name of Restaurant | alt= | url=http://www.restaurant.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$lowprice-$highprice (if possible to determine) | content=One to three sentences about the food, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. }} * {{eat | name=Lura Agroturizem | alt=Lura | url=http://www.visitlura.com | email=info@visitlura.com | address=Makresh i Eperm | lat=42.55645 | long=21.44478 | directions=From Novoberdo, head towards Gjilan | phone=+38344554468 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Aerial_photography_of_Lura_-_North_side.jpg | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Lura includes: restaurant with local food and products from area farmers, guesthouses for accommodation, wine and brandy cellar, outdoor terrace, orchard, gardens and other recreational spaces.<br />Besides the restaurant and guest houses for accommodation, Lura is known for the processing of fruit from the orchard which is located in the village and produces several types of brandy in the traditional way. Different vegetables are also cultivated in the gardens of Lura, which are then used fresh in cooking. A mini-chicken farm completes this agrotourism.<br />Lura is owned and managed by the Buca family, a family that moved from the city to the countryside to invest in this form of combined agriculture and tourism. }} ==Drink== ''For bars, clubs, and other nightlife. Yes, many people go out to clubs and don't drink; the name of the section is still '''Drink'''. Mention any local specialties or oddities, and give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try. Good things to mention: dress code, entrance fees, safety concerns, solo-woman friendly or pick-up bar, good/bad nights).'' * {{drink | name=Name of Bar | alt= | url=http://www.bar.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$beerprice draft/bottle beers, $wellprice well drinks | content=One to three sentences about the drinks, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. }} ''There is overlap between this section and others, particularly "eat". An English-style pub serves food, as does a "bar and grill". The choice to classify these as restaurants vs. nightlife is often an arbitrary one, but each establishment is normally listed in one section only.'' ''Establishments serving coffee or tea belong in "eat" if you can get a meal there. If they're marketed as nightlife (and not as food) they might fit in "drink", but at that point this section needs to be split into subsections as "English pubs", "blaring discos" and "all-night cafés" are very different in nature.'' ''Winery or brewery tours are also a grey area in that they may qualify as activities ("do"). If an establishment is already listed as something to "do" or somewhere to "eat", don't list it again as nightlife just because there's something to "drink" here.'' ==Sleep== ''This is for helping the traveller find a place to lay his/her weary head: hotels, motels, hostels, campgrounds, pensions, etc. Give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try to find lodging. Other good info to include is high/low season, the importance of reservation, things to request (quiet room, view, airport pick up, etc).'' * {{sleep | name=Name of Place | alt= | url=http://www.hotel.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | checkin=Check-in time | checkout=Check-out time | price=$lowprice-$highprice | content=One to three sentences about the service, atmosphere, view, rooms, what have you. }} * {{sleep | name=Lura Agroturizem | alt=Lura | url=http://www.visitlura.com | email=info@visitlura.com | address=Makresh i Eperm | lat=42.55645 | long=21.44478 | directions=From Novoberdo, head towards Gjilan | phone=+38344554468 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Aerial_photography_of_Lura_-_North_side.jpg | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Lura includes: restaurant with local food and products from area farmers, guesthouses for accommodation, wine and brandy cellar, outdoor terrace, orchard, gardens and other recreational spaces.<br />Besides the restaurant and guest houses for accommodation, Lura is known for the processing of fruit from the orchard which is located in the village and produces several types of brandy in the traditional way. Different vegetables are also cultivated in the gardens of Lura, which are then used fresh in cooking. A mini-chicken farm completes this agrotourism.<br />Lura is owned and managed by the Buca family, a family that moved from the city to the countryside to invest in this form of combined agriculture and tourism. }} ==Connect== ''Information on communications – phone, Internet, other. This is where you'd list Internet cafes or computer rental centers for staying in touch by email or on the Web. If there are free or paid wireless Internet hotspots in the district, name them here. Long-distance telephone centers, where travelers can pay to make long-distance telephone calls, would be useful here, too.'' * {{listing | name=Name of Internet Café | alt= | url=http://www.internetcafe.example.com/ | email= | address=Address | lat= | long= | directions=extra directions if necessary | phone= | tollfree= | hours=Days and times open | price=$rate per hour | content=One to three sentences about the computers, connectivity, food or beverages available. }} ==Go next== ''Information about nearby destinations that would serve as a good "next stop." Provide a brief description of other nearby destination suggestions, neighboring cities or day-trip ideas. Don't duplicate information that's up in "Get in."'' ''This is normally a place to list adjacent destinations which have their own articles (for instance, [[Minneapolis]] is near [[Saint Paul]] and [[Ottawa]] is near [[Gatineau]]). If a city is on a major highway or rail line, the "go next" section will normally contain a {{tl|routebox}} listing the next stops on the line in each direction.'' ''In rare cases, day trips to adjacent villages too small to have their own page could be accommodated by splitting this section into two, "nearby" and "go next", as:'' :''Nearby'' ::''A tiny village'' ::* ''Listing for the one attraction in a tiny village'' ::''Another tiny village'' ::* ''Individual listing in another tiny village'' :''Go next'' ::* ''Names of nearby places with their own Wikivoyage articles'' ::* ''Routeboxes for major rail and road links through the town'' ''It is normally only necessary to do this for sparsely-populated rural areas around small towns. Listings for suburbs of a city go in the main body of that city's article, or in districts of a huge city.'' * [[Gjilani|Gjilan]] * [[Pristina|Prishtina]] {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlineruralarea}} {{geo|42.60947|21.4372880}} 2wo198b4u8v5rayo4r7a9kcyz2pzgal 0 193642 4506605 4502697 2022-08-23T05:30:45Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg}} The '''Dooars''' are a planar region in [[North Bengal]]. It consists of Jalpaiguri district, Alipurduar district, Cooch Behar district and plains of Darjeeling district ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q7515067,Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. ==Understand== The word comes from the Bengali word ''duar'' (দুয়ার), meaning "door". ===Economy=== The economy of the Dooars is based on three "T"s – Tea, Tourism and Timber. The main industry of the Dooars is the tea industry. Thousands of people are engaged in the tea estates and factories. The region is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also employer of a number of people. The timber industry, both legally and illegally, flourishes in this region. A number of saw mills, plywood industries and other allied business also act as an important contributor to the economy. The Dooars act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} meqw0hmtrmpbrznpc2axzlfrbtl79oq 4506607 4506605 2022-08-23T05:32:30Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg}} The '''Dooars''' are a planar region in [[North Bengal]], consisting of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. ==Understand== The word comes from the Bengali word ''duar'' (দুয়ার), meaning "door". ===Economy=== The economy of the Dooars is based on three "T"s – Tea, Tourism and Timber. The main industry of the Dooars is the tea industry. Thousands of people are engaged in the tea estates and factories. The region is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also employer of a number of people. The timber industry, both legally and illegally, flourishes in this region. A number of saw mills, plywood industries and other allied business also act as an important contributor to the economy. The Dooars act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} 58een9ve5e15n6z5kvd4y5mk0qcqv9c 4506608 4506607 2022-08-23T05:33:49Z Sbb1413 2217354 Sbb1413 moved page [[Dooars]] to [[Plains (North Bengal)]]: Merging [[Dooars]] and [[Dinajpur-Malda]] for a more appropriate regionalisation. wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg}} The '''Dooars''' are a planar region in [[North Bengal]], consisting of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. ==Understand== The word comes from the Bengali word ''duar'' (দুয়ার), meaning "door". ===Economy=== The economy of the Dooars is based on three "T"s – Tea, Tourism and Timber. The main industry of the Dooars is the tea industry. Thousands of people are engaged in the tea estates and factories. The region is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also employer of a number of people. The timber industry, both legally and illegally, flourishes in this region. A number of saw mills, plywood industries and other allied business also act as an important contributor to the economy. The Dooars act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} 58een9ve5e15n6z5kvd4y5mk0qcqv9c 4506616 4506608 2022-08-23T05:42:21Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg}} The '''Plains''' are a region in [[North Bengal]], consisting of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. ==Cities and towns== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; Home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malda]] |wikidata=Q1525057}} (English Bazar) &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; A city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage site near Malda. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Nandadirghi Vihar | wikidata=Q6122662 }} &mdash; An archaeological site near Malda. ==Understand== The word comes from the Bengali word ''duar'' (দুয়ার), meaning "door". ===Economy=== The region is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also an employer of a number of people. The rich culture of North Bengal can also be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. It is also known as the home of Gour-Pandua, the medieval capital of Bengal. The Plains act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} b9c2h7v8mlmjymgq666mjgja1qb0ijc 4506617 4506616 2022-08-23T05:42:38Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Cities and towns */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg}} The '''Plains''' are a region in [[North Bengal]], consisting of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; Home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malda]] |wikidata=Q1525057}} (English Bazar) &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; A city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage site near Malda. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Nandadirghi Vihar | wikidata=Q6122662 }} &mdash; An archaeological site near Malda. ==Understand== The word comes from the Bengali word ''duar'' (দুয়ার), meaning "door". ===Economy=== The region is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also an employer of a number of people. The rich culture of North Bengal can also be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. It is also known as the home of Gour-Pandua, the medieval capital of Bengal. The Plains act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} jt1gfh4a9itbthe5zqxwef8tk9bv23j 4506618 4506617 2022-08-23T05:42:57Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg}} The '''Plains''' are a region in [[North Bengal]], consisting of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; Home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malda]] |wikidata=Q1525057}} (English Bazar) &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; A city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage site near Malda. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Nandadirghi Vihar | wikidata=Q6122662 }} &mdash; An archaeological site near Malda. ==Understand== The region is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also an employer of a number of people. The rich culture of North Bengal can also be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. It is also known as the home of Gour-Pandua, the medieval capital of Bengal. The Plains act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} j5nwfaul2u0whj1xzry67y3v2m0xau6 4506619 4506618 2022-08-23T05:43:13Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg|pgname=Plains}} The '''Plains''' are a region in [[North Bengal]], consisting of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; Home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malda]] |wikidata=Q1525057}} (English Bazar) &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; A city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage site near Malda. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Nandadirghi Vihar | wikidata=Q6122662 }} &mdash; An archaeological site near Malda. ==Understand== The region is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also an employer of a number of people. The rich culture of North Bengal can also be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. It is also known as the home of Gour-Pandua, the medieval capital of Bengal. The Plains act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} a5hmk3www1y15nyqj9q1tg64tm48ium 4506650 4506619 2022-08-23T07:56:04Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg|pgname=Plains}} The '''Plains''' of [[North Bengal]] consist of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. ==Cities== {{mapframe}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; Home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malda]] |wikidata=Q1525057}} (English Bazar) &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; A city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage sites near Malda. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Nandadirghi Vihar | wikidata=Q6122662 }} &mdash; An archaeological site near Malda. ==Understand== The region is dotted with several historical sites, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also an employer of a number of people. The rich culture of North Bengal can also be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. The Plains act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} of1bfafc715ydj437cmuomgw498pfqy 4506651 4506650 2022-08-23T07:57:38Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Cities */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg|pgname=Plains}} The '''Plains''' of [[North Bengal]] consist of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. ==Cities== {{mapframe|height=500}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; Home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malda]] |wikidata=Q1525057}} (English Bazar) &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; A city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage sites near Malda. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Nandadirghi Vihar | wikidata=Q6122662 }} &mdash; An archaeological site near Malda. ==Understand== The region is dotted with several historical sites, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also an employer of a number of people. The rich culture of North Bengal can also be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. The Plains act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Siliguri]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} o470ssvv73dlwewlexuvucsw6bmcwk7 4506653 4506651 2022-08-23T08:00:08Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* By train */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Dooars page banner.jpg|pgname=Plains}} The '''Plains''' of [[North Bengal]] consist of the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. ==Cities== {{mapframe|height=500}} {{mapshape|wikidata=Q1351487,Q2728658,Q4726845,Q2019766,Q533839, Q2049820}} * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Alipurduar]] | lat=26.58 |long=89.52 | image=Jayanti_1.jpg |wikidata=Q548210}} &mdash; a city in eastern Dooars, close to the foothills of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife preserves * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Balurghat]] | lat=25.22 |long=88.76 | image= |wikidata=Q633291}} &mdash; Home to a museum with numerous ancient artefacts and close to forests and places for a picnic. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Cooch Behar]] | lat=26.3211 |long=89.4398 | image=Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG |wikidata=Q313640}} &mdash; the former capital of the Kingdom of Cooch Behar has a glorious late 19th-century palace * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaigaon]] | lat=26.8429|long=89.3808 | image=Bhutan gate Jaigaon.jpg |wikidata=Q1026903}} &mdash; the chaotic town on the Border of Bhutan. Travellers to or from Bhutan will need to complete immigration procedures here. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Jalpaiguri]] | lat=26.52 |long=88.73 | image=Raikut_Heritage.JPG |wikidata=Q1949125}} &mdash; a historic city with rail links to [[North-Eastern India]] * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malbazar]] | lat=26.85 |long=88.75 | image= |wikidata=Q1924989}} &mdash; one of the largest cities in the Dooars region and main communicating hub. * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Malda]] |wikidata=Q1525057}} (English Bazar) &mdash; * {{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Raiganj]] | lat=25.63 |long=88.12 | image= |wikidata=Q2304045}} &mdash; A city with important wildlife and bird sanctuaries. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Chilapata]] | wikidata=Q5097608}} &mdash; A wildlife sanctuary that is a migration corridor for rhinos and elephants. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gorumara National Park]] | wikidata=Q2985148}} &mdash; Richly populated by many types of wildlife. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Gour]] | lat= 24.8748199 |long=88.1340191 | image= }} and {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Gour-Pandua|Pandua]] | lat= 25.1524338 |long=88.1669475 | image= }} &mdash; Twin historical and heritage sites near Malda. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Hasimara]] | wikidata=Q14217868}} &mdash; a picturesque small tea-growing town. The town has the nearest railway station to the Bhutanese border town of [[Phuentsholing]]. *{{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=[[Jaldapara]] | wikidata=Q3350362}} &mdash; A national park with wildlife including one-horned rhinos. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Nandadirghi Vihar | wikidata=Q6122662 }} &mdash; An archaeological site near Malda. ==Understand== The region is dotted with several historical sites, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also an employer of a number of people. The rich culture of North Bengal can also be seen here in the form of traditions and artisanship. The Plains act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The cities and towns of [[Jaigaon]], [[Siliguri]] and [[Phuentsholing]] are important hubs of the export-import industry. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Bagdogra Airport ({{IATA|IXB}}) in [[Siliguri]] is the main airport serving the region. ===By train=== Major railway stations are in [[Cooch Behar]], [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Malda]] and [[Raiganj]]. ===By bus=== Buses run by North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are available in this region. ===By car=== National Highway numbers 10, 17, 27 and 317 radiate from this area providing links to the rest of West Bengal and the [[Plains (India)|north Indian plains]]. ==Get around== ==See== [[File:Cooch_Behar_Palace_in_Cooch_Behar.JPG|thumb|200px|Cooch Behar Palace]] The beauty of the Dooars region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. The major attractions in the region include '''Buxa Tiger Reserve''' and '''[[Jaldapara|Jaldapara National Park]]''' in Alipurduar district, '''Cooch Behar Palace''' in [[Cooch Behar]] and '''[[Gorumara National Park]]''' in Jalpaiguri district. ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== * [[Darjeeling Hills]] — If the Dooars is not enough, then definitely visit the hilly area at the northern fringes of West Bengal. * [[Bhutan]] — If Bhutan is your actual destination, then there is a notable border crossing checkpoint at [[Jaigon]] that leads to your destination. {{IsPartOf|North Bengal}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo|26.414885|90.095611|zoom=9}} 0t0q8oirrq0vow80uaah5kcao8tfn9a 0 193651 4506615 4501515 2022-08-23T05:42:11Z Sbb1413 2217354 Redirected page to [[Plains (North Bengal)]] wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Plains (North Bengal)]] 9s996ve47hkzw5drat641qjoul7fsc3 0 194094 4506189 4505558 2022-08-22T12:15:03Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* See and do */ Updated listing for Taraknath Temple wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Asia}} '''Rural Hooghly''' is vast area in the [[Southeast Bengal|southeast]] region of [[West Bengal]], India. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By car=== The Durgapur Expressway (NH 19) crosses this region to the east and connects the area with important cities like [[Kolkata]], [[Durgapur]], [[Asansol]], [[Varanasi]], [[Kanpur]], [[Delhi]] etc. The Arambagh Road (SH 7) crosses this region to the west and connects Arambagh with [[Bardhaman]]. ==Get around== {{Mapframe|height=600}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q548518,Q1478937}} ===By car=== ===By boat=== ===By public transit=== ==See and do== * {{see | name=Brindaban Chandra's Math | alt= | url= | email= | address=Guptipara | lat=23.19713 | long=88.440948 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q56172450 | lastedit=2022-07-18 | content=A monastery. }} * {{see | name=Kamarpukur | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat=22.90675 | long=87.65009 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q6356067 | lastedit=2022-07-15 | content=birthplace of Sri Ramakrishna. }} * {{see | name=Taraknath Temple | alt=Tarakeswar Temple | url= | email= | address=Tarakeswar | lat=22.87854 | long=88.01435 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q7685343 | lastedit=2022-08-22 | content=Tarakeswar is a renowned place of pilgrimage and the greatest centre of the Shiva sect in West Bengal. Taraknath Temple in Tarakeswar is famous all over India. }} * {{see | name=Tomb of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique | alt= | url= | email= | address=Furfura Sharif | lat=22.75018 | long=88.13197 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | image=Furfura Sharif.jpg | lastedit=2019-08-12 | content= }} ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== * {{sleep | name=Tarakeswar Guest House | alt= | url= | email= | address=Tarakeswar | lat=22.888783 | long=88.014325 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-14 | content= }} * {{sleep | name=Gharana Resort | alt= | url= | email= | address=Singur | lat=22.788404 | long=88.251003 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | checkin= | checkout= | price= | lastedit=2022-07-14 | content= }} ==Go next== * [[Chandannagar]] * [[Hooghly]] * [[Howrah]] {{Routebox | placename=rural Hooghly | image1=NH19-IN.svg | imagesize1=24px | directionl1=NW | majorl1=[[Durgapur]] | minorl1=[[Bardhaman]] | directionr1=S | majorr1=END | minorr1=[[Howrah]] | link1= | caption1= }} {{IsPartOf|Southeast Bengal}} {{outlineruralarea}} {{geo|22.91|88.39|zoom=8}} go1zuy7yp89h5ibui7jp4vyqlbxrcnp 0 194139 4506673 4505891 2022-08-23T08:34:45Z Pashley 1822 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Rio carnaval Wikivoyage banner 002.jpg|caption=Carnaval of Rio de Janeiro}} '''Carnival''' ('''Carnaval''' in Portuguese) is originally a Catholic festival for Shrove Tuesday (known as '''Mardi Gras''' (fat Tuesday) in French), the last day before Lent. In traditionally Catholic communities, it is usually celebrated with parades, street parties, and live performances. ==Understand== Carnival has roots in [[Christianity]], as a feast before the austerity of Lent (which usually forbids meat, alcohol and other excesses). Depending on the location, Carnival has contained elements of European and indigenous paganism, and is today mainly a secular festival. As the time for Lent depends on [[Easter]], Carnival is a moving holiday, usually celebrated in the second half of February. In some locations, such as the [[Caribbean]], the Carnival can be at different dates during northern winter, as early as December in [[Montserrat]]. ==Talk== While carnivals can be enormous events, many of them are made for a domestic audience rather than foreign visitors. Outside English-speaking countries, information in English can be difficult to find. ==Stay safe== Carnivals can draw enormous crowds, with crimes of opportunity such as [[pickpocketing]]. They have been infamous for stampedes and other incidents. Use common sense in crowds. ==Specific cities== * [[Venice]] * [[Rio de Janeiro]] * [[New Orleans Mardi Gras]] {{outlinetopic}} {{PartOfTopic|Cultural attractions}} ngl5ar6xqs5j0sd29kmun9pp0rch7gw 0 194154 4506805 4493060 2022-08-23T11:47:22Z SHB2000 2248002 + outlineitinerary, [[WV:SH]] wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner}} The unofficial long-distance trail of [[Lofoten]] travels 200 km from Delp to Å i Lofoten and passes Svolvær and Leknes. The main source of information is the website https://www.rando-lofoten.net/de/ that provides the gps tracks, further details as well as suggestions on how to reach [[Lofoten]]. == Get in == The trail begins at the bus stop “Delp”, which is however rarely approached by buses. Instead, it is possible to first stop at the bus stop “Jordnes kryss” starting from Svolvær and then to either hitch hike or to walk to the remaining 20 km to Delp. Alternatively, it is also possible to skip the first two stages and start the journey in Svolvær. == Walk == === Navigation === The trail has no official marks and as such it is recommended to navigate with the help of a gps device. Rather as a general rule of thumb, the existence of mud is the best indicator to be on a path. Due to the ambiguity of the correct trail, the trail splits and rejoins frequently, while none of the trail options matches the official gps track. Hence, when being off the main roads, there is a constant subtle feeling of being off the path. By experience, the highest hiking pace is realized when generally staying on the main paths while having a constant look on the gps device to ensure that the chosen path is not totally diverging from the track. === Track difficulty and type of ground === The trail is prone to significant amounts of rain that obviously shape the appearance of the trail. There is a large amount of mud that increase the likelihood of falling and numerous swamps are likely to make your shoes wet. Slippery stones and technically difficult declines affect the hiking pace. 2 km/h are a useful estimate for the planning of the daily stage length. === Stage 3 === The third stage is mentioned explicitly here as all remaining stages are well documented in the official website. The third stage is one of the most challenging stages in terms of track difficulty and navigation in particular when the ground is wet. The climb uphill is on a slippery path that is only possible when using the provided ropes. The most challenging part however begins once the top of the mountain has been reached. From here onwards, there is not obvious track anymore. The descent is easiest when staying precisely on the gps track and you will continuously find again the part that is supposed to be the trail. The stage ends at the E10 on which there is a bus every 3 hours. === Ferry === The ninth stage contains a transport by ferry from Kjerkforden to Vindstad. Optionally, it is also possible to save 3 km by bypassing Vindstad and aiming for Forsfjorden. The ferry departs once a day at around 3 pm. The official travel notes provide a dead link to the time table; instead, it is possible to check the correct departure time by starting [https://www.reisnordland.no/rutetabeller-hurtigbt here] and then to navigate yourself to "Northern Nordland" and then to click on the link starting with "Reinefjord". This link contains a pdf with the current departure times. Traveling from Vindstad to Forsfjorden costs 250 NOK/person. The ticket can be bought on the ferry in cash or [https://www.reisnordland.no/bestill-hurtigbat online] in advance. Kjerkforden is always visited by ferry, Vindstad has to be demanded when entering the ferry. If hiking in opposite direction than suggested, it is necessary to call 004794820809 at least 2 h in advance to demand that Vindstad is visited. === Huts === There is a total of three huts that are positioned along the track. This is emphasized here, because the huts are only small side notes in the official documentation while there are totally worth spending some time here. Each hut contains 4 beds to sleep in, so there is the possibility to spend the night if there is still some space left. The huts also provide fire wood for heating. For staying at the hut, a donation of 100 NOK/person is asked that can be paid either in cash or by bank transfer. == Buy == All buses, camp grounds and supermarket accept credit card. Hence, it is possible to do the full track without any cash with the only exception of the ferry (for which you can by the ticket online in advance) or the huts (that can be paid by bank transfer). == Sleep == Camping is allowed in Norway which does not mean that is easily possible everywhere. It is worth mentioning that flat area at the end of the stages is often wet. If your tent is not 100% water proof, it might be worth carrying a footprint or to have an extra layer to keep the content inside your tent dry. == Connect == There is a good network coverage along the full track. {{PartOfItinerary|Europe itineraries}} {{outlineitinerary}} dk9zv5ao0t8n6nuxl2kfv51l8yojixj 1 194248 4506679 4495616 2022-08-23T08:46:40Z Pashley 1822 /* Expanding this article */ wikitext text/x-wiki == Expanding this article == There's a good article on de.voy about Carnival, called [[:de:Karneval, Fastnacht und Fasching]]. Unfortunately, my German isn't good enough to filter out what's relevant and what's not and a lot of the content is centred around German-speaking countries, but some of the content could be translated into English. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:16, 5 August 2022 (UTC) : CNBC has [https://www.cnbc.com/2011/03/08/The-Worlds-Most-Popular-Carnival-Celebrations.html The World’s Most Popular Carnival Celebrations] some of which might be added here. Not all they list are pre-Lent festivals. : They seem confused about some; for example they list the January Ati-Athan festival in the Philippines which is akin to [[Sinulog]] rather than to Lenten carnivals. [[User:Pashley|Pashley]] ([[User talk:Pashley|talk]]) 08:46, 23 August 2022 (UTC) pb7co4gxkyz4mwspfw0e9x4pn4pp9z9 0 194362 4506727 4502023 2022-08-23T10:07:42Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Cities */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Asia}} '''Lower Assam''' is a region west of [[Assam]], India. ==Cities== {{Mapframe}} {{Mapshape|wikidata=Q2360266,Q41249,Q42197,Q2574898,Q42485,Q42522,Q42779,Q2464674,Q42618,Q24907599,Q2247441,Q101088203,Q321998,Q42461}} *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Bongaigaon]] | lat=26.48 |long=90.56 | image=Skyline_of_Bongaigaon_City.jpg |wikidata=Q3429538}} &mdash; Commercial and industrial hub, home to many monuments of Assamese culture *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=Goalpara |wikidata=Q579832}} &mdash; *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Guwahati]] | lat=26.1833 |long=91.7333 | image=Kamakhya_Guwahati.JPG |wikidata=Q199605}} &mdash; Capital and largest city in Assam, city of temples, history and archaeological sites *{{marker|type=city|zoom=13 | name=[[Rangia]] | lat=26.47 |long=91.63 | image= |wikidata=Q2475022}} &mdash; Major railway town and a part of Kamrupi cultural region. ==Other destinations== * {{marker|type=vicinity|zoom=13 | name=[[Manas National Park]] | wikidata=Q506511}} &mdash; the wildlife park is in the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, where the river Manah flows with picturesque turns and clean water and sandy beaches. Although Manas is primarily a tiger reserve, it possesses numerous other valuable flora and fauna; the park is situated roughly 150&nbsp;km west of Guwahati. * {{marker|type=go|zoom=13 | name=Orang National Park | wikidata=Q2989176}} (Mini Kaziranga National Park) &mdash; Marshes, streams and grasslands provide a habitat for the Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant, wild buffalo and tiger. It provides a home for many migratory species of birds and reptiles ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Stay safe== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Assam}} {{outlineregion}} {{geo||}} m2eip1l6mlloisiljc90tfr855ho469 1 194522 4506199 4506069 2022-08-22T12:31:41Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Convert into an extraregion */ Reply wikitext text/x-wiki == Convert into an extraregion == This article should be converted into an extraregion, as its Indian part is already covered in [[Sundarbans National Park]]. If it is converted into an extraregion, this article would be breadcrumbed in [[Bengal]] and the Bangladeshi part would have its own article. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 18:28, 21 August 2022 (UTC) :{{s}}. I do agree that the current organisation isn't very ideal. I would move this page to [[Sundarbans (Bangladesh)]] as the travel content in this article mostly focuses on the Bangladeshi side, fix all the links and then convert [[Sundarbans]] into an extraregion per your proposal. Does that work out? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:08, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::That is my proposal of course. I'll create a draft article at [[User:Sbb1413/Sundarbans (Bangladesh)]] soon. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 12:31, 22 August 2022 (UTC) j0n5hlkexi5xp6o1unklvq24tggvcvq 4506588 4506199 2022-08-23T05:14:47Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Convert into an extraregion */ wikitext text/x-wiki == Convert into an extraregion == This article should be converted into an extraregion, as its Indian part is already covered in [[Sundarbans National Park]]. If it is converted into an extraregion, this article would be breadcrumbed in [[Bengal]] and the Bangladeshi part would have its own article. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 18:28, 21 August 2022 (UTC) :{{s}}. I do agree that the current organisation isn't very ideal. I would move this page to [[Sundarbans (Bangladesh)]] as the travel content in this article mostly focuses on the Bangladeshi side, fix all the links and then convert [[Sundarbans]] into an extraregion per your proposal. Does that work out? <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 08:08, 22 August 2022 (UTC) ::That is my proposal of course. I'll create a draft article at <s>[[User:Sbb1413/Sundarbans (Bangladesh)]]</s> soon. '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 12:31, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 5brrhmi5x8wqgepdd95a5awqrt9hgrn 2 194534 4506208 4506151 2022-08-22T12:47:53Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{essay}} {{disclaimerbox|Although I'm open to anyone editing my userspace pages, this essay is potentially controversial; for that reason, I would prefer if the only edits to this page are minor copyedits without changing the tone.}} Before I start this essay, I should make it clear that this essay is not aimed at anyone. This is just my personal opinion on the English Wikivoyage and does not represent the views of the wider Wikivoyage community. For those unfamiliar with Wikivoyage's extreme, conservative [[Wikivoyage:Using MediaWiki templates|template policy]], "<span style="color:#8b0000">a template should be discussed prior to being created or modified</span>". Yep, you read that, it should be discussed before being created or modified. I'll proudly admit that I've flouted this policy hundreds, if not thousands of times already (not an exaggeration – check my edits to the template namespace), and I don't intend to stop. Why? [[m:Ignore all rules]] – it's a global policy, and as the policy says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining a project, ignore it." Does creating and editing templates hamper improving or maintaining Wikivoyage, even fixing the slightest syntax error – yep, and for that reason, I'll always ignore it, and the English Wikivoyage community can do nothing about it. It's worth noting that [[Special:PermaLink/1805754|the template policy hasn't changed since 2005]], during the early days of Wikitravel. But unless you've been engulfed in a time capsule since 2005, I'm certainly sure you'll know that MediaWiki's technical capabilities have advanced and so should our template policy be accordingly updated as MediaWiki improves. But no, what happens on this wiki, is it has a dated template policy designed for a wiki almost two decades ago. This does reflect on how many new, original templates are widely used since the migration to Wikimedia. Simply speaking, apart from a few templates needed to use dynamic maps, and occasional outliers like {{tl|rint}} or {{tl|convert}}, what other templates created post-migration are widely used today (and please do let me know if there are some – I wasn't here during the early days of this site and I'm only getting my stats though page histories and discussions)? If the English Wikivoyage's primary reason is it intimidates new users, then why do most other WMF projects not have issues with having a large number of templates? I'm not talking wikis like the French Wikivoyage where they use a lot of templates (which is fine in my opinion), wikis like the English Wikipedia, English Wikibooks, or Commons use many templates (way more than en.voy does), three different size wikis that have never had this issue before. From observations, if a newbie often sees a template that they've never seen before, they will often ignore it and move on. Few will get stuck and get bogged up because they've never seen that specific template before; in that case, you could use that argument advocating to not use templates at all. I'm sure no-one wants that. There is also a loophole to the template policy that technically, just adding the code manually to get the same result. It's a bit counterintuitive, and in some cases, defeats the purpose of having a template, but if you're after a specific result that can only really be achieved using complex code, go for it. So to summarise, avoiding the use of templates won't always work out, and in many cases, it doesn't. The wikis that don't have such a harsh, outdated template policy don't have this issue, but unless the English Wikivoyage community is willing to embrace change and be in line with the wider Wikimedia world, it cannot significantly expect to grow without making things harder for users accustomed to general norms across most WMF projects. There are loopholes within the policy, but thanks to the wording, [[m:Ignore all rules]] applies. At the same time, I don't blame anyone enforcing that policy – after all, that is what policies are for, but although I'm a strong advocate for following all policies, there's good reason why one shouldn't (it's even a violation of [[WV:PF]] for that matter). Perhaps if/when I do evenually get the consensus to change the template policy (which I plan to do in slow increments), maybe we wouldn't have all these heated discussions for each template; if I don't and the English Wikivoyage gets a notorious global reputation for its template policy, then all I can say is, "I told you so". 7cc7m8nrmcqhc6ehl4ed8i7k6v418mw 4506209 4506208 2022-08-22T12:48:39Z SHB2000 2248002 Protected "[[User:SHB2000/Why keeping templates to a minimum will fail]]": User request ([Edit=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (indefinite)) wikitext text/x-wiki {{essay}} {{disclaimerbox|Although I'm open to anyone editing my userspace pages, this essay is potentially controversial; for that reason, I would prefer if the only edits to this page are minor copyedits without changing the tone.}} Before I start this essay, I should make it clear that this essay is not aimed at anyone. This is just my personal opinion on the English Wikivoyage and does not represent the views of the wider Wikivoyage community. For those unfamiliar with Wikivoyage's extreme, conservative [[Wikivoyage:Using MediaWiki templates|template policy]], "<span style="color:#8b0000">a template should be discussed prior to being created or modified</span>". Yep, you read that, it should be discussed before being created or modified. I'll proudly admit that I've flouted this policy hundreds, if not thousands of times already (not an exaggeration – check my edits to the template namespace), and I don't intend to stop. Why? [[m:Ignore all rules]] – it's a global policy, and as the policy says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining a project, ignore it." Does creating and editing templates hamper improving or maintaining Wikivoyage, even fixing the slightest syntax error – yep, and for that reason, I'll always ignore it, and the English Wikivoyage community can do nothing about it. It's worth noting that [[Special:PermaLink/1805754|the template policy hasn't changed since 2005]], during the early days of Wikitravel. But unless you've been engulfed in a time capsule since 2005, I'm certainly sure you'll know that MediaWiki's technical capabilities have advanced and so should our template policy be accordingly updated as MediaWiki improves. But no, what happens on this wiki, is it has a dated template policy designed for a wiki almost two decades ago. This does reflect on how many new, original templates are widely used since the migration to Wikimedia. Simply speaking, apart from a few templates needed to use dynamic maps, and occasional outliers like {{tl|rint}} or {{tl|convert}}, what other templates created post-migration are widely used today (and please do let me know if there are some – I wasn't here during the early days of this site and I'm only getting my stats though page histories and discussions)? If the English Wikivoyage's primary reason is it intimidates new users, then why do most other WMF projects not have issues with having a large number of templates? I'm not talking wikis like the French Wikivoyage where they use a lot of templates (which is fine in my opinion), wikis like the English Wikipedia, English Wikibooks, or Commons use many templates (way more than en.voy does), three different size wikis that have never had this issue before. From observations, if a newbie often sees a template that they've never seen before, they will often ignore it and move on. Few will get stuck and get bogged up because they've never seen that specific template before; in that case, you could use that argument advocating to not use templates at all. I'm sure no-one wants that. There is also a loophole to the template policy that technically, just adding the code manually to get the same result. It's a bit counterintuitive, and in some cases, defeats the purpose of having a template, but if you're after a specific result that can only really be achieved using complex code, go for it. So to summarise, avoiding the use of templates won't always work out, and in many cases, it doesn't. The wikis that don't have such a harsh, outdated template policy don't have this issue, but unless the English Wikivoyage community is willing to embrace change and be in line with the wider Wikimedia world, it cannot significantly expect to grow without making things harder for users accustomed to general norms across most WMF projects. There are loopholes within the policy, but thanks to the wording, [[m:Ignore all rules]] applies. At the same time, I don't blame anyone enforcing that policy – after all, that is what policies are for, but although I'm a strong advocate for following all policies, there's good reason why one shouldn't (it's even a violation of [[WV:PF]] for that matter). Perhaps if/when I do evenually get the consensus to change the template policy (which I plan to do in slow increments), maybe we wouldn't have all these heated discussions for each template; if I don't and the English Wikivoyage gets a notorious global reputation for its template policy, then all I can say is, "I told you so". 7cc7m8nrmcqhc6ehl4ed8i7k6v418mw 4506210 4506209 2022-08-22T12:49:35Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{essay}} {{disclaimerbox|Although I'm open to anyone editing my userspace pages, this essay is potentially controversial; for that reason, I would prefer if the only edits to this page are minor copyedits without changing the tone. If this essay is too controversial to stay here, feel free to list it at [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion]] but please do not speedy. Please also let me know on my talk page so I can move this essay to meta.}} Before I start this essay, I should make it clear that this essay is not aimed at anyone. This is just my personal opinion on the English Wikivoyage and does not represent the views of the wider Wikivoyage community. For those unfamiliar with Wikivoyage's extreme, conservative [[Wikivoyage:Using MediaWiki templates|template policy]], "<span style="color:#8b0000">a template should be discussed prior to being created or modified</span>". Yep, you read that, it should be discussed before being created or modified. I'll proudly admit that I've flouted this policy hundreds, if not thousands of times already (not an exaggeration – check my edits to the template namespace), and I don't intend to stop. Why? [[m:Ignore all rules]] – it's a global policy, and as the policy says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining a project, ignore it." Does creating and editing templates hamper improving or maintaining Wikivoyage, even fixing the slightest syntax error – yep, and for that reason, I'll always ignore it, and the English Wikivoyage community can do nothing about it. It's worth noting that [[Special:PermaLink/1805754|the template policy hasn't changed since 2005]], during the early days of Wikitravel. But unless you've been engulfed in a time capsule since 2005, I'm certainly sure you'll know that MediaWiki's technical capabilities have advanced and so should our template policy be accordingly updated as MediaWiki improves. But no, what happens on this wiki, is it has a dated template policy designed for a wiki almost two decades ago. This does reflect on how many new, original templates are widely used since the migration to Wikimedia. Simply speaking, apart from a few templates needed to use dynamic maps, and occasional outliers like {{tl|rint}} or {{tl|convert}}, what other templates created post-migration are widely used today (and please do let me know if there are some – I wasn't here during the early days of this site and I'm only getting my stats though page histories and discussions)? If the English Wikivoyage's primary reason is it intimidates new users, then why do most other WMF projects not have issues with having a large number of templates? I'm not talking wikis like the French Wikivoyage where they use a lot of templates (which is fine in my opinion), wikis like the English Wikipedia, English Wikibooks, or Commons use many templates (way more than en.voy does), three different size wikis that have never had this issue before. From observations, if a newbie often sees a template that they've never seen before, they will often ignore it and move on. Few will get stuck and get bogged up because they've never seen that specific template before; in that case, you could use that argument advocating to not use templates at all. I'm sure no-one wants that. There is also a loophole to the template policy that technically, just adding the code manually to get the same result. It's a bit counterintuitive, and in some cases, defeats the purpose of having a template, but if you're after a specific result that can only really be achieved using complex code, go for it. So to summarise, avoiding the use of templates won't always work out, and in many cases, it doesn't. The wikis that don't have such a harsh, outdated template policy don't have this issue, but unless the English Wikivoyage community is willing to embrace change and be in line with the wider Wikimedia world, it cannot significantly expect to grow without making things harder for users accustomed to general norms across most WMF projects. There are loopholes within the policy, but thanks to the wording, [[m:Ignore all rules]] applies. At the same time, I don't blame anyone enforcing that policy – after all, that is what policies are for, but although I'm a strong advocate for following all policies, there's good reason why one shouldn't (it's even a violation of [[WV:PF]] for that matter). Perhaps if/when I do evenually get the consensus to change the template policy (which I plan to do in slow increments), maybe we wouldn't have all these heated discussions for each template; if I don't and the English Wikivoyage gets a notorious global reputation for its template policy, then all I can say is, "I told you so". eph04dkj4fpphdmsf876bpewpcm0c3n 4506211 4506210 2022-08-22T12:50:05Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{essay}} {{disclaimerbox|Although I'm open to anyone editing my userspace pages, this essay is potentially controversial; for that reason, I would prefer if the only edits to this page are minor copyedits without changing the tone. If this essay is too controversial to stay here, feel free to list it at [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion]] but please do not speedily delete this (though it would fail the CSD). Please also let me know on my talk page so I can move this essay to meta.}} Before I start this essay, I should make it clear that this essay is not aimed at anyone. This is just my personal opinion on the English Wikivoyage and does not represent the views of the wider Wikivoyage community. For those unfamiliar with Wikivoyage's extreme, conservative [[Wikivoyage:Using MediaWiki templates|template policy]], "<span style="color:#8b0000">a template should be discussed prior to being created or modified</span>". Yep, you read that, it should be discussed before being created or modified. I'll proudly admit that I've flouted this policy hundreds, if not thousands of times already (not an exaggeration – check my edits to the template namespace), and I don't intend to stop. Why? [[m:Ignore all rules]] – it's a global policy, and as the policy says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining a project, ignore it." Does creating and editing templates hamper improving or maintaining Wikivoyage, even fixing the slightest syntax error – yep, and for that reason, I'll always ignore it, and the English Wikivoyage community can do nothing about it. It's worth noting that [[Special:PermaLink/1805754|the template policy hasn't changed since 2005]], during the early days of Wikitravel. But unless you've been engulfed in a time capsule since 2005, I'm certainly sure you'll know that MediaWiki's technical capabilities have advanced and so should our template policy be accordingly updated as MediaWiki improves. But no, what happens on this wiki, is it has a dated template policy designed for a wiki almost two decades ago. This does reflect on how many new, original templates are widely used since the migration to Wikimedia. Simply speaking, apart from a few templates needed to use dynamic maps, and occasional outliers like {{tl|rint}} or {{tl|convert}}, what other templates created post-migration are widely used today (and please do let me know if there are some – I wasn't here during the early days of this site and I'm only getting my stats though page histories and discussions)? If the English Wikivoyage's primary reason is it intimidates new users, then why do most other WMF projects not have issues with having a large number of templates? I'm not talking wikis like the French Wikivoyage where they use a lot of templates (which is fine in my opinion), wikis like the English Wikipedia, English Wikibooks, or Commons use many templates (way more than en.voy does), three different size wikis that have never had this issue before. From observations, if a newbie often sees a template that they've never seen before, they will often ignore it and move on. Few will get stuck and get bogged up because they've never seen that specific template before; in that case, you could use that argument advocating to not use templates at all. I'm sure no-one wants that. There is also a loophole to the template policy that technically, just adding the code manually to get the same result. It's a bit counterintuitive, and in some cases, defeats the purpose of having a template, but if you're after a specific result that can only really be achieved using complex code, go for it. So to summarise, avoiding the use of templates won't always work out, and in many cases, it doesn't. The wikis that don't have such a harsh, outdated template policy don't have this issue, but unless the English Wikivoyage community is willing to embrace change and be in line with the wider Wikimedia world, it cannot significantly expect to grow without making things harder for users accustomed to general norms across most WMF projects. There are loopholes within the policy, but thanks to the wording, [[m:Ignore all rules]] applies. At the same time, I don't blame anyone enforcing that policy – after all, that is what policies are for, but although I'm a strong advocate for following all policies, there's good reason why one shouldn't (it's even a violation of [[WV:PF]] for that matter). Perhaps if/when I do evenually get the consensus to change the template policy (which I plan to do in slow increments), maybe we wouldn't have all these heated discussions for each template; if I don't and the English Wikivoyage gets a notorious global reputation for its template policy, then all I can say is, "I told you so". ainlnzw0igd5p5jzm52km4lv4g0k7lw 4506213 4506211 2022-08-22T12:50:35Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{essay}} {{disclaimerbox|Although I'm open to anyone editing my userspace pages, this essay is potentially controversial; for that reason, I would prefer if the only edits to this page are minor copyedits without changing the tone. If this essay is too controversial to stay here, feel free to list it at [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion]] but please do not speedily delete this (though it would fail the CSD). Please also let me know on my talk page so I can move this essay to meta.}} Before I start this essay, I should make it crystal clear that this essay is not aimed at anyone. This is just my personal opinion on the English Wikivoyage and does not represent the views of the wider Wikivoyage community. For those unfamiliar with Wikivoyage's extreme, conservative [[Wikivoyage:Using MediaWiki templates|template policy]], "<span style="color:#8b0000">a template should be discussed prior to being created or modified</span>". Yep, you read that, it should be discussed before being created or modified. I'll proudly admit that I've flouted this policy hundreds, if not thousands of times already (not an exaggeration – check my edits to the template namespace), and I don't intend to stop. Why? [[m:Ignore all rules]] – it's a global policy, and as the policy says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining a project, ignore it." Does creating and editing templates hamper improving or maintaining Wikivoyage, even fixing the slightest syntax error – yep, and for that reason, I'll always ignore it, and the English Wikivoyage community can do nothing about it. It's worth noting that [[Special:PermaLink/1805754|the template policy hasn't changed since 2005]], during the early days of Wikitravel. But unless you've been engulfed in a time capsule since 2005, I'm certainly sure you'll know that MediaWiki's technical capabilities have advanced and so should our template policy be accordingly updated as MediaWiki improves. But no, what happens on this wiki, is it has a dated template policy designed for a wiki almost two decades ago. This does reflect on how many new, original templates are widely used since the migration to Wikimedia. Simply speaking, apart from a few templates needed to use dynamic maps, and occasional outliers like {{tl|rint}} or {{tl|convert}}, what other templates created post-migration are widely used today (and please do let me know if there are some – I wasn't here during the early days of this site and I'm only getting my stats though page histories and discussions)? If the English Wikivoyage's primary reason is it intimidates new users, then why do most other WMF projects not have issues with having a large number of templates? I'm not talking wikis like the French Wikivoyage where they use a lot of templates (which is fine in my opinion), wikis like the English Wikipedia, English Wikibooks, or Commons use many templates (way more than en.voy does), three different size wikis that have never had this issue before. From observations, if a newbie often sees a template that they've never seen before, they will often ignore it and move on. Few will get stuck and get bogged up because they've never seen that specific template before; in that case, you could use that argument advocating to not use templates at all. I'm sure no-one wants that. There is also a loophole to the template policy that technically, just adding the code manually to get the same result. It's a bit counterintuitive, and in some cases, defeats the purpose of having a template, but if you're after a specific result that can only really be achieved using complex code, go for it. So to summarise, avoiding the use of templates won't always work out, and in many cases, it doesn't. The wikis that don't have such a harsh, outdated template policy don't have this issue, but unless the English Wikivoyage community is willing to embrace change and be in line with the wider Wikimedia world, it cannot significantly expect to grow without making things harder for users accustomed to general norms across most WMF projects. There are loopholes within the policy, but thanks to the wording, [[m:Ignore all rules]] applies. At the same time, I don't blame anyone enforcing that policy – after all, that is what policies are for, but although I'm a strong advocate for following all policies, there's good reason why one shouldn't (it's even a violation of [[WV:PF]] for that matter). Perhaps if/when I do evenually get the consensus to change the template policy (which I plan to do in slow increments), maybe we wouldn't have all these heated discussions for each template; if I don't and the English Wikivoyage gets a notorious global reputation for its template policy, then all I can say is, "I told you so". c4a1m7ohtvee4is7uroqa6p4f8p2y7q 4506223 4506213 2022-08-22T13:00:39Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{essay}} {{disclaimerbox|Although I'm open to anyone editing my userspace pages, this essay is potentially controversial; for that reason, I would prefer if the only edits to this page are minor copyedits without changing the tone. If this essay is too controversial to stay here, feel free to list it at [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion]] but please do not speedily delete this (though it would fail the CSD). Please also let me know on my talk page so I can move this essay to meta.}} Before I start this essay, I should make it crystal clear that this essay is not aimed at anyone. This is just my personal opinion on the English Wikivoyage and does not represent the views of the wider Wikivoyage community. For those unfamiliar with Wikivoyage's extreme, conservative [[Wikivoyage:Using MediaWiki templates|template policy]], "<span style="color:#8b0000">a template should be discussed prior to being created or modified</span>". Yep, you read that, it should be discussed before being created or modified. I'll proudly admit that I've flouted this policy hundreds, if not thousands of times already (not an exaggeration – check my edits to the template namespace), and I don't intend to stop. Why? [[m:Ignore all rules]] – it's a global policy, and as the policy says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining a project, ignore it." Does creating and editing templates hamper improving or maintaining Wikivoyage, even fixing the slightest syntax error – yep, and for that reason, I'll always ignore it, and the English Wikivoyage community can do nothing about it. It's worth noting that [[Special:PermaLink/1805754|the template policy hasn't changed since 2005]], during the early days of Wikitravel. But unless you've been engulfed in a time capsule since 2005, I'm certainly sure you'll know that MediaWiki's technical capabilities have advanced and so should our template policy be accordingly updated as MediaWiki improves. But no, what happens on this wiki, is it has a dated template policy designed for a wiki almost two decades ago. This does reflect on how many new, original templates are widely used since the migration to Wikimedia. Simply speaking, apart from a few templates needed to use dynamic maps, and occasional outliers like {{tl|rint}} or {{tl|convert}}, what other templates created post-migration are widely used today (and please do let me know if there are some – I wasn't here during the early days of this site and I'm only getting my stats though page histories and discussions)? If the English Wikivoyage's primary reason is it intimidates new users, then why do most other WMF projects not have issues with having a large number of templates? I'm not talking wikis like the French Wikivoyage where they use a lot of templates (which is fine in my opinion), wikis like the English Wikipedia, English Wikibooks, or Commons use many templates (way more than en.voy does), three different size wikis that have never had this issue before. From observations, if a newbie often sees a template that they've never seen before, they will often ignore it and move on. Few will get stuck and get bogged up because they've never seen that specific template before; in that case, you could use that argument advocating to not use templates at all. I'm sure no-one wants that. There is also a loophole to the template policy that technically, just adding the code manually to get the same result. It's a bit counterintuitive, and in some cases, defeats the purpose of having a template, but if you're after a specific result that can only really be achieved using complex code, go for it. So to summarise, avoiding the use of templates won't always work out, and in many cases, it doesn't. The wikis that don't have such a harsh, outdated template policy don't have this issue, but unless the English Wikivoyage community is willing to embrace change and be in line with the wider Wikimedia world, it cannot significantly expect to grow without making things harder for users accustomed to general norms across most WMF projects. There are loopholes within the policy, but thanks to the wording, [[m:Ignore all rules]] applies. At the same time, I don't blame anyone enforcing that policy – after all, that is what policies are for, but although I'm a strong advocate for following all policies, there's good reason why one shouldn't (it's even a violation of [[WV:PF]] for that matter), nor do I oppose the existance of certain templates (I'm not in love with many {{tl|style}} templates, but that is not the point of this essay). Perhaps if/when I do evenually get the consensus to change the template policy (which I plan to do in slow increments), maybe we wouldn't have all these heated discussions for each template; if I don't and the English Wikivoyage gets a notorious global reputation for its template policy, then all I can say is, "I told you so". 85q31xj7licgfpivfj91wk53d443bky 4506225 4506223 2022-08-22T13:03:37Z SHB2000 2248002 wikitext text/x-wiki {{essay}} {{disclaimerbox|Although I'm open to anyone editing my userspace pages, this essay is potentially controversial; for that reason, I would prefer if the only edits to this page are minor copyedits without changing the tone. It has been indefinitely semiprotected for this reason. If this essay is too controversial to stay here, feel free to list it at [[Wikivoyage:Votes for deletion]] but please do not speedily delete this (though it would fail the CSD). Please also let me know on my talk page so I can move this essay to meta.}} Before I start this essay, I should make it crystal clear that this essay is not aimed at anyone. This is just my personal opinion on the English Wikivoyage and does not represent the views of the wider Wikivoyage community. For those unfamiliar with Wikivoyage's extreme, conservative [[Wikivoyage:Using MediaWiki templates|template policy]], "<span style="color:#8b0000">a template should be discussed prior to being created or modified</span>". Yep, you read that, it should be discussed before being created or modified. I'll proudly admit that I've flouted this policy hundreds, if not thousands of times already (not an exaggeration – check my edits to the template namespace), and I don't intend to stop. Why? [[m:Ignore all rules]] – it's a global policy, and as the policy says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining a project, ignore it." Does creating and editing templates hamper improving or maintaining Wikivoyage, even fixing the slightest syntax error – yep, and for that reason, I'll always ignore it, and the English Wikivoyage community can do nothing about it. It's worth noting that [[Special:PermaLink/1805754|the template policy hasn't changed since 2005]], during the early days of Wikitravel. But unless you've been engulfed in a time capsule since 2005, I'm certainly sure you'll know that MediaWiki's technical capabilities have advanced and so should our template policy be accordingly updated as MediaWiki improves. But no, what happens on this wiki, is it has a dated template policy designed for a wiki almost two decades ago. This does reflect on how many new, original templates are widely used since the migration to Wikimedia. Simply speaking, apart from a few templates needed to use dynamic maps, and occasional outliers like {{tl|rint}} or {{tl|convert}}, what other templates created post-migration are widely used today (and please do let me know if there are some – I wasn't here during the early days of this site and I'm only getting my stats though page histories and discussions)? If the English Wikivoyage's primary reason is it intimidates new users, then why do most other WMF projects not have issues with having a large number of templates? I'm not talking wikis like the French Wikivoyage where they use a lot of templates (which is fine in my opinion), wikis like the English Wikipedia, English Wikibooks, or Commons use many templates (way more than en.voy does), three different size wikis that have never had this issue before. From observations, if a newbie often sees a template that they've never seen before, they will often ignore it and move on. Few will get stuck and get bogged up because they've never seen that specific template before; in that case, you could use that argument advocating to not use templates at all. I'm sure no-one wants that. There is also a loophole to the template policy that technically, just adding the code manually to get the same result. It's a bit counterintuitive, and in some cases, defeats the purpose of having a template, but if you're after a specific result that can only really be achieved using complex code, go for it. So to summarise, avoiding the use of templates won't always work out, and in many cases, it doesn't. The wikis that don't have such a harsh, outdated template policy don't have this issue, but unless the English Wikivoyage community is willing to embrace change and be in line with the wider Wikimedia world, it cannot significantly expect to grow without making things harder for users accustomed to general norms across most WMF projects. There are loopholes within the policy, but thanks to the wording, [[m:Ignore all rules]] applies. At the same time, I don't blame anyone enforcing that policy – after all, that is what policies are for, but although I'm a strong advocate for following all policies, there's good reason why one shouldn't (it's even a violation of [[WV:PF]] for that matter), nor do I oppose the existance of certain templates (I'm not in love with many {{tl|style}} templates, but that is not the point of this essay). Perhaps if/when I do evenually get the consensus to change the template policy (which I plan to do in slow increments), maybe we wouldn't have all these heated discussions for each template; if I don't and the English Wikivoyage gets a notorious global reputation for its template policy, then all I can say is, "I told you so". 28nroibc8no0eswdmmlaly2k9zfhp9d 3 194539 4506162 2022-08-22T12:00:28Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Banner change */ new section wikitext text/x-wiki == Banner change == Hi, your recent change of page banner in [[Kolkata]] has been reverted as the banner is discussed at [[Talk:Kolkata/Archive_(2006%E2%80%932020)#New_Photo_for_Banner]], which concludes that [[:File:Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.jpg]] page banner is unhelpful as it could also be used as a page banner for [[Howrah]] as the bridge connects both cities. If you still insist on using it, then discuss the change first at [[Talk:Kolkata]]. Thank you, and if this is your first edit, then welcome to Wikivoyage! '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 12:00, 22 August 2022 (UTC) etlxwnngyl8c82wyzm4jd0lwn021z10 4506163 4506162 2022-08-22T12:01:04Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Banner change */ wikitext text/x-wiki == Banner change == Hi, your recent change of page banner in [[Kolkata]] has been reverted as the banner has been discussed at [[Talk:Kolkata/Archive_(2006%E2%80%932020)#New_Photo_for_Banner]]. The discussion concludes that [[:File:Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.jpg]] page banner is unhelpful as it could also be used as a page banner for [[Howrah]] as the bridge connects both cities. If you still insist on using it, then discuss the change first at [[Talk:Kolkata]]. Thank you, and if this is your first edit, then welcome to Wikivoyage! '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 12:00, 22 August 2022 (UTC) hk2wzay72nlt1m3kc0tsfohjienpmak 4506165 4506163 2022-08-22T12:01:42Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Banner change */ wikitext text/x-wiki == Banner change == Hi, your recent change of page banner in [[Kolkata]] has been reverted as the banner has been discussed at [[Talk:Kolkata/Archive_(2006%E2%80%932020)#New_Photo_for_Banner]]. The discussion concludes that [[:File:Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.jpg]] is unhelpful as a page banner for Kolkata as it could also be used as a page banner for [[Howrah]] as the bridge connects both cities. If you still insist on using it, then discuss the change first at [[Talk:Kolkata]]. Thank you, and if this is your first edit, then welcome to Wikivoyage! '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 12:00, 22 August 2022 (UTC) 4bg396ctkqx5lpvrnc3qz8nrfe29av5 4506167 4506165 2022-08-22T12:02:00Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Banner change */ wikitext text/x-wiki == Banner change == Hi, your recent change of page banner in [[Kolkata]] has been reverted as the banner has been discussed at [[Talk:Kolkata/Archive_(2006%E2%80%932020)#New_Photo_for_Banner]]. The discussion concludes that [[:File:Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.jpg]] is unhelpful as a page banner for Kolkata as it could also be used as a page banner for [[Howrah]] since the bridge connects both cities. If you still insist on using it, then discuss the change first at [[Talk:Kolkata]]. Thank you, and if this is your first edit, then welcome to Wikivoyage! '''[[User:Sbb1413|Sbb1413]]''' (he) ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|contribs]]) 12:00, 22 August 2022 (UTC) mxn6t646jwuofwwgdyaamrf60huu20z 10 194540 4506215 2022-08-22T12:54:20Z SHB2000 2248002 the mapmask used on [[Shoalhaven]] was so ridiculously long (124k bytes) that it merits transclusion wikitext text/x-wiki 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qzogx6lf97szuseu1094o20z5x4v10n 3 194541 4506244 2022-08-22T13:32:01Z Vincent Vega 1606435 Vincent Vega moved page [[User talk:TheMrP]] to [[User talk:P1]]: Automatically moved page while renaming the user "[[Special:CentralAuth/TheMrP|TheMrP]]" to "[[Special:CentralAuth/P1|P1]]" wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[User talk:P1]] ie4mb20bkb9y9o28fk1joo94sleecdt 2 194542 4506246 2022-08-22T13:32:01Z Vincent Vega 1606435 Vincent Vega moved page [[User:TheMrP]] to [[User:P1]]: Automatically moved page while renaming the user "[[Special:CentralAuth/TheMrP|TheMrP]]" to "[[Special:CentralAuth/P1|P1]]" wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[User:P1]] qruqty7wizrpmxv2ogg5f7xxyv4k8z9 0 194543 4506271 2022-08-22T14:49:36Z Deepakmanusingh 2275196 This is the neighbouring village to site of harappan civilisation I.e. mithtahal and tigrana. wikitext text/x-wiki [[File:Ghuskani village photo.jpg|thumb]] Ghuskani is a village in district Bhiwani in state of Haryana in India. qogzy5aypmp4tejnqe69xpdmnn1zh5g 1 194546 4506354 2022-08-22T18:06:59Z Ibaman 195012 Created page with "{{subst:tout}} ~~~~" wikitext text/x-wiki Hello, Atm Rakibul Bassar! Thank you for contributing to Wikivoyage, but please note that one or more of your recent edits has been reverted as it appeared to be an attempt to use this site to advertise or promote a business or service. Wikivoyage is created by travellers ''for'' travellers, and while [[WV:Welcome, business owners|business owners and employees]] are welcome to contribute, use of this site for promotional purposes is not allowed. If you feel that your edits were incorrectly identified as promotional, '''please read Wikivoyage's [[WV:Don't tout|guidelines on identifying promotional edits]]'''. If, after reading that guideline, you ''still'' feel your edits were incorrectly removed, please use this [[WV:Using talk pages|talk page]] or the talk page of the article where your edit was removed to explain why your change was not promotional. 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[[User:Ibaman|Ibaman]] ([[User talk:Ibaman|talk]]) 18:06, 22 August 2022 (UTC) cv2tqaziq3fjo0qwbenl2nfhilt92cn 0 194547 4506364 2022-08-22T18:27:40Z Sbb1413 2217354 Created page with "{{pagebanner|Disambiguation banner.png}} There is more than one place called '''{{subst:FULLPAGENAME}}''': ===[[India]]=== * [[Jainagar]] — a town in [[Bihar]] * [[Jaynagar Majilpur]] — a town in [[West Bengal]] {{disamb}}" wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Disambiguation banner.png}} There is more than one place called '''Jaynagar (disambiguation)''': ===[[India]]=== * [[Jainagar]] — a town in [[Bihar]] * [[Jaynagar Majilpur]] — a town in [[West Bengal]] {{disamb}} po5fmeow1lyc934kc2aeqn3kc5vrbva 4506366 4506364 2022-08-22T18:28:26Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Disambiguation banner.png}} There is more than one place called '''Jaynagar''': ===[[India]]=== * [[Jainagar]] — a town in [[Bihar]] * [[Jaynagar Majilpur]] — a town in [[West Bengal]] {{disamb}} 95r1re04ngxh33t7h0vn2ulsjgst2cy 2 194548 4506365 2022-08-22T18:27:51Z Dominic 50340 Created page with "importScript( ':en:w:User:SuperHamster/view-it.js' ); // Backlink: [[:en:w:User:SuperHamster/view-it.js]]" javascript text/javascript importScript( ':en:w:User:SuperHamster/view-it.js' ); // Backlink: [[:en:w:User:SuperHamster/view-it.js]] ap90nwmj7e9awfl1ykhj584rhemo1g2 0 194549 4506369 2022-08-22T18:36:03Z Sbb1413 2217354 Redirected page to [[Rarh]] wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Rarh]] bdx5e7kjk20h5kxqr8sphiz3f05xpx7 0 194550 4506370 2022-08-22T18:36:18Z Sbb1413 2217354 Redirected page to [[Rarh]] wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Rarh]] bdx5e7kjk20h5kxqr8sphiz3f05xpx7 0 194551 4506371 2022-08-22T18:36:40Z Sbb1413 2217354 Redirected page to [[Rarh]] wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Rarh]] bdx5e7kjk20h5kxqr8sphiz3f05xpx7 0 194552 4506372 2022-08-22T18:36:52Z Sbb1413 2217354 Redirected page to [[Rarh]] wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Rarh]] bdx5e7kjk20h5kxqr8sphiz3f05xpx7 0 194553 4506517 2022-08-23T03:07:27Z OhanaUnited 76122 create wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport]] ityn299tw3sd0tef63mmg45c37jwchb 0 194554 4506518 2022-08-23T03:07:51Z OhanaUnited 76122 create wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport]] ityn299tw3sd0tef63mmg45c37jwchb 2 194555 4506591 2022-08-23T05:21:04Z Sbb1413 2217354 Created page with "{{pagebanner|Sundarbans (সুন্দরবন) deer banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[File:Abendstimmung in den Sundarbans von Bangladesch.JPG|thumb|200px|The Sundarbans are the world's largest mangrove swamp]] '''Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a mangrove forest in [[Khulna Division]] of Bangladesh, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. ==Understand== The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the..." wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sundarbans (সুন্দরবন) deer banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[File:Abendstimmung in den Sundarbans von Bangladesch.JPG|thumb|200px|The Sundarbans are the world's largest mangrove swamp]] '''Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a mangrove forest in [[Khulna Division]] of Bangladesh, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. ==Understand== The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 10,500 km², of which about one-third is covered in water or marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. ===Flora and fauna=== [[File:A Tiger in Sundarbans.jpg|thumb|250px|A Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans]] The chief predators are the Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, saltwater crocodile, black panther and fishing cat. The Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The Sundarbans now support the only population of the Estuarine or Salt-Water Crocodile (Crocodylus parasus) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated at less than two hundred individuals. The park is also home to sea gypsy fishing families who catch fish using trained otters. ===Climate=== * October to February &mdash; winter, cool and temperate * March to May &mdash; summer, hot and humid * June to September &mdash; the monsoon season, wet and windy ==Get in== '''Safaris''' are available from '''[[Dhaka]]''' and '''[[Khulna]]'''. These trips range from being overnight to a week and are probably the best way to experience the Sundarbans. Some of the agencies offering package tours: * Arranger Tours and Travels, 6 Farazi Para Main Road, Khulna, Tel: +88041723031, +8801817-403070, [http://arrangertoursbd.com/] * Ever Green Tours, Tel: +8801711-942555, +8801911-080077 * Pugmark Tours and Travels, KDA Building, Shibbarirmore, Khulna, Tel: +8801715-167740, +8801919-298001, [http://pugmarkbd.com] As of December 2018, the price for 3-4 day trip is around Tk 15-20000. Organizing your own trip from Munsiganj-Satkhira, Mongla or [[Khulna]] is possible (and cheaper, if you're a shrewd negotiator), but questionably worth the hassle. You need a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in Khulna. With permit in hand, it's possible to hire a boat from [[Mongla]] or Dhangmari to get you to Hiron Point. From Hiron Point you will have to hire a guide to take you into the park. Day trips from Mongla are not very interesting, and probably better avoided. After negotiating the price of a boat down to something only slightly less ridiculous you'll most likely be taken to Karamjal Wildlife Center, where there are some tame deer to feed and some monkeys, crocs and snakes in cages. But surely you didn't come all this way to see a rundown zoo filled with depressed animals and raucous Bangladeshis. Boatmen seem to want no less than [[Bangladesh#Money|Tk]] 200 for the trip (locals pay Tk 50/day), and the center charges a very steep Tk 750/day entry fee for foreigners. === '''One of the Sundarban tour operators in Kolkata offering various package tours ''' === [http://www.dreamsafari.in/ '''Dream Safari''']: There are areas like Burirdabri, Netidhopani'r ghat, Kalas island, Boney camp etc that are located outside the normal Sajnekhali range. These areas are beautiful and are seldom visited by all. [http://www.dreamsafari.in/packages/sunderban-customized-tours/ Dreamsafari] can arrange your visit to such locations if you are interested. ==Fees and permits== * '''Divisional Forest Office''', Circuit House Road, Khulna, +20665 is the place to apply for the mandatory permit. Entry permits can also be obtained from Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Office. ==Get around== You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep. However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes a round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide). The '''Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve''' (West Bengal, India) is the place from where you can hire a guide. ==See== * '''Hiron Point''' a beautiful spot, great for spotting tigers and other wildlife * '''Tin Kona Island''' another popular spot for wildlife spotting. * '''Katka''' a base for safaris, and good spot to see tigers and for bird-watching. * '''Dublar Char Island''' it's possible to fish here. ==Do== Apart from visiting the tourist destinations, you may also take some time out to go to a nearby village to see the lifestyle of the local people and talk to them to have an insight into their lives. ==Buy== Wild Honey is collected by local people from the jaw of the Royal Bengal Tiger from April - May. Some handcrafted articles made by the local people make good mementoes to bring back home. ==Eat== It's best to savour the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water like shrimp, crab, hilsa, bhetki, pangas, partsay, boal, rohu, or katla. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce. ==Drink== It is wise to carry drinking water or carry water purification gear. Coconut water is widely available and cheap. ==Connect== The only mobile network available across Sundarbans is TeleTalk, so you will need one of their SIM cards to get reception when visiting. ==Sleep== ===Lodging=== *{{sleep | name=Suranjana Resort | alt= | url= | email=pranabeshsarkar38@gmail.com | address=Dayapur, opposite Sajney Khali Forest Office, | lat= | long= | directions=Two hours by boat from Gadkhali | phone=+880 9163914473 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3 days, 2 nights package. | checkout= | price=₹4200 | content=24-hour buffet. Cultural programme every evening. Morning forest sightseeing by boat each day part of package. }} *'''Hotel Gateway Resort''', Dulki, +880 9038055530 ===Camping=== ===Backcountry=== ==Stay safe== While as a tourist you are unlikely to face any danger from the local wildlife, it is wise to be informed that two of the most potentially dangerous animals on Earth reside within the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans is well known as the only place left where Bengal Tigers still hunt and kill humans, and they do it regularly. These victims are always locals who live within the Sundarbans and rely on them for survival. Hence this risk is accepted among the locals. Saltwater Crocodiles also inhabit the Sundarbans and are well known to be the largest and (along with the Nile Crocodile) most aggressive reptile on Earth. In the Sundarbans, you are unlikely to be in crocodile territory without a large boat, so the risk is minimal. Very little risk is posed to the average tourist. Snakes exist, but are primarily either shy or nocturnal, unless you plan on venturing off into the bush alone you don't have much to worry about. ==Stay healthy== Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels depending on the season (the wet season represents the greatest risk.) The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgement when choosing what to eat. ==Go next== {{geo|21.9333|88.8500}} {{IsPartOf|Khulna Division}} {{outlinepark}} 7jxy57gyclx0ysrsz1b90xbr7lbjy78 4506597 4506591 2022-08-23T05:23:55Z Sbb1413 2217354 wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sundarbans (সুন্দরবন) deer banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[File:Abendstimmung in den Sundarbans von Bangladesch.JPG|thumb|200px|The Sundarbans are the world's largest mangrove swamp]] '''Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a mangrove forest in [[Khulna Division]] of Bangladesh, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. It is the Bangladeshi part of the [[Sundarbans]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ==Understand== The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 10,500 km², of which about one-third is covered in water or marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. ===Flora and fauna=== [[File:A Tiger in Sundarbans.jpg|thumb|250px|A Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans]] The chief predators are the Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, saltwater crocodile, black panther and fishing cat. The Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The Sundarbans now support the only population of the Estuarine or Salt-Water Crocodile (Crocodylus parasus) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated at less than two hundred individuals. The park is also home to sea gypsy fishing families who catch fish using trained otters. ===Climate=== * October to February &mdash; winter, cool and temperate * March to May &mdash; summer, hot and humid * June to September &mdash; the monsoon season, wet and windy ==Get in== '''Safaris''' are available from '''[[Dhaka]]''' and '''[[Khulna]]'''. These trips range from being overnight to a week and are probably the best way to experience the Sundarbans. Some of the agencies offering package tours: * Arranger Tours and Travels, 6 Farazi Para Main Road, Khulna, Tel: +88041723031, +8801817-403070, [http://arrangertoursbd.com/] * Ever Green Tours, Tel: +8801711-942555, +8801911-080077 * Pugmark Tours and Travels, KDA Building, Shibbarirmore, Khulna, Tel: +8801715-167740, +8801919-298001, [http://pugmarkbd.com] As of December 2018, the price for 3-4 day trip is around Tk 15-20000. Organizing your own trip from Munsiganj-Satkhira, Mongla or [[Khulna]] is possible (and cheaper, if you're a shrewd negotiator), but questionably worth the hassle. You need a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in Khulna. With permit in hand, it's possible to hire a boat from [[Mongla]] or Dhangmari to get you to Hiron Point. From Hiron Point you will have to hire a guide to take you into the park. Day trips from Mongla are not very interesting, and probably better avoided. After negotiating the price of a boat down to something only slightly less ridiculous you'll most likely be taken to Karamjal Wildlife Center, where there are some tame deer to feed and some monkeys, crocs and snakes in cages. But surely you didn't come all this way to see a rundown zoo filled with depressed animals and raucous Bangladeshis. Boatmen seem to want no less than [[Bangladesh#Money|Tk]] 200 for the trip (locals pay Tk 50/day), and the center charges a very steep Tk 750/day entry fee for foreigners. === '''One of the Sundarban tour operators in Kolkata offering various package tours ''' === [http://www.dreamsafari.in/ '''Dream Safari''']: There are areas like Burirdabri, Netidhopani'r ghat, Kalas island, Boney camp etc that are located outside the normal Sajnekhali range. These areas are beautiful and are seldom visited by all. [http://www.dreamsafari.in/packages/sunderban-customized-tours/ Dreamsafari] can arrange your visit to such locations if you are interested. ==Fees and permits== * '''Divisional Forest Office''', Circuit House Road, Khulna, +20665 is the place to apply for the mandatory permit. Entry permits can also be obtained from Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Office. ==Get around== You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep. However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes a round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide). The '''Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve''' (West Bengal, India) is the place from where you can hire a guide. ==See== * '''Hiron Point''' a beautiful spot, great for spotting tigers and other wildlife * '''Tin Kona Island''' another popular spot for wildlife spotting. * '''Katka''' a base for safaris, and good spot to see tigers and for bird-watching. * '''Dublar Char Island''' it's possible to fish here. ==Do== Apart from visiting the tourist destinations, you may also take some time out to go to a nearby village to see the lifestyle of the local people and talk to them to have an insight into their lives. ==Buy== Wild Honey is collected by local people from the jaw of the Royal Bengal Tiger from April - May. Some handcrafted articles made by the local people make good mementoes to bring back home. ==Eat== It's best to savour the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water like shrimp, crab, hilsa, bhetki, pangas, partsay, boal, rohu, or katla. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce. ==Drink== It is wise to carry drinking water or carry water purification gear. Coconut water is widely available and cheap. ==Connect== The only mobile network available across Sundarbans is TeleTalk, so you will need one of their SIM cards to get reception when visiting. ==Sleep== ===Lodging=== *{{sleep | name=Suranjana Resort | alt= | url= | email=pranabeshsarkar38@gmail.com | address=Dayapur, opposite Sajney Khali Forest Office, | lat= | long= | directions=Two hours by boat from Gadkhali | phone=+880 9163914473 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3 days, 2 nights package. | checkout= | price=₹4200 | content=24-hour buffet. Cultural programme every evening. Morning forest sightseeing by boat each day part of package. }} *'''Hotel Gateway Resort''', Dulki, +880 9038055530 ===Camping=== ===Backcountry=== ==Stay safe== While as a tourist you are unlikely to face any danger from the local wildlife, it is wise to be informed that two of the most potentially dangerous animals on Earth reside within the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans is well known as the only place left where Bengal Tigers still hunt and kill humans, and they do it regularly. These victims are always locals who live within the Sundarbans and rely on them for survival. Hence this risk is accepted among the locals. Saltwater Crocodiles also inhabit the Sundarbans and are well known to be the largest and (along with the Nile Crocodile) most aggressive reptile on Earth. In the Sundarbans, you are unlikely to be in crocodile territory without a large boat, so the risk is minimal. Very little risk is posed to the average tourist. Snakes exist, but are primarily either shy or nocturnal, unless you plan on venturing off into the bush alone you don't have much to worry about. ==Stay healthy== Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels depending on the season (the wet season represents the greatest risk.) The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgement when choosing what to eat. ==Go next== {{geo|21.9333|88.8500}} {{IsPartOf|Khulna Division}} {{outlinepark}} m2c8ce5vkmfx9wg8u7xndesz54tz8e3 4506599 4506597 2022-08-23T05:24:36Z Sbb1413 2217354 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sundarbans (সুন্দরবন) deer banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[File:Abendstimmung in den Sundarbans von Bangladesch.JPG|thumb|200px|The Sundarbans are the world's largest mangrove swamp]] '''Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a mangrove forest in [[Khulna Division]] of Bangladesh, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. It is the Bangladeshi part of the [[Sundarbans]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ==Understand== ===Flora and fauna=== [[File:A Tiger in Sundarbans.jpg|thumb|250px|A Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans]] The chief predators are the Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, saltwater crocodile, black panther and fishing cat. The Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The Sundarbans now support the only population of the Estuarine or Salt-Water Crocodile (Crocodylus parasus) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated at less than two hundred individuals. The park is also home to sea gypsy fishing families who catch fish using trained otters. ===Climate=== * October to February &mdash; winter, cool and temperate * March to May &mdash; summer, hot and humid * June to September &mdash; the monsoon season, wet and windy ==Get in== '''Safaris''' are available from '''[[Dhaka]]''' and '''[[Khulna]]'''. These trips range from being overnight to a week and are probably the best way to experience the Sundarbans. Some of the agencies offering package tours: * Arranger Tours and Travels, 6 Farazi Para Main Road, Khulna, Tel: +88041723031, +8801817-403070, [http://arrangertoursbd.com/] * Ever Green Tours, Tel: +8801711-942555, +8801911-080077 * Pugmark Tours and Travels, KDA Building, Shibbarirmore, Khulna, Tel: +8801715-167740, +8801919-298001, [http://pugmarkbd.com] As of December 2018, the price for 3-4 day trip is around Tk 15-20000. Organizing your own trip from Munsiganj-Satkhira, Mongla or [[Khulna]] is possible (and cheaper, if you're a shrewd negotiator), but questionably worth the hassle. You need a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in Khulna. With permit in hand, it's possible to hire a boat from [[Mongla]] or Dhangmari to get you to Hiron Point. From Hiron Point you will have to hire a guide to take you into the park. Day trips from Mongla are not very interesting, and probably better avoided. After negotiating the price of a boat down to something only slightly less ridiculous you'll most likely be taken to Karamjal Wildlife Center, where there are some tame deer to feed and some monkeys, crocs and snakes in cages. But surely you didn't come all this way to see a rundown zoo filled with depressed animals and raucous Bangladeshis. Boatmen seem to want no less than [[Bangladesh#Money|Tk]] 200 for the trip (locals pay Tk 50/day), and the center charges a very steep Tk 750/day entry fee for foreigners. === '''One of the Sundarban tour operators in Kolkata offering various package tours ''' === [http://www.dreamsafari.in/ '''Dream Safari''']: There are areas like Burirdabri, Netidhopani'r ghat, Kalas island, Boney camp etc that are located outside the normal Sajnekhali range. These areas are beautiful and are seldom visited by all. [http://www.dreamsafari.in/packages/sunderban-customized-tours/ Dreamsafari] can arrange your visit to such locations if you are interested. ==Fees and permits== * '''Divisional Forest Office''', Circuit House Road, Khulna, +20665 is the place to apply for the mandatory permit. Entry permits can also be obtained from Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Office. ==Get around== You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep. However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes a round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide). The '''Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve''' (West Bengal, India) is the place from where you can hire a guide. ==See== * '''Hiron Point''' a beautiful spot, great for spotting tigers and other wildlife * '''Tin Kona Island''' another popular spot for wildlife spotting. * '''Katka''' a base for safaris, and good spot to see tigers and for bird-watching. * '''Dublar Char Island''' it's possible to fish here. ==Do== Apart from visiting the tourist destinations, you may also take some time out to go to a nearby village to see the lifestyle of the local people and talk to them to have an insight into their lives. ==Buy== Wild Honey is collected by local people from the jaw of the Royal Bengal Tiger from April - May. Some handcrafted articles made by the local people make good mementoes to bring back home. ==Eat== It's best to savour the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water like shrimp, crab, hilsa, bhetki, pangas, partsay, boal, rohu, or katla. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce. ==Drink== It is wise to carry drinking water or carry water purification gear. Coconut water is widely available and cheap. ==Connect== The only mobile network available across Sundarbans is TeleTalk, so you will need one of their SIM cards to get reception when visiting. ==Sleep== ===Lodging=== *{{sleep | name=Suranjana Resort | alt= | url= | email=pranabeshsarkar38@gmail.com | address=Dayapur, opposite Sajney Khali Forest Office, | lat= | long= | directions=Two hours by boat from Gadkhali | phone=+880 9163914473 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3 days, 2 nights package. | checkout= | price=₹4200 | content=24-hour buffet. Cultural programme every evening. Morning forest sightseeing by boat each day part of package. }} *'''Hotel Gateway Resort''', Dulki, +880 9038055530 ===Camping=== ===Backcountry=== ==Stay safe== While as a tourist you are unlikely to face any danger from the local wildlife, it is wise to be informed that two of the most potentially dangerous animals on Earth reside within the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans is well known as the only place left where Bengal Tigers still hunt and kill humans, and they do it regularly. These victims are always locals who live within the Sundarbans and rely on them for survival. Hence this risk is accepted among the locals. Saltwater Crocodiles also inhabit the Sundarbans and are well known to be the largest and (along with the Nile Crocodile) most aggressive reptile on Earth. In the Sundarbans, you are unlikely to be in crocodile territory without a large boat, so the risk is minimal. Very little risk is posed to the average tourist. Snakes exist, but are primarily either shy or nocturnal, unless you plan on venturing off into the bush alone you don't have much to worry about. ==Stay healthy== Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels depending on the season (the wet season represents the greatest risk.) The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgement when choosing what to eat. ==Go next== {{geo|21.9333|88.8500}} {{IsPartOf|Khulna Division}} {{outlinepark}} 8u8ci1803cwdod5ftjieb90o1uznmq2 4506600 4506599 2022-08-23T05:25:04Z Sbb1413 2217354 Undo revision 4506599 by [[Special:Contributions/Sbb1413|Sbb1413]] ([[User talk:Sbb1413|talk]]) wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Sundarbans (সুন্দরবন) deer banner.jpg|unesco=yes}} [[File:Abendstimmung in den Sundarbans von Bangladesch.JPG|thumb|200px|The Sundarbans are the world's largest mangrove swamp]] '''Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a mangrove forest in [[Khulna Division]] of Bangladesh, on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. It is the Bangladeshi part of the [[Sundarbans]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ==Understand== ===History=== The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 10,500 km², of which about one-third is covered in water or marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. ===Flora and fauna=== [[File:A Tiger in Sundarbans.jpg|thumb|250px|A Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans]] The chief predators are the Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, saltwater crocodile, black panther and fishing cat. The Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The Sundarbans now support the only population of the Estuarine or Salt-Water Crocodile (Crocodylus parasus) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated at less than two hundred individuals. The park is also home to sea gypsy fishing families who catch fish using trained otters. ===Climate=== * October to February &mdash; winter, cool and temperate * March to May &mdash; summer, hot and humid * June to September &mdash; the monsoon season, wet and windy ==Get in== '''Safaris''' are available from '''[[Dhaka]]''' and '''[[Khulna]]'''. These trips range from being overnight to a week and are probably the best way to experience the Sundarbans. Some of the agencies offering package tours: * Arranger Tours and Travels, 6 Farazi Para Main Road, Khulna, Tel: +88041723031, +8801817-403070, [http://arrangertoursbd.com/] * Ever Green Tours, Tel: +8801711-942555, +8801911-080077 * Pugmark Tours and Travels, KDA Building, Shibbarirmore, Khulna, Tel: +8801715-167740, +8801919-298001, [http://pugmarkbd.com] As of December 2018, the price for 3-4 day trip is around Tk 15-20000. Organizing your own trip from Munsiganj-Satkhira, Mongla or [[Khulna]] is possible (and cheaper, if you're a shrewd negotiator), but questionably worth the hassle. You need a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in Khulna. With permit in hand, it's possible to hire a boat from [[Mongla]] or Dhangmari to get you to Hiron Point. From Hiron Point you will have to hire a guide to take you into the park. Day trips from Mongla are not very interesting, and probably better avoided. After negotiating the price of a boat down to something only slightly less ridiculous you'll most likely be taken to Karamjal Wildlife Center, where there are some tame deer to feed and some monkeys, crocs and snakes in cages. But surely you didn't come all this way to see a rundown zoo filled with depressed animals and raucous Bangladeshis. Boatmen seem to want no less than [[Bangladesh#Money|Tk]] 200 for the trip (locals pay Tk 50/day), and the center charges a very steep Tk 750/day entry fee for foreigners. === '''One of the Sundarban tour operators in Kolkata offering various package tours ''' === [http://www.dreamsafari.in/ '''Dream Safari''']: There are areas like Burirdabri, Netidhopani'r ghat, Kalas island, Boney camp etc that are located outside the normal Sajnekhali range. These areas are beautiful and are seldom visited by all. [http://www.dreamsafari.in/packages/sunderban-customized-tours/ Dreamsafari] can arrange your visit to such locations if you are interested. ==Fees and permits== * '''Divisional Forest Office''', Circuit House Road, Khulna, +20665 is the place to apply for the mandatory permit. Entry permits can also be obtained from Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve Office. ==Get around== You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep. However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes a round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide). The '''Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve''' (West Bengal, India) is the place from where you can hire a guide. ==See== * '''Hiron Point''' a beautiful spot, great for spotting tigers and other wildlife * '''Tin Kona Island''' another popular spot for wildlife spotting. * '''Katka''' a base for safaris, and good spot to see tigers and for bird-watching. * '''Dublar Char Island''' it's possible to fish here. ==Do== Apart from visiting the tourist destinations, you may also take some time out to go to a nearby village to see the lifestyle of the local people and talk to them to have an insight into their lives. ==Buy== Wild Honey is collected by local people from the jaw of the Royal Bengal Tiger from April - May. Some handcrafted articles made by the local people make good mementoes to bring back home. ==Eat== It's best to savour the delicious dishes made of fresh catches from the water like shrimp, crab, hilsa, bhetki, pangas, partsay, boal, rohu, or katla. Some of the lodges also have their own kitchen garden to give the guests a sample of fresh produce. ==Drink== It is wise to carry drinking water or carry water purification gear. Coconut water is widely available and cheap. ==Connect== The only mobile network available across Sundarbans is TeleTalk, so you will need one of their SIM cards to get reception when visiting. ==Sleep== ===Lodging=== *{{sleep | name=Suranjana Resort | alt= | url= | email=pranabeshsarkar38@gmail.com | address=Dayapur, opposite Sajney Khali Forest Office, | lat= | long= | directions=Two hours by boat from Gadkhali | phone=+880 9163914473 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=3 days, 2 nights package. | checkout= | price=₹4200 | content=24-hour buffet. Cultural programme every evening. Morning forest sightseeing by boat each day part of package. }} *'''Hotel Gateway Resort''', Dulki, +880 9038055530 ===Camping=== ===Backcountry=== ==Stay safe== While as a tourist you are unlikely to face any danger from the local wildlife, it is wise to be informed that two of the most potentially dangerous animals on Earth reside within the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans is well known as the only place left where Bengal Tigers still hunt and kill humans, and they do it regularly. These victims are always locals who live within the Sundarbans and rely on them for survival. Hence this risk is accepted among the locals. Saltwater Crocodiles also inhabit the Sundarbans and are well known to be the largest and (along with the Nile Crocodile) most aggressive reptile on Earth. In the Sundarbans, you are unlikely to be in crocodile territory without a large boat, so the risk is minimal. Very little risk is posed to the average tourist. Snakes exist, but are primarily either shy or nocturnal, unless you plan on venturing off into the bush alone you don't have much to worry about. ==Stay healthy== Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels depending on the season (the wet season represents the greatest risk.) The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only and always use your best judgement when choosing what to eat. ==Go next== {{geo|21.9333|88.8500}} {{IsPartOf|Khulna Division}} {{outlinepark}} bukogsqhfbijruge0yasfk1rcgb9nye 0 194556 4506609 2022-08-23T05:33:49Z Sbb1413 2217354 Sbb1413 moved page [[Dooars]] to [[Plains (North Bengal)]]: Merging [[Dooars]] and [[Dinajpur-Malda]] for a more appropriate regionalisation. wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Plains (North Bengal)]] 9s996ve47hkzw5drat641qjoul7fsc3 0 194561 4506703 2022-08-23T09:40:46Z Shkurteeb 2275253 outline wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 9j3zvjlhkkismclbxnjleuk1gx20jko 4506708 4506703 2022-08-23T09:46:40Z Eliteb16 2275252 Added listing for Restaurant Roi wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 7fcotd9fjbc7zl9dzjlc0ese6f208so 4506709 4506708 2022-08-23T09:48:32Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Added listing for Restaurant LINDI wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} cju9ffhwuizfmcl288n8k1hb2p4jcjl 4506711 4506709 2022-08-23T09:50:13Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Understand */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 8vbkklujps6npwaskntfcdr6d68i8yv 4506712 4506711 2022-08-23T09:50:21Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Added listing for Restraurant Lisi wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} nkwvzm8drg5i51xwsaqzuzdvuxgvg8i 4506715 4506712 2022-08-23T09:53:35Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Added listing for Restaurant Arra wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 969907lbbopi4lrob1m49vy22xtk88u 4506716 4506715 2022-08-23T09:56:32Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Added listing for Home Cake wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 7ufxb2secjclep03kzzizz3jh5ufz8f 4506720 4506716 2022-08-23T10:05:37Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Added listing for Bar'on Caffe wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} g936cm3ol47tk60s47699kbzeo6j1p7 4506723 4506720 2022-08-23T10:06:02Z Eliteb16 2275252 Added listing for Bar'on Caffe wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 4sahquztvlpdp77jbma4vr6fkovbbz0 4506724 4506723 2022-08-23T10:06:20Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Deleted listing for Bar'on Caffe wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 40dkdxncndwmni4nnmulugzsbm40oot 4506726 4506724 2022-08-23T10:07:33Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== Premium Center'''Bold text''',Street November 28,Viti,048 774 422 Shopping Mall · Restaurant , ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 1ewb04tg7qvy6kdzypjl9i02muvbuus 4506728 4506726 2022-08-23T10:08:05Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti,048 774 422 Shopping Mall · Restaurant , ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 8lvr5t1luhy974o3tlhrsaweibhc4pw 4506731 4506728 2022-08-23T10:08:43Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Added listing for Restaurant Parku Ilir wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti,048 774 422 Shopping Mall · Restaurant , ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} okrw0ms8qvhb59af2705yvz2og5u48p 4506736 4506731 2022-08-23T10:12:25Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Drink */ Added listing for Tri'Bar Caffe wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti,048 774 422 Shopping Mall · Restaurant , ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} fk4i94kel645xdkfqwpyxcrwpsrshij 4506739 4506736 2022-08-23T10:13:25Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Drink */ Added listing for Caffe Venecia wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti,048 774 422 Shopping Mall · Restaurant , ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} kjyo5klgl1yk8ok8xng7zk89jt5191c 4506740 4506739 2022-08-23T10:14:17Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti 61000 ☏ 048 774 422 Shopping Mall · Restaurant , ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 2jfp541qavg01w6ptnnflzpodh7grau 4506741 4506740 2022-08-23T10:14:39Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti 61000 ☏ 048 774 422 , Shopping Mall · Restaurant ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} popfznigckxb3e802zvtvlq9vbxz6l4 4506742 4506741 2022-08-23T10:14:46Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Drink */ Added listing for Kolos bar wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti 61000 ☏ 048 774 422 , Shopping Mall · Restaurant ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} j5xfev9wv7jmjn4t89jt9qgnjzjpci2 4506746 4506742 2022-08-23T10:16:03Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Drink */ Added listing for Caffe Bar Rio wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti 61000 ☏ 048 774 422 , Shopping Mall · Restaurant ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} ct3quwvdj5q7addb53o51qfn7myj91x 4506750 4506746 2022-08-23T10:18:18Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Eat */ Added listing for AMICI Food & Sweets wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti 61000 ☏ 048 774 422 , Shopping Mall · Restaurant ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} osp86edig3p3anhgwe4yco72tfxy0jd 4506753 4506750 2022-08-23T10:21:58Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ Added listing for Blind Jewerly wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti 61000 ☏ 048 774 422 , Shopping Mall · Restaurant * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} mwwnodvcdnlgf6lc28pter53a9xjpd5 4506754 4506753 2022-08-23T10:23:24Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ Added listing for Premium Center wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== '''Premium Center''',Street November 28,Viti 61000 ☏ 048 774 422 , Shopping Mall · Restaurant * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} byhon1kapp5z4n0k006763kcwc2fzbs 4506758 4506754 2022-08-23T10:23:48Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} jew7sjr4fmuipz4e7x496zrqeuaxs8w 4506759 4506758 2022-08-23T10:24:21Z Eliteb16 2275252 Added listing for Dëbëlldeh wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature & village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}} {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} cln0p7ig8yo7lya168x98zhjr5pw5nj 4506761 4506759 2022-08-23T10:25:50Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Go next */ Ferizaj wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature & village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} d55n25b8fhkm44813jytqghh1uwkzw4 4506762 4506761 2022-08-23T10:26:15Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* Go next */ Gjilan wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature & village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} rokxxle86a5b7g26kc7m80zr7jbcmlk 4506768 4506762 2022-08-23T10:28:14Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ Added listing for Mediteran Center wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature & village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Mediteran Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kllokot Street, Viti 16000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=045 322 264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping & Retail. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 0dlwzly965r9pqbehw7s94darob7cxo 4506771 4506768 2022-08-23T10:29:28Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature & village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Mediteran Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kllokot Street, Viti 16000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=045 322 264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping & Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} c0gb5y446q5xh4ro83mq03k518h0rt4 4506773 4506771 2022-08-23T10:30:19Z SHB2000 2248002 /* See */ Updated listing for Dëbëlldeh wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Mediteran Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kllokot Street, Viti 16000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=045 322 264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping & Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} map0l6ww5hxfdn3yylzobaj3e8yrzly 4506777 4506773 2022-08-23T10:35:24Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ Added listing for Real Center wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Mediteran Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Kllokot Street, Viti 16000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=045 322 264 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping & Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Real Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=2 Korriku, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Clothing brand. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 7fotne171yjaoj97zkprr0bnackaqfa 4506782 4506777 2022-08-23T10:38:14Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} h1xkv2ggrppbuep6cai65u2n9xlrenu 4506783 4506782 2022-08-23T10:38:30Z Eliteb16 2275252 /* See */ Updated listing for Dëbëlldeh wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. Also you can go hiking :). }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} bax4i9d9wg6e5tax7imyka1fgy8z4a8 4506787 4506783 2022-08-23T10:45:32Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* See */ Added listing for Stublla wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. Also you can go hiking :). }} * {{see | name=Stublla | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=The first Albanian School in Kosovo - Church of St. George is located in the village of Upper Stubëll/Stubla, municipality of Viti.Vitina. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} sse1rvr6vj70q0st4uqsrieya1esu8v 4506788 4506787 2022-08-23T10:51:24Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ Added listing for Vitia wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. Also you can go hiking :). }} * {{see | name=Stublla | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=The first Albanian School in Kosovo - Church of St. George is located in the village of Upper Stubëll/Stubla, municipality of Viti.Vitina. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Vitia | alt= | url=http://uniqueshop-ks.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping mall,unique gifts. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} or28gmi2dmsqyj1viwllorjslp72u6l 4506789 4506788 2022-08-23T10:51:54Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. Also you can go hiking :). }} * {{see | name=Stublla | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=The first Albanian School in Kosovo - Church of St. George is located in the village of Upper Stubëll/Stubla, municipality of Viti.Vitina. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Unique Shop | alt= | url=http://uniqueshop-ks.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping mall,unique gifts. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} 10vb8mrzm1fsz1wsnlvf38zqixgahlu 4506790 4506789 2022-08-23T10:52:14Z Shkurteeb 2275253 /* Buy */ wikitext text/x-wiki {{pagebanner|Pagebanner default.jpg}} '''Viti''' ([[Albanian phrasebook|Albanian]]: ''Vitia'') is a city located in the [[Gjilan]] region of [[Kosovo]]. ==Understand== Vitia is a city located in the southeastern part of Kosovo, on the border with Macedonia, east of Ferizaj and south of the municipality of Gjilan . The municipality of Vitis lies in the central part of the Upper Anamorave plain, through which the Morava e Binqe River passes. This municipality is located around the geographical coordinates: 42° 19 W and 21° 21 L. Vitia lies in the central part of the field of Upper Morava, through it passes the river Morava e Binça. It is located in a very fertile plain, suitable for the cultivation of all agricultural plants. After the occupation of the Albanian territories (Kosovo) by the Ottoman invaders, the territory of Viti was part of the Nahi of Morava. In the Ottoman census of 1455, Vitia as a residence had 104 communities (family houses) with 18,801.Vitia was a municipality in itself as part of the District of Gjilan. In 1952, three districts were formed from the district of Gjilan: Gjilani, Vitia, Dardana... While in 1959, when the districts were transformed, Vitia became a municipality in its own right. ==Get in== ==Get around== ==See== * {{see | name=Dëbëlldeh | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Beautiful nature and village. Also you can go hiking :). }} * {{see | name=Stublla | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=The first Albanian School in Kosovo - Church of St. George is located in the village of Upper Stubëll/Stubla, municipality of Viti.Vitina. }} ==Do== ==Buy== * {{buy | name=Blind Jewerly | alt=Artaria Blind | url= | email= | address=Hoxhe Jonuzi,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049707859 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Manufacturer of gold and silver jewellery. }} * {{buy | name=Premium Center | alt= | url= | email= | address=Street November 28,Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= 048 774 422 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping Mall · Restaurant. }} * {{buy | name=Unique Shop | alt= | url=http://uniqueshop-ks.com | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= Viti 16000 | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Shopping mall,unique gifts. }} ==Eat== * {{eat | name=Restaurant Roi | alt=Roi | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 49 790 770 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Good place & good food! }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant LINDI | alt=Lindi | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044650065 | tollfree= | hours=9 - 23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restraurant Lisi | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Presheva, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=044916508 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Arra | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+383 44 210 713 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{eat | name=Home Cake | alt= | url= | email= | address= | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38845604396 | tollfree= | hours=9-23 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Delicious cake. }} * {{eat | name=Restaurant Parku Ilir | alt=Illyricum Park | url= | email= | address=Letnicë, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38344448646 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content=Traditional food with a very beautiful nature. }} * {{eat | name=AMICI Food & Sweets | alt= | url= | email= | address=61000 Adem Jashari, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=049713171 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Drink== * {{drink | name=Bar'on Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=St. Adem Jashari, 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Tri'Bar Caffe | alt= | url= | email= | address=Dëshmorët e Vitis, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+38348710689 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Venecia | alt= | url= | email= | address=Hoxhë Jonuzi, Viti | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Kolos bar | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} * {{drink | name=Caffe Bar Rio | alt= | url= | email= | address=Adem Jashari, Viti 61000 | lat= | long= | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | hours=8:00-23:30 | price= | lastedit=2022-08-23 | content= }} ==Sleep== ==Connect== ==Go next== {{IsPartOf|Kosovo}}Ferizaj Gjilan Kllokot {{outlinecity}} {{geo||}} ao8hc4kxx14sscp7o2g0mo5xi8173tx 0 194562 4506774 2022-08-23T10:30:52Z TeO974 2275259 Created page with "The commune is a large producer of vanilla" wikitext text/x-wiki The commune is a large producer of vanilla 63v1exvp5cd1ypnd3tblzx5kjk9s807 1 194563 4506778 2022-08-23T10:35:41Z SHB2000 2248002 add star nom discussion wikitext text/x-wiki ==Star nomination== ===[[Canberra/Hall]]=== Time for another [[Childs]]-like star nomination. It's essentially complete, has a static map and has everything needed for a star article. It doesn't have an understand section, but city-districts don't usually have understand sections but I'm willing to add one if deemed necessary. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:34, 31 July 2022 (UTC) * '''Support''' - my kind of article; short and sweet, and focusing on a small town. I don't think it needs an 'Understand', unless there's some interesting history that couldn't fit elsewhere. :Small niggles can be dealt with in the coming days: I'm not in love with the end of the lede, which repeats the word "hidden" quite a lot, but I can't at the moment think of better wording. The 1882 eat listing will need to be updated after Wednesday 3rd August, because they're renovating, getting a new menu, and changing opening hours.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 20:20, 31 July 2022 (UTC) ::Darn what a coincidence! I really should've checked what was going on with 1882 Hall when I was there last month. It really does bother me given I was at Kynefin Cafe for my afternoon snack after descending down from One Tree Hill which was just a few steps away from the town's only restaurant :-(. I'll try and do a quick checkup (and may stop there for dinner) when I do my annual summit walk up [[Mount Kosciuszko]] this November. But anyway, thanks for the copyedits. Really appreciated. :-) <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 06:17, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::Another small thing: is Hall a village or a town? I don't consider those interchangeable, though maybe they are in the context of Australia.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 10:51, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :::In Australia (at least, this is true in all the states) the definitions are quite simple. Any settlement with over 200 inhabitants is (officially) considered a town, and anything over 10,000 is a city. Settlements with fewer than 200 inhabitants is up to interpretation; most Australians would call it a township, some might still call it a town, others would call it a settlement. "Village" is not usually used in Australian English, but [[Canberra/Tuggeranong_and_Country_ACT#Towns|Uriarra Village]] also in the ACT has earned the title of "community village" (no other settlement in Aus has this title), and the ACT government does (overly) promote Hall as a village. [https://goo.gl/maps/MGnCwpChinauadAKA This] sign in Hall claims that Hall is a heritage village, but the encyclopedia claims it's a township. Per official definitions, Hall, with a population of 271, would technically be considered a town, so I'm really undecided now, though I slightly favour following the encyclopedia and using "township". <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 11:16, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ::::They probably can be used interchangeably here, then.--[[User:ThunderingTyphoons!|ThunderingTyphoons!]] ([[User talk:ThunderingTyphoons!|talk]]) 11:51, 1 August 2022 (UTC) :::::August 3 now, and it seems [https://1882hall.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1882-Hall-August22-web.pdf their new menu] is out. However, there doesn't seem to be any major changes that would require a significant change to the description. <span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont">[[User:SHB2000|SHB2000]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta.wikimedia]])</small></span> 09:42, 3 August 2022 (UTC) *Let's wait a bit; I think the copy can be tweaked somewhat. [[User:Ikan Kekek|Ikan Kekek]] ([[User talk:Ikan Kekek|talk]]) 04:32, 1 August 2022 (UTC) ---- '''Outcome:''' 3 weeks now, given that all issues have been fixed, per the notice on the top of this page, I'm going to upgrade this so this doesn't get lost in the pile for another few years to come. So essentially '''promoted'''. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 10:34, 23 August 2022 (UTC) 629mjd0t3c6wz3ex1u5kglt2wlx0hqi 1 194566 4506803 2022-08-23T11:45:31Z SHB2000 2248002 /* Merge to Eti-Osa? */ new section wikitext text/x-wiki == Merge to [[Eti-Osa]]? == This nature park is your average council park and has nothing so remarkable to merit its own article and therefore fails [[wv:wiaa]]. The only useful info, the fees, can be covered in [[Eti-Osa]] without the need for a separate article. --<span style="font-family:BlinkMacSystemFont; font-size: 14px">[[User:SHB2000|<span style="color:#0b6487">SHB2000</span>]] <small>([[User talk:SHB2000|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/SHB2000|contribs]] &#124; [[m:User:SHB2000|meta]])</small></span> 11:45, 23 August 2022 (UTC) 40ph4zl67qr6u01u9swvs3174ec5dh9 0 194567 4506811 2022-08-23T11:50:03Z SHB2000 2248002 SHB2000 moved page [[Lagos/Iyana-Iba]] to [[Lagos City/Iyana-Iba]]: fix wikitext text/x-wiki #REDIRECT [[Lagos City/Iyana-Iba]] p8nabf9givy3yanrl5q68xjz8onk3i9